Worf vaulted the barrier between him and the captain, cursing himself for not being closer. He listened with dread for the sizzle of the phaser, prepared to throw himself between the second shot and the captain.
That sizzle never came. There was no shot, only silence. Justine lowered the phaser and Miranda grinned. The bailiff grabbed at Justine's wrist, clumsily knocking the phaser away. Jerking at her hands, he cuffed them in front of her. The judge banged her gavel for silence. "Explain yourself," she snarled at Miranda.
"Never charged the phaser," Miranda said. She turned towards the captain, who was gripping both arms of his chair, white knuckled with rage. "But I could have. And now you know what you're dealing with."
Miranda looked up at the judge. "This puppet is a hazard to herself and others. She belongs with someone who understands her completely, who can control her completely. She belongs with her creator. The prosecution rests."
Miranda began to walk back to her seat. "Oh," she said, half turning. "Deactivate code 1, authorized Miranda."
Justine began talking again "-coil thermal plas…" she trailed off, looking down at her shackled hands, and then around to the courtroom. Her eyes flicked over to Miranda, who grinned broadly.
"Bailiff, take the witness into protective custody. Captain Picard, Dr. Bouley, I will see you both of you in my chambers, immediately."
The bailiff hauled on Justine's arm, and she stumbled out of the witness stand. "What's going on?" she said, resisting. "No, stop it, what's the matter? Stop!" She was being dragged backwards, out of the courtroom. She stumbled, panicked. "Stop!" Her eyes turned desperate as she looked back at the crew. "Counselor Troi!"
"It's alright," Troi called, standing. "We'll come get you in a moment."
"No! Commander! Captain! Geordi?" The courtroom doors swung shut behind them, but they could hear her anguished scream – "DATA!"