Chapter 2
"What happened?" Picard asked.
It all happened so quickly, he felt stunned.
There was a vague mutter from under a 5 man pile-on, consisting of Wesley, Worf, Data, Geordi LaForge, and Counselor Deanna Troi.
Wesley managed to extricate himself from the pile "Well, since there's nowt to do, think of a vacation".
Picard groaned, this was his least favourite conversation.
"Rica" Commander Riker said immediately.
Wesley tutted, that was typical of Riker, he always liked the Rican women.
"So, Captain, Riker paused as they entered the turbolift "have you decided where you're going to go?"
"Yes, I have, Number 1, Picard said "bridge"
The turbolift started humming as they went to the bridge.
Riker sighed, typical of Picard, he thought, he's too serious at times.
"Sir, Wesley called, our sensors are picking up something strange"
"What is it?"
"Naquados, sir, we only know 3 objects made of that substance, Warp engines, and phaser innards and...
"Yes?" Picard asked
"Stargates, sir."
"That's impossible!" Picard said, gobsmacked. "Half of the Stargate network was decommissioned in 2016 by the SGC in Montana after the death of SG-1"
"Well, Wesley said "Cant we get the Enterprise through the Stargate?"
"Are you kidding? Riker said "the Stargates only have a diameter of 3 meters!"
"We'll get it through, Will"
"The Tachion beam has vanished, Data reported "We are free"
"Helm, set course for the Naquados signature, one eighth impulse power" Picard ordered
The Enterprise was there in minutes, Data was beamed down to the Stargate
"I am now entering the address of Earth, sir" Data said
"Here goes nothing", Riker said
"Chevron 4 encoded"
"Good luck, Crew."
"Chevron 7 locked, ready to go"
The Enterprise disappeared into the artificial wormhole.