From: petitc@vccsouth09.its.rpi.edu (Christopher Jon Petit)
Subject: Snobtrek:  The Royal Generation "Exemptions", part 3
Reply-To: petitc@rpi.edu
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 05:48:03 GMT

 Here's the last installment.  Enjoy.

[The camera fades back into the Table]

Picard:  Well then, I believe, in light of the situation, we won't press any
         extra charges upon you.

Riker:  Is there any reason for this, your majesty?

Picard:  Because, by admitting your guilt, you have spared Deanna her possible
         loss of dignity, and shown the highest form of chivalry.

Riker:  Thank you, your majesty.

Picard:  Nevertheless, we shall still decide punishment.  Could you please wait
         outside?

[Riker thinks for an instant, before he realizes that was NOT a question, but
an order]

Riker:  Certainly.

[Riker walks out the door, and leans up against the walls]

Picard:  Now, what is an appropiate punishment for Prince Riker's actions?

Laforge:  I think he should be executed.

Picard:  That doesn't seem too fair or reasonable, given the way he admitted
         his guilt.

Data:  Your majesty, I believe the most appropiate course of action would be
       to place him within a battle of honor.

Crusher:  I concur, your majesty.  It may amount to an execution, but at least
          Prince Riker maintains his dignity, and does have a chance of
          survival.

Laforge:  That seems reasonable, your majesty.

[Picard's brow is furrowed in thought.  After a few seconds, he speaks]

Picard:  It is so, then.  Prince Riker will have a battle of honor in two days.
         Computer, record the punishment.  Bring Prince Riker in.

Computer:  It is recorded.

[The door opens, and Riker is brought in]

Picard:  Are you ready to hear the Table's decision?

Riker:  I am.

Picard:  It has been decided that you shall perform in a battle of honor.

Riker:  But there hasn't been such a battle, ever, on this ship.

Picard:  You protest?  We could have you executed.

Riker:  I am also not combat-ready.

Picard:  You will be given time.

Riker:  How much?

Picard:  Two days.

Riker:  Two days?!?  That is only delayed execution!

Picard:  Then you wish to be executed?

Riker:  No, your majesty.  Is there no other alternative the Table will accept?

Picard:  None.

Riker:  Then I accept the challenge.

		<< Insert Cheezy Commercial (tm) here >>

[Over the course of the next two days, we see Prince Riker in intensive combat
readiness training, guided by a reluctant, non-willing Worf.  Now, Riker,
Picard and Deanna have walked to Holodeck Number 4]

Picard:  Computer.

[Computer beeps]

Picard:  By royal authority, in accordance with the battle of honor proceedings
         which took place two days ago, deactivate the mortality failsafe.

Computer:  Checking with legal records...Accepted.  Program for Battle of Honor
           created.  Prince Riker may enter when ready.

[Riker is about to enter the Holodeck, when Deanna speaks]

Deanna:  Wait a minute, Riker.

Riker:  What is it?

Deanna:  Good luck.

Riker:  Thanks.

[As Riker enters the Holodeck, Deanna blows him a kiss]

[Riker is now on the Holodeck.  The exit is closed.  We see a sparse, smooth
white ring with a glowing blue circle about 5 meters in radius, around it.
There is no weapon for Riker.  However, in the near-darkness of the far side
we see a large semi-human creature, wielding a hefty shield and battle axe.
He is breathing heavily, and waiting.]

Riker (under his breath):  You shall not defeat me.

[The creature stands, motionless, its red eyes glowing with a hunger for blood.
Riker prepares himself and slowly advances towards the creature.  When he
gets near the center of the circle, the creature advances.  Riker sidesteps,
as does the creature.  They circle each other, in a deadly rhythm; sharks
ready and waiting for the kill.  The creature swings its huge axe.  Riker
tumbles quickly to the ground; the axe whiffs only a centimeter from his neck.
He flys back, then darts inwards, hoping to land a crushing punch.  But the
creature's armor is thick---Riker only succeeds in hurting himself.  He is
thrown back by the blow, and lands on his back.  Only a meter away, the
creature jumps on Riker, pinning him.  The creature raises its huge battle axe
and swings down for the kill.  But Riker darts a hand out and grabs ahold of
the huge axe's handle, and turns it just enough so that  the axe slams into
the arena, next to Riker's head. The creature, dismayed, lets Riker up, as it
tries to free its axe.  Rolling away, Riker notices a weakness in the armor. He
kicks the weakness.  The armor falls away, leaving a large, still thick hide.
Now, the creature is furious, and yanks its axe out easily.  It spins around
and swings, only to miss gravely and tumble to the floor.  The axe flies out of
its hand.  Quickly, Riker rolls away to pick it up.  The creature is bearing
down on him.  He closes his eyes and swings the axe.  As it hits, the arena
disappears, leaving Riker in the Holodeck.]

Computer:  Battle of Honor program complete.  You may exit at your leisure.

Riker:  Exit.

[The closed holodeck doors open.  Riker walks out, and re-enters the Table
room, where the Table members await the outcome]

Picard:  It seems you have survived.  I didn't think you had that skill.

Deanna:  He didn't.

[The entire Table is surprised and says]:  WHAT?!?

Deanna:  After you left, I made the program a bit easier.  Not too easy, but
just enough to let Prince Riker win.

Picard:  But why?  After all, you, if anyone, would want to see him punished?

Deanna:  Two reasons.  One, he did the honorable thing in not putting me
         through a formal trial.  And two, he still did have to fight well, and
         he did that admirably.  What else could we ask of our royality?  In
         fact, what more could we ask of anyone?  And he still WILL be
         punished, remember?  If anyone wins the battle, they still lose a very
         important ability.

Picard:  Granted.  In that case, we will not make you redo the battle of honor,
         but will instead enact the secondary penalty.

Riker:  You mean?

Picard:  Yes.  You are no longer a member of the Table, and have no command
         authority on this ship.  You are still a crew member, but will have
         little power to abuse.  However, if you show you are worthy, you may
         be reinstated in the future.

Riker:  Understood, your majesty.

Picard:  Then this meeting of the Table is closed.

[Riker and Deanna leave before anyone else.  They both go to 10 Forward, where
they sit down.  Riker has a few questions]

Riker:  Why did you do it, Deanna?

Deanna:  Like I said in the Table meeting.

Riker:  But you left something out, didn't you?

Deanna:  Indeed I did.  I didn't want you to die.  I just want you to prove
         your worthiness, and to become a gentleman.

Riker:  I thought I was one.

[Deanna laughs, then smiles a bit]

Deanna:  You're trying, but you're not quite there.  At least not yet.

Riker:  Where can I learn?

Deanna:  I'm willing to help you.

Riker:  After what I did?

Deanna:  In hopes of what will become.  I have faith in you.

Riker:  Thank you, m'lady.  I hope I prove worthy of your compliment.

Deanna:  Of that, I have no doubt.

[Fade to black as we see the Enterprise jump to warp]


-- 
 *HUGS*, a @>---'--,----, and a :&) to whoever needs them.
"Whoever said that life was fair never read the rules, and found out that
there were none."
"Mysteries are for detectives; confusion is what the rest of us get."



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