Chapter 8

Picard is Pleasantly Surprised

Stardate 2366.084

"Approaching coordinates, Captain," Data announced.

"Slow to impulse," Picard ordered. The Enterprise dropped out of warp. "And go to red alert."

The entire bridge crew stiffened at the command, but Mr. Worf immediately moved to follow orders, and the emergency lights quickly began to flash red as warning beacons sounded. "RED ALERT! RED ALERT!" The computer announced.

"Computer, mute sirens and audio warnings. Report."

"No sign of the Kepler, sir," Worf answered.

"M-class planet, two moons," Data added. "Strange energy readings coming from a nearby nebula, they are interfering with our sensors."

"On screen," Picard ordered, and the image of a mid-sized orange colored planet, with two orbiting moons, filled the view screen. In the distance behind the planet, they could see the glowing blue nimbus of the nebula.

"No signs of humanoid life or current habitation on the surface from what sensors can gather," Data reported, checking his console for more information, "but readings are erratic. According to visual sensors, there appear be remnants of an older civilization."

"Ruins?" Riker asked, leaving his chair to join Picard. "An archaeological mission?"

"That necessitated abandoning our mission in Mirfak 4? Doubtful, Number One," Picard answered, contemplating the image on the screen that grew larger as the ship drew closer. "Any mining deposits, Mr. Data? Other natural resources that might be of interest?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary in initial scans, sir," Data responded. "However, the energy emissions from the nebula are degrading our sensors to the point that we are not detecting much of anything."

"Assume standard orbit and keep scanning, Mr. Data."

"Aye, sir."

"So, what?" Riker asked, following Picard back to their chairs. "We're pulled off an important diplomatic mission and sent to some backwater planet for no apparent reason, and now we're just supposed to sit here and stare at it?"

Picard leveled a stern glance at his first officer. "No, Commander. We're supposed to sit here and await the Kepler and further orders, as is our duty. If you would like to stare at the planet in the meantime, go right ahead."

"Aye, sir." Riker looked away, properly abashed. . . and missed the slight smile curling the edges of the Captain's lips.

"Captain, we are being hailed! Federation vessel approaching!" Worf announced. The bridge crew looked up to see a small ship appearing from around one of the planet's orbiting moons, moving toward them. "Science vessel, nova class. The Kepler, sir."

"On screen," Picard ordered.

"No visual communication, sir," Worf reported.

"The nebula could be interfering with visual transmissions," Data posited. "Our sensors did not pick up the ship behind the moon."

As they watched, a cargo bay door on the other ship opened and standard-issue Starfleet shuttle emerged with a blue flare of its propulsion systems.

"The Kepler requests permission to dock a shuttle." Worf paused, astonishment hardening the features of his already hardened face as he read the rest of the message. "And ordering that you meet it in the shuttle bay, sir. You alone."

"Me?" Picard inquired, surprised.

"The Captain?" Riker asked, standing. "Alone?"

"Those are the exact orders sir. Send Picard to meet shuttle alone."

"Orders from whom?" Riker demanded. "On whose authority?"

"The communication doesn't specify. But it's encoded with an Admiral's command codes."

"Well, Number One. The mystery thickens," Picard said, looking bemused. He stood, straightening his uniform. "Open Shuttle Bay 2 and inform our mystery guests that I will join them there, Mr. Worf. You have the bridge, Number One."

"Aye, sir," Riker answered, disgruntled, as Picard walked briskly to the turbo lift.

Picard entered Shuttle Bay Two to find two young female Vulcans, identical twins wearing Lieutenant's uniforms standing in the open door of a standard-issue Starfleet shuttlecraft.

"Lieutenant?" Picard inquired.

"Captain Picard," one of them stated in firm, cultured tones. "I am Lieutenant Sahrafel Ka Ree, and this is my sister Lt. Ugaya."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, I am sure. I was expecting an admiral from the communication codes though."

"And an Admiral you shall have, Jean Luc!" Boomed an amused voice. Picard looked up to see a tall figure emerging from the doorway of the shuttle, ducking his thick head of gleaming white hair to avoid the frame before he straightened to his full height, uncompromised by age.

"Admiral Mifune!" Picard exclaimed, surprise clear on his face. "Sir! I don't. . . But what? How. . . Why. . .?" He stammered to a stop, uncharacteristically rattled. The Admiral smiled fondly with a twinkle in his almond shaped eyes as he came forward, hand outstretched to shake.

"Jean-Luc. So good to see you again!" He clapped Picard on the back. "Captain of the Enterprise. Even when you were a first-year in my Introduction to Interstellar Archaeology class, I knew you would go far. You've done me proud."

"Thank you, sir," Picard replied, feeling simultaneously pleased at the praise and embarrassed by the fact that it should please him. Somehow, he was standing in front of his old Starfleet Academy mentor and was as star-struck as if he were once again Wesley Crusher's age.

Mifune looked around, observing the red emergency beacons flashing. "I think we can cancel the red alert for now, Jean-Luc."

"Yes, sir," Picard replied. "Computer, cancel red alert." The red lights immediately stopped flashing.

Another officer emerged from the shuttle, a good-looking commander in his late thirties with close-cropped black hair and skin the color of cocoa. "Ah. And here is my first officer, Commander Jon Sanderson, my son."

"Son?" Picard asked, looking from the young black man to the older Asian. Sanderson laughed, flashing a row of perfect white teeth.

"Adopted son," Sanderson clarified, smiling at Mifune fondly. "The Admiral saved me as a boy, when our colony was attacked by Romulans."

"Jon's family was killed," Mifune acknowledged sadly. "I was captain of a small science vessel at the time, on our way to an archaeological dig. We were too late to save most of the colonists, but I got there just in time to rescue Jon and a few others. By the time we were able to get them to the nearest Star Base, we knew that he had no next of kin and I was fond of the little bugger, so I took him with me. He's been following me around ever since!" Mifune laughed, clapping the younger man on the shoulder. "Graduated first in his class at the Academy. Beat out your own Commander Riker, who was eighth if memory serves. Could have had his pick of any ship in the fleet. But requested to be assigned to my service. And has turned down every offer of promotion since."

"It is an honor to serve the admiral," Sanderson said modestly, looking slightly embarrassed by the admiral's praise. Changing the subject, he asked: "Where is Will? He's still posted to the Enterprise?"

"Of course," Picard affirmed. "Can't seem to get rid of him. He has the bridge at the moment, but I'll have him meet us in the conference room." Picard reached for his comm badge, but the Admiral put out his hand in a restraining gesture.

"Hold off on that, Jean-Luc. I want to discuss our mission in private. This is for your ears only. Highest level clearance."

"Commander Riker has top security clearance—"

"Not high enough. I had to fight with Starfleet Command even to debrief you. Not even my staff has been read in yet." Mifune nodded towards Sanderson and the twins; the Lieutenants took the declaration with typical Vulcan aplomb, but it was clear from the look on the Commander's face that the exclusion rankled. When Sanderson opened his mouth to object, however, the Admiral smoothly cut him off. "Why don't you three take a look around the ship, and I'll call you when you're needed."

"Aye, sir," the Lieutenant acquiesced, but Sanderson looked ready to argue.

"But Admiral—"

"That's an order, Commander," Mifune said gently. "Go. Enjoy the ship. I will let you know when we need you."

"Aye, sir," Sanderson agreed begrudgingly.

"We have several holodecks, an arboretum, a lounge popular with the crew: Ten-Forward. The computer can direct you wherever you'd like to go," Picard said.

"Thank you, sir. I'm sure we will be able to entertain ourselves." Sanderson nodded politely and followed Sahrafel out of the shuttle bay.

"Well," Picard smiled at his old teacher. "Shall we retire someplace more pleasant?"

"Admiral on deck!" Worf announced as Picard and Mifune stepped from the turbo-lift onto the bridge. The entire Bridge Crew came to their feet and saluted.

"At ease," Mifune ordered with a smile.

"Admiral Mifune!" Riker grinned broadly, stepping forward.

"Will Riker," Mifune replied, reaching out to shake hands. "Good to see you, son."

"Jon's not with you?" Riker asked.

"He is," Mifune informed the junior officer. "But the Captain and I needed a word in private. Jon is exploring your impressive ship."

"It will be great to see him." Riker looked to Deanna, who was standing by, smiling politely at their visitor. "Jon Sanderson is Admiral Mifune's son. We roomed together at the Academy."

"What Commander Riker means to say is that they raised hell together," Mifune said with an affectionate chuckle.

"Our Commander Riker, a troublemaker? Never!" Troi winked.

Riker raised his hands innocently. "Hey, now!"

They all laughed.

"Will, Admiral Mifune and I will be in my Ready Room," Picard informed his first officer.

"Aye, sir," Riker acknowledged as the senior officers continued on their way.