Chapter 33


Mayer…

2355 Outside the Maxia Sector

"As you know Admiral, we were just about to enter the Maxia system to map the sector," said Picard. "This is highly troubling."

Admiral Chen's serious expression filled the private view screen.

"Captain, I know this is unusual, but we can't have a suspected murderer on board a starship."

"Understood sir, but my crew is hardly equipped to hunt down an accused perpetrator. Our security personnel are limited."

"You have a brig don't you?" Chen was unsympathetic to Picard's plight.

Picard crossed his arms over his chest. "Of course, sir. And shall we carry on with mapping the system, or simply bring Lieutenant Mayer to the nearest Starbase?"

Chen shook his head. "That decision hasn't been made, Captain. Get the man into custody first. Chen out."

Picard sat back in his chair. Dammit. Mayer was a loose cannon. The Chief Engineer had been warning him about it for months now. Picard had ordered the man to take anger management courses and to see a counselor before getting cleared for duty three months ago. But he'd really had no idea. According to new evidence uncovered by Starfleet Security, the "accident" which had purportedly killed Lt. Mayer's wife and teenage son several years ago was now a probable double-homicide. And Mayer it seemed was the prime suspect. These revelations had apparently come about because Mayer's 20 year old daughter had reported that he had physically and psychologically abused her for years, particularly following the death of her mother and older brother. She had no idea, according to Security, that he was possibly responsible for their deaths along with his violence against her, but the investigation into the daughter's allegations had uncovered additional secrets of Mayer's violent past. It was all very tragic. Picard was sickened to know that such person could be on his ship. While he certainly believed in due process, he simply couldn't allow the risk of someone like this harming anyone else on board his ship. He reached out to touch the communications link. "Lt. Vigo, please report to my ready room and ready an armed security team."


2367 The Aldrin

Commander Obi glanced around the table surveying the faces of the remaining officers from the Enterprise. At his side sat Dr. Johanna Mayer, temporarily released from her detention cell. A security officer hovered nearby. Johanna's usual arrogance had been replaced by a clearly anxious demeanor.

"Thank you for coming," Obi said, looking around at those assembled. "I've called us together for two reasons. I have already briefed my own crew on the first part of what I'm about to tell you and that is that the situation with the Malkatans has worsened to the point that we have less than twenty known active ships, equipped to battle the enemy. In addition, the casualties we experienced on Earth were far greater than originally believed."

"How bad?" Geordi asked.

"Over sixty million have been reported dead." Obi paused while the impact of that statement settled in.

Troi grasped Wesley's hand in hers and stared down at the table.
Even Data appeared stunned.

"And these numbers don't account for those colonies we've lost and the off-world Starfleet personnel that were killed in battle," explained Obi. He tapped his fingers on the table top. "So, the Aldrin has been ordered to the border of the Klingon Empire with six other ships to try and hold back what we think is their final advance."

Deanna looked at Obi pointedly. "But you've decided to disobey the order," she said softly. "Haven't you?"

He nodded, looking uncomfortable. "Call it a hunch…but I think we'll better serve the cause to stay here. Besides, I don't want to abandon Captain Riker as long as he has a chance of getting the other neutralizer," he said firmly.

"Then what's next?" Wesley asked.

Obi leaned forward. "The CASU device has been modified with the neutralizer we pieced together from the runabout's computer files—thanks to you, Data, and LaForge. And my plan is to launch it from here to meet up with the Fleet at the Klingon rendezvous point. If CASU has the neutralizing effect on the Malkatan weapons that we hope it will, that might give our blockade a fighting chance."

"Well, it's worth a try. We've come this far," LaForge said. "But…I'm a little hesitant to ask what the second reason is you called us here."

Obi smiled slightly but then glanced at Dr. Mayer.

She nodded. "There's something that has been bothering me."

Aside from the fact that you shot at Will? Deanna thought.

"In our…modified timeline, the records show that my father disappeared from the Stargazer before it was captured by the Malkatans."

Deanna inclined her head to look at Mayer. "I don't understand. Why would your father disappear?"

"My father was very abusive toward me—at one point he even threatened to kill me." She looked down at her hands. "My mother and brother had already been dead for several years, due to an accident. So…it was just my father and me. Anyway, according to the records and my ever-changing memory of events, I reported his abuse to the authorities after my father shipped out with the rest of the Stargazer crew on what would be its last mission. I was only nineteen at the time, and I was afraid he would return…but he never did. As much as I hated him, I felt guilty that he didn't return. When I made my report, I was told there would be an investigation, but of course, I never heard anything after that. The next thing I knew, the Stargazer had disappeared."

"So…you think his disappearance had something to do with your report?" Deanna asked.

"I can't be sure," she admitted. "But, my father was extremely resourceful and a brilliant engineer. The more I have thought about it, the more I think he is still alive somewhere. And if he is, why hasn't he reappeared?"

Wesley suddenly spoke up. "The Traveler came to me last night. He told me that someone named the Jailor has imprisoned him and won't let the Traveler go until he has 'it'. What 'it' is, I don't know yet."

Data turned to Wesley. "Fascinating, Wesley. Would you mind stating why you chose to mention that just now?"

Wesley hesitated. I'm trying to trust my instincts just like the Captain told me. "He also said that Bok wasn't the only one."

"What?" Deanna gaped. "You mean to say that Bok had an accomplice?"

"We already know he had Kad…and Brom," said Geordi.

Wesley shook his head. "No. I think the Traveler meant that Bok was not the only one responsible for the changes he made to the timeline. And I'm starting to wonder if there is even a way to pinpoint just when things changed. I mean what if the timeline changed before Bok became involved? It's like searching for a needle in a haystack…but the haystack's moving."

"And so is the needle," Deanna said. "The more things are changed, the more the origin of the change becomes murkier."

"It remains, however, that the one primary factor that resulted in both the capture of the Stargazer, and the advancement in the Makatan's technology since that event, was the Singularity Net," Data offered.

"Based on what the Traveler told us, we know the Singularity Net was created by an ancient race," said Wesley. "And that after the Net's use was discontinued because of its dangerous properties, the Traveler set it loose accidentally, when he was traveling through space and time. But what we don't exactly know, is how Bok got hold of the Singularity Net. Maybe that's the key." That's the key. Wesley could almost hear Captain Picard's voice echoing back to him over the chess table.

"Up until this point we have been assuming that Bok obtained the Singularity Net perhaps by accident, and then proceeded to change the past," continued Wesley. "But what if the past was already changing when he found it?"

"Intriguing," said Data. "It is possible that the Singularity Net itself and its presence in this sector caused the timeline to begin changing even before Bok gained control of it."

"All I know," said Wesley slowly. "Is that we need to stop Bok from finding the Net."


2355 The Stargazer

"So in your opinion Mr. Riker, the neutralizer would weaken the weapons of the Malkatans."

Will nodded. "That's correct, Captain," he said, pleased that Picard now seemed willing to listen.

"But surely a single neutralizer isn't going to be enough to stop their invasion of the Federation in the future," said Picard. I should have killed General Unh down on that base when I had the chance, he thought darkly.

Riker looked down at the table then back up at Picard. "Probably not…but I'm sure you'd agree that desperate times call for desperate measures," he said.

Picard pulled down the hem of his ragged, bloodied tunic and somehow managed to make it look dignified. "You needn't provide me with clichés to convince me, Mr. Riker. Of course, I am happy to give you back the neutralizer."

Riker stood up. "Thank you sir. I'll get to work right away."

Picard glanced at Beverly. He wanted to say goodbye to her. And yet he didn't. "Have Zev help you to remove the neutralizer," he said to Riker with a nod.

Riker turned to leave but at that moment, Zev poked her head inside of the room. "The Ferengi have a proposition for us. Should I let them come in, Captain?"


Picard looked at Zev for a moment with mild surprise, before nodding. "Yes."

Zev gestured for Bok, Kad, and Brom to walk in ahead of her. She held her phaser at the ready as she brought up the rear. She stood silently watching the Ferengi with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

Bok walked deliberately away from Picard's icy stare, and sat down at the table as though at a routine business meeting. Kad and Brom sat down on either side of him. Riker slowly sat back down next to Picard and noted that Kad's position was a curious one, as it seemed he had betrayed both Brom and Bok at various points in both timelines; and yet he was still here. A true survivor, whether Riker respected his methods of survival or not.

"Well?" Picard barked. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"We would like to make a trade…we will provide you with information in exchange for our return to Brom's vessel," Bok said.

"After leaving me and my crew to die on an alien world and disrupting the space time continuum, you have the nerve to try and bargain with me? The deal is, you give us the information, and then I decide whether it is worth the risk of allowing you to return to your goddamn ship."

Bok shifted in his seat and glanced at Kad. "Fine. But I will not speak in front of the woman."

Picard reached across the table and grabbed Bok by his collar with two hands, yanking him over the table. "Apologize to her," he snapped. "Or I will make sure that you do not have the capacity to speak to anyone ever again," he assured Bok, holding fast to the Ferengi's collar.

"Jean-Luc, let him go!" Beverly grabbed his arm in an attempt to restrain him, but he continued to stare into Bok's face, pulling him to within just inches of his own. He twisted the collar in one of his fists, and Bok's color deepened.

"Captain," Riker attempted to interject. When he had been with Zev on the bridge alone she had revealed the fate of the Stargazer crew. It was a hideous situation, and he couldn't imagine what Picard was thinking right now, but if the Ferengi had something actually helpful to tell them, it wouldn't do to kill Bok before he shared whatever he was itching to tell them.

"Father, just apologize to the human!" Shouted Brom. "Can't you see that your meddling has imbalanced him?"

"My deepest apologies, Doctor Crusher," Bok finally croaked hoarsely.

Picard released Bok and shoved him across the table. Bok clutched at his neck, perhaps taking a few more dramatic moments than necessary to recover.

Finally he looked up at Picard, still rubbing his throat. "You may not believe me, Picard, but I have something to say to you. You are not the only one who was under the influence of the Singularity Net."

Picard's eyes narrowed but he said nothing.

"In our current year of 2367 I met a man who told me a story of revenge," began Bok. "A human scientist. And he hated you, almost as much as I do—or did. He had a device which he claimed he had 'found'. We had so much in common, it seemed, that I decided to tell him my own story of the death of my beloved son at your hands. The human was willing to rent it to me, if I could promise him that you and the rest of the Stargazer would meet a horrible and tortured death. And in carrying out his revenge, I would exact my own against you, Picard, by changing the future so that the great Picard no longer mattered to anyone."

"You tried and failed at that," Beverly said coldly.

"I did not expect the Malkatans to have the intelligence to try and keep the Singularity Net for themselves. That was my only failure, as far as I am concerned," Bok said.

"And why are you telling us all of this now?" Beverly demanded angrily.

"Because none of this—all that I have done in the name of revenge, is worth a future ruled by the Malkatans," Bok said.

"This man you…collaborated with," said Picard to Bok. "What was his name?" He leaned forward after glancing over at Zev, who had a horrified expression on her face.

Bok glanced at Kad who shrugged. "He never told us his name," said Kad. "But he was missing an ear, Picard. Does that jog your memory?"

Picard stood up quickly and backed away from the table. Zev approached him with the same intense look on her face.

Beverly and Will stood up, expectantly watching what was left of the Stargazer's crew.

"Mayer," said Picard. He shook his head in disbelief. "Lt. Mayer was one of our engineers up until two weeks before we were captured by the Malkatans. He was a brilliant scientist, but very troubled emotionally. We were ordered by Command to capture him and detain him for the authorities after he became a suspect in the alleged murder of his wife and son."

"We trapped him in engineering," said Zev. "But he got away—he escaped in a shuttle. But not before Vigo and his security officers wounded him—shot his right ear off."

"That is him," hissed Bok. "Mayer is the human we met…."

"After he escaped, Starfleet ordered us to return to mapping this sector. They assured us they were sending out security vessels to apprehend him," said Picard, still looking stunned. "I—I still don't understand."

"So all of this is your doing, Picard," Kad said loudly. "You never should have let that criminal escape!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Riker shouted back at him, advancing on Kad. "You made a deal with that maniac. If Bok hadn't been bent on getting revenge against the Captain, none of this would have happened!"

"He used the singularity device to influence us, to gain our trust," Bok protested. "I am sure of it!"

"None of this even matters!" Beverly shouted suddenly, quieting the rest of the room. "The only thing that matters is stopping Mayer from either getting the Singularity device in the first place, or from giving it to Bok once he's developed it. Somehow in 2355 he must have found the Singularity Net the Traveler cut loose. This means Mayer is still alive in 2367, or was when he met Bok months ago."

Riker threw up his hands. "We have no means of traveling in time aside from the pedestal of time which is in 2367 on Bok's ship-"

"You mean Kad's ship. It's my ship now," corrected Kad.

Bok turned to him in angry surprise. "You are the slimiest spawn of a gree worm, Kad. You are the one who made it possible for the Malkatans to steal the Singularity Net—and then you betray me more times than it is possible to count—before stealing my ship? What next?"

"Every single one of you little bastards is responsible for meddling with the future," said Zev raising her phaser again threateningly.

"Not me," said Brom indignantly. "All I did was live after all."

"But you were supposed to die," Zev said with a cold smile. "And that can still be arranged."

Picard held up his hands. "Beverly is right. The only way to have a chance of fixing what Mayer and Bok conspired to create is for Beverly, Riker, Bok and Kad to return to the future where they belong. Once there, they must try and use whatever means they can to correct what has happened. Those of us who belong here in 2355 must remain here and do the best we can not to make things worse."

"And what about me?" Brom asked with outrage. "And am I just supposed to sit and wait for a change back to a timeline in which my crew and I are destroyed by Picard's ship here at Maxia?"

Everyone turned to look at him at once. Although no one answered Brom, the answer was obvious.


The three Ferengi returned to the bridge along with Zev and Riker who were attempting to remove the neutralizer from the Stargazer's systems for the journey back into the future. Once again Picard and Crusher were alone. They sat side by side in silence. Eventually, not knowing what else to do, Beverly opened her med kit and pulled out some supplies. She didn't look at him as she prepared a hypo spray.

He studied her curiously. "I apologize for my behavior toward Bok. Perhaps it will be easier for you to leave, now that you know how by changing the past, I have been changed as well. And not for the better."

"Jean-Luc…I can't even imagine what you're feeling right now after losing your crew in that way." She shook her head and blinked back tears. "Some of them were my friends too," she whispered, taking out a cloth to clean his neck.

"I know," he said looking down. "But I don't want to feel any of that. I only want to feel the good things, remembering the good things like being with you, Beverly."

She finally looked at him and gave him a faint smile. "Then let's leave it that way. We'll both remember the good things." She reached over and began to clean his neck off, and then treated the wound. He didn't move away, and sat there compliantly, looking at her face. When she was done, she sat back and looked at him again. "So now what do we do?"