The Last Stand Part 21

Wiggin laughed. "Well, I guess there's no help for it, then. Seen enough?"

"I think so."

"Then let's go," Wiggin said. "I don't have to go back to my desk, so we can leave through the main air lock. It's right over there. Then we can go anywhere you want. It's still Posting Day, after all, and the night's pretty young."

All Troi wanted to do now was report back to the Enterprise, and that meant getting out of the sensorproof gray zone as quickly as possible. She also wanted to find Will, and if he was likely to be anywhere, it would be- "Perhaps we can go back to that nice restaurant we were at before," Troi said.

"Well, maybe we could," Wiggin responded. "For now."

"So let's leave the way we came, shall we?"

The young Krann shrugged. "Well, all right."

Troi and Wiggin quickly walked back to the small air lock and, once through, they retraced their steps back to the security gate.

That was where Will had been all along, standing there, waiting for her. He looked very angry. He was getting rather good at it.

"Dex!" Troi yiped. "Wiggin, it's Dex!"

"Oh, hull," Wiggin muttered. "It would be."

Riker walked up to the two of them and confronted them right in front of the guard booth. A crowd began to collect.

"Where in hull have you two been?" Riker spat. "I swear, every time I turn my back on you, Pralla, you're off with some young punk-"

"Hey, wait a minute-" Wiggin began.

"Shut up!" Riker spat.

"Hey, Wiggin," Guss called from the booth. "You want me to call security?"

Riker turned to address him. "Guard, I am Dex Portside Sanitation Systems Supervisor." There was an intake of breath from the collecting crowd. "This incident is under control. There is no need for security personnel here."

Guss blinked. "Of course not, Supervisor."

"Then, as you were." Riker turned back to Troi. "You're coming home with me, Pralla. Right now."

"Yes, Dex," Troi said sheepishly.

"We'll forget about it this time," Riker continued, his lips tight. "We'll charge this little incident off to too much celebrating. Too much Posting Day."

"Yes, Dex." Troi looked quite penitent.

"And you, "Riker said, turning to Wiggin. "If I ever catch you near my spouse again, I will stuff you out the nearest waste hole. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Dex," Wiggin replied quickly.

"What did you call me, Journeyman?" Riker snapped. "That mode of address is reserved for friends and equals only, and you are neither of those to me."

Wiggin straightened up. "I apologize for my conduct, Dex Portside Sanitation Systems Supervisor. I intended no offense."

Riker nodded slowly. "None taken, then. Back to your routine, Journeyman, and do it fast."

"Yes, Supervisor." Wiggin spun on his heel and left quickly, hurrying back through the security gate for Bay Fourteen.

"Let's get out of here," Riker muttered. "There's a tube car coming. We need to get out of the gray zone so we can touch base with the captain."

"We also need to talk," Troi said into his ear as the car arrived and slowly drew to a halt. "Do we want to return to the s.h.i.+p?"

Riker shook his head. "I don't think we're quite done aboard here yet. We'll at least call in first, let the captain know we're still alive and kicking." He suddenly smiled. "I found us a place. We can go there."

"A place? Do you mean a place to stay?"

"Yes. It's kind of like a hotel room, but free of charge. They let me sign for it, so I did. Reminds me of one of those inexpensive little bed-and-breakfast places in Europe, whatever they're called-oh, yes. A pension. I think the one I found is meant for drunks, so they can sleep it off. Maybe that's why it's free. It's provided as some kind of public service." He paused. "Deanna, you do realize we're being led around-"

"-by the nose? Yes, I do. And wait'll I tell you about what I saw."

They boarded the tube car. As it pulled away, Wiggin reemerged from the security gate and, standing there, watched as the train departed. When it was finally gone, he allowed himself a tight, brief smile. He then rapped his knuckles on the side of Guss's guard booth and walked onto the tube station platform to wait for the arrival of the next car. It had been a job well done, but he was off duty now and, after all, it was Posting Day, and there were drinks and a woman or two out there somewhere with his name on them.

Chapter Sixteen.

PICARD WAS IN HIS READY ROOM, taking another call from the First Among Equals.

"Things are tense here, Captain Picard," Kerajem said. He was in his office at Government House. "The Cabinet is increasingly restive. The older ministers are almost too scared to speak, and the younger ones want to teach the Krann a lesson, as that idiot Jemmagar put it during our last emergency meeting." Kerajem nearly spat. "How could we ever hope to teach the Krann a lesson?"

"And where are you on this, First?" Picard asked.

"In the middle, as usual, and hoping for some sort of miracle. Captain Picard, do you have any hope that Presider Hek is open to some sort of peaceful settlement?"

Picard considered his words carefully. "I'm not sure, First," he said. "I cannot tell what's on his mind or what kind of settlement he might accept. I have been trying to find out all along, but the man is extraordinarily difficult to read."

"So you think he is insincere about seeking a peaceful resolution to this crisis?"

"As I said, I'm not sure," Picard said. "But I do think he is a practical man. If a peaceful settlement is attractive enough, if it allows him to maintain his authority, then he might agree to one."

Kerajem nodded. "I hope you're right, Captain."

"There is one practical reason for hope, First Among Equals," Picard said. "In my last conversation with him, Presider Hek seemed to bring up the possibility that the Krann might want to settle on the fourth planet of this system."

"Settle down? And abandon their fleet in s.p.a.ce?" Kerajem shook his head. "I doubt they would ever do such a thing, Captain Picard. They've been living a s.p.a.ceborne existence for thousands of years, and they're used to it. Oh, some of them might like to live planetside, but I can't believe all of them would. It's just not their way."

"They lived on a world once," Picard pointed out.

"That was a long time ago. " Kerajem sighed. "Captain, our Cabinet session resumes in a minute. I'll call you at the next recess."

"Very well," Picard said. "Good luck to you, First Among Equals."

"And may good fortune find you, Captain. I know you're doing your best." The terminal went dark.

"I just hope it's enough," muttered Picard.

"Captain," came Worf's deep voice, "Commander Riker is calling."

"Ah. Thank you, Lieutenant." Picard pressed a b.u.t.ton. "h.e.l.lo, Number One," he said into the air. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, sir. We're both fine. Is there any word yet from Commander Data or Ensign Ro?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Understood, sir. Deanna is right here and will communicate through my pickup."

"Fine. Are you two reasonably private? Can you talk freely?"

"Yes, sir, " Riker replied. "We're in what amounts to a cheap hotel room just outside the gray zone. No one else is in the room with us."

"Excellent. I can have you beamed directly here to the ready room to make your report in person-"

"Excuse me, Captain, but I don't think that would be wise. I have reason to believe that the Krann can detect our use of the transporter. If we beam out, they may know it, and I'd rather have them realize we're still here, keeping an eye on them."

"Understood. Your findings since your last report, then."

"With your permission, Captain, I'll let Commander Troi make her report first. She reconnoitered well inside the zone."

"Go ahead, Counselor."

"-and so, Captain, I agree with Commander Riker's a.s.sessment. I was being shown something we were meant to see, and I was intended to get away with it." Troi motioned to Riker to pa.s.s her what was left of a gla.s.s of water that was sitting on the nightstand, and he did so. Thanks, she mouthed. "I was meant to see the weapon in Bay Fourteen and, I presume, I was intended to report its presence to you." She took a sip of water.

"But what is it?"

"I couldn't tell, sir. It looked like no weapons system I am familiar with."

"Did your Krann friend say this whatever-it-is could hurt us? Did he give you any indication of what it could do? Fire a missile or sh.e.l.l at us, that sort of thing?"

"Wiggin would not tell me, Captain. I made some silly comment about a death ray, which he ignored."

"Was there only one of these things?"

"I got that impression, yes, sir."

"Good Lord. I feel as if I'm playing 'Twenty Questions.' All right. Clearly the Krann wanted to ensure that you saw the device, whatever it is and whatever it can do. Perhaps its presence is intended to intimidate us, or at least make us more uncertain about the capabilities of the Krann. What do you think, Will?"

"I agree we're being scammed, Captain," the first officer replied. "I'm not sure about the reason. It may just be that the Krann are attempting-rather successfully, I think-to distract us. Perhaps there is something going on aboard this s.h.i.+p that we are not supposed to notice."

There was a brief silence as Picard thought about that. "I don't believe any single weapon possessed by the Krann can do anything of consequence against us," he finally said, and Troi saw Riker nod.

"If I may, sir," Riker added, "I think it's important to note that Wiggin made contact with us not very long after we were beamed aboard the flags.h.i.+p. Somehow the Krann realized we were there. We can't have been recognized."

"I agree, Will. They know about the transporter, or they deduced its use somehow. Either way, I agree that the secret is blown, but I think we'll maintain appearances anyway. We'll travel to the flags.h.i.+p via shuttlecraft for the next round of talks. Sometimes there's great value in not letting them know that you know that they know."

Riker looked confused. "Er, yes, sir."

"In line with all that, Will, I want you and the counselor to remain aboard the flags.h.i.+p until the next round of talks begins in about, um, eight hours. Presider Hek set the schedule, and the timing happens to coincide with the arrival of the main elements of the Krann attack force in standard orbit around Nem Ma'ak Bratuna."

"That doesn't sound on the level," Troi said.

"No, it doesn't. I want you two there so you can keep me informed about what you see aboard the flags.h.i.+p-a.s.suming the Krann allow you to make such reports, that is. The transporter chief will keep a lock on both of you until you're safely back, so don't go into the gray zone unless it is absolutely necessary. Now, anything else?"

"I don't think so, Captain," said Riker.

"Not from me, sir," Troi added.

"Get some rest, then. Good night. Picard out."

"Good night, sir. Recon party out."

"No word from Data or Ro yet," Deanna fretted. "That can't be good, Will."

"If anyone can make it through, they can," Riker told her. "Don't give up on them yet, Counselor. I haven't-and neither has the captain."

Deanna tried to stifle a yawn and failed. "Been a long day," she said. She closed her eyes.

"I hate the holidays," Will joked. "Don't you?" He looked around the room, rubbing the back of his neck. It was small but neat, it had been painted not long before, and it was carpeted. All there was for furniture was a narrow but comfortable bed, a small bureau, and an even smaller table. There was no chair for the table. "At least there's a head," Riker observed. "There's a shower stall in there, too, of all things. A water shower, I mean. Haven't seen one of those in a while."

Deanna's eyes opened. "A water shower? Oh, I love those. Is the water hot?"

"Let me check." Will ducked inside and ran the tap for a moment, and there came the sudden sound of a hard rain. "Yep," he reported. "Hot as all h.e.l.l. Good pressure, too. There's a container of thick liquid stuff that I think is soap, or a good excuse for soap. There's also a couple of towels."

"Sounds grand," Troi said, stretching. "Will, would you mind very much if-?"

"Hmmm? Oh. No. No, not at all."

Deanna gave him a tired grin. "Thanks, Will. Uh, I'll toss you for the bed, a.s.suming we can find something to toss."

"No. It's yours."

"But-"

"I won't discuss it," Will insisted. "Just lend me one of the pillows. I'll be fine on the floor. Actually, I'm a little tired myself."

"With pleasure," Deanna smiled. "Thank you. Uh, there's an extra blanket, too. Here." She tossed it across the room to him. "These people thought of everything."

"Very hospitable." As Deanna disappeared into the bathroom, Will spread the blanket on the floor alongside the bed, doubled it over the long way, and dropped the pillow where it belonged. He quickly doffed his Krann garb, retrieved the audio pickup bug from the trouser pocket, and inserted it into his left ear, in case the Enterprise called during the night. Dropping down to the carpet, Will crawled inside the folded blanket and made himself comfortable. The padding under the carpet proved to be soft and agreeable, and he dozed off quickly.