Chapter 2: Message from the Valdore
A/N: Hey, Shinzon will be here in the next chapter. The first two chapters are for background, as some of my friends don't watch Star Trek and had problems following along.
Enterprise
"If memory serves, your shift does not start for another 2 hours? " Picard inquired of Counselor Allisa Vendalla just after his lunch. He was scheduled to leave the Bridge in another hour. He then planned to talk to Guinan and another person who was talking to her right then.
"Oh yes sir, but I asked Commander Madden if I could start my shift early. I wanted to observe the interactions of the crew and shall I say…" She leaned over for only Picard's ears to hear, "…get an early glimpse of their minds and feelings," she managed.
'I'll have to remind myself for a while that she is not Deanna. Allisa is one of the children she had babysat when Deanna was younger 15 years ago before coming to the Enterprise,' Picard thought to himself. While initiating blocking techniques that his old counselor had taught him, he noticed a shocked look on Alisa's face at his knowledge of telepathic blocking. Picard was now wearing the Piontry medallion given to him by Adije. It immediately caused his mental abilities to continue in the direction it was taking him before he took it off.
Allisa knew that humans, as do most living creatures, possess a potential that they never fully can get in touch with. 'Picard has obviously tapped into his hidden abilities,' she thought inwardly. 'Was this related to the duration of time he spent inside the Briar Patch that Deanna told her about?'
Picard received a message there had been a problem with a few of his officers and told the senior officer to meet him in his Ready Room. As Picard waits for the new officer Commander Clintor Sealt to enter, Picard thought of the new powers given to Astronomics. Over the past few years there has been a shift towards Astronomics to answer some of the big questions the Federation has about existence. There has also been a driving force for finding ways of using new elements in space for new technology. Every Astronomic branch aboard Galaxy Star Ships has had additional scientists and engineers working for them.
Picard thought about the fact he has needed their help more frequently. He has gone to Astronomics on numerous occasions for assistance where he would have normally asked the android, Data. He heard the chirp of the Ready Room door, "Enter."
"Commander Sealt reporting as ordered sir." Sealt had a worried expression on his face that spoke volumes to Picard.
"Very well Commander Sealt, please have a seat and tell me what's bothering you." Picard seen a nobility within the new Astronomics Chief and decided he liked him.
"There have been a few bumps. It may just be where there have been a few new scientists and astronomers assigned here as well as me. You know I am sure about establishing protocol and one's position in the team." Commander Sealt was obviously holding back information about what was causing the stern look on his face.
"I was informed by your first in charge, Lieutenant Al Stupinshin, that you have been having problems with your scientists and engineers not giving command proper respect." Picard wished the new Commander would level with him. He had seen a review of his duties on his last post aboard the Interceptor and was impressed. He had met him before and Picard remembered his peaceful resolve. This man before him was under an extreme amount of stress and holding back his frustrations.
"I can assure you Captain Picard that there is nothing more going on here then the men and women getting use to each other at their new posts." Commander Sealt wished he could divulge all the problems he had with his number one Lieutenant Stupinshin. He knew if he complained about his actions, then Stupinshin would find a way to make it look like he was incompetent of the new command.
Picard looked rather stern himself, "I want you to report any misconduct directly to me. Very well, that will be all."
Picard walked over to the replicator as the Commander left. He ordered his favorite tea, Earl Grey. He made a mental note to ask Riker why the Lieutenant was not promoted to the new job and another from a different ship got the post.
Picard touched his com device on his uniform, "Lieutenant Al Stupinshin please respond."
"Stupinshin here Captain." He had used his spruced up voice.
Picard noted he did not like the airs Stupinshin put up around himself, "I would like for you to make a report for me of any misconduct in Astronomics."
"Yes, sir." Lieutenant Stupinshin had finally got his chance to stir things up a bit with the new Commander.
He thought if Sealt would leave without a replacement, he would get the command. After returning to his quarters, he told his wife, Darla, what he had done. She was pleased with his actions to unseat the new Commander Sealt.
Allisa settled back into her command chair once the captain returned and scanned the bridge. She could hear Worf's thoughts loud and clear. Deanna had told her the affair she had with Worf had been short and passionate, but a tiring one. She remembered Deanna saying, "Watch out for Worf. He is a very complex and complicated Klingon!" From the savageness of this thoughts about her she would certainly keep her distance. She turned over her shoulder to glance up at him while his back was turned and she could hear his thoughts floating into her mind. 'Well,' she thought, 'at least his thoughts for the moment are starting to return to normal and not so sexual and erotically graphic.'
Worf thought after controlling his urges and role playing in his imagination, 'She is as beautiful as Deanna is, but much younger. She probably would not fit into my life as Deanna did not. But then again she did fit in some ways. I think this rapturous vixen would be as savage for a human if not more. It would be a pleasurable experience at mating with this vibrant woman. I can picture her emerald eyes starring back at me under my grasp of her auburn hair. I could just bite her neck if she would give the occasion.'
Worf turned to gaze at her chair and caught her scrutiny. He glared back and stood straight in an impressive stance of bravery and determination. Allisa turned around in her seat after hearing his new thoughts say, 'I know you are listing to me. Could you not find yourself bending to my will? I know the human and Betazoid ways are more subtle, but I am a Klingon and you can cling on me at your request.' Allisa's face blushed as she sat back and severed the link to his mind. A moment before doing so she started to see his thoughts and images of a fantasy he had in his mind with her in it. She could almost feel his hands upon her waist. She uncontrollably shuddered for a short-lived instant. 'Ok, I wanted passion and aggressiveness, but Worf kind of scares me not seduces me. Deanna may have found the fact that he controlled himself and was more gentle with her, but I get to nervous around him.'
"Is every thing all right Commander Vendalla?" Picard questioned protectively as he glanced back at Worf who turned back to his station with an audible growl.
"Yes, everything is fine Captain." She lied and Picard knew she did so. Her thoughts turned to her own sexuality. She had only been with her ex- fiancé and none other. The pictures in Worf's mind were entirely overwhelming compared to her placid and boring partner from Betazed. She gazed blankly at the view screen in front of her off to the vastness of space and wondered to herself, 'Would there ever be a man who could show her love and passionate sex without it just being sex?' She realized her ex showed her love but not the enthusiasm and wild passion her heart strove for. She had heard thoughts in men's minds like Worf's lust that lacked the love. Such a man was not enough for her either.
She giggled momentarily to herself, 'from Geordi's subtle persuasions to Worf's blatant vigor. Is there never a combination of the two?'
Picard inclined his head and patted her hand for a moment. Allisa wondered if he could hear or feel her emotions and turned red again. She pressed forward into the empty space with her thoughts of longing for her Imzadi, 'Eternally yours. I don't know where you are, but I long for your touch of life to my soul.' She closed her eyes after a few moments when there was no response as usual. The voice that entered her dreams promised love, but reality pressed into her days and her hopes started to fade. Would she walk life's roads never fully having a beloved, Imzadi?
Allisa suddenly perceived a presence aboard the ship speaking to her straightforwardly, "My beloved, my Imzadi I am yours," a man's voice whispered and vanished.
Allisa sat frozen in a trance for the rest of her shift…was it one of her dreams again or was the voice real? Hours later her shift was over and she had secretly listened to hundreds of minds aboard the ship wondering who had spoken to her heart. She was off to her room. It was time to get ready for dinner.
Blundering through her belongings, she remembered the green dress her ex bought for her that would fit the dinner occasion perfectly. "And fit my eyes perfectly," she stated as she picked the gown up and held it to her shapely body in front of the mirror. She wanted to appear her finest for the first time she would see her beloved/Imzadi, if the man behind the voice came to the dinner. After getting every thing in place, she turned to the door. She could feel someone's thoughts on the other side of the door and went and opened it half expecting her Imzadi to be standing there. The gentlemen's back was to the door. He turned at the sound of the door opening.
"Hello Commander, uhhhh Counselor Vendalla." The first officer Madden stammered. Obviously, he was taken back by her off duty appearance. His thoughts read, 'Oh my gosh…those eyes…they search my very soul.'
"Hello, are you my escort to the dinner (the link to my very soul)?" Allisa said laughingly under half closed eyes with a smirk on her face. He extended his arm and she took it. Off they walked to the dinner in silence.
Half way through the dinner after everyone was loosened up with a glass of Picard family's wine. Allisa allowed herself to listen to everyone's thoughts once again. She smiled at their thoughts that her being there made them feel like Deanna was close to them. Her eyes shot to Commander Madden's eyes when she heard him contemplating over what to say to her next. 'Yes, he likes me also, but he has no passion just conformity, duty and respect. That leaves him out of my list of possibles,' she mentally checking his name off.
'That leaves off Worf, Madden, Geordi, and Picard…wait Picard. He looked younger than his pictures that were taken a year ago. No doubt the effects of the Briar Patch. That's right the lady at the Briar Patch. Ok, so who in command or at this dinner is left…none.' She frowned to herself. She had an impression of a man in her mind and she thought she would find him at this dinner or aboard this ship. A man who haunted her dreams was still out there. At first she thought it was Picard because of the similarities in the two voices. But no it could not be this man was much younger. Allisa felt a shudder through her being. It was an explosion of telepathic communications that almost knocked her off her chair, if she was not bracing herself already.
Picard turned and looked out the space portal window and whispered, "Where?"
"Where is he?" Allisa said out loud at the table in front of the entire head crew of the ship and quests. She had finished the Captain's question for him it seamed to the members of the dinner. She knew also it was Picard who was speaking her questions in her thoughts and also a response to the other voices both Picard and she heard. She felt a presence in her mind a whisper of a message. Something was not quite right. Unable to search it further because she noticed that everyone turned to look at her when she talked. 'How many voices was that? two or three? Riker and two others; one in close proximity to her in need of help and the other very far away that wanted information.
Her trance was broken and she looked to see everyone looking her way. She tried to cover it up by continuing, "Oh I just had the feeling like there was a man who was missing or should be here and he is not."
Which was a partial truth. She was trying to get the people to think of missing men to add them to her list until she could investigate wither it was her Imzadi. Was the same man who telepathically spoke to the captain just now? She seen pictures in everyone's thoughts of men they wished were there and were not. In Picard's mind she saw two images as before. The dead android, Data and another man who looked like a younger Picard. It was his clone!
"What do you feel exactly?" Picard questioned.
"Something is not quite right. Something is wrong. Someone needs our help and another information while there is a friend of yours who needs to speak to you as well. I could feel the thoughts directed at you Captain." Allisa said for only the captain to hear half starring at Picard who was looking pale and stationary.
At that moment the computer chimed, "Captain Picard?"
"Yes, Picard here." He answered back while looking up toward the ceiling.
"Sorry to interrupt you Sir, but we have received a relay communication from the Titan. There is a message for you from Riker about the Romulans." The voice over the intercom stated.
"Very well, transfer it to my quarters." Picard started to grimace. "If you all will excuse me?" He quickly strode out of the room to his living quarters.
Everyone at the dinner assumed that Allisa heard Riker's thoughts directed at the captain and now the captain was off to hear what is was about. Allisa glanced at the mint-chocolate chip ice cream in front of her. She was trying to understand what had just happened. Yes, she heard an urgency directed toward the captain from Riker, but there was another.
Someone aboard the ship was in need of help. There was a third that needed information. And she herself was asking a question of where her Imzadi was. It transformed from thought and interjection to all jumbled together in a surge of emotion. She explained her feelings of being overwhelmed and in need of rest and excused herself to her quarters. Where she changed clothing and emerged into the corridor outside her rooms to have a look at where that other voice on the ship was coming from.
Picard opened the channel. "Captain Picard, I wish we were talking under better circumstances. There has been a development with the Romulans." Riker hurried on. "Venora, on the warbird Valdore, wished me to convey to you that the ship that Suran died on when we battled the Scimitar was destroyed. You know what much, but you did not know is that the Remans have found 2 survivors who claim they were beamed to a third Romulan ship that was at the battle."
Stunned Picard flustered while maintaining control, "A third ship, there was no third Romulan ship." His turned and looked into a mirror and almost could hear the words of his nemesis saying to him, "You are me. I am a mirror for you." Both Riker and he knew there was a second Reman ship there cloaked, but not another Romulan ship. This was news to Picard. Could Data have been beamed to that ship instead of being exploded with the ship?
Riker smiled evilly, "Oh but there was I have now been told. The ship stood by and watched the other ships being attacked and never decloaked. The ship beamed certain people from the Romulan ship and from the Scimitor we have found."
Picard looked back to the view screen, "Data." he gasped. Then gained composure and in a false statement for anyone listing stated after a nod, "Well, Shinzon we know is dead because he could not survive without my blood and that last wound he received."
Riker nodded, "Yes, that is true."
Riker could see where this was going, "We don't know yet if Data was transported or not. I can tell you that the Remans in power on their planet and delegations in the new Senate are still mourning Shinzon's loss. And I believe that the third ship was cloaked or we would have seen them. Sorry captain, I believe there is no hope left." To this Riker nodded to Picard letting his old captain know that everything he just said was rubbish.
"What do you plan to do Number? I mean Captain Troi?" Picard stumbled out. They both smiled at the amusement the little joke offered them to comfort them at this moment.
Riker continued to convey his plans to Picard his old captain and confidant. They called the alien objects by another name and talked as if it were a person. After fifteen minutes or so Picard turned the conversation from the Romulans and Remans to the internal workings of the Enterprise. Riker told Picard about Lieutenant Stupinshin's wife. She had been demoted after finding she had mis-handled equipment and materials in the engineering section of Astronomics. She had done so when the first Astronomics Chief transferred to Star Fleet headquarters. Riker told how he suspected Al of helping her, but was not able to acquire enough evidence. Riker kept a check on everything for a time and then let it go.
"I just didn't trust him enough to be the Chief. He uses some trick working and manipulation to get things the way he wants it and I don't approve." Riker continued to talk for a few minutes then they closed the comunication.
Picard left from his desk after sending a memo to his number one officer Commander Maiden. It was concerning what he knew about the problem in Astronomics. He asked him to casually look around and see if he could get any new information. Then Picard laid down on his bed folding his arms under his head. "Could Data be alive or at least in pieces some where in Reman or Romulan hands?" He asked the empty room. He began to sing himself to sleep, "Never saw the sun Shinning so bright, Never saw things Going so right."
"Maybe yes Data is alive, maybe no. Can you hear someone talking to you other than me?" A voice whispered that woke Picard from hours of restful sleep and dreams of him and Adije sitting at dinner with their nonexistent children. 'Yes, it was time to awaken,' as he looked at his clock, but what kind of dream was that he pondered.
"Maybe yes, maybe no Captain Picard. Who has been talking to you without words…does he tell the truth?" a voice interjected in his mind again. This time Picard startled at the realization that it was not a dream, but real.
"What the He**?" The captain jumped to his feet looking around his room. Then he understood the voice was from Allisa. He was going to have a talk to her about proper use of her telepathic abilities and not listening to people's minds while receiving encrypted messages. Well, maybe just messages meant for him. And then he thought better of it. 'There is a voice in my mind that is not hers. Yes, he is calling to me again.'
In thought, 'Allisa can help me I think…I guess she already is.' This other voice is not that friendly he knew and that it meant him having to dispatch another communiqué into Reman space on his progress.
"Computer locate Counselor Vendalla." He asked.
"Counselor Vendalla is in hollo-deck 3." The computer answered.
Picard finally reached the floor with the hollo-deck 3 on it and found that Allisa had already departed and was in her quarters alone. He wondered at what kind of program she could have created or entered. Picard resumed the hologram-projected program and entered the hollo-deck. He almost did not believe what he saw. The program that the new counselor had fashioned was, "a replica of the Scimitar," the captain gasped. 'How much had Deanna told her? What would be her motives at making such a program? She would have required help to make the Scimitar with this kind of detail…but who?' Picard pondered in silent wonder.
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