Seven of Nine - Christie Golden [71]
Xanarit looked dreadful. His eyesacs were bright green as he shook his head.
"No. We have wronged your people, Tamaak Vn'is.
I had hoped to facilitate your meeting with him here in public. I didn't know about. ..." His voice trailed off as he stared at the living shell of his Emperor.
"It was you," breathed Janeway, comprehension dawning as she stared at Xanarit. "You saved us from the Ku, got us the audience with Emperor Beytek. You told us-you said we had friends on Lhiaari."
Xanarit nodded. "Yes, Captain Janeway. I knew who you were and who you were bringing. I apologize for tricking you, but it was the only way I could contrive on such short notice to see justice done.
Nothing you said in the antechamber was private. I had set it up so that everything that transpired would be heard and seen by everyone in the Empire. I knew you would confront Beytek with what you had learned, and that he would confess to it. I had hoped to promote understanding, reveal the secret, force Beytek to acknowledge the crime he committed and... what is done, is done. The Emperor is no longer fit to lead, and as the head of the Iora, I must shoulder his responsibilities."
He turned around, to face the crowd gone strangely silent. The recording devices were still on. Xanarit now had the complete attention of billions.
"Emperor Beytek is still alive," he said, his voice clear and strong.
He stood erect-the perfect image of a just leader. "What we all underwent was a powerful telepathic experience, sent to our minds by Tamaak Vrs, a Skedan. We all heard what it was like to witness the destruction of millions. Emperor Beytek, whose actions caused such terror and death, actually experienced what we merely heard. His mind could not stand it.
"Tamaak and his people have been horribly wronged. While I do not agree with the method they have chosen to seek their justice, I will, as my first deed as acting Emperor, petition the lora and the people to pardon him."
He held out his arms to the crowd beseechingly.
Noise now began to ripple through the crowd. Not the angry growl of a discontented mob, but the low murmur of agreement. Janeway saw Xanarit's shoulders relax ever so slightly. He was in line with what his people wanted, as a good leader must be.
"There are a few Skedans who survived Beytek's treachery. I believe I speak for all Lhiaarians when I say we welcome them to our homeworld with eyesacs of blue. If Lhiaari has anything to do with it, Tamaak, your people will survive. Beytek's actions, taken without consulting the Iora, shamed the whole Empire.
And that Empire will do all it can to make restitution.
Let this day be a day of healing."
He reached out his clawed hands to Tamaak.
Stunned, for a moment the Skedan could only stare.
Then his splendid eyes closed in a smile and he reached out his own paws to clasp those of Xanarit.
No more fear, no more death, no more burning revenge. Beytek stirred, blinking foolishly, not comprehending what was transpiring.
Janeway thought that a pity.
The Doctor snapped his tricorder shut with an air of finality.
"Congratulations, Seven. I detect no further hyperstimulation of the limbic system. You are fit as a fiddle."
She stared at him, narrowing her eyes. "A fiddle is another word for a violin-an instrument. How can an inanimate object be considered to be in prime physical condition when-" "Looks like you're right, Doctor," Janeway interrupted with a smile. "That's our Seven."
"The birds are gone, then?" asked Chakotay.
Seven nodded. "Yes."
"Seven," began Janeway, choosing her words carefully, "do you-do you still have the memories of-" "Those I assimilated?" The thought stirred nothing within Seven but cool analysis. "No. I remember having them, but-It is like eating Neelix's food. You remember consuming the nutrients, but after a while the actual physical substance does not linger in