Chapter 5: Pink Dragons

Paulera walked into Ten Forward and sat at the bar in front of Guinan. "Hi, I just got done with a session with the new Counselor. She was very helpful." Paulera winked at Guinan. "As I left, I talked to Geordi and he mentioned a Florian style cuisine you recommended earlier. I wanted to try it if I may." Her eyes were a little puffy after having talked about the inevitability of Shinzon.

Guinan smiled tranquilly remembering that Paulera was in still morning the loss of Renee and in need of male attention. "Certainly…Oh, Mr. Silva is eating a lovely Florian-Teliam dish. He is sitting right now by the port window overlooking the stars. I could get you the same thing if you like the way it looks."

Sergio Silva having heard his name turned to see the bright purple-eyed Trill Paulera eyeing his meal and invited the intelligent beauty to try a taste. She obliged with a smile that equaled his own he distinguished. Guinan turned to replicate Paulera the same dish philosophizing, 'They would make a fine match. It would be better then her and Renee because he is really Shinzon and has a thing for counselors.' Guinan smiled and looked around the room.

Geordi and Worf walked in moments soon after asking for the same item. Guinan sat them with Paulera and Sergio per Paulera's request. Worf made sure to mention wanting a glass of prune juice to one of the waiters and found that he was already bringing him a glass of his favorite drink.

Sergio and Geordi were talking over humorous events in Engineering. One such happening was where one of the technicians discovered an engineer wore boxer shorts with little swords and pink dragons under his uniform. It was discovered after a conductor unite tore his uniform. Sergio made a toast to the 'joys' of space travel and chance encounters while raising his glass toward Paulera first. Sergio's eyes seamed to feast upon Paulera's tall lithe form and dark brunette, sinuous hair.

Commander Maiden walked over to the table, "Hi, have any of you heard anything about any confrontations in Astronomics concerning the new Chief and his number one?"

They looked at each other and smiled in understanding. Geordi was the one to speak up, "Well you see, Riker demoted Stupinshin's wife after she did a few unsavory things that he may or may not have helped at. And another was Lieutenant Stupinshin was passed over twice so far for the Chief of Astronomics because he is as 'tricky as a Ferengi'. That makes him shall I say, as happy as a Klingon at a Betazoid wedding." Everyone laughed at Geordi's joke and looked at Worf.

Worf ignored them as he remembered seeing Allisa in part of the wedding ceremony on Betazed. Deanna and Riker ended up deciding to also have a traditional Betazoid wedding on her home planet. All of their friends on the Enterprise went, including Worf. Picard had to pull rank to get Worf to join in the ritual attire of a Betazoid wedding

Commander Maiden still looked confused, "Why would a Klingon not like to be at a Betazoid wedding?"

Worf glared at him, "Because in order to go to their wedding you have to be…naked." To that everyone started laughing again. Guinan even joined in laughing and put her hand on Worf's shoulder momentarily. Guinan asked Commander Maiden for a word. Maiden and Guinan sat down at another table and talked for a few minutes and then he left.

Paulera mentioned while running her finger over the rim of her tropical drink keeping all the men's attention on her, "I can remember Samuel liking prune juice also. He was the host of my Symbiont 5 times ago and was stationed at Star Fleet Medical. Might be some of the reason why when I was joined I started thinking of going into the medical field."

Worf blundered into the conversation with his head held fixed and his eyes on his glass, "I had the fortune to befriend a Trill on Deep Space 9. She was very honorable and versed in the Klingon ways. A most desirable companion, till she was wounded and her Symbiont was transferred to another female Trill. The new Trill still had some of her characteristics, but was a different person,"

Geordi finding her very remarkable, "How was it to have other people's memories and thoughts added to your own, if you don't mind the question?"

Sergio leaned back moving his leg closer to Paulera's and allowing his boot to touch hers lightly as she started to speak about the transition period. To Sergio's bewilderment, there is a Trill aboard that is in line to receive her Symbiont if she becomes ill or unable to continue to be the host.

And his name was Damerin McClure, the only temporary Astronomer aboard the Enterprise who had direct control over all projects if he needed. The only person he answered to was the Captain. On most Galaxy Star Ships they had several teams working by themselves and together in unison. At different times, there were teams brought aboard for specific research. Damerin was brought aboard and given a task that no other except Picard was allowed access. It was dually rumored Sergio noted his equals always tend to alternate their shifts to avoid the striking Trill due to his demanding conduct.

Sergio remembered seeing Damerin the first time in the turbolift outside holodeck 2. He had on an a Ancient Earth uniform where he had been obviously training in some form of medieval knife/sword play by the weaponry about his waist on his kilt. Damerin walked into the turbolift and heavily eyed him with a dark piercing gaze with menacing eyes, before turning to face the door. Sergio felt shock waves over his spine that tingled of electricity. Sergio remembered holding his breath while standing behind Damerin's large muscular frame compared to his athletically tone frame. He also recalled asking his friends about the rumored gay astronomer and finding him to be as mystifying as the stars he studied. The only thing that he did not like about Damerin was his frosty nature, which to Sergio was as dreadful as a plague. Damerin was also known for sword playing with Picard and some of the security staff.

Picard's voice came in over the computer to Worf's com badge that everyone wore on their uniforms, "Worf, I need you and Geordi to meet me and Allisa in the Observation Lounge."

Worf inclined his head to Geordi, "Captain, Geordi is here with me. We will be there shortly," as they both arose to exit the crowded but friendly chamber.

As the two approached the door a high pitch sound menaced Worf. Surreptitious whispers of Shakespeare invaded Worf's mind. He remembered it from a play that Beverly directed some time ago, "Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men." Worf came to a sudden halt that stunned Geordi.

"Worf is anything wrong?" Geordi calmly questioned the Klingon who was obviously on guard standing a few feet from the exit of Ten Forward. Geordi watched the ridges of Worf's forehead deepen more harshly and Worf's eyes took on the appearance of a dark furious flame. Worf showed his Klingon side and displayed his teeth.

"Did you hear a voice just now say something from Othello. I thought I heard a quote from Beverly's play?" Worf was tuning his finely honed warrior ears to the crowd as Guinan turned observing him. Guinan having almost supernatural like hearing had heard the voice also along with Geordi and Worf. She looked around searching for anyone there who was talking about the play and concluded no one was in such a conversation. Intrigued, She continued with her business in a calm demeanor and listened to both men near the door. She secretly hoped to herself that it was not another visit from 'Q' a supernatural being from the Q Continuum.

In Worf's ears the words were spoken in hushed tones, "Put out the light, and then put out the light. Think on thy sins…Peace, and be still...I that am cruel, am yet merciful, I would not have thee linger in thy pain." Worf was hearing the voice toward the end in surround sound instead of close by as before and looked about the room. Worf clenched his fists determined to not show surprise or that anything was beyond his scope of control.

The doors on the other area of Ten Forward opened for Damerin McClure. Worf heard the high pitched sound cease. Worf turned to Geordi, "I may need to go to my quarters after this meeting to sort this out." With that, the two men left Ten Forward because they knew the Captain was waiting. Guinan continued to listen to them even after they entered the Turbo Lift, but they did not reveal anything else about the unpleasant incident. She determined to speak to the Captain about the issue.

Damerin noticed the charming Paulera at a table with a young engineer. He decided to intermingle with his crewmembers, "Hello, Paulera what is that you're eating. I don't believe I have seen that in this quadrant before?" He lowered his face to her meal, then turned his head to face her closely with a darkened vile over his unwavering eyes.

Paulera giggled girlishly to Damerin's enjoyment and Sergio's repulsion. Paulera motioned for Damerin to take up Geordi's now unoccupied seat next to her. Damerin's calculatingly almost Vulcan qualities returned. Both of them spoke briefly over activities that have happened in both of their work areas, while Sergio pretended to eat his serving of food. He felt dismayed that Paulera had diverted her attention to the other man so easily upon his arrival.

'Truth be told,' he thought, 'Damerin always gets extreme levels of attention from everyone including me.' Having hated to admit the following to himself he pondered over his other views of Damerin being out of his reach as a companion. He let his eyes drift over to the others at his table and let out a sigh thinking, 'The unattainable guy is after the lovely Paulera. Great! Now he is holding her hand. I guess the rumors of him being gay were wrong. I have no chance with her now that he is after her. She had been closed off to everyone and almost secluded in work aboard the ship since we left space dock. Now that Damned Damerin has her attention.' He got up from the table perplexingly defeated and walked over to get another drink from Guinan at the bar. Damerin followed Sergio's agile legs and finely toned torso closely with his eyes as he continued with chit chatting with the Trill female.

"Why so glum?" Guinan's charming voice flowed over Sergio.

"Oh, that Damn Damerin is after Paulera. I don't have a chance with her now. She is so captivating with her wit. I can see why he likes her so much." He lowered his head not fully aware he was speaking out loud. "He appears mysterious and intelligent, but cold at times. I wish I could find someone on this ship. They have all been whisked away by some dark good-looking guy just as I start to get their notice. First the counselor near the Captains rooms, now this."

Guinan smiled to herself understanding that Shinzon and Allisa had already met and the Captain's task may be more complex then he first ascertained. "I wonder then…" Guinan informed the disheartened crewman in slow intentional tones, "Why Damerin has not took his eyes off of you since you got out of your seat?"

Sergio almost choked on his new drink, "What?" He turned to the table and Damerin was piercing into his very being with his wickedly masculine eyes still holding Paulera's hand. Sergio sat down on the bar stool because his legs almost went out underneath him. He experimentally raised an eyebrow slightly at him. To this, Damerin lowered his gaze over Sergio's seated frame with approval. Sergio sat frozen on the stool while he watched Damerin start to cares Paulera's fingers and wrist causing her to shift her pose. He watched both of them at the table unable to believe what his mind was telling him. Damerin was either interested in him and teasing him or toying with him as he took his girl.

Sergio felt a rush of confusion. He liked Paulera's sense of humor and individuality, but found Damerin's appearance superior to her slender build. He was usually the less dominant of the two in a relationship. True he had wanted to try out being the dominant male in a relationship and have another who was his subordinate. He turned around to face the bar once again away from the table unable to endure anymore. Remembering the importance that interior speaks volumes over exterior. Damerin's cold personality flashed in his imagination and it snapped him back to reality. He stood up to return to the table and compete for Paulera's affections, to find that Paulera sat unaccompanied. "Where did Damerin venture off to?"

Paulera looked at him blankly, "Oh, he had to present some of his findings about this new system to Starfleet headquarters." With a spirited look, "Do you feel like going for a walk after we finish eating?"

"With a woman such as yourself…" He took her hand that Damerin had been holding and lightly kissed, "…sounds lovely." His senses became filled with her sweet aroma and gentleness of temperament. They were both aware of a heat rising from the gentle cares of their hands.

Picard and Allisa sat at the table in the Observation Lounge along with Chief Engineer, Geordi; Head of Security Lieutenant Worf; and Ship's Doctor Rick Berman (the new medical doctor). He started to reveal the situation that happened after Data's death about finding and saving Shinzon using the transporter buffers.

Worf started to growl audibly. Everyone in the lounge turned to him waiting for what the Klingon would say. "He caused Data's death and tried to kill us all!" Worf almost yelled at the Captain as he rose from the table with a thud.

Picard squared his shoulders and jutted his chin out which he knew Worf would take as a sign of supremacy and authority, "Worf please sit down, now." In a calmer voice, "There are a lot of things that need to be said and discussed. Everyone of you must keep an open mind and hear us out."

Worf stated in confusion, "Who is the us you are referring to?"

Picard let his eyes scan the room for a moment thinking, 'Shinzon does love his entrances.'

The door to the Observation Lounge opened to display an imperial Shinzon of Remus. He used his stormy eyes to slice through the room full of spectators as he read their minds. He strode up to Picard's side and tipped his head while arcing his eyebrow in Worf's general bearing. Shinzon seated himself with his black leather pants getting Allisa's attention once again. His pants made an imperceptible screech sound as he adjusted himself into his seat.

Allisa replied to Picard in thought while Shinzon seated himself, 'Yes, he does and I perceive they will accept him. Geordi and Berman already know some of these tidings, but very little. They are on the verge of accepting the situation if you feel strongly about it. Worf on the other side of the coin is experiencing a wide range of emotional abhorrence and distrust. Now that is about right for a Klingon in this situation. You might have to talk to him later, away from everyone else.'

Shinzon spoke to the room while looking Allisa in the eye, "O my soul's joy, If after every tempest come such calmness, May the winds blow, till they have waken'd death."

Picard noted and felt perplexed that Shinzon was quoting Othello, a Shakespearian story where Iago deceived Othello into killing his love, Desdemona.

He continued only for Allisa in her mind, 'And let the laboring bark climb hills of seas, Olympus-high, and duck again as low as hell's from heaven. If it were now to die, 'Twere now to be most happy, for I fear my soul hath her content so absolute, that not another comfort, like to this succeeds in unknown fate.'

Allisa sent back to Shinzon the reply that Desdemona did in the play, 'The heavens forbid but that our loves and comforts should increase, even as our days do grow.'

At that instant Worf exploded, "Why was I not informed that this 'person' was aboard the ship?" pointing a massive finger toward the now vaguely smiling Shinzon. Worf made a point not to disclose the fact that before the meeting he heard a voice quoting Othello and here Shinzon was also. He was going to discuss this with Picard after the meeting.

Shinzon continued to Allisa in thought while glaring at Worf, 'Amen to that, sweet powers.' Shinzon became increasingly annoyed with Worf for interrupting his thoughts to Allisa. He was also angry at Worf for not excepting him on the ship and openly challenging the situation in front of Allisa and Picard.

Allisa fixed all her energy toward the angry Head of Security, "Worf, Captain Picard thought it was necessary to conceal things from us for a time in order to assess the situation. There is more going on here then just Shinzon being alive and on the Enterprise. Do you remember when you were searching for answers to your parents death at Khitomer and came across a planet with a girl called Ba'el who was half Klingon and half Romulan?"

Worf started to calm down at the mention of the lovely girl, Ba'el, who left her home that had been a Romulan camp for the Klingons. He met her a long time ago on her planet and she later left and went with some of Worf's friends to the Klingon home world Qo'nos. She then traveled with some of Spock's acquaintances and ventured to Romulas to speak with Spock in secret. "I remember, but that has nothing to do with Shinzon," Worf contended.

Allisa lowered her eyelids and leaned toward Worf with a veracity of passion and intensity. "She is on her way here along with two Remans. You may want to calm down and pay attention to what Captain Picard and Shinzon have to offer in the way of information before she arrives tomorrow. Her life may depend upon your ability to listen and delegate the members of security after this meeting."

Worf looked disturb at Allisa's words by staring seriously at Shinzon. He lowered his head and started to grit his teeth. "Very well...I will listen for her sake and yours Allisa. I am sorry, Captain." He controlled himself thinking, 'if her life is in danger, that clone is behind it. I will listen to obtain what information I can that might be useful.'

Picard and Shinzon looked at each other in admiration of Allisa's skills at calming the ferociously murderous acting Klingon so straightforwardly. Shinzon spoke almost inaudibly still looking at Worf, "And thus she is delivered: If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit; The one's for use, the other using it." Then turning to look at Allisa while sending her and Picard in thought, 'She that was ever fair, and never proud, had tongue at will, and yet was never loud.'

Everyone was starring at Shinzon with different questions in their minds when Picard began his oration. He spoke of Shinzon being saved in the transporter with Geordi adding in a few things. He then went on to mention Shinzon's temporary memory loss and return. He spoke of Shinzon's days as Renee changing his outlook on life and looked to the counselor. Allisa looked at Shinzon and nodded reassuring to the captain. Picard turned to Shinzon, "And now I would like Shinzon to continue with the information about Remus and our visitors who are on their way here to the Denab System."

Worf stared toward Shinzon, while bearing his teeth, giving him a glint of a throaty growl. Worf wondered why Ba'el was on her way here and how safe she was traveling with the Remans. His mind wondered to her memory and if she would succumb to his warrior animalistic intentions this time. True she was half Klingon, but the other half that he then despised was not as untrustworthy and non-honorable as once he believed.

Shinzon leaned forward onto the table while feeling the leather pants tighten over his legs under Allisa's scrutiny. "Come, let us to the castle. News, friends, our wars are done." Shinzon felt amusement every time he quoted from Ancient Earth knowing that everyone strained to understand what he was meaning except for Picard of course and Allisa most of the time. He paused collecting his thoughts and everyone else's.

Unknown to everyone on board the Enterprise including Guinan, 'Q' was watching them. Q sat back in his chair and looked at his invited guest, "Amazing how their minds work, is it not?"

Q was dressed exactly like a gypsy fortuneteller from Earth and his guest did also. His guest leaned over Q's magic ball that displayed the meeting in the Observation lounge and smiled, "You have to admit, they are amusing."

With a strange smirk Q continued, "Well, if you want amusing lets stop viewing this dominate dimension in this timeline and view some others. We will come back here and see what really happened, but first I want to see what could have happened in an alternate dimension."

His guest looked puzzled, "So what we are about to see is not real?"

Q looking pleased with himself turned back to the crystal ball, "The timeline we are viewing is the real one within the dominant dimension. I will give you a short version. Not even I could fully allow you to comprehend all of the workings of existence within such a short time. Basically, humans view them in their reality as being parallel with other dimensions. They run a course in a timeline. All of the other dimensions stem from this one and branch out indefinitely. They branch out from pivotal moments in time and affect a rivet of change. They can branch out when there is a spike in the dimension caused when a being is under insurmountable amounts of strain. There are different dimensions of existence humans know not of. Granted there are branches that run paralleled to the dominant dimension and those are the ones they are familiar with. The same people doing similar things and such."

Q's guest looked confused, "Well, it might be better to show me the alternate dimensions first. I will probably understand after watching alternate happenings to this dimension then watching the rest of the real one. What causes the branching of the real dimension?"

Q had a devious look in his eyes, "I do. I have caused branches since the start of their time. We shall see how well you fair in alternate dimensions. Let the games begin Jean-Luc."

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