35
Legends Walk Amongst Us
Brilliant light illuminates Transporter Room 1A as Genevieve, Jonathan and Marina materialize aboard the Enterprise E.
"Captain, Commander, Lieutenant," greets the transporter chief. "The Admiral is waiting for you. This way please."
Jonathan lets out a soft breath as the trio disembark the transporter pads and follow the young officer. As they walk through the corridors, Jonathan and Marina marvel at the size and complexity of the Enterprise-E. Genevieve eyes though remain fixed, and dead ahead.
"She's really something else," remarks Kirk.
"Yes, sir," replies the transporter chief. "The Enterprise-E really is something else."
They arrive at Turbolift 3.
"This is as far as go, ma'ams, sir," says the transporter chief.
Swoosh of the doors parting reveal the inners of TurboLift 3. Jonathan regards the chief with a subtle nod and the three officers file in.
"Ready room," commands Kirk.
A melodic chime follows and the turbo lift ascends to its destination.
=/\=
At the entrance of the Ready room, Jonathan turns to Genevieve.
"Ready?" he asks.
Genevieve keeps her eyes fixed ahead; she neither responds nor wavers.
Jonathan inhales a deep breath and presses the biometric panel to ring the entrance to the ready room, it chimes in response.
"Come," booms a voice from beyond.
Swish of the doors reveal Fleet Admiral Picard at his desk. He eyes the trio as they enter; especially Genevieve, who he observes her like a hawk for a reaction. Once inside they line the perimeter of the desk and stand firmly at attention.
"At ease," orders Admiral Picard, then gesturing to the open chairs. "Please, sit down."
"Yes sir," Kirk replies with military preciseness.
Jonathan and Genevieve take a seat at the perimeter of the desk while Marina takes a seat slight behind, between the two. Admiral Picard raises a transparent silver lined metallic canister containing a beige pink crystal within.
"Do you know what this is?" he asks.
"Dilithium," Commander Picard speaks up.
"Yes," agrees Admiral Picard with a nod. "However, depleted." Carefully replacing the canister back onto his desk. Then the Admiral comes to his feet and makes his way to the replicator.
"Tea, earl-grey, hot," he commands.
The whirr of the replicator resonates throughout the room as a cup of British tea materializes. Admiral Picard takes the cup and cradles it into his hands and takes a sip. As the Admiral makes his way back to his chair, Marina ceases upon the momentarily intermission as an opportunity to speak.
"Sir," pre-empting the others. "I would like to ask you a question?"
Jonathan and Genevieve turn slowly back in unison, looking over their shoulders with a look of dismay. Marina flashes a quick smile, but remains undeterred; the opportunity to speak directly to Admiral Picard may never arise again for her.
"Go on, Lieutenant," granting the request, curious to the young officer's inquiry.
"What was it like to be in command of the Enterprise?" she asks, then realizing the conundrum of it all, shakes her head and adds. "The Enterprise-D, sir,"
"Oh?" remarks Admiral Picard, at first curving his lips worthy of a Leonardo Di Vinci, then transitioning them to a broad smile as fond memories flood into his mind.
"I do –, on occasion, Lieutenant, find myself yearning for days that have long since passed. They were, I must admit, simpler times. Times filled with adventure, of discovery… and of wonderment."
Marina leans in with fascination as Admiral Picard begins to recall the past.
"For Starfleet, the Enterprise-D was the flagship of the federation. A galaxy-class starship of formidable power and strength. For her crew, the Enterprise was much more than just a starship; she was a symbol of hope," he reminisces. "The Enterprise represented the greatest achievement humanity had to offer. In times of darkness, she was a beacon of light; in times of despair, she became our salvation. During this time, we accomplished a great many things, saved a great many lives, and brought about a lasting peace to the many species we encountered."
Admiral Picard gestures a solemn face. "For me and her crew," a closeness in tone accompanies a slight tilt up of his chin. "The Enterprise – was our home."
"Sir, what was it like… serving with my parents?"
Almost indiscernibly, Admiral Picard lowers his head, perhaps in guilt. Having buried the painful memory of it all. Picard had chosen not to forget them, but not consciously remember that Marina's parents were no more.
"Your parents…" he stops, feeling it necessary to rephrase. "Your mother and father were not only the finest officers I have ever had the privilege of knowing; they were my closet and dearest friends. Deanna's warmth and compassion, her…" pausing for moment to stop the wave of emotion from breaking through to the surface. "Her love for her fellow officers was immersible."
"My father?"
Admiral Picard brings his hand to his face in vintage fashion, as he remembers William Riker.
"Your father was as charismatic as he was charming. A damn good negotiator and an even better poker player if I recall correctly. No man has ever matched the loyalty and devotion your father gave to me as a first officer and as a friend." Admiral Picard then stares away into space. "I miss them both so very much." Returning his attention to Marina. "They would both have been very proud to see you here, now, lieutenant."
"Thank you, sir."
"Of course, lieutenant."
Admiral Picard shifts his attention to Jonathan. "Captain, I understand you have questions."
"Yes sir, we received your orders…" trails of Kirk for a moment. "However, I am unclear of our mission objectives."
"Your objective – acting Captain," states Admiral Picard. "Is to discover Dilithium."
Jonathan only hears 'acting.'
"Dilithium?" asks the younger Picard.
Admiral Picard gazes at his daughter for a moment. Genevieve wonders what her father is thinking? Is it pride or prejudice? When they first met, she found her estranged father enigmatic. Many things have changed since then; this characteristic, however, has stood the test of time.
"Yes," say Admiral Picard, with resolve. "The war, is now, for Dilithium."
Jonathan frowns. "I don't understand, sir."
"As you shouldn't, captain," dismissing the remark. "Officially, the largest deposits of Dilithium in the Alpha Quadrant exist within Federation territory," then pauses to gaze at his daughter once more before returning his attention to Kirk. "Unofficially, captain, Starfleet command estimates that those reserves will be depleted within months."
"Months," exclaims Genevieve in shock.
"Yes," with a solemn tone, eyeing the young captain while stroking his chin. "Perhaps even weeks."
"I don't understand, there are years of Dilithium deposits in the Siiolux system." retorts Kirk.
"No." Picard sighs while shaking his head. "The information you cite, is unfortunately fiction. In reality, the Federation has exhausted almost all of its reserves of Dilithium within its territory."
"Misinformation?"
Admiral Picard gives a subtle nod. "It would appear that the art of misinformation is alive and well even in the twenty-fourth century, captain." Picard begins to stir uncomfortably in his chair as he considers addressing a larger issue.
"Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, you already understand your duty to protect the confidential information you are privy too. However, what I am about reveal to you, can never leave this room." states Admiral Picard with a deep sternness. "Is that understood."
"Yes, sir," replies Kirk.
"Aye, sir," adds Riker.
Genevieve simply nods.
"The Federation is on the verge of defeat."
"You can't be serious, sir," Kirk blurts out.
"I am very serious, captain," answers Admiral Picard. "So imminent is defeat, Starfleet command has considered the terms under which the Federation of Untied Planets would surrender."
Marina exhales an uncomfortable breath while Genevieve and Jonathan exchanging a momentary glance of disbelief.
Confounded by the Admiral's statement, Jonathan leans forward to clarify the statement.
"With all due respect, sir," gesturing with a questioning hand. "The Federation fought the Dominion and won. How is it that the Federation is losing to the Breen?" Sir, you, you defeated the Borg…"
"I am well aware of my role in history, captain," snaps Picard.
Jonathan retreats back. "Yes, sir."
Admiral Picard glares at the young captain for a moment for the point to settle.
"On empirical data, the strength, technology, and ruthlessness of the Breen match neither the Dominion or the Borg. However, those victories you speak of came at an incredible cost. The timing of the Breen attack was not at all a coincidence. They were keenly aware of our diminished strength and I would imagine that the destruction of Romulus became the primary impetus for their attack. They have shown themselves to be a much greater threat that we gave them credit for, and if anything, they have shown a willingness to achieve their objectives at immense cost to themselves."
"I see, sir," agrees Kirk.
"The Breen's modified dampening weapon has proved once again lethal against our starships as you very quickly discovered at sector 3-0-9. Your engagement with the Breen at sector 3-0-9 was one of only five engagements that resulted in a victory in as so many weeks."
"Victory?" grimaces Kirk. "We almost died, sir."
"Yes," Admiral Picard curves his lips to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. "Almost."
Admiral Picard leans forward taking a more formal posture. "Captain Kirk, our dependence on Dilithium has proven to be our Achilles' heel. For the better part of three years I have overseen the construction of a new fleet. The issue now at hand is our ability to procure the necessary Dilithium to power them."
Genevieve straightens up. "Is that why you re-commission the Enterprise-A for active duty?" almost directing the question to herself. "Is that why the engineering crew was instructed to retain the Dilithium crystal chamber, because the chamber is designed around the crystal?"
"Yes, commander," his tone resonates a tinge of pride and he nods his head in agreement while focusing on daughter.
Admiral Picard turns back to Jonathan.
"There is something else," adds Admiral Picard. "The Breen, are aware of this. And have altered their tactics accordingly. The Breen have already captured several systems rich in Dilithium and are making a concerted effort to deny the Federation and our allies of resources to support the war effort, especially Dilithium.
"Without a new source of Dilithium to draw upon, we will not be able power our current fleet, let alone power the starships of tomorrow. The Enterprise has but one standing order: to seek out new sources of Dilithium and harvest them at whatever cost necessary," states Admiral Picard. "Is that understood."
"Yes, sir," replies Kirk.
Admiral Picard looks over to the other two officers.
"Yes, sir," replies Riker.
"Yes – sir," adds the younger Picard.
Admiral Picard acknowledges their understanding with a nod.
"Then, if that is all, I must return to the work at hand."
The weight of the revelations still lingers in the air and has yet to full take its effect on three officers.
"Yes, sir," Kirk replies instinctively.
Marina, Jonathan and Genevieve come to their feet and make their way to the exit. Admiral Picard speaks only at the very last moment.
"Genevieve," calls out the senior Picard, then struggles to say anything further.
"How's Beverly?" Genevieve replies with a deflecting question.
"She had the good sense of finding a command outside of my prevue," quips Admiral Picard.
Admiral Picard gazes at his daughter; once a young precocious girl, is now an intelligent and beautiful young woman.
"It is good to see you, Dad," with a flash of a smile.
Doors of the ready slide open and Genevieve, Marina and Jonathan exit leaving the admiral to allow the loneness that surrounds him to reclaim him once more.
A/N: Wow! Admiral Picard meets Captain Jonathan Kirk and his daughter Genevieve. The new war is for Dilithium (don't tell Elon). It felt amazing to write this iconic character into Legacy. Picard will always be a legend amongst us. Please review, favourite or follow so I know you want more