Chapter Nine
The First Councillor of the Turparian council looked irritable, but Picard didn't have time for pleasantries. He just wanted his missing crewmembers back and this was the man who had kidnapped them.
"Captain Jean-Luc," Vordner greeted insincerely. "What can I do for you?"
Picard bit his tongue, he had to keep his temper in check. "Why did you not answer our hails before now?" The Captain inquired peevishly.
Vordner smiled, which unsettled Picard.
"I was made aware of your hails only moments ago Captain, please accept my apologies," Vordner lied convincingly.
Had it been under different circumstances, Picard may have been tempted to believe the First Councillor.
"Why have you kept my people captive on your planet? The Federation don't look kindly on this sort of behaviour," Picard spoke calmly, but his voice held a note of hostility.
Vordner feigned surprise at Picard's allegations. "I was unaware that members of your crew had not returned to your ship, until you informed me of it this instant."
"How convenient," Picard snapped.
"You stand there, daring to tell me that I am responsible for your missing crew members. Now, now Captain. I don't think I have to remind you of the repercussions such false allegations could have on your personal record. Not to mention the future of the alliance between Turpara and your Federation."
The warning was clear. Choosing a subtler approach, Picard began again. "So I am to believe, that you know nothing of my absent crew members?"
He took a few steps closer to the view screen, which held Vordner's image.
"That is correct," Vordner declared smugly.
The Captain tipped his head downwards and studied his feet for a moment, allowing the silence to emphasise the words he was about to utter. "And the Counsellor was so sure that you would assist us in our search."
Vordner's eyes widened in shock. "The Counsellor?"
"Yes, Counsellor Troi and I were the only ones fortunate enough to make it back aboard The Enterprise."
Vordner glared at the view screen. "That's not possible! She has to be here for the Lenchk'ar!" screeched Vordner.
Then the screen went blank.
Picard turned to ensign Johnson at helms control, his expression demanding an answer.
"Uh, the Turparians have cut communications sir," mumbled Johnson.
Picard fumed - this hadn't been a part of his plan, but at least he had learnt something. Namely, that the Turparian Council genuinely didn't know where his officers were. Still, he had the hope that Will and Data had found them and that they were now awaiting the arrival of the transporter beacons.
Picard's insignia badge chirped, "O'Brien to Captain Picard."
Jean-Luc tapped it sharply, "Picard here," he responded.
"Sir, can you come to transporter room three immediately," requested O'Brien.
"On my way chief, Picard out." He got to his feet. "Johnson, find all the files you can on this 'Lenchkar' Vordner spoke of and route it to my ready room immediately," Picard ordered as he raced towards the turbo lift.
As the lift doors closed, Picard barked "Deck 10" to the computer and hoped against hope that the missing crew would be in the transporter room, ready to welcome him. But he knew that they wouldn't be, so he hoped for something more realistic... that the Chief had found a way to break through the interference.
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The Captain reached his destination and the doors to Transporter Room Three opened to reveal Chief O'Brien hunched over his work console.
"Captain," the Chief greeted without looking up.
"What seems to be the problem?" demanded Picard, he could see a handful of other crewmembers whose names he couldn't recollect working on various computer systems. He turned his attention back to O'Brien.
"Well sir, we sent down the transporter enhancers ten minutes ago, at the right co-ordinates, at the correct time. But no one has accessed them."
Picard scowled.
"And we still haven't managed to break through the magnetic field causing the interference, so we can't scan the planet to discover their location," O'Brien concluded.
Hearing enough, the Captain took instant action. "Call security. I want you to lead an away team; but your mission is to see if our crewmembers are in the immediate vicinity - that is all. The away crew may be unable to set up the transporter enhancers for some reason. Keep the beacons there for another hour - lets give them a chance. Call me if you uncover anything," ordered Picard.
O'Brien nodded, "Aye Sir."
Captain Picard turned and left the Chief to it.
O'Brien hit his insigna. "O'Brien to Security."
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Hovri glanced at the blank screen that seconds ago had been filled by Picard.
Vordner frantically turned on him. "Did you hear that? She's aboard his ship! She should be here on Turpara," Vordner shook Hovri violently, then threw him to the floor.
"He lies," Hovri hissed.
"Picard lie?" Exclaimed the First Councillor.
"She was seen with Strail. They are all here - Picard is trying to deceive you," insisted Hovri.
Vordner mulled it over in his mind. So, Picard was trying to deceive him? The Star ship Captain wanted to play games, did he? A flare of anger ran through him. "I don't like being lied to... time for vengeance, don't you agree Hovri?"
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O'Brien couldn't believe his eyes: there in front of him was the First Officer, the Chief of Security and the Chief of Engineering, lying flat on their backs motionless.
The new away team, phaser's drawn, scouted the area for further crewmembers. O'Brien carried a medical kit over to the three officers, knelt beside them and ran a medical tri-corder over each. They had all been hit at close range by a phaser on a light stun setting. Whoever had done this hadn't intended to kill them.
He ordered an Ensign to give them a hypo-spray to revive them.
He heard a shout. "Chief - over here!" O'Brien ran in the direction of the voice, which led him to a part of the field, previously concealed from his view. When he reached the Ensign, she was staring into the back of what looked like an old Earth ambulance.
O'Brien circled to the rear and joined in the Ensign's stare. He had to blink twice before the image of Data made itself real.
Automatically, O'Brien hit his comm. badge to inform his Captain of this latest discovery, but had forgotten that the artificial magnetic field was preventing any contact with the ship. A moment later, he instructed two Ensign's to physically carry Data over to where Riker, Worf and Geordi were stirring out of unconsciousness.
Riker felt the blackness that surrounded him lighten, as though it were slowly being diluted. His self-awareness began to return and he felt the weight of his body as the numbness died away. He sat up a little too quickly and groaned.
"Where are they? Did you catch them?" He bellowed, wincing with pain at the loudness of his own voice.
"Catch who, Sir?" asked the mystified O'Brien.
"Beverly and Deanna," enlightened Riker.
His strength returning, Worf rose to his feet.
Will stood up, with a helping hand from the fully recovered Klingon, his own mind began to clear and function properly.
Geordi stayed seated. "They're gone," Strail informed them, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.
O'Brien looked bewildered.
The First Officer didn't have time to explain everything. "How long were we out for?" he inquired.
"Roughly, ten minutes sir."
Riker swore under his breath.
"Geordi - Strail - whatever your name is, do you remember how to reactivate Data?" Will asked.
Strail nodded and headed towards the beacons, where the ensigns had left the non-operational android.
Riker then turned to Chief O'Brien. "Leave me, Geordi and Data - beam everyone else back aboard the Enterprise. Worf will fill in the blanks for the Captain."
Worf was tempted to argue, but time was of the essence and experience told him to trust Riker.
O'Brien gave the order to set the enhancer beacons in place, forming the shape of a large triangle. All those returning to the ship moved inside the triangle. Three Ensign's turned the heads of the beacons simultaneously, which set off the transporter.
Riker watched as O' Brien, his team and the beacons disappeared. He swivelled on his heel to face Data, who had been up-dated on events and was now scanning the area for the Counsellor and the Doctor.
"They went in this direction sir," Data stated, indicated in the direction of town.
"Towards the temple..." muttered Strail ominously.
"Lets go," Will ordered.
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They ran at a steady pace, Deanna's hand in Beverly's, giggling like naughty school children. They had pulled it off; but they needed to stay smart. They had been running since their escape and had to reserve some of their energy - having a physical form was so exhausting. The doctor slowed her pace to a fast walk, Deanna dropped back; she had to keep at Beverly's pace, she couldn't risk their being separated again.
"We will follow the river until we reach the Bridge, then we'll cross over and make our way to the temple," Em'Lork informed As'Lork, knowing that the crew of The Enterprise had probably found Riker, Worf, Data and Strail and were trying to locate herself and the Doctor this very instant. She had to put as much distance between her and them as possible.
"We have to start the Lenchkar early or this is pointless," stated Beverly.
"I know," the half Human-half Betazoid replied.
"It's just, the Council will try to stop us - they're probably guard the temple."
"They can't stop us, no one can," stated Troi matter-of-factly.
Beverly smiled, grateful for the strength of her partner.
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"And that's when I beamed back to the Enterprise," Worf finished.
He stood awkwardly, staring at Picard's weary expression. The Captain took a moment to digest this new information. He had barely had time to review the file on the Lenchkar, now it seemed he didn't have to. Picard could tell from Worf's body language that he was about to volunteer further details.
"Sir, something Dea - I mean Em'Lork said to me may be of importance," offered Worf.
"I'm listening," the Captains voice was patient.
"She said that they had to start the Lenchkar early, that she and As'lork had to do it by themselves," Worf recalled.
Picard glanced at his computer screen then back at Worf, a realisation hit him. The Turparian Council were afraid of the Lenchkar happening too soon. So, what would happen if it occurred early? And if it did occur early - why did Em'Lork and As'lork want to carry out the Lenchkar before it was the right time?
It just didn't make sense. Surely self-preservation was there first instinct?
His brow creased as he asked, "Computer, what will happen if the Lenchkar took place earlier than it's supposed to?"
The computer seemed to take a lifetime to answer, Picard sucked in a short breath, anticipating a distressing answer.
"That information is unavailable in any of the relevant files," replied the computer.
Captain Picard slammed his hand down on his desk, making his computer console clatter against the tabletop.
Worf's countenance didn't falter, even at his Captain's brief expression of frustrated anger.
"Hail the Turparian Council. Lets see if we can't get some answers," raged Picard.
Worf bowed his head in obedience, turned and left the Captains ready room with Picard close behind him. Worf approached his position at tactical opps, relieving the officer currently on duty. Picard went directly to his chair and sat majestically, preparing for what was to come. He could feel the emptiness of his First Officers chair and the Counsellor's seat. The emptiness would stay with him, he knew, until he had them safely back again. He looked over to Data's usual station, but saw an unfamiliar face guarding the position. What he wouldn't give to hear the android's nonchalant voice right now.
He felt thankful that he still had Worf on his side and concentrated on the task at hand. He waited a few moments for Worf to hail the Turparians, but received the response he had expected.
"Sir, they are not responding to our hails," Worf sounded annoyed, Picard shrugged it off; Worf always sounded annoyed.
"Keep on hailing them until I say so Mr. Worf," ordered Picard sternly, taking authoritative charge.
The crew were already apprehensive about the loss of so many senior officers, Picard didn't want to add another edge to their anxiety by appearing to do nothing about it. He needed to maintain a calm exterior.
Unexpectedly, The Enterprise rocked as a violent jolt ran throughout the ship.
Picard and most of the Officers on the Bridge were thrown to the floor. The lights blinked on and off manically, until the emergency lights finally flicked on.
The Captain jumped to his feet and re-collected himself, "what happened?" he demanded of Worf, who he knew would still be manning his station.
"We have been fired on, by some sort of weapons array on Turpara 11. Locking onto the position of the array now sir, they're powering up their weapons again," warned the Klingon.
"Shields up. Go to red alert!" Barked the Captain.
As he spoke, the Enterprise shook mildly in comparison to the first hit they had taken. But to Picard, it was just as damaging.
The red alert alarm sounded through the ship, sending all crewmembers to their emergency posts. The noise of the alarm echoed through all of their minds, but this was forced aside by the need to perform their duties efficiently. Picard stared gingerly at the view screen.
"They are aiming their fire at Main Engineering and the anti-matter storage pods. Damage reports coming in," Worf told Picard.
"Looks like someone did their homework," the Captain muttered wryly. "Location of weapons array?"
Worf peered down at his monitor, his answer coming a split second after the question had been posed. "The Council House - near the temple."
Picard's eyes flashed. "The temple? Our people could be down there, we can't return fire - it's too dangerous."
The Bridge shook again. The violent tremors made the Captain stumble, then regaining his footing, he turned to face Worf.
"I would say that is what they are counting on," pointed out the experienced Security Chief.
Picard thought about it for a second or two, spun on his heel, a determined look set grimly on his face. The ship took another heavy blow.
"Shields are down to fifty-seven percent," Worf informed the Captain.
Another two hits as strong as the previous and they would have no shields at all. Picard's eyes narrowed to slits as he watched Turpara 11 on the screen in front of him. "Worf, ready photon torpedo's. Aim for the Council House, fire at will."
"Aye sir."
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As Riker marched beside Data and Geordi, his mind ran and re-ran the events of the last few hours. He should have kept both of them where he could've kept an eye them. He should never have trusted Beverly to return to the ambulance accompanied by Data only. But that was all too late now, the important thing to do now was find them before it was too late. He had a wrenching feeling in his stomach. What would he do without Deanna? Without his Imzadi?
Even though her newfound relationship with Worf had changed the course of their relationship, it didn't detract from the feelings he had for her. If anything, it strengthened them. As for Beverly, his close friend for many years now; complicated, infuriating... warm, he would miss her greatly if anything should happen to her. Riker forced himself not to think of them as gone, that they could still be saved.
"Geordi, what are the chances that Beverly and Deanna will be returned unharmed?" he asked hesitantly.
"It depends on how merciful Em'Lork is at the time she vacates them," Strail answers.
Will looked confused, "I thought Beverly was As'lork?"
"She is," Strail answers, then seeing the confused look on the Commanders face, Geordi explained. "Em'Lork is As'lork. They join as one being. Troi and Crusher are two half's of the same entity."
"So, Counsellor Troi and Dr. Crusher unite as one during the Lenchkar," Data determined.
Geordi nodded.
There were so many questions Riker wanted the answer to, he wasn't sure where to start. "So at the moment, are they connected? Telepathically or emotionally?" questioned Riker.
"They're emotionally connected, they've been together too long. We can't separate them now, they would suffer unimaginable pain. The process has already begun, that's why - at the Council conference, Hovri split them up, to slow down their emotional connection," explained Geordi.
Data's tri-corder took in its unusual readings. Somewhere nearby was a functioning weapons array firing into space at the Enterprise's co-ordinates. He informed Riker of this information and they formed a plan.
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"You said that they wouldn't dare fire back, too risky you said, so why are they firing back?" Vordner yelled in Hovri's ear.
Hovri, close to tears, mumbled some excuse.
Vordner marched across the room to the Councillor of Defences. "Call a cease fire with Captain Jean-Luc. Say we made a mistake, we thought they had made abrasive actions towards us - but were wrong. Do it fast!" bellowed the First Councillor.
He turned back to the disgraced Hovri. Twice in on day, it was almost too much for Vordner to look at him. The Enterprise was supposed to have been scared off by the attack and leave Turpara 11's orbit. The Lenchkar would happen and the Enterprise could collect its missing crewmembers at the end of it all, but the Enterprise - or rather Picard, had not responded as planed. It was all so frustrating, everything had been immaculately planned and now, everything was falling apart. He had lost control and he knew it, he didn't know where Em'Lork or As'lork were and now he had a Galaxy Class Star ship about to blast away his planets most sophisticated weapons defence. All in all, it had been a bad day.
At least the temple was still being guarded, he reminded himself, trying desperately to remain optimistic.
He walked towards Hovri, anger gleaming in his eyes. "Get away from me! Get out of my sight!" Vordner pointed to the door of his private chambers, "now!"
Shamefully Hovri slumped towards the door, half grateful for the exclusion and half resentful for being rejected.
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The dark haired, olive skinned Betazoid saw the bridge approaching. Once they crossed, their journey would be half way over. But when Beverly set eyes on the wooden rope bridge, her body tensed. She felt overwhelming fear at the prospect at having to cross the river.
Sensing the dread that filled the Doctor, Deanna turned to face the panic stricken woman. "What's wrong?" Troi asked.
Beverly's eyes widened with fright as they arrived at the edge of the cliff and the beginning of the rope bridge. "It's Beverly, she's... afraid of... heights... big, big heights!"
Deanna stopped, sighed and then walked to the cliff ledge. Her bare toes just over the edge. She looked down, completely unaffected. "It's only two hundred feet before you hit the water, and the water looks deep."
Crusher shivered as Deanna spoke.
The Counsellor stayed on the cliff edge, she closed her eyes and her face raised to the hot rays of sun, which were relentlessly beating down. The air was humid and sticky, a slight breeze gently caressed her face and ran through her hair. The combination was a glorious feeling, which made her happy to have a physical form. The sound of water trickling far below her released the tension in her stiff muscles, her mind relaxed and melted her into the atmosphere. All conceptions of time, people and places blurred into insignificance. Everything around her seemed to freeze, as though it were waiting for her, waiting for when she was ready. The content peacefulness that she was discovering was soon shattered.
"Deanna! Come away from the edge," screamed the terrified Dr. Crusher.
Snapping out of her trance, Em'Lork opened her eyes and took a step back from the cliff face.
The doctor grabbed her arm fiercely, "Don't do that again!" she scolded.
Em'Lork stared at her, "I won't," she promised.
"You're all I have - I can't do this without you."
They linked hands. Troi led the Doctor to the start of the rope bridge. She stepped slowly onto the first wooden slat, waiting patiently for Beverly to step beside her. After a moment's hesitation, she did.
Beverly made her way along the bridge, hovering slightly over each new slat, carefully avoiding the gap between the wooden slats.
When they had reached three quarters of the way across the bridge, Em'Lork decided that Beverly was ready to try without assistance. If she needed help, Em'Lork would simply return to her side. And so, Troi released her hand from Beverly's vice-like grip and moved ahead. Beverly stood alone, contemplating what to do. Scream? Have a blind panic fit? No, neither suggestion would get her out of this, she had to remain calm. When she was safely on the other side, she would kill Deanna.
Bravely, Crusher began to step from slat to slat.
Em'Lork, who had checked to see her friend's progress was now content and continued on ahead.
Beverly's confidence grew with each gradual move, I'll thank her - then I'll kill her, she thought to herself.
Troi reached the other side of the bridge quickly, turned and watched proudly as Beverly neared her. The Doctor beamed courageously at the Counsellor. Then there was a loud crunching noise. The wood beneath Crushers feet disappeared and she felt herself falling into nothing.
Beverly thrashed out her arms and managed to grab onto a loose piece of rope. The phaser, lodged in a sash around her waist, worked loose and slipped into the water below, disappearing without a sound. The rope Beverly gripped onto thrashed her about uncontrollably, but saved her from tumbling into the water below.
Deanna, who saw all of this happening, rushed over to aid Beverly.
Paralysed by fear, Beverly couldn't move. The anxious Betazoid knelt over her friend, whose whole body was hanging from the rope bridge.
"Take my hand," directed the Counsellor. Troi stretched her lean body down through the gap that the vacant wood slat had created. Her hands scooped under Beverly's arms, she pushed most of her weight onto her legs, keeping herself well balanced.
She knew that she needed assistance from Beverly and so this time her voice came sternly. "As'Lork, when I count to three, I'll pull you up. You have to help me, on three. Ready? One... two..." she paused, taking a controlled breath, "three!"
Geordi saw the two figures moving along the bridge, and then... something happened, one of the figures was suddenly dangling from the rope bridge.
"What are they doing?" exclaimed Riker.
Data, who had the best vision of the three, continued to walk hastily towards the bridge. The other two men followed. "It appears that the Doctor has fallen through a gap in the bridge." Data related. Riker and Geordi surged forwards, it was a long way to fall, a fall that she may not survive. They soon began their decent of the bridge, it swayed ever so slightly under their weight. They all ignored the movement and rushed towards the two distant forms that were their possessed crewmates in distress.
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Deanna heaved, pulling and managing to get Beverly half way up. The Doctor's right arm clung to Deanna, her left gripped the solid wooden slat. She scampered her body up and forwards, swinging her leg up and onto the bridge. Troi grabbed Beverly's knee, allowing the Doctor to bring her other leg up from the murky depths of a very close call. They sat for a moment in nervous exhaustion, then hugged one another in happy relief.
"Need any help?" Riker asked, taking both women by surprise.
Beverly glared at him with distaste, she could sense Em'Lork's feeling of entrapment. There was nowhere left to run to, no more options; they were prisoners again.
"Riker! I thought you would have learnt from last time," Troi spat, as though the words left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Beverly felt how wild Deanna was inside, she was absolutely frantic, like a caged animal... and she was about to make her kill.
"Unfortunately, we can't stay," declared Troi.
Riker pulled out his phaser and pointed it at her.
Following suit, Data removed his weapon from its holster and aimed it at the duo.
Sitting on the wooden slats, Deanna laughed coldly, sending an icy chill down Will's back.
Dr. Crusher was still teetering on the edge of the hole she had just climbed through.
Without warning, Deanna pushed Beverly back through the gap.
The auburn haired woman let out a shrill cry as she flew backwards and fell through the air, two hundred feet below.
Will and Geordi stood opened mouthed, even Data looked ataken back.
All eyes darted back towards Deanna as she leant forwards and dove head first off the bridge.
