Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. I'm just borrowing them for a while.

Any reviews will be appreciated particularly I would appreciate any constructive criticism. I'm new to writing fan fiction so I would love to hear how I could improve.

The Prophecy.

Deanna Troi let out a weary sigh. Being counsellor on a ship like the Enterprise kept her busy and she loved her job, but the constant barrage of emotions at times left her emotionally drained.

Her duty shift was officially over but she knew that she could be called on at anytime of day or night if she was needed. It had been a long week and she knew that it was not over yet. She hadn't been officially briefed, but she had heard talk of a previously undiscovered planet being picked up on long-range sensors. The Enterprise was the first federation ship to explore this part of the galaxy, so this discovery was being treated with great excitement amongst the ships personnel.

She knew she should really go to the bridge for an update but fatigue was overtaking her. She decided instead to go to ten-forward. Deanna knew that at least one of the senior bridge crew would more than likely be in there at this hour so she could get the low down on the situation from them. She could always head to the bridge afterwards if her presence was required. As she entered the room she smiled to herself. She knew Will Riker was there before she even saw him sitting by the main window with Data, Geordi and Beverley. As Normal Ten-forward was busy with off duty crewmembers and their families. Deanna waved to Guinen as she walked across the room to join her friends.

Will Riker stood and kissed Deanna gently on the cheek. Both of them secretly enjoying the moment, which was over as quickly as it started. The feelings expressed in that greeting where known only to the two of them or so they thought. Geordi tried not to let his amusement show on his face. His VISOR allowed him to see the increase in body temperature and the slight increase in blood pressure when the two of them where together socially, giving away there true feelings for each other.

The conversation soon turned to the new planet. Deanna was updated on what they had discovered so far.

"Long range sensors show that the it appears to be an M Class Planet with an atmosphere very similar to earth." Data informed her. " We are currently unable to ascertain the Planets geographical nature"

"What about life signs?" Deanna asked

"Again we aren't close enough to tell at this time. At our current course and speed we should start obtaining more accurate information in approximately 8 hours " Riker replied.

" Seven hours forty eight minutes and twenty two seconds to be exact" Data interrupted.

Trying not to laugh Deanna rose from her seat stifling a yawn " Well that gives me about seven hours worth of sleep before I need to be back on duty, so if you will excuse me, I'm going to bid you all good night."

Riker watched Deanna leave, before declaring that he to was going to call it a night. Beverly glanced questioningly across at Geordi who couldn't hide his amusement any longer.

Geordi just gave her a look of mock innocence before heading to his own quarters.

….

By seven o'clock the next morning all the senior staff were assembled around the large table in the observation lounge. Captain Jean Luc Picard sat listening intently to the findings of his second officer.

"A Sensor sweep of the planet has confirmed our original hypothesis that the planet is class M With an atmosphere more than capable of sustaining life." Picard's face remained impassive but inside he was bristling with anticipation. Jean Luc understood that he had to be many things in his role of ship's captain. Diplomat, peacekeeper, politician, but he knew at heart that he was and always would be an explorer.

"Unfortunately" Data continued "That is all we have ascertained at this present moment in time"

"And the reason behind this is?" Picard questioned.

"There appears to be an unidentified energy field surrounding the planet Sir. We have not yet been able verify if this is an artificial or natural occurrence."

"And the implications of this field are what Commander?" The Captain was trying to keep the frustration out of his voice. He wanted to know everything there was to know about the planet they were fast approaching and for once his android officer wasn't being very forthcoming with the answers.

"Unfortunately it is preventing our sensors from making any further discoveries concerning to the planets surface sir." Data responded. "Until we find a way to penetrate it we cannot get any clear readings in regard to the landscape of the planet or to the presence of any life."

Picard forever the diplomat hid his disappointment by turning to Deanna and asking " Are you able to detect any sentient life from the planet surface counsellor."

"No Sir I can't. I have tried completely opening my mind hoping to pick up something but there is nothing there. Whether this is because the planets population are able to block their thoughts I do not know. Alternatively it could simply be that there is nothing down there."

Riker who had been silent up until now asked "Geordi. Is there anyway you can break through this energy field"

Geordi looked thoughtful for a second before replying. "I'm not sure Sir, but I will start working on a solution immediately." He paused before continuing, " I could launch a probe onto the surface. See if we can get any readings that way."

" I would advise against that at this present time Geordi" said Data

" And your reasons for that advisement Mr Data" Picard asked.

" As we do not yet know the graphical nature of the planet we will be unable to ascertain where the probe would land. Further more" Data Continued, " If the planet is inhabited we do not know how advanced their technology is. Assuming that the energy field is man made then we can possibly concluded that any society living on the surface is fairly advanced to produce search a security device, but if it is a natural phenomenon then we could discover that they not at all technologically advanced and launching a probe into what could be the heart of their community could cause panic and distrust."

"What if we disguise the probe somehow?" Geordi remarked, " There appears to be a large number of small meteorites orbiting the planet. What if I created a probe to have the appearance of a falling meteor? Hopefully anyone down on the planet will take it as just that regardless of how advanced their civilization is.

"Make it so Mr La Forge and I want you and Mr Data to come up with some way of penetrating that field."

"Aye Aye Sir" Both Geordi and Data responded in unison.

Picard glanced around the room. He had every faith in his crew. He had a feeling that there was something to be discovered on the surface of the planet and he knew they would find it. After dismissing the gathered group, he returned to his ready room, his heart beating in anticipation.

….

"Probe ready to launch Captain" Geordi La Forge announced from his engineering station at the back of the bridge.

"Thank you Commander. I'm on my way." Leaving his ready room he glanced around the command centre of his ship. He noticed that even Dr Crusher had joined them from sickbay. "Mr Data set in the coordinates please."

"Coordinates set Sir" was the reply "I have selected a location which we believe to be the centre of the planet." The android paused a moment before continuing. "The locality cannot be guaranteed though, due to our inability to scan the surface.

"Understood" Picard responded. "Mr La Forge when you're ready."

There was a small flash and the probe was seen heading toward the planet. Deanna sitting in her usual place to the left of the Captain, sensed everyone hold their breath as the probe plummeted to the surface below. The silence on the bridge was deafening, as each and everyone of the crew watched the probe approach the energy field. Each praying that the probe would break through the field providing them with vital information about the world they were just encountering.

"Sir" Data said breaking the silence " We are not getting any readings from the probe. It appears to have been destroyed as it entered the energy field."

"Damn!" Geordi muttered.

"My sentiments exactly Mr La Forge" Picard responded. Before anyone could comment further there was sudden burst of light that seems to originate from the surface below.

"Mr Worf raise shields" Picard ordered. The request was actioned without hesitation, but it wasn't quick enough. The beam of light burst through the Enterprise's hull. Methodically working its way through each deck as though searching for something. Reports were coming in from all departments, but no damage or injuries were being reported.

Finally after what seemed forever the mystery light broke through the bulkheads and entered the bridge. Everyone tried to remain calm as the brightness of the light increased,

" I believe that we are being probed Sir" Data advised, but before Picard could say anything the light intensified again, before disappearing as quickly as it appeared.

The bridge was too quiet. Picard knew something was wrong even before his vision had returned to normal. "Red alert" he ordered. His previous anticipation was turning to apprehension " Mr Data what the hell happened." He glanced around the bridge feeling dread enter his body as he noticed the four empty positions. Riker, Counsellor Troi, Dr Crusher and Geordi were gone. All that remained in their previous locations were four communicators and one VISOR.