Final Frontier III story.

[Randallw]

I'll get things started with a short intro to the Dominion.




The Dominion ruled over a single planet. Once it may have been a paradise, well suited for supporting a civilisation. Minerals were abundant, as were resources which, with the minimum of effort, could be used for fuel. Gardens devoted to producing organic chemicals abounded. Any other race however, even if they breathed the atmosphere, would find it unpleasant. For the Dominion perfection was important, as it was for many other races, but whereas another race might find perfection in nature or art or beauty, the Dominion cared only for Order. The Minerals were ruthlessly mined for material to build facilities, weapons and ships. The Radioactive elements of the planet were stripped to fuel the Dominions machines and Organics existed solely to feed the servants of the Dominion. Although even this differed from the normally accepted use of the word �feed�. Resources were not foolishly depleted but maintained so as to avoid decay or pollution. Located in a section of the Metropolis built on the surface over nearly two and a half millennia, was located a huge building that covered nearly a hundred square miles. A single Vorta travelled by foot through a succession of hall ways. His name was Nehran.
As with all servants of the Dominion, Nehran had spent all his lives on this one world. No member of the Dominion could leave the planet for fear that the Cleansing would detect them and find the Founders. The term, lives, was appropriate as even though technically he was one individual, there had been a succession of Nehrans serving the Founders. As each Nehran would die, either by natural means or the occasional industrial accident, a new Nehran was cloned and given the identity and memories of the previous. It was among these memories that Nehran searched as he moved through the lit hallways. He had been summoned by the Founders and was worried to think what could possibly have happened to have incurred their notice. Eventually he reached a gateway flanked on either side by a pair of Jem�Hadar. These two were Epsilons. 7 feet tall, they were created so as to tower over all subjects of the Dominion. The extra height was deemed unnecessary for common Jem�Hadar soldiers, so the extra time involved growing them was only spent on those used for ceremonial guards. Despite his slight stature, a feature of all Vorta, Nehran was confident enough in his devotion to the Founders that he was not worried by their size. He walked up to the guards. Beyond the gate lay the domain of the Founders. None were allowed past and in all probability the guards themselves had never entered.
�I am Nehran. The Founders summoned me� he announced.
The Jem�Hadar looked down at Nehran for a moment. As always they appeared to be sizing him up to either ignore him or break him in half. Eventually however they each reached for a door and swung them open. Nehran proceeded in. His previous confidence waned somewhat. He had never been allowed in before.
. There was only one entrance to the room, the gateway Nehran had passed though, but around the walls there stood many geometric shapes and items, furniture, and sculptures. Nehran looked around the room but there was no sign of the Founders. He wandered around viewing the exhibits. He supposed they were what he had read were called �Art� by other races. As with all Vorta he failed to understand their purpose. They did not produce anything, they supplied no protection, in fact some were quite frail looking, and they did not fulfil any actual function. On the wall to his left was a chair, perhaps to seat guests, a Stand with a hollow Pyramid intersected by another Pyramid and a rock. Ahead of him was a delicate crystal vase filled with a green liquid, and to either side a tall wooden structure which appeared to have 2 more doors. Hesitantly he walked up and attempted to open the wooden doors, but they refused to open. Prevented in his attempt to leave the room he turned to his right. On the wall hung a 2 dimensional picture, comprising many colours, which he failed to comprehend, the colours appearing to be laid almost randomly. Then a crystalline creature of some sort, followed by a bronze sculpture of many turning tubes and rods. He bent down to take a closer look.
�Nehran� a voice spoke. Not particularly loud, but the suddenness and unexpectedness almost meant another clone would be needed. Nehran tried to calm his nerves as he turned towards the voice.
The chair and the rock still stood alongside the wall but in place of the Pyramids stood a Founder. Nehran bowed immediately, averting his eyes.
�For�forgive me Founder.� Nehran pleaded.
�Stand, Nehran� the Founder ordered. Nehran raised his eyes. The Founder in front of him was not one he knew, though he had learned practically from his conception that this meant nothing, but it had taken on a faintly male appearance.
�I came as ordered, Founder� Nehran explained, as if his very presence did not prove his statement.
�It was I who ordered you here� answered the Founder as it crossed the room to stand in front of the nervous Vorta.
�I live to serve� replied Nehran.
�Of course you do, that is why we made you�. The Founder halted momentarily for this wisdom to soak in, before continuing. �We have a new duty for you�.
�What is it that the Founders wish of me?�
�You are to organise the Dominions journey into space�.
This fact was more shocking to the Vorta then the Founders sudden appearance.
�Space?, but Founder, the Cleansing� uttered Nehran. His concern for the Dominion momentarily causing him to question the Founder�
�The Cleansing is no more a threat� exclaimed the Founder. Despite the fact that the Dominion had spent two and a half millennia on this planet hiding from the Cleansing, if the Dominions gods said they were no longer a threat than Nehran did not doubt them.
�We have taken note of your skills Nehran. For all the time we have chosen to stay on this planet, we have been pleased with you and your predecessor�s service�. Nehrans heart again leapt, this time not from shock but the joy to know he had been noticed.
�I shall continue to serve with dedication� Nehran said.
�We are confident that you shall do so. Now go, we shall send the information to your office. Start immediately to organise the initial ships�.
�It shall be done, great Founder�. With that Nehran bowed yet again and backed out of the room, stopping momentarily while the Jem�Hadar guards let him out.