The Real Geordi Laforge
By MoryP
Chapter 1
"Captain's Log, Star date 41254.7. The Enterprise is scheduled to arrive at Star Base Blitzer in four days to host our annual Starfleet Academy's interactive midterm exam to some promising senior students. Our performance on this procedure hasn't been the best in the past so we're really getting everything in detailed preparation, so the students can spread more pleasant rumors about their experiences here on the enterprise"
***Scene: Data and Geordi are working in engineering***
Laforge: "Alright, that should do it. The last of the fake isolinear chips are in place. This should give the seniors an engaging challenge."
Data: "Indeed, I think it took me an entire second to figure out the correct sequence"
Laforge: "Hehehe that could mean hours by their standards."
-As they are talking, Ensign Shelly. a young, attractive engineer passes by and Geordi gets her attention.
Laforge: "Ensign Shelly, I've been meaning to ask you, if you have an extra hour, I wanted to go over your routine for touring the cadets around engineering."
Geordi notices her hesitation.
Laforge: "..if you're not busy of course"
Ensign Shelly: "We'll me and Lieutenant Rosco... we'll we had plans to meet up in Holodeck 3"
Laforge: "Lieutenant Rosco..."
Tries to hide his jealousy
Laforge: "Oh, that'll be no problem. Enjoy it; we'll go over the routine tomorrow."
Ensign Shelly: "Thanks Commander."
-Laforge lets out a brief sigh as Ensign Shelly leaves
Data: "You seem Disappointed Geordi"
Laforge: "Yeah, seems like me and Lieutenant Rosco and I have a lot in common"
Data: "You mean your similar interest for Ensign Shelly"
Laforge: "Yeah, but it looks like Ensign Shelly is making her choice, and it's not me this time."
Data: "Hmm. We'll perhaps then this will give you an opportunity to make a different choice"
Laforge: "We'll it's not that simple"
Data: "Why"
Laforge: "We'll for starters-"
Picard (from communicator):"Captain Picard to Commander Laforge"
Laforge (hits communicator and responds back):"Go ahead captain"
Picard: "We're receiving a distress call from a shuttle soon to land on the surface of the nearby planet, Ratonia. They require engineering assistance, will provide us with some useful technology in exchange for our services."
Laforge: "On my way to the transporter sir."
Picard: "Good. You'll be beamed to their landing coordinates and take Commander Data with you just in case you need any assistance."
Laforge: "He's right behind me"
***Scene: Data and Geordi arrive on planet Ratonia, waiting for the damaged shuttle to land—They are on a deserted, rocky, Mars-like planet, only colored by beautiful, glowing stones***
Geordi: "There's the ship, looks like it's going to land about 150 meters away. Let's head on over"
-Geordi observes the beautiful Ratonian rocks.
Geordi: "Look at these rocks!"
Data: "One could argue that they are aesthetically pleasing."
-The shuttle makes a landing a few meters away as Data and Geordi walk over to it.
Geordi:*"Let's take some so that we can find out what makes them glow like this, they're beautiful!"
-The hatch to the ship opens as a beautiful humanoid woman of an unknown race slowly steps out, smiling to greet them.
Geordi: "Speaking of beauty..."
Data: "Judging by your expressions, I surmise that you find her extremely attractive"
Laforge: "I'd say you're analysis is correct Data."
-The woman begins to meet Geordi and Data
Tamaara: "HI I'm Tamaara"
Laforge: "I'm Geordi. This is Lieutenant Commander Data."
Tamaara: "I was on my way transporting this technology when something blew out"
-Geordi begins taking a closer look at the engines.
Laforge: "Hmm. It looks like one of your engine phase coils have burned out. It's going to take at least a week to repair the damage"
Tamaara: "A week?"
Laforge: "Yeah, but I'll see how much I can do."
Tamaara: "Thank you so much Mr. Geordi"
Laforge: "Please. Call me—"
-Geordi is interrupted by an incoming communication from Captain Picard.
Picard (through communicator):"Picard to the away team. Have you been able to assess the damage?"
Data: "The internal engine coils have sustained heavy damage. I don't think we have enough time to make the repairs."
Picard: "Do your best, and report back to the ship. We only have one hour before our departure."
Data: "Aye captain"
Data: "It looks like this will be more challenging that what we are capable of doing"
Laforge: "Yeah, you're probably right"
Tamaara: "You all have to leave? "
Laforge: "We will have to soon. There's a star base we have to get to."
Tamaara: "Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that. I wish you all could stay longer. I'd love to hear more about where you all are headed."
Laforge: "Yeah, I wish I could stay too."
Data: "Our apologies Ms. Tamaara. Commander, I'll go on ahead, just in case you need anything from the Enterprise"
Laforge (whispering to Data, putting his hand on Data's back): "~Thank you~"
Data (taps on communicator):"Commander Data to Transporter room 1. One to beam out."
-Data is beamed out along with a small collection of Ratonian rocks
Laforge: "Sigh, I'm sorry I don't have enough time to repair your ship"
Tamaara: "Yeah. Well actually there may be another way that you'll be able to fix it"
Laforge: "What's that?"
Tamaara: "We'll the technology that I'm carrying can do some pretty impressive things. It may be able to help us repair the ship"
Laforge: "We'll let's see what you have in mind"
***Scene:An hour later, Geordi materializes on the transporter pad in Transporter Room 1***
Transporter Operator: "Welcome back Sir. Is everything alright?"
Laforge: "Yeah"
Transporter Operator: "I was a little worried. Your bio signature was much weaker than usual when I tried teleporting you back"
Laforge: "Hmph, must have been the interference from the planet's atmosphere"
Transporter Operator: "Ah that could be it"
***Scene: Geordi enters engineering***
Data: "Welcome back Commander, I'm sorry you had to leave Tamaara behind"
Laforge: "its fine, it happens"
Data: "So you're not upset"
Laforge: "Data I'm fine. She's contacted another transport ship; they'll be able to tow her to where she needs to go. Her safety is more important to me. So how about we check out those Ratonian rocks."
-Data and Geordi enter the engineering lab. They take the beautiful rocks out of the force-field container. Data sets up an audio-visual recording device to record their interactions with the rocks. Suddenly Geordi gets a communication from Dr. Crusher.
Dr. Crusher (through communicator): "Dr. Crusher to Commander Laforge"
Laforge: "Yes Doctor"
Dr. Crusher:"...You're late"
Laforge: "Late for what?"
-There is a short pause between the communications. Suddenly Geordi realizes what he is late for.
Laforge: "Oh my physical! Sorry Doc I'm on my way"
-Geordi begins to head out, but then stops along his way
Laforge (taps communicator): "Laforge to Dr. Crusher"
Dr. Crusher: "Yes Geordi"
Laforge: "On second thought, I need to reschedule. Me and Data are, uh, undergoing a unique experiment right now, can I—"
Dr. Crusher (in a dubious tone): "A unique experiment?"
Laforge: "Yeah, Is there any way I can reschedule for tomorrow?"
Dr. Crusher: "Tomorrow Morning at 0900. Don't be late"
Laforge: "Got it! Thanks, Doc. Laforge out"
Data: "Geordi, this small experiment hardly serves as a diversion to miss your physical appointment."
Geordi: "Ah, don't worry about it Data, you never know what may happen to these rocks if we don't observe them now."
Data: "As you wish, sir"
-Data and Geordi finish setting up everything for the experiment.
Laforge: "Now, let's see what these rocks can do"
Data: "Computer, begin visual recording with file name, Ratonian Rock Test A"
Data (noticing a pattern for how they glow):"It seems that… whenever we talk…, these rocks light up."
Laforge: "That's true!"
Data (to computer):" Computer, play a soft ambient sound that gets more varied and louder over time."
-The sound begins playing, as the rocks begin to change color based on the sound.
Laforge: "They're changing color based on the sound around them, cool!"
-Data goes up to touch one of the rocks
Data: "It seems that the rocks have significantly decreased in temperature."
Laforge: "Hmm I guess they also change in temperature. Let's try being completely silent"
Data: "Computer, remove all audio and cancel any other source of noise"
-Data and Geordi sit in silence as they observe the rocks' color changes into pitch black. Moments later, Riker appears in the entrance. Data and Geordi signal to him to remain quiet by placing their index finger over their lips. Riker then proceeds cautiously towards them. Once he is around them, Geordi signals to him to touch the rock. Upon touching it, Riker quickly removes his hand.
Riker:"Aaah!"
Laforge: "Commander are you alright?"
Riker: "This rock nearly burned my hand!"
Laforge: "C'mon, let's go to sick bay! I didn't think the rock would heat up like that."
Riker (Caressing his hand):"No, I'll be fine. I just came in to tell you all that tomorrow at 1400, we'll have a senior staff meeting to go over the procedures for hosting the Academy's exam on the ship."
Laforge: "Aye sir"
Riker: "Feel free to carry on"
Laforge: "No I think we're about done for now, Data how about handing me one of those force-field containers."
Data: "Computer, restore default audio settings for this room"
-Data and Laforge begin to place the rocks back into the force-field container
***Scene:Deanna, Worf, and Geordi are eating dinner together in Ten Forward at 0800***
Deanna: "To be honest I'm a little excited to see the new seniors this year."
Laforge: "I bet you'll have some exciting stories to listen to"
Worf: "Cadets pursuing a career in security almost always seem too eager. Spontaneity can create many hazards for a security officer"
Deanna: "But you can't blame them for their enthusiasm. How's everything working out for you Geordi?"
Laforge: "Everything's fine. I'm ready for them"
Deanna: "Are you sure you're not nervous? You haven't ate a morsel of your food"
Laforge:"I feel great!"
Deanna: "You know as a matter of fact, I'm not sensing much from you at all"
Worf: "Perhaps he is so stressed his emotions are buried deep within"
Laforge: "Guys I'm fine, and I'd love to stay and chat, but I think I'll turn in early for tonight"
-Geordi gets up and leaves with his food still on the table. Deanna and Worf give each other puzzled looks.
***Scene: On the bridge at 0300 in the early morning, Data is the acting captain***
Tactical Officer: "Sir, we're getting an unauthorized materialization forming on Deck 6 section 15
Data: "I believe those are Geordie's quarters."
Data (taps communicator):"Data to Geordi, is everything alright?"
Tactical Officer: "He must asleep sir, do you want me to go down and check it out?"
Data: "Yes, please"
Tactical Officer: "Sir, I checked his quarters out, there didn't seem to be any major problems, but there were a few things I saw rather strange."
Data: "Yes."
Tactical Officer: "Commander Laforge was asleep, but he had his visor on."
Tactical Officer: "The other thing I found strange was that there was footage of engineering being played on his view screen, as if he was reviewing the day's events."
Data: "Perhaps he fell asleep while reviewing our experiment with the Ratonian Rocks .. But why would he be reviewing it at this hour?"
Data(walks over to a display screen): "Computer display the video recording from Commander Data's personal recording device, named Ratonian Rock Test A"
-The video of their experiment with the Ratonian rocks begins to play. As it plays, Data notices something puzzling with the video.
Data: "Computer, move play head back 2000 milliseconds"
-The video begins to play again. Data sees himself pass the force-field container to Geordi, but notices that Geordie's hand slips through the force field
Data: "Computer repeat last playback"
-Data watches this impossibility happen again, as Geordi slips his hand through the force field
Data: "Computer freeze frame!"
-The video is paused with Geordi's hand clearly grabbing on to the container with part of his hand through the force-field.
Data: "How is that possible?"
