Chapter 4 – Vision Quest
When he entered his quarters, he went to the bedroom and moved to his closet. Pushing some clothing aside he pulled several boxes off the shelf until he found what he was searching for.
Taking the bundle in his hands, he sank to the floor in the middle of his bedroom. Slowly, with shaking hands, he unwrapped the soft animal skin and removed the items placing them solemnly in a half circle in front of him. The soft black bird's wing, the carved stone from the river near his home and the Akoonah. Placing his hands on the Akoonah, he closed his eyes and thought of the words he had been taught so long ago to begin his vision quest.
"Akoochimoya. I am far from the sacred places of my grandfathers. I am far from the bones of my people." He felt the tingling in his hands as he entered the lucid REM state to search for his animal guide.
The soft sounds of birds calling to each other could be heard as he walked into the clearing. The smell of damp earth came to him as he looked among the rocks for his animal guide. The vibrant greens of the forest were a brilliant contrast to the gray, white rocks in the center of the clearing. He sank down on the soft pine needles, his breathing slowing to a steady, even pace. A calm feeling came over him. He had forgotten how peaceful this place was. Glancing around he saw the green and yellow snake slither up the side of the largest rock and stop just inches from his face.
"You are troubled." Its tongue flicked in and out slowly as it looked deep into his eyes.
"Yes. I need your assistance. My people are in danger and Starfleet is not going to their aid. I no longer feel that my place is here while they are in trouble." he replied.
"Then you must go to your people." The snake hissed quietly at him and turned away.
"But I have my classes. I can't turn my back on them. I owe it to Starfleet." He spoke with calmness in his voice that he didn't feel.
"You've always been a contrary. Wanting both sides of the coin. You must make a choice and make it now." The snake looked back at him with hooded eyes.
"I don't know what to do." He said.
"You know what you must do. Follow your heart." The snake coiled on the top of the rocks, blinked its eyes and began to move away.
"Wait! What about my commission, my students?" He stood as the snake glided down the side of the rock and towards the trees. It glanced back at him, turned and disappeared into the brush.
He ran after the snake but could no longer see where it went. Turning slowly he noted the silence that had crept over the clearing. He was totally alone. He knew he would have to make the decision on his own.
Opening his eyes, he found himself back in the darkness of his quarters. Replacing the objects in his medicine bundle, he stood and stowed it back on the closet shelf.
A chirping sound from his computer terminal caught his attention and he moved to his desk. Brushing one hand through his short, dark hair he opened the communication. It was a message from a Federation outpost. The Cardassians had attacked the colony on Dorvan V. Everything in their path was destroyed. There were no reported survivors.
No! Everyone was gone? That can't be! His hands trembled as they closed into fists. It felt as if someone had punched him hard in the gut. A sucker punch when the referee wasn't looking. He was always able to fight back in the boxing ring. How to fight back now?
tbc…
Author's note: I believe it was in Pathways that the spirit guide was a snake and not a wolf as it is in other stories.