They woke to the sound of the brig door being thrown back. Picard helped Millana to a stand, and she faced the Exxan delegation with her shoulders back defiantly.
"Good morning, Lieutenant, Captain," The largest Exxan said with a sneer.
"I am Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise," Picard said, taking a small step in front of Millana. "There has been some misunderstanding, I am certain that your people do not wish to provoke a war with the federation."
"Provoke a war?" One of the guards laughed. He stepped closer to Picard and pushed the end of his phaser flat against the captain's forehead. "When we're done with you two, we won't provoke a war, we'll declare it." The guard laughed, and didn't notice as Picard deftly palmed a pass key from the Exxan's belt.
"We have a special treat for you today." The guard continued. "Since our darling Millana was … unimpressed … with our interrogation yesterday, we've brought in a specialist. I have the honor of introducing Vice-Chancelor Ka'al." The Vice-Chancellor, robed in gold mesh, stepped into the brig.
Millana fell to the floor, clawing at her face. Picard and the guards stared, confused, until one of the guards picked her up and forced her hands behind her back. She held her head as low as it would go.
The vice-chancellor eyed her suspiciously. "Computer, increase light."
The brig brightened. The chancellor took two very slow and deliberate steps. "What do we have here?" he said, and forced Millana's chin up. He started, and then a smile spread cruelly across his face. He began to laugh, slowly, and then with more and more malice until he could hardly contain himself. "You fools!" he shrieked, his voice unnaturally high. "Utter fools! You wouldn't know a diamond if you bit into it." He slapped Millana across the face. "This is…" he began to laugh again. "Allow me to introduce her Royal Highness Princess Aurora de Luel, seventh princess of the Metachloid." He bowed, mockingly. "Your highness…"
Millana had drawn herself tall. "You will release our royal person." Her voice was deeper, unwavering.
"Not very likely, your highness," he said, punching her swiftly in the stomach. She doubled back against the guard holding her. "I think it is much more likely that we will establish a connection with your father. Your life for thirty thousand metric tons of dilithium crystals, I think. You will have the supreme honor of being the reason your civilization dies." He spat in her face. "Enjoy the last few moments of your life." He left. The guards threw Millana to the ground and slammed the brig door behind them.
Picard knelt beside Millana, who was clutching her midriff. He reached to take her shoulders but she thrust him aside. "You will not touch our royal person."
"So it's true."
"Yes, it's true." Millana panted and straightened, overcoming the pain. "You understand now why you should have killed me. But it makes no difference anymore. Either my father will ransom me, and the Exxans will have enough dilithium to power their lasers forever, or I will be murdered while my family watches. Oh, Jean-Luc, I'm so sorry." The tears began flowing down her face. "I wanted to trust you, I wanted to tell you, but I've been hiding for so long, I…"
"I think I have a way out of here," Picard whispered, letting her catch a glimpse of the pass key. Her eyes lit up.
"The serving women pass this corridor at regular intervals," Millana said, suddenly snapping out of her tears. "If we can steal their robes, we could make it to the shuttle bay."
"The sooner the better, I think."
"Aye, Captain."