Chapter 6

Resolve

No matter how hard she tried, Rene could just not get comfortable on the sofa which her and Troi were seated. Her tea sitting on the table was cold and untouched. Not many words had been exchanged since their arrival in Rene's quarters but Troi's presence was more for comfort from company than counseling

"Deanna," said Rene, her head facing the window. The beautiful blue and green orb that was Vesuvia spun ever so slowly outside. "What am I going to do if they put my husband away for the rest of his life? Or even worse, what if they decide to exe-"

"Captain Picard will not let that happen." Troi spoke firmly, her voice was an unwavering sound of confidence. She looked Rene in the eyes so there would be no misunderstanding. "He will do whatever it takes to ensure Alec's safety."

"But what if it isn't enough?" Rene pushed herself away from the sofa and walked towards the window until she was directly next to it. To her, each star that shone out there in the infinity of space just represented another thing that could go wrong. "This isn't some holodeck program that we can just shut off or some Borg Unimatrix where you can just swoop in and save him. That damn Prime Directive could mean the end of my husband's livelihood, maybe even his life."

"No, it's not. And it's not going to be easy. But Captain Picard will not give up until Alec is back aboard the Enterprise."

"And a fine job he did too." said a voice behind them.

Rene spun to face the familiar voice and was across the room in her husband's arms so fast it was as if the window and the door to their quarters occupied the same time and space. "Alec!" exclaimed Rene, close to tears. "What did they do to you?"

"Nothing, actually. But that could change."

Fear once more took hold of Rene's heart. "You mean this isn't over?"

Alec shook his head morbidly. He knew it wasn't over, not by a long shot. He wished there was a way to tell Rene how sorry he was for making her go through this. But he knew she would willingly go through it with him until the end. That was the kind of woman she had always been, a fighter. Not in the literal sense, even though Alec had taught her a few things just in case, but rather in the sense that she would do whatever she had to in order to break down the obstacles in her path.

"If they harmed you in any way..."

"No... well, my wrists chafe a little bit from the shackles but other than that."

Troi stood from the sofa. "I'm glad to see that you're alright, Alec."

"Thanks, Deanna." Alec was still being held by Rene. She probably wouldn't let go for about an hour. "I'm quite surprised I was let go so early. You'd think Bru'Dan would want to hold me until their decision was made. He must want to come off as fair."

"Decision?" Rene looked up, meeting his eyes. He could see the dread in them. "What decision?"

"Their verdict. I must admit I'm a little curious what they're going to do. Vesuvia has no death penalty so I imagine whatever it is will be interesting."

Relief washed over Rene when she learned Alec would not be facing the death penalty. But a part of her worried even more for she was reminded of the old saying 'there are far worse things than death.' Hopefully this planet had not adopted that philosophy.

"Perhaps I should go." said Troi, making her way for the door. "I need to speak with Captain Picard."

"He's on the bridge." said Alec. "He wanted to give Starfleet an update."

"If either of you need me, let me know."

"Thanks, Deanna." said Rene, her head nuzzled against Alec's chest. Today, a day that should have been ripe with joy and celebration was instead full of death and mourning.

Not for an instant did she consider abandoning her husband's side. Not just because doing so would receive her a place in the ninth circle of hell, but rather because she knew he was innocent and because she knew he would never leave her were the situation reversed. "What happened down there, Alec?"

"I was set up. I know it with every fiber of my being."

The following day, Alec was met with lingering stares and murmurs during his walk to the turbolift. It didn't surprise him, he would have been more surprised if he garnered no attention at all. Normally a little attention didn't bother him, but it did in this instance. He couldn't help but wonder how many on the sip had labeled him a murderer. The optimist in him wanted to believe that everyone was on his side but he knew that was wishful thinking.

Sickbay was his current destination. There was a favor he needed from Dr. Crusher to help with his investigation. If he was right, he was sure it would be what would prove that the accident was orchestrated and that he was meant to fire on Sha'Gra. He personally had all the proof he needed but he wanted to silence the naysayers.

Crusher was in her office when he entered, a padd in her hand. He knocked on the glass divider. "Is the doctor in?"

Smiling and without even looking up from the padd she answered. "Sorry, no walk ins. Appointments only."

Alec laughed and entered her office. "I'm in a bit of trouble, Beverly."

She put down the padd and sat back into the chair. "So I've heard. You seem to be taking it rather well."

"That's because I know the only thing I'm really guilty of is being someone's scapegoat. I'm being framed, Beverly. And hopefully with a little help from you I'll be able to prove it to everyone else."

Hope drained from Crusher's face. "If you're wanting me to examine Sha'Gra's autopsy results I'm afraid they don't reveal anything unusual."

"Could they be fabricated?"

Crusher sat silently for a moment. "Possibly, but I've never seen such a perfect forgery."

The fact that such a document would be presented was of little surprise. Professionals like the ones at work would have learned to cover their tracks extremely well. But the autopsy report was not what he was interested in, although it would have been helpful. He just hoped that what he was after hadn't been disposed of yet. "I actually came here hoping you could do a chemical analysis for me."

"I'll do what I can. On what?"

"Commander Wilson to transporter room one."

"Go ahead, sir." replied the on duty chief.

"I'm going to need control of the transporter system temporarily transferred to Dr. Crusher's office."

"Understood, Commander. It'll just take a moment."

"Thank you, Chief."

"What are you doing?"

"Don't rush me." He joked. He only had to wait a few more seconds until the transporter controls were available on Crusher's desk terminal. He immediately accessed the scanners. "I asked Captain Picard if President Sha'Gra ate or drank anything before entering the main hall and he told me she had a glass of water. I'm hoping it's still there. And it looks like we struck pay dirt." Alec engaged the transporter. A small glass materialized on Dr. Crusher's desk next to the computer terminal. He placed it in her hand. "This is my trump card, Beverly. I think something in the water she drank persuaded her to take that little stroll. And if you can prove it for me you'll be my personal hero."

Crusher looked at the glass curiously. "If there's anything in there. I'll find it." She left her chair and exited her office. "I'll be just a minute."

Alec took a seat in her vacated chair. The few minutes it would take Beverly to analyze the water would surely be some of the longest in his life. He knew he would never be fully exonerated, even if he had hallucinated a Jem'Hadar soldier, for it was he who pulled the proverbial trigger. But he would at least be able to prove that it had been arranged to happen. Even though the idea of being somebody's pawn gnawed at his pride he was more than willing to acknowledge it if it were to take his neck out of the noose.

A grim thought crossed his mind. What if his evidence wasn't accepted at all and he was found guilty of first degree murder? Vesuvia may not have the death penalty but it would still mean the end of his career and his life as he knew it. It would be different if his was the only life that was affected but he had his family and those around him on the ship he had to think about. He had already promised Rene that he would never leave her alone again. Certain measures would have to be taken to ensure those responsible would be brought to justice if Vesuvian security ignored all but the incriminating evidence.

Alec finished his task and returned Crusher's terminal to its previous display just seconds before she reentered her office. "Alec, I have the results of the analysis if you want to take a look at them."

"That was fast." said Alec, following her out of the office towards one of the lab areas. It was complete with a multitude of machines and computer terminals that he wasn't even going to try and guess the function of.

"It would have been faster but I ran the test twice just to be sure." Crusher activated the main wall monitor and displayed the results of the test. It showed a multitude of molecules.

Alec could discern two separate kinds of molecules, but he didn't know what they were. "Chemistry was never my favorite subject, Beverly."

Crusher pointed to one of the particles. "This is a water molecule. And this, is a sodium chloride molecule."

Even he knew that one. "Salt? I'm confused."

"Vesuvians are severely allergic to salt, it shouldn't be present in the water unless someone put it there deliberately."

"Wouldn't she have tasted it?"

"Vesuvians can't detect salt by taste. They can generally only taste things of a sweeter variety."

That explains why some of the food was so bland at the banquet. "What kind of symptoms would she display?" Alec was mentally crossing his fingers, hoping he'd hear what he needed.

"Dizziness, a slight case of nausea, and dehydration. It's no wonder she needed to get fresh air."

"Do you think someone was trying to kill her?"

"No." said Crusher with conviction. "The amount present wasn't enough to be fatal."

Alec finally had some evidence that would work in his favor. He just hoped they didn't try to tie him to the conspiracy. "Were there any reports of salt poisoning in the autopsy report?"

Crusher managed a smug smile. "Not a trace. Which means-"

"Which means the autopsy report was a fake." With this next piece of evidence, Alec's excitement began to escalate, as did his determination. "One step closer to cracking the conspiracy."

"Captain Picard to all senior bridge officers, please report to the observation lounge."

"Beverly, would you be so kind as to download all this to a padd?"

Crusher handed him one. "I thought you'd say that so I took the liberty before I brought you out here."

"Thanks, Beverly." said Alec, taking the padd "I owe you one."

"Just find out who did this."

"I plan on it."

Being the only one that wasn't on deck one at the time of Picard's announcement, Alec was the last to arrive in the observation lounge. He didn't like the look on his captain's face. It was not the look of a happy man. "Please sit down, Commander."

Alec took a seat next to Data, the android greeted him with a nod and eyed the padd, curious as to its purpose.

Nobody said a word for the first minute, they just looked at their captain, waiting for him to start the meeting. He was mulling over this thoughts. Picard hated being the bearer of bad news, and the coming minutes held just that for someone in the room. He finally gathered the courage. "Yesterday, a subspace transmission was sent from Vesuvia in all directions and on all frequencies. It's believed to be from the extremists that oppose Federation membership."

"What does the message say?" asked Riker. His gut feeling told him that Picard's initial silence was due to the content of the message in question.

Picard offered no reply, he simply activated the wall monitor. Displayed on the screen was a dark room, a table in the center. Seated at the desk was a figure, the face impossible to discern due to the lack of light. The identity of the person was evidently meant to be kept secret. When the figure finally spoke it was clear the voice had been altered. "By now, the vicious murder of our naive but illustrious president has reached all corners of the quadrant. This atrocity cannot be allowed to go unanswered. The one responsible for the horrendous crime is a Starfleet officer and a member of the hypocrisy known as the Federation." Alec's Starfleet dossier photo appeared in clear detail in the upper left corner of the monitor. "This man, Lieutenant Commander Alec Wilson of the starship Enterprise, must pay for what he has done. Therefore as of this moment, a prize of 1,000,000 bars of gold pressed latinum will be given to the person who brings him to us. Alive is preferable, but we are aware that accidents do happen. Payment will be delivered in full when he is in our possession. Any treachery or attempts at deception will result in the same fate as our late president. More details will be given to you when we receive word he has been apprehended."

The screen went black. Nobody said a word, nobody even breathed. The air felt as cold as a polar wind. Glances were exchanged, but no words were spoken. This was the first time a price had ever been put on any of their heads before, they were unsure how to react or what to say.

Alec broke the tension. "I guess I can cancel my trip to Risa."

Nobody laughed. "I don't think this is the time for jokes, Alec." said Riker, raising his voice to Alec for the first time in nearly two years.

"This is a very serious matter." said Picard in agreement. He was not happy with the idea of someone putting a bounty on one of his officers. He almost took it personally.

"At this point," said Data. "I do not think it wise for Commander Wilson to return to the surface."

"I agree." said Riker. "They may be imminent members but that's a lot of latinum. I hate to say it but I'm sure there are some humans out there that wouldn't pass that up."

"Admiral Nechayev agrees." Picard leaned forward on the table, his hands folded together. "Starfleet has told me that whatever decision Vesuvian security reaches, we are not to turn Commander Wilson over to them. We've received word that two replies to the original transmission have already been intercepted."

"So two bounty hunters are already on their way." said Alec, not asking, but rather acknowledging the facts.

"It would appear so." said Picard. "In light of this, as well as possible Romulan involvement, Starfleet is sending two more starships to this system. They'll arrive within the next few days."

"What ships?" asked Riker. If the Romulans were involved, they reputations of the two vessels could have the effect of making them back off.

"One is the U.S.S. Falcon."

"Captain Anderson's ship." said Riker as he sat back and held his chin. "The second?"

"The U.S.S. Emissary." replied Picard with satisfaction.

The arrival of the Emissary would be a welcome event to all who had been on board for the past two years. After her crew's safe return from the Delta Quadrant, Captain Janeway was fiven command of the newly commissioned vessel. For her senior staff she chose those who had served her so well. It was a family that she did not feel ready to break up. Her reputation alone could help ward off any Romulans.

"I know a certain Talaxian that will be happy." said Riker with a grin.

"Indeed." said Picard blankly, he did not favour his next responsibility. He had one more piece of bad news to give to Alec, and to him it was the worse of the two. "Commander Wilson, Admiral Nechayev has informed me of Starfleet Command's decision. They believe that until this situation is resolved it is in the best interests of everyone that you be relieved of duty."

If Alec had not been sitting already he would have fallen back in surprise. "What?" Not once in his career had he ever been relieved of duty. Earlier he might not have been as defensive but certain evidence had come to his attention in the meantime that made him respond as such. "Captain, this is-"

"Commander, I have been over this with Admiral Nechayev, I even used every personal connection I had in Starfleet. This is not my decision."

Alec held up the padd he had brought with him from sickbay, it was his last hope. "Captain, Dr. Crusher and I have turned up evidence that this was a setup. There's a conspiracy going on down there."

"I will forward your findings to Starfleet, Commander. But until they reverse their decision I have no choice but to follow their orders." Picard wanted this to be over as soon as possible.

Alec was at a loss for words. It felt like one of those times from his childhood when he had to stomp around the house screaming 'it's not fair!' to get what he wanted. He probably would have done it now if he thought for even a moment that it would have worked.

He stood and placed the padd on the table. "Permission to speak freely, Captain."

Picard wasn't about to deny him the chance to speak. He deserved that much. "Permission granted."

Alec stood there, composing himself before he spoke. "I've given Starfleet everything I've had for almost 11 years, and when I need them to back me up the most they basically turn their back on me. I am very disappointed in those that I have served for so many years of my life, and a little betrayed." Alec raised his right hand to his chest and removed the combadge from his uniform, placing it on the table. It landed with a clatter that still echoed in the room as he left.

Rene was dressing for a walk in the arboretum when her husband came storming into their quarters. One look at him and she knew he was in as foul a mood as he had ever been. She knew the meeting to which the senior officers were called had to be the reason. She watched him, leaning on the back of a chair, wondering what could have set him off like that.

She approached him and put a loving hand on his shoulder. He turned his head and she looked inquisitively into his eyes. Alec put a hand on top of hers and sighed. "I was just relieved of duty."

Rene took a step back. "Why?"

"Starfleet's decision. Captain Picard was just following orders. I think that the situation on Vesuvia combined with..." Alec stopped himself. He wasn't sure how Rene would act when she found out there was a bounty on his head.

"Combined with what?" she asked. When he didn't answer her she stared at him as if he were in the hot seat at one of his own interrogations. "Alec, combined with what?"

Damnit, only she can stare me down like that. He reluctantly gave in. He felt it was better to tell her himself now before she found out some other way. "Before I was relieved, Captain Picard informed us that the extremists have put a bounty on me. Two have already accepted the job."

"And you're not worried about that?" She was understandably more upset about this than him being relieved of duty. This had a direct effect on both of them.

"No, I'm not. There's no safer place to be than on this ship. They wouldn't dare try anything unless they had a death wish."

"Alec," Rene lifted his chin with her thumb and index finger, so they were looking eye to eye once more. "Someone has put a price on your head. This is bigger than you being relieved."

Alec knew she would worry about the bounty more than him. It was only natural for a wife to be concerned about her husband. He just saw it differently than she did. She saw it as a danger to his life. He saw it as another day on the job. It was no different to him than being in the sights of Jem'Hadar attack ships day after day during the war. Being relieved of duty was an attack on his pride, which outside of the last couple of days he was not very used to.

"I want you to take this seriously." she said.

"Oh believe me, I am. I've never been a hunted man before so I imagine it's not fun. It's just that during the past day I've had more things that will wind up on my permanent record than ever before. If I had one thing to say to these bounty hunters it'd be 'come and get it' because they'll be in for one hell of a fight."

Despite their years of marriage and their further years growing up, Alec still managed to surprise Rene with his stubbornness. She didn't even try to talk sense into him because she knew there was no use. "I'm going for a walk in the arboretum, and I'd like you to go with me."

I know she wants to help me feel better but I don't want help right now. I want to brood. Alec removed his hands from the back of the chair then turned until he faced away from it and sat down. "I need to deal with this by myself for awhile. I might join you shortly." He gave a slight smile to put her at ease.

She sighed slightly and reluctantly decided to leave and let him cope. "Okay, but I want you there real soon."

"It'll be like you never left me here." said Alec, his smile widening. He watched her as she walked out of their quarters. I don't know what I did to deserve you. He had no intention of staying in their quarters, not when every second that went by gave the conspirators more time to get away and cover their tracks further. Walking into the bedroom he changed out of his uniform and into a pair of black trousers and a dark blue short sleeved shirt that was covered by a sweater of the same color.

After he finished changing he went to a storage case that lay on the floor in the closet. He knelt down and entered an access code into the panel on the lid. The lock unlatched with a click and opened the case. Inside, on its support struts, was Alec's katana. He hesitated in removing the weapon. The last time he used it was in avenging James shortly after his death. To look upon something that he hadn't seen in such a long time, something that was so closely tied to one of the most painful moments of his life, it shook him to the core and gave him goosebumps as he relived the day itself.

What he was about to go through went against everything his parents taught him and everything he had since learned from being a Starfleet officer. But he learned something else in his years, and it was as true as anything he learned from Starfleet or his parents: Sometimes diplomacy fails, requiring other courses of action to be taken. These courses were sometimes cruel and brutal but must be followed through to their resolution.

"Computer, activate program Wilson 1712."

"Program activated."

Alec left his quarters and embarked on a road he never thought he'd take. Level two.