SHIP OF FOOLS

Chapter 25

Riker must have started work on the security and accommodation problems literally on the run, for the first officer came barreling into the transporter room a few seconds after Picard had climbed down from the platform, an amber-clad security detail of at least half a dozen in tow. „Captain, it is good to see you. I take it all went well over there."

„Yes, Will. It did." He could feel Riker's relief like something tangible in the air, and he was feeling lightheaded with nerves himself. He saw a brief look passing between Riker and Worf; then the first officer led the way to the door while the security took up position facing the transporter platform. Once outside Riker added: „That evacuation is a bit of a surprise, though. And who are those civilians – did he bring his family?"

„Apparently so. He says he is a defector, and I am not at all sure he's telling the truth. Will, I don't want them to have the run of the ship."

„No, Captain. I'll make sure of that. In fact Singh is already at it." He turned to give Worf a quick grin, adding under his breath: „Very eager to redeem himself, Lieutenant Singh."

„He should be," growled Worf. "I will supervise the arrival of the Cardassians myself, however."

"No, you won't. Data is going to do that. You have an appointment with sickbay, and there's no way you'll get out of that one, Worf." Riker pressed the button for the turbolift and turned back to Picard without waiting for Worf's reaction. „I take it we're heading back to Federation space now? And then what?"

The turbolift door swished open before the captain could answer, more security spilling out; Worf gave them a grim look and stepped aside to let them pass. "Deck twelve," said Riker as they entered the car.

"Bridge," said Picard. "I don't know, Will, that's up to Starfleet Command. Dravek asked me for political asylum for himself and his dependants. So far he hasn't told me why, and he hasn't said what he has to offer. According to him those two ships are coming for him, and under the circumstances I don't think we should wait and find out. We've got Dravek, which is what Starfleet wanted. I told him to move his own ship as far as possible into the center of the nebula, let them search for as long as they'll fall for it while we use what time we have to get out ourselves. Beyond that... well, we'll contact Admiral Juarez, tell him what we found, and meanwhile try to find out more ourselves."

Riker smiled slightly. „Thanks for the briefing, sir, I think I can work with that."

"Halt," said the captain, and the turbolift stopped. "Will, I want those Cardassians checked very thoroughly. Weapons, explosives, transmitters..."

"All arranged for. They're not smuggling anything dubious past Data. And with all due respect, I want you to go and get some rest before you pass out on me, Captain. Doctor Crusher wants to see you in sickbay first, though. I tried to argue, but she was pretty adamant." He threw Worf a wry look. "Sorry for that."

Worf uttered a soft dismissive grunt deep in his throat but refrained from further comment. After a brief moment Picard gave a nod. "I suppose you are right, Number One."

Riker's eyebrows rose, but the first officer took it in his stride. "Resume. Sickbay. – If it's all right with you I'll get back to the bridge, and the moment everybody is aboard I'll get us out of here. Geordi tells me the engines should be good for a few hours of warp eight point eight now. Repairs are continuing, of course." There was no more talk until the turbolift stopped on Deck twelve, but as Picard stepped out into the corridor Riker said: „Sleep well, sir" before he added: „Bridge."

Beverly Crusher was looking a little fagged the captain thought, but her manner was brisk and professional. Sickbay was busier than usual, with staff darting to and fro and the subdued babble of several conversations filling the air, but she found them a quiet corner in the primary ward, brought a glass of water for each of them and told Worf to wait while she ran her tricorder over the captain. „I have people working half-shifts at the moment," she explained, frowning at the readouts. „I need my staff, but they need to rest. Doctor Hill stood in for me for a few hours, fortunately... dear God." She reached out towards a table and picked a hypospray. „Well, Jean-Luc, I won't plague you right now. Selar's given you the facts in a nutshell. I'll just give you a couple of injections. The burns are healing, but you'll have to see me again later on. To make sure there is no scar tissue, for one." She put the hypospray down, reached for her tricorder again and turned to Worf, her eyes narrowing. „That looks like a phaser graze on your cheek, Lieutenant. And by the way, how is your arm doing? And... Worf, do you realize you have two cracked ribs on top of everything else?"

„See to the captain, Doctor," replied Worf haughtily, his tone leaving no doubt that he had not forgiven, and would take his time doing so.

Beverly Crusher's eyebrows climbed towards her hairline. „I'm quite capable of deciding on my priorities, Lieutenant. Right now it's your arm I want to see," she replied firmly. „And your nose. I can tell both of you straight away what I'll prescribe, though."

„Eight hours' uninterrupted rest?" asked Picard.

"No," said Crusher, checking the tricorder again. "As far as you are concerned, twelve. And I expect you both to comply with it. In fact I think I really should keep you here, but... Ah, yes, thank you, Céline" – this to an attractive young woman who deposited a small tray next to her, and left. The doctor took a hypospray from the tray. "I've had this – "

The intercom sprang to life before she could finish her sentence. „Bridge to Captain Picard."

Over Crusher's exasperated sigh Picard tapped his communicator. „Yes, Number One."

„Everybody safely aboard, sir. The Haklamar is already moving off. We're retrieving those probes right now – not that they're any use at this stage, but we don't want to leave any more traces than necessary. We won't know if the Cardassians are giving chase until we're well away from this nebula, and there's a distinct possibility they'll notice us. But with a little luck they won't be able to get a useful ID."

„Well done, Number One. Carry on. I want to be notified of any crises, though, Will."

"Yes, sir. I'll keep that in mind. Riker out."

"And what," demanded Beverly Crusher sharply, "do you think you're doing, Captain? I believe I just said –"

"I know what you said, Doctor." Picard looked up to meet her gaze; he was finding it increasingly difficult to remain focused enough to answer. "You will have to forgive me for being on my guard a little, however. Now, you were saying about that hypo?"

A short silence. "Very well," she said then, looking down on the hypospray in her hand as if she had momentarily forgotten about its existence. "I was about to say that I had this made up after being told by Will that under the circumstances I shouldn't keep you in sickbay, one of his reasons being that you might be required on the bridge at very short notice. There were others I won't bother you with now. I won't hide from you that I disagree with him, Captain, but he made it very clear that pulling rank in this case wouldn't be appreciated. Allow me."

She put the hypo to his neck, and he heard the familiar hiss. "That's a sedative, among other things," she said. "You'd do well to be off to your quarters, Jean-Luc. Remember to get a drink of something – tea, water, whatever. That's doctor's orders. And as for you, Worf –"

„I should see to the security measures myself," said Worf, frowning.

„No, Worf. You won't." Picard looked at his CMO as if waiting for something.

„That's all for now, Captain," she said gently.

- - - - - -

Several hours later, Chief Engineer La Forge slumped against the central control table in Main Engineering and said: „Okay. That'll do it for now. Oakey, I'm declaring this shift over. Russell, whatever it is you're doing there, finish it and go away."

„One second, Commander." Engineer Russell, on his knees in front of an open panel, delicately adjusted another strand of optical cable. „Lieutenant Worf has been very thorough."

„He is that. Walser, how are things coming along?"

Ensign Walser, on loan from Lieutenant Singh, looked up from his console and tried to stifle a yawn. „Battle bridge Tactical almost there, sir. They're testing computer responses now. The new control surface should come next. Ops will take a little longer."

„No surprise there," muttered Geordi, frowning as he tried to get some order into jumbled memories that seemed to be slipping away even as he was reviewing them. This was a bad one – consoles disintegrating under steady phaser fire. He loved his ship. He'd honestly wanted to protect his ship – if only he could recall what from. Some perceived danger. The Cardassians? The – hell, he thought, wincing – the captain? „Walser," he said, abruptly, „what were we doing on the battle bridge? I mean, what were we going to do?"

Walser turned, frowning as well. „Frankly, Commander, I don't really know. I suppose I had some idea then. You wanted the engineering hull for some purpose, but it's all a bit foggy right now. Wait, Lieutenant Singh said something about making sure the Cardassians don't get their hands on Federation technology."

„That sounds about right. And then the captain walked in on us, didn't he."

„Actually, I wasn't there when he did," said Walser apologetically. „You called us in – we were checking out something, some – "

„Christ, yes. Uh-oh – I remember that bit." Wish I didn't, he added to himself as fragments of it came back. That frightful mess – wanting to get away, fired by some purpose he couldn't recall, ready... no, eager to kick away anything that might still keep him back. Frenzy, euphoria – an aggressive kind. And some recollection almost too frightening to contemplate – something about the captain. An impression of fury and determination he had never before encountered in his life, searing him; a fading memory of spite, a wish to subdue, and coming up against something like steel. Like duranium. „We fought," he said abruptly, horrified. „I didn't hurt him, did I? Didn't he knock me out?"

„Well, sort of, I think. Worf did the rest, actually. I wonder how he managed."

„Worf?"

„Oh, I know how he manages, all right. No, the captain. Hell," said Walser thoughtfully, by all appearances actually relishing the memory, „the man's a fighter."

Geordi slid off the control table. „I'll be on the bridge," he announced to everybody within hearing. „Get yourselves off to bed as soon as your replacements show up, for Heaven's sake. For the record, I've some apologizing to do."

But Commander Riker, whom he found in possession, would have none of it. „Look here, Geordi. You can't apologize to me. I've been acting the same way – well, almost. And you had a better excuse. It did get rid of your headaches, didn't it?"

„Well, yes," said Geordi. „It did that. It got rid of a lot of other things as well," he added with a grimace. „Kind of embarrassing. Commander, aren't you going to turn in as well? Just sent most of my staff off to get some rest, and you look as if you could do with it too."

Riker yawned profusely. „Can't. Not yet, anyway. Have to be sure we're rid of those two Cardassian ships, at least. I may just go for a walk instead. Have a look at the security arrangements..." He heaved himself out of the command chair and took a look round. Macaulay was at Tactical, Westaway was manning the conn. Data was in the Ops chair, looking mildly interested in something on his console. Stars were streaking towards the main viewer. Involuntarily, Riker breathed a sigh of contentment. „Come on, Geordi, let's get going. You have the bridge, Data."

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