Worlds Without End, Part XXXVIII

Main Unity Worlds Without End

As expected, the room erupted into a mixture of laughter and outrage. Captain Price's announcement, that the Alliance was going to launch an attack on the Death Star, didn't seem to be one people had expected. A Cardassian stood up, and things quieted slightly. "Are you insane?! That- that monstrosity is the size of a moon! It destroyed our world with one blow! There is no chance for success!"

"All we need," an officer in a rebel flight suit said over the din, "is a couple of proton torpedoes. We've done it before, we can do it again."

"I am afraid that that would fail," said a calm voice among the din. Luke peered across the room to a seated man, also in a Federation uniform, who had a very odd complexion. "The Imperials, having recognized the design flaw in their original battlestation, have made several modifications to the one which we now face. I do not think any such attack could possibly succeed."

"No one asked you mechanical man," sneered a Cardassian.

"Listen," Price said loudly, trying to get them to quiet down. "He's spent far more time studying the Death Star than any of you. He's also the one who has found the way to destroy the Death Star."

"Hey, Hey!" Han called over the crowd. "Listen up!" The room became quiet. "You Cardassians should especially appreciate what we're talking about. You've seen what this thing can do. The rest of you, just trust me when I say this is the deadliest thing to show up in your galaxy. If we have a chance of taking this thing out, we've got to take it."

"Just a minute," Janeway interrupted. "You're talking about blowing this station up?"

"That's the idea, yeah," Han replied. Han had that way, Luke noticed, that people tended to let him take the floor when he had something important to say. Leia called it "natural leadership."

"There's thirty million people on board that station," she said. "You're going to kill them all."

Han looked at the assembled leaders as if she had just announced her ship was powered by butter. "Yes. That's what happens in war you know. You kill the other side."

"I'm aware of the cost of war," she said quickly, "but if we destroy that station, we'd be no better than the Imperials."

Han just looked at her, his mouth half opened. "Have you lost your kriffing mind?"

"That station has innocent prisoners on board," she reminded them. "Captured friends and colleagues. We'd be killing them also."

"Listen lady," Han replied, trying to keep his composure, "This thing is a military target. It murdered billions of people and not one of those personnel on board batted an eye. Now, I'd like it if everyone on board would volunteer to get off the station and let me blow it up, but I doubt they'll be so inclined. So unless you've got a better idea sit down and shut up." Han slowly took his seat. "Is it any wonder she offended half a quadrant," he muttered to Leia, who was covering her face with both hands.

"Getting back to the matter at hand," said Price. "We have an idea how to destroy the Death Star, but it won't be easy. Captain Riker?" She nodded to the bearded officer next to her, who stood up.

"We have a device which can be mounted into a torpedo and launched at the Death Star. If enough of them are fired at once, it will cause a chain reaction and destroy the station. But that means we're going to need a large force to attack, probably every ship we can muster."

"It won't be easy," Wedge said from across the room. "The Death Star was designed to combat a large-scale assault. We'll need to stay sharp if this'll work."

"Yes," Riker replied. "Unfortunately, that's only half the problem. In order for the weapons to work we need to lower the Death Star's shields. Commander Data," he pointed to the strange looking officer who had spoken earlier, "can lower the shields, but he needs to get on board the Death Star to do it. If we can accomplish that, it could work."

"But," asked a Romulan officer, "he'll be on board the station. Is he volunteering for a suicide mission?"

"Once the shields are down we can beam him off the station," he replied. "The real trick is getting him over there."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"We have several contacts inside the Empire," Gen. Reikken said. "We should be able to sneak him aboard the Death Star somehow."

Luke remembered his vision now. The place he had been, he realized was the Death Star. A chill went through him... he was going to face Vader, and he knew he was going to die. But he couldn't let things like that influence his decisions. If the Alliance was to succeed, they needed to make this work. "General," he said, "I volunteer to assist the commander on his mission. I've spent some time on a Death Star, and may be able to offer some assistance."

"Are you certain? This will be a very dangerous mission."

Luke nodded. "You can count me in, sir."

"Just a minute," Leia said. "One Jedi and a droid..."

"Android," Data said.

"Android, aren't going to be enough. General, I also volunteer."

"Me too," Han said.

"No," Leia replied.

Han shot her a look. "Hey, there's no way you're going and I'm staying behind."

"If there's a problem," she said, "If the transporter doesn't work, I need to know there's someone stupid enough to come and save us before the Death Star blows."

"You want stupid," Lando said softly, "he's your man."

"You bet he is," Leia said with a smile.

"I can get the three of you on board," Reikken replied. "I just hope you can deactivate that shield."

"Don't worry," Riker replied, "Data's pulled off some amazing stunts in the past. I'm sure this'll be no problem."

Data nodded. "Thank you sir."

"I'll need about two days to make the arrangements," Reikken said.

"I think it's agreed, then," said Admiral Riklin, "that destroying the Death Star is our best chance to end this war in victory?" There were several sounds of agreement around them. "Good. We'll plan the mission, then, for three days from now. And hopefully, by the fourth, there will no longer be a Death Star."

Picard was pushed into a chair by the guard, who then gave it a swift kick from behind, shoving his abdomen into the edge of the table. With a little effort he managed to push the chair back slightly, and folded his hands, still bound together, and placed them on the table. He watched the guard step back by the door while a tall, cylindrical android rolled up just behind him. A moment later the door opened, and an Imperial officer stepped into the room, a small smile on his face as he scanned a datapad. He walked up to the table and skidded the datapad across to Picard, who half caught it in mid-slide. He tried to turn it around, but it was difficult.

"Well, captain, it seems you've gotten yourself in quite a mess," the Imperial said, ignoring Picard's efforts. "The Emperor is none-to-happy with your refusal to help him; that's why you're here. I'm Colonel Jarls, and my job is to convince you to change your mind."

Picard had known this was coming, and had been preparing himself. "I will not cooperate. You can torture me as much as you like, I'll tell you nothing."

Jarls leaned across the table and plucked the datapad out of his hands. "No, you won't. And don't worry, captain, I won't be torturing you; I'm just here to ask you for the truth. Where is the Rebel Base?"

Picard, who had been staring straight ahead, turned to face the officer. "I don't know," he said with a half-smile, "I never asked."

Jarls shook his head. "Lying to me, captain, is a bad move. This," he held up the datapad, "tells me everything there is to know about you. 'Picard, Jean-Luc, Captain. USS Enterprise, Registry NCC-1701-E. Born: July 13, 2305, Labarre, France, Earth.' It goes on about everything, Captain; every little fact about you, we know. Your Starfleet records are incredibly detailed, even by Imperial standards. Full personal history, psychiatric profiles," he lowered the datapad, "I know everything about you I need to know. I know that you spent days being tortured by the Cardassians and didn't break. While I doubt their methods are as effective as ours, I'd just as soon not waste my time. Besides, you're human, and I hate torturing humans."

Picard smiled but there was no humor to it. "How kind."

"One more chance, Captain. Please take it; I don't want things to get unpleasant. Where is the Rebel Base?"

"You'll get nothing from me," Picard said, facing straight ahead of him.

The Imperial shook his head and began walking towards the far wall. "I beg to differ," he said as he tapped a few buttons on the wall. The wall rattled open and light spilled into the room, momentarily blinding Picard who had become accustomed to the darkened room. What he saw twisted his insides. Seven of Nine was strapped into a large device whose purpose was only too obvious. She was secured to a part standing straight up, trying very hard to remain stoic under the circumstances. A large piece was located at an angle in front of her, with various probe-like instruments jutting from it. "Not very pretty, is it?" the Imperial remarked.

"She doesn't know anything," Picard said, trying to keep the anxiousness out of his voice.

"You're most likely right," Jarls said. "But as I said, I do have your records." He held the datapad up. "'Based on his experience with the Borg, Captain Picard has taken a personal interest in the well-being of Lieutenant Seven Of Nine. This relationship is a paternal one, with Picard taking the role of father guiding her in her emotional and personal development. This is partially influenced by regret for his actions during the Borg-Imperial attack on Stardate-' well, you know the rest."

"Listen to me," Picard said anxiously, "she doesn't know anything about the Alliance."

"But you do, captain," Jarls said. "Now, we know you won't break if we torture you, but tell me, what would happen if we switch this machine on?" He pulled out another datapad. "Lieutenant Seven of Nine... ah, here we are. 'Limited experience with tactile stimulation has resulted in a heightened sensitivity to pain; this explains her extreme reaction to the incident on Stardate-' You people do love your stardates," he added as he left Picard to stew on the other side of the glass while he checked in with Lt. Derrik, where Picard couldn't hear a thing.

"Will he cooperate, Colonel?" Derrik asked.

"No, he's rather stubborn. This should hopefully jar him some." He turned his attention to Seven of Nine. "I lost three friends to the Borg," he said loudly, "so I take no discomfort in what I'm about to tell you. Lt. Derrik's mission is to torture you without mercy." Seven refused to even look down at the Imperial. He smiled. "Oh, I believe we have a strong one here, lieutenant. Just so you know, we don't want any information from you, we want information from Picard, and we'll keep this up until we get it. If you want it to stop, you've just got to convince him to tell us what we want to know. Perhaps we won't even need to do anything, if you can convince him to give in." He pulled out a microphone and attached it to Seven's throat. "He can hear anything you say now. Let him know how you really feel."

Seven looked up and saw Picard through the glass, a look of worry on his face. It was a reflection of her own. But she knew what would happen if he gave in. "Captain," she said, and for the first time she let her fear show a little, "please don't allow so many to die from my weakness... I will not be strong enough, so you must be."

"Colonel?" Derrik asked. Jarls walked towards the door.

"Proceed."

As Jarls re-entered the room Picard saw the other officer start pushing buttons on the device. Slowly Seven was lowered onto the other part of the device, her eyes closed. Picard shifted in his seat, his hands balling into fists. "The array is quite ingenious," the officer said without looking at Picard. "It activates the nerve cells in the skin designed to detect pain. It's very effective, with no long term side effects. We can keep this up for hours if necessary."

There was a lump in Picard's throat as he spoke. "Your barbarism has indeed reached new heights. How any culture can create such a device and call itself civilized is beyond me."

Seven was lowered into position, and her eyes suddenly flew open, and a small grunt was heard. Almost immediately they slammed shut, and Picard could see her biting her lip. He watched her body start to convulse slightly, and then to begin jerking around, accompanied by small muffled grunting noises. They heard the sound of fast and heavy nasal breathing for almost half a minute.

And then there was the scream. "Oo, that's a little loud," Jarls said, signaling the guard to turn the sound down slightly. "We don't want to damage our hearing."

"End this," Picard demanded. Each scream felt like a razor drawn across his heart.

"You have the power to end this, Captain," the officer said. "Just tell me where the Rebel Base is and I'll turn it off."

Picard shook his head furiously. "I don't know! I tell you I don't know!!!"

"Must you continue to lie?" Jarls said, and he tapped a communications device on his wrist. They watched as Lt. Derrik turned a dial on the array; Seven's screams intensified. "Every time you lie, Captain, I make it all the worse for her. Just tell me where the Rebel Base is."

Picard closed his eyes and turned away. He felt the officer grab his face and yank it forward. "Look, damn you! Look at what you're doing to her! Once again she's suffering because of you captain, and you don't even have the decency to look at her?!!!"

"Why are you doing this," Picard said, unable to keep the emotion from his voice.

"I'm doing this to save lives," he said with exasperation in his voice. "Millions will be spared if we can destroy that facility now, before it's done its damage. Help me save those lives! End her suffering!"

Picard watched her writhing form for a moment and closed his eyes. "In the Delphin System," he said, "Sector 710."

Col. Jarls checked his datapad, then hung his head slightly. "Captain, you're still lying to me!" he said through his teeth, slapping Picard on the back of the head with the datapad.

"I've told you the truth!"

"The FX-10 droid can monitor your biorhythms and brainscans," Jarls said, reaching for his wrist. "We know when you're lying."

Picard was desperate as he watched him tap the communicator. "Please, I'm sorry, please don't-" he was cut off by a long, drawn-out scream. When it finally stopped he heard terrible sounds coming from the speaker. Seven's screams had now descended into a high frequency sobbing. "Please," he said, tears in his eyes, "leave her alone."

"Just tell me!"

"I can't!" Picard lamented.

Seven wailed. "No more! Pleeeeeaaassseee!" she cried as her voice descended into more blubbering. She was visibly beyond her breaking point. "Tell them!" she said. "Please, captain...."

"Listen to her," Jarl said. "How can you call yourself a human and not do something?!"

Seven's voice was full of pitiable agony. "...please captain tell them please..." she said in a dry voice, too deeply in pain to get a good breath.

"Captain," Jarls said, "did you know it's actually possible to torture someone to the point of death?" Seven found some new energy because she began screaming again. "I mean that the actual pain can so overwhelm the mind that the body actually shuts down and dies." He looked at his datapad. "Of course we have medical droids standing by, so rest assured we won't let that happen to your little Borg friend. No, we'll stop it before that point, give her a breather, then go back at it when she's ready."

"I can't tell you," Picard said quietly. "I won't tell you." His entire body felt clenched as he watched her. "You might as well just end this now, because I can't give in."

Jarls shrugged and listened as Seven began pitiably pleading again for Picard to end her horrible suffering. "We'll see, captain. Perhaps, in time, you'll change your mind."

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