Star Trek "Wounds of War"
Chapter-7
"Feelings"
"There may be allot more than just love in the air," said Picard. " Mr. Data, could you please fill the doctor in on yours and Will's findings?" "Certainly, Sir," The android said as he walked over to the Com panel on the far wall. Tapping it twice and entering his personal code, the wall lit up in a cascade of waving colors. "We made an extensive check of all computer records. When we accessed the internal sensor data files for the last five days, this is what we found." Still in shock over the news and just beginning to turn pale, Crusher strained to control the growing cascade of emotions. With all that she could muster, she rose from her desk to give the readout a closer examination. " I know what this is; it's Alpha brain wave patterns. But much stronger than they were ever intended to be." Her own words slammed reality through her mind so hard she stumbled. Picard grabbed her before she could fall. Looking into her eyes, he knew that this was too much for her emotions to bare.
" If it's all true, then all we've been through was a lie." Before she could say another word, Picard grasped her hand firmly. "I know this has been very hard on you. But I swore a long time ago, since our minds were linked and you found out about my secret, that I would never again hide the truth from you, especially about how I feel about you." "All this means is we got started off a little sooner than maybe more normal conditions would have allowed." Looking deep into her eyes his next words touched her soul. "It makes no difference. I love you and nothing is ever going to change that." His words seemed to pour strength and joy back into her fragile soul. After an awkward moment of silence, Data said, "I know of the advancement in your relations. I will leave and give you two some privacy."
Data's words brought them both back to reality. As if waking from a dream, Picard looked up. "Data, please stay. I need your help. I am not sure, but you may be able to filter out the Alpha wave influence." Walking over to the Com panel, he pointed at the wave readouts. "Look at this. Isn't that a frequency wave mixed in with the alpha waves?" he asked. Adjusting the computer readouts to focus and magnify what Picard was pointing to, Data had to agree. "It is. I will try to match the frequency and filter it out from my positronic matrix. The process will take some time." Picard cleared his throat. "That's fine, Data. We must know, so begin immediately." Instantly, Data grew silent and frozen. All movement stopped. Having some one standing there and looking as if dead would un-nerve most anyone, but not these two.
Captain Picard and Doctor Crusher had shared what some would consider a lifetime of service and friendship. It seemed completely normal to them when Data put his mind in an off-line diagnostic mode. With Data silenced, Doctor Crusher stood and embraced Picard. "I'm not so sure we would have gotten together without this influence. I may be Irish, and have a temper hotter that a plasma flare, but you can be the most stubborn xenophobic man in the galaxy."
With a playful tone, Picard addressed Beverly. "You watch your tongue, young lady, I'm not as stubborn as you think. I'm conservative and rather choosy about who I let get close to me. That's why I am with you, remember?" His words melted her heart. With a sparkle in her eye and a mischievous smile, Beverly playfully said, "Yes, Sir." At that precise moment, Data came back to life. He looked puzzled. "I'm sorry, During my readjustment, it was necessary for me to turn off my audio and visual senses. Did I miss something?" Jumping at the chance to extract themselves from what would be another in an endless list of embarrassing moments, both Picard and Crusher chimed in. "Nothing happening here." Data gave them both a long look. Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, he let it go.
Turning to address his superior officer, he said, "Captain, You were right, the influence is no longer affecting me, but my feelings about Lieutenant Garavic have not changed. Apparently the effect did no damage to my positronic processor. However my emotion chip now is providing me with a cascade of small emotional bursts, that I must say I find, appealing;, a sense of what you would call warmth and contentment." "Data, said Picard, that is what we call love. Cherish it." "Some of us are blessed to experience it only once in an entire lifetime. And sadly, some never experience it at all.
You've just taken a very important step in not just becoming, but understanding just what it is to be human." Data took a long moment to consider his captain's words of wisdom. Meanwhile, Doctor Crusher was wide eyed with astonishment over what just came out of Picard's mouth. It was then she knew his love was real and not just another cruel joke. She also knew her love for this highly private, very complex man, was real as well. Matching her astonishment, Data said, "Thank you sir," Readjusting his attention back to the task at hand, he began his report. "The Alpha wave is as you surmised, but its affects are dissipating on their own. It's as if some one could sense all the sorrow of the crew and poured out an kind of mental and emotional healing. That done, all the crew has absorbed nearly all of the last residual amounts of this effect. Also, I was able to triangulate and locate the source."
Data's words hit Picard like a hammer. "It is, or was, coming from our guest here in the sickbay." Crusher's memory flashed, "During our initial examination of Captain Creager, Nurse Ilia discovered a small amount of an anticoagulant in his bloodstream. Though it wasn't listed in our medical database, I didn't give it a second thought. We had a tremendous amount of work to do on him just to bring him back to a condition of survivability. His arms and legs are not human. Our scans reveal then to resemble Data's physiology. Damn it, we could have made a new discovery that would have aided Star fleet in so many ways. Could you imagine how many wars we could prevent? How much sorrow could be prevented from ever taking place?
And think of it's application during first contact situations." Picard seemed thrilled at the burst of scientific interest Beverly was taking, but he had to burst her bubble."It had a very bad influence on Klingons. Remember about Worf?" "After what he did to the holodeck, I would tend to agree. I'll try to isolate what's left of the substance in his bloodstream and analyze it. "I'll send you a report on it as soon as I can." Suddenly, Nurse Ilia broke in to the conversation. Trying to catch her breath from the dead run she made from the recovery ward. "Doctor's! Come quickly! Lieutenant Garavic says her arm is extremely painful." "That's it," said Crusher. " We just ran out of time. She is going in rejection and we've got to move quickly.
Captain, you are more needed on the bridge than here, but Data, I need you to assist me after you return with Laul" Knowing that this was her domain he said, "Yes Sir." Captain Picard gave her a smile that said more than words ever could. "Keep me informed." Soon he was out the door and in a turbolift,and on his way to the bridge. The surgery proceeded at a very fast pace. Then came the time to get Lauls body. Data rolled a gurney out in the open and went to the computers transport control panel. He punched in a special code only known to him and hit the energize button. Materializied on the gurney was the inert body of Laul. He hadn't seen her for some time and had planned to go back to his lab soon to do more research on why her neural net had collapsed.
Life had other plans. Not he was falling in love with someone and her life was in his hands. Still, the site of her brought emotions of grief he had not expected. Rolling the gurney through the sterilizing force field, Data looked up at Crusher with tears in his eyes. "Laul enriched my life, now she will enrich Garavic's life." No more needed to be said. The task was clear; attaching this positronic arm will be a tricky situation. But if successful, she would have the same strength of grasp and pulling action of Data's arm. The surgery lasted for nearly the entire AM shift and half the Pm shift as well. Captain Picard waited very nervously outside.
His shift ended long ago and he was anxious to collect his personal doctor and have a special dinner. Chiding himself, he murmured to himself, "I'm too old to be feeling this way. I'm as nervous as a school boy out on his first date. Indeed, the events of the day may have changed our perceptions, but I know it doesn't change how I feel about her." Passing through the sterilizing field, an exhausted and visibly shaken, teary-eyed Doctor Crusher ran into his waiting arms. Burying her face in his tunic, she could smell the body beneath. Holding her as he did he could smell her hair. The scent was intoxicating and exhilarating at the same time. The embrace he was used to, but what was new was he no longer cared if any other saw it.
He loved her. The thought of it alone made his mechanical heart skip a beat. But what was not to his liking were the tears. Easing his embrace ,he held up her chin with two fingers. The touch alone sent shock waves of electricity through them both. His voice was thick with emotion.
"Why the tears? You didn't loose her, did you?" Smiling, she reached up to wipe her face. Her emotions settling, she was at last able to speak, "I have never, in all my career, seen any one take such loving care of a patient. Data makes a wonderful doctor. He saw to every minute detail. After a while, all I could do is stand back and watch. He took his own daughter's arms and and legs and adapted them as a perfect replacement to the one's Garavic's body rejected. I mean everything; the color, the freckles, the hair, the fingerprints, even a scar and a little mole on the backside of the arm. She probably never knew it was there, but Data was not satisfied till it was done. Garavic was not just better, she would have abilities almost like Data.
"He reduced the power in the neural-servo muscle controls until she could adapt to the newness of it all. He loves her. I used to harbor some doubts, given the fact that he is an android, but not any more. Given time, I think she could fall for him. Maybe some of that love is left for them. If so, I hope it brings them as much joy as it has us. I heard from Counselor Troy a short while ago and her perception is of a great healing taking place all over the ship. It's as if all the horrible memories of war are slowly being washed away by a general feeling of contentment." She looked across the ward at the sleeping Creager.
"History may have painted him a blood thirsty madman, but we know he is not that anymore. No one will give him a second chance, and after what he has done for the crew." Crusher placed her tear stained hand on Picard's chest, "Not to mention what he has done for us. We have got to help him." Thoughtfully, Picard whispered into her ear, "I know, but I'm not sure how.""At least, not yet," Beverly added. Both look up to see 'Doctor' Data passing through the sterilization field. Crusher was first to speak. "Data, is she alright?, "Yes" he said, Data, said Crusher, I'm personally putting you in for a medical citation. I have never seen any doctor do the things you have done. You more than deserve the title 'Doctor'".
"How is our little hero doing?" Picard asked. Data spoke once more. "She is resting peacefully. Your idea of the assist heart pump did the trick. She remained steady throughout the operation. The attachments of the in-do skellital metal structure of the arms and legs to the living tissue of the bones will take a few days to heal and set properly but she will be back to her original self soon enough. Picard had to ask, "Will she have the streingth and speed of yourself, Data?" "No Sir, At least not yet. She will in time with training be able to do many things I currently do but the attachments are fragile and need time to properly setup and harden. Her power level is reduced to ½ strength. It will give her time to adjust. We just moved her back to the recovery ward. She will be awake in a few hours."
Picard thought for a moment. "Doctor Data, I want you to stay with her, when she wakes up she will have a lot of questions. I can think of no one better to tell her what you had to do and advise her on how to use them." "Yes Sir," said Data, "But I'm still not comfortable with that 'Doctor' title."
Picard offered his hand to Data. As they shook hands, Picard said, "Relax Data, its not very often that one star ship is blessed with two of the finest surgeons in the fleet. You've more than earned it, so enjoy it." "Thank you, Sir, but with your permission, I would like to resume my original duties on the bridge. I may know where things are here in sickbay and I may know how to use them, but on the bridge, I get a sense or feeling of home. This is Doctor Crusher's place. Mine is the bridge. I respect and value her insight and friendship too much to trespass into her territory. Your people had an old proverb something about Too many cooks spoiling the soup. I can have nurse Ilia notify me when she starts to wake up.
I will be there for her. When I am serving on the bridge, I feel a sense of belonging like when we are together playing cards. Picard stepped back and looked at his new doctor in a totally different way. Picard took a moment to consider what Data had said. Picard knew his next words would forever change how Data thought about the human race. Speaking more like a father than a Captain, he said, "That was the first time I ever heard you refer to the human race as 'your people'. I never want you to say that again. You may not be human, and in fact your physiology makes it certain that you will never be completely human, but to us, as your friends, to the crew of this ship and especially to that patient, you are just as human as the rest of us. The human race is not just my people... they're your people as well."
His android voice was thick with emotion. "Thank You, Sir; that means a lot to me. Everything is changing so fast. I have a lot to think about. If I may be excused, I would like to inform Nurse Ilia of my instructions, and return to the bridge." "Very well, Mr. Data, you are dismissed." With that Data turns and leaves. The door hadn't been closed for more that a fraction of a second when suddenly Picard stiffened, and froze in place. "What?" asked Crusher. Her back to the door, she had no idea of the danger that stood in the doorway. Then she froze...The growling and snarling were more viscous than either of them had ever heard from Worf.
Crusher tried to move, but Worfs voice stopped her in her tracks."You should have told me about him...you know what he is. I will tear him apart with my bare hands." As Worf slowly closed the door and locked it, Crusher moved to the doorway of the recovery ward. Trying to block his path and reason with him, she wasted her words. In an instant, Picard flung himself on to Worf trying to subdue him. Worf flung the captain off his back and up against the far wall. Enraged, a Klingon's strength is easily 10 times greater than a human. Dispatching the Captain's attack took little effort. Next to the doorway, Crusher saw a medical cart. She thought 'maybe if I can get to that hypo spray, I could stand a chance of stopping Worf with out hurting him.'
But inflicting pain was no problem for the powerful Klingon. With one swipe of his powerful arm, Worf sent the doctor sailing across the room and onto another fully loaded medical cart. The impact knocked her out, and she crumpled to the floor.
As he turned to walk through the doorway, a Phaser blast shot across the room and hit him square in the chest. The powerful stunning beam pinned the Klingon's body to the far wall. As unconsciousness took over, Worf slid to the floor. Ignoring the screaming pain of his battered body and broken ribs, Picard stood wiping the blood from his phaser shaking in his hands, Picard realized he was so angry at Worf that he had changed the setting to maximum and was about to vaporize his former friend. Catching hold of his fury, Picard lowered the phaser. Crossing the room to get to the doctors side took little effort when he saw she was not moving.
His heart felt as if it was being squeezed in a vice. By the time he got there, Nurse Ilia was already examining the doctor. "How is she?" asked Picard. "She is pretty bruised up and she took a hypo spray in the back. Fortunately, it was just a sedative. There seem to be no other injuries." Scanning the Captain, Ilia frowns."But you, Sir, are another matter." "I'll be alright. You just see to Beverly." With that, ignoring the searing pain from his broken ribs, he gently picked up Crusher and placed her on a bed. The sudden stab of pain almost knocked him out. Catching the side of the bed for balance, Picard suddenly found it hard to breathe. Ilia scanned him again. "That was a mistake wasn't it?" Gasping for breath, Picard shook his head in agreement. "Well that's what some broken ribs will do. Now are you going to remain stubborn or are you going to let me help you?"
Wincing with pain and gasping for air, he knew something was very wrong. Putting his hand up to surrender, Picard gasped. "All right, I give up. You're as bad as she is." With a wicked smile, Ila said, "Thank you, Sir; I had a good teacher." With the captain on the bed, it was Ilia's time to take command of the situation. Tapping on her com badge, she called out, "Sickbay to security, there has been an incident here. The Captain and the Doctor are incapacitated. Come heavily armed and bring restraints. First Officer Report to Sick Bay Immediately" She paused briefly. "Sickbay to Doctor Data. You're needed immediately in sickbay. The doctor and the captain are hurt." "Sickbay to Commander Riker.
You are in command. The Captain is injured, but nothing is life-threatening." Springing into action, Riker and Data leaped for the turbo lift. "Riker to security; are your people in place? "They are on the way ,Sir," came the reply. "Make it quick." As Riker came into the sickbay, Data knocked him to the side. Instantly, Ilia shot a stunning beam across the room and knocked out the awakening Klingon. "Be careful with that thing!" called out Riker. "You would not be saying that if you saw what he did to the captain and the doctor." said Ilia. Just then, security came in, weapons drawn. "What took you so long?" Riker queried. "Turbo lifts went off-line in mid transport," said the security chief. "Had to climb up through the Jeffries tube."
Pointing at Worf, Riker said, "Put him in heavy restraints. Charge him with destruction of Federation property and assault on Federation personnel and officers." "Aye, Sir," came the reply, and Worf was dragged out of sickbay.
Facing the fearsome little nurse, Riker slowly held out his hand for the Phaser. Ilia watched closely as the Klingon was dragged out of Sickbay keeping the phaser trained on him till he was gone.Slowly, Ilia gave it up. Giving that patented smile of his, Riker said, "You're quite a little tiger aren't you?" He stiffened when he heard the voice behind him."I see you've been a little busy," said Captain Creigar. Trying to look unaffected by his voice, Riker turned and smiled "A bit," said Riker. "I see some things have not changed," said Creigar. "And what would that be?" asked Riker. Creigar sighed. "Handling matters with Klingons are almost always a messy matter. I'm sure you have the situation well in hand. I'll just hobble back to bed." "I'll help you. We need to have a talk." With Creigar situated comfortably back in bed, Riker turned to face him.
"We have found ourselves to be in a very delicate situation where you are concerned. We can't notify Star fleet because those 'messy Klingons' as you put it, are now our allies and share all of our transmission codes. Frankly, without their help, we would not have had a chance in hell of winning this war against the Dominion. People have been hurt. Relationships have been destroyed. That man I just had arrested in order to protect you, is my friend. I don't like this at all." Riker paused, studying the toe of his boot. "Part of me wants to thank you for helping me and my family receive a measure of revenge against those who killed Amanda and your child. Another part of me is so disgusted by your sight, that it wants badly to throw you out of the nearest airlock." Captain Creigar took a long, thoughtful look at Riker for a moment.
He cleared his throat."I'm not proud of what I've done, nor do I harbor any intentions of continuing my previous acts." "That's good to know," said Riker. "But you will find that not many will believe you. As you saw, your past will be difficult to overcome." With eyes that showed more remorse than could ever be expressed by any words, Creager said, "War is a hard thing. It does things to a person. As you very well know, it can tear apart a man's soul and leave him with wounds and scars that will take a lifetime to heal. Some are so savagely scarred, they will carry those wounds to the grave. I was blessed by a race of people with an opportunity to walk away from the hate. An opportunity to begin again." "That we are in agreement on," said Riker. "I've never seen my shipmates and friends look so tired. It's as if war itself, were trying to suck the life out of them.
Most of the damage to your ship has been repaired. Its quite a prize, having the only Bird of Prey that can fire while cloaked." "It seems the only smart thing I did with my rage," Creigar reflected. "I'll have it returned to the asteroid landing pad and re-cloaked for safety," Riker added. "We've attracted enough attention." "Good idea," said Creager. "I want so very much to talk more... to catch-up on our family... on history... I'm just so tired. I am not quite 100 % yet. When I am, I'll stand ready to follow yours and the captain's orders." From the doorway came a voice. Riker jumped up and whirled around. Ilia had her hands up.
"Relax Commander. No Phaser this time." She scowled at her patient. "What were you doing getting out of bed! You're lucky you didn't fall on your face!" Riker gazed at Creiger. "Be careful with this 'little tiger', Captain; she's pretty good with a Phaser.""From what I saw, she is pretty good at what ever she wants to do." Looking back at Riker, Criegar cleared his throat once more. "Amanda would be proud to see you serving on such a wonderful ship and with such a dedicated crew."Ilia, still scowled, with her hands on her hips.
Riker began to get nervous. "Careful man, she's not buying it." "I most certainly will not!" said Ilia. "Flattery will not get you very far with me." Creigar spoke in a very small voice, sounding as uncharacteristically sheepish as was possible for him. "Will it get me far enough to get some of that great smelling stew you were serving the doctor a few days ago? Ever since I smelled it, I can't get it out of my mind. Eating replicated Klingon food is a kind of torment all by itself." Ilia's expression softened. She smiled. "Maybe later. But for now, sleep." Pointing directly at him to drive the point home, "Understood," Creigar said wisely. "Yes, Ma'am."
Morning came all too quickly for the crew of the Enterprise. To the Captain's astonishment, the scans and repairs to the Condor had been completed. Also, the Enterprise's outer hull breaches, caused by the phased torpedo blast, and subsequent explosions that followed, were almost complete as well. His was the finest repair crew in the fleet. But the magnitude of work done over night was still amazing. Captain Picard put them all in for awards of commendation. Chiding himself once again, he knew what this day would bring. He wanted so badly to just get it out of his mind... if only for a moment. Discipline on the ship had, at times, been needed, but not for one of his command staff. These hearings are so serious that most times, they were held as a tribunal on a space station.
Theirs was a unique situation and contact with Star fleet, or even travel to the nearest space station, would not be possible. Rubbing his hands over his face, Picard stretched and yawned. Sensing the growing tension in Picard's body, Crusher put a cup of tea on his desk and sat down. "What's wrong, Jean-Luke?" she asked. Picard looked up at Crusher with a tired look. "Beverly, I don't want to do what I have to do concerning Worf." Beverly pulled an electronic notepad out of her pocket. "I spent a lot of time thinking last night, after we went to bed, about what had happened and I am formally requesting that you drop the charges."
"You know I can't do that. It's not just what he did to us, I can forgive that. It's also the security personnel, from the brig infirmary. One man had his leg broken in three places.
The time index interior scanning system clearly shows the assault on everyone. This man, a Lieutenant Commander Jameson, wants to press charges. He is furious at Worf. Seems he was up for promotion just before his setback. He's a Carpathian. They have a heightened sense of honor and justice. Convincing him to drop the charges will not be an easy task. In truth, I was so mad at Worf when he did those things to you, I almost vaporized him myself." Shocked at Picard's revelation, Beverly stood. "You were about to kill him? Over me?" Picard shifted nervously in his chair.
His admission of anger had come out all to smoothly. Must be because they had virtually moved in together. "Beverly please sit down and hear me out." Tentatively she sat. Picard took a moment to think. "I am no saint, Beverly. I have limits just as any other man who is in love. I can't put it into words, but when I turned and saw you lying there on the floor, for a split-second, I thought you were dead. I just lost it. I have loved you for so long, and now that we are finally together, the thought of you taken from me just pushed me over the edge.As captain, I am not supposed to let that happen, but it did. I lost control." "I don't know what to say. I've never had someone willing to do all that for me.
If I can get the guards to drop their charges, will you?" "Of course I would. It's easy to see Worf was under the influence of the Alpha wave effect." Not realizing it, she was still fidgeting with the note pad in her hands. She placed it on Picard's desk. "This is my official report regarding the incident. It is my professional opinion as ship's Doctor, that Commander Worf was not able to control himself. "That the Alpha wave effect was in control of his emotions and heavily effecting his judgment. "When is the hearing?" asked Crusher. Picard checked his chronometer on his computer screen. "You have three hours to pull off a miracle. I hope you can." said Picard.
"If I remember my history correctly, it would not be the first time the Enterprise had a miracle worker serving aboard her." With that, they both smiled and said their good- byes for the day. Each knew what they had to do and three hours might not be enough time to save their friend. Rushing out of the turbo lift, Dr. Crusher bumped into Counselor Troy. Diana could feel her tension, and had to speak up. "I just left your office. I wanted to talk to you about Lieutenant Commander Jameson. He would not talk to me about the incident at all. I did some checking into his back ground and it appears that he was the only survivor of a Klingon raid on his family's outpost at Kam-Jar 6. According to the report, the things they did to his parents were pretty vile and gruesome. They tied him to a chair and made him watch.
Then they just left him there to rot away and die." Diana continued. "A supply convoy arrived there two days after the Klingons left. The convoy leader, a Captain Jameson, said in his report there were no words, in any language, that could come any where close to describing the brutality demonstrated on Kam-Jar 6.
Only the pictures that will follow my report can give accurate testament. Beware, if you have a weak stomach." "Did you look?" asked Beverly."No," answered Diana, her voice a little shaky. She spoke with remembrance, "I have seen enough dead bodies." "We have less than three hours to convince this Mr. Jameson to drop the charges," said Beverly. With that, they both walked briskly back down the corridor to Sick bay. Entering the sick bay, Crusher found nothing had changed. The usual crowd with their bumps and bruises, but they seemed unimportant right now.
Her mission was clear and Diana would be there to lend a hand any way she could. Their years together had taught them how to become a cohesive team. Usually it was Diana's empathic abilities that gave her an edge over everyone else.In that instant she found she could not read Beverly's emotions. She was a whirlwind inside of constant change. Being a physician, Beverly, long ago learned the value of life and preserving it. This war however had forever changed that perception. Nurse Ilia took three steps towards Dr. Crusher. As if seeing without seeing Dr. Crusher held up her hand and stopped Ilia in her tracks.
Dr. Crushers voice was loud and clear " You and the other nurses can take care of these patience. Ilia you are in charge. Diana and I are going to have a chat with Lieutenant Commander Jameson and we are not to be disturbed is that clear? Ilia knew this voice, and responded "Yes Sir" turned on her heal and took over sick bay duties. Many of the patience had heard that voice and headed its command authority. They warned the others with stern stares to keep silent. Entering the recovery bay the two ladies found Geordie off to one side talking with Creigar Something about a discovery Creigar had made concerning holographic technology. But Crusher could care less. Catching Crushers stare Geordi Told Creigar "Lets go to the my office in engineering. I think we don't need to hear this."
Creigar turned and recognized that fixed hard stare I know that look, Lets get out of hear. They made it as far as the door when Dr. Crusher's voice stopped them in their tracks. "Talk only, do you understand, I have not released you back to duty yet." Geordi stiffened at Crusher's crisp words. "Yes Sir," was his only reply. With that, they were , witnessing the entire exchange,knew he was in trouble, so he kept silent. Turning to face him, Beverly spoke with authority. "I understand from Counselor Troy, that you refused to talk to her." Jameson grew worried but didn't dare let it show.
"Yes Sir. There was nothing really to talk about. The sensor logs show it all." said Jameson. Dr. Crusher took two steps closer. Her hard Irish stare could burn through to a man's soul. Diana herself was beginning to worry. She had never seen Beverly like this before. From what she knew about human emotions, coupled with Beverly's legendary temper, she had no idea what would happen next. Dr. Crusher didn't back down one iota and the Carpathian returned her look stare for stare. After a second of silence, Crusher spoke.
"You are a Carpathian , are you not?" "Yes Sir, I am." "As a Carpathian, I understand you have a heightened sense of justice and honor. Is that true?" "Yes Sir, I do." "Then tell me why you would violate your own code of ethics by not following orders?" "My universal translator must not be functioning. I do not understand your last question." "Oh, I think you do," said Crusher. Her hands hit her waistline. "Star fleet regulations require a complete psychological evaluation of any personnel that has past experiences of traumatic effect and experienced a traumatic event. Such an evaluation is to include a report from the ship's counselor; whom you refused to talk to." Crusher's temper was to the boiling point. Jameson knew he was cornered.
Finally, Beverly's motives were clear. She was going to use his own sense of honor to trap him. The Carpathian let out a sigh and went limp. "I do not speak to Counselor because we Carpathians do not speak of the past...or the dead." Instantly Crusher's features softened. "You want justice for what the Klingons did to your parents don't you? And the only way available is to destroy the career of the only Klingon aboard the Enterprise." Jameson bristled at the revelation of truth. "He did what he did, and as a result of what he did..." Jameson choked on the words he knew he had to say. "I am here, damaged, unable to do my duties and being interrogated by a Doctor and a Counselor. Is there a Star fleet regulation that allows that to take place?"
Beverly had to think fast. This Carpathian had a mind like a steel trap and she was about to be trapped by her own words. Diana stood mute. She knew better that to interrupt a conversation of this intensity. "That depends, do Carpathians honor friendship?" "Yes Sir, we do," Jameson answered. "How much?" Beverly drew closer. She could feel his breath. "Highly. Carpathians value friendship as a bonding, like what you would call...family." "Then you would do what ever it took to protect a friend? Even defend that friend with your own life?" "Yes Sir, I would." The man you wish to destroy is my friend. He is her friend. He is friend to a great many on this ship and elsewhere in the galaxy. So why would you think we as humans would not defend our friends as you would?" "Considering the present, my answer is that you would.
Considering the past, my answer is no, you would not. It was a human who rescued and cared for me. He listened to me. Held me when my sorrows overwhelmed me. He took me in, made me part of his family. I honor him by taking and using his family name as my own. This side of humanity I understand and am grateful for. It is part of why I joined Star fleet. But humans did not try to hunt down those who tortured and murdered my parents. Their cries for justice were ignored. Humans can be so compassionate, and in an instant, can close their hearts and be so cold. It's as if you were the living dead." Jameson paused briefly, swallowing hard. "I read your race's history. You almost destroyed yourselves. You had a chance to destroy the Klingons but your Kirk helped bring peace to the galaxy."
He paused once more, to rubb his an upper right arm. "Peace to everyone...but the dead. Where is justice in that? Where is justice for the dead? Where is justice for me? I may miss my promotion because of this. I allowed my prisoner to escape. To damage the Captain, to damage... You. Where is justice for that?" Diana found her opening, and she gently placed her hand on Dr. Crushers shoulder. "The Captain has forgiven the Klingon. The doctor has forgiven the Klingon. All understand why he did what he did. All but you. You asked where is justice for what happened. It is here in you, in me, in the Doctor, in the Captain, in everyone aboard this ship. That justice is forgiveness. Is it painful? Yes. Is it easy? No.
Nothing of value ever is. But it can take place. I know there are many on board the Enterprise that fear Worf. I know others that hate him enough to try to kill him, even though they know nothing about him. For them, he is a Klingon and should die for what his people did to them and their families. But I also know many of them have come to me and opened their hearts. For them, forgiveness is possible. For them, their wounds of war will eventually heal. The war caused your parents to be taken from you, changed you and many like you. Our war has changed us and for some, brought to the surface sorrows of the past they thought were long forgotten. Will you open your heart to me?
Will you let go of your anger and give your wounds a chance to heal? I am willing to help; I want to help." Her next words almost caught in her throat, and she spoke with a shaky voice. "After having to kill to protect myself and others, I understand far more than you know. In helping others to forgive, there is justice and honor for all...even the dead." It took a moment for the Universal Translator to convert her words into his language. His response was immediate. "For a Carpathian to forgive is the highest of all honors. It is said that one who can do this will be spoken well of, for a long time. But to us, forgiveness is what your people call a 'double edge sword'. I will drop the charges and work hard to forgive, but he must do the same for his enemy; the person you call... Creager.
In this, justice will be served and honor restored. I ask you, Counselor, to take these words to the Captain...and to the Klingon. I am tired," he sighed. "I will rest now." Beverly could hardly believe the words that came out of Troy's mouth. Looking at her she could tell the meeting took a great deal of strength out of her. Diana's having to tell another of her experience was the hardest thing she had ever had to do. That hurdle behind her now, she would have a chance to give her wounds an opportunity to heal. Without another word, they both turned and left.
Having given final instructions for the hearing, Picard sat at his desk in his ready room. He had not heard from Dr. Crusher or Counselor Troy yet and began to worry. Worf was his friend, but what duty called upon him to do now, sickened him.
In the silence, he could hear the ship. He could hear the Enterprise. His ship always made a certain sound when all was well. It had been a long time coming and right now, hearing that sound gave him comfort. But it was not to last. Suddenly the door chimed. Clearing his throat, he called out "Enter". Mr. Data walked in. "You summoned me, Sir?" Picard smiled. Data looked a little less like an android today, and he liked that look. "Yes, sit down, Mr. Data and analyze this report." Picard handed him the electronic note pad left by Dr. Crusher. Flying through the text in less than half a second, Data looked up at Picard. "Analyzation complete sir.""Then report your findings, Mr. Data." "Yes, Sir." Data paused. "Dr. Crusher's anilyzation of the situation is complete and extremely accurate. I too, must offer my complete agreement with her medical findings. It took a considerable adjustment to filter out the influence caused by the Alpha wave effect.
But during my exposure, I was able to gather a large amount of data regarding my feelings. I learned some valuable lessons as well." Picard's interest peaked. "Oh? What kind of lessons, Mr. Data?" "To begin with, I learned that life, as we know it, is to be cherished. Every moment is special and should never be taken for granted. Everyone should take the time to enjoy what life they have, while they have it. I learned that the emotion called 'happiness' is vital to an individual's well being. Until my emotion chip was installed, I could only imitate the 'vision' of happiness. Now, I know the warmth of 'feeling' happiness. Others on the ship are experiencing it as well. I have compiled an in-depth study of the crew both before, during, and after, our involvement with the Dominion War. I've discovered that there is literally such a thing as the "Wounds' of War."
"I saw many suffer inwardly at the losses they incurred, but also at just involvement in the war itself. Like some twisted demon, this thing called war, damages people even though they suffered no direct injury. For many, they are healing, but for some, their injuries will take a long time to heal. Some will never heal. It's as if the horrors of war sucks the joys of life right out of them, and they become more like my mechanical self. Devotion and training to duty will always keep the Enterprise and her crew going. But with happiness, the normal every day operations of the ship take on a sense of worth. A satisfaction for a job well done. Praise for an innovation.
The thirst for knowledge is greater. All these things, and more, make the Enterprise alive." For the first time, since this morning, Picard smiled. "Mr. Data, I will never tire of your insights. In many ways you who are not human are more human than any other." He paused briefly, then asked, "How is our little hero?" Smiling, Data said, "She is well settled, and resting comfortably. If you don't mind, I would like to visit with her, and you of course, after this shift is over. I'm sure I could speak for her, but I think I'll ask her after the hearing." "Wise Mr. Data, very wise indeed." With that, Picard rose from his desk and straightened his uniform. "Now," he cleared his throat. "Let's get this hearing over with." Both of them exited his office, and crossed the bridge, to the turbo lift. Each step was greeted with stone silence.
Data remarked privately to Picard as they walked, "It is very quite on the bridge today." Picard remarked privately in return, "They know where we are going." The conference room was only two decks below the bridge, but getting there seemed to take an eternity. Like watching a recording in slow motion, the two men began their walk from the turbo lift doors to the conference room door. Their heel-strikes echoed down the corridor. Picard had ordered the entire deck evacuated and security posted at all entrances. The conference room was large and sparsely furnished. The table was triangularly shaped. Standing at one side was Dr. Crusher and Counselor Troy. Standing at the other side was Captain Creiger. Mr. Data took his place beside him. Picard had counseled, at great length, not to have Creiger at this hearing, but he insisted.
Captain Picard took his place at the top of the triangle. All wore grim expressions. Picard was the first to speak. "Computer start recording," he said in a low tone. "Security, are you ready?" "Yes, Sir," came the reply. "Then energize." A second later, Worf shimmered into existence. He was motionless; his head bowed, his eyes closed. His shame evident. "Computer," Creigar looked up. "Lock on to the restraints Commander Worf is wearing and beam them back to the detention area."
Freed from his restraints, Worf could do anything. Still, he remained motionless and silent. "I call this hearing to order," Picard said, placing his spread fingers on the table before him. "Commander Worf, you stand accused of serious charges. They are; Destruction of Federation property, assault on Federation personnel, officers and insubordination. How do you plead?" "Guilty Sir," the Klingon answered. "Let the record show that a formal plea of 'guilty' has been given and received in these proceedings. Is there anything you would like to say in your behalf at this time? It may give weight to this court's decision of punishment."
Worf slowly looked up at Picard, then at Commander Data, then at Dr. Crusher, finally resting his gaze on Captain Creiger. His words were soft and full of emotion."I don't fully understand why I did what I did. The facts are clear, I did do these things and people who looked up to me as an officer and once considered me a friend, were hurt. You who accepted me, and trusted me, deserved better. I have disgraced myself and humbly ask forgiveness." Captain Picard could barely restrain his emotions. His security chief, his friend, was in a very bad situation."Commander Worf, this court has received expert testimony that you were not responsible for your actions. This court is also in possession of expert testimony that the Alpha Wave effect, that drove you to do these things was too strong for you to fight.
Therefore, it is left up to each individual you hurt to decide to press charges or not. This court has received acknowledgments from all, but one, as to their decisions. Dr. Crusher, you were with Lieutenant Jameson and Counselor Troy. You were present as witness to his statement. What was his determination?" Counselor Troy raised her hand to address the court.
"Yes, Counselor, what do you have to say to this court?" "I have been instructed to speak for the injured crewman. I wrote his words down so I could say them properly." "Then by all means Counselor, please read them into the court's record." Picking up the note pad, she cleared her throat. "I am a Carpathian. As such, the ability to forgive an enemy is highly prized. But for us forgiveness is a double-edge sword. I will drop the charges and work to forgive my enemy. But he in turn must agree to work to forgive his enemy, namely Captain Creiger. In this, honor is gained for all and justice is fulfilled." Picard jumped on the Lieutenant's decision. "So be it," he said. "I therefore state that all injured parties are in agreement to drop all charges...save one. That will be Conduct Unbecoming an Officer.
As punishment, I, Captain Picard, order that you be relieved of all duty assignments on the Enterprise, and assigned as the personal assistant to Captain Creiger. Commander Worf, at the completion of this task all records of this hearing and incident will be erased from your files. If you fail to fulfill your obligations, you will be brought before me to face punishment for all of the charges. Is that understood, Mr. Worf?" "Yes, Sir, I understand." Then it was Captain Creigar's turn to speak."It would seem that this Carpathian and I, are of like mind, Mr. Worf.
I want this to work for you just about as bad as you want it for yourself. I can understand about being angry. The people who helped me gave me something, and it made you crazy. I understand all about being crazy." Just then, he pulled out an old and battered electronic note pad, and turned it on. It only had enough memory to display one picture, but one was more than enough. Dr. Crusher saw the image, and jumped up saying, "I'm going to be sick." With that, she ran out. Counselor Troy quickly followed after her. Creigar slid the pad over to Worf. Even the strong Klingon had to grimace at the gruesome sight; Amanda Creigar, naked, beaten and cut open like a butchered animal. "Those who did this are not warriors: they are animals," said Worf. "Those who did this are dead. I killed them with my bare hands.
I strung them up on a tree and skinned them alive. But I did far worse to many other Klingons. That, is the madness of war, Mr. Worf." Pulling off one of his gloves, Creiger revealed one of his mechanical hands. "And this... was the price I've paid for my madness. My arms and legs crushed and mangled. Replaced with these things. They do the job well enough, but I can't feel anything; not a hot cup of tea, not even the warmth of a human hand. As you can see, Mr. Worf, this is just as hard on me, as it is on you. That war left many dead, many living but not alive. Their souls ripped to shreds by the power of hatred and the thirst for revenge. All of your people and my people wanted revenge for one killing after another. We did what we did back then, and it brought us no honor, no satisfaction and certainly...no peace.
The only thing honorable about war is the ending of it. If we let the past effect the present we will have very little happiness in the future." Creiger braced himself so he could stand, and with his mechanical legs, he walked over to Worf.
Now well within Worf's reach, the room went deathly silent. "Worf," he spoke. "While I was learning to fly the Condor, I learned a thing or two about your people. So you will understand how serious I am about this, I want you to make a decision..." Picard could scarcely believe his eyes when Creiger pulled out an old Klingon knife. He started to stand in protest, but Creigar silenced him with a wave of his hand. Unexpectedly, Creigar placed it on the desk in front of Worf. "This was the knife I took from my wife's body. It is stained with her life's blood and the blood of my unborn child. If you can not get past all the hate for all that I have done to your people, I ask you to pick up that knife and run me through with it.
With our blood mixed at least we could be together one last time. As spelled out in Klingon law, for my deeds, for my actions, I surrender my life into your hands." Worf looked at the knife for a long time before picking it up. Worf spoke as if there were no one else in the room. " I too, lost one whom I loved. I too, know the madness it brought." As Worf gave Creigar the knife back, handle first, he said, "For my people, I ask forgiveness." Receiving the knife, Creiger said, "For my people, I ask forgiveness."Joining hands, Worf said, "Your people are forgiven." His emotions welling up inside, Creiger never thought this moment would ever come. He said, "Your people are forgiven. I can't go back to the past. Will you help me build a better future?""Yes, I will," Worf said, turning to face Picard. "I accept the challenge. I will assist him and teach him what he needs to know to survive in our time." "So ordered," said Picard. "I declare these proceedings adjourned. All rise... dismissed." With that, everyone began to file out of the room, except Captain Picard and Mr. Worf. When they were alone, Picard approached Worf with his hand outstretched. Shaking his hand, Picard said, "Once again, you've proven to be the bravest man I've ever known. Report to Captain Creigers Quarters at 0600 hours tomorrow."
"Aye-Sir, and thank you."Then Picard turned and left Worf alone in the conference room to ponder just how he would meet this challenge.
