Worf to Connors.

Connors here, sir.

There has been a murder in the Klingon security cell. Please notify the captain. I am unable to reach him.

Were on our way to you, sir. The captain is being held by the Hidran.

Worf and Kadar shared a gaze, less mutually antagonistic than before, but more annoyed and angry.

Understood, Worf said, and jabbed his comm badge off. Questions, demands, flooded his thoughts. With communications what they were, however, it would have been foolish to ramble off those thoughts. Hed have to wait until his men showed up, and if they knew what was good for them, that would be quickly.

Do you see now?

Kadar began in a low growl.

Will Picard see? The Hidran are insane. There is no honor with them. They will destroy us here, and then they will move to destroy the Empire.

They couldnot destroy the Empire.

Kadar looked at his remaining men a moment, then stepped closer and lowered his voice.

Do not be so sure, Worf. They could wreck such havoc that the Empire would not be able to defend many of its worlds.

The Klingon commander shook his head and gnashed his teeth together in disgust.

Dont underestimate them. Dont trust them. They have been building their military strength while claiming these economic troubles and power failures. Five hundred war ships have been built! They have planetary defense bases now that can knock a starship from orbit! Their economy is market.i.ts recessions smallits productivity too high. They are liarsthey have no troubles save for those in their minds. And, as you can now see, they strike without reason.

Therewas a reason, Worf said, his voice its normal pitch. He refused to play Kadars game of secrecy.

I believe he meant to kill me. Did you not hear him call my name?

Eyes cold and dark, Kadar croaked his answer: All I heard was the death of another of my men.

He took Worf by the arm and pointed him to the body.

There is the second Klingon who has died under the guise of trying to avenge one Hidran death. How much would you wager that if the Hidran had their way, you would be the very last Klingon killed ... because youd be the last left alive? It is you they will end with, Worfit is the Empire they wish to destroy first.

Kadars grip on Worfs arm tightened.

Wemust act nowto preserve the Empire!

The hatch hissed open, and both Worf and Kadar turned, tense.

Connors and Mackenzie entered, nodding their salutes to Worf.

Report, Worf ordered habitually. Off duty or on, under arrest or not, to them he was in charge, and he knew that.

Connors stepped forward.

Sir, the captain was taken by Urosk. We were caught off guard Excuses will be discussed later, Worf snapped, and got the flinch he wanted from his men. Theyd been sloppy.

Report the situation.

Yes, sir, Connors continued.

Stalemate for now, Lieutenant. Phaser fire was exchanged. The captain was stunned, as was Doctor Hollitt. They retreated back into their chambers, with the captain as a hostage, when security reinforcements arrived. We have three of our team and two of Doctor Hollitts for-hires guarding to a.s.sure no movement.

Worf nodded.

I see.

Perhaps Kadar was rightperhaps the Hidran were fools without reason. What did they hope to gain by abducting the captain. It would merely anger their only allies: the Federation.

Has Commander Riker been found?

No, sir.

Worf nodded.

What command officer is left on the planet?

Connors shook his head.

Just Dr. Crusher, sir.

The captain was being held hostage. The first officer was missing. The second officer could not be reached. The chief engineer could not be reachednor any one else on theEnterprise . The ships doctor .

. . was a ships doctor.

I will need a phaser, Worf said.

I am returning to duty.

Aye, sir, Connors said, handing Worf a phaser.

Possibly the ship has been attacked if it is no longer responding to hails.

Worf glanced at Kadar, torn. Part of him needed to work for the captains release ... and part wanted to keep an eye on Kadar. His threat to take action was not idle.

Finally, Worf turned back to Connors and MacKenzie.

How many teams are still searching for Commander Riker and the Counselor?

Two, sir, Connors said.

Call one back. I want two guards stationed outside this door at all times.

Worf!

Kadar protested angrily.

For your protection, Captain, Worf said, taking just a bit of delight in the moment.

Armus for our protection!

Kadar barked.

No, Worf said simply.

You will remain here in protective custody. I will see to the safety of Captain Picard, and we will remedy this situation per his orders.

You, Worf, Kadar spat, are a Terran fool.

Perhaps, Worf said as he nodded Connors and MacKenzie out the hatch.

But for now I am the fool in charge.

Datawas in charge, and DePotter had to follow the commanders orders.

Ensign, are the defense systems energized?

Yes, sir.

Then please plot a course within phaser range of the Klingon vessel.

Okay, maybe he was just a know-nothing ensign who could count his hours of bridge duty on two hands and a foot, yet ... all this seemed wrong.

But DePotter couldnt disobey such an order. If he did, there would be no more bridge duty. No more duty ever.

DePotter tapped at his console.

Course plotted and on the board, sir.

Hail the Klingon vessel and lock phasers on target, Ensign.

Hold, Ensign. Belay that order.

Swiveling around, his hands still on his board, DePotter saw Lieutenant Wyckoff enter from the fore turbolift, flanked by three security guards. Their phasers were drawn.

Data stood and confronted them.

That is not within your purview, Lieutenant. Your actions const.i.tute mutiny. You are relieved of duty.

Wyckoff shook his head.

What the h.e.l.l was he doing? What should DePotter do? Sit backwait? Follow his order? Which order? Why was this happening on his shift?

Commander, Wyckoff said, you cant relieve me of duty. Your actions lead me to believe youre either ill or under an alien influence. In accordance with Starfleet regulations, Im turning command of this vessel to the duty officer until Captain Picard returns.

Data nodded, almost sympathetically, or knowingly, or something. DePotter couldnt be sure if anything was really there. He seemed so calm. Anyone else would be livid.

Lieutenant, the android said, thisis mutiny. I seriously doubt your interpretation of that regulation would be upheld.

Maybe, sir. Ill let the captain and Starfleet decide. You can, of course, file a complaint when we reach the nearest Starbase. Until then, Ill have to confine you to quarters. If you dont come with me now, Ill have to make that confinement to the brig.

Silence reigned as Data seemed to consider the weight of the threat. DePotter didnt know if he should defend the Commander or what. Sit. Wait. See what happens. He knew therewas such a regulation. He could always lean on that. Somehow that didnt comfort him thoughhis palms were sweaty and his heart thumped loudly in the absence of speech.

Finally, though, Data answered.

Very well, Lieutenant, he said, and quickly stepped past them to the turbolift.

Wyckoff turned, nodded his guards to stay behind, and followed the android into the lift.

Its been a long time, Geordi said to himself. Then he looked up at where he thought the guard still was. If the security man didnt move often enough, the impulse from the proximity vest would just blend in to the background of the wall.

Why dont we check on him?

Perhaps the man noddedGeordi wished peopled stop doing that. In any case, the man agreedhis comm badge chirped.

Computer, locate Lieutenant Wyckoff.

The guard was still near the cabin door.

Lieutenant Wyckoff is in turbolift five.

Computer, Geordi chimed in, heading of turbolift five?

Turbolift fives heading is deck two.

Hes headed back here, Geordi said.

Yes, sir. He decided that confinement to quarters would be enough.

Geordi leapt up.

d.a.m.n! Were talking aboutData herenot some skinny ensign. You can lock me in my quarters and youmight be able to keep me there. Youd have no chance with Data.

The man probably nodded again.

Lets meet them at the lift.

Swoosh.The lift doors openedGeordi could feel the rush of air.

The guard gasped.

What?

Geordi snapped.