Chapter Eleven

As the Enterprise approached Earth the tension on the bridge rose. Riker had informed Starfleet that they needed to return to their home planet. He had not gone into details although they had pushed. He was sure that they were going to be met by Vance and others when they arrived. Picard had decided that he should keep a low profile and only reveal himself to the Council. Riker had requested a full Council session along with Admiral Vance and his senior staff. Rumours he was sure would be rife within Starfleet with the unexpected return of the Enterprise. He had no doubt that the general public who kept up with the goings on in Starfleet along with the ambassadors of the various planets and civilizations. This was going to have fallout of that he had no doubt but he felt with this plan he could limit it. He pictured Vance trying desperately trying to find out what the meeting was about and why the Enterprise was home. He had tried to use his position to get Riker to tell him, but to his credit Will had stood his ground. Picard stood to one side of the bridge watching the officers bring the ship into dock. They were skilled at their job and the Enterprise floated seamlessly into her berth.

"All stop engines." Riker ordered.

"Aye sir. All stop engines." Wesley Crusher said.

Picard was very proud of the young man. He had become an excellent officer, despite his troubles early on in his academy days. He smiled to himself as he thought of those days many years ago. Wesley Crusher had become an asset to Starfleet and Picard had no doubt that one day he too would Captain his own ship. If, he reminded himself soberly there was a Starfleet to serve.

Riker was going about the business of the ship, organising the disembarking of all the crew and their families. Only the senior bridge crew and those who knew of Picard's presence would remain on board. No Starfleet officers or Council representatives would be allowed on board. This had been difficult to achieve, however Riker had the power to prevent anyone coming aboard no matter whom or what they were. This Picard was sure was adding fuel to the fire of curiosity he was sure was burning in many minds. The only way to get him into the Council chamber would be to beam him in once the session had started and the doors to the outside were closed. Riker would signal him when it was time.

"Sir I have Chief Council Valoren of the Federation Council for you." Worf grunted from his position at the communications console.

Riker glanced over at Picard who nodded slightly as he moved out of the field of vision.

"Councillor Valoren." Riker greeted the image that appeared on screen.

"Captain Riker. The council is ready to meet. Admiral Vance and his senior advisors are also present in the chambers. As you requested the chambers are cleared of all others." Valoren stated

"Very well Councillor, we will be there shortly."

"Captain Riker, I do not know what this is about, but you have stirred up quite some commotion here. Admiral Vance is extremely angry at your lack of cooperation and I might well say the Council themselves are perplexed by your actions."

"I understand Councillor and I promise that all will be made clear at the meeting. I cannot divulge anything until then."

"Very well Captain. We will expect you in the Council chambers within half an hour."

"We will be there sir." Riker replied nodding at Worf to indicate he should cut the link.

"Well Captain, are you ready for your resurrection?" Riker asked turning to Picard.

Admiral Richard Vance was a big man in height and girth. He had been in the service of Starfleet for his entire adult life. He had grown up in Starfleet. His mother and father had been faithful servants to the organisation and it was just natural that he had entered the service. Although he did not have the skills necessary to rise to the position of Captain of a Starship he was a gifted diplomat and administrator. He was an ambitious man that would do anything that needed doing to attain his goals. His main goal had been to reach the top echelon of Starfleet. He had worked his way up the administrative ranks eventually reaching he position he now held. After he had been instrumental in getting the Cardassian Peace Treaty signed his popularity and power had increased and a year later he had attained the highest position possible. Now he was a worried man. The Enterprise had returned to Earth unscheduled and he had been summoned to the Federation High Council for a meeting. He was not told what the meeting was about, merely that his presence along with those of his senior staff was required. That it had something to do with the Enterprise he had no doubt. Riker had been evasive if not outright hostile to him when he had tried to contact them previously. He was also not forgetting that the Enterprise had been missing in action for a few weeks prior to their announcement that they were returning to Earth. His thoughts wondered to his last meeting with Riker, when he had told him of Picard's demise. Picard. This could have nothing to do with him. Picard was dead, Zaveer was dead. Yet as unlikely as it seemed, that voice inside Vance's head was screaming at him that this had everything to do with Picard. Even if it did, he reasoned, they could not connect him with anything. He had made contingency plans those many years ago to cover himself if Picard's fate ever became known. But now five years later he had fallen into a comfortable life. He regretted what he had had to do but in his mind it was necessary. A necessary evil he had told himself. Now he stood here in the Federation Chambers waiting anxiously to see what the Enterprise and Riker had in store for them all.

Will Riker along with Beverly and Wesley Crusher; Data and Deanna Troi entered the chambers. Their entrance brought a silence to the room, all eyes focused on them. Councillor Valoren broke the silence by welcoming them to the Chamber and asking them to present their reasons for calling the meeting. Riker acknowledge the welcome on behalf of the group then touched his communicator alerting the waiting Picard it was time.

As the glow of the transporter gave way to the figure of its occupant the room erupted. Disbelief and confusion showed on their faces as recognition came to them. Only one face showed fear and Picard focused on him.

"What's wrong Richard, didn't expect to see me ever again did you? Well here I am."