"Just because you can do something does not mean you should do something.", Acrylos looked at Nicole.
"But it is my Brenna.", Nicole looked at the Bajoran.
"I realize it is 2394, death is not always as finite as lifespan. Advances like the Trill DNA recordings and shared existence have allowed humanity and even Bajora to re evaluate lifespan,concepts of eternity and faith and even of death but something's are better left untouched. Ask Summer Vasa-Lau.", Colonel Teero warned.
Acrylos was very upset that the Betazoid physicist Dr. Tegora Vasa had shared the temporal anomaly that results at the very moment of the exchange of regular Dilithium and Temporal Dilithium within the Rings of Teero. For a brief instance, glimpses of multiple timelines can be visible using the appropriate scanning technology.
Tegora had shown a digital recording of the Temporal event to Nicole Branson after catching a glimpse of Brenna Montgomery playing on Ephyra three years ago. Nicole was overjoyed with the sighting and watched the image of her lost daughter incessantly. Nicole then asked the question about attempting to transport her out of the temporal rift. She was a medical doctor not a physicist but more than that she was a mother. This could be her miracle.
"I want to try.", Nicole looked at Acrylos.
"I will not help you. The will of the prophets must be maintained.", Acrylos theologically responded.
"Like it was for you.", Nicole snarked as only a beautiful woman can. Acrylos had been reborn here at the Andorian gateway too.
Acrylos was pissed off at Nicole's bitchy response and stormed from the room. Nicole went to see the Xindi Insectoid Dr. Xact Tchilack about her proposal. Xact was intrigued by the possibility and immediately set to work on the equations necessary to pinpoint a target visible only for a few seconds in a temporal rift.
Acrylos was furious to learn that the project was proceeding even at the development level and stopped all Temporal Dilithium transfers pending a legal injunction against Branson and her push for the temporal extraction.
General Brown and the Hatherton Fleet had already been building a little empire in the Delta Quadrant expanding trade with the nearby planets including a highly contentious flesh and organ trade with the Vidiians. Bell had expanded his resource ring further than the King's and needed the speed and distance offered by the Rings of Teero and Temporal Dilithium. He however was not yet in a position to take them by force. GeneralBrown's approach particularly with the Vidiians was not sanctioned by Admiral Illyan Coren or Starfleet who were losing patience with the Antican General turned rival. Brown however was given observer status in the hearings chaired by Ambassador T'tan.
The Vulcan listened to Colonel Acrylos Teero's religion laden warning about Temporal Interference and his quoting of the Temporal Prime Directive. She then listened to the non-binding observer statement from General Brown about the hard life in the Delta Quadrant and about the need for the speed and range offered by Temporal Dilithium. Nicole wanted to give an emotional mother impact statement but the Vulcan refused to allow the Governor to read her speech instead accepting only a written submission knowing how passionate the former UFP President can deliver a speech.
Dr. Tchilack had continued to work through the project. Colonel Teero went to see his rival and the alien who had replaced him as chief engineer for the entire fleet. He told him that this was a mistake. He warned him that the loss of Brenna had helped shape Nicole as a being a and removing that loss may create a sense of invulnerability that puts them all at risk. Acrylos almost belittled the alien by warning of his past failed experiments involving temporal activities. Xact reminded the Bajoran that his experiments had made escape from Reykja Penthe possible and life at the Andorian Gateway a reality. The two rivals engaged in a harsh exchange.
T'tan came to see Nicole. The Vulcan looked at her long time colleague, "Is it worth all this?"
"If a glimpse of Dr. T'Tanides was captured, would you go after your own daughter?", Nicole answered her question with a question; most illogically.
The Vulcan glared at the Governor. She did not like her own logic based questioned. She wished the T'Tanides was available for an exchange of ideas but struggled to call this missing her daughter. Secretly with her soul, she cursed Branson with the question.
"If you can find a non-physicist supporter for the extraction I will consider it.", T'tan looked at Nicole.
Nicole returned to her office. The regular citizens would not support her fora couple of reasons. T'tan would see them as coerced or obligated to support the Governor. She needed someone else. The Fleet leadership would not support her. They were bound by the Temporal Prime Directive and already see the civilian governor as too powerful on the station.
Nicole left her office in Tower One only to be startled by Grace Gra'Naarg sitting on the couch in the waiting area.
The beautiful leggy Branson Beauty Tellarite looked up at Nicole, "I would support the extraction in exchange for a second chance. It could be you, me, Mac, Brenna and Gretchen. We could be a family."
"You burned my city.", Nicole started to cry.
"I know.", Grace started to cry too.
"One supporter. That is what the Vulcan said. One supporter.", Grace sniffles.
"You owe me nothing. I am your enemy. She would have to see me as independent.", Grace rubbed her snout.
"But look at what you have to gain, reconciliation. T'tan could see it as coercion. She could say I offered a renewed relationship in exchange for your support.", Nicole brought the emotions back to reality.
"Look what a relationship with me could cost you. I attacked the colony. I, or at least operatives loyal to me were responsible for the deaths of people you were sworn to protect. I have ruled Tellar Prime as a military leader with all that entails. This means I have literally driven some of the refugees who live here on Carlisle Asteroid from their homes in the Tellar System from their homes to maintain Gra'Naarg power. This is no benefit for you in coercing me into a relationship. In fact, it will likely make your life more difficult.", Grace offered an alternative view.
"Then why should I do it?", Nicole looked at Grace.
"I want to just be a wife and a mother. This is my chance.", Grace looked at Nicole, tears streaming down her face, "I would be honoured to be your First Lady."
Nicole looked at Grace. There were risks using her as her supporter for precisely really the reasons she stated.
Nicole interlocked her fingers into Grace's reforming an old bond. Grace and Nicole went to see T'tan.
T'tan reminded Nicole that the young lady would have no knowledge of events after her sighting sand it would be up to Nicole to tell Brenna everything including the truth about Grace. Grace promised to meet the criteria laid out by the hearing doctrine.
Acrylos glared at the Vulcan ,"You are making a mistake."
On July 11, 2394, Dr. Xact Tchilack and Dr. Tegora Vasa reported the Temporal Extraction to the Starfleet Offices of Temporal Investigations. Brenna Montgomery of Ephyra 2392 was removed an inserted into Carlisle Asteroid 2394. The report detailed the relationship between Grace Gra'Naarg and Nicole Branson including the violent exodus from Camelot, Reykja Penthe. The truth was shared with the ten year old Brenna in an open way. Brenna may only be ten but she was a colonist who had seen death and could process the horrors of Grace's decision to leave Nicole. The tension in meeting the established criteria of the T0tan verdict was a huge stress for Nicole, Grace and Brenna. The tension in that room was very real. Brenna had been ripped from a joyous Ephyra to a very difficult Andorian Gateway. She could easily turn dark at a very formative time in a young lady's life.
Time will tell.
Posted By:
Nicole Branson
Overjoyed Mother of Brenna Montgomery
Rings of Teero
Orbiting Camelot Station
Colonel Acrylos Teero
Conscientious Objector to the Temporal Extraction
Camelot Station
King's Fleet
