"I will have none of it. The Federation needs the colony of Reykja Penthe to be under our thumb. With Monday as the First Lady of Reykja Penthe, the Klingons know that we mean business.", Illyan lectured Nicole.
"But what of love?", Nicole looked at the Betazoid.
"I know what the pain of putting all things in favor of love. I nearly destroyed the universe when I was involved with Louis neroQ over the possibility of saving my Loiza. I had given my soul. I destroyed the Betazoid Alliance and all it stood for. I destroyed my reputation trying to save my Loiza. It all failed. It has taken more than a year for the Klingon Empire to recover and for me to regain my position in the Betazoid military and now in Starfleet. There is no love in politics. When you put love in politics, this is what can happen.", Illyan turned to walk away.
Nicole grabbed him by the arm, "This is exactly what has happened to the Federation and Starfleet, Illyan. This is why the system is not expanding any more. This is why there is less and less exploration beyond the old Phoenix Federation space in the Beta Quadrant or back into the Delta Quadrant in space protected by the Epsilon Force. This is because the Federation has embraced maintaining the status quo over trying to reach out to others; trying to find new friends and out of these new friends, new loves."
"You cannot compare the trials of a colonial governor with the pressures put on President Alexander Laree and the Federation.", Illyan snapped.
"I think you are wrong, Illyan. This is exactly the comparison that needs to be made. The colonies, whether ours or others in the known worlds, are exactly the microcosm that should be used by Starfleet and the Federation to evaluate their performance as a leader.", Nicole snapped.
"Leave, child. You are wrong! You and Monday need to figure this out.", Illyan ordered.
Nicole left upset that she was not able to show the Starfleet Commander in Chief that she should be allowed to chose Jaskalla and love over Monday and duty.
Posted by:
Nicole Branson
Governor
Reykja Penthe
King's Fleet
