Chapter 2
Data woke abruptly at 4.00 hours because he heard the alarm. Cindy didn't believe that an improvise danger could ruin her dreams, however, she wore her uniform because she thought that a Commander could be useful, but Data fixed her eyes and said: - "No, Cindy. You are no allowed to go with me on the bridge. You should remain into this room until new orders. I am sorry, Cindy, but, remember that I am your direct superior."- Cindy remembered Starfleet's orders, but she feared that his husband should risk another time his life. She loved him and she wanted only to help him…but she preferred to obey. – Yes, dear, I wanted only to be useful…"- she said.
Data ran into the bridge and he understood in few seconds that the situation was critical. Three starship of the Cardassians were on the screen. This race was very dangerous; there were many battles between the Federation and the Cardassians and there were many deaths. – "Oh, Mr Data, I'm very glad to see you again…."- Picard said with a smile. Data understood that Picard wanted that he would return to the scientific console. He began to check the force of the enemies and understood that they were more powerful than the Enterprise. – "Captain, they are a great menace for us. I suggest to send a peaceful message…"- he concluded.
Picard waited for an answer, but it didn't arrive. So he reunited the superior officers and to decide a valid strategy. Cindy couldn't participate, although she was a Counsellor. Data felt himself alone, a strange sensation due to his emotion chip. The new Counsellor was a Betazoid, Mr Stiller. He said that the Cardassians shouldn't understand the inferiority of the Enterprise. They were warriors who didn't fear anything. But what could they want in a so remote region of the space? There wasn't anything interesting in this area…
Cindy waited anxiously for the return of her husband. She thought that he would be so altruistic that he could suggest a dangerous mission in order to save the ship. – "Oh, Data! I see you again! I feared that you could go in an away team on the Cardassians' ship…"- she said. – "And it is precisely what I want to do, Cindy. I am the First Officer, it is my duty to command an away team, you know."- he said resolutely, but he tried to not see her into her eyes. She understood that Data was in extreme danger and she didn't want to be a widow…-"I want to come with you, Data. I am a Counsellor and a Commander, you know. I could be useful. You are no human, dear. You don't understand very well the emotions…"- she said crying. She didn't want that her hero would die another time. Data saw her and understood that she was right. She had a lot of experience with the emotions… - "OK, Cindy, you can come, if you want, but you will not speak without my permission. Have you understood?" – he asked to her. She smiled and kissed him on his mouth. – "Yes, sir…When will be the departure?"- -" Only in an hour…"- he said and sighed… - "Also, we must be in a hurry…This could be the last time, dear, you know…"- she said and went to the bed. Data understood and assured that he was "at her orders" in only a minute and forty seconds…