We were discovered, and all was lost.
I didn't know what had gone wrong. I didn't know how the captain, or the Executive Council, or the bishop, or whoever, had learned of our plans, but somehow, someone had.
Someone sold us out, that is all I could imagine. They knew in advance and they were ready for us.
In all the excitement, I was able to exit without detection: through an emergency hatch and a series of service passageways. I never saw Sulu, and had no idea where he'd gone. I made my way back to my quarters by a circuitous route, taking several hours to make a journey which normally would be a fifteen-minute walk and one tube ride. I was half surprised there was no one waiting for me when I arrived.
I didn't know how much time I had. Did they know of my involvement? Unless they were truly incompetent, they must. Were they coming for me right now, an armed squad marching along the ship's corridors, preparing to break into my quarters and take me into custody? It seemed ridiculous, but was it really?566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37J1082J3H
There was a banging at my door. For several long, panicky moments I did think they had come for me. But it was a woman named Natira, a downsider who worked as a maid for Donald Ray. She thought her husband, Anan, had been arrested, although she couldn't be sure. No one would tell her a thing, but she couldn't find him anywhere, and none of their friends had seen him.
Anan was going to co-pilot one of the shuttles, but I didn't know if Natira knew that. I promised her I would find out what I could and I assured her that if Anan had been arrested, I would do everything I could to help him.
Which was probably worse than nothing, although I didn't tell her that. If the captain and the Executive Council knew about me, then the last thing Anan needed was my help. She left feeling reassured, but I knew that assurance was misplaced.
Hours passed, and not a word, not a sign of security forces. I was afraid to make contact with anyone. I was afraid to leave my quarters. Where would I go? None of this was rational---I knew that, but I felt paralyzed. If they knew about me, they would come.566Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RKz5ZQAz8
They came for me, silenced and in silence. The soldiers were masked in metal and glass, eyes hidden by shining silver reflections.
They overrode the door's security system and entered the first room; when they saw I was in the second, they advanced masked and silent upon me. There were five of them, which seemed far more than needed to apprehend just one man.
The five soldiers stood before me, and I slowly shook my head. In a weird way, I could not believe what was happening. The lead soldier stepped forward, still silent, and motioned for me to stand. I did so, and the soldier grabbed my shoulder, wrenched me around, and pulled my metal and steelglass arms together, then bound my wrists with electronic shackles. This, as well, seemed unnecessary. I made no move to resist or struggle----I would go with them willingly because to do likewise would be worse than useless; it'd be pathetic.
"What charges have been filed against me?" I asked. But there was no answer. "Am I under arrest?" No reply. "I demand an audience with Captain Picard." Still no reply, and by then I knew there would be none forthcoming.
I sighed in resignation; then as the lead soldier shoved me toward the door, my acceptance gave way to a tightening of my mouth and a tensing of my eyes. I tipped my had back and as the door opened I called out.
"Jean-Luc! Jean-Luc, where are you?"
I was led through the door, flanked by two guards, another one in front of me and two more behind. The corridor was deserted, but I continued to shout.
"Jean-Luc! Have the courage to face me if you do this! JEAN-LUC!"
ns 18.68.41.175da2
