Chapter 46

Beverly held the small cylinder up and peered at it's shiny but featureless surface. The regeneration and stasis kit would serve as perhaps the most valuable tool for ensuring that Geordi LaForge could be returned to the Enterprise alive, even if he was critical when they found him. If we find him. She shook off her worries. "Is it properly calibrated?"

"Yes, doctor," said nurse Ogawa, taking it from Crusher and placing it back inside the medkit. "I'm just worried that we won't have the equipment we need to save Geordi."

She kept her voice down, as Sarah Allen and Rolani were not aware of the true nature of their mission to Ciapathia. "I've been thinking the same thing, Alyssa. But its the risk with any away team mission. We need to approach this as a rescue mission. We prepare and then we reassess when we find him." Despite the fact that she had led rescue missions before, she hadn't truly been tested this way on board the Enterprise. And with the Tsiolkovsky debacle still in recent memory, a small part of herself felt pressure to redeem herself.

Alyssa nodded, and yawned, getting up to stretch her legs. "Can I get you some herbal tea, Doctor?" She looked toward a large table which had a wide variety of foods laid out for them. So far, Beverly hadn't quite been able to bring herself to eat anything. Knowing that they had been "invited" to the planet by Geordi's probable captors, and were there under false pretenses was literally making her sick to her stomach.

Beverly smiled up at her. "Oh, that sounds wonderful." She'd taken off her jacket and was wearing a short-sleeve shirt, given that the temperature of the room was warmer than she was accustomed to. Still, something to relax her was probably the best medicine at the moment.

She glanced up and said a quick thanks when Ogawa placed the tea next to her on a small table, and then returned to cataloging her medical equipment. It kept her mind off of most of the morbid thoughts that had troubled her for days now. Occasionally her mind wandered to thoughts of her conversation with Jean-Luc on the holodeck, and she found herself still feeling anxious, although she was no longer embarrassed. He had hardly spoken to her since she had declared herself only interested in pursuing a friendship with him. She knew he had been busying himself with mission preparation, but still, she knew he was avoiding her. Obviously now was not the time to discuss anything of a personal nature with him, but still she dreaded their next interaction, and at the same time, the thought of it excited her. She silently chastised herself. Never before had she been so conflicted about whether to pursue a relationship with someone, and it was obvious that he was similarly struggling. Yet it seemed despite having this in common, they were no help to each other, and the awkwardness persisted. This is why you just need to focus on the mission, Beverly. Be a professional.

She glanced up as Tasha Yar and Worf were laughing about something together. It grabbed her interest because so far she hadn't witnessed either of them laugh, and was beginning to think it might not be possible.

"You would never be able to capture a targ, let alone eat one," Worf was assuring Yar confidently.

"Oh, I don't know Worf, as gross as a targ might be, you'd be surprised at the stuff I've eaten. I was on my own for years. I did what I had to do." There was no stridency in Yar's voice, she was simply stating a fact.

Worf nodded respectfully. "I understand. It is also my preference to be alone," he said. "I generally do not like people," he added.

"Me either."

Oh my, they're bonding over who's tougher. Beverly sipped her tea and tried not to be too obvious about her eavesdropping.

"Beverly, could we get your opinion about something?"

Crusher turned to see that Sarah Allen was waving her over from across the room where she and Troi were seated. Beverly groaned inwardly but stood up with her tea. "About what?" She asked as politely as possible. Sarah was smart and engaging, but Beverly still felt incredibly cautious around the woman.

"About my career choices," Troi called out, the irritation evident in her voice. Beverly found it very curious that despite the history Deanna had told her about Will, the two women appeared to care about each other. However, Beverly could not help but observe that the dynamic was imbalanced, with Troi playing the role of the subordinate. She wondered if guilt was playing a role in Deanna's interactions with Sarah, but Beverly wasn't sure she wanted to get involved.

Looking for a quick escape, Crusher scanned the room. "Where's Rolani? Wasn't she with you?"

Sarah nodded and tousled her hair in a preoccupied manner. "She wasn't feeling well, and I suggested she get some rest. She's in one of the 'wives' rooms," she pointed toward one of the many small apartments that circled the larger suite.

"Wives' rooms...?" Beverly trailed off in confusion.

Sarah looked amused, but Deanna took pity on Beverly. She pursed her lips, apparently searching for the right words. "According to Tasha, Premier Del assigned this entire suite to be used by Captain Picard and his wives."

"Wives," Beverly echoed.

Deanna cleared her throat. "When it became clear that Captain Picard had no wives, Del permitted the rest of us to share this space with the Captain."

"Aren't we lucky?" Sarah chimed in.

Beverly sighed and sat down next to Deanna on the couch. "This is an incredibly misogynistic society," she said. "I've witnessed enough of it first-hand."

"Oh really?" Sarah leaned in.

"Yes," Beverly said rather sharply, finding she was uninterested in elaborating. In her mind she saw Petral's slimy expression as he stood leering at her in her sickbay. She suddenly had the urge to nudge Deanna, to help her get out of this conversation.

"So if these people are so awful, then why are we letting them into the Federation and attending this inauguration, or whatever it is?"

"It's mainly a...diplomatic effort," Deanna said.

"And why didn't Captain Picard bring you along to his meeting? Your diplomatic skills are second to none, Deanna."

Deanna smiled and looked down into her lap. Sarah's opinion somehow still mattered to her. She looked up again. "Captain Picard is very decisive. If he didn't want my assistance, I'm sure he had a good reason."

"Yes, that's what I've been trying to tell you...he feels threatened by you."

"It's more complicated than that," said Troi.

Sarah put a hand on Troi's knee. "Deanna...why stay where you're not wanted? You have so much talent-"

"Who says she's not wanted?" Beverly interjected coolly. "We appreciate Deanna's talents, and we need her with us on the Enterprise."

Deanna turned her head to look at Beverly with muted surprise. Her new colleague was so sincere coming to Deanna's aid, that it touched her.

"Well," said Sarah. "I didn't mean to insult you, Doctor, but I really meant that Captain Picard is the problem. It was no secret that he didn't want a counselor on board his new ship."

This time, Beverly laughed. "It sounds like you're the one with the problem."

"Oh?"

"Yes. This is the second time I've heard you make an assumption about Captain Picard and his intentions. I realize you are a trained counselor, but I've known him twenty years, and believe me, he's not that easy to figure out."

Sarah smiled. "So you know him well, then?"

Beverly was suddenly uncomfortable again. "I didn't say that." I don't really know him at all.

The counselor patted Beverly on the knee and got to her feet. "I didn't mean to pry, Beverly. Please forget I said anything. You're correct...I suppose I've made some assumptions about Captain Picard based on his service record and certain interactions I've had with him. I suppose if I want to get to know him, I'll have to make more of an effort."

When Captain Picard and Commander Riker stepped outside of Del's office, they initially found themselves alone once more in the corridor, and we're so embroiled in conversation rounding the next bend, that they didn't immediately notice they had company. Next to the lift, two Guides waited silently for them. The Guides wore the same uniform; a drab, shapeless cloak, and an odd bandage-like material around each person's head, with no discernible opening for the eyes. Nevertheless, the Guides sensed apparently that they were there, and moved to the side, indicating that the officers should follow them, before shuffling in near unison into the back of the lift.

There is no goddamn way I am letting them stand behind me in that lift.

Picard on the other hand, stepped into the lift without delay as though he was used to this type of arrangement.

Until now, I thought I had the best poker face I'd ever seen.

After a minute or so, the lift descended to its destination without incident.

Riker put on his most gracious smile as the doors opened and gestured at the Guides. "Please...after you," he offered, finding his charms not only wasted on the faceless Guides, but also on the Captain, who looked extremely irritated.

"Commander, let's go." Picard walked swiftly out. The Guides remained motionless in the lift as the doors shut.

Several of Yar's security team were milling around the area, but no one else was present. Riker silently applauded Lieutenant Yar's suspicious nature and preparation, but so far the security team hadn't been needed.

Riker turned to Picard, who had halted mid-step. "Go on ahead Number One, I'll be along shortly."

Trying to throw me off, by sweet-talking me, Captain?

"Sir... if you're going somewhere, I should go with you, or at least one of Yar's people-"

Picard's barely contained patience was hard to miss. "Your attention to duty is admirable, Mr. Riker. But I'm merely going for a little stroll..."

"But sir-"

Picard raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to formally dismiss you, Commander?"

"No, sir."

Picard watched his first officer walk reluctantly away, before turning back to examine the lift. A simple light sensor was the only obvious control. While in the lift, when Riker had been visibly disturbed by the bizarre "Guides", Picard had taken the opportunity to study the console inside the lift. The system was manual and looked simple enough. In addition, he had noted that the Guides were headed for a floor much deeper in the immense structure. Now that he was alone, he planned to follow them. He pressed the control and the door slid open to an empty interior. He stepped inside and before he could reconsider, the lift began to drop. He could see it was again programmed for a floor below the ground level. It wasn't until the device slowed and the door opened to darkness, that he realized his misstep.

When Riker walked into the crew's temporary living quarters, he was shocked at the size of the place. They'd been informed that Del had planned to house Captain Picard and his multiple spouses in this suite, which explained the size of the common area and the not less than fifteen smaller apartments arranged around the perimeter. The next thing he noticed was that there were a few conversations already in progress. Yar and Worf were discussing handheld weaponry while the two counselors and Doctor Crusher were arguing about something in a spirited manner. Troi was the first to look up, of course, she sensed he was there. And so it wasn't worth backing out of the room. The way that the three women abruptly ceased talking made him think they might have been talking about him.

And now Sarah Allen was watching him in a way that made him feel self-conscious.

"Hi," he said. "I didn't mean to interrupt but...well, I need to borrow Doctor Crusher for a few minutes."

Beverly stood up quickly. "Is everything alright?" She looked behind him. "Where's the captain?"

"He uh...went for a stroll." Will took a deep breath. "Beverly, can we talk in another room?"

She nodded. "Of course."

He followed her into one of the adjacent rooms, the one she'd carelessly thrown her bag of belongings into earlier when they'd arrived. Suddenly feeling exhausted, she plopped down on the edge of the bed and patted next to her. "Have a seat, Commander."

Will hesitated, before sitting down. He was struck by how intimate the arrangement was, and that he'd never sat this close to Beverly before. Typically they were walking quickly side by side on their way to one crisis or another or sitting across from each other at the conference table.

She eyed him. "I owe you one, Will. I was just dying to get out of that conversation, and you gave me the perfect excuse."

"Ah...no problem. Okay, look... Captain Picard asked me to talk with you about something, but the subject matter, well it's sensitive."

"I see."

The lift closed behind him and Picard was plunged into darkness. He was extremely aware of his breathing, which was too fast for the speed he was walking. Something compelled him forward, as he pressed himself against the wall. A thin film of sweat broke out o his chest and back, as up ahead around a corner, a light blinked on. He froze at the sound of scratching behind him, and instinctively wiped his hand at his hip, reminded immediately that he while he had a small phaser, it was hidden in his boot.

A shadowy figure stepped into the light up ahead, just before the lights in the long hallway came on and they were such a bright white that he had to throw his forearm over his eyes for a moment. He heard a hiss and more scratching, and glancing behind him he saw that Reth was there, holding his giant beetle on a leash. The creature snapped its jaws at him and hissed again. Looking back down the corridor in the direction he'd been headed in, he locked eyes with Doctor Petral.

Trying to remain calm, he turned his back on Reth, aware that doing so was quite foolish.

"Are you in need of medical attention, Captain Picard?" asked Petral in his quiet, disturbing voice. "Welcome to our capital city's newest hospital."

"No," Picard heard himself say. "I was simply going-"
"For a walk? Captain, let's not be dishonest. You were pursuing your human curiosity, which has now landed you in a potentially dangerous even fatal situation. You could disappear very quickly, never to be found by your crew again. We'd leave no trace, you see."

"Are you threatening to murder me?"

"That depends on why you've come down to my hospital, Captain. Del may have invited you to our planet, but that does not mean you are welcome here."

"I've come to tell you, Petral, to stay away from my crew."

"Ah...Del told you of my infatuation with Beverly Crusher."

Picard began to feel a wave of heat crawling up his spine.

"Don't worry, Captain. My interest in her is merely scientific. You see, females have one role to play in our society-to further the life of our species. Once that role has been fulfilled, I have no use for them any longer."

Picard took a step forward. "Stay away from her, Petral."

"Fascinating. Is this show of aggression related to human mating rituals? On Ciapathia we also thrive on sexual competition. It's the reason why I collect so many females of my own species, I suppose."

"This isn't a competition, it's a warning. Stay away from her."

Petral smiled unpleasantly. "Don't presume to give me orders, Picard. We are not on your ship any longer."

"Where's the girl?" Jean-Luc suddenly blurted out.

Reth let out a roaring laugh behind him. "You might have to be more specific."

He gritted his teeth and thought of poor Wesley Crusher. "What have you done with Hatha?"

"Didn't Del tell you? Hatha is now my wife."

Picard felt his gag reflex kicking in. "Where is she? I need to see her."

"Where is your policy of non-interference, now, Picard?"

"The Prime Directive doesn't apply here. Ciapathia has joined the Federation now. I'm merely inquiring about the safety of another Federation member."

"And I am telling you, that you have no right to such information. Now, Captain...take that lift back up to floor 1143 and rejoin the rest of your crew. We would not want them to be concerned about your whereabouts."

Hi, thanks for continuing to follow this story. Best, -PP