The Next Generation
Dimensions 2 - Romulas - Part 7
by B.J. Burton
(bjburtoncanada@yahoo.com)

Dimensions 2 - Romulas - Part 7

SYNOPSIS:

Pro-consul Sela must face her worst enemy...herself and Captain Picard accepts his destiny with the hope he can change the future shown by Q.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

Deanna Troi Rozhenko stared at her computer terminal for a long moment. It was imperative her facts were straight before she joined Captain Picard in Ten Forward. Satisfied, she picked up her computer pad and exited her family quarters. She felt comfortable; it was good to be back on board, she thought. She smiled at an ensign she passed in the corridor. It was good to be alive. She caught herself... yes, it was true she thought; it was indeed good to be alive.

The Ten Forward lounge was quiet when Deanna entered. It was strange to find the room so silent, for it was the most popular meeting place on the Enterprise and was usually full of off duty Enterprise officers meeting friends over coffee or a late night drink or perhaps enjoying a delicious meal designed by Guinan, their resident barkeep.

She recognized Worf immediately standing on the raised area at the back of room; a tall, shadowy figure barely visible against the dark backdrop of space. He was on duty, she knew; in charge of the security detail assigned to the prisoners. 'It is good to be back, my love,' she advised him telepathically; 'It is a good day to be alive.'

Worf smiled and nodded. 'It is good to have you home, little one.' He returned in kind.

The tables that normally crowded the tiered room with their discrete lighting and cheerful occupants were nowhere to be seen; the only illumination where Worf stood was the sprinkling of stars beyond the plasteel wall behind him and Deanna had difficulty discerning his smile but the warmth of his feeling swept over her and she also flashed a smile, certain she could be seen, for she was standing in the only illuminated area in the room, where the bar normally stood. Ten Forward had been reconfigured to the trappings of a Federation courtroom and a semicircle of high-backed chairs were now arranged where the bar once stood, their Romulan occupants somber and silent, sitting as straight and as stiff as their chairs.

Deanna knew the long commodious counter together with the stools and tables were now ensconced in the hollow confines of cargo bay three. The new location was not as luxurious as the carpeted floors and exotic views accorded Ten Forward but no one was complaining; Guinan had the ability to make her domain feel like home where-ever she set up shop. Cargo bay three was still full of the regular off duty officers, happily at ease, loud and hungry, as Deanna discovered the night before when she made her first public appearance since her return to the Enterprise and found herself welcomed back in true Enterprise style with cheers and a spontaneous party held in her honor.

All that reminded one of Ten Forward's true identity was a semi-circle of three tables arranged on the first level of the tiered floor surrounding the illuminated area. There was no chatter of diners, not even a whisper from the stern faces of the jury of Federation officers as Deanna moved between the tables to where Captain Picard sat with a frown etched on his high brow.

Martok was seated at the table near the door. With her attention of Worf Deanna did not notice him until he touched her arm to whisper his congratulations on her safe return. She nodded and thanked him before moving on to join Captain Picard. Ambassador Spock was about to sit to the Captain's left when she reached the table. She realized the Ambassador had just finished speaking for the hush in the room was electrically charged. It was the first time she attended the tribunal and she was not sure of the protocol. The faces of the Romulan Senate were masks of stone. She did not recognize any senators, except Proconsul Sela who sat slightly to one side, deliberately isolating herself from the group; her eyes were averted, her body turned partially to the wall, determined to ignore the proceedings and everyone in the room.

An older woman rose from a chair at the center of the semi-circle and began to speak. "Ambassador Spock, once again you have dazzled us with your eloquence. But I feel once again I must repeat my belief that your argument: that the people of Romulus wish for reunification with your home world of Vulcan is a delusion, a story, I believe, you have exaggerated for your own aggrandizement. We, the High Senate of Romulus... chosen by the people, know that Romulans have no wish for this...this...reunification. We treat our people well; they are well educated, and know the weaknesses of your race. We do not foster on them the Vulcan delusion of mastery of their emotions. We chose centuries ago to oppose such restriction of our natural responses. What we have here, Captain Picard is a man who dreams of one last ambassadorial success. It is a waste of time. We Romulans do not seek reunification with Vulcan. You have kept us here under armed guard without access to our people, our attendants or our families and today you give us another absurd excuse for your actions. Your first claim of war against you people we have denied emphatically. I repeat, this charade is a blatant attempt at conquest by kidnapping the Romulan Imperial Senate. I must advise you, Captain Picard, that by your very audacity, you have violated every fundamental rule of the Democracy you claim to represent. I believe you have entered Romulan space illegally, without the knowledge of your Federation. By your actions, Captain Picard, you have single-handedly been instrumental in instigating the very war you claim to have come to prevent; a war between your Federation and the Romulan Empire."

Captain Picard rose slowly to his feet. "Ambassador Spock, may I be permitted to answer this allegation." Spock nodded. Captain Picard pulled back his shoulders and met the Romulan woman's gaze squarely. "Praetor Surnak...I came to Romulus with the full knowledge of my people...my mission as I have already advised was to rescue two members of the Federation, Ambassador Spock who has been on your planet for several years, and Kahless, the Spiritual leader of the Klingon people who was recently kidnapped by a member of your council."

"You lie Captain Picard!" returned the Praetor. "Your actions speak otherwise. You deliberately broke the Treaty of Algeron. You came to our planet in a cloaked Federation vessel in violation of that treaty."

"It is true Praetor that I did come to Romulus in a cloaked ship, but it was not I who was the first to break that aspect of the treaty...but your own military. Putting aside the kidnapping of the Klingon Spiritual leader from Qo'noS several months ago, according to Federation time; a member of your military was observed negotiating an exchange of your cloaking technology with an enemy of the Federation, the Cardassians. Such an act was a more flagrant breaking of that treaty, since the prime directive is to stop the sale of cloaking technology to known enemies of the signers of the treaty of Algernon."

"Once again you lie, Captain Picard...We have nothing to do with those... Veruuls; the Cardassians!"

"You are not aware, Praetor Surnak, that Commander Maran, under orders issued by Proconsul Sela was exchanging military technology with the Cardassians...?"

"It is a lie, Praetor!" Proconsul Sela rose to her feet. "There is no proof of any such meeting. I gave no such order. No information pertinent to the Treaty of Algernon has been exchanged with the Cardassians."

Commander Riker who sat at a table further to the left of Captain Picard rose to his feet. "You claim it is a lie Proconsul?" He raised a sealed envelope. "I have here the written statement from a Cardassian Commander, one Gul Dukat of the Cardassian military. Gul Dukat once served as the governor of their mining station above Bajor and now commands a ship that patrols the Cardassian neutral zone. He has advised the Federation he is willing to come here to vouch for his statement, that he has arrested the Cardassian Captain who met with the Romulan Commander on Ohniaka three, in Federation space, thirty-nine days ago. In his statement he states he has confiscated the schematics of your cloaking technology. It seems the payment for that information Captain Nyrok was to guarantee Commander Maran a Cardassian fleet of Galor class battle cruisers, to join your armada when YOU attack the Federation."

"Nothing but lies, Praetor." Sela repeated. "They are making up excuses for violating the treaty."

Praetor Surnak gazed to the Proconsul for a long moment. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke. "I shall have to verify that, Commander Riker." She slowly sat down. The Praetor seemed to age as she continued to gaze at the Proconsul...it was obvious the senate had no knowledge of Proconsul Sela's activities.

Commander Riker resumed his seat and Ambassador Spock stood. "We are then given to understand, Praetor that you had no knowledge of the build up of Romulan ships to armada strength?"

Surnak stared at him for a long moment before her gaze swung back again to the Proconsul. "We of course knew of the new ships, Ambassador but were informed by the Proconsul they were replacements for ships that were to be decommissioned. She also advised that the rest of our fleet was being upgraded with new equipment."

"Your people have always sought to be adversarial, Praetor." The Ambassador countered, his tone inferring he did not believe her.

"My people have always sought peace, Ambassador." Praetor Surnak re-iterated with a slightly raised voice. "That is why we agreed to the Neutral Zone. We do not seek to be adversarial... quite the opposite."

"Not adversarial, Praetor?" Captain Picard reiterated. "On the occasions I have had the 'privilege' to come in contact with your people, they have been nothing but adversarial. The Neutral Zone was an agreed barrier that your people would not trespass and enter Federation space. Yet, repeatedly they have violated that zone. Federation outposts have been attacked, both within Federation space and the Klingon Empire.

Sela rose angrily to her feet. "The Neutral Zone makes us prisoners." She flared.

The Senators as one raised their gaze to stare at the blonde Proconsul.

Sela whirled to face the Praetor. "We are prisoners, Praetor, forced to live behind that barrier, unable to wander beyond a wall created by our ancestors to keep out a race we considered inferior. Look at what we have become; we are isolated...without any knowledge of the advances in technology made by our enemies and our technology languishes. Recent experiments with new concepts have shown a deplorable lack of expertise. Our recent work with the phase generator proved a failure and our transporters have not seen improvement in decades. Why, our transporters are not even as sophisticated as the device demonstrated by this Federation puppet. Our planet becomes poorer as our natural resources are depleted. For the past fifty years we have become increasingly dependant on the resources of other planets within our empire for our basic needs. If we should be attacked or if a planet within our empire is captured by an enemy we could be left completely without resources."

Praetor Surnak rose abruptly to her feet. "It is obvious to us now, who is the enemy of the Romulan people. Vice Proconsul Sela you are under arrest. You have violated...."

Sela laughed. "I have violated? You have violated...you old woman! You have not been conscious of what has been happening around you for more than twenty years. The Romulan Empire is falling apart. We have very little fuel left...were you aware of that, Praetor? The use of an artificial quantum singularity may fuel our ships, but such technology has never been suitable for other purposes. Recently this fuel upon which was are so dependent has proven dangerous, even disastrous on several occasions, and our new 'improved' energy source, trilithium, has proven to be unstable.

"Are you aware, Praetor Surnak that we have been experiencing severe loss of agricultural supplements? That Remus, our sister planet has been suffering recurring cycles of famine that are making large areas of that planet uninhabitable. Have you bothered to read the reports of these events that have been delivered to your office?"

Stunned by Sela's onslaught the Praetor slowly sat down. "Is it true?" She whispered.

"Of course it is true." Sela snapped. "If not for the military our people would have rebelled years ago from starvation. You can arrest me, if you will, but it will not change the facts." She stood rebelliously, her eyes flashing, glaring at the Romulan leader.

The Praetor met her gaze without flinching as she stood once more. Slowly she turned her head, her demeanor still proud as she turned to Ambassador Spock. "There have been many allegations and accusation made here today, Ambassador. I feel I must review what has happened. I seek permission to call a temporary halt to these proceedings until the facts can be established."

"Very well, Praetor. We shall adjourn the proceedings for today."

The members of the Romulan Senate rose and the Praetor led the way from the circle of light, her head held high. As she moved to the door she made a wide circle around the woman known as Sela. The Proconsul remained standing, her gaze straight ahead as the senate filed past in Surnak's wake. They filed through the doors singly, each joined by a Klingon guard as they moved into the hall.

When the senators returned to their assigned quarters Deanna knew they would be given access to terminals to review the day's events and to seek confirmation from their staff on the planet. Their veil of ignorance had been lifted and each member would be granted legal council from their own people. She knew it would not be long before the transporters would be working overtime to allow their advisors freedom to come and go.

Finally, Sela turned; the last Romulan to leave the illuminated area. She gazed directly at Captain Picard with a look of genuine hate and then her head turned slowly to view the rest of the Enterprise crew, glaring at each on in turn until her eyes alighted on Ambassador Spock. She continued to stare at him for a long moment until a Klingon guard ventured to take her arm. She shook his hand off violently, seemingly snapped out of her physical paralysis and turned to the door. No word was spoken until the doors closed behind her.

Deanna frowned. "Proconsul Sela has no love for you or the Federation, Captain."

The Captain looked at her and smiled. "I think we are aware of that, Counselor. Welcome to the proceedings. Did you glean any insight from our Romulan friends?"

"Praetor Surnak is not acting, Captain, she has no knowledge of Sela's activities. She was completely taken by surprise with the revelations. She is unaware of any threat posed by Sela or of an invasion of the Federation."

"How is that possible, Deanna? No-one could accomplish such a build up of ships without arousing some curiosity." Will Riker marveled.

"Like so many worlds governed by the military, Commander, one government department never queries the workings of another; the left hand rarely knows what the right hand is doing. That is the reason why there is so much duplication and waste; everything on Romulas is run by the government. It is giant octopus, with tentacles into every aspect of Romulan life. There is so much duplication within each department, isolated in it own bureaucracy, there has been no growth in years. Sela is right about that, in fact she counted on that isolation to get away with as much as she has."

"You have been doing your homework Counselor," smiled the Captain. "Is there any-thing else you can tell us that would help with these proceedings?"

"I have taken the liberty with the aid of Data, to research the Romulan central computer net, Captain. I am sure they would not be at all pleased with my findings. It would appear that Sela duped everyone into believing in outmoded ships. Not one department appears to be aware of a military buildup. It seems that everything, from parts to labor has been acquired with one word...rebuild. Since each department is completely insular, no individual has queried the many parts, or questioned why so many ships were being 're-built'; or why older ships were not being decommissioned but being refitted with new armament. It is my belief, Captain, that Sela has been working on this invasion of the Federation for several years and entirely alone."

The members of the Federation gazed at Deanna in disbelief.

"The Counselor is possibly right, Captain Picard," agreed Ambassador Spock. "The members of the senate are old...many members are antiquarian, and age does not necessarily ascribe to wisdom. It would appear these people have become too set in their ways and too comfortable to initiate change. It is possible these senators should be replaced."

"What are you suggesting, Ambassador?"

"I think these people should have their eyes opened. They should walk the streets of the Capitol instead of riding above them in their air cars. They are completely unaware of how the people live, working unending shifts without a vacation."

"A commendable idea, Ambassador, but hardly feasible at the moment," returned the Captain.

"Perhaps instead we should insist on elections," Suggested Deanna, "Open elections, monitored by us."

"I disagree, Deanna of Mogh..." All eyes looked up. Chancellor Martok stood at the head of the table, Kahless, the Klingon spiritual leader by his side. "I have been watching the proceeding with interest. Your methods are not those of a Klingon, Captain Picard. You allow too much freedom of speech; action would be quicker. But you are right about one thing; these people are too old to rule...the Romulans have become complacent...such behavior would not be tolerated on QonoS. The people of Romulas are weak and not worthy of consideration as an adversary. That woman spoke of the depletion of her planet. We on QonoS suffered the same deprivation with the destruction of our energy resources on Praxis. Our resources were almost diminished when we turned to Praxis. Although we still have a lack of energy source our resources have gradually replenished in the last hundred years...but they are not what they were five hundred years ago, before we became hungry for conquest, and started to deplete our planet in our greed for glory. We Klingons have learned to respect our world, to leave it to thrive naturally. Our planet supports very little industry... yet we survive."

Deanna Rozhenko gazed at the Chancellor for a long moment. She was only too aware of how Klingons 'survive.' She returned her gaze to the Captain. "There must be a balance somewhere, Captain, between depleting a planet and living a comfortable life..."

"I am sure it is possible, Counselor...but we must be careful how we tread in this matter. We must not violate the prime directive."

"Prime directive...I have heard that term before, Captain Picard." Kahless queried. "What is the Prime directive?"

"It is the creed of Starfleet and of the Federation, Emperor Kahless," Ambassador Spock replied, "that we do not interfere with the natural process of the evolution of a world. We cannot interfere in the political process of this planet. If they decide to remain as they are...that must be entirely their own decision, we cannot impose our will, even if we are here, now, appearing to hold their future in the balance. Any real decision in this Federation court must be made by the Romulans..."

"It is true, Chancellor Martok," continued Captain Picard, "that this tribunal has every appearance of a trial, but it is not meant to be a witch hunt..." Martok looked askance. "A witch hunt Chancellor Martok was something that occurred long ago on my home world. Women who were old were cast out of their homes and villages because they were without means of support, during a period in our history of no social programs. They were considered to be possessed of demons and called witches because they had to learn to use herbal medicines for their own survival; the same herbal remedies we use today in scientific practices. They were considered the black arts and were quickly feared by their contemporaries who sought to burn them alive. Ignorance, Chancellor is the greatest enemy of any world." Captain Picard hesitated. "No, this is not a witch hunt. Our ignorance of Romulan culture must not dictate the outcome of this 'trial.' We came to stop a war...and I believe we may have succeeded in stopping the invasion. I think we have done well today."

The Captain rose to his feet. Ambassador Spock also stood. Deanna Rozhenko looked around for her mate as everyone began to move toward the doors of Ten Forward.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Captain Picard decided on a late opening of the tribunal the following day. Many of the Romulan Senate sought a change of venue, to move the proceedings to the planet, claiming lack of information while others demanded more time. Jean-Luc was impatient; there was an obvious reluctance by the Romulans to recognize the truth. Yet he believed the worst was over; Sela's treachery had been revealed and once the Senate formally agreed to cancel their attack on the Federation the Enterprise could retreat beyond the Neutral Zone.

He was the first to arrive at the Senate hearing at eleven hundred hours. A sole light illuminated the area of Ten Forward where the Romulans would take their seats. He pulled out his computer pad as he mounted the first step of the tiered floor and moved to the observation window. The view of the planet below was breathtaking. With an effort he pulled his gaze away to review the points of yesterday's hearing as he slid into a seat by the window.

Jean-Luc had only been studying the report for a few moments when the doors opened and Proconsul Sela strode into the room accompanied by her guard. The blonde proconsul moved into the illuminated area and flounced down onto the chair she had used the previous day. It was obvious she was restless as she stretched her long legs and gazed at her feet for a long moment. Her boots were new. She leant forward to wipe away a scuff mark before she stood and moved around the lit area.

Her Klingon guard moved back away from the illuminated area to almost disappear in the shadows by the entrance.

After a moment the Romulan woman looked around. As far as she could discern the room appeared empty, yet she had to know her guard was close by, Jean Luc thought. He watched her from the darkness by the observation window, his profile hidden within the shadow of his chair. She was so like Tasha Yar, his first Security Chief, he thought, it was strange to think this woman could be her daughter; she looked both in age and appearance to be her identical twin; the only thing that questioned the comparison was her attitude.

Sela began to move restlessly around the illuminated area. Why was everyone so late, she wondered. Her guard had moved beyond the rim of the light, and was hidden from view; not that she considered his presence relevant. It was difficult to take the proceedings seriously. Her plans were firmly in place, and could not be changed, of that she was sure. There was no serious threat she had to worry about.

The Captain watched as she impatiently pulled out a chronometer...the mechanism looked old, of masculine design...an old Earth style pocket-watch. The design looked familiar, perhaps even of Federation issue, a style not uncommon a century ago, when it was thought popular to espouse an ancient cover to hide modern technology, Jean Luc thought. Sela looked at it. She opened the back of the metal case and gazed at the interior for a long moment, then snapped it shut and slipped it into her pocket. The door opened and Sela patted her pocket almost guiltily as she turned.

Deanna Rozhenko entered and moved across the room. She had automatically looked to the observation window as she entered, expecting to see Worf and seen the Captain seated in the dark when the light from the corridor briefly showed his position.

Sela continued to observe Deanna as she crossed the room. Jean Luc realized the Romulan did not recognize her recent captive, Deanna moved with such confidence, but then suddenly her expression changed to a malicious smile. Ahh, he thought, she had recognized. The blonde woman continued to watch the counselor as she sat down beside him.

Sela glowered and her smile evaporated when she recognized the Captain. "Captain Picard, you should have advised me of your presence?"

"I did not feel it necessary, Proconsul. Please continue with what you were doing." Jean-Luc leant across to speak to Deanna.

"I was doing nothing, Captain," Sela continued determined not to be ignored as she crossed the room to where the two Federation officers were seated. Her guard, immediately wary, followed, his hand on his weapon, ready to intercede if necessary. "I was merely entertaining myself." She leant over the back of a nearby chair. "When will this little charade of yours be over, Captain Picard? How long do you think you can sit here in Romulan space and dictate to us the way we should live?"

"I have no intention of telling you how to live, Proconsul Sela."

"No! Then why this little farce? Why have you brought us here? Is it merely for your amusement?" Sela moved around the chair as she spoke put her foot on the seat and leant towards the Captain. "I am warning you, Captain Picard, your time is almost up. You shall pay for this embarrassment."

Deanna sat back and watched the neurotic woman; she could feel Sela's hatred emanate from every pore of her body as she gazed at the Captain. She glanced at the Captain. Jean Luc had lowered his gaze to his computer pad. He appeared unperturbed by the presence of the woman.

"Did you hear me, Captain Picard?" Sela growled

"I heard you, Proconsul." returned the Captain quietly without raising his gaze.

"That woman sitting next to you, Picard; what is she to you? Is she the reason you came back to Romulas?" Her gaze swung to Deanna. "I must warn you to be wary of this woman, Picard," she hissed, "She consorts with the enemy..."

The Captain looked up instantly.

Before he had a chance to query her meaning the doors to the corridor opened and there was a swirl of movement as the Romulan Praetor entered. She was arguing loudly with her companion, a younger member of the Senate. The two senators looked up as they moved into the light and fell silent when they recognized the Proconsul. Members of the Romulan Senatel continued to arrive and move to the chairs set aside for them. Reluctantly, Sela moved back to her chair and scowled at the Captain as she resumed her arrogant pose.

Deanna moved uncomfortably. Something was wrong and she could not put her finger on the cause. She turned her attention to Sela. The woman's expression was sullen, her mind full of hate. There was nothing there that she could clearly define, yet among the images she was able to decipher she recognized herself strapped in a chair, her hair covering her face, as meaningless words poured over her like a cascade ... something was wrong...was that image in Sela's mind the moment she lost...her thoughts clouded as emotions rose and she pulled her mind away unable to continue ...

* * * * *

Ambassador Spock entered and moved to the chair relegated to the foreman of the Tribunal. He remained standing as he turned to face the Romulan Senate. "Praetor Surnak...I hope you have had time to review the finding of yesterday?"

"I have, Ambassador Spock." The Elderly woman slowly rose to her feet.

"And what is your conclusion?"

"On reviewing the evidence presented by your court, I must yield that the Romulan Senate has erred. We find that we have been negligent in our duties. We have allowed too much power to be given to both the Tal Shiar and our Military. As we speak orders are being prepared to facilitate changes in the structure of both departments." She lowered her head as she sat down.

Captain Picard stood. "If I may have the floor, Ambassador..."

Spock nodded and immediately took his seat. "I secede, Captain Picard."

Jean Luc moved down to the lower platform. "Praetor Surnak are we to understand that the threat to the Federation has been withdrawn?"

With an effort the Praetor rose to her feet again. "Captain Picard, what has happened here has been a serious breach in the ethics of my people. Since the conception of the Neutral Zone, the Romulan Empire has sought to find new worlds on the far side of the alpha quadrant, beyond the exploration parameters of your people. We have found many planets that support a natural environment similar to our own and we have discovered new races who have freely chosen to unite with us in peace.

"We do not seek to meddle in the affairs of the Federation." She half turned to Proconsul Sela, "Nor, do we seek to imprison our people...behind the wall we have negotiated to protect us from the proliferation of Federation settlements. We have been forced to acknowledge over the past twelve hours that our military vessels have, upon occasion, investigated your development; have tested your armament and perhaps even tested your loyalty. There are many of our people who find your species fascinating."

The Praetor glanced at Sela. "But let me assure you Captain Picard, it was merely curiosity. Since the signing of the treaty of Algeron, the Romulan empire has felt obliged to study your methodology to always be one step ahead of you in technology just in case..." She paused dramatically. "Just in case, you should decide to attack us. We have always referred to this as a cold war. We do not now or have plans in the future to mount an invasion of the Federation or of any species beyond the Neutral Zone."

She hesitated for a long moment. "It has however been brought to our attention that certain members of our society wish to travel into Federation space for peaceful purposes and I feel it is time that we re-negotiated the Algeron treaty. We..." She spread her hand to include the Senate. "Believe it is perhaps time that limited access was granted between our two zones of the quadrant. That a peaceful co-existence might exist, that members of my race, may, if they so chose, investigate the original home of our people...may even visit Vulcan ... as what you call, tourists. We also wish to open our doors to commerce.

"No!" Proconsul Sela sneered as she rose to her feet. Her face was flushed. "This is not possible..." She glared at the Praetor..."You are old, Praetor...you are weak...You have forgotten the will of our forefathers. Our Romulan heritage was built on conquest ... of absorbing a world into compliance with our own...of taking what we want."

"If that is what you believe, Proconsul...I am truly sorry for you. Proconsul Sela when we return to Romulas, you will answer to charges of high treason against the Romulan people. I have only now learned the full extent of your treachery. It goes back a long time, Proconsul. You will be answerable for several 'incidents' that have cost the lives of many Romulans. You were involved in the Klingon civil war...selling weapons to enemies of the Klingon Council and you were responsible for the deaths of two thousand Romulans when you sent what we of the Senate believed, were envoys to negotiate a peaceful treaty with Vulcan, but in truth we had just learned that you sent a war party to claim Vulcan as a part of our Empire...I have finally learned the truth and seen a full report of your actions, Proconsul..."

Deanna Rozhenko leant across the table to Captain Picard. She spoke softly, but earnestly to him for several moments as Proconsul Sela stood to face the Praetor.

"Surnak, you are nothing but an old woman." Sela sneered. "You have no idea what is going on. You cannot arrest me; I have control of the military..."

"You had control of the military, Proconsul...I repeat, Had!" Interrupted the Praetor firmly. "I am afraid, Proconsul, that while we have been sequestered on this ship there has been an uprising on our world. While your ships, our military have been held at bay, hovering above our planet, the Romulan people have overthrown the government. During the brief time of our incarceration our government buildings have been taken over by a new regime. It is not I you have to worry about, Proconsul. You and I no longer have any power. I have learned that they are waiting for our return. In particular, I have learned, they are waiting for you...that there will be a guard waiting to take you into custody for crimes against the state. Are you ready to face them, Proconsul?"

"I shall take my ship..." Sela spluttered.

"What ship, proconsul...Our ships are surrounded by a Klingon armada."

"I shall....

"If I may interrupt, Praetor?" The eyes of both women turned to Captain Picard. "I have been informed by a member of my staff, Praetor, that we cannot allow Proconsul Sela to return to the planet to answer these charges. She must be taken into custody by the Federation."

Praetor Surnak stared at him in surprise. "What are you saying, Captain Picard?"

"Proconsul Sela is a Federation citizen, Praetor...not a Romulan. She must answer to crimes against the Federation, in a Federation court."

"What are you saying?" Sela stared at Captain Picard in disbelief. "I am not a member of your Federation...My mother may have been..."

"Your mother, Proconsul Sela was a member of my crew...Chief Security Officer Tasha Yar of this vessel. Your father, I have been told, and it has been verified by a DNA test, was Lieutenant Castillo, also a Federation officer and commander of the Enterprise C. Through a time warp, the Enterprise C came forward into our time during the Romulan attack on the Klingon outpost known as Narrenda Three in the year 2344, more than thirty years ago. The Captain of the Enterprise C had died and the ship was badly damaged. Lieutenant Castillo, with the aid of my Chief Security officer, Lieutenant Yar replenished the vessel and Lieutenant Yar returned through the time warp, to assist the new Captain. The Enterprise C was destroyed during the ensuing battle and the crewmembers who survived, including Lieutenant's Castillo and Yar were captured by your military. As your own history dictates they were imprisoned on Narrenda three for several months before being separated, when the men were sent to the mines on your sister planet, Remus. On reviewing your own documents of the event, Praetor, we have traced that all the survivors of that encounter have since died, including Lieutenant Castillo. You were born Proconsul Sela six months after your mother was taken from Narrenda three. Romulan records show that your birth was premature but we believe this to be a fabrication to save your life..."

Sela's gaze swung to Deanna. "You have told him this lie...The lie my mother fabricated before I had her killed....You...told...I warned you, you would never live to tell ... I told you... 'Now is the time to surrender' ..."

The words uttered by Sela were strange and incoherent to the current event and meant nothing to the Senators, or the members of the Federation who all stared at the Proconsul as if she had gone mad. The phrase meant nothing to Captain Picard or to Ambassador Spock...but the words meant something to Deanna Troi Rozhenko. She gazed at the proconsul for a long moment; her gaze unwavering as she slowly rose to her feet. With all eyes on Sela no one attempted to stop her as she stepped away from the table and reached for a disruptor in the holster of a Klingon guard. He barely noticed her movement as he stood at attention at the side of the table, his gaze fixed on the Romulan woman. Deanna pulled out the weapon and turned, her finger on the firing mechanism. She pointed the weapon at Captain Picard.

There was one person who noticed her movement. One person who was never far from her side since her return to the Enterprise. "Deanna!"

Deanna heard the voice behind her but paid no heed even though she recognized the voice.

"Deanna put the weapon down!" The voice spoke louder, the tone firm.

All eyes had turned from the blonde Proconsul to Deanna as her finger tightened on the trigger...She stared at the man in front of her with a hypnotic stare.

"Fire the weapon!" Proconsul Sela's voice was commanding and very close. Deanna recognized the voice from before...before when she was in the prison on Romulas...She remembered the pain...She remembered the loss...She hesitated. A voice was drumming into her mind over and over...Kill...kill...kill...Kill Picard...

"Deanna!" It was the first voice again. The voice was soft and now almost beside her. Suddenly the man she was looking at, the man she was supposed to kill, was no longer there. Her vision was masked by something else, another person, someone tall, wearing a Federation uniform...She looked up...up into the face of a Klingon. "Deanna, give me the weapon... Please."

Deanna looked up at Worf for a long moment as recognition dawned and slowly lowered the weapon. Worf took it from her limp hand as he put his arm around her. The room suddenly spun and she leant heavily against his chest. She felt strange and disoriented with no knowledge of what had happened. Worf dropped the weapon onto the table and caught her up in his arms. How she managed to be in his arms, Deanna had no idea. Beyond Worf she could see the face of Sela, her face angry with frustration. She was screaming something at her. Deanna shook her head to clear her vision and the words became clear:

"So this is the pahtk with whom you consort...you're nothing but an animal yourself to allow such a one to touch you..." Her gaze swung to the Klingon security chief. "I took your son...pahtk...She never knew...We kept it from her, but we knew it was a boy, Klingon...A son to take a Klingon name. I know what it means to a Klingon to lose a boy child."

Suddenly fully alert Deanna smiled at Worf and he lowered her to the floor. She pulled herself up to her full height and drew away from her husband. "Did you say the child was a boy...Proconsul Sela?" She asked quietly.

Sela laughed...it was not a pleasant sound..."Yes, Federation bitch...I took your son!"

Deanna smiled. "Thank you, Proconsul Sela...thank you for telling me." She turned to Worf and suddenly reached up and pulled his head down and in front of the whole assembly she kissed him.

The Klingons present clapped loudly.

At the table Captain Picard smiled weakly as he sank into a chair. It had been a close call. He had to be perspiring he thought as he beckoned two Federation officers to take Sela away. It would possible take years for her to accept her true identity, if ever, he thought, as he wiped his brow. He watched with no pleasure as the tall blonde woman was dragged fighting and screaming from the room. Everything had suddenly changed. A few moments ago, he doubted if he would live...Now he knew he would live...and now more than ever he wanted to live. He watched the young couple still clasped in an embrace. It reminded him of something... something important...something that had plagued his thoughts these last few months. Q was wrong! Yes, he thought, the strange Alien from the Continuum was wrong. Deanna was not dead! He reveled in the thought; that time line had not occurred and did not exist in this universe. He had forgotten that time was fluid, that dimensional shift was constant. He rose to his feet unsteadily, his hand still on the table's edge. "Ambassador Spock...I believe you can handle the proceedings from this point." He moved over to the young couple who had just raised their heads to breathe. "Lieutenant Commander Worf..." Worf stepped back from his wife looking sheepish but happy.

"Yes, Captain! You do not understand, Captain...."

"I think I do, Lieutenant Commander....I think I do..."

Deanna was alight with joy. "Captain...it was not our daughter who died," Deanna was both smiling and crying all at once. "Do you understand, Captain...It was to be. We are still on the correct timeline, we will have our daughter as was seen in the pool of tomorrow at the Temple of Horoosha."

"And our son," added Worf happily.

"I hope so, Mr. and Mrs. Rozhenko...I sincerely hope so."

Deanna gave him a quizzical look.

"Counselor!" Jean Luc threatened, knowing she had read his mind.

Deanna blinked. "I beg your pardon, Captain..." She smiled and nodded.

EPILOGUE.

Jean Luc Picard stared at the double doors for a long moment. It had been a long time since he had visited the doctor's cabin; Beverly Crusher usually accepted his invitation to dine in the Captain's quarters. He had come directly from Ten Forward. There was no time like the present, he thought; it had to be now before he lost his nerve. He pressed the buzzer firmly. There was a moments' pause and then the doors slid apart and she was standing before him. The Captain gazed at the slim red-haired woman for a long moment. Her hair was ruffled, he noted, giving her an innocent look. He glanced down. She was wearing a dressing gown over her night attire. It was afternoon, he thought, yet she had been asleep he suddenly realized. He should have called first and not disturbed her. No, he thought; No...He decided firmly. Determined to not we swayed from his purpose, he reached out and took her hand.

"Jean Luc what is it?" Beverly asked in surprise. "I know it's late but I had to an early delivery at 0.400. I was just trying to catch up on my sleep."

"Come with me." Jean Luc pulled her into the corridor.

"Jean Luc...Captain, is there an emergency?"

"Yes..." Returned the Captain; his voice abrupt as he drew her along the corridor. "My medical bag, Captain..." Beverly tried to draw back...to return to her quarters but the Captain was persistent.

"No...Doctor...you will not need your medical kit...It is not that kind of emergency."

Several crew members stopped to stare as they moved rapidly along the corridor. The doctor's dressing gown was not securely tied and began to flap open as they moved. The Captain ignored their puzzled expressions and Beverly tried to pull her dressing gown tighter around her, as she was propelled along the corridor. "If it is not a medical emergency, Captain, at least give me time to dress..."

"No, Beverly this can not wait." They had reached the turbo lift and he pressed the key and waited silently for it to arrive.

Beverly tried to pull her hand away from him, but the Captain held it firmly. She began to wonder if he was feeling all right; it was not like him to behave in such an aggressive manner. He had never touched her before in public, never held her hand...She began to wonder if he was ill. He had been under a great deal of strain recently, she knew. The turbo lift doors opened and he pulled her firmly into the interior. A second lieutenant was in the elevator, waiting patiently. "Lieutenant..." The Captain nodded to the young woman in recognition.

"Good afternoon, Captain."

"Good afternoon. It is a beautiful day, isn't it?" He smiled at the young woman.

Beverly Crusher turned to look at the Captain. He was definitely ill.

"Ten Forward." The Captain ordered. The turbo lift began to move once more.

"Captain, I am not dressed for company..."

"You are looking beautiful, Beverly, as always."

Beverly bit her lip. The young Lieutenant looked at her. She knew she looked a mess. She had not even had time to run a comb through her hair and worse, she was without make-up. "Captain Picard, I must insist that I return to my quarters to change...."

"No..." Jean-Luc replied firmly. "This cannot wait."

The turbo lift stopped at deck nine and the doors open. Thankfully there was no one in the corridor. The Lieutenant slowly stepped out into the corridor. She turned to look back at the two officers with a puzzled expression as the doors closed.

Now they were alone Beverly turned to the Captain. "Captain, I must insist that you tell me the purpose of this emergency."

Jean-Luc smiled suddenly, "You will see, Beverly. It is something very important. Something that is long overdue."

"Then if it something that is not immediate, Captain, I would like to return to my quarters to dress." Jean-Luc did not answer. "This is ridiculous, Jean-Luc, I am still in my dressing gown. As I said, there was a birth at O-400...Nurse Ogawa finally delivered her second child... a girl." She smiled as she reminisced... "A beautiful baby girl...You have a new member of the crew, Captain. Her name is Jeanne..." The Captain looked at her. "Yes, Captain, Alyssa named her daughter after you."

That made the day even more perfect, Jean-Luc thought. The turbo lift doors opened and the Captain moved out into the corridor, his hand firmly grasping the doctor's and headed for the etched glass doors of Ten Forward. There was a great deal of noise coming from beyond the entrance. It sounded like some kind of argument...or fight. Beverly glanced at the Captain as she too quickened her step. There was obviously something very serious happening beyond the doors.

The doors opened and the Captain entered, drawing the doctor after him. The room was in turmoil. Klingons and Romulans were all massing around the centre of the room. Ambassador Spock stood to one side. Nearby Deanna Troi Rozhenko was standing next to her Klingon husband. They were holding hands, Beverly noticed. In the illuminated area where the bar once stood, Romulans were standing and talking to members of the Enterprise crew and to Klingon leaders. The conversations appeared to be very animated. Martok and Kahless, Beverly noticed were talking with an elderly woman, their conversation was not projected, yet it was obviously of import to them for they seemed oblivious to the loud cacophony of sound around them. Beverly searched the floor. There were no bodies; no one appeared to be hurt or unconscious. The doctor wondered what was going on.

The Captain did not hesitate but led the way across the room to where Ambassador Spock stood. The tall Vulcan was slightly apart from the crowd. As they weaved across the floor Beverly watched Worf move to the Vulcan's side, his wife with him. Deanna was smiling profusely. There was sense of urgency in the air, an electrical charge of excitement. Beverly gazed at the scene as she was pulled across the room. The Captain was still behaving very odd.

"Ambassador Spock..."

The Vulcan turned and smiled as he recognized the doctor.

"Captain Picard...Doctor Crusher, you have returned to join the celebration."

"Celebration...?" Beverly Crusher queried. She had been dragged from her bed for a celebration!

Deanna answered her query. "Yes, Beverly, it is over...The Romulans have declared peace and we are going home."

Beverly Crusher stared at her friend for a long moment. It was over...really over. No more covert operations...no more fear of cloaked vessels...?

Beverly turned to the Captain. "Captain, I must congratulat....

"Ambassador Spock," Captain Picard interrupted. "Can you perform a marriage ceremony?"

Beverly's mouth remained opened...but nothing came out.

The Ambassador regarded the Captain with a surprised expression. His gaze moved to the Beverly who appeared to be in shock. He smiled. "Yes, Captain...I am empowered to perform such ceremonies. I am honored, Captain."

Deanna hugged her friend. "Congratulations, Beverly...You finally convinced him."

Doctor Crusher was too stunned to speak.

"Now, Ambassador, if you would..."

"Now, Captain Picard?" Repeated the Vulcan with a raised brow.

"Yes, Ambassador...right now, if you please, before I loose my nerve..." He added almost in a whisper.

Deanna Rozhenko smothered a giggle. She looked up at her husband... "Captain, may we be permitted to be your witnesses."

"Witnesses...?" The Captain repeated.

Deanna could sense his nerve giving way. The moment would pass she recognized and immediately took charge. "Ambassador Spock, would you take the Captain and the doctor to the captain's ready room. Lieutenant Commander Worf and I will join you momentarily."

Ambassador Spock looked at the Counselor. His gaze moved back to the Captain. The Captain of the Enterprise was waiting, with a smile on his face. He realized suddenly that the doctor still had not spoken. He noticed her attire and smiled. "Perhaps we should wait until the doctor has had time to prepare."

"No, Ambassador...I think this is the best time." Deanna rejoined. "I know someone the Captain would like to be his best man.'

"Yes, Deanna..." The Captain suddenly looked at her..."Would you ask Will?" "It would be my pleasure, Captain."

Ambassador Spock led the way, followed by the two Enterprise Officers. Beverly Crusher still had not said a word. Deanna knew she was too overcome to speak. The Captain had taken her completely by surprise.

Commander Riker was talking to a Romulan Senator when Deanna and Worf came up to him. For a moment he did not stop his conversation, but continued animatedly talking to the woman. Deanna cleared her throat.

"Counselor!" The Commander was irritated by her obvious interruption. "Is there a problem, Counselor?"

Worf smiled and took over for his wife. "Yes, Commander...You are needed on the bridge."

"Excuse me, Senator..." Will Riker moved away from the Romulan woman quickly. "What is the manner of this emergency, Mr. Worf? Are we under attack...I did not hear a red alert."

Deanna smiled, "You could say, Commander, that we have an emergency situation. The Captain has suddenly gone berserk."

"What! Has Doctor Crusher been called?"

"Yes, Commander...she has most definitely been called." The doors of Ten Forward closed behind them.

* * * * *

The doors of the ready room opened and closed quickly. The three command officers of the Enterprise entered. Beverly Crusher stood by the desk, crying softly. The Captain looked ill at ease. Only the Ambassador was smiling when they entered.

"What is going on?" Commander Riker demanded.

"Will, thank goodness you have come."

"Captain?"

"Will, I would like you to be my best man?"

Will Riker's mouth opened...His gaze moved from the Captain to Deanna Rozhenko. She was grinning profusely. She might at least have warned him, he thought. The Counselor was now smiling from ear to ear as she hung on the arm of her husband, even the Klingon was smiling broadly now.

"I...I would be honored, Captain. When is the big event?"

"Right now, Mr. Riker," asserted the Captain. "Thank you, Will, I knew you wouldn't let me down." The Captain turned to Beverly Crusher. "Will you...Beverly...Will you marry me?"

Beverly Crushed gazed at him through her tears. She was still in her dressing gown... her hair was...everywhere... and she was wearing no make-up. She knew she looked like nothing on earth...but then, she tried to assure herself, she wasn't on Earth. She wiped away the tears with a small square of cloth from the pocket of her dressing gown. "I was wondering when you were going to ask me, Jean Luc?"

Everyone froze. "Beverly...you wouldn't...." Deanna queried, but then she read her friend's mind and smiled.

The Captain of the Enterprise became suddenly concerned. "Beverly...I..."

Seeing his distress Beverly answered quickly. "Yes, Jean Luc...Yes, I will marry you."

Jean-Luc relaxed and smiled. He took her arm and turned to face the Ambassador. Will Riker moved to his right side, and Worf and Deanna Rozhenko moved to Beverly's left. Deanna looked around the room. There was a small plant, a gift from one of the children before their big adventure. It was beginning to bloom. Deanna released her husbands arm and nodded to the Ambassador as she moved across the cabin to retrieve the plant. She handed the small ornate pot to the doctor. The doctor looked down...the plant was small and insignificant, but the blossoms were delicate. To the doctor it was the most beautiful bouquet. Deanna took her place beside her friend.

"Do you, Commander Beverly Crusher take this man, Captain Jean Luc Picard to be your lawful wedded husband, to honor him, in sickness and in health..." Beverly Crusher did not hear the rest of the question. She was gazing at the Captain in wonder and amazement. They were getting married....married at last...as she had dreamed many times these last three months.

"I do..." She said firmly, not realizing that the Ambassador had not finished his question.

The Ambassador smiled...."And do you, Captain Jean-Luc Picard take this woman....

"I do..." Jean-Luc replied before the question was asked.

The Ambassador cleared his throat.

Deanna suppressed a giggle and her husband frowned at her.

'Would you marry me again?' Worf suddenly asked telepathically.

"In an instant."

* * * * *

They were alone at last. Beverly Crushed looked down at her dressing gown. She had been dressed in that gown for the last eight hours. No one had seemed to notice that her wedding dress was made of terry cloth, or if they did, they were too polite to comment. She moved slowly across the room of the Captain's quarters...her quarters now, she suddenly realized. Her only regret was that Wesley was not there... He would have approved she knew, but it would have been nice to have his blessing.

"Would you like something to drink...some tea perhaps...or some Solarian brandy..?"

"No, Jean-Luc...Nothing...thank you. It has been a long day." She sat down on the sofa under the observation window.

"It has...hasn't it?" Replied the Captain...He suddenly felt shy.

"What made you do it, Jean-Luc?"

"Do it?"

"Make up your mind so suddenly?"

Jean-Luc gazed at her for a long moment. She was his wife...at last...and if the time line was right, as Deanna had suggested and the Q timeline of their eventual divorce was wrong...the knowledge of which had kept him hesitant for so long, they would be together for the rest of their lives. "Because, Beverly Crusher Picard," he savored the name. "the reason is, because Deanna Troi Rozhenko tried to kill me this morning."

"What!" Beverly began to rise.

Jean Luc smiled. "It is all right, Beverly...she didn't succeed...obviously."

"But Jean-Luc..." Beverly slowly resettled onto the sofa.

"When I saw that disruptor pointing at me...and the look on the Counselor's face of complete helplessness; her mind controlled by a compulsion she could not stop..."

"How did she stop?"

"oooh...it was nothing..." Jean Luc answered absently, anxious to tell what was important. "Worf stepped in the way...As I was saying when I saw that look, I suddenly realized I wanted to marry you, then...right away..."

"The look on Deanna's face made you want to marry me?"

The Captain sat down beside her. "It was not the look, Beverly, it was the sudden realization that I could die...just like that. It had never occurred to me before...and then I realized the one thing I wanted to do before I died was to marry you."

Beverly Crusher Picard took Jean-Luc's hand and held it... She looked down at his hand for a long moment unable to meet his gaze. "I am glad...Captain...I am very glad you finally admitted that you cared for me."

The Captain's hand squeezed hers.

Beverly smiled looked up to gaze into his eyes. "If you had not asked me, Captain, I was going to have to ask for a transfer."

The hand in hers suddenly froze and then became limp. Beverly's gaze did not waver as she spoke. "No, Jean-Luc, I was not going to leave you...not in that way."

Jean-Luc slowly extricated his hand and turned away. "But...you would have left me. I thought this was what you wanted. I thought...I believed that you loved me."

Beverly reached out and clasped his hand. "Jean Luc...Jean Luc...please look at me."

With a visible effort Jean-Luc turned and looked at the woman he cared for; the woman he now realized meant more to him than anything in the galaxy...Yes, he thought...even more than he cared for the Enterprise.

"Jean Luc...I love you...I have loved you for a long time, but it is something else that I have only realized in the last few months, something that would have made it impossible for me to remain on the Enterprise....Jean-Luc, I am pregnant...."

Jean-Luc stared at her...not fully comprehending what she was saying... "You are..." He repeated...Then the full realization registered... "You are expecting a baby -- my child?"

"Yes, Jean Luc...I am expecting your baby..."

The Captain's free hand came up to caress the face of the woman he loved. "You are having our baby..."

"Yes...."

"Thank you, thank you...thank you, Beverly Crusher...Will you marry me?"

Beverly Crusher Picard laughed and reached for him.

THE END