Nicole went out to Wells City to see the amazing growth of trees etc. encompassing the city. It was a site to behold. Emergency Services was continuing to comb the city to make certain it was empty. Captain Leo had spent a lot of time removing everything that could be returned to the Federation. He and Commander Teero wanted to make certain that while the Federation understood that we supported Hunt, we were not their enemy.
It was Captain Leo who informed Nicole of the find. A 9 year old child. DNA scans indicated the child was Brenna Montgomery, a ward of the Federation discovered during the raid on the Citadel genetic research facility. The child was found wandering near the city.
Nicole put down her shuttle and met the young lady. She told Brenna that she would become a ward of the Phoenix Fleet and would be taken to Omega Prime where she would be placed in a proper house. Brenna hugged Nicole. She started to cry.
Nicole knelt down and hugged the little girl. Nicole did not take Brenna back to the Federation Complex for distribution to a group home or foster home. Nicole took Brenna to her house in Little Lakaria. She put her in the room once used by Captain S'Nii when she first arrived on the colony. She told Brenna she could sleep there and stay there for as long as she liked.
"Forever?", Brenna asked, with sheepish eyes.
Nicole smiled, "Maybe..."
"Maybe not...", Brenna frowned. She had been moved now 3 times in less than a year.
Nicole went downstairs. She prepared the paperwork for Brenna to become her ward and stay here in the house. She held the PADD in her hand. All she had to do was press okay.
Nicole had run the Phoenix Colony. Nicole had been involved in the Romulan Occupation. Nicole had been involved in the Pheonix Plague and now Nicole was involved in the abandonment by the Federation. None of that scared her more than pressing the button to become the parent of this child.
Nicole took a deep breath and then pushed the button. Stardate 64153.61, Nicole Branson becomes the parental guardian of Brenna Montgomery....
Nicole went out and sat on the stoop. This is where she went to think. The children playing in front of her house always reminded her what this was all about. To see Bajorans and Cardassians playing with Romulans and Vulcans was what she and Admiral Tim Veltkamp always dreamed about; a home for everyone.
Nicole heard the door open. It was Brenna. She came out and sat down on the stoop with Nicole. Nicole put her arm around the child. The truth is this had become a microcasm for the colony itself. Brenna was abandoned by the Federation. She was rescued by the Phoenix Fleet and now she was in the arms of the Phoenix safe from harm.
Brenna looked up, "Nicole, tell me about my father?"
What a question to ask Vice Admiral Nicole Branson. Bruce Montgomery basically abused her for years. Nicole looked down at Brenna, "Your father was a Star Fleet Admiral."
Brenna looked up and smiled, "Can I play with the children?"
"Yes, Sweetie, you sure can.", Nicole smiled.
Nicole teared up. She was easy to make cry as she watched the little girl ~ now her little girl ~ playing with Bajoran Children, Cardassian Children, a Romulan and a couple of Vulcan children. This is exactly what she dreamed of.
We are all the same. We are all Phoenix.
Nicole stood up, "Brenna, don't you leave the street."
"Yes, mom.", Brenna shouted back, "I mean, yes Nicole. Umm... Vice Admiral Branson."
Nicole had to step inside. She did not want Brenna to see her cry when she called her mom.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Parental Guardian of Brenna Montgomery - Age 9
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
