Vincent had stayed behind in Cairo. With the rise of Tabrine Mandu and the progression of the peace talks, he could not spare himself for the ceremony and the prom. Nicole was very disappointed. She looked forward to see Vincent and Bobbi-Lee in the evening.
She had not prepared a speech. She was stumped. Nicole got up in front of some 8000 students preparing to ship out to colonies, stations and ships around the Federation and its allies. She looked out at them feeling a bizarre stage fright.
Nicole started to speak, but she could not come up with the words. She fumbled to start a couple of times and then she did the unthinkable. She started to sing...
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The students tossed their cornerboards into the air...
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~Les Brown", Nicole teared up looking out at the third group of students to graduate under her stead.
She thought of Rear Admiral Jake Anderson who founded the Omega Colony. She thought of all the horror brought to the colony over the past year. She thought of Vincent and her fine staff.
She thought of one other thing... One important thing... Peace.
It is the one thing we need.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
<i>Commencement Speaker</i>
Graduation 2386
Omega Academy Gymnasium
Omega Academy, Omega Prime, Territory Omega, Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
