After ordering a couple bowls of chili from the cafeteria replicator, Deanna Troi sat down at a booth with her mother. She had changed out of her Durango outfit and was now wearing a regulation Starfleet uniform. Trying to sense her mother's mood, Troi could not get past her mother's mental barrier. Quietly, they began eating and she was grateful that Mr. Homn wasn't present, ringing the gong with her mother's every bite. Yet, she found the silence unnerving.

"Mother, please say something. Tell me what's on your mind. Say anything! It's not like you to block your feelings from me."

Sighing, Lwaxana set down her spoon. "What would you have me say? You and Lieutenant Worf seem happy together. You know I've always liked Alexander. You'd make an excellent mother for him." Lwaxana paused, fighting back tears. "I just would like to know why you waited so long to tell me."

"We didn't really, Mother. Worf and I wanted to take things slowly. I was afraid that if I told you right away, you would push us to rush through our relationship, and I'm not so sure Worf would have stayed with me through that."

"Deanna, you know all I've ever wanted for you is to be happy."

"And married."

"Is that so wrong of me?"

"It's not so much your motivation that is wrong, but your method--"

I haven't done so badly with my method, Little One, Lwaxana thought to her daughter. They won me your father.

What has it gotten you since? Deanna thought back impulsively.

Lwaxana stood. "Well, if you feel that way, then maybe I should spend the remainder of my stay in my quarters. If you happen to change your mind, that's where I'll be." She walked away.

"Mother, I didn't mean it."

Her mother did not look back as she left the room. Troi contemplated going after her mother, but decided it would be best to allow Lwaxana time to calm down. Maybe I was insensitive to her feelings by waiting too long to tell her," she thought, questioning her true motivations for keeping her relationship with Worf a secret from her mother. What was she really afraid of?

*****

"Computer, locate Lieutenant Barclay," Worf growled. He had just escorted his son back to their quarters and was now prepared for a confrontation with the engineer.

"Lieutenant Barclay is in Main Engineering."

Worf stepped onto the turbolift. "Deck Thirty-six." As the lift ascended, the Klingon mumbled angrily, not much feeling like handling this problem rationally. He realized that he probably should report this incident immediately to Captain Picard or Admiral Houston, but his son was involved. He would interrogate Barclay first, then report the breach in protocol.

He found Lieutenant Barclay recalibrating a warp coil and barely refrained from pulling the man away from his task. "I need to speak with you about the holodeck program you gave Alexander."

Deactivating his tool, Barclay stood and fixed the Klingon quizzically. "I-I'm not sure what program you're referring to. You asked me not to help your son with holodeck programs anymore, so I haven't."

"You know very well what I'm talking about. Alexander has told me that you showed him confidential files on the Cromebians."

"I did no such thing."

Worf held his breath and then let it out in a huge, seething puff. "Are you telling me that my son is lying--again?" He had been sure that Alexander had learned his lesson about lying years ago. If Alexander had not received access to the Cromebian files from Barclay, then who gave it to him?

The engineer looked away before admitting, "Well, there was this program that I created several months ago. I--they--" He looked at Worf again. "That was long before we knew there would be a problem with the Cromebian's petition."

"That is hardly an excuse, and you know it. I will have to report this matter to Admiral Houston."

"What will happen to me?"

"That is for Admiral Houston to decide," Worf replied

The Klingon's commbadge chirped and the captain said, "Lieutenant Worf, you are wanted in a meeting inside Admiral Houston's conference room."

Worf barely suppressed a growl before tapping his commbadge and stating, "Acknowledge." He turned toward the engineer. "We will deal with this matter later."

"Of course, sir. I shall remain in engineering until you need me."

*****

When Admiral Houston had paged him a half hour ago to inform him that there would be another conference meeting, Picard had been most anxious to hear the reports on the Cromebians. He had spoken briefly with his chief medical officer already and Crusher's relating of her encounter with the Cromebian doctor was more than a little unsettling. Wondering if his chief engineer had experienced similar trouble with Redik, Picard entered the conference room and took a seat next to the admiral.

"I'm glad you all made it so quickly," Houston said to the group. "I'm still waiting to hear from the Valiant, but in the meantime, I thought it wise to assess the information we've gathered thus far." He turned toward Geordi. "Mr. LaForge?"

The chief engineer nodded, then stood and approached the forty-inch view screen. He keyed up an image of the Cromebian ship's engine. "For a mach engine, the Cromebian-designed engine is pretty sophisticated. It has three fuel tanks." He pointed to each on the diagram. "It runs on a fuel similar to petroleum, but is far more efficient. Nearly a tank was burned during their voyage to the Umayru system. With proper maintenance, this engine is capable of reaching mach seven."

Picard could hear the excitement in his chief engineer's voice. LaForge had definitely had a positive interaction with Redik.

"One major hindrance, though," LaForge continued, "is that it requires so much room to house it. The engine room makes up thirty-five percent of the ship. We must remember, however, that during the twentieth century and the first half of the twenty-first century before warp capability was invented, NASA of Earth never sent any crafts outside of the Sun solar system. We know that the Cromebians have traveled to the next solar system without any warp technology."

LaForge flicked off the viewer and took his seat on the other side of the admiral. "I've studied their chief engineer's log entries, too" he said as he handed a data padd to Houston. "I believe they could adapt quite readily to Federation technology."

"Perhaps in the engineering field," Crusher interrupted. She turned toward the admiral, fixing him apologetically. "Sorry sir, but they're not about to accept our standards of medical procedures."

"I suggest we do not offer them medical aid," Worf said.

"But is that ethically right?" the doctor countered.

LaForge had nodded at the Klingon's suggestion and added, "We can let them take advantage of warp technology, which is what they want anyway. We shouldn't demand that they make drastic cultural changes any more than they should impose their technology on the Riis."

"Yes, the parallels between us and the Cromebians, and the Cromebians and the Riis are quite astounding," Picard agreed. "The Prime Directive orders us not to interfere with the goings on of lesser developed cultures. We must never lose sight of that principle for the good of all involved. "But with this situation, how can we not get ourselves involved?" Geordi argued. "Within a relatively short time, the Cromebians might have developed warp capability on their own. The timing of the discovery of the Riis is purely coincidental. Perhaps it is true that the Cromebians should have been aware of these people. But can we fault them their ignorance? If we look back on our own history, can we honestly say that our ancestors always did the right thing when it came to relations with other cultures? It is because of our history that we felt the need to create the Prime Directive."

"There certainly is no precedent to follow in this matter," Houston said. "If we were to allow these people to join the Federation, while remaining naive to Federation medical technologies, would we really be doing them a favor? Before we present such an option to Starfleet Headquarters, we better have sound rationale to back it up."

"Admiral, if I may be so bold," Picard said. "Perhaps the Cromebians are attempting to advance their culture much faster than they can realistically handle. They want to explore the galaxy as Mr. LaForge has reported, but how are they going to react when they meet new life forms, whose beliefs and cultures are so very different from their own? From what Dr. Crusher tells me, they're not only unwilling to adapt Starfleet medical procedures, but they don't even want to acknowledge its existence."

"How would the Cromebians handle a possible interaction with hostile aliens?" Crusher asked. "If the Romulans were to attack them, the Cromebians would not fight back, because causing harm no matter the reason, is against their beliefs."

"Are we to assume," LaForge said, "that no Cromebian has ever demonstrated any violence, that they have no history of murders or rapes? I find that extremely hard to believe."

"Everyone is bringing up very relevant arguments," Houston said. "Clearly, both sides need addressing before a decision is made. Mr. LaForge, I do not have an answer to your question. Let us hope that Nevichi's and Riker's away teams learn the answer to that and many other questions I'm sure will arise. Please report any further observations to me immediately. I will present your findings and those of Nevichi's and Riker's away teams to Starfleet Headquarters as soon as I hear from the Valiant." He stood. "Until then, I wish you all a pleasant evening, and hope you will enjoy some of our facilities. Dismissed."

"Sir," Lieutenant Worf said, approaching the admiral as the others were exiting the room. "There is a pressing matter that I feel requires your immediate attention."

Houston did not look thrilled at the prospect of yet another problem to occupy his time. Nonetheless, Worf proceeded to tell him about the holodeck program his son created and Barclay's indirect involvement with it.

As he walked down the corridor away from the conference room, Picard thought about how he would spend the remainder of the evening. He could relax with a book, or he could practice a new tune on his flute. Unable to make up his mind, the captain headed to the transporter room and beamed aboard his ship. He exited the room, but walked no further than a few steps down the corridor when he heard a familiar voice.

"Jean-Luc," Lwaxana said, "could you be a dear and take a walk with me?"

Forcing a smile, Picard turned around and greeted the Daughter of the Fifth House. "Lwaxana, what are you doing here?"

The Betazoid smiled flirtatiously back at him and offered her arm for him to grasp. As they began walking, arm in arm, down the corridor, Picard knew exactly how he would be spending his evening.

*****

"Your father has told me about the holodeck program you created," Houston said. He had brought Alexander Rozhenko into his office for an interrogation. "Would you please explain to me how you gained access to the Cromebian files?"

"Admiral Houston, sir, several months ago, Lieutenant Barclay created a program. He doesn't know, but I played the program." Lowering his gaze, Alexander added, "There was no security code attached."

"Does this program still exist?"

"I used it today to access the imagery of the Cromebians."

"Why did you choose to make your villains Cromebians?"

The boy shrugged, trying to sort out his feelings. "Because of them, I wasn't allowed on the station."

"Do you understand why we haven't been allowing civilians on the station?"

"No."

"Alexander, we have something called the Prime Directive. I'm sure you've heard of it. When dealing with other cultures, we must be very careful. If we influence change in another culture, then we risk destroying that culture. That's why the Prime Directive prohibits direct interaction with primitive people."

"Yes, I understand all that."

"Do you also understand that before we can allow a new planet to join the Federation, we must first thoroughly examine its people and determine whether they are truly ready to deal with our technology?"

"I guess, but why do you have to bar all civilians from the station while you decide about the Cromebians?"

Houston steepled his fingers. "Those reasons are complicated. I can tell you that it has to do with Cromebian customs. We're not sure yet whether their people can handle our multi-cultural society. It's not that using the Cromebians in your holodeck program is a bad thing, but you should not access files without permission."

"I'm sorry," Alexander said, desperately forcing tears back. "I wish I'd never created the program."

"I'll accept your regret this time if you promise to receive approval first in the future."

"Yes sir. What's going to happen to Lieutenant Barclay? Is he in a lot of trouble?"

"No. Mr. Barclay's file does not directly affect the Cromebians. Thank you, young man. You're dismissed. Your father can escort you back to the Enterprise." After the young Klingon left his office, Admiral Houston tapped the commlink on his console. "Counselor Troi, please come to my office immediately."

She acknowledged the order and arrived minutes later. "Admiral, is there something I can do for you?"

"Yes. I have an assignment for you."

*****

The holodeck door opened, and Redik and Filio hesitantly entered the grid-like room. Counselor Troi followed them inside. Quietly, she watched as they reacted to the foreign room.

"I don't think Ie understand what you mean about this boy creating Cromebians. Are you saying that this room can actually create three-dimensional images that appear real?" Redik asked.

"Yes," Troi replied. "The computer can create any image it has on file."

"But how?"

"It is quite similar to our replicator technology. It creates whatever you request by converting energy into matter."

"Ah, yes," Filio said, "I had one of your replicated dinners earlier. It was a Vulcan dish--quite delectable."

"How do you feel about the boy using images of Cromebians without your foreknowledge?

Hesitantly, both aliens glanced at each other. "Personally, it does not bother me," Filio replied.

Redik nodded in agreement, saying, "This is a most fascinating technology. The more I learn about what your Federation can do, the more eager I am for my people to join your league."

"Really? I'm a bit surprised to hear that. Dr. Crusher apprised me, Dr. Filio, of your interaction with her in sickbay. Why is this technology, one used mostly for pleasure purposes, okay and life-saving techniques taboo?"

"Counselor," Filio said, taking affront, "our religion clearly forbids cutting into any living creature. There can be no exception to that rule."

"Could we see other worlds with this room?" Redik asked.

Troi was a bit perturbed by the abrupt change of subject. "Yes," she said slowly. "Every world known to the Federation."

"Then show me the world you came from."

Deanna smiled. "Computer, Janaran Falls on Betazed."

Instantly, the grid walls were replaced by a floral scene and a large rock face with flowing water. Birds and other creatures called out around them, bringing an illusion of life.

"This is incredible!" Redik exclaimed as he turned full circle.

His companion walked up to a plant and touched it as though expecting its leaves to pass through his hand. "We have to build one of these in Brakinz, preferably near the hospital. It could help depressed patients."

"Not to mention that it would relieve physicians' stress," Redik added. He turned toward the counselor. "Can we venture closer to the waterfall? Or will we bump into the wall?"

"The holodeck is designed to give you the illusion of being able to walk as far as you like without ever bumping into the walls."

"But how?" both men asked in unison, then Redik added, "How is that possible?"

"Maybe you should speak to our chief engineer about that. He could explain it far better than I ever could."

Redik smiled. "Okay. I really like your Geordi LaForge anyway."

"I'm not surprised--He is advocating your cause." Troi didn't bother mentioning Crusher's opposition, nor her own increasing doubts.

*****

"Really, Jean-Luc," Lwaxana said, wiping at her tears with the handkerchief he proffered.

They were now sitting in Ten-Forward under the ever-watchful eye of Guinan. The bartender had lingered over them for a while, ever eager to listen to their conversation. Picard, however, had dismissed her after she had brought them two hot Cromebian teas. The El Aurian had managed to make it quite a popular drink aboard the Enterprise.

"I don't know why I'm letting this upset me this much," Lwaxana continued.

"Your reaction is perfectly understandable," he replied.

"It's just that you would think a grown woman would have the decency to tell her own mother when she became involved in a serious relationship."

"I'm sure Deanna wanted to tell you."

Lwaxana stopped sobbing and in a slightly angry tone, said, "Then why didn't she?" She tossed the handkerchief on the table. "Did she think that I really hated Lieutenant Worf that much? I know I was a bit abrasive toward him at times, but...did I ever go out of my way to hurt him?" She began sobbing again. "The way they've hurt me now?"

Picard patted her on the arm, unsure how to comfort her. He understood how she felt, yet, he also understood his counselor's reasoning in not telling her mother right away. As a long silence passed between them, he came to realize a correlation between Troi's and Worf's relationship and that of the Cromebians with the Federation. Lwaxana, as unyielding as a mountain, could stand in their way as much as the Riis blocked the Cromebians from admission into the Federation. Yet, neither seemed deliberate. The key to both situations was awareness. In the latter, the Prime Directive precluded making the Riis aware of their situation, but what reason did Deanna really have in withholding her relationship with Worf from her mother?

"Exactly how many months ago did their relationship start?"

"About five I believe," he replied. "Lieutenant Worf was apparently interested in Deanna for some time before they became involved."

"Then there was some persuasion involved?"

"I wouldn't exactly describe it in that way. Worf simply became interested, began showering Deanna with more attention, and soon, she shared his interest." Picard picked up his tea cup. "Why don't you drink some of your tea? It ought to make you feel better."

Lwaxana complied and took a couple sips of the warm brew before speaking again. "I'm being selfish, Jean-Luc. I know you're here on important Starfleet business. I know from rumors that a nearby planet has petitioned for entrance into the Federation. I can only guess, from everyone's strange behavior on the station, that something has gone terribly wrong."

"Lwaxana, I always knew you were a very bright woman, and knowing that, I can only assume that you also realize that I cannot share any details about the Cromebian's petition with you. At least, not at this time."

Lwaxana smiled flirtatiously. She was one of the very few people in the galaxy who could really make Jean-Luc Picard nervous. He smiled back as he lifted his tea cup to take another sip.