"Behold, live plasma," Elle said. "It looks like a single-celled organism with a stomachache."

"Single-celled organisms don't have stomachs," Tyler said dubiously. "Why are we trying to animate plasma?"

"Oh, Scotty said bio-neural gelpacks are coming out of prototyping," Elle said. "I wanted to see if I could recreate it, get a handle on it... see if it'll support a neural network."

Tyler frowned at her. "Are you, trying to make another Commander Stabby? Out of plasma gel?"

"Oh, sure, microwave a grape, give it a nervous system of filaments, email it the code, boom. Flubber on jet fuel."

Tyler stared at her, expression flat. "You are deeply, deeply disturbed," he said.

"I know," Elle said. "I'm not going to do it, though. It's not that easy. I'm going to put it in my report. It might come in handy later."

"You think they're gonna use these gelpacks on the Enterprise?" Tyler asked.

"Not the Enterprise," Elle said. "Not yet. It has to go through all the prototyping, smaller ships, etc."

"So I shouldn't call you Dr. Frankenstein?" Tyler asked.

Elle sniffed disdainfully. "That man dropped out of medical school. He was never a doctor."

Tyler laughed.

"Elle to the bridge," Riker's voice said. "Elle Wilcott to the bridge."

Elle paused in her rant. "On my way," she said. "Sorry, Tyler."

"Duty calls," Tyler said, waving a hand. "I'll take care of this, thing."

"Call an engineer," Elle advised. "And don't touch it."

"Duh," Tyler said.

Elle power-walked up to the bridge and came upon a flurry of orders.

"-hail the colony."

"-scans in progress, so far 165 life signs-"

"What happened?" she asked, bewildered.

The captain didn't move from his chair, fist still pressed to his mouth in a worried frown.

Riker gestured at Worf. "Replay it," he said.

"This is the Bajorans," said a male voice. "We claim responsibility for the destruction of the Federation colony on Solarion Four. As long as we are without our homeland, no one will be safe in this sector."

Elle put a hand over her mouth. This was it. This was the beginning of the next political power move that would define two quadrants and the entire Federation for the foreseeable future.

"Elle?" Troi asked gently. "What is it?"

Elle shook her head. "I hate politics," was all she managed to say. "I hate politics, and we should have never gotten involved, and we should have never-" She cut herself off when she realized everyone was staring at her. "It wasn't the Bajorans," she said. "It was the Cardassians themselves. They staged the attack because the Bajoran maquis, I mean, the Bajorans, are tired of being oppressed, and they're starting to be more trouble than they're worth, which, good for them, but still. It wasn't them."

"Elle?" Picard asked.

"Excuse me," she said. "I, have to go look at some notes." She turned on her heel and got back in the turbolift.

Elle went to her quarters. She grabbed her datapad, the one encrypted to Kelvan and back, and left her quarters. She couldn't think in there. It was too cozy. She walked down to one of the empty labs, the one with the three transparent projector screens. She connected the datapad to the screens in the room and let the information spill out onto the screens. It covered the three screens and kept rearranging, trying to fit. She sat on the floor and looked at all the information, trying to find the key.

The door hissed open.

Elle didn't glance up.

The captain sat down on the floor next to Elle, crossing one ankle over the other. "This is all the information in your future briefing," he said after a long moment.

Elle nodded. "And all the information I've collected since being in this century, and how they connect."

"That's quite a lot of information," Picard said. "And what have you concluded?"

Elle leaned her head back on the desk with a quiet thump. "That we're not gonna get away from it. That everyone who's invested in this isn't going to listen, least of all the Cardassians. That, it's all so, messy."

Picard wrapped an arm around her. "Rome wasn't built in a day," he reminded her. "Neither will a solution be."

"Ugh," Elle said, leaning into his arm. "Why aren't the Cardassians in the Federation, anyway, if the Federation beat them?"

"You mean besides their numerous war crimes?" Picard asked dryly.

"Yeah."

"One, their egregious treatment of sentient and civilian life," Picard said. "Two, they are their own empire, if resource-poor. Three, like you said, Elle. It's messy. The Federation doesn't annex people who don't want to be annexed."

"But we're going to need them on our side," Elle said. "Which means playing nice. Which means ceding to their demands once in a while. Which means leaving Bajor and the colony worlds in the DMZ to rot." She threw her head back again, and it thunked against Picard's arm. "Sorry."

Picard patted her arm. "Heavy is the head that wears the foreknowledge," he said.

She smiled despite herself. "That's a terrible joke."

"I know," he said.

She sighed. "Maybe I can zap myself back into a superbrain and figure out a solution that way."

"Some things you can't solve with intellect," Picard said. He stood up and offered her a hand. "Come on. We'll get some tea, and you can explain it to me. Admiral Kennelly is going to meet us at Lya Station Alpha. We'll see what we can do."

Elle took the offered hand. She'd save the news that Admiral Kennelly was amoral and a conspiracist for later.

-/\-

Admiral Kennelly sneezed as soon as he saw them coming, which did not bode well. "Captain Picard, good to see you," he said. "This is rather sensitive. I suggest your daughter go visit the onboard butterfly garden." He sneezed again.

"Actually, Admiral, Elle is here as our civilian mission consultant," Picard said as he and Elle sat down across from him on the far side of the table.

"I know the Enterprise is fond of its child prodigies," Kennelly said, instantly making himself the most-disliked person Elle had ever met, "but this is serious politics."

Captain Picard's tone was very, very mild. "I don't think that you read our briefing, Admiral, did you?"

"No need," Kennelly said. "All I want you to do is find this new terrorist leader, Orta, and get him back where he belongs in the Bajoran settlements any way you can."

Elle was frankly not impressed. Picard gave her a quelling look before Elle could tell the admiral precisely what she thought. Ugh. He was getting better at reading her. This was the worst.

Picard cleared his throat. "Any way I can?" he asked.

"The Federation has dozens of settlements in that sector. We can not allow the violence to continue."

"And what do I have to offer Orta that might persuade him to cooperate?" Picard asked.

"Amnesty."

"Admiral-"

"And a promise that we will immediately begin to address this issue with the Cardassians. Quietly, behind the scenes, using every legitimate means possible. But the Bajorans must be patient."

"Admiral, they've endured generations of sympathy and promises. How can I believe this Orta will be satisfied with more of the same?"

"It's your job to see to it that he does, Jean-Luc," Kennelly said.

Elle opened her mouth.

The comm beeped. "Riker to Captain Picard."

Ugh.

"Go ahead," Picard said, shooting Elle another Look.

"Have you approved the transfer of a new officer to the Enterprise?" Riker asked, sounding odd.

"Negative," Picard said.

"Well, we've got one, waiting to beam aboard, complete with orders. An Ensign Ro Laren."

Elle facepalmed. Of course. That was this episode.

Picard glanced at her. "Ro Laren? From the Wellington?"

"The same one, sir. Shall I tell her there's been some mistake?"

"Stand by, Commander." Picard looked at the admiral.

"I wrote the orders. I thought she might be valuable to you," Kennelly said, and sneezed again.

"Admiral, respectfully. I would appreciate consulting rights on the assignment of a new officer, especially one with the record of Ro Laren," Picard said stiffly.

"She's Bajoran."

"There are other Bajorans in Starfleet. Assign one of them."

"I've discussed this situation with her, and I am convinced that she is the right one for this job."

Picard's brow wrinkled. "After what happened on Garon Two, she has no business serving on any starship, let alone the flagship, my ship."

Kennelly shook his head. "You're taking her, Captain. It's been arranged. I can't tell you how difficult it was to get her out of prison."

"It's that important to you?" Picard asked.

"It's that important to the mission," Kennelly pressed.

Elle gave Picard a thumbs-up.

"Picard to Riker. Proceed with the transport."

"Yes, sir," Riker said after a second.

"I hope you and I don't regret this, Admiral," Picard warned.

"You can handle her, Captain, if anyone can," Kennelly said, waving them off.

Elle stood. "You really should read that briefing, sir." She turned and followed Captain Picard from the room. "I think I need a decontamination shower," she said.

"Do we need this ensign?" Picard asked as they headed for the transporters.

"Yeah, we kinda do," Elle said. "She's got some sort of admiralty plan going on in exchange for not going back to prison."

"I do not like this," Picard said.

"Me either," Elle said. "But she's cool once you get past the snark and the sass and the rejection of authority and the anarchist leanings." She grinned at Picard. "She's like an onion. You gotta peel the layers."

"I see," he said.

"I can't believe you didn't let me yell at him," Elle said.

"We're saving that for the end of the mission when we are proven right," Picard said, patting her on the head. "Now, come along. If you are aware of her intentions, then I want you running interference."

Elle wrinkled her nose. "I don't think she's gonna like me, but yes, sir."

-/\-

Elle beamed back with the captain. He went on to his ready room, and Elle took a seat next to Deanna.

"You seem disgruntled," Deanna said.

Elle wrinkled her nose. "That is putting it mildly."

"What happened?" Data asked.

Elle exaggerated her pout. "Captain wouldn't let me yell at the admiral. That's infringing on my personal rights."

Deanna laughed. "I don't think that's written in the charter, Elle, sorry."

The turbolift doors opened and Riker and Ro Laren stepped out. "Welcome to the bridge," Riker said.

Ro's gaze swept over the bridge, a gleam of disdain in her eye. She stopped squarely at Elle. "A kid? Who's that?"

Riker stepped forward. "This is Elle Wilcott, our civilian mission consultant."

Elle met the hostile woman's gaze. "Ensign Ro," she said, giving her a slight smile. "Good to meet you."

"Can't say the same," Ro said. "What are you doing on the bridge?"

Elle raised an eyebrow. "Working. Welcome to the Enterprise."

"Is that your job? Greeting party?"

Elle rolled her eyes. "If you project your defensive shields any further, Ro, you'll blow out the structural integrity field. Just trying to be friendly, here."

"I'm not here to make friends," Ro snapped.

"Too bad," Elle said mildly. "You're kinda cool when you're not mean."

"Oh, you think I'm mean?" Ro asked, stepping forward. "You're a privileged child-"

"Oookay," Riker said, stepping in between them. "Ensign Laren, this way."

"Ro, Commander," Elle said, meeting the ensign's eyes steadily. "Bajorans' first and last names are reversed."

Riker paused, then nodded. "Good to know. Apologies, Ensign Ro. This way." He led her off the bridge to Picard's ready room.

Data, Geordi, and Deanna stared at Elle. "What was that?" Deanna asked.

Elle shook her head. "Just giving her something to think about." She grinned. "I like her."

Geordi sighed. "You'd better steer clear of her, Elle. She's not good news."

"Don't be mean," Elle said. "She's got a lot goin' on."

The adults exchanged doubtful glances.

Riker stuck his head out of the ready room. "Elle, get in here," he said, already sounding tired.

Elle grinned, tugged her shirt down, and entered the ready room.

"-Then why did you accept this assignment?" Picard asked.

"If I may be equally candid? It's better than prison."

Elle smothered a grin.

"Better than prison?" Riker said, steamed. "There are officers who wait years to serve on this ship."

"Being called back into Starfleet was not my idea," Ro said frostily.

"Nevertheless, we will all be serving together," Picard said mildly. "Commander Riker and I have expectations of you while you are on this ship."

Ro just managed to not roll her eyes. "Captain, I know the routine. You don't have to worry about me. We're stuck with each other. So let's just get this over with as quickly as possible and we can go our own separate ways, okay?"

"Unfortunately," Elle said, stepping forward, "Admiral Kennelly is totally being used by the Cardassians to destroy Orta and his people. Not just find them."

They all turned to look at her. "What," Ro demanded.

"You didn't let me reveal it dramatically while telling off the Admiral," Elle pointed out.

Picard sighed from the depths of his soul. "How do you say? My bad," he said, completely deadpan. "Next time, I will let you."

Ro gaped at them. "What kind of ship is this?" she demanded.

"The best," Elle said simply, and added, "Obviously, we aren't going to let anyone kill the Bajorans."

"Obviously?" Ro asked dangerously.

Elle sniffed delicately. "I was all for annexing the Cardassians two years ago and seeing how they like it. But apparently making people follow the Geneva conventions against their will violates some sort of sovereign rights? So I'm trying to support the Bajorans so once they get their planet back the Prophets will be on our side."

Ro stared. "The Prophets?" she asked weakly. "What does that have to do..."

"Don't ask questions," Riker advised, shaking his head. "It encourages her."

Elle smiled innocently. "I have the power of god and anime on my side."

Ro stepped subtly toward Riker and Picard. "Sir?" she asked.

Picard waved a hand. "We will work together to get the Bajorans what they actually need," he said firmly. "Dismissed, ensign."

Ro nodded sharply and left the ready room.

"Could you be any more chaos-monger?" Riker asked Elle, exasperated, as soon as the door closed. "She thinks you're insane, we want her to work with us."

Elle beamed at him. "I was the perfect amount of chaos. She moved closer to you guys the whole time. She'll work with you."

"Diabolical," Picard murmured, hiding a smile behind his teacup.

Elle grinned at him. "Psychology. I'm the unknown element. I could change the status quo. But, you're familiar. She knows what to do. Between us, we can keep her on the straight path."

Riker ruffled her hair. "Terrifying," he said. "I don't think Deanna should give you any more lessons."

"Pssh," Elle scoffed. "That was Kirk and Bones' routine to straighten out wayward crewmembers."

"Terrifying," Riker said again.

-/\-

"Alexa, what's our colony-in-need stock?" Elle asked.

"On screen two," Alexa said.

Elle turned to the second screen in the computer lounge (yes, the Enterprise had computer lounges twenty times better than whatever Google HQ could come up with) and surveyed the stocks. "Cool. And what's the situation with fun blankets?"

"Situation All Out," Alexa replied. "Req form on screen one."

Elle sighed. "I hate filling these out. Quartermaster's just going to ask me to explain myself anyways."

"What are you going to order?" Alexa asked.

"Cool blankets and Pillow Pets for the kids," Elle said.

"I'm sure they'll love that," Alexa responded.

By the time they got to Valo Two, looking for Keeve Falor, Elle had things for every child on the colony, as well as blankets for all the adults.

"What is this?" Picard asked, eyeing the crates in the transporter room.

"Relief," Elle said, popping out from the crates. "Blankets, pillows, water potables, solar-powered lamps and heaters, and some solar-powered Nintendos. The fun stuff is for the kids."

Ensign Ro stared at her. "What's a Nintendo?"

"Like, a game system," Elle said, handing her one. "It has games pre-loaded, but you can also get internet on it."

Ro clicked the buttons. "They're fighting for their lives," she said. "And you want to give them games?"

"Trust me," Elle said dryly, "escapism is good for the soul. We can't all be tortured souls all the time."

"Thank you, Elle," Picard said, before Ro could blow a gasket, "that was very thoughtful."

"Federation promises are nothing," Elle said grimly, thinking of the bombings of her home universe. "Only actions matter out here." She closed the last crate. "Be safe."

They took their positions around the crates and beamed down. Elle chewed on her lip nervously.

"It's going to be okay," Miles said.

Elle sighed. "Yeah. I know. But you remember that, okay?"

"Ohh, kay?" he said, confused.

Elle left the room.

-/\-

When they came back, the Enterprise directed course to find the Bajoran activists. Elle let Ensign Ro stew a little. It would be good for her to meet other people.

"Stop staring," Mina whispered to Elle. "You look like a stalker."

Elle dropped her gaze to the Stratego board. "We had this, you know."

"You had this game at home?" Mina asked.

"Yeah."

"Nerd," Mina said, laughing. "Is that why you always win?"

"No," Elle said. "That was practice."

"Nerd," Mina said again, giggling.

"Keep it up, and I'm revoking Simba privileges," Elle threatened, grinning.

"No!" Mina said, hugging Simba close to her chest. "My precious!"

Elle smiled at her. "You really like animals, huh?"

"Yeah," Mina said, making her next move. "I want to become an animal trainer."

"Like, tricks?"

"No! Like, service animals." Mina grinned and wiggled in her seat. "Mom said that when I'm twelve and more responsible, I can have a skunk."

"A skunk," Elle said slowly.

"They make good emotional support animals," Mina said. "And they're small. Like lap dogs, but better."

Elle smiled at her. "You are the best, Mina, honestly."

"Thanks! You're the best, too."

They smiled at each other in complete sisterhood and kept playing their game. Elle totally

beat Mina, though. No going easy on the shrimps.

-/\-

Finding the actual Bajoran activists was easy enough. Watching Captain Picard make a deal with them was incredibly educational. Watching the Cardassians take the bait of an empty ship "filled with terrorists" was immensely satisfying. Watching Admiral Kennelly's face turned purple as he was arrested on-screen for treason was The Best Thing Elle had ever seen.

"He really should have read my mission brief," Elle said simply as the channel closed.

"You're so weird," Ensign Ro said.

The Enterprise went back to the Bajoran camps. Elle was able to go down with the engineering team and help repair the generators and the water filtration system.

"Aren't you a little young to be an engineer?" one of the local Bajorans asked.

"No sir," Elle replied, smiling at him. "I have my certifications."

"Good for you," the man said. "Your parents must be proud."

Elle couldn't control her expression fast enough. She didn't know what he saw on her face, but he immediately looked regretful. "I, hope that they would be," she finally said.

"I'm sorry," he said. "It seems even you Federationers aren't safe, are you?"

"No," Elle said, managing a wry smile. "As long as you're alive, you could die. It's good to acknowledge that kind of thing, get it out of the way."

He nodded. "I'll let you get on with it," he said and exited the room.

Elle turned back to the panel. It needed to be reconstructed; the wires were all rusted to death.

"What happened to your parents?"

Elle startled, almost zapping herself with a stray wire. "Ensign Ro," she acknowledged as the other woman sat down. "You accepted the Enterprise position?"

"How'd you know?" Ro demanded.

Elle stifled a grin. "I have my ways," she replied.

"Yes, I did," Ro said and jostled her ankle. "You're stuck with me."

"Wrong," Elle said mildly. "You're stuck with me."

"Horrors," Ro retorted, deadpan.

They sat in companionable silence for a moment, and then Elle said, "My parents are fine."

Ro looked at her. "You said-"

"I know what I said. I wasn't talking about them." Elle focused on the panel in front of her. Remove the wires, replace the wires, retie the wires, and cap the wires. "They're safe. I'm the one they think is dead. But I can't reach them. So-" She screwed the wire cap on a little too tight and took it back a notch. "This panel's done."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Ro stood up and offered Elle a hand. "You ever had alva fruit?"

"No," Elle said, accepting the hand up.

"Come on. They have some here. Someone managed to grow a tree."

"To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots," Elle said absently as they walked through the camp.

Ro glanced at her. "What?"

"One of the books my mom had on nature," Elle said.

"There are no trees on a starship," Ro said, to be contrary.

"There's at least four," Elle replied. "You should meet Keiko. She's our chief botanist."

"I guess I will," Ro said. "Since I'm not leaving."

Elle smiled. "Yeah."