Chapter Eight

“MESSAGE COMING IN from the planet surface, Captain,” Lieutenant Worf said.

“Not now, Mr. Worf,” Picard said.

“Sir, it is from Overlord J’drahn.”

“Let him wait,” Picard said, curtly. “Let him sweat a little. Have we received those transporter coordinates from Starbase 37?’’

“Received and entered, sir,” Worf replied.

“Is the landing party standing by in the main briefing room?”

“Standing by, sir.”

“Very well, Mr. Worf, we will conduct the briefing from here. Put us up on the screen in the main briefing room.”

Worf punched a few buttons on the console, then looked up. “Ready, Captain.”

In the main briefing room, the screen came on, showing a view of the bridge. The personnel selected for the landing party, hand-picked by Worf for their proficiency, settled down to watch and listen.

“Attention,” said Picard. “We are about to begin the mission briefing. The session will be conducted by Captain Gruzinov. Captain?”

“Thank you, Captain,” said Gruzinov. “We have received transporter coordinates from Starbase 37 from my last visit to the Summer Palace, the residence of General H’druhn. They will bring us down into the courtyard in front of the main entrance. Mr. Data, can you bring up that map we generated on the computer?”

“Aye, sir,” Data replied, and punched up the simple, blueprint-style map he had drawn on the computer, following Gruzinov’s directions. It appeared on the main viewscreen and on the viewscreens in the briefing room at the same time, a simple white drawing against a black background.

“Superimpose the magnified scanner image, please, Mr. Data.”

A high-resolution photographic image of the Summer Palace, taken from orbit, appeared super-imposed over the blueprint.

Gruzinov approached the console and activated the touch-sensor on the console screen. As he touched a spot on the console screen with his finger, a corresponding cursor appeared on the main viewscreen and the viewscreens in the briefing room.

“This is where we’ll be coming in,” he said. “Between the fountain in the center of the plaza, here . . .” He pointed on the screen. ” . . . and the steps leading up the palace entrance, here. There will be guards stationed here, here, here, and here. . . .” He pointed out the locations on the map. “However, there is no guarantee that the disposition of the guards has not been changed since my last visit, so be prepared. We will be going in by the front entrance, here. Those of you assigned to rear guard duty will take your positions here . . . and here. Delete scanner image, Mr. Data.”

The exterior image disappeared, leaving only the outlined blueprint map of the interior.

“The rest of us will proceed into the main hall, down this corridor. There are two wide corridors branching off to the north and south wings, here and here. I want those covered; Lieutenant Worf will assign the personnel on-site. Now, lacking a genetic matrix scan on General H’druhn, we cannot simply beam him up out of the palace because, obviously, sensors will not be able to differentiate his readings from those of other K’trall in the palace. If we are not admitted to the palace, we’re going to have to force our way in, locate him fast, surround him so the transporter sensors can get a fix on him, and then beam the hell out of there. We go in fast and hard, and get out as quickly as we can.

“Now, here comes the tough part. We won’t have any way of knowing for certain which part of the palace the general will be in. His private quarters are on the upper floors, but since I’ve never been there and only met with him in the main hall, I have no idea where they are. We cannot communicate with the palace, because we don’t want to alert them that we’re coming. So, if we’re refused entry, we’ll just have to do it the hard way.

“We will conduct a fast and systematic search throughout the palace for the general. If we can get someone to tell us where he is, so much the better; otherwise we’ll simply have to do a room-by-room search. There’s a main staircase leading to the upper floors here, by the main hall just off the entrance. Squads Alpha and Bravo will take the north wing, squads Charlie and Delta will take the south. Phasers on stun only. Repeat, phasers on stun. When General H’druhn is found, he is to be treated with respect befitting a man of his position. He is not to be manhandled in any way. Find him, secure him, and call the others. Any questions?” Gruzinov waited. None were forthcoming. “Very well, that concludes the briefing. All members of the landing party are to report to the transporter rooms immediately and stand by to beam down. Bridge out.”

Gruzinov turned and nodded to Picard. “Very well, Mr. Worf,” Picard said. “Is Overlord J’drahn still waiting?”

“Aye, sir.”

“Let us see what he has to say then. Onscreen.”

The image of Overlord J’drahn appeared on the main viewscreen. He did not look happy. “I am not accustomed to being kept waiting, Captain Picard.”

“Forgive me, Your Excellency, it was unavoidable,” Picard replied. He said nothing else, leaving the next move to J’drahn.

“I see you have returned from D’rahl,” J’drahn said. “Was your mission there successful?”

“Not entirely,” Picard replied. “We encountered an impediment in the form of two companies of Romulan centurions. And their commander, Tribune Kronak, insists that he is here at your personal invitation.”

“And what if he is?” asked J’drahn.

“In that event, Your Excellency,” Picard said flatly, “you are in violation of your treaty with the Federation, and the Romulans are in violation of the Treaty of the Algeron. Am I to understand that is the case?”

“The Romulans are our neighbors across the Neutral Zone, Captain,” J’drahn said. “Being on the frontier of Federation territory such as we are, it is clearly in our interests to establish a diplomatic understanding with the Romulan Empire. Otherwise, in the event of any breakdown in the truce, we would be the first to suffer. Tribune Kronak is here on a purely diplomatic mission, and it is my right to conduct diplomatic talks with whomever I please.”

“And does this diplomatic mission of Tribune Kronak’s include establishing an armed camp in the city of K’trin and holding a high-ranking K’tralli citizen prisoner?” asked Picard.

“I assume you are refering to Colonel Z’gral,” J’drahn said, smoothly. “Colonel Z’gral has long been a vocal critic of this government, Captain, and has made numerous slanderous and unsubstantiated accusations against myself and Governor T’grayn. He was judged to be a disruptive influence, fomenting insurrection, and under our laws, could have been tried as a criminal. Out of respect for Colonel Z’gral’s age, however, which was doubtless instrumental in his actions stemming from diminished faculties, and out of consideration for his past service to the K’tralli people, it was determined that it would be best to simply place him into forced retirement, rather than subject him to the rigors of a trial and risks of the penalties he would doubtless incur under our laws. Your abduction of him poses a serious threat to the security of the K’tralli Empire and our relations with the Federation. I must insist that he be returned at once.”

“I fear I must refuse,” Picard replied. “Colonel Z’gral has asked for and been granted political asylum under the provisions of Federation law. And your remarks just now have clearly labeled him as a dissident. As for the issue of the Romulans, I must demand that you request their departure from Federation territory immediately.”

“Demand?” J’drahn said, in a tone of outrage. “Who are you to demand anything of the overlord of the K’trall? You have overstepped your authority, Picard! And you have violated our laws and interfered with the legal functions of our government. It is you who are in violation, Picard, of your own Prime Directive! If you do not return Colonel Z’gral to our custody immediately, then I will lodge a formal protest with the Federation Council and demand that you leave K’tralli space at once!”

“I am afraid that under the circumstances, Your Excellency, I cannot comply with your demands,” Picard said. “I will have to communicate with Starfleet Command and advise them of the situation, then await their instructions. I will let you know as soon as I have received a response. Enterprise out.”

He turned to Gruzinov. “That should buy us a little time,” he said. “Let’s go. Mr. Data, you have the bridge.”

“Aye-aye, Captain.”

They entered the turbolift.

“You know him best,” Picard said to Gruzinov. “What do you think he’s going to do?”

“I don’t think he has the faintest idea what to do,” Gruzinov replied. “He has been playing both ends against the middle and now he’s stuck. I think he’s scared, and I think he’s desperate. And we both know what scared and desperate people are capable of doing.”

Picard nodded. “That is how I read the situation,” he said. “Even though it will not solve all of his problems, to secure his position he must remove the only man capable of taking it away from him. I can only hope that we are not too late.”

They stepped out of the turbolift and marched quickly to the transporter rooms, where the landing party of two dozen crew members was awaiting them, along with Colonel Z’gral, Counselor Troi, and Dr. Crusher.

“Captain,” said Z’gral, “I must be allowed to accompany you to the Summer Palace!”

“Sir, we have tried to convince him of the risks, but he remains insistant,” Troi said.

“Captain, unless I am present with your landing party, General H’druhn may regard this as an attack,” Z’gral said. “Your people will be at risk. I must be allowed to go with you.”

“Captain, with all due respect to Colonel Z’gral, I cannot approve,” said Dr. Crusher. “Given the possibility of an armed confrontation, his age places him at considerable risk.”

“Nonsense!” said Z’gral, angrily. “I was leading troops into battle when you were nothing more than a mewling infant!”

“My point, exactly,” Crusher replied, wryly.

“Colonel, I can understand your sentiments, and I appreciate your offer,” said Picard, “but I am afraid I must refuse. You have accepted political asylum aboard this vessel, and that makes you my responsibility. Aside from which, without you, we might not be able to convince General H’druhn to remove his son from power. As heroes of the revolution, both you and General H’druhn enjoy the support of the K’tralli people. For their sake, we cannot risk your well-being. We will bring the general back here, and that is when you will be needed most. I hope you will understand.”

Z’gral nodded reluctantly. “Yes, I understand, Captain.” He sighed heavily. “Very well. Good luck.”

“Thank you, sir,” Picard replied. He checked his phaser. “All right, gentlemen, prepare your details for transport.”

 

Riker came to lying on a bed in the sickbay of the Glory. That was the second thing he realized, however. The first thing he realized was that his entire body hurt. He started to raise himself, but felt a sharp, stabbing pain and fell back on the bed with a groan.

“Don’t try to sit up,” he heard Blaze say. “Your ribs are broken.”

“My whole body feels broken,” Riker said, weakly.

“It should be,” Blaze replied, stepping into his field of vision and looking down at him. “You did very well, considering.”

“Considering what?”

“Considering the fact that you were grossly overmatched. An ordinary human is no match for a cybrid. Katana was the best fighter on this ship. She killed at least seven men.”

“At least?”

“Well, I cannot speak for what she may have done before she joined my crew.”

“Why don’t you ask the Romulans?”

Blaze raised his eyebrows. “The Romulans?”

“Katana was your saboteur. Your gunner’s mate was innocent.” Riker grimaced. “Of sabotage, at least.”

“Interesting,” said Blaze. “How did you discover this?”

“She admitted it, just before you arrived with your men,” said Riker. “She planned on killing me, and then blaming whatever she did to your cloaking device on me.”

“I will have Ragnar examine it. But why tell me about it?” Blaze asked. “Doesn’t that work counter to your purposes?”

“I figure it’s a moot point,” said Riker. “If my ship doesn’t come after you, the Warbird will. And without La Forge, you’ll never get the Glory operational in time. It’s over, Blaze. All you can do now is sit here and wait it out.”

“Perhaps,” admitted Blaze. “But I do have you as hostage.”

Riker shook his head. “That won’t get you anywhere. La Forge won’t succumb to that kind of pressure. Neither will Captain Picard.”

Blaze raised a hypospray.

“What’s that?” said Riker, apprehensively.

“A painkiller. I think.”

“You think?”

“I’m not exactly sure. It’s been a while since I’ve performed any first aid. I’m a little rusty. And your friend Thorn, or whatever her true name was, did not really organize the sickbay as she promised. This could easily have been mislabeled.”

“Dorn,” said Riker, emptily. “Her name was Dorn. Lieutenant Angela Dorn.”

“A member of your starship crew?”

“Starbase 37.”

“Ah. One of Gruzinov’s people. A good man, Gruzinov. Wasted in a backwater like this.”

“I’m sure he’d be delighted to hear your fine opinion of him,” Riker said, then grimaced with pain.

“Here, let’s see if this helps,” Blaze said, and injected him with the hypospray. “So Katana played me false. Well, that does make me feel less regretful about killing her. She was often difficult, but she was a valued member of my crew. I fear I shall not be able to replace her.”

“Yeah, it might be tough to find another homicidal cybrid,” Riker said.

“It would be impossible,” said Blaze. “She was the last of her kind.”

“How’s that?”

“How much do you know about the cybrids, Stryker? . . . Excuse me. It’s Riker, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I know the general story.”

“Then allow me to fill in the details. After the cybrids made their escape, they were hounded all over the galaxy, pursued and persecuted wherever they went. They were incredible fighters, but it’s tough to win when the entire universe seems to be against you. A handful of them managed to survive and they came here. This was just before the revolution. When it was discovered who and what they were, and specifically, how good they were, they were offered a permanent, safe haven here in return for their help in fighting the revolution. They accepted, and were a strong, relentless force in the conflict. At the end, only six of them were left. And every promise that was ever made to them was broken. They were ostracized and treated like pariahs. They were just too different. Too alien. One of them was murdered. Another committed suicide. Three of them made their way to your colony on Artemis VI, where they were treated no better than they were treated here. I know all about bigotry and prejudice, Riker. I’ve suffered from it all my life because of being half of one race half of another. Not from everyone, of course, but enough to know what it’s like. For the cybrids, it was even worse. They were attacked by some of the colonists on Artemis VI. They defended themselves. And as a result, they were hunted down as murderers.”

“What about Katana?”

“She remained behind on D’rahl, which was where I found her, prostituting herself and selling shots to jaded spacers.”

“Shots that you supplied her with,” said Riker.

“I am pirate, Riker, not a drug dealer. Katana received her drugs courtesy of T’grayn’s wide-ranging distribution network. And doubtless that was how she made her arrangement with the Romulans, as well.”

“T’grayn?”

“You thought it was me?” Blaze shook his head. “You do me an injustice, Riker. T’grayn was operating a drug manufacturing laboratory. In the basement of his palace, no less. He so loved his precious gardens. The aromatic flowers and ornamental vines concealed plants of a much more interesting variety. They brought him a great deal of profit. As did I, of course. But all that is over now. In a short while, T’grayn will be nothing more than an unsavory memory.”

“And what about us?” asked Riker. The pain was starting to ebb. Apparently, it was a painkiller in the hypospray, after all. “Where’s La Forge?”

“Ah, yes, your chief engineer. He’s really remarkably skilled. Ragnar is tremendously impressed by his abilities. At the moment, he is directing the final stages of the repairs on the drive systems.”

“What?” said Riker, sitting up. He grunted. “Aaah! Damn!”

“Well, as long as you’re up, let’s tape those ribs,” said Blaze. “Regrettably, I can do no more than that. My skills as a medic are rather limited, you know.”

“What do you mean, he’s directing the repairs? What did you do to him?”

“Nothing at all,” said Blaze. “We simply struck a deal.”

“You what?”

“A deal, a negotiated settlement,” said Blaze. “I knew that holding you hostage would not have insured his cooperation, and I want my ship repaired properly, not sabotaged in some clever way, something I am sure he would be more than capable of doing. To do the job right, he needed an incentive. I provided one.”

Riker stared at him with disbelief. “No way,” he said. “No way in hell would Geordi ever accept a bribe. You’re lying.”

“I never said I offered him a bribe,” said Blaze. “I said that I provided an incentive. We struck a bargain. He gets the Glory fully operational in record time, and I take the ship to N’trahn to aid the Enterprise.”

Riker simply stared at him. “And he believed you?”

“I gave him my word.”

“And I suppose you intend to keep it,” Riker said, derisively. “The way you’re going to keep it with T’grayn?”

“T’grayn would never keep his word with me if our positions were reversed,” said Blaze. “Why should I keep my word with him? Your friend, La Forge, on the other hand, is keeping his word. He knows there is no guarantee that I shall follow through, but he’s taking a chance on trusting me. Not many people would do that. He’s got my entire crew, save myself and those on the bridge, working at an absolutely feverish pace, and much more efficiently than I have ever seen them work before. It really is too bad. He’s very good. I’m going to miss him.”

Riker tensed. “What do you mean?”

“When I return you to the Enterprise, of course,” said Blaze. “Assuming that we are not too late and Kronak has not blown her to her bits. In that event, I will simply deposit you at some convenient Federation port. That was our deal.”

Riker gazed straight into his eyes. “You’re serious,” he said.

“Why not? As you quite correctly pointed out, without your friend La Forge, I would be at the mercy of Kronak when he returned. Or of your Captain Picard, if the Enterprise proved to be victorious. I would not care to find myself in either of those situations. My first concern is for my ship. Hold still, damn you. There, that should do it.”

Riker swung his legs down from the bed, gingerly. It still hurt, but at least he could move without excruciating pain. “I don’t think even Geordi can have this ship up and running in time,” he said. “Whatever’s going to happen, it’ll be over long before we get there.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” said Blaze. “If Kronak merely wanted to attack your ship, he would have done so when you first arrived at D’rahl. His Warbird has been cloaked and stationed in orbit all this time. He’s after bigger game. He wants the K’tralli Empire. And there’s a good possibility the Federation will simply let him have it by default. All he needs to do is make sure J’drahn remains in power and is exposed for his dealings with me, T’grayn’s black market, and the Romulan Empire. He knows Picard has Colonel Z’gral, the only man capable of convincing General H’druhn of his son’s treachery, but without H’druhn himself, Picard will be able to do nothing. Kronak will wait and see how it plays out.”

“How can you be so sure?” asked Riker.

“Because I know him. I understand the way he thinks. Kronak will wait to see if J’drahn can manage to assassinate his father before Picard can get to him. If not, and J’drahn is deposed, then Kronak will accuse the Federation of violating its own Prime Directive, toppling the legal government of the K’tralli Empire to prevent J’drahn from concluding an alliance with the Romulans and leaving the Federation. And then he will attack. But it would be a much more interesting victory for him if he could maneuver the Federation into expelling J’drahn. Then he would gain the K’tralli Empire without ever firing a shot. Imagine the standing that would give him with Romulan High Council.”

“Yeah, it would be one hell of coup,” admitted Riker. “He’d win using our own laws against us. The trouble is, I don’t know how the hell he can be stopped.”

“We still have time, Riker. Don’t underestimate my crew. They’re an unruly bunch, I’ll grant you that, but they know their business. I’ll match them against any ship in Starfleet, even your Enterprise.” He grinned. “In fact, I already have. Ironic, isn’t it? I thought I was preparing for a rematch with Picard. Instead, I’ll be going to his aid.”

“What are you hoping to gain from this, DeBlazio? A pardon?” He shook his head. “You know we can’t offer you that. It’s beyond our authority.”

“I will settle for a good head start. I will count on your influence with your captain to grant me one.” Blaze smiled. “You think you can operate a weapons console with your chest taped up.?”

“You just watch me, mister,” Riker said.

 

The landing party materialized in the plaza of the Summer Palace, between the large, multi-tiered fountain and the front entrance. The palace guards posted at the entrance were taken by surprise. It was not the first time Federation personnel had arrived in this manner to visit the general, but the sight of a large armed party took them aback and they were not sure how to react. As Picard and the others crossed the plaza and approached the steps leading to the front entrance, the guards glanced at one another uneasily and raised their weapons cautiously, though they did not point them at the advancing party.

Picard knew that the next few moments, while they were still all grouped together and exposed out in the open, would be the most dangerous. He had considered having the landing party open fire as soon as they materialized, stunning the guards before any of them could have a chance to react and then storming the palace. That would have been, perhaps, the safest course to follow, because while the phasers of the landing party were all set on stun, the guards would have no way of knowing that and their weapons could only shoot to kill.

However, if there was any chance that they could get to General H’druhn without having to use force, Picard knew he had to take it. If they fired on the guards, there was always the chance that someone would be killed, and Picard wanted to do everything possible to avoid that. He only hoped that J’drahn had not placed an assassin in among his father’s personal guard. In that event, the assassin would almost certainly be able to reach H’druhn before they could.

The captain of the guard came out and stood at the top of the steps, his hand held close to his sidearm. “Halt!” he commanded.

Picard had already started up the steps, but he stopped at the guard captain’s order.

“Identify yourselves and state your business!” said the guard captain.

“I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard, of the Federation starship Enterprise,” Picard said. “We are here to see General H’druhn on a matter of the gravest urgency.”

“I was not informed of the general expecting any visitors,” the guard captain replied.

“He is not expecting us,” Picard said, “but it is imperative that I speak to him at once. It is a matter of life or death.”

“Indeed?” the guard captain said. “Tell me what you wish to speak with him about, and I will convey the message.”

“I must speak with the general personally,” Picard replied. “I have reason to believe there may be an attempt upon his life.”

“By whom?” the guard captain asked, frowning.

“I will divulge that only to the general himself,” Picard said.

The guard captain stared at Picard for a moment, then looked beyond him, at the landing party. Picard could see that he was weighing the possibilities, and didn’t like what he saw.

“Wait here,” the guard captain said. “I will see if the general will receive you.”

He turned and spoke to the guards briefly, then went back inside the palace. The guards stood ready with their weapons. They no longer looked uncertain. Picard knew that they had received instructions to fire if the landing party made any further moves toward the entrance. He turned and saw that some of the guards by the gates beyond the fountain were coming up, as well. “Mr. Worf,” he said, softly.

“I see them, sir,” said Worf. He directed his squad to face about. The guards that were approaching from the gates stopped a respectful distance away, but still within firing range.

“This is not a good position to be in,” Gruzinov said, uneasily.

“I know. But we will not force our way inside unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Picard. He touched his insignia. “Picard to Enterprise.”

“Data here, Captain. Go ahead, sir.”

“Have you got a fix on me, Mr. Data?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very well, stand by,” Picard replied. “I will leave the frequency open. If I am admitted to see General H’druhn, then the moment I am in his presence, I want you to lock on to us both and beam us up on my word. Have all transporters standing by to beam up the remainder of the landing party. Is that clear?”

“Affirmative, Captain.”

“Ivan,” Picard said, “if I am allowed inside, then you will be in charge here. I don’t need to tell you that you will be in a precarious position. If I am successful in getting back to the ship with General H’druhn, then we will have the rest of the party beamed back up immediately. But if you are forced to defend yourselves—”

“I know,” Gruzinov said. “Stun only.” He grimaced as he glanced at the guards. “I don’t suppose you could tell them the same thing?”

Picard smiled. “Let’s hope for the best,” he said. “But if the alarm is given, don’t wait for them to fire first.”

“What if they don’t admit you?”

“Then we proceed with the planned assault,” Picard said.

The captain of the guard came back out. “General H’druhn will see you,” he said. “You alone, Captain Picard. The remainder of your party will wait here.”

“As you wish,” Picard said, and started up the steps.

“One moment, please, Captain,” said the guard. “Without your weapon.”

Picard turned and handed his phaser to Gruzinov.

“Very well,” said the guard captain. “If you will follow me, please?”

Picard nodded to Gruzinov, who nodded back, and then he turned to follow the guard captain. He hoped the transporter operators were on the ball. The moment he beamed up with the general, the landing party would be at risk. They would have to move fast. But at least they didn’t have to force their way in. That was something. It would gain them time, if nothing else.

The guard captain conducted him to the stairway leading to the upper floors. They climbed up to the third floor, then turned right down a long corridor. Picard noted that a pair of guards had followed them from the first floor, and there were guards posted outside the general’s private quarters, as well. They weren’t taking any chances.

The guard captain nodded to the men posted at the door. One of them opened it to admit them and preceded them inside. The guard captain motioned Picard to enter and then came in behind him. This wasn’t good. It meant that there would be at least two other K’trall in close proximity to him when he met the general.

“I was hoping to speak with the general in private,” said Picard, to the guard captain.

“Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of my men, Captain Picard,” H’druhn said, coming into the room through a connecting door. He was wearing a dressing gown. “It is a bit late for such an unannounced visit. Now, what is this nonsense about an attempt on my life?”

As H’druhn approached, Picard started to step forward, but felt the guard captain take him firmly by the arm, restraining him. H’druhn stopped a short distance away.

“We have discovered that there are at least two companies of Romulan centurions present on D’rahl,” Picard said. “And there may be a cloaked Romulan Warbird in the vicinity, as well.”

“Romulans?” H’druhn said. “On D’rahl? Impossible!”

“We have proof that Governor T’grayn is in collusion with them, General,” Picard said. “They had been holding Colonel Z’gral prisoner at his own estate, but he is now safe aboard the Enterprise and most anxious to speak with you.”

“Z’gral? A prisoner? But why?”

“Because they knew he was the only man who would be able to convince you that your son is corrupt, in league with the freebooters and with the Romulans,” Picard said.

H’druhn stiffened. “You dare accuse my own son of such things? I have heard similar allegations leveled against J’drahn before, Captain, by the commander of Starbase 37. But not even Captain Gruzinov had the temerity to suggest that my son would betray his own people and be a party to a plot against my life.”

“General, I know how incredible this must sound to you—” Picard began, but H’druhn interrupted him.

“It is not only incredible, Captain, it is outrageous!” the old general said furiously, stepping closer to Picard. “When I concluded my alliance with the Federation, it was with the clear understanding that our autonomy would be respected and preserved. J’drahn explained to me how Captain Gruzinov was frustrated in his repeated attempts to extend his authority into K’tralli territory, and I see that now he has enlisted you in his despicable machinations. I am amazed that you should—”

Picard was about to give Data the signal, but suddenly there was the sound of phaser fire from outside, coupled with the sharp, staccato popping sounds of K’tralli weaponry. H’druhn turned quickly toward the window.

“Now, Mr. Data!” said Picard.

The transporter locked on immediately and beamed Picard, H’druhn, and the two guards flanking Picard up to the Enterprise. As they materialized in the transporter room, security personnel quickly stepped up and disarmed the startled guards.

“What is the meaning of this, Picard?” H’druhn demanded, in a tone of outrage. “Have you lost your senses?”

“Not now, General, if you please,” Picard said. He activated his communicator. “Picard to landing party! What’s happening? Report!”

“Gruzinov here. We’re under heavy fire. The palace is under attack by K’tralli soldiers. We have sustained casualties.”

“What is your current situation?” Picard asked.

“We have retreated inside the palace and are fighting a holding action together with the palace guard,” Gruzinov replied, over the sounds of firing. “Lieutenant Worf and a squad of men got pinned down by the fountain when they advanced to aid the guards stationed by the gates. Most of those guards were killed when the attack commenced. We have at least five dead and about half a dozen wounded among our own personnel. We’re trying to lay down covering fire to allow Worf and his squad to get back to the palace.”

“K’tralli soldiers? Attacking my palace?” said H’druhn, with disbelief.

As he spoke, the doors to the transporter room opened and Counselor Troi came in, along with Colonel Z’gral. “General!” Z’gral said. “Thank the gods you’re safe!”

“Stand by, Ivan,” Picard said. He turned to the transporter operator. “Have you got a fix on Lieutenant Worf and his party?”

“Aye, sir.”

“Picard to Lieutenant Worf.”

“Worf here, Captain.”

“Stand by, Mr. Worf. We’re going to get you out of there.”

“Standing by, sir.”

“Lock on and energize,” Picard said.

“Commencing now . . .” said the transporter operator.

A moment later, Lieutenant Worf and the five survivors of his squad appeared on the transporter pads. Several of them were supporting their wounded crewmates.

“Report, Mr. Worf,” Picard said.

“We were attacked by two transports of K’tralli soldiers, Captain,” Worf said. “They came in over the gates and fired as they landed. We sustained most of our casualties at that time. I advanced with my squad to assist the surviving guards, and Captain Gruzinov retreated to the palace with the remainder of the landing party. The palace is under heavy fire, but they have not yet broken through.”

“Get those people to sickbay at once,” Picard said, “then join me on the bridge.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Picard to landing party.”

“Gruzinov here, go ahead.”

“Ivan, how is your situation? Can you hold?”

“We’re holding them, Jean-Luc.”

“Very well, stand by. Picard out.” He turned to H’druhn. “If you require any more proof, General, I am about to provide it for you. Come with me, please. Counselor, would you please escort our guests?”

They made their way quickly from the transporter room down the corridor to the turbolift.

“There has to be another explanation for all this,” H’druhn said, as the turbolift took them to the bridge. “I cannot believe that K’tralli soldiers would attack their own men! Or that J’drahn could be behind it!”

“Believe it, General,” said Z’gral. “J’drahn controls the army now. I have seen the sort of men he has been promoting to positions of command in our regiments, and when I dared to criticize him and his policies, he had me confined to house arrest at my own estate under the pretense that I was ill and incapacitated. And to insure that none of the men who guarded me would suffer from divided loyalties, he had them all replaced with Romulan centurions.”

“No,” H’druhn said, “there must be some mistake, Z’gral. J’drahn would never betray me, much less his own people. Someone else is behind all this, someone who is trying to discredit my son.”

“General, we have proof of J’drahn’s involvement with the Romulans,” Z’gral insisted.

H’druhn shook his head, unable to accept it. “No, I cannot believe that. Not my own son . . .”

As they came onto the bridge, Data got up from the captain’s chair and took his own post at the navigation console. Counselor Troi assumed her place at the captain’s side. Picard immediately contacted Gruzinov.

“Picard to landing party. Report.”

“Gruzinov here. We’re still holding. They have attempted another assault and been repelled. They tried having their transports fly over the palace and fire on the upper floors, but we shot one of them down and the other one pulled back out of range. I’ve assumed responsibility for ordering lethal settings on the phasers. The attackers are keeping their distance for the moment. However, they may be expecting reinforcements. The palace guard have taken heavy casualties. They’re confused, but I’ve assumed command, and for the present we seem to have the situation under control.”

“I want them to think the general is still inside the palace,” said Picard. “Hold on for as long as you can, but if your position looks untenable, let me know at once.”

“Affirmative,” Gruzinov said.

“Picard out.”

The turbolift doors opened and Lieutenant Worf came back onto the bridge and took his post.

“Mr. Worf, get me Overlord J’drahn,” Picard said.

“Aye, Captain.”

Picard turned to Z’gral and H’druhn. “General, if you would be so kind as to stand over there, please? I would prefer your son not to see you when we make contact.”

The old general still looked shocked by what had happened, but he complied without comment. Z’gral stood beside him. Moments later, Worf reported that he had gotten through.

“Onscreen, Mr. Worf,” Picard said.

J’drahn appeared on the screen, his expression tense. “Captain Picard,” he said. “I am truly astonished at your arrogance. I am aware of the force you have dispatched to my father’s palace in an attempt to hold him hostage and I demand its immediate withdrawal! I further demand that you immediately surrender yourself to K’tralli custody to await trial on charges of—”

“Trial?” said Picard, interrupting him. “It is you who should be standing trial. And I intend to see to it. The palace guard will testify that it was they who were attacked by your men, in an attempt to storm the palace and assassinate General H’druhn.”

“The palace guard will testify to nothing,” J’drahn replied, contemptuously. “In a short while, they, along with your Starfleet personnel, will all be dead. And my officers will testify that they were killed defending the palace from an attack by your people, Picard. It will be my contention that you attempted to seize my father and hold him hostage in order to engineer a coup designed to topple my government. And there will be no witnesses left alive to contradict me.”

“You seem to have forgotten one thing,” Picard said. “Your father knows the truth. Or do you intend to have him killed, as well?”

“It will be reported that my father died heroically, commanding the palace guard in defense against your cowardly attack,” J’drahn said. “And with his death, the people will rally behind me. You cannot win, Picard. But I am willing to give you one last chance to withdraw your people and depart K’tralli space.”

“And leave the K’tralli Empire to the Romulans?” Picard said.

“Our alliance with the Romulans will make us stronger than we ever could have been under our treaty with the Federation,” said J’drahn. “And there is nothing you can do about it, Picard. But you can still leave and save yourself, before it is too late. Think about your own fate, and leave the destiny of the K’tralli Empire to me.”

“I would sooner see you dead,” H’druhn said coldly, stepping up to stand beside Picard.

J’drahn started with shock and the color drained out of his face. “Father!”

“That you can still call me ‘Father’ without choking on the word astonishes me,” H’druhn said, bitterly. “They told me of your treachery, but I did not want to believe it, not even when I heard it from Z’gral. Yet now you stand condemned out of your own mouth, a craven traitor to me and to our people. I curse the day that you were born, and I will die before I see you betray everything I ever fought for!”

“Then you will die,” J’drahn said flatly, and cut off the transmission.

H’druhn seemed to collapse into himself. “My own son . . .” he said, with despair, and his legs buckled. Z’gral caught him.

“Counselor, please escort the general to sickbay,” Picard said. “Colonel Z’gral, if you would be so kind as to accompany him . . .”

“Certainly, Captain.”

As they left the bridge, Picard contacted Gruzinov. “Picard to landing party. . . .”

“Gruzinov here.”

“Stand by to beam up. We’ll be bringing the palace guard up along with you,” said Picard.

“Have them be prepared.”

“Standing by,” Gruzinov said.

“Mr. Worf, have the transporter rooms start beaming up the landing party and the palace guard.”

“Captain, Romulan Warbird uncloaking!” Worf said, suddenly.

“Cancel that last order! Shields up! Red alert!”