Disclaimer: Ocean Girl and all its characters and places are the property of Jonathan M. Shiff Productions. I am a fan of the show and this is my own personal take on what could have happened if there had been a Season 5. Please also note: English is not my native language, therefore, please forgive me for any linguistic mistakes.
Dianne was in a budget meeting when Helen announced that a call from Madame President of the Global Union was waiting for her.
Officer Danton was bickering: "Should your focus not be on ORCA, rather than your personal affiliation with the Ocean Planet People?"
Dianne heard his comment but ignored it. In essence, her relationship with Officer Danton has improved considerably. Just occasionally, his envy of her rank seemed to resurface.
"I will take the call from the Commander's quarters, Helen."
She hurried to get there, after all, she did not want to make Madame President wait.
She sat down and accepted the call.
"Good afternoon, Madame President."
"Good Afternoon, Commander Bates. I hope I am not disrupting."
"No, Madame President, you are not." Dianne lied. "May I ask for the purpose of this call?"
"Actually, I have tried to get a hold of Officer Jason Bates and have just been informed that he is not living on ORCA any longer."
"That is correct. He is enrolled at university on the mainland."
"I see. Queen Shalamorn has mentioned your son as our main point of contact for Princess Neri. Is Princess Neri on the mainland as well?"
"No, she remained on her island. Do you wish to speak to her?"
"Maybe you can assist in getting a message to her. I was asked to set up a meeting with Princess Neri on behalf of the Australian Government. A large international hotel chain is seeking authorization to build a resort in Queensland. The government is having concerns about the environmental impact and is asking for Princess Neri's opinion. The meeting is requested to take place next Tuesday morning in Port Douglas. Will Princess Neri and your son be able to attend?"
"Why would they want to meet with my son? Is it not Neri's opinion they seek?"
"You are correct. However, Queen Shalamorn's specifically instructed to include your older son in any meetings with Princess Neri."
"I see. Let me will reach out to both of them and relay you their answer as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Commander."
Madame President disappeared from the screen and Dianne rushed back to her meeting.
After her dinner with Brett, Dianne asked Helen to initiate a video call to Jason. Jason appeared on the screen, his hair looked a little disheveled.
"Hey Mum, what's up?"
"Are you busy?"
"I am studying for a few quizzes this week, and I have one presentation to prepare, but I'm glad about any break."
Dianne looked at him with concern: "Don't you think you took too many classes at once?"
Jason smiled. "Mum, I can handle it. Is this why you called?"
"No, I had a call with Madame President of the Global Union today. She was looking to speak to you actually."
"To me?"
"Yes, apparently, Queen Shalamorn has left specific instructions with her to contact you for matters concerning Neri."
Jason nodded, not looking in the least bit surprised at this revelation. Dianne was admiring how naturally her son took to his role at Neri's side.
"What does Madame President want from Neri?" Jason asked.
"The Australian Government is asking for Neri's opinion on a large hotel resort that is supposed to be built near the reef. They want you and Neri to meet with them and some hotel representatives next Tuesday morning."
"Have you talked to Neri?"
"Not yet, I wanted to check with you first."
"Mum, I think this is Neri's call. If she's comfortable to go to the meeting, then of course I will go with her. "
"Alright, I will head to the island tomorrow and ask her. Now tell me, are you eating properly?"
Jason rolled his eyes and grinned: "Yes, Mum. How about you? I hope you do not leave all the cooking to Brett these days?"
Dianne smiled and shook her head. "We split the chores evenly. His brownies have become quite good actually."
Jason laughed. "I will try one when I return to ORCA."
He looked down for a moment and his face turned serious: "Mum, when you go to see Neri, please tell her that I miss her a lot."
"My gut feeling tells me you will get to see her on Tuesday!"
In the next morning, Brett tried to convince his mother to take him along to the island.
"Mum, you have not been there in ages, I should come along and steer the boat!"
Dianne answered cheerfully: "Don't you worry, I will find my way. You won't need to miss school on my account!"
Brett shrugged. At least he had tried.
Shortly later, Dianne was already headed to the island to speak to Neri. When she spotted Charley on her way there, she stopped the boat for a short moment and took in the magnificent sight. Dianne liked her position at ORCA, being the Commander had a lot of perks. Yet at the end of the day, she missed the time working on her whale research projects. With a small sigh she started the motor again to move on.
Once Dianne reached the island, she found Neri at the hut.
"Mother!" Neri went to hug Dianne.
"Good morning, my dear girl"
"Good morning, Mother. Would you like to eat with me?"
Dianne responded emphatically: "I would love to."
She sat down next to Neri and accepted the fruit she gave her.
Dianne figured it would be good to get straight to the point. "I received a call from Madame President of the Global Union yesterday. Our government has some concerns about the environmental impact of a prominent hotel chain's plan to build a large resort near the reef. There is a meeting set up for next week and the government wants you to be there to give your opinion."
Neri remained quiet, her mind lost in thought for a moment.
"I want to go since it is my Mother's mission for me to protect the ocean. But I am not good when speaking with strangers. Will you come with me?"
Dianne took Neri's hands. "I think you will like this solution much better: Jason will go with you. I will take you to meet him next week."
Neri felt her heart beating faster, and she gratefully smiled at Dianne. She was confident that she would be able to manage this task with Jason at her side, and she was thrilled at the prospect she would get to see him again.
"Thank you, Mother."
Dianne laughed. "You need to thank your own mother, she must have discussed some sort of a general meeting protocol with Jason and Madame President beforehand. A very wise mother and queen."
Neri nodded happily.
