Chapter Fourteen

FIVE OF THE SIXsurviving members of the Council of Ministers of Nem Ma’ak Bratuna were seated around the

table in the conference room at Government House, which still stood. One or two of the men at the table

looked determined, while the others seemed frightened and uncertain. Three of their number were dead or

missing as a result of the Krann raida raid that the Council itself seemed to have precipitated.

 

For his part, Picard was seething, but he was hiding it well. He remained seated in his chair in the

bridge command area, hoping that doing so would send an unspoken message that would soothe the Lethantan

leadership and calm the ministers down a bit. It was the kind of subtle thing that had worked beforethe

Picard touch. Unfortunately, it was not working very well now.

 

First Among Equals,

the captain began,

it was not helpful for you to have declared a planetwide

military alerteven if, as you say, it was for defensive purposes only. As I have told you, Presider Hek

of the Krann took your move as an aggressive one and authorized an initial strike on Nem Ma’ak Bratuna.

That offensive continues even now with heavy losses on both sides. I must also tell you that a promising

avenue for negotiations to resolve this crisis peacefully has simply evaporated away. The most that can

be done now is to try to stop the fighting. I suggest a truce in place

 

Kerajem opened his mouth to speak, but Security Minister Jemmagar interrupted him.

Pardon me, First,

but the captain has issued a direct challenge to the authority of this body, and I must respond to it.

 

Kerajem nodded without looking at Jemmagar.

 

Captain Picard,

the security minister began,

I’m sure we all appreciate your efforts on behalf of

peace

 

I’m certain you do, Minister Jemmagar,

Picard said blandly.

 

Er, yes, yes, we do, but we of the Council of Ministers have a grave responsibility to assure that our

people are prepared to deal with the undeniable threat from the Krann. The defense drill was long

scheduled

 

Picard’s mouth tightened.

Minister Jemmagar, your practice alert was sheerest folly. It appeared to the

Krann that you were undertaking a preemptive strike on the forward units of their fleetunitsyou could

detect, although we could not, because you chose not to share with us your discovery that the Krann had

adjusted their camouflage techniques to foil our sensors. We might have been able to avert this war if

you had.

He paused.

I must ask you to refrain from declaring military alerts and taking similar

actions from here on. I cannot be held responsible for the consequences if you do.

 

The council has a responsibility to the people,

Jemmagar said ponderously.

We will not be, be scolded

by you, Picard, as if we were schoolboys.

 

Yes,

Picard replied bitingly.

Yes, you do have a responsibility to your people, Minister Jemmagar.

Let me suggest to you that it lies in getting them through this crisis and out the other end as safely

as possible while your civilization remains relatively intact.

He shifted his attention to Kerajem.

 

First Among Equals, which is it to be? Do we get the chance to resolve this situation without further

loss of life, or do we abandon all hope, thanks to sheer stubbornness? Peace is still possible, but not

if either party continues to act precipitously.

 

Kerajem paused for a moment, and then nodded.

There will be no more drills,

he said.

We will provoke

the Krann no further. You have my word on it, Picard.

 

But, First

Jemmager began.

 

Kerajem held up a hand.

No more. You have my word on it, Captain Picardbut this concession on our part

presupposes that the Krann will cease hostilities and offer no further aggressive moves of their own.

 

He hesitated.

Please offer the respects of the High Council to Presider Hek and the members of the

Fleet Congress.

 

I will certainly do so,

Picard said quickly.

Thank you, Kerajem. I will relay this news to Presider

Hek immediately. Picard out.

The captain did not allow himself a sigh of relief until the view of the

conference room was replaced by the usual starfield.

Mr. Worf,

he said after a moment,

hail the Krann

flagship. I want to talk to Presider Hek.

 

The crowd in the bistro was mumbling again, but for a different reason.

Hull, the rhythm’s changed,

 

Bitt said, looking up at the lights.

Three-three-three now. I think that means

 

Alert canceled,

Wiggin slurred.

Everything’s over. You’re not the only one who knows his alert

signals, my friend. Hey, what’s the alert for an empty pitcher, anyway?

He held it up and waved it

around.

C’mon, facilitator.Facilitator! Show’s over, and my friends here want another drink.

 

Actually,

Bitt said,

I think Lettana and I would like to leave now.

He glanced up at the lights.

I

just realized I haven’t talked to my parents for quite a while, and I expect the lines will be tied up.

 

He addressed Wiggin.

If you’ll excuse us?

 

Oh, sure, sure,

Wiggin replied.

Thanks for the gift of your company, and all that. Happy Posting Day.

‘Bye.

 

I think we’ll leave, too,

Nozz said, taking Sharra’s hand.

We thank you for your hospitality, Wiggin,

and we hope we can repay it in kind before long.

 

Bitt turned to Riker and Troi. He tapped his breast one-twice-thrice.

I am glad we met, Dex, Pralla. I

am glad we have formed a friendship.

 

The two disguisedEnterprise officers rose from their seats and returned the tapping gesture.

So are we,

Bitt. Happy Posting Day to you and Lettana. Nozz and Sharra, the same to you.

 

And to you, Dex and Pralla. Good-bye.

The two couples turned and began to snake their way through the

crowd.

 

Nice folks,

Wiggin said.

Too bad they had to rush off like that.

He winked at Troi. She smiled and

winked back.

 

Riker bent close to Troi’s ear.

What’s going onnow?

he asked her, his voice low.

 

Our friend Wiggin wants to get me alone,

Troi replied,

and I intend to let him. Go to the bathroom,

Will. It’s in the back, just to the right of the bar. There are two of them. They’re sexually segregated

here. Yours has a symbol on the door that looks like a figure eight.

 

Good idea. It’ll give me a chance to call the captain and find out what’s been happening.

He raised

his voice.

If you will excuse me, Wiggin,

he said pleasantly, ‘I’ll be back in a few minutes. How

about getting that pitcher refilled while I’m gone?

 

Got to see a journeyman about the plumbing, eh?

Wiggin said loudly, and heads turned.

Hope everything

comes out all right, Dex.

He laughed hysterically at his own joke.

 

Riker glanced at Troi and, shrugging, gave her a wan smile as he walked away.

 

Wiggin smiled drunkenly at Troi, which somehow made him look even more boyish. He suddenly leaned

forward, putting his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hands.

Hello, Pralla,

he said.

 

Fancy meetingyou here. I’m glad.

 

Troi smiled.

I’m glad I met you, too, Wiggin. It’s a great day all around.

 

Best Posting Day I’ve ever had, that’s for sure. Look, do you mind if I tell you something?

 

Go ahead.

 

You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

Wiggin gave Troi what he must have thought was a

sensual look, but it was all the counselor could do to keep from laughing.

 

You know, Wiggin,

Troi said after a moment,

there’s an empty chair right here next to me. I don’t

think Dex will be back for a while.

 

Wiggin seemed startled, and then he smiled.

All right.

He shifted over.

This is better.

 

Yes, it is.

She patted Wiggin’s hand.

This ismuch better.

 

You were worried during the alert,

Wiggin told her.

I could tell.

 

A little,

Troi said, putting just the right amount of nervousness into her voice.

It was very

unusual, wasn’t it?

 

It sure was,

he replied.

I’ve never been through an alert before.

 

Troi smiled.

Well, to tell you the truth, neither have I.

 

Wiggin waved a hand.

No need to be scared. There’s nothing that can hurt us.

He moved closer to her.

 

I wish I could talk about it, but I can’t.

He put a finger to his lips.

 

Oh? Well, I can certainly respect your privacy

 

Nope,

Wiggin said, shaking his head firmly.

Can’t talk about it, not even a little. Orders. They’ve

got us working heel-and-toe watches in weapons design, you know. They’d get pretty mad at me if I ever

talked about it. You know, I’ve got no social life at all.

 

I’m sorry about that. I really am.

 

Wiggin seemed to be lost in thought.

Maybe I could show you.

 

Excuse me?

 

Maybe I could show you the section where I work, I mean. People are brought through sometimes.

Relatives, people like that. You know. Wait a minute. How much trouble could I get into? Hull, you’re

the spouse of a supervisor. You must have a security clearance, right?

 

Troi nodded quickly.

Uh, that’s right. Of course I do.

 

And the watch is young,

Wiggin said. He winked at Troi again.

It could be a magic one.

 

It might be,

Troi admitted.

Why, I might disappear into thin air before it’s over, just likethat .

 

She snapped her fingers.

 

Oh, not you,

the young Krann said.

You’re a hot-blooded one, you are.

 

Now, Wiggin,

Troi said, patting his hand gently.

Stop that. What would my spouse say?

 

Hull if I know,

the young Krann replied.

Want to stick around long enough to find out?

 

Troi paused.

No, not really,

she said, finishing her drink.

Let’s get out of here.

 

Debit stub!

Wiggin cried, and a facilitator quickly appeared at his elbow. She gave him a chit, which

Wiggin thumbprinted in a corner.

All right,

he said, grinning.

Done! Let’sblow thislagga stand!

 

Troi tapped her communicator.

I’m right behind you.

 

There was what appeared to be a delivery entrance toward the back of the bistro, just beyond the

bathrooms and very near the kitchen. Since the heavily used bathrooms were far from private, Riker

walked past them and through a door markedNO EXIT .

 

He found himself in a narrow, unoccupied passage that ran for a dozen meters in both directions before

making abrupt turns to port and starboard. There were doors similar to the one he had just gone through

spotted here and there along both sides of the corridor. Riker thought the corridor must be part of some

sort of cargo delivery system that was designed to keep freight vehicles off the concourse.

 

Riker reached into the pocket of his Krann clothing and slipped the audio pickup bug into his left ear.

He then tapped the communicator.

Riker toEnterprise,

he said quietly.

Are you receiving me?

 

Loud and clear, Commander,

came Geordi’s voice.

Are you receiving us?

 

You’re coming through five by five.

 

Good. Patching in the captain now.

 

There was a very brief pause.

Hello, Will,

Picard greeted him.

Is Counselor Troi there with you?

 

No, sir. She’s not far away, however. We’re in no danger. I’d like to make my report.

 

Go ahead.

 

Riker gathered his thoughts.

Captain, the people on this flagship apparently have no idea that the

fleet is about to go to war with the Lethanta. There is a major holiday in progress aboard this ship,

and virtually everyone seems to be celebrating it. I’ve seen the way civilian populations conduct

themselves during wartime, and what I’m seeing here is in no way similar. These people are at peace, or

at least they think they are. The only sign of impeding hostilities was the declaration of a combat

alert some two hours ago, and it took everyone around us completely by surprise. They were all

frightened and shocked.

 

We know about that alert, Will. The Lethanta held a planetary defense drill, and the Krann took it as a

provocation. In response, elements of the Krann fleet carried out an attack on various Lethantan

targets, civilian and military alike. The losses on both sides have been high, but the effect on Nem

Ma’ak Bratuna has been nothing short of devastating. I’ve arranged a truce in place, pending

negotiations between the Lethanta and the Krann, again with us acting as mediator. All Krann forces are

returning or have already returned to their original stations. I must also tell you, Will, that

Commander Data and Ensign Ro are missing, following an attack on the Lethantan capital. We have not been

able to raise them.

 

Riker stroked his chin in thought.

I see. All of this explains a great deal, sirbut it doesnot explain

why none of the Krann we were with understood what was happening, or why.

 

Wherehaveyou been, by the way?

 

At a party. Sir.

 

Oh. Excellent way to meet people. What did you find out?

 

Today is an important Krann holiday called Posting Day, Captain. It is the day upon which Krann

authorities grant married couples permits to have babies.

 

I see,

Picard said.

Procreation is very strictly controlled, then.

 

I believe so, sir. The permits are issued only every few years and are apparently hard to come by even

then. Influence appears to count. Couples who receive one throw a big party, the bigger the better. We

dropped in on one of those. The size and location of the couple’s Posting Day celebration confer status

upon them, according to what we’ve heard.

 

Rather like an Earth wedding, I suppose. Your point, Number One?

 

Sir, it seems to me that these people don’t have a clue as to what’s going on between the Krann and the

Lethanta. There were a lot of people where we were, all of them in a relaxed social situation. Counselor

Troi and I talked to young people who have never evenheard of the Lethanta. The Krann we’ve met know

they’ve arrived in a new star system, but they have not been told that it contains two class-M planets.

 

He paused.

Captain, Presider Hek said we’d see his intentions were peaceful if we came aboard. I wonder

if he was telling the truth, after all?

 

Sir?

came Geordi’s voice, interrupting.

Counselor Troi’s subspace communicator link has just been

opened, but she isn’t talking to us .I’ve got her located.

 

Is she in trouble, Geordi?

Riker asked quickly.

 

I don’t think so, Commander. From what I’m hearing, the counselor is engaged in normal conversation

with a person named Wiggin. And she’s on the movenow thirty meters from your position, bearing four

fifty-four mark five. Distance from your position is increasing at normal walking speed.

 

She hasn’t set off her emergency recall signal, has she, Mr. La Forge?

Picard asked.

 

No, sir, she has not.

 

I don’t believe she’s being kidnapped, then,

Picard said.

If she was able to activate the

communicator for audio pickup, she could just as easily have actuated the recall signal. No, the

counselor simply wanted to let us know that she was going somewhere. Number One, tell me quickly about

this Wiggin.

 

We met him at the party,

Riker replied.

He’s a young Krann who claims to be a weapons designer of

some sort. I think he may not be what he claims to be.

 

You think he may have been a plant.

 

Yes, sir. I believe he arrived at the celebration just after we did and only pretended he’d been there

all along.

 

I see. So you believe your location aboard the flagship has been detected.

 

Yes, sir. I do.

 

If that’s true, then the Krann want you to be there, at least for now,

Picard observed.

They haven’t

done a thing to remove you. I wonder why?

 

We do have their agreement to board their ships and take a look around, sir.

 

Riker heard Picard chuckle.

Yes, but I hardly expected them to live up to it quite this diligently.

Well, we’ll take advantage of Presider Hek’s apparent generosity for as long as possible. Number One,

Mr. La Forge will guide you to Counselor Troi’s present position. Follow her and this Wiggin person, but

don’t be caught at it. I’ll now leave you in the hands of Mr. La Forge. Picard out.

 

Aye, sir. Geordi?

 

Locked on to you, Will.

 

Good.

Riker opened the service door and, looking around, stepped inside the bistro.

I’m heading for

the concourse just outside the restaurant,

he said very quietly.

How far away are they now?

 

Troi and Wiggin were heading down the concourse. The crowds swarming through the passageways had not

ebbed. If anything, they had grown, despiteor perhaps due tothe combat alert not long before. The

counselor considered that some of the Krann might be celebrating their relief.

 

Wait’llyou see this!

Wiggin said enthusiastically.

Anybody who has is really impressedand I helped

substantially with the design, of course.

 

So I assume you’re going to show me a weapon of some sort?

Troi asked lightly.

 

Maybe, maybe not,

the young Krann said, grinning.

It’s supposed to be a secret. You’ll see.

 

Counselor, this is Picard,

came a voice in Troi’s ear.

We have been listening in and are tracking

your movements via your communicator. I assume you are wearing your audio pickup. If you are, tap the

communicator once.

 

Troi did so unobtrusively.

 

Very good. We have you heading for an area that we’ve marked on our maps as one of the main mass

transit stations aboard the flagship. Tap once if you understand.

 

Troi did so.

 

All right,

Picard said.

We see that the inbound portion of the tube system leads directly into the area

of the flagship that we have been unable to probe with our sensors. Wiggin may be taking you there, and

Mr. La Forge says we will likely lose communication with you when you enter that zone. Commander Riker

is trailing you at a distance. He will follow you into the sensorproof zone, and he’ll be there to

render assist hould you need it. Good luck to you, Counselor. Picard out.

 

The tube car stopped in a station markedBAY FOURTEEN , and Troi and Wiggin pushed their way out onto the

platform. The station was choked with passengers.

 

Sorry, Pralla,

Wiggin said.

We’ve hit the end-of-watch commuter hour. It’s the worst time to be here.

Just push your way through. Gothat way.

He pointed.

 

Troi did so.

Today wassupposed to be a holiday,

Troi complained.

 

Oh, it’s no holidayhere , and especially notnow , with all that’s going on.

Wiggin moved through the

crowd toward Troi and took her hand again.

I’ll show you what I mean,

he said, pulling her along.

 

Come on.

 

There were two exits from Bay Fourteena large, open arch through which commuters could move freely into

yet another concourse, and a small, closed door that appeared to be a security gate. Wiggin was leading

Troi there.

 

The gate was closed and had two armed guards stationed at a booth just to its side. Troi’s talents gave

her no ability to learn anything useful from their body language. The guardsseemed relaxed, but

 

Troi hoped Will had caught the same tube car that she and Wiggin had, and that he was still following

her. Geordi had been right about the communicator blackout. She had not heard from theEnterprise since

shortly after the car had entered the gray zone. In fact, the communicator was completely dead within

the zone, thanks to whatever kind of sensor-killing field it was that was blanketing everything here.

With her communicator nonfunctional, she could not even attempt to contact Will. Troi was tempted to

look around the platform for him, but Wiggin might catch her at it and grow suspicious.

 

This whole idea was mad, she fretted. She chastised herself for stupidly allowing herself to be mouse-trapped so neatly by this besotted boy. She had only Will Riker’s conjecture that their presence aboard

the flagship had been detected, and that this young Krann was actually an operative who had been

assigned to them. If Wiggin was genuine, it meant that Troi was trapped in what appeared to be a high-security area with no possibility of beaming out. Just how was she supposed to get inside a Krann

security zone without being caught, anyway? Wiggin had apparently assumed right off the bat that she had

one, since she was the spouse of a supervisor.

 

Troi knew she had put Will at risk, too, if he had managed to follow her here. Given the circumstances,

she hoped he had not. Thinking about it carefully, the counselor decided that she might have a chance to

make a break for it while the guards processed Wiggin at the security entrance. Just a quick lunge

through the open archway nearby and on into the concourse just off the station, and she’d be away, lost

in the crowds. Then she’d try to head out of the gray area and contact the ship. If Will was still

following her, he would figure it all out and do the same thing.

 

But Troi also knew that if Wiggin was a Krann operative after all, then everything would be fine because

he was doing an excellent job of leading her around by the nose. It meant that she was being taken to

Bay Fourteen for a reason. She was being taken to see something, and a little thing like a security

clearance wouldn’t matter. If the Krann already knew of her presence aboard their flagship and wanted to

arrest and detain her, they’d have done so by now.

 

It was odd, but Troi knew that her continued safety depended on Wiggin being a complete phony. If he was

genuine, she was dead. Either way, she’d soon find out.

 

Here’s where I work,

Wiggin said.

It’s a lot more impressive inside, let me tell you.

 

The first thing Troi noticed as she and Wiggin drew closer to the security gate was that the guards were

waving people through rather casually. That was a good sign.

 

Is it always this crowded?

Troi asked as they slowly oozed their way toward the security gate with the

rest of the crowd.

 

The next watch is arriving for duty,

Wiggin told her.

Like I said, it’s a bad time.

He fished in one

of his pockets and extracted a small, round object that looked like a coin.

Get your disk ready, and

we’ll go right on through.

 

Uh, Wiggin, I don’t know quite how to tell you this, but I don’t have my disk with me.

 

Huh?

 

I don’t have my disk. I must have, uh, dropped it somewhere. Perhaps I lost it somehow at the party.

You know how it is. I’m sorry.

 

Hull, wait a minute. We’re almost at the gate.

Wiggin called over to one of the guards, an older Krann

in a green uniform.

Guss!Guss!

He waved, and the guard spotted him. Wiggin took Troi’s hand again and

sidled over to the guard post.

 

Hello, Wiggin,

the guard said.

What are you doing here? Pulling some extra duty?

He looked Troi up

and down, and his eyes seemed to say,Another one, Wiggin?

 

No, nothing so selfless,

Wiggin replied.

I was bringing this beautiful friend of mine over to see the

shop, but she’s lost her disk somewhere. Is it okay to get her a visitor’s pass?

 

The guard shrugged.

We’re not under alert any longer, and I got no orders to the contrary, so I guess

it’s okay.

He grinned.

You a spy, lady?

 

Troi smiled at him.

Do I look like a spy?

 

Matter of fact, you do, but never mind.

The guard reached under his desk for something and came up

with a glass plate about thirty centimeters long and fifteen wide.

Gimme your name and thumbprint on

here. Bureaucrats. Gotta have a record of everything. You know.

He passed the plate over.

 

On closer inspection, Troi saw that it was actually a glass sandwich. There was the lightest tracing of

internal circuitry between the two panes. A stylus was clipped along one long side of the glass.

 

Thankful she’d studied Krann writing, Troi carefully signed

Pralla Portside Consumables Monitor

 

across the face of the glass. The stylus left a golden glowing trace as she wrote. She then placed her

right thumbprint within an engraved square and handed the glass back to the guard with a smile.

 

Boy, you sure do write big,

he said.

You vouch for her, Wiggin?

 

Sure do.

 

Put your print here, then.

Wiggin did, and Guss took the stylus and scribbled something on the glass.

He then handed Troi a button.

Okay, hon, this is a visitor’s badge. Stick it somewhere on your collar

so the sensors can see it, and go on ahead inside. Give it back when you leave.

He grinned.

Otherwise,

we have to chase you.

 

Troi clipped the button next to her throat.

Thank you, Guss.

 

Any time.

 

Let’s go,

Wiggin said to her, and they went on through.