Nicole knew about Zoe's passion. She still took her back. She had seen the holodeck program and the great victories achieved by Zoe and her Bolian lover.
When Major General Hogale Braze invited his daughter to supper, Nicole had no reason to know what he was up to or to suspect anything sinister. Hogale had brought Yotel Gharton to the colony to convince Zoe that she could have a more acceptable relationship.
Yotel and Zoe hit it off as Zoe told him about her experiences on Earth being raised by the Smythes and her dreams of a true fairy tale wedding. They were soon laughing and joking, drinking and covorting. Zoe never intended for it to happen but they soon ended up in a suite at Ishka's with the legendary blue marine squealing with an joy she had not felt in a long time.
Nicole was at home all night. She was alone all night. Zoe returned in the morning. She looked at Nicole, "We need to talk."
Nicole knew what that meant. Zoe used those same words when she assumed command of the USS Apocalypse. Nicole sobbed as she listened to Zoe talk about her dreams, her fairy tale wedding and her new found love for her Bolian history with the return of Hogale Braze.
Nicole watched in sorrow as Zoe and Yotel left together in a shuttle. She was alone again. She grabbed a bottle of Romulan Ale and sat on the floor.
The door chime went off. Nicole got up. It was Elizabeth and her new lover, Vice Admiral Marcus Laree. Nicole looked at Elizabeth, "What do you want?"
"I am a grandmother. I want to see my grandchild. No, my grandchildren.", Elizabeth responded.
"Mac and Brenna, come see grandma.", Elizabeth grinned.
Nicole offered them a glass of ale. She glared at Elizabeth as she held the children and talked about Betazed.
"What do you really want?", Nicole finally snarled.
Marcus looked at Nicole, "We have a problem."
"I thought as much.", Nicole frowned.
"Nicole, when Captain Orin Coren-Lau was killed her on the colony, the Lau Trill was removed. This much you know.", Marcus explained.
Nicole looked puzzled.
"The Trill Council recommended removing the Coren portion and putting the Lau trill back into another host. Dr. Lasiter Lau is a medical mind that should not be lost.", Marcus explained.
Nicole was still lost.
"Elizabeth, my beautiful Elizabeth could not bare to lose Orchid again. Orchid was her last link to Magenta and Lavender, both killed here. She convinced the Trill Council to leave the Coren portion within the Trill and to replant the host in another.", Marcus continued.
"Huh? Is Orchid alive?", Nicole wondered aloud.
"We believed that with the third implant, the Orchid portion would be so small that her personality would not play a part in the new hosts existence. We took the new Orchid, the third Orchid to Betazed and put her to work on Corinthian's as a doctor believing she would not want any ties to Ephyra.", Marcus continued.
Elizabeth interrupted, "It began about 4 weeks ago. She began to ask questions."
Nicole looked at Elizabeth, "Questions about what?"
"We explained our situation to Major General Braze and asked for his help.", Marcus continued.
"You are not answering the question.", Nicole responded.
"The young lady chosen by the Trill Alliance has began to show an interest in you, Nicole. She can't stop talking about you.", Marcus continued.
"At first Elizabeth wanted no part of introducing you two. She knows what has happened before. She told Orchid to put these thoughts out of her head.", Marcus explained.
"What? I need to see her.", Nicole responded.
"I was content to leave her on Corinthians.", Elizabeth interrupted before Nicole could finish.
"Then I met Marcus.", Elizabeth put her hand in Marcus' and smiled.
"He reminded me how special love could be.", Elizabeth kissed Marcus on the cheek.
"Nicole, we have brought the younger Orchid Coren-Lau to meet you.", Elizabeth finally finished.
Orchid stood in the doorway, "My name is Orchid Coren-Lau."
Nicole grinned, "I know your name silly."
"I think I love you but I don't know why?", Orchid looked at Nicole.
"I know I love you and I do know why.", Nicole hugged her. The pair just stood in the doorway hugging.
Ephyra could be a place of miracles after all.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Governor
Ephyra Colony
King's Fleet
