Just wanted to say real quick that you guys are the best, and thanks to each of you who take the time to read or review. I was talking to somebody today about this site, and how much it means to me, and seriously-thank you. :-)
"Wait up!"
Riker had just turned down the final stretch of corridor when he heard someone shout. Confused, he glanced over his shoulder. "Carmen? What are you doing here?"
The young woman jogged towards him at a pace brisk enough to make little wisps of hair fall loose from her braid. "Picard asked me to be your security detail," she said, slowing down once she caught up with him.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Asked? Or you volunteered?"
"Well…" she began, but her grin gave her away. Riker shook his head.
"I have no idea who's in that shuttlebay, Carmen. It might not be safe-"
"It's okay, dad," she interrupted. "I didn't sense any malicious intentions."
He paused. The concern fled from his face. "Wait, you-you sensed somebody outside the ship?"
She nodded, reveling in her father's hint of a smile. Very gently, it softened the features of his face.
"You're getting good at that," he remarked. "Picard must have been glad to have you on duty." Riker reached out, giving her cheek a quick cuff. "I know I am."
Carmen was still beaming as she followed him into the shuttle bay. Two operations officers stood at consoles on either end of the bay, guiding a small craft into the center. Its engines had already powered down, and it landed with a heavy thud that resonated against the chamber walls. Carmen glanced up at her father. He, too, recognized the shuttle as Federation issue. Small and unarmed, but warp-capable. It could have come from just about anywhere.
A hatch opened at the very back. Leaning onto the tips of her toes, Carmen caught her first glimpse of their visitor. He looked tall and broad of shoulder. His coal colored uniform bore no ranks of any kind. His hair, silver and white, had been combed with a meticulous hand. Though he appeared to be much older than her father, he was neither frail nor infirm; instead, he carried himself in a way that commanded dignity.
The man stepped down into the shuttle bay, and now Carmen could see lines of age and experience sunk into his face. But there was something else-an elusive feeling of familiarity, a murky sense that she should recognize this stranger for some reason.
A gust of resentment, hot and hostile, blew over her senses. Bewildered, she looked up at her father, for it had come from him. He knew this man. And this man, very clearly, knew him.
All of his hardness fell away, revealing a poignant humility. His arms swept open in a gesture of surrender. "Son…"
Carmen's eyes flew wide. She reeled back from the word as though it had been a blow. Riker, however, remained unmoved. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, held in place by his anger.
"What am I-?" Arms still open, the senior Riker took a step forward. "You were lost! We thought the whole Enterprise was lost! I came here to find you, Will. To make sure you were okay. When I heard Picard's transmission, I…" He let his arms drop to his sides. "I feared that I'd be too late."
Riker huffed through his nose. "You're fifteen years too late, dad."
The other man winced. "I know, I know. We have a lot of ground to cover. But, please-give me a chance. I was packing even before Leyton gave me the word-"
"Leyton?" Another blaze of anger scorched Carmen's senses. "Admiral Leyton sent you?"
"Yes, as a military strategist. I've been researching the Borg-"
"Then I'll brief the captain. I'm sure he'll be interested in speaking with you." Riker rolled his shoulders back and cleared his throat, signalling the end of their exchange. "Carmen, see to it he's assigned proper quarters please."
And with that, he was gone. Carmen found herself at a loss for words. All she could do was stare, dumbfounded, at the door through which her father had left.
"Carmen? You're...Carmen?"
Her eyes swiveled back towards the old man. His face had changed, it seemed. Hardened. Whereas her father's emotions had burnt her thoughts, she felt no warmth at all from this man. A coldness crept into her senses as he studied her cautiously, the way one studies a wild animal that has strayed too close for comfort.
"Yes," she replied. "I am Carmen Riker. Your...your granddaughter." A tenuous smile fought for life on her lips.
"I have heard of you," he said, making no attempt to return the smile. His hands clasped together behind him and his shoulders rose with a sharp intake of breath. "But you're mistaken, I'm afraid. I have no granddaughter. Now take me to my quarters, please."
