Star Trek: A Rendezvous With Destiny--A Tale of Captain Ezri Dax

[Diogenes]

You've done a terrific job with Ezri. Thank you, Rush. And thanks for the long, loving, luxurious exploration of the fully evolved Spock. You have delivered what I think is the very arete of Spock, my all time favorite fictional character.

Rock on, Rush, and have a fantastic New Year.

[Rush Limborg]

^Thank you, Diogenes.

Hold on, though. This week, I'm gonna finish the tale. Hold on!

[Rush Limborg]

All right, folks. First off, thank you all for your faithful following of this tale. Now...this week, I'm gonna wrap it up.

One scene per night, as before. The first two are pretty short--pure plot transitions. The third is an emotional wrap-up. The very last part--the epilogue--will be, of all nights, on New Year's Eve.

Now, ladies and gentlemen...I'd say they've been stranded long enough, wouldn't you say? So, therefore...


Star Trek: Aventine
A Rendezvous With Destiny
Scene 19

It was the afternoon of the following day, when the emergency com unit sounded off.

“Captain Dax…Ambassador Spock…respond.”

Ezri turned to Spock. He simply stared at the unit, showing no reaction.

“Captain Dax…this is the Warbird Valdore. Do you read? Ambassador Spock…respond.”

Ezri’s eyes widened. The Valdore…that’s….

She rushed for the unit, mentally praying that it really was the Valdore, and not the pirates, faking it all. She had not sent out any signals, for that reason—only the distress call Spock had sent before they’d crashed. But…still…

She gathered up her courage, and hit the control. “Valdore, this is Captain Ezri Dax.”

A new voice came—the voice of Empress Donatra. “Captain! We feared we had lost you.”

Ezri smiled with relief. “Don’t worry, Empress. We’re both here…and we’re all right.”

“We have successfully traced your signal. We will arrive at approximately…one of your hours from now.”

Ezri nodded. “Thank you, Empress.”

“Valdore out.”

Ezri turned to Spock, unable to keep the grin from breaking out on her face. “Spock…we’re getting out of here.”

Spock nodded. “Obviously.”

Ezri chuckled, and shook her head. “Looks like we’ll make it in time after all.”

“Probably. We have two-point-eight-seven days remaining.”

Ezri raised an eyebrow. “Two-point-eight-six-nine days…to be precise.”

Spock’s own eyebrow shot up. “Indeed.”

And then…Ezri laughed.

Spock, being Spock, did not return the laugh—but the look in his eyes, and the little smile on his face…was, for Ezri, the next best thing.

* * *

[tenmei]

A nice little transition scene there, Rush! Looking forward to seeing how this one closes up.

[Diogenes]

tenmei wrote:

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A nice little transition scene there, Rush! Looking forward to seeing how this one closes up.

What Tenmei said!

Really, Rush, I'm enjoying this so much. I think I recall reading somewhere in Destiny that Donatra seemed opposed to Spock's notion of the reuinification of the Vulcan and Romulan people(s). I still think that Spock could eventually change her mind, especially since the Imperial Romulan State will be interacting more and more closely with the Federation through the newly expanded Khitomer Accords. Either way, I think we would all enjoy seeing that meeting between Donatra and Spock; I know I will, and I think you'll do your usual great job at portraying that event.

It also makes sense to me that Spock would be interested in Donatra. He has displayed a fatherly/mentor's interest in the potential of several interesting, distinctive, somewhat conflicted women in the Trek universe: Saavik, Velaris, Soleta (all three, Vulcan/Rumulan hybrids). Now, you have him performing a similar service for Ezri, whose very (Trill) nature reflects Spock's dedication to the notion of unification. Ezri's process of acknowledging, reconciling, and synthesizing a stronger, unified identity from the disparate facets/memories/experiences of Dax's pervious hosts and her own individuality, is, as you have shown us, another version of Spock's lifelong effort to integrate his human and Vulcan hertitages.

Moreover, this dynamic of reconciliation, (re)unification, and synthesis is, I think, representative of the very ethos of the Federation. It is why, with warriors/philosophers/diplomats like Spock, Ezri, even Worf, the malevolent powers of the Galaxy, ultimately, will lose to the Federation. Several cases in point: The Founders---their Great Link, is, I think, something of a dark and twisted version of unification, but the totalitarian Dominion was defeated because the Federation succeeded in uniting the greatest of the Alpha Quadrant powers against them. The Borg would seem the ultimate actualization of unification, but rather were a twisted exemplar of the potential for tyranny when unification comes at the expense of individuality; the Borg failed in the face of a better synthesis with the Caeliar, brought about through the influence of the original impetus of Starfleet and the Federation espoused by Captain Hernandez, honored and perpetuated by, among others, Captains Picard, Riker, AND Ezri Dax. Even the Tholians, whose psionic caste-moot represents a unified community has balked time and again before the Federation; even in their opposition to the Federation and it's allies, the Tholians have joined with several other nations to form the Typhon Pact, an imitation of the Federation by their own admission.

hmmm, I've rambled a bit, but good Trek tends to do that to me. I really love what you have done here, Rush. Without him having to say it directly, you've illumined for us two microcosms of the great potential of galactic unity, demonstrations of the fact that the Federation's ethos of unification and cultural synthesis that respects freedom and individuality, championed and represented by the likes of Spock AND Ezri is... logical.

Much obliged, Rush. Rock on.
'Los

[Nerys Ghemor]

A tiny little scene, but I liked it--especially since it seemed Spock was really enjoying seeing Ezri laugh, even if he didn't indulge in it himself.

[Rush Limborg]

Diogenes wrote:

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What Tenmei said!

Really, Rush, I'm enjoying this so much. I think I recall reading somewhere in Destiny that Donatra seemed opposed to Spock's notion of the reuinification of the Vulcan and Romulan people(s). I still think that Spock could eventually change her mind, especially since the Imperial Romulan State will be interacting more and more closely with the Federation through the newly expanded Khitomer Accords. Either way, I think we would all enjoy seeing that meeting between Donatra and Spock; I know I will, and I think you'll do your usual great job at portraying that event.

You know...I actually didn't know about Donatra's reluctance, I must admit. But still...you are right about the potential.

Unfortunately, though, I don't really intend to show the conference in this tale, per se. The simple reason, of course, is that the tale's focus is such that the meeting would detract from it, a bit.

(They do interact, though. There'll be some hints as to the outcome, too.)

Sorry, though.

Don't worry, though. I just might show the meeting in a future tale.

It also makes sense to me that Spock would be interested in Donatra. He has displayed a fatherly/mentor's interest in the potential of several interesting, distinctive, somewhat conflicted women in the Trek universe: Saavik, Velaris, Soleta (all three, Vulcan/Rumulan hybrids). Now, you have him performing a similar service for Ezri, whose very (Trill) nature reflects Spock's dedication to the notion of unification. Ezri's process of acknowledging, reconciling, and synthesizing a stronger, unified identity from the disparate facets/memories/experiences of Dax's pervious hosts and her own individuality, is, as you have shown us, another version of Spock's lifelong effort to integrate his human and Vulcan hertitages.

Moreover, this dynamic of reconciliation, (re)unification, and synthesis is, I think, representative of the very ethos of the Federation. It is why, with warriors/philosophers/diplomats like Spock, Ezri, even Worf, the malevolent powers of the Galaxy, ultimately, will lose to the Federation. Several cases in point: The Founders---their Great Link, is, I think, something of a dark and twisted version of unification, but the totalitarian Dominion was defeated because the Federation succeeded in uniting the greatest of the Alpha Quadrant powers against them. The Borg would seem the ultimate actualization of unification, but rather were a twisted exemplar of the potential for tyranny when unification comes at the expense of individuality; the Borg failed in the face of a better synthesis with the Caeliar, brought about through the influence of the original impetus of Starfleet and the Federation espoused by Captain Hernandez, honored and perpetuated by, among others, Captains Picard, Riker, AND Ezri Dax. Even the Tholians, whose psionic caste-moot represents a unified community has balked time and again before the Federation; even in their opposition to the Federation and it's allies, the Tholians have joined with several other nations to form the Typhon Pact, an imitation of the Federation by their own admission.

hmmm, I've rambled a bit, but good Trek tends to do that to me. I really love what you have done here, Rush. Without him having to say it directly, you've illumined for us two microcosms of the great potential of galactic unity, demonstrations of the fact that the Federation's ethos of unification and cultural synthesis that respects freedom and individuality, championed and represented by the likes of Spock AND Ezri is... logical.

Much obliged, Rush. Rock on.
'Los

Thank you, Diogenes--very much!

And may I say, you've given me a lot of food for thought with that.

[Rush Limborg]

Noel Ghemor wrote:

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A tiny little scene, but I liked it--especially since it seemed Spock was really enjoying seeing Ezri laugh, even if he didn't indulge in it himself.

Technically, he was enjoying the irony of Ezri outdoing him, detail-wise, but...I guess it was that, too.

After all...I must admit, Ezri's moments of laughter on the show get to me in a good way, too.

[Rush Limborg]

Another transition scene. This one, curiously enough, is from Donatra's POV. Perhaps it's a little hint as to how the off-camera conference will go, I don't know. Personally, I just thought it would be an interesting moment....

Ezri and Donatra's "moment" here is, of course, a reference to their charming interaction in A Singular Destiny. They'll continue a joke they'd started in KRAD's book.


Star Trek: Aventine
A Rendezvous With Destiny
Scene 20

“Captain…Ambassador,” said Empress Donatra, of the Imperial Romulan State, as she stepped forward to greet them in the transporter room of the Valdore, “I wish to welcome you aboard the flagship of my domain—as well as to offer my gratitude for your assistance to us.”

Captain Dax shook her head in confusion. “…‘Assistance’…?”

Donatra smirked. “Your distress call assisted in our security fleet successfully locating one of the more…troublesome marauders. Apparently, it had sustained damage in its skirmish with your vessel….”

Dax stared at her for a moment…and chuckled. “Well…I’m honored to have offered this service, Empress.”

“As am I. However…I must also offer my sincere apologies for not being able to assist you sooner. Had we been, none of this would have had to happen.”

The ambassador spoke up. “But then, Empress…we would not have encountered the marauder…and therefore, you would not have had one less problem to face.”

Was that a tone of…amusement? Unusual, coming from a Vulcan.

Donatra nodded. “As you say, Ambassador. Now…I will leave an engineering team to repair your ship. It should be ready for you by the time the conference is over.”

Dax returned the nod. “Thank you, Empress.”

“And on that subject…I shall order a course set to return to Achernar Prime, maximum warp. The two of you will be given our finest guest quarters. And…would you do us the honor of dining with us, tonight?”

Dax smiled. “We would be delighted, Empress.”

“Excellent. And…Captain?”

“Empress?”

Donatra beckoned her over, to a corner of the room, where they could speak without being overheard. “I must admit…I was impressed by the amount of damage the pirates had sustained. Did you…lure them into the planet’s atmosphere, by any chance?”

Dax shrugged. “For a little bit…but they quickly changed their minds. But…honestly, I had no idea how much damage I’d caused.”

“Well…I suppose we can exchange stories over Romulan Ale tonight. And…” Donatra’s next thought came with a smile, “Perhaps you can educate me…on your vessel’s…slipstream dive…?”

Dax shook her head slowly, returning the smile, as if to say, You never give up…. “Empress…I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Donatra laughed. “I didn’t think so.” She nodded to her chief of security on her way out. “Escort them to their quarters.”

The man acknowledged. Donatra headed for the bridge, confident that this was, all in all, a good day.

* * *

[Nerys Ghemor]

Donatra's definitely charming! And speaking of "charm," I wonder if Spock's charm will give her a new impression of what Vulcans can be?

[Rush Limborg]

Noel Ghemor wrote:

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Donatra's definitely charming!

Yuppers! I liked her from the moment I realized she was going to help Picard in Nemesis.

"Romulan Ale, Captain--now let's get to work!"

And speaking of "charm," I wonder if Spock's charm will give her a new impression of what Vulcans can be?

Probably.

[tenmei]

Another excellent installment - can't wait for tommorow's exciting conclusion (it is the conclusion tommorow, isn't it - or is that the day after?).

[Rush Limborg]

^Two more intallments to go, mate.

[KJ_A]

Sorry I have not commented recently. Christmas activities have eaten up some of my time. I am glad to see things progressing nicely. In the discussion earlier you talked about how Ezri was portrayed with a harder edge in ST: Destiny. I rather liked that, it also made some sense in the context of the story. Ezri has just gone through the loss of her Captain and XO whom she had served with for an indeterminate amount of time and the federation was being invaded. I would liek to see a balance between the new harder Ezri and her lighter old self.

As for the latest scene I like the continuation of the quantum slipstream drive joke. I am also wondering what decision Ezri is going to come to in regard to Julian. At this point it feels like the direction their careers have taken them is the biggest obstetrical after the personal is dealt with. I can't seen ether of them giving up their assignment for the other.

One little continuity issue that I noticed is that you have started calling the runabout a shuttle yet in DS9 the two types were always distinct from one another.

[tenmei]

Rush Limborg wrote:

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^Two more intallments to go, mate.

Can't wait for both of 'em then