The Enterprise Bridge

Riker's feet shifted as he felt the Enterprise drop out of warp. He looked up at the viewscreen.

The Hagan ships had gotten there only minutes before, however they had already started to bombard the cities from above.

The bridge crew watched as the Hagan ships turned from the planet. Riker inhaled sharply when he heard Worf announce that phasers were locked on them. He knew words had come out of his mouth, but didn't know what they were. He knew however their shields had been activated, not that much was left of them.

"Disable their weapons first, Worf."

"Aye, sir."

Riker closed his eyes and took a breath. They opened just as three red flashes dug into the haul of the ship before them. He glanced to the side, watching as the others joined in the battle.

The Enterprise continued to attack the lead vessel. Worf aimed for its engine, hoping to keep it from retreating. Riker looked over his shoulder at Worf as the Klingon prepared to deliver the crippling blow.

He turned his eyes back to the site before him. Suddenly all Hagan ships seemed to go dead. Picard held a hand out, halting Worf's attack.

For a minute, they watched and waited. Watched as nothing happened and waited to see what they would do.

And suddenly, without warning, all ships exploded in five brilliant balls of light.

Picard looked out at the flames as they slowly subsided. His eyes wandered over his motley fleet. His brows wrinkled in concern. Someone was missing.

His eyes ran back over each ship. A cloud of debris hung close to the Florida. He closed his eyes, head hanging in respect for the dead.

"Data, what's the status of the planet?"

"They managed to hit most of the Nilaain's major cities. Along with that, they hit the area of the Cadda cities, causing major cave-ins," Data reported.

"Commander, there is an incoming transmission from the planet."

"On screen." At the command, the image of Scartin appeared, his posture set in determination and anger while his eyes were full of sorrow and tears.

"Captain Picard, it is unfortunate to see you again under circumstances like these." Riker sighed, but nodded his greeting to Scartin. "What has happened? Who would have wanted to attack us?"

Picard glanced over at Riker before he answered. "An old enemy of yours. We've discovered that a race we had dealings with two years ago… was the same race that forced your ancestors to leave their previous home. We, accidentally, allowed them to know about you and your new home. They just recently had the chance to get here."

Scartin looked away as he tried to settle himself. When he looked back, a new face was there. Riker watched. He knew the transformation well. It was the same look the Hagan boy had given to him years before. "What is their race called?"

"The Mikolians."

Scartin sighed before asking, "How much damage did they do?"

Picard looked over at Data. The android stood, taking two long strides over to the Commander. "They hit most of your major cities. Much of the damage, however, happen to the Cadda. There have been several cave-ins. But the Fruma's country had remain untouched."

"Thank-you for your help, Captain Picard. I must go now and help where I can." The screen flicked off.

Picard sighed and turned back around to face his chair. But somehow he knew that wasn't the end of it.

"Detecting ten ships dropping out of warp. They're Starfleet."

"On screen." The screen switched to the image of the ten ships.

"The lead ship is hailing us." Picard nodded and almost immediately the image of a young Starfleet.

"I'm Captain Taylor of the starship Omega."

Picard nodded and gave him a slight smile before saying, "I'm afraid you're a bit late if you're here to help." Riker gave a slight chuckle but the other Captain did nothing.

"I'm not here to help you. I have orders from the new President of Earth," he announced.

"The 'new President Earth'?"

"That's right, you wouldn't have heard. The President went into hiding, no one knows why or where. Ambassador Amen is the new President and he has now ordered you to be removed from the command of this fleet, your ship, the Enterprise, and take you to be Court Martial."

The entire bridge was silent. Picard himself was stunned. He straightened, squared his shoulders, his face determined and unreadable. "For what?"

"For disobeying his direct orders."

"What orders?"

The other Captain wavered for a moment, but then he composed himself and retorted, "The ones you just executed. A small security team will be beaming onto your bridge. They will bring you onto my ship to transport you to Earth. The President has already decided that the other ships will only be escorted to Earth."

Worf's reflexes caused him to spring to action, pulling his phaser out the second he saw three foreign security officers beam aboard the bridge. Picard put his arm up to calm Worf for the other three had already pulled out their phasers as well.

"Worf, we don't want to cause a scene, do we? I will go voluntarily, they can't hold me against my will." Picard moved to be in between two of the security officers. "And, Number One, you have the Enterprise… Don't let my predicament hinder what you know you must do."

Riker was silent as he starred at his Captain. Shock didn't explain how he felt about Picard's lack of a fight. Slowly, Picard's words began to sink in… Riker had command of the Enterprise… and the six starship fleet. But the rest of what he was saying didn't make any sense.

After a few minutes, Riker nodded and the four disappeared. He just starred at the spot they had just vacated.

With a deep breath, Riker's mind was forced back to reality. He took in the sight on the viewscreen. Taylor's ships were maneuvering to surround them.

"Data, follow their course and speed. Worf, inform the rest to do the same." Riker's voice was resigned. He sighed and rubbed his face.

Riker turned away from the screen. His gaze fell upon the Captain's chair. It was right in front of him. There it was. He turned away, disgust building in the pit of his stomach. Not at the chair… at his inability to sit in it.

He looked back to the viewscreen. He could just see the Florida and the Warbird beside them. He was in charge of them now. He was in charge of the ship. Enterprise was his ship.

Riker sighed. He blew out a shaky breath. He bent back and grabbed the armrest. Slowly he eased into the chair- his new chair- and looked around. It was different there.

Sure, he had sat in that chair before. Nightshifts, times when Picard had put him in command, times when Picard had been sick… the time Picard had been assimilated…

He would never forget those days. Then he had thought Picard was gone. Thought he would never return… but he had. Riker just could live on hopeful thinking.

"E.T.A." Riker's voice was strained, he could hear the sound.

"Three days."

He knew his head nodded as he leaned back into the chair. But in truth, Riker was numb. He never felt the actions.

Riker squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing them hard. He felt Deanna's hand run over his shoulder. Barely, but the sensation soaked through. The looked over at her. He gestured at the ready room- his ready room.

Using the armrests to push him up, Riker walked away.

His normal stride was slow and approachable. But it was also cocky- somehow not in a bad way. But it had changed in the last few moments, Deanna noted. It was cold. It was strict and guarded. Numb. Like his emotions.

She followed behind, watching him. It was a stride she had seen before- when Picard was taken by the Borg.

The door slide closed behind her. Deanna looked over to see Riker falling into Picard's chair. "You look good in that chair." He looked away.

"What if I'm not ready for this?"

"Will… you have been ready for your own command since the day I met you. You've been offered dozens of commands in the past- you've been in command before! You can handle it."

She stepped behind the desk, running her hand over his back. He nodded, sighed, but didn't look at her.

The Enterprise Daycare

Will's hand reached out, tapping the release on the door to Liz's daycare.

Several children sat near the wall. Most were trembling- they looked as afraid as he felt… others were just bored and disinterested by what was going on.

He glanced around. There was little damage- he knew that would be true for the daycare had been placed in the center of the ship to keep it safe.

His mind shifted to his daughter- the reason he was there.

Will looked over his shoulder, his gaze resting on a small child in the corner. He sighed. She had never been in such a big engagement.

He knelt down, gently caressing her cheek. She looked up at him, tears shimmering in the dim lighting. She might have only been a quarter Betazoid, but she had an uncanny ability to know when he or her mother were around.

He gave her a smile, brushing the tears from her eyes. Her cheeks were puffy, stained with blotchy red patches. It hurt to she her like that.

Will draped his arms around her; she put her arms around his neck and cried onto her father's shoulder. He patted her back softly, rocking her gently.

"Shh, it's ok. The fighting's over for now. No more noises."