Guinan watched from Ten-Forward, not knowing if her friend's shuttle would be going by the windows, but unwilling to miss it if it did. Borg Space was dead ahead in this direction, she knew that without needing a navigational console or star map. Home used to be right...there. Her eyes picked out the dim pinprick that used to be her sun. But knowing Virginia, she might well circle the long way around.
Guinan," he replied coolly, gazing out the window next to her. "I had thought about watching from shuttle bay and bothering Picard at the same time, but the view just wouldn't be the same."
"Is she going to come this way?" Guinan asked.
"Yes. No trying to sneak in this time, she's going boldly into the lion's den." Q pointed. "There she is."
The shuttle was barely visible, but Guinan could just make out the silver white form as it pulled away from the ship at impulse speed. The two watched in silence until the warp tale appeared and the small ship disappeared from sight.
"So," said Q.
"She's going to take Deanna's place, isn't she?" Guinan asked, fearing the answer she felt she already knew.
"Of course," the other alien answered. "She could do no less."
"Is it because of what happened with Picard?"
"No. She had already decided to do this before she had even met Deanna. Some things about Virginia will never change. She does her best to bend to the changing times, but in her heart...when it comes to war...there can be no other way. Her own people sent her into battle time and time again during the Eugenics and Third World War, half expecting her to die, most wanting her to. Each time made her stronger and more resistant to pain and defeat. Each time set in her heart a desire to protect others from the pain she felt."
"She's never felt the pain that the Borg inflicts," Guinan pointed out.
"Hasn't she? Virginia has experienced that pain through friendship with you...do you think you are immune to the mind access she inherited? She felt your pain upon meeting you just as she felt Picard's pain the first time he looked in her eyes."
"Virginia was drunk the first time we met."
Q sighed. "It only postponed the Access, Guinan."
Guinan was introspective. "She's never mentioned it."
"Of course not. She well knew your desire not to speak of the Borg."
The hostess nodded. "You will be there to rescue her if things go sour, won't you?"
"Even without the Council's permission if necessary."
Guinan smiled. "That never has stopped you from helping her before."
"Guinan, there is one thing that the Borg are right about in this life. Resistance truly is futile. I can no more deny her than I could deny myself. These three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these...is love.*"
She turned to asked him what he meant...but he was gone. Guinan sighed. "How typical."
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* 1 Corinthians 13:13 New Century Version paraphrased
1 comment:
A good discussion between the two.
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