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Alexander spends much of the time en route to the Breen planet absorbed in refining his proposal. I sense he is worried about the reception we will receive and even fears for our safety. I do not remind him that I have the power to whisk us away from danger in an instant. Like our parents, he has chosen to ignore my link to the Continuum in hopes that I will one day abandon it. If only I could make him understand that there is as much at stake inside the Continuum as there is in this universe. Q's cause, while on a grander scale, is no less worthy.
Midway through our journey, I decide to acquire information about the Breen from the computer and to my amazement learn that they were first encountered by the Enterprise-D. My mother is mentioned several times during the official report. She claimed that she had been unable to sense any thoughts or emotions from the Breen and could, therefore, not conclude with any certainty whether their intentions toward the Federation were hostile.
Only a few years later, they proved themselves a fierce enemy toward the Federation when they joined the Dominion with the promise of territory in the Alpha Quadrant once the Dominion won the war. Despite the heavy conflict between the two sides, including the loss of the original USS Defiant during a Breen attack, little was known about the physiology or the social structure of the Breen even after the resolution of the Dominion War. This enemy wears a refrigeration suit that covers their faces and speculation throughout the Federation side has been that the Breen wear these suits not out of necessity, but rather to remain reclusive. Hostilities between them and the Federation remain unresolved to this day, though neither side has ever committed another act of war.
Nibbling at my lower lip reflectively, I ponder over how I might help my big brother. I have always felt empowered by my empathic abilities, but now in this situation, they are useless to me. I consider using the power of the Q if necessary. How would Alexander react if I saved his life with my superior abilities?
The Klingon database contains further information on the Breen and it is there I realize the source of Alexander's biggest concerns. Once the Domion War ended and the Breen backed away from Federation territory, they continued to be a threat to the Klingon Empire, fighting for borderline territory. And it is now put upon Alexander's shoulders to improve their relations. Losses on both sides were great and even after many civilians were killed, neither side retreated. Finally, at the battle at Kriaski, the conflicts began to turn around when the son of a Breen general became a political prisoner. A truce was soon negotiated for his release and the first steps toward peace were made.
As I sit back down beside my brother, I ask, "Alexander, do you really think matters between the Breen can be resolved today?"
"Not everything," he admits. "In every negotiation there is always compromise and often neither side is completely satisfied. But, if the desire for peace is strong enough, we learn to accept the other side's view."
"What if the Breen are unwilling to compromise? From what I've just read in the computer databanks, they don't strike me as malleable people."
"As negotiatior, that's a chance I have to take. They do not wish to see any more of their people die and I will use that knowledge to our advantage."
I muse over this for a long moment. "There's a war inside the Continuum, did you know that?"
"No, I did not. Civil war can be the cruelest, bloodiest enemy. It sometimes pits brother against brother and rarely are there any clear divisions of sides. We both know our Klingon history well. Current events often depict this."
"If you can't end the violence among our own people, how do you expect to make lasting peace with others?"
"Every accomplishment is made one step at a time."
I apply this theory to the conflicts within the Continuum. "There are one thousand six hundred and eighty-four factions inside the Continuum. Each believes that their way is superior to all the others. How do they go about taking the first step?"
"It is rather difficult, but if alliances are forged to bring factions back to the same side, there's always a chance for peace no matter how remote."
"Even if the war's been going on for millions of years?"
"One day or one million years, the solution remains the same; all sides must find something they can agree upon. Which faction do you belong to?"
The question takes me by surprise, though I should have expected it. "I don't know. I haven't really chosen."
"It's no wonder with such dissension among a group of supposedly superior beings. They must all be vying for your allegiance and pulling you in every direction." He really understands where I'm coming from, I think, swelling with pride. Maybe I can build a home on Q'ronos with my brother and his family. "That's why I don't see the Continuum as my home."
"Hopefully, you never will. You should tell our parents this."
"I can't. They don't understand why I refuse to give up the power of the Q. Even if I wanted to, Q would never leave me alone." Silently, I wonder if this is true. After all, centuries ago, he played havoc on Guinan's life and in the end made a fierce enemy.
"The important thing is in realizing why you feel the need to hold on to these powers. Do you feel inadequate without them?"
I reflect back to my early years before Q entered my life. The Enterprise had been my universe. I had not understood the magnitude of this universe, let alone any others. My world had been a confused, mixed up place. It is bigger and I am wiser now, but I am no less confused. Before Q, I had felt alienated among my peers, the only Klingon girl among a ship full of mostly humans. I saw none of them as my friends. Other than my mother, I felt no affinity toward anyone. I was alone on a ship of more than a thousand people. No one understood me.
Then Q came and the shape of the universe changed.
I realize Alexander is still waiting for an answer to his question. "I suppose I would feel inadequate if Q suddenly took away my powers. Who wouldn't after experiencing god-like abilities?"
"Then my next question is not meant to judge, but rather to help you through your quest. You say you are unwilling to give up these powers, because they make you feel superior to your peers. Could you be unwilling to make the Continuum your home for fear of looking inadequate among others who are now your equal?" He pats me on the knee. "Give it some thought. You have to know what you want before you can engage in peace negotiations." Is that what I'm to become? A negotiator for the Q. It's what Q wants. And Alexander, though he hopes I never see the Continuum as my home, seems to be encouraging me to take on that responsibility.
Alexander flicks the comm switch to ask the pilot for our ETA on Breen VII. We have only minutes left and I suddenly feel a panic surge through me. I feel as though I am running out of time, for what, I am uncertain.
I study my brother as he shifts his attention to reviewing his speech for the peace conference. I am in awe by his determination to face this challenge. Could I ever feel such confidence in an attempt to bring all the factions of the Continuum together?"
"Alexander," I say slowly. He turns to look at me, a smile forming on his face despite his obvious concentration. "It's really wonderful what you're able to do for the Klingon people."
"Hold your praise, dear sister. A treaty hasn't been signed yet."
The shuttle decelerates as we enter the atmosphere of Breen VII and slip into a docking bay. We no more than step out when two armed guards approach us and without a word, escort us down the corridors of the enormous Breen political building. Although they are meant to protect us, I don't feel any sense of security by their presence. Despite my link with the Continuum, I feel vulnerable in my inability to sense any emotions from these aliens. I know so little about their culture and nothing about their intentions. I remain alert to the movement of the people we pass along our way to the conference room and ready myself to flash Alexander and myself out at the first sign of danger. No matter how strongly the protestations I receive from Alexander, I firmly believe that a life saved is a good trade off for tapping into the power of the Q. I will not watch another of my relatives fall victim to violence.
The two guards step to either side of a large door and one gestures for us to step through. We enter a conference room where three Breen are already seated at a long table. Alexander begins what I believe is a customary Breen greeting. He taps his chest with his right fist, then says, "I meet you here today in good health." I wonder if the greeting is used as a means of showing battle worthiness.
"Why have you brought a child?" the Breen in the middle asks in a grating, high-pitched voice that sounds synthesized.
With dread, I hope my presence will not end the negotiations before they even begin. I nearly offer to wait outside, but Alexander speaks before I find my tongue.
"General Shokel, this is my sister, Shannara. She is sixteen-years old, nearly an adult by both human and Klingon cultures. You have similar standards in your own culture. Don't you brand your males with the marking of Bak'tu when they reach their twentieth year? And that this marking allows them to seek a mate." The general nodded. "I believe some of them are permitted to choose mates as young as fifteen or sixteen."
I glance at my brother. Does he really view me as a mature woman? I thought big brothers saw their sisters as babies no matter how old they became.
"Bah! She is child nonetheless. A girl becomes woman only when she is mated."
"Please, allow her to remain for observation only. She will not speak while we negotiate. Let her learn from this."
The three aliens confer for a moment before turning their attention back to us and nodding their ascension. Taking a seat across from them, Alexander links his data padd with their console. A map outlining Breen and Klingon territories appears on the tiny screen.
I sit next to him, folding my hands in my lap like a placating schoolgirl. When I was nine, the Akodians envisioned me as their prodigy and now at sixteen, I am being treated like a small child. If the Breen only knew the powers I possess, they wouldn't glare at me with their eyes, the only visible part of their faces. I strain to probe them, sure that if I place all my energy on the task that I will somehow break through their mental barriers.
Preoccupied by the silent battle I'm fighting with the Breen soldiers, I realize I have forgotten to listen to Alexander's proposal. Maybe they are right to label me a child. I sit up straight, trying to draw my attention to the final portion of Alexander's proposal.
Alarmed by my sudden movement, my brother pauses to glance at me. I smile reassuringly and he continues, "As you can see from the trade route I've mapped out, both sides could benefit economically from a peace treaty. We could begin to rebuild the colonies destroyed in the war."
"As long as you don't fire upon us as we're crossing your border," the Breen general responds.
"We need to learn to trust one another if this is to work between our people. I've been authorized by my government to work out a viable agreement between our people and they will uphold their part of the agreement."
"I have heard enough. I will review the proposal and confer with my advisors on this matter. You are dismissed."
This matter! He makes it sound as though this is a mere business transaction, not a means to end a war that has killed millions on both sides. We're not talking about monetary rewards here.
As we stand, Alexander asks, "When can we expect your decision?"
"It will be available as soon as we've reached it. Now leave as we will not discuss the fine points in your presence." He presses a commlink and the two guards who escorted us here immediately appear to whisk us out of the room. We are escorted to...or rather deposited into...a small guest quarters. I hear a loud click as they lock us inside.
"Alexander!" I exclaim. "I don't understand. I thought they wanted this treaty as badly as the Klingon Empire. If only I could sense what they're feeling! This is so frustrating." Folding my arms across my chest, I cross the room to peer out the single window. The Breen city looks artificial for as far as I can see. There are no trees, flowers or other plants; no animals; no birds in the sky.
"Don't worry, little sister," Alexander says squeezing my shoulder lightly. "This is their way. We shouldn't view it necessarily as a sign of aggression."
"Then you believe there is still hope they will accept your treaty?"
"They will reject some of the points, but yes, I believe we will reach an agreement today. The key is in finding the willingness to compromise."
"It's difficult to know how to compromise," I say, comparing my situation with my parents to the Breen. If drawing lines and knowing what sacrifices to make were that easy, maybe the distance between my parents and I would never have formed. "Especially when you don't know what they're thinking."
Alexander nods. "That's why it's very important to seek out help from advisors. So we allow General Shokel time to consult with his advisors. Patience is nearly as important as compromise."
"Alexander, I don't know anyone who has as much patience as you. If I had your strength...." We both find the statement funny and I am unable to finish the thought in between my laughter. "I guess being a superior being has some drawbacks."
"No matter one's culture or biological background, there is no such thing as a perfect being. Don't ever let Q convince you of otherwise."
I turn around and smiling at my brother, say, "thank you."
"For what?"
"For listening. For understanding. For offering advice rather than criticism. You don't order me to abandon the Q and you don't push me away because I won't. I can't. I don't know how to explain why. It's a part of me. Cutting my ties with the Continuum would be like cutting off a limb."
"And did it not feel that way when you ended your relationship with our parents?"
Before I can respond, the door swishes open and one of the guards appears in the doorway. "The decision has been made. Follow me." He turns and begins walking away.
"That was quick," I comment, not sure if the swift decision is positive or more like handing out an execution.
"The Breen do not like visitors," Alexander explains as we step outside the room. "They'll make our stay here as brief as possible."
As we step back into the conference room, I have the distinct sense that I'm about to be ostracized. The Breen will be ardent in their conditions and will not back down on their belief that I am a freak. How do I know this? I cannot read their thoughts and their feelings are like locked doors.
"The child will not return," the general states. "And we will agree to all other terms."
Suddenly my mouth becomes bitterly dry. They are afraid of me. They are sure, that given time, I will be able to break away their mental barriers. I have to wonder what they're hiding and if revealed, whether it would end the peace we've so precariously established today.
"On behalf of the Klingon Empire, I accept your terms,' Alexander says. "My sister will vacate this planet in short order never to return as you dictate."
"So be this agreement as mandate," the general says with a bow.
Bruskly, the guards escort us out of the conference room and without pause, bring us back around to the shuttlecraft. As I step aboard, I inadvertently snatch a thought from one of the guards. "Too bad," he thinks. "She would have made an excellent addition to my subserviants."
Closing my yes, I pray for a safe trip out of Breen territory.
