“They’re never gonna quit you know.”, the Federation lawyer looked at Nicole.
“It’s a good deal. You should sign it.”, the lawyer continued.
Nicole looked at the paperwork. She frowned. The key statement is the withdrawal of her doctorate and a commitment to do whatever is necessary to keep the evidence of Mission 05272396 completely confidential.
“Do you know why they let you become United Federation of Planets President?”, the lawyer asked.
“The ceremonial activities of the role would make it impossible for you to continue to interfere in Universal Politics. The Federation and Starfleet love the status quo and what you do by reaching out and offering a space for everyone blending the races and forgetting old histories. You have Cardassians living with Bajorans. You let a Romulan who openly attacked you run a town on your colony. You do not fit in their little box.”, the lawyer slid the tablet over to Nicole.
“You will get to keep the colonial charter for Badlands 827. This is a win.”, the lawyer looked at Nicole.
“I have briefed the King’s Fleet leadership. They will be permitted to keep operating.”, the lawyer looked at Nicole.
Nicole thought about Vincent. He had been her mentor, her father figure and her friend. In truth, she loved him. He had swallowed his pride and taught tactics at Starfleet Academy when the King’s Fleet was shutdown. He deserved to be in charge of a fleet of ships not in a classroom.
Nicole looked down at the tablet as Ambassador Ghorrash Hors came into the briefing room. Nicole looked up at her. She looked positively beautiful. She still had a snout. She still had large ears but she was so beautiful. Nicole had made that possible through the work on her Doctoral Thesis. She had done that.
Ghorrash kissed Nicole on the forehead, “We will get through this.”
Nicole looked at the lawyer and then tapped the pad.
Nicole got up from the table and walked out of the meeting room. She was surprised to see Admiral Jagger Naar’Haaj standing there. Jagger nodded to the attorney as he left linking up with Admiral Walter Wilson, “It’s done.”
Wilson smiled as they boarded the shuttle. He had won.
Jagger watched as the shuttle headed back for Earth.
Jagger smiled and turned to Nicole, “Governor Branson, it is my privilege to deliver this great honour to you.”
Nicole took the plaque from Admiral Naar’Haaj. She looked down and gasped.
“It is with great honour that the Tellar Space Service award the Doctoral Degree in Interplanetary Genetic Manipulation to Nicole Branson of Badlands 827, Bajor Sector. Congratulations Dr. Branson of the Tellar Space Service.”
Ghorrash looked at Nicole, “I love you.”
Nicole hugged her Tellarite partner. Things have a way of working out.
Posted by
Dr. Nicole Branson
Interplanetary Genetics
Tellar Space Service
