Editor's Note: This is Part III of a twelve part television script graciously given to us by our own member John Comeaux. I hope you enjoy it and will look forward to each subsequent installment.

Author's preface: This episode occurs about two years after the episode "Pen Pals" and is a sequel to it. Thus, it fits in about the fourth season. That's all you need to know to enjoy the story.

Scene: DR. CRUSHER'S OFFICE

Crusher is working at her desk when Picard approaches.

CRUSHER - Captain. Come in.

PICARD - I received a letter from Wesley. It was good to hear from him.

CRUSHER - I'm glad he wrote you. Did he mention the paper he is working on?

PICARD - Yes. He asked for some of the ship's logs. I sent them right away.

CRUSHER - He told me this is not just a term paper. It's something really big, some kind of breakthrough. He's planning to publish it in the scientific journals. He's very excited about it. It's all he talks about in the letters to me. Well, almost.

PICARD - Beverly, I want to ask you something. And it may really be none of my business, so please tell me if I'm out of line.

CRUSHER - All right.

PICARD - How is Wesley really doing at the Academy?

CRUSHER - As far as grades, he's still in the top of his class.

PICARD - And ...

CRUSHER - As far as friends, not too well.

PICARD - I remember how hard it was, between studying and classwork and lab work.

CRUSHER - It's more than that.

PICARD - I sensed something in the letter. That's why I came in.

CRUSHER - It's jealousy. Wesley has had a career as an officer on a starship before he became a student. The other students can only dream about the experience he has had already.

PICARD - I see.

CRUSHER - And if that weren't bad enough, there's the problem with the professors.

PICARD - What do you mean?

CRUSHER - They are not immune from jealousy. From what I gather in the letters he sends, the professors resent his experience just as much as the students.

PICARD - I can't believe that the Academy would allow such behavior.

CRUSHER - Oh, it's not overt. You know what I mean. A word here, an assignment, or ignoring his questions.

PICARD - Ignoring him?

CRUSHER - They are taking the attitude that his questions are simply to show off, or to challenge their understanding. Really, he's feeling like an outcast.

PICARD - I'm going to contact the Director of ...

CRUSHER - Don't even think of it. Jean Luc, you really cannot help him that way. Any influence you try to pull would only worsen the situation. But you can do one thing. Write him. Show him your support. But whatever you do, don't let him know what I told you. One hint from you, and all your support will seem like sympathy.

PICARD - You know how fond I am of Wesley.

CRUSHER - Yes. I know.

PICARD - I will handle this with the utmost care, Beverly. Thank you for confiding in me.

Scene: SICK BAY

Dr. Crusher, Data, Picard, Dr. Sennard, and attending medical personnel. Crusher is measuring and scanning Data's head and face, Sennard is doing the same to Picard.

CRUSHER - (To Data) I've been trying to find out what the variations in skin coloring and features of the Dremans are, so I can come up with reasonable skin masks for us.

PICARD - (To Crusher) As we approach Drema Four, I'm sure we can pick up enough communication signals to piece together a cross section of the population, Doctor.

CRUSHER - I'm counting on that, but I wish we had more information now. I've also checked the records from the Klingon observations, but the details are lacking.

SENNARD - There you are, Captain. We'll be working on the mask shortly.

PICARD - Thank you, Dr. Sennard.

Picard leaves, and passes Kitsman on his way in. Kitsman takes a seat on the table. Sennard begins scanning him.

CRUSHER - (To Data) Did you see any photographs of Sarjenka's family in their home? Anything that would tell us about facial hair, different races, other obvious features?

DATA - I did not see photographs, but there were many objects of artistic design and useful function in the home. This is apparently of some importance to the Dremans. I also did not see objects of religious worship or ceremonial purposes in the room I was in. I would find it contradictory for Sarjenka's family to have faith in a god when she was sending transmissions into space.

CRUSHER - What do you mean, that science and religion don't mix?

KITSMAN - Science mixes with anything but religion, Doctor. Data is being quite logical.

SENNARD - I have faith in God.

The statement startles everyone in the room except Crusher

KITSMAN - (Laughing to break the nervousness) A true believer, eh Doc?

SENNARD - The great thing about it is, God exists whether there are true believers or not. My belief in a creative, loving, holy God is logical when I look at the commonality of beings across the galaxy. No matter the personalities, races, or chemistry, there is enough common ground for me to see how God could have fashioned each creature. Endowed it with the ability to love and the chance to choose.

KITSMAN - I would venture to say not many of your shipmates agree with you.

SENNARD - You would be wrong, sir.

DATA - The subject of god is fascinating to me, Dr. Sennard. May I ask you a question? Why does God exist? What was there before God? What is the nature of God? Why does God not speak to us? Why does God allow evil and suffering in the universe? Which of the religions that exist ...

SENNARD - Whoa, Mr. Data. You have more questions than I have answers. But I'd love to talk to you about it when we have more time.

DATA - Yes, I would appreciate that, Doctor.

KITSMAN - Are you recruiting for your religion, Doctor?

SENNARD - Why, are you interested too, Ambassador?

KITSMAN - Well, no, I just, uh, ...

SENNARD - Let me know if you do get curious.

Scene: TEN FORWARD

Kitsman is sitting at the bar and Guinan is serving him another drink. Worf is also at the bar, within earshot.

KITSMAN - ... So the professor asks the third Klingon "How much is two plus two," and he thinks, and growls, and howls, and the whole Klingon graduating class leans forward and waits, and finally the Klingon shouts "FOUR", and with one loud voice, the whole class says "Awwww."

Guinan keeps a straight face. Worf is angered, but does not get up. Kitsman looks over at Worf, raises his drink, and smiles. Worf growls, but stays put.

GUINAN - Ambassador Kitsman, were you in show business before?

KITSMAN - You can sense that part of me, eh sweet lady? No, I was not, but my family was once. It's in my blood. Long ago, the traveling circus of Kitsman and Peabody traveled the galaxy performing for kings and princes, beloved by millions.

GUINAN - You're sure you weren't one of the performers? A clown, perhaps?

KITSMAN - Ah, dear lady. You flatter me. But if that great circus were still performing, I would easily rise to the position of Ring-Master, out in front and in control.

GUINAN - So what's a performer like you doing as a Federation Ambassador?

KITSMAN - It's my love for all species. My fondest desire is to bring them the benefits of belonging to the Federation of Planets.

GUINAN - The benefits.

KITSMAN - Yes. The order, the diversity, the beauty.

GUINAN - Not to mention our superior technology.

KITSMAN - Yes.

GUINAN - And our superior knowledge.

KITSMAN - That's true...

GUINAN - And our superior attitude.

KITSMAN - What?

GUINAN - Look, Captain Picard has been on missions of this type before. He has worked under extremely dangerous conditions. He has made First Contact before. Starfleet has placed its complete trust in him without someone from Headquarters holding his hand. (With contempt) What are YOU doing here?

KITSMAN - Ah, my dear sneaky lady. Haven't you heard? I am here to bring the legendary Picard to his knees, and show the world what a pompous overblown windbag he really is. All smoke and mirrors. Just like the circus.

GUINAN - I don't know whom you know at Starfleet. And I don't know whom you convinced to let you take this mission. But I can see past your little scheme. You think Picard is an easy target. You found a situation that looks like a screwup, and you're going to be the vulture. Sorry, Ring-Master. Your plan is going to backfire. Captain Picard is capable of turning this around.

KITSMAN - It's too late. He screwed it up two years ago. And now that the situation is out of control, Picard's incompetence will be laid out in the open for everyone to see. He's finished.

- to be continued