When Carmen and Riker reached the captain's ready room, they found Troi already inside. She smiled warmly at them from a gray sofa, a cup of tea halfway to her lips.
"Come in," the captain bade. Riker strode over to a chair in front of Picard's desk. Carmen hesitated, standing rigidly just inside the threshold.
Over here. Troi set her tea down and patted the sofa beside her. Carmen accepted the invite with a grateful smile.
Meanwhile, Picard drew in a curt breath. "Counselor Troi has been updating me," he informed them. Carmen couldn't help but wonder if she told him about their discussion in Ten Forward as well. "What do you make of our Romulan visitor, Number One?"
"I think he spins one a hell of a tale," Riker scoffed.
Picard's eyebrow arched. "You do not believe him then?"
"No, sir. It's typical Romulan behavior. Everything they do is a ploy of some kind."
"A ploy to draw us into the Neutral Zone?"
"Exactly, sir. Then we would be the aggressors, and they would have a reason to respond in force."
Picard dwelt on the idea. "Yes, I see what you mean. Romulans have historically avoided attacking first. They prefer to test their enemy's resolve."
"In your history, perhaps." Carmen spoke up for the first time. Riker turned in his chair to study her.
"What are you saying? Did they start the war in your universe?"
She nodded. "Yes. They launched a large-scale assault across multiple sectors. The Enterprise was one of the ships they attacked that day. It...it happened just before my seventh birthday. Many looked back on it as the official start of the war."
Memories surged through Troi's mind. She felt Carmen's fear at the sight of a dead Romulan soldier lying near her father's feet. Then she felt a wave of comfort as her father held her securely in his arms, carrying her back to the safety of their quarters. Carmen laughed at something her father said while he poured hot cocoa into a couple of mugs. They played chess and kadis-kot and stayed up way too late.
Carmen stole a glance at Riker. His eyes were still on the captain as he sat there, oblivious to the ache in the young woman's heart. It made Troi's heart ache as well.
"Why?" Picard asked, bringing them both back to the present matter. "What would prompt them to make such a bold move?"
The memories faded from view. "A number of their outposts had been attacked," Carmen explained. "They blamed Starfleet, but...well, my father always maintained our innocence."
"And the Borg? When did they come in?" Picard's question confirmed that he and the counselor had discussed more than just the interrogation.
"There were rumors that they were responsible for the destroyed Romulan outposts. But tensions were already so high between the Empire and the Federation…" Carmen shook her head. "Both sides leapt into war before realizing that something worse was on the horizon."
"Number One-did Alidar make any mention of something like that?"
"No, sir."
A small sigh of relief escaped Picard's lips. Then he turned to Troi, who was still steeped in Carmen's words. "Counselor, what are your thoughts? Did you sense any deception?"
Troi shook her head. "No. Not after we brought up his real identity."
Riker didn't seem to like her answer. "But remember how quickly that Warbird backed off?" he pointed out. "There's something else going on here. Could they just be using him?"
Picard's eyes drifted to the young woman. "Miss Riker?"
Carmen hesitated. "I don't know. But he meant what he said, about his son. As much as he hates the Federation, if he thought this would save Toleel…"
"You said that name in sickbay," Riker recalled. "How do you know this Toleel, anyways?"
Carmen tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry. Her hands fidgeted on her lap.
"I felt it, as well-the love he has for his son," Troi interceded. "To come into Federation space, to risk never seeing him again...it doesn't make sense unless he was telling the truth."
Picard eyed the counselor, taking note of Carmen's relief. But Troi sent him a discreet look that made him decide against pressing the matter further. "Well the council is waiting on an update. It will be likely be my last report before we reach Earth."
Carmen stiffened. "We are that close?"
"Yes. And they are counting on your cooperation. I ask that you be forthcoming with them, when it is your turn."
"Yes, sir," she said, surprisingly amenable.
Picard nodded his approval. "That will be all. Dismissed."
Riker, Troi and Carmen filed out of the ready room together. Once they had returned to the main hall, Troi flashed the other two a rueful smile. "I have some appointments to keep, I'm afraid. But I'll see you later?" Carmen knew the question in her voice was intended for her.
"Oh, um...okay," she replied, not entirely sure if she liked the idea. The reminder of her own impending interrogation had unsettled the young woman. And while she could deflect the commander well enough, she could not hide from the intrusive nature of Troi's empathic connection.
The trio exchanged farewells and then the counselor took her leave. After she had departed down one of the halls that branched off to the right, Carmen looked up at Riker.
"Don't you ever work around here?" she quipped.
The commander feigned a scowl. "Keeping an eye on you is work," he shot back. "But yes, I do have duties to attend to."
"Oh. Right now?"
Riker noticed her smile fade slightly. "Yeah. But I think I have time to walk you to Ten Forward first," he offered, starting down a brightly-lit hallway.
"Ten Forward? Why?" She jogged to keep up with each of his long-legged strides.
"One, because alone time doesn't suit you," he replied. "And two, because you need to brush up on your tri-dimensional chess skills. Did you know I've never lost a match?"
Her smile returned. "There's a first time for everything, commander. See, I have never lost either."
