Chapter 9:
Q Arrives
A strange orange sphere surrounded the Enterprise. A light flashed and a figure appeared. "You are directed to return to your own solar system, immediately." Picard furrowed his eyebrows. "That's quite a directive. On what basis do you make your demands?" "On the basis that you are a dangerous, savage child race." "Dangerous to whom?" Picard asks. "To everyone else out there." "And who are you to make the demands?" Picard asks. "I am the Q, or at least you can call me that."
"I'll have you know, sir, that this is our maiden voyage. It's true that all of us on this ship have served other ships and explored space, encountering new life forms; but to label us as dangerous has no basis in fact. Quite the opposite is true: there are factions out there who are dangerous to us; some we've encountered; yet others we have not."
Q continued, "Would you say your ape-like race has been savage?" Picard answered honestly, "I'll admit that our human history can be labeled as "savage" through our wars, our corruption, our greediness; but you must know, Mr. Q, this is the 24th century, we've highly improved from where we were 200 years ago, or even earlier than that."
"Would you like to test your resolve in a trial? In a courtroom, perhaps?" "I prefer not to, sir. I would appreciate it if you'd allow us to continue our mission at hand." Q answered, "This mission is your trial. Going to a station in the Deneb IV system. It'll be quite surprising. Very well, I will allow you to continue your mission; but know this: We are watching!" Q disappears.
Picard looks at his crew. He looks to Troi, "Impressions, Counselor?" "I can barely read him, sir. It seems he has immense power; how he wishes to use it is beyond me. " Picard looks to Data, "Commander?" Data answered. "The sphere has disappeared, sir. I suggest that we try to ignore this Q personae and continue on our mission." Picard, "I couldn't agree more, Commander. Standard orbit, Mr. Donaldson." Turning to his first officer, "Number One, you'll be leading an away team to Groppler Zorn's facility while I talk to the administrator myself. Find out what is causing this magical tricks and get to the bottom of this mystery." "Aye, sir." "Mr. Worf, you have the conn." "Aye, sir."