For the song at the end of the chapter:
Music by Paramount Pictures 1993, English & Klingon lyrics by Hillary Bader 1997, Klingon title by Marc Okrand(?) 1997.
Also known as "The Klingon Anthem". This song was first heard (in it's Paramount Hol version) in the TNG eposode "Birthright, Part II", and then again in the computer game "Star Trek: Klingon".
Chapter Twenty Five
"So tell me Mr Worf, you are a Klingon, is that right? You seem like you'd be a more formidable foe in battle than a human?" Worf's face glinted towards pride as he soaked in Guss' comment.
"Well observed, and it is just Worf. No need for the Mister. My species are a race of warriors and honour is our highest held virtue. We are also physically more robust than humans. We have tougher skeletons and back up organs in case of injury during battle. Humans are very frail creatures."
"Yes, it's hard to imagine. I think I'd fear falling over if I was human in case I broke something or bled to death. It's hard to imagine having such a fragile and short lifespan."
"Their lifespan is relative; a species develops within its means and acclimatises to such. Also, for all their frailty they have grown to be very resourceful which is probably grown out of the very same frailty. Where they have problems, they often find solutions and that I admire them for."
"It seems you are a wise species too Worf." Worf was probably more chuffed by being called wise than a warrior. It wasn't a word many species ever attributed to the Klingon Empire.
"You are very discerning Guss. You know, I wasn't thrilled by the thought of spending my time in a shuttle with another I knew little off. Klingons are not fond of small talk, but I am grateful to have been placed in this situation with you."
"As am I Worf, as am I. I can understand why you all enjoy discovering and meeting new worlds and civilisations, one can learn a lot."
Data sat in the Captain's chair as the familiar and surprisingly comforting view of their home dimension appeared on screen. The admiral had been correct, there was a lot more ship activity in the area than usual. Before he could decipher all he saw before him, the enterprise received a subspace communiqué.
"USS Syracuse to Enterprise, do you copy?" Came the disembodied voice, data took a moment to analyse, if he was not mistaken that was a woman's voice, possibly Admiral Nechayev. Data wondered why they had not hailed them as normal.
"Enterprise to Syracuse, we copy. Attempting to hail… Mr Crusher, please hail the Syracuse."
Data had been correct, the formidable face of Alynna Nechayev filled the view screen.
"Admiral, I have a report for you and we have run into a problem we are attempting to resolve, but it may take some time, oh and was there a reason you did not hail us initially?"
"Yes, it appears you were visible before corporeal, it merely happened to be the first attempt that worked. Data, prepare for my arrival. I will be joining you. You may give me your report in person."
"Understood Admiral."
"Just follow me and don't say a word – please." Damyus instruction felt more like a heartfelt plea to Picard.
"We can't just leave them?" Insisted Riker as they scurried through the now dark streets of Vearden.
Damyus balked at him to be silent. "Be silent and follow!" He eyed the vicinity as though trying to warn them of potential surveillance.
Riker's connection was beginning to weaken, but he could still just about feel Deanna's anxiety. He had no idea what was going on, but knew nothing good could come out of being trapped in this society, especially for a woman.
"Can you not contact Tarya?" Riker whispered to Doone, his desperation seeping through. Picard, flanked on his other side was just as eager to try and keep a connection open.
"No, Damyus is right. I have no idea of the capabilities of anyone around, Tarya and I decided to silence our minds on our journey here. These folk are almost as alien to us as they are to you. Our prying could only make matters worse for everyone. Don't think for one moment I don't want to bear arms and destroy everything I see right now. One thing and one thing only keeps me from exploding, and that is the thought of Tarya. We will find a way, though, I admit, it will be difficult and it's not as though there are any free animals I can ask to help us. The north is such a mess."
"Will you be SILENT! If I have to strike one of you I will. Help me out here, or none of us will get out of this in one piece." If they weren't sure Damyus was trying to help them, it was obvious to all now. He led them through a door, one that had a handle, much to Doone's delight, so much so, he satisfyingly closed it on his way in. "Not long now." Was all Damyus said, "by the way, Darien is my son; you will have to trust us."
"Where are we going?" Asked Picard. They'd wound through a series of tunnels and passages until they came to an empty basement. Damyus gave a signal to his son. Darien walked up to the wall and used his equanime on two of the stones. It shot around the cement and the majority of the wall vanished from view.
"Hmm, I'm not sure which is more impressive, this or the lantern thingy," mused Doone. Damyus stepped through and beckoned all to follow. As soon as they were through, Darien clapped his hands once, and a small lightning and thunder clap followed and the wall reappeared.
"Nope, this beats the lantern… Nice." Darien was appreciative of the compliment and Picard acknowledged what seemed to be a peace offering between the two groups of men. Everyone visibly relaxed a bit as Damyus finally spoke freely.
"It's been far too long in coming, but we are both members of a very underground and just about still secretive resistance. I can't stress how much we need to try and keep it that way, for everyone's sake."
"I have to say that is good to hear. What are your intentions with us?" Asked Picard.
"To be honest, you are just an extra problem we can do without. It is in everyone here's interest to get you all out of here as soon as possible."
"What about the ladies?" Riker quickly added.
"Indeed. The good news is they will be taken to the Gathering. I have already sent word to a friend of mine who owns a sympathetic nighthouse, we have to try and get him to purchase them. We can work on getting you out of here when they are bought."
"How did you get word to him, wondered Doone."
"On our way I opened my mind to him. Tarya's demonstration to teach us to control our equanime by the way was hilarious. It was very efficient, but still, I could barely contain myself seeing Dontor and Malcus squirm like that. The members of the resistance figured out several decades ago how and why they were trying to control us and our equanime. We manage to forgo the garnering and avoid their poison, but it's not easy. It was strange at first, we never knew we could commune in our minds with one another, or heal ourselves in such an easy way, but we acclimatised. It's our greatest advantage, the other two in the Higher Counted do not know this is possible."
"How, I mean, if they aren't garnered, how are they not aware?"
"They are weak, you notice they did not manage to channel their equanime, or heal quickly. The poison they put in the populace food supply is addictive. They don't have enough to make them ill, thus needing to be garnered, but they both like to drink too much. They can't help going to night houses and partaking in the food and drink. It weakens them, but it's the only poison they are subject too, so they have enough time in between to heal and it doesn't make them ill enough. The rest of the populace is not so fortunate. We are though, it means they can't use their equanime affectively and key members of the resistance have a means of communication."
"What about Salbator?" Queried Doone.
"What do you mean?" Damyus was clearly taken aback.
"He is one of your great beasts, we can communicate with them too, and our animals. Are you able to direct your messages carefully enough?" Damyus looked horrified, this was clearly a revelation to him.
"Oh I can only hope so Doone. We've been doing this for quite a few years now and we've no indication he knows anything. We do know that when we speak to each other, only the person we are trying to communicate can hear, will that be good enough?"
"All I can do is echo your I hope so. Unless you asked him directly, I couldn't be certain, however, the fact that it works when you direct your messages is promising. Perhaps one day, a day when you looking to rebel, you could test the theory. Send out an all channel message, but a decoy and then do something else, see if he falls for it."
"That I will seriously consider Doone, thank you, and in the mean time we will be more cautious. Can you communicate with Tarya?"
"I can, but we closed of our minds when we arrived, when we were unsure of your capabilities, though I could try and reach out to her now, now I now it's relatively safe."
"Great, see what you can find out and keep following me. We've a small, but useful hideout we will be safe in for now."
"Captain, you said your ship was attempting to break down the barrier. Do you have a way to contact them? See how they are progressing?"
"I do, but I'd need access to above ground, our communicators will not work through this many layers of rock."
"Fine, let's drop of the others and I will take you to a safe opening."
"Admiral, it is a pleasure to have you on board." She nodded in acknowledgment.
"I almost dread to ask where Picard is Data, but to not waste time, please report as we head to the conference room, where I hope your senior staff are waiting."
"They are, what is left of them." He hesitantly added.
"How did I know this was going to end badly?"
"I would like to point out admiral, that it has not yet ended." She gave him the look, the same one a mother gives to a child pushing too far. Data instantly got the message and filled the Admiral in as they walked.
As they arrived at the conference room, Geordi was already waiting with Christoph, Guss and Dr Selar. Geordi and Dr Selar instantly stood to attention as the Admiral entered the room. Noticing this, Guss and Christoph quickly followed suit.
"At ease," she said with no messing. She sat at the head of the table and sighed, observing the remnants of the senior staff. She gestured for them to sit too.
"Well, congratulations, you've done it again. Let me just clarify and confirm the facts here. This world is made up of two factions, the north and south. The south are wonderful and a dream to behold and the north, to the extent we are aware, are hostile and have isolated themselves from the south, who in turn had isolated themselves from everyone else. Are we honestly sure this is a species that wishes to be found…" Data moved as though he were about to speak, "yes yes, I am aware Data, they are running out of time and reached out to us. In the meantime, however, Picard and your meddlesome Counsellor and Doctor managed to strand themselves within this barrier erected by the North. A barrier that seems to be penetrable, but only one way as your equally brilliant first officer managed to discover." Geordi cleared his throat and Data too remained silent for a moment.
"That is certainly one way of summing up our present scenario," offered Guss, not sure who was actually meant to answer that question.
"Any good news?" She added.
"We have managed to analyse this substance they call equanime. You will find the full analysis on the PADD in front of you. We have programmed it into the enterprise, but not any wider database, due to the unknown nature of how you wanted to proceed and under what security level. I believe Lieutenant La Forge is working on adapting the Phaser array with Christoph and Guss to enable us to break down the barrier and free our people," added the ever unflappable Dr Selar. Nechayev pondered for a moment.
"You are telling me that the good news is that we may have a way of freeing them, by destroying an unaligned and innocent planets defence mechanism, without gaining any permission or attempting any dialogue, when, for all we know, they are currently having tea and crumpets."
"That is essentially it, Admiral," confirmed Geordi, "when you put it that way..."
"When I put it that way," she interrupted and re-iterated.
"That is not strictly true Admiral," Data quickly pointed out. "Lieutenant Worf has remained in orbit with Starnel, a member of the south, and they are still attempting to make contact. Of course, that is our first priority."
"Well, at least you're doing something by the book. I suggest we head back, don't you Commander?"
"Aye Admiral."
"maSuv manong 'ej maHoHchu'.
nI'be' yInmaj 'ach wovqu'.
batlh maHeghbej 'ej yo' qIjDaq vavpu'ma'
DImuv. pa' reH maSuvtaHqu'.
mamevQo'. maSuvtaH. ma'ov."
Both Starnel and Worf were now pelting out the Lyrics to the Klingon's warrior anthem.
"Well I love it Worf. What an inspiring song. Thank you. Had I known meeting other cultures was this invigorating I'd have continued with the endeavour." Worf couldn't remember the last time he'd genuinely been so enamoured with anyone.
"Picard to enterprise." Worf instantly sat to attention, he'd almost forgotten there was a reason they were there in the first place.
"Worf here captain. Are you okay?"
"Sort of Worf, it's delicate and I can't talk for long. Riker, Doone and I have been separated from the Doctor, Counsellor and Tarya. We are safe with the resistance, but I'm afraid the woman are currently facing being sold to the highest bidder."
"What?" Was all Worf could bring himself to say.
"We are hoping we are able to buy them ourselves, or at least the resistance is, though I can't guarantee it will work. We have not seen them since we've been separated. Is there any news on getting us through the barrier?"
"I am afraid I cannot give an answer, Starnel and I are in a shuttle in orbit, the Enterprise returned to our dimension, but they had just finished the equanime analysis just as we left. They should be back soon… belay that, I can see them phasing back now."
"Tell them to keep trying, I will make contact again shortly, hopefully with some good news. It would be nice if that was reciprocated."
"We will do our best sir, Worf out."
'Tarya, please hear me…' Doone had been sat in the corner of a space that seemed little bigger than a living room for quite a while now, trying to reach out. The room was dank with a two benches, little light and a kettle and fridge. He was just thankful it had plentiful of ale, though the ale paled in comparison to his own. He hated waiting around and feeling helpless, this reminded him all too much of when he was in his own resistance, trying to communicate and not knowing if the recipient was dead or alive. He continued to sip from the bottle.
'Doone, is it safe to talk?' He practically choked on his mouthful when he heard her voice in his head.
'Yes it is, certainly our end. I can't tell you how good it is to hear your voice. It turns out Damyus and Darien are members of their own resistance, are you still going to the bidding room?"
"We are here now."
"Are you okay?"
"We are…" and silence fell, as did Doone's stomach. He visibly went into a cold sweat.