Nicole was in the city with General Smith helping to return the Village to prominence. The pair had been over there for a couple of days and opted to go the Veltkamp Lounge for supper. Nicole thought of her children and her beloved Orchid as the pair discussed life, the rebuild and even a bit about Admiral Veltkamp himself; serving as the Phoenix Federation Star Fleet Liaison on New Netherlands.
Nicole went her communicator go off. She felt an odd sense of fear. She looked at the Jarada General and walked out into the corridor. Nicole clicked on the communicator. The document appeared like a slap in her face.
From the Office of:
Admiral Illyan Coren
Task Force Betazed
United Federation of Planets
Phoenix Rebellion
RE: Directed Verdict: Judge Advocate General: Dr. Orchid Coren
Mental Competency Hearing 64285.05
Attention: Commodore Vincent Viceroy
Dear Sir;
It is the duty of the Judge Advocate General for Task Force Betazed to inform you that all rank and privileges of Dr. Orchid Coren have been removed under Section 8 of the military code of conduct.
In declaring Dr. Orchid Coren mentally unfit to perform her duties as an officer, it is the direction of the court that Dr. Coren have her child, Trista Branson-Coren removed from her custody. In accordance with the familial line of succession, the child shall be presented to her maternal grandparents, Illyan and Loiza Coren of Betazed.
Any action to contradict this verdict will be seen as an act of defiance and will result in further action against the government of the Phoenix Colony and pursuant of further action against Vice Admiral Nicole Branson.
Respectfully
Brigadier General Sonjaya Lesion
Judge Advocate General
Task Force Betazed
Phoenix Rebellion
cc Admiral John Williams, Star Fleet Intelligence
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson, Deputy Commander in Chief, Phoenix Federation.
Nicole stood there knowing that as she read the letter security forces were at her house taking her baby. She wanted to cry but she felt a white hot rage. She wanted to collapse in fear but she stood strong. This was not over.
In her fear, something truly bizarre happened. It is said when you fear reaches a pinnacle level, your hair will turn white. Nicole was at that level.
Standing there in the corridor of the Veltkamp Lounge, nearly two years of adrenalin caught up with her. To her very soul, fear had touched her in those two years and today with the theft of her child, it had reached a zenith. Today, her hair turned silvery white.
Posted by:
Vice Admiral Nicole Branson
Deputy Commander In Chief
Phoenix Fleet
