'Chain of Command' (Part II) (Story Code 237) by Frank Abatemarco

When the Federation suspects the Cardassians of planning a military incursion into their territory, they send Captain Picard, Doctor Crusher and Lieutenant Worf on a secret mission across the Cardassian border, and despatch the U.S.S Enterprise, now under the command of the hard-nosed Captain Jellico, into the area under the pretence of conducting talks. However, Picard’s assignment goes wrong; he is captured by the Cardassians and then injected with a truth serum. Interrogated by the ruthless Gul Madred, the captain soon discloses the details of the Federation's mission to destroy metagenic weapons on the planet Celtris III; however, Madred reveals that the situation was a trap to lure him into Cardassian space, so that they could learn the strategy that the Federation will use should a Cardassian attack occur. When Picard denies all knowledge of the defence plans for Minos Korva, Gul Madred violates the code regarding prisoners of war by torturing him for the information. On the Enterprise, Gul Lemec informs Captain Jellico that Picard is being held hostage; Jellico instructs Commander Riker to take a shuttlecraft to retrieve Doctor Crusher and Worf, but when Riker successfully returns with his crewmates his request to attempt a rescue mission for the captain is refused; Jellico coldly states that Picard is probably already dead. Picard’s questioning continues: he is stripped of his clothing and his identity; Gul Madred uses a pain-inducing device implanted in the captain’s chest to force him to reveal the information, but Picard doggedly resists. His captor then shines four bright lights into his eyes and instructs him to count them; when Picard notes that there are four, Madred uses shock treatment to force him to state that there are five, but Picard holds out. Gul Lemec plays a recording of Picard’s interrogation to Jellico and Riker, informing them that the captain is not officially a prisoner of war - unless of course Jellico will admit that his mission was authorised by Federation orders; after Jellico refuses to save Picard, Riker angrily questions his judgement, only to be relieved of his post. Meanwhile, Picard’s battle of wills against Gul Madred continues - but how much longer can the captain hold out..?

Patrick Stewart (Captain Jean-Luc Picard), Jonathan Frakes (Commander William Thomas Riker), LeVar Burton (Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge), Michael Dorn (Security Chief Lieutenant Worf), Gates McFadden (Doctor Beverly Crusher), Marina Sirtis (Councelor Deanna Troi), Brent Spiner (Lieutenant Commander Data), Ronny Cox (Captain Edward Jellico), John Durbin (Gul Lemec), David Warner (Gul Madred), Heather Lauren Olson (Jil Orra), Majel Barrett (Computer Voice)

Directed by Les Landau
Produced by Peter Lauritson
Co-Produced by Ronald D. Moore
Co-Executive Producer Jeri Taylor
Executive Producers Michael Piller and Rick Berman

TX:
21st December, 1992

Notes:
*Featuring Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Thomas Riker, Chief Engineer Lieutenant Geordi La Forge, Security Chief Lieutenant Worf, Doctor Beverly Crusher, Councelor Deanna Troi and Lieutenant Commander Data