"If Mistress Beata had only executed those men and their wives, as she intended…" Trent said accusingly. "Her leniency ended everything… And you…" he glared at Riker, "You were the one who talked her out of it."

Troi touched Trent's arm gently, slipping into counselor mode. "Why don't you sit down and tell us about it."

Trent shook his head emphatically. "No, no, I couldn't. The Mistresses would find out."

"You would be punished?" Troi figured out.

Trent nodded.

"Why?"

"It is forbidden."

"Trent?" Troi pressed, "What is forbidden?"

He shook off her touch, "I have to go. If Mistress Aliana knew I was talking to you… I have to go." He ducked out the door.

Troi moved to the sofa underneath the large picture window on the opposite side of the chambers.

Riker crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow. "He seemed scared of his own shadow."

"He is," Troi said. "I could sense it."

"What about Aliana and the Mistresses? What did you get from them?"

Troi shook her head, "They love the power. Somehow that has gotten entangled into their belief systems… That may not make much sense right now, but I don't know how else to put it into words."

Data circled the edges of the room, exploring their quarters. He talked as he walked. "I, for one, would be fascinated to learn how this society has changed so drastically in such a short time period."

Ro was beginning to wake up from the trance-like state she'd been in in the council chambers. "Some kind of violent revolution, most likely."

"I'd agree with that," Troi said. "I got the impression the Mistresses know their hold on society is tenuous at best. They know they do not have the full support of all the public."

"You don't think all the women on the planet share their views, then?" Riker asked.

"No, not anymore than everyone believed slavery was morally justifiable in Earth history when that was legal centuries ago. I think we're seeing a powerful group enforcing its views on the whole of society."

Riker grunted, "And what can we do about it?"

Data stepped towards him and raised a finger, "As you know, Commander, the Prime Directive prohibits us from taking any action to influence this planet's natural development."

"I know what the Prime Directive says, Data," Riker said, stalking over to the couch where he flopped down next to Troi. "These people have limited technology, correct?"

"Yes," Data said. "In some ways, their technology is similar to late 20th-century Earth."

"So, their scientists, even if they were able to detect the asteroid, wouldn't be able to do anything about it," Riker stated.

"That is an accurate statement of facts, sir," Data nodded. "That is what I will try and impress upon the scientists I meet with."

The door opened again, and this time a woman entered. She was dressed in the same clothes as the Mistresses, but carried a gun and what looked to be a pile of clothing. None of the away team members remembered seeing her in the council chambers. She must be a policewoman, then.

"You, Machine," she pointed her gun at Data. "You will wear one of these and accompany me to the laboratory."

Data approached the pile of clothes she had set down on the table. It was a black caftan and hood.

"This is the undergarment," the woman tossed what appeared to be a scuba diving suit, minus scuba equipment, at the android.

Data blinked without moving. "What is the purpose of these garments?" he finally asked.

The policewoman straightened her back and pointed her gun at Data again. "Mistress Aliana has instructed you to wear it when you are outside these chambers away from your women… you too," she pointed her gun at Riker.

Data still made no move towards the coverings. "Again, I ask, why? I am a visitor you your planet…"

The policewoman lowered her gun to the ground below Data's feet and shot off a round. "You are required to wear these garments!" she shouted. "Punishment for not wearing them is DEATH!"

"Data," Riker called his attention. When Data turned to catch his eye, Riker gave one slow nod.

He picked up the garments in order to take them to the next room to change, but the policewoman stopped him. "Here is good enough for you. I would not think a machine would be so modest."

Data raised an eyebrow, and then began to remove his Starfleet uniform to put on the tight undergarment. Riker, Troi and Ro all looked away, but the policewoman leered the entire time, especially when she discovered how anatomically correct Data really was.

"A wanton, just like all males," she said, sneering. "I bet you enjoyed that."

"No," Data said simply. "I do not enjoy anything. But it is clear that you did."

The woman grimaced and pointed her gun at the door, "This way," she waved. Data, clad from head-to-toe in the black flowing garment did not lower his head as he turned to leave.

As the strange pair walked through the door, the rest of the away team looked around at one another. "I think I better contact the Captain," Riker finally said. "This mission isn't exactly going as planned."

Data removed the servo from his forearm and disconnected it from the scientists' computer terminal.

None of the six women in the room spoke for a moment. They had just viewed animation of the near-destruction of their home.

After the policewoman had delivered Data and left, the scientists had had to examine him carefully. None had ever seen an android before. He had humored them as best as he could, but eventually he showed them the information they needed to know.

Now, they sat in silence, trying to comprehend it.

Finally, one of them, a curly-haired blonde named Calindra, looked furtively at the others. "Six months ago," she said. "I discovered a large object with my telescope. I've tracked it since and believed it was heading towards us… but I didn't think it would impact."

Dalia, another of the scientists, said, "I saw the object too… but I knew Aliana would dismiss it. It would be death to mention it to her."

"Then you believe we are trying to help you?" Data asked.

Calindra looked him in the eye, "Yes… but…"

Dalia finished for her. "But we cannot say so to Aliana. She has her mind made up already. Any attempt to change it would be suicide for ourselves and our families."

"She would silence truth and destroy her people, simply to keep up the illusion of her power," Data said to himself. "Curious."

Dalia had heard him, however. "It isn't an illusion, Mr. Machine. Aliana is powerful. That's the only reason she is on the seat of The Elected One."

Data frowned, "She was not elected then?"

The scientist chortled, "She was elected by her fellow Restorers, all right."

"Shhh," Calindra warned her.

Dalia would have none of it. "The Machine deserves to know," she said. "Some say this all started when he and his kind were here the last time."

"I am curious to hear the story of how Mistress Aliana came to power," Data nodded for her to continue.

"There was a group," Dalia said, "That thought Mistress Beata was too lenient on the Odin families. 'They deserved death,' they said. 'In the old days, no man would be able to influence a leader the way your Commander Riker influenced Beata… Beata must be a weak ruler.'

"It went on like that for months… years, even… From that day forward Beata was a weakling in their eyes, although to the rest of us, she seemed a reasonable leader. She instituted some reforms, but she was just keeping up with the times. She didn't like change any more than the rest of us do.

"But," Dalia continued, "This group didn't see it that way. A group of security guards plotted together, and one night while we all slept… they crept into Beata's rooms and killed her in cold blood… right in front of poor Trent, too…"

Calindra took over the narrative. "Aliana was the ringleader. They called themselves, 'The Restorers' because they said they were restoring the old order… which is a lie… our ancestors never lived this way… treated their males this badly."

Dalia finished, "They only care about ruling. You might say Aliana is on a power trip."

Data puzzled over what they had told him. "If the majority of you do not want to live this way, then why do you not overthrow Aliana and the rest of The Restorers?"

"Mr. Machine, you do not understand," Dalia said roughly.

"What I do understand," Data said, "Is you and your loved ones are about to be destroyed because your government will not listen to reason. My shipmates and I can help you, but apparently your fear of Mistress Aliana is holding you back."

The scientists didn't like the way that sounded. They traded glances back and forth amongst each other until Dalia finally said, "All right Mr. Machine… What exactly do you suggest we do?"