Chapter 24
The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Enemy
I know that this is very short but I promise to make up for it. I am writing this now and they should be out by the 15-18 of June at the latest, and that includes the 'Ruinations' chapter. This will be a full chapter 24 with a different title and all. But for now, this is simply a morsel to
chew on... Have fun
It took a few moments for Jean-Luc to rub the tiredness from his eyes. The man was sleeping better and longer now as the stresses of the Klingon war finally began to slow fade like any good dream or nightmare should. This place, as violent, aggressive and politically convoluted as it was, gave him a sense of balance and independence upon his own instincts independent of Starfleet. He now relied on himself, the two other Captains and his officers. That was both exhilarating and frightening and with a start, the unpleasant realization came to him. In his heart he felt that they may well be marooned in this universe forever. As for his personal concerns, that didn't really bother his as much, but the fear was translated to his crew and those he was responsible for.
His room was too bare he thought. There was very little of anything personal within it. Oh, there was a picture of his brother and family. Also there was the holo-image of his mother with the family home she stood in front of. And there was the recent addition of a single photo of Rachel in full dance mode at her hometown located somewhere in Washington state. He would have wished for a more dignified photo, but...
He sighed. It was a lovely picture of her and it shown of her life and expectations in an earlier time when death was the exception and not the norm. His feelings for her were growing steadily, not because he wanted it this way but she kept grating on him, pulling him in directions that had no wish to go in. She praised him when he needed it-not that he wanted or expected it-and she berated him with equal passion. Sometimes his anger was so strong that he found himself laughing at the very intensity of it. She outranked him and never did she let him forget it. But she wasn't overbearing and they worked well together. Sisko was a revelation as well. His authoritative demeanor and ground force mentality blended nicely between the three of them. Although still a little wet behind-the-ears as Captain, Picard felt comfortable in assigning him missions. Riker was next. If they were to be stuck here, then it would probably mean that they would design more ships as the need would arise. If they were to develop a colony independent of the Humans and aliens present here, then it was a given that the colony would need protection. And the need to develop new vessels would be paramount. In all, it might be an interesting adventure.
"Tea. Earl Grey, hot." The tea was soothing and he was once again delighted by the taste as the hot liquid went down.
"Hello, old friend."
Instantly, Picard's weapon was in his hand, pointed forward even as his eyes sought to find where the voice had originated. A moment later, he saw something that grew more distinct by the second.
"Picard to security. Emergency." In front of him formed what appeared to be a man in flowing white clothing.
"They can't hear you," the man said softly. "I've blocked the transmissions. You're quite isolated. There is a need for us to talk in private. I have news of grave importance for your ears alone."
Picard didn't believe him and tried to contact security once more. Nothing. "Stay where you are. Who are you?"
"I am called Q," the being answered. "I'm from your parent universe and I am power personified. Things are coming to a conclusion there and I possess information that you must have in order to make the proper decision."
Picard was wary. The creature in front of him seemed too pleasant, too deceitful to trust. "Proper decision? What decision?"
"Listen Jean-Luc. You were pulled into this universe by mistake and despite what you've heard; you can get back without any, shall we say, negative side effects." The being had the smile of a predator about to pounce. "The aliens that spoke to Sisko lied to him. They are a spiteful species that wishes to harm humanity and other species not under their control. They have foreseen your role in the restoration of your home universe and they are fearful of the outcome. They wish you and your people to say here. If Captain Sisko returns as they want him to, then the Prophets will control the destinies of Humanity and countless others. This is why only he was wanted."
"Jean-Luc," the entity continued. "There is an inter-dimensional gate that has been opened and it leads to your home quantum universe. You and your people can use it to get home. However there is a problem."
"What problem?"
"This galaxy is doomed," Q said simply." The creatures entering this universe from our home universe will be an unstoppable wave. They will exterminate everything and nothing you do can stop it. Your only recourse is to return home and use what you have learned here to fight against the Klingons. Did you know that since you've been gone, Mar's has been destroyed? It is once again a lifeless planet and Earth and the Federation are suing for a peace that won't last six months. With your newfound knowledge of hyperspace, think of the advantage you and your allies would have! You could destroy the Klingon homeworld and never even be detected, never caught. You cannot help these people. They are already dead."
Stunned, Picard slowly lowered his weapon. "If I were to believe you, if you are powerful enough to travel across parallel dimensions, then you should have the power to help these people surivie."
"It is forbidden for me to interfere with the course of this reality. I can only save you and yours. Abandon these people. Save yourselves and your precious Federation before it is too late. By telling you the truth, I've now done all I can. The rest is up to you."
Picard had a thousand questions but none of them would be answered as the entity slowly faded away. The room darkened, and then lightened. On impulse he tried his com-badge."
"Picard to Security."
"Security here."
"Intruder alert."
Immediately, red alert sounded.
Guinan was wide awake before the klaxons began wailing. Something had violated this ship. The feeling was similar but something wasn't right. "Guinan to Picard."
"Picard here."
"Did something happen that I should be aware of?"
There was a short hesitation as if he didn't know where to begin. "I was visited by an entity who called himself Q," he said finally.
No, she thought furiously. It couldn't have been him.
The being in white re-materialize near the Vorlon gate. Count Iblis seemed entertained with his actions to no end while watching another extra dimensional convoy pass by completely oblivious to his presence.
"The foundation has been laid, Q." You have interfered with my dealings in one reality. Now, I take my revenge in another. All your plans and manipulations will be undone.
The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Enemy
I know that this is very short but I promise to make up for it. I am writing this now and they should be out by the 15-18 of June at the latest, and that includes the 'Ruinations' chapter. This will be a full chapter 24 with a different title and all. But for now, this is simply a morsel to
chew on... Have fun
It took a few moments for Jean-Luc to rub the tiredness from his eyes. The man was sleeping better and longer now as the stresses of the Klingon war finally began to slow fade like any good dream or nightmare should. This place, as violent, aggressive and politically convoluted as it was, gave him a sense of balance and independence upon his own instincts independent of Starfleet. He now relied on himself, the two other Captains and his officers. That was both exhilarating and frightening and with a start, the unpleasant realization came to him. In his heart he felt that they may well be marooned in this universe forever. As for his personal concerns, that didn't really bother his as much, but the fear was translated to his crew and those he was responsible for.
His room was too bare he thought. There was very little of anything personal within it. Oh, there was a picture of his brother and family. Also there was the holo-image of his mother with the family home she stood in front of. And there was the recent addition of a single photo of Rachel in full dance mode at her hometown located somewhere in Washington state. He would have wished for a more dignified photo, but...
He sighed. It was a lovely picture of her and it shown of her life and expectations in an earlier time when death was the exception and not the norm. His feelings for her were growing steadily, not because he wanted it this way but she kept grating on him, pulling him in directions that had no wish to go in. She praised him when he needed it-not that he wanted or expected it-and she berated him with equal passion. Sometimes his anger was so strong that he found himself laughing at the very intensity of it. She outranked him and never did she let him forget it. But she wasn't overbearing and they worked well together. Sisko was a revelation as well. His authoritative demeanor and ground force mentality blended nicely between the three of them. Although still a little wet behind-the-ears as Captain, Picard felt comfortable in assigning him missions. Riker was next. If they were to be stuck here, then it would probably mean that they would design more ships as the need would arise. If they were to develop a colony independent of the Humans and aliens present here, then it was a given that the colony would need protection. And the need to develop new vessels would be paramount. In all, it might be an interesting adventure.
"Tea. Earl Grey, hot." The tea was soothing and he was once again delighted by the taste as the hot liquid went down.
"Hello, old friend."
Instantly, Picard's weapon was in his hand, pointed forward even as his eyes sought to find where the voice had originated. A moment later, he saw something that grew more distinct by the second.
"Picard to security. Emergency." In front of him formed what appeared to be a man in flowing white clothing.
"They can't hear you," the man said softly. "I've blocked the transmissions. You're quite isolated. There is a need for us to talk in private. I have news of grave importance for your ears alone."
Picard didn't believe him and tried to contact security once more. Nothing. "Stay where you are. Who are you?"
"I am called Q," the being answered. "I'm from your parent universe and I am power personified. Things are coming to a conclusion there and I possess information that you must have in order to make the proper decision."
Picard was wary. The creature in front of him seemed too pleasant, too deceitful to trust. "Proper decision? What decision?"
"Listen Jean-Luc. You were pulled into this universe by mistake and despite what you've heard; you can get back without any, shall we say, negative side effects." The being had the smile of a predator about to pounce. "The aliens that spoke to Sisko lied to him. They are a spiteful species that wishes to harm humanity and other species not under their control. They have foreseen your role in the restoration of your home universe and they are fearful of the outcome. They wish you and your people to say here. If Captain Sisko returns as they want him to, then the Prophets will control the destinies of Humanity and countless others. This is why only he was wanted."
"Jean-Luc," the entity continued. "There is an inter-dimensional gate that has been opened and it leads to your home quantum universe. You and your people can use it to get home. However there is a problem."
"What problem?"
"This galaxy is doomed," Q said simply." The creatures entering this universe from our home universe will be an unstoppable wave. They will exterminate everything and nothing you do can stop it. Your only recourse is to return home and use what you have learned here to fight against the Klingons. Did you know that since you've been gone, Mar's has been destroyed? It is once again a lifeless planet and Earth and the Federation are suing for a peace that won't last six months. With your newfound knowledge of hyperspace, think of the advantage you and your allies would have! You could destroy the Klingon homeworld and never even be detected, never caught. You cannot help these people. They are already dead."
Stunned, Picard slowly lowered his weapon. "If I were to believe you, if you are powerful enough to travel across parallel dimensions, then you should have the power to help these people surivie."
"It is forbidden for me to interfere with the course of this reality. I can only save you and yours. Abandon these people. Save yourselves and your precious Federation before it is too late. By telling you the truth, I've now done all I can. The rest is up to you."
Picard had a thousand questions but none of them would be answered as the entity slowly faded away. The room darkened, and then lightened. On impulse he tried his com-badge."
"Picard to Security."
"Security here."
"Intruder alert."
Immediately, red alert sounded.
Guinan was wide awake before the klaxons began wailing. Something had violated this ship. The feeling was similar but something wasn't right. "Guinan to Picard."
"Picard here."
"Did something happen that I should be aware of?"
There was a short hesitation as if he didn't know where to begin. "I was visited by an entity who called himself Q," he said finally.
No, she thought furiously. It couldn't have been him.
The being in white re-materialize near the Vorlon gate. Count Iblis seemed entertained with his actions to no end while watching another extra dimensional convoy pass by completely oblivious to his presence.
"The foundation has been laid, Q." You have interfered with my dealings in one reality. Now, I take my revenge in another. All your plans and manipulations will be undone.