The House of Laree has taken a horrible beating since Captain Addison Laree came to the Phoenix Colony and stole the heart and spirit of Dr. Orchid Coren and later took her life. The tragic events ended a long association with the Phoenix Federation including the exemplary service of Tamryn Laree on the USS / CGV Tanmesad.
Nicole agreed to meet with Betazoid Admiral Alexander Laree when he arrived to discuss the Retarnee and the potential threat to the United Federation of Planets and even to the Alpha Quadrant. Nicole put on her best smile even though Alexander's nephew had broken her heart and killed her one true love.
Auburn stood beside her Nicole. She held her hand as both families, the Bransons and the Larees spoke about the incident and shared their sorrow. She walked with Nicole as the ambassadorial negotiations took a break and she held her as she cried still missing her flower. Auburn would have no concept about how much just being their meant to Nicole.
The pair returned to Little Lakaria. It was the first time Nicole had seen the Cardassian people voice their support for Legate Enranet as Governor of the Phoenix Colony. The very words would have been foreign even to the open minded Nicole two years ago when she welcomed the Hebetian refugees of Cardassia. Now the possibility of a Cardassian Governor was not remote and may even be likely as the term of D'Solos Vreenak nears an end.
Nicole smiled as the symbols of freedom were seen all around her. The Cardassians were once a feared enemy of the Federation and now they are a part of our culture, our people and our colony ~ even more than that, a part of our home.
Nicole grabbed a shower. In the shower, Nicole thought about Auburn and what she had done for her, the support she had shown her during the negotiations with Admiral Laree. Nicole stepped out of the shower and still naked walked into the bedroom. There she saw her Auburn, the red hair princess of the Coren family.
Nicole felt a closeness she had not felt for anyone since Magenta or Orchid. She felt a connection.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Chancellor - Omega Academy
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
