"A Price To Pay"
by
Michael Gray
Mei-Wan Lau opened the door to her apartment...
That sounds so much better than "quarters."
For the first time in what seemed like forever, Mei-Wan had a place to live, not just a temporary, claustrophobic compartment to inhabit on a starship.
She let her bags drop to the floor and took a survey of her new home.
This will definitely do.
Mei-Wan toured the various rooms, stopping finally at the spacious bedroom. She parted the heavy curtains and peered out at the city whose gleaming spires stretched to the edge of the horizon, disappearing into the thick blue haze of Kel-j'na's atmosphere.
Not the best of views, but it was better than the void of space.
After twenty minutes of unpacking, she settled into a plush couch in the living room. Wearing a pair of shorts and an old Academy sweatshirt, Mei-Wan dug into a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream, slowly sliding into a state of satisfaction.
In between sweet morsels, she addressed the computer, "Show all messages."
The machine flashed its reply onto the large display opposite the couch. Mei-Wan let out a long sigh at the list of over a thousand messages.
Her eye caught one from Admiral Simmons' office. She feared they had revoked her transfer to the Archaeological Institute, but as she read the text, it became clear another problem was afoot.
It's only a delay, she told herself. It'll get worked out.
Or she could make it work out.
"Computer, send a message to the Federation ambassador to Kel-j'na, requesting an appointment for eleven hundred tomorrow. Inform them it is about the Institute's building code problem."
In less than a minute, the computer confirmed her message had been sent.
She had no desire to look at the mountain of other waiting communiqués. Better to relax and tackle them later in the evening.
"Computer, show the five top stories currently on the Federation News Service."
The display read:
1 - Romulan Uprising In Its Second Week
2 - Council Struggles With New Baku Issue
3 - Holo-Addiction Escalates On Earth And Five Other Worlds
4 - Ancient Progenitors - Their Legacy And Our Future
5 - Organian Dream Goes On Tour
Of the five, the Ancient Progenitor story actually held the least interest for her. Mei-Wan expected it to be some watered down rehashing of her presentation at the Yed Post IV conference, and she didn't know if she could stand the glaring inaccuracies which always seemed to fill any news story about science intended for general consumption.
If she were still an active duty Starfleet Officer, she'd probably have looked into the Romulan item, but since that part of her life was over, Mei-Wan was going to enjoy ignoring the Galaxy's problems and pass it by.
She selected the Baku story and returned to her ice cream, only half-listening to several ambassadors complaining about how the Baku needed to look at the larger issues involved, and something about the Darmathians, whoever they were. As she didn't have any idea what was being discussed, Mei-Wan decided to return to the previous screen and search for another story to prattle away while she enjoyed her treat.
More out of curiosity than anything else, she resigned herself to the Ancient Progenitor item.
She returned to her ice cream. Several minutes passed before the thrust of the story broke into her consciousness with the word "suicides."
"What the hell is this?" She was sure the computer had chosen the wrong report. It had to be the holo-addiction piece. She quickly checked the menu. Indeed it was the Ancient Progenitor story. The reporter, continued...
"Doctor Garnash's evidence seems compelling enough, and that is what now troubles so many, and driven some to denounce their part in the Progenitors evil. What does it say about all humanoids if our existence is the result of the plan of a genocidal species to eradicate all lifeforms other than their own?
"Are we doomed to repeat their mistake? If our very existence is part of an evil plan, what does that make us?
"The work of Mei-Wan Lau and Parlan Garnash demand these questions be examined. But we may find, as the one thousand men, women, and children on Falanis Seven did, that we don't like the answers."
"Computer, off!"
Mei-Wan nearly threw her bowl at the display. Eventually she'd have to watch the report from start to finish. Somehow people had drawn all the wrong conclusions from her work.
But how?
She knew of Parlan Garnash and his investigations into the Ancient Progenitors from two years ago, but hadn't heard of any recent research he'd done.
It didn't make any sense to her. Why would people commit suicide because of the Ancient Progenitors?
What was it an earlier part of the report had said? Like a child born of rape, many are feeling guilt about their own existence, and are beginning to question the long held assumption that we are noble creatures.
She didn't want to believe it.
No... they couldn't have... not my work...
"Computer, search for all information on Falanis Seven."
It didn't take long for her to piece together an answer.
Mei-Wan had sent a final report about the Ancient Progenitors to Starfleet's Science Division two weeks before leaving the Chamberlain. In it she had presented the evidence about the Ancient Progenitor's true motivations for seeding much of the galaxy with the beginnings of humanoid life; their desire to have a galaxy full of nothing but their descendents. Evidently Doctor Garnash had gotten his hands on it, taking it to the extreme conclusion which so troubled her.
All those people...
That night, Mei-Wan cried herself to sleep, mourning the children of Falanis Seven.
***
She sat in the courtyard, relaxing as a strong wind tossed her long hair about in the bright midday sun. The only sound was that of leaves rustling on the tall tree at the center of the stone circle, but rather than breaking the peace she felt, it deepened it.
I could spend the whole day here, Mei-Wan thought. Of course such indulgences weren't possible for her just yet, but some day... perhaps. For now, she would enjoy it for as long as she could.
"There she is," a woman's voice called out.
Mei-Wan opened her eyes and smiled.
Though she'd been to hell and back, Susan Tanega had regained her sharp-featured beauty. Death's visitation had left its mark mostly in her previously lively eyes. The fear now present in her friend's gaze startled Mei-Wan to the point of avoiding it lest she be overwhelmed herself by the pain there.
The orderly parked Susan's wheelchair next to the bench Mei-Wan sat on, then left the two women.
"You're looking great."
"A little hard for me to look any worse than I did the last time you saw me," Susan chuckled.
"You know what I mean."
Susan turned to look up at the sun overhead, bathing in its warmth. "How long are you going to be here on Kel-j'na?"
"Permanently."
Susan's attention shot back to Mei-Wan. "How'd that happen?"
"I'm the director of the new Kel-j'na Archaeological Institute," Mei-Wan said.
Susan smiled. "I guess a lot has changed since I fell into that coma."
"More than you know," Mei-Wan said, sorry at once for the mournful tone she'd used. She'd had no intention of burdening Susan with her troubles.
"So why'd you give up your position on the Chamberlain?"
"It's complicated."
"Mei..."
She'd never been able to resist Susan's insatiable hunger for information, or as it more often was, gossip. "Jack and I... we're divorced."
Susan sat silently for several seconds. "I don't know what to say, except that I'm sorry."
"Not much more to say about it," Mei-Wan murmured. "After that, when the Archaeological Council offered me this position I couldn't say no."
"But a starship..."
"Always had me doing other things, most of which had nothing to do with archaeology."
"I guess I was spoiled on the Ravenscroft. At least as far as work was concerned." Susan folded her hands together and stared at them as they rested in her lap. "Mei... there's something I need to tell you about Kyle. I know how close the two of you were, but you should know that..."
"He's a reprehensible human being?"
Susan laughed, her anxiety appeared to evaporate. "He pursue you too?"
"Me and half a dozen other women on the Chamberlain."
"I'm surprised the number is that low."
"Those are just the ones I know about."
Both women laughed together. Mei-Wan was glad the rapport they'd had back at the Academy was still there. She missed having a good friend in her life.
"I heard you'd resigned Starfleet," Mei-Wan said, finally getting to the business at hand.
"Yeah," Susan replied, looking over at the tree in the center of the courtyard. "After what happened, I don't know how well I could handle being on a ship again."
"Do you have any plans?"
Susan grinned. "So this isn't just a friendly visit."
"What?"
"Yes."
"Yes to what?"
"You did come here to ask me to join your staff at the Institute, didn't you?"
Mei-Wan let out a long breath, then smiled. "Among other things, yes." She'd forgotten how quickly Susan always got to the point, but was glad she hadn't had to beg her friend to come to work at the institute. "And thank you for saying yes."
"The doctors tell me I can get out of this hospital in another four weeks. That going to be a problem?"
"Not at all," Mei-Wan said. "Actually, that should be about right."
"Not that I don't want to be there as you're setting the place up, but I don't think I'd be much help right now. My stamina leaves a lot to be desired."
Mei-Wan nodded. "You'll get your chance to help. Right now the Kel-j'na government has the building we'll be in closed due to some sort of code violation."
Susan shook her head. "Bureaucrats seem to infect every civilized world in the Galaxy."
"I've got a meeting with the Federation ambassador in about an hour," Mei-Wan said. "Hopefully I can hurry this along."
"You never were one for patience."
Mei-Wan looked at the tree again. "And other people pay for it."
Susan stared at her a moment. "Talk to me, Mei. What the hell's going on with you?"
"Nothing." Mei-Wan forced a smile and tried to change the subject. "Once you're out of here we'll have to go exploring the city."
"Uh, huh."
"I'd especially like to get some new clothes. Now that I don't have that damn uniform to wear all day..."
"Trust me, Mei. You'll be better off."
Both women sat in silence for more than a minute.
"So what's really digging at you?"
Mei-Wan had spent the good part of the morning pushing this thing to the back of her mind, but found it more difficult now that she was here with Susan. And especially since it was obvious Susan wouldn't let it go.
"You hear about Falanis Seven?"
Susan nodded. "A bunch of very sick people."
"It happened because of what I told the Galaxy about..."
"No, Mei. It's not you're fault. They chose to end their lives. Your work..."
"No one needed to know that particular fact about the Ancient Progenitors."
"What about all that dedication to truth stuff we learned about at the Academy?"
"Every humanoid in the Galaxy now knows the Progenitors seeded this Galaxy with our genetic precursors to destroy non-humanoid life, and I'm the one they heard if from... at least indirectly. I should have seen the ramifications of this before I..."
"No, that's bullshit and you know it." Susan took her hand. "Knowledge, especially self knowledge, is something we have to be able to face, no matter how dark it is. I'd rather know the truth of where we came from and the why rather than be ignorant."
"But a thousand people are dead."
"There were people who couldn't handle knowing the Earth wasn't the center of the universe. Should Copernicus or Galileo have regretted expanding our sphere of knowledge?"
Mei-Wan shook her head. "All they ever knew were those who persecuted them. I've got an entire galaxy of people who now question their own worth because of..."
"And you don't think being told they didn't reside at the center of creation made the people of seventeenth century Earth question their worth?"
"It's not the same."
"Yes it is." Susan looked at Mei. "Your responsibility ends with the truth. What people do with it belongs to them."
"But is it the truth, or simply a fact?" Mei-Wan murmured more to herself than Susan.
"You don't believe that."
"Maybe I should."
Susan turned her gaze toward the building behind Mei-Wan. "The orderly's coming back for me."
Mei-Wan tried her best to smile. "Sorry to unload this on you."
"I'm your friend, Mei. That's what I'm here for."
"Thanks."
"Don't worry. This will all be old news by the time I get out of here and start working for you at the Institute."
"I hope so." Though Mei-Wan doubted it would be. She feared this was merely the beginning.
Just as the orderly was about to wheel Susan away, she turned to Mei-Wan. "Thanks for offering me the position, Mei. I really do appreciate it."
Mei-Wan smiled. "I'm glad you said yes."
A minute after Susan and the orderly were gone, Mei-Wan closed her eyes again, letting the peacefulness of the place wash over her.
Just a few more minutes...
***
Mei-Wan marched down the street to a set of buildings which seemed more familiar in design than the rest of the city--- twenty city blocks given to the Federation shortly after the Kel-j'na had joined. Fortunately for her, they were far enough away from her apartment to proivde an excuse to investigate more of the city on her way back.
Being someplace new, Mei-Wan felt the same urge to explore she'd always felt when confronted with the unknown. The vista of this city caused a thousand questions to spring into her mind.
It was an obsession, but one she'd put to good use.
But there was another enticement this city offered. Whatever she discovered about its origins would only impact the Kel-j'na, not the galaxy. For the fame and admiration that others witnessed, Mei-Wan now only felt the weight of trillions of souls upon her shoulders, souls whose sense of themselves she had changed.
Mei-Wan made her way into the Federation Consulate building and after getting the runaround from the far too self important receptionist, she was finally directed to suite 101.
Mei-Wan sat inside the large cavern of a room waiting patiently for the Federation Ambassador. She felt like kicking herself for having been so irritated with the receptionist that she'd forgotten to ask what the ambassador's name was.
She dismissed it with a shrug, Oh well, I'll know soon enough.
She looked over at the vacant desk for the tenth time, wondering if she should just leave and let him contact her when he was less busy.
The door fifty feet behind her creaked open.
A thin man in a plain blue-black suit shuffled across the dark tile toward her and the desk. "Please forgive me, Ms. Lau. I do usually try to be punctual, but a matter required my attention." He pulled the chair away from the desk and sat down, giving her a forced bureaucratic smile. "Can I get you anything?"
"No," Mei-Wan said.
"My name is Sydathus Pervalt."
Something about this man didn't fit with the ambassadors she'd run across in the past. He didn't give any hint of the usual false warmth most politicians possessed.
"Sorry for this bit of deception, but those in my line of work find it necessary at times, my dear."
"And what might that be?"
"As you may have guessed, I'm not the ambassador. I am an agent with Temporal Investigations."
Mei-Wan stood to her feet. "Good day, sir."
"Before you go, you should know that I have it within my power to keep your little institute tied up with the Kel-j'na bureaucracy for months... if not years."
Mei-Wan came to a dead stop and turned back around, asking the only question that mattered, "What do you want?"
"Actually I came all this way to offer something you want." He motioned back to her chair.
After considering what it might mean to the institute, Mei-Wan realized she was going to have to let him have his say. She'd figure out a way around his meddling later. She took her seat again.
"Thank you." He touched a spot on his desk and a holographic display formed two feet in front of him over the flat surface. "You do understand that this meeting is classified."
"Fine," she replied, crossing her legs. "Would you mind telling me what this is about?"
"Certainly." Another smile.
Mei-Wan cringed inside. She already disliked this man.
An image of her appeared on the display along with a listing of text. "Temporal Investigations is preparing an archaeological expedition to a world in the Beta Quadrant, designation BR-59301. It should last for about three months, give or take." His eyes looked toward her. "We'd like you to go along."
Mei-Wan considered asking why she hadn't simply been ordered to go on this little expedition, but decided she probably wouldn't like the answer. "What's so remarkable about this BR... What did you call it?"
"BR-59301," he repeated. "Nothing actually. It's an airless hunk of rock orbiting a white dwarf."
She took a short breath. "Then why go there?"
He seemed to weigh several responses. "We have information there may be certain artifacts on that world."
The perfect answer which told her absolutely nothing. "Why ask me to come along? There are thousands of archaeologists in the Federation who would be more than willing to help you."
He grinned and watched pages of text scroll past on the display. "But none of them is as uniquely qualified as you, nor are any of them as likely to keep what's found there classified." He peered past the semi-transparent information above the desk. "You know how scientists are. They love to talk about the things they discover."
Mei-Wan cringed inside, hoping he didn't notice. She suspected that little quip wasn't just a chance remark. She was being manipulated and didn't like it one damn bit.
"However, I suspect you understand at times there are certain facts better left hidden from the public at large."
Despite how much she was uncertain about her commitment to it at the moment, she decided to still go through the motions. "Being a Starfleet officer means I have a dedication to the truth."
He shook his head. "Yes, I've heard it all before... historical truth, personal truth, so on and so forth." His eyes narrowed. "Technically, you're not attached to Starfleet at the moment. And in your case, you know the necessity of keeping some truths secret."
She gazed past him at the large picture window overlooking the city as the afternoon sky darkened. Mei-Wan guessed that before this was over she'd wish she had never met Mr. Pervalt.
"On very rare occasions," she answered.
"This is one of those occasions."
"Fine," she sighed. "I'll keep your secrets. Satisfied?"
He nodded with a grin.
"Now," Mei-Wan began. "What's this all about?"
He leaned back in his chair and watched her for several seconds. "Truthfully, I don’t know."
Despite very much wanting to, she knew venting on Pervalt wouldn't avail her much. He was just the messenger. Someone farther up the Temporal Investigations food chain was behind this. "Then why am I here?"
"We need this to remain as clandestine as possible. Therefore, we want you to inform the Archaeological Council that you plan on taking a vacation, whereupon you will book a trip to a number of worlds. We really don't care which ones, just as long as they are out of the way and the kinds of places you would normally go."
Mei-Wan chuckled. "You guys really are paranoid, aren't you?"
He laughed. "Think whatever you wish. But that is one of the requirements for the mission."
"And what makes you think I intend to go on this mission?"
He leaned onto his desk and shut off the holographic display. "This mission places Robin Nelson's fate in your hands."
"What?" Mei-Wan's mind tried to bridge the gap between where their conversation had been and where is was going next. "What does Robin have to do with this?"
"You are aware she remains under our supervision."
"Yes. I had been told she might be allowed to make a life for herself outside Temporal Investigations' control," Mei-Wan said.
"The operative word is 'might' Ms. Lau."
Mei-Wan closed her eyes. "So, if I follow your orders..."
"There are no orders," he said with a toothy smile. "Consider it a courtesy."
"If I grant you this courtesy, you will allow her to live as a free citizen of the Federation?" she asked, barely hiding the fury she felt at this little man.
"We'll do better than that. She will be able, if she so desires, to join Starfleet with the same rank and position she had in her original reality."
Despite the alternative for Robin being non-existence, Mei-Wan had felt guilty about taking her away from her own timeline. She owed Robin, and this would go a long ways toward settling that debt.
Mei-Wan stared at Pervalt. She hated being used like this, but it seemed a small price to pay for Robin Nelson's freedom. She just hoped this was the only courtesy she'd be required to provide Temporal Investigations.
"Okay," she said. "I'll go."
Pervalt stood and offered his hand to Mei-Wan. "I'm glad you decided to join us."
Mei-Wan stood, but kept her hands at her side. "Don't be cute, Mr. Pervalt."
He shot a wide grin at her. "As you wish. I will make sure the Kel-j'na government has your institute's situation cleared up by the time you return. Tomorrow you should begin making your vacation plans. Please be on your way within two days."
"And then what?" Mei-Wan asked.
"As part of your vacation, you will book travel to Purlewe Three," Parvalt said. "From there, you will travel with a Mr. Carlos Lorente and his team."
"Is that all?"
"I believe so."
Mei-Wan spun about and marched to the exit.
Pervalt sat slowly back into his chair. "Thank you, Ms. Lau. We do appreciate this. You will find that..." His words were cut off by the echoing slam of the room's large metal doors.
Mei-Wan leaned against them on the other side, catching her breath as if she'd spent the last few minutes in the vacuum of space.
The trip itself didn't bother her. Robin's freedom was more than worth going. And she might make an important discovery as well.
She left the building and by the time she got home, what at first had only been a small concern had turned into an outright fear. Mei-Wan had the terrible sense there was a large piece of her soul she'd no longer have after this mission.
* * *
Dark Horizon Story and Characters Copyright ©2007 Michael Gray
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