Date: Wed, 5 Apr 1995 09:29:33 -0800 Reply-To: BrownK Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: BrownK Subject: Princes of the Universe (part 2) This is written by someone else and I am posting it to the list for him. His email address is "CMIKE@IBM.NET". Please send comments and questions to him --- Part 7: Corellias Government Plaza, Building 1 Kerr Doran looked out at the conflagration that surrounded the capital city and smiled. He liked what he saw. Loved it, actually. Now that the game was over, and he had the prize, he was unstoppable. After all, he'd struggled for over ten thousand years to get here. He'd tried to play fair in the beginning, even went so far as to spare unarmed immortals. That was before Jerra. Before he lost Gaea. He'd been good then, one of the best. That was eight thousand years ago... (Flashback) "Kerr, do you love me? I mean really love me?" asked Gaea. "Of course I do. You know that," Kerr replied. "Then why are you keeping things from me?" 'Here it comes,' he thought. "I told you, there are some things that I just can't share with you, at least not yet." "Well, when then? I think I've been patient, we've been together for over a year now." "I'm just afraid that you won't understand, but I guess you are entitled to some answers." "Kerr, I love you. There is nothing you can possibly say or do that can change that. Now, please, tell me." "OK, I don't want you to scream, or call anyone, or anything. Just trust me." Kerr took a knife from his belt. "Kerr! What are you doing?!" Kerr stabbed the blade through his heart. Gaea screamed, as Kerr's body dropped to the floor, dead. "Kerr!" She knelt beside his body and then lifted his head. "Kerr, why?!" Suddenly, she heard a crash. She looked up and saw a large man standing in front of their broken bedroom window. He was carrying a sword. "Help him! Kerr! He stabbed himself!" "Shut up, woman!" said the man. "I haven't come to help him, or you. I've come for his head." "What? Who are you? Get away from here!" Gaea pulled the knife from Kerr's chest and held it in a defensive position. "You would pull the knife from your own husband's heart to defend yourself? You say you want to help him! You want only to help yourself." "No! Stop it! Don't say that! Stay away!" She lifted the knife higher. "Move out of the way, woman. I grow tired of your whimpering." He moved towards her. "NO!" she screamed as she plunged the knife forward. The man knocked the knife from her hands with his sword. He picked her up by her neck and tossed her across the room like a rag doll. "I warned you, woman. Now you will pay the price for getting in my way." He walked over to her and stuck his sword through her heart. Kerr's wound healed with a flash of blue light. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the man, an immortal that he did not know, standing over Gaea. The man had hurt Gaea! "NO!! YOU BASTARD!!" Kerr scrambled to his feet. He grabbed his sword and attacked. The man laughed loudly as he thwarted Kerr's attack with ease. "How nice of you to join us, Doran. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Jerra. I've come for your head, please relinquish it." He knocked Kerr to the ground and closed in for the kill. Kerr got to his feet just in time to narrowly evade Jerra's slash. "You underestimate me, Jerra!" "I underestimate no one," Jerra said as he attacked again. This time, Kerr was ready. He parried Jerra's thrust and knocked the broadsword from his hands. "Really?" Kerr said, and then took Jerra's head. The head smiled as it fell to the floor. The Quickening was the most powerful Kerr had ever experienced, and it left him drained and exhilarated all at the same time. Strange feeling, that. Then he remembered Gaea. He looked at her, and he knew she was dead. He didn't even have to feel her pulse. He picked up her up and carried her to the bed without changing his expression. Kerr left the house that day, and he never knew what happened to her body. (present) Well, the game is now over, and Gaea's death has truly been avenged. If only he hadn't become bitter and untrusting after she died. If only he could have worked through the anger. If only Jerra's Quickening hadn't brought his evil as well as his power and knowledge. If only- "Stop it!" he said aloud to himself. "It's over. I am the most powerful man in the universe. I will have this planet, and soon the Federation, and then, the galaxy. I AM GOD!" Someone was coming. Amazing, this power, this Prize. He was smarter than before. He knew every man's thoughts. He could feel mortals now, as he could immortals before, the buzz was only slightly different, less palpable. It was Horgan, his chief chaos distributor, his second in command. "Horgan! How goes the fight, boy?" he said with a smile. "Sir, we have disturbing news. It seems a Federation Starship is en route." "Disturbing? Horgan, that is Excellent news! Its the Enterprise, isn't it? I know the Federation would want to send its finest ship, to protect their precious dilithium. The fools. Do you know how worthless dilithium is, Horgan? Give me a week and I could engineer a fuel that is a thousand times more potent from ordinary garden vegetables!" "Sir, the Enterprise will be here within 2 days. I don't know about you, but I think we should at least prepare for-" "Horgan, I will know their moves before they do! Worry not, my friend. Go, and on your way out, send me in a girl. No, make it two." "Yes sir." Horgan took his leave. 'Foolish little man,' he thought. 'Planning to overthrow me as soon as he can get help from the Federation. Good luck.' He laughed aloud. The laugh reminded him of Jerra's. Reminded him of Gaea. If only... Part 8: Geordi LaForge's quarters "Now," said Commander Geordi LaForge, "I could repair the old blade, it would be as good as new, for what that's worth, or I could make you a new blade, out of a stronger alloy. There are alloys that could slice this old blade into even smaller pieces with relatively no pressure at all." "But how would it feel?" asked Richie. "Feel? What do you mean? It would feel like metal, how else?" "No, I mean how would the sword handle? Would the balance be the same? Would the weight change?" "We can make it feel how ever you like. Come on, lets try the replicator." "Replicator? You're going to replicate a sword blade?!" "What did you think I was going to do? Forge one for you?" Geordi laughed. "Just try it Richie. You never know." Duncan gave him a reassuring nod. "Well, ok." Richie lowered his head and followed Geordi. "I'll catch you later, Richie. We'll meet up at ten forward." "OK, Mac." "Now, Lieutenant Worf, lets continue our holodeck excursions." "Very well, Duncan. After you." Worf gestured toward the door. "Thanks." As they approached the holodeck, Worf said: "This time, I would like to run my holodeck training program, if that is alright with you. You should find it... challenging." "Sounds great." "Good. Here we are. Computer, Lieutenant Worf's calisthenics program, level three." "Level three? How many levels are there?" "Unlimited. I have made it through twenty-seven, so far." "Well, this sounds like fun." "It is," Worf said, with an evil grin. They entered the holodeck, and were attacked immediately by several large four armed creatures. Duncan dodged the first few blows, and then knocked one of the creatures to the ground with a thud. As he drew his sword, Worf threw another of the creatures across the room with a roar. Duncan slice yet another in half with his katana. The last beast rushed at Duncan, and he plunged the blade through its chest. "That WAS fun, what's next?" "Computer, level ten. Watch." This time, there were no four-armed beasts. Twelve very large klingons with razor sharp batleths appeared, six on either side of the pair. "You take the six on the left, I'll take the six on the right," said Duncan. "Agreed," said Worf as he readied his batleth. Four of Worf's attackers charged him. He decapitated the first with one slash, then seemingly with the same movement, sliced through the second's chest. The two that were left over joined the attack. Meanwhile, Duncan had his hands full, as he battled his six foes with the katana. He slashed and parried with blinding speed, beheading the first two with three simple moves. Then, he leapt into the air and landed behind the last four. With one great strike, and one even greater yell, he cut through all four. Worf was finishing off his last opponent while Duncan waited and watched. "Very good, lieutenant. This is a great program. What level did you say you got to?" "Twenty seven. Why?" "Computer, level twenty." The scattered body parts disappeared, and the program began loading. Just as it finished, Commander Riker's voice came over the comm. "Lieutenant Worf, report." "Computer, pause program." Worf tapped his comm badge. "Lieutenant Worf here, Commander." "Lieutenant, report to the bridge." "Yes sir." Worf turned to Duncan. "I am sorry, but I must leave you now." "That's OK, I think I'll stay for awhile, if you don't mind. Maybe I'll beat your record," Duncan said with a smile. "You have survived longer than anyone, for that you should be proud. You fight with much honor, Duncan. If anyone can beat me, I'm sure its you." "Thanks, Worf. You are one of the most honorable and fiercest fighters I've ever known." Worf left the holodeck with a smile. Duncan continued his workout and made it to level thirty-three. That was something Worf could do without knowing, he thought. Part 9: Sick Bay "So, you're from Scotland? I should have guessed. Descended from the great Clan Macleod no doubt." Beverly programmed the tri-corder in preparation for Conner's exam. "Yes, actually. Duncan and I are both directly descended from the Macleods. We can trace our lineage back almost one thousand years," Conner replied. "Where did you say you were from?" "Well, I didn't, but I think you tried to ask me. I'm from Scotland, too. The Highlands, actually." "Really? You don't seem like a Highlander to me. Most of the Highland women I've known are a little, rough-cut. Except for Heather." "Heather? Is that your wife?" "Yes. Well, she was. She's dead now." "I'm sorry. I lost my husband Jack, several years ago. Have you been alone long? I mean, I assume you're alone now." Conner smiled. "Well, its been awhile. What are you going to do to me?" 'Just give me the chance' she thought. "Well, I'm going to run a neural scan, to see exactly what's causing these headaches." "Its stress related, I know it is. I need to get to the holodeck more. I need a vacation." "I thought you were on vacation. Speaking of which, how did you get Star Fleet to let you take their flagship to Risa?" "Well, Duncan used to work at the Academy, and Richie called in a few favors. Its all very political." "I see. Lie down please." She started the scan. "Try not to move your head, Highlander." Beverly smiled. "There, all done." Conner sat up. "Well, am I going to live?" "According to this, you're fine. Wait, this is strange." "What?" "This says you haven't made any dinner plans. Tonight. My quarters." "Beverly, I'd love to, but we're all meeting with the Captain tonight at nine. Why don't you join us?" "Well, I guess I could do that. But I'll take a rain check on the dinner. Deal?" "Sure." 'Maybe I'll let you examine a little more,' he thought. "OK, now there is just one more test I'd like to run, if you don't mind." "Well, I-" "Good. Lie down again." "What are you doing to me now?" "This scan will isolate all you recent memories, scanning for high levels of adrenaline in your system. That will probably coincide with your recent headaches." "How will you be able to tell there were high levels of adrenaline?" "When the brain stores memories, it also keeps a record of what your body is doing. It keeps track of all your glandular output." "Amazing." "Yes, isn't it? There, all done. This can't be right, its dated some of your memories at over half a century. Let me try this again." Conner grabbed her hand. "Beverly, forget it. I'm fine. Why don't we finish our walk in the arboretum." He gave her his best smile. "Well... OK. We can finish this some other time. You definitely look OK now." "So do you. Come on." Part 10: Geordi LaForge's Quarters "This blade is a poly-duranium alloy, its strong enough to cut through anything, even your other tritanium blade. Now, how does this feel?" Geordi handed Richie the new sword. "Not bad. Not bad at all. Thanks Geordi." "If you don't mind me asking, why do you need such a strong weapon? Its not like a sword is going to do you any good against a phaser, is it?" "Well, I've been fencing for years, and its allot of fun. I prefer hand to hand weapons, there allot more...noble than phasers." "You're starting to sound like Worf." "Thanks, I think. Now, if you don't mind ME asking, how did you get the visor?" "I was born blind. I've had it since I was a kid." "Surely you could have gotten genetically engineered eyes, why not switch?" "Well, the technology isn't perfect yet, I don't want to take the risk. There's a chance that if I get implants, and they aren't successful, I won't be able to go back to the visor. I don't want to take that risk." "I know what you mean, I don't exactly trust technology all that much, but it does have a few advantages." He held up the newly constructed sword. "Its not that I don't trust technology, I mean, I am the chief engineer of a starship. I just want to be sure. Actually, I see better with the visor than ordinary people." "Well, thanks again for the sword. I really appreciate it." "Hey, no problem, Richie. I'll see you around." "OK, bye Geordi." =========================================================================