STAR TREK: Strange New Worlds I

by Dean Wesley Smith (Editor)

  Somehow, she couldn’t help but feel a little cocky, knowing about him and he knowing nothing about her. Quite the opposite from her first meeting him so long ago. Resisting the urge to tell him everything would be difficult, but he had been right about contaminating the timeline then and he was just as right now. Guinan was happy to see that her employees had seen to shutting down the bar for her. That meant she only had to turn down the lights and head to her quarters.

  Suddenly, Guinan felt that something was not right. It was nothing she could pinpoint, but a feeling of dread swept over her. A feeling of evil. A feeling of terror. Somehow, she knew that she would not be able to sleep until whatever evil that was on board the station was located and destroyed. With determination, she told the computer to turn off the lights and lock the door behind her as she set out to wander the space station.

  * * *

  [168] When Jean-Luc had left Guinan’s bar, he had a spring in his step that he hadn’t had in some time. Maybe it was because she was El-Aurian, a listener, or maybe he did know her from somewhere before, or maybe it was just the wine; but whatever the reason, he felt that a large burden had been lifted from his shoulders in talking with her. He knew now why the El-Aurians had such a reputation.

  He was so lost in thought that he was totally unaware of the shadowy form following him down the winding corridors of the space station. It wasn’t until Jean-Luc turned a corner and found himself in a dead-end passage that he realized just how preoccupied he was with the mysterious, dark-skinned woman who called herself Guinan. As he turned to backtrack, he nearly collided with a tall creature of a race that Picard was unable to identify.

  “Pardon me,” Jean-Luc said as he attempted to sidestep the giant being. The creature was a full head taller than Jean-Luc and built like a Klingon. Unlike a Klingon, this humanoid was pale skinned and made any Klingon look like a beauty contest winner. His head was bald and the skin was loose fitting and hung in layers. What was supposed to be eyes, a nose, and a mouth were barely visible under the layers of epidermis.

  As Jean-Luc stepped to the side, the creature did likewise, blocking Picard’s way. “Excuse me,” Jean-Luc once again said, as he stepped to the other side, only to be blocked again.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” Jean-Luc asked politely. The creature said nothing.

  Finding his temper beginning to heat up and feeling a little concerned about the lack of other beings in this [169] out-of-the-way corridor, Jean-Luc again asked if he could be of any assistance. “If there’s anything I can do for you or anything that you need, I’m sure that it can be arranged. Just feel free to ask.”

  Jean-Luc was barely able to finish his sentence before the creature reached out and grabbed him by the arm. Jean-Luc quickly reached to tap his combadge for assistance, but the creature seemed to anticipate his move and wrapped Jean-Luc up in a bear hug. Jean-Luc began to struggle in earnest until he heard the familiar hiss of a hypospray. There was little he could do as he found himself losing consciousness and sliding to the floor.

  Guinan knew something was not right. The feelings of dread would not leave her. As she turned each corner, anticipation of what she would find overwhelmed her. She didn’t know where she was going, but at each intersection of corridor, her powers led her down what she would consider the proper direction.

  Soon, she found herself standing at a dead end. Here, the feelings told her, was the correct place. She saw no one, but she respected the intuition that she possessed and looked around for some clue as to why she was drawn to this deserted location. A hint of metal caught her eye and she bent over to pick up a pin—a Starfleet-issue combadge. She pushed it, activating the transmission.

  “Captain, this is the Stargazer. Are you there?” a concerned voice asked.

  “Sorry,” Guinan replied. “Your captain is not here. I found his communicator lying on the floor.”

  “WHAT?” exclaimed the voice on the other end.

  [170] “I think you had better get someone over here. Your captain is missing.”

  Picard awoke to find himself confused and in darkness. His neck was stiff, as if he had slept wrong. The chair in which he was sitting was quite uncomfortable, and as he tried to change his position, he discovered that his hands and feet were bound to it. It took a moment or two for him to remember. Yes, he had been confronted by a being he did not recognize and was injected with a hypospray. Just where he was now, he was not sure. He pulled against the bonds that held him prisoner, but soon realized that they were not going to be easily compromised. Sensing that his attempts to free himself at this time were useless, he began to scrutinize his surroundings.

  He strained his eyes against the darkness, trying to see something. He knew that he was not wearing a blindfold, but the lack of light made it seem so. “Hello, is anybody there?” he called out. “I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Stargazer. I demand to know why you have brought me here!” He was greeted only by the rhythmic sounds of the life-support system of the space station. He found some comfort in knowing that he had not been transported off the station, a fact which he hoped would make his being located easier.

  He again pulled against the electronic bonds that held his arms and legs to the chair, but despite his best effort, they refused to give. Frustrated with his situation, Jean-Luc stared into the darkness which surrounded him and tried to determine just what had happened. Before long, he drifted into a restless sleep.

  [171] “Commander Merritt, I assure you that we are doing everything we can to locate your captain.” The Jeparly Station law enforcement official tried to comfort Picard’s Number One, but the gesture seemed to be fruitless. Commander Merritt and his security team from the Stargazer were pacing with frustration. Guinan stood silently to the side watching the goings-on intently.

  “Tell us again about your evening with the captain,” Commander Merritt directed at Guinan. The Jeparly officials stood by, interested in once again hearing her story.

  “There’s nothing much to be said about it,” Guinan replied. “He came into the bar and we sat and talked. He ate dinner and we drank some wine until the bar closed. Since I had things to do, he left. That was the last I saw of him.”

  “Did you see anyone suspicious? Did anyone follow him as he left?” the commander asked.

  “Being as we were closed when he left, there was no one in the bar to follow him,” Guinan replied. “I didn’t notice anyone paying any particular attention to us throughout the evening, other than some that I believe were his crew, since they were in Starfleet uniforms. Jean-Luc did comment that members of his crew were unused to seeing their captain in any type of social situation.”

  “Nothing more?” Merritt pressured. “No exchange of words between the captain and anyone else, no confrontation, no comments made that might be considered a threat toward the captain?”

  “None,” Guinan said matter-of-factly. “The entire evening was without incident.”

  The commander turned his attention toward the Jeparly law enforcement officers. “And you,” he drilled, “do you [172] know of any groups aboard this station that might have had reason to abduct a Starfleet captain?”

  “None, I assure you,” the Jeparly official replied. Being of the Hemoda race, his voice gargled as he spoke. “Our station is out of the way. The presence of the Federation is only to our benefit. Although we do not anticipate raiders, we welcome the Federation’s presence in the area in case anyone were to get such ideas. We have very little that anyone would want and are merely a place to stop and relax after a long period in deep space.”

  “I would like to believe that is true,” Commander Merrill replied. “I have no reason to believe otherwise.” The commander stood, deep in thought. “I would like a list of all the ships currently docked at this station as well as all the current residents. There has to be a clue somewhere as to who would want to kidnap the captain.”

  “Certainly,” the Hemoda replied. “My peopl
e are compiling that list as we speak. No ships are going to be allowed to leave this station. I, too, believe that there is someone aboard the station who has a reason to abduct your captain, and I am as determined to find his whereabouts as you.”

  As the Hemoda left, followed by his security crew, Commander Merritt turned to Guinan. “Do you think the Hemoda is as dedicated to finding the captain as he is trying to lead me to believe?”

  “I’ve been on the station for some time. I have found him to be adequate in his investigations of any criminal activity that occurs on this station, but honestly, very little of it occurs here.” Guinan’s comments did little to comfort the commander. “He is telling the truth when he says that this place is a very boring spot in the universe. Ships stopping [173] here are usually freighters that have been in space for many months—sometimes even years—with minimal crews. This station is hardly known as a place to take extended periods of shore leave. We are rather dull.”

  Guinan continued. “I am confident that the Hemoda will compile an accurate list of all the ships, their personnel, and our regular inhabitants who were on board when the captain disappeared. I’m sure that some clue will surface. And now, Commander, if you will excuse me, it has been a long night for me, and I really do need to get some sleep if I am to open my business in only a few hours.”

  Commander Merritt smiled at her directness. “Certainly, Guinan. It has been a rather tense few hours for all of us. Although I know that I won’t be able to sleep, I will not deny you that privilege. If you can think of anything that might aid our investigation, please feel free to contact me, whether I am on the station or the Stargazer.”

  “Certainly,” Guinan replied. “And now, if you will excuse me.” Guinan turned and walked down the corridor, aware that many pairs of eyes were following her as she proceeded down the hall.

  Although Commander Merritt tried not to, he gazed at her intently as she moved, her flowing gown billowing around her as she went. In talking to her, he found a quiet wave of comfort flowing over him, a feeling that everything would turn out all right. Her confidence made him certain that the captain would be found, although at this point, he didn’t know why.

  Even though sensors had swept the station dozens of times, no sign of the captain could be found. Something in the makeup of the station kept the sensors from obtaining [174] accurate readings of the life-forms on board. Plans were already being made to do a room-by-room search, but the size of the station, although not that large, meant the search would require many hours, if not days, to complete, considering the limited number of authorized personnel available. But the confidence which seemed to flow from Guinan had overcome him, and he knew that the captain would be found. It was just a matter of time.

  Jean-Luc dozed fitfully in the chair to which he was bound. He suddenly awoke to a bright light shining in his face. “Who are you?” he called out, but was afforded no answer. The spotlight shone brightly in his eyes, and he squinted against it, as his hands were firmly bound and he was unable to shade his eyes. “What do you want from me?” Still no reply from any being that may or may not have been in the room.

  He thought he heard someone moving, but couldn’t be sure. “Are you there?” he again asked, but still there was no reply. Giving up, Jean-Luc tightly closed his eyes and waited for whatever was to happen next to occur.

  Guinan entered her room and made sure the door was locked behind her. Compared to the starkness of the rest of the station, her room was overflowing with the souvenirs of her travels. One her age had traveled far and accumulated many wonderful treasures. Since this part of the station lacked voice environmental controls, she manually adjusted the lights to what would be considered one-quarter normal level. While at the control panel, she shut off the smoke-detection and fire-prevention safeguards.

  [175] After rummaging around in a drawer, she found the electronic match and lit a large candle that was sitting in the middle of a table. Guinan sat facing the candle, staring intently into the flame. The light from the flame flickered in her face, one moment making her appear grotesque, the other moment beautiful. Silently she sat, allowing nothing to distract her. The flickering flame was all that she would allow her mind to think about.

  After several minutes, Guinan shut her eyes, concentrating deeply, almost as if in a trance. She slowly began to sway back and forth in a smooth, rhythmic motion. Time seemed to stand still for her.

  Suddenly she stopped and a smile spread across her face. She slowly opened her eyes and could barely contain the joy that was beginning to well within her. Like a woman possessed, she quickly rose from her chair, blew out the candle, and headed for the door.

  Despite the spotlight in his face, Jean-Luc managed to doze off. He had spent almost an hour struggling against the electronic binders that held him, to no avail. He thought he heard a sound in the room and was quickly brought to full consciousness.

  “Who’s there?” he called out, not expecting any reply. The length of time that he had been held captive, he did not know. His stomach growled deeply and he became aware of his great thirst.

  His heart began to pound as he heard the sound of a door opening. “I know you are there. Why are you holding me? I demand that you release me at once!”

  “You are in no position to demand anything, Captain,” a [176] gravelly voice replied. Jean-Luc was at a loss to identify it.

  “What do you want from me?” he asked.

  “Your life,” was the answer.

  “Why? What have I done to you?” Jean-Luc asked, concerned over the reply he had received. “If you are going to kill me, at least let me know why.”

  “Very well, Captain. My name is of no concern to you; I will not give you the satisfaction of knowing it. But I will tell you why I am going to kill you, kill you very slowly, to make you pay for what you have done.”

  “And just what have I done?”

  “You are responsible for the death of my wife and children. For that, you are going to pay with your life. A very slow, painful repayment.”

  “Responsible for the death of your wife and children? How? Where? Surely you can tell me of what I am accused.”

  “You’re not accused. You are responsible and you will die,” was the reply.

  “And what did I do?” Jean-Luc asked.

  “Several months ago, the Stargazer escorted a small freighter called the Kromlan to Tewa III.”

  “Yes, I remember. The captain of the vessel had radioed for help. The freighter was being threatened by marauders in the area. We escorted her to Tewa III without incident. But I fail to see how that could have made me responsible for the deaths of your wife and children.”

  “You don’t understand, Captain. My brother was on that ship.” The being holding Picard captive spoke in a voice thick with contempt.

  “But I still do not see why that concerns me.”

  “Because my brother was aboard that ship, a ship that [177] you protected, he was able to connect with another ship on Tewa in, go to our homeworld, and murder my wife and children.”

  “But how can you hold me responsible for his acts?” Picard exclaimed. “Every day everyone makes decisions that affect the lives of others. Because of the road not taken, how can I be responsible?”

  “If you had not gone to the aid of the freighter, marauders in the area would have overtaken it and put my brother to death. It is the way of our people.”

  “The way of your people? I do not understand.”

  “Our people. The sons in a family leave when they reach the age of maturity to seek their fortunes in the galaxy. Upon the death of the father, the sons return to the homeworld to claim the family property. Any family that is still there is eliminated so that the returning son can claim it all. I had returned and claimed my family property before my brother. I then left to find him, to destroy him before he could return and challenge me.

  “I had located him on the freighter and was set to have it destroyed when you and the Stargaze
r interfered. Because of you, my brother was able to return to our homeworld and destroy everything that I had. Everything I had loved. He is now dead, but the score has not yet been settled. My family can rest in peace and I can start another as soon as you have been made to pay.”

  Jean-Luc found the entire tale the creature told to be bizarre, but as he had journeyed throughout the galaxy, he had witnessed many strange customs. The custom of the sons battling for the family fortune after years of traveling the galaxy was not one of the stranger ones.

  [178] “So, this is it,” Jean-Luc said. “By killing me you will feel free to start over, to take a new wife and have many more children. But surely you know that I had no way of knowing about your customs, or that I was interfering with your way of life. I am sure that you are aware of Starfleet’s Prime Directive—that we do not interfere with the customs and lifestyles of other beings. If I had known, I would never have escorted the freighter.”

  “You and your Prime Directive! Do you honestly expect me to believe that you would not have interfered? I do not believe you, and for your interference you will die!”

  Through the glare of the light in his eyes, Jean-Luc could make out the form of the being moving toward him. It moved slowly, as if purposely adding to the agony that Picard was feeling as death moved his way.

  Guinan silently moved along the halls. At this late hour, they were deserted. She turned down one hallway, then another. She turned right down one corridor and traveled a few meters before realizing she had made a wrong turn. She then backtracked and turned left.

  She moved swiftly. Wrong turns quickly became apparent to her. She knew where he was and knew she would locate him shortly. As she passed one nondescript doorway, she stopped and walked back to it. It felt right. Just to be sure, she continued down the hall, only to find herself being drawn back. This was it.