Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!nott!cunews!freenet.carleton.ca!FreeNet.Carleton.CA!ar153 From: ar153@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Bonnie Holmyard) Subject: Incoming DOS.TXT - Deliver Us From Evil, Part I Message-ID: Sender: news@freenet.carleton.ca (Usenet News Admin) Organization: The National Capital FreeNet, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date: Wed, 19 Oct 1994 06:38:39 GMT Lines: 695 Copyrighted 1991 by Bonnie Holmyard Deliver Us From Evil Part I QUOTE: "Death is, to a certain extent, an impossibility which suddenly becomes a reality." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. ***** The first jolt of prescience came suddenly, inexplicably, as such things were apt to do... Loud and boisterous laughter accompanied the two officers into Ten Forward. Intuitively, Guinan looked up from the drink she was preparing and did an abrupt double-take. Riker ACTUALLY had his arm around Picard's shoulder, and both were roaring with laughter. Fascinating! She studied the two. It was a rarity in itself to see the captain in Ten Forward unless he was there on business, but Guinan, and everyone else in the establishment, could tell that 'that' was not the case this evening. The two command officers were obviously enjoying themselves, immensely. They ignored the looks of curiosity their actions brought to those who watched and moved purposely to a secluded table. Once seated, their heads bent together in open conspiracy. Riker whispered something and laughter trumpeted forth again. Guinan couldn't help but smile. It was good to see the captain so at ease. His was a demanding job, as was the first officer's, but tonight they had evidently put their duties aside to revel in comradary, and a close comradary at that. It IS good, Guinan reaffirmed, nodded involuntarily and added the finishing touches to the drink she was making. Grabbing a napkin with the Ten Forward logo - a tall golden fluted beer glass on a reflective black background - imprinted boldly on its front, she glided down the length of the bar to her waiting customer. Tonight Guinan's garb complimented the Ten Forward logo. Tight black pants clung to her legs and was all but covered by her flowing black tent-of-a-top. The hem of the top, which ended just below her knees, as well as its high neckline, was piped in gold braid, as was the wide brim of the masterpiece she wore on her head. She was ever conscious of her appearance and made a point of wearing clothing that hid all but her face and hands. Her features never changed, and she would one day have to move on when that fact became questionable. But she needn't worry about that tonight. Placing first the napkin and then the potent libation in front of her expectant customer, Guinan announced, "Here you go, Lieutenant Jensen, one Antarian Stingray," then added, "two will put you under the table." The drink may be synthonol, but like an Antarian, it did pack an unexpected whallop. "Tonight I'm being adventurous," Jensen answered and took her first tentative sip. Immediately her eyes watered and the color rushed to her face. She smothered a cough and tried vainly to smile. Guinan returned the smile, knowingly, and then her eyes were back on Picard and Riker. The captain was still chortling, literally wiping the tears from his face, but Riker was staring pointedly in her direction. Guinan nodded and started their way. "You gentlemen are in fine spirits," she said when she came to a halt at their table. "What can I add to compliment your evening?" "What was that devilish concoction you made for me the night of O'Brien's wedding?" Riker asked. Guinan paused but a second. "A Rangy Romulan," she replied, her smile expanding into a grin. Riker mirrored the grin. "One for me, and one for the captain, if you please." Guinan glanced at Picard, who she noted, was still awash with hilarity. One of her non-existent eyebrows rose, questioningly. "What ARE you two celebrating?" she asked, but her only response was another bout of strident laughter. She rolled her eyes, exaggeratedly. "Forget I asked," she said, "and enjoy." And that's when it hit her. Something grabbed at her stomach, tightened treacherously and yanked unmercifully at her being. She almost collapsed. Somehow she grabbed onto the table for support and somehow she knew she had done so, but a blackness was inexplicably washing away her reality. Her fingers tightened their grasp. The table became her touchstone, her share of the material world, her portion earned, but it was useless. The memories were not to be denied. To her senses came... THE SEDUCTION OF THE POWER OFFERED ... THE YIELDING OF THAT POWER ... THE ABSOLUTE DOMINATION ... THE INSECURITIES RISEN, FACED, CONQUERED ... THE UNENDING CENTURIES OF FULFILMENT ... THE ULTIMATE DISILLUSIONMENT ... HER DECISION TO DEPART ... THE INEVITABLE ARGUMENTS ... THE EVENTUAL ACCEPTANCE ... HER SUCCESSOR ... HER SUCCESSOR ... HER SUCCESSOR CALLED! Guinan's past reached out to her, a long forgotten past, a past she had lived through and was now no more a part of, but for one brief moment, one uninhibited eternal moment, she relived that reality in its entirety. And then she heard a voice, an icy yet alluring voice, a voice she herself had once used. *We must commune*' it whispered through her soul. Strong arms held her. A soft breeze fanned her face. She opened her eyes. It was Riker's arms that held her; Picard's hand that fanned her face; and beyond, beyond stood a circle of concerned faces, pressed inward. Guinan took a deep breath. "Are you all right?" Picard asked, and at the same time she heard the first officer speak. "Riker to Sickbay," no pause, "Emergency in Ten Forward." "It's nothing," she managed to say, but Riker, she noted, did not rescind his order. She stood shakily, her eyes darting to those who surrounded her. "I'm okay," she said as shakily as she stood, and then insisted, "Truly, everything is all right." Slowly the circle of attentive faces dispersed, leaving the situation in the capable hands of their superiors. Picard and Riker would not be so easily dismissed. Guinan met the captain's worried gaze. "I had a flash from the past," she explained, once more in control of her thoughts and her surroundings. "If it proves worthy of additional comment, I will advise you." The captain did not look convinced, but then a new bustle entered the scene. Guinan looked up to see Doctor Crusher arriving, two medical attendants with an anti-grav-stretcher in tow. "One minute, twenty-three seconds," Guinan said and forced another smile. "Your response time is to be commended, Doctor." "What happened?" Crusher demanded. "Guinan fainted," Riker announced. "I did no such thing," Guinan said calmly, decisively. The doctor, she saw, shared the captain's expression of the unconvinced. "I merely suffered a ... ah ... time-lapse," she explained. "I'm fine now, really." Crusher paid no mind. She was running her tricorder up and over Guinan's person. The doctor's expression said much for her concern, and her confusion. "Your readings will tell you nothing, Doctor," Guinan stated, and Crusher's worried gaze moved to Picard. Guinan caught the mystification that shone in the doctor's eyes and thought fast. "I am usually more alert, more prepared," she said and paused as all three senior officers looked her way. "Believe me," she went on, "what has just happened to me is not a rarity." She was lying. Never had she been summoned in such a way. Never had she even suspected. She needed solitude; desperately, immediately. "I am sorry for the anxiety I have caused," she said, "but believe me, everything is now tolerable." Guinan was well aware of the mysticism that surrounded her. In fact, she encouraged it. The less people knew of her background, the better. At the thought, she turned her unyielding gaze to Picard. He, above all others, knew and appreciated her obsession for privacy. Picard met her glance and held it. She sensed his questions, could, if she wanted to, read his thoughts. Instead she satisfied herself with the knowledge that he would accept her words - if the incident proved worthy of additional comment she would advise him. She mentally reinforced the sentiment. It took a moment, but Picard finally moved his eyes from hers to Crusher's. "Thank you, Doctor," he said politely, "but if Guinan says everything is okay, then we shall respect her wishes." Immediately, Guinan turned her gaze on the doctor. *If needed I will call on you* she mentally projected and Crusher's solicitous expression vanished. The doctor nodded, motioned for her attendants to follow and without another word turned and left the lounge. "Sit, Guinan," Picard said, holding out a chair for her. "I insist," he added when she did not immediately do as he requested. "Captain," she began but he ignored her, purposely sat, and stared pointedly at the waiting chair. Reluctantly, Guinan did as instructed. "Explain," the captain ordered, and it WAS an order. "I have said all I can," she stated resignedly, "and, if you have no objections," her hand fluttered to her brow, "I would like to retire to my quarters." Picard stared at her, long and hard. Again she projected. *There is nothing you can do to help.* Gradually acceptance entered the captain's gaze. "There is nothing I can do to help?" he questioned. "Nothing." "Then allow me to escort you to your quarters." He rose from his seat. "That will not be necessary, Jean-Luc," she declined, purposely slipping from propriety to informality as served her purpose, "but thank you." She rose gracefully from her chair before he could speak again and drifted from the lounge. ***** "Reveal yourself," Guinan commanded as soon as she entered her quarters. The transmutation began. From out of nothing a mist appeared and altered, became the more tangible essence of fog, dull yet at the same time brilliantly white. And still it compressed, expanded, coerced, enlarged. The power it emitted filled the room, bathing Guinan's face in alternate waves of hot and cold, blazing and frigid, fiery and frosty. Slowly, infinitely slow, it acquired a physique. For one fleeting moment she saw the face, nothing more than a skull of bones; empty black eye sockets, piercing and pierced, vital yet extinguished; dark hollows for the nose, breathing and unbreathable, animated yet inert; the gleam of the skull, infinite and finite, dead yet alive. Then an absolute blackness wrapped its inky wings around the shocking whiteness, became a hooded cape, shrouded the hideous features, flowed to the floor. All that was visible were the hands, like the face, only skeletal. The being bowed deeply, in reverence, and spoke, his voice saturated in an icy heat. "Your Divinity," he said humbly. Guinan accepted the tribute, as was her right, although it had been eons since she'd last heard it. He rose and she returned the honour. "You reign now," she said, bowing just as deeply as he, "your Eminence." They stared at each other, an infinite moment in time, and then he offered her his hands. She did not hesitate. His bony fingers were hard yet supple, cold yet warm. The bond was forged. She felt his anxiety, his unease, his trepidation; yet still a barrier remained. He was denying her the full strength of his emotions. "You are far from your realm, Supreme One," she said. "Your need must be great." "It is," came the answer. "Then sit," Guinan offered. "We shall talk." His hands fell from hers and he moved; agilely, pliantly, lithely. He seemed hardly to move at all. One moment he stood before her, the next he was seated on the couch. Guinan smiled. She still continued to make use of the walk of her immortal self. Rarely, however, did she get to see someone else move so gracefully. She glided to his side and sat, as poised and composed as he. Then, uncontrollably, she started to laugh. "You would scare the living daylights out of anyone on board this ship if they were to see you," she offered in way of explanation. "No one sees Death before his time." Guinan nodded, at once somber. It was so. "You come in the form of Death. There is a reason." "I am Death. I am Life. I am the essence of my People, all people, any people who believe in the powers of Good and Evil. My powers expand beyond the sphere of understanding." Again Guinan nodded. Again, it was so. "But why Death, now?" she questioned. "It is the cloak I wear most at this time." "What has happened?" "Evil dominates my world. I am incapable of stopping Him. I ask that you return. I plead with you. You never once bowed to His power. You alone can put Him in His place." Guinan's eyes fell shut. She had turned her back on all of that, what? two hundred years ago? She'd sought out the harmony of what had been considered the unknown universe, and had found it. She did not want to leave. But this request ... "Yes," Death uttered. "This request is made by me: your apprentice, your successor, your heir. You cannot refuse." "I cannot," Guinan agreed. "Then we must leave now," he stressed. "Time may be on the side of what is Good and right, but Time also bows to Evil." "There are arrangements to be made," Guinan said, her mind racing. "I cannot simply disappear." A moment, then, "I understand. If you had simply disappeared from our lives without warning, chaos would have reigned." He waved his arm. "Epoch intervenes," he announced, "on our behalf." "You were so confident I would return?" "You have no choice," Death answered, and she knew he was right. ***** "Come," Picard called out and the doors to his quarters opened. Guinan floated inside. How DID she move so fluidly? he wondered as he attempted to hide his surprise at her unexpected appearance. Picard could count on one hand the number of times Guinan had sought out his counsel and still have more fingers remaining than used. Something, he mused, must have come of her - what had she called it? - her flash from the past. She'd said she would advise him if the incident proved worthy of additional comment. "Have a seat, Guinan," he offered as he put down the book he'd been trying to read and rose respectfully from his seat. "How are you feeling, now?" Guinan sat. "I am as always," she answered, "but I have a request." Picard's thoughts gyrated. A request! This WAS a first, but then again firsts dominated this evening. First she had fainted, for lack of a better word. Then she had tried to suppress his concern, and that was a first. At least he believed it to be a first. She must have been desperate to have acted so; to purposely control his thoughts, his actions; but now that he'd experienced a touch of her omnipotent powers, he would be forever forewarned. "Why did you attempt to quell my consideration earlier?" he demanded, in no way hiding his offense. "It was necessary," she answered, not in the least intimidated by his question, his attitude, or the fact that she had done exactly as he'd stated. Picard realized he would receive no further apology. "I needed privacy," she went on, "and it was not within my power to answer your questions at that time." "And now?" "Now I must leave the ship." "What about my questions?" "They will have to wait." "But you WILL answer them, eventually?" "If I return." "If?!" "If," she said, and nothing more. Picard was not satisfied, with any of it: her cryptic behavior, her evasive answers, or her request. But what was he to do? She was the one person aboard Enterprise who was not answerable, directly or indirectly, to him. She was not a member of Starfleet, nor as far as he knew, were her people affiliated with the Federation. She was a friend, yes, but he realized suddenly and with far-reaching clarity, that the terms of their relationship were dictated by her. "I assume you will not explain your request either," he stated. "Perhaps 'request' was the wrong word," she answered as she rose to her feet. "I am leaving the Enterprise, Jean-Luc, immediately." "What?! Now?! How?" "There is no more time," she said by way of answer and started for the door, "and I have my ways, my friend." The doors slid open. "May we one day meet again," she added and was gone, the doors closing soundlessly behind her. "She leaves as mysteriously as she came," Picard said aloud and wondered if they WOULD ever meet again. ***** "I am ready," Guinan said as soon as the doors to Picard's quarters closed. "Take my hand," Death directed. Guinan did so and immediately vanished to all but her undefinable companion. Together they walked, back through the walls of Picard's quarters, onward through the hull of the starship and into the black vacuum of space. Guinan watched Enterprise disappear in a streak of warp propulsion and then looked down. They were suspended in deep space. The stars shone all around them with preternatural clarity. She did not question the logic or illogic of what was happening. She simply accepted. "We go," Death uttered, and they did so. They did not move, as such. Guinan still stood unmoving at Death's side, still held his hand, while the universe churned around them. Individual stars seemed to wax and wane, some becoming brighter, some dimmer, all moving with a speed that was impossible. And, of course, it WAS impossible, except for the immortal; and she, like Death, had been touched by immorality. Many times had she travelled as such through the naked universe, both forward and backward in time. Many times had she come just to watch the majesty that was the expanding universe. But today she travelled back to her destiny, toward a battle with Evil. She should prepare, she thought, but one could never correctly anticipate what guise Evil would next assume. Still, she strove to attain the inner peace she knew she would need as she watched the stars, the galaxies, the very universe flash phenomenally and silently by. Then she saw it, instantly recognized it, the galaxy she had once called home. A ribbon of stars, its galactic center glowing brightly, sprayed out in the distance like a welcome mat. She felt her pride swell. This was not the galaxy of her homeworld, yet she felt a bond with this cluster of stars that went beyond what one felt for one's birthplace. This was a galaxy untouched by outside forces, a galaxy ruled as much by magic as by science, a galaxy she once had dominated. One star eclipsed all others. It glowed the strongest, shone the brightest, and was the pivotal essence of thirteen planets. Their destination: the central and seventh planet, Regulus. It was the heart of this galaxy, the soul of this galaxy, the master of this galaxy. No sooner had she thought it, then she saw it. They had arrived. TO BE CONTINUED ... Holmyard out Stardate: 9107.31 TSAO! #### -- "It's a matter of intelligence so your opinion is irrelevant." Q ar153@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Bonnie Q Holmyard) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!nott!cunews!freenet.carleton.ca!FreeNet.Carleton.CA!ar153 From: ar153@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Bonnie Holmyard) Subject: Deliver Us From Evil - Part II Message-ID: Sender: news@freenet.carleton.ca (Usenet News Admin) Organization: The National Capital FreeNet, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 15:37:17 GMT Lines: 852 Copyrighted 1991 by Bonnie Holmyard Deliver Us From Evil Part II QUOTE: "Don't let us make imaginary Evils when we know we have so many real ones to encounter." Oliver Goldsmith, The Good-Natured Man. ***** His angelic smile unveiled the instant He knew of her arrival, and He DID know instantly. He had sensed the power of her presence the moment she'd entered the galaxy. Somehow He restrained Himself. He fought the need to reach out to her, to caress her, to grasp tightly to that which had once been His, and, He was not one known for suppressing His desires. Still, for her He could wait. Time was but an illusion, and He, He was the Master of Lies and Illusions. He laughed at the certainty of that thought and by so doing set free a blasphemous maelstrom, fiendish and unnerving. It echoed through the lonely abyss of His lair, sent shudders of revulsion throughout His kingdom and reached outward and upward to those innocents beyond. All intuitively shrank at His touch, unconsciously accepting His presence while consciously purging all thought of Him from their minds. He was more than just aware of the reaction. He thrived on it. His smile returned, now diabolically angelic. Oh yes, He could wait. She had come, just as He knew she would, and this time she would NOT be leaving. Now all He needed He could take from her mind. And with one blink of His dark and destitute eyes, He did so, unerringly. ***** "And you say she just disappeared?" "Yes and no, Number One." Picard and his first officer sat side by side in their respective seats in the command well of Enterprise's bridge. The captain turned slightly to include the counselor in the conversation before continuing. "She did advise me she was leaving, and she's no longer on board, but she didn't use any of the ship's facilities to depart." "So how did she leave?" Troi asked. "She DOES have her ways." Riker was not satisfied. "Are you purposely being evasive, Captain, or is it that you yourself do not know?" Before Picard could answer Worf's deep voice intruded. "Incoming transmission, sir," the Klingon announced from his station. "Captain Saetik of the USS Bonaventure standing by." "I thought Bonaventure was still under construction," Riker commented aloud. "She's obviously been launched," Picard said. "Open a channel, Lieutenant." In seconds the main viewing screen was filled with a scene not unlike the one surrounding Picard. Bonaventure was another Galaxy class starship, one of the first to be commissioned since the Borg disaster. However, seated in the command well on the screen was the only officer to be seen on Bonaventure's bridge. Captain Saetik was surrounding by Starfleet cadets. Riker's eyebrows shot up like twin exclamation marks. Picard caught the movement from the corner of his eye as he tried to hide his own astonishment. What was Bonaventure doing this deep in space with a bridge full of cadets? Cadet training runs were, by regulation, performed in a space-seasoned vessel, never this far from Starfleet Command, and never without experienced officers aboard. "Captain," he began but Saetik cut him off. "Picard," he said abruptly. "You will bring Enterprise out of warp and have your transporter chief stand by." "On whose order?" Saetik's gaze shifted nervously off screen. When he next acknowledged Picard it was to speak only two words, "Commander Starfleet." Picard hesitated the briefest of moments. To say this situation was unorthodox was a definite understatement, but... "Make it so," he commanded. Instantly his orders were heeded. Saetik was again looking off screen. Then he was expelling a sigh of relief that could almost be felt on Enterprise's bridge. His eyes fastened back on Picard. "Excuse my bluntness, Captain," he said, "but the admiral is already on his way to our transporter room and I'd advise you to be in yours when he arrives." "What's this all about, Saetik?" Picard questioned. "You are wasting precious time, Picard," Saetik snapped and the transmission was ended. "Well!" Riker exclaimed. "Sir," Troi interjected, "he's suffering from excessive stress, and, I would surmise he has just transferred the source of his anxiety into your capable hands." ***** "He is gone," Guinan stated assuredly. She and Death were, for lack of a better word, 'orbiting' Regulus. Over half the planet was cloaked in darkness, and not the natural darkness of a planet's nightside. Night's terminus was obliterated by an inky blackness that radiated the putrid corruption of Evil's malodorous presence. "How can you say He is gone when such evidence of His proximity screams at you?" Death demanded. "I do not deny He has been here," Guinan contended, "but He is now gone." "Where?" She met the tenebrous emptiness of Death's gaze without grimace. "This I do not know," she admitted, "and it troubles me." Death stared at her. Nothing in his skeletal expression moved as he spoke. "You once told me it was senseless to worry about things beyond one's control," he said pithy. "I have acted on that advice time and time again, and, in this instance, find it worthy of recall. I suggest we take advantage of His absence to eradicate His contamination of Regulus." Guinan smiled. "Wisdom becomes you, my son," she said. "Shall we begin?" It could be said that a skeleton cannot smile, but there was no denying the smile that stamped itself on Death's features at Guinan's words of praise. "We begin," he answered and together they directed the cleansing power of their immortality at the planet. ***** "Admiral Blasberg," Picard said as soon as the Commander Starfleet materialized. "Welcome aboard the Enterprise." Blasberg stepped down from the transporter platform. "Under Article 47 of the Federation Articles," he began without preamble, "I hereby commission the Enterprise as the designated residence of a Military Staff Committee." Picard did nothing to conceal his astonishment. "There is a crisis?" Blasberg ignored the question. "You, Captain, shall escort me to my quarters where I shall brief you. Commander Riker," his hazel eyes captured the blue of the first officer's, "Yellow Alert status will be maintained throughout my stay aboard this flagship, and, no outside communications will be established without my prior consent." His eyes flickered back to Picard. "That IS a command order, understood gentlemen?" Picard nodded. Riker answered promptly. "Aye, sir." "Then, Number One," Blasberg asserted, "I suggest you return to the bridge and set course for Epsilon Eridani IV. Once there you will establish standard orbit and contact me before opening communications with Vulcan Space Control." "Aye, sir," Riker again acknowledged. He met Picard's bewildered gaze before turning to the honour guard who stood at attention. "Honour guard, dismissed," he stated. The six security guards responded instantly and Riker matched his step to theirs as they marched from the transporter room. Blasberg's disquiet gaze moved swiftly to Picard. "I'm waiting, Captain," he announced impatiently. Picard's composure did not slip further. "This way, Admiral," he said and led the Commander Starfleet out of the transporter room and toward the ship's visiting officer quarters. ***** "Epoch," Guinan acknowledged the timeless being who bowed before her. "I thank you for interceding on our behalf." Epoch rose to tower over Guinan. Tall, thin and gaunt, Epoch was the embodiment of time. "Time serves no master," the mystical being responded. "However, I am glad my services benefited your purposes." Guinan smiled, nodded and turned to the immortal who supervised the advancement of science. "You have been outwitted again, Sciolist," she said not unkindly. Sciolist bowed. In direct contrast to Epoch, Sciolist was short, plump and fleshy. "Evil is unstoppable, your Eminence," he said as he rose. "This cannot be denied." The beauty of the trio stepped forward. Medium height, petite in build and curved in all the right places, the Sorceress was the enchanted being responsible for the development of magic within Regulus's galaxy. "I foresaw this happening," she announced as she too bowed, "and warned your heir." She tossed the long golden hair from her eyes and stared at the immortal in question. "You see how he has not yet changed," she spoke the words no other had dared to utter. "He still wears the cloak of Death! If you had truly eradicated Evil's presence from Regulus he should reflect that cleansing. He should now be the Supreme One, the incarnate of Life!" Her eyes shifted back to Guinan. "You may have momentarily eradicated His presence, but I predict we have yet to face His greatest hour. And, your heir's appearance only confirms that fact." "You speak the truth," Guinan acceded. "He wanted me to return, but left when I arrived. Can you foresee why, where He has gone?" The governing body of Regulus had gathered on Mount Peerless upon Guinan's arrival. All had thrilled at hers and her heir's elimination of Evil's presence on Regulus, that is until they saw the Supreme One was still cloaked in Death. "I see only what He wants me to see," Sorceress admitted sadly. "He has grown in strength since your departure, Your Eminence. Like Sciolist says, He is now unstoppable." "That I cannot believe," Guinan asserted, "nor should you allow yourselves to believe it. Your faith in His powers only adds to His power. Your faith should unquestionably lie with the Supreme One." All looked toward the mystical apparition who was simultaneously Death and Life in their galaxy, the Supreme One. If Guinan could sense the council's scepticism, what could he sense? No wonder he had sought her out. She directed her boundless faith and unending love at him and for an instant saw the beauty beneath his mask of bone. "Focus on him," she commanded the others. "Bathe him in the love and devotion that is his due, and see the change." She felt the energy of their purpose and smiled at the results. The black of his robe was slowly turning grey. "Concentrate," she whispered and his skeletal features wavered. "His is the power." Piercing blue eyes now shone from the empty sockets. "He is goodness, virtue, purity." Dark skin unfolded, moulded to his features, his hands, his feet. "He is splendour." Black hair adorned his scalp. "See his beauty." His gown now glowed a brilliant white. "Feel his radiance." His smile was even more radiant than his clothing. "He IS the Supreme One." And he was Death no longer. Life stood before them, radiating vitality. Guinan bowed deeply and the assembly followed suit. "Half the battle is won," he spoke, and the icy heat was gone from his voice. Now it was music, the most wonderful music Guinan had ever heard. ***** Picard stared at the man before him not even trying to conceal his dissatisfaction. "With all due respect, Admiral, one could hardly define what you have just related as a 'briefing'. It amounts to nothing more than an itinerary of rendezvous points, and the order in which you demand Enterprise arrive at those points is far from expedient." "Are you questioning my orders, Captain?" "No, sir. I merely point out that a more efficient course plotting does exist." "I am well aware of the map of the galaxy, Picard, and you ARE questioning my orders," pause, "Captain." Picard recognized the unspoken reprimand and felt what little hair he had on his head bristle at the condescension of the admiral's tone. He did not like, appreciate nor feel deserving of such treatment. "But what of the crisis?" he forced himself to ask. "You have said nothing of the emergency that has brought you aboard Enterprise." "And I won't until I'm ready," Blasberg all but snarled. "For now I suggest you trot off to your bridge and instigate the course I have ordered." Fearing that if spoke now he would be accused, and rightly so, of open insubordination, Picard merely nodded and turned to leave. Before he was out the door the admiral spoke again. "And Picard, I am NOT to be disturbed for any reason until we arrive at Eri IV. Understood?" "Understood, sir." ***** Guinan slept, a restless sleep haunted by images of Him. Why had He provoked the havoc she had witnessed upon her arrival? She knew it was His immortal duty to propagate Evil in this galaxy. He WAS Evil. But the vestiges of His presence she and the Supreme One had aborted had been just that, vestiges of Evil. If He had wanted He could have permanently stamped Regulus in Evil, but He had not. He had halted His onslaught at a point where her successor could not reverse the situation on his own. Why? Because He wanted her to return. And she, she had done exactly as He wanted. That His powers had strengthened with the passage of time was irrefutable. So why hadn't her successor's powers grown proportionately? Instantly she knew why, because he had been forced to take the position before his time. And that was her doing. She should not have left when she did. And that was Evil's doing. He WAS unstoppable. So why had He left upon her arrival, and more importantly, where was He now? "I am with you always, My Beloved." Guinan moaned in her sleep as He appeared in her dream. He was as handsome as ever, more so. His dark features were perfection. The deep glitter of His cold black eyes, hypnotic. The steady vitality of His essence, irresistible. The smile that lit his face animated His flawless features into the angelic. "I am an angel," He said in response to her thoughts, "a dark angel, your angel." He laughed as He closed the distance between them, a laugh that sent shivers of passion through Guinan's being. Then He was standing before her, drawing her into the heat of His embrace. Guinan melted in His arms, turned her lips to His and He did not deny her. The desire His kiss ignited was as potent as it was repugnant, but Guinan could not deny the enchantment of His touch. He was her one true mate. "Yes," His alluring voice murmured in her mind as the seduction of His kiss continued. "I am yours and you are Mine, for time eternal." Guinan fought for control. "No," He breathed through her soul. "Do not fight the desire. Allow it to consume Us both. You have denied Me far too long." And Guinan surrendered. ***** "This is damn irregular!" Riker said hotly as he paced back and forth in front of Picard. "He arrives here alone, no entourage, via a newly commissioned starship manned by cadets, and starts issuing orders, with no explanation..." "He IS Commander Starfleet," Picard interrupted, "newly promoted or no. We may not appreciate his methods, but it is his right and his duty to evoke Federation Article 47, or any other, in any way he chooses." "The appointment of a Military Staff Committee," Riker quoted the Article in question, "whose purpose is to advise and assist the Federation Council on all matters relating to the military requirements for maintaining interplanetary peace and security. What crisis has precipitated such an appointment?" "That I cannot answer, Will, as he did not give me an answer. We must be content to follow orders." Picard's gaze shifted toward the Ops station. "Mister Data, what is our scheduled arrival time at Vulcan?" "Six hours at present speed, sir." "Maybe we'll learn more then," Riker speculated. "I sincerely hope so, Will," Picard said, yet for all his aspirations he knew he would be briefed as to the crisis details when the Commander Starfleet saw fit, and not before. ***** Satisfaction... was there ever a more inept description of the sensations that bombarded Guinan's essence? She had forgotten the ecstasy, the absolute delirium of His touch. "We are connected in touch, united in mind," He whispered as He stretched luxuriously at her side, "and each is stronger because of the union. You will stay." "I cannot." His dark eyes flashed. "But you WILL. You are My mate and I demand it of you." Guinan felt her rapture dissolve. "I left before because of your endless demands." "Don't force Me to use the malignancy of My touch on you, My Beloved," He cautioned. "You forget, my Evil One, we are equals. Your powers do not exceed my own." In one quick movement He was on His feet, and in that instant He was magically transformed. He stood before her in a flowing gown of ebony. Guinan responded in like manner, her gown the opposite of His. Forever opposites. "Opposites attract, my Devout One," he taunted, "and it's you who forget. You no longer reign. Our son now holds that position, and the ultimate power. I do and CAN overpower you." The calm before the storm had ended. The battle had begun. "Our son sides with me," Guinan stated righteously. "Together we can and WILL overpower you." His eyes glittered as He glared at her. A snarl marred His perfect mouth. "But he's not here now, my Pious One, and I am in two places at once." His snarl became a smile and this time there was nothing angelic about it. He pointed to the bed they had just arisen from. "Turn and behold," he commanded. Guinan did not. She could not now bow to His authority. "Look!" he roared. "You are there, asleep. I am in your mind, in your dreams. I already control you." NO! But even as she silently screamed her denial she knew what He said was true. She HAD been asleep when He came to her. Her head turned slowly, her eyes on His until the last possible moment, and when she saw what He wanted her to see, she was defeated. Instantly she was back in her sleeping body, but He was still with her. His ethereal laughter washed over her. "You WILL stay," He repeated maliciously. "You will sleep the sleep of the immortal, forever at My mercy. You are Mine." Guinan fought the panic that struck at her being. Panicking would serve nothing but Him. But He had said something... what? Remember! Concentrate! Meanwhile His taunting went on. "You knew when you returned it was to face your destiny. I am that destiny. Even We immortals follow a path that is, and always has been, marked out for Us. Your path and My path is, and always has been, the same path. You knew that the moment We met, eons ago. You did not just consent to be My mate, you wanted Me. You still want Me. I have just proven that and you cannot deny it. There is nowhere you can hide from Me." 'I am in two places at once'! That was it! That's what He'd said. And, if He were in two places at once His power would be divided. She could fight Him. His laughter again. "Fight me! Aren't you the least bit interested in where else I am?" Without warning a maze opened in Guinan's mind, a labyrinth of mirrors. Every which way she looked she saw her own sleeping image. "Behold," Evil chanted, "space, the final frontier." The mirrors now magically reflected such a space, billions of stars, galaxies unending, universe on top of universe, countless dimensions. "But what have we here?" Through the starscape glided the Enterprise. NO! she again silently screamed and this time the shriek was bounced off the walls of the maze and echoed back at her. "And what have we here?" The derision of His tone was infuriating but the power that was His was reality itself. A tunnel vision started, cut through the hull of the starship and went careening down the ship's corridors. Through areas she once had walked in peace she was now unmercifully yanked. Then came the nauseating halt - visiting officers' quarters. "Come in, Guinan." It was Evil's voice that sounded from within. Evil's voice that called the name she used in that other life. Evil's voice that prompted the doors to open and Evil's power that dragged her inside. The doors closed behind her as in front of her a chair swivelled to face her. And in that chair sat a Starfleet admiral, an admiral lost in the inescapable grip of Evil's perverted grasp. It was His eyes that glittered at her from within that admiral's face. His laughter that emitted from that admiral's lips. His voice that spoke. "Meet Admiral Daniel Christopher Blasberg Junior, my Righteous One," the admiral's mouth moved. "Shake hands with the new Commander Starfleet." *NO!* she silently screamed, now mindless of the ear-piercing reverberations. *You will leave him!* "Not until I'm ready," Evil jeered in her mind as again the admiral voiced the words. The effect was grotesque, unnatural, eerie. Guinan shuddered in revulsion. The taunting went on. "There is no need for Me to tell you I control this pitiful creature, just as there is no need for me to tell you he controls this ship and all ships like it. But I do tell you this, My Beloved. I tell you to stress My point, My power. Still, he is not your weakness." And again Guinan was entangled in the labyrinth of her mind. "This one is your weakness," Evil's voice cut through her consciousness, "this one!" And abruptly the mirrors reflected the image of Picard. Now it was the captain's eyes that glittered with Evil's presence, his mouth that spoke in Evil's haunting voice. "You have given Me My greatest weapon against you, my Precious One, and I WILL use it. I will destroy this one and all like him if you do not stay with Me." *NO!* She felt the tears that stung her eyes and could not speak for the tightness of her throat, but she needed no voice to be heard. *If You destroy them You destroy Your power over me,* she challenged. "But I now know of their existence, My Beloved." His voice came from everywhere, vibrating in her mind. "I now know all there is to know about their puny quadrant of the universe." His eerie laughter rolled over her again. "I like that word 'quadrant'." His mirth was undeniable. "Just the thought of all the quadrants that have never felt My presence, the thought of the Evil I can visit upon each and every mortal of each and every one of those quadrants, is enough to fill My life with purpose for eons to come." Guinan was horror-struck. She needed no magical mirrors to show her the devastation he spoke of, she could see it all in perfect, horrific detail in her mind. But the mirrors did reveal all that her mind depicted. The upheaval besieged her from within and without, and through it all Evil spoke. "And you have given Me this, My Beloved. You have placed all this within My grasp." His laughter again. "I have learned much. Do not doubt Me in that. And do not doubt Me when I say I can reveal to all mortals Evils the likes of which they have never dreamed of in their worst nightmares. Because I AM their worst nightmare, My Beloved. I am Evil, and I am unstoppable." *I WILL stop you!* His laughter became riotous. "You?! You think you can match or overpower Me! Think again, My imprisoned one!" And yet again the image in Guinan's mind changed. Now the maze reflected space again, and the starship. "Three," Evil called out, "... two ... one!" Enterprise exploded. TO BE CONTINUED Stardate 9112.24 Ho! Ho! Ho! And Merry Christmas! Holmyard out. TSAO! -- "It's a matter of intelligence so your opinion is irrelevant." Q ar153@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Bonnie Q Holmyard) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Path: tivoli.tivoli.com!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!nott!cunews!freenet.carleton.ca!FreeNet.Carleton.CA!ar153 From: ar153@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Bonnie Holmyard) Subject: Deliver Us From Evil - Part III (end) Message-ID: Sender: news@freenet.carleton.ca (Usenet News Admin) Organization: The National Capital FreeNet, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date: Fri, 21 Oct 1994 15:39:46 GMT Lines: 716 Copyrighted 1992 by Bonnie Holmyard Deliver Us From Evil Part III QUOTE: "Immorality lies not in the things you leave behind, but in the people that your life has touched." Author Unknown ***** "Bridge to Admiral Blasberg." The Commander Starfleet fought a battle he could not win. In spite of that knowledge, or rather because of it, he fought on. One minute he'd been heading home after a long but productive day at the office, and the next... the next he'd found himself sitting at the controls of a shuttlecraft! First had come disorientation. What was he doing here? How had he come to be here? Why was he here? Was he losing his mind? Then had come the terror, an emotion Blasberg had never truly felt before, still, he recognized the sensation immediately. Something alien was forging through his brain. He could feel its malignant touch, like rusty pinpoints, pricking here, piercing there, stealing information it had no right to know. He wasn't losing his mind. Something was taking it! Like on in a nightmare Blasberg watched himself move - from Earth to starbase to Bonaventure to Enterprise; issue orders - from all but commandeering Bonaventure to the outright expropriation of Enterprise; taking steps toward - he knew not what but through it all he fought the intrusion, tried desperately to make someone out there realize it was not the Commander-in-Chief they were responding to. Nothing worked. "Blasberg here." "We have arrived at Eri IV, sir," Picard's voice informed him, "and are being hailed by Vulcan Space Control." "Transfer the communication to my quarters and stand by." "Yes, sir." Blasberg heard the animosity in Picard's voice and felt his lips curl into a sadistic smirk. What do you want of us? he demanded again, but as usual he received no reply. ***** "Are you watching? Do you feel his terror?" Guinan shuddered. She saw. She felt. "Will you stay?" "No!" "Then watch this!" ***** The hair on the back of Worf's neck suddenly stood on end. Someone was behind him. Someone who shouldn't be there. He swirled, innately on the defensive, to find... nothing, no one! His dark eyes scanned the bridge. Nothing seemed out of place but he HAD sensed something and Worf did NOT scoff at Klingon instincts. "Captain," he began but in that instant the counsellor was on her feet, her hands clutching her head, and she shrieking. Depravity had its toxic claws clapped deep within her mind. Data responded with the speed of an android, faster than the Human eye could discern. *NOTHING IS AMISS!* The words were slammed into his positronic brain with irrefutable force. With calm detachment he turned and once again manned his station. Through the inhibiting shriek of terror that attacked her, Troi saw Riker leap to her aid but at the movement he transformed. He became some serpentine alien, his skin exfoliating into green flaky scales, his tongue, now long and forked, flickered outward, ominously, toward her. Worf felt a hand land on his shoulder, tighten into an excruciating grip and spin him around to face... himself! Instantly the image ploughed him in the face. Troi screamed all the more at the Riker-creature's rapid advance. She tried frantically to back away from him/it, but the talons of its hands captured her, pulled her close. The slimy tongue made contact and a flare of poisonous venom sliced through her sensibility. "CAPTAIN!" Riker roared just as Worf roared. The Klingon's yowl nullified all other sound as he sprang to his feet and charged himself. His every move was anticipated and countered. "CAPTAIN!" Riker yelled again. Picard turned slowly. Riker almost dropped Troi as the captain's eyes met his own. Contempt rushed from the unnatural redness of Picard's gaze to cut deep into the first officer's soul. *You WORTHLESS creature!* Stunned, Riker could only stare in disbelief as Picard snarled, his top lip almost reaching his nose in its obscenity. Then his deviant gaze moved upward, to Worf, and a surge of relief surged through Riker. Somehow he found the strength to fight for control. He knew not what was happening, but something was invading the bridge, something that had control over the captain, something that was right now focusing on Worf. "Data!" Riker yelled. No response. "Laren!" No response. No help. The rest of the bridge crew were oblivious to the invasion. All manned their stations as if nothing out of the normal was happening. Riker lowered Troi to her seat, vaulted the arc and started to race up the ramp. At least that had been his intention. One step and his feet just wouldn't move further. And the sluggishness was seeping up his legs, grasping at his stomach, tightening painfully, onward to his upper torso, his neck, head and finally the explosion into his brain. Numbness swept through his body. Still he felt the heaviness in his hand, was able to look down, saw the phaser, saw its setting: 'kill', saw the phaser aim, saw his thumb depress, saw phaser fire dance over the identical Klingons, saw them both promptly disintegrate. *Commander William Thomas Riker,* a voice boomed from everywhere, *for your treacherous actions in taking the life of a fellow Starfleet officer you are hereby stripped of your rank, summarily and dishonorably discharged from Starfleet, your name and record to be irrevocably wiped from all Federation records.* Riker turned the phaser on himself. "Scalpel," Crusher ordered and a laser scalpel was slapped into her open palm. A flick of the switch and the instrument hummed to life. The hum increased, and increased more, its vibration causing her hand to shake. A part of her screamed at herself to stop but the scalpel moved steadily yet shakily into position, directly over her patient's heart. "MOM!" Crusher's eyes flew to that patient. "Wesley?" she questioned just as he began to shriek. Her eyes shot back to her hand. The laser was burning its way through her son's chest, his heart and onward through the table he lay upon. Her wail of terror drowned out the last gurgling breath of young Wesley Crusher. O'Brien watched Keiko mount the transporter platform with the precious bundle of their infant daughter in her arms. "I'll join you soon," he said and Keiko smiled. "We'll be waiting." O'Brien spread his fingers wide, expertly running them down over the transporter controls. Simultaneously he watched as the beam took his wife and child away. Then, and only then, did he check the setting. The coordinates were set for deep space! To LaForge's ears came the ominous sound of an uncalled-for increase in the ship's throbbing engines. "Engineering to bridge," he shouted, but if an answer came he did not hear it. The engines were now reverberating at a deafening speed, screaming in torture with destructive vibrations. His VISOR- covered eyes watched in disbelief as a crack tore its way through the protective forcefield that shielded engineering, and the rest of the ship, from the deadly radioactive combination of matter and anti-matter. This cannot be happening, was LaForge's last thought as he was hit by a blast that fried his sensitive skin instantly. "Three... two... one!" Enterprise exploded. The mirror maze of Guinan's mind played each image over and over and over and over again. She saw each personal crisis, felt each blast of terror, lived each devastating destruction. And through it all she heard Evil's malefic laughter. ***** "He controls her," the Sorceress said resignedly, "has taken her thoughts, her memories and uses them to keep her captive." The governing body of Regulus were gathered solemnly around the bed upon which their previous ruler slept. Each of them had felt Evil's return. Each had immediately sought out the other. All had been drawn to Guinan's bedchamber. All now turned to the Supreme One for guidance. "Join hands," he said as he took one of Guinan's. "We journey to that realm that lies between reality and fantasy." "He can find us there," the Sorceress cautioned. "But it will take Him time," the Supreme One said, his gaze moving purposely from hers to Epoch's, "time we shall not allow Him." The timeless one nodded and the Supreme One looked back at his mother. "And she is there," he said with conviction. "It is the one true domain that has always been hers to control. She will resist His advent." His logic was irrefutable. In silence the circle was formed, hand to hand to hand. The bond was forged. "Close your eyes," the Supreme One commanded, "and experience." ***** The hair on the back of Worf's neck suddenly stood on end. Someone was behind him. Someone who shouldn't be there. He swirled, innately on the defensive, and for one split second saw five shimmering beings. "Cap..." "He is here and not here," the Supreme One asserted and pointed. "That one contains His essence but His vessel is elsewhere." "Seven levels below us," the Sorceress confirmed. "Take him," the Supreme One ordered. The split second ended. Another one started. "...tain!" Picard was no longer present. The immortals shimmered onto the material plane with one unresisting Human in tow. "That one is the vessel," the Supreme One said, indicating another Human, this one apparently catatonic. "Circle him." It was done. "Epoch, time must stand still." "He will know." "We have no choice," Sciolist argued. "If we break the circle in this realm our bond is lost." Epoch nodded and time became the illusion it was. Only the immortal could move, think or function. "He knows," the Sorceress announced, but in the time it took her to utter the words, hands were released, others captured. Once more the circle was endless. "We go," the Supreme One uttered, and they do so. The split second ended. Another one started. The counsellor was on her feet, her hands clutching her head, and she shrieking. Depravity had its toxic claws clapped deep within her mind. Data responded with the speed of an android, faster than the Human eye could discern. The orbs that were his optical units glowed with a pagan redness. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" He bellowed. ***** A pristine effusion swept through Blasberg's being... a bountiful purity... a savoured propensity... a welcomed awakening. He was himself once more. Then disorientation attacked, again! Where was he this time? Who were these people? Had he truly experienced all that he recalled? Simultaneously, the same pristine effusion swept through Picard... purity... propensity... awakening. He was himself once more, and when disorientation stuck, his eyes were focused on Guinan, a known if anonymous ally. "DO NOT release the hands that hold you!" Picard's grip tightened instinctively, his gaze moving from the unconscious Guinan to the one who had issued the order. "What's going on?" he demanded. "I am the son of the one you know as Guinan," the being answered. "It was I who called her away." "What's wrong with her?" "Evil controls her." Blasberg shuddered. A name, no matter how archaic, how absurd, how unthinkable, had been given his attacker. He needed no further exegesis. But Picard, Picard experienced a sharp return to a memory he cared not to recall - the gut retching terror, the forced acquisition, and worse still, the total indifference - and shuddered. "Your newfound enemy is our ancient foe," the Supreme One went on, not oblivious to the Humans' reaction. He had, in fact, counted on it. It explained far better than words just who the enemy was. "We cannot destroy Him, nothing can, but He can be defeated." "What does He want of us?" Blasberg asked. The Supreme One's gaze turned tenderly to his mother. "His mate." "You mean Guinan?!" Picard asked in utter astonishment. "We have no time for a history lesson, gentlemen," the Supreme One said. "Evil knows we have taken you. He will fight us for your return." "Why?" Blasberg demanded. "You sir, were/are Evil's vessel in your realm," the Supreme One explained, "and you sir," he turned to Picard, "were/are His enforcer. Can you offer any explanation for His choice." Blasberg answered immediately. "I am the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet, which I assure you is a position of considerable power." "And I command Starfleet's flagship, the vessel your mother now calls home." "You are her friend?" "I am." The Supreme One nodded. "Then you are her weakness," he turned back to Blasberg, "and you are His power. He attacks you, uses you, to make her bend to His will, but she resists. Right now he controls her through illusions but He can just as easily make those illusions reality." "His illusions are already too real for my liking," Picard felt compelled to say. "Amen to that," Blasberg agreed. "So what are we to do?" "You must put your faith, your very lives, in my hands," the Supreme One stated. "Can you do that?" "At least you asked," Blasberg said tightly. "That's a consideration Evil did not employ." "Time reaches the point of no return," Epoch announced. "Are we agreed then?" the Supreme One appealed. Blasberg and Picard met eyes. "We are," they said as one. "Each of you must once more bend to His control." Blasberg couldn't help but shudder at the immortal's words, as did Picard. "This time, however, we shall be with you. This He must not learn so fight His approach, otherwise..." "Now!" Epoch said and time, space and reality wavered. A Galaxy class, Enterprise, deck seven, visiting officers' quarters. Blasberg took immediate note of his new surroundings. Then his eyes captured the equanimity of the captain's steady gaze. Picard took a deep breath. Outwardly he may look calm, it was an expression he'd had many years to cultivate, but inwardly... HOW did one fight Evil?! "I am His power," Blasberg said. "It will be me He must first attack to gain back that power. Try to..." A blast of depraved debauchery exploded into the room, efficiently halting the admiral's instructions. Furnishings went flying. Human emotions were enslaved. Superiority had arrived. *YOU ARE MINE!* a voice bellowed out of nowhere, everywhere! "No more!" Blasberg shouted in return. Nihilistic laughter flogged the two Starfleet officers, terror its intimidating creator. *YOU WORTHLESS CREATURES!* Picard collapsed. He was the weakness, Blasberg thought, I am the power. I am the power. I am the power. The words became a litany, playing over and over again in his mind as his eyes searched, here, there, everywhere. There was no corporeal entity to contest. "I am apparently worthy enough for you presence!" he shouted. Without warning he was slammed into a wall, his invisible assailant flushing the air from his lungs. *I am the last breath you shall ever breathe!* The tightness in Blasberg's chest was suddenly released. Evil gushed into His vessel and was swiftly snatched away. ***** Guinan opened her eyes. He was coming, and swiftly. She could sense his anger and just had enough time to sit up, swing her legs over the edge of the bed before Evil blasted into existence, fury written all over His flawless features. The blackness of His eyes were all but obliterated by the angry red sparks that spoke of His desperation. She returned His glare, evenly, determined to show no weakness, and was succeeding, until the steady vitality of His essence reached out to stroke her in places she had forgotten He could reach. She felt the power He had over her, would always have over her, and understanding dawned. She looked at Him then, as if seeing Him for the first time. Oh yes, He was the embodiment of Evil, would be for time eternal, but He was much more than just that. He was her destiny, and she His. She had condemned Him to an eternity without His one true mate and He'd become driven, by love, to ensure the return of His love. No wonder He'd become so powerful. He'd been compelled by the one force in the universe that could not be denied, not even by Evil. And suddenly, with mind expanding clarity, Guinan's understanding deepened. Desperate He might have been, desperate for her, but not so desperate as to kill all chance of her returning to Him. He had known she would fight Him and had taken from her mind the knowledge He needed to win the battle. He'd flaunted that knowledge, bartered with that knowledge, and finally been forced to use that knowledge, but He had not acted without mercy. Yes, He'd instilled terror in those she sought to protect, but He'd done so as the Master of Lies and Illusions. He could just as easily have altered reality permanently. Still could. He smiled at her then, His angelic smile, a smile that said He knew her thoughts. His eyes glittered hypnotically as He held out His arms to her, and once again Guinan did not hesitate. She rose to her feet and floated into His exotic embrace. "You are right," she said as she rested her head against His chest. "I have denied You far too long?" "You will stay?" "I have another life, my love, one I simply cannot leave," she felt him stiffen, "but I will come to You any time You want me." "I want you forever." "Then forever it shall be." ***** "Come," Picard called out and the doors to his quarters opened. Guinan floated inside. How DID she move so fluidly? he wondered as he attempted to hide his surprise at her unexpected appearance. Picard could count on one hand the number of times Guinan had sought out his counsel and still have more fingers remaining than used. Something, he mused, must have come of her - what had she called it? - her flash from the past. She'd said she would advise him if the incident proved worthy of additional comment. "Have a seat, Guinan," he offered as he put down the book he'd been trying to read and rose respectfully from his seat. "How are you feeling, now?" Guinan sat. "I am as always," she answered, "but we must talk." She met and held the equanimity of his gaze. "It's time we spoke of Evil." A jolt of prescience streaked suddenly, violently, through Picard's soul. Image after image bombarded his awareness. As much as he knew he HAD lived the experiences, another part argued it had never, COULD never have happened! "You understand yet do not understand," Guinan said and offered her his hand. "Allow me to enlighten you." The End Holmyard out. Stardate -1/9201.20 and Happy Birthday to me! Please direct all screeching feedback via e-mail. -- "It's a matter of intelligence so your opinion is irrelevant." Q ar153@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Bonnie Q Holmyard)