The Fall of Iconia

Chapter 14

A/N: Standard Disclaimer. We don't own Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate, Doctor Who, or Eureka. Just fans.

Chapter 14

Guinan looked around herself at what looked like Ten Forward, back on Enterprise. She was seated at a table with her kids, Jack, Sam, Mark, and Lexi, as well as Jack O'Neill. Around them were several more Q, including The First, The Commander, Merlin and Che'Ryl, Teal'c, Daniel, Janus, and Jade. She knew what was coming, and wasn't sure what she thought of her brother being present, but she supposed his animosity toward her gave him a vested interest in having her fobbed.

"Before we proceed," Daniel Jackson announced, "Teal'c and I want it known that we both consider Guinan to be like our mother; therefore, we would prefer to sit with her and her children."

The First's look was penetrating as he nodded and intoned, "Very well, Doctor Jackson."

Daniel and Teal'c both stood and moved to Guinan's table. Two more chairs appeared at their approach, and they sat down.

Merlin smiled slightly, and stated, "I doubt that there is anyone in the continuum, who would not consider Guinan to be either family, or a close friend. Further," he continued, "most Q have, in one way or another, dealt with the Borg, and would likely approve of what Guinan has done."

There was silence in the room when Merlin finished. Obviously, he was correct in his assessment, and after several moments, The First held a hand up, and a padd appeared in it. "The formal charges against Meribor, or Guinan, are as follows: One, interfering with the correct order of the timeline, and two, consigning several thousand Borg to oblivion." The padd disappeared from his hand and he levelled his gaze on her. "Do you agree with the charges?"

She simply answered, "Yes."

Janus stood, and faced The First. "How can we object to her consigning all of those Borg to oblivion? Any of us might have done exactly the same thing in her position." He looked around at the assembled Q. None of them seemed inclined to disagree with his statement, so he forged ahead. "As far as 'interfering with the correct order of the timeline', I ask, what is the correct order? Who are we to say?"

"The Guardian of Forever has been created for just that purpose," The First countered.

"You know as well as I," Janus said, "that the Guardian does not tend to communicate clearly."

"He will with Fargo," Jack Carter offered.

"That is true," The First agreed.

"Are we going to air the continuum's dirty laundry to the ascended?" Janus asked.

"In a limited way, the ascended have a connection with the continuum as well," Teal'c observed.

"But they are not Q."

"Some would argue that they are," the big Jaffa answered, "if only slightly."

Janus eyed Teal'c for a time, then asked, "So do you suggest that we ask Zeus what the Guardian has to say?"

"Hardly," Teal'c answered drily. He levelled a warning gaze at Janus. "I should point out that I find your apparent distaste at a 'mere ascended' to be… distasteful."

"Teal'c, I am well aware that you and Daniel are married to ascended," Janus defended himself. "And I never said, 'mere ascended' in reference to anyone. I only asked if we were going to air our dirty laundry to Fargo."

"I do not think that will be necessary," Merlin told his son.

The First nodded thoughtfully, then called, "Qang puqbe'!"