Disclaimer in chapter 1.
Thanks to TenshiDaisy, Lt.Cmmdr. XFile,USS Enter, RoughIslandSunrise, and Digital Zord for the reviews, I feel so bad for taking so long to update but I hope this chapter was worth the wait and as always please review!!
Chapter 22
There's Always a Hitch
Angela Jackie jumped up and down on her bed while Picard studied a PADD at the desk. He turned around and found her head nearly hitting the ceiling.
"STOP THAT THIS INSTANT!" He snapped, Angela Jackie halted mid jump and landed on the bed crossed legged. Picard smiled in satisfaction, perhaps child rearing would not be as hard as it was all held up to be, he then returned to his PADD. Angela Jackie had seized jumping but she was incredibly bored, she crawled off the bed and leaned over Picard's shoulder.
"What are you reading?"
"A report on these people." He turned to look at Angela Jackie. "Do you know about the ancient Greeks and Romans?"
"They lived in Europe…about the time of Jesus...and…they founded democracy, and modern architecture…and had several Gods right?" Jean-Luc was astounded by how smart this young girl was.
"That's about it."
"My mom had pictures that she had taken of the buildings." Picard had to remember that in Angela Jackie's century some architecture still remained and was not completely in ruins.
"Well this planet is similar to ancient Greece and Rome, except they have technology greater than ours." She tried to comprehend all of this, but wanting Picard's approval she nodded in understandment, she'd try to figure it all out later. Angela Jackie stifled a yawn, Picard noticed this.
"It's late we have an early morning lets put you to bed."
"I'm not tired." Angela Jackie argued.
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not!" She crossed her arms, and didn't budge from her perch on the bed.
"Yes you are, now go put on your pajamas." Picard dug threw their suitcase and pulled out her PJ's. Angela Jackie glared at the pajamas then shook her head vigorously.
"Angela Jackie Chandler-Picard you will put on your pajamas and go to bed this minute!" A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Picard then lunged at the girl tickling her stomach.
"NO!" She squealed in delight, Picard took this to his advantage, he got the squirming girl out of her clothing and into her PJ's. He then picked her up and lifted her over his shoulders, as he pulled the sheets down. "I'M A PLANE!" She exclaimed pushing her arms out and mocking the sound of the propellers of her father's plane. The simple amusements of a child, Picard lowered the girl under the covers and tucked her in nice and tight.
"There!" He exclaimed triumphantly, the young girl giggled from under the covers, she wiggled out just far enough for her head to pop up. "Now good night!"
"Good night!" Picard couldn't help but laugh at the site, as soon as he finished reading his PADD he would go to bed himself.
---
President Bustan was sorting through documents on his desk, his wife Sudjeska stirred under the covers, she turned to find her husband reviewing documents.
"It's late come to bed." She suggested.
"In a moment dear."
"It's those humans from the starship Enterprise isn't it? They seem innocent, I heard they brought a child with them, why do you worry over them?" Sudjeska voiced her concern.
"They were sent by Q." Sudjeska sat straight up in bed, wrapping her robe around her body.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want to worry you."
"Are they here to destroy us?" Her voice hinted panic.
"I can not confirm or deny that."
"Spoken like a true politician." His wife hissed, she ran her hands through her hair. "Will just have to destroy them before they get to us." Her husband wiped around to stare his wife.
"You can't be serious. There are children aboard that ship!"
"And there are millions of children living on this planet!" She snapped at her husband, "If you wish to serve this planet as you proposed to do so in the election, to serve and protect and honor! Then you'll kill these humans!"
---
The Enterprise away team made their way down the corridor, Angela Jackie was in tow rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Captain." Counselor Troi came to an abrupt halt everyone seized movement.
"What is it Counselor?"
"I sense something…fear, but mostly anger…sir I believe we are in grave danger." Lt. Worf and Data drew their phasers and Angela Jackie became extremely concerned.
"Daddy." She whimpered, the captain clutched the frightened girl closer to his side.
"Sir there are some armed Precipuusians approaching from the south corridor." Ensign Rice reported.
"Halt! You are under arrest by the order of President Bustan and the Republic of Precipuus!" Declared one of the armed guards.
"Daddy." Angela Jackie cried.
"Enterprise emergency beam out!" Picard ordered, the familiar haze blinded the away team as they materialized back on the platform aboard Enterprise.
"What happened?" Riker inquired as the away team returned to the bridge.
"I'm not sure, but something tells me it has to do with Q." Picard replied.
"There is always a catch." Riker snorted.
"Sir three Precipuusians battleships are approaching fast." Data informed from sensors.
"Red alert, Lt. Worf shields!" A phaser blast from one of the battleships rocked Enterprise. Angela Jackie who had been silently waiting and observing from the turbo lift was thrown out and down the ramp. She cried out in pain as her leg collided with the corner of the helm control, another blast rocked the ship and Angela Jackie rolled to another part of the bridge her head banged into something hard, then everything went black.
