Shrugging, Riker said, So youre good. We knew that No ...

Beverly began, mystified, running her scanner over Riker, then Deanna.

Deanna checks out normalher problems were minimal, fatigue ... but you shouldnt be doing this well.

Sorry.

Beverlys brow wrinkled.

No, Will, I mean I havent done enough yet. I didnt give you anything to accelerate healing.

Crusher ran her scanner over them each again, then she reached up and s.n.a.t.c.hed the chunk of bread from Rikers hand.

Give me that a minute.

Hey Worf stepped closer to Riker.

The Velexian grainis supposed to have some mystical health-enhancing effects.

His bread now the center of attention, Riker looked longingly at Deannas slice as Crusher ran her tricorder over his a second time.

I dont believe in magic, Beverly said.

Do you believe in feeding the hungry?

Riker said dryly.

Oh, the doctor pulled out her hypospray again.

Here, she said, pushing the spray into his neck.

This is a nutritional subst.i.tute.

Riker frowned.

Mmmm. Delicious.

Strength returning to him nonetheless, he turned back to Worf.

I want all available security to report here. I want the Hidrans area surrounded, both inside and outside the building.

If they were to break through the outer wall, Worf began, the structure would crumble, perhaps on top of them. This hall is the only standing native Velexian building, and is estimated to be more than twenty thousand years old. It is not sound enough for such a rupture.

Riker nodded and stood.

That doesnt mean they wont try it. I want the bases covered.

He looked down at his tattered uniform and grimaced, but knew his appearance was the least of his problems.

Also, there should be a subs.p.a.ce communications center around here. Find it, try to reach the ship. It should have the strength to break through the white-noise jammer.

Aye, sir, Worf said.

Riker looked back to Deanna.

You okay?

She nodded.

Find anything interesting, Doctor?

Riker asked.

Very, Beverly mumbled.

I cant scan through this bread. I cant get past the individual grains.

Neither could Dr. Hollitts equipment, Riker offered.

Beverly stood and turned toward them.

No, I wouldnt think so.

If you have a conclusion, Doctor, spit it out, Riker said.

We dont have time ...

I dont have one yet. I have a guess. Where is Dr. Hollitt? With her help and the scanning equipment I brought earlier we might be able to prove something.

She held up the chunk of bread.

This isnot magic.

Do you believe in nothing mystical, Doctor?

Worf asked.

Beverly flashed her eyes at Riker, then at Worf.

I dowhen I can see the proof, and the equipment it was tested on.

Chapter Fourteen.

SAUCER SEPERATIONin five ... four ... three ... two ... one.

Only Data could have stopped the separation ... and he was the one who wanted it.

So did Geordi, really ... he just didnt want to be trapped on the saucer where hed be helpless to act. And hehad to act.

He moved his hand over the wall and found the control panel that would open the door. On that door there was a signhe couldnt see the letters, but knew what they said: DECK 8 PHASER AUTOMATION: RESTRICTED.

ACCESS.

His fist tight, he punched the doors control panel, loosening it so he could snap off the cover and get its guts. His fingers fumbled insidetoo long. Everything took too long. A minor accomplishment: to be able to navigate around the ship blind. But if he didnt put that skill to use more quickly, in a manner that would change the situation, then it was just a mean ingless achievement. What value was there in a skill if it met no end?

A rumble vibrated through the ship. Geordi knew the feeling: the saucer unlocking itself from the battle-section and pulling away. Someone was on the main bridge ... Ro or someone, and would take care of the saucer and its civilians. He imagined the lie that person was told by Data, how they probably didnt doubt his veracity for a moment. Data certainly wasnt above lyingany intelligent being understood that a lie could be a wise course of action from time to timeperhaps even moral. Who, when asked by a murderer, would describe the location of their family? Who would tell an enemy the entire truth? Only a fool.

While Data was most certainly not himselfhe was no fool.

Finally, sweat dripping down his neck, he fingered the override control and the doors swished open.

He ventured into the alcove and jumped through the doors quickly, then stopped himself, trying to get a bead on where he was standing and where the controls he wanted would be.

Counting off paces to the main console, he was abruptly stopped by a wall that shouldnt have been there. He leapt back, b.u.mped into somethinga table, and grabbed on to it before he lost his balance.

Geordi straightened and put his hand out to touch the wall. He felt the cool plastic-like smoothness of a computer touch-pad.

Computer, what room is this?

Deck eight, section twelve: Recreation room four.

Angry, Geordi sent the chair that had been at his side flying across the room. It crashed, clattering against other chairs and perhaps a table. The feeling was a good one, a release, but was fleeting. He needed helphad to get to Engineering. Cheng would help.

Pulling in a deep breath, he retraced his steps through the doors and back into the corridor. Left?

Right? Hed forgotten.Deck eight ... section twelve ... Where was everyone?General quartersthats right. Hed let his frustration get the best of him and was now paying the price: a muddled mind.

Think!

He turned left and rushed up the empty corridor, his open arm outstretched, fingertips gliding along the inner wall for guidance. When his fingers didnt sc.r.a.pe the wall he knew there was the alcove for a doorway, and he counted those ...

Five ... six ... seven ... eighta corridor ... nine ... ten ...

Dropping his arm, he stopped.

Ten.was a Jefferies tube. Of course, he also knew the rec room back there was supposed to be phaser automation control. All he needed to be was off by one step, one pace, one count, and he could do more harm than good. Or he could slow himself down into uselessness.

He reached out, felt the cold, metal rungs of the Jefferies ladder, and knew there was no miscalculation this time.

Slowly he made his way down the tube, one rung after another, flipping a hatch when necessary, counting his steps as he went. There was no way hed allow Data to trap him in a turbolift, and the Jefferies tubes would allow him access to the guts of the ship if he needed to hide. Even without a communicator, Geordi was traceable if Data wanted to make the effort ...

This was no way to function, thoughhe couldnt keep his career as engineer of this ship if he were to remain blind. He wouldnt be drummed out of the service, but he would be given some desk job, or a teaching job ... And that wasnt what hed signed up for.

Not until then had the thought occurred to Geordi: What would become of Data? What if his damage was so severe thathis Starfleet career was over? And what would that mean? Data wouldnt be relegated to a desk. What would become of a sick android that couldnt be repaired? Imprisonment ... or worsedismantlement.

Geordi tried to shake that thought from his mind. Such a consequence could be considered laterthere were lives at stake now, and that was the most pressing situation.

The thrumming of the shiphe knew every soundtold him the saucer was totally detached and that the battle-section was probably maneuvering free and clear.

He reached Engineering deck and tried to get his bearings again.

Turning on his heel as he jumped off the ladder and onto the deck, he heard what sounded likeyelling!

Straining to listen as he moved toward the door, suddenly he heard hissing.

Gas.

Data was flooding the ship with an anesthizine. Had to be.He mustve found out Cheng was helping me.

Knew he couldnt rely on the crew to help him any longerknew I would be here Geordi let out a dry cough, covered his mouth, and tried to think of an escape as the smell of the gas began to overtake him. It burned his sightless eyes and sc.r.a.ped against this nose and throat.

Where? Where could he escape?

Howcould he escape his own breath?

If you do not mind me saying so, sir, I believe you are wasting your breath.

Worf nodded down the corridor toward the hatch.

They will not come through there as long as we are here, and they will not give up the captain as long as they dont have me.

Riker glanced at Deanna, then shook his head. He wouldnt consider that option. Some things werenever alternatives.

Sorry, Worf. Im not sacrificing you. And, its not a waste of breath so long as Im buying time.

He tapped his comm badge.

Riker to Captain Urosk.

There was a delay, then the gravel voice of the Hidran captain: You are annoying me, Riker.

My intention isnt to annoy you, Captain.

Although its a respectable side effect.

My intention is only for a peaceful outcome to this situation.

Give me the Klingon.

Riker and Worf exchanged a glance. The tall Klingon was tense, and Riker knew why. It wasnt because Worf thought he may be forfeit.i.t was because hewanted the honor of being forfeit for his captain, and knew Riker wouldnt allow it.

Captain Urosk Thats my only demand, Riker. Give me the Klingon within thirty minutes, or your captain dies.