Path of Destiny - Chapter 3
The Path of Destiny
Chapter Three
Part One
Conference room
“Your...ship?”
Ryvinia questioned curiously.
“Yes...and I think
I’ve figured out a way to get the Rybrillians home,” Archer replied, then
motioned to the screen. “We can transport them on Enterprise.”
“Can your ship
land near Tysag?”
Archer frowned
slightly. “Unfortunately, Enterprise doesn’t have the capability to land.”
“And to use the
shuttlepods to transport them would take too long,” Malcolm pointed out.
“True.” Archer
rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. “What about using the transporter?”
“Isn’t that a lot
of people to transport, sir?” Hoshi questioned, then shuddered ever so
slightly. “Besides...it’s rather...nerve-wracking...if you ask me.”
“Hoshi’s right,
Cap’n,” Trip pointed out. “To use the transporter for that many people in a
short amount of time, could overload the circuits...especially in the middle of
a transport. I wouldn’t want that to happen.”
Archer sighed, but
nodded. “Alright...the transporter’s out. So...how do we get the Rybrillians
from here to there...safely?”
Trey looked
thoughtful for a few moments, then looked at Archer. “Captain,” he began, then
seeing that he had Archer’s attention, continued. “Is your ship capable of
docking with another ship?”
“Yes.”
“Might I suggest
that we use my freighter to transport the Rybrillians from Exoia to your ship.
It may take a few runs to get them all aboard...with your permission, of
course.”
Archer grinned.
“By all means.”
Trey smiled,
giving a nod of thanks.
“Captain Archer.”
It was Lonan. “Can your ship hold all of the Rybrillians?”
Archer smiled
gently at the youth. “Yes. It might be a bit cramped, but only for a short
time,” he replied, then looked at Ryvinia. May I contact my ship, Counselor?”
Ryvinia nodded.
“By all means, Captain. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated,” she
replied, then stood. “Might I suggest a short recess for food and other
necessities and reconvene in one hour?”
There were murmurs
of approval around the table.
Malcolm noticed
that Ryvinia made no eye contact with him, as she left the room, seemingly in a
hurry. He sighed heavily, knowing what he had to do.
All the other
Exoians, except Trey, left the room, along with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. The Enterprise officers and Krysira remained.
Archer looked at
his officers. “Why don’t you go on ahead? I’ll catch up after Trey and I
arrange to transport the Rybrillians,” he told them.
“Yes, sir,” the
three officers replied in unison.
As they headed
through the door, Trip looked over at his fellow officers.
“Krysira and I are
going to get something to eat,” he began. ‘Wanna join us?”
“Sure,” Hoshi
replied.
“I’ll be along in
a bit. I’m going to tell her right now,” Malcolm replied.
“Good luck,
Malcolm,” Trip said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Malcolm nodded, as
he moved on ahead of the group.
Hoshi looked at
Trip curiously. “What was that all about, Commander?” She questioned.
Trip saw a curious
look on Krysira’s face as well. “I’ll tell you along the way.”
With Trey’s help,
Archer contacted Enterprise. The familiar stoic visage of T’Pol
appeared on the screen.
“Captain...were
you able to locate Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed?” T’Pol questioned.
“Yes...they’re
here in this building,” he replied. “I see that you were able to bring Enterprise through.”
“Yes. It appears
that the gateway was big enough for Enterprise as well as the shuttlepods.”
“So I see.
“T’Pol...we’re going to have many guests.”
T’Pol merely
raised a quizzical eyebrow.
Archer grinned, then
introduced Trey to her. Shortly, the trio was in a deep discussion regarding
the transportation of the Rybrillians.
Part Two
Outside Ryvinia’s quarters
Ryvinia took a
deep breath, as she composed herself, after nearly running from the conference
room.
“I could feel his
dark eyes on me the entire time I was standing there!” Ryvinia said outloud to
herself, thankful that the corridor was empty. “But if I had offended
Malcolm...why was he staring at me?” She shrugged, straightening her shoulders.
“Now is not the time to think of such things. The door to her quarters slid
open at her approach. Upon entering the room, she stopped, her eyes widening in
recognition. “YOU! What are you doing here?”
The only answer
was a red beam of light.
Part Three
Corridor
After getting
directions from one of the pages that he encountered earlier, Malcolm found his
way to Ryvinia’s quarters. He knew that Trip was right. He had to follow his
heart...for once, instead of...going by the book.
He reached her
quarters and knocked.
No answer...
Malcolm knocked
again, a bit harder.
Again...no answer.
The British armory
officer scowled. He then saw Sedona, recognizing her as one of the pages that
worked with Lonan, walking by.
“Excuse me,”
Malcolm said.
“Problem, sir?”
Sedona questioned.
“I’m not sure.
Counselor Ryvinia is not answering.”
“Are you certain
that she came here?”
“Well...where else
would she go?”
“Perhaps to eat.
Allow me to call down to the dining area.” She took out a small personal
communicator. “This is Sedona. Is Counselor Ryvinia there?”
“This is Roxx,”
was the reply. “I have not seen her. Is she not in her quarters?”
“She has not
answered.”
“I am sorry that I
have not been of help.”
“That is alright.”
She shut off the communicator, putting it away.
Upon hearing this,
Malcolm stepped towards the door, which opened at his presence, but he did not
enter. “Ryvinia?” Malcolm called.
Silence...
Malcolm looked
over is shoulder at Sedona. “Are you allowed to go in?” He questioned.
“Yes,” Sedona replied.
“May I go in with
you?”
Sedona nodded.
“Yes, sir.” She entered with Malcolm right behind. “Counselor Ryvinia, it is
Sedona. Are you here?” Unseen by Malcolm, the young female page had a concerned
look on her face.
No answer...
Sedona walked over
to another door and knocked. “Counselor Ryvinia?” Her voice raised up a notch.
There was no
response.
Sedona turned to
Malcolm, carefully keeping her facial expression neutral. “It is evident that
she is not here.”
“Where else would
she be?” Malcolm questioned, becoming increasingly concerned.
The teenaged
female page looked thoughtful for a few moments, then looked at Malcolm. “I can
page her from the conference room!”
“Good! Let’s go!”
They left
Ryvinia’s quarters on a run.
Part Four
Conference room
Trey switched off
the console screen, then turned to Archer.
“Your first
officer...T’Pol is quite unique,” Trey began. “One of the most logical beings I
have ever encountered.”
Archer grinned.
“Yes. The Vulcan race is ruled by logic, not emotions, which can be damned
irritating at times.”
Trey merely
chuckled.
Upon hearing the
door slid open and both turned to see Malcolm and the young female page Sedona
run in. They watched curiously as Sedona went over to another console, touching
a button.
“Counselor
Ryvinia, please contact the main conference room as soon as possible.
Thank-you,” Sedona spoke urgently.
Archer looked over
at his officer. “Is there a problem, Malcolm?” He questioned.
Malcolm kept his
face neutral, despite the overwhelming concern that he felt regarding Ryvinia’s
whereabouts. “I certainly hope not, sir,” Malcolm replied, barely keeping his
voice from quivering.
After about five
minutes, Sedona looked at all three men. “She should have answered by now,” she
told them, trying to keep her composure.
Trey folded his
arms across his chest. “This is not good,” he said, his raspy voice
unusually soft with worry.
Suddenly, a
piercing alarm was heard in the corridor.
Sedona gasped.
“That is the alarm from the holding cells!” Sedona explained.
Archer and Trey
looked at each other. “Drayce!” They exclaimed in unison.
The rugged Exoian
space pilot then looked at Sedona. “Take us there,” he requested.
Sedona nodded.
“Please follow me,” she said.
The teenager and
the three men left the room on a dead run.
Part Five
Dining/recreation area
The rest of the
group was seated at a few tables. They started slightly upon hearing the
piercing alarm in the corridor.
Qui-Gon shot a
look over at Roxx, who had instantly leapt to his feet. “Roxx...what has
happened?” The Jedi Master questioned.
“That is the alarm
for...the holding cells,” Roxx replied, quickly.
Elkan was on his
feet. “NO! NOT DRAYCE!” He bellowed.
Qui-Gon moved to
Elkan, laying a hand on the resistance leader’s shoulder, sending the calm of
the Force through the younger man, feeling Elkan’s agitation decrease a little.
“We do not know that...for certain,” he told Elkan, then looked at Roxx. “Take
us there.”
Roxx nodded. “As
you wish, Master Jinn,” he replied.
The group ran out
of the dining/recreation area led by Roxx, all hoping that what they
feared...would not be true.
Part Six
Holding cells
A guard named
Entok gazed sorrowfully at his fellow guard, who lay slumped over the control
console for the holding cells.
Upon hearing
running footsteps, Entok looked up to see a large group of people, a mixture of
Exoians and humans, come into the area, including three Jedi. Entok had only
heard of Jedi, never encountering any...until now.
The group stopped.
Entok silenced the alarm upon seeing a gesture from Gadi.
“What has
happened?” Qui-Gon questioned.
“When I came to
relieve Deegee, I discovered that he was dead,” Entok replied. “And
that...Drayce had escaped as well.”
The silence was
deafening in the area. Expressions of anger, despair and concern were seen on
the faces throughout the group.
After about a
minute, Gadi came through the group with Kaylar behind him, heading towards the
console. Both healers examined the dead guard. After a couple of minutes, both
men looked at each other, instinctively knowing that they had come to the same
conclusion.
“Deegee died of a
broken neck,” Gadi informed the group.
Malcolm crossed
his arms over his chest. “To me, it would seem that he knew his attacker,” he
stated.
Chelz looked at
Malcolm curiously. “How do you come to this conclusion?” She questioned.
It was Caden who
answered. “A security guard would not be a victim of a sneak attack.”
Malcolm nodded.
“He’s right,” he agreed, then paused, looking thoughtful. He uncrossed his arms,
as he began to count off his fingers. “A guard is dead...Drayce has
escaped...and Ryvinia missing.” His eyes narrowed. “A coincidence?” His voice
grew dangerous ever so slightly. “I think not.”
Archer leaned over
to Trey. “I think our transportation operation will have to wait for now,” he
said in a quiet voice.
Trey nodded.
“Agreed,” he replied, quietly.