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Within the Bonds

by Zlanna@AOL.com

Guinan watched the Betazoid's eyes tear up. Chandra looked away, watching Deanna dancing with her eyes closed, her head leaning against Will's shoulder, a smile on her lips as Will whispered in her ear. Because of her friendship with Deanna, Chandra, unlike many telepaths who looked down on empaths, had studied to develop her empathic abilities and the deep feelings of love that eminated from the Commander had not been present before either. Chandra closed her eyes, then looked up again at Guinan's gentle but stern expression.

"I don't know how you found out," the El-Aurian began, "but you cannot change what is going to happen."

Chandra swallowed realizing that Guinan's telepathic abilities were even greater than her mother's had been. She had never met one of the time travellers from this race, but Chandra knew better than to deny her knowledge of the future. "I know. I was warned. I'm not planning on telling them, it just seemed that they deserve to spend their last hours together. What harm can come of them finally telling each other how they feel?"

"The harm can come if one guesses what is going to happen and they try to alter the way things are supposed to unfold." Guinan shifted her gaze toward the couple. "I can't tell you how many times, I have tried to encourage the two of them to tell the other how they feel, but they resist. If they have wasted the time allotted them, it is their fault alone. I know it sounds harsh, but that is how it must be. Now tell me how you found out."

"My husband's latest research involves the study of time anomalies. While investigating a disturbance we met a most remarkable time traveller.

"And he told you of their future?" Guinan asked incredulously.

"He spoke of the Enterprise and I mentioned that I had grown up with Deanna Troi and knew Commander Riker. He did not know I was a telepath and I read his thought of the story of the Mission of Hagarula. I asked him about the mission as if I already knew about it and he had made the mistake of believing it had already occurred and he could safely discuss it. After he left, I took the first ship out to rendezvous with the Enterprise. I know how much they care for each other. I just couldn't, couldn't resist trying to let them have this one night of happiness before it is too late." Chandra's tears were flowing freely now.

Guinan laid a hand on Chandra's. "They will be back soon. Don't let them suspect anything. I doubt it will do any good, but I don't see the harm in your trying to give them one last night together."

Chandra's head snapped up suddenly and Guinan was surprised to see the look of calm that had replaced the tear streaked countenance of a few moments before. Following her gaze, Guinan realized that Deanna Troi was standing in front of them. "Chandra, we, we are leaving now. I probably won't see you tonight, if that's okay." Deanna's face was beaming and glancing over towards Riker, Guinan saw that Riker was impatiently waiting for Deanna's return. Returning her gaze to Deanna, Guinan saw that the Counselor had a very puzzled look on her face, which gradually turned into something else. "No!" She whispered. Guinan was not nearly as good at cleansing her mind as the Betazoids and she realized in terror that Counselor Troi had somehow picked up on her emotions. "No. God no. Guinan! Tell me you are wrong." Guinan had no idea how the Counselor had come to understand the change of events that were to take place the following day, but matters only went from bad to worse when Guinan brought her eyes up to meet Troi's. Swallowing hard, Deanna stole a quick look at Chandra who remained impossible to read. "Which one of us?" Deanna asked.

Guinan only shook her head. She didn't have the heart to answer, for hers was already breaking for the young couple that never seemed to get the chance they deserved.

Chandra's voice broke the silence. "Deanna, go to Will and don't waste a moment. None of us know how much time is left us. You should make the most of every moment allotted you." Chandra's smile was wide and comforting. Deanna turned once again to Guinan who now had her emotions under control as well.

"I believe,Counselor," Guinan nodded toward Riker, "someone is waiting for you."

Deanna looked at Chandra for reassurance but none came. She turned back toward Will. Suddenly she believed it made sense. Perhaps they neither one had much time left. If that were true, they would have at least this night, she thought as squared her shoulders and forced a smile on her face for the second time that evening. Will Riker's grin was wide and sincere as he saw Deanna approach but it only lasted a moment. Something was wrong, he felt it, even though he couldn't say why and the feeling of eminent disaster hung in the back of his thoughts.

The sounds of the waltz carried out the reception area into the hall as Will and Deanna made their way back to their quarters. They had joined hands almost as if by mutual consent, neither one making the first move but both reaching for the other's hand at the same time. After a brief walk they stopped in front of Deanna's quarters. Smiling, Deanna stepped inside and Will followed heading immediately to the spot on her couch he usually chose to occupy whenever he visited. "Chandra has an agenda." he began.

Deanna smiled, fighting the feelings of regret and nostalgia she felt as she watched him. "She always was a romantic." Deanna crossed the room to sit down next to him. He turned to face her as he sat next to her and nonchalantly put one arm behind her on the couch back. He didn't speak but watched her for a while. "So when we were dancing I got the distinct impression you had thought it was time to risk a relationship even if we are on the same ship."

"Maybe," Deanna stopped in order to consider her words carefully, "maybe worrying about such a concern was a mistake."

"Maybe?" Riker leaned over and kissed her hair, closing his eyes as he did so, in order to fully appreciate the nearness of her. Deanna slowly brought her lips to his. They both jumped at the insistent drone of the Red Alert siren. Riker laughed, "I hope this isn't how it is always going to be."

Deanna's eyes were wide with fear. Fear that this was the start of the disaster that would result in their deaths.

Ten minutes later Will Riker arrived on the bridge of the Enterprise, followed closely by Counselor Troi. Both were still in their dress uniforms they had worn during the reception. Captain Picard was seated in his command chair, leaning forward watching the view screen with interest. Following his example, Troi studied the green Orion male curiously.

"Captain Picard, I know the story sounds strange, but it is true. Surely you have heard that there have been changelings throughout the Federation, impersonating people, sometimes, very influential people with a hidden agenda in mind." The Orion looked troubled and Troi could tell he was losing hope that Picard would help him.

"Proof, Xix, that is all I request." Picard insisted.

"Proof could be given, if you come here. It would be impossible to provide on your ship." Xix shifted uncomfortably in his metal chair.

Picard studied the Orion for a moment longer. "Let me confer with my staff."

The com link was cut and Picard turned to Troi. "What do you think, Counselor? Xix believes that the entire station has been overrun by changelings out to mysteriously attack the Enterprise."

Troi swallowed hard trying to prepare her recommendation independent of her knowledge of her personal future. "I sense no deceit on his part, Sir, nor could I detect any paranoia, beyond the obvious on his part. He does not seem to be abnormal in his thought processes." The counselor sat back in her seat. She ventured a glance toward Riker who was regarding her suspiciously.

"Recommend that we beam down and take a look for ourselves at this "proof", Sir. If," Riker nodded at Troi, "the Counselor has no objections."

"No." Deanna replied, but she could not bring herself to look Riker in the eye. She felt she had just signed his death warrant.

"Agreed, Number One. Take a team and beam down." Picard replied.

Riker turned to the Security Chief, "Dugan, you and Data are with me." Next Riker hit his com badge, "Doctor Crusher, report to Transporter room 2."

Troi watched the team members rise to leave. "What about me?"

Riker shot her a side look that spoke volumes. Few dared to question the Commander's choice of away team members and he raised his jaw, clenching his teeth as if daring her to protest further.

Picard watched the exchange with interest, interceding before the battle of wills went any further, "Actually, Commander, I do believe that the Counselor would be of value on this mission given that there is the charge that changelings are involved."

"Excuse me, Sir." Riker spit the words out so that even Picard was taken aback, "but the Counselor is not particularly adept at distinguishing between duplicates and those they are imitating."

"Nevertheless Number One, I believe that I would like the Counselor to accompany your team." Picard announced. He waited for Riker to argue the point further, but instead, Riker simply nodded his consent.

Data and Dugan had already left for the transporter room. Troi waited until she and Riker were alone in the lift by themselves. "That comment about duplicates was unfair, Will Riker. Are you going to tell me why you didn't want me to go with you?" She challenged.

Will turned slowly to her. "Halt." he ordered. Troi felt the anger leave him as he turned toward her. "It is one of the first rules you learn in selecting a team. You don't pick someone who is hiding something." Deanna dropped her eyes to the floor. "Or," Riker continued, "is scared. You," again he softened his voice, "Imzadi, are hiding something from me and you are scared. In fact, ever since last night when it looked like we were going to finally get together, you have been acting like a woman who is being led to the gallows." He waited for her answer which did not come. "Tell me what you are hiding from me."

Deanna stood in the turbolift debating what to say. She searched his face, feeling the concern mixed with the fear of rejection that he unconsciously projected. No matter the wisdom of revealing what the future held, she wasn't going to lie to him. She never had before and she wasn't going to start now. "Will," her voice almost cracked and she struggled to regain it.

His face softened and he pulled her to him. "No matter what it is, we can face it." he whispered, kissing her hair. For a moment she believed he might just let it go, but instead he added, "Deanna, tell me what is going on. It can't be as bad as what I'm imagining."

Deanna looked up, the tears resting in her eyes. "If you knew something was terrible was going to happen, would you tell someone if you might affect the time line?"

"Define bad." Will replied, but Deanna could tell from his fear that he already knew her meaning.

"I don't know, maybe I'm wrong." Deanna realized she was clinging to him, her arms wrapped around him holding on as tight as she could trying to forestall the inevitable.

"I think Deanna, that the future is malleable. Why couldn't we change our future? It hasn't happened yet." Will kissed her. "Let's be careful and get this mission over and see what happens when we get back, okay?" He wore one of his grins that mesmerized her so many times before.

Deanna studied his face trying to memorize every feature for fear this would be her last chance to do so. She smiled back at him but she couldn't resist adding, "I love you, Will."

"I love you too Counselor, but that was one of the saddest declaration of love, I've ever heard. Come on, let's get going or we are going to miss the away party! Continue", he ordered the computer.

Deanna frowned at the terrible pun, but nodded. There was so much else to say, but she knew he would be uncomfortable if she tried to voice her fears and there was a good chance he would leave her on board the Enterprise. No matter what happened, she would prefer to be at his side."

The rest of the team were surprised to see the Counselor mount the transporter pad, but it was obvious that Commander Riker had been overruled. Riker for his part, talked briefly to the transporter officer and then turned to the rest of the team. "Lets be careful this time." He nodded briefly, then gave the order to "Energize." Deanna felt the tension of the group increase considerably. Commander Riker never had been heard to warn a team to be careful in all the years they had served with him. His confidence was legendary and never even acknowledged that a team would not be totally prepared for anything. Deanna recognized in his words, and in his thoughts that the First Officer had finally understood exactly what she was worried about and although he could control his fear, he wasn't above feeling it as he did now.The planet of Hagarula was unique for its red atmosphere and red soil. The chemicals in both the air and the ground gave the color to the sky and the dirt. Lush vegetation grew all around the barren space where the team had materialized. Riker had deliberately had the transporter officer beam the team down outside of one of the major cities, although the population was so dense, that their beam in area was little more than park between cities. Houses loomed ahead and in the distant sky, short range transports could be seen travelling to unknown destinations. Visitors to Hagarula were always surprised at the coolness of the air since the warm visual hues and abundant plant life tricked the mind into expecting that the planet would be warm in temperature also. Instead the air was brisk. Starfleet uniforms were designed to make the wearer comfortable under most Class M planet climates, but the exposed parts of the body still suffered from the low temperatures. Everyone immediately began pulling out gloves.

Commander Riker turned to Data. "Data what do the sensors report?"

The phaser fire came suddenly from the militia hidden in the fauna. There was no warning. Counselor Troi had not sensed the beings that had watched the team from the moment they had appeared. Commander Data had not noticed the attack team on his sensors which puzzled him as he stood among his fallen comrades. His last thought was, "I must warn the Captain." His hand was reaching for the communicator badge when the second round of phaser fire hit him square in the chest. Sparks flew and bright, blue streaks of energy erupted from the positronic brain of the android and reconnected with his neural net, but the backup systems were inoperative. It was exactly how Data had always imagined his demise. He hit the ground inches from the intertwined bodies of Counselor Troi and Commander Riker.

Picard sat back in his command chair awaiting the report from the away team. Reports of the arrival of the team on the surface came in through the communications officer. The quiet of the bridge was broken abruptly as Lt. Markoff announced, "Sir, I have lost all life signs of the team."

Picard turned quickly toward Markoff's station behind the command chair. "What do you mean? Sensor malfunction?"

The tall, lanky Lt. scanned the readouts for a moment, then announced, "Checking, Sir. No, no malfunction. There was a massive energy burst followed by the signal loss."

Picard thought quickly. "Data's signal?"

Markoff brushed a strand of his red hair off his face, "I'm receiving no beacon from Commander Data."

Picard never hesitated, "Beam them back. Beam them directly to sickbay."

Sir, we can't get a lock on them, there is some sort of interference.

Lt. Commander Flick at operations was new to the Enterprise, although he had logged twelve years in with Starfleet. Twelve years of academic teaching at the academy. His specialty was tactical and so he sat at the helm. When he first noticed the vessels on the readout he had made a mistake that Data or Riker would never have made - he checked the readouts again before announcing, "Two unknown vessels approaching at velocity of warp 2, shields up and weapons armed, Sir." It was precious time that Picard could not afford to lose.

"Hailing frequencies." Picard ordered unsure of the distance of the ships since Flick had failed to mention that incoming vessels were within firing range.

The Enterprise rocked with the first volley. With her shields down in an attempt to retrieve the away team, she took a massive hit port side.

"Damage report!" Picard screamed as he listened to the casualty lists streaming in. Picard thoughts turned to his lost away team. "Go to red alert. Shields up."

"Captain, this is LaForge. We have extensive damage here, Sir. We can't maintain the shields."

Taking one last look at the red planet of Hagarula Picard gave the order, "heading 02.35.68, fastest speed - engage." In his heart he promised he would return."

To be con't.

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I only do this for the pleasure of Imzadi fans. If you enjoyed the story or if you have suggestions, please send your comments to Zlanna@AOL.com.