Nicole looked out at the beautiful two sun sky alone. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She only thought of Orchid, beautiful Orchid. This was her days now. She went to the Federation Complex and processes refugee claims and processed exile claims. The Phoenix Unification has become the home of the unwanted. Those running for the Federation.
Nicole went to the Commune. Mary-Lou was there but without her good friend Bobbi-Lee Kennedy, she too had lost her fire. Theirs was not a love like Nicole and Orchid, but a friendship tested over 10 years. The commune, once bright with the students of the Omega Academy was now darker with the unwashed and unwanted. Nicole was saddened by the site.
The Academy remained open but was about 45% capacity as everyone was deciding whether or not it would prepare students for a career in space. Admiral Tim Veltkamp, the Federation Liaison for the Phoenix Unification and Nuetral in his approach has been trying to convince the Federation to accept students from the Omega Academy. So far, he has had little success. The Bajorans who once filled the empty spots in the school have went home. The colony is a dark, dark place.
Feelers have been sent out the neighboring worlds about joining the Phoenix Unification. So far, only limited responses. Many worlds have agreed to send ambassadors and some have arrived at Wells City. With the USS Quasar Quest having been here before, many knew John Warren and are using him as a conduit.
Nicole was worse off this morning as she sipped a glass of wine, Brenna Montgomery, her beloved daughter had went to Corinthian Station with the last shuttle to visit Dr. Coren. Nicole was alone, in heart and in spirit and on her colony.
Nicole knew it would not last long. She would not agree to the trip if it was more than a couple of days.
Two sun sets later, Nicole was on her stoop, sitting there with Captain Warren who brought news. THe Beta Quadrant races are most interested in the Phoenix Unification. Nicole actually smiled for the first time. John put his arm on her shoulder and smiled. This will work out.
Nicole stood up in absolute shock when Dr. Orchid Coren came walking up Lakaria Avenue to the suburban house. She could not bare it and went inside.
Brenna looked up at Orchid, "Other mommy, are you leaving again?"
"Yes, princess. I have to go back to Corinthian Station to Grandpa Illyan.", Orchid smiled, kneeling down to Brenna.
"Are you taking Trissie with you?", Brenna asked.
"Yes, Trista is my baby, Brenna.", Orchid started to cry as Nicole stepped out on the stoop.
"But Trista is Mommy Nikki's baby too.", Brenna looked puzzled.
"Two women cannot have a baby, little Brenna.", Orchid snapped. Her heart strings breaking with every word.
"But you do.", Brenna retorted. Her words rang so true with both Orchid and with Nicole.
Orchid looked up at Nicole, "What do you want?"
Nicole glasped her hands to her face, "You know what I want."
Nicole voice cracked like a bad vinyl record.
Orchid turned around holding baby Trista in her arms and slowly walked towards the hover car. She thought about their history, about the colony, about the tragedies of the Phoenix Plague about it all.
She thought about the girls, about her father and about the Phoenix Unification.
She could go back to Corinthian Station and be a doctor and be daddy's good little girl, replacing Captain Trista Coren or she could stay here and be in love, be free and rise again like the Phoenix itself.
She watched as the door slowly opened. She got in and slowly drove down the street.
Brenna hugged Nicole's leg as she cried her eyes out. Nicole turned to go inside when the car stopped. Orchid stepped out, "Nicole!! Nicole!!", she yelled.
"I only want to be with you....", Orchid cried.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
MLA - Little Lakaria
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Fleet
