Picard glanced at the screen and refrained cursing out loud. He and Commander Riker watched an elegant shuttle of the admiral, approaching the Enterprise. They went to greet him.
"At ease, captain. Commander," the admiral nodded at them, politely and pointed his assistants. They were two european looking, tall, middle aged officers.
"This is commander Bentley and this is doctor Brown. They are my right hand during the latest inspections. This one came up quite spontaneously, but since we all just happened to meet on the station, why not? And I have got some news. Picard, there will be a change in your schedule. Your dry-dock is postponed and you are returning to Earth, with me. Then you can have even two weeks off, but now I am in a hurry. Get the ship ready within a few hours. The Council is looking forward to see us both. Now, I would love to get now better this marvelous ship."
"Of course, admiral," Picard said through the clenched teeth and Riker pressed the communicator stronger than necessary and with somewhat raised voice started to give the proper orders. The ship departed after four hours. A few minutes after the admiral called a meeting in the conference room.
"Why the Council demands my presence on Earth?" Picard was done with the small talk. If the admiral had some disturbing news he wanted to know them now.
"There are things to be discussed. Your… the Enterprise's experience with so many unknown races is very valuable." Riker and Picard exchanged impatient glances. Apparently to get the admiral to the point wasn't easy. Once he started the monologue where the compliments were mixing with hidden innuendos putting Picard's service in doubt, he could go on for an hour. Suddenly however they all were interrupted by the voice of Worf.
"Captain, a small Ferengi vessel is following us for several minutes. At the beginning, we thought they happen to go in the same direction, but when we slowed down, they did the same."
Surprised Picard wondered.
"Mr Worf, slow down again. And let me know."
"Aye, sir."
"Ferengi? In this sector? Strange." Riker commented.
"Indeed."
"Captain, they are shooting at us!" The ship shook before Worf finished the sentence.
„Red alert!" They rushed to the bridge. On the main viewer, they could see the familiar shape of the Ferengi battleship very clearly.
"They are hailing us!"
As soon as the head with the characteristic big ears appeared on the screen, Picard asked with a sharp tone.
"This is Jean-Luc Picard from the federation starship Enterprise. Why are you attacking us?
"Give back our prisoner. Immediately."
„A prisoner?" Picard rose his eyebrow.
"You took a girl from the asteroid. She belongs to us. You have one hour. Give her to us or we destroy your vessel." The Ferengi showed his teeth in something that probably was supposed to resemble a proud smile. To the Enterprise crew that view was grotesque, to say the least. He disconnected before anybody managed to react. Picard frowned and pressed the communicator.
"Dr. Crusher, how is our guest?"
"Better, captain. Counselor Troi took her to her quarter."
"I am going there, now. Mr. Worf, come with me."
"We are going with you." He admiral didn't like to be ignored. Worf refrained a growl.
"As you wish, admiral," Picard rushed out.
As they entered, Dee moved herself closer to Deanna as if she wanted to hide in her embrace.
"Make them go away, please," she pleaded.
"We don't know who you are and your presence just endangered this ship. We need some explanation." Picard said that with much gentler tone as previously intended. Somehow Dee had a calming effect on him. The admiral however seemed to be more resistant.
"Picard, again you are getting involved with some alien races' business. Think of the consequences!"
"Everybody, stop!" Troi interrupted him. Everybody looked at her. "Captain, admiral, listen to me, please!" Picard nodded.
„Dee is no threat for the Federation. It was Ferengi who tortured and locked her on the asteroid."
"Who are you and what do they want from you?" The admiral stepped closer and looked Dee in the eyes. She automatically stepped back.
"Let's sit down," Picard said calmly. They took place at the little table, Deanna and Dee sat on the edge of the bed.
"You wouldn't comprehend the dimension I come from…," Dee started like before.
"Well, you better try, for your own good."
"Very well," suddenly the girl composed herself and looked back at him. "I was traveling through the galaxy. I was curious. I know the Federation, I have been on the Earth as well." Speaking this, she smiled slightly. "But then I have found them." She pointed the window, although they couldn't see the Ferengi vessel from that side. "This is a primitive, cruel race, dividing themselves according to gender. I saw their females not being allowed to cover their bodies from cold. Tortured in the worst possible way. I couldn't stand it. I assumed their form. This body you see now, is the appearance I have among your species. Your race was once also cruel. But you have changed." She looked at Deanna and smiled at her. Picard noticed Troi staring at Dee like mesmerized. "But there," Dee continued, "there was no hope. I have tried to convince their females to start to fight. I appeared in their houses, protected their daughters from torture. Slowly, but it seemed like I was starting to make a difference. The women started to organize a resistance. But then those male ferengi appeared and they brought a weapon that injured me. They weakened me and wanted to do to me the same what they do to their females. But they couldn't come through. So, they kept on hurting me, hoping one day I would be so weak I would surrender. They kept on coming back and trying… again and again. But I never…" Dee broke and took a deep breath.
"She was on that asteroid for over two years." Deanna added silently.
"This is a very unreliable story," the admiral commented. Dee, again looking like a scared child, clung to Deanna's arm.
"She is exhausted," Troi answered protectively. "You are forcing her to relieve her trauma."
"Captain, they are hailing us again!" Riker's voice sounded in the air.
"Let's go. All of us." Picard pointed Dee. Troi grabbed her by the hand.
As they entered the bridge, the ferengi on the viewer smiled lustfully.
"Wise decision, Picard. She hid behind Deanna's back.
"We are not giving anyone anywhere. And we would like to hear, what are the accusations against her."
"This is none of your business, Picard!"
"Oh, but it is. Our guest has been granted an asylum on board this ship and she has a right to have a fair trial."
"Ekhm," the admiral stepped forward unexpectedly. "I cannot recall your new friend here requesting an asylum." Picard disconnected the viewer.
"Damn it, admiral, it is not the time for discussing the procedures!"
"It very well is, since you have been completely ignoring them!"
"Enough! Dee! Are you requesting an asylum on board this ship?" Picard looked at her with anticipation. She understood and nodded quickly.
"Yes. Please."
"Granted. You are hereby under our protection."
"This is outrageous! Picard, you will regret this!"
The captain ignored him.
"Mr. Worf, will our shields hold in case of the next attack?"
"They will, sir. This vessel is not much of a threat to us. The previous attack caused only some distress among our passengers.
"I see. On the screen!"
A very offended looking head of the ferengi appeared again.
"How dare you, human. Transport the girl to our ship, immediately!"
"As I was saying, we are not sending anybody anywhere without a trial."
Ferengi's head disappeared.
"I think we have gained at least some time. Dee, we need to hear more details from you.
"We also need to hear out the other side. There are more and more ferengi working on federation stations. Your insubordination can cost us a lot, Picard."
„She needs to rest now." Troi said stubbornly, holding Dee by the waist. The girl indded looked like she was about to faint. The admiral frowned, but Picard nodded.
"Dr Crusher, take our guest to sick bay and stay there with her. Troi, you stay with us.
Deanna unwillingly let go of Dee and took her place on the bridge.
"Now, can you tell us more?"
"I don't know. I mean, I will try, of course." Troi breathed and continued with more professional tone. "I am sorry. My distraction is caused by this bond I have with Dee. The sensations are overwhelming. Dee either closes herself like behind a wall and I can't figure her out, or opens up, suddenly, with emotions like a stream of energy coming through me. She is blocking everything that would let me see more about where she comes from. She is afraid. And she is also scared that the ferengi will call the Prime Directive and demand the right to punish Dee according to their own law. Ferengi's punishment is... rape."
Everybody, even the admiral, gasped.
"We won't let that happen." Picard stated with all his confidence. "Troi, you were once kidnapped by two ferengi. We all remember that. What could you tell us about them?"
"Not much, I am afraid. They love to bargain. We all know they are greedy. They think of the profit, first, but never take part in any major conflicts officially. Selling weapons to both sides of a war is more lie them. They are good in making networks of contacts in the "underground world". And they are good liars, of course. Plus, their technology is advanced enough to pursue some serious injury.
"Yes, we remember." Picard shivered as he thought about his suffering from years ago, caused by a ferengi device.
"They don't have a moral center, captain. They desire Dee like an object. They want to possess her.
"But why? These accusations, they sound like an excuse. It is not about punishment, they want something else."
"I agree. They want Dee. And are furious now, because when we found her, she was still holding on, but she was, and is, very weak. They think they were already close. To getting her. Into her. At least that is what I have sensed."
"But when we found her, Dee was unable to move. So how could she protect herself from rape for over two years? It doesn't make sense."
"Let me talk to her more privately. I think she starts to trust me more."
"Very well. Do so. Take care of her, make her comfortable. And we will deal with the ferengi."
"Captain, there's one more thing. Dee may appear, or behave, very young. She is not. She is very, very old."
Picard frowned. "I see. Keep me informed."