A/N: This is the Disney version of Zorro..I forgot to mention that in the last chapter...
And to my three reviewers so far, many thanks ^_^
Chapter Two
Picard tapped his fingers on the oak desk in front of him as he read over the various reports written by this Capitan Monastario. They were written in English, but he had the impression they should have been in Spanish--especially after he had read the header of the first report: Capitan Enrique Monastario, Commandante of the Pueblo De Los Angeles....
It also struck him that many of these accounts were false. It wasn't anything he could put his finger on; it was just a feeling. And since he was obviously in this Monastario's place, (he wouldn't be wearing this uncomfortable uniform otherwise) he was understandably concerned about that. Q certainly had a lot of explaining to do--and Picard was certain it was the omnipotent being behind this.
Returning his attention to the reports--most of them centering on a bandit known as El Zorro. A bandit who, singlehandedly, had upset the entire garrison. And most of them were excuses as to why the criminal had not yet been caught--all of which was Sergeant Garcia's fault. Picard reasoned that if this Monastario were as unscrupulous as he thought he was, then perhaps he was letting the bandit get away with whatever misdeeds. Yes, that had to be it. He pulled the newest report out and briefly scanned it. Senorita Isabela Rodrigues was wanted for treason.
His musings were interrupted by a timid knock on the office door. Standing and automatically assuming a command position, he called out, "Enter."
The door opened and a portly sergeant--most likely Garcia--entered, followed by two other soldiers who stood on either side of Kathryn Janeway. This surprised Picard, but he kept his composure as he looked at Garcia.
The sergeant saluted smartly. "Commandante, I have brought the senorita in as you asked." He hesitated, "But surely Commandante......"
"That will be all Sergeant. Dismissed. I wish to interrogate this prisoner alone."
The sergeant hesitated a moment, wavering between loyalty to his superior, and concern for the lovely senorita. However, fear for his position won out and he pushed the two corporals out the door with him, muttering a, "Si, mi Capitan."
Picard waited until the door was firmly closed, and made sure the soldier's were out of hearing range before he asked, "I don't suppose you know what's going on Captain?"
The woman shook her head, her blue eyes clouded with confusion. "Sorry, but I'm as lost as you are. If Q hadn't said his father had had his powers taken away for the time being, I would suspect the latter of being behind this. As it is..." she trailed off and shrugged.
"As it is," Picard said, finishing her thought, "we should probably play along in the scenario provided. The illness could have been merely an excuse so that we didn't suspect Q of this."
Janeway, to his relief, nodded agreement. "That makes sense. Now, what scenario exactly are we supposed to be portraying, do you know?" Past the speculations of 'how' the woman was getting to the heart of the problem immediately. Picard admired that in a captain, though he was certain she was dead wrong about the borg. He mentally pushed that thought to the side. It was neither the place nor the time. In more ways than one.
"All I know is that we are in Spanish ruled California, Los Angeles to be exact. And," he pointed to one of the notices hung on the wall of the office. Janeway frowned as she walked over to it and began reading. Her expression cleared, though it was obvious she was still puzzled.
"Zorro?" she asked softly.
"You know about this...person?" Picard questioned hopefully.
Janeway nodded and tilted her head to the side, still studying the notice. "I know more 'of' him. References my sister made." She turned back to him and gave a small smile. "She was always going on about the masked outlaw. Only he was no criminal. He was....like Robin Hood, only instead of robbing the rich to give to the poor, he simply rescued innocents from being placed to death and generally made life quite uncomfortable for those who chose to opress the people of California. Or something like that."
"That's what I was afraid of," Picard admitted with a groan. "And obviously I have taken the place of one of those men. How could it get worse?"
His suspicions were confirmed when Garcia told him--confidentially of course--that he had just arrested the senorita. Of course Diego would merely react with outrage--and offer to have a talk with the commandante. Nothing more. Sometimes this act he played as two different people was hard, especially as his true personality was that of the man who had to hide behind a mask.
"Oh Don Diego," Garcia protested--lightly, "I do not think that would be a great idea." Even as he spoke, he walked towards the office, and then turned around, expecting Diego to follow him. The latter rolled his eyes and did so.
Garcia knocked timidly on the door, mumbled something about needing to make sure the lancers were doing their calasthenics properly and ambled quickly away. Diego shook his head in amusement. Then placed a bright, inane smile on his face when he heard Monastario's annoyed "Enter!"
Stepping into the office, he noticed Isabella standing off to the side, giving him a look of annoyance along with a regal glare. He felt yet another pang of regret for his charade, when Monastario finally turned from looking out the window to face him. The ferocity on the commandante's face startled him, but his next words scared him.
"Enough of this charade!"
Diego swallowed nervously and hoped to bluff the man. "I...don't know what you mean commandante." He put on his most innocently confused expression, "I was just going to inquire as to why you've had Senorita Isabela arrested. Surely she has done nothing..."
"Q!" Monastario spat the letter out as though it were a curse word, and threw Diego into further confusion.
"I...beg your pardon?"
Isabela suddenly stood up and walked over to him. She gazed up at his face intently, and then, as if she had found what she was looking for, nodded. Then she turned towards Monastario.
"I agree Captain. You have no proof of my treason, therefore you cannot keep me here."
Diego, though impressed, inwardly winced. It was not a good idea to challange the man--not unless you wore a mask and called yourself Zorro. He allowed himself a small smile. "Si Commandante, and you are obviously ill. Perhaps you made a mistake?"
Monastario looked between Diego and Isabela, his face darkening every minute. After a glance in Isabela's direction one last time, he suddenly relaxed and nodded. "You are absolutely right erm...uh..." He suddenly seemed flustered. "What was your name again?"
Diego raised an eyebrow, then affected a concerned look, though inside he was almost relieved. "Don Diego de la Vega, son of Alejandro de la Vega," he said gently, "You are indeed more ill than I had thought commandante. Perhaps you should go and see the doctor."
"Yes, yes...Don Diego," he spat out the name sarcastically, "Now leave my sight."