Free Star Trek: The Next Generation - 020 - Q-In-Law by Peter David Page A

entertaining..." "He's not an admiral!" said Picard.
     
     
"He is--" And Picard thought, What now? I tell them he's a super being who can accomplish anything with pure thought? Let them know we have a creature who can punt us light years into the middle of Borg space if he's of a mind to, standing here in the middle of this party? Start a complete panic for no purpose?
     
     
He also realized, at that moment, that he had just graciously filled in Lwaxana Troi on the true nature of things, if she was of a mind to have been listening in. He hoped she wasn't.
     
     
Without any visible hesitation, Picard said, "He is not welcome on this ship." The majority of the partygoers were Tizarin, but there were enough Enterprise regulars around to spot Q and promptly start to back away. They knew that whatever was going on, it was definitely the captain's ball to run with. Commander Riker, however, immediately pushed his way to Picard's side.
     
     
The Federation Horns, sensing the abrupt mood switch in the room, slowly lowered their instruments.
     
     
"Captain, I beg to differ," said Graziunas.
     
     
"Yes, Picard, he begs to differ," Q told him. Picard glared at him, but Q serenely sipped the synthehol from his glass. He glanced at it with a frown and abruptly the clear liquid turned a deep purple. He continued to drink.
     
     
"This is a Tizarin celebration," Graziunas continued, unaware of what was happening. "It is Tizarin tradition that all who peaceably attend a wedding celebration must be welcome." "He is absolutely right," said Nistral, wavering slightly. Clearly he had been drinking a bit too long.
     
     
"That may be," said Picard, "but this individual is not welcome aboard this ship." "We can't ask him to leave," said Graziunas, looking shocked. "That would be a formidably bad omen. Why, we couldn't allow the wedding to proceed if that happened. Everything would be canceled, and the marriage deemed hopeless." Picard looked from one to the other. "You can't be serious." "Yes, Captain, quite serious," said Nistral.
     
     
"Face it, Picard. I'm back," said Q serenely.
     
     
Picard turned to face him, planting his feet firmly. "What do you want, Q?" he demanded.
     
     
"Why do you assume I want anything?" Q replied.
     
     
Suddenly he took a step back as Guinan approached him. She crossed her hands in front of herself, palms upward, as if trying to ward Q off in some bizarre fashion. Q tensed like a cat. "This is no way to welcome a guest, Picard." "You're no guest here, Q," Picard told him.
     
     
"He is if he's attending our gathering," Graziunas stepped in.
     
     
Picard turned to face him, a rage burning so hot in him that Graziunas unwillingly took a step back in deference, even though he towered a good two heads over the Enterprise captain.
     
     
"This is my ship," he said with barely controlled anger. His voice was carrying in the sudden silence, and various partygoers were starting to back up and give this sudden tension some room.
     
     
"I say who stays and who goes." Graziunas rallied and drew himself up.
     
     
"Starfleet says, Captain. And they say we're to be here, and I say that he's supposed to be here." "Picard," said Q calmly, never removing his eyes from Guinan. "We can settle this amicably." "Is that a fact?" "Yes. If you're so certain of your command over this ship, then try and make me leave." Q displayed a row of teeth and smiled in that incredibly irritating way that he had.
     
     
Worf chose that moment to make his entrance, backed up by four security guards. The crowd immediately parted as Worf knifed through them like a shark.
     
     
"Worf!" Q greeted him jovially. "Still struggling up the evolutionary ladder?" Worf stood before him, a snarl emerging from him.
     
     
Whereas the argument between Picard and Q was merely drawing a great deal of curiosity and interest from the partygoers, the sound of an angry Klingon, on the other hand, was more than enough to frighten a goodly