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The older sister stepped over to BEtors side. But they didnt find it … and now we have a weapon of unlimited power. Her voice was calmer, deeper than her sisters, her manner more reservedbut she could be, Soran knew, just as treacherous.

His lips thinned. I have the weapon, Lursa. And if you ever want me to give it to you, I advise you to be a little more careful in the future.

The last word had scarcely left his lips when BEtor suddenly sprang toward him and secured his hands with surprising strength. An evil smile played on her lips as she lifted a double-edged Klingon dagger to his throat. Perhaps we are tired of waiting, she hissed. Soran did not quiver, did not so much as flinch as the cool metal pressed into the tender skin of his neck, slid over his Adams apple.

Without my research, he said coolly, the trilithium is worthlessas are your plans to reconquer the Klingon Empire.

BEtors lip curled with disappointment; Lursa reached out and patiently pushed the daggers blade away from the scientists throat.

Soran repressed a smile of triumph. Set course for the Veridian system, he ordered the two women. Maximum warp.

BEtor said nothing, only narrowed her eyes with resentment; the implacable Lursa turned toward the helm, and issued a guttural command.

Soran had turned, thinking to head for his cramped, uncomfortable quarters, when a guard entered, dragging the unconscious Starfleet officer kidnapped from the observatory. The guard nodded at the humans sagging body. What shall I do with this?

Bring him with me, Soran said. I need some answers from Mr. La Forge.

At that moment, Will Riker was thinking of Geordi La Forge as he headed with Worf for sickbay. Clearly, Soran had committed the kidnapping with some purpose in mindotherwise, he would have beamed away alone. But why? And why beam aboard a Klingon ship? The captain had informed him about the rattletrap of a Bird-of-Prey during the debriefing. For that matter, why destroy a star? The more Riker considered all the pieces to the Amargosa puzzle, the less sense they made.

Worf interrupted his reverie. I have spoken to the Klingon High Council, sir. They identified the Bird-of-Prey as belonging to the Duras sisters.

Riker drew back, then shook his head with amazement. Lursa and BEtor? This doesnt make any sense. A renowned stellar physicist somehow uses a trilithium probe to destroy a star … kidnaps Geordi … and escapes with a pair of Klingon renegades. Why? What the hells going on?

Worf emitted a silent sigh. I do not know, sir. They rounded a corner and entered sickbay, where Crusher was just closing a panel at the back of Datas skull. The android was sitting on a biobed, scanning himself with a tricorder.

Riker caught Beverlys gaze. How is he?

She swept an errant strand of auburn hair from her face, which wore a seriousbut fortunately, Riker knew from past experience, not grimexpression. It looks like a power surge fused the emotional chip into his neural net.

Worf studied the android somberly. Will that be a danger to him?

She shook her head. I dont think so; the chip still seems to be working. She sighed with dissatisfaction and folded her arms in front of her chest; a faint crease deepened in the pale skin between her eyebrows. Id feel better if I could take a closer look, but I cant remove it without completely dismantling his cerebral conduit.

Riker directed a smile at Data. So. Looks like youre stuck with emotions for a while. How do you feel? Data glanced up from his tricorder, his brow furrowed, his golden eyes narrow with worry. ! am quite … preoccupied with concern about Geordi.

We all are, Data, Riker said softly. But were going to get him back.

I hope so, sir. The androids tone and expression remained anxious.

Will … Beverly took Riker aside and led him over to a wall monitor. I checked into Dr. Sorans background. She pressed a control; a holo of Soran appeared, along with biographical data. Hes an E1 Aurian, over three