Chapter 45

After parting ways with the rest of the away team, which had gone on ahead under Yar's careful watch to find their sleeping Riker arrangements, Picard and Riker now stood at the end of a bright and opulently decorated corridor. The door in front of them appeared to be made of some kind of pressed plant matter, or wood, and the entire area, which one could only describe as a palace, seemed warm, not at all disturbing like their greeting had been. They were now waiting to be let into Premier Del's private office.

Still, as Riker watched Picard ruminate silently, he was certain that he and the captain were thinking the same thing; it wasn't so much how Reth had been revived that preoccupied them, but rather it was that fact being thrown in their faces as soon as they arrived that was of concern. It was hardly a friendly greeting. And now Riker wondered how this apparent setback could instead be used to their advantage.

Captain Picard seemed uninterested in sharing his thoughts aloud, so Riker was the first to break the silence. "Sir, I've been in contact with Data. He confirmed that he can get an accurate transport lock on us as long as we are out in the courtyard both within and outside the city walls."

Picard eyed him, his posture remaining perfectly still. "But not inside here," he murmured.

Riker nodded slightly, realizing how ominous that sounded when voiced out loud. "I've asked him to continue to explore other exits plans, sir, just in case..."

Picard shifted his gaze away as the door swung open. Both he and Riker hesitated before walking in, unaccustomed to navigating a door that did not swish to the side.

"The Premier will see you now," said a slim female Ciapathian, who graciously waved them inside before hurrying by them out into the hallway.

When they stepped inside, it was immediately apparent why Del had taken so long. He was meeting with someone. Del's jowly face turned from a frown to a seemingly genuine smile when he saw them. In contrast, the small-framed Dr. Petral, stood staring through them, his over-sized, rose-colored visor with only a slight smile to acknowledge their presence.

"Captain Picard...Commander Riker," boomed Del. "Greetings, come closer, my friends!"

Petral moved lithely past them without a word, and exited the room, the strange smile still present on his face.

"Welcome," Del repeated exuberantly, as though the strange episode had not just happened.

Picard continued to stand there stiffly. "Premier Del...we were shocked to see Premier Fon's suspected murderer, not only alive and well, but serving as our greeting committee."

Del scoffed. "I don't know what you are talking about, Captain."

"Reth met us at your front door," Riker nearly shouted. "Is that clearer?" Immediately he expected a non-verbal reprimand from the captain, but surprisingly, none came. Maybe he and Picard were finally starting to run on the same wavelength.

Del's magenta skin grew duller for a moment. "That was not authorized by me. Please accept my apologies, gentlemen. Reth no longer holds any official authority in my regime."

The veins stood out on Picard's neck as though he had been holding his breath for too long. But when he spoke, he exuded control. "That's it? No further explanation for why an individual who killed himself just days ago on board my ship is currently alive and well on your planet?" He waited for Del to respond, then said, "No matter. I will gladly reopen our investigation into Premier Fon's murder."

Del's expression grew crafty. "You have no authority to do so. No such investigation would ever be tolerated. Besides...the leading theory here on Ciapathia is that the Tranan boy currently in our custody, as well as your own Lieutenant LaForge murdered Fon."

Emboldened by his recent inroads with the Captain, and outraged at the mention of Geordi's name, Riker leaned in. "Now, listen here, Premier-"

"Please excuse my second in command, Premier," Picard cut Will off coolly. "Emotions are running high among my staff. You see... Mr. LaForge was a talented young man with a bright future, and he is now lying dead in my ship's morgue."

Riker passed a hand over his chin nervously before adopted his most studied poker face as he watched Del's strange reaction to the Captain's lie. A look of raw fear crossed the Premier's face, before quickly being replaced with a somber nod. "You have my condolences, gentlemen, despite my belief that LaForge played a role in Fon's demise."

Picard finally sat down at a large table, adjusting carefully to the roll of the anti-gravity chair. He kept his expression neutral, although inside he was exhilarated by the news that Li was alive. "We can debate these issues all day, Premier. My understanding is that we've been invited here to mend fences, not to create a further divide. Unless of course...you've really brought us here because you still require my assistance."

"What?"

"Del the last time I spoke with you, you practically begged me to help you stop Petral from usurping your power, and now you are pretending- not well, I might add- that everything is fine, and that you are in control."

Del sat down slowly. "There are things that have transpired since we last spoke, Captain. Circumstances have changed."

"How so?"

Del looked down at the table a moment before glancing up at them. "I believe the events of the next few days will make things much clearer, Captain." He offered a weak smile. "My royal servants are at your disposal, gentlemen. Perhaps you've met them already?"

Riker resisted a shiver, recalling the silent greeting party clothed in drab cloaks, their features hidden by hoods. He thought about Deanna and worried for her safety.

"Your generosity is appreciated, but misplaced, Premier," said Picard. "We require no such arrangements."

Del nodded resignedly, and then something disturbing seemed to occur to him. "Picard...I feel it is only fair to warn you... Petral is fixated on one of your wives."

Picard's expression went blank. "My wives..."

Riker froze.

Del continued earnestly. "The physician...Doctor..."

"Crusher," Riker offered. Picard shot him a withering look.

Riker could not help but fixate on Picard's strange expression of embarrassment mixed with barely contained anxiety. Riker found it difficult to look away. After all, it might be the last time he ever witnessed the Captain allowing himself to be thrown off in such a manner. It did confirm for Will what he had suspected; that Picard had viewed Beverly Crusher at least at some point in the past as something more than a professional colleague. While the captain did a fine job of hiding it, there were certain things that Riker could sense about people, and this was one of them.

"I don't have any wives," Picard replied deliberately. "Dr. Crusher is my Chief Medical Officer."

"Oh! I just assumed that with your status as a commander of such a fine spacecraft, that you would have at least ten wives."

Picard's eye twitched. "No. Certainly not." He rubbed his hands on his knees for a moment, eventually seeming to gather his wits. "What do you mean he is fixated?"

Del shrugged. "I can't say really...but he has taken an interest in her. Petral is such an odd little fellow. But he's an odd little fellow with a great deal of power."

"Power over you?" Riker ventured, finally sitting down next to the captain.

Del's light blue eyes switched to Riker. "I am the leader of this world." Ignoring Riker, he leaned toward Picard. "I meant what I said, Captain. You should send your female doctor back to the ship to avoid any problems."

"I don't respond well to threats to my crew, Premier Del."

Del's lip quivered. "You stand warned, Captain Picard."

Beverly looked behind her warily as the eight shrouded "guides" Reth had introduced them to departed down the hallway without so much as a word. The guides-she had no better name for them, had brought Beverly and the others inside the main palace, disappearing while the away team took a lift, and ascended to a higher floor. The eight figures were inexplicably waiting for them as they departed the lift, and walked ahead of the team until they reached their destination. Now, as the away team waited for Lieutenant Yar and her security team to emerge from a nearby room, Beverly was unsettled, and glancing at Deann Troi didn't make her feel any better. Troi looked completely spooked.

Sarah Allen tossed her bag down onto the carpeted floor and turned on Troi and Crusher. "What the hell was that about?"

"Could you be more specific?" Beverly shot back, feeling just as confused as everyone else looked.

"Who were those people?" Sarah emphasized.

Deanna shook her head. "I couldn't sense anything from them. No emotions at all."

Crusher glanced at a security man, who was yawning behind his hand. "Ensign, what's taking Lieutenant Yar so long?"

He looked somewhat alarmed by the question but tapped his communicator. "Highter to Yar."

"What is it?" Yar stepped out of a nearby doorway, apparently choosing to answer the call in person. When Ensign Highter seemed reluctant to answer, Yar glanced at Crusher. "Sorry for the delay. The room is all clear, sir."

"Lieutenant, you don't have to worry about rank with me," said Beverly gently.

Yar frowned as though that didn't sit well with her. She gestured inside the room, and as the others approached, they could see that it was more than spacious inside. "These quarters were originally meant for just captain Picard. He's ordered me to house the entire team here."

Sarah stepped into the room, holding Rolani's hand, as the Tranan woman trailed behind. Rolani looked so like a lost child that Troi almost wanted to give her a hug.

"Ha," said Sarah. "This would have been perfect for him."

Beverly raised an eyebrow and watched as Sarah walked away from her. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.

Allen glanced at Troi, before responding. "I know a man with an oversized ego when I meet him," she said with a confident smile. "This oversized room is just his style."

Crusher felt a warm blush rise on her neck and looked to Troi for help.

Surprisingly, it was Yar who responded. "Captain Picard is a hero to me," she said tightly. "Don't disrespect him." She pushed the blonde sweep of bangs from her eyes and stepped away, speaking into her communicator, coordinating with the rest of her team. As she walked away, Worf's gruff voice could be heard on the channel.

Deanna turned with a small smile to Sarah. "Captain Picard has inspired great loyalty from his crew in just a matter of weeks," Troi said. "It has been fascinating for me to witness."

Sarah sat down on a plush couch with her hands loosely between her knees. "Give me another few days with him, and we can compare notes, Deanna."

Picard walked so quickly, that Riker felt silly breaking into a short jog, but did so anyway. Something's got him all worked up.

Suddenly Picard whirled around, and Riker nearly crashed into him. "Speak with Doctor Crusher...give her the option of returning to the ship."

Riker couldn't hold back a grimace. "Sir...what should I tell her?"

Picard looked up at him like he had two heads. "I just told you-"

"No, I mean about Petral, sir."

"Tell her exactly what Del said."

"Captain, I don't think she's going to take this well-"

"Just take care of it, Riker," Picard snapped. "I'm counting on you."