Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: The Next Generation or any of the show's characters. Other characters not affiliated with the show are my own creation and do belong to me. Thank you.

A/N: I apologize for the delay. I've been very busy at work and had little time for reviewing and editing. But now things have calmed down and I can get back to this fic! I hope you all continue to enjoy. Thank you!

Guest: Sorry for the delay, but here is the next chapter!

When the vehicle came to a stop, Picard took the opportunity to glance at his people. Even though they were clearly exhausted, they looked determined. For a moment he thought that perhaps it would be best if they stayed at the perimeter, but he knew if he suggested it none would accept. With the exception of Lt. Worf, none of the team were overly skilled with the weapons they'd been provided, which could prove challenging in what could possibly transpire. Picard could fence, but fencing required more finesse and usually was only a two-person dual. Straight forward melee style combat was intrinsically different.

He decided to at least give them the opportunity. "I have no issues if any of you need to stay here and believe me, it would not be held against any of you."

Each of his officers shook their heads in refusal, just as Picard knew they would. With a nod, he said, "Understood."

He caught Prazak studying him. The General had removed his cloak, but wore both his swords on his belt. His cat was next to him. As the ramp to the vehicle lowered, the augment kept his eyes locked on Picard.

And when the ramp thudded into the snow, Prazak rolled his shoulders. "Follow me." He turned and exited without another word. Zoja followed.

Darkness made the air feel even colder. Stepping out of the vehicle, Picard willed his body not to shiver. It was difficult, but be maintained his composure.

They'd arrived at the edge of a forest. The trees, a species similar to oaks, were crusted with ice and snow. Peering beyond, all Picard saw was darkness.

His mind conjured up images of old Earth fairy tales where evil and magical beings alike existed in places such as these. Picard couldn't help wondering if they'd stumble upon some forgotten trail of bread crumbs or a ramshackle house inhabited by an ancient witch. The thought made him smirk.

Glancing about, Picard saw a few soldiers moving silently between the vehicles. He assumed the ones that had arrived earlier were somewhere nearby. Or else that had already moved ahead to scout.

He got his answer when the third augment, Colonel Marking, appeared from the darkened wood line to join his friends.

Inclining his head, Picard motioned for the rest of his crew to follow. A few steps later, they joined the three augments.

"What have you discovered, Colonel?" Prazak was asking in a hushed tone.

Even in the dark, Picard could see the scowl on the shorter man's face. "I took two scouts with me to the coordinates they provided." He nodded a little at Picard and his people. "There's nothing there."

"That can't be." Riker scoffed. "Are you sure you looked in the right place?"

Marking's scowl deepened. "Are you questioning my abilities and those of my scouts, Commander?"

Prazak turned to look at Riker, then directed his words to Picard. "Colonel Marking is the Scouts' Commander for a reason, Captain. He and his people are the best."

"So we do nothing then?" Picard asked with a huff. "I cannot accept that."

"I did not say that, Captain." Prazak gestured at his friends. "We will take you there to see for yourself."

"Thank you, General." Picard nodded.

"We move out in five minutes. Be ready." Prazak stepped away from the Starfleet officers; Herschel and Marking following right behind.

Picard eyed the three men for a moment then turned back to his team. "Thoughts?"

"I do not like it," Worf growled. "However, we must do what we must."

Picard nodded. "Agreed. Everyone stick close."

Riker added to the Captain's words. "Watch each other's backs. We're still not entirely sure if these men are as trustworthy as they've made themselves appear to be."

"They did give us weapons." Dr. Crusher pointed out.

"Still be cautious." Riker frowned.

Picard turned to Counselor Troi. "Deanna?"

Troi blinked and turned her eyes to Picard. He noted that she had been watching the augments. "I'm still inclined to trust them, Captain."

Riker opened his mouth to protest, but Picard stopped him with a raised hand.

Deanna continued. "I agree, they are not happy about being out here right now, but I do not sense any malice or nefarious intents from any of them. What I do sense is an uneasiness amongst them in regards to us. Almost as if they believe that no matter what they do, we'll still try to detain them. It's the strongest with Prazak, however he's more concerned about the well-being of his friends than his own."

"I wonder why a man that has a sense of duty and loyalty so ingrained into his psyche cannot seem to understand our position," Riker quipped. "He's a military man after all. He should understand following orders."

Deanna sighed heavily, shaking her head.

Picard assimilated the information. Prazak returned. Slowly he unsheathed both his swords. The deliberate movements ensuring neither made a sound as they came free. Flipping the longsword in his palm, Picard assumed he did it for show, Prazak pursued his lips together. "Take a moment and breathe deeply. Inhale through your noses."

Brow furrowed, Picard did as Prazak instructed. When he exhaled he looked at Prazak.

"Do you smell it?" Prazak asked.

Picard glanced as his officers. Each nodded. Picard's nose curled a little. "Yes. It's faint, but foul."

"It is the Ti'hi," Prazak replied. "The Ti'hi and their beasts. They are here. In the forest. Once we enter the woods, do not make a sound. Do not wander off. Stay with the group. If you stray, we cannot protect you. Understand?"

Picard kept his eyes locked on the General. "Yes."

Prazak spun his sword in his grip again and smiled a little. "Then follow me."

When they reached the site, Prazak went down to one knee, crossing his blades in front of him as he did. He had Marking on his right side and Captain Picard on his left. Herschel and the Starfleet officers were close behind them and the rest of the soldiers spread out to take up observation positions. Zoja had remained at the vehicles with the perimeter guards.

For that Prazak was glad. He still hadn't shaken the feeling of dread. Even without her armor, Zoja was a dangerous beast, but she was just as susceptible as her human and Sardis counterparts to attacks. Andrej hadn't had time to retrieve the cat's armor for her, so when he'd ordered the animal to stay back, she'd whined, but obeyed.

Barely speaking above a whisper, Marking said, "This is the spot."

Prazak nodded as he studied the area. They'd come upon a patch of open space within the forest. His enhanced vision helped him spot a large, frozen over pond stretched out near the far side of where they'd stopped. Covered in snow, the sheen of ice was hidden, but the slight dip of the surrounding shore told Prazak it was definitely a considerable sized body of water. Between the open ground and the pond, a shuttle craft could have landed here at some point, but if it had, it was long gone.

Prazak raised an eyebrow towards Picard. "Captain?"

Picard was frowning while checking his tricorder device. "These are the correct coordinates. I don't understand. The beacon is still active and indicating right here in this vicinity."

Prazak stared back into the darkness. Without turning his head, he asked Marking. "Did you discover any holes?"

"Holes?" Picard wanted to know.

Prazak held back his annoyance. "The Ti'hi prefer to live underground. We rescued your officers from one of their underground caverns. We call them holes."

"No hole is big enough for a shuttle, Andrej," Marking protested.

With a jerk of his chin, Prazak asked, "Could it be beneath the pond?"

"I mean, that's possible," Marking stated. "Highly unlikely, but possible. If that's the case, it'll take more effort to find it and retrieve it."

"What if it's not beneath the water? What if they disassembled it? Scavenged it and took it underground?" Prazak threw back.

"That's not easy," Picard stated.

"They'd have had decades to do it," Prazak remarked. "John, have your scouts spread out and start searching for Ti'hi holes."

Marking nodded and slinked away. Prazak watched him go until he could no longer see his friend in the darkness. The stillness of the forest disturbed him and as he waited quietly, patiently, he found himself once again wondering where his sudden easiness had come from.

Keeping his eyes trained to pick up any movements, he listened for any sounds that could signal an ambush. He heard nothing.

Her voice entered his mind. Are you nervous?

Without looking back at the Counselor, he replied, I am concerned.

Captain Picard is a good man. He will do the right thing, Andrej.

I do not question his character. He has proven himself honorable. Even by adhering to your higher command's orders. However, as I said, I will not leave this planet under arrest.

I will do what I can to help you, Andrej. I promise you that.

Do not sacrifice your position for me, Deanna.

Do you trust me, Andrej?

He hesitated in his reply. He needed to choose his words carefully. It is more than trust.

She didn't answer him. He wondered if he'd gone too far. The night they had spent with each other, he'd said things that perhaps made her uncomfortable. Things above love. Did he really love her? At this point, he wasn't entirely sure that he did not.

Don't be a fool, he said to himself. Even if you do, you know Sa was right. Deanna will leave. Cut your losses now and forget about her.

Needing a distraction from his own thoughts, he turned to glance at Picard. The starship Captain was fiddling with his tricorder device.

"How many worlds make up your Federation, Captain?" he asked.

He saw Picard blink. "Hundreds."

Prazak nodded a little. "When I first met Mister Seven, I did not believe he was from another world. Or at least raised and trained on another world by some alien race. How could I? No one believed such things during those times. Not until I saw his traveling device, his servo, and the things he could do did I finally start to believe."

"It took humans much longer to advance before being recognized by otherworldly beings. Some believe that it was the near destruction of Earth during World War III that finally awoke the human race. The Eugenic Wars was the predecessor to that final World War."

"No man is innocent, Captain," Prazak admitted. "However, my intentions were always honorable and in defense of good. Some of us recognized that evil within Khan. We lived it and we vowed to stop it."

Picard's eyes shifted. "Counselor Troi informed me that you showed her things from your past. Reprehensible things that Khan did to you."

"I cannot change the past, Captain," Prazak sighed. "I can only fight to change the future. My people and I were given a second chance after we were forced to flee Earth. A second chance to make positive changes in these people's lives. Unfortunately, the war we found here has never ended. Sure, there have been periods of relative calm, but never ultimate peace."

"I believe your cause is admirable, General," Picard stated quietly. "But why here? Why this planet? Did Seven send you here on purpose?"

"You have many questions, don't you, Captain?" Prazak smirked.

Picard chuckled softly. "That is an understatement."

"In due time, Captain," Prazak remarked. "For now, Colonel Marking has returned."

Prazak smiled inwardly when Picard's eyebrows raised. He obviously had not heard Marking's approach which was testament not only to the Colonel's inherent abilities as an augment, but his skills as a trained scout.

Marking went down to one knee in the snow in front of both men, but directed his report to Prazak. "We found an entrance. They are getting better at hiding them, just like the one by the Frozen Lake where we found the Starfleet officers." He turned his head to look back over his shoulder. "You see that jumble of low hills at the far end of the pond?"

"No," Picard mumbled, pushing his head forward and straining to see.

Prazak smiled at the Captain's attempt. Looking off in the direction indicated, Prazak spotted the hills in question. "Yes, I see them."

"That is their entrance," Marking replied.

"I didn't know augments could see in the dark," Picard chuckled a bit.

"There's a lot about us you do not know," Prazak replied lightly.

"So it would seem," Picard mused.

Prazak returned his attention to his friend, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. "Good work. What else?"

"It's fairly large," Marking stated, "but not large enough for a shuttlecraft."

"So it's either in the pond or they did scavenge it," Picard said with a hint of astonishment.

Prazak exchanged a look with Marking, who simply shrugged in return. "We're ready to infiltrate whenever you are, Andrej."

Prazak set his jaw. "We'll move in first. Ensure your people are ready to follow."

The sudden change in temperature and lighting hit Picard like a hammer. Standing next to and a step behind Prazak, he blinked several times to help his eyes focus.

The interior chamber of the cavern was empty, but the stench was strong. The rock walls were relatively smooth, as was the dirt covered floor. As they moved deeper into the underground hideout, Picard noticed spots along the walls were smeared with a blackish sludge. In other areas he saw scraps of tattered rags along the ground. Even bones.

Beverly nudged against his arm, tricorder held out in one hand. "Those bones. I can't identify them."

Prazak's head turned back, a scowl on his face. Between gritted teeth, he hissed, "They are animal bones. Keep the noise down, something feels amiss."

Picard gave Beverly a comforting nod. With a glance back at the rest of his crew, he saw they were all tense. On alert. The other two augments brought up the rear along with three of the soldiers. The rest had remained outside, either at the vehicles on the edge of the forest or just outside the entrance to the Ti'hi caves.

Moving deeper, the tunnel began to widen, opening up into another large chamber. Prazak waved his left arm out, stopping their movements by blocking them with his short sword.

"What does your device say now?" he asked Picard with a hushed tone.

An examination of the tricorder showed Picard the beacon was still transmitting and hadn't moved. Calculating in his head, he nodded across the open cavern. "Approximately two hundred meters straight ahead."

"Stay here." Prazak ordered. He waved Herschel forward. "You and I will traverse ahead."

"Okay." Herschel nodded.

Picard shook his head. "No. We're coming too."

"I appreciate your concern, Captain," Prazak replied. "But this is my operation. Not yours. If the way is clear, we will call you forward."

Picard wasn't hearing it. "Lt. Worf will go with you."

Prazak's eyes traveled between Picard and Worf then back to Picard. "Fine."

Without making a sound, Prazak moved into the chamber. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. This didn't feel right. He'd never been inside a Ti'hi hole that was so large and vast, yet completely deserted.

"This feels like a trap, Andrej," Herschel whispered.

Prazak nodded and tightened his grips on both his weapons.

"We should move as quickly as possible," Word suggested.

"Agreed," Prazak remarked evenly.

The far reaches of the cavern were cloaked in shadows. As they hurried across the area Prazak kept his head on a swivel. He saw no movement or any other signs that would indicate creatures were lurking just out of their fields of vision. But the feeling of unease remained.

When they reached the wall at the far end, Prazak discovered a door hidden in the crevices. Motioning to Herschel, he indicated what he needed his friend to do. As Herschel moved into position, Prazak pressed his back against the wall. To Worf he said, "Be ready. Follow right behind me."

When Worf gave a curt nod in return, Prazak looked at Herschel. Moving forward, the blonde General raised his leg and bashed his heavy boot into the creases of the door. Even though it was made of stone, Herschel's strength made the door buckle and cave inward as if it was nothing more than a thing sheet of plastic.

Swiftly, Prazak swept into the room. About half the size of the outer chamber, it was lit by a few random torches along the walls.

The first signs of life they'd encountered since entering the hole, lept to their feet at Prazak's entrance.

Two medium sized Ti'hi had been seated at a rotting table. Startled by the sudden entrance, they reached for their weapons and scrambled forward.

Prazak made quick work of the one closet to him. As the creature thrust his crudely made spear towards his midsection, Prazak brought his swords down, catching the shaft of the Ti'hi weapon. Twisting his wrists, the swords snapped the wood in half. Pivoting, Andrej repositioned his feet, closed the distance between himself and his adversary and rammed the cat's head pommel of his longsword into the Ti'hi's nasal cavity. A sickening crunch echoed off the walls as the Ti'hi's bones crushed inward. Flipping the longsword once again, Prazak spun and sliced through the creature's upper arm and halfway through his chest. Blood gushed from the gaping wound as Prazak lifted his boot and rammed it into the deceased creature, freeing his sword from its body as it crumpled to the floor.

Turning towards the other Ti'hi, Prazak paused and lowered his weapons. Worf was currently battling the Ti'hi, who had come at the Klingon with a short sword. Prazak admired the Klingon's skill as he grunted, dropped into a crouch and then brought his blade up between the Ti'hi's legs. The startled creature wailed in agony, but only for a moment, before he hit the ground and died.

With a smirk, Prazak gestured at the corpse with his sword. "Well done."

Worf bared his teeth. "No challenge."

"A few by themselves are not much of a match," Herschel said as he passed between the two men, stepping around the pooling blood. "Its when there are many that the battle becomes noteworthy."

"Spoken like a true intel man." Prazak laughed.

Herschel rolled his eyes as he examined the table where the Ti'hi had been seated. On top of the table were two cups filled halfway with some liquid, metal plates with stinking food, and a handful of small painted rocks.

"What are the rocks?" Worf wanted to know.

"A game," Prazak explained. "They play it to pass the time. Most commonly found among bored foot soldiers and jailers."

"These two appeared to be the latter." Hershel picked up a ring of keys that had fallen to the floor when the Ti'hi had been surprised.

Prazak turned his attention back to the room. The distant end was partially illuminated by the torches, making the swaying shadows dance eerily. Stepping towards the darkness, three more doors came into view. These one, however, were not solid. They had bars set into them where a window would usually be.

The first two were unoccupied, but peering through the last, Prazak saw movement. Something, or someone, huddled in the back corner of the cell.

"Someone's in here," he announced. "Signal Colonel Marking."

Herschel tossed the keys to Worf then moved back to the door he'd kicked in earlier.

As Worf found the appropriate key and jammed it into the cell's lock, Marking and the rest of the Starfleet personnel arrived, along with one of the soldiers arrived. The other two had stayed back to guard the corridor.

Worf pulled the door open and Prazak stepped inside at the same moment that Picard joined him.

"Who are you?" Prazak asked the figure in the native Sardis tongue.

The form didn't respond, but pressed itself further against the wall.

Taking another step forward, Prazak lowered his voice and spoke again. "We won't hurt you. Come out of the dark."

The Starfleet doctor joined them and Prazak moved to the side. He'd not yet sheathed his swords, ready in case this was all an elaborate ruse.

Doctor Crusher tapped on her tricorder. "Jean-Luc, a human. A human male."

Picard glanced towards Prazak and the General simply shrugged. Cautiously, Picard and Crusher moved as one. "We're from Starfleet. We're here to help. We picked up a distress beacon. Did you activate it?"

The man scooted back once more, but then leaned forward. His visage barely visible in the dim light provided by the open cell door. He looked old, perhaps in his late fifties, but it was difficult to tell from the amount of grime that was caked into his face and scraggily hair. He also had a bushy, dirty beard, brown but with a number of streaks of grey.

"Who?" the man's voice was hoarse.

Crusher waved the man forward. "Sir, I'm a doctor. Please come into the light. We won't hurt you. We're here to help you."

"Captain, you need to hurry," Prazak stated through pursed lips. "We're still in enemy territory."

Picard frowned, but nodded. "Beverly?"

The Doctor shook her head.

Picard glanced back over his shoulder. "Counselor?"

Troi took a few steps into the cell and stood next to Prazak. "He's frightened. Terrified." She glanced at teh General. "He's scared of you. Your weapons. You know this."

Prazak huffed. "I will not sheath my weapons until we are safely back to our vehicles. Nor will any of my soldiers. Tell him we will not harm him, Captain."

Again Picard frowned, but directed his attention to the man in the corner. "My name is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. You have my word, no one here will harm you. These men are soldiers come to rescue you. They won't hurt you."

Prazak watched as Picard's assurance seemed to get through to the captive. He shuffled forward and pushed himself to his feet. His legs wobbled and Crusher lunged forward to grab the man's arm. His clothing was as filthy as his body and he smelled almost as foul as the creatures that held him prisoner.

"I've got you." Crusher soothed.

Picard grabbed the man's other arm to steady him and lead him towards the exit. "What is your name?"

"Name? I…" the man shook his head.

"Captain, we should hold our questions till we get him out of here," Crusher suggested.

Prazak turned to lead the way, but was stopped when the prisoner yelped and pulled back against the two officers that held him. His eyes went wide and he shook violently as he stared at Prazak.

"Specter," he muttered in fright.

Prazak grunted and stepped out of the room. He had no time to sooth the ravings of a madman whose mind appeared colluded by Ti'hi folklore.

In the chamber, Prazak found his two friends. "It seems they found their missing shuttlecraft operator. We have to get out of here. I still can't shake this foreboding feeling."

"I have the same feeling," Marking grunted.

When the Starfleet personnel stepped out of the cell, Commander Riker stepped in for Picard.

"Let's get out of here," Prazak stated.

"There may be others," Picard protested.

Prazak couldn't hide his annoyance any longer. Yet, before he could speak, the man shook his head. "No others. Only me. I'm all that's left. The others died."

"Where is your ship?" Riker asked.

"No idea," he replied.

"You didn't activate the beacon?" Riker questioned next.

The man shook his head, but said no more as exhaustion seemed to overtake him.

"I don't care about a ship or some damn beacon," Prazak growled. "He says there are no more people. We're leaving. Now."

He didn't wait for any more protests. Spinning on his heel, he motioned to the soldier who immediately took up a position at the door. He peered out, signaled across the expanse then stepped out.

The rest of the group followed. It was slower going with the prisoner, who they kept in the center of the movement, but eventually they crossed the expanse and made it back to the entrance of the hole. They'd yet to see another Ti'hi besides the two that were in the jailers area.

Stepping out into the cold, Prazak moved to the side so the others could exit.

When they were all out, he inclined his chin in the direction of the perimeter where Zoja, the rest of the soldiers, and the vehicles waited. It would be even slower going through the dark forest now that they had the emasculated prisoner to protect.

"Move out," he ordered.

They'd only taken a few steps when the actual attack happened.

To Be Continued….