Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [41]
Another parallel…
Finally, Natlar said, “You have given us much to think about.” She signaled to one of the guards who was standing at the door, who sent the young girl in. “We do not have the finest accommodations, but Prilla will show you to a chamber where you may refresh yourselves while we discuss your proposal.”
Prilla came in as the envoy nodded. “We thank you for your hospitality and your indulgence, Prefect.” Then he and his two aides followed Prilla out of the conference room.
Silence descended upon the room for several seconds, before Torrna’s booming voice, predictably, broke it. “You can’t possibly be considering their request, can you?”
Natlar sighed. “Of course I am considering it, General. I would be a fool not to.”
Torrna slammed a fist down on the table. “No, what would be foolish would be to accept their offer! We’d be trading one oppressor for another!”
One of the other people at the table, an older man, said, “You keep saying that, Antosso. What, you’re saying the Bajora, Lerrit, and Endtree are all the same?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Then you’re even more naďve than I thought.”
Again, Torrna slammed his fist on the table. Kira half expected to see a dent in the wood at this point. “I’m naďve? I have been fighting for our lives out there, Morlek! Don’t you dare tell me”
“No one is doubting your accomplishments,” Morlek said, “but the truth is”
“The truth is, we are free!” Torrna looked at each person at the table as he spoke. “But we are not going to remain free if we just let someone else do exactly what Lerrit did! So many have died so that we could shape our own destiny not so we can let someone else do the same thing. No matter who it is Bajora, Lerrit, Endtree we cannot let anyone direct our paths!” He turned back to Morlek. “You’re right, Morlek. Lerrit, Endtree, and the Bajora are not the same. But from our perspective, they are all outsiders, and that is what concerns me and should concern all of us. If we are simply going to allow ourselves to be subsumed by the next power that comes along, then I have to wonder what, precisely, we have been fighting for all this time.”
Torrna strode purposefully toward the exit. “I will abide by whatever you decide in this room, Prefect,” he said as he walked, “but I will not sit here and listen to any more foolish ramblings. Just remember this one thing.” He stopped and gave the table one final glance. “Periki Remarro did not die so we could become part of the Bajora. Or part of Endtree. She died so we could be free. If we are to name ourselves for her, then we should never forget what she stood for.”
And with that, he left.
Chapter 3
Kira found Torrna two hours later in his quarters. He was sitting on the windowsill, staring out the window at the port. Kira noticed that his quarters were clean, which was a first. Guess that’s how he spent the last two hours, she thought with amusement.
“You want the good news or the bad news?” Kira asked as she entered.
Torrna didn’t even look at her. “I find it impossible to believe that there is good news.”
“Well, there is. Natlar rejected the Bajoran offer.”
Shaking his head, Torrna said, “Amazing. I wouldn’t have given them credit for thinking that clearly.”
“Why not?” Kira asked angrily. “You think you’re the only one who was fighting out there?”
Torrna sighed. “I sometimes wonder.” He shook his head. “No, of course, you’re right, Ashla. I simply don’t want to see everything I we fought for ruined by shortsightedness.”
“Give Natlar a little credit, Antosso. She’s not about to throw everything out the window.”
“I suppose not.”
Kira wasn’t finished. She moved closer to Torrna and went on: “But give the Bajora some credit, too. What they’re trying to do is important. I know you don’t believe in the Prophets, but what they’re doing is bringing bringing the world together.” She had almost said, “bringing Bajor