Chapter 37

PRIME

"Are we prepared to get underway, commander?" Picard leaned over the railing, to shout down at his Chief Engineer. "ETA is 30 minutes."

"Yes, Captain," LaForge said, moving away from the warp core, as the captain stepped into the lift.

Within moments they were face to face, and LaForge was eagerly explaining the upgrades he'd put in. "Essentially, Captain, if we are trapped in the mirror universe, I've got a way to bring us back to our own universe. With Data and Wesley's help I was able to route a generator through the warp engines that will create a power surge that we can control."

"Isn't creating a power surge risky?"

Geordi stared at him for a moment. "Uh...unfortunately yes. But a controlled surge will work."

"How? The short version, please," he added.

"Well, we need enough ionic activity, which we'll have as long as we're near an ion station. But if for some reason we find ourselves farther away from our entry point into the mirror universe, I can adjust the modulation of our warp trail so that the ionic activity is amplified around the ship. Combined with a power surge, it creates a pocket of-"

"Excuse me, Geordi, but that just sounds like badly written fiction."

LaForge looked slightly hurt. "Maybe so sir, but you asked for the short version."

"Fair enough. And...can a similar method be used during transport?"

"Definitely, although it's a somewhat riskier concept. But once T'Pel provided us with the ion station schematics, it all made sense. Mirror Spock used the incident with Captain Kirk's Enterprise crew as the original basis for designing the ion station. When Enterprise 1701 traveled through an ion storm 100 years ago, the transporter malfunctioned causing a power surge, resulting in the transfer to the mirror universe. The crew returned to our universe by using a power surge from the warp engines, to create a warp bubble of sorts between the two universes. I'm confident that we can do the same here."

"Good...I'm counting on you."

LaForge patted the railing and looked down into the blue and white energy of the warp core. "You know what would be great, is if I could have Wesley to run the modulation on this thing...I tried calling his communicator but he didn't reply."

Picard sighed inwardly. "Mr. Crusher is currently off duty," was all he was willing to say.

Geordi looked mildly surprised. "Hmm...I thought he would want to get back to work after a short break. I know how he is. Work can really take your mind off of trouble sometimes."

"Perhaps some trouble is just too overwhelming," Picard said uncomfortably. "In any case, perhaps you could talk with him when we're out of the thick of it. He listens to you...and he looks up to you, Commander."

LaForge was confused. "Sir, he listens to you more than anyone, I'm sure-"

"Not anymore," Picard said shortly.

Oh.

Picard turned to leave, when LaForge held up his hand, as if remembering something. "Sir, wait!" LaForge paused awkwardly before reaching into his pocket to pull out a tiny object, which he held delicately between his thumb and forefinger. "Here, Captain. It's the implant Doctor Crusher removed from...uh, after the explosion on the bridge, sir. Turns out it's a mind control device."

The persistent thrum of the warp engines now matched the blood pounding in the captain's ears. "What are you saying, Commander?" Picard looked from the tiny device in his palm, and back to his Chief Engineer, whose forehead was creased with tension. LaForge had been working tirelessly for hours, Picard knew, in order to prepare the Enterprise for the trip across dimensions, through the ion station, and into the mirror universe. But in the midst of all that, he'd also done the Captain a personal favor.

"It's a mind control device sir," LaForge repeated in a more sympathetic tone. "When I first looked at the scan of the implant inside Mr. Crusher's head-"

"He is not my friend returned from the dead, Mr. LaForge," Picard said in a quiet but intense voice. He looked directly at the engineer, but spoke almost to himself. "He's a criminal."

LaForge nodded. "I'm sorry, Captain...what I meant to say, was that when I first looked at the scans provided by the Star base I could tell it was an amplifier of some sort-similar to my Visor. But, as you know we weren't allowed to ask any further questions about it. Anyway, once his you had the implant b removed, and you had the guy in custody, I thought it made sense to do a more thorough examination of the implant. And what I found was that it is similar to larger hand held mind control weaponry utilized by Ferengi mostly.

"Hmmph...yes, I'm fairly familiar with those," remarked Picard darkly. And I recall that the effect of Bok's device lingered for some days afterward. Perhaps Wesley and Beverly are experiencing similar disorientation...perhaps I am too. "The explosive device on the bridge-at least, what was left of it, was also Ferengi technology, according to Lieutenant Worf." He kept his voice measured, but the anger was beginning to bubble up inside of him.

"But while recognizable, this technology is more advanced than what I've seen, Captain. Is it really possible that this guy is from the mirror universe? Because this technology just might be."

Wherever he is from he's exacted lasting damage on my crew. Picard closed his fist around the tiny metal tube. "I didn't ask you to examine this, Geordi. But I thank you for doing so." He gave the officer a rare affectionate squeeze on his shoulder, before stepping away.

When the captain walked into the detention area on deck 13 he didn't expect to see Wesley sitting outside of the so-far unnamed prisoner's cell. But perhaps he should have. Wesley immediately stood up to face him, and there was different something in his eyes. A desperation. He wants my help, but is afraid to ask me.

Looking past Wesley, he locked eyes with the imposter. "Mr. Crusher, please step outside for a few minutes."

Wesley hesitated, and looked back into the cell, where the prisoner was happy to engage. "Wes, you don't have to do what he says anymore. Remember? You quit!"

"Mr. Crusher is still a member of my crew," Picard retorted. He beckoned for Wesley to leave.

Wesley's jaw clenched as he glared at Picard. "What are you going to do to him, once I'm gone?" he demanded.

Picard shook his head. "I'll be out in a few minutes, Wesley. We can talk then."

After a reluctant glance at the man he apparently still believed was his father, Wesley left.

Picard immediately advanced on the prisoner, who after taking in his serious expression, simply laughed.

Picard held up the tiny implant. "Where did you get this?"

"Why does it matter? Did its job didn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The guy who put that in my head...he's more powerful than you can imagine."

"My imagination is quite healthy," said Picard. "Please...I'd like more details."

M laughed. "I ought to make you beg for the answers you want, Picard. And once I'm out of here, maybe I will."

"Not likely."

M moved closer to the force field to face Picard. "If your imagination is so good, Picard, you must be imagining what I convinced Beverly to do when I was alone with her. That implant was pretty potent-"

"I don't want to hear anymore of your lies," Picard said through clenched teeth.

"Then what the hell are you doing here, old buddy?"

Picard leaned so close to the field that he could feel the buzz of electricity on his skin. "I'm here to tell you that when all of this is finished, but before you are prosecuted and sent to prison, you and I are going to settle these issues between us."

"Oh, like man to man, or something? Kind of primitive for a sophisticated guy like you, Captain..."

"Wesley won't be back to speak with you again. I will make sure of that. Your game is over," he snapped before walking quickly out of the detention area.

MIRROR

Captain Picard quickly took in the image on the screen as he and Yar rushed onto the bridge. The attacking ship was sleek, and twice the size of the Enterprise.

"It's the Contagion, Captain. We've taken heavy damage," Riker shouted before jumping up from the command chair. "The ship was cloaked, and she's compromised our hull with her sneak attack."

"Surprise, surprise. Still think she wasn't the one who ambushed us before, Captain?" Troi shouted from communications. "The Crushers have doomed this ship and crew, and you let it happen."

"Shut up," Picard said calmly, settling in to his chair. "Damage report, Yar."

"Aft shield generators are compromised. Compensating," she shouted.

"Bring us about," said Picard, gripping the armrests. "She's already used her best advantage...that of surprise," he murmured, still watching the view screen. Oh how I love her. "Fire a full spread of photon torpedoes."

"Firing...their shields are holding," Yar said.

"Bring us over the top, and strafe the bridge, phasers only."

"Her shields are far superior to our own, Captain," Riker warned. "They're deflecting everything we're throwing at them."

"We've taken damage to the underside of the star drive section," Yar shouted, grabbing the railing to steady herself.

"She's retreating," Troi shouted, pointing at the view screen.

Picard chuckled. "Like hell she is...prepare for saucer separation."

"Aye sir," said Yar, typing into her console.

"What?" Troi cried out from her post.

The ship shook with another blast, and Picard pointed over at Riker. "I want three quarters of the crew to remain with me on the saucer section...that includes you, Riker, so don't get your hopes up. Troi, you and Yar will take the Klingon prisoner, manning the battle bridge. You will proceed in the star drive directly to the coordinates we've discussed, to rendezvous with Commander Troi's captured ships."

Riker shook his head, but leaned in to the intercom. "Attention, crew this is Commander Riker...all but the engineering crew will evacuate to the saucer section in the next five minutes. Consider it a race for your lives that you probably won't win. Until next time, if there is one...Riker out."

Picard turned slightly in his chair to look at Yar, and gave her a small salute, as she stepped away from her post. Troi followed gracefully behind without a word, but several crew members staggered when she passed by them, indicating the intensity of her mood.

"Why keep most of the crew on board the saucer?" Riker asked Picard, careful to keep his voice as bored as possible.

"I need the extra weight," the captain replied easily.

Picard waved lazily at Riker as his first officer slid into the chair at the helm. "Orders sir?" Riker drawled with a grin.

"Separate on my mark," said Picard returning an almost gleeful smile. "I want you to go to full impulse power immediately upon separation, heading 243."

Riker's grin faltered ever so slightly, but he just couldn't give the old man the satisfaction. "A collision course...okay. Beginning separation sequence..."

PRIME

Jean-Luc walked cautiously toward the boy. "We can talk now, Wesley."

"I don't want to talk to you."

Picard halted. "That's fine. Perhaps later?"

Wesley shrugged noncomittally. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing. I promise you."

"Until we cross to the other universe again. Then you're going to hand him over to be murdered."

Picard was taken aback. "Is that what he's been telling you?"

"I can see what's been happening between you and my mother. I have eyes and ears. You want him out of the way."

The Captain shook his head and grabbed Wesley by the shoulders and looked into his eyes. "He's not your father, Wesley." He held up the implant. "He's a con man, who used this device to trick us all into believing he was Jack. But he's not Jack."

Wesley tried to shake himself loose. "Liar!" Picard to his own surprise, tried to embrace Wesley, but Wesley lashed out, pushing him away. "I hate you!"

Picard grabbed his healing side protectively, stunned at the boy's violent reaction. He took a step back, watching the fear and confusion mix in the teen's eyes. He was about to concede defeat when his communicator buzzed. He tapped it, just as the deck shuddered underneath their feet. "Picard here. What just happened?"

"Data here, captain. We have reached the designated coordinates of the target ion station, sir. What you just felt was the ship encountering an interphase pocket, indicating conditions are optimal for interdimensional transfer."

"On my way," he said, watching Wesley walk away in the other direction.