William enters his office with cameras pointing at him and sits down at his desk.
"Happy New Year to everyone in the Phoenix Federation. Today is a joyous day for us as this starts the beginning of our first full year together as a single unified government one in which we all can be proud of. Today I would like to announce that I have chosen a Vice President to assist us in leading this government. While her path has been rocky she has made great strides over the years overcoming paid, grief, and sorrow that would make her a valued member of the government because she has you our people at heart. I would like to publicly announce that retired Vise Admiral Nicole Branson will become Vise President of the Phoenix Federation. She is here right now to give her first speech" William finished and gestured over to Nicole.
"Mr. President, Mrs. Coren-Branson, this group, and my fellow citizens of the Phoenix Federation:
With a deep awareness of the responsibility conferred by your trust, I accept your nomination for the vice presidency of the Phoenix Federation. I do so with deep gratitude, and I think also I might interject on behalf of all of us, our thanks to Vincent Viceroy and the people of Phoenix Colony and to the city of New Talos for the warm hospitality they have shown.
I am very proud of our Federation tonight. This Federation has shown to all of Star Fleet a fleet united, with positive programs for solving the Federation's problems; a fleet ready to build a new consensus with all those across the land who share a community of values embodied in these words: family, home, hard work, neighborhood, peace and freedom.
We need rebirth of the tradition of leadership at every level of government and in private life as well. The Phoenix Federation is unique in universal history because it has a genius for leaders -- many leaders -- on many levels. But, back in 2386, Mr. Hunt said, "Trust me." And a lot of people did. We rose against a powerful enemy and we won and now we are in a time of peace and civilian leadership has replaced military leadership.
My view of government places trust not in one person or one federation, but in those values that transcend persons and parties. The trust is where it belongs--in the citizens of the Phoenix Federation. The responsibility to live up to that trust is where it belongs, in their elected leaders. That kind of relationship, between the people and their elected leaders, is a special kind of contract.
Can we doubt that only a Divine Providence placed this land, this bastion of freedom, here as a refuge for all those people in the universe who yearn to breathe freely: Bajorans and Anticans enduring persecution behind the Dominion and the Borg, the refugees of Vulcan, of Romulus and of Cait, the victims of drought and famine in Detapa Cardassia, the freedom fighters of the Phoenix Federation and our own service men and women held in savage captivity.
We are home! We are home! We are home!"
Nicole felt tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked out at Magenta holding her little girl and she turned to William.
"And home is where the heart is....", Nicole wiped her cheeks.
"Thank you, Mr. President.", Nicole's voice cracked badly but few noticed because they were so busy clapping and cheering wildly.
"Happy New Year everyone and enjoy your celebrations" William said as Brenna came running up the walk way out of Magenta's hands. He picked her up and gave Nicole a hug once the cameras had shut off.
"Congratulations Madam Vice President." then looking at Brenna. "Lets go get you some cake and Ice Cream. Are you ladies coming?"
Magenta looked at William, "Thank you William."
She rested her head on the shoulder of Nicole. She kissed her softly on the cheek, "Congratulations Madam Vice President."
Nicole smiled at the very words and followed William to get some cake.
Posted by:
President William Hunt
President of the Phoenix Federation
New Terra
Phoenix Federation
Vice President Nicole Branson
Vice President of the Phoenix Federation
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
