Chapter 37

Sickbay

"Surprisingly, most of the damage to your torso is superficial, Data. Your operating systems are intact and functioning well within acceptable parameters."

Data nodded as his friend stepped back and placed the scanner on a table. "Yes, Geordi. The incendiary device in Reth's quarters was designed to destroy only the immediate area and was well contained."

"Hmph. Tell that to Commander Riker. He's fighting for his life right now."

"Geordi... I will wait to tell Commander Riker, as he is more than likely unconscious at this time."

Laforge's forehead creased. "Right...anyway, according to the techs, in addition to blowing himself up, Reth blew a substantial hole in the inner hull, not to mention taking a big piece of the deck out. But why would he do that?"

"Perhaps Reth intended to eliminate evidence. Captain Picard believes Reth is responsible for Fon's death...as well as your abdominal injury."

LaForge lightly touched his stomach. "But I don't remember Reth being there that night."

"Do you recall being injured?"

LaForge shook his head. "Not really. I just remember seeing that kid attack Fon. I'm kind of assuming he stabbed me too."

"Geordi... Doctor Crusher concluded that Premier Fon was poisoned by a toxin. That is how he died."

Geordi scratched his temple. "Oh. Well I guess my memory isn't so good right now."

"I am concerned about your lack of memory, Geordi. Traumatic experiences may sometimes result in so-called buried memories."

LaForge just stared back at his friend. "So is that what you think I have? Buried memories?"

Data stepped down from the exam table. "I am not a counselor. But it may be of benefit to you to speak with Counselor Troi."

"I already have... listen Data, are you going up to the bridge with that big hole in your chest?"

Data looked down at the front of his uniform which was effectively missing from waist up. What remained was frayed and charred black. Several layers of his synthetic skin were missing and the center of his chest was damaged from the explosion. "Yes. As you concluded, I remain functional. And I am needed on the bridge."

Geordi nodded. "Okay. Hopefully Doctor Crusher will release me soon to full duty and I can join you."

"I will look forward to your return."

"As you ordered, Lieutenant Worf has been released back to bridge duty, Doctor," a hurrying nurse reported.

"Good." Beverly Crusher fastened the surgical smock at her side, and then walked quickly back through main sickbay toward the surgical area. She was relieved to know that Wesley was safe and not running away with his Ciapathian girlfriend, but now she had other matters to contend with. Three of the injured officers from the deck 4 explosion had been stabilized, but Riker badly needed surgery. Presently Doctors Selar and Stein were working to stabilize him, and she was now needed to finish prepping her patient.

She stopped outside the surgery to read the Riker's chart which was displayed on a wall monitor. As she studied it, she realized that she was thoroughly distracted and needed to get her mind correctly focused. A flash of anger briefly entered her mind, and she realized what was wrong. She was disappointed in the captain for not coming down to check on his wounded crewmen. Maybe if she had mentioned to him that it was Riker who had been gravely wounded... She put her hands on her hips, still staring at the medical chart. "And what could possibly be so important up on the bridge?" She murmured to herself. Suddenly there was a rumble under her feet and then another, as the deck reverberated. "Okay, I think I'm beginning to see," she answered herself out loud, grabbing hold of the wall.

"We're under attack," someone was shouting nearby.

She turned to point at the speaker.

"Tasha, get back in your bed!"

The security Chief had slid out of her recovery bed, and looked like she was desperately trying to find her boots, which of course were nowhere nearby. "I've got to get up to the bridge, Doctor," Yar said staggering around groggily.

"No...no you don't." Crusher shook her head and waved at a passing nurse. "Get her back in bed before she breaks another rib, please. Sedate her if necessary."

"Doctor, we already sedated her once less than an hour ago."

"She's a workaholic. Try it again."

"Doctor, you can't keep me down here, when the ship is being attacked!"

"Actually, that is literally one of my job duties, Lieutenant," she said as medical staff converged on Yar. The young woman had suffered several broken ribs and a concussion during the explosion, and yet seemed oblivious to how close she'd come to death. "Rest up!" Walking back to the surgical area, she slapped the door mechanism, just as the floor rumbled again.

When she walked in to surgery, the room was illuminated with sterilizing light. Conditions are currently optimal, announced the computer.

Doctor Selar turned to her, holding an exo-scalpel in her gloved hand. Selar had been thoroughly examined upon her reappearance, and similar to Geordi, she and the other formerly missing crew members had no memory of the preceding 72 hours. They seemed unharmed physically at least, as anxious speculation grew as to how they had disappeared in the first place. "The patient is stabilizing," Selar said with utter calm. "However the hematoma has increased to 5 centimeters."

"The hemorrage is very close to the brain stem, Doctor," said Stein. "We've reached a critical point. We must begin now."

Crusher quickly finished sterilizing her skin and clothing and stepped closer to the surgical table. "Patient is human, male, 34 years old, sustained a depressed skull fracture to the occipital bone, as well as penetrating trauma to his left thigh from explosive projectile fragments." She leaned in and adjusted the neural caliper on Riker's forehead, which would keep him unconscious during surgery. He was situated on his right side to avoid the effected areas. The room vibrated as the ship was hit once more, but Crusher steadied herself. "Computer note the time...let's begin."

When Picard arrived on the bridge, he was surprised to see Lieutenant Worf at tactical. According to the report regarding the explosion inside Reth's quarters, Worf had been one of the officers present at the scene, and should have been in sickbay. But there was no time to determine just why Worf had been released for duty so soon, and he decided to trust that sickbay had done its job. Besides, he was well aware that Klingons were uninterested in discussing their wounds. "Mr. Worf, report."

"We have taken several hits from phase type weaponry, Captain. Shields are holding."

"Helm take us to 423 mark 5. Put some space between us and the lead cruiser."

"Taking fire," Worf reported.

"Return fire, phasers only."

The turbo lift doors opened and Data walked swiftly down to his post, pausing only be briefly. "Reporting for duty, sir." He continued to ops, smoothly relieving the officer on duty.

Picard stood up upon seeing Data's charred exterior. "Mr. Data, are you alright?"

Data turned slightly in his seat. "Yes, Captain. My operating efficiency level is currently 98.9 percent, just slightly below average. In the event that-"

"Thank you, Mr. Data, I have confidence in your efficiency. Man your post please."

"Aye sir."

"Lead ship is firing again."

Picard sighed. "Hail them."

"I have a visual Captain."

"On screen."

Premier Del's rotund frame suddenly dominated the large viewscreen. "You are outnumbered and outgunned, captain."

"That much is clear. What is unclear, is why you are attacking another member of the Federation. You are part of the Federation now, aren't you Premier?"

"Not until you hand over Fon's murderer, Picard."

"Fon's murderer is dead," Picard responded flatly.

"What?"

"Reth killed himself by activating a bomb in his quarters just hours ago. In the process he injured several members of my crew."

"And how am I to be assured that your crew did not kill Reth?"

"Because I've never lied to you, Del."

"Neverthless, I suspect foul play."

"That is your prerogative, of course."

"In any case, I was referring to the Tranan boy. Just how long do you intend to hold onto him?"

"As long as it takes for you to see that you are wrong. This boy is no killer, Del."

"According to your own officer who witnessed the event, he is exactly that."

Picard clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace. When he stopped and turned back to Del, he could see the Ciapathian watching him intensely. He's just posturing. He wants me to help him find a way out of this. And for now at least, we have a cease fire. "I do not believe my officer's statement about what occurred that night, Del. There are too many inconsistencies."

"Then do you suspect LaForge is the killer?"

"No."

"Captain," Worf alerted him. "Federation Ambassador Class star ship Apex is entering the sector."

Forrester has decided to make an appearance. What is his stake in all of this? He felt his heart begin to beat faster, but kept his tone even. "Send our greetings and find out their business, Mr. Worf."

Del was still hyper-focused on the subject at-hand. "You are calling your own officer a liar?"

"Del, you need to listen to what I have to say. There are sinister forces at work in your society, of which I also believe you are not aware. Doctor Petral has been experimenting on a group of cloned humans for some time."

"Nonsense!"

"Just hear me out! The Tranans are human beings who have been horribly tortured and had their DNA harvested by shadowy figures they call the Brethren. The Tranan boy Li identified Reth as being at the scene of Fon's death, and identified LaForge as intervening in an altercation between Reth and another Tranan who Reth murdered. Reth wounded LaForge and then both of their bodies disappeared-were...transported away."

"But LaForge returned unharmed, correct? This is all so outrageous, Picard."

"LaForge reappeared with a healing wound to his abdomen and very little memory of what happened to him that night. I believe that he and several other of my crew were taken on board Petral's ship and then returned to us, as part of some sadistic game he is playing. I believe that Fon was somehow in the way of Petral's plans, and that is why Reth killed him that night."

Del waved his hands fervently. "This is unbelievable-outrageous-"

"Del, come to your senses! You are being controlled by Petral." He took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder at Worf, who held up his open palm. Apparently I have five minutes more. Amiral Forrester has given me an ultimatum. He turned back to the viewer. "Don't you want to know why Petral has such a hold on your society, Del? I know that what I am saying rings true to you. Let the Tranan boy stay with us. I will help you to bring the truth into the open about what Doctor Petral has been doing, and his connection to Fon's death."

Del nodded at someone off screen then smiled thinly at Picard. "A noble effort to confuse me Captain, but it appears that Starfleet Command has ensured the Tranan killer will be transferred to us within the hour. Good luck to you, Captain Picard. I have enjoyed our spirited discussions." The screen went black and Picard turned to Worf anxiously with an unspoken question.

"Admiral Forrester is demanding to board the Enterprise, Captain. He states he has an order from Starfleet Command that you need to review."

"Captain, the Ciapathian ships with the exception of the lead ship are beginning to exit the sector," Data reported. Picard watched as the ships shot away quickly disappearing from view.

"Damn!"

"Captain," Worf reported. "We have a transport into main sickbay."

"Mr. Data, you have the bridge."

"Well, the attacks seem to have stopped," Dr. Stein murmured. He was right, the deck had stopped shaking for the moment, which had helped them concentrate on completing the surgery. The red glow of the emergency lighting ceased as well.

"We've repaired the damage to his cranial nerve," Crusher said tensely. Riker's placid expression belied the difficulty of the procedure. She gestured to Selar, who was monitoring his vitals.

"The patient's heart rate is still erratic," reported Selar.

"Giving him ten ccs of betaxil to stabilize his heart and improve circulation. We need to keep his systolic rate low for the next few minutes," replied Crusher. "We're almost through the worst of it."

When Geordi LaForge walked out into main sickbay, he saw Deanna Troi standing with a thin, pale young man whom he didn't recognize. He wanted to approach her, but hesitated, and that's when a group of people unexpectedly transported into the middle of sickbay. He walked forward when he recognized Starfleet uniforms, but froze when the young man began screaming and pointing at him. "Golden! Golden!"

LaForge shook his head slowly, perplexed at this turn of events, even as the young man rushed toward him.

"Li!" Counselor Troi raced after him, as did a young woman who came running out of a nearby office.

Geordi held up his hands, taking a step back, as the young man fell to his knees and grabbed for Geordi's hand. "Golden, you live, you live!" The man kept shouting over and over, tugging with desperate joy at Geordi's hand.

"Hey, kid, please calm down," he said, glancing around with alarm. The young woman, grabbed Li around the shoulders and pulled him up to his feet, dragging him away from Geordi, as Troi assisted.

Seeing the almost frightened expression on LaForge's face, Troi reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. "Geordi, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were still here. It must be difficult for you to see Li this way after that horrible experience."

Geordi jerked back slightly. "Li? I had no idea who that was. That's Li...the Tranan?"

Troi was studying him perceptively. "Yes...Geordi, you identified Li as Fon's killer. Don't you remember?"

LaForge licked his lips nervously. "I-I have to go," he said backing up, looking utterly confused.

Captain Picard stepped briskly through the entryway, putting his hand on Geordi's shoulder and guiding him back inside. "Stay here with Counselor Troi, Lieutenant. That's an order." LaForge nodded silently, still looking stunned and confused.

Picard walked past them toward Rolani who was shielding Li protectively behind a bio bed. He talked quietly with Rolani before she stepped aside, allowing him to take Li by the arm.

Li walked sheepishly side by side with Picard, until the captain halted, surveying the group of security officers surrounding Admiral Forrester. "Admiral, I was informed you are in possession of orders from Command?" He continued to hold Li's upper arm firmly, and could feel the young man trembling. Shifting his gaze slightly for the first time, he saw Wesley Crusher sitting down a safe distance away, watching the scene with wide eyes.

Admiral Forrester handed Picard a data pad with a smug expression. "You've made a valiant, if misguided effort Captain. But the time has come to do the right thing."

Doctor Crusher emerged from an adjacent room, undoing her surgical gear as she walked decisively toward them. "Excuse me, but what the hell is going on in my sickbay?"

"Not now, doctor," Picard said quietly, still reading the data pad. Presently he handed it back to Forrester. "Admiral, it is plain that you and I differ on what exactly doing the right thing is."

"If you believe that violating the Prime Directive, obstructing justice, and punching the Ciapathian leader in the face are the right things Picard, yes we certainly disagree."

"Del attempted to assault a member of my crew," Picard snapped.

"These outbursts and excuses are uncharacteristic of you, Captain Picard."

"These are uncharacteristic times, Admiral."

"Nevertheless, I will be sure to include these episodes in your personnel file going forward."

Picard clenched his jaw. "I would like to speak to the writer of that order, Admiral. Before taking any other steps."

"You're out of your depth here, Picard...Admiral Nechayev said you would try to call in a favor to her. So she personally wrote this directive ordering you to hand the boy over."

"And if I refuse?"

"You hand over your command to me, and I take the boy anyway." Forrester waved a security officer over, who grabbed Li by the arm, but Picard held fast. That was when Rolani began shouting at the top of her lungs in a language that only Li understood. She rushed at Forrester, but two security officers restrained her. She continued to flail and struggle, as another security man took out wrist restraints, and clasped one on Li's free hand. Picard shifted his feet and saw the remaining officer walk behind him and before he knew it, his free hand was now in an energy restraint. The officer grasped his other arm, pulling it behind his back. The guard quickly punched in a code and his hands were now immovable. Rarely had he been so humiliated.

"Captain Picard, you are being temporarily detained while this imperative is carried out," Admiral Forrester said, as Li was now in custody. "Once we have beamed back to the Apex, you will be free to resume your duties. Meanwhile, rest assured that additional orders related to your insubordination will be forthcoming."

The Enterprise crew watched helplessly as a terrified Li, surrounded by Admiral Forrester's contingent was whisked away in a transporter beam. A few seconds later, as programmed the restraints deactivated, and Picard brought his hand up to tap his communicator. "Picard to Lieutenant Worf, status."

"The lead Ciapathian ship and the USS Apex have engaged warp drive and have exited the system, sir. Should we pursue?"

"Negative, Lieutenant. Maintain this position, Picard out."

He turned to Beverly, feeling his anger begin to surface and threaten to bubble over. He felt the veins in his neck pulsing as he tried to think of something constructive to say. "How is Commander Riker?" he heard himself say.

She blinked, seeming to understand that for the moment it was best to talk about something other than the horrible thing that had just happened. "Will is going to be fine. He made it through surgery fine and is strong. I expect he should be released from sickbay within the week."

He nodded. "Good work, Doctor. Please commend your staff for me."

She smiled softly. "I will, thank you."

He turned to leave, but Rolani rushed him, slapping and punching him. He raised his forearms to ward off the blows, as she screamed things at him which he did not need a translator to understand. Security moved in to pull Rolani away, and then she fell into Troi's arms, sobbing. Well aware that the Tranan leader's rage was justified, Picard backed away, and then left without another word.

Thanks for following! To be continued...