Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [47]
“Data!”
He turned. “Thelia!”
She had come in at another entrance, as bedraggled and unkempt as before, but radiant with happiness.
“We have both achieved the Quest,” she said. “I was so afraid for you when I reached the labyrinth and realized you had not followed.”
He recalled that labyrinths were common in the Quest motif, but said truthfully, “A maze is no challenge to me. Was that your last obstacle?” A slight frown crossed her face. “There was something else-the white seja led me to my childhood prince, but-was When she hesitated, Data said, “I understand.
I, too, experienced something I cannot explain to you, But I could not have reached that point without your help, your knowledge of Elysian Quest lore.”
“Nor I without your strength and kindness.”
Suddenly she took his hand, looking at the exposed mechanical components. Then she looked up, into his eyes. “I can never thank you enough, Data. I have 129 nothing to give you but my friendship. You will be forever welcome in the land of Atridia.” She threw her arms about him, oblivious to the exposed metal and synthetics her arms embraced. Then she studied his face again, as if to memorize it. “Surely it is safe for me to accord you a token of affection.”
And saying that, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. For an instant, Data felt something.
Something like what he’d felt for Tasha, but different ….
“Come now,” Thelia said, smiling. She took his hand. “Let us go into the sanctuary.”
There was no door; they passed through a rainbow into a place of glowing color. The patterns playing over the floor formed a circle of white light at the center.
“Thelia of Atridia. his Letting go of Data’s hand, Thelia stepped into the light circle. “In your Quest, you have come to know your strengths and your weaknesses. You have overcome your fears and demonstrated that you can work with another, no matter how different from you. When he was injured, you protected him at your own risk. When you proceeded alone, you avoided the temptations we placed in your path. Your request is granted.- Atridia and Tosus will be joined, and your people will prosper. his The circle of light began to pulse, as if a transporter were in operation. Within the glow, Thelia changed, her injuries healed, her clothing transformed from the rough shirt and trousers to a magnificent gown of gold and white. Her dark hair was arranged in an elegant style, surmounted by a small golden crown.
She was beautiful.
And then, before Data could even say goodbye, she faded away. It was a transporter, he realized.
By now Thelia was safely at home in her own land.
“Data of Starfleet.”
Data stepped into the circle of light.
The voice declared, “Although a stranger to our planet, disy have obeyed our taws and aided one of our people. For this alone we would ofer you our gratitude.
But beyond that, you, also, have expanded your limitations. That you may understand the nature of what you perceive as limits, we grant your fondest wish.”
The Elysian transporter effect pulsed around Data, and in a moment he was standing, off balance, on one of the tilted rocks littering the beach below the mountain. When the beam let him go he staggered, could not maintain his footing, and fell forward, landing on hands and knees on the pebbled shards. Data pushed himself quickly to his knees-to an increase of unpleasant sensation in one place, a decrease in another. Pain, some analytical portion of his mind informed him, increasing in his knees when he put pressure on them, decreasing in his hands when he relieved the pressure there. His hands …
Data stared at the backs of his hands. And saw not metal rods and mesh showing through gaping holes, but skin. And the sleeves of his uniform, whole and clean, came neatly down to his wrists as usual.
As usual?
He tried to process what was wrong-and could not access his diagnostics.
His hands were the wrong color: a pinkish hue with a few dark hairs showing near the wrists.
Numb with disbelief, he staggered