Subj: The Josette Connection Pt.2
Date: 4/1/00 1:49:33 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Marcos1

Captain's log, star date 2275. Death is a final destination, or, so it is usually said. We have two important guests aboard the Enterprise. Josette duPres Collins, a woman that is a complete conundrum to the best minds of the Federation. She is alive, but yet, not. Her heart does not beat. Her blood does not circulate. But she is alive, her face twisted and distorted beyond any recognition. They say that she doesn't even appear human. Strangely, I look forward to meeting her. I've read some of her early letters to Barnabas Collins in the computer archives. She was an unusual woman, romantic and strong, with a natural goodness. Her love for Barnabas was so powerful, that I found myself weeping, reading them.

Our other guest is Doctor Angelique Collins of the Collins Institute. She is from planet 5896, a planet forbidden to visit by Star Fleet order, 789. It is a dangerous place, where intense research is being done on the supernatural. The Collins Institute regularly publish their findings in scientific journals. Their home planet however is considered too dangerous for normal Federation contact. It is the home of many species, that one what normally associate with the horror story or fairy tale. Doctor Collins is said to be a beautiful woman, but ruthless, even cruel, in her pursuit of scientific truth.

~~~

Captain Kirk approached the doorway. He was so looking forward to meeting Josette. He pushed the door buzzer and the door opened. He took a single step and entered the guest quarters. A great mist filled the room, at first he could see nothing, but a wall of white smoke. But then the mist cleared. It was like the curtain rising to an old movie, a waking dream. Jim Kirk blinked his eyes; this was unbelievable. Was he still aboard the Enterprise?

The captain found himself, at the center of a field of sugarcane. There were hundreds of negroes working, cutting and harvesting the crop. Some of them were singing. They were all working very hard. A tall white man stood watching them, he was strong looking with a large sturdy build, a whip on one side and a gun on the other.

"Oui, you must work very hard," he said. "You don't want master, duPres, to be mad at you, no? You don't want to feel the pain of my whip?"

"What is going on here, mister?" Captain Kirk asked. "What are you and these other people doing on my ship?"

The man laughed. "What are you, monsieur? A circus clown, or, something? Why are you dressed in such outlandish clothing? You must be a madman, no?"

Jim Kirk remembered his horror at reading about slavery in the old south. How could some of the most civilized people of all time...justify such a horror? The old south was a place of hospitality and good manners. How did they come to embrace the institution of slavery? He felt a rush of anger flush through him. Without another thought, he punched the overseer in the face, knocking him out cold.

A single black woman stepped forward. "Who are you, monsieur? Are you an angel from heaven...come to rescue us?" She was a beauty, with fine well formed features. Her beauty was like a princess.

Jim Kirk smiled. "Well, maybe you can help me? Where exactly am I?"

"This is the plantation of Andre duPres," she replied. "You are in Martinique."

Jim rubbed his chin. "And the year is....?"

"Why, the year is 1794, of our Lord," she replied. "How is it that you don't know these things? Do they not have a calendar in Heaven?"

"No," Jim replied. " I am not an angel. Just a man. My name is James Kirk... Captain James T. Kirk."

"Then you had better run, Captain. Andre is quite cruel. He will not appreciate anyone knocking out one of his overseers," the ebony beauty said. "Your very life could be in much danger, monsieur."

In the distance, a rider was approaching. It was a woman with long auburn hair. She too was beautiful. Her features were delicate. She had a long slender neck and, skin, white like alabaster. Jim had seen her before. Yes, this was Josette. He remembered the computer archive pictures of her painting. She approached him, looking down at the fallen overseer. "Captain Kirk, I'm in time. We must get out of here. She is coming...the evil witch, Angelique."

Jim Kirk swallowed hard. He felt such a lump forming in this throat. There was a tingling feeling all over his body. Josette reached out her hand, pulling him towards the horse. Jim Kirk felt a rush of memories. {For a hundred years, he was locked in a box, thirsting for blood. He was holding a gun shooting at a blond woman; he hated her. Then, he was a small boy, watching a lady being painted; she was blond, with a large overbite. Still beautiful, but reminding him of fire, terrible fire, burning consuming everything. Then, he was a small boy playing with his uncle. It was a peaceful time. He heard a small boy's voice. His voice. ~ Jeremiah, lets hide and sneak on Aunt Abigail.~ I love you Ben. You are my best friend.~ Then feelings of pain. ~ Father, don't you love me? Why do you never say the words?} Jim Kirk suddenly realized. He had been Barnabas. In a previous life, he had been Barnabas Collins!

"Jim, she knows," Josette said, "please come with me. We must hurry, my beloved."

Jim Kirk mounted the horse. Josette sat behind him, holding him tight. This time, she would never let him go. They rode off into the countryside of Martinique. The beautiful slave girl stood watching them, saying a silent prayer. Please dear God, let them escape.

To be continued