Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: The Next Generation or any of its characters. But Data's Enterprise-G crew, Natty, Isaac, and Ellie are all my original characters. Please don't sue me or steal my story. Thanks!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sometimes a story just doesn't work out. It just doesn't. No matter how you fold and turn and toss it around, it absolutely refuses to take shape. That's what happened with "Mother's Day." I put the story up a year ago hoping inspiration would strike and the whole thing would magically come into focus – and sometimes that happens! But, not with "Mother's Day." The more I tried to pin it down, the more blobby and amorphous it became. Apparently, readers felt that way too because, in that whole year, that poor story didn't get a single comment. Anywhere. So, here's what I'm going to do. I'm not just going to revise this story, I'm going to completely reimagine it. New title, new story arc, new everything except the basic elements. The mystery of what happened to Geordi's mother will still play a big part, and so will Data's future family from "Fathers and Sons" and "Remembrance and Regrets." But the plot will be different because, unlike "Mother's Day", this story will actually HAVE a plot! A plot involving Romulans, the Enterprise-D, and the Next Generation crew with confrontations and stakes and all that plotty stuff that makes a story happen. So, here's hoping you'll forgive me for taking "Mother's Day" down (because I really couldn't make it work as it was), and that you'll enjoy this new story a whole lot better.
AUTHOR'S NOTE II: If you read "Mother's Day," much of this little prologue part will be familiar to you. There'll likely be a few more familiar moments in upcoming chapters since I am actively cannibalizing "Mother's Day" as I work on this story. (eew!) Hope you don't mind, and that you'll stay tuned for the new stuff!
CONTINUITY NOTE: Parts of this story will take place in the same alternate future timeline as my previous stories "Fathers and Sons" and "Remembrance and Regrets." The Enterprise-G and its original crew; the 'upgrade' Q granted to Data; and the characters Rayna, Natty and Isaac were all introduced in "Fathers and Sons."
And now, without further ado: the story!
Reaching for Daylight
By Rowena Zahnrei
PROLOGUE
Captain's Log: Stardate 47211.5
We are now five days into our latest courier run out from Deep Space 3. The Breen have been quiet lately and we expect no delays, but our new route has taken us unusually close to the Black Cluster – a gravitational anomaly stronger than a black hole, created by the collective collapse of numerous protostars. As expected, the energy-absorbing nature of this treacherous region of space has caused us some difficulties with our sensor and propulsion systems. But, our new chief engineer has proven to be more than up to the challenge. Over the next eight hours, we will be testing an innovative shielding modification she has designed that, if effective, should restore communications and block the worst of the gravitational turbulence we have been experiencing...
...Six Hours Later...
"Bridge to Engineering," Captain Silva La Forge called over the ship's internal comm. "Report!"
"I don't know what happened, Captain," Lt. Commander Robinson responded, shouting to be heard over the throbbing pulse of the overtaxed engines. "The modifications were supposed to smooth the turbulence, but they seem to have had the opposite effect. Let me try reversing the flow of—"
The bridge juddered violently, as though a large fist had snatched the starship out of the void and begun to squeeze. Electricity crackled through overloaded computer systems, sending sparks flying over officers scrambling to strengthen the shields, to shore up the ship's hull integrity and inertial dampening fields…
"Captain!" cried the young ensign at navigation, pointing toward the viewscreen the dominated the front of the bridge. "Look...!"
The captain rose from her command chair to face the approach of a vast, undulating cloud. The nebulous gasses bent and whirled in pulsing waves, revealing the warped paths of the cluster's dense magnetic fields.
"Engineering!" the captain snapped. "Reverse engines! Get us out, before the shearing forces tear the ship apart!"
"I'm trying…! The pull is too strong, Captain," the chief engineer's voice crackled over the staticky comm. "Our engines aren't powerful enough to resist the draw! The ship is shaking like a can of jumja juice!"
Captain La Forge staggered back to her seat and gripped the vibrating arms of her command chair, using all her muscles to keep her posture straight and confident.
"Well," she said. "It's no good sitting here waiting for that energy field to overtake us. If we can't back out of here, then let's try riding the wave. Helm, cut engines and angle the ship to meet the next crest. Let's see if the Hera can get us out of this in one piece!"
To Be Continued…
References Include – TNG: Interface; Hero Worship.
I know the prologue is super short, but there'll be more coming soon. In the meantime, if you have any thoughts, questions, comments, etc., I'd love the feedback! Please let me know what you think! :D