“Hm,” Trys said after a moment. “I’ll do that. Think about it.”
“Good.” Jasminder made her farewells and left. The exchange reminded her that there was someone she needed to have a talk with soon.
And it wasn’t long before she faced Worf again, when she reported to him on the bridge, declaring herself ready to resume her duties. He acknowledged her report and requested that she join him in the observation lounge. He was perfectly professional on the bridge, but once they were alone, he hesitated. “I . . . like . . . your hair,” he began through clenched teeth.
“Don’t worry, I’m growing it out.”
“Oh.” He sighed in relief. She laughed, and it gave him the confidence to continue. “I wished to say . . . I will respect whatever decision you make, but I wanted you to know . . . I appreciate you just as much whether you join me in combat exercises or not. I do not require you to be aggressive to be of value to me. After all . . . it was the serene, spiritual Jasminder Choudhury who attracted me in the first place. I think I had failed to appreciate how much I missed that side of you. It allowed me to feel more connected to my spiritual side, something I can so rarely share with my human friends.” He sighed again. “I do not say this to cajole you into changing your mind. I merely wish to be clear about my own—”
“Worf.” She placed her fingers on his lips. “Say no more. I need to tell you that I was too hasty before. I was afraid my own aggressions were taking me over, and I felt your influence exacerbated things. But now I know where I stand again. I know nothing can drive me from that place unless I let it. And so I no longer feel any need to retreat from you.”
She kissed him gently—not passionately, not invitingly yet, but with kindness and love. “After all . . . finding common ground is what I do best.”
Acknowledgments
The Struggle Within draws on the four novels of the Star Trek: Typhon Pact miniseries: in approximate chronological order, Rough Beasts of Empire by David R. George III, Zero Sum Game by David Mack, Seize the Fire by Michael A. Martin, and Paths of Disharmony by Dayton Ward. Jasminder Choudhury’s character arc herein is an outgrowth of the events of Paths of Disharmony and is also informed by the events of Star Trek: Destiny by David Mack and Star Trek: The Next Generation: Losing the Peace by William Leisner. Rough Beasts of Empire provided background on the Romulans and the Tzenkethi.
All of us who’ve contributed to the Typhon Pact miniseries owe a debt to Keith R.A. DeCandido and Marco Palmieri, who conceived the Typhon Pact. Keith’s Star Trek: A Singular Destiny introduced the Pact, suggested the idea of an expansion to the Khitomer Accords, and gave us our first look at the Kinshaya, a species mentioned in passing in John M. Ford’s classic novel Star Trek: The Final Reflection. I’m grateful to Keith for sharing his background notes on the Kinshaya and helping me flesh out their portrayal.
Jono (Chad Allen), Endar (Sherman Howard), and the Talarian Republic are from the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode “Suddenly Human,” teleplay by John Whelpley and Jeri Taylor, story by Ralph Phillips. The name Talar for the Talarian capital planet is from Star Trek Star Charts by Geoffrey Mandel.
The idea that the shaved heads and tattoos of the Romulans seen in the 2009 Star Trek feature film represent a Romulan mourning ritual was suggested in the miniseries Star Trek: Countdown from IDW Comics, written by Mike Johnson and Tim Jones from a story by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.
This novella is inspired by and dedicated to the courageous resistance movement in Egypt, whose members proved that nonviolent action can achieve what violence cannot, and to all kindred spirits throughout the world who share their commitment.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Acknowledgments
Star Trek: Typhon Pact: The Struggle Within Page 9
