Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek.
Chapter 1
2366
Somewhere on the Far Rim
It had just hours ago passed through a beautiful multi-colored nebula. Now, the tiny one man shuttle pod tumbled over and over through a very black stretch of space. It was an oblong, white, and featureless vessel, save for a now dried bloody handprint just adjacent to the shuttle hatch. The handprint belonged to the shuttle's occupant, who was for now, barely conscious. For all he knew, for all he cared, his journey was endless. And through a blurry haze he wondered if she still loved him.
Approximately one day later on the Enterprise
"You are long overdue for a vacation, Captain. Doctor Crusher tells me you've lost weight since your last physical, and I can tell just by being near you that your stress level is unhealthy." Deanna Troi walked around the desk in Picard's Ready Room and stood close to him looking down with concern and barely hidden annoyance.
Deanna Troi was a well-trained counselor; highly professional, with nearly boundless patience and poise. Nearly…boundless, that is, for Captain Picard was wearing on her famous calm. He knew he was burnt out, she knew he was burnt out, but instead of giving in, taking her advice and going on a short leave, he was working harder, almost as if he had something to prove.
He glanced at her with irritation and mumbled something, before turning back to his report.
Troi raised her eyebrows. "What did you say, Captain? I didn't quite catch that."
"I said…perhaps you shouldn't stand quite so near to me if my stress level is bothering you so."
Troi nearly flinched at the level of hostility that he was projecting. But instead of taking a step backward like she really wanted to do, she stood her ground solidly. "Captain Picard…" she scolded him gently. "I am just as capable of being as stubborn as you are. You know that I am right, Captain. And you know that Doctor Crusher also recommends—"
"'Doctor Crusher recommends'?" he snapped, looking up at her grumpily. "Counselor, is there no end to the plots shared between yourself and my Chief Medical Officer? Really, one of you is quite enough for me to handle, thank you." He returned his glare to the computer screen and tapped his index finger on the desk.
"Plots? Our only plot, if it could be called one, is to keep you healthy sir."
He stood up abruptly and tugged on his uniform. "Well then, your…sincere, if rather aggressive efforts are appreciated, Counselor," he said, moving out from behind his desk. He walked to the replicator and ordered a glass of water.
Troi laughed in surprise. "Captain, you certainly have hidden your appreciation very well. Maybe I would believe you if you would simply take a short leave to relax…. "
He sipped from his water, gazing seriously at her over the rim of the glass. "Some kind of crisis almost always comes up, preventing any meaningful time for rest. Besides, you should know by now, Counselor, it is not in my nature to relax."
Troi folded her arms over her chest. "Captain, we are all capable of pushing beyond our natural limits. You of all people should know that."
Captain Picard finished his water and put the glass down on his desk. He spun it around a few times absently then wiped the ring of condensation away with the palm of his hand. He glanced up at Deanna, his expression now open as though he was finally considering taking her advice. "What if I were to take your advice and take a brief vacation? What would you suggest?"
Deanna broke into a slow smile, unable to hide her joy at having won a small victory. She put her hand to her chest, still smiling. "Why Captain, I am completely flattered that you would ask my opinion! You know my home world Betazed is quite beautiful this time of year. The warm breeze on the shore of the Opal Sea is truly magnificent."
"Oh?" he said, feigning interest. Truthfully he had some difficulty imagining a trip to Betazed without some kind of nightmarish run-in with Deanna's mother, Lwaxana Troi.
"Yes, truly," she said getting caught up in the moment. "But the view from the cliffs bordering the sea to the west is so gorgeous it really must be shared."
He raised his eyebrows warily. "Shared?"
"Yes, with someone special."
Picard stared at her and pushed away from the desk readying for a quick escape. "Oh, I don't think so, Counselor. I prefer to vacation alone."
"Why?"
He picked up the empty glass again, as though he suddenly needed something to distract his attention.
"Captain, everyone needs a touch of romance every now and then…."
He shook his head again in disagreement. "Not me," he said firmly, as if he were determined never to catch that kind of disease.
"And so if Doctor Crusher were available to accompany you…."
He stared at her with growing trepidation, mouth open. "Oh no…oh most certainly not, Counselor." He continued to stare at Deanna, whose expression was now deadpan. Was she losing her mind, or was she just trying to push his buttons? Either way, he felt highly uncomfortable. First of all the suggestion that he and Doctor Crusher were anything but friends and colleagues was not the sort of image he intended to project. What had he done, he wondered to give Counselor Troi the wrong idea about his relationship with Beverly Crusher?
Deanna looked at him innocently. "Captain, I really do not see what the problem is. I think it is a wonderful idea."
"Counselor…Doctor Crusher and I can hardly spend five minutes together without arguing. Perhaps you are seeing something that I am missing."
Actually, I think that I am, thought Troi. "So you don't think that a quiet getaway with Beverly would be just the thing to help you relax?" She knew he was partially correct; ever since Beverly had returned to the Enterprise from Starfleet Medical just a few months ago, things between Picard and Crusher had been tense and edgy. For Deanna, it was easy to see what the tension was about, and perhaps these tensions were contributing to Captain Picard's generally grumpy mood over these last months.
But Picard and Crusher both seemed clueless as to both the source of their problem and how they could change the alternating levels of aloofness and volatility the two engaged in on a regular basis. Troi knew it wasn't so simple as her blurting out the obvious. But it didn't mean she should not encourage them to move past their unseen barriers.
He appeared ready to announce a complete reversal of his tentative agreement to embark on a vacation when his communicator chirped. "Captain Picard," Worf's booming voice sounded about as cheerful as it would ever be.
"Go ahead," Picard said, unmistakably relieved.
"Commander Riker's shuttle has arrived in shuttle bay one, sir. He claims to have brought…gifts for everyone, sir."
Deanna turned and smiled at him cheerily. "Now there is a man who knows how to take a vacation."
Picard glanced up from his chair as Commander Riker strolled onto the bridge and down into the command center. He appeared so relaxed, that Picard could not help but be more than a little jealous.
"Captain," said the First Officer, looking quite satisfied with himself as he sat down next to the Captain.
Picard shifted his eyes in Riker's direction. "Number One," he said allowing a half smile. "What the hell is that on your face, Commander?" he said turning to face Riker directly.
"A tan, sir… Captain, you just would not believe the stories…" Riker grinned and then trailed off, when Picard shot him with a look that conveyed he was in no mood.
"Traveling to five different worlds in five days," said Deanna with a smirk. "I can only imagine."
"Oh, you won't have to imagine, Deanna, I will give you all the details…."
"Later of course," interrupted Picard, and then frowned looking down at the console built into the chair armrest, as it began to beep.
"Priority message coming in from Starbase 14, Captain."
Picard lifted his chin. "On screen," he ordered. The screen activated and filled with the image of a Starfleet Admiral. He wore a cobalt blue and black science uniform.
"Captain Picard…Admiral Collins here. The services of your ship and crew are needed in the Far Rim."
"The Far Rim?" Picard didn't try to hide his surprise. Years ago, he had many adventures in that region of space while assigned to a scout ship. "Surely we can't be the closest ship in the quadrant, Admiral." He wasn't familiar with Admiral Collins, but then the blonde man appeared to be a science officer, and perhaps associated outside of the usual command social circles.
"No, the Enterprise is not the closest ship. But your experience out at the Rim is something we think we can rely on for this mission, Captain. Most importantly, your discretion is required."
Picard nodded seriously. "Of course, Admiral. What exactly is it you require of us, sir?"
"A very important research ship has dropped out of communication with this station. Since it was last known to be out at the Rim, we fear the worst."
Picard nodded grimly. Orions. "Pirates?"
The Admiral's expression did not change, and he didn't answer. "We need you to track this ship down along with any survivors and bring the ship and crew back to Star Base 14. Keep me informed Captain. I will be anxiously awaiting your report." The communication cut and the screen went black.
"What was I saying earlier about sudden crises, Counselor?"