Act 87 - Dates: 9-10 July 1993
Section 5: Q-niverse
Part 2: Meeting with the N-Team and the Brain-Team
First and Only Division
Seventh Chapter
Characters: Thunder Cats, People of the Enterprise, Brain-Team Base
July 9.
Main Bridge, Enterprise.
W Still. . . he found it intensely difficult to concentrate. He decided that his time as first officer should expire as soon as Picard stepped out of that Ready-Room. Via viewscreen, Picard was talking with Lion-O about the possibility of an alliance with the Federation. After he was relieved of first-officer-ship, Wes would go to Ten-Forward, have some hot chocolate, talk to Guinan, go to Troi's quarters, talk with Troi, go to Sickbay, talk with his mom, go to his mom's quarters, and go to bed. Picard stepped out of the Ready-Room while Crusher was off-guard, but Crusher almost immediately snapped up as though he had springs in his feet that reacted to the opening of that door. "Lion-O has agreed," said Picard to Wesley and Riker, "to consider an alliance. He tells us to go on to another portion of the galaxy and visit with friends of theirs, the Silver Hawks. But, before we go, we are going to take aboard two guests. Lion-O said that they had begged, almost pleaded to do this. These guests are for diplomatic purposes."
"Tygra and Cheetara?" assumed Wesley. They would be the most logical choices, mused Wesley. But why would they beg and plead?
But, to Wesley's surprise, Picard said, "No. Wilykit and Wilykat. They should be ready for transport any minute."
Inwardly, Wesley screamed, Oh, fudge! Darn, darn, darn!!! Why the heck are they choosing the Thunder Kittens? They mustn't realise what occurred between Wilykit and me! I'd better beat it. . . now!!! Of course, the centre of his sanity killed this apprehension. How better to get to know them? He calmly stated, "Sir, I may consider my 24 hours as 'up,' right?"
"Yes," said Picard, glancing at the chronometer. "Would you like to start with Data right now?"
"No, thank you," said Wesley calmly. "I would like to wait until tomorrow morning, if you do not mind." Picard's trained eye could pick up any disturbance, no matter how faint. He tried not to show a thing.
"Granted," said Picard. "Is there something bothering you, Wes?"
"Well, it is of a more personal nature," said Wesley.
"In that case," said Picard, "I suggest you talk to Counsellor Troi."
"I was seriously considering that, sir," Wesley assured him.
"Very well. Would you like to show Wilykit and Wilykit around the ship?"
Wesley could not reveal the source of his intense nervousness to the captain, so he said, "It would be my pleasure, sir." He did not even have an ounce of worry in his voice.
"Very good," said the captain, smiling. "Tomorrow morning, before you replace Data?"
"Aye, sir," continued Wesley. "Seven thirty."
Picard said, "Excellent. I'll tell them as soon as they board. You are relieved Mr. Crusher."
No, I'm not, he mentally rebuked, referring to another meaning of relieved, but he stated, "Thank you, sir."
"You've done a good job during this time," commented Picard.
* * *
Ten-Forward Lounge, Deck 10.
He was sitting there. He was wondering why the Thunder Kittens would want to do this. It must have been because they were extremely interested in new situations. He left it at that. Just as he left that thought, Guinan came with his hot chocolate. "Thank you, Guinan," said Wesley.
"You seem troubled," said Guinan, sitting across from Wesley. "Why not talk about it?
"Oh, I don't want to burden you with my troubles, Guinan."
"Thank you for your concern, Wesley. But at least if you tell me what is troubling you, I can help."
"Okay. You know about the Thunder Cats we met yet?"
"News is around the ship."
Wesley quieted down some. "Well, Guinan, I've fallen in love with one of them."
"Mmm-hmm!" said Guinan.
"Even more, it's one of the two that are coming on board as diplomatic liaisons."
She assumed her attitude of mock-seriousness. "Uh, oh! What have you done?"
"I only just had the longest, most involved kiss I've ever had. That's all."
"Hm! You really love her?"
"Yes. We explained our lives to each other. I understood hers, and she understood mine. I can't seem to keep my mind off her for a minute."
"Well, in that case," said Guinan, "did you do it with her consent?"
"Her eyes were practically screaming out at me to do it." Guinan nodded.
"That is good. I would hate that you would just abuse the physical part of the relationship without doing the mental part." Wesley smiled.
"She's great, Guinan," said Wesley. "It's never felt this intense to me before, especially not mentally. I did it because my conscience told me I should."
"Good, Wesley. You always wait until your conscience says it's okay. If she's not drunk, wait until she says it's okay, too."
"I like her not only because she's smart and understanding, although I concede that those are good points," said Wesley. "She is also a little mischievous."
"Hm! A match made in heaven. You can't resist her, can you?"
"Certainly, I can. . . at least now," said Wesley. "Just takes a little self-control."
* * *
Dr. Crusher's Quarters.
Wesley felt he wanted to drop by the transporter room to see if the Thunder Kittens had arrived. However, along the way, he suddenly felt that he did not want to be there when the Thunder Kittens arrived. Something just told him it would be dangerous for his control. He went to his room in his mom's quarters, removed his uniform, got into his nightwear, lay down on his bed, and went to sleep.
* * *
July 10.
Dr. Crusher's Quarters, Deck 7.
At 7.00 precisely, the computer chimed, "Wesley Crusher, it is 7.00. You wished to be awakened at this time?" Wesley came awake and remembered.
"Yes, computer," he called. "Thank you."
The computer replied, "You are welcome." As he dressed, he wondered how he could program people with 'polite'-circuits.
* * *
Main Bridge.
He arrived at the Bridge at 7.20 and reported to Picard. Picard was going to be down there but a minute to introduce the escort. Wesley arrived at the conclusion that Picard had not the faintest idea what had happened between him and Wilykit. He did not realise how wrong he was.
* * *
Guest Quarters of the Thunder Kittens, Deck 13.
"Who's escorting us around the ship?" asked Wilykat, already fully-dressed.
"I don't know," Wilykit answered. "The captain just told us it would be at 7.30." Besides, her thoughts were elsewhere mostly. . . like that kiss and the love packaged with it that Wesley had delivered. She would have to tell her brother about that. . . but not now, in case the escort should be Wesley Crusher himself. Because of this, she was having an uncommon amount of difficulty getting her outfit on.
"Let me help," said Wilykat. It was only his help that got her ready on time, for, the instant after they had finished, the door chimed. Wilykat answered it. Picard and Wesley were on the other side.
"Good morning, Wilykat," said Picard. "I assume you and Wilykit are ready?"
"Yes, we are," said Wilykat, stressing the last syllable to direct a small bit of irritation at Wilykit, who joined him at his side.
"May I introduce you to your escort - although you probably already know him - Cadet Wesley Crusher." Wesley stepped up and didn't quiver. Wilykit didn't quiver. Well, they didn't quiver on the outside anyway.
"Good morning, Wilykat and Wilykit," said Wesley diplomatically.
"Good morning, Mr. Crusher," said Wilykat, shaking Wesley's hand.
Wilykit forced herself to be formal. . . even more so than her brother. She shook Wesley's hand and said, "Good morning, Cadet Crusher."
"I trust I can leave this situation in your more-than-capable hands?" asked Picard.
Wesley said, "Yes, sir. This begins on the Bridge."
"Just where I was headed," said Picard.
"Please follow me," said Wesley. The four went to the nearest turbolift and took it to the Bridge.
There, Picard stepped to the command chair and said, "I am not allowing children on the Bridge of my ship. By all records, the Thunder Kittens are 271/2 years old. Their being over 17 legally states that they are not children." He sat in his chair after Riker had moved. Wesley showed the Bridge to the Thunder Kittens, and, the longer he was neutral around Wilykit, the easier he found it to resist his urges to express his love in public. He would wait until later. He showed the whole Bridge to the Kittens, and he then showed them most of the ship. It only took about four hours. Yet, when he had returned to the Bridge to replace Data, he was nearly worn out; they were certainly two information sponges. "Very good," said Picard when Wesley told him he was ready. "You now replace Mr. Data at 11.30." Mr. Data stepped away from Ops. Wesley sat in the chair. He refamiliarised himself with the station as Data took a seat in Counsellor Troi's spot. "ETA to Hawkhaven, Mr. Crusher?"
Wesley performed a computation. "At present course and speed," he reported, "we should be there in about a day."
"Thank you," said Picard.
* * *
Holodeck 4, Deck 11.
Wesley was tired. He had forced himself to remain neutral with the Thunder Kittens, and he had to remain awake at Ops. He wanted a little bit of R&R before bed, and he wanted to try out this program Lwaxana had shown to Alexander. Maybe that mud would soothe his body. Maybe. . . no, he would not even attempt to engage a sexual encounter with Wilykit, not yet. He did not know her well enough yet. When he arrived at Holodeck 4, however, a new program was running. He had not seen it before. He studied the title for a moment. 'Romulus.' Romulus? As in Romulans? He wondered what it was like. He entered. It was simply beautiful. As he stepped in, he hardly heard the door shut behind him. Of all of the holodeck programs he had seen, this was by far the most beautiful. The centre of the Romulan Empire was really this gorgeous. He had really been to Betazed, and not even that was as beautiful as Romulus in a holodeck. He had originally wondered why the creatures originating from this planet could have been so bent on other races' destruction. No other homeworld planet to which he had been was this beautiful. He believed that the Romulans thought that, since other races' homeworlds were not so stunning, they were superior to the other races. Wesley believed it to be that and went to find the user or users of this program. On the way to find the user or users, he wondered who that or those might be. Worf? Probably not. Too beautiful for Klingon tastes. Dr. Selar? Probably not. Vulcans were not usually affected by beauty. Troi? Unknown. Almost everyone he thought of was either too passive to appreciate it, too hostile to the Romulans to have done it, or not likely for other reasons to have done it. The only ones it boiled down to were the Thunder Kittens. Of course, he mused. They might want to find out about the worlds of the Federation's allies and enemies.
* * *
It took several minutes of exploring before he found himself on the edge of a small forest. It was similar to one of Earth; it had just become autumn, and the leaves were beginning to change colours. And when the leaves here changed colour, boy, did they! The beauty of these leaves was unsurpassed by anything he had seen before. He wandered into the forest, and he saw that the trees were not very dense. He heard some limbs making noises, and a small twig fell to his feet. He looked up. The Thunder Kittens were leaping from limb to limb. He envied their cat-like agility. However, he noticed before anyone else that Wilykit's next limb was cracked. He felt he would not be able to shout loud enough to make her hear him. He had to pray that he could catch her and save her.
* * *
Sickbay, Deck 12.
"Mom, do something!" said Wesley in pain. "My arms hurt!"
Running the healing device over Wesley, Beverly said, "Well, maybe you shouldn't have tried that."
"If I hadn't," said Wesley, "she might not have sprung to her feet. Her back might have been broken. I prefer my broken arms over her broken back." Beverly commenced reattaching the arms' bones.
Wilykit said, "Thank you for saving me, Wesley. It was a very noble gesture."
"Don't mention it," said Wesley. Wilykit spun around to Wilykat.
"Why didn't you find that when we began, Wilykat?" she demanded.
"Sorry, Wilykit!" said Wilykat innocently. "I didn't even see that the branch was cracked. And, with it being a holodeck program, I assumed that it would re-create such things perfectly."
"Why were you on the Romulus program, anyway?" asked Wesley curiously.
"We wanted to see what it was like," said Wilykit. "Next, we were going to see Betazed."
Smiling, Wesley said, "Just promise me one thing, Wilykit."
"And that is?" she asked.
"Don't make me have to rescue you again," said Wesley. "Even with the failsafe program in place, you can still get seriously injured."
"I'll keep that in mind," she said. She planted a short, instant-long thank-you kiss on his cheek. "See you around. Later, Doctor."
"See you later," said Beverly. The Thunder Kittens left. "Okay, Cadet Wesley Crusher. Spit it out."
"Spit what out?" he asked innocently.
"You have love fever, don't you?"
"Can't we discuss it later?"
"Yes." The healing device healed Wesley's arms quite admirably.
* * *
The Thunder Kittens' Quarters, Deck 13.
Wilykat was looking out the viewport. Wilykit was lying on one of the beds. She was not daydreaming this evening. "So, 'Kit," said Wilykat. "Is there something going between you and Wesley?"
"Sort of," she answered. "You know when Wesley wanted to see me and I let him?"
"Yeah."
"Well, we talked. I understood him, and he understood me. I visually prompted him to do what was appropriate next, and it was the most exciting thing. . ."
"What did you do?" he demanded, instantly concerned.
"We kissed twice. Five seconds the first time; fifteen minutes the second time."
Wilykat was relieved. Of the more serious things they could have let themselves do at this early stage. . . "What was it like?"
"It felt very potent. I could feel love in abundance with those two kisses, more as time grew on."
"Then what happened?"
"He said we shouldn't continue right then, so we didn't. That was when he returned to the ship." "Do you love him?"
"Yes, I do, Wilykat, but I promise you it won't interfere with our relationship." Wilykat turned to her and smiled.
"I want to see my twin sister happy," he told her. "I couldn't do that if I interfered with her love life, now could I? I trust Wesley Crusher. . . now that he saved you at risk to his own arms."
"Thank you, Wilykat." Wilykat contemplated on going out. He decided to. "Where are you going, brother?"
Wilykat said, "I'm going out."
"Why?"
"I want to see another holodeck program. Also, if Wesley stops by, I don't want to be a hindrance." He smiled pleasantly at her and left.
* * *
Dr. Crusher's Quarters, Deck 7.
Wesley was dining with his mother and was contemplating whether or not to see Wilykit after he finished. "You seem a bit preoccupied tonight, son," said Beverly.
Wesley acknowledged this with a nod. He began when he had finished munching the piece of food in his mouth and had swallowed it. "It's about Wilykit," said Wesley. "Remember when I left to see her while you guys were talking to the other Thunder Cats?" Beverly nodded. "Well, we talked about ourselves. We understood each other. Then it happened. Her eyes. . . her eyes wanted me to do it. My emotions wanted me to do it. Even my conscience was telling me to do it. I even went to feel her emotions. They wanted it, and I kissed her."
"Hm!" said Beverly. "Some healthy stimulation."
"Well," said Wesley, "we kissed twice. The first time was five seconds. The second time was fifteen minutes." At this time, Beverly had finished chewing up her food in her mouth and was smiling at him.
"How did it feel?"
"Unique. The strange thing is that its effect really lasted for a long time after she kissed me. I can still feel it."
"I like the sound of that," said Beverly. "Means you've probably found the 'right one.' "
" 'Right one'?" asked Wesley.
"The right one for you," answered the doctor. "I think that the mistake Will Riker made was that he left Deanna Troi too soon. They were right for each other. Jack and I knew that we were right for each other."
"How do you know?"
"Ask Counsellor Troi," said Beverly. "But I'm a mother. I know these things. Wilykit appears to be an adorable young lady. What was it like when you first entered her room?"
"We didn't talk for fifteen minutes," said Wesley.
"I see," she asked. "Well, at first, good couples can be shy or confused around one another. I saw it when she kissed you on the cheek back in Sickbay. She loves you. Not just because you saved her life, but because you understood what her life was like. Tell me, did she know her parents?"
"No, not her natural ones."
"You never really knew your father."
"Luckily, both of us had someone to turn to. You helped me a lot, Mom. Tygra adopted her and Wilykat. I'm certain he raised them to the best of his ability."
"Yes, Wes. That's what I did. It wasn't easy at times. Lord knows, there were some times when I thought it was downright impossible. I'm sure Tygra went through that in rearing twins."
"Well, I'm going to see her as soon as I finish eating."
"You certainly are, young man." Wesley gave her a curious look, and she just smiled at him kindly.
* * *
The Thunder Kittens' Quarters, Deck 13.
Wilykit was reading a history of Betazed. Very peaceful world. For the most part, it joined the Federation out of fear of being blasted to bits by other nations. . . like the Romulan Empire, the Ferengi Alliance, or the Cardassian Union, all at the time hostile threats to the Federation. She knew now that there was an alliance with the Klingons and the Ferengi, and there was even so much as a little agreement with the Romulans. Of course, she knew from other readings that the Ferengi were not to be trusted. On the flip-side, the Klingons were a very strong ally. The Romulans were struggling to keep their own empire from falling apart because of dissent. She also had found out about the Cardassians. Ugly things, the Cardassians and the Ferengi. Honestly, if there were an ugly contest between the Ferengi, the Cardassians, and Mumm-ra, the Ferengi and Cardassians would win by a landslide vote over Mumm-ra. And she had thought Mumm-ra was ugly? She did until she saw a Cardassian commander and a Ferengi DaiMon. The Romulans, on the other hand, were not ugly. They just had longer ears and hooded eyes, that's all. And the Klingons only had a bony ridge on their face that the humans didn't have, though some humans thought it still made them ugly. She found humans and Betazoids, however, to be the most beautiful. Natural; she was more used to their kind of faces than any other race's face. And Wesley. . . she got her mind back on what she was reading. However, she desperately wanted to feel Wes with her again, talking to her with his strong, beautiful tenor voice. She wondered if she could teach him French. She laughed. She switched off the computer and allowed her mind to wander. . . until the door-buzzer rang. She recalled that she was still in her regular clothing, so she said, "Enter." Wesley was there, and he stepped in. "Hi, Wes."
"Hi, Wilykit." Wilykit sat up. "Where's Wilykat?"
"He decided to go back to the holodeck," said Wilykit.
"Want to go to Ten-Forward?"
She seemed slightly amused. "And get drunk?"
He was genuinely shocked. "No! That would be cheating on my part."
"Don't worry. The Thunderian digestive system can destroy the alcohol in wines and other alcoholic drinks before it renders ill effects upon the Thunderian, with only one exception." Wesley smiled.
"What about me?" he asked. "I'll get drunk."
"Then, don't order anything with addictive and intoxicating qualities. Just get a. . . a hot chocolate or something."
"How appropriate that you should mention my favourite drink!" Wesley stepped to her bed and sat next to her. "You are beautiful," he told her. She moved to try to kiss him, but he gently pushed her away.
"Why?"
"One reason I came down here is to try to keep us from lunging to each other all the time."
"It felt easier - a billion times easier - to resist in Sickbay than it does now."
"Well, maybe that's because there aren't a billion people here."
"Yeah."
"-Sigh.- I guess we need to work on control a little more." They kissed again.
* * *
Holodeck 4, Deck 11.
She was going to talk to Wilykat. The computer had told her that Wilykat was in Holodeck 4, so she went there. She looked at the selection. 'Betazed.' She entered. Wilykat, who was sitting on the ground of the holodeck program, looked at the door as it opened and saw her. "Hi, Doc," said Wilykat. "What's up?"
"Nothing much," said Beverly. "Not for me, anyway. It's awfully hard being a mother whose son is in love."
"It's awfully hard being a brother whose sister is in love," said Wilykat. "But who are we to interrupt them? We'd be callous, more callous than Montresor when he buried Fortunato behind the brick wall in the catacomb tomb in Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado.' " Beverly smiled. He knew some Terran literature.
"You're right, Wilykat," said Beverly. "Now, I promise you that Wesley would never hurt your sister intentionally." Wilykat looked up at her.
"I know," he said. "But Wilykit's been preoccupied ever since she met Wesley. And I can assure you that Wilykit would never intentionally harm your son."
"Are you jealous?" asked Beverly after a few minutes.
Wilykat answered, "To be honest, yes. Wilykit and I have spent most of our lives together. Now, I feel slightly cut off from her."
"Don't worry. You're her brother. Most likely, she's closer to you than to anyone else. Give her a little time."
"I know, Dr. Crusher. You're right."
* * *
Ludwig's Warbird.
"I never knew," said Ludwig, disgusted, "that Wilykit could possibly perform such obscene acts."
"Obscene?" demanded Larry, swinging around. "Those 'obscene acts,' as you call them, symbolise physical love. I may not be the one to say this, but I think that the important mental stuff has been engaged already."
"I find myself reluctantly forced to agree with you," said Ludwig. I have yet to experience this love. Perhaps, oh gloriously, perhaps I shall never be forced to undergo that disgusting thing called love! The repulsive lunging at another body; the uncontrollable physical sensations; disgusting sperm and kissing! Besides, what woman would willingly mate with one so evil as I? With magic, I can more economically produce offspring than others have to by draining their energy. He felt this for only one reason, a terrible thing that happened while he was fifteen years old. Something beeped at Mouser's station, knocking him out of these thoughts. "What is it, Mouser?"
"Ah-hah!" said Mouser. "Prince L., I believe I have something rather interesting here." Ludwig went over to Mouser.
"Yes, Mouser?" asked Ludwig.
"When Q re-closed his gate," explained the dirty rat, "he failed to augment the proper powers to seal it enough so that we couldn't break through." Ludwig smiled. Just what he had been expecting.
"Excellent. Now, let it be known that not even Q is perfect. Larry, bring us in front of the Enterprise and de-cloak!"
"Aye, sir!" said Larry, initiating the command as Ludwig was going to the command seat.
The Warbird swung out to one thousand light-years in front of the Enterprise, stopped, and de-cloaked.
* * *
Thunder Kittens' Quarters, Deck 13, Enterprise.
Wilykit and Wesley were interrupted from their activities when the alarm sounded the Red-Alert. "Oh, no! Not now!" begged Wesley.
"No use begging, my dear," said Wilykit.
"You're right. See you later."
"I'll come up a moment after you."
"Okay." Wesley left. A few moments after that, Wilykat swung in.
"Red-Alert," said Wilykat needlessly. He grabbed his pellet-belt and put it on. He gave Wilykit hers, and Wilykit put it on. They left for the Bridge.
* * *
Main Bridge.
"It's the same ship," said Riker. The Enterprise was stopped several thousand kilometres away from the Warbird. At that moment, the Thunder Kittens made their entrance from TurboLift 2.
"Well, if Ludwig isn't here," said Wilykat, looking at the screen.
"This time," said Worf, "their forward disruptor array is fully charged, and their shields are at maximum."
Wilykit said, "Ludwig would be a devil of a lot more dangerous if he actually knew how to use that ship." Unfortunately, he really did. Something on Tactical beeped.
"We are being hailed," said Worf. He pressed audio.
Ludwig's malevolent voice said, "This is Prince Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa, ruler of the Kingdom of the Evil Koopas and commander of the Brain-Team. Please respond, Enterprise." Worf looked to Picard, who nodded.
"Visual," said Picard. Worf pressed a series of buttons. The viewscreen reverted to a view of Ludwig. "This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation Starship Enterprise, and. . ."
"I know who you are, what that ship is, and why you're here, so you needn't waste your breath, you who are one of those whom that worthless Q decided to protect from my power!" barked Ludwig. "And please forgive me; I am not usually in such a bad humour." He looked over to the Thunder Kittens. "You little creeps. Why couldn't you two stay back at Cat's Lair where you belong?"
Wilykit was half-infuriated. "Why don't you stay at Metroid where you belong and donate that ship to the N-Team, you rotten snake? You've wasted valuable supplies in building it."
"Wasted!" demanded Ludwig incredulously. "You are the ones who would waste it by helping the innocent!"
"Put a cork in it, lizard-snout!" exploded Wilykat. "And, if you know what is good for you, you won't make us have to come over there and fix your wagon!"
Ludwig was genuinely afraid. "No! Don't. . ." He regained his composure. "Damn you, Thunder Kittens. I was not even here to do a single thing to the Enterprise."
"Sure," said Wilykat facetiously. "Now, look, von(Bowser)Koopa! If you so much as harm a representative particle on this ship's hull, Wilykit and I shall see to it personally that you spend your time in jail for doing it!"
"Go to hell!" snapped Ludwig. "And I mean it!" The screen reverted to the view of the Warbird, which went past the Enterprise and recloaked.
"To the same place with that little smarty-pants!" exclaimed Wilykat. The entire Bridge was looking at him. "Well, what'd you expect for me to do? Just sit around?"
"Well," said Picard, "what about a diplomatic future with him?"
"Captain," said Wilykit, "his kingdom, as he so embellishes the monarchy, is a group of evil rebels whom his father, King Bowser Koopa, most likely subjugated. Talking about a diplomatic future with him is like tossing a dozen molecules of ice into Sol to cool it down."
"And what we say about him is darned mild compared to what other members on our team have to say," said Wilykat. "They really express how much they despise him. . . most of all, someone called Darkwing Duck."
Picard said, "Hm. Lt. Worf, where is he headed in that Warbird of his?"
Worf performed the necessary calculations. Almost surprised, he said, "He is on a direct course for the area of the Q gate through which we just came."
"What would he want there?" wondered Picard. "Q hasn't let him through before."
"Well," said Wesley, "let's entertain for a moment the supposition that Q made a slight mistake."
"What kind?" asked the captain.
"That section of the gate might be weaker and susceptible to that ship's disruptor cannons." The entire Bridge crew turned silent and stared at Picard and Wesley.
"What?" Captain Picard softly exclaimed.
"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Wilykit, turning to face the screen. "Uh, oh!"
"Uh, oh?" asked Wilykat. He turned to the screen. "What do you mean. . .? Uh, oh!!" The huge warship faded slightly into view, hit the Enterprise full on her shields with a disruptor blast, and recloaked, all in one second. "I hate him and his tactics!" He looked through the viewport on the ceiling. "Look out!" Ludwig's ship did the same tactic again. The Enterprise wobbled, and the Red-Alert alarms sounded. Worf performed some functions.
"All weapons ready," announced the Klingon. The Warbird made a third try at its lethal tactic. . . not long enough for Worf to get a positive lock.
"Fire phasers anywhere, Mr. Worf," ordered Picard. Worf complied. The phasers blasted in every possible direction. . . until they delivered a hit on an object in front of them. The enormous ship was forced to decloak. "Fire again." Worf pressed the fire button. The phaser hit a shield around the enormous ship.
"Negligible effect on their shields, sir," reported Worf. "However, ours are down to 90%." The Warbird turned away from the Enterprise and truly went on the course on which it had pretended to go when attempting to trick the Enterprise.
"Go after them!" ordered Picard.
"You don't need to," said Wilykat. "They will be taken care of." Picard nodded in understanding.
To Data, Picard said, "Belay that order, and proceed on course to Hawkhaven." Data did as ordered. "Wilykat, would you please come with me into my Ready-Room?" Wilykat nodded. "You have the Bridge, Number One." As Picard and Wilykat entered the former's Ready-Room, Will Riker took the command seat, and Wesley took that of the first officer. Wilykit, intentionally, sat at the seat on the left end of the command horseshoe.
Wesley was quite impressed. This was some strong-willed lady. He was glad he had found out before any accidental underestimation was made on his part. He looked at a chronometer. It was 22.00. He smiled as he contemplated his thoughts.
But he smiled more about his love of Wilykit than about any physical act he could possibly contemplate.
Wilykit was thinking absolutely the same thing.