Encounter at Farpoint by David Gerrold

Then he straightened up and inclined his head toward
Q
. “The captain asked the question. . . .” His voice changed to Picard’s. “Can we assume this will be a fair trial?” His voice reverted to his own pleasant tenor. “And in reply, the Judge stated. . . .” His voice shifted to emulate
Q
. “Yes, absolutely equitable.”

    Q
angrily retorted, “
Immaterial
testimony, entirely immaterial!”

    Picard gestured to Data to fall silent. “If your Honor pleases, there is a simple way to clear up this disagreement.”
Q
lifted his gavel again, but Picard raised his voice forcefully. “We
can
clear up this disagreement.”

    Q
paused, studying Picard. The captain rushed ahead. “We agree there is evidence to support the court’s contention that humans have been murderous and dangerous. Therefore, I say test us. Test whether this is
presently
true of humans.”

    Q
suddenly snapped alert, perhaps sensing danger. “I see.” He studied Picard. “And you petition the court to accept you and your comrades as proof of what humanity has become.”

    “There should be many ways we can be tested,” Picard pointed out. “We have a long mission ahead of us. . . .”

    “Yes . . . yes!”
Q
said, an idea forming in his head. “Another brilliant suggestion, Captain. But your test hardly requires a long mission.”
Q
laughed sardonically, seeming to savor a special bit of knowledge. “Your immediate destination offers more challenge than you can possibly imagine.” He smiled even more broadly, nodding his head in satisfaction. “Yes, yes. Farpoint Station will be an excellent test.”

    Picard glanced at the others. Data wore a slight frown, and the women were even more concerned.
Q
knew exactly where they were bound—moreover, he somehow knew exactly what awaited them there. Now the mystery Starfleet had given Picard to solve took on even greater import—and danger. But there was no point in asking
Q
to enlighten them. It was all part of the game he was playing—by his rules, on his ground. The
Enterprise
and even Farpoint Station were merely the game pieces. Picard and
Q
were the opposing players. Humanity’s continuing presence on the board of space was the prize.

    The Mandarin-Bailiff stood as
Q
nodded in signal to him. “Stand respectfully!” he shouted. “All present, respectfully stand!” The spectators promptly stood. Picard jerked his head, and the others rose to join him.

    Q
maneuvered his floating bench into position in front of the prisoners and addressed the spectators. “This trial is adjourned to allow the criminals to be tested.”

    The Mandarin-Bailiff signaled to the functionary, who promptly rang the Oriental bell twice. The bailiff’s voice resounded over the clanging. “This honorable court is adjourned!”

    Picard looked around, surprised to see the soldiers shoulder their weapons and start to march out with the milling spectators. Apparently they were free.
Q
turned toward them, the sardonic smile twisting his mouth again.

    “You are a clever human, Captain, but you may find you are not nearly clever enough to deal with what lies ahead for you. It may have been better to accept sentence here.”

    “Sentence from you? On your terms? Sorry. If we’re going to be tested, we prefer it to be on even terms.”

    “I’m sure you would. How do you know it will be?” Laughing,
Q
waved his hand toward them.

    Picard turned his head away from the fiercely blinding light. As it died away, and he blinked his eyes to clear them of the dancing dots left by the abrupt flash, he became aware of the familiar hum and murmur of computers and bridge instruments. Focusing, he realized he was back on the battle bridge, seated in his command chair. Troi, Data and Tasha were also at their correct stations, all of them blinking and rubbing their eyes, disoriented by the abrupt change. The rest of the battle bridge complement did not seem to have noticed either the stunningly bright flash or the fact