Picard Loses His Memory (Part Three)

Guest Poster: Beverly Crusher

I'm worried about Jean-Luc. Ever since he had that accident on Darius VI, he's been very secretive.

Not only that, he is watching everybody carefully, writing things down when he finds something out. When I ask Jean-Luc what he was doing, he just says "Nothing."

I'm sure things aren't right, though. We went to the Enterprise cinema, and instead of kissing in the back row, as we usually do, Jean-Luc let me watch the movie while he crawled around the cinema, taking notes about who was sitting with who.

"It's not right, Will." I say when talk to Riker and Deanna, along with the other senior staff, "The Captain seems to be a changed man."



"I should say." Ensign Britney complains, "He didn't tell me off for chewing gum this morning when he walked past. The Captain was concentrating more on the message he was about write on his handviewer."

"That's not right, soulsistah Britney." her friend T'Pol comments, "If the Captain is out of sorts, how can we be rebels?"

I try to work that out.

"We have a more serious problem concerning the Captain."Riker starts, but eats a donut. I think that's to calm his nerves.

"We were told by Starfleet Headquarters via a secret message there was an Admiral Rickman appointed to lead a Task Force to root out all Section 31 agents from Starfleet."

"What has happened, Commander Riker?" asks Data.

"Since then, Starfleet authoriies have told us there is no record of such a Task Force, or none of any Admiral Rickman existing."



"It sounds like Section 31's work." Deanna, "But what does this have to do with the Captain."

"We were the only ship to get the message." Riker answers, "And shortly after we announced that, there was an unuauthorised message from a concealed channel on the ship. It was his private channel, and could only have come from the Captain."

"Jean-Luc is no spy!" I exclaim.

"He has been acting differently, Beverly." Jadzia summises, "Perhaps more happened to him on Daruis VI than he knows...or is telling us."

"The Borg Queen would not tolerate a spy!" Seven says disgustedly, "They would be disconnected."

Jean-Luc suddenly enters the briefing room.

"What's going on?" he says, "A meeting without my knowledge?"

Suddenly I rush up to Jean-Luc, but my arms around his neck...and knock him out with a hypospray.

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

"So that's it, Doctor?" Riker tells be, "Your examination tells that he had clearly lost his memory for some time during his accident?"

"Yes." It looks like someone took advantage of the situation. Still, the concussion is healed. He should be all right now."

Jean-Luc gets up and recalls in horror as he tells us what he has done for Section 31.

"I'm glad it worked." I comment, "My alternative solution was to hit you with a brick to get your memory back."

"What can we do, Will?" he asks.

"I think a few false messages to Sloan will sort things out." says Riker, "If he still thinks you're with them, they will get puzzled with disinformation and not sure what is real."

"Excellent, Will." says Jean-Luc, who then looks at me, "Beverly, I think we both need to go back to the Enterprise Cinema. This time, we'll both stay in the back row!"

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

Meme alert!

Mimi has sent me this meme where I have to type my first name plus 'needs' in Google and see what the results are. Here are some of the replies:

* I have told Arsene Wenger he needs to spend big on up to four major stars if he is to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea again.

* needs to turn 3 more or gain 75 more Vampire points to reach the next level: Vampire Warrior. This is from my own Facebook!

* needs to tighten some bolts so that the propellers on the very top of the tower start spinning.

* will be hospitalized about one week. He will then need about one month at home to fully recover.

* needs a slap.

* needs to learn from Errict Rhett’s mistakes.

* needs to get his “butt back out to practice.’’

Picard Loses His Memory (Part Two)

That archaelogical dig that I went on during my visit to Darius VI resulted in me having a nasty accident.

I fell off a crumbling cliff face and hit my head. The result was that for a few moments I lost my memory. Fortunately, Agent Luther Sloan was on hand to tell me that although I am Captain Picard of the Enterprise, I am actiually a top member of Section 31, the ultra-secret society that operates within Starfleet.

How lucky he was there to help me. I remember now, although there are a few patchy things.

------

"You had a nasty fall, Jean-Luc." Bev tells me, as she treats my scratches in the Enterprise SickBay, "Your head has had a nasty bump. Let me take a look through the medi-viewer."



"No!" I say firmly, "I'm fine Bev, I really am.". I remember that Sloan told me not to mention anything about losing my memory to the crew, or let them look at my head, otherwise they may not have confidence.

"Very well, Jean-Luc." Bev replies, "I hope you're all right. Are we still on to see the movie e Batperson Versus The Space Penguin?"

"Sure, Bev." I reply, "I'll be there."

I go up to the Breiefing Room where Riker is in charge of a meeting.

"We've just had a top-secret message from Starfleet Headquarters, which I had to take while you were in SickBay."

This could be interesting. Maybe a message to take to Section 31?

"What was it?"

"There is a high-level meeting in Starfleet. They are trying to drive out all infiltrators that belong to Section 31. After years of denying it exists, they are trying to do something about it."



"That's great!" pipes up Geordi, "It's about time something was done about them. What are they gonna do?"

"An Admiral Rickman has been appointed to lead a Task Force to remove all Section 31 people." Riker continues, "It looks like it will be a serious move."

Everybody in the room cheers. I maintain a calm face.

What a disaster. I've got to get this news to Sloan. I might get a few brownie points in Section 31 for reporting this!

-----------

After leaving the meeting, I head to my Console and call Sloan on my Private Channel and tell him all the plans.

"You have done well, Agent Picard." Sloan tells me, "Without your advance knowledge, we would have been unable to act immediately and stop Starfleet from destroying us."

"Thank you, sir." I reply, "The crew here are very anti- Section 31."

"Indeed they are." Sloan answers, "We will eventually get them replaced. In the meantime you are promoted to Section 31 Field Agent Class 1"

I feel elated at this promotion. Pretty soon, I'll be running it!

Still, that said, I can't help feeling that something is wrong.

To be continued...

Picard Loses His Memory (Part One)

At last, I've managed to get on an archaelogical dig!

There's nothing so good as being able to be around some old fossils, unless, of course, it's seeing a Conference of the senior Admirals of Starfleet!

Anyway, I'm here on Darius VI, where the remains of an ancient civilisation have been discovered. As a special favour, the government has allowed me exclusive access for two days, so no one else can bother me while I'm here.



It's a very rocky area area, somewhat dangerous to be around. This clifftop looks a little precarious.

I think there is a fossil just near the edge.......AGGGGGGGHHHHH!

I tumble over the edge and plummet over the side, hitting my head as I fall. Aren't there times when you were told not to go near a cliff top?

When I hit the very rocky ground and black out.

Eventually, after what seems like an age I wake up. Phew! I have a splitting headache. I'll have to get back to...errrr.. I'm not sure.

Well I'll need to. After all, I am..errrr...I can't remember.

Any ideas? I'd like to know who I am.

A figure approaches me. Perhaps he can help me?



"Hello." I say, "I've had an accident, and seem to have lost my memory. Do you know who I am?"

The man smiles, as if it is his lucky day.

"Certainly." he replies, "You are Agent Picard of the secret Starfleet society Section 31. Your cover is that you are posing as Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise. In truth, you pass all secrets about the ship and it's crewmembers to Section 31. I am the leader, Agent Luther Sloan. You always report to me."

Now it's all coming back to me. Yes, I'm Captain Picard of the Enterprise. I must admit my memory is a little patchy, though.

Hopefully, it will all clear up after a while.

Meanwhile, I'd better get back to the Enterprise and carry on spying for Agent Sloan.

To be continued...

TWQ: Shopping Irritations

This week, TWQ (The Weekend Question) asks about what annoys you when at the shops.

When you are out shopping, are there any irritations that you don't like facing, or will spoil the tranquility of browsing? List as many as you wish.

My answers are:

1: A child screaming at the top of their voice just to see how loud he or she can do it. Usually the parents don't take any notice, although the sound is enough to shatter glass!

2: The salesman's astonishment when I say that I don't want the extended warranty that goes with the item I bought.

3: Noisy music in a shop that is so loud I can't think straight.

Now it's over to you...

The Romulan Visitor

I dislike being a diplomat.

Nonetheless, I have to play host today to a Romulan senator, who is visiting the Enterprise to discuss peace with Federation and Romulan Star Empire.

This sort of this is usually nothing more than a lot of talk and an opportunity to glean a few secrets off each other. The trouble is, we never get anything off them.

Predictably, I hear a few noises off Worf, who is not exactly their biggest fan.

"The Romulans are not to be trusted!" he says aggressively as the senior staff go to the transporter room to beam him on board.

"I agree with you, Mr Worf." I reply, "But for the sake of diplomatic relations between the two forces, we must keep up an accord, even if only in pretence."

Worf mumbles a few choice Klingon phrases. As I know the language, it is hardly suitable to repeat them here.

Deanna stands with me as we are ready to greet the senator. The Counselor is a good mediator to have around when we have to talk with races we cannot trust or dislike.

The Romulan beams on.



After I do my usual welcome speil, the Senator continues.

"Greetings, Captain." I am Senator Vreenak of the Romulan Council. Thank you for your welcome."

He glances at Worf.

"I heard you had a Klingon on board." Vreenak continues, "What position does he hold here? Does he clean the warp plasma conduits?"

Worf looks incensed, but Deanna, who is slightly irritated moves moves forward.



"Certainly not, Senator." she answers with a somewhat fixed smile, "Lieutenant Worf is Chief of Security and also operates on Tactics."

Vreenak laughs.

"In that case." he continues, "I'm surprised that no one has escaped, or the ship hasn't been blown up by enemies! Shall we go to the discussion room?"

I get livid, but with my temper just about bearable, I take him out of the room.

"You Federation officers are all the same." Vreenak laughs to himselfs, "Very weak."

"Isn't the discussion room the other way, Captain?" Riker whispers to me as we walk through the corridor.

"Yes, Number One." I reply, "But I've decided to hold it somewhere else."

A few moments later, we get to our destination.

"But this is the brig." says the Senator, "Why are we here, Captain?"

"Because this is where you're going." I reply shaply, "As anyone would who talks to my crew like that. We'll visit in a few hours and start talking then. After that, I'll let you out and you can go back to your ship."

"This is a disgrace!" Vreenak protests, "The Romulan Council shall hear of this."

"I'm sure they will." I answer, "Still, you're lucky. The brig chef is doing lasagna tonight. As you're a Senator, I'll instruct him to give you double helpings."

I do dislike being a diplomat. I seem to offend a lot of people for some reason!

Wedding Plans For Wesley & Karena (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Beverly Crusher

Jean-Luc and I are on the planet Wondawowman to discuss wedding plans between my son Wesley and Queen Diana's daughter Karena.

As they are a planet of amazons, they are more likely to want things their way. I suspect they are completely going to ignore Jean-Luc. Men do seem to be irrelevant around here.

----------

"Now then, Beverly." starts Diana, "We'll have to make sure all the guests arrive at Wondawoman on time and..."

"Excuse me...errr...your Majesty." interrupts Jean-Luc, "But had we decided that the wedding would be held on this planet?"

Diana gives him a look of disgust.



"Captain Picard." the Queen says, "You will refrain from talking in what is clearly a serious discussion between two women."

"The Captain does have a point." I comment, "Perhaps Wesley and Karena might like their wedding to take place elsewhere?"

"Out of the question!" snorts Diana, "All amazonians here, whether they are a Princess or not, have a life ambition to get married in the Oracle of Wisdom."

I concede this point. One has to go along with the bride in her wishes as to location. I get the impression I'm going to concede on a lot of other points as well.

"Now." continues the Queen, "Will you be giving Wesley away, Beverly?"

"What do you mean?" I reply in puzzlement, "I thought the bride gets given away?"

"Not here." Diana answers, "As this is a matriachal society, the woman takes precedance, and actions are in reverse to what your society does."

"As long as Wesley doesn't have to wear a wedding dress." comments Jean-Luc. The Queen looks icily at him, as his joke fell flat.

"The process is this." explains Diana, "Karena will be waiting at the Oracle of Wisdom with the Best Woman. Wesley will enter with the parent, who will then give him away, and the service will be performed."

"Who will be carrying out the ceremony, your Majesty?" pipes up Jean-Luc.

The Queen looks at him tiringly, as if it is too much trouble to answer a man. Instead of addressing him, she turns to me to reply.

"I shall be carrying out the marriage service." she states, "As Queen of the Wondawowman amazonians, I have the authority to perform such events, and shall declare my daughter Karena and your son Wesley Bride and Life Servant."

I wince at this description.

"Will you be picking her wedding dress?" I ask casually.

"Karena will NOT be wearing a wedding dress!" the Queen exclaims, as if I have commited a social faux pas, "All amazonians get married in full battle armour with spear and sword."



"Sounds appropriate!" Jean-Luc whispers quietly in my ear.

I feel like I'm not getting anywhere here. The wedding plans are all sorted out by Queen Diana, and any suggestions I make are just cast aside.

"Don't forget Wesley's outfit." Jean-Luc whispers.

"Now about Wesley's outfit..." I start.

"Now that's all up to you, Beverly." answers the Queen, "You can talk that over with him and he can come in what he wishes."

I'm amazed! A concession!

"....As long as it's one of these five designs." Diana concludes, by giving me some typical Life Servant pictures, "All prospective Life Servants wear these sort."

I groan.

"Well that concludes our meeting, Beverly." Diana says, getting up, "It was a lot of fun choosing how the wedding will run, wasn't it. Incidentally, when we chat in the future, try not to bring the Captain. He just gets in the way."

Jean-Luc and I head back to the shuttle, then back to the Enterprise.

I've got a feeling I'm going to have a lot of trouble with my prospective in-law.

Wedding Plans For Wesley & Karena (Part One)

"Jean-Luc." Bev asks me desperately, "I need you to come with me to Wondawowman."

"Beverly." I reply, "I was just about to go on that archealogical dig on Darius VI. It sounds a fun expedition."

"Nonsense." Bev answers, "Those old fossils have been there millions of years, they can stay there a little longer. This is important. Queen Diana wants to talk to me about Wesley and her daughter Karena's wedding."

"That's just it." I say, "She's the leader of a group of amazons. The last thing she wants is a man around."



"You're right, Jean-Luc." She concedes, "But I need the moral support, and this meeting is between the mothers of the wedding couple, and I don't want Diana to railroad me into getting the wedding plans all her own way."

"Shouldn't Wes and Karena have some say in all this?"

"That won't happen as Diana is the Queen." she answers, "Karena has let her mother do all the planning, so I in turn have got to help Wes out."

I sigh.

"Very well, Bev." I say. She kisses me in gratitude.

I wonder how many men have men persuaded into doing something they didn't want to this way?

-----------

Several hours later, our shuttle has reached the planet Wondawowman. I have instructed Riker to make sure there are no wild parties, Ensign Britney behaves herself and that Seven of Nine does not threaten to assimilate any visiting dignitaries.

When we land, the two of us are greeted by Queen Diana.



"Welcome to Wondawowman, Beverly Crusher." she says warmly, "It is so necessary for us mothers to get together so that the plans can be drawn ....what is HE doing here?"

Diana glances in my direction.

"I've bought Captain Picard so he can help me with the planning." Bev announces, "I hope you don't mind?"

"But he's a MAN." Diana says with distaste, "What possible use will HE be?"

"He gives me good advice." Beverly says firmly, "However the ultimate decisions will rest with you and I, Queen Diana."

"Very well." she says grudgingly, as if agreeing to a painful operation, "He can stay, as long as he doesn't interfere too much."

It's good to feel wanted, isn't it?

To be continued...

TWQ: First Blog Visitor & Commenter

For this week's TWQ, I'm asking you to remember when you first started your blog...

Do you remember what the first blog that you actually visited was? Who was your first commenter? If you're not sure, say who you think it was.

My answers are:

The first blog I visited, I believe, was 'Darth Vader's Diary'. This led me on to 'Yoda'.

One of the first commenters I had was Ciera. She is still going strong today, and we are good friends.

Now it's over to you...