6

Captains Log, Stardate 27836.20: It is now almost a week since our Deanna Troi was inexplicably replaced by her counterpart from an alternate dimension in which the Federation exists as a vicious Empire and an individual's success in Starfleet rests on strength, smarts, and cruelty. I have made the decision to encourage this new Deanna to set aside her brutal upbringing and adapt to a new life in the Federation.

"So, I am proposing that if she can achieve this, we let her try out as the new ship's counsellor. As Deanna put it, latinum for your thoughts and suggestions. Number One?" Riker didn't say anything. "Anyone else?"
"Captain, permission to speak freely?"
Picard gave her a strange look. "We're in unknown waters, Beverly. I think we can all indulge ourselves here."
"We have no connections to this new Deanna Troi. No shared experiences, tears, or laughter to draw on. No obligations to her well-being." Her knuckles were white, and her voice was diamond hard. "All we will get from this is the pain, and it will drastically affect the well-being of this crew and ship. Even if her defection is real, what kind of guarantees have we —"
"Beverly, Deanna would not be defecting." Guinan said. "There is no 'enemy side' here that she has left or can return to for that matter. If this doesn't work, Starfleet will simply assign us a replacement counsellor and know —-"
"— that she won't be snooping out our thoughts, personal issues and oh I don't know, maybe even our dreams, all for her personal gain without our ever knowing it!" Crusher was on her feet now and angry beyond anything. "She murdered Reg, no, you stop; I don't give a fuck why, and I don't give a fuck how much she controls her goddamned bloody barbaric behaviour in the future — I want her to fucking pay for it!"
They were all staring now. Beverly had just sworn in front of everyone more in the last five minutes than she had altogether in the past two years. Guinan went back to watching Riker closely without seeming to look at him at all. He was so pale. If he didn't speak now, she would have to, and she didn't want that. It would mean that all yesterday's intensive trying to help the grieving first officer had been in vain. 'Come on, Will. Please! '
Suddenly another voice spoke. "Poor little Beverly. Boo-hoo." Deanna Troi moved smoothly into the center. Her ISS Enterprise uniform and Empire-issued weapons were spotless and gleamed under the lighting. Dressed in that uniform, she looked lovelier than ever. The counsellor touched her agonizer and eyed the doctor with amused disdain. "Want a tissue for your issue?"
Riker was first to react. "Security teams to main briefing on the double!"
Picard was next. "Detention, why has Deanna Troi been released from custody!"
"Captain?" Worf's startled voice came. "No one has released her, sir. She's here in the cell right in front of me —"
"No, she isn't." Deanna said.
They looked at her and then realized she hadn't spoken. Then three of them flung up every mental shield they possessed.
"Oh boy," Beverly said.
"Amen to that, Bev-Bev."
Again Riker reacted first. "Which of you —-" He broke off. The two Trois only had eyes for each other and weren't listening.
'So you're still alive. I must say, I'm very impressed.'
'It's been quite the culture shock.' Deanna made an offhand gesture with an immaculately jeweled hand. 'How about you?'
'I'm coming to terms with it.' Deanna broke off. 'That's my mother's best ring!''
'I know; she gifted it to me after she watched the way I executed Barclay.' She barely smiled. 'I guess she's approved of me.'
'Liar! '
'And I thought our Deanna was imaginative!' Guinan put a hand over her mouth. 'Oh no, oh my goodness…...and I wonder if she'll be selling tickets.'
Deanna laughed silently. 'Ahh – I'll have to remember that one. My, but we Trois do love our soaps, don't we!'' She went back to normal speech. "Captain, don't you bother going off on bloody asking me; I don't know how or why I'm stuck back here."
Picard frowned. This was a new tone of arrogance bordering on insolence he'd never encountered from her before. "I am asking. And I would appreciate more respect from —" She just laughed at him. Her eyes had changed from what he remembered and were disturbingly like the other Deanna's — a bit wider and dancing with wicked amusement.
"And what's happened to 'permission to speak freely'?'" She teased.
"Counsellor," Picard retorted. Then he stopped. "Touché. I'm just somewhat rather shocked. You're usually more, well, diplomatic, that's all."
"Diplomacy is for the soft." Deanna had recorded her counterpart's stance, behaviour and how her fingertips were never far from a weapon. "Isn't that right, little sister? I mean, it's the way it goes in my universe." She'd been slowly backing up and taking slow deep breaths. She watched the other Deanna with narrowed glittering eyes. "And you don't belong there."
Deanna bridled and her hand grasped her wicked knife. Her voice was silky soft, and oozed venom. "Oh, really."
Guinan held out her arms in a hold-everything gesture. She looked at the twins. "Ladies, I think that's quite enough for now."
Deanna hardly glanced at her. "This is none of your business, Guinan. You'd best stay out of it." Her deliberate non-use of profanity was intended to be taken as a serious warning.
"Mmmm." Guinan glanced around the briefing room. It was quite crowded with the two security teams on hair-triggers and the senior staff. Her eyes met with the captain's; he understood what she wanted and did it for her without a second's thought. It was so nice to know that she was truly trusted.
She swore an oath to herself to be worthy of it.
Deanna sank down in a chair as the room emptied. 'Oh-boy, you are in so deep trouble, Little Sister.'
"Picard to Worf. Seal off the main briefing room until my further orders."
"Acknowledged. Main briefing is sealed, Captain. Corridor security is on the way."
Picard looked at the doctor. "I hear you, Beverly."
Crusher mimicked Deanna: "Amen to that, Jean-Luc."

"Captain, both Trois are in detention. Guinan and I are free now."
"Thank you, Number One. Would you and Guinan please join me in my ready room." They acknowledged and Picard went back to gazing at his lionfish. 'Stay out of their way, don't touch them by accident and you are completely safe. If one could only do that here…'
His buzzer sounded. "Come." They sat down. "Refreshments? No? Then to business. What is their status, Number One?"
"Both secure in separate locations, Captain. Forcefields have been set at level 6 in hopes that any enhanced capabilities will be contained."
"Did our Deanna cooperate in being disarmed?"
"It might have been problematic." Guinan massaged sore knuckles. "But I kind of knocked her out." She snickered to herself and then looked at the captain. "Thanks, for the ump-teenth time.…."
"Captain…"
"Permission to speak freely, Will."
"It isn't that sir. Deanna and I have been through so much together, but now she keeps looking at me so differently."
"Could be because there are always dangerous intrigues happening there. They are constantly on the watch for them." Guinan said. "All three of us had quite the little, er chat after you all left the room. Neither Troi will ever trust each other, of course, and Deanna, uh, both of them that is, still stand deeply committed to the Empire and its lifestyle."
"Guinan —!"
She'd known what they'd say. "No, they are not me and do not have to do as I did. We have lost our Deanna Troi. We've lost both of them."

Captain's Log Stardate 278369.23: We still have no understanding of the process, but our Deanna Troi has been somehow returned to us while her Empire counterpart still remains here with us as well. Since we are so lacking in explanations, I am keeping the ship on Yellow Alert while we search for answers.
While the Deanna counterpart has been slow to adopt our ways, if at all, our Deanna has apparently had no problem adopting the violent ways of the Empire and has continued to fully embrace them on her return. I've had no choice but to keep both under 24-hour observation in separate sealed confinement areas with remote heavily guarded transporter access only.
I have convinced Starfleet to let us proceed to Betazed in the hope that Lwaxana Troi can provide some kind of assistance in the matter.

"And that's our situation, Mrs. Troi." They were speaking on a secure frequency. "As you can see, it's extremely volatile—"
"And Starfleet Command did not approve of this strategy. You must have been very persuasive with Admiral Weigle-Che. My compliments, Captain." She sat forwards. "I am at your disposal –- Jean-Luc! " A small gasp, a smile, and a flash of her usual teasing sexual innuendo. "And will do anything I can to help. Permission to come aboard by shuttle?"
"Shuttle?" Riker said.
"I have my reasons not to use a transporter these days, Commander, and you may even know them in time. I'll see you all soon then."
"Permission granted. Enterprise out."

"The shuttle is approaching, Captain. Scans indicate nothing unusual. Three life-signs, all Betazoid." Worf frowned. "However,…."
"Spit it out, Mr. Worf." Riker was on edge."
The shuttle appears very large, Commander."
"That's our Lwaxana Troi for you. She always travels in style." Riker nodded. Three life-signs? They had expected only Lwaxana and the pilot.
Both noticed Wesley Crusher straighten slightly at Navigation. "You have the Bridge, Number One. Mr. Crusher will accompany me. We mustn't keep her waiting." Ensign Ro took over Wesley's seat.
Riker waited until the lift doors closed. "Stay very sharp, Mr. Worf. I think it's happening."

Their lift changed directions. "Talk to me, Mr. Crusher."
"I checked as ordered. The shuttle's trajectory indicates it did not launch from the planet. It came from a nearby ship, Captain. A cloaked ship, exact location and type unknown." He was really sweating now. "What made you suspicious, sir?"
Picard wasn't worried over Wesley's nerves. It would have bothered him if he hadn't been sweating. "Admiral Weigle-Che died a long time ago, Wesley."

Lwaxana sat up straighter as the shuttle entered the bay. "Status."
"We are secure. The bay is pressurizing, ma'am." The pilot said. He touched his controls, waited, and said: "The special protocols have been initiated as ordered."
She looked to Mr. Hom. The tall gaunt Betazoid studied his panels. "No signs of unusual sensor scans or detection. Wait." He straightened. "Your daughters are being held in separate areas on decks 11 and 15. Both of those decks have been sealed off by decompression blast doors and multiple level 6 forcefields. There are lots of crew, most likely all of them Security present on those decks as well."
"You are sure he doesn't suspect us?"
Mr. Hom hesitated. "Level 6 forcefields are present throughout other parts of the ship as well, but I do not think so. He's afraid of their capabilities and —"
"proving himself to be the clever captain that he is back home." Lwaxana glanced behind her. The back of the shuttle held eight shielded cold-sleep capsules. "Pilot, if you would please be so kind as to thaw them out now. I should have this ship well preoccupied for them within five minutes." Her teeth gleamed. "I can't wait for the two of them to meet!"
"The shuttle is in. Raising shields." Worf stiffened. "Shields are not responding!"
"Silent Red Alert, Mr. Worf! Bridge to Captain. Shields have failed -" He left the channel open. "Engineering!"
"LaForge here. Uh, wait!" He touched controls. "Commander, I'm not going to be able to give you shields anytime soon. Wait!" He ran to different consoles. "Hanger deck is now sealed off and new level 6 forcefields are activated."
"Pilot, open shuttle hatch. Mr. Hom, you are with me. Remember, we are still the good girl and boys of the Federation." Her mouth twisted. "Not for much longer, I hope." Head held high, as would be befitting for a Daughter of the Fifth House, Lwaxana strode out onto the deck.
Picard watched through the bay windows. Mr. Hom walked slightly behind and to her right. Something was off in the way he kept looking around; one hand never strayed from his side. He had no rightful business being here and suddenly Picard understood. 'That's a bodyguard stance. Merde.' He touched a switch.
They were the only ones on the shuttle bay deck. Lwaxana looked around until she spotted Picard watching behind glass. "Jean-Luc!" She knew she was expected to act haughty. "The least I should expect is to be greeted by you personally —"

"—Shame on you!" Then she realized she wasn't where she had been.
"But Lwaxana, I am greeting you personally." The captain stood just outside the detention cell forcefield.
"This is outrageous! How dare you confine the Dau —-" She stopped suddenly, sighed and sat down. Then she smiled charmingly. "So, you know. I'm impressed. I suppose you have examined the shuttle as well?" Lwaxana paused. "Yes you have. And you've moved most the capsules to Sickbay. I can still sense that much." She blinked at him.
Picard tapped his badge. "Security, I want no more surveillance inside the shuttle bay. Maintain continuous security at all entrances and don't forget to guard those Jefferies tubes." Security acknowledged. "Of course I have — something just happened to me, didn't it. Computer, increase forcefield to Level Nine." Lwaxana winced. "You are good at what you do, aren't you."
"Forcefield increased to Level Nine."
"You have no idea, Picard-petaQ. But you will find out. I guarantee it."

Deanna lay on the bed and nursed her bruised jaw and aching head. 'Oh Guinan I am so going to turn this back on you ten-fold.' Her mind dripped with rage. She could feel the blood on her hands, almost see it. 'And when I'm finally almost done, I'll take your hat -—'
"That sounds like fun." Guinan came in and sat down. She remarked: "You know, I am feeling proud of the two of you. Both of you exemplify the very best attributes of our profession." Deanna was giving her a disbelieving look. "No, truly. I am not being sarcastic in the slightest."
"Soft gar-galaimn-casch S^t!" Deanna hissed.
Guinan hadn't known Deanna knew any of her language. "Did you look that up just for me? I sure hope it didn't take too long. Then again you do have a lot of free time on your hands these days." Guinan got up and exchanged her chair for a better one. "I'm going to be sitting here for a while. Might as well be comfortable. I suggest that you get comfortable too." Her El-Aurian eyes suddenly constricted into small pouches as she spread her hands and figurative wings. "Here, I'll help you."
'Look you well at me!' Deanna did – she had no choice -then falling off the bed and lurching on hands and knees to a point just below those eyes. "There, that's better. Now don't be shy. Tell me all about what has happened to you in my universe." She added softly. "And I do mean everything."
It was like staring into the pits of hell. "Your universe?" Her own eyes blazed as she strove to force Guinan back with barbed hate. 'Back off, Bitch!'
'"The venerable Lwaxana has taught you well," Guinan conceded. She recoiled in pain and then struck again. "But as you now see, I taught her."

Ten-Forwards doors hissed open and Dr. Crusher came in. Guinan felt herself being evaluated as she finished polishing a pair of glasses. She didn't look up. "What can I get you, Beverly?"
"Hot fudge sundae, please." Beverly sat next to her at the bar.
"There has been a real run on them lately." Guinan observed. "Single or double?"

"Triple, thanks." She smiled fleetingly. "Deanna always said they helped her think. Me, I'll use any excuse." There was no answer. Beverly spooned in a few large dripping mouthfuls. "Mmmm." Moments later she put her hand to her head and moaned. "Ohhhh. Why does ice cream have to do that to me? Brain-frreeeze, ohhhh God….owwww" She cradled her head and neck while waiting for the pain to go. It was taking its time. "Owwww…."
Guinan studied the doctor speculatively. "Beverly, with all that went on between Deanna and Reg, do you believe that mouth soaping is an effective punishment? I mean, would you ever consider doing it to someone?"
"What?" Beverly was startled and embarrassed. "Well, yes. After treating Reg, I did consider possibly doing it to Wesley. Deanna advised me not to. What has this to do with anything?"
"I thought as much." Her mouth quirked. "I just thought you might want to practice first on me. Beverly, I lied to the captain."
"Considering how I ran off at the mouth, you'll have to practice on me first."
"We have two Deanna Trois now; maybe they'd help. Oh, can't you just see it!"
They both laughed.
Then Guinan became serious. "I told the captain that I held no remorse or guilt for my behaviours and what I did when I lived in the mirror universe. Then you and he came along and convinced me that for the safety of the Enterprise and the Federation I should use those same arts here to find out what's going on. And I did it!" She blindly flung her sundae to the floor. "I've discovered that I've been lying to myself! Beverly, I hate you for having suggested it, and I hate me even more!"
Her face burned. "Guinan, I —" She winced at another ice-cream brain freeze.
"Screw your poor little head!" Crusher's sundae joined hers all over the floor. "And now you, or someone is going to suggest, or maybe even order me to do the same to my Deanna, and then next maybe to others too! This just can't be!" She seized the doctor's arm in a painful grip. "Look me in the eyes, you, no don't you dare pull away! I had sworn an Oath to renounce them."
Her voice became a whisper. "Oh, Beverly; you know I don't mean it about you." She let go and hung her head in her hands. "I'm so sorry for what I did to all those people while I was in the Empire. I am so ashamed of myself, and now I've gone and hurt our Deanna so badly; she'll never forgive me. I'm - - I'm so full of filth, covered in Arcturian piss, and I am hurting so much."
Beverly put her arms around Guinan and held her tightly. Then she pulled her head back and looked her directly in the eyes. "May we hurt together, please? Please?"

"Engineering here, air. We still have no shields, and no one has a clue why. We're working on it, Captain."
"Acknowledged. Sickbay report please, Dr. Crusher. What is the status of our new guests?" He rubbed his jaw, trying to think moves ahead of the game.
"They are back in cold-sleep. I've had my assistant change the thawing codes so they can't be revived without our consent. Oh my God —" There were loud thumps and they looked at each other. Worf was about to speak when her voice came back. "Sorry, Captain, some capsules accidentally tipped. Nothing serious. Sickbay out."
Crusher was smiling as she closed communications to the bridge. She sealed all the entrances and hoisted her phaser-stunned counterpart onto a diagnostic bed to make more room for thawing the capsules. She glanced around to spot any differences. It was her Sickbay now.

When Beverly's eyes focused she found she was looking into the wrong end of a phaser. Then her eyes focused on the woman holding it. "I'm dreaming."
Crusher chuckled. "You only wish. Nice to meet you, Beverly." Her weapon never wavered as she stepped back. "You may sit up if you like. But be very careful what you do. I'm not in the habit of telegraphing my intentions or giving second chances."
"Of course not." Beverly sat up very carefully; she was taking her counterpart's warning seriously. "That trait would run contrary to an officer's survival in the Empire."
"Exactly. I knew you were as clever as me when I found the thaw codes changed. If you would just be good enough to give me the new codes, I'll —-"
"No."
"let you live." She studied her counterpart. "Stubborn like me, too." She sighed, aimed, and fired her weapon. The unconscious aide sizzled into nothingness. She swung the phaser back to the doctor. "And then there was one."
"No." Beverly gulped as her counterpart's face tightened. "No, wait! He changed them on my orders. You killed him before he could tell me what they were!"
Crusher thought it over. "You are telling the truth. Neither of us would sacrifice our lives at this stage of the game." She changed the setting to stun. "Have a nice nap."

"Captain, scans have just detected phaser fire on board." Worf looked up. "Sickbay."
"Bridge to Security! Three teams to Sickbay. Take everyone you see into custody. Alive if possible but do not expose yourselves to danger. Bridge to Guinan. Would you listen in, please." He had left the Sickbay channel open, hoping that some kind of reason would prevail. It did.
"Crusher here, Picard." She knew when the game was up. "Call off all your doggies, now, and beam the venerable diplomat Lwaxana Troi directly to sickbay. Unescorted, if you please, and thank you very much. Otherwise, your Beverly Crusher will be the next one I kill." She deliberately emphasized the 'next'. "Oh, and by the way, I've injected her with a yummy lethal dose of something. If you use the intruder control systems on any of us you'll never make it in time to save her. You have sixty seconds. Counting."
"She used the correct Empire honorific, Captain." Guinan said. "It's her. She'll follow through too. Forty seconds remaining."
"Bridge to Security. Beam Lwaxana Troi unescorted directly to Sickbay. Then seal it off with level 9 forcefields, clear that deck except for Security, and seal it off as well." He sat. "Bridge to Sickbay. We agree, and she's on her way. What now?"
Lwaxana Troi's voice came back in a hate-filled whisper. "Just wait and see, my dear Picard-petaQ. Wait and see."

"Continue." Q paused. "What else haven't you told us?"
"Aww, c'mon! I was just having fun!" Q'ute couldn't understand the big fuss. She continued indignantly. "And it's not as if you haven't meddled with the humans too—-" She saw the looks on the adult Q. "And it's not as if you don't already know!"
"We know." Anther Q nodded. "There is a difference, and you will learn in time. Interfere further with them and it will be at your own risk. It might be wise to tell your friend what has happened to you here as well. The Borg must not be trifled with any further."
Q'ute stuck out her tongue. Parents! She vanished into Detention.
Children! Q looked at the others. "They have the means and technology to remedy their situation by themselves. We shall leave them to it."
"That's if they act quickly," Q commented. "At least we can watch."

Lwaxana turned in a slow circle and muttered: "We're still imprisoned. Force fields and blast doors everywhere, and I can't sense a damn thing outside sickbay." Crusher flinched. "Oh, don't be alarmed, my dear. I'm not angry or disappointed in you. I'm satisfied that you've done wonderfully; no one could do any differently or better under the circumstances. Now keep their Crusher alive and healthy – for now - and be very quiet. I have to think." She fought her pacing to a standstill.

"Ship decloaking! It's too close!" Ensign Ro gasped. She touched some controls. "I'm compensating." She sat back and mopped her face. "Safe now, Captain."
Picard stepped down for a closer look at the main screen. "I don't recognize that ship design. What is their status?"
Riker scanned the database. "Nothing in our records match this ship." He stood by the captain. "Their shields are up, so they don't seem interested in transporting anyone over with or without our consent. Their weapons are hot, but not locked on us. Yet." He looked to Worf.
The Klingon kept studying his instruments. "Confirmed. No communications but we're being scanned constantly. Our sensors pick up at least 200 life signs aboard that ship." He looked thoughtful. "They have capability to destroy us, and perhaps the ability to beam in and overwhelm us through sheer numbers but have not done so."
"Yet. Intensify interior scans. Keep all on red alert until further notice. We will need to know immediately if anyone or anything is transported over."
"Where the hell did their Crusher show up from? We need answers, and we need them fast."
"Rechecking scans. Wait." Then: "There are still no indications of any transporter traces."
"Engineering to Bridge. We've figured it out. Sir, something on board that shuttle is jamming our shields. No telling what else it may be doing. I'm trying to devise some countermeasures."
"I could lead a team aboard the shuttle —" Worf was already moving.
"Belay that, Worf." Riker said. "Captain, these people have been one step ahead of us all the way down the line. I'm betting the shuttle has been rigged to self-destruct if we attempt to disable it."
"And they may do that now anyway. Mr. Worf, hold off and boost the forcefield containment against explosive decompression."
"Lieutenant Jabers here. Captain, we have discovered an open exit to the shuttle bay. Two officers are missing. No idea yet how, or what else may be happening."
"Keep on it, Mr. Jabers. Bridge out." Picard looked at Riker. "Now we know. You're certainly right about being anticipated. All the way to us reaching out to Lwaxana Troi."
"They didn't anticipate being discovered so readily." Guinan had entered the bridge unnoticed. "They don't have a contingency plan for this, or we'd know about it already. And I don't think that ship there has decloaked under orders." She smiled mirthlessly. "We may have a slight player advantage here." She moved down to stand by the captain. "I'm recommending we hail that vessel, Captain."
Picard looked at her a moment. Then: Mr. Worf, hail that ship." He stood. "This is Captain Picard of the USS Enterprise. Identify yourselves."
The main screen shimmered into an officer on an unfamiliar starship bridge dressed in an 18th century French naval uniform. He turned to face the screen. "Ah! Bonjour mon Capitan. C'est beaucoup du temp, n"est pas! Ca va bien?"
"Q. So you are behind this after all." Picard felt his face change.
"Oh no, Capitan." Q gestured expansively. "Or well, not exactly. Involved might be a better term. Yes, involved. I'm really not supposed to be here at all." He paused and then added anxiously. "You won't tell on me, will you? I mean the Continuum would come down on me like a ton of neutronium —-"
"So why don't you just get to it already."
"I doubt your pea brain will understand, Riker, so don't even try. In fact, why don't you just go to bed. Don't worry; everything will be all right in the morning." He tilted his head and snapped his fingers. Riker vanished. "Now, where was I?"
"Q, I need him. Bring him back, s'il vous plait, et merci."
"You ask so nicely, Jean-Luc. Are you sure you're not sick?"
A thermometer appeared in Picard's mouth and Riker reappeared in yellow spotted pajamas with a bare chest. Ro put a hand to her mouth and tried unsuccessfully not to laugh. She wasn't the only one. Picard aimed a dirty look at everyone as he pulled out the thermometer. "I will admit this time it has its humorous qualities, Q. But just this once."
"Ooh-la-la! You always manage to somehow impress me, and that despite all of my best efforts." He made a small gesture for their benefit. "The deflectors aboard this ship are down for now. Come over or don't, it's safe, do whatever you humans want — it's all in your hands now. Two hours is all I can give, and this is all I can do for you. After that, everything aboard this ship returns to the way it was. I do guarantee that they don't have your best interests at heart. Au revoir, mon Capitan."
"Number One, prepare and lead an away team to that ship. But get dressed first."Riker picked a hypothetical direction to the Q Continuum and glared into it. "The clock is ticking. Worf, you're with me."

"Beam my daughters to Sickbay — I'm feeling lonely. Sixty seconds. Counting."
Guinan mouthed: "Empire-raised."
Picard understood. "No. It is what it is. If our Beverly dies, I will execute your daughters one at a time."
Lwaxana laughed outright. "You wouldn't. I have studied this Federation of yours. Thirty-three seconds."
Guinan pointed to herself. Picard nodded at her silent question. "You're right as always, venerable Troi." She spoke. "Picard wouldn't; he's far too soft."
Lwaxana stiffened as she listened. "But I would. Yes, you know me. Your move." Picard's voice came back. "Things aren't quite as you planned, are they. Show me our Dr. Crusher, conscious and in good health and I'll consider it. Show me both Crushers."
They waited tensely as the clock ticked well past zero. The main viewscreen remained unchanged. Picard started to speak when the starscape switched to a two-way overhead view of the Sickbay. Two Beverly Crushers and Lwaxana came into view. She was smiling, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "I keep having to upgrade my opinion of you, Captain. Naturally, that means I'll have to upgrade what I'm going to do to you as well. Of course, if you cooperate with us…..." A gesture. "Two healthy Crushers. You don't know which is which of course, and I'm not going to tell you. I want both my daughters here, now." She looked at Guinan. "Hello, dear. You can practice whatever you like on my pilot. Just be sure to tape it so I can critique it with you later."
Guinan smiled cruelly. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Two Deanna Trois materialized next to Lwaxana and the screen went back to stars and the unknown ship.
Wesley mouthed: "Guinan, you're scary."' Ensign Ro nodded agreement.
They didn't see Guinan's look of ironic humour.