"What?" said Riker, sitting up. He grunted. "Aaah! d.a.m.n!"

"Well, as long as you're up, let's tape those ribs," said Blaze. "Regrettably, I can do no more than that. My skills as a medic are rather limited, you know."

"What do you mean, he's directing the repairs? What did you do to him?"

"Nothing at all," said Blaze. "We simply struck a deal."

"You what?"

"A deal, a negotiated settlement," said Blaze. "I knew that holding you hostage would not have insured his cooperation, and I want my ship repaired properly, not sabotaged in some clever way, something I am sure he would be more than capable of doing. To do the job right, he needed an incentive. I provided one."

Riker stared at him with disbelief. "No way," he said. "No way in h.e.l.l would Geordi ever accept a bribe. You're lying."

"I never said I offered him a bribe," said Blaze. "I said that I provided an incentive. We struck a bargain. He gets the Glory fully operational in record time, and I take the ship to N'trahn to aid the Enterprise."

Riker simply stared at him. "And he believed you?"

"I gave him my word."

"And I suppose you intend to keep it," Riker said, derisively. "The way you're going to keep it with T'grayn?"

"T'grayn would never keep his word with me if our positions were reversed," said Blaze. "Why should I keep my word with him? Your friend, La Forge, on the other hand, is keeping his word. He knows there is no guarantee that I shall follow through, but he's taking a chance on trusting me. Not many people would do that. He's got my entire crew, save myself and those on the bridge, working at an absolutely feverish pace, and much more efficiently than I have ever seen them work before. It really is too bad. He's very good. I'm going to miss him."

Riker tensed. "What do you mean?"

"When I return you to the Enterprise, of course," said Blaze. "a.s.suming that we are not too late and Kronak has not blown her to her bits. In that event, I will simply deposit you at some convenient Federation port. That was our deal."

Riker gazed straight into his eyes. "You're serious," he said.

"Why not? As you quite correctly pointed out, without your friend La Forge, I would be at the mercy of Kronak when he returned. Or of your Captain Picard, if the Enterprise proved to be victorious. I would not care to find myself in either of those situations. My first concern is for my ship. Hold still, d.a.m.n you. There, that should do it."

Riker swung his legs down from the bed, gingerly. It still hurt, but at least he could move without excruciating pain. "I don't think even Geordi can have this ship up and running in time," he said. "Whatever's going to happen, it'll be over long before we get there."

"I wouldn't be so sure," said Blaze. "If Kronak merely wanted to attack your ship, he would have done so when you first arrived at D'rahl. His Warbird has been cloaked and stationed in orbit all this time. He's after bigger game. He wants the K'tralli Empire. And there's a good possibility the Federation will simply let him have it by default. All he needs to do is make sure J'drahn remains in power and is exposed for his dealings with me, T'grayn's black market, and the Romulan Empire. He knows Picard has Colonel Z'gral, the only man capable of convincing General H'druhn of his son's treachery, but without H'druhn himself, Picard will be able to do nothing. Kronak will wait and see how it plays out."

"How can you be so sure?" asked Riker.

"Because I know him. I understand the way he thinks. Kronak will wait to see if J'drahn can manage to a.s.sa.s.sinate his father before Picard can get to him. If not, and J'drahn is deposed, then Kronak will accuse the Federation of violating its own Prime Directive, toppling the legal government of the K'tralli Empire to prevent J'drahn from concluding an alliance with the Romulans and leaving the Federation. And then he will attack. But it would be a much more interesting victory for him if he could maneuver the Federation into expelling J'drahn. Then he would gain the K'tralli Empire without ever firing a shot. Imagine the standing that would give him with Romulan High Council."

"Yeah, it would be one h.e.l.l of coup," admitted Riker. "He'd win using our own laws against us. The trouble is, I don't know how the h.e.l.l he can be stopped."

"We still have time, Riker. Don't underestimate my crew. They're an unruly bunch, I'll grant you that, but they know their business. I'll match them against any ship in Starfleet, even your Enterprise." He grinned. "In fact, I already have. Ironic, isn't it? I thought I was preparing for a rematch with Picard. Instead, I'll be going to his aid."

"What are you hoping to gain from this, DeBlazio? A pardon?" He shook his head. "You know we can't offer you that. It's beyond our authority."

"I will settle for a good head start. I will count on your influence with your captain to grant me one." Blaze smiled. "You think you can operate a weapons console with your chest taped up.?"

"You just watch me, mister," Riker said.

The landing party materialized in the plaza of the Summer Palace, between the large, multi-tiered fountain and the front entrance. The palace guards posted at the entrance were taken by surprise. It was not the first time Federation personnel had arrived in this manner to visit the general, but the sight of a large armed party took them aback and they were not sure how to react. As Picard and the others crossed the plaza and approached the steps leading to the front entrance, the guards glanced at one another uneasily and raised their weapons cautiously, though they did not point them at the advancing party.

Picard knew that the next few moments, while they were still all grouped together and exposed out in the open, would be the most dangerous. He had considered having the landing party open fire as soon as they materialized, stunning the guards before any of them could have a chance to react and then storming the palace. That would have been, perhaps, the safest course to follow, because while the phasers of the landing party were all set on stun, the guards would have no way of knowing that and their weapons could only shoot to kill.

However, if there was any chance that they could get to General H'druhn without having to use force, Picard knew he had to take it. If they fired on the guards, there was always the chance that someone would be killed, and Picard wanted to do everything possible to avoid that. He only hoped that J'drahn had not placed an a.s.sa.s.sin in among his father's personal guard. In that event, the a.s.sa.s.sin would almost certainly be able to reach H'druhn before they could.

The captain of the guard came out and stood at the top of the steps, his hand held close to his sidearm. "Halt!" he commanded.

Picard had already started up the steps, but he stopped at the guard captain's order.

"Identify yourselves and state your business!" said the guard captain.

"I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard, of the Federation starship Enterprise," Picard said. "We are here to see General H'druhn on a matter of the gravest urgency."

"I was not informed of the general expecting any visitors," the guard captain replied.

"He is not expecting us," Picard said, "but it is imperative that I speak to him at once. It is a matter of life or death."

"Indeed?" the guard captain said. "Tell me what you wish to speak with him about, and I will convey the message."

"I must speak with the general personally," Picard replied. "I have reason to believe there may be an attempt upon his life."

"By whom?" the guard captain asked, frowning.

"I will divulge that only to the general himself," Picard said.

The guard captain stared at Picard for a moment, then looked beyond him, at the landing party. Picard could see that he was weighing the possibilities, and didn't like what he saw.

"Wait here," the guard captain said. "I will see if the general will receive you."

He turned and spoke to the guards briefly, then went back inside the palace. The guards stood ready with their weapons. They no longer looked uncertain. Picard knew that they had received instructions to fire if the landing party made any further moves toward the entrance. He turned and saw that some of the guards by the gates beyond the fountain were coming up, as well. "Mr. Worf," he said, softly.

"I see them, sir," said Worf. He directed his squad to face about. The guards that were approaching from the gates stopped a respectful distance away, but still within firing range.

"This is not a good position to be in," Gruzinov said, uneasily.

"I know. But we will not force our way inside unless it is absolutely necessary," said Picard. He touched his insignia. "Picard to Enterprise."

"Data here, Captain. Go ahead, sir."

"Have you got a fix on me, Mr. Data?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, stand by," Picard replied. "I will leave the frequency open. If I am admitted to see General H'druhn, then the moment I am in his presence, I want you to lock on to us both and beam us up on my word. Have all transporters standing by to beam up the remainder of the landing party. Is that clear?"

"Affirmative, Captain."

"Ivan," Picard said, "if I am allowed inside, then you will be in charge here. I don't need to tell you that you will be in a precarious position. If I am successful in getting back to the ship with General H'druhn, then we will have the rest of the party beamed back up immediately. But if you are forced to defend yourselves-"

"I know," Gruzinov said. "Stun only." He grimaced as he glanced at the guards. "I don't suppose you could tell them the same thing?"

Picard smiled. "Let's hope for the best," he said. "But if the alarm is given, don't wait for them to fire first."

"What if they don't admit you?"

"Then we proceed with the planned a.s.sault," Picard said.

The captain of the guard came back out. "General H'druhn will see you," he said. "You alone, Captain Picard. The remainder of your party will wait here."

"As you wish," Picard said, and started up the steps.

"One moment, please, Captain," said the guard. "Without your weapon."

Picard turned and handed his phaser to Gruzinov.

"Very well," said the guard captain. "If you will follow me, please?"

Picard nodded to Gruzinov, who nodded back, and then he turned to follow the guard captain. He hoped the transporter operators were on the ball. The moment he beamed up with the general, the landing party would be at risk. They would have to move fast. But at least they didn't have to force their way in. That was something. It would gain them time, if nothing else.

The guard captain conducted him to the stairway leading to the upper floors. They climbed up to the third floor, then turned right down a long corridor. Picard noted that a pair of guards had followed them from the first floor, and there were guards posted outside the general's private quarters, as well. They weren't taking any chances.

The guard captain nodded to the men posted at the door. One of them opened it to admit them and preceded them inside. The guard captain motioned Picard to enter and then came in behind him. This wasn't good. It meant that there would be at least two other K'trall in close proximity to him when he met the general.

"I was hoping to speak with the general in private," said Picard, to the guard captain.

"Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of my men, Captain Picard," H'druhn said, coming into the room through a connecting door. He was wearing a dressing gown. "It is a bit late for such an unannounced visit. Now, what is this nonsense about an attempt on my life?"

As H'druhn approached, Picard started to step forward, but felt the guard captain take him firmly by the arm, restraining him. H'druhn stopped a short distance away.

"We have discovered that there are at least two companies of Romulan centurions present on D'rahl," Picard said. "And there may be a cloaked Romulan Warbird in the vicinity, as well."

"Romulans?" H'druhn said. "On D'rahl? Impossible!"

"We have proof that Governor T'grayn is in collusion with them, General," Picard said. "They had been holding Colonel Z'gral prisoner at his own estate, but he is now safe aboard the Enterprise and most anxious to speak with you."

"Z'gral? A prisoner? But why?"

"Because they knew he was the only man who would be able to convince you that your son is corrupt, in league with the freebooters and with the Romulans," Picard said.

H'druhn stiffened. "You dare accuse my own son of such things? I have heard similar allegations leveled against J'drahn before, Captain, by the commander of Starbase 37. But not even Captain Gruzinov had the temerity to suggest that my son would betray his own people and be a party to a plot against my life."

"General, I know how incredible this must sound to you-" Picard began, but H'druhn interrupted him.

"It is not only incredible, Captain, it is outrageous!" the old general said furiously, stepping closer to Picard. "When I concluded my alliance with the Federation, it was with the clear understanding that our autonomy would be respected and preserved. J'drahn explained to me how Captain Gruzinov was frustrated in his repeated attempts to extend his authority into K'tralli territory, and I see that now he has enlisted you in his despicable machinations. I am amazed that you should-"

Picard was about to give Data the signal, but suddenly there was the sound of phaser fire from outside, coupled with the sharp, staccato popping sounds of K'tralli weaponry. H'druhn turned quickly toward the window.

"Now, Mr. Data!" said Picard.

The transporter locked on immediately and beamed Picard, H'druhn, and the two guards flanking Picard up to the Enterprise. As they materialized in the transporter room, security personnel quickly stepped up and disarmed the startled guards.

"What is the meaning of this, Picard?" H'druhn demanded, in a tone of outrage. "Have you lost your senses?"

"Not now, General, if you please," Picard said. He activated his communicator. "Picard to landing party! What's happening? Report!"

"Gruzinov here. We're under heavy fire. The palace is under attack by K'tralli soldiers. We have sustained casualties."

"What is your current situation?" Picard asked.

"We have retreated inside the palace and are fighting a holding action together with the palace guard," Gruzinov replied, over the sounds of firing. "Lieutenant Worf and a squad of men got pinned down by the fountain when they advanced to aid the guards stationed by the gates. Most of those guards were killed when the attack commenced. We have at least five dead and about half a dozen wounded among our own personnel. We're trying to lay down covering fire to allow Worf and his squad to get back to the palace."

"K'tralli soldiers? Attacking my palace?" said H'druhn, with disbelief.

As he spoke, the doors to the transporter room opened and Counselor Troi came in, along with Colonel Z'gral. "General!" Z'gral said. "Thank the G.o.ds you're safe!"

"Stand by, Ivan," Picard said. He turned to the transporter operator. "Have you got a fix on Lieutenant Worf and his party?"

"Aye, sir."

"Picard to Lieutenant Worf."

"Worf here, Captain."

"Stand by, Mr. Worf. We're going to get you out of there."

"Standing by, sir."

"Lock on and energize," Picard said.

"Commencing now ..." said the transporter operator.

A moment later, Lieutenant Worf and the five survivors of his squad appeared on the transporter pads. Several of them were supporting their wounded crewmates.

"Report, Mr. Worf," Picard said.

"We were attacked by two transports of K'tralli soldiers, Captain," Worf said. "They came in over the gates and fired as they landed. We sustained most of our casualties at that time. I advanced with my squad to a.s.sist the surviving guards, and Captain Gruzinov retreated to the palace with the remainder of the landing party. The palace is under heavy fire, but they have not yet broken through."

"Get those people to sickbay at once," Picard said, "then join me on the bridge."

"Aye, Captain."

"Picard to landing party."

"Gruzinov here, go ahead."

"Ivan, how is your situation? Can you hold?"

"We're holding them, Jean-Luc."