Chapter 32.
Death Wish.
(Scott POV)
I was on the Bridge as we can across a comet.
"It's trajectory is erratic, and our sensors aren't detecting any stellar or planetary gravitational fields that could account for its motion," Chakotay said.
"Then you're saying it's no comet," I said.
"And yet, it looks, feels and tastes just like a comet," Chakotay said.
"Well, there's a slight chance there are magnetodynamic forces acting on the comet that are too subtle for our sensors to detect, Or it might be something we've never encountered before. B'Elanna, go down to Transporter room 2, Let's beam aboard a sample for examination," I said.
"Aye captain," B'Elanna said.
"Harry, see if you can lock onto a core fragment," I said.
"Having no trouble penetrating the curst, Captain," Harry said.
"McCall to Torres," I said. "We're ready when you are Lt,"
"Setting up a Class 3 containment field, captain, Field in place," B'Elanna said.
"Commence Transport," I said.
"Energizing," B'Elanna said.
"Transport complete," Harry said.
"Torres to McCall," B'Elanna said. "You'd better get down here, Captain,"
"Problem Lt," I said.
"Yes, Sir," B'Elanna said. "That transport from the comet it brought a man aboard, He says his name is Q,"
"Red alert, I'll be right down there," I said. As the Klaxon went red.
Then I got brought to the Mess hall.
"What a pleasure it is to meet you, Oh am I doing this right, I've been so long since I've had the opportunity to greet anyone, here, take a seat, allow me to make the setting more appropriate," Q said.
"My Name is Scott McCall Captain of the Federation," I said.
"Federation Starship Voyager, Yes, yes, I know all that, Look welsh rabbit like your Mother used to make," Q said.
"Rabbit, He never told me he likes Rabbits," Neelix said. "What is a rabbit, Anyway? Is this some new chef he's interviewing?"
"Please, Eat," Q said. "It's the least I can do to express my appreciation,"
"Appreciation for what?" I said.
"For letting me out of my captivity," Q said.
"You were being held against your will inside the Comet?" I said.
"In a manner of speaking, and you, all of you, you're mortals, aren't you," Q said.
"Who was holding you prisoner?" I said.
"And you, only live for 9 years," Q said.
"That's right," Kes said.
"Oh how I envy you," Q said.
"Why is that?" Kes said.
"Because the one thing I want more than any other is to die," Q said.
"Look, I don't know what you want here, but I know who you are, Every Captain in Starfleet has been briefed about you appearances on the Enterprise, and I'm warning" I said.
"My, My Appearances? Oh you've mistaken me for oh well no matter, I really must get on with my business before the others realize I'm here, When someone asks you about me, and they will, would you tell them I said, you know I've had 300 years to think of appropriate last words, I wanted something, memorable, You know? Quotable,. Would you tell them I said. I die not for myself but for you. I know, Enigmatic, provocative. Well good bye to you all," Q said. "Many thanks, Here's the end of me," Then Everyone person apart from Kes, and 3 others were gone. "Oh Dear that's not right,"
"Torres to McCall, Everyone man up here just disappeared," B'Elanna said. "Most of them,"
"I'm aware of it, Lt, Get to the Bridge, McCall out," I said. "Bring them back now,"
"oh, oh, of course, of course," Q said. "I'm a little out of practice, Well that's that I'm afraid they're gone,"
"Gone, Where," I said.
"Just Gone," Q said. "Oh I apologize for the inconvenience,"
Then we were brought up to the Bridge.
"Well, good luck to you all, I really have to be going now," Q said.
"You're not going anywhere, Return my crew," I said.
"I. I'm not sure how," Q said. "Humans, Humans, Who would have more recent experience with Humans?"
Then there was another flash and another one are there.
"What have you done now, Q," Q said. "Well, now isn't this just fine, Humans aren't supposed to be in this quadrant for another hundred years,"
"I didn't bring them here, Nothing to do with me," Q said.
"How did you get out, Q" Q said.
"I'm afraid that was us," I said.
"oh well I guess that's what we get for having a young kid in the captain's chair, You know, I was betting that Riker would get this command," Q said.
"No, Will is still on the Enterprise. Q, The only I've heard some much about," I sad.
"Have you heard about little me, Oh do tell, has Jon-Luc been whispering about me behind me back," Q said. "Say this is a ship of the Valkyries or have you human women about from you finally done away with your men altogether?"
"There was a slight accident," Q said.
"A slight accident? Oh let me guess you were trying to commit suicide. Now you see why we've locked him up for the last 300 years," Q said. Then Brought everyone back. "Facial art, Ooh how very wilderness of you"
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"All right Q we should be going," Q said.
"I'm not leaving," Q said. "Captain McCall I demand asylum,"
"This is a joke," Q said.
"No it isn't," Q said. "I am officially asking you captain to grant me asylum and give me protection from my enemies, which is him,"
"You would ask these puny humans to protect you from me," Q said. "Fat chance,"
"What did you do to him?" I said.
"Nothing," Q said. "He's still there in the 24th Century, I just took the rest of us to an old hiding place of mine,"
"Report," I said.
"Captain, there are no stars outside," Harry said.
"Well, that's partially accurate," Q said. "Actually there's no universe outside,"
"Yet, On Screen," I said. "Commander,"
"I'm showing a large build up of baryonic particles," Chakotay said.
"Perfectly normal," Q said,
"Captain, based on our readings, it appears we've been transported back in time to the birth of the universe," Tuvok said.
"Very old hiding place," Q said.
"Oh, I know all the hiding places, Q," Q said. Showing up. "I hid here from the Continuum myself once,"
"This ship will not survive the formation of the cosmos," B'Elanna said.
"Yes, but just think of the honor of having your DNA spread from one corner of the universe to the other," Q said. "Why you could be the origin of the Humanoid form,"
"Q, Either Q get us out of here," I said.
"You heard the Captain Q, Back to your cell," Q said.
Then Vanished again and the ship stopped rumbling. Then It started up again.
"We're under attack," Tom said.
"By a ship?" Chakotay said.
"By, By, I'm not sure what they are," Tom said.
"Captain, I don't believe this, but according to my readings, we're being attacked by protons, We've been reduced to subatomic proportions," Harry said.
"He'll never find us here," Q said.
"Tuvok see if you can release a positive ion charge to repel them," I said.
Then that one showed up again.
"Ready or not, here I am," Q said.
Then we were moved again.
"Now what?" I said.
"Checking," Tom said. "We seemed to be tethered to some kind of large plant,"
"Let's see it," I said. "Computer, I need a wider again,"
Then It was like we were lifted.
"You can't hide from me, Q" Q said.
"And you can't take me by force," Q said. "I'll stalemate you for eternity if I have to,"
"The Hell you will, The vaunted Q Continuum Self anointed guardians of the Universe. How dare you come aboard this ship and endanger this crew with your personal tug-of-war," I said.
"Did anyone ever tell you you're angry when you're beautiful," Q said.
"Piss off," I said.
Then there was a flash again.
"We're back where we started from Captain," Tom said.
"Doesn't matter, I'm not going back into that cell," Q said.
"How would you like to spend eternity as a Gorokian midwife toad?" Q said.
"Oh, Just try it," Q said.
"Enough, You want asylum? Fine, We'll have a hearing," I said.
"A Hearing, You would have me put his future into your little hands?" Q said.
"When the Captain of a Starfleet vessel receives an official request for asylum, there is a clear procedure to follow, I suggest to end your deadlock and to save my ship," I said. "That we follow it to the letter,"
"Well, this could go on for a millennium or 2 I suppose," Q said. "All right, I accept on behalf of the Continuum on one condition, If you rule in our favor, Q agrees to return to his confinement,"
"I have a condition of my own," Q said. "If you rule in my favor Then the continuum must grant me mortality,"
"Why so you can kill yourself?" Q said.
"Exactly," Q said.
"Accepted," Q said. "Well, this is going to make for an amusing diversion, will you send him to prison for eternity, or will you assist in his suicide plan? That a toughie, but then again, that's why they made you Captain, isn't it? To handle the real tough ones, My, My. Now I guess we get to find out whether the pants, really fit,"
XXX
I give them a Day to be ready as of Tomorrow, It was going to begin.
I was in the Ready room with Chakotay.
"Captain, are you sure that this was a good idea, Even after everything we got told about him back at Starfleet Command," Chakotay said.
"I know I heard the same reports too, A week before we left Earth for DS9, But I'm afraid it is the only way to keep Voyager and this crew safe," I said. "While I am doing that, You will be in Command of Voyager till it is finished,"
"Understood," Chakotay said. "Any thing needing done?"
"Just keep doing those Diagnostics, Which we can do more of them now that we will be at Impulse for a bit, But call me of anything shows up," I said.
"Like Kazon," Chakotay said.
"Like Kazon," I said.
"Understood," Chakotay said.
Then he left.
XXX
Then Next day, we were in the Conference room, And Tuvok was with the Q that was seeking asylum.
"Let me begin by stating clearly that I expect all parties to act appropriately and with respect for these proceedings, I will not have this hearing turned into a circus, Is that clear?" I said. Which the Q Next to Tuvok Nodded. Then I look to the Q in my mind caused Wolf 359. "Is that clear, Q"
"Captain we are dealing here with an issue of the greatest importance to the Q Continuum, I can assure you, we take this matter very seriously," Q said.
"Thank you, Since you've made it clear that your asylum would lead to suicide, you place me in a difficult position," I said.
"I understand, Captain," Q said.
"May I ask why you want to commit suicide?" I said.
"As difficult as it is for you to imagine, for me, Immortality is impossible to endure any longer, In the Continuum, an individual has an obligation to be responsible to the path his life will follow," Q said.
"His life will follow, Emphasize life," Q said.
"I never yielded that obligation to the Continuum, If the Path I choose leads to death, What right have they to interfere?" Q said.
"He's putting his selfish wishes about the welfare of everyone else," Q said.
"And if I don't agree with the majority, I'm to be locked up for eternity," Q said.
"You would not be confined if you were not intent on harming yourself, With your permission Captain, I would like to call an expert on the Continuum to discuss the implications of the decision to be made," Q said.
"Proceed," I said.
"I Call myself to the stand," Q said. Then another version of him shows up. "Thank you for coming, It's a rare honor to have someone of your reputation and accomplishment with us today, Thank you, Tell me what would be the impact of a Q suicide? Oh, it would be an interruption to the Continuum, it would change the very nature of Q,"
"Can you be more specific?" I said.
"No, Because we're not even sure what the end result would be," Q said. "His suicide could have all sorts of unknown consequences for the continuum,"
"Precisely, it would force the Q to deal with the unknown for the fist time since the new Era began," Q said. "They're afraid of me because they're afraid of the unknown,"
"How would you Characterize his remarks," Q said. "No Q has ever tried to commit suicide, Immortality is one of the defining qualities of being a Q, By every measure of the Continuum, his remarks would have to be considered as mentally unbalanced, Mentally unbalanced, and no civilized people in the universe, including the primitive Federation societies, would condone the suicide of a mentally unbalanced person,"
"Tell me Q," Tuvok said. "Can you offer any other evidence of mental instability on the part of my client?"
"What more do I need?" Q said. "He wants to kill himself,"
"In fact, Until this issue arose, he was known in the continuum as one of your great philosophers," Tuvok said. "Is that not true?"
"Not anymore it isn't," Q said.
"So your entire basis for judging him mentally unbalanced is his wish to commit suicide, I submit that is is faulty premise," Tuvok said. "In many cultures, suicide is acceptable and in and of itself cannot be used as evidence of mental illness,"
"I tend to agree with Tuvok," I said.
"Oh, Vulcan's," Both Q said.
It was funny but I managed to push it down.
"Isn't it true that on occasion, the Continuum has executed Q's for certain crimes?" Tuvok said.
"On rare occasions yes," Q said.
"Didn't their deaths create an interruption in the continuum," Tuvok said.
"Their Crimes created the interruption, their deaths ended it, I know where you're going with this," Q said.
"Do you?" Tuvok said.
"And it's not going to work, Our society, like any other, must control its disruptive elements," Q said. "An execution may be undesirable I grant you that, but on some rare occasions, it is necessary and warranted, and a decision to proceed is made only after great deliberation by the entire continuum, You cannot imagine the chaos that would be created if individuals like Q here could choose between Life and death, This is a matter of social order versus anarchy,"
"I understand," Tuvok said. "And you find nothing contradictory in a society that outlaws suicide but practices capital punishment,"
"No," Q said.
"Any other questions, Lt?" I said.
"Just one other thing, Isn't it true you yourself were once accused of being mentally unstable by the Continuum? Were you not disciplined for inappropriate behaviour?" Tuvok said.
"Objection," Q said.
"I'll allow the question," I said.
"My record has been expunged," Q said.
"I will take that as a yes," Tuvok said. "Thank you, That is all,"
"You're excused," I said.
"If I may beg the court's indulgence, I have other witnesses to call," Q said.
"To what end?" I said.
"Your Captain honor, I am here to argue for the majesty of life what it means for us to be alive, A Q's life takes him to all corners of the Universe, This Q's life has touched and affected many, many others, including some on your own homeworld, With your permission, I would like to call some of those people whose lives have been changed by this Q," Q said.
"You want to bring people here from Earth?" I said.
"I promise it won't impact the timeline, and no one will remember ever having been here after I send them back," Q said. "But Maybe one who can let Starfleet Know that Voyager is out here,"
"This is most unusual, Tuvok any objections?" I said.
"I am as curious as you are, Captain," Tuvok said.
"One minute then," I said Then I headed to my ready room and grabbed a isoliner chip. With all of Information what has happened out here since we got lost, Even a few messages to people there. Then I went back into the Conference room. "Would you be able to send this with them," I said.
"Yes," Q said.
"Very well," I said. "Proceed,"
Then 3 people showed up as Did William Riker.
"Q!" William said. "What the hell is going on?"
"Easy, Will," I said.
"Scott," Will said.
"Being long," I said.
"Time, I know, Back home, you are MIA," William said.
"That's a long story, you on Voyager, We're lost in the Delta Quadrant, And before you start. No it wasn't him this time, But he has agreed to send you back with this," I said pulling up the Isoliner Chip. "It Contains everything that has happened to us so far, And there is some in there for,"
"Deanna," William said. "She kind of told me after we heard that Voyager had Disappeared,"
"Yes, also only you will remember this, no one else will, But at least Starfleet will know we are stay alive out here," I said.
"Consider it done," William said.
"Thanks William," I said. Passing him it.
"It will go out as soon as I'm back," William said. "Least I can do for you right now,"
"I'll take that any day Will," I said.
"God, If you let me live through this, I promise I'll clean up my act, I swear," The 70's guy said.
"I demand an explanation," The older guy said. "Why are you dressed like this, Young Man?"
"Man, have you looked in a mirror lately?" The 70's guy said.
"Allow me to try to explain, Mister," I said.
"Ginsberg, Maury Ginsberg," Maury said.
"Sir, Isaac Newton," Newton said.
"William Riker," Will said. "nice to meet you,"
"Scott McCall," I said. "Consider for a moment that it might be possible to travel forward in time, say to the 24th Century, Onto a starship, 75,000 lightyears from Earth, Okay, You're having a very strange dream and in this dream, you are seeing this man whom you've all met before,"
"Yes, I have seen that man before, you were sitting under the tree the day," Newton said.
"The day the apple fell on your head," Q said.
"Yes, that's right," Newton said.
"Quite a day, wasn't it? as a matter of fact, this man jostled the tree when he got up to leave," Q said.
"Just before the Apple fell, yes," Newton said.
"And a new era in human science was born," Q said.
"Wait a minute, weren't you the guy in the jeep?" Maury said.
"The guy in the jeep," Q said. "Who picked you up after your own vehicle broke down that summer afternoon, Is that right?"
"Oh man, he was a lifesaver, My van died and they dragged it off the road because of all the traffic," Maury said. "It was backed up for miles,"
"You were on your way to a job weren't you?" Q said.
"Yeah I was supposed to be on the follow spot up in Tower 3, I never would have made it in time if it weren't for him," Maury said. "Hey, whatever happened with that groovy chick with the long red beads in the back seat? I've been looking for her ever since you dropped me off,"
"You'll see her again, Don't worry," Q said.
"To sum up, you were a spotlight operator at an outdoor concert of some sort, a concert that was put in jeopardy moment before it was to begin because the entire sound system failed," Q said.
"Oh it was no big deal Somebody must have snagged an extension cord with one of the trucks that's all," Maury said. "I'm just lucky I noticed it,"
"Yes lucky you were at the right place at the right time, or it would have taken days to track down the problem and there would have been no concert," Q said.
"Well, I'm sorry to say I have met him, But I've never seen this man before in my life," William said.
"Are you sure?" Q said.
"Has it not been established that my client has been in captivity during all of Commander Riker's lifetime?" Tuvok said.
"Have you seen this photograph before?" Q said.
"Sure I have, That is Colonel Thaddeus Riker after he was wounded at Pine Mountain, They used to call him, Old Iron Boots, he was in command of the 102nd New York, During General Sherman's march on Atlanta, This picture was taken in 1864," William said. "Just after they let him out of the army hospital,"
"And the soldier beside him?" Q said.
"I'll be damned, It's him," William said.
"As a matter of fact, he carried your wounded ancestor back from the front line, Didn't you?" Q said. "My point is Captain, Q has had a profound influence on these 3 lives, Without Q, Isaac Newton would have died forgotten in a Liverpool debtor's prison a suspect in several prostitute Murders. Without Q, there would have been no concert at,"
"Woodstock," Q said.
"Wherever," Q said. "More importantly, Mr. Ginsberg would never have met his future wife the groovy chick with the long Red beads, and he would never have become a successful orthodontist, settled in Scarsdale, with 4 kids,"
"Far out," Maury said.
"Yes," Q said. "Without Q there would have been no William T. Riker at all, and I would have lost at least a dozen really good opportunities to insult him over the years, Oh and lest I forget Without Q the Borg would have Assimilated the Federation, Thank you, Thank you," Then everyone was gone including William. "This is the life that Q treats without respect, This is the life that he would give up so easily,"
"May I remind this hearing and my learned colleague, that for the last 3 centuries, My client has not been allowed contact with anyone," Tuvok said. "At this time, We would like to reproduce the environment in which he has been confined,"
"I object," Q said.
"No, I'll allow this," I said.
"These are the conditions my client will be forced to live in for eternity if you deny him asylum, Captain," Tuvok said.
"We just want to give him time to reconsider his position," Q said.
"I will never change my mind," Q said.
"This is your own doing," Q said. "You could live a perfectly normal life if you were simply willing to live a perfectly normal life,"
"I've seen enough," I said. "Please return us to the hearing room,"
"I would submit, that the quality of life my client will have to endure should be considered in this proceeding," Tuvok said.
"I don't like those conditions any more than you do, Tuvok, and I wouldn't want to spend another day there if I were you, Q," I said. "But I'm here to rule on a request for Asylum, Not to judge the penal system of the Q continuum, and he does have a point, You were confined to prevent you from doing harm to yourself, I've being doing a great deal of research, studying a variety of Cultural attitudes on suicide to help me frame the basis of a decision, Tuvok are you familiar with the double effect principle on assisted suicide that dates back to the Bolian middle ages?"
"I believe it related to the relief of suffering, does it not Captain," Tuvok said.
"It states, An action that has the principle effect of reliving suffering may be ethically justified even though the same action has the secondary effect of possibly causing death," I said. "This principle is the only thing I can find that could possibly convince me to decide in your favor, Q, And yet as I look at you, You don't seem by our standards, aged, inform or in any pain, can you show this hearing that you suffer in any manner other than that caused by the conditions of your incarceration? Any suffering that would justify a decision to grant you asylum?"
"May I request a recess to consider our response, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Granted," I said.
Then we left for a bit, Where I went down to my Quarters, Where I went in and Chloe hit me again.
"Easy, Chlo, One day you will knock me down," I said. Hugging her too.
"Sorry," Chloe said.
"Come on, Where's Clara?" I said.
"Just got everything ready," Clara said.
"Then let's get some food," I said.
As Chloe let go and sat down next to Clara.
That was when we managed to eat quietly for once, no interruptions too.
Man, How much I scared Chloe back at that Dreadnought thing. I was just into our quarters and Chloe just ran at me hugging me tight. Good thing, Clara was with her. But damn it must of scared her too. But at least Chloe didn't have to worry about of B'Elanna didn't manage to breach that core. Then it could of been another story.
Once we were finished eating, I needed to go to my ready room, Clara knew that, basically shoed me off too.
So I went back up to the Bridge and into my ready room, Going over a few things, mostly Status reports, Diagnostics reports too, Everything was good for now at least.
"Captain log, Supplemental, I'm determined to find a better alternative to suicide or endless prison, So I've summoned the Advocate Q to make him a proposal, If though I don't like him one bit, It is still in my mind that he was what caused Wolf 359. End Log," I said.
Just a minute later, That Q showed up.
"Yes, what is it Captain," Q said.
"Come to the next session of the hearing and announce that the continuum is ready to reintegrate Q into your society, that you won't condemn him to that cell for eternity," I said.
"And you will rule in our favor?" Q said.
"I would consider it a very meaningful gesture by the Continuum," I said.
"How would you know if I intended to keep my word?" Q said.
"You have been many things a rude, interfering, inconsiderate, sadistic I would even go and call you a pest to while I'm at it," I said.
"Your made your point," Q said.
"And oh yes, you introduced us to the Borg, And of sure in my mind caused Wolf 359. Thank you very much But one thing you have never been is a liar," I said.
"I think you've uncovered my one redeeming virtue, Am I blushing," Q said. "I wish I could help you Scotty, I just can't, We're dealing here with the most dangerous man in the continuum, Now I didn't tell you this, but one of his self destructive stunts created a misunderstanding which ignited the 100 year war between the Romulans and the Vulcans, No, This man does back into his confinement, But I would like to make it easier for you, The Continuum is prepared to do you a little favor if we approve of your ruling, Look out the window,"
Then I turned to see Earth.
"Now you see it, now you don't," Q said. then it vanished. Then I turned to see so did he.
XXX
We were back in the conference room.
"We are prepared to illustrate the nature of Q's Suffering Captain," Tuvok said. "But in order to do so we must show this hearing what life is like in the Continuum,"
"And how do you intend to do that?" Q said.
"By going to the Continuum itself," Tuvok said.
"Is this possible?" I said.
"No, it's a ridiculous idea," Q said. "You would never understand,"
"My client has the right to ask for an inspection of the living conditions that lead to his suffering, Captain," Tuvok said.
"I would agree with that," I said.
"I suppose you have some crazy idea how to pull this off?" Q said.
"Yes," Q said.
"Only if," Q said.
"Fine, Fine," Q said.
"We've agreed on a format for this little sojourn, But I still believe it's ill-advised," Q said.
"I'll be the judge of that," I said. "Let's go,"
Then we were transported to a road next to desert, I would say it was Mexico. Near the Border.
"This is the Q Continuum, A road in a Desert?" I said.
"I told you so," Q said.
"This is a manifestation of the continuum that we hope falls within your level of comprehension, This way," Q said.
As we followed a house with gas pumps.
"Good afternoon," I said.
"I apologize for their lack of hospitality, Captain," Q said. "We're not used to visitors here, in fact, you're the only ones who've ever come,"
"Then what is the purpose of the road?" Tuvok said.
"The Road? Takes us to the rest of the universe, then it leads back here, an endless circle," Q said.
"This was your existence before your confinement?" I said.
"I travelled the road many times, Sat on the porch, played the games, been the Dog, Everything, I was even the scarecrow for a while,"
"Why?" I said.
"Because I hadn't cone it," Q said.
"Oh, we've all done the scarecrow, big deal," Q said.
"I can't say I entirely understand what I'm seeing here, but these people don't seem to be suffering," I said.
"Well, of course, not, they're happy people," Q said. "Happy people What's there to feel sad about? Look at them,"
"They don't dare feel sad, if only they could that would be progress," Q said.
"Oh, The philosopher speaks," Q said.
"When I was a respected philosopher, I celebrated the continuity, the undeviation of Q life, I argued that our civilization had achieved a purity that no other culture had ever approached and it was wonderful for a while, At the beginning of the new era, life as a Q was a constant dialogue of discovery and issues and humor from all over the universe, but look at them now, Listen to their dialogue now," Q said.
"I am afraid I cannot hear any," Tuvok said.
"Because it has all been said, Everyone has heard everything, seen everything, They haven't had to speak to each other in 10 millennia, there's nothing left to say," Q said.
"Well, I don't know about you but I appreciate a little peace and quiet now and again," Q said.
"It's ironic, isn't it, Q?" Q said.
"I don't know what you mean," Q said.
"Of course you do," Q said. "That you, of all people, should be arguing their case,"
"I believe in the ultimate purity of the Q," Q said.
"You, who were banned from the Continuum and made mortal to pay for your crimes?" Q said.
"My penance has ended, I'm a born-again, Q," Q said. "That life is behind me,"
"What a shame," Q said. "Because, in many ways, that life inspired me,"
"It did? I Did?" Q said.
"Oh yes, you never knew that did you?" Q said. "You see, Captain, Q rebelled against this existence by refusing to behave himself, he was out of control, He used his power irresponsibly and all for his own amusement, and he desperately needed amusement because he could find none here at home,"
"And I paid the price for my inappropriate behaviour," Q said.
"No, no, we paid, the price by forcing you to stop," Q said. "but for a moment there, you really had our attention, My Attention, You gave us something to talk about, but then you surrendered to the will of the Continuum like a good little Q, and may I say you've become a fine, upstanding member of the Continuum but I miss the Irrepressible Q, The one who forced me to think, May I borrow this? This was the beginning of my fall from grace, This was the last edition, by the way, They shut down the Presses after I wrote that, but they couldn't keep me silent, I continued to speak out in favour of Self termination,"
"That's when he lost his mind and started trying to destroy himself, We had no choice but to confine him but for his own safety," Q said.
"Not for my safety, For theirs," Q said. "I was the greatest threat the Continuum had ever known, They feared me so much, they had to lock me away for eternity, and when they did that they were saying that the individual's rights will be protected only so long as they don't conflict with the state, Nothing is so dangerous to a society, My life's work is complete but they force immortality on me, and when they do that, they cheapen and denigrate my life and life in the continuum, all life, Captain, you're an explorer, what if you had nothing left to explore? would you want to live forever under those circumstances? You want me to prove to you that I suffer in terms that you can equate with pain or disease, Look at us, When life has become futile, meaningless, unendurable, it must be allowed to end, Can't you see Captain? For us, the disease is immortality,"
Then we were back on Voyager in the Conference room.
"We rest our case, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Very well, I'll make my ruling in the morning," I said. "We'll be in recess until then,"
Then left.
XXX
I was down in my quarters and Chloe and Clara was in bed asleep but I couldn't sleep.
So I was on my PS and then.
"Trouble sleeping?" Q said showing up.
"Bloody hell," I said. "Get out,"
"Did you think about our offer?" Q said.
"You mean your bribe," I said.
"Merely an incentive to make the proper decision," Q said.
"It'll play no part in my deliberations," I said.
"No, I told them it wouldn't," Q said. "That's why I talked them into giving you what you asked for, You have my word, He won't go back to the cell, We'll assign someone to look after him, whatever it takes, It's what you wanted, isn't it?"
"That's what I wanted," I said.
"So, you've won, Let's celebrate, Just you and me the 2 of us," Q said.
"What?" I said.
"I'll take you home, Before you know it, you'll be scampering across the meadow with these little puppies, the grass beneath your bare feet, A Girl coming over the hill, way in the distance waves to you," Q said.
"Enough," I said. "Leave,"
"We'll talk about this after the hearing tomorrow, maybe something you want to hear," Q said then vanished.
XXX
I was in the Conference room.
"I've tried to find some way to reconcile all the conflicting emotions I've Felt during this hearing, My own aversion to suicide, My compassion for your situation, Q, It hasn't been easy, I've tried to tell myself that this is not about suicide, but about granting asylum, that I am not personally being asked to perform euthanasia, and as technically true as that may be, I cannot escape the moral implications of my choices, I've also had to consider that a decision to grant asylum, and the subsequent suicide of a Q, might have a significant impact on the Continuum, That such a decision could change the nature of an entire society, whether it be a favorable or unfavourable change, disturbs me greatly. But then there are the rights of the individual in this matter, I don't believe that you are mentally unbalanced, and I do believe that you are suffering intolerably, Under these conditions, I find it impossible to support immortality forced on an individual by the state, the unforeseen disruption that may occur in the Continuum is not enough, in my opinion, to justify any additional suffering by this individual," I said. "So, I hereby grant you asylum,"
"May I see you in your chambers captain," Q said.
"You've been in my chamber enough for one visit," I said.
"A sidebar, your honor," Q said. "Only for a moment,"
"She ruled in my favor, You made a promise," Q said. "Nothing happened, nothing, My powers are gone, I'm mortal,"
"Well, so much for ticker tape parades," Q said.
"I'm not finished, Q, Now that you're mortal, you have a new existence to explore, an entirely new state of being filled with the mysteries of mortal life, pleasures you've never felt before, I like this life, Q, You might too," I said. "Think hard before you gave it up, Really hard," As he nodded, "This hearing is adjourned,"
XXX
"Captain's log Stardate 49301.2. We have assigned quarters to our new passenger, Who has entered his name on our crew manifest as Quinn, I'm anxious to engage him in ship activities as soon as possible, End log," I said.
Then Chakotay came in.
"How about Stellar Cartography?" Chakotay said.
"We could shut down Stellar Cartography will all the knowledge he'd bring to the job," I said.
"Well, that's going to be a problem with just about everything we assign him to," Chakotay said.
"There's got to be something on board that," I said.
"Sickbay to Captain McCall," Doc said
"Go ahead," I said.
"Captain, I think you should come down to Sickbay. Mr. Quinn is here, I'm afraid he's dying," Doc said.
"On my way," I said.
Then Headed down there and into Sickbay where he was laying an a bio-bed.
"There's nothing you can do?" I said.
"He's ingested a rare form of Nogatch Hemlock," Doc said. "There is no known cure,"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you captain, but I would only have been pretending to fit in to this mortal existence, This is my final gift to my people, Oh, tell them those were my last words," Quinn said. "I dearly thank you for making this poss," Then he was gone.
"Doctor, Do you generally keep samples of fatal poisons in storage?" Tuvok said.
"No," Doc said.
"The replicators will not produce them either," Tuvok said.
"So how did he get his hands on Nogatch Hemlock," I said.
Then Q showed up. "I got it for him," He said.
"You assisted his suicide?" Tuvok said.
"Illogical, Tuvok, I don't think so, By demanding to end his life, he taught me a little something about my own, He was right when he said the Continuum scared me back in line, I didn't have his courage or his convictions, He called me Irrepressible, This was a man who was truly irrepressible, I only hope I make a worthy student," Q said.
"I imagine the Continuum won't be very happy with you, Q, " I said.
"I certainly hope not, Au Revoir, Captain," Q said then vanished.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!