Chapter Thirty-One

"I don't know what Data did to that replicator, but I'll have to have him take a look at mine, once we all get back to the Enterprise. I must say, Jean-Luc, I haven't had an almond croissant that melt-in-your-mouth perfect since the week you and I spent touring the Loire Valley in France."

Dr. Crusher took Picard's arm and stepped with him out of the cafeteria dome into the chilly, early morning sunlight.

"Jean-Luc? Do you remember that?" she prompted. "The little bakery we discovered during our stroll by the river…?"

"Hm? Oh, yes. Of course," Picard said, and Crusher shot him a smirk.

"You haven't heard a word I've said."

"No, not at all," Picard protested. "I merely—"

"Don't apologize," the doctor said. "You're preoccupied, and I don't blame you. In fact, I almost find myself wishing I could stay here long enough to go down into those tunnels with you this afternoon. To be part of a discovery this momentous! It's something I know you've dreamed of your entire life."

Picard smiled.

"Momentous, yes," he said, the tempered caution in his tone not quite managing to mask the boyish anticipation in his eyes. "But, dangerous too."

He stopped their stroll and placed a hand over hers, suddenly quite serious.

"Beverly," he said, his voice almost a whisper. "Beverly, Beverly… The idea that we are this close to unlocking the mystery of these ancient objects, almost certainly left behind by the Preservers…to learning their purpose… The magnitude of this moment overwhelms me. But, at the same time—"

"At the same time," Crusher said, "this compound has already been attacked. If the energy source is what it appears to be – if the Stairway it powers is a portal of some kind…"

Picard set his jaw and nodded.

"Whatever that panel Data and Kurak discovered may ultimately reveal," he said, "none of the information we have so far uncovered can be openly released. The more we learn of its origins and purpose, the more certain I am: the Stairway and its energy source cannot be allowed to fall into unscrupulous hands. Better it were destroyed first. The records, the panels, all of it."

"Well." Dr. Crusher raised her eyebrows. "Hopefully it won't come to that."

"Indeed," the captain said grimly. "But, it wouldn't be the first such monument to fall in the face of suspicion and fear. Carthage, Alexandria, New Phenix…" He sighed. "When I imagine all the knowledge…the voices of the past that have been silenced forever by the passing of petty storms…"

"Perhaps not so petty," Crusher said. "Melinda Baker was murdered, Captain – the very scientist who extended you the invitation to come tour these ruins in the first place. Kurak was shot, almost to death. Data and Kurak's daughter were kidnapped, apparently as part of the same raid on this compound. Now we learn the Cardassians have not only been exploiting border colonies and genetically targeting Federation citizens, they have involved themselves with illicit Orion Skin traffickers. And it's all somehow converging here, on this planet."

"Are you suggesting it might be more than coincidence?" Picard asked, his brow furrowing over his nose. "That the compound should be raided by scavengers just as we arrived? That Data should discover that foul Orion Skin Dump beneath yet another ancient site?"

"Data doesn't seem to think that those raiders were merely scavengers," Crusher said. "Those men came from somewhere, Jean-Luc. And, from what Data and the children have told me, they weren't acting alone. Someone was giving them orders."

"And you think that someone may be working for the Cardassians? Might even be a Cardassian?"

"I don't know," Crusher said. "But, I want you to be careful, Jean-Luc. Whoever is out there probably knows more than we suspect. About this site, about the energy source. About whatever it is that Stairway was designed to do." She pursed her lips and squeezed the captain's hand close. "I'm just glad we'll be getting Mikey away from here. Reports and scans are one thing. But I'm hoping Mikey's case will finally force the Federation to conduct a real, thorough investigation. We've turned a blind eye to Cardassian abuses along the border and elsewhere for far too long."

"Then, I'll also warn you to be careful," Picard said, his eyes boring into hers. "Remember to reveal nothing of your young passenger or his condition until you are well away from Nineveh IV, and you and your pilot are certain the runabout is not being followed."

Crusher's lips stretched in a fond smile, and she brushed her fingers over the captain's cheek.

"Remember when this was supposed to be a simple, relaxing outing?" she said. "It would be couple of weeks out in the sun, you said. You'd be riding on horseback, studying obscure ruins. And now…"

"Now, we stand on the cusp of unprecedented discovery," Picard said, moving closer to her. "The threat of conflict hovers over us, a child's life hangs in the balance…"

He glanced over the swirling sand toward the runabout, where he could just make out the figure of a tall, dark-haired man striding out into the glaring sun.

"And I'm faced with an android officer who has not only seen to it that this camp is filled with children, but who, before my eyes, appears to be developing into a singularly stubborn, flawed and passionate human being."

"I think Data would be very pleased to hear you say that, Captain," Crusher said.

Picard snorted through his nose and nearly smiled.

"Captain!" Data's voice called over the chilly wind. "Doctor!"

The three officers moved quickly toward each other, with Data catching up first.

"Sir. Doctor. I was just heading to the cafeteria to look for you," the android said, the edges of his loose, khaki jacket flapping and billowing in the desert wind. Crusher noticed his hair seemed slightly damp, as if he'd taken advantage of the water shower in the runabout's main bathroom, and his pale face looked smooth and freshly shaven. "The pilot has received news from the capital. Your departure time has been moved forward by three hours."

"Three hours?" Crusher repeated. "But that means—"

"You must take off within the next fifteen minutes or else wait for the next official window," Data said. "The government message was not coded, but I felt it best to tell you of this news in person rather than risk the comm system, just in case—"

"We understand, Mr. Data," Picard said. "Your prudence is appreciated, as always."

Data's posture straightened and he smiled.

"Thank you, Captain," he said, and turned his amber gaze somewhat shyly toward Crusher. "Doctor, I had hoped we would have more time to discuss—"

"Of course, Data. I'll send you an outline draft for your approval once we're both back aboard the Enterprise," Crusher assured him. "I want you to feel free to make any changes or additions you see fit. After all, that stasis field and any potential applications it may have – it's all down to you, Data. No matter the outcome, your work on Mikey's behalf deserves to be recognized."

Data blinked.

"Ah," he said. "Yes. Yes, thank you."

Crusher regarded him.

"Was there something else?"

Data seemed to blush and quickly shook his head.

"No. No, of course not. I am very much looking forward to developing this collaborative paper with you, Doctor. But, um..." His eyes darted quickly away from the captain. "As you must leave so soon, was there any message you might wish me to deliver to Deanna or, perhaps, to Kurak?"

Crusher's expression warmed with sudden understanding and she stepped forward to give her friend a swift, supportive hug.

"Tell Kurak from me," she said, "You can handle this. I think the both of you will end up just fine." She smiled. "Good luck, Data."

"And you, Beverly," Data said. "I will always be grateful to you for coming here. Thank you for saving Kurak's life, and for believing in Mikey. And, in me."

"Any time, Data," she said, already heading for the runabout. "Keep in touch, Jean-Luc! Remember, I want to hear everything the moment you two get back to the ship!"

Picard and Data watched, side by side, as Crusher disappeared into the runabout. A short time later, the engines roared, the sand kicked up, and the two men had to shield their faces as the craft lifted from the ground and shot off into the pale, morning sky.

"Good luck, Mikey," Data whispered after it.

Picard cast the android a contemplative glance.

"Data…?" he started.

"Yes, Captain?"

Picard regarded his officer for a moment longer, then shook his head.

"Never mind," he said. "It's none of my business. I just…"

He frowned a little and looked the android straight in the face.

"I'm proud of you, you know," he said, watching his friend's expression as Data blinked rapidly and raised his eyebrows. "You've faced up to a great deal during your short time on this world. In fact, if it wasn't for you…" Picard took in a long, deep breath, and gazed around the sunlit compound.

"I know you've been having doubts," he said. "But, I also know you are strong enough to assert your own mind and feelings. If there is something you wish to discuss with me," he invited. "Anything that might be weighing on your mind...?"

"Thank you, Captain," Data said, his pale face lit by a slight, crooked smile. "In fact, there is something I think I would like to talk over with you. Several things of great import to me, and to others. But, with all due respect, sir, if it is not inappropriate, I would ask if such a discussion cannot wait? I am due to meet Kurak, you see - I promised I would watch her daughter and Ishta while she attends her morning briefing - and if I am late, I fear she may think—"

Picard nodded and waved the anxious android away.

"Go on, Data," he said. "Go. We'll set up a time to talk later. Just you and me."

"I appreciate that, sir," Data said, edging backward. "Truly, I do."

"You will be joining our expedition this afternoon?"

"Of course, Captain," Data said, calling over his shoulder as he turned his shuffle into a run through the diamond-bright sand. "Kurak and I will both be there! We cannot wait to see what effect our discovery might have on that ancient wall!"

To Be Continued...

Hi everyone! My holiday break ends on the seventh, so I'm hoping to get the time to finish more chapters this weekend. Thanks so much for your comments and for reading. Please Review! :D