Objective: Bajor

by John Peel

  "There is clearly little purpose to further talk in any event," Shakaar said. "Your minds are made up, and so are ours. It seems that we have no recourse left to us but war."

  "I wish it could be otherwise," Sahna said sorrowfully. "I do not believe that it is right to destroy this planet. You have a fine civilization, and I would regret its destruction."

  "It may not come to that," Jaro said smoothly. "There is another option."

  "And what is that?" asked Shakaar.

  "This." Jaro withdrew a blaster from his robe and pointed it at Sahna. "We have two of the aliens now. Unless the Hive promises to call off their attack, we shall kill them."

  CHAPTER 22

  " WHAT DO YOU think you're doing?" exclaimed Sisko, jumping to his feet. He stared at the small blaster that Jaro held. It should have been detected before he entered the Council chambers; obviously Jaro had supporters even on Shakaar's staff.

  "It should be obvious what I'm doing," Jaro replied, irritated. "I'm trying to save Bajor." He gestured with the gun. "Now we have two hostages."

  "They are under Starfleet protection," protested Sisko. "I promised them safe passage, and I intend to keep my word."

  "They're murderers and thieves," Jaro said. "You owe them nothing."

  "I gave my word," Sisko growled, taking a step forward.

  Jaro moved the blaster slightly to point it between Sahna and Sisko. "Captain, don't be foolish" he begged. "I have no desire to harm you."

  "That's odd," Sisko answered. "Because I have a strong urge to beat you to a pulp."

  "I'm only doing this to save my world," Jaro insisted, his eyes wavering between Sisko and Sahna. As a result, he didn't see when Shakaar moved in from behind.

  The ex-rebel's fingers closed about Jaro's wrist and jerked the blaster upward. At the same time, Shakaar delivered a sharp blow to the base of Jaro's neck. With a grunt of shock and pain, Jaro released his blaster and fell forward across the conference table. Shakaar picked up-the blaster, and then threw it into the nearest trash receptacle.

  "The aliens are here as diplomatic envoys," he growled as Jaro attempted to stand. "Your behavior is disgusting, and I will not tolerate it."

  Jaro finally managed to straighten up, massaging his neck. "You'll pay for that," he hissed.

  "Oh, come now," Shakaar retorted. "Can't you manage anything better than hollow threats? I've had enough of you for now. I think you'd better leave." He stared pointedly at the door.

  Limping, Jaro glared at the first minister. "You'll regret this," he said. "If we had held them hostage, we might have saved Bajor."

  "Do you really think that the Hive would have called off their plans because of two small hostages?" asked Shakaar. "Don't be absurd. And even if they would, we would not dishonor ourselves in such a fashion."

  Dax stepped up to Sahna. "Tork asked if we wouldn't do anything to save our worlds. Well, now you can tell him that there's one thing we won't do: We won't break our word."

  Sahna nodded. "You have acted honorably," she admitted. "I do not care what the Hivemasters say, the Bajorans are not insane. I may not be able to understand their love for this dirt they insist on calling home, but I can see it does not affect their integrity or their courage."

  'This meeting is now closed," Shakaar announced. "I am saddened that we did not reach a compromise, Sahna, but this situation has obviously gone too far for that. You must forgive me, but I am forced to prepare for war with your people."

  Sahna inclined her head. "For what it is worth," she said gravely, "my sympathies are with you." She turned to Sisko. "I release you from your oath, Captain. I shall not be returning to the Hive."

  Sisko frowned. "What do you mean?"

  "I mean that I will stay here, on Bajor, of my own free will." Sahna gave him a level look. "I may not understand these people, but I truly sympathize with them. Bajor deserves to survive, and if the Hive is going to destroy it, then they will have to kill me to do so." She turned to Shakaar. "I regret I can do nothing positive to aid your people, but I will not harm you, either. I shall be here, with you, when the Hive arrives."

  Kira shook her head. "That's very noble and brave of you, Sahna," she said. "And very stupid. You can do no good by throwing away your life like this."

  "On the contrary," Sahna answered. "I can set an example to my fellows on the Hive. I believe the decision to absorb Bajor is abhorrent, and I protest that decision with my life. There is no point in arguing with me; my mind is made up."

  "And what about Tork?" asked Sisko gently. "How do you think he's going to take your decision?"

  Sahna shrugged. "He will hate it, Captain," she admitted. "But he will not change my mind." She smiled. "It may give him added incentive to discover a solution to this problem."

  "Or it might just drive him crazy," Dax added.

  "I do what I must," Sahna replied. "I can do no other."

  Shakaar moved to join them. "I thank you for your gesture of support," he told her. "I would be honored to have you be my guest for as long as is necessary."

  "Thank you." Sahna gazed down at the curled-up Tork. "I must wait here until Tork recovers to tell him of my decision. Then I will be happy to join you."

  Sisko collapsed into his chair. "This is crazy," he muttered. Sahna was willing to die for her beliefs, as were the entire Bajoran people. And Tork seemed convinced that there was no way to resolve this peacefully. What other options were left to them now?

  And how much longer did they have to explore those options?

  Boran strode into the Masters' chambers, a delighted smile on his face. "Good news," he announced. "The servitors will be finished with their tasks in less than one day now. We are ready to begin shifting the population."

  "Excellent." Dron rose to his feet. "You and your crew have worked wonders, Boran. You are all to be highly commended." He looked at the remaining Hivemasters in the room. Raldar was missing; Dron judged it best that he stay out of sight for a while. And Tork was with the aliens still. Otherwise, everyone was now present. "Makarn, your report?"

  The Science Master rose to his feet. "The—ah—special Determination has been made, and the results are awaiting your command to be fed to everyone's comps, Grand Master. The population has been divided into half, and assigned their new spaces."

  "Excellent." Dron nodded. "Then immediately following this meeting, you will transmit the information. Splitting will commence immediately. Everyone will move quickly and efficiently to their new posts in preparation for the schism. Now, for the matter that will most concern us." He moved his own comp to the table before him. "I have made a separate Determination to sort out our assignments to each Hive. I will remain Grand Master of this Hive, of course. Pakat, you will become the new Grand Master of the second Hive."

  Pakat looked astonished and startled, as well as pleased. "Thank you, Grand Master!" he exclaimed. "It is an honor I did not expect."

  "But one that you well deserve," Dron informed him. There was a murmur of assent from around the table—one that Hosir rather obviously did not join. "With you on the new Hive will be Premon and Makarn. All three of your subordinates will become your replacement Masters for this Hive. Boran and Raldar will remain with me on this Hive, and their understudies will become the new Masters of Industry and Security for your hive."

  "I had thought," Hosir commented, "that Hivemasters were Determined, not appointed. Yet you are promoting underlings who have not been Determined to positions of power. Others might see this as a despotic move, you know."

  "It is nothing of the kind," snapped Dron, irritated. "These are extraordinary times in which we live. The Great Design is being implemented. We do not have time to go through the Determination to see who is best qualified for the posts. We may find ourselves at war with these crazed aliens shortly, and we must be prepared. This is a one-time-only measure to insure we are not caught unprepared."

  "And what of me?" asked Hosir dryly. "Am I to be split down the middle, perhaps, and assig
ned to both Hives?"

  "I wish that we could split you down the middle," Dron said with utter sincerity. "We could both use your wisdom," he added, lying. "You will, however, become advisor to Pakat on the new Hive. I suspect he will have great need of your keen mind there."

  "And you will be most pleased not to have it here, I warrant," Hosir answered. He tapped on the table with his fingers and then smiled. "I note that you have not commented on where Tork is to be assigned. Have you given him up for lost?"

  "No," Dron lied. "I merely saw no need to speak of him since he was not present. However, since you wish to know, he will remain here on this Hive."

  Hosir nodded. "I hope you find work for him," he gibed. "Otherwise, he might get bored. And bored hands seek out trouble, as the writings say." He pretended to frown. "Or do they? Tork seems to think that the writings have a few glitches in them."

  "If he does," Boran said firmly, "he should be soundly disciplined. The writings are without error."

  "Quite," agreed Dron. "We all know that."

  "Yes," said Hosir, in his dry way. "It appears that we do." He smiled blandly about the table.

  "Now," said Dron, "the hour of our destiny has come. Makarn, send the signal to begin. We will prepare to become two Hives. The Great Design advances! We are all privileged to live in these exciting times!"

  It was quiet now in the Council chambers. All of the Bajorans had left, including Kira, who was getting updated on the status of the defensive forces. Only Dax, Sahna, and the still-comatose Tork were left with Sisko, and none of them felt much like talking. Sahna was watching and waiting beside the curled-up Tork. Sisko stared out of the large window as the storm raged above the city.

  It seemed an appropriate omen for the struggle inside him. He couldn't see a way out of this problem, yet he knew that it was up to him to do something. Why me? he wondered. Why am I always seen as the one who fits all their prophecies and has to save the day? How could he be expected to pull a solution to this mess from thin air? And yet … and yet, this was what he was trained to do. By joining Starfleet in the first place, he'd put his life and abilities on the line. It was his responsibility to do the impossible—or, at the very least, to attempt it.

  There had to be a way out, something he could do. He couldn't simply wait for Bajor to be annihilated. The only other option was to attack the Hive and attempt to destroy it. Either way, he was talking genocide. That was not an option he considered viable—either as a part of his personal philosophy, or as a Starfleet directive. That meant he simply had to find another option.

  Options … "Dax," he called, quietly. "We need to talk."

  "Of course, Benjamin." She crossed to join him. "What is it?"

  "The Hive needs resources to live," he said slowly. "Primarily, it appears, they need food plants and other botanical goods that can only be obtained from a living planet. Is there any way we could bring them the living materials that they need? They could then simply take apart barren planets for their mineral requirements."

  "Perhaps," Dax answered dubiously. "But we'd need a huge amount of such supplies to stock two Hives. It would take months, and perhaps even a year to assemble sufficient resources. From everything that's been said so far, I gather the Hive's needs are a lot more urgent than that. I don't think they'd agree to hold off that long."

  Sisko sighed. "You're probably right. But work up a proposal, will you, and see just how feasible it is? And any other options that you can come up with that might give us some time to come up with a better suggestion."

  "Of course, Benjamin." Dax returned to her work with the tricorder.

  A jagged, searing flash of lightning lit the sky. Sisko started counting without thinking, and on "three," the roll of thunder came, rattling the glass in front of him. Some storm. At least it provided a little distraction.

  There was a gentle rap on the door. Sisko was half annoyed at the interruption, and half pleased to be dragged out of his morbid thoughts. "Come," he called.

  The tall figure of Yarka entered the room. He looked tired and haggard, which was hardly surprising. "Emissary," he said by way of greeting. "I hope that you've had better ideas from meditating on the words of the Prophets than I have."

  Sisko laughed sourly. "Hardly. I don't have an idea in my head, Vedek. I wish that I did, but I keep coming up empty."

  Yarka moved closer. "You will know the way," he said. "You are the one who protects us." He sounded absolutely convinced of this. "Emissary, surely there is no coincidence here in the fact that there are two aliens with you."

  "Two shall convert," Sisko murmured, quoting the words of Andaki that he had heard earlier. A vague hope started to enter his mind. "Sahna has declared her stand for your people. But Tork hasn't—and can't."

  "Perhaps he will, when he recovers?" suggested Yarka.

  "Even if he does," Sisko pointed out, "it means very little. What can the two of them do to help us? I don't think that the Hive will stop because they ask it to."

  "The Prophets have spoken," Yarka said, with simple faith. "As to what they mean—I cannot say. I am only a Vedek. You are the Emissary, so perhaps their truth will become clear to you soon."

  "Clear?" Sisko laughed ironically, and gestured at the storm outside. "Everything's as hazy to me as those clouds."

  "But beyond the haze there is light," Yarka pointed out. "It is a matter of seeing past the obvious, that is all."

  "I wish that I had your faith, Yarka," Sisko said.

  "Peace," said Sahna, suddenly. She looked around. "Tork is recovering."

  Peering down, Sisko saw that there was indeed a crack in Tork's armor, as he started to unroll himself. A moment later, the shaken Hivemaster staggered to his feet. He glanced outside the window at the continuing storm and shuddered.

  "I am sorry for my behavior," he said. "But it became too much for me."

  "You've been very brave," Sisko told him. "I'm amazed at what you've been able to do. It simply isn't enough, though."

  Tork nodded. "I know. It seems that I have sorely misjudged matters. The Bajorans will not give up their world, will they?"

  "Never," said Yarka, fervently. "It is our home, the home that the Prophets have given us. Their light will surely illumine your soul, and you will change as your companion has changed."

  "Change?" Tork was confused. "What do you mean?"

  Sahna stroked his shell tenderly. "Beloved, I have made a decision. I will remain here on Bajor, and not return to the Hive with you."

  Blinking, Tork struggled to understand. "Why?" he asked. "You cannot be serious. Bajor is to be absorbed."

  "I know." Sahna bowed her head. "It is an immoral act, one that I cannot be a part of and be true to my conscience. I will therefore stay and die with the Bajorans."

  "No," Tork whispered. "Sahna, we are to be One. You cannot abandon me now."

  "I must do what I feel is right," she replied. "Tork, look to your hearts. Do you not feel as I do? That it is more important to be true to your beliefs than to live?"

  "Of course," Tork admitted. "But that is different."

  "It is no different," Sahna replied. "I will not be a part of the death of any Bajoran. I will die first." She relented slightly, "Beloved, I am not trying to force you to make the same decision, but I can do nothing else."

  Tork was clearly in pain. "How can I abandon you?" he asked. "Especially when it would mean your death?" He clutched at his head with his hands. "I do not know what to think, what to believe."

  "That is because you have no faith," Yarka said urgently. "When you rely only upon yourself, you have nothing to fall back upon when your strength fails. We have our faith in the words of the Prophets to uphold us when we would fall. They have promised us a savior at this time of crisis, and I begin to believe that savior might be you."

  "Me?" Tork stared at him in bewilderment. "I do not see how I can help anyone. My One-to-be has told me she wishes to remain here and die. I do not approve of what the Hive is to do, but I
cannot stop it. And I am filled with fear of your world. Friend, there is no one who could help you less than I."

  "That is because you are thinking only of your own strength," Yarka answered. "Again, I tell you: You need a better strength to rely on."

  "I do not know these Prophets of whom you speak. How can I then accept them or believe in them?"

  And then the answer came to Sisko. It was suddenly formed within his mind—almost as if the Prophets had placed it there. "Then you must meet the Prophets," he said firmly. "That is the answer."

  "What?" Tork stared at him as if he were crazy. "This man speaks of a religious experience. You cannot simply order one when you wish it."

  "Sometimes you can," Sisko replied, feeling more and more certain that he was right. "When I first came to Bajor, I didn't believe in the Prophets, either. Then I had an experience. I'm not sure it was exactly religious, but it cleared away a lot of my own doubts and fears. It enabled me to come to terms with my own soul, and to move forward. Perhaps the same will happen to you. Yarka," he turned eagerly to the Vedek. "Do you think you can borrow an Orb for me?"

  "An Orb?" Yarka raised an eyebrow. "It will be difficult, especially at this time of crisis—but who would deny the Emissary what he needs?" He gave a wide smile. "I believe the Prophets have revealed their plans to you." He bowed and hurried from the room.

  Dax had unraveled herself from the computer screen she had been accessing. "What are you planning to do, Benjamin?" she asked.

  "I aim to take the runabout," Sisko explained. "And the Orb. And Tork. And then enter the wormhole and see if we can't contact the Celestial Temple. Since I don't have a clue how to resolve this problem, let's see if the Prophets will tell Tork how to do it."

  "Do you think it'll work?" Dax asked anxiously.

  "It had better," Sisko said. "It's the only idea I've had. And I have a good feeling about it."

  "I'm glad to hear that," said Kira from where she stood in the doorway. "It might be the last one you'll ever have. I've just received word from DS9. The Hive has split into two, and both of them are under power. Armageddon's heading our way."