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From: captain973@aol.com (Captain973)
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Subject: REPOST: "Discoveries" (2/3, P/C)
Date: 29 Feb 1996 00:19:44 -0500
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<<Insert disclaimer here...>>

Chapter 4 - Three days later

	"Captain's Log, stardate 47352.7. The _Enterprise_ has been
dispatched to Corallux V
on a mission of mercy. Following a series of terrorist bombings, the
planet's leaders have called
on the Federation for emergency assistance. Our medical staff is
mobilizing for the disaster, but
will be hampered by being denied use of the transporter, due to the
planet's unusual atmospheric
make-up.
	"While the medical staff is working at the bomb sites, I will be
shuttling down to meet
with the planet's leader, President Mieyrt, and her council."

		Captain Picard thumbed off the log recorder and swore
under his breath. 'Great,'
he thought. 'I am in no mood to be diplomatic to anyone, least of all the
leader of another world.'
Of course, he had to admit to himself, he wasn't in the mood for much of
anything these days.
The thought angered him. Of course, everything seemed to anger him lately,
too. These
thoughts did nothing for his already sour disposition.

	"Riker to Captain Picard."

	Picard sighed and slapped his communicator. "What." It was said in
a virtual monotone,
no trace of inflection.

	On the bridge, Commander Riker winced slightly. Damn if that man
couldn't at least *try*
to be civil. "We're in orbit around Corallux, Captain. I thought you'd
like to be notified."

	Jean-Luc muttered something unintelligible, then spat out, "Fine.
I'll be right there." As
soon as the link was cut, Picard's head dropped until his chin rested on
his chest. 'Merde. It's a
wonder they haven't all transferred off the ship by now. I'd better shape
up, and fast,' he chided
himself.

	Upon entering the bridge, he made an attempt at a smile. "I
apologize, Number One. I
snapped at you, and I shouldn't have."

	Riker nodded. "Accepted, sir." However, Will couldn't help but
think that, if Picard and
Dr. Crusher were at least speaking to each other, the captain wouldn't
need to do all the
apologizing he seemed to be doing lately. Rather than saying that, and
incurring the captain's
easily-inspired wrath, he instead said, "President Mieyrt is expecting you
and the medical teams
shortly. Dr. Crusher and her teams are standing by in Shuttlebay Two."

	Picard pulled on his tunic. "Very well. You have the bridge,
Commander." With that, he
headed for the shuttlebay, his mood already improving. Perhaps some time
off the ship was what
he needed, he thought.

	His mood took a sudden spiral downward a few minutes later, when
he entered the
shuttlebay and saw the shuttle assignments. He and Dr. Crusher were
assigned the same one.

Chapter 5 - A few hours later

	"Alpha shuttle returning - ETA five minutes, Doctor."

	Dr. Crusher tapped her comm badge. "We'll be expecting you in
Triage Center Two,
Alpha shuttle. Crusher out."

	All in all, things had run pretty smoothly. While casualties had
been heavy, the
_Enterprise_ team had coordinated beautifully with the Corallans, and the
medical effort was
going well. Shuttles were bringing casualties to the triage centers at
staggered rates, allowing the
combined medical staffs to treat victims and release them, making room for
a new group. After
the rush of the first two hours, things were starting to slow down a bit.

	Suddenly, a call came in. "Bravo shuttle to Crusher!" Crusher
tapped her communicator,
concerned. "Crusher here. What's wrong, Bravo shuttle?" The pilot's
panicked voice came over
the channel. "We have a medical emergency, Doctor! You're needed at once!
Alpha shuttle will
pick you up as soon as they arrive!" The comm signal was then cut off.
Crusher set out at a run
for the shuttle landing pad.

	Two minutes later, the medical complex exploded.

Chapter 6 - At the same time...
	
	The explosion rocked the building. Captain Picard grabbed on to a
nearby table to
steady himself. President Mieyrt ran to the nearest communications
terminal, while her staff
checked to make sure everyone else in the building was all right. Mieyrt
returned a minute later,
ashen. "Captain Picard. . .The medical complex has just been bombed.
Reports are just coming
in, but it is feared that the casualties are heavy. The whole complex is.
.. .gone." Her voice shook
as she said the words.

	The first thought that went through the captain's mind was,
'Beverly. Beverly was at the
medical complex. . .' He dropped into a chair, feeling his legs about to
give out on him. The
president put a hand on his arm. "Captain. . .my most heartfelt regrets at
the loss of your crew."
He didn't hear the words. His comm badge sounded.

	"_Enterprise_ to Captain Picard. Are you all right, Captain?" It
was Riker's voice, clearly
concerned.

	No, Picard was not all right. He was dying inside.

	"Picard here, Commander. We're apparently undamaged here. Any word
from the
medical complex?" His voice betrayed his anxiousness.

	Will Riker heaved a weary sigh. "Sir, there is no medical complex.
It's. . .gone."

	Picard's eyes squeezed shut. "And Dr. Crusher?" He could barely
get the words out.

	"Nothing, Captain. No communications, or anything else, from two
kilometers around the
bomb sight."

	"Commander, alert the shuttlecraft I'm returning. I'll organize
the search from here." He
had to know for himself if his Beverly was really gone. And this was the
only way he could.

	"*You* will, Captain? Respectfully, sir, I think- "

	"I don't care what you think, Commander! I have to do this! Picard
out." He severed the
connection viciously, and strode purposefully to the waiting shuttle.

	As the shuttle was lifting off, the government building exploded.

****^****^****^****^****^****^****

"All of us have violent instincts. We have evolved from predators.
....Well, not me, of course. I've just been programmed by you predators."

---The Holographic Doctor, ST: Voyager

****^****^****^****^****^****^****