Disclaimer: Earth: Final Conflict Universe is from Gene Roddenberry.

No copyright infringement is intended.

The idea is mine.

Author: Mithril ([email protected]) 1999.

True Intentions

Da'an silently stood before the blue tank and, after a moment of hesitation, he touched the crystal with a trembling hand. Immediately the images of the true fate of William Boone came to his mind. Zo'or had killed is implant!

The North American Companion blushed blue in anger and slowly withdrew his hand. "Did you believe you could keep the truth away from me?" he asked the quiet figure standing behind him.

"Of course not," a cold voice answered. "The death of a human is always an irrelevant event. Why should I hide it from you?"

"You had no right!" Da'an exclaimed as he turned to face Zo'or.

"Why not?" The Synod Leader asked with a smirk. "This is the same thing that you did with Kate Boone."

"That was different," Da'an said, lowering his eyes. "Her death had a porpoise, but William Boone's was meaningless," he added in a low voice.

To Da'an's surprise, Zo'or stiffened and lost her façade for a second. "I can assure you I did have a reason," the Synod Leader stated in a rather bitter tone.

The North American Companion tilted his head and met Zo'or's now glowing eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously, his anger momentarily forgotten.

"It does not matter," Zo'or answered dryly, shaking her head.

"William Boone was my favorite Implant," Da'an stated, feeling his anger returning.

"YES I KNOW!" Zo'or yelled, losing her disguise again. "I know the influence he had in you and I also know how much you enjoyed his company instead of mi--"

Zo'or abruptly stopped, and realizing what she had just said, she turned around and walked to the virtual glass window, not daring to look back.

Startled by Zo'or's violent reaction, Da'an followed her with a worried gaze and sighed. Now he knew what had been annoying his young Synod Leader. He shook his head. How could he have been so blind?

Slowly he approached Zo'or and gently placed his hands on the younger Taelon's bowed shoulders. "Now I understand," he said kindly. "I had not realized how much my actions had hurt you. I should have informed you about my plan, but it would have ruined it all. Can you forgive me, little one?"

Zo'or regained her human appearance and turned, a look of surprise in her sparkling eyes. "Your plan?" she asked, puzzled.

Da'an nodded and smiled. "Yes. You are an intelligent and capable leader, Zo'or, but also a too impatient one. Did you not know that you can achieve better results with kindness than with ruthlessness?" he asked softly.

Zo'or tilted her head, but did not say a word, her interest clearly visible in her eyes.

Pleased by having her complete attention, Da'an continued. "While you chose to hunt and scare our enemies... I chose to let them believe I was one of them. In a curious way, our different approaches are complementary; your cruelty lead them to my... kindness. Do you understand now my behavior, little one?" Da'an asked in a soothing tone.

Zo'or looked at him with wide opened eyes, as if having an internal struggle. Finally she bowed her head and spoke with a voice filled with relief. "Yes."

Without another word, she turned to the window and fixed her gaze upon the blue planet. Then, for the first time in years, she relaxed; knowing that everything would be all right. Now that her beloved mentor and friend had returned, no one would be able to stop them.

(I never left little one) Da'an tenderly whispered in her mind, his hands still resting on her shoulders. (And you are right. As long as we remain together, the Universe will belong to us).

(Will I have your support?) The Synod Leader asked after a while, unable to hide her joy.

(Always, little one, always) the North American Companion answered without hesitation, sharing visions of triumph through their contact.

FIN