Picard In Prison (Part One)

The crew have been visiting Talan IV, an earth-like planet that still retains a lot of 20th century charm, yet it is advanced technologically.

It could always be a recipe for disaster, just like the ill-fated Vista experiment of the early 21st century. It took years to recover from that.

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We are all enjoying pleasantries with the local civic dictionaries when some official looking people, obviously law enforcement come in.

"What is the meaning of this?" says the Mayor, while swallowing a vol-au-vant and trying to chat up Seven, "Can't you see we are entertaining important visitors from the Federation?"

"I realise that." says the head man, "But we are here to arrest Captain Picard."

"On what charge?" I reply. I remember that I might have jaywalked across the road with Beverly earlier today. Perhaps they few it quite harshly here?

The leader gets out a document and reads it to me.

"Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the starship Enterprise. You are hearby arrested on the charge of murdering Divara, the Regent of the City. earlier today. After you have been found guilty, you will be placed in prison and and then Disintegrated."

That sums it up nicely. The 'innnocent until proven guilty' doesn't seem to apply, as he already had me marked as 'guilty'.

"'Disintegrated'" I ask him.

"Yes," he replied, "You will be placed in a chamber, and your molecules will be taken apart."

What a way to go!

As the head officer's minions put me in cuffs to take me away, Data protests. Riker joins in after finishing his Talan donut.

"There is nothing I can do, gentlemen." says the Mayor, "Talan law must be followed through."

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Shortly after, I am in the courtroom, heavily handcuffed down and surrounded by guards. Beverly is weeping away in the public gallery. Data is acting for the defence.

"Captain Picard has not met the Regent of the City, your honour." he says to the judge, "What evidence is the that he has?"

"Roll the film" orders the prosecuting counsel.

The CCTV footage clearly shows me in broad daylight attacking Divara. I'm beginning to think I was guilty myself."

"Where were you when this was taking place, Captain?" Data whispers to me.

"I was on the Enterprise in the holodeck, Data...and no one was with me."

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Shortly after, the judge announces his verdict, which is hardly a surprise.

"You will be put in a prison and shortly be Disintegrated."

As I am led away, I hear the sounds of increased weeping and wailing from the public gallery. Deanna and Jadzia have joined in with Beverly.

I manage to tell Data and Riker that they have to find the truth.

Things are looking precarious right now.

To be continued...