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: THE PLANET DREMA FOUR

Keller, a young Dreman boy of about 9 is playing in his play fort in a wooded area with a clearing nearby. The cover and side of his fort is clearly a thin flap of scrap metal which, it will be discovered, shields the boy from detection by the shuttle.

The boy is playing "spaceman" by himself when the shuttle lands in the clearing nearby. He is wind-blown by the landing but not hurt. He watches it wide-eyed, but keeps out of sight, and behind the scrap metal.

Data, Picard, Kitsman and Crusher exit the shuttle, assessing the area and their disguises.

DATA - (Using the tricorder) Captain, we are approximately eight kilometers from the nearest town. Scanners show no Dreman life forms in this area. I conclude that the life form reading we detected earlier was an animal that has now returned to its abode.

PICARD - Very good. Since it is sunrise here, we have time to reach town before we are noticed, and we can begin our investigations. We will go in two teams. Mr. Data, you and Dr. Crusher will be covering the northern end of the town, and rendezvous with us here by sundown.

KITSMAN - Starfleet wants this done right, so listen up.

The others give each other the "Oh Brother" look.

KITSMAN - We are intruders on this planet, not guests. Our job is certainly not to cause trouble. We'll watch, listen, wait, and everything will be recorded for later assessment. If you are questioned, you know what to say. If you are provoked, ignore it. If you are at risk of being discovered, use phasers only as a last resort ...

PICARD - (Cutting him off) Ambassador, there are phaser weapons locked in the shuttle, but I will not issue them here. We are not in danger on this planet.

KITSMAN - The hell we aren't, Picard. I don't know about you but I don't want to get my head blown off in some local war that you provoked.

PICARD - And what makes you think that swinging a phaser on your hip is going to reduce the likelihood of being blown up?

Kitsman looks at Picard angrily, but has no answer.

PICARD - (To officer in shuttle) Ensign Ford, what's our status?

ENSIGN FORD - Sir, the Enterprise reports your communicators are coming in loud and clear for now. However, the Selcundi solar activity will be increasing sometime in the next 12-24 hours. This could interfere with transmissions.

PICARD - Enough to affect shuttle communications?

ENSIGN FORD - Not likely, sir. The ship's power supply will be able to relay the signals. Boost them if necessary.

PICARD - Very good, then. Let's get to work.

The away team of four start walking, and the Ensign watches them a moment, then enters the shuttle and closes the door. The Dreman boy, Keller, observes everything, then sneaks closer to the clearing.

KELLER - (whispers to himself excitedly) Wait till I tell them! Aliens!

Keller begins to follow them.

Scene: DREMAN TOWN OF TREETON, OUTSIDE OF A TAVERN

The tavern is well ordered, and the buildings nearby are also simple and decorative.

Picard and Kitsman stop at a safe distance from the tavern. A few Dremans are leaving or entering the building, but it is not busy.

PICARD - The harmony of design and function is astounding here.

KITSMAN - We won't learn much looking at the scenery, Picard.

PICARD - Where are the signs of an impending civil war? Where is the turmoil? And the protesters? I wish I'd brought Troi. Her ability to sense these people's emotions could help us.

KITSMAN - We don't need Troi if we just get a little closer to them. There's a tavern if ever I saw one. So, do we enter and get some information or are you just going to "sense" these people?

PICARD - Enter that tavern? And do what? Order a brandy? Charge it to Starfleet?

While they are talking, they have attracted the attention of two of the Dremans, who now approach them.

DREMAN 1 (KRAIG) - May I help you, stranger?

PICARD - (Caught off guard, but recovers) We have come South to visit a friend's home, and we are not sure how much farther it is. Could you tell us what is the next town?

KRAIG - That is Treeton. Is that your destination?

PICARD - It appears we are headed in the right direction, sir. Thank you very much for your trouble.

KRAIG - Won't you be my guest for a drink.

KITSMAN - (Cuts in before Picard can answer) We would be most honored, thank you.

KRAIG - My name is Kraig. This is Benote.

KITSMAN - My name is Kitsman.

PICARD - I am Picard.

The four head into the tavern.

Scene: INSIDE THE TAVERN

The four enter the tavern, followed by Keller, unnoticed.

KRAIG - (To Barkeeper) Jalkie. A round of bella for us. (Turning to Picard, in a jovial manner) So you have come South? Then you have come from Youden. I have friends there, perhaps you know them.

KITSMAN - We have come from farther North.

BENOTE - Farther North than Youden? There are no more towns.

KITSMAN - Our home is in a rural area. We don't live near the towns.

BENOTE - Where?

KITSMAN - Uh. It is a very distant area. Very ... very distant.

The Dremans in the tavern are all curious now, and look at Kitsman and Picard with extreme interest.

KITSMAN - Um. Earth.

BENOTE - Earth? I have never heard of it.

KITSMAN - It's ... north.

KRAIG - A toast, then, to our visitors from Earth.

All raise their glasses and drink.

Scene: THE CLEARING NEAR THE SHUTTLE.

Four Dreman boys are approaching.

DREMAN BOY KINO - Boy, we come all this way just to see Keller's fort. It had better be good.

DREMAN BOY YOND - Keller said he used a secret panel for the walls and roof. He said it was so strong, you could stay in it even in a rain, or an earthquake, or a storm, or ...

KINO - I know what he said, Yond. He was just bragging. It's probably just another stupid cardboard fort...

Kino stops suddenly and looks ahead. The other boys look ahead and see the Enterprise Shuttle. They are awestruck for a few seconds, and then jump for joy.

They are petting the shuttle and climbing on it and trying to find a way in.

DREMAN BOYS - (ad lib) Yippee! Hooray! Look at it! It's really like he said. You could stay in this fort for a week. You could live in this fort forever! How do you get in? Where's the door?

ENSIGN FORD - (Inside the shuttle, looking at the boys) Oh no! I have to get rid of them. (Opens the door, exits the shuttle) Hey, you kids. Get off of there.

KINO - Who are you? What are you doing in Keller's fort?

ENSIGN FORD - Ensign Ford, serial number A-1-7-3-2-dash-5-2-7-4-9.

While he is answering, two of the boys climb into the shuttle door behind Ensign Ford. They start to shout "Hey, look in here. It's full of equipment and gadgets and stuff."

ENSIGN FORD - Now look, get out of here, you two. This is dangerous. Don't touch that. Leave that alone.

The remaining boys enter the shuttle and take over, spinning in the chairs and trying all the controls. Ensign Ford is helpless to stop them.

- to be continued