Chapter 3

Earth, Space Dock

One week later...

Beverly Crusher stood highlighting tasks on her data pad, while surveying the new trainees as they stood lined up in shuttle bay 2. To a person they were untested, and very nervous. Deanna Troi stood nearby, no doubt undertaking her own silent evaluation of the new medical personnel, who had come aboard the ship just minutes ago. The twenty-five recent Medical Academy graduates had been temporarily assigned to the Enterprise for emergency training. Coincidentally, an unknown alien virus was reported as having spread quickly near the Neutral Zone colonies, and the Enterprise along with two more ships had been deployed to assist. The medical trainees were about to be thrown into the thick of a deadly outbreak, and Beverly had been chosen as their primary mentor.

"We've got a lot of work ahead of us, and just three and a half days before we arrive at the first colony in need of our assistance. The Enterprise is scheduled to stop only briefly to assess, gather data, treat where possible, and deliver supplies. The USS Jemison and USS Drew will remain in the vicinity indefinitely until further notice. If all goes well, a few of you may remain with our sister ships." As the young officers glanced around at each other with restrained excitement, she tapped the data pad against her thigh absently. She wasn't one for speeches, but she felt under the circumstances, one was appropriate. She should have asked Jean-Luc for his opinion. "On this ship we value teamwork, and you will be split up into five team assignments with specific roles, focusing on ensuring sufficient emergency supplies, triage, data collection and organism isolation, diagnosis and treatment. You determine who will fill each role, but I am here to make sure you learn and apply the basics. We're not cutting any corners, people's lives are at stake. Now you have your schedules for the rest of today. Any questions?"

All she received were wide-eyed stares. Of course they had questions, but she knew until they began to work, they would be hesitant to ask them. "Let's get to work."

Once they had filed out, she glanced at Deanna. "Was that last part too much? 'People's lives are at stake?'"

Deanna smiled in support. "I thought it was a good pep talk. Straightforward...to the point."

Beverly yawned. "Let's hope they got my point. Because despite our little vacation a week ago, I'm not feeling exactly refreshed."

"Hmm," said Troi.

"Hmm...what?"

"It's funny you should mention that."

"Funny, as in amusing, or funny as in you have a funny feeling."

Troi pursed her lips. "Perhaps it is the latter." She paused looking carefully at her friend. "I'm sensing something interesting about Captain Picard. He is quite...preoccupied since having returned from Risa. Have you spoken to him recently?"

Beverly frowned. "I haven't seen him for more than a few minutes for the last few days. I agree he has seemed preoccupied, but that's nothing new."

"It's not?"

"No. Jean-Luc is a very introspective person. He tends to prefer to be alone to think, sometimes for long periods...as you well know."

"And you're fine with that? Even though you two are...?"

"Are what? Look, Troi, I'm busy, he's busy. We're both busy. I am just allowing him his space."

"That's a very mature way to view a brand new relationship."

"Yes, well, we're both grown-ups. We've known each other a long time-"

"But not intimately."

Beverly laughed. "You are persistent today aren't you, Deanna?"

"Always." Troi took Beverly's arm as they began to walk side by side. "I don't want to tell you what to do...but I do sense something different about him since we returned from Risa. Perhaps he was more unsettled by what happened on that last day, than he has let on. I think he would benefit from your input."

Beverly squeezed Troi's arm in hers. "Okay. I'll take your advice. After all, you're usually right."

"Glad to hear the ship repairs are almost complete. Thank you for meeting with me, Commander."

Riker walked into the room after the Admiral and was immediately struck by the bright colors, a contrast from the various shades of beige on the Enterprise. Nice carpeting, he thought, taking in the plush furnishings of Starfleet's administrative offices. "Of course, Admiral Ramos," he said aloud. "Space Dock has always had a special place in my heart ever since I was a green cadet," he said, sitting down across from his superior. "I'm always up for a visit, however brief. So...what can I do for you?"

The older man shifted uncomfortably. "As soon as I heard that the Enterprise was picking up medical trainees, I knew I had a chance to meet with you discreetly."

Okay. Riker said nothing in response, just waited.

The Admiral placed a data pad down on the table in front of him with a click. "I want you to watch something with me." He tapped at the device and a moment later, a hologram hovered above the table. In the holo Captain Picard was seated, and appeared to be talking with an unseen person.

Riker was now the one who felt uncomfortable. He didn't like surprises of this nature; and he didn't appreciate what he now knew would be a conversation about his commanding officer without Picard present. It was then that the sound kicked in. Will sat and listened attentively. This was obviously the captain's interrogation vid from the incident on Risa a week previously. The captain had been quiet about his run-in with Risan authorities, and had been generally subdued since they had all returned to the ship. Riker had thought the incident was behind them, but apparently he'd thought wrong. The video lasted about ten minutes, and then abruptly blinked away.

"Well? What do you think?"

Riker squinted suspiciously. "About what?"

Admiral Ramos watched Riker closely. "He denied having been present at the scene of the crime, denied meeting anyone while he was out for his walk..."

Riker remained silent, still waiting for something more substantial.

Ramos switched the data pad back on and a new image came up. Now suspended before them was the fixed view of a nearly empty marketplace. Just a few people were out, and in one corner of the frame he saw a familiar figure. Picard was walking with another person.

"This was shot by a security camera the night of the murder. The lighting has been enhanced to-"

"So its been doctored" Will interrupted sharply.

"As I said... it was enhanced to provide a clearer view given the late hour."

"And? What is this offered to show?"

"Commander, I'm surprised at your defensiveness..."

"With all due respect sir...I'd like to know where this is going. Is Captain Picard being accused of a crime?"

Ramos smiled thinly. "Commander, the Risan man he is with in this vid has been identified as the Risan who was murdered early that morning."

"That still doesn't put him at the crime scene."

"But it proves he lied. Now why would he do that?"

Riker felt his face growing warm with anger and confusion. The captain hadn't said more than a few words about what had happened down on Risa. In fact, Riker recalled Picard had simply told him, "Not to worry, Number One." Because he trusted the captain so implicitly, he hadn't questioned a thing.

Will got up from his seat. "Is that a question you really believe I can answer? And if so, am I being accused of murder as well?"

"No one is accusing anyone, of anything, Commander Riker," Ramos responded tightly, glaring up at him. "Now are you aware that Captain Picard has requested a temporary leave of absence?"

Riker blinked and shook his head in confusion. "No. Leave of absence? Why?"

"He's elected to remain on board during his leave, but I believe his request said something about needing...rest."

Riker tried to shrug it off. Doesn't sound a bit like Picard. Especially now that we're facing a crisis-related mission. "Then I guess that's what he needs."

"Which puts you in charge of the Enterprise for this current medical mission." Ramos stood up, and offered his hand for Riker to shake. "Good luck." Riker shook firmly, before the Admiral added, "And I'll trust you to keep an eye on Picard for me."