Chapter One

The building looked rather old and derelict, and if there wasn't some music and talking noises from the inside, they wouldn't have believed somebody was in there at all.

"Mr. Data, you are sure that this is the right place?" asked Picard.

"I am, Sir." Answered the android watching his tricorder. "This is exactly the adress the janitor told us."

It had been several hours in which Picard, Data, Worf and Riker had tried to figure out the whereabout of Miranda and Diane Vigo. They had been consulting offices and police stations and ended up in a quarter of the town that apparently mainly consisted of bars and nightclubs.

Commander Riker did not agree to the Captain's wish to join the away team, but since this matter applied Picard personally, he couldn't dissent.

They entered the scruffy building that claimed to be a bar. The whole place was kind of gloomy and smoky, although it was only midday yet.

"We're closed" shouted the red-haired, small woman behind the wooden counter.

"Excuse me," Riker asked as they walked inside, "I am Commander Riker from the starship Enterprise, we are searching for two persons here. Maybe you can help us?"

The woman stared pointedly. "Starfleet, eh? In some waaaaaay important mission? I know whatcha guys are in for. So tell me what ya want, so that I can get ya outta here soon."

Worf wanted to say something, but Picard's look made him remain silent.

"We are looking for two female humans, Miranda and Diane Vigo." Riker continued." We've been told that at least Diane Vigo has been here recently. Can you tell us where we can find her right now?"

The woman hesitated. Then she suddenly turned around. "Diane! Somebody wants to talk to you! Get your sorry arse over here NOW!"

There were some noises in the room behind the counter. Someone walked down some stairs strepitously. Then, through the door next to the bar, a young girl emerged.

Picard gasped. The first thing he thought was that it was Miranda standing in that door. A rather young Miranda on second sight, and with a strange but yet familiar look in her face.

Her waist-long, black hair was hanging loose around her shoulders. She wore a small bare midriff top that revealed a flourish tattoo on her belly. For a few seconds, she just looked at the away-team suspiciously. Then she turned to the woman behind the counter. "So what's the matter, Rina?" she asked. Her voice sounded somewhat sharper and more harsh then expected. Rina answered in the same manner. "Maybe I should ask you, sweetie, shouldn't I? What does Starfleet want from you? Obviously you've run into some problems, havn't you?" With that she turned around and walked through the door right next to Diane, who had to step aside to let her through.

Picard came some steps closer. "You are…Miss Diane Vigo? Would you mind talking to me in confidence?"

She gave him a dissaproving glance. "Talk? In confidence? Would you mind telling me first who you are?"

"Oh, I'm really sorry…" answered Picard. "I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard from the U.S.S. Enterprise. And these are Commander Riker, Lt. Comm. Data and Lt. Worf."

Diane looked at them thoughtfully.

"And what do you wanna talk about with me exactly?"

Picard clared his throat. "Well, it's something personal…maybe you know a place where we could talk in private?"

Instead of answering, Diane walked behind the counter, took a small knife and put it in her belt.

"Just in case you wanna try some tricks on me. I know how to use this, and I will, if you make me, right?"

They went through the whole bar room and entered a small lounge with sofas and tables.

At the door, Picard turned to his companions. "Wait for us outside", he said.

Diane sat down on one of the tables. With a snappy movement of her head, she threw her hair out of her face. She had the same enchanting aura around herself like her mother. Picard was fascinated by the similarity to Miranda.

"Miss Vigo…" he began. "Your mother is Miranda Vigo, is that right?"

Diane sighed. "Why is that important? Do you know her?"

"Yes…"answered Picard."Well, actually I haven't seen her for over sixteen years. Is it possible to contact her?"

"It isn't. She died six years ago" Diane answered.

Picard sat down. "I'm really sorry to hear that…"

Diane gave him pensive look. "So what is this all about? Just tell me what you want from me."

Picard took a deep breath. "Well, by virtue of unforeseen circumstances, I just found out that I am probably your father…I would like to ask you to accompany me to my ship to make a DNA-analysis."

Diane frowned. "I'm sorry, did I get that right? You claim to be my father? I mean, you just walk in here out of nothing and I never saw you before...how do I know your story is true? Maybe you and your friends just stole these uniforms or whatever. You're not the first guy telling me some adventurous tale to convince me of going somewhere with him, you know?"

Picard stood up. "So what would make you believe me? It's probably of particular importance that we clarify this concern. A ferengi named Bok just sent me a threat on your life. This is how I actually heard your name for the first time...so no matter if you are my daughter or not, your life is threatened when you stay here. And Bok is obsessed enough to strive this goal until he suceeds."

"Well, sounds like a normal ferengi to me. I think I could deal with that on my own." Diane said.

"I don't think so", answered Picard, "he has a ship and a good crew helping him...this is not a bad joke. I just can solicit you to believe me. I don't know if I am really your father, but you are Miranda's child, and since I held her in high respect always, I now feel responsible for you." He paused, but then continued:"What do you know about your father? What did Miranda tell you?"

Diane's pondering silence didn't last long.

"Hardly anything, and I think I never really asked" she said in a low voice. Finally, she stood up, too.

"So do I need to pack some things? How long will this take?"