Lataro was hovering over the captain when Maruu opened his eyes. "You're awake, Captain."
Maruu looked at the flashing red lights. "The red lights...what happened?"
"Well, when we started falling the computer turned from blue alert to red alert. We crashed on the planet we were trying to land on."
Valdago announced, "This planet has millions of people on it. I can't believe I didn't see it before!"
Maruu stood up and cradled his head. "Maybe the energy shield that brought us down blocked the life signs."
"The turbolift doors are jammed. We're stuck on the bridge and blind," Wallace explained.
Lataro approached Wallace. "There has to be a way to..."
Suddenly, everyone on the bridge vanished.
The warriors had begun to bang on the airlocks, trying to get in. Suddenly, a wave of energy blew through the soldiers. They heard a voice say, ~Stop! Kalmar will be the judge of their actions. He and only he will provide the necessary punishment.~
The young leader of the group yelled, "Stop! Kalmar has spoken. Let's let him deal with them."
One warrior yelled, "But Neklus, they must pay for their actions by tasting our swords!"
Neklus retorted, "Kalmar will make them pay. Then, Kalmar will help us win the Great War!" The man turned away from the Virgo.
The old priest approached Neklus. "Sire, we cannot win the War with such little manpower. Our most valiant warriors were crushed by that monstrous object."
Neklus looked at the old man with a smile. "My friend, Kalmar will find a way. He will not desert us to the evil of the Horde."
"You are right. I have raised you well, sire. One day, you will be a most benevolent king to our people."
"Thank you, Kaltanthrop. You have always been wise beyond your mortality."
The Virgo disappeared, leaving a trail of fallen trees and crushed homes.
"Benton! Garek! Sitto! Dana! How did you all get to the bridge? The doors are jammed," demanded Lataro.
Nori answered. "We aren't in the bridge. We're in sickbay."
Maruu approached Nori. "Oh, thank the Prophets you are all right!"
Nori and Maruu kissed.
Valdago pondered, "Is anyone else wondering why we're in a white room surrounded only by light?"
The rest of the group suddenly realized that same fact. They also noticed that, all around them, were over a four hundred crewmembers asking themselves the same question.
Suddenly, a voice hovered over them. ~Why have you killed the Borials of Xenon III?~
Maruu stepped forward. "We didn't mean to kill anyone. Our ship was disabled while we were trying to land on this planet, Xenon III."
~Why did you wish to land on this planet?~
"We were trying to refuel our ship. We have little power left. We barely had the power to get to this planet."
~So you landed here by necessity and killed by incidence?~
"Yes. We are extremely sorry..."
~You're apologies are not required. You will still pay for your actions. However, your soul is pure, and your punishment will hence be less severe.~
Lataro stepped forward. "What type of punishment are you planning?"
~You will fight for those you killed. You will replace them in battle and win the Great War.~
"Our laws forbid interference in another people's culture."
~Surely your laws explain that you are required to interfere if the second interference is enacted to circumvent the first.~
"That is true," explained Benton. "There is a section of the Prime Directive that states: 'Starfleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture.' We would be, in fact, obligated to do what has been asked of us."
Maruu nodded. "All right. We accept."
Lataro nodded in agreement.
~Then it is agreed.~ The voice paused. ~You will be sent to Neklus. He will train your crew in the use of swords and other such weapons. The members of your crew that were injured but not killed during the crash have been repaired.~
Lataro grabbed his head and looked at his hand as he had done before. There was no blood.
Valdago said, "Wait! No phasers?"
~You would not want to further violate your Prime Directive now would you?~ The voice paused again. ~Your ship will be returned once your mission is over. Good luck to you.~
The crew appeared in Borial warrior attire and with swords strapped to their backs. The Virgo was nowhere to be seen.
Neklus and a group of armed men approached the senior officers, who were all out of uniform. "Kaltar has warned me of your arrival. Welcome to our camp. We will rest for the night, and then we will walk to the city of Noran. There, you will be taught to use the weapons you need to help us win the Great War." He paused. "I am Neklus. And you are?"
Maruu stepped forward. "I am Captain...I mean...Stephen. I am Stephen, leader of the Virgos. This is Com...Jonathan. He is my First."
"Welcome Virgos! Eat, drink, rest. We have a long walk back to Noran ahead of us. Stephen, Jonathan, join me, Kaltanthrop, and my beloved wife in our hut. You must meet my son and bless him, as our tradition deems proper. Then, we will speak of our new alliance. Bring your own wives as well."
"Our wives?" asked Maruu.
Lataro smiled. "I think he means K'Lara and Dana."
"Right." Maruu looked at Neklus. "How did you know that..."
Neklus laughed. "The love you have for these women glows through your chests like our brilliant sun in the horizon."
Dana and K'Lara blushed to hear Neklus's romantic words.
Dana, K'Lara, Stephen, Jonathan, and Neklus moved into the largest tent in the camp.