The Surmounting of Pain and Strife
Chapters Sixteen through Eighteen
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning Sora was ready for shore leave. She tried to block out her real plans, for she did not want Counselor Troi to figure out what she was really planning. She figured, if she did not think about it, Troi would not sense anything.
She was not planning on coming back. In fact, she was determined to get her revenge on the Cardassians.
She boarded her shuttle and left the Enterprise E, not even looking back. She stayed her course for quite a while, so as to not tip anyone off that she was not going to Bajor. Eventually, she started scanning for who or what she was looking for. The problem was she did not realize the Gandhi had a cloaking device and therefore was cloaked.
After traveling for four hours and scanning half that time she decided to put out a hail for the Gandhi and hoped they replied. As she waited for a reply she decided to ask the computer to for a game. She put the shuttle on auto-pilot and chose a trivia game. The computer quizzed her on various subjects.
She waited another three hours for a response and finally she got one. To her excitement and relief, it was the Gandhi.
"This is Thomas Riker." He stated firmly. "Commander of the Gandhi. You hailed us?"
"Yes, I did." She said with a smile.
"What is it you want from us?" Riker asked suspeciously.
"I would like to join you." Sora stated. "For I too, have a vendetta against the Cardassians and have a problem with how the Federation heals them from injuries, when they should die for the crimes they have committed."
Riker smiled. "You seem determined."
"I am." Sora replied.
"The shuttle included?" Riker asked.
Just then, one of his crewmembers whispered in his ear. He raised his hand, palm down and moved it up and down. He turned back to the view screen.
"My crew is a bit leery of intentions." He said. "As the New Marquis, we have to be careful of who joins us."
"I can understand that." Sora said with a smile. "I assure you, my intentions are good. For the Marquis at least."
"You willing to prove yourself?" Riker demanded.
"Yes, Sir. That's not a problem." Sora said.
"So, you never answered if the shuttle was included." Riker reasked her.
"Consider it a gift." Sora said with a smile. "From me."
Riker smiled back. "Welcome aboard, Sora. I'll let you dock on our shuttle bay."
"Thank you, Sir."
Sora skillfully drove the shuttle into the Gandhi's shuttle bay. Once she landed Riker met her. As she did she smiled and thought, ' God! Both Riker boys are so cute. Eat your heart out, Deanna Troi. This one is mine.'
"Welcome." He greeted.
"Thank you." Sora smiled. "Glad to be aboard."
"I'll show you to your quarters, while security checks out your shuttle."
"I assure you, Sir, there's nothing in there that will affect the Marquis adversly." She stated. "But be my guest if it will relieve your minds."
"It will." He stated firmly, then asked, "So, is Sora your first name or last name?"
"Last name, but everyone just calls me Sora."
"OK, Sora it is." Riker said. "I'll show you to your quarters now, so you can get settled before I give you your assignment."
"Thank you, Sir." She responded.
"Right this way." He said as he gestured toward the door. As they walked out of the shuttle bay, Riker asked, "So, what was it you did on the Enterprise?"
"Very good." Sora said. "You're very observent."
"Have to be." He stated as they boarded a turbolift.
"I worked in Engineering, the con, and the communication systems."
"Ah, Jack of All Trades?" Riker smiled.
"I guess you could say that." Sora said as they stepped off the turbo and walked down the corridor. "But a master of none."
"We could use a few more down in Engineering." Riker smiled.
"That would be nice." She smiled back.
"Well, this is it." He said as they entered her new quarters. "I trust you know your way around a replicator and all the other amenities?"
"Yes, I do." She said with a smile.
"Well, then I'll let you get settled." He said. "I expect you in my Ready Room at 1500 hours to be briefed on you duties."
"Yes, Sir." She said as he started to leave. "If I may ask a question?"
He turned back around. "Go ahead."
"Why the Gandhi, an Ambassador class ship, and not a Galaxy class ship?" Sora asked.
"You know your ships." Riker smiled. "I like that."
"Thank you." She smiled back.
"Well, she was the first ship I served on after being rescued from a crashed ship." He explained. "Thing was, I had an exact duplicate all those years from a transporter incident, that I didn't even know about. They were going to dismantle her, so I thought it fitting to rescue her."
"Oh, sentimental value?" Sora replied cheerfully.
"I guess you could say that." Riker said. "Well, I'll let you get settled."
He departed and Sora just smiled as she unpacked. "I made it." She thought to herself.
Aboard the Enterprise E, Deanna had two less patients, so she got off duty early. She decided to fix dinner for her Imzadi for a change.
She smiled as she lit the candles, which were scented with a rose scent. In between them she had a small bouquet of roses. The table clothe was blue, as were the clothe napkins. The plates were a baby blue shade.
Will walked in and she greeted him with a very passionate kiss. When she released him from the kiss, he said, "Well, what did I do to deserve this?"
"Just being you." She said with a smile.
"You've made dinner, too." He said as he walked over to the table.
"Yes." She said with a smile as she threw her arms around him and kissed him again.
"Well, if you keep this up, we might just skip dinner and go straight to dessert." He said wiggling his eyes.
"Not on your life, Will Riker! I fixed dinner and we are going to eat first." She said. Then she purred as she released him and ran her hand down his chest, "For you'll need all the energy you can get for tonight."
"Oh, really?" He smiled.
"Really." She said as she sat down to eat.
Beverly was also glad for the break. She invited Jean-Luc to her quarters for dinner, but she had plans for more than just dinner also. She wanted more than just Jean-Luc to hold her for a while. She wanted him and she was determined to have him.
She got her wish. Jean-Luc stayed with her all night long and she, too, was one happy woman.
Reg and Susan had their usaul evening out. Dinner on the holodeck.
Meanwhile, Geordi created a program he named Yahoo. Only he was not yahooing about it. It was suppose to be an enjoyable program, but he was not having fun with it.
"Computer." He addressed. "Engage Word game 101."
"Most recent files within the last hour saved to the system have been deleted." The computer responded.
"Computer!" Geordi exclaimed with panic. "No! This is not funny!"
"That is not a proper command." The computer answered. "Please restate request."
"Computer, find most recent files and retrieve them back into the system."
"Can not comply with specific request."
"Computer!" Geordi said in exasperation and hit the counsole. "I'll just have to try to see if I can find them manually."
"Please restate request." The computer answered.
"Aw, shut up, Computer!" Geordi demanded.
"Can not comply with request." Computer stated. "Please restate."
Geordi punched in a few buttons and the voice commands were shut off, but the computer still refused to comply.
"Damn it!" He exclaimed after a few minutes. "The captain's not going to like this. I try to come up with something pleasurable and I loose the files created within the last hour."
After another attempt to find the files he said with a sigh, "Well, I guess I'll explain it in the morning to the captain. Nothing I can do about it now. Don't even know what I'll say. I even lost the program. Damn!"
Back on the Gandhi, Sora was in Riker's Ready Room. Thomas Riker was briefing her about where she was to be assigned.
"As you know I want to place you in Engineering." Sora nodded and Riker continued. "Kherlot will be your CO of that section."
"Klingon?" She asked.
"Yes." Riker said. "He did a good job on adding the cloaking system we now have."
"I don't know much about cloaking systems." Sora informed.
"You'll learn." Riker stated seriously. "I expect you on duty at 0700 and not a minute later."
She nodded.
"I also expect you to serve this ship as well as you did the Federation, if not better." His expression and tone of voice was getting even more serious.
"I'll do my best to serve you even better." She tried to smile, but was feeling a bit intimidated.
"One last thing." Riker informed her with an evil tone to his voice. "If anyone is caught betraying the New Marquis, they will be killed on the spot. No questions asked. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir." She was becoming very afraid. She had no intentions of betraying them, but he was begining to scare her.
"But you need not worry too much." He said gently, with a smile. "Serve this ship, the Marquis, and me well, I think you'll find that the benefits are very good, especially for the women on this ship."
Sora attempts to smile. "I'm sure I will."
He runs his finger along her lower lip, sending excitement through out her body as he did so. "I know you will." He said seductively, then leans in close to her ear. "I'll see you tomorrow. Have a look around and get to know the ship."
She felt she was going to melt under his spell. He pulls back and firmly says, "Dismissed."
She turned to leave and walked out of his Ready Room doors with a smile. As she walks down the corridor, she decided to check out the Gandhi's equivalent to Ten-Forward.
"Well, I made it and this Riker will be mine." She thought to herself with a smile. "And the Cardies will suffer for their crimes."
Chapter Seventeen
Deanna and Beverly were having lunch the next day and conversing about the night before.
"So, Beverly, how did last night go for you?" Deanna asked.
Beverly smiled. "Wonderful, I kept Jean-Luc all night long!"
"Really?" Deanna was now smiling too.
"Yes, I did." Beverly said still smiling.
"I take it from your smile it was a really good night."
"Yes it was." She smiled mischieviously.
"Oo!" Deanna said excitedly. "Sounds like juicy details."
"I'm not telling." Beverly said shaking her head and smiling the same smile.
"Oh, please!" Deanna begged. "Do tell!"
"Oh, alright." Beverly said. "It was good."
"Just good?" Deanna asked shocked.
"Well, let's just say he found the letter G." Beverly giggled.
"Really?" Deanna said, laughing. "Just G?"
"Yes, what else is there?" Beverly said curiously.
"Well, Will can find every letter of the alphabet." Now it was Deanna's turn to giggle mischievously.
"Every letter of the alphabet!" Beverly exclaimed. "There's no such thing!"
"Yes, there is." Deanna smiled.
"Now it's my turn, for I've never heard of such a thing." She said in shock. "Is there really such a thing or are you putting my on?"
"It really is true." Deanna stated.
"What is it?" Beverly asked.
"Well, it's hard to explain, but..." Deanna leaned in closer over the table and gestured for Beverly to come closer. Then Deanna whispered in her ear.
"NO!" Beverly asked in surprise.
"Um hum." Deanna smiled as she sat back in her seat.
"Oh, my." Beverly fell back into her seat in pure shock. "Will, must be good!"
Deanna continued to smile. "Yes he is."
"Too bad Jean-Luc can't take lessons." Beverly said enviously. "I bet if he could learn that technique he could be really amazing!"
"I know!" Deanna said and her reward for saying it was Beverly throwing a napkin at her.
On the Gandhi, Sora was learning all kinds of thing about the operation. She was amazed how efficiantly the crew ran without an actual captain, but Thomas Riker was considered their leader and they were happy with that. All of them.
So was she for that matter. Riker hit on her a lot, but then he hit on all the women on board. She did not really care, though. She really felt she could get his undivided attention. Permenantly and forever.
"So, Sora." Riker asked. "How is it going?"
"Fine, Sir." She replied.
"That's good." He smiled. "I'm glad."
Then he moved on and checked on the others. Mainly the women, but he paid special attention to the big Klingon and his work with the cloaking device.
"I'm very proud that we have this cloak." Riker commented. "It's keeping us out of trouble."
"It better." The Klingon barked. "I worked like a true warrior on this cloak and I intend to fight like a true warrior when the time comes."
Riker hit him on the back. "I'm glad to see such a dedicated officer."
Riker moved on and went to another area of the ship. Sora watched him as he left. "God, he's so sexy." She thought longingly.
On the Bridge of the Enterprise, Picard had gotten word that Sora never arrived at Bajor. He sat down in his chair and addressed Will and the Counselor.
"It appears Sora is missing." He remarked.
"Missing?" Deanna asked surprised.
"Yes." Picard answered.
"Any ideas where she disappeared to?" Will asked.
"No one has a clue." Picard said. "We are to keep our eyes open for her though, but stay on our present course."
"Have they found the shuttle?" Deanna asked.
"No." Picard said flatly.
"No debris or anything?" Will asked.
"Nothing." Picard replied. "There are no clues of any kind according to the people who are looking for her."
Deanna sighed. "What is it, Counselor?" Picard asked.
"I don't know if it means anything." Deanna said. "I didn't think it did at the time, because I thought she was trying to keep her excitement down."
"Counselor, if you have something to say, say it." Picard demanded.
"Well, yesterday when she left, I sensed she was trying to block something from her conscious thought." Deanna informed. "Well, I sensed excitement from her and I thought, at the time, that was all it was. Humans do that sometimes, in an effort to keep from getting overly excited, but I may have been wrong."
"It's quite alright." Picard reassured her. "Mistakes can happen to any of us. Let's just try to keep our eyes open for Sora and the shuttle."
Will and Deanna nodded. They all sat there quietly, until Data spoke.
"Sir, we are receiving a distress call from a Cardassian ship." Data said. "Some Federation ship has started firing on them without any warning."
"Let's go investigate." Picard said. "Warp nine to the coordinates they sent."
"Aye, Sir." Data replied.
"Sir, a Cardy ship to our Starbird bow!" Said one of the officers of the Gandhi.
"Fire on them!"
"No warning, Sir?" Sora asked as she turned in her chair to look at him. She was on the Bridge at this time and learning more of the ropes of the Marquis.
"What for, they never gave us any warning when they tortured us, raped women, or killed people, did they?" Riker replied.
"No!" Came Sora's angry reply. She too became anxious to see the Cardassian ship blow up in space.
They battered them with a series of phaser blasts, until the Cardassian ship started firing back in defense. The Cardassian ship tried to hail them, but Riker refused to respond.
Riker had become a crazed man. "Fire torpedos!" He said as the Gandhi shook from the Cardassians' firing back. "Distroy them!"
Sora watched the Cardassian ship explode. She smiled at the thought of a few less Cardassians in this universe.
"Alright, let's get cloaked and get the hell out of here!" Riker exclaimed. "Warp nine!"
They took off quickly and Riker stood. "Sora, in my Ready Room!"
Sora had not a clue what she did wrong, but she rose and followed him. When the doors shut behind them she asked, "Sir, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing." Riker smiled as he rubbed her cheek. "You're just learning, so I don't expect you to understand everything right off the bat. You're not in trouble for you question either."
Riker moved in closer to her and kissed her. "In fact, I think you deserved to be rewarded for how well you've done on your first day."
He embrased her and kissed her again. Sora was not sure if she wanted to push him away or just accept his advances. She was scared, but yet he was not hurting her.
He moved down her body and she stiffened. "What's wrong, Sora? You want it. You know you want it." He said softly. "As I said, the benefits are good. Maybe I forgot to tell you the rewards are just as good too."
"Sir, I'm just not." He kissed her again, before she could finish her sentence. She was not ready for this, but Thomas Riker was not taking no for an answer, nor was he willing to hear the word.
Sora had thought she wanted this Riker, but now she was not so sure. She was not sure if he had lost his mind in the Cardassian prison camp or if this was just the way he was. A very insistant, so called ladies man or one who seemed like a ladies man, until now.
He continued down to her breasts and suckled them. Once he had finished, he said with a smile, "That's only the begining of your rewards for good service."
He allowed her to readjust her shirt so she was decent again. Sora was now quiet, not knowing what to say.
"A thank you, before you are dismissed, would be nice, Sora." Riker demanded.
She quietly said, "Thank you."
"Thank you what?" Riker demanded again. "And speak up. I can barely hear you."
"Thank you, Sir." She said a little louder.
"Dismissed." She made a quick exit after he said it. Then she went back to her station.
The woman beside her asked. "So, did you enjoy your initiation?"
"Initiation?"
"Well, that's what we call it." She said. "We can't seem to come up with any better word."
"I see." Sora said with a frown. "I'm not sure what to say about. It was different."
"That it is." The woman said. "My name is Linda."
"I'm Sora."
"Nice to meet you." Linda said. "You'll get use to it."
"To that?" Sora asked, tossing her head towards the Ready Room.
"Yes and the informalness of how we address each other here." Linda said. "And then it may not seem so bad."
Sora tilted her head to the left slightly and doubtfully said, "If you say so."
Sora was not so sure she wanted to get use to Riker's surprised advances at unwanted times. She thought she wanted him, but when he advanced on her unexpectly, she became not so sure of what she wanted anymore.
The Enterprise approached the debris of the Cardassian ship. "Data?"
"It is the remains of a Cardassian ship, Sir." Data informed. "Appears to have been fired upon and distroyed."
"I can see that, Data." Picard replied as though it was more information than he really wanted to hear aloud.
Data continued scanning, as well as Geordi. "Sir." Geordi said. "I'm finding trace amounts of tachyons in the area."
"Tachyons?" Picard asked with alarm.
"He is correct, Sir." Data said. "They are slightly off from the tachyon particles we have seen in the past, but they are tachyons."
"Can we follow the path of tachyons and find the people who did this?" Commander Riker asked.
"Attempting to trace, Sir." Geordi answered.
"It is possible." Data replied. "But only in theory."
"Well, Data." Said the commander. "Let's make theory a reality."
"Aye, Sir." Data said as he and Geordi attempted to find it's path.
Later that evening, Riker approached Sora in the Mess Hall. "Sorry, if I scared you earlier."
"That's OK." Sora replied. "I'll get over it."
"Why don't you come back to my quarters and I'll make it up to you?"
"No, that's OK." Sora replied.
"I have the Captain's Quarters." He wiggled his eye brows up and down.
Sora smiled. "I've never seen a Captain's quarters before."
"I'll make it worth your while." Riker smiled.
Sora was becoming uncomfortable again. "That's OK, maybe some other time."
"Oh, but you really must come for a visit." He persisted.
"Really I." She began.
"Come on." He encouraged. "It'll be fun."
He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out of her seat. "Sir, I really don't."
"Oh, yes you do." Riker insisted. "You'll enjoy seeing my quarters. Most women do. All the women on board have seen my quarters and had the time of their lives."
He continued to drag her out of the Mess Hall. "I'm sure they do, Sir, but I really."
He dragged her out the door as she continued her protesting. He did not listen to her protest and dragged her clear into his quarters. Then he made his advances at her again. She felt helpless and no one had dared to come to her aid.
She was trapped at his mercy. He threw her onto his bed and slowly undressed her as he kissed her and her body. He massaged and kissed her breasts as her mind drifted off into another world. A world far from this Riker and a world that was far from what he was doing to her.
Chapter Eighteen
Sora was still staring out into space. Her mind awoke to her current surroundings. She was wrapped in Riker's arms and completely declothed. She felt so dirty and could not believe a Riker could be so uncaring and ruthless.
She carefully slipped out from his arms, making sure she did not wake him. Then she quietly looked for her clothes and put them on herself.
She finally slipped out of his room and back into her quarters. She had no idea what to do. She could not report him to anyone without him thinking she was betraying the Marquis and she could not go to the doctor, either. The doctor could not help her even if she did. Either way, Riker could think she was betraying the Marquis and kill her.
So with little to do about it, she took a shower, but she did not feel much better. She still felt unclean and stuck in a sordid world. A world she voluntarily and unwittedly fell into on her own accord. Now, she was stuck there with no help or recourse.
A few evenings later, she was in the Mess Hall. She had spent the last couple evenings there watching. Watching Riker choose a woman each night to do his bidding.
She looked at the women and she could tell that on the outside they appeared accepting of their fate, but in their eyes she could see the truth. They did not want this Riker. He was not The Thrill Riker, like Will Riker had been. He was Tom Riker and the only thing she could think of when it came to him was doom.
She could not figure out how Tom Riker became the man he was today. She knew at one time he was probably not so demented, for she had heard about the transported insident. Something had snapped in this William Thomas Riker. Something that she knew must have had to do with the Cardassian prison camp, but what happened to him there, she could only guess.
On the Enterprise the next morning, Picard had given up the tachyon search for the time being. Figuring there would be another and one of the real Federation ships could trace the trail.
With each attack on Cardassian ships, the techyons faded to almost undetectable amounts and the search was given up until next time. Four Cardassian ships in as many days.
Deanna had a feeling Tom Riker had gone mad, but she would not know for sure until she had a chance to talk to him. Even if she did, what could she do for him? He would be going to a Federation prison unless she could convence the Federation to send him to a Federation Mental Health center for treatment or a facility that was both a prison and treated mental health problems.
She decided to not think about the possibilities right now and went on with her day. First up on her schedule was Susan, who had been improving greatly over the last several months.
She wondered how Susan would fair today. For on this day the Cardassians would be transferred to another ship to go to a Federation prisoner of war camp. She worried Susan may not be able to deal with it.
She soon would find out. Susan had just rung the chime to her office. She had been on time for her appointments for the last serveral weeks.
"Hello, Susan." Deanna greeted. "How are you, today?"
"A little nervous about the transfer, but I think I'll be alright." Susan replied as she took her usual seat.
Deanna sat down across from her. "Well, I'm not sure how to relieve your fears about the Cardassians on board, but they have not behaved inappropriately while they've been her."
"True." Susan said.
"In fact, they seem to have accepted their fate as prisoners of war." Deanna said. "They have not tried to fight it. Plus, they are greatful that they are alive and did not die on their ship after the attack."
Susan sighed. "Is there really a Federation ship out there that is not acting like a Federation ship?"
"Susan, I think you are worrying too much." Deanna replied. "You should leave that to the higher ups in Starfleet to worry about."
"Easier said than done." She replied.
"I know, but you are going to have to leave it to them." Deanna stated.
"I'll try." Susan replied.
"You and Reg still seeing each other?" Deanna asked.
"Yes, we are." Susan said happily.
They continued to converse through out Susan's session and towards the end Deanna complimented Susan.
"I wanted to tell you that I am very happy about the progress you have made lately." Deanna told her.
"Thank you." Susan replied.
"I think we can go down to once a week on your appointments."
Susan smiled. "That would be nice. I've increased my work hours to almost full time. An extra hour would be nice, so it would be almost normal hours."
"Just don't push yourself too hard, Susan." Deanna said.
"Oh, I think I'm doing OK." She replied.
"That's good, but don't be afraid to say something if it becomes too much for you." Deanna said. "We'll discuss it and then if I think you need to cut back, I'll talk to the captain."
"OK." Susan said.
"I'll see you next week." Deanna said with a smile as Susan prepared to leave.
On the Bridge of the Gandhi Riker was preparing to attack another Cardassian ship. "Fire phasers!"
They fired on the Cardassian ship again, without warning. This time the Enterprise was closer to the attack site and they were on their way.
However, Riker fired the torpedos before the Enterprise arrived and re-cloaked. They were now on the Cardassian boarder and they began to travel cloaked through the area.
"Sir, I'm detecting tacheon emissions." Geordi stated.
"Let's track them and see if we can get an idea of the where the trail is leading." Picard replied.
"Aye, Sir."
About that time, Deanna walked onto the Bridge and took her seat. She had a look of alarm on her face.
Sora had arrived on the bridge of the Gandhi. Riker decided he prefer to have her at the con instead. She was not quite sure why he had changed his mind, but she felt his eyes on her constantly while she was on duty. It gave her an eerie feeling now, instead of the excited feeling it had when she first arrived.
"Detecting another Cardassian ship, Sir." The person at ops stated.
"Enter coordinates and head straight for it." RIker replied.
"Aye, Sir."
Sora was begining not to like Riker's tactics. She stiffened at what was to come next.
Riker stood and walked over to her. He rubbed her shoulders. "It will be over with soon and we will have our revenge on the Cardies." Riker told her.
She hated his touch anymore. When she first came aboard it was nice to feel. Now, it was just part of a long nightmere. One she hoped would end sooner than when she was trapped as a child in a Cardassian prison camp.
The Enterprise was close behind them, but so far undetected. Picard hoped they would continue to go undetected.
"We are five kilometers away from the Cardy ship, Sir." Said the officer on the Gandhi.
"Good." Riker said with a sadistic grin and took his seat again.
Sora was thankful he sat back down. She concentrated on her job. Except it was not by choice anymore, but a means to stay alive in this nightmere.
The five kilometers went by too fast for Sora. They were now on the tail of the Cardassian ship.
"Ready phasers." Riker said.
It was always the same tactical manuvure. Always phasers first and then destroy as long as no other Federation ship came near. If it came close they would suddenly cloak themselves and stop the attack.
Each time, Sora hoped they would be to late in cloaking and be caught by the Federation. So far that never happened. They would always cloak in time.
Now they were with in range of firing on the Cardassian ship. "Fire phasers." Riker ordered.
They fired on the Cardassian ship. The ship hailed them, but they did not respond to their hail. They continued firing and the Cardassian ship finally fired back.
The Enterprise received the the distress call of the Cardassian ship and headed in that direction. Geordi had a lock on the techyons.
"Hail them." Picard ordered.
"No response." Worf stated.
"Well, maybe they won't respond, but I can still send a message to them." Picard said. "Open a channel."
"Aye, Sir." Worf said. "Channel open."
"This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise. Stop your attack immediately on the Cardassian vessel."
Worf shook his head.
On the view screen before them, they saw the attack in the distance, but suddenly the Gandhi cloaked. Then there was just the disabled Cardassian ship in the distance.
"That looked like the Gandhi." Will said.
"It was Number One." Picard responded. "I think we have found your twin."
Will adjusted nervously in his seat. "Personally, Sir, right now I wish he were not any relationship to me."
"Quite understandable, Number One." Picard replied. "Geordi, status on the Gandhi?"
"I have it's signal." Geordi said. "They are still in the same place. Just sitting there."
Will turns to Picard. "I wonder why?"
"Yes, good question." Picard said. "Geordi, can you tell if they have any damage to their ship?"
"Negetive, Sir." Geordi replied. "I can't get that information."
On the Cardassian ship, officers were dead, uncounscious, or injured. The smoke was pouring from their consoles and other places on the ship.
They too, had heard Picard's hail. "Can we hail the Enterprise?" The Gul asked in pain from his injury.
No response. So, the Gul crawled over to the communications console. He passed his dead communications officer in the process and cursed in Cardassian.
When he reached the communications console he pulled himself up the to the console. He gritted his teeth from the pain of pulling himself up to it.
Once he was able to see the console, he looked to see if he could get a message out to the Enterprise. They had no weapons, no view screen, and no engines, but to his surprise, they did have communications.
"This is the Cardassian vessel to the Enterprise. Please respond."
Back on the Enterprise, Worf informed Picard of the hail. "Put it through." Picard replied.
"Aye, Sir."
"Enterprise here."
"Thank you for calling your ship off." The Gul said grunting in pain. "Why the Federation is attacking us we would like to know."
"Do you have visual?" Picard asked.
"No, unfortunately we do not." He said. "I would like to see my enemy, but unfortunately."
"I assure you, that ship may look like a Federation ship, but the people on it are not." Picard stated.
"I hope you are right." The Gul groan out from the pain.
"Whom am I addressing?" Picard asked.
"This is Gul Dakot."
Picard was surprised. "I was unaware you were alive."
"For the moment I am." Dakot replied in pain. "But from the pain and looks of things, I may not be much longer."
"We will assist you with your injured as soon as we are in transport range." Picard stated.
"Hum. Interesting proposal." Dakot said. "Let my crew and myself die or become Federation prisoners."
Picard sighed aloud. "Sir, contrary to the people on the Gandhi, we are not like they are. You will be treated fairly and with humanity."
The pain from his injuries were getting worse. "I." He paused. "Can not. Refuse."
Dakot passed out from his injuries finally. "Dakot?"
No answer. "Is the channel still open?" Picard asked.
"Yes, Sir. It is."
"Dakot, please respond." Picard sent again.
No response. The channel was eerily silent.
"Are we in transporter range?" Picard asked.
"Yes, Sir." Came Geordi's response.
"Bridge to Transporter Room." Riker called.
"Transporter Room here."
"Get a lock on the people on the Cardassian ship and beam them directly to Sick Bay." Riker ordered.
"Aye, Sir."
"Bridge to Sickbay." Riker call next.
"Sickbay here." Came Beverly's voice.
"Be ready for injured Cardassians to be beamed to Sickbay." Riker informed her.
"Aye, Sir." Beverly replied.
"Riker out."
"Captain." Geordi exclaimed. "The Gandhi is powering weapons."
"Opening channel." Said Worf.
"Enterprise to the Gandhi." Picard hailed.
No response. Another eerie silence, then suddenly, the Gandhi decloaked and opened fired on the Enterprise.