Blaze Of Glory Part 20

J'drahn stared at him with amazement. "You?" he said, with disbelief. His hand inched toward his holstered sidearm.

"Oh, please do," said Blaze, raising his disruptor casually. "Not that I need an excuse, but it would be nice if you provided me with one."

Picard remained seated, watching the exchange with a broad, satisfied smile.

"Picard! Do something!" said J'drahn.

"What would you have me do?" Picard asked, innocently. "This is clearly an internal matter. I cannot become involved."

The sounds of battle had decreased significantly.

"It sounds as if your palace guards are not offering much resistance," Blaze said. "Wise of them, considering their weapons are no match for these." Blaze raised the disruptor slightly. As J'drahn backed away, Blaze crossed over to stand near the communications console. "Ah, T'grayn," he said, as he saw the governor's stricken face on the screen. "You will be glad to know that your transfer of a.s.sets to my accounts in the Ferengi system has gone through. The funds will be available there for you to draw upon anytime you can arrange transport to the Ferengi system. Of course, under the present circ.u.mstances, that may prove rather difficult. I understand you're going to be facing serious charges. I do hope you've kept enough in your accounts to arrange for legal representation."

"But ... nothing remains in my accounts!" T'grayn stammered. "You have it all! You promised to take me, Blaze! You promised!"

"You cowardly, miserable wretch!" J'drahn said. He s.n.a.t.c.hed a fruit from the basket on the table and hurled it at the screen. It exploded into sparks and smoke and shards of gla.s.s.

The sounds of shooting had died away completely and, a moment later, several of Blaze's crewmen, together with Colonel Z'gral and General H'druhn, came into the room. J'drahn saw them and his face fell. He glanced around, seeking some avenue of escape, but there was nowhere to run.

H'druhn stood looking at his son with contempt. "Have you nothing to say?" the old general demanded.

J'drahn merely stared at him sullenly, then dropped his gaze.

"Well, since you have nothing to say to me, then I have only one thing to say to you," H'druhn said. "My only regret is that you did not die fighting, like a soldier. That way, I would have been spared the humiliation of seeing my own son stand trial for crimes against the people and the Empire. Take him away."

Blaze's crewmen stepped up and disarmed him, then led him out of the room. Blaze raised his eyebrow at Picard, then turned to follow them.

"As of this moment," said H'druhn, "I formally resume my t.i.tle as overlord of the K'trall, pending the holding of democratic elections to choose a new government. I would appreciate it, Captain Picard, if the Federation were to send diplomatic advisors to help us organize a transition to a different form of government, where all power no longer rests in one man's hands."

"I am sure the Federation would be more than willing to a.s.sist you in that regard," Picard said. "I would-"

There was shouting from outside the room, then the sound of something falling heavily.

"What the devil?" said Picard, moving toward the door, but just then Blaze came through it.

"I'm afraid there's been an unfortunate accident, General," he said. "I am deeply saddened to report your son is dead."

"What happened?" said Picard.

"He tried to break away, but slipped somehow and fell down the stairs," said Blaze, with a perfectly straight face. "I'm afraid he broke his neck. Pity. It appears there won't be a trial, after all."

"Were there any witnesses to this?" Picard asked, tensely.

"Oh, my crewmen will corroborate what happened," Blaze said, innocently.

"My son's death will be reported as an accident suffered while attempting to escape," H'druhn said, flatly. He took a deep breath and exhaled, heavily. He turned to Blaze and looked as if he were about to say something more, but hesitated, then said, "We will speak no more of this." He turned to Picard. "As to the matter of Captain Blaze, also known as Diego DeBlazio, a court will be convened at the earliest opportunity following the upcoming elections to determine the exact charges to be levied against him and to set a date for a trial. In the meantime, Captain Blaze will be free on his own recognizance, provided he can post a bail of ten thousand K'tralli marks."

"Ten thousand?" said Blaze.

"Eight?" said H'druhn.

"Five."

"Seven."

"Done."

Picard shook his head. "A man haggling over his own bail. Now I've seen it all." He touched his insignia, activating his communicator. "Picard to Enterprise. One to beam up."

"How did you enjoy your 'liberty,' Mr. La Forge?" Picard asked.

"It was a little tiring, sir," La Forge replied with a sigh.

"Well, I shall not ask what you and your maintenance crews did after you beamed down to D'rahl," Picard said, poker-faced. "After all, what you do on your own time is none of my concern."

"Right," said Geordi.

"Message coming in from the Glory, Captain," Worf said.

"Onscreen, Mr. Worf."

Blaze appeared on the screen, sitting in his command chair on the bridge of the Glory. "Greetings, Captain. I did not wish to leave without saying good-bye. And thank you for-"

"For the record, Captain," said Picard, "I would just as soon you not be specific in your thanks."

Blaze grinned. "I understand. Oh, and, uh, about that clever little transmitter that someone installed in my cloaking device ... Chief Ragnar found it."

Geordi sighed. "I tried," he said, with a shrug.

"Well, I had best be on my way," said Blaze. "My long-range sensors have detected the approach of two Federation stars.h.i.+ps. They should be here within a few hours, and I would rather not have to explain my presence. I think I'll go see what the Romulan merchant fleet has to offer. Bon voyage,Enterprise. Blaze out."

The screen's image changed to the exterior scanners as the Glory pulled out of orbit.

"There he goes," said Riker. He shook his head. "The Romulans outfitted his s.h.i.+p, and now he's going to use it against them. That's what I call nerve."

"It's what I call poetic justice," said Picard.

Riker raised his eyebrows. "Do I detect a note of admiration?" he said.

"No, Mr. Riker, certainly not," Picard replied. "I do not admire pirates. However, I do appreciate panache." He smiled. "Set course for Starbase 37, Mr. Data. I am overdue for a drink with an old friend."