Kitty sat on Zac's bed as she adjusted his black tie. He smiled, liking to get all dressed up. As she finished she took in his appearance and smiled brightly.
"You look very handsome, Zac," she said.
His eyes shined. "Thanks, Mom," he replied. "So what are these parties like?"
"Well, there'll be a lot of adults there. It will be a lot of talking... It will probably be pretty boring for you actually," she replied with a sorry smile.
"No it won't!" he replied enthusiastically.
She laughed and shook her head. Children... They really had no idea. But she took a deep breath and let it out. There was something she did need to talk to him.
"Zac, honey... Come sit next to me for a minute," she said.
He looked at her curiously, but didn't hesitant. "What is it, mom?" he asked.
She took his hands in her own looking at them, remembering how small they once were and how small they still were...
"There's going to be someone at the party you will meet. You already know him..."
Zac didn't know what was going on, but he could tell something was wrong. He sensed it from his mother. "Who is this guy?" Zac asked.
"The Mulluran Ambassador? It's your father," she said quietly, watching him carefully. She was gauging his response.
Zac was immediately hit with overwhelming emotions. Anger, fear, betrayal, guilt... Mostly anger and fear mixed with a lot of hate. "What is he doing here?!" Zac cried.
"I don't know," Kitty replied. "But because he's the Ambassador, I can't make him go away... But you and your sister are safe. He wouldn't dare try anything here on the station."
"But he did before!" Zac countered. tears springing into the boy's eyes.
"That was different," Kitty said. "He had less to lose then."
"I don't understand!" Zac replied as she got up. "Maybe I won't go! I don't ever want to see him again! Not after what he did to me and Arianna and to you! I hate him! I wish he were dead!"
Immediately Kitty went to him and embraced him, holding her to him. "Shhhhh, its okay to be angry after what he's done... But if you don't come with me, then he's won... Show him you're not afraid to face him." Gently she placed a finger under his chin to lift it so she could look into his eyes. "And just think, you'll have all of us who care about you keeping an eye out. He won't so much as twitch wrong..." she smirked. "Trust me..."
As she let him go she walked over to his dresser as if thinking about things, but instead he had tried to take the Klingon dagger K'Tag had given him, without his mother noticing.
"Zac, you can't take that..."
"But, just in case he tries to-"
"Zac... He won't, I promise... Now put it back..."
With a resigned sigh, he put the dagger back.
"Now are you ready to go?" she asked.
Zac shrugged. "I guess..." he replied.
"Okay, let's go," Kitty said holding her hand out for him to take.
He grabbed it, and they left the room. But somehow the dagger had not made it back to its place in the dresser.
The announcements had been made in their turn, and now it was time for the serious mingling/manipulation to begin. Jonas, decked out in his Mulluran diplomatic uniform covered with braid and decorations (none of which he'd actually earned) and his hair swept up in the traditional Mulluran crest, saw the opportunity to talk with Kitty and Zac alone.
Kitty felt nauseated as Jonas approached her. "Well, well, aren't you looking lovely tonight?" he asked, eyeing her rather lecherously.
"Good evening, Jonas. I see you're enjoying the festivities," Kitty said as diffidently as she could manage.
"Of course! Nothing like a good party! Of course, this will be as nothing compared to the festivities that will take place when the Glorious Leader takes possession of this system," Jonas said.
"Cut the crap, Jonas. I know as well as you do that you're not in this for Francona or the Mullurans. You're just trying to get back at me."
"He is a means to an end," Jonas thought, reminding himself that Francona was probably saying the same thing about him, and with more reason. Kitty picked up on that, and smiled.
Jonas, seeing he was out of his league, knelt down to approach Zac. "And how is my young man?" Jonas asked, his tone dripping with false sincerity.
"I'm good," Zac said. To his mother: ~I don't want to talk to him. Do I have to?~
~Only for a little while, just to be courteous. I promise you it won't be any longer than it has to be.~
"Where's your sister?" Jonas asked.
"I'm having a friend watch her for the evening," Kitty answered.
"So, do you leave her with others often while you party?" Jonas asked snottily.
"Oh, yes--I also beat her five times a day and send her to bed without supper. Just the other day I got a good price for her from some Nausicaan slavers!" Kitty replied. To Zac: ~You can go now.~ Zac immediately disappeared.
"I was double-crossed!" Jonas protested.
"Like you double-crossed us? Get out of my sight, Jonas, unless you have official diplomatic business. Otherwise I don't want anything to do with you. Oh, by the way: the kids are off-limits too!" Kitty replied.
"I'm appalled that you'd respond this way after all we've had together," Jonas said with mock sadness. "You always meant a great deal to me."
Troy came up at that moment, dressed in an exquisitely-tailored Trayvan formal suit. "Ambassador Mallory, I don't believe I've had the pleasure," he said, extending his hand.
Jonas refused the handshake. "You must be Troy Nevala, or should I say, Mr. Kitara Mallory," he said. "I see she's wrapping you around her little finger, too. Don't worry, you'll learn..." Jonas finished as he walked off, taking a drink intended for someone else from a waiter.
"If that son of a bitch didn't have diplomatic immunity I'd take his head off!" Troy hissed at Kitty.
"I know what he's after, and he won't get it. Not if I have anything to do with it!" Kitty replied.
Zac felt out of his element at the formal event, which he really was. The confining formal clothing and the confining manners were too much for a little boy. He really wanted more than anything else to play. And he really didn't want anything to do with his father, who seemed to be following him.
He saw the perfect solution to his dilemma in Paul Deveraux. Uncle Paul was always willing to have a good time! He went to Paul, who was busy flirting with an attractive young ensign.
"Go away kid! Now's not ze time!" Paul hissed at him. Then he realized why Zac had sought him out as he saw Jonas, ridiculous in his outlandish costume, following hot on his heels.
"Ah! Monsieur Zac! How are you, mon amis? You are looking most fine indeed!" Paul said, his would-be date nearly (but not completely) forgotten.
"Thanks, Uncle Paul!"
Jonas arrived. "Father, this is my friend Paul. He and I have a lot of fun together!"
"I'm sure you do," Jonas said, his tone implying a great deal. "I've heard your reputation, Mr. Deveraux, and if you think--"
"Just one minute, sir! If you mean to impugn my integrity zhen we will have to settle zhis in ze corridor!" Deveraux said menacingly.
"I cannot impugn the integrity of someone who has none to begin with," Jonas answered off-the-cuff.
"Speak for yourself, peeg!" Deveraux answered back just as quickly. "Or will zhat pathetic little worm Francona let you do that?" he asked, both to goad Jonas and change the subject. Paul was reasonably certain that Mazar was in the room, watching Jonas and recording Jonas' activities.
"I take it as a personal affront when you attack the Glorious Leader, Mr. Deveraux," Jonas said, remembering to puff up at the right moment.
"More zhan likely Francona takes it az a personal affront zhat 'e has to work with you!" Deveraux replied. "We'll talk later, Zac. I promise," he said with a smile to the youngster.
Zac, sensing that Paul was doing his best to divert Jonas, sought out another diversion for himself...
Kitty sensed Zac's distress immediately and looked around the room. She had seen the events with Zac, Paul and Jonas. Zac had managed to slip away, but she wasn't surprised to see Jonas again following him. That bastard! she thought. She looked around to see who was closest to Zac and she spotted Tara. ~Tara~
~Captain?~
~Yes, my son's father is chasing him around the room a bit and my son would rather not have anything to do with him, if you know what I mean. Can you either get to Zac or intercept Jonas?~
~Absolutely! I'm on my way~ she replied.
Tara immediately spotted Zac in the crowd and seeing Jonas coming up fast she went to Zac.
"Hello there, Zac, remember me?"
"Hi, Tara!" he said with a grateful smile.
"Your mother asked me to come over here and see how you were doing," she said.
She watched as the boy's green-brown eyes darted back to his approaching father. There was a hint of panic.
"I guess I'm okay..." he said.
"Don't worry about your father... We're all here to protect you," she said with a gentle smile, tenderly caressing his face. "Would you care to get a drink, young master Mallory? Something sweet, like punch?"
He nodded. Just as they were about to walk off, Jonas came up.
"I see my boy has made a great deal of friends on this station," Jonas said as he approached Tara. Certainly she had to be an improvement over the boorish Deveraux!
"That's right, sir," she replied, "He has a great deal of friends and we all keep a very close eye on him." She couldn't keep the coolness from her voice. She gently pulled Zac's sleeve until he was almost behind her. She wasn't going to have him in a vulnerable position while she was there.
Jonas caught a glimpse of the Skryll as Tara's sleeve rode up on her arm during this maneuver. "I...see..." Jonas said. If the reports were to be believed, the weapon--and its bearer--were not to be trifled with. Where Deveraux dealt in blunt force, this one deals in subtleties. I'll have to include this in my report.
"Zac, why don't you head to the punch table. I'll be there momentarily," she said.
Without hesitation Zac ran off.
"So are you going to continue to harass your son this evening?" she asked bluntly, staring into his eyes.
"I'd hardly call it harassment," Jonas said. "I just want to spend some time with the boy, that's all!"
"And I believe that you are not allowed to spend time with him," she replied. "Isn't there an order prohibiting you from seeing your children? I believe I have that somewhere in my files..." She was daring him to dispute her claim, even though it was true.
"I cannot spend time with him unsupervised," Jonas attempted to clarify. "As it is, I think there's quite enough supervision in this room," he said sourly as he walked off. "Good day..."
With a pleased sigh, she walked to the punch table and met up with Zac where stayed with him as long as she was able.
With a pleased sigh, she walked to the punch table and met up with Zac, who was already indulging in a cup of punch. She joined him and didn't leave his side. They talked and she enjoyed herself more with him than with anyone else at the party so far. But as it was, she was being called away. Not wanting to leave Zac alone, she scanned the crowd. Just walking up to the punch table she saw Kassia.
~Kassia, I have a favor to ask of you... Well, for the Captain as well,~ she said.
~What is it?~ Kassia asked with curiosity and a bit of concern.
~Remember Zac? Well, his father has been trying to spend time with him all evening and Zac does not wish it. So far, since I've been here, Jonas has left us alone... But I have to see so some of the other guests... I was wondering if -~
~Of course I'll watch Zac!~ she replied.
Within moments, Kassia was beside Tara and Zac.
"Hey, Zac," Kassia said. "Want to come spend some time with me?"
Zac smiled and looked up at Tara. Tara nodded her agreement.
"Okay," he replied.
The women exchanged smiles as Kassia took Zac's hand and walked off with him through the crowd.
"Why does he have to be this way?" Zac asked. "I mean, I know he wants to talk to me, but he tries to act like he owns me or something!"
Kassia sighed. "I'm sorry... This must be so difficult for you... The problem with your father is he does see things in terms of ownership. You're his child, so he does think he owns you to a degree. Probably when your mother was married to him he thought he owned her too. Which is way she divorced him..."
"Yeah... Its why he hates her..." Zac replied sadly. "He wants to hurt."
"I know..."
"You're a counselor, can't you fix him?" Zac asked. "I mean, I know he and Mom can't be together again, and that he's working for the enemy and everything, but he doesn't have to be a jerk about it!"
"I could... If he wanted me to fix him..." she replied. "But, you see... Your father believes that he's right. That there is nothing wrong with him, and that's where the problem lies. He feels he has a right to exact his revenge on those around him... He's very dangerous, as you know. But we're here, so he can't do anything to you. You're safe, and your mother is safe too," she smiled. "Of course, its okay to be scared. And its okay to be angry with him too... What he did to your family and to you and your sister especially is unacceptable. Its okay for you to be angry about that."
"Sometimes... I feel... like I don't love him. And then I feel bad because he is still my dad... But then I get really, really mad. I just remember all the bad things he did. And I just hate!" Zac said. "I wish he had never come back to the station!"
"I understand," Kassia replied, gently caressing his hair. "But maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this will give you a chance to get some of these feelings out... If you want, I can help you."
Zachary smiled and nodded. "Okay."
Just then, Jonas spotted them again. "Run along, Zac, I'll take care of him," Kassia said.
Zac immediately spotted Troy and went to him. He was the man he considered his dad now anyway. He acted more like one that his actual father ever did. As Troy saw him he held his hands out to take him in a warm embrace.
"Well, well, Jonas Mallory..." Kassia began as Jonas stopped before her. "So you've come to pay me a visit now, have you?"
"Oh, you," Jonas said. "I've heard about you. You can keep your voodoo shrink routine. I know your type!"
"Oh, do you?" she smiled wickedly, her green eyes glintling with mischief.
"You're a moderately powerful telepath and empath, who's managed to make herself into a lot more with some clever marketing gimmicks! You wouldn't even be the station counselor had you not managed to con Wallace into it! I wonder what other incentives you used..." Jonas said.
Arching her brow, she smirked. "You're curious about my incentives are you? Well, then let me give you a practical demonstration," she said. Then as quick as a viper strike she grabbed his hand.
Almost she was immediately hit by visions of this man's life. But she was searching for something specific. She found what she was looking for let the vision unfold. As she pulled her hand away, she saw the surprise on Jonas face that she would even touch him. "Tonight, your life is going to hang in the balance. Your assistant Mazar is going to denounce you to Francona. Francona is going to threaten to have you executed on the spot, but Mazar will plead for your life. He will convince Francona that you make a good decoy for the... real workings of the Mulluran legation. I would say that you are in a very tenuous position, Jonas." Kassia's green eyes gazed at him, observing his reaction to her prediction.
"Preposterous!" Jonas said. "The Glorious Leader whose name no outsider is worthy to mention hand-picked me personally for this mission! If in his infinite wisdom he prefers Mazar, then he would have picked Mazar to begin with! Keep your little fables to yourself. The Empire deals in rationality, not superstition and hocus-pocus!"
She shrugged. "It's not my problem," Kassia replied as cool as a cat. "It's not my life on the line. But I will say, those who know me, do know my prediction do come true. Chose to ignore them at your own risk." She never lost her smile as she continued to gaze at him completely unflustered by him.
"Posh!" he said as he left Kassia. "I've no time for this nonsense!" And with that, he was gone, looking once more for Zac.
Kassia laughed to herself as she watched him walk away. She also shook her head in amazement. He might not believe her about her psychic ability now, but he would, she thought. Seeing that Zac was safely with Troy, she relaxed, but kept an eye on Jonas... Just in case.
"Can't you take care of it yourself?" Troy asked over the comm. "I've got Zac with me and he can't come into the bar!"
[I'm sorry; this can't wait. I've got three big, ugly Klingons standing in front of me insisting upon extending their tab!]
Troy sighed. I need a better assistant, he thought. "On my way," he replied. "Zac, I'm afraid I have to go. I'll be back as quickly as I can! Try to find your mom, and don't worry--Jonas can't bother you here!"
It seemed like his father was popping up everywhere he went. Zac was really not liking this party! He felt a need to get to his mother, to ask if he could leave. He would have left with Troy but Troy had to attend to some urgent business at the bar, and Zac was not allowed there. He could have asked his mother telepathically but he didn't want to distract her if she were doing something important.
He was so worked up that he failed to see where he was going when he bumped into someone and spilled his punch.
"Oh, my gosh, I'm sorry sir--" he looked up. A long red stripe up the side of black trousers led to a tunic bearing at least twice as many decorations as Jonas sported, all of them hard-earned. Above the high collar of the tunic, Tarik smiled down at him.
"Oops," Zac said as he looked down in embarrassment.
"Don't worry, kid, I've had far worse than punch spilled all over me before," he said. "How are you tonight?" he asked.
"I suppose I should be having a good time, but my stupid father keeps following me around and bugging me and upsetting people!" Zac complained.
My father was removed from this life in his prime, and this maggot gets to continue his existence? Tarik thought bitterly. Zac frowned, and then Tarik realized that Zac had probably read his feelings telepathically. "I'm sorry, just a random thought," Tarik apologized.
"I understand," Zac said.
"Tell you what--he gives you any more trouble, let me know! I'll make sure he stops."
Zac smiled as Jonas walked up. "Any more trouble with what?" he asked loudly.
"Oh, I don't know, anything," Tarik replied for Zac. "I've been hearing reports of strange men in ugly suits annoying children on the station. Can't have that--I have a daughter to think about. And, for that matter, a nephew," Tarik said as he looked down at Zac and tossled the boy's hair. Why not? Troy's more of a father to Zac than Jonas ever was, and Troy's my brother-in-law...
Jonas' face tinted visibly as Zac let out a little chuckle.
Tarik examined the decorations on Jonas' uniform. Bastard...who gave you the right? "Interesting...so, you were in the Defense of Caldoria campaign?" he said, eyeing one very prominent decoration.
Jonas was happy to talk about himself once again. "It was one heck of a fight, Colonel, let me tell you! I didn't think we were going to make it out."
"So, you were killed as well?"
Jonas stopped short. "What do you mean?"
"The Defense of Caldoria was the last battle of the G'kar Independence War, a hundred standard years ago. The Mulluran garrison was slaughtered to the last man."
"Impossible--otherwise the Emperor wouldn't have issued a--" Jonas started, then stopped again. He'd been caught, rather blatantly. Zac (and a few others listening on) began laughing hysterically.
"You stop that right now, you little brat!" Jonas stormed at Zac, then immediately tried to make a grab for the boy.
Tarik stepped in front, and grabbed Jonas' wrist. "Don't even think about it!" he said loudly enough for Tara to hear. Tara heard him from halfway across the ballroom, and began moving in. Tarik kept bending Jonas' hand back until tendons began to pop. Jonas stoically tried to hide the pain.
"How long do you think you can take it? Romulans are a hell of a lot stronger than humans, and stronger still than Mullurans--not that wearing this clown suit with unearned honors makes you one of those!"
"I do not have to be insulted in this manner!" Jonas said haughtily.
"Okay, what manner would you prefer?" Tarik asked. "Oh--and before you get thrown out of this party, one more thing: insult my wife one more time and I'll break off this hand and shove it up your ass sideways!" he snarled as Tara grabbed Jonas by the collar and escorted him out.
"The first thing I believe you should have to realize is that immunity and license are not the same thing," Tara said in her upper-class British accent as she hauled Jonas out of the ballroom to much applause.
She led him to the corridor. "I'm inclined to have you thrown in the brig for creating a public nuisance, but I can't do that. Pesky diplomatic immunity, don't you know?" Jonas smiled. "You are to proceed back to your offices immediately. Don't make me have you escorted under guard!" Kassia, Kitty and Paul came over to Tarik as they watched the spectacle of Tara escorting Jonas from the party. Almost as soon as he was gone the whole atmosphere seemed to lighten up considerably. Paul slapped Tarik's shoulder.
"Zat was fantastick!" he replied. "Zat snivling snipe deserves to ave much worse, but zat is a start!"
Kitty smiled and took Paul's hand and then grabbed Tarik's shoulder. "Thank you for keeping Zac safe," she said as she looked to each of them ending with Kassia.
"Well, what else would we do?" Kassia replied. "Zac's just a charming little boy we'd always protect him with our lives."
"Absolutely," Tara replied as she walked up. "We aren't about to let someone like Jonas hurt your boy... Now that he's gone we can actually enjoy the party a bit!" she smiled.
They all smiled as they contemplated what they had accomplished. Zac just stood in his mother's arms, finally feeling safe that night.
With his mother's permission, Zac left for their quarters. "I'm sorry it wasn't better for you, your first formal occasion and all," she said.
"It wasn't all bad, I guess," Zac said. "At least he was taught a lesson!"
"Knowing him, he probably won't retain it long, but we can hope," she said. "Head on home; I'll be home as soon as I can," she smiled as she kissed him on the forehead. With that Zac scampered off.
He didn't get as far as the turbolift before someone grabbed him. "What are you going to do now without your friends to help you?" Jonas snarled as he grabbed Zac by the lapels. His grip was weaker than he intended, which allowed Zac to break away, only tearing the tuxedo a little. Mom's not going to like that, he thought.
"What's wrong, Dad? Something happen to your wrist?" Zac smiled as he backed away.
"You and I are going to have a little talk, son," he said as he grabbed Zac with his good hand. Suddenly his good hand wasn't so good anymore--Jonas screamed as blood spilled out onto the deck.
"Stay away from me!" Zac said, brandishing the Klingon dagger in front of him. "I know how to use this!"
"So you do," Jonas said as he kept moving closer. "Now what would your mother think if she knew you had this out?"
"She'd be mad at me, but she'd be madder at you!" Zac shouted.
The business at Soma had taken only a few minutes. Troy had managed to convince the Klingons that running up too much debt on credit was dishonorable and unworthy of true sons of Kahless, and then absented himself. He hoped that Zac had been all right. As soon as he got off the turbolift, however, he saw that all was not well.
"Haven't you had enough tonight?" Troy asked as he stepped in.
"You stay away from my child!"
"Is this the child you were going to sell to the Orion Syndicate? The one whom you kidnapped and faked the death of?" Troy asked as he moved in on Jonas.
"You don't understand!"
"No, jackass--you don't understand! You're not a father, you're a sperm donor, nothing more," Troy said quite evenly.
"I don't have to take this!"
"No, you do! Forget being a father--try being a man first and own up to your life!"
Jonas swung at Troy, but Troy deflected the clumsy blow. The next blow came equipped with a Mulluran ceremonial dagger--but didn't connect. Jonas dropped to the deck, unconscious. Behind him was Mazar with a disruptor pistol.
"Go about your business. The Empire apologizes for your inconvenience and Ambassador Mallory's boorish behavior," Mazar said as he hefted Mallory to his shoulder. He tossed the dagger to Zac. "Compensation for your ruined clothes, child," Mazar said as he turned away.
"Cool!" Zac exclaimed as he looked over the Mulluran dagger. Then he turned to Troy. Troy had his hand out.
"Hand it over, young man. And the Klingon one, too. You know you're much too young to go out armed!"
"Yes, sir," Zac said dejectedly as he handed over the knives. Troy would give them back later, but the point had to be made.
After all, he was the boy's father...
Jonas sat sullen-faced at his desk, still woozy from the stun blast, one wrist in a brace and the other with a compression bandage on it. His now-ruined uniform jacket hung on a hook next to the door. And before him on the viewscreen was the Glorious Leader Himself.
[Give me one good reason why I shouldn't have you shot right now!] Generalissimo Francona growled at Jonas. [I thought this would be an assignment more than fit for even your meager abilities! All you had to do was keep them talking and stall while we make greater plans, but you had to bring your personal agenda to bear--and the Empire has been humiliated as a result!]
"They--they goaded me!" Jonas complained.
"And all the spirits of Emperors past call you a liar!" Mazar responded just as quickly. "You actively sought out these confrontations, even after clear and ample warning to desist! This is not part of your mandate as Ambassador! If the Federation wishes to challenge your credentials they would be well within their rights!"
[Not that we have a high opinion of the Federation or their 'rights',] Francona added. Whenever the Glorious Leader used the first-person plural, it was understood by all as the royal 'We' even if he had not so decreed formally. [But for now it is a useful fiction to let them think they can negotiate with us as equals. You, Mallory, have jeopardized that! I should have followed my instincts and had you executed as soon as you turned up in our space!]
"Perhaps Mallory can still be of use," Mazar said, speaking of Jonas as if he were not even in the room. Jonas realized that in a very real sense, he wasn't. "He's been exposed as a buffoon and an idiot. Keep him as our front, and we can still lull the Federation into complacency. They won't take us seriously--and as a result, won't reinforce this sector as thoroughly as they need to or could."
[Excellent thinking, General Mazar! But what of the routine business of state?]
"Falut and I can handle that with no problem. Let this fool posture all he wants, and let the Federation officers here make sport of him. The real planning can take place without him--in fact, he may have done us a favor!"
[Understood. Upon completion of this assignment you are promoted to Field Marshal and Falut to--oh, whatever the gods say the next rank for him is,] Francona said with largesse. [But keep Mallory on a tight rein! We don't want too much of a good thing!] Francona and Mazar laughed.
Mallory suddenly remembered the prophecy of Kassia. That bitch does have some real power after all. I should warn them--but who would believe me now? he thought sullenly. Mallory realized that if anyone could be truly alone in the universe, he was.