Strange New Worlds IX
Page 36
The two men stood in front of the device silently for several long minutes.
“So,” Bashir said softly, almost whispering, “what do we do now?”
“A question,” the Guardian boomed. “Since before your star burned in a void and before your kind arose from your sea, I have awaited…a question.”
The two men looked at each other and then back to the Guardian.
“Do you know why we are here?” Danar asked.
“I foresee an end to my purpose in both of you,” it said.
“The others who were here, the Jem’Hadar, have they used you to travel?” Bashir asked.
“I could not speak with them,” the Guardian said. “They do not possess the key within themselves to allow access to me.”
“DNA,” Bashir said to Danar. “Their genetic material is different in some way from yours and mine. Perhaps because they were completely genetically engineered or because they are from the Gamma Quadrant. To them, the Guardian has only been a piece of silent rock.”
Bashir set down the bomb. He stared at it and then back to the Guardian.
“Is there any way you can transport yourself from this spot?” he asked. “We can’t allow you to remain in the hands of the Dominion.”
“I am capable of moving through myself,” it said. “But I cannot move.”
“I don’t understand,” Bashir said. “Please, you have to help us, if we can’t move you, we will be forced to…”
“Destroy me,” the Guardian finished. “Yes, I am aware of that outcome. However it is currently outside my power to leave this place. But I can help you, Julian Bashir and Roga Danar.”
The center of the portal began to swirl with mist. Images melted and flowed in the trails. Bashir saw himself as a boy walking; his hand in his father’s as they boarded the shuttle headed for Adigeon Prime. The image shifted to a young, frightened Roga Danar standing in line with hundreds of other young frightened men and women while scientists moved up and down the lines examining them like cattle.
“You can view events through me or pass through me into what has been. You may alter the events you see, alter your life, if you so choose.”
“But you can’t,” Danar said, more to himself than to the Guardian. “Can you?”
“I am not permitted to answer that question,” the Guardian said.
“You can take away those images of me,” Bashir said. “Thank you for the offer, but I am Julian Bashir. I am the sum total of the experiences life has given me. Some good, some bad, and many outside of my control. But I will not second-guess my life.”
“And you, Roga Danar?” the Guardian asked.
Danar looked at the face of the young man he had been and said goodbye.
“I’m not a machine,” he said. “I never have been one. And neither are you. Tell me, Guardian, what do you want?”
The Guardian was silent for a long time. Then it rumbled once more to life.
“In the lifetime of a million suns, I have awaited that question. Thank you, Roga Danar. I wish to be free of my programming. To be free.”
“Then,” Danar said, “be free.”
There was a sound like a vacuum rushing to be filled, a collision of atmosphere with void. The winds around the Guardian shrieked and the golden light from within its stone surface brightened until both Bashir and Danar had to shield their eyes and look away. When they opened their eyes, the Guardian was gone.
“It’s time for us to leave too,” Bashir said.
“So let me get this straight,” Pressman said. “You just let one of the most ancient and powerful creations in the universe off its leash. We have no idea what it will do or what its agenda is.”
“I guess that sums it up,” Bashir said, smiling. “But at least the Dominion doesn’t have it and neither do you maniacs in Section Thirty-one. And I don’t care for leashes.”
Pressman went back to brooding over the scout’s helm console. The small ship was well clear of the Guardian’s system and on the way back to Angosia.
Bashir found Danar in the small hold at the rear of the scout, keeping watch over the bodies of the fallen commandos.
“Last casualties of the war,” Danar said. Bashir sat down on the floor next to him.
“You sure of that?”
“I’m sure I’m done running from who and what I am. No more treatments, no more mourning. I’m alive, and I’ve got obligations to the living and the dead to make this life a good one, the best I can make it. I can’t go back and I can’t hide from who I am and what I’ve become. Time to wake up.”
“It won’t be easy,” Bashir said.
Danar shrugged.
“It’s easy to lie down and die,” he said. “I’ll take the hard duty.”
Strange New Worlds
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No purchase necessary to enter. Purchase does not increase your chances of winning. To enter, send an original story based on the established Star Trek universe and/or characters as specified below. All entries must be received between June 1, 2006, and October 2, 2006. Entries received after October 2, 2006, will not be accepted. All federal, state and/or local rules and regulations apply.
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About the Contributors
R. S. Belcher (“Orphans”): When R. S. Belcher was a wee lad, he used to get to be the kid that was Captain Kirk on the playground. He usually ended up ripping his shirt. He is attempting to turn a lifelong love of science fiction and fantasy into a paying gig to support his comic-book habit. He would never have gotten out of dry-dock without the love and support of his children—Jonathan, Emily, and Stephanie—and his mother, Mabel. He is a native of southwest Virginia and “Orphans” is his first professional fiction sale.
Emily P. Bloch (“Shadowed Allies”) lives in Queens, New York, where she is an aspiring writer, singer, and actress. She is thrilled to have this story be her first published work. She has also had three of her short plays produced at her alma mater, Queens College. She is a devoted Trek fan, most especially of Deep Space Nine. She dedicates this story to Kevin, Francesco, and Dad, without whom she wouldn’t have Prophets to walk with.
Allison Cain (“Rounding a Corner Already Turned”) makes her writing debut in SNW 9. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, she’s been a Trek fan since she was six. When not writing, Allison is currently exercising her love of entertainment working at Walt Disney World, and her love of baseball working summers with the Reading Phillies. She would like to thank and dedicate this story to her parents, Bill and Marian Cain, for introducing her to both Star Trek and the English language; and to Mr. Bruce Coville, who, although they’ve never met, inspired he
r to write science fiction.
Marc Carlson (“The Immortality Blues”) is an academic librarian and amateur historian in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “The Immortality Blues” marks his first foray into writing Star Trek fiction. Recently, he’s spending more of his time researching and writing about historical material culture. He would like to thank his wife, Jennifer, and editrix Jaymi Bouziden for making sure the story made sense. He would also like to thank the members of the Oklahoma Science Fiction Writers, whose suggestions and discussion were useful.
Kenneth E. Carper (“Rocket Man”) wanted to be Captain Kirk when he grew up. Failing that, he wanted to write about Captain Kirk. “Rocket Man” is his first appearance in Strange New Worlds. He lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, Hannah, and daughter, Caitlin.
John Coffren (“Gone Native”) returns to Strange New Worlds after previously writing “Future Shock” for SNW VII. His nonfiction appears in the Baltimore Sun, where he works. Thanks go out to family (Joanie, Jack, Evan, Maggie, and Pierre), friends (the Paneranormals), and dream makers (Dean, Elisa, and Paula). And a special thanks to Mom and Dad for letting him watch endless hours of Star Trek reruns when he was growing up.
Steven Costa (“Book of Fulfillment”) is actually a front man for a hyperintelligent mouse that writes short stories and the occasional novella. (Ever see the movie Ben and Me? Like that.) Thanks to Chris for proofreading, and to Win and Jess from the NWNMS, for mentioning me in their books. Now we’re even. Special thanks to Dean, Elisa, and Paula for validating a lifelong immersion in Trek. This is Steven’s first appearance in SNW. Unlike most writers, Steven does not own a cat.
Russ Crossley (“Unconventional Cures”): This is Russ’s third and final appearance in Strange New Worlds. His two previous stories, “The Human Factor” and “Barclay Program Nine,” appeared in SNW VI and SNW VII, respectively. Russ lives in Vancouver, B.C., with his supportive and loving wife, Rita, and son, Glenn. He wants to thank all of his writing instructors (you know who you are) for telling him to never give up on his dream, and the Oregon Coast Professional Writers for their continued support and expertise in this wonderful business.