"Commander, I have found something." Data reported from his station. "What is it, Data?" Geordi asked. "Good news, I hope." Riker added, coming to peer over the android's shoulder. Data pointed to the map on the screen. "Here is where we found their jackets and commbadges." "Yeah, they were folded neatly, like they were going to be put away. Kind of creepy." Geordi added. "I have found a settlement about three kilometers east of that location. It appears to be a primitive settlement, operating completely without the use of modern technology." "It looks like a pioneer village." Riker commented, "Why didn't it show up on our preliminary scans?" "There is some sort of barrier fifteen meters above the settlement. It appears to reflect and project the surrounding area to conventional scanners." Data answered. "The programming is actually quite complex...." "Thank you, Data." Riker interrupted. "You and Geordi see if you can find the Captain and the Doctor in this settlement." "Aye, sir." they answered, simultaneously. "Who owns this planet again?" Geordi asked. "The Talaydhrian government controls this solar system, if that is what you mean, Geordi." Data replied. Riker turned to the crewman manning the comm. "Crewman, see if you can put me in contact with the Talaydhrian government." "Aye, sir." he was answered. Riker sat down in the Captain's chair. Captain Picard had specifically told the away team to meet back in three hours. When he and Beverly had been late, Riker had just assumed they had lost track of time. He'd waited an entire half-hour before trying to contact them. It had taken him another two hours to send down a search party. It wasn't until Geordi and Data found their jackets that he realized they were missing. He'd wasted almost three hours doing nothing. He should have sent a search party out as soon as they didn't answer his hails. Who knows what could have happened to them in seven hours? He berated himself. "Will." Deanna said, gently putting her hand over his, "Don't blame yourself." "I'm not." he protested. "Imzadi, I'm an empath, you can't hide it from me." she smiled. "I should have taken this seriously sooner than I did." he muttered. "It isn't your fault, you didn't know." "I'm in command of the ship while the Captain is gone, It's my responsibility." "Don't worry, Will, they'll turn up." she replied, reassuringly. "Commander?" said the crewman at the comm, "We're receiving a hail from the Talaydhrian prime minister." "Put it through." The image on the viewscreen instantly changed to that of the gregarious Prime Minister. He was dressed in a brightly colored blue silk-like robe, with embroidered designs in pink, green, purple and yellow. He had long black hair that was loose in the back, with feathers braided into the front and sides, and his skin was well tanned. He had warm black eyes, horizontal ridges running down his nose, and a smile on his face. "I am Prime Minister Lhrendior of the Talaydhrian people. What can I do for you?" he asked. "Nice to meet you, Prime Minister. I am Commander William T. Riker of the Federation Starship, Enterprise. Our Captain and CMO have gone missing on your colony, and I was wondering if you could do anything to help us." Riker replied. "Yes, we noticed you have been in orbit for quite some time." "We didn't realize there were people living on the planet when we entered orbit, I'm sorry if we've intruded." "No matter." the prime minister smiled. "I assume your people have been taken prisoner by the Ignatiusi." "The who?" Riker asked. "The Ignatiusi. They are the ones who live on that planet. Perhaps it would be easier for me to explain in person. May I come aboard your ship?" "Certainly. We'll have our transporter chief stand by."

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