Counselor Troi rushed to aid ensign Crusher while Data checked on the unfortunate science officer.
The Republic party glanced around in apprehension and seemed to cluster even closer together.
"Lt. Harris is dead," Data said.
"My God, all systems out? What the hell did they hit us with?"
"Unknown Captain, it appears to be designed to disrupt the target vessels electrical and computer systems at a fundamental level."
"An Ion cannon," one of the Republican officers interjected.
Riker's face hardened, "if they had this, why didn't they use it right away?"
Picard suddenly looked older, "perhaps they were simply toying with us Number One." Without waiting for a reply he moved across the bridge and knelt by the young son of Jack Crusher, another fine officer who had died under his command long ago.
"How is he, counselor?"
"He needs to get to sickbay Captain. I used an emergency painkiller from the medical kit, but these plasma burns are serious." Troi cradled the youths head in her lap and stroked his hair gently.
Picard rubbed his brow over and over with one hand, "Picard to sickbay."
"Yes Captain," came a disembodied and haggard sounding voice.
"Dr. Pulaski, what is your situation?"
"We have multiple wounded Jean Luc, including me, but it's just a broken ankle. What's happened?"
"We have been disabled and lost almost all systems, can you manage down there?"
"We're working with hand lights and emergency kits Captain. All of my bio-beds are down, but we'll make do."
Picard grimaced, "Data–the turbolifts?"
Data shook his head, "they are inoperable without power Captain."
"Can you get Wesley to sickbay?"
Deanna looked up, her eyes bright with tears, it was a rare moment to hear Captain Picard lose his bearing and refer to a crewman by his given name in such a situation.
"It is feasible Captain, but carrying him through the jeffries tubes could easily aggravate his injuries.
Riker leaned in and whispered in the Captain's ear, while Worf attempted to wedge open a recalcitrant turbolift door.
"Good God Number One, can Geordi maintain containment?"
Will Riker's expression was grave, "he thinks so, but he needs to replace almost all of our Isolinear chips, he could use Data."
Picard sighed, "Data, get to engineering and help Geordi, we need power and we need it now!"
"Aye sir."
Princess Leia spoke up once data moved off to comply, "Captain Picard is it?"
Picard nodded, stood and straightened his tunic.
"I am Senator Leia Organa of Alderaan, and this is my protector, Captain Antilles of the Tantive IV."
The Captain strode forward and gave Picard a quick salute, "our gratitude Captain, for your help, for saving our lives. By the force if the Imperial navy had captured us--" Captain Antilles let the sentence trail off and supressed a shudder, almost.
Senator Organa stepped forward, "that is not what worries me Captain, the only thing that matters is the data. Captain Picard did you 'transport' the droids to this vessel as well?" She clutched at his arm, desperately.
Picard could not help but look surprised, "'droids'?" he asked, "do you mean androids like Commander Data?" He indicated the golden skinned being that helped force open the stuck turbolift door and clambered down to their engineering deck.
Leia's young face crinkled in confusion, "'commander' Data? He was a droid?"
"Yes, well perhaps we mean two different things," he tapped hi comm badge, "bridge to transporter room."
There was a long pause, "O'bwien heeya, Cap'n," he sounded odd, like he was holding his nose while speaking.
"Are you all right chief?"
"Ah, one ub dese bloody beepul bloke my nobe, sir. I hab to stun 'em."
Picard blinked and glanced back at Leia.
Captain Antilles cleared his throat, "I would like to apologize for that Captain, you matter transference technology was totally unexpected and, uh somewhat shocking frankly. Some of my men panicked when they arrived and they attacked your 'transporter chief'. I am afraid he was injured and had to use his stun weapon on several of them."
The dark-skinned alien with the bony crest on his forehead spoke up, "if memory serves Captain, we transported only organic life form readings to the Enterprise, that is standard procedure for emergency transport situations."
"Very good Mr. Worf," the bald Captain turned back to Princess Leia, "I am sorry Ambassador--"
"Call me Leia ah–?" She flashed the older man a brilliant smile. My, he IS handsome, brave, and obviously sophisticated, a natural leader...
Picard smiled broadly, "Jean Luc, Leia, it's Jean Luc. But, it appears we did not transport your droids. Our sensors most likely mistook them for part of your ship's systems and not crew members."
"But you don't understand, one of our R2 units is carrying the Death Star plans, that information is critical."
"Death Star?" Riker asked.
"An imperial terror weapon capable of destroying an entire planet," Leia noticed the look of shock and surprise on Picard and Riker's faces, "what, you don't put such a weapon past Emperor Palpatine do you?"
"Ambassador," Riker said, "you don't understand we aren't from this region of space, in fact--"
A heavy metallic scrape followed by several hollow dull booms that echoed through the Starship's hull. The noises continued for several moments, each with a corresponding vibration running through the deck plating.
"They have engaged docking clamps," Captain Antilles said, "it won't be long now."
"Boarders?" Worf perked up at the idea.
"Imperial Stormtroopers," Leia nodded grimly.
"Mr. Worf, assemble your security teams, use all means at your disposal to repel boarders, we must hold out until Geordi can effect the proper repairs."
"Aye sir," Worf grinned ferally and moved to leave the bridge, but the tall Rebel officer motioned for him to wait.
"Allow my consular guards to aid your security teams."
"If it comes to that we will welcome your aid. Mr Worf coordinate the defense with Captain Antilles."
The Klingon nodded and led the Rebel officer off the bridge.
Picard turned to Princess Leia, "Are you sure these Imperials will not respond to negotiations?"
The young ambassador scoffed, "where are you people from? Don't you realize who they are? If the Emperor's lackeys get a hold of you they will torture your crew for information and strip this ship down for information about the rebellion!"
Riker sidled up to Picard, "Sir, I think this situation just got much more complicated."
"Agreed Number One. We do not have enough information, but we cannot sit bback and let them take this ship."
"Ambassador," Picard held the girls gaze, "Leia, I am afraid we are totally unfamiliar with your area of space, our presence here is a result of mischief, and completely unforseen."
"If we can just get power restored I know we can evade them, their Stardestroyer turns like a Gorn battleship with one engine, and their gunnery control is pretty sluggish," Riker said.
"Even so, they have us in their clutches Number One." Picard rolled his eyes towards the ceiling meaningfully. The dome at the top of the bridge clearly revealed the Stardestroyer's main hanger just above their heads.
"Not necessarily Captain," Riker smiled.
"Are you planning what I think you are Commander?"
Riker nodded, "Saucer separation."