Dark Matters_ Shadow of Heaven (Book 3) - Christie Golden [77]
"Khala, Chakotay, and Paris," said Janeway, her throat tight She was filled with rage at Tialin. Two billion people! And yet she knew that it had been an accident. A horrible, soul-chilling one, but an accident nonetheless. What Lhiau was planning was nothing short of murder. And he would not stop with a mere two billion lives.
Tialin nodded again. "And even they will not be safe in their new universes forever, as you have discovered. All depends upon the Romulans halting themselves. If they persist, then everything is doomed."
She turned to the three Romulans. They all stood straight and tall, giving Tialin their full attention. For a moment, Janeway thought how similar they looked. Fit bodies, pointed ears, ridged foreheads, sleek, short, black hair. Similar in mind-set too, to a certain degree. The Romulan Empire was all to each of them. But how different they were, too. She had not spoken much to the male Romulan who had arrived with Kaleh, but she knew that Telek and Kaleh were as different as night and day.
Individuals. In the end, no matter how the mind tried to lump people into categories, they persisted in being individuals.
"It is time for the three of you to travel back to your own space and time," said Tialin. "I will assist you when the time is right. Make your farewells, and men prepare to open the wormhole to the Alpha Quadrant one last time."
She turned again to Janeway. "Captain, I understand how distressed you must be. You had hoped that Telek R'Mor's wormhole technology would be able to send you and your crew home, to your rightful space and time. I regret having taken this hope away. But the wormhole technology is in truth largely powered by Shepherd technology. Every time it opens-"
"More mutated dark matter is created," Janeway finished. "I understand." She lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry about us. We'll find our way home, one day."
Tialin smiled mysteriously, but said nothing.
Telek R'Mor stepped over to Janeway. They gazed into one another's eyes for a moment, neither saying anything. It was Telek who first broke the silence.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway of the United Federation of Planets," he said slowly, with great respect, "it has been the honor of my life to have worked with you on this noble cause. I wish I could have been instrumental in helping you find your home."
"You helped with something much bigger than mat, Telek," said Janeway softly. "It has been an honor for me, for everyone on this ship, as well. You do your people proud."
He inclined his head graciously. "As I have ever sought to do." He hesitated. "I do not know what fate awaits me. I may still die the death of a traitor. I may live to a ripe old age, and entertain you in my home one day when our two governments are allies. After what I have witnessed these last few weeks, I have come to realize that, truly, anything is possible."
Janeway's blue eyes suddenly stung. Even if Telek R'Mor was pardoned and lived out his life as if this incident had never happened, even if by some miracle the Romulans and the Federation chose to be allies in science and war, she would never have the simple delight of visiting him on Romulus. That was indeed not possible, his hopeful words to the contrary. He was a dead man, standing, living, before her. He died years ago. She would never see him again. She realized that this was much, much more than a simple goodbye.
Had he been human, she would have embraced him. But she did not know if such a gesture would be appropriate or even welcomed. So she simply stood, gazing into the dark, compassionate eyes of someone she regarded as a dear friend.
Telek extended a hand. Janeway grasped it, and brought her other hand up to hold it, briefly, in both of hers.
"I look forward to reminiscing over a cup