***The Hills of Time***
***by George Pollock, Jr.***

***Chapter 15***
***Loreleis' Requiem***

   In her mind, Eluza sighed.
   He's pissed ...
   I know that look.
   When I commanded a spaceship ...
   ... and I was pissed ...
   ... I had that look.
   He has that look.
   He's pissed ...
   Well ...
   Now might not be the best time to ask about the gloves ...
   ... let alone the Loreleis ...
   In her mind, she sighed again.
   Mother ...
   ... the messes you dream up for us ...
   She walked away, leaving Picard and Odo alone.
   "Constable," the captain said measuredly, "can you explain why you were on 
your way here to the brig when this happened?"
   The changeling shifted uncomfortably. "Captain, I apologize for causing 
you and Commander Worf concern. I overheard the brig calling for a Security 
team on the com. The fact that our, um, visitor had made a sudden action in 
his cell aroused my suspicions." He shrugged. "For lack of a better 
explanation, I'd have to say my policeman's instincts took over. Again, I 
regret any complication my presence might have caused the Security team ..."
   Picard regarded him coolly. "Security frequencies are not on the general 
communicator band."
   Odo nodded. "I'm aware of that. I've had my Bajoran communicator adjusted 
to receive Bajoran and  Federation security frequencies. It helps me in my 
job on Deep Space Nine."
   "I see ..." Picard looked down in thought for a moment, then lifted his 
face toward Odo again. "Constable ... I don't think I can stress enough how 
valuable you are on this voyage. I cannot have you chasing after every 
security call on this ship. It is an unacceptable risk to the success of the 
mission." He paused. "Now, I would deeply regret having to confine you to 
quarters, but if you cannot restrain yourself, that might be my only option. 
Is that clear?"
   "Yes, Captain."
   "Can you shut off Federation security frequencies on your communicator? At 
least for the duration of this mission?"
   Odo nodded.
   "Then please do so. I hope that will help avoid other situations like 
this."
   "I'll attend to it as soon as we leave, Captain. There won't be any 
repeats."
   "Good." The captain's expression lightened slightly. "That having been 
said, I understand from Mr. Worf that our 'visitor' was most cooperative in 
your presence. I thank you for your assistance in that regard." He smiled. 
"Off the record, of course."
   "Off the record," Odo repeated, "you're welcome. I was rather surprised by 
his behavior, to tell the truth. He kept calling me 'Brother.' I have no idea 
why."
   Picard's eyes brightened with understanding. "He's a polymorphic being, 
Constable. Just like you. When you resolved in the corridor, he probably 
recognized a fellow-type being."
   "Really?"
   "The robot is just a device to allow him to move about and manipulate 
things. Captain Ortiz briefed me about his kind after his ship was found."
   "Interesting ..." The constable looked pensive. "But why would a polymorph 
need a mechanical body? Why not just assume the shape it desired?"
   Picard shook his head. "I don't know ..."

*******

   She approached. He stood up.
   She halted near the trim of bright lights. Behind them, he studied her. In 
front of them, she studied him.
   Their eyes met.
   His large red ones.
   Her purple ones.
   Silence.
   Then she sighed aloud.
   "I thought," she finally said -- quietly, tiredly -- "that when I died for 
the second time, I had left your kind behind forever ..." She noted his 
robes. "... Commander."
   He noted her insignia. "What a coincidence, Captain," he replied, "I was 
thinking the very same thing ..."
   "Hmm ... What is your name?"
   "Dawn, of the Paranoid Axis. And yours?"
   "Captain Eluza Ortiz of the Solnoid Navy."
   The Paranoid's eyes grew even larger, which Eluza had thought was 
impossible. Then, with a sweep of his robes, the robotic figure bowed deeply. 
"An honor, Captain." He looked back up at her. "I've always wanted to meet 
you ..."
   Eluza was truly curious. "Why?"
   Dawn straightened again. "You are known to us, Captain. Among a privileged 
few of your kind. Your tenacity, your intelligence, your skill in battle, 
your strength of character, your desire to see a peaceful end to the 
slaughter -- they've made the name of Eluza Ortiz well-known among our 
people."
   The Solnoid considered it. "I ... honestly ... don't know how to take 
that." She paused.  "But I will acknowledge that even the Council of 
Elderwomen on Marsus knew that Dawn of the Paranoid had spoken for peace. 
Which made you a rare item, indeed, Commander ..."
   "Pity about Marsus," Dawn noted simply. And somewhat sincerely.
   "Pity about the Paranoid homeworld," she answered, softly sincere. She 
lowered her eyes in thought. "I guess ... there's nothing left for either of 
us ... really ..."
   He looked around, past the bright lights. "Oh ...," he sighed, "I wouldn't 
say that. You've apparently acquired a new ship. It's very ..." He searched 
for the right word. "... comfortable, Captain."
   She glanced back at him. "Oh, it's not my ship. It's not even Solnoid."
   "But I've seen males on this vessel. If not Solnoid -- whose, then?"
   Eluza rubbed her forehead lightly. "Commander," she said, "I suspect we've 
been out of touch longer than you could reasonably imagine ..."
   Dawn shrugged. "What does that have to do with whose ship this is?"
   "Because," she replied, "this ship apparently is from Terra, Commander."
   There go his eyes again, Eluza thought.
   At last, something dawned on him: "Operation ... Exogamous ..."
   She nodded. "Mission 21 ..."
   He looked around again. "They learned fast, didn't they?"
   "Well ...," she cautioned, "I've begun to think the Species Unification 
Project had only a small effect on Terra ..."
   "Explain."
   "From what I've seen here," Eluza said, indicating the ship with a hand, 
"this vessel ... is probably from the indigenous sentient species on Terra."
   He looked puzzled -- and a shade disdainful. "They were just scratching 
themselves and eating fruit in caves, Captain ..."
   The Solnoid woman smiled slightly. "So now do you see how long we might 
have been out of touch, Commander ...?"
   A moment's silence. 
   And she thought: Damn ...
   I wish he'd stop doing that with his eyes ...
   "That's enough history for now," Eluza said, shaking her head to clear her 
mind. "Tell me, Commander, what were you doing on my ship after Sigma Narse?"
   "All that's history, too," he noted, a touch playfully.
   She wasn't amused. "I repeat," she said, her voice assuming a slight edge, 
"what were you doing on my ship?"
   The tone surprised him. The pleasantries must be over, he thought.
   Well, then ...
   "Dying, madam," he replied with subtle sharpness. "I was dying on your 
ship."
   At which, her expression changed. From what Dawn knew of Solnoid 
psychology, it suggested that of all the answers he could have given her, 
that was one she hadn't thought of.
   Her features softened again. Wherever the harshness came from, it had left 
now.
   She blinked thoughtfully. "What a coincidence," she said quietly. "Now 
that you mention it ... I was doing the very same thing ..."
   They looked at each other again.
   Eyes to eyes.
   Until a slient moment later ...
   ... two males walked up to her side.

*******

   Eluza addressed the pair. "Captain. Constable." She indicated the robotic 
figure in the cell. "May I present Commander Dawn of the Paranoid Axis?"
   Dawn regarded the two: One of them was Brother Odo, who had escorted him 
back to his cell. Odo had stayed in the guard's area -- with several guards. 
They were still in the background, watching. A little while later, Captain 
Ortiz had arrived with the other male.
   The older one with no hair on his head.
   Now, that's weird, the commander thought.
   Dawn nodded in recognition. "Brother," he said to Odo, then turned to the 
other male. "Do I have the honor of addressing the captain of this vessel?"
   The male also nodded. "Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship 
Enterprise. I understand you were able to escape this cell, Commander."
   "An old ploy, Captain. I tricked the guard into opening the force field. I 
pray he is all right." He paused. "It was not my intention to hurt him. 
Merely render him unconscious. I used an ancient trick of my people."
   Odo huffed and looked at Picard. "He used the Vulcan nerve pinch, Captain."
   Dawn corrected him: "Paranoid nerve pinch, Brother."
   "Why do you keep calling him 'Brother'?" Eluza asked.
   Dawn shrugged. "He is one of us."
   The Solnoid turned sharply toward Odo, shock filling her eyes. "What?!"
   Odo sighed. "Captain Ortiz, I am a polymorphic being in humanoid form to 
better relate with this crew. Your friend here saw me revert to my natural 
state."
   Eluza shook her head and tried to catch a breath. " 'Natural state' ...?"
   "In his natural form," Picard explained, "Constable Odo is a dark-brown 
gelatinous being."
   "And a fast one, at that," Dawn noted.
   Eluza took a step back. Slowly. 
   At which, Picard noticed the fear. 
   The rushing fear that was overtaking her face.
   Eluza's head started to dart around, like a cornered animal's. "Mother 
...," she whispered. "Oh, Mother ... you've sent us ... to hell ..."
   "I beg your pardon?" Picard asked.
   She surveyed the other beings in the room with growing wariness. "Are they 
all ...?" She looked poisonously at Dawn. "YOU KNEW!! DAMN YOU!!"
   At her yelling, Odo eyed her suspiciously, and the guards instinctively 
placed hands on their phasers. Picard held a hand out to stop them and took a 
step toward Eluza. "Captain Ortiz ...," he said gently.
   She snapped into a defensive stance. "Don't come near me!!"
   The starship officer halted and spread his hands slowly. "I won't."
   "Who are you people, really?" She pointed viciously at Dawn. "You're all 
like him, AREN'T YOU?!"
   "No, Captain, we're not," Picard stated. "To the best of my knowledge, the 
constable and the commander are the only polymorphs on this ship."
   She took a sharp breath. "Why should I believe you?"
   "Because it's the truth. And because I swear on my oath as a Starfleet 
officer that it's truth."
   Eluza stayed tense. "On your ... oath ...?"
   He nodded. "Yes."
   She thought. "And by ... your ship and crew? Would you swear on those?"
   "Yes, I would."
   She stiffened again and yelled once more. "WHY?!"
   Picard was silent a moment, watching the frightened woman. And he could 
see that she was deeply frightened of something.
   My God, he thought, she's only in her 20s ...
   What has she been through ...?
   "Because," he finally replied, "there is nothing more important in my life 
.. as captain ... than my ship ... and my crew. In their name, I swear I'm 
not lying to you, Captain Ortiz."
   Eluza didn't react, other than to breathe deeply as she faced Picard. 
"Nothing more important ...?" she finally asked.
   "As a human being," Picard said, "I love my family, my friends and my God. 
As captain, I would give my life for my ship and crew."
   Silence. Then, softly: "So would I ... and ... I did ... once ..." 
   She closed her eyes. "You do understand ..."
   Picard nodded. "Yes."
   Slowly, Eluza relaxed, then bowed her head. At last, she looked back up at 
the older man. "Then ... I accept your word, Captain Picard." She turned to 
Odo. "And I accept that you are ... what you say you are, Constable."
   The changeling nodded once. But he stayed on his guard.
   "Captain," Eluza said, returning to Picard, "I apologize ... for my 
behavior toward you ... again. I ... felt ... old fears ..."
   "Understandable," the male captain said.
   "I've behaved unprofessionally," she continued. "I will accept any 
treatment you would give ... an ungracious guest ... I would ask ... that you 
not let my actions reflect in any way on the others of my crew. My actions 
are mine alone." She paused. "Do what you will with me. But, please ... don't 
ill-use my ... friends ... for my mistakes ..."
   Picard observed the proud young woman for a moment. "Captain Ortiz," he 
said quietly, "provided that you respect this ship and its crew, I have no  
intention of ill-using you or your comrades."
   "Nor do I," Odo said.
   "Nor," Dawn repeated from his cell, "do I."
   The two males and the female turned slowly toward the Paranoid commander.
   They had almost forgotten about him.

*******

   "Captain Ortiz," Dawn said, "if -- as you supected --  this ship's crew is 
Paranoid, even camouflaged -- why would I be placed here under such heavy 
guard?"
   "To trick me ...," Eluza muttered half-heartedly.
   "Frankly, our tricks are subtler than that, Captain." He faced Picard. 
"For that matter, sir ... why am I here? Did you place her in a cell when she 
came aboard?"
   Picard gestured toward the woman with the dark-pink hair. "Captain Ortiz 
indicated you might be a threat to this ship, given the antagonistic 
relationship between your two species."
   "And you believed her?" Dawn waved a hand in front of himself, as if in 
dismissal. "Forget that: You did believe her. That's clear. But why?"
   "I had no reason to doubt her," Picard said.
   Dawn nodded. "You trusted her. Again: Why?"
   "I trust anyone until they betray that trust, Commander."
   "Are you sure? It is possible -- just possible, Captain -- that you 
subliminally trusted her because she resembles you, physiologically?"
   Picard pondered it. "Yes, that is one possibility -- among many."
   Dawn pointed at Odo. "You, Brother -- you said you took that form to 
interact with this crew better. Why don't they accept you as you really are?"
   The constable sighed. "Because sentient solids -- single-state beings, 
Commander -- are instinctively wary of my people's natural form. It makes 
them ... uncomfortable."
   "So they feel better about you in the form you're in now?"
   The changeling nodded.
   Dawn swept a hand to indicate Odo's form. "Two arms, two legs, a head, a 
torso. The eyes, the ears, the mouth, the ... hair," he said with a hint of 
distaste. "Just like them." He pointed at Eluza and addressed Picard. "Just 
like her, Captain. If he more or less resembles her -- physiologically -- you 
trust him more."
   The Starfleet officer sighed. "What exactly is your point, Commander?"
   "Justice. Or if that's too lofty for you -- fairness. Why am I in this 
cell? Again, did you place Captain Ortiz and her comrades in the brig when 
they came aboard?"
   Picard was silent. Finally he conceded, "No. We did not ..."
   "I'm beginning to think," Odo said carefully, "he has a point, Captain ..."
   The starship captain thought, then sighed again. Finally, he tapped the 
gold-and silver badge on his chest. "Picard to Counselor Troi."
   Eluza was surprised to hear a Solnoid's voice come from apparently 
nowhere. "Troi here, Captain."
   "Counselor," Picard said, "can you come down to the brig immediately?"
   "The brig?" The woman's voice sounded more than a little puzzled. "Um ... 
yes, Captain. Right away ..."
   Picard looked back at Dawn. "I will need to ask you some questions before 
you are released, Commander, but I want to wait until a particular member of 
my crew is present."
   Eluza looked startled. "You're going to release him?"
   Picard nodded tersely at her, then returned to the Paranoid. "In the 
meantime, I will warn you as I warned Captain Ortiz and her crew: You will be 
our guest, but any disruption -- or any interference with the operation of 
this ship or crew -- will not be tolerated. Is that clear?"
   Dawn nodded. "I understand, Captain." He turned to Odo. "I promise I will 
make no trouble for you, Brother."
   The changeling was unimpressed. "Don't promise me," he said, then pointed 
at Picard. "Promise him."
   "Then," Dawn said, addressing the male commander, "I promise I will make 
no trouble, Captain."
   "Very well," Picard replied. "I ask for your further patience until our 
ship's counselor arrives."
   Dawn looked around his cell for a moment, then shrugged. "I'm not going 
anywhere right now ..."
   With a worried expression, Eluza took a deep breath. "Captain," she said, 
" with your permission ... I'd like to be excused ... to talk to my crew 
about these developments ..."
   The older man nodded. "Granted. In fact, Captain Ortiz ... could I ask you 
-- and them -- to be in the conference lounge in 20 minutes? It's the room 
with the large windows. When everyone is there, I will have some things to 
say."
   The young woman looked at him quizzically. " 'Everyone'? Will that include 
... Commander Dawn ...?"
   "Most likely."
   The Solnoid captain studied the Paranoid commander in the cell. To the 
extent that his shell allowed for such things, he looked rather pleased.
   Eluza turned to Picard. "We'll be there, Captain. We'll be there ..."

*******

   "It's time for us to leave."
   It wasn't an inviation for discussion. Both Solnoid and Paranoid sensed 
that.
   "We have used up practically the entire 24-hour leeway we were given to 
get to our destination. We must resume that mission now."
   "Of course, Captain Picard," Commander Dawn said.
   At which, nearly every Solnoid on the other side of the table eyed him 
warily.
   Except Lufy at the far end, who glared at him with burning brown eyes. But 
she kept herself under control. Captain Ortiz had ordered her -- and the 
other Solnoids -- not to make any belligerent statements or moves toward the 
Paranoid.
   More important, Rabby had reminded her not to make any trouble.
   Damn, the Attacker thought ...
   The things I do for that gal ...
   And so she glared.
   "Captain ...," said Eluza, sitting at Picard's immediate right, "there is 
a matter of deep importance ... I think we must discuss before we go too much 
farther ..."
   Picard leaned forward and folded his hands in front of him on the table. 
"And that is, Captain Ortiz?"
   "The rites for our dead comrades."
   "There are dead Solnoids here?" Dawn asked in sincere curiosity.
   "You," Lufy growled in her lowest possible tone, "have no right to ask us 
that ..."
   Rabby, sitting next to her, turned to the blonde and whispered harshly. 
"Lufy!"
   Eluza regarded Lufy critically. "I will speak for the Solnoids here, Group 
Leader. Do you understand?"
   After a pause, Lufy nodded silently. And went back to glaring at Dawn.
   "Three comrades died on my ship after Sigma Narse," Eluza told the 
Paranoid.
   "I see," Dawn said. "May history speak well of them, Captain."
   The Solnoid captain recognized the ancient Paranoid eulogy. "Thank you, 
Commander ..."
   Picard spoke up again. "As much as I truly wish to respect all cultures' 
traditions, Captain, I'm afraid we have precious little time for any 
elaborate rituals that might keep us here longer."
   Patty, sitting next to Eluza, tapped her shoulder. "May I speak, Captain?" 
When Eluza nodded, she continued. "Our space-burial rites are rather simple, 
Captain. Short and efficient. They evolved that way over time because ..." 
She stopped, realizing what she was about to say. "... we had to conduct so 
many ..."
   Catty, sitting next to her, noticed the dark-haired woman's eyes gaze 
downward. And start to get very dark. Quickly, the android asked her 
commander, "May I speak, Captain?"
   "Yes, Lieutenant," Eluza replied.
   Catty gestured toward Patty. "Captain Picard, in reviewing Lieutenant 
Commander Wellington's record, I note she has had basic training in our 
religious rites. She could perform the brief sacraments, and Captain Ortiz 
could perform the official duties. It would not take us very long at all."
   Eluza looked down the table at Patty. "Commander ... would you perform the 
religious rites for us ...?"
   Patty still gazed at the table. After a moment, she nodded.
   Picard addressed Eluza again. "How do you normally dispose of the bodies, 
Captain?"
   "Stasis coffins ...," she said. Then she recalled her own experience with 
one. And she shivered.
   "Is it too cold in here for you, Captain?" Picard asked sincerely.
   Eluza closed her eyes and shook her head. "No ... I'm fine ... thank you 
..."
   The Starfleet officer rested his chin in one hand. "We can modify 
quantum-torpedo casings into stasis coffins. In fact, that's our standard 
space-burial method. Will that suffice?"
   Eluza opened her eyes and returned to the present. She glanced down the 
line of Solnoids with a questioning look. After a second's thought, all 
nodded.
   Except Lufy, who kept glaring at Dawn.
   Picard tapped his com badge. "Picard to Tactical."
   An instant later, a male's voice was heard. "Worf here, Captain."
   "Commander, have a torpedo crew prepare three torpedo casings as stasis 
coffins immediately. We will be assisting our guests in their funerary rites 
shortly."
   "Aye, sir."
   "Picard out." He tapped the badge again. "Captain to sickbay."
   Now a Solnoid's voice. "Crusher here, Captain."
   "Doctor, our Solnoid guests will be down to sickbay and the morgue in a 
few minutes to prepare their dead comrades for burial. Please give them 
whatever assistance they require."
   "Of course."
   "Picard out."
   At that, he faced Eluza. "Captain, we will help you bury your dead. Then 
we will go. Is that satisfactory?"
   Eluza nodded slowly. "It is ... and ... thank you, Captain ..."
   "Is there anything else we can do for you in these times?"
   The pink-haired woman thought, then studied her bare hands. She turned and 
surveyed the bare hands of her comrades.
   Gloves.
   Duty gloves.
   White duty gloves.
   But maybe ...
   ... perhaps ...
   ... not right now ...
   "There is ...," Eluza said at last, "but it can wait ..."

*******

   Lufy turned around instantly in the corridor and stared directly into 
oversized red eyes.
   "Where the hell are YOU going?"
   The question not only surprised Commander Dawn, it halted the Attacker's 
comrades in their footsteps. They turned suddenly toward the pair at the rear 
of the procession.
   The Paranoid seemed at a loss for a moment. "I ... was hoping ... to pay 
my respects, Group Leader. With the rest of you ..."
   The blonde looked disgusted. "You can to go to HELL ..."
   "LUFY!!"
   The Solnoid and the Paranoid glanced quickly toward the voice. Its owner 
was headed toward them, purple fire in her eyes.
   Eluza stood between them and pointed at Lufy. "I WARNED you, Campbell!!" 
she yelled. "You're dangerously close to the line!!"
   Lufy spoke through clenched teeth. "He has no right to see them -- 
MA'AM!!" she replied, almost spitting out the last word. "I won't have him 
..." She glared back at Dawn. "... profane their memory with his presence!"
   "You listen to me, lady," Eluza answered in a threatening low tone. "NONE 
of us has any rights here except what the captain of this ship gives us! You 
get us in trouble, and we all pay! I won't have you screw this up for the 
rest of us! Understand?!"
   Something strange, then.
   Eluza saw it first in Lufy's eyes. 
   It spread to the rest of her face as she struggled with it. She started to 
gasp softly, then nearly gagged on a heavy breath. She shut her eyes.
   Then she pointed at herself so hard, the others could hear the thumps on 
her chest.
   And she did something they had heard only once before.
   Once, in the cockpit of a wrecked fighter.
   She whimpered.
   "BUT ... WHAT ... ABOUT ... MY ... RIGHTS?!" A gasp of air. "WHAT ABOUT MY 
RIGHTS ...?"
   Eluza recovered from her surprise. "What rights, Lufy ...?"
   As the other Solnoids drew closer, Lufy leaned back against a bulkhead. 
She crossed her arms tightly across her chest and stared at the deck. A 
moment later, they heard a sniffle.
   Then she raised her head.
   To show the tears that had just, that moment, escaped her eyes.
   And she choked out the words.
   "THEY ... WERE ... MY ... FRIENDS!!"
   She bowed her head again. "Damn it ... they were my FRIENDS ..." She took 
a breath and whispered. "... Longer than even you people ... were my friends 
..." 
   She faced Eluza again. "Doesn't that give me some rights ... on how ... 
they ..." She searched for the right word. "... leave ...?" 
   After a moment of a silent, pleading expression, she lowered her head once 
more.
   The other women were silent. Slowly, Rabby reached out and put her hand on 
her friend's shoulder.  "Oh, Lufy ...," she said softly.
   "Group Leader."
   Despite hearing her title, Lufy didn't move. The others turned toward the 
deep voice. 
   Commander Dawn stood tall, his hands clasped in front of him and his gold 
robes making him seem like a monolith. 
   Finally, with moist eyes, the Attacker faced the Paranoid.
   "You are ... blessed ... Lufy Campbell," Dawn said. "You have friends to 
mourn." He surveyed the five females before him. "And you have friends to 
help you mourn. And to love you." He paused. "And for you to love ..."
   He sighed. "I ... have none of that ..."
   Lufy bowed her head again.
   "I had hoped," he continued, "that in paying my respects to your dead 
comrades, I would honor all who died in the mindless slaughter that the war 
became. There are none of my people I can do that for. I, too, want to mourn 
the loss of life." He thought. "And of the beauty of life ..."
   Silence filled the corridor. At last, Lufy whispered, "Oh, Mother ... so 
do I ..."
   Eluza sighed. "I ... don't know what to say, Commander. I admit I'm 
ambivalent, myself ..." She shook her head. "I don't know ..."
   Dawn considered the situation. "May I then offer a ... compromise?"
   "What is it?"
   "I ... respect that the preparation of the dead might be considered a ... 
private Solnoid matter. I will not impose on those. But I request the ... 
honor ... of attending the burial."
   Eluza turned to her comrades and studied them. They suddenly seemed very 
drained. "Well ...?" she asked.
   Rabby paused from gently stroking Lufy's hair. Finally, she nodded.
   Catty nodded once.
   Patty closed her eyes and, slowly, nodded.
   Lufy kept looking at the deck. A moment later, she limply waved a hand. 
She didn't say anything.
   "Then, Commander," Eluza concluded, "you may attend the burial."
   Dawn bowed solemnly. "Thank you, Captain." He turned toward the other 
women. "Thank you all."
   "I'll contact you before the burial begins."
   Dawn nodded. "I'd appreciate that. Now ...," he said, looking around the 
corridor, "I think I'll find Brother Odo. If you'll excuse me, Captain."
   Eluza returned the nod. With that, the Paranoid wheeled about and headed 
away. A moment later, he rounded a corner and was gone.
   The Solnoid commander rejoined her crew. Lufy was wiping tears from her 
cheeks and eyes, then straightened as Eluza approached. "I think ... I ... 
need to ask ya to ... excuse me, too, Captain," she said. "... I'm ... sorry. 
... I can't explain ... the feelings I had. ... They were so strong ..."
   She swallowed deeply. "... I loved the Loreleis ... so much ..."
   Eluza regarded her tenderly. Then she reached out and placed a hand on the 
back of Lufy's head. And she smiled.
   "Strong feelings and love, huh?" she asked softly, with a hint of 
affection. "We'll make a Sensualist out of you yet ..."
   Slowly, Lufy smiled.

*******

   They were pale and drawn. There was little to be done about that.
   The dead looked that way.
   Even more so under the blue glow of the stasis field above each torpedo 
tube.
   Crusher hated the morgue. As a doctor, it made her feel sad. Helpless.
   Useless.
   And after bringing out the three Solnoids' bodies, she felt even more 
useless.
   So she watched in silence.
   The silence of the living Solnoids. 
   Watched as the five women stripped each body respectfully and quickly 
washed it down with water and replicated sponges. Every swift cleansing 
stroke seemed ritualistic but efficient. 
   The hair was also sponged, then towel-dried.
   -- The long black hair on the tall woman: 
   Of the three, she looked the most at peace, Crusher thought ...
   -- The brunette hair on the smaller, trim woman: 
   Crusher had noted the badly burned hands and the missing left thumb and 
partial fingers. Nothing to do about those. But earlier, the pink-haired 
commander -- Capt. Ortiz, the doctor knew -- had asked a favor: seal the 
horrible slash in the brunette's abdomen. A dermal regenerator had sufficed. 
   Crusher's professional curiosity had gotten the better of her: "May I ask 
how this ... happened?"
   The Solnoid captain closed her eyes. Crusher swore she saw her shiver. 
   "Suicide," Capt. Ortiz replied softly. When the purple eyes opened again, 
they glistened with deep sadness. "All of them ..."
   Crusher studied the dead young brunette. "I see ... My condolences, 
Captain."
   In silence, the female commander nodded.
   -- The light-brown hair on the girl with the glasses:
   The girl ...
   How tragic, Crusher thought ...
   She didn't look more than 16 -- no, closer to 15 ...
   Her breasts were well into their roundness. Growing toward an apparent 
fullness ...
   ... they would never achieve ....
   Damn, the doctor thought ...
   If the girl had been a victim of war, however indirectly ...
   ... what a waste.
   Especially a child.
   In place of the war-worn uniforms the three women had been wearing, 
brilliant replicated garments of red, white and black were put on. Their 
respective insignia were pinned on. White calf-length boots were pulled on 
tenderly.
   And finally, with surprising reverence, Capt. Ortiz produced something 
from a replicated box.
   Gloves.
   White wrist-length gloves.
   With inverted, rounded green triangles on the backs.
   "Mother ...," the tall redhead next to her whispered, "... did they have 
them all along ...?"
   "I found gloves in the clothing database the doctor showed me," the 
captain whispered back. "I guess they thought we wore gloves just because it 
was cold on the Star Leaf."
   "Can we get them, too?"
   Capt. Ortiz sighed. "One thing at a time, Rabs. Let's take care of the 
Loreleis first ..."
   "OK ..."
   The blonde with the shock of green hair -- Lufy, the doctor recalled -- 
stepped up. She asked softly, "May I ... please?"
   The female captain nodded.
   Lufy fitted the gloves delicately on the dead women's hands, which she 
then crossed at their waists. On each woman, she laid her hands upon theirs. 
Her head was bowed for a moment at each, during which she would close her 
eyes, then sigh.
   Actually, the doctor thought it was more like soft, mournful moaning.
   But she wasn't sure.
   At last, Lufy rejoined her comrades. Capt. Ortiz nodded at the smallish, 
dark-haired woman -- Patty, the doctor remembered -- who took a few steps 
forward, facing the bodies in the stasis coffins.
   "Ten-hut!" the captain called. Instantly, the other women except Patty 
lined up and stood at attention.
   And bowed their heads.
   Patty lifted her arms before her, her hands palm-up. She closed her eyes.
   "Mother in heaven," she said quietly, "take these lost daughters of Marsus 
to your bosom. Give them, in heaven, the peace they never found in life."
   She turned slowly to face her crewmates. She spread her arms out as if to 
encompass them and turned her palms toward them.
   "Give us all peace some day," she intoned.
   "Mother," the others replied in unison, "give us peace some day."
   Patty lowered her ams. Then she joined the line and bowed her head like 
the others.
   A moment of silence.
   Crusher swore that even she was holding her breath ...
   At last, Capt. Ortiz lifted her head. "Company, fall out." She looked 
toward Patty. "Thank you, Commander ..."
   The others raised their heads and smiled at the ops officer. Patty nodded 
back amid a murmur of "Thank you" from her crewmates.
   "All right," Capt. Ortiz said. "Report to the bridge of this ship. Captain 
Picard will be expecting us for the official rites. I will join you shortly."
   The others headed for the doors. As the portals opened, they revealed 
several men and women in Starfleet uniforms. Crusher recognized them as the 
quantum-torpedo burial detail. She gestured for them to enter.
   The Enterprise crew members allowed the Solnoids to pass before entering 
the morgue. Capt. Ortiz approached Crusher. "Doctor," she said, "thank you 
for taking care of my crew ... and my dead comrades. On their behalf, let me 
express our appreciation for your assistance."
   The older, redheaded woman nodded. "I was honored to be present, Captain. 
I ... noted that the service was ... rather ... brief .."
   Capt. Ortiz shrugged. "When you had to bury hundreds at a time, it had to 
be."
   "I see ... I understand."
   The younger woman sighed. "Doctor ... I don't know how long my crew and I 
will be on this ship. It's all new and strange and -- different." She paused. 
"Males ... and all ..."
   The doctor felt a tiny smile on her face. "Oh, yes ..."
   "May I ask ... from time to time -- when it's needed -- that my crew come 
to you with ... questions? Because you're a ..." The captain searched for the 
counselor's word. "... 'FEE-male' ... you  might be a more comfortable 
authority figure to them ... from among your crew. Would you consider this?"
   Crusher nodded again. "Of course. I know why you ask. But please don't 
underestimate Captain Picard's experience and understanding. The entire crew 
looks up to him. There's a reason for that, Captain Ortiz."
   "He does seem to be a good captain." The Solnoid pondered for a moment. 
"Mind you, he's no 'FEE-male,' but he is very good ..."
   Crusher bit her lip.
   Laughing in the morgue would have been extremely bad taste.

*******

   Mother, forgive me ...
   I accused you wrongly ...
   Forgive me ...
   You don't dream up these messes for us ...
   We make them up ourselves ...
   And you have to help us pick up the pieces after ...
   I was wrong, Mother ...
   Forgive me ...
   In the hum of the turbolift, all by herself, Eluza felt a tear roll down 
her cheek.
   She bowed her head.
   Mother ... I don't cry for the burial to come. I've done those before.
   One was even done for me ...
   ... I've been told  ...
   And I don't even cry for the Loreleis. The shock of their deaths is past 
me now.
   And I want to honor them this way.  It's my duty. I accept that. Fully. No 
qualms.
   I'm crying ...
   ... because after this ...
   ... what will you have of us?
   What are we now?
   Who are we?
   Are you even there anymore?
   Or are you gone with everything else we loved ...?
   I don't know ...
   Mother ...
   I'm ...
   ...
   ...
   ...
   ... scared ...
   ...
   Now you know ...
   ...
   Then she chuckled.
   Of course, you probably always knew ...
   ... didn't you?
   The hum started to die down as the turbolift slowed to a halt.
   Well, Mother, she thought -- wiping her eyes and cheek thoroughly ...
   ... let's keep this our little secret, shall we ...?
   After all ...
   ... no tears on the bridge ...
   The turbolift stopped. She straightened up and checked her uniform one 
last time.
   Eluza Ortiz the woman took a deep breath.
   The doors parted.
   And Eluza Ortiz the captain stepped onto the bridge of the starship 
Enterprise.

*******

   On opposite sides. Still.
   The Solnoids stood on the port side of the bridge.
   Dawn, accompanied by Odo, was on the starboard.
   On opposite sides.
   Force of habit, Eluza thought sadly.
   The male in the bridge's central seat stood and faced her.
   "Captain Ortiz," Jean-Luc Picard said in greeting, then turned to Worf at 
Tactical. "Commander, please relinquish firing control to the captain."
   Worf nodded sharply. Eluza approached his control panel on the bridge's 
upper level, and the Klingon pointed to a flashing red keypad. Eluza studied 
it, then turned to him and nodded once. Worf stepped back.
   And before the Solnoid commander could do another thing, Picard spoke.
   "Honors."
   At which, the bridge crew stood at attention and turned toward the main 
screen. Picard was flanked at center bridge by Commander Riker and Counselor 
Troi. Only Commander Data and a young Solnoid remained seated, at the 
helm-navigation console in front.
   Silence.
   Eluza wondered:
   Is this ...
   ... for us?
   Honoring our dead?
   Honoring ... strangers?
   Do they respect ... strangers ...
   ... that much ...?
   Picard turned back toward Eluza and broke her reverie. "Whenever you're 
ready, Captain Ortiz," he said gently.
   Eluza blinked and remembered where she was. And what she was there for. 
She sighed and faced her friends.
   The words -- the bloodless official words, she thought -- came back to her:
   "Burial DE-tail ... AT-ten ... HUT!"
   To a woman, the Solnoids snapped to attention with a stomp of boots. Eluza 
saw Commander Dawn straighten the slightest bit.
   "Stand by to cast forth the bodies ..."
   She poised a finger above the flashing red keypad. 
   In her mind, a private blessing ...
   "Farewell ... sisters ..."
   She touched the keypad. 
   Three rapid discharges of sound shot through the Enterprise. On the main 
screen, a trio of brilliant flickering red points of light sped away. And 
were gone.
   Back into the Wastes.
   Eluza stood back from the console. "Hand salute!" she called.
   Almost as one, the Solnoids balled their right fists and placed them on 
the front of their left shoulders.
   "Rest in peace, my friends," Eluza said to the dead. 
   Then she thought. And added, "May history speak well of you ..."
   She saw Dawn glance over at her. Their eyes met for an instant, but he 
said nothing and turned back toward the screen.
   Eluza looked at her comrades. Lufy's head was erect, but her eyes were 
downcast. She looked ready to cry.
   Don't do it, Lufy, Eluza thought ... 
   No tears on the bridge.
   Besides ...
   ... if you do ...
   ... I'd be right behind you ...
   ... I know ...
   She took a deep breath. "TWO!" The Solnoids lowered their arms. "Burial 
detail," she continued, "dis-MISSED!"
   No one moved. 
   But slowly, the Solnoids bowed their heads. Eluza saw Lufy's chest heave 
deeply and emit a slight moan. She crossed her arms. Rabby, standing next to 
her, put a hand on her back. The redhead tilted her head close to the 
Attacker's. Soft, comforting whispers followed, and Rabby put her free hand 
on Lufy's arms.
   Picard faced Eluza. "Captain Ortiz," he said, "on behalf of the Enterprise 
crew, I offer my condolences on the loss of your comrades."
   The Solnoid captain closed her eyes and nodded once. The male commander 
addressed his bridge crew. "As you were." The crew resumed its duties.
   Eluza turned to Worf. "Returning firing control to you, Commander."
   The Klingon nodded in respect. "Captain."
   She headed down the small ramp to join her friends. The "guests" of this 
ship, Eluza recalled.
   But after that ...
   After that ...
   What will we be ...?
   "Commander Data," Picard said, "plot a course to the Founders' planet."
   Data tapped keypads with keen agility. "Course plotted and laid in, sir."
   "Helm, prepare for warp nine on my mark."
   The Solnoid sitting next to Data worked her board. "Warp nine on your 
mark, sir."
   Picard raised an arm and held it there a second. Then he pointed at the 
screen.
   "Engage."
   From opposite sides of the bridge, the Solnoids and polymorphs watched the 
debris of the Wastes move on the screen. It thinned out quickly, followed by 
a field of stars. The openness of space.
   A hum started. Everyone felt it. It grew to a crescendo.
   Then a silent bright flash on the screen.
   And the stars began to fly madly past them.
   "Warp nine, sir," the Solnoid at the console noted.
   "Very good," Picard acknowledged. "Mr. Data, I understand you and 
Lieutenant Shoumen have had some success in calibrating our guests' star 
charts in stellar cartography."
   Data spun around in his chair. "Yes, Captain. The lieutenant has been a 
great help in retrieving and coordinating the information."
   "Is it ready for elapsed-time calculation?"
   "Yes, sir."
   "Then," Picard said, glancing at the Solnoids and Dawn, "if our guests 
will be kind enough to follow us to stellar cartography, we might be able to 
unlock that particular riddle for them."
   Data stood and headed for the turbolift. Picard motioned for Dawn to 
follow the android. 
   "May I join you, Captain?" Odo asked. "Unless you consider my presence 
unnecessary, of course."
   Picard shook his head. "I have no objections, Constable."
   "And I appreciate the company, Brother," Dawn said.
   Odo regarded him. "Hmm ..."
   "Number One," Picard called, "you have the bridge."
   Riker nodded. "Aye, sir."
   Picard and his escorts joined the Solnoids on the other side of the 
bridge, where Troi had been talking to them. "... And," she said in 
conclusion, "if you want to discuss anything about our ship, our society -- 
or how you feel here -- please don't hesitate to call on me. That's why I'm 
here." She turned toward Dawn. "That goes for you, too, Commander."
   "Very gracious," Dawn replied.
   "Counselor Troi is very good at her work," Picard noted. "If there's 
anything further that we can do for you at this time, Captain Ortiz, please 
feel free to ask."
   Eluza looked back at her crew. Lufy had raised her head again. Rabby still 
rested a hand on her blond friend's back. Both looked slightly more collected 
now.
   And yet ... 
   Their eyes -- and those of Patty and Catty -- all asked their leader the 
same thing:
   What now ...?
   Eluza sighed. She didn't have an answer for them.
   But she had an answer for Picard.
   "Gloves."
   The male captain blinked. "Excuse me, Captain ...?"
   "Gloves," Eluza repeated with greater certainty. "In Solnoid society, we 
consider our hands fairly ... personal ... areas of our bodies. On duty, we 
wear gloves. For a ... professional ... appearance ..."
   Picard noted that behind her, the Solnoids suddenly were paying attention. 
   Even looked hopeful, he thought ... 
   "I see ...," he replied. "Well, I'm certain we can replicate gloves to 
your specifications, Captain. Counselor Troi can help you with that." He 
glanced at the Betazoid woman, who nodded in agreement. "It will be our 
pleasure."
   Eluza bowed slightly. "My entire crew thanks you, Captain. For everything 
your crew has done for us."
   "Yes ... now I suggest that we head to stellar cartography. Mr. Data, will 
you escort the constable and Commander Dawn? I will direct our female guests."
   The male android, gazing at Catty, started abruptly. "Agreed, sir."
   "Very well. Then there's one last thing I must say officially at this 
point." 
   He turned to Dawn. "Commander ..."
   Then the Solnoids. "Ladies ..."
   Picard smiled. 
   "Welcome aboard."

*******
   The boulder sighed.
   Deeply.
   Damn ...
   Thought they'd NEVER leave ...
   I'm about to cramp up ...
   I didn't even think we could do that ...
   So the boulder started to stretch.
   Floating among the debris of the Wastes, it started to soften. And 
undulate.
   Then it shimmered.
   And turned an iridescent dark brown.
   That's better, it thought ...
   Oh, yessss ...
   Muuuuch better ...
   Slowly, winglike projections sprouted from its sides. The remaining mass 
began to lengthen and narrow until it resembled a stylized bird, a stylized 
bat, a stylized ray. Becoming something like all of those. And like none. No 
head, no tail. Just a body with wings.
   Wings that started to flap gracefully yet powerfully, sending their owner 
into the Wastes.
   In the direction that three brilliant flickering points of red light had 
gone.
   And it wondered:
   Why the hell did they fire those?
   Don't they know what that will mean?
   Are they that stupid ...?
   And what was so damned interesting ...
   ... about that beat-up junk ...?
   Deeper into the Wastes it flew, until the open space it had monitored 
couldn't be seen anymore. Only the beyond-billions of debris.
   Until at last ...
   Behind one large asteroid ...
   The ship.
   A flat, wide and graceful beetlelike vessel of silver, with a glowing 
light-purple belly.
   As the flying being approached, a side hatch slowly opened. An airlock.
   Which was ironic.
   Because the Founder that entered it needed no air.
   But the Jem' Hadar warriors within the ship did.
   The silver beetle rested among the rubble of the Wastes for a moment after 
the hatch closed. Then the glowing belly brightened, the ship reeled to 
starboard and headed out, swiftly yet delicately picking its way through the 
debris.
   After three brilliant flickering points of red light.

*******   
   
   Lufy looked up at the stars.
   Where Data sat and Picard stood.
   Lufy also stood among the stars. They were above her, below her. All 
around.
   As they were at Alpha 12, she thought.
   She shivered.
   "You all right?" Rabby whispered.
   The Attacker closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yeah ... I'm fine 
... Thought of Alpha 12 for a moment. I'm OK now ..."
   From behind them, a deep voice spoke softly. "Alpha 12?"
   The pair turned to face Dawn, who had been talking to Odo. Eluza, Catty 
and Patty stood nearby. "Yes, Commander," the redhead replied quietly. "We 
fought off a Paranoid attack there."
   "What's it to you?" Lufy asked sharply.
   Eluza bristled subtly and whispered, "Lufy ..."
   "I was at Alpha 12 as well, Group Leader," Dawn stated.
   The female captain glanced back at him. "You were?"
   "Yes. On Operation Exogamous, Captain."
   Eluza blinked. "Mission ... 21 ...?"
   "As the Solnoids called it, yes."
   She stared at him. "You ... Mother in heaven ... it was you ..."
   Dawn sighed. "Yes ..."
   "Do ... you ... know," Patty said in a low tone, "what Mission 21 did to 
us, Commander ...?"
   "I read the report afterward," Dawn noted.
   "The report ...," Lufy repeated mockingly. "He read the report ..."
   "Did the report mention my death?" Eluza asked. Somewhat sincerely. 
Somewhat facetiously.
   "Did it mention Pony Buran's?" Rabby demanded.
   "Or my sister's?" Catty said softly.
   Dawn closed his large red eyes and bowed his head. "No. Not at the time 
... Later intelligence reported the enemy ..." He looked around suddenly at 
the women. "... the Solnoid losses ..."
   "Just numbers in a Paranoid ledger somewhere," Rabby said dryly.
   He turned toward her quickly. "And how many Paranoids did you kill in the 
defense of Chaos, Commander?"
   Rabby stiffened in surprise. She sought a reply -- and knew she had none. 
She looked away.
   "You," Patty said, pointing at Dawn, "gave the order to destroy the Akon 
Kagu'ya at Chaos. I heard  you, Commander. You can't deny it." She paused. 
"Our captain was on that ship. I had friends there .."
   "I gave an order in battle, Lieutenant Commander," the Paranoid sighed 
matter-of-factly. "And before you condemn me, remember who ultimately 
destroyed the Akon Kagu'ya, its entire battle group -- and all your friends 
..."
   Rabby gasped. "The Central Guard ..."
   "Clever strategy, killing your own soldiers ...," Dawn mused.
   "You go to hell ...," Lufy growled.
   "Wait a minute," Patty interjected. "Your ship crashed on Chaos, 
Commander. You activated a dino-mech from its wreckage. How did you survive 
the overload of the terra-forming network?"
   "The dino-mech is a rather sturdy device," Dawn observed. "It was blown 
off the surface by the shock wave. Its sealed defensive design protected me 
from the cold of space."
   He sighed. "I spent 10 years, alone, drifting through space, before I was 
rescued by Paranoid forces ..."
   "Well, you'll get no pity from me," Lufy said acidly. "I froze in space 
for 10 years. So did Rabby. And Patty. And Eluza." She studied Dawn 
contemptuously. "You're nothing special. We all know what it was like to be 
dead."
   He thought, then looked at Lufy.
   And to the extent that Paranoid shells allowed for such things ...
   ... he seemed sad.
   "Were you ...," he began, "... in those 10 years, Group Leader ... cursed 
by such loneliness that you blasphemed the day you were made? Wishing to hear 
even ..." He thought. "... an enemy's voice, just because it was alive?
   "Were you damned to never rest -- to relive endlessly the mistakes that 
cost you your command, your ship, your mission ... your friends?
   "Did you feel your dreams die? Feel hope die?
   "Or did you just sleep for 10 years ...?"
   Dawn nodded at the blonde. "I envy you your death, Group Leader. More than 
you can ever know ... "
   Lufy was silent. All the Solnoids were.
   Until the polite cough.
   Solnoids and Paranoid turned toward the source. 
   Odo lowered a fist from his face. "Captain Picard," he announced 
tactfully, "is ready."
   
******* 

   "Welcome to stellar cartography," Picard said from above.
    He stood on a platform jutting into the very center of the vast room's 
space, at the end of a sweeping ramp. Data sat at a large console next to his 
captain.
   "This is essentially a specialized holodeck," Picard continued. "It can 
depict as much or as little of a quadrant of the galaxy as needed. We 
register new astronomical phenonemon here as we encounter them." He turned to 
the male android. "Mr. Data ...?"
   Data spun in his chair toward the group below. "With the help of 
Lieutenant Shoumen," he began, "I have downloaded the Star Leaf's star charts 
into our computer. Analysis revealed that the charts indicated the location 
of the Sol system, the Terrans'  home. Extrapolating from there, it was a 
simple matter to identify other stars and astronomical features of the Alpha 
Quadrant. We then assigned known speeds and vectors to each star and feature. 
The computer has been calculating how far each would have to travel back from 
its current position to that on the Star Leaf's charts. The computer recently 
signaled me that it had finished assigning the speed-vector data. What we 
propose to do now is move the Alpha Quadrant stars from their current 
positions you see into their positions on the Star Leaf's charts. The 
cumulative displacements will be correlated, and the intervening time will be 
calculated."
   Rabby raised a hand.
   "Yes, Commander Ciera?"
   "Is any of this gonna be on the test?" she asked wryly.
   Dawn let out a grunt that resembled a snicker. All the others stifled soft 
chuckles. Even Picard smiled slightly.
   Data looked perplexed. "I was not planning a test, Commander. I can 
certainly arrange a review of the procedure, if you wish."
   The redhead grinned widely and shook her head playfully. "No ... that 
won't be necessary, Commander. Thank you ..."
   The male android looked at Picard questioningly. His captain just smiled. 
"Proceed, Mr. Data," he said.
   For an instant, Data seemed unsure what to do next. Then he blinked, shook 
his head slightly and continued. "As I said, the procedure should estimate 
the time elapsed since your last active hours."
   Patty thought. "How? I don't think we could relate to your temporal units, 
Commander."
   Before Data could reply, Catty spoke up. "We noted that Terra -- Earth -- 
had a solar orbit of 365.25 'days.' Marsus had an orbit of 359.91 days, in 
Terran terms. And the Paranoid homeworld had an orbit of 371.62 Terran days. 
We came up with an average of 365.59 days for a 'year,' for purposes of this 
procedure."
   "It is an approximation," Data noted, "used only to approach a relatively 
common idea of the elapsed time. We would offer only a general amount of 
elapsed time, not a specific figure."
   Catty smiled. "Unless you want one ..."
   From the back, Lufy huffed. "So when does this show start?"
   From on high, Picard shrugged. "Well ...," he said, "no time like the 
present ..." Then he smiled. "Unless it's the past or the future, of course 
..."
   "Huh?" was Lufy's reply.
   "I like this guy ..." was Dawn's.
   Picard turned to Data at the console. "Commander, if you'll do the honors 
..."
   Data nodded and tapped some keypads.
   And silence fell.
   Then ...
   ... barely ...
   ... but gradually ...
   ... the stars began to move.
   Above them. Around them. Beneath their feet.
   Through them: A star seemed to disappear into Eluza's right arm. An 
instant later, it emerged on the directly opposite side of her body, out her 
left arm.
   Now, that's different, she thought  ...
   The lights picked up the pace.
   A nebula grazed Rabby's hair. She spun around in amazement and watched it 
leave.
   Another nebula approached Dawn. It shrank and, in a flash, became a star. 
Then it entered his chest and was gone. 
   A nova in reverse, he realized.
   Tentatively, Lufy reached for a nearby star. Catty watched as the Attacker 
held her hand steady, and the point of light passed slowly through it.
   Lufy giggled.
   Now, that's different, the android thought ...
   Patty gazed at the whirling and wheeling in the ballet of the stars.
   Mother, she wondered ...
   ... is this what you see ...?
   Is this ...
   ... what heaven is like ...?
   In reply, the stars slowed.
   A red giant came to a stop on Odo's right shoulder.
   A white dwarf rested at the tip of Eluza's nose.
   And silence fell.
   Above them, Data consulted a readout. "The computer indicates that the 
astronomical features have been moved into their positions on the Star Leaf's 
charts. It is now calculating the elapsed time."
   Dawn glanced over at Eluza, who was eyeing the white dwarf from various 
angles.
   "White looks good on you, Captain Ortiz," he ventured.
   The Solnoid commander paused and regarded him. She nodded appreciatively.
   Picard's voice broke in: "Are you sure, Data?"
   Those below looked up in unison. The starship captain, intent on a 
readout, was leaning over the console. Data also seemed confused by 
something, but he nodded. "Yes, sir," he replied.
   Picard straightened and crossed his arms. "Run the calculations again, 
please. Quickly."
   "Calculating, sir," the android said. His hands flew over the console, 
creating a symphony of computer beeps. With a final tone, the flurry of hands 
stopped. The two Starfleet officers studied the resulting readout.
   And looked just as confused as before.
   Eluza didn't like to admit it, but she was getting impatient. Still, she 
asked her question -- the question -- professionally:
   "How long, Captain?"
   Picard turned toward the group below. He, too, maintained a professional 
bearing.
   But his eyes, Eluza thought ...
   ... his eyes ...
   He's looking at us with ...
   ... what ...?
   ... It looks like ...
   ... awe ...
   Picard spoke.
   "Two ... million ..."
   Silence.
   "Four hundred twenty-one ... thousand ... years ..."
   More silence.
   Even more silence.
   Broken finally when Patty -- open-mouthed -- sank to her knees.
   Data ventured an afterthought: "Plus 963 years, eight months, 17 days, 
five hours, 29 minutes ..." He paused. "... and 48 seconds."
   The Solnoids and Dawn turned slowly toward one another. As if each had 
never seen the others before. 
   In silence, Eluza held her hands -- her ungloved hands -- before her, 
turning them delicately.
   And looked at them.
   "You know ...," Rabby finally whispered aloud to Lufy, "it's those 48 
seconds that'll kill ya ..."
   It was what the blonde truly needed at that moment. She exploded in a 
tension-bursting blast of laughter.
   As Catty helped Patty back to her feet, Dawn surveyed Eluza from head to 
foot and back again. "If I may say so, Captain ...," he began.
   Distractedly, Eluza glanced away from her hands. "Yes, Commander ...?"
   The Paranoid strightened slightly. To the extent that his shell allowed 
for such things, he looked mischievous. "You don't look a day over 1.15 
million ..."
   Slowly, something dawned in Eluza that she had never done before.
   A tiny smile crept over her face.
   Then ...
   ... not out of ridicule ...
   ... not out of contempt ...
   ... but out of deep, deep appreciation ...
   She laughed at a Paranoid.
   To the extent that his shell allowed, Dawn seemed to smile back.
   Far above, Data watched in wonder. His precise hearing had caught Dawn and 
Eluza's exchange. He faced Picard. "I am gratified to see a theory of yours 
confirmed, Captain."
   Picard was puzzled. "What theory is that, Data?"
   The android resumed his gaze of those below. "You have always said, sir," 
he answered, "that many jokes are very, very old ..."

TO BE CONTINUED