Author's note:
I do not own Star Trek. Star Trek and Star Trek The Next Generation are TM and property of Paramount Pictures Inc.
The name Salusa Secundus is a tribute to Frank Herbert's Dune, which I loved and read many times.
Last but not least be aware that I am Italian. English is only my second language, so be patient, please!
MISSION ON CIRRI NINE
1. NEW ASSIGNMENT
The mighty shape of the U.S.S. Enterprise flew through the dark space, silently coming out of warp speed.
Aboard the starship the crew was particularly jovial, probably due to their imminent return to Earth.
The junior crew, unaware of the reason of their coming back home, welcomed the opportunity of a shore leave. The senior Bridge officers who knew something about their new mission, were as well happy, but for different reasons.
William Riker, still in pajamas, was shaving himself with an electronic razor. The man was completely absorbed in performing that operation he considered quite a form of art. The fact that he was slightly late did not disturb him in the least. Riker had always been a meticulous person and needed much more than a little delay for his appointment at Starfleet Headquarters to become nervous. Furthermore, he wished to be particularly flawless in that circumstance. In fact he was about to meet his former commander, mentor and friend Jean – Luc Picard, after many months. That thing alone excited Riker more than he liked to admit. After Picard's promotion and his own appointment as Captain of the Enterprise, they no longer had as many opportunities to see each other as they would have wished.
When the door signal beeped Riker pronounced an absent minded "come" and went on with his task with unaltered attention.
Only seeing Data's golden face reflected in the mirror the man lowered the razor and turned to the android. "Is everything all right?" he asked with a grin.
"I am sorry, sir" Data answered, realizing that maybe staring at him the way he did was a violation of his commander's privacy. "I thought you were ready" he explained.
Riker underlined that he was not offended and waved to the couch in the living – room. "Sit down" he suggested his friend. "I'll join you in a second".
A couple of minutes later, Will Riker was neat in his Starfleet uniform and reached Data with a large smile on his face.
"Well" he began, rubbing his hands "I hope I'm not the only one so excited for this occasion".
"I do not believe so, sir. Our return to Earth is positively effecting the mood of the whole crew. As for me, I am very happy to see Admiral Picard again. However…" He paused and diverted his gaze from the captain.
"However?" Riker urged him, sitting next to Data.
"I mean, are you not worried for our next mission? As a matter of fact we do not know much about it" Data explained.
Riker shrugged. "I've never loved to be in the dark, but I don't see any reason to worry beforetime. Furthermore, we'll know everything we need to know very soon".
Data nodded an unsure nod trying his best to convince himself.
"Data, I'd think you should be the one excited. At least this time" William said with a bit of curiosity in his tone of voice.
"I beg your pardon, sir?" the android replied, confused.
"C'mon, you won't really pretend I believe you're not hoping to meet with Denise Rank again?"
Data frowned. "Honestly, I am not sure of it". Riker's question caught Data's attention. He was beginning to ask himself similar questions very often, lately. What would have he done if he had to meet Denise again? What could he pretend of her? And what was that he really wanted? Data had to admit that he felt very confused and that he had been feeling that way for a few months now.
That thing humans called 'love' was very strange and did not obey any rational parameter. It simply arrived suddenly and messed up with your life. And despite his desire to experiment human emotions, Data had found himself in the necessity of deactivating his emotion chip very often to perform his duties. And that fact made him wonder how humans, who were forced to constantly live with their feelings, could remain efficient while in love with someone. In the past Data had the chance to study his fellow crewmembers and friends in similar situations and he remembered in particular when Will Riker talked to him about his decision to cut his romantic relationship with Deanna Troi, to avoid possible implications on their professional relation. At the time, many years earlier, Data did not understand completely the meaning of that decision, but now he would have done anything to be as wise as his friends.
It was so strange this 'love' and despite his best efforts, Data could not understand clearly enough the difference between this feeling and what he felt toward the other people he was also fond of. Data had looked for the meaning of the word 'love' in every linguistic data banks at his disposal and learned about many different kinds of love, an enormous list. But almost to every culture the so called romantic love was the most enhanced by writers, poets and even leaders, during all times. And Data was sure only of one thing: that feeling did not look like anything he had experienced before and he was not certain where exactly it would have leaded him to.
The android's attention returned quickly to Riker who was asking him another question. "Don't you know whether she'll be there or if you're really hoping to see her?"
"Both" Data answered, hardly avoiding to end the sentence with a 'sir'. The conversation in progress was becoming too confidential to use extreme formalities.
"I think it is reasonable to suppose she'll be there. The admiral has been counting very much on Denise lately". As soon as he ended speaking Riker realized that a clarification was in order. "I didn't mean to disapprove" he added. "I sincerely like Denise very much".
"I know, sir" Data replied. "The truth is that if I had to see Captain Rank now, I would not know what to do exactly".
"Why?" Riker asked, puzzled. "I can't see the problem. If you like her, you must go straight ahead!"
"It is not that simple, sir. Geordi knows her very well and suggested me not to press her too much. And Counselor Troi advised me to explore my feelings before proceeding any further. Each one of you suggests me a different approach and I do not know which advise to follow".
Riker smiled sympathetically. "I guess we're confusing you a little bit" he said.
"I do not think I could be more confused than I am, sir".
The captain's smile widened. "Data, honestly, which is in your opinion the reason that stopped you from trying an approach with Denise?"
The android pondered the question for a while. "I must admit that probably I would not be so worried if I were human" he answered finally.
Riker nodded in agreement. "That is exactly the point. And it has nothing to do with Denise Rank or with anybody else but yourself".
"What do you mean?"
"You'd need an injection of self confidence, but neither me nor anyone else can get you it. Self confidence comes from within, Data. And until you don't stop trying to be something different from yourself instead of accepting you for what you are, you'll always be insecure. This is the problem you must face before considering any romantic involvement, in my opinion. Why should Denise Rank or any other woman refuse to consider you as a possible mate only because you're different?"
A call through the communication system interrupted their conversation. "Bridge to Captain" the Tactical officer said. "We are entering Earth's orbit, sir".
"Acknowledged" the captain answered. Then, he clapped friendly Data's shoulder. "Let's go to the Bridge".
When the single figure of Admiral Jean – Luc Picard materialized on the transporter platform, Riker seemed to catch a glimpse of disappointment on his Executive officer's gaze.
"Welcome aboard, sir" the captain said to a smiling Picard.
"Thank you, Will" the senior officer replied, hurrying down the platform, to shake the hand of his former First Officer.
"It's a great honor" the captain added.
"Oh believe me, Will, the pleasure is entirely mine. Admiral Nakamura's delay gave me the opportunity of a little tour of the ship". Then Picard addressed Data, shaking his hand as well. "Mr. Data" he said as a way of greeting.
"Sir, I am very happy to see you again" the android replied. His tone of voice and facial expression conveyed his sincerity.
Picard clapped his friend's shoulder with familiarity. Then, escorted by the two officers he left the transporter room.
Walking down the corridor by the admiral's side, Riker could not contain his curiosity any longer. "Why have we been ordered back to Earth, sir?" he asked.
"You'll have all details explained during the meeting at Starfleet Command" Picard answered. "For now, I can only say that the Enterprise will remain here for a routine check – up of all systems and most of the crew is scheduled for shore leave".
That explanation only increased the captain's curiosity.