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STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
SEASON TWO
Episodes #81 - 82
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 91 11:38:36 -0500
From: michelso@husc9.harvard.edu (Iluvanna Lin-Elenuial)
Subject: **LONG** Episode
____________________________________________________________________________
Captain's Log Stardate 101930.6
There is strange unrest among the crew. Newly appointed Lieutenant
Iluvanna Lin-Elenuial has been up to more than his usual activity of late,
which, Counselor Jiapa has informed me, has included some unusually personal
investigation into the backgrounds of some of his colleagues. Oddly, it is
some of these same officers about whom I myself am curious. Ender has
behaved strangely as well for the last several weeks, and there are still
unresolved questions about his desire for the use of the Uncertainty Drive.
McDonagh, meanwhile, I have always thought has more depth to him than is
immediately apparent. It may be that in an apparently peaceful time in my
command, all hell is about to break loose.
*** OH, SHINE A LIGHT ON ME: ALIENS ABOUND ***
Written by N. Michelson
Music and Special Effects by M. Hutchings
Moral Support by M. Kleber
(Lt. Iluvanna Lin-Elenuial is sitting in his usual seat in the Lounge.
Tonight, however, he is not watchful, but restless. Uncharacteristically,
he strikes up a conversation with the Bartender, Guendalina.)
IL> Guendalina, have you ever encountered anything ... mystic, mysterious,
you know -- beyond your ken?
G> (Laughing.) Sure, my grandmother. Now THERE was a creepy woman. She
used to sleep with her eyes open, and just when you'd think she was
fast asleep, she'd tell you to sit up straight and act your age. Creepy.
IL> (Sober, though attempting not to be so with the help of Old Jinx Whisky
in double doses.) No, seriously. Have you ever encountered anything
really ... out there?
G> Now Iluvanna, I don't know what you're talking about. Why don't you
just talk to your friendly bartender and amateur head-shrinker.
IL> (Pausing.) OK, Guen, you asked for it. Now this is a story that goes
no further than this barstool.
G> Mum's the word. (Eagerly ... she'd love to be the first on board to
know a damn thing about Lin-Elenuial.)
IL> You know how Star Fleet trains psionics engineers, right? Well, I had
this friend, real bright guy, who was in the training program. Used to
talk about it all the time. Anyway, seems they had this assignment
senior year. They were studying laser-aided holographic design of
life-form images created from psionic readings, standard advanced stuff,
basically the same thing as those damn Silmarils do only human-run, not
by computer. This was back about a month and a half before the Lucky
Charms invasion. Anyway, the usual thing for undergraduates was to take
a reading of some lower sapient form, a dolphin or a mouse or something,
read its brain-wave functions psionically, and then holograph it, like
an EEG only done psionically. The kicker this prof gave them was to do
it on themselves.
G> No bullpucky? You mean, you were supposed to look into your own skull
and draw your brains?
IL> *They.* Yeah, figuratively speaking. Anyway, most of them came out with
the typical stuff. There were a couple of neurotic types who ended up
in psychiatric treatment, the usual, but most came out boring and
compulsive, typical psionics types. But there were a few that were
totally off the wall. These guys had stuff they couldn't possibly have
drawn. They weren't good enough to control and bullshit the machines,
but the stuff they drew wasn't human. It wasn't even recognizable.
G> (Blank look of suspense and vague unease.)
IL> (Taking a sip from the glass.) Anyway, they did the standard psych stuff
on these kids, turned out they were all pretty empathic, pretty susceptible
to psionic activity. But there was still no way anyone could have
impressioned them with this crap. It didn't exist. It COULDN'T exist.
So some hot-shot guy in Federation Intelligence lets the mathematicians
take a crack at it, and what do you know? A couple of things pop up.
You do some tricks, figure the drawings aren't just plain holographs but
phase-space representations, and they become readable. Not totally
recognizable, but readable. Then you figure out what these kids' real
designs should have looked like, subtract that out, and you've got this
weird shit left over.
G> Wow. What kind of weird shit?
IL> (Slams the glass down on the bar, startling Guendalina.) That's the
damn kicker. No one knew ... not until after the invasion. When they
took recordings of those Fucking Charms. You heard the stories going
around anyway, I won't be violating security. The damn Leprechauns.
The ones sitting on their Pots O' Gold. They had identical readings to
the residuals. These kids had been acting as receivers across half a
billion light years of space, their poor stupid human brains had phase-
space drawings going 'cause they couldn't even conceptualize the
dimensional shifting of the Charms when they did the laser drawings.
G> (Totally losing her cool.) Jesus Heinlein Christ. What happened to
them?
IL> (Laughing bitterly.) The Lucky Charms got within fifteen light-years of
them. Whatever empathic bond they had forged held. Blew their damn
cerebral cortexes into tiny marshmallow bits as the strength of the
bond went a couple of million times higher.
G> (Looking green, leaves quickly.)
IL> (Staring into his glass.) Yeah, that's how I felt about it too. My
sister. My fucking twin sister.
* * * * * * *
G> Oh, my God, it was *awful*, Jiapa. He sat there telling it like he
*enjoyed* the thought. He's been sitting in the bar every night lately.
Just staring at people. I almost think he's wondering how far away he'd
have to be before the Lucky Charms never existed, couldn't have existed.
Jiapa> He may be doing exactly that, Guen. He said it was a friend of his.
He may be wishing the Charms had never existed. Or he may be worried
more than any of us about another invasion. Or Lord knows what else.
G> I don't think I can face him again.
J> Well, I can understand that. But think about it. He trusted you a lot,
to tell you a story like that.
G> He was drunk.
J> Have you ever seen Iluvanna drunk? Can you imagine him not in control,
really?
G> He wasn't in control last night.
J> Maybe. Or maybe he was in control enough to know he needed to talk
about it, to let some of it out. Maybe he even wanted to make sure it
would reach the Captain.
G> (Startled.) The *Captain*? You aren't going to tell her, are you?
J> (Gently.) Sorry, Guendalina. Star Fleet Regulations PO546N2F require me
to report breaches of security as well as potential problems of
psychological health of a crew member. I understand your embarrassment,
but Captain Kabeta has the right to know about Iluvanna's little speech.
* * * * * *
(Thokk and Ender crouch over a machine in Thokk's room.)
E> So all you have to do is format your SRANS settings according to the
device driver you're using for adapting Gravitational and Dietary
Parameters, and then insert your identification code during the on-line
scanning of your .login file. See?
T> Uh ... whatever. Can I get some food now?
E> (Laughing merrily.) Sure. Now just depress the buttons marking your
racial characteristics settings ... (ignoring Thokk's groan, he goes on
until suddenly interrupted).
Iluvanna> Excuse me, Mr. Ender. May I interrupt for a moment?
(Thokk has not noticed Iluvanna's entrance, and spills on himself the
remaining scalding fluid in the cup from the last attempt. Ender, however,
reacts with perfect equanimity.)
E> Of course, Lieutenant Lin-Elenuial. (Turning to Thokk.) Just remember
to run the full dynamic dietary sequence, and you should be fine. Yell
if you need help.
(He goes out, and the door closes on Thokk's immediate and loud barbaric
bellowing.)
E> (Just a little coldly.) What can I do for you, *Lieutenant* Lin-Elenuial?
IL> (Pointedly ignoring the tone.) My apologies for the interruption, Mr.
Ender. I was wondering if you could tell me ...
E> What? Why I've been antisocial? Why I want the Uncertainty Drive?
Why the Croutonizer settings mysteriously fit me perfectly after Garrett's
accident? Why I must obviously be a saboteur and agent for the Lucky
Charms? Seems *everyone* wants to know that these days!! (Angrily, in
case it wasn't obvious.)
IL> (Gazes at him imperturbably for a few moments.) No, actually. I don't
think you're the saboteur. Who does?
E> Earembar, for one -- Security Officers are trained to be paranoid.
Hutchings, for another -- Insecurity Officers double the above.
And Aoki's been asking some pretty strange questions, too. Hey ...
"the saboteur?" You mean there is one?
IL> (Ignoring the last comment.) They've been smoking too much Romulan weed
and listening to too many Crunchy Zen Croutons songs. Don't worry.
What I need to know is, have you been in contact with the Kunz recently?
E> (Stiffens.) With the Kunz? You think I can just summon a cross-
dimensional being with unknown purposes and a bizarre sense of humor?
You might as well suggest Kabeta can control the Feldman!
(Iluvanna just waits for an answer.)
E> All right, all right. I'll tell you about it. But not out here in the
corridor, for Gosh sake.
(As they disappear through a sliding door, Torvald McDonagh comes into view
around the corner. He, too, disappears, and the clack of metal on metal is
heard as Kleber and Scribonia come into view, practicing fencing with the
swords they gained on Xavion.)
S> Ha! I have you now, you silly person!
K> Don't be so sure! There is something I haven't told you!
S> Oh? And what is that?
K> I'm not left-handed! I'm amphibious!
(Swell of music, as Polgara the Sorceress looks on in disbelief.)
* * * * * * *
(Kabeta is seated at her desk, with Iluvanna standing at attention in front
of her. She is alternately doodling on and shredding sheets from a pad of
paper marked, "Welcome to Squornshellous Beta, where all the women are
strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the sofas are semi-sapient
and exceedingly snuggly." This is a habit she has recently picked up from
Kendragon, she muses ruefully.)
KB> Lt. Iluvanna Lin-Elenuial ...
IL> (Quickly.) Yes, Sir?
KB> Please do not interrupt. I have called you here because I have received
one too many reports about your recent behavior not to be troubled. You
have been sending disturbingly accusatory memos, apparently conducting
unauthorized investigations of fellow crew members, and recently you
scared Guendalina with a story which was either true and a security
violation on a serious order, or which was false and dangerously
seditious to the Federation government. Suppose you explain what is
going on?
IL> Please, sir, what is your security clearance?
KB> ***WHAT!!!*** How dare you question your commanding ...
IL> Mine is 2, sir. I may be only a lieutenant, but I am required to
request your clearance by Star Fleet Regulations DF425X ...
KB> (Interrupting the chapter-and-verse recitation.) Well, well. Looks like
things just got a little more interesting. As you know, standard
clearance for Captain's rank is only 4, but due to the role I played in
the recent Lucky Charms invasion, I was boosted to a 3, with special
clearance of 2 on matters regarding alien civilizations. (Raises an
eyebrow.)
IL> Wonderful, sir. I thought so. In that case, according to my recent
instructions obtained during my leave of absence, I am authorized to
share most of the information I have with you. This ship and possibly a
great deal more is in danger.
KB> Oh? And what does a Croutonizer Chief know about this?
IL> You already know the story I told Guen. Most of it was true.
KB> And the hot-shot intelligence officer who tipped off the mathematicians?
IL> How do you think a lieutenant got a security clearance of 2? In any case,
all of that was true except that I led Guendalina to believe that the
psionics students died, so that the story would be sure to go from her to
Counselor Jiapa to you.
KB> No blown cerebral cortexes? (She smiles wryly.)
IL> Yes. (Kabeta's smile disappears.) Basically, that *is* what happened,
in a sense. Their synapses fired extremely rapidly, and then normal
EEG patterns stopped. Brain-dead. Only they weren't. They still existed,
but with altered personalities, personalities affected by the presence of
Lucky Charms. The effect was as dramatically reversed, it seemed, with
the destruction of the Leprechauns -- their brain functions were restored
with a great deal of residual pain. But much later it became apparent
that there was still remaining interference, much fainter, from the Charms.
In essence, after the Charms' local destruction, they seemed back to
normal, and thought themselves so, but many of their actions were
Charms-influenced.
KB> Then there are more of them out there, and they're taking over some minds.
(In shocked disbelief.)
IL> That's the size of it.
KB> Forgive me, Iluvanna, but what are you here for?
IL> I was assigned to the case because I had training in psionics. I also
fit some of the same conditions as the students -- I am actually a true
androgyne, a hermaphrodite, though I think of myself generally as male,
and this has produced some subtle effects that make me both peculiarly
sensitive to external psionic influence and also peculiarly able to
resist it.
KB> Were you in the class, then, one of the affected students?
IL> (Grimly.) No. But someone ... (changing his mind) someone close to me,
shall we say, was.
KB> (Reaches out as though to touch him, but pulls back as Iluvanna simply
stares at her unresponsively.)
IL> In any case, as you know, the Silmarils basically are a piece of
equipment to do with a computer brain what those kids were doing with
their human brains. Generally a computer is more powerful, which is
why we use it with the Silmarils as focussing and design devices to
get a clear picture of the life forms on a newly discovered planet,
to shed light on the subject, so to speak. But these students gave
warning of the Lucky Charms attack, if only we knew how to interpret it
at the time, while none of the computers did. I was assigned to find out
why. I was also assigned to find out, using some of the same techniques,
if any alien intelligence was interfering with shipboard operations,
as there were suggestions that the Heisenberg might be a likely target.
KB> Good Lord, is that what happened with the Croutonizers?
IL> That's my guess. It was fortuitous that you happened to appoint me there
right at a time when it was that that I needed to investigate most.
KB> (Looks at him a moment.) Yes, I suppose it was. (Realization strikes.)
My God, you mean that we've been harboring Matt Ender all this time and
he's a Lucky Charms spy?
IL> No, no, no. That's what everyone thought. I *tried* to get Mr. Aoki to
do a complete scan in hopes that the idea could come from him and I could
maintain some semblance of a cover. Remember, while Matt and a couple of
others are the only ones who could use the Croutonizers going *out*
during that period, aliens could also use it coming *in*.
KB> So the culprit was probably a humanoid, one susceptible to Charms psionic
influence, who could set the Croutonizers to allow Lucky Charms to
Croutonize in without phase-shifting and tripping our detectors!
IL> Exactly.
KB> (Leaning forward.) Who?
IL> (Looking like he is enjoying the suspense.) Well, I didn't know until
recently. As you know, my formal training -- the one listed on my
non-classified bio -- was in folklore. I didn't get enough training to
be a xenologer like the Zenador, nor certainly enough to be a bioxenologer,
but I had enough that it aided my use of the Silmarils. I could understand
variant cultures more readily. Anyway, some idle questions about
a crew member's geneaology tipped me off. He mentioned elves, pretty
unlikely, but it was similar enough that it could be the unconscious
mind's cry for help from the external psionic control, to employ a little
armchair psychology. So I suggested a made-up alternative, one which
would set him off ... Leprechauns.
KB> McDonagh.
IL> He reacted well, but not well enough. My observation of McDonagh shows
him to be remarkably psionically resistant. I suspect he could resist
the Charm influence if he was encouraged to do so. So I gave him
something to work with, while at the same time sending a message to
my superiors. There is no such thing as a Barrow-Elf, either; it
represents, psychologically, McDonagh's ideal image of himself without
Charm influence, though -- humorous and fun-loving and not concerned with
treachery of which he is probably hardly consciously aware. Meanwhile,
Star Fleet Command has entered this genetic background on their computers
as a classified background ... meaning Mr. Aoki stumbled across a
mysterious background and made it possible for me to question McDonagh,
to try to get him to confront the psionic conflict in his mind.
KB> Tell me something, though. How did you really know it was he? The
psychology was circumstantial.
IL> His portable Croutonizer -- unreported to me or, before, to Garrett --
and his knowledge of miniaturization procedures not yet mastered by
Star Fleet Command physicists. Had to be outside influence.
KB> I see. If you were so sure, then, why go on questioning Mr. Ender?
Had to be sure it wasn't he?
IL> No ... I had orders to report interference from the Kunz, and suspected
for various reasons that he might know something about that. I honestly
don't know more than that, though I wouldn't say more even if I did, as
it doesn't affect the matter at hand. Though you know Star Fleet must
be as interested in the Kunz as the Lucky Charms after last year.
KB> (Musing.) Yes. I'm curious myself.
(Turning to the communicators.)
KB> Counselor Jiapa and Security Officer Soronaiwe, please report to
Captain's Quarters.
(Turning back to Iluvanna.)
KB> How would you recommend we handle this, then?
IL> It's up to you, Captain. On board, I'm only a lieutenant, and gladly so.
Star Fleet expects continuing reports from me, but I was ordered to check
your clearance and then turn tactical considerations over to you. I
do think McDonagh's a good officer, and has probably resisted inflicting
more damage than he already has. It's a good thing, though, that I was
operating Croutonizers and suspected enough to get the Croutonizers
operational quickly even at the expense of some power. I suspect we
may be seeing Lucky Charms again all too soon.
KB> (Sucking in her breath sharply.) God, you're probably right. We've got
to move fast, then.
(Jiapa and Soronaiwe enter.)
KB> All right, folks, here's what's going on ... .
(To be continued.)
____________________________________________________________________________
----------------
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 91 21:28:25 -0500
From: bryant@husc9.harvard.edu (Katherine 'Kabeta' Bryant)
Subject: Part II of episode (***LONG***)
"Memorandum to All Ship's Personnel:
There are a number of unfounded accusations being made on board that
Matt Ender is a spy for the Lucky Charms. These rumors are wholly untrue
and unfounded, and I would like whoever is circulating them to stop doing
so immediately. Mr. Ender is a valued visitor, and I would not have him
slandered."
[Kabeta's quarters. She finishes sending the memo, and then turns from
the computer screen. She leans her elbows on the desk, puts her head
in her hands, and sighs.]
KB: Why *my* ship? For God's sake, why me?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, Shine a Light on Me, Part II:
And the Walls Came Tumbling Down"
Written by K. Bryant, with help from N. Michelson and MUCH help and
inspiration from Michael Kleber
Music and special effects by Michael Hutchings
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"Captain's Log, Supplemental. Iluvanna's revelation is causing me no
end of inner turmoil. I hope I am doing the right thing by having
Iluvanna and Counselor Jiapa confront Lt. Cdr. McDonagh with his -
well, what the hell do you call it? Unintentional espionage? I am
sending a security team with them, and Dr. Hertzman will have a medical
team ready, just in case McDonagh's poor mixed-up mind causes him to react
violently to the [pause] accusation, I guess it is. Lt. Lin-Elenuial,
Counselor Jiapa, Lt. Soronaiwe, and Dr. Hertzman will be here shortly
to check in before they begin."
[Kabeta's quarters. She is seated at the large wooden desk, and there
are several chairs scattered about. She is obviously expecting people.
The door chimes.]
KB: Come.
[Lt. Lin-Elenuial and Counselor Jiapa enter. Kabeta waves them to chairs.
A moment later, Dr. Hertzman and Lt. JG Soronaiwe arrive.]
KB: All right. Here's the plan. Counselor Jiapa, to you falls the
unpleasant duty of informing Lt. Cdr. McDonagh of his condition. I realize
that this will not be a pleasant job, and could indeed turn violent. Lt.
Lin-Elenuial, you will accompany Counselor Jiapa since you know better than
the rest of us just what is going on, and to back up her word if Mr. McDonagh
does not believe her. McDonagh obviously doesn't know of his condition, but
may react violently from the subconscious Charm influence.
Since that possibility does exist, a security team will accompany you.
Lt. Soronaiwe, take Ensign Thokk (who I am adding to your Security staff)
and a couple of your best officers and wait outside Mr. McDonagh's quarters.
If there is trouble, you know what to do. Dr. Hertzman, be ready with a med
team in sickbay. I have a funny feeling that if word gets out, McDonagh may
need to be quarantined.
Hertzman: For our safety?
KB: And for his. The crew, all of whom know just how horrible the Charms are,
may well react strongly to the presence on board of a Lucky Charms spy - even
an unintentional one. Are we all clear on what's to happen?
Jiapa: I think so. I hope I can do this.
KB: I have faith in you, Counselor. I have faith in all of you, and in
McDonagh. Let me know how things turn out - I should be here.
[The officers stand to leave. Dr. Hertzman leaves first, headed to sickbay.
Lt. JG Soronaiwe leaves quickly to round up his security team. As Jiapa
and Iluvanna prepare to leave, Kabeta speaks.]
KB: Jiapa?
[Jiapa turns.]
KB: Good luck. I know you can do it.
Jiapa: Thanks, Captain. I hope you're right.
[Iluvanna and Jiapa leave. Kabeta looks thoughtful, and then turns to a
set of shelves behind her desk. She takes down a very old-looking book
and opens the front cover. She reads something written on the inside.]
KB: A viya cestri carra Kabeta, in viya natalidi. Do niya brendi Lycos
i Lechon.
[Her face shows great sadness as she closes the book and places it on her
desk.]
KB: Why can't I just forget about it? I didn't think about it for fifteen
years, why can't I go on forgetting?
[She paces around the room. She looks as if she wants to go somewhere, but
feels obligated to stay. Finally she turns abruptly to the communicator.]
KB: Mr. Aoki?
Aoki (ic): Yes, Captain?
KB: I was hoping to create a new holodeck program today, but I need to
stay here for now. Can I do it from here?
Aoki (ic): Hmm. It should be possible. Hang on a minute, let me check.
KB: Take your time...
Aoki (ic): Okay, here's what to do. Tell Pandora to link you to the Holodeck
computer (that's the "linkto" command). Then, proceed as you usually would.
KB: Thanks, Edwin. I appreciate your help.
Aoki (ic): No problem, Captain. Aoki out.
KB: Pandora, linkto Holodeck 1 Computer.
Pandora: linkto in process. Please wait.
[Pause. Kabeta drums her fingers on the desktop.]
Pandora: linkto accoomplished. Now transferring to Holodeck 1 Computer.
[As Kabeta begins to deal with the Holodeck computer, there is a sound of
commotion from outside her door. The door chimes madly.]
KB: Er... Come!
[McDonagh, obviously angry and upset, charges into the room. Kabeta stands
up abruptly, startled but showing little sign of being upset. Iluvanna, Jiapa,
and the security team run in a moment or two later, out of breath. The
security team moves to grab McDonagh, but Kabeta holds them off.]
KB: Wait. Mr. McDonagh, what is the meaning of this?
McD: WHAT IS THE MEANING OF *THIS*? Counselor Jiapa has just accused me
of being a spy for the Lucky Charms. And Lt. Lin-Elenuial over there backs
her up. Just what is going on here?
KB: Mr. McDonagh, sit down. [He looks as if he is going to charge the
Captain herself.] I said, SIT DOWN.
[McDonagh complies, unwillingly. He still looks as though he's about to
take someone's head off.]
KB: Mr. McDonagh, I am afraid that what Counselor Jiapa has told you is
true.
McD: Well, I'm *afraid* of any number of things myself, Captain. But it's
not true! Why would I spy for the bastards who broke my arm, tore Ensign
Talbot apart, damn near killed Zenador, and forced you to destroy the Starbase?
[At the mention of the Starbase, Kabeta winces slightly. She retains her
calm, though.]
KB: No one is accusing you of doing anything intentionally, Mr. McDonagh.
But it appears that the Lucky Charms are somehow manipulating your brain,
causing you to do things to benefit them and make it easier for them to
attack us.
McD: My mind? Are you crazy?
KB (comes around from behind her desk and stands beside his chair, her hand on
his shoulder): No. But I'm very afraid that you soon will be.
McD (loses his anger all at once, and puts his head in his hands): Maybe that
explains the headaches. [looks up, unhappily] Isn't there anything you can do?
KB: [sighs] To be honest, I don't know. But I hope so. For your own safety
and that of the ship, I feel it best for us to quarantine you.
McD (bitterly): Quarantine? This thing's contagious?
KB: No, not so far as we know. But I can tell you this - the crew isn't
necessarily going to take kindly to a Lucky Charms spy on board - even one as
unintentional and well-liked as yourself.
McD: [pauses] I see your point. [almost losing it] But why couldn't I stop
them? Why didn't I....
KB [interrupting]: Don't ask such questions. This is not your fault, and no
one blames you for it. [eyes flashing] If anyone tries, they'll have me to
deal with! [turns to communicators] Dr. Hertzman and a medical team to my
quarters, please. [back to McDonagh] Dr. Hertzman will take you to sickbay,
where you will be guarded by a security team [nods to Soronaiwe, who leaves.]
[Dr. Hertzman arrives as Soronaiwe is leaving.]
KB: All right, Doctor, let's get this over with. Don't sedate him unless you
absolutely have to; we'll need him if we meet with the Charms.
[The med team, Dr. Hertzman, and McDonagh (who looks singularly depressed)
head to sickbay. Jiapa approaches the Captain; Lin-Elenuial remains impassive
and detached by the door.]
Jiapa: Captain, I.... I wish I could have done better.
KB [takes her by the shoulders]: Counselor, you did as well as anyone could. Go
get some rest - you look like you could use it.
[Jiapa turns to go. Iluvanna is about to follow her, when:]
KB: Lieutenant - I have something that may interest you.
[He turns back, remaining his usual detached self in expression. Kabeta returns
his gaze evenly, unperturbed by his obvious detachment.]
IL: Yes, Captain?
[Kabeta picks up the book from the desk.]
KB: With your interest in obscure languages, cultures, and mythologies, I
thought you might enjoy this. It is a book of Xavionite myths and legendary
history. Don't take much of it at face value - you know how legends are - but
it is a good way to learn something about the culture I came from. [A thought
occurs to her.] But of course you can't read it, can you.
IL: Is there no Xavionite-Standard dictionary online?
KB: No, not really; no one's studied the language much yet. Oh, of course!
If you look in my directory, you'll find something called "glossary." I haven't
touched it in years, but it's a basic Xavionite-Standard glossary I made for
myself back when I was first learning Standard. It probably won't have all the
words you'll need, but you can ask me about anything you have trouble with.
IL: Thank you, Captain. I would be very interested.
[Kabeta hands him the book. As he turns to leave, she says:]
KB: I don't think I really need to tell you this, but please be careful with
it. It is quite old, and means a lot to me.
[Iluvanna leaves. Kabeta walks back around behind the desk, and tidies up some
papers.]
KB: Holodeck Computer, load program XAV1.
Computer: XAV1 loading. Loading complete.
KB: Cancel linkto.
Pandora: Linkto now cancelled.
KB: Pandora, register location: If anyone needs me, I will be in Holodeck 1.
Pandora: Registered.
****************************************************************************
[A forest scene. There are thick trees everywhere, and a quiet pond off to one
side. The only sounds are birds chirping and the occasional breeze. From the
depths of the forest emerges a good-size white wolf, moving as if completely
familiar with the territory.
The calm of the pond is broken suddenly, and the wolf turns to see what is
happening. It watches impassively as Lt. JG Michael Kleber, Speaker for the
Dead, emerges from the depths of the pond. Breathing deeply several times
to reaccustom his amphibious lungs to breathing air instead of water, he
suddenly notices the wolf watching him.
It is obviously not going to attack, so he remains where he is, up to his
shoulders in water. There is something oddly familiar about the wolf's face -
particularly the eyes. But the Speaker's instincts, as a Speaker, are to look
beyond externals and understand the person, or being, with whom he is dealing.
The wolf, he sees, clearly belongs where it is. It shows no signs of fear
or surprise, though surely his unexpected arrival from the depths of the pond
must have startled it. It meets his fascinated gaze evenly and calmly. He
watches it for a long time, and it watches him back, never wavering or losing
its calm. It moves toward him once, sure of its footing and the ground on
which it moves. Its air is almost commanding - this is its territory.
They remain like that for a long time, until the Speaker knows. He could
never explain how he knows - he receives no words from the wolf (though he
is sure it is intelligent enough to speak if it had the proper vocal
structure) - but he knows all the same who the wolf is.
The wolf clearly senses that he knows, and its eyes follow him evenly as
the Speaker slowly and calmly leaves the pond and walks out through the doors
of the Holodeck.]
*******************************************************************************
[Bridge shot. Kabeta and the normal bridge crew are on duty. Kabeta speaks to
Cdr. Scribonia.]
KB: I want to assemble a "psionic team" to be ready to help McDonagh if, or
when, we do encounter the Charms again. Get all the psionics and people with
experience with psionics on board -
Kleber: All of them?
KB: Well, all right, all the ones we know of - Jiapa, Iluvanna, and Matt
Ender -
Kleber (obviously implying something): _All_ of them, Captain?
[Kabeta turns and meets his gaze levelly.]
KB: Yes, _all_ of them, Mr. Kleber. Make it so, Number One.
[Scribonia goes about sending messages to the relevant crew members - all at
once, naturally.]
Scribonia: The psionic team is ready and on call at any time, Captain.
KB: Excellent. Now we will just have to wait and see.
[They do not wait long. Suddenly, Ensign G. O'Forever exclaims:]
GO'F: Captain! Sensors are picking up a ship -
KB: On screen.
[The screen shows empty space. Kabeta knows what is coming, and sure enough,
a large pot of gold materializes in front of the _Heisenberg_].
KB: Arm everything. Get the psionics team, Mr. McDonagh, and security and
med teams up here NOW!
[The Charms ship does nothing, surprisingly enough. As the psionics team and
the med team bringing McDonagh to the bridge arrive, Kabeta directs them to a
spot behind the captain's chair, in full view of the screen.]
McD: Aauughh...
Jiapa: Captain, he's trying to fight off something.
KB: Support him mentally, all three of you. Get him to resist them as much as
he can. Help him.
Ender (concentrating): McDonagh. Resist. DonUt let them get at you. Build a
wall. Don't let them in.
Jiapa (ditto): Hold on, Commander. We're all with you. We'll help you. Don't
let go. Name! Use his first name. Torvald - can you hear me?
[Similar noises from the psionics team continue.]
KB: Commander Furd, what is the status of the Charm ship's shielding and
protection?
Furd: Whatever protection it is they use is up high... but it's not steady.
It's fluctuating.
KB: Torvald! Keep resisting! Maybe we can drain their resources.
[The tension in the room rises. McDonagh's face is contorting with the strain
of his concentration. Around him, the psionic team all have eyes closed, all
energy focused on McDonagh.]
Jiapa: Captain! He's weakening!
Furd: Their shield strength just went down a little. Not enough for anything
we have, even the PPRs, to be of any use though.
Ender: That's it, Torvald. Hang on.
Furd: Damn! The protection just went up again!
[Kabeta, staring at the screen, suddenly appears to come to a realization.
As the idea comes to her, she snaps her fingers.]
Jiapa: Don't give in!
KB: NO, Torvald. [she turns to face the group behind her.] _Do_ give in.
[There is a momentary stunned silence from the crew, some of whom are
wondering if the Charms have taken the Captain's mind too.]
Bridge crew in general: What? huh? are you crazy? etc.
KB: Remember: everything going on in his mind is tied directly to that ship.
The more he resists, the higher their shield levels. His psionic shield is
bolstering their protection. Give in, Torvald.
Jiapa (realizing): Let go. Tear down the walls.
KB: Torvald. Listen to me if you can. We are your friends. We will keep you
from hurting yourself or anyone else. Let go. You are our only hope.
[We switch to McDonagh's perspective. His vision is warped - an overlay of the
interior of the bridge with the _Heisenberg_ as seen from the Charms'
perspective. His head is pounding, and he can hardly hear Kabeta's words.
His mind is ragin both for and against the Charm influence. But now people he
trusts are telling him to stop fighting. He half-hears Kabeta's statement,
and it is reinforced psychically as the forces of the psionic team start
urging him the other way from what they had been. Tearing down walls is much
harder than building them, but he tries desperately to let the Charm influence
overcome his natural resistance. "Give in? Never!" wafts one thought,
followed by the "Let go!" and "Give in!" that his friends encourage. He moans
softly, fighting to tear down his walls brick by brick if that's what it takes.]
[Back to bridge shot. The tension in the room is incredibly high. The crew'ss
attention is divided - some watching McDonagh in fear and fascination, the
psionic team concentrating, and the rest, including the Captain, watching the
image of the Charms ship on the viewscreen. Kabeta is unconsciously gripping
the arms of her chair tightly. She is watching the Charms ship closely,
looking for any sudden moves. Suddenly, McDonagh's face contorts violently
and he crumples to the floor without a sound. Simultaneously, without looking
behind her, Kabeta says:]
KB: Fire.
GO'F: But what? Nothing works against their shields -
KB: Anything. Fire _now_.
[The _Heisenberg_ unleashes a mixed barrage of PPRs, Crouton torpedoes, and
phasers. The pot of gold shudders, and disintegrates in a violent explosion.]
[There is a moment of awed silence on the bridge as the crew realizes what just
happened. The tension on the bridge relaxes.]
KB: Dr. Hertzman to the bridge.
[She turns to face the psionics team and the dazed but conscious McDonagh. She
kneels by McDonagh's side.]
KB (softly): Thank you, Torvald. I know that cannot have been easy. You have
saved us from an immediate and probably devastating attack, and perhaps the
galaxy from another, and worse, invasion. [she looks up at Jiapa, Ender, and
Iluvanna, who are showing the strain themselves] And thank you, too. All of
you should go to sickbay and get checked out.
[The med team helps McDonagh to his feet, and the psionic team, shaking their
heads, follow the team out.]
KB: Scribonia, you have the con. I'm going to go check with folks in Sickbay.
[As she heads off the bridge:]
Hutchings: Captain? How did you know their shielding was gone?
KB: [pauses] I just had a ... feeling.
[Sickbay. Jiapa and Ender are sitting in chairs, having their temples massaged.
McDonagh is lying down, undergoing brainscan. Iluvanna, showing perhaps less
outward effect of the massive psychic turmoil that just filled the bridge, is
standing by himself as the Captain enters.]
KB: Doctor, what's the word?
Hertzman: The psionic team should be fine - some headaches to deal with, but
those will go away soon.
KB: ... and McDonagh?
Hertzman: Just a moment, and I'll have some more information on that.
[The brainscan data comes up on a computer screen. Iluvanna joins Dr. Hertzman
in examining it.]
Iluvanna: No sign of the Charm interference...
Hertzman: Yes, everything looks all right.
KB: How do you feel, Commander?
McDonagh: Like someone hit me over the head with a Rubber Chicken ... and I
mean the planet!
KB: [smiling] That sounds like the McDonagh I know!
Hertzman: We'll keep him under observation for a few days, and run some
personality tests. But I think he avoided, thanks to his own strength and an
impressive effort on the part of the psionics team, any permanent damage.
KB (to Iluvanna): A fine job, Lieutenant. Without your timely warning, this
could have been disastrous.
IL: Thank you, Captain. And thank you also for the loan of your book. I would
like to ask you a question about a passage, though.
[He pulls out the book, and turns to a particular page. During the following,
Lt. JG Kleber wanders into the background, overhearing some of their
discussion.]
IL: Now this section here. As far as I can make out, it's about four people
who have something special about them. There's a word here - it looks like
the verb "to predict" but isn't quite.
KB: That means "prophecy." There was a prophecy about four siblings who would
save the world.
IL: Ah. Thank you, Captain.
KB: No problem, Lieutenant. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate
to ask.
[Iluvanna turns to go. As he is leaving, he stops to ask one more question.]
IL: Oh yes, Captain. What does the word "minya" mean? It appears often, but
I couldn't find it in your glossary.
[Kabeta has become aware of the Speaker's presence.]
KB: Wolf.
[Kabeta turns to look at the Speaker. Their eyes meet in an even, knowing gaze.
Lin-Elenuial sees the look, observing in his unimpassioned way, but does not
know the meaning of what they are not saying aloud. A hint of a smile plays
about the Captain's lips.]
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