Imagemap. No graphics? Use menu below.
The Crouton Generation Archives
		STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
			  SEASON THREE
			  Episode #230

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 1991 20:10 MST
From: ALLEN_MK@bronze.Colorado.EDU
Subject: THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM, PART 3   (AWFULLY LONG!!)

It is late evening, and Eliana is waiting anxiously for Aren
to return.  She and the drewid are extremely hungry, but there
is nothing to eat.  At last, Aren enters the room, carrying
two small bowls.

Aren:  (offering the bowls to E. and the d.)  Here is some broth.
       It isn't much, but it's all I could manage to find. Eliana,
       eat quickly, and come with me.  The Old Ones wish to see
       you.

Eliana eats, and then gets up to go with Aren.  He leads her 
down another corridor (there are lots of these things!) to
another, smaller room.  There are assembled about twenty 
elderly men and women, one of them the Smarag who had led 
Eliana to Aren.

Aren:    Fathers, Mothers, this is my wife, Eliana.

They all murmur their greetings.  The old Smarag rises. He is 
obviously the leader of the group.

Smarag:  You have risked much to come here, and now it appears you
         must stay awhile.  But your life is in danger. Are you 
         willing to help us?

Eliana:  (in the Old Speech)  Yes, of course.

Aren:    (nudging her)  You must speak in Xavionite. Not all those 
         here are Smarags.

Eliana repeats her answer in Xavionite.

Smarag:  Good. The Antereans have already made an accusation
         against the Federation, and the Federation has promised
         they will not aid us.  Are you willing to go against
         your oaths to them?  

Eliana:  I am a Xavionite.  I will help my people.      
         
Smarag:  Very well.  I wanted to be certain before asking you to
         do anything. For our plan to work, you must be willing to 
         let the Antereans capture you.  

As the Smarag says this, Aren clenches his teeth, not wanting to 
let Eliana do it, but knowing it is necessary, and that it is 
her choice to make.

Eliana:  But how?  If they find me here, won't they kill me as a spy?

Smarag:  Yes. If they discover that you have snuck into the
         settlement, you will be put to death.  But if you are found
         without the walls, they will only enslave you, for they
         are in need.  Though of necessity, many of us remain
         above ground in captivity, a great number live in the
         tunnels where the Antereans cannot find them, and they
         will not surface until the final days of the uprising.
         The work force has been severely decreased, and the 
         factories will not run themselves.  You may stay this 
         night with your husband, but tomorrow morning, before 
         first light, he will take you back through the tunnels 
         to the forest.  Do not be afraid--we will watch over 
         you and be sure that you are safe.

Eliana:  May I come to you in the tunnels sometimes?  

Smarag:  No.  We will not be able to risk that.  You see, the 
         Antereans will also be watching you very closely.
         They will not be certain that you are not a spy.  Are 
         you positive you are willing to do this?  No one is
         asked to do anything against their will, and if you 
         desire, there are other ways for you to help.

Eliana:  Shonyo is my protector.  I will do as you ask.

Smarag:  Very well.  Let me explain to you our plan.    
---------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE CROUTON GENERATION
The Storm Before the Calm, Part 3
By Melinda K. Allen
with thanks to Katherine Bryant and Christina Marzano for their suggestions


Starring
     The drewid
     Counselor Eliana
     Admiral Avenger
     Captain Richard Muirden
     Commander Tim Larkin

Guest Starring
     Devyn Lee Gavryth as Aren
     Torin Bannockey as the old Smarag
     Theodore Chen as General Jaelyn Torisch
     Zachariah J. Ervin as Fallox


Directed by     CLV Marzano  (yup--that's my friend!  Old 155 Marzano!)

Lighting by     Boulder Lighting Technology

Music by        Iona 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the bridge of the Melbourne:

Muirden:  Casanova, do you have those coordinates yet?

Casanova:  Yes, Captain.  Here they are.

Muirden:  All right, now.  Lay in a new course.  We're going to
          go find our wandering Counselor and her crazy friend.

Casanova:  But, Captain.  Admiral Avenger said...

Muirden:  I know what he said.  It scares me, and that's why 
          we've got to go!  I'm not going to let anything
          happen to those two.  Now, lay in that course.

Casanova:  Yes sir.  We are now headed for the Anterea System.

Larkin enters the Bridge, carrying Eliana's small book, with a
puzzled look on his face.

Muirden:  Any luck?

Larkin:  Well, Captain, I've found this, but I can't make heads
         nor tails of it.  Take a look.

The Commander hands Muirden the book.

Muirden:  Looks like Russian. 

Larkin:  Nope.  I ran it through the translator, even.  The 
         letters are Cyrillic, but that's the only real
         similarity.  This language isn't in any of the data
         banks.  Maybe Captain Kabeta could help us?

Muirden:  Well, if she can't, no one can.  Let's call her again.

Calls Kabeta.  She appears on the screen.

Kabeta:  Hello, Captain.  Any news about the Counselor?

Muirden:  Yes, and none of it good. We know they've gone to
          the Seventh Moon of Anterea, and their shuttlecraft
          has been found by the Antereans.  Admiral Avenger
          didn't say anything about them, so I don't think
          they were found, at least not yet.  

Kabeta:  If they had been, the Antereans wouldn't tell you.

Muirden:  Damn!  I wish I could know they were alright!  Well,
          we've found the Counselor's journal, but we can't
          read it, and the translator is no help at all.  We
          were hoping we'd learn something from it.  Could
          you take a look?  

Kabeta:  The translator couldn't help?  That's strange.  
         Xavionite should be in there, at least a limited
         dictionary should be. I programmed it myself. Unless...
         (realization hits)  That must be it!!  Eliana is probably 
         a Smarag. Her husband was Stephen's chief advisor, and I know 
         that Stephen chose a Smarag to fill that position. And
         Smarags tend to marry other Smarags.  

Muirden:  Smarags?

Kabeta:  Sort of a religious leader--priests and prophets and
         all that. The name means 'Bearer of the Emerald.'  
         They are the Keepers of the Book of the Smarag, in which
         are written all the legends of Xavion. But they do not
         speak Xavionite as their mother tongue--They are  raised
         with the Old Speech, and only learn Xavionite when they
         are older.  I wouldn't be surprised if Eliana's journal
         is written in the Old Speech.  If so, I can't help you
         there.  I'm not a Smarag.  Sorry, Captain.

Muirden:  What should we do then?  Is there any way to help them?

Kabeta:  Short of going to Anterea and forcibly stopping them, no.
         And that option is out.  Against the Prime Directive, you know.

Muirden:  Yeah, yeah.  I know.  Muirden out.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Eliana and Aren are alone, walking around in the tunnels.  They
do not speak out loud, for they have no need to.  But we can hear
their thoughts.

Aren:  I never asked you about our child.

Eliana:  He did not live.  

Aren embraces her. He is trying very hard not to cry.  He had 
known when he said good-bye to Eliana that the child was not  
likely to survive, but always till now there had been some hope.  
Now it is gone, but his grief is coupled with the joy of having 
Eliana once more in his arms.  [hey--I'm a novelist, not a 
playwrite--I have to get some narrative in here somewhere!!!]

Aren: (through tears) There will be others.

Eliana:  It's not the same.

Aren:  I know.  Not for me, either.  But it is a comfort.

Eliana:  Yes, it is, somehow.

Aren:  I wish you would stay here, in the tunnels.

Eliana:  You know I cannot.  There's no other way.

Aren:  I know.  I will watch out for you.  Any Anterean who tries
       to harm you will have to reckon with me!

Eliana:  They'll have my fangs to deal with too.  (laughs)  This
         'allergy' of theirs is a rather convenient weapon!

Aren:  No.  They mustn't know you are a Xavionite.  To them, you
       must be like any other Federation officer.  Otherwise,
       they will fear an alliance between Xavion and the
       Federation even more than they do now.  That could prove
       fatal for us and for you.   For now, your Federation's
       promise not to  intervene has appeased them somewhat.  But  
       it won't last long. Please, you must not show them what you are.

Eliana:  I won't.  It will be hard, though.  It is second nature to me.  

Aren:  To us all.  But you will be able.  And it won't be long.  
       If all goes well, we will be free tomorrow night!  Come, 
       now.  Let's retire.

He leads her into a small cavern, obviously a private room, and 
pulls a rough cloth over the entrance, as a makeshift door.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Aboard the Melbourne, Muirden is still pacing.  
The communications panel bleeps.

Larkin:  Sir, it's Admiral Avenger.

Muirden:  Don't answer.  

Larkin:  (aghast) Sir?

Muirden:  I said, don't answer.

Larkin:  But Sir.  (notices the course heading)  What?  You can't
         do this!

Muirden:  You've heard what's going on.  Eliana and the drewid are
          in serious danger and no one else is willing to take a
          risk to help them.  Well, Eliana is my friend, and I'm
          not going to sit back and let a bunch of barbarians
          enslave or even murder her or the drewid.  What about
          you, Commander?  I thought you were her friend, too.

Larkin:  (embarrassed)  Well, I suppose you're right.  But you
         won't get away with it.  The Prime Directive!  The
         Admiral will skin you alive, and me if I let you do it!

Muirden:  We won't break the P.D. The Antereans already know about 
          us. And we won't go in right away.  We've got to make 
          some plans first. 
          Casanova--give me everything you've got on the Seventh
          Moon of Anterea!

Casanova:  Accessing...

Larkin:  I still don't know about this, Captain.  There's got to
         be some other way.

Muirden:  Do you have any other suggestions?  If so, I'm open.

Larkin:  First, find out what the Admiral has to say.  He could
         have some information that would change the entire
         situation.

Muirden:  (sighing)  Very well, Commander.  Answer the hail.
          (the Admiral appears on the screen, looking rather put 
          out)  Admiral Avenger.  Good day.  I...uh...apologize
          for the delay. How may I help you?

Avenger:  (icily) For starters you could explain to me just why 
          you are have changed course for the Anterea System. You 
          know that system is off limits, and I've already 
          explained that the Federation is NOT going to interfere
          in this slave rebellion.

Muirden:  Ahh...I'm sorry, Sir.  You don't understand.  You see...
          um...we are not actually going to enter the Anterean System.
          We just wanted to be close by in case anything happened.
          Don't worry, we'll remain in Federation Space.

Avenger:  Yes, you most certainly will.  I have orders to provide you 
          with an escort.  You will continue on this course, but you 
          will stop before leaving Federation territory.  For it is wise 
          to be available, as you said, in case anything happens.  
    
Muirden:  (nervously)  Umm...an escort really is not necessary,
          Admiral.  You needn't bother--I promise you that the 
          Melbourne will not enter Anterean space.

Avenger:  Bother?  It will be my pleasure, Captain Muirden.  The
          Rampage has nowhere else to be at the moment, and I
          could use a change of pace.  Don't argue with me,
          Muirden.  We will do everything in our power to rescue
          your Counselor and the drewid, but it is vital that we
          not make any mistakes.

Muirden:  Very well, Admiral.  

Avenger:  Thank you.  Avenger out.

Muirden begins pacing yet again.  He is angry that his plan has 
been foiled by the Admiral.

Muirden:  (to no one in particular) NOW what?

Larkin:  (consolingly)  Don't get so upset about it, Captain.  He
         DID say that we will do everything in our power to help
         them.  In fact, if we aren't careful, we could do them 
         more harm than good.

Muirden: Yes, I suppose you're right.  I am getting rather too
         worked up about this, aren't I.  Larkin, you take the
         Con.  I think I need a nap.

Larkin:  Yes, Sir.
------------------------------------------------------
A few hours before dawn in the Common Room.  Eliana and the drewid 
are in a corner, whispering so as not to wake anyone.

drewid:  You're going to what?!

Eliana:  I'm going to help my people.  Don't worry.  Shonyo will
         help me.

drewid:  Just who is this Shonyo you keep talking about?

Eliana:  (surprised) Why...I thought you knew!  (the drewid looks 
         confused)  Your letter--you know!  Michael closed by
         saying, "May God bless you and keep you."  And so I
         thought you would know.

drewid:  No.  Who is Shonyo?

Eliana:  Why, God, of course.  

drewid:  God?  But what kind of god do you mean?

Eliana:  The only God.  I suppose you would best understand it as 
         Judaeo-Christian.  Shonyo is just a name in the Old
         Speech which means "Messiah." 

drewid:  Oh.  I didn't realize people still believed things like that.

Eliana:  Yes.  Someday I will show you the Book of the Smarags.
         Some people say the stories there are only legends, but
         the first Smarags saw what happened and passed down the
         record of it over many generations.  There is much about
         Shonyo there.

drewid:  I would like to see it. But are you sure?  Is there
         REALLY a Shonyo, and will he REALLY take care of you?

Eliana:  Yes.  I believe he will.  Nothing will happen to me that
         he doesn't allow.

drewid:  But didn't he allow all this?  (indicates the hungry,
         ragged people all around them)

Eliana:  He didn't do this.  People who hate him did this.  But he
         did do that.  (points at a Smarag who is giving food to 
         some skinny children--he tickles the littlest girl, and
         she laughs, then hugs him)

drewid:  Well, why doesn't he just destroy the bad ones?  Or make 
         them good?

Eliana:  He doesn't work that way.  He loves them, and he wants 
         them to WANT to be good--it doesn't mean anything if you 
         don't have a choice.  Besides, if he destroyed everyone 
         who did something bad, out of fairness he would have to 
         destroy you, and Aren, and me too.  None of us are so 
         good. That's why Aren and I didn't kill those Anterean 
         soldiers  yesterday, even though we could have--because
         Shonyo wouldn't have, and because Shonyo has cleared the
         slate for us plenty of times.

drewid:  Oh. Well...I hope you're right.  Look, here comes Aren.

Aren enters, looking very anxious.  

Aren:  Eliana, are you ready?

Eliana:  Yes.  Let's go now.  

Aren hands her a clay cup.

Aren:  First drink this.  It will make you sleepy.

Eliana does so, then hugs the drewid.

Eliana:  I will see you again soon, I promise.

drewid:  May Shonyo be with you.

Eliana:  Thank you, drewid.

Aren and Eliana leave the Common Room and ascend a ladder into
the old Smarag's hut.  The only entrance to the tunnel which
leads to the forest is here, so that, should it be discovered
by the Antereans, the other corridors would remain safe. There, 
the old Smarag lays his hands on them and intones a blessing in 
the Old Speech.   Then, alone, they descend and start their 
journey towards the forest exit.  Eliana is feeling very sleepy 
because of the drink she had been given, and so Aren carries her 
much of the way. 

Eliana:  (drowsily)  Aren, why can't I keep my eyes open?  Where
         are we going?

Aren:  Hush, just sleep.  

Eliana:  (obviously having a flashback) No!  Alexis, no! (sobbing)  
         Teryk!  Aren, I can't leave them.  Don't make me leave them.

Aren sits for a minute and holds Eliana tightly until she calms 
down.  He had not known that the Smarag's drink would make her 
relive all these memories so intensely.  

Aren:  (trying to convince himself)  But it's necessary.  They
       must think she's ill.  They mustn't suspect that her  
       presence here is anything more than an accident. 
       (to her, as he strokes her hair)  I'm so sorry, Eliana.
       Please forgive me.  

Finally, Eliana is soundly asleep.  Aren stands up again and 
continues through the tunnels.  Not more than a few seconds later, 
he reaches the ladder and ascends carefully into the forest.  He 
tries not to let Eliana get scratched up in the thicket, but ends 
up with quite a few nasty scratches himself.  It is not quite 
light yet.  

Aren:  We could be free, now.  Why should I let her do this?  They
       could never find us here in the forest! But no.  They are
       my people, our people.  We must go through with it.

He carries her to the edge of the forest and gently lays her down 
on the road.  Then he sits beside her, resolved to stay with her 
for as long as it is safe.  But he too is tired and struggles to 
keep his eyes open. 
*************************************************
FLASHBACK!

A great castle stands on a mountainside above a glistening sea. In 
the village below, everyone is dressed in festive clothing, and no one 
appears to be working.  Children are running about in the streets, 
laughing and playing.  But all activity stops when the people see a 
procession coming down the mountainside and into the village.  

Villager:  Hooray, hooray!  They're coming!

All the villagers set up a cheer and gather to watch the procession.  At 
the front is a wizened old man with a long white beard. Following is a 
horse-drawn carriage with a young couple inside--Aren and Eliana.  They 
are looking out at the people, smiling and waving.  Here and there they 
spot a good friend and call out a name.  Behind them rides a rather regal 
figure--it is King Stephen, we learn, when the crown begins to cheer 
him and his wife Queen Alexis, who rides next to him on a pure white steed.
Normally, the royal couple would have ridden at the front, but it is, after 
all, their favourite advisor's wedding day!

CUT TO A SHOT INSIDE THE CARRIAGE.

Eliana is beaming at Aren.  The camera focusses on her face.  Then, all 
outside noise fades away, and Eliana is no longer smiling--she is screaming
from pain and terror.

Eliana:  Aren, help me!  Aren!  

Aren sees her on the ground in a pool of blood, where Anterean 
soldiers have left her to die.  He races out of the battle lines 
and to her side.  No one notices as he picks her up and rushes 
toward the shuttle hangar. The only craft there has room for only 
one person.  He places her gently inside it along with a small 
wolf statue which had been on a leather strap about his neck.  
Eliana is clutching in her hands a painting of a wolf which she 
had been trying to save when she ran from the Anterean soldiers.
Aren sets a course on the auto-pilot, kisses his wife on the 
forehead, and then, his face streaming with tears, launches the 
shuttle.  

We hear him sobbing as the flashback fades and he gazes once more 
at Eliana.  Now he notices that the sun is rising, and knows he 
ought to leave.

Aren:  NO.  This time I will stay with her.  

He transforms into a wolf, then hides himself in the forest, 
watching for the Antereans.  Not long after, a few soldiers come 
marching along the road.  They see Eliana and stop.

1st Soldier:  What's this?  An escapee?  

He kicks her, trying to prod her awake.  She stirs and groans, but 
remains asleep.

2nd Soldier:  Naah.  It must be one of those Federation 
              characters, you know, from the shuttle.  Hey--let's
              have some fun with her.  

Aren hears this and stiffens, ready to lunge.

1st Soldier:  No, we'd better not. You know the orders--don't
              touch the Feds but take 'em straight to the Captain. 

3rd Soldier:  Great.  Why does work always come along just when I
              get a break?

2nd Soldier:  Aww, shut up Clevyn, and give us a hand.

The first two pick up Eliana and carry her towards the settlement.  
Clevyn, on the other hand, sulks for a bit and then follows them.  
No one notices when Aren leaps out from his hiding place and bites 
the young soldier. Clevyn falls noiselessly besid the road, and 
Aren returns to safe cover.  The other two soldiers never see the 
wolf that follows them right up to the walls of the city.  But 
when they enter, Aren cannot follow them any further without being 
seen.  Sorrowfully, he turns and heads back to the tunnels.  
As he passes young Clevyn, he takes his human form again and goes 
to pick up the man.  But while he is doing so, more Anterean 
soldiers come upon him.  

1st soldier:  (putting an arrow to the string and shooting)  It's
              one of the wolf-men!  How did he get out here?

The arrow hits Aren in the gut and he falls.  As he falls, he 
becomes a wolf again and lets loose with a long and mournful howl.  
He then loses consciousness.  
------------------------------------------------------------
Eliana awakes and looks about her.  She is alone in a sterile gray 
room, which is lit by a bright, bare bulb.  
As she looks about we can hear her thoughts.

Eliana:  Where am I?  How did I get here?  Oh, my head aches.  

She tries to move, but is unable.  When she looks down, she sees 
that she has been strapped onto what looks like an operating 
table.  It is hard and uncomfortable.  She closes her eyes again, 
hoping it will relieve the pain in her head.  Suddenly, the door 
opens and a handsome, but cruel looking, man enters.  This is 
General Jaelyn Torisch of the Anterean army.  He is wearing a blue 
uniform, decorated with numerous medals.  The light hits the 
medals and reflects off of them.  Eliana opens her eyes, looks at 
him for a second, then groans and once more shuts her eyes against 
the glare.

Torisch:  You are of the Federation.  Who are you and why have you
          come here?

Eliana:  (drowsily and puzzledly, after thinking a moment)  I...I
         don't know, Sir.  I just don't know.  

General:  (surprised and angry)  What?  Just tell me your name!

Eliana:  I wish I could. I really wish I could!

The camera cuts to a view on the other side of the door to this 
room.  A slave who has been cleaning utensils is leaning with her 
ear against the door, listening closely to everything that is 
said.  She hears someone coming around the corner, and so she 
straightens up and continues her work.  As soon as the coast is 
clear, she hurries away and heads down a corridor which leads 
towards the slave huts.   
-------------------------------------------------------------
Back in the tunnels, the slave girl from the hospital makes her 
report to the Elders.

Girl:  Fathers and Mothers, she remembers nothing, not even her name.

Smarag:  What?  Have they injured her in any way?  Perhaps an 
         experiment?

Girl:  No.  I overheard the doctors discussing the case, and they
       are as baffled as you are.  They think that perhaps the
       amnesia was the result of an accident or illness before she
       came here.

Smarag:  That much, at least is good.  Tanalia, you prepared the
         drug. Could it be responsible for this?

Tanalia:  It's possible, but I don't know.  I used a slightly
          larger dose than is normal, so that she would sleep
          longer. It should have been harmless, but perhaps her 
          system is particularly vulnerable. That could be the
          source of the problem.  

Smarag:  For now, though, it seems to be a help to us.  We'll need
         to alter the...

At this moment, a boy (about age 12)  rushes in shouting.  

Boy:  Fathers, Mothers!  They have taken Aren!  He is caged in the
      centre of the settlement!  

Smarag:  Caged?  How did this happen?  Did you get close to him?  
         Is he alright?

Boy:  I couldn't get close--my master was pulling me away-- but I
      think he was hurt.  He just lay in a corner of the cage, not 
      moving.  And every so often he would look about and then howl.

Smarag:  Thank you, Son.  (turning his attention to the assembly)
         It is time.  Aren and Eliana will not be able to help us,
         and so now we must improvise. 
         (after a moment's thought) Davon, Ivan, Alaryk--bring in
         the uniforms.  Evox, please fetch the one Eliana calls 
         the drewid. The rest of you, spread the news--our freedom
         is at hand!

They all scatter to their respective tasks.  Only the boy and the 
old Smarag remain in the room.  The boy is obviously excited.

Boy:  Oh, please, Father!  Could I help?

Smarag:  (thoughtfully) Yes, Fallox.  I do believe I have just the
         job for you, if you are truly willing.

The boy nods eagerly.  
------------------------------------------------------------------
In the middle of the village is a cage, and the Anterean people 
are clamouring around it, laughing and mocking the wolf inside of 
it.   Many of them have sticks and are prodding him through the 
bars.  Aren does not respond, and this angers them.  When he howls 
(but obviously not at them), they are frightened and move back. 
Then he falls silent and they start up again.  We can hear his
thoughts above the noise of the crowd.
[n.b. All of the following dialogue takes place in the Old Speech, 
but I don't have a complete enough dictionary yet to help me write 
it, so I'll just use English]

Aren:  Eliana?  Eliana?  Where are you?  Are you alright?  (waits)  
       Eliana--ANSWER ME!  Please.

From this point, the scene alternates between Aren and Eliana.  
When Aren is speaking, we see the village centre and the people 
crowded round him.  When Eliana speaks, we see the grey room as if 
from her perspective. Because Aren's entire concentration is fixed 
on Eliana, he is able to perceive her thoughts.  

Eliana:  It is ugly here.  Everything is so grey, drab.  Have I
         always been here?  I don't think so.  There was something
         before this--something beautiful and good--I can almost
         see it!  No.  It's gone again. I...I wish...I wish I 
         could remember.  
         The voice is back.  It is beautiful, but it frightens me.
         Where does it come from?  Who is this 'Eliana'?
         Could...could it be  me? 

Aren:  (at this juncture, Aren howls)  What have they done to you,
       Eliana?  Where are you?  Don't you remember anything?

Eliana:  (Not understanding this voice, but addressing her 
         thoughts towards it anyway)  Am I really Eliana?  I don't
         know.  No, I don't remember anything.  Who are you? 
         Please, tell me what's going on!

Sadly, Aren howls again, this time so loud and long that the crowd 
scatters in fear.  Only one soldier, whose job is to guard Aren, 
remains,  and he cowers as far away from the cage as he dares.    

Aren:  I will try to help you. Close your eyes and concentrate on me.  

Eliana:  Alright.  But who are you?  Should...should I know you?

Aren:  I...I am your friend.  And you may trust me in everything.

Eliana:  Thank you--it's good to have a friend.

Her eyes dart about the room for one last look, then she closes 
them and we see only blackness for a minute.  Then we see Aren 
again.  He is obviously concentrating hard against the pain so 
that he can keep the link with Eliana.  He begins remembering 
everything that has happened since the day he met her, when they 
were children, and he directs all the pictures to her.  The camera
focusses on Eliana, and we see her sometimes laughing and 
sometimes crying.  Then come the more recent  painful memories, 
and she struggles against them as if she were reliving them.  Aren 
does not attempt to water them down, for he knows that she wants 
to remember everything, whether painful or not.  But he is not 
able to tell her much of what happened from the time they were 
parted to the time she arrived in Anterea, for he knows only bits 
and pieces of that.  What he can, he gives her.  At last, the job 
is finished.  Eliana opens her eyes, her face glistening with 
tears, but she is smiling. She knows that he has told her the 
truth about everything.    

Eliana:  (joyfully despite everything) You....you're Aren, aren't you?

Aren:  Yes.  

Eliana:  Thank you.  But something's wrong--they've hurt you, I 
	 can feel it. 

Aren:  (hesitantly)  Yes.  They have.  But you must not think of it.  

Eliana:  Where are you?  Are you safe from them now?

Aren:  No.  They are holding me captive, but I will escape.  I 
       promise that I will come for you.
       
The door to Eliana's room creaks open and she shudders as Torisch 
enters.

Eliana:  Aren, he's come back.  

Aren:  Do not let him know anything.  It is better for him to think
       you remember nothing.  I will be with you through it all.  

Torisch wheels the table on which Eliana is strapped out of the room and
into what looks like a large operating theatre.  Medical instruments 
lay piled in trays. Three silent doctors in grey gowns come and stand 
around the table. One lowers a small pronged metal device towards Eliana's 
forehead.  Frightened, she tries unsuccessfully to pull away from him, then, 
as if someone has spoken to her and comforted her, she relaxes and closes 
her eyes, twinging only slightly when the cool metal touches her skin. The 
prongs pierce the surface, and the device is firmly attached.  The doctor 
turns to Torisch.

Doctor:  It shouldn't be long, sir.  In just a moment, we'll either know 
         exactly what she's hiding, or that she honestly remembers nothing.

Torisch smiles cruelly.

TO BE CONTINUED!!  (sorry this is taking so long, guys!  I'm having incredible
                    amounts of fun with it!  There should only be one more
                    episode.)

						

[ TCG Archives | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | TSG | TPG | Misc | Begin | End ]