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Planet of Silence
Chapters Twenty-one and Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-one
The four Starfleet officers arrived at the Trade Conference to give the delegates and others the warning about the Ferengi. Mriana froze as she viewed the crowd of people. Her emotions getting more troubled by the second.
"Mriana?" Deanna sent.
"There's so many of them." Mriana said aloud breathless.
"Of who?"
Mriana turned to look at Deanna. She was puzzled that Deanna did not have a clue what she was talking about. "Ferengi."
"It'll be alright."
"To you, maybe." Mriana sent in anger. "You can hear what they are saying! I can't!"
"Mriana, the three of us are here. It will be fine."
Mriana shook her head. "I need some air."
She walked out of the conference and onto the steps outside. She sat down on the first step and contemplated everything that had happened.
By this time, the Ferengi had taken three paintings. No one seemed to have noticed them. The Starfleet officers were the only ones who knew of the possibilty that they were taken.
"Is she alright?" Will asked Deanna.
"She will be."
"Well, it wouldn't hurt if we kept an eye on her, just in case."
"Yes, you maybe right. No telling what will happen next." Deanna replied. "By the way, where's Geordi?"
Will turned in all directions looking for Geordi. "There. It seems he had the same idea before we did." He replied as he saw Geordi watching Mriana from the door of the conference building.
They walked up beside him. "Is everything alright, Geordi?" Will asked.
"I don't think so. If only you could see what I see. Ferengi approaching at eight o'clock."
Mriana strolled past the various plants that lined the path that led from the conference building. She could smell the various scents they exuded and smile. She was finding her stroll very relaxing until Tog and Zark slid up beside her.
"Forget her, Tog. You remember what happened last time we tried to abduct a Betazoid."
"I don't care. I can't forget her. I must have her."
Mriana tensed as Tog jumped in front of her. "Not again." She thought. "They are so presistant."
Tog was facing her as he spoke. "Mriana, isn't it?"
She managed to lipread her name and became studily uncomfortable. He leered at her as he studied her body.
"Yes." She said nervuosly.
"If you could just get to know me maybe we could come to some sort of an agreement. I'd be willing to pay top dollar for you in latinum."
She did not understand a word he said. Her mind started racing as she began to turn and walk back to the building.
Tog jumped in front of her again. "Just let me talk to you. Give me a few minutes of your time."
"LOOK! I can't hear you!" She stated firmly. "I can't get anything from you at all, so please, LEAVE ME ALONE!" She screamed and began to walk around him.
He once again pounced in front of her. "The annoying little troll!" She thought.
"That's OK." Tog replied. "We can communicate in other ways. I'm sure if you're anything like your aunt, you can give good oomlats."
He continued to rattle on, but Mriana did not hear him and was starting to become even more uncomfortable. She was almost panicky. Many thoughts rushed through her mind. "Is Tog thinking he can just take me? If only I could sense something from him or even hear him. Anything.
Her anxiety increased as she began to rush away from him, but Tog was not about to let her get away. He grabbed her hand and began to drag her in the oppisite direction.
"You will come with me." Tog ordered into the air.
"LET ME GO!"
Tog continued to pull her in the oppisite direction, in hopes to get her back to their beam out point. Mriana continued to struggle against him.
"NO!"
Deanna sensed her cousin's panic and her thoughts. Lwaxana and Breanna did also.
"Will, we have to get her out there now."
"I'm on it." Geordi responded.
"I sense she is having a lot of distress and anxiety. She's fearing for her well being."
They all three rushed out of the building as they heard Mriana screaming. "LET ME GO!"
They saw Mriana struggling against Tog. He refused to let his prize go.
"So, you two just have to find away to leave with something, don't you?" Will said as he snuck up on the two Ferengi.
Startled, Tog turned around quickly. "Ah, we were just having a friendly discussion."
"Not very friendly, especially if one is being pulled in a direction she refuses to go in."
"We're just leaving." Zark replied.
Mriana turned in the direction Zark faced. "Geordi!"
Tog pulled her back to him with her back to him. Mriana struggled against him.
"Let her go, Tog." Geordi ordered protectively and had his phaser pointing in Tog's direction.
"You wouldn't dare fire that weapon and take a chance on hitting her." Tog taunted.
"Try me." Geordi threatened.
"If you prefer, you can try me." Will added as he too pointed his phaser at the Ferengi.
"Let her go, Tog." Zark pleaded.
"I'll pay as much latinum as you want for her." Tog said desparately.
"She's not for sale." Geordi insisted.
Mriana saw the phasers pointed in her direction. "They will shoot." She said. "Then what will you do, if they have them on kill and they hit me instead. Not much of a profit there, is there?"
"Tog." Deanna said gently. "Let her go."
"Neither of them will do it." Tog insisted.
"Geordi will shoot if he thinks it will keep me away from your grubby paws!" Mriana spit. Deanna was helping her by telling her what Tog was saying.
"If you don't release her now, you will be charged with attempted kidnapping." Will informed. "Surely you don't want to deal with that charge. There's no profit in it."
Geordi was very nervous. She could sense both Will and Geordi's thoughts, for their emotions were strong. She sensed he could not shoot her, even to stun her. "Do it, Imzadi." Mriana sent encouragingly to Geordi. "Being unconscious is better than being in the clutches of this Ferengi. Please, Geordi. I know it's on stun, but he doesn't. Just get me out of his grip anyway you can."
Geordi started to shake as he continued to point the phaser towards her and Tog. He had heard what she had sent to his head, but it did not change his feelings. He did not want to stun her, but he knew if he could not hit the Ferengi to get her free, it was the only option that could free her, especially if Tog thought she were dead.
"He's crazy enough to do it, Tog." Will replied. "Let her go."
Tog kept her tightly against himself like she were a shield between him and the phaser. "He'll shoot her and not me."
"Geordi." Will said softly, knowing what Mriana was thinking thanks to Deanna. "If you're going to do it, get it over with now."
Geordi took a deep breath and fired. Mriana fell limp in Tog's arms. "UH!" Tog screamed in shock. "You couldn't have! He shot and killed her!"
"I did. I don't want to see you drag her off where I'll never see her again. It's better that she is dead than your prisoner."
Tog dropped her lifeless body to the ground. He and Zark ran off towards their shuttle craft with Tog screaming to Zark, "I can't believe he did that! He shot her!"
Lwaxana and Breanna appeared and rushed forward towards Mriana's lifeless body. Geordi followed and then felt for a pause. Mriana stirred as consciousness began to return to her.
"Mriana?" Asked Breanna. "Are you alright?"
"I will be." Mriana said groggily. "Geordi, I really want to go back to the Enterpise. Take me back, please."
"No, you can't take her back." Breanna protested. "She needs to be with us so she'll be safe." Then she sent silently to Mriana, "You're coming with us where you'll be safe."
"I'll be safer on the Enterprise, Mother." Mriana rebutted. "Please take me back, Geordi."
"Take her back." Deanna requested sympathetically.
"We can handle things here." Will added as Geordi helped Mriana to her feet.
"If you insist, but I'd really like to go after them and take them to the brig."
"No! You can't take her!" Breanna stated.
"I know you would, Geordi, but I think Deanna and I can handle that. If not, we'll beam back to the Enterprise and we can get them another way. I'm sure." Will reassured him, ignoring Breanna's demand.
"OK. LaForge to Enterprise. Two to beam up."
"I protest!" Breanna insisted.
The two shortly disappeared in a shimmering light. Will turned to Deanna. "Will she be alright?"
"Physically, yes."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know. She has an adversion to Ferengi."
"We all do, Deanna and for good reasons." Lwaxana said.
"Her's is even stronger, due to a double complication. She did not have a clue what Tog was saying. If I had not been here, she would have not known what he was saying and may have been more fearful of the situation. As was, we were all a team because I told her what was happening. That and she sense your's and Geordi's thoughts."
"Our thoughts?" Will asked.
"They were very strong combined with your emotions. It's hard to explain."
"I'm not sure I understand, but we have some Ferengi butt to kick. You can explain later."
"I insist that you return her now, where she'll be safe with us!" Breanna pleaded.
"I never like those little toads myself." Lwaxana added arrogantly. Breanna nodded her agreement. "But she was sensing your thoughts. I'm not sure how she did it, being half Betazoid and all. It does seem that your strong emotions did assist with her sensing your thoughts though."
"Mother, we have to go."
"Yes, you two go after them and throw the book at them when you find them. I take care of your aunt."
"Take care of me?" Breanna asked as though she were insulted. "It's Mriana who needs taken care of, not me!"
Suddenly, one of the other delegates approached them. "We have a problem." He said. "Three paintings have been stolen from the museum."
"I'll contact the Enterprise. I have a feeling who took them and I assure you, when we catch them, they will be charged to the fullest extent."
Back on the Enterprise, Geordi had taken Mriana to Sickbay. "I'm fine, Geordi." She signed in protest.
"Maybe so, but I'd feel better if Dr. Crusher had a look at you."
Mriana sighed as Beverly walked over to exam her. She scanned her and quickly came up with the results.
"Aside from elevated levels of eprinephine and a slight phaser burn, she's fine."
"Are you sure, Doctor?" Geordi asked.
"Yes. It's normal with what she has just been through for her adrenaline to be higher than normal."
"Yes, I know that, but I'm just worried about her."
"She's fine, Geordi." "I'm fine!" They said in unison.
"What she needs right now is rest." Beverly informed as she treated Mriana's phaser burn. "Now why don't you go back to work and let her get some rest. I'll keep an eye on her."
Geordi agreed and then departed. Beverly started walking to a table with all her medical objects.
"Beverly." Mriana began after he had left. "I've been thinking, I'd like to try that implant."
Beverly's head quickly turned back to her. "Well, maybe we can talk about it after you return from your vacation." She signed slowly.
"No, forget the vacation. I want to have the surgery as soon as possible."
"This is rather sudden. Are you sure you don't want to think about it a little longer. You need your vacation." Beverly was getting concern about Mriana's sudden change of heart. She was not sure if she really meant it this time or if she was just saying it because of what just happened.
"My vacation can wait a little longer. I really want this."
"If you're sure. There's no going back if you change your mind and there's no gaurantees that you will hear anything."
"I'm sure."
"It's a twelve hour surgery. I can schedule it first thing in the morning if you'd like. I have all the equipment I need to do the surgery here. You wouldn't have to wait until we reach Starbase Seven."
Mriana did not faulter. "That will be fine."
"You do understand, only a very small amount of sound will be returned if any, if this succeeds?"
Mriana nodded.
"It won't be sound as you know it though."
"I understand."
"I just want to be sure that you are sure you want to go through with this." Beverly stated.
"I am."
"What made you change your mind?"
"Certain things that happened on Betazed."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
Mriana decided to tell her everything that happened below on the planet surface that led up to her decision. Once she had finished, Beverly said, "Well, you seem like you are sure about this. If so, you're going to need some rest. Go back to your quarters for the rest of the day, get some rest."
"You already said that." Mriana signed and said aloud.
"I know, but with you, I can't state it enough. Then you can come back here at 0700 hours and we'll begin your surgery. OK?"
"OK." Mriana said as she jumped off the exam table. "I'll see you at 0700." Then she left to return to her quarters.
Chapter Twenty-two
Everyone was in the Conference Lounge except for Mriana. As everyone else took their places, Picard address the group.
"I understand there's been a problem on Betazed."
"Yes, Sir. There has." Will informed. "It seems that not only have two Ferengi, named Tog and Zark, attempted to kidnap Counselor Mriana Troi, but they have also stolen the paintings from the museum."
"You know this for a fact?"
"Not exactly, Sir, but they were eyeing the Betazoid artwork very closely and have been acting suspeciously."
"They are first on the list of suspects." Worf added.
"Yes, I can see how all of you would assume that." Picard stated. "It seems we have a mystery here and the Ferengi appear to be by no means innocent. Suggestions?"
"I say we point torpedos at them and make the confess." Worf suggested.
"A little harsh isn't it, Worf?" Picard asked.
"No. Especially if we get them to confess to their crime."
"We don't have any proof yet that they did it, Worf."
"We could just contact their ship and ask them if they know anything about the paintings." Geordi suggested.
"Oh, yes. That will get them to tell us that they have them." Will said sarcastically.
"Commander, you have something to say?" Picard asked.
"As you know, Sir, when it comes to the Ferengi, they are generally behind such things as this. I suggest we ask them for a tour of their ship and that they allow us in all areas." Geordi suggested.
"Search and seizure?"
"It's a thought." Geordi said.
"Our first step will be to contact them. Ask them a few questions and then go to other measures." Picard stated.
"We must not let them leave orbit." Worf growled.
"I agree." Picard stated. "We must make every meants to retrieve the stolen property through diplomactic means, before we resort to extreme measures. We must be absolutely sure they have the paintings before we do anything, though."
"The question is." Geordi began. "How do we get the paintings back. We can't just board their ship."
Picard nodded his agreement. "That's true."
"I suggest we keep at least our phasors locked on them until they are convinced we mean business and return the paintings." Worf stated again. "Give them a limited period of time to return the paintings then."
"That is one idea." Picard agreed. "And one to keep in mind once we're sure they have them. If they don't return them in a reasonable amount of time then we could lock phasors on them."
"Let them know war could occur and profits for them would go down, if their people didn't do anything to them first. Especially if they tried to sell the paintings." Will interjected.
Picard nodded. "Interstellar incidents sometimes lead to war, but we are talking about Betazed."
"There's the beauty of it." Will said with a smile. "It's not just Betazed. The Federation is also involvled."
"I think I understand where you are going with this, Will." Deanna said. "Poker time?"
"Poker time."
"I like your idea, Will." Picard complimented. "Only, I haven't played poker in so long, I'm not sure if I can make a good poker face. I may let you do the honours."
"I'd be happy to, Sir." Will grinned.
"Make it so, Number One." Picard ordered. "Doctor, how is Counselor Mriana?"
"About as well as to be expected. I sent her to her quarters for the evening. From what I can tell, she is very upset, but is trying hard to hide it. She requested I do the implant soon."
Will looked alarmed. "That's a quick change of heart."
"It sure is." Geordi quickly turned to face the doctor. He was concerned about this new news.
"Actually, I'm not surprised." Deanna stated. "It was very stressful for her down there. Right now, she rather stay on board rather than not hear anything."
"I agree." Beverly stated. "That's why I've scheduled her surgery for first thing in the morning."
"So, she is relieved of duty over what happened down there?" Geordi asked.
"No, not just that. She was stressed by a lot of things. The phasor, not hearing the Ferengi, not sensing anything from Ferengi for that matter. She was overly stressed and worn out for trying to understand things that are said to her."
"Will it be successful?" Picard asked.
"Less successful than my visor." Geordi replied.
"I'm afraid he is right, Captain." Beverly agreed.
"And she still wants to go through with this surgery in the morning?" Picard asked.
"Yes, because she will hear something by way of sound, but I am not sure how much. Not all of her hearing loss will return if any."
"Then why even go through with the procedure?" Will asked.
"Because, hearing something is better than nothing. It helps with safety. She could hear someone come towards her, then she could react appropriately."
"And what time will this begin?"
Beverly informed him. "0700. However, she will be in Sickbay for several hours afterwards. She could return to duty in approximately one week if all turns out right."
"Very well." Picard said. "I wish her a good surgery and a speed recovery. Anything else?"
"Yes." Deanna replied. "It seems Betazed, specifically my aunt Breanna, want to press charges for the attempted kidnapping of Mriana. Plus, she wants the Federation to file similar charges, only of a Starfleet officer."
"Understandable." Picard answered. "I'll see that her charges are filed, but I can't guarantee the Federation will follow suit, nor Starfleet for that matter."
"It's worth filing her request and seeing what happens." Deanna stated. "It couldn't hurt, given Mriana's circumstances and the fact she is a Starfleet officer, who the attempt of abduction occurred with."
Picard nodded to show his agreement. The day was getting long for him and he was wishing to turn in for the night. He agreed the argument was valid, but he was getting to tired to think.
"Noted. I'll file all charges immediately. Is there anything else that needs to be added?" He asked.
"No, Sir." They all stated in unison.
"Then meeting is adjorned." Picard informed. Everyone rose and began to leave. "Doctor."
"Yes, Captain?"
"How certain are you about this implant?"
"Like Geordi said, it's no where near as good as what his implant does for him. It's been many years and the advances in improving or curing blindness have come a lot farther than it has with hearing. She'll be lucky if she hears loud noises."
"And she is certain she wants this?"
"I thought I told you, she is certain."
Picard nodded. "Yes, but are you absolutely sure?"
"As sure as I can be, Captain." Beverly informed. "Jean-Luc, you're worried about her!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, I can see it in your face."
"OK, I'll admit it. I am worried about her having this surgery." Picard stated. "I worried for her well being."
"She'll be fine. It's no worse than any other surgery."
"Yes, but in this case you have to cut into her skull and connect artificial nerves to her brain. New nerves, where the real ones are suppose to be but are not. That possess some risk, surely."
"Yes, Jean-Luc. I won't lie to you."
"She's a fine counsoler. I don't want to loose her, Beverly."
"You mean, she's like the daughter you never had and you don't want to loose her."
"Beverly, please."
"OK, I won't push you into admitting it, but I do hope you admit it to yourself."
Picard said nothing, but silently said to himself, "I have and it pains me to even say that much."
"Well." Picard finally said. "I guess you should be going so you can get some rest before surgery tomorrow."
"Yes. I'll let you know when she comes out of surgery."
"Thank you, Doctor." Beverly was almost to the door, when Picard continues. "Oh, Beverly, take care of her."
Beverly nodded and left for her quarters. She knew his feelings and understood them. Being the captain, it was just as hard to admit he cared for someone on some level, just as it was for her as a doctor. It was nothing new to her.