The Planet Trivas
Jessica Hastor stood over the open pit of the excavation, her arms crossed, holding her breath. The crew of twenty students from the Vorian Academies were carefully beginning to lift the gilded cask out of the vault that had laid hidden for ten thousand years. No easy task, the cask measured 300 feet in length and Fifty feet wide and deep. A hundred antigravity pods had been attached and synchronized to float the massive object up and out onto the open ground.
Gently, slowly the cask rose from the depths and a hundred spectators gasped as it cleared the top of the ground and floated several yards over to a waiting platform. Jessica walked over, climbed up on the platform as he antigravity units powered down, their hum fading away. The gold overlay felt cold to her finger tips as she traced the outlines of the great Light Sail Ships that carried the first colonist to Bajor, so long ago.
From behind her she heard her daughters voice. "You did it Mom, Congratulations! You really did it!"
She turned, her heart soaring. "Sarah! You came!" she reached out and pulled her into a hug that Sarah thought would squeeze the air from her lungs. They looked up a the huge gold box.
"So...You are going to put it together..aren't you?" Sarah asked.
Jessica started walking down the length of the box. 'OHHHHHH Yeaaaaaaa." she smiled.
"You talked the Trivas Assembly into it. Amazing."
"I didn't, Professor Foster did. And what strings he pulled I can't begin to imagine."
Jessica stopped and hugged Sarah again. "How did you know today was the day?"
"I didn't, It just worked out. The company decided I need a day or two off and I couldn't' think of a better place to be. Since you won't come see me."
Jessica shook her head. "You know I would if I could dear." But the real reason stayed locked in Jessica's heart. She was as close to Bajor as she would ever be. Looking up at the giant gold box there was also a bit of resentment, she would never fly the great ship to it's intended destination.
Looking back at her daughter she grabbed her by the waist. "Come on. Lets get some lunch."
****
Sitting on the outside Patio of a small bistro in the town of Verdis the two women sipped the local tea and waited for their meal to arrive.
Sarah looked at her mother, a very attractive woman of 71. She was just now letting a bit of gray show, in tiny streaks in her hair, The lines of age around her eyes telling lies to the public, making everyone think Jessica was much younger than she was.
"So..how's Dad?" Sarah asked as their sandwiches were delivered.
Jessica didn't look at her daughter as she answered. "Martin....Busy, as always." the resentment turning her words cold.
"I'm so sorry Mom. I know you would have liked for him to be here today."
"Today? Oh... I never even let him know about it. He's missed so much in the past, I mean, what would be the point."
Sarah decided it would be best to let the matter drop. "We're almost finished with city number one on Ephyra."
Jesscia, thankful the subject has been changed. "That's wonderful. On schedule?"
"Just. In fact Mayor Nicole Branson and Admiral Vincent Viceroy should be giving a welcoming speech to the first colonist right about now."
"Then what dear? Do you know where they are sending you?"
Sarah shook her head. "Oh. I"ll be on Ephyra for another few months at least. A thousand details to wrap up.
Jessica looked down the street, as she took a bit of her sandwich, and stopped, studying the figures approaching. It took a moment but, yes, they were Bajoran. A man and woman, maybe mid thirties. And....they seemed to be looking right at them.
As they approached the tension in Jessica grew. The man, handsome and soft spoken smiled.
"Ms. Hastor" he turned to Sarah, "And Ms. Hastor, may I join you for a moment?"
The women looked up at him, Sarah puzzled, Jessica fearful. Sarah stood up, an automatic defensive move over her mother.
"And you are?" she asked without smiling. Concerned that a stranger would know them both.
"My name is Dayor Jaran. I've come seeking your help."
Sarah eyed him up and down. "Really." she looked down at her mother, she could see the fear in her eyes and wondered what could be causing it.
Nala stood a few steps back still wondering just where all this was going.
Off:
A post by Commander Dayor Jaran
Senior Research Administrator of the Bajoran Temple Vor-Huar
Clandestine operative of the Bajoran Intelligence Service
Previously Marcus Dinn
