Chapter 3 - A Means to an End

Commander Riker crossed his arms over his chest, whilst he observed Geordi and Data checking the containment of the vaccines. He had read through the report from Penarus V, and after checking through the crates transported from the Gallico, there wasn't nearly enough for the Penarons. He furrowed his brow and let out a breath, this wasn't going to be an easy mission.

"Commander" Riker turned around to see Dr Crusher walking towards him, with her tricorder open.

"Doctor"

"I need to take a sample of the vaccine to sickbay to analyse" She said as she stared at her tricorder readings then up at him

"Is there a problem?" Riker asked concerned as he glanced at Data and Geordi; who apparently overheard and were listening equally as worried, before turning back to Dr Crusher

I'm not sure exactly. After running a scan on the vaccine, the components inside the vaccine make is impossible to simply replicate."

"Are you saying you can't replicate it?" Geordi asked

"Again, I'm not sure. I'm going to need to take a sample back to sickbay for better analysis."

Riker was already worried about this mission, could things get any worse? He was just about to reply to Dr Crusher when Philips walked through the Cargo Bay doors.

"Ambassador" Riker yelled, and stepped around Dr Crusher to address him

"Riker" Philips said nodding his head at the Commander, and continued walking towards the crates where Geordi, Data and Dr Crusher stood

"I trust that the vaccines are safely stored in these crates?" Philips said glancing back at Riker, but it was Geordi who answered; "Exactly in accordance with your specifications." Philips smiled; "Very good"

"Charles" Beverley said stepping forward, causing everyone to turn to face her;

"Beverley" Philips said grinning catching her off guard

"Charles, why didn't you say anything about the fact you can't replicate the vaccines without them becoming unstable?" The Professor's smile dropped replaced by a frown so serious it was close to a glare

"What are you talking about?" Philips said frowning as he glanced at Riker

Beverly stepped forward waving the tricorder right under his face; "I scanned the vaccines in the crate Charles, and the components make it almost impossible to replicate safely." She said exasperatedly, furious at him for keeping something like this from not only her, but the Captain. "You lied." It just confirmed what she already knew about him, and she waited for him to confess.

Instead though, he sighed; "Beverley I'm truly saddened that I've lost your trust. I understand that to you what happened….." He paused almost blurting out the event; "…was unforgivable, and I'm sorry. But I assure you that I did not lie about something as important about these vaccines!" Philip yelled pointing at the crates; "Yes, some of the components make it difficult for replication, but I have engineered a way around this. Which I was going to divulge to you once I came aboard. If you like, I can show you the specifications of the procedure." Philips paused again and stared at Beverley. Silence engulfed the Cargo Bay as everyone was watching the tense encounter that have resulted in outright yelling.

Riker felt no need to step between Dr Crusher and Philips, both were angry and he took note of the tension between the two. Yet, he knew Dr Crusher was professional and knew there were more important things at stake. Riker devised that there was obviously a history between them, but he just hoped it didn't interfere with the mission any more than it should.

"Look Beverley." Philips said stepping closer to her and speaking more softly; "I don't expect you to forgive me. Ever. That's not why I'm here. But if you could put those feelings aside for this mission." Beverley stood there stunned into silence. She began to doubt her assumptions of him. He had apologised, but more than that she saw in his eyes he was pleading her forgiveness. Although, she knew she wasn't ready to yet, it was a start, and she knew how much it would mean to Wesley. She sighed and glanced at Riker, before turning back to Philips

"Ok Charles." She said softly

"Good." Philips replied in the same tone of voice. Before clearing his voice and turning to Riker; "Riker, guide me through the storage containment of the vaccines."

Later, Wesley had just finished his shift on the bridge. He was disappointed in missing out on catching up with Philips, but he had rearranged his duty shift so he could be present when he beamed aboard. He was relieved to see his uncle again, they hadn't spoken much recently, and with everything that's happened lately Wesley wanted to talk to him.

Wesley walked through the doors to sickbay and into his mother's office; "Mom!" He exclaimed cheerfully as he approached her desk. She spun her chair around from the computer behind her desk to face her son, she smiled. "Wesley, how was your shift on the bridge?"

"Good, but I didn't have much to do. You know because the Enterprise is remaining at warp nine until we reach Penarus V."

"You should be grateful to be on the bridge, steering the ship. Not many children your age get that kind of experience, even at the academy." Beverley leant across her desk as she spoke

Yes mom. I know" Wesley said nodding his head. He truly was grateful to Captain Picard for allowing his to be an Ensign on the bridge. "So did you speak to Uncle Charlie?" Wesley asked enthusiastically, and Beverley tensed and turned back to her computer monitor, which was currently running a test on the vaccine from Philip's specification for replication, to actually see if he was right about it.

"Yes I spoke to him Wesley, earlier in the Cargo Bay." Beverley said dryly

"Mom I thought you were past this." Wesley said furrowing his brow at her tone, as he came around her desk to stand next to her

"Wesley, you don't understand." She said frustrated as she again pretended to be engrossed in her work

"No Mom I understand you're angry at him. But Uncle Charlie is family, he was dad's best friend."

"Wesley" She sighed and turned towards him, grabbing his hands in hers; "I know you look up to Charles, I understand that, he was there for you when…." She trailed off and then cleared her throat, she still couldn't say it aloud; Jack died, especially to her son. "You have to understand how I feel about him, you're all I have left Wesley, and if any happened to you." She shook her head and turned back to face her computer; "I just don't feel I can trust him anymore when I still don't know what happened."

"But neither do I." Wesley protested

"Exactly!" She almost yelled, before calming herself and looking into his eyes; "You don't remember what happened Wesley because you were hurt, and that was his fault."

"No it wasn't."

"I trusted him to look after you, and instead I almost lost you." By now she was standing and had her hands on his shoulders

"You may have almost lost me, but think about what Uncle Charlie lost." Wesley said indignantly before backing away and walking out

"Wesley…" She pleaded but it was too late and the doors swished shut behind him. She sank back down into her chair just as there was a chiming sound from her computer. She glanced at the conclusive readings from her test and found Charles had been right, his model for replicating the virus would work. She sighed and slumped back, she had been wrong and accused Charles of lying. If she was wrong this time, maybe she was wrong to keep staying mad at Charles. Yes she had nearly lost her son, but he had actually lost his daughter!

Beverley covered a hand over her mouth as realisation sunk in. What had she done? She'd been so angry over losing Jack, and then to almost lose Wesley too. She'd just vented all her anger at Charles and forgot that he had lost too, more than she had, and yet he let her. Remembering how close she and Charles used to be, it brought her sadness, she'd lost a close friend. Maybe Wesley was right.

After Riker had briefed Philips on the storage crates, he approved them and went back to his quarters. Wesley had shown them to Philips earlier during their tour. Philips had to admit they were beyond nice, apparently because of his Ambassador title. He was beginning to tire of this façade, of trying to hide his true feelings towards the Federation.

Philips sighed as he sat down at the desk and computer they have provided for him. He turned it on and brought out a small oval shaped device from the inside of his cloak. It was of his own design, to encrypt his transmissions and prevent the Enterprise crew of detecting his communications off the ship. Once he plugged the device into the computer, it flashed red indicating it had linked with the Enterprise computer.

"Computer" Philips said as he leant back in his chair; "Encrypt transmission to location: Denbar Prime. Authorisation code: Five-One-Three-Seven-Seven-One." There was a chiming in response that lasted a few seconds before the computer spoke; "Communication encrypted." And an image appeared on the computer screen of a man sitting in a high chair, much like a throne. He had short dark black hair, similar in colour to his all black clothes, a cloak like Philips, and a large diamond shaped golden necklace around his neck.

"Professor" The man's voice was deep and devoid of any emotion; "I was growing impatient, you were supposed to contact us when you arrived on the Enterprise."

"My apologies….your highness" Philips just remembered the custom of speaking to 'king Maxim' of Denbar Prime, but it came out forced and bitter; "I was otherwise engaged, and had to make sure the Enterprise crew didn't suspect anything. As you know I must keep my true reason for being here a secret."

"Yes, yes." The king waved his hand and frowned; "And the boy?" He said raising an eyebrow

"Wesley is unsuspecting just like the rest of them. But it seems Picard and Starfleet had been good for him, he's a genius when it comes to Engineering. The crew have no idea how much smarter Wesley is than them, or what he's really capable of."

"Perfect" King Maxim said and a wicked grin broke out on his face; "And he will do what we need?"

Philips hesitated as he felt Maxim's intense gaze on his face, like he could read his thoughts. Maxim may be telepathic, but he was certain that he couldn't read thoughts through a screen. "Wesley trusts me right now, but he still doesn't remember what happened at Science base 7. I can't just make him finish the equation, not without him suspecting me. So it makes it difficult, especially when I can't let any other members of the crew find out."

"Well you are a smart man Professor, I'm sure you can figure out a way to honour your side of the agreement. If you can't get the boy to comply, then the deal if off." Maxim leant forward so just his head filled the screen, and he glared at Phillips; "And remember you were the one who approached me with this deal, it was your idea. And without me, you won't get what you want."

Philips glared back at the man, he despised him, and knew that he was a tyrannical king. A king who killed any of his people who got in his way or questioned his rule. But Maxim was the only one who could help him destroy the Federation.

"You have 36 hours Professor" And with that the communication ended. Philips sank further back into his chair and groaned in frustration. Maxim may be a means to an end, to destroy the Federation for taking his daughter away from him, but he still didn't want any harm to come to Wesley. He was like a son to him, and he had promised Jack. Philips just hoped that his promise to Wesley's father didn't interfere with his mission, because if he came down to keeping Wesley safe or destroying the federation. He didn't know what he would choose when put in that position, and he was afraid that that decision was becoming ever more real.