Author's notes – please read them, because this is important.
Yet another TNG novel (my last), and I am doing something here that I have never done before, and don't believe in – I am publishing a WIP. I abandoned this years ago, and I am going to attempt to finish it now (please note – no guarantees, though). This thing does hold a special place in my heart, in a different way again from Ship of Fools (my pride and joy), and after the relentless fluff of Creatures Great and Small it seemed like a good idea to go back and try my hand at something a little more gritty. Some readers would appear to agree.
This story is rated T for a reason. No sexual content I think, but distinctly grownup stuff.
Prime Directive is set after the events of All Good Things... That, too, is important. You'll see.
And at the risk of sounding ludicrously pretentious, this story is not a reaction to, still less a comment on, anything that is happening in the world right now. If I remember correctly it was begun around 1998, and the developments and ending, including the "Murnak-Ramé Incident", were sketched out right from the start. Of course it does have its roots firmly in reality – any decent story has. But as one notable writer said, it is important to distinguish between applicability and allegory. This is not an allegory.
That's it, I believe.
And yes, of course Star Trek is the property of Paramount. This is a work of fan fiction, written solely because the author has an enduring love and respect for the characters and themes of that amazing show, Star Trek: The Next Generation. I am not making money here, and not trying to either.
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PRIME DIRECTIVE
Prologue
First Officer's Log, Stardate 48081.6. We're on our way to the Rûk system to pick up Captain Picard after a rather enigmatic message from Admiral Haden has put an end to our investigations in the Balten sector. For the moment, all I know is that it's supposed to be important.
Commander William Riker was sprawling in the Enterprise's command chair. Legs stretched out in front of him, one elbow planted on the armrest, chin in hand – and as usual when he was lost in his own thoughts, his expression was rather forbidding. On his left Commander Deanna Troi sat primly upright, hands in her lap and eyes on the stars streaking towards the viewscreen.
„How long to Rûk, Data?"
„Nine minutes until we enter planetary orbit, Counselor."
Troi nodded, and Riker gave a grunt. Then, feeling that she was looking at him with a degree of wry amusement, he sat up. She probably knew quite well what he had been thinking. He thought of it a lot these days. He was quite sure that she did the same. And so, no doubt, did Worf, silently towering above and behind him. They would have to resolve it, the three of them – soon, the first officer promised himself as he had done a few times before.
He just hadn't got around to tackling the subject. The moment always seemed wrong. And neither of the others had said a word – as if they, too, were waiting for a better opportunity. As if, given a little time, the moment would come.
As if, thought Riker grimly, Worf would ever start on such a subject.
Meanwhile, they were treading on eggshells with each other, not avoiding each other (thank God, it hadn't come to that) but taking such care not to put a foot wrong that it was like operating in a kind of limbo. And those were the two, the first officer of the Enterprise thought, I always knew where I stood with those two, and now we are… Hell, I wish I even knew what, exactly.
And then: It may be up to me to start... But what the hell am I supposed to say?
It's about time the captain comes back from that holiday of his, Riker thought. It was an odd notion, but one he had had before – that things would improve once Picard was back in the seat Riker was occupying now. Not because the captain would interfere in any way whatsoever, of course. But things would still look different, he was quite sure of that. It might just put everything into perspective. It would give everybody something to focus on, the first officer decided – that was good enough for the moment. Something other than their own morbid reflections on ifs and might-have-beens.
As a matter of fact, he thought, frowning suddenly as the reason for the detour came back to him, their upcoming mission sounded very likely to take everybody's minds off their personal problems. It wasn't unusual for Starfleet to be initially tight-lipped about assignments. But to be given no information at all – just, basically, Pick up your captain and go – that was unusual. Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once, he found himself thinking, paused, and almost grinned. Shouldn't that have been Picard's comment? In any case, it sounded like trouble.
No wonder I'm on edge, he decided, straightening in his chair. Get a grip, Will. Unless his inner clock was way off they should be reducing speed any moment now. And there, right on time, was Data.
„We are about to enter the Rûk system, Commander. Reducing speed now."
„Acknowledged." He stretched in anticipation, felt Deanna's look without having to turn, and then the streaking stars stopped, to fade away a moment later. An amber sun swung into view. It was a small system. One class-M planet (Rûk Prime, privately christened Rûk Sole by Riker), one ball of frozen rock, a massive asteroid belt and two rather unspectacular small gas giants, but for some reason the lonely little world had attracted the attention of the Federation Archaeology Council, and consequently that of the captain. It was off limits to most people. The captain had easily obtained permission to set foot on Rûk Prime, which hadn't surprised Riker but might have surprised others. He'd been there for two weeks now, the only Human – the only sentient being – on that planet. No accounting for taste, thought Riker with something between a smile and a shudder. For a moment or two he felt sorry for Picard as well. For all he knew the captain might have been bitterly disappointed to have his holiday cut short like that.
The sun was off to the left now. They had been slipping in nearly at right angles to the system's plane, at warp one almost to the last moment. Riker thought he could still feel the slight tremor of engines powering down.
„Communicator range, Commander," Worf announced from above.
„Thanks, Worf." Riker slapped the badge on his chest. „Riker to Picard. D'you read me, Captain?"
It took only a moment. „Yes, Will, I do," the captain's voice came back, sounding faintly amused if anything. „Go ahead."
"Sir, you did get that subspace message?"
"I did indeed." Now a faint note of resignation was creeping in. "I have finished here for the moment, Number One, you can beam me up at your convenience."
„We'll be there in a minute, sir. Riker out. – Riker to transporter room three," he resumed almost in the same breath. „The captain is standing by."
„Understood, Commander," Chief Brossmer's calm voice came back.
Riker got to his feet, nodded briefly at Troi and barreled up the ramp to the turbolift.
He entered the transporter room just as the captain was clambering down from the platform, presenting an unaccustomed sight in blue civilian shirt, drab-colored and rather dusty pants and serviceable boots. A heap of gear and two small crates that had come up with him were still resting on the platform. „Have that delivered to my quarters, carefully, please," Picard said to Transporter Chief Brossmer, pointing at the crates, and then he turned to smile at Riker. „Hello, Will. I didn't expect you quite so soon."
„Same here, sir. I'm sorry for that. Did you enjoy yourself down there?"
Picard nodded, a little thoughtfully, thought Riker. „I may have found a bit of a cautionary tale, but – yes. And what," he added, reaching for a large canvas bag and slinging it over his shoulder, „is it that brings you back from the Balten sector?"
„Admiral Haden," Riker explained, falling into step as the captain made for the door. „He's actually said very little – just told us to pick you up and gave us a set of coordinates in the middle of nowhere. Which reminds me." He tapped his communicator. "Riker to bridge."
"Data here, Commander."
"Let's be on our way. I've entered the coordinates – warp six."
"Very well, Commander." Data sounded impassive as always. Riker was reasonably sure that in his own way the second officer was as curious about their mission as everybody else.
"Thanks, Data. Riker out. – The rest is in the computer for you to peruse, sir," he said on signing off.
The captain nodded again. „Anything out of the ordinary – other than this summons?"
„Nothing," Riker replied promptly. „Layover at Starbase 116 went as expected. Of course we didn't finish in the Balten sector, but you'll have Admiral Haden to thank for that, sir."
„Let's hope it's worth the trouble," Picard said with a very slight frown, the only sign that he thought the circumstances at all unusual, as they entered the turbolift. „Deck nine."
He didn't ask any further questions, and the ride was accomplished in companionable silence. The captain was looking very well, Riker couldn't help noting, rested and even slightly tanned, and it was easy to imagine that there was a little more spring to his step than there had been before. He certainly liked to think so. He had all but insisted Picard take the vacation when the opportunity came up. The captain had proved as refractory as usual, earnestly telling him that he had neither the time nor the inclination to go digging on Rûk – but Riker had trusted his instincts, and now he found to his satisfaction that he had been right.
„I'll have a look at this mission material," Picard announced as they approached his quarters, „and then I may call... that's to say, what time is it?"
„About fifteen-twenty, I should say," Riker replied without bothering with the ship's computer. „And sir, I can tell you that much, there is a lot of this stuff."
„In that case I'll postpone the meeting until tomorrow. Today I'll just want a briefing, in – well, say an hour," he concluded after a thoughtful look down at his mud-caked boots. Riker nodded.
„An hour from now. I'll be on the bridge," he said, and left the captain to settle in.
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