STAR TREK/THE REIGN: HIVE MIND
Fan fiction Crossover by Lance Berry
EPILOGUE 1: THE END
"Greetings, Q," a voice which seemed to be neither truly male nor female said aloud. There was a dazzling brilliance all around, which assailed Q's eyes as he squinted to see where he was. The voice that had addressed him strangely seemed to come from everywhere, but Q was somehow certain it had come from straight ahead.
"A moment, Q," the voice spoke again. "It will take but a moment for your senses to adjust to where you are, as the rest of your consciousness reenters the shell you have chosen for yourself."
And as soon as the sentence was spoken, so did it happen: Q felt himself—his will, his intelligence, his consciousness—become complete once more. The light dimmed to a level just above what he was used to when visiting the Enterprise…but of course, this was not the Enterprise. Not by a long shot.
Q found himself in a large chamber, the design being hexagonal in structure. There was what appeared to be moss clinging to most of the grayish-green walls, which stretched at least seventy feet from floor to ceiling. Q looked down, observing that he was still in his Starfleet uniform…and upon further inspection of his surroundings, that he was encircled by several beings from races even he had never seen before. There was a being composed purely of solar matter, as if born from a star. Another with a humanoid upper torso, but the lower half resembled a spider. One that looked like a living porcelain doll, and yet another—well, this one stood at least twenty feet tall, and its body appeared to be made of living moss. Its eyes, which glowed a deep orange, were the only thing visible on its face, which was likewise covered in moss. Yet those eyes carried within them a wearied resignation, as if it too had seen all there was to see.
One Amazonian female, one of only two remotely pure humanoids in the group, stood eight feet tall, yet her body was lithely slender, like a dancer. The other more humanoid one was a pale-skinned male whose body—according to Q's keen senses—was composed of pure tachyon energy, along with several multi-quantum energies. It was this being that had spoken to Q in that odd hybrid voice, and who moved toward him now.
"Stay back," Q said menacingly as he raised a hand, fully prepared to obliterate any or all of these beings, should they have hostile intent. "I don't want to harm you, but I'll have no compunction against it, if forced."
The male—whose body glowed ethereally with pulsing energies all around it—simply smiled and shrugged slightly. "You cannot harm us Q, no more than you can leave unless we permit it. Your powers are not permitted to work here."
"Oh, really…?" Q said, not trusting this being for a second. His power was intact, he could feel his energies residing within!
"Yes, really," the glowing male said, as if Q had simply asked him for the time, then begged him to recheck his watch. "I gave up foibles such as lying millennia ago, when I passed beyond the realm of mortal life. But should you wish a demonstration, then by all means…try to turn me into a butterfly."
"I'll turn you into a Regulan blood worm instead, and then make my choice whether your friends should share your fate," Q said, then willed his power outward…and felt his jaw drop as absolutely nothing happened! He drew his hand back, staring at it in disbelief, then gestured again, concentrating harder this time—with exactly the same null effect.
"As I said, Q," the being explained calmly, "your powers are not permitted to work here. We are collectively known as the Elder Races. Welcome to our reality…the one we share with Travis Rand and the other forms of life in this universe."
Q lowered his hand and took stock of the other beings. He turned his senses inward briefly, then said, "I see now. It's taking your collective will to keep me here. Well, if you're thinking of holding me for some kind of ransom or games mister-sister, let me tell you; when the Q Continuum hears about this—and they will—"
The chamber shook as the twenty foot tall behemoth stomped his foot beside Q, almost knocking him off balance. The moss-creature had been a good twelve feet away, but only one miniature stride, and his foot had almost crushed Q right out of existence! The creature bent low, bringing its orange glare level with Q, its eyes burning with anger as it spoke in an unintelligible yet unmistakably belligerent series of grumbles and growls which made the entire floor vibrate with its powerful treble.
When it finished, the porcelain-looking alien glided forward, gently rubbing its glass-smooth hand across the moss-thing's ankle. "This is one of the Unnamable Ones, Q," she thought at him more than spoke, since its voice was decidedly feminine, and her mouth didn't move. "It is his will that holds you here. And he is right: the Continuum will not interfere. We have had discussions with them, you see, the moment we became aware of your tampering with the flow of this universe's history. The Continuum has said that we are to deal with you as we see fit."
Q rolled his eyes in annoyance and looked up at the ceiling. "You betraying old biddies!" he yelled, and felt within himself that the Continuum members had heard him clearly…and were laughing at him.
He looked back at the beings. "So, what…? Are you going to execute me now, or make me your slave for all eternity, or some other pedestrian nonsense like that?"
The glowing male approached Q, standing only a foot away from him. Q wasn't sure exactly what it was, but there was something about the being's proximity that was…calming. "Of course not, Q," he said in his hybrid voice. "We have evolved over a period of billions of years. We never have, and do not now, carry out executions. Once, we used our powers to nurture young worlds. But we finally came to realize that this universe no longer needs our help directly, so we serve as protectors. Waiting until the day when the Great Darkness is finally dispelled, and we can leave our custodianship behind."
"Great Darkness?" Q repeated, his interest suddenly piqued.
"We cannot reveal all to you, Q," the being said. "But in your universe, there have been certain mortals—certain humans, in fact—who have unquestionably saved all of reality at one point or another. Archer. Kirk. Garrett. Picard. These and a select few others have acted in ways which not even the Continuum could have foreseen, and elevated the status of humanity to a degree where even you had to take note. Otherwise, you would never have sought out Picard and his crew at Farpoint station."
Q crossed his arms defiantly. How dare this being put so much stock in a race of babbling asylum inmates, who had barely learned how to create fire before they went zipping around the galaxy in their tinker-toy starships! "I might have heard of Garrett. Kirk certainly rings a bell. And I only visit Picard because I get a kick out of polishing my shoes in the reflection from his bald head!"
The Unnamable One grunted deeply and turned away, waving his hand dismissively at Q. The porcelain-thing chased after it, attempting to reason with it to stay, and calling it "my love". At these last two words, Q's eyes widened and he shuddered in disgust. "Either she's able to grow to his size, or she must be the most flexible woman in any reality!"
The glowing male smiled and shook his head reprovingly. "Your brash nature betrays you, Q. You are intrigued by my words, I know. The secret you sought is before you. For just as Picard is important to you, moreso is Travis Rand to us."
Q laughed contemptuously. "Picard—important to me? My dear, deluded man-babe…they must serve some serious hooch where you come from, if you think I could ever consider Picard important. The man's a footnote in my life, an asterisk to an asterisk! He's a source of amusement for me…nothing more!"
"Really?"
There was something in the way he said that word, something Q didn't like. It was if he had looked straight into Q's very being, and was seeing a truth denied, kept hidden. Q's face darkened in anger at the intrusion, and he narrowed his eyes defiantly. "Really."
The glowing male nodded slowly. "You have always claimed to be a seeker of truth, Q. Then the time has come for you to learn the ultimate truth. And in so doing, perhaps see why tampering with our universe was the absolute worst thing you could have done." The male's hand shot out, landing on Q's shoulder. Before Q could protest, he found himself held immobile as tachyons and other exotic energies exploded forth from the male's body, engulfing them both in an ever increasing yellow light which then burned bright white, and then--
The light subsided. Q blinked in surprise, to find they were in a room of some type. There was a window nearby, and Q took a quick glance at the architecture of the buildings outside. "Earth," he said with a sigh, then looked at the being. "One of the least exotic places in the galaxy to visit. If you had to pull me somewhere, why not Risa, or even Vulcan? Even though it's not much more than a dirtball, the Vulcans have some character to them."
"You and the Continuum have looked into mankind's future on occasion," the alien said. "It's the reason you once offered Riker a chance to join you, in order to find the necessary spark within you to grow once more. When I show others the future, it is for more…personal revelations." He pointed behind Q, who turned around. For a being who had only recently bragged that he had "seen everything there is to see" in the universe, he was quite surprised to find that the minutest of gasps slipped past his lips.
Jean-Luc Picard lay in a bed, a bio-readout machine attached to its metal railing. But this was hardly the Jean-Luc that Q knew: he was older—much older, with wrinkled, well-worn skin sagging on his hands, and cheekbones that were frighteningly visible beneath the barely recognizable façade of his face. His eyes were closed and he was breathing shallowly…far too shallowly, for Q's liking. Q was astonished to realize that if he hadn't taken note of Picard's unique aura, that he might not have recognized him at first glance. Q looked around at the darkened room, and began to hear voices drifting from down the hall, now understanding that they were in a hospital room.
"Jean-Luc--?" Q said, his arrogance and posturing abruptly dispersed. He took a step forward, but the being placed a hand on his shoulder, gently holding him back. "He can't hear you, Q. It's not permitted. I'm sorry."
Q turned around, violently tossing the alien's hand off his shoulder. "I want to talk to him!" He demanded, his face actually reddened at the fact that he could feel his power coursing through him, but was unable to will it into actualization. If he had, he would have turned him into a Tukuvian slug-worm and stepped on him immediately.
For his part, the being remained absolutely calm, and a knowing smile appeared on his face. "And so you shall speak to him," he said and gestured to the room's entry door. Q turned and saw it was closing softly, quietly, as if guided by an unseen hand. The being to whom the hand belonged slowly faded into view, so as not to startle Picard. It was Q—the Q of now, of this time(whenever this time was), dressed in nothing more than a simple pants and shirt. He stopped beside the bed and took a look at the readout. This Q frowned slightly, then turned to look at Picard. An almost insubstantial, wistful smile appeared on this Q's face and a chair faded into existence quietly…again, so as not to startle Picard.
Q—the Q that had been forcibly brought here—turned angrily to the being. "What is this? I'm the one who carves reality out of clay, you're stealing my act! Let me assure you my friend, I'm in no mood for games—"
"No games," the being said calmly, and nodded toward the current Q. "And even with his advanced senses, he cannot see us. Watch, Q…watch and learn your lesson."
Q didn't appreciate being spoken to as if he were a child. Nonetheless, he turned back to the tableau before them and crossed his arms impatiently as he watched. The current Q, of this time, sat down in the chair he had formed from nothingness, and placed his hand gently on the bed, beside Picard's. "Jean-Luc…" he said softly, and Picard's eyes fluttered open immediately. He turned his head slowly toward the sound of the voice, and when Picard spoke, his own voice had the sound of withered husk, dried leaves, so fragile they might break apart when blown about by a strong wind. "W-who's there…?"
The current Q took Picard's hand in his own, and the spark of light and lucidity returned to Picard's eyes at the same time as his sight. He blinked at Q, finally recognizing him. "Q…how are you, old friend?" he said, barely able to form a smile.
"I'm doing well, Jean-Luc," he answered, and for a moment, his voice seemed on the verge of trembling. It was only a moment though, and quickly passed.
"You said you would visit me…before the end," Picard said, and had to take a moment to regain his breath. The act of speaking took a lot out of him these days. "So…I guess I'm not long for this world?"
Q glanced at the readout, then shook his head as he looked at Picard once more. "Minutes, at best. I just came to say good-bye. What would my life be, if I didn't get to needle you one more time?"
Picard chuckled at this, but the chuckle turned quickly into a mild coughing spell. A glass of water with a straw in it appeared in Q's free hand, and he reached behind the back of Picard's head, lifting him gently, close enough to it so that he could take a sip. It helped, and after a moment, Q laid him back down and the glass vanished from his hand. Q sighed lightly. "It pains me to see you like this, Jean-Luc. If I had my way, I'd transport you to a place where you could have marvelous adventures with your old crew forever and ever…I'd even let ol' Microbrain Worf join you, if it be your desire." He glanced down at the floor a moment. "Of course, I've come to realize after all these years, that there are some things in the universe…just some, mind you…that even I have no control over."
It took some effort on Picard's part, but he managed to squeeze Q's hand firmly, bringing his attention back to him. "It's alright, my friend," Picard wheezed. "There's no sense to me living in the past. The old glories have come and gone, and I've outlived the majority of my old crew. Now all that's left is to join Beverly once more, and I'll be content."
"Sentimental nonsense," the Q that had been forcibly brought here said, but had to clear his throat lightly to relieve the tightness he felt in it. He glanced over his shoulder at the being that had kidnapped him. "What is this, a dinner theater performance of A Christmas Carol, with you as the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?"
The being said nothing. He just smiled that annoyingly smug smile, as if he had gained some great new insight into Q that Q himself did not possess. Q couldn't stand looking at that grin, so he turned back to watch Picard and the other him chat it up like a couple of old grandmas.
The current Q nodded slowly. He looked away a moment, then looked back. "They launched the Enterprise-G today," he said abruptly, eager to change the conversation. "I can show it to you, if you like."
Picard smiled again. "That won't be necessary, but thank you. I've served my time in Starfleet…I'm content to let them go on without me." He exhaled lightly, and the readout of his heart activity slowed just a bit. "How far we've come, you and I," Picard said wistfully. "We hated each other so much back then, didn't we?"
"I never hated you, Jean-Luc," the current Q said honestly. "Although I always gave you good reason to feel that way about me. For that, I'm truly sorry."
Picard squeezed his hand again. "I've said this before, Q…you can move past that now. What you did for me and my crew…at the end of the Second Romulan War…I've forgiven you, my friend. Now, you must forgive yourself."
Q nodded. "I know. It's just that…my mind often goes back to Ventoxia IX, and what you did for me. I guess the Romulan War thing was just…change owed to you. But you showed me a lot back then on Ventoxia, and I've never forgotten it." Q frowned severely, and found he had to look away so Jean-Luc could not see the expression of sorrow in his eyes.
"Q…" Picard said, his voice weaker, "I remember…when my artificial heart was damaged. You pretended to be…God. I never asked before, but now…I need to. Will I see…Beverly, our son Will…Geordi…and all the others again?"
The current Q turned back, his throat constricting a moment. He exhaled lightly and shook his head. "I honestly don't know, Jean-Luc. I'm sorry to tell you that what lies beyond this realm remains a mystery, even to the Continuum. We can…sense…that something lies beyond all that we know, but even we can't push through the barrier between what is this reality, and that which is beyond." He leaned close, and whispered in Picard's ear, "But I have to tell you, Jean-Luc…the fact the barrier even exists, and keeps us out, is a source of secret joy within the Continuum. No, I don't know if you'll see Beverly and your son again…but I believe you will."
That seemed to be enough for Picard. He smiled, tears forming at the edges of his eyes, and said, "You've been a good friend, Q. I told you that one day you'd come around."
The current Q sat back, a look of indignation on his face. "Now here I am, coming to pay respects, and you have the gall to insult me one last time! You're lucky the Borg don't exist anymore…I'd send you right to their home world!"
"You would too, you bastard," Picard said with a chuckle, and the two laughed together for a good few minutes before the coughing spell beset the former captain once more. Another glass of water materialized in Q's hand, but Picard waved him off. The coughing spell ended quickly, and Picard exhaled heavily. The glass vanished, and Q now took his friend's hand in both of his. "I'm going to miss you, Jean-Luc. I've never met a nobler being in all my existence. I'm fairly sure I won't meet another."
"Thank you…" Picard said, and closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell only a few more times, then was still. The indicators on the readout monitor flatlined, and a dull whine initiated from the machine. Q stood, his eyes focused intently on something. His eyes widened, and his head moved slowly, looking upward, then turning in the direction of the window—looking past his former self and the being, whom he couldn't see—watching something that couldn't be seen, moving out of the room. He moved swiftly to the window, and looked up at the stars. "Au revoir, mon Capitaine," he said, then glanced at the door as the sound of rushing feet approached the room. With no grand gestures, no snapping of fingers, no flash of light…Q simply faded away.
The Q that had been brought here swiped at his own eye with the heel of his palm. "This is absurd!" he said quietly. "How can a mere human…how could anyone…make me think I have something in my eye? I'm omnipotent—I don't get things in my eyes!"
"But there is nothing mere about your friend, is there?" the being stated simply. Q finished rubbing his eyes and turned angrily toward him—only to find they were no longer in the hospital room, but standing among the stars. Q was about to say something belligerent to the alien, when he noticed the being was staring at something behind Q…and for the first time, Q noticed a distinct look of unease set itself upon the being's face.
Q turned to see a massive object approaching. It appeared to be an asteroid, but it had engines set upon it, pushing it forward. There were three massive geodesic domes atop its surface, and Q was barely able to make out structures inside them. Q attempted to look more deeply into the domes, through them, but found his vision blocked. The being stood beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not look too closely, Q," he warned. "We are back in my universe now, and even my powers cannot fully shield us from his senses."
Q raised an eyebrow, intrigued that someone who could still his powers would actually be fearful around another. "And whom might this be? Sounds like an interesting fellow, if you ask me."
The look the being gave him made Q fall silent, surprised. The being pointed to the asteroid-world, which was beginning to move past them at nearly lightspeed. "This is the reason why Travis Rand exists. We have waited since very nearly the birth of our universe for Travis to come into being in order to combat him. It is Travis' destiny to face him, although he doesn't fully know it yet. By tampering with our timeline, you could have unraveled eons of delicate planning. Liken our universe to a set of meticulously placed dominoes. Topple one piece, and everything comes crashing down. That was the point of showing you Picard's future, Q—his is supposed to be an irrevocable destiny. Just as Picard has value in your heart—whether you care to admit to it is inconsequential—so too does Travis Rand have value to us, though for different reasons."
Q looked to the asteroid-world. It had passed them, and seemed to be moving with great purpose. "Why not give me my abilities back? If whoever this is is such a threat to you, all I have to do is—" he raised his hand and snapped his fingers in example. The being shook his head. "It is the will of the Unnamable One that binds your powers inward. Ages ago, we came to realize that even if all the Elder Races combated this one," he said with a nod to the passing asteroid-world, "there would be no sure outcome to who would claim victory. Now, imagine if a being with that power were somehow able to gain control of yours…?"
Q was intrigued, but as he looked at the passing asteroid-planet once again, the words his future self had spoken to Picard came back to him: I've come to realize after all these years, that there are some things in the universe…just some, mind you…that even I have no control over. Q turned back to the being. "Points taken…all of them," he said, and was surprised at the sound of earnest humility in his voice. The sight of Picard, withered and frail, had gotten to him more than he cared to admit. Q hadn't had a chance to explore this universe as fully as he might have liked, before he caught sight of the Horizon and its crew. There were too many unknown variables, as of yet. Still…
"If the time comes when you need help with that," Q said with a nod back to the asteroid-ship, which was swiftly receding into the distance, "you know where to find me."
The being bowed slightly in gratitude. "The offer is appreciated. But what is needed now, is your word that you will not interfere with the workings of this universe again. Travis Rand, the people placed aboard his ship to serve with him, the events in their lives which brought them together…things have been set far too delicately into place for the balance to be upset."
Q nodded in understanding. "You have my word, sir. And a Q always keeps their word."
