Chapter Text
Zadra had surrendered her religious vestments and was now garbed in a simple shift and pants. She walked down the corridor at a deliberate pace, clearly in no hurry to reach her destination.
Sandhurst escorted her towards the transporter room, keeping step with her. He had exhausted every argument he could think of to dissuade her from her goal, to no avail. Pressing her further, he felt, would dishonor the sacrifice she sought to make, however much he disagreed with it.
So he kept companionable silence, trying to offer support merely by his presence.
They reached the transporter room, stepping through the parting doors to reveal Pell and Lar’ragos standing by with the transporter specialist.
“So, you’re just going to let her do this?” was Pell’s biting welcome.
Sandhurst closed his eyes briefly, dreading the impending confrontation with the stubborn Bajoran officer, with whom he was romantically involved. He turned to the console operator. “Chief, could you give us the compartment? I’ll handle the transport.”
The man appeared to accept the dismissal gratefully, ducking into the corridor as Sandhurst turned to engage Pell.
“I’m not allowing anything, Commander, and please don’t talk about Zadra as if she’s not in the room.”
For her part, Zadra seemed unfazed by the exchange, her focus instead directed towards the transporter pad and all the significance it augured.
Pell glanced to Lar’ragos. “Can I expect any help from you on this?”
The El-Aurian looked askance at her. “She’s made her choice, sir. Our interfering with her decision would constitute a violation of any number of Starfleet regulations and Federation laws. I would have assumed a diplomatic officer would be aware of that.”
Her answering glare could have melted neutronium. She turned back to the captain. “At least have Taiee look at her to render a medical opinion of her ability to make such a decision?”
“Taiee’s a nurse-practitioner, Pell, not a psychiatrist, and you know it.”
Pell began to object anew but fell silent as Sandhurst raised a belaying hand. “This isn’t up for debate. I understand you have strong feelings about this, but it’s not your decision to make, nor mine.” He pointed to Zadra. “It’s hers.”
Zadra seemed to find herself again and addressed Pell. “I appreciate your concern, Commander, I really do. I know of your mistrust of the Cardassians and their allies; it’s a fear I share. Believe me, if there were any other way I could see to prevent the future I’ve witnessed, I’d take that option.”
Pell held the younger woman’s gaze. “I won’t pretend to understand, and I certainly won’t stand here and watch while you do it.” She stormed out of the compartment, flashing a parting glower at Lar’ragos.
Sandhurst stifled a sigh and moved to the transporter console. “You know, Pava, I think she’s really starting to warm up to you.”
This brought a mordant grin to his friend’s lips.
“Zadra, I’m ready when you are.” Sandhurst double-checked the re-materialization coordinates and confirmed the Cardassian warship was awaiting transport.
The young woman hesitated a moment before stepping up onto the transport pad. She turned to face the two as Lar’ragos moved to stand next to Sandhurst.
“Thank you for all you’ve done, Captain, both for me and for my followers. I know L’Osh has fiercely opposed my doing this and caused you many headaches as a result.”
“L’Osh cares deeply for you,” he replied. “You are her prophet, her teacher, and in many ways, her disciple. She should be distressed by your decision.”
“We’ll make sure that she and your other followers make it to the Nyberrite Alliance,” Lar’ragos added hopefully.
A single tear leaked from one of Zadra’s large eyes. “No sanctuary that, but the effort is appreciated nonetheless.”
Sandhurst and Lar’ragos exchanged a puzzled glance.
“I wish you well. I hope that our mutual fears don’t come to pass and that you are treated mercifully by your people.”
She dipped her head. “Thank you, Captain.” Zadra took a deep breath and seemed to steel herself. “Please proceed.”
“Energizing,” Sandhurst advised. A moment later, the woman vanished from the pad.
“That is a brave young lady,” Lar’ragos assessed.
“Agreed,” Sandhurst said after a long moment of wrestling with his emotions. “I hope to hell I’ve just done the right thing,” he divulged.
“That makes two of us,” Lar’ragos answered. He tapped a series of commands into the console. “Transporter room two, our beam-over is successful. Please coordinate transport of the Yelnar prisoners from the skiffs over to the Cardassians.”
Sandhurst made for the door. “I’ll be on the bridge. Alert me when the prisoner transfer is complete, and we’ll set course back to Rushaan. I want Ashok to give that old scow a complete stem-to-stern workover before we send them on their way.”
“Aye, sir.”
Eight meters further down the curving corridor, Sandhurst found Pell in a maintenance alcove, leaning against a bulkhead as sobs wracked her frame.
He stepped in, gently wrapping his arms around her shoulders. He spoke no words as none would suffice. Pell had suffered greatly at the hands of the Cardassians, and knew full well what horrors were in store for Zadra.
The universe was not fair, nor just and it would simply never be so.
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END