Will Riker busied himself straightening the chairs of the observation lounge awaiting the arrival of a formidable flock of Starfleet brass from Head Quarters. He'd shadowed the Captain at events like this before, many times, but this was the first time he would be chairing such an important meeting as Acting Captain. The responsibility for a positive outcome was his and his alone.
His head snapped at the sound of the door opening. "Oh, hey Deanna, Beverly."
Touching him lightly on the arm, Deanna smiled. "You sound disappointed Will?"
"I guess I'm feeling a little…"
"Alone?" she replied.
"Normally, the Captain deals with this sort of thing." He said taking his usual seat.
"Now the Captain is the subject of this sort of thing." Beverly replied flatly, indicating toward the seat at the head of the table. "I think this one's for you, Will."
Before he could think about how self-conscious he was feeling, the doors to the lounge opened for a second time to reveal Data leading the way.
"If you would like to take a seat sirs?" the android said.
Admirals Smith, Vidal, and Durini, accompanied by Doctor Bandakah blustered into the room. Riker set the expression on his face tightly hoping to convey the sombre moment, as well as professional warmth.
"Admirals, welcome to the Enterprise."
"Captain Riker, we are very glad to see you, of course, we would have wished for better circumstances to have preceded your visit back to Earth, but nevertheless, we are always happy to have the Enterprise back on home territory," said Admiral Smith.
The older man smiled genially, going some way to making Riker feel slightly more comfortable.
"Well, I quite agree. It seems we have a lot to discuss. I don't know if you have met Doctor Crusher and Counsellor Troi before?
"No, Doctor, Counsellor, it's a pleasure to meet you both."
Beverly and Deanna nodded in recognition.
Not waiting for further markers of etiquette, Admiral Vidal spoke as she sat down. "Captain Riker, we do of course need to meet with Captain Picard during our visit."
"If it's alright with you, I would defer to Doctor Crusher who has been overseeing his recovery," Riker paused as attention turned to the Doctor.
"The Captain is in the early stages of his recovery, I would have reservations about any formal meetings at this point. He still has some way to go before he can return to duty." Crusher replied. After the early morning trip to his cabin, she knew he was in no state to face the Brass.
"Nevertheless, we are going to need to see Captain Picard in person. I'm sure you understand that we need to ascertain his version of events as soon as possible."
The frosty atmosphere in the observation lounge was starting to make Deanna feel uncomfortable. Hoping to avoid any physical expression of her discomfort, she turned her attention to making a quick scan of Riker's emotions. She could sense the insecurity he was hiding incredibly well – no doubt as a result of years of poker practice. As he fielded unending questions about the state of the ship's repairs, she reached out to him, knowing he could often sense her empathically thanks to their prior relationship. Just a little empathic nudge, akin to a friendly pat on the arm. As he listened attentively to the latest question, he turned to her for a second, making eye contact. He had heard her.
Next, she reached out to Beverly as attention turned to the Captain once more. Both of her dear friends were managing to convey nothing short of impressive professionalism, but the bags under their eyes were tell-tale giveaways. From Beverly, she detected an overwhelming sense of protection, she imagined for the Captain's fragile physical state, then a well-worn tread of worry, and something else… something she couldn't quite put her finger on. She realised that this was the first opportunity she had really had since the Captain had woken to check in with someone other than him, then she quickly realised that she had managed a little too well to tune out of the verbal conversation going on without her.
"…and that he will need to submit to a competency hearing before we can release full command of the ship back to him. Naturally, given the severity of the situation, we would envisage this hearing taking place some weeks from now. Doctor Crusher?" said Admiral Smith.
"Yes. I would think several weeks at least before the Captain would be healthy enough to withstand the rigours of a competency hearing. Unfortunately."
Deanna shuddered at the implication. She had seen him almost at rock bottom that morning. They had a long way to go before he would have anything near the strength to face all that was coming his way.
"Meanwhile, we recognise that the Federation flagship, the Enterprise is Picard's ship, and we wouldn't want any other leading the way forward in protecting and serving the vast and varied needs of the many Federation-aligned planets."
"That's good news Admiral," said Riker, visibly relieved.
"There are understandably some psychological issues to contend with," added Troi rejoining the conversation.
"That's what we are here to ascertain Counsellor. What is the Captain's current psychological status?" Vidal asked turning her attention to the counsellor.
"I have initiated the initial therapy stage, we are taking baby steps toward full disclosure as the end goal. What happened to him is the first case of its kind – at least, that we know of."
Bandakah jumped into the fray now the topic had shifted to his comfort zone, "And how do you plan to take things from there Counsellor?"
"There are several therapies that would prove effective here, there is Relevatrin of course, then also the Betazed healing sphere."
"Hmmm, yes, both excellent choices. Would you suggest drug therapy or the sphere first?"
"Well, the sphere followed by the medication would give the greatest relief. There really is some extensive trauma here. I would ideally like to hasten the process as much as is advisable."
"Naturally, there is no need for the kind of prolonged therapy periods we had hundreds of years ago thankfully."
"And doctor, physically?" said Smith, turning to Crusher.
"Well, you have read my full initial report of course, you know there is some extensive damage to his head, face, and right arm. He has been fitted with a regen cast and several areas of plast therapy. He is exhausted, nutritionally under nourished and he will need some physiotherapy to get back to full fitness. But given what happened and the extent of the initial injuries, he is making excellent progress."
"No doubt thanks in part to the excellent care he is receiving here on board," said Admiral Smith.
"Yes, about that Admiral…"
"No need to worry Doctor Crusher. We have no intention of transferring his care, we recognise the very high standards you have here on board. All we ask is that he present for a full physical at Starfleet Medical before he resumes full duty."
"That is very good to hear. I know he would prefer to stay on board."
Admiral Smith took a breath before he continued, "I have been led to understand that there has been some… rather extraordinary suggestions of… well, to put it bluntly if I may, suggestions that Picard was to blame for the terrible events of Wolf 359. Let me please reassure you that this is not the position of either Starfleet or The Federation. We do not hold Captain Picard responsible for any of the actions undertaken by the Borg during his captivity."
"In addition, we are also here to get the ball rolling with a Federation-wide memorial service." The meekest and youngest of the senior Starfleet team, Admiral Durini, was the last speak.
Riker figured they all had their own pre-defined role to play, but it didn't stop the feeling of being sucker-punched in the gut. He spoke before he could stop himself, "Oh."
"And one more thing, we will be honouring Captain Picard with the Medal of Valour. We feel, given the sensitive nature of the situation, a separate service at a later date would be preferable."
"Oh." Riker repeated involuntarily. He turned to Beverly and Deanna unable to keep the rising panic from his face. Beverly did her best not to react at all, burying a sense of horror deep down until she could process it safely later on.
"A memorial seems… like a wonderful sentiment Admiral. When would this be held?" Deanna rescued the flailing acting Captain.
"Two weeks from now brings us to a month after the attack. We feel this would be a fitting moment to hold the ceremony. We would very much like Captain Picard to attend. It would be politically prudent to say the least." There was no doubt about it, Durini was issuing a direct order.
As befitting his good cop role, Admiral Smith tried to lighten the sombre mood of the room, "We would very much like to express this sentiment in person if Doctor Crusher, you think that would be possible?"
"I'm afraid the Captain is sleeping at the moment." Said Beverly, glad for a solid reason to excuse Jean-Luc from the overbearing bonhomie of the admiral.
Smith smiled as he responded, "Perhaps if it were just myself who visited the Captain? Jean-Luc and I go back a long way I would appreciate the opportunity."
"Please Admiral, I'm sorry, but Captain Picard really isn't able to receive visitors at the moment. If you will excuse me? I must check in with my team in sickbay." She didn't give anyone a chance to push further, grateful for the ability to hide behind her position as CMO, she scurried from the room knowing her exit would put a legitimate end to the conversation. There was a lot for the Enterprise team to process.
As she left, she caught the tail-end of the reaction, "Well, that is a shame but completely understandable. I wonder if we might pencil in a meeting tomorrow? Around lunchtime?"
Now how were they going to get him in good enough shape to handle meeting the Admiral?