Note that these events occur days after the short story “Pax Libertas.”
“
By Joseph Manno
The Founder had achieved one of her goals:
The entire Federation would hear and heed her words.
It would, ironically, be her only
moment of absolute power over it.
“The war
between the Dominion and the Federation
“…is now over.”
Luciano Mantovanni knew very well that his
ship could withstand a great deal … but for an instant, he thought she might
burst asunder at the explosion of unfettered elation. He closed his eyes, awash
in his officers’ exuberant shouts and exclamations as they congratulated each
other, both on having defeated their enemies…
…and having lived to tell the tale.
He glanced at the chronometer and saw
that, just now, he had even more reason to celebrate.
Then Sera was
at his side, pulling him up out of the center seat and into her embrace, her
laughter coaxing a smile in return.
Clearly, decorum had been considered …
and then enthusiastically tossed aside.
Mantovanni managed to disguise a
chuckle with a cough as Brett King took the opportunity to make his rounds,
collecting a hug and kiss from every woman on the bridge. Even T’Vaar submitted
graciously, for a few seconds allowing them all the precious gift of her
genuine and unrestrained smile.
While it had not been unwelcome or
unpleasant, he took the opportunity to extricate himself from Sera as Brett
approached for her ‘contribution’—which she happily provided.
King then turned to his captain, arms
wide … and Mantovanni arched a brow.
“Don’t even think about it, kid.”
The laughter swelled…
The youngster grinned. “Don’t flatter
yourself … old man.”
…and burst over them both.
Now he couldn’t help but smile,
offering King his arm—who clasped it in the traditional manner of a warrior.
Discipline had gone the way of the war.
Mantovanni watched as Erika Benteen literally let her
hair down … and Brett immediately lost interest in his captain—who didn’t blame
him one whit.
King didn’t get halfway to her before
she practically jumped him. That
inspired a trio of upraised brows—from Mantovanni, T’Vaar and Sera.
Madonna mia, he thought.
And we haven’t even broken out the booze yet.
In some instances, though, alcohol was
entirely unnecessary. This moment was proof enough of that—in both senses of
the word.
Collectively, they seemed to pause …
and a sweet, gentle voice filled that moment of silence with song.
“So
this is Christmas, and what have you done…?
Another year older, and a new one just begun.”
He marveled both at Parihn’s
voice and her choice: What words
could more fit the moment?
Brett came to her
aid immediately, his tenor and her soprana easily
melding into one.
“And
so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun …
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.”
An instant later, they were a trio, and
before the third line was done, a quartet, as Sera and Erika joined them.
“A
very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.”
Someone—he later
learned to his pleased surprised that it had been T’Vaar—had put their
impromptu carol onto ship-wide speakers, and from all over Liberty, others joined in; the song swelled into something precious
and potent, Parihn’s fluting ‘war is over’ supporting
a chorus that grew to encompass the other vessels of the task force, as those
who knew the words lent their voices to the cause … and those who didn’t let it
fill their hearts.
The Prince of
Peace had come … and He had brought all that He had promised.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE WRITING AND EDITORIAL STAFF AT
STAR TREK: LIBERTY