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: BRIDGE

Worf, Geordi, Riker, and Troi, and attending personnel.

RIKER - (voice over) "Captain's log Star Date 12345. First officer reporting. The Captain and the Ambassador are being held for questioning by members of the religious faction. They do not seem to be in danger for now, but we do not know what course of action their detainers may take. Doctor Crusher and Second Officer Data have been discovered by the Dremans who are hiding the girl Sarjenka. We are not sure whether the Dremans suspect that Data and the Doctor are not from Drema Four. It now appears that I am limited in my response options."

Static overpowers Riker's voice, and Worf and Geordi press various buttons trying to stop the noise and determine the cause.

RIKER - Geordi, what's happening to our communications?

GEORDI - The Selcundi sun has begun a cycle of high intensity radiation. The di-lithium deposits inside Drema Four are picking up the solar waves and intensifying them. I can't re-establish contact with the away team or the shuttle unless we get out from behind the moon, or the solar flares die down.

RIKER - What about sending another shuttle?

GEORDI - The radiation would affect the navigation systems the same way. Out here behind the Dreman moon we are protected from a lot of it, but a lone shuttle may not even make it to Drema Four.

RIKER - So they're trapped. Well, let's un-trap them. Ensign, set a course to put us into standard orbit...

WORF - Commander, Starfleet is hailing us, priority channel.

RIKER - I'll take it in the ready room. Ensign, hold our position, but be ready to move.

Riker exits to the Ready Room.

Scene: READY ROOM

Riker enters the Captain's ready room and switches on the desktop com panel. Admiral Hayden appears on the screen.

ADMIRAL - Where's Picard?

RIKER - Captain Picard is with the away team on the planet.

ADMIRAL - Well, patch him in, I want to find out what's going on.

RIKER - I'm afraid that's not possible, Admiral. Solar activity has just drowned out our communications. I was just getting ready to send a reconnaissance team down to determine their status.

ADMIRAL - Commander, by no authority are you to enter an orbit or otherwise interfere with these people. Besides the violations of the Prime Directive, we have the Ferengi to worry about.

RIKER - Sir?

ADMIRAL - They've heard about our contact with the Dremans, and are protesting our quarantine of the sector. They are claiming we have kept the Dremans to ourselves for profiteering.

RIKER - With all due respect, Admiral, I hardly think the Ferengi are a threat here...

ADMIRAL - Riker, this is turning into an intergalactic incident of the highest order. Picard has one chance to get things back on track there, or he's history. Hayden out.

The admiral's image is replaced by the Star Fleet emblem on the com panel. Riker shuts off the panel and shows his concern.

Scene: BASEMENT ROOM, PICARD AND KITSMAN

Picard and Kitsman are being held in a basement of a house. There is a bunk and a chair, and a single door in the room. Kitsman is trying to open the door.

PICARD - It is still locked.

KITSMAN - I can still try, damn it all.

Kicks the door. Then tries the wrist communicator.

KITSMAN - Kitsman to Enterprise.

PICARD - I hope their law allows us the counsel of an attorney.

KITSMAN - If you had issued phasers, we wouldn't need an attorney.

PICARD - If you had used a phaser, then our First Contact would have made quite an impression, wouldn't it?

Their argument is interrupted by the door being unlocked. A Dreman walks in, checks the room and the two prisoners, and leaves. Then Gembel, a Dreman woman "priest", robed and embellished with religious jewelry, enters.

GEMBEL - My children, Please, follow me upstairs.

Scene: The three exit up a stairway and into a ground floor room.

There are two other "priests" in the room. One is an ancient looking man called Rittin. The priests sit behind a table, and Picard and Kitsman sit in the chairs in front.

GEMBEL - I am Combi Gembel. This is Combi Rittin and Combi Ricoh. We now realize that you are not from our family, and that our laws and customs may not apply to you, or your family. Therefore we will be extraordinarily lenient in our judgment. The trial will now begin. Will you swear to speak the truth?

PICARD - Combi Gembel, among my people, my family, to speak the truth is our way.

GEMBEL - Then you are a true kindred brother. You are accused of many things, Picard and Kitsman. Insubordination. Inciting to riot. Trespassing. Vagrancy. Suspicious activity. Espionage. And one allegation of being an alien. We have confirmed that you are not spies from the governor. At least, not in this district. And, you are obviously not the little green men from Drema Three, unless, of course, this place "Earth" you say you are from is located on Drema Three. The other charges are less serious, and the Assembly can be quite forgiving with a cooperative defendant. Therefore, tell us now, your stand on the miracle of the quakes.

PICARD - My family has another custom: not to judge or condemn a person for his belief, because for us, each person has a right to his belief. The denial of that right is a serious crime. You have asked if we are religious or scientist. My reply is this: a religion that is intolerant is the same as a science that is intolerant. They are both dictatorships, unworthy of answer.

GEMBEL - But there is no third option. You must state your beliefs.

RICOH - For all of time, for all our recorded history, Dremans have taken their stand.

KITSMAN - NO!

GEMBEL - How can you deny your own past? Does not every Dreman know of this fundamental truth?

PICARD - This fundamental truth -- that Dremans have always stated their beliefs when challenged --- is unyielding?

GEMBEL - Of course! How can you not know?

RITTIN - It has been more than 100 years.

GEMBEL - Combi Rittin.

RITTIN - I was a boy when my father stood before the Combi Assembly. It was more than 100 years ago. He spoke of the same rights as this visitor. Rights of belief. Rights of speech. Have we forgotten that these are also fundamental?

PICARD - Yes, it makes sense now. You have caused this whole predicament yourselves. I'd call it stubbornness if it weren't so harmful.

GEMBEL - What harm has come to you?

PICARD - We have learned the consequences of being suspect. The treatment we have had here would be considered among my people an act of aggression, unprovoked and violent.

GEMBEL - Aggression! None was intended. No harm could come to you. Perhaps you are indeed from a distant land. Our culture, our family, has no such primitive thoughts.

KITSMAN - What do you mean? You are keeping us here against our will.

GEMBEL - But this is to protect you.

KITSMAN - Thank you for your protection. We would like to leave now.

GEMBEL - I wish that it could be so simple.

Gembel, Rittin, and Ricoh exchange glances and nod.

GEMBEL - Picard and Kitsman, you are found wanting in your testimony. The Combi Assembly finds you guilty of lying about your origins and concealing information on your intentions. You are to appear in a public trial on the fourteenth day of this month, at which time you will be sentenced.

Gembel removes a stole from her garments and places it on the table. The door opens and four police officers enter. The officers are wearing weapons, but they do not draw them. Picard and Kitsman exchange glances and are led away. Outside, Keller is still watching, observing Picard and Kitsman being taken prisoner.

-to be continued