Chapter 44

Tasha Yar was restless and itching to prove herself. Ever since the incident at Farpoint Station and the appearance of Q, she had felt sure the captain had yet to see her true talents in action. Now, as she stood stiffly waiting for him to finish reading her security proposal for the away team, she resisted the urge to tap her boot on the floor of Picard's ready room.

Commander William T. Riker once again resisted the urge to tell Yar to sit down and relax. One month of serving with the tightly wound Lieutenant was long enough for him to know that she was better off standing, to burn off her considerable energy. Although having her pacing back and forth in the cramped office while he sat watching the Captain watch a computer screen was starting to drive him slowly crazy, he maintained his calm.

Riker's style was to let his subordinates learn by trying, and no one could ever accuse Yar of not trying. The question was, would Picard reject her proposal gently or by making her fall flat on her face?

Finally, the captain sighed and switched off his computer, spinning it dismissively away from him on his desk. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Lieutenant..."

"Yes, sir."

"A ten-person security contingent for this away team is a bit of overkill, don't you think?"

Yar gathered her nerves. She had expected this objection. "Sir, based on the levels of violence we've seen from the Ciapthians so far-"

"None of which Starfleet officially acknowledges," Riker reminded her gently.

"Uh... but we'll be surrounded by them, sir."

"That goes without saying, Lieutenant, as we will be on their planet. Officially this is a diplomatic mission, Yar."

Yar gathered her wits again and pressed on. "Yes, sir. But unofficially we need to find Geordi and get him safely back to the Enterprise. We have to assume that will involve violence."

"Do we?"

Yar was now visibly frustrated. "Sir, you ordered extra security for sickbay after Dr. Petral harassed Doctor Crusher."

Picard sat back slowly in his chair, and there was an ever so subtle change in his expression. "That's correct. Your point, Lieutenant?"

"My point is that you saw something in that encounter that warranted extra caution. You followed your gut, sir. That's all I am trying to do with this proposal, captain. Petral already knows we don't trust him, and I agree with you that where he's concerned, extra caution is warranted."

Picard was watching her closely. Finally, he nodded. "I'll give you five security officers in addition to yourself. And Worf," he added with a small smile. "After all, this is a diplomatic mission... officially. Have your team ready and in the transporter room in 30 minutes. You and your team will beam down first and assess the security arrangements."

Yar seemed to stand a little taller. "Yes, captain."

Picard watched her speed from the room before he looked to Riker. "Your assessment of our security chief so far?"

Riker had to stop himself from smiling too broadly. Somehow his poker face didn't work when it came to Picard. "She's very capable sir...a little impulsive but sharp. There's definitely potential there."

Picard sipped the last of his tea. "About a year, ago, my ship was present at the Federation colony on Carnelia, when then Ensign Yar ran through a minefield to rescue a colonist-"

Riker sat forward. "Your ship, sir? The Carnelia raid in Orion territory is public knowledge, but I wasn't aware your ship was there." Which ship exactly were you commanding sir?" Was what he really wanted to ask. The previous ten years was very spotty in public records related to Jean-Luc Picard. Riker had done his research after finding out that he was being recruited for a position onboard the new Galaxy-class starship, and had found little information on Picard following his widely publicized court-martial in 2355 related to the loss of his ship. It was his career prior to the loss of the Stargazer which had drawn Riker's admiration, even before he learned of the opportunity on the Enterprise. Picard's lost years which took place while Riker was building his own career, added level of mystery to an already elusive person.

"That particular fact wasn't made public," Picard said, not missing a beat. "Now with Yar, her impulsiveness as you phrase it is what drives her. It is possible that it's because of her impulsiveness and daring that she has come so far so fast. However, the reason I chose her to join this crew is that I would like to see how far she can progress if she moves beyond her gut reactions. I know you will take on the challenge of mentoring this officer, Number One."

Riker smiled. "Of course sir, happy to."

"Good." Picard got up and smoothed his uniform around his waist. "Now, the situation with Counselor Allen..."

Will scratched the back of his head. "Situation, sir?"

Picard picked up his datapad and began to study it. "Ms. Allen's role is quite... murky. She's here to integrate the Tranans into Human culture, and yet now she's recommended-with Troi's blessing-that Rolani accompany us on the away team mission, to quote: 'observe Captain Picard's leadership skills and to obtain emotional closure for the loss of her brother, Li.' Now it appears Ms. Allen has invited herself along as Rolani's handler, for lack of a better word. I told Troi I would honor her recommendations in this matter, but I must admit, I'm having second thoughts. I'm unaccustomed to working closely with counselors, Riker." He tossed the datapad onto his desk and walked away. When he turned, Riker noted an oddly expectant look on the Captain's face. It took a moment before Will realized that the Captain actually wanted his advice.

"Captain, you can trust Deanna to do the right thing. I'm with you on Rolani's unpredictability, but if Rolani experiences interacting with you as a captain, that might help her move past her view that you are some kind of..."

"A god?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good point. Additionally, I recognize that she must feel incredible pressure to take on official leadership responsibilities. Perhaps I can be of help her in that regard. However, I'm still not comfortable with this happening on this particular mission. None of us can predict how Rolani will react when faced with the Ciapthians."

"Right sir...but seeing Rolani might also throw the Ciapathians off, which could be to our advantage."

Picard rubbed his chin. "And Counselor Allen?"

"She might be a civilian, but she's a professional, sir. I don't think she would recommend this approach unless she believed it to be the best one."

"Yes, but best for whom? Her proposal to rotate between Ciapathia and her work with the Tranans on the Enterprise may not always be feasible. We may be down there a matter of hours or a week. She's not aware of the true nature of this mission, but rest assured I'll need her cooperation, regardless of that fact."

"I'll work with her sir."

"Good. Please gather the rest of our team and head for transporter room one."

When Picard walked into the transporter room, he stopped at the transporter and typed in a code. "Picard to Yar."

"Yar here, Captain. All clear, please go ahead and beam down when ready, sir."

"Acknowledged. Picard out." He swung a small bag over his shoulder and walked swiftly up onto the pad. He glanced around and noted that Riker, Troi, Crusher, Nurse Ogawa, Counselor Allen and Rolani were all present. "Energize."

The away team rematerialized in a large courtyard.

Yar, Worf, and five other security personnel were present and standing in a circle facing outward. When the away team appeared, Yar and the others jogged over.

Night had already fallen on Ciapathia, but the area was well lit. Craning their necks upward they could see orangish clouds and above those stars. They were inside an invisible dome, with advanced technology protecting them from the harsh environment outside.

Beverly Crusher was still staring upward at the mesmerizing scenery when she heard footsteps, breaking her out of her daze.

"Dazzling, isn't it?"

Picard's universal translator buzzed at the sound of the booming voice. A large-framed figure approached, and as he grew closer, every away team member immediately recognized him as Reth. Accompanying him was a familiar large black beetle.

Picard stepped forward haltingly, feeling his throat constrict with revulsion. He glanced up at Riker, who had gone somewhat pale. Faced with the man who had been responsible for nearly killing him was clearly not sitting well with his first officer. Similarly, Yar tensed beside him, her hand immediately on the phaser at her hip.

The individual who appeared to be Reth surveyed them all before belting out a laugh. "Oh, no one told you!" He continued to laugh as though the circumstances were hilarious.

Picard bristled, taking another step forward. "I don't know who you are...but someone who looks exactly like you killed himself on board my ship ten days ago, in the process nearly killing members of my crew."

"That was me," admitted the man without hesitation or guilt, still chuckling. "Or really, that was my last body."

Crusher hugged her medkit tightly at her side, still trying to recover from seeing this unsavory person back from the dead. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Reth leaned down with his dazzling white smile. "It means that I'm so valuable, Doctor Petral won't ever really let me die. He tells me I have several replacement cloned bodies, although I've no idea how many... Fortunately for me, I don't remember killing myself at all."

Riker stepped forward angrily. "Do you remember murdering Premier Fon?"

"I didn't murder him...that disgusting Tranan boy did." He looked disdainfully down at Rolani, who could not take her eyes off of the hissing insect at his side. Sarah Allen had her arm wrapped around the woman's waist in a protective manner.

Reth poked Riker in the chest. "Or was it your friend... the one with the seeing apparatus? Whatever happened to him, anyway?"

Despite his better sense, Will took another step forward, but Picard stopped him, throwing the back of his hand into Riker's chest.

Reth gave a short bow of his head to Picard. "Listen to your commanding officer, Riker. He recognizes that he's outmatched, so he takes no action. You should have such good sense!" He smiled at Picard. "Isn't that right, captain? You are no man of action...are you?"

Picard tightened his jaw. "I'm pleased to see you alive, Reth. Because as long as you are alive I will ensure that you are held responsible for all the harm that you have caused."

The giant Ciapathian chuckled. "I look forward to meeting your challenge, Picard. Now, enough arguing, after all, you are now guests of Premier Del...well, tomorrow evening he will be coronated officially. What an honor for your crew to witness the most important transition in Ciapathian culture." He gestured toward a large gate across the courtyard and began to march in that direction, his giant insect partner scurrying beside him on the stone surface.

Yar hurried her officers ahead of Picard and Riker, and Worf brought up the rear of the group.

After a few minutes, Reth turned to look back over his shoulder at the officers. "Welcome...you are about to enter Isina, the capital city of Ciapathia. I am certain you will be pleased with the temporary living arrangements we have prepared for you. However, I must warn you...you are strongly encouraged to stay within the city gates unless beaming back to your ship. Of course, this is for your own safety."

The Enterprise crew followed behind in silence until they reached an immense gate, which swung open, as they neared, Reth still in the lead.

As the gate closed behind them, the collective sense of suspicion intensified. Up ahead a group of shadowy figures stood silently waiting. Reth waved dismissively at them. "These are your servants, your escorts...whatever needs you may have, they are required to meet."

"We are Starfleet officers," said Picard abruptly. "We do not need, nor do we want others to serve us."

Reth shrugged. "Surely you didn't travel all this way to disrespect our culture, Captain Picard. Ours is a strict caste system, which works well for us. You are our guests. Naturally, our government wants to keep you comfortable." Reth made a strange gesture, and the group of servants turned in unison, and began walking away from the officers. "Please, Enterprise crew, follow your escorts. I have other busniess to attend to."