The Next Generation
Dimensions 2 - Romulas - Part 4
by B.J. Burton
(bjburtoncanada@yahoo.com)

Dimensions 2 - Romulas - Part 4

SYNOPSIS:

Trapped on the planet Romulas, the Away team from the Enterprise seeks to hide in the labyrinth of sewers. Beverly Crusher analyses her feelings for the Captain while Worf learns to compromise in his new role of expectant parent.

CHAPTER NINE.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard gazed at the tall Klingon for a long moment. "Mr. Worf, under the circumstances I can appreciate you wanting to be with the Counselor, but I must insist that you remain on board. For you to be seen on the surface of Romulas will mean the end our mission. The Counselor insists that she will stay on the planet. She does not want to jeopardize the child any more than I. She is quite safe. Doctor Crusher is monitoring her condition. With a day or so of rest Beverly assures me she will be fine."

"But Captain..."

"No buts, Lieutenant Commander. As soon as she is able to travel, we will bring her to the outskirts of the city and find a suitable location where Kurn can bring down the ship. In the mean time, I have sent Data down to work with the Romulan underground. I am sure we will be able to find a way to rescue Ambassador Spock and then we can concentrate on the rescue of Kahless. Now, I believe you advised Deanna that Mr. Data has found a carrier wave going to the vicinity of Deep Space Nine?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Data found it quite unexpectedly. There is a sub-space carrier wave going out regularly to the Valo system, but the Romulans are using a new code and we have not been able to decipher any message. Mr. Data was working on the translation when you sent him down to the surface. He thought, if he had the chance to work with Romulan computers he might find the code easier to decipher. The Romulan prefix, he said, was strange and not identifiable with either Federation or the Klingon language. It is possibly a variation of a Cardassian dialect."

"I see. Can you pick up this carrier wave for me, Mr. Worf?"

"Yes, Captain, Mr. Data has shown me the signal. It seems to be set automatically to send a message at precisely seventeen hundred hours. That is two point three hours from now..." The Lieutenant Commander jumped at the sound of a loud buzz. "What the ...!" He turned at the unexpected alarm of a communicator signal.

"That would be Dr. Crusher, Mr. Worf. I left your communicator with her. She does not expect you to answer." At Wolf's startled look, he added quickly. "It is all right, Lieutenant Commander, Dr Crusher has assured me that Deanna is out of danger. We have joined with the underground and they have several doctors. She probably wants to get some extra supplies. She will be at the same co-ordinates as Deanna advised for me. I am sure Beverly would not leave her unless she knew both she and the baby were quite safe. Would you be so kind as to monitor her transport, Mr. Worf? I shall be in my quarters. Please advise the Doctor when she comes aboard."

"Yes, Captain." Mr. Worf quickly left the command deck for the transporter bay.

* * * * *

Beverly Crusher materialized on the pad of the Klingon Bird of Prey as Worf pulled down the receptors. She had not been looking forward to returning to the ship, but she was running out of medications, and both Deanna and she needed more clothing. She looked up quickly as she materialized, and was relieved to see the Captain was not present. She smiled at Worf as she stepped down from the pad.

The Lieutenant Commander did not look at her immediately as he continued to monitor the transporter readings. "Doctor Crusher, I am picking up a slight fluctuation in your pattern. Are you feeling all right, Doctor? Do you think you might have picked up a parasite or virus? It could be a malfunction with the transporter. Since the accident with Deanna's transport, I have been trying to take the DNA filter off line in the buffer so that we can beam Deanna on board, but I have not been entirely successful. Should I re-engage the filter back to maximum...you may have an alien microbe caught in your pattern...?" Worf looked up as he spoke. The Doctor was staring at him.

Beverly raised an eyebrow, surprised by Worf's report. "No! No Mr Worf, it is all right...it is not necessary to adjust the filter, I shall give myself a complete physical when I get to my quarters." She continued to gaze at the tall Klingon as the full import of what he said came home to her. The knowledge explained why she was feeling so strange recently, her negativism and increased feelings of frustration, even her fits of anger. "Please do not advise the Captain, I need to return as soon as possible to Deanna. Try to get the filter completely off line at least until we have Deanna back on board. You are quite right to do so, we may need to beam her up in an emergency." By that time, she thought, she should have sorted out her problem. She smiled for the first time in days as she exited.

Worf shrugged. It was strange the doctor would insist keeping the filter off line. Back on the Enterprise, it was unacceptable to allow the use of the transporter without the microbe filter; experience had proven that there were too many microscopic parasites and bacteria an away team might pick up on even the most routine mission to an alien world. He was thankful they were not on the Enterprise and the Captain of the ship was not Captain Picard but his brother Kurn who had given him permission to dismantle the transporter.

Worf considered that for a moment. Since the Captain and Deanna had beamed down to the surface, Kurn had finally told him of the events on Martok's flagship when they had escaped the Klingon home world after their aborted mission to rescue the Klingon Emperor, Kahless. Deanna had risked everything to get him back to the Enterprise. He had been shocked, surprised and extremely proud of Deanna having the courage to wield a weapon against the Klingon Chancellor. He knew it was something he would think twice about. He smiled as he looked down at the console; he had to get her back on board as soon as possible.

"You do not have to worry so; I will be with you soon."

Worf smiled and nodded as he recognized Deanna's projected thought. She was awake. "I am pleased that you are feeling better, little one. What are you doing?"

"Nothing much, I am afraid. Beverly has insisted that I rest. I think she may be right, I certainly do not feel like exerting myself at the moment. What are you doing?"

"I was just wondering if I could possibly recalibrate the transporter."

"Sounds like a big job."

"Yes, it would be. But I have nothing else to do except monitor the surface, and talk to you, which I would much rather do any time." Worf sat down on a stool opposite the transporter console. "Mr Data is down there with you, have you had a chance to speak with him?"

"No, I did not know he had arrived; I haven't left my room. I wish you could join me, but the Captain has become quite adamant about not transporting unless absolutely necessary."

"I know. Don't worry, little one, I will get you out of that place."

"We still must find Kahless...and Ambassador Spock." She hesitated. "I have just noticed I have a computer terminal here. I will ask permission of our hosts, to see if I can patch into the Tal Shiar security system to try and find our Spiritual Leader."

"No not do anything to jeopardize your position, Deanna."

"No, my darling, I will not do anything to jeopardize our daughter...When I thought I had almost lost her I..." Deanna hesitated, "Worf, I did take a terrible risk..."

"Yes, little one, you did...but it is you that must be careful. Even if the danger is for a good cause, whatever happens, if you should loose the child...," He felt a violent reaction, which numbed his mind for a moment. "If you should lose this baby, Deanna," he persisted, "we can always have another child, if you are safe and with me... We do not know for sure if the child you carry is the same young woman we saw at the Temple of Horoosha. Please do not do anything...anything at all that could put you at risk..."

There was a pause before Deanna replied. "I won't...I promise."

Worf picked up a screwdriver and once more began to take the transporter console apart. He did not expect he would be able to change anything...but it was something to do. "I'll speak with you later, Deanna. I must work on this console. I want you back on board with me... after all we did vow we would never be apart..."

"And we never will, not when we can stay in touch like this...I must speak to the person in charge. I'll get back to you later..."

Worf slowly took apart the console and began to analyze the circuits a second time. There was only one chip that carried all the information of the main filter, and it could not be modified without endangering the whole system; the ship was more than twenty years old and upgrades had been neglected. He really did need to talk with his brother, he thought; such neglect was inexcusable, even if Kurn had been traveling with the Chancellor on Qo'noS One since the uprising, he should not have allowed the maintenance of his own ship to fall behind. He stared at the small silicon cube for a long moment. He had no choice but to by-pass it completely. It was currently off line, sitting disconnected on top of its circuit holder... Then there was the secondary system, he thought. He pulled out the wide silicon circuit holder of the secondary system and gazed at it. It was a little more complex, consisting of four chips...

"Mr. Worf...."

Worf lifted his head above the console. Beverly Crusher had returned. He straightened and pushed the secondary system circuit holder back before he slid the cover over the console. "You were very quick, Doctor. Are you not going to confer with the Captain? He told me to advise you that he was resting in his quarters."

"No, Worf, it is best that I get back to the surface and Deanna immediately. I took the liberty of entering your quarters to get some of her clothing. I hope that is all right?"

"That's fine, Doctor, any time. I hope you will not have to stay down there much longer."

"I will be staying with Deanna until she is ready to return." She stepped up on the transporter platform as she spoke. "I have enough medication to last a week or two if necessary."

"I shall advise the Captain, doctor."

"Thank you, Worf." He pulled down the receptors slowly, and shook his head as the fluctuation in her pattern occurred again. He definitely had to check the secondary system circuitry, he thought, perhaps he had misaligned something when he took it apart.

* * * * *

Beverly materialized in the damp well of the long staircase. The area was dark and deserted. She bit her lip as she remembered she had not thought to ask the young Romulan to wait for her. She looked at the gaping holes leading into the dark bowels of the Romulan planet. None of them looked familiar, except one, the tunnel with the small stream seeping into the stairwell. That had to be the right one, she thought. Still she hesitated before she entered the tunnel. The interior was pitch black, she would have to feel her way along the walls. She cursed herself for not having thought to bring a flashlight. At least there was some illumination in the dimly lit stairwell, she thought as she looked up; there was some light source seeping in from somewhere far above. Maybe she might find a lamp of some kind if she explored the stairs. As she mounted the steps she cursed herself for not thinking to ask Worf to advise Deanna she was beaming down. She recalled there were several junctions off the main tunnel with the stream. Without a guide, it would be impossible to find her way.

A sudden sound of scraping metal caused her to jump. She quickly clambered back down the steps and scanned the stairs. A flashlight was bobbing above, the strobe light piercing the gloom; someone was coming down!

The doctor looked around desperately. She had no way of knowing if the new arrival was a friend, a member of the resistance or the security force, perhaps even an officer of the Tal Shiar. She would have to hide until she could be sure. She chose the nearest tunnel, without the stream and moved back into the dark, her gaze on the dim entrance into the stairwell. Behind her in the tunnel, she could hear sounds she could not identify; possibly rats, she thought, remembering how drains were infested with rodents on Earth. The creatures rarely bothered humans, being as much afraid of them as Humans abhorred rats.

She could hear the footsteps now. Whoever was coming down the stairs was not attempting to move clandestinely. She gripped her carrier tightly and moved back farther from the entrance. The new arrival had reached the bottom of the stairs...

Maybe it was her heightened awareness with her trepidation of the new arrival that she suddenly sensed something behind her and stopped; a soft growl caused her to turn. A pair of yellow eyes gleamed at her in the dark, level with her midriff. If it was a rat, the creature had to be huge and it was less than two meters away. The creature growled again much louder and Beverly took fright, backing away from a possible worse evil, toward the tunnel entrance. She moved slowly, afraid any sudden move might insight the creature to attack. The eyes followed her, keeping the same distance between them. She could now hear heavy breathing and an occasional soft growl. Whatever the creature was it did not seem to fear of her, in fact its reaction was the opposite when it growled much louder. The sound echoed in the narrow corridor, making her blood run cold and she began to back away faster. Suddenly, the creature sprang and jumped up onto her chest. She tried to bring up her carrier to fend off the beast, but the weight of the animal caused her to lose her balance and she found herself falling, out of the tunnel and into the stairwell. The sudden shock of hitting the pavement caused her to scream. In the dim light, she found herself looking into jaws full of long jagged teeth. Saliva dripped onto her face from the open mouth, and in a split second, she knew the creature intended to tear out her throat and devour her. She thought instantly of the many things she had left undone as she tried to grab the descending jaw. Her hands flayed as a disrupter blast echoed in the narrow confines of the stair well and the animal disappeared. Shocked and dismayed, Beverly lay stunned, unable to move.

"You can get up now."

Beverly did not move. She did not recognize the voice; it had to be the person on the stairs, she thought as she tried to recapture her scattered wits.

"I said you can get up." The masculine voice repeated.

Beverly slowly sat up. A tall Romulan was standing in the mouth of a tunnel opposite, a disrupter still in his hand; the weapon aimed at her head.

"Who are you?" He queried. He gazed at her for a long moment; "You are not Romulan..." He slowly lowered his disrupter pointing the muzzle to the floor.

Beverly looked down. Her wig was lying in a puddle where she had fallen.

The stranger moved closer to gaze at her with interest. "We do not have too many red-haired women on Romulas. I repeat, who are you, and where have you come from?"

"She is from the Federation, Ma'shek: a medical doctor." D'tan moved into the stair-well from the tunnel behind the tall Romulan. "Are you all right, Doctor? We heard you scream."

Slowly the stranger put away his weapon. "What is she doing out here alone?" He came across to Beverly and extended his hand to help her stand.

Beverly ignored his hand and scrambled to her feet. "I just beamed down from our ship." She replied as she tried to brush the mud and slime off her clothing.

The tall Romulan by the name of Ma'shek picked up her wig. He balanced the wet mangled mess on his fingertips. "I think I prefer you as a red-head."

Beverly attempted to take her wig, but he moved his hand away quickly. She tried to ignore his obvious manner and picked up the carrier. "It will be all right, once it has dried." She knew it was a lie, the wig was ruined, and with Mr. Mot, the Enterprise hairdresser millions of kilometers away, there was little chance she could get a new hairpiece.

The tall Romulan swung the hairpiece around, spraying water. "I very much doubt it. If I can get it repaired for you, will you have dinner with me?"

Beverly stared at the Romulan for a long moment. She was surprised. The Romulan was actually smiling at her. Was he flirting, she wondered? She could not recall ever seeing a Romulan smile, they were always so serious, taking life as seriously as Deanna's husband.

"The wig will be fine, I told you." She extended her hand for the object in question.

Ma'shek suddenly became serious. "Of course, I am sorry, you are perhaps spoken for?"

Beverly stared at him for a long moment. "Yes, I am spoken for," she agreed.

"That is a pity." Abruptly the tall Romulan handed her the wig, and turned on his heel. "I will show you to the underground headquarters. D'tan, I have an errand for you." He leant forward and whispered something to the youth who nodded.

"Doctor, Ma'shek will take you to our headquarters, I must look into some business on the surface; if you will excuse me." Without waiting her reply, the young Romulan bounded up the stairs.

Oh, for the energy of youth, Beverly thought, as she watched him disappear into the gloom. She turned to her new escort. "If you could show me the way I would be grateful."

"It would be my pleasure, Doctor...Doctor..."

"Beverly Crusher." Beverly conceded.

"My name is Ma'shek I am a Commander in the military." Beverly frowned as he held out his hand. "I insist." Beverly looked down, realized his intent and handed him her carrier. "This way Doctor Beverly Crusher..." Without another word the Romulan Commander led the way along the tunnels and finally into the control room. He looked around quickly, his intense gaze seeking out R'nart. From the moment he entered the control room of the, Ma'shek's casual attitude changed. "R'nart, have you heard the news; they have Ambassador Spock at the twelfth quadrant."

"Good...we have been trying to trace him. The twelfth quadrant! Then he is not with the Tal Shiar yet. Do we have any operatives working in the twelfth quadrant?" R'nart asked one of his men.

"Yes, three good men."

"We may be in luck that they have taken him there," Ma'shek continued, "I have already sent D'tan to arrange a meeting with them. If we are lucky we will be able to rescue the Ambassador before nightfall."

"Do you really feel it will be as easy as the last time, Ma'shek? This time they will be ready for us."

"Not if we can get to him before they realize who he is." The tall Romulan turned to Beverly Crusher. "Forgive me Doctor Beverly Crusher, for having just met you and then saying goodbye, but we must leave immediately. Perhaps we may meet again..." He raised his hand slightly to salute her. R'nart and several dissenters began to arm themselves with disruptors.

"Through the sewers, Ma'shek?" R'nart queried.

"Yes, I think you are right. Ready everyone. See you later, Doctor. Perhaps you might reconsider that dinner. I think you should replace that wig, so I can take you out to dinner." He smiled as he exited back into the dark, damp tunnels.

Beverly gazed after him, as one by one, the members of the unification underground followed him into the tunnel. Soon she stood alone. She wondered briefly, why they did not leave someone, a least a guard to mind the consoles as she moved toward the interior door leading into the modern hidden complex. She hoped Deanna was still asleep.

Deanna was leaning over Data's shoulder when Beverly entered their room. The Counselor was trying to read the monitor of the computer where Data was working. She looked up as Beverly entered. "We may be in luck; Data has broken the new code. We must tell R'nart, they have Ambassador Spock in the seventh quadrant, not far from here."

Beverly dropped her carrier on the bed. "You are wrong, Deanna." Beverly sat down on the bed. She suddenly felt tired. "I heard a new arrival, a military Commander by the name of Ma'shek tell everyone he is in the twelfth quadrant..."

Data turned from the console, "You must have misunderstood, Doctor. Ambassador Spock is in the seventh quadrant. I had just decoded a message from the Tal Shiar."

"This Ma'shek, when did he arrive?" Deanna asked.

"A few moments ago. All of the members of the underground seem to know and trust him. They have all left to accompany him to the twelfth quadrant..."

"You are sure, Beverly."

"Quite sure. As far as I know we are now alone down here."

"It must be a trap..."

"A trap," Beverly repeated. "But Ma'shek could not be a spy. He seemed quite at home and knew everyone..."

"It may not have been us who led the Tal Shiar to that house by the square. I think we are going to have to get out of here."

Beverly suddenly became alarmed. "You are not serious. Where can we go? Surely not into the tunnels, we shall be lost...and there are some wild creatures down here...I just ran into one...and I would prefer not to meet one again, thank you. It was not a pleasant experience. Are you sure, Data, that Mr. Spock is at the seventh quadrant?"

There were sounds of scuffling outside their door. Beverly stood instantly, her thoughts of the animal that attacker her. There was scratching emanated from the door. Deanna looked at Data. Data pulled out his Federation phaser and moved to the door. He glanced at the two women as his hand reached for the handle. He opened the door suddenly. D'tan stood in the doorway, his face ashen, an arm missing. Beverly immediately rushed to him, her tricorder scanner magically appearing in her hand. She scanned the empty shoulder socket. The wound was clean, with no blood; the loss of his arm was obviously caused by a disruptor blast. The young man was lucky to be alive, though in obvious shock. She quickly pulled her hypo and snapped in a vial of stimulant.

"What happened, D'tan?" Deanna demanded.

"They were waiting for me...about two blocks from here. Our people have been taken..."

"Ma'shek!" Deanna muttered.

"You must be mistaken...Ma'shek could not..." He moved his head to allow the Doctor to inject the stimulant. He felt better almost immediately. Beverly collected some salve, gauze and tape and quickly covered the melted flesh.

"It is of little consequence, young man," Interrupted Data as he moved to the bed and picked up the carrier. "We must get out of here..."

D'tan stared at him. "Yes, you are right...of course, even if it was not Ma'shek it will not be long before they know of this place. Take what you need, or can carry." He glanced down at the remains of his arm covered with the thick swathe of gauze. "Thank you, Doctor I do not feel it any more. We must leave immediately." All three quickly picked up what little they possessed and followed the young man back into the Command centre. D'tan looked around the room. "This should all be destroyed..."

"Have you any explosives..."

"There is no time..." The young man continued. His skin color was almost back to normal. "We must leave without delay. There is only one entrance to the main tunnel from this room..."

There were noises suddenly beyond the metal door...

Beverly looked at Deanna. "They are here already..."

Deanna picked up a Romulan disrupter negligently left on a monitor. Beverly looked around for another weapon. D'tan, without his right hand looked at them helplessly, he was unable to help. Data already had his Federation phaser drawn. They knew there was little chance they could fight the Romulans... The door suddenly burst open and six tall Romulan security officer disgorged into the room forcing the four startled dissenters to step back. With only two weapons pointed at the six guards, the new arrivals had the advantage with six disruptors trained on them. The two weapons slowly lowered as Ma'shek appeared in the doorway. He smiled as he stepped into the room and between the tall guards. "We meet again, Doctor Beverly Crusher... perhaps now, you will consider having dinner with me?"

The four remained quiet, though Beverly blinked rapidly in surprise as behind the seven Romulans the air began to shimmer. Deanna reacted immediately firing wildly at one of the guards...he jumped aside as Worf and Captain Picard appeared in the room behind the Romulan security team. Weapons discharged. Deanna and the Doctor fell immediately to the floor behind the monitor stations. There were screams of pain. Beverly looked at Deanna. "They said it was impossible to materialize down here..."

"You can if you can get an accurate fix for location...We are bonded, Doctor, remember..."

"How could I forget..." Beverly ducked lower as a disrupter blast dematerialized the monitor above her head.

Deanna leant around the metal table and fired at a security guard who was aiming at the Captain. The guard screamed, as his knees disappeared beneath him. Deanna did not want to kill him, but a disrupter had only one setting. The guard would never walk again.

Suddenly it was all over. The air was acrid with the smell of burnt flesh as members of the Federation away team slowly rose from their hiding places. Ma'shek stood in the middle of the room his hands raised. "You will not get away...you know that. Doctor Beverly Crusher, we shall have dinner together yet, I promise you."

"Not while I have breath in my body." Doctor Crusher returned vehemently. "How many believers in the unification have been killed because of you?"

"I have done my duty as a true Romulan, Doctor. You would have done the same, if you were ordered..."

"Beverly, who is this man?" Captain Picard picked his way over the scattered remains of the security force. Only two were alive, barely conscious, moaning softly.

"Yes, Captain, we were introduced when he was a 'friend' of the underground. This is Ma'shek...he just had everyone here captured or worse...D'tan can tell you." As she spoke the Doctor pulled out her scanner and examined the wounded Romulan security officers. She gave them injections of stimulants and drugs to ease the pain.

"Doctor Beverly Crusher, you would help your enemy?"

"I would help any one who is suffering, Commander." Beverly returned her voice full of disgust for the man responsible for the carnage.

Commander Ma'shek watched her silently.

The Captain also followed the movements of the Doctor. "Beverly, we cannot remain here. We must leave at once."

"I shall only be a moment, Jean-Luc."

Ma'shek's gaze swung to the Captain, who was once more wearing his Romulan prosthetic. "So..." He murmured, "You are the one..."

Beverly looked up. "Captain, we must be leaving, as you have said." She snapped her scanner back into her tricorder and joined the Captain.

The Captain turned to D'tan. He noticed his missing arm for the first time. "Are you all right, my boy?"

"The doctor has given me something, I will be fine...I shall wear my wound with pride." He moved to the Captain. "We must be going..."

The Captain looked around for the rest of his team. Deanna and Worf were together behind one of the monitors. "Lieutenant-Commander...We must be going. I am going to put you in charge of our prisoner."

Worf looked up startled. "Yes, Captain, of course."

D'tan turned to the Captain. "How did you manage to beam in from your ship? We have always been told it is impossible to scan through this strata. All our major buildings, police fortification, the Senate...all of the buildings have been made from this rock mantle to stop such intrusion..."

The Captain smiled. "I am afraid that must remain our secret, D'tan. Now, Mr. Worf, if you please... D'tan, will you lead the way, Mr. Worf you will follow with our prisoner, I will accompany Doctor Crusher and the Counselor, and Mr. Data you will be our rear guard."

Worf nodded. "As long as I can be near you..." He murmured telepathically to his wife.

"What has happened to the ship?"

"Kurn had left orbit. They will be searching for our vessel, now they know that there are Federation officers on the planet. We will have to remain in hiding for three days, at least, before he can return for us."

"Captain, is there a chance they will think we have left Romulas?" Beverly asked the Captain as they moved down the dark corridors of the tunnels. D'tan was leading them away from the stairwell. Beverly apprehensively looked down each dark passage they passed, half expecting to see yellow eyes watching, waiting to pounce. Thank to D'tan each of them now carried a small flashlight and she felt a little safer for the bright, narrow beam.

Worf suddenly stopped as they came to a convergence of tunnels. The rock was slippery underfoot as they walked in several inches of slime. "Captain!"

"Yes, Commander."

"We have been walking for more than several minutes. Deanna mentioned earlier that she was feeling some strain. Would it be permissible if I walk with her for a while?"

The Captain stared up at the tall Klingon of a moment. "That will be fine, Commander, I will look after the prisoner. See to the welfare of the Counselor...Thank goodness, Beverly," he glanced at the Doctor standing at his elbow, "You are more stalwart..." In the glow of his flashlights he noticed she was looking pale. "Are you feeling all right, Beverly?"

"It is just the dampness, Captain...that and fear of the creatures that lurk in these tunnels. Do we have to go much farther to find an exit, D'tan?"

"I am afraid our destination is still some distance. We dare not exit anywhere near the Command Center. I doubt they will search the tunnels, they cover the entire city, far too many to search, but they will search within a certain radius of our command center."

"He is right, you cannot get away." Their prisoner spoke up. He was smiling cynically. "You are a very long way from home, Captain Picard; light years from the Federation space. There is no way you can escape. Why don't you just give yourselves up. I will see that you are treated fairly." No one spoke. "Why have you dared to come to Romulas...to spy on us?"

Every eye was on Ma'shek as he spoke. They did not answer for a long moment as they gazed at him in the dim light of their flashlights. Even in captivity the Romulan Commander seemed to retain his air of superiority.

Beverly glowered at him. "WE do not betray our people, Ma'shek." She retorted with feeling. "It tells us a lot that you should consider us as spies. We are not here to spy..."

"You would be wasting your time if you were. You will not live long enough to tell anything that you may have learned here."

"Be not so sure...." Lieutenant Commander Worf snapped.

"Mr. Worf!" The Captain reprimanded the Lieutenant Commanders. "Commander... Ma'shek, I believe you said your name was? Commander...Why we have come to your planet is none of your affair but we have nothing to hide; we have come to Romulas to rescue two members of the Federation...Ambassador Spock and Emperor Kahless..." He hesitated. Ma'shek did not comment. "They are both being held against their will on your planet...."

"You lie! You could not have come to rescue the Ambassador; he was only taken into custody yesterday. You have come to spy and do not try to deny it."

"You are at liberty to believe what you will, Commander. You will remain our prisoner until we have accomplished our aims. Beverly, I would like you to remain with Lieutenant Commander Worf. Mr. Worf you may take your time. We will mark the corridors..."

"I do not think that would be wise, Captain," Worf rejoined, "If we can follow a trail, so can the enemy. We shall keep up with you."

"You are right, Mr. Worf," the Captain agreed. "Though I doubt Romulans would be equipped with your ability to recognize a trail if they saw one but we will not take the chance... D'tan, let us move at a more leisurely pace."

"I too, am not feeling that well....My arm..." the young Romulan staggered.

Beverly moved forward and ran her scanner over the young man's shoulder. "You are right, this rancid atmosphere is not good. Even though covered and the wound clean, this putrid air will infect it. Jean-Luc, these tunnels are not healthy. "

"D'tan, is there any way we can move on the surface. It must be night by now. I realize there are patrols, but surely there must be somewhere above ground where we can hide."

The young man had a sudden thought. "There is a place...and it is not far from here."

"You would be better to stay in the sewers..." Everyone turned to the tall Romulan.

"And why would it be better, Commander...is there some plan afoot to try and take us down here..." The Captain asked. He gazed around at his companions in the eerie glow of their flashlights... He noticed they all looked strange, their eyes slightly out of focus. The air still smelt rancid, but there was something else, something he could not quite put his finger on ...the skin prickled on the back of his neck. It was a sense he had learned to trust over the years. "Data...do you smell something?"

Data cocked his head to one side and appeared to listen. As an android, he had no need to breathe but now he ingested deep breaths of the atmosphere, his senses analyzing its make-up. "Yes Captain...something has been added to the oxygen down here. It is a form of sleeping gas but it could be lethal if ingested for any length of time...."

"I see...You would like us to stay...wouldn't you?" Worf moved up to the Romulan Commander. He stood more than a head taller than the Romulan but the Romulan did not cower as he met the Klingon's gaze.

"You do not scare me, pahtk..." Ma'shek muttered. He turned to the Captain of the Enterprise. "Keep this animal away from me..."

"We do not have time for this now, Lieutenant Commander, we must get out of these tunnels, as quickly a possible. D'tan, where is closest exit..."

"It is not that far, Captain. But they will be waiting for us on the surface...."

"We will have to take that chance, D'tan. It is either that, or sleeping down here, until we are found either by the security guards or by whatever creatures live down here. I think we would all prefer to take our chances of the surface."

"Eiy...Eiy, sir." Beverly Crusher agreed.

The Captain looked at her for a long moment. "Is there any way you can mask that hair, Beverly? It will be like walking around with a neon sign..."

"Here, Captain...Perhaps this may be of use." Lieutenant Commander Data came forward for the first time and handed a security officers helmet to the Captain. "I brought it a long to monitor any transmissions."

"Have there been any since our escape?"

"No sir..."

"No...they will not try to communicate using a wireless communicator..." The Romulan Commander spoke up once more. Worf looked at him and growled softly. The Romulan ignored him. "Radio waves do not travel through this rock...communication down here is impossible."

"I had forgotten, thank you." Data moved back to his position near the rear.

The Romulan's gaze followed the android. "He is not human?"

"Yes..." replied the Captain. "He is a member of my staff...Enough of this delay; where is the nearest safe exit from these tunnels, D'tan."

"This way, Captain...."

Worf looked back for Deanna; it was unusual for her to be so quiet. He discovered her leaning against a sidewall, her Romulan uniform covered in slime; she did not look at all well. He reacted immediately. "Captain...with your permission...I will carry my Wife."

"Permission granted."

The Captain's gaze turned to the Doctor. "Will she be all right?"

"We will all feel better, once we are out of these tunnels, Captain. The gas is spreading faster...I can now feel its effect."

"Mr. Data, would you help the Doctor...."

"I would be delighted to be her crutch, Captain...Picard, is it?"

Beverly glanced at the tall Romulan who dared to speak. "No, thank you...I will be all right, Captain, if I may just lean on your arm a little..."

"Of course." The Captain glanced at the Romulan speculatively as he crooked his arm to the Doctor.

CHAPTER TEN.

Lieutenant Commander Worf slowly stood and straightened his sash. He glanced back at his mate; Deanna was still sleeping. He moved quietly, tiptoeing across the room and opened the door. Deanna stirred, made a small vocal sound and turned over. He smiled with the knowledge that her new habit to sleep late would keep her isolated for another two hours. There was no rush he thought, they could let her sleep. He was feeling mellow, relieved to be with her, knowing she was food health. Yesterday she had even taken part in the spirited debate regarding their continued stay in the city and had won a reprieve from being forced to return to their vessel. Hiding in the city clearly did not pose the same danger of trying to find their way into the countryside. The argument was quickly settled when she reminded them that leaving the surface was impossible at the moment since their Klingon cruiser was no longer in orbit and was not due to return for several days when it was hoped the sky above the city had been scanned for any alien vessel. That tended to scupper the argument and she then became involved in the animated discussion of their plans to rescue Ambassador Spock.

D'tan had found them a safe house some distance from the center of the city in a quiet, unpatrolled industrial area. They had been there three days, their young Romulan attendant, acting as their invaluable guide to the Romulan identity. Dr Crusher had managed to build the young man an artificial arm, a rudimentary device of padded wood with a flesh-colored glove that filled the sleeve of his jacket; it was sufficient to give the impression the young man was fully functional, as long as he did not try to use it. They knew he would not survive a week within Romulan society without the prosthesis for Romulans were not tolerant of physical disabilities, keeping any deformed member of their species hidden from public view, if the unfortunate was permitted to survive at all. With the aid of his artificial limb, D'tan was able to move freely about the city to acquire food and information; he had even managed to secure a computer terminal. Within minutes of the instruments arrival, Mr. Data managed to re-established contact with the Romulan security net and they were now up to date on the latest information on the capture of the Romulan underground. Many cells throughout the city had been raided in the last three days. The young man was despondent when advised that most of the re-unification members within the capitol, many his friends, had been arrested. It was obvious that the members of the command cell had revealed their whereabouts.

Worf made his way to the main room of their meager quarters, a small deserted building, near one of the canals. It was adequate for their needs, he thought with everyone taking shifts to sleep. Worf chose to sleep on the floor by the couch occupied by his mate. As soon as they arrived, Beverly had given Deanna a sedative to help her recuperation, and gave the tall, smug Romulan a heavier dose to keep him out of their hair. The arrogant Commander was still unconscious and would remain so until they decided what to do with him. He now snored softly in the front room, originally an office, the only room with a barred window. They all knew he was dangerous. They dare not let him go; he would tell the authorities they were still on the planet. From the information they had gleaned from the Romulan military, everyone believed they had beamed back to their ship, and escaped when their cloaked vessel left orbit. None of the away team had ventured outside during their three days in hiding.

Captain Picard, Beverly Crusher and Mr. Data were all in the main room when Worf entered. They were standing around the a long conference table, perusing a map, deep in conversation. The Captain looked up at his appearance. "Ah, Mr. Worf, we have been waiting for you. How is the Counselor?"

"Sleeping, sir."

"Good," Beverly nodded. "She needs to sleep naturally. Her health is almost back to normal. I think we can safely record her as back on duty, Captain."

"That is good news, Doctor." Jean-Luc beckoned the tall Klingon to the table and leant over the map. He tapped a building some distance from their position. "This is where they are holding Ambassador Spock. According to our latest information, they have not moved him from the seventh quadrant." He took a plastic overlay and placed it over the map. The overlay was primitive, the lines hand drawn, but they were as accurate as D'tan could remember. "As you can see, the sewage tunnels go directly under the building. D'tan tells us that the security cells where they would be holding the Ambassador are in the basement, surrounded by the impenetrable bedrock." He sat back. "Impenetrable to most, but not to us, thanks to our own special secret weapon." He smiled. "At the moment, there are other more pressing things we must attend to before initializing our rescue. As soon as it is safe for the bird of prey to return, hopefully today, you, Mr Worf, will return to the ship with Beverly who is in need of some special drugs and we will finally be able to question our guest..."

"But what good would that do, Captain, you know he will not tell us anything. Are the drugs for that purpose?" Data queried.

"No, Mr Data. The drugs are for use later. Mr. Worf, you will be the first to report on board. It will be a dangerous maneuver, as it will require your coded signal to advise them of our whereabouts. We must hope that they feel confident that we have escaped and are not monitoring the skies. Once we know it is safe, that you can remain in orbit, the doctor will beam on board using your telepathic link with the Counselor. Once we have interrogated our prisoner, and got rid of him, we will return to the sewers to complete our mission. The gas should have dissipated by now. We will be prepared this time if they should try that again. We will each carry our communicators, even though they will be of no use during the mission. If we should be separated, you are to make your way to the surface, transmit your location and beam back to the ship immediately. If more than one of you are forced to beam, there will be no choice but for the Bird of Prey to leave orbit a second time. Owing to the Counselors position, being unable to beam, the Counselor, Beverly and I will remain on the planet until you can return to rescue us. If there is a problem, we will make our way to the city limits. I know it will be dangerous, Mr Worf, but I assure you, I shall not leave your wife behind. We are at your disposal, Lieutenant-Commander. Deanna is your wife and although not a Klingon, she now follows your beliefs and will honor your word. Do you approve?"

Worf hesitated. As a warrior, there was no question that he would approve, but the situation was not normal, although not a Klingon he knew Deanna could handle herself in battle, but she was pregnant with their child. "If it becomes necessary, Captain, we will leave orbit and leave you behind." Though he spoke the words, he knew he did not accept them. Rationally he knew, he could remain in contact with her but to be separated by distance...perhaps even by light years with the chance of her being in danger...?

The Captain nodded. "Good. Though we will all work together, we may have to accomplish the mission by working in teams. As I have said Beverly, you will be with the Counselor and me; I know you do not like the tunnels."

"Thank you, Captain." Beverly gazed at the Captain for a long moment. During the past three days, owing to their close proximity in the small house they had naturally resumed their breakfast chats. Although there were no awkward moments, she was aware of his gaze lingering on her. He was quick to look away if she caught him, but his guilty expression lingered; also, at such a moment there was no misinterpreting the wistful note in his voice. She hoped his feelings would settle back to normal before they returned to the Enterprise.

The Captain turned to Data. "If we are forced to separate, Data, you will take responsibility for D'tan. The two of you will mislead the trackers when you make your way to surface, while Deanna, Beverly and I take our original route back here." The Captain turned to the tall Klingon. "You understand, Mr. Worf, there will be no more beaming down indiscriminately ...You will remain on board from now on. We do not plan to stay longer than necessary. As soon as we have the Ambassador, we will be leaving Romulas. You will land the bird of prey, here." He pointed to the map. The area the Captain pointed to was more than twenty kilometers from their current position, two kilometers beyond the last houses of the city, near a heavily wooded ravine.

"What about Emperor Kahless..." Worf queried half heartedly, already knowing the answer.

"I am sorry, Mr. Worf, but under the circumstances, we dare not continue our mission to find the Klingon spiritual leader. We still have no idea where they are holding him. With the rescue of the Ambassador, everyone will know we are still on the planet, and we must leave with all due haste and return to Federation space ASAP."

"I understand, Captain."

"Good. I hope your wife will be equally as understanding. Now, Mr. Worf, when is the bird of prey due to re-enter orbit?"

"Kurn should have entered orbit ten minutes ago, Captain. Would you like me to beam aboard right away..."

"You may say goodbye to the Counselor, Mr. Worf. Please be brief. Let me assure you your services have been greatly appreciated. You will be using a Klingon identification code for your transfer?"

"Yes sir; thank you, Captain."

* * * * *

Deanna was sitting on the edge of the bed when Worf entered the bedroom, brushing her hair. Worf watched her for a long moment without speaking. It was something he enjoyed; he liked the way her hair danced around her shoulders.

"You are returning to the ship?" She stopped and asked suddenly.

"Yes."

She put down the brush and patted the bed. Worf slowly came across the room and sat where she indicated. "The Captain has given up on the rescue of Kahless, hasn't he?"

"Yes, Deanna. And I agree with him; it is much too dangerous now."

"I suppose it is..." She took her husbands hand. "It will mean war...Martok will not wait, once he knows we have been unsuccessful."

"I know."

Deanna was silent for a long moment. "You will join Martok and give up your Starfleet commission." It was more a statement than a question.

Worf withdrew his hand and stood restlessly moving away from the bed. "I do not want to, Deanna."

"But, will you?"

Worf turned. "It would be the honorable thing to do...to bring honor the House of Mogh."

"Then I will resign my commission also..."

"No!"

"No? I am your wife...your mate...I will come with you. Martok has already offered me a position on his staff..."

Worf smiled but it was a smile of pride, not of happiness. "Yes, I know, little one." He moved back to the bed and sat once more. His large fist closed over Deanna's hand. "Deanna, I am the head of the House of Mogh, and you are my wife. You accept the Klingon way: that a wife must obey her husband...that a member of a Klingon house must honor that house and obey the word of the leader of that house. As the head of the House of Mogh, and as your mate, I forbid you to leave Starfleet..."

"But...."

"No, Deanna, please...no buts...It will be too dangerous, not only because of the war, but because you would be alone in a Klingon environment. I would seek to Command a ship. You would not be safe as my mate...you know that...there would be natural rivalries. You will be safer to remain with Starfleet. And if we should lose the war..." He leant forward suddenly and placed his other hand gently on her abdomen. "Our daughter must be born free. She must be given every opportunity to grow strong, to be the tall and beautiful woman we saw at the Temple of the Horoosha."

Deanna lowered her head. Worf could see the tears...He leant forward and tilted her chin. "It is no reason to cry, Deanna. I will be with you...we are bonded, remember."

"Yes..." Deanna whispered. She took his hand and pressed it to her cheek. "We vowed we would never be parted."

"Circumstances sometimes make that impossible, little one." Slowly he withdrew his hand. "I must report on board...Kurn is waiting my signal."

* * * * *

Sometime later Deanna joined the away team in the main room of the house. The tears were gone and she wore her Romulan uniform, her prosthetic in place. Beverly gazed at her for a long minute. She marveled at the difference. Deanna looked like a true Romulan, even to the coldness of the expression.

"I am ready, Captain."

The Captain glanced at her. "Sit down, Counselor. Have some breakfast."

"I am not hungry, Captain. Worf advises me that the streets are beginning to fill with the morning shift. It would be a good time to move. We could get to the nearest sewer entrance during the change of shift."

Jean-Luc nodded. "That is true, but you should eat something, Counselor. You have only just got back on your feet."

"You should eat, Deanna." Beverly agreed. "Remember you are eating for two now, if you will not think of yourself, at least think of your child...." Beverly Crusher assured her as she herself munched on some strange fruit.

Deanna turned to her. "Very well, I will have what you are eating. That way, I can eat as we move."

"Why are you in such a hurry, Counselor? Have you heard anything new? Has the Klingon cruiser intercepted a message? Are they planning to move the Ambassador?"

"Not that I am aware of, Captain. I just thought it would be good to get an early start."

"I would like to question our prisoner first Counselor, and I will need your assistance."

"My assistance, Captain? I am not capability of the tactics of the Tal Shiar, and I am sure he would sense a mind probe immediately."

"I should hope not, Counselor. What I had in mind was the use of the Betazoid ability you have recently acquired. I would like you to change into your Federation uniform so he does not feel threatened by the presence of the Tal Shiar. Would you mind changing?"

Deanna gazed at the Captain for a long moment. 'It was inevitable,' she thought and turned abruptly on her heel and left the room.

"Are you sure she is feeling all right doctor?" Jean-Luc turned to Beverly "She does not appear to be behaving in her usual manner." He paused. "But then again, she has changed so much it is difficult to know... Why this sudden anxiety to complete the mission, do you think?"

Beverly nodded her head negatively. "I have no idea, Jean-Luc. I do know she is fully functional health wise. There is no reason why she should not participate in the mission. Physically she is fine."

"Very well, Beverly you will need to get back into Romulan uniform and your facial prosthetic...it is a pity about the hair, but you can wear the security helmet."

Beverly smiled, "Do they have female security officers..."

D'tan looked up. "Yes, Doctor, but only a few. You should have an identification badge.... Here!" He pointed to his artificial arm above the elbow joint.

"Please draw it for us, D'tan; I will have Mr. Worf replicate one."

The young man hesitated for a long moment. "Captain Picard...there is someone who would like to meet you."

"You have told someone we are here, D'tan?" The Captain was shocked. "If anyone should know we are still on the planet it could jeopardize our rescue of the Ambassador!"

"Renne can be trusted Captain, she is a very good friend...She does not know at the moment that you are still on the planet. I have only told her that Federation officers were helping the Underground when you first arrived. Renne is a member of the underground, Captain Picard. We plan to marry."

"Why does she want to see me?"

"I believe, Captain it has something to do with her father...."

The Captain sat back. "I will speak to her after I have conducted my interview with Ma'shek, but it must be short, D'tan. Whatever it is she wants, I shall not be able to help her. Her father...was he one of the defectors from the Senate...M'ret or one of his associates?"

"I do not believe so, Captain. Renne rarely speaks of her father. All she has told me is that he had defected to the Federation. It is the reason she joined the Underground; she hopes one day to see him again."

"Very well, D'tan. Would you bring in the prisoner; the last round of medication should be wearing off about now."

The young man stood and picked up a disrupter from the side table. He was beginning to adapt to using one arm, and held the weapon with ease. "I will be happy when we can get rid of that spy. How long do you plan to keep him?"

"I will be sending Doctor Crusher back to the ship to pick up some special medications. We will use them to erase his memory. If we are successful we will simply release him...We will have to complete our mission quickly the medications are temporary and wear off after three days or so. "

"Release him! He deserves to die, Captain Picard, he is responsible for the deaths of many fine men...."

"It is not the Federation way to condemn a man without a trial, D'tan. In his mind, he has not committed a crime. You must remember according to Romulan law, we are the villains here and until reunification is accepted, he has not committed a crime. Our only recourse is to erase his memory so he will not be a danger to us."

The young man glowered at the Captain for a long moment. "I hope you are right, Captain." He finally agreed and quickly left the room. A few moments later, he returned with the tall Romulan before him.

"Captain Picard...this is ridiculous...Kill me now, or let me go...these drugs you are using are a waste both of my time and your intelligence. You know I will tell you nothing." The Romulan moved across the room to sit at the table. He glanced down at the map that still lay there. "So you have found the Ambassador...It will do you no good."

As the tall Romulan spoke, Deanna entered. She was dressed in her Federation uniform, her hair brushed back, and without makeup. The Romulan glanced up and saw her for the first time. "Mmmm...Another beautiful woman! I envy you, Captain; it seems the Federation attracts the most beautiful women...Have we met before?"

Deanna did not answer but moved across to the table and sat down. She picked up a piece of fruit and took a bite. A look of surprise crossed her face when she recognized the map and leant across to remove it before their Romulan captive identified the tunnel overlay.

"You do not like me?" The Romulan inquired. "I assure you I know how a human woman should be treated..." Deanna did not look at him but appeared to study the map as she began to fold it. Ma'shek quickly lost interest and turn to the Picard. "I think, Captain, I prefer your doctor...At least she knows how to smile...I find this one too serious... too much like our women of Romulas... In my travels I have...."

"We are not here to talk of your travels, Commander Ma'shek," Jean-Luc suddenly interrupted the Romulans bravado. "I need answers to some questions..."

"And you seriously think I will answer?" Ma'shek sat back and looked at the Captain. "You make me laugh..."

"I'm in no mood to jest, Commander. I need to know how many men are guarding Ambassador Spock?"

The Romulan threw back his head and laughed. "A battalion, Captain...a thousand men. Ask me another?"

"Has he been interviewed by the Tal Shiar?"

"Of course...Why would we bother with him, if we did not plan to interrogate him?" The Romulan sat back. "Your questions are puerile..."

"How often are the guards changed on his floor level?"

"How would I know that?"

"How many members of the unification underground have you captured?"

"All of them, Captain...all of them except this one measly boy. There are none left; none at all."

"Where are they holding Emperor Kahless?"

Deanna glanced up at the unexpected question.

"Emperor who...?" The Romulan's smile did not falter at the inquiry.

"What are your plans for the Emperor...?" continued the Captain. "What do you plan to do with the Ambassador?"

"You are not giving me time to answer, Captain."

"Are you working with anyone in particular, Ma'shek or are you working alone? Who is your superior officer?"

The Commander smiled. "You really do know nothing, Captain...All these question, what do you think they will gain you? I am a Commander in the Romulan Military. I have had better men than you question me without getting any answers, and their methods were unsavory to say the least..."

"When do you plan to attack the Federation?" The Captain continued.

"Attack! What attack?"

"How many ships are you building?'

"Now you are getting personal, Captain." The Romulan suddenly became serious. "I thought you said you were not sent to Romulas to spy. That sounded like the question a spy would ask...."

"It was, Commander. As I have said, I need information."

Beverly Crusher entered the room immediately attracting the gaze of the Romulan. "Ahh, the very lovely Doctor Beverly Crusher. I was hoping you would join us. Your Captain has been asking me a lot of stupid question."

"I hope you have been answering them." Beverly returned sarcastically. She sat down beside the Captain as she spoke.

"Yes, anything to be co-operative with the enemy, Doctor. Have you re-considered having dinner will me? You will, eventually, you know."

"I have no desire to have dinner with you, Commander Ma'shek." Beverly glanced at the Captain as she spoke.

"You will not have dinner with me because of him!" he nodded to the Captain.

Caught off guard Beverly blushed. Deanna's gaze swung to her and the Captain turned.

"Commander Ma'shek cannot be taken seriously, Beverly." Deanna intervened quickly.

"I had noticed." Beverly agreed regaining her composure.

"I will get your wig repaired if you will have dinner with me." The Romulan repeated.

"May I suggest that our guest be returned to his quarters?" Deanna interjected, noticing her friend's embarrassment. "I do not think he can offer us any more information."

Jean-Luc looked from one woman to the other. "Very well..." He agreed. "D'tan!"

Ma'shek's gaze swung to Deanna, his eyes narrowing. "You are a Betazoid!" He suddenly accused. His gaze swung back to the Captain. "You tricked me!"

Deanna smiled. "You have told us enough, Commander...We do not use the tactics of the Tal Shiar..." She turned to the Captain. "May I change into my uniform now, Captain?"

"In a moment, Counselor."

D'tan entered. "Yes, Captain?"

"Take this veruul^[1] out of here."

Beverly's gaze swung to the Captain surprised by the anger behind his request.

"I shall get you for this, Picard..." The Romulan swore as D'tan pulled him to his feet. "I have had the best officers of the Tal Shiar test me...I have told you nothing... nothing, I say...nothing...." D'tan had to drag him from the room.

As one, Beverly and the Captain turned to Deanna...

"He has told us a great deal, Captain..." Deanna advised them. "Kahless is still alive... The Commander saw him a little over three weeks ago in the office of Proconsul Sela..."

"And the Ambassador?" The Captain queried.

"He is currently being kept incommunicado by the military. It is the military who have him, not the Tal Shiar. It appears the military and the Tal Shiar are at odds. Kahless is also held by the military, under the order of Proconsul Sela. He is being kept in a holding cell under the Senate building..."

"Counselor...Deanna...I know you are concerned for the Spiritual Leader of the Klingons, but I am afraid we cannot...I repeat...cannot attempt a rescue. By using a radio frequency to communicate with our ship I believe we have alerted the Romulans that we are still on the planet, and even now they may be looking for us. Even cloaked, our ship is not safe in Romulan space. Thankfully, now you are feeling better, we will not have to depend on radio communication, but they will be looking for the ship and with our only means of escape again a target, we dare not delay. We must concentrate our efforts on the rescue of the Ambassador, and then we must leave..."

Deanna did not answer immediately. She fought an angry retort that came to mind. She was a Starfleet officer, she reminded herself. Captain Picard was her superior officer, and she must follow orders. With an effort she continued: "Ambassador Spock is being held in a prison in the seventh quadrant, as we already know. There are many members of the underground imprisoned there, including R'nart. There are approximately one hundred men stationed at the seventh quadrant, but most are on patrol with only twenty or so on duty in the building. Proconsul Sela has already interviewed the Ambassador. She is Ma'shek's superior officer. Ma'shek was second in command of Sela's Warbird and rose in rank with her...he has been her lover in the past but his feeling are fickle and he is now attracted to you, Beverly."

"I do not think it necessary to mention that, Deanna...it has become rather obvious." Beverly glanced at the Captain. He was gazing steadily at Deanna.

"He is a man used to having his own way." Deanna finished.

"Is there anything else, Counselor?" Jean-Luc asked in a cool voice.

"There are definite plans to attack the Federation, Captain. The exact date has not been decided. It will be another six weeks before the Romulan fleet has completed its refit of a new weapon."

"The number of ships?"

"When that question was posed, Captain, Commander Ma'shek immediately closed his mind. It was the type of question he was prepared for...being a military officer." Deanna rose to her feet. "That was all, Captain...if I may change now?"

"Very well, Counselor...We must get on with our mission..." he glanced at the chronometer above the computer terminal, "By nine hundred hours we should be ready in the seventh quadrant for the change of the next shift at eighteen hundred hours."

"Very good, Captain." Deanna had been standing stiffly at attention. She made to move then hesitated. "Would it be possible, Captain to use our Federation phasers? During our last engagement with the Romulans, we killed many officers. Using our own weapons, we could stun them. Since our presence on the planet has already been compromised it will not matter if we are recognized..."

"You are right, Counselor...there was a great waste of life. We will wear the Romulan disrupters for show only and use our own weapons if we should get into a firefight. Ask Mr. Worf to beam down enough weapons for all of us and also advise him we will need gas masks in case they should try their previous tactic...as many masks as he can replicate."

"Yes, Captain. Thank you, Captain." Deanna quickly left the room.

"I feel there is something troubling the Counselor, Beverly...Are you sure she is fit for this mission?"

"Yes, Captain. Physically she is fit, however, I cannot vouch for her mental condition...she is the Counselor, not I. I think she will be fine once we can get back on the Klingon ship. Perhaps it is that she already misses Worf..."

"Perhaps, but I was given to understand that they have continuous contact..."

Beverly shrugged. "I really do not know, Jean-Luc."

The Captain hesitated and lowered his gaze as he asked the next question. "This Romulan Commander, Beverly...Do you find him attractive?" He looked up expectantly.

Beverly hesitated, surprised by the question. She looked at him squarely. "No, Jean-luc not at all...I am surprised you should even ask!"

"Curious...Beverly...just curious. Now, I must beam back to the ship. I would like you to beam up when you are ready and bring down those mind-altering drugs. We did remember to bring them, I hope."

"Yes, Captain...we have the drugs. I brought all the drugs I thought would be necessary. I even remembered the memory drugs...though at the time, I thought I was being a little over zealous. I shall run some tests to make sure they are compatible with Romulan DNA."

There was a sudden knock at the main door down the corridor. The Captain and Beverly froze then both reached for their weapon automatically.

D'tan appeared in the corridor. "That will be my friend; is it all right to speak to her now?"

The Captain smiled sheepishly as he put away his weapon. "Yes, of course, D'tan, bring her in...Beverly..."

"I'm on my way, Jean-Luc...Have Deanna handle the transfer."

"Thank you. I will see you in a few minutes..."

Beverly rose and quickly left the room, planning to beam out from the bedroom once she had collected her medical kit. She passed the young man and woman in the corridor and gave the girl a cursory glance. She was young, Beverly thought, perhaps eighteen or so, and she gazed at D'tan with a look Beverly recognized. She smiled as she closed the door to the bedroom. That look was all that really mattered, she thought.

* * * * *

"Captain I would like to present Renne Jarok"

"Jarok!" The Captain was startled. He gazed at the young woman. She was tall, and certainly beautiful...

"Yes, Captain. I have come to ask you, if you know of my father...His name is Alidar Jarok; he was an admiral in the Romulan military... My father disappeared twelve years ago. My mother and I were told he was a traitor...that he defected to the Federation. I could not believe that my father would..." She hesitated, close to tears. "Please, Captain Picard... tell me...do you know of my father...is he still alive...is he happy..."

The Captain slowly rose to his feet. He came over to the young woman. "Renne Jarok... won't you sit down..."

D'tan took the arm of the young woman and gently guided her to a chair.

The Captain watched the young couple. They were obviously in love. The young woman turned her gaze from D'tan back to the Captain. "Can you tell me anything, Captain?"

Jean-Luc gazed at the young woman for a long moment as he recalled the events of his meeting with her parent. "I knew your father, Renne; he was a good man...an honest man..."

"You know my father...he is safe?"

"I had the privilege of meeting your father, Renne...it was a long time ago, more than ten years."

"And he is well?"

The Captain did not answer immediately but turned to D'tan. "D'tan...could you please check if Doctor Crusher has beamed back to the ship?"

The puzzled young man hesitated; he did not want to leave his friend. Abruptly he nodded and left the room to pursue the Captain's request.

"As I said I met your father several years ago, Renne. It was my ship that intercepted the Romulan run-about when he entered Federation space..."

"Then it is true...he did defect...He was a traitor?"

"It is true that he did try to warn the Federation...."

"You wished to speak to me, Captain?" Beverly appeared from the corridor. "I was about to beam back...."

"Beverly, let me introduce Renne Jarok..."

"Jarok!" Beverly's gaze swung to the young woman in surprise.

"Yes, Beverly; I was sure you would remember the name. Would you mind going to my cabin and look through my personal effects. I have bought the letter..."

"Yes, of course, Jean-Luc. I will be back as quickly as I can." Beverly disappeared once more.

"There is a letter...?" The young woman queried in surprise. "Then my father is alive?" She sounded relieved.

D'tan came back to the young woman's side and took her hand.

The Captain did not answer her query. "Your father, Renne was an honorable man...he was not a traitor. He believed strongly in peace. He genuinely believed that he could stop a war...a war between the Romulans and the Federation."

"A war...he believed then, ten years ago that there would be a war?"

"Yes, he was convinced there would be a war between us, yes."

"But at that time...there was no threat of war...it is only now there is the threat."

"Yes, now there is the threat...Perhaps he was premature but the threat has always been there, Renne. He believed he could stop the conflict. He did not know that he was being duped by his own people..."

"Duped?"

"He was fed false information about an installation being built close to Federation Space. He was told the installation was a first strike platform, built to store weapons and house the military forces in preparation for their attack. He did not know it was a test of his loyalty to the Romulan Council. You must understand, Renne, your father was a man of peace...he truly believed his mission would avert a war if we knew of the Romulan base. He never at any time behave as a traitor by trying to gain any advantage from his knowledge. In fact, his manner was just the opposite; he destroyed his ship so we could not glean any information from its military hardware, and refused to give us any tactical information that would have given us an advantage. He never for a moment thought of himself, or mentioned seeking asylum, his only concern was to stop the deployment of the attack force. He did not realize the deceit until we explored the so called military base he claimed was being used and found a deserted planetoid that had once been mining colony derelict for centuries."

"But he did defect...and he did..." She hesitated. Realization dawned on her face. "You are speaking of my father in the past tense..."

"As I said Renne, your father was an honorable man and I respected him. When he learned he had been tricked ...He chose to take his own life rather than defect, even though we offered him asylum."

Renne Jarok turned away in shock, and leant her head against D'tan's arm as the tears came. D'tan tried to comfort her. "Renne...I am sorry...Renne...." He turned to the captain. "She hoped with the unification with Vulcan she would see him again. She cared for her father very much..."

Jean-Luc stood and moved around the table to the young woman. He touched her shoulder causing her to look up with a tearstained face. The Captain touched the tears gently with his fingertips and wiped them away. The young woman reminded him of his daughter, Meribor. Kataan was a long way away, he reminded himself, but the memories had been rekindled recently and the memory of the iron weaver's daughter was very strong. He had loved Meribor as his own and had wiped away her tears many times when she was a child and even once as a young woman. He knelt before Jenne as he done with Meribor; it was a natural position as he wiped away the tears. "Your father, Renne, loved you very much...it was for you, and your safety that he tried to warn us of the invasion. He did not want you to suffer the effects of a war torn world...He had seen it happen too many times to see you suffer...He loved you." Suddenly the Captain found her arms around his neck, her tear stained face pressed against his shoulder as the young Romulan completely broke down.

That was how Beverly Crusher found them when she returned moments later. She stood in the doorway taking in the strange scene. After a moment, she cleared her throat. "Ha-hem... Captain...I have the letter."

The Captain tried to look around but the young woman's grasp restrained him. "Thank you, Beverly." He tried to disengage the young woman's hands from around his neck but found himself trapped. "Would you see if the Counselor is ready, Beverly...I find I have need of her assistance."

"Yes, Jean-Luc..." She dropped the computer pad on the table and exited.

"Before he died, Renne, your father wrote a letter... I promised if ever I had the chance I would try to deliver..."

The young woman finally pulled away. She tried to control the tears as she reached for a thin piece of material from her pocket. "The letter..." She repeated as she wiped away the tears, and forcibly brought her emotions under control.

Jean-Luc nodded with relief and stood. "Yes...Perhaps you may wish to talk with our Counselor, Renne...She may be able to help you."

"No Captain. It is strange but I know you understand...thank you...Thank you for bringing the letter with you." She gazed at the computer pad for a long moment, but did not try to press any keys. The Captain indicated the play key. Renne nodded but did not press it; the message was too personal and precious, something she wanted to savor alone. The young woman stood abruptly. "We have kept you, Captain Picard. I would like to thank you...both for your help, and for the letter...and for understanding...I will be going now."

Deanna entered the room followed by the Beverly Crusher. She was wearing her prosthetic once more and dressed in her Tal Shiar officer uniform.

At the sight of the Counselor, the young woman recoiled. "No!" She turned to the Captain immediately and pointed at him. "This man is a Federation Officer, Major...a Captain of a Federation starship... He should be arrested!"

Everyone froze.

"Counselor?" queried the Captain.

"She is in shock Captain; she does not know what she is saying..."

Everyone relaxed.

At the realization of what she had done, the young woman again burst into tears.

"D'tan, take your friend to the bedroom." Everyone was silent as D'tan guided the distraught young woman from the room. "Beverly perhaps you should also use the formula on Renne?"

"Captain, she was in shock that was all...What did you say to her?" Beverly asked.

The Captain slowly sat down, his head lowered in thought. "She reminded me very much of my own daughter, Meribor..."

"Daughter?" Deanna repeated in surprise.

"On Kataan, Deanna..." Beverly whispered. "It is alright." She moved to the Captain's side. "Captain, do you really want me to erase her memory."

The Captain looked up. "Do you think it necessary, Counselor?"

"It was the sudden shock of seeing the insignia of the Tal Shiar, Captain." Deanna assured him. "She was trying to protect D'tan by deflecting attention to you."

"Very well." The Captain nodded. "We shall reserve judgment on Renne Jarok. We have wasted too much time already. Beverly, give the young woman a mild stimulant, and make sure she is fit to accompany us; best to keep her with us until we leave. Then have Mr. Data accompany you when you see our guest. You will find the Commander in the kitchen monitoring the security network. We will leave our Romulan friend somewhere on the way, but make sure he is unconscious and remembers nothing of the last four days."

"That can be managed, Captain."

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Data lifted the grate and raised his head slowly to look around. As planned, they had entered the Romulan security complex by way of a well-lit maintenance room. He waited a moment narrowing his perception to catch every sound, even the fall of a dust particle, the only sound he could determine and established the immediate area was deserted. He scrambled out quickly and helped the three women, Beverly, Deanna and Renne Jarok up the ladder into the room. Captain Picard followed and then the young Romulan, D'tan. The biological beings removed their gas masks as Data jumped back into the drain to collect their equipment.

The Captain moved to the door of the small room, tried the handle and found it locked. He beckoned Data and the android produced a small skeleton key. Everyone inhaled and waited expectantly when the loud click echoed in the narrow room but there was no sound of movement beyond the metal door. Data pulled out his phaser and slowly turned the doorknob. Beyond was a wide, well-lit corridor. Numerous metal pipes ran the length of the wall opposite while an occasional door appeared along the immediate wall to the left and right. Data beckoned his companions to move ahead of him. The Captain crossed the corridor to the opposite wall and looked from left to right. There was no sound or sign of a guard or patrol. He nodded to the three women to enter the corridor and moved quickly along the passageway toward the nearest intersection. The counselor pulled out her phaser and checked the reading, making sure it was set to stun and crossed the corridor to follow the Captain. The doctor moved behind Data as he moved along the wall with the doors. They hesitated at each door before the intersection to listen for any occupant but all was silent. Both doors were locked and they assumed the rooms were storage areas.

D'tan moved down the center of the corridor, Renne hanging on his arm. As they neared the intersection, they could discern voices coming from the passage to the right. The Captain stopped and raised a finger to his lips. He crossed in front of Data while Deanna remained against the far wall. D'tan and Renne joined her. The Captain edged to the corner and peered around. Two Romulan guards sat at a table. One had his feet up, while the other was cleaning his disruptor. The Captain backed away. He waved Beverly to move back and beckoned Data forward to whisper instructions to the android. Data looked puzzled. He glanced back at Beverly and she opened her mouth to speak when, quite nonchalantly, the Captain stepped out into the middle of the intersection to face the two unsuspecting guards.

"Gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to raise your hands above your heads." He pointed his Federation phaser at the two men.

As one, both men stood and the guard with the disruptor opened fire wildly, his weapon aimed near the floor. The second guard pulled out his weapon and also fired without aiming.

In the midst of the cacophony of sizzling photons, the Captain dived back to the cover of the corridor. "Not such a good idea..." he muttered.

The away team listened silently as the two men continued to fire blindly at empty air.

Data glanced at the Captain, nodded and then dived across the intersection, firing rapidly at the Romulans as he moved. Abruptly the disruptor fire stopped.

The Captain nodded to Data across the corridor. Was it that easy to stun the two guards? He beckoned the android and counted down to three using his fingers then both officers stepped forward into the center of the corridor their phasers at the ready. There was no disruptor fire.

Beverly glanced across the corridor at Deanna. Deanna held her weapon steady, ready to dive forward to backup the Captain and Data. Beverly hesitated, her weapon still lowered; using a weapon was not her choice of action. She looked back at the Captain; he looked puzzled as without a glance in their direction, both he and Data moved forward quickly into the new corridor.

Beverly and Deanna looked at each puzzled by the lack of either voice or weapon fire from the corridor. They could hear the footsteps of the two Federation officers but nothing more.

Impatient for answers, Deanna raised her weapon and stepped into the entrance of the corridor vacated by the two Federation officers. She stood alone, her expression one of startled disbelief. Beverly raised her weapon cautiously and moved into the intersection to join Deanna. The corridor was deserted. There was no sign of the two Romulans; a table stood in the center of the corridor with no sign of any chairs or their occupants.

Slowly the two women advanced down the corridor where the Captain and Data were still moving cautiously looking from left to right for any hidden alcove that might mask the hiding place of the Romulan guards until they reached the table where they both stopped.

"You did use a phaser...not a disrupter, Mr. Data?" The Captain queried.

"Yes, Captain...I had it set for stun." Data turned to Deanna.

The Captain followed his gaze. "Do you sense anything, Counselor?"

"There is no one here, Captain...I am sure of it; I do not sense the presence of any sentient being other than the five of us."

The Federation officers looked carefully around at the walls until Data detected four narrow shafts near the ceiling, two on either side of the corridor.

"What are they, Data?" Deanna was the first to ask.

"I would hazard a guess that they are image projectors, Counselor. I believe we were looking at a hologram."

"A hologram!" Repeated the Captain in disbelief. "Why would they bother...Do you think they were expecting us?"

"That does not sound feasible." Data replied. "Perhaps it was an automated..."

"Alarm device!" Beverly Crusher finished his sentence. She had put her phaser away. D'tan and Renne entered the corridor.

"Possibly..." The Captain looked puzzled. "We are deep underground here, there does not seem to be anything worth guarding, unless it is their electrical relays."

"That is possibly correct, Captain." Data agreed. "Perhaps the simulation was to discourage the rodents. The Romulans were firing close to the ground. The rodents could be eating through their cables."

"But why use such a sophisticated device? The projections were too life-like."

"Perhaps it was the weapon fire, Captain." Deanna interjected. "The rodents could be familiar with their signature and know to make a hasty retreat at the sound. It would explain their rapid fire, yet they missed you completely."

"Possibly, Counselor. Knowing the sewers are home to the rodents it is unlikely they would expect anyone, thief or rescuer to enter through the tunnels..." He broke off as a new sound came from behind them. Everyone turned expectantly; the corridor they had just vacated was dark, the lights extinguished. Beverly recognized the sound and moved closer to the Captain. "What is it?" queried Jean-Luc.

"I hope I am wrong Jean-Luc," Beverly murmured, "But that sounds like the scratching of claws against stone, similar to the sound of the rodent I met and it sounds like several of them. They like the dark...OH..." As Beverly spoke, the overhead lights blinked out.

The rescue team immediately turned on their flashlights and beamed them towards the sound. Yellow eyes gleamed at them from beyond the light.

Beverly Crusher smothered a scream. "It is the tunnel rats, Jean-Luc...dozens of them."

The Captain fired at the nearest set of eyes and the yellow slits disappeared. The creature would be stunned for an hour, he thought; ample time for them to get to the next level. Maybe not, he added when he heard the sound of tearing flesh and growls of expectation echo along the corridor. He heard Beverly shuddered and felt her hand on his arm. He grasped her cold fingers to reassure her. "Let us continue down the corridor, they will be busy for a few minutes."

Jean-Luc continued to clasp the doctor's hand as they kept their flashlights pointed to the rear. "Data, would you take the lead and use your flashlight to guide us. Let us hope the creatures are only behind us. The rest of us will keep our beams to the rear. If the doctor is right, they will not attack as long as we can illuminate the corridor."

They continued down the corridor with four bright beams focused behind while Data illuminated the way ahead. D'tan and Renne separated to run their fingers along the contours of the walls in the hope they might find a door that would open. Except for the electrical conduits, the walls were bare; there were no doors in the new corridor, at least, none before they reached the next intersection. Without hesitation, Data turned to the right. Since his memory was infallible, everyone followed without question. Jean-Luc was only a pace behind the android when he turned and ran into the solid figure when Data stopped abruptly upon rounding the corner. The Captain stumbled and Data grabbed his arm as he fell against a metal grill that stretched across the tunnel.

"I believe the barrier is designed to either keep the creatures in or out. The question is which?" Data observed as he examined the solid metal bars. He focused his flashlight down the long dark corridor beyond. "Possibly it is to keep them out for there does not appear to be any creatures in the new corridor, Captain."

The Captain rubbed his shoulder. "Mr. Data, do you have your device handy; we could blast the lock but I believe you are right in your assessment. The bars have been set very close together obviously to stop any rodent squeezing through."

Data produced the skeleton key he had used previously and slid it into the lock. Renne and D'tan remained in the center of the corridor, their flashlights trained down the short hall. Yellow eyes glowed beyond the arc of light, their numbers growing by the second. The rodents had devoured their companion in record time. Everyone huddled back against the Captain as they waited nervously, aware of the heavy breathing and occasional snarl of the creatures as they edged closer.

Suddenly, a large ball of black fur leapt into the light, its long body caught in the beam of the flashlights of the two Romulans as it soared toward the throat of D'tan. Renne screamed. The Counselor fired her weapon and the animal fell unconscious to the floor only a few feet its target. Deanna moved back into the main corridor in front of the two Romulans and focused her flashlight into the eyes of the furry creatures. The snarling grew louder as they barred their teeth. None of the creatures backed away even though fully exposed in the light. They were emboldened by the sight of their fallen companion and eased forward.

"Captain, I do not think our illumination will be enough to keep them as bay much longer." She fired at the nearest creature and even before it fell, it disappeared under a flurry of moving fur. Deanna lowered her flashlight slightly not to witness the orgy. She gazed down at the first animal, lying near her feet. The creature was ugly, almost three meters long, with six short legs and a long thin snout lined with jagged teeth that glistened in the beam of her flashlight. Its body was as wide as the length of its legs. For a brief moment she imagining the weight of the monster on her chest, those incisor teeth centimeters from her throat and shuddered. "I would not want to meet that in a dark tunnel." She muttered.

"I have..." Beverly muttered.

"I have unlocked the gate, Captain." Without any hesitation, everyone moved quickly through the gate and Data slammed it shut. There was a sigh of relief from the doctor as they heard the lock click.

Jean-luc turned to Beverly in concern. "Are you all right, Beverly?"

"I am now, Captain." She leant against the wall. Suddenly a snout came out of the darkness, snuffling as it reached towards her and she jumped back, colliding with Jean-Luc.

The Captain steadied her. "It's all right, Beverly, the animal cannot reach any further." He swung his light back to the bars and several creatures scuttled back from the gate.

"I cannot understand how we managed to escape attack when we were in the sewers." Beverly muttered. "There are so many of them."

"That it easy, doctor," Data returned. "Down in the sewers we were making a great deal of noise, up here we have been moving stealthily, trying to make as little sound as possible. They knew better than to come near us in the tunnels."

"We must keep moving." The Captain interjected. "We will try to find another exit when we leave, Beverly."

They began to move along the corridor, Beverly swinging her flashlight back to the gate more than in front. She counted the noses of the rodents as they pressed against the bars; there were nine, she thought with more struggling behind them.

"Perhaps we will not be able to find another exit, Captain," Data continued the Captain's line of thought as they moved. "But that may not be a bad thing. I observed the holograph incident closely. I believe the Romulans feel the rodents guarantee that no one will enter through the sewage tunnels. The Counselor is right, the hologram was designed to discourage the rats, not an attack from the lower tunnels, which means this area is unguarded. The hologram allows this area to be monitored, without wasting manpower. I noted there was a four-minute delay from the time we disrupted the holographic beam to when the lights went out. I believe we may have disengaged the hologram with our fire, perhaps even accidentally shorting the current sending the image. We may have been responsible for this blackout. They are possibly even now repairing the broken circuit before the rodents take over the tunnels. If we should come back this way, we will be safe as long as we do not disrupt the holographic beam."

"I hope you are right, Data." The Captain observed

"A neat system," Deanna observed. "Tell me, Data, what is that device you are using to open the doors. Would it not be easier to use a phaser?"

"It is a device I have learned to keep on my person, Counselor. Sherlock Holmes would never go anywhere without it: a skeleton key." He held the thin device in the beam of his flashlight. "I have found it a very useful tool upon occasion."

"We do not want to make our presence known, Counselor," the Captain interceded. "If we had opened the door or that gate with a phaser it might have triggered a regular alarm. As it is using Data's 'key' allowed us to keep the lock intact and able to reseal it...in this last instance it proved to be very advantageous."

Deanna nodded. She could appreciate the logic of that.

They were now some distance from the gate and Beverly swung her light back once more to make sure the gate was still secure. The rodents had become a fur ball pressed against the bars. "Well, Captain," Beverly interjected with relief, "Where to now?"

"If I remember the map correctly, there is a stairwell to the next level along here somewhere." The Captain led the way, his flashlight sending eerie shadows into the gloom. Beverly followed close behind, her flashlight swinging from side to side as if expecting a creature to emerge from the shadows. Deanna glancing back to beam her flashlight as the sound of the scuffling animals increased behind them. More rodents had joined the throng at the gate and were trying to squeeze between the bars. Renne held tightly to D'tan's true arm as they continued, while Data now took the rear position, his flashlight trained behind them in case any animal should squeeze through.

"There it is..."

Every eye strained to where the Captain pointed his flashlight. There was another manhole in the ceiling with a metal ladder dropping down in the middle of the corridor.

"Not exactly a staircase, Jean-Luc. Where will this lead us?" Beverly enquired

"I believe it lead us to the main cell level." He moved to the ladder and gazed up at the metal disk above. "If it is true that the hologram was merely a deterrent for the rodents and not an alarm then we may still have the advantage of surprise. Mr. Data!"

"And if it was an alarm system Captain?" D'tan queried as the android moved ahead to mount the ladder.

"Then they will be waiting for us when we lift that cover."

Almost as if rehearsed everyone pulled out his or her weapon as Data climbed the ladder to the circular cap. Slowly he began to turn the metal disk in an anti-clockwise direction. It moved quietly like a well-oiled machine.

Deanna looked at Beverly. "No, I do not sense anything." She assured her.

Beverly frowned but said nothing, aware Deanna might be only trying to allay her fears.

As Data completed turning the metal ring and about to lift the last barrier to their destination, the corridor suddenly flooded with light. There was a loud scuffle down the corridor and everyone turned, their weapons raised to fire, half-expecting to see a Romulan security force pelting down the corridor, but it was only the tunnel inhabitants scattering from the gate to retrace their steps down the side corridor. The sound of their claws quickly diminished as they disappeared.

The doctor heaved a sigh of relieve. "I hope we don't have to face them again and can find another exit from this place."

"I am lifting the hatch..."

Everyone's gaze swung back to Data, their weapons again trained on the metal cap as he careful lifted the disk and moved it aside. Nothing disturbed the silence as he slowly raised his head above the rim. He looked back and nodded affirmatively before he climbed the last few rungs and disappeared. After a moment, he returned. "It appears to be another store-room. You will have to be careful coming through; the cap is hidden under a shelf of sheet metal...You will need to come through on your hands and knees." The android disappeared again as Deanna clambered up the ladder; Beverly followed then Renne, D'tan and finally the Captain. Once through the hatch, they found themselves crowded under a low metal ceiling less than a meter high stretching between storage racks. The metal stretched between the rack supports to a sidewall, leaving a narrow tunnel just wide enough to negotiate.

Data had moved ahead to a center aisle and now stood between rows of bookshelf style racks, his phaser held at the ready. They were in a long storage room with a centre aisle ending at the wall just beyond the shelf next to their entrance hatch and extending to a far wall, thirty meters away. The room had to be five meters wide, Data speculated as he gazed around. It was obvious they were not expected. Covered by dust, the racks appeared to have been neglected for months, perhaps years.

Everyone regained their feet and stood behind the android to gaze in disgust at the neglect. Renne reached out to steady herself as she stood by grabbing the nearest rack and dislodging a cloud of dust that sent her into a spasm of sneezing. Everyone froze for several moments until her attack passed but the silence persisted as if nothing had been disturbed.

"Are you sure we are on the correct level, Mr. Data?" The Captain queried. "This area seems to be unused."

The android nodded. "Quite sure, Captain. This room was shown on the map, but I did not expect it to be unused, it is in the very centre of the complex. I thought it was a lunch room or something of that nature."

"Well, lead the way Mr. Data. Perhaps we will discover that this was not the right building after all. I would hate to have to admit that Ma'shek was right."

The aisle was narrow, and they had to take care not to touch any shelves, in case they caused another avalanche of dust as they made their way to the far wall. They glancing down each avenue between the racks as they passed their weapons at the ready for any unexpected movement but everything remained still. They came to the end of the aisle and found a wider passage like an entranceway leading to a door near the corner of the room. With expectations high they moved to the exit and hesitated with weapons raised.

Data tried the door and found the handle moved freely; it was unlocked. He looked to his companions. The Captain nodded and Data opened the door. They were in another corridor similar in width to the one below yet quite different in décor. The walls were painted a bright white and cream that jolted the senses into wakefulness. There was no doubting this was an active working area. Data peered around the jamb; a series of doors three meters apart ran the length of the corridor along the opposite wall, each with a hatch at eye-level. They had reached the cellblock. Data slowly entered the corridor, his weapon moving rapidly from left to right. An unexpected masculine cough caused him to briefly freeze before moving back quickly into the open doorway, stopping Beverly from entering the corridor. He waited a few seconds before he moving back into the corridor. The cough, he realized, had come from one of the cells. They were occupied.

Beverly hesitated and then stepped back into the storage room to allow the Captain to enter the corridor next. Again, he looked from left to right before crossing to the opposite wall. There was no sound now. Deanna entered next, her weapon raised. She took one step and hesitated, her face blanched as her empathic senses were assailed by pain. She bit her lip and looked at the Captain. He moved back to her side.

"What is it, Counselor?" He whispered.

"These people are suffering, Captain...They have been tortured...."

The Captain nodded to Data and the android began to move down the corridor, staying close to the wall opposite the silent doors.

Beverly entered the corridor to Deanna's side. "Where is it, Deanna?"

"Everywhere!" She raised her hand to her forehead as if to block the agony. "This area is full of pain, searing pain..."

Beverly looked at the Captain.

The Captain nodded negatively. "No, Beverly, we are here for one reason and one reason only. Counselor we will be as quick as we can."

"But we cannot leave them to suffer..." Beverly objected.

"Once we have found the Ambassador we will see what we can do, Doctor. " He turned to the Deanna. "Is he here, Counselor?"

Deanna was silent for a long moment. "No, Captain."

They began to move along the corridor. As they neared a corridor intersection, Deanna hesitated by a door. "R'nart is here..."

"R'nart!" D'tan moved quickly to the door.

Deanna grabbed his arm...it was his artificial arm and it dropped awkwardly from his pocket; the lifeless hand limp and dangling. D'tan turned to stare at her, his good hand already on the handle of the door. "It is not locked..."

Deanna gazed at the young man. "It does not need to be...D'tan...I am sorry... he will not last long."

Beverly immediately moved to D'tan's side. "I must help him...Captain?"

The Captain turned. He saw the expression on Beverly's face and much against his better judgment he nodded. Beverly brushed by the startled youth and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

There was harsh light overhead, the room ablaze with cold reality. She moved to the bed, the only piece of furniture. A broken figure of the once resilient old man lay there, silent and still. He was staring at the ceiling, his eyes glazed with pain. Beverly quickly pulled out her hypo and attached a drug capsule, one that would ease his pain...She pressed the cold metal object against the vein in his neck.

The old man's gaze turned to her and she saw the sudden fear her presence brought to his eyes. The doctor quickly removed her helmet to reveal her red hair. She tried to smile encouragement. The old man managed a smile of recognition before he died.

Beverly stood there for a long moment staring down at the empty shell of what once had been an active vital man. The body was broken...the legs twisted at awkward angles, the arms thin and undernourished. She closed the old man's eyes and quickly left the room. She found no comfort in death.

"Is he...?"

"He has gone, D'tan..." Beverly squeezed the young man's real arm briefly before she turned to Deanna. "We must go, Deanna, you should not stay in this area. I can see the suffering in your eyes...this is not good for you."

"I will be all right, Beverly. I hope we can do something for the rest...."

"If they are as bad as R'nart, and I fear it is so, then it is already too late..." Beverly moved passed Deanna to join the Captain.

The Captain did not smile. "I told you we could not become involved..."

"It is too much, Jean-Luc...too much. We must find the Ambassador and get away from this place as soon as possible. This is not good for Deanna...not good for any of us."

Deanna slowly turned and gazed at the three Federation officers, standing near the intersection of the corridor...What of the Ambassador, she wondered...What of Kahless? Would they find them in a similar condition?

Three somber rescuers, Deanna, D'tan and Renne joined the Captain, Data and the doctor. It was a dejected group who now approached their mission with new fears. D'tan held Renne's hand. The Counselor could see the young woman was crying. She did not feel far from tears herself. It was such a waste...especially if Kahless had suffered the same fate. The doctor could face this kind of thing much better than she; for despite her bonding with a Klingon warrior, she could not accept the suffering of others. As she thought of her mate she felt the sudden warmth of his presence, so far away until that moment as he assured her firmly, that he did not approve of suffering either...a clean kill, yes...but only if it was necessary...but torture... never! With the touch of his presence, Deanna felt comforted.

The Captain tried to cheer the rest of the rescue team. "We knew this mission would not be easy...Now let us not dwell on the negative. The Ambassador would be considered a political prisoner..." His voice petered at the sound of metal striking a wall.

There was a pause then another creak and the clang of a gate slamming shut followed by the sound of heavy boots, of metal soles striking the stone floor in the next corridor. Jean-Luc raised his finger to his lips and the rescue team raised their weapons.

Data moved quickly back along the hall to the corner. He edged up against the wall as a guard rounded the corner, well into the center of the corridor and stepped out behind him to give him a Vulcan nerve pinch and as the guard fell unconscious he caught the inert form and lowered the guard silently to the floor. He removed a collection of keys from his pocket. "These may come in handy," he murmured and moved quickly to look around the corner.

The Captain beckoned the doctor forward and gestured to her to give the guard a sedative to prolong his condition.

Beverly opened her med kit... "A waste of good medicine..."

Jean-Luc frowned and the doctor nodded acquiescence. "He'll be unconscious for several hours." She muttered.

The Captain moved after Data. He touched the android on the shoulder and Data stepped back to allow him to peer around the corner. There was a metal gate across the corridor similar to the gate below. He glanced back at Data, who nodded, lifting the keys. The Captain looked around the corner a second time. Beyond the gate, there were openings on both sides of the corridor without door, but with grills similar to the gate that closed off the corridor.

Jean-Luc backed away from the corner and beckoned the rescue team back along the corridor. A surprised group followed. They moved back ten meters from the corner. The Captain raised his hand and spoke softly. "D'tan, once we are beyond the next gate we are going to be seen by the occupants of the cells in the next corridor. We have no choice but to rescue whoever is there. Counselor do you sense, Ambassador Spock anywhere on this floor?

"I am sorry, Captain, I cannot trace a strangers thoughts through the bedrock, I have to be open to the contact. It is obvious that the element in the rock which does not allow a scan has limitations on my ability."

"But you can sense..."

"My bond with Worf, Captain, has established a unique telepathic wavelength. I do not understand it. Perhaps it is because of the unique genetic make-up of our bond, but I can sense him and communicate with him through this rock...and any other inert matter that we have been in contact with so far, but I regret it is only Worf I can sense. Down here, within the bedrock of the planet, I can only read someone else, telepathically or empathically when within physical sight or through doors made of wood or metal. In this corridor I can feel the pain of these prisoners through the doors, and can identify the person suffering as I did with R'nart, but there is no pain in that corridor, only here."

Jean-Luc nodded. "Very well, we will have to continue our investigation in the normal manner. Mr. Data are you sure if we do not disrupt that holographic beam that the tunnel lights will remain on?"

Data nodded. "Yes, Captain, I am sure, within reason."

"Mr. Data...I am going to need you to check that theory."

"Yes, Captain." The android moved back to the door of the storage room and disappeared.

"There is no other route we can use, Captain?" Beverly asked unhappily.

"I am sorry, Beverly but it is the only route that we know of at this time, there is no other alternative open to us. Counselor, these people here, behind these doors...can you tell if they are members of the unification underground."

"I did not recognize any other members of the underground, Captain, only R'nart." She glanced at D'tan. "He did not break, D'tan...that is why he suffered...He told them nothing."

D'tan looked away and bit his lip. "He was my father..."

Renne took his arm. D'tan slid his arm around her and held her close briefly.

The Captain gazed at the young man in surprise. "I am sorry, D'tan."

The young man did not answer but looked straight ahead, a determined expression on his face. "We must rescue the Ambassador, Captain Picard. He must not die in vain..."

Jean-Luc nodded. "Counselor, this next block we will enter has open cells. If, as you say you can sense through open or regular materials, perhaps you can sense if the Ambassador is present..."

"I will attempt it, Captain." She moved along the corridor to the intersection and moved into the center of the hallway.

The Captain turned to Beverly. "This rescue is proving to be a little more than I anticipated, doctor. The Ambassador may not be on this level at all. I wonder where that guard was heading when he came into this section. Would you mind checking out the other end of this corridor to see if there is another series of cells. Be careful..."

Beverly nodded. "I am always careful, Captain." She smiled as she turned and moved rapidly in the opposite direction away from where they had entered the cellblock. The corridor was long, the doors numerous. She thought of the many Romulans who lay in adverse conditions behind the closed doors and was grateful she could not feel their pain, like Deanna. She tried to console her anguish at her helplessness, after all, she thought, she was only one person, a single doctor and did not carry enough medicine to help them all. She came to another intersection and hesitated. The corridor continued beyond the intersection another ten meters and ended in the blank wall of the bedrock. Only two doors were beyond the intersection. Both were open, obviously unoccupied.

She moved slowly up to the intersection. There was no sound. Around the corner was a short corridor, ending in a winding staircase up to the next level. The guard may have been going off duty, she thought. She glanced at her chronometer; it was almost eighteen-hundred hours. A new shift would be reporting soon. Perhaps the unconscious guard would be missed!

Beverley rapidly retraced her steps. Deanna was talking to the Captain when she joined them. The doctor learned quickly that the Ambassador was not among the prisoners in the open cell wing.

"They are members of the underground." The counselor was saying. "A few have been tortured, but I believe most of still in good condition. There is very little pain there." Deanna added as she completed her report.

Data appeared through the door from the storage room and moved quickly to join them. "I have checked out the hologram, Captain. It is automated, as I thought; it is designed to discourage the rodents. It is now working again, though our fire must have overloaded one of the projectors for one of them is damaged, which possibly overloaded the circuits and caused the blackout. I have marked a passage under the beam so that we will not interrupt the projection when we return. The figures are set to react to any noise...so when you stepped out into the corridor you automatically tripped the mechanism. All we have to do is be quiet when we pass, and the hologram will not react...though if we do set it off, the holographic figures can not hurt anyone: the disruptors are not real, and setting the figures in motion does not cause a blackout."

"Very good Mr. Data. Is our equipment still safe in the storeroom below/"

"I did not return to the original storage room, Captain, but I do believe it should be safe. We have almost fifty gas masks if needed..."

"We just may need them, Mr. Data. The Counselor has advised us that members of the unification underground are imprisoned down that wing...I want you and D'tan to take them back to the tunnels. D'tan can guide them away from this place."

"Captain..."

"Yes, Doctor."

"The stairs to the next level are down that end of the corridor...I believe the guard was going off duty. His replacement may be along at any moment."

"Mr. Data...you have your orders. If we are not back by the time you have finished with the transfer of the prisoners, I want you to return to the surface?"

"But, Captain...."

"Beverly, you are to help Data, and that order also applies to you. You are to help with any of the badly injured or the physically abused prisoners.

"Jean-Luc, I would prefer..."

"You are going to be needed, Beverly" the Captain interrupted firmly. "The counselor and I will proceed alone...We still have the element of surprise..." He turned to the Counselor. "Counselor, you and I will proceed to the next level..."

"I must protest, Captain," Data interjected. "If Commander Riker were here, or Mr. Worf; they would insist that you do not travel without a bodyguard, and with all due respect Captain, counselor Rozhenko does not qualify. Doctor Crusher, D'tan and Renne can handle the prisoners...I should come with you."

"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Data, but I fear some of those prisoners may have trouble walking and will need your strength..."

"Captain" Beverly Crusher pulled herself up to her full height. "Mr. Data is right, I can manage here. Those prisoners who can walk can help those who need assistance. Mr. Data should go with you."

The Captain gazed at the doctor for a long moment. "Very well, Doctor. Mr. Data, you may accompany the counselor and me. Doctor, you are in charge of the prisoner transfer... good luck."

Data handed the keys from the guard to the doctor. "Good luck , doctor..."

"And you too, Data." Beverly handed the keys to Renne. "Good luck, Captain...Jean-Luc."

"We will be back before you know it, Doctor. Come along, Counselor -- Mr. Data." The three turned and began to move down the corridor.

"Deanna..." Deanna Rozhenko turned at the doctor's call. "Take care."

Deanna smiled, though her eyes remained cold. "We will return, Beverly, never fear. There is too much to do." The Counselor turned and lengthened her stride to catch up with the Captain and Data.

Beverly turned to Renne. "Let us get moving on this. We will not have long, and that corridor has to have a hundred cells." She turned back down the corridor followed by the two Romulans.

Footnotes: (hit Backspace to return)

1. Derogatory Name