A Time for War, a Time for Peace - Keith R. A. DeCandido [10]
“I believe, Number One, the true question you wish to ask is, what about me, since after all, I was the subject of Starfleet’s investigation after Rashanar, not the Enterprise.” Another smile. “Besides, Captain, don’t you have concerns of your own?”
Riker refused to take the bait, regardless of the amount of pride he felt from finally taking on his first command. “Until I actually report to the Titan, Captain, I’m still your first officer.”
“Indeed you are.” Picard took a breath. “To answer your question, it’s still to be determined. However, we are not the only Starfleet vessel in this particular quandary.” The captain folded his hands on the table. “Along with the copy of President Zife’s resignation, I received a communiqué from Admiral Nakamura. As many of you know, several Starfleet vessels have been the subject of inspection tours over the past few months. The Enterprise has now been added to the list.”
Troi frowned. “What kind of inspection tour is this, exactly?”
“Apparently, the admiralty is concerned that some ships may be having difficulties similar to those expressed by President Zife in his resignation speech. That four years after the fact, some vessels may not have made the adjustment back to peacetime service, especially those captains who achieved the rank during the war. It is, after all, far easier to fall off the horse than it is to get back on it.”
La Forge shook his head. “What, they want to make sure that we bled according to regulations?”
Riker sighed. “Well, at least they’re not just picking on us this time.”
“True, Number One. The inspection team will be arriving in one week’s time. All personnel are to be at their disposal for the duration of their stay.”
“Do we at least know who’s gonna be on the team?” La Forge asked.
Vale added, “Or how long their stay’s duration’s going to be?”
“The answer to both is no, I’m afraid,” Picard said.
“Wonderful,” Vale muttered.
“In any event, our orders are to remain on station here at Xarantine and complete repairing the battle damage we took at Tezwa until the team arrives.”
“We’ll be done long before then, Captain.” La Forge spoke with his usual air of confidence.
“I’m glad to hear that, Mr. La Forge.” Picard gazed at Riker. “After the inspection, we will be reporting back to Earth. And that, Will, is your cue.”
Riker grinned. “The last few weeks have been a little too busy for Deanna and me to make proper wedding plans, but now that we’re no longer fighting guerrilla wars and rotting in POW camps, we’ve had a bit of time to figure out what we want to do.” Again, Riker had to attempt to banish thoughts of the Tezwan pit from his mind, forcing himself to focus on the fact that he and Troi had finally decided to get married back on Delta Sigma IV. “We just want to have a simple ceremony with a few friends. Obviously, everyone in this room is invited. I’m working on securing an area of Alaska in the Denali Mountains, near where I grew up.”
La Forge shuddered a bit. “We’re not gonna have to climb a mountain or anything to get there, are we?”
Riker looked at Troi. “What do you think, should we allow transporters and shuttles?”
Nodding with mock gravity, Troi said, “I believe that can be permitted, yes.”
“You’re in luck, Geordi.”
“Good—after Tezwa, I’ve had enough of mountains to last a lifetime.”
“Oh,” Riker said, giving Troi a knowing glance, “there’s one thing we need to take care of.”
Picard frowned. “What is that, Number One?”
“Well, traditionally, in human weddings at least, the groom chooses a best man—someone close to him who can stand by his side as he takes the final step into matrimony.” He turned to Picard. “I’d be honored if you’d take that role, Captain.”
It was a rare thing indeed for Jean-Luc Picard to be flabbergasted.