This chapter is during the episode 11001001-The Enterprise docks at a starbase for repairs, where it is commandeered by a race of technologically linked aliens.
I know that technically this episode happens before Hide and Q, but considering the studio made the mistake first I'm going to continue in the order the series was released.
Commander Riker,
I'm currently retaking the Starfleet assessment and am about to embark on the journey once more. I would like your permission to join the Enterprise before I formally ask your Captain. I'll be at Starbase 74 for the upgrade of the Enterprise. I'll await your answer there,
Maria Gregek
…
Will reads the message again cursing the Vulcan culture. No warnings, no explanations, no reason. He shoves the monitor away in disgust and leaves to survey the crew. Everyone was already leaving to enjoy their two-day vacation. There was still no word of Maria, he had researched all he could of her before they arrived and was able to find nothing. The Vulcans had hidden all of her logs past or otherwise. He could, of course, request them from the Academy, but then the Captain would know.
Will's feelings about Maria were partially due to his embarrassment, he heard from Geordi what Maria had been risking. He knew the implications, he had been tempted by Q for three days and almost agreed. No one knew how long Maria had been with Q, and she was still mortal. He knew he would feel better once he heard her logs. Maybe there would be something to redeem him from his shame.
"Commander Riker,"
"Riker here," Will responds to his com.
"This is Maria Gregek, would you meet me on the Starbase to discuss our business."
"That's one thing to call it, I'll beam down in a moment."
"I'll send the coordinates to your transporter,"
…
Jean-Luc knew something was up with his first officer, he had been brooding all week. It was discouraging to learn that Will was going to stay on the ship for the repairs. He decided that he would not confront him on the issue and mind his own business. However, when you see Will walking with purpose towards the transporters, it seemed appropriate to ask
"Commander?" Will slightly jumps
"Captain, sorry I was thinking." Jean-Luc smiles and nods his understanding,
"No problem, just wondering where you were going?" Will fidgets slightly. It made him more concerned, it wasn't like Will to keep secrets.
"Just...down," Will takes a deep breath in, berating himself. "There is no reason for you to feel guilty. You're doing nothing wrong." "I have some personal business to attend to Captain. I'll be back soon." Jean-Luc nods,
"Have a good time Commander." Jean-Luc leaves wondering if he should have pushed more. No, what Will does on his own time is none of his business.
…
Will lands on Starbase 74 in an empty room with a low burning fire. He instinctively put his hand on his phaser before relaxing at the sight of Maria.
"Commander Riker, thank you for coming." Will nods and slowly looks around the room, it looked like an old house, peeling wallpaper, wood floors, and a brick chimney.
"Doesn't look like a starbase, where are we."
"Holodeck, I'm don't want your crew to see me before you make your decision."
"Why this?"
"It's familiar to me," Will waits for something further, "Computer, give me a couch there which fits the setting." Behind Will, a couch materializes he sits sinking into the overstuffed cushions. "Now, you have questions." Her tone made this sentence a statement instead of a question. It grated on Will's nerves.
"Are you still having fits?" He tries to match her even cadence,
"No, but I can't promise you they won't reoccur."
"Then that settles it, I don't want you aboard if you're a danger to the ship." Will stands to look for a door,
"What about Geordi with his visor, isn't it possible for him to go blind while steering the ship." Will glances back at her, fighting with his contempt for Maria, and his inclination to give second chances. "I may be a danger, but we can have precautions set, and I can bring an advantage."
"What advantages?"
"I have hundreds of years of experience here." She points to her head, "I can help you when encountering new species, or compromising with hostile ones. It's what I did before Q.
"How is that?"
"The title was communications officer, I was present for every meeting of new species and helped make treaties for Starfleet." Maria moves to a table across the room and begins working on a tablet. "There, all my logs from then have been transferred to your quarters."
"What about your current ones, from the experience with Q." Maria straightens her shoulders.
"This will be another advantage for you, it was...painful for me to try and relive those experiences. So I will be recording my logs over my time on your vessel when I feel ready. You'll be the first to hear them"
"Won't the logs lose accuracy over time?"
Maria nods, "It's possible, but this option prevents me from becoming overwhelmed all at one time." Riker nods slowly, Maria decides to wait for him to ask his question.
"Maria, I would like for you to tell me honestly whether or not you were trying to save the ship for your benefit or ours?"
"Commander, I would be lying if I said I was doing it all for you, but I can assure you that if the same circumstances had happened and Q and I had not made the bet I would have done the same thing."
…
Much had happened to Maria since her freedom from Q, she went home to find her father had died two years earlier. She found out Ambassador Spock had seemed to disappear in the middle of negotiations with Romulus. With no way to reach him, she decided that the only way to find anything would be to go back to Starfleet. Her new mission discovered, she wasted no time in requesting permission from the Ministry of Science with arguments to back up her request. She left out her desire to find Spock. There was a long debate within the ministries, finally, her request was approved and she took the Starfleet exam along with several psych exams. She sent her message to Riker the next day.
Maria rationalized her deception with the arguments she gave Riker but still knew that she would never have considered this before Q. She paced inside the holodeck trying to keep herself distracted. This would be her best chance to find any information about Spock, set aside the fact that if she did lose herself in the past Data had the best chance of stopping her. A mind she couldn't invade and enough strength to keep her still. The ultimate defense, she tried to keep her fondness for the android out of this thought. This would not help her in her mission.
…
Will beams back onto the Enterprise ready to head straight to his quarters, however, a few steps forward takes him to Wesley. "Oh, hello Wes. Where are you headed?"
"Actually to find you, Commander, some parts of the ship are powering down due to the upgrade, but I wasn't sure if I should interrupt the bynars." Wesley looks down slightly embarrassed.
"Well then we might as well find out," Riker and Wesley walk to the turbo lift, upon entering the bridge the see the bynars working furiously in tactical moving chips around with inhuman speed.
"Excuse me? We were wondering what was being changed so far." The bynars turn and speak in broken sentences together.
"All systems" "may now be used." "The only change" "is an enhancement." The bynars speak quickly together with incoherent computer noises. "Would you like to try" "the enhancement?"
Riker shakes his head, "No, I'm afraid I've got some work to do in my quarters."
"You do not wish" "to see if the" "changes are up to" "your expectations?"
Riker thinks for a moment, "I suppose I could work here, let me see... perhaps a quiet jazz club"
"Era?" the computer replies,
"Circa 1968"
"Location?"
"Kansas City, no, New Orleans"
"Enter when ready." Will walks into the club, there is a small club with a stage and small intimate tables all around. Wind wafts in from an open window with the smell of the ocean and beignet stands.
"This is very good, now a small band on stage." A piano, bass, and drums." He looks at the bynars, "If this is what you call enhancement you've got a knack for understatement." He turns to Wesley, "I'll see you later, ok?" Wesley nods smiling as Will walks into the active club. The band plays mellow jazz quietly while Will sits at one of the tables, he waits for the bynars to leave before speaking again. "Computer bring up my logs sent from Maria Gregek"
"Which log?"
"I guess we can start from the beginning." A low-quality hologram appears across from Will looking like a young Maria, in a Lieutenants uniform. "Enhance," Maria becomes solid and more detailed. "All right, let's get to work."
"Lieutenant Gregek's Log Stardate 1207.2, I began my first assignment in navigation aboard the USS Hathaway at 0200 hours this morning. The shift was uneventful."
"Damn, Computer search for logs containing the word Q," Will waits, enjoying the atmosphere.
"There are four logs that meet your specifications."
"Good, let's start with the first." Maria appears in a Commander's uniform,
"Commander Gregek's Log Supplemental, I have found the source of the "pranks," occurring aboard the Enterprise. It is a being of vast intellect, I was unable to comprehend his mind until today when he made contact. He calls himself Q, and he has kept me from sharing this information with the Captain with barriers and stopping my communicator. He seems to be completely omnipotent, however, he said that he wants to find out more about me and my "small mind," With no way of telling anyone what's happened I'll continue the investigation until I find out more about his intentions."
"Next," Will adjusts in his seat so he is leaning forward,
"Commander Gregek's Log Supplemental, Q has shown himself, he appeared in human form. When I asked why he had trapped me inside my quarters he flippantly said because he wanted to see what I would do. We were able to make an agreement. I could leave my quarters if I didn't tell anyone about him. Q has no compassion for mortals, and does what he wants to with no thought of the consequences."
"Commander Gregek's Log Supplemental, Q has shown himself once more in the form of Lieutenant Commander Spock. He intended to make me have a genuine emotional reaction. He was unsuccessful when he revealed himself he turned off the Enterprise, confirming that he is omnipotent. He continued to try and antagonize me while I worked on restoring the power, but never in the sight of others. Two lives were lost, He restored the power when I told him I would do anything to save the lives of my crew. We are too far from a Starbase to request help, and even if we could get back in time it would only put more people at risk. Captain Pike is racing to the nearest Starbase despite my warnings. I've reached out to Q several times but have received no answer. I fear the worst for Starfleet.
"Commander Gregek's Log Supplemental, the Enterprise has stopped completely and pressure inside has increased by 5% in the last 10 minutes. The entire crew will die within the hour if we can't do anything. Q appeared to me once more and gave me a chance to spare them all. I'm going to accept, no one knows this except Lieutenant Commander Spock. My final investigation concludes there are no traitors on board the Enterprise. This is Commander Gregek sending in my resignation from Starfleet, it has been a pleasure serving you."
Will sits back in his chair, silent for a moment. The mellow jazz continues and Maria shifts in her seat. Will squints at her, "Can you respond?" She nods, "How?"
"When you told the computer to enhance you never specified how." She leans forward,
Will shrugs, "Ok, well then how many logs contain the word, Spock?"
"12" Maria responds instead of the computer.
"Let's hear the first."
"Commander Gregek's Log Stardate 1026.2,"
Captain Picard walks in and takes in the scene, "Commander,"
Riker sighs, "Captain, you've caught me in the middle of my snooping."
"Is that so?" he stares at Maria, "How did you get aboard?"
Riker begins to speak, but Maria cuts him off.
"I was smuggled on by Commander Riker." Riker raises his eyebrows, as she grins at him "I'm not the real Maria, I'm just an image made by the holodeck which acts like her according to the logs."
Picard smiles, "I see, explains the outfit." Riker chuckles,
"Gotta say I think I prefer this Maria."
"How did you get these logs?"
"The real Maria sent them to Will at his request, she wanted him to be reassured before beginning her assignment."
"Where is she assigned?"
"She doesn't know yet." Picard looks at Will,
"I see, snooping indeed."
"Captain-"
"Don't worry about it, I'm just glad I know why you've been brooding." He studies Maria, "Is this from the bynars?"
"Yes Captain, it's amazing isn't it."
"Astounding. Well, then Commander I'll leave you to it."
"Will, why don't you invite the Captain to listen to the rest of these? I'm sure he wants to hear them."
"No, that's not necessary."
"I think that's a great idea, please join us." Riker gestures to a chair.
"If you don't mind." Will was surprised to find that he didn't mind, this Maria seemed so different and yet had the same mannerisms and tactics. Her ability to evade the truth without lying was amazingly similar to the first time they met. Yet she had a sense of humor, not crude and condescending like before, but witty and teasing. Hell, he would've dated this Maria if she was like this before Q.
"Please continue Maria,"
"My observations so far have found no sign of traitors aboard the USS Enterprise. It will take me at least a month to complete without arising any suspicion. My initial meeting included Captain Pike, and his number one. Both seem to be completely devoted to Starfleet. Lieutenant Commander Spock, the Science officer, can be completely written off. His loyalties are to Starfleet completely. We were in the same grade on Vulcan, but I will personally guarantee this does not affect my report.
"This must have been when the Klingons first attacked Starfleet." Captain Picard revels in history."
"A few battles after actually," Maria answers,
"How did you know that?" Captain Picard asks astounded.
"I looked up the Stardate, obviously." Maria laughs, Captain Picard reaches out and touches her arm. She raises her eyebrows, "Are you looking for a date Captain?" He shakes his head,
"No, just admiring how real you are, It's so different from what I'm used to on the holodeck."
"It's so strange, even this place. It's so detailed to look exactly like what I wanted." Riker looks around the room.
"I'm glad you're impressed. Would you like the next log?"
"Yes Maria, please continue."
"Personal Log, my time aboard the Enterprise is making me question my decision to go into local defense. This is the first time I've ever felt like I belong since my brother died. The crew has accepted me as their own within the second week. Lieutenant Commander Spock has become a close friend, he's so open and eager, you can't help but admire his passion. Maybe when all this is over, I'll officially request a change."
"Hmm, Deanna told me about this. They became intimate shortly after."
"That's hard to imagine, she doesn't seem like someone who could be intimate with anyone," Riker remarks,
"This is over a hundred years ago, you'd think I would've changed in that time."
"That's true, I can easily imagine you falling in love."
"Would you like to hear the log where I admit my true feelings?" Picard raises his eyebrows,
"That seems personal."
"I sent it to you, didn't I. I want you to trust me." Riker smiles,
"You become more lifelike by the minute. I'm up for it if you are Captain."
"I suppose it can't hurt."
"Personal log, If I continue on my current path I will become too attached to finish my mission. A month has passed, if I stop now then it will all be for nothing. I must let my father's teachings guide me for the rest of the investigation. I must keep Spock at arm's length if I'm going to stay impartial. I admit that my feelings have developed without any awareness. It appears I'm not free of my betazoid weaknesses after all. However, after the mission, I need to dive deeper into how deep these feelings go. I believed I could never love anyone as much as I loved my brother, and yet I think I could love Spock more."
"It's so odd to hear that from a Vulcan,"
"Have you ever met a betazoid?" Maria asks,
"Yes," Picard and Riker say together, Maria laughs
"Then it can't be too hard to imagine how much it takes to stay in control." Riker laughs,
"No, it's not."
"Well then, number one, as much as I'd like to stay and watch Maria. I should check on the rest of the ship.
"Oh, but you haven't seen the best log." Maria smiles
"Which one is that?" Picard smiles, Maria answers with a smirk.
"Personal Log, Spock has asked me to marry him." Maria watches as they both look at her in amazement.
"He proposed?" Riker finally chokes out. Maria nods smiling,
Captain Picard gets up, "now I have to leave, apologies Maria but this doesn't feel right."
"No, it doesn't" Riker agrees, he had enough information to make his decision.
"Ok, well there's more. Like when I-"
"No, really Maria I think we're fine."
"You have to stay, we're having so much fun. Why don't you play for us, Will?" Riker eyes her warily.
"Exit," She grabs his arm,
"You can't go, not yet." He walks away with purpose when the door opens to red alert.
…
Maria felt puzzled over this new development. More and more people were coming onto the Starbase. She finally found Lieutenant Yar's mind. The Enterprise was about to lose the antimatter chamber. Maria takes quick steps to the commotion. She turns the corner into the lobby where all of the crew reside. She walks straight to Geordi.
"Maria?"
"Yes, Geordi, what's happened?"
"The magnetic containment field around the antimatter was weakening, and it suddenly was restored. Now the Enterprise is gone with Captain Picard and Commander Riker." Maria closes her eyes feeling for someone with knowledge. Nothing, no one knew anything.
"What's the closest starship?"
"The Trieste." a Commander replies, "but it's sixty-six hours away." Data looks up sharply at Maria.
"Why are you here?"
"I had a meeting here. I can't find anyone who knows why the Enterprise is gone." Data nods,
"Where are the bynars?" Maria searches again more carefully, looking for any strange minds. Still nothing.
"They're not here."
"They are obviously still on board. Another Starfleet vessel must be sent to intercept the Enterprise at Bynaus. They might be taking the ship to their home planet."
"What makes you think so," The Commander asks,
"It is the best place to start."
…
Riker and Picard go into the holodeck determined to get answers. "Tell me what this is all about." Riker demands
"A star in the Bynar system went supernova, and they miscalculated. The electrical magnetic pulse from the explosion was going to knock out their main computer." Maria answers with none of her former expression.
"And so their only choice was to transfer all the stored information and shut down until after it passed? And then reactivate their system and transfer the information back to the main computer." Picard reasons out loud.
"The Enterprise has the only mobile computer large enough to handle all that information," Riker adds
"So what went wrong? Why are they dying?"
"The star went supernova before it was expected and you were late arriving at Starbase 74." This, Riker realized was much closer to what Maria seemed like, but it still didn't fit. Maria still had expression and humor. Even after leaving Q. She is part betazoid, her abilities also made her different from her Vulcan heritage.
…
Upon the inevitable saving of the Enterprise Maria finally relaxes, it would have been hard to find another ships' Captain she trusted. She makes her way out of the lobby ready to return to the holodeck. She hears footsteps behind her and turns to find Data. "Mr. Data, it's good to see you."
"You as well Ms. Gregek. I was hoping we could catch up before I left."
"Of course, follow me." She leads him to the holodeck. "I hope you don't still think this is all your fault."
"That is a logical conclusion, I could have stopped the bynars before this happened."
"So could Lieutenant Worf or Commander Riker or me but we didn't."
"But you need time to rest, I do not."
"Then we would lose all the things you could've done. Like that painting, I would like to see." She leans forward, "Just because you're an android doesn't mean you don't deserve some leisure. Even humans can't function if they do nothing but work and sleep." Data nods
"That makes sense."
"Good, then stop being stupid." Data looks taken aback,
"I thought stupid was a derogatory thing to say." Maria holds back her smile,
"It is, but my tone didn't sound derogatory, did it?"
"No,"
"I said that because I care about your well being. I don't want you to make this assumption again."
"Therefore by calling me stupid, you hope I will remember this better?"
"Partly, I was also teasing you." Data looks more confused by this. "Humans like to make fun of each other. It's like a joke, you say something that is usually taboo and you shock your friends into laughing."
"I will have to look into this more."
"Of course Data. It looks like the Enterprise is returning." Data nods, and they both exit the holodeck.
…
Riker walks to the entrance of the ship with Captain Picard to meet Commander Quinteros.
"Captain I'd like to personally apologize for the bynars,"
"No problem at all Commander." the Captain looks over Quinteros, "Maria?" Maria nods and steps forward,
"It's good to see you, Captain, Commander do you have any more questions." Picard looks at Commander Riker.
"I have some conditions." He replies smiling, "but if you protect this ship just as fiercely as you did back then, I'd be a fool to reject you." Maria nods and turns to Captain Picard,
"Captain I'd like to formally request to be assigned to the Enterprise." Picard straitens his shirt with a grunt,
"Then get into uniform Commander."
After this chapter, the episodes may not be in chronological order, and I'm only going to use the episodes where I can imagine Maria making a difference. There's no point in trying to stuff her into every episode. Also, I've done everything I could to understand Stardates and still have no idea. So if something is wrong I'm sorry. :-)
I don't own Star Trek