Star Trek New Frontier 05 Martyr

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Roman", serif; if( !cssCompatible ) document.write("\ \Star Trek

\

\ \

\

\ \New

\

\ \Frontier

\

\ \Martyr

\

\ \By Peter David

\

\ \

\

\ \FIVE HUNDRED YEARS

\

\ \EARLIER...

\

\ ") else document.write("\ \Star Trek

\

\ \

\

\ \New

\

\ \Frontier

\

\ \Martyr

\

\ \By Peter David

\

\ \

\

\ \FIVE HUNDRED YEARS

\

\ \EARLIER...

\

\ ") if( !cssCompatible ) document.write("\ \ ONTEAR COULD TELL which way the wind was blowing.

\

\ \ Even so, it seemed that everything and nothing was clear to him as he looked at the Zondar horizon.

The smoke that hovered over the cityscape far in the distance was drifting off to the north. It was not his

favorite direction, for the stench from the charnel pit was wafting in as well.

\

\ \ How many of his people had died, he wondered, during the bloody civil war that had enveloped the

planet? One million? Two? He'd lost count. For that matter, he'd even lost interest, which was both ironic

and unfortunate, considering that the war had been fought in his name.

\

\ \ Ontear felt old . . . older than he had felt in quite some time. He had been sitting at the entrance to his

cave, but now he rose to his feet, stretching his cramped legs. He was bald . . . indeed, completely

devoid of body hair, as were all his people. His skin was leathery and shiny, with a sheen that made it

look as if the Zondarians were perpetually wet or glisten-

\

\ \

\

\ ") else document.write("\ \ ONTEAR COULD TELL which way the wind was blowing.

\

\ \ Even so, it seemed that everything and nothing was clear to him as he looked at the Zondar horizon.

The smoke that hovered over the cityscape far in the distance was drifting off to the north. It was not his

favorite direction, for the stench from the charnel pit was wafting in as well.

\

\ \ How many of his people had died, he wondered, during the bloody civil war that had enveloped the

planet? One million? Two? He'd lost count. For that matter, he'd even lost interest, which was both ironic

and unfortunate, considering that the war had been fought in his name.

\

\ \ Ontear felt old . . . older than he had felt in quite some time. He had been sitting at the entrance to his

cave, but now he rose to his feet, stretching his cramped legs. He was bald . . . indeed, completely

devoid of body hair, as were all his people. His skin was leathery and shiny, with a sheen that made it

look as if the Zondarians were perpetually wet or glisten-

\

\ \

\

\ ") if( !cssCompatible ) document.write("\ \

\

\ \ ing. His eyes were set wide apart, and when he blinked, it was with eyelids that were clear and made a

soft clicking sound. His nostrils flared visibly as the charnel stench moved toward him and then past. He

wondered how many bodies burning there were people he knew. People he had blessed, or at whose

birth he had officiated, or weddings he had performed. For that matter, how many of them had come to

him for guidance, had sought out the wisdom of the prophet Ontear? Ontear, the prophet who had seen a

great and glorious destiny for Zondar. Ontear, who knew all that was to come. Ontear, who could not

help but feel that he was single-handedly responsible for the chaos that had erupted all around him.

\

\ \ He had long felt that he was in direct communion with the gods. But today, of all days, he believed that

the gods were going to communicate with him directly, and with a vengeance. Today, Ontear felt, was

going to be his judgment day.

\

\ \ He heard scambling below him, heard grunts and arguments and words of indecision. He was being

approached by acolytes. They were not exactly being subtle about their advent, and whatever it was that

was on their minds, clearly it was accompanied by a certain degree of volume. This was not of

tremendous consequence to Ontear, because truthfully there was very little any acolytes could say that

would come as a surprise to him. This was an inevitable state of affairs, after all, when one is a prophet.

\

\ \ There were three of them, approaching Ontear with bedraggled and exhausted mien. It was not the

easiest of climbs, for Ontear's cave was set upon the upper ridges of a small mountain. There were paths

that led to the plateau where Ontear was seated at that moment, but they were not forgiving for the

clumsy of foot. There was a thick layer of pebbles along several lengthy patches, and those wishing to

come and visit

\

\ \

\

\ \ Ontear oftentimes felt the ground slipping beneath them and they would skid several yards back down

the steep path before regaining their footing and slogging forward once more.

\

\ \ Based on the difficulty of approach, no one was quite sure just how Ontear managed to survive there.

There was no food to speak of, although water might be available through a mountain stream (not that

anyone could really be sure). Perhaps Ontear had hidden resources. Perhaps he had unknown allies.

Perhaps, as some speculated, he was actually dead, and merely a very animated and lively corpse.

\

\ \ The trio continued to approach, and Ontear recognized the closest of them as Suti-Lon-sondon, one

of his oldest and most dedicated students. He remembered the first time that Suti had come to him,

scared and confused, daunted by the task that had been put to him to approach the prophet and learn at

his feet. That had seemed an eternity ago.

\

\ \ It had not been difficult to convince Suti of his veracity as a prophet. Indeed, it was no more difficult

than it had been to prove it to anyone else. Unlike other prophets, false prophets, who had contented

themselves with speaking in broad and unspecific predictions (the more precious of them choosing to

quote their vagueness in rhyme, as if that added some aura of respectability), Ontear had been amazingly

specific in his prognostications. He had predicted the great earthquake of Kartoof. He had predicted the

rise in power of Quinzar the Wicked and Krusea the Black, and the defeat of Krusea's son, Otton the

Unready.

\

\ \ Oh, there were the skeptics who believed that Ontear's predictions were so specific that they became

self-fulfilling prophecies. For instance, his prediction that a conqueror named Muton would be born in the

eastern territories and dominate half the region had

\

\ ") else document.write("\ \

\

\ \ ing. His eyes were set wide apart, and when he blinked, it was with eyelids that were clear and made a

soft clicking sound. His nostrils flared visibly as the charnel stench moved toward him and then past. He

wondered how many bodies burning there were people he knew. People he had blessed, or at whose

birth he had officiated, or weddings he had performed. For that matter, how many of them had come to

him for guidance, had sought out the wisdom of the prophet Ontear? Ontear, the prophet who had seen a

great and glorious destiny for Zondar. Ontear, who knew all that was to come. Ontear, who could not

help but feel that he was single-handedly responsible for the chaos that had erupted all around him.

\

\ \ He had long felt that he was in direct communion with the gods. But today, of all days, he believed that

the gods were going to communicate with him directly, and with a vengeance. Today, Ontear felt, was

going to be his judgment day.

\

\ \ He heard scambling below him, heard grunts and arguments and words of indecision. He was being

approached by acolytes. They were not exactly being subtle about their advent, and whatever it was that

was on their minds, clearly it was accompanied by a certain degree of volume. This was not of

tremendous consequence to Ontear, because truthfully there was very little any acolytes could say that

would come as a surprise to him. This was an inevitable state of affairs, after all, when one is a prophet.

\

\ \ There were three of them, approaching Ontear with bedraggled and exhausted mien. It was not the

easiest of climbs, for Ontear's cave was set upon the upper ridges of a small mountain. There were paths

that led to the plateau where Ontear was seated at that moment, but they were not forgiving for the

clumsy of foot. There was a thick layer of pebbles along several lengthy patches, and those wishing to

come and visit

\

\ \

\

\ \ Ontear oftentimes felt the ground slipping beneath them and they would skid several yards back down

the steep path before regaining their footing and slogging forward once more.

\

\ \ Based on the difficulty of approach, no one was quite sure just how Ontear managed to survive there.

There was no food to speak of, although water might be available through a mountain stream (not that

anyone could really be sure). Perhaps Ontear had hidden resources. Perhaps he had unknown allies.

Perhaps, as some speculated, he was actually dead, and merely a very animated and lively corpse.

\

\ \ The trio continued to approach, and Ontear recognized the closest of them as Suti-Lon-sondon, one

of his oldest and most dedicated students. He remembered the first time that Suti had come to him,

scared and confused, daunted by the task that had been put to him to approach the prophet and learn at

his feet. That had seemed an eternity ago.

\

\ \ It had not been difficult to convince Suti of his veracity as a prophet. Indeed, it was no more difficult

than it had been to prove it to anyone else. Unlike other prophets, false prophets, who had contented

themselves with speaking in broad and unspecific predictions (the more precious of them choosing to

quote their vagueness in rhyme, as if that added some aura of respectability), Ontear had been amazingly

specific in his prognostications. He had predicted the great earthquake of Kartoof. He had predicted the

rise in power of Quinzar the Wicked and Krusea the Black, and the defeat of Krusea's son, Otton the

Unready.

\

\ \ Oh, there were the skeptics who believed that Ontear's predictions were so specific that they became

self-fulfilling prophecies. For instance, his prediction that a conqueror named Muton would be born in the

eastern territories and dominate half the region had

\

\ ") if( !cssCompatible ) document.write("\ \

\

\ \ resulted in no fewer than two thousand eastern territory newborns in the last year being given the name

"Muton." The confusion this created in schools alone was nothing short of calamitous.

\

\ \ But the debates over Ontear meant nothing to Suti, for he believed in the man and his powers. There

was a serenity about Ontear, a confidence that seemed to lift him above all that surrounded him.

\

\ \ Suti was surprised to see Ontear seated in front of his cave. Ontear rarely left the confines of his rocky

home. He had a particular spot that he simply sat upon, apparently day and night, for Suti never saw him

move from it. Yet here was Ontear, outside, apparently taking a tremendous interest in the skies which

were darkening overhead. Suti gestured for the others who had accompanied him to hang back, desiring

to address Ontear on his own first. Slowly he drew near to the prophet, and Ontear acknowledged his

approach with a slight nod of his head. Suti began to speak, but Ontear put out a raised hand and Suti

promptly lapsed into a respectful silence.

\

\ \ "Can you smell it, Suti?" asked Ontear after a short time. "There is a storm coming. A storm of great

significance. I have foreseen it."

\

\ \ This, to Suti, did not exactly seem to be the stuff of prophecy. One did not have to be a seer to tell

that a storm was on its way. One merely had to look at the growing blackness. Of far greater concern to

Suti, however, was the smoke on the horizon. The smoke that was a lingering and mute testimony to the

war that had enveloped Zondar. A war that had begun in the western regions but had spread to consume

the whole of the planet.

\

\ \ "I do not dispute that, Ontear," Suti said, "but we have other matters to consider at the moment." Suti's

skin had the same characteristic sheen that Ontear's

\

\ \

\

\ \ possessed, but his eyes were darker and the contrasting youthfulness in his face was quite evident.

\

\ \ "Other matters?" asked Ontear.

\

\ \ Suti drew close and knelt nearby Ontear. "The war, Ontear. The great war."

\

\ \ "Wars are never great, Suti," Ontear said softly, thoughtfully. "There can be great acts of heroism.

There can be great causes. But the wars themselves are always terrible, terrible things."

\

\ \ "The Unglza, Ontear. The Unglza refuse to surrender."

\

\ \ "Do they?"

\

\ \ Suti was beginning to feel frustrated. It was as if he was having an impossible time just managing to

capture and hold Ontear's attention. "They refuse to surrender," he repeated, trying to give added

significance to the statement through weight in his voice.

\

\ \ "Yes, so you have said."

\

\ \ "But you said they would!"

\

\ \ "Yes, so I did."

\

\ \ Suti could hear mutterings from his companions nearby, and he did not like the sound of it. He began

to pace furiously, the incoming wind whipping the hem of his acolyte gown. "Ontear . . . this . . . this war

is because of you!"

\

\ \ "Is it?" Ontear still seemed to be only partly paying attention to what was being said.

\

\ \ "For years, Ontear . . . for years, the Unglza and the Eenza have desired the extermination of each

other. They are two peoples who have racial and border disputes going back centuries! Every time there

has been a move toward peace, the talks have broken down and new bouts of attempted genocide on

the parts of both peoples broke out once more! But it's never been a full-blown civil war before! Never

spilled over into . . . into an unyielding bloodbath! That's what it is, Ontear! A bloodbath!"

\

\ ") else document.write("\ \

\

\ \ resulted in no fewer than two thousand eastern territory newborns in the last year being given the name

"Muton." The confusion this created in schools alone was nothing short of calamitous.

\

\ \ But the debates over Ontear meant nothing to Suti, for he believed in the man and his powers. There

was a serenity about Ontear, a confidence that seemed to lift him above all that surrounded him.

\

\ \ Suti was surprised to see Ontear seated in front of his cave. Ontear rarely left the confines of his rocky

home. He had a particular spot that he simply sat upon, apparently day and night, for Suti never saw him

move from it. Yet here was Ontear, outside, apparently taking a tremendous interest in the skies which

were darkening overhead. Suti gestured for the others who had accompanied him to hang back, desiring

to address Ontear on his own first. Slowly he drew near to the prophet, and Ontear acknowledged his

approach with a slight nod of his head. Suti began to speak, but Ontear put out a raised hand and Suti

promptly lapsed into a respectful silence.

\

\ \ "Can you smell it, Suti?" asked Ontear after a short time. "There is a storm coming. A storm of great

significance. I have foreseen it."

\

\ \ This, to Suti, did not exactly seem to be the stuff of prophecy. One did not have to be a seer to tell

that a storm was on its way. One merely had to look at the growing blackness. Of far greater concern to

Suti, however, was the smoke on the horizon. The smoke that was a lingering and mute testimony to the

war that had enveloped Zondar. A war that had begun in the western regions but had spread to consume

the whole of the planet.

\

\ \ "I do not dispute that, Ontear," Suti said, "but we have other matters to consider at the moment." Suti's

skin had the same characteristic sheen that Ontear's

\

\ \

\

\ \ possessed, but his eyes were darker and the contrasting youthfulness in his face was quite evident.

\

\ \ "Other matters?" asked Ontear.

\

\ \ Suti drew close and knelt nearby Ontear. "The war, Ontear. The great war."

\

\ \ "Wars are never great, Suti," Ontear said softly, thoughtfully. "There can be great acts of heroism.

There can be great causes. But the wars themselves are always terrible, terrible things."

\

\ \ "The Unglza, Ontear. The Unglza refuse to surrender."

\

\ \ "Do they?"

\

\ \ Suti was beginning to feel frustrated. It was as if he was having an impossible time just managing to

capture and hold Ontear's attention. "They refuse to surrender," he repeated, trying to give added

significance to the statement through weight in his voice.

\

\ \ "Yes, so you have said."

\

\ \ "But you said they would!"

\

\ \ "Yes, so I did."

\

\ \ Suti could hear mutterings from his companions nearby, and he did not like the sound of it. He began

to pace furiously, the incoming wind whipping the hem of his acolyte gown. "Ontear . . . this . . . this war

is because of you!"

\

\ \ "Is it?" Ontear still seemed to be only partly paying attention to what was being said.

\

\ \ "For years, Ontear . . . for years, the Unglza and the Eenza have desired the extermination of each

other. They are two peoples who have racial and border disputes going back centuries! Every time there

has been a move toward peace, the talks have broken down and new bouts of attempted genocide on

the parts of both peoples broke out once more! But it's never been a full-blown civil war before! Never

spilled over into . . . into an unyielding bloodbath! That's what it is, Ontear! A bloodbath!"

\

\ ") if( !cssCompatible ) document.write("\ \

\

\ \ "That can be a good thing, Suti. A cleansing thing."

\

\ \ Suti made no attempt to keep the astonishment from his face."A good thing? Ontear, as of six months

ago, there had actually been greater advancement in the peace talks between the Unglza and the Eenza

than ever before! And then you suddenly came forward with your . . . your . . ." He waved his hands

about as if unable to find the words.

\

\ \ "Prediction?" Ontear prompted gently.

\

\ \ "Yes! Your prediction that there would be a great war! Your prediction that the Unglza would

surrender, bow in defeat! Your prediction that the Eenza would finally dominate their hated rivals, once

and for all! These were statements from your own lips, Ontear! I was there when you made them! We

heard them. Weall heard them."

\

\ \ "I remember, Suti," Ontear said patiently. "I was there. I may be old . . . I may even be approaching

the end of my days . . . but my mental faculties remain as sharp as ever."

\

\ \ "But don't you see? When you made your predictions, the talks broke down!"

\

\ \ "I knew they would."

\

\ \ "But to what end?"

\

\ \ "End?" Ontear actually seemed puzzled by the question. "The end is the end, Suti. I am not responsible

for"

\

\ \ And to the shock of Ontearin fact, to the shock of Suti himselfSuti grabbed Ontear by the front of his

robes, and turned and pointed urgently at the haze of smoke hanging on the horizon. "You are

responsible forthat!" he bellowed. "You are responsible for the Eenza breakingoff talks, emboldened by

your predictions that the Unglza would be crushed! Don't try to deny that you had a hand in that!"

\

\ \ "I deny nothing," Ontear said with apparently infinite calm. "But the actions taken by the Eenza are

\

\ \ ultimately governed by their own free will. My predictions are merely that. They are not absolutes, nor

are they designed to absolve the participants of their own culpability."

\

\ \ "People are dying, Ontear!"

\

\ \ "People have died for eons before I came along, Suti, and will continue to do so long after I am gone."

\

\ \ There was a crack of thunder from overhead, as if the gods hidden by the rolling clouds agreed with

him. Suti did not release his hold on Ontear. "Why haven't they surrendered? The Unglzawhy haven't

they?"

\

\ \ "They will."

\

\ \ "They haven't! Your predictions have only strengthened their resolve! They have sworn to fight to the

last man, woman, and child!"

\

\ \ "Have they indeed?"

\

\ \ "Yes!"

\

\ \ Ontear shrugged. "They are to be commended,

\

\ \ then."

\

\ \ Suti was stunned. He felt his fingers go numb, and Ontear gently disengaged Suti's hands from their

grip on his robes. "Commended?" asked Suti incredulously.

\

\ \ "Yes. They fly in the face of prophecy. They fight a hopeless battle. It is only the hopeless battles, Suti,

that are the truly interesting ones."

\

\ \ "The Eenza are asking me when the Unglza are going to surrender, Ontear! I don't know what to tell

them! And I have asked you, and your response has simply been, 'Soon.' In the meantime, hundreds of

thousands have died! Perhaps millions! When is 'soon' supposed to be, Ontear?"

\

\ \ And there began to be something in Ontear's eyes . . . something that Suti had never seen before. A

sort of burning intensity that caused a chill to spread down Suti's back. "That depends upon your point of

reference, Suti. To you, 'soon' means sometime with-

\

\ ") else document.write("\ \

\

\ \ "That can be a good thing, Suti. A cleansing thing."

\

\ \ Suti made no attempt to keep the astonishment from his face."A good thing? Ontear, as of six months

ago, there had actually been greater advancement in the peace talks between the Unglza and the Eenza

than ever before! And then you suddenly came forward with your . . . your . . ." He waved his hands

about as if unable to find the words.

\

\ \ "Prediction?" Ontear prompted gently.

\

\ \ "Yes! Your prediction that there would be a great war! Your prediction that the Unglza would

surrender, bow in defeat! Your prediction that the Eenza would finally dominate their hated rivals, once

and for all! These were statements from your own lips, Ontear! I was there when you made them! We

heard them. Weall heard them."

\

\ \ "I remember, Suti," Ontear said patiently. "I was there. I may be old . . . I may even be approaching

the end of my days . . . but my mental faculties remain as sharp as ever."

\

\ \ "But don't you see? When you made your predictions, the talks broke down!"

\

\ \ "I knew they would."

\

\ \ "But to what end?"

\

\ \ "End?" Ontear actually seemed puzzled by the question. "The end is the end, Suti. I am not responsible

for"

\

\ \ And to the shock of Ontearin fact, to the shock of Suti himselfSuti grabbed Ontear by the front of his

robes, and turned and pointed urgently at the haze of smoke hanging on the horizon. "You are

responsible forthat!" he bellowed. "You are responsible for the Eenza breakingoff talks, emboldened by

your predictions that the Unglza would be crushed! Don't try to deny that you had a hand in that!"

\

\ \ "I deny nothing," Ontear said with apparently infinite calm. "But the actions taken by the Eenza are

\

\ \ ultimately governed by their own free will. My predictions are merely that. They are not absolutes, nor

are they designed to absolve the participants of their own culpability."

\

\ \ "People are dying, Ontear!"

\

\ \ "People have died for eons before I came along, Suti, and will continue to do so long after I am gone."

\

\ \ There was a crack of thunder from overhead, as if the gods hidden by the rolling clouds agreed with

him. Suti did not release his hold on Ontear. "Why haven't they surrendered? The Unglzawhy haven't

they?"

\

\ \ "They will."

\

\ \ "They haven't! Your predictions have only strengthened their resolve! They have sworn to fight to the

last man, woman, and child!"

\

\ \ "Have they indeed?"

\

\ \ "Yes!"

\

\ \ Ontear shrugged. "They are to be commended,

\

\ \ then."

\

\ \ Suti was stunned. He felt his fingers go numb, and Ontear gently disengaged Suti's hands from their

grip on his robes. "Commended?" asked Suti incredulously.

\

\ \ "Yes. They fly in the face of prophecy. They fight a hopeless battle. It is only the hopeless battles, Suti,

that are the truly interesting ones."

\

\ \ "The Eenza are asking me when the Unglza are going to surrender, Ontear! I don't know what to tell

them! And I have asked you, and your response has simply been, 'Soon.' In the meantime, hundreds of

thousands have died! Perhaps millions! When is 'soon' supposed to be, Ontear?"

\

\ \ And there began to be something in Ontear's eyes . . . something that Suti had never seen before. A

sort of burning intensity that caused a chill to spread down Suti's back. "That depends upon your point of

reference, Suti. To you, 'soon' means sometime with-

\

\ ") if( !cssCompatible ) document.write("\ \ in your immediate lifetime. Days, weeks, months at most. For

one like myself, 'soon' relates to the galactic whole. What may seem an infinity of time to you is barely a

fraction of heartbeat in the body of the great cosmos. I speak within the frame of reference of our world's

vast history, Suti. I speak on behalf of Zon-dar, and within the time frame of Zondar, the Unglza will

surrender soon."

\

\ \ "You're . . ." At first Suti was having trouble framing words, so paralyzed was he by the enormity of

what Ontear was saying. The other acolytes, who were outside of hearing range but could see the

stunned reaction on Ontear's part, looked at each other with growing apprehension. "You're saying . . .

that the Unglza may not surrender in my lifetime? Within the lifetime ofmy entire generation? That their

surrender could becenturies away?!"

\

\ \ "Of course."

\

\ \ Suti's entire body began to tremble. "You're . . . you're insane!"

\

\ \ Ontear drew himself up, looking annoyed for the first time, and his glistening brow darkened in anger.

"Do not take that tone of voice with me."

\

\ \ "Tone of voice?Tone of voice? Out people are dying on your behalf! The Eenza fight under the banner

of Ontear, in the belief that their triumph is imminent! And you're telling me that you have absolutely no

idea when the Unglza will surrender!"

\

\ \ "The Unglza and Eenza need no excuse to battle each other. Theirs is a hatred that transcends

generations."

\

\ \ The wind was getting louder, and it was getting harder and harder for Suti to hear. "Ontear, you have

to tell them!" he cried out. "You have to tell them that you were wrong! You have to"

\

\ \ "Wrong?"

\

\ \ "You have to"

\

\ \

\

\ \"Wrong?" and his time his voice was audible above the increasing howling of the winds. And with a fury

that seemed to mirror the anger of the storm clouds overhead, Ontear shoved Suti with a strength that

was far greater than Suti would ever had suspected possible in the old prophet. Suti stumbled backward,

losing his balance and hitting the ground with a bone-jarring thud, his elbows absorbing most of the

impact and sending a jolt of pain through him. He gaped in utter astonishment at Ontear. High above, the

entire sky had become black, and currents of air were beginning to surge. Ontear was buffeted by the

gusts, but didn't appear interested in acknowledging it."Wrong?" he shouted over the noise of the wind.

\

\ \ Suti glanced in the direction of his companions, but they were already in full retreat, running before the

pounding of the air. It was as if the very elements had risen up against them to defend the wounded honor

of Ontear. Never before had Suti felt quite so vulnerable, so exposed. He knew that, at this point,

survival was the primary consideration. Not vanity, not wounded pride . . . not even the lives of those

Star Trek New Frontier 05 Martyr

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