Chapter 2: Dieu Diable
Voyager's bridge was quiet as Harry Kim sat in the captain's chair. The routine humming of a starship and noises of the sensors were the only sounds to be heard. The other officers on the bridge were quietly minding their stations and going about their duties. A sensor beeped, indicating an irregularity, and Lieutenant Ayala said, "Sir, we're picking up some minor atmospheric fluctuations throughout the ship."
Kim stood. "Source?" he asked.
"Unknown, sir," replied Ayala. After a moment, the lieutenant had a puzzled expression on his face. "Sir," he continued, "they're gone. Everything has returned to normal conditions."
"Run a full sensor diagnostic," Harry ordered.
"Yes, sir," replied Ayala. The beam of light that moved across the bridge was so minuscule and fast that no one noticed it. Kim blinked his eyes, wondering if the lights had flashed, but then sure he was just tired from being on duty all day as well as attending Naomi's party.
The sensor diagnostic was completed and no anomalies had been found. Kim reported his findings, or lack thereof, and the rest of his shift passed uneventfully. The next shift rotation occurred, and Tom Paris took the conn. Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay resumed their posts on the bridge.
"Captain," said Tom, "we're approaching an M-class planet. Should we alter course?"
"How far out of our way is it?" the Captain asked.
"Only a couple of lightyears, Captain. It would hardly take us any time at all."
Janeway thought the crew could use a diversion, a little excitement, so she said, "Alter course. Alert me when we are in hailing range. Mr. Tuvok, what can you tell me about the planet?"
"They appear to have warp technology," Tuvok replied. "Beyond that, there is little I can tell from this distance."
"Proceed with caution, Mr. Paris," Janeway commanded.
Several minutes later, Tuvok said, "We are in hailing range, Captain."
"Open a channel," said Janeway. When Tuvok nodded to her that the channel was open, she continued, "This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Do you read me?"
A man's appeared on the view screen. He was tall and muscular, and strength and power emanated from him. A piece of his dark hair swept across his face and accented his clear, blue eyes. He wore a grey jacket with gold buttons and a brocade collar. Perhaps a military uniform? There were no decorations to indicate rank or status, only his air of absolute authority. In an unprepossessing manner, he said, "Captain Janeway, this is Chancellor Aelvin Adinah. Welcome to Elcar."
"Thank you," Janeway responded. "We are on a long journey and wondered if we might be able to orbit your planet for a few days, perhaps allow our crew to take some shore leave, and collect some fresh supplies and food samples."
"I must bring your request to our Ruling Council, but I imagine that you will be welcome here. The Council is meeting this afternoon. Your ship may orbit our planet until I discuss this matter with them."
"Thank you very much," replied Janeway. "I can assure you, we have no hostile intentions. We are simply looking for a bit of rest and a change of scenery."
For the first time in the conversation, Adinah flashed a genuine smile, and his eyes twinkled. "I will encourage the Council to grant your request," he said cunningly. "Have no doubt about that. I, for one, would certainly like to meet you." He emphasized the word "you," just enough to make Janeway's cheeks redden slightly.
"Thank you, Chancellor," she replied. "We will wait to hear more from you after your council meets. Janeway out." Tuvok cut the communication and the imposing figure disappeared from the view screen, replaced by the green, blue and grey swirling atmosphere of the planet.
"I think you were just propositioned," said Chakotay with a raised eyebrow.
"Indeed," replied Janeway, her cheeks reddening slightly more. She then turned to her tactical officer. "Tuvok, what can you tell me about the planet?"
"There are several large cities in the northern hemisphere," he said. "They appear to have a thriving culture, with advanced transportation systems between cities and at least two star bases that I can detect. The northern hemisphere has many lakes and forests, and appears to have a mild climate. The southern hemisphere seems to have a much harsher climate and I can detect very few life signs there. There is significant radiation interfering with our scans of the southern hemisphere."
"Janeway to Neelix."
"Neelix here, Captain."
"Neelix, we've just entered orbit around a planet called Elcar. Have you ever heard of it?"
There was a slight pause over the comm before Neelix replied, "I don't think so, Captain. We're pretty far out of the realm where I spent most of my time."
"You sound hesitant, Neelix," Chakotay said. "Have you heard something about this planet or its people?"
"I'm not sure, Commander," Neelix replied. "You know how childhood stories are, and legends." Janeway and Chakotay exchanged a glance. "You never know what's true, or when the names of races or planets are accurate."
"If you know something, Mr. Neelix, please enlighten us," said Janeway impatiently.
"Like I said, Captain," replied Neelix, "I'm really not sure. I've never heard of Elcar exactly, but I have heard a legend about a planet called Elcarcita. The stories go that Elcarcita is an enchanted world, and those who visit it can find the answers to their greatest questions. But it is a two-sided planet, one side is a paradise, and the other, a living hell, where those who deserve the greatest punishment, are sent. It's a very old legend, Captain. Much like the Earth concepts of heaven and hell. This is one story that I didn't think had much basis in reality. I always thought it was just a religious parable."
"Thank you, Mr. Neelix," said Janeway.
"Glad to be of service, Captain," he replied.
Janeway stared at the planet on the view screen. Chakotay, at her side, said quietly, "Interesting. The northern hemisphere is lush and mild, the southern is hot and harsh. Sounds like heaven and hell to me."
"Complete with God and Devil?" asked Tom Paris, turning around from his seat at the conn. "Which one is Aelvin Adinah?"
...
Captain Janeway sat at the desk in her ready room, pondering the day's events and thinking about Aelvin Adinah. It was not often that she encountered a figure as powerful and imposing – the type of man who turned her head when he entered a room; who exuded power and authority, but calmly, and not threateningly. She was flattered by his obvious interest in her, but his openness about it also made her uncomfortable. She did not want her crew to think of her as a sex object, and did not appreciate being seen that way by the leader of another world.
Janeway had also been scrolling through various myths from different cultures, looking at stories like the one Neelix had told this afternoon of the planet Elcarcita. Almost every culture seemed to have some sort of myth in which those who were good were rewarded in some form of paradise, while evil was punished by eternal damnation. Not every culture shared these myths, but some form of them seemed evident on many worlds and in many societies. It was natural, she supposed, for people to invent stories that provided some incentive to be good and do right, and what better incentive than eternal paradise?
The door to the ready room chimed. "Come in," she said.
Chakotay entered, PADD in hand. "I have the shore leave schedule that you asked me to prepare in case we are invited to the planet." He handed her the PADD.
"Thank you, Commander," Janeway said, glancing down at the schedule. "Please, sit down." She stood from her desk and moved to the sofa. Chakotay sat down next to her. "I've been reading myths this afternoon, Chakotay," Janeway said.
"Oh?" he asked. "Of what sort?"
"Myths about heaven and hell, or other things of that sort. Neelix's story got me thinking. Tell me more about that legend you mentioned last night."
"I don't remember it very well," Chakotay replied, "I heard it when I was very young. It was a story about the eagle, if I remember correctly, and why the eagle flies so gracefully and is so beautiful. At the beginning of time, the eagle was a small, playful bird. He danced in the meadow and sang with the sparrow and the lark. He found a mate, a beautiful female. They were very happy together, and together they made their nest a beautiful place. They underwent great trials together were able to overcome all of them. But one day, his mate disappeared, and the eagle was lost. He could not find his beautiful mate, so he decided to journey across the oceans and the forests until he found her." Janeway was looking at him, rapt with attention. She loved his stories, and the way he told them.
Suddenly, the comm beeped. Janeway blinked, as if coming out of a daze, and Chakotay stopped speaking. "Janeway here," she responded.
"Captain, we have an incoming transmission from the planet," said Tuvok.
"I'll be right there," Janeway replied. She stood up and looked back at Chakotay, realizing she had not heard the rest of the legend. "I guess I'll have to wait to find out what happened to the eagle and his mate," she said, smiling. Chakotay stood and followed her onto the bridge.
"On screen," said Janeway. Adinah's figure appeared once again on the view screen. "Chancellor," Janeway greeted him.
"Captain Janeway," he replied, "our Ruling Council has met and discussed your request. They have agreed to grant you the shore leave you requested, and we also have many markets where you and your crew can trade for other goods and supplies. Several members of my cabinet have agreed to escort your crew and show them around our cities." He paused briefly. "Of course," he continued, "I will be your personal guide."
"Thank you, Chancellor," said Janeway. "My crew and I greatly appreciate your hospitality. We will begin beaming down in shifts, so as not to inconvenience you too greatly."
"Very well, Captain," replied Adinah. "I anxiously await your arrival. Adinah out."
...
The first away team to the planet consisted of Janeway, Tuvok, Neelix and Ensign Harryman. They prepared to beam down to the planet. "Energize," said Janeway to the ensign working the transporter. In front of their eyes, Voyager dematerialized, and when they could see again they were standing in front of a huge fountain that spilled over into a dark blue pool, where orange and gold fish were swimming among tall reeds and giant flowers. Gardens blooming with flowers of every color surrounded the fountain, and grass lawns that seemed perfectly kept spread nearby. Beyond these, snow capped peaks towered above the city. The sky was a light blue with just a tinge of purple. As the away team looked around themselves with amazement, Janeway thought, This truly appears to be a paradise. In front of them stood the powerful, calm, six-foot-three figure of Aelvin Adinah. He approached them with a smile. "Captain Janeway," he said smoothly, "welcome to Elcar." Janeway extended her hand, to shake his, but instead, he took her hand and pressed it to his lips.
She withdrew her hand, perhaps a little faster than necessary, and replied, "Thank you, Chancellor."
For the first time, Janeway noticed three other figures standing behind Adinah. He motioned to each of them as he introduced them. "This is Corran Metran, Minister of Transportation." Corran stepped forward; a lithe, small man with bleach blonde hair and thick glasses. He shook each of their hands and murmured a greeting.
Adinah continued, "This is Elise Harcott, Minister of Defense." Elise was a tall, blond woman; not small, but not overweight. She had a large smile and an imposing presence. She greeted each Voyager crew member and shook each hand with a strong, tough grip. Janeway could understand immediately why she had been chosen to defend this world. She imagined that nothing could get past this woman.
Gesturing to the last person in the line, the Chancellor said, "And this is my assistant, Mr. Kelso Ritarez." Ritarez came forward and greeted the visitors. His steps were more timid than those of the others and he seemed to glance at Adinah for approval. In appearance, he was unremarkable, the epitome of average, the type of man you could see a hundred times in a day but never notice; his hair and eyes were dark, and his glance was furtive. He politely greeted the captain and other crew members. "Mr. Ritarez will give your crew members a tour of our city and show them where they can relax, shop and eat," said Adinah. "Captain Janeway, if you will do me the honor of allowing me to escort you?"
Janeway nodded. "Thank you, Chancellor," she said. Ritarez led the way as Tuvok, Neelix and Harryman departed with him. When Janeway and the Chancellor were alone, he offered her his arm, and she took it.
"Please," he spoke, "call me Aelvin." His hand slid possessively over hers as it rested on his arm. "This building," he said, gesturing to a large building near them, "is the central building for our government. It was built two hundred years ago by the men who founded this city."
"Our sensors detected that you have several large cities," said Janeway.
"Yes. This is the capital. It has the largest population of any city on the planet. It is called Elcarthita."
Janeway stopped abruptly. "Elcarthita?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied cautiously. "Have you heard of it?"
"No," she said quickly, instinctively feeling that she should not tell him of Neelix's legend. "I must be thinking of something else. My people are from another part of the galaxy. Perhaps it reminded me of something I've heard there."
He regarded her out of the corner of his eye, but said nothing more about it. He led her through paths, gardens, near pools and fountains. The scenery was breathtaking. "You have a beautiful world," Janeway said.
"Thank you," Adinah replied with a smile. "Wait till you see the center of the city." They walked past the capitol building on a long, cobblestone path lined with flowers of every color. As they turned the corner of the capitol building, the center of the city stood before them. Majestic glass structures towered over smaller, colorful buildings. Purple, green and red laced the skyline. For the first time, Janeway noticed that the planet had two suns, and their combined light glinted with gold on the many windows of the city. Small hovercraft flew through the buildings elegantly, and in the distance, Janeway could see what could only be a large space station.
She did not realize that she had stopped to stare until she felt Aelvin's hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and said simply, "Wow."
He smiled and offered her his arm once again. "Welcome to Elcarthita," he said, "the city where all your dreams come true."