Star Trek: The Next Generation - 020 - Q-In-Law by Peter David Read Free Book Online
Authors: Peter David
know better..." "Some problem, gentlemen?" asked Picard.
"This man is a Tizarin?" said Nistral uncertainly. "Of the house of Shinbum?" "No, sir," Data politely informed him.
"I am an android. Data. Of the Enterprise." "Remarkable resemblance. Especially the gold skin--a sure sign," said Nistral.
"That was the choice of my creator," said Data.
Graziunas nodded. "So it was with us all." The Tizarin looked around a bit more, asking questions to satisfy their curiosity, and then took their leave of the bridge to return to their ships. As soon as they had departed, Picard turned to Deanna Troi and said, "Counselor.
did you get any impression from them?" "There is a continuing undercurrent of antagonism, Captain, between the Graziunas and the Nistral. It is well hidden and kept in check, however, by their determination to honor the wishes and potential happiness of their children. They have clearly resolved to make the best of the situation, and perhaps even welcome the excuse to put their long rivalry behind them." Picard nodded. "Excellent. Most excellent. Putting their children's concerns before their own. Most definitely not, Mr. Data, a Romeo and Juliet situation." "That is fortunate, Captain," said Data neutrally. "A mutual suicide on the part of the bride and groom would not be conducive to merrymaking." "I could not agree more." Worf suddenly looked up. "Captain--we are receiving an incoming transmission from another arriving wedding guest." Picard mentally ran down the list of various representatives who had already shown up. He had a feeling he knew who was left.
"Put it on audio, Lieutenant," said Picard.
A moment later, a low chime sounded within the bridge. "This is the Enterprise," Picard said briskly, deciding to put forward as much of a businesslike demeanor as possible, as early on as possible.
A stern male voice said, "Enterprise, this is the Ambassador Shuttle from Betazed.
Prepare to transport over the delegate from Betazed..." The pilot's voice hesitated momentarily as they heard a familiar whisper filtering over.
When he came back on, it was with a heavy sigh that indicated he was being prompted.
"A daughter of the fifth house..." "We'll bring her aboard," said Picard briskly. "Bridge to transporter." "Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix," the pilot was continuing, sounding as if he'd just as soon pilot the ship into a star and be done with it.
"Chief O'Brien, prepare to transport over the representative from Betazed." Remembering the cadaverous, perpetually silent Mr. Homn, who always hovered within a few steps of Mrs. Troi, Picard added, "and her retainer." "Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed." The pilot sounded at his wits' end. There was desperation in his voice as he said, "Enterprise, I've fed you the coordinates.
What's the delay?" "Mr. O'Brien, beam them aboard. We'll be down momentarily. Make my apologies to Mrs. Troi for the delay." "Yes sir," said O'Brien, who didn't sound especially thrilled.
A moment passed, and then the pilot's voice said, with overwhelming relief, "Enterprise, they're gone. You've got them or don't, I don't care." Picard glanced at Deanna Troi, who was endeavoring to cover her chagrin and not totally succeeding. "Was there difficulty, Betazed pilot?" "First off, I'm not Betazoid, I'm Rigellian," came the pilot's voice. "I just run a ferry service, specializing in transporting diplomats. But that's the last time I take that woman. I sympathize about her being in mourning, but she never shut up about it the whole trip..." "Mourning!" Deanna's dark eyes widened.
Picard turned to Deanna. "Has there been a death in your family, Counselor?" "Not to my knowledge, Captain," said Deanna, getting quickly to her feet. Her green skirt swished around her long legs. Right behind her was Riker.
Picard's glance skimmed the bridge crew.
"Mr. Data, you come with
"This man is a Tizarin?" said Nistral uncertainly. "Of the house of Shinbum?" "No, sir," Data politely informed him.
"I am an android. Data. Of the Enterprise." "Remarkable resemblance. Especially the gold skin--a sure sign," said Nistral.
"That was the choice of my creator," said Data.
Graziunas nodded. "So it was with us all." The Tizarin looked around a bit more, asking questions to satisfy their curiosity, and then took their leave of the bridge to return to their ships. As soon as they had departed, Picard turned to Deanna Troi and said, "Counselor.
did you get any impression from them?" "There is a continuing undercurrent of antagonism, Captain, between the Graziunas and the Nistral. It is well hidden and kept in check, however, by their determination to honor the wishes and potential happiness of their children. They have clearly resolved to make the best of the situation, and perhaps even welcome the excuse to put their long rivalry behind them." Picard nodded. "Excellent. Most excellent. Putting their children's concerns before their own. Most definitely not, Mr. Data, a Romeo and Juliet situation." "That is fortunate, Captain," said Data neutrally. "A mutual suicide on the part of the bride and groom would not be conducive to merrymaking." "I could not agree more." Worf suddenly looked up. "Captain--we are receiving an incoming transmission from another arriving wedding guest." Picard mentally ran down the list of various representatives who had already shown up. He had a feeling he knew who was left.
"Put it on audio, Lieutenant," said Picard.
A moment later, a low chime sounded within the bridge. "This is the Enterprise," Picard said briskly, deciding to put forward as much of a businesslike demeanor as possible, as early on as possible.
A stern male voice said, "Enterprise, this is the Ambassador Shuttle from Betazed.
Prepare to transport over the delegate from Betazed..." The pilot's voice hesitated momentarily as they heard a familiar whisper filtering over.
When he came back on, it was with a heavy sigh that indicated he was being prompted.
"A daughter of the fifth house..." "We'll bring her aboard," said Picard briskly. "Bridge to transporter." "Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix," the pilot was continuing, sounding as if he'd just as soon pilot the ship into a star and be done with it.
"Chief O'Brien, prepare to transport over the representative from Betazed." Remembering the cadaverous, perpetually silent Mr. Homn, who always hovered within a few steps of Mrs. Troi, Picard added, "and her retainer." "Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed." The pilot sounded at his wits' end. There was desperation in his voice as he said, "Enterprise, I've fed you the coordinates.
What's the delay?" "Mr. O'Brien, beam them aboard. We'll be down momentarily. Make my apologies to Mrs. Troi for the delay." "Yes sir," said O'Brien, who didn't sound especially thrilled.
A moment passed, and then the pilot's voice said, with overwhelming relief, "Enterprise, they're gone. You've got them or don't, I don't care." Picard glanced at Deanna Troi, who was endeavoring to cover her chagrin and not totally succeeding. "Was there difficulty, Betazed pilot?" "First off, I'm not Betazoid, I'm Rigellian," came the pilot's voice. "I just run a ferry service, specializing in transporting diplomats. But that's the last time I take that woman. I sympathize about her being in mourning, but she never shut up about it the whole trip..." "Mourning!" Deanna's dark eyes widened.
Picard turned to Deanna. "Has there been a death in your family, Counselor?" "Not to my knowledge, Captain," said Deanna, getting quickly to her feet. Her green skirt swished around her long legs. Right behind her was Riker.
Picard's glance skimmed the bridge crew.
"Mr. Data, you come with
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