Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Star Trek: The Original Series or Kurak, who appeared in the ST:TNG episode Suspicions. But, the children (Ishta, Kahlestra and Mikey), the robot, Howard, and the archaeologists (Freja Anders, Nat Kapoor, Tu'Pari and Melinda Baker) are all my original characters, as are the Boss-man/Father, Silarra, and most of the other assorted baddies in this story. Please don't sue me or steal my story. Thanks! 😊
NOTE: This is my 90th story on this site! Can you believe it? The big 90! This story takes place shortly after the movie First Contact. It is a direct continuation of Skin Deep: Part I and Skin Deep: Part II.
Continuity Note: This is the concluding segment of a three-part story, each with its own challenges and featured 'bad guy'.
Recap - The Story So Far (SPOILER ALERT):
In Part I, Captain Picard, Riker, Troi and Data joined an archaeological team, planning to spend their two-week shore leave riding horses and studying mysterious ruins on the desert world, Nineveh IV. There Data, who had been struggling to come to terms with his capture by the Borg and his identity as an emotional, non-human being, decided to share his 'true face' with his friends. He removed his durable bioplast sheeting to reveal his mechanical substructure, aiming only to be his rawest, most personal self for a few hours. Before he had a chance to replace his outer covering, though, Data was abducted by what appeared to be an Orion black market Skin trafficking ring. With the help of a duotronic robot named Howard and three children - Ishta, an Orion teenager; Kahlestra, the daughter of the Klingon scientist Kurak; and Mikey, a sickly human boy – he escaped and, after facing down ground quakes, sandstorms, and a lethal speeder chase, the little group made it back to the archaeologists' compound.
In Part II, while Picard and Riker focused on the archaeological mystery of an ancient Preserver energy source still operating beneath the ruined Stairway of Sawrina the Great, Data, Troi and Dr. Crusher tried to help the children Data had rescued from the Orion Skin dump. Feeling a little more sure of himself after his adventure, Data decided to trade in his old bioplast sheeting for sensitive, state-of-the-art synthetic skin. But the android did not have much time to adapt. Crusher's investigation into the cause of Mikey's illness indicated the illegal use of genetically-targeted bioweapons along the Cardassian / Federation border. At the same time, Silarra, a Suliban spy with a talent for disguise, infiltrated the archaeologists' compound, aiming to recapture the escapees and nab the mysterious energy source for her 'Boss'. Viewing Data as her primary obstacle, she played on his emotions, manipulating him into initiating a romantic relationship with the Klingon scientist Kurak in a bid to keep him distracted and out of her way. After discovering how the Suliban had schemed to deceive him, compromise his reputation, and steal the Preserver energy source, Data raced against time - and violent ground quakes - to confront the chameleon spy in the crumbling tunnels beneath the Stairway...
And, that is where this story begins.
Now, without further ado, I hope you'll enjoy:
Skin Deep: Part III
by Rowena Zahnrei
Chapter One
"This is the second time you've let us down, Kertz," the Romulan officer warned, his dark eyes menacing as he leaned in closer to the screen. "Some are speculating you may have an ulterior motive in this game. That your operation has, perhaps, been compromised."
"Oh, please." The Boss-man snorted and leaned back on his red sofa, his wide brimmed hat keeping his features masked in shadow. "Don't you Romulans get enough conspiracy and corruption on your own world? Now, you must project your paranoia onto me?"
"If I'm wrong, then where is the merchandise you promised us," the Romulan demanded. "And what of this 'ancient energy source' you've touted and teased this past week? If you think such an obvious con can get you back into our good graces—"
"You've seen the recordings," the Boss-man countered, his low hiss an unsettling counterpoint to the Romulan's booming anger. "That damned Federation android stole my goods, destroyed my property, and now—"
"Enough."
A female voice sounded from the dimness behind the Romulan officer, her own image well out of the frame of his viewscreen. The Boss-man snarled, his shadowy form seeming to sink deeper into his clothes.
"Commander," the Romulan said, starting to rise. "I—"
"Stay where you are," she said, and he sat back down. "This won't take long."
"Commander," the Boss-man acknowledged the off-screen voice. "I was just telling your impudent lackey, here, how I have been the unfortunate victim of—"
"Spare me your excuses," she snapped. "Your operation was contacted for one purpose, and one purpose only. If you cannot now deliver, then we have nothing to discuss."
"Nice bluff," the Boss-man sneered. "But, we both know, I hold the winning hand here. You won't walk away, because I have what you need. My Cardassian agents assure me, replacement merchandise is on its way, even as we speak. And I can give you my personal guarantee: this time, the full order will go through."
"What makes you so sure?" she demanded.
The Boss-man leaned forward, the lights around him making his bleach-white suit seem to glow.
"My chameleon may have missed her mark," he said, "but her blunder with that energy source did manage to serve one purpose. Whether she vaporized herself or got crushed to death when the tunnels beneath the ancient Stairway collapsed, all reports agree: when she went, she took that interfering android out with her. The handful of Feds still at the site are so tied up trying to solve his 'disappearance', they wouldn't notice if a fleet of ships entered orbit, let alone a single Maquis shuttle. So, lower your shields, Commander, and trust in Father's promise. When the merchant ship arrives, there'll be nothing to get in our way."
"You say the android is dead?" the woman said.
"Deactivated, destroyed – whatever term you choose, he's not here, and that's good enough for me," the Boss-man said.
There was a long moment of silence on the Romulans' end. So long, the officer on the viewer glanced warily over his shoulder, giving the Boss-man and his busy staff of slaves a full-screen view of his pointed ear.
"We'll keep to the deal, exactly as stated," the woman said at last. "But, I warn you not to be so cocky. I've seen that android in battle. His cunning is not to be underestimated."
The Boss-man gave a dismissive wave of his white-gloved hand.
"What are you saying - that a machine would fake its own destruction? On an a middle-of-nowhere, dried-up rock like this? For what reason?" He snorted a laugh. "There are no battles here, Commander. Beyond that, my chameleon's reports indicate the most the android ever suspected of my operation was a small-scale Orion smuggling ring. Which is all any outsider was ever meant to suspect. So, you see? My safeguards remain in place."
"Just the same, I don't trust this news," the woman said grimly. "If that android is alive…"
"It wouldn't matter," the Boss-man said. "Not in the long run. So calm down, sit back, and watch the Federation news feeds. That'll reassure you – the plan's already taken on a life of its own. Like I said at the start: my secrets know how to guard themselves."
To Be Continued...
Welcome to Part III! I want you to know, your reviews really mean a lot. I've got so much plot-stuff tornado-ing around in my head, but your comments and reactions on each chapter help me process and design the emotional arcs for this story. Your input really matters to me - it's like, I'm working to build this crazy-complex roller-coaster while it's moving and I gotta know if you're there, enjoying the ride along with me - so please let me know what you think. Thanks so much for reading, and stay tuned for more on this, and my other stories, coming soon! :D