Deception - Finale

by Ja'el

Disclaimers: Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict and it's characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company.

Rating: G

Spoilers: Season one only, up to Destruction.

Summary: The virus has been stopped, but who will take the blame?

Author's notes: It's finally done! It took me forever, but yes, this is the last installment of Deception. Big thanks to my wonderful friend Cache who put up with my griping and procrastination. If it weren't for her beta-reading and patience, this story would never have come to be. Thank you! :) And, of course, you know the drill, Ja'el, La'sha and Jennifer Ramsey belong to Cache and I. You can use them, but you have to get permission to play in our universe before you do. As always, comments, flames, and pleas not to write anymore will be most welcome. I love e-mail! :)

Da'an followed Boone to his audience chamber. He stopped right before the entrance. "Commander." Boone immediately turned around to face him. "I thank you for escorting me. You may return to your abode now."

"Of course Da'an." Boone gave a short bow and left, and Da'an continued into the room alone. Ja'el, Zo'or, and the rest of the Synod were already there, and, stepping into the room, he felt a sudden burst of pleased emotions emanating from the Taelon ruling body, well, from most anyway. Zo'or didn't quite 'jump for joy' as the human expression went, but that was almost as gratifying to him as the many feelings of relieved happiness at his return. Hopefully, the young Taelon would be sufficiently punished for his actions, but, judging from the expression on Zo'or's face, Da'an didn't think so. Smug, secure, and arrogant. Then again, from the look on Ja'el's, Zo'or could very well be getting in a lot of trouble. The newly appointed Companion had an impassive expression, sparing one quick smile when Da'an walked in the room, but anyone who had encountered the now half closed eyes during that small moment would have seen their bluer than blue spheres fairly dancing with some unknown thought. He knew it just couldn't be his return, for the two had mind spoken as soon as the virus antidote relayed by Agent Ramsey's global worked. He still had to ask Ja'el where he had gotten it, for he had been less than informative when they spoke, drawing it out as long as he could, with his usual teasing demeanor.

He was snapped out of his thoughts, however, by the voice of Quo'on. "We are extremely pleased at your safe return, Da'an. You, La'sha, and Commander Boone are to be commended for your efficient work and quick resolve of the situation."

"Thank you. However, we could not have accomplished our deed as quickly as we did without the assistance of Ja'el and his implant."

"Which is exactly the topic of conversation, Da'an," Zo'or's grin became even wider at Quo'on's words. "Although we credit Ja'el with the means of undoing this unfortunate incident, he seems to have acquired it in an less than honorable manner, and has made dangerous accusations against our youngest member."

Da'an quickly looked over to Ja'el. His expression hadn't changed in the least, if anything, it seemed more nonchalant. He reached out tentatively to Ja'el's mind with a small question, <What?>

<Just listen, my friend. It's all going to come out in a second.>

Da'an couldn't detect any emotion whatsoever. So one of two things is possible, Da'an thought, it's either not that serious, and he's just playing with me, or it's very serious, and he wants to see my expression. I really hope it's the former… Somehow, he doubted it though, and focused on Quo'on's next words.

"Ja'el has openly acknowledged his access of Zo'or's personal files without permission and has accused Zo'or of releasing and creating the virus himself, a statement which the rest of the Synod is reluctant to believe and that Zo'or claims is a lie. Have you anything to add to this, Ja'el?"

Ja'el shook his head slowly, with no doubt in his mind that he would be able to prove Zo'or's treachery. He had all the evidence on a disk; all the Synod members had to do was view it. They had been waiting for Da'an to get here to look at it and now Quo'on had waved the datastream on, explaining to Da'an and the others that this was the evidence that Ja'el had come up with. The Synod members studied it closely, while Ja'el studied Zo'or for his reaction. Zo'or was calm, with a slight, barely noticeable smirk playing across his face. The younger Taelon's eyes suddenly shifted over and locked with Ja'el's. He was startled to hear Zo'or's voice in his head say, <You will not catch me, Ja'el. I have taken so many precautions that you could not even hope to cast the slightest doubt upon me. Not even your precious 'evidence' could convict me when I have the Synod members eating out of my hand.>

Ja'el was too taken aback to even comment. Zo'or couldn't have, he reasoned, they would never go against a truth sitting right in front of them… Would they? The Synod had gone quiet, conferring silently, reaching a decision. Ja'el had unconsciously gone tense, his certainty of being victorious now diminishing rapidly as he thought of Zo'or's influence and how easily he could have rallied them…

Quo'on looked up, and Da'an's pained look convinced him of the outcome even before the Synod Leader opened his mouth to speak. "It is decided that there is not enough proof to condemn Zo'or as we have reasoned that there is no way to tell if Ja'el's information is true. However, there will be an investigation into Zo'or's files beginning tomorrow."

Which is more than enough time to destroy everything controversial. Ja'el thought, annoyed. I have underestimated the deceitful young Taelon. Never will I make that mistake again…

"As for you, Ja'el," His eyes widened at being addressed in such a manner, and immediately thought, Oh no, here it comes… "Your actions are inexcusable. I should think you would know better that to do something that rash… However, we understand that your concern was for Da'an, and this is why you will be let off with a warning. Do not let this happen again."

Sufficiently chagrined, Ja'el lowered his head submissively, "Yes. I am grateful for your leniency and I assure you that this incident will not be repeated." No, I will definitely not let Zo'or get the better of me again…

Quo'on nodded and took his leave, the rest following him. Zo'or cast a victorious look in his direction before disappearing. Da'an remained and stepped over to Ja'el's side, putting a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "The others were most reluctant in seeing what was directly in front of them. How could they have doubted you, my friend?"

Ja'el rose his eyes from the floor and looked directly into Da'an's. "I believe you already know the answer to that, Da'an. Zo'or has deceived them all, in more ways than one. I fear that Quo'on's position weakens."

"You and I both. However, I do not think that he is the only one in danger…" He gave Ja'el a meaningful look.

Ja'el nodded gravely, then smiled. "I believe you must have been surprised when you learned that I accessed Zo'or's files?"

Dear Ja'el, Da'an thought and returned the smile, taking his hand away from Ja'el and letting it drop to his side, You laugh at everything, don't you? "I was, and still am. How did you ever get past it?"

Ja'el's smile became even wider. "That's classified information Da'an. I'd tell you, but then I'd have to assist you in joining the void prematurely."

Da'an sighed. "You watch too many human movies, my friend."

Ja'el smirked at Da'an before turning to gaze out at the moonlit ocean waves crashing on the shore.

Boone strode into the underground Resistance headquarters to be greeted by smiles and hugs from the other members, relieved and grateful for his safe return. He plopped down in the nearest chair and let himself be fussed over before he raised his hands to signal he had had enough. Doors moved up silently beside him making Boone flinch slightly when the Resistance leader began to speak. "Okay, just who was responsible for all that, and did you get anything we can use?"

For an ex-corporate big shot he sure can be blunt… Boone thought to himself before replying. "Who else but everyone's favorite Taelon, Zo'or? For a species that supposedly abhors violence, he sure resorts to it quickly to achieve his goals. Which were, so far as I can gather, to pin everything on us so the Synod would have no choice but to bring out the iron shackles. As for me getting anything we can put to good use… The home ship was in no condition to be pried around in, the slightest thing I did could have set something off, not to mention I was with a Taelon almost every minute up there." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was tired… "That's really about it. I didn't have much time alone to do anything."

"And what about Zo'or? The Synod knows about his treachery, so what are they going to do about it?" Doors interjected.

"I don't know. We aren't entirely sure how their political system works yet, and I'd be willing to bet money that Zo'or had some sort of backup plan. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he got off completely free and somehow blamed it all on Da'an, La'sha, and me. Oh, and speaking of Taelons, Lili, did you find out anything useful on our helper?" He looked at her hopefully, thinking that maybe she could take over the conversation for awhile.

Lili gave a tiny smile and looked at him briefly with sympathetic eyes before answering his question. "Ja'el… He isn't like other Taelons I've met. He seems like he's willing to help, but I'm not sure how much of that help is for the human race, or if he just has a grudge against Zo'or and wants to get him out of the way. He definitely isn't like Zo'or though, although I get the feeling that he could be very ruthless if he had to. But, he isn't like Da'an either, there seems to be more openness in him, more ease. I'm not sure exactly what to make of him yet."

"That's just about the same impression I got of him." Boone said before he stifled a yawn. "We'll have to watch him a bit more closely, see if we can place his motives, or at least guess at them."

Doors nodded, as if satisfied. "Good work. We'll pick this up tomorrow, go over the details again." He turned around and left.

Boone let out a huge yawn. "I'm going home, see you tomorrow, people."

"I'll take you." Lili offered.

He smiled his thanks and waved goodbye to the others. Breathing in the cool air as he exited the church, he felt extremely lucky to be home.

--Fin--

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