Chains of Command

by Javanyet

Sometimes promises can bind us beyond our capabilities. A/N - Inspired by the Amnesty International assisted episode 'Chain of Command'. As a longstanding member of AI, I can't praise it enough. Find it and watch it if you haven't already; the scenes of Picard's confinement and torture are true to survivor reports of their own torture though updated to 24th century tech.

2. Coda

UNAUTHORIZED SUBSPACE COMMUNICATION – USS ENTERPRISE TO CARDASSIAN COMMANDER GUL LEMEC

"Lieutenant O'Reilly, I welcome your hail. Is Captain Picard well?" There was the reptilian smile.

"Captain Picard's condition is none of your concern. This is not an official communication."

"Then why have you contacted me?"

"Just a head's up to a fellow student of Plausible Deniability. If our paths should cross again, don't expect standard protocol."

"Why Lieutenant, am I to understand this as a threat against an emissary of a sovereign planetary system?"

"All you have to understand is that in all high-security contact the ship's A.E.O. is fully armed. Sir."

"And if I should file a formal complaint with your Federation regarding this threat?"

There was her reptilian smile. "Understand that they will consider the source, given recent events."

"Ah. I appreciate your candor, Lieutenant."

"I thought you might. If, hypothetically speaking, this conversation ever took place. O'Reilly out."