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Within the Bonds

by Zlanna@AOL.com

************

Vandor was a short Xarian with the large, bald cranium of his race. His small legs and long arms gave his race a humorous appearance to most humanoids, but the Xarian curiosity was relentless, without ethics when it came to those they decided to examine. Vandor scurried up quickly, peering closely at the bodies that lay prostrate upon the ground.

"These two are fine specimens!" he announced excitedly. "The right age. One male and one female." He made his way over to Data. "This one is not a biological organism." He examined Beverly Crusher. "This one is a little older than the first female. I say we take these two." He pointed at Riker and Troi. Jilaor nodded quickly, then signalled his men to load the human pair in their ship and prepare to leave.

"What of the others?" Vandor asked.

"What of them?" Jilaor asked.

Vandor regarded the bodies on the ground. It seemed a shame to leave them. "It might be good to take the second female." He ventured.

"No room. Jilaor insisted. "Come. We don't have much time before their ship returns." Motioning to the two large, furry companions that stood still in the undergrowth of the vegetation, they came over to the ground and took on the shapes of the two humans that had been removed. Xix rubbed his hands together in satisfaction. "Well done, Jilaor. Your reward will be great for your help."

Jilaor gritted his teeth. "Our goals coincided Xix, that is all. I wish you luck. I must return these two to the laboratory."

On the Enterprise Picard tapped on his desk with his index finger. Finally he stabbed at the com link "Geordi, update report?"

"We should be operational in 1 standard hour, Sir." Geordi shook his head, tapping his com badge to end the conversation. "Just like I said ten minutes ago." he muttered to himself.

Patience was one trait Picard usually portrayed. Now however, sitting off licking their wounds, patience was failing him. He had one duty though to fill the tense hour ahead of him, "Lt. Commander Flick, please report to the my ready room."

All eyes were on the unfortunate Commander as he left his station and headed for a meeting with the Captain. Forty five minutes later, Lt. Commander Flick was grateful for Commander LaForge's interruption of Picard's lecture on the importance of announcing whether an approaching vessel is within firing range. It was a mistake Flick would never repeat.

"We are ready Captain, shields are restored to 85%.

Anticipation laced Picard's reply, "Acknowledged. Helm, return to Hagarula. Warp 8.

"Warp 8, Sir."

*****************

Two hours later, Commander Riker groaned as he awoke in the sickbay of the U.S.S. Enterprise. To his right, Deanna Troi also woke and seeing Riker next to her she grinned. So far so good. Apparently the transporter mechanism on this ship had been unable to detect the two changelings among the normal crew. From her waiting spot in the corner of the room, Chandra walked over to Riker's bed. "Good to see you again, Commander. You too, Counselor Troi."

Riker smiled at his colleague, "Yes, it is good to see you as well Chandra. It is a meeting a long time coming."

Chandra was glad to see the rest of her team, but she knew these two from working on past assignments with them. Neither one had her ability to duplicate to the level that she could even reproduce thought and memory patterns. Probing the thoughts of the Deanna changeling, Chandra was not surprised to learn that her associate was not able to reproduce the empathic abilities of the original Deanna Troi. That could be a source of trouble if they were not careful.

Captain Picard looked up from his position next to Beverly Crusher's biobed. "Will, Deanna. I'm glad to see you have recovered. I am anxious for your report on what happened on the planet."

Riker casually replied,"Yes, Sir. We were ambushed as soon as we arrived."

"None, Sir." Troi interrupted as she sat up with ease.

Picard regarded Troi for a moment. Interrupting the Commander during a briefing, no matter how informal was quite unusual for the counselor.

Riker sensed Picard was uneasy. "We only became conscious back here in sickbay Sir. How is the rest of the away team?"

Picard regarded his Number One officer carefully. "You are the only ones we have been able to revive. The others appear to have been stunned more severely than you two. Any explanation as to why that is true?

Troi and Riker looked at each other, "No Sir." Riker answered innocently.

"Very well." Picard regarded his two senior officers carefully. Both appeared to be a little disoriented, which was to be expected, but somehow their mannerisms didn't appear normal. Shrugging he reminded himself that was probably to be expected too.

*****************

Groaning Will Riker tried to rouse himself to consciousness. Lying next to him was the body of Deanna Troi. Examining her he found her hand was clammy, as was his own, but he did find a pulse. After determining that she was alive he looked around the room and realized they were in a small cell. Mentally he began to take careful notes on his surroundings as his thoughts were already on escape. An energy field blocked the entrance. A small bathroom appeared off to one side of the 5 by 10 square meter area that comprised the main part of the cell. Natural light entered from a sky light overhead. Against one wall was what appeared to be a replicator. Rising, Riker felt his head spinning, but he forced himself to his feet. Crossing to the entrance of the cell, he peered out to see an identical cell across from him. Inside were two Cardassians, a man and a woman. The man glared at Riker. "Well, welcome, human! Now don't look so distraught, you are lucky. You ended up in the reproduction lab - probably the most enjoyable experiments to participate in." The laughter of the Cardassian prisoner grated on Riker's nerves.

"Reproduction experiments?"

"I wouldn't complain if I were you, human. It looks like you rated a handsome female. Don't get too attached to her though. As soon as she gets pregnant you both will have served your usefulness. If you know how to avoid pregnancy, my advice would be to do so!" The Cardassian's laughter was long and loud and cruel. Will watched the female Cardassian as she lay motionless on the floor. Only her eyes moved and they seem to beg Riker for relief from her suffering.

Riker heard the swish of a large door open although he couldn't see beyond the cell directly in front of his own. The words reached him though. "You fool. You were to only get purebreds, what is this nonsense of grabbing a half-breed. The two Xarians came to an abrupt halt in front of Will Riker. "You are not supposed to be revived yet!" Riker watched the weapon as it fired upon him unable to get out of the way before he was once again reduced to unconsciousness.

In the sickbay of the Enterprise, the medical staff were gathered in an excited circle as Beverly Crusher slowly gained consciousness. A small cheer went up as she opened her eyes and blinked slowly. Dr Selar began whispering to her while listening to Nurse Ogawa report Crusher's bio stats. Captain Picard was standing to one side waiting patiently for his CMO to be finished. "Welcome back, Doctor." he offered.

Crusher followed the sound of his voice,"Thank you, Sir." She was still quite disoriented but was glad to see Picard standing nearby.

"I need to ask you a few questions. Are you up to an interrogation?" Picard asked kindly.

"Yes, I believe so. How are the rest of the team?"

Picard frowned. "Will and Deanna seemed hardly stunned. You are the first of the rest of the team to revive. Data was badly damaged. Commander LaForge has been working steadily trying to restore Data and believes he may have achieved a break through an hour ago." Picard stopped to watch Crusher's reaction to his next words. "What can you tell me about what happened down there?"

"Didn't Will give you a report?"

"Yes." Picard replied. He ran his hand over his head, not wanting to voice his suspicions when he had so little to go on.

Crusher knew him well enough though to tell something was wrong. "Are they okay, Will and Deanna?"

"Oh, yes. They are quite well. That is what puzzles me. Why were they only slightly stunned and the rest of you were so badly hurt?"

Crusher shrugged. "I don't know. It all happened very quickly. Will had asked for a sensor sweep and then suddenly someone was firing on us. That is the last thing I remembered."

Picard took Crusher's hand in his and gave it a pat. "That is more than enough Beverly, thank you. Oh and doctor, welcome back. You gave us a scare there for a while."

"Us, Jean-Luc?"

His smile was her answer as he turned and left sick bay for his ready room. Picard tried not to act too much like his favorite character, Dixon Hill, but the temptation was definitely there. Making his way to his ready room he had already decided how to test Will Riker. Tapping his com badge he called, "Security."

"Security here Sir."

"Have a detail report to the Captain's ready room in 10 minutes."

"Aye, Sir."

The trap was set. "Picard to Troi."

"Troi here, Sir."

"Please report to the Captain's ready room."

"Aye, Sir." The wait was not long. The chime sounded.

"Enter." Picard watched Counselor Troi enter and stand at attention in front of his desk. "Please Counselor, sit where we always do when we have a chat." Troi looked around and sat in the chair in front of the desk. Picard noted with satisfaction that Troi had not headed over to the couch where the two usually sat together. Anxious now, he leaned forward in his chair. "Tell me Counselor, exactly what happened on the planet when you were ambushed."

"Yes, Sir." Troi looked at the Captain skeptically, but she knew better than to question a Captain's orders. "Well, we arrived on the planet and were immediately ambushed."

Nodding, the Captain chewed on his lower lip. "What did Commander Riker do when the team arrived on the surface?"

"Do? He didn't do anything. There wasn't time." Troi studied the Captain wondering what was prompting the strange questioning.

"I see." Picard was interrupted by the triumphant voice of LaForge.

"Captain! Data has been revived!"

"Thank you Geordi. See to it that no one talks to him prior to my arrival."

There was a slight pause. "No one, Sir?" LaForge asked.

"Those are my orders, Commander."

"Aye, Sir. No one will talk to him."

"I will be there shortly." Turning to Troi, Picard smiled. "Thank you, Counselor, you have been most helpful. Dismissed."

Troi stood, studying the human Captain. "Yes, Sir. Thank you Sir." Even without empathy, the changeling knew her team had made a mistake, she just had no idea what mistake they had made.

Picard watched Troi exit. Neither Troi nor Riker were acting like themselves. Given that Xix had warned of changelings attacking the Federation, Picard felt it only prudent to verify their stories even if he felt like he was betraying his friends in doing so.

*****************

Riker was running down a long, narrow hallway behind Deanna. Rounding a corner he found they were trapped. He could hear voices approaching. Mechanical voices. Android voices. He strained to hear the words in the darkness. "Resistance is" Riker's dream changed abruptly. He could hear Deanna calling him. He strained to open his eyes, but they would not open. He tried to call out, but he could not make a sound. He projected to her a single word, "Imzadi!"

Linza watched the unconscious human male in amazement as the guards started to drag the frightened half-breed out of the cell. Lionza hadn't counted on any telepathic ability between the two but the female was definitely sending to the male, who, despite his unconscious state, was attempting to respond. "Wait!" Linza commanded. "I've changed my mind. Return the female."

Kinna paused, not quite daring to question his commander's orders but desiring to determine for certain that she wanted the female returned. "I thought we were to destroy any half-breeds." he ventured.

"They are telepathic. We are conducting telepathic experiments in the Z Wing. For now, leave them here. It might be interesting to see if a non-telepath and a telepath can produce a telepathic off-spring. I want to study this further. Follow my order, return the female."

Two Romulan captives, commandeered into service as prison guards, obeyed dragging the half Betazoid back into the cell. Deanna fell to the ground beside the unconscious Riker who, she realized, was still alive. Closing her eyes she fell back into an uneasy slumber herself.

Twelve hours later, Riker woke up to the strong sunlight as it poured through the skylight. His shoulder was sore, due he discovered to the weight of Deanna's head lying on his arm. He tried to gently move her off of him when she awoke herself. Groggily she asked, "Will, where are we?"

Casing the cell again, Riker rubbed his sore shoulder. "I haven't a clue, but we are prisoners, that is certain." Getting up he walked around the cell ending up back at the door. Across from him the Cardassian woman watched warily, one eye on the human prisoners, the other on the male Cardassian as he slept on the bed. Crouched on the floor she attempted to whisper in Standard English. "Cooperate." She stole a quick look at the Cardassian male, but he continued to snore.

Will motioned to Deanna, figuring the two women would probably strike a friendship quicker. Deanna appeared next to him. Supporting herself by wrapping an arm around Troi smiled reassuringly at the woman. "My name is Deanna. What is yours?"

Tears came to the eyes of the woman. "You are mates?"

Glancing momentarily at Riker, Deanna nodded. "Yes, in a way. And you are as well?"

Anger flicked across the Cardassian woman's face. "Gods, no. This man killed my husband moments before we were captured. I'm stuck here in a cell with a mad man who rapes me at will. Our captors have no conception of the need for a spiritual connection between a couple. They believe we are like animals. Lock us in a cage until the woman becomes pregnant. Once the baby is born, they kill the parents and raise the child themselves."

Deanna's face whitened. Worriedly she stole a glance at Riker, who held her tightly with one arm. "What happens if the woman doesn't get pregnant?" he asked.

"I have heard rumors. They wait. If no offspring comes, they kill the couple and kidnap replacements." She jerked her head in the direction of the Cardassian male. "They are getting impatient with him. We've been here almost a year by my calculations. I don't think we have much time left."

Somewhere along the far end of the corridor the prisoners heard the sound of a door opening. "Its feeding time." the Cardassian woman replied. "Cooperate. Help them. Eat it quickly. They look for reasons to punish you in the beginning." She scurried back against the far wall of her cell. Riker pulled Deanna back from the cell opening as well. After a few minutes, two guards appeared at the cell door pointing weapons that resembled old type phasers at the prisoners while the force field was lowered, nudging inside the cell, two trays of food containing a fruit and nut salad, meat of some unknown origin and rice. Before the guards could say anything, Deanna grabbed the trays and passed one to Riker. Both bolted the food down never taking their eyes off of the guards. Disappointed, the guards grunted, then continued on their way down the hall.

A voice came through two speakers located on the cell. "Welcome subjects to the reproduction lab. We are aware of the human need for privacy. You have two standard hours for your first attempt. At that point the doors and skylight will be reopened. You will be punished if you do not cooperate with the experiment." Immediately an outer door closed over the cell entrance behind the force field and another metal door closed over the skylight leaving the room totally devoid of light.

Alone in the dark Riker laughed nervously. "What are you laughing about!" Troi demanded.

"I'm just glad we had our last night together on the Enterprise, or this would be pretty embarrassing." Riker replied.

"They are keeping tabs on our every movement and you don't find that embarrassing?" Troi countered.

"I find it a challenge. Come on. Maybe they will let their guard down if they think we are cooperative."

In the dark, Troi replied, "I see, Commander. This must be your favorite fantasy. Prisoner in a reproduction experiment lab being ordered to have sex several times a day."

"It should make up for all those years of abstinence." Riker countered.

"What years of abstinence?" Troi challenged.

"Okay, months of abstinence."

"You mean weeks?" Troi rejoined.

"You know you were a lot nicer to me when you thought I would die."

"We could still die." Troi replied.

"Then we should do so with a smile on our face, Counselor."

"Riker, that is so, so, typical!" Troi retorted.

At her observation station, Linza listened carefully, then smiled at the ensuing silence. This telepathic couple was going to be very interesting to observe. Checking the bio-rhythmic readouts on her terminal, Linza confirmed the couple was cooperating. Very interesting indeed. Her job was always easier when a mated pair cooperated.

*****************

The changeling, Deanna Troi clutched her partner, currently in the form of Will Riker tightly as they both gasped for breath. In his head Riker heard the voice of his Imzadi as release came to both simultaneously.It was a new sensation, one Riker relished. Holding his lover in his arms, Riker kissed her softly marveling at the level of contentment that he felt. Generally his world was one of confusion. He had spent so much of his life taking on the role of other species and other beings that moments in which he allowed himself to speculate on his own life were isolated.

Troi rested on top of Riker, contentedly rising and falling with his breathing. Her newly emerging empathic sense tapped into Riker's contemplative mood. She could sense his increased control as his own adaptive senses coalesced more strongly with the being that had become Commander Riker. "Still just conducting research into your mark's background?"

Riker ran his finger down Deanna's spine then, softly traced a line back up to her neck before retracing his path. "Humanoids are my favorite species to emulate. This one experiences particularly strong emotional and physical responses to your corporal presence."

Troi shirked, "Of course, silly. They are in love with each other."

"Have you ever been in love?"

Brushing a strand of hair off his forehead, Deanna rested her head on the soft hair that covered the well formed muscles of her partner. "It is always so hard to know if the feelings I experience are mine or are those of the being that I have become. I have noticed though that during the lengthy period of time that we have worked together, we do seem to be volunteering to become mated pairs regularly. Do you think that has any significance?"

"I think it answers my question."

Chandra waited in the corridor outside Deanna Troi's quarters for several minutes. Impatiently she tried the door chime once again. Finally she heard Troi's voice call out, "Come." Entering the cabin, Chandra found Troi before the door in a bathrobe, barefoot looking like she had just gotten out of bed although it was just early evening. Then from the bedroom, she heard Riker's deep voice call, "Deanna, the message oil is lime flavored!"

From the beginning of this mission, the changeling that had become Chandra had been exceedingly unimpressed with this pair. First there was the matter of their inability to duplicate exact memories, experiences and characteristics, like Troi's empathy or Riker's intuition and now there was the complication of their physical experimentation. "What are you two doing?" Chandra demanded.

Deanna smiled coyly, "We were just playing out the role assigned to us." Troi grew serious. "I'm glad you are here Chandra. We are in trouble. Picard is suspicious."

Chandra sat down on the couch and regarded Troi carefully. "How do you know?"

Troi crossed through the room, taking a seat next to Chandra. "I know you do not hold my abilities in high regard. I adapt more slowly than you, but I do adapt. My empathic abilities are starting to emerge." Nervously Troi met Chandra's gaze. "What should we do?"

Chandra turned to watch Riker enter the room. He was drying himself off with a towel, his hair was wet and he appeared to have just stepped out of a shower. "One of the best things about being human is taking a hot shower." he announced, then catching Chandra's look of disgust, he added, "Staying in character demands that we continue the romance that they started just before we assumed their form. A romance that you, I believe, prodded into its physical relationship based on a belief on their part that one or both of them would die. Just why did you lead them to believe that?"

They were both imbeciles, Chandra thought. Terminating these two at the appropriate time to cover her tracks would be a pleasure. If, that is, Picard doesn't stumble onto the plan first. "I had my reasons." Chandra replied enigmatically, not realizing yet, the extent of Troi's empathy or Riker's perception.

*****************

After his interview with Counselor Deanna Troi, Captain Picard made his way down to the cybernetics room to check on Data. Entering the room, he spied Data sitting by himself giving the erie impression of being 'turned off'. Picard approached slowly, "Data?"

Data's eyes flickered momentarily, then he focused on Picard's worried expression, "Yes, Captain?"

Pleased to see that his officer was indeed functioning, Picard replied, "Data. I wanted to ask you about what happened on the away mission. Please replay the audio recording prior to your attack."

Data cocked his head to one side in a characteristic manner. "The audio recording was damaged beyond repair, Captain." Pausing, the android continued, "However, I do have memories of the encounter."

Shaking his head in encouragement, Picard replied, "Good, what did Commander Riker say upon your arrival?"

Data paused, "Would you like me to repeat in his voice, Sir?"

Impatiently Picard gestured, "Yes, yes, please."

Imitating Riker's voice Data replied, "Data what do the sensors report?"

Smacking his lips together in satisfaction, Picard clapped the lieutenant commander on the shoulder, "Well done, Data, thank you."

The android watched the Captain turn and leave, wondering why the simple ability to speak in a crew member's voice resulted in such joy for the Captain.

Picard made his way quickly to the quarters of Will Riker determined to corner the commander and resolve this mystery once and for all. Taking a moment to request that security have a team report to Commander Riker's quarters in ten minutes, Picard felt that the trap was laid and required only tripping by the Commander. "Commander Riker, this is Captain Picard. Are you available?" Picard waited. A door slid open, but it wasn't the door of Commander Riker's quarters, it was Counselor Troi's door. Riker stood in the entryway, dressed in his uniform, but his hair was wet and Picard realized that the chances were very good that the Commander had been in the Counselor's quarters for a long time.

Riker formally nodded, "Captain? You wanted to see me?" No embarrassment appeared on the Commander's face as he stood at attention.

"If you can spare a few moments." Picard replied.

Gesturing with his hand the First Officer indicated his quarters, "Certainly, Sir. Please."

Picard preceded Riker into the Commander's cabin. The room had a slight rumpled appearance as if the occupant was only occasionally bothering to retrieve a few items and deposit things without bothering to put everything away. Riker watched Picard survey the room. "I'm sorry about the state of the room, Sir, I've, been" Riker hesitated, then with characteristic candor, smiled. I've not been spending much time here lately.

Quickly Picard looked back at the Commander. The nuance of Riker's comment struck Picard at once, but it was just the sort of subtle humor that the First Officer was famous for. "Will," Picard began, "I would like you to describe to me exactly what happened when the away team landed."

Worry flooded Riker's face. "Sir? Was there a problem with the earlier report I submitted?"

"No, no of course not," Picard tried to reassure the Commander. "I just want to be sure, I understand the course of events."

Riker appeared skeptical, but he sat down and began, "Well, we materialized on the surface. As I recall I had just asked Data to run a sensor sweep when all hell broke out. The next thing I remember I woke up in sickbay."

"You ordered a sensor sweep? You didn't mention that before." Picard replied, watching Riker carefully.

"I suppose, that I was still somewhat in shock following being stunned. I'm certain it is in my written report I submitted this morning."

Picard smacked his lips, surprised by the adroit way Riker had avoided the trap. "Yes, well, I haven't read that report yet. I will do so immediately, I'm sure it will answer all my questions." Picard rose followed by Riker.

Riker walked Picard to the doorway, "Ordering the sensor sweep, is standard procedure, Captain." Riker offered.

"Yes, yes, Commander. You handled the situation admirably." Picard tried to reassure his First Officer. "Completely according to policy. Good job."

Riker smiled broadly appearing pleased as he always did whenever Picard offered any praise. "Thank you, Sir."

Picard left to return to his ready room. His initial disappointment faded and he found himself greatly relieved to learn that Will Riker, was indeed no changeling. Having an imposter aboard would have presented complications that Picard was happy to avoid. Shaking his head at his imagination gone wild, Picard settled down to catch up the bureaucratic red tape that filled the padds that were neatly stacked on the desk of his ready room.

As soon as Picard left his quarters, the changeling frowned. He didn't know why but it bothered him greatly to have the Captain question his competence.

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.