Original Journey of Heaven

Balian found his father's people. The talk at the well was between Imad and a newly arrived knight from Lyon. Imad introduces himself as 'Nasir'. He volunteers and asks Nicholas permission to follow him as a servant.

One day, Nicholas is getting hassled by a solider in the street who is basically just trying to give the guy a hard time and trying to provoke him into fighting. Nicholas would not rise to the occasion. The man gives up but quickly begins hassling another stranger, a Saracen who is dressed well but simply, perceiving no connection between the two men. At which point Nicholas turns on him and yells in the sharp sort of voice which people hardly ever disobey and no-one ever fails to notice: LEAVE HIM ALONE.

Heads slowly turned toward Nicholas, who seemed extremely intent on the man's lack of manners. “You tried to get a rise out of me and were disappointed when I didn't join the game. So you just start hassling a complete stranger for no apparent reason except you think he will be more easily goaded into fighting. I'm not sure whether that's more cowardice or idiocy. But your issue is now entirely with me. So leave him out of it.”

It cannot be questioned he spoke strangely, but his meaning could not have been more clear. Nor could this solider question the sincerity of them. “So you are capable of fighting after all?” More than that, you are willing to. It is, a little surprising if I am to be honest. After all, what is he to you that you stand up for him when you would not even stand up for himself?”

“That's what I was doing Bresslin. I stood my own ground and refused to let myself be provoked into fighting for no good reason. Do not misunderstand me I can fight and I am a decent fighter when it comes to it. I just need a good enough reason to do so. And you did not give me that when you challenged me. I kept my temper and held my tongue to avoid lowering myself to your level...in more ways than one I believe. Then you start hassling a friend of mine for no other reason than you thought he would be an easier target. THAT is a different story, and something I will fight you on. I warn you now I am fairly certain you will regret it quickly.”
A few on-lookers gave nods of approval at Nicholas reasoned argument, smiling quietly at the man's restraint in very subtly calling his antagonist an impulsive idiot. There was a man named Balian standing nearby, watching the encounter with clear interest. He wore the same uniform and Sigel as the bald man who seemed so eager to fight. But no one intervened.
Nasir himself looked at Nicholas with awe and pride. And no small amount of surprise. He was Nicholas servant. Nicholas was responsible for him, both for his actions and keeping him safe and free from harm. Which would have been more than enough to justify his reaction. But when he'd risen to the challenge, Nicholas had declared him his friend, not his servant at all.
Nicholas had already earned his appreciation and admiration, simply for being who he was and treating him for respect and consideration in private. He was quite sure he had not met a more compassionate and discerning man in his whole life. With the natural exception of Saladin (Sala-hodeen) himself. A man who judged people for who they were, not title, position, kingdom or religion. A Christian lord who saw a Muslim commoner and treated him as an equal was amazing, and more than enough to endear him to the man. But all of that had been a truth between the two of them. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, Nasir was his servant who also happened to be his friend and they didn't need to know anything else. Or so Nasir had assumed until this moment. And now Nasir looked on his master – whether a servant or a slave Nicholas was his master – with undisguised astonishment and honor.
Even so, Nasir kept an even voice. “You are so eager to fight you do not measure your enemy nor the field. If there is one thing I have learned about Nicholas it is how difficult it is to provoke him. And what it means when you do.”
“Nasir Please!” Nicolas snapped in Arabic.
“This has gone far enough.” Balian said, stepping between them.

Nicholas, who had been reaching for his blade immediately dropped his hand and his head. “I am sorry MiLord, I did not realize...”
“I was talking to Almaric.” Balian replied astounded. “Believe me you have done nothing wrong.”
“Nor did he. I...I honestly think it would be best if Nasir and I were on our way and leave the rest of this in the dust. Please.”
At this point Almaric and Nasir could not keep their looks of stupefied shock from their faces. Then again, neither could anyone else who was paying attention.
“Are you earnestly asking for permission to withdraw?” Balian inquired.
“No Milord. I am suggesting that Nasir and I be the first ones to leave this situation for lack of another word and everyone goes back to minding their own business. Which would have been a good approach in the first place I don't mind saying.”
“Almaric started to apologize, Nicholas held up his hand. “My friend was trying to suggest that you should judge whether you can win a fight before trying to start one. I am merely agreeing with him that this is very sound advice. When I first arrived here I wanted nothing except to be left alone and at peace. With the exception of Nasir's company, I hold to that.”

“As you please.” Balian said with admiration in his eyes. Mixed with a little bit of envy.

“As for you Milord, forgive me that I do not ask your name. But I hope I might see you again and learn it...on more equal footing at a more appropriate time.”

“As do I monsieur. What did he call you, Nicholas?”

The man bowed deeply and with a nod to his friend that indicated 'follow' walked away.

He taught himself how to speak French.” Almaric said in a low voice.

“I'm sorry, what?” Balian replied.

“That's why Nicholas sounds like that, so precise and yet almost archaic. He taught himself how to speak French.

“So likely, he grew up alone. That is why he prefers being left alone. What do you think of our friend?” Almaric looked at him, surprised. “Nicholas I mean. What do you think of him and his Saracen companion?”

“If any man save you was going to put me in my place, I am glad it was someone like him.”

A cry from the distance startled Nicholas. He saw two men riding toward him. The younger rode a little closer to him and addressed him directly. “He says that is his horse.”

“Why does he make that claim?”

“Because it is on his land.”

“I brought this horse with me from France.”

“He claims the horse as his own.” He translated for his master, who replied in Arabic.

“He says you are a 'great liar' and he will fight you not for the horse, but because you are a liar. More than that, he will fight you simply because that is that he does. He says you must learn how things are here and he is eager to teach you.” The servant continued, his face impassive, his voice calm.

“To the death?” Nicholas asked.

“Death is always a possibility, but no.”

“This is senseless.” Nicholas replied, although half to himself.

“CAN you not fight?” The young man asked in surprise.

“No, I can, and I think I'm good at it. But I don't rush into a battle for no reason.”

“'iinah yahtaj 'iilaa aldaafie liltasaruf.”

“He says if you do not give him the horse he will take it, and you will become his slave. And 'is that reason enough'.”

“Then have him come down and fight me like men of rank should.”

“You are a knight?” The young man asked.

“As of three weeks ago I am a baron in Lyon and Acre.”

This was quickly translated and the knight quickly dismounted.

Nicholas raised his sword above his head and the fight began. It did not last long and when it was over the knight lay dead in the sand. The other man's horse tossed its rider, flinging him to the ground. Nicholas approached him his sword drawn and raised. The man rose to his knees. “I make no trouble.” He promised, holding his arms out in a gesture of surrender. Nicholas lowered his sword. “What was his name?”

“His name was Mummad Al Fais.”

Nicholas crouched over the body. “May you find peace in Heaven. May God bring you into his sweet embrace in paradise. Rest well and forever-friend I never knew.” He turned to to look at his companion, who was whispering his own prayer. When he was done, the man looked up to him, a question in his eyes.

“What happens now? Nicholas asked.

“That is up to you.” The man replied, his voice even and patient.

Nicholas eyes widened in realization. “Get up. Please, you must not kneel to me.”

'You do not wish it?' His eyes asked.

“I do not... Just, take me to Jerusalem.”

When they were almost to the walls of the city Nicholas made sure to pull his horse just barely in front of the other. The man nodded and slowed his horse down, keeping his place. They rode into the city, stopping at one of the first water troughs they saw.

Nicholas was pleased to note the man had respect for horses, as he slowly stroked the steed's neck. “You know something of horses?” Nicholas asked him gently.

“They are the noblest of animals. No other creature has descended so unscathed from the first innocent falling of the world. And he IS a very good horse.”

“Yes he is. And he seems to like you. Take him and go.”

“This is your prize of battle. I'm your prisoner, your slave, should you wish it.

“I will never keep a slave nor suffer any to be kept if I can change it. I took my oath on THAT long ago. I will not make you pay for your masters poor choices. I don't have anyone left in the world now. If you do, then go, and be with them.

The man stared, bewildered. “Are you...insisting that I leave you alone?”

Nicholas smiled faintly. “No Sajen. I am saying that I cannot ask anyone to follow after me in the life I haven't even chosen for myself. Until three weeks ago I was...hardly expected to inherit my father's rank and title. And to be direct, I would have preferred it that way. I have done nothing to deserve your help, nor the...admiration I see in your eyes right now.

“Forgive me but there you are wrong. You have done more than you know, you are better than you believe. Let me follow you as a servant. Since you refuse to keep a slave.

“So be it. My name is Nicholas, call me that or Monsieur. NOT 'Milord. I insist on this.”
“If you insist on it Monsieur. My name is Naser.”

After two weeks of their new lives, Nicholas enters the rooms allotted to Naser. A soft, but serious look on his face. “Mummad Al Fais.” He began slowly. “When he was trying to goad me into fighting, he said that if I did not give him my horse he would simply take her. Was that true?”

“Yes, that is true.” Naser replied calmly. A strange look crossed his face. “Is that why you agreed to fight him? Not because he threatened to make you his slave, but because he would have taken your horse from you?”

“Leave off those last two words and yes.” Nicholas replied with an awkward grin. “I could not imagine he would have cared for a horse, treated Astra with any care. Not if the way he was playing with me was ANY indication. And I at least am another human being. I know, most people wouldn't talk or think like this. The benefit of being raised almost completely alone. I came up with my own view of people and the world. I won't give Aster up to anyone!” His fierceness subsided as quickly at his had come on. “Actually that's not true. I would have given her to you.”

“It makes me sad to hear this.” Naser said, with a strange look in his eyes.

“Naser, I understand if your unaccustomed to receiving compliments. Or if custom and manners does not let you readily accept them. But you are a remarkable individual. And if you honestly cannot see that..” **

“Please, stop Monsieur.” Naser interrupted. Nicholas closed his mouth in surprise. “We should not be so familiar with each-other. I promise I will not interrupt you like that again.”

“Naser, that's fine when we're around people. But if I'm the only one who can hear you, you have my permission to interrupt me any time I'm making you uncomfortable. Same goes for being around other people in this house.”

“You overwhelm me Monsieur. I...I do not understand you.”

“No one ever did. But I'm pretty good at understanding other people. And as I've been trying to tell you...” His words faded. He closed his eyes a moment. When he opened them he was staring brightly at Naser. “I've never known anyone like you before. You treat me like any other. I am trying to do the same for you. Do you understand?”

"I...I am beginning to."

** Misunderstanding the reason for his hesitation, Nicholas tried to assure Naser.

A PLAY of Confusion and Honesty

 The aliens have orange fur and are basically bipedal cats called the Tzenkethi. It has not yet been explained how Chris ended up in this cell to begin with. The audience takes the same journey of discovery Chris and his keeper are taking together.

She was staring at him. Reclined on her sofa, hand at her mouth, she stared at him with acute interest as he struggled to break free of his handcuffs.

“Do you enjoy watching people struggle?” He demanded finally.

“When I see a human, they usually do not struggle for long.” She replied easily. The fur around her mouth twitching in delight. She stood up and sauntered closer to his cell. “Human behavior is inexplicable. Even if you get those restraints off you will still be imprisoned by the force barrier.” She rubbed her thumb against her 3 fingers. “Sincerely, why do you bother?”

“'Hope is eternal until we are dead. Then there's no need.' Old Mojave wisdom.”

“Mojave, is that a race or a region?”

“A region.” He answered with some surprise.

She sat back on her sofa and began twirling a thin rope, looking not unlike a cat playing with a long blade of grass. “You are a curious one.” She continued lazily. “I've been here 70 years and have never met a human like you. It is a pity imperial law does not allow for exceptions.”

“How do you mean?”

“More inclined to ask questions before punching. More prone to defiance than pleading.”

“I'm not certain why I should be...” She pinched the rope with the flat of her thumb and his body instantly seized, as if someone had taken hold of his back and yanked upward.

“You do not seem to understand much of anything. It is...most curious actually.”

She lifted the rope as if examining the end and he felt dizzy, light-headed, as if he was floating in the air. She pressed the point of her claw into the rope and suddenly Chris felt the point of a sword against his throat. If she pressed into the braided fabric he would feel the sword press into his skin, suffocating him, if not slicing his vocal cords.

“Please...” he gasped.

She dropped the rope. Instantly his pain ceased. He wasn't even breathing hard.

“Kochalk Mirach.” A man's voice said from behind his jailer. “Are you done playing with your food?” He demanded in English.

“I'm well aware of my duties.” She answered. “Leave him for the officers.” She was gone.

“I sincerely suggest you try to get some sleep.” Chris sat on the ledge that was obviously meant to be his bed and looked at the floor. The man turned and left without another word. Chris shook his head as if to clear it. Something was incredibly wrong here. He didn't know what. And he did not like not knowing. When next he opened his eyes he had a new visitor. One that was not as clearly female as his prior guard and who quite clearly was a person of authority.

“You've made quite an impression there human.”

“Why do you call me that?”

“It is what you are, for starters. Now tell me who you are.”

“My name is Captain Christopher Pike.” The man said almost professionally.

“A captain? That is unusual. Captain of what ship?”

“The USS Enterprise.”

“Impossible. There has not been a human captain of that ship for decades.”This female, if it was a female, had darker orange fur on her paws and her face had streaks of black. Her voice was smoother, silkier than the other guard, reflecting both maturity and experience.

“And what is your name.” Christopher intoned.

“I am Solivar.” The officer replied simply. It could not be doubted she was an officer in whatever star-fleet she served. She stared at him impassively for several minutes.

“What is it?” He asked shortly.

“I'm trying to decide what use to make of you.”

“I take it you're not used to troubling yourself with human prisoners?”

“You would be incorrect. Although I admit I find you more intriguing than most.”

Her lieutenant stepped forward. She raised her hand sharply. “Da, dobro znam što biste učinili s njim. da je bilo po vašem. Ali moja volja prevladava.” Her subordinate backed away from her.

“That pup had his ideas what to do with me?” Christopher guessed.

“Quite right. But my will prevails on such matters.”

“So what are you planning on doing with me?” 'God this feels freakishly familiar!'

“Bring Sarrin back. We will see what she can learn. And if she's as ready as she believes ” Solivar turned to the 'pup' at her side. “Stay here until she returns; do not touch him.”

“Why are you bothering to speak in English?”

“I see no reason to hide this part of our intentions from you.” Solivar answered directly.

“How considerate of you.” He did not say this with doubt or sarcasm, more like he was acknowledging the truth of his statement. These people were thoughtful, in their own way.

Sarrin, as was apparently her name, stared hard at her prisoner. There was a sharpness, a set seriousness to her face. She sipped from an ornate white mug.

“I take it this is not a 'carrot and stick' situation?” The man said from inside his cell.

“Your words make no sense to me.” She replied shortly.

“Are you Sarrin?” The woman nodded. “Is it your function to try to coax answers out of me gently while your superior tries to force them out of my throat.”

“I see your meaning. You want to know if I am being falsely nice, if I am simply playing with you. In other words if my restraint and interest are merely a facade.”

“I wouldn't have put it quite that way, but yes.”

“I am merely trying to study you. I want you to make sense to me. That is my motivation.”

“I am going to assume English is not your first language.”

“What is 'English'?”

“Ah...nevermind.”

“Did they not give you anything to eat yet?” Sarrin inquired. Chris shook his head. She began tapping on her console. “I'm going to give you some lombark meal.” She stated matter of factly. A thick brown mug, wider and taller than her own appeared on the table in front of her. She looked up at him sharply. “You have to get to the back of that cell or I can't feed you.” Chris backed up against the wall, his hands behind him. “It'll only be half a day's ration.” She continued as if there had been no interruption. She slid the mug across the floor, it stopped just inside the cell. He picked up the mug and looked at the thick brown liquid inside it.

“You're not drinking coffee are you?” He asked with a light humor.

“No. I'm not sure what you'd call this. It's a drinkable food. Liquid bread?”

“Close enough. Military rations I take it?” Sarrin did not reply. Chris drank half of the mug in peaceful silence. No small feat when ones hands are bound. He set the mug down. “Thank you.”

“Welcome.” Sarrin returned. She sat on her sofa and began fingering the rope again.

“Why are you doing this?” Chris urged.

“Surely you're intelligent enough to figure that out.” Sarrin answered, almost playfully.

“I don't mean your kind, I mean you personally. Your compatriot was wrong. You are not playing with your food. You don't even want to be doing this.” Chris insisted. “So why are you?”

I'm not obliged to tell you anything. Although I admit you continue to surprise me. Eventually I WILL figure out what makes you so frustratingly unique.”

“Don't you mean 'frustratingly defiant'?”

“That''s not the only thing that makes you so – To-Ka!” Sarrin said suddenly, holding her hand flat out to him, like she was telling him to stop. Which he quickly realized is exactly what she was doing. “Do yourself a favor, don't try anything.” She told him sternly. She reached to her left, pressing her palm flat against the arm of the sofa. The 'force barrier was restored.

“Did you do that on purpose?” Chris inquired. “Leaving the barrier down.”

“No.” Sarrin answered simply. “I am surprised you didn't try to escape.”

“I won't lie and tell you it didn't cross my mind. But I was a little distracted.”

“Your honesty is very refreshing. It usually requires much encouragement to get a straight-forward answer out of our prisoners.”

“Okay, I'm not kidding here, what do you want from us?!” Chris near-barked.

“ 'Us'?” Sarrin replied.

“Me. What do you want from me.” Chris rushed, covering.

“You said 'us'. Are there more like you? Yes..there are others.” She answered, without waiting for a reply. “Your concern for them is evident. How many more of you are there?” Chris did not answer. She wrapped her hand around the rope. “How many humans came with you?” Still Chris did not speak. “Surely you must realize there are things that make this,” She lifted the rope gently. Chris braced himself, but no pain came. “feel like a slap on the wrist.” She pulled gently on the rope until it stretched taunt across her face. Chris's throat tightened as he felt his arms bent backward. All she would have to do was pull a little harder and the tendons in his shoulders would pull themselves apart. She gazed at him across the rope. “It's a technique called 'traumatic hypnosis'. Quite effective, yes?” Chris didn't respond except to nod his head. Sarrin unceremoniously dropped the rope again. She leaned to her right, away from the wall and the rope. Her eyes closed for a moment. “I wish I was doing a better job of this.”

“May I now ask you a question?”

“You mean beyond that one? You can ask.”

“Are you being tested as well?”

“In a way.” Sarrin admitted. “They wanted to see how I would handle an interrogation, what methods I would employ and how long I could stay here. The only thing is, I can't think of any questions to ask you. Well, none that can't wait four hours anyway.” She actually yawned.

“Ne napuštajte svoju stanicu!” A harsh voice said over the intercom.

'Who said I was leaving?” Sarrin replied in English.

The doors sealed themselves and the lights dimmed to half their intensity. “TAC: 2-3-9 seventy-four Alpha Orion-3.” Sarrin said sharply. “I set the room at 74 degrees. It's all I can really do to make you comfortable.” Sarrin explained as she stretched herself on the floor her feet toward Chris' cell, her head toward the couch, her left-leg bent so her foot was flat on the tile. “Kether Prax. Nox.” She told thin air. The room went completely dark.

Chris lay down with his eyes to the ceiling. His gaze drifted to Sarrin. Is this a test from her? Does she expect me to try to run? She wants to see if I will try to run. Is it a good idea. Probably not. Do I want to get her into trouble? No I don't think so. It is strange, I would expect a feline to lie on her side with all fours on the ground, or on her stomach like a cheetah. Not on her back like that. 'but she doesn't' live on all fours' his mind answered itself. 'She's sleeping in such a way she can jump to her feet in an instant if alarmed or startled. She's resting 'at the ready'.

“Captain Pike, are you there?” La'an's voice was barely perceptible in the muffled air. Her voice was coming from somewhere to Chris' left.

“Over here.” He whispered urgently.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I'm fine. In a cell, otherwise I'm fine.”

“Do Not. Move.” Sarrin's cold voice rang out.

'Of course. Sarrin was waiting for this. Knowing there were others on this ship with me, they would wait for someone to try to rescue me. And cats see much better in the dark than humans.'

“TAC. Lagan, mekan, ali jasan.” The lights came on, soft and low. Sarrin was staring hard at La'an, her face as impassive as before. “For your own sake human, do. Not. Move.”

La'an followed the woman's very sound advice and held herself still.

“I congratulate you. This was a most impressive trap.” Chris said with a little bitterness.

Sarrin did not spare him a glance. “Tar-ek dahl. No senta Ca-rine Me-tai.” Moments later a male guard came in.

“Herinner mij eraan om nooit aan jouw wijsheid te twijfelen.” The guard said to Sarrin.

“You might as well speak in their language.” Sarrin said in English.

“Waar sturen ze die idioten heen, naar die bevroren woestenij die is gereserveerd voor hen die hun plichten niet hebben vervuld?” The guard replied.

“Hell. And I take your meaning.” Sarrin answered instantly.

“Translation please?” Chris prompted respectfully.

“He asked what was the human name of the frozen wasteland traitors and liars are sent to.”

“It isn't a frozen...” La'an began.

Chris smiled broadly. “He meant hell would freeze over before he spoke English in front of us.”

“What is your name and what have you done to my captain?” La'an demanded.

“He really is a captain of a starship. That is interesting.” Sarrin noted. “Other than arresting his movement slightly, we have done nothing to him.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“No actually she's right about that. I've been stuck in this cell for 3 days – and they forgot to give me my ration last night. Other than that they haven't really done anything to me.”

“Wat zullen we met deze andere doen?” The other guard inquired, indicating the female human. Sarrin replied in a long string of her native language, lifting her arm in front of her, with her fingers raised, as if holding a snow globe. The guard smiled and nodded. “Duur?”

Sarrin tilted her head, considering the question. “TAC: What is the clock?”

“The time is 0-seven hundred hours.”

“Five.” Sarrin decided. “But not yet. What is your name?”

“La'an.” The human woman answered honestly.

“La'an. That is not a normal human name?” Sarrin pondered aloud. “Not that it matters. How many more of you are there?” Neither human spoke. Sarrin turned to the human she found so fascinating. “KRIS!” She barked. “How many more humans like you are there here?”

“My entire crew is 'like me'. As far as Io know, La'an is the only one to come with me.”

Sarrin studied Chris for several moments, her head tilted to one side. “That is likely true.” She turned to the human female. “La'an, my lieutenant is going to take you to a very small room. Resist and you might not see your captain again. Harsh though we can be, we are not liars.”

“You can trust her on that.” Chris advised.

La'an was led away by the male guard. Sarrin walked to the table and picked up a bottle of oil.

“Are you an anomaly or a specialist?” Chris prompted.

“Explain.”

“You are more inclined to ask questions before punching. And you don't seem to have much of a stomach for outright interrogation or torture. Does that make you an outcast among your people? Or are you simply of a different caste?”

Dipping her finger into the small jar, she spread its oil under her nose and across her left wrist. “More the second one. I'm not a wounded heart or anything..”

“Bleeding heart.” Christopher corrected automatically.

“The brute force attack doesn't always work with prisoners and when that is observed, I'm called in to apply alternatives. In some races a soft answer leads to increased malleability. It's not as though humans are the only life-forms we ever put in cells. Studying our enemies helps us to understand them and most of my superiors understand that.” She put the bottle back on the table and stretched herself on the floor much like she had done, except her feet were toward the sofa, her head was toward his cell and she was on her side.

More than an hour passed in this way. “What did you do with her? Where did you send her?!” Sarrin did not reply. She did not even raise her head. “Tell me!” Chris urged. “Please, I don't care what recompense you demand for it, I need to know what's happening to her!” Sarrin took a deep breath and let it out slowly, but did not answer. “Sarrin, I take your meaning.” Chris began, forcibly calming his voice. “Please, will you tell me what is happening to my second officer? You said she is in a very small room. I accept that. Tell me, is anything else happening to her?”

“If you mean is she in an agonizer or something, the answer is no. She is being held in a place where none of my people can see her and all she can see is the ceiling.” Sarrin propped herself up on her elbow and looked at Chris who looked back at her, nonplussed. She held up her hand again. Chris now saw the similarities between that pose and a pedestal risen high in the air. “She is on a table so high there is little space between her and the roof.” Sarrin finished.

“For five hours?” Chris guessed.

“She will spend the next five hours with no one to talk to and nothing to hear. What happens to her after that is up to you. Do you fully grasp my meaning?”

Chris nodded sadly. “Her continued safety is entirely dependent on my continued cooperation.”

 “Yes. And you were right before.”

“About what?”

“You did not get your ration last night.” She placed her hand on the table, which he now noticed stretched between her sofa and his cell. “Nosiette. Ca-rinn tomai-dahl.” A large mug of the 'liquid bread' appeared. This had an aroma of hazelnut to it. She motioned him to back away from the force barrier. He did, his hands behind his back and flat against the wall, as before. She walked up to the cell, placed the mug just inside the barrier and backed away, keeping her eyes on his shoulders to his waist. She sat down on the sofa, her legs to the side, pulled close to her chest. She placed her hand on the armrest and the force barrier was again restored.

“With the force barrier activated, I don't really need the restraints."

“You know the language of diplomacy. You speak in terms you know I will understand.”

“It helps to be talking to someone who's just as good at it.”

Sarrin swallowed hard, took a small, silver device from her belt and pressed the blue tip. The restraints on Christopher's wrists released themselves.

“I say it again: Thank You.” Christ said with feeling.

“What else would you like?”

“If you are sincerely asking...”Chris began.

“NE-ver doubt my sincerity.” Sarrin barked.

“Forgive me.” Chris apologized. “Something to drink, something cool to my throat.”

“Toren Kall. Notsanta E-Se-kaia nesta-Zaki.” Sarrin said to thin air.

“Which means exactly what?”

“I asked my attendant to bring me a human drink from the cooler.”

Sarrin did not speak and Chris did not speak to her until the attendant came in carrying a dark purple glass, translucent and cone shaped. Sarrin put the cup to her lips. “Dasar bodoh. Keluar dari sini, sekarang! Gėrimas iš vynuogių, o ne iš grūdų. Šį kartą tai padaryk teisingai!” Her attendant looked at her with admiration. Her prisoner looked at her as if she were insane.

“Do I want to know what you just said?” Chris asked, with a small amount of apprehension.

“It roughly translates to 'You idiot, you brought me the wrong one!' I asked for a drink made from grapes, not one made from grains.”

“You're entire race are truth-speakers, aren't you?”

“Our soldiers are yes. It's part of our military code of honor. And I take it you have a particular question you wish to ask me.”

“Yes. What you're doing with your hand..flexing your fingers, rubbing your thumb against your fingertips. Do all of your people do that?”

“Those of us who have been forced to live in environments not suitable to our kind.”

“It's how you cope with being cooped up on a starship. You can't run around and stretch your legs, so you stretch other appendages, like your arms and hands.”

“A good guess, but no. The planetary conditions of most worlds we investigate are not entirely compatible with our own physiology. Some of us stay for weeks and months on these worlds. After such prolonged exposure our bones...hurt.”

“Investigate. You mean for colonization?”

“Yes. Now get some sleep. You will need your strength tomorrow. Trust me on that.”

“At this point it wouldn't occur to me not to trust you.”

Sarrin hesitated. “Captain, there is something that according to standard protocol I should have asked you in the first hour I had you here in front of me."
“Whether Starfleet is a military space-fleet?” Christopher guessed.
"No. Whether you yourself have ever been captured by the enemy before. If you have anything by which to judge... or against which to measure your time here."

"I'm going to have to ask for clarification on that."

"Have you ever been taken prisoner and ended up in a cage?”

Chris's eyes darted up, then to the floor. He was searching his memory. "I have been trapped by aliens who threw me in a cave behind an energy barrier. Looking back on it, I don't really think of it as being imprisoned, because my alien keepers treated me more like a specimen in a zoo than a prisoner in a cell."

“So most of the conditions still fit. Except for the aspect of your captors being 'the enemy'."

“Very much so. Why the sudden interest?”

“As I said, I should have asked you this right after leaning you were the captain of a starship. I am merely correcting my own breach of protocol.” She smiled coyly. “And I can't help thinking you're taking being trapped in a cell with no idea why you've been captured remarkably well. I wondered if this was or wasn't your first time.”

“You and I are both in a journey of discovery Sarrin. I'm piecing things together as we go along. And being in a cell in itself seems to fade compared with the incomparable opportunity to learn and understand. There are few things more important to us. Most especially...to me.”

“So... 'diplomacy' wasn't the right word.”

“Right enough.”

Sarrin nodded sagely. “One last thing before 'night mode'. Your second officer, she is a solider?"

"Very much so...why do you ask?"

The final scene in this play has been created but not written down. It turns out Chris and La'an are about 200 years into their future, in a future where the Federation and the Tzenkethi are at war. Hence Tzenkethi familiarity with humans and Sarrin's comment about '70 years and I've seen nothing else'. Sarrin will recognize that Chris and La'an don't belong here At All and send them back where they are from. At the last second Sarrin tells La'an. "You have your grand-daughter's eyes."

Quick Glance at Superhero Productions

Superman & Lois (2021–2024)  Different, but not Wrong

 It's as much about Clark and Lois as a couple than it is about Superman saving the world...which is also built into the fabric of the show. It isn't confirmed until the end of season 2 but this series takes place on another Earth in the multiverse. While the heroes of Flash don't realize this, we as the audience knew at least 5 other Earths did survive the Crisis of Infinite Earths. In the season 2 finale General Lane mentions that Clark is the only Super-powered hero on this Earth. Meaning there is no native Flash and no native Supergirl.

They kept a continuity of things that could be read either way. Diggle's comment about fighting alongside Superman could have been possible on Earth Prime since post-Crisis they have always lived on the same Earth. This Earth's Oliver Queen did know them, and is as dead as ours. There is no native Supergirl on this Earth, anymore than there was on Earth-1. The lack of any mention of Supergirl was conspicuous -- because of the assumption that this was Earth-38 Clark and Lois now living on Earth Prime. You'd actually have to watch the last episode of Arrow to see why some Earth's merged and others didn't. Tal-Rho and General Anderson are original characters...but Tal-Rho is unique. General Anderson is a proxy for any human authority-figure who doesn't understand that Superman is anything but Superman.

Lana Lang Cushing is the single most annoying character in the show. Superman can have kids. Traditionally Superman cannot procreate with humans because what we think of as Kryptonian physiology, is incompatible with an Earth humans for making offspring. In Supergirl Lois and Clark could have a kid because they were on the asteroid of Argo City when Lois became pregnant. No yellow sun means no powers, no powers means Clark is essentially human and they can get pregnant. I bet a lot of people watching this show were wondering how Lois and Clark could have had kids if there was no mention they'd ever gone to Argo City. It's never stated as even a thing here. Generals Lane and Anderson might not be surprised to learn Superman can have kids. Anderson was surprised Superman had a human Life...at all. And he gets WAY too much hate for only seeing Superman AS Superman. And for not being as good a leader as General Lane. Ultimately this show is part of the multiverse...but THIS Superman and Lois are not connected with the heroes of the other shows. Team Arrow is a group of self-made heroes without superpowers. That becomes relevant at the end of season 2. The writers established our/these characters and developed a fan base before telling us, but this is not Kara's cousin and his fiancé now living on Earth-prime. It's thier doppelgangers on Earth 12, 19, 21 or Earth 9. General Lane gets RESPECT in this show. And is equally respectful fo Superman Which is above the call and a particularly rare kind of awesome. (No Hank Henshaw and no J'onn Jo'nzz though)

The last few minutes of the Crisis on Infinite Earth's crossover showed that Earth 12, Earth, 21, Earth,19, Earth 96 and Earth 9 and a version of Earth-2 with Stargirl survived crisis. The merging of the multiverse was people and things from Earth-38, Earth-2 and Earth-3. But that history had been rewritten so that they've always lived on the same Earth. Hence Diggles initial comment. Most of the multiverse was destroyed. Explaining why Sam and Lucy Lane are such completely different characters from Supergirl. Although the old world-new world differences Supergirl and Barry spent a few episodes getting used to could have explained that. Almost everyone goes over the top in both drama and emotion in season 3. I mean the writers, producers and the actors. There were more real-world problems, far more normal human emotions. Which I was fine with, but a lot of people had trouble with. There was increasing dissension that felt like it's mostly there to make something. Most of the discontent, assumptions, and arrogance does not actaully come from Lana Cushing. She seems pretty chill after the scary moment 4 episodes into season 3. Instead it comes from practically everyone else. Most especially John Henry Irons and Jordan Kent. But that is absolutely another story.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

I don't understand how blind people are 5 out of 6 users found this review helpful.

The only convoluted parts of this movie are Lex Luthor's plan and why the world suddenly hates Superman. As far as Why Bruce is so relentlessly pursuing Superman and why 'Save Martha' actually pulls him back, they could not have set it up more clearly. And I realize a lot of Batman fans were disgusted/surprised at this version of Batman but they do explain his character perfectly: this is world weary, Robinless Joker beaten Batman who has almost given up on hope for the world. He spells out his motivations to Alfred "He has the power to wipe out the entire human race and if we believe there is even a 1% chance that he is our enemy we have to take it as an absolute certainty." Also "How many good guys are left; how many stayed that way?" He sees this alien as another freak in a costume. He even tells Superman while he's punching his face r "You were never a God, you were never even a man." It is not the happy name coincidence nor 'sloppy writing for plot convince' that makes Batman suddenly stop. The fact that Superman with potentially his last breath put someone ELSE's life before his own...Superman asking Batman to save someone else was enough to make him pause and realize this evil alien cares about people just for the fact that he cares about another humans life more than his own life. And then Lois comes in and yelling at Batman "Please stop.... It's his mother's name." All the sudden Bruce realizes A Superman has a human family, has a life IS a good man I almost murdered. He finally realizes that "How many good guys are left, how many stayed that way" is a question he should have been asking about himself all along. It's a line straight out of Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent "You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." There's a powerful irony that Bruce was so focused on Superman *maybe* going bad he didn't realize he WAS. And he and Superman never get the chance to sort thier differences out. Setting up Bruce's mission, motivation and single-mindness for the next movie where he brings the Justice League together. This is not "Batman" anymore. This is not Superman *yet*. I'm wondering why it's so hard for people to stop, look at the film and realize this. Superman is a new-born superhero. Batman has been a part of the Gothamite's lives for more than 20 years. People call it unrealistic or something that neither hero reacts how they would in thier prime. Neither hero IS in thier prime. Supposedly Batman hates Superman for clear obvious reasons but Superman has no reason to hate Batman? Well, Superman doesn't. But Clark Kent has a pretty clear reason for at least mistrusting a vigilante who tramples on the law and civil liberties. And scares people/beats people up completely unprovoked. People see this movie fail thier own expectations, and write it off as trash. But if you see this movie in the context of this universe, you see it for the brilliant, fresh and relevant story that it was made to be.

Arrow: Elseworlds, Part 2 (2018) Oliver finally figures it out!

11 October 2023 - 1 out of 1 users found this review helpful.

Oliver wasn't around for most of Barry's adventures and he has always seen Barry as someone who laughs everything off running around without a care in the world. Here, after seeing RF's taunts for himself he finally realizes Barry's carefree attitude is a REJECTION of everything bad that's happened to him, not an *absence* of bad things happening to him. Barry's attitude is a refusal to live in darkness, not an absence of difficult circumstances or things to take seriously. Going all the way back to when The Flash first showed up in Starling City in season 3 of Arrow, Oliver always dismissed Barry as someone who could afford to be happy all the time because he never had anything that could bring him down. And while Oliver had walked in Barry's physical shoes in the Flash portion of the crossover, that probably only reinforced his belief that Barry's life is a sappy, emotional and smooth ride compared to his own. Everyone likes him and he has a team and family at his back. Now, walking a bit in Barry's Mental shoes, seeing Reverse Flash shred Flash for 'being so weak you couldn't stop me from killing your mom' Oliver FINALLY gets that Barry could have been...well more like himself actually and simply didn't let himself be dragged down into that darkness. He'd met Thawne briefly, fought against him at the end of Flash season 1 but never really understood who Thawne was to Barry. He'd heard, once that Barry was stuck in some personal issues having something to do with Dr. Wells, but that was it. And to hear Oliver *validate* him, rather than simply be there for him was probably the greatest compliment Barry could ever have been given. For Barry, that was paradise. Barry Allen in the Green Arrow get up looks and for a brief moment even sounds like Roy Harper. Which was a pretty amazing thing. Roy was at Oliver's side for 2 years, his only protégé on the team and died/disappeared to protect Oliver's secret. And after they got back from Arkam and were safe in A. R. G. U. S. Barry was the one giving the advice for a change. Which is always awesome.

Smallville: Cure Vandal Savage - Jeremiah Danvers 2 out of 3 found this review helpful.

After watching Legends of Tomorrow I learned that Curtis Knox was a name assumed by immortal madman Vandal Savage, and is one of his more popular aliases. I assume that's who Dean Cain is here: the Smallville version of that minor DC villain. But what's kind of cool is the connection to a future series. In Supergirl Dean Cain stars as Kara Danvers/Kara Zor-el's adopted father Jeremiah, a recurring character. As well as far more obviously starring in Lois and Clark new adventures of Superman in the 90's. And apparently it's a continuing trend. Teri Hatcher also stars in a few episodes of Supergirl and one episode of Smallville. But while Dean Cain's character is far less likable here, compared to the others he plays in Superman productions, he shines MORE as an actor. Bringing a humanity and an emotionalism to someone who until the very end is a single-minded mad scientist type of character. That it's hard to imagine he feels anything except the need to never be alone again.

The Flash: Success Is Assured  Why are people SO hung up on Nash? (season 6 finale)

People are idiots. Hung up on the wrong things. Nash Wells is not wearing anything to hide his face in a police station full of cops. Which apparently is an obvious goof that he's standing in a room full of cops without disguising his Wells face and yet no one arrests him for being season 1 Harrison Wells. Fake Harrison Wells confessed to the murder of Nora Allen, Barry's mom. Barry is standing next to Nash perfectly at ease. If Barry even suspected this was the man who killed his mother, he'd have his hands around the guy's throat. These cops work with and trust Barry. Plus nothing about Nash's demeanor or attitude screams crippled 'arrogant, prickly, brusque' genius scientist. Everything about him screams Indiana Jones, mysterious action-adventure hero. He certainly does not come off as the guy in a wheelchair who accidentally blew a hole in Central City years ago. And who was reported dead a year later. His confession was posthumous.

A cool thing is, Nash does his second best if not his *absolute* best channeling of Harry Wells. A couple episodes ago he deliberately tried to get a rise out of Barry, provoking him and encouraging him to believe in himself again. Nash channels Harry as he literally has Harry and Sherloque along with 70 other Wells' in his head. Some of whom are telling him (Nash) they are shocked Barry is even considering the deal fake-Singh offered. Nash is then able to give Barry some perspective on what the result would be if he DID take the deal. Even if it was for absolutely PERFECT reasons, it wouldn't have worked out like he planned. "I understand doing everything to save your wife but if you go *this* far to bring her back, Iris won't forgive you. And you will have gained nothing." Only Harry Wells and Oliver were this much of a mentor to him. Ever spoke to him in such deeply personal terms and yet as a teacher not parent. With Harry, Sherloque and technically H.R. in his head, the absolute newbie who didn't want to hang around the team much to begin with is absolutely a mentor to the Speedster who seems to have lost everything.

The season was supposed to end with a Thawne finale and what would actually be his last appearance. Because of Co-vid's shelter in place order, all series were prematurely ended. The first 3 episodes in season 7 are re-shoots of what would have been the last 3 episodes of season six. Also, for those who take the goof on this page at face value acceptance, look back to the first episode of season 2. Thawne did not 'turn himself in'. He left a will as Harrison Wells confessing to the murder of Barry's mom that was released after his death. He has been dead for 4 years now. The cops would need a reason to suspect he was alive (or could be alive) for it to even be a question in their minds.

Superman & Lois: Anti-Hero season 2 episode 7 Awesomeness with one splinter

5 September 2023 - 1 out of 1 users found this review helpful.

This episode is chock mostly full of awesome things. Beautiful moments like hearing so much actual Kryptonian. I think it sounds a lot like Hebrew. Shuster and Sigel were both Jewish so it makes sense. Not that I'm a fan of it but seeing Anderson in this state makes a lot of sense. He sees things so perfectly clearly and is so completely sure of what he knows. Thankfully he learns the truth in a later episode. And just how wrong he was. Then again, Superman is harboring the man who killed his men and has been keeping things from him forever. The scenes at Tal's Fortress are the highlight of the episode. Especially that brief little smile on Bizzaro's face. The only real drawback is the brief scenes with Johnathan being basically punished for being honorable. And feeling so completely stuck. He's alone and scared that he won't be able to win his family back...and he literally did nothing wrong. I'm not saying those are weak scenes just, kind of sad.

Superman & Lois: Injustice (2023) Season 3, Episode 12 7/10

Jordan is not his father: He's Jon-El 7 out of 10 found this helpful. 

Seriously if Jordan Kent was real and I met him on the street, I'd walk up to him and say 'Hello Jon-el". It's the only reference he would get. But he doesn't have Jon-el's history. He didn't have an attention grabbing, only interested in your son once he has powers Kal'el for a father. He has a father who cares about him, who actually did raise him right. And somehow he's managing to push EVERYONE away while still claiming that everyone else is making everything about them. Johnathan and Sarah's self-interest is normal and realistic for thier age and actually a perfectly understandable reaction to thier unusual lives. I don't like seeing it, but it makes sense.

The reason I rate this episode as high as I do is because everything else about it is stellar. Seeing Luthor again, for the first time. Sam Lane being an involved family member who is as hurt as Clark and Lois to see Jordan becoming the attention grabber that he is. Wally West over in CW Central City was never this much of a showboat but even when he was a little bit, he wised up pretty fast. And to have Jordan basically oozing disdain and callousness seems... like Jordan isn't the person on drugs to have taken the show down this particularly dark rabbit hole. I say it that way because he's giving a more convincing portrayal of being 'on drugs' than Tom Welling's Clark Kent did when he discovered Red Kryptonite. A substance that by its nature removes Kryptonian inhibitions and promotes aggressiveness.

"Something is going on that has Mr. And Mrs. Kent calling my house. They're really worried. It's like, they think he's on drugs or something."

"Clark would have to BE on drugs to be on drugs." ...Chloe and Pete in Smallville noticing Clark on Red-K. The class ring that was supposedly a ruby, was a red meteor rock. It was a pretty cool way for Tom Welling to shed Clark's upstanding morality for an episode. But this is 4 episodes in a row without any apparent explanation whatsoever. It's exhausting. And more than a little bit of a shut off. Like literally I SO wanted to shut the TV screen off but I kept it on til the end of the ep.

Stargirl: Frenemies - Chapter Six: The Betrayal (2022) season 3 episode 6

They have Justice in the name, not JUDGEMENT

I mean seriously, why these guys think that calling themselves the JSA automatically makes them not only heroes but judges of everyone who doesn't wear thier stripes has been a growing problem for a while now. And here it came to a glaringly cruel head. For the entire season Wildcat and Hourman have made it perfectly clear they don't trust Cindy and are simply waiting for her to show her true colors as a villain. So when Cindy's secret is revealed, that her father's experiments were transforming her into something else Courtney's first reaction should have been 'so that's why you've been keeping things from us'. Instead the first words out of her mouth were "If you had just been honest with us." Seriously? No one on that team would have listened, most of them were barely willing to try as it was. Why should she trust people who don't even give her a chance to begin with? I mean, has Courtney been paying attention to, well the last conversation the group had at the school lunch table where her supposed friends couldn't even stand Courtney being friends with Icicle's son for no other reason than he WAS Icicle's son? Like that somehow made her fall from grace in thier eyes? Courtney at the time rightly stood up for the boy. "He's no more his father than I am mine. And that wasn't fair to him...or me." And as soon as they get done saying how this revelation about Shiv vindicates thier attitude and proves she can't be trusted they instantly buy into her report that Courtney is *Training the boy she likes to be the next Icicle*. Not hanging out with him, not dating him. And somehow they trust Shiv someone they all but gloat over knowing isn't trustworthy. Rather than their friend and the leader of thier team. And feeling all betrayed Both Wildcat and Hourman turn thier backs on Courtney because she somehow betrayed them. Didn't we feel enough of this mode when the newbies of Team Arrow broke off in disgust, just because Oliver didn't trust them *as much* as he trusted his friends who had been there since day one? Or how they ...Rene and Curtis and especially Dinah Drake...were so busy supporting thier friends and standing with someone they could trust they almost were willing to overlook the fact that one: killing was wrong. And spent a series of episodes ignoring the fact that Oliver was right, one of them HAD been talking to the feds. Team Arrow was full of people who had been changed and redeemed, who struggled to become better. Flash was full of people who were shown and accepted a better life. And with the exception of Dinah Drake they had none of these sanctimonious idiots who didn't even feel like heroes. I realize these guys are still teenagers and everything, emotional, naïve and quick to judge but this over-simplicity and having judgment on speed-dial is disorienting in any hero team. And not very heroic on anyone's part.

Star Trek: Discovery: If Memory Serves (2019) Season 2 episode 8

The timeline actually fits...here's why

The original TOS pilot 'The Cage' happened 12 years before the season one episode Menagerie. Pike will soon start counting down the number of months until he lands in the chair. But Pike and Spock have been to Talos the first time. An episode summary said Tyler works to overcome the crews *Suspicions* of him because of his time as Voq. Which isn't quite true. He works to overcome Dr. Culberts' feelings over having been *killed* by him. In a pretty powerful and explosive scene in the mess hall. Afterward Pike and Saru share a little time together on screen which has its own kind of quiet camaraderie. Emperor Georgiou is being a classic military general in this episode, and inmost of the episodes in this part of the season.

The episode opens with scenes lifted from the original TOS pilot but leaves one piece out -- why Vina didn't go with Pike in the first place. Vina's reveal to Burnam is that explanation. I think they give and keep just enough information so that if you've never actually seen "The Cage" you still know plenty about what's going on. Most things with Section-31 are kept to a minimum in this episode. Which leaves a kind of anticipation for the upcoming stretch. And the best thing is Captain Pike FINALLY learns where Ash Tyler stands on pretty much everything and that being part of section 31 doesn't make Tyler a bad guy. They'd gone through things together personally in the previous episode, so Pike is at least willing to listen. And when Ash Tyler leaves the ready room for the second time Pike's quiet smile of 'He's not such a bad guy after all slash 'I really DID misjudge him' is positively gorgeous.