Stardate 41986.0

With a brisk hand, Data scrubbed the condensation off the glass of the third capsule in the derelict shuttle. At his request, he and Worf beamed aboard the runaway artifact despite Commander Riker's misgivings. Why Data had wanted to was beyond him. Perhaps mere curiosity or the desire to see such ancient technology was the driving cause but now he could say it was a good idea. Two men and a woman had been found cryogenically frozen here in the eternal ice of space. Out of twelve cryonic stations it seemed that only three had survived the centuries and all on the left section. Within his skull the millions of possibilities at their existence whirred with scenarios.

"There is one more capsule at the end," the deep, somewhat growling voice of his comrade Worf interrupted his musings. Looking away from the pale, icy countenance of the middle aged human man, Data spotted the lieutenant at the end of the misty lighted corridor opposite him. Passing the long lines of broken and lifeless tanks, he found himself intrigued. The first three survived in a cluster on one side; how did this one? Perhaps the tanks had been broken due to an accident of some sort, preserving the first ones.

"She is younger than the others," Worf informed him as he stepped back, giving the senior officer room to look. Data found himself puzzled over the woman frozen in time.

Dark tumbles of hair fell about her naked shoulders, framing a small, oval face. Her lips were white from the ice like the rest of her skin, dramatically highlighting her lashes. Instead of being middle aged she looked to be chronologically only in her early twenties.

Before the commander could respond, the com on his breast signaled an incoming transmission.

"Commander Data, return to the Enterprise immediately," Riker's voice ordered as soon as it came through. With a glance to Worf, the android touched the com to respond.

"We have come across a situation, Commander. There are people frozen here," he replied loudly over the whirring of the malfunctioning systems around him. There was a slight pause.

"Frozen? How many?"

"Four, sir. The vehicle has suffered severe damage and the vessel's systems are failing rapidly."

Another pause over the line.

"Commander, are you suggesting we transfer them over to the Enterprise?" Riker asked a bit incredulously. Data considered the dilemma briefly, about .34 seconds, before responding accordingly with his ethical programming.

"I do not believe we should leave them here, sir," he looked back to the other three capsules in consideration. "With your permission, we will be returning with four containers."

"Whatever you decide to do, do it quickly," Riker instructed with the usual impatience. A human flaw and a frustratingly useful one at that. Nodding in agreement even though the first officer couldn't see them, the Klingon and the android set to work immediately.

Awakening them was a simple procedure considering the time and energy put into freezing them after their deaths. According to Dr. Crusher, the first man found, name of Ralph Oppenhouse, died of advanced cardiomyopathy at the age of fifty-five. Deadly in the 21st century but easily remedied before he ever opened his gaze now. L. Q. "Sonny" Clemmons was the second man, apparently a famous musician of his time, perished from heavy drug abuse.

Turning his gaze to the two women, Data reran the input on their profiles as they awoke. The older woman, Claire Raymond, had risen once but immediately fainted upon seeing Lt. Worf. She was what was called a 'home maker' at the time she died of an embolism. Briefly, he found himself wondering what on earth a home maker was. Now awake, the lady was attempting movement again.

The last and youngest of them all was a member of the U.S. Navy, proclaimed killed in action by shrapnel, named Eeva Tompkins.

Data stood between her bed and Claire's watching and waiting as she awoke. His brow eased a bit as Eeva's heavy eyes slid open dazedly to stare at the strange ceiling. With a heavy sigh she shifted her gaze to the commander, reality and focus sharpening the dark, earthy brown of her stare.

"Welcome to the USS Enterprise, Ms. Tompkins," Data greeted congenially as she rose onto her elbows to look at him fully, apparently stunned at the sight of his white skin and amber eyes. Claire murmured in thanks as Dr. Crusher gave her a hand to sit up and attempt dressing, distracting him momentarily.

"Where?" Eeva whispered lowly, a hand coming up to clasp her throat in surprise at her own voice. Data felt a twinge of consternation as the woman's eyes widened in sudden panic and she lifted the thin blanket covering her. As she scanned her naked body in a panic, he could see her hand running over her abdomen in shock. "What-what happened?"

The android reached forth a comforting hand and clasped her nude shoulder. He had seen humans perform the motion when another was frightened and troubled. It seemed the appropriate action to take. Apparently not for she flinched violently at it. Frazzled dark hair fell in her face as she snapped her attention to him sharply.

"We will explain once you are up and moving. Please, allow Dr. Crusher to help you dress," Worf instructed from his security position near the doorway. She gave him a wide eyed look before shaking her head in confusion at what she saw. Beverly turned and gave Data an excited and intrigued look from where she helped Claire. The android could readily guess her thoughts as the same ones were rumbling through his own mind. As Data turned to speak with her, Sonny spoke for the first time upon awakening.

"Why the hell am I naked? Who took my britches?"