This is my first story to upload. Please R&R.

The characters of the Enterprise in this story belong to Star-Trek - The Next Generation. The other characters I made up.

Dragon's Zeal
The Last Queen Dragon

Chapter 2
Wesley and Traveler's Arrival

Captain Picard was in his Ready-Room, finishing his daily log before retiring for the evening, when Admiral Amaaz called with his new orders from Star Fleet. Admiral Amaaz transferred the message from Captain Covington. "Actually delivering a message without trying to charge for it is such uncharacteristic behavior for a Ferringhi to display, that Star-Fleet is taking it seriously."

Captain Picard wanted to laugh at the replay of Daemon Lumoq, but he managed, with great effort, to keep a properly solemn face.

"You will need to contact Captain Covington for the exact coordinates," Admiral Amaaz finished, "I look forward to your report."

"Thank you, Admiral. I will contact her right away. Picard out."

He leaned back in his chair, resting his eyes. It had been a long day. He heaved a sigh as he rose and ordered, "Earl gray tea, hot," from the replicator. After taking a couple sips of the tea, he sat the cup on the coaster on his desk and resumed sitting in his chair. He tapped in the code to call Captain Covington. The Communications Officer answered. Jean Luke Picard identified himself.

"Sir, Captain Covington is off duty at this time, but she left orders to put you through as soon as you called. Please hold."

Jean Luke barely had time for another sip of tea before Captain Covington's face filled the screen. Her hair was down and she was not in uniform.

"Please pardon the lateness of my call. Admiral Amaaz has only just informed me of our change in mission and said I am to get the coordinates from you," Captain Picard apologized.

"Yes, I did not have them when I sent the commmuniqué. They actually had to be downloaded form the Ferringhi ship's logs. The furthermost point the ship had traveled before they met the space faring dragon, which sent them back here, was," she looked down to read off the coordinates, "Sector 'K', 47.36.35 by 122.19.59 by 47.60972 by 122.33306." She looked back at the screen. "Good luck, Captain. You're walking into this blind."

"Thank you, Captain Covington. We may need it. Picard out."

Another sip of tea and he went out onto the bridge to give the Night Commander the coordinates.

~~/~~

It took nine days at warp six to reach their destination. As they neared the coordinates Data swiveled in his chair, "Sir, there does not seem to be anything here."

"Then we wait." The Captain answered. "Full stop. Keep scanning the area. Both long and short range scanners."

Several hours went by. Lieutenant Worf wore a scowl on his face, more-so than usual. He kept pushing buttons. He turned to the Science Officer on duty, "Will you examine this?" he asked.

The Science Officer looked at the screen beside him that Worf had transferred the information to. He looked puzzled. "Life signs? It looks like there are two human life signs floating in space."

"Thank you for your confirmation." Worf turned back to his station. "Captain, there seems to be two human life signs floating off our starboard bow."

Captain Picard actually stood up and scowled at Worf in disbelief. Then he said, "On screen," and returned to his seat.

Lieutenant Worf tapped a few keys on his console, the front view screen flickered and the star-scape shifted. Two moving white dots appeared in the center of the screen.

"Magnify." Captain Picard ordered.

Instantly the screen showed two humanoids doing somersaults and cartwheels in white space suits inside of some kind of protective bubble.

Everyone on the bridge just stared at the screen, dumbfounded. Finally, Captain Picard said, "Tractor that membrane into cargo bay five, and alert the medical staff to meet us there. Mister Data, you have the bridge."
Picard rose and headed for the turbo-lift with Riker on his heals.

"Aye, Captain." Deta stood, waiting for the Science Office to come replace him before sitting in the captain's chair.

The turbo-lift door whooshed open just as the cargo bay door was closing. The Captain and Commander stepped out to find Doctor Beverly Crusher waiting with the Cargo Bay Chief at the controls. The membrane was collapsing around the two astronauts inside it.

"Beam them out of there before that bubble collapses totally," Doctor Crusher said. "That will also solve any problem with contamination."

The two white suited astronauts disappeared from inside the bubble and rematerialized on the transporter pad. Doctor Crusher stepped toward them, tri-quarter extended to take health readings of the pair as they removed their helmets. Beverly Crusher stopped short, mouth agape in surprise, staring up at a grinning Wesley Crusher. His companion was none other than the Traveler.

"Hi, Mom!" Wesley leaped of the transporter pad and swept Beverly up in a bear hug.

When Beverly Crusher realizes that her son has been floating in deep space she hysterically pelted him with questions. "How long have you been out there? Why were you out there alone? Couldn't you find a shuttle to transport you? Why..."

Wesley laughed. "Mom, I'm fine. We were waiting for you. The bubble protected us." Then he stepped away from his mother. "Captain Picard. Commander Riker. I'm sure you remember my companion, Traveler. If you wouldn't mind, we'd like to address the senior officers."

"Very well. We will meet you in the Observation Lounge in an hour. In the meantime, Doctor Crusher, you can see your son and Traveler settled in the guest quarters." Captain Picard nodded to everyone, then he and Commander Riker got back on the turbo-lift to return to the bridge.

~~/~~

When everyone was assembled in the Observation Lounge and had greeted Wesley and Traveler warmly, Captain Picard called the meeting to order. "Wesley, Traveler, please explain why you have requested our presence here."

Traveler spoke. "First I want to thank you all for coming on a blind mission. My brother Gril has befriended a space-faring dragon, Zegh, the last of her kind. We need the help of the Enterprise to retrieve the last Golden Egg, which has been stolen by the Nekabries, a peaceful, trading race. They will sell the egg to the Xixgon's, a fierce armor-plated race for their warrior's celebration in only 5 of your days. If this happens, this wonderful species will die out. We are here to plead with you to help us save the future of space-faring dragons." Traveler raised his hands in supplication at this last sentence, then sat down.

Captain Picard steepled his fingers, deep in thought. Finally, he looked up at his crew. "Any questions or objections?"

No one objected, not even Lieutenant Worf. Commander Riker smiled and said, "Sounds like a noble cause. I encourage the mission."

"Then it is settled. Give us the coordinates, and we will be under way."

Captain Picard stood. Everyone else followed suit.