Chapter 4
Continued from Chapter 3:
Picard looked at the button and his finger hovering above it. The temptation to press the button and yell something to the Enterprise was almost overwhelming, but he finally moved his hand away from it. He let the disruptor slip from his fingers and fall to the floor before raising his hands.
"That was a wise tactical move, Captain, Tomalak commented approvingly. "You would have been dead before you could get two syllables out." Tomalak turned to the Romulan soldier that Picard had taken prisoner. "You are a traitor," he said as he raised his disruptor to the soldier's chest and fired. The Romulan disappeared in a blazing green aura, his agonized scream echoing through the room.
"Tomalak!" Picard shouted in shock and horror at what had just happened. "You murderer, that man was only doing what I made him do. If you wanted to kill someone that badly, you should have killed me."
"You may yet get your wish, Picard," Tomalak replied. "You would have killed him yourself if he did not do what you wanted."
"You're wrong, Tomalak. I don't kill if there is any way to avoid it."
"Enough of this, Picard. What's done is done. You have just caused me a great deal of trouble. I cannot let that go unpunished. Guards." Two soldiers grabbed Picard's arms, one on each side, holding him still "I have wanted to do this for a long time." Tomalak smashed Picard on the left side of his face with a powerful backhand. Picard's head snapped back from the force. "Hold him still!" Tomalak snapped at the guards. "I do not want him to forget this." He readied for another strike.
"Tomalak!!" a voice boomed from the doorway. "If you touch him again I will have you vaporized on the spot."
"Stay out of this, Taibak," Tomalak shot back. "This has nothing to do with you.
Even through his rapidly swelling eye, Picard saw the lean Romulan with angular features approaching from the door. "Everything concerning this operation has to do with me. You will not do anything to him. I will hold you personally responsible for anything that happens to ANY of the prisoners."
"This is my ship, Taibak."
"You are misinformed," Taibak's tone was coldly poisonous. "This was your ship. This ship now belongs to the Tal Shiar, and hence, to me. Any deviation from that whatsoever will result in your immediate death. And I guarantee you that your death will not be so quick and pleasant as what you just did to that soldier."
"Taibak," Tomalak challenged, almost pleading, "Picard escaped and tried to contact his ship. If he had succeeded, the plan would have been destroyed. He had to be punished."
"SILENCE!" Taibak ordered. "I had all communications consoles in this sector disabled just in case something like this occurred. You have an unhealthy obsession concerning Captain Picard and his ship. Personally, I couldn't care less what you do about it," Taibak's voice lowered another level, "but Captain Picard is my prisoner, and he will not be harmed without my direct order. Your life depends on that. If anything happens to him at all, I will hold you responsible. And I will kill you."
"Taibak--," Tomalak began
"This conversation is over."
Tomalak looked around. His soldiers were studiously avoiding his gaze. Tal Shiar soldiers surrounded them. Realizing he had lost, he stormed out of the room.
Taibak turned to Picard. "You were very nearly killed, Captain. I apologize for this incident. It is not what I wanted to happen to you."
"And what might that be?" Picard could hardly wait to find out.
"Right now, I just want you to be comfortable. Later --well, we'll have to see about later. I'm afraid I must return you to your cell now. I will send someone to attend your injury."
"What about the soldier Tomalak murdered?" Picard asked.
"He was fortunate," Taibak's voice spoke of death. "If I had caught him, he would be begging to die right now."
Picard shivered at the thought. Taibak was the soul of civility, but appeared to be more of a monster than Tomalak.
The Tal Shiar soldiers gently took Picard by the arms and led him back to his cell.
...............................
The Romulan physician snapped his medical tricorder shut. "I can give you something for the headache if you would like, Captain Picard."
Picard wearily shook his head, "No, thank you. You have been more than helpful. I would just like to rest now."
"Very well, if you change your mind, alert the guard and he will contact the medical bay for you."
With that, he strode to the door where the guard deactivated the force field to let him out. He nodded once more to Picard and then to the guard before exiting the corridor.
Alone finally, Picard massaged the back of his neck and laid back on the bed to find a comfortable position for a brief catnap. 'To sleep, perchance to dream,' was his last thought.
Picard slowly looked around the reception hall. He could hear someone talking, that idle conversation that characteristically bored him during these receptions. Everything seemed very surreal. In slow-motion, he scanned the crowd seeing faces and hearing muted voices, but not really focusing on anyone. Suddenly, across the room he saw her. She was standing with some Starfleet officers, but he didn't see them. He didn't see anyone but her in that moment.
She took his breath away. She was always the most beautiful woman in the room, but today Picard knew that she would always be, unquestionably, the most beautiful, desirable woman he would ever know. She was a vision, in a wedding gown of ivory satin with lace overlay and glittering from head to toe from the inlaid sequins and seed pearls. She looked quite regal with a tiara of pearls and Austrian crystals holding a shimmering veil which settled like a soft mist over her dark hair
Someone nudged him, and he realized that the orchestra had begun the opening strains of *Some Enchanted Evening*. Entranced, Picard made his way across the reception hall to his breathtaking wife. Reaching her side, he held out a hand to her. Vash smiled up into his face and laid her delicate hand in his. He courtly led her into the center of the room and, as everyone parted to surround them, took her in his arms for their first dance as man and wife.
She took her place in his arms naturally, one hand in his, one toying with the gold piping on the collar of his dress uniform. He held her gently, as if she were a dream that might disappear. They moved together like liquid silk, waltzing across the floor, unaware that anyone else even existed.
He cherished the feel of her against him. His hand spanned her tiny waist, pulling her even closer. Her enormous blue eyes gazed lovingly up at him in rapture. Never would he forget her eyes, those mischievous, laughing, wonderful doorways to the most special part of her. She lowered her eyes and he gently touched his lips to each eyelid. His own grey eyes caressed her face, his lips following as he tenderly kissed her delicate cheekbones, her full rose petal lips.
Vash leaned back slightly, allowing his gaze to linger on her soft, feminine curves in her exquisite bridal satin. The full skirt swished seductively around his legs as they waltzed. The pearls and sequins that covered her resplendent gown glimmered like freshly fallen snow with every graceful move she made. As she looked up at him through her thick lashes, her tiara sparkling as it crowned her dark hair, he knew she was more beautiful than any princess, real or imagined.
He felt a gentle squeeze around his fingers and he loosened his hold on the hand he held. Tenderly, he ran his thumb over the brilliant diamond ring he had placed on her finger just a few short hours ago as they exchanged their wedding vows.
Slowly he drew her closer to him. She lifted her face to his and her eyes drifted shut. He kissed her, just barely brushing her lips with his. He touched her lips ever-so-gently once again before slowly deepening their kiss, gradually allowing their passion to build. As the concluding strains of *Some Enchanted Evening* swirled around them, Vash leaned forward to press a tender kiss on his cheek. She whispered softly in his ear, "Come home."
She leaned back to look into his eyes and, with tears glistening in her own, added, "Please come home."
Picard startled awake to find himself reaching out for someone who was suddenly not there. As his breathing calmed, he remembered the dream. It had seemed so real, as if he were back on Earth on their wedding day. Sitting up, he rubbed one hand across the top of his head. He felt a knot form in his throat at the memory of their bridal dance. The knot tightened as he remembered how she looked when she really made that last plea, the night before this mission. He ran his hand over his face and felt the wetness staining his cheeks. He looked at his wedding ring. Closing his eyes, he held the image of their bridal dance in his mind for one brief second more before squaring his shoulders resolutely. He would hold on to that memory of their first dance as man and wife, but he was determined that they had not danced their last dance as man and wife.
.........................................
In Picard's readyroom, Vash looked over at Riker, behind the Captain's desk, poring over reports. She couldn't help thinking to herself, at least he has something to do. She smoothed out the skirt of her sapphire-blue, linen suit as she sat on the couch waiting for Picard to contact them. The outfit was a little formal for waiting around in her husband's office; but she wanted to look nice and it was one of his favorites. The suit was a gift from Jean-Luc shortly before they were married, he said it brought out the color of her eyes. She glanced at the chronometer for the twentieth time in ten minutes. They still had an hour or more before he was expected to contact them.
She stood up and walked around the room. She picked up Jean-Luc's model of the Stargazer and toyed with it She knew how dangerous this mission was and part of her was scared to death. She had to believe he could pull it off, she thought as she traced the bridge area of a model of the Enterprise D. She couldn't imagine otherwise. She twisted an antique brass sextant anxiously. It was silly, but she felt like a school girl waiting for a suitor to call. Lost in thought, she idly ran her fingers over the hilt of Picard's fencing foil.
Unnoticed by Vash, Riker looked up from what he was working on. His expression softened with concern as he noted how she nervously paced the room fidgeting with some of the captain's possessions. She walked past him to the fish tank behind the desk. He watched as she repeatedly tapped on the glass with one delicate pink fingernail. He carefully studied her features. Although she hid it well, he could tell she was very apprehensive. He wondered how long it had been since she had a good night's sleep. The plink, plink, plink of Vash's nail against the fish tank continued. He turned the chair toward her. Gently he laid his hand on hers, pressing it against the tank to stop the tapping.
"Vash, please," Riker requested simply.
"Sorry, Will," Vash sighed and looked over at him. "I'm sure I'm starting to get on your nerves."
"No, not at all." He squeezed her hand affectionately before letting go and leaning back in the chair. "But that fish probably feels differently."
"Livingston?" Vash gestured to the Australian lionfish in the aquarium. "He knows better than to mess with me, not unless the domesticated fish wants to meet the domesticated cat."
Vash's sudden flash of humor was a nice surprise. Wanting to encourage it, Riker baited her, "I always found it very telling that the captain has a pet fish and you have a pet cat."
She gave him a conspiratorial wink before wandering across the room to the shelf that held an antique rifle on it. She smiled, "I just realized something."
"What's that?" Riker was happy to see a real smile on her face. It was different from the one that was part of the brave front she had been putting on for the past few days.
"My husband is proof of the old saying that the only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys," Vash rolled her eyes dramatically and put her hands on her hips as she surveyed the room. "This is where he keeps all of his favorite toys. Office my foot, this is a toy room."
"I don't think anything in here can be described as a toy," he bantered playfully, hoping to keep her distracted.
"William, dear, do you know what this is?" She laid her hand on the butt of the rifle.
"According to the Captain, it's an 1861 Springfield muzzle loader with percussion cap. They were standard issue in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War," he answered.
"Do you know why this one is now on a Starship?" Before he could answer, she continued good naturedly. "Because the captain of said starship, your commanding officer, my loving husband thought it was, and I quote, 'really neat.'"
"I'm sure there's more to it." Riker had no clue as to what else there could be. But the rifle was really neat.
"An American Civil War rifle on a starship? Loyal to the end, huh, Commander?" Vash chuckled. "Well, if Robert E. Lee and his troops come riding onto the bridge, Jean-Luc will be ready."
"You have some pretty expensive toys yourself," he teased. He knew the captain had bought Vash some rather nice jewelry.
"Granted," she brought her hand up to study the diamond in her wedding ring. "The difference is I will admit they're toys."
"Oh, is that the difference?" Riker replied, pleased that their joking had lifted her spirits. With any luck, the Captain would contact them soon and everything would be fine.
"Commander," Worf said over the intercom from the tactical station. "I am intercepting a message from a Klingon bird of prey on the extreme starboard flank of the formation."
Riker looked at Vash with a hint of a smile. "Excellent, Mr. Worf. I'm on my way. He paused as he stood to leave, "Maybe three days of waiting will turn something up after all." He walked toward the door. "You are welcome to stay here until we hear from the Captain."
"Thank you, Will," Vash said gratefully. After Riker left the room, she walked over to sit in the large, comfortable chair behind her husband's desk. She noticed the switch for the bridge monitor. She had seen Jean-Luc use it countless times to keep track of activity on the bridge while he was working at his desk. She flipped on the switch and sat back in the chair. She might not be able to be on the bridge itself, but at least she could hear what was going on.
....................................
Riker stepped on to the bridge. His demeanor changed instantly as he walked through the door. "Report."
Worf looked up from his station. "The message was less than five seconds in duration. It was encrypted with-" Worf cut himself short. "Three Klingon K't'inga class battle cruisers decloaking in sector three, directly behind the formation. They are locking weapons!"
"Battle stations!" cried Riker, "Evasive maneuver omega one. Give us some vertical distance, Mr. Data." The commander looked at Worf "Secure channels to the Bradbury and the Eddings, defensive positions, ten thousand kilometers distance. Remind them not to cross the border."
"I have detected three photon torpedoes -- correction, six photon torpedoes directed at..." the Klingon's voice hesitated, "At the starboard and port vessels of the formation. I am switching to visual."
The screen had barely focused when the photon torpedoes ripped through the shields of two rebel birds of prey. As Riker watched the conflagrations on the screen, he looked at Data. "Keep us at a safe distance until we know what's going on." He turned to Worf. "Exactly what in the hell is going on?"
"Unknown," the Klingon growled, "All Romulan ships are powering forward disruptors. They are turning to face the K't'inga cruisers. Their aft shields are at maximum."
"So much for the standoff," Riker muttered under his breath
"Sir," Worf said, "Incoming message from the lead K't'inga cruiser."
"On screen." Riker put on his best poker face.
The rough, lean features of a Klingon commander appeared on the screen. Riker's poker face dissolved into shock "Kurn!"
"Greetings from Gowron on this glorious day," Kurn nearly shouted above the noise of the Klingon bridge.
"Kurn," Riker shouted back. "What is going on?"
"Your captain is not on Qo'nos," Kurn answered. "He is on the Romulan warbird directly in front of you. We scanned the task force before we attacked and discovered his location. On behalf of the Chancellor of the Klingon Empire I request your assistance in the battle."
As Kurn's message sank in, Riker glanced up at the door to the Captain's readyroom just in time to see Vash step onto the bridge. Vash's expression, a mask of stoic determination that reminded Riker of the captain, left little doubt that she had been listening in. Quickly, she seated herself at an unmanned science station right next to the door of the readyroom. Riker decided to let her stay put. He knew where she was and she was safely out of the way.
"Incoming disruptor fire from one of the Romulan warbirds!" Worf reported.
Before Riker could respond, the ship was rocked from the impact of the disruptor. "Damage report!" Riker demanded.
"Foreward shields down 10% and holding," Worf informed him, tapping the console in front of him.
"Load forward torpedo bays, maximum yield. Target their engines," Riker nodded. "Tell Kurn that his request has been considered at length and is granted," he paused. "Fire."
A stream of twenty glowing torpedoes raced from the Enterprise toward the Romulan ship. The shields were decimated by the first twelve energy blasts, each weakening the shields further. The remaining eight torpedoes ripped apart the hull. The Romulan ship blossomed into a red and orange fireball so intense that Riker squinted briefly.
"Data," Riker stood over the android's shoulder, looking at the tactical situation. "Bring us about starboard to bearing 243 mark 74. One-third impulse."
"Sir," Data protested, "That course will put us in the direct line of fire of three-"
"Trust me," Riker's eyes gleamed. "Z-minus 10,000 meters on my mark."
The Enterprise turned to face a Klingon bird of prey. A warbird pivoted to bring its weapons to bear on the flagship.
"Romulan photon torpedoes released at aft. Distance 25,000 kilometers. Impact in seven seconds."
"Now, Mr. Data. Full impulse," Riker ordered.
"Four seconds.. impact averted," the Klingon nodded.
The Enterprise descended 10,000 meters, barely beneath the torpedoes. The Romulan torpedoes pummeled the bird of prey's forward shields.
"Bird of prey's shields weakened by 19%. Their weapons systems are off line."
"Mr. Data, aft viewer, I want to see what's happening." The Romulan warbird was descending for another attack.
"They are powering up their disruptors," Worf informed Riker.
"Lock phasers on their primary power source," Riker said. "Increase power to the aft shields."
"They are locking disruptors," Worf reported. "Distance decreasing."
"Fire," Riker ordered. Ribbons of glowing energy shot from the drive section of the Enterprise, cutting into the shields of the warbird. At the same time, two other ribbons of energy from the USS Eddings sliced into the warbird from above. After several seconds, the phaser fire penetrated the shields and nearly cut the body of the warbird in half. The dying ship sparked for several moments before exploding with the brightness of a small star.
"I hope you did not mind the intrusion into your affair, Commander," Captain Ch'kul of the USS Eddings said over the intercom.
"Not at all, Captain," Riker replied, wondering if Vulcans could be sarcastic. "Thank you." He turned to Worf during the lull while they searched for another target. "Status report."
Worf surveyed his station. "Kurn's ships have destroyed three more ships. The Bradbury disabled the lead Romulan ship's warp drive; however, it has fled the area on impulse power and cloaked.
Riker nodded. "And the remaining ship?"
"Scanning." the security officer searched his screen. "Klingon bird of prey in sector 3 bearing 17 mark 4."
"That's on a collision course with-," Riker motioned to Worf to activate communications, "Captain Yannis, we are tracking a bird of prey on a collision course with your ship, bearing 17 mark 4."
The message was met with silence. "Worf?"
"The Bradbury has received damage to its primary sensor array and to communications. They are probably not aware of the danger. Twenty seconds to impact."
"Captain Ch'kul, concentrate fire on the bird of prey," Commander Riker took a quick breath and continued, "Commander LaForge. I need all the power you can muster to the forward tractor beams." He looked at Mr. Data, "I want two tractor beams on the Bradbury as we pass by, NOW!"
"Twelve seconds to impact," Mr. Worf reported.
"Tractor beams in place. Bradbury's movement at ten thousand meters. . . fifteen thousand meters." Data looked at the screen.
"Come on, Yannis, get the hint." Riker hoped that Yannis would realize his ship was in danger and fire up his engines.
"Seven seconds."
"Sir," Data voice sounded almost excited, "The Bradbury has powered up warp engines. Bearing 222 mark 19."
Riker shook his head. "Cutting a little close, aren't we?"
The Bradbury shot into warp moments before the Eddings released two streams of photon torpedoes into the side of the bird of prey. The Klingon ship spun out of control. Another salvo from the Eddings destroyed the ship.
"Is there anything left?" Riker asked Data.
"Scanning. No sir. All enemy ships except one Romulan warbird are either destroyed or captured."
Worf called from the tactical station. "Kurn is hailing."
"On screen," Riker answered.
Kurn appeared on the main viewer, flushed with pride at the victory. "Glorious!" he shouted. "You fought well, Enterprise. "Placing yourself between two enemy ships and letting them fire on each other was worthy of a Klingon."
"Thank you, Kurn," Riker said, wanting to get the self-congratulations over with. "You too fought bravely. Would you mind filling us in on the situation?"
"Gowron sent us. He discovered that the ship he sent to bring Captain Picard to Qo'nos was commanded by a traitor. As soon as he learned of the traitor he sent me with some ships to meet you here and find Captain Picard. When we arrived and saw the traitor ships at the border we scanned them. They had concentrated their energy on their forward shields believing the threat was from you. We scanned three human readings on the Romulan ship that escaped."
"Deanna," came Worf's concerned growl from tactical.
"That ship won't get far," Riker said, ignoring Worf's distress for the moment. "Its main engine is out. It escaped on impulse power We'll commence a search for the ship immediately."
"The ship is cloaked, Commander," Kurn said. "It will be almost impossible to find it unless it is leaking something traceable. However, as Gowron considers Captain Picard's safe arrival on Qo'nos to be a top priority, we will remain to assist in the search and then to escort you to Qo'nos."
"Thank you, Kurn Commander Worf will coordinate with your tactical to establish search areas."
"Very well, Commander. Kurn out" Kurn's face was replaced on the viewscreen with the red and black of the Klingon symbol
"Data, we have to find that Romulan ship before it makes repairs and takes the captain to who-knows-where," Riker said. He noticed Data's very concerned expression He followed Data's gaze over to where Vash was still sitting at the science station. Silently, he cursed himself. She had been so quiet that he had forgotten she was there. Riker took a deep breath and started again, "Data, how long will it take to get your spectrometer in operation?"
Data looked back at the first officer and thought for a millisecond. "With Commander LaForge's assistance, it should take approximately 47 minutes."
"Get on it," Riker ordered. Data left his station and was immediately replaced by another officer. Riker walked up the ramp to join Worf at tactical. "Worf, I know you're worried, but Deanna needs you to concentrate here. Once we find the Romulan ship, we have to figure out a way to get the captain and the others off."
"I know, Commander, she'll be all right. If they harm one hair on her head, their children will be screaming in agony for generations to come. As to the ship, their condition is unknown. We do know their warp power was off-line when they fled."
"No way to know if their shields and weapons are still operational," Riker said, half to himself.
"Yes, sir," Worf answered automatically.
"Plot your best guess as to where the Romulan ship may have gone We may have the ability to see it while it's cloaked, but only if we're looking in the right place. I want to be ready when that spectrometer is."
"Aye, sir." Worf pushed his thoughts of Deanna away and began working the instruments on the control panel. He was determined to plot the Romulans ship's last known heading from the sensor logs of the battle.
Forty-five minutes later Data and LaForge walked onto the bridge. "We're ready," LaForge said.
"We have four class one probes configured for lightwave comparison with the spectrometer We should deploy them simultaneously at equal distances from the Enterprise -- directly above and below as well as port and starboard. We can then use the ship to search different areas of space."
Worf spoke from the tactical station. "I have a possible heading for the Romulan ship at 332 mark 14. I suggest beginning the search in that area."
"I agree," Data said. "Without evidence to search elsewhere, that would be the most logical place to begin."
"Very well," Riker said. "Deploy the probes, Mr. Data."
Data moved to the science station and began working the controls. Outside the Enterprise, four glowing orange specks discharged from above the main sensor array. They moved a short distance in front of the ship and fired their onboard engines, racing through space in opposite directions. In a few minutes the Enterprise was at the center of a large cross formed by the probes. "Probes are in position one-half light year from the Enterprise," Data reported. He paused to check readings. "Receiving telemetry from all probes. We may begin the search."
"Proceed," Riker said.
Data began working controls and monitoring readings on the panel of the science station. Geordi was continually fine-tuning the positioning of the probes. They worked silently for ten minutes before reporting. "We have checked everything along Mr. Worf's course heading for a distance of one light year with no indication of a cloaked vessel."
Riker looked disappointed. "Very well, Commander. Please continue the search. Advise me the second you have anything at all."
"Yes, sir," Data answered. He and Geordi began working the controls on the panel again.
After what seemed to Riker to be an eternity -- but was only thirty minutes -Data spoke up from the science station. "Commander, I believe we have found the Romulan ship."
"Where?" Riker almost jumped from the center seat.
"Bearing 142 mark 8. At a distance of point seven light years. It is in Federation space. It appears to be stationary."
"Well," Riker said. "They'd rather deal with us than with the Klingons, even better." He turned to Worf. "Contact the Eddings. Advise them of the Romulan ship's position and to meet us there at battle stations."
"Message acknowledged by the Eddings, sir. They are waiting for our lead," Worf said.
"Set course for the Romulan ship, warp two," Riker ordered the helm.
"Course laid in, sir," the helmsman responded.
"Engage."
The Enterprise, followed by the Eddings, jumped into the rainbow of warp speed, but stayed there for only a few seconds. They dropped out of warp with weapons at the ready and pointed at what appeared to be empty space.
"Sensor readings of this area are consistent with a cloaked vessel in the area," Data advised from navigation. "I believe the Romulan vessel is directly in front of us."
"Open hailing frequencies, Mr. Worf," Riker ordered.
"Hailing frequencies open, sir."
Riker spoke loudly toward the viewscreen. "This is Commander William T. Riker of the Federation Starship Enterprise to the cloaked Romulan vessel. You are holding Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Federation Ambassador Fontaine, and a member of the Enterprise crew. I demand that you turn them over immediately."
Riker looked around the bridge waiting for an answer.
After several moments Worf spoke. "There is no reply. I will repeat the hail."
"Data?" Riker asked
"The Romulan ship is here," Data responded. "I cannot give you a weapons lock nor an exact position, but the ship is relatively close and generally in front of us." Data paused briefly "You are aware, sir, that as long as the Romulan ship is cloaked, it has no shields."
"That's just what I was thinking," Riker said
"No response to the hail," Worf said from the tactical station.
"All right, Worf. Send this," Riker spoke a little louder. "This is Commander William T. Riker of the USS Enterprise. We know you are in this area and are holding Captain Picard and his party. If you do not reply to our hail within thirty seconds, both the Enterprise and the other Federation starship will begin laying down blanket phaser fire until we strike your ship. After we have captured you, I'm sure the Klingons would like to have a word with you."
After several seconds Worf spoke. "Still nothing, sir."
"Very well." Riker said. "Ready phasers. Advise the Eddings to ready their phasers and prepare to fire a pattern grid."
"Aye, sir," Worf said. "Phases ready," he added.
"Firing coordinates laid in," Data reported from navigation.
"The Eddings reports they are ready," Worf said.
"Prepare to fire on my command," Riker ordered. "Open hailing frequencies."
"Hailing frequencies open, sir," Worf responded.
"This is Commander Riker of the USS Enterprise. This is your last chance to decloak and turn our personnel over to us. If you do not respond immediately we will commence fire." Riker waited in silence.
"No response," Worf said after several seconds.
Riker took a deep breath. "Fire," he commanded.
Red and orange ribbons of pulsating energy lanced out from the Enterprise and the Eddings in a crossing pattern covering a large section of space to the front The phaser beams swept back and forth forming a grid in which nothing could hide. After thirty seconds, a phaser beam from the Eddings struck a ship cloaked in the darkness of space.
"We have it!" Worf half shouted.
"The Eddings struck the warbird on the upper starboard wing," Data said from navigation. "Unknown damage, sir.
"Lock all weapons on the coordinates of the warbird, Riker ordered. "Open hailing frequencies." Riker spoke louder. "This is the Enterprise. We have your exact coordinates. Every weapon on two starships is locked onto your ship. Would you be interested in some conversation at this point?"
Data called from his station. "Romulan ship decloaking directly off our port bow."
"Scan that ship, Worf," Riker said.
"Scanning," he paused for a moment. "Shields are raised, but weak. It still does not appear to have warp power. Its weapons systems are charged, but not locked." He checked the control panel. "Incoming message from the warbird."
"On screen," Riker hissed. The viewscreen fluctuated for a moment, then was filled with the image of Taibak's face. It did not look quite as calm as the last time he spoke to the Enterprise. "It's over, Taibak. You have Captain Picard. I want him back now!"
"Commander Riker," Taibok said, almost smiling. "This has all been a terrible misunderstanding. I really do wish I could help you in finding your captain, but I have no idea where he could be."
"You lying son of a Targ!" Worf shouted in anger at this transparent lie.
"Mr. Worf," Riker glared back at Worf, silently warning him to maintain silence.
"Don't patronize me, Taibak," Riker said, his voice lowering with anger. 'Those Klingon battle cruisers scanned your ship before they attacked you. They found three human life signs on your ship. If you doubt it, I can ask the Klingons to join us here so they can search your ship - personally."
For just a split second Taibak's face betrayed a look of stark terror before instantly regaining a look of practiced composure. "Commander," Taibak began again, "I think this misunderstanding can be --" Taibak was interrupted by a Romulan crewman. After talking to the crewman for several seconds, Taibak resumed his conversation with Riker. "Commander, I have just been informed that your captain may indeed be on this ship after all," he said feigning total surprise.
"Is that so," Riker said sarcastically.
"Yes," Taibak answered. "This is such a large ship. I cannot know everything that goes on. As a command officer on a large ship, you surely understand."
"Surely," Riker responded. "Now that you've found him, turn him and his party over.
"I would like nothing better than to give Captain Picard and his party back to you However, there is a small problem of our security after he has returned to you. Surely, you understand."
Riker grinned menacingly. "Personally, I would like nothing better than to give you to the Klingons, but I need my captain back. So here's the deal. I will confirm with Captain Picard that he and his party are all right. After, and only after, they have been safely returned, you will have safe passage to friendly space. I give you my word as a Starfleet officer"
"I want to believe you, Commander," Taibak said, "but what assurance will we have that we will be free to go once you have Captain Picard back."
"I guess you'll just have to trust me, won't you? You don't have a vote in this, Taibak," Riker shot back. "You give Picard and the others back now and go, or we render you defenseless and give you to the Klingons. That's it. Take it or leave it. You have one minute to decide or I'll make the choice for you."
"You leave me no choice, Commander. I graciously accept your terms and trust you will abide by them - on your honor," Taibak took a deep breath in resignation. "Very well, I will have Captain Picard brought to the bridge. It will take a few moments."
"That will be fine," Riker answered. The view switched to the warbird.
The tension on the Enterprise bridge rose rapidly as they waited to see the captain. Worf was gripping the edge of his tactical station with one hand and pounding the control panel with his other hand, running constant scans of the Romulan ship. Riker looked up and saw a very angry Klingon about to destroy Starfleet property. He shook his head and made his way up to stand beside Worf.
"You know, the captain would be very upset if you hurt his ship while he's gone." Riker was playing with fire, but if someone didn't do something, there was going to be a problem.
Worf's only response to Riker's attempt at humor was a menacing growl.
"Okay, Deanna would be very upset if you were in the brig for destroying the captain's ship her first night back. Better tactic?"
"Understood, Commander." Worf's movements on the control panel softened considerably.
With that situation handled, Riker looked down at Vash. She was still sitting at the unused science station boring a hole through the viewscreen with her eyes. Riker walked over her. "You don't have to be here for this," he said softly to Vash.
"I'd like to stay," she said without taking her eyes off of the screen.
"He's been held by the Romulans for three days," he whispered, "you may not like what you see."
"I know, Will," she said, looking at him for the first time. "I just want to see him. I know he won't see me. But still, I need to see him." She gave Riker a brave half-smile and saluted with two fingers. "I promise to be a good girl."
"Promises, promises. All right," he answered. "But remember, I warned you." She nodded. Riker walked back to navigation and continued pacing.
"Incoming message from the warbird," Worf announced.
"On screen." Riker turned toward the front of the bridge.
Taibak again filled the Enterprise viewscreen. "Commander Riker, Captain Picard is here with me."
"Good," Riker said. "I would like to speak to him."
"Very well," Taibak said.
Taibak stepped aside. Picard immediately replaced him in the viewscreen. He was pale and looked as if he had not slept in days. Underneath several days growth of beard, a large bruise was darkening on the left side of his face near his eye. A cut had scabbed above his left eye. Vash's eyes widened and the blood drained from her face as she took in the sight of her husband.
Riker's jaw set in anger at what had happened to the captain while in Romulan custody. "Are you all right, Captain?" he asked.
"Yes, Number One," Picard answered slowly. The fatigue in his voice was apparent.
"What happened?" Riker asked, somewhat impatiently
Picard looked off-screen for a moment, then back toward Riker. "It's nothing, Number One," he said slowly. "It was just an accident. Nothing for you or anyone else to worry about."
"Understood, sir," Riker replied, looking over to Vash. Then, turning back to the screen he continued, "Do you know the status of Ambassador Fontaine and Counselor Troi?"
"I didn't until just a few moments ago. We were held separately. They appear to be fine, although we will all be glad to get back to the Enterprise." Picard had seen the look Riker had directed off-screen and understood. Vash was on the bridge. "It seems this mission should have been left to the legendary James T. Kirk after all."
"Yes, sir." Riker had no idea what Picard was talking about. At the science station, Vash knew exactly what her husband meant and a small tremulous smile played at her lips.
"We will transport you off the Romulan ship as soon as we receive coordinates." This couldn't be over too soon to suit Riker.
Taibak suddenly reappeared in the viewscreen. "Commander, for security reasons, we cannot allow you to use your transporters on our ship. We will send your captain and his party to you by shuttle."
"We will send a shuttle to your ship," Riker countered.
"Out of the question," Taibak replied. "We will transport them to your ship on our shuttle."
"Don't push your luck, Taibak. I have one nerve left and you're starting to get on it!"
Captain Picard interrupted the debate. "That will be fine, Number One. We will return to the Enterprise on the Romulan shuttle. If they were going to do anything to us, they would have already done it."
"As you wish, sir," Riker replied. "We will meet you in shuttle bay one. Taibak, prepare to receive flight clearance into our shuttlebay."
"Acknowledged, Commander. Hopefully this misunderstanding will not be repeated in the future."
Riker did not respond to the comment.
"Communications closed," Worf said.
"Data," Riker called, "prepare a tractor beam. Have it ready to lock onto the Romulan shuttle, just in case."
"Yes, sir," Data replied.
"Permission to secure shuttle bay one, Commander." Worf was already motioning for a replacement at tactical.
Riker turned to Worf. "Permission granted. Take a full security team. I want to be ready in case this is a trick."
"Aye, sir, security team to Shuttle Bay One," Worf growled, already at the doors to the turbolift.
Five minutes later a small craft left the immense body of the warbird and headed for the Enterprise. "Shuttle is enroute," Data announced.
"Keep tracking it, Data," Riker said. "Open communications to the shuttle."
"Communications open," Data said.
"Captain Picard?" Riker called.
"Yes, Number One," Picard answered as he appeared on the viewscreen. "All present and accounted for. How much damage has Mr. Worf done to my ship?"
"Not much, sir," Riker said, almost allowing himself a sigh of relief. "Vash has behaved herself as well."
"Indeed. Will wonders never cease?" Picard gave a small smile. He was definitely going to have to find out how Vash found her way onto the bridge during a battle. "How long till docking?"
"We estimate shuttle landing in eight minutes."
"Acknowledged, Number One. We look forward to seeing you. Picard out."
"Communications closed," Data said. He looked at his panel for a second. 'Sir?' he called. "I am reading large energy fluctuations in the Romulan warbird."
"Ready weapons," Riker ordered the officer at tactical. "What kind of fluctuations, Data?"
"I believe they are powering their main engines." Data checked his panel. "And also their forward disruptors."
"Extend the shields around the shuttle!" Riker yelled. "Contact the Eddings, have them do the same."
"Extending shields," Data said. "The shuttle is at the extreme edge of our shield range. Our shields will not protect it at this range." He check his panel. "The Eddings has also extended its -- Warbird firing on the shuttle."
Standing up and gripping the panel of the science station for support, Vash gasped in horror. 'No!' her mind screamed as she watched the warbird's disrupter bolts head for the shuttle.
TBC
