9. THE ROMULANS

"Fermi to Nimitz" Denise Rank called from the com system of the shuttlecraft. "Entering the Neutral Zone now. We're going to maintain radio silence for the duration of our permanence here".

"Acknowledged, Fermi" Will Riker's voice replied. "Good luck".

The silence fell in the shuttle and was supposed to last for long, considering that the planetoid they were heading to was at the far edge of the Romulan's side of the Neutral Zone. Denise felt cut off from the ship and it was not a pleasant sensation. From that moment on they could count only on themselves.

"Course for the planetoid laid in" Data announced, with a neutral tone of voice.

"Good" Denise replied. "Yellow alert. Weapons and defensive systems standing by".

Many minutes passed and their trip went on without any inconveniences, but a glacial silence was reigning inside the cock pit. Until Denise could not bear it any longer. "How long?" she asked.

She could verify the information through the computer, but she needed to say something, anything to relieve the tension.

"We will be within sensors range in ten minutes" Data answered from the navigation consol.

But Denise was not listening anymore. "Data?" she called.

"Yes?" the android replied, still expressiveness.

"How long do you think we're supposed to go on like this?" the woman inquired, exasperated.

"What do you mean?" Data asked in reply.

"For God's sake, Data! You can't keep pretending I don't exist at all"

Data turned slightly toward her. "Is it not exactly what you did?"

Touché, Denise thought. She let him pick her in the right spot.

"I kept writing for months and never had a word from you. I barely knew you were still alive only through Admiral Picard" Data went on, with a certain vehemence. "So, after having been sufficiently deluded, I now have developed a clear idea of the kind of relationship I wish to have with you, Captain".

The woman remained speechless for a long while. "I'm sorry" she whispered eventually. "I've been petty. But I had no intention to delude you. You're very important to me".

"Of course" Data replied, impressing an ironic tone in his voice. "As important as your…apartment plant?"

This time, Denise realized, he was on defensive. He had not used the same harsh tone as before.

"Data, please, at least let me explain. Then you can think whatever you want of me".

The request was not unreasonable and they had five minutes yet before entering sensors range. So, Data accepted.

"The truth is that I pretended to do as if you didn't exist, you're right. I tried to convince myself that my feelings for you were merely platonic, that my attraction towards you was merely due to the novelty you represented in my life and that we would have made a big error had we gone ahead, as you'd always said". Denise stopped only to breathe. "So, I tried hard to convince myself that we would've never been accepted as a couple, that we couldn't have any future together. Because you were only an android. A sophisticated machine, and nothing more." Before Data could react, she resumed her speech. "But there is another truth. A truth that goes far beyond all that. And it's that you're not a mere machine and that I can't stop thinking about you." Denise whispered. "If you wish to know why I've been behaving like a stupid, I don't know for sure. Probably, because I'm scared".

"Scared of what?" Data asked.

"Of the unknown" Denise answered without hesitation. "It's curious how I've been always so fascinated by the exploration of the universe but I'm so frightened to look inside my very soul. Have you ever really thought how it would be if the two of us…"

The alarm suddenly rang, stopping her in mid-sentence. The spell was broken and both of them became professional again.

"We are within sensors range" Data reported. "Beginning scan".

"Acknowledged" Denise replied. "Try to hurry".

While they were stationing near the planetoid, the woman performed a series of long range scans to verify that everything was as quiet as it looked. In one of the checks the computer reported something unusual.

"Data, I'm detecting strange picks of tetryon waves. Coordinates seven, two, two mark one, nine, zero. Has it anything to do with our research?"

"No" Data answered quickly. "But I will get a look at them".

After having examined the computer data, the android turned toward Denise.

"So, what's that?"

"It is a black hole".

"A black hole?"

"Right. Tetryon waves are characteristic of quantum singularities" he explained, turning back to his analysis.

"Emissions seem higher on the opposite side, where the spatial rupture is located. I would like to examine the phenomenon from a shorter distance. Can we turn around the planetoid?"

"Of course" Denise confirmed, operating the helm controls. "We're going to be in position in fifteen seconds".

The shuttlecraft made half an orbit and positioned itself on the opposite side of the planetoid.

While they kept collecting information, Denise found out something interesting and alarming.

"Data?"

"Yes" the android answered absent mindedly.

"You know that black hole of yours? It changed its position. To be precise, it's on an intercept course with us".

"What the hell?" Data commented, operating the consol.

"What the hell, what?" Denise asked, alarmed.

"That is not a black hole" Data explained. "But a cloaked Romulan Warbird. Romulans use artificial quantum singularities as power sources for their engines. At a superficial analysis they may appear as black holes".

"Damn, Data! You had to chose today to perform a superficial analysis?"

Data ignored her and tried to concentrate on the tactical situation. In that moment other bad news arrived. "Denise, we have another problem. Turning around the planetoid we have just crossed the border of the Romulan side of the Neutral Zone".

"Oh, shit" the woman murmured. "Computer, Red alert! Activate defensive systems"

The captain turned to Data. "When do you suggest to tell them we're on a scientific mission? Right now or after they have destroyed us?"

"I suggest to leave at maximum speed" Data answered.

"Suggestion accepted" Denise replied. "Bring us back in Federation Space, maximum warp!"

"Acknowledged. The Romulan ship is de-cloaking and in pursuit of us".

"Tactical analysis?" Denise asked.

"Class D'Deridex Warbird. Offensive systems powered up".

"Well, we're going much better, now" Denise commented, sarcastically.

"Denise, our possibilities to get back alive are one on…"

"I don't want to know it, thanks!" the woman shut him up.

"Keep accelerating and begin evasive maneuvers, Alpha sequence" Captain Rank ordered.

"We are at warp five point two. Beginning evasive maneuvers" Data confirmed. "But they are going to get over us in a few seconds".

In fact just a couple of seconds later, the computer signaled that the shuttle was within the enemy's weapons range.

"Romulan ship in pursuit and powering up disruptors" Data reported.

"I'm taking the helm" the captain said. "Handle the tactical station and, please, tell me you have a good aim".

"The automatic aiming system is…" Data began but stopped suddenly, realizing that Denise was only joking.

"However" he said, instead "we do not have enough fire power to defeat a ship of that class".

"Do your best anyway. Agreed?"

"Agreed".

The shuttlecraft made a series of dives, spins and sudden accelerations and changes of direction, stressing the inertial dampers much further than they had engineered for. But despite their best efforts, the Romulans were still there, firing against them with all their weaponry. A well placed shot pushed the shuttle ahead and made it jolt, worsening the dampers status.

"Shields down to sixty percent" Data reported.

"What about the enemy ship?" Denise asked.

"Our phasers cannot penetrate their shields. No damage to the warbird".

"We cannot resist any longer this way" the woman commented, calling up on her screen the data from the navigation system. After studying them for a brief moment, she said "There's something strange, here. The Romulans have matched perfectly every our change of direction, no matter how insignificant. They must have an exceptional helmsman".

"It is quite strange indeed" Data agreed. "That ship cannot possess the same maneuverability of our shuttle, even if it is faster".

Another jump, this time accompanied by the explosion of one of the auxiliary consoles. Smoke spread throughout the cockpit.

"Shields to forty percent. Main systems still on line" Data said, rising his voice over the noise of the burning circuits.

"What if they've found a way to link up with our navigation computer?" Denise suggested, trying to ignore the uproar around her.

"How?" Data inquired.

"I don't know how. But would it be possible, in theory?"

"Almost everything is possible in theory, but…"

"Then it is worth a trying to deactivate the navigation computer and fly at sight only" Denise proposed.

"What?" Data replied, startled. "You do want to fly this ship without instruments, with a Romulan warbird right behind us and an asteroid belt between us and the Federation space?"

"Have you got a better idea?" the captain asked urgently.

Data shook his head. "No, but I absolutely wish to object to this course of action".

"Very well. Your objection will be noted in the log. If we survive by the way". Then, Denise addressed the onboard computer. "Computer, deactivate instrumental navigation system" she ordered.

As a matter of fact, also the computer thought it was a bad idea. "Unable to comply" the synthesized voice replied. "There is a density six asteroid belt on our present course. The execution of your order would compromise the safety parameters".

"Acknowledged" the woman said without hesitation. "But right now we don't care a damn about your safety parameters. Execute previous order, authorization Rank Alpha, Omega, Omega, Six".

"Instrumental navigation system deactivated" the computer confirmed.

"Well. Now, let's see if you can follow me" Denise murmured, ideally addressing the Romulans.

"Data, establish a course inside the asteroid belt".

"Course established" Data confirmed with a nervous voice. Clearly it was still difficult for him to shield his emotions.

"We're dropping out of warp. What about the Romulans?" Denise inquired.

"Still behind us, but at a larger distance" Data reported.

"I'm following your course. I hope you didn't make mistakes".

Denise was quite nervous as well, but it was easier for her to dissimulate her feelings.

"I did not make any mistakes" the android pointed out. "But the asteroids are moving. I will monitor them with the lateral sensors. Be prepared to change direction on my mark".

"Understood".

As soon as the shuttle entered the asteroid belt, the frontal window became full of tens of meteors of different size and shape, that passed at a very short distance from them. Denise's fingers flew on the navigation controls, trying to fight the limits of her reaction speed. Data kept scanning for any variation in the pattern that could bring one of the asteroids on their present course.

"Five degrees right" Data instructed. "Now left again. New course two, five, one point zero, zero, three".

Suddenly a big fragment appeared in front of them. "All to starboard!" Data yelled.

Denise complied and shuttlecraft missed the asteroid by a whisker. Fortunately, only their navigation shields were hit.

"Reduce speed. Going on like this we are going to crash" Data complained.

"No way. At least not until they give up the pursuit".

Data tried hardly to find out an alternative. Surely Denise, even if she had proved to be an outstanding pilot till then, could not successfully get through the entire asteroid belt. Her human reflexes would have failed her sooner or later or so it would her nervous tension. Data could fly the shuttle but it would not have been of great help, because Denise could not read the sensors data fast enough to communicate the necessary route corrections. The helm consol was not usually linked to the sensor array. If they had more time, Data could have reconfigured the ship's systems, but now they had only a few seconds left before being vaporized. Data felt a grip in his stomach and throat. That sensation was called anxiety and was not at all a positive thing, especially in their present situation. It was necessary to find out alternatives, taking rapid decisions, and to do that inner calmness was required. Data knew more than well the edge above which his emotions could become a risk for the mission and before that could happen, he turned off his emotion chip.

A deep calmness replaced the previous stormy ocean of his emotions. The awareness of the peril remained unaltered but stopped producing all those unpleasant physical consequences and Data could analyze the situation with more coldness to try and find a solution. Unfortunately, it did not seem there were many.

Suddenly, the android had an idea.

"Denise, there is a big asteroid at three hundred hours. Can you see it?"

"Yes" the woman answered.

"According to sensor readings it is composed mostly of Nickel and other heavy metals that could interfere with the Romulans' sensors".

"Are you suggesting to land on it?"

"Precisely. And to shut down all main systems. I am quite sure they will not detect us".

"Quite sure" Denise underlined.

"Do you have a better idea?" Data asked her.

"No, I don't. But I'm strongly against this course of action".

Humor was much more difficult without using the emotion chip, but Data decided anyway to try and rise their present morale. So, with a slight smile, he replied "Your objections will be noted in my personal log, Captain. If we survive, of course".

"All right" Denise said eventually, after pondering the proposal for no more than a second. "But you still need to work on your sense of humor".

"Set a course two, one, five point two, two, four. Reduce to a quarter of impulse" Data explained, having already made the calculations for the landing, while reflecting on the psychological impact of humor.

"Acknowledged" Denise confirmed.

The shuttle altered its course smoothly, traveling now at the same speed and direction of the selected asteroid. Then it glided and landed on the rocky and irregular ground of the planetoid.

"Main systems off line" Data announced.

They remained there waiting and knowing that, had the Romulans detected them, they would not have had enough time to reactivate the systems before being destroyed by a disruptor shot or a photon torpedo.

But nothing happened. Twenty endless minutes had passed, before Data confirmed that the danger was probably over.

"They cannot detect us" the android said, triumphantly. "They are keeping scanning the area to find us".

"Let's remain here and wait. Sooner or later they're going to get tired of hunting us" Denise replied, relaxing for the first time after an hour of terrible tension.

They remained there many hours. Then, finally, the Romulans left.