I'm pouring more and more of myself into my character Nikita. I tell my story through her personal history and what she shares with friends. She's talking about an alien race Phorians with expertise and confidence. Someone asks her how she knows so much.
"Oh please. I lived with 23 different alien species growing up. Our neck of the woods was 9 solar systems."
"Why'd you leave?" Winn asks her.
"My biological parents didn't teach me our Xavallen heritage. Or how to live as an independent adult. I ran away the year I was supposed to become one. And it IS more complicated than that."
"Go on, please."
"In Xavallen culture, we become an adult 4 years before legal status in the government of our planet...which by the way doesn't have a single name. My parents never gave me the ceremony nor taught me how to live, they didn't see the point. They liked having a dependent and liked griping about the burden of having a useless child even more. So sometime between my 18th and 22nd birthdays, I left the planet. I do not consider it 'leaving home'. HOME for me is Mount Shasta California, United States."
(An infant Digimon berates the former Digimon emperor)
"It's too late Now! You can't turn back Time. What's done is done. You've made your bed now lie in It. I'd go on but I can't think of anymore clichés!"
"I'm growing backwards towards youth. All my people do. That's why all our elders are children and all our children are silent. That's why I can't remember anything. It's not an injury, it's...old age. Pretty soon I won't even remember meeting you. But I will try to remember YOU."
...Says a member of the ruling species who has found shelter among the labor class. She doesn't even remember she is of the ruling species. When she stands up for them to the guard, it is the first hint they have of what she is. The family who took her in expect her to ask them to shelter her from her people. Instead she lays down on the rug on the floor. And says this to them.
At the end of the episode 'Junk' Jarrod's tone is openly accusatory and hostile. Then he learns how above and beyond Sydney had been willing to go for him. Sydney hangs up the phone feeling like he's failed Jarrod for the final time. While Jarrod is absolutely crushed he so completely misjudged Sydney by accusing him. And that is literally the last time they talk with the exception of 5 seconds in the series finale where they literally *happen to be in same room*. Nothing get resolved and they never say goodbye.
-- I'm writing a story that fixes this. The conversation still happened. But Jarrod calls Sydney at 8 am the next morning. Jarrod mentions his question 2 years prior: If Sydney ever wondered what it would have been like to be his father.
“Am I to take a different name?”
“It shouldn't be necessary in a place like this. But, your prerogative.”
“How shall I address you?”
Riker looked bemused as he turned to his friend. “Why the sudden concern?”
“Camelot made me reconsider...or rather reevaluate how what we consider to be etiquette and decorum might be interpreted by those we encounter.”
“Fair point. Well, just wait until I introduce myself and...
“Spare her please!” Riker and Data looked and saw a man dressed in knitted brown clothing with died red cloth just below the wrists staring at them, eyes wide but determined.
“We're not going to hurt her, or you. We're friends.” Data assured him.
“Where do you come from?”
We come from...I do not know how to describe it. We woke up in a wood, just over the mountains.” Riker said pointing behind them, to the man's left.
'The rings in the glade?”
“Yes, that is right.” Data answered automatically.
“Then you must be of his brethren. I beg of you, Asthra is so young, she did nothing to warrant sacrifice!” The panic in his voice was clear.
“Sir, please you have nothing to fear from us. We're not from here. We...don't even know what is going on here. If you let us, we might be able to help.”
The stranger eyed them, almost hopefully. “If that is so...follow me, please.”
“What kind of place is this?” Riker exclaimed quietly.
“A barbaric and fearful one. Perhaps I should take a closer look.”
“Good idea.” Riker replied, almost sarcastically.
Data moved closer to examine Asthra's restraints. The man threw himself on the ground, frenzied now. “Leave her body please! Take me in her place!”
“Sir, I only wish to restore her freedom.” Data insisted, unfazed. He held the shackles near the woman's wrists and snapped them easily. Asthra stood up quickly, but instead of running away, stared confounded at her rescuers.
“Perhaps some introductions are in order.” Riker offered diplomatically. “My name is Will. This is my friend Mr. Data. What do you call yourself?”
“I am...called...Mathias.” The man uttered. “This is my wife, Asthra.”
“Mathias, it is good to meet you, the both of you.” Riker said warmly.
A low, deep sound like a drum sounded. Mathias closed his eyes, like someone hearing a death knell. When he opened them he looked terrified and yet, resolute. “You have saved my wife's life, that is a debt that can never be fully repaid. Yet I must ask another favor.”
“Speak it, and if it's within our power, we will grant it.”
“Take my wife away. Back where you come from. She is no longer safe here.”
“I was afraid that was it.”
“Please, if she were to return to the village, they'd consider her a golem, an evil spirit inhabiting an innocent body.” Riker was at a loss. How could he explain to someone from such a primitive society that he was forbidden to help them, most especially to bring them to the stars and fly them away?”
“Sir, I believe we are permitted to intervene in this situation. Regulations permit it if a direct request is made by one of the inhabitants.”
“Inhabitants?” Mathias repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
“To show you what we are about to show you is against our highest law. To reveal what we are about to reveal to an entire village would be harmful and it would be destructive. But you have made a direct request for our intervention. And we are saving a life in immediate peril. I must warn you however, where we are from is..."
"You would take me with you?" Mathias replied.
"At this juncture, we are in fact required to do so. That is what my friend was trying to explain." Data replied.
'I've been to so many pre-industrial planets I'm talking like someone from the dark ages'. Riker thought to himself.
"You did not come from the mountains, you are nothing like those who come through the ring. Where do you come from? Or I suppose I should ask, where are we going?" Data simply pointed upward. "The stars?"
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