Soon, the scruffy old-timer was making his way through the crowded "streets" of London Below, through the Market. He soon arrived at his destination. Picard sat up in his seat when he entered; he was surprised to see him.
"Old Bailey! What are you doing here?"
"I've come to see you, Picard! I've got to tell you something!"
Picard got up from his seat and walked over to Old Bailey. "And what would you like in return?"
"Nothing! What I've got to tell could threaten us all!"
"What is it?"
"Croup was talking to a Starfleet man, their chief of security-type fellow."
"Commander Sleer?" said St. Germain. "Who's Croup?"
"One of London Below's most notorious characters," Picard replied. "A most unsavory fellow. Thank you, Old Bailey. Come, Admiral, we'd better get a move on!"
"I still don't understand, Picard!" said St. Germain, running after Picard. "What's going on?"
"If Croup has informed on us, then London Below is in grave danger!"
Talbot kept a constant look on his instrument panel as his ship headed deep into Imperial territory, towards Earth. Moments later, Lestat sat next to him in the co-pilot's seat. He looked over at Talbot and could tell that something was wrong.
"Are you going to tell me what is wrong with this vessel?" Lestat asked.
"The weapons," Talbot replied. "The neutron coupling in the weapons array was damaged during the battle."
"Which means?"
"That the only weapons we have left are three photon torpedoes."
Lestat hit the control panel with his fist. "Curses! You're telling me that we're heading deep into Imperial territory with virtually no weapons!"
Talbot nodded.
"None of this would have happened if the Nosferatu had listened to me!"
From afar, St. Germain stood and watched as Picard gathered his troops, from both above and below. He had to commend Picard for his efforts, but he could tell that, in reality, Robert Picard was not the commander his younger brother was. St. Germain watched as Picard spoke to his troops for a few moments before approaching him. As soon as he was near, St. Germain could see that the strain was beginning to tell on the older Picard.
"You've never done this sort of thing before, have you?" St. Germain asked.
"I was never cut out to be a soldier," Picard replied. "Jean-Luc was the soldier in our family. In a way, I envy him for that."
"Jean-Luc Picard is a fine officer," said St. Germain. "But you're no Jean-Luc Picard."
"I know, but try telling that to some of them!"
St. Germain began to walk and look around, surveying his surroundings. "You realize this place will be difficult to defend," he said. "And if you defeat the Imperials, you'll have to find another base of operations."
"That won't be difficult," Picard replied. "And what's with this 'you'?"
St. Germain turned to Picard and smiled. "'We,' then, Picard."
"You know, Admiral, I... we could really use your help, your experience in this situation. Didn't you help organize the defense of the Paris Catacombs once?"
"It was during the Monstron invasion, over three hundred years ago. This situation is slightly different. Zombies are harder to kill than Imperial stormtroopers and Jem'Hadar warriors."
"But will you help us? We need you, Admiral!"
There was a silence for a few moments before St. Germain replied. "I will help you, Picard," he said. "You need all the help you can get!"
Night had begun to close in as Old Bailey returned to his home. He hoped that his friends from London Below would be able to prepare themselves for the imminent attack. He also wished that they had enough time. As he walked along the deserted streets, he soon realized that he would have to hurry. The curfew imposed by the Imperials would soon be upon him, and if he was caught, he would be arrested.
But soon that thought did not matter to him. Near the entrance he used to get into London Below, he saw them: the Starfleet man, Commander Sleer, with Croup and a party of Imperial stormtroopers. He did not bother to count how many troopers there were; there were too many for him to count, anyway. The Imperials had made their plans far quicker than anyone had anticipated. He had to warn Picard as fast as possible.
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