Chapter 4: Titan

"Captain on the Bridge," the Ensign barked, and the crew arose to their feet in perfect military precision.

"As you were," William T. Riker said as he strode from the turbo to his command chair. This was a reality young crew, and he knew that sooner or later he would get down to the teaching them the nuisances of being on a starship.

The USS Titan, Riker's personal starship. It was no Enterprise, but, it had been a faithful ship. He glanced over at his executive officer, Christine Vale a human woman, and an original member of the Enterprise-E crew. She looked over from her chair and gave a quick smile at him, showing her exact thoughts on the newness of the crew to please.

"Helmsman," he said, turning his attention to the conn, "Set a course from Cardassia Prime. Warp 3."

"We're not going to investigate the Plasma storms in the Badlands?" Vale asked, turning to him.

"Just received orders to go to Cardassia Prime and pick up the Cardassian High Command," he said.

"Or the joke of it," she snorted.

Riker gave her a warning look. She was not to make light of the situation. Orders were orders, and Cardassia was going to be joining the Federation. All representatives were to be given the respect due them.

"Course set in, sir," the helmsman reported.

"Engage."

Riker hadn't realized it, but he awoke out of sleep, still on the bridge. He never remembered falling asleep and he turned to Vale.

"How long was I asleep?" he asked.

"Seven hours sir," she said, after checking her chrono.

"Why didn't you wake me up sooner?" he demanded, throwing a glare at her.

"We assumed you didn't want disturbed sir until we came upon Cardassia Prime," she shrugged her shoulders.

"You assumed wrong," he snapped, turning away, leaning heavily onto his right arm.

It wasn't like he was working late or losing too much sleep. Deana was pregnant, and she was having a hard time sleeping, but, she tried not to wake him up. He awoke on time every day. Why would he fall asleep? And on the bridge no less.

"Ensign," he called out, and the young ensign turned from his conn board, "What is our ETA to Cardassia Prime?"

"Two days and one hour," he replied, throwing a glance back at the board.

"I'll be in my ready room," he said standing, "Number One, you have the bridge."

Deanna, sitting by him, her mid section bulging, held back a chuckle. He turned to her and raised an eyebrow.

"Something wrong Councilor?" he asked.

"Right when you said that you did a very good impression of Picard," she said, throwing a smile at him.

Giving himself the luxury of a smile, he walked to the ready room.

Riker hated his dress uniform. He also despised Cardassians. Sometimes, he didn't know which one he hated more. Their sudden assistance in the late war had only been because the Dominion turned on them in their full fury. Not only that, but anyone who would torture Picard like that deserved their fate.

"The delegation is ready to beam aboard sir," the transporter chief, an elderly Vulcan announced.

"Energize," Riker commanded, loathing the fact that he had to give the order. But, he knew that appearances were everything. So, he put on his most diplomatic smile, and with a sound like whirring and tingling, three large grey skinned Cardassians were standing on the platform. Two were heavier set, and they flanked the skinner man, Legate Dummat.

Legate Dummat was an elderly Cardassian, nearing eighty. His shoulder length hair was graying, and his skin was wrinkled. He still had some spark to his step, but, he could see the older man's hand very slightly shaking.

"Welcome to the USS Titan," Riker said, then waved his hand to his side, "I am Captain Riker and this is my first officer, Christine Vale."

"Riker," Dummat said, striding down to him and taking his hand in a heartfelt shake, "The prodigy of the Picard legacy."

Riker was at a loss for words at that. "I never have heard it quiet put like that before sir," he finally managed, "If you wish, I could have Ensign Carlson here take you to your quarters."

"Sounds lovely," Dummat said, "You know, the Federation will indeed benefit from this meeting. Both our peoples will. Why, I can't think of anything else that is more pressing. Don't you know? Of course you don't, how silly of me. Why, I admire the Vulcans and their logic. To bad they can't put it too good use. How long would you anticipate us reaching Earth?"

"Eleven days," Riker informed him, a little shocked by the scatterbrained endless stream of comments, "If all goes according to command."

Dummat nodded. "Back in my glory days," Dummat said, being swept along by his eager aides, "I was quiet a commander myself. Why, my ship, the warship Dulnarg was practically unstoppable. There was a time-"

The door closed and Riker sighed, rubbing his brow. "This will be a long trip."

"There is one thing that will give you comfort," Vale said, stifling a snicker.

"What's that?"

"Even his aides are hard put to it to keep up with his torrent."