... AND HAVING WRIT, MOVES ON ...
by
Susan Kelley
Guinehfara maneuvered her freighter, Avalon, out of warp. Just outside her viewscreen Jevailla's brilliantine rings pulsed iridescent red,
orange, purple, electric blue, and molten gold against the onyx sky. As she moved through the kinetic rainbow to dock at Starbase VII,
orbiting within Jevailla's outermost ring, she marveled, "I don't think I'll ever tire of such views ...
...no matter how long I travel in space," Ensign Pavel Chekov sighed to his friends. Lt. Nyota Uhura, Lt. Hikaru Sulu and Dr. 'Bones'
McCoy smiled gently in agreement. The aptly named Starbase bar, Outer Limit, offered front-row seats for the spectacular vista through
the lounge's viewport, directly in front of their booth in the back of the bar. Awestruck by the view of the rings, none inside the bar
noticed the small freighter, Avalon, beelining for one of the spaceport's docking bays.
The Outer Limit hosted few customers at this time of what was considered mid-afternoon. A blue-skinned Andorian on shore leave
huddled at a small table near the door and tossed back a frothy lilac-hued drink. In a large curved booth further inside the room four
Vulcans, whose science vessel was docked for repairs, solemnly discussed their latest data-gathering mission as they sipped elanberea
tea. At a corner table three Klingons awaiting transfer to The D'flerr passed the time imbibing boundless beakers of bloodwine and
bellowing of their exploits.
In their sequestered booth Dr. McCoy relaxed his lanky frame deeply into the booth's peacock blue targ leather upholstery. His
baby-blues sparkled with reflected ring-light as he finally broke the awed silence. "As folks who've seen dozens of worlds, it's amazing
we can still stare dumbstruck at a ringed world, isn't it?"
"A ting of beauty is a joy forewer, is it not?" responded Chekov. The booth's shadows deepened the hollows of his high Slavic
cheekbones, yet his face still looked little-boyish. He raised his shotglass of vodka. "To eternal beauty!" McCoy's bourbon highball,
Uhura's mug of African ale, and Sulu's shotglass of sake clinked with Chekov's. Uhura raised her delicately arched brows and smiled
gently as they stared at the cosmic kaleidoscope before them. Fascinated by her sensual Swahili features, Sulu grinningly admired both
beautiful views.
Suddenly Chekov slammed down his drink down and shuddered, his handsome face darkening with anxiety.
"What's wrong, Pavel?" Uhura leaned toward him in concern.
"I don't know vhat happened, Nyota. Suddenly I felt cold vash ower me and my heart began pounding." He placed both palms on the
table to steady himself as he chewed the inside of his left cheek.
McCoy patted Chekov on the back. "When my great-grandaddy had that creepy feeling he'd always say, 'A rabbit ran over my grave.'"
Chekov stiffly stammered, "Thank you, sir ... that is ... wery ... informatife." He made a deliberate effort to try to shake off the unpleasant
sensation. "In Russia we say, 'The wolf claws at the door.'"
Sulu interjected, "I don't think we Japanese have an expression for that cold skin-crawling feeling." He flashed his infectious smirk, which
usually lightened his too-serious Russian friend's mood. Uhura looked slightly worried.
Extraordinarily empathetic, she was well attuned to the young navigator's emotions.
Chekov's attention suddenly shifted to the Outer Limit's entrance, facing the central promenade, just as a human girl walked by. A very
petite girl who appeared no more than 12, she brushed her knee-length tiger-striped hair behind her shoulders nervously. She used this
gesture to surreptitiously glance behind her. Without knowing why, Chekov dashed toward her. After a few moments, his confused
companions followed suit. Just as Chekov reached the entrance, two figures in floor-length hooded gray cloaks approached the girl from
behind.
Chekov reached them just as the taller one, a Romulan male, lunged for the girl. As Chekov grabbed the would-be attacker's left arm,
the tiny female tapped her turquoise-blue metallic neckband. An electronic hum resonated as a forcefield surrounded her. As the first
attacker's right hand reached for her, the Russian yanked the attacker back with one hand as his other fist connected with the attacker's
jaw. As these two struggled, the second attacker grabbed for the girl but she easily evaded capture as her forcefield tossed him
backward three feet. As he regained his footing, the other Starfleet officers reached the scene. Chekov's nemesis shoved Chekov
backward. Then, in unison, both Romulan attackers dematerialized.
The tiny female stood agape, breathing raggedly. Chekov started to touch her arm and offer help, then remembered her forcefield.
"Could you turn ov the forcefield, please?" She stared at him with uncomprehending royal purple eyes such as he had never before
seen. The purple stare so surprised him that he gawked for a moment. "Please, little girl, could you turn ov the forcefield so ve can help
you?"
Suddenly her purple eyes flashed with anger. "I am not a child! I am 18, with two PhDs, three Master's degrees, and seven technology
patents including this personal forcefield!" Yet she belied her denial status by petulantly stamping her tiny little foot to punctuate her
statement.
Chekov visibly resisted the urge to rattle her tiny little teeth. "Apparently you don't want help!" He spun away as his ever-ready anger
surfaced.
Dr. McCoy tried to assuage the angry Russian. "Pavel, she's just in shock and terrified. She was nearly kidnapped. She doesn't realize
what she's saying." He patted her arm. "Isn't that right, missy?" He flashed his most friendly Southern country doctor smile.
Chekov immediately regretted his angry response and turned back to face her. In his usual mercurial manner, his emotions immediately
shifted. His wide-eyed concern could have melted dilithium as he took charge. "I am sorry if I insulted you. I understand that you vould
be emotional." He took her arm and patted her hand after she disengaged her forcefield. "Are you all right?"
Her legs began to buckle. Chekov caught her and held her until she could stand again. "I'm all right now," she insisted. She visibly
forced her features into an unrevealing mask. "I apologize for my inexcusable outburst. I was simply - disconcerted," she stated in an
oddly flattened unemotional tone.
As McCoy scanned her with his tricorder he surreptitiously studied her Amerind facial features: the epicanthic slanted eyes, high
cheekbones, and faintly copper-colored skin. 'Like the daughter of a Cherokee chief, right out of the Ancient West, except for her
red-gold hair,' he thought. But all he said was, "Well, young lady, you're fine physically--"
"My name is Guinehfara," she mumbled, still abashed at her irrational outburst toward her rescuers. She gazed at Chekov and her voice
strengthened. "I do sincerely apologize. I usually do not allow my emotions to overtake my reason in such an unbecoming manner."
McCoy harrumphed. "Oh no, now you sound like Spock! And you're not even a Vulcan." He put his tricorder away and said, "It's all right,
young lady. Under the circumstances, we surely do understand. My friends call me 'Bones' and this excitable young man here is Pavel
Chekov." He grinned at Chekov, whose cheeks flushed red. He pointed to the others. "This is Hikaru Sulu." Sulu grinned toothily. "This
genteel lady is Nyota Uhura." Uhura hugged the girl's shoulders. "Are you sure you're feeling all right now, Guinehfara?"
The girl nodded and smiled faintly. "Please call me Fara, as my friends call me."
Sulu asked, "Do you have any idea who those men were or why they tried to kidnap you?"
"I can only guess that they ... wanted to steal my personal forcefield generator. But it seems that if they had the technology to
manufacture it, they would just steal the technology and reverse-engineer it. Of course if they stole the technology, they still would not
possess the patents and would be open to lawsuits."
Uhura chuckled. "Honey, anyone willing to risk kidnapping a Federation civilian wouldn't worry about patent lawsuits!" she exclaimed, her
black eyes flashing humorously at the young woman's obvious naivete.
In the excitement, Chekov had forgotten his strange feeling of dread before the attack. Still he felt Fara knew more than she was telling
about the kidnap attempt. He had noticed how she turned on her forcefield before the men had accosted her - as though she feared
some sort of attack. He resolved to keep this feeling to himself at the moment, however. He said only, "We should take you to our
commander, Captain Kirk, and tell him what happened. He can provide security for you."
"No!" Fara exclaimed. Then she spoke more calmly. "There is no need for that. I have my forcefield and now that I am on my guard, I will
be quite safe. I also have several weapons on my ship. I will be quite safe," she repeated as though trying to convince herself.
Pavel could tell by her expression that she did not feel safe at all, but she obviously did not want official Starfleet protection. So he
resolved to protect her unofficially. 'After all, I am on shore leave for two more days.' He favored her with his most persuasive puppy-dog
look and sweetly asked, "Then vhy don't you sit down and have a drink with us, to calm down?" His chocolate brown eyes twinkled as he
smiled his little-boy grin. "I vould consider it a personal favor."
Fara hesitated but could not resist Chekov's wide-eyed charm. A gentle smile broke through her mask of composure. "That would be
pleasant. Thank you. I have completed my business here of delivering the personal forcefields. And I really would like to calm my
nerves." Nyota, Hikaru and Bones exchanged knowing grins and rolled their eyes. They quickly made excuses to leave, assuming their
favorite volatile Russian was anxious to charm his young 'lady friend' alone.
*************************************************************
Fara tasted the frothy pink Galaxian Chekov had ordered for her. "Mmm! It tastes like fresh cherries. What's in it?"
"A shot of fine Russian wodka, of course, and 8 ounces of fresh cherry puree and sugar made from beets - Russian, of course. By the
vay, you are old enough to drink, yes?" He grinned wickedly.
She simply smiled her faint smile in answer. "Thank you for the drink and the chance to relax. I apologize again for my outburst. I usually
do not allow my emotions to control me." Her purple eyes seemed to glitter like the rainbow-ring-draped starfield outside their viewport.
Her odd eyes entranced him. "Vhy do you not vish to show emotion? Emotions are human."
"Because allowing people to know how you feel can be dangerous. Some will try to manipulate them. That, too, is human." She scowled
slightly, then her expression returned to its neutral mask.
"Not eweryone...." He whispered as he leaned closer to her and impetuously kissed her. He was slightly surprised when she responded,
though hesitantly. Then he kissed her again. When at last they remembered to breathe, he had totally forgotten about asking her
further about the kidnap attempt. Instead he asked, "Vhy are you so afraid to be wulnerable?" as he rubbed his thumb along her high
cheekbone. He felt her stiffen at the question.
"Let us simply say I have learned from past experience." She looked away, avoiding his inquiring gaze.
"You seem to trust me even though you barely know me. Why?" He gently pulled her around to face him again.
"I just ... instinctively ... feel I can trust you," she stammered. She suddenly sat up straight and deftly changed the subject. "Tell me
about yourself. You are obviously Russian. What city are you from? How did you wind up in Starfleet?" She admired his square-fingered
strong hands as he lightly tapped his fingertips on the table, as if playing an imaginary keyboard.
His chocolate brown eyes twinkled as he noticed her watching his hands. He could not help staring into her purple eyes as he answered
her questions briefly. "I grew up in St. Petersburg. Our people vere traditional Russians. Ve kept old vays, the communal society. I
learned Terran in school, but my people speak Old Russian. Is vhy I have accent." He grinned impishly. He admired the way the ringlight
flickered upon her tiger-striped hair.
"Your accent is very attractive." She smiled shyly. She still stared at his hands, which now lay clasped on the table, noticing the fine dark
hairs along the backs. She blushed, then quickly asked, "So how did you end up in Starfleet?"
In the dimly lit bar, he did not notice her blush. "In school I vas always at the top of my classes, especially in mathematics, sciences,
computer programming. I then served in the New Imperial Russian Navy. Are you familiar with it?"
"Isn't it just a historical museum now?"
"In a vay. The Navy is not military any more. It restores and maintains old sailing ships. It sets some up in museums around the vorld and
sails them in exhibitions. Ve sailors followed the old naval traditions. I trained in all aspects of sailing a ship but my classification was
Navigator, same as on Enterprise, vhere I serve now. I luffed sailing the oceans but I alvays vanted to join Starfleet and sail the stars. I
vas accepted to the Academy, maintained top honors, and here I am," he stated matter-of-factly. "Now you know me. Tell me about you."
He saw her jaw clench slightly so he smiled his most disarming smile to assuage her obvious hesitancy.
Fara's voice again dropped into that oddly flattened monotone. "I grew up in a very small town, Watala, in what is now the Southeast
Quarter. My mother was mostly Celtic, Scot-Irish and varied European ancestry. My biological father mostly descended from French and
American Indian heritage. My mother and stepfather, in fact the whole town really, were New Fundies - New Fundamentalists, that is. Do
you know much about that so-called 'religion'?"
"I haff heard of them but I know not'ing about them."
"Well, let's just say they've reverted about 400 years. They restrict modern conveniences and technology; oppose all alcohol and drugs;
and think all should marry by 22 and reproduce by 23. Everyone must be an ecstatic member of the Church, and they distrust anyone
different in any manner. I consider it a cult, didn't agree with their views and I was certainly--"
She stopped abruptly, then continued. "When I was 11, my Aunt Cyn and Uncle Chaz, who lived in NewSouth on Mars, adopted me. My
mother was glad to get rid of me. I was equally glad to go. They changed my last name to theirs, Killeen. They had never wanted
children but were very good to me. Cyn always said I was never a child, just a miniature adult. They helped advance me to college at 11.
They also took me on runs in Uncle Chaz's freighter, The Avalon. They retired last year so they gave the ship to me."
Again Chekov felt she was leaving out some important facts but was too much a gentleman to pry. So he too changed the subject
adroitly. "Do you really think those two Romulans were trying to kidnap you for your forcefield technology?"
"They were not Romulans," she replied absently.
"Of course they vere," he insisted. "I know vhat Romulans look like."
"I'm sorry," she said abruptly in that odd flattened tone. She pulled some Standard currency from her pocket and tossed it on the table
as she rose. "I really must go. Thank you for helping me. The least I can do is pay for the drinks."
She disappeared so quickly that Chekov thought maybe she had beamed out. 'I should not have contradicted her just because she did
not believe they vere Romulans.' He sat for a moment, surprised anew at her seemingly mercurial moods. Then he briskly got up and
headed out into the promenade to try to find Fara. When that failed, he headed for the nearest Secured Computer Station. He logged in
with his Starfleet ID and began searching Fara's personal file.
*********************************************************
Chekov stared in disbelief at the computer screen. After an hour of searching, he had been able to glean only as much information as
Fara had already told him. It seemed as though she had slipped beneath the radar all her life. Even using his Top Secret classification
and all the computer tricks he knew, he could not access any further info. "Who are you, Fara?!" he wondered aloud. He then accessed
Starbase 7's files to locate her ship. The files indicated she had told the truth about her ship and her cargo of personal forcefields. He
located her ship's ID and commed her a message:
***Fara, I'm very sorry if I offended you. I did not mean to imply you were lying. I simply thought you were unfamiliar with Romulans.
Please accept my apologies and let me take you to dinner to make up for it. If you will contact Starbase 7's Central Comm Station, they
will forward the message to me.
Pavel***
Chefov wandered the promenade while he tried to figure out the mystery. Why did Fara seem like a ghost in the central Terran
personnel files? Why did she think the kidnappers were not Romulan when they looked exactly like Romulans? Most of all, why the hell
would they want to kidnap this woman genius just barely out of childhood?
His thoughts whirled as he passed through the galactic maelstrom that was the promenade. As always, he marveled at the variation of
species that filled it. The clothing colors and patterns swirled in a vivid mosaic. The smells from the various food-booths reminded him
he had not eaten in several hours. His high metabolism would force him to eat soon or pass out. He hoped Fara would respond quickly.
He passed by a store specializing in artifacts from various worlds. He stepped in to browse, thinking he could find a gift for Fara to show
his sincerity in apologizing. Almost immediately, a gleaming rainbow-hued crystal caught his eye. It reminded him of the planetary rings
outside the viewport. He stared at it, fascinated, for several moments. The rhythmic pulsing evoked a strange sensation in him. He
decided it would be the perfect gift for Fara.
Chekov had just left the store when he was paged over the intercom. "Pavel Chekov, please pick up your message from one of the
Secure Computer Stations." The page had repeated twice by the time he reached an SCS station.
***Pavel, I'm really sorry I snapped at you. You have nothing to apologize for, but I thank you for being so considerate. I would be
pleased to have dinner with you. I will meet you at the Outer Limit in 30 minutes.
Fara***
Chekov's grin lighted his way back down the promenade toward the Outer Limit as he whistled an ancient Russian melody.
****************
Chekov reserved a table for them and ordered a bottle of champagne, as well as a tray of hors d'houevres. He placed his gift for her in
the middle of the table; its glittering metallic gold wrap shimmered in reflected ringlight. He absently drummed his fingers on the table as
he watched the entrance. As soon as he saw her approach, he stood up, grabbed her hand, and kissed it in his most elaborate Old
World fashion. "You look marwelous!" he said as his eyes slid over her metallic copper colored tux-style blouse over a mid-thigh bronze
colored skirt and copper colored thigh-high boots. The metallic copper/bronze ensemble highlighted her tiger-striped hair.
She blushed at his compliments like a schoolgirl on her first date -- a situation uncomfortably close to reality for her. "Thank you, Pavel! I
am so pleased you accepted my apology. I apologise again that I reacted so badly. I am just accustomed to expecting the worst of
people. I find my expectations are seldom wrong so I do not always respond appropriately when someone behaves so pleasantly."
He pressed his finger against her lips to shush her. "Perhaps this vill improve your expectations." He handed her the gift.
She hurriedly ripped open the package like a child at her birthday party. As she saw the alien crystal, her eyes popped wide. "Oh Pavel,
it is absolutely breathtaking!" She gestured toward the viewport in which the Jevaillan rings glittered always. "The crystal almost looks
like it holds the rings inside it, with its flittering rainbow colors." She gasped at its beauty as she flicked the crystal from side to side,
catching the variegated ring-light at different angles in the crystal's facets.
Somehow the crystal seemed to pull her inside it. She forced herself to tear her gaze away from it to look into Chekov's chocolate eyes.
"I misjudged you -- and your friends -- and I am very sorry." She ducked her head and flashed an ironic grin. "I am paranoid but in truth,
sometimes they are 'out to get me'." She sighed and continued as they both sat down, "I going to risk confiding in you, Pavel Andreivich
Chekov."
Chekov jerked his head up as she used his middle name -- which neither he nor any of his friends had told her. "How do you know my
patronymic!!!" His brown eyes turned black with anger and distrust.
"I am about to explain that, as well as many other things you are probably asking yourself. I know you checked me out in the UFP
database." She nibbled on an hors d'hoeuvre as he cast down his eyes, flushed slightly, and nodded in assent. "Then you know I am an
'invisible', yes/no?" Again, he nodded.
"Well, you might as well know that I am considered an enemy to the Federation. At his shocked look, she continued, "No, I have
committed no crime, other than to be born different." She spat out the words. As his brows knit in a questioning scowl, she smiled
ironically. "I am a very dangerous girl, Pavel. I am a high-IQ, high-level telepath, with other unusual abilities, and no particular willingness
to be a helpless guinea pig in their experiments. Nor will I help them create telepath soldiers or spies. Pavel, I am telling you all this
because I trust you to keep an open mind and to do the right thing, regardless of your Starfleet brainwashing." She held up her palm in
a 'don't interrupt' gesture. "I need your help but I also need your silence. Can I trust you with my life, as well as that of several others of
my kind, Pavel?" She seemed to hold her breath as she awaited his answer.
"Virst, I am NOT brainwashed! I am Starvleet, yes, but I am an officer willingly, because I believe it is an honor. I believe Starvleet vill help
the people of the galaxy --" As she appeared to be about to interrupt, he held up his own hand in a 'stop' gesture. "BUT -- I feel you are
in danger; I have zeen people try to kidnap you, and I belief you suspect who is doing so and -- maybe -- you suspect vhy. I can tell you
are wery intelligent and I belief you are telepathic. I ... felt ... someting right before I virst saw you. I don't understand vhy you could
suspect Starfleet or the United Federation of Planets. But SOMEVUN or SOMETING is trying to kidnap you. I vant to try to help you.
Please belief zat." He clasped her small hands in his.
"I believe you, Pavel," she smiled weakly. "I don't have time to go into a lot of detail but suffice it to say that because of my special
abilities, and those others like me, Starfleet -- on the strongest urging from the 'good people of Earth,' of course -- decided that we may
be dangerous. They rounded us up and 'studied' us. Basically, they mentally cut us open to see what made us tick. My aunt and uncle
adopted me for that reason as much as to get me away from my parents and their extreme religion. I wanted to get away from my family
for many personal reasons, but also because I realized the danger Starfleet represented to me and my people.''
"Who are your 'people,' Fara?" Chekov asked. "You are human ... aren't you?" His expression revealed nothing of his personal feelings
at the moment.
"Yes, Pavel, we are all human. But my people are dramatically different. Maybe we're a step forward in human evolution. Or a step
outside human evolution. Maybe we're an evolutionary dead end. Or maybe we're the modern version of the platypus -- some bizarre
mutation. I honestly don't know. I honestly don't care."
She stared hard at him to emphasize her next words. "But I will NOT allow myself and others like me to be turned into experimental lab
rats by Starfleet or be accused as 'witches' to be burned at the stake by New Fundies, like the ancient Jeanne d'Arc. Yes, I have been
called a witch -- by my own mother at that -- and much worse. I won't allow this mistreatment to continue."
Her purple eyes darkened to near-black. "I was a very mentally mature 11-year-old when I and seven of my people were taken to
Starfleet to be 'studied'. One was my close friend at the time, Jonan O'Bannion. He, too, was 11. Like all of us, he was very mentally
mature with very small stature. He was blond, with eye color of a cross between lavender and blue." She smiled mournfully. "We were
not sexually involved but were VERY close, like two sides of the same coin. Can you imagine how close two people can be when they
can literally touch each others' minds?"
Chekov's expression betrayed nothing of his thoughts. He simply smiled and nodded, waiting for her to continue.
With a pained expression she continued. "My aunt and uncle had just completed the process of adopting me. I told Jonan about it and
begged him to come with me. I assured him Cyn and Chaz could adopt him too, though it might take a little while. Then Starfleet could no
longer force either of us to stay! The next day he vanished, along with the other six. I never saw him or the others again. My jailers said
he and the others left on their own. She stared into Chekov's eyes with a frightening intensity. "I don't believe he would have left willingly
without even saying goodbye!"
Chekov rubbed her shoulder in sympathy as silent sobs wracked her tiny frame. "Maybe he could not say goodbye, Fara."
"For whatever reason, I believe he was not allowed to say goodbye, Pavel." She used her table napkin to wipe her eyes and face. "But
someday I will find out what really happened to them. I have to!" Her face set in grim determination. "I believe they were killed, if not by
Starfleet, then by the New Fundies."
She smiled ironically at his shocked expression. "Oh yes. Do you not believe modern-day humans would kill to wipe out those who are
different, especially those who could not be controlled by normals? The two men who tried to kidnap me today were not Romulans. I
'read' them. They were humans surgically disguised as Romulans. That way, if they were seen or captured, no one would ever suspect
humans. Regardless of whether they were sent by the New Fundies or the UFP or Starfleet, or even another group that I'm not aware of,
disguising themselves as Romulans would prevent anyone from tracing them back to any human group that may have hired them.
Instead, the Romulans would be blamed. If the New Fundies are behind this kidnap attempt, this would also help bolster their claims that
humans should avoid becoming involved with alien species. The Fundies think that's a sin too, by the way -- along with almost
everything else, it seems." She sighed and laid her hands atop his, which were tightly clasped on the table.
They fell silent as the waiter came up and asked, "Would you like to order now?"
"Yes," answered Chekov. "Ve'll have two orders of Chicken Berlantine and two Kundini salads. Also, bring us two Galaxians, please."
The waiter nodded and left. Chekov asked, "So you truly believe the New Fundies, or Starfleet, are behind the attempts to kidnap you ...
and others of your kind?" His Slavic face turned dark as a Russian winter.
"I'm afraid I have no choice but to believe that, Pavel. Don't forget: I could read them; I KNOW they were human. However, I could also
read that they were working for someone else and they had no idea why this someone else wanted me." She suddenly looked very tired
and much older than her 18 years. "Look, I don't expect you to believe me. No one else does -- except my aunt and uncle. If you cannot
believe what I'm telling you, at least promise me that you won't give me away ... please?" she pleaded desperately.
"Of course, I won't reweal your secret! Also, I vill help you as much as I can, as long as you don't expect me to betray Starfleet."
"Of course not! If you can help me without compromising your career, I would be very grateful."
"Do you know anyting else about the kidnappers?"
"Only that they had the idea that they were acting for someone 'in a good cause.' Also, I don't believe they planned to kill me. Although
what their bosses had in mind, they didn't seem to know -- or care." She shivered. "I've been through New Fundamentalist 'exorcism' and
through Starfleet 'testing.' I will NOT go through either again!"
Chekov hugged her tightly and kissed her on top of her head. "I promise you I vill never allow anyone to mistreat you again if I can help
it!" He grinned his infectious little-boy grin and said, "I inwited you for dinner and the vaiter is bringing it now. How about ve eat first and
discuss strategy later?" He kissed her on the nose.
Fara smiled. "That is an excellent idea." She clasped his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I would never read you without
your consent, Pavel Andreievitch, but I still feel very safe around you."
******************************************************
"I promise you, we can trust Captain Kirk!" Chekov set his mouth in a thin line of determination.
"But he is a Starfleet captain! He will probably feel duty-bound to report me," moaned Fara.
"I vill speak to him first. If he appears unvilling to keep your confidence, I vill not let him talk to you. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Fara sighed.
"Now eat your dinner!"
"You sound like my Aunt Cyn!" Fara stuck out her tongue at him and laughed. Chekov was amazed how such a simple sound could
delight him so. He realized it was the first time he had heard her laugh. He picked up the fork and fed her a bite of chicken, then a bite of
salad, then a sip of her Galaxian. Then he kissed her, tasting the Galaxian on her lips. He continued feeding her food and drink until
every bite was finished.
Slightly woozy from the Galaxians, Fara mumbled, "Now see what you've done! You've made me drunk!" She slid down in her seat till her
head rested against his elbow. "I need to go back to my ship. Wanna come?" She then delicately passed out.
Chekov considered his options. He could return her to her ship, then leave her to her own devices. He could take her back to the
Enterprise and let her sleep in his cabin; then worry about what Captain Kirk would say later, not to mention what Fara herself would say
about waking up in what she probably would consider enemy territory. He could take her to her ship and spend the night with her to
make sure she was not threatened or injured in any way. He decided the last option made the most sense -- considering he had imbibed
twice as many Galaxians as had she and although he held his liquor pretty well, eight Galaxians stretched even his limits into the 'rather
tipsy' range. "Fara, you need to beam us back to your ship, love, so I can get you to bed."
"Oh yeah..." she murmurred. She groggily flipped open her communicator and punched in numbers. Once they rematerialized on The
Avalon, she tugged his hand and unsteadily led him to her quarters. She then collapsed onto her bunk, fully dressed. Chekov woozily
followed suit.
****************************************
Fara's ship computer gently chimed 0900 -- several times. Finally, Fara groggily reached over and slammed it off, bopping Chekov's
nose in the process. He continued to snooze, peacefully lying on his back with his right arm around her waist and her right arm over his
chest. Fara's eyes snapped wide open as she realized she had a man in her bunk -- and such a cute one, at that. She bolted upright
and gasped, trying to remember the night before. Her sudden movement woke Chekov. His brown eyes slid open, glided over her, and
drifted closed again as he murmurred, "Mmm..." His right arm clasped her tighter.
She sat very still and tried to force her drink-numbed brain to focus. Without realizing it her mind merged with his, searching his
memories to piece together the previous night's events. She blushed as she read his strong romantic feelings for her, then smiled.
Chekov evidently sensed her mind-touch because suddenly his chocolate brown eyes snapped open and he too sat bolt upright. "Fara,
are you all right?"
"Yes, Pavel, I'm fine..." She blushed a vivid crimson. "Are you all right ...?"
"Of course ..." He too blushed. "Umm ... did we ...?"
"No, Pavel." She glanced away. She felt totally unable to deal with the new situation of waking up with a man in her bed, even though
nothing had happened.
He took both her hands in his. "Are you angry? You had a bit to drink and I was afraid to leave you alone after the kidnap attempt ...."
"No, of course not! It's just that this is rather new to me .... "
"Bozhe moi! You mean ...?"
"Well, yes. I've never had a man in my bed before, even though nothing untoward happened. That's not a problem is it?" She looked
much like a child who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"No, of course not! I'm just surprised .... You are not angry?" He looked so frightened, Fara could not help thinking he looked
considerably younger than his 21 years.
"No, Pavel, I'm not angry at all. I just don't know what to do since I've never encountered this situation before."
He smiled boyishly. "You don't have to do anything, love." He leaned over and kissed her deeply, pulled her back down onto the bed,
and snuggled up closely to her as he wrapped his arms around her waist again. They quickly dozed off.
****************************
When they awoke again at 1200, they both smiled lazily and gazed deep into each other's eyes. Fara broke the silence first. "Pavel, are
you sure talking to Captain Kirk is the right thing to do?"
"Absolutely!" He nodded energetically, trying to reassure her with his own confidence. Then he smiled. "By the vay, vould you mind if I
took your ship out for a spin? I haven't had a chance to pilot a freighter since before the Academy. Also, you seem to have added many
options."
"Oh yes! Cyn and Chaz sometimes encountered pirates on their runs so they strengthened everything: shields, forcefields, armaments,
warp drive, even the NAV controls."
Chekov beamed like a child with a new toy as he sat down at the console. He expertly slipped them out of space dock and into open
space. He turned to her and asked, "Is there any special direction you'd like to -- "
Suddenly, the ship rocked with the impact of a blast from photon torpedoes. "Bozhe moi!" Chekov exclaimed for the second time that
morning.
"Don't worry, Pavel. This ship can withstand almost anything!" Fara jumped up and ran forward ship to the NAVCON room. "Shields
holding," she announced as she checked the numerous readouts.
Chekov's fingers flew over the NAVCON controls. "You do not mind if I try ewasive maneuwers to spare your ship from some of the
veapons' impact?" He had already begun manipulating the controls without giving her a chance to answer.
"Fine. You handle NAVCON while I handle shields and defense," Fara answered. For several minutes Chekov dipped and dived the
small freighter in madcap maneuvers while Fara fired back with full force. When she scored a direct hit, the attacking ship quickly
disengaged and fled at Warp 12!
Fara noted, "They have much faster warp capability than the standard Starfleet vessel." She tapped several keys, calling up all the
computer's info on Starfleet ships and their capabilities. "This is not like anything I'm familar with. Do you recognize it?" She turned to
Pavel. She froze at his shocked expression.
"I'm familiar. That vas a new prototype Starfleet vas not plannig to implement for three more months. But it vas slightly different from the
tech specs I saw." He chewed his lip as he considered this new information. "I just can't believe Starfleet is inwolwed in this!"
He turned to face her. "Ve must talk to Captain Kirk. He can access information about Starfleet and its missions that I cannot." When he
saw her expression darken he added, "Fara, you must trust me. You know I vill not do anyting to hurt you. I -- I care about you very
much. Please trust me. You can read me if you need to." His chocolate eyes flickered with inner fire.
"All right, Pavel. Just please understand -- I'm literally placing my life in your hands - and your captain's."
*************************************
After they redocked Fara's freighter and beamed onto Starbase 7's promenade, , Chekov commed Sulu. "Hikaru, are you, Nyota and
Bones still on the Starbase?"
"Yes, Pavel, we're having breakfast at Dinata's. Do you and Fara want to join us?"
Chekov did not miss the amused teasing note in Sulu's voice. He glanced at Fara questioningly. When she nodded, he replied, "Yes, ve
vill join you all."
Chekov led Fara to the familiar restaurant at a brisk pace. They quickly located Chekov's shipmates and joined them. Fara noted the
restaurant also had a ceiling window that revealed the wondrous rings. As she marvelled at them again, Chekov signalled for a waiter,
who promptly took their orders. Then he briefly recapped Fara's story for his friends. "So I tink it vould be best to give Captain Kirk all
our information and see if he can find out if Starfleet or the UFP is behind this. Doctor, you know the captain better than anyone. Do you
tink this vould be best?"
Dr. McCoy frowned slightly as he considered all that Chekov had told him. "I don't really see any other option, Pavel." McCoy smiled at
Fara, "I'd hate to see anything happen to you, young lady, and Jim can provide official protection for you until this matter is solved. He
can also research Starfleet classified information." He hesitated and frowned slightly again.
"What are you not saying, Doctor?" Fara knew he was withholding something but did not want to invade the privacy of one of her new
friends by surreptitiously scanning.
His Southern drawl became even more pronounced as his concern grew. "Well, Fara, if he meddles in Starfleet data banks for
information on you, they might figure out you're here. If someone or some group in Starfleet is behind all this, they could demand that
Jim turn you over to them -- and he'd have to do it." His large blue-gray eyes clouded at this thought.
"But he wouldn't do that, would he?" exclaimed Uhura, her black eyes snapping with worry. "Couldn't he make up some story to explain
his inquiries?" Her elegantly arched brows drew down in a frown.
"Yeah, we could report the attempted kidnapping we witnessed, and we could all claim that Fara disappeared afterward. While she stays
on Enterprise for her own safety, she could even leave her ship docked here at Starbase 7 in one of their secured docks so nobody
could track her by her ship!" Sulu's wide grin and flashing black eyes punctuated his statements.
Uhura's finely planed face lit up at this idea. "Surely Captain Kirk would not allow Fara to be endangered. He would go along with that
under the circumstances, wouldn't he, Len?"
They all waited anxiously while McCoy considered this. "Yeah, I reckon he would." He grinned laconically. "God knows, Jim has bent the
truth on more than one occasion for what he thought was right."
The food arrived and they finalized the details of their plan as they ate. Sulu grinned and nudged Uhura and McCoy when he noticed
Chekov and Fara feeding each other: Fara offered him a sample of her spinach/mushroom omelet as Chekov shared a bite of his blinis.
They gazed raptly into each other's eyes as they enjoyed the food. All three friends rolled their eyes and grinned hugely, as the two
lovers continued in ignorant bliss.
***********************
Kirk listened intently, his expression betraying nothing, as Chekov related Fara's tale. His hazel eyes surreptitiously studied Fara's face
throughout the account. "I see. Yes, as a Federation citizen who has been attacked with the intention of abduction - twice - as witnessed
by my crew, I am authorized to offer you protection. I can also check into your suspicions about Starfleet's or the UFP's involvement, or
that of the New Fundies. If I find validity to these suspicions, I will keep your whereabouts confidential and take steps to bring this plot
out into the open."
Then he frowned. "However, if I find there is no such plot, or that you have misled me about the situation, I will be forced to notify
Starfleet. Do you understand?!" He watched her face carefully as she stared deep into his eyes, then suddenly added, "Don't waste
your time trying to scan me. Not only is that an invasion of my privacy, but Spock has taught me ways to detect scanning and to guard
against it."
He stood up and towered over the diminutive woman. "If you ever try anything like that again without permission, either on me or any of
my crew members, I will throw you in the brig for assault and turn you over to Starfleet myself." He barked, "Is that understood?!"
Fara visibly trembled; Chekov grasped her arm reassuringly. "I apologize, Captain," she said. "I meant no harm. I only tried to make sure
you were being honest with me. However, you are correct that such behavior is wrong. That is no different than the way Starfleet treated
me and others like me." She stood up straighter. "Your crew members that I have met have all assured me you are an honorable and
fair man. That assures me that I can trust you. Thank you for your protection and your help."
"I'm glad we understand each other." Kirk finally smiled. "Mr. Chekov, please help arrange quarters for this young lady." Chekov nodded
briskly and he and Fara left the bridge. "Bones, Sulu, Uhura, I know you all witnessed the first attack, along with Chekov. Did any of you
notice anything that might give us a clue who they really were?"
McCoy answered for them all. "No, Jim, they looked like Romulans but you know as well as I do how easily such appearances can
deceive." He grinned wickedly. "I remember you sporting pointed ears for a while, once upon a time."
They all chuckled, including Kirk. Then his expression turned serious again. "Sulu, Uhura, you can return to your shore leaves if you
wish." As they left the bridge, he spoke directly to McCoy. "Bones, do you believe her story? Honestly believe it? Because I have to tell
you, her suspicions of a Starfleet plot sound fantastical to me!" His jaw tightened as he considered the situation.
"Yeah, I do, Jim. My gut tells me she is exactly who and what she says she is." he answered vehemently. "It's obvious that she is
telepathic. Also, the parts of her story about designing the personal forcefield and delivering them to the Starbase checked out. We
asked a few questions while Chekov 'wined and dined' her." He grinned and winked.
Then the doctor's expression turned serious again. "You know, you could ask her to submit to a mind meld with Spock. Being telepathic
herself, she should be willing to do so if that would help ease your mind." He patted Kirk on the arm. "Now if you don't mind, I still have
two more days of shore leave myself. And there's a shop on the base full of all kinds of interesting artifacts and knickknacks. With all the
excitement, I didn't get to check it out yet." He ambled off the bridge, as Kirk called Spock over from his science station.
After briefing Spock on the situation Kirk asked, "Would you be willing to mind meld with her if she agrees, Spock?"
"Certainly, Captain. I find her story quite fascinating. If members of the human race are evolving in such a manner ...."
"Yes, Spock, that would be a wondrous event -- but it could also be a disaster for those like her if the wrong people tried to use or abuse
these people." He chewed his lip.
"Especially if she is correct that someone in Starfleet might be involved in the attempts to abduct her." Spock voiced Kirk's unspoken
thoughts.
**************************************
"These quarters are not so nice as your own ship but if you need anyting else, I vill be happy to try to get it for you." Chekov pulled her
into an embrace and gently kissed Fara.
She dropped her long cylindrical bag onto the dresser and hugged tight against him. "Thank you so much, Pavel, for everything." She
stood on tiptoe and kissed him again, adding, "I have everything I need in my bag - clothes, toiletries, and my comp. I downloaded all my
files from the ship's computer and securely erased everything, including my nav and comm logs. I also 'locked down' my ship with all the
extra security protocols Cyn and Chaz had added, in case it ever fell into the wrong hands. They would not be able to accomplish much
with it then," she grinned.
"A vise precaution," he murmurred into her ear. As they embraced for a long passionate kiss, Chekov's comm badge chirped. "Mister
Chekov, are you with Miss Killeen right now?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Will both of you meet me in the Council Room with utmost speed, please?"
"Yes Sir!" They answered and sighed in unison, as they headed to the meeting. They entered the Council Room just as Spock said,
"...should be able to discern that, Captain."
He and Kirk both turned toward the door as the couple arrived. Kirk wasted no time in explaining his proposal. "Miss Killeen--
"--Fara, please, Captain Kirk. Only my professors at university used my surname."
Her strange purple eyes distracted him for a moment. "All right, Fara, I want to introduce you to Mr. Spock here." Kirk gestured toward
Spock. "He is a Vulcan. You are familiar with their race?"
"Yes, Captain. There were some Vulcans in some of my classes at university. Her hooded eyes did not reveal that she already knew why
she had been called in.
"Good. Then you know they have a telepathic technique called a mind meld."
She nodded. This was exactly what she expected. 'But that is not unusual. He needs to know I am telling the truth.'
As she and Spock entered the mind-meld, she forced herself not to hold back. Fortunately, he was discreet and only attempted to
access the memories related to the attacks. When he withdrew from the meld he addressed Kirk. "She is telling the truth as she knows it,
and all of the truth as she knows it." He stoically clasped his hands behind his back.
"Very well. I will consult Starfleet files and see what I can find out. Spock, come with me please. You two are dismissed."
*******************************
Kirk scowled mightily as he and Spock studied Fara's confidential personnel files on the comp screen. "She was telling the truth about
being studied by Starfleet's Science Division on Earth, like a lab rat!" He pounded his fist on the table.
"Yes, Captain. It appears they were trying to isolate the genetic modules that gave these people their powers. It also appears they were
trying to persuade these people to use their powers against other races for the benefit of humans -- and that these people resisted this
persuasion."
"Do you think they may be Human 2.0, Spock? Or are they simply random mutations?"
"Impossible to determine without further data, Captain. But either way, they should not be confined, experimented upon, or forced to
perform any actions against their wills."
"Of course not!" Kirk snapped. Noticing Spock's raised eyebrow, Kirk added, "I'm sorry, Spock. I just can't believe Starfleet would be
involved in such unsavory behavior."
"They are frightened, Captain. And humans often behave irrationally out of fear."
"Well, at least there is no indication Starfleet is involved with these attempts to abduct her."
"True, Captain. However, Chekov's recognition of the attacking ship as a Starfleet prototype suggests some type of involvement."
"I know, Spock, but I am not willing to make that assumption without further evidence."
****************************
Chekov led Fara back to her quarters, then stopped at her door. "Do you want me to stay with you for a while?" He smiled seductively as
he kissed her with fervor.
She kissed him back just as intensely, then answered, "That won't be necessary, Pavel. If I'm not safe on a Federation starship, where
am I safe?"
"Of course you are safe, Fara. I just thought you might want some company." His heavy-lidded eyes smoldered.
She smiled suggestively. "I'd love some company, Pavel -- a little later. Right now I feel exhausted from the mind-meld -- and more than
a little disoriented. How about we have dinner later, after I take a nap and clear my head?"
"Of course, love. I'm sorry I didn't realize you vere so tired. I'll be here at 1800, yes?"
"Oh yesss," she murmurred as he smothered her answer with a farewell kiss. He left as she entered her quarters, dropped onto the bed
on her belly, and closed her eyes. She slept for less than 30 minutes when she felt an odd prickling sensation all over her body. The
crystal necklace Chekov had given her seemed to vibrate in an odd manner as she groggily opened her eyes to find a blond young man
standing at the foot of her bed. As her eyes focused, she suddenly recognized him. "Jonan! What are you doing here? How did you get
here? Where have you been?!"
Jonan grinned lazily and answered, "As for how I got here, I simply beamed in. As for where I've been, It's a very long story. Let's just say
the inmates took over the asylum -- and staged a breakout." He grinned the same odd laconic smile. "I tried to get to you so I could bring
you with us but some of the guards spotted us and we had to make our stand right there. It wasn't much of a battle since The Unawares
are so easily confused and controlled. But there were only seven of us so we could not keep up the mind blocks for long."
Fara countered, "Why didn't you come back for me, or at least let me know what had happened? I thought you were dead, dammit!" She
felt an odd calm settle over her and realized Janon was directing the emotion directly into her brain. "Stop it! You have no right to enter
my mind without permission!" She mentally erected walls around her mind, blocking him out. Strangely, the crystal necklace seemed to
magnify her abilities. She sat up ramrod straight and crossed her arms tightly across her chest in a physical barricade as well.
"Oh, Fara, please don't fight me. I'm only trying to calm you!" He moved toward her but stopped when she kept her arms tightly crossed.
His face fell and his odd smile vanished as if it had never been. "I told you why I couldn't contact you when we left. I couldn't risk
contacting you afterward because Starfleet could track us down. That's why I sent mind-programmed Unawares to find you and bring
you to me. But your little Starfleet friends botched that," he sneered. His attractive face turned ugly as he glared at her. "Then last night
I tried to make it look like some unknown rogue agents had nabbed you by trying to disable your ship and beam you out once the
shields were down. But again, one of your Starfleet friends blocked me. Some of these Unawares are not as stupid as they look." He
smiled again and dropped his arm around her stiff shoulders.
Fara felt that odd prickling sensation ripple across her flesh again. It seemed to be magnified by the crystal necklace. "Why have you
come for me now, after letting me think you dead for the past seven years?" She felt the tears pressing against her eyelids again but
fought them back. She shrugged off his arm and stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Isn't it obvious, Fara? I want you to join us. We need you -- and you need us!"
"Join who, Jonan? Who is 'us' and why do you think we need each other." She forced her voice to remain flat and unemotional.
"'Us' refers to the other people like us who escaped with me, Fara. We will be the head of the New Order. We will control the Earth and
its people, instead of them controlling us. We are the future of the human race. It is time to summon the future."
Fara felt the prickling situation turn into full-blown panic as his true feelings swept over her. He planned to use the others -- and herself
if he could -- to take over the Earth and rule it, by using their telepathic powers. As she read him, she realized he and his cohorts truly
believed themselves to be superhumans -- superior beings destined to rule Earth!
"I can't go with you, Janon. This is not the way to fulfill our destiny. We are just people, not super beings. We have special gifts, yes, but
this is not the way to utilize them! Surely you realize this is not only impossible, but it's wrong! We would be treating the other humans as
poorly as Starfleet treated us when they locked us up like guinea pigs. We should be trying to help Earth, not trying to control it."
Janon's smile turned sinister. "If you don't want to be part of the future, Fara, you'll wither away with the past." Then he beamed out as
abruptly as he had appeared.
****************************
Chekov's eyes blazed as Fara related what happened. "Ve vill tell Captain Kirk and he vill notify Starfleet. Jonan and his terrorists must
be stopped!"
Fara sighed and suddenly looked much older than her 18 years. "How can Starfleet stop an enemy who can read their minds, know their
every move beforehand, even control their every move?" Her usually unemotional voice quavered with fear.
"I don't know, love, but ve have to act now. Vith all of Starfleet vorking on this, ve vill find some vay to defeat them." He stroked her hair
soothingly. "Besides, ve have you as a secret veapon." He grinned mischievously, then grew somber again. "There vere only seven of
them who escaped but others may join them. With you to help us, and the Vulcans who are also telepathic, ve should have a strong
chance against them. But ve must go see Captain Kirk immediately." He hugged her tightly, then pulled her to her feet.
"I know, Pavel. I just feel so tired. After the last 18 years of nearly constant turmoil in my life, I hoped life would be easier now. She
sighed as she followed him out the door. " 'The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on ...' as Omar Khayyam stated so
eloquently," she mumbled.