Pride and Prejudice
Chapters Six and Seven
Chapter Six
The next morning Picard sat in a large conference room with several Admirals and Ambassador Spock. There were thirteen admirals, including Picard, in the room. Two were from Romulus and Cardassia. Then there was also the High Counsellor Worf representing the Klingon students.
Worf had become high counsellor in the last two years. He was not happy with what the Klingon students did, but at the same time he had a duty to look after their well being in the proceedings that were yet to come.
Finally, there was the judge advocate general, Phillipa Louvois. After all these years she was still breath taking. At least in Picard's mind, but she was a past love. All that was left between them was friendship.
Five more students were dead and eight were injured by the bomb. It was a simple bomb. More like a granade actually. One that a cadet could easily make and toss into a group of people almost unnoticed.
Except for one thing, the higher ups at Starfleet Academy were getting suspicious of the security officers. They felt at least one was on the side of the trouble makers and they did not like it.
To say the least, the loss of life was now rising and the violence was getting worse. None of it was acceptable and Starfleet was determined to get to the bottom of it.
The Romulan government was very disturbed about the loss of one of their own. They wanted the Klingon students to serve time in one of their prisons or at the very least on Rara Penthe.
The Cardassian government was more than willing to take those who injured their student to one of their prison camps. The trouble was a Cardassian prison camp was not the Federation's first choice for their people.
"First of all." Judge Advocate General Louvis began. "This meeting is not about the consequences these students will serve. It is about security issues, finding out who is behind aiding the students in their distructive crusade, and finding the rest of the students involved in these incidents so that we can bring them to trial."
"You have not captured all the criminals involved in these heinous crimes?" Admiral Mendak of Romulus asked.
"I'm afraid not." Admiral Janeway stated.
"But you have four of them in custody?" Admiral Dukat of Cardassia asked.
"Yes, but we figure there are at least ten more." Picard informed him. "Given how many uniforms were replicated, that is."
"Thus, our suspicions of the possibility that one or more of our security officers maybe involved." Admiral Paris, who was now vice-superintendant, stated.
"So, how do we go about weeding out who else is involved?" Admiral Sisko asked. He was also representing the Cardassian student, as well as Dukat. He felt it was the least he could do given the fact he gave his recommendation for the first Cardassian student to attend Starfleet.
"That's a hard one." Admiral Shelby replied.
"We demand restitution for the merciless killing of one of our people!" Admiral Mendak informed them.
"As do we for the assault SuKat indured." Admiral Dukat stated.
"And you will eventually get that, as soon as we can bring them all to trial." Louvois informed them.
"Therefore, I recommend that we infiltrate both security and the suspected students with an operative who can discern the rest of the culprits." Spock suggested.
"I agree with Ambassador Spock." Admiral Necheyev said.
"As do I." Admiral William Ross concurred.
"We need someone who blends in of course." Stated Admiral Brand who was still the superintendant of Starfleet, but was about to retire.
"Being in the position I am in, I would attract attention." Worf stated. "Therefore, I would not be the best choice for the job."
"I tend to agree with Worf." Picard stated. "We need someone as capable as Worf, but not noticable."
"We have not heard from you, Admiral Brooks and Admiral Brackett." Louvois stated. "Have you any suggestions to offer to the group?"
"I'm not really sure what to add. My first thought to place as a spy with security was Security Officer Odo." Brooks stated. "But that may cause suspicion in itself from security. We need someone less familiar so we can then come up with more information."
"Well, I may not have any suggestions, but the people who work under me have come up with some possible clues that may lead us to the rest of the culprits." Brackett stated.
"Let's hear them." Louvois said.
"Well, you all know about the replicated clothes." All the Starfleet admirals nodded. "Thanks to the near by residents, they pointed in the direction where they had saw some smoke on various nights recently." Brackett paused.
"Continue." Louvois ordered.
"We came across this clearing in which we found a 'T' shaped pole." Brackett continued. "Below were some pieces of burnt material. We had them tested and found that they were remains of a Romulan flag and a Cardassian flag. It's not much to go on, but I have a feeling the students we are looking for managed to break curfew and have meetings in that spot. If so, then that would be more evidence against them if we can find the right spy to find them."
Phillipa Louvois thought for a moment. "We'd have them on breaking curfew, but I'm not sure what else we could charge them with beyond that."
"That's what our spy could find out for us." Brackett stated. "If it is what we suspect it might be, then we could have more evidence."
"In order to charge the rest of the students involved we would need to have evidence. Solid evidence." Picard stated. "We have not only confessions from the four we have, but we also have witnesses. The others don't."
"Then there are the two who brutalized SuKat." Dukat stated.
"Yes, however, we do not have them in custody as of yet." Janeway informed them. "They seem to be AWOL currently."
Anger was rising within Dukat. "Find them and bring them back! They must be brought to trial!"
"We have every intention on bring them back." Janeway informed Dukat.
Everyone in the room could see Dukat was very disgruntled. However, he kept his temper in check. "We will be waiting for their capture and trail."
"Very well. Now, I want Brackett, Shelby, and Sisko to find someone to infiltrate the suspected students and find the other culprits." Louvois stated. "Brooks, Janeway, and Spock, I'd like you three to find the missing students. Finally, Worf, Picard, and Paris, I need you to find someone to find out who is assisting the students in security."
Everyone nodded their agreement, except Dukat and Mendak. "I object!" Mendak shouted. "It was Klingons who killed our student! We do not want a Klingon finding someone to spy on security!"
"Worf has been a very good security officer for the Federation and served under myself." Picard stated. "I can assure you, he will not do anything to hinder the investigation."
"Be that as it may, he is Klingon and we do not want your dog to assist in this!" Mendak rebuttled.
"I object!" Worf stated.
"Granted, Mr. Worf." Louvois confirmed. "Admiral Mendak, if you would not mind, it would be appreciated if you kept the slurs out of these procedures. This was how everything started and I will not have it in this court. Understood?"
Mendak fringed remorse. "It is understood."
"Now, may we proceed with this investigation?" She asked looking at Mendak.
"Proceed." Mendak replied with a wave of his hand.
"Very well. The first hearing will be scheduled in one week from today at 0800 hours." Louvois continued. "I want everyone charged to be present that day and their representatives. Is there anything else that needs to be addressed today?"
No one said anything as Louvois waited for someone to respond to her question.
"Alright, this meeting has adjourned." Everyone started to leave, when Phillipa stopped one of them. "Jean-Luc, how is Kestra doing?"
"Well, from what I have heard, Deanna had some time alone with her and she is begining to open up a little." Picard informed her. "At least to her mother, Deanna. Deanna hopes to get her talking by the time of the hearing."
"You plan to place her on the stand?" Phillipa asked with surprise.
"Only if need be." Picard stated. "I'm hoping I don't have to put her through that."
Phillipa thought for a moment. "In some ways, her testifying may not be a bad idea, therapeutically speaking, but if the defendants' representive chose to question her."
Phillipa paused. She did not want to say it could be detrimental, but Picard understood. "Precisely why I hope to avoid it."
"Well, I guess I'll see you in about a week." Phillipa stated.
"Yes. Until then."
Chapter Seven
Tom Paris was in his father's office discussing a possible option to spy on the students. Tom was not very happy with his father's choice, thus the reason he was there.
"Dad, I don't want Miral involved in this." Tom protested. "Besides, she not even Starfleet material."
"Tom, she's our best option." Admiral Paris insisted. "She's strong and a Klingon. No one on campus knows her, either. Makes her prime target to be taken in by those who are against the Romulans once she makes friends with some of the students."
"Even more reason why I don't want her involved!" Tom continued to protest.
"Tom, why don't we ask her if she wants to do this?"
"Because she doesn't want to."
"How can you be sure without asking her?" His father asked.
"Because, she did not want to join Starfleet." Tom informed him. "She wanted to travel the Klingon Homeworld after she graduated high school and learn about her Klingon side."
"That convinces me even more that she is right for the job." Admiral Paris insisted. "How long has she been on Kronos?"
"I don't know. About a year." Tom shrugged.
"Has she survived that year?"
"What?"
"Well, she was raised on a starship during her early years and has spent the last few years, before leaving for Kronos, here on Earth." Admiral Paris stated. "She has no knowledge of Klingons, except what her mother has taught her."
"She's done well on Kronos." Tom stated.
"Well, then. Let's call her in here and ask her if she wants to do this job."
Tom was still not happy with the idea. He did not want his daughter in danger, but his father had a point. If she survived the Klingon Homeworld for almost a year, then she was probably capable of handling Humans and other Klingons in a volatile situation.
"Dad, what if someone gets curious about where she is from?" Tom asked. "Or say they want to check her out before they ask her to join?"
"We will change her records for the time being." His father replied. "That should work if someone becomes nosy."
"Maybe, maybe not." Tom stated. "Besides, in order to get in good with those who don't want the Romulans and Cardassians here, she'd have to act like one of them. I'm not so sure I want my daughter going around throwing derogatory names around."
"Tom, what if it were your daughter who was raped by these people?"
"What?"
"I'm sure you have heard about Captain Riker's daughter?"
"Yes, Sir. I have."
"What if it were Miral that was raped and not Will's daughter?" Admiral Paris asked his son. "Wouldn't you want someone to go in there and get the people who were involved?"
"Well, yeah, but the two students who did it, have been captured."
"And released on their own recognizance." Admiral Paris reminded his son. "However, there are still students being harmed and killed. Now, I ask you, wouldn't you want someone to get these people if it were your child?"
"Yes, but does it have to be my daughter?" Tom whined.
"She's an unknown factor. We can't have someone people have seen before. We can say she just joined Starfleet, add a false profile and record on her in the data base and then say she came directly from Kronos to here. Enough said."
"What if they ask the Klingon Homeworld about her?"
"Trust me, Tom. We'll cover all the bases in case they try to look anything up on her. We can even make it very colourful with yours and B'Elanna's history."
"Hey!"
"Maquis parents. Makes sense that she might be a possible recruit, especially if she has the attitude."
Tom crossed his arms. "I don't like it, Dad, but you can ask her, if you want."
"Thank you, Tom, for not making me have to go around you and ask her anyway. I promise you, we will make sure she is prepared for anything." His dad informed him.
"You were going to ask her anyway?" Tom asked in shock.
"I wanted to talk to you anyway and get your approval."
Tom wanted to scream at his dad. He could not believe what he was hearing. "Dad, I have to go before I say something I shouldn't."
Tom left his dad's office in anger and his father put in a subspace message to Miral on Kronos. She was not in so he left an audio message. Now, all Admiral Paris had to do was wait for her to return their message.
Beverly was making her rounds. She finally came to SuKat and examined him. "You're coming along very well." She stated. "You might be able to go back to class in a few days."
"I don't know if I want to go back to class, Doctor." He informed her.
"I understand how you feel with how the other students have treated you, but if you leave now, you'll only be giving into them." Beverly told him. "Then the next Cardassian student will have to start all over from the begining. You're opening doors right now and helping to form a new alliance. Don't give up now."
"It's kind of you to try and encourage me, but I can't stay here." He stated. "I can't take the prosecution anymore."
Beverly shook her head. "So, you're going to give up and run home? Well, maybe the next Cardassian student who comes here will have more success."
"Doctor, I was almost killed." SuKat stated. "I can't stay somewhere where people are wanting me dead. My life has been threaten too much to stay. Almost being killed is the last straw. I have to go home."
Beverly sighed. She wanted the young man to stay and start a new era in Starfleet and the Federation. She really liked the gentleman, but she could not convince him to stay.
"I guess if I were in your shoes, I would make the same decision." She admitted to him. "I wouldn't stay where I felt like I was not wanted."
"I'm only not wanted by a small group." He stated.
"Then stay and fight back through the Federation judicial system." She invited. "If you don't, what chance will the next student have, if there is another Cardassian student."
"I will think about what you have said." He stated, but made no promises.
"Well, I have another patient to check on." Beverly informed him. "Everything seems fine, and I'd say I could release you to your quarters tomorrow."
"Must you?" He asked. "I mean, I don't want to be alone right now."
"If you're worried this will happen again, it shouldn't." She informed him. "A gaurd will be staying with you at least until after the hearing."
"I hope you are right."
"Get some rest." She told him. "I'll be back to check on you later."
He watched her leave to go to her next patient.
Picard was in his office talking to a new security officer. Only this officer was being briefed on the situation and what she was suppose to do.
"Aimee, I've asked you here because we need you to infiltrate security." Picard informed her. "At this point, with the Romulan student dead and the Cardassian student in sickbay, the task maybe more difficult. However, we do currently have more Romulans and Cardassians on campus because of the assaults and murder."
Aimee Howard was a niece of Beverly's, who had gone through the Academy three years prior. She graduated with honours and had served on the USS Botanybay since her graduation as a security officer. She had red hair just like her aunt's and she also had the build of a typical female security officer. She was very stout and held herself with confidence.
"I will do my best, Sir." She replied.
"Now, you will be replacing the former officer who was killed." He briefed her. "Your history with Starfleet will be the same, but your duty will be to serve as security officer and nothing more. The one thing that has change is your relationship to Beverly and myself. We are not your aunt and uncle on this assignment. You have no relationship what so ever to us. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir."
"OK, let's go meet your co-workers." He said and stood to escort her to the security office.
As they walked out the door of the administration building they over heard some students harassing Ambassador Spock and Admiral Mendak.
"Go home, Rommies!" Five students yelled at them as they walked by.
Picard placed a hand against Aimee to stop her. Then he whispered, "This is what you are looking for. Who is allowing this, but let's watch this and see how it plays out."
"I do not believe you young people comprehend who you are addressing." Spock stated the students.
"Oh, we know who you are." A young man in the group stated. "You're that Rommie lover named Spock."
"Your discriminatory remarks do not phase me." Spock stated flatly. "In fact, it leads me to believe that you suffer from an acute sense of personal inferiority causing you to overcompensate in exaggerated aggressiveness."
"Huh?" The cadets mumbled and looked perplexed.
"Whatever, Rommie lover." Another said as they all five walked off in another direction.
After the students walked away, Picard and Aimee approached them. "Are you two alright?" Picard asked.
"The situation left us unscathed." Spock replied. "However, I do believe I left the cadets with something to ponder."
"Well, I'm very glad to hear that." Picard stated. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to escort our new security officer to the Security office."
"By all means, Admiral Picard." Admiral Mendak replied. "I assure you we are fine and Ambassador Spock handled the situation a lot better than I would have if I was alone."
"Gentlemen." Picard nodded. Then he and Aimee went on their way.
Beverly entered Kestra's room. "How are we today?" She asked with a smile.
Kestra looked down at the bed meekly. She had tears in her eyes and it was apparent she and her mother had been talking about what had happened.
"Well, we are sitting up today." Beverly stated cheerfully.
"Actually," Deanna began. "She has been a little more talkative today."
"Well, that's very good." Beverly stated as she scanned Kestra. "Have you ate anything today?"
Kestra shook her head no.
"Well, I'm glad you are responding to me today, but you need to eat something." Beverly informed her. "I can't keep giving you nutritional injections forever."
Kestra did not say a word.
Beverly gave her an injection of nutritional suppliments. "Do me a favour and eat your lunch today. I'll have whatever you feel like eating sent up to you if you'd like."
Kestra said nothing.
"Is there anything in particular that you would like?" Beverly asked.
"Chocolate." Kestra said softly.
Beverly giggled and shook her head. "Like mother, like daughter."
Deanna smiled. "Well, at least it's something. Not the best nutrition wise, but it is something."
"Well, I'll see what I can do." Beverly stated with a smile. "Is there anything else you would like?"
Kestra shook her head no.
"Alright. I'll leave you two alone." Beverly put her equipment back in her case she was carrying and left the room.
She was happy that Kestra was making some progress emotionally. She only wished the process of recovery was a little faster, but she understood the mechanics of the Human psychic. Only this patient was part Betazoid. She did not understand much about the Betazoid psychic, but she was continuing to learn more every day.