Subj: Reflections Pt.2
Date: 12/16/98 10:51:29 AM Central Standard Time
From: marcos1

In the quell of space, it made a sound that chilled their souls. Riker stared at the cube, moving through space. “Data,...is that?” he called to his science officer.

“Yes, sir, there is not doubt at all,” Data replied, his yellow eyes emotionless, “that is Borg. Moving very fast, almost warp ten.”

“Red alert,” Riker called to the ship. He turned to Troi. “Please notify the Captain. He’s not answering his com, but should be sleeping in his quarters.”

The beautiful, half-Betazoid, Counselor rang the door to Picard’s quarters, but there was no answer. She walked in and found his bed, covers turned—but Captain Picard was no where to be found. “Will, it’s the Captain...he’s not here,” she said through her com badge.

Commander Riker sat on the bridge. “Computer, where is Jean-Luc Picard?” he asked.

“Captain Picard is not on the Enterprise,” the computer replied.

~~~~~

Jean-Luc stood on the beach in Martinique. The years began to move by quickly. He felt like *The Time Traveler* in that old movie. The sun would rise and set and the night skies would move in seconds, the stars shifting position in space. Suddenly, he saw two children playing on the beach.

“I love the ocean,” Angelique said, laughing. She looked to be about eleven years old. Her long blonde tresses were wet. She had been swimming.

“Look what I found,” a younger dark-haired boy said. He held a white seagull in his hands. “It must have broken its wings. I’m going to kill it.”

Angelique pouted, her lips sticking out. “No, you will not hurt it, Nicholas Blair. I shall not allow that.” She ran alongside him.

“How can you stop me...you are just a girl,” Nicholas laughed, squeezing the bird.

Angelique raised her eyebrows and with just a look, Nicholas froze. She reached for the bird, speaking a few words, and the bird began to soar into the air, moving across the blue skies over the roaring ocean.

“That is very good, my dear angel,” a man said, walking towards them. He was tall with dark hair, azure eyes, walking with a cane. “You are developing your powers very well. Your father would be very proud of you. Now, release my son from your spell.”

“No, I shan’t, Lord Blair,” Angelique said, with her hands on hips. “Nicholas was very bad. He was going to hurt that bird. Solange says that it’s wrong to kill for no reason.”

“Of course, you should listen to your mother,” Lord Blair said. “But she has made you my ward. You are my pupil.” He raised his eyebrows. “Now, release my son.”

Angelique moved over to the ten year old boy, passing her hands across his face, he started to move. “Father, Angelique has worked magic on me again,” he said, looking over at him. “She should be punished,” Nicholas said, grinning. “I would suggest a whipping.”

Lord Blair slapped Nicholas. “No, you are the one to be punished. Never allow another witch to better you.” He looked at his son, who broke into tears, his face red and stinging.

“But her father is the devil,” Nicholas cried, running down the beach. “You’ll get yours some day...Angelique Bouchard. Someday, you’ll be mine to control.”

“Pay no attention to him,” Lord Blair said, placing his hand on Angelique’s shoulder. He had a black ring studded with emeralds, across a reverse crucifix. “Come now, your mother is waiting. The fishermen have made a good catch. Your breakfast is waiting.”

Picard watched in silence. The people on the beach couldn’t see him. He called out. “Q, what is going on here?”

Q appeared beside him. He was dressed in leather holding a whip. “Jean-Luc, meet Lord Blair. He was an English nobleman, very renown in the best circles. But infamous for his parties, where he had human sacrifice and torture. He was one of the most evil men that ever lived. What a wonderful mentor for young Angelique.”

“Q, we must stop him,” Picard said, firmly.

Q stared deeply into Picard’s eyes. “Do you really wish that...to interfere and change history. Why, Jean-Luc...I’m shocked at you.” He shook his head. “But if that is what you wish.” He clicked his fingers and Jean-Luc changed into a boy, about thirteen years of age. “Very well, young Jean-Luc, change things.”

To be continued