Many on the colony had already heard about the incident on Station Destiny in the Beta Quadrant when the Tamarian ships appeared in the Phoenix Colony skies. The Tamarians sent out a standard mathematical construct ~ the request for contact to the Federation Complex. The construct was known to the Federation from a similar incident involving the Tamarians.
In 2368, a Tamarian ship sent a general hail towards Federation space, a standard mathematical progression interpreted as a request for communication. The USS Enterprise-D was dispatched to El-Adrel IV to establish contact.
The Tamarian construct and language is highly difficult to decipher and in fact the 2368 mission was deemed a failure despite the efforts of Captain Jean-Luc Picarda and Captain Dathon.
Not much has changed in 28 years, everyone was struggling with the language. Commander Ophelia Masters and Commodore Vincent Viceroy worked feverishly on the project and Nicole even noticed a strange flirtations between the Commodore and his Protocol officer. Nicole was very pleased because Vincent had been deeply hurt by Bobbi-Lee Kennedy leaving for Earth.
Nicole summoned Dr. Velta Varno to the Federation Complex to help with the language. Nicole would end up spending a lot of time with her former lover and the "widow" of Dr. Wendy Smith. Dr. Orchid Coren had grown quite jealous as everyone worked feverishly to try to be able to safely respond to the Tamarians.
As near as could be determined, the Tamarians wanted to establish membership in the Phoenix Federation as opposed to opposition after the awesome display of power by Station Destiny. The Tamarians were afraid and wanted to set up a neutral relationship between Outpost 395, Station Destiny, the ships of the Phoenix Federation and the planets of the El-Adrel system in the Beta Quadrant.
Nicole tried to speak the language but could not. Vincent struggled to speak the language but could not. Everyone thought all was lost when Tania brought in baby Trista to see her mom. Tania was looking over the construct and the message.
Nicole turned around, "Mom, you are retired now. You don't need to work on this stuff. You are a grandmother and a babysitter, not a Phoenix Federation officer."
Tania looked down, "Species 331: The Tamarians. They are familiar to the Borg."
Nicole looked at her mother, "You can read this."
"I can.", Tania said matter of factly.
Nicole hugged her mother and Trista.
"Mom.... I mean, Commander Tania Branson, can you respond to the Tamarians?", Nicole asked.
"Yes, Ma'am. What would you like the message to say?", Tania asked.
Nicole looked at her mother in a new light. She was positively amazed.
"Inform the Tamarian Alliance and the Citizens of the El-Adrel System that the Phoenix Federaton would be honored to form an alliance with them and inform the Commander that the incident at Destiny was a mistake and we are deeply sorry for the loss of the two crews.", Nicole spoke.
Nicole looked over at Vincent, "Is there anything else Governor?"
"Inform the Tamarian Alliance that the Phoenix Federation reports to its Military Commander In Chief Admiral William Hunt but hopes to establish a civilian government and also inform the Tamarians that they are most welcome to have a representative sit on the Phoenix Colony Legislative Assembly.", Vincent smiled, putting his arm on Tania's shoulder.
"Well done, Commander Branson. You have out done yourself.", Vincent smiled, looking at Tania and then at Nicole.
"I see where Nicole gets her spunk.", Vincent laughed.
Everyone waited with baited breath for the response....
People were pacing around the office when Orchid showed up with Brenna and William Lodge Jr. She looked at Velta and Nicole. Nicole looked over and smiled but looked right back at the screens waiting for something, anything from the Tamarians.
The screen slowly lit up with the image of the United Federation of Planets Logo and then slowly backed up to reveal the words, "United Federation of the Phoenix"
There was a single line on the bottom.
Tania smiled, "We accept."
Nicole turned to Vincent and hugged him, "We are for real now! There is a Phoenix Federation."
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Chief Negotiator - Tamarian Introduction
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Governor - Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
