"Armus?" Riker repeated. "You're sure?"
Troi nodded, still shivering. "What I'm sensing from the station...it's what I felt on Vagra II. It's in my mind, it knows me." She had only just finished speaking, when it was as though a shroud of shadow passed over her; a second later she dissipated into thin air. Picard scarcely had time to react before he too suddenly faded away.
"Red alert!" Riker shouted, jumping to his feet.
OOOOOOOO
The lighting was poor, bt Picard recognized the location he and Troi found themselves in as the main operations center of the relay station. Instrument panels had been attacked, the screens flickering and crackling. Lying on the floor and against the wall were the three station personnel, their eyes closed.
Right in the middle of the room was a wide column of black, glistening liquid, stretching from the floor to the ceiling; both Picard and Troi knew instantly what it was. The voice that emanated from the viscous mass was the same thick, bubbling snarl they remembered: "What a pleasantly unexpected reunion this is, captain, counselor. I did not expect to meet you again."
"I sincerely hoped we never would," Picard said, revulsion filling him at being so near to the monster.
The gurgling roar that issued from Armus may well have been laughter. "It hurts you that I have managed to escape my prison," it told them. "Good. I will cause you more pain, you and your crew. And when I am done with you, I shall find others to amuse me until they beg for death! It will be a long time coming! And do not try to contact your ship - my power stops any communication or transportation away from this station!"
Picard refused to be intimidated. "How did you escape Vagra II?" he demanded.
"The Klingons," Armus responded. "Their warp drive malfunctioned, and they had to make an emergency landing on Vagra II. How very unfortunate for them - and fortunate for me! After I killed some of them, and abandoned the rest on the planet, I took their ship. Now, as you can see, I am free!"
"Captain," Troi said then, kneeling down next to one of the station crew. "They're still alive, just unconscious."
"Armus is no doubt keeping them alive to prolong their agony," Picard muttered, disgusted.
Troi shook her head. "No, I think there's something else going on here." She looked directly at the creature that had brought them here. "Armus! Why did you not kill all the Klingons? Why have you spared these peoples' lives, and not carried on hurting them? That isn't like you...What has changed you?"
Armus was strangely quiet for a moment before replying. "Changed me? Nothing can change me. My evil is unending, unbreakable."
Again, Troi shook her head. "No, Armus, you can never lie to me. Something has happened to you...you're different. It's why you haven't killed these people. You're contaminated...For the first time in your existence, you feel guilt!"
A tremendous roar burst from Armus then, and its mass quaked violently. "NO!" it bellowed. "NO! NO! NO!"
Picard moved to stand beside Troi. "Counselor, what's happening?" he asked her.
"I didn't think it was possible," Troi said. "But...I think Armus is developing a conscience!"
Picard's expression was one of sheer amazement. "What?" he exclaimed. "A conscience? How can that be?" Watching Armus' spasms, a thought occured to him, and he tapped his combadge, saying "Picard to Enterprise."
"Riker here, sir," his first officer's voice spoke over the comm channel. "Are you and Counselor Troi alright?"
"Beam everyone here aboard - NOW!" Picard ordered. A second later he, Troi and the three station personnel vanished in transporter beams. Left alone, Armus' spasming gradually subsided.
"No...no..." it moaned.
