AN: Salutations and bienvenue! Just like a wise piano man and one wicked Time Lady once said: the bitch is back!
Please forgive the long wait, my dear readers! I have been just bereft of ideas and none of the focus to organize them till now. I'd blame MaliceUnchained for distracting me with his great stories, but I can't! If you haven't read his or our mutual friend Kretolus' stuff, please do so post haste!
But now, onto the story!
"I don't understand." Said M'krrt, out of nowhere as Dinah finished her calculations of the gas's chemical makeup. Both they and Vic were in the science lab with the science team going over all the data from the gaseous anomalies, trying to figure out what it was and what significance it held for the mission.
Dinah observed the analysis of the gas on the screen behind her and gave an agreeable head tilt. "It is a complex problem." She turned back to the Ferasan. "But I am confident that we will uncover its purpose."
"No, not the anomalies." M'krrt said, waving a dismissive hand at the subject on the screen. "I have a working hypothesis on that, but what I don't understand is you." He walked up and stood in front of her and scrutinized her. "What purpose do you serve? Why did your creator bother to make you?"
"Hey! Watch it fuzzball!" Vic growled in warning. She was going to follow the captain's orders and make nice with these KI assholes, but she wasn't just going to stand by and not call them out when they were bullying her friend.
"It is alright, Victoria." Dinah said, raising her hand to forestall the cutting remarks her friend was no doubt about to unleash on the Ferasen. "I did not take offense."
"Only cause your mom hasn't gotten your emotion chip right yet." Vic grumbled, still glaring at the cat humanoid darkly, sparing some spiteful thoughts for Dinah's mother while she was at it.
"Be that as it may, I should still apologize." M'krrt said, chagrined and clearly meaning what he was saying. "You'll have to forgive me, working alongside Klingons, I find that my manners tend to leave me for more blunt speech. What I meant to ask was what was your… "mother's" reasoning for making you when Dr. Soong created the other Android?"
Dinah nodded in her understanding. "It is a good question, one that I myself have posed to my mother." She turned to the monitor and brought up the record and picture of Commander Data "She believes that while Commander Data was able to become a person at the moment of his death, she was always of the opinion that he did not reach his full potential nor reach true sentience. She wished to finish Dr. Soong's work and prove that true sentience for androids was possible to create."
"But isn't the act of sacrificing oneself for ones allies' proof of true sentience in and of itself?" M'krrt countered. "Many with in the Empire and even among my own people would agree that Data had a soul at the end of his life, allowing him to have his warriors reward in Sto-vo-kor."
Violet shook her head. "My mother does not see it that way; at the end of his life, instead of doing what was emotional, Data chose to do what was logical and save the many rather than the few."
"But he didn't need to sacrifice himself." Posed M'krrt, hand to his chin in thought. "Your Admiral Picard was about to do the same thing as he."
"Mother believes that is further proof that he chose the logical choice, rather than the emotional one." Violet countered with a shake of her head. "The life of Admiral Picard, his experience and knowledge, was worth far more to the Federation and the whole galaxy than one Android that was only just realizing his personhood."
"That's what your mom believes, Vi." Vic said, speaking up for the first time in this philosophical debate. "But what do you believe? I've never asked, and you've never volunteered to share, but I want know what you think about Data and becoming a 'real' person."
Violet was quite for a long while, a frown on her face as she contemplated that question. She looked up and studied the countenance of, for all intents and purposes, was her forbearer. "I…am of the opinion that I may never know or even understand what went on in the mind of Commander Data as he made the decision to sacrifice his life, but I respect it." She turned to look both of them in the eye. "Both as an officer of Starfleet and as someone who wishes to follow his impeccable example."
"You are a fascinating being." M'krrt said, hand to his chin as he looked at Violet, the gleam in his eye's showing that he was seeing her as more than just a machine now. Like she was a real person. "This has been a stimulating conversation, and I for one feel more invigorated to solve the task at hand."
The others agreed and got back to work, but Violet couldn't help but look back at the image of the other android and pondering her own existence. 'Perhaps it is time I be more forward with mother about my emotion chip instillation.' She thought before she removed the image and returned to her analysis.
"Come on, Pharm! I know you have the information I want!" Vex growled at the Ferengi on her desk monitor. Pharm was an old contact of hers that she's maintained for a while now and was situated perfectly with in the heart of the Klingon Empire, inside First City itself.
"And I'm telling you, again, that I'm just a banker!" Pharm replied irritably, a scowl making him look more like a goblin from human legends. "The only information I have is the bank accounts of several prominent members of the High Council, and there's almost not enough latinum in the universe that would make me give that information up."
"We go through this every time." Vex groaned massaging the bridge of her nose. When next she looked up, there was a steely determination in her eyes that gave the Ferengi on the screen pause. "Listen Pharm, I have Klingon Intelligence on my ship right now and I need everything on one of their agents."
Pharm looked like he wanted to run when he heard the Klingon Intelligence was onboard the Quinzel, but he knew Vex well enough that she wouldn't contact him without making sure they couldn't trace it to him. "What's the agent's name?" he asked, knowing he was going to regret this.
"Her name's Ariat Iset." Something had been bugging Vex about Ariat's behavior when Xrithath had all but threatened her. She knew Ariat, her betrayal notwithstanding, and she never gave ground in a fight or ran scared. There was something that the Klingon had over her and she wanted to know what and if it put her crew in danger.
As soon as the name left her lips, Pharm looked like the Blessed Exchequer had just told him he had a negative balance. "Nope! I'd do a lot of underhanded and frankly stupid things for you Vex, but I'm not nearly suicidal enough to give you anything on that woman! She's scarier than the Klingons she works for."
Vex wasn't surprised that a seasoned information broker like Pharm knew and even feared Ariat, he wouldn't be the best or as long lived if he didn't, but this meant that he knew something. Because if Ariat ever found out about his side gig and went after him, he would have something on her to use as leverage.
Vex, however, had a few tricks of her own. She keyed in a few commands and brought up recorded messages. Of Pharm and herself. "Listen Pham, normally I'd be a lot more suave and coy about this, but I'm working against a ticking clock and some lunatics in fridge suits, so I'm just gonna cut to the chase: either you give me what I want to know about Ariat or not only will I show her these recordings, I'll show them to her boss General Xrithath, both of whom are on my ship right now." She cocked a single brow at him. "You know who he is right?"
Of course Pharm knew who he was: He was one of two non-Klingon Officers to not only make it to General, but also be in line to become a Dahar Master. Pham did not want him to know about his side business, even less than he wanted that Cardassian to know, so he did what all Ferengi did: brought out his sharpest smile and try to save his skin with a modicum of profit.
"After a quick reconsideration of all the facts, I'm willing to share my knowledge on the Commander." Pham said in his most slimy and smarmy tone, every one of his sharpened teeth on display as he added, "For the right price, of course."
"Deletion of these recordings plus ten percent on top of what I usually pay you for all that you know on Ariat Iset." Vex told him. While the Federation didn't pay its officers, Intelligence kept a slush fund for situations just like this one.
"Fifty percent and I get the original files of those recordings." He haggled. He wasn't stupid enough to think that Vex wouldn't keep those files in case she needed to extort him again. After all, that what he would do in her place.
"Rodgers to Vex." Said Vic's voice over the com. "We've got something, captain. Heading to the bridge now with the Klingons."
"Good job Vic, I'll see you on the bridge." Vex replied and then turned to the Ferengi on the screen. "Twenty five percent and I delete the files and you give me everything." She countered, steel in her voice and eye's. "Final Offer, Pharm, or I walk out and go straight to Xrithath with everything you've ever told me about the Klingons and their allies. He's already on his way."
"Deal! Now delete those recordings and send me the originals!" Pham said quickly and watched as Vex did so, not knowing that she had copies saved on an isolinear chip. Once the files were sent and deleted, and his money was transferred as well, Pharm sent over the files.
Vex desperately wanted to look over them, but she had a mission to do and walked onto her Bridge just as the General was making it out of the turbolift, the others already there and waiting. "What did you find." Vex asked the group.
M'krrt stepped forward. "According to Federation and Imperial records, the Preservers were known to encode data in the world around them." He said as he went over to one of the holographic screens and brought up a map of the system.
"Using that information as a starting point we superimposed the molecular structure of the gas sample onto the orbital pattern of the system." Vic said, stepping up and keying in a few commands and the molecular structure was overlaid on the system map.
Dinah stood in front of the map pointed along the connecting lines, stopping at the systems moon. "It's pointing to something beneath the surface of that small moon." Dinah turned to her commanding officers. "I recommend we approach and perform a level one sub molecular scan to determine if there's anything of note there."
"Then take the helm, lieutenant." Vex ordered as she turned to her command chair and took her seat. The Quinzel flew across the path laid out by the Preservers, stopping at the moon, and activating its sensors, bringing up the results on the surrounding holo screens.
"Interesting." Xrithath said in a low rumble of his reptilian throat. "The interior of the moon is hollow, and it contains a vast geological ore that records the heliocentric motions of everything in this solar system."
"Like a giant sensor array." Vex clarified, eye's bright with discovery. It was things like this that made her inner scientist swoon. She loved her work in Intelligence, but it was nice when she could do science like your average Starfleet officer.
"The 'array' suggests that there should be two large asteroids in this area," Dinah observed, looking at the data coming through to her at her helm, "but I'm only reading one."
"Perhaps they collided in the millennia since this structure was created." Zasva theorized out loud.
"I am, however reading an energy source on the remaining Asteroid, but it's buried deep in the rubble on the surface." Dinah said, finishing her report.
"If there was a collision, it is logical to assume that the rubble is all that remains of the second asteroid." Torros stated to Vex, stoic as ever.
"Two or one, I'm picking up an energy source under the rocks, but it's too faint to get an accurate description on what it is." Vic reported. "We'll need to remove the rubble to get a better reading on the energy source, ma'am."
"That sounds like a job for our Chief Tactical Officer. Think you can do it Comman-" Vex started to say as she turned her chair to address the tactical station, only to see a Reigelian woman there instead of the Bajoran that usually manned it. "Where is Commander Ejpez?"
"Sorry Captain," Zasva sheepishly said as Vex turned to her, "but while you were busy in your ready room, Commander Utprut called the bridge and requested that Commander Ejpez stay and help her with the Admiral." At Vex's cocked eyebrow, which in this instance was her 'clarify' cocked eyebrow, Zasva explained. "She's acting as an emotional anchor for the Commander, helping her stay centered in what's real and not memory."
Vex nodded in acceptance, not really understanding but willing to go along with it if it helped Xavius. She turned to Toros and asked, a cheeky grin on her lips. "Think you can still man the phaser controls, old friend?"
Toros gave her a flat look, although his face always seemed to look like that so it was hard to tell the difference, activated his holographic console, and brought up the phaser controls. "Ready to fire on your orders, Captain."
Vex gave the order and two precision shots of the phaser array were fired, hitting the asteroid and sending debris everywhere. When the dust cleared, it revealed a large metallic object attached to the surface.
Before Vex can order a scan of the object, a holographic projection comes to life before it, revealing that it to be an ancient Holoemmiter, and the image to be another section of the star chart.
"Astounding! Who knows how long this trail of breadcrumbs has been here, just waiting to be discovered!" M'krrt exclaimed, showing his age in his excitement.
"Almost sound like a Starfleet officer instead of a KDF one, fuzzy." Vic commented, for once good naturedly and not with derision, a definite improvement from days before.
"Dear M'krrt has always had the heart of an explore, rather than a warrior." Ariat said with a smile that held her usual wickedness, but with a touch of fondness that only Vex picked up on.
"Ahem We should scan the star chart and add it to our existing fragment." M'krrt advised, a slight blushing showing through the fur of his cheeks "Perhaps it will point the way to the next fragment."
"Let's do what the budding explore suggested, Dinah." Vex ordered with a smile, playing along with the cross-faction teasing, which made the Ferasan blush harder.
Dinah got to work, activating the scanners, and adding the chart to their datacore. "The computer has synthesized a new star chart from our two fragments." She informed. "Preliminary analysis indicates that the Preservers placed great significance on an L-class planet in the Manek system."
"Plot a course and engage warp drive as soon as we're ready." Vex ordered before standing from her seat and addressing her guests and crew. "If there's nothing else, I'll be in my Ready Room if anyone needs me." Getting affirmatives from both crew and KDF officers, Vex retreated back to her office and delved into the secrets of Ariat Iset.
What she found, was surprising to say the least.
It was dark, but warm wherever he was. He felt like he could just stay here forever. No worries, no responsibilities, and nothing and no one could hurt him here. He could finally be at peace, even if he was alone. He could at least have peace.
"…eed to wake up." Said a voice somewhere in the dark. But that wasn't right, he was the only one here wasn't he? He had thought he had heard something before, but he had just ignored it before. This one was different though: it was calm, inviting, and brought a warm feeling deep within his being.
"Xavius…please hear me and wake up." There it was again but wait…it had said a name…his name. No, that's not right either, that was just his given name. His full three names were Xavius Vexius Zevil.
There was a flash within the void, and he was standing in a dark metal room with green lighting all around it and he was wearing the uniform of a Starfleet captain. "That's…. not right." He said to himself, his thoughts and words sluggish as he touched his head, wincing at the pain there. "I've…I've been promoted." Suddenly he was in his ready room, now in the gold trimmed uniform of an Admiral.
The door chime goes off. "Enter." He says automatically, looking for any excuse not to tackle the pile of PADDs on his desk. The door opens, but no one comes in. Instead, the sound of intermittent chatter and jazz music wafts in. Curious, Zevil gets up and walks out to see what's going on, only to step in the scene of Vic's Lounge.
Looking down at himself, he sees he's dressed appropriately in a nineteen forties tuxedo and that he's in the middle of the dance floor, couples dancing all around him. "Xavius." Zevil turns and standing before him is Six of Nine, wearing that dress she wore on their date.
He moved to offer her his hand, but she spoke up before he could do so. "Xavius, you need to wake up. You have been placed into a brumation cycle your people call the 'Sleep of the Ice Cloak'."
As soon as the words left her mouth the music stopped and the other people in the lounge vanished, like smoke in the wind.
"The Sleep of the Ice Cloak?!" Zevil said in disbelief, but then he thought of the void and the flashes of memories. "This…isn't real." he said to Six as he looked around him. "This is all in my head." Suddenly, he clutched his head in pain as memories started to come back.
He was on a mission. They were attacked. He tried to stop the grenade from exploding but he was shot in the back and was flung into something hard. Worst of all, he had enacted Chakotay Protocol, so Vex and Tyufia knew what he had done. That revelation, plus the pain of his memories, brought him to his knees, hands still clutching his aching head.
"Xavius…" Six said, but her voice sounded wrong. It wasn't her usually strong clinical tone that she used on duty or even the gentil one she used in private, but weak and slightly desperate. He looked up and saw that her face was crumpled in turmoil, silent tears flowing down her lone organic eye. "Please my love, I can't lose you now that I've found you. So please, wake. Up."
In the Quinzel's sick bay, a set of yellow and black eyes snapped open.
AN: I debated on wether or not to have Xavius wake up now or later, but I think I chose the right moment.
As always, please leave a review, a big thanks to my dear friends MaliceUnchained and Kretolus and their support, and until next time: I bid you, adieu!
