Twisted Future
Posted on Fri Feb 11th, 2022 @ 2:06am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Remal Kajun
Mission:
*CD*
Location: Bajor
As sleep claimed her the coldness of the room was replaced by a different scene. A large hall surrounded by pews of officials, yet out the window was a particularly Bajoran scene.
“The Federation has come to order for us to exonerate the Cardassian Union from their previous actions, and to decide the fate of the planet Earth in the Sol system.” A rather grandiose figure struck an old worn timber gavel down upon the ornately carved desk. Looking around Rhenora attempted to identify those present, spying many Bajorans, Cardassians, Klingons, Ferengi and a plethora of other well known species. Remarkably absent though were humans. A star chart stood projected against one of the stone walls, revealing a vastly different United Federation of Planets than that which Rhenora was familiar with. It seemed centered around the Beta quadrant rather than the Alpha, and it’s power was substantially reduced.
The officials present rumbled with the usual commentary and descent as the proceedings got off to its usual slow start. The military was crumbling attempting to defend their borders from the Romulans and the Breen. The Alpha Quadrant appeared to be forming their own coalition, the newly emerging Earth spearheading the formation of yet another military presence that would rival that of the Federation.
The Cardassian delegates seemed most satisfied when the matter relating to their previous occupation of Bajor was moved to be fully pardoned in exchange for their ongoing protection of the Bajoran system and the wormhole, the mere words of it causing Rhenora’s gut to sink towards the floor. Another occupation? A willing acceptance of Cardassian so-called protection? Surely this Federation could see that history repeated itself and that the Cardassians couldn’t be trusted. What could be so bad that her own people would turn to those who had oppressed them for so long for protection?
Sickened, she watched on as the Cardassians accepted the terms, pledging their significant military arsenal for the protection of the Federation and in particular Bajor. They demanded occupation of the station Terok Nor as a strategic outpost, a gesture which was met without resistance.
“ No! You can’t!” Her words echoed around the large stone chamber, ricocheting off the walls with a distorted mutation.
All eyes turned to her and a hushed silence descended like a thick stifling blanket.
“ You dare question the Federation that defends your home?” The Presidor glared in her direction, his eyes narrowing with condemnation.
“ I question giving those that had raped this planet free access to do it again” She turned her own icey gaze towards the Cardassians.
There was a rumble akin to a building thunderstorm as everyone began to speak at once, casting their own opinions on the matter until a deafening roar assaulted her ears. It seemed her view was very much in the minority.
An easily able Cardassians stood up, turned and faced Rhenora. His eyes were those of a different man, not the cold evil of the man she knew. "Why do you oppose such a union. The Cardassians people have been kind, giving our lives for the safety and protection of this proud Federation. Yet you stand in defiance of this union. Do you wish for our enemies to march across your Homeland and destroy our way of life or do you have some other agenda hidden behind your rebellious nature?"
Gul Dukat had spoken his words elegantly and carefully in order to pick out things that would settle into Rhenora's brain. 'Cardassian Union' and 'Rebellious nature' stood out like a roadside sign. He stood proud and peered into her soul causing her to wonder how this flip of her world could possibly exist .
“ Protection? You plundered our planet, murdered our people and you want us to trust you again?” The words were incredulous in their very creation from her lips, her tone icey and dripping with hatred.
Dukat’s eyes flashed red for an instant, belying his true identity before regaining their normal colour “ The Human’s are the enemy, we must unite against them or we all face occupation. And I believe they will not be as kind as we were” his voice oozed like thick oil.
Power. Like all beings driven by the pursuit of power, they are willing to lie and manipulate the story in order to produce a desired outcome. She could see it in his face, probably the only one who could. She understood there was a different path they should follow. Now it was a matter of making them listen. "What if the Humans are not the enemy we've been led to believe? I mean what do we know about them, truly?" She asked in defiance of Dukat.
Dukat regarded her with an intensity not seen before. “ The evidence speaks for itself. They have raped and plundered many planets in the Alpha Quadrant and are now building their forces against us. We might protect and defend that which is ours. That which is yours” He turned to face her, eyes flashing red once more.
There was confusion in her eyes, trying to come to grips with this twisted reality. Humans had formed the Federation, the Cardassians were on a tenuous treaty with them, not the other way around. Why were things so twisted?
Suddenly he stood before her, looking down upon her. He had crossed the distance in a blink of an eye and now she could feel his hot breath ruffle her hair. In the background the people froze in place, spectators to the wind. When he spoke, his voice was many and no longer sounded like Dukat. He grinned, "do you like it? This…" he gestured. "...is the universe without you and your child."
He got close again. "Without you, we will spread beyond Bajor, beyond the wormhole, beyond time and space once more. We will be all and control all in this universe and in what you call the mirror. Everything will be ours. Everything will burn." He squinted and got up close. "You are the key. Without you we are free. And now we have seen your mind and now we know your next destination. There is no escape." He dissolved into a cloud of smoke, taking the scene with him, leaving Rhenora clasping for breath.
Somewhere half a world away in a desert mountain cave, a wounded goon, limped in and knelt before the flames. "It is done and you commanded. I have risked much but I have succeeded. The mother and child are dead along with her friend."
A voice or more like many voices at once rose and echoed throughout the caves. "You have failed. The Ma and Fa live. The Child lives. And in your failure you will not." Simple. To the point. Flames rose up and devoured the goon until his screams could no longer be heard.
TBC
