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Dearest Alexander,
I'm writing to you now in hopes that you will receive this message well. I know you and Rosa are quite busy with the girls and your political career. Although I'd hoped to catch you at home, I assume you are off on another one of your peace rallies. You have plenty to deal with and here I am burdening you with my troubles, but I don't know who else to turn to in this universe.
I've taken transport on a small cargo ship and have agreed to some light duties in exchange for passage. The crew consists of only twelve, nine men and three women, all human. They treat me well and allow me to keep mostly to myself. There is one woman, Makka, who senses I am different although I have not invoked the power of the Q since coming aboard.. She is too considerate, however, to verbally question me. I often wish she would.
Everyone I have ever trusted is gone to me now. Our parents, Grandma, even Data will probably never forgive me. I regret now how I stormed off on Data. We had an argument about whether or not I'm ready to live on my own. I want to prove to him how wrong he is, but it's not worth losing his friendship over.
I know you don't want to hear this. Sometimes, I feel as though Q is the only one who understands me, perhaps even better than I. The pull toward the Continuum grows stronger with every passing day and he plays on this desire. Still, I cling to this mortal life and I'm not even sure why anymore. Please tell me, am I holding on to false beliefs?
You're my last hope. Please respond when you get home!
Your sister, Shannara
*****
Why did I tell him that I'd hoped to find him at home? A lie. Feeling guilty about lying to my brother, I send the message anyway. I'm glad he wasn't home to answer my page. Indeed, I'd felt relieved over it.
"Abandon your mortal thoughts," Q whispers into my ear. "Your brother, as well intentioned as he may be, could never offer you as grand a challenge as the Continuum. What reward would you prefer to reap: the peaceful union of two barbaric species or the harmony the universe will sing when the Continuum is finally united?"
"No universe, not even the Continuum, revolves around you or your ideals. When are you going to realize that not all dreams come true?" I counter, not turning away from the console. His uninvited arrivals have ceased to surprise me. "One, maybe two million years?"
"Bah!" he exclaims and disappears in a Q-flash.
Was I too harsh on him? I wonder, biting at my lower lip. I really don't feel as pessimistic as I sounded.
*****
Little Sister,
How relieved I was to receive your subspace message. You were right. I was visiting a Klingon colony on Cro'Mit. I deeply regret that I missed speaking with you in person. Now here I am, unable to get a hold of you. I do hope this message reaches you.
Do not ever consider yourself a burden to Rosa or I. You are family and we always welcome any news from you. Rosa and I have wonderful news of our own. We will soon be bringing another child into the family. It would be so wonderful if you could come for a visit and meet the children...but don't think I'm pressuring you!
Mother and Father are very worried about you and wish you would return home to them. If you will not, at least send them a message letting them know where you are and that you're all right. When you left Data's, they thought you had gone over to the Continuum. I must admit, I feared the same.
I am glad the crew of the cargo ship is treating you well, but that is not the life for a girl, no matter what abilities she possesses. I'm sure I must sound exactly like Data to you. Please don't turn family away. You have to believe I wish you well.
Rosa and I will keep our hearts and our home open to you. Know that you are always welcome to come for a visit.
Love, your brother, Alexander
***** Sitting on the bunker in my small room aboard the cargo ship, I notice the flashing red light on my console indicating an incoming message. Although I'm expecting a reply from Alexander, I don't rush to answer it. While I want to hear from him and to know that he is well, I fear rejection.
I will send another message in a few days, hopefully when he is again away.
*****
Dearest Alexander,
I am sorry I missed you brother. And here I am again, missing you. I do hope your peace talks are going well. It must be difficult keeping the Klingon colonies united when they are so widespread.
I can't return home to the Enterprise. You were not around when Mother and Father ordered me to leave. Please do not force the issue. As for visiting you and your family, I am considering it. I would like to meet the girls and see Rosa through the end of her pregnancy. Perhaps, I can persuade the captain of this vessel to travel to your area. I hear commerce is good among the Klingons.
*****
I pause my letter, wondering what more I should tell my big brother. How much of my news will travel to our parents? I bite pensively at my lower lip.
"Why worry so about the savage beasts?" Q Asks, appearing atop my desk. He is wearing a dark-grey jumpsuit as the crew members of this ship wear. He is such a chameleon! "Their microbrains will never evolve beyond a cloak-and-dagger mentality." He folds his arms, looking smug as though ready for verbal battle.
I find myself in the mood for a little sparring as well and intend to be Q's match. "What makes you think you have any room to talk? For a race that claims superiority, the Q showed such bestial acts at Janaran Falls. And I've been told this has been going on for millions of years. Even the most superior beings are not capable of being civil to one another."
"Are you forgetting about your participation in said bestial acts?"
"No." I sigh heavily. "That's why I'm so reluctant to join you. Despite all your preaching to the contrary, there is such a thing as having too much power."
"Moi? A preacher?" He taps his chest, his expression one of mock disbelief. "I would never stoop as low as Faction 1384 to believe there is more power to be had than the Continuum can offer!"
My annunciator sounds and Q disappears in a flash. Damn, I think, we were just getting started. As I turn, the door swishes open to admit Makka. "Who were you speaking to?" she asked.
"I was sending a subspace message to my older brother," I reply. Not completely a lie. I am biting at my lower lip again. I hope she doesn't notice how nervous I feel. Or would I rather she ask?
"I came to tell you that dinner is ready."
This ship is truly low-technology: no replicators, no transporter and capable of only Warp 4. Twice a week, dinner is my responsibility and although my culinary attempts were at first poor, I am actually getting quite good at it now. It's kind of refreshing to be away from the wonders of the Federation. "I'll be down in a minute," I tell her. "Thanks."
I turn back to the monitor. The beginning of my letter to Alexander is still on the screen, begging for completion. My arguing with Q still fueling my emotions, I tell Alexander I will ask the captain to take me to Q'ronos and send the letter before I can change my mind.
*****
I press the annunciator to Captain Turrel's private quarters. Hopefully, he isn't too busy tinkering with current transactions. He is normally a jovial man, but I hate to disturb him at an inconvenient moment.
"Come in," he says and as I step inside, he sets his data padd aside. "Ah Shannara, to what do I owe this late visit?" He is a short, heavy-set man, who takes great pleasure in exotic cuisine. Often, he dabbles in the culinary and helps out in the kitchen even when it's not his turn.
"I want to tell you how much I've appreciated your hospitality, letting me room and board this ship for only menial labor."
"Bah! You've done your share." He picks up a half-full glass of wine and sips at the red liquid.
Sensing sincerity in him, I relax and take a seat in the chair across from him.
"But you haven't come here just to thank me. What else is on your mind?"
"My brother has invited me to spend some time with him and his family on the Klingon homeworld."
"Say no more." Turrel sets down his drink. "As soon as we're finished with our current transaction, I will take you there myself. Consider it a final payment for services rendered."
I cannot believe how amenable he is to the idea! "It won't interfere with your trades? I really don't mean to put you out."
"Nonsense. There is plenty of profit to be had among the Klingons. You are most likely doing me a favor!"
"Well, I'm glad. I better leave you alone and go send my brother a subspace message to let him know I'm coming."
*****
Alexander,
I've just returned from a private meeting with Captain Turrel and...
"Shannara!" Alexander says, coming online suddenly. "I'm glad I finally caught you. Please tell me you've called to say you're coming for a visit. Rosa and I would be so delighted."
"Yes, Alexander," I say, smiling broadly. "It's what I want too. We're in the Zeta Cron System finishing up a deal with the locals, but as soon as we're done the captain has agreed to transport me to Q'ronos as a final payment for my services."
"I hope you're not working too hard. A girl of your age should still be in school."
I roll my eyes. "Next thing, you'll be telling me I should join Starfleet Academy. I'll be sixteen soon, you know."
"And why not? With your advanced studies, your admittance is all but assured."
"What would you rather: I take the exams or come visit you?" I say teasingly.
"Come to Q'ronos, for now. Visit the family. Just don't go thinking this subject is closed."
We talk for a few minutes more, mostly about my time on the cargo ship. Alexander, being the worrisome older brother, wants to be sure I've been treated fairly by my crew mates. I assure him that I have been pampered
*****
"Q'ronos is a nowhere place," Q says. "Mark my word, you will regret going there."
I fold my arms defiantly. "Regret time with my big brother? Hardly!"
"Then why not simply Q-flash there? Why bother these mere mortals for a long and boring transport?"
"I have my reasons. You should not consider this small vessel or its crew as your competition. This is rather a transition time for me, between two worlds."
"You mean, there's still hope for me yet? Oh, be still my heart." Q is like the unrequited lover. No matter how many times he faces rejection, he comes back to try for my hand again.
"Don't call me. I'll call you." He flashes out. Why must he always have control? And why do I keep offering him hope?
