DEEP SPACE 9
Rapture - Aftermath
Deep Space 9
Ops, as Major Kira arrives by turbolift
"I've never seen the Temple so crowded," Kira Nerys remarked wonderingly. "Seemed like every Bajoran on the station was there to pray for the Emissary." And such he was, Kira knew now. The ways of the Prophets were often obscure, but there was absolutely no doubt in her mind that only one touched by Them could find B'hala - and much to her joy and the profound joy of all Bajor, somehow he had. He'd seen what now seemed obvious, that the two missing faces of the spire were reflected in the waterfall. Surely he was guided by the Prophets.
Ever the sceptic, her friend Jadzia Dax said, concerned, "Glad to hear it. He's going to need all the help he can get if he's going to survive this."
"The Captain is not going to die," Kira answered with bedrock certainty. "He is the Emissary. The Prophets will take care of him."
CPO Miles O'Brien was Starfleet to the core, and as such he was a worrier. "With all due respect, Major, I'd rather see Julian take care of him."
"Chief, I know you're worried, but the Prophets are leading the Emissary on this path for a reason."
Worf interjected dismissively, "Do not attempt to convince them, Major. They cannot understand."
"Since when did you believe in the Prophets?" Dax asked, surprised.
In truth, Worf did not. Starfleet's official position on the Prophets was that they were alien creatures existing in a different space-time continuum, and he wholeheartedly subscribed to that opinion. But that was not the point. "What I believe in is faith. Without it there can be no victory. If the Captain's faith is strong, he will prevail." In his way he was as devout as Kira.
"That's not much to bet his life on," Dax frowned.
Kira gave her a generous smile. She'd never been certain at first that Starfleet even belonged here, and believed the Bajorans should - and damn well could - sort out their own problems. But in nearly five years, she'd become convinced that a little help couldn't possibly hurt - and it was Their will, and not for her to argue. Plus they'd become her friends, and she loved them - especially the Emissary. "You're wrong," she denied gently but with conviction. "It's everything."
"I hope you're right, Major," Miles said. "I hope you're right."
Deep Space 9
Guest quarters
Ben Sisko was kneeling before the Orb, shuddering and sweating. The pain Julian had warned him about was greater now than anything he'd ever known, with the possible exception of losing Jennifer, but equally strong was his conviction that it was happening for a reason. He'd been so certain on the Promenade. He knew the things he'd said were true.
Kai Winn Adami was finishing a prayer to Them. "He asks for Your guidance. Let him see with Your eyes. Lift the veil of darkness that obscures his path." She rose, turned and ventured, "Emissary?"
Sisko managed to nod. "I'm ready." A vicious headache hit him, and he gasped.
"The Orb of Prophecy is very powerful," she said worriedly. Alien or not, he was the Emissary, sent by the Prophets in Bajor's time of need. Like Kira, she had doubted him. But she too was convinced when he found B'hala; only the true, genuine Emissary could have found the Holy City, lost for twenty millennia. "It taxes even the healthy." Which, Prophets help you, you are not. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I have to," Sisko ground out. "I need to bring the visions into focus, tie them together. I can't do it alone."
"But you're very weak," she protested, untactful but true. "Perhaps it would be better to wait until after the signing."
She was right, and the Starfleet captain in him appreciated her efforts. But he had to do it. He had to know.
"I may not have time...I need to do this now."
"As you wish," Winn conceded. So be it. "May the Prophets reveal Their wisdom to you, Emissary."
With that she rose and left. With effort, Sisko opened the doors. The light of the Orb filled the room.
His Orb experience began.
Deep Space 9
The Wardroom
For this momentous occasion, the Federation had decided, PADDs simply wouldn't do, and so the table held genuine (albeit replicated) pens and paper.
"He's already an hour late," Admiral Whatley declared, concerned.
Winn answered, with equal concern - but for a different reason - "He's still consulting the Orb of Prophecy."
Starfleet's position on religion had always been one of tolerance, accepting belief systems ranging from the minor, such as the legendary Captain Hunter wearing a phoenix crest feather in her hair, to the truly bizarre. But the Bajorans were different, because they knew their gods existed. It was simply a question of exactly what they were. So he inquired, trying not to sound sceptical, "How long do these Orb experiences last?"
Winn was well aware of the Starfleet position, but she knew they would never understand. Even one of their own playwrights had said it:
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio/Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
So she answered, "Minutes...hours...sometimes days."
It was the answer Whatley had expected, but they couldn't wait for hours or days. Not even for - he mentally grimaced - the Emissary. "Then maybe we shouldn't wait for him," he decided. "Do you have any objections to proceeding without Captain Sisko?"
She frowned. "I'm sure the Emissary would want to be here, but under the circumstances..." She too wished to proceed with the joining of Bajor to the Federation. If it is Their will, let it be so.
"May I have your attention," Whatley requested authoritatively. "I've been looking forward to this day for many years, as I'm sure all of you have. Welcoming a new planet to the Federation is the happiest assignment an admiral could hope for. The Federation is not just a union of planets; it's much more -"
He was interrupted by Sisko stumbling into the room, clearly exhausted but driven by conviction. His eyes were wild.
The Council of Ministers reacted, stunned, to his clearly distressed condition. "Emissary!" Winn gasped.
Admiral Whatley reacted as he was trained to. "Get him to the Infirmary -"
"No!" Sisko rasped, desperate to get it out. "I have to tell them!"
"What is it, Emissary?" Winn asked urgently, knowing there was very little time. "Have the Prophets revealed something to you?"
His reply was entirely unexpected.
"LOCUSTS!" he ground out. "They'll destroy Bajor, unless it stands alone!"
Whatley was confused. Was this the ravings of a demented man...or something more? "Ben, what the hell are you talking about?"
Benjamin Sisko, Starfleet Captain, Emissary of the Prophets, spoke the words he'd never, ever expected to say, the words which made a mockery of his entire mission and went against everything he held dear - and yet he knew, he knew he was right. He said them:
"It's TOO SOON! Bajor must NOT join the Federation! If it does, it will be DESTROYED!"
With those fateful words, he collapsed into a fit.
Two Vedeks needed no permission from Her Eminence to aid the Emissary. They carried him to the Infirmary, where Dr. Julian Bashir shook his head and said to the orderlies, "I've been waiting for this. Get him into Surgery immediately. Assemble the repolarising equipment." Anxiously they complied. They were both Bajoran, and silently prayed for the Emissary.
Damn, Julian thought, not for the first time, I wish site-to-site transporters were standard on space stations - it'd save time.
Deep Space 9
The Infirmary
"His entire central nervous system is depolarising," Julian pronounced. "We have to operate immediately."
To Whatley this seemed an obvious fact, and should be a fait accompli. But he knew Bashir's stellar record and knew that if he was hesitating there had to be a good reason. Still, he asked, "Then what are you waiting for?"
Kira stated, "Captain Sisko made it clear he didn't want surgery." To her the wishes of the Emissary had to take precedence, even at the cost of his life. But she was sure it wouldn't come to that - They would never let their Emissary die.
"What are you suggesting, Major?" Kasidy protested fervently. "We stand around and let him die?"
"It isn't about what I want or what you want, it's about Captain Sisko. And he told us he doesn't want anything interfering with his visions."
Whatley said, "Major, these visions may be important, but I think we're all in agreement here that they are not as important as Captain Sisko's life. Start the procedures," he ordered the doctor.
But Julian stood his ground, certain Starfleet Medical would back him up even if Sisko died. The Hippocratic Oath forbade it; his patient's wishes, however irrational, were paramount. "It's not that simple. Captain Sisko refused surgery and I can't go against the decision of my patient. Not without the express consent of his closest relative," he added, turning to Jake.
The young man had never faced such a profound decision. Pennington seemed trivial compared to this. He knew what Dad wanted...but he also knew Dad had to be there to see his vision come true. There was only one choice to be made, and he made it.
"I guess that means it's up to me." He leaned over the prone Sisko and murmured brokenly, "Dad, I know you want to see this thing to the end, but I need you. I'm sorry." He straightened up and addressed Julian. "Do what you have to do."
"Prepare for surgery," Julian announced instantly. It wasn't a complicated procedure, not for him, but there was no time to waste. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. Nurse," he ordered, and they began.
Deep Space 9
The Wardroom
Whatley sat before the Bajoran and Federation officials and immediately said apologetically, "Your Eminence, you must understand that Captain Sisko's position on this matter is not the official Federation position, plus he was clearly gravely ill. Now it's true he is apparently important to the people of Bajor, but one man's opinion doesn't change anything."
Winn was disappointed, but serene. The Prophets had spoken through their Emissary, and that was that. "It does, Admiral, when that one man is the Emissary. As Kai and as the spiritual leader of Bajor, I cannot dismiss his words." She frowned. "I admit it seems odd that They should not wish us to join, particularly as They have already sent a guide to us intended to bring about that very thing, but if the Emissary has said it, then it must be so."
The Vedeks with her nodded in agreement. One pronounced, "The words of the Emissary were clear. They were undeniable. To ignore the word of the Prophets is to invite chaos and destruction upon Bajor." As a survivor of the Occupation, Tola Merak remembered the brutal rule of the Cardassians all too well. He still bore the scars of a whipping. "We have already seen enough of that."
The Kai, also an Occupation survivor, agreed. "I must support the word of the Emissary, Admiral. I am truly sorry, but it seems Bajor will not be joining the Federation today."
"But -" Whatley protested.
She raised her hand and smiled gently. "The decision, however, is not carved in stone. The Emissary said it was too soon - not that it would never occur. For the moment, we must wait and see what the future holds. I for one am confident that we need only follow the will of the Prophets in order to prevail. And Bajor will join the Federation...just - not today." She stood and bowed gracefully to the Federation officials. "Thank you for coming, my friends. I am sorry you have come so far for a wasted journey. May you walk with the Prophets."
With that, she and the Vedeks left. Shortly afterwards the Council of Ministers reached a decision. The Emissary had told them Bajor should not join the Federation. Therefore, they resolved, it would not. At least, not yet. They did not understand the reasoning, but a minister declared, "It is not for us to understand Their plan until we Ascend and join Them in the Celestial Temple. For now, we must not go against Their word."
The others agreed, as did the Kai. The decision was unanimous. What the ultimate consequences would be, none could say.
Time - and the Prophets, Their name be blessed - would tell.
Deep Space 9
The Promenade
While Julian is still operating
At the Temple entrance Winn asked, "Any news about the Emissary?"
"He's still in surgery," Kira told her. She was optimistic; the Prophets were watching over Captain Sisko, and Julian knew his stuff inside out. He'd come a long way from the naïve kid he'd been when he first arrived on DS9.
So have I, she thought wryly.
"I hope the Prophets will forgive us. We never should have allowed the Federation to interfere with the Emissary's visions."
"It wasn't the Federation," Kira denied. She could not and did not blame Jake for his action. She would've done the same for Meru. "It was his son and he had every right to make that decision."
"It was a selfish act," Winn opined.
"He's an eighteen year-old boy who doesn't want to lose his father," Kira protested. "What would you have done in his place?"
"I would trust the Prophets," the Kai responded.
"Maybe we're the ones who need to trust the Prophets," Kira thought out loud. "For all we know, this is part of Their plan. Maybe They've told Captain Sisko everything They want him to know."
"Perhaps," Winn allowed. "I suppose you heard that Bajor will not join the Federation today. The Council of Ministers has voted to delay acceptance of Federation membership."
"You must be very pleased," Kira said cynically. She'd never been sure about Kai Winn.
"I wish I were," Winn answered uncertainly. "But things are not that simple. Not anymore. Before Captain Sisko found B'hala, my path was clear. I knew who my enemies were. But now? Now nothing is certain."
Kira smiled slightly. "Makes life interesting, doesn't it?"
Deep Space 9
The Infirmary
Operation time: 1 hour, 6 minutes
(22 minutes ahead of Starfleet Medical records)
Sisko slowly came to. He was still disoriented, but his head felt better. One thing was clear.
The visions were...gone. Gone!
"No," he murmured in horror. He sat up suddenly and cried, "No!" He clutched his head in despair. "You took them away!"
"We had no choice," Julian said with finality but compassion. "You were dying."
"I almost had it," Sisko managed, near tears. "Almost understood it all. Now it's gone..."
Deep Space 9
The Captain's office
An hour later
Captain Sisko was looking at the scan of the picture on a wall monitor when the doorbell chimed. He almost didn't answer. He was feeling a profound sense of loss. He'd been so close. He knew he might have died, but he also knew he was right. Nothing was more certain than that. He still had no idea what the "locusts" he'd seen were, but of their existence he had no doubt.
He focused anew on the here and now. It might be Whatley.
"Yes," he answered. The doors to Ops slid open to reveal Admiral Whatley. Hardly a surprise.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as the doors closed.
"I'm fine, Admiral," he answered. It wasn't true, but physically he was well enough. Julian was a superb doctor.
And Jake was a good son. He felt lucky to be here.
"Look, Ben, it's not too late," Whatley entreated. "You could contact the Chamber of Ministers. Tell them you were wrong. Convince them to accept Federation membership."
That was indeed an option, and as the Emissary they would listen to him.
But as the Emissary, he knew it would be the wrong choice.
"I can't do that. The visions may have faded, but everything I said, everything I did, still feels right." He was still sure of that. "When I said that Bajor should wait before it joins the Federation, I have never felt so certain about anything in my life."
"I was afraid you would say that, Ben. I could have your commission for this," the Admiral cautioned.
"I know." He didn't care. He had done what he'd always done, as Curzon had exhorted him to do: he'd done what he believed to be right.
"But considering how the Bajorans feel about you," Whatley continued, "if I pulled you from this post we'd probably lose Bajor forever."
"Admiral, for what it's worth, I wish things had turned out differently." He meant it.
"So do I," the admiral replied.
"But it's not over," Sisko added. "One day Bajor will join the Federation. That I'm sure of."
"Are you speaking as a Starfleet Captain, or as the Emissary of the Prophets?" Whatley asked carefully.
"Both," Sisko smiled.
So did Whatley. "In that case, I'll keep the champagne on ice."
THE END
Boldly go
Walk with the Prophets