Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
"Where are we?" asked the General.
"Federation runabout cloaked above where we were. Our main ship is trying to better understand the full situation," said Lafiel.
"You mentioned going someplace?" asked Chandler.
"Where do you wish to go? Mars is not realistic. While this ship is armed, going into that mass of Taelons with only this small ship is tactically unwise."
In the front Jadzia said, "We can, however, show you the scans we took of Mars when we were there."
"I'd like to see those," said the General.
"On your nearest screen," said Jadzia.
They watched as the view covered all the Taelon infrastructure and the giant mothership.
"Dammit," said the General.
"We've been had," said Chandler.
"That much is obvious," said the General.
"How about Altair? That is usually a habitable or near habitable planet. We can get there in about six hours," said Jadzia.
"We can't be gone for more than a day without letting people know," said the General.
"That is hardly a problem. We can put you back down and reschedule. A few more regular space suits is probably not a bad idea either," said Jinto.
"No no no. I really really want to go. Please don't reschedule," said Paul.
"You do know the delay need only be as long as it needs to be," asked Lafiel.
"I have no idea how this all works, but if its just a handful of space suits you need, I can get them located quickly. I just need to call my command," said the General.
"I can connect you if you wish," said Jadzia.
"Sure why not?"
-=oOo=-
They completed picking up the space suits.
"What is all this? Did you make all this yourself?" asked the General.
"Yes, our universe developed warp drive and all the rest ourselves. We have a newer form of travel we were gifted, which is better, though we earned the trust given, or at least I think we did," said Jadzia.
"I'm curious, why the um spots?" asked Captain Manheim.
Jadzia smiled. "I'm a Trill. We are a near human species, with some small differences. A small percentage of our population are joined with a symbiont, which is transferred from one host to another as we near death, making a part of us live on. I am one such. I know some might ask, but I assure you symbiosis is fully voluntary. There are far two few symbionts and they are far too precious."
"Thank you. I apologize if I was rude."
"You were not, but we are ready to go, unless there are objections?" asked Jadzia.
There were none. Jadzia activated the warp drive.
"This is a lot different than Taelon tech," said Paul.
"Of course. It is our own."
"That is what we wanted, our own, that is."
"I agree with Lafiel. I have no problem helping you get an existing design working. We don't, however give out FTL tech without a very very good reason," said Jadzia.
"I don't think we ever have, have we?" asked Celeste who was listening.
"Not that I know of. Even our gaining the other drive tech was the case of one FTL capable group giving another FTL capable group a better technology. There is some precedent, should we choose to give the Taelons our knowledge of warp theory, and if we trusted them we might do that," said Jadzia.
"Why don't you trust them?" asked the general.
"Our ship, our main one contains multiple species from multiple dimensions and worlds. I'm a Trill. Celeste is three quarters human, one quarter Betazed. Jinto is pure human, though from a different universe than me. Lafiel is a variant on human from the same universe as Jinto. The variety increases in our main ship, and even more so in our parent organizations. If they are benevolent teachers, then why did no one they met come with them?" asked Jadzia.
"Your right. I never thought of it like that," said the General.
"There is another thing. I met an implant. It made me quite angry. I know very little about Agent Sandoval, but that thing in his head is a cage of some kind. His mind was screaming," said Lafiel.
"Your saying they have him under their control," asked the General.
"I believe so."
"Let me see please," asked Celeste.
Lafiel walked over and took her hand. They looked into each others eyes for a couple minutes before they stepped apart.
"Without personally examining him, I cannot be certain. This is also out of our area of expertise, but based on what I saw I believe Lafiel is correct," said Celeste.
"Slavery, and the worst kind. This is just getting better and better," muttered Jadzia.
"Will you help him?" asked Captain Heart.
"I'm sure we will try. The brain is not something people really should be playing with," said Jadzia bitterly.
"We would just like the Taelons to leave," said Paul.
"If you have a good way to accomplish that, do let us know," said Lafiel.
"Could you force them to leave?" asked the General.
"Probably, though likely not without cost. We would greatly prefer a peaceful solution," said Lafiel.
"Why did they put up with you acting as you did?" asked Paul.
"Because they are a dying race and we know how to stop that, for a time at least," said Celeste.
"Could you help them and get them to leave then?" asked the General.
"It isn't that simple. Project forward our actions. They become near immortal again, still with a very great deal of power," said Jinto.
"If you extend their lives and they have been making other races regret meeting them, then your responsible."
"It is more than that. Most of us have normal life spans. Sure we know a few things, but they would probably outlive us. If we make a mistake, it may affect many generations to come," said Jadzia.
"What a mess," said Chandler.
"Yes, but the key thing is we will do our best to make sure the Taelons either start acting in humanities interest or leave."
"What then?" asked the general.
"You don't need our help. Your not stupidly on a course to self destruction. Honestly, once the Taelons hopefully leave, you will be fine. We might help setup a colony on Altair or something, but that would be the limit, unless we agree on something where you really need the help," said Jadzia.
"What about environment and all that? Isn't that an area?" asked Paul.
"Nuclear power can be safe, if you are reasonably careful. Its not as if we need to teach you that. We can give you some solar panel and battery tech. Honestly there is plenty of sunlight. That alone could meet your energy needs. You will find your own path to go faster than light eventually, in your own time."
"Your damn right we will," agreed Paul.
"What does this thing run on?" asked the general.
"Something I'm not going to explain. Seriously, find your own way."
-=oOo=-
"Establishing standard orbit above Altair. How about I show one of you pilots some basic controls and let you take the helm. I'll keep secondary controls just in case, but I suspect you won't have any trouble," said Jadzia.
The others quickly nominated Paul Chandler.
"So, are you their normal pilot then?" asked Paul.
"Actually, no. I'm rated of course, or I'd not be doing it, but piloting is a secondary skill of mine. Lafiel, Jinto, and Ekuryua do the majority of our piloting."
"We actually prefer the newer interface, which is probably a reason we should practice without it, now that I think about it," said Lafiel.
"Either way, unless there is someone trying to kill us, I think we are fine with whomever," said Jinto.
"Well I'd sure like to learn," said Paul.
"Then take a seat. Lafiel, you can teach," said Jadzia.
"Alright."
Within about ten minutes Paul had already figured out the controls.
"I see no problems with Paul operating this craft as long as someone is supervising. He has clearly learned how to fly correctly. The Federation technology makes it too easy at times. You don't entirely appreciate when you're close to a limit," said Lafiel.
"I know what you mean. You have to watch the fly by wire stuff. Things can appear rock solid, but you might be a lot nearer the edge of your flight envelope than you know, and if you go over it and the fly by wire drops you back to absolute law and your not expecting it, you could die very quickly, and kill a lot of others," said Paul.
"Exactly," said Lafiel.
"And this is why I'm not a top pilot. I'm more of an engineer than a pilot," said Jadzia.
"One benefit of this craft is it is designed without any benefit of a wing. It is pure power, which is fine. A craft with a wing you have to spend more effort on, but can save a lot of fuel, particularly on descent."
"Ever tried to land a plane without engines?" asked Paul.
"I have done simulated landings where main power is out, but not an actual one. With Abh technology or Federation, well the only real case of main power going out is going to be when someone shoots you down, and then your probably already dead. I did practice till I consistently survived that unlikely case anyway, since you never know," said Lafiel.
"No you never do. This place is great. Could we really put a colony here? I mean, how would we get here?"
"That's a good question," added the general.
"I can teleport some fairly large craft here, at least if I have a counterpart and some very large generators to assist," said Celeste.
"So how many?" asked Paul in surprise.
"Several hundred at a time is possible. Obviously, it depends on what is sent."
"How many a day?" asked the general.
"Maybe fifty or so. It is tiring, and particularly when we are lobbing people, well if we mess up you die. If we just lose the port mid way where you end up back in real space we may be able to get you in time. I'm talking about the case where a send comes in to fast, and the catcher doesn't slow it down enough and it appears and splats right into the planet. Thankfully, none of us have ever done that to live cargo, but, we are human, more or less," said Celeste.
"And our own ships to do that?" asked Paul.
"If you can build them yourself, your welcome to it. Just don't take the Taelon tech somehow and try to force us into giving you FTL. If necessary we would remove the tech from you, since it endangers this universe," said Jadzia.
"You mean you would remove it by force," said the General.
"Wouldn't you? If say one of your neighbors was releasing something toxic that would kill you all eventually?"
"A fair point, but many wouldn't take your word on it."
"And yet, we aren't going to explain dimensional physics either. At some point you have to trust us, or not really. We are going to try to cleanup the Taelon issue and leave."
"What is your concern anyway?" asked Paul.
"The power to travel faster than light without proof of equal wisdom, well would you say the Taelons have that wisdom? If you had their power, would you bet against that power corrupting? We just wiped out a planets nuclear weapons, just to prevent world war three. That is only the start. It will take a lot of effort now to make sure that planet develops normally. One starship can pretty much destroy a planet, if someone has no defense to it. This ship could certainly continually target key systems and turn your planet into the dark ages, and so could the Taelons. For that matter, we could tractor beam an asteroid big enough to destroy you. It might take months of effort, but it wouldn't be particularity difficult," finished Jadzia.
"It is a heck of a lot of responsibility. I'd have been happy just to get to Mars on our own strength," said Paul.
"You can still do that," said Lafiel.
"I know, but it somehow seems less now."
"It isn't," said Lafiel.
Paul nodded.
"Can we go down in the suits?" asked Captain Heart.
"I don't detect anything harmful. You can skip the suits if you want, but it is up to you," said Jadzia.
"Can we bring anything back?" asked Paul.
"I can replicate some sample containers if you like," said Jadzia.
"Um, yes?"
Jadzia smiled and then went to replicate a bunch of standard Federation sample containers and some other basic tools to help extract them.
"Pen and paper?" he asked hopefully once some of that was done.
"He means pen and laboratory notebook," said Captain Manheim.
"Computer, do you have a file for laboratory notebooks to be written in with a pen from this approximate equivalent time?" asked Jadzia.
"There are three hundred and seventy two records that match."
"Replicate the one considered the best, along with suitable pens."
"You don't write?" asked Paul.
"I do know how, but it has been, well two lifetimes ago, since it has been necessary," said Jadzia.
A dull red book with off white paper with light green lines formed. Paul picked it up, along with the pens and then tested one on the first page. "That will work really well. Can we get, I don't know, 5 more? I assume this is another technology you can't share."
"Of course, and no we can't share that."
"And a video camera?" asked Captain Heart hopefully.
"All the video from our flight is available. I can lend you a tricorder set on record and then convert the rest later."
"What does it record?" asked the general.
"Everything we possibly can, some of which might be removed in what you get. We will see."
"If we tell others about it, will the Taelons figure out where we were?" asked Paul.
"If you give enough detail, probably. They are not stupid, and have probably scanned this planet. That being said, unless your going to emit zero signals, which is hard, and have zero satellites, and just hope they never scan close enough again to see anything, well basically, trying to keep it secret long term is probably futile," said Jadzia.
-=oOo=-
They were still there four days later. Everyone was onboard the runabout when Falcon appeared by surprise out of hyperspace and entered orbit. Jadzia opened the connection.
"How did your trip go?"
"Decent. We have scans. We do not have a solution yet for their problem though they seemed genuinely grateful we are willing to try. They suggested we kill the Taelons. We didn't tell them where they are of course, and we aren't obviously just going to do what they want," said Riker.
"Well the astronauts here seem to have had fun. I assume you got our report, since you are here."
"We did. We wanted to touch back with you before we went to pickup Tirla and try to save Sandoval."
"I believe we are good. They of course want to move right in here," said Jadzia in amusement.
"I assume you told them that they have to cooperate in some non trivial way and make this a worldwide project at least as far as humanity goes," said RIker.
"We did."
"Did you want to go with us to get Tirla, or continue on. We hate to be out of reach when you might need help."
"I'd hate for the carnival ride to end so soon," said Paul.
"Does anyone mind the delay if we go with them?" asked Jadzia.
"Your asking if astronauts mind exploring? You are kidding right?" asked Captain Manheim.
Jadzia turned to the general.
"I'm fine with it."
"Then it looks like we are going with you. I suggest we limit exposure to tech they don't need to see and everyone stays here, well other than Lafiel and Jinto. They probably should go to the bridge."
"Agreed," said Riker.
Piper appeared beside Celeste. They joined hands. Both smiled and nodded. Piper then waved at Jinto and Lafiel and they vanished.
"So, any chance of an explanation beyond what we heard?" asked Captain Chandler.
"Honestly no. We aren't going to explain the process of dimensional travel. I'm also turning off the ships sensors. Just relax. We know what we are doing. Of course, if some of you decide you want to join up, there might be a few positions here or there, but then you would be bound by the same. If we don't believe you will keep your word, you don't get the chance."
"Tempting, but I rather think my own world needs my help more."
"Honestly, no it doesn't. That is not to say your work is unimportant. There are just a lot of messed up worlds out there," said Jinto.
-=oOo=-
Inside the runabout, inside Falcon Jadzia heard,
"Jadzia, we are approaching Shankhill moon base where Tirla was helping some of the unfortunate cases of crystal damage. We don't expect any surprises."
"Understood."
Several hours later an exhausted brown haired beauty materialized among them. Celeste and Piper held out their hands to her and she gratefully accepted their energy.
"Thanks. Next time I go to a place like this, someone is going with me for extra energy. They were so messed up. Thankfully you came when I was just finishing the last of them and he could have healed on his own."
"If you need us we are there, though I'd bet we could also get you some from this universe. You should have asked," said Piper.
"I know."
"I hate to spoil the reunion, but Lanzecki just informed me some half dead singer just came in. We are going to transport him to you, at least if you think you can help?" asked RIker.
"Thanks to Celeste and Piper I can, but this has to be the last. I need a break."
"Understood. Beaming. Sending Julian as well."
Two forms materialized, one was bleeding out a huge gash in his leg.
"I'll port the debris out, once your ready to heal that mess Tirla," said Celeste.
"Link please. I'm tired. I need your focus."
"You've got it." They put their hands on her shoulders as she placed hers on the patient. All three of their veils flared as the crystal shards vanished out of his leg and then in a healing fury the leg was made as good as new.
His eyes blinked open tiredly.
"Do you feel alright?" asked Tirla.
"Other than crystal resonance, I'm fine. How am I fine?"
"I also healed some of the damage of the crystal to your mind. Everything I could, at least while being this tired. Stop being an idiot an exposing yourself to raw crystal harmonics, particularly at sunrise and sunset. You know better. I know it is a guild rule. You are damaging your symbiosis. You'd have lost your leg without my help. Now is there anything else I can scold you about, or can you go?"
"Sorry. Name is Rimbol."
"Do not be sorry. Do not do it. I know it must feel real nice. That should have been your first clue it was bad for you," said the exhausted healer.
"I understand. Thanks for healing me."
"Your welcome. Now I'm leaving for awhile. Remember that you will be stuck with only your normal guild medics for awhile at least. Maybe that will encourage you to be careful?"
"Antona is going to kill me," said Rimbol sadly.
"I'll send her a note to make sure she enforces my lesson. Your lose memory, and the ability to form long term memories when the crystal harmonics overload your synapses. Do not do it again! Please repeat my warning to your recorder and replay it frequently. Do not do it again! You could potentially live for hundreds years or more of health if you do not blow it."
"I understand. Thank you."
Tirla touched her com badge. "He is healed and I have sufficiently scolded him. Give me a bit to reinforce the lesson with his guild healer, oh and beam him back."
"Understood."
After she disconnected from the bridge Julian said, "I thought about saying something, but you seemed to have all the bases covered."
"Forcing me to heal when I'm this exhausted because he was stupid and put off leaving the range too long, like every other one. Well it gets old. Have you even seen their shuttles? They try hard and generally succeed in compensating for failing memory, but their memories would not fail if they would just stop the action that causes the damage. It's simple," exclaimed Tirla.
"Did you say hundreds of years?" asked the general.
"The catch is your tied to the planet forever. It's more complicated than that, but so far most people are saying no to it. Well that and before we pointed out the obvious they all basically were subject to extreme dementia," said Jinto.
Jadzia turned to Julian. "Can you at least glance at the biofilters, since we were on an unknown planet. It's just a copy of Altair, so I doubt there is any real concern."
"I'll check you all over briefly while we return. As for Tirla. Can't you port her to a bed? I know she knows her own body enough to tell me if she needed something."
"Please?" asked Tirla.
"Sure thing sis. You can have mine," said Celeste. Tirla vanished.
-=oOo=-
A reporter quickly pinned on his microphone as he watched the sign show ten seconds, then count down to zero.
"This just in. We have a report on the first manned mission to another planet. The team that was going to go to Mars was taken instead went to Altair, and not by the Taelons, but by other visitors to our world. We have a massive amount of high definition footage, along with samples from the planet, and detailed log books. It is all really impressive. I am also told that the same three nations that formed the Alliance to explore Mars are asking for further help to setup a colony on Altair. I'm not clear how they are getting there, but they, apparently, have a way. For now just look at this view of our first new world."
-=oOo=-
Da'an turned off the program and then requested a conference with the other members of the Synod which he got, almost right away. It seemed he wasn't the only one watching.
"We have all seen the news reports. We are fast becoming irrelevant, and we seem to have no way to gain the life energy from them we need to survive," said Qu'on.
"The one called Lafiel sensed Agent Sandoval's implant right away. She said it was as if he was screaming behind our cage," said Da'an.
"What will they do? We have paused future implants as you requested. None were scheduled anyway."
"We should force them to give us the energy we need," said Zo'or.
"I honestly don't believe that will work, and if you try it, they will strike back. Whatever they destroyed in space, showed a very formidable weapons system. Even if we managed to win the resulting fight, the people we needed to save us would probably be dead, and we would gain nothing," said Da'an.
"Then what do you propose?" asked Qu'on.
"They likely already know the truth from the Jaridians. The only idea I have is to just be honest, and try to work our way into the point they do agree. If we are careful with our energy usage, it can still last perhaps six years."
"You're proposing the fate of the Taelon race be put on the mercy of strangers? Unacceptable," said Zo'or.
"Force will not win this. I think I gained some credit when I saved Boone and Captain Marquette. If you attack them that ends, and we figure out what weapons, true masters of dimensional flight have at their disposal."
"I see no advantage in not giving Da'an some time to try to do this his way. I would, however, like to find an alternative," said Qu'on.
"We could harvest the energy directly from humans," said Zo'or.
"They were quite upset with what happened to Agent Sandoval, at least if my read of Lafiel was correct. If we directly start harming humans, again, then we will get no cooperation, and likely the war will begin."
"They will not know."
"They can read minds. Even if it is limited to human minds, just how much do your implants know?"
"We could eliminate them."
"Which again would make the odds of them cooperating zero, and we would be in another war, with a group we do not know the strength of. I was on their ship. I felt the pulse of the energy sources that run it. Just one of them is at least ten times more than our entire mother ship produces, and they have two per ship. Do you really want that level of power turned on us?" asked Da'an seriously.
"I have spoken. There will be no actions that would anger the newcomers. Plans, if made, to help our problem, must be kept in the strictest security," said Qu'on.
"It is agreed," said another member of the Synod before they all echoed it.
-=oOo=-
Doctor Bashir beamed down with Piper and Pyrrha at his side in front of Da'an. All three were armed.
"Is there a problem?" asked Da'an.
"Please instruct Agent Sandoval to cooperate with the removal of that thing in his head. Since he has no current ability to say no to you, his permission is irrelevant, since he cannot give it," said Doctor Bashir.
"I will do so, but I would ask to come with you," said Da'an.
"I have no problem with that."
"I will summon him now."
Da'an went back to his chair and touched several buttons. A minute later Agent Sandoval walked in. "You wanted me Da'an."
"Yes. You are to cooperate fully in the removal of your CVI."
"I thought that would kill me."
"I assume they have found a way. You are of course welcome to continue in your work after the removal."
"But I will not be able to serve you as well," said Sandoval.
"Unfortunately, it seems we have made many mistakes. One of them is what we did to you. I doubt fixing this issue will help, but we need to make what amends we can, in the hope that this group will consent to help us."
"I understand. I will cooperate fully."
"We are going to make sure you live through this. There will be changes. That we can't avoid, but normal functioning of your mind should be achievable, though some retraining may be required," said Doctor Bashir.
"I understand."
"There is another issue. Without the CVI, Agent Sandoval will have no way to control his skrill," said Da'an.
"Can it be removed?" asked Doctor Bashir.
"Yes. I can have the proper method brought here, so the skrill is not lost."
"I'm am concerned that the Skrill too, might be sentient," said Piper.
"Will the skrill be a danger without the CVI?" asked Sandoval.
"I do not know," said Da'an.
PIper walked over to Sandoval. "I am going to put my hand on your arm. I intend you or your skrill no harm. Please do not resist."
Sandoval looked at Da'an who nodded.
PIper gripped his arm several inches from the skrill and held it for several minutes. The skrill started to move. She released its arm.
"It wants to be free, but will consider cooperating with Sandoval, once he is free. It promised not to cause problems while we cure him," said Piper.
"Remarkable. Most remarkable. Shall we go?" asked Da'an.
Bashir tapped his com badge.
"Beam us all up."
Seconds later Boone walked in, finding no one. He looked around and then left.
-=oOo=-
"Okay Mr. Sandoval. I want you to lie down. You don't have to do anything. I'm going to apply a restraining field so your head does not move, which also must affect your body. This makes it a lot simpler for the targeting scanners in the transporters to lock onto the CVI pieces. Since it is self repairing and replicating, I'm going to have to be relatively quick in the removal, and then Tirla will heal the damage, which is quite a bit safer than me trying to heal all of that that quickly. Do you understand?" asked Bashir.
"How can she heal damage?" asked Sandoval.
"She has the innate ability to do so. I can show you a recording if you wish."
"Yes, I do."
Sandoval watched her healing the crystal singer and then royally chewing him out. He raised an eyebrow at it.
"Are you ready to begin?"
"Yes."
"Good. Lie down."
-=oOo=-
Sandoval plotted how he was going to kill the Taelons for what they had done to him, but first, he had to save his wife. If only this implant really did get removed. He felt the pain and sudden disorientation as the enhanced awareness the CVI gave was slowly removed from him. Then he felt light headed.
"Everything is going normally. Yes there is some internal bleeding, but the targeting scanners can easily remove the blood until Tirla is ready. A few more minutes and the CVI will be fully gone. It just takes time with as well integrated as it is," said Julian.
He didn't respond. His victory seemed finally attainable. He focused on following the directions and surviving. A few minutes later the young woman named Tirla held his head in her hands even as two others held her. Then it was kind of a numb feeling till he passed out.
"We got it all. Physically his mind is whole, though I do not know how this will affect him," said Tirla.
Sandoval's eyes opened. His eyes were clear.
"I did not expect you to wake so soon," said Tirla.
"My wife is in the Vandewater Institute. I had her committed, since she interfered with serving the companions. I also had Boone's wife killed."
"I did not order this. I swear it," said Da'an.
"Recriminations later." Julian tapped his com badge. "Bridge, I need someone to find the Vandewater Institute. Sandoval's wife is there."
"DeeDee."
"DeeDee Sandoval. Apparently she was committed under the influence of the CVI."
"Drugs. The head doctor was paid to drug her," said Sandoval.
Da'an closed his eyes. "If you need any of our help to heal her, I offer it freely."
"I think you've done enough," snarled Sandoval.
Da'an nodded. "I was foolish to believe there was a future with you after what we did with you. Your pay will remain unchanged for life. You may live your life as you wish, but you are dismissed from service. I am deeply sorry. If there is a further way we can help to make this right, let me know."
"You will do the same with all protectors that no longer want to serve you?" asked Julian.
"Yes."
"Well that is something. Now what about the skrill?" asked Julian.
"May I once more?" asked Piper.
"I guess," said Sandoval.
PIper held his arm.
"I am speaking in your mind. I couldn't help but hear some of your thoughts. Leave your dreams of revenge. We will heal your wife. We will deal with the Taelons. They will not be permitted to have their way with Earth. Your skrill wants to go home. I have asked it to remain with you till we can bring it back to its home world. After that we will heal your arm."
"I understand," he said out loud.
Da'an looked at that curiously, but said nothing.
"Don't worry. I just had a chat with the Skrill. It agreed to stay with Agent Sandoval until we can return it to its home world, along with the others," said Piper.
Da'an nodded.
"We have a lock on Agent Sandoval's wife. Are you ready to receive her?" asked Riker.
"We are," said Bashir.
She appeared in the next bed. Doctor Bashir immediately began scanning her. "This is stupid and criminal. The chemicals she is under are systemic and really hard to target."
"Healing that kind of thing is hard," said Tirla.
"I'll just keep her here and treat the symptoms of the withdrawal. It will take a couple days, but that is the safest I can do," said Julian.
"Can I stay with her?" asked Sandoval.
"Of course."
Riker walked in. He said, "We are going to work on getting those involved prosecuted."
"Please do. If you need anyone to testify, I'm certainly willing," said Julian.
"How bad is it?"
"She would have had a permanent loss in ability to focus and think, if this continued, at least with the tech on this planet. WIth my help and maybe a little of Tirla's she is going to be fine, but I consider this nothing less than a cruel way to murder someone slowly," said Julian.
"Understood. We will act accordingly."
Da'an said nothing, other than continuously looking sad. There was nothing he could say.
-=oOo=-
Over the next three weeks they healed the remaining Taelon implants on Earth, including William Boone, who had the modified implant that was actually useful. Only Boone agreed to continue serving.
The following Monday Boone walked into Da'an's office.
"I feel we have made so many mistakes, and yet I also feel the others will grow impatient," said Da'an.
"They have come down armed these last visits. They half expect you to lose patience. For the sake of the Taelons, I suggest you do not," said Boone.
"Do you too hate us now?" asked Da'an.
"Sandoval killed my wife, because the thing you put in his head convinced him it would make me more efficient. He did almost as bad to his own. He thought he was being kind to me."
"Were you ever a true implant?" asked Da'an softly.
"No, and if you act on that, well certain people will find out."
"I will not do so, though I do not fully control the others. Please ask certain people to remain careful."
"Are you coming to the ceremony. It will be sending the first settlers to Altair," said Boone.
"I will go."
-=oOo=-
They traveled via a Taelon shuttle for an hour, but did not slip into inter-dimensional to reach their destination.
They arrived at Cape Canaveral Florida where ten submarines were lying in the ocean, each chock full of equipment and personal as well as a dozen large shipping containers.
There they walked through a wall of press where two women were lying in chairs next to a runabout much like the one the Taelon's had caught glimpses of.
Both women got up. The tall silver haired one walked towards them.
"Hello. I am known as the Rowan. I can feel energy from my daughters in you. Remarkable."
"They saved my life," he said simply
Rowan nodded and then said, "This is Lacus Clyne. She is going to help me on this end with the initial batch."
"What you can do is beyond that of Taelon. I am most humbled."
"Just be a little careful with your commonality bond. We are drawing enough power today that if your very close you may feel the waves."
"I will do so."
Lacus offered her hand to Da'an. He took it, and was surprised when she exchanged a tiny bit of energy with him.
"You have made many mistakes as a people, but I too sense the potential in you."
Celeste appeared beside her mother. "You do know we could have got it right?"
"I do, but as they want to start with a large amount, well let your old mother have a bit of fun, will you," said Rowan.
"Old my foot," said Celeste.
Rowan smiled. She then looked out across all the gathered and the reporters before flying up in the air with Lacus by her side. "We are going to begin now. If any others wish to go, time for that will come in the future, though even with this, the rate we can do is limited. Still know now that you shall have two homes for humanity from this day forth, and that humanity will be the stronger for it."
They floated back to their chairs. Rowan took Lacus's hand. The ship seemed to hum softly, or more likely what was inside the ship.
"Link established with Deanna and Faile. All is good on their end. Let's warm up with the containers," said Lacus.
"Agreed. Lift and port. The nearest begins now," said Rowan.
The massive shipping container rose slowly into the sky before vanished with a loud pop.
"Apologies, but when you remove that much mass, noise does occur due to the air inrush," said Rowan.
"Ready on container number two."
-=oOo=-
Da'an returned to his office after the event. He had been polite and expressed gratitude at all there work and indicated the Taelon's willingness to aid this endeavor. No one took him up on it. The others had already released key technologies involving solar panels and battery technology that the Taelons had, but had not released. He ordered their versions released as well, since their solar panels at least were marginally better. It was probably too late to matter. The others were helping as much as they could in key areas where it was safe and then they apparently planned to leave, at least once they figured out what to do with them. He requested another virtual meeting of the synod.
"We saw the transmission of the event," said Qu'on before Da'an could speak.
"Yes, it was quite remarkable. I could feel the waves of power impinging on the Taelon Commonality. There is now no doubt that they have the ability to do what we require," said Da'an.
"But will they do it?" asked Zo'or.
"I do not know. Hopefully we are now at the end of the things that upset them and can begin to recover ground. I just do not know. Lacus seemed optimistic, and I sensed no deception in her energy. She traded a small amount with me, similar to our normal greetings."
"What do you make of their reaction to the Implants?" asked Qu'on.
"I think we should tell them they can finish what they started on Mars, and elsewhere. Waiting will not help us and the Implant program has always been of dubious value. The best of them are lost so very early. We continue to replace, but I feel our actions have not shown us in a good light."
"I have not made a decision there. Is there no one they would consider helping for the work we have done?" asked Qu'on.
"Who? Who has shown the traits they have shown? I am a renegade, and it wasn't that long ago I'd have let Lily and Boone die."
"I preferred when you were stronger," said Zo'or.
"What are they doing with the Jaridians?" asked Qu'on.
"I believe they are trying to help them. Perhaps our scientists should attempt to aid them. It would be something," said Da'an.
"And a stronger group of Jaradians would wipe us out," said Zo'or.
"We would have to add conditions, probably," said Da'an sadly.
"You may begin a discussion, but take no action unless I approve of it," said Qu'on.
"I request Rho'ha to assist me," said Da'an.
"First establish that this will not lead to our deaths, and then he may assist," said Qu'on.
"I agree," said Zo'or.
"I too agree, though I fear our reluctance will not put us in a good light, yet again," said Da'an.
-=oOo=-
Julian beamed down to Da'an's office. Lily and Boone were also there.
"You wanted to discuss the Jaridians health?" asked Julian.
"I do. You must understand that we have been at war with them for close to five hundred years. While, I do not personally wish them harm. I do wish our war to end. I have been advised that our scientists will help you find a cure for them, if you can give such assurances that we will not regret doing so."
"We have been trying to figure out the best way to handle your people. I have been authorized to give you our fallback plan, that as long as you cooperate, you likely will be eligible for."
"Please continue," said Da'an.
"There are universes that are perfectly stable, yet have a smaller number of inhabitable planets. We have already identified one that has a dozen planets that could be terraformed similar to your own home planet. The one we have in mind has, as near as we can tell, no sentient life. You would be transferred to that universe, healed, and given a basic means of FTL and left alone."
"Do you really trust us so little?" asked Da'an sadly.
Lily snorted. Da'an glanced at her and then ignored her.
"As I said that is the fallback position if you cooperate and we can't come to a better one. If you want more, then your going to have to trust us a bit. Should your aid of the Jaridians lead to problems, we would address them. We will also try to mediate a peace between you two," said Julian.
"Would it be possible to see this universe?" asked Da'an.
"In recordings, or if you want to bring I don't know half a dozen so you still have a commonality, probably."
"I see. Being severed from the greater whole is not something we ever want. I will have to consult the others."
Julian shrugged. "We don't make the rules of how the multiverse works."
"Please send the information. I shall attempt to obtain approval."
"Could a Taelon shuttle, go back and forth from Altair?" asked Lily.
"They have that potential, once a limit is removed yes, but they do not wish excessive ID travel," said Da'an.
"Is there someone who has to get there for some reason?" asked Julian.
"I just would have liked to travel there in one," said Lily.
"I'm sorry. If there was a true need we would help, but as we are doing daily transports of people and materials, there seems no need to be running their ships. If you disagree, I can bring it up with the Captain," said Julian.
"No, it just would have been nice to do."
"Again, for those who are exceptional we sometimes take recruits, but you have to then obey our rules."
"Where do you go?" asked Lily softly.
Julian smiled. "Where don't we go? All of space and dimensions. We help people, or at least try to."
"So like the Taelons, but real."
Da'an winced.
"We aren't trying to get a fan club if that is what you mean. Ideally, the people we help do not know we helped them. We haven't been able to do that as often as we like, but it does happen sometimes, and we are new to this too, though we have been at it awhile now."
"It wasn't, but thanks. I don't suppose you have something I could fly as sort of a test run?"
"There is a world we were helping before this one that we asked Lafiel's people to help. If you want to help out and learn to fly other craft. That might be one. They still won't teach you how they work, at least not without a full commitment. We can't lend you any Federation craft because the Taelons are certainly knowledgeable enough to reverse engineer much of it, even if you were unable to," said Julian.
"What are you doing there?" asked Lily curiously.
"How close did this world get to world war three?" asked Julian.
"Sort of close, but not really. There were rational people in charge and we got past it," said Lily.
"They almost didn't. It was very close. Things are more stable there now, but yes, we did meddle a lot to make sure to buy the time there to hopefully get things settled into a better path."
"Like what?" asked Boone.
"Mostly transporting every speck of weapons grade fissile material into the sun, and then permanently disabling all the rocket and other bodies that would launch them. There have been other things, but that is the main one."
"So you prevented World War III? Can't say anyone is going to fault you there, though no guarantee if it will stay prevented," said Lily.
"No there is not."
"So what else?" asked Lily.
"All of us learned enough telepathy to get by. You don't have to, and if you don't have the potential you might not be able to do much more than say talk to someone else in a room, but that is a thing."
"Is it really?" asked Da'an curiously.
"Yes," said Julian.
"Could I. Could I, um do that?" asked Lily cautiously.
"If you wish, but it isn't something you can undo. The ability will remain with you once awakened, assuming you have at least some potential, and most do."
"Can you teach me?" asked Lily.
"Probably, but I'm not that great. I'd ask another."
"Oh," she said with slightly blushing cheeks.
Boone rolled his eyes.
"I'd like that," she said.
-=oOo=-
The next morning in Boone's office he asked, "So, how was your evening?"
"Julian is dating Jadzia. I should have known," replied Lily dryly.
"And was there anyone else there you found of interest?" he asked amused.
"Sobaash was interesting, but we didn't quite connect you know," said Lily.
"I honestly haven't been attracted to anyone since.."
"Your wife. I know Boone. Sorry, if I seem insensitive."
"You weren't. At least the actual culprit is dead, even if it was a computer program."
"Your okay with Sandoval then?"
"He put his own wife in a sanitarium because of that foul thing. No, I don't blame him."
"And the telepathy thing?"
"Lacus Clyne spent several hours teaching me. I apparently do have some potential, but they requested I not try again until this evening. They asked me, if I learned, if I could spend time teaching a bit what I learned on Altair. I didn't have an answer, and they didn't press."
"But you think you can do it?" asked Boone.
"Oh its more than that. They may be mad at me for practicing, but here, let me show you." She pulled a quarter out of her purse and sat it on the table.
"Yes? I think I have a few of those myself," said Boone in amusement.
"Just wait. It's not easy yet."
Almost a minute late the quarter moved just a little bit, no more than an inch.
"And that's you?"
"Yes. Isn't it cool? I can't wait to be learn more. They doubt I have a lot of power there, but I do have some. Tossing small items around is pretty likely."
"And it is just an ability that the rest of us never trained. No implants or any such," mused Boone.
"That's what is really amazing."
"I'm glad for you. Have you ever heard anything about Paul?" asked Boone.
"He is torn between staying here and maybe joining the Alliance and helping out there, or being able to help more on Altair."
"Yes, I can see how he would be. The Taelons suddenly became a problem we can see the end of," said Boone.
"Jonathan isn't convinced it will end so easily. Oh he isn't complaining, but he doubts things will be that easy, though to be fair they never said it would be easy," said Lily.
"No, they didn't."
-=oOo=-
Lily was beamed onto their ship into a conference room. She saw Lacus who suddenly turned to her.
"Oh, I can't teach you right now. I need to go on a mission. You can come if you want, though it is a little dangerous."
"Where are you going?"
"A Jaridian colony. Rowan is already at the one they need to evacuate. I'm going to one they want to move people to."
"Can I tell Boone?"
"Of course." She walked to one of the displays on the wall and said, "Computer contact William Boone."
"Who is this? Lily?" asked Boone.
"Lacus has a mission to apparently a Jaridian colony. I'm going to tag along. I might be.."
"Weeks, so be sure your okay with that. They will feed us, but you may not like it. We also won't be able to breath outside the building they are setting up for us," said Lacus.
"um gone for weeks," Lily finished.
"Are you sure Lily? Do you need help?"
"We will be fine," said Lacus.
"If your sure. I'll tell Da'an."
"Sorry Boone. How many times does a girl get a chance to see the galaxy?"
"I understand."
-=oOo=-
"What is this?" asked Lily as they approached the open pod.
"It's a pod designed to transport a telepath, or anyone really. It has a compact fusion power source, so we won't run out of air or anything."
"How does it move?" she asked.
"I'll handle that."
"Your kidding."
"No. We don't want to tempt the Jaridians by bringing one of our runabouts, so this is it."
"And this is safe?" asked Lily.
"Yes. They will come get us in the unlikely event something were to happen."
"Um okay, I guess."
"Don't worry so much. It will be fine."
Lily dubiously stepped in and then strapped herself in, even as Lacus did the same. A view of the outside suddenly appeared in the air, before being replaced by Captain Riker's face. "Are you two ready? You can of course use our energy for the initial thrust if you want."
"I intend to, and yes I have the visualization required and the craft also has the necessary tracking. We will be fine."
"You know we could drop you off, if you want."
"I want to keep in practice anyway," said Lacus.
"Well you may depart when you are ready. Call us if you need anything."
"We will."
Lacus leaned back into the webbing and suddenly the pod began to hover in the air, before vanishing with a soft pop.
"I can hardly believe we are moving," said Lily softly.
"We are very fast. Not as fast as if there was a pair of us transporting cargo or people, but we will be there in about few hours. If you pay attention you can actually sense some of the Taelon commonality in this place."
"You mean it spans the entire universe?"
"It does. It is remarkable, though we are fairly sure it is a bad idea."
"Why is that?"
"If everyone is near is probably works fine, but as they spread apart it increases the strain. We think that is partly why they produce less energy than they use. It has grown beyond that now. Simply putting them in one location would only slow the degradation."
"Are you going to help them?"
"Probably, but whether they remain here or not is not known."
"I can't imagine being faced with those kind of decision."
"You faced your own. Someone needed to not just assume they were saviors. You shouldn't assume we are either, but observe our actions. Humans can hurt humans too."
"I know. I was part of the SI war."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Do you mind if I sing?" asked Lacus.
"No please do," said Lily softly.
Beneath a veil so cold,
You deeply sleep, all alone
The melody of prayer; on the lonely fields,
a little light shined
I watched as you dreamed
You laughed like a child
So dear, and yet so far
That is the promise of our future
That one day, on a green morning,
One day, we will make it there
Because in this wintered sky
We still believe
Fields of Hope
On the day we were born, we were embraced
And now we search for those gentle hands again
The melody of prayer; one vanishes,
And all begins again; a powerless, painful continuation
One day, to that green morning,
We'll cross through all these nights
Because that is the place each one of us searches for
Now, within my own heart,
I want to keep you warm
So dear, and yet so far -
In the name of peace
Fields of Hope
So dear, and yet so far -
The fields of promise
Fields of Hope
Fields of Hope
"That's beautiful," said Lily softly.
"Thank you. Do you know any songs?"
"Oh I'm not a singer."
"Everyone is a singer, if they want to take the time to learn."
"Why do you do all this?" asked Lily.
"Part is to make a the multiverse a better place for my son. Others are watching him now, but I do miss him. There are never enough of us."
"We never knew who we could trust outside the resistance. The Taelons do pay for tips and such."
"That should be over. As it seems they never actually cared that much about humanity, I foresee no great problem in getting them to leave, as long as they get what they need to live. We are worried they will lose patience and force us to act directly against them, but we will deal with that if it happens. The Jaridians actually need help sooner. We are delaying slightly to wait to see if Da'an's promised aid comes. They have a lot of knowledge that would certainly help."
"What is exactly wrong with the Jaridians?"
"They are growing far too quick. They burn up. Not all make it to adulthood such as it is," said Lacus.
"That's horrible. So they have the opposite problem of the Taelons, I guess."
"More or less, and probably more or less from the split of the races."
-=oOo=-
Lily was happy when their pod was picked up in space then brought safely down to the planet. Given how tired Lacus looked, it seemed likely that she was as well. Lacus tiredly promised to begin moving people in the morning. They were given a type of, well, it looked like oatmeal, and even tasted like it and water. The Jaridians seemed more human somehow than Taelons, since they were flesh and blood. That seemed better somehow.
She ended up helping Lacus, when she needed something or just giving her someone to talk to. The Jaridians couldn't breath normally inside their area any more than they could breath outside. Lacus began receiving, well, she supposed they were the Jaridian version of buses, from across the vast distances between planets in space.
They were there for nearly a week when they found out that Da'an had gotten approval. The Alliance had already made plans to bring in the best and brightest of those with experience in genetic engineering. That was beginning while they remained here in this small building eating oatmeal. It was oatmeal. Lily refused to call it whatever it actually was.
The following morning a tall Jaridian entered their area wearing a mask. "One of the children is very sick. He needs Taelon core energy to cool him. Is there anything you can do?"
"Perhaps. Can we delay shipping more for at least part of today?"
"We can."
"Then please bring the child here, or me a suit. I'll leave you to figure out the details. I cannot promise to be able to heal him. I cannot in truth promise I can help, or that my attempt will help, but I might be able to ask for those who can to come if I cannot. I would like to see him first."
"I shall return with him in a suit. We do not have your kind made."
Lacus nodded.
The small boy looked so very fragile in the plastic suit that maintained the correct atmosphere. He was laid on Lacus's own bed.
"I need to be able to at least touch him. Can you take off a glove?" asked Lacus.
"Yes."
He pulled off the glove. Lily could smell the odd smell that was the other atmosphere, but it seemed this building was filtering it fairly quickly. Lacus took his hand and her energy slowly moved into him. She stopped a few minutes later.
"Is that it?"
"You must understand, that there is much I do not know. I believe that helped. Can you have him checked and if so I will attempt to finish? I wanted to be careful here and not cause harm."
He put his glove back on, then picked the unconscious child up. "Thanks. I'll be back, or I hope I will at least."
"If that is not correct, I will ask another to come," said Lacus.
He nodded.
Twenty minutes later the child was returned. The Jaridian doctor came with the boy, in his own suit.
"What you did appears to help, but I wish you to do less of it this time. Perhaps half?" asked the doctor.
"Alright. I do apologize. I am not a healer and I worry my energy will be incompatible," said Lacus.
"It is not a perfect match like the Taelon energy seems to be, but it is working."
"Then I will continue under your supervision," said Lacus.
He nodded.
It took several on again off again sessions mixed with transporting the essential buses, for lack of a better term before the boy woke. Then it took another week of slow treatments before he was fully recovered. He hugged Lacus and she hugged him back gently.
"Thank you," said the man who first brought the child.
"It was my honor. I have been writing up my notes on this treatment. Time permitting I wish to review them with your doctor so I can share them with my team."
"Of course. Can you teach me your writing?"
"If you wish. I confess I still write in Japanese, and not many use that language."
"it seems quite useful."
"I can likely get a translation guide here at some point, though it may take a little time."
He nodded.
Several days later they had the guide he wanted, and the notes were verified and sent back to Julian, as well as scans of the child's recovery. A week after that the small colony was evacuated and Rowan herself showed up in the small house.
"So, want to get back to Earth?" asked Rowan.
"Do we have to take a pod?" asked Lily.
"Nah. Falcon is going to fly us out. It should be safe enough." Rowan turned to Lacus. "Good job on healing the child."
"Thanks."
-=oOo=-
Da'an walked in on Lily's return to Boone's office.
"I hate oatmeal," said Lily resolutely.
"I shall have to make sure it is not served here," said Da'an.
"Oh, hey Da'an," said Lily.
"I am curious, where exactly you were. Boone only said it was a family emergency."
LIly sighed. "Is it really that important?"
"Perhaps," said Da'an.
"And if I was telling you I was helping the Alliance move one Jaridian colony that had a failing environment to another, what would you say?"
"I would say you must be very careful. They have no reason to dislike humans, but they may take great offense if they know you know me."
Lily nodded.
"What exactly did you do?" pressed Da'an.
"Mostly helped Lacus with whatever she needed as she helped move the population, which was thankfully fairly small. It was hardly glamorous or exciting most of the time. We were trapped in a building they put together for us, well not literally trapped, but the environment outside was toxic to us."
"And the part that was exciting?" asked Da'an.
"I'm not sure I should tell you," said Lily uncertainly.
"It is fair enough, I suppose. Do you need any of my help to further complete this work?"
"No, we completed the move. As I said, it wasn't that big of a colony."
"And yet, without the remarkable abilities of those you worked with, it would be impossible. Not even the Taelons at our height could move even a small colony quickly."
"How goes the work to figure out a cure for their accelerated growth?" asked Lily.
"Slowly, but progress is being made. They were hoping for a person called Kosh to arrive and help with the process, but so far they have not obtained his assistance."
"Lacus helped save the life of a Jaridian child. It took her and the healer some time to figure out how to use her energy without harming the child, but they figured it out."
"I am glad and not surprised. They no doubt said that Taelon energy would have been better, but there is precious little of that left," said Da'an softly.
"She just had to apply it in short intervals. It worked fine. It likely cost us almost a week in our schedule since it was one thing or the other, but it worked fine. I just wish I could help more. Lacus was teaching me, but I still can't do much."
"They were able to teach you?"
"Sure. I have basic telepathy down and well.." She pulled out a well used quarter and it floated in a circle before her.
"That is remarkable," said Da'an softly.
"I'd have probably learned more. Lacus was great, but she was usually so exhausted that there was not a lot of time training, though the last several days she actually let me kind of sit in a corner of her mind as she did most of the work. It was very comforting."
Da'an tilted his , or maybe it was her head to the side. "Where is she now?"
"Oh, we dropped her off back on a world called Aldea in a totally different universe so she could spend time with her young child. It's an incredible world. Ancient beyond everything. They are a home of art and music originally, but are now branching off into science again after nearly forgetting what they needed to care for the complex systems that protect and shelter them. They really do just wander and help."
"We were more like that once," said Da'an softly.
"What changed?" asked Boone.
"The constant war and staring at the likely end of our species. Perhaps that is the testing of a species, in how we face our end. I fear we have done poorly."
"Have you tried to negotiate a peace with the Jaridians?" asked Lily.
"Long ago, but it just wasn't feasible. They need the energy we have so little of left. We gave a little of it long ago, but not any more." Da'an walked out silently.
"Do you buy all that?" asked Boone softly after Da'an left.
"I believe Da'an regrets."
"But not necessarily the others," said Boone.
Lily nodded.
-=oOo=-
Lily was surprised to see a very dart like space ship that had a wider back with engines but very little wingspan fly past her window in Da'an's building. She ran to Boone's office and asked, "Did you see that?" Da'an was there.
"I did."
"I believe it is landing, possibly in the stadium," said Da'an.
"Let's go," said Boone.
They arrived in Lily's shuttle a few minutes later, only to see another walking into the stadium.
"Paul?" asked Lily.
"I was asked to be here? The other two couldn't make it on short notice, but I'm here. You?" he asked.
"We saw the ship fly in from our office."
"Let's go see what they brought. It looks amazing, from what I saw."
"It looked like an older model fusion based interstellar scout ship of some kind," said Da'an thoughtfully.
"You build such?" asked Boone.
"We have built similar hundreds of years ago, but certainly not that. I would guess it is a human design."
They walked in, and after showing their credentials were let in without protest. In the middle of the field Jinto and Lafiel stood.
"What are you guys doing here?" asked Lily.
"The technology in this ship is certainly in advance of your own, but you could perhaps have built it in a hundred years or so. It is not the step change that Taelon or our own technology is," said Jinto.
"It's in some ways better than my own people's, though they are also getting a copy of this ship," said Lafiel.
"What is it for?" asked Da'an.
"For you, and them, if you will work together," said Lafiel.
"I can fly it?" asked Paul hopefully.
"With some training. We aren't experts either, and this ship is far more fragile than our usual. You, and your crew, should take the time needed," said Lafiel.
"But we can study it, use it, take it apart and stuff?" asked Paul.
"Only if at least Da'an helps. The fusion and drive systems require some expertise, or you will be in danger," said Jinto.
"I will gladly help," said Da'an.
"What is she called?" asked Paul.
"She is a copy of a ship called the Tempest. Tempest is a ship built by humans to explore the Andromeda galaxy," added Jinto.
"She is beautiful," said Lily.
"That she is," agreed Da'an.
"I thought you weren't going to give tech," said Boone.
"We figured on this compromise. A chance for Taelon's and humans to work together, while keeping the contribution well below what the Taelon's know," said Lafiel.
"Can it do faster than light?" asked Paul.
"She can do almost a light year per day. She can reach Altair. It won't be quick, but she can do it. she has a basic, yet limited system, to avoid time distortion," said Jinto.
"We used such ships frequently in the past. It should be no great effort for us to help maintain it," said Da'an.
"And it is less boring than sitting in that building?" suggested Lafiel.
Da'an nodded.
"We will help as well, though neither of us are engineers," said Jinto.
"Why don't we get started then?" asked Paul.
Jinto scratched the back of his head. "We probably need to figure out where to move it. We didn't exactly get permission to use this stadium."
"I have quite a few ideas. Let me make a call," said Paul.
-=oOo=-
"What do you make of the ship they provided the humans?" asked Qu'on to Da'an later that day through the virtual Synod session.
"It is obviously a human design, though quality for all it is. The most notable addition is the field it generates that prevents time dilation from occurring. It is technically faster than our ships, if you do not use the ID drive, though we have certainly made faster variations in the past."
"What is the purpose of the ship?"
"I believe it is a test if we can actually cooperate with the humans. I have tried to make a good beginning on this."
"And you believe this will have some point?" asked Zo'or.
"Yes, in time, though it is everyone else that may need to get their approval."
"Ridiculous," snapped Zo'or.
"What of Rho'ha's work? Can the Jaridians be saved? It certainly would be nice if they no longer sought Taelon energy."
"Some progress has been made. They may be ready to try a solution in a month or so," said Qu'on.
"So quickly. Remarkable," said Da'an.
"To be fair, it is the first time in a very long time that we have even contemplated helping the Jaridians," said Qu'on.
"I still say it is a mistake," said Zo'or.
"Why?" asked Da'an.
"They want to kill us."
"Worst case we may leave this universe, though I hope it is not to one so empty as they one they described," said Da'an.
"We need no one else," insisted Zo'or.
"That is clearly untrue, or we could solve our issue ourselves."
"We could extract the energy we need from the humans."
"That work has never been stable. It would likely accelerate the rate at which we decay," said Da'an.
"You are not arguing it is immoral then," said Zo'or.
"Why repeat an argument you do not care about?" asked Da'an.
"You believe we should be a slave species doing the whims of this so called Alliance to remain alive," said Zo'or.
"I believe we should go back to what we were, before everything became one venture after another to benefit us.'
"What are your plans Da'an?" asked Qu'on.
"I intend to help them figure out this new ship, so they can eventually built their own. Us returning to this kind of technology, may, after all, be required. After all, if ID drives are causing damage then there is no harm in becoming familiar again with the older technology. There are many missions where time is not so critical," said Da'an.
"I believe I will assist you," said Qu'on.
"You are just hoping they will restore your core energy," said Zo'or.
"Your point? Da'an is stable and alive when she should be dead, and, if you haven't noticed is increasing in core energy, not decreasing," said Qu'on bluntly.
"It is a very subtle thing, but yes, I have noticed it," said Da'an.
"This is ridiculous," said Zo'or.
-=oOo=-
Captains Manheim and Hart walked beside Captain Chandler.
"This is a very sweet ride. Is there any chance of meeting the people who made it?" asked Captain Manheim.
"Probably, but it wouldn't be a priority, and I think part of this is a test for the Taelons," said Chandler.
"Test, why?"
"GIving them a chance to actually help. This isn't new tech for them."
Da'an and Qu'on walked in.
"Have we come at a bad time?" asked Da'an.
"No, we were debating if we knew enough to take her up without Lafiel or one of the others here," said chandler.
Another walked in. This one had a darker color of blue skin than L'Nea but in place of hair she had sort of a folded back head crest, and was very attractive.
"Greetings," she said.
Da'an was the first to speak. "Hello. My name is Da'an. This is Qu'on, Captains Manheim, Hart, and Chandler."
"The others thought you might need a bit of help. I admit this isn't Asari tech, but I do know my way around and I was curious. I'm Lexi T'Perro. I'm a doctor. I'm also probably the closest thing here as to an expert on this ship technology."
"So you came with Lafiel and the others?" asked Paul.
"Actually, I came in a ship flown by a Captain Sela, though I know of who you mentioned. I helped source this copy of the ship. It and its twin that was delivered to the Abh are, due to recent events, well not obsolete, but less desirable, though I quite agree this is an excellent beginning for your people."
"I'll say. Your saying this is obsolete to you?" asked Paul.
"The Alliance shared with us their better drive technology, which is much faster."
"I thought they didn't like to give tech," said Paul.
"The Asari have walked the stars for a very long time as have all the groups that were to be a part of the pathfinder missions to Andromeda. The difference is we have shown a long history of using tech responsibly. In thanks we donated these. We also agreed on a mutual defense pact on such threats that could endanger multiple universes. That was simple common sense. Never let a problem fester if you can deal with it now."
"Can you take it up?" asked Paul.
"I should think so. Shall we find our places?" asked Lexi.
She sat in the central piloting chair and leaned back as it adjusted for her.
"Computer authorize as pilot Lexis T' Perro and initiate a full system check and startup."
"Lexi T' Perro is now authorized as pilot. Your authority may be upgraded to Captain if you wish."
"Somebody has to do it, and you know your way around," said Paul.
"It is not my intent to take this from you. I intended to offer my services as doctor."
"It should be Paul," said Da'an, much to Qu'on's surprise.
"Computer can you make Paul Chandler the captain using my authority?"
"Confirmed. Paul Chandler is now captain. Are there any other crew assignments?"
"Well tag everyone else here who is unassigned as crew for now," said Paul.
"Confirmed. All permissions updated. The system check is complete. No anomalies were detected. Tempest is ready for liftoff."
Lexi leaned back as she engaged the main engines and Tempest slowly shifted to a launch trajectory as their seats automatically compensated for their angle. She then punched it.
"Don't scratch the paint," complained Paul.
"Do not worry. I know well this crafts limitations. It is designed to be self repairable and be a one way mission. You need not worry too much about the paint as you say."
Da'an began to access the systems in front of him. Qu'on did the same. The others started on their own stations.
"Do you know where we are going?" asked Lexi.
"Altair?" suggested Paul.
"Did anyone pack food?" asked Frank Manheim.
"There should be rations in the galley. I assure you they are quite safe to eat. You may not agree after eating them, but there is no need to turn back," said Lexi.
"How long till we accelerate faster than light?" asked Philip Hart.
"Not sure. I was debating clearing the system first, particularly given I haven't actually flown this ship before," asked Lexi.
"The device that creates the field allowing us to go faster than light appears to be functioning normally," said Qu'on.
"That's standard tech. It will be fine," said Lexi.
"Do you have artificial gravity?" asked Da'an.
"Didn't make it into these ships. Some Asari ships have it, but these were intended to be as efficient as possible and as simple as possible. Does everyone know it would be about two weeks as you measure time to reach Altair?"
"I still want to go," said Paul.
Lexi nodded.
"How do you prevent space debris from destroying the ship at speeds?" asked Captain Hart.
"The field that protects us from time dilation also causes most matter to slide around us. There is a shield in the front as well. It is one of the reasons the ship is so thin. That way a small shield protects the entire ship and minimizes our energy use. The idea is to put every ounce of spare energy into speed."
"I believe we are ready for the final jump into FTL operation. Your course is clear," said Da'an.
"Can I get a second check on that?" asked Lexi.
"The information is confirmed," said Qu'on.
"Alright, bringing the system online." She tapped a few more controls. The ship shuddered briefly as it made the transition into its cruise mode and then just seemed to hum happily.
"Don't let that these are technically new fool you. We had an extensive flight test program. They are ready for use."
"So, do you have to remain in the seat the entire time or?" asked Paul.
"We would normally trade off every few hours, but I'd actually like to get you three used to slower speeds prior to working with a ship at this rate. The computer gives as much warning as it can in the event of a problem, but experience does help."
"Both Da'an and I have experience, though it has been one a hundred and forty Earth years," said Qu'on.
"That has been awhile. I was a kid back then," said Lexi with a smile.
"How old are you now?" asked Paul.
"Two hundred and forty one in Earth years," said Lexi.
"Does everyone live longer?"
"No. Most humans in my universe live to over one hundred, but that is because of the quality of care. Either way, I'll rotate out to you two on say the three hour mark. As for the other training, I'll of course train everyone, but I still want the other three to spend time at slower speeds before controlling at this speed," said Lexi.
"Seems reasonable to me. If it wasn't a two week journey I'd suggest a pause," said Chandler.
"We can do that if you want. Perhaps someone should go find the rations. You may decide to turn around," said Lexi with a smile.
-=oOo=-
In the middle of hour seven of their flight Qu'on was piloting when a Starfleet runabout overtook them. Da'an connected the incoming communications request.
Celeste, Jinto, and Lafiel appeared on screen.
"Is there a problem?" asked Paul.
"No, not as such. We just need to work on coms so you can talk to us in flight. They did, however, find something quite remarkable on Earth. They found the tomb of an apparent Taelon named Ma'el," said Jinto.
"That is of paramount importance," said Da'an.
"We thought so to. If you can come to a relative stop we can take one or both back, or possibly accelerate your return trip. It is up to you," said Lafiel.
"Who is Ma'el?" asked Paul.
"He was a Taelon who came to Earth near two thousand years ago. Whatever records he left are extremely precious," said Da'an.
"And are you going to let us look at all this?" asked Paul.
Da'an looked to Qu'on.
"Very well. We will find out together. I am slowing the ship to a relative stop. This will take several minutes," said Qu'on.
"We will extend our warp field around you and lock a tractor beam onto you. We will be limited in speed returning, but it still won't take that long," said Lafiel.
"What powers that one?" asked Paul.
"Antimatter. Antimatter is required for most attempts to move at such speeds," said Lexi.
"Why not use that for this one?"
"Antimatter must be created. It is energy intensive and inefficient," said Qu'on.
"The Alliance knows a few tricks, but that is neither here nor there," said Celeste.
"The main reason it is unsuitable for this ship design is this ship is intended to be self sufficient. Antimatter would make it anything but," said Lexi.
"We are now at a relative stop. I am reversing our course," said Qu'on.
"We are heading ahead of you. Disable your FTL subsystem," said Celeste.
"It is disabled."
"Extending our warp field."
"The field appears to be stable," said Da'an.
"Adding a tractor beam, though only weakly. It is probably best if you try to match our speed, rather than risk excessive shear," said Lafiel.
"I will do so," said Qu'on.
"It all looks good here. You are clear to bring us into warp speed," said Lexi.
"Got it. Increasing to warp one."
"It seems stable to me, but our field emitters are on the high side of normal. That may be our limit, while towing this ship," said Jinto.
"Pity. Well, we will be back in a couple hours. It will be fine," said Celeste.
"It is notable for that ship which is less than one fourth this ship size to do as much as it is doing," said Qu'on.
"I'm curious. Assuming you were healed and didn't have to worry about the Jaridians, what would you be doing right now?" asked Celeste.
"I'd be investigating Ma'el's tomb in any event. There is much to learn there," said Da'an.
"I agree," said Qu'on.
"And if that was not the case?" asked Celeste.
"It is true we came with false pretenses, though I honestly did think we could help the humans. I still believe that," said Da'an.
"Why do they need help?" asked Jinto curiously.
"They still have hunger, sickness, and strife. People still starve in your wealthiest cities," said Da'an.
"What do you think Paul?" asked Celeste.
"Actually efforts to help are fine, as long as they are careful, wanted, and actually help. Their gifts to growing of crops have helped enormously," admitted Paul.
"A lot of problems are, sadly, political, not scientific. Taleons are unlikely to fix that," said Frank Manheim.
"This is true," agreed Da'an.
"Do you have any magical solutions to political problems?" asked Paul.
Jinto laughed. "No. We just tend to do what needs be done and ignore the politics, just making sure we or someone carry's through so it doesn't all fall apart," said Celeste.
"Yea, we generally can't do that," added Paul.
"We know. You've done what you can," said Lafiel.
"We have a solution to some of them. At least we think it usually helps more than it hurts," said Celeste.
"What's that?" asked Paul.
"We teach what telepathy we can. The trait is part of human potential. Some will have more than others. It just seems harder for lies and propaganda to take hold in a world where people develop their minds more, and can't really be lied to, at least in person," said Celeste.
"I saw what Lacus taught Lily. It was most impressive," said Da'an.
"The offer is there if you have an interest. You can, of course, say no," said Celeste.
"I would like to see if I can learn this," said Lexi.
"Of course."
"There is one thing I do not understand," said Chandler.
"What is that?" asked Lexi.
"I thought Tempest was built by humans?"
"It was. More precisely the Earth Systems Alliance was primarily responsible for Tempest design and construction. The Asari Empire did, however, help on many of its key systems."
"So everyone works together then?"
"Not perfectly no. There are issues, but we resolve them for the most part. The Geth are our greatest enemies."
"Geth?"
"They were created long ago by the Quarians as laborers and tools of war. They became sentient and now consider organic lifeforms something that is no longer desired. The Alliance fought, well not the same thing, but an odd hybrid of organic and cybernetic," said Lexi.
"Could you tell us about it?" asked Paul.
"The Geth, of course. The Alliance battles, I do not have detailed information on, and you really should just ask them."
"We don't mind talking about it," said Celeste.
"And how would you compare all this to the Taelons?" asked Qu'on.
"The Borg were an existential threat because they, like the Geth, saw no value in letting living beings live as they were. They would board your ships, slice through your defenses, infect all they saw with their invasive technology, including people, turning friend to enemy in a matter of hours. They were in no way comparable to the Taelons. The Taelons primary motivation is their own lives. This does not surprise anyone. All species will work to survive. It is when that survival is built on the deaths of other sentients, or in the Borg case the enslavement of souls that we must intervene," said Celeste.
"Our CVI technology was one such," said Da'an.
"Even then it was not beyond us to deal with the problem, though it was a point in your favor when you permitted it," said Celeste.
"Can someone explain?" asked Paul.
"The people they implant as agents get vastly improved mental functioning, as well as a controlling imperative to serve the Taelons. It also will, eventually, kill them. The Alliance doesn't forbid mental implants, but we don't like them at all, hence our removal of the technology from this ship. We use external devices when we must interface more closely. They are nearly as good," finished Celeste.
"Yes, the Asari and the Earth Systems Alliance were quite interested in that tech of yours," said Lexi.
"So you want people to stay as they were born?" asked Paul.
"Perhaps it is hypocritical of us, but yes, we prefer to improve ourselves, but not to add things to ourselves. There is a lot of potential to humans as is. Again, we don't forbid tech like was used in this line of ships, but if it started to look like a new Borg collective, yes we would stop that."
"Makes sense to me," said Hart. Paul and Manheim also nodded.
"How did you stop the Borg Collective?" asked Da'an.
"I don't think we will answer that one. We can show you how we successfully fought them off at one point if you wish," said Celeste.
"Something your not proud of perhaps?" suggested Qu'on.
"No, it was perhaps our proudest and yet saddest moment. It is also very personal," said Celeste.
They continued their journey interrupted only by Lafiel starting to sing softly over the open connection.
I have often dreamed
Of a far off place
Where a hero's welcome
Would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be
I'll be there someday
I can go the distance
I will find my way
If I can be strong
I know every mile
Will be worth my while
When I go the distance
I'll be right where I belong
Down an unknown road
To embrace my fate
Though the road may wander
It will lead me to you
And a thousand years
Would be worth the wait
It may take a lifetime
But somehow I'll see it through
"That was quite pretty. Where is it from?" asked Da'an.
"Oh, one of the others was singing it. I believe it is a song from Lucas Grabneel," said Lafiel
"Would you like me to take the landing, or do you believe you have it?" asked Lexi
"It is unnecessary. I flew such craft for many years," said Qu'on.
Lexi nodded.
"I do require the location of Ma'el's tomb though."
"Ireland, Strandhill," said Lafiel.
"Do you have a more precise location?"
"I do not, but we can likely get it either via your group or ours."
"I've got my link on me. I'll contact Lily when we get closer," said Paul.
-=oOo=-
"I am transitioning back to sublight speeds," said Qu'on.
"All systems appear to be functioning normally," said Da'an.
"I have placed a decent course at your command, but I do not know the proper procedure with who to contact when landing, or taking off for that matter," said Lexi.
Paul pulled out his link and opened it. "Nothing yet."
"We are contacting the governments in question. Our ship will remain in orbit," said Lafiel.
"I am beginning our descent course," said Qu'on.
"Everyone make sure you are prepared for entry," said Lexi even as she leaned back in her chair.
"I can't wait to fly her," said Paul.
"This ship should be quite easy for a human to learn to control. The biggest keys will be in understanding the dangers and compensating should a key system fail," said Qu'on.
"I agree. I can begin to go over the training I took when there is time," said Lexi.
"I think we would all like that." He opened his link again, seeing a signal asked for Lily.
"Paul? Your back?"
"Just now. We are landing. Do you know where in Strandhill? The Alliance and the Taelons are working together to find it."
"We only just got the missing piece of the mosaic from the guy who took it. We haven't found the actual tomb yet. I'll send you our coordinates."
"Thanks."
The ship descended gracefully on a flat area of grass, singing the grass underneath where the secondary thrusters on the sides were.
