Star Trek The Next Generation: Struggles of the Mind

Chapter 5

It was as Riker and Picard sat discussing the resent events that Picard's communicator chimed.

"Picard here."

"Captain, this is Worf."

"Yes, Worf, what is it?"

"Sir, Counsellor Troi broke into my quarters."

"What!"

"The computer identified her as the last person in here at the time of the intrusion. One of my Klingon Ceremonial Daggers is missing, sir."

"What would she want that for?"

"That is what I intend to ask her when I see her." The Klingon's voice rumbled with anger.

Picard broke the comm link.

"Captain, I'd like to be included in Worf's search."

"Very well, Number One."

As Riker stood he called out,

"Computer, location of Counsellor Troi?"

'Counsellor Troi is in her quarters.' Came the computer's stark reply.

Picard watched bleakly as his First Officer strode into the turbolift and disappeared behind the doors.
He had shared Riker's feeling of knowing that it wasn't all over, but he had hoped that they were wrong. Obviously they had both been right.

As Picard entered his Ready Room, his commbadge chimed.

"Picard here."

"Sir," came Riker's voice, "We've lost Troi."

"What do you mean, 'lost', Number One?"

"We found her communicator in her quarters, but she's not here. Worf's deployed several security teams on various decks, but we're having trouble tracking her."

"Alright. Leave the search to Worf and come to my Ready Room as soon as possible. Picard out."

As he tapped his commbadge to break the link he made his way to the large window. He stood by it and stared at the stars. Something moved behind him, but before he could react a Klingon Ceremonial Dagger was pressed against his throat.

"Forgive me, Lacutus, but I must get off this ship." Came Deanna's voice from behind him.

He knew he had to delay her until Riker could get there and help him.

"Let me speak to Deanna?" he stalled.

"No. No more delays, Lacutus. Take me to the Shuttle Bay now!"

"Do you really think that you'll get off this ship?"

"I don't need to think, I know I will."

As Deanna manoeuvred Picard towards the Ready Room door, it hissed open and Will Riker entered. Reacting immediately, Deanna pushed Picard to one side. He fell and hit his head on the desk corner.
Deanna thrust the blade in Riker's direction, but he'd seen it coming and dropped to the floor. Riker swung his leg into hers, causing her to topple onto him and drop the dagger. They both lunged for it, but Deanna was slightly faster and she grabbed at it in an almost greedy and obsessive manner.

"I'll kill you for interfering!" she hissed at him as they stood up.

There was another struggle to gain control of the dagger and Will was thrown to the floor, as she ran forward with the dagger, it became painfully clear to Will that she was not going to miss him.
As the blade came ever closer toward him, a halo of light flashed around Troi's body.