Coming to a Resolution

Posted on Tue Apr 30th, 2013 @ 3:38pm by Captain Tobias Naros & Lieutenant Aniela Darvetti

Mission: Episode 1.1 - "MystiQue"
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Yorktown
Timeline: Mission Day 04, 1749 Hours

ON: [[Observation Lounge, USS Yorktown, Mission Day 04, 1749 Hours]]

Legion (PNPC) paused, not terribly inclined to finish off her...conversation with Q Junior and Captain Naros. For her, time meant little; the result was the important part. Likely that was why their discussion had lastest as long as it had. She got the impression that the young man guarding the door was growing weary too.

Leaning back and turning in her chair, she looked out the viewport with her current Cardassian eyes, taking in the scene before turning back to the two seated around the table. "It would seem we have....an agreement. Legion will cease our pursuit on the entity known as Q Junior (PNPC) and the USS Yorktown on the condition that this Q entity gives his word that the Q will stay away from Legion."

"Can you agree to these terms," Tobias asked of Junior. He knew they had been going back and forth over the issue for some time. It must have seemed quite odd for either party to be brought into mediation by a race which, despite its longevity relative to others, was nothing more than a blip when compared to their near eternal lifespans.

Junior continued tracing his finger in a circle across the surface of the conference table as he considered the offer before him. Speaking on behalf of the entire Continuum hardly seemed like something he was in any position to do at the moment. At the same time, however, this was the closest they'd come to any sort of feasible solution. "I do not speak for the Q, only for myself," he said after a moment, "but my father still holds a great deal of influence in the Continuum. If I can convince him, the rest of them will follow."

"Contact him then; without assurances from the Q, there will be no agreement," Legion responded matter of factly. It was tiresome dealing with entities that could only speak for themselves.

"I...it's not that simple," Junior replied, glancing toward Tobias as he spoke, "You may share one essence, one mind, but the Q...the Q are different."

Frowning, the Cardassian appearing Legion nearly pursed her lips, "That is of no concern to Legion. Either you contact Q and give us the assurances we need or the agreement is off. Do what you must, but we agree to nothing until your part of the agreement is fulfilled. Time is of little importance to us; we can remain here as long as it takes."

Tobias could not help but feel a little frustration at what he was witnessing. It seemed as if every time they got close to a possible solution, one side would do or say something that would put them right back to square one. "We are running ourselves in circles," he interjected, looking from Junior to Legion and back again, "If the two of you are willing to let this little blood feud go on for all eternity, that is your own business. Junior is offering to do the best he can under the current circumstances and I believe that offer to be genuine."

"I do not agree, Captain. We came up with an agreement; it is this Q entity who is failing to uphold his part of it."

"It is called faith," Tobias told her, "I understand it may be a difficult concept for one who has achieved your state of existence, but for those of us who do not have the luxury of an eternal existence or unlimited control over space, matter, and time...it is a powerful thing."

Shaking her head, Legion responded to the El-Aurian, "Your inability to understand is precisely why we do not like to involve your kind in our matters. It is unfortunate that the Q entity has involved you. We know the powers of the Q. There is no reason this Q entity cannot contact his father and give us the answer we need. Either follow through on the agreement, or we shall take him with us and deal with the situation as we originally intended."

Tobias let out a sigh. For whatever reason, his experience dealing with near omnipotent beings always seemed more like wrangling children than interacting with extremely developed entities. This situation was proving to be little different and, although he had a great deal more faith in Junior's ability to follow through on any agreement that was made, it was becoming increasingly apparent that trusting a single Q was beyond the ability of Legion at the moment.

"Junior," he said, turning his attention to Q, "I know things have been...difficult...for you lately, but I must ask that you try to contact your father."

The young entity closed his eyes and bowed his head. For one who had demonstrated unlimited control of space, matter, and time, recent events appeared to have taken away quite a bit of Junior's spirit.

A moment later, a brilliant flash of white light appeared near the far end of the table. It faded away to reveal a man whom Tobias instantly recognized as the Q encountered by the starships Enterprise and Voyager.

"Dad," Junior exclaimed, raising his head at the sudden appearance of his own father, "What are you doing here?"

"I do believe you called," Q replied stoically. He stepped around the end of the conference table and made his way slowly along its length until he was standing only a short distance away from where his own son sat.

Raising a brow slightly, Legion's expression grew more serious at the sight of Q. Considering the circumstances, Legion was not particularly pleased to see the entity, but since the agreement terms had already been set out and he was the one that could speak for the Q, she gave him a slight nod of acknowledgment.

"I speak on behalf of the Q Continuum," Q said as he turned his attention on the Cardassian woman, "In exchange for your agreeing not to continue your pursuit of my son, the Continuum will leave Legion alone."

"Very well, we have an agreement," Legion responded as she stood. Her Cardassian eyes briefly moved from one to the next to the next and then she gave a brief nod. "We are Legion; we go in Harmony."

With Legion's final words, her Cardassian form faded to a golden swirling sphere of particles and disappeared a moment later.

[Bridge]

Aniela had been trying to further analyze the energy readings, though they did now know that they were part of Legion. Suddenly her console beeped - indicating that something had changed. Her eyes moved to the viewscreen as she watched the Cardassian warship seem to dissolve into golden particles, reform into a sphere, and shoot away. Aniela did another scan to be sure, but found no trace of the Legion. Tapping her commbadge, she said, "Darvetti to Naros. Captain, it appears that Legion is gone. The ship changed into an energy sphere and left. I took additional scans and found no trace of them."

[Observation Lounge]

"Thank you, lieutenant," Tobias replied, having just witnessed the rather unorthodox departure of their guest, "please let Mister Nor'el know that I will be returning to the bridge momentarily."

[Bridge]

"Of course, sir," Aniela replied, "Darvetti out." Glad that things seemed to have worked out, a hint of a smile played on her lips. Just to be sure, though, she started up a new set of scans before going to pass on Tobias' message.

[Observation Lounge]

By the time Aniela had finished speaking, the elder Q had vanished in a flash of white light. Silence descended upon the room once more as Tobias turned his attention toward the only remaining guest. The situation with "Legion" seemed to have been resolved, at least for the time being. They would soon be resuming their course for Cardassia Prime and it was expected that Junior would soon be on his way as well.

"Captain Naros," Junior ventured hesitantly, "I want to apologize for having involved you and your crew in this. It was never my intention to put you or your crew in danger. Whatever damage there is to your ship, injuries to your crew...I will be happy to restore them."

Tobias could see the young entity was making a genuine effort at reconciliation. Given that their current situation had been brought about by Junior's presence, it made sense that he would at least offer to help clear up any loose ends, so to speak. "There are those among my people who have good reason not to trust the Continuum," Tobias began slowly, "and some of the evidence from Starfleet's previous encounters with your father would seem to corroborate those sentiments..."

"I understand," Junior mumbled, looking down at the surface of the table.

"...but if what I have witnessed here today is to be any indication," Tobias continued, "I would argue those experiences are not universal. You came to us in a time of need because you felt you could trust us. When the time came, you took the appropriate responsibility."

The captain's response was not exactly what Junior had been expecting. He peered into the El-Aurian's gaze to see if he could sense any sort of ulterior motive that might explain the unusual attitude. "You remind me of Aunt Kathy," Junior remarked, "I messed things up pretty bad with her and yet...she was still willing to give me another chance."

"I can see that experience has had quite the impact on you," Tobias observed, "The Continuum is lucky to have someone as intelligent and self aware as yourself. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Thank you, captain," Junior said, rising to his feet, "for everything." The young entity raised his right hand and, with a snap of his fingers, disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Tobias and the security officer alone.

OFF

A Joint Mission Post by:

Captain Tobias Naros
Commanding Officer
USS Yorktown

Lieutenant Aniela Darvetti
Chief Science Officer
USS Yorktown

Q (PNPC)
Played by: Capt Naros

Q Junior (PNPC)
Played by: Capt Naros

and

Legion
Played by: Lt Darvetti