Hey readers! I've decided to try something new and attempt a Star Trek: TNG story! I watched who knows how many TNG episodes online into the wee hours of the night (as late as 4 AM) to get the concepts down and I think I got it!
Full Summary: The Enterprise-E returns to the 24th century after its nearly fatal encounter with the Borg. Despite the aid and comfort given by friends and family, Lt. Commander Data is plagued by visions and nightmares from his encounter with the Queen and is determined to find a way to destroy the federation's most lethal enemy once and for all. Part one in a two part story.
IMPORTANT
In this story...
-- The events of ST Voyager Series finale "Endgame" have not occurred; however, Voyager is already lost in the delta quadrant.
Disclaimer: I own NOTHING of this story (except any original characters I might create). Star Trek TNG belongs to Paramount and the Late Gene Roddenberry.
Prologue: The Past
(5 years before First Contact)
Commander Bruce Maddox paced in his quarters onboard the USS Natelle, a science vessel. Two weeks ago, he had received his usual message from Lt. Commander Data about the android's human development, but this one also contained a very personal request. Maddox replayed the message in his mind:
Lt. Commander Data's personal log to Commander Maddox at Starfleet Command: I have had a most intriguing experience that even you would find fascinating. My father, Dr. Noonien Soong has contacted me using a homing beacon implanted into my posotronic matrix. That is not all: Lore's homing beacon was activated as well. You will remember Lore from previous messages I have sent to you—my evil brother who betrayed the colonists and…well... I believe I have already briefed you on that incident. While spending time with my father on Terlina III, I learned that he has created a chip for me to process basic emotions: humor, sadness, etc. Unfortunately, Lore was jealous of my father's attention to my development and stole the emotion chip, critically injuring Dr. Soong in the process. Dr. Soong has informed me he wishes to remain on Terlina III where he would die. I have decided to honor that request. However, this may be a perfect opportunity for you to study more of his cybernetic designs on a posatronic brain.
If you have the opportunity, please travel to Terlina III and proceed to his laboratory. I am afraid by the time you arrive, my father would already have passed on, but you make copies of any notes you find to aid you in perfecting your own cybernetic prototypes. But please do not remove anything from the compound. If and when you find his body, please give him a proper burial. End transmission.
This was Maddox's earliest convenience to the Terlina system.
"Commander Maddox" rang the Comm. System.
"Maddox pressed his combadge, "Maddox here."
"We've arrived in orbit around Terlina III."
"Excellent. I'll assemble my away team and meet in Transporter room 2. Maddox out."
The away team, consisting of Maddox, the chief medical officer, and the security chief materialized in the middle of the jungles of Terlina III. Maddox immediately opened his tricorder.
"This jungle is huge," said Lt. Cambell, the medical officer. "Which way do we go?"
"This way," Maddox pointed. "I'm detecting a structure 20 meters ahead."
The away team reached the front entrance to the house. "What is this place?" the security officer asked.
"This was the home of Dr. Noonien Soong." Maddox answered. "He created Lt. Commander Data."
"Sir, I'm picking up some unusual readings from inside." The medic announced. She ran ahead of the Commander and into the house.
"Dr, wait!" Maddox shouted after her as he and the security officer ran in after her.
This is incredible! Maddox stood amazed of the sights before him: spare android parts, mostly feet and hands, books on cybernetics, notes thrown everywhere.
"Where did she go?" the security officer asked, phaser at the ready.
"Bruce, over here," the doctor cried from a corner room. Maddox followed her voice and entered what appeared to be a bedroom. He stopped short at the sight, horrified.
"Data?!"
Chapter 1: Family Reunion
Jean-Luc Picard pressed on a nearby control panel venting Main Engineering from the gasses that destroyed the Borg. Once the gas disappeared, he went down to the main level and kneeled at the body of the Borg Queen. He picked up the skull remains. Only moments ago, he nearly sold his soul back to the Borg as it had been years ago when he was transformed to Locutus. And for a moment, a very short moment, he felt truly Borg again. Picard severed the mechanical skull from the spinal cord, deactivating the remains.
"Captain," said a quiet voice. Picard turned around to see Lt. Commander Data sitting up against the warp core. Half of Data's face and his right arm were depleted of synthetic skin due to the singed organic skins provided by the Borg.
"Data, are you alright?"
"I am undamaged. I would imagine I look worse than I…feel." Data looked around. "The Borg?"
"Destroyed, thanks to you," Picard smiled.
"It is because of me that the Borg nearly assimilated Earth, as well as you, Captain."
Picard helped Data stand up. "Well thank god you didn't forget where your loyalties lie."
"It is strange, nevertheless. For reasons unknown, a part of me is sorry she is dead." Data replied as the two walked out of Main Engineering.
"Why is that, Data?"
"She has brought me the closest to being human. She was almost successful."
"How long were you swayed?"
"0.68 seconds. But for an android, that is nearly an eternity."
The senior staff walked into the observation lounge and sat down to begin the meeting.
"Damage report, Mr. Worf?
"The Borg have overrun decks 24 through 5. Our particle emitter has been destroyed, one of our plasma coolant tanks has been ruptured and Main Engineering, along with over half the ship, has been converted to the equivalent of a Borg vessel."
"That's a hefty list." Riker grumbled.
"It still gets better, Number 1," Picard said, rubbing his forehead. "We lost over half of our crew."
"It's going to take quite a long time to complete repairs." Worf said.
"Indeed." Picard sighed. He was about to continue when Geordi entered the lounge.
"How is he, Mr. LaForge?" Picard asked.
"Well, the Borg did some pretty extensive damage to his skin. But according to my tricorder scans, there are no serious problems with his positronic matrix."
"How soon can he be repaired?" Riker asked.
"The repairs are out of my hands. I'm going to require some of the tools from Starfleet Robotics to repair him." Geordi sighed.
"Why isn't Mr. Data here now"?
"I let him go back to his quarters," explained Geordi, "he also requests to be relieved from duties until we reach Space dock. He doesn't see himself fit for duty."
"He gets some of his skin taken off and he is no longer fit for duty?" Worf asked.
"His request is granted," Picard said. "Physically, he is fine, Mr. Worf, but maybe not emotionally. Data has now gone through a similar experience with the Borg as I have. They've taken him against his will, tried to assimilate him, and even tried granting him his greatest desire: to become human, flesh and blood. And I believe, even for an android, an experience like that can be traumatic, therefore he deserves time alone. Without his help, the Enterprise would have either been destroyed or become complete property of the Borg."
There was a long pause before Will Riker spoke up. "Is there anything else, Captain?"
"Yes, actually. Just before calling this meeting, we received a priority call from Altrea IV."
"Altrea IV…isn't that where Data spent his leave while the Enterprise-E was being constructed?" Dr. Crusher asked.
"Yes. That's also where his mother, Dr. Juliana Tainer lives." Deanna Troi added. "Is there something wrong?"
"Well, this is of a personal nature for her," the Captain began. "We are to set a new course and rendezvous with Dr. Tainer and then, we shall proceed to Space Dock for repairs. It seems Counselor Troi isn't the only one on board with a very protective mother."
"Does Data know about her arrival?" Geordi asked.
"No." Picard answered.
"I'll let him know, Captain." Counselor Troi volunteered.
"That'll be all," Picard said, "Number 1, set course for Altrea IV. Dismissed."
Data sat at his personal computer attempting to run self diagnostics to be sure the Borg haven't permanently damaged his circuitry. Unfortunately, his computer console was flickering and finally it fizzled out. Even his separate computer core was damaged. Data sat in his chair putting his head in his hands. His thoughts were flooded by unwanted emotions relating to his recent activities with the Borg.
Unable to relax, he proceeded to a couch in an adjoining room and sprawled across, draping his right arm over his face. Even laying still was troublesome for the android—his emotion chip was now beginning to overload. Data cocked his head slightly, hoping the chip would deactivate like usual.
Nothing.
"Computer, reduce lights by 75 percent." The lights dimmed. Maybe now he could relax.
*Beep Beep*
Data jumped slightly at the chime of his door. "Come in please," said Data, not moving.
The doors opened, allowing Counselor Troi access. She stepped inside. Once the doors closed, her eyes were forced to adjust to the darkness surrounding her. The only light source was from his desk lamp.
"Data, where are you?"
"Over here, Counselor." Data said from the side room.
"Data, why are you in the dark?"
"I am attempting to reflect on recent events. I had hoped the darkness would provide little to no distractions."
"But Data, I can't see you." Deanna sighed as she made her way to Data's side, sitting in a nearby chair. "Can you please raise them a little?"
"Very well," Data sighed, "computer, increase illumination by 25 percent."
The room brightened a bit and Deanna's eyes began to readjust. She looked over at her comrade and gasped. The arm draped over the android's face had the sleeve rolled up to about the elbow, revealing the patch of missing skin. Deanna was also able to see the damage done to his face.
Data heard her surprise and turned slightly towards her. "Does my appearance trouble you, Counselor?"
"No, Data, you just took me by surprise, that's all."
"I see," said Data, taking his arm off his head and turning to face her.
"Are you in pain?"
"I am incapable of pain."
"Really?" Troi asked. "Data, I sense emotions in you—confusion, sadness, fear, and the look on your face confirm them all. What's wrong?"
Data thought of the right way to answer. "It was a most unique experience. One I have not quite… recovered from."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"Not at this present time, Counselor. I apologize."
"Well, when you are ready, let me know. I want to help you in any way that I can."
"Thank you for the offer. Will that be all?"
"Not quite." Deanna smiled. "Data, the Enterprise will be delayed in reaching Space Dock."
"Is there a problem with the warp core? I can assist Geordi in…"
"No Data, there's nothing wrong in Engineering. We've altered course to collect a passenger."
"The Enterprise is no condition for guests, Counselor." Data protested.
"That maybe so, but one doesn't argue with the determination of one's mother. We're heading to Altrea IV."
Data averted his gaze from Counselor Troi to absorb this new information. He then immediately sat up. "Why is my mother coming aboard?"
"Do you disapprove?"
"I admit it would be pleasant to see my mother again," Data began. "Our last encounter on Altrea IV was while the Enterprise-E was under construction. Her husband had died in a mining accident during my visit. It is only unfortunate her arrival cannot wait until after repairs are complete."
"Data, she's coming aboard because she's worried about you. She heard about the Borg attack on Earth."
"I was unaware that news traveled to Altrea IV so quickly."
"She'll be coming aboard tomorrow morning. I just wanted to let you know now so her arrival wouldn't be a too much for you, considering what's happened."
Data nodded. "Thank you, Counselor. I appreciate your concerns and thank you for stopping by."
Deanna put a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Get well soon, Data." She smiled at him, and then turned to leave. Once the doors opened, she stopped and turned around. "There's a poker game tonight in Will's quarters. We're hoping you'll come." With that, she left Data to his thoughts.
Riker's Quarters
"Is he coming?" Dr. Crusher asked, sitting down at the round poker table.
"It would be nice," Geordi said. "He can't spend all of his time in his quarters sulking about something he did with the Borg."
"He's emotionally traumatized," said Deanna Troi, taking her seat next to Riker. "He didn't share any of the details with me, but I could tell from the emotions I sensed and the expressions on his face; especially when I told him about his mother."
"What was his reaction?" Riker asked.
"It seemed to me that he didn't want his mother coming aboard now that three quarters of the ship has been converted to a Borg infestation. But also, I think it was that he didn't want to seem vulnerable, or weak, in front of his mother. I've never seen this kind of emotion in him before."
"Yeah, well he's been trying to turn off his emotion chip since we left the 21st century—no luck." Geordi added.
"Well, lets cut the-" Riker began, but was interrupted by the door chime. "Come in…" The door opened and Data stepped inside.
"Mr. Data, good to see you up and about." Will Riker smiled.
"Thank you, sir." Data said, sitting at the table. "Counselor Troi expressed your overall desire for me to attend tonight's game."
"Well, we're glad you're here." Beverly smiled. "Would you like to deal?"
"Certainly." The android replied, taking the deck of cards and shuffling them at super speeds. He then began to deal.
"Six, eight, Jack, four, dealer receives a Queen." Data announced. He looked down at his card, the Queen of Diamonds, with an unreadable expression to most of the players.
Deanna looked at him. "Data, are you alright?"
"I…I do not know," Data answered, shaking his head slightly. Suddenly, he snapped his head up. "I apologize. I bet 10." (1)
The other players threw in their chips and the game continued.
"Ace, Seven, three, King, dealer receives…another queen."
The other players looked at each other, a bit lost. Why was Data reacting so strangely to a poker card… Geordi finally spoke up.
"Data, what is it?"
"I do not know. For unknown reasons, the queen cards are producing intense emotional responses."
Riker was about to speak when the intercom sounded.
Lt. Commander Data, please report to Shuttle Bay 2."
Data tapped his combadge. "Acknowledged." He then excused himself from the game and then left.
Once the doors closed after Data, Deanna turned to the rest. "I sensed fear in him when he saw those cards—the same kind of fear and confusion I felt from him when I visited him in his quarters. Something happened to Data during his captivity from the Borg, and it's something he doesn't want anyone to know about."
Please review :)
(1) I have never played poker in my life, and I have never actually seen anyone play before in my whole life. I can only go by what I've observed in my TNG watching craze. If I totally botched the game in this chapter, someone please tell me.
Hoped you liked the first chapter. Second chapter to come soon.
