TNG 18 - Q-in-Law (c) by Star Trek

Author:Star Trek [Star Trek]
Language: deu
Format: epub
Tags: \Star Trek
Publisher: Pocket Books.
Published: 2011-01-02T07:59:37.284000+00:00

“Worf reports all is well,” said Picard rather unnecessarily, since Deanna had heard Worf perfectly. She was seated opposite the captain, her hands still moving in uncomfortable fidgets.

“Yes, I know.”

“You disagree with that assessment?”

Deanna paused, uncertain of what to say. She looked terribly vulnerable, as if the slightest harsh word would cause her to crack and shatter. Finally, all in a rush she said, “Captain, I am truly, truly frightened for my mother. I’m afraid that she has let herself in for more than she can handle.”

“Counselor,” said Picard slowly, “you, of course, know your mother far better than I. But I must say that in the time that I have known her, I consider Lwaxana Troi a woman who is perfectly capable of handling anything.”

“With all due respect, Captain, the last time you talked of people being capable of handling anything, you were speaking of this crew as a whole. That was right before we were tossed light-years from home and the Borg almost killed us. And you will recall that Q was involved in that instance too.”

She sounded surprisingly brittle. It was an indication to Picard of just how much her concern was weighing on her. “Deanna—” he began.

“All she has to do is say the wrong thing!” said Deanna. “One wrong word, and Q could wipe her out of existence.”

“He won’t do that.”

“How do we know that?” she demanded. “Q does as he pleases, whenever he pleases. He’s like an . . . an anti - Prime Directive. My mother is a very forceful and demanding personality, and who knows what she might do to set Q off. And I can’t persuade her to use caution! I can’t convince her that it’s madness.” She looked up from her wringing hands. “Perhaps you could.”

“Me?”

“Yes. She looks up to you. She respects you.”

“She wants me,” Picard said testily. “Not that I’ve ever encouraged her, as you well know.”

“I’m aware of that, Captain.”

He pulled slightly on his uniform top. “She was absolutely fixated on me when she was last here. Made me so uncomfortable I had to retreat to the holodeck.” His eyes narrowed as he pinned Deanna with a look. “I do not retreat lightly. I’ve faced down angry Candellian pirates and berserk Ferengi, and have not retreated. But your mother drove me into hiding. That was not a course I undertook lightly. And that is the sort of personality that is going up against Q. I’d say that Q has his work cut out for him. Now, I’ve told Q that I am not pleased with the current state of affairs, but to be blunt, if your mother is welcoming him with open arms, it puts me on somewhat shaky ground. She is a guest and—God help us all—so is Q. Her wishes have to be considered.”

“What about my wishes, Captain?” she said. “What about my concerns? Captain—you would help me if I gave such strong advice on any crew member here. Certainly my mother deserves at least that much consideration.

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