<div class="floatleft">(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8e/Patrick_Steward_as_Jean-Luc_Picard_in_1996%27s_Star_Trek_First_Contact.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: arial;"><strong>Name/Rank:</strong> Captain Jean-Luc Picard<br/><strong>Location:</strong> Deep Space 9/Promenade <br/><strong>Activity:</strong> Reluctant R&amp;R<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong> Lieutenant Thera Regina-Garak (mentioned), Captain Nathan Barnes (close by), Any</span><br/><br/><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: arial;">It was with no small measure of reluctance that Jean-Luc Picard stepped out of the belly of the <em>Enterprise-E</em> and onto Deep Space 9. A place of bustling energy and movement, it was a stark contrast to the bowels of the Federation flagship, the corridors of which were now absent the large number of crewmen and women who had eagerly stepped off-ship to enjoy their well-earned rest and recuperation. This they had done with minimal urging from their captain, who had spoken glowingly of their hard work and achievements throughout the recent months, and could presently be seen maneuvering their way about the Promenade, determinedly pursuing some self-assigned task or another.<br/><br/>For once, Picard was the indecisive one. Standing within the thriving Promenade, he felt more isolated and solitary than he did aboard the bridge of the <em>Enterprise</em> - a place he would have preferred to be, all things considered. But Dr. Crusher had been quick to advise him to join his crew away from the starship, stating that she was concerned about how little time he gave himself to unwind and relax. Picard had been quick to assure her that he was "quite well" and that her concern was "appreciated but unnecessary", but she had been quite determined. <strong>"You need to lead by example in this, Jean-Luc. No one can go on and on without rest - not even you."</strong><br/><br/>And he had relented, because at heart he knew that Beverly was right. His command of the <em>Enterprise</em> had been an incredible experience, one filled with discoveries and perils aplenty - enough to break and exhaust a far younger man. His unwavering resolve had served to steel Picard against the more worrying effects on his mind and body as a result of these encounters, but that was not limitless... and there were times when, sat alone in his Ready Room, he would feel himself the victim of a great and pressing weight that he found heavier and heavier each time. He had not addressed these feelings with Will or Beverly openly, but he knew they had noticed - they had known one another far too long for them not to.<br/><br/>Picard had alighted from the <em>Enterprise</em> for the sake of his senior staff and at the earnest request of the good doctor, but now what he was here he could think of little to do with himself. He had not been aboard Deep Space 9 properly before and certainly not so aimlessly, and though he knew of several officers who were known to be in attendance he had no idea whether they were busy. It was likely that they were, of course, busy with some duty or another - and even if they weren't he had little desire to intrude upon their own period of rest and relaxation. Miles O'Brien, Worf, Thera Regina (<em><strong>"It is 'Thera Regina-Garak' now,"</strong></em> Picard reminded himself)... he glanced about slowly, as though expecting to see each as they occurred to him, but none did.<br/><br/>Numerous officers from the <em>Enterprise</em> respectfully acknowledged Picard as they passed, and after several moments he veered out of the center of the circular walkway and descended onto the Promenade's thoroughfare. He wandered slowly onward, looking about with undulating interest at the various shops and kiosks that faced him; he slowed upon reaching the Bajoran Temple, and though he did not step inside he considered it at length. Eventually the noise from behind him and opposite the Temple drew Picard's gaze, and he found himself looking upon a busy and vibrant enterprise -  Quark's Bar, Grill, Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade.<br/><br/>It was not the kind of place that Picard would normally frequent by choice, but with no other destination in mind - and a somewhat dry throat - he made his way across to it with the intention of ordering himself an Earl Grey and finding some quiet space to sit and observe (if such a place could be found within such a bar). He stopped short of the entrance upon sighting numerous security officers attending what could only be the aftermath of a brawl, and sighed inwardly at yet another stark reminder that he was no longer aboard his beloved <em>Enterprise.</em> He did his best to step around the scene without disrupting the station staff's work and approached the bar, waiting and surveying as others were seen to first.</span>