Chapter Fourteen.

FIVE OF THE SIX surviving members of the Council of Ministers of Nem Ma'ak Bratuna were seated around the table in the conference room at Government House, which still stood. One or two of the men at the table looked determined, while the others seemed frightened and uncertain. Three of their number were dead or missing as a result of the Krann raid-a raid that the Council itself seemed to have precipitated.

For his part, Picard was seething, but he was hiding it well. He remained seated in his chair in the bridge command area, hoping that doing so would send an unspoken message that would soothe the Lethantan leadership and calm the ministers down a bit. It was the kind of subtle thing that had worked before-the Picard touch. Unfortunately, it was not working very well now.

"First Among Equals," the captain began, "it was not helpful for you to have declared a planetwide military alert-even if, as you say, it was for defensive purposes only. As I have told you, Presider Hek of the Krann took your move as an aggressive one and authorized an initial strike on Nem Ma'ak Bratuna. That offensive continues even now with heavy losses on both sides. I must also tell you that a promising avenue for negotiations to resolve this crisis peacefully has simply evaporated away. The most that can be done now is to try to stop the fighting. I suggest a truce in place-"

Kerajem opened his mouth to speak, but Security Minister Jemmagar interrupted him. "Pardon me, First, but the captain has issued a direct challenge to the authority of this body, and I must respond to it." Kerajem nodded without looking at Jemmagar.

"Captain Picard," the security minister began, "I'm sure we all appreciate your efforts on behalf of peace-"

"I'm certain you do, Minister Jemmagar," Picard said blandly.

"Er, yes, yes, we do, but we of the Council of Ministers have a grave responsibility to a.s.sure that our people are prepared to deal with the undeniable threat from the Krann. The defense drill was long scheduled-"

Picard's mouth tightened. "Minister Jemmagar, your practice alert was sheerest folly. It appeared to the Krann that you were undertaking a preemptive strike on the forward units of their fleet-units you could detect, although we could not, because you chose not to share with us your discovery that the Krann had adjusted their camouflage techniques to foil our sensors. We might have been able to avert this war if you had." He paused. "I must ask you to refrain from declaring military alerts and taking similar actions from here on. I cannot be held responsible for the consequences if you do."

"The council has a responsibility to the people,"Jemmagar said ponderously. "We will not be, be scolded by you, Picard, as if we were schoolboys."

"Yes," Picard replied bitingly. "Yes, you do have a responsibility to your people, Minister Jemmagar. Let me suggest to you that it lies in getting them through this crisis and out the other end as safely as possible while your civilization remains relatively intact." He shifted his attention to Kerajem. "First Among Equals, which is it to be? Do we get the chance to resolve this situation without further loss of life, or do we abandon all hope, thanks to sheer stubbornness? Peace is still possible, but not if either party continues to act precipitously."

Kerajem paused for a moment, and then nodded. "There will be no more drills," he said. "We will provoke the Krann no further. You have my word on it, Picard."

"But, First-" Jemmager began.

Kerajem held up a hand. "No more. You have my word on it, Captain Picard-but this concession on our part presupposes that the Krann will cease hostilities and offer no further aggressive moves of their own." He hesitated. "Please offer the respects of the High Council to Presider Hek and the members of the Fleet Congress."

"I will certainly do so," Picard said quickly. "Thank you, Kerajem. I will relay this news to Presider Hek immediately. Picard out." The captain did not allow himself a sigh of relief until the view of the conference room was replaced by the usual starfield. "Mr. Worf," he said after a moment, "hail the Krann flagship. I want to talk to Presider Hek."

The crowd in the bistro was mumbling again, but for a different reason. "Hull, the rhythm's changed," Bitt said, looking up at the lights. "Three-three-three now. I think that means-"

"Alert canceled," Wiggin slurred. "Everything's over. You're not the only one who knows his alert signals, my friend. Hey, what's the alert for an empty pitcher, anyway?" He held it up and waved it around. "C'mon, facilitator. Facilitator! Show's over, and my friends here want another drink."

"Actually," Bitt said, "I think Lettana and I would like to leave now." He glanced up at the lights. "I just realized I haven't talked to my parents for quite a while, and I expect the lines will be tied up." He addressed Wiggin. "If you'll excuse us-?"

"Oh, sure, sure," Wiggin replied. "Thanks for the gift of your company, and all that. Happy Posting Day. 'Bye."

"I think we'll leave, too," Nozz said, taking Sharra's hand. "We thank you for your hospitality, Wiggin, and we hope we can repay it in kind before long."

Bitt turned to Riker and Troi. He tapped his breast one-twice-thrice. "I am glad we met, Dex, Pralla. I am glad we have formed a friendship."

The two disguised Enterprise officers rose from their seats and returned the tapping gesture. "So are we, Bitt. Happy Posting Day to you and Lettana. Nozz and Sharra, the same to you."

"And to you, Dex and Pralla. Good-bye." The two couples turned and began to snake their way through the crowd.

"Nice folks," Wiggin said. "Too bad they had to rush off like that." He winked at Troi. She smiled and winked back.

Riker bent close to Troi's ear. "What's going on now?" he asked her, his voice low.

"Our friend Wiggin wants to get me alone," Troi replied, "and I intend to let him. Go to the bathroom, Will. It's in the back, just to the right of the bar. There are two of them. They're s.e.xually segregated here. Yours has a symbol on the door that looks like a figure eight."

"Good idea. It'll give me a chance to call the captain and find out what's been happening." He raised his voice. "If you will excuse me, Wiggin," he said pleasantly, 'I'll be back in a few minutes. How about getting that pitcher refilled while I'm gone?"

"Got to see a journeyman about the plumbing, eh?" Wiggin said loudly, and heads turned. "Hope everything comes out all right, Dex." He laughed hysterically at his own joke.

Riker glanced at Troi and, shrugging, gave her a wan smile as he walked away.

Wiggin smiled drunkenly at Troi, which somehow made him look even more boyish. He suddenly leaned forward, putting his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his hands. "h.e.l.lo, Pralla," he said. "Fancy meeting you here. I'm glad."

Troi smiled. "I'm glad I met you, too, Wiggin. It's a great day all around."

"Best Posting Day I've ever had, that's for sure. Look, do you mind if I tell you something?"

"Go ahead."

"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." Wiggin gave Troi what he must have thought was a sensual look, but it was all the counselor could do to keep from laughing.

"You know, Wiggin," Troi said after a moment, "there's an empty chair right here next to me. I don't think Dex will be back for a while."

Wiggin seemed startled, and then he smiled. "All right." He shifted over. "This is better."

"Yes, it is." She patted Wiggin's hand. "This is much better."

"You were worried during the alert," Wiggin told her. "I could tell."

"A little," Troi said, putting just the right amount of nervousness into her voice. "It was very unusual, wasn't it?"

"It sure was," he replied. "I've never been through an alert before."

Troi smiled. "Well, to tell you the truth, neither have I."

Wiggin waved a hand. "No need to be scared. There's nothing that can hurt us." He moved closer to her. "I wish I could talk about it, but I can't." He put a finger to his lips.

"Oh? Well, I can certainly respect your privacy-"

"Nope," Wiggin said, shaking his head firmly. "Can't talk about it, not even a little. Orders. They've got us working heel-and-toe watches in weapons design, you know. They'd get pretty mad at me if I ever talked about it. You know, I've got no social life at all."

"I'm sorry about that. I really am."

Wiggin seemed to be lost in thought. "Maybe I could show you."

"Excuse me?"

"Maybe I could show you the section where I work, I mean. People are brought through sometimes. Relatives, people like that. You know. Wait a minute. How much trouble could I get into? Hull, you're the spouse of a supervisor. You must have a security clearance, right?"

Troi nodded quickly. "Uh, that's right. Of course I do."

"And the watch is young," Wiggin said. He winked at Troi again. "It could be a magic one."

"It might be," Troi admitted. "Why, I might disappear into thin air before it's over, just like that." She snapped her fingers.

"Oh, not you," the young Krann said. "You're a hot-blooded one, you are."

"Now, Wiggin," Troi said, patting his hand gently. "Stop that. What would my spouse say?"

"Hull if I know," the young Krann replied. "Want to stick around long enough to find out?"

Troi paused. "No, not really," she said, finishing her drink. "Let's get out of here."

"Debit stub!" Wiggin cried, and a facilitator quickly appeared at his elbow. She gave him a chit, which Wiggin thumbprinted in a corner. "All right," he said, grinning. "Done! Let's blow this lagga stand!"

Troi tapped her communicator. "I'm right behind you."

There was what appeared to be a delivery entrance toward the back of the bistro, just beyond the bathrooms and very near the kitchen. Since the heavily used bathrooms were far from private, Riker walked past them and through a door marked NO EXIT.

He found himself in a narrow, unoccupied pa.s.sage that ran for a dozen meters in both directions before making abrupt turns to port and starboard. There were doors similar to the one he had just gone through spotted here and there along both sides of the corridor. Riker thought the corridor must be part of some sort of cargo delivery system that was designed to keep freight vehicles off the concourse.

Riker reached into the pocket of his Krann clothing and slipped the audio pickup bug into his left ear. He then tapped the communicator. "Riker to Enterprise," he said quietly. "Are you receiving me?"

"Loud and clear, Commander," came Geordi's voice. "Are you receiving us?"

"You're coming through five by five."

"Good. Patching in the captain now."

There was a very brief pause. "h.e.l.lo, Will," Picard greeted him. "Is Counselor Troi there with you?"

"No, sir. She's not far away, however. We're in no danger. I'd like to make my report."

"Go ahead."

Riker gathered his thoughts. "Captain, the people on this flagship apparently have no idea that the fleet is about to go to war with the Lethanta. There is a major holiday in progress aboard this ship, and virtually everyone seems to be celebrating it. I've seen the way civilian populations conduct themselves during wartime, and what I'm seeing here is in no way similar. These people are at peace, or at least they think they are. The only sign of impeding hostilities was the declaration of a combat alert some two hours ago, and it took everyone around us completely by surprise. They were all frightened and shocked."

"We know about that alert, Will. The Lethanta held a planetary defense drill, and the Krann took it as a provocation. In response, elements of the Krann fleet carried out an attack on various Lethantan targets, civilian and military alike. The losses on both sides have been high, but the effect on Nem Ma'ak Bratuna has been nothing short of devastating. I've arranged a truce in place, pending negotiations between the Lethanta and the Krann, again with us acting as mediator. All Krann forces are returning or have already returned to their original stations. I must also tell you, Will, that Commander Data and Ensign Ro are missing, following an attack on the Lethantan capital. We have not been able to raise them."

Riker stroked his chin in thought. "I see. All of this explains a great deal, sir-but it does not explain why none of the Krann we were with understood what was happening, or why."

"Where have you been, by the way?"

"At a party. Sir."

"Oh. Excellent way to meet people. What did you find out?"

"Today is an important Krann holiday called Posting Day, Captain. It is the day upon which Krann authorities grant married couples permits to have babies."

"I see," Picard said. "Procreation is very strictly controlled, then."

"I believe so, sir. The permits are issued only every few years and are apparently hard to come by even then. Influence appears to count. Couples who receive one throw a big party, the bigger the better. We dropped in on one of those. The size and location of the couple's Posting Day celebration confer status upon them, according to what we've heard."

"Rather like an Earth wedding, I suppose. Your point, Number One?"

"Sir, it seems to me that these people don't have a clue as to what's going on between the Krann and the Lethanta. There were a lot of people where we were, all of them in a relaxed social situation. Counselor Troi and I talked to young people who have never even heard of the Lethanta. The Krann we've met know they've arrived in a new star system, but they have not been told that it contains two cla.s.s-M planets." He paused. "Captain, Presider Hek said we'd see his intentions were peaceful if we came aboard. I wonder if he was telling the truth, after all?"

"Sir?" came Geordi's voice, interrupting. "Counselor Troi's subs.p.a.ce communicator link has just been opened, but she isn't talking to us. I've got her located."

"Is she in trouble, Geordi?" Riker asked quickly.

"I don't think so, Commander. From what I'm hearing, the counselor is engaged in normal conversation with a person named Wiggin. And she's on the move-now thirty meters from your position, bearing four fifty-four mark five. Distance from your position is increasing at normal walking speed."

"She hasn't set off her emergency recall signal, has she, Mr. La Forge?" Picard asked.

"No, sir, she has not."

"I don't believe she's being kidnapped, then," Picard said. "If she was able to activate the communicator for audio pickup, she could just as easily have actuated the recall signal. No, the counselor simply wanted to let us know that she was going somewhere. Number One, tell me quickly about this Wiggin."

"We met him at the party," Riker replied. "He's a young Krann who claims to be a weapons designer of some sort. I think he may not be what he claims to be."

"You think he may have been a plant."

"Yes, sir. I believe he arrived at the celebration just after we did and only pretended he'd been there all along."

"I see. So you believe your location aboard the flagship has been detected."

"Yes, sir. I do."

"If that's true, then the Krann want you to be there, at least for now, "Picard observed. "They haven't done a thing to remove you. I wonder why?"

"We do have their agreement to board their ships and take a look around, sir."

Riker heard Picard chuckle. "Yes, but I hardly expected them to live up to it quite this diligently. Well, we'll take advantage of Presider Hek's apparent generosity for as long as possible. Number One, Mr. La Forge will guide you to Counselor Troi's present position. Follow her and this Wiggin person, but don't be caught at it. I'll now leave you in the hands of Mr. La Forge. Picard out."

"Aye, sir. Geordi?"

"Locked on to you, Will."

"Good." Riker opened the service door and, looking around, stepped inside the bistro. "I'm heading for the concourse just outside the restaurant," he said very quietly. "How far away are they now?"

Troi and Wiggin were heading down the concourse. The crowds swarming through the pa.s.sageways had not ebbed. If anything, they had grown, despite-or perhaps due to-the combat alert not long before. The counselor considered that some of the Krann might be celebrating their relief.

"Wait'll you see this!" Wiggin said enthusiastically. "Anybody who has is really impressed-and I helped substantially with the design, of course."

"So I a.s.sume you're going to show me a weapon of some sort?" Troi asked lightly.

"Maybe, maybe not," the young Krann said, grinning. "It's supposed to be a secret. You'll see."

"Counselor, this is Picard," came a voice in Troi's ear. "We have been listening in and are tracking your movements via your communicator. I a.s.sume you are wearing your audio pickup. If you are, tap the communicator once."