923 lines
52 KiB
Plaintext
923 lines
52 KiB
Plaintext
Article 69859 of rec.arts.startrek:
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Path: ariel.unm.edu!pprg.unm.edu!topgun!mustang!data.nas.nasa.gov!eos!shelby!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!spool.mu.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!hamblin.math.byu.edu!news
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From: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Dr. William V. Smith)
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Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek
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Subject: TNG meets the Doomsday Machines (first 1/3)
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Message-ID: <SMITHW.91Feb28130056@hamblin.hamblin.math.byu.edu>
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Date: 28 Feb 91 19:00:56 GMT
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Sender: news@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Usenet News)
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Organization: Brigham Young University
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Lines: 465
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Well I decided to try my hand at a TNG episode. Its about 1/3 of the way
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done. I have not been too careful about distance/time relations, but then
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this seems rather muddled on the show in any case. Don't know when I'll
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be able to finish it, maybe I'll have time in a month or so, when I get
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home. (If there's any interest, that is...). There may be a little drift
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in terminology and such, this was done in two segments, about two weeks
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apart. I know what's going to happen though. So here it is.
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Hope you like it. (This seems to involve several threads that have
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appeared lately in this group- this was not intentional and does not
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necessarily reflect my own opinions about those issues.)
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TNG meets the Doomsday Machines (first 1/3)
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copyright W. V. Smith 1991, all rights reserved.
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Opening scene:
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Enterprise moving- dropping out of warp drive- shuttle approaches-
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Cut to E bridge:
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Picard: Lt. Fisher, reduce to 1/4 impulse.
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Fisher: Aye, sir. (shuttle is seen entering a shuttle bay)
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Riker enters from turbolift right.
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Picard: Well, number one. I understand your work with the Janfac Prime
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Minister was highly successful. The treaty should bring them much closer
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to Federation membership. Excellent work, commander!
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Riker: Thank you, sir. Given the Janfac respect for sophisticated weapon
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systems, I believe the presence of the Enterprise in this sector and the
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ease with which we were able to destroy the free asteroid field approaching
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their home planet had great influence on the negotiations for mining the
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Janfac 3 moons. By the way sir, while conversing with the ambassador's
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assistant, I was given to understand that you had been working on an
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explanation for their problem.
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Picard: Yes. Mr. Data?
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Data: Sir, trajectory computations are nearly complete. Preliminary
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analysis seems to indicate a point of origin near the Parkin Nebula.
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My analysis of the asteroids themselves is complete.
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Riker: Well Data?
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Data: Commander, I believe it may be better if we discussed the results
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elsewhere.
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Picard: Well then, would you join me in my ready room? Data, Commander?
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(they move to Picard's ready room).
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Picard: Data, what do have to tell us?
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Data: Captain, our destruction of the asteroid field was quite complete.
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During our approach, while Commander Riker was on the surface of Janfac 1,
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I was able to gather significant data on the nature of the fragments.
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Using directed energy scattering ...(Picard interrupts)
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Picard: Mr. Data, I have the utmost confidence in your choice of
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technique. Can you tell us what you found?
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Data: (somewhat crestfallen) Sir, the fragments appeared to have been
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recently part of a larger object. Various computer extrapolations
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indicate that the original object was planet size, approximately 1.1
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Earth units. Furthermore, the breakup was evidently quite recent.
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Riker: Was there any evidence that the planet was inhabited?
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Data: I am not completely sure commander, the original destruction was
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quite thorough, but I believe I can say with 60% probability that the
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answer is yes. Some of our scans just before Mr. LaForge began automated
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firing seemed to show the remains of what might have been humanoid life forms.
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Picard: And the request for privacy, Mr. Data?
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Data: Last evening, I escorted Lt. Fisher to Ten Forward and was instructing
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her in the game of Poker,(Riker smirks) when I learned from her that her
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family is working with the terraforming team on Cafferty's planet in one
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of the Parkin systems. I thought it might be best if we did not cause
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her unnecessary alarm.
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Picard: (Picard smiles) Well done, Mr. Data. Your increasing understanding
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of human feeling and perception is most gratifying. (pauses) The
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problem I see with your concern is the time involved.
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Data: Sir?
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Picard: Commander, the Parkin systems are 158 light years distant.
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These fragments could hardly have been part of Cafferty's planet.
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Mr. LaForge had more than enough time to disperse or disintegrate the
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field, since it was moving quite slowly.
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Riker: Data, did you get any reading on how old the life form remains
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were?
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Data: As I said, sir, the data was incomplete, but the mean estimates
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seem to show that death occurred only a few months previous to our encounter.
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Picard: Well. It seems we have a mystery on our hands. (looks at Riker)
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Your recommendations number one?
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Riker: Sir, when Mr. Data's calculations on the trajectory of the field
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are complete, recommend we move back along the projected path and see what
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we can find out regarding the origin of the fragments.
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Picard: I agree. Mr. Data, set course accordingly.
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Data: Yes, sir.
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Picard: Will(smiles) I was instructed to tell you when you arrived on board
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that the Ship's Counselor would be awaiting you inside holodeck entrance 3.
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I think you've earned a little rest. Gentlemen (gestures toward the door).
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Riker: Thank you, Captain. I'd like to be kept informed on any developments
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in our search.
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Picard: Rest assured, I'll keep you informed, Will. (Riker leaves)
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Data: I have a request, sir.
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Picard: Yes, Data.
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Data: Recommend that we do not alarm the crew about the present situation.
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Picard: You mean, you think it is unnecessary to inform Lt. Fisher of the
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remote possibility that the asteroid field may be the remains of Cafferty's
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planet?
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Data: (a somewhat pensive expression). Yes sir.
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Picard: Agreed. However, if more definite information becomes available
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we will have to inform the crew of our findings and plans, Data.
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Data: Understood sir. Thank you sir. (leaves)
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Picard: (closeup shows a quizzical look on Picards face in reaction to
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Data's concern)
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(Cut to corridor leading to holodeck entrance 3)
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Riker dials in opening sequence. Doors open, reveal forest of huge pines
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surrounding a verdant meadow covered with wild flowers and short grass.
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Near one side of the meadow, Troi is seated on a blanket in the shade with
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an old fashioned picnic basket. Riker smiles with a combination of surprise
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and interest. He walks up to Troi and she stands. They take one another's
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hands.
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Troi: Will, I wanted to surprise you when you returned. I thought you
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might like some relaxation time (smiles, but look changes to one of inquiry
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as she watches Riker's face)
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Riker slowly steps forward and puts arms around Tori's waist, her hands
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move to grasp his biceps. He moves slowly down to Troi's mouth
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Troi: Will . . .(He kisses her, she responds and their embrace becomes more
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ardent).
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(Cut to bridge. Picard enters, sits in center seat)
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Picard: Mr. Data. Progress report.
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Data: Captain, calculations have been completed on possible point of
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origin and I have set course 7.94 mark 3. Request permission to go to
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maximum warp, sir.
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Picard: Lt. Fisher, go to warp 9. Engage.
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(exterior shot, Enterprise accelerates out of sight)
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Cut to engineering. LaForge is bending over the island console. Another
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officer is standing beside him.
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LaF: Well the captain must be in a hurry to go somewhere. (touches comm
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button)
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(Cut to bridge)
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Captain, engineering here, we have just completed our adjustments to drive
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systems as per Starfleet Borg conflict recommendations. If we're in a hurry
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sir, we can go to warp 9.7 on your command.
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Picard: Thank you Commander. Mr. Fisher, make it so.
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Fisher: Aye, sir.
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Cut to holodeck.
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Riker and Troi are laying on the blanket, still in passionate embrace.
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Troi pulls back.
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Troi: (breathing rather fast) Will, what are we doing? I thought we had
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agreed that this could lead nowhere.
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Riker: (gently) Counselor, shut up.
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Troi: But . . .(He kisses her neck) oh Will. . .
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Cut to bridge.
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Worf: Captain, long range sensors indicate some kind of debris ahead.
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Picard: Estimated time to arrive in vicinity of debris?
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Worf: two hours, 38 minutes.
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Picard: Mr. Data, analysis?
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Data: The material is too distant at this time sir, but it appears to be
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of the same type as that encountered on the intercept course with Janfac 1.
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Trajectory is somewhat different than the previous debris field and appears
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to pose no danger to any known inhabited world at this time, Captain.
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Picard: Continue on course.
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(Cut to engineering. Geordi and Lt. Barclay are looking at console
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readouts, and a visual of the Enterprise warp field)
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LaF: Barclay, what do you make of the changes we made in the field
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magnet alignment?
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Barclay: The changes needed seem to be almost exactly the ones Starfleet
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recommended. We could not have done it without the simulation code they
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sent us. The borg-threat team has been doing some interesting things,
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Commander.
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LaF: Yeah, but what I really want to try are the new adjustments to
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phaser capability. The new carrier design was really effective on that
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asteroid field. It might just give us the edge we've been looking for.
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Barclay: Request permission to run simulation with previous Borg encounter
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information, sir. I'd like to see if we can use the carrier effect to break
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through the subspace diversion fields we found on the Borg tapes from the
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Captain.
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LaF: Good idea, Barclay! Go ahead and run your simulation now. I'll get
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Ensign Davydov to help me monitor here.
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(Barclay leaves. LaForge watches him go with a smile)
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Later...
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Bridge. Enterprise has stopped relative to an asteroid field. Main
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viewscreen shows many fragments. Cut to outside of enterprise, shows
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asteroid field stretching off in front of the Enterprise, with some pieces
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clearly much larger than the ship.
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Data: Analysis complete sir. Request permission to discuss findings in
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private, Captain.
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Fisher: Captain, I think I know why Mr. Data wishes to leave the bridge.
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I know where the trajectory plot leads, sir. The point of origin coincides
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with the Parkin systems. In fact while we've been following, I did some
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computations of my own. This debris is from the same sector as Cafferty's
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planet. My parents are working there with the terraforming team. If you
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don't mind, Captain, I request that Mr. Data stop withholding information
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that might concern me personally. I assure you that my performance won't
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be effected by what we discover (she gives Picard a steely look and then
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Data).
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Picard: (his mouth twitches with a slight smile) Mr. Data, give us your
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findings.
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Data: (with a look of consternation and confusion glances from Picard to
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Fisher slowly and then back) Captain, the debris is indeed from Cafferty's
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planet. I have found evidence of the large terraforming equipment typically
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used in these projects. Cafferty's planet was the only Starfleet project in
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that system. Berthold radiation is emanating from this collection of debris
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at very low levels. (Fisher's expression reveals no emotion)
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Picard: Speculation, Mr. Data?
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Data: This appears to be destruction caused by outside means, sir. I do not
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believe this to be any sort of natural disaster. No known natural process or
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logical extrapolation of natural process could account for the distance the
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debris has traveled from its apparent original location. Captain, with your
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permission, I would like to review starfleet records for known incidents of
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this type.
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Picard: Granted, Mr. Data. (Data gets up and moves behind weapons console)
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Mr. Worf, switch to active long range sensors. I want to know what's out
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there well in advance of when we encounter it. (touches comm button) This
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is the Captain, Commander Riker to the bridge.
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Cut to holodeck. Riker and Troi break from lingering kiss, she lays back and
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smiles in a contented way.
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Riker: (reaches for uniform and says) Riker to bridge, on my way sir.
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(Looks at Troi, moves toward her and they kiss once more, then Riker
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stands- view is past his shoulder to Troi, covered with blanket.-
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view shifts to close up of Troi's face as she watches Riker quickly
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dress- there is a look of combined resignation and pleasure on her face
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as she sees him walk toward the holodeck entrance)
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Cut to bridge. Riker enters and sits in the 1st officers chair.
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Picard: Mr. Data has determined that the asteroid field we encountered
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near Janfac 1 was debris from Cafferty's planet. What's out there
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(gestures to viewscreen), appears to be more.
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Fisher: (to herself) Almost like something swallowed it, chewed it up
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and spit it out along the way.
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Riker: What was that Lt?
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Fisher: I was just thinking out loud sir. It looks like something chewed
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up the planet and then discarded the remains while it moved along.
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Data: Lt. Fisher's hypothesis might explain some observations I have made
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of the fragments, sir. A number of pieces seem to have been seared near
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the edges, as though something had cut them.
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Riker: (to Picard) That would explain a great deal. If that were true,
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then the trajectory we have been following may be the track of what ever
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destroyed the planet.
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Picard: If that were true, number one, why haven't we encountered this
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*thing* along the way?
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Worf: We are being hailed, sir.
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Riker: On screen, Worf.
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(the screen changes to a view of a control room, the room is apparently
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shaking badly)
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Person_on_screen: Enterprise! Help! We are being attacked!
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(Fisher's finger's begin to run over the helm console-cut to Enterprise
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outside view-
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Enterprise begins turn back to Janfac 1)
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Picard: Lt! all stop! (no response from Fisher) Mr. LaForge, disengage
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warp drive, and impulse engines.
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LaF: Aye, sir.
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(Enterprise stops accelerating)
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Picard: Geordi, bring us to our previous position and hold us there.
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LaF: Aye, aye, Captain.
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View of Enterprise, holding position near a large field of asteroids, many are
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apparently much larger than NCC-1701D.
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Captains log: Subspace communications seemed to indicate that Janfac 1
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was under attack, but transmission was interrupted before any information
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could be passed to us. I relayed what data we had to the USS Hood, which
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is 1 hour and 53 minutes from Janfac 1. The Enterprise is holding position
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beside what appears to be more debris from the unexplained breakup of
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Cafferty's planet in one the Parkin systems.
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(Cut to view of bridge crew. Troi enters from right)
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Picard: Lt. Fisher, I need an explanation of this behavior.
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Fisher: I - I . . . I'm sorry sir, I don't know what came over me.
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Picard: Lt., you'll have to do better than that. (he waits, no reponse)
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As of now, you are confined to quarters.
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Fisher: Yes sir. (Leaves, avoids the gaze of all).
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Riker: Well, what do you make of that?
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Picard: Counselor?
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Troi: I sensed confusion and anger, but also that she was hiding
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something.
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Data: If I may interrupt, sir, I believe I may have found an answer in my
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search of Starfleet records.
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Picard: Go on Mr. Data.
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Data: Starfleet records indicate that Lt. Fisher's family on both her mother
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and father's side have a long history of being involved in projects at the
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frontiers of Federation space. Her grandmother on the maternal side was one of
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the original colony members on Seldon's planet and survived the plague there.
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Her great grand father (Picard interrupts)
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Picard: Yes, yes Data. How does this bear on the present situation.
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Data: As I was trying to explain sir, her parents are Drs. James and Maria
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Fisher. (Riker interrupts)
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Riker: James Fisher. Didn't he have something to do with the breakthrough on
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cultivation of grains on volcanic rock? I seem to remember that there was a
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problem with the trial run on one of the moons of Rigel 9. Some of his staff
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complained about Fisher's conduct when supplies ran short. Several of his
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assistants were missing when a starship finally checked up on them.
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Data: Commander Riker is correct Captain. James Fisher was demoted from his
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position as chief of field operations for the Federation Agricultural Science
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Directorate. Later he was criticized widely among his colleagues for
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allegedly forging data to support his rather arcane hypotheses on the
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growth of plant life in the presence of various kinds of ionizing radiation.
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(Data observes Picard grimacing-Data's expression seems to show a bit of
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disappointment) My search has also revealed two other
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instances of mysterious destruction of planetary systems.
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The first took place nearly a century ago, and involved the original
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Enterprise, captained by one James Kirk. They encountered an apparently
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ancient machine which actually destroyed some inhabited systems.
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Picard: Excerpts from James Kirk's logs and memoirs are required reading at
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command school. He was one of the finest commanders ever to be part of
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Starfleet. And the other instance?
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Data: The other instance is more recent. It took place 12 years ago in the
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Cordon system. An outpost on a planetoid near the Romulan Neutral Zone,
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testing growth properties of genetically altered grains, under extreme
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conditions, was destroyed. (Data pauses)
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The station was established by the order of James Fisher. His son was part of
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the team at the station. Records of the incident are incomplete and the
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investigation was inconclusive.
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Riker: Why run those kind of risks for the sake of testing food growth? Surely
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those kinds of conditions can be duplicated in Federation laboratories.
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Data: The philosophy of the field operations division under James Fisher was
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that reliable data which would be trusted by real colonists could only be
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obtained under actual conditions, putting in the human variable if you will.
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Worf: Romulans. Could *they* not be responsible for this? (Looks at Picard)
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Or the Borg?
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Data: The Borg footprint was not detected in any of our scans of the debris.
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Riker: Data, what are you suggesting?
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Picard: (interrupting) I think I know what Data is driving at, number one. Lt.
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Fisher's reaction is, perhaps understandable. Given the circumstances of her
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brother's death, and then the news that her parents may have died under similar
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mysterious conditions, placed her in an emotional state that would adequately
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explain her actions I believe.
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Riker: Deanna, you said she was hiding something. Could it have been that she
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knew or felt that her father was somehow responsible for this incident.
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Troi: I don't think so. She seemed so filled with anger that I believe
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she was simply reacting to what she perceived as her father calling for help
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in the person of the technician we observed in the transmission.. But why
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don't we ask her?
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Picard: An excellent suggestion.(to Data) Well done once again Commander!
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Your keen observation of human behavior is noted (Data nods, a certain look of
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satisfaction on his face). Mr. Worf, any response to our attempts at contact
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with Janfac 1?
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Worf: No, sir. (Worf's hands play over the console in front of him) No
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indication that any of our messages have been received.
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Picard: Anything on long range sensors, Mr. Data.
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Data: Negative, sir. Nothing unusual within sensor range.
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However, sir, Janfac 1 is out of sensor range.
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(LaForge enters the bridge)
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Riker: I know its unlikely, Captain, but some of those rocks out there are
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huge. The station on Cafferty was mostly deep underground. Its possible that
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part of the station might have survived the breakup. If so, perhaps some of
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the recording devices are still intact. Recommend we do a thorough search for
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anything that might be from the station.
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LaF: I agree, Captain. The low intensity Berthold emissions could have
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effected our high resolution scans. I can adjust for that and do a complete
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survey in about 15 minutes.
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Picard: Make it so. Number one, I'd like you to visit our helmsman and see
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what you can find out about this from her. If she is holding something back, I
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want to know what it is.
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Riker: On my way, Captain.
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Picard: Mr. Data, see if you can find out any more on the destruction of the
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outpost near the Neutral Zone. Use a priority channel to query Starbase 14 if
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you think they would have more complete records of these former incidents.
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Data: Yes sir. Unfortunately, a subspace message will take almost 47 minutes
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and 21 seconds to travel to Starbase 14 and there is no Federation record
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depository nearer than that.
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Picard: (slightly annoyed) I am aware of that, Data. Proceed.
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Data: (a hint of resignation) Aye sir.
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(Cut to corridor on the Enterprise, Troi is walking, heading for sick bay, she
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enters sick bay and finds Dr. Crusher sitting at a console, reading a medical
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journal article on Berthold radiation)
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Crusher: Deanna? What brings you here?
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Troi: I'd to talk to you about something.
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(Troi glances at a technician in the room)
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Crusher: (glancing from Troi to her assistant) I see. (Crusher stands and
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motions to Troi to follow. They move to an examining room.) Well what can
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I do for you Counselor?
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Troi: You know that Will, Commander Riker, was on Janfac 1 for several days
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negotiating the mining treaty for the Federation? (the Dr. nods) Well,
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I thought that he would enjoy a little relaxation when he came back aboard
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ship, so I arranged for some holodeck scenery that would remind him of home.
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It was just going to be a picnic in the mountains. (she pauses)
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Crusher: But something else happened, I take it. Go on.
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Troi: Well, when he came through the entrance, it seemed as though he was
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the Will Riker I knew years ago. I'm afraid that I was a little startled by
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the intensity of his feeling. Suddenly, it was almost as though we had both
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slipped back to another time when, well, when things were different.
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Crusher: Deanna, why are you worried? Did you sense something was wrong about
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this?
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Troi: No. . . not wrong, but . . . different. Its difficult to explain. I'm
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sorry.
|
|
Crusher: Now you've got me worried. 1st officer of the Enterprise, acting
|
|
strangely. And something out there that eats planets for breakfast. I think
|
|
I'll spend some time on the bridge. I can examine Will Riker and see if
|
|
it *is* Will Riker. (Troi and Crusher stare at each other with some
|
|
apprehension from the implication of Crusher's remark)
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|
(Cut to Riker standing in front of Fisher's cabin. Riker touches the attention
|
|
panel- the doors open- Fisher is sitting at a table, her head resting on her
|
|
hands)
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|
Riker: I'm sorry if I disturbed you Lt., but I need to ask you a few
|
|
questions.
|
|
(Fisher appears to be startled from some reverie - she stands at attention -
|
|
Riker motions her to sit down) Lt., I know this has been hard on you,
|
|
with the news about your parents. I ...(Fisher cuts him off)
|
|
Fisher: Sir, I have no excuse for my actions. I am ready to face the
|
|
consequences.
|
|
Riker: (Patiently) Lt. you're a fine officer. You could have your own ship
|
|
some day. But I think you know something about all this you're not telling us.
|
|
The first rule of any Starfleet commander is honesty. With himself, and his
|
|
crew.
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|
Fisher: (hesitates, then begins slowly) I don't know what caused the
|
|
destruction.
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|
(pauses, Riker let's her think about it) But I think my
|
|
father might have suspected something. It was
|
|
something he said to me about Roger, my brother, the last time we spoke.
|
|
Something about making amends for sending him to his death. He never
|
|
really got over it. Roger was his, well, (she smiles) his little boy.
|
|
It was harder on him than anyone knew when Roger was lost. He was never
|
|
the same. He lost interest in his work. My mother carried him after that,
|
|
wrote papers and put his name on them, wrote his speeches. He is -was- a
|
|
brilliant man, but he just didn't care after my brother died. (she drops
|
|
her head-emotion overcomes her-she continues). Then this Parkin project
|
|
came along. My mother said that he seemed to snap out of it, regain his
|
|
old enthusiasm for his work. He pushed very hard for this particular
|
|
location. Just before they left the Directorate headquarters on Mars he
|
|
told me that he was going to find out what happened to Roger. He wouldn't
|
|
say anything more when I asked what he meant, he wouldn't tell me anything
|
|
more just that he would let me know when there was more definite information.
|
|
I assumed he was saying that he would complete Roger's work.
|
|
But now, I wonder. (she looks a Riker) That's all I know, sir.
|
|
(Cut to engineering- LaForge and several others are watching readouts on a wall
|
|
screen)
|
|
LaF: (LaForge touches his comm badge) Captain, I don't know how, but someone
|
|
is alive out there.
|
|
Picard: Explain.
|
|
LaF: Apparently part of the outpost on Cafferty's planet survived with
|
|
pressure integrity intact, and someone is still inside!
|
|
Picard: Give the transporter chief the coordinates and beam whoever it is on
|
|
board as soon as possible.
|
|
LaForge: Aye sir. Transmitting coordinates now.
|
|
(Cut to bridge)
|
|
Picard: (Touches comm badge) Dr. Crusher. Meet me in transporter room 3 with
|
|
a medical team immediately.
|
|
Crusher: Understood, Crusher out.
|
|
Picard: (still using comm link) Number 1, bring Lt. Fisher to transporter
|
|
room 3 *now* (the tone indicates to Riker that questions will not be
|
|
entertained yet)
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|
Riker: Yes, sir. On our way now.
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Picard: Mr. Worf. Will you join me in transporter room 3? Mr. Data.
|
|
You have the bridge. (Picard and Worf move to leave, Data moves from his
|
|
console to the center seat)
|
|
(Cut to transporter room 3. Picard, Riker, Worf, O'Brien, Fisher,
|
|
Troi, Crusher and two assistants are waiting)
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|
Picard: Whenever you're ready, Mr. O'Brien.
|
|
O'Brien: Energizing now, sir.
|
|
(The blue translucence of the transporter beam appears and a prone human figure
|
|
takes shape in it. A man appears, laying on his back, as though asleep.)
|
|
Fisher: (gasps) Father! (Moves forward but it restrained by Picard.)
|
|
Picard: Doctor.
|
|
Crusher: I want a tricorder reading first. (she scans the patient
|
|
for a few moments, then approaches and takes a small device from her belt and
|
|
holds it over the man's chest. She turns to Picard.)
|
|
Well, he's alive. Suffering from dehydration, malnutrition and exhaustion. No
|
|
broken bones, a few bruises. He's asleep. Let's let him rest. I can correct
|
|
the electrolyte imbalances and bring the blood sugar level to normal range in
|
|
about 30 minutes. I think you can safely question him for a few minutes then.
|
|
(Picard nods. Crusher,to her assistants:)
|
|
Bring the stretcher. (Crusher injects the man with a mile sedative, and
|
|
they gently put him on the stretcher and guide it out of the room)
|
|
Picard: (touches comm link) Mr. LaForge, is it safe beam back over to our
|
|
guest's home?
|
|
(Cut to engineering)
|
|
LaForge: It looks like the place is sealed. The air is none to good, but we
|
|
can use the small masks. Its dark over there, and there is very little
|
|
gravitational effect. We can equip for that. Yes, we can get over there
|
|
if you want to, Captain.
|
|
Picard: (aside-voice lowered) No, a, other life forms show up?
|
|
LaF: (at first a puzzled look, then recognition) Nothing, sir. No evidence
|
|
that anyone else might have been with him.
|
|
Picard: Number 1, select an away team and find out what you can until
|
|
our guest comes to. Lt. Fisher, you may accompany Dr. Crusher to sick bay.
|
|
Riker: Data, Geordi, would you join Worf and me in transporter room 3?
|
|
And Geordi, bring the portable broad beam lamps and air supplies. Let's
|
|
make this as pleasant as possible.
|
|
Geordi: I hear you, sir.
|
|
|
|
(To be continued, sometime)
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
EMail: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu or uunet!hamblin.math.byu.edu!smithw
|
|
SMail: Math Dept. -- 314 TMCB; BYU; Provo, UT 84602 (USA)
|
|
NeXTmail: smithw@mathnx.math.byu.edu
|
|
Phone: +1 801 378 2061 FAX: +1 801 378 2800
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article 263 of alt.startrek.creative:
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Path: ariel.unm.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!spool.mu.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!hamblin.math.byu.edu!news
|
|
From: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Dr. William V. Smith)
|
|
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
|
|
Subject: Part 2 of TNG meets the Doomsday Machines
|
|
Message-ID: <SMITHW.91Feb27110335@hamblin.hamblin.math.byu.edu>
|
|
Date: 27 Feb 91 17:03:35 GMT
|
|
Article-I.D.: hamblin.SMITHW.91Feb27110335
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Sender: news@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Usenet News)
|
|
Organization: Brigham Young University
|
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Lines: 229
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Well I had some unexpected hour of free time last night so I put
|
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together the next part of this thing....hope you enjoy it.
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Part II TNG meets the Doomsday Machines
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View of Enterprise, holding position near a large field of asteroids, many are
|
|
apparently much larger than NCC-1701D.
|
|
Captains log: Subspace communications seemed to indicate that Janfac 1 was under
|
|
attack, but transmission was interrupted before any information could be passed
|
|
to us. I relayed what data we had to the USS Hood, which is 1 hour and 53
|
|
minutes from Janfac 1. The Enterprise is holding position beside what appears to
|
|
be more debris from the unexplained breakup of Cafferty's planet in one the
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Parkin systems.
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|
Cut to view of bridge crew. Troi enters from right.
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Picard: Lt. Fisher, I need an explanation of this behavior.
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Fisher: I - I . . . I'm sorry sir, I don't know what came over me.
|
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Picard: (clearly angry) Lt., you'll have to do better than that.
|
|
As of now, you are confined to quarters.
|
|
Fisher: Yes sir. (Leaves, avoids the gaze of all).
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Riker: (to Picard) Well, what do you make of that?
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Picard: Counselor?
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Troi: I sensed confusion and anger, but also that she was concealing something.
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Data: If I may interrupt, sir, I believe I may have found an answer in my
|
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search of Starfleet records.
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Picard: Go on Mr. Data.
|
|
Data: Starfleet records indicate that Lt. Fisher's family on both her mother
|
|
and father's side have a long history of being involved in projects at the
|
|
frontiers of Federation space. Her grandmother on the maternal side was one of
|
|
the original colony members on Seldon's planet and survived the plague there.
|
|
Her great grand father (Picard interrupts)
|
|
Picard: Yes, yes Data. How does this bear on the present situation.
|
|
Data: As I was trying to explain sir, her parents are Drs. James and Maria
|
|
Fisher. (Riker interrupts)
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|
Riker: James Fisher. Didn't he have something to do with the breakthrough on
|
|
cultivation of grains on porous rock? I seem to remember that there was a
|
|
problem with the trial run on one of the moons of Rigel 9. Some of his staff
|
|
complained about Fisher's conduct when supplies ran short. Several of his
|
|
assistants were missing when a starship finally checked up on them.
|
|
Data: Commander Riker is correct Captain. James Fisher was demoted from his
|
|
position as chief of field operations for the Federation Agricultural Science
|
|
Directorate. Later he was criticized widely among his colleagues for allegedly
|
|
inventing
|
|
data to support his rather arcane hypotheses on the growth of plant life in the
|
|
presence of various kinds of ionizing radiation. (Data observes Picard
|
|
grimacing-Data's expression seems to show a bit of disappointment)
|
|
My search has also revealed two other instances of mysterious
|
|
destruction of planetary systems.
|
|
The first took place nearly a century ago, and involved the original
|
|
Enterprise, captained by one James Kirk. They encountered an apparently ancient
|
|
machine which actually destroyed some inhabited systems.
|
|
Picard: Excerpts from James Kirk's logs and memoirs are required reading at
|
|
command school. He was one of the finest commanders ever to be part of
|
|
Starfleet. And the other instance?
|
|
Data: The other instance is more recent. It took place 12 years ago in the
|
|
Cordon system. An outpost on a planetoid near the Romulan Neutral Zone was
|
|
destroyed. (Data pauses) It was a science outpost testing
|
|
growth properties of genetically altered grains, under extreme actual conditions.
|
|
The station was established by the order of James Fisher. His son was part of
|
|
the team at the station. Records of the incident are incomplete and the
|
|
investigation was inconclusive.
|
|
Riker: Why run those kind of risks for the sake of testing food growth? Surely
|
|
those kinds of conditions can be duplicated in Federation laboratories.
|
|
Data: The philosophy of the field operations division under James Fisher was
|
|
that reliable data which would be trusted by real colonists could only be
|
|
obtained under actual conditions, putting in the human variable if you will.
|
|
Worf: Romulans. Could *they* not be responsible for this? (Looks at Picard)
|
|
Or the Borg?
|
|
Data: The Borg footprint was not detected in any of our scans of the debris.
|
|
|
|
Riker: Data, what are you suggesting?
|
|
Picard: (interrupting) I think I know what Commander
|
|
Data is driving at, number one. Lt. Fisher's reaction
|
|
is, perhaps understandable. Given the circumstances of her
|
|
brother's death, and then the news that her parents may have died under similar
|
|
mysterious conditions, placed her in an emotional state that would adequately
|
|
explain her actions I believe.
|
|
Riker: Deanna, you said she was hiding something. Could it have been that she
|
|
knew or felt that her father was somehow responsible for this incident?
|
|
Troi: I don't think so. She seemed so filled with anger that I believe she was
|
|
simply reacting to what she perceived as her father calling for help in the
|
|
person of the technician. But why don't we ask her?
|
|
Picard: An excellent suggestion.(to Data) Well done once again Commander!
|
|
Your keen observation of human behavior is noted (Data nods, a certain look of
|
|
satisfaction on his face). Mr. Worf, any response to our attempts at contact
|
|
with Janfac 1?
|
|
Worf: No, sir. (Worf's hands play over the console in front of him) No
|
|
indication that any of our messages have been received.
|
|
Picard: Anything on long range sensors, Mr. Data.
|
|
Data: Negative, sir. Nothing unusual within sensor range. However sir, Janfac 1
|
|
is out of sensor range.
|
|
(LaForge enters the bridge)
|
|
Riker: I know its unlikely, Captain, but some of those rocks out there are
|
|
huge. The station on Cafferty was mostly deep underground. Its possible that
|
|
part of the station might have survived the breakup. If so, perhaps some of the
|
|
recording devices are still intact. Recommend we do a thorough search for anything
|
|
that could be from the station.
|
|
LaF: I agree, Captain. The low intensity Berthold emissions could have
|
|
effected our sensor scans. I can adjust for that and do a complete survey in
|
|
about 15 minutes.
|
|
Picard: Make it so. Number one, I'd like you to visit our helmsman and see
|
|
what you can find out about this from her. If she is holding something back, I
|
|
want to know what it is.
|
|
Riker: On my way, Captain. (Riker leaves)
|
|
Picard: Mr. Data, see if you can find out any more on the destruction of the
|
|
outpost near the Neutral Zone. Use a priority channel to query Starbase 14 if
|
|
you think they would have more complete records of these former incidents.
|
|
Data: Yes sir. Unfortunately, a subspace message will take almost 47 minutes
|
|
and 21 seconds to travel to Starbase 14 and there is no Federation record
|
|
depository nearer than that.
|
|
Picard: (slightly annoyed) I am aware of that, Data. Proceed.
|
|
Data: (a hint of resignation) Aye sir.
|
|
(Cut to corridor on the Enterprise, Troi is walking, heading for sick bay, she
|
|
enters sick bay and finds Dr. Crusher sitting at a console, reading a medical
|
|
journal article on Berthold radiation)
|
|
Crusher: Deanna? What brings you here?
|
|
Troi: I want to talk to you about something that happened earlier.
|
|
(Troi glances at a technician in the room)
|
|
Crusher: (glancing from Troi to her assistant) I see. (Crusher stands and
|
|
motions to Troi to follow. They move to an examining room.) Well what can I do
|
|
for you Counselor?
|
|
Troi: You know that Will, Commander Riker, was on Janfac 1 for several days
|
|
negotiating the mining treaty for the Federation? (the Dr. nods)
|
|
Well, I thought that he would
|
|
enjoy a little relaxation when he came back aboard ship, so I arranged for some
|
|
holodeck scenery that would remind him of home. It was just going to be a
|
|
picnic in the mountains. (she pauses)
|
|
Crusher: But something else happened I take it. Go on.
|
|
Troi: Well, when he came through the entrance, it seemed like he was the Will
|
|
Riker I knew years ago. I'm afraid that I was a little startled by the
|
|
intensity of his feeling. Suddenly, it was almost as though we had both slipped
|
|
back to another time when, well, when things were different.
|
|
Crusher: Deanna, why are you worried? Did you sense something was wrong about
|
|
this?
|
|
Troi: No. . . not wrong, but . . . different. Its difficult to explain. I'm
|
|
sorry.
|
|
Crusher: Now you've got me worried. 1st officer of the Enterprise, acting
|
|
strangely. And something out there that eats planets for breakfast. I think
|
|
I'll spend some time on the bridge. I can examine Will Riker and see if it *is*
|
|
Will Riker. (Troi and Crusher stare at each other with some apprehension from
|
|
the implication of Crusher's remark)
|
|
(Cut to Riker standing in front of Fisher's cabin. Riker touches the attention
|
|
panel- the doors open- Fisher is sitting at a table, her head resting on her
|
|
hands)
|
|
Riker: I'm sorry if I disturbed you Lt., but I need to ask you a few questions.
|
|
(Fisher appears to be startled from some reverie - she stands at attention -
|
|
Riker motions her to sit down) Lt., I know this has been hard on you, with the
|
|
news about your parents. I ...(Fisher cuts him off)
|
|
Fisher: Sir, I have no excuse for my actions. I am ready to face the
|
|
consequences.
|
|
Riker: (Patiently) Lt. you're a fine officer. You could have your own ship
|
|
some day. But I think you know something about all this you're not telling us.
|
|
The first rule of any Starfleet commander is honesty. With himself, and his
|
|
crew.
|
|
Fisher: (hesitates, then begins slowly) I don't know what caused the destruction.
|
|
(pauses, Riker let's her think about it) But I think my
|
|
father might have suspected something. It was
|
|
something he said to me about Roger, my brother, the last time we spoke.
|
|
Something about making amends for sending him to his death. He never really got
|
|
over it. Roger was his, well, (she smiles) his little boy. It was harder on
|
|
him than anyone knew when Roger was lost. He was never the same. He lost
|
|
interest in his work. My mother carried him after that, wrote papers and put
|
|
his name on them, wrote his speeches. He is-was- a brilliant man, but he just
|
|
didn't care after my brother died. (she drops her head-emotion overcomes her-
|
|
Riker lets her pull herself together-she continues) But when this Parkin project
|
|
came up, my mother said he seemed to snap out of it, regain his old enthusiasm.
|
|
Before they left the Directorate station on Mars, he told me that he was going
|
|
to find out what happened to Roger. When I asked him what he meant, he said he
|
|
would tell me when there was more definite information. That's all I know sir.
|
|
(Cut to engineering- LaForge and several others are watching readouts on a wall
|
|
screen)
|
|
LaF: (LaForge touches his comm badge) Captain, I don't know how, but someone
|
|
is alive out there.
|
|
Picard: Explain.
|
|
LaF: Apparently part of the outpost on Cafferty's planet survived with pressure
|
|
integrity intact, and someone is still inside!
|
|
Picard: Give the transporter chief the coordinates and beam whoever it is on
|
|
board as soon as possible.
|
|
LaForge: Aye sir. Transmitting coordinates now.
|
|
(Cut to bridge)
|
|
Picard: (Touches comm badge) Dr. Crusher. Meet me in transporter room 3 with
|
|
a medical team immediately.
|
|
Crusher: Understood, Crusher out.
|
|
Picard: (still using comm link) Number 1, bring Lt. Fisher to transporter room
|
|
3 *now* (the tone indicates to Riker that questions will not be entertained now)
|
|
Riker: Yes, sir. On our way now.
|
|
Picard: Mr. Worf. Will you join me in transporter room 3? Mr. Data. You have
|
|
the bridge. (Picard and Worf move to leave, Data moves from his console
|
|
to the center seat)
|
|
(Cut to transporter room 3. Picard, Riker, Worf, O'Brien, Fisher, Troi, Crusher
|
|
and two assistants are waiting)
|
|
Picard: Whenever you're ready Mr. O'Brien.
|
|
O'Brien: Energizing now, sir.
|
|
(The blue translucence of the transporter beam appears and a prone human figure
|
|
takes shape in it. A man appears, laying on his back, as though asleep.)
|
|
Fisher: (gasps) Father! (Moves forward but it restrained by Picard.)
|
|
Picard: Doctor.
|
|
Crusher: I want a tricorder reading first. (she scans the patient
|
|
for a few moments, then approaches and takes a small device from her belt and
|
|
holds it over the man's chest. She turns to Picard.)
|
|
Well, he's alive. Suffering from dehydration, malnutrition and exhaustion. No
|
|
broken bones, a few bruises. He's asleep. Let's let him rest. I can correct
|
|
the electrolyte imbalances and bring the blood sugar level to normal range in
|
|
about 30 minutes. I think you can safely question him then.
|
|
(Picard nods. Crusher,to her assistants:)
|
|
Bring the stretcher.
|
|
Picard: (touches comm link) Mr. LaForge, is it safe to beam back over to our
|
|
guest's home?
|
|
LaForge: It looks like the place is sealed. The air is none to good, but we
|
|
can use the small masks. Its dark over there, and there is very little
|
|
gravitational effect. We can equip for that. Yes, we can get over there if you
|
|
want to, Captain.
|
|
Picard: (aside) No, a, other life forms show up?
|
|
LaF: (at first a puzzeled look, then recognition) Nothing, sir. No evidence
|
|
that anyone else might have been with him.
|
|
Picard: Number 1, select an away team and find out what you can until our guest
|
|
comes to. Lt. Fisher, you may accompany Dr. Crusher to sick bay.
|
|
Riker: (over comm link) Data, Jordy, would you join Worf and me in transporter room 3?
|
|
|
|
|
|
(To be continued, sometime)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
EMail: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu or uunet!hamblin.math.byu.edu!smithw
|
|
SMail: Math Dept. -- 314 TMCB; BYU; Provo, UT 84602 (USA)
|
|
NeXTmail: smithw@mathnx.math.byu.edu
|
|
Phone: +1 801 378 2061 FAX: +1 801 378 2800
|
|
|
|
|
|
Article 298 of alt.startrek.creative:
|
|
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
|
|
Path: ariel.unm.edu!news.cs.indiana.edu!sdd.hp.com!caen!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!hamblin.math.byu.edu!news
|
|
From: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Dr. William V. Smith)
|
|
Subject: MORE TNG vs. the Doomsday Machines
|
|
Organization: Brigham Young University
|
|
Date: 7 Mar 91 12:23:41
|
|
Message-ID: <SMITHW.91Mar7122341@hamblin.hamblin.math.byu.edu>
|
|
Lines: 170
|
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Sender: news@hamblin.math.byu.edu (Usenet News)
|
|
|
|
I apologize again for dribbling more of this along, but I
|
|
keep getting requests for it even though I warned you
|
|
I would be unable to really finish it for some time.
|
|
[So why did I start posting it in the first place?
|
|
- it's not my fault, things come up] This piece starts
|
|
more or less where the last one left off, with just a
|
|
touch of a rewrite at the joining point. A few bits
|
|
of the first part have been rewritten too, I'll post
|
|
it if the story is ever completed. So here's a few
|
|
more pages:
|
|
|
|
(The blue translucence of the transporter beam appears and
|
|
a prone human figure takes shape in it. A man appears,
|
|
laying on his back, as though asleep.)
|
|
Fisher: (gasps) Father! (Moves forward but is restrained
|
|
by Picard.)
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Picard: Doctor.
|
|
Crusher: I want a tricorder reading first. (she scans the
|
|
patient for a few moments, then approaches and takes a small
|
|
device from her belt and holds it over the man's chest.
|
|
She turns to Picard.) Well, he's alive. Suffering from
|
|
dehydration, malnutrition and exhaustion. No
|
|
broken bones, a few bruises. He's asleep. Let's let him rest.
|
|
I can correct the electrolyte imbalances and bring the blood sugar
|
|
level to normal range in about 30 minutes. I think you can
|
|
safely question him then. (Picard nods. Crusher,to her assistants:)
|
|
Bring the stretcher. (Crusher injects the man with a mild
|
|
sedative, and they gently put him on the stretcher and the
|
|
Doctor appears to be monitoring him)
|
|
Picard: (touches comm link) Mr. LaForge, is it safe to beam back
|
|
over to our guest's home?
|
|
LaForge: It looks like the place is sealed. The air is none
|
|
to good, but we can use the small masks. Its dark over there,
|
|
and there is very little gravitational effect. We can equip for
|
|
that. Yes we can get over there if you want to, Captain.
|
|
Picard: (aside-voice lowered) No, a, other life forms show up?
|
|
LaF: (at first a puzzled look, then recognition) Nothing, sir.
|
|
No evidence that anyone else might have been with him.
|
|
Picard: Number one, select an away team and find out what
|
|
you can until our guest comes to. Lt. Fisher, you may accompany
|
|
Dr. Crusher to sick bay. (They are guiding the stretcher out of
|
|
the room)
|
|
Riker: Data, Geordi, would you join Worf and me in transporter
|
|
room 3? And Geordi, bring the portable broad beam lamps and
|
|
atmosphere stablizers. Let's make this as pleasant as possible.
|
|
LaF: I hear you, sir. (Barclay is standing near LaForge- Geordi
|
|
turns to him) Well Lt., did you have any success with your
|
|
simulations?
|
|
Barclay: I...I can't say sir. What I mean is, I wasn't able to
|
|
finish scanning the information we have from the Captain's link with
|
|
Commander Data.
|
|
LaF: Keep at it Lt. I want to see some results when I get
|
|
back from that asteroid hotel
|
|
(gestures to scan image of what is a portion of the former
|
|
underground complex serving the ag station on Cafferty)
|
|
Barclay: Y..Yes, sir. (Barclay leaves)
|
|
LaF: (taps comm badge) Commander Riker, I recommend we use
|
|
the Enterprise to stabilize the movment of our destination. It's
|
|
tumbling pretty badly, and who knows what is floating around over
|
|
there. We can induce a low gravity field while we're at it so we can
|
|
stand on the "floor".
|
|
Riker: Fine, Geordi. Let's make it quick. The Captain wants us
|
|
back here in an hour.
|
|
Captains Log: Stardate blahblah. An extraordinary thing has
|
|
happened. Apparently, the debris we have now encountered twice,
|
|
actually comes from Cafferty's planet in the Parkin systems. We
|
|
have found a survivior in the person of Dr. James Fisher,a former
|
|
high-ranking officer of the Ferderation Agricultural
|
|
Science Directorate. He, his wife and 43 others were conducting
|
|
experiments when some catastrophe caused the destruction of the
|
|
world on which they were living. Commander Riker has assembled
|
|
an away team to find out what happened to Cafferty and how
|
|
Dr. Fisher was able to survive.
|
|
|
|
Riker: (speaking from transporter room 3 to Picard on the bridge)
|
|
Sir, we're ready to beam over now. I'll let you know as soon as
|
|
we find anything.
|
|
Picard: Right, number one. Mr. O'Brien, maintain transporter lock
|
|
on the away team and be ready to beam them back aboard.
|
|
O'Brien: Aye, sir.
|
|
(Riker moves to the transporter pads where Worf, Data and Geordi are standing)
|
|
Riker: Anytime, Mr. O'Brien
|
|
O'Brien: Yes, sir. (moves hands over console and the familiar
|
|
whine of the transporter is heard- the away team shimmers and
|
|
disappears) (The transporter beam fades in from complete darkness
|
|
on what's left of an underground tube approximately 25 ft. in
|
|
diameter. The away team materializes on what was an intermediate
|
|
floor of the station, covered with flotsam- a mixture of odds and
|
|
ends of pieces of furniture, eating utensils, clothing and other
|
|
unidentifiable items which nevertheless look like they might be parts
|
|
of things that could be found in a typical apartment living room.
|
|
Except the walls of the living room are covered with brown mold
|
|
and drip with moisture. As the transporter beam fades, the lights
|
|
the team brought with them illuminate the darkness with a bright
|
|
but non-glaring glow.
|
|
LaF: Wow! Whoever's been occupying this hole should have their
|
|
lease revoked. Smells like the odor caves we explored on Pacifica
|
|
last year.
|
|
Data: Am I right in assuming that you find the aroma distasteful, Geordi?
|
|
LaF: You can say that again, Data. Seems our friend couldn't be very
|
|
picky about waste disposal, not to mention food storage or air
|
|
purification. He's an awful lucky man.
|
|
Riker: All right you two, find out what you can here and then
|
|
head to the lower floors. Worf and I will move to the upper levels.
|
|
Keep your communicators open, and report anything of significance to
|
|
me. Understood? You're on alert status gentlemen.
|
|
LaF: Commander, are we looking for anything in particular?
|
|
Riker: The Captain wants to know how this man survived and what
|
|
happened to Cafferty's planet. Anything out of the ordinary could
|
|
be a clue. Keep your eyes pealed.
|
|
Data: If I may ask sir, what does such a painful abuse of the organ
|
|
of sight have to do with our mission?
|
|
Riker: (smiles broadly- Worf turns his head so that they cannot
|
|
see his mouth twitching). It's an expression Data. It means to
|
|
be watchful.
|
|
Data: Ah. Watchful. Vigilant, wide-awake, alert, on the lookout
|
|
for danger or opportunity. Carefully observant or attentive as in
|
|
being "on the watch". I believe I understand, sir.
|
|
LaF: (smiling) Data, you take tri-corder readings, while I tune
|
|
the atmosphere stabilizers. It's a little humid in here for my taste.
|
|
Data: Yes Commander, and . . . keep your eyes pealed.(LaForge laughs)
|
|
(cut to sick bay. Picard enters. Troi and Crusher are standing near
|
|
the far wall, Crusher is monitoring a panel. Lt. Fisher is standing
|
|
beside her unconscious father, holding his hand.)
|
|
Picard: Anything further on our patient, Beverly?
|
|
Crusher: He seems to be responding well. He's in excellent condition
|
|
considering what he must have gone through. I'll let you know if
|
|
there's any change. (Crusher notes that Picard seems to be staring
|
|
at her- when he notices she has observed him and he still does not
|
|
avert his gaze, she blushes and stammers) Anything else, sir?
|
|
Picard: (seems to snap out of it- adjusts his suit- and clears his throat)
|
|
No. Doctor, carry on. (Picard turns to leave, but stops in mid stride
|
|
and turns around.) Come to think of it, Doctor, there is something.
|
|
Could I have a word with you privately?
|
|
Crusher: (Glances quickly at Troi who is eyeing the Captain)
|
|
Certainly, sir. (she gestures to a door and they both enter.
|
|
The door closes byhind them, and Crusher turns to face Picard.)
|
|
What can I do for you Jean-Luc? (Picard says nothing, but moves
|
|
closer to her, he seems nervous but does not take his eyes from
|
|
her- suddenly, he grasps her and draws her to him and they kiss-
|
|
she is clearly startled by this but is also clearly responding-
|
|
just as suddenly, Picard appears to stop himself and with some
|
|
effort releases her and she- somewhat reluctantly - follows suit..)
|
|
Picard: (brushes his brow with his hand- speaks with some effort)
|
|
I - I'm sorry Be - Doctor, I don't know what came over me. Please
|
|
excuse me. (He turns with effort and then hurries out - the door barely
|
|
opens quickly enough to keep him from smashing into it. Crusher stares
|
|
after him, dumbfounded.)
|
|
(Cut to the outpost fragment, to Riker and Worf coming through an
|
|
exit hatch in a floor bulkhead several levels above where they first
|
|
beamed aboard-the walls and floor are dripping with condensed
|
|
moisture-the mold appears to be much thicker here-the two officers
|
|
exhalations are visible in the flashlight beams-everything is slippery
|
|
Riker is clearly a little uncomfortable with having the mold from
|
|
the ladder rungs on his hands).
|
|
Worf:(slowly plays his flashlight around)
|
|
This appears to be more of the same, Commander. No evidence
|
|
of anyone else having been here. ( they step over a mound of misc.
|
|
items and look about.) It *smells* like Dr. Fisher used this room
|
|
for- to relieve himself. I believe that this is the topmost surviving
|
|
level according to our scan. Dr. Fisher must have maintained
|
|
this room as a waste depository to keep the rest of the station
|
|
less contaminated. Clearly an exceptional man to have demonstrated
|
|
discipline under these conditions.
|
|
Riker: I think your right Lt. I doubt that we'll find anything
|
|
of importance here. Check the hatch up there (Riker points his
|
|
flashlight to the ceiling along the emergency exit ladder they
|
|
have been climbing).
|
|
|
|
(To be continued, sometime)
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
EMail: smithw@hamblin.math.byu.edu or uunet!hamblin.math.byu.edu!smithw
|
|
SMail: Math Dept. -- 314 TMCB; BYU; Provo, UT 84602 (USA)
|
|
NeXTmail: smithw@mathnx.math.byu.edu
|
|
Phone: +1 801 378 2061 FAX: +1 801 378 2800
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