Picard chewed thoughtfully and then nodded.
“Friends, then?”
“Always.” Now.
A chime sounded, and Picard’s eyes darted to the door in surprise. “Come.”
Riker and Troi entered. Both were grinning, not something she expected from a man who had just lost his father. Well, she thought, at least it seems to be good news.
“Will, good to see you,” Picard said, rising. “Join us.”
“We’re not staying long,” he said. “We need to finish getting ready.” He paused, soaking in the moment, and Crusher was getting a flash of insight into their news. She was already beginning to smile.
“Sir, we’d like to inform you—”
“Don’t be so formal,” Troi said, jabbing him with an elbow. “We’re engaged!”
Beverly jumped from her chair, letting her napkin fall to the floor, and enveloped Troi in a long hug. Picard was already pumping Riker’s hand and offering congratulations. The captain then gave Troi a hug while the doctor gave one to Riker.
“Well, when did this all happen?”
“A few minutes ago,” Riker said. “It was time.”
“It was time years ago, if you ask me,” Beverly said.
“I keep hearing that,” Riker said.
Crusher then noticed Troi was already wearing an engagement ring and gave it a close look. “Well, this was certainly fast.”
“Will had it waiting for me,” Troi said.
“The smoothie,” Crusher said, giving him a pleased look. “It’s amazing.”
“From Delta Sigma IV, too,” Deanna added. “He arranged for it to be brought aboard.”
“I didn’t think Betazed traditions included engagement rings,” Picard said, taking his turn to study the ring.
“Usually they don’t,” Troi agreed. “However, this certainly honors my fiancé and my father’s culture.”
“How true,” the doctor said. “Are there any plans?”
“Not yet,” Troi said. “That will come in time. Obviously, we want you both involved.”
“Absolutely,” Riker agreed.
Picard smiled. “Well, later today we shall return here for a proper celebration. Does anyone else know yet?”
“No,” Riker said.
“We were going to tell the others after…”
“Of course,” Picard said with a nod.
A whistle interrupted something Troi started to say, and Picard looked at his desk. His screen was announcing an incoming call.
Crusher grabbed a piece of bright fruit and ushered the others out. “We’ll see you at the service,” she said.
No sooner had the others left his cabin than Picard swiftly moved behind his desk and sat. The good feelings seeped away quickly, and he arranged his features in order to deal properly with Starfleet Command.
As expected, he was greeted with the visage of Admiral Upton. The man flexed his bushy gray eyebrows once, then twice, and finally spoke.
“Captain, I understand from your reports that a cure has taken hold.”
“That’s right, Admiral,” Picard said.
“Am I to understand that this all stemmed from incomplete work at Starfleet Medical?”
“That is one way to look at it, but I wouldn’t,” Picard argued. “What happened here was unique and not something you’d find on a routine checklist.”
“I told you this would be a lousy mission,” Upton said, still looking dissatisfied.
“And it was. It took a higher toll on my crew than expected.”
“So I see. Nine dead, forty-five seriously injured. And you actually had non-security personnel swarming over the planet.”
“I wouldn’t say several hundred volunteers constitutes a swarm.”
“Volunteers?”
“Yes, Admiral. When it was clear we needed help to contain matters, I asked for volunteers. The response speaks for itself.”
Upton made a coughing noise, which Picard couldn’t interpret as a positive or negative assessment. Perhaps the admiral didn’t know, either.
“Riker’s a loss to our future planning,” Upton said, changing the subject.
“He made a choice, and sacrificed himself for his son. It says a lot about the man’s character.”
“It will complicate some of the brewing problems elsewhere.”
“Anything we can do to help?”
“No,” Upton said bluntly.
“Admiral, with all due respect. We’ve taken the assignments, and paid our dues. I would like to think this ship and its crew deserve better. We’re scrambling for proper supplies and support, and our morale has been shaken.”
“At least you didn’t bang up the ship, for a change,” Upton said. Picard recognized he was going to get nowhere with the admiral.
“Sir, the offhand way in which you’re talking about my crew’s sacrifices diminishes their contribution. Ever since the demon ship, we’ve all been suspect. And time and again, my people have risen to the challenge and excelled. They have exhibited superb competence, and my senior staff has kept them working toward our common goals. We prevented a world from destroying itself. I lost people along the way, people who believed in the mission. They, if not I, deserve your respect and consideration. It’s time for us to return to more strategically vital missions.”
Upton just stared at Picard, eyes smoldering. He was either going to give in or bust Picard back to ensign. Rather than prolong the argument and incur the man’s temper, the captain wisely thought it was time to back off.
An hour later, Picard exited the turbolift and began walking toward the conference room that had been refit for the memorial service. It was the largest one on the ship and would be used for the subsequent services to be held for the crew that had died. But first, the Federation’s tactical envoy was to be memorialized. As he walked, he felt a mix of unease from his conversation with Admiral Upton and joy for Riker and Troi.
In fact, coming from an adjoining corridor was Troi, escorting Seer of Anann, who towered over the counselor. He was dressed in some form of formal attire in muted yellows and oranges. They were chatting amiably, followed by Data and La Forge, both in their dress uniforms, as befit the occasion. Both nodded in Picard’s direction, and he returned the look.
“Protocol Officer, it’s nice to have you aboard.”
“My first time on a starship, actually,” Seer said.
“If you can stay, afterwards we can arrange a tour if you like.”
“That would be most gracious of you, Captain. I have meetings scheduled with Ambassador Morrow for after the service, but maybe we can work something out.”
“How are things below?”
“Calming down. The Council saw fit to use my plan, and it seems to be working. I suspect, though, we will be petitioning the Federation for some additional help.”
“Fortunately, we have an ambassador on hand to expedite things for you. I must say, I am glad your family was spared the worst of it.”
Seer nodded gravely. “My family, yes. My house, no. I will be devoting quite a number of days to roof repairs and repainting. At least, that’s what Dorina tells me.”
Picard grinned and was about to say something when Seer continued.
“May I ask, Captain, how did Riker elude us for so long?”
“Ah, yes, the great mystery. As you know, Kyle Riker was one of the Federation’s top tacticians. He therefore had access to the top-of-the-line equipment for all manner of work. He used a bio-signal inhibitor. Very sophisticated and usually used when conducting field work on potential first contact worlds. The range was expanded to include the commander as well.”
“Amazing,” Seer said, clearly impressed.
Picard gestured for them to follow him. They walked a short distance and then entered the conference room. A podium was erected in the right corner with a small spotlight, the Starfleet crest affixed to its front. Beside it was a coffin that gleamed in the light. A Federation flag was draped over most of it so the
ends seemed to twinkle. Above the coffin, on a wall-mounted screen, was Kyle’s current service photo. The features were stern, the eyes slightly blurred because they had moved. He had clearly been uncomfortable having the picture taken. Row after row of chairs were being filled with crew, most of whom had served with Will Riker over the years. Picard’s eyes drifted over the assembled bodies, and he was pleased by his ability to name the vast majority of them. They were good people, and he took justified pride in their actions.
Seer took a seat at the side, beside Colton Morrow, who looked fully recovered from his injuries. At least one of the Federation’s envoys will make it back alive, Picard mused. The front row was for the senior officers with La Forge, Data, and Crusher all seated. Vale entered the room and seemed uncertain of where to sit. Picard beckoned her over, gesturing to a chair up front. She had more than earned her place with the others.
Finally, after another minute or two, Will entered. The happy glow on his face was gone, replaced with the mask of the mourning son. From what the captain gathered, they were just beginning to speak once more when the tragedy occurred. No doubt this severely complicated how Will now saw his father.
He tugged his uniform jacket tight across the chest and then strode to the podium. All eyes turned to him, ready to begin the memorial.
Chapter Thirteen
PICARD KNEW ENOUGH about Kyle Riker from their one meeting and from the legends to understand that he wouldn’t have appreciated a long, ceremonious event. As a result, his son provided a streamlined service.
He spoke about the man’s accomplishments, a slightly longer version than Kyle’s service record, keeping personal observations to a minimum. Periodically, Picard glanced at Kyle’s image on the screen and frequently turned his attention to Will. The first officer sat stone-faced and solemn. His hand was wrapped within Deanna’s and she seemed to be shedding tears for them both.
Finished, Picard paused, letting his final words sink in. He then looked over at Will, who nodded and then slowly rose. Stiffly, he walked over to the podium and replaced Picard, who took the empty seat in the front row.
“As most of you know, my father and I didn’t always get along. That wasn’t always the case. My father worked hard in the years after my mother died. He was juggling his difficult career with the Federation along with trying to properly raise a young boy who couldn’t accept that his mother was gone.
“I probably made it unnecessarily hard on my father those first few years. But he stuck it out, teaching me to fish, camp, hike, and appreciate our home in Alaska. What I didn’t come to appreciate until he was gone was that he was also teaching me how to be alone. I became self-sufficient, able to accept responsibility for myself and my surroundings.
“He was gone by then, doing the Federation’s work. As you heard from his record, Kyle Riker threw himself into the middle of conflict after conflict. At the time, I was too angry feeling abandoned to understand that not only did I need him, but so did the quadrant. And he couldn’t be in two places at once. He had stayed home when I needed him the most, and when he saw the job was done, only then did he return full-time to the stars.
“It took me a long time to understand all that and appreciate his contributions. Truth to tell, it wasn’t until these last few days that I really understood his dedication. Or fully understood that the bond between father and son…was unbroken.
“The Federation owes Kyle Riker a debt of gratitude it can never fully repay. And I owe my father my life, and I intend to take that life and honor his memory with continued service to our goals of peace and exploration.
“He wasn’t easy to talk with or easy to live with, that’s for sure. But we feel his absence more keenly as a result of those precious few years we did have.
“Good-bye…Dad.”
Will looked down at the coffin and then returned to his chair. Picard vacated it immediately, placing a fatherly hand on Will’s shoulder, and then returned to the podium to conclude the service.
Once it was over, people rose as one, acknowledged the coffin, and then turned to file out. Picard knew most would seek Riker out in the coming days to offer their personal condolences. Already, the communications buffers were filling with notes to Riker from member worlds and unallied planets. Deanna had told him there were notes from people Riker barely knew to those who served alongside, from Captain Klag of the I.K.S. Gorkon to Elizabeth Shelby, captain of the U.S.S. Trident. He hadn’t read a single one yet, but he would.
Seer walked up to Riker and extended a hand. Will grinned at seeing the man he had befriended on the hunt for Kyle Riker. They spoke briefly, Will taking the time to thank his friend for arranging to have the engagement ring purchased and brought to the starship. Data then escorted the protocol officer to another venue for his meeting with Ambassador Morrow.
Finally, La Forge, Crusher, Vale, Troi, Riker, and Picard were left in the room. The captain knew crew would be by soon to remove the coffin and ready the room for the subsequent services. He would need time to consider the lives and careers of those who had died, and decide how best to honor their memories. It was not a task he looked forward to at all.
“That was nice, Captain,” Riker said. “Just like my father, straight and to the point.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Sir, I’ll be ready to return to duty tomorrow.”
“If you’re certain you’re ready. We’ll be departing orbit in twelve hours, and we’ll have plenty of time before our next assignment comes through. I seem to have left Admiral Upton with a few things to consider.”
That earned the captain a few curious stares, and he met them all evenly since he had no idea how the last conversation with the admiral would affect their future. He needed to remain positive, if not for his own spirits then for the crew’s.
“I’ll be fine, sir,” Will said.
“Make it so,” Picard said.
The doors slid open, and Riker was once more back in his cabin. Normally he never paid attention, but right now it felt empty. He was alone and it didn’t sit right with him.
Troi had told him of the people who wanted to offer their personal comments both in person and by com and he would no doubt need to be alone after all that, but not now.
Now he sat in his cabin and felt uneasy. He had just ended one part of his life by saying good-bye to his father, minutes after beginning a new part with Troi. As he transitioned from one feeling to the next, he knew he would remain happy and dedicated to his work.
Unfastening his dress jacket, he took a deep breath, letting his chest expand, enjoying the feeling of freedom. Letting the jacket hang open, he sat on the corner of his bed and just breathed.
His thoughts were interrupted by the chirrup of the com system. He rose and walked to his desk, moved aside several padds he had been trying to focus on earlier, and activated it.
Vale’s face greeted him. “Sorry to bother you, Commander, but you’re receiving a private communication from Starfleet Command.”
Riker’s brow furrowed. Was this to do with his father’s death or with the brass being unhappy with Picard again? There was just one way to find out.
“Pipe it down here, Lieutenant.”
“Aye, sir.”
Vale’s face faded away, replaced with that of a woman he hadn’t seen in many years.
“Admiral Janeway,” he said, quickly closing his jacket.
“Dressing casually, are we, Commander?” She smirked at him.
“I just got back from my father’s memorial,” Will said.
Janeway’s face expressed her sympathy. He looked at the handsome features and realized she had aged quite nicely since their Academy days.
“I was sorry to hear of Kyle’s death. He was a good man.”
“He was at that.” Will knew it was true, but it still felt unusual to hear it in his own voice.
“Will, I asked to be the one to discuss this matter with you. It’s somewhat delicate, and I thought it best if you heard i
t from an old, well, acquaintance, I guess.”
He frowned at that. “What’s up?”
“As you know, not everyone here at Command is a big fan of the Enterprise or its captain right now.”
Riker’s mind was racing. Were they replacing Picard? Were the political intrigues on Earth going to destroy a career after countless enemies had failed to achieve that goal?
“However,” Janeway continued, “you do have your fans here. Your record is exemplary, and I’m amazed you haven’t taken your own command by now.”
“It’s never been the right time.”
“How about now?”
Riker blinked at the screen. Janeway remained serious, and he knew not to reply with a joke.
“What do you mean?”
“The Titan is in need of a captain. It’ll be ready to fly within a few months.”
His own ship? Riker had wondered if the opportunity would ever come again. But how could he leave Picard? And Deanna? Would they be married and then assigned to different ships? He hated that notion and immediately wondered if he could bring her along. How fully staffed was the Titan to date, and how much of a change would Command allow him to make?
“The timing is…complicated. Both personally and professionally, things are a bit of a mess, to be honest, Admiral.”
“It’s just us, Will, call me Kathryn. What’s going on?”
“Won’t I be seen as abandoning my captain when his reputation is besmirched?”
“Some might see that. We’re a big organization, and you will find unanimity on precious few things. That was my first lesson when I got back from the Delta Quadrant.
“What I see is a man who has stood by his captain through thick and thin, someone we have come to rely on when we needed capable officers. I also see a man whose career, on paper, has stalled. Few who turn down an offer of command are asked again. You have been asked more than once, and honestly, Will, this may be your last offer.”
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