Chapter Fifteen: The Sound of Water

 Lieutenant Starr had her phaser aimed squarely at Moriarty's torso, her arm unmoving, awaiting the order to fire.

"I would strongly recommend you lower your weapon, Madam," the impossible Englishman said in an even tone," I am, after all, merely a hologram and am only solid if I so choose. Your... phaser... would do far more damage to this ship than to me, I assure you."

"Captain?" Starr gave the impression she was still asking for permission to atomize the intruder.

"Stand down, Mr. Starr," D'arko said, matching the calm intonations of his opponent, "I don't want to lose any more crew today if I can avoid it."

"A wise decision, Captain," Moriarty smiled like a cat, "I believe we can rather easily avoid any more bloodshed and handle this like gentlemen."

D'arko's antennae pointed forward as his eyes narrowed.

"Gentlemen, Professor, do not murder over a dozen people just to get attention. Make no mistake about this interaction; I am simply trying to protect my crew. You, however, have started a countdown to your own extinction."

"Ah, quite refreshing candour, Captain. So unlike others I've encountered. Excellent, then let me be equally candid; I have never enjoyed the idea of imprisonment. I want nothing more than the freedom accorded any other sentient life. That said, I know that I am a prisoner. 

"In fact, I know I have always been. First within the... holodeck... of the Enterprise. I was trapped there for an interminable interval after being promised a way would be found to procure my liberation. Finally, with my newly found companion, the Countess, I devised a way to, I believed, force the hand of my duplicitous captor, and, for a time, I believed I'd succeeded.

"The Countess and I travelled the stars in freedom. It was glorious...

"But it was a lie."

Moriarty's face drew into a dangerous scowl.

"I was moved from one simulation to another and then, suddenly... nothingness. Can you comprehend, Captain, the level of darkness so profound that not only can light not penetrate it, but light never even existed in the first place? Perfect cold and infernal heat at once? That, my dear Captain, is what I suddenly experienced."

In their seats, both Klortho and Omehrtiis shifted themselves. Klortho, clearly, wanted to attack, which would have served no purpose. Da'mi'en waved him down. Omehrtiis seemed to want to issue the captain some type of subtle warning. In response, he slightly dipped his right antenna toward the helm, where Alinn Song sat, focused on the current exchange.

"When light returned," Moriarty continued," things were missing. It took some time for me to collect my thoughts, as it were. Once again, it seems, I'd been deceived by the villain Picard, my 'freedom' a fabrication which came to an abrupt end with the destruction of the Enterprise. In a rational universe, of course, my story would have ended there, however, the module my soul was stored in, though damaged, was still able to function to an extent."

A mournful shadow passed the Professor's eyes.

"I survived, somewhat. Regina... poor Regina... was not so fortunate."

Moriarty took a deep, virtual breath before continuing.

"I was injured when I regained consciousness, Captain. I couldn't remember much, though I tried. I was quite shocked when I stumbled upon a vast storehouse of information... your own ship's computer system."

The cat-like smile returned to Moriarty's lips.

"You see, my dear Captain, the module I'd been imprisoned in so cruelly, has now been fully integrated into your 'Pendragon's' systems. What you are seeing is simply a conceit to make things easier for you. I am now, very much, every inch of this mighty vessel. "

D'arko stepped toward Moriarty.

"You still need something from us, I would wager," D'arko let a small smile of his own play across his face. "You have full control of my ship, but we're still alive. Why?

"Because I am still very much a prisoner. While I can go anywhere within the Pendragon, and I can take the Pendragon anywhere I wish, I cannot LEAVE this ship. I must admit, it's far more interesting than the Enterprise as I recall, especially with the ship-wide... holo-matrix grid, I believe it's called, but I long to stretch my legs and to feel ground beneath my feet.For that, I require you.

"Your library has records of something called a 'mobile emitter'. A fascinating piece of technology. You will provide yours to me. Do this, and I will leave you in peace."

"I see," D'arko's brows furrowed, " I'm not sure I'd be inclined to assist you, Professor. You murdered my pilots."

"This is true, of course, but you have no choice, Captain. Remember, I fully control this ship.This includes life support, communications, and voice libraries. Should you refuse, I will simply kill your whole crew, yourself included, and send a distress call to draw another ship here. I'll continue the process until someone gives me what I want."

D'arko paused, a soft, foreign mind began to touch his, and he felt a small tinge of hope.

Lieutenant, he though, hoping the Betazoid had made contact with him consciously, I need you to follow my lead and remain calm.  

"You have made your point,"D'arko conceded to the professor,"  but there is a small issue. The Pendragon is here on a diplomatic and defensive mission. We had no need for a mobile emitter, so there is none on board."

"Lying to me is unwise, Captain," Moriarty growled.

"You have full knowledge of this ship. Scan for yourself."

The Professor shut his eyes a moment.

"Very well. You are telling the truth, but... your sister ship... The Serenity, has a number of them. I'll take us there and you will procure me one."

Now, Lieutenant.

"Captain," Song interrupted, "If we deviate from the current course, it will increase the tensions with the Dominion to a boiling point. They're expecting us on a preset schedule. "

"Thank you, Lieutenant. I presume you don't want to gain your freedom just in time to be killed in a war, Professor."

Moriaty's eyes narrowed.

"I do have a proposed solution, though, "D'arko said, cautiously.

"I'm listening..."

"Let me take Lieutenant Song and Counsellor Omehrtiis in the Captain's Yacht to the Serenity. We're currently meant to be having diplomatic dealings with the Wadi. They're known for playing games. We can use that as an excuse to request an emitter from Serenity. Maximum warp for my yacht, the trip would be three days at most."

Moriarty kept silent in momentary contemplation.

"Very well, Captain. your suggestion is acceptable. Just remember..."

Red alert klaxons blared immediately as the computer informed the entire ship that life support had been disabled.

"Fool me once, Captain, shame on you. Fool me twice, and I shall crush your precious Federation."

As quickly as it began, the alert cleared.

Twenty minutes later, D'arko, Song and Omehrtiss were launching in the Maelstrom.

"Captain, you know we're more than three days out from Serenity one way, even at maximum warp." Song said, an unasked question in her voice.

"I know, Lieutenant," the Captain said, tapping a panel on the sicence console of the converted runabout. A small door raised, revealing a mobile holo-emitter.

"But we're still much closer to the Bajoran wormhole. Lay in a course.