Who am I trying to fool? Ro upbraided herself. It might be the first time I’ve ever felt like this.
The turbolift continued on its journey from the Hub to the residential deck. As it descended, Ro’s thoughts drifted back to her experience in the wormhole—not an uncommon reflection in the days since she had accompanied the shape-shifting mass of Taran’atar and the Ascendants to their new home. Or maybe not so new, the captain corrected herself, recalling what the Jem’Hadar had told her about the world upon which she’d landed inside the Celestial Temple: “We have been here for some time . . . and we will be here yet longer.”
Once Ro had returned to Deep Space 9, she had researched the planet—or, at least, she’d attempted to do so. She could find only one direct reference to it, in reports filed by Benjamin Sisko and Jadzia Dax when they had first discovered the Celestial Temple—an event that had taken place seventeen years prior. The timeline didn’t add up: How could Taran’atar and the Ascendants have become the world within the wormhole after it already existed? Yet Captain Sisko’s description perfectly matched what Ro had witnessed for herself. Perhaps two distinct worlds populated the wormhole, but Ro truly believed that they were one and the same, further corroboration of Captain Sisko’s claim that the Prophets existed nonlinearly in time.
And if the Prophets can see the past and the future as easily as They see the present, what does that say about Their nature? Ro wondered. How much more evidence did she need of Their divinity?
As the turbolift slowed and changed direction, the comm system suddenly chirped. “Hub to Captain Ro,” came the voice of Ensign Allasar, who worked as the duty officer on beta shift.
“This is Ro. Go ahead, Allasar.”
“Captain, a small vessel of unknown configuration has just emerged from the wormhole,” Allasar said. “It stopped almost at once and broadcast a transmission directly to you.”
“Directly to me?” Ro said. “Not to Deep Space Nine?”
“No, sir,” Allasar said. “Directly to you.”
“Very well,” Ro said. “Computer, hold.” The turbolift eased to a halt. “Pipe it down here, Allasar.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ro waited, and a moment later, she heard the transmission: “Kira Nerys to Ro Laren.”
Acknowledgments
Thanks, as always, to my editors, Margaret Clark and Ed Schlesinger. My Star Trek literary work always begins and ends with Margaret and Ed, who set me on my way into the wilderness and remain by my side until I emerge back into the light of civilization. They are able partners on the journey from blank page to published novel, and I am grateful for their considerable assistance.
Away from my keyboard, I am supported by a long list of individuals whose very presence in my life allows me to slip the bounds of the here and now so that I can venture into the bright, shining future. Matt Harris and Adam Rogers are two of those people. Both are exceptional human beings: smart, loving, dedicated, and involved. Together with their beautiful boys, Javier and Marcel, they provide hope for a better tomorrow.
Steve Pilchik is another person who bolsters me. Though he and I go back a long way, we have always shared a common vision for the future. Steve has always been there for me, and I value his friendship beyond measure.
Thanks also to Colleen Ragan, a kind, compassionate, and raucously funny woman who has become another sister to me. I have known few people as brave or as adventurous as she is. Her presence in my life is a gift.
I also want to express my gratitude to Walter Ragan. A Navy man—a submariner—he is a genuine patriot, a man who has willingly served his country by putting himself in harm’s way. I thank him not only for his continuous love and support, but also for the example he sets.
Thank you as well to Anita Smith, another woman who has become my sister. She is kind and caring, fun and funny, and simply one of the best people I know. And if that isn’t enough, she’s also pretty good out on the links.
I am also grateful to Jennifer George, my sister by birth and my friend by choice. Jen is an amazing woman, whose many accomplishments are too numerous to mention. Although I am the older sibling, Jen has still taught me much in this life, and I cannot thank her enough for all she has done for me and all she means to me.
I also want to thank Patricia Walenista for . . . well, literally for everything in my life. She is the wellspring not only for my existence, but for much of what populates my world. I would not be here at all if not for her, nor would I be as happy without her loving influences.
Finally, thank you to Karen Ragan-George. She and I fly together in this life, and there is nobody I would rather have by my side. Karen provides the riotous laugh at the end of a tough day, the loving smile in a moment of sadness, the tender kiss that banishes any inkling of isolation. More than that, she simply makes life worth living. Every day with her is a joy, every second a treat. I love her more than words can say.
About the Author
David R. George III has frequently explored the Star Trek universe. Ascendance marks his sixteenth such novel. He has most often added to the Deep Space Nine milieu, with the novels The 34th Rule, Twilight, Olympus Descending (in Worlds of Deep Space Nine, Volume Three), Rough Beasts of Empire, Plagues of Night, Raise the Dawn, Revelation and Dust, and Sacraments of Fire. He also wrote the Crucible trilogy—Provenance of Shadows, The Fire and the Rose, and The Star to Every Wandering—which was set during the original series and helped celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the television show. Another of his novels, Allegiance in Exile, takes place during the final part of Enterprise’s five-year mission. David also penned a pair of Lost Era books featuring John Harriman and Demora Sulu, Serpents Among the Ruins and One Constant Star, as well as an LE novella, Iron and Sacrifice, which appeared in the Tales from the Captain’s Table anthology. He also provided an alternate-universe Next Generation novel, The Embrace of Cold Architects, for the Myriad Universes: Shattered Light collection.
David first contributed to the Trek universe on television, with a first-season Voyager episode titled “Prime Factors.” He has also written nearly twenty magazine articles about the shows and books. Of his non–Star Trek work, his novelette “Moon Over Luna” is available on Amazon.com. A second novelette, “The Instruments of Vice,” appears in Native Lands, the third volume in the ReDeus universe, which tells stories set after the return of the gods to Earth. A third novelette, “The Dark Arts Come to Hebron,” is included in a genre anthology called Apollo’s Daughters. David’s work has appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, and it has been nominated for a Scribe Award by the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers. His television episode was nominated for a SciFi Universe award.
David is an ardent—though often unfulfilled—New York Mets fan. He enjoys playing baseball and racquetball. He and his lovely wife, Karen, enjoy traveling, theater, concerts, and museums, count themselves as cinephiles, and have spent many a fun evening tearing up the dance floor. David and Karen currently reside in Los Angeles, California.
You can contact David at facebook.com/DRGIII, and you can follow him on Twitter @DavidRGeorgeIII.
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ISBN 978-1-5011-0370-4
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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Ascendance Page 33
