Chapter 3

USS Concordat:

Warp Superhighway-Day Thirteen

Amir Khali's memoirs: Chapter five, the Journey to Federation Earth:

The last two days have been essentially uneventful as compare to the extraordinary events that occurred on day nine of the journey to the place we are calling Federation Earth. We should be there in another few hours according to our hosts, and then we will see what we shall see.

To say that journey has been boring would be a misrepresentation of the facts. Everything that I've seen so far, proves that this system of government that the Federation has created must collapse upon itself in a matter of decades, a century at most. The variety of aliens on this ship will serve only to create chaos in the future as cultural and societal pressures crush this altruistic and idealistic utopia they are trying to create. Try as they may there are too many obstacles baring a successful conclusion to this experiment of theirs. The difference in foods, the cultural nuances, the smells, the differences in, or lack of body language; all are barriers that will eventually thrust through and destroy the fantasies these people have created.

My inescapable conclusion is that the Federation as we see it now is doomed to implode upon itself in approximately ninety years, plus or minus fifteen. By my calculations, there are too many unknown variables that guarantee failure. I keep returning to Ibn Khaldun's social cycle theory which supports my observations. That theory is very relevant as I continue to study the social development of the Federation from its birth to today. The Federation, its technology, its diversity, its unbridled almost pathological sociological development has reached it zenith of development. Not content with their own achievements, they've now resorted to genetic manipulation in order to create Human-alien hybrids that nature would abhor under any normal circumstance. That, in my opinion, is the catalyst that may well spell the doom of this society because when that society reaches its peak according to theory it must then decline. There are barbarians at the gates of the Federation. They, whether they be the Romulans, or perhaps even their once enemies and now allies the Klingons, will weaken this already fractured society.

The Roman Emperor Diocletian realized this and provided a model that still applies today.This Federated society is simply growing too fast. With so much territory to govern, they will quickly come to the inescapable conclusion, as I already have, that they will have to undergo a form of territorial mitosis, breaking into smaller units in order to survive. I believe I will call this syndrome the 'Diocletian Solution', or the 'Federation Ruination Imperative: the Quest Towards Destruction'

But all is not hopeless. Earth Alliance, a purely Human society, can provide a stability that these Humans have lost in their zeal to explore, seeking out new life and new civilizations, fearlessly going where they shouldn't until they're more mature. And I believe that the Federation can survive in some limited form, although technological sharing has helped accelerate the problem, there is no denying that it has also advanced these people far above where they would be if they developed individually.

But at the same time, I am cognizant of the dangers of developing too fast, outstripping their maturity in handling such technological developments. Their collective reaction to the planet we 'passed through' is a consummate example of the theory I am developing. Such an experience should have been humbling at least. They didn't seem to care, took it all in stride as if it were another microbiological experiment to catalogue for future reference. They've lost the wonder of it all. They've become jaded, unable to appreciate the things they've seen. I've tried to explain to them of their 'trek' towards ruination, but they are not listening. I worry for them. They may not listen to me. The unenlightened never do until it's too late.

-+-

"Ambassador Mollari, how are you enjoying the trip?" asked Ambassador David Sheridan. He and several others were relaxing in the commons room surrounded by crewmen and local aliens which included the Narn, and the Abbai. The huge window using transparent aluminum to keep space out was a wonder. Sales of the material would soon be a boon to Earth Alliance and every other government in the area.

"Enjoyable, most enjoyable," he responded. "Other than the company," he muttered, pointing at the Narn eyeing him from a distance, "I have had no complaints. And even they have been acting relatively civilized during the trip. My talks with them have been more enjoyable than with some of my own people. Amazing! But the Humans and their associates here fascinate me. They are different. One could almost believe that their example could make our people get along with each other. How do they do it? I don't understand it. Those Vulcans are so boring that I start yawning as so as one of them opens his mouth. They are about as exciting as watching leaves grow one day at a time. It is, as you say, like watching grass dry?"

Ambassador Sheridan couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"The Humans here are like you Earthers; impulsive, arrogant, amusingly sly, some times wicked in the most fascinating ways. And as a bonus, they have a marvelous selection of food and drink. Most fascinating creatures."

"They are a bit strange, but in many ways it's like simply traveling to a different country," Sheridan said.

"Interesting perspective. Do you trust them?"

"With what little I know?" He thought about it. "Yes."

"I believe the Emperor does as well. We have some reservations," he whispered. "But the opportunities we may gain cannot be ignored. That is why we are traveling with the Narns. If the Narn can ingratiate themselves to the Federation, so can we."

Sheridan merely smiled. Greed, the duct tape of civilization. "However, Ambasasdor - I" He stopped in mid-sentence. "Oh, my god! Is that a Minbari warship in here with us?"

"Impossible!" yapped Mollari. Others rushed to the windows to see what had surprised Sheridan and now Mollari. "It came out of nowhere. I don't understand! Is it going to attack us?"

"Wait. It's another ship out there," Sheridan exclaimed. "Looks like a Starfleet vessel and a Klingon ship. But they're different. Huge, in fact, relatively speaking of course!"

Becerra Alpha One

Jha'dur's boredom was finally interrupted by a pair of Starfleet security personnel in their distinctive anti-flash gear. She paused to observe the material, weighing up its potential effectiveness, its coverage, mobility, estimated weight and rigidity, then stood with her traditional fixed grin, a look of supreme confidence which had served her well in the past.

"Ah, room service. Did you bring me a cup of hot Jalla?"

Her cell bars retracted into the wall before the utterly expressionless guards. "You will come with us."

"Day trip?"

"The negotiator wishes to see you."

"Well finally," she huffed with mock indignation. "You would think the secrets of the Minbari would be more appreciated by Starfleet. Perhaps I should have surrendered to the Klingons."

The guards put on wrist restraints, then led her via a brief walk across to the interview room. The corridor leading there was completely empty and cleared in anticipation of the guest. The guards opened the door with a security code Jha'dur was sharp enough to remember, and then walked her in.

The room was simple enough; white in the Federation style with a metal chamber and two simply designed chairs. No other items were visible but she suspected there was a wealth of sensors embedded in the walls and ceiling.

But by far the most interesting aspect of the room was its sole occupant, a heavily robed Humanoid with neatly trimmed grey hair and the sort of regal presence usually associated with royalty. She recognized him as Vulcan based on his pointed ears and greenish tinge to the flesh, and was quite positive there was a resemblance to Captain Spock.

"You may release the hand restraints," the Vulcan said in a deep timbre. "I am in no danger."

"Such faith in my intentions," Jha'dur beamed.

"Logic," the Vulcan answered. "You see me as the doorway to freedom. You will not jeopardize your chances in a futile demonstration of aggression."

Jha'dur rubbed her wrists as the restraints were taken off, gradually restoring full circulation to her hands.

"Guards, you may leave," the Vulcan stated, and the officers left without question.

"Thank you for the company," Jha'dur called after them. "Talkative group you employ there, mister Negotiator."

"They are Starfleet personnel; they serve of their own will."

"I see. So even in this time of war, your military is volunteer-based only?"

"We have sufficient numbers to complete our missions."

"And how many is that?"

"Enough to be sufficient."

The Dilgar survivor grinned wider at that. "Well answered. I am Warmaster Jha'dur of the Dilgar Imperium, as I am sure you already know."

"I am Ambassador Sarek of the Federation High Council."

"An honor to meet you." She took the seat closest to her, Sarek doing the same. For a long moment she studied the age worn diplomat, he was clearly an older member of his race but his movements showed no weariness or stiffness.

"Before we start with the business at hand, may I ask a question?"

"You may ask," he responded. "You may not receive an answer."

"How old do Vulcans live?"

"It varies, but living beyond two Human centuries is not uncommon," Sarek said simply.

"Fascinating," Jha'dur said with a slight twist of the lips. "So even an elder Vulcan would be fit and healthy for well over a hundred years?"

"If you are wondering whether you can overpower me due to my age, I assure you that would be extremely unlikely."

The Warmaster paused for a few seconds. "As you said earlier, it does me no good to harm you."

"But you are also one who likes to know her options," Sarek stated flatly. "My homeworld has higher gravity and a thinner atmosphere than the Human average. I am therefore notably stronger than most Humanoids. I would discourage any physical violence."

"Where is the fun in that?"

Sarek merely stared at her.

"I see the Vulcan sense of humor is as arid as your world."

"Vulcan humor exists, contrary to Human myth," Sarek answered. "We do not need to express it through uncontrolled sound."

"You are a curious species," Jha'dur remarked. "Such control, such discipline, all towards the goal of pure logical enlightenment."

"The Vulcan race has many goals."

"Must be terrible to be junior to Humans."

The Ambassador didn't miss a beat. "The Federation is a union of equal members. No one is superior to another."

"Everybody is equal then," Jha'dur stated. "But some are more equal than others."

"That statement makes no sense."

"It's Human," she shrugged. "That may explain it. But the concept is sound. One may preach equality but it doesn't mean one has to practice it."

"Indeed, but the Federation is a practitioner of what it preaches?"

"Wonderful." She sat back. "So the commander of Starfleet is what – a Vulcan?"

"He is Human."

"And Starfleet security? Starfleet operations? How about Starfleet Medical? What about the Admiral running the offensive operations against Minbar? Or the Sector Commander? Surely they aren't all Humans?"

Sarek remained unfazed. "You seem to know a lot about our command structure."

"It was easily accessed information, public knowledge for your people," Jha'dur dismissed. "However I do see the head of Starfleet's scientific division is a Vulcan. You must be so proud."

"Pride is a weakness."

"Lack of military power is a weakness," Jha'dur corrected. "Almost the entire senior command of your military are Humans. All your ships are named in the Human style. Federation standard is the English language. Every ship, facility and uniform proudly announces it belongs to the Federation, in nice neat English writing."

"Earth was the original proponent of a unified Starfleet; that explains their representation."

"I bet they were!" Jha'dur scoffed. "With such power at their finger tips I have no doubt they wanted such a force. The military knowledge and resources of a hundred worlds firmly under Human command. Doesn't that bother you? Doesn't it worry you?"

"It does not."

"The Humans are so impulsive." She sighed. "Look what they did to the Minbari, they often act irrationally."

"On occasion."

"Yet despite their lack of control, Vulcan will let them command the most potent military force outside of the elder powers. You may as will give a child the codes for a nuclear weapon."

"Humanity has matured admirably under the…"

"Guidance of the Vulcans!" Jha'dur spoke the words in triumph. "I suspected as much. We now see which race considers itself the senior partner."

"The Vulcan race is older and wiser. That is simple fact," Sarek replied implacably.

"So you guide the Humans." Jha'dur smiled. "Vulcans, Vorlons, what's in a name?"

"Your analogy is flawed."

"So Vulcan did not artificially restrict Human development after first contact?"

"Many choices were made. Some in hindsight were erroneous."

"The Vulcans have made mistakes?"

"All races have."

"And is it a mistake now to let Humans run Starfleet?"

"They are well suited to the task."

"You are talking to one who ruled worlds because she ruled a military force. Political power is nothing compared to military power."

"I disagree."

"Humanity rules the Federation."

"You are incorrect."

"So the President and council reside on Earth for the scenery?" Jha'dur wondered. "Or because they are easier to control at the heart of the mighty Starfleet?"

Sarek regarded her quietly. "I admire your technique. But you will not sway my opinions of the Federation and make me pliable to your wishes."

"I am so disappointed," Jha'dur mocked.

USS Concordat Bridge:

"Captain, there are three unidentified vessels paralleling our course."

"Specify," Captain T'Lara ordered.

"Sir, sensors can't lock onto the vessels but our optical sensors can and we are imaging the ships through chemical film. We can relay those images to the main screen."

"That is acceptable. Do so now."

Onscreen, there were three ships traveling together. One was unquestionably Minbari, a modified Sharlin. But it was the others that captured the crews' attention. One was of Klingon configuration of a type never seen before. It was huge, even larger than the ships that had accompanied the Chancellors' daughter, Azetbur to the Courtor system. It possessed the classic configuration of the Klingon battle cruiser, however the differences were obvious. The 'neck was much shorter and the nacelles were longer and rounder. The bridge section was more triangular and windows were seen there and throughout the ship, and the ship wings were much larger and barely tapered. The overall size indicated that it was larger than the Concordat's three hundred twenty meters two meters by almost three hundred-eighty meters. It was a monster that made the Federation dreadnaught pale in comparison.

The other vessel was unmistakably of Federation design – but not one they were familiar with…

"Captain, it measures seven hundred meters," her science Officer told her. There was more than a trace of awe in his voice as he continued with his analysis. "It has a double pylon structure; however the nacelles are secured between the pylons probably giving them extra strength, against the fantastic stress that that ship must generate. It was probably transwarp capable, he thought. "From what I can speculate, the nacelles can adjust position, allowing for optimal warp field configuration. The power output of that ship must be phenomenal."

T'Lara was completely unaware that she was standing. Logically, she shouldn't even have been looking at this vessel if it was indeed from the future as she suspected. Starfleet could not have kept such a design secret. It was a clearly a warship, as was the Klingon heavy class dreadnaught accompanying it. Both ships were of designs she knew engineers hadn't yet devised. The Minbari warship was of a standard design, with small differences than that of the Minbari warships encountered so far.

"Captain," her First Officer said. "We should not be looking at this vessel." Like her, he assumed that those ships had to be from the future. That implied that the corridor was more than just a simple passage, a suspicion that many of the scientist studying the transit way had concluded.

No. Standing orders were clear, and vessels determined to be from the future were not to be scanned, or contacted in any way. However, Vulcan determination won over Vulcan logic. In this case…

"I do not believe that these vessels are from 'our' future," she announced with finality. "I do not think it likely that they would be traveling with a Minbari Sharlin. Can we contact them?"

"It's impossible, Captain," the Science Officer said. "Unlike the ships traveling with us, those vessels are slightly out of phase, just like the planets. We can't scan them or communicate with them."

"That may necessarily not be true," the Lieutenant at the Communications station said.

"Explain."

-+-

"Oh, my god! Is that a Minbari warship in here with us?" the Human had asked, so loudly that everyone could hear.

Those words alone were enough for Turo Condari running go to the transparencies to see for himself. And the sight stunned him. The ship was a Minbari Sharlin, flying along side what had to be enemy heavy battleships of a type he'd never seen before. His near photographic memory couldn't identify the enemy vessels however the Sharlin's design was a mystery to him as well. At first appearance it looked like the standard Drala Fi class, but the color was wrong. To him, it appeared a bit too blue and the drive fins design deviatedfrom the usual standard. The main guns were slightly smaller than standard but they were paired weapons mounts. He'd never seen anything quite like it.

"Impossible!" yapped Mollari as the stupid and drunk Centauri gaped at the ship, no ships. Turo and the others crowded to the windows to see what had surprised Sheridan and now Mollari. "It came out of nowhere. I don't understand! Is it going to attack us?"

Turo wished it would have. Then this nightmare would be over. After another second's observation, his anger rose and he found himself clamping down on his growing rage before it caused him to blow his cover.

Turo Condari was dead.

He died seven months earlier and his body was never found because no one thought to look for him. Nur's impersonation of him made sure of that. The surgery had been long, somewhat painful but ultimately successful for the Minbari assassin now impersonating him. Turo's position allowed for the perfect cover and since he was not married nor had any close relatives, impersonation was relatively easy. Nur of the Blood Knives clan's biggest problem was trying to properly impersonate a Centauri. It took years of study and training before he was sent on his current mission.

That mission began because it was believed that the Centauri were covertly helping the Earthers with supplies and weapons but no one had proof. The Great Houses were nothing like Minbari society and the government did not want to punish the whole of the Centauri for the actions of a few greedy houses. Therefore he was sent to find out the truth and to punish those responsible.

There was no evidence to be found, however with the infiltration of the Great Enemies into the war, his orders were changed. The orders were to kill Admiral James T. Kirk and Commodore Acaltha (who was added a bit later), preferably in front of an audience as a demonstration of Minbari power and resolve. The Human named Kirk was hated and feared as the known face of the enemy, one who used antimatter weapons inside Minbari territories without respect to life; while Acaltha was hated and feared as the legalized pirate-killer-butcher of countless numbers of innocent Minbari of all castes. There were others as well but they were first on the list and once placed there, those names would never be removed.

While on Becerra Alpha One, he attempted to get close enough to kill the arrogant Human but that had been impossible. Even with the Changeling net, he could not get close enough. The stations sensors picked up the emissions, something he thought impossible to do, and he had to turn off, abandon and destroy that valuable piece of equipment before security tracked him down. That had been a great personal loss. Acaltha and Kirk had left son after and he was stuck on an alien space station surround by enemies. Without orders, he was at a loss so he again completely submerged his Minbari persona and once more became the confident, but isolated Turo Condari.

As he lived on the station he carefully observed everything. The Centauri and Narn, and the Abbai were openly collaborating with the Federation and Earth Alliance. They had no respect for the Minbari, of all the sacrifice done to preserve their species from a war they never knew about, All of them would be suitably punished when the war was over he assumed. The Assassin was surprise by how well the captured Minbari were treated. Their prison cells were more than reasonable and they weren't mistreated. In fact, many of the wounded had been healed and were now in good health. They should have all committed suicide, but being pragmatic, he understood that they were doing what they had to do in order to survive. Besides the Federation had already gotten into Minbari databanks and gleaned a lot of information before his people had realized the magnitude of the threat. A few lives were of no consequence.

But BA-1 station underscored the enormous danger this war had become to his people. The technology, the shared resources and the closeness of the Humans to their alien associates proved to Nur that his people would lose unless something changed immediately. He prayed that the Vorlons would enter the war soon or all was lost. There was nothing he could do to change the out come of the war if they didn't enter, but he could do his best to disrupt things. The molecular explosive components injected into his bone marrow and secreted into his spleen sac would be sufficient to level a thousand meters in all directions. Killing everyone at the Federation council he would attend with Londo Mollari was a good idea.

That opportunity presented itself by this journey to the so-called Alpha quadrant. This journey also had the added effect to make him hate and fear the allies that much more. The experiences onboard, including witnessing the transparent planet that the ship flew into and out of strained at his sanity. And now this Minbari vessel appearing out of nowhere added to the pressure.

It seemed to be Sharlin assaulter with a Shagottibattle design. "How did the enemy capture such a ship?" he wanted to scream. The ship had no damage as far as he could see and was running in non-stealth mode. His heart went cold. If the Federation Earthers – and that's what they were, contrary to popular opinion at home. These were no colonists but a whole, completely separate unit of Humanity – analyzed that ship, there would be no stopping them. And there was nothing he could do but curse them and continue his plan to kill as many of government officials as he could.

Becerra Alpha One

"Shall we continue with the matter at hand?"

"Of course, if the Vulcans really do see themselves guiding Humanity still, then there must be some among your species who wish to bend Humans to your will."

"Perhaps."

"Do you wish to guide Humanity, Ambassador Sarek?"

"No more than I wish to help anyone who asks for it. But I do not force my will on others."

"So, you have never bent a Human to your will?" Jha'dur grinned widely. "Never dominated one, commanded one? Never felt that sense of achievement when you tell a lesser being to do your will and see them scurry about to complete it?"

"I do not see…"

"One called Amanda perhaps?" she interrupted.

Just briefly Sarek showed a flicker of anger.

"What an excellent way for a Vulcan to feel superior," Jha'dur continued. "To take a lesser being for a wife. Simple genius. You are reminded every single day of your higher place in the universe."

"There is nothing inferior about my wife. I do not expect you to understand."

"I wonder if your fellow Vulcans agree?" she mused. "Do they look down on you for your low tastes perhaps? Snigger behind you back? Mock your masculinity?

How difficult it must be for you. And Spock."

"We are respected or condemned solely on our merits."

"So you say." Jha'dur sighed. "How is your son?"

"He is well."

"He has a powerful personality, such force of will. I imagine he was a difficult child to rear."

"My son is his own man."

"Yes, very willful, not at all respectful of his father's wishes."

"He has achieved a great deal on his chosen path."

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child."

"Shakespeare's King Lear," Sarek quoted.

"Human literature." Jha'dur remarked. "I'm sure you had a lot of that at home, Spock appears quite a student of Human culture over Vulcan."

"He is part Human. It would be illogical to deny that side of his being."

"And that just rips you up inside doesn't it?" the Warmaster snarled, a sudden vicious anger coming over her. "To come from such a rigid social structure and to produce this aberration? This weak child? This half Human whelping? It is a disgrace!"

"I have nothing but respect for my son."

"What about love?"

She let the question hang in the air before Sarek. "Still, at least he turned out better than the other one." She glared at Sarek. Funny isn't it? The pure Vulcan child you produced went insane and started looking for God! Perhaps the fault is not in the child or mother, but the Father."

Sarek remained impassive. "You are indeed well informed."

"Maybe the reason Spock succeeded was because he did ignore you," the Warmaster continued. "You must feel like such a terrible failure to have such a weak and disconnected family."

Sarek, totally without warning, smiled. It caught Jha'dur a little off guard.

"Choices."

"What about them?"

"Choices are the definition of freedom and maturity," spoke Sarek slowly and concisely. "Much as we may wish it we cannot make choices for our loved ones. I cannot make my sons choices for them, I cannot make choices for Humanity based on Vulcan wishes, and I cannot choose who I fall in love with."

"How beautiful," Jha'dur laughed, a somewhat unpleasant sound. "A poetic Vulcan, now I have seen it all."

"It is a simple fact. Choice defines sentience. Long ago we learned not to interfere with the affairs of those who were still developing, to stand by and let them discover their path alone. A Prime Directive if you will. Today we guide, we advise. We do not choose for anyone but ourselves."

"And from this stems your famous moral superiority?"

"From this stems freedom, and equality, and the United Federation of Planets."

"Have you made a choice for me?" Jha'dur asked.

"That is up to you," Sarek said. "Help us and we will ensure your cooperation is understood at your trial."

She laughed. "There will be no trial!"

"You are mistaken."

"You, Warmaster, are mistaken." Sarek spoke calmly. "Federation law ensures that any accused of a crime has a right to legal representation. That authority comes from the President, the civilian Government."

"An impractical arrangement, one my people discarded long ago."

"The merits of which are questionable at best." He steeped his fingers in front of him. "In any case, you will go to trial no matter what. Your level of assistance will decide your ultimate punishment."

"My choice?" she considered with a taint of bitterness.

"It has always been your choice."

She leaned forward. "I will tell you nothing until I reach Federation Space."

"If you do not help, if you choose not to, then you will stand trial here in the area of space you decimated."

"You need me more than I need you."

"In that you are mistaken," Sarek said icily. "And you know it."

"I am nobody's pawn," Jha'dur snapped. "The terms are mine, learn the Minbari defenses from me or risk losing fleets."

"Offer the information freely and the Federation will provide defense representation for your trial."

"Don't make me laugh! Any trial would be a whitewash!"

"Federation law will be used to ensure fairness."

"I didn't come all this way to die."

"That may not be the case, if you are willing to help."

The last Dilgar shook her head. "We're talking about thousands of lives among your crews."

"Which you could not care less about," Sarek replied. "You only care for your own life, and that was enough for you to take the risk of coming here."

"I have other cares beyond my life."

"You are an excellent liar, but still a liar."

"Then consider this." Jha'dur leaned forward. "I can give you the secret of immortality."

"The Federation does not require immortality."

"I didn't say that. I am offering it to you in person."

"I do not need it. Death holds no fear for me. It is simply the logical conclusion of life. The Katra is eternal."

"Your superstitions mean nothing to me," the Warmaster dismissed. "But your needs and desires; that is something else."

"I am here simply on diplomatic business."

"But your life is not defined by that one thing. You may live two centuries or more, but what about that wife you profess to love? How long do you think she has?"

Sarek paused, Amanda was Human with a lifespan roughly half his own, maybe less. Even now as he was on this mission Amanda was fading, growing weaker and less able to leave her home on Vulcan. The contrast between her failing health and Sarek's own undiminished strength was deeply painful for the Vulcan.

"She doesn't have to die," Jha'dur spoke softly, reasonably, enticingly. "I have a way where she and you can be together forever. You will never have the sorrow of parting, the cold emptiness inside as you stand by her grave. You will be energetic and free to live as you see fit to experience anything you could desire. An eternity of bliss with your beloved, how close to heaven is that?"

Sarek was a Vulcan and that meant he could control his emotions, but not that he had none as many races seemed to believe. He could feel joy and grief as acutely as any creature. He simply took pride in controlling those impulsive reactions. But Amanda was something else. When he dwelt on her and what was becoming of her, it took all of his considerable reserve not to break down at the sheer injustice of it. He wanted to blame someone, illogical as that was, for Amanda's nature and the severance that would be forced on him. Containing his feelings was all but impossible, and even though it was the merest of twinges his face registered a hint of weakness.

The Warmaster pounced. "For all your technology and medicine the federation cannot save her," Jha'dur whispered. "Or more accurately, they can but will not."

Sarek looked up at her.

"The Federation has been tempted with immortality before you say. They have means and methods. Your associate, Admiral Kirk told me he had turned his back on eternity before. How nice to have the choice."

She leaned forward. "But Amanda has no choice does she? The decision to help her was taken by somebody else, somebody not in her position."

Sarek remained quiet.

"What they deny, I give." Jha'dur smiled. "So the Federation will not accept my offer as it stands? Fine, it will be their loss but I will not endure a show trial."

"You can't escape from this facility."

"I'm not going to. I am going to walk out of the front door on a Federation ship, yours to be precise."

Sarek glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. "You presume much."

"You will facilitate my journey to the Alpha Quadrant," Jha'dur said. "And in return I will save the life of your wife, and your own."

"You are asking me to betray the Federation."

"You have a chance to save your wife."

"At the price of my beliefs?"

"Your perspective can change, but death is constant," she sighed. "If you wish to be a pawn of the Federation, this Homo Sapien's only club, feel free. But if you want to save Amanda, you will help me get to the Alpha Quadrant and safety."

"You are a murderer beyond compare."

"Don't play morality with me. Make a decision," she insisted.

TBC

This will be continued in two weeks. For some reason there are bold text where there should be none and I can't seem to get rid of it. Also thanks to L-C for his continuing contribution and RenS for his comments and editing of that character we love to hate.

A bit of background info: For those who do not know, Voyager and the two other vessels are the ships from the 'Allies by Blood' series and for details on the Courtor transitway you'll have to read that last chapter to see why this is happening. Nothing here is coicidence. Then, as I have not mentioned here, what Voyager's sensors are seeing of the passageway is not what the TOS people are seeing. Theirs are a more primitive and they simply see a tunnel and not what Voyager and that group are seeing. When this next chapter comes up in two weeks, I will determine if I should add the Janeway - Q portion to explain why she's doing waht she's about to do in chapter four. But we shall see.

Please enjoy and comments are welcomed.

One last thing. Worker72 and another have sent me private messages. I will respond to them asap but yahoo is acting up on me and I can barely read any mail, let alone answer at this time. So please be patient and I will get to you. But I can say that I probably will not have the Drakh involved in ATV-2. We have something different in mind. Take care, everyone

Thanks,

AlbertG/Skeet