MISSION 16 Reflections Prologue She fled down the corridor, feeling as if she'd been running forever -- but her pursuer was relentless. In her blind panic, she nearly collided with the shuttle bay doors, and waited for what seemed an eternity for them to open. When they finally did, she threw herself inside... ...and immediately wished she hadn't. There in front of her were her crewmates -- or, rather, her old crewmates: Chakotay, Kim, Paris, Seven, Tuvok. They all began at once. "You don't have to do this…!" "Don't leave us...!" "You're family..." "We need you..." "You're one of us…!" She turned away and ran to the shuttle, their voices still in her head. I have to. You're all too important for me to stay. She took the pilot's chair, programmed the launch sequence... ...and left Voyager behind. A voice behind her wished, "Good luck, Lieutenant." She whirled wildly, and wasn't sure whether to relax or not at seeing the Doctor smiling benignly at her. "We'll be here for you when you return," the EMH assured her; then disappeared as if shut down. Not you, too. She turned the little craft towards the blue/white anomaly that threatened her home, her friends and her family, and plunged into its depths… Kate Sheridan awoke with a start. It didn't happen like that. She'd left Voyager willingly, supported by her friends. She'd saved them, so they could return home. She'd sacrificed herself for them, so their dreams could come true. She surveyed the instruments: Warp and impulse were offline; thrusters were available at only 20%.
Transcript
MISSION 16
ReflectionsPrologue
She fled down the corridor, feeling as if she'd been running forever -- but her pursuer was relentless.In her blind panic, she nearly collided with the shuttle bay doors, and waited for what seemed an eternity for them to open. When they finally did, she threw herself inside......and immediately wished she hadn't. There in front of her were her crewmates -- or, rather, her old crewmates: Chakotay, Kim, Paris, Seven, Tuvok. They all began at once. "You don't have to do this…!""Don't leave us...!""You're family...""We need you...""You're one of us…!" She turned away and ran to the shuttle, their voices still in her head. I have to. You're all too important for me to stay.She took the pilot's chair, programmed the launch sequence......and left Voyager behind.A voice behind her wished, "Good luck, Lieutenant." She whirled wildly, and wasn't sure whether to relax or not at seeing the Doctor smiling benignly at her. "We'll be here for you when you return," the EMH assured her; then disappeared as if shut down.Not you, too.She turned the little craft towards the blue/white anomaly that threatened her home, her friends and her family, and plunged into its depths…Kate Sheridan awoke with a start. It didn't happen like that. She'd left Voyager willingly, supported by her friends. She'd saved them, so they could return home. She'd sacrificed herself for them, so their dreams could come true.She surveyed the instruments: Warp and impulse were offline; thrusters were available at only 20%. For all intents and purposes, she was dead in space. Then the shuttle shook.Kate checked the sensors. The anomaly that brought her here was still there, and it was fluctuating. Then, a ship began to emerge, its oval saucer slipping free of the blue and white energy swirls. As it emerged, its registry became for a moment clearly visible: NCC-75124.Instants later, it opened fire. Lances of energy streamed from the ship's ventral phaser arrays at the little shuttlecraft, giving Kate only moments to react with the underpowered thrusters, avoiding certain death by only a few centimeters.The shuttle rocked as she dodged attack after attack, until the attacker finally scored a hit… it was only a glancing blow, but more than enough to turn the little craft into an inferno. She burned, and screamed…
Kate Sheridan awoke. Again.For a moment, she slapped at herself, desperately fighting to douse flames that existed only in her mind. Sweat glistened on her forehead; the intensity of the dream was for the moment was
more prominent than the reality of her quarters. What had started as a nightmare had turned into a realistic, almost tangible, experience.She still couldn't remember what had happened during the hours between entering the anomaly 25 years in the future and her discovery by the USS Constitution six years ago. Even though her common sense told her it couldn't possibly be so, the idea -- even in nightmare form -- that the Argus had attempted to destroy her in that moment when she'd been most vulnerable shook her to the core...
*** Somewhere in the Delta Quadrant:Thirty years from now, at this very place, in one possible future, history will be made
when a group of lost children is brought home through the sacrifice of one of their own.But for now, though, there is nothing to indicate that this area of space is different than any other in the four galactic quadrants. It's barren. The nearest star is one hundred light years away, the nearest civilization one thousand; in other words, a year's travel at the best cruising velocity of the swiftest Federation starships.However, all this will soon change; this place will become an area of great interest, a sign of the rot that infected space-time several years ago……and the first signs are here for those who know where to look.She is one of them. She holds position here, waiting for the first sign. Her small, black ship is invisible against the darkness of space, its hull undetectable by any standard scan. She has been here since the last part of her mission was fulfilled over a month ago, and her patience is finally rewarded. Space explodes in a eruption of blue energy as a rift comes into being. Everything is following its predestined course.For better or worse, this is the beginning of the end.
***
Fleet Captain Jonozia Lex looked out the ready room window towards Deep Space Five. It has been little over a month since he'd last been here; or, rather, since Lex had last been here, visiting the USS Liberty. The events of the few days following had had a something of a profound effect on the captain, due in part to the fact that Jonozia had died and been brought back as a clone. Things like that tended to alter your perspective on life.But it wasn't just the Trill's thoughts on his own existence (although it had occupied much of his time while the ship had been docked the starship R&D facility), that were being affected by his death and resurrection. His relationship with Sara had changed greatly in the past month. She had, at first, been overjoyed at the doctor's success in bringing her husband back to her; but, over time, this jubilation had faded, replaced by the slowly dawning knowledge that the man who wore his face wasn't the same man she'd married. The Jonozia Lex she'd known and loved was gone.The chime shook him out of his thoughts."Come in."The ready room doors opened and Kate Sheridan entered. Lex smiled inwardly; he was happy to have her back on his senior staff, especially in the position of X-O, which she rightly deserved. The Trill was pleased to see how the time she'd spent under the command of Luciano Mantovanni has shaped her from a fine officer into a near brilliant one. The eight months away from Argus had done her good.
"We've new orders, sir," she announced, placing a PADD on his desk. He noticed that Kate was very stiff and official this morning. It was an artificial demeanor he'd heard called a "captain's wall", the kind of emotional distancing that some leaders could erect at will. From a commander like Jean-Luc Picard, the barriers were almost impenetrable; Kate, though, despite her newfound abilities, was still a neophyte at this particular skill. With several lifetimes of experience to draw upon, Lex could read right through her."Is everything all right?" he asked, concerned."Fine, sir."She's lying."If you have any problems you can always…""I said I'm fine, sir," she interjected, with a more than a little irritation in her voice.Maybe she's still a little sour about her forced transfer off the Argus. Or perhaps it's deeper than that."Careful, Kate, some captains would consider your reaction to be insubordinate," he sortied with a smile, in an attempt to lighten the mood.The look she gave him was reminiscent of the frosty steel Luciano Mantovanni had perfected long ago. "Not the good ones." Ouch. She wasn't half-bad at it herself, he noted.Not everything you learned from our mutual mentor is necessarily for use in every situation, Kate. "Commander, I trust whatever it is that's troubling you isn't going to affect you're ability to perform as an officer of this crew.""No sir, it won't," she replied. "Respectfully, though, I really have no wish to discuss it at this time." Then, she surprised him again."I know you're here if I change my mind, Lex… and it's appreciated." "Then you're dismissed, Commander."Sheridan never broke stride as she left.Great, he thought. Another woman who won't talk to me.
Lieutenant Sara Parker waited outside the ready room, fidgeting. Cassaria had informed her that Lex was currently in with Kate Sheridan, and so she lingered with ever decreasing patience.Naturally, she thought. The one moment in the last few weeks I've actually wanted to talk with him, and he's with someone.Sara fiddled with the PADD in her hands, slightly nervous at what she was about to do. She hadn't enjoyed going behind her husband's back, but she'd known what his answer would have been if she'd approached him. Her need was simply too great to consider anyone's feelings -- even her husband's.The ready room doors opened and Kate swept past her with nary a glance. Sara sensed turmoil, mixed with mild annoyance from her friend as she took the center seat from Simok.Before they could close again, she slipped through.Lex was sitting behind the desk, his face bathed in the light blue glow emanating from the fish tank in the corner of the room, as he watched the small Trill fish swimming about. He turned to look at who had entered and smiled when he saw her. Despite the shift in personality towards Lex and away from Jonozia in the past month, she couldn't deny that he still cared for her, and it only made her feel more guilty for what she was about to do."I'm leaving," she stated.Lex looked at her, momentarily amused. "You came into my ready room to tell me you're leaving my ready room?""I'm leaving," she repeated. "I've been approved for an extended leave of absence."
"Not from the captain of this ship, you haven't!" snapped Lex."No," she affirmed quietly. "I got it from Admiral Jellico."Lex stared at her, "You went over… no, sorry… soared over my head?""You would have said no," she replied defensively."You don't know that," he replied. "Not if the reason had been valid."She looked him straight in the eyes. "I… we need some time apart.""You should have discussed this with me." He shook his head in a mixture of disapproval and disbelief."It was a decision I had to make on my own.""That's selfish," he countered. "You're not the only person who's had their 'life' turned on its head. I died, for God's sake!""That's normal for a Trill," Sara responded evenly. "Your species goes through that every half a century or so, on the average! I've only ever fallen in love once..." she hesitated, and then determinedly pressed on."...and now I don't know if that person still exists."Lex imposed a semblance of calm upon himself. "Well, running away from the source of your difficulty is hardly the way to solve the problem.""I need some grounding to get my thoughts together," she insisted. "I need to get away from this ship.""All right, then," he acknowledged, attempting to at least seem reasonable. "When are you leaving?""That's why I've come to tell you now… I'm leaving after I leave here."Lex looked shocked; he'd obviously expected a little time to talk her out of it -- but then that was why she'd waited until now to tell him. It was ironic that she still knew him well enough to frustrate him at every turn."Where are you going?""Home."Lex found his opportunity. "The Argus is heading for Earth, anyway. You can stay aboard and travel back with us.""No Jono, you don't understand, she whispered, taking his hand. "I'm going home…..."...and for me, that's Vampri III."
Act 1 These medical records are a mess, Simon Frazier had thought when he'd taken charge
of Argus' sickbay. His predecessor, Jane McDonald, had left the files in disarray when she'd left; the new CMO was willing to cut the former one some slack though, since he figured it must have had something to do with half her insides being eaten out by an alien parasite.A shiver had rolled down his back at the thought.Two hours later he'd figured out the rather odd filing system she'd used -- but had promptly found something else to annoy him. Captain Lex didn't seem to have medical records any longer. How could she have lost the medical history of the most important man on the ship?"Sickbay to Lieutenant Dulmis.""Dulmis here.""Lieutenant, when you've got a free moment could you come down to sickbay? I'm having some problems with the computer."
"I'll be right there," came the brisk reply."Thanks, Lieutenant. Sickbay out."OK, he thought to himself, let's see if any of the medical systems work properly."Computer, activate EMH.""Please state the nature of the medical emergency," came the prompt response from the materializing hologram."Systems check," Frazier ordered, without looking up from the screen."Understood," responded the construct.Something in the voice finally garnered Frazier's attention, and he looked at the hologram. "You're still a Mark One?"The image of the balding physician glared suspiciously. "What do you mean, 'Mark One'?""Why haven't you been upgraded to Mark Three?"The EMH was visibly distraught. "I've been replaced? Twice!?"Oh great, the wonderful Mark One EMH personality. Why Starfleet ever approved a medical hologram with the personality of Dr. Zimmerman I don't know."The reason would be me," a voice from the doorway replied.Frazier looked past the EMH, who also turned. There stood a blond woman with shoulder length hair, her stance suggesting she held a high level of authority on this ship. Frazier had an overwhelming feeling he'd seen her before."You're Katherine Sheridan," he stated, as it clicked. "Kathryn Janeway's daughter.""Dr. Frazier, I presume?"He grinned crookedly at the old joke, but nodded. "I came to see how you were settling in.""Fine thank you, sir," he replied, not wishing to trouble her with the data file 'problem' until he was actually sure it was one. He changed the subject. "I had the fortune of serving with your mother when I was a junior doctor on the Al-Batani."Sheridan harrumphed. She must get a lot of "I met your mother" stories these days. Simon took this gap in the conversation as opportunity to fully appraise her, in the shallower sense of the word.You're much more striking than your mother, he thought. Wow. "Shall I check for fever, doctor?" broke in the EMH drolly, making Frazier realize he'd reacted to, and gotten lost in, Sheridan's eyes.Don't go making a fool of yourself, Simon."Computer, deactivate EMH," he ordered, and the hologram returned to the nothingness from with he had appeared......but not before cocking a perceptive holographic eye at its colleague."So, Commander, you were going to tell me why the Argus has an out-of-date hologram," he inquired in clipped tones, over-compensating for the sudden attraction."Personal preference. I've seen the Mark Three and I don't believe that there's anything to be gained by the upgrade.""That's your qualified medical opinion?" he asked, with more than a dash of sarcasm."No," she replied sternly. "It was a joint decision between myself and Dr. McDonald.""With all due respect to my forbear, I'm putting in a formal request with Starfleet Medical for the upgrade to Mark Three.""That won't be necessary," she responded firmly. "The Mark One serves our needs perfectly.""This is one of the most powerful and technologically advanced ships in the fleet, Commander," he retorted. "Don't you think it should have the most up-to-date systems?"
Sheridan glared at him, but it seemed she wasn't prepared to engage in an argument she couldn’t win. "I'll be sure to pass your request on to the captain." With that, she turned and left, nearly knocking over the incoming James Dulmis."Thank you, Commander," Frazier called after her.She's certainly as bitchy as her mother. Couldn't hope she'd be sexy and pleasant, to boot.Dulmis placed his engineering kit on the table, and ventured, "What did you say to her, sir?""Just suggested we should upgrade the EMH.""Ah, that explains it." At Frazier's questioning look, he clarified."She's a little attached to him."
***
"Admiral, I'd like to request the use of a shuttlecraft."Edward Jellico sat behind his desk in his office aboard Deep Space Five, as surprised now as he had been when Sara Parker had stood before him two days ago.Ever since both the Argus and Liberty had put into port at the station something hadn't been quite right: For a start, he was sure that the reports didn't tell the whole story of how they'd defeated those parasites; then there was the sudden transfer of the Argus' doctor to Liberty; and, finally, Lieutenant Parker coming to him to request an extended leave of absence. People were deserting that ship like rats.Unfortunately he hadn't had time to question either captain before their ships about any of this before they left on new assignments -- and if there was an answer to be had, he knew better than expect to extract it from Luciano Mantovanni anyway. Lex, though growing more secretive by leaps and bounds, was still somewhat malleable; though, unfortunately, the influence of both Mantovanni and, especially, Alexander Pierce was becoming more evident with each passing day.Maybe the Argus' science officer being here was the opportunity he needed. "What do you need a shuttlecraft for, Lieutenant?" he asked. "Transports leave the station daily to all the major destinations in the sector. You can get almost anywhere in the local region from here. "Even Starbase 88 isn't that far; maybe a single change.""I'm not trying to get to Starbase 88," Sara Parker replied, "In fact there are no transports to where I'm going."The hairs on Jellico's neck stood up. He didn't like this one bit. "Where are you going?""The Vampri system," she replied.The admiral looked at her, trying to tell if she was joking. After a moment, he came to the conclusion she wasn't."You know that system's off limits. Even if I were inclined to give you a shuttle I couldn't let you go."Sara handed him a PADD. "Orders from Starfleet Command. The Vampri exclusion doesn't apply to me.""These are signed by Admiral Parker.""Yes.""Why is the block lifted for you?"She sighed. "My mother's from Vampri III.""Not good enough," Jellico replied. "Starfleet doesn't do the same for its members who are from other hostile races.""Starfleet isn't threatened by the Vampri in the same way as they are by the Romulans or the Cardassians."You can't ignore those orders, sir, they come from too far up."
Jellico folded his arms in what looked to be a gesture of finality. "Sounds like, 'I've got friends in high places' to me. "I've never liked that reason." Sara's lips thinned as she grew progressively more agitated. "Permission to speak freely, sir.""No," he replied. "Statements like that invariably lead to authorized verbal attacks."Sara started anyway, "With all due respect…""As does that one," Jellico interjected, more than a hint of warning in his voice.She was unperturbed, and repeated, "With all due respect, sir, I think that you're being wholly unreasonable. I've gone through the correct channels and gotten the required endorsements. What is there left to question?"Jellico was surprised that her 'with all due respect' statement had been far less scathing than he'd expected from the modern day Starfleet officer. Maybe he'd been at the receiving end of too many from Mackenzie Calhoun.Of course, the impertinent "How dare you attempt to thwart me?" tone didn't exactly endear her to him. "Plenty," he replied. "For instance, there's the family connection. Do you think that your grandfather would give this to anyone else?" He waved the PADD at her. "It's obvious favoritism.""It takes more than one admiral to rescind an exclusion order, sir," she countered, somewhat primly.The Admiral looked back at the PADD, scrolling down further. "Admiral Alexander Pierce, former Commander of the Seventh Fleet? As I recall, he saved Lex from a court martial; turned your husband into a hero."Sara's eyes glittered dangerously, and for the briefest moment, Jellico realized he'd gone too far in the wrong direction."My husband didn't need anyone -- not Luciano Mantovanni, not Alexander Pierce and not Joseph Parker -- to turn him into a hero!"He backpedaled immediately. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded. He's a excellent officer, in many ways." His expression hardened again."Permission denied.""You don't have that authority," she challenged; but her expression was becoming a little desperate. A Starfleet princess like Sara Parker didn't know what to do when her will was challenged; girl-like elements in her personality were beginning to emerge.Excellent. Now we're getting somewhere.Jellico recognized when he had someone on the run. The next exchange was like a series of reflex volleys at net."What's your real reason for wanting to go there, and why did you come to me for your leave and not Lex?""It's a personal matter.""Answer my question.""I said, 'It's a personal matter'.""Not anymore it isn't. Not if you want that shuttle.""Why is my personal life of such interest to you?""It isn't. Getting my shuttle back is.""That has nothing to do with this.""It has everything to do with this." Jellico paused for a moment, then continued."You're right, Lieutenant; I can't simply ignore orders from two senior admirals, but I can choose your method of transport -- especially since I'm convinced you have something to hide and would find it much easier to do in a shuttle as opposed to on a starship.
"I'll arrange you passage on the USS Sentinel. Their patrol heads out that way in two days' time."Parker looked distraught, and then angry.Good. This should throw off her plans a bit."Something wrong with Captain Foxton and her ship?""No, sir," she snapped, in a tone that indicated something was, indeed, very wrong."This is the final offer, take it or leave it." He leaned forward, and warned, "I guarantee you won't get out there any other way without destroying your career."She paused."I'll take it." "I thought you might. You're dismissed."Parker shot him the briefest of venomous glares when she thought he couldn't see, and then left.Now I need to speak with Alyson Foxton, he thought. I'll get to the bottom of this little conspiracy of yours.Then suddenly, he laughed, genuinely amused.What a snotty little brat.
Act 2 Lex didn't often do this.As the captain of his ship, he tended to avoid the rec-room; it opened him up for too much scrutiny from the crew, even if he did have the reputation of being more open with them than most captains.It must come from having a wife that's one of them. At the thought of Sara he lifted the glass to his mouth. He needed the drink. Thoughts raced through his head: That he was just a pale shadow of the Argus' captain, a reasonable facsimile of a man whose growing legend had been cut tragically short. Maybe he should just quit Starfleet; get away from this vessel, this crew, this life. Maybe he should simply start a new life, as every newly-joined host did. Maybe he should stop living this lie. "Is this seat taken, Captain?"Lex looked up. If it was rare for him to be in the rec room, it was even rarer for him to be disturbed by a crewmember.Standing before him was a Trill lieutenant. The fewer, larger spots that lined the sides of her head told him that she was a hybrid, like him. However, hers were more faded, suggesting it had been a grandparent who had been the full trill. She had auburn hair, tied back in a ponytail accenting her delicately contoured face and aquamarine eyes; they shone like two jewels and almost precisely matched the blue of her uniform. "Have we met before, Lieutenant?" he inquired, searching for her name. "...Kara Tarm," she replied with a smile, "I transferred aboard from DS5, Captain.""Welcome aboard, Lieutenant.""Thank you, sir… I wondered if I could ask you something."
Lex raised an eyebrow and encouraged her to continue. If nothing else this would provide an interesting distraction to his current woes."I've followed your career with Starfleet quite closely, sir." She told him while seating herself, "all the way back to the incident at Epsilon III.""Epsilon III?" This woman was full of surprises. "Now there's a name I haven't heard in a long time.""116 years, to be exact. As I said, I've followed your career. Lex is why I joined Starfleet."Lex couldn't deny that he was flattered at being someone's inspiration, if it was from five life times ago."Sir, if it's not too much trouble, I'd love to hear your perspective on some of them."Lex looked at her. This young woman was a real enigma. He felt happy to tell her almost anything, there was an instant rapport between them. Few people had ever had this effect in his long life, and Lex had learnt to treasure them as his greatest friends. Sara had been one of them, Mantovanni another.Lex sat back. "Epsilon III…" he considered thoughtfully. "The first time I led a team; also very nearly the last. "As I recall it all began when I was offered the chance to lead a science team on a cultural exchange to Earth…" The first think that Dr. Ambon Lex noticed about Admiral Robert April was the air of command that surrounded the man. He had recently returned from a five-year mission on one of the 'pride of the fleet' Constitution-class vessels, the USS Enterprise, and had been promoted to admiral, making way for a young firebrand of a commander, Christopher Pike, to take his place. His successes, together with his ability to outmaneuver the ever more aggressive Klingons, had made him a hero. Despite his growing legend, the admiral seemed to be a get-things-done kind of man.April was looking out of the view port at the ships under construction at the San Francisco yards, the myriad of designs reflecting the diverse cultures that formed the Federation. Even though Starfleet was still very much the United Earth Space Probe Agency, many of the Federation's races had expressed an interest in joining. Few people still thought that in the next few decades Starfleet would be solely Earth's responsibility. There was even talk of a Vulcan cadet at the Academy.However, such things only interested Lex in as far as the different species interacted; that was, after all, why he and his team were so far from the home world. The idea of Starfleet service simply didn't appeal to the Trill."Admiral," Lex called as he approached."Dr. Lex," April turned with a smile. "I trust you slept better.""It improves with each night," the Trill replied. He'd had a little trouble adjusting to the humans' twenty-four hour day. "You asked to see me."April started to walk away from the viewport, and Lex fell in with him. "As you know, I asked you and your team here to help us make contact with a new space-faring species whom we seem unable the locate.""Yes, we helped you design the new sensors.""Well the USS Columbia picked this up this morning."April walked over to the viewscreen on the far wall of the observation room and flicked a switch. An image of a long cylindrical station in orbit of a planet appeared on the screen."Where is that?""The Epsilon system."
"That's only twenty light years from the edge of acknowledged Federation space," Lex mused. "There's no scale here. How large is it?""Five miles. It's an impressive structure," the admiral affirmed. "The Columbia tracked several anomalies to it. We believe it to be a main base of operations. A perfect place to make first contact."Lex had read up on Starfleet first contact procedures, which had been thoroughly revised in the past few decades, after the disastrous initial meetings with the Klingons."I don't think infiltrating their base will go down too well towards a building a good relationship.""That much would seem obvious. It's my recommendation to the Federation council that we send a single starship, preferably one which could hold its own but wouldn't be considered threatening.""You sound like you have a ship in mind.""I do." He swept his hand across the view port. "The recently refit USS Argus."
***
2376 Sara Parker wasn't happy with her travel arrangements at all, but she was even less
happy with Jellico. It seemed the admiral didn't want her to leave his station; he'd sent the Sentinel on one minor mission after another, until he'd delayed the ship as much as he could without incurring the wrath of his superiors. Now finally the Akira-class ship had docked.Sara hadn't packed much: Everything she needed was in a backpack slung over her shoulder. She wasn't looking forward to spending two weeks aboard a ship with Alyson Foxton. The whole reason she'd requested a shuttle in the first place was so she could be alone for a while and away from Lex, but now she'd find herself spending time on a ship with one of his most enduring friends. If it weren't for the overwhelming need she had to return home, she'd have waited for the next available ship she could get passage on.Well, at least this time it's a conscious need.Sara looked out of the large lounge windows at the Sentinel. Two thirds the size of the Argus in height, width and length, she was a far more compact vessel. Her class, like so many other modern starships, was built for both war and peace, a necessity that had arisen from the recent wars with the Cardassians, Borg and Dominion. Her shape was similar to the classic NX-class starships that had been the backbone of Starfleet's early exploration before the formation of the federation, only more refined and sleeker. In the five years she'd been in space the Sentinel had definitely proven herself a valuable vessel, too, with Alyson Foxton proving exactly why she was a respected contemporary of both Jean-Luc Picard and Katanna Lex.Sara turned away from the window, cursing herself for her drift, even in the slightest, back to Lex. She wanted to grieve her husband's loss, but how could she when there was a being nigh on identical to him walking around in his place, living his life.She had to ask herself if she wanted to accept that the man she married was dead. There were differences, to be sure, but inside he was still the same person, wasn't he? With all those lifetimes of memories, he had to be; but then didn't that make her just one of many loves?That was the thing.Just before her marriage, she'd had occasion to meet one of Lex's closest friends, Luciano Mantovanni. He and her fiancé had the strangest love/hate relationship; and he'd told her something one night when they'd both stayed up talking long after Lex had gone to bed. Then,
she'd dismissed it in the flush of young love -- but it had now come back to her with a vengeance.Until that moment in the conversation, she'd been laughing almost uncontrollably; Mantovanni's scathing wit was absolutely compelling, when he chose to employ it.Then, she'd asked about what had broken up his decades-done relationship with Saren Lex, and the captain's expression had instantly become like ice. She could, in that moment, see why none of his or the Federation's enemies had ever been a match for him."I'll ask you this once, Sara: Do you truly want to know?"Again, with the fervor of youth, she'd nodded emphatically. To his credit, he'd remained brutally honest."I had no intention," the Sicilian had told her grimly, "of being someone else's fond memory after I'm long dead; ranked in their mind alongside everyone with whom they'd ever have a relationship. You know: Whether I made them laugh more than Lover #3; whether I was better in bed than Lover #6; whether I made them feel giddier than Lover #2…""But that happens in many adult relationships… it's life, Cicero.""So you say, Sara. "Let me ask you something… Lex is the great love of your life, eh? I wonder who'd he say was the great love of his? He does, after all, have seven lifetimes to consider when making that determination." He'd stopped abruptly, glanced angrily at his half-empty goblet, and put it down, whispering, "In vino, veritas. "So be it."Then he'd said the words that now she couldn't shake."Better you than me."I'm glad I slapped him when Jono died, she thought angrily. I didn't need to hear that then......or remember it now.Sara was certain of one thing; she wasn't going to find her answers quickly."Lieutenant Parker?" She looked around to see who'd called her name. A dark-haired man in a command uniform was approaching, hand extended. As he got closer she noted he held the rank of Commander. She took his hand and shook it."Commander…?" she prompted."...Henry Burtoff," he finished; a slight Eastern European accent was in evidence. "I'm the first officer on the USS Sentinel. Captain Foxton sent me to meet with you; we're nearly ready to depart."About time, Sara thought to herself."If you'll follow me."She picked up her bags and did.
***
2260"Entering the Epsilon system, Captain."
"Slow to full impulse and set course for the third planet.""Aye, sir."This mission was the first time Lex had had a chance to view Starfleet personnel working up close; he had to admit it was impressive. His team had been had been well treated ever since they'd boarded this small ship; their every need had been met by her crew, who were very efficient and good at their jobs (although Lex didn't know if it was due to an admiral being
aboard). If this was the future of Federation defense and exploration he was sure it was in good hands.The Argus herself was just as impressive. The little Surya-class ship was spacious by Trill standards; luxuries were taken into consideration that would be dismissed in one of his own race's basic warp ships."Were reading a structure, sir," reported the science officer. "It seems to be some kind of space station.""On screen."The ship's viewer activated to show a green station with two distinct sections, like large barrels; one partially enveloping the other. The smaller one had a rectangular opening at the end closest to the ship: It was possibly a docking port of some kind.At the far end if the second, larger, barrel were a set of large petal-like structures, perhaps solar panels or a large communications array. There were no lights anywhere."Life signs?" asked Admiral April."None," the science officer replied. "She's a derelict.""That would explain why we've never detected it," speculated the captain. "How long has it been here, Mr. Farrow? Is it structurally sound?""It's around one thousand years old," he reported. "The overall framework is surprisingly sound for a station of that age.""Sheridan, Anderson and Farrow, prepare to beam over.""Thank you Captain." April said taking the seat, "Dr. Lex, would you like your team to join the landing party?""Certainly, Admiral." Was the man kidding? He'd practically kill for such an opportunity."Then have three of your team accompany the Argus officers."Lex nodded to April and left the bridge.
Act 3 They materialized in an area of the station that seemed to be some sort of large
corridor or meeting place. Placing several illumination beacons, the group spread out a little, scanning their immediate area with tricorders. They were completely fitted out in environmental suits, as the Argus could get no reading on the station's internal conditions.One of the officers reported, "Nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere; no toxins." "How is that possible after a thousand years?" asked Captain Mathews."This could explain it; I'm reading plant life," Har'na, one of the Trill scientists, replied. "This way.""Sir, I'd like to check out what seems to be the C-n-C.""All right, Commander Sheridan," replied the captain. "Take Farrow with you and contact us if you see anything."The group followed where Har'na led. After a few moments, and several rather convoluted corridors and winding stairs, they saw a light at the end of one of the corridors. They were amazed when its source proved to be a gigantic arboretum, which completely lined the inside of the larger barrel.
As the crew had discovered when they beamed aboard, there was no artificial gravity, and nowhere was this more evident. One thousand years of neglect had allowed these plants to grow literally in all directions; some stretched at least fifty meters into the center of the barrel."This used to operate using centrifugal gravity." Said Lex."I'd say that's a safe bet, Doctor," Mathews agreed. "Yeoman Anderson, are you getting all this?""Aye, sir," she replied, pointing her tricorder in all directions.Lex suddenly noticed something through the mass of plants: A light source, bright enough he couldn't tell anything other than that it was spherical.Evidently they've been yearning towards it for a thousand years, he thought.Mathews pointed his tricorder at it. "Interesting. I can't get a reading."The floor shook. The taller plants started to quiver and sway. Large creaks could be heard as ancient mechanisms started to move for the first time in a millennia. The barrel began to turn."Everyone out, now!" shouted Mathews, running for the door.The cylinder's rotation gained momentum. Plants came crashing down around them.Lex was first out the door, followed by Mathews and Farrow.Then there was a frightening pause.Lex looked back into the arboretum, to see Jose helping Har'na to her feet; the Trill, though, had hurt her ankle, and had to be half carried by her determined but slight companion. All around them previously towering plants came crashing to the ground, unable to support their own steadily increasing weight. Har'na made it to the door, but turned to see the Spaniard impaled by a falling tree only inches away.At least it was quick; he twitched once, and was still.Har'na screamed, turning and frantically attempting to reach her deceased colleague; Lex made a desperate grab and pulled her back. The younger Trill scientist, completely unaccustomed to such tragedy, then fell into a swoon. Lex, attempting to revive her, was only half aware of Mathews yelling into his communicator."...the hell is going on?!" he roared."Whole... powering u... can't beam yo... time warp interfer...""Damn it. Send us a shuttle.""Aye…" Things didn't sound that great aboard the Argus, either."Dr. Lex, I suggest you get down to what passes for a docking bay in this place," suggested the captain. "Yeoman, help him get his companion down there." He then flipped open his communicator again."Mathews to Sheridan. Are you all right?"There was no reply."Are you reading me?"Still nothing. As Mathews turned, Lex had a horrible feeling he knew what Argus' commander was going to say......and he was right."I'm going up there."
***
2376Argus' bridge was quiet, the silence broken only by the occasional beep from a
console; the stars slipped swiftly by as the ship continued her journey back to Earth. Kate Sheridan even managed to lose herself in them ever so often.
The absences of Sara, T'Kare and Arkin at least allowed for some valuable training time: The science and tactical stations were occupied by Ensigns Sadak and T'ang, respectively; both were young officers on their first tour. Ensign Sadler filled in for Arkin Jora, who was taking some leave with her old friend Vaerth Parihn aboard the Liberty. The rest of the current bridge personnel consisted of three engineers, who busied themselves with maintenance tasks that were usually done during such quiet periods.Kate turned around as the turbolift doors at the rear of the bridge opened and Bimitri Cassaria stepped out."Counselor," greeted Sheridan neutrally."Commander," he replied with equal coolness, taking his customary chair left of the center seat.Kate observed him for a moment, then straightened her posture abruptly."Status," she ordered."Still holding steady at warp six, sir," Sadler reported."Nothing unusual on the sensors," added T'ang. Dulmis concluded with, "Ship's systems all operational."Just as it was five minutes ago, Kate, she thought. What's got you so uptight?Kate relaxed minutely. It was such a weight off your mind when everything was running smoothly.Immedately on the heels of that thought, the ship jolted and dropped out of warp."Report," she required crisply. "We've hit a subspace instability of some sort," reported Sadler."Cause?"Dulmis checked his readings. "The star Ferma just went nova. That was the remnants of the subspace shockwave."The odd think is," he continued, "Starfleet lists Ferma as a stable star.""Scan what's left of the system.""I'm detecting a subspace rift," reported T'ang."On screen."The young officer altered the pickup to show an image of the newly-formed rift. Even though the Argus' viewer was at full magnification, the image was badly distorted and all that could really be made out was that it was the type of blue/ white anomaly that the Argus had encountered too many times before."Oh, my God…" whispered Sheridan."Comman..." Dulmis' voice trailed off.
"Commander?" Dulmis asked. Cassaria looked in growing alarm at the Argus' first officer, who was just staring at the screen. The counselor rose from his chair, and moved to check on her."Commander Sheridan?" he murmured; then asked, more sharply, "Kate, can you hear me?"Abruptly, she took a jagged breath, and began to repeat the same phrase over and over. All she could say was, "It's all true."
***
2260The trio moved to the docking bay as quickly as they could, Lex supporting Har'na's
stumbling form. As they'd staggered through the corridors of the abandoned station it had undergone an amazing transformation: Dormant systems had sprung into life; systems that hadn't been activated in a millennium. In several places conduits had ruptured, spraying
sparks, liquid or gas; any of which were potentially lethal, especially as they were unsure precisely how this alien station ran.Eventual, they reached the docking area, where they found a Starfleet shuttlecraft waiting for them. They quickly climbed aboard and rested Har'na in the seat."Where are the others? Captain Mathews, Commander Sheridan…?" demanded the pilot.Lex looked up in disbelief from his companion's immobile form to see who was in the pilot's chair."Admiral?! What are you doing out here?"April wasn't ready to explain "Where are the others?" he asked again, more determinedly."They're in what passes for the station's C&C.""Damnit," growled April, "this whole place is getting sucked into some kind of time warp. We've got to get out of here now."He hit a control, "April to Mathews. Get down to the shuttlebay, that's an order.""This... Commander Sheridan, Admiral," came the badly garbled response over the comm channel. "The Captain's dead, sir, and... some sort... force field... round the C&C... activated as soon... entered. Captain walked right... it…""Hold tight Commander. We'll get the Argus in closer and beam you out," he affirmed confidently. Lex could see why the man was a legend… his very voice made the Trill feel as if they couldn't fail."Ok people, hold tight," he cautioned as the shuttle lifted off.The admiral deftly maneuvered the shuttle through the docking corridor and out in space."April to Argus; Lieutenant move in closer and try to beam them out of there.""Admiral, that won't work," came the reply, "We've already tried…""Just do it!" he commanded."Aye, sir," came the immediate, chastened-sounding reply.Anderson took the seat next to the Admiral. Lex looked out the shuttle's windows, watching as the powerful Surya-class ship swooped past them towards the station, moving as close as they could so they could attempt to gain a clear transporter lock."Admiral, I'm reading some sort of energy wave," Anderson reported, "emanating not from the station, but from the planet.""From the planet?" replied the Admiral, "How's that possible?""Unknown. I'm not detecting any structures.""Admiral," Lex suddenly shouted. "The station."April looked up at the alien structure.Ripples covered it as though they were looking at it through water. Then the Admiral noticed what Lex had. The Argus.The little ship was caught in the effect, rippling along with the station."April to Argus!""... here. Caught in... can't escape." Came the reply, "Admiral, Starfleet must... station not... it's... teran Con..."The transmission abruptly cut off and at the same moment there was a bright flash. When Lex's eyes recovered the station and the ship were gone.As the reality of the situation sank into the four survivors, Lex turned to attend to Har'na, determined not to let her be yet another death this day.
Act 4 2376
For almost a full minute, the young Trill looked expectantly at him."That's it?" she asked, somewhat incredulous. "That's it," answered Lex. "You were expecting more?"Though she didn't answer, her expression said, "Oh, yes.""Did Har'na make it?"Lex frowned at her as if she were asking a trick question, before simply stating, "No, she didn't."Tarm didn't look satisfied with his answer. "What happened? Did the symbiont, at least, survive?""No." Lex was stone faced."What about the station?"Lex relaxed, "Its origin is still unknown, although the Argus' last transmission would seem to indicate that it was built by humans."We even tried to look for clues on the planet, but we found nothing…and it exploded six months later. So much of it's still a mystery -- as is so much in this universe."He began to rise from his seat. "I need to get to the bridge."Tarm wasn't finished, though. "Sir, just one more thing," she blurted.The older Trill nodded. For all that he wanted to end this now uncomfortable conversation, he still felt a connection to this woman."This was your first encounter with a ship named Argus, but it wasn't your last, was it?"Lex looked at he cautiously. "What are you getting at?""Lex has encountered all five USS Argus' and has yet to come away from the encounter unchanged.""Every day of our lives changes us," he asserted, but without real conviction."How philosophical of you, Captain," she smiled in a particularly disturbing way. She then shook her head. "Not in the same way as you've been changed by this ship and its predecessors. If studying your history has taught me anything, it's that the Argus and Lex go hand in hand.""Thank you, Lieutenant." I think. "Now if you'll excuse me." And he left for the bridge."You're welcome, Captain," she said to herself with a secret smile, before leaving by the opposite door. Lex took the center seat as Simok made way. Kate should have been on duty."Where's Commander Sheridan?""Sickbay," reported the Vulcan promptly. When no further explanation was forthcoming, Lex prodded further."Can you elaborate, Simok?" he asked in exasperation.The Vulcan raised an eyebrow. "I cannot," he answered.This, for just a moment, sounded suspiciously like the Simok of a few weeks before. He sure as hell didn't need a repeat of that.However," the engineer continued, much to his captain's relief, "Lieutenant Dulmis was.""James?"The younger man, looking rather spooked, relayed the odd occurrence; finishing with, "Dr. Fraser had to sedate her."Lex's eyes narrowed. "Now I'm waiting for the explanation as to why I wasn't informed immediately."Now they looked at him as if he were the one with a problem.
"You were, sir," Dulmis asserted, slightly confused. "You even acknowledged it. We thought you'd gone to sickbay."The captain had a sudden epiphany."Computer, locate Lieutenant Kara Tarm," he ordered.Argus' mainframe was prompt in its response. "There is no Lieutenant Kara Tarm aboard this vessel."To no one in particular, Jonozia Lex muttered, "I spend too much time talking to myself."
***
"Hot cocoa, with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick."Another Mantovanni legacy, Sara Parker thought bitterly. Hot chocolate, with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick -- and the occasional memory of a dead husband. Thank you, you Sicilian son of a bitch. Sara picked up the steaming mug, walked over to her seat and retrieved the book that had been distracting her with intermittent success. She'd been forced to admit there were definitely advantages to traveling aboard a starship as opposed to the confines of a shuttlecraft. So far, the crew had left her alone…As if on cue, the door chime sounded. Sara ignored it. It sounded again."Come," she gritted.The doors opened and Alyson Foxton entered."Can I help you, Captain?" Sara asked, placing her book on the table."I was wondering if I could help you actually?""Really?" Sara asked. "I don't have a problem."The captain of the Sentinel wasn't convinced. "You seem rather desperate to reach Vampri III."Sara looked at her, telepathically brushing Foxton's mind as she did so.Sentinel's captain obviously felt it. "Don't do that, Sara.""Jellico," growled Parker. "Of course.""I said, 'Don't do that!'" commanded Foxton.Sara ceased her telepathic intrusion, but maintained her glare."Yes, Jellico. You're not exactly acting normally. This obsession with getting to Vampri. Scanning my mind for information. This isn't the impression I got from you at our first meeting.""First impressions can be deceiving," Sara replied coldly."So I see." Foxton tried another approach. "Look, Sara, we can either be friends -- which I'm sure would please Jonozia -- or we can be enemies, which I really don't want to do.""Don't do it, then. Mind your own business, Alyson."Foxton was visibly angered by Sara's insubordination.Sara cut her off. "All I want is to be left alone until we reach the Vampri system. You're not a counselor, and you're not my friend; you're simply acting in the capacity of Jellico's puppet. So don't put on a fair seeming and come in to my quarters nosing for information."Sir."Foxton's pale skin had gone a bright red."You're about two seconds from the brig, Lieutenant."Parker laughed openly. "There was only one reason that Jellico put me on this ship and it was written all over his face. He doesn't trust Lex, and despises Mantovanni for some reason -- and he's using us to
gather evidence against them. If you want to help that arrogant pig bring down your friend then do so. Just don't expect me to enlist in the betrayal brigade. Now if you're going to put me in the brig, just do it… you can let me out when we reach Vampri III."Alyson was quiet for a moment. "I'll inform you when we arrive." She then turned and left.Sara watched her leave, thinking, Another "Lex ex" with whom I have a love/hate relationship. Mostly "hate", in this case. At least Mantovanni knows where his loyalties are.She avoided the question that occurred to her then.And where are yours? it asked.
EpilogueCaptain's Personal Log: Stardate 53253.1
There's no sign of Lieutenant Tarm aboard the Argus and every crew member who was in the lounge at the time of the incident says the same thing; that I was alone at the table.
I don't know if this was my subconscious trying to tell me something, whether I hallucinated the whole thing or whether I was coming to terms with what I did back then, in light of my current situation.
I don't know why I can't face up to what I did, my discovery while treating Har'na. Her true nature. A clone.
I know the consequence for breaking the rules and what happens to a cloned host: The increased chance of rejecting your symbiont and the forced removal of it if you're discovered -- with the death of the host soon following. Yet I still did it. I still sentenced an innocent woman to death, who, like me, probably felt no different from the original.
"Computer, stop recording. Delete that last log entry."
"Entry deleted."Lex rose from his chair and stood facing out the window, his thoughts lost in his future -- and how that future would be guided by reflecting on his past.
