00

His door chimed. Picard peered over his well worn copy of the Odyssey. Who could it be at this hour?

It chimed again.

Picard put his book down and rose as he said,

The door slid open and one woman walked in. She was wearing a black jumpsuit, with a single patch on the left shoulder. She moved silently and her eyes betrayed that she was a dangerous person. Picard knew the sort, you did not spend your entire life in Starfleet and not recognize the predators among the herd right away.

he asked neutrally.

The woman smiled easily, holding up her hands.

Really? Well, I guess that makes me the king of the , well, my orders are to bring you in, dead or alive." She paused for a second. "I intend to complete my mission either way."

m sure you do. I know your type, Ms. Tracey. You like to think that the law and rules don

t. But where has your slavish devotion to rules and regs brought you, Picard? Sitting in this lonely apartment,Rather Spartan, wouldnre here.

Arix smiled. It was not so nice anymore.

ve been ordered to bring you.Are you threatening me?t make it past the first few steps. She had her hand hovering close to to her holster, which he noticed did not contain a phaser, but another type of weapon.

She pulled out her strange looking weapon. It wasnThat Picard said slowly.

t issue a weapon like the BlasTech Viper-22 to you folks.What kind of agent are you?Thatre wrong, Picard. You think Is not quite right. It exist, on any record in any data bank. But Lord Marek needs you, and I do as I

Picard suddenly flung the table up at the her and raced for his bedroom. He ducked low and the first blaster bolt missed him, striking the far wall. He reached his bedroom and went straight for his personal locker at the foot of his bed. A shadow loomed in the doorway and he whirled around delivering a kick to that hit nothing but thin air, then

Arix was there and a green blaster bolt that struck Picard in the chest and sent him to the floor screaming, as wispy smoke rose up from the hole in his chest. Picard could suddenly no longer scream as the muscles in his jaws refused to work and he stiffened on the floor, curled up in a tight ball, and then lapsed into unconsciousness.

Arix peered down into PicardI Arix stated solemnly then looked back up at the door.

"Time to go."