Kassia's computer began to beep as she set some new artifacts that had arrived from Iraneus V in their respective places. "Danni, will you inventory these artifacts while I check my comm.?"
Dani looked up. "I'm still working on the CTR. It's been malfunctioning."
Kassia began to walk to her back room. "Just hold that off for a moment. It won't take long, and I can't leave these boxes out here." Kassia walked into the back room as Dani hesitantly left her position behind the counter.
Kassia stepped into the room and took her desk. "Computer, open transmission."
<Incoming slipmail. Text only.>
The transmission opened. As Kassia read, a smile began to form. This was good news. Kassia tapped her comm. badge. "Katianna, I need to see you."
"What is it?" Katianna asked, visibly wanting to be somewhere else.
Kassia nodded. "Just give me a few minutes of your time. After the prophecies about the child and the release of the Kosst Amojen, the Book of Light gets very confusing. It's as if there are two types of prophecies: the certain and uncertain ones."
"Uncertain?"
"Essentially, the Ancients understood that the future was a changing thing. That's why their certain prophecies are so cryptic. Like the one about the child not being born. He was born, but not really, since he was transported out of the womb. Technically, the prophecy did not fail."
"Are we going to get to a point eventually?"
Kassia stopped for a moment to take in Katianna's comment.
Katianna looked down. "I'm sorry. I've just been training a lot. I need to be ready, and I'm a little exhausted.
Kassia nodded. "I've noticed." She continued, "The point is that the Book cuts into sections here. They make allowances for several different permutations of possible outcomes. From this point on, it's as if they don't know who will win the fight. They know that ultimately Light and Dark will balance out, but one of the prophecies leads us into a dark age that lasts about two million years." Kassia paused. "There are three different prophecies that include the release of the Kosst Amojen."
"And?"
"None of them end well. In all of them, the Pah-wraiths release Pharox, kill Daniel, and destroy the Prophets."
Katianna raised a brow. "Pharox? Kalimar and Amojen's son? The last member of the Dark Trinity?"
Kassia nodded.
"So, is that it? We're doomed? Should I just give up?"
"No, I found something else," Kassia smiled. "There is a mention of a fourth prophecy. It's not in the Book. I believe it's some sort of Apocryphal writing. I came to the conclusion that there is a Book like this for all of the 19 species the Ancients spawned. Humans have the Bible, Bajorans have the Book of Light, and," Kassia concluded, "the Cardassians have the Giall Codex."
Katianna smiled. "Did you locate the Codex?"
Kassia's eyes gleamed. "It was hard, but the Codex is still on Cardassia. We'd have to go there. I've got a contact. Unfortunately, Cardassia has been in a chaotic state since the end of the Dominion War. It's not a pretty place."
Katianna stood up. "I'm going to Cardassia." She began to walk out.
Kassia ran to her and grabbed her by the shoulder. "You're going with me. And Tara. I don't want you to go alone. Besides, you wouldn't know where to go once you got there."
Katianna shook her head. "Fine. Pack your stuff. We leave at 2100 hours."
Kassia was packing some items as the chime rang. "Come in."
Jovani walking in after the door swooshed open. "I'm here for... you're leaving?"
"On an away mission."
"Sounds like fun. Where are you going? Wait. Can you discuss it? It's not classified, right?"
Kassia smiled. "I'm going to Cardassia."
"How cool is that?! I only saw Cardassia once, and that was during the Dominion Occupation of it."
"You've been there?"
"No. On TV."
"Right. Alternate reality. I remember. It looks about the same now, but with more damage."
"Really? What's been going on since Deep Space Nine?"
"Cardassia's government fell to the hands of the higher classes. It's become a bit of a feudal government, with warlords constantly contesting for power and authority over separate regions. Not a fun place."
"Can I go?" Jovani pleaded.
Kassia looked at him for a moment. "Did I mention it's not a fun place?"
"You guys say that about everything. Aside from having my life on the line half the time, none of this has been not-fun."
Kassia shook her head. "We could use the hands, and you have been on missions before with Starfleet personnel. Do you know all the regulations?"
"I'll read up on it again, but I pretty much have the gist of it. It's not as if I haven't seen several series' worth of training videos."
"The commanding officer will be Kat. She's the highest ranking member of the crew. I suggest you pack. We meet at 2100 at the USS Seth."
"Kat's going?"
"Yes. We're going to find a sacred Cardassian text: the Giall Codex."
"The one written by Giall?"
"Did you see that on TV too?"
"It was a guess."
Stephen paced around the living room. "So I'm okay right?"
Lazarus shook his head. "For the fifteenth time, you look great. What are you so worried about? As if you haven't been the ladies man in the past."
Stephen looked at Lazarus piercingly. "That was before. I've been married. And I've lost two loves. It's not the same."
Lazarus smiled. "I think you'll do fine. You're a very charming captain, and that really attracts the chicks."
Stephen half-smiled. "Thanks."
Lazarus stood up and grabbed a note that sat on the table. "So are you still going to give her this, or are you going to actually talk to her?"
Stephen laughed. "I think I'll talk to her." He began ripping up the note as Jovani walked in with a small black cauldron. "Hey!" Stephen said as Jovani bumped into him and part of the note fell into the cauldron and the rest on the floor.
"Sorry, Stephen! I'm just in a hurry!"
"Where are you going?!" Stephen yelled at Jovani as he walked briskly into his room.
"Away mission!" Jovani responded as the doors swished closed behind him.
"Oh." Stephen paused. "What?!"
Jovani did not hear Stephen's plea to clarify what he was doing. He quickly walked into the room and set the cauldron down. He laid a piece of paper with "Katianna Elise Nadira" written on it in large letters. Jovani set two white candles beside the cauldron, then he put some pieces of dried lotus leaves in the cauldron. The leaves fell over the piece of Stephen's note that had fallen into the cauldron: the piece where Stephen had signed his name.
Jovani lit the candles, then he set fire to the items in the cauldron. He tossed the page with Katianna's name into the cauldron. Then, Jovani pulled a white crystal out of his pocket and began to speak aloud:
"Cleanse the pain,
"Erase all bane,
"When the crystal turns black,
"Let memories of ill drain away.
"So mote it be."
Jovani tossed the crystal into the fire. A white flame suddenly rose from the cauldron and immediately died down, leaving nothing in the cauldron except for the crystal. Jovani quickly grabbed the crystal and placed it in his pocket.
Once he had completed the spell, Jovani tucked the items used under his bed. Then he tossed a suitcase onto his bed and began filling it with clothes.
Katianna stood at the controls for the shuttle bay. She unclamped the Seth and prepared it for the voyage.
Tara was the first to arrive. "Hi, Commander," she said, meekly. "How are you doing?"
Katianna faced Tara and smiled. "I'm doing good. Thank you."
"If you ever wanted to talk, you know that—"
"Yes, I know. Thank you." Katianna pointed at the Seth. "The cargo bay is on deck five; the barracks are on deck three. The bridge is on deck four." Katianna continued prepping the ship as Tara walked into the ship to find a place for her things.
Kara Lac walked with Laurissa as she pushed Daniel around in his carriage.
"Where is Mommy going now?" whined Laurissa.
"You know where she is going, honey," Kara replied. "She's going on a mission."
"She's always busy now." Laurissa sadly moaned. "She used to take us on missions."
"Well, now things have gotten a bit more dangerous. She is doing what she can to take care of you and Danny."
"I wish she were around more. I miss her." Laurissa suddenly saw a man selling balloons. "Can I have one?"
Kara smiled. "Of course you can." She walked up to the man. "How much for two balloons: one for the girl and one for the baby?"
The man looked around. "What girl?"
Kara suddenly looked wildly about her. "Laurissa? Laurissa!"
Laurissa was gone.
Kassia and Jovani arrived next. Tara came to greet them. "Hi, Kassia. So you brought company?"
"Yes. This is my apprentice of sorts. Besides, he is also a close friend of Katianna and—"
"Oh my God! You have a skrill!" Jovani squealed as he grabbed Tara's arm.
Tara pulled away. "Yes. It's called Chiron. Do I know you?"
"No. I'm Jovani. And you must be from EFC! But I don't recognize you so you were probably from some other RPG."
Tara looked at Kassia, bewildered. "EFC? RPG?"
Kassia smiled and shook her head. "He says strange things sometimes. It's best to ignore him."
"Hey!" retorted Jovani as Kassia and Tara laughed.
When she stopped laughing, Tara pointed them to the turbolift. "Cargo bay, deck five; barracks, deck three; bridge, deck four. Katianna wants you in engineering, deck one.
Katianna watched as Tara, Kassia, and Jovani took their positions on the bridge.
Tara stepped up to navigation. "All crew accounted for. All systems check out. We're ready to go at your command, Commander."
"All right. Start her up."
Kara walked into the shuttle bay and saw Laurissa walking onto the Seth. Kara followed her in with Daniel in tow. "What are you doing here?"
Laurissa looked up, knowing full well that she was in trouble. "I wanted to see Mommy."
"No. Mommy is going on a mission, and you can't go. We're going home. We'll talk about this when we get there." Kara took Laurissa's hand and began to walk toward the door as the door whooshed shut. "Oh no."
Tara pulled the ship up and eased it out of the shuttle bay. "We're clear."
Katianna sat down next to her. "Take us away. Warp 12."
The ship eased out a little more, then went to warp.
"What's going on? Why aren't the banners up?" screamed High Advisor Siaan.
The guard saluted the advisor, "I'm sorry, sir. The banners just arrived."
"Then hurry! The King will return any moment with his betrothed!"
"Yes, sir!" The guard turned to his comrades and nodded. They ran off to perform their duties.
Chancellor Horim approached Siaan. "You seem worried. Is there something wrong?"
Siaan and Horim walked toward the courtyard as they talked. "The young King is finally returning from his long trek. He deserves the best. He has been a good king to us, and this feast must be perfectly suited to the arrival of his future bride and our future queen."
Horim nodded. "You are right, after all. In the past four months, the King has made his kingdom brighter and more peaceful than it has been in any Age before. He is certainly deserving of all this and more. But you too know that he is a humble king. He would not be offended if you could not do the impossible."
Siaan shook his head. "It is precisely the impossible which I must do."
Horim nodded. "I will leave you, then. I have preparations of my own to attend to." They bowed at each other and parted company.
Siaan walked into the courtyard as five horses galloped in. Three of the horses stopped near the entrance as the two horses in front galloped in front of Siaan.
"My King," Siaan said, genuflecting.
The man jumped off the horse and pulled off the hood of his robe. It was Jovan. "My beloved advisor." Jovan took Siaan and helped him stand up. "Please, don't do that. I want you to meet someone." Jovan took Siaan to the other horse as the woman on it jumped off and pulled off her own hood. Jovan took her hand. "This is my fiancée: Preah."
Siaan took Preah's hand. "My Queen."
Jovan smiled and took Preah's hand from Siaan. "Not yet. But soon." He kissed her on the lips.
Stephen played with his fingers as Nicole walked in. She scanned the bar and spotted Steven sitting with two drinks in front of him. She waked over and met his eyes at the same time he scanned the doorway. "Hi," she said with smile and a flutter in her chest.
Stephen looked up and stopped playing with his fingers. "Hi."
She looked around and spotted an empty table. "Want to sit at a table or hang out here at the bar?"
Stephen looked at the bar, then back at Nicole. "Uh... sure! A table would be good." He smiled awkwardly.
She watched as he picked up the glasses. She led the way to the recently vacated table. He set the glasses down and pulled out a chair for her. "Thank you."
He watched her nervous fingers and then handed the fluted glass to her and took his own seat.
Stephen hesitated. Then, "So, how was your day?"
"Just finished my first run for a new employer...carrying cargo. How was yours?"
"Good! I... um... practiced this very speech in front of the mirror and Lazarus for several hours."
"Really?" She smiled and reached over and took his left hand in her right one, and said, "Nervous... you?"
"Nervous? No. I'd say I'm more petrified. Give me a Pah-wraith that threatens to destroy the universe; I can handle it. Give me a first date, and I crumble."
"Ah." She took a sip of her wine and placed the glass back down and looked around the room and spotted several people from the bar altercation from earlier in the week. "Uh, Stephen...I have to tell you a secret. I've been working undercover for security trying to isolate the source for the 'Dust' arriving on station and I need to get out of here before the group at that table spots me." She cleared her throat and turned further into the shadows. "Can we go for a walk or something?"
"Sure." Stephen smiled as he stood up. "I'd like that."
Hand-in-hand they left the Easy-Inn and walked the promenade. "I'm sorry. I guess being a snitch for security has its down side."
"Yeah. I know exactly how you feel. That's one of the reasons I went into command. Telling people what to do is a lot more fun."
She paused and leaned against the railing looking down to the next level, "I just didn't think it would follow me around like this." She rubbed her hands over her face, and felt his hand give a reasuring squeeze on her shoulder.
"It's okay. It happens. A lot of the time the job will follow you home. You can't help it. It's life as a Starfleet officer."
"Stephen, I am not a Starfleet officer. I'm a civilian cargo pilot and civilian snitch." She looked up and leaned her back against the railing sliding in so that their hips touched, and she added, "You're the Starfleet Officer." She noted the sad look that briefly crossed his face. "What?"
"I don't know if I can do this," he said as he pulled away just enough so that their hips were no longer touching.
Nicole looked away and took several breaths then met his eyes. "Something I said?"
"No. Nothing you said. It's... I just... do you remember that whole thing I kinda mentioned about the Pah-wraith and destroying the universe?"
"Well, I had a wife, and she died during that incident." Stephen looked down at the ground. "I just... I don't know if I'm ready."
"Oh. Shit. I'm sorry Stephen...that's what you meant about work following you home." She took his hand and just held it. "How about we keep this light and go down to the arcade and throw some darts or something?"
"I'd like that. I mean, you're really great, and I'd love to be your friend, but I can't really be involved with anyone right now." Stephen looked into Nicole's eyes. "You understand right? I don't want to sound like a jerk."
Nicole shrugged and looked away. "I guess, I understand and it would be hard to start over. How long has it been since your wife died?"
"Almost half a year, but it feels like yesterday."
"...six months." Nicole looked into his eyes and reached up and cupped his cheek and jaw. "You're very brave, Stephen even trying to start something this soon." She pulled her hand back and put both into her jacket pockets and started to lead him to the arcade. "I lost my parents fifteen years ago and I'm still trying to deal with that...I can't imagine losing a partner/lover." She paused. "As long as you're sure it's not because of my being a snitch or being twenty?"
Stephen smiled and hugged her. "No. I know why you snitch, and I think that you're doing good work." He paused for a moment. "And Dana would actually be around your age now."
Nicole paused and relaxed into the hug for a moment and then pulled back taking his hand and leading him into the arcade, where she pulled off her jacket and found an open board. "Green or blue?" She asked holding out darts.
"How much longer?" Kassia asked.
Tara looked up. "About two hours. How's the commander?"
Kassia looked at the turbolift. "She went to her quarters. She's taking a rest before we arrive in Cardassian space."
Tara nodded and faced her screen. "It'll do her good. How are you holding up?"
Kassia sighed. "I'm fine. Just enjoying the hum of the engines. Jovani's not doing so well. He's still having trouble with the motion of the ship."
"Even with the inertial dampeners at full strength?"
"Well, he has only been on warp-capable vessels a few times. Before then, his fastest travel speed was that of a 20th century airplane."
Tara nodded. "Well, those things are awful slow."
Kassia smiled. "So I've heard."
Tara stood up and walked toward the cargo bay. "Well, not much to do here. I'm going to do inventory for what we need on Cardassia. Can you cover things here?"
Kassia stood up and took the controls as Tara walked down into the cargo bay. "Computer, lights."
The lights turned on, and Tara immediately saw Laurissa standing in front of her. "Hi!"
"Why?!" yelled Katianna.
"Well," Kara tried to explain, "Laurissa wanted to see you, so she distracted me and ran off. I tried to catch up with her, but it was too late."
Katianna paced. "Oh no. Oh no. Oh no."
Kassia shook her head. "We can go back, but we'd be cutting it close with my contact. If we're late, he may think something is wrong and leave."
Katianna faced Kassia. "No. We won't go back." She looked at Kara. "You need to take care of the kids here. I don't want you or the children walking around the ship. You will stay here at all times, with the lights off. You'll be safe on this ship for a short time." Katianna turned to leave.
Kara began to follow. "Queen, I—"
Katianna turned sharply. "You nothing. I need you to do what I say. We are in a precarious position, and I will not have anyone stray from my command. Stay." Katianna left the cargo bay with Kassia close behind.
Laurissa began to sniffle as Kara hugged her. "It's not your fault, honey."
Laurissa shook her head. "Mom doesn't love us anymore."
Outside, Kassia walked up to Katianna and grabbed her shoulder. "Don't you think you were a little rough? That was your five-year-old daughter down there."
"I don't care!" Katianna yelled. Then, she recollected herself. "I mean... I do care. I'm just worried. Kalimar is out there with his demonic lover, and he's extremely dangerous. I can just see it. He's been keeping tabs on me all along. He probably knows that Daniel is off the station. First chance he gets, he'll take the baby and... I don't even want to think about it." She gritted her teeth. "For all we know, he's listening in to this conversation right now."
The twenty people in the chamber bowed once more, in adoration of an altar with a horned beast. The chamber glowed red with the flames of several torches reflecting off the many blood red banners on the chamber walls.
A high priest standing on the altar lifted a goblet filled with blood. "Kosst Amojen! You who bathe the rivers red and protect us with your darkness, sanctify this blood. May it be made to nourish us in your most holy name!"
Suddenly a wind burst through the room and two figures materialized on the altar next to the statue of the horned beast. Kalimar and Amojen looked around the chamber. Amojen nodded. "Nice. I like it. The rituals were a little more dramatic back in the good old days, but what more can you ask for when you've been away for so long."
The high priest looked at his two gods in shock. "God... Goddess..." He quickly bowed his head and fell to the floor in reverence.
Kalimar stepped forward. "Where are all the virgins? There used to be virgins." He looked at Amojen. "I miss the virgins."
Amojen smiled and caressed Kalimar's face. "It's okay, love. We'll get you your virgins." Amojen stepped toward the high priest and put her finger to his chin, causing him to stand slowly with his head still bowed. "So is this what you've been doing with your time? Waiting around idly for us to show up? You disappoint me, High Priest."
The high priest stuttered, "Forgive me, Goddess. We have been lost these past ten years without your guidance. Please tell us: what may we do to honor you?"
Amojen smiled sweetly. "Don't you worry about it. It's no longer your concern." She swiftly took his head in her hands, and twisted it off his body. "Catch!" She tossed it at an acolyte in the front row. The acolyte caught the high priest's head, quickly dropping it to the ground in apprehension.
Kalimar walked to the acolyte and pulled him to his feet. "You're our new priest. Welcome to the wonderful world of religious service."
Amojen chuckled.
The immense cathedral was packed with royalty and aristocrats alike. Jovan and the Vessel waited at the Altar of Am as Preah walked down the aisle in the arms of Siaan. Jovan smiled happily as the "Wedding March" was played by the orchestra assembled for this occasion. Siaan and Preah walked to the altar, then Preah kissed Siaan on the cheek and walked to Jovan's side. Jovan carefully caressed her face, then they both faced the Vessel.
The Vessel began, "We are all gathered here today, under the ever-shining light of Am, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall join our King Jovan of the Highland and Princess Preah of the Waking Plains in holy matrimony. Let us begin."
Nicole had the directions Stephen had given her after she'd won at darts. Dressed in spandex tights and a midriff top and a flimsy jacket pulled over and something called tennis shoes she arrived and knocked on his door.
"Come in!" yelled Lazarus.
Nicole entered the main living area and saw someone not Stephen... "Hi, I'm Nicole, and I'm looking for Stephen."
"Ah. The man himself. He's in his room, changing." Lazarus drank from his coffee. "Please, take a seat. He should be out shortly." He pointed at his cup. "Coffee?"
"Ugh, no thank you." She moved over and took a seat on the couch.
"Well, it seems you're not fond of the coffee. It's all right; I'm not much a fan myself. I just drink it to keep me up all night. Who can tend a bar at 0300 without a good, strong cup, eh?" He approached Nicole and extended his hand. "I'm Lazarus."
"Like I said, I'm Nicole." She shook his hand and smiled, and said, "Coffee's okay, but I've been drinking it all day."
"Hey! You're a poet, and you didn't know it!" Lazarus laughed at his own remark. When he noticed, Nicole not sharing in his glee, Lazarus stopped laughing and wiped his mouth. "So... um... you two been friends long?"
"About a week now, but you would know that since you're his roommate."
"Uh... I... yeah. I did, but I... uh... was just trying to make conversation." Lazarus smiled. "So, do you play dabo?"
Nicole smiled and shook her head, "I shoot pool, throw darts, place dice, and play poker...but not to fond of dabo. I guess I'm kinda old fashioned not into the electronic gambling...do you play dabo?"
"Well, I run the Easy Inn. I'm not much a player myself, but I enjoy the game."
"I enjoy the atmosphere at the Easy Inn. I'm just not a big game—"
The doors to Stephen's room whooshed open. He was dressed in long, grey sweat pants and a tight, white tank top that outlined his pecks and six-pack. "So, I see you've met my quirky roommate." He tossed his towel at Lazarus' face. "Welcome to the Trio's humble home."
She spotted Stephen as he walked into the room and her breath caught in her throat. She totally lost her train of thought. "I've met Lazarus and we've been talking."
"What have you been talking about?" Stephen asked.
Lazarus pulled the towel from his face and tossed it at Stephen's chest. "Coffee. Dabo. Poetry. You name it."
Stephen caught the towel and moved into the kitchen area and grabbed the two bottles of iced water he'd replicated. The towel and bottles went into a mesh bag.
"Ready to go?" Nicole asked as she headed for the door.
Stephen nodded. "Sure. Let's go. See ya, Laz." He headed for the door. The door swooshed open, and they began to walk out.
"Nice meeting you," said Nicole as she and Stephen walked away.
"Nice meeting you too!" Lazarus sat on the sofa and took a PADD in hand. "Have fun!"
The Seth landed in a thick, brown forest. As soon as it landed, the ship cloaked. A door opened on the side, and Katianna, Kassia, Tara, and Jovani exited the ship.
Kassia looked at her PADD. "Okay. The contact's name is Lamin Delek. He's going to meet us in the basement of an abandoned theater in the downtown area of the city just adjacent to this forest."
Katianna addressed the team, "Keep an eye on your weapons and belongings at all times. Stay alert. Cardassia no longer has an authoritarian government, so anything can happen. Don't be caught by surprise."
"I thought no-longer-authoritarian was a good thing," said Jovani.
"Not an authoritarian government is replaced by an anarchical feudal system," answered Tara.
Katianna turned around and began to walk in the direction of the huge Cardassian city. "Let's go." The away team followed.
Stephen tossed a padded fighting stick at Nicole. "Computer, Maruu Training Sim Five."
The holodeck turned into a large gym with a padded blue floor. Stephen took his own stick and tapped Nicole on the forehead. "C'mon. Take your best shot," he said with a smile.
Nicole smiled and looked at the five-foot long padded stick, which had even more padding on both ends. She twirled the stick and took a step back. Then, with a quick side step struck, sweeping her step from knee-level, scooping up under his stick to make contact with his left shoulder, and instantly stepping back, bringing her stick up to a guard position.
"Like that?" She focused on his hands and the stick.
"Good. This time, I'll be ready for you. Let's go again."
Nicole moved in. This time he blocked and moved in with his stick to try and disarm her. She blocked and backed away, then changed her grip and circled. He moved in lightening fast and made contact with her knee. When she dropped her guard, he moved in for a head strike which forced her back yet again. She performed a forward roll, coming up in the guard position and attempted a strike of her own.
Stephen twirled his stick, knocking Nicole's stick from her hands, and landing the top of his stick on Nicole's head. "You're good. Have you ever trained before?" Stephen asked as he retrieved Nicole's stick.
Nicole rested her hands on her thighs and took several deep breaths while she watched him retreive her stick. Standing she smiled, "Not like your thinking. I've lived on space stations and tramp freighters and you learn to use what's at hand for defense...and you don't fight for fun but for your life...which is a harsh teacher." She absently rubbed her hand against a thin white scar at her waist. "Ready to go again?" She asked with a twinkle in her eye and noticed that his shirt showed some perspiration from the first round.
"Always." This time, Stephen struck first.
Preah looked happily into Jovan's eyes as he answered the Vessel's question, "I do."
The Vessel then looked at Preah. "Do you, Princess Preah of the Waking Plains, take King Jovan of the Highland as your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only to him forevermore?"
Preah smiled and happily proclaimed, "I do."
The Vessel tied the final knot around the strip of silk cloth that held both Jovan and Preah's hands together. Then, he lifted both hands, tied by the strip. "By Am they are joined. Let no man break apart that which Am has brought together." The Vessel dropped the hands and lifted his. "I present to you: the new King and Queen of our people!"
Jovan lifted Preah's veil and kissed her passionately as the grand audience stood up and applauded. Jovan turned to the Vessel. "Now, if you don't mind, kind Vessel, I'd like to take my new Queen to my bedchamber. It's been a week since we've had any privacy."
The Vessel smiled. "By all means, Your Majesty."
At this, Jovan and Preah ran down the aisle and out the cathedral threshold.
Katianna walked into the theater first, pointing her weapon at various locations, making sure the coast was clear. "All right, come on."
Tara, and Jovani entered the theater, making their way along the top row of seats in opposite directions as Katianna and Kassia walked down the center aisle. By the time that Kassia and Katianna arrived in front of the stage, Jovani and Tara had positioned themselves at the sides of the stage.
Kassia walked up the center steps. "Lamin? Are you here?"
Lamin walked out from behind the curtains with a large, leather-bound book in his hands; the dim lights accentuated the ridges that were characteristic of Cardassians. He walked near Kassia and stopped as he saw Katianna. "I thought you said alone."
Kassia nodded. "I said you should come alone. I didn't say I would come alone. Besides, we're Starfleet. You have nothing to be afraid of."
Lamin smiled. "You do."
Immediately, four men disarmed Jovani and Tara, moving them center stage. Three other men pointed their weapons at Katianna, forcing her to drop her phaser rifle.
Lamin pointed his own weapon at Kassia. "Drop it."
The men assembled Katianna, Kassia, Tara, and Jovani on center stage. "What are you up to?" asked Katianna. "And why are you working for humans?"
Lamin stood in front of the group. "I'm not working for them. They're working for me." He tapped a small device on his arm, and his form began to shift, turning into Admiral Charles Doyle.
"Charlie, what are you doing here?"
"Charlie?" Jovani asked. "Denzel Washington is Charlie? That's so--"
Kassia shoved Jovani, signaling him to be quiet.
Charlie walked up to Katianna. "There has been a lot of transdimensional activity lately. I imagine this new friend of yours is another one of the new members to this reality, isn't he?" Charlie faced Jovani. "Welcome to our universe." He turned back to Katianna. "Now, back to business. I need Daniel. You need the Codex. I'm willing to trade, but I need to get to the child. Where is he, pray tell?"
Katianna shook her head. "You think I would trade you my son for this book? How dare you?!"
"Okay. No trade then. Lieutenant?"
One of the men put his hands to his temples. After a moment, he said, "Daniel is here. On their ship."
Charlie looked Katianna again. "See? You're not the only one with telepaths. So, I'm willing to bet that you brought the Seth. You probably cloaked the ship too, which masks the ship from even our sensors. This being the case, I can't really get to it without your help."
"You're not getting any help from me," answered Katianna.
"I thought you'd say that. So, I wondered what your reaction would be if I started killing off your friends. I'll start now, and you can tell me when to stop."
Three of the men took weapons to Kassia, Tara, and Jovani's heads.
Suddenly, Jovani's pocket began to glow. Jovani looked at it and shook his head. "Not now."
Charlie saw the glow. "What's that?"
Suddenly, the glow turned into a shockwave that sent everyone to the ground.
Stephen punched Nicole again, but she blocked the punch masterfully. "That's great. Now try a roundhouse."
Suddenly, there was a flash in the holodeck.
Stephen stood frozen from the flash. "Whoa. What was--?"
Nicole's roundhouse landed squarely on his jaw.
Jovan was in the process of making love to his new wife when there was a flash in the bedchamber. "What the--?"
Preah pushed him off, and Jovan fell to the floor.