DISCLAIMER: The following is fan fiction utilizing events and characters from all five "Star Trek" television series along with bits and pieces from the feature films. It is fan fiction only… there is no intent here to collect income or infringe on the trademarks, copyrights, or patented work of others. Please DO NOT use this material for anything other than pure reading enjoyment. If you have been missing at least occasional new "Star Trek" episodes in your life, this is the place to come.
Star Trek: Absolution
I have not kept up with the "Star Trek" novels the past few years, but this storyline takes place shortly before the events in the "Star Trek: Nemesis" feature film. Since many of the book plots have at times varied from what we see on screen anyway, what you will read is based upon the stories that we viewed at home on TV and while munching popcorn in the movie theatres.
Chapter VI: Prophecy
Kai Opaka sat down on the edge of the bed in the temporary quarters assigned to her for the remaining short stay on the Defiant and took several deep breaths. Having never realistically expected to see her home world again she felt a mix of both elation and concern. Kira had filled her in on a few of the details regarding what had happened during her absence but it was a lot to take in all at once. It had also been very emotional to tearfully say her good byes to the people she had lived peacefully with for the past few years – men and women whom she had literally shared life and death with in order to bond with them and form a lasting friendship.
Nerys was a Bajoran General now… an officer who still held a Starfleet commission as well. Opaka chuckled a little bit as she remembered the hot-tempered Bajoran resistance fighter who had rapidly risen through the ranks of their planet's newly-formed provisional government to the rank of Major. She remembered how much Kira and her former terrorists turned politicians had objected to her recommendation that Starfleet be invited to help them. Now they too had long since bonded with each other as trusted friends.
And Benjamin Sisko had been promoted to the rank of Starfleet Captain during her long absence. Other than that small fact, she had learned almost nothing further about the human she had befriended on first sight. Her curiosity regarding his whereabouts had grown stronger ever since leaving the small moon and its inhabitants behind her, and she mentally reminded herself to ask about him at the next available opportunity.
As though the room was reading her mind, the chime above the door to her quarters sounded and she hastily stood up to answer it. She pressed the button that opened the door and revealed the tall, confident outline of General Kira standing there before her.
"We're about to pass through the wormhole and move back into the Alpha quadrant," Kira informed her. "After that, it's just a short trip to the space station and you'll be able to begin preparing for your trip home."
"It will be wonderful to see Bajor again," decided Opaka as she stood calmly in her native clothing of animal skins with her hands peacefully folded in front of her. "Tell me Kira, where is Benjamin Sisko?" she asked, deciding to be direct.
"That is a tough question to answer Opaka," responded Kira cautiously. "All I know is that he is with the Prophets in the Celestial Temple. Other than that I can't tell you anything, because we haven't heard from him in many years."
"So he is safe and well?"
"The last I heard he was," mused Kira thoughtfully. "He appeared in a vision to his new wife shortly before we stopped hearing from him. Kasidy lives on Bajor now in the house that he designed for them along with their young daughter, Laura. His son Jake returned to Earth and lives with his grandfather most of the time, but he has made the trip all the way to DS9 on occasion to visit his mother and sister on Bajor. He likes being out here – knowing his Dad is nearby – and he has high hopes that Captain Sisko will keep his promise to return some day."
"So the Emissary of Bajor has joined the prophets in the Celestial Temple," Opaka said with some wonder in her voice. "Everything has happened just as predicted by our texts which were written so long ago." She gave Kira an odd look. "Nerys, where is Jake now?"
"I invited him to Bajor's newest peace conference. The last I heard from him he was planning on attending so I expect that he is on his way." Kira shrugged her shoulders. "After you left… things happened so fast," she tried to explain. "There was a war, you see… between the Federation and new enemies we made in the Gamma quadrant. It lasted for several years and many people lost their lives." She paused, remembering. "I'd try and explain it to you now but we'll be back in the Alpha quadrant soon and there will be time then for a more detailed discussion of everything that has happened since you left."
Without warning the room began to spin around her and Kira reached out to grab Opaka's arm. There was a bright flash of energy…
…and suddenly the two of them were standing suspended in a field of brilliant white light that stretched as far as they could see in all directions. Standing? Kira glanced down and couldn't be certain if she was standing on something solid or whether the two of them were simply floating – suspended in an unknown pocket of space and time. She still held onto Opaka's arm and tightened her grip, determined not to lose the Kai again.
"If answers are what you need," said a familiar voice, "Why don't you try going directly to the source." He was still wearing his Starfleet Captain's uniform and looked exactly the way he had the last time she had seen him at Vic's place during their victory celebration.
"Hello Captain Sisko," Kira said happily as he continued walking toward them until he came to a stop right in front of her. She let go of the Kai's arm and hugged him with genuine fondness. "It is good to see you again, sir."
"Sir?" he said with a flash of humor, touching the fabric on the sleeve of her uniform. "If I remember correctly, that's a general's uniform that you're wearing now. Perhaps I should salute you!" Grinning with fond memories, the two of them hugged again, parting only when Ben glanced over her left shoulder and noticed the Kai waiting patiently.
"Welcome back Opaka," he said sincerely. "Your interpretation of Bajoran prophecy is very accurate, I must admit. I truly hadn't expected to see you again."
"You Starfleet people have a habit of creating miracles of your own through your hard work and selfless dedication to the improvement of life for people of all cultures," replied Opaka. "I would not have this opportunity to be here if it weren't for that persistent Doctor of yours." She stepped forward and raised her right hand to lightly touch his left ear and smiled with delight. "Your pah is still very strong Captain," she observed.
"Just as you predicted, mine crosses yours again," he said with a chuckle. "It is good to hear that Dr. Bashir has been keeping himself busy…" The Captain's expression suddenly clouded over with concern. "But we have much to talk about, the three of us. A lot has happened… but even more is about to happen, and we don't have a lot of time to prepare for it."
"I'm afraid I have just now returned Benjamin," Opaka informed him. "Kira has filled me in on some of the details, but I'm far from caught up on the situation in the Alpha quadrant."
"I can bring you up to speed a little faster," the Captain said confidently as he raised his right hand and gently touched her forehead. Kira watched with wonder as the Kai fell into some sort of trance. It appeared to take only seconds but once the Captain finally lowered his hand she turned and flashed the General a sad smile.
"All those deaths," Opaka commented, "Simply because the shape shifting Founders of the Dominion could not get past their historical fear of the solids."
"They pointed their fingers at the very worst of our people and all of the bad things that happened long ago," Kira commented, "And then judged all of us by the harsh conduct and poor behavior of a few." She met Captain Sisko's eyes with her own firm gaze and they both nodded knowingly. "Well, let's just say that we found a few of them who weren't so nice and decided not to judge their whole race using that same measure."
"Finding the Celestial Temple and the wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant was both a plus and a minus as far as history is concerned," Sisko pointed out. "When we first found it I thought that the entire galaxy was ours for the taking in terms of exploration. No one could have predicted the danger that we eventually found and faced – one that almost consumed everything we've worked for hundreds of years to build."
"Was it worth it?" Kira wondered. "If we hadn't found a way into the Gamma quadrant the Dominion war would never have occurred."
"That's something my friends here have been quizzing me on and trying to learn more about," said Sisko carefully. "They understand the concept of linear time – history, the present and the future. Unfortunately they exist on another dimensional reality where that physical law does not apply. I've spent a lot of time letting them review my life experiences and demonstrating how the bad things that have happened in my life are sometimes necessary in order to maintain the overall balance of good. The Dominion war is just a larger example."
"Really?" said the Kai with interest.
"Yes," said Sisko with none of the trepidation he had held during his first trip into the wormhole. "Take my son Jake for example. I was bitter for years after the loss of his mother to the Borg, but if I had let that anger overcome my good judgment I would never have met Kasidy and found my way back to a family. Now I have a son and a daughter."
"Kasidy misses you terribly," pointed out Kira. "She had the house you wanted constructed on Bajor on the land plot you purchased. That's where she lives now with Laura. I visit her often but she is so very lonely as she patiently waits for you to return."
"I know…" Sisko said comfortingly. "Rest assured I have been able to…" he looked mischievously over his shoulder "… use my connections with the Prophets to check in on everyone from time to time." His expression turned serious. "Part of my job here has been to better help the wormhole aliens understand how we live. Much of thishas included providing them with examples of how our future is not set in stone. It takes a lot of effort, sometimes, but given the perseverance and determination from those of us who spend our lives in a linear universe we can make more good things happen than bad."
"Kasidy wants you back," Kira stated simply. "She doesn't care about some higher purpose or greater understanding between you and the Prophets. She simply wants her husband and family back with her. I think you can understand that, particularly after they terrified her during your relationship by telling you that your marriage to her would result only in great sorrow for you both."
"I hope that your own faith in Bajor's Prophets has not wavered," said Sisko.
"No, it hasn't," the General decided. "But I grew up during the Cardassian occupation so I know what it's like for children who are missing one or both parents. It is not an ideal family situation by any means so the mother in me tells me that whatever the Prophets are asking of you, it's too much if it keeps you away from your family much longer. Jake lost his mother in the Borg attack, he doesn't need to lose his father to aliens too – even if these are friendlier."
"That concept of theirs has changed and will change even more soon," Sisko promised. "But first we must deal with another growing threat to the safety of the Alpha quadrant, one that is just as great as the Dominion was."
"The Breen?" Kira guessed in disbelief. "I know they've annexed a few extra planets and thrown the Cardassian Union in an uproar but I hardly think…"
"The Breen are planning more than simply adding a few planets to their Empire," warned Sisko. "That's one of the reasons why the Prophets needed me here. They have always held a vested interest in the safety of the people in this part of the Galaxy. But with so many new races entering the area after discovery of the wormhole they needed a new methodology by which they determine which historical events – although bad – must occur in order to eventually lead to a greater good."
"If the Breen are up to no good, can't the Prophets simply change what they don't like?" Kira asked curiously. "We know that they have intervened in Bajor's history before… who is to say that they shouldn't do it on a larger scale?"
"The Prophets are of Bajor," Opaka said suddenly, looking directly at Sisko. "They do not want to be drawn into matters that don't directly concern our people."
"But they also don't want your people harmed because of events that they decide not to interfere with," pointed out Sisko. "That's why I have spent so much time here attempting to help them understand more about linear time – so that they can better recognize when their assistance is needed and when it is not."
"They helped us during the Dominion war," Kira countered. "If they hadn't gotten rid of that huge fleet of reinforcement ships traveling over from the Gamma quadrant, Bajor and the Federation might not be here today."
"The Dominion fleet chose to enter the wormhole," replied Sisko. "In doing so they trespassed into Bajor's Celestial Temple with the intention of doing great evil. My request to get rid of them was an easy decision for the Prophets, but many of the events that have transpired before and after that incident have been much more difficult for them to interpret." He took a deep breath and paused, reviewing recent events carefully in his mind. "Throughout our years of space travel the Federation has learned that history follows many paths, each of which can be triggered based solely on the occurrence or non-occurrence of some extremely simple event. One Starfleet ship that fails to protect a Klingon outpost at the time when it is supposed to can literally define whether there are decades of peace with the Klingons or all out war."
"So what are the Breen up to?" Kira asked curiously. "What do they have planned?"
"I truly do not know," Captain Sisko said in response. "I only know that you must find out and stop them. The new friends I have made during my stay here are extremely concerned about the future of both Bajor and the Alpha quadrant. We are approaching another of those historical junctures when events can unfold differently based on the outcome of a few relatively minor events. Most of the projected timelines are extremely unfavorable – it will be up to you to identify and eliminate the additional threats to the stability of this sector."
"We will not fail you Benjamin," Kai Opaka promised. "There has been enough death and destruction… we must find a way to insure that people of all cultures have the time they need to heal, forgive and to live in peace."
"Do not get too comfortable when you return to Bajor," Sisko warned her. "I think you will find, Opaka, that your journey has not ended but is simply moving toward one of those new paths I spoke of. You are a great woman with a great destiny ahead of you." Opaka bowed her head in grateful response to his praise.
"Jake is coming," Kira said suddenly. "I invited him to the peace conference."
"That was most kind of you Nerys," Sisko decided, rubbing his bearded chin with one hand. "I hope that both he and Kasidy are prepared for a visit from the old man because they're going to get one soon." Both Opaka and Kira laughed at the smile on his face as he said the last sentence. They were still laughing…
…when the same bright swirl flashed before their eyes again and deposited them back in the Kai's guest quarters on board the Defiant.
"Bridge to General Kira," said Lieutenant Nog's voice from the Comm-link on the work station in the center of the room's only desk. "We have just cleared the wormhole and returned to the Alpha quadrant. We will be docking at Deep Space Nine in a few minutes."
Kira took a deep breath and then walked over to the open link. "Thank you Lieutenant," she said gratefully, flashing a satisfied smile at the Kai. Opaka simply stood peacefully with her hands folded in front of her as before and said nothing further.
Captain's Log, Supplemental. With the news of Kai Opaka's triumphant return to Deep Space Nine already spreading rapidly throughout the region, I have ordered our speed increased to warp 9.7 so that the Enterprise can arrive at the peace meeting earlier than previously scheduled. It will be interesting to see how reports of her latest visit to the space station affect the people of Bajor and their religious assembly, particularly after a very popular Vedek – one Leos Janek – has already been appointed as the successor to Kai Winn.
As we near the completion of our long journey back to Bajor, I find myself optimistically looking forward to what I hope will be a very successful mission. We are hoping to put in place a political foundation that will form the basis of communication from which stability in this sector can be maintained for many years to come. Certainly the Breen will be unwilling to cooperate, but with the loss of their Cardassian and Dominion allies I am hoping that their influence in the Bajor system will be severely limited.
Picard stepped out of his ready room and found the bridge of the Enterprise filled with familiar faces. A bit wistfully he was able to notice and pick out the dark-haired Ensign Vandalay filling in for Commander Data, but brushed that issue quickly aside as he remembered just how capable the android was at handling things once he received an assignment. The Captain felt fully confident that the incident on Stadia – if not already under control – soon would be. A full thirty-six hours had passed, after all, since the Romulan shuttle had first crashed on the planet.
Worf stood faithfully behind the tactical station, his long dark hair tied back into his traditional ponytail. Picard's part-time chief of security and most experienced tactical officer had lost none of his imposing presence over the years. Geordi LaForge, by contrast, sat comfortably at the engineering station, keeping a close watch on the ship's engine readouts as the Enterprise continued to move at faster-than-normal speed. It was still astonishing, after years of watching the young man wear his visor, to stand back and watch him interact normally with his vision problems completely corrected. Picard fondly thought back to the planet whose environment had cured their Chief Engineer and silently renewed his promise to return someday soon and visit a certain beautiful woman who lived there.
Commander Riker rose to his feet at the Captain's approach and offered him the bridge's center seat. Picard calmly sat down and waited patiently, watching the stars fly hurriedly past them on the forward viewscreen. Finally one of the turbolifts at the rear of the bridge opened, allowing Admiral Janeway, Counselor Troi and Doctor Crusher to join them. Deanna and the Doctor casually walked down to the center of the bridge and stood next to Riker. Janeway, however, stopped in her tracks and mischievously glanced up at Worf.
"My, aren't you a big one?" the Admiral commented, watching the Klingon struggle to keep his indifferent composure. "They're growing them bigger and bigger at the Academy these days, aren't they Jean Luc?"
"Be careful Admiral," Picard said with a warning smile. "You're also talking to the Federation's official Ambassador to the Klingon High Council. Mr. Worf has a lot of friends in high places these days."
"I'll bet he does," replied Janeway, watching Riker and Geordi both chuckle at Worf's obvious discomfort. "The High Council is not currently in session, I gather?"
"They are still meeting to address some minor government matters," the Klingon said firmly. "However, since I spent a lot of time on Deep Space Nine, Chancelor Martok decided that I would be the best person to represent the Klingon government for the newest round of peace talks in the Bajoran sector." He glanced down at Picard with obvious pride. "Returning temporarily to my duties aboard the Enterprise was a tough job, but someone had to do it."
A small spark of a smile flashed across Worf's face as the Admiral began laughing good-naturedly at his joke. Only the people who knew him best would be able to tell that he was feeling quite pleased with himself in Janeway's presence. Picard had to admit that the temperamental young Klingon who had first joined his crew so many years ago had matured in many ways. He was a man with a lot of clout and obviously growing quite comfortable with his new role as a Federation diplomat.
"What's on today's agenda?" Janeway asked Picard curiously. She leaned casually against the tactical console and immediately drew an irritated glance from Worf.
"I was hoping that we could hold an informal meeting here on the bridge during the short time we have left before the Enterprise reaches DS9. I must admit to being most curious, Admiral. Just what are the Breen up to out here?"
"We're not totally certain yet," Janeway said with a sigh. "Unfortunately you know about as much as I do regarding the situation. For the most part, the Dominion forces have retreated back into the Gamma quadrant while the Cardassians have focused much of their effort on rebuilding their central planets. In the interim, the Breen have used the chaos and confusion to try and expand their empire by seizing planetary colonies in at least a dozen star systems."
"Let me guess," Dr. Crusher said with a shake of her head. "These colonies would be the vulnerable ones located on planets within the former de-militarized zone that was initially established by Federation and Cardassian treaty."
"Most of them are anyway," continued Janeway. "Bullies don't normally pick on victims that can fight back, and that's all the Breen are – a bunch of thugs. However, two of the planets they've been visiting regularly are in the Dark Nebula territory that separates the Federation from Breen space. It is a largely unexplored and unstable region situated on the very edge of our border. In the past we've pretty much left it alone to avoid antagonizing the Breen – a policy that was very successful up until the recent war. Before they allied themselves with the Dominion and attacked us, we had been hoping to eventually send a delegation to meet with them and improve our relations with them further."
Geordi shook his head in disbelief. "Most of those colonists had short tempers after the original treaty was implemented. I doubt that they've calmed down any since the Breen started hanging around."
"No they haven't," the Admiral said grimly. "So far it's a different dictatorship with the same result. If the Dominion hadn't done such a thorough job of disarming the Maquis and destroying their command and control ability, I would expect that they would have reformed by now." She glanced toward Commander Riker with a very concerned expression. "I've read Captain Picard's reports regarding your missions there, so I know you all understand just how unstable that region can become."
"So nothing has really changed for them," Troi decided. "They're not officially part of or protected by the Federation and they certainly don't have the weapons or training necessary to adequately defend themselves."
"That's correct," said Janeway, carefully watching the passing stars slow to a gradual crawl on the viewscreen as the Enterprise dropped out of warp. "We have to do something about the Breen and do it quickly. Another war – even a brief one – is out of the question. It will simply weaken our already depleted forces further and leave the Federation even more susceptible to attack from its enemies."
"We are at one quarter impulse Captain," Ensign Vandalay reported, "On final approach to Deep Space Station Nine."
"I would very much like to know what else the Breen are up to," Picard commented, glancing back at the Admiral with a hint of irritation in his tone. "The Dark Nebula is largely unexplored territory because it is a very dangerous region of space. It is very obvious that the Breen want the colonies in the former de-militarized zone because of the resources there and the weapons and hardware left behind after the Dominion's quick exit. But no one is going to convince me that all they're doing in the Nebula is setting up colonies or expanding their Empire. They're planning something, and I don't think it's going to be anything that will help stabilize this region."
"Agreed," said Janeway. "While the Enterprise delegation attends the peace conference, part of our mission will be to launch a covert investigation into the Dark Nebula to determine just what is going on in there."
Riker stepped confidently forward, glancing first at Geordi and then Worf. "If you're looking for volunteers, Admiral, you've got them."
Picard leaned forward in his seat and raised a hand to his mouth, failing to hide his quiet chuckle. "The fate of the entire galaxy could be at stake and the Federation facing all of its most lethal enemies at once," he said with a laugh, "And these gentlemen, Admiral, would still volunteer to face it down rather than attend a boring diplomatic function."
"You've got that right," Geordi said firmly.
Janeway found herself laughing along with the Captain. "Believe me Jean Luc," she said with grim determination sounding in her voice, "If I wasn't already on the guest list, I would probably join them."
"How are we going to spy on the Breen without them detecting us?" Troi asked curiously. "Even in an unstable region of space like the Nebula I'm sure that there are only so many places a ship can hide."
"There is a Klingon cloaking device on my shuttle," Worf said suddenly. "It will no doubt be very useful to us." Everyone slowly turned and stared at him. With his imperious gaze, the Klingon glared right back at them. "Chancellor Martok is also extremely curious as to what the Breen are doing in the Nebula," he continued, "And we did not sign the treaty of Algeron. At least, not the part that prohibits us from using cloaking technology."