Chapter 11

When Picard opened his eyes, it took him all of five seconds to realize he was on a Federation starship. He could recognize a Sickbay paint scheme at ten meters. Then he heard the barely audible hum of the atmosphere recirculators, felt the material of the self-regulating thermal cover on top of him and the feel of his regulation under shorts and shirt but for the moment, all he could smell was something like stale mint. A moment later the smell of stale mint could be tasted.

Beverly came into view looking down into his eyes, then to the bio-bed monitor on the bulkhead over the bed that her husband was in. Her dulcet voice said, "How do you feel?"

Smiling, Picard said, "Better, now that I've seen you. I won't belabor the obvious and ask where I am, but I will ask what happened? What in god's name is that disagreeable smell and why does my mouth taste like a one of Admiral McCoy's revolting mint juleps?"

Helping him up to an upright position, Beverly said, "In that order, the answers are, you were almost assassinated, the smell is from the bacta that you've been soaking in for a day and the taste too. Let me introduce you to the CMO aboard the Titan, Doctor Jamison Cruz."

Doctor Cruz walked over to stand next to his colleague when she motioned for him. Shaking his hand, Doctor Cruz said, "Admiral Picard, although I could have wished for a less dramatic method of meeting you, all the same, it is a pleasure sir. You sustained multiple blaster wounds and were burned across roughly 36% of your body. You've been in the bacta tank until just a couple of hours ago. What's the last thing you remember?"

Picard smiled politely and said, "I was in my speeder with my driver Elib Mayon. We were merging with the traffic on our way to the Residence in the old Imperial Palace. Elib was telling me that his children wanted to command starships of their own someday and I told him that if they work very hard in their academic courses, I would personally endorse their applications to Starfleet Academy. Speaking of Elib, how is he?"

Cruz spoke gently, "I'm sorry to have to tell you Admiral, but your driver didn't survive. He was already dead by the time we got your speeder through the cargo transporter and opened."

Picard's breath caught in his chest a moment as the doctor's statement sunk in. Picard had lost people before over the course of his career but it never got any easier. Elib had been a good person, more than an employee of the Consulate, almost a friend. "Has his family been notified yet? He asked.

Beverly spoke then, "Yes. They were contacted just this morning. I'm sorry Jean-Luc. I liked him too."

Burying the pain of loss, Picard said, "I would speak to his wife as soon as it's feasible. Has an official investigation been started at this time?"

Doctor Cruz said, "To my knowledge, it has Admiral. I called Captain Riker as soon as you woke up. He should be here any moment now but I'll have to ask him to keep this first meeting short. You were the first person I've put into the bacta tank and I want to keep you overnight for observation. The scent of the bacta should have dissipated by tomorrow morning. As to the taste, I have no idea on that. I've read patient accounts that state for some people it's gone within a few hours, others, as much as a week. For the purpose of my Medical Officer's Log, I'd like you to tell me these things as they happen so I can start to build a performance profile for Starfleet Medical in regards to the bacta."

Picard nodded and said, "Very well Doctor."

Cruz went back to his office and Beverly sat on the edge of the bio-bed. Picard said, "What is it Beverly? This isn't the first time I've almost been killed, nor the first time I've ended up in Sickbay."

She looked at him and said softly, "Don't you dare trivialize this Jean-Luc Picard! I could've lost you just like I lost Jack and that would have destroyed me! Did you have any idea at all that anyone might try and kill you? Have there been any threats made against the Consulate or you before this? Has there been anything out of the ordinary lately? Anything at all?"

Picard answered, "Not to my knowledge Beverly; I don't mean to trivialize anything about what happened and I'm sorry if it came out that way, but I have had to get used to the fact that these things do happen from time to time. You more than most, are aware of this as a Doctor."

She answered back, "I know that but knowing doesn't make it any easier. I couldn't do anything for Jack and I'll be damned if I don't put forth every ounce of my medical skill or knowledge to prevent you from dying on my watch. Get used to it."

Reaching out to his wife and running his hand through her golden-red hair and then to her cheek he said, "I wouldn't have it any other way Mrs. Crusher-Picard. Count on that."

Placing her hands on either side of her husband's head she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss and then put her forehead to his and relished the fact that he was still alive. Neither of them heard the doors to Sickbay open.

Riker coughed lightly and said, "I'm sorry to interrupt Admiral. I just arrived back on board and came from the shuttle bay with Deanna, Lwaxanna and two visitors from Coruscant." Stepping aside slightly he gestured to the two women next to him, both of whom were wearing lightsabers and said, "You may remember former Chief Petty Officer Michelle Karú turned Jedi Padawan. With her today is the newly promoted Jedi Master Shaznia Dree-Jayks, the wife of Ryu Jayks, also newly promoted to Master, the cousin of Padawan Karú. Master Dree-Jayks and her husband Ryu are the Jedi in charge of their end of the investigation."

Beverly let go of her husband and stood next to the bed as Picard said, "I most certainly do. Good to see you again Padawan Karú. How are you and how is your training progressing?"

Michelle said, "Good to see you again too sir. I'm fine and Master Jaina says that I'll probably be ready for the Trials in another year or two though I'm in no great hurry to be confirmed as a full Jedi Knight. There's so much to learn and absorb. Thank you for asking."

Looking at the woman standing next to Michelle, Picard extended a hand and said, "I vaguely remember seeing you waiting for your husband on the landing platform just after the Treaty with the New Republic/Imperial Remnant had been ratified by the Federation Council, but I don't think we've been formally introduced; Rear Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, Ambassador-at-Large to the New Republic; congratulations on you and your husband's promotion. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance Master Dree-Jayks."

Accepting the proffered hand, Shazi shook and said, "Thank you and I'm very glad to meet you as well Admiral. Deanna speaks highly of you. As Captain Riker said, my husband and I have been assigned by Master Skywalker as the Jedi liaison to Starfleet Security. My son Kenod was attacked several days ago by a trio of nonhumans. The Force is telling us that the two incidents, your attempted assassination and the attack on my son are related somehow. So far, our investigation is turning up leads that could in turn lead to something larger that could affect the New Republic's relations with the Federation. We're not sure how just yet so Master Skywalker assigned us to this. When you're up to it, I'd like to interview you in detail. The Jedi Order will share everything we learn with Starfleet Security."

Picard asked, "Is your son alright?"

Shazi said, "Yes, he's fine, and he's already left Coruscant on his own mission for the Order so at least no one will try to attack him again, we hope."

Riker spoke then, "I've already cancelled shore leave and recalled all of my people to the Titan and the Federation Embassy is on Yellow Alert. I've also spoken to a Senior Detective So Leet of the New Republic Peace Officer Corps and he says that he'll be happy to work with our people on this but Deanna says he's anything but happy to be working with others on this. The first thing he said to me as soon as he saw Deanna's lightsaber was 'more Jedi interference?' Master Dree-Jayks has mentioned a little of their findings so far and this Senior Detective So Leet seems to be involved, if only circumstantially, up to his beard."

Doctor Cruz came back in just then and said, "Captain I have to ask you to leave now. Please conduct your interview after I release the Admiral from Sickbay. His vital signs are starting to spike a little from the stress hormones that your information is causing to be released."

Riker nodded, then turned to Picard and said, "I'm very glad that we were able to get to you in time Admiral. Is there anything I can do for you right now until you get released from Sickbay?"

Picard nodded and said, "Yes there is Will. Please contact the wife of my driver Elib Mayon and have it routed to me down here. I need to speak to her." Cruz started to object when Picard said, "This will not wait Doctor. Make it so. Do you understand?"

All the doctor could say was, "Aye-aye Captain. I'll get on the COMM with the Bridge momentarily."

Riker expressed his relief for the Admiral's well being again and then escorted the two Jedi out of Sickbay.

Beverly said, "Do you want me to stay Jean-Luc?"

He said, "That would be kind of you Beverly but it won't be necessary."

She nodded and went back into Cruz's office just as the built-in COMM panel came out of its storage compartment. A few moments later, a Bothan face came onscreen. A feminine voice came out, "Mayon Residence. This isn't a good time."

Picard said, "Am I speaking with Elib Mayon's widow?" When she nodded yes, he continued, "We've never met, but my name is Jean-Luc Picard and I'm the Ambassador-at-Large to the New Republic from the United Federation of Planets. I wanted to extend to you and your children my personal condolences on the loss of your husband Elib Mayon."

"Elib spoke very highly of you Admiral. I thank you for contacting me personally. My children are very upset right now, so please forgive me if I come across as rude, but is there anything you can tell me about his death?"

Picard said, "I can tell you it was murder, Madam. I was the target, and Elib got caught up in it, I'm very sorry for that. I have just met one of the Jedi Masters who will be looking into this matter. She believes that the attempt on my life and the attempted assault on her own son only a short time ago are related somehow. I can also assure you that Starfleet Security will be looking into this matter as well and I have no doubt that it will be resolved. There was also a second matter I wanted to speak of. Before your husband's death, he spoke to me about his children wanting to command starships someday. When you have grieved, please contact me at the Federation Consulate. Elib wanted to be the one to tell them that I would endorse their applications, should they choose to make them when they're old enough, now, as a matter of honor, it falls to me to do this. Whether they choose to apply to Starfleet Academy or follow another path, I will sponsor them in any way I am able."

Elib's widow said, "I would be eternally grateful if you do Admiral Picard, but I must ask why?"

Picard said, "Because I told Elib I would, Madam and it's the honorable thing to do. As I told Elib, everyone deserves to fulfill their potential and I meant every word. Starfleet won't be easy, but then nothing worth doing ever is. I just wanted you to know. Again, you have my heartfelt condolence in your time of loss. Please contact me when you're ready, and we'll talk at length."

"Thank you very, very much Admiral. Elib was right, you are a good man. I will be in touch, in time. Thank you for calling. Goodbye." She said.

Picard answered, "You are very welcome Madam. Goodbye for now."

Main Cargo Bay

Michelle had dropped Shaznia off at the shuttle bay saying that she would call later after she had the preliminary reports from the examination of the Admiral's speeder. As she entered, the sterile, dry smell of recirculated cargo bay air brought to mind memories of when she had served aboard the Titan. Looking around, she found the speeder and two engineers, to judge by their uniforms, going over the vehicle. One was using a diagnostic terminal going over the raw data from the vehicle's systems, while the other was using a tricorder that had been reconfigured for engineering.

Calling out she said, "What have you found so far Chief?"

The Chief Petty Officer in question turned at the sound of the hail, saw the woman coming towards him and thought at first that an off-duty crewperson had walked in on what was supposed to be a sealed area due to the nature of the ongoing investigation. "Can I help you crewman? I think you got off the turbolift on the wrong deck, this is a restricted area."

Michelle knew that she didn't quite fit in wearing the tan shin-high boots, matching utility pants and top, utility belt with her lightsaber, comlink and money pouch that she had on at the moment and said, "Actually Chief, I'm here to help you. My name is Michelle Karú. I used to be a Chief Technician on board the Titan. I've been assigned by the Jedi Order to head up the engineering side of the investigation."

The Chief's face lit up with recognition as he said, "That's right, now I remember. Commander Sarin said that we would be getting someone to liaison with us; I recall now that he mentioned you used to be in Starfleet. My name is Kyle Rosim and the pair of legs you see sticking out of the door over there belong to crewman Moro."

The indicated legs wiggled and a disembodied voice called out, "Hello there Chief. Good to see you again."

Michelle smiled and said, "Still getting into your work I see Keichi. It's Michelle now; technically I'm retired so you don't have to call me Chief anymore."

The voice answered back, "You're still the Chief as far as I'm concerned Michelle."

Chief Rosim said, "You and Keichi are obviously acquainted. How would you like me to address you then? "

Michelle turned back to Rosim and said, "Well, I'd prefer you call me Michelle or you can call me Padawan Learner if you prefer. How would you like to be addressed since we're on the subject?"

Rosim smiled back and said, "You can call me Kyle; that'll be fine. 'Padawan Learner' is kind of a mouthful so I think Michelle will work."

Michelle answered back, "I think so too but it's just a formality. What have you got so far Kyle?"

The two stood next to the terminal as Rosim said, "We've just started pulling the raw data from the black box recorders. This includes telemetry, direction of travel, speed, weather conditions and latest automated traffic updates among other things. I've only just started to build a visual representation of the chain of events, so I hope you'll forgive the crude imagery . . ."