Resistance Is Futile - pt 47

The area that Virginia materialized in looked typical of a Borg cube...it was dark and looked more like a hastily assembled junk pile or a pile of scrap metal than the interior of a spacefaring vessel. There was a smell that was far from pleasant, a smell that she remembered only from the memories of those like Picard and Seven of Nine.

Not knowing where she was going, just flying by the seat of her pants like she had done for years, she began to walk off to her right. It led deeper into the ship, so it made sense to her.

Before you go...

Virginia stopped in her tracks at a Voice she had not heard for years. He had probably been there all along, but when Marcus had died, she had really rather ignored God as it didn't seem fair to her the life she had been dealt. But He was making it a little hard to ignore Him now. "What?" she said into the emptiness. It was far from quiet here, with that constant humming of the Borg machinery, so the fact that she could hear Him was something extraordinary. Though to be fair, the Voice was as much inside as it was from outside.

Do you really think you ought to be doing this without Me?

"Do you really care?"

I wouldn't ask if I didn't.

"Good point." Virginia sighed. "Why Lord? Why would You want me after I've been so angry with You and ignored You?"

Because I love you. You are my child, and I would not want you doing this alone.

He still loved her. "What happens if I do this alone?" she asked out of curiosity, knowing that He wouldn't translate her question as further rebellion.

You will be overcome and you will die...such a death that Ian would not be able to save you from.

So, the question really was about how much she really wanted to live. Would it really be so bad to die? Her people would be taken care of...Mariah would be an excellent Empress in her stead.

It is not Mariah's time to rule your people. I have set you in the life I have for a purpose...and for a time such as this. Even now I am working in the hearts of the Council members...appealing for mercy on your behalf...Ian's too.

"Why me? They don't need me or want me! I'll have to fight for everything I see for them."

Not as hard as you think, but you are right...you will have a fight on your hands over some things. But they do need you...more than they want to admit. You bring to them the message of humility and sacrifice. You bring innocence...yes, innocence...with you. And a strength that can only be found by going through the fire of life. I did not give your father race the powers I did to make their lives easier...but that is how they use them...and it grieves Me. Which is why I am giving them a ruler who is half human...because while the mix brings instability...it brings greater power...and the instability creates a deeper reliance in Me.

"And I do know how to function without my powers." Virginia sighed, then asked, "Are you sure? Because I've been accused of being proud and arrogant."

Have you been?

"At times. Even now, I worry that the only reason I'm doing this is out of pride. But Lord...sometimes I really am the best person for a mission..."

If you go in alone, without Me...this mission will be out of pride my daughter...

"And pride comes before the fall." Virginia drew a deep breath. "Would You come with me? Even though I've sinned greatly since I left you...I've slept around...and to be honest, Lord...if Ian rescues me...I...want him Lord..." All those admissions hurt, though that last was harder to admit than that she had sinned.

There was a chuckle...yes, a chuckle in reply... Daughter, I knew of your sins when they occured...and I know of the joy they brought you...and the deep sorrow. I knew all this when I stopped you to talk with you....even when I said that I love you. As for Ian...though you were Bonded in sin, outside of the laws of the land and outside My law...you are Bonded...far deeper than you ever were with Marcus...he is as your husband.

Virginia didn't know how to respond to that. "But they Exiled him...because of me," she said, grief was heavy in her voice. "Won't they ask for the Bond to be Broken when I go to the throne? I don't know if I could do that, Lord. I don't want to lose him."

Because?

She hesitated only a moment before saying the words..."Because I love him."

Do you trust Me?

"Do I have a choice?!" Virginia laughed at herself, pleased when He laughed with her. "Don't answer that. I know I always have a choice."

I know your heart daughter...and I will not fail you. Can you name one time when I did?

"Marcus," she answered without hesistation. "I prayed and You still let him die."

It was his time, child. He had already lived longer than any human should. And while he was an excellent husband for you...it was only for a time. I could have let you prolong his life, I could have prolonged his life...but he is not the one that would be best to rule along side you.

"Damn," she muttered...then started. She had just sworn while talking to God! "Oops, sorry." Then she thought about what He had said. She had to admit, Marcus wouldn't have been very good ruling next to her....not because he didn't have the head for it...but because of his dislike for her people. That and he had so little knowledge about her people...truthfully, she didn't know that much herself. She had yet to even set foot on Gandraleay. She dared to consider Ian...if he wasn't considered an Exile...he'd be great. He had the knowledge...he had his Special Ops background...he knew when to let her have her own way, and when to come in and rescue her when her own way landed her in hot water...he wasn't afraid to challenge her... "I don't know how you're gonna do it, but it'll be interesting to watch."

Oh, I have my ideas. Again, that chuckle. Now, since we are going at this together...How about turning left and shimmying up the outside corridors for a few levels before going in deeper?

"Why not? Makes no sense to me, but ok." Decision to trust made, Virginia did an about face. As she went...slowly...inch by inch...she relaxed the Muting on her Bond with Ian. She didn't reach out to him...she just wanted to know he was there.