Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: Wed, 12 May 2004 17:10:38 -0400 In: alt.startrek.creative From: kdj2020@webtv.net (Kevin Johnston) Title: Worlds Move On Author: Kevin Johnston Series: Shadows And Suns, my own DS9 and TNG alternate universe that now also incorporates some elements of Rob Morris' "Ancient Destroyer" cycle and the original series. Rating: PG-13 Archive: yes for ASC Feedback: Wanted and welcomed, by post or by e-mail AUTHOR'S NOTE: Though I never share personal information within the group, I am making an exception, just this once. My recent inactivity here on ASC is due to two reasons. One, I am dealing with the emotions of admitting to myself that I am not, sadly, quite right from a mental standpoint. I have been diagnosed, as of four months ago, as having a schizotypal disorder. Medication, Thank God, is a tremendous help, as is the love and support of my wife, family, and friends. Two, is the fact that 28 days ago, my wife nearly passed away. She is, again, Thank God, recovering nicely. We have, these past 4 weeks, been holding onto each other for comfort and support. And we have begun, as worlds do, to move on... Kevin Johnston Chapter 11 OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER, BAJORAN GOVERNMENTAL COMPLEX---- Earth Date: December 25, 2383 A neat and well-organized office was the hallmark of an efficient leader, she believed, and so, kept her work area free of clutter, free of confusion. Finishing the last paragraph of the speech she was due to give later in the day, she buzzed her aide for his attention. "Yes, First Minister?", his voice rang out. "Send her in." "Yes, First Minister." Tapping her screen off, Winn watched as Kira Nerys strolled into the room, all business. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?", Kira demanded, as she pointed to the PADD she carried in one hand. Placing herself in front of Winn's desk, she thrust the PADD onto the desk. "It's my latest directive, child. Does it disturb you?" The younger woman shook her head, in disbelief. "Disturb me? It more than disturbs me. It sickens me, and if you don't revoke it, you can have my resignation." "It serves the greater good, and it stands. But, please, child, consider your actions with care. On this founding day of the Human religion, consider the need to preserve the purity of our own faith." That argument, Kira would have none of. "And since when is our faith impure?" Winn stood, and the resemblance between herself, and her counterpart's descendant with the same name, hit Nerys hard. "There are those who doubt the return of the Prophets. Such ones must leave this world, to return never more." "And whose fault is that? Who refuses to allow any ships into the wormhole to run sensor scans? You, First Minister." "The Celestial Temple must remain sacred and untouched. The Prophets decree so." "And what do the Prophets say about the Klingons?" Sitting back down, Winn remained calm, composed. "All is fulfillment of prophecy." "You know, I'm getting tired of hearing that. You managed, somehow, to rise from being a nobody in a backwater province, to become Kai, and then, to become First Minister. I won't pretend for one second to understand how you pulled it off. But you're here, and you're in charge. That, I understand. I know that you're trying to unify all of Bajor, which is a worthwhile goal. A goal I've helped you work towards, helped you come close to achieving." "At last, something we can agree on." "But the way you're doing it, the way it's changed...forcing those who disagree with you into detention camps-" Winn interrupted, with that firmness of voice that Kira knew all too well, as she spoke. "Only a few have been detained, and they will be set free to leave with the others." "But, this isn't how it started out. You told me that there would be room for those who chose to dissent. You told me no one would be hurt. Since then, how many people have just dropped out of sight?" "That, my child, is not my doing." Raising her voice, Kira pressed on. "That's exactly my point! You've whipped up such a frenzy that people feel justified in taking things into their own hands!" "Restrain yourself, child. The wisdom of the Prophets is mine, and you can not begin to comprehend its mysteries." "And that's another thing. Don't call me "child". "If such offends you, I shall offend no more. But, I must ask of you...do you deny the nearing attainment of unity? Do you deny the cleansing of our collective souls?" "You've come close to unity. I can't deny that. But, anything that forces Bajorans away from this world, or drives brother to kill brother, can only stain our souls, not cleanse them." "Then you seek to oppose me?" "I do. I quit, First Minister. Find someone else to do your dirty work." "Guards!", Winn called out. They answered the call, swiftly, taking Kira into custody before she could draw a breath. As they began to drag her away, she began talking again. "Winn, you can't make me just go away. I won't be "disappeared"!" Winn flashed the guards a signal, and they turned Kira to face their ruler. "I have no blood on my hands, and intend for that to remain so. Your experience will be put to use...as captain of the relocation fleet." -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Awards Tech Support http://www.trekiverse.us/ASCAwards/commenting/ No Tribbles were harmed in the running of these Awards ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion. Comments and feedback should be directed to alt.startrek.creative or directly to the author. Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ From ???@??? 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