Bridge, Marcus.

"We are in orbit about Cardassia, sir," reported the pilot.

            "Good," said Veral.  "Sub-Commander Karal, do you remember the experimental phasing device?"

            "Yes, sir," reported the subcommander.  "However, it cannot be used in conjunction with the cloaking device.  It offers better protection, but it would render us detectable."

            Sighing, Veral said, "Nothing's perfect.  Proceed to order that it be connected, Karal."

            "Yes, sir," said Karal.  He proceeded to Engineering to have the prototype phasing device connected.  When he returned to the Bridge seven minutes later, he said to Veral, "Sub-Commander Laseko has had the prototype phasing device connected, sir.  He did warn me that the cloak and the phaser could not be active simultaneously."

            "Understood," said Veral.  "Please re-take your station."

            "Yes, sir."  Karal took his station.  "Phasing device awaiting activation."

            "Decloak; engage the phasing device," said Veral.  As the ship became visible, it became phased.

            "We are now phased, Commander," said Karal.  "We are visible yet invulnerable."

            "We can pass through almost any form of normal matter," remarked Veral.

            "Or energy," added Karal.  "Or such would be able to pass through us.  Any Cardassian attack would be useless against us.  It would be best, however, to get through with this as quickly as possible.  The phasing device is using slightly more energy than expected."

            "Yes," said Veral.  "Get started at once."  They got started reading the Cardassian computer network.

            The pilot soon said, "Commander, we have company. . . the ship suspected of forcefully commandeering the three Romulan ships which were heading for Cardassia."

            * * *

            Bridge, Warbird.

            "Some morons!" commented Larry.  "Sitting there, uncloaked, shields down!"

            "Yep, they may be Romulans, but they have the brains of jellyfish!" said Morton.  "How entirely stupid they are!  Oh, the stupidity they have!"

            Larry said, "Shut up, and fire at the Romulans with our disruptors before they fire at us with theirs!"

            "Yes, my evil brother!" said Morton, charging the disruptors.  "Firing at them."  The forward disruptor array blasted at the Romulan Warbird's 'head.'  To the Koopas' surprise, the disruptor beam went directly through the Romulan ship, exited through its 'tail,' and did not affect one particle of it!

            "How in the hell did that happen?!?" demanded Larry, jumping up.

            * * *

            Bridge, Marcus.

            Surprised despite the circumstances, the pilot reported, "The disruptor beam went through our ship without affecting a molecule of it, Commander."

            "The intelligence information is now aboard in our computer banks," added Karal.

            "Good," said Veral.  "Now, let's speak with those who would destroy us."

            * * *

            Bridge, Warbird.

            "I'll be damned," said Bowser.  "Larry, the Romulans are calling us."

            "Respond!" snapped Larry.  Commander Veral appeared on the screen.  "I am Prince Larry Koopa of the Evil Koopa Kingdom and am in command of the Warbird."

            "I am Commander Veral of the Romulan Warbird Marcus," said Veral.  "Please explain your attempt to destroy us."

            "My kingdom is allied to the Cardassian Union," said Larry.  "Explain your presence in Cardassian space, Romulan."

            "Scientific research," said Veral.

            "You are lying," said Larry.  "Our sensors indicate that you have penetrated the Cardassian security net and copied all intelligence files to your computer system aboard your ship."

            "What are you going to do about it?" asked Veral tauntingly.  "We are phased.  Forget about searching the three ships you captured; only the Marcus has a phasing device."

            Larry tapped a button on his console, and the screen reverted to the view of the Marcus.  "They are phased, sir," called Mouser from the science station.  "We cannot harm them."

            Morton said, "They're turning toward Romulus, Larry.  They are also cloaking."

            "Something interesting," said Mouser.  "They're also dephasing."

            "Leave 'em be," said Larry.  "Get Ludwig on the horn."

            * * *

            Darkwing Duck's Restaurant, Darkwing Duck's Earth.

            Wesley and the Thunder Kittens were conversing when Steelheart came to the table.  "Hello, guys."

            "Hey, Steelheart," Wilykit greeted.  "What's up?"

            "According to the Romulans," said Steelheart, "the IWB Marcus, which had saved the Klingon and Ferengi vessels from attacks by the Cardassians, has now successfully obtained intelligence from Cardassia.  Since the Marcus was equipped with a phasing device - the only Romulan ship with such - Ludwig's Warbird could not successfully stop it.  The Marcus is going toward Romulus.  Captain Picard has returned.  He said that he called his Earth via our communications system and that he told Starfleet Command that the Romulans would accept that the Federation has made a phase-cloaking device."

            "They're hiding something," said Wilykit.

            "Yes," said Wilykat.  "Bothers them much to think about that 'something.'  It was isolated and named only recently.  Well, actually, it's two somethings.  Two elements in the same period on the periodic table that are dreadfully weakening the Romulan people."

            "What are these substances?" asked Steelheart.

            "I believe that their names are romulum-239 and romulon-240, whose atomic numbers are 119 and 120 respectively," said Wilykat.  "The former is both a halogen and an alkali metal, the latter a noble gas.  Neither is radioactive, but both are harmful to Romulans.  Romulum has been found combined with iron in all buildings on Romulus and Remus.  Iron diromulide reacts with any halogen-containing compound to form iron, the elements or compounds joined formerly with the halogen, and a romulum halide.  For example, ferrous romulide, FeRo₂, and lithium fluoride, LiF, react to form iron, Fe, lithium, Li, and romulum fluoride, RoF.  Often, Romulon, Ro, catalyses the reaction."

            "How'd you find all of that out, Wilykat?" asked Steelheart.

            "I couldn't help it.  The Romulans' thoughts, as well as most everyone else's, just enter my mind.  I have not yet developed mental shielding."

            Wilykit added, "According to Troi, my li'l bro and I are the only ones who do not need it.  She knows of nothing that would make us have to learn it."

            Having nodded, Steelheart said, "Well, I'll see you three later.  If you'll excuse me."  She made her way back to the central table.

            Being careful not to harm her, Wilykat softly kicked Wilykit in the left leg with his right foot.  "Hey!" said the latter Kitten.

            "Don't call me 'li'l bro,'. . . li'l sis!"

            "Why, you!"

            "Cool it, please," said Wesley.  "Can this not wait?"  Both Kittens were slightly embarrassed.

            "Yes, Wes," said Wilykit.

            "Yeah," said Wilykat.  In silence, they finished eating.  When they had done so, Wilykat said, "Pretty good."

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "I agree.  Let's skip dessert.  I'm full."

            "I am also full," said Wilykat.

            "So'm I," said Wesley.

            Wilykit frowned.  "Something doesn't feel right," she said.  She looked toward Lion-O.  "The Sword of Omens.  The Eye of Thundera does not see the danger yet.  But I see it.  I feel it chilling me.  It is like a shadow, dimming the light in this room."

            Wesley turned to Wilykat.  "What's she going on about?"

            "She's concentrating," said Wilykat.  "She's describing her telepathic feelings."

            "Yes, I am," said Wilykit.  "It feels very, very old. . .  It's centuries and centuries old.  It lives in a very dark and very evil place.  This place is shaped like a pyramid."

            "Mumm-ra," said Wilykat.

            "I believe so," said Wilykit.

            "I hate Mr. Band-Aid-Body!"

            "Mr. Band-Aid-Body?" asked Wesley.

            "That's to Mumm-ra as 'Sparkie' is to Mega Volt," said Wilykit.  Wesley nodded.  He knew his mother would be feeling some of this.

            "How can we warn the others?"

            "I really don't know, Wes.  I don't know."  She thought.  "Sword of Omens, tell Lion-O about the danger that I see."

            * * *

            At the central table, Tomalak and Torreth were telling about the danger of the Romulum and Romulon.  "If we do not get rid of our problem on Romulus and Remus," said Torreth, "the Romulan Empire will fall."

            "I see," said Steelheart.  "Very common in the Romulan system, you say?"

            "Very."  The Eye of Thundera became agitated.

            "Great," Lion-O said.  "More danger.  Just what we need."  He took the Sword by the handle, put the hilt, where was embedded the Eye of Thundera, to his eyes, and said, "Sword of Omens, give me sight-beyond-sight."  The hilt-apertures formed.  The Eye and his eyes glowed.  He saw Mumm-ra beginning to transform.  "Oh, Jaga.  Not Mumm-ra, too."  They had already discussed enemies and allies.  Therefore, none were confused as to the identity of this mummy.  Lion-O lowered the Sword, tapped his communicator, and began, "Wilykit, this. . ."  He was interrupted by a whirlwind in the middle of the round table.  It dissipated to reveal something much, much more terrible than a powerful tornado:  Mumm-ra, the Ever-Living.  His wicked laughter and clawed hands said his visit was not a courtesy call.  He pointed his right index finger at Picard.

            "Jean-Luc Picard, I presume!" said Mumm-ra.

            "Beat it, Mumm-ra," said Steelheart, getting up.  "This is a civilised meeting.  You are not welcome."

            "Do not worry," said Mumm-ra.  "I just dropped in to say, 'Hi.' "

            "Well," Steelheart continued sarcastically, "good evening, then.  How are you?"

            "I'm fine, thank you."

            "And now, beat it!"

            "Gladly!"  He blasted Picard with a knock-out blast.  "But MotherBrain needs Picard!"  Being sure to knock over the drinking glasses, Mumm-ra leapt onto the floor and grabbed Picard.  Before being able to drape him over his shoulder, however, someone flying horizontally, back down and parallel to the floor, feet-first smashed into Mumm-ra's stomach.  This person tossed him onto the floor by quickly turning horizontal, head-up; grabbing Mumm-ra's right arm with both hands; turning him to the left; moving his own feet to vertically, left-up, planted on Mumm-ra's back; and leaping off.  Mumm-ra crashed on the floor front-first, but Wilykat gracefully landed on all-twos next to Lion-O.

            "She's not getting 'im, Mumm-ra!" said Wilykit, coming up with Wesley right behind.  "Nice work, Wilykat."

            "You and your bright ideas, 'Kit," said Wilykat.  "Luckily, he wasn't ready."

            MotherBrain's voice came in the room and said, "Don't think you have beaten him, Thunder Kittens!  Hee, hee, hee!"  Picard and Mumm-ra were transported from the room.  "Don't bother looking for us!  We are sight-cloaked!  'Bye, do-gooders!  Hee, hee, hee!"

            In a second, Wesley's duties became startlingly apparent to him.  He was fully qualified for bridge-duty, as he had passed all the necessary tests.  He was also unspokenly captain of the flagship of the UFP.  Like it or not.  He tapped his communicator.  "Enterprise, one to beam up.  Energise."  He was beamed there.

            * * *

            Main Bridge, Enterprise.

            "Technically," said Data, "Wesley is now captain of this ship."

            Riker said, "I see.  Even if Captain Picard forgot to end the temporary rank?"

            "Even if that is so, Commander," said Data.  "Wesley is qualified.  At least three years in Starfleet Academy must have been completed, and the bridge officers' test must have been passed.  Wesley meets those requirements."

            "Very well.  Captain, what should we do?"

            Wesley said, "I'm not sure.  Could you join Dr. Crusher on the surface and continue with the meeting down there?"

            "Aye, sir," said Riker.

            "Then, please do so."  Riker nodded and left the Bridge.

            Data asked, "What will you do, sir?"

            "Judging from the Thunder Kittens' thoughts and experience, MotherBrain should be very happy right about now.  She would sooner croak than risk a member of the Brain-Team on a mission again tonight."

            "I see.  And you believe those thoughts of theirs?"

            "Yes.  Telepathic thoughts, according to Counsellor Troi, cannot be falsified."

            "Very well, sir."

            "Data," said Wesley, "might I see the files on the phased cloaking device?"

            "Certainly, sir.  However, I must say the following."  The log recorder snapped on with a beep at his first two words:  "Ship's Log, Stardate 48032.9:  Lieutenant Commander Data reporting.  Captain Jean-Luc Picard of this ship has been captured by the hostile Brain-Team while he was participating in the meeting with the Romulan commanders, the N-Team, and the remaining members of the SuperFriends, mentioned in his second supplementary log of this stardate.  As Cadet Wesley Crusher has fulfilled the requirements of being a bridge officer, has been declared acting captain by Captain Picard on Stardate 48027.4, and has not been relieved of that title by Captain Picard, he is now officially a captain, and it is my duty as second officer of this ship to let him take charge of this vessel.  Hence, Wesley Crusher is now captain of the Enterprise, NCC-1701-D.  End of log."  The log recorder snapped off after the last three words.  He then ordered, "Computer, transfer all command codes from Captain Jean-Luc Picard to Captain Wesley Crusher."  The computer did so.

            "Transfer complete," said the computer.  "U.S.S. Enterprise now under the command of Captain Wesley Crusher."

            "All right," said Wesley.  "Now, Data, please get me the files."

            "Aye, sir.  Please come with me."  They went up to the first science station and called up the files.  "What would you like done with them, sir?"

            "You and the other senior officers may just call me Wesley, Data," said Wesley.  "Transfer them to the terminal in the Ready-Room."

            "Aye, sir."  Data made the transfer.  "Transfer complete, sir."

            "Thank you.  You have the Bridge, Data."

            "Aye, sir."

            * * *

            Main Ready-Room.

            Wesley enjoyed looking over the specs for the cloaking device.  He saw some things that could be easily improved.  A comm-signal chirped.  Wesley tapped his communicator and said, "Crusher here."

            "Captain," said Data, "this is Data.  Admiral Jansen of Starfleet Command has called on subspace.  I have told him what has happened to Captain Picard, and he said that he wants to speak to you."

            "Very well, Commander," said Wesley.  "Patch 'im through."  The screen of his terminal showed Admiral Jansen, who looked approvingly at Wesley.

            "Picard usually did make good choices," remarked Jansen.  "That incident in the Academy didn't tarnish your reputation in the way it tarnished that of the other two, Captain Crusher.  You didn't let it."

            "Thank you, sir," said Wesley.

            "Now, I called you to ask how conversation with the Romulans was going."

            "Rather well."

            "The Cardassians are beginning to threaten the general area of the Deep Space Nine Station, Captain.  Romulan outposts have informed us that the Romulan Empire would be pleased to help us to neutralise any Cardassian threats.  In the meantime, the unarmed Romulan ships are heading for Betazed.  What about using the phase-cloaking device?  What have the Romulans said about that?"

            "They said and believed that we should use it, especially when necessary."

            "I see.  In that case, you have permission to use it, should the need arise.  I shall speak to you later.  Jansen out."  The terminal screen reverted to show the Federation's symbol, under which was the phrase, 'End of Transmission.'  Wesley tapped a key on the terminal, and the screen's image changed to where he presently was in reviewing the design of the phase-cloaking device.  He jotted down notes on his electronic padd with his stylus.  These notes described design alterations that would make the cloaking device more efficient and more effective.  Taking the padd, he got up and went out of the Ready-Room onto the Bridge.  As Wesley went over to him, Data rose from the command chair.

            "Data, could you have these alterations made to the cloaking device?" asked Wesley.  "From what I've studied, I think they will work."  He handed the padd to Data, who quickly read the alteration list.  He nodded.

            "I believe so, Wesley," said Data.  "I shall personally do so now, if you do not mind."

            "I don't," said Wesley.  "Go ahead."  Data left for Engineering.