Author's Note: Enjoy!
Summary: When Trip and Archer search the planet, will they find Shiloh or will it turn out differently?
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Chapter 11:
Findings
They had made it to the palace and carefully scanned the building as they stayed in the shadows. It didn't take much to stay hidden and the guards seemed to only watch the doors. Their hoods were down so they could see what they were doing and to try and cool down in the sweltering heat.
"Trip?"
"He's not in there."
Archer watched as two young boys wondered the streets heading toward the palace. They seemed to be about Shiloh's age. He couldn't see either of their faces but one was his height and even had his black hair.
That one's clothing was pretty fancy and was more than likely had some royal blood. The other was a little shorter and his clothing suggested that he was the other's servant or something.
He turned back to Trip and asked, "Anything?"
"No, nothing."
Just then, "I think I've found what you are looking for," came from behind them.
They spun around and the same two boys that Archer was watching stood behind them. "Shiloh." Trip grabbed Shiloh in a huge bear hug, practically cutting off his circulation at the same time as he lost his ability to breathe.
"I guess I was right that it was your father?" Deacon joked from behind them.
"Yea. Ah, dad, Admiral Archer, this is Deacon. You can trust him," he added at their suspicious looks. They both nodded at him to show that he was accepted.
"So, whacha ya doin'?" Shiloh asked with the playful southern accent he had learned to emulate from his father.
"We were lookin' for you," Trip said, playing back.
Shiloh looked over his shoulder and inquired, "So, what's the plan?"
"We'll sneak you out at midnight. Head for the forest; Travis is waiting with the Shuttle," Archer explained the simple plan. But his comment reminded Shiloh of the dream he had had:
He recalled the images of Trip and Archer grabbing him and the three of them running in the middle of the night. They wore A'j'ay clothing and tried to blend into the darkness of the night. They ran toward the forest, cutting through an opened field first.
"No," he stated flatly.
"What da ya mean, no?" Trip asked, confused by his reluctance.
"It won't work. Not the way you intend it to anyway." Shiloh's eyes pleaded with them to understand but they didn't.
"Ya can't just stay here."
"No, that wouldn't be my first choice either," he said as the first part of the dream wondered into his consciousness:
He stood in a doorway, looking out at Ajtowea. He turned away from the window and saw no one anywhere. As he walked down the halls, he heard the sound of his feet echoing in the empty halls.
"Then how are you goin' to get out?"
Shiloh thought for a moment before saying with a smirk, "I tell them. Come on."
"Ti'en."
"Ah, Shiloh. Who are your friends? AH, well, it doesn't really matter now does it? We don't allow peasants in."
"They're not peasants. This is my father and his best friend," Shiloh introduced them as they reluctantly took off their hoods.
"Well, isn't that just grand," the emperor said, his face falling. It was as if he expected to say that they were pirates going to take over the world. With a wave of his hand, the guards seemed to come and take them.
"No," Shiloh warned. "This way." He led them outside to a place where the entire population could see them. "Everyone! These people are under my protection. Anyone who dares to challenge that, will deal with me...and me alone." As he said the last part, he glared at the guards that seemed to walk closer to him.
"No one will challenge you." He heard someone cry out.
"Good," was all he said, or more mumbled, before escorting them back inside.
"Hmm, I don't think I could have put it into better words myself," the Emperor said with no true interest. "You've learned our customs exceptionality fast. I applauded you."
"Deacon taught me. Show a lot while we were at the Temple of Time."
"Then he must be a great teacher." Ti'en looked over at Archer and Trip, "Well, if they are under your protection, they must stay near you. They can have shelter here. Claude, find them a room and some proper clothing."
"Yes, sir." With that, Claude, who was the same to fetch Shiloh's clothes, went to do the same for Archer and Trip.
"I don't quite understand all this. How can this kid, who's only been here for a few days, have so much power already?" Archer asked.
"To them, I'm not a child. I never have been. I'm a messiah to their people. A religious figure everyone worships," Shiloh explained. "No one will risk challenging me or harming me. No one."
"And who is he?"
"Oh, that's just the Emperor of the planet," Shiloh's comment was light and playful with a lot a sarcasm in.
"Ha, ha, very funny. No, I am the ruler of the entire planet. Emperor to only that think this is an empire," Ti'en said in a mock serious voice.
**The California, Bridge**
For most, the feel of the bridge was normal. Everyone was bored but did their jobs as they were supposed to. But for Malcolm, T'Pol, and Hoshi, they were all nervous wrecks.
Admiral Archer was supposed to have called in an hour ago but it never came. All three of them were afraid that something happened. A beep went off at the communications station Hoshi was sitting at.
Hoshi looked up at T'Pol, who was looking at her with expectant eyes. "It's Travis, he's hailing from the surface."
"Patch him through to my ready room and join me there." Hoshi did as she was asked before joining Malcolm and T'Pol in her small office. "What is going on down there?"
"Something's wrong. The Admiral and Trip never came back and they haven't tried to communicate with me at all."
"Are you all right?" Hoshi asked.
"Yea. No one's found the Shuttle Pod. I don't think they come into the forest we hind it in that often."
Travis looked over at the console to his left before T'Pol could ask him something else. "What is it?"
"I've got an other communication coming in."
"Who?"
"I'm not sure."
**Shuttle Pod**
"Who?" He heard T'Pol say over the comm.
"I'm not sure. Hold on a sec. Travis here," he said into his communicator and was relived to hear the voice.
"Travis, you ok?"
"Yea, I'm fine, sir," Travis answered Archer's question.
"Good, I'm going to need you to sit tight, our plans have just changed."
"Where are you, sir?"
"That's not important. Just remember, stay there for as long as you can. We're going to try and get out of here soon."
"Aye, sir." The connection was broke. He turned back to the view screen and told T'Pol.
"Then do as he said. Stay there for as long as your rations last. But get out of there if someone finds you."
"Yes, ma'am." The second connection was broken and Travis was left in the empty shuttle pod with nothing to do. He leaned back in his chair and hoped that they didn't need much more time; he didn't think his sanity would last that long.
**Palace**
Claude had come back and showed all four of them where Archer and Trip's room was. It was only down the hall from Shiloh's but slightly smaller. There were clothes lying on the two beds that the room possessed.
One was a leather gold pair of pants with a matching shirt. The other was a light blue leather pair of pants and gold vest. Each one grabbed a pair and put it on. Before they continued their conversation.
"What about Travis?"
"They won't find the shuttle. And even if they did, I will put Travis under my protection like I did with you. They won't hurt him then."
"Why are you doing this?" Trip asked in earnest.
"Doing what?"
"We had a perfectly able plan, why did you do all this instead?"
Shiloh looked away but knew that all three wanted an answer. "I had a dream. A very vivid...very real dream. Part of it was that you, Admiral Archer, and I were running toward the forest at night. Then I was on Vulcan, it was destroyed. No one alive just...scorched earth. Earth was the same way."
"They wouldn't do that, would they?" Archer asked.
"They have been known to do many gruesome things to complete what a prophecy will say," Deacon piped in.
"What prophecies?"
"Thousands of years ago, there were hundreds of prophets. They saw many prophecies, which are now in a sacred temple. They follow them completely and blindly."
"Well, that needs to stop," Trip muttered to himself.
Shiloh had over heard his remark and a light clicked. "Stop it?" 'Don't just make them hear, make them see,' Deacon's words echoed in his mind. He turned to Deacon who now had a smirk on his face; he knew where this was going. "But how?"
"I don't know. That's up to you."
"We have to show them that not all prophecies come true. Make them understand what you taught me; about them only being a possible future. But how?"
"All I know is what I have seen," Deacon remarked in his usual cryptic way.
The comment to Archer and Trip meant nothing but to Shiloh, it was a shock beyond explanation. "What did you say? You're a prophet, aren't you?"
"I did not say that."
"But you implied it." Again, they began their intense stare to see who would back down first. Finally Shiloh said, "I've got it. You said they make examples of prophets right?"
"Yes."
"Wait, I'm lost. Why would they kill someone that they treasure most?" Trip asked, his and Archer's confusion evident.
"It's to ensure that no one tries to challenge any of the prophecies made and to keep the power in the royal houses," Deacon explained; he had already told all that to Shiloh earlier on.
"Anyway, if I turn you in as a prophet, they'll most likely make an example of you, right?"
"Most likely, especially if you tell them to. Why?"
"I need to stop it." Was all that Shiloh said before he walked out the door.
Deacon was dragged into the palace hall, Taso guards holding each arm. Closely following them was Archer and Trip, both bewildered by what was happening.
"You now, I actually liked you. I don't usually like servants. But for you I made an exception because the Mat'iah liked you. I'm truly ashamed," the Emperor announced with a shake of his head.
Shiloh looked over at Deacon, his stare cold and unemotional; the Vulcan gaze his mother gave him. Deacon looked at him and gave him a hurt, betrayed glance.
"Take him to a holding cell. It's too late for my liking. Tomorrow we'll make an example of him." The guards pulled him through another door and presumably went to do as the Emperor said.
"Oh, don't feel bad, Shiloh. I know you liked the guy and he was your friend. But I promise, I'll get you another one. On my honor." Ti'en's eyes were playful but serious. Shiloh just stared at him, his eyes hurt and guilty but still maintaining their coolness.
When Ti'en walked away, Trip and Archer walked away. "Why did you do that? I thought you said we could trust him?" Archer stated more than asked.
"God, and you were pretty cruel about that too," Trip piped in.
"He understands. I know does." Shiloh sighed and closed his eyes. He was afraid and thought this was too much for him to handle but he knew he had to for the sake of a lot of people.
**Deacon's Cell**
He had an idea of what Shiloh was planning but he didn't think it would work. Even if this meant that he would be killed, he would not point any fingers toward Shiloh nor would he let them think anything.
Because of that, he decided to try to sleep. As he did, he had another unwanted prophecy.
They dragged him up on a large landing that stood at least fifty feet high. He was pushed to his knees. The guard readied to shoot him before Shiloh came running up. He took the weapon from the guard.
Deacon looked up at him; the last thing he saw. Shiloh had fired the weapon at him. Fear and anger in his eyes.
Deacon opened his eyes. He was shocked, yes. But these were things he was used to. Walking up from a frightening dream. But this. He thought that Shiloh was his friend. He thought that it was just a plot to make everything better. But obviously all this power had gotten to him. Their last hope had just failed.
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Please R/R.
Summary: When Trip and Archer search the planet, will they find Shiloh or will it turn out differently?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 11:
Findings
They had made it to the palace and carefully scanned the building as they stayed in the shadows. It didn't take much to stay hidden and the guards seemed to only watch the doors. Their hoods were down so they could see what they were doing and to try and cool down in the sweltering heat.
"Trip?"
"He's not in there."
Archer watched as two young boys wondered the streets heading toward the palace. They seemed to be about Shiloh's age. He couldn't see either of their faces but one was his height and even had his black hair.
That one's clothing was pretty fancy and was more than likely had some royal blood. The other was a little shorter and his clothing suggested that he was the other's servant or something.
He turned back to Trip and asked, "Anything?"
"No, nothing."
Just then, "I think I've found what you are looking for," came from behind them.
They spun around and the same two boys that Archer was watching stood behind them. "Shiloh." Trip grabbed Shiloh in a huge bear hug, practically cutting off his circulation at the same time as he lost his ability to breathe.
"I guess I was right that it was your father?" Deacon joked from behind them.
"Yea. Ah, dad, Admiral Archer, this is Deacon. You can trust him," he added at their suspicious looks. They both nodded at him to show that he was accepted.
"So, whacha ya doin'?" Shiloh asked with the playful southern accent he had learned to emulate from his father.
"We were lookin' for you," Trip said, playing back.
Shiloh looked over his shoulder and inquired, "So, what's the plan?"
"We'll sneak you out at midnight. Head for the forest; Travis is waiting with the Shuttle," Archer explained the simple plan. But his comment reminded Shiloh of the dream he had had:
He recalled the images of Trip and Archer grabbing him and the three of them running in the middle of the night. They wore A'j'ay clothing and tried to blend into the darkness of the night. They ran toward the forest, cutting through an opened field first.
"No," he stated flatly.
"What da ya mean, no?" Trip asked, confused by his reluctance.
"It won't work. Not the way you intend it to anyway." Shiloh's eyes pleaded with them to understand but they didn't.
"Ya can't just stay here."
"No, that wouldn't be my first choice either," he said as the first part of the dream wondered into his consciousness:
He stood in a doorway, looking out at Ajtowea. He turned away from the window and saw no one anywhere. As he walked down the halls, he heard the sound of his feet echoing in the empty halls.
"Then how are you goin' to get out?"
Shiloh thought for a moment before saying with a smirk, "I tell them. Come on."
"Ti'en."
"Ah, Shiloh. Who are your friends? AH, well, it doesn't really matter now does it? We don't allow peasants in."
"They're not peasants. This is my father and his best friend," Shiloh introduced them as they reluctantly took off their hoods.
"Well, isn't that just grand," the emperor said, his face falling. It was as if he expected to say that they were pirates going to take over the world. With a wave of his hand, the guards seemed to come and take them.
"No," Shiloh warned. "This way." He led them outside to a place where the entire population could see them. "Everyone! These people are under my protection. Anyone who dares to challenge that, will deal with me...and me alone." As he said the last part, he glared at the guards that seemed to walk closer to him.
"No one will challenge you." He heard someone cry out.
"Good," was all he said, or more mumbled, before escorting them back inside.
"Hmm, I don't think I could have put it into better words myself," the Emperor said with no true interest. "You've learned our customs exceptionality fast. I applauded you."
"Deacon taught me. Show a lot while we were at the Temple of Time."
"Then he must be a great teacher." Ti'en looked over at Archer and Trip, "Well, if they are under your protection, they must stay near you. They can have shelter here. Claude, find them a room and some proper clothing."
"Yes, sir." With that, Claude, who was the same to fetch Shiloh's clothes, went to do the same for Archer and Trip.
"I don't quite understand all this. How can this kid, who's only been here for a few days, have so much power already?" Archer asked.
"To them, I'm not a child. I never have been. I'm a messiah to their people. A religious figure everyone worships," Shiloh explained. "No one will risk challenging me or harming me. No one."
"And who is he?"
"Oh, that's just the Emperor of the planet," Shiloh's comment was light and playful with a lot a sarcasm in.
"Ha, ha, very funny. No, I am the ruler of the entire planet. Emperor to only that think this is an empire," Ti'en said in a mock serious voice.
**The California, Bridge**
For most, the feel of the bridge was normal. Everyone was bored but did their jobs as they were supposed to. But for Malcolm, T'Pol, and Hoshi, they were all nervous wrecks.
Admiral Archer was supposed to have called in an hour ago but it never came. All three of them were afraid that something happened. A beep went off at the communications station Hoshi was sitting at.
Hoshi looked up at T'Pol, who was looking at her with expectant eyes. "It's Travis, he's hailing from the surface."
"Patch him through to my ready room and join me there." Hoshi did as she was asked before joining Malcolm and T'Pol in her small office. "What is going on down there?"
"Something's wrong. The Admiral and Trip never came back and they haven't tried to communicate with me at all."
"Are you all right?" Hoshi asked.
"Yea. No one's found the Shuttle Pod. I don't think they come into the forest we hind it in that often."
Travis looked over at the console to his left before T'Pol could ask him something else. "What is it?"
"I've got an other communication coming in."
"Who?"
"I'm not sure."
**Shuttle Pod**
"Who?" He heard T'Pol say over the comm.
"I'm not sure. Hold on a sec. Travis here," he said into his communicator and was relived to hear the voice.
"Travis, you ok?"
"Yea, I'm fine, sir," Travis answered Archer's question.
"Good, I'm going to need you to sit tight, our plans have just changed."
"Where are you, sir?"
"That's not important. Just remember, stay there for as long as you can. We're going to try and get out of here soon."
"Aye, sir." The connection was broke. He turned back to the view screen and told T'Pol.
"Then do as he said. Stay there for as long as your rations last. But get out of there if someone finds you."
"Yes, ma'am." The second connection was broken and Travis was left in the empty shuttle pod with nothing to do. He leaned back in his chair and hoped that they didn't need much more time; he didn't think his sanity would last that long.
**Palace**
Claude had come back and showed all four of them where Archer and Trip's room was. It was only down the hall from Shiloh's but slightly smaller. There were clothes lying on the two beds that the room possessed.
One was a leather gold pair of pants with a matching shirt. The other was a light blue leather pair of pants and gold vest. Each one grabbed a pair and put it on. Before they continued their conversation.
"What about Travis?"
"They won't find the shuttle. And even if they did, I will put Travis under my protection like I did with you. They won't hurt him then."
"Why are you doing this?" Trip asked in earnest.
"Doing what?"
"We had a perfectly able plan, why did you do all this instead?"
Shiloh looked away but knew that all three wanted an answer. "I had a dream. A very vivid...very real dream. Part of it was that you, Admiral Archer, and I were running toward the forest at night. Then I was on Vulcan, it was destroyed. No one alive just...scorched earth. Earth was the same way."
"They wouldn't do that, would they?" Archer asked.
"They have been known to do many gruesome things to complete what a prophecy will say," Deacon piped in.
"What prophecies?"
"Thousands of years ago, there were hundreds of prophets. They saw many prophecies, which are now in a sacred temple. They follow them completely and blindly."
"Well, that needs to stop," Trip muttered to himself.
Shiloh had over heard his remark and a light clicked. "Stop it?" 'Don't just make them hear, make them see,' Deacon's words echoed in his mind. He turned to Deacon who now had a smirk on his face; he knew where this was going. "But how?"
"I don't know. That's up to you."
"We have to show them that not all prophecies come true. Make them understand what you taught me; about them only being a possible future. But how?"
"All I know is what I have seen," Deacon remarked in his usual cryptic way.
The comment to Archer and Trip meant nothing but to Shiloh, it was a shock beyond explanation. "What did you say? You're a prophet, aren't you?"
"I did not say that."
"But you implied it." Again, they began their intense stare to see who would back down first. Finally Shiloh said, "I've got it. You said they make examples of prophets right?"
"Yes."
"Wait, I'm lost. Why would they kill someone that they treasure most?" Trip asked, his and Archer's confusion evident.
"It's to ensure that no one tries to challenge any of the prophecies made and to keep the power in the royal houses," Deacon explained; he had already told all that to Shiloh earlier on.
"Anyway, if I turn you in as a prophet, they'll most likely make an example of you, right?"
"Most likely, especially if you tell them to. Why?"
"I need to stop it." Was all that Shiloh said before he walked out the door.
Deacon was dragged into the palace hall, Taso guards holding each arm. Closely following them was Archer and Trip, both bewildered by what was happening.
"You now, I actually liked you. I don't usually like servants. But for you I made an exception because the Mat'iah liked you. I'm truly ashamed," the Emperor announced with a shake of his head.
Shiloh looked over at Deacon, his stare cold and unemotional; the Vulcan gaze his mother gave him. Deacon looked at him and gave him a hurt, betrayed glance.
"Take him to a holding cell. It's too late for my liking. Tomorrow we'll make an example of him." The guards pulled him through another door and presumably went to do as the Emperor said.
"Oh, don't feel bad, Shiloh. I know you liked the guy and he was your friend. But I promise, I'll get you another one. On my honor." Ti'en's eyes were playful but serious. Shiloh just stared at him, his eyes hurt and guilty but still maintaining their coolness.
When Ti'en walked away, Trip and Archer walked away. "Why did you do that? I thought you said we could trust him?" Archer stated more than asked.
"God, and you were pretty cruel about that too," Trip piped in.
"He understands. I know does." Shiloh sighed and closed his eyes. He was afraid and thought this was too much for him to handle but he knew he had to for the sake of a lot of people.
**Deacon's Cell**
He had an idea of what Shiloh was planning but he didn't think it would work. Even if this meant that he would be killed, he would not point any fingers toward Shiloh nor would he let them think anything.
Because of that, he decided to try to sleep. As he did, he had another unwanted prophecy.
They dragged him up on a large landing that stood at least fifty feet high. He was pushed to his knees. The guard readied to shoot him before Shiloh came running up. He took the weapon from the guard.
Deacon looked up at him; the last thing he saw. Shiloh had fired the weapon at him. Fear and anger in his eyes.
Deacon opened his eyes. He was shocked, yes. But these were things he was used to. Walking up from a frightening dream. But this. He thought that Shiloh was his friend. He thought that it was just a plot to make everything better. But obviously all this power had gotten to him. Their last hope had just failed.
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Please R/R.