A/N Thank you to MissSunnyGirl for the review. They mean a lot to me. Well, we are nearing the end. There should be three or four more chapters and then three epilogues. I want to thank all of you who have stayed with me through all the years and have honored me by reading my story. THANK YOU.
These characters still belong to Paramount.
Queen Helena rushed into General Thrang's office in response to the news that Torok's soldiers had entered the Palace Square. She found him in full uniform attaching a phaser to his belt.
"What are you planning to do?"
"I would think it would be obvious. I am assembling the Central Division to force Torok out of the square."
"If you do that, he could stand and fight. There would be blood spilled on both sides. It could lead to a Civil War. Torok has many supporters."
He turned toward her, "So we just let him break centuries of tradition? Let him challenge your authority?"
"No. But you just admitted it is my power he is attacking. The protection of the palace is my responsibility. I will handle it in my own way."
He stared at her, "And what way is that? Go tell him to leave?"
Helena stood up, "I know you are being sarcastic, but yes, that is exactly what I am going to do."
Realizing she was serious, he quickly said, "You can't face him alone. What will stop him from ignoring you or worse harming you?"
She moved closer to him, "Thrang, if I don't face them alone, if I don't confront them, I will no longer be Queen. I'll just be a figurehead. If he ignores me or harms me, then it will be up to the people of Andoria to avenge me. If they do not, we have lost nothing because the position of Queen will have become meaningless."
She put her hand on his shoulder, "I know that you fear for me, but I must do this."
He looked at her. The General knew she was right, but there was a part of him that would always think of her as his daughter.
Just then they heard a noise behind them. They saw that Princess Skye had entered the room.
Helena turned to her, "How long have you been here?"
"Long enough to hear what you told him. Why can't you let him do what he wants? Why must you risk your life?"
Queen Helena straightened up, her eyes blazing, "How dare you say that."
Skye was stunned, she had never seen her mother look at her like that or speak to her like that. Helena continued, "You will someday be Queen of Andoria. If I don't do this, that title will be worthless. I must do my duty as someday you will have to do yours."
She lowered her voice, "My life is dedicated to the people of Andoria. I cannot lead them or expect them to follow me if I am not willing to sacrifice myself for them."
Princess Skye lowered her head, "I am sorry, Mother. I spoke foolishly. I am ashamed of my weakness."
She raised her head, "I want to stand with you."
Helena smiled, "Thank you. But if I fall, you need to carry on. There will be dark times ahead. Andoria will need a Queen."
She moved up and embraced her. "I love you, Skye. Always remember that."
Skye hugged her back, tears forming in her eyes, "I love you, Mother."
Helena released her and kissed her on the forehead. She turned to Thrang who said sadly, "Good luck, Helena."
"Thank you, Thrang. Be there for my daughter as you have been for me."
As he nodded, she turned and headed out the door. Thrang put his arm around Skye's shoulders as they watched her leave.
Torok stood to the right of his soldiers close to the front of the formation. He knew that even as they stood there, Thrang was no doubt contemplating assembling his troops. He knew he was no match for them but they would pay a price.
He was not looking forward to dying but if it came to that, if that is what was needed to stop the forming of the Federation, he was ready. He knew that he had many supporters and that his death would lead to the very real possibility of a Civil War. He felt that Thrang would want to avoid that. His real goal was to embarrass the Queen, to show the people of Andoria that she was not worthy of their support.
Suddenly, there was a murmur among his soldiers. He looked up and was stunned to see Queen Helena enter the Square alone. He quickly looked around but there were no troops to be seen. Surely she wasn't foolish enough to face them on her own. In spite of himself, he felt a moment of admiration for her.
She moved out in front of the soldiers, "General Torok, I wish to talk with you."
He moved from his spot and stood in front of his troops, "You have nothing I wish to hear. I would advise you to leave."
"Or what? You will kill me? You would kill your Queen?"
"Your power comes from the people of Andoria. You have betrayed them by attempting to take away the sovereignty of Andoria by supporting this Federation. I am here to see that you will not accomplish that."
"It is not for you to decide what course Andoria will take. By coming here, you are breaking a contract that has lasted for centuries. It is you who are threatening the peace of Andoria by trying to provoke a Civil War."
"That is not my intent. My presence here is to show the people of Andoria that they are supporting a paper Queen. One that cannot protect her own palace. I have shown that the real power in Andoria is the Imperial Guard. I do not believe that General Thrang wants a war. With you out of the way, I am sure he will come to realize that as soldiers we must stand together."
Helena looked out at the soldiers, "You men, do you agree with your General? Will you stand by and allow him to ignore your Queen?"
Torok smiled, "My soldiers stand with me. Now, it is time to end this. Go back to your quarters and let the true power of Andoria, the Imperial Guard, decide its future. We will not kill you and make you a martyr. It is enough for everyone to see you have no real power. That you can be ignored. Leave before you embarrass yourself further."
Helena straightened up and began to walk toward the front lines. It was apparent she was going to force them to restrain or harm her or move back. Torok could feel the tension in his men but stepped forward to stop her.
At that moment, the gate that separated the Palace Square from the city opened. Both Helena and Torok stared in amazement as people from the city began to flow through the gate.
They were not armed in any way. In fact, they were led by women holding babies, women holding on to their children's hands. They moved forward and began to form a line between Helena and the troops. Soon men followed them, also unarmed. They walked quietly but with purpose.
As the numbers grew, it was apparent what their intention was. There would soon not be room for both them and the soldiers in the Square. Helena, who feared for their safety, tried to persuade them to stop, but they just bowed and gently pushed past her.
Torok was stunned. He knew he was beaten. He could never order his soldiers to fight against women and children even if they would obey the order. Already his front line was looking to him for help as they watched the women and children approach them. As they neared the lines, some of the children looked up and smiled at the soldiers.
As the Square continued to fill, Torok, with a cry of exasperation, ordered his troops to retreat.
As the last of the soldiers exited the square, the people turned toward Helena and began to chant, "Long live the Queen."
Helena struggled to contain her emotions. She raised her hand and when they were silent just said, "Thank you."
Just then Princess Skye came out and joined her mother as the crowd cheered. Then to their amazement and joy, Helena and Skye moved forward into the crowd. As people bowed, they touched shoulders. They picked up children and held babies, talking to their parents. Finally, they headed back to the palace as the crowd once more cheered their names before heading back through the gate.
As Torok and his soldiers passed out of the Square, they were stunned to see thousands of soldiers forming a corridor that led to their shuttles.
Thrang stepped forward, "Ah, General Torok, it is a pleasure to see you." He gestured to the shuttles, "I just wanted to be sure you would be able to find your way."
Torok glared at him but led his soldiers between the lines and boarded their shuttles.
