Author: Christy Anderson
You can contact me at kittyunlimited@go.com.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Paramount minus Ensign Christy Anderson and a few selected insignificant characters.
I'm not going to say anything to spoil this part. I continue to thank you for all your compliments, criticism, and suggestions.
Stars of Night (Sterne der Nacht): Part 7
I walked into the Captain's Ready Room, my increased tension over the mysterious situation accelerating. I gulped as the doors swished open to leave me face to face with her. "Ensign Anderson, have a seat," she said as she pointed to the couch. I sat down, but my gaze never left her face. "I understand, Christy, that Lieutenant Gebhart involved you in our situation. Tell me, how much do you know?"
I shook my head. "Lieutenant Gebhart had me determine the exact rotating frequency of the short range sensors. Then he had me begin scanning for polar ion disturbances. Those actions could mean a number of things."
She scrutinized my face, and then satisfied handed me a PADD. "Not really," she said softly. "Take a look; tell me what you see."
I looked at the PADD and saw the frequency graphs of the scans. I looked through the patterns of energy readings and saw a distinct reading that interrupted the normal readings every 5.4 seconds. I drew in a sharp breath as I recognized an unmistakable pattern. "Bio weapons!" I gasped under my breath. But Captain Janeway had already heard me.
"Yes," she said, "bio weapons. I've been wondering if the Moheelean home world is as peaceful as the Ambassador let on."
I shook my head. "It doesn't make sense though, Captain. The energy reading isn't consistent. It powers on, changes frequencies, then powers down. I've never seen a weapon like that."
She nodded to acknowledge my concern. "I know, I was thinking the same thing myself, but the readings are unmistakable. I was thinking that it might be some sort of bomb."
"Bomb?" I questioned skeptically. "No, Captain, I was thinking it's a defense mechanism…" I divulged in a silenced tone. I furrowed my eyebrows as I sat in deep contemplation.
"Explain, Christy," Captain Janeway said immediately.
"Captain, what if a party on the surface does have bio weapons. If anyone found out, then they could beam the weapons off the surface. This party took enough precautions to guard these weapons. We had to scan the surface with great scrutiny to pick up the sign. We would have to modify our transporters to do the same. The pattern changes every 5.4 seconds- too short of a time to ever get a lock. Why every time we picked up a new pattern and entered it in, the weapon would already have a different pattern. And there seems to be no pattern of change either. We have 45 different patterns on this PADD alone- none repeating, no pattern of change."
The Captain paused as she took in my speculations. "Your theory makes sense, but why does anyone have weapons of mass destruction down there?"
I shrugged. "Tre'kent told me that there has been a large dispute over keeping and doing away with Tradition. Maybe some radical is planning to overthrow the government," I said.
She sighed and put her head in her hands. "There are only a few days left, and half of the crew is on the surface," she said to herself with anxiety. Slowly, Captain Janeway turned back to me. "Lieutenant Gebhart has informed me of the away mission that you requested. At this moment, I'm unsure that allowing any more crew to beam to the surface would be wise."
"Captain," I said, "If the party with those weapons detects any change in our dealings with them, they might become frightened and expect the worst. They could set the weapons off before we have a chance to leave."
"You may be right about that, Christy. However, I've already made a decision. A few minutes ago, I contacted Dr. Migfay already and spoke with him about the mission. He said that by 19:00 hours Tre'kent could assist you. Reluctantly, I told him to expect you. I am assigning you Kes and Ensign Dresden, and I'm allowing you to head this mission up. I'll keep an open Comm link with you while you are on the surface. I want you to be on alert, and listen for any information that you might hear. If you sense any trouble, I am ordering you to beam up immediately. And most importantly, I want you to talk about this to no one. Understand?" she asked.
I nodded solemnly. "Captain, only two of us will have to beam to the surface. Ensign Dresden can transport the containers to and from the planet. She can stay aboard Voyager. Kes can beam down with me and withdraw the vegetation appropriately. Then when we've collected what we need to, Kes can beam back up and begin to replant the vegetation in the Airponics Bay. I can stay down on the surface and talk with Tre'kent some more. Maybe he will reveal something relevant."
She gave me an uncertain look. "I have given you charge of this mission, Ensign. You may do what you see fit, but I do not want you to put yourself into any unnecessary danger, and in result, any of this crew into danger. See that you remember that. Besides, as I hear it, Tre'kent and you seem to be forming a relationship. You won't have much more time here; take some time to spend and enjoy with him."
I nodded and I felt my cheeks flush. "Get on it now, Ensign. Your team leaves in less than an hour. And before you leave, as I hear it, that young man is on the Comm in your quarters. You are dismissed."
I left the Bridge and headed immediately to my quarters. My heart was beating for joy as I moved closer and closer to my quarters. I opened the Comm and the face of an impatient Tre'kent flooded the screen. "Tre'kent!" I exclaimed.
"Good evening, Christy!" he greeted. "It's so good to see you. I feel as if I have been waiting for hours," he said breathlessly.
"Me too," I replied.
"Dr. Migfay informed me that you are beaming to the surface tonight to take samples of our vegetation. He's allowing me to help you."
"I know," I said with a smile.
Tre'kent fidgeted and drew in a deep breath. "I was wondering that if afterwards, you could stay a little while. I could show you around here," he said.
"My next shift doesn't begin until 12:00 hours tomorrow, so I'll look forward to it," I accepted. "We can talk some more later, I have to hurry and get my away team together," I said in an attempt to close the conversation.
Tre'kent nodded. "Most certainly. I'll see you soon, Christy. Good bye…"
"Good bye," I said as I pressed the button to terminate the link. I reached over and tapped my Comm badge. "Ensign Anderson to Kes and Ensign Dresden. Please meet me in the Airponics Bay," I said as I exited my quarters and headed for the turbolift.
I assembled my team in the Airponics Bay. I informed Kes and Ensign Dresden of the plan that I had given to the Captain. Hurriedly we assembled the vegetation containers and regrouped in Transporter Room 1. Kes and I materialized on the surface to face Tre'kent.
He reached over and embraced me and planted a small kiss on my cheek. "Orgotov," he greeted. He turned and did the same to Kes. "It means welcome to my home," he continued.
"It is a wonderful greeting," Kes said.
"Well let's get on our way. I can show you some of the planet's thickest vegetation. Follow me, this way," he said as he gestured in one direction. He began to walk steadily, and Kes and I stepped into line behind him. We walked for five minutes until we got to a clearing. "We are almost there," Tre'kent encouraged us.
We walked through some crude streets, which became increasingly packed with people. As we passed through I could hear profane insults being shouted at us. Tre'kent bowed his head down in embarrassment. Little by little, the crowds became violent and I was extremely alarmed when they began to throw stones. One hit me in the shoulder and I fell to the ground. Kes stood glued to the spot, looking to me for direction. "You shouldn't have to take this," Tre'kent said softly as he picked me up. "Run," he shouted at Kes. "We'll be safe once we hit the forest!"
Kes began to run in the direction that Tre'kent indicated, with Tre'kent not far behind with me in his arms. We ran into the forest and I heard the buzz of a forcefield closing behind us. The crowd through more rocks, but the rocks were bounced back at themselves. Tre'kent laid me down and encouraged me to sit up. "Are you all right?" he asked.
I nodded my head slowly, and grunted as I painfully stood up. "What was that?" I questioned.
Tre'kent shook his head. "I told you society shunned me… I'm sorry that this happened. I expected them to behave better around you. You are our visitors and guests. You both should not have seen that display. But we are safe here. Should we proceed to take the samples?" he questioned.
Kes was unusually silent, disturbed by what she had just seen. "Where is here?" I questioned.
"This is a circular clearing of land that Dr. Migfay purchased for experiments. Too often, though, it is an escape from the likes of them," Tre'kent answered. I saw the pain in his eyes and chose to let the subject go for now.
"We should collect the samples," I said softly. Tre'kent took us about 20 meters into the clearing and stopped.
"Here it is," he said expectantly.
I nodded and tapped my Comm badge. "Ensign Anderson to Ensign Dresden. Beam down two of the containers."
I waited for her reply. "Energizing," she said.
Instantaneously two of the containers materialized and Kes began to get to work. I pulled out my tricorder to decide which specimens to take. "This one here," I said poignantly. Kes walked over with her gardening box. She pulled out a tool, and with a laser, cut the plant out of the ground with its roots intact. She quickly transplanted it into the vegetation container and tapped the controls to synthesize the appropriate supplements for the plant. She stood up and awaited my next directions. Scanning with my tricorder, I selected the next sample and knelt down to help her. All the while, Tre'kent stood by and watched us closely. After an hour or two, both of us had filled up the five containers that we had been allotted, and Kes beamed back to Voyager to transplant them into the Airponics Bay with the help of Ensign Dresden. When she had left, Tre'kent came over to me and put his arm around my shoulder.
"That was fast," he mused. He looked into my eyes. "How long can you stay, Christy?" he asked softly.
"As long as I want," I replied.
He smiled. "Good, I want to show you something." He grasped my hand and began to lead me through the thick foliage. We walked and walked until we reached a small clearing at the top of a cliff. I looked around and saw a small bench. He led me over to it and offered me a seat.
"It's breathtaking," I said as I looked all around. From up here, it almost seemed as if you had a perfect view of the entire planet. The sky was growing dark, and I smiled as I saw the first star of the night. I tapped Tre'kent on the shoulder. "There is the first Star of Night… make a wish."
Tre'kent looked confused. "A wish?"
I smiled and began out loud. "Stern des Wunders, Stern der Nacht, erster Stern, den ich heute abend sehe. Wünsche ich, ich wünsche kann, daß ich, den Wunsch zu haben konnte ich heute abend wünsche… Star of Wonder, Star of Night, First star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." I closed my eyes and prayed earnestly. I opened them to find Tre'kent's head bowed. I leaned my head against him and closed my eyes again. After awhile, I felt him stirring. I opened my eyes again to see him looking down at me.
"It's almost here," he said gently.
"What are we waiting for?" I questioned.
"You'll see," he said mysteriously.
I put my head back on his shoulder and shivered when he draped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in close. "I'm sorry for what happened on the streets, Christy," he apologized.
"Do you face that everyday?" I questioned sympathetically. My heart bled as he nodded.
"My decision comes at a high price," Tre'kent said simply. "But I pave the way for others that will come after me."
"There's an old German blessing, Tre'kent. Mögen Sie in gesegnet werden, was auch immer Sie… May you be blessed in whatever you do," I replied. It was all that I could say.
Tre'kent smiled and pulled me in tighter. "Thank you." I could barely hear the words as they escaped from his lips.
"You must have a brave spirit to face that persecution everyday," I said sympathetically.
He chuckled. "It's in my name. That's what Tre'kent means in our language- brave one." His face was contorted in pain as he talked about his life. It hurt me as I looked up and saw that raw pain for myself.
"In English, you would be called Joshua, it means the same thing," I added in. Tre'kent remained silent as he mouthed the name over and over. "You must miss your family, and the love and support you had from them once," I continued.
He nodded. "I miss them as much as you miss your own family. Only we are separated by the views of society. You are separated by thousands of light-years."
I became startled as I noticed a tear slip from his eye. Immediately he moved his hand to wipe it away and dodged my sympathetic gaze. We sat together in silence for a long moment, my head still resting against his shoulder; his arm still draped around me. Suddenly I could hear a melodious whistling sound. Tre'kent jumped up and took my hands. "Close your eyes," he said gently. "Let me lead you," he continued.
With great joy I shut my eyes and allowed him to pull me up. I took one faltering step after another, but I trusted that he would catch me if I began to fall. I felt him hoisting me up on top of a mound. He pulled me close. "You can open them now," he whispered in my ear.
I opened my eyes and looked at the amazing sight before me. Millions of shooting stars streaking across the sky. I could see the two Moheelean moons shining brightly, casting their light upon the weary world. In the distance, along the center plate of the sky, a brilliance of fiery colors gleamed. It seemed as if the sky was perpetually on fire, the flames and flares shooting up and overwhelming the sky. I was strikingly reminded of the Aurora Borealis. Still ever silent, I stared in awed wonder, riveted to the spot; the sight had taken me away. Standing there, with Tre'kent seemed to make the moment perfect. I felt secure and loved. "Die Sterne der Nacht sind schön... Ich habe nie alles so in meiner Lebensdauer gesehen… The Stars of Night are beautiful... I have never seen anything like this in my life," I was finally able to say.
"At the deepest hour of the Evening Light, All come out to see the Stars of the Night.
Watchers, beware, for up in the sky is found, The silent woven spell to which all are bound.
A spell that will never let you stay away, And these Stars will keep you here 'til Morning Day," Tre'kent quoted skillfully.
My head began to spin with delight as he finished. "I'm feeling dizzy," I said delicately. He picked me up gently and sat me down on the bench. I clung to him tightly, drawing comfort from our embrace. I loosened my grip suddenly as I realized he was leaning in, and I didn't draw back as we kissed. As we finished the kiss, I looked him in the eyes. "You are reading my mind, Tre'kent," I joked softly.
He shook his head. "No, I'm sensing your thoughts," he said breathlessly as he stole another long kiss. My heart skipped a beat as I realized how fast I was falling in love. I leaned back against his shoulder, closing my eyes as I reveled in the passing moments. "My wish came true," I heard him whisper silently in my ear.
To be continued…