Chapter 3

Ceremony

Captain's log, stardate 57504. We will be arriving at Vesuvia on schedule within the hour. The summit will begin shortly after our arrival, at which point this ship will bear witness to a moment in Federation history.

Captain Picard and his senior officers were still on the bridge where they would remain until their arrival at Vesuvia. Most of the ship's systems had been put on automatic so that the crew could prepare to beam down for the summit. The low ranking officers with the most experience would be staying aboard to monitor the systems that needed a human eye. Those higher ranking officers that did not wish to bear witness to the signing were free to stay aboard, much to the relief of the juniors.

Riker wished he could stay aboard but he knew it would not look good if he was not there. He would just have to try and minimize his contact with Jobra.

Alec still had some residual chills from his dream the other night. Every time he thought he had shaken them, one look at the empty helm jarred the memory back to the front of his thoughts. While the helm position had been filled two years ago by then Ensign Justine McClary, the chair would always seem empty without James sitting in it.

McClary was a very talented pilot. She was still in her early twenties and had joined the crew of the Enterprise straight out of the academy. She considered herself very lucky to have gotten the posting and had been more than eager to prove herself when she had the chance. While she was still a cadet she had been a member of Red Squad, an elite group of cadets that got special quarters, special classes and other privileges.

Despite having grades that were more than high enough, Alec and James never wanted to join Red Squad because all the members they knew were snobs. They had often joked that their classmate Eric Jones would have fit in perfectly. But Alec liked McClary, who was no snob. She was down to earth, and knew not to overstep her bounds. Chances are she wouldn't still be aboard had she possessed the attitude of some of her Red Squad classmates.

Picard couldn't stop thinking about the Romulans. He wasn't thinking about their presence in Vesuvian space but rather why they once more had become virtual recluses after the war. The three major powers, Federation, Klingon, and Romulan had come within a hair of creating stable Alpha and Beta Quadrants with their unification against the Dominion. But for some reason the Romulans chose to go back to their old ways, deceit and treachery. And now they were displaying more unusual behavior. Picard could not understand why the Romulans would continue trading with Vesuvia after their joining of the Federation was official. Past instances were clearly not in play.

A curious sensor reading caught Alec's eye before it was gone. It was only there briefly but it was long enough for him to notice. "Captain," he said. "Sensors have just picked up what appears to have been an explosion."

Picard was grateful for the break from his thoughts. "What's the source, Commander?"

"I'm not sure, sir." Alec ran a brief sweep to try and find the location but rather than get a fix on it, he instead came up with a curious piece of information. "The explosion itself was too faint to localize, but for a moment I'm sure I saw a dilithium signature."

Picard exchanged glances with his first officer. "Dilithium?" asked Riker. "Could it be from one of their mining planets?"

"Possibly. If so, this is the first hint we have as to the location of one of their facilities. Mr. Data, can you verify Commander Wilson's readings?"

"I shall attempt to do so, sir." The android hurriedly worked his console, accessing Alec's sensor data and performing his own analysis. "I have completed analyzing the sensor information. There was indeed a dilithium signature present during the time of detonation. I have estimated its point of origin."

"Shall I alter course to investigate, Captain?" asked McClary, eager for a change of pace.

"Is it along our present heading, Mr. Data?"

"Negative, Captain. My calculations put the coordinates 0.5 light-years away at bearing 270 mark 119."

"That takes us pretty far off course."

"Agreed, Number One. And the summit is scheduled to begin as soon as we arrive. I do not wish to delay it."

"We can always check it out on our way back." said Alec. "I for one am pretty curious."

"As am I, Commander." said Picard. Investigating it now and delaying the conference was not an option and he wasn't about to weather the storm that was brought down on him by his superiors the moment he did. "Make it so. Once the summit is over and our mission complete we will investigate this phenomenon."

"Aye, sir." said Alec.

He noticed the disappointed gestures of McClary and understood how she felt. Like a good number of Starfleet officers, the excitement was located not with diplomatic functions but rather the exploration of the mysterious and unknown. In the two years she'd been on board, there had been a surprising lack of both considering the ship she had heard so many stories about. Progressing through the academy she had heard from numerous officers that the Enterprise was the 'place to be.' Now that she was here she was wondering where all the excitement had gone.

The one thing she had enjoyed more than all else since coming aboard was the Klingon war games exercise the Enterprise had taken part in. Pitting Starfleet's best against the Klingon's best, the crew of the Enterprise went face to face with two K'Vort-Class Birds of Prey and the Negh'Var, the most powerful warship in the Klingon fleet. The Klingons fought gallantly but were eventually defeated by the skill and experience of the Enterprise crew. Alec had given McClary one piece of advice when she came on board: Learn thy ship. And she had done just that.

When the Enterprise arrived at Vesuvia, the senior officers vacated the bridge and let the junior officers take over. Alec and his security force beamed down before all others in order to provide the Vesuvian security members with the necessary deployment instructions. It was fairly straight forward. There would be two security guards for each entrance to the main hall, one Starfleet and one Vesuvian. All in all there would be a total of fifty security officers in the building. Alec figured that should be enough to calm the nerves of even the most nervous Ferengi. He had decided against using phaser rifles and instead opted to use the standard type II sidearm or 'old faithful' as he called them. Once the security force was deployed, Alec signaled the Enterprise and informed the presidential party that all was ready for their beam down.

After donning his dress uniform, Captain Picard went to the transporter room to meet with Presidents Ross and Sha'Gra, her personal guard, and the ambassadors. Their beam down coordinates were just outside of Vesuvia's Presidential Forum. It was a large government building used mainly for political purposes. Normally it held only two hundred politicians but it had the capacity to hold as many as twenty thousand. The forum was expected to be full today.

Upon his beam down he was met by Alec and a Vesuvian guard. Along with the presidential party, Picard was led down a path towards the main entrance of the large building. He was in awe of his surroundings. On both sides of the path there was a sea of people, all cheering in favor of their historic event. Twenty meters above the main entrance was a large monitor. Currently on the display was the interior of the forum, more specifically the main hall. In the center of the image was the speaker's podium. Picard was particularly impressed with the architecture of the forum. It had the elegance of ancient Greece and the sophistication of ancient Rome. Stone pillars stood on both sides of the archway that was the main entrance. The entrance itself was mid-sized, about the height and width of the entrance to a holodeck on a Galaxy-Class starship. Green vines covered the entire exterior of the building about halfway to the top.

Once inside, Picard was again struck with wonder. It was one of the most luxurious interiors he had ever seen. Lush carpeting led to a large stairway. On both sides of the chamber were more stone archways and pillars. The Vesuvian equivalent of oil paintings hung on the walls. Past leaders, or so Picard could only assume, were on display within the frames. He had no doubt that Sha'Gra's portrait would one day hang among them.

They were led into a comfortable room. It was the delegates lounge. It was here that they would stay until the ceremony began, which it would shortly. "Thank you, Commander." said Picard.

"You're welcome, sir." said Alec. "I'll see you after the ceremony."

Sha'Gra took a seat in a fancy looking chair that appeared to be specifically for the president of Vesuvia. On the table in front of her was a pitcher of water and several empty glasses. She poured herself one and drank slowly.

"Nervous?" asked Ross.

"Yes, I'm not fond if public speaking." She had every right to be nervous, it was only the biggest day of her political career.

Picard laughed to himself. Interesting career choice. He caught a glimpse of the main hall through a large doorway at the head of the room. He did not know how large it was but got a pretty good idea from what little he managed to see. "Madame President," he said. "You have a beautiful planet."

"Thank you, Captain. As do you. There is still much of Earth that I wish to see. I shall have to make it back there soon. There is something called 'skiing" that I wanted to try." She took another sip of her water. "Pardon me, but apparently I need a little reminder. What happens now, with the ceremony?"

"Well," Ross sat down on the sofa centered along the back wall. "Captain Picard will make a speech. Him being the one that made first contact with your people it seems appropriate. Then I'll make a speech. Once finished, I'll sign the charter, endorsing your membership. Then it will be your speech, and you as well will sign the charter, making the membership official."

"I'd make that speech for you, Madame President," said Jobra. "But the public wants you."

"I appreciate that, Jobra. But I can do this." Sha'Gra finished the rest of her water and placed the empty glass on the table. She appeared to be much calmer than she had been minutes before.

A thunderous applause came from the main hall. The head of a Starfleet security officer leaned around the corner of the door frame into the dignitary lounge. Picard recognized him. It was Lieutenant John Edwards, Alec's right hand man. "Excuse me," he said. "It's time for you to head out there."

"Are you ready, Madame President?" asked Jobra.

"As ready as I'll ever be, old friend." Sha'Gra placed her hand on Jobra's shoulder and looked at Ross. "Mr. President, would you care to lead the way?"

Ross took a quick look out into the main hall, then shook his head politely. "Maybe some other time, I don't think that applause is for me."

Sha'Gra rose to her feet and stepped towards the entryway to the main hall. Standing there for a moment to compose herself, she took a deep breath, stood up straight, and stepped out into her limelight. An applause twice as loud erupted as she walked her way up the ramp towards the meeting area in the center of the hall. A smile that she could not contain spread across her face. This is something she had dreamed about since the day she realized she was interested in politics.

The main hall was somewhat similar to that of the Federation Assembly building. History had an echo in that fashion, for it was in that hall two hundred years ago that the Federation was born. Picard had seen the holographic recreation of that day several times. Captain Jonathan Archer of the first starship Enterprise had been one of the people to sign the Federation charter. And although Picard wasn't as an important figure on this day in history, he was still proud to be a part of it.

Now that he was walking in the main hall, he finally saw the scope of it. The main meeting area in the center was a small oval shaped space about twenty feet in diameter. A podium was placed near the far end of the meeting area, to the right of the podium were five chairs, presumably for their group. Facing the podium were six rows of chairs, five in each row. Picard saw his senior staff in the second row, some overlapped to the third. They were all turned to face him, as were the rest of those seated there. Above the boundary of the meeting area was the first tier of stadium seats. It circled the meeting area from one edge of the ramp to the other. Just above and behind the first tier were sixteen more, each containing more seats than the one preceding it.

They walked past another pair of security guards where the ramp met the meeting area. Picard was nervous, he had never spoken in front of this many people before. It was just now, before he was about to take the podium, that he realized it wasn't just the twenty thousand in this hall he was speaking to, and not just the rest of Vesuvia either. He was addressing the entire Federation. A starship captain had enough pressure on his shoulders without having to speak before billions of people. But he felt ready to do it.

Picard and the delegates sat in their prearranged seats. The announcer stood at the podium and waited for the applause to die down before calling up the first speaker. "Ladies and gentlemen, for a number of you, this individual needs no introduction. Four years ago he made first contact with Vesuvia and today he will be speaking to you. His name is among the most recognized in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to present to you the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Captain Jean-Luc Picard."

There was another round of applause as Picard arose from his chair and stepped to the podium. On top of the podium were three p.a.d.d.s, one for each of their speeches. He activated the one that said Picard on it. "Thank you for that warm welcome." he said after taking a deep breath. "Two hundred and twenty years ago, another captain of the Enterprise made history by helping to build the Federation. In fact, Jonathan Archer's signature is on the very charter President Sha'Gra will be signing today. One hundred and thirty years later, his successor, Captain James T. Kirk, began a new chapter in the book: Peace with the Klingons. Fifty years later, Captain Rachel Garret and the crew of the Enterprise-C gave their lives and finalized that chapter. Now, as captain of the Enterprise, I stand before you at the beginning of a new chapter."

Sha'Gra felt dizzy. Apparently she was more nervous than she thought. Perhaps it was the vast attention, or maybe it was the expectations that everyone had of her. Whatever the cause, it was starting to get to her, which was upsetting because she thought she had it under control. She listened to Picard's words with a sense of admiration. If there was anything she would rather do, it would be to explore space. Maybe when her term was over she'd become an ambassador.

She felt worse when a wave of nausea hit her. The air got stuffy and hard to take in. Her labored breathing was noticed immediately by President Ross next to her. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." she said, only half sure of herself. "I think it's just all these people in here. The hall has never been at full capacity for over one hundred years. I'll have to see that they improve the ventilation system. I just need some fresh air."

"Would you like me to hold the ceremony until you get back?"

Sha'Gra shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I'll only be a minute." She hated to leave in the middle of Picard's speech, but she felt as if she was going to pass out if she didn't get some fresh air immediately. Standing from her chair and with her personal guard behind her she made her way to one of the exits at the rear of the central meeting area. She kept her eyes ahead of her and ignored the murmurs and glances of those in the stands, thankful that Picard could not see her leaving.

Alec made it to his position just barely in time to see the beginning of the ceremony. From his post in a room high above the dignitary lounge he had an excellent view of the entire hall. So far so good. Things were running smoothly. He had a good feeling about this job, one that was making him rethink his future on the Enterprise. He wanted more for Rene, and his children. He wanted Sonia and James to have a real childhood, which included friends. If Starfleet really was testing to see if he was ready to take over as head of security, he was going to be giving it some serious thought come the end of this job.

It was shortly into Picard's speech that he saw Sha'Gra, and her guards, leave the meeting area via one of the exits behind the podium. "Post one to post nineteen," he said, tapping his combadge. "What's going on down there?"

"President Sha'Gra is feeling a little lightheaded, sir. She's going outside for some fresh air."

"Acknowledged. Post one out." Alec couldn't blame her for being lightheaded, out of all those with a lot on their place today, she undoubtedly had the most. He looked at his Vesuvian partner, whose name was Bru'Dan. Although the young man couldn't have been more than twenty years old, he was the head of Vesuvian security. "How long have you been in security?"

The man blinked at the question, his eyes briefly changed color before reverting back to yellow. He seemed as if he were annoyed at the attempt in conversation. But he answered. "Five years."

"Five years? Pardon me saying so, but you don't seem very old. What about schooling?"

"We don't require extensive education on our planet." Bru'Dan's curtness revealed he apparently did not like to talk while on assignment, or he didn't like humans, or he just didn't like taking orders from one. Whatever the reason, he was not comfortable. "All the basic knowledge we require during the course of our lives is given to us biologically through a series of injections while we are still within the womb."

"So you're all born geniuses?" said Alec jokingly.

"Of course not. The genetic knowledge is released as we progress through life. It was decided to be this way over a century ago in order to ensure all Vesuvians got an equal chance in life. Not until we have decided what we are going to do with ourselves do we proceed into what you call education."

If only things were that easy for us. But where's the fun growing up? "How do Vesuvian children make friends? Or build a social structure?"

It appeared the conversation had come to an end. Bru'Dan ignored Alec and faced towards the crowd below. He had written the human off as an outsider who would never understand. True, there were things about the human's culture that he did not understand either, but he didn't want to. His planet was joining the Federation and he had accepted that, but he never intended to leave Vesuvia.

A welcome break from the awkwardness came when the crowd once again applauding. Alec saw Captain Picard step away from the podium and return to his seat. That was a short speech, or did I just lose track of time?

He watched as the announcer took the podium once more. "And now, ladies and gentlemen. Please welcome the commander in chief of the United Federation of Planets, President William Ross."

Alec noticed that Sha'Gra still hadn't returned to her seat yet. More than enough time had passed for her to get outside and back. If she didn't return soon they would have to put the ceremony on hold. The southern exit of the forum would have been the closest for which to get outside. "Post one to post twenty-three, has President Sha'Gra started on her way back yet?"

"Sir?"

"Didn't Lieutenant Davis inform you that President Sha'Gra was headed your way?"

"No, Commander. He didn't."

Maybe she took a different route, no need to panic. "Post one to posts twenty-one, twenty-two and twenty-four, has President Sha'Gra been through any of your checkpoints?"

"This is twenty-one, that's a negative."

"Twenty-two here, she hasn't been by here, sir."

"Haven't seen so much as an insect here, Commander."

"Post one out." Alec looked down into the crowd. Time to panic. President Ross still hadn't started his speech yet, the applause was too loud. "Commander Wilson to Captain Picard."

"Picard here."

"Captain, I've just checked in with the exterior checkpoints and they say that President Sha'Gra has not been by any of them. She's been gone too long, sir."

"Acknowledged, Commander. I'll inform President Ross. Do what you need to."

"Aye, sir." Alec exhaled. Damnit, damnit, damnit. It couldn't be easy could it? "Post one to all checkpoints, code red. I repeat, code red. Lockdown, nobody in or out unless I say."

He turned and saw Bru'Dan looking right at him. Alec could tell his pupilless yellow eyes were full of rage. "If anything has happened to her, I will see to it personally that you pay the price."

Not good, this is not good.