I own nothing but Charlotte and the new and improved transporter devices :) Plz r/r.

"And that should just about do it." Charlotte tapped a button on the device on the table and looked at Wesley. "How will we know if it works?"

"We'll have to try it sometime." Wes studied the computer screen. "According to these equations, it should strengthen the signal by 60%."

"That's a lot!" Charlotte exclaimed. "When will we get to try it?"

"I don't know. Ok, now we know how to assemble it, we can replicate the parts. Can you do that? I have to get to the Bridge."

"Sure, go ahead. Leave it to me."

Wesley left, and Charlotte got to work.

* * * * * *
A few hours later…

Charlotte had just finished the third beacon when the red alert signal activated. Moments later, the ship lurched and shook, and she had to grab the table. Who was firing on them?

The shaking stopped, and she heard the sound of power going down. Then another sound permeated the air- that of gas flowing through the ship. Charlotte instinctively held her breath, but had to let it out after a few minutes. Expecting to fall asleep or start coughing, she was surprised when neither happened. She stood up.

"Wesley Crusher to Charlotte! Are you there?"

Charlotte tapped the panel on her wall. "I'm here, Wes. What's going on?"

"I need your help!"

"I'll be right up."

Moments later she was on the Bridge. Her mouth fell open when she saw Wes gazing upon the whole Bridge crew lying lethargically in their chairs, sweat dotting their faces, obviously sick.

"What happened?"

Captain Picard opened his eyes and tried to talk, but all that came out was a croak. The others didn't even try to communicate.

Wes shook his head in disbelief. "A ship came out of nowhere and started firing on us. The shields went down and they somehow managed to release gas onto the ship. Next thing I know, Data's been transported off and the crew is sick! Look at them, they've all got fevers and…"

"Wait, wait, wait… Data's gone?" She looked around with rising panic. It was true; the android was nowhere to be seen. "Where is he? On the ship?"

"Probably."

"But why aren't we sick?"

"I don't know. Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher to Dr Crusher. Mom, are you there?"

"Wesley, what's wrong?"

"Oh, good, you're ok. I need you to come and see what's wrong with everybody. The crew's sick and…"

"I'm afraid it's not just the Bridge crew. Almost everyone on this deck is sick. It seems to be some kind of Flu, but I can't identify it yet. Which means I have no cure."

"Ok. We'll just have to hide in this nebula till you find one."

Charlotte looked on the view screen at the swirling colours of blue and purple. Her mouth became a firm line. "The crew is incapacitated, and Data's been abducted. I'm not going to sit around and do nothing. Wes, you're coming with me." She grabbed his arm and pulled him onto the turbo lift.

"I can't just leave the ship!"

Charlotte ignored him and grabbed the newly finished transport beacons.

Wes tried again. "It'll be dangerous! Captain Picard might be angry!"

"I don't care, Wes." They left her quarters and got back on the lift. "You are going to modify a shuttlecraft so that we won't be detected, and we're going to get Data back. I'll take full responsibility for any consequences. It's not like Picard can court-marshal me. Now come on!"

In the shuttle bay, Charlotte opened the door to a craft and deposited her bag inside. Wesley started the departure sequence and opened the shuttlebay doors.

As he sat down at the controls and started to slowly ease the shuttle out, Charlotte tapped his badge. "Charlotte Hope to Dr Crusher."

"Crusher here."

"Any progress?"

"Perhaps. I'm engaging intensive scans on one of the crew and also sampling the air for any leftover gas. I'm hoping I might get a clue from that. What are you doing?"

"Data's been abducted. Wesley and I are going to rescue him."

"Wait, you can't…"

"There's no time to argue." Charlotte looked on the scanner. "We'll soon be out of communicator range. Good luck finding a cure."

"See you later, Mom." The signal fizzled out, and Charlotte sat at the other controls.

"Can you find the ship's trail?"

"I've locked on."

"Okay, there are your tools. I think you know what to do."

"Yeah, but the shuttle…"

"I've been studying, and I know how to fly a shuttle. Your job is to make sure they don't detect us. Please get to work."

"Yes, sir."