The Q in Quest.

"Hello, Mon Capitaine. How are you enjoying your impromptu vacation?"

"Q! I should've known this would have been your doing."

Q feigned annoyance. "Tut, tut, Picard. Is that anyway to speak to someone who was trying to do you a favour?" Then he brightens up. "Ah, I know why you're unhappy! I didn't include your crew in your vacation. Still that's easily arranged!"

Fred said nothing as he watched this strange exchange.

Just then, Picard's communicator beeped. He tapped it. "Picard here."

It was Riker. "Captain, are you ok? What's going on?"

"There'll be time for that later. One," he then glances at Fred, "make that two to beam up." He was beginning to think that the Prime Directive didn't apply here.

Within a few seconds the two of them had rematerialised in Transporter Room 2. Also present in the room were Transporter Chief O'Brien, Lieutenant Worf and a security guard, who were both pointing phasers at Fred. Q was nowhere to be seen.

At ease, lieutenant," Picard said. "He's no threat to us."

"If you say so, sir." Worf rumbled. He wasn't too sure.

Fred, meanwhile was too busy looking around the strange environs. His view eventually included the Klingon, but he wisely decided not to say anything about Worf's odd appearance. He then turned to Picard. "Captain, is it possible for me to see more of this wonderous ship of yours?"

"No, I'm afraid you can't. You mentioned being on a quest to kill a dragon." He tapped his communicator. "Commander Data."

"Yes, sir?"

"I want you to scan the planet's surface for any cave systems."

"Acknowleged, sir." A pause. "There is a cave system on the northern continent, sir. 250 miles North-West-North of your beam-up point."

"Is it possible to transport someone into the caves?"

"Negative, sir. The only safe beam-down location would be the entrance to the caves. I'll send the co-ordinates to the transporter chief now, sir."

"Thank you Mr. Data."

Picard turned to O'Brien, who nodded. "Co-ordinates entered in, sir."

"Good." Picard then turned to Fred, who hadn't left the transporter pad during this time. He gave a smile. "Good luck on your quest."

Before Fred could say anything he slowly disappeared...

...and appeared in front of the caves. He found he wasn't alone. The creature that Picard called 'Q' was there, still dressed the same. He had decided to see if he could have some fun with this backwards human.

Fred finds that he still has his sword, and unsheaths it. "I'm not afraid of you, foul creature!" he cries.

Q simply shakes his head and turns Fred into a frog. And then back again. Feeling disorientated, Fred wisely decides not to try that again. Q was about to speak before another being appears beside him. "Q! We warned you about your meddling. You remember the last time we stripped you of your powers?"

"How could I ever forget?" Q mutters.

"Well, if you don't want it to occur again, I suggest you return the Enterprise to the correct time, and then come with me."

"Oh, if I must."

In a flash, the USS Enterprise has gone, returned to her proper timeframe. The other being vanishes, but Q lingers until a disembodied voice yells "Q!"

"Alright, alright, I'm coming." Q then also disappears.

1. Fred can now get on with his quest!

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