Thomas Riker (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Ro Laren

I'm in a right pickle now, as one could say.

While going on a Maquis weekend seminar, I have been chosen by Jalam, one of the most extreme members of the organisation to take Thomas Riker back to the Enterprise.

The intention is to replace Commander Riker with his duplicate, Thomas Riker, who was created many years ago in a transporter accident. Thomas Riker has joined the Maquis. Jalam has threatened me if I don't comply.

------------

You could say it's a rock and a hard place, whatever that means. I will be denounced as a traitor by Starfleet if I manage to reveal him or not. I could be threatened in unspeakable ways also if Jalam thinks that I have not complied.



"Not long to go, Ro." says Thomas as we get nearer to the Enterprise, while travelling in the DaVinci shuttle, "In about ten hours, I will be the new Commander of the Enterprise. I'll find a way to get Picard out of the way, and the flagship of Starfleet will then be under Maquis control."

"Do..err.. you think we're being a little extreme, Thomas?" I ask, "After all, the Maquis is really supposed to sabotage Cardassian outposts, not the Federation."

He gives a manical laugh, as all slightly despotical people tend to do.

"If you like, Ro." he says firmly, "I can put you in the same airlock as Picard when it comes to the time of disposing those in my way."

This Riker is seriously one dilithium crystal short of a warp drive.

I'll have to deal with him before he gets to the Enterprise. If I can signal a moderate Maquis vessel, they will pick him up and arrest Jalam for his extreme activities.

I resort to the best way possible; I use my feminine wiles.

"Thomas." I say softly, "What can we do on the long journey to the Enterprise?"

While I say this, I kiss him softly. I also feel sick for having to kiss someone so appalling.

As we do, my arm outstreches, and I press the communications signal, adjust it to the Maquis code and see that a distress message is sent out. Riker is too busy enjoying me to notice..

----------

Ten minutes later, a Maquis vessel shows up and beams us off. I explain to the moderate commander, and he arrests Thomas.

"We will go and arrest Jalam as well." he tells me, "We've had our eye on him for a long time. The Maquis shouldn't be infested with those type."

"You've made a mistake, Ro." says Thomas, as he is led away, "This will go a lot higher. Certain sections of the Maquis will not forget what you have done."

-----------

I am beamed back on to the Da Vinci, and soon arrive on the Enterprise, to be welcomed back by Captain Picard and the real Commander Riker.

"Had a good time?" asks Riker, "It wasn't too boring on the long journey here in the shuttle, was it?"

I give a slight smile.

The things I do for Starfleet!

------------------

Author's Note:

Don't forget, the deadline for the Enterprise Christmas Party is extended to Friday 30th November. See last weekend's post below TWQ for details. I want your Party entry!

Thomas Riker (Part One)

Guest Poster: Ro Laren

This weekend, I'm going on a Maquis Weekend. It gives me the chance to look up a few old friends, and catch up on the latest gossip about who is with who and how long for.

I must admit, some of the more extreme elements of the Maquis have a poor opinion of me, as I still am part of Starfleet, and have not quite, as they did, when the Cardassian Alliance was formed.

However, some of the others like me, as they see me as their 'girl on the inside', able to supply them with information.

The extremists think I just want to have my cake and eat it.

Well, as Deanna Troi might say, as long as it's chocolate.

-----------

I've beamed down, and everyone is chatting to each other, saying disparaging thing about the Cardassians and how they managed to cause trouble. I join in, saying the Enterprise stopped Gul Buket, a tough Cardassian from turning a Bajoran planet into a Cardassian vacation complex. That receives a lot of cheers and I get a free drink.

I'll have to think of a few more stories like that.

Shortly, Jalam, one of the more extreme leaders of the Maquis approaches me.

"Ah, how is our little weekend Maquis operative?" he asks.

Another sly dig, I think.

"I have someone I'd like you to meet, Ro." he tells me, and leads me into a special room.



"Commander Riker?" I ask.

"In a way." says the lookalike, "I was created in a transporter accident many years ago. You may call me Thomas, which is my middle name."

"And you have joined the Maquis?"

"Yes." he replies, "We want you to help me in a special mission."

"Which is?" I ask.

"I want you to go back to the Enterprise with Thomas." says Jalam, "And replace Will with Thomas."

"It'll never work." I say incredually, "Besides, I'm a friend of Commander Riker and I'd be beteraying him and Starfleet."

"It's not a request, Ro." Jalam says solemly, "If you don't..."

Suddenly I am beginning to see the dark side of the Maquis. As I only just visited occasionally, I haven't been aware of their more sordid activities. Their cause may be valid, but does the end justify the means?

Did I get that right? I'm never sure if I'm saying that back to front.

Jalam was known to be one of the very most extreme figures of the Maquis. Do the majority of leaders know about it?

"You're going back NOW, Ro." says Jalam, "You're taking Thomas with you!"

--------------

Before I can say anything to the more moderate members, I am bundled into the Da Vinci shuttle with Thomas, and we are on our way back.



"Don't worry, Ro." says Thomas, "As your new Commander, I'll treat you well for giving me a lift to the Enterprise."

Things are looking decidely tricky right now....

------------------------

Author's Note:

I'm still waiting for more entries for the Enterprise Christmas Party. See the previous post for more details.

Latest: The deadline date has been extended to Friday 30th November.