Chapter 19

Captain's Quarters, U.S.S. Titan

It had been after dinner with Riker, Deanna and Beverly that Picard rendered his decision to return to the Consulate and resume his duties in person rather than by holo-presence. The outburst had been predictable.

"Admiral, as senior line officer I'm not sure I can allow you to return to Coruscant just yet." Riker said.

In an unspoken moment of communication that only two good friends are capable of, Deanna and Beverly remained neutral and silent in the exchange they both knew was about to unfold between their husbands.

Picard answered, "It is not for you to allow me anything "Captain", and I've made my decision. I cannot allow whoever tried to kill me even the slightest suggestion that I have been intimidated or it will only strengthen their resolve. Up to now, it is well within the realm of probability that I have only been on the Titan as long as I have to ensure that my injuries are completely healed; if I wait any longer, the person or persons responsible for the attempt on my life and the outright murder of my driver Elib Mayon will only step up their campaign, whatever it may be."

The silence was heavy until Picard took a breath and spoke, "Captain, no . . . Will, I appreciate you're desire to look out for me. That concern was one of the main reasons I first chose you as my Number One aboard the Enterprise D. But now, you're concern will only hinder me, not help. It was not my intention to devalue your opinion or your well deserved status as captain on your own ship, but it has to be this way."

Riker knew the logic to be sound and said, "I apologize if I overstepped myself Admiral. You're right, but will you at least allow me to assign a security detachment to you for the, if you'll pardon the expression, foreseeable future?"

Picard answered, "You've nothing to apologize for. I know you're only trying to do your job. Very well; you may assign four and only four, security officers."

Riker said, "I can accept that; two officers for each twelve hour period. I imagine the New Republic may reactivate some or all of your original security team from when you first came to Coruscant. The two teams can be integrated for better all around coverage, and as an opportunity to cross train."

Federation Consulate, Main Entrance

The next day, Koni Komax was pacing nervously in front of the entrance to the Consulate. When the Admiral had contacted Koni the night before to inform him that he would be returning to resume his duties, Koni wasted no time in requesting the reactivation of the Admiral's security detail from when he first came to Coruscant. Unfortunately, only four of them were available, but when Koni found out that the Admiral would have a Starfleet Security detail with him, he stopped worrying quite so much. Just then, Koni heard the sound of the impulse engines on the shuttle that was bringing the Admiral. Scant moments after that, the shuttle bearing the Admiral, his wife and the Security team landed on one of the Consulate landing platforms. Koni gestured and the four members of Picard's original security team ran out to meet him. As they got to the hatch of the shuttle, it opened and a hefty visage greeted them. Exiting the shuttle just then was the head of the Starfleet Security detail, one of very few Brikars in all of Starfleet, Lieutenant Kebron, on loan from the U.S.S. Excalibur A, under the command of Mackenzie Calhoun. Following Kebron were three more security officers, two humans and an Andorian. The group formed a protective screen around the Admiral and the doctor and escorted them to the cover of the Consulate entryway.

Picard spoke first, "Koni, it's good to see you again."

Koni answered, "And you as well sir. When you informed me that you would have a Starfleet Security team with you, I had no idea it would be such a colorful group. I was able to secure the services of four of your original team Admiral; all the others are on other assignments at this time. What are your orders?"

Picard said, "Excellent work as usual Koni! You and I will go to my office where you will catch me up on everything that could not be transmitted to me while I was aboard the Titan, my wife will resume her duties and Lieutenant Kebron, who is in charge of the Starfleet team will make whatever arrangements he and the New Republic team see fit to start their duties. Do you have any other questions at this time?"

When Koni indicated he didn't, Picard took a moment to greet the four members of his New Republic team by name and then he and Koni left for Picard's office to get to work.

Admiral Picard's Office, Federation Consulate

Picard entered his office with Koni in tow to find he had a visitor waiting in the form of Shaznia Dree-Jayks. Koni, in his capacity as chief of staff spoke, "I'm sorry Master Jedi, but you will have to make an appointment like anyone else. The Admiral will be very busy."

Picard said, "That's alright Koni. Master Dree-Jayks, this is my Chief of Staff, Koni Komax. He also arranges my diplomatic schedule. Koni, this is the Jedi Master Dree-Jayks. She and I are already acquainted. You have some new information concerning the attack?"

Shaznia said, "Yes, I do. My husband Ryu is attempting to pry additional information from a place here on Coruscant commonly referred to as the 'Demon's Battle Cave.' He spoke to me yesterday afternoon and said that he would pass on anything else as he can. For right now, our evidence is pointing to a group that's calling itself H.A.T.E. or Humans Are the Enemy. Admittedly, our evidence is circumstantial but at least we have a name to work with. I've already informed Corran Horn who will be working his sources and passing on everything he finds out to me, at which time I'll pass it on to you or whoever you designate as well as the Jedi Council."

Picard had listened and felt his eyes widen some at the sound of the name 'Demon's Battle Cave'. "What goes on at this cave-place you spoke of? Will your husband be alright?"

Shaznia said, "The cave is a place where full contact fighting and betting on full contact fighting happens. Ryu went there to track down one of the people who attacked our son Kenod, and he believes that he'll get more information on the 'why' and 'what for' when he's done. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a problem for Ryu because he was a full contact fighter many years ago. He took the title of 'Galaxy's Strongest' before retiring to marry me, open his school and start our family but the owner and operator of the cave, a Falleen named Xoran, himself a former fighter like Ryu and me, has acquired at least three Ysalamiri."

Koni drew a sharp breath that brought all eyes on him. Picard asked, "You know this Xoran?"

Koni said, "Only by reputation Admiral. He was trained in the fighting arts by another Falleen by the name of Xizor who was the leader of a very large, very powerful criminal syndicate known as Black Sun. The Black Sun as we know it now is but a pale shadow of itself when Xizor controlled it. Xizor was killed by Darth Vader when Xizor tried to kill Luke Skywalker during the Galactic Civil War. Xoran runs a small, but successful syndicate of his own that's too small for the New Republic Peace Officer Corps to actively pursue and destroy. The pride of Xoran's group though is the Demon's Battle Cave. It is there that he recruits many of his strongest enforcers and makes the larger part of his financial base. Between entry fees for the fighters, pay-by-the-event fees for any and all interested viewers, gate admission for spectators and the House Cut that the cave takes for all bets placed through its wager kiosks, I've heard of credit totals in the five or even six figure range, and that's even after the winner of an event takes their percentage as a prize. Most winners though, take the offer of employment but some take the money."

Picard said, "You seem well informed Koni. Are you a spectator at such events?"

Koni seemed embarrassed a little before answering and then said, "While I was working my way up the ranks of the Diplomatic Corps, I had to become familiar with such things since many of my assignments liked to go and watch the fights for recreational purposes."

Shaznia seemed to look through him, "There's more to it than that Koni. You're holding something back; it's radiating off of you so strongly, I can't help but be aware of it through the Force."

Koni unconsciously bared his pointed teeth in a feral-seeming gesture before answering, "I used to be a spectator when I could but I no longer actively follow the fighting circuits. Satisfied now Master Jedi? You may very well have just cost me my job."

Picard shook his head, "Why would I ask for your resignation Koni? So you like to watch full contact fighting events, I myself like to practice the art of Fencing and some would define that as a type of fighting. Truly, it matters little to me. You are allowed to have a life of your own you know."

Koni let go of the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and said, "Thank you Admiral. I wasn't certain how you would interpret my interest, passing though it is, so I never mentioned it."

Picard shifted his attention back to Shaznia and said, "You mentioned something about Ysalamiri? I don't know that I've heard of that. What are they?"

Shaznia answered, "The Ysalamiri is an arboreal reptile, native to the planet Myrkr, a planet in the Inner Rim. They have the naturally occurring ability to push back the Force. Within the sphere of its influence, the Force ceases to exist. For that reason, they're existence it not widely spoken of. Fortunately for the Jedi, the creatures are very difficult to move since their claws grow into the tree, practically making the tree and the Ysalamiri on it, one organism. According to Ryu, there are at least three of them in the Demon's Battle Cave. He was caught off guard but was able to adapt, but not before he took some damage from his opponent. Before leaving for the Cave, Ryu warned me not to accompany him since he said that if two Jedi were to walk into the Cave, he wouldn't be able to get any information at all but I just might ignore his advice and go to him. I haven't decided as yet."

Picard turned back to Koni, "Can you get her into the Cave, Koni?"

Koni shook his head and said, "I can't but I know someone, two someone's in fact, that can. Early in my career, I helped a pair of Neimoidian business partners acquire the first of their contacts that would later help them build their business. That business has been quite successful. They told me that if I ever need a favor in return, to contact them and they can make it happen. Would you like me to contact them Admiral?"

Picard said, "Not yet Koni, but please keep that option open." Returning his attention to Shaznia once more he said, "Do you remember at our initial meeting on the Titan the other day and I was informed of, among other things, the recovered weapon power pack that was defective?" When Shaznia said she did, Picard continued with, "In my travels as a starship captain, I've met many strange people and encountered their equally strange, to me, customs, traditions and yes, their powers. I've heard of an ability called Psychometry, the ability to 'read' inanimate objects psionically. Are there any Jedi at the Temple that could interpret a perspective from that power pack, and maybe find its original owner?"

Shaznia said, "That's an excellent idea Admiral, thank you for suggesting it. I honestly don't know, but I will check on that as soon as I get back to the Temple from here. If we do, I'll let you know and we can set up something and hopefully get a reading from it."

Just then, Shaznia's face lost some of its animation and she swayed a moment on her feet where she stood.

Picard noticed and said, "Are you alright Master Jedi?"

Shaznia put her hand to her head and steadied after a few moments before trusting herself to speak. "Ryu has just entered into the Demon's Battle Cave for his fights today. I can no longer sense him in the Force but at least this time, I know why I can't feel him, unlike yesterday when I thought he might have died. Thank you for your concern Admiral Picard but there's nothing you can do at this time. I'll be in touch as soon as I find out if we have anyone skilled in Psychometry or not. Good day."

Picard said, "And to you as well Master Jedi."

After she had left, Picard turned to Koni and said, "The moment she contacts you to see me, let me know immediately Koni. For now, let's get back to what we had planned on and see what there is to see."

Koni nodded his head, pulled out his PADD and started working as he sat down across from Picard who had just taken his seat behind his desk.