Doctor, Picard began, as if he were deciding whether to confide in her, has a quake like this ever happened here before?

Back to something other than Will and his companion. Maybe Picard couldnt deal with it, so he had to think about something else. Barbara didnt know what to make of anything anymore. The only thing she did know was that she didnt like Picards inaction.

Ever?

She c.o.c.ked her head to one side.

I cant speak to ever. Ive only been here a little over a week.

Picard scowled across the table at her.

What is this annoying tendency of scientists to be so d.a.m.ned literal?

Thats what science is all about, Captain.

Picard gave a harrumph and looked down at the spoon he still held in his hand.

Dr. Hollitt, I appreciate your help so far, but I need serious answers. Has there been a similar quake while youve been here?

She gave her hair a defiant flip.

I would have told you if so.

A simple no would have sufficedbut maybe thats one of the reasons civilians like her werent in Starfleet.

Why do you ask?

Asking too many unnecessary questions was another of those reasons.

Picard thumbed his lower lip and she thought he was either considering an answer, or considering answering.

I have a hunch.

She laughed.

Ah, I see. That explains your problem with science.

The laugh was nervous and she thought it showed. Here she was depending on this stranger and he had a hunch ... What did that say about her?

I dont have a problem with science, Picard said.

In fact, its because of my disbelief in coincidence that I have this hunch.

Whats your hunch?

The captain shook his head.

I dont know yet. Some possible connection with the quake and the away teams disappearance perhaps.

Youre right, that is scientific, Barbara said dryly. Picard flashed a glare.

If looks could burn, Barbara would have been a cinder.

Lieutenant Worf, reporting as ordered, sir.

Five feet from the door, Worf still blocked Picards view of its polished wooden frame.

The captain looked up at the tall Klingon and nearly said, At ease, but knew Worf would feel more comfortable at attention.

Picard sat up straight.

Mr. Worf, we have a very delicate situation. Youve been accused by the Hidran of murder, and Id rather not exacerbate matters by keeping you on duty. I must relieve you.

Understood, sir.

Worf yanked his phaser from its holster and placed the weapon on the table.

I stand relieved.

The captain pursed his lips. Worf had spared Picard from making the longer speech hed been dreading, but that was no real relief. He trusted Worf, believed in him, and didnt enjoy having to relieve him.

He just couldnt keep Worf on duty considering the circ.u.mstancesit would only serve to anger the Hidran further.

The Klingon, still ram-rod straight, looked down and relaxed the expression on his face.

Regulations require it, sir. I would do the same in your place.

Of that Picard had no doubt. But he wondered if Worf would feel the same regret. What was the Klingon feeling now? The severity of his thick brow and that bony forehead left most emotions masked. Pride was always there. Anger, sure. Loyalty he wore like a badge. But regret? Picard couldnt remember finding regret in those dark, shadowy eyes. And as the Klingon stood there, the paragon of a soldier, Picard knew he couldnt conceal the remorse in his own.

If anything was clear from the events of the past few hours, it was that Worf was no murderer.

Lieutenant, Picard said, waggling a finger at Worf, were going to prove your innocence.

Beverly Crusher closed her medical tricorder and pushed herself up from her half-kneel over Zhads body.

A disgusting sight. Not the sight of blood or the scent of the Hidrans wet flesh, but the sight and scent of murder itself.

Well, Doctor?

Picard prodded.

What do you think?

I think theyre dead.

She spat the words at the captain, and meant to.

Picard shook his head.

Youre not being enlightening, Doctor.

Fine, you want to know what I think?

She crooked a thumb angrily over her shoulder.

I think the Klingon was stabbed and the Hidran had his face ripped off. That is myofficial medical diagnosis.

Doctor, Picard scolded harshly.

She knew ironic answers where not what the captain had in mind. He never did. But to be herecleaning up the mess of people who ... well, who werent Geordi. She just wanted to be up there, mending the living rather than sweeping up after the dead.

Picard gripped Beverlys elbow with his strong fingers and pulled her to his side. His tone was at once understanding and harsh.

Mr. Worf needs your help as well.

It was as if Picard knew where her thoughts were. A doctor with a ship full of patients had a thousand different concerns for a thousand different crewmen. Shed forgotten that a captains thoughts radiated fartherthe crew, the ship, Starfleet, life, death, right, wrong ... and Geordi too.

She lowered her gaze and nodded. A little guilt was a good thing now and then, someone once said. Come to think of it, a doctor probably said it.

Worf needed help ... okay. Maybe she could do something.

I dont know enough about their physiology to determine anything more than the Hidran died of suffocation. Maybe with some files on general anatomy from their ship and sickbay The captain shook his head.

Im afraid thats not one of our alternatives at this point, Doctor.

Diplomacy.

Beverly held up her tricorder.

Science, Captain. And diplomacy has nothing to do with science.

Picard motioned to the two dead bodies.

But plenty to do with murder.

I am not willing to sit and wait to be murdered!

Be seated, Batok.

You know they will protect their own and we will not see justice! You know we will be killed?

Captain Urosk rose slowly, evenly. If hed had a knife it wouldnt be the tension he would cut.i.t would be Batoks throat.

Sit down, Batok.

Batok paused, testing his captain, then angrily snapped back into his seat.

Urosk knew that bringing the young hothead along was going to be problematic. He cursed his own decision. Once in s.p.a.ce he could have backed out on his promise to allow the amba.s.sador to choose the security force. He should have known Zhad would favor those politically aligned with him.

The Federation is different from the Klingon Empire.

Urosk spoke more to the other three, less volatile members of his party.

Even the amba.s.sador said Picard was worthy of respect.

Batok twisted away and studied the door.

That was before Picard ordered his a.s.sa.s.sination.

We do not know that. Worf is a Klingon. He acts as a Klingon.

Urosk forced his tone down, cooler, and began to pace the room.

He had to keep control of Batok. Like Zhad, the young officer was alive for his hate. If allowed to, he would die of that hateor for it. Urosks concern was to see that Batok did not pull the Hidran race down with him. It was true that without strength the Hidran would have died by the millions, and it remained true. But reasonability was not weakness, and while such knowledge was common among the masters of ships, it was less evident to a people raised on venom.

Picard is not Klingon and may not hold their biases.

Batok shook an angry orange fist at Urosk.

Picard is a Klingon sympathizer! He has one in his crewhe has been active in Klingon politicsand he speaks their language!

Urosk pivoted toward Batok, clamped his long fingers around the young officers neck, and pulled him up.

How many Hidran speak Klingonese, Batok? A third? More?

He shoved the young tusk back into the chair.

Shall we slit every throat that cracks a Klingon word?

Shuddering with either fear or angerUrosk could not tell whichBatok narrowed his gaze and looked away from his captain. The highest insult one could pay a superior.

Perhaps, Batok hissed slowly, we should.

No mask could m.u.f.fle Urosks intensity, his anger, as he pressed his face down close to Batoks. There would be no looking away.

Then we wouldve had to kill Amba.s.sador Zhad first.

Batoks angry expression dulled, and Urosk knew he had hit his mark.

The Hidran captain turned on his heel and walked toward the door. He pounded three times, summoning the guards, and took in a deep breath of artificially moist air. He wanted to bathe, to feel refreshed by the waters of his planet, to be out of this Klingon desert.

I will speak to Picard.

About?

Batok asked defiantly.

About justice for the Amba.s.sador and the survival of our people.