Chapter 9: Justice Part 1

"Riker has sounded very enthused in his reports," Picard said as he looked over at Troi.

"He says the planet has life forms almost identical to us," Troi said.

Just then Beverly exited the turbolift and made her way down into the command area. She stopped in front of Picard, obviously with much on her mind. "Captain...!" she said before noticing that Troi had been talking to the captain. "Sorry, Troi."

Troi smiled, she beckoned Beverly to go on. "The Doctor has something much more important on her mind, Captain."

"Please, Troi, do not pick up my feelings!" Beverly said. She was still getting used to the fact that Buffy and Dawn could read her thoughts. She was glad that Troi had been helping them to master their new gift.

Troi smiled. "Your feelings?" she said. "All we need are ears."

"You've been talking about it for days now..." Picard agreed. "Shore leave for the crew."

Beverly saw Wesley throw her a concerned look from where he sat at the helm. She gave an apologetic nod to Troi. "I'm tired myself. Establishing that colony has exhausted the entire crew, sir. We're not a supply vessel. Settling all those people was a strain on everyone."

Riker exited the turbolift followed by Data, Geordi and Tasha. All four of them were excited as they took their places.

"Is it as good as your reports, Number One?" Picard asked as Riker sat beside him.

"Exactly per my reports, sir," Riker said enthusiastically. "Class M, so Earthlike, so beautiful, it will startle you!"

"It sounds wonderful for the children!" Beverly said. "The Holodecks are marvelous, of course, but nothing like giving them open space and fresh air... Especially Buffy and Dawn. Dawn hasn't been off ship since their arrival and Buffy only to the Tkon planet on an away mission. Between their newfound telepathy and the ghost ship. They both could use some shore leave."

"I've listed my report on their customs and laws, sir," Tasha said. "Fairly simple, common sense things."

"Wild in some ways, puritanical in others," Geordi said. "Neat as pins, ultra-lawful, and making love at the drop of a hat."

"Any hat," Tasha added.

"But even the happiest report has its negatives," Picard said as he looked at his first officer. "Let's start with them."

Riker grinned, "There are none, sir. Not that any of us can find."

"But there is a problem here, sir!" Data said as he looked over the readings on his console. "I do not understand this at all!"

"It's the faulty reading I reported, sir," Worf said.

"Sensor technicians are working on it, sir," Tasha said. "They've identified it as a glitch in the system."

Picard debated having Buffy check into it just to make sure it was nothing supernatural but decided that it could wait, especially if he authorized shore leave for the crew. He looked back at Riker. "I take it you find no glitch at all in this planet, however."

"No, sir," Riker said.

"If you approve shore leave, sir, we could start with a small group at first," Tasha said.

Picard nodded. "Of course... Wesley, if we go, you will join the away team to evaluate this world as a place for young people to relax." He turned to Riker, "In fact have both Buffy and Dawn go down as well."

Wesley smiled. "Yes, sir!" he said as she glanced at his mother who had a note of smiling approval.

"Of course, sir," Riker said.

"If all scans and observations confirm the reports... certainly I'll approve it," Picard said. "Let's hope it is not too good to be true."

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

Riker, Troi, Tasha, Worf, Wesley, Buffy and Dawn materialize on the surface of the planet.

"I don't think I will ever get used to that," Buffy said. "Though I have to admit it was better than last time."

Dawn smiled, "I think it was neat."

They saw a group of very human appearing people had seen them beaming in and two of them raced over to them.

Worf was quickly aware of the couple and prepared to interpose himself protectively. "Careful, sir..."

"It's all right, Lieutenant, these are the Edo we met." Riker said as the couple came up to them. "They certainly are... fit, right?"

Troi was looking at an Edo male. "They certainly are."

"Health and happiness!" Rivan, an Edo female, said.

"A pleasant day to you!" Liator, the Edo male, added.

Troi gave Riker an even sharper second look as Rivan gave Riker a close and rather intimate hands-on embrace which, although it touched upon the sensual, also combines genuine friendship, too.

"You did return as promised!" Rivan said.

Liator looked over Troi, Buffy and Tasha with healthy interest. Like Rivan, although slim and very well-muscled, he has a quiet dignity that fit well with this necklace-badge of leadership.

"Rivan, Liator..." Riker said as he indicated the others with him in turn. "Also, from our vessel is Coounselor Troi..."

"Slowly, slowly..." Liator said as he embraced Troi. "I must also welcome this lovely one..." He turned and embraced Tasha. "... and this lovely one..." He then turned and embraced Buffy. "…and this lovely one…"

Riker waited, watching with interest until Buffy disengaged from Liator. He could see that she understood the look on his face.

"My pleasure," Buffy said with a roll of her eyes.

"Healthy sensuality, sir," Troi said. "I feel mainly happiness and friendship."

"Dawn and I can confirm that," Buffy agreed.

"And I welcome this huge one..." Rivan said as she embraced and fondled Worf. "... oh, yes, yes..."

"Nice planet!" Worf said obviously pleased.

Rivan moved to Wesley, she looked at him quizzically unsure what to do. Next to her Liator stood in front of Dawn equally unsure of what to do. "You both are young ones. Liator and I do not know your custom regarding love."

Wesley and Dawn glanced at each other. Of course, at their ages they knew about sex of course. But they weren't sure exactly how to answer either. "Uh... I guess... whatever you usually do..."

Dawn nodded in agreement, "What Wes said."

Rivan showed excellent taste as she embraced Wesley without giving any of the extras she had given to Riker and Worf. Next to her Liator did the same woth Dawn.

"Others would like to visit here too," Riker said. "If you'll tell us what limits you'd place on the number..."

Liator smiled, "Whatever pleases you? We can discuss it at the Council Chambers."

"Shall we go there now or remain and play?" Rivan asked.

"Play?" Riker asked.

"At love. Unless you don't enjoy that." Rivan said before turning her attention to Worf. "Perhaps you do?"

"And you?" Liator asked Troi who blushed. "Yes, I can see that you do."

"Listen, maybe I'll just go on ahead..." Wesley said.

"Dawn and I will go with you, Wesley," Buffy said with a nod at Riker.

Rivan looked at Wesley and Dawn, "This is unfair to them. We'll go to the Council Chambers. You'll find young people your age there."

Wesley looked at Dawn and then back at Rivan. "Well... I really can't make any promises..."

Liator laughed, "You don't have to. Our rules are simple. No one does anything uncomfortable to them."

"Come!" Rivan said. "Our people will want to know you."

"Rivan, perhaps they...can't...run," Liator suggested.

Wesley laughed, "Can't run? Sure, we can run, right sir?"

Riker nodded, "That's the custom here, running... Right! Lead the way!"

Dawn shook her head knowing how her sister was. "Buffy, no showing off."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Oh come on, Dawn. It would be nice to see if the Commander could keep up." She saw Dawn gave her a look and a shake of her head. "Okay, Giles 2.0."

Rivan, Liator, and Wesley lead the rest of the group as they jog.

Riker smiled, "When in Rome..., eh?"

"When where, sir?" Worf asked.

Riker shook his head and looked to Buffy, "I saw some of your test results that Doctor Crusher performed. But I don't remember if they clocked your speed. Do you know about how fast you can run?"

"If you are talking about half fast per mile, we haven't done those tests. Back on Earth I could run across Sunnydale in under thirty minutes."

Rivan and Liator led them along a lovely pathway where an elderly but very trim Edo citizen and a pair of younger Edo citizens see them coming and break into a run to join them.

"Good health to you!" the elder said.

Tasha smiled, "Happiness to you!" she said before looking at Troi. "It's like an Eden here."

They reached the council chambers. Rivan and Liator stopped and looked at the group following them. She then embraced Riker again. "Good health! I thought you might be out of breath."

A shriek from children at play, several Edo children race into sight.

Liator smiled, "Children, we've brought you two new friends!"

"Hello! Join us!" an Edo boy said.

"Yes, please!" an Edo girl added as Wesley and Dawn joined them.

Buffy nods, "Commander, I think I will stay with Dawn and Wes. Unless you have need of me?"

Riker grins, "We may surprise you in a lot of ways." He looks at Buffy, "No I have no need of you at the moment. Go enjoy your shore leave." He noticed the Slayer scythe holstered to Buffy's back. Even though she like the rest of them had a phaser she still carried the scythe. Admiral Summers had it was a Slayer's weapon and Picard had grudgingly agreed with her carrying it on away missions as a just in case precaution of anything supernatural.

A little while later Buffy watched as Wesley and Dawn played with three Edo children.

The boys had a ball; they were all smiling, laughing. "Watch! You can't do this!" An Edo boy said.

The Edo boy stood expertly on his hands. Buffy rolled her eyes as she walked next to the boy. "That's easy," she said. She then turned and did a series of gymnastic moves and ended with a set of cartwheels.

"Show off," Dawn said.

The Edo kids cheer with enthusiasm, especially the girl who hugs Wesley impulsively. "I want to do something too!" she said as she looked at Wesley. "With you."

"Uh... What?" Wesley asked.

"Something you can teach me," the Edo girl said. "Will you?"

"Well, actually, there are some games I... uh, don't quite know yet..." Wesley said.

"It's playing ball," the Edo girl said. "Will you teach me?"

"Oh, sure," Wesley said obviously relieved. "If you have a bat for the ball, I'll show you my favorite." He saw their puzzlement. "A bat..."

Dawn indicated the size, "It's a stick or branch, about this thick, this long..."

Edo girl smiled, "We can get it from the gardens."

They race off leading the way, beginning to toss the ball back and forth. Buffy followed behind them.

0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

In the Council Chambers Riker touched his commbadge, "Enterprise, come in. Captain, do you read me?" He got nothing in response. Troubled, he turned to Worf, speaking quietly: "Let's... it may be nothing, but let's move our people together."

"Including the boy, Wesley…" Worf said. "And Ensign Summers, both of them? They're outside…"

"Is there some problem?" Troi asked having sensed Riker's feelings and made her way toward them now.

"We've lost contact with our ship," Riker said.

Troi scanned the room, "It's nothing these people have done... I'm certain of that. Their minds are so open..."

"Help me locate Wes, Buffy and Dawn. They've wandered somewhere," Riker said as he led Troi toward the entrance as Worf eased his way toward Tasha, Rivan and Liator. "If I can take a moment of your time, Lieutenant..." he said not wanting to create a panic.

"Yes, Worf... but you've got to hear this." Tasha said as she continued her conversation with the Edo. "Are you telling me that there's no crime here whatsoever? No one breaks any laws?"

Liator smiled, "Once they did. Long, long ago there was much disorder." He shook his head. "But not now."

"But I've seen no sign of... of police... those who enforce laws." Tasha said.

"We have very few," Rivan said. "They're called Mediators. And they are needed only in one place each day..."

"The punishment zone," Liator said. "An area that's selected for a period of time."

"It's a completely random selection?" Tasha asked suddenly concerned.

"No one but our Mediators know what place or for how long," Liator said. "We're very proud of the wisdom of our ancestors. No person ever knows where or when a zone will be."

Rivan smiled, "...and so no one risks death."

"Death?" Worf said suddenly on alert.

"...by breaking any law." Rivan said.

"Wait, let's explain this..." Tasha said.

"Only one punishment for any crime," Liator said.

Worf frowned, "Anyone who commits any crime in the punishment zone dies!"

Liator nodded, "The law is the law. Our peace is built on that."

Tasha shook her head, "Even a small thing? Such as ignoring a rule like keep off the grass?"

"Then no one breaks that rule," Rivan said happily. "Who wants to risk execution? There's always a white wall or fence to remind anyone of a forbidden area like that..."

Tasha and Worf began heading for the exit as Tasha called back a question. "And just who tells visitors of those rules?"

"We'd better find Wesley, Buffy, and Dawn!" Worf said as he and Tash left the Edo behind.

In the Edo Gardens Wesley and Dawn were still playing with the Edo children, still tossing the ball back and forth as Buffy watched.

The edo girl smiled at Wesley as he caught the ball, "You're very clever at this!"

Wesley decided to show off as he tossed the ball to one of the Edo. "At home we play a lot of it. Here, toss the ball ahead of me!" he ran on ahead.

Dawn smiled as she telepathically projected at Buffy. 'I'm going to beat him too it.' She ran after Wesley.

The Edo Girl noticed the white fence just ahead of Wesley and Dawn. "Wes, Dawn… No." she said suddenly concerned.

Wesley and Dawn were making a strong effort to reach the ball trying to beat the other to it. They leapt over the white fence into a potting enclosure.

"No! It's forbidden to disturb the new plants...!" the Edo boy said.

Wesley leapt for the ball, and was tackled by Dawn causing them to both miss the ball and fall into potting shed.

The Edo children pressed in close as they dared to the white fence. Buffy was about to cross the fence to help Wesley and Dawn up when the Edo girl grabbed her arm.

Buffy spun on the Edo girl as she unholstered the scythe. "What's going on?" she asked. She turned back to Wesley and Dawn and saw they were both on their feet and standing beside her.

"Couldn't you see the fence?" the Edo boy said looking at Wesley and Dawn. "That's for new plants..."

"Don't ever go past a white marker!" another Edo boy added.

"Why?" Buffy asked. She noticed that the Edo girl who had stopped her saw something. As she followed the girl's gaze, she saw a pair of men approaching just as the girl screamed.

"Oh, no! Oh, please, no!" the Edo girl said afraid for Wesley and Dawn.

"What in the heck is wrong?" Buffy asked.

"Speak the truth," an Edo mediator said. "We are Mediators."

Wesley brushed dirt and splinter of wood from his clothes, "I said I was fine. Just some splinters..."

"I'm fine also," Dawn added.

"They don't know; they're from another place," the Edo girl said as she cried.

"How very sad," the other Edo mediator said. "But this zone has been selected."

"What are you talking about selected?" Buffy asked.

"They don't understand!" the Edo boy said.

"It's always sad... now doubly so," the Edo mediator said.

It was then that Riker and Troi came running up to the group.

"Ensign, what's happening here?" Riker said as he noticed that Buffy stood in front of Wesley and Dawn with the scythe in hand.

"Wes and Dawn were playing ball. Fell into the shed," Buffy said. "Then these two guys show up and start making a big deal and won't say why."

"You admit seeming them," the Edo mediator asked Buffy.

"Why would I lie?" Buffy asked.

"It won't happen again," Riker said. "We apologize."

"We're sorry, too," the Edo mediator said. "But that changes nothing."

"Why?" Buffy asked again.

It was then that Tasha and Worf joined them. "Careful, Commander, they've got some strange laws here..." Tasha said.

"I thought you reviewed the laws here," Riker said.

Tasha nodded, "But they list nothing about punishment. That's what all this is about."

"One moment, please..." the Edo mediator looked at the Edo children. "Is there another witness to this transgression?"

Hesitantly, sadly, the Edo young people nod.

"But it was my fault; I threw the ball past them..." the Edo boy said.

The Edo mediator held up his hand, appearing to be genuinely saddened as he silenced the Edo boy. The other Edo mediator dropped his head in a gesture of extreme sadness too.

"We have a visible transgression, ample witnesses, and an admission of guilt..." the Edo mediator said. He looked at Wesley and Dawn. "...and it deeply pains us to do what we must. Are you prepared for punishment?"

"Punishment?" Buffy asked.

The Edo mediator opened his pouch and brought out a small device.

The other Edo mediator tried moving around Buffy to get at Dawn and Wesley. "Please?"

"Punishment?" Worf said. "If you mean what the others were talking about..."

"What punishment?" Buffy growled out.

"Death, of course!" the Edo mediator said. "Don't make it..." He raised the device. "...difficult for the children..."

The other Edo mediator somehow managed to get past Buffy and was obviously intending to grab Wesley's arms from the rear... and was up-ended fast by Riker while Tasha and Worf brought out phasers trained directly on the Edo mediator.

Buffy twirled the scythe in her hands. "No one messes with my sister or our friends. Drop it or you will see the pointed end of the scythe."

The Edo mediators seem even more stunned by what the humans had done. The syringe was dropped as Tasha retrieved it. Buffy held out her hand and Tasha handed it to her. She took a sniff. "Poison," she said.

"It's completely painless; neither the boy nor the girl would have felt anything..." the Edo mediator said. He motioned towards Wesley and Dawn. "But look at them now. You've frightened them!

"He was going to kill us?" Wesley asked.

"Over my dead body," Buffy said.

The other Edo mediator looked at Riker, "And if this Zone were still in effect, you would all deserve death."

"Again, over my dead body," Buffy said.

"It was announced you came as friends. Is this how friends act?" the Edo mediator asked.

Riker touched his commbadge, "Enterprise from away team, come in." He waited. "Are you receiving us, Enterprise?"

Tasha touched her commbadge, "Urgent, Enterprise. Please respond!"

Buffy touched her combadge, "Captain Picard, this is a Section 10 emergency!"

On the Bridge of the Enterprise Beverly was leaning over Data and checking him with a medical tricorder. She and Picard were anxiously aware of the tiny light swirl and his glowing form.

"Condition?" Picard asked.

"No sign of consciousness, but the balance of the readings is quite normal for him," Beverly said.

"I believe this is some form of information exchange with whatever is over there," Picard said. "At least, I hope that's it."

"Any communication from our away team?" Beverly wondered.

Picard shook his head. "Something is blocking communication both..."

The light swirled breaking contact with Data – then abruptly disappeared! Beverly reached in quickly, touching Data, examining him again.

"This is a Section 10 emergency," suddenly came over the communications system.

"This is the Enterprise, Ensign," Geordi said. "We're receiving you now."

Beverly checked Data's readings on her medical tricorder again.

"This is an urgent call for Captain Picard. We may need your presence here, Captain. We have serious trouble with... with two members of our away team and an unusual law they have here..." said Riker.

"Captain to Riker, stand by," Picard said as he looked at Beverly. "Signs of consciousness?"

Beverly shook her head, "None yet. Perhaps in minutes, hours... I don't yet know what's happened to him."

Picard nodded. "Take him to Sickbay; call me the instant he's awake." He looked to Geordi. "Anything new on that... that thing out there?"

Geordi shook his head, "Negative, sir."

"Captain to first officer," Picard said. "I'm beaming down."