Chapter 12

Earth, 1881

True to her word, Mae's cousin Rob had been able to help Guinan secure a job on one of the odd transport ground-level vehicles she learned was called a train. Cousin Rob was a porter on board a railroad line, the type of job he said was almost exclusively reserved for Negro males. A Negro, was, she discovered, what the E-arth people of this region believed she was. On the one hand it was good that her physical appearance fit in so easily with the other humans, just as her grandmother had said she would. On the other hand she was learning quickly that she was by no means safe, either as a Negro, or as an alien visitor on this planet. In any case, the sooner she found the piece of the Other, the better.

After the man she had interviewed with at the "Rock Island" Railroad had examined her hands, circled her a few times and informed her that any items that went missing on the train would be taken out of her pay, she was hired as something called a "maid". She was lucky, Rob had told her proudly, for these jobs were hard to get. She was certainly grateful to Rob, who told her the Rock Island Railroad line would get her as far north as Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which he indicated was only "part o' the way there." She would then have to find another way to travel the rest of the way to her destination in the Black Hills.

Rob, a young enterprising man in his twenties told her his assignment ended in Chicago, which is where he would have to part ways with her. He warned her that the way would be dangerous, and suggested she re-think her journey, but of course she could not.

The first day she was on the train, she had managed to learn most of her duties as quickly as possible. The conductor had indicated there was a number of prominent passengers on this train, and everything had to be kept ship shape so as not to displease them. "Speak only when spoken to," Rob had warned her. "And never look them in the eye. They don't like that."

So on that first day, when she brought fresh linens into the plush Pullman car bringing up the rear of the train, she did not make eye contact with the occupant of the private compartment with the gold inlay on the door. The man sat forward and smoothed his well-groomed beard, watching her carefully with a small smile. Placing the linens down just so as she had been trained to do, and looking around to make sure everything was in order, Guinan backed slowly out of the doorway.

Just then there was a commotion behind her in outside in the passageway. It was one of the conductors. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, red-faced. "The gentleman expressly stated he did not wish to be disturbed today," shouted the conductor.

"Oh," said Guinan, not knowing how exactly she was supposed to respond to this quivering, unattractive human being, who was unfortunately also her boss.

The conductor grew even more red-faced, shaking his finger at her. "You stupid girl," he shouted. "Why I ought to—"

Guinan's eyes narrowed and she squeezed her hand into a tight fist, picturing it punching into the man's fat face.

Suddenly the passenger had entered the doorway. He was tall and dark-haired with a cunning expression and a look of amusement on his face. "What seems to be the problem here?" he questioned.

"Sir," the conductor sputtered. "This maid was here in your quarters unauthorized sir, and I do apologize—"

"Nonsense," said the man haughtily. "She's perfectly authorized as far as I'm concerned."

"But—but Mr. Q-," protested the conductor, stumbling over his words.

"The name's Quentin," the passenger corrected the man looking annoyed now. He snapped his fingers. "Now be gone you wretched little man." Guinan watched with mild satisfaction as the conductor hurried back down the passageway without another word. "Now," said Mr. Quentin. "I believe you and I have business to discuss."

On board the Romulan Warbird Tavix, en route to Kronos

"Sub-commander Saris, your services are needed," Commander Tomalak said, sitting back in his chair with his hands clasped over his stomach. His expression, she noted was as typically sinister as it was condescending.

She put her hands behind her back. "So you have said, Commander," she replied icily. "But as you are aware my expertise is in engineering. I have never before been asked to provide services as a prostitute."

"As the humans say, 'there is a first time for everything'," said Tomalak slyly. For someone who reputedly hated humans as much as the most xenophobic Romulans in the Senate, Tomalak was known for quoting human metaphors on a regular basis. "Besides," he added, deciding to throw in a Romulan saying. "'All is done for the good of the Empire'," said Tomalak.

Saris simply stared at a point above Tomalak's shoulder. "And you believe the Enterprise engineer will respond to such…tactics."

"According to Bochra, the Enterprise Chief Engineer, while very skilled and clever is susceptible to emotion."

"As are all humans," said Saris. "Just one of their many weaknesses."

"LaForge had many opportunities to kill Centurion Bochra while they were stranded on Galorndon Core, but he did not. His compassion, as humans call it, will be his downfall again no doubt, when faced with your charms, not to mention your expertise in engineering. You will find out what we need to know about the Borg and the Federation from LaForge."

Saris scowled, but held her tongue. Her cousin, Centurion Bochra had been retrieved from the Enterprise by Tomalak a few months ago, and had paid the price for his cooperation with LaForge when he was executed upon his return to Romulus. "Yes, Commander," she said.

Enterprise

"Captain, I need to talk to you," Beverly called to him from down the corridor. Crew members slowed and looked on curiously as she hurried to catch up with Captain Picard.

He halted and turned around. He was tolerant of her yelling at him when they were alone, but really must she do so in public?

"Yes, Doctor, I was just coming from the bridge. What can I do for you?" he asked. Her expression was intense as she caught up with him.

Beverly moved out of the way of a passing crewman. "I need to speak with you right now," she said emphatically, but keeping her voice low.

He tried to gauge her mood, but couldn't. She didn't seem angry—yet. "Alright," he agreed. "I was going back to my quarters," he offered. He smiled slightly, hoping that such an invitation might improve her mood this evening. But she didn't respond to the suggestion in the way he had hoped. He saw a hesitation in her eyes, and perhaps something even more distressing. Was it fear?

"No," she said quickly. Seeing the vaguely injured look in his eyes, she reached out to touch his arm. She nodded toward the holodeck. "Let's go in there," she said.

Once inside and surrounded by the familiar gold grid, Picard stood looking at Beverly with growing confusion. He waited for her to speak.

She was clearly nervous, but again he had no idea why. "Have you seen Data in the last hour?" she asked him.

He shook his head. "No. Not since I left his lab."

She took a breath to steady herself. "Jean-Luc, I just came from seeing Commander Riker and Data. Data was injured by someone. He said it was you who did it."

Picard shook his head and appeared genuinely shocked. "What? Is he alright?"

She smiled and there was obvious relief in her face. Did she really believe he had harmed Data in some way? "Yes he is going to be fine," she said. "But Jean-Luc…I need to hear it from you. Do you know what might have happened to Data?"

"No! Of course I don't, although it should have been reported to me, dammit. Why am I only just hearing of this?" he demanded.

Beverly took a step backward. "Don't yell at me," she said firmly.

He dropped his gaze and ran a hand over his eyes. She could tell he was attempting to calm himself down. But it didn't cause her to feel any more at ease. "Jean-Luc, how long have we known each other?" she asked.

He frowned, as if puzzled by such an obvious question. "Over twenty years…" he replied.

"And I trusted you enough to ask you about Data without making my own conclusions. You know I couldn't believe you would knowingly do such a thing to Data."

He straightened, feeling grateful for her support. "Yes. Thank you, Beverly."

She took his hand and rubbed the back of it softly with her thumb. "So I need you to trust me now, and listen to what I have to say…okay?"

"Okay," he agreed.

"I think that the artifact you picked up on Risa is causing you to do things you would not normally do—"

"Beverly!"

She let go of his hand. "You said you would listen to me…."

He quieted and made a gesture as if to tell her to carry on.

"You would not knowingly hurt Data, and I don't think you acted knowingly." She continued. He moved away from her and brought his hand to his forehead again looking confused and pained.

"I—I told you I didn't do it," he muttered.

"Data says the artifact has traces of dark matter. Jean-Luc it's not even of this universe. It's not supposed to be here."

"The tests were inconclusive," he said quietly. "You don't know what it is." He walked all the way to the far wall. He wasn't feeling right. His mind was hazy again. "The woman is trying to trick you," the voice whispered.

"And neither do you," she reasoned. She took a deep breath, facing him squarely. "Everyone is noticing the change in you, Jean-Luc. Everyone but you."

"Do you want me to give it up?" He exploded, keeping himself plastered to the wall as he screamed at her. "So that you can have your way?" His face contorted and he was almost unrecognizable to her in that moment.

Beverly's eyes widened. "Yes...I want you to give it up, Jean-Luc," she said backing away from him toward the door. When it opened she slipped out, still keeping her eyes fixed on him.

Hey thanks for your interest in this story, hope you enjoy. Best, -PP