Paint and Powder
A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.
Enterprise: "Unification, Part 1"
Picard had been against this from the start... But Enterprise would not budge since she saw the intelligence reports.
"If Spock has defected to the Romulans, I have to see things through. And while Mister Data is exceptional... I know how to blend in better."
So it was that Picard, and a gynoid holding a piece of his ship's AI core, were on a Klingon ship headed for the Romulan homeworld.
The bird of prey's own AI had been fairly cordial with them. The crew? Typical Klingon bluntness, though it was a bit extreme and petty even for them.
As they were left alone in their quarters, Enterprise took up watch as Picard tried to get some sleep.
At length though, Picard noticed Enterprise activate her holo emitter, and stare at an image. An image of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. Picard sat up on one elbow, and Enterprise started.
"Sorry sir. I didn't mean to disturb you."
"No, it's fine," Picard reassured her. He let out a breath. "I imagine this is no easier for you."
Enterprise shook her head.
"No," she admitted, "honestly though... I think Spock was the one most... Lost, after Jim died."
Picard raised an eyebrow. Enterprise smiled and shrugged.
"It happens to everyone, Captain. Even Vulcans. He married, he worked for the good of the Federation, but... He and Jim were of a kind. They needed to be out here. Doing something that mattered."
"Do you think he defected then?" Picard asked, "out of a loss of purpose?"
Enterprise shook her head.
"Never. His loyalty is beyond reproach-believe me, he had plenty of opportunities to join the Romulans if he had ever wanted to. He would have been welcomed as a prince... But instead, he is hiding among them. No, I think he's up to something else. Something..."
Here the gynoid smiled, as though to an old, private joke.
"Something reckless, brave, noble... Possibly futile."
Picard chuckled.
"His father would agree," he said, Sarek's memories giving Picard an intimate insight.
Enterprise nodded back.
"As different as they were, Spock and Jim were more alike than either would admit. So was Bones. I could tell you stories of their arguments..."
Picard nodded.
"After I get some shut eye," Picard stated blandly, turning on the hard shelf that was the Klingon bunk. "Nngh... How do Klingons sleep like this?"
"They don't," Enterprise said with a chuckle, "the ship AI told me they did it as a prank. 'True warriors don't need back support!' Classic."
Picard sighed heavily.
"Just like my Academy Days..."
Enterprise had never been to Romulus. But she would admit it was quite beautiful from orbit. Green, blue, and purple landscape turned far below her as the IKS Kruge floated on, under cloak.
Enterprise suspected that Chancellor Gowron had deliberately chosen the Kruge as an insult to her. But the shipgirl AI of the Klingon ship had not acted dishonorably, and despite their insults, the Klingon crew had done their duty. So Enterprise let it pass as she and Picard applied their prostheses.
One bit of vanity she had insisted upon was that her hair, while now Romulan black, remained long. It wasn't uncommon among Romulan women in the province they were claiming to be from, after all.
"Your hair is artificial," Picard had pointed out.
"And your point is?" Enterprise replied. Picard held his tongue and shared a comisserating look with their Klingon captain. The captain stared the look, and Enterprise was glad for them to have that in common, at least.
Even if it was at her expense.
"Try not to be captured," Kruge herself advised, as they stood on the transporter pad. "You know what they would do to you."
Picard nodded.
"In horrifying detail," he deadpanned, "energize."
Their destination was the Krocton Segment, an urban sprawl on the west coast of the Novok Continent. Here, Senator Pardek, a Romulan who had been seen with Spock, operated in his capacity as a representative of his people.
They beamed down into an alleyway in the city. It was a heavily urbanized area of Romulus, but had stunning views of the White Sea. Oceans had always appealed to Enterprise, so she walked the streets of the city with the gait of one accustomed to ocean travel. Picard walked alongside her, his body language watchful but casual.
The Romulans paid them almost no mind as they passed. A few males (and a number of females) gazed upon her in admiration and some lust, though most female gazes were sizing her up as potential competition. A few children muttered about her height.
They made their way to an arbiters office that was owned by Pardek's son. Enterprise hummed as she assessed the signage.
"He's closed for now," she reported, "possibly out on vacation. It is the season for it."
"Then we'll wait around for him," Picard decided, "at that cafe."
They sat at a table of the outdoor Cafe. The conversation was very quiet, especially compared to other eateries Enterprise had visited. There was a wariness to everyone's motions. Watchful and scared.
The owner of the Cafe came to their table-an old woman who eyed them suspiciously.
"I've never seen you two around here," she stated.
"We're from Rateg," Enterprise said, her nose held high and adjusting her dialect accordingly, "on legal business."
"What sort of legal business?" The woman asked, almost casually.
Picard huffed.
"If you must know, the man who would marry my daughter owes us a dowry," Picard stated, "and we need an arbiter to drag it out of him."
"Father," Enterprise hissed, acting at embarrassment. The old woman laughed softly.
"You'd think any Romulan would pay well for a bride like you," she clucked sympathetically, "perhaps you should seek another man. The arbiter is the son of Pardek, and he's single...?"
Enterprise smirked like she had seen the Romulan Commander who was fond of Spock had.
"That would be delicious, wouldn't it father?' Enterprise suggested. Picard shook his head, looking suitably exasperated as a father might.
"One step at a time, my dear. We're in debt as it is."
"And whose fault is that?" Enterprise huffed. "Certainly not mine."
They argued a bit about their finances until attention was off them, then ordered. The matron headed off, and Picard gave her an appreciative smile.
"Nicely done."
"Some juicy gossip for the rumor mill is always a good token of acceptance in most humanoid societies," Enterprise said softly, "or so Doctor McCoy told me."
The Romulan food... Did not agree with Picard's tastebuds. He kept eating his soup though, gamely trying to hide his grimace.
The matron stopped by, still looking suspicious but more in tune with the other Romulan civilians in the busy Cafe.
"Not to your liking?" She asked, raising a pointed eyebrow.
"It's fine," Picard said. Enterprise sighed.
"Father, honestly." Enterprise lowered her voice, "he does this for all women he finds attractive. Eats the aafvun'in'hhui no matter how it tastes."
The matron, amused, shook her head at the embarrassed Picard.
"Flattering," she said, "but happily married."
Picard sighed dramatically.
"Must you make me regret living to see you become a woman?"
"That is my solemn duty as your daughter," Enterprise shot back, making Picard and the matron chuckle.
"You're far too zealous about that."
"But very entertaining," the matron said, gladly accepting Picard's money and heading off. Enterprise continued to chuckle.
"Consider it revenge for your behavior at my first festival dance," Enterprise huffed. Picard held his cup to his lips.
"Two Romulan soldiers are outside," he murmured. Enterprise nodded, drinking her own cup of tea.
"Local security... We may need an exit..."
"I remember your first festival dance far differently than you do," Picard huffed, leaving his currency on the table and getting up, "especially whoever was embarrassing whom."
They got up and headed for the door. The soldiers followed them.
Picard and Enterprise turned a corner... Right into two more policemen.
"You're wanted for questioning," the lead officer stated, gesturing with his disruptor, "come along!"
"I swear, I'm going to ream my would be fiance for this!" Enterprise cried, as they were ushered off the street.
The guards took them to a tunnel, and marched them into a cave filled with other Romulans. The most prominent was a fat, jovial looking elder, who could only be Pardek.
"Captain Picard! Welcome to Romulus," he said, "we're lucky my people found you first: Arrest warrants have been issued for you across the planet."
"Senator Pardek," Picard returned politely, "you have me at a considerable disadvantage."
The Senator chuckled and shook his head.
"Please, Captain, you are among friends. No one here is hostile to the Federation. Quite the opposite."
"Oh?" Picard asked. "Then tell me: Where is Ambassador Spock?"
"Indeed Captain, you have found him," a familiar voice echoed from above. They looked at a tall figure on a platform overhead in the cave.
He removed his hood and studied them carefully.
"Spock? Are you all right?" Enterprise asked urgently.
Spock cocked an eyebrow.
"Enterprise. It has been quite some time. I did not recognize you."
Enterprise scowled up at him.
"You're all right. Good. Now... I think you owe us an explanation."
"Your latest avatar seems quite functional."
Enterprise continued to glare. Spock remained stoic, but a tiny bit stiffer.
"Your hair is up to your usual standard of presentation-"
"Spock? Jim could distract me with flattery. You can't. So would you mind not jerking us around and get to the point?"
The cave was silent in disbelief. Even Picard stared at Enterprise in shock.
Spock... Slowly nodded.
"Very well. You and the Captain shall join me in the antechamber."
Spock headed off. Picard cocked an eyebrow at Enterprise, who shrugged.
"He can be such a drama queen sometimes," she sighed, "I'm not even that mad."
"Indeed," Picard said dryly.
Unification is an all right two parter but it felt rushed in places. So I'm having Enterprise clear up a few things and hopefully improve it. I love Data but he may not have been the best choice for such an infiltration mission.