Spoilers: All Good Things
The Last Generation (Part One)
By Socket
The sweat trickled down Deanna's brow; her eyes were closed; her mind lost in sleep. Her body was rigid with tension and her lips trembled, the images in her head were so clear, as if they were actually happening to her. Her arms flailed out at her invisible enemy, trying to protect herself.
She felt herself falling and awoke with a jolt, sitting upright in bed. For a moment, she was too disorientated to recognise her surroundings, then a feeling of calmness over-came her as she realised it had been a bad dream. The dark curls that usually cascaded down her back were sticking to her face and neck, gently she swept them back. Her nightdress was soaking with sweat and clung tightly to her damp skin.
She pulled herself out of bed and walked into the bathroom. She glanced at the large mirror above her sink and groaned when she saw her reflection. Her large dark eyes looked withdrawn and tired, 'just the way I feel,' she thought to herself. She splashed her face with cold water and immediately felt better.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
Geordi LaForge lay restlessly in bed, he turned on his side to get more comfortable; but it didn't seem to work. He turned over again for the umpteenth time that night. He closed his eyes tightly and tried to clear his mind, in preparation for sleep. But sleep wouldn't come.
"What is going on here?" he asked himself aloud. For the last couple of nights he had been unable to get to sleep peacefully, and when he finally did, he had vicious nightmares. 'Tomorrow you're going to see Dr. Crusher or Counsellor Troi – or both,' he informed himself. Then rolled over onto his stomach, breathed out a deep sigh and closed his eyes again.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
The nightmare that had haunted her dreams for the past week returned again. Beverly raised her arms to shield her face and then lashed out with all her strength at the opposing stranger. Then, without warning she felt herself falling, her eyes flew open; wide awake now Beverly sat up in bed. She took in large gulps of air and tried to calm herself.
Cautiously she lay back down, hugging the bed covers close to her and stared at the ceiling. She wondered what her nightmare could mean. Could she be afraid of something? Or was the dream a warning of some kind? She decided that she would discuss it with Deanna the next day as soon as she had the chance.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
William Riker sat beside Captain Picard on the Bridge of the U.S.S Enterprise, his eyes focused on the view screen where an image of Turpara 11 filled the space. For some inexplicable reason, Riker felt nervous about this mission. Starfleet had unexpectedly ordered the Enterprise to re-negotiate a treaty with the inhabitants of Turpara 11. The people of Turpara 11 were humanoids who had made a treaty with the Federation years ago, but only for their own protection; there had been little contact since. Riker had heard rumours that the Turparians, though a richly cultured people, were strict ritualists with severe punishments for minor transgressions, this information did nothing to ease his misgivings.
Why would the Turparians contact Starfleet after all this time? And why would the Federation send its flagship to deal with such a mundane matter? Maybe there something Starfleet wasn't telling them. Thinking back to previous missions of this type, Riker's stomach sank even further.
Lt. Commander Data sat at Comm. his fingers flying across the computer panel at a high speed. Riker stared at his friend's hand movements, no matter how many times he had told himself that Data was a machine; he was still taken back by Data's speediness.
"We are now in orbit above Turpara 11, Sir," Data's emotionless voice informed the Captain.
Picard nodded, then turned to Riker and lowered his voice. "Number one, I'm slightly anxious about this treaty; since we don't know the ulterior motives of the Turparians, we must assume that they really want what they say they want. But I would feel safer if all the senior officers stayed on guard, lets try and find out why we've really been called upon."
Riker nodded in agreement, glad that the Captain harboured the same doubts he had.
Picard looked over his shoulder at Worf, who stood at his usual position at tactical opps. "Mr. Worf, send a sub-space message to the Turparian officials informing them that we have arrived and await their reply. Put it on all frequencies," he ordered.
Worf immediately obeyed the command. It only took a moment for an answer to be sent back. "Captain, they have responded," Worf growled. "They wish for you and your officers to beam down to the surface in an hour to meet with their Council."
Although he knew that the Captain would have to beam down to the planets surface, Riker still didn't relish the idea of the Captain being put in possible danger or the Enterprise and her crew being put in a vulnerable position.
As if sensing his apprehension, Picard leaned toward Riker and whispered. "Don't worry Will, I'll have Worf to protect me."
A reassuring grin spread across Picard's face.
Will glanced at the Klingon standing behind them and his uneasiness lessened.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
Deanna Troi was alone in the turbo-lift, heading for the transporter room to join the other members of the away team. She felt a flutter deep in her stomach and then a tingling sensation ran down her legs and up her back, through her arms, and settled in her mind. She felt momentarily dizzy and her hands pressed against the lift bulkhead to keep her on her feet. Troi took in a few short breaths and the dizziness passed. The turbo-lift halted and the doors opened.
She started to walk along the busy corridor, smiling at people she recognised, when she heard a voice from behind calling her.
"Deanna, hey – Deanna, wait up!"
Troi turned to see Beverly Crusher's slim figure weaving through the crowds in the corridor to catch up with her. Deanna waited until her friend had reached her before she continued walking.
"I've been meaning to talk to you all day, but a group of Ensign's – no names mentioned, had a little accident in the biology lab; so I haven't had time to come by your office," Beverly explained.
"What did you want to see me about?" asked Deanna.
"I've been having nightmares recently, I never mentioned them because they didn't bother me before… but last night, I… they were so real; it was terrifying," Beverly paused, Deanna's face had paled, she studied her friends expression and then asked. "Deanna, what's wrong?"
"Probably nothing, it's just that for the last few nights I've been having nightmares too; really violent," confessed Troi.
"It could just be a coincidence," the Doctor suggested.
But Deanna still looked troubled. "Maybe, but Geordi came to see me today. He told me that recently he's been having trouble sleeping, and when he does get to sleep, he has vicious nightmares."
Beverly was intrigued, but the matter would have to wait to be investigated further, until their return from Turpara 11.
Deanna was lost in thought, wondering if her dizziness in the lift was in any way connected to the nightmares she and her friends were having.
They arrived at the Transporter room to see the rest of the away team had already assembled. They climbed the steps up to the transporter padd.
"Chief O'Brien, engage," commanded the Captain.
O'Brien obeyed and the away team dematerialised.
ooooooooooooooooooooo
Picard glanced briefly at his new, unfamiliar surroundings; he and the away team had beamed directly to the conference chambers of the Turparian Council. The room was at least three times bigger than the Bridge of the Enterprise, with a high ceiling. The floor was a white marble material; which reflected the rest of the decor. The room was bare of all furniture except for a large oblong table in the centre of the room with twenty chairs placed around it.
Worf eyed up the transparent conference table; even the table legs were see-through. He was pleased - no one could conceal a weapon underneath the table.
A group of Turparians dressed in long grey, silk like robes stood in a cluster in front of the away team. Without introduction or warning, one of them approached Dr. Crusher. Instinctively, Worf stepped in front of her; his phaser already drawn. The surprised Turparian took a step back. Worf lowered his firearm.
"Please forgive me. I did not mean to startle anyone," the offending Turparian apologised.
Picard stepped forward. "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Star ship Enterprise," he announced and noted the surprise in all the faces of the Council members.
"We did not think you were the leader," a second Turparian spoke up, seeing Picard's puzzled expression.
"Is there a problem?" enquired Picard.
The first Turparian answered. "Uh, no, Captain. We just assumed that one of the females was your leader."
Picard wondered why they had assumed that, since all the members of the Council were male and Turparian culture was not reknowned for its equal rights.
"This is Commander Deanna Troi," Picard began his introductions, deciding to use their ranks rather than their profession. "This is Commander Beverly Crusher, Lt Commander Geordi LaForge and Lt Commander Worf." Picard motioned with his hands to each person as he named them and with each new introduction the Turparian Council members bowed respectfully.
When Picard had finished, the Turparian who had first stepped forward. "I am First Councillor Member, my name is Vordner," then pointed to the man directly behind him. "This is Hovri and the other members wish to remain anonymous."
The nine anonymous Council members bowed.
Troi could sense the anxiousness of the away team, but she filtered through the emotion to try and reach the feelings of the Turparians, but she couldn't sense anything from them except a peaceful calmness.
Vordner walked over to the table and offered them a seat. Hovri waited for the Enterprise crew to be seated first, all the other Council members remained standing.
Deanna was the first to sit down, the Captain sat on her left and Beverly was about to seat herself on the other side of Troi when Hovri rushed towards her. Deanna felt a wave of panic flow through the Council. Hovri pulled the chair away to prevent Beverly from sitting down, and then he quickly bustled her into another chair, far from Deanna. Troi then felt a huge flood of relief followed by controlled calm from the Council.
This unsettled Deanna greatly, she turned her head to see the look of alarm in Picard's face and the look of annoyed confusion in Beverly's. Why were the Council acting so bizarrely towards her and Beverly? And what was the reason for keeping them separated?
Vordner started the meeting, he talked about how pleased he was that the Federation had agreed to a re-negotiation of their treaty, how honoured they were by the presence of Picard and his crew and then he began to explain what the Council wished to amend in the original treaty. Hovri was the only other Council member who spoke, he added a few points to their new terms, but otherwise remained silent.
Troi concentrated her empathic abilities on Vordner; she couldn't seem to cut through his controlled calmness. It seemed as if she could only sense unexpected emotions from him - if he was unprepared for something, caught-off-guard, then she could read him.
She doubled her efforts, as he talked she focused solely on him; pushing at his defence shields; tearing away his mental layers.
Finally, she broke through; nearly exhausted by the effort. Her back straightened: he was lying. Vordner had no intention of up-dating the Turparian treaty; this was all an act. She could feel the ruthlessness manifesting inside him, he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted… and whatever it was, he wanted it badly. She had to tell the Captain before it was too late.
Picard noticed Counsellor Troi jolting suddenly upright. Had she sensed something? If so, what was it that could cause a reaction like that? He looked at her face and caught her eye, her eyes told him all he needed to know.
"Excuse me, Vordner, I must request that we have a recess. There is a matter that Commander Troi and I must check on," Picard said as lightly as he could.
Vordner raised his eyebrows and looked suspiciously at Deanna before answering scepticily, "Of course, Captain Jean-Luc."
Picard and Deanna immediately exited their seats and went to the furthest corner of the room, so as not to be overheard. Worf rose from his seat and joined the Captain and Troi.
"Captain, what is wrong?" the Klingon asked.
"It appears that the Turparians have been lying to us," Picard briefed him.
Worf growled with distaste. "They are a people of no honour. We should not trust anything they say."
Picard nodded."I'm inclined to agree with you Lieutenant, but the question is why? What is it they want?"
Silently, Hovri came towards them.
"Recess is at an end," he informed them, bowed and retreated.
"Captain, they are an untrustworthy people. I strongly suggest that we beam out of here immediately," Worf's concern clear in his voice.
Picard looked undecided; he tugged at his uniform tunic and then looked at Deanna. "What do you think Counsellor?"
"Worf is right, they have done nothing to earn our trust," Troi advised.
"Yes that little episode with the seating arrangements was worrying," Picard admitted.
A loud cough echoed through the room, Picard, Worf and Troi all turned to see everyone awaiting their return to the conference table.
"It may be dangerous to stay," Worf whispered.
Picard turned his head so that the Council couldn't hear him. "Mr. Worf, we will stay until the end of this conference; but I want you to be ready to give the order to beam us out of here at a moments notice."
"Aye Sir," replied Worf, his tone reflecting his disapproval of the Captains decision.
The trio headed back to the conference table and retook their seats. Beverly had a questioning look on her face, she wanted to know what the others had been talking about; but she hadn't wanted to bring more attention to the away team's doubts of authenticity of the conference, so she had remained seated.
The discussions went on and as the talks progressed, Deanna began to feel more and more uncomfortable. One of the anonymous Council members kept staring at her, occasionally she would look in his direction in the hope that he would look away from her; but he didn't. His eyes were intense and she felt like an insect being examined under a microscope.
The only feeling she could derive from him was a sense of awe. She couldn't understand it. Awe of what?
Deanna caught Worf's eye, he had also noticed the man staring at her.
Worf's expression asked her if she wanted him to intervene, Deanna made a small shake of her head to indicate 'no', but felt better knowing that he wanted to protect her. She looked over at the man again only to discover that another two Council members were staring at her.
A cold chill ran down her spine. All of her instincts were screaming for her to get away from here, to get out of this room and away from Turpara 11 altogether. She shifted in her chair, ignoring the urge to tap her insignia and be beamed back to the Enterprise.
She glanced hesitantly at the staring Council members, their gaze unfaltering. Their eyes were clear white, no colour at all; almost as transparent as the table she was resting her elbows on. Another man turned to stare at her. They all wore emotionless expressions.
Deanna looked away; they were all feeling the same; awe. She rubbed her forehead self-consciously and closed her eyes briefly. She wondered if they knew she was empathic, or if they had over-heard the conversation she had had with the Captain and Worf - they could have fitted listening devices in the room.
When she realised the conference was coming to a close, Deanna let out a quiet sigh of relief. Now she could get back to the Enterprise and safety.
Everyone rose from their seats.
Vordner was finishing the farewells, "and thank you Lt. Commander Geordi, and of course you too Commander Beverly."
The away team gathered together. Geordi and Worf stood in front of Deanna, shielding her from the sight of the Turparian Council. Each of the Starfleet Officers had observed the attention given to Deanna and it unnerved them. Troi mentally grabbed hold of her friends desire to protect her and held on as fast as she could, silently thanking them.
"Picard to O'Brien, five to beam up," the Captain ordered.
Picard noticed the smirking face of Vordner, which was then replaced by the concerned face of Chief O'Brien as he re-materialised in Transporter room three, alone.
End Of Part One