.
The Guardians
© Gun Brooke
Part 8
The Guardians
© GB
Part 8
Lieutenant Heidi Bremer hit her comm
badge.
“Bremer to Toriello.”
“Toriello here.”
“Commander, we have a problem. The
embassy is under attack. Literally thousands of Bunthoran’s have
broken through the outer perimeter. We need reinforcements.
“Understood. Is the embassy itself
secure?”
“Yes, Sir,” Bremer replied. “Ambassador
J’Aoh has ordered the shield up.”
They had erected an impenetrable force
field around the structure and nothing available in Bunthoran technology
could get through it.
“You know the dangers, Lieutenant,”
Toriello warned. “We have to get the situation under control before
anyone gets hurt.”
Bremer knew the Excellence’s First
Officer was not talking about the safety of the embassy staff or the
guardians. It was the large Bunthoran crowd that was at risk.
“Sir, any recommendations? The guards
have fallen back. We’ve lost control of the crowd.”
There was a brief pause.
“We both know they’ll continue
to work themselves into a frenzy,” Toriello said, his voice
serious. “You know the mechanics behind mob violence. It’s too
late to try to reason with them; they are beyond that point. Freeze
them.”
There was a stunned silence and Bremer
noticed the Voyager crew exchanging glances beneath raised eyebrows.
“I … Yes, sir.”
“Bremer, I know you’re
reluctant, but there are two reasons for doing it. First, we have to buy
time for reinforcement to reach your position and second, we need to
move on Nontha before he can cause any more harm.”
Toriello was referring to the
apprehension of Prime Minister Nontha. Bunthora’s leader had launched
a highly successful propaganda campaign. Operating from his office in
the nearly destroyed capital, he had managed to incite the emotions of
suffering Bunthoran’s by putting the blame of the recent tragedies on
the Protectorate and its Guardians, as well as the southern nation of
Gothiara.
“Don’t delay,” Toriello
cautioned. “Things can only get worse.”
“We’ll initiate actions
immediately,” Bremer replied.
“I’ll keep you informed about
the back up. Toriello out.”
Bremer closed the comm link. Turning to
the people dressed in Guardian uniforms she squared her shoulders. “We
don’t have much time. There’s a technology available we seldom use
and then only as a last resort.”
“Would this be the ‘freezing’
Commander Toriello referred to?” Tuvok asked.
“Yes, Commander,” Bremer replied,
turning toward J’Aoh. “Ambassador, we need to return to the control
room.”
“Of course, Guardian Bremer,” the
ambassador said. “This way.”
Bremer turned toward the others.
“Follow me.”
The five members of the party followed
the ambassador back to the control room hosting a large Protectorate
computer. Although it was smaller than the one onboard the Excellence,
its technology was still far superior to anything Bunthora or Gothiara
would come up with for many centuries.
“What does this ‘freezing’
entail, Lieutenant?” Tuvok enquired as he stepped sideways to avoid
running into an embassy clerk who was in a hurry to pass them.
“It’s a non-lethal method to
control large crowds of people. However, there are risks.”
“Define risks.” Tuvok frowned.
“The technology in itself may not be
lethal, but once the humanoids are released from the weapon, they can
display a wide range of side effects. Some of the side effects are quite
benign. Others are violent and, in the extreme, can manifest themselves
as homicidal tendencies.”
Brovskij took a step closer. “You’ve
got to be kidding!”
“Now you know why it’s not a weapon
of choice very often,” Bremer stated.
“Are you experienced in this
procedure?” Seven asked.
Bremer smiled joylessly. Forcing down
unfamiliar butterflies in her stomach she shook her head. “I’ve
performed this task countless times – under simulated conditions.”
They entered the room. Bremer ordered
the computer to provide a 360 degree visual display of the area
surrounding the embassy on the various screens.
Large crowds had pressed their way
through the gates, even demolished the cast iron looking fence. Men and
women of all ages, fury and fear distorting their features, were
pressing against the invisible wall that now was in place around the
building because of the force field.
“Oh, god, some of them are children!”
Brovskij exclaimed. “They’ll be trampled to death.”
“That’s what we’re going to
prevent,” Bremer murmured and took a seat at a large computer console
with Protectorate markings.
She punched in initial commands as she
issued orders. “Seven, get on the other console. You know the
Protectorate systems as well as I do by now. I need to know how many
people are out there within a radius of two-hundred metres of the main
building.”
“Understood, Lieutenant,” the
ex-Borg said.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Bremer
saw Seven sit down next to her and send her assimilation tubules into
the console. The computer gave a long muted beep at the intrusion.
Bremer groaned inwardly at the quick and no doubt efficient way Seven
accessed the computer.
“Approximately 4850 individuals are
within the radius you specified, Lieutenant,” Seven informed. “The
computer estimates that there are twice as many outside of it.”
“The beam will only work safely
within a six-hundred metre radius. Stay connected, Seven. If I’m not
mistaken, the situation is deteriorating rapidly. I need to get the
device online ASAP.”
Seven nodded and let her tubules stay
buried inside the alien technology.
“Peters, I need you on the other
console!”
The Guardian security officer quickly
took a seat at the console to Bremer’s left and started a series of
protocols.
“Begin starting sequence on my mark,”
Bremer ordered. “Mark.”
Seven and Peters initiated the command.
“I never thought we would need to use
this thing,” the ambassador murmured behind her. “The Bunthoran’s
have never …” He broke off, his voice filled with sorrow.
“These are not normal circumstances,
Ambassador,” Tuvok stated. “They are misguided by a leader they have
trusted for decades.”
Bremer quickly calculated the strength
of the beam that would emanate from eight different cannons mounted on
all four corners of the embassy as well as in the middle of each wall.
If she made any miscalculations, she could seriously injure the
individuals out here, possibly even kill them.
“The cannons are online, ma’am,”
Peters stated. “You’re good to go.”
Bremer could hear the screams coming
from outside and on the monitors she saw the people closest to the
building starting to fall. She could not hold off any longer.
Praying that her estimates were
correct, she punched in the final command. There was a distant vibration
as powerful relays switched and the cannons directed their beams towards
the angry crowd.
Carefully studying the monitors, Bremer
was prepared to abort the procedure at the first sign that something was
amiss. The beams were not visible to the human eye but they quickly
realised it was in effect. First the closest line of outraged Bunthorans
froze as if time stopped, then the rigidity spread quickly and within
seconds every individual within sight was standing in the position the
beam had found them. Bremer knew that people further back were still
able to move, but the pressure would not be as overpowering among the
crowd at the outer perimeter. They were probably frightened by their
countrymen’s sudden frozen state and would run in the opposite
direction.
“I take it they are not literally
frozen,” Tuvok offered behind her.
“No, it’s not a cryogenic
technique. Think of it as an immobiliser of sorts,” the Excellence’s
tactical chief said as she kept her eyes firmly on the screens. “Seven,
how are the readings? I’ve always managed to keep everyone alive this
early in the simulation. I assume my record remains unblemished?” She
meant the comment as a bad joke, but still held her breath as she waited
for Seven to respond.
“The computer confirms that the
procedure was successful. The countdown has started.”
“What countdown?” Brovskij asked.
“There are limits on how long they
can stay like this,” Peters explained as he rose from his chair. “It
is only possible to keep people frozen for half an hour. The
Protectorate only allows twenty minutes. There can be unforeseen effects
depending on the species that we have no way of anticipating. Twenty
minutes is considered the right side of the safe margin.”
”The beam affects the brain by
engaging muscle tonus continuously. However, their autonomous system
controlling breathing and circulation is operating normally. Their
conscience is subdued,” Bremer continued the information. “They
normally don’t remember anything afterwards.”
“Like anaesthesia,” Peters added.
“When they wake up, they are sore but have no recollection of what
happened.”
Tuvok seemed to consider this. “What
happens if Commander Toriello can not make it here in twenty minutes
with the Royal Guardsmen? Is it possible to repeat the procedure?”
“No, you can’t subject anyone to
this twice within a twenty-four hour time span, Commander,” Bremer
said. “The average brain can’t handle it.”
Seven let her assimilation tubules
retract within her Borg enhanced hand. “This means Commander Toriello
has seventeen point eight two four minutes to arrive with reinforcement,”
she offered.
Bremer frowned and glanced at the
monitor. “I’ll take your word for it, Seven,” she replied. “In
the meantime, we have work to do. Let’s get to it.”
Seventeen minutes.
Toriello better be right about the
Royal Guardsmen.
*****
Montgomery walked into her ready room.
Striding up to the replicator she
ordered a large black coffee. She knew it was not good for her since
caffeine to some degree countermanded the effect of her medication.
Still, she needed the energy boost the aromatic beverage provided, even
if it was only temporary.
She brought the mug to her desk and sat
down. Before taking the first sip she simply inhaled the aroma, knowing
it would be a while before she dared to have another one. Two enjoyable
sips later she cleared her throat.
“Computer, open a subspace connection
to the Rak’Tar on a secure Protectorate frequency.”
“Subspace connection established.”
“Montgomery to Dar’Gaian.”
There was a brief pause and then a
husky male voice replied.
“Dar’Gaian here, Go ahead,
Captain Montgomery. No one can overhear our conversation.”
“What is your current status?”
Montgomery asked.
“I’m onboard the president’s
private aircraft, approximately one hour from the rendezvous point. The
Gothiaran President and the First Lady are onboard as well as several of
his administrators, according to your latest instructions. I have four
Guardian tactical officers and the president’s security officers to
ensure his as well as the other’s safety.”
“Good,” Montgomery said. “I know
this was difficult.”
“I hope you know what you’re doing.
With all the instability in Bunthora at the moment, I do not see how you
can ensure the safety of the President or his entourage.”
“First of all, I have total faith in
your ability to handle any unexpected situation that may arise while
enroute. Second, I assure you, once you reach the rendezvous site, no
harm will come to them.”
“How can you be so sure? I’ve seen
the digital displays and broadcasts. So has everyone else aboard this
craft. You’re asking these people to blindly follow us when you
yourself have no idea whether the Bunthoran government will topple from
the chaos and violence that has erupted in the capital. ” Dar’Gaian
said angrily.
Montgomery went cold with rage and took
a deep breath to control her anger. However, experience had taught her
that it was best in moments like these to step back before responding.
She asked the computer to put the transmission on hold while she reached
for the coffee, sipped it and quietly placed the cup back on the table.
Tapping here comm badge, she resumed the transmission, continuing
speaking in a tone of voice that few in the past had heard. Those who
had, had never forgotten.
“Captain Dar’Gaian, I presume you’ve
been under a great deal of stress, so I will allow you the benefit of
the doubt. It will be the last time I’m this forgiving. Listen
carefully to what I’m about to tell you, without interruption. I’m I
fully cognitive of all that’s going on in Bunthora. I’m also aware
of what’s about to take place in the foreseeable future. For reasons
that I’m not at liberty to share, it’s imperative that Gothiara’s
President as well as part of his administration be present when these
events unfold. Do you understand?”
“I … yes.” Dar’Gaian’s
voice was serious.
“I need you to be completely
committed to this effort. Do you honestly think the Elders would have
chosen me for this mission if they doubted my abilities?”
The other captain was quiet for a
moment. Montgomery realised that her words must really have put him on
the spot. It was one thing to question her, however, quite a different
matter to second guess the Elders.
“I meant no disrespect, Captain. I
do not doubt the Elder’s judgement. Perhaps if I understood more about
the plan ...”
“Your mission, Dar’Gaian, is to
safely deliver the president and his entourage. That is all you need to
know. We all have our parts to play; I have mine – you have yours. Do
your duty. Have I made myself clear?”
“I will do what is expected of me
by the elders. I am committed, Eliana. I would never let the
Protectorate down. You have my word; I will do my duty,” Dar’Gaian
vowed.
“We will not mention this again.
Contact me when you’re ready to land at the rendezvous point. I’ll
provide you with further instructions then. Crown Prince Ragh’nall
will be at your final destination and so will I.”
“Understood. I’ll report when we’re
making our final approach for landing.”
“Just remember, I can ensure their
safety upon their arrival at the rendezvous site and beyond. Until then,
they are in your care,” Montgomery said, her voice serious. “You’re
right, you know; there are people out there who would gain a lot if
something happened to the Gothiaran President.”
“I know the dangers,” the
Rak’Tar’s captain stated, “and have taken every precaution
necessary to ensure his safety.”
“Then I’ll see you in a couple of
hours. Montgomery out.”
She broke the subspace link and sipped
her coffee.
It was time to hail Janeway.
*****
Commander Toriello and members of the
Royal Guards, loyal to the emperor, walked among the people, seemingly
frozen solid around the Protectorate’s embassy.
The scene was eerily silent, a macabre
garden of life like statues in suspended animation. He noticed both the
Guardian officers and the Royal Guardsmen regarding the rigid people of
all ages with uncertainty.
On the outer perimeter, medical
personnel were standing by, as well as other emergency workers. They
were not allowed near the inner perimeter; only the Guardians and the
Royal Guardsmen equipped with special headgear that provided hearing
protection, face shielding, and communication, protecting them against
the beam, were allowed to enter the inner zone.
Max tapped into his communication
system.
“Toriello to Bremer.”
“Bremer here.”
“All briefings and final checks are
completed. Medics at the outer perimeter are prepared to receive
casualties. All security forces have been dispatched to their assigned
grids. Give me a time check.”
“They’ve been in this state for
twenty-two minutes; we’re pushing it, Commander.”
“I know. Release the beam, grid by
grid, Lieutenant.”
“Affirmative.”
There was a sudden quiet that made
Toriello realise the loss of a low humming which had been present
earlier.
He hoped the Guardians scattered among
the Royal Guardsmen would be able to keep the outraged Bunthoran’s at
bay without injuring anyone of them. He had consulted Montgomery and
then issued orders that only stun guns would be employed. The Guardians
had their phasers set on heavy stun.
The simulations he had participated in
had shown how the people subjected to the paralysing beam reacted when
they became conscious. Disorientation, fatigue and nausea were common.
The upside of that was such crowds were fairly easy to control.
On the outskirts of the massive crowd,
medical personnel awaited their orders.
Slowly people around him began to move.
They rubbed their eyes, blinked several times against the sunlight and
some coughed. So far Toriello did not see anyone seriously affected.
“What the hell’s going on?” he
heard an older man mutter behind him.
Toriello moved, keeping his phaser low
but ready to stun if required. “Take it easy. No one’s going to harm
you,” he offered.
The man squinted at Toriello. “What
…” His voice trailed off as he paled. Sinking to his knees, he tried
to stay upright.
The Excellence’s first officer tapped
his comm badge again. “I need medical evacuation in grid 2:4,” he
ordered.
“On our way, sir,” one of
the Guardsmen replied.
“How many cases so far?” Toriello
asked.
“Only sixteen, that’s not so
bad, sir,” the same voice replied. “It looks like the
manoeuvre was a success.”
“Let’s hope so.”
As each grid was deactivated, personnel
were directed to its outer perimeter, triaging those needing medical
attention immediately and providing treatment. All of the children in
the crowd were evacuated to a provisional children’s clinic, even if
they displayed no symptoms since there was concern over the effect this
procedure would have on them. Toriello had made clear to the personnel
involved; they should try to keep families together. If it was not
possible, reunions would take place later at the processing centre.
The ones not requiring medical
attention were quickly placed on hovercrafts and sent to a processing
centre at a safe distance away from the embassy. There, the Bunthorans
could safely reorient themselves while the authorities determined if
they would be charged with trespassing, rioting or other crimes.
Toriello walked up the stairs to the
entrance to get an overview of the situation. People were coughing, some
were choosing to sit down, obviously dizzy from the experience.
Guardians and Royal Guardsmen were
scattered among them, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd as well as
assisting the ones feeling disoriented.
“Toriello to Bremer. I’m pleased
to let you know we have the situation under control. It will take the
affected individuals at least half an hour, if not more, to find their
bearings. This will buy the guards time to evacuate the crowd.”
“I agree, Commander.”
“Lower the shield enough for your
team to get out the door, Lieutenant. We’ve got work to do.”
“We’ll join you at the eastern
exit, Commander. The surveillance monitors show the crowd is less dense
there.”
Toriello acknowledged and began making
his way through the dazed group of people at the foot of the stairs.
Tapping his comm badge again he ordered the hovercrafts to the eastern
gate. He checked his chronometer.
They were on a tighter schedule than
Bremer realised. Montgomery’s plans demanded that they apprehend
Nontha and put him out of commission as soon as possible.
Toriello rounded the corner just in
time to see Bremer, Tuvok and Seven of Nine emerge together with
Brovskij and Peters. They spotted him and he waved them over to the east
gate that was levelled to the ground by the masses.
“I have hovercrafts standing by,”
Toriello said. “We don’t have much time.”
They made their way through the gate,
carefully pushing the people out of the way to reach the hovercrafts.
Toriello glanced pointedly at the
others. “This circus stops now,” he said gravely. “It’s time to
bring in the ringmaster.”
*****
Seven, Tuvok, Toriello and Bremer
rematerialised on a downtown rooftop together with Brovskij and Peters.
They had carefully used Voyager’s
long range scanners to scan the roof before beaming up from the
hovercrafts parked several blocks away. The streets were filled with
agitated Bunthorans, screaming and roaming the streets, demanding the
Guardians leave their country. Prime minister Nontha’s propaganda
seemed to work. They had alerted the other teams to use caution while
moving about the city which seemed to be in total chaos. There had even
been signs of looting, which was uncharacteristic of the normally
good-natured Bunthorans.
Toriello tapped his comm badge. “Toriello
to Guardian teams. Status report.”
One after another the Guardian away
teams hidden around the structure reported in. They had all reached
their assigned positions where they awaited their orders. They were
there mostly as back up in case the team on the roof ran into trouble.
Toriello hoped they would not; there simply was not enough time.
Seven pulled her phaser and set it to
heavy stun. Bremer nodded to her and the two women began moving towards
a door at the far end of the flat roof together with Toriello.
Tuvok, Peters and Brovskij approached
the other door leading down into the building.
Seven used her tricorder and scanned
the door. There were no life signs behind it. She tried the door handle.
It was open.
The trio turned to signal the other
team and watched them open the door at their end.
Soundlessly they slipped inside.
Seven knew this was the easy part of
the mission. They would make their way down the stairs to the top floor
and by doing so, bypassing most of the guards.
She searched her eidetic memory for the
details of the interior of Prime Minister Nontha’s offices. The top
floor hosted the prime minister’s main office as well as the twenty
two ministers heading the different departments.
Guardian security officers that had
interrogated the ministers had reported that seven of them remained
loyal to Nontha and were present during his propaganda campaign. The
apprehension of Deputy Prime Minister Tanka had sorted out the ones
either bailing out or simply taking a stand against Nontha’s
treacherous actions.
They knew that the seven ministers
loyal to Nontha were in the building, probably on the top floor.
Toriello took the lead down the stairs.
Seven and Bremer followed behind him, phasers ready.
They reached the top floor and still
there were no guards. Seven assumed this was yet another display of
Nontha underestimating the Guardians. She found it curious how the man
who had kept his people in the dark about his true nature and illegal
activities could show such blatant carelessness.
They reached the door leading into the
far east end of the corridor. With a nod in their direction, Bremer
continued down the stairs.
Toriello opened communications. “Toriello
to Tuvok. Is your team in position?”
“Affirmative,” Tuvok’s
muted voice came back over the comm link. “Ensign Brovskij is on
his way to rendezvous with Lt Bremer on the next level.”
“Good. Initiate phase two. Toriello
out.”
He nodded towards Seven who took up
position on the right side of the door. As expected the door was locked.
Toriello pulled out a similar welding gun that Tuvok had used at the
prime minister’s private residence and cautiously cut a small ring
around the lock. Attaching a suction devise he pulled the lock out
towards him. He placed it on the floor next to him and tried the door
handle. It moved without making a sound and the door opened
effortlessly.
Toriello did not let it open more than
half an inch. Pressing close to the wall he glanced through the crack.
After a moment he held up his hand towards Seven holding up four
fingers.
At least four guards in the corridor
inside the door.
Seven knew that Tuvok had performed the
same operation and was standing by.
“Phasers on stun,” Toriello
whispered. “Now we have to wait for Bremer and Brovskij to get in
position.”
He pushed the door almost closed,
leaving only a small crack open.
The minutes seemed to stretch and defy
normal time. Seven knew the operation was based on the element of
surprise.
Suddenly they heard a familiar female
voice emanating from the corridor, sounding desperate.
*****
Bremer continued down the stairs,
cautiously keeping her phaser raised.
She knew Ensign Brovskij was mirroring
her movements on the flight of stairs at the west end of the building.
They had worked out this plane at the
embassy and fine tuned it in the hover vehicle coming here. Lowering and
closing the blinds towards the crowded streets they had beamed onto the
roof.
She and Tuvok had debated whether to
split up the away team while entering the structure. Toriello had
decided it was crucial that they approached the top floor in three
groups simply because there were three entrances. Two staircases led to
the prime ministers office floor and then there was the main entrance
towards the reception area where the elevators were.
They knew that Nontha had reinforced
the number of guards around him. Having enjoyed a tremendous popularity
before the disaster, there had been need for very little security around
him. Recent events had changed this and even if his campaign was
currently a success, he was obviously taking the required measures in an
attempt to keep the Guardians out.
Bremer smirked. He was a sly, cunning
man, but like so many men before him he would go down because he
underestimated the Protectorate and thought too highly of himself. She
could not blame him. He had gotten away with his reprehensible scam for
decades.
She reached the floor beneath Nontha’s
offices and scanned the door. There were no life signs at all which made
her frown. Was the whole floor deserted?
She tried the door handle but realised
she had to weld it open. She quickly performed the procedure and then
tapped her comm badge.
“Bremer to Brovskij,” she murmured.
“Brovskij here, ma’am. I’m
almost done. There. The door’s open.”
“See you inside.”
She closed the comm link and moved
lithely to stand close to the door. She opened it carefully and scanned
the corridor again. The lights were off and there were no life signs
present.
She slipped through the door and
quickly walked along the dusky corridor. There were no sounds coming
from the offices, no shadows moved behind the doors of frosted glass.
Bremer spotted Ensign Brovskij moving
towards her. The Voyager security officer kept checking around him and
had his phaser ready.
They rendezvoused at the centre, next
to one of the elevators. Bremer nodded solemnly and pressed the button.
The elevator would take them to the reception at the top floor.
Inside the elevator, she glanced at
Brovskij.
“You’re a good actor?” she asked
casually.
“When I have to be, Lieutenant,” he
replied in a calm voice.
Bremer looked down her away mission
standard uniform, a seemingly simple grey coverall.
“I think I have to look the part,”
she mused.
Before the elevator door closed she
unbuttoned the coverall and pulled the sleeves down her arms, tying them
around her waist. Dressed in a pale blue tank top she looked far from as
vulnerable as she would have liked, but perhaps the Bunthorans would
just see her as a woman and not notice her wiry arms and strong physique
in the commotion.
She reached behind her and freed her
long black hair from its usual tight braid. Shaking it loose she hoped
the rich, flowing hair would render her a softer look. She bit her lips,
trying to make them redder.
“Better,” Brovskij nodded. “Now
try an innocent look.”
He hid a smile when Bremer instead gave
him what he considered damn close to a Janeway level ten death glare.
The Excellence’s tactical chief took
her foot from the door and let it close. She pushed the button leading
to the top floor.
“Here goes,” she murmured.
The elevator reached the floor in a
matter of seconds and the door opened automatically.
Brovskij hid his phaser behind his back
and put an arm around the tall woman. “We need help,” he shouted as
soon as they stepped out of the elevator. “We need to speak to the
prime minister!”
The two men guarding the door leading
into the corridor located behind them stared at the stunning woman who
seemed obviously distraught.
Bremer did her best to look desperate.
Clinging to Brovskij’s arm without actually restraining him in case he
needed to let go of her quickly, she blinked as if trying to hold back
tears.
“I’m his niece,” she said. “I
was attacked in the street … I need to see him!”
The guards looked stunned but they did
not move from the door.
“Don’t just stand there,”
Brovskij said, sounding outraged. “Help her!”
They kept walking towards the guards,
Bremer feigning the look of a woman shocked by the terrible treatment
she just suffered.
They closed in on the guards, pushing
at the door. It gave way some and Bremer was pleased that is was not
locked. She pushed at it and at the same time managed to nudge the
perplexed guards halfway into the corridor.
“He has to help me,” she moaned and
then raised her voice. “Uncle Nontha! I need to talk to you!”
*****
“I want to talk to the prime
minister! Let me pass! Don’t you understand? I have to talk to him!”
Seven recognised the voice belonging to
Lieutenant Bremer and she had to admire the other woman’s acting
abilities. Bremer sounded desperate and no doubt she had the guards’
undivided attention where she and Brovskij stood at the main entrance,
causing a riot among them.
“That’s our cue,” Toriello said
and flung the door open, his phaser raised as he quickly moved into
position with Seven right behind him.
At the far end of the corridor, they
saw Tuvok and Peters coming through the door at their end of the
corridor.
“On behalf of the Protectorate and
the High Council, I order you to lower your weapons,” Toriello yelled,
his voice loud and intimidating.
The guards halted, unsure how to handle
the situation. Torn between their allegiance to their prime minister and
a life long reverence of the Protectorate and its Guardians, they stood
motionless long enough for Bremer and Brovskij to pull their phasers out
from behind their backs.
Facing six armed Guardians, the prime
ministers security officers paled considerably. Toriello and Seven moved
in closer. Tuvok and Peters followed suit from their end.
There were eight guards. Two at the
door, now at gun point by Bremer and Brovskij. Four other guards had
their weapons drawn but not raised.
“Surrender your fire arms!” Bremer
ordered, motioning with her phaser.
The guard closest to Seven and Toriello
took one step back and raised his gun. Without hesitation Seven mimicked
his manoeuvre and fired. Stunned, the man fell to the floor, his weapon
dropping from his listless hand.
Most likely believing their colleague
to be dead, the others lowered their arms. Tuvok and Peters quickly
gathered the weapons. Brovskij and Bremer scanned the closest room,
found that it was empty and horded the guards inside.
“Regardless of how it may appear,”
Toriello explained as he and Seven pulled the last guard between them
into the room, “your colleague is not dead, merely unconscious. He
will be all right.”
“What the hell is going on?” one of
the guard’s said. “The prime minister …”
“… will be taken into custody and
stand trial for his crimes against the people of Bunthora and Gothiara,”
Toriello finished. “Peters, keep the peace in here.”
He left the room with Bremer and
Brovskij, rejoining Tuvok in the reception area inside the entrance.
Seven made sure Peters had the situation under control before following.
“The entrance is now bolted from the
inside,” Tuvok reported. “Despite Ensign Brovskij’s and Lt Bremer’s
display, no one inside the inner chambers has shown any interest. This
confirms our theory that the prime minister’s offices are well
soundproofed.”
“Yes, how else could he conduct his
dirty business?” Bremer muttered.
Seven regarded the tall, dark haired
woman. Lt Bremer possessed great tactical and combat skills and the
ex-Borg admired the deadly litheness with which the other woman carried
herself. Now she also could add acting abilities to the lieutenant’s
list of talents.
Posting two Guardians at the front
door, Toriello nodded solemnly.
“It’s time to introduce ourselves
to the ministers.”
*****
Janeway raised her hand to press the
door chime to Eliana Montgomery’s quarters. She had been onboard other
Sabre-class star ships back in the Alpha Quadrant and walking from the
transporter room she had noticed that even in the corridors, new
technology had been added.
The bulkheads had been reinforced and
all boasted the capability to raise extremely powerful force fields at
any given location – similar to the ones featured on Voyager but much
more diverse and powerful.
She pressed the door chime and took a
step back. Montgomery had summoned her; there were no better word to
describe the short conversation over the comm link.
The door opened and to Janeway’s
surprise, the Excellence’s Chief Medical Officer, Jon Takagi, opened.
He looked concerned but nodded to her in a friendly manner.
“Captain,” he greeted her. “I
believe you are expected. Go right in.”
“Thank you,” Janeway said and
stepped inside.
The captain’s quarters’ lights were
set at twenty percent, and small candles were lit on the coffee table in
front of the couch.
“Captain?” Janeway called out when
she could not spot Montgomery anywhere.
“I’ll be right with you, Kathryn.
Take a seat.”
The husky voice was coming from the
bedroom and with some hesitation; Janeway sat down on the couch. She
looked around, curious what things Montgomery would consider prudent or
desirable to bring on a mission.
There was a collection of small statues
on a narrow shelf at the far side of the room. A dining table set for
four people with what looked like crystal from earth. In the middle of
the table, a solitary red flower that seemed alien sat in a slender
crystal vase.
To her right was an extensive
collection of old fashioned books. Glancing at the titles Janeway
noticed some of her own favourites dating back as long as the nineteenth
century. She also saw alien writing and recognised modern Protectorate
letters. These books were not leather bound but covered with what looked
like a thin metal.
In the corner of the couch a stack of
pillows with Victorian embroideries on suggested that the captain or
someone she knew had a sense for crafts.
“Glad you could tear yourself away,”
Montgomery said from the bedroom door and entered the room. She was in
uniform and just fastening her insignia to her chest. The blonde hair
was pulled back from her face and Janeway thought the other captain
looked exhausted.
“Are you all right, Eliana?” she
asked, knowing that this question might not get her on Montgomery’s
good side. “You look tired.”
“Actually I am,” the Excellence’s
captain admitted without wavering, surprising Janeway. “It’s been
hectic, hasn’t it?”
“It has,” Janeway conceded, dipping
her head. Crossing her legs and putting one arm along the backrest of
the couch, she took a closer look at Montgomery. “What is it you need
to discuss with me? Or perhaps inform me about?”
“Direct as ever,” Montgomery
smirked and sat down in a recliner in a ninety-degree angle from the
couch. “I have several things I need to discuss with you. First of
all, I wanted to talk to you on the behalf of the Protectorate Elders,
before I announce it in public.”
Janeway frowned. There was something
new in Montgomery’s voice, something that made the small hairs in the
back of her neck stand up. “Go on,” she said.
“What I must tell you know could
change Voyager’s future completely,” the other woman stated, her
voice serious. “This can not be taken lightly and it will require you
to do some soul-searching. You need to figure things out, that’s the
only reason I tell you first. Consider this a personal favour and a
professional courtesy because this is not how it usually is done.”
Janeway wanted to rise from the couch
and pace the floor. “I appreciate that, Eliana,” Janeway said in a
low tone of voice although the sudden tension was pure agony.
“I have been in contact with the
Protectorate Elders of the High Council again, that’s twice one week.
They had news for me.” Montgomery’s voice trailed off and she tilted
her head, looking at Janeway.
“Go on.” Janeway urged her. “Something
tells me this was not good news.”
“Depends on your viewpoint. It could
be a new beginning and also an end to everything as you know it.”
“Come on,” Janeway said with
exasperation. “Stop this and just tell me what’s up.”
“There is a protocol on how to do
this,” Montgomery stated, not sounding annoyed with the other woman’s
impatience. “Bear with me, Kathryn.” Montgomery leaned back in her
chair and it immediately adjusted to her position, folding out a
footrest to support Montgomery’s boot clad feet.
“All right,” Janeway said and
settled against the backrest of the couch. She wanted to drum her
fingers, her nerves playing havoc.
“The Protectorate has granted Voyager
Guardian status and is offering you and your crew to remain here as
revered Guardians with all that entails.”
Janeway’s heart skipped several beats
and then began to race with an almost nauseating speed. Montgomery’s
words echoed in her mind and the urge to run and pretend she never heard
the words, surfaced again. She wanted the other woman to take them back,
say it was a mistake … “What does that mean, exactly?” Janeway
heard herself ask, amazed at how calm she sounded.
“The courageous actions by you, your
crew and the fact that you put your ship on the line to save this planet
have made a great impact on the Elders. They are not easily impressed
and this is not how they usually operate. When they approached us with
the offer to become Guardians, we had lived among them for almost a
year. This is quite unheard of and it has made other people curious
about you and your crew.”
“Other people?”
“The Protectorate is a vast area in
space, covering a multitude of sectors. Still, you can’t accuse the
grapevine to be slow around here. Once your actions became known,
especially those of Seven of Nine as well as your decision to take
Voyager into low orbit around a ‘sleeping planet’, you became
celebrities of sorts.”
Janeway rolled her eyes. “I certainly
don’t have a fan in Captain Dar’Gaian,” she muttered. “So are
you telling me the Elders are swayed by public opinion?”
“No, but the public opinion, as you
put it, is very in tune with what the Elders say. It’s an ancient
culture, Kathryn, far older than anything you and I ever encountered in
the Alpha Quadrant.”
“You said they have granted us
Guardian status … what happens if we turn this down?”
“Again, this is not how we see it. If
you are granted Guardian status, you are a Guardian whether you want to
or not. It’s a privilege.”
“What?” Janeway exclaimed.
“You are Guardians, but you have a
choice.”
“What do you mean? You just said
…”
“You can choose to be active or not.
You can choose to stay and shoulder the responsibility or …”
Montgomery’s voice trailed off.
“Or?” Janeway prodded.
“You can accept the honour in which
way it was intended and decline going on active duty.”
Janeway gave in to the desire to pace
and rose from the couch. She walked over to the view port and gazed over
at the sleek outline of Voyager against the planet revolving behind it.
“This will change everything,” she
said. “If too many of my crewmembers decide to stay behind, it will
mean that Voyager is stranded. You know as well as I do, Voyager can’t
operate on merely a skeleton crew for the amount of time it will take us
to get back to the Alpha Quadrant.”
“By that, I take it you yourself have
no interest or desire to remain in the Delta Quadrant and serve the
Protectorate as an esteemed Guardian.”
Janeway carefully considered her reply.
The last overwhelming days when events beyond her imagination had rocked
her world, changed her ways of looking at herself, her life and her
choices forever.
“I can never back down from my
promise and my obligation to get this crew home, Eliana,” she said,
turning around. “I made a vow at the Caretaker’s array to never give
up. Even if I only have a handful of my original crew left onboard
wanting to go home … I don’t care if or where I have to sign on new
crewmembers. I will if I have to. I can’t go back on my word.”
“What does Seven say?”
Janeway cringed. This was something she
and Seven had not addressed. They had not had the opportunity to talk
about anything personal. She sighed.
“I don’t know. I’d like to think
that she’d want to go where … well … where I go. I guess that’s
rather egotistical of me. She’s fascinated by the Guardians and I know
she carries a lot of guilt … she may see it as her opportunity for
atonement.”
“I can see where you’re coming
from, Kathryn, but I also think her first loyalty and priority is you.”
Janeway was not sure. She had seen the
look on Seven’s face in sickbay when she had pleaded with her to be
apart of the Guardian away team – to make a difference.
“You said it is not customary to tell
someone they are to become Guardians like this. What did you mean by
that?”
Montgomery smiled.
“It’s a pretty formal thing. You
gather the crew in question onboard their ship and hold a ceremony. It’s
an ancient tradition stemming back more then three millennia. However, I
just couldn’t spring this on you. You’ve been known to hold a
grudge, Kathryn.”
Janeway paled at the familiar words,
once tossed in her face by Chakotay when she went after Ransom. She
realised that Montgomery were being facetious, but they were both right.
She did have a long memory for certain things. “I appreciate it,
Eliana,” she murmured. Slowly walking back to the couch and sitting
down, she fixed her eyes on her colleague. “I think we better get it
over and done with as soon as possible. I need to know where I stand.”
The Excellence’s captain sat up, the
chair following her movements. She dragged a slightly unsteady hand
through her hair, dishevelling it completely. “How about tomorrow?”
she asked. “We have important things to take care of today. A lot
depends on how we carry out the third phase, in order to save lives in
Bunthora and Gothiara. Also, postponing it until tomorrow will give you
time to talk to Seven.”
Janeway’s head snapped up. “How
…”
“How did I know you would?”
Montgomery asked. “Oh, Kathryn, did you think I wouldn’t understand?
I know it would be too hard on you, witnessing Seven’s reaction to
this news in front of the crew. You want to know now how she’d react
now, beforehand. You’d want to be prepared.”
Janeway groaned and shook her head. “God,
I really must be transparent,” she said.
“No, not really. Takes one to know
one, Captain. I would’ve done the same.”
Acting on impulse, Janeway rose again
and scooted closer to the other woman. Now she could see the fine lines
that had deepened around Montgomery’s eyes and mouth. The Excellence’s
captain was pale and trembling.
“Eliana, when are you going to tell
me what’s wrong? Am I going to have to guess?” she asked in a low
voice.
“Soon enough, Kathryn. Soon enough,”
Montgomery said, making a face. “It’s not going to change anything.
I promise you that I’ll answer any questions you might have - soon.”
Janeway nodded, knowing that this was
Montgomery’s choice to make. She reached out and gently squeezed the
other woman’s shoulder. “When you’re ready,” she smiled.
To her amazement, Montgomery reached up
and patted her hand.
“Deal.”
“Now, what was the other matter you
needed to discuss with me?”
“The third phase to safe the planet
need to commence.”
Janeway frowned. “Yes? What are you
planning? We will soon have Nontha in custody. I expect to hear from
Tuvok any minute now.”
“We will,” Montgomery acknowledged,
“but it’s not enough. There is still an uproar that might cost
thousands of lives when people will start demanding an eye for an eye
regarding his crimes against them.”
“So how can I help?”
“The Excellence is still not fully
repaired and since you’ve already put Voyager on display, in plain
view from planet, so to speak …”
Janeway gave the other captain a
suspicious look. “What are you saying, Eliana?”
“I have taken the decision to
initiate this planet’s awakening; we’re going to make first
contact. One hour from now, I want you to take Voyager into low orbit
again and land her in the centre of the capital of Bunthora. I don’t
see any other solution to the crisis on the planet than to initiate the awakening.”
*****
Prime Minister Nontha watched with
stunned fury how the door to his office suddenly was blown off its
hinges. It landed on the floor with a louder noise and within seconds of
the, the hateful view of the Guardian officers burned itself on his
retina.
“Remain where you are! We will not
hesitate to use our weapons!”
The tall woman with jet black hair that
entered first aimed her weapon directly at the prime minister. It was a
weapon of a kind that he had never seen. Stealthily he tried to reach
for the gun he kept taped under his desk, but she detected his movement.
“Go ahead and try,” she snarled.
“That would make this day just perfect.”
“I would advice you to heed the
lieutenant’s order,” a stunning blonde woman entering his office
recommended in a cool voice. “It has been a long day and our patience
is wearing thin.”
“You have no business breaking into
this office …”
“We are here on the orders of the
Protectorate Elders to apprehend the person guilty of the attempt at
genocide.”
Another Guardian appeared, holding the
remaining part of his cabinet at gunpoint. The ministers looked to
Nontha for guidance and he detested their weary glances. It was because
of their spineless actions, their cowardice ambivalence that he was in
this position. “You’re outside your jurisdiction in this building
… “ he tried, before the insolent dark haired woman interrupted him.
“The entire country of Bunthora is a
member of the Protectorate sovereignty – so that’s where you’re
wrong, Nontha. Commander Toriello?”
The highest ranking Guardian
approached, pulling out hand restraints which he firmly attached after
having pulled Nontha’s hands behind him. “Prime Minister Nontha, I
here by relieve you of your role as leader of Bunthora and the Bunthoran
people. A temporary civil servant will replace you until such
circumstances exist when a democratic process can commence.”
“Democratic process,” the ex-prime
minister spat. “I am the rightful leader of my country! You can’t do
this!”
Guardian Toriello ignored his rage,
infuriating him further. The commander tapped a badge on his chest as
other Guardians started leading his cohorts out of the office.
“Toriello to Montgomery.”
A female voice emanating from the badge
replied. “Montgomery here. Go ahead.”
“We have apprehended Nontha and the
part of his cabinet we suspect are in on this with him. We’re taking
the accused to the secure location we discussed earlier.”
“You are not taking me anywhere!”
Nontha hissed. “I will not be removed from this office.”
“Duly noted. I can hear him. I’ll
be there to greet him, Commander.”
“Aye, Captain. Toriello out.”
Nontha tried to resist when the female
Guardian put a strong hand on his shoulder, nudging him forward. “Move.”
Throwing himself sideways, in an
attempt to knock the tall woman over, Nontha found his left arm caught
in a painful hold when the strange looking blonde woman grabbed him,
yanking him the other way. “Do not proceed to disobey. Resistance is
futile.”
Despite his attempts to dig his heels
in and refuse to leave his office, the officers manoeuvred him into the
deserted corridor and reception area.
“What have you done with my staff?”
he barked.
“No harm has come to anyone working
here,” Guardian Toriello replied in a calm voice. “Only you and the
members of your cabinet will be apprehended.” He turned to a younger
Guardian who joined them after locking a door behind him further down.
“Everything secure, Peters?”
“Yes, sir. The door is locked, but it
won’t be hard for the staff to free themselves in a matter of minutes.”
“Excellent.” Nontha watched the
Guardian in command pull out a device and moving it around in a circle.
“It is safe to leave.” He again tapped the badge on his chest. “Toriello
to Mr Paris. Lock on to Ensigns Brovskij and Peters, as well as the six
Bunthoran signatures in close proximity to them and transport them to
the Excellence’s brig.”
“Affirmative, Commander. Energising.”
Nontha felt a tingling sensation and a
slight nausea before the hallway disappeared before his eyes, only to be
replace with a strange looking environment. He had no idea where he was,
only that he and part of his cabinet now were in the custody of more
Guardians.
“Where am I?” he gasped as he
fought not to vomit. “What the hell is happening?”
“You’re right where you belong,”
a familiar voice replied calmly.
Nontha turned around, almost losing his
balance. “You! I will have your head for this, Montgomery!”
“From where I’m standing, you don’t
seem to have much of anything, Nontha.”
He looked around, seeing that the
opening in the wall where the blonde Guardian was standing was
unblocked. He launched forward, only to be stopped in midair by an
invisible wall giving him what felt like an unpleasant electrical shock.
“Damn!”
“You’re not going anywhere for
quite a while,” Montgomery stated. “The High Council will try your
case and until then … you’re my guest.”
“I demand to …”
His word remained unheard. The Guardian
captain had already turned and walked away.
*****
“Bremer to Montgomery.”
“Montgomery here, go ahead,
Lieutenant,” the Excellence’s captain responded.
“I assume you are busy dealing with
the ex-prime minister,” Bremer stated. “I don’t mean to bother you
with details, but there’s the matter of Sha’nee J’Oy, ma’am.”
“I guess there’s no time like
the present,” Montgomery said, her voice casual. “Beam to
Voyager’s sickbay and take care of it.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“Let’s hope Ms J’Oy finds it
in her heart to forgive us.”
Bremer sighed inwardly. “I’ll let
you know how it goes later, ma’am.”
“Do that. Montgomery out.”
Walking towards the hovercraft that
would take her back to the embassy for a secure transport, the tall
woman fought the sinking feeling in her stomach.
She had a feeling that she was the
least suitable person for this particular assignment.
*****
“Why can’t I leave right away?” a
soft, insistent female voice said. “I’m feeling as good as new and I
want to return and assist the rescue workers!”
Sha’nee J’Oy sat in a chair across
the desk from the Doctor. She had grown increasingly impatient when he
could not provide her with an explanation nor was he inclined to
discharge her. She had asked him what his name was and that was another
weird thing about this man – he did not have a name.
“I assure you, Ms J’Oy, that you
will be discharged any time now,” the Doctor said.
“That’s what you said two hours
ago. That’s it. I’m leaving now and there’s nothing you can do to
stop me.”
Agitated she rose from the chair when a
voice from the door startled her.
“It’s all right, Doctor,” the
tall dark haired woman said with a lopsided grin. “I’m here to
escort Ms J’Oy.”
Sha’nee looked at Lt Heidi Bremer as
the other woman leaned against the doorframe, folding her arms across
her chest. The imposing woman had her hair in its usual tight braid and
was dressed in shiny black guardian uniform. The tall golden collar
framed her jaw line, lending her a predatory elegance.
“Lt Bremer,” Sha’nee greeted her
politely. “I want to leave now.”
“So I understand,” Bremer nodded.
“You can leave whenever you want but there are things you need to know
first. I have received orders from Captain Montgomery to make sure you
are aware of what is at stake – and your options.”
Was there nobody around this place who
could say something in a straightforward manner? Sha’nee thought. “Then
tell me,” she sighed. “I’ve been sitting here twiddling my thumbs,
when all this time I could’ve helped out with the rescue operation.”
“I know it’s been hard for you, but
it was important that you could be so patient, Sha’nee. Now, come with
me. It’s long overdue that we talk.”
Bremer gestured towards the corridor
outside of sickbay and Sha’nee quickly walked past the tall woman.
When she reached the door she glanced back towards the Doctor, her face
changing into a gentle smile.
“Thank you, Doctor, for everything
you’ve done for me,” she said and raised her hand.
“All in a day’s work,” he
replied. “If it had not been for the lieutenant here, I would not have
been so successful.”
Sha’nee shot Bremer a look. Was that
a faint blush over the other woman’s high cheekbones?
“I know that too,” the young
Bunthoran said.
The two women walked out into the
corridor and the automatic door closed behind them. The greyish walls in
the corridor boasted no windows. There was a very faint humming
sensation under Sha’nee’s feet as they began to walk. It was as if
some large machine vibrated far away.
They stepped into a lift of sorts that
seemed to move effortlessly from one floor to another.
“This is a military facility,”
Bremer explained as they began to walk down another corridor. “The
commanding officer, Captain Janeway, has provided us with some vacant
quarters so we can talk. It should be right over here.”
They approached a door and Bremer
reached out to touch a control panel when she hesitated and stopped with
her hand half way. She glanced at Sha’nee.
“I better tell you that no matter
what you think you may expect to be told – what you see in here will
astound you. Do not be afraid. Remember that this is of the
Protectorate, the same Protectorate that you’ve belonged to all your
life.”
The young Bunthoran had no idea what
Bremer was talking about. The tall woman seemed quite nervous as she
punched in a set of commands and stood back as the door opened. Sha’nee
hesitated for a moment before walking inside.
She glanced around the room. At first
she did not notice anything out of the ordinary other then the furniture
being different from what she was used to. She glanced at the window at
the far wall. It was dark since it was evening …
A chill ran down her spine, and then
another. Her heart accelerated and she took an uncertain step towards
the unbelievable sight.
“It’s okay,” she heard Bremer
say. “You’re not hallucinating. We are onboard a spaceship, the USS
Voyager. Walk up to the view port. There, you see?”
Sha’nee looked out into the vastness
of space, not believing her eyes. A large blue-green orb floated in the
distance. It seemed so close, yet so far away. She squinted. Familiar
outlines made her gasp.
“Oh, my …” she breathed, reaching
out towards it with a trembling hand. “Is it … is that …”
“Yes, it’s your planet, Sha’nee.”
“So far away...” Her voice was a
mere whisper.
“I can have you back there in less
than ten minutes.”
Sha’nee pivoted to look at the other
woman but quickly turned her face towards the planet again. It was as if
she feared that it might disappear if she did not keep her eyes on it.
“I can’t believe it,” she
murmured. “I don’t know what’s going on? Am I dreaming? Or am I
dead after all?” Her voice quivered.
“No, you’re fine. This is real. The
Protectorate High Council granted Captain Montgomery the authority to
decide how we should handle your case. It was her decision that you
would see this site at before anyone else on your home world. We honour
you with this trust for several reasons. You’ve proven your allegiance
towards the Protectorate. You’ve shown devotion towards your planet
and its people and acted selflessly and without concern for your
personal safety during the rescue operation.”
“I don’t understand.” Sha’nee
took a step back from the window and bumped into Bremer.
The tall woman put her hands on the
young Bunthoran’s shoulders. Sha’nee leaned back against Bremer,
finding comfort and much needed stability in the touch.
“I don’t expect you to understand.
It is an overwhelming sight for a person from a non-space faring world.”
The words had lost their meaning.
Suddenly Sha’nee caught a glimpse of something moving to the left. She
leaned forward to see and to her amazement there was what looked like
two large vessels floating in space next to … What had Bremer called
this place? Voyager, was it?
“What are those?” she pointed.
“The closest one is Captain
Montgomery’s ship, the Excellence. It’s where I work. The one next
to it is the Rak’Tar, another Guardian ship.”
“Another?”
“There are more than seven-hundred
Guardian ships patrolling Protectorate space. Not all are as big as
these but some are much bigger.”
“I have wanted to know more about the
Protectorate for years, ever since I started working closely with
Ambassador J’Aoh. I found what I did learn about their, your, culture,
fascinating. I saw things at the Embassy that were hard to explain:
People coming and going; Technology that no one in Bunthora possessed.”
The young woman gave a muted sigh. “That is why you look so different
now, than you do when I saw you at the Embassy, isn’t it? I couldn’t
tell what it was at first … but now I see … you don’t look quite
Bunthoran.”
Sha’nee turned around again, gazing
up at Bremer with misty eyes. “You’re right; I’m not Bunthoran,”
the tall woman explained in a gentle voice. “Nor do I belong to any of
the worlds within the Protectorate space. I come from a planet called
Earth a long way from here.”
“How did you end up here? How is it
that you’re a Guardian?”
“That is a very long story, Sha’nee,”
Bremer said, still steadying the girl with her hands. “I can’t go
into that right now, perhaps later. There are more important questions
to be answered.”
“There are?”
“Yes. When I decided to transport you
onto this vessel to save your life, I inadvertently but not unknowingly,
sealed your fate. You now have two choices. You can go back to Bunthora
and continue your life there or …”
Bremer’s voice trailed off and the
tall woman looked slightly bemused.
“Yes?” Sha’nee prodded.
“Or you can decide to stay onboard
either Voyager or the Excellence.”
Stunned beyond words, the young
Bunthoran’s jaw lost all cohesion. She looked dumbfound at the other
woman and then her knees gave in.
Bremer helped her to sit down on the
couch. The dark haired woman joined her, still holding a reassuring hand
on Sha’nee’s left arm.
“W-what?” the girl stuttered.
“If you go back to Bunthora, there
are many confidential issues regarding the Protectorate you will need to
remain confidential. Betraying the confidence Captain Montgomery and the
Elders have put in you, would be considered a criminal betrayal of trust
by the High Council.”
“I would never do that!” Sha’nee
gushed.
“I know,” Bremer smiled crookedly.
“There is the possibility of you joining this vessel. Ensign Brovskij,
Seven of Nine and B’Elanna Torres live here. Voyager’s crew also
comes from earth or planets near it in a part of space called the Alpha
Quadrant. They are on their way back there – no matter how long it
takes them.”
Sha’nee looked at the other woman.
Bremer’s ice-blue gaze held hers without wavering. Her short bangs
were cut just above slender, black eyebrows, framing her strong
features.
“And your ship?” she whispered.
“Captain Montgomery has given me
permission to speak on her behalf. She told me that she would be
honoured to have you serve onboard the Excellence as a member of the
Guardians.”
All Sha’nee could do was gasp softly
and then hold her breath. Her heart pounded almost painfully in her
chest. There had been so many surreal revelations in the last hour that
she almost began to fear she was dead after all.
Turning her head she watched her planet
in the far distance, just above Bremer’s shoulder. It had turned a
little and now she could see the outline of the ocean where it was at
its widest between Bunthora and Gothiara.
“Can I ever go back?” she murmured.
Bremer gave a broad smile. “Oh, Sha’nee,”
she said with something resembling tenderness. “Of course you can. If
you decide to swear the Guardian oath, you will always be one. There are
Guardian’s from many different planets in this part of space. They all
come from space fairing cultures so you would be unique since your
planet has not gone through the awakening yet.”
“What’s the awakening?”
“When a planet reaches a certain
level of technological and cultural development they learn the truth
about the Protectorate. It’s called the awakening and occurs
over a longer period of time, sometimes a full century. As for Bunthora
and Gothiara, things will happen differently, but you will understand
what I mean later.”
“I don’t have anyone that will miss
me …” Sha’nee's voice was low but steady.
“Regard that as being free to choose,”
Bremer offered. “If you decide to join the Guardians, Bunthora would
still be there when you want to visit.”
Sha’nee regarded the dark haired
woman, not knowing what to think, let alone what to say.
“When do I have to make my decision?”
she finally asked.
“There’s no time limit, Sha’nee.
If you go back to Bunthora now and then change your mind a year or two
down the line, the offer is still valid.” Bremer’s eyes seemed to
cloud over and the Sha’nee woman was suddenly intrigued.
“I’m overwhelmed,” she said
softly. “I’m very honoured that your captain thinks I could become a
Guardian. I’m just an ordinary person from Bunthora. I don’t have
any special skills or …”
“Yes, you do. You possess a keen and
investigating mind. You refuse to give up and you’re not easily
intimidated. You can be trusted and you think on your feet. You’re
mature for your age and …”
Bremer’s voice trailed off.
“And?” Sha’nee asked, again
urging the other woman to continue.
“It’s not hard to see that you have
a gentle heart,” Bremer murmured, removing her hand from Sha’nee’s
arm.
Looking closely at the lieutenant, Sha’nee
tried to understand what was going on. “I know this is my decision,”
she offered, “but would you please tell me what you think?”
Bremer looked quite taken aback by the
frank question. Her eyes became narrow slits as if she was trying to
hide her feelings.
“What do you mean, Sha’nee?”
Mustering her courage, the Bunthoran
girl held the other woman’s gaze. “Since I would be a Guardian
onboard your ship, I want your opinion, Heidi.”
Bremer flinched. “It really isn’t
for me to say,” she said wryly. “However, since you ask my opinion;
I think you would make an excellent Guardian.”
Sha’nee bit her lower lip. “That’s
not what I mean,” she said. “I want to know what you think about it,
personally.”
“What do you mean?”
“You came back for me and saved my
life. I have not asked why you would refrain from the opportunity to
participate in any of the major rescue operations of my countrymen to
save just one person.”
The tactical officer looked decidedly
uncomfortable, but Sha’nee wanted answers.
“So you think saving you was a
personal decision for me?”
“Yes.” The young Bunthoran held her
breath, knowing that she may have pushed Bremer too far.
“Very well,” the tall woman said
and got up from the couch. “I confess I don’t understand this
myself. When I regained consciousness in sickbay and they briefed me –
nobody seemed to know what happened to you. It’s not like the
Guardians – or the Voyager crew – to forget about a member of an
away team. I thought you were dead.”
“What did you do?”
“When even our most elaborate scans
of the capital came up with nothing I received permission from Captain
Montgomery to perform a search personally. Ensign Brovskij came along
for the ride. We found you and the driver unconscious. It was a close
call. The rest you know.”
Sha’nee raised her eyebrows at the
staccato sentences, realising that the imposing woman in front of her
was feeling extremely self-conscious. Getting on her feet, Sha’nee
walked up to her. “You cared enough to go through all that trouble to
find me,” she said slowly. “You took a very big chance by having me
transported – I still have no clue how, by the way – to this
facility … I mean this space ship, to save me. Now I need to
know, if I join the crew onboard your ship, will you merely be my
superior officer?”
“What do you mean, ‘merely’?”
“I have lived a very lonely life the
last two-three years, Heidi. What I need to know is – will you also be
my friend?”
Several seconds passed while Bremer
seemed to consider the question carefully. Eventually the Guardian
exhaled deeply and smiled wryly.
“There is a saying on my home planet,
Sha’nee,” she said in a low voice. “When you save someone’s life
– you’re responsible for that person. I think there is every chance
that we can be very good friends.”
Sha’nee glanced over her shoulder at
the slowly revolving orb. Bunthora had a long way to go before it was
healed. Her services would no doubt be in high demand. She would
probably be officially recognised for her part in forestalling the
impending disaster.
She let her eyes drift towards the
incredible sight of the powerful space ship next to Voyager. She still
had problems fathom the idea of travelling in space among alien
cultures. The decision was not going to be easy.
Sha’nee turned her head back and
gazed up at Bremer. “I will need some time to make up my mind,” she
said slowly. “Please, thank Captain Montgomery for me. How can I reach
you when I’ve made my decision?”
Bremer squared her shoulders. “Just
contact Ambassador J’Aoh. He’ll know how to get in touch with me.”
“Can I go home now?”
The other woman pressed her lips
together but nodded amicably.
“Of course. Let me take you to
transporter room one. I will have them beam you to the Embassy. It’s a
safe and harmless procedure for instant travelling.”
They began to walk towards the door.
When they reached it Sha’nee turned to Bremer and stopped her putting
a hand on her right arm. “Heidi?”
The tactical officer looked down at her
companion. “Yes?”
“For what it’s worth, I think,
given the chance, we could become great friends too.”
Something in the blue gaze softened. A
smile rapidly graced Bremer’s lips and then she nodded, motioning for
the young Bunthoran to go through the door that hissed open.
Sha’nee walked out into the corridor.
She wondered if the Excellence’s interior resembled this ship’s. Was
it possible for a girl from a ‘non space faring culture’ to feel at
home in this kind of environment? She stole a glance at the dark haired
woman walking beside her as a small inner voice told her that it might
just work.
*****
Seven regarded her captain with an
unsettling feeling in her midsection. There was something utterly wrong
and she did not know how to best approach the subject. When they had
spoken last time in these quarters, there had been a warm atmosphere, a
hope that they would discover common ground.
Now Janeway was staring wordlessly into
space.
It was late evening and Seven had
worked at her computer in cargo bay two, filing reports from the
audience she had attended at the palace. She had had to correct errors
on several occasions. This had led her to run a diagnostic of her
cortical implant. It showed no sign of malfunctioning. She waited
patiently for Janeway to turn around and finally talk to her.
Had the captain changed her mind about
the conversation they were supposed to have? Had she realised that she
did not harbour any feelings for the Seven at all? Or perhaps what Seven
had interpreted as true affection had merely been a captain’s
consideration for a valuable member of her crew, all along?
The ex-Borg shuddered. This was
unnerving. She experienced problems with her respiratory system and she
wanted to clear her throat but was afraid to disturb Janeway’s
thoughts. Somehow she sensed that the captain needed to collect herself
in order to address whatever was on her mind.
Janeway pivoted abruptly, making Seven
flinch. “We need to talk,” she said, her voice solemn. “There has
been an unexpected turn of events.”
So, Seven figured, her fears were
correct. Whatever hope there had been that Janeway would find it in her
heart to care for her, it had changed. Not being able to refrain from
clearing her throat any longer, Seven coughed. The sound seemed to
startle the captain who looked lost for a moment.
“Please, have a seat,” Janeway
motioned with her hand towards the couch.
Seven would have preferred to stand,
no, to leave, but sat down anyway. It was as if her limbs weighed
several tons, her movements were jerky and uncoordinated. “Please,
proceed, Captain,” she managed, surprised to hear her own alto voice
sound as cool as usual.
Janeway stood up, one hand on her hip
and the other one rubbing her left temple. “Seven, this isn’t easy
for me,” she began. “I know this will put a strain on us and I hope
you believe me when I say I had no idea it would come to this.”
Clutching her hands together, Seven bit
the inside of her lower lip to keep from bursting into tears. What she
had hoped would be a special evening, a breakthrough in their
relationship, was quickly turning into a nightmare. “I am certain you
would never wilfully misinform me,” she said, swallowing hard.
“Of course I wouldn’t,” Janeway
replied, sounding a little surprised. “This is something I had no
power to foresee. I just found out and I have to be frank with you, it
made me very concerned.”
Janeway actually looked quite
distressed and it was to be expected since the captain was a
warm-hearted person who never was careless with other people’s
feelings.
“Please, tell me what you mean to say”
Seven tried not to sound as if she was begging.
“First I want you to know that
whatever you decide to do, whether you consider remaining here or
staying on Voyager, I’ll understand,” Janeway said, sounding as
strained as Seven was feeling.
“Remaining behind?” Seven breathed,
her voice losing its coolness. “I do not understand, Captain?” Did
Janeway expect her to leave Voyager because the captain had changed her
mind? Suddenly it dawned on Seven that it may be her only option if she
was to survive this rejection.
“Seven, you can’t tell anyone yet.
I have received permission by Captain Montgomery to inform you about it
due to … special circumstances.”
Seven barely avoided trying to shake
her head to dissolve the confusion. What was Janeway talking about? What
special circumstance?
Janeway lowered her head and inhaled
deeply. She walked over to the couch and sat down next to Seven, taking
the bewildered young woman’s hand between hers.
“Seven, today is going to end as
turbulently as it began – by landing Voyager in Bunthora’s capital
and thus making first contact. Tomorrow, Captain Montgomery will
announce to our crew that Voyager has been granted Guardian status. The
Protectorate is offering everyone onboard Voyager to stay on as
Guardians with access to their technology and … all the other benefits
the crew of the Excellence possess.”
“We will be Guardians?” Seven said,
her voice trembling.
“Yes, it’s a true honour that we
can’t refuse, it seems. We can choose to stay or not – but the
Guardian status is granted us nonetheless.”
Seven looked down at her hand. Janeway
were holding on hard to her and she could feel that the captain’s
hands were cold. Something was still wrong. “If this is an honour,
something to be proud of, Captain, why are you so distraught about this?”
she asked.
“There’s more. Voyager’s
crewmembers will have to make up their mind on an individual basis
whether to stay or continue with Voyager. If too many decide to stay …
Voyager will be stranded until I can find enough new crewmembers to run
the ship.”
Seven could not believe that Janeway
would think that anyone would consider not serving under her command.
“They would forfeit their chance of reaching the Alpha quadrant,”
she tried to reason logically.
“Some may be entertaining the idea of
staying here already,” Janeway said. “It is their prerogative. I’ve
been pushing them hard for six years towards an uncertain fate. It is
only to be expected that some of them might be very tired of this
endless journey. Even I am, sometimes.”
Seven tried to grasp what Janeway was
saying. “So you fear that the crew will abandon ship, strand Voyager
here and … that I would be among them?”
The sharp intake of breath from Janeway
told Seven that she had understood the full extent of the problem.
Considering her options, she let
Janeway cling to her hand, not letting on that the captain’s nails
were digging into her skin. Janeway’s eyes were stormy grey, her lips
pressed thin together. Seven rushed to reassure her. “Kathryn,” she
said, trying not to stumble over the still unfamiliar way of addressing
her captain, “whatever the future holds for me; I will not abandon
you. My desire is to remain with you, in whatever capacity you should
choose or need me to fulfil.”
Janeway stared at her. Freeing one hand
the captain dragged through her hair. “Just like that?” she asked, a
catch in her voice. “You’ve been fascinated by the Guardians and
their duties since day one … and now …”
Seven’s eyes followed the elegant
hand. The soft lights reflected in the auburn hair and caught the
shimmer in Janeway’s eyes as tears welled up. “I am intrigued by the
morals and the duties of these officers,” she allowed. “This has
however nothing to do with my emotional state.”
Janeway raised her hand and cupped
Seven’s cheek. “I was so afraid …” she murmured. “I thought
you might want to take this chance, this opportunity to … and since I
could never go back on my word to bring the crew home …”
The captain broke off. Her thumb
caressed Seven’s chin, making Seven forget what she had just said.
“Kathryn?” she exhaled almost
inaudibly. The fingers around her chin moved slowly, making her lean
into the touch.
“There hasn’t been time for us to
talk, Seven, and there really isn’t time now. Tomorrow morning we are
going to stand among our crewmembers and hear Captain Montgomery grant
us Guardian status and a home away from home. We’ll have to get used
to the idea that we may lose a great number of people to this part of
space, to this new challenge.”
Seven was not ready to agree this
quickly. “You do not know that,” she objected. Not thinking about
it, just expressing a desire to somehow comfort her captain, she turned
her head and pressed her lips into Janeway’s palm.
Janeway scooted closer and leaned her
forehead against Seven’s temple, placing her free hand around her
cheek. The ex-Borg inhaled the soft perfume emanating from the other
woman. With a muted whimper, she freed her hands and then pulled Janeway
into a fierce embrace.
Seven wrapped her arms around Janeway’s
neck as the other woman buried her face against her. She remembered how
she sometimes held Naomi when the child was distraught and tried rocking
the captain gently.
It seemed to work as the smaller woman
settled into the embrace, her breathing slowing down. Seven kissed
Janeway’s soft hair.
Janeway looked up at her. Her face was
pale and her lips trembling now that she was not pressing them together
into a fine line anymore.
“Seven, I need to know how you feel,”
the captain said. “I need to know where I stand.”
Seven gazed down at the other woman,
trying to assess what the Janeway was saying. “Are you referring to
the Guardian status … or us?” she asked with hesitation.
Janeway cupped her hand behind Seven’s
neck, caressing it gently. “Us.”
Seven reached deep into herself, trying
to find the courage to express what had been in her heart for so long.
“I need to be with you,” she managed, her voice almost betraying
her. “I require your presence in my life, not just as my captain and
mentor … but also as the individual I love.”
Janeway pulled her closer with her hand
around the back of Seven’s neck. “You love me?” she breathed.
“Yes.”
Lips almost touching, Seven realised
they were going to kiss. Her heart fluttered in her chest, the
nanoprobes were obviously malfunctioning, unable to regulate her heart
rate. Softly, Janeway’s mouth touched hers, pressing against it. Seven’s
mind whirled. She did not quite know how to respond, not wanting to
assume too much. Janeway kept the light pressure up, caressing her neck
just above the bio suit as the tip of her tongue caressed Seven’s
lower lip.
When she finally pulled back, she
smiled at Seven. “Tomorrow will be hard,” she said, her eyes moist.
“I will see it through, whatever the outcome of the Protectorate’s
offer. I know I’ll be all right now.”
Seven cocked her head. “I do not
understand,” she said.
“No matter what happens in the future
I’ll be fine, Seven, because you love me.”
Seven gave a tremulous smile. “And
you, Kathryn? How do you feel?” she boldly asked, already reading the
reply in the other woman’s eyes.
“Oh, Seven,” Janeway leaned
forward, breathing her answer against the ex-Borg’s full lips. “I
… ”
“Montgomery to Janeway.”
Cursing under her breath Janeway tapped
her comm badge. “Janeway here. Go ahead, Captain.”
“It’s
time, Kathryn. I’ve beamed over to Voyager and so has Commander
Toriello, Lt Bremer and most of my senior staff. Captain Dar’Gaian is
in place at the rendezvous place with the Gothiaran president and his
entourage. Crown Prince Ragh’nall and his wife
are also present, all under Protectorate protection, using shields.”
Blue-grey eyes looked into ice-blue.
Wordless communication, the regret Janeway’s features expressed and
the frustration Seven felt for having been interrupted by something far
more important … there was always something more important.
The captain gently cleared her throat.
Raising her hand, tracing the Seven’s lower lip with one finger she
responded to Montgomery’s information.
“I’ll see you on the bridge,
Captain. Janeway out.”
*****
The old man in the bed reached for the
bell. The pain in his chest had tortured him for more than an hour and
he had fought the urge to call for his medicine. The servant entered his
bedroom and after one glance at the old emperor, he rang for the doctor.
The medicine worked its magic, sending
his fragile body into a state of oblivion. Just before he dozed off he
thought of her, the tall blonde Guardian that had impressed him so much.
Bunthora’s people could use someone of her stature, of her
resourcefulness. He would suggest to his son that they work with
Ambassador J’Aoh to find a way to convince Seven of Nine to stay.
He had sensed something about her that
made him think this was possible. All may not be lost, after all.
