Nicole listened to several members of Star Fleet Senior Command lecturing her about the appearance of the so-called "Mothership."
The incident, the so-called Sky Drop, has set the colony up as a larger player in the Bajoran Sector. Star Fleet basically ordered Governor Branson and the King's Fleet to demand that the Gorn withdraw their ship. When Branson refused there was shouting and a lot of complaining and then silence.
Star Fleet also demanded to know where Colonel Teero got the plans for the Apocalypse. The ship looks eerily similar to the Cargo Ship T-Rex which was developed from plans stolen from the Zaranites in the Beta Quadrant. If the plans for the Apocalypse were stolen by the Bajoran, the use of the plans would be a violation of the colony charter.
Nicole started to laugh and disconnected the call.
The comm link came on again. Nicole snapped at the screen, "I am not changing a damn thing!"
Colonel Zoe Beamon looked back at Branson, "i would have it no other way."
Nicole looked at Zoe, "What the hell do you want?"
"I heard a little Sparrow teased you.", Zoe taunted.
Nicole frowned and looked at the floor, "You left me for a ship, Colonel. You left me for the job."
"I know, Nicole and I regret every minute of it. I have been speaking with Elora Vasa about taking command of the USS Princess Diana. I have seen what happened to her and Vincent and why he brought her home. The Zombies are my life but all I can think about is you.", Zoe looked at Nicole.
"I need you to take me back, Nikki.", Zoe looked at Nicole.
"I can't. I can't have you leaving all the time.", Nicole looked at Zoe.
"You could come aboard the Apocalypse.", Zoe responded.
"I have a duty to the colony.", Nicole responded.
"See you have done the same thing. You left me for the colony now.", Zoe responded.
Nicole looked at her, "I am not gonna fight with you. You have to be on the surface or you can't be with me."
She clicked the comm link closing the HUD image.
Nicole went into the office the next day. She dealt with regular issues including trying to arrange for land housing for nearly 12,000 Gorn and trying to do so without offending everyone. Samantha called her actions heroic, but this is what Nicole was good at. She could organize things.
Nicole went to the Galley for supper. She and Jess shared a couple of laughs about the look on the Star Fleet Admirals when she told them that she was not sending the Mothership home. Nicole even had a couple of glasses of wine. It had been a good day after a very bad one.
She came home to find Mac and Brenna just leaving, "Where are you kids going?"
"Down to the park. We will be back in an hour.", Brenna responded.
"No where else.", Nicole ordered.
She walked into the house and up the stairs to get out of the traditional King's Fleet pink colors. She really needed a shower.
She walked into the room and was startled by what she saw.
"If I got down on my knees and told you I gave up my ship, would you take me back?", Zoe looked up.
"You can't give up your ship anymore than I can give up the colony.", Nicole answered back.
"I would do anything for you, Nikki.", Zoe looked up in tears.
"Who will attend to the Apocalypse?", Nicole asked.
"I guess that's up to Viceroy now.", Zoe looked back, "I have done my duty in space."
"And what about me? I can't give up my job as Governor. It is who I am.", Nicole responded.
"And I can't quit being a marine. I am the Zombie's Colonel. We will serve the colony here on the surface once more.", Zoe looked at Nicole.
"Now are you gonna take me to bed or what?", Zoe tried to lighten the mood.
"I am going into the shower. You are welcome to join me.'. Nicole started to unzip her shirt.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Governor
Ephyra Colony
King's Fleet
