11 SID Second Coming
Beriel approached Hennessy, "Sela Hennessy, may I have a word?"
Hennessy looked to Gomez, who nodded. Gev also shooed her away. Beriel bared his fangs in an approximation of a human smile, "Thank you Sonya Gomez and Gev ab Shon. Your assistance may help us end this destructive conflict between our peoples."
Beriel motioned to alcove under a petrified tree. No Omicron citizen or Starfleet officer was near it. Hennessy noted with some amusement yet again that Beriel made slurping sounds when he propelled himself across the cobblestones. When they reached the secluded spot Hennessy turned on Beriel.
"I've told you before, Beriel, I won't give you any information about my peoples' defenses," Hennessy warned him.
"Perhaps in the case you will make an exception," Beriel pulled a small globe out of the pouch he wore around his "waist". He activated it and a hologram of a desert world appeared. Argyn ships approached and the planet itself leveled a volley of fire that destroyed each and every one of the Argyn ships. It was then that she noted that Federation starships were in the periphery of this planetary scale weapon.
"What is that?" Hennessy asked.
"We were hoping you could tell us," Beriel confessed, "It has destroyed our fleet."
"You'll probably just send another one at it," Hennessy scoffed.
"No, Sela Hennessy, it has destroyed our entire fleet. Only the three ship expeditionary force here in this system remain," Beriel explained.
"How can that be?" Hennessy asked.
"The whaloong, the creatures we use as mounts, must reach maturity before they can be adapted to our purposes. Even then we must give those ten years in which to initiate the mating cycle. Except for a dozen brood mares, all of our captive whaloong have been killed by that…thing. It will be ten of your years before we can harness the strength of the current generation."
"So sue for peace," Hennessy urged.
"We did so at our first encounter with your people. You failed to pass the litmus test of civilization," Beriel complained, "And now we are going to be overrun by bloodthirsty savages."
"You do realize I take exception at that description?" Hennessy asked.
Beriel held up a tentacle true hand, "Wait. I am receiving a message."
He held a hand to what Hennessy had come to recognize as an ear canal. He held up the globe, "The planetary weapon has appeared from a transwarp conduit in this very system."
"So what's it doing?" Hennessy inquired.
"It has stopped forward propulsion and is hovering near the Kuiper Belt," Beriel reported.
"It seems to me they could've dropped in on you laps," Hennessy suggested, "Are there any starships with it?"
"Several," Beriel answered.
"And what are they doing?" Hennessey wanted to know.
"They are holding position in planetary orbit," Beriel described the scene even as he expanded the hologram to show the starships.
"They rode a planet's orbital track through a transwarp conduit?" Hennessy exclaimed.
"It appears so," Beriel said matter of factly.
"That had to be a helluva ride," Hennessy muttered, "Is there any movement whatsoever?"
"Yes, it seems a small support craft has lifted from the planet's surface and is in bound through the system," Beriel dryly explained.
"I'd say that's your opportunity," Hennessy recommended.
"Opportunity for what?" Beriel was confused.
"They obviously want to talk," Hennessy paused for effect, "Otherwise they would've swooped in and simply blasted you out of space already. Can you enhance that craft?"
An image of a Danube-class runabout dominated the image. Hennessy nodded, "Not only is it a small craft, it's a civilian small craft. They want to talk. They're providing themselves as a peace offering."
"Are they really?" Beriel mused, "We shall see."
"I don't like the way you said that," Hennessy commented.
"You have been invaluable, Sela Hennessy. Your input may change your various species' standing with us," Beriel applauded her, "Now I must return to my ship and evaluate this 'peace offering'."
"Just remember what you've learned from interacting with us," Hennessy pleaded, "And this can end happily for both sides."
"It is far too late for that, Sela Hennessy. But perhaps we can end things on an amicable note and you will all be able to return to your birth worlds."
He disincorporated and she pondered the meaning of his last words. Could they go home? Would the Argyn allow it? She didn't know but the troops needed the hope that it could come true. She turned and returned to where her officers and crewmen were enjoying a corner of the square.
"Do we have to go through that again?" Tenmei moaned.
"And here I thought you were the bad ass, ultimate thrill seeker," Ro taunted. She felt quite pleased with herself. Unlike last time, she hadn't heaved all over the deckplates. In fact, statistically speaking, the entire crew did better. Only a handful across the ship had reported to Bashir to get treated for severe motion sickness.
Lt. Evelyn Sanger turned from her tactical display. Sanger was still a little green around the gills but she was toughing it out, "Message from Admiral Johnson, he says to stand by. They're launching a runabout from the surface and it's going to proceed ahead of the force in order to establish contact with the enemy commander."
There was only one person stupid enough to try this harebrained stunt. She wasn't about to let Macen commit suicide on her watch, "Get me Admiral Johnson. Now!"
It turned out Ro was placed in a queue by Johnson's aide, Savit. Johnson finally addressed all of the starship commanders at once, "Commander Macen is proceeding on my personal authority. We still exist within a chain of command and that means my decision stands and you will all abide by it. That means you, Captain Ro."
"We still have one last chance to end this amicably and establish relations with these people. I'm not going to throw away any opportunity to do so. Our credo is still to explore 'strange new worlds and lifeforms'." Johnson said and then cut the connection. Leaning back in his chair he swiveled so he could gaze out of his office window.
Starfleet regulations bound him to the task force yet diplomatic contact was his purview. His dual hats were in conflict and he didn't like the one that had taken precedence. His people needed him even more than the diplomatic mission did as long as he had competent help. Macen was the only one that believed in this mission. That made him qualified. Hopefully the gesture wouldn't cost he and his team their lives.
"So tell me again," Rockford casually asked from the Science station, "Why are we doing this?"
"We're going to find out why these people are fighting us," Macen said patiently from the OPS station.
"Are you sure we not just the sacrificial lamb being offered to the angry war god?" Grace chimed in at the CONN.
Macen gave her a wry look and she shrugged, "I'm just saying."
"I get all that," Rockford clarified, "What I mean is why are we doing this? Isn't this more like Admiral Johnson's usual shtick?"
"Bob's a busy man," Macen sniffed.
"That doesn't answer the question," Rockford dryly retorted.
"What he means is, he has a clue as to what's going to happen next and he doesn't want to prejudice us from doing our preordained roles," Grace offered.
Macen rolled his eyes, "If they were truly 'preordained' they would be a certainty rather than a probability."
"I'm not sure that would hold up in court," Rockford opined.
"I'm not preparing a court defense," Macen asserted.
"You might be if you insist on talking to these people," Rockford insisted, "They're kinda fickle."
"Or that's just our perception of them because we haven't established a common frame of reference," Macen replied.
"It's 'Darmok' all over again," Grace piped up. Seeing the quizzical glances from her comrades she blushed, "It's one of the Enterprise logs. They used it as a First Contact lesson at the Academy."
"Someone actually studied," Rockford teased, "I bet you were the class brain."
"I had to be," Grace said in a subdued voice, "My people wouldn't accept any less."
Grace didn't mention her people very often. She mentioned her family even less. Her role as an infiltrator and spy in Starfleet was virtually off limits and her time with Section 31 was taboo. Rockford had shared with Macen that Grace was beginning to open up with her. Annika Ryst's past as an Augment Infiltrator made her accessible. Grace could easily relate to splitting oneself into several compartmentalized versions. She just couldn't literally do it as the Ryst had hence birthing Celeste Rockford and a myriad of other personalities.
Rockford's panel urgently beeped, "I think we're being approached."
"You mean you don't know?" Grace was suddenly all business.
"Hey, I know diddly about shuttles and runabouts. I let the computer fly them," Rockford defended herself.
"I've got it," Macen announced to fend off Grace's planned cutting remark. As a pilot and certified bridge officer Grace just couldn't imagine a life where one couldn't man any critical station at a moment's notice. Macen's OPS display shifted to sensor mode. An Argyn bioship was approaching.
"We've been spotted and they're approaching at .99c," he reported.
"I'd love to get my hands on the tech that allows them to bend space/time," Grace wished.
"Full stop, Hannah," Macen instructed, "I'll open hailing frequencies."
The bioship slowed in its advance. It finally stopped 130,000 kilometers away. Its looming presence filled the viewscreens. Several tense seconds passed while the three SID team members waited for their doom. Mercifully, the Argyn replied to the hail.
Beriel filled the mini-monitor to Macen's right. He, of course, was indistinguishable to them from the Argyn commander that had attacked Johnson's task force. When he spoke, the universal translator conveyed his hesitation.
"It has been suggested that you are a peace envoy," Beriel shared.
"This is true," Macen confirmed the theory as fact.
"You have the capacity to destroy us yet you wish to negotiate?" Beriel seemed confused.
"Our peoples regret the loss of life that has been inflicted thus far. We regret the loss of life to both sides. We would prefer to end the conflict here and now so that our two peoples could someday enjoy amicable relations," Macen informed him.
"Are you willing to testify to that effect to my ship commander?" Beriel asked.
"I thought that's what you were," Macen admitted.
Beriel's globular body shook as he laughed, "No, I am a Contact Specialist. I would examine you before the ship commander and determine your true motives."
"We agree. Shall we transport aboard your vessel?" Macen asked.
"No, you're matter/energy convertor will damage certain biotech mechanisms aboard our vessel. We shall tractor you in to a landing bay. Is that acceptable?" Beriel inquired.
"Of course it is," Macen assured him.
The Corsair lurched forward as the tractor beam took hold. They were brought to a dome-like mechanical "blister" that emerged out of the whaloong's back. They sat inside until the external sensors registered an atmosphere mix and pressure that fell in between M-class world classifications.
Grace popped the hatch and the trio exited. They milled about while they waited for an escort. Finally a hatch opened and three Argyn slushed in. Beriel halted his advance and waved them forward with his true hands.
As they made to approach, a field surrounded Macen and another encapsulated Grace. Rockford protested, "What gives?"
"He is not indigenous to this part of the galaxy and she is not even of this galaxy. They are not representatives of the native cultures of these regions," Beriel explained, "You are. Will you speak on behalf of your combined peoples?"
Rockford looked back at her comrades. Macen gave her an encouraging nod and smile. She faced Beriel, "All right but I'm hardly a diplomat."
"So much the better," Beriel assured her.
He led Rockford into the ship's inner corridors while the remaining two Argyn impassively watched over the captive SID teammates. The fields dropped and they were able to move about. Grace made to move in after Rockford but Macen stopped her.
"This is their game. We can't impose our rules upon it," he warned.
"Why do I get the impression that this doesn't surprise you?" Grace drolly inquired.
"Did T'Kir even mention why I brought Celeste aboard?" Macen wondered.
"She said Celeste had some grand destiny," Grace recited and then the implications dawned on her, "Oh shuk! This is it, isn't it?"
"The future is being made here," Macen shared, "And it all depends on whether or not Celeste can make one choice."
"What is it?" Grace wanted to know.
Macen shrugged, "I don't know. I only saw all of this in a fragmented glimpse."
"Will she make the right choice?" Grace suddenly had doubts.
"Now that is the question we need to ask ourselves," Macen replied, "That and how much faith do we have in her?"
"How much faith do you have in her?" Grace wondered.
"I trust her with my life. I'm just not sure I trust her with the fate of the galaxy," Macen admitted.
Grace suddenly looked very worried.
Rockford was led to an audience chamber. Three Argyn stood behind a raised podium and stared at her as though the weight of worlds rested upon her. She didn't like that feeling.
"Now Celeste Rockford, we shall begin," Beriel advised.
"How do you know my name?" she asked.
"Would you prefer another? We sense that you have several," Beriel said.
"You're telepathic," she surmised.
"Mildly," he corrected her, "But we are gathered here because of you. You say you want peace. You shall manifest this desire or we will renew hostilities."
"But you'll lose," Rockford said in horror.
"And in a generation, our heirs will return and wipe your gene pools out of existence," Beriel said with such confidence that Rockford had no doubts that he, and his people, meant it.
"All right. How do I 'manifest the desire for peace'?" she asked.
"You trade your life for theirs," Beriel said plainly.
That startled Rockford but then she began to think about it, "My life, for the lives of two quadrants?"
"Yes," Beriel confirmed the offer.
"And my friends aboard this ship?" Rockford decided to get technical.
"Will be freed as will the Starfleet officers on Omicron," Beriel explained.
Rockford really wished she had time to say goodbye to Macen but she didn't want to press her luck. She also knew her resolve could weaken of she told him of her choice. Steadfastly resolved, she announced her decision.
"All right, I'll take that offer," she declared.
"Very well," Beriel spoke to his fellows in his native tongue, which Rockford's translator decided to choke on.
A blister rose out of the floor. It had the distinct look of a particle beam emitter. She squared her shoulders and said a silent goodbye to her friends. It seemed a fitting death after all the harm she had caused throughout the years.
A green beam lanced out and struck Rockford in the chest. She gasped as it tingled but it had no effect other than that. It faded and she was left with a slight stinging sensation.
"I don't understand," she admitted to Beriel.
"You have demonstrated the true hallmark of civilization," Beriel happily announced.
"And that is?" she dryly asked.
"The capacity for self sacrifice," he explained.
"You mean that beam was harmless?" Rockford inquired, "You were merely testing my reaction?"
"The beam was quite deadly until you willingly accepted your fate in order to spare your assorted peoples," Beriel tried to phrase it in terms she would understand, "When that was established; we transmuted the beam to a harmless radiance."
"Then, when you're people encountered Starfleet's envoy, the proper response was to not respond," Rockford deduced.
"Precisely," Beriel was pleased that one of the humanoids had finally grasped this fundamental proposition.
"That's stupid," Rockford retorted to Beriel's dismay, "You attacked without warning or provocation. How were they supposed to know that not responding was the desired result?"
Rockford could swear that Beriel derisively sniffed as he said, "They are supposed to know because that is the civilized response."
"Then back that up, buster!" Rockford demanded, "When the Endeavor fired on your ships, you didn't just take it because you were oh-so civilized. You blew her away in 3 seconds time. Where was your 'civilization' then?"
"We will not be questioned by an inferior being!" Beriel hotly asserted.
"That's what galls you, isn't it?" Rockford had a new insight, "We're not all that 'inferior'. In fact we come frighteningly close to parity with you. Give us 20 to 50 years and it could be a level playing field. You created the Omicron 100,000 years ago and in all that time since, you've advanced so far that we 'minor' races are almost keeping up with you. That's gotta be humiliating."
Beriel seemed on the verge of responding when the ship commander spoke solemnly in that garbled mismatch they called a language. Beriel seemed to bow and then he addressed Rockford.
"Our arrangement will still be honored," he imperiously announced, "I am authorized to offer you a boon."
"What do you mean?" Rockford asked warily.
"Your psyche is fragmented. We can repair it," he offered.
"You can merge all of the personalities that I'm carved into?" she asked hesitantly, "Would I have full access to all of my memories?"
"Indeed and you would only have one core personality. All others would be erased," Beriel announced.
She thought about it. That meant her existence as Celeste Rockford would end. Annika Ryst would undoubtedly be the core personality since she was the original template. Still, it was a more than tempting offer. Her only concern was her relationship with Macen. What would become of it? Ryst would have all of Rockford's memories and feelings. Could she overcome her loathing of Macen and her humiliation at being defeated by him and learn to love him as Rockford did?
The risk was worth it, she decided. Speaking to Beriel she said, "Okay. Let's do it."
"Very well," he motioned with a true hand as a door opened, "Please follow me."
The room was stark and barren except for a single table. Beriel guided her to the table, "Please lie down upon this and relax."
Tentatively, Rockford lay down. As she did so, a biomechanical gel arced over her head and solidified. A second Argyn entered the space and began to manipulate holographic controls. Beriel loomed over her.
"Do not be afraid and do not resist. Resisting will only make you psychotic," he warned.
Great, just what Annika needs, Rockford glumly thought.
Tubules sprang firth and attached themselves to her temples. She began to feel warm and then she was awash with cascading memories. She saw everything that every personality remembered. Most of them stemmed from the war and what they remembered wasn't pretty. She saw the war, which she'd always been spared from, and she suddenly recognized the cause for Annika's great sorrow.
Ryst had always been an idealistic young woman. Called to serve her planet, she readily volunteered. Given a chance to join the Augment program, she leapt at the chance. Only, warfare wasn't all the propaganda programs said it was. Her heart broke as she divided into multiple personalities, each as deadly as she was. Years of death and destruction took their toll.
Finally an armistice was signed and the soldiers, including the Augments, came home. Only the Augments didn't get the parades and the medals, they got locked up in prison. Ryst's heart broke as her lover rejected her and cursed her name.
Then the Augments escaped. Hope swiftly became disappointment and Annika left Angosia for parts unknown and became a mercenary. If fighting personified Ryst's life, then fighting would become the essence of it.
Rockford was born when Ryst needed a getaway. She built up a reputation as a private investigator in the three months a year that Ryst was inactive. Finally, she'd become the fully active personality when Ryst retreated from the fore following the emergence of Bertram Sindis and the death of Robhurt B'nner. She'd sought an escape from her life and therefore handed the reins to Rockford.
The tubules detached and the arc dissolved. Rockford blinked several times in confusion. What the hell had happened? Why was she still here?
Beriel offered her a true hand and assisted her into rising to a seated position, "Are you all right, Celeste Rockford?"
"Why am I still here?" she asked, afraid that she'd slowly fade away any second now, "Where's Annika Ryst?"
"Annika Ryst was a damaged soul. She saw no further use in her existence. She envied your happiness and did not wish to take that from you. All of the multiple personalities felt that way. They have faded into nothingness and left you their memories so they will not be forgotten. It was a very civilized thing to do," Beriel proclaimed.
"So I'm alone, after all this time?" Rockford said with wonder in her voice.
"Search your mind," Beriel urged, "Do you find evidence of any other consciousness?"
"No." Rockford tentatively agreed, "I've just never been alone before."
"You have a nascent empathic bond with the El-Aurian. I do not feel you are truly ever alone," Beriel revealed.
"Can I see him?" Rockford blurted.
"Of course." Beriel assured her.
She was beaming as she slid off of the table.