The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [140]
“I know the means whereby the Praetorate achieves their ends. They will manufacture further ‘evidence’ of enemy aggression to promote the imperialist doctrine. They will force out other men of character and fortitude who believe as I do. And in the end, they will collapse under the weight of their own deceptions and paranoia, and bring all of the empire down with them.”
Again he paused and for a moment seemed unsure if he should continue. Then his voice lowered and took on a deadly serious tone.
“Rest assured that I am not alone in my endeavors. About a year ago, our intelligence teams began to collate data from our most distant listening posts, and they have determined that a race of powerful cyborg creatures in the Delta Quadrant are moving this way, destroying and assimilating everything in their path, representing the greatest single threat we have yet faced in our galaxy. Yet the Continuing Committee refuses to resolve petty differences with those who should be our allies in an ultimate battle for galactic survival.
“Therefore, a number of us who are like-minded have networked together, prepared to share information with other powers in the region, should it become necessary for survival in this or any other catastrophic scenario. My contact is a good man—a general of the Tal Shiar by the name of Koval, and he has pledged to discreetly look after you and Tiaru in my absence.”
Ai’lara gasped, her eyes wide open with shock, suggesting that the name was quite familiar to her.
“My love…Since you have received this message, I trust that you are in contact with someone from the Federation. I am attaching data regarding encrypted frequencies that Starfleet may use to contact Koval. I cannot offer this to Captain Picard now—I fear that I have lost his trust and confidence. So for the sake of our people, I implore you to see this information safely delivered to those across the borders who can best help us.”
Observing the data on the screen, Picard committed the frequencies and decryption codes to memory as Ai’lara sat nearby, still stunned, her mouth slightly open. “Koval,” she whispered to herself. “All this time, he was protecting us…”
Her late husband continued:
“For my part, I’ve done what I can to ensure that our safety continues to be protected. I was deceived, yes…but I believe my defection may nonetheless be a first step to a better understanding between our peoples. But it is not my place to see it through. I am neither an emissary nor a diplomat. I am a relic who has denied his own future, and therefore my life must end here.”
Jarok closed his eyes and took a deep breath, evincing a sense of peace with his fate.
“My love for both of you runs deeper than the Apnex Sea. Perhaps not this day, but one day, you will understand the depth of my sacrifice and my resolve to secure your future and that of our grandchildren. And perhaps then, I will have your forgiveness. Do not forget, and do not capitulate to those who sow fear and reap despair. The power of hope is yours now. Good-bye.”
The screen slowly faded to black, and a suffocating silence filled the room. For the first time, Picard noticed the whisper of a breeze blowing through an open window and the tick of an archaic time-keeping device on the wall. He did not wish to interrupt the stillness, but words somehow escaped his lips. “He held strong to his convictions,” he murmured, “even after losing everything he held dear. What an amazing man.”
Tiaru quietly sucked in her breath and blinked rapidly, shedding the moisture that had welled up in the corners of her eyes. Ai’lara sat motionless, continuing to focus upon the padd’s darkened display.
Picard sat with his head slightly bowed for what seemed like hours, until he felt sure that his presence was no longer appropriate. Slowly, he set down his cup, pushed his chair from the