Proxima dropped out of warp within visual range of the moons of Vinkoryl, an unusual group of medium- sized bodies, orbiting in a ring, the same distance from the star. None of the moons had been deemed habitatable by Starfleet, which Picard had always thought was a shame because the surrounding space, which was full of nebulae, looked breathtaking.

Not that beautiful stellar phenomenon were foremost in his mind.

"Proxima is at full stop," reported the Computer.

"Excellent," said Picard. "Are the other Starfleet vessels out of range yet?"

"USS Hawk seems to be having engine problems but should be clear in four minutes," said Molly, who was manning the com panel.

Picard turned to Sebi. "Ok, my friend, bring the pulse generator online."

"Already done," said Sebi.

"Here come the Romulans," said Vash, who was now Proxima's pilot.

Through the viewscreen, Picard saw two ships come out of warp.

"If we're doing this, it has to be soon," said Molly.

Sebi glanced at Picard. "Pulse is charged. Whenever you're ready, Jean Luc."

Picard eyed the approaching ships. Just a little closer. The lead ship began firing, the first blast striking Proxima's mid section. The ship lurched and shook but the shields held. No more ships appeared.

"They're powering up again," said Vash.

"Fire," said Picard.

Seconds later, both Romulan ships lost all power and began to drift.

"I have enough power for a second pulse," said Sebi. "It would burn out all their power conduits."

"That won't be necessary," said Picard. "Stranding them is one thing but I won't commit murder."

"They did," said Sebi. "And Glav and Lumi are dead because of it."

Picard spun around to see Sebi's hand poised above the pulse icon.

"Don't do it," said Picard.

Sebi smiled. "Jean Luc, you are my friend and someone I respect but you are not in command here."

His finger touched the icon.

Turning back to the screen, Picard knew what he would see. Both Romulan ships were floating uselessly in space. As they all watched, emergency lights flashed and switched off. Several external panels blew off as safety forcefields deactivated.

"We need to get out of here, now," yelled Vash. "Those warp cores are going to breach."

"Make it so," said Picard. "Maximum warp."

Proxima's warp field formed and shot the tiny vessel away from the area. The view astern made Picard's insides squirm. Two bright flashes of light in the darkness and both Romulan ships were gone. For a long while, there was silence on the bridge. He was angry at what Sebi had done but he also understood.

"What now, Jean Luc?" Vash was looking at him.

"Catch us up to the Titan." He looked around the bridge. "I'm going to check on our passengers."

The cargo hold was small in comparison with a starship cargo bay and as Picard entered just his small that was. Proxima had managed to rescue fifty-three Othallians but in the cramped conditions it seemed like a lot more.

The noise was overwhelming. People shouting at each other, crying in distress and pain, children clinging to their parents. There was the smell of swear and sickness, bringing to mind all the worst scenarios he could recall from history. Having just watched a close friend murder two hundred people, this harrowing scene brought tears to his eyes. How do I help them?

A young male Othallian stood in front of him.

"Are you responsible for our extraction?"

Picard met his eye. "Not just me, but yes, I had a hand in it."

"You have unmade us," said the Othallian.

"Unmade you?"

"I am Brey, formerly Breyad. I am the one who was joined to Niata." Brey gestured around the hold. "Why do think these people are distressed?"

Picard frowned. "I would imagine that after their traumatic experience in the Separation, they are dealing with other of emotions."

"They are grieving," said Brey. "They have been torn in two; no longer joined; no longer Triathian. They are half people now and it's all your fault."

"My fault," said Picard. "We rescued you."

"You defiled us. We are no longer, we are unmade."

"I don't understand," said Picard. "We thought that you were prisoners in the void. Our nature is to help, when we can. Have we not helped?"

"Freedom from the Separation is good and for that we are grateful but why, then, did you unmake us?"

"Truth is, none of us realised what would happen," he admitted. "All I know is that the instability in space time has been sealed, and your people are saved."

Brey bowed his head. "Some of my people, and for that I thank you but what are we to do now?"

Picard smiled, reassuringly. "The United Federation of Planets will find you and your people a new home. There are hundreds of habitable worlds that you could settle on."

Brey was still downcast but he obviously recognised Picard's sincerity. "Forgive me. I can see that you are trying to help but you don't understand."

Picard gestured to a nearby cargo container. "Then enlighten me."

The two of them sat.

Brey looked into Picard's eyes. "You would love the infinite pathways. I see that there is the heart of an explorer within you." He paused, seemingly lost in a sort of reverie. Picard said nothing, intrigued and fascinated by this alien from, not only, another world, but another time. Brey shook his head. "I am sorry but when I consider the places I have walked...its indescribable."

"Go on," said Picard.

"My people are from a time when the galaxy was young. Othallia was a prosperous world, both in arts and science. Much like you, we were endlessly curious and experimented with everything, eventually with the building blocks; the very nature of existence. A long time before I was born, my people had discovered the ability to move between worlds without the need for vessels."

"Translation," said Picard.

"For centuries, it was administrated by a gifted few, then something happened when we encounter a race called the Skrahl. Whatever it was, caused those in authority to invoke a separation between our peoples. This stood for centuries until another encounter with the Skrahl resulted in the first joining, the first Triathian. Othallia and Skrahl ceased to be individual peoples, we became one. Everything we are now, is Triathian, we cannot exist apart for long."

Picard frowned. "What do you mean?"

"If we cannot be rejoined then both people's will die."

"How do you know this?"

"Because it has already begun," said Brey and pointed to the far end of the cargo hold.

Neatly lined up on the floor were five bodies, each covered by a cloth.

Picard stared at them then back at Brey. "They are dead?"

Brey nodded and Picard saw a tear run down his cheek. "What are you going to do about that Jean Luc Picard?"