can the union player pick up a core token from there original postion,to prevent the matriarchy player from collecting it.?

from the rules

core tokens cannot be placed in inventory slots and are treated as flags in capture the flag mode.

for each core token placed in its resonance circuit the union player suffers a 1 point penalty to their characteristics.

- the union player may remove core tokens from there resonance circuit,but the associated penalty is not eliminated until the core token is returned to its original position.