Chapter 34
2367 In Orbit around Earth
"One thousand survivors from San Francisco and the greater bay area are signaling their readiness to beam up, Captain," Worf reported.
"Very well," Picard said from the helm, turning around to look at Worf. "That's our limit for now." Silently he knew that following the attack on the Malkatan base in the South Pacific, they would need to pick up more survivors. It made no sense to him to pick up survivors beforehand, in case the Enterprise and nine other ships were destroyed in the attack. He was concerned. The odds of finding Worf's son and his own family in France were slim. He couldn't face it now. "Mr. Worf, go to cargo bay and see to the survivors. Organize any of the Starfleet Officers into groups consisting of engineers, scientists, technicians, security and command officers. As for the civilians I want them out of the way and under control."
"Yes sir."
"Civilians have a lot to offer, Jean-Luc," Mary said from the command chair where she was sitting with Spot.
Picard fixed her with an expression of barely contained irritation. "Are you speaking personally, Mary, or for civilians in general?"
"I'm just saying Jean-Luc, you shouldn't sell those people short. They have survived against the odds after all."
He smiled slightly. "Mary, if you would… please help Mr. Worf to organize the survivors, in the main cargo bay. Meanwhile I will begin to beam them up in groups."
"Okay," she agreed, getting up from the chair to follow Worf.
"And Mary…."
She turned back to look at him. "Yes son?"
"Take the cat with you."
"Jellico to Enterprise," came Jellico's reedy voice.
"Enterprise here," said Picard.
"How's my ship doing, Picard?"
"My ship is fine, Captain Jellico," Picard reassured him.
"You still stole my ship, Picard…or whoever you really are. And if we ever get any kind of court martial system back, I'll see you prosecuted for it."
"Thank you for the notice, Captain. I'll be certain to begin to prepare my defense as soon as the Malkatans have been defeated."
"Very funny. But I'm willing to work with you for now. All of the orbiting starships are free and we can get this underway, Picard."
"Good. The Enterprise will take the lead then," Picard said simply. "Once we've disabled their defense perimeter using the Makatan weapon, you can move in with the Corsair and beam out the prisoners."
"Affirmative. Once we have our manned ships back they won't have a chance," Jellico said confidently.
"We shall see," Picard said quietly, settling back in his chair. He entered the transporter sequence and began to transport those waiting from the surface.
2355 The Stargazer
"I feel as though I'm going to see you soon," Beverly said quietly. Jean-Luc paced away from her and stared out a view port. Presently he turned back to her.
"In a way you will, Beverly. Because it will still be me in the future. It is crucial that you do not worry too much about me. You have to take care of yourself and the baby. That's the hardest and most important task for either of us."
Feeling the arrival of angry tears, Beverly closed her med kit. "Jean-Luc, I know you're planning something. If you don't tell me, I'm going to ask Zev."
He shook his head. "There's nothing to tell," he said softly. He stared at her for a few moments. "I never would have believed that we would ever be together."
"In this time and place, I never believed it either," she admitted.
"But you thought of it."
"Yes. All the time."
He shrugged. "So in the future, does he—have I told you how I really feel?"
She froze. "Not completely…but then there hasn't been time."
"No time?" He walked closer. "I had twelve years didn't I? I should have known I would still be a weak and frightened man."
She laughed. "You're not weak."
He laughed too. "Oh, when it comes to you I am. I always have been." He took a deep breath in. "But seeing you and your courage to come and save my life-twice, has given me the courage to tell you something important."
She swallowed as he closed the distance between them. She reached out to take his hand. "I love you, Beverly."
"Jean-Luc, I love you too."
"We've got the neutralizer free," Riker announced, stepping into the room. He halted awkwardly, but unfortunately they couldn't wait any longer. And he knew that they knew this fact as well as he did. "Doctor, I'm sorry, but we should be getting back now," he said.
She nodded and then slowly released Jean-Luc's hand and backed away. "I know."
Picard said nothing, but his gaze spoke volumes. He watched as they walked out of the room before calling after them. "I look forward to meeting you both again…in the future."
Picard walked out onto the bridge to find Zev and Brom standing in the command area. To his surprise, Vigo stood nearby wearing handcuffs. He looked dazed but not particularly dangerous. Beverly, Riker, Kad, and Bok had traveled back into the future, using the Pillar of Time, and he hadn't wanted to actually see them leave.
Picard gestured for Brom to approach him. Zev's eyes narrowed, but she stayed put. Picard leaned against the tactical station. "If the timeline is corrected, we both know what will happen," he said in a lowered voice.
Brom bared his sharp teeth. "I will be destroyed, as will my ship and crew."
Picard crossed his arms over his chest and looked down in contemplation. "Perhaps if we are able to retain anything of what we know now… we will both act differently."
"Are you suggesting that we manipulate the timeline again?"
"No. I'm just suggesting we have faith in both of our capacities to exercise common sense and restraint when our two ships come in contact again."
Brom scoffed. "I have no faith in myself to act wisely in the correct timeline, much less to remember what we're talking about now."
"Fine…if you are killed in the so-called Picard Maneuver, I promise you that should your family approach me for restitution or assistance in the future, I will be bound by contract to help them. I already executed and sent the necessary documents into the future with Beverly."
"No matter the cost of restitution?" Brom's eyes widened. "Are you a wealthy human?"
"No. But it doesn't matter, I'll find whatever latinum they demand and provide it. A promise is a promise."
"Why are you offering this?"
"I'm not sure…but just because the events in the other timeline have to occur I'm not convinced that those events have the best to offer all of us. You are to die, for instance. And it's in this alternate time after all, that I fathered a child with the woman I love. How can that be wrong? Despite all of the bad things that have happened, that one thing has made me so happy, Brom."
"And what else?"
"And I need a favor from you." He glanced over at Zev and Vigo and then lowered his voice again. "I need you to bring Zev and Vigo to the nearest star base. It is imperative that they reach Starfleet safely. I have every faith that Zev will kill any number of your crew, should you turn on her. But I expect you to give them safe passage on board your ship."
Brom tilted his head. "Why don't you bring them yourself?"
Picard closed his eyes briefly. "My ship won't be available. You see, I'm going to crash the Stargazer into the Malkatan base."
Thanks for reading and for all your reviews. For those interested, I am working again on "A Full Circle", which I had started writing earlier this year. It's the sequel to Man Out of Time, but has zero time travel, although probably some flashbacks and the usual weirdness. Anyway, thanks... T.A.F.K.A.P.P.
