HEY READERS! Thank you so much for all the reviews! I apologise for the late posting of this chapter, got a bit of writers block and struggled to find time to write it. But bear with for the rest, and keep reading and reviewing. ENJOY!
Chapter 14
The Road to War
Picard and Beverley finished their conversation without saying anything more, although they both clearly wished they could say more. Once he had finished packing, he was in the middle of loading up to the shuttle when his communicator went off;
"Riker to Picard"
Picard sighed as he stood back up from his previous position of leaning over the console, and tapped his communicator;
"Picard here"
"I hope you're not ready to leave yet Captain, we are receiving a distress signal from Penarus V. It seems Regent Andrews is still alive and in need of assistance."
"On my way" Picard replied and left the shuttle heading for the bridge. As much as he knew his first officer could hand the situation alone, he had a duty to help when they receive a distress signal.
"Let's hear it" Picard said as soon as he stepped onto the bridge. Riker who was standing in the centre of the bridge, stepped aside slightly as the Captain joined him.
"We received the message just 10 minutes ago." Riker said as the image filled the screen. It was crackled, but recognisable as Regent Andrews. He appeared injured, but at least he was still alive.
"Enterprise. Captain Picard, the Resistors are growing in numbers and the virus is reaching catastrophic numbers. Please there are few of us able to continue fighting, we need assistance. NOW." The message then ended and view screen resume picture of the stars.
"How long until we reach Penarus V?"
"We will be in hailing and transporter range in left than an hour." Data replied
Picard nodded; "Number One, Worf, Mr Data prepare to beam down to the planet, and have Le Forge and Dr Crusher meet you in transporter room 2 when you get into contact with Regent Andrews. I will join you shortly." Picard finished and turned to leave
"Sir?" Riker questioned
"You have the bridge Number One."
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An hour later Riker, Worf, Data, Geordi and Dr Crusher were all in Transporter room 2, with phasers and tricorders waiting to beam down. They had discovered a small group of surviving Penarons with Regent Andrews sheltering in a small cave.
Suddenly, Captain Picard walked in appearing determined and immediately stepped onto the transporter and said "Energise" as he drew his weapon. The rest of the away team exchanged glances before following suit as the blue energy surrounded them. A moment later they all appeared in a small dark cave.
"Captain Picard?" The away team all swung around and pointed their phasers at the approaching figure from deeper in the cave.
"Regent Andrews" Riker said lowering his weapon, followed by Picard, as the figure stepped into the light. The others however stayed alert.
Dr Crusher immediately rushed to his aide, seeing him injured; "You need to sit down and let me examine you." She said as she opened her tricorder, but he waved her off.
"You have to treat the others first." He said shaking his head as he motioned for them to follow him
"You mentioned them in your message, but you weren't clear on.." Riker trailed off as they walked into a large opening in the centre of the cave, where the ceiling was about 3 storeys high, and the walls were circular creating a circular type space, containing ledges jutting out in parts of the wall. Filling up the cave space were people, or Penarons of all types – men, women and children.
"How many-?" Beverley asked stunned peering sideways at Andrews who stood next to her, on the large ledge about 2 metres above the rest of the people.
"When the Resistors stormed the Great Hall I was hurt badly, and about to be killed. When a group of armed civilians rescued me" Andrews said and smiled at a few men who looked up at him, before returning to their families. "After that we fled, here, to the caves. There are over 5,000 of us in these caves alone." Andrews said as he begun to descend the stone steps to the crowd of people, to which the away team followed, and then Beverley had Data and Geordi help her with treating patients, whilst Picard, Riker and Worf stayed with Andrews.
"Most Penarons don't know about these caves," Andrews continued; "they were sealed off after the technological age, 500 years ago. But rumour has it they belonged to one of the factions in the civil war over 2,000 years ago, they contain tunnels running underground throughout the city and most of the planet. Luckily, the Resistors don't know about the tunnels, so we were able to take refuge here until you arrived." When Andrews finished he caught Picard's gaze
"What's the situation on the surface?" Picard said trying not to look at the children clearing suffering around him, both from the virus and from injuries. The away team were lucky that the virus didn't affect humans.
"I've sent scouts to the surface who report the Resistors have taken over the Great Hall and the armouries. There's about 200 of them in the Great Hall, I don't know about the rest of the city though."
"What about weapons?" Riker asked
"The weapons we have are all we could salvage before going into hiding, not much but it might be enough to take back the Great Hall. With help." Andrews said glancing both at Riker and Picard
"Doctor" Picard said calling Beverley back over
"From just initial scans it's likely that they all have a strain of the virus." Picard saw Andrews expression darken and saw what he himself had been feeling himself, ever since Wesley was taken.
"How serious is it?" Riker asked
"My estimate is we only have a few hours before we start seeing more casualties of this virus. Request permission to beam the vaccines down to the planet, along with a medical team." Beverley said to Picard, and as much as she was trying to remain focused on the problem at hand, he could see her struggling to keep her emotions in check.
"First I want to make sure the area is secure. Mr Worf;" Worf stood to attention;
"Sir"
"Get your security team to search the tunnels for any of these Resistors, and secure the cave." Picard then turned back to Beverley; "Once they've given the ok, beam the vaccines down." Worf and Beverley nodded and walked away. Picard watched her go, wishing and wanting to do more, he wanted nothing more than to comfort her, but it was neither the time or place, and certainly not his place to.
"Captain?" Riker snapped Picard out of his thoughts and back to the situation; "What do we do about the Resistors?"
"We need to find a way to negotiate with them. Do you know who's in charge? Can you get a message to their leader?" Picard asked Andrews
"You can't negotiate with them, they're animals!" Another man snapped,
"He's right Captain. These people only know violence, and force. The only option is to fight."
"After 100 years of war, you would think your people had seen enough bloodshed. There is always an alternative to war." Picard countered quite forcefully, to which he was met with silence by everyone.
"Tusan. Their leader is a man called Tusan. Do you truly believe you can get him to listen to you?" Andrews said sceptically, but at the moment Picard felt like he could, growing frustrated at the fact he was being kept from looking for Wesley. Reckless, he was sure would be the word Counsellor Troi would be saying right now, and perhaps she would be right. But he truly believed he could get the Resistors to negotiate, this whole crisis evolved from the virus. Now they have the vaccines, it should be quite easy to get them to surrender, he was sure they were simply scared and panicked. A feeling he understood all too well.
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"Captain are you sure about this?" Riker asked for about the 10th time since Picard had decided to pay a visit to Tusan in the Grand Hall; "We don't know who this Tusan is, and he's armed. He could kill you on sight."
"He could, but he won't." Picard said confidently, to Riker perhaps overconfident
"Captain, I know the situation with Wesley has been difficult for all of us, but your behaviour lately..and going to Denbar Prime alone..." Riker seemed to trail off which made Picard look at him. Riker seemed to take a deep breathe; "Troi warned me that you may act reckless and if you did I should-"
Picard held up his hand and Riker stopped; "Number One. Will. I appreciate yours and the councillors concerns, but I am not acting reckless. I know Tusan will not shoot me, because of his actions." At the confusion on Riker's face, Picard continued; "They haven't actually killed anyone. Andrews told me the other council members were killed by the virus which would have clearly set off a panic. Tusan and his men, whilst they hurt civilians, which is unacceptable, they have not killed anyone. That shows me they aren't murderers, but just scared. They will negotiate. I'll be fine Will."
Riker relaxed after hearing the Captain's determination and reasoning. He had to admit, he himself was feeling rattled slightly.
"Captain, we're ready for you." Andrews said walking over to the two officers. Picard patted Riker's shoulder before following Andrews. They had walked deeper into the cave, through a number of tunnels before stopping at one large, dark tunnel. Andrews pointed at the tunnel; "This will take us just outside the Great Hall." Picard nodded after peering down the tunnel. He wasn't afraid of the dark per se, but he did try and avoid going down dark tunnels.
"The Captain and I will proceed alone, wait here until you here from us." Picard was listening to Andrew's conversation to one of his men, and he heard his hesitation; "If you don't hear from us within the next hour you know what to do." The man nodded
"Here" Picard looked up and saw Andrews passing him a torch, lit with a fire. He held it and felt its weight before bending down to enter the tunnel.
It was a few minutes of silence as both men navigated the tunnel, before Andrews eventually spoke. It almost made Picard jump as he had nearly forgot he was behind him.
"So Captain, what's it like to command a big starship?"
"Oh erm, it's life changing."
"Life changing?" Picard heard Andrews murmur, then chuckle; "You know from the great Captain Picard, I assumed I would get more than just 'life changinig'. I guess Starfleet isn't all it's cracked up to be."
Picard sighed; "I just have a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?" Andrews asked and Picard didn't answer. He didn't know what to say
"Guess not" Picard heard
Picard stopped in place for a moment; "One of my crew members was kidnapped." He said, listening for Andrews footsteps, but couldn't hear them as he too had stopped
"I'm sorry." There was a pause; "By who?"
"Someone who was not who I thought he was." Picard said bitterly
"This crew member, what's their name?"
"Wesley. His name's Wesley. And he's just a kid, 18." Picard scoffed. He knew that 18 was borderline adult, but it was hard to see Wesley as an adult.
"We're here" Andrews announced and Picard looked up to see a blinding light in front of him, he had been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed.
Andrews stepped in front of him as they exited the cave into a courtyard. There were walls about 12 feet high all around them, and a huge palace like building in front of them.
"Come on, this way." Andrews said leading him around the building and into a side entrance.
"Ok Captain so what's the plan?" Andrews said as soon as they were inside. Picard listened for some voices and headed towards them. At the end of the corridor stood two men with large guns, wearing protective gear.
"I surrender" Picard announced as he came around the corner with his hands up.
"What-?" Andrews said shocked as he watched the two guards raise their guns at him
"Identify yourself!" One barked at Picard
"Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the federation Starship Enterprise. I've come to see Tusan, about negotiating."
Both guards exchanged glances, and Andrews muttered; "To hell with it" And stepped forward
"You know who I am?" He said to the guards
"Regent Andrews" They replied; "Tusan has been looking for you."
"Well here I am" Andrews replied, and the two guards led Picard and Andrews into the Great Hall.
Inside stood more men with guns, Picard immediately figure out the ringleader, as the one with no gun. He was bending over someone in one of the chairs
"Tusan!" One of Picard's captors yelled and Picard was right, as the man lifted his head and caught Picard's glance
"Regent Andrews, finally!" Tusan said smiling at Andrews. Picard however was looking at the small boy crumpled up in the chair, he was clearly ill.
"And who are you?" Tusan said as he approached Picard with a scrutinizing gaze
"Captain Picard of the federation Starship Enterprise. I've come here to negotiate."
"Negotiate?" Tusan said and laughed, as did his men; "Why would I want to do that? I have everything I want." Tusan exclaimed raising his arms at the Great Hall
"This isn't going to end well unless you negotiate. It's only going to result in a war."
"So be it." Tusan said firmly
"I don't believe you really want that." Picard objected
"Oh really?" Tusan said amused
"You don't really want a war, you didn't actually want to hurt anyone. You were just scared, with the virus spreading and the council members dying, you panicked. All of you." Picard said gesturing around the room; "It's understandable for you to panic, but you haven't actually killed anyone, which tells me that this isn't really what you want." Picard said gingerly stepping forward and searching Tusan's expression
Tusan surged forward and held his gun at Picard's temple; "And how would you know what I want?!" He barked; "How could you possibly understand what it's like to watch your child dying and there's nothing you can do about it? Do you have children?" Picard may not have children, but his mind immediately went to Wesley, and how he was possibly the closest Picard had to a son; "Then how could you possibly understand?"
Andrews felt his pulse quicken and tried to help Picard, when he himself had a gun pushed against his chest.
"Actually I do. I understand what it's like to watch someone I care about be in serious danger and be helpless to stop it." Picard admitted and for a moment Tusan hesitated
"Tusan, we can negotiate, we can give you what you want." Andrews rambled seeing an opportunity
"What could you possibly have that I would want?" Tusan said glaring at Andrews
"Your son." Picard uttered and Tusan's glare turned back to him; "We can cure your son."
Picard gesture at the boy in the chair; "He is your son? And he has the virus?" When Tusan didn't reply, Picard took it as confirmation
"My people have developed a cure for the virus, which we can give your son."
Tusan fell back a few steps letting Picard go but not breaking eye contact, as he searched the Captain's eyes for a tell for a lie; "I don't believe you." Tusan said hesitantly
"I can have my people beam me one of the vials of vaccines."
"And in return?" Tusan asked suspiciously; "What do you want?"
"You agree to negotiate." Picard said simply
"Right. And if I don't, you let my son die!" Tusan yelled
"No." Picard said shaking his head
"You're lying"
"He's telling the truth Tusan" Andrews objected
Tusan merely shook his had
"I can prove it." Picard said hitting his communicator; "Number One beam me one of the vials of the vaccine."
"Captain?" Riker said confused over the communicator
"Just do it." Picard said firmly and before Tusan and his men could react a vial of the vaccine was beamed onto the floor in front of Picard. When Picard bent down to pick it up, Tusan's men aimed their guns at him. So Picard withdrew and held up his hands
"See for yourself" Picard said stepping back, and slowly Tusan approached it and picked it up.
"How do I know this is really the vaccine?" Tusan narrowed his eyes at Picard; "How do I know this isn't some kind of trick?"
"Then you can kill us." Picard said and Andrews eyes widened
Tusan stared at Picard for a few moments before handing the vial to one of his men, who injected it into Tusan's son.
"How long until it works?" Tusan asked, keeping his gaze on his son
"It should be instantaneous." Picard replied
The hall felt silent as everyone held their breaths, Picard and Andrews especially. The doctor working on the boy, kept scanning the boy until he looked at Tusan and shook his head. Picard saw Tusan stiffen, and knew he as in trouble.
"Captain? Please tell me you have another plan." Andrews muttered from behind him, and Picard knew he didn't.
"A trick!" Tusan yelled and ran at Picard, raising his gun
"Wait!" Picard said holding up his hands; "It will work, just give it-"
"Dad" Everyone froze as the small boy spoke and slowly opened his eyes
Tusan immediately ran to him; "Bellamy;" Tusan said softly; "Son how do you feel?"
"Tired." The boy muttered, but Tusan was already seeing the colour coming back to the boy's face
"Doctor?" Tusan queried as he stared at the man, who was looking at his own type of tricorder in shock
"It's extraordinary Tusan. All traces of the virus is gone. He's going to be ok."
Tusan merely looked from the doctor to the boy, before turning his head over his shoulder to look at Picard. Then he silently approached Picard, and for a moment Picard thought he was still going to kill him. Until Tusan held out his hand;
"Thank you, Captain Picard of the Enterprise. You saved my son's life." Picard reciprocated the handshake and relaxed.
"We have more of the vaccines for all of your people. So will you negotiate?"
Tusan looked at Andrews and then back at Picard, and he nodded; "Yes we will."
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Once Picard started of the negotiations between Andrews and Tusan, he handed over command to Riker, whilst he prepared to leave for Denbar Prime. He'd already lost 12 hours searching for Wesley, and he knew that the ship that took Wesley would have already reached Denbar Prime, which meant Wesley was in even more danger.
The Captain was in the middle of speaking to Riker when Andrews interrupted them;
"Dr Crusher reports they've vaccinated about 1/5 of the population already, and Tusan's men are surrendering their weapons. It looks like the negotiations went smoothly."
"That's good, now we-"
"Captain;" Andrews said as he approached them just outside the doors of the Great Hall; "Excuse me, I'm sorry I interrupted, but…I overheard you talking to your first officer, and heard you mention Denbar Prime. Was your crew member, the one who was kidnapped, taken to Denbar Prime?"
Picard looked at Riker before saying; "Regent Andrews I-"
"Please, it's important.
"Yes, he was." Riker said unsure why it was so important to him.
Andrews ran a hand through his hair, before turning to Picard; "And you intend to go after him?"
"Yes, but really it's not your concern." Picard said firmly
"You can't do that." Andrews objected
"Why not?" Riker said angrily
Andrew hesitated; "Please come with me." Riker and Picard exchanged glances before following
"How much do you know on Denbar Prime?" Andrews asked as he led them into a library/study.
"Not much, we haven't made contact with them before."
"Well, there's something you need to know about Denbar Prime." Andrews said approaching a console inbuilt in the wall just to right of the desk at the back of the room. He brought up all the information on Denbar Prime. "This is their leader, King Maxim and he is a psychopath." Andrews said matter of factly as he showed them a commissioned portrait of Maxim; "He had unusually strong telepathic powers that he uses to control the minds of his subjects. He's a tyrant, and will not think twice about killing those who get in his way. So if Maxim has your crew member and he wants something from him, then will do everything in his power to get it." Andrews finished gravely, that left Picard and Riker both concerned
"It wasn't always like that though;" Andrews continued; "it's a long strong, but the true monarch is meant to be Queen Antonia, but Maxim tricked her into marrying him and then killed her father King Ruton. From what I've heard she's gone into hiding on the planet, I don't even know if she's still alive. Her father was a good man, and a good friend, I'd do anything for his daughter, but I have to think of my people to. I cannot drag them into a war that we would not win. However, I will assist you, I offer you one of our shuttlecrafts, if you take a federation shuttle, Maxim will kill you before you reach the surface. He probably already has ships following the Enterprise. I'm warning you, Captain, be careful. Maxim's slaughtered hundreds of his own people. I know you care about this crew member of yours, but is he truly worth dying over, worth starting a war over?" Andrews finished handing Picard the data chip with all the information on Denbar Prime
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"I have to do this Number One." Picard said immediately after leaving Andrew's study
"I know, but I'm not letting you go alone." Riker said firmly; "Data is going with you, and so is Troi."
"Number One-"
"I'm not taking no for an answer, Captain." Picard stopped in the spot and smile at Riker;
"You know we're both could get court martialled for this." Picard said and Riker grinned;
"I can face a court martial if it means getting Wesley back, but Captain you have to be careful. If what Andrews said it true, we can't afford a war, even if we do get Wesley back."