Chapter 11

USS Enterprise D near Cardassian Territory

"I don't like this guy Talbot...not one bit." Wesley Crusher stood with his hands clasped behind his back facing a view screen that covered an entire wall. The auditorium was empty save for himself. He was tense, and when he was tense, he imitated his father. He wasn't ashamed to admit, at least to himself, that he emulated Jean-Luc Picard-at least the man that Picard had been before his abduction by the Q.

Wesley's commanding officer spoke from the view screen. "It's not your place to like him, or not, Crusher," said Head of Intel, Rav Patel. "Talbot's been covert ops for years. He's not likable, but he gets the job done."

"Then why isn't he out confirming Picard's death? Surely that's more important than finishing the hearings. Based on the information he's gathered, they've been a waste of time and resources."

"They were your idea."

"Initially," admitted Wesley. "But Picard's alleged death has made them irrelevant."

"Are you really so cold as to look at your father's death so objectively?" Patel questioned.

"Yes," Wesley answered. "But more importantly...I don't believe he's dead, and I believe Talbot knows it. In fact, that's why he's pressed on with the questioning of witnesses."

"We have word that Makon is behind the push to continue these hearings."

"Chancellor Makon wants my dad gone."

"I'm still not sure what you're asking of me, Mr. Crusher."

"I want Talbot off of the Picard investigation, immediately."

Patel looked like he was about to jump through the screen. "You want him off the investigation? You may have climbed very quickly through the ranks, but don't assume that you have any clout with me. Even your connections aren't good enough for that, Crusher."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the fact that your adopted father and Vice-Chancellor of the Federation pulled more than a few strings to ensure that you would have a place here at Intel. But that doesn't mean your position here is secure. Now are you going to sulk until I give in to your demands, or are you going to provide me with a tactical update?"

Wesley struggled to contain the anger that had grown over the past few minutes. "Sir. Working with the Cardassians hasn't been easy. Presently though, we've made good headway on stabilizing the area around the transwarp conduit. Meanwhile, my crew is preparing the Enterprise for the trip."

"Time until we can attempt a launch from the conduit?"

"A few weeks at best."

"Command doesn't want the Enterprise disappearing a second time. You need to take a disposable ship through it first to test it out."

"Of course," said Wesley.

"Make it happen, Crusher. And I don't want to hear any more whining about Talbot. Just let the man do his job."

Orion Territory

Marco's ship had been badly in need of repairs, and he'd managed to link up with a commercial freighter that had helped him out with a minor refit. Now that his ship wasn't limping through various star systems anymore, he set a course for Earth. He'd give Starfleet Command the data the Assassin had provided him with, and see Seth. Maybe he would even check in on Walker. From there he could figure out his next plan. He realized now that being near his son had been good for him. Hopefully, he had been able to give Seth something positive as well, but he wasn't too sure about that.

He could manage warp two with the ship now re-energized. His course laid in, he relaxed a bit, knowing that he would be back on Earth in a day or so. Hearing an incessant beeping, he saw that he had an incoming transmission. He was a little surprised to find it was from Earth. He opened the small view screen and accepted the call.

It was a woman he didn't recognize. A Vulcan.

"Am I speaking with Daniel Rey?"

Marco blinked. He hadn't heard his old name in so long, it made him pause. "That's me..."

"I am Doctor Selar, Head of Starfleet Medical. Your father, Walker Keel has emerged from his comatose state."

Marco froze. "What? He's okay?"

"He is awake," she confirmed. "And he is asking to speak with you."

"Wow. Um...okay, sure."

"We are going to finish a round of diagnostic tests, at which time Mr. Keel will be available to communicate with you, Mr. Rey. Will you be able to do so in one solar hour?"

He nodded quickly. "Sure. Of course," he agreed. All of a sudden, the ship shuddered. Not again.

"Uh oh," Marco shouted, sliding back into his seat.

"Are you alright, Mr. Rey?"

"Damn! Someone just bumped me out of warp!" He put on his main viewer and his heart dropped. Hundreds of ships surrounded his tiny vessel. When the ship was hit by an energy weapon that reverberated through the hold, he struggled to stay upright. Whoever it is, isn't playing games this time.

"Mr. Rey, what is your exact location? I will alert the security outpost in your sector that you are in distress," said Doctor Selar.

It was then that he realized just how short his time was. He pulled out the object the Assassin had given him. It was oddly shaped, not the typical data chip, and he doubted it was compatible with his ship's systems. He ran his hand over the communication console. No way he could just plug this thing in and transmit it to Selar.

As sweat began to run into his eyes, he began to think clearly. He was about to do something for his son. For everyone. He hoped the information from the Assassin was worth something. in fact, he was betting on his life that it was. "Selar, I'm under attack by a large armada of ships. I believe, but can't be sure...I think it's Caine, which is a big problem. Do you know who that is?"

"Yes... What is your location-"

"Transmitting my coordinates right now." His hand slipped as he placed the tiny foreign chip into a small round canister. He grabbed another object from his pocket and dropped it in. The canister hissed shut, vacuum sealing itself. "I'm going to transport something very precious to 1000 kilometers from my current location and hope it'll be safe. There's a homing device inside, that should help a ship find it. But Doctor, I'm counting on you to make sure the ship that finds it is with Starfleet." He placed the round container on the deck, programmed his utility transporter with shaking hands. "There!"

He grabbed the sides of the tiny view screen tightly. "Please...tell my son that I love him, and I'm sorry..."

He was suddenly thrown to the deck and rolled the entire length of the main hold, before catching a handhold on a safety harness. He had struck his head and was woozy. The three figures who transported into the hold less than a minute later would be unconcerned about his injuries. Getting to his feet, he pulled his disruptor as the invaders coalesced into solid figures. The stocky shape who took the lead was unmistakable.

He raised his gun and fired three quick shots. The three men were wearing some kind of shielding; that was clear because the weapon did no visible damage. The man in the lead advanced on Marco, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him into the air.

"Marco...fancy meeting you here." Save for a long scar from his hairline to the bottom of his neck, he looked the same. Although, his left eye, once missing entirely had been replaced by a very realistic imitation eyeball. Judging by the way Caine's new eye focused on Marco's face, it was fully functional. Marco remained silent, knowing better than to engage. Caine pulled him closer. "Miss me?" He abruptly tossed Marco onto the deck.

Marco rubbed his bruised neck. Caine's strength had always been formidable, but there was something completely artificial now about the nearly lethal pressure that had just been placed around his neck. "How'd you get out of prison?" he spoke with some effort. From this vantage point, he could see that Caine's suit was made of some kind of alloy and was a smooth grey sheen, appearing seamless. The two guards he'd brought with him just stood there, weapons at the ready. If there was one thing Caine did not need, it was protection, and they no doubt were aware of this fact.

Caine knelt down at Marco's level. He shook his head disapprovingly. "Sad. Look at this dump. Is this your new life, Marco?"

"I'm not Marco anymore," he blurted out. "My name is Danny Rey."

Caine laughed. "Really... Your dying wish is to be who you used to be?" Caine pointed a pistol at Marco. "Okay, Danny...who knows you're out here spying on me?"

"No one."

"If you're lying, I'll find out. It's only a matter of time until everyone knows what I'm up to...but for now, it's got to be our little secret. Problem is, I don't trust anyone with my secrets, not even you, old buddy."

Marco closed his eyes tightly as Caine rested the tip of the disruptor pistol against his forehead. "Just do it," he whispered.

Caine pulled the trigger and it was over in an instant. As Marco's body slumped backward, Caine holstered his weapon and walked away. All business, he barked orders at his soldiers. "Jettison the body and disable the ship. We'll leave it here in case we need to come back."

Paris, Earth

"Counselor Troi...was it not you who recommended Picard for Project Quantum?"

Deanna eyed the slim man who had been questioning her for the last ten minutes. His outward expression lacked emotion, which she was learning, was an accurate reflection of his inner self. "Yes, it was me."

"Do you now regret that decision, Counselor?"

"I have at times...yes."

"Why?"

"Captain Picard's involvement with that program resulted in more harm than good...in my opinion."

"He fell into depression, didn't he? About six months before his disappearance, you reported to Starfleet Medical that he had experienced a psychotic break. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

Talbot sat back down at his table. "That must have caused tension between you and your friend, Beverly Howard."

Deanna settled back in her chair. "I don't see what that has to do with Captain Picard's disappearance... Mr. Talbot, everything about my involvement with Project Quantum had a damaging effect on my relationship with Beverly...but why do you ask?"

"I'm here to ask the questions, Counselor Troi. You're here to answer them. Did Picard ever express to you his desire to leave humanity again?"

"My conversations with Captain Picard related to his mental state are subject to doctor/ patient privilege. Therefore, I won't be discussing anything during this hearing related to those conversations."

"Did he ever express his desire to harm humanity?"

"I just said, I won't be sharing my conversations with Jean-Luc about his thoughts."

"So you never sensed that he planned some kind of revenge on humanity?"

"I don't know what that means...but you should know that my empathic skills never worked very well with Jean-Luc. His experience with the Q allowed him to keep his thoughts from me."

Talbot squinted at her with a slimy smile. "Did Picard still have use of the Power of Q when you last saw him?"

Deanna paused, unsure of how to answer the question.

"Come on, Counselor...this is an easy yes or no answer."

"I don't know," she snapped. "I mean, I cannot be certain."

"So a man who's experienced a psychotic break, who's been estranged from his family and friends, and who happens to have superhuman powers disappears from society without looking back...in your professional opinion, Counselor, is that a dangerous man?"

"You seem to want a certain answer from me, Mr. Talbot. I'm afraid it is not so simple."

"Would you say that Picard was capable of violence when you last saw him?"

Deanna fixed her gaze on him. "Everyone is capable of violence, Mr. Talbot. I would think someone in your profession would know that well."

He met her gaze, and once again, Deanna felt no emotion from him whatsoever. He either had no reaction to her words or hid it entirely. What else is he hiding?

"Yes...but not everyone is capable of making entire star systems disappear. Not everyone is capable of changing the very mechanics of this galaxy, inviting destruction on all of us."

Deanna's mouth dropped open. "Is that what you think he has done? Is that the real reason we are here?"

"Picard must be found, and must be brought to justice for his damage to countless lives."

Deanna sat forward and looked up at him, her anger threatening to spill into words. "Captain Picard is a good man. A good man who has led a life that literally no one in this room can understand or relate to. He is complicated, he is flawed. But nothing you can say will convince me that he has done the things you accuse him of."

When Deanna exited the hearing room Will was waiting there, with their two children. He gave her a brief hug. "You okay?"

She nodded into his coat, but said, "I don't know. This whole experience..."

"Yep. I feel the same way." He adjusted the baby who was in his arms and rested his hand on top of his daughter's head. "Listen, I know this is sudden, but we've got to go."

She pulled away to look up at him. "What's happened?"

"The Hood's been called away to investigate a serious incident. We have to be at space dock in an hour."

She could tell that he was anxious and worried, but that he didn't want the kids to feel what they were both now feeling. Unfortunately for him, Ianna was shaping up to be a powerful telepath.

Ianna squeezed her father's leg and looked up at her parents. "Don't worry. You can do it."

Deanna bent down to kiss her child. "Thank you, honey. I hope you're right."

She sighed and stood up again. "I wanted to see Beverly. I wanted to talk with her just for a few minutes, like the old days."

Will was grim. "If there is one thing I learned by coming back home, its that the old days are gone, Deanna. We all need to move on. As much as I'd like to see our friend, it just wasn't in the cards this time."