ON:
Powering down his hovercar, Marcus could see the Vedek sitting with his back to him looking out over the river. He walked up behind him and cleared his throat. Vedek Soni Anter pointed at the barge out in the middle of the river, the men working at bringing up the remains of the shuttle and the Marquis Interceptor. “I think….that is my ship. Or at least some of it is. What do you think Marcus?”
He didn’t answer at first, as it was clearly a rhetorical question. Instead he took a place next to the Vedek and watched the work for a minute. At last the spoke up. “It saved over 30 thousand lives…..not a bad trade would you say?”
“Well…..I would…except its original purpose was to save Bajoran lives.”
“Is your Grace making the argument that Klingon lives are not as valuable to the prophets as Bajoran lives?”
“Very good Marcus. Why I believe there may some hope for you.”
“I am sorry that the ship was lost.”
Vedek Anter patted his arm, Marcus noted how old the skin looked, wondering why he had not noticed it before. “It is only a thing Marcus…. And things can be replaced.”
As he said that the shadow of a great winged ship crossed river coming from their right. They looked up to see another Marquis ship pass a thousand feet over head . It continued for a mile and then shot up into the sky.
“It will be there for you at Governors Station.”
Marcus turned to face the old man. “You trust me with another of you ships?”
“No… I don’t. So this one is a gift. It is yours.”
“Why would you do that?”
Vedek Anter stood and looked down the path following the river. “Walk with me.”
As they strolled down the river path they watched as couples and friends passed in either direction. An occasional child would run by laughing. “My predecessor was very impressed with you Marcus. She saw in you the spark of goodness.”
“I’m not one to argue your Grace, but Goodness has never been considered at attribute of mine.”
“You are to hard on your self Marcus. Why?”
He let the question hang in the air for a bit before answering. “Your Grace. If you knew of the things I’ve done in the past. I don’t think you would have nearly the opinion of me you do now.”
“What is the worst thing you’ve done?”
“The worst? You mean besides being an instrument of death for the Federation?’
‘You were an assassin then? You killed on the orders of your superiors.”
Marcus was beginning to feel like he was at confessional. “Yes your Grace.”
“How many times have you killed for the pleasure of it?”
“That is a difficult question. If you mean.. Have I killed for the excitement of it. Never. But I have taken pleasure in the death of those that I felt needed killing.”
“And why did they need killing?”
“Because they did take pleasure in the pain of others.”
“So you see. There is difference between you and those who’s lives you have taken.. Yet in your mind…you see no difference.”
“Sometimes the methods are so …similar.”
“And because you see no difference ….at times you conduct self-destructive behavior.”
“Such as?”
Vedek Anter stopped and placed a hand on Marcus shoulder. “Your relationship with the Romulan T’Ros.”
“How do you know of that?”
“Marcus…. I make it my business to know all there is about someone I give ships to.”
“That….relationship is ……complicated.”
“Because you feel you owe her your life.”
Marcus stared deep into the old eyes of the man. “I do.”
“No…you don’t. T’Ros saved you for her purposes. Not because she looking out for your well being.”
“What do you know that you’re not telling me?
“Nothing that you won’t find out in time for yourself.”
“Then tell me now.”
Vedek Anter shook his head. “Some things.. Are best discovered on your own. I only offer a sign post. A gentle push in the right direction.”
They came up to the parking lot, having made a loop around the park.
“I have to leave you now Marcus.” he started walking toward the street, the roof of the theater rising from behind the trees in the distance. “I’ll be in touch if I need you. And you Marcus…..don’t hesitate to call if you need someone to talk to.”
A taxi pulled up as if on signal and the Vedek drove off leaving Marcus to wonder .
Off:
Marcus Dinn
Owner of RICKS and Oz
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
Vedek Soni Anter
Wells City
Phoenix Colony
Phoenix Federation
