"Within The Confines Of Time"

Chapter 4: "Introducing Commander Saket"

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"Going somewhere, Data?"

Data stood a little straighter, a reaction that made Riker smile in turn. 'It was an intimidation stance, one that the android would had never taken under these circumstances - or would he?' Riker thought. 'After all this man, is nothing more than the android in the flesh. He is for all intent and purposes still the man that embodied Data, just in a different form now.'

"I know why your here!" Data accused. "And don't try to stop me! I don't want to hear about how I'm ignoring the Prime Directive or disobeying orders."

Riker raised his hands up in defense as he stood to his feet. "I'm not here to tell you any of those things, Data."

His brows furrowed in confusion. "Then why are you here?"

Riker slowly walked toward him and extended his hand. "Just to wish you luck - your gonna need it!"

Data took his hand and shook it in relief. And for the first time since becoming human, Data actually smiled. "Thank you, Commander."

"Ah hell, Data you can drop the ranks. Call me Will!"

"I suppose it would be proper, after all it is just you and I."

Riker cocked his head to the side. "Well, not necessarily. They plan on going with you."

Data's doors swooshed open, revealing Captain Picard, Counselor Troi and Dr. Crusher. All were dressed in Romulan civilian clothing with the same prosthetic ears and hairstyle as Data.

"I don't understand."

"Let's just say that I've had a change of heart." Picard admitted.

"Sir, the risks are too dangerous It would be better if I went alone."

"If I know you Mr, Data and I do, you would not be going down there yourself without a well thought out plan."

Data smirked. "Yes, Sir." And without a beat he began informing them. "General Volskiar returned to Romulus just a day prior to Q bringing us here. A military parade is being held in honor of his triumphant return by Praetor Dralath."

"For his victory over attacking Narendra III and destroying the Enterprise C?" Counselor Troi asked.

Data nodded. "Yes! All of these orders came directly from Praetor Dralath himself. It is believed by the proconsul that he is not of sound mind and suffers from severe paranoia. As of now, there are alot of underground movements taking place to remove him from office. None of which have been successful yet."

"And who exactly is this General, Data?" Riker inquired.

Data's eyes narrowed a little and his face contorted in disgust. "He is a very wealthy, extremely influential Romulan soldier. From what I have gathered, he campaigns all of his military assaults personally from his flagship, the IRW Victorious. His only flaw is that he is mainly used to ground assaults, so the Romulan Empire assigned Commander Tal to aide the General in his battles while on board the Victorious."

Picard asked. "How is that a flaw? The addition of Commander Tal would only seem to enable him more!"

"It did!" Data verified. "But - according to our history records of this time, Commander Tal was against one of the General's greatest allies."

"Praetor Draluth!" Riker offered.

"Exactly. He eventually betrayed the General and I plan on using that seed of doubt to get Tasha out." Data admitted.

Captain Picard question Data once again. "If the Victorious has returned triumphant from battles, then where is General Volskiar now?"

"It is recorded that he used to live alone in an armed compound just outside of the Krocton Segment."

"And Preator Draluth is the paranoid one?" Riker jested.

Data simply nodded. "I am assuming that General Volskiar will be escorted by armed motorcade's, as well as a vast array of soldiers. The man is far too arrogant not to have his victory prize by his side."

Riker took a step back and looked at the rescue team's attire. "Data, don't you think it would be less suspicious if you were dressed as a civilian instead of a Romulan Commander."

"No, I am fortunate to have discovered one of Q's helpful clue's. Although I had to dig for it."

Riker and Picard simultaneously raised their eyebrows in question.

Data raised a finger. "Allow me to explain. One of General Volskiar's closest colleagues is a Romulan Commander named Saket; his whereabouts is unknown during this timeline. But it is believed that he was killed while on an undercover mission to Lazon II. According to the only known picture of Saket, I bare a strong resemblance to the Commander. And with that being the case, I plan on resurrecting him."

Picard was astounded. "Are you sure that is wise, Mr. Data?"

"I am well aware of the risks, Sir. I have spent half the night studying every known piece of information on the Romulan's personality. I have listened and watched all recorded speeches of his voice to gain a greater understanding of his mannerisms and vocalization." He paused a moment. "He was very sophisticated and highly trusted by the General and I believe that I can be very convincing with the impersonation."

The Captain still didn't appear to be persuaded. "How do you plan on raising a dead man back to life, Data? There will be too many questions!"

"It is simple, Sir. I will just claim that I escaped the Cardassians captivity by over-taking the guards and stealing a freighter to return to Romulus." He waved off the Captains' suspicions. "Besides, it is widely believed by all Romulans that Cardassians are incompetent and inferior in status to them. The fabrication will be easily accepted by the Romulans."

Picard still had his doubts. "And you are certain this plan of yours will work? Let's not forget that despite this belief, the Romulans are all believed to be distrustful by nature."

Data answered honestly. "I will be able to make the fabrication believable, Sir." And then what appeared to be doubt crept in upon Data's features. "Although, I must admit there is no guarantee that I will be successful, Sir." He paused and visibly shook the doubt from his mind. "But I am more than willing to try!" He said more assuredly.

Picard smiled genuinely. "Mr. Data, We've known each other for quite some time now. And I have never known you to impose yourself on anyone or take a stance based on trivial or whimsical perceptions." He layed his hand upon Data's shoulder in a comforting motion. "I have come to the conclusion that this timeline must not be allowed to continue with Tasha in it. Now, you've told me what you must do. You have only my faith in you, as your Captain, that you will succeed."

"I will not let you down, Sir."

Picard nodded his head in agreement. "Well, why you are portraying your Commander." He waved a hand at the rest of the away team. "We'll be there for back up and - support!"

Data knew he meant his emotional state. And Data just saw it as another way of the Captain being his informal father figure. It was just up to him to not allow his emotions or the state of his now vulnerable body get in the way of his mission.

Data suspiciously eyed Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troi and reached out to take Captain Picard off to the side. "Sir, are you sure it is safe for the Counselor and Doctor to join us. Considering that the Romulans have already taken Tasha hostage. I deem it unwise to place other women in the same predicament as Tasha."

"I will note your concern in my logs, Mr. Data. But I need Commander Riker to stay behind with the ship; while Geordi and him continue to search for another way out of this mess. As for Counselor Troi, I need her there to pick up on Tasha's emotional state. And I need Dr. Crusher there for her physical welfare - And yours too, if this hoax of yours is discovered."

Data pondered his response for a moment. "Agreed, Sir!"

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The scene before them was one of pure pandemonium. There was a barricade of Romulan soldiers holding the crowds at bay as they screamed and chanted their displeasure with Praetor Draluth as he bravely passed them by in a procession of armed soldiers.

His delusional state was still evident to the away team; even when the man was guarded by the best of his elite. And following a few yards back from Draluth; in chains and tethered Starfleet uniforms from battle, were the eight remaining hostages.

Data quickly recounted as he looked to Captain Picard in confusion. "There are only eight hostages, Sir!"

Picard leaned in close to Data's left ear, trying desperately to talk above the chants of the crowd as another motorcade came into view. "They were ten all together, wasn't they Commander?"

"Yes, Sir. One is missing not counting Tasha."

They ceased talking as the guards hit one prisoner behind the head, knocking him out completely. The crowd only roared in laughter at the abuse. The man was quickly grabbed by the chains of his hands and dragged through the parade by another soldier, while remaining unconscious.

The away team was shocked into silence as they watched the new procession coming toward them. And immediately Data stood to attention. From any distance, he could notice that blonde hair from anywhere. The General viciously had one of his hands locked into the back of Tasha's hair. Data's anger boiled as he noticed how Volskiar was shoving her around any and every way he turned - showing Tasha off to the crowds. His pleasure obvious upon his face.

A mixture of hell and fury burned within Data's eyes and once the General's vehicle was in front of Data. He made a bold move and broke through the barricade to salute the General. A risk he took to gain Volskiar's attention and temporarily relieve Tasha of the pain he was inflicting upon her. It was the only thing he could think of on such short notice - And to his surprise it worked.

The General immediately released Tasha as a look of shock overcame him. Data's appearance obviously jarred him. He eyed the man before him suspiciously, then smirked as he rolled his hand

before him in a Shakespearian manner and bowed to a resurrected Commander Saket, whom was now saluting him.

Immediately the soldiers grabbed him by the uniform and began shoving him back. "Get back, you fool!" One major yelled.

And then when noticing the red sash around Data's shoulder, he immediately apologised. "I am sorry, Commander -?"

"Saket!" Data offered brusquely.

The major went to lightly brushing Data's uniform off with his hand in an effort to appease his anger.

But Data quickly pushed the soldier's hands off of him, immediately entering into the role of Commander Saket. "Get your hands off of me, you imbicile!" He snapped. "I can have you court-marshalled for such ignorance. Who is your superior?" Data ordered.

The Romulan stammered for a moment from the intimidation. "It's - it's General Volskiar, Sir."

"Well, General Volskiar happens to be a very close colleague of mine. I will make it a point to report you directly to him myself. What is your name major?"

"Major -Ja...Major Jarot, Sir" The man stuttered.

"Very well, I will make my complaints known Major Jarot." Data mocked.

And with that said he turned and made his way back to where Captain Picard, Counselor Troi and Dr. Crusher stood within the crowd.

"That was close, Data!" Picard whispered. "But I believe that impersonation of yours is working. Volskiar looked as if he had seen a ghost when you saluted him."

"Well, now we have our evidence. Tasha is here!" Data proclaimed. "Now all I have to do is get closer to the General somehow."

"You may have already." Picard nodded in the direction of the recently scolded major making his way toward Data.

"Commander Saket!" Major Jarot acknowledged.

"Oh, have you come back to beg me not to speak to your precious General?" Data spat.

Major Jarot quickly fumbled for a response. "No, Sir!" And then smirked devilishly in return. "General Volskiar requested that I escort you to him."

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Author's Notes: I want to first thank dogfreak1233 for revising for work for me. She does awesome work and I owe alot of thanks to her. And to all of you who are reviewing the story, all I can say is a heartfelt thank you. You guys are the reason why I update the story in a timely fashion that is pleasable to you. More reviews get quicker updates! I try to bear in mind what it's like when reading a story that fascinates you and desperately awaiting the next installment. I know I was that way with Ms. Scribbles "Rollercoaster." So with that said, I hope the story is living up to all of your expectations.