M for language


"Fire phasers and torpedoes!" the Captain ordered on a hard voice.

"Weapons are inoperable, Captain!" Ensign Joffrey replied desperately.

Everybody understood what that meant: they couldn't move, they couldn't defend themselves. For a moment, a profound silence descended on the Bridge as the crew of the Enterprise stared right into the face of their certain deaths. The disruptors of the warbird flared up once again, and Deanna felt dizzy by the fear of a violent death oozing out of everybody around her, while terror in its purest form gripped her own heart too.

And a fraction of a second before the bird-of-prey gave them the deadly blast, another warbird suddenly decloaked!

"What the-" Riker started, thinking that the Romulans sent another ship to make sure that they get the job done.

But he was wrong! The ship lingered above the other one for a few moments, then its disruptors flared up and before the other ship could react, her weapon and propulsion systems were taken out.

The Enterprise crew watched the events gaping, with their breaths held. It took even Picard a full second to get to his senses. He stood up looking only at the Romulan ship on the viewer:

"Lieutenant! What's the status of our attacker?" he asked on a much lower voice than he intended.

Anderson shook her head slightly to clear it, still feeling dumbstruck, then tapping her console, she replied "They suffered significant damage, Captain. The ship's crippled, her shields are down, and life support is minimal."

"Open a channel to the-"

"Unnecessary, Captain!" Ensign Joffrey cut in "They're calling us, Sir!"

Picard turned to him with a raised eye-brow, and then motioned for him to establish the connection.

A well-known Romulan face showed up on the main viewer.

Picard took a step surprised, and Riker stood next to him staring at the screen.

"Commander Tomalak!" Picard greeted their unlikely saviour.

"Captain Picard. Please, accept my most sincere apologies for this... unfortunate misunderstanding." he grimaced "I assure you, it'll never occur again."

That made Picard snap out of his being dazed by the events "Misunderstanding!" he frowned "Your ship almost destroyed the Enterprise on Federation territory, Tomalak! I could hardly call this a simple misunderstanding. It's an act of war!"

Tomalak raised a soothing hand, wincing at the word that the human captain used "Your agitation is understandable, Captain. However, believe me, the presence of our ship is only a incidental-"

The Captain cut him off "Incidental! After having been almost wiped out of the sky by your ship, I'd be grateful, if you at least spared me from having to listen to your lies!" he barked curtly, making Tomalak gape in irritation for his insolence. But Picard didn't let him say a word - they almost died a moment ago, for god's sake! "We both know that Commander Sela knowingly and repeatedly breached the Treaty of Algeron to trade dilithium with the government of the planet below! The Federation will not stand by and watch this idly! If your government wants to further strain our relations, just go on, and lie about what you call a misunderstanding, but I'd advise against it!"

"Alright, Picard!" Tomalak cut in with a hard expression on his face. His mouth was thin as a line, and his eyes were blazing "The truth is that Sela's mission to Federation space was not authorized by the Senate! We were sent here to stop her."

Picard nodded with an appreciative eye-brow raise "Finally, I hear words that make sense! We are about to stop the government of Epsilon Four, the planet below from going along with an unauthorized plan of their own involving Sela! I suggest to work on this common goal together, Tomalak."

Tomalak grimaced at that but finally nodded "I'm on the same opinion, Picard. Since, there's a considerable amount of sensitive information to exchange, I'll beam over. Stand by." he finished on a colorless tone and closed the channel.

"The Bridge is yours, Number One!" Picard ordered as he started to walk to the aft turbolift. But Beverly caught up with him before he could get in:

"Captain! Permission to beam down to the planet!" she asked anxious for a positive answer.

He looked into her eyes troubled "Beverly, it'd be wiser, if you waited until I talked to Tomalak. He might have information-"

"There's no time to wait, Jean-Luc!" she told him begging "I cannot allow Jones to torture Emma on, and we have no idea what he is ready to do to make Data cooperate in his plans."

Geordi stepped over to them "I agree with Doctor Crusher. Let us beam down, Sir, please!"

Picard exhaled a long breath "As a matter of fact, we do know what he is planning with Data." he mumbled on a low voice. Beverly and Geordi exchanged taken aback glances, and he went on "A short time before the Counsellor and Commander came back from Epsilon Twelve, Doctor Maddox visited me in my ready-room saying that Premier Jones... approached him."

By this time, the senior staff and Juliana surrounded them, and they all gaped at what the Captain had just uttered.

"What do you mean by being approached, Sir?" Geordi asked feeling his pulse steadily rising at the thought.

"He didn't elaborate. I suppose, Jones never let on any details. He said Jones asked him for assistance in a task requiring serious cybernetic knowledge."

"Oh, god..." Geordi breathed.

"Why did you not say a word?" Beverly asked in shock.

"There was virtually no time!" the Captain shook his head "And knowing how distrustful you all are against Maddox, there was no point in making you even more stressed over a decision that might have just saved Data's and Ms. Jones' lives! He might be Data's only chance to escape whatever Jones wants to use him for!"

"Or he might be the very weapon Jones needs against Data!" Geordi told him now visibly upset.

"Geordi, Doctor Maddox IS a Starfleet officer..." Deanna began, but the Chief Engineer cut her off.

"He is, Counsellor! But he's one that cannot say no to his obsessions!" he looked once again at Picard "We should have reported this to you, Sir... Of course you couldn't have known..." he shook his head desperate.

"What, Geordi? What are you talking about?" Picard asked frowning alarmed, knowing that he'd not like whatever he was about to hear.

Geordi sighed heavily "Maddox, he... he literally blackmailed Data before the procedure to remove his emotion-chip was done. He offered him, that he'd pull some strings, and Data could avoid having to undergo the procedure - in exchange for Lore!"

They all gaped disbelievingly at him.

"He still needs a guide in his research. Same as eight years ago. And he's still desperate to finally get it - maybe even more so than he was eight years ago." Geordi told them on a faint voice realizing just as he uttered the words how big a trouble his friend was in.

"Mr. La Forge, why on Earth haven't you reported this to me?!" Picard asked bewildered.

Geordi shook his head "Data didn't want to! Despite this incident, he still trusted Maddox! And he trusted the Federation laws that were there to protect him ever since he'd been declared a sentient being. He treated Maddox' offer as a proposal he could simply refuse."

Riker shook his head with a grim expression "He couldn't have known that they'd meet next in a place where Federation laws didn't mean a damn."

They stood there for a long moment in stunned silence. It was eventually cut by the comchannel:

"Transporter room three to Captain Picard! Commander Tomalak is ready to be beamed aboard!"

Picard looked as if he was awakened from a dream "I'm on my way!" he looked at Beverly and Geordi "Alright! Beam down to the planet! But be very careful! I want a transporter lock on you at all times! As soon as you find Ms. Jones and Data, beam out of there, don't engage into unnecessary fights!"

"Understood, Captain!" Geordi nodded.

Picard then turned back to Riker "Number One! Remember what we talked about notifying the people of Epsilon Four?"

Riker nodded his assent "I'm on it, Sir!"

"Doctor Tainer, please assist the Commander! Try to phrase a message that can be understood by a person with average scientific education. Make it short, and cut to the point about the fact that they're in danger, and have to find shelters for themselves until we can stop the seismic process! Broadcast it all over the planet, while I talk to Tomalak. They might be able to help out in salvaging the situation."

"Yes, Sir, we'll do our bests!" Riker nodded and motioned for Juliana to go to the science console. She turned back to watch for a moment longer as the three officers marched into the turbolift to go to the transporter room and save her son - one way or the other. She sighed and then followed Riker.


Edmond brought Emma up to their room and lay her on their bed. He stood next to her, looking down at her, taking in the curves and plains of her body. The sun shone in on her brightly through the large windows above them, the gentle rays flickered over the black satin of her outfit highlighting her petite figure. He sat down next to her and turned her face towards him. She still had tear streaks on her cheeks, and with the bun unbound, her hair circled her head all over the pillow.

"You're so fucking beautiful..." he whispered cupping her cheek and wiping her tears. Touching her skin and hair just fuelled his desire, and he leaned to her face burying his nose into her hair at the nape of her neck. "How could you have given yourself to that?!" he whispered "How could you lie to yourself that he can love you?" he raised his head and looked at her face from above "Once we're rid of him, you'll accept your fate. And you'll obey me just the way you used to! Because you're mine, chérie!" he whispered, and then shutting his eyes, he reached out with his mind and entered hers in a way he never could do with anybody else! Only her!


Emma sat in a dark corner of sickbay at starbase 2261 and stared ahead listlessly. All she could see was Earl's face as she got onto the smuggler's small shuttle craft, and she left him on the planet probably for good. She had nowhere to go. But she could not stay either. Earl arranged for the trip because he could see, she'd lost all hope, all strength to go on with her life after the hospital she'd been working at was raided. And all of her colleagues were killed or imprisoned. He had no intention to watch her as she got lost in hopelessness, and he could offer nothing to save her from it. Nothing, only a trip, that would take her as far away from Epsilon Four as it was possible.

"Do you want us to contact anybody?" she heard from above, waking her from her brooding. She glanced at the nurse, standing above her with a padd and shrugged unsure. "Is there any place you could go to? Anybody, that would take care of you."

She frowned and suddenly was struck by a thought "Beverly." she whispered and looked at the nurse "Beverly Crusher. She serves on a starship called Enterprise." she shrugged again "We haven't talked for a while, I-I couldn't contact her, it wasn't possible. But..."

The nurse smiled encouragingly "I'll arrange to get in touch with her." she promised and put a gentle hand on Emma's shoulder who flinched from the touch. The nurse looked at her taken aback, but didn't ask anything, just left her alone.

"Bev..."


"I suggest taking your hands off of her, if you enjoy having them!" Jones heard a female voice above him, and blinking, he opened his eyes to look straight into the blazing eyes of Beverly Crusher. She was holding a phaser in her hand pointing right at him.

He then felt himself pulled away from the bed and glancing to his side, saw a dark face with penetrating white eyes glaring at him - then he finally realized, he felt a phaser pushed to his temple.

Geordi pulled him further away and made him sit down on a chair "You'd better not move from here, buddy." he growled on a dangerously low voice "Doctor Crusher is pretty upset. I wouldn't want to anger her any further, if I were you. And I'm not exactly your best friend either." he added looking back at the bed, where Beverly was tending to Emma. Jones was so stunned that he didn't even utter a word.

Beverly took a tricorder reading of Emma and shook her head worried "Her anemia grew worse. She probably barely had any time to rest or any chance to eat in the last thirty-six hours. I need to get her to sickbay."

"What about him?" Geordi asked pointing at Jones with a raised eye-brow.

"We'll take him with us!" she declared on a harsh voice.

"Bev..." she heard Emma's soft whisper, and she leaned above her taking her hand.

"It's me, I'm here, dearest!"

Emma blinked confused as she focused on her friend's face "It's you! It's always you!" she breathed and gathering all her strength, put her arms around her. Beverly held her close lovingly feeling her throat close.

In a moment's time, Emma released her and pushed herself up into a sitting position wearily "Bev, we need to save Data! He's in danger!" she moaned fighting to keep her weight.

"I know, but you need to get to sickbay. Your body cannot take more strain and-"

Beverly couldn't finish. The walls and the ground began to tremble, and they stared around frightened for a short moment before realizing that another quake was coming! But it struck too fast and very hard! In a fraction of a second, the room was shaking wildly around them, the violent tremors threw them all to the ground as the furniture broke to pieces too, crashing next to them.

"This is impossible!" Jones shouted against the noise bewildered "This building is earthquake resistant!" he tried to stand but lost his footing and fell.

Geordi grabbed him and pulled him to crouch under the sturdy desk "Stay here!" he shouted and stumbled over to the two women who were squatting next to the bed, holding on to each other and trying to cover their heads as much as they could. Just as he got to them, they saw Jones crawling out from under his hiding place, and he stumbled towards the door.

"Jones!" Geordi shouted after the man "Son-of-a-" he swore ducking from a falling piece of plaster. They couldn't afford to go after him. The ceiling shattered and came down in large pieces, the luxurious glass chandelier landed on the bed, closely followed by an enormous concrete beam breaking the berth into two large pieces.

Beverly pressed her combadge "Crusher to Enterprise! Do you hear me?!" she shouted through the noise "We need an emergency beam-out! Now! Enterprise!"

But all they got as an answer was static voice.


"I admit, I don't have a lot of time, Tomalak, so let's not beat around the bush here." the Captain began as they strode through the entrance of the observation lounge. He motioned for the Commander to sit down, while taking a seat at the end of the table. He went on, when the Romulan was seated too, and was looking at him with an unreadable, forlorn expression "Tomalak, Sela had her dilithium business going on with the leader of the government of Epsilon Four for at least half a year. We know this much for sure. She also helped the Premier to take two of my crew members into custody, and her ship has just committed an unwarranted attack against us! You might agree that these events put our delicate relations into great jeopardy!"

Tomalak raised his hand and nodded with an uncomfortable expression on his face "I'm aware of the fact, Captain."

"So then what is the goal of the Romulan Empire with this, Tomalak? Are you ready to move against us openly? Amidst the ever growing threat that the Dominion poses?"

Tomalak shook his head "Captain. The Romulan Star Empire by no means wants to break the peace treaty between ourselves and the Federation. On the contrary. We're well aware of the threat of the Dominion. In fact, the Senate and the Federation are currently conducting negotiations to take steps in a coordinated fashion against that very threat. Of course this topic, to this date, is classified, and I'm telling you this only because I know you. And... I can see that you will not do with any less than the truth." he grimaced visibly frustrated.

Picard watched him for a moment, then nodded "You judge that well, Tomalak." he then steepled his fingers "However, I have serious doubts that a business involving such risks as Sela's, going on for half a year would go simply unnoticed by the Senate."

"Let's just say, we understand now the depth of her grave mistake."

"Why didn't you simply order her to retreat to Romulan space? Why risk another ship trespassing into Federation space instead?" Picard asked suspicious.

Tomalak fidgeted nervously in his chair at that "The presence of a superior is always more effective, Captain, than simple words. Especially, if somebody is as determined on reaching her goals as Commander Sela used to be."

"Used to be?" Picard raised his eye-brows surprised at his choice of words. Tomalak could see that his simple slip of the tongue had given more information to the Federation Captain than he meant to share, but there seemed to be no point in denying the obvious anymore.

"Yes. It seems an unfortunate incident occurred on the planet. The nature of which is still not clear. Sela's sub-commander explained that they were informed of a Federation attack on the Romulan troops on the planet. One that killed Commander Sela. Hence they attacked you... and were adamant about finishing the task even after my arrival. I needed to... convince them against it." he added grimacing then turned his palm up "Looking at the sensor sweeps of your ship, it became clear that no more than a handful of people are missing from your crew - not enough to attack a Romulan troop. And since I knew that the closest Federation ship is three parsecs away, I was sure that there was, as I've already stated, a misunderstanding somewhere along the lines. One that I'm very motivated to unravel."

"Just as much as I am, Tomalak! But right now, our first and foremost priority is saving the planet from a seismic cataclysm that could rip it apart from the inside out. We have a plan to stop the process. If we managed to implement it successfully, we'll provide you the possibility to conduct an investigation, if you wish so."

"Is there any way we can assist you, Captain?" Tomalak offered all too readily - it seemed the Romulan really wanted to smooth their somewhat strained relations.

Picard nodded "As a matter of fact, Sela might have more accurate readings on the geological status of the planet. Our resident geologist has been having difficulties with getting accurate readings on what's underneath the planet's crust."

Tomalak nodded "I'll see what I can do about it, Captain. I'll send you all the information I can acquire as soon as I have it." he promised and started to get up. Once they were standing, the Captain looked into his eyes.

"Tomalak. If we fail to stop this seismic process, we'll have to try to evacuate the planet. If you're willing to assist in that task too, I'm sure the Federation will treat that as an act of good-will and would show a greater understanding when dealing with your breach of our peace treaty."

Tomalak looked into his eyes for a long moment "I'd happily assist in saving your kind, Picard." he growled on a little harsher voice than it was polite. He then pressed a button on his transporter device, and then disintegrated into tiny particles. The Captain snorted doubtfully and then strode out of the observation lounge.

At the Bridge, he stepped to Juliana, where she was working at science console one with Deanna. "Doctor Tainer, the Romulan ship that saved us is willing to share some information with us about their geological findings of the planet which might help in your task."

Juliana nodded, not taking her eyes off of the screen "We'll see, when it gets here, Captain." she remarked seemingly somewhat detached from her emotions.

Picard turned to Riker "What about the notification of the people?"

"We're done, Captain. It states the most essential information, that they're in danger, but they should not panic, help is on the way. We kept it vague that it would be coming from the Federation, so as not to scare them. We also advised them to look for shelter - if by any means they wouldn't do that on their own accord."

"How many people could we reach?"

"Engineering says that whoever owns a telecommunication device received the message. Lucky, that in the twenty-first century so many people were so addicted to their gadgets. Most people are seemed to be reached because of that." Riker remarked shrugging.

"Let's hope it saves at least some lives." Picard nodded acknowledgingly "Has Doctor Crusher reported in yet?"

"No, Sir-"

And then Beverly's comvoice came rasping through the channel.

"Enterpri- We need- -ency beam-out..." the rest of it was obscured by static noise.


Down on the planet, they only heard a long moment of static noise before Riker's voice came through barely intelligibly "Doct- we can't lock on... Something is interfering-"

Geordi cut in impatiently as they ducked from a falling piece of debris once again "What's interfering, Commander, is a major earthquake! We need to get out of here!"

No answer came then, only some more hopeless static, and Geordi shook his head frustrated.

"Maybe outside..." Beverly started, but instead of finishing, she just pulled out a hypospray and - not having any other choice - gave another shot of L-Cordrazine to Emma to get her on her feet.

When the quake quieted for a few moments, "This is our chance!" Geordi declared, and they got up.

They stumbled through enormous piles of debris along their way through the corridors of the residence, amidst several aftershocks that would throw them off of their feet from time to time. Emma even lost her high heels in the process, but she never even noticed that her now bare soles got hurt. By the time they finally reached the entrance, the quake died down completely.

But what they saw outside was the most appalling sight that they'd ever seen in their lives. Most of the buildings of what once was the Republic Square were shattered to the ground, and the sky had an ominous deep orange colour instead of the usual light blue. The crowd that gathered on Republic Square to see the execution only an hour prior had still not dispersed yet by the time the quake struck. And now there were thousands of dead or wounded lying about, on and below the piles of debris. The wails and cries of the dying filled the air along with heavy dust and black smoke rising from the ruins. The three Starfleet officers stood there petrified at the sight.

"Oh, my god..." Beverly breathed, then her combadge went off.

"I guess the scope of our rescue mission just changed." Geordi remarked and wondered where his voice was gone.

"Picard to Crusher, do you hear me, Beverly?" they heard the Captain's tense comvoice coming through, this time, loud and clear.

Beverly pressed her combadge "Captain! We need all the medical staff we have down here, ASAP. And please ask the Romulan ships to assist and provide humanitarian aid! We have thousands of wounded here!"

"Help is on the way, Beverly, stand by!"

"And while you're waiting, you might want to drop your weapons!" they heard Jones' voice from behind. They turned and saw a dozen soldiers with him pointing long rifles at them.

"Don't you understand, you megalomaniac fool?!" Geordi burst out "This planet is gonna rip itself apart! Don't you see?! Starfleet is your best chance at saving it!"

Jones snorted "Nice try! And I would believe you, if tremors haven't been part of our daily lives for the last decade. We were prepared that one day, there would be earthquakes more severe. This is no surprise-"

"This is not simply a more severe earthquake!" Beverly cut in "What would it take for you to believe it?! Everybody on this planet is death-sentenced, if we don't stop the seismic process behind these quakes." she pointed at the dying people on the square "THOSE people are all death-sentenced, if Starfleet doesn't help them-" but before she could finish, a soldier raised his rifle and shot at her. The bullet missed her only by a few millimetres. She clammed up gaping shocked.

"Edmond!" Emma stepped in front of Beverly in panic, but before Jones could say a word, tiny particles started to formulate around them, and he knew he'd soon be outgunned by the Starfleet officers beaming down!

"Hell!" he growled and grabbing Emma by the arm, pulled her away from the other two Starfleet officers. "Come on, chérie, we're leaving!" he told her dragging her away.

"No!" Emma moaned struggling, trying to get free. "Beverly!" she screamed looking back at her friend sobbing helplessly.

"Emma!" Beverly wanted to jump after them, but found the rifle of a soldier pushed to her chest, and she had to watch as Jones was helped by two soldiers to drag the still desperately struggling Emma away.

A moment later, the soldier opposite Beverly was gunned down by the arriving Starfleet officers, but by then, she had no chance to catch up with them. She could only watch in horror as Jones pushed her friend into an enormous black vehicle, and they disappeared in the smoke of the rubble.