The USS Genesis Millennia and her crew had barely been in the Andromeda galaxy for two hours when Ensign Tay spotted something unusual on the scanners.
"Captain, I'm reading a massive cloud of debris ahead."
"What sort of debris?"
"It's like an asteroid field but we are not in the vicinity of a solar system. The cloud is also unusual in that it's moving through space at an abnormal speed," the young Bajoran said. Hurst stood up.
"Interesting. Can you get a visual?"
"I'll try." A moment later, the cloud of debris appeared on the viewscreen. Sure enough, rocks and dust could be seen churning ominously.
"I'm reading a massive gravitational field, Captain. We should move out of the path of the anomaly now," Beckett said.
"Do as the Lieutenant suggests, Orea," Hurst said. Orea entered the correct commands into the console but nothing happened.
"Engines aren't responding, Captain."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. It's like they've simply stopped." The ship shuddered violently.
"We're caught in the gravitational field," Beckett said. "The anomaly is about to hit us."
"Raise shields," Hurst said. He tapped his combadge.
"Hurst to Lieutenant Truman. Michael, what's wrong with the engines?"
"I can't determine that, Captain. I can't even get the thrusters online," came Truman's reply. The ship lurched violently as the cloud enveloped them. The viewscreen swam as the ship was spun around. The sound of rocks bouncing off the shields was like hailstones.
"What is our status?" asked Hurst, clinging to a rail.
"We are being dragged along with the cloud. We are already miles from our last location," said D'Zira, studying her console.
"Captain, our shields will only protect us against small rocks," said Beckett. Hurst dragged himself across the bridge to the helm.
"Even if we had engines, I don't know how we would escape this cloud," Orea told him.
"There must be something we can do! I did not come to Andromeda to spend time in a cloud of rocks!" said Hurst, angrily.
"Large rock heading towards us at one mark seven point three," said Beckett.
"What are you waiting for? Lock phasers and fire!" shouted Hurst. The rock shattered.
"The shields appear to be draining," said D'Zira. "There doesn't appear to be a cause for it."
"Try diverting non essential systems to reinforce the power to them," replied Hurst.
"Captain, there are too many large rocks!" said Beckett. Hurst was about to reply when a huge rock knocked the ship sideways and Hurst almost to the floor.
"Hull breach on decks ten and eleven," said Tay. "Activating force field and self repair programme."
"Shields are still depleting," said D'Zira.
"Re route life support from decks ten and eleven," Hurst said. Beckett tracked another rock that threatened Genesis's fate and moved to destroy it.
"I've lost phasers," he said. He moved to the torpedoes. "Torpedoes too. That rock is going to hit us in the next thirty seconds." The object in question could now be seen dominating the viewscreen. Hurst looked at it. The impact would kill them all. He turned to his crew and was about to say something when the bombardment stopped. The cloud seemed to have vanished.
"Captain, we are at our previous co-ordinates. All damage has been repaired!" said Tay, amazed.
"Both warp and impulse engines are operational. We are travelling at warp eight, as we were when we encountered the anomaly and heading towards our designated sector," said Orea.
"How is that possible?" demanded Hurst. D'Zira suddenly looked perturbed.
"That was not a natural phenomenon," she said. Before Hurst could ask any questions of her, an unfamiliar voice could be heard.
"You're right, Commander. And you can thank me for your escape, Captain." All eyes turned to the captain's chair. As they did, a woman, wearing the uniform of a Starfleet captain, and carrying a 20th century style suitcase, appeared in a flash of light. D'Zira leapt up from her chair as Hurst started forwards. Beckett grabbed his phaser.
"Well, do I get a word of thanks?" the woman asked, running a hand through somewhat tousled auburn hair.
"Who are you?" demanded Hurst.
"Humans! Such ungrateful creatures! I shouldn't have bothered," said the woman, standing up and tucking the suitcase under Hurst's chair.
"Did you create that field? Answer me," said Hurst. "Lieutenant Beckett…"
"No, but I know who did, and I'll take that phaser, thank you. Not that it'll do me much harm," said the woman, and snapped her fingers. Beckett's phaser appeared in her hand, while the chief security officer stood with his mouth open in amazement.
"You're Q, aren't you?" said Hurst. The Q, as she indeed was, smiled. She appeared as if in her mid twenties, but Hurst knew she was years older than that.
"Finally! You know Jordan; you're a bit slow off the mark. I'm surprised. You're supposed to be one of the best captains in Starfleet," said Q, getting up and moving towards him.
"Why are you on this ship?" asked Hurst. This was the last thing he could have done with on top of everything else today. A Q on his ship. The Q smiled broadly and an instant later the Bridge had been transformed into some sort of celebration event. Colourful lights flashed as bits of glittery paper fell from somewhere in the ceiling and tinny music played. Hurst realised that he was wearing an ancient Earth outfit called a tuxedo – in fact all the men were. All the women were in dresses, including his first officer, who seemed to be having trouble balancing on the stilettos she suddenly found herself wearing. The Q meanwhile was now standing on the raised walkway at the back of the bridge that led to Hurst's ready room. She was also in a dress and holding some sort of instrument that she spoke into.
"Congratulations Captain Hurst and the crew of the USS Genesis Millennia," she announced, throwing out her free arm in an exaggerated fashion. "You've been specially selected at random to bear the special honour of witnessing first hand the unique powers of one of the rare gems of the universe." Hurst and the other officers winced at both the loudness of her voice through the microphone and the screech of feedback.
"I still don't understand," he said.
"I've come to join this crew," she replied, suddenly appearing in front of him again. Hurst scowled.
"I have all the crew I need, thank you all the same for your offer." Q shook her head.
"Please let me explain." Q put down the microphone as Hurst folded his arms.
"This had better be good, Q," he said.
"Well, I'm interested in learning about Humans. For all your faults, you're an interesting species," said Q. D'Zira eyed her, curious.
"Why come aboard a starship, especially one so far from Earth? Would you not be better to live on Earth to carry out your studies?"
Q smiled again in that curious Q way that was a mixture of arrogance, cheek, and superiority.
"A starship is more to my taste – you can't explore the universe stuck in one place. And well, basically I've been sent by the Continuum to keep an eye on this fleet."
"What business does the Q Continuum have in our plans?" Hurst asked.
"I am only a young Q. Five hundred and ninety four years old, to be exact. I am still learning, still experiencing new things. The Continuum decided this was a good opportunity for me to practice my responsibilities as well as carry out my studies. Anyway, a Q will be useful to you."
"Responsibilities? The Q Continuum? And how can a Q be useful?" demanded Hurst.
"I know some of this galaxy. And with my powers you can be sure that you'll never come to any harm," said Q. Hurst raised his eyebrows.
"I'm sure we could, but I don't want or need a guide." The face of the Q fell, and she turned to D'Zira.
"Ellenabi, you're not human. You must be curious about Humans, too."
"As I would any other species…" began D'Zira, but the Q had turned to Tay.
"You, Ensign. You wonder about Human's."
"Well…" Tay hesitated. Q scowled slightly.
"Don't you dare lie," she said, a warning noticeable in the undertones of her voice. Tay tried to look unconcerned and replied,
"They're different in many ways, Q, so yes. I do." Q turned to Hurst.
"So, Captain, these other non Humans are allowed on this ship, and they share my curiosity. Why not me?"
"The Q are troublemakers, our records have shown that. The beings on this ship all have earned their positions, and places," said Hurst.
"Those Q were not me. So let me earn my place! I'll do any job you want!" begged Q, over the top like her race were prone to do. "Put me through training – I can take it! Give me an IQ test! You'll find that even at my tender age I'll top two thousand!"
"Why not go through Starfleet Academy, if you want so much to be part of the crew of a starship?" Dupin asked. Q looked at her with contempt and, mocking thoughtfulness said,
"Let's see…enter the Academy and waste the best part of the decade learning about things I know off by heart…or jump on board a starship, where I'd be of far more use, and have far more fun. I know which one I'd choose." Hurst sighed angrily, and was about to say something, when D'Zira motioned for him to turn round for a quiet conversation.
"Captain, she would be an advantage to us. We are very much alone," she said, still holding onto a rail for support. She personally hoped that she wouldn't have to move any distance in the ridiculous shoes she was wearing.
"Yes, but how do we know that she wouldn't cause havoc? I don't want someone like that on this ship, Commander," hissed Hurst through his teeth. D'Zira nodded.
"I have been thinking about that. I believe I have a solution that will suit all of us," she said.
"I'd like to hear it," Hurst said. They both turned to Q.
"Perhaps we could welcome you onto this ship if you agree to a condition," D'Zira said.
"Well, that depends on what that is, Commander."
"Take us to the Continuum, and have them make you at least partly human. That way we know you cannot fool around with us as much as you could do." Q looked horrified.
"Oh, no. I'm not having that. No, no, no. No way."
"Leave this ship, then," said Hurst. Q scowled deeply then clicked her fingers. At first, Hurst thought that she had gone, but then realised that the bridge of Genesis had disappeared, and he was standing in a kind of mediaeval throne room. He was alone, apart from the man in the throne, the female Q, and several more members of the Continuum. He was also glad to see that he was back in uniform, as was the Q.
"Where are we?" asked Hurst.
"The Continuum – at least, a representation of it," replied Q. The Q on the throne stood up.
"Q? I thought that you had gone on your assignment? Why are you back here so soon? And why have you brought a human here?"
"I know the rules, but this is an exception," said Q.
"Explain yourself, Q."
"This is the captain of the ship chosen for me to study. He is reluctant to let me on board unless I become part human," she said.
"That's quite an interesting proposition. It could be arranged," said the Q leader. "After all, we have an obligation to prevent damage to these lower societies." Hurst smiled at Q, who shook her head.
"But I don't want that to happen! I came here for you to talk him out of his stupid idea."
"You are very young, compared to most of us. You belong to the part of the Q who is willing to explore new ideas and grow. That is what you are supposed to be using this time for, as we agreed. You are omnipotent. What are a few years to infinity?" replied the lead Q.
"So?"
"So?" echoed the Q leader. "You were supposed to keep an eye on that fleet so that they behaved themselves, and so far you haven't shown you can even do that. You're as pitiful as they are!"
"I'm sorry, but this idiot wouldn't let me on his ship!" protested the younger Q, pointing at Hurst.
"Well, this is a way to make sure that idiot can't get you off his ship. I think that it will be beneficial to your studies. Let me tell you something." The Q leader waved his hand in the air, and the female Q was standing beside him. He leant and whispered in her ear.
"I've spent time with Humans myself. You'll get used to them. They're quite friendly really." Hurst's Q had evidently expected something more supportive, for her face fell. The Q leader then waved his hand again, and Q was back where she was.
"I knew this was a bad idea!" she stormed next to Hurst. The Q leader summoned two others beside him. Together they held a deep conversation for about thirty seconds, then the lead Q nodded to the young Q. Energy seemed to flow out of her, and dissipate into the air. In a flash, her clothes changed from that of a Captain, to normal 31st century style clothing that would be suitable for living on a starship.
"This is our condition. You are still a full Q while in the Continuum. Leave and you become half human. If you do leave, you will only be reintegrated back after a suitable amount of years. And I must warn you that you could die," the lead Q told her.
"Die?" Q looked pale.
"You will be part human, therefore you are mortal. It is your choice."
"I have told you my choice," said Q. The Q leader eyed her, losing patience.
"And you are answerable to your superiors. The way you are carrying on, anyone would think that we were making you completely human. It can be arranged very easily, I can tell you. I should know."
"No, no, what you have done is enough," Q said, hastily. "But what use can I be to anyone without being a proper Q?" Hurst turned to her, feeling sorry for the young Q, and seeing what D'Zira had been thinking.
"Look, you wanted to experience life with Humans. What better way to experience that life than becoming one?"
"Good thinking for a lesser species," said the Q leader. Hurst ignored him.
"Most mortal beings envy the Q's ability to do what they want…be what they want. I would love to be able to see the universe like you can. We are spending a few measly years in a starship exploring a sector of an unknown galaxy. You have forever afterward to carry on with your life."
"Oh, look who's crawling. You were desperate not to have me earlier," sniffed Q, folding her arms. Hurst sighed.
"I'm sorry if I offended you. It's just that you can't simply come barging your way onto my bridge, and expect me to accept you just like that. I'm grateful for what you did to save our lives…but if you are to join us, you must learn that you have to do so much more to earn people's trust than trying to impose authority on them. I think you will benefit from being part of my crew."
"Really?" said Q.
"I would consider it brave of you to venture into the unknown if you accept, Q," said Hurst, gently.
"You would?" Hurst nodded and smiled. Q smiled back. "Humans have strange concepts, but I accept, Jordan…Captain." Hurst turned to the Q leader.
"How do I know that her powers are diminished?"
"The Q are many things, Captain, but we are not liars," he replied with all his superiority. He looked at the young Q.
"I'll overlook this disruption, Q," he said.
"Thank you, Q," she replied, in genuine deference to him. She turned to Hurst. "Well, this is the last time I'll do this for a while." The Q leader gave her a knowing smile as she clicked her fingers. A moment later, Q and Hurst were back on the bridge of Genesis. Things were back to normal. D'Zira got up from the Captain's seat.
"Captain?" Hurst smiled at her, and nodded towards Q, who had folded her arms and was sulking. Hurst was amazed at how rapidly the mood of a Q could change.
"We now have another member of the crew. A half Human Q."
"The Continuum did not mind?" asked D'Zira.
"No. Actually, they rather liked the idea. I think they felt it would add educational value," smiled Hurst. Dupin could not resist making a remark.
"Oh, Grand Q. How does it feel to be Human?" Q just gave her a dirty look. D'Zira also looked at Dupin, not liking the attitude she had discerned in the young woman since they had met. Hurst decided that he would get the Q settled in before anyone else rattled her cage.
"Commander, please assign Q some quarters, and make sure she is settled in. Then take her to see Dr Davies for a medical."
"Yes, Captain." D'Zira led the way out of the Bridge to the turbolift. Q followed rather ungraciously. When they had gone, protests began to flitter into Hurst's ear. Dupin was first, as was becoming usual.
"Captain, don't you think you made the wrong decision? You can't have a Q on a starship!"
"Why not?" Hurst asked her.
"Because they're untrustworthy, arrogant, and only interested in showing off their powers," said Dupin. Hurst merely shrugged.
"She's limited in her powers now, so that's one less thing to deal with." Orea turned to him.
"I agree with Aimee. How much power did the Q take from her? And how do we know that others will not appear?"
"There is nothing significant she can do," chimed in Beckett. Hurst had enough. He turned round to face the entire bridge.
"I am willing to give her a chance, and I expect you all to do the same thing. This is an opportunity to learn about the Q as well. Keep your complaints to yourselves, please. Unless she murders anybody, I don't want to know. And if I find any of the crew picking on her," his gaze seemed to travel specifically in Dupin's direction, "they will face direct disciplinary action from myself. Understood?" There was a silence, and Hurst returned to his chair, sat down and composed himself.
"Commander Orea, how long until we arrive at our destination?"
"Just over an hour, Sir."
"Increase speed to warp nine. I want to be there soon, so we can all retire for a few hours. We've all had a hectic day."
D'Zira and Q walked in silence down the corridor leading to a section of crew quarters. Q took a breath as if to say something, but changed her mind. D'Zira looked at her.
"If there is something you want to say Q, then say it."
"Do you think it is fair what has happened to me?" D'Zira thought before answering.
"Perhaps it is not. But you wish to learn, and the best way to do that is through experience. That is partly why I suggested you should loose your powers." They stopped outside a nameless door. D'Zira opened it and they went inside.
"This is nice. So drab," said Q, and sat down. Absently, she clicked her fingers, and her suitcase appeared. This cheered her a little.
"Well, that's a good start," she said. "Now, let's see what else I can get." She pointed at the middle of the room, and a tiny table appeared. The smile disappeared.
"This will take some time," she muttered.
"You can see to your quarters later, Q," said D'Zira. "We must go to sickbay now." They left and walked back to the turbolift.
"Commander. You are a hybrid being. What if someone removed your Vulcan abilities, or your Betazoid abilities? You would not be yourself, right?"
"That depends on what you mean by removal. If you are talking about simply surpassing my telepathic capabilities, then yes, it would take away a part of me. If you mean removing either part of my DNA, to remove that bloodline, then I would die, as I need both sets to live," replied D'Zira.
"Really? Do you think my life is in danger?"
"Of course not." They entered the lift.
"I suppose we have something in common, now," said Q.
"And what would that be?"
"We're both of mixed species. I'm half human, half Q now."
"That does not leave us with anything in common. We are made up of completely different races," said D'Zira. Q's eyes lit up.
"Well, we'd make the best away team, wouldn't we, with four species between us? Admittedly, I'd swap the Human for…" D'Zira interrupted.
"I cannot see you going on an away mission in the near future, Q. You do not know anything about the skills needed for such a task."
"I'm a fast learner, Commander," said Q jovially as the lift stopped, and they entered sickbay. There, Dr Duane Davies was waiting for them, having already been briefed by Hurst.
Duane Davies was a West Indian man, a skilled surgeon. He had a wonderful sense of humour, which quickly put most patients at ease. Some found his manner a little disconcerting at first, particularly aliens who were not used to Humans.
"Ah, so this is our new crew member," he said, gesturing to a bed. Q went and lay down. Davies set up a body scan, and took a sample of blood. He scanned it with a tricorder to get an initial impression. D'Zira looked on, curious.
"Well, there is certainly Human DNA present and another form of DNA, which I presume to be Q. There appears to be the usual stuff in Human blood…and a strange substance I'll have to separate to get a better look at."
"What does it appear to be?" asked D'Zira. Davies frowned slightly.
"I'm not sure…it appears to be made up of pure energy. I wish I had a sample of pure Q blood - or whatever is equivalent - to analyse."
"Blame Captain Hurst. He whisked me off without a thought for that." butted in Q.
"What type of energy does it appear to be?" asked D'Zira. Davies shook his head.
"It seems to be bio energy, yet there are several anomalies that make me doubtful." He turned to Q, who was trying to see what was going on without sitting up.
"Can you explain this? You know more about yourself than I do," Davies asked her. Q shrugged.
"I'm not a doctor, but I think that the energy you're picking up is a remainder of what would be equivalent to Q blood. It is what gives us our abilities, and lets us live in sub space. The Q are made from energy. That allows us to do anything we want."
"Well young lady, you can't do that anymore," said Davies.
"You know how to make people feel better, don't you?" said Q, peeved. Davies laughed.
"Of course I do. I'm a doctor, aren't I?"
"Why does no one have sympathy for me?" lamented Q. "I've been torn away from the Continuum, had my powers taken from me, and all you can do is laugh. I could be dying for all you know."
"I hate to tell you this, Q, but you're perfectly healthy, physically. However, your mental health needs seeing to," replied Davies, waving the tricorder over Q's head.
"Why? What's wrong?" Q said in a panic.
"Hmm. Let's see…a bad tendency to think only of oneself for a start," said Davies.
"Oh, very funny," said Q, irritated. "Commander, does he talk to everyone like this?"
"Unfortunately Q, I have not had the pleasure of seeing Dr Davies in action before," said D'Zira. Davies smiled, and looked at the tricorder.
"Very interesting brain patterns. I'm actually picking up similar energy to what I picked up in her blood." He looked at D'Zira. "I wish Captain Hurst had thought to send her here first. I would have liked to seen readings from a pure Q for comparison." To Q he said,
"Well, Q, you may be part Human, but you're still very interesting from a medical point of view."
"Thank you," said Q. Davies looked at her bio scan.
"All organs that I can see are Human. All are extremely healthy. You get a clean bill of health," he told her. He turned to D'Zira.
"In fact, these organs are extraordinarily healthy. They are perfect."
Q sat up and smiled cockily at him.
"That's my Q side for you. Isn't it wonderful? Does that mean I can go?"
"Yes. I have everything I need for your medical file, Q. But I would like you to come back when you are settled in, and go through some things with you. Nothing serious, just some general questions." He leant over to D'Zira and said quietly, "I would say she's fascinating, but I don't want to boost her ego anymore than it is." He turned back to Q, and looked thoughtful.
"What is it?" asked D'Zira.
"I was wondering if our friend here was planning on giving herself a name. We can't call her Q."
Q had got off the bed, and was standing beside D'Zira.
"Why not?"
"Well because all your people are called Q. You are not part of the Continuum now. And if we run into anymore of your people, well, it will help stop confusion," replied Davies.
"That is logical," agreed D'Zira.
"I'll give it some thought," said Q. D'Zira motioned for her that they should be on their way. Q turned to Davies.
"See you soon, no doubt," she said.
"I'm sure I will," said the doctor. He tidied away the equipment he had used to examine Q and set about preparing a report. Life was certainly not going to be dull on this ship with her around.