Thank you, everyone who's been following this story. I hope you enjoyed reading it half as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I'm not good at endings. I would appreciate it if everyone who reviews this story makes a suggestion on how it could have been better.
Disclaimer: Alas! In spite of months of effort I still do not own Star Trek Deep Space Nine.
Chapter 19
The funeral had been arranged according to the traditions of Starfleet, even though Tairis wasn't a member. She'd never given specific instructions on how to treat her remains, and no one knew what the custom was for her people, so she would be launched into the cosmos, to be eternally an explorer. Vo'xa, Gicu, Ia Zh, and Uyiy clumped in a group nearest Tairis's coffin. While the three younger crew members spoke quietly of Tairis's courage, dedication, and service, Vo'xa remained silent, thinking of the a dozen friends' funerals she and Tairis had endured together. She was finally beginning to feel her age, and couldn't help but wonder if she would have to preside over the funerals of any other of her colleagues before her time came. She looked at her remaining crew: Ia Zh, the Yniln whose tranquility disguised his youth, the son of one of Vo'xa and Tairis's colleagues from the earliest days of the BYSEV. The philosophical d'Yniln barely cared about what happened to their remains after death. Burial, cremation, or disposal was all perfectly acceptable. Gicu, being Dassa, would want his body buried with a sapling to represent the continuity of life cycles. Uyiy, a Qwa, instructed for its remains to be fed to scavengers or predators, to represent the same thing. For the Beid, whose scientific curiosity was by far the most pronounced racial trait, bodies were devoted to study. If she died while on the journey, Vo'xa's corpse would be cryogenically frozen and returned to her homeworld, where her genetic code would be unraveled, scrutinized, and stored along with the most comprehensive biography Beid researchers could compile in one of Beidic's vast underground libraries. Because of their small population and precariously slow reproductive rate, the life of every Beid was documented from birth to death.
She wished that she knew more about Tairis. She'd always assumed that she would tell her about her past when she was ready, but now all Vo'xa knew of her history were the vague hints that had slipped out over the years, what Kalaran had said about the Thovi, and Tairis's mysterious genetic code, which indicated she was a hybrid offspring of at least three different species.
Captain Kira approached her. "Everything's ready," she said softly. "You may deliver the eulogy whenever you want."
Vo'xa nodded and stepped to the podium next to the coffin. She looked around. Besides her own crew and several members of Deep Space Nine's staff, the bridge crew of the Fortitude had insisted on attending. Vo'xa wasn't sure if it was appropriate or not, but Ia Zh had told her it was necessary for the captain to forgive himself. Burnau and Nshevalth Bez were also prominently in attendance, even though the telepathic security officer was still recovering from the psionic trauma he'd suffered from Tairis's tortured psyche. For reasons Vo'xa didn't know, they'd both insisted on viewing the body before the coffin was closed, but now they were huddled with the rest of the Deep Space Nine attendees at a respectful distance.
Though more than once her throat tightened to the point that she couldn't speak, Vo'xa managed to deliver a heartfelt eulogy. She spoke of Tairis's endearing qualities, how she consistently gave more than duty required of her. She shared a couple of stories of Tairis's distinguished career, and her quieter acts of heroism as a selfless friend.
When the eulogy was finished, Tairis's crewmates approached the coffin to bid their colleague a final goodbye. Ia Zh, who had wept silently during the eulogy, but who had managed to dry his tears, whispered the Cezhiaey Affirmation: "The flower has bloomed."
Remembering the Yniln word for "death," which literally meant "Return to Cu," Ia Zh entered a brief state of meditation, teaching himself to accept that Tairis's soul had returned, and that her body would soon return to the raw elements. When he completed the meditation, Ia Zh began to sing the customary Yniln funerary song of letting go, of acceptance, and of hope.
Uyiy, who had not been taught to believe in an afterlife, raised its voice in the traditional Qwa dirge, a far more ancient tune of sorrow and loss.
The two songs somehow blended into a haunting harmony: cold and warm, fresh and ancient, mysterious and obvious, personal and universal at once.
As the strange song continued, the coffin was launched into the darkness of space, given back to the stars.
After the funeral, Kira caught Odo's eye. He walked over to her.
"Kalaran's sources say Laas is almost ready to launch his attack," he whispered. "I'll be leaving in an hour. Are you sure you want to come with me?"
Kira nodded. "I've already told Commander Vaughn to take over for me. I just need to stop by my quarters and I'll be ready to go."
Odo took her hand briefly, then slipped away to prepare his ship for departure.
Vaughn looked for Vo'xa in her ship. He was hesitant about speaking with her, but he thought she should know Tairis sacrificed herself in his place.
The BYSEV ship was unlike any other he'd seen: it was cramped, every inch of wall and even the ceiling was utilized for buttons, switches, and various other controls. The seats were reclined nearly to the point of being beds, and sunk in the floor. Each seat had a keypad that might have doubled as a kind of restraint. Uyiy was at one of these alcoves. It folded its antennae into complex shapes in order to manipulate multiple controls at once as a translucent holographic projection showing what Vaughn guessed was the ship's engine extended from the ceiling directly above.
"I'm looking for Vo'xa," Vaughn said.
"In her office. There." It gestured to one of the button-covered doors along the sides of the room.
Vaughn approached it slowly, scanning its surface for anything that might announce his presence to the room's occupant.
"Touch the yellow stripe," Uyiy advized.
He pressed the large illuminated yellow rectangle. A moment later, the door opened. He walked in to a room smaller but less crowded than the bridge. Vo'xa stood in front of a screen, conversing with a blue-green amoeboid.
"You seem to have a visitor, Vo'xa." The giant amoeba's voice issued not from its body, but from a small computer interface that seemed to be floating on its surface membrane.
"So it seems. I'll contact you as soon as I know the Federation's answer."
"Once again, let me express my condolences for Tairis; she was a valuable asset to the BYSEV, and a good friend."
Vo'xa nodded her acceptance, then touched a button that ended the communication. She turned to Vaughn.
"What was that?" he asked, indicating the screen.
"Huguaq Mai, the current head of BYSEV. He's Ecroshim."
"But what answer were you talking about?"
Vo'xa looked down. "I asked him for permission to explore the Federation part of the Alpha Quadrant after we make sure there are no more nairoids in Starfleet and prepare you for any future nairait attacks. The Beid have been in this part of space before, centuries ago, but clearly much has changed."
"And you decided to clear it with your superiors before asking the Federation for permission."
"There's an old Beid saying: 'If you need to amputate someone's toe and arm, do the toe first.'"
Vaughn looked confused.
"Because if you can't cut off the toe, you shouldn't even attempt the arm. Right?" she tried to explain. "I thought convincing Mai would be easier than convincing the Federation."
"Right," he said quickly. "But I'm sure the Federation council will grant you permission. We're as eager to learn about the BYSEV as you are to learn about us."
"I hope you're right."
He looked at the floor. "I came here to talk about Tairis," he admitted.
Vo'xa squeezed her eyes closed for a moment. "What about her?" she asked, her sorrow plain.
"I was about to perform the mission at the same time she was. She wouldn't let me. I think...I think in the end she found something she's been looking for a long time."
"I know."
He looked up curiously.
"I might not know about Tairis's past, but I know what kind of person she was, and I've known for a long time how much silent suffering she endured, even though I never knew why."
"She said she was responsible for billions of deaths."
Vo'xa didn't look shocked.
Vaughn nodded to her and began retreating toward the door. "If there's anything I can help you with, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Commander."
After Vaughn left, Vo'xa stood for a long time lost in thought about Tairis.
Kira stood beside Odo on the bridge of the Shkalek. First Rinak'vaka, Weyoun, and members of Rinak'vaka's contingent stood behind them. Kalaran stood at the subspace communication console.
"Is the transmission ready?" Odo asked.
"Yes," answered Kalaran.
Odo put on a headset screen. Kira did the same. "Open a channel to Laas."
The image of the hated Founder appeared on their screens. "Kira Nerys," he said in a poisonous voice, "I'm surprised that you choose to end your short life in such a futile sacrifice as this."
"I don't believe I'll be making that sacrifice today."
"We're giving you one last chance," Odo said, "stand down, and we'll negotiate."
"Or I could destroy you and not have to."
"We have discovered a way to save our species, Laas," Odo implored. "But we can only do it by cooperating with the solids."
"We both know that's a lie."
Odo looked at Kalaran. "It's time. Send the transmission."
With the touch of a button, data—including Laas's attempts to destroy Odo, Kalaran's plans for reengineering the Jem'hadar and Vorta, and Kira's medical condition—were sent to every ship on both sides of the battlefield at once, along with a program preventing the transmission from being blocked.
"What are you doing?" Laas snarled as he frantically tried to stop the message. "These are all lies! You manufactured the evidence."
"Let's just wait and see if your troops believe you," Kira smirked.
Kalaran grabbed a headset and smiled wickedly at the enemy Founder. "Check your sensors, Laas; a fourth of your ships have already redirected their weapons at you. Others are sending us messages accepting our terms on your behalf."
Laas's anger burned out as he saw that she was right. His ships were flocking to his rival. "I imagine you're expecting me to surrender to your terms now," he said grudgingly.
"We're not asking for your surrender, only your cooperation," Odo insisted.
"Very well; I'll 'cooperate.' I'm ordering what ships will still obey my orders out of firing range."
Odo nodded congenially. "And if you don't mind, I would like to have some of my ships escort you back to Dominion space."
"Agreed," Laas grumbled.
The transmission ended, and Kira, Kalaran, and Odo removed their headsets and glanced at each other.
"Hm," Odo harrumphed.
Kira looked at him curiously. "What?"
"I didn't expect it to be that easy."
"Are you complaining?" She asked, amused.
He smiled at her. "Not at all. I just hope nothing goes wrong."
"As optimistic as usual, I see," Kira laughed.
"Don't worry; we'll keep our eyes on him," Kalaran assured them both.
Odo gave her a nod, then looked at Kira. "We'll return you to Deep Space Nine whenever you want."
"No hurry," she said. "Besides, you just averted a possibly catastrophic war; don't you think that calls for some kind of celebration?"
"What did you have in mind?" he asked her.
She smiled a small, conspiratorial smile. "I'll be right back."
She disappeared into Odo's private room. He waited, vexed with curiosity, until she reemerged a few minutes later. She was dressed in a dull blue and green dress that Odo recognized as a Dahkur supplication robe. She was carrying a small black box.
"Kira," he asked, bemused, "what are you doing?"
She deliberately walked up to him, fell to her knees, and bowed her head in the attitude of a supplicant.
Kira had been planning this for months, but she still felt so awkward. The eloquent proposal she had painstakingly memorized seemed suddenly clumsy and wordy. She decided to attempt it anyway.
"Odo," she began, "I know how hard your life has been, and how much you've had to sacrifice, and the last thing I want is to make it even more complicated, which is why I want you to know you can refuse my request and I won't hold it against you in the least degree."
She stopped, her mind suddenly frustratingly blank. She didn't know how long it was until she said the first thing in her head, which was part of a later section of the speech. "For most of my life, I've had nothing to look forward to, nothing to hold on to during endless cycles of loss and defeat but the firm belief that I would die doing what was right. And then, for several years, I floundered to find some way to live without the constant struggle and opposition I was used to. You became a counterbalance to me. You helped me see myself the way you see me, which gave me strength in my most difficult times. I don't think I can express my gratitude for your friendship. You have always been so loyal, so undemanding. I honestly don't know what I ever did to deserve that from you. I only wish I could show you how amazing you are.
"I love you, Odo. We may be separated by a galaxy, but I wish us to be connected in the eyes of the Prophets, the Bajoran people, the Federation, and the Dominion, which is why I publicly request of you that you consider accepting this bracelet," she opened the box containing the two betrothal bracelets and held it out to him, "and my unworthy hand in marriage."
When she ended her monologue and took a deep breath, the enormity of what she'd just done hit her. She felt embarrassed and terrified. Her heart was pounding harder than it did during life-or-death combat situations.
Odo stared at her in complete shock for half a minute, then her dropped down until his eyes were level with hers. She had just declared herself unworthy of him, he reflected. Ironic, considering how many years he'd held her on a pedastal that he didn't dare reach for. Now he was symbolically equal to her, and he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be. He wouldn't have traded it for anything in the universe.
He took one of the bracelets and attached it around her wrist. "I accept. With all my existence, I accept."
She smiled, relieved, and put the other bracelet on him. They knelt, smiling at each other, for a minute before Kira looked around at Odo's confused crew. "Maybe we should go somewhere quieter to discuss this," she suggested shyly.
Odo nodded. He helped her to her feet and steered her toward his quarters.
They sat on the floor by the window. Kira's face, lit only by the starlight, looked too beautiful to be real. Odo tenderly fingered the betrothal bracelet she wore, then reached up and touched her earring. Kira took his other hand, massaging his palm with her fingertips. Her other hand cupped his cheek. Odo's fingers slid from her ear across her cheek to lightly brushed her lips, then smoothed her eyebrow. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"Her name will be Kira Cerunvic," Kira said abruptly. "If you like it, of course."
"Kira Cerunvic," he repeated. "'Golden light.' It's the most beautiful name I've ever heard."
Kira smiled. She looked down for a moment, then looked up and locked eyes with him. "I don't want to do anything that will make things more difficult for you."
"When we're married," he assured her, "I think I'll be able to handle anything the Gamma Quadrant throws at me as long as I know you'll be there when I go back. I wish we could be together, but I'm not sure that will ever be possible. I want our daughter to be raised in the Federation, where no one will worship her as a god, where she'll be judged by who she is, not what she is. That's the least we can give her."
Kira nodded. There were so many other things they needed to talk about, but at that moment all she wanted to do was touch him.
In the distance, the Wormhole opened, like a new star blossoming in the heavens to welcome their child to the galaxy. Odo and Kira turned to watch it.
The soon-to-be-married couple entered Vic's lounge.
"Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you/Let me here you tell me that you love me too."
Odo rested his hand on Kira's shoulder. She took it with one hand, while the other kept a firm grip on a strange container.
When Vic finished his song, he came down to greet them. "You two are a sight for sore eyes. I don't know whether to be glad to see you or mad that you didn't drop by sooner." His holographic eyes fell on what Kira was carrying: it looked like a glass basket with a glowing, swirling gold fluid inside.
Kira smiled proudly. "Vic, meet our little CerunVic."
"She definitely takes after her father," he commented, managing to keep a straight face. "You named her after me?"
"Actually," Kira looked embarrassed to admit, "I didn't think about that when I chose the name, but we decided it's appropriate, since she wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."
"We have a favor to ask you," Odo interrupted.
He smiled. "Anything for you, pallie."
"We...want you to be her godfather," said Kira.
Vic nearly jumped. "Me? You sure you want a hologram for a godfather? I'm sure Benjamin and Kasidy or Miles and Keiko would love for you to choose them."
"We considered them," Odo explained.
"But we wanted someone who..." Kira searched for a way to put it succinctly.
"Doesn't have regular death threats," Odo suggested.
"Right. And that's not the Siskos or the O'Briens, and it's definitely not us..."
"If you want the job, you're our first choice," concluded Odo.
Kira added, "It's not unprecedented; I've heard there's a Starfleet couple who chose an Emergency Medical Hologram as their baby's godfather."
Vic couldn't help but smile. "Relax; I'll take the job. I just never expected anything like this. I'm honored."
"Would you like to hold her?" Kira asked.
Vic took the infant changeling from her mother. He wagged his finger at it and cooed. A tendril of the glowing golden goo reached out and latched on to his finger.
"I think she likes you," said Odo.
Though he continued to smile, the hologram couldn't keep his voice entirely clear of sadness when he next spoke. "I hear you're leaving again soon."
Odo and Kira glanced at each other with sobered, sad eyes. "That's right," Odo confirmed. "After the wedding, we'll spend some time together on what humans refer to as a 'honeymoon' on Earth, and then I'll return to the Dominion."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Vic commiserated.
Odo nodded his gratitude for the sentiment, but answered, "They need me there."
"And I'm needed here," said Kira. Vic had returned CerunVic to her, and she set the custom-made baby basket down on a table, keeping one hand on the handle.
"Just remember to stop by whenever you're in my corner of the galaxy, okay?" Vic urged with genuine fondness.
"Of course."
"Odo, look!"
Odo and Vic turned to Kira. The clear basket was empty; on the table next to it were two wine glasses, one of which was less detailed than the other, and slightly tilted to the side.
Odo put an arm around Kira's shoulders. They smiled, as proud as parents of a humanoid are when their baby takes its first uncertain steps.
"She's a fast learner," Kira bragged.
"I can see that." Vic chuckled. "Brace yourselves; she's going to be a handful."
Kira nodded in agreement. She swept the simulated goblet into the basket. "We should be going, but we'll see you soon," she assured the holographic lounge singer.
"Stay for just one more song," Vic requested.
They readily agreed.
Vic returned to the stage. "This next song goes out to two very good friends of mine who are about to take the plunge. Best of luck to you." He pointed to his band and launched into a number.
Odo and Kira smiled, laughed, and listened together as Vic sang 'You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.'
THE END