Vincent wanted everyone to know it was business as usual. He invited the parents to come the Academy. Nicole was actually against them coming. The Borg Scouts had only been taken down just days earlier and the Seige of Rome was only in a tenuous peace but Vincent wanted everyone to believe that their children were safe at the Academy.
Nicole was out shaking hands like every good politician should. She was mortified to see General Jean-Michel Robespierre using this as a photo op too. She hated the man after his abuse in her office.
Nicole was slowly walking down the Jake Anderson Parkway when Lisa came running up.
"Nicole, these are my parents.", Lisa giggled, barely able to catch her breath.
Nicole turned around. She looked positively regal in her dress whites. Captain Robert Leffler saluted in a strong military salute. Nicole really appreciated it. She saluted back. Few people treat her pips with respect because of who she is and how she got where she is. Many people in Star Fleet know her only as the "Lesbian Art Student" and not as "Vice Admiral".
Rhonda smiled, "Rhonda Leffler."
Nicole held out her hand, "Nicole Branson"
Lisa was still filled with glee, "This is amazing, Nicole. The students are overjoyed. I never thought I would feel this type of respect."
Rhonda looked at Nicole, "Thank you for having our Lisa."
Nicole smiled, "You can thank Commodore Viceroy. He heard of her research on the Borg. Lisa is a genius."
The words caught the attention of Captain Leffler. He put his arm on her shoulder. It made him so proud.
Rhonda looked at Lisa, "So where do you live?"
Lisa's mother looked over at the incredible city of Omega Prime and then across the River Covington at Veltkamp Village. She was amazed.
Lisa smiled, "I was given a condo in Omega Prime, but I don't stay there much."
Rhonda looked puzzled, "Where do you sleep?"
Lisa then silenced the whole group, "In the Governor's Mansion."
Robert snapped to attention, "Vice Admiral Branson, you need not put up our daughter. She is a full grown woman. She needs to stand on her own two feet."
Nicole knew there was more going on here than she could physically see. She did not know how to answer.
Lisa stepped in, "No, Dad. She does not put me up, we are sharing the house."
Rhonda jumped in, "And the bed. No, Lisa!! No!! Your father does not approve."
Robert glared at Nicole, "You approve of this type of behavior. You are in the military. This is unacceptable. Lisa will be removed and reassigned. Lisa needs to straighten up and fly right!!"
Robert grabbed the arm of both women and started back down the parkway. Nicole was flabbergasted. This was 2386. Nicole watched as Lisa and her family disappeared.
Nicole continued to shake hands and to kiss babies. She was remarkably popular amongst the students over the free housing and alien student acceptance. She made her way back into the city and over to BLACK.
Vincent and Bobbi-Lee were inside having a drink with Robert and Mary-Lou. The Caitain and his landlord were now a common site in the coffee house. Nicole waved but sat alone. She had a coffee and returned to the big mansion.
The mansion had been so quiet since S'Nii moved back to Student Housing to be better integrated with the student population. The mansion had been brightened up by the arrival of Lisa Leffler. Nicole thought this would be her future. Lisa was always so happy and so nice.
Nicole sat alone reading Borg schematics. She was almost in tears as she read them alone. If the Borg come, the colony has no chance. She somehow felt a kinship to her colony. Against a real power, she had no chance.
Nicole put on a fine negligee and was brushing her hair when the door chimed. Nicole went out to find Rhonda there. Nicole was wearing baby doll panties and a see through negligee. Rhonda stared at her for a moment and then spoke.
"Robert once found Lisa and another girl in her room as a teen. He was mortified. He pulled her out by her hair. He does not understand. He was not alone on Earth while the Captain was out flying around the universe. Lisa did not have many male friends and did not have a strong male role model. She never idolized her father. She never knew him. She and I are very close. I am envious that she has the opportunities she has. Robert and I are leaving for Earth tomorrow. You have built something amazing here with this place and with our Lisa. She told me how you treat her. I just wanted you to know that not all Leffler's are still in the dark ages.", Rhonda smiled and pushed the door open to reveal Lisa just standing there.
Right in front of her mother, she cooed, "Man, Nikki, you look hot."
Rhonda looked at Lisa. Nicole was so embarrassed. She grabbed a drab grey overcoat and pulled it over her night gown. Lisa kissed her mom and then closed the door. Nicole dropped the overcoat and the girls kissed deeply.
Lisa looked at Nicole as she unbuttoned her uniform, "Man is Christmas going to be fun this year."
The girls giggled simultaneously, "Oh no, not another visit from the parents."
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Territory Omega Governor
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
