Hello readers! I never imagined I'd write one but after watching Next Generation, I realized I got my mother's love for Star Trek! And…I happen to like one character very much! Someone who I think deserves love more than a lot of the characters in the show – other than Picard and Worf, of course! Keep in mind that I am new to the franchise, like, newborn new, so I probably won't be adding anything interesting like combat. The procedures they take are very different from that of Halo, which I'm more used to. However, personable and spiritual type stuff is what this will be. Anyway, enough of my Data-esque babbling, enjoy!
"But Counselor Troi, I'm not sure if I want to do this! I'm not good in crowds and I'm even worse in small spaces – put them together and you've got a massive problem." A scared girl confessed to the half-Betazoid of the USS Enterprise just outside the Starfleet Academy. I am that girl; not even a month out of said Academy and already I have a…mission, if you want to call it that.
"I understand your concern, Enola." Deanna said with her characteristic calm tone.
"Of course, you'd know, you're a Betazoid." I thought. I've known this telepathic empath for a week now and even with her comfort that everything would go well on this 'mission', all the past events I've been through have proven otherwise. "But Starfleet says that unless you want to start serving them, you need to come aboard the Enterprise for a while to learn socialization. And besides, you haven't seen the Enterprise from inside – she's a lot bigger than you'd think on the outside from afar." Troi stated, finishing her statement.
"Yeah I guess…" I said, still unsure but less insecure as before. "But I just don't think this is the right way of handling of my social problems. I mean, throwing me onto a ship with a crew number of a thousand with no way of escaping sounds a bit…daunting." I crossing my arms in my typical fearful manner.
"I know you're afraid but I am the Counselor of the Enterprise and I strongly assure you, nothing horrible could happen to you, not mentally or even remotely physically. Our crewmen are fine men and women, willing to support you in any way they can. Besides, Captain Picard has already made arrangements for your arrival and he'd be very disappointed if you didn't show up. You don't want to let down one of the biggest names in history, do you?" She said with a smile.
She, having read my emotions, knew that I look up to Captain Picard, almost as a father figure. He is a noble and great man, he is the reason I joined the Academy in the first place. But it was my negligence of others as an introvert that almost ended that dream. This, to them at least, seemed the most logical way to address my disorder concerning socialization. At least they didn't ask me to command a vessel…
"I also know," The Counselor continued. "That your unknown and unusual condition disallows you from socializing very well but rest assured once more, we're here to help. If Starfleet doesn't know what your condition is, Doctor Crusher is bound to find out herself." Consolingly rubbing my back with her hand, she asked the crewmen to beam us up. Moments before we energized, she said, "Keep calm and I'm sure you'll be alright." Nodding, I reluctantly followed her advice.
"Welcome aboard, Cadet Enola." I smiled as I heard the politeness of the one voice that eased me into the introduction of the Enterprise's Transporter Room.
"Hello, Captain Picard. H-How are you?" I softly asked.
"Fine and yourself?"
I was so overwhelmed to be in the presence of the great Picard and simultaneously being surrounded by so many new faces – even if only a handful. I nervously laughed, pulled a strand of hair back behind my right ear. I had no words but while my rudeness was trying to hide in the shadow of my shy nature, the Counselor smiled sweetly, comprehending my emotions clearly as the finest water that one could drink.
"She is a bit nervous about being surrounded by new people. It will take her time to get accustomed to anyone that speaks to her and the ship's surroundings – Doctor Crusher, she has a social condition that Starfleet cannot pinpoint."
"So I've heard." The red haired Medical Officer smiled at me warmly. "I'll see what I can do."
"As have I." Picard added.
"Good, Doctor. I am confident you will find something useful to help her. I'm hoping you could do what they could not so that whatever it is she has, you may find a cause and cure. I am optimistic that knowing about all of that would disburden her. Her mission is to overcome her disability and fully become an Ensign." Deanna informed Beverly.
"Now then, before you go with Mrs. Crusher to do an examination on your person, Enola, I'd like you to meet some very good friends of mine. Is that alright with you?" The Captain said slowly easing his way towards me, being mindful of my shyness.
"Sir, standing before someone as dignified as you makes me feel less troubled." I smiled with a wide smile.
"Excellent, thank you for your compliment. Glad to hear I can comfort you just by being here. I hope my colleagues can do the same once you've warmed up to the Enterprise and to whomever you choose as the most heartening. This is Commander William Riker..."
The bearded man nodded and gave a friendly smile.
"Hello…" I said kindly.
"…This is Lieutenant Commander Worf…" Jean-Luc added.
The Klingon nodded respectfully with a brief moment of closed eyes.
"It's refreshing to see your kind aboard this vessel." I said with much excitement. "I greatly esteem your race of warriors. I hope to someday possess the same integrity I've noted in your honorbound species." I said with an emotional upright spine. This man known as Worf gave me a decent boost of confidence I needed to get me through this introduction. Worf seemed taken aback by my comment, no surprise as many do not see his kind the way I do.
"Much appreciated." Worf simply said.
"…And this is Lieutenant Commander Data. Yes, he is an Android but I assure you, he's very much a part of this crew and he, like everyone else here, would humbly be willing to support you in any way possible to make your stay more comfortable…" Captain continued saying.
"Indeed. I would most definitely like to ensure you are not the least bit apprehensive." The Android replied to the Captain's comment.
One look at the pale complexion of the humanoid and I had no words. I knew the Android was a machine but his appearance misled me – whilst fully aware that no matter how deceiving his programming was to be a walking computer of sorts, he was very much a living being. I longed to say something but my tongue was in the most agonizing knot possible. The yellow eyes that were, in some fashion, a lifeless void filled with a longing bore into my soul. I was expected to greet Data and for whatever reason, I could not. It wasn't because he is a 'what' but because he is a 'who'. It was because something about him made me feel…calm yet nervous. This introduction thing is so confusing…
My palms began to perspire the more I beheld Data and my heart refused to slow down, as if of its own volition.
"H-Hi…" A near soundless greeting was all I could muster. Not even so much as waving my hand to him; should he even notice such lack of formalities.
The Counselor looked at me with an omniscient look and a raised eyebrow, knowing full well she felt the intensity of my emotions that I felt just now. In a panic, I followed my instincts, which were to run the hell away.
"I'm glad to meet you all but I do believe I am ready to begin my examination if that is alright with you, Sir?" I asked the Captain with a hopeful attitude, as my social ineptness was showing like a fresh battle scar awaiting salt to be poured over it.
"Of course. Data, would you please escort our new friend to Sickbay?"
"Aye, Sir."
"Of course, the one who gives me the most anxiety is the one to escort me…" I thought.
As the machine that he is, Data, with all readiness, awaited to escort me wherever it was that I would be confined to until Counselor Troi was ready to assist me with my task next.
"Sir, with your permission, it is my duty to support her in her quest to become more social and I would like to be there for her introduction to the ship and her new surroundings. Also I think a trip to the Doctor would be"
"Counselor Troi to the rescue!"
"Granted. Make sure she is feeling comfortable and do not, I repeat, do not return to the bridge until that has been met, understood?" The Captain said with a warm smile once again. This eased my anxiety somewhat. Nodding respectfully to Picard, she began to walk with me into the corridor leading to my temporary abode.
"Sir, will I still be accompanying our new guest?" Data inquired of Jean-Luc.
"No, belay that order, Data, you're coming with me to the bridge." The nobleman said as he made his way with the others towards a turbolift.
"Yes, Sir." The Android said through sheer instinct as he watched me walking down the hallway, becoming nothing but a speck in his eye – if it were a human eye, of course. "Hmm…I wonder what made her so anxious. Perhaps when she is settled in I will ask her." With that, the human-respecting Android followed his fellow crewmen to the Bridge.
Well, I hope you liked the short introductory chapter. I've decided to keep this a sort of cliffhanger due to aLOT of stuff that will be happening. Also, if you're wondering why a human has such an odd name, her name will be explained later. All in all, I would have like to have been more descriptive about the ship but like I said I'm still learning and have a lot of watching to do. If you are a Data expert, any tips or even random but fitting pieces of dialogue will be greatly appreciated! I may be new but I've seen enough of Data to somewhat emulate his speech but only time will tell to test that. I haven't fully scratched his developing character yet, as I have only recently began Season 2 but I will try to be as thoroughly canonical as possible. :3