The Last Temptation of Odo – Chapter 5

By

Creek Johnson and Nance Hurt

Disclaimer: We are but fleas on the elephants' posterior that is Paramount.

No infringement on their rights is intended. We hope none is taken.

"Is something the matter?" asked Jubei.

Vivian smiled somewhat shamefaced. She had been surveying the group all morning and had not realized she had been that obvious.

"No," she said. "It's just that yesterday, before I met up with your group, there was this old man on the road. You could say he lead me to you."

"Enough of that," warned Jubei to a small group of children who had been following them and giggling. "You must excuse them. They believe you are Minami and they have never seen a Minami with pink skin and hair."

"Minami?" asked Vivian.

"Yes, the people of the South."

"Ah."

"So," continued Jubei turning her attention again to Vivian. "An old man? We met no one else on the road. Can you describe him?"

Vivian thought hard. "Well," she said eventually. "I did not get a very good look at him, but he was short and he walked stooped over, but he could travel very fast for an old man."

"Anything else? His face?"

"He seemed to be, and I know this is going to sound strange, but he seemed to be nothing more than a mass of wrinkles."

The children broke out into loud laughter. "Usa!" they cried. "Usa!"

"You must be very lucky indeed," said Jubei after quieting the children. "The little ones believe you have seen Usa."

"Who or what is Usa?" asked Vivian.

"Usa is one of the old gods. In our mythology," explained Jubei. "Usa was the god of the people. Anyone who journeyed, such as we are journeying, would first make an offering to Usa for safe passage. If Usa favored you, you would never be lost. However, if you did not hold Usa's favor you would be lost, some say forever. All along the road you will see small shrines. These are the shrines to Usa."

"She must be the poDosai!" said one of the children. The rest of the mob fell silent and stared at Vivian eyes wide in wonder.

"The poDosai?" asked Vivian.

Jubei laughed. "I don't think viviAn is the poDosai," remarked Jubei to the children. "She has no sword now does she?"

They looked at her carefully and shook their heads, but rather than running off to play, continued to follow them whispering among themselves.

"I apologize," said Jubei. "Children live in a world of their own, peopled with all kinds of strange and magical entities."

"It's all right," Vivian assured her. "I have twelve of my own."

"So many?" Jubei looked surprised.

"My husband Bryan and I were both only children and we wanted a large family. They are all grown now and gone from home - starting their own lives. It's nice to once again hear little voices."

Jubei smiled at her and fell silent for a while.

"This poDosai," said Vivian. "Is it also one of your gods?"

"No." replied Jubei. "No, more of a legend. Of course, the story changes depending on where you live, however according to Higoshi legend the poDosai for, lack of a better word, was the arm of the gods. We were not always a peaceful people. Long ago in the dark ages warrior kings who were interested in nothing but conquest ruled the lands. According to legend, the gods sent the poDosai to unite the people and drive out the warrior kings. The people begged him to rule, but he refused, saying that they should be responsible for their own governing. And so he left, vowing to return should ever the need arise."

"And the children?" asked Vivian. "Are they just fond of the legend, or has the need for a poDosai arisen?"

Jubei nodded her head sadly. "Some believe so."

Julian sat next to a gnarled and weather-beaten tree and watched his companions drill, their wooden swords flashing in the sunlight.

They had walked for the better part of the day only stopping briefly for a meal of a starchy substance not unlike rice with bits of dried meat mixed in before resuming their journey. He yawned. He had stayed up most of the night keeping a careful eye on the bandits to see what type of guard they kept should the need arise to try and escape. He was surprised to find they posted no guards until he realized there was no need. Anyone venturing out in this terrain in the dark was a fool.

He had awoken to the sound of voices. Apparently it was their custom to engage in morning exercises and sword drills before starting out again on their journey. As an athlete, he found the drills to be intriguing. When the men drilled as individuals, their motions seemed to Julian to be not much more than posing and shouting. When the men paired off and drilled against each other, it seemed to him to be much more like a slow dance with weapons. It was not until each man faced off against Houk or one of his lieutenants that he realized how dangerous, and beautiful, their fighting became. He could tell he would have more than a few bruises and cuts to deal with before the day was out.

With a shout the drill was completed and each man broke ranks to collect their belonging. Bekko came towards him, panting after the exertions of the drill and Julian noticed a large bruise on his forehead.

"Doctor," said Bekko. "I have been given the honor to assist guiding you through the next leg of our journey." He pointed to a nearby ridge. "The way will be difficult and dangerous for one not used to the path."

"Thank you," replied Julian reaching for his regenerator. "But allow me the honor of taking care of that bruise first."

Bekko touched his forehead and smiled. "It is nothing. Yesterday you advised me not to fall. I am afraid you should have advised me not to forget to duck."

"I was watching you drill," ventured Julian. "If I may offer advice, I would suggest you keep your elbow up when you do this." He passed his arm in front of his body in a sweeping motion.

Bekko looked at him blankly. "I do not understand."

Julian made a few more passes across Bekko's forehead with the regenerator and put the instrument away before standing. "May I?" he asked reaching for the sword.

"Yes."

Julian was surprised not at how heavy the sword was in his hands, but at the perfect balance. It was not the first time he had ever held a sword, he and Miles had used them many times in their holosuite adventures, but it was the first time he had held one made of real wood. At first glance it looked like nothing more than a long, thin piece of polished wood. On closer inspection, he could see the hilt was shaped to fit the grip and the blade, although not sharp, was carved to a slight wedge. Lost in admiration of the workmanship, he made a few tentative passes with the blade.

"Aya!" said Bekko with something akin to admiration in his voice. "You know the ways of jutaba?"

"What?" asked Julian. "No, but I do know a little about swordplay."

"Yes, swordplay. Jutuba!"

"Nothing like this though," insisted Julian. "Where was I? Oh, yes, your elbow. When you do this." Holding the sword to the right and away from him, the blade point down, he passed the sword in front of him. "You keep your elbow down allowing your opponent to deflect your blade. Now, if you hold your elbow up you will keep your opponent farther away and less able to strike." He made the motion again keeping his elbow high. "I think you will find that this works better."

"Bekko!" shouted Houk. "Enough! Come!"

Bekko scrambled to his feet and gave his leader a slight bow. "Doa." he shouted and with a sheepish grin turned to Julian who retuned the sword. "We must be going."

"Is he always this irritable?" asked Julian once they were underway. "Houk I mean."

Bekko looked around to see if anyone was close enough to hear. "No," he replied. "Houk is usually most jovial. However our best fighter fell ill and had to be left behind. Very bad luck for us all. There is much to be lost should we not be victorious."

"I see," although Julian didn't really see at all. "How, if I may ask, did you become bandits?"

"We have always been bandits," replied Bekko with a laugh. "It is a tradition. Now Doctor, here is where the track becomes dangerous. Watch my feet and do exactly as I do."

Julian looked at the terrain in front of them and immediately wished he hadn't. They were at the top of the ridge. An extremely narrow path ran along the very top. One wrong step in either direction and the unlucky traveler would literally fall off the mountain.

"Ready?"

Julian took a deep breath and nodded. He was just about to set foot on the path when Bekko suddenly stopped, turned back and grabbing him by the arm pulled him aside.

"What?" asked Julian alarmed.

"I have had a mighty thought," declared Bekko. "You could fight for us. You know jutuba."

"Wait a minute. As flattered as I am, I cannot fight."

"But why?"

"I am a Doctor. I've taken an oath to do no harm."

"But you said you knew of playing with swords."

"Sword play yes, but hacking away at hologram…ah…never mind…it was just as you say…playing with a sword. Not real. Not like this."

"Aya," replied Bekko crestfallen.

"Look," said Julian, who against all reason did not want to hurt the feelings of the bandit. "My job is to prevent injuries not cause them. However, if by helping you train, I can prevent any more injuries…then I'll do what I can to help you train but I will not fight."

"Yes?" Bekko's face lit up immediately. "Thank you, Doctor! Thank you!"

"Bekko!" shouted Houk. Julian turned to see the rest of the group well down the track.

"Doa!" shouted Bekko and with one last beaming smile raced over the narrow track to catch up.

Julian shook his head and cautiously set off after him.

Quark was getting a crick in his neck from looking up at Ty-ni. He did not like having to walk next to the horse, but it as preferable to walking behind it. The rain had cleared up by morning, leaving the forest awash in woody smells. In daylight Quark was able to see that it was not so frightening a place after all, although he would have preferred to have been stranded in a swamp.

"What exactly does this poDosai business entail?" he asked. Aside from running around in a diaper, he silently added to himself.

"I am not poDosai yet," exclaimed his companion. "But I will be."

"How nice for you."

"Being poDosai is quite an honor you know," continued Ty-ni as though Quark had not spoken. "Fighting, wine, fighting, women, fighting, more wine and of course, more fighting. What man could ask for more?"

Anyone who is not Klingon thought Quark. "Is there any profit in all that?"

"Of course! As poDosai my every wish will be granted. What a life! No more having to hear people complain about the smallest things. No more having to say rinse please. No more floss. And no more smelly fish breath…."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Quark. "Let's get back to the granting wishes thing. Your every wish?"

"Of course!"

"No. I mean every wish? Not just I'd like a second helping kind of wish? Not just a small farm in an out of the way spot kind of wish? But a give me my own country kind of wish?"

"Of course! Nothing is too good for the poDosai!"

"Do you need a manager?" asked Quark. The horse turned its head and stared at him. For a moment he was certain it raised an eyebrow. Quark impatiently waived it away, this was business and he had no intention of letting a mere dumb animal stall him. The horse shook its head and snorted. Quark stared at it suspiciously for a moment. No, he thought, it couldn't be.

"Manager?" asked Ty-ni. "I have one of those all ready, an annoying little fellow."

"How about a financial advisor? Surely as the poDosai, you will need someone to help you make the most of your wealth…while you're out fighting…I mean."

"I had not thought of that," replied Ty-ni thoughtfully.

I have a feeling this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, thought Quark.

They had been walking all day. Odo was mildly amused that his companion avoided the roads and preferred to travel cross-country. Near sunset they stopped for the night. Taking advantage of the time left before he would need to regenerate, he set down the pack given to him by the people of Sanshoka. Inside were four wooden dolls and a jacket of some kind. One of the dolls looked like the people of the village. One was similar but the shoulders were rounded and the neck short to the point of being nonexistent. One was round headed and painted the color of stone. The last was just a series of lumps.

Shaking his head, he placed the dolls back in their wrappings and took the pack and sword and hid them away in the tall grass. He glanced at his companion. She was sitting next to a fire, cooking the evening meal in a small pot.

"Do not suppose," she said without looking at him. "That you can be so ungracious as to abandon the gift of the village."

"I have no use for possessions," he replied. "And I have all ready said I will not use a weapon."

"So you have. However, the dolls are not mere gifts. They represent the finest work the village has to offer. You must present them to the Vorta. The sword and the garment are symbols of your status as champion. By accepting the sword you have pledged yourself to the village. You may not leave them behind. Now, come eat."

"I do not eat," he said.

"You fast." It was statement not a question.

"You said that you pledge your sword to the poDosai. Who is the poDosai?"

"The poDosai," she replied. "Will once again bring justice to the people."

"And…the Founder." He found it hard to speak of his people. "They have been hard to live under?"

"At first." She gazed for a moment at her dinner. "You must understand" she said. "Before the Founder came our rulers had become corrupt and ruled in chaos. The Founder brought order. It was not easy to accept the new ways and some died. In time, we have accepted our fate. But do not be deceived, the Founder may have brought order, but not justice."

"I see." Her words gripped Odo. She was right in her assessment of the Dominion. Order, he had discovered too late, was paramount to them, but not justice. Justice was just an excuse they used to impose their sense of order on the rest of the universe. He flinched as though struck, as he realized they had left him with neither.

iSamu silently watched the inner struggle as it played across his features. "I believe you do," she replied softly. "Tell me, why do you not use weapons?"

"I've never seen the need," he replied. "In all my life I have never used a weapon. I will not start now."

"And yet you have killed before."

"How…how do you know that?"

"It is written all over you," she replied. "I saw it when you fought in the village. Do you know why you won that fight?"

"The man was intoxicated, a child could have disarmed him."

"Intoxicated yes, but not with wine. It was his own fear that intoxicated him. He was defeated before you even raised a hand. Your fear runs much deeper, it will be your downfall in the end."

"I don't know what you mean," lied Odo.

"The Founder," she replied not looking at him. "I know not what your interest in the Founder is. It is of no concern to me. However, if you want to succeed, you must search deep within yourself and defeat your fear. Once you have done that and once you have made peace with your ChauLi no opponent can defeat you."

"My ChauLi?"

"Your soul."

"I do not believe I possess a soul," he said softly.

"Then we must find you one."

All across the Alpha Quadrant little bits of subspace crackled with anger.

"And," continued Kira slamming her fist against her desk. "Just when the hell did you intend to tell me?"

Admiral Ross was thankful he was on a ship thousands of light years away from Deep Space Nine. If truth be told, he would have liked to have been further away. "Colonel," he said. "Kira. The situation in the Gamma Quadrant is being treated on a strict need to know basis. Starfleet thought…"

"You know exactly what Starfleet can do with their opinions," she replied.

"What has Odo to say about all this?"

"Odo's not on the Station," she admitted reluctantly. "But I still do not understand why you, of all people, seemed content not to say a word."

"Look. I don't like this anymore than you do. But, and I'm sticking my neck out by even having this conversation, I am under orders not to discuss it with anyone."

"What? Why?"

He seemed to be deciding how much further he could risk. "You do not know this," he said finally. "But I'm being reassigned."

"Reassigned?"

"Yes. Things are heating up with the Romulans over territory in the Benzar Sector. It's been two years and they still have not vacated the Sector. I'm being reassigned to the Seventh Fleet."

"Well, I'm very sorry for the Benzar Sector, but what does that mean for us?"

"You should be getting a message soon from Starfleet. The new commanding officer for the Bajoran Sector will be Thomas Pendergast."

"Wonderful."

"And that's not all…"

"What now?"

"Word is, he's going to want to set up his headquarters on Deep Space Nine."

That's the last thing I need right now, thought Kira.