Author's Notes: I have decided to begin posting this tale; a tale filled with a certain level of deepness concerning the spiritual aspects, Alain Desrochers will discover certain parts of his destiny, the reason why he was sent into the Omniverse to begin with. And so we shall begin the third installment of my Star Trek Voyager chapters of the great novel known as Chrysalis.
Disclaimer: I make no claims to owning any of the character pre-established in the Star Trek universe, only those characters whom I have created such as Alain and the new villains of the piece about to be introduced in this very chapter belong to me. I trust it shall entice you; fill you with a strong thrill perhaps, do please Read & Review to let me know what you have thought of this opening chapter, and rest assured this time the bad guys are going to be truly Evil.
Prologue
After a long night in Sickbay recuperating from the effects of my merger with the Computer I entered the conference room or whatever you chose to call it; and took a seat at the table. Though I was not a member of the senior staff a seat was made available for me so we could discuss these new developments; the foremost involving Q and my testing, but also to help me figure out just how the hell I'd done what I'd done. I didn't like it; the power at my fingertips reminded me too much of Alumni and his Chaos God powers, but yet it was different and had seemingly come from within me. The Captain had mercifully not yet arrived, which I was more then grateful for; since I wasn't really looking forward to this conversation.
Chakotay eyed me critically from his seat; Tom and Harry seemed undecided on the matter judging by their confused glances in my general direction, B'Elanna as usual was glowering at me and Seven seemed actually afraid for once. Neelix was the only one to greet me enthusiastically and that at least brought some small comfort to my otherwise truly frightened persona; though I hid my fears well.
"I'm here, sorry I'm late, but…" The Doc trailed off as he realized the Captain was not yet here. "Well I guess I'm not the last one here today." He muttered as he sat down.
"The Captain needed a little time to compose herself before confronting this situation." Chakotay explained eyeing me the entire time he spoke, which sent a chill down my spine; his steely gaze was enough to set the hairs on the back of anyone's head to stand on end.
"Marvelous; I'm a situation now; I suppose the Captain even stayed up all night worrying about me." I exclaimed raising my arms up in exasperation. "What's next fusion cannon roulette?"
"I hardly think so Ensign Desrochers." The Captain stated as she and Tuvok finally arrived and claimed their seats.
"Forgive the outburst Captain; I'm still a little out of it from the merger." I apologized with an ever so slight bow of my head.
"Understandable." She returned with a surprisingly gentle smile, which made me reconsider everything I'd contemplated might go down this morning. "Which brings me to my first question, why? Why didn't you tell me about Q and his plans to test you?" She demanded an edge now entering her tone; her last words were spoken with considerable distaste, like all sentient beings she abhorred the so called tests Q might have her perform.
"I thought he'd limit his little game to me, I should have realized he'd have something larger up his sleeve." I mumbled touching the scar still present from the space battle; I'd expended so much energy it was taking a longer time to heal then was customary, but I could deal with it.
"You still should have told us." Chakotay reprimanded. "Anything that endangers this ship; to which you are directly or indirectly the cause of is a very serious offense."
"Chakotay he didn't cause it." Tom countered apparently choosing to defend me; I smiled for the briefest of instances at that with some gratitude.
"That's beside the point, he knew Q was up to something and should have informed us so that we would be better prepared to deal with it." Chakotay shot back; I stood up angrily at that and tried desperately to keep my voice calm.
"You think this puny little bucket of scrap could survive THAT!" I exclaimed pointing to an image of the debris field floating outside the ship, the Captain had chosen to hold off from continuing the journey to Earth until after this meeting. "It would take a fleet of equal size and capabilities to handle that armada; we're talkin' Galactic Empire scaled vessels, Star Destroyers, TIE Fighters, Dreadnought class warships, the works!" I continued pacing now with my fury at the mans ridiculous accusations; I suddenly realized the absurdity of my words, not to mention the fact that the Federation people probably didn't know what a Star Destroyer was. So I stopped and took several deep breaths; Tuvok decided to speak up during my lull.
"How can we expect Ensign Desrochers to have known the extent of Q's plans?" He wondered in his typical logical tone. "He made a distinct error in judgment in choosing not to inform us; admittedly he is still only human; though that in itself is not a viable excuse. I hardly think it is necessary however to lay all blame upon the man for his mistake." He stated thoughtfully; I was calmer now and I turned back to face the crew, who were quite patient with me.
"Tuvok speaks words of wisdom; I chose incorrectly not to inform you, Q's interest in me occurred prior to my assimilation and I should have told you, Captain, at once. Instead I chose to keep it to myself; and for that I strongly apologize and request forgiveness." I paused to take a small breath and shot an icy glare upon Commander Chakotay. "All that aside; I think we shouldn't be so focused on the past, but more upon what exactly Q intends to do next." I stated turning back to glance out upon the starscape and the debris field of the vessels I had destroyed; an involuntary shudder passed down my spine. "Because you know he's going to step it up a notch; and I, if you'll forgive the cliché, seriously have a bad feeling about it."
The black mist floated across the barren world it had just laid claim to, it hovered outside a cavern drawn to a strong power within and resumed its corporeal form. He raised his hand shakily seeking out with tendrils of inky black power for the source of the power he was sensing, as he entered the cavern he was forced to duck his head lest he scrape it across the roof of the cavern.
A great barrier of crackling blues and reds stood before him shimmering with the energies that had been unleashed countless billions of years in the far distant past, when this universe did not exist and another filled with foul beasts and beauteous wonders existed in its' place. With a single thought he shattered the prison and almost instantly they emerged; one of the forms was that of a white mist, chalky and indistinct as though a fog. The other was a reddish gold in color and danced about as though filled with great joy for at last being freed. White mist assumed corporeal form first with a deep rattling sound a thousand times deeper in tone to the Terran rattle snake, but nonetheless still just as fear inducing. He bowed at the waist before his savior and smiled revealing sharp pointed teeth; black coal like orbs rolling in their sockets as they once again became accustomed to physical form.
"Omnibussssssss; my lord." He greeted a forked tongue flicking past his teeth as he spoke causing the prolonged S sound.
"Rise Callopias." Omnibus granted his tone filled with deep arrogance and disdain even for his minions.
"It is about time." The now corporeal red mist exclaimed in a haughty feminine lilt that was filled with sultry seduction; she spread her angelic wings in the limited confines of the dark cavern and shot an icy glare upon her former lover.
"Now, now Serenity I was imprisoned as well remember." Omnibus stated taking a decidedly more cautious tone with this woman; out of the three she was in fact the only one powerful enough that, she could easily destroy his essence if she so chose.
"And now you're free thanks to me." An unknown voice proclaimed, all three entities glanced around for the source of this voice until they finally thought to look down. A strange bipedal creature stood before them; he was wearing a red and black uniform and wasn't very tall in comparison to the massive ancients.
"It'ssssssss a snack." Callopias remarked his mouth spreading wider than any humans with his grin.
"No, I wish to hear him first." Omnibus snapped his tail twitching in his annoyance.
"Smart decision you see I freed you for a purpose…" Q trailed off taking the moment to inch away from Callopias; if he wasn't careful these creatures could easily kill him, something that was uncommonly difficult for anyone other then the continuum.
"There is a new creature here with the power to destroy our kind; he has targeted me and pursued me relentlessly since arriving here. I wish you to terminate him; or failing that, corrupt him over to your side." He continued as he inadvertently adopted the human impulse to start pacing. "You see I have great plans that he could muck up; plans that could only benefit you should you succeed."
"Just why should we help you?" Serenity demanded moving closer to Q with an animal hunger and lust in her eyes.
"Because I freed you of course." Q snapped, Omnibus grinned darkly and Callopias began to approach him silently. "And because his master has also requested that he eliminate you once he's done with me." He hastily fabricated hiding a sly smile. "I witnessed him wiping out an entire armada of ships simply in his quest to reach me." He stated.
"Impossible!" Callopias exclaimed fully aware of what this new universe created from the death of the old had to offer, after all they could do nothing else; save watch its' evolution over the millennia.
"Is it?" Q asked disconcertedly. "You sensed his power Omnibus, before I freed you; do you recall?" He wondered. "It is new to him; unfocused, with one thought he could shatter you into countless pieces on both this plane and the other. Given enough time to master it…" Q trailed off as he now eyed the one known as Omnibus with a sly expression; he knew he had him and could manipulate him freely now. "Well; let's just say I'd hate to have to find another Overlord class Demon to take your place." Omnibus eyed this miserable little creature with great disdain and disgust; yet he knew he spoke truths, for he had indeed sensed the golden radiance. Callopias bristled at this manipulative little worm; his tongue flicking in and out of his mouth out of reflex, Serenity however remained neutral.
"Where is he?" He finally demanded ignoring the shocked expression on his trusted seconds' face.
"Traveling the stars aboard a space ship." Q replied creating an image for the sake of the creatures. "He is in the guise of a frail human attempting to garnish allies in his quest against us; there are numerous species aboard this vessel it should not pose too difficult a task to infiltrate it." He elaborated. "I can make it appear to all that you have always been there, but he will know; and yet won't understand what it is he knows."
"Callopias you shall study him closely; should Serenity fail to coerce him into our ranks, you shall be charged with slaying him." Omnibus ordered eyeing each of his minions briefly before shooting one final glare upon the wretched being before them.
"Of coursssssse." Callopias acknowledged bowing his head in respect of his masters' wishes.
"Good luck." Q stated having already created the false records of the two creatures having been aboard Voyager since arriving in the Delta quadrant, a very mischievous smile spread across his features before he vanished. "You will definitely need it my young Padawan." He added speaking silently to himself; and obviously referring to his current charge aboard Voyager, though if he knew the young man as well as he thought he did these Demonic entities would definitely not be posing any further threats in the near future.
Star Trek Voyager
Forbidden Fruit
"How did you create that energy wave?" The Captain asked snapping me from my reverie; turning partially from the window presenting myself in profile I regarded her with a hint of despair.
"I don't have a clue." I finally admitted after several minutes of prolonged silence. "I was just so desperate to find any means to keep this ship intact; otherwise I would have lost my friends, Naomi…" I trailed off a pained expression crossing my features at the thought of the ship being destroyed because I was aboard. "I couldn't find any program that could help in the Computer's data banks, so I began to search internally; hoping to find some secret trick or gift from my nanoprobes…" I paused yet again to wet my tongue before I kept speaking. "At least that's what I believe I was thinking when I started the search; it's all so difficult to remember things clearly." I admitted; turning back to the stars I clasped my hands behind my back to stop from trembling and resumed my explanation.
"That power… Justice." I whispered. "It came from within; from my soul, and that scares me more then anything in the universe." I stated softly.
"Curious; why have you named it?" Tuvok wondered; I laughed at that and turned back to the assembled crew, their expressions ranged from sympathetic to outright disbelief and even some traces of fear.
"The name doesn't belong to the power." I replied something inside seeming to struggle up to the surface; an answer came as if from thin air and I snatched at it. "It's the name of the physical aspect of the powers; their manifestation into the golden aura, which surrounds me and transforms me from mere mortal into…" I paused seeking a source for the knowledge as well as a proper way to express myself.
"A champion." A slightly familiar voice spoke up; all eyes now turned to see Queenie standing near the entrance, she'd just flashed into the room without anyone realizing it.
"Now that's starting to sound like something spiritual." Tom pointed out. "Are you trying to tell us that he's some kind of… Servant for God or something?" He demanded; Queenie chuckled in that lilting tone of hers and she shook her head.
"You humans; all of you so content to take the answers science can prove and dismiss the others." She remarked; I shot her a knowing look, after all I'd been exposed to genuine Gods back in ancient Greece.
"Is this some remnant from Alumni?" I demanded fearfully; Queenie actually shot me a pitying look and shook her head.
"Alumni alone was given the powers of a God through the Ambrosia; when you forced the final separation of the two souls into two bodies he kept the God powers." She informed as calmly and politely as if we were discussing the weather or a favored recipe from our childhood.
"Pardon me, but Ambrosia?" Neelix asked seeking clarification; I sighed and turned back to the window.
"When I was in Greece, in the ancient world; myths were real." I began holding back the urge to growl with anger. "The one responsible for sending me there engineered it so that I would not recall the events surrounding me as a television show… In other words they gave me amnesia." I elaborated glancing back over my shoulder; I felt like brooding for now, which is why I wasn't really paying attention to them. "Because of this certain things happened beyond their control; I was mortally wounded in a battle against a man called Damocles. He had made a pact with Ares to kill me because I took his eye in battle; it was most primitive in those days, life by the sword and all that." I added with a small smile.
"Quite illogical." Tuvok commented; B'Elanna snorted and rolled her eyes, Harry and Tom were riveted to their seats as I went into more detail concerning my past exploits; none aboard Voyager knew the whole story after all.
"I had in my possession a tiny fragment of Ambrosia; misappropriated during an earlier skirmish with a woman by the name of Callisto." I stated rubbing the spot of my injury as a phantom pain entered my mind. "I partook of the delicacy; it changed me, for all who eat of the food of the Gods shall become a God themselves." I recited as though speaking a legend.
"This is all very fascinating, but does it have a point?" The Doc wondered; I chuckled despite myself and turned back to the group.
"Alumni and Alain Desrochers had two separate destinies; my soul was so conflicted and jumbled by the amnesia, and yet…" Here I paused yet again as a stray memory nagged at me, something seemed to be missing; Queenie strode forward and took my vacated seat propping her feet up on the table.
"He tapped into the powers to help save his friends there too." She revealed. "Because of this his destiny warred within until he was separated into two souls, but with one body. Alumni was in command; as the self proclaimed God of Chaos he decimated countless villages and even a city." She informed in a very bored sounding tone; I was at a loss, what she was saying bore a ring of truth to it. And yet I don't remember tapping into that power at anytime before the Draconian armada.
"Oh yeah; she kind of… Whoops." She trailed off and then without warning produced a glowing sphere of swirling energies, it was breathtaking to behold; and seemed to sing calling me to touch it.
"What is that?" The Captain demanded eyeing it suspiciously.
"A lost memory." Queenie replied; without another word she flicked it in my direction, I didn't think, I simply snatched it out of the air with my hand and instantly a vivid picture sprang up within my mind. The truth lay open before me and everything began to rush around in my mind; possibilities, uncertainties, even fears. I let out a cry of startled pain; and then as I continued to witness the truth behind what happened inside my mind I felt a presence, it warmed and comforted me all at once and I collapsed as tears came unabated.
"Ensign?" A voice called through the haze with great concern; I struggled back into reality and glanced up at both The Doctor and Captain Janeway, Queenie had already left no surprise there.
"I remember." I whispered looking about for the sphere; it too had disappeared and now confused expressions were shot my way. "God." I added before I felt everything shutting down as though I needed to reboot and I collapsed into stasis lock.
She watched in fascination as he was brought from the conference room; gently being transferred using a floating gurney, her eyes lingered hungrily on the man and the deep insatiable lust she felt returned. It had been so long; so very long, once he was back in good health she would approach him in his quarters, yes then she would take him as another conquest and perhaps this time he would be able to appease these urges like none ever could.
"Should we tell him we saw it too?" Tom asked eyeing the young man with a hint of awe as the Doctor ran a tricorder over him; the Captain pursed her lips in deep thought and finally shook her head.
"No Mister Paris; not until I'm certain as to what it is we just saw." She returned; Tom nodded in understanding, it was a lot to take in and Al had been at the center of it all since he'd been holding that sphere.
"Do you believe what the female Q showed us though?" Chakotay asked. "It's a bit much to trust that he's working for God, even if it is God from his own universe." He added.
"The existence of a being who could be considered as the creator of all things in the universe can neither be proved nor disproved." Tuvok pointed out. "There may have been some pretenders to the title; most notably the entity located within the center of our Galaxy. However; there is much about this universe that even the Vulcans do not know." He added; Tom shook his head.
"Forgive us if we seem skeptical Tuvok, but it's a lot to put our faith in with just the visions created by a Q to go on." He retorted; Harry glanced at Al curiously, and then turned back to his fellow crewmen.
"That's just it though; they weren't from the Q, but from his mind." He pointed out. "I think we can trust they're genuine."
"Personally I find this all most irrelevant." Seven spoke up the sound of her voice startling some of the others, she'd been so quiet up until this point they'd forgotten she was there. "It may answer the question as to how he performed such a feat, but it fails to address the real concern; is he a danger to this ship?" She pointed out; Chakotay silently nodded in agreement, the Captain however was still lost in thought and didn't want to jump to any conclusions based on what had just been presented to her.
"He has no control of this unearthly power." Chakotay pointed out breaking into her thoughts. "He used it to create a destructive blast large enough to wipe out an entire armada; true he appears remorseful concerning it, but if he can't control it he could wind up destroying the ship."
"No." Neelix spoke up succeeding in startling the crew once again. "Forgive me Commander, but I don't believe he is a danger to anyone; he may not have control, but he doesn't seem to be able to access this power unless pressed into extreme danger." He reminded; the Captain called for silence with a gesture and turned to face her crew.
"Enough of this; I won't put him aside and I will not start second guessing his motives or his potential threat level." She stated with strong conviction lacing her tone. "This man is an enigma even to himself; until Q's little test." She spat the term out with disgust. "He did nothing to countermand the effectiveness of this crew in its attempt to get back to Earth; he may be extremely afraid of these revelations when he wakes up, and he's definitely going to need some friendly faces." She paused to eye him with a hint of pity, though hid it from the rest of the crew. "I won't pretend to understand everything, but judging by what we've just been given; I believe he will be faced with a very difficult road ahead. And I for one intend to help him in any way I can; if I can, he saved this ship and her crew with no thought to his own life. That act of selfless courage alone is enough for me; we won't keep questioning his morals or re-evaluating my early decision to allow him to remain onboard, do I make myself clear?" She demanded at last finished her speech; one by one the senior staff nodded, B'Elanna was still strangely silent, but Janeway chose not to address it.
"Forgive me Captain, but then what exactly are we going to do?" Chakotay wondered, Janeway smiled now as she finally found a question she could actually answer.
"We're going to set a course back home and leave this mess behind; and try to support Ensign Desrochers as best as we are able." She replied; Tom grinned and quickly headed towards the Sickbay doors.
"In that case I'd better get back to the helm; you'll need the best pilot to steer past that hulk outside." He stated the twinkle of merriment never once leaving his eyes; he enjoyed a good challenge.
"If that's taken care of I suggest we all resume our duty shifts." The Captain stated; and with that the crew left, except for the Captain who paused once again and turned to the Doctor. "As soon as he's awake ask him to report to my ready room." She requested.
"Of course Captain." The Doc replied with a brief smile; and then he resumed his own duties, since there was nothing he could do to accelerate the process of waking the young man up.
To Be Continued; Have I piqued your interest? Shall you enjoy this tale? Do some of you consider my character/story to be a blasphemous one? A pity if you do, but the destiny of Alain Desrochers has always been intertwined with religion in a way; and that won't be changing I can promise you... In the next exciting chapter learn more of Alain and his potential destiny and prepare to begin following our young hero on a journey towards his first encounter with the Demonic entities of the far distant past...