Chapter 7

"Riker to Troi." Troi tapped her communicator.

"Troi here."

"Deanna, I need to talk to you when you're available."

"Of Course, give me some time and I will contact you."

"Understood." Deanna took a deep breath and handed Tarya a tissue.

"What's going to happen now?" Tarya asked.

"Well, there's a few different situations that need to be figured out it seems…"

"I don't care about me, what are you going to do with the boy?"

"You mean Ensign Williams?" Tarya nodded in acknowledgment.

"That will ultimately be up to Will - it's a tricky situation."

"It really doesn't matter what happened to me, you can take that out of the equation." Deanna wished she could sense more from her.

"We can't just ignore it, the entire scenario may have highlighted an edge to him we can't ignore in a Starfleet Officer."

"Counsellor, he's barely an adult. He's an immature young man who was given a taste of power and, I think, wants to impress and succeed beyond measure. Surely he has to be given the benefit of the doubt that he just got carried away on this occasion? Let's face it; you could argue Commander Riker made a bad decision too." Deanna conceded to her logic.

"You're right; perhaps we can place him on a probation period and insist he attends counselling and a few courses… anyway, this isn't your problem. We'll leave that decision to the Captain and Commander Riker. You will need to complete your personal log which will be used in the decision making process and I will also be relaying what you've said in a report."

"It's fine Counsellor. Say what you like." It hadn't slip Deanna's attention that Tarya had reverted to calling her Counsellor.

"Is there anything you want to add or change?"

"No. I honestly don't care." Deanna was under the impression she wished the ground would just swallow her up.

"That's another part of the problem though, isn't it…"

"What about me then? Tarya interrupted her, clearly wanting to move on.

"That will also be up to the Captain. He will need to speak to you, as will Commander Riker. in fact, why don't I call them here, save you having to repeat yourself?" Tarya just nodded affirmatively.

"Troi to Riker."

"Riker here."

"Are you and the Captain able to come to my office?"

"Both of us?"

"Something very important that has come to light."

"I will go and speak with the Captain. We should be along shortly." Deanna turned to Tarya, she could see, and now feel, how nervous she was, it was almost as if her telepathy was intermittent, she wondered if it was purposeful or she couldn't help it. Her eyes wandered to her neck and noticed her wrists as she lifted her cup to sip her tea. She was covered in what she could only assume were old ligature scars. Whatever her story, it at least had to be interesting. She very much hoped they could figure a way out of this mess and she'd be given a chance to keep her posting. Having only just met her and been given access to her mind, or a part of it, she longed to get to know her more. They continued to sit in silence, sipping their drinks until the door finally chimed.

"Enter!" Deanna sounded relieved to break the silence. The doors opened to reveal the Captain and the Commander. As they entered the room, they both stopped in surprise, acknowledging the unknown woman sitting on the couch.

"Deanna, please explain." Instructed Captain Picard.

"Captain, Commander, please take a seat. Let me introduce you to Ensign Tarya." They looked to one another completely bemused. Deanna continued.

"It seems Tarya hadn't been completely honest when applying for the academy." The Captain looked deeply disturbed by Deanna's revelation, almost angry, but he maintained his composure and tried to soften. There was no need to lose his temper. The woman sitting in front of him looked extremely vulnerable. He also couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Was her species meant to be this captivating? He snapped himself out of it.

"Please explain yourself Ensign." Was all he could bring himself to say. Tarya placed her cup on the table mat.

"When I joined the academy, my last intention was to deceive anyone. If you believe nothing else, please believe that. My species do not make a habit of lying or deceiving people. Ordinarily, it's abhorrent to us." Deanna nodded to the two men sitting opposite them, confirming what she said to be true.

"I spent a year or so travelling around, what turned out to be federation space. I was looking for somewhere to settle, that was all, and I didn't want to go too far from home. When I realised everything around my home, for several light years, was all within federation territory, I looked further into it. I travelled to Earth and studied your culture and ethos. I met a few people and liked the principles of the federation - for the most part. Your culture is in many ways similar to my own. I wanted to settle, but not in a fixed abode. It was then I looked into the academy. I loved the idea of being able to learn from you and learn more about your species, how you worked – you name it. But I had a conundrum. My first problem was everyone who seemed to enter the academy was young, very young, it seemed to be a requirement and when I looked into older applicants the entry requirements were so much more arduous. The second problem was my species. I knew you'd need to know my details, but I'd also have had to go through medicals. I know for a fact your species is unaware of mine and that would have led to a first contact situation. Honestly Captain, I didn't have it in me. I made the very hard decision to take on the guise I did. It wasn't difficult to hide my identity and programme the shrouding device to slightly alter how I appeared during a medical examination. The only other lie I told was that I had been brought up in Wales. Clearly I wasn't. Everything else I told you was true."

"That is why your file came across as so vague," noted Deanna. They all sat and thought for a few moments. Whilst the deception would have to be dealt with by the relevant authorities, they couldn't but help feel for her predicament. She did seem genuine.

"So who are your species?"

"We don't have a name Captain we are just human, derived from the same route at your species - we are related. Our orb as we called it – planet to you, is on the exact same orbit as yours, revolving around the exact same sun. " They all looked surprised.

"She's telling the truth Captain."

"How is that possible?" Riker questioned.

"Around eight thousand year ago we shrouded our planet. We hid it just out of alignment with this dimension. You can even fly straight through us without realising."

"Fascinating!" Quipped the Captain. They were now forgetting the reason they were there in the first place and their fascination for new contact and discovery overtook.

"May I show you?"

"Please, if you can." Responded Picard.

Tarya stood and approached the coffee table. Her eyes shone a bright blue again and they noted her necklace also shone in response, only red. In her hands appeared a small, cylindrical, metallic object. She placed it on the table and swiped her hand over it – a small blue glow emanated between her hand and the sphere. It opened like a flower.

From within sprang many small glowing particles, they flew around until they formed into a recognisable, 3D image of Earth's solar system. Assuming it was accurate, Tarya was right. Precisely opposite the Earth on the same axis appeared what could only be described as a small sister planet.

"This chart is probably closer to nine thousand years old, but it was the final one made before we displaced our world."

"I have to say that it the most incredible and beautiful star chart I've ever seen." Remarked Riker light heartedly. "Is every about your world so beautiful?" He suddenly realised what he'd said. Deanna and the Captain both shot him half smiles as he recoiled in embarrassment. They had to admit he was right though. She seemed un-phased; the remark possibly even lost to her.

"Yes, my world is beautiful, well, it is in the south anyway." The Captain parked that point in his head in order to delve into the specifics at a more appropriate time. He noticed it made her a bit sad.

"Why did you shroud it?" She looked pensive as she took time to consider his words.

"Our space exploratory era was around twelve thousand years ago. It lasted maybe two or three thousand years. We didn't travel far, not really outside of the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta quadrants as you understand them. I suppose we edged a bit into all. I remember…" Deanna suddenly interrupted.

"I'm sorry, what do you mean by you remember."

"Oh, I'm sorry, my species has a vastly different lifespan to yours, and indeed most others in this dimension. I am over sixty-three thousand years old. At least, that was what I figured out at my last attempt to work out my age." They all looked gobsmacked. "When I put unknown on my application, it was the truth, as was everything else I wrote - save what I declared."

"I have to say this is fascinating and we could stay here all day and beyond hearing more of your species and story, though we have to address a few critical matters first. I just need to ask a few more pertinent questions?"

"Does your species lay claim to any of the territory within Federation Space that you know of?" Riker suddenly realised where the Captain was going. This could have huge implications to what they understood as current and true.

"No Captain, we didn't lay claim to anything, that is not the way of our species and we didn't make any alliances or anything that would affect the current arrangements within the Federation, or any other area." Picard visibly relaxed.

"Good. That's not to say you have no right." He quickly added. "It will just make things a lot easier going forward."

"We only lay claim to our planet and moon I guess."

"Of course, that would be undisputed."

"Why did you stop exploring space?" Riker added, thinking it pertinent.

"Honestly, we ran into several species that did not share our values and some of our people liked that they saw. Captain, exploring other worlds is incredible and a privilege, but it had an unexpected consequence on our people, those that lived in the south anyway. The north never ventured beyond our Orb. For the purposes of now, you need to understand our world is split into two - the north and the south. Neither have anything to do with one another - we may as well be on different planets. When we met certain species, we discovered things we'd never even considered before, we saw greed and desire in ways that were alien to our people. It's as though they were contagious and they infected some of us and began to cause problems. That is when we decided to return home and go back to a simpler way of life. We cut ourselves off from everyone else and returned to living off of the land." Picard could resonate with that. He smiled understandingly.

"That sounds like a wonderful decision. In a way I envy it, though I wouldn't change what I do, at least right now." She smiled appreciatively at the Captains words.

"I think there's one last question we need to know for now. Why did you leave?" She lowered her head and wondered how best to answer. Deanna could tell she was wrestling with how to respond.

"Our people had been through a very hard few hundred years - the best part of two hundred years under a repressive regime instigated by the North. When I say we had little to do with one another, I really only meant during peacetime, but it's a long story. To make it shorter our people had not long won their freedom. We started rebuilding our communities and were entering a new time of stability and peace. That is when I chose to leave. I am not one to flee from a problem, once I could see we were back on track and building good defences – against the north," she quickly added, "I decided to leave."

"But why if you were going to be able to enjoy a time of peace?" Inquired Riker. She just shook her head slowly.

"It was a horrible two hundred years." You didn't need to be an empath to realise she really didn't want to discuss this. She squeezed her hands together and refused to make eye contact as she continued. "Look our people suffered many atrocities during that period. I love my home, but I wanted some space. I wound up being at the centre of much that happened and helped deliver our people to freedom. There was a huge network of us, but it took its toll on us all. In a way, many of us decided to take some time to be on our own and seek solitude or a change, I just chose to go further than most." She paused for a moment trying to work out what they wanted to know. "Look, I promise you I am not an escaped war criminal or facing any charges…"

"It's okay, we believe you." The Captain spoke gently. Deanna nodded to affirm his comment.

"We don't need to know anymore, not now anyway. There is something you are going to have to do before you can take some time for yourself though." She looked at him understandingly.

"Deanna can accompany you, but you will have to have a full and thorough medical with Dr Crusher. It is our duty to properly store your biometrics on our system and it I will be invaluable in building a case to try and keep you." She looked shocked.

"You would argue to keep me captain."

"As it stands, at the moment, I can't see a reason not to. We will need to ask you some more questions and perhaps figure out a way to make any agreement with Starfleet beneficial to them, but I don't think that will be too difficult. Ultimately though, however we decide to fight, Starfleet may still not allow you to retain your position."

"I understand, thank you Captain."

"Captain," said Deanna, "I will accompany Tarya to medical now. I know you and Will have a lot to discuss, feel free to stay here." Deanna stood, as did they all. Will and Jean-Luc watched as Deanna led Tarya out of her office.

"Oh Number One – where to begin. We have to put Ensign Williams out of his misery too."

"Oh, I'd completely forgotten about that… Captain! I haven't had a chance to discuss the incident with Deanna yet."

"Right, well we can't leave the poor man sitting in ten forward all day and night. Send him back to his quarters, we can deal with him in the morning. Tell me, do you think it would be more pleasant to discuss the new contact situation in company. How about a meal tonight, my quarters, you, Deanna and Beverly?"

"That is a much needed and welcome invitation Captain." Picard nodded in complete agreement.

"Wait, technically speaking, Ensign Williams and Tarya share quarters. I'm not sure…"

"Agreed Will. Look, considering the circumstances and the – unique – situation with Tarya, arrange for her to have her own separate quarters. I know it's out of the ordinary, but we have the space and…"

"Agreed Captain. I will get right on it."