The Path of Enlightenment.
"How many more times are we going to have this conversation?" Kathryn asked Chakotay.
"As many times as I think it necessary Kathryn for your own good. You're my Captain and friend, it's my duty. I don't like you going anywhere alone without a security escort, even if it is supposedly a safe place."
"Duly noted" with a flustered wave of her hand dismissing the subject. Kathryn tried to keep this on an official note, it seemed easier than tiptoeing through the emotional minefield of unspoken feelings that she wanted to keep at bay.
"Besides, I'm not going alone"
"You know what i meant Kathryn"
"I can't take anyone else even if i wanted to Chakotay" Kathryn replied patiently, trying to placate her knight in shining armour.
"It's a private sanctuary on the planet of Nam Omne Tempus, (meaning For all time) owned by the Order of the Illuminati, only those with invitations are allowed to land."
Chakotay sighed, knowing he had started on a lost cause, no way could he win, but as a friend and second in command he had to try.
Transporter Room
"Ready to beam down Captain?" Ensign Trumari asked.
Kathryn looked at Marla and Alyx, both nodded.
"Yes ready Ensign, Energize"
A few seconds of shimmering sparkles and the three travellers were gently deposited on a hill top looking down over a large complex with a huge crystal edifice surrounded by several smaller buildings. The largest building had an impressive dome roof that reflected light from the three suns in a kaleidoscope of patterns and colour, dancing in all directions.
"That's beautiful." Marla exclaimed
Kathryn smiled, impressed with the view. "So what now?". She asked out loud.
"Wait for our guide, look someone's coming " Alyx said pointing at a person waving and heading towards them.
It took only a few moments of absorbing sight sound and smell, to feel a sense of peace, like a comforting gentle mantle enveloping them. The air was flooded with delicate intermingling fragrances of Honey Suckle, Lavender and Roses. The sounds of summer in full bloom, chirping birds and buzzing insects going about their business.
"Welcome to the Cloisters of Sanctuary, Seekers. I am Brother Theodorus from the Order of the Illuminati. Please follow me. I will be your escort while you're visiting our humble home."
"Thank you" Kathryn responded in awe, unable to come out of the reverie she was in.
They walked in silence, captivated and mesmerized by the atmosphere, feeling as if nothing in their lives could ever come close to matching such tranquillity.
Reaching one of the outer buildings, another figure appeared, introducing himself and showering the visitors with a beaming warm smile and open arms as if greeting long lost family.
"I am Priori Benedek, in charge of this facility. May I invite you to a modest meal before the Illuminatus begins?" He looked towards Kathryn and Marla expectantly.
"Yes of course we would be honoured" Kathryn replied for them all. Her mind was already going to warp with many questions queuing up and clamouring for answers.
The meal was bought into a communal dining room by another member of the order, a delicious thick meaty broth followed by a fully fermented pungent cheese and freshly baked bread still warm from the ovens. A chilled spicy cinnamon fruit pudding was served as dessert washed down with a glass of light refreshing sparkling pink wine.
"I am sure you have many questions you'd like answered, please don't hesitate to ask, I will try to oblige if i can, he smiled encouragingly.
Marla was still quite overcome and subdued by the situation , not wishing to bring attention to herself, feeling more comfortable to stay quietly in the background.
Not so Kathryn, who was waiting impatiently for the appropriate moment to begin her torrent of questions.
"How long has this place been here ? Who built it? What is it's purpose?
The Priori chortled and raised his hand to stem the deluge before he lost track. Kathryn grinned apologetically. "I'm sorry it's the inquisitive scientist in me."
"The place has always been here since the beginning of time, built by the Creators of the Universe and all that is within it. "Its purpose, well it provides shelter for the Order and any guests that arrive. It is an Oracle and Curator to all things past present and future."
"How do you keep people away who just come out of curiosity or to colonize the planet?"
"To be able to enter here one has to be invited. Without it, ships wishing to land are prevented form doing so by the Thermosphere, any that have tried burn up before they reach the next sphere. Transportation is impossible unless we allow it, due to the transgenic field produced by the Cupola that provides us with energy from the suns.
"How do people get invitations?"By who and why are they chosen? Kathryn was intrigued and wanted to get to another burning question that was on her mind. Who how and why did she get here?
"There are only two ways to get an invite, one is from the Dome of Enlightenment, the other is by the request of someone who has already been here."
"The Dome of Enlightenment ? Kathryn asked quizzically"
"Well it's a Dome hence it's name of course, situated on the central building that is surrounded by the River of Dreams. A large magnifier Brother Theo calls it. A window to the Universe, showing what is, what was and what will be to the ones who need to see."
"On the first of every month we have a Festival of Evocation when the Dome reveals the names of those to be called, and then it is up to my Brothers to contact the individuals and advise them."
Kathryn looked at Marla who shook her head, Alyx appeared vague and blank faced. Well it would seem we received a private invite. Any way to find out by who ? She asked the Priori hopefully.
"I'm not at liberty to say that, sorry."
"So what is the Illuminatus about? Kathryn felt not much wiser about this place than at the beginning of this question and answer session, but ploughed on anyway, interested and intrigued all the same.
"It's a spiritual journey, a search for understanding, it can be many things depending on the Seeker."
Brother Theo came to collect his charges asking the Priori if they were ready to continue their tour. "Ready as they will ever be, the Priori beamed his sunny smile again.
Kathryn would have to stow away her questions for later or try gleaning information from Brother Theo. She thanked the Priori for his hospitality and the three of them followed their guide out into a courtyard.
A choir of male voices could be heard. Marla stopped , closed her eyes and listened, letting it's harmony seep into her very core. There was something restful about the melody, even though she could not understand the words.
"Come i will show you the Haven of Hope, we have time so stay awhile and listen" They entered the chapel, the acoustics inside carried the voices of the singing Brothers around the Foundation. Brother Theo motioned for them to sit on benches placed against the cool walls of the building, they leaned back, opened their hearts and minds allowing themselves to soar around the inner recesses of their thoughts and the outer regions of the cosmos, carried on the wings of the harmonious notes.
"We must move on now." Brother Theo whispered, as he gently nudged Kathryn and Marla from their revere. Reluctantly they got up, it was hard to drag themselves away from such peace.
"This is the library." He pointed to a somewhat small disappointing building compared to the others that had a lesser function.
"How much data does it hold?" Kathryn asked dubiously.
"Don't judge its size by the exterior, the extensive complex is underground for protection from time and the elements." we have everything archived from petroglyphs, papyrus, parchments , manuscripts, books,digital chips and crystals. Every data that was ever recorded, in any shape language and form, it's all stored here". Brother Theo informed them proudly.
"If there anything you wish to view, just use the terminals for the appropriate millennia."
Kathryn felt like a kid let lose in the candy store, there was just so much to chose from, it was overwhelming. "What is the closed off area over there?" She asked.
"That is the future. It will unlock when its time has come"
"Is there any way we could have some of this data transferred to my ship?" Kathryn asked hopefully. Longing to be able to skip through time at her leisure in the comfort of her own cabin, oh what bliss she thought.
The Federation would be enriched with all this information from a new unchartered quadrant that not even Voyagers six year journey and data collection could match.
"Yes it can be done, just give Brother Gregori the categories and era, he will compile a condensed compatible version for your data banks."
Kathryn made notes on a PADD as she passed from terminal to terminal isle after isle, her quota reached maximum fast. She handed her list on the way out with excited expectations. She willed herself away from the terminals with a heavy heart, so much to see and not enough time. Somewhere here could be the answer to getting everyone home before they died of old age in this quadrant.
Marla looked around and asked "What happened to Alyx?" Kathryn tried searching the room with her tricorder which refused to work, while trying to think back when she had last seen her.
"Don't worry she is with the Priori." Brother Theo informed them.
"Is everything all right, has she done something wrong? Kathryn asked alarmed, knowing Alyx's talent for getting into trouble even inadvertently. She probably tried to break into the sealed off area knowing her curiosity.
"Everything is as it should be you will meet up with her later. She has done nothing wrong, no need for concern." Brother Theo reassured them. He took them passed several buildings giving them only a brief mention, storage area, living quarters and a power plant that supplied the complex with light, heat and running water, each with its own decorative cupola that drew energy from the three suns.
He stopped when he reached an ornate giant archway with beautiful inlaid carved wooden double doors depicting the star chart in gold and silver. The doors opened to reveal an intricate labyrinth a pathway of pastel coloured mottled onyxian agate, leading to several obelisks dotted around the garden and surrounded by all manner of cultivated colourful flora and fauna.
The first obelisk they came to had a triangular symbol on it with the words Energy , Matter, Time. The second obelisk represented Earth Water and Air and the third obelisk the Past Present and Future.
The last and largest the centre piece showed the Trefoil, three triangles together, their axis joined in the middle to a circle. The portal of the triumvirate. It was an impressive piece of architecture.
The aromas wafting around from the flowers intoxicating those un- accustomed to it , making the visitors feel light headed but with a sense of clarity. It's time to go, the Illuminatus begins. The chapel bells started their melodious chime accompanied by the euphorias chant of the choir.