Chapter Six

Dress Uniforms, the curse of Star Fleet Supply. In seventy years you would think they would be able to make a comfortable dress uniform. The refrain crept though most of the Enterprise-B's crew. This particular edition was made worse with the swords that this planet's protocol required them to wear. Demora had been on Tiezich VI before. In fact the old man who was currently Emperor Ednic LXXXIX was a ten year old Prince when she last visited. Somehow she couldn't imagine the tall white haired man as that small young boy who fell from the decorative draperies during her last visit.

"Welcome to my palace, honored crew of the Enterprise," the Emperor greeted from his marble throne.

"It is a pleasure to return here after so long, your Imperial Majesty," Demora said. "May I present my command staff?" The Emperor nodded. "My first officer, Commander Margaret Thompson. My second officer and chief helmsman, Lieutenant Marrissa Picard. And my ship's counselor, Commander Deanna Troi."

"Has the Enterprise become a ship of the Valkyries?" the Emperor commented.

"I'm flattered you might think so, your majesty, but we do have some men on board, just none at the moment in the high levels of command," Demora said. "I understand that tomorrow is the fiftieth anniversary of you ascension."

"Yes, it will be one of great rejoicing," the Emperor said. "If my granddaughter and heir would stop trying to hide climbing drapery, I'd introduce her to you."

"You mean the girl currently about to reach the trumpeter's loft?" Marrissa asked.

At that the girl, who looked to be about twelve with long purple hair jumped down from her perch. The girl drew a sword from a wall display, and approached Marrissa. "How dare you reveal my position!" the girl shouted.

"Calm down, Annia," the Emperor said. "May I remind you of how I embarrassed myself by challenging Captain Sulu the last time she visited."

"She can't be the same one, it's been seventy years almost," Annia replied. "Plus this young girl can't be as good."

"Lieutenant Picard is a competent swordswoman," Demora said. "And I am the same Captain Sulu."

"How is that possible?" Annia said, with disbelief.

"The Enterprise spent much of that time in temporal suspension," Demora said.

"I don't believe you," Annia said, raising her sword again. This time, Marrissa drew hers and intercepted the stoke intending to just miss Captain Sulu.

"You'll pardon me if I prevent you from harming my commanding officer," Marrissa said. "Put the sword away, before someone gets hurt."

"No one gives me ORDERS!" Annia shouted, drawing back for another strike.

"Annia, what have I told you about your temper," the Emperor said.

"I don't care," Annia said. "I'm suppose to be the next Empress and no one takes me seriously."

"Annia..."

"I believe I know where you are coming from, your highness," Marrissa said. "But that sword isn't going to help you get that respect you deserve any more than a phaser rifle could help me."

"You have no idea about my problems!" Annia responded with another sword strike.

"Your Majesty, if you have a nearby chamber or courtyard where we can let your heir air out her frustrations," Marrissa began, avoiding the attacking young girl. "It would preserve the dignity of the throne room."

"Though the green tapestry at the right," the Emperor responded. "Your Captain and I will catch up with old times while you handle my granddaughter. Annia, listen to the voice of experience and try not to fall into the pond this time."

As Marrissa and Princess Annia took their battle out of the throne room. Captain Sulu turned to the Emperor. "The pond?" she asked.

"Annia keeps falling it," the Emperor said. "Totally ruins her dresses, not that she wears dresses that often. Do you think Lieutenant Picard can talk some sense into her?"

"Well, they do share some common ground, and I'm confident that she can handle a sword," Demora said as the two moved into a nearby anti-chamber. "Captain Picard says she was one of the best on the Enterprise-D."

"What happened to the Enterprise-D, anyway?" the Emperor asked. "I had been expecting it and Captain Picard and suddenly I get word that the Enterprise-D is destroyed and I should expect the Enterprise-B and you instead. Not that I mind, you did provide interesting entertainment for my grandfather's fiftieth."

"I'll try not to cut down the chandelier," Demora remarked as they took seats on opposing sofas in the anti-chamber. Conselor Troi and Commander Thompson joined Demora on her sofa. "According to Lieutenant Picard, Klingon renegades shot up the stardrive, and Counselor Troi here crashed the saucer section into a planet."

"Captain, keep her away from your helm," the Emperor said.

"I'll have you know that by the time I took the helm, the only thing left to do was make the landing easy," Troi responded.

"Star Fleet Command does agree with that assessment," Commander Thompson said. "However, we have more than enough pilots without resorting to the Ship's Counselor."

"That is reassuring," the Emperor said. "Now, my ministers tell me that you wanted to discuss our current trade treaty with several Federation worlds, most notably, Vulcan, Betazed, and some world called Essex, I believe ..."

Parry, thrust, slash, parry, parry, thrust. Marrissa hoped she was wearing this girl out, because she really didn't see another way to end this fight.

...

Author's Note:

This ends the E-B part of the story as written.