Wow, even though I am updating on schedule, it seems like an eternity since I've done this.
I need to say, thank you everyone for reading this and posting reviews, it's a joy to see people view your work
So now, read all this stuff that I've written down below, it should entertain you.
Chapter 7
This shouldn't be happening, this couldn't be happening. Just when Picard thought that things would turn out okay, that the only problem he would have to deal with was repairing the shuttle, everything fell apart.
"Let's get to the shuttle!" Picard ordered.
The five crew members hastily moved through the blob of people who were admiring the alien object. Much pushing and shoving ensued. Until the sea of people became too thick.
Picard collapsed. They would not make it. The shuttle was already headed on to one of those steam-powered ships. And now, this nation, or whatever it was, would get an unnatural advantage over the kingdom it was warring with.
If magically spurting fire was not enough.
"Captain!" Riker shouted, "If we can't catch up with them, then let's at least find out where they're going!"
"Right!" Picard shouted back. He moved through the chaos with more desperation than ever. He finally found one of the red-colored guards. He prayed that he was not one of the soldiers they encountered earlier.
"Good sir!" shouted Picard, his voice haggard.
"What do you want?" the solider gruffly asked
"Where are they taking that? Please tell me!"
"If it puts your mind at ease, this object, and a prisoner captured with it are headed for the Fire Nation capital."
"How can I get there?"
"Ha! Do you think they would allow scum like you to enter their capital?"
After the guard finished this statement, he shoved Picard to the ground. The chaos shifted towards the bay as the rest of the crew caught up with a fallen Picard.
"So," Riker began, "Do you think it's too late to ask Geordi for that replacement shuttle?"
"Yes," Picard grimly answered, getting up, "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, they have all meaning to expect another one, and it will be shot out of the sky too, and if we try again, they will shoot it out of the sky again, there is no hope."
"Yes there is, Captain," Worf stated, giving him a glare that reminded him of their earlier conversation on the Enterprise.
"Leap of faith."
"Are you serious?" interrupted Riker, "There is no logical way that we can get that shuttle back."
"Then I suggest, Commander," Worf spat, "That we search for an illogical way to get it back."
"I'm not praying, if that's what your suggesting."
"It's better than nothing, and I was going to suggest that we ask the natives for help."
"Wait, what?" Riker exclaimed, "I'm not comfortable leaving my fate in the hands of some alien people."
"It's curious, Commander Riker," Worf responded, "That your uncomfortable around people that are more alien to me, than to you."
"Excuse me, did you see what those fire guys did? How can we match up against that?"
A voice interrupted them, "we sit, and wait for the right opportunity to strike."
The remaining members turned to see who it was. They were frightened to see that the man was wearing red armor. However, his face told of a completely different story. It was different from the stern, affluent and unwelcoming expression of the guards. He wore a friendly and welcoming look.
"Do not worry," he said, in response to the crew's reactions, "I am not Fire Nation, in fact,"
He paused, looked around for anyone else, and whispered, "I am seeking, along with many others to invade it."
Picard stood there, frozen, opportunity had arisen, but at the same time, was wondering if this man trying to scam them into revealing themselves.
"You don't trust me," the man stated grimly, his face falling.
"I guess I can prove my trust to you," he continued, "follow me."
The man went on to one of the dirty streets of the city and turned a corner.
"Leap of faith," Picard sighed, and signaled for the rest to follow him.
Their adventures of following this mysterious man lead them into an abandoned alleyway. The man took off his helmet, revealing long, brown hair, partial facial hair, and a very young face.
"Gee Wesley," Riker smiled to the youngster, "You found a playmate."
"Oh shut up, " Crusher snapped, "My head still hurts from the crash."
"Please allow me to introduce myself," the man began, "I am Haru, and I originate from the peasantry of the Earth Kingdom."
Riker raised his eyes, "Earth Kingdom? Fire Nation? I think there's a pattern forming here."
Haru ignored Riker's statement and continued, "You see, I am trustworthy, as I am an Earth Bender."
After finishing his statement, the boy dug his foot into the ground, formed a fist with his right hand and slowly raised it.
A small stone raised in response to the boy's actions.
"No way," exclaimed Deanna.
"Impossible," stated Worf.
"Illogical," Picard breathed.
"Yes, I know," Haru said, responding to the various comments, "You don't see many Earth Benders in Ba Sing Se anymore, the Fire Nation has rooted them all out. They've killed many of them, and imprisoned the ones they've spared."
"Sure," Riker said, deciding to play along, "Sure."
"Well," Picard began, "I think I will take your word for now that you don't mean to betray us. Now tell us, how do you intend on getting us to this Fire Nation?"
"There is a ship that has landed in Ba Sing Se," Haru began, "Everyone on there is gearing up for an invasion. In order to have any chance at all around here, it is a Fire Navy battleship with complete disguises for the crew. Earth benders, Water Tribe warriors, and anyone wanting to end this war are on it. Our numbers are few, so we're willing to accept anyone, and you guys show promise. Are you in?"
Picard paused to think of this new choice that was thrust on him. It would be risky, no doubt, and long, since invasions took time to prepare for. Another idea popped into his head. He had dismissed the idea before because he was generally distraught. Now, it seemed like the only logical course of action.
"I'm sorry," Picard said to the youth, "but we have ... other things to worry about. You offer, however, will not go unappreciated."
"Oh," responded the youth, head down in disappointment, "Well, I don't think you'll get many other opportunities to enter the Fire Nation Capital."
"Thank you for your offer," Picard repeated. The boy slowly walked away, and when Picard thought he was a safe distance, he brought out his communicator.
"Captain?" Riker questioned, "What are you thinking now? Why didn't you take his offer?"
"Because I finally found a logical course of action, and it was right in front of me all along."
He brought the communicator to his mouth.
"Geordi," Picard began.
"Yes captain?" came the response.
"We've got the dilithium. However, I need you to make preparations for the other shuttle, ours was taken by the natives."
"I'm sorry, we can't do that."
"What?" Picard's voice was bordering on disbelief.
"Our shuttles are fine, the shuttlebay is a different story. Our perimeter force-fields are malfunctioning. The anomaly is to blame, as well as the strain our generators are taking without dilithium."
"Couldn't you redirect power to these areas? They were working fine when we exited the Enterprise."
"Captain, I've spent the last 24 hours repairing this ship, and I have seen what the anomaly has done to it. It's not pretty. And with limited power, it's going to be-"
"I get it," Picard suddenly interrupted. He then continued to ask, "Anything else you could do to get us out of here?"
"I'm sorry," Geordi repeated, "The Enterprise's condition is worsening with every moment that passes. We'll be able to sustain life support for at least three months, but all other systems are pretty messed up, unless we can get that dilithium."
"So the only way we can get it back is to steal our shuttle back from the natives and hope our shuttle is still flyable."
"Yes Captain"
"You realize how difficult that is? It's an impossible hope!"
"It's your only hope."
Picard was silent, he looked ahead, the Haru boy had not wandered far from their position. In fact, he seemed keen on listening.
The captain lifted his free hand to cover the communicator, and heard Geordi's last statement.
"We can keep communicating until our power runs out for that, until then, and I hate it so much to say this, but good luck."
"You too Geordi."
With the press of the button, Picard switched of the device that had delivered so much bad news. He looked to see if Haru was still there.
The earth boy was there, and when he saw Picard look to him, his expression became hopeful once more.
"Follow me," ordered the captain to his only crew out here. Each one of them knew that Picard had only one decision to make.
"I would like to join your cause," Picard said to the now interested Haru.
Haru smiled, "And the rest of your gang?"
"I'm in," Worf declared, the warrior in him getting roused.
"I guess," Wesley stated.
"I've got nothing better to do," Riker said as he smiled.
"And I'll make sure you do nothing stupid," Deanna quipped as she lightly tapped a now frowning Riker.
"Good," Haru said, "Now follow me."
"Wait," Riker whispered to Picard, "Didn't he just call us a gang?"
"Well William," Picard answered, "What exactly do you call a group of people who are coordinating their efforts?"
Riker sighed, Picard could be as unserious as he was sometimes. And things were about to get a whole lot crazier.
Pretty short chapter come to think of it.
See you next Friday!