Mentally youre not here.

Riker coughed, but Deanna could have sworn it sounded more chuckle than choke. She realized just how her comment had sounded, and some of the disorientation she felt was pushed away by the humor.

FingertipsRikerson her arm, brought back her empathic sense, and his discomfort mixed in with hers.

But so did his high spirits, and she felt herself sigh, a bit more relaxed.

She moved her hand over Rikers and gave his fingers a squeeze.

Youre here now. Mentally.

Will wonders never cease?

She knew he was smiling.

The air was not as stiff as a moment ago. She pushed herself up on an elbow and moved toward Riker. In the dim light she could see he was on his knees. His usually crisp blue eyes were shadowy in the dimness. He rose awkwardly, holding on to his injured leg as he pulled her up. She leaned into him, allowing him to do most of the work, her muscles weak and tired as if shed run a marathon.

His strength, physical and mental, fortified her. She continued to hold on to his arm as they turned toward the only light they could see.

Riker toEnterprise.

He tapped his comm badge and the dull tone of a closed frequency whined back at him.

Out of range maybe, he mumbled, taking a pace toward the lighted console panels.

Slowly the room seemed to brighten, the panels lines becoming crisper, Rikers form now well defined next to her. She could see their feet. There had been light all alongit was their eyes that slowly came on.

Three walls, smooth and metallic like the floor they had pulled themselves up from gave way to the one wall of panels and lights they now stood before. Opposite was a vertical slit that went from the top of the blank wall to the bottom. A door.

Still dazed, Deanna wasnt sure of anything. Was the momentary confusion she felt Rikers or her own?

She knew there was concern that was definitely histhe feeling was powerful yet comforting. His emotions were always familiar, and their mere presence bolstered her.

Where are we?

she asked, more to herself than to him.

Riker patted her hand and pulled away to step closer to the wall of lighted panels.

I dont know, but Id say weve been transported here from the planet ... wherever here is.

He rubbed his shoulder as if hed been struck hard by something.

Maybe a cargo transporter, too. Or a long distance transporter.

It was a rough ride.

She felt her brows draw together.

I dont understand. How do you know that?

He moved his hand along one of the panels, avoiding any b.u.t.tons or pads.

I dont. Just a.s.suming that what were feeling is the aftereffect of some kind of transporterand since it was so abusive, possibly a cargo beam.

He looked above at blank panels which may have been inactive computer screens.

You ever used an older transporter?

She shook her head.

I dont think so, why?

They used to immobilize you first before transport. And cargo transporters even today dont have the same comforts of personnel transports. Why waste the energy on frills? A crate wont care.

He made a sweeping gesture with his phaserwhen had he taken the weapon from its holster?to take in the entire wall.

This may be a transporter console. Lets make sure not to touch anything that might set off something serious. Last thing we want is to tell whoever brought us here that were awake and kicking.

Curiosity and anxiety were suddenly his emotions of choice, Deanna realized. They covered his concern in pulsing swells and nearly blocked out the pain in his leg. She wondered if humans were aware of the fluidity of their emotional broadcasts. When excited their feelings could be torrential, when relaxed they were like slow ocean waves ebbing back and forth almost gracefully. Human emotions held a charm for Deanna, Rikers especially.

She stepped closer to him, basking in that charm.

Who would bring us here?

He turned back, that apprehension taking over the curiosity.

I dont know. I was going to ask you the same thing.

She could feel his anger well, beginning to pepper his other emotions. His thumb hovered near his phasers trigger. He was waiting, readying himself.

Deanna needed to turn herself away from that feeling. She needed to do her job, and let him do his.

Well, she began, giving the console a serious once-over, looking at the evidence we have Id say whoever built this console is about our height, and had digits to push b.u.t.tons with. Otherwise we wouldnt be able to reach a console that they obviously need.

Admiration and a twinge of surprise now mixed with all the other emotions that had been radiating from Riker.

Idid go to the Academy as well, she said playfully.

Reasoning 101 is a prerequisite.

Riker nodded.

I stand admonished. All right,Commander, he motioned to the panel.

Ill let you open the door without pressing the b.u.t.ton that beams us into open s.p.a.ce.

She glanced at the panel, then looked back into Rikers eyes.

Whats on the other side of the door may be as bad.

Riker pulled in a deep breath and squeezed the handle of his phaser.

Maybe. But if were going to find out whose ship were on, and if were going to deal with that, we cant just sit and wait.

Hidran justice must be satisfied!

Grit and dust and thirsty air ground against Urosks skin. It was not hard to maintain ferocity in an ocean full of irritants. The Hidran captain curled his wet-cloak closer around him and hissed at Picard.

He was determined to wait no longer.

Picards flat, white teeth flashed.

Is not all justice the same, Captain?

What kind of question?

No, it is not. Klingon justice allows for the murder of innocent Hidran. Hidran justice does not.

Does Hidran justice allow for the murder of innocent Klingons?

Captain, Urosk began, imitating what he thought was a human shrug, I have yet to meet an innocent Klingon.

Picard was quick with a response.

That may have been true at one time, but surely you can see they have changed.

Urosk c.o.c.ked his head toward the door. Beyond its wooden frame was the hall where his Amba.s.sador had died.

I see death, Picard. What is it you see in Hidran blood?

Silence ground in Urosks point, as he intended.

Finally Picard spoke.

I see what I see in all blood. Loss.

That answer took Urosk by surprise. If any statement could be more un-Klingon in philosophy, the Hidran captain couldnt fathom it. This was a strange alliance indeed that brought the Federation and the Klingon Empire together if they were truly this different. The question was, who controlled whom? Did this peaceful Federation hold the entire Klingon population at bay with plat.i.tudes and peaceful thoughts? Urosk thought that unlikely.

A knock at the door and Picards hazel eyes jumped away from Urosk. Curious eyes, rather dull to Urosk who was used to a planet full of bright and glossy colors that had to radiate through the natural thickness of a humid atmosphere. Human eyes seemed alive only when they moved.

Commander Kadar pushed into the room, followed by Worf. Both were unarmed. Only Picard held a weapon, and that was holstered at his side. A better opportunity to avenge Amba.s.sador Zhads death might never present itself.

Urosk considered that ... but lost the moment when the woman entered, her phaser at the ready as it always was.

Id like to join you, Captain, Barbara said to Picard in a tone Urosk was unable to decipher.

Unsure of what part the woman played in all this, Urosk listened intently.She seemed to have a good idea of her position, however, as she stepped in front of Worf and Kadar and lowered herself into the seat next to the Starfleet Captain.

Of course, Doctor.

Picard nodded and gestured toward the two remaining chairs in front of table.

Gentlemen, please be seated.

I prefer to stand.

Urosk mashed his gravel voice across the room, knowing that the Klingon ego would force Kadar to remain standing as well. There was endless benefit in knowing your enemy, and Klingons were nothing if not well understood to every Hidran who had suffered the past seventy years. The Klingons had turned the Hidran into a race of people bitter and angry, and while someday that might be forgiven, it would never be forgotten. The Hidran had been a cloistered people: a united democratic government on the edge of interstellar flight. Perhaps they were quarrelsome people in a broad sense, but they were not alien hunters who snarled their way across s.p.a.ce.

The Klingons were. And for their own defense the Hidran had to effectively evolve into hunters themselves.

Or at least they had to act the part.

Picard, Urosk barked, quickly yanking his arm out from his cloak long enough to shake an accusing finger in Worfs direction, Why isnt this Klingon in custody? Do the legal charges of the Hidran government mean nothing?

Theyare meaningful, Captain, and I do appreciate your concerns.

Picard rose, taking on a more formal stature.

I have relieved Lieutenant Worf of duty, and my chief medical officer is currently examining Urosk bolted forward. His arms swung out from under his cloak and he slammed his orange palms flat against the table, leaning forward.

Relieved him of duty? Thats an outrage! Is that the penalty for murder, Picard? What is the punishment for genocide? Confinement to quarters?

Urosk felt anger heat his face as silence skewered Picard back, mentally if not physically. The Starfleet captains mouth was open slightly, an expression that could have been surprise. Urosk wasnt sure.

Captain, Picard began, I cannot act until I know what to act upon. At this point Lieutenant Worf is presumed innocent.

Urosk turned, twisting a glare into Worfs eyes.No. A Klingon face is never innocent .

The Hidran captain jolted his tall frame upright, away from the table Picard stood behind.

Picard, bring me your evidence of his innocence now, or I will see his blood on my hands before you can kill me for the attempt.

Chapter Seven.

HE STRETCHED OUT AN ARM,his fingers grasping for a nightstand that didnt seem to be there. Groaning through the fog of grogginess that came with waking from a deep sleep, he tilted up and reached a bit farther before the realization struck that he wasnt in his cabin.

The painful memory of the transporter room flooded in, as did the odor of sickbay, and he cracked out a weak call for Dr. Crusher.

Doctor ...Beverly ...

Dr. Crusher is planetside, Geordi. Dr. Peiss is attending. And I am here.