Chapter 5

"Why did Mother leave, Father?" Young Guinan asked as she helped her father limp down the path to their home. Despite his prior orders for her to keep out if his lab, he seemed grateful that she had shown up when she did. She could tell he was injured. Where had he been; what had he been doing?

"She left because I wasn't enough for her. Because we were not enough for her," he said looking down at his daughter. Her father had a habit of being unfailingly honest, sometimes at the expense of the feelings of others. Good thing Guinan had already developed natural defenses to emotional pain.

"But why?"

"Your mother is gifted, just as you are. She has always had a great need to use those gifts, often with little attempt at self-restraint. She can travel between dimensions effortlessly or sense how you are feeling, and find a way to help even the most desperate person. Many of our people are talented listeners, Guinan. Others can travel as she does. But none can do so as well as your mother."

"Not even you, Father?"

He laughed. "Oh most certainly not me. My talents lay in the sciences. The ability to traverse the dimensions through the power of my mind simply does not exist in me. But one day, you will see it exists in you."

Guinan fell silent as they approached their home. "So you travel with your device? That is why you created it...to find Mother."

Her father's lips trembled. "Yes, that is why. But I cannot find her. And the longer I search, the more I come to understand she does not want to be found," he said.

She suddenly stopped and gripped her father's hand looking up at him. "Let me try! I will try to find her using the device."

"No!" He bent down and grasped her by the shoulders. "You must keep away from that device, Guinan. I forbid you, do you understand?"

She nodded. "Yes," she said obediently. His eyes began to glisten with tears and then he hugged her to him.

"Are you going to sit there all day?"

Geordi Laforge sat hunched over a cup of coffee at a table in Ten Forward. "Huh?" he glanced up and then back into his nearly empty cup.

"I said are you going to sit there all day?" Guinan moved from behind the bar and walked over to Geordi's table where he sat alone. "You're scaring away the rest of my customers."

LaForge looked up now with an un-amused expression. "Of course I'm not going to sit here all day…I'm actually expected at a briefing on the bridge in a few minutes." He resumed looking into his cup sullenly as though it held the answers to all of life's questions.

"Let me guess…woman problems again?" Guinan stood and watched him placidly.

LaForge sighed. "You know I thought I hit a low point when I created that holodeck image of Leah Brahms a few weeks ago…but I actually feel more pathetic now that I've deactivated it. It's as though…well I couldn't be more alone, you know?"

She put a hand on his shoulder. "You did the right thing, Geordi. A computer program only goes so far after all. Don't you think you deserve the real thing?"

He looked up at her and his forehead wrinkled as though he did not quite comprehend what she just said. "You mean a real woman?"

Guinan leaned down and looked directly into his Visor. "Yes…a real woman." She tapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, time for your briefing."

Reluctantly he rose to his feet. "Thanks…I guess," he said, glancing back again before moving to exit the lounge.

After Geordi had left Ten Forward, Guinan turned to find she was now alone. Standing there in the sudden quiet, her senses suddenly seemed magnified. She tilted her head and grew still. Her eyes narrowed. Something was on this ship that shouldn't be here. And that thing that shouldn't be on the ship should not have even existed.

Riker and Worf looked up as Picard walked into the conference room. Riker watched the Captain, as he sat down. He seemed somewhat out of breath, which certainly wasn't like him. And his face was flushed. Despite his slight shortness of breath he sat down in his chair rather slowly. He'd only last seen him about 45 minutes earlier, and at that time he was not exactly on speaking terms with Doctor Crusher. Oh, this is interesting. Riker raised a single eyebrow but was careful not to allow his growing amusement show. Must have been just what the doctor ordered.

"Everything alright, sir?" Riker asked with a serious expression.

Worf looked at Riker and then Captain Picard. He seemed entirely normal to Worf. Humans, he thought.

Picard activated his computer screen and took a gulp from his water glass. "Yes," he said hoarsely and then cleared his throat.

"Thank you. I'm quite well, actually." He allowed himself a small smile. Then his expression immediately sobered, and he tugged at his uniform, tapping at his computer screen.

Geordi LaForge, who had been trailing several steps behind the Captain before stopping briefly on the bridge to brag to Wesley Crusher about the improved warp engine efficiency now entered the room. Geordi frowned as he sat down. Captain Picard's infrared readings were off the charts. "You okay, Captain? You look like you just ran five miles, flat out."

Or the equivalent, Riker thought, resting his chin in his hand and watching Captain Picard's curious reaction with raised eyebrows.

Picard clenched his jaw tightly. "I assure you gentlemen, I am quite well. Now, if you don't mind I should like to get on with the business at hand."

2153

"Guinan, please come closer," the old woman beckoned. She reached her hand out weakly. "Come..."

Guinan put down her bag near the doorway and move to sit down at her grandmother's side. "How are you, Momi?" She asked.

"For having lived over one thousand cycles I am strong enough. But soon I will move on to the next world." She began to cough dryly and Guinan handed her a cup of water, which her grandmother took with shaking hands. After drinking she placed the cup down on the bedside with a rattling sound. She took in a ragged breath and grasped for Guinan's hand.

Her grandmother was nearly blind now, but Guinan marveled that as a child hundreds of cycles ago, she had believed her grandmother old. There was no telling just how much longer she might live. But Guinan was never one to deny reality.

"You have become a great teacher of the El Aurian people, Guinan. But you are still a child."

"Momi," she laughed. "I am already several hundred cycles old."

"As I said...still a child. And still you infuriate your father. You have used his device and he knows it."

Guinan smiled. "Yes," she admitted. "I have. But unlike him I have used it for exploration and learning not for obsession. I take what I have learned and I bring it back to teach the people about other cultures and other forms of life on distant worlds."

Her grandmother's eyes seemed to sparkle in the firefight. "But you really do it for the adventure, don't you?" Guinan simply smiled in response. "Then you have not sought out your mother? Don't you want to know where she is?"

Guinan shrugged. "I'm not sure I want to find her. I hardly remember her after all."

Her grandmother's breathing became ragged again. Her eyes took on a faraway look. "You must grow up now, Guinan. We need you."

Guinan shook her head. "What do you mean?"

Her grandmother's eyes turned darker. "I have been to the future...I have shifted over one hundred cycles ahead in time and I have seen...horrible things. They are coming!" She sat up in bed and gripped Guinan's hand desperately.

"Who? Who are they?"

"Unfeeling...uncaring...they will kill and enslave this world and even this galaxy if we allow them. They care only of enslaving living souls inside of machinery."

Guinan stood up. Invaders from another world. "No..." Could this be true? She knelt down again and took her grandmother's hands in her own. "Tell me what I must do to stop them," she whispered imploringly.

Her grandmother shook her head. "No you cannot stop them. Our people will suffer greatly and will scatter across the galaxy when it is all said and done. But if the Other is empowered by their invasion this world will surely cease to exist. His plan is revenge. Yes. It has been your destiny all along, child. Stop his evil before it is too late."

The Other. They had not spoken of him in years, because they hadn't needed to. "How?"

"You must find the pieces of his soul-those scattered across the dimensions when Orla defeated him. There are three. You must find each one. And when you have found them all, you must take them to Orla."

"But...Orla can be found?"

"She exists in an area of space that can only be found if Orla sees fit to welcome you to her. It is called the Mind's Eye." Her grandmother lay back down tiredly. "Only once the three errant pieces have been brought to Orla may you rest, Guinan."

Guinan took a deep breath. "And when I find these three pieces, what about the fourth, which still sits somewhere up on the hill?"

"That is the most dangerous..."

"Why?" questioned Guinan.

"Because it is said that it fell closest to the place where the Other was defeated by Orla. Unlike the other pieces of his body which splintered around the universe it stayed here on El Auria...waiting."

"Waiting for what? Are you saying it has consciousness?"

Her grandmother didn't seem to hear her and continued. "But the old teachings said that once the three stray pieces were gathered and vanquished then the fourth would become inert and powerless. It is said that it may even fade away to nothingness. But remember that if it must be touched, it can only be handled and disposed of with a loving hand."

"So he can be destroyed? Love is powerful enough to destroy the Other?"

"No, no, you should know by now, love does not destroy. Love creates and love transforms even hate; even evil."

Guinan stared at her. Even if she was right how was she supposed to find these pieces? They could be anywhere...

"Look inside that drawer," said her grandmother apparently reading her mind. Obediently Guinan walked over and

carefully opened a creaky drawer. Inside we're odds and ends and a substantial amount of dust. Her eyes fell on a light brown piece of paper which had been folded into a square. Cautiously she unfolded the paper. There was nothing written on it. She turned back to her grandmother questioningly.

Her grandmother gestured to her. "Bring that here." As soon as Guinan handed her the paper it turned into a black sheet interlaced with glowing shapes and points of light. "When I die Guinan, this map will function for you as it has for me."

"It's a star chart?"

"Yes. I believe you will find it very useful. Tonight I depart for a new horizon, so now bid me farewell."

Deanna walked to the door of her office. She was surprised to have received a call from Beverly Crusher minutes ago, asking for a last minute appointment. Luckily, she had an opening in her schedule. Of course for her good friend, she would have made one.

She smiled to find Beverly standing in her doorway. "Hi," Beverly said with a quick smile.

Despite the turmoil Beverly had experienced recently she looked wonderful. "Please come in," invited Deanna, gesturing to a comfortable chair.

Her friend nodded and stepped into the room. The sat down and regarded each other quietly for a few moments. Deanna crossed one knee over the other and laced her fingers in her lap. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise."

Beverly broke into a nervous smile. "I thought I would take you up on your offer for a session. And…now's as good a time as any, I suppose." She trailed off and her smile faded slightly. She tried to bring the smile back, but now it seemed to Deanna to be somewhat forced.

Deanna leaned forward slightly in her chair. "What brings you here today, Beverly?"

Beverly looked down at her hands in her lap and shook her head. She looked up again. "I don't know, really…so much has happened recently. I uh…I am still coping with what happened to Wesley, and Allen's death…."

"You experienced several traumatic events recently, Beverly. You're feelings of uncertainty is quite natural," Deanna said gently. She brightened. "But you also have good news: Wesley made a full recovery and has been promoted to full Ensign." Beverly smiled at that. "And you have embarked on a new relationship," Deanna added.

Beverly straightened. "It's not common knowledge yet, is it? Although I am sure the rumor mill is turning away."

Troi laughed. "I am sure that not everyone on board is aware that you and Captain Picard are now involved. Not yet at least," she added with a small smile. "How are things going?"

"With me and Jean-the Captain?" she corrected. Deanna's mouth twitched, but she kept her smile in check.

"Overall, to be honest with you, it is wonderful," admitted

Beverly looking mildly embarrassed.

"I was going to say, you looked quite radiant when you came into my office a few minutes ago."

Beverly laughed and then brought her hand to her lips. "Yes, the whole thing is so surprising for both of us, and I feel…very happy most of the time."

"Well, it is a new relationship, which can be exhilarating."

"Yes, it is new. But we've known each other for so many years, that the uneasiness of that history sometimes gets in the way."

Deanna leaned back in her chair. "Is he also aware of this complication?"

Beverly nodded. "Yes, I think he is really trying…we both are."

Troi smiled gently. "That sounds very promising then." Beverly returned her smile but then looked away. "What is it Beverly?"

"Something so strange happened earlier today in sick bay. He had that horrible headache…remember at the ceremony on Vidian IV?" Deanna nodded yes. "And so he agreed to allow me to run a brain scan. Anyway, there was a moment when—when he looked like someone else who didn't even know me. Deanna, it frightened me."

Beverly looked as though she was re-living the shock of that moment so thoroughly, that Troi got up from her seat and took her friend into her arms.

Louisiana, 1881

She awoke and it was wet and dark all around her. There was a sucking sound as she sat up, pushing her hands into the squishy surface beneath her. She wiped vegetable-like substance from her eyes and nose before taking a deep breath. Thank goodness the atmosphere was breathable. The strange musical language of what she assumed was some species of insect surrounded her. The tiny universal translator attached to her wrist failed her on this one.

Hopefully it would aid her communication better with the humanoid inhabitants she needed to interact with in order to reach her goal. She had attempted a crash course in the language of the dominant inhabitants of this region, but hadn't had time to master anything but the basics. In any case the sound of the chirping creatures was quite pleasant and set her mind at ease, reminding her of a similar species on her home planet.

But where was she? Her grandmother's map wasn't perfectly accurate; that much she had learned in the past few decades, on this sometimes seemingly endless quest. She knelt down on one knee and took a tiny square of cloth out of her pocket. It immediately unfolded into a glowing star map. She touched it to focus in on a star system, then on eight planets orbiting a gorgeous orange-hued sun.

If her grandmother's calculations were right, this was where the last piece was said to be located. There had been only three for her to locate, according to her grandmother.

She got to her feet and took a few paces. There were immense twisting trees all around her in the dark. She adjusted the instrument on her wrist and a pale light emitted from several points on it, allowing her to at least see her feet in the vast darkness. Suddenly, a great thumping sound reverberated underneath her feet and she heard voices. The voices were not close enough for the translator to decipher what they were saying. She hid down in the roots of a giant tree, and watched as the thumping grew so loud that she felt it in her bones. Whatever was approaching was in possession of a light source of some kind, and now feeling a palpable sense of fear, she shut off the light on her wrist.

The pounding slowed and she could now see them approaching. Four immense creatures with block-like feet, four legs and muscular bodies trotted past her hiding spot. On top of each of the creatures sat a humanoid shape—two legs, from what she could see. The clothing adorning each of the humanoids was identical and was pure white. Their faces, if they had them, were hidden by strange pointed coverings—hats of some kind, which were also white in color.

One of the humanoids held a light of some kind, and he lowered it in a sweeping motion in front of him as though he were looking for something. And then suddenly she felt very strongly that she hoped he was not looking for her.