Chapter 3: The Puzzle
"After she transported out, we could contact and beam to the ship." Riker finished.
He and Data sat on the captain's couch with hastily dressed Captain Picard in the chair in front of them. It was 0100 and his two most senior officers had awakened him, but their story was both interesting and disturbing. The captain sipped his Earl-Grey and leaned back, taking in the report. Finally, he turned to his second officer.
"Well, Data, I suppose it would have been better if we had continued looking at your paintings. Your thoughts?"
If Picard hadn't known better, he would have thought Data seemed shaken.
The android paused for an unusually long time. "I am still trying to understand what choice she was referring to, sir. Commander Riker decided that we would part ways with her, yet she addressed me."
"And you can think of no other reason why the two of you could not contact the Enterprise?"
"It may have been a coincidence. There is no direct evidence that 'Tisiphone' interrupted our signal."
The captain exhaled slowly while leaning back in his chair, cup of tea in hand. "My impression is that she threatened you, Data."
Riker nodded. "Mine as well."
"Threatened me, sir? I have no prior contact with her."
"Still, I would like to investigate this matter further. We must find this woman. Perhaps we can find some record of her transporter activity. Number One, I want you to have Lieutenant Worf check for unauthorized transporter traces aboard the ship and conduct a security sweep. We should be sure that hasn't decided to pay us a visit somehow. I would also like you and him to look for any evidence of unauthorized personnel on board. You're dismissed, Will."
"Aye, sir." Riker left the room.
Picard's eyes met those of his dear old friend. The second officer's face remained impassive. He awaited orders.
I always feel so protective of him, the captain thought. Data could bend solid iron. He could hurl ten men across a room with no effort and calculate exactly where each could land but the android's gentle nature belied all of that.
He'd be damned if he'd let anyone threaten Data.
"Are you sure you're all right, Data?"
"Yes, sir. I cannot be frightened or bothered in that manner."
"Yes, I suppose not, Commander. Well, I would like you and Commander LaForge to see if you can find record in the sensors of her activity on the surface of the planet. Perhaps we caught her departure and presence."
"I am curious, sir," Data continued. "Our interaction with her may have been an isolated and innocuous event; yet you and Commander Riker seem apprehensive..."
Picard nodded. "I understand your confusion. Data, when someone threatens one of my officers, I take that very seriously. We need to investigate this further." He smiled. "But you're right. We may turn out to be chasing shadows."
"Understood, sir."