Chapter 6 – Past Tears
Four days later, the Chamberlain settled into standard orbit around the fourth planet of the system. For the next five hours, its captain and crew waited.
Finally, a transmission from the surface was received.
On the bridge's main viewscreen, a middle aged man with green skin, wearing a tight uniform addressed Jack.
“Greetings Captain McCall,” the man said. “I am General Tibrion of the Cylithian Defense Force. On behalf of my people, and our queen, I welcome you and your crew to our planet. I hope this is the beginning of a long and friendly relationship between our people and your Federation.”
“As do I, General,” Jack replied.
“Her majesty requests you and your officers attend a reception in your honor this evening at eighteen hundred hours by your reckoning,” Tibrion said. “You will be accorded full diplomatic courtesy as the first representative of the United Federation of Planets to step foot on our world.”
“I very much appreciate that, and your offer of friendship,” Jack said. “Inform her majesty that we will be honored to attend the reception.”
“I will do so, Captain.”
With that, the viewscreen went blank.
“Well,” Loftus said. “That seemed very much by the book.”
“Almost too much,” Zaylie said, turning from her conn station duties to Jack and Loftus.
Jack's eyes narrowed at Zaylie. “Are they teaching cadets at the Academy to offer commentary on every event your ship encounters?”
Zaylie grinned. “No, sir. That's my idea.”
Jack nodded while Loftus grinned. He turned to his exec. “I will take down a contingent from our command staff, but per protocol, you will remain here, Commander.”
“Aye, sir,” Loftus replied. “Shall we begin scanning the planet?”
“No,” Jack said. “Not until we are given permission.” He turned to Nakano. “However, if the machinery generating that null subspace field is off planet, they can hardly blame us for scanning that.”
“I'll get right on it,” Nakano said, turning back to his tactical station.
***
Three hours later, Jack, Melissa, Todd Nakano, and Zaylie Burton walked into a huge reception hall within the royal residence, a castle unlike any Jack had ever seen before in both size and opulence. The four of them looked up in awe at the seventy foot high ceilings layered with artwork made with intricate detail.
“Their queen lives here?” Melissa asked softly. “Must be a rough life for her.”
“Or merely a pretty cage to help her forget she's a prisoner,” Nakano said. “Most kings and queens throughout human history have reported feeling that way.”
“I think I could handle a cage like this,” Zaylie said. “Can you imagine the history behind all of this?”
Melissa turned to Jack. “Exactly what are we supposed to be doing here... Captain?”
Jack grinned. “Meeting a new civilization. I remember something about that at the Academy. New life forms, new civilizations.” He turned to Zaylie. “They are still teaching that one, right?”
“Oh, yes, sir,” Zaylie said. “We get that drilled into us from day one.”
Melissa frowned. “You don't have to be so eager about it, Lieutenant.”
“I thought that's what Starfleet wanted,” Zaylie said with a grin.
After a few seconds, crowds of green skinned people began to fill the hall wearing ornate suits and gowns which had the look of having been spun by spiders. Most were covered in gems which seemed heavy as hell, but those wearing them didn't appear to have any trouble moving about. Everyone's eyes tracked toward Jack and his party. The curious looks spawned soft conversation.
“We seem to be the center of attention,” Zaylie murmured.
“At least they're not shooting at us,” Nakano said with a chuckle.
“Yet,” Jack said. “The evening has just begun.”
A face caught Jack's eye.
It was her.
On the other side of the hall, Mei-Wan Lau stood, staring back at Jack. Six other people, dressed well, but not in the same ornate fashion as everyone else in the hall, stood behind her.
There he was.
Mei-Wan's heart stopped a brief moment at the sight of Jack McCall.
“Seems he made it,” Susan Tanega said.
“Starfleet,” Harold Pabodie spat. “They always cause trouble.
“This one more than most,” Nick Robinson murmured.
“How do you want to play this boss?” Harold asked, turning to Mei-Wan.
She turned briefly to Gahdani, but her white in white eyes revealed nothing.
“What do you think?” Mei-Wan asked the blue skinned Undinan.
“He came to this world,” Gahdani said. “I assume there was a reason.”
Mei-Wan nodded. “The rest of you stay here. I'll be back.”
“I don't think that's a...” Nick started.
“I'll be okay,” Mei-Wan said.
She crossed the larger than football field sized main floor of the hall, making her way toward Jack and the officers with him. It wasn't until Mei-Wan was half way there she noticed Melissa was with them.
“Damn,” she whispered to herself. This could get complicated.
As she got closer, Mei-Wan saw the frown forming on Melissa's face.
God, I wish things could be the way they used to be, Mei-Wan thought. After all this time, she still wasn't used to the idea they were married to one another, or used to the pain it brought.
The hall was now nearly full as Mei-Wan came to a stop in front of Jack.
“Hello, Jack,” she said.
“Mei,” he said, fighting back a smile. “Starfleet was worried about you.”
“Is that why you're here?”
“That and... other things.”
Mei-Wan nodded. “I and my team were invited.”
Jack cast a glance beyond her. “I don't think your team is happy you're talking to me without them.”
“They often question my judgment,” she said. “It's something I encourage.”
Jack grinned.
Mei-Wan looked at the officer standing behind Jack.
It can't be!
Mei-Wan couldn't help herself. “Todd?”
Nakano's eyes narrowed. “Have we met, Doctor Lau?”
Mei-Wan couldn't get the words out. It was as if hundreds of thoughts in her mind fought among themselves like passengers trying to get off a sinking ship. After a few seconds, she regained control.
“Uh... it's... well, we have a mutual acquaintance and...” she said, trying desperately to think her way out of this.
“Who might that be?” Nakano asked with a grin.
“Unfortunately, I was sworn to secrecy,” she said, turning her attention back to Jack. “So what were your orders concerning me and my team?”
“To discover what you were doing here.”
“I don't have to answer Starfleet's questions in that regard,” she said. “I am a free citizen of the Federation.”
“I can't believe this,” Melissa said. “Come on, Mei. We came out here to help you.”
“You can help me by going back,” she said. “I'm fine. The queen extended an invitation for us to investigate an archaeological site on a moon of the fifth planet of this system.” She took a step toward Jack. “You can tell Starfleet Command I'd appreciate it if I were left alone to do my work.”
Jack took a step toward her, leaving only inches between them. He lowered his voice. “There's more going on here, Mei.”
“There's always more going on everywhere,” she said, lowering her own voice. “That doesn't mean Starfleet gets to interfere with my work.”
“They sent me specifically because you were here,” he said. “But you weren't the real reason.”
She considered that a moment. “Now I'm curious.”
“We need to talk away from all of this,” Jack said. “Can I meet you on your ship? Say around 2100 hours?”
Mei-Wan's heart fluttered at the thought of being alone with Jack, but she knew better than to get her hopes up. This wasn't about her.
“I'll be there,” she said, then turned and went back across the hall to her team.
“That was short,” Zaylie said as Jack stepped back to the others.
“If I know Mei, it's only the beginning,” Melissa said. She turned to Jack. “What do you think she's really up to?”
“Hopefully I'll find out in short order.”
“I'll come with you,” Melissa said.
“No,” Jack replied. “This needs to be me and her, one on one.”
Melissa frowned. “I don't think I like the sound of that.”
Jack finally realized how Melissa might have interpreted his last words. “Nothing like that.”
Melissa smiled wide. “I wasn't thinking in those terms. I just know Mei has the ability to pull others into whatever obsession she's on about at the moment.”
“I think I can handle myself,” Jack said with a grin.
Melissa patted him on the shoulder. “Yes, you can.”
Jack noticed Nakano seemed lost in thought. “You still with us?”
“Yeah... yes, sir,” Nakano said. “Just wondering...”
“About?” Jack asked his tactical officer.
Nakano nodded, and forced a smile. “Nothing, sir.”
After a few moments, they began to mingle with the crowd.
***
2100 hours...
Jack walked up the ramp of the Athena a bit apprehensive due to the narrow corridors aboard the small craft. He finally made his way into a cramped meeting room which looked as if it also served as the communal dining area.
Mei-Wan stood waiting for him. “Jack.”
“Mei,” he said, looking about, trying not to meet her eyes.
This was the first time they had met alone since she'd left the Chamberlain. Jack found himself far more uncomfortable than he had expected. He knew that her eyes were deadly for him. Their brown warmth would remind him of all the times he had looked into them, feeling nothing but love for the woman behind them.
“You want anything?” she asked, pointing to the replicator near her.
“Maybe some orange juice.”
Mei-Wan smiled, and activated the device. She motioned toward the table in the center of the room, then handed Jack his glass of juice as he sat. In her other hand, she carried a small dish of green ice cream.
Jack grinned as she sat across from him. “Things don't change much.”
“What?”
He nodded toward her bowl.
She looked at him. “When I find something I like, I stick with it.”
Jack wasn't sure how to take that, but decided to let it go. “How have you been?”
Mei-Wan shook her head. “Really? That's how you want to...”
“I'm not trying to get into an argument.”
“Then don't pretend like you give a damn when you don't.”
“I haven't stopped caring about you.” But he could see the sadness in her eyes.
“Please don't,” she said, eating a spoonful of ice cream.
“Mei, I...”
“What did you want to talk about?” she asked with an almost growl to her voice.
Jack took a sip of his juice. “You should leave this system.”
Mei-Wan laughed. “Why the hell should I do that?”
“It's not safe here.”
“This is probably one of the safest systems in the galaxy,” she replied. “Did you notice the Borg debris outside the shield when you arrived?”
Jack took a long breath. “When do you start your exploration of that moon you were talking about?”
She stared at him. “You said there was more going on here.”
“Yes.”
“Well? I'm listening.”
“I can't tell you.”
“Then why mention it?” she asked.
“I'm trying to protect you.”
Mei-Wan laughed. “No, there's some Starfleet skulduggery going on, and you want me out of the way.”
“It would be helpful for me if I didn't have to worry about you getting hurt.”
“Then an explanation is in order.”
Jack stared at the table, trying to come up with a means to tell her enough to communicate the severity of the situation without telling her what he was forbidden to tell her.
“I believe the shield the Cylithians use to protect their system is based on very advanced technology which could be a threat to the Federation.”
Mei-Wan sat back in her seat, watching Jack for several moments. “How? They haven't traveled outside of their system for five hundred years.”
“Then how did you know to come here?”
She grinned. “I'm an archaeologist, remember? I have ways of finding hidden things.”
Jack took a breath. “The point is, I may have to take action to protect the Federation if my suspicions are confirmed.”
“Since when has Starfleet let fear drive it to attack other civilizations?” she asked. “Isn't the point to seek out new civilizations, and if possible, make friends?”
“In most cases yes.”
“What's different in this case?”
“The technology involved.”
She chuckled. “That's rather vague, and doesn't explain why Starfleet would send the Chamberlain all the way out here to shoot first and ask questions later.”
“I can't tell you any more than that.”
“You could,” she said. “You're choosing not to.”
“I have orders not to.”
Mei-Wan stared at him. “The Omega Directive?”
Jack nearly spit out the orange juice in his mouth. “How the hell do you know about that?”
She smiled. “One of my people has a connection in Starfleet Command. He or she has been a great source about a lot of things.”
“And they told you about the Omega Directive?!” Jack was becoming angry now.
“Everything about it,” she said. “Including the ludicrous part about setting aside the Prime Directive.”
Jack was seething. According to the directive, he was required to report Mei-Wan's knowledge of it, but that would involve her and her team being arrested and interrogated for probably months.
Damn it! Here I am again getting drawn down into a pit with Mei!
“We detected the energy signature of the Omega molecule when we passed one of the field generators on our way into orbit of this planet,” Mei-Wan said. “I figure your people will discover the same thing in a few hours.”
“They're looking for it, but they aren't aware of Omega,” Jack said. “The computer is.”
“How does that work?”
“The computer plasters an omega symbol on every display aboard the ship.”
“Seems to contradict the secrecy part of the plan, doesn't it?”
“I have complained about that,” Jack said. “But once that happens, my hands are tied.”
“And you intend to attack the Cylithians?”
“My orders are to eliminate all trace of the Omega molecule.”
“Their entire society is based on that technology. You would have to send them back to the stone age,” Mei-Wan said. “Talk about interfering in another species development. Why even have the Prime Directive if you're going to do something like that?”
“I also voiced that same question when I was first informed of the directive,” Jack replied.
“You can't do that to them,” Mei-Wan said. “It would be an unequivocal act of evil.”
“I'm looking for any other option, but once that symbol appears, I won't have much choice.”
“You always have a choice,” Mei-Wan said. “You didn't shove the commander of that prison camp out the airlock. You won't do this.”
“If I don't then someone else will.”
“The Borg can't get into this system,” Mei-Wan said. “I don't think Starfleet is going to have a better time of it.” She leaned forward. “This falls to you.”
Jack understood that. He just didn't like it.
“Go speak to the queen,” Mei-Wan said. “I think you'll see these people are no threat to anyone.”
“I can't do that,” he said.
“I'll contact her aides. She'll see you.”
“Leave this system, or at least this planet,” Jack said.
“No,” Mei-Wan said. “I and my people are going to be here, preparing for our mission to the moon of the fifth planet for another week. And now that I know what your orders are, we're going to stay until you leave.”
“Mei, please...”
Mei-Wan stared directly into his eyes. “If you attack this planet, you will have to murder me too.”
