"Thanks for walking me to work, Data. "
"You are welcome, Emma."
"I have a question for you. If you could answer me as my boyfriend and not my commanding officer, that would be helpful."
"I will endeavor to do so. What is your question, Emma?"
"I've been thinking about this for a while now and I would like to go on more away missions. I'm sure that's a bit out of reach, given my rank, but I would like to do more to better not only myself but to be more useful to our mission in general. Do you think that I would ever get the chance?"
"Emma, this is something you should talk to Geordi about. If you are feeling inadequate, I can assure you that you are a valued crew member. I believe, that with all your dedication to Starfleet and your post, you will have the opportunity in the future to show you are ready for more responsibility. I hope this answers your question."
"It does, thank you Data, you're the best. Will I see you for lunch?"
"No, I will be on duty at that time, but I will be available for dinner."
We had reached engineering. "Alright, that sounds perfect." I looked around to see if we were alone. No one was in the hall, so I leaned into him and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "Make sure you win at your poker game. I'll see you this evening. I love you."
"I care for you and I will do my best to win." he replied softly. I smiled and sauntered off for my shift turning to wink at him once and he gave me his classic half smile. I turned back and headed to check in for my shift with Commander LaForge with a new found confidence. Today was going to be a good day.
"Good morning Commander. I'm here to check in." I greeted him as he was typing away on a PADD.
"Good morning Ensign Young. How are you?"
"I'm well. Commander, before I start my duties, I would like to talk with you about something."
"Okay, what's your mind?" he asked as he put the PADD down to give me his full attention.
I clasped my hands behind my back and straightened my posture."Sir, I would like an opportunity to go on an away mission. I know I've not shown interest before, but I believe that I am ready for more responsibility. The only way I can show that I am is by going on away missions."
"Well, Ensign, I don't see why that would be a problem. You have an exemplary track record. The next time we need an away team, I'll recommend you." he told me as he handed me my duties for the day.
"Thank you very much, Sir." I tried hard not to smile, but it came through anyway. "I'll get right on this." I said as I held up the PADD.
"You're dismissed, Ensign Young."
I walked away with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.
Data's POV
"You're getting harder and harder to bluff, Data." Commander Riker turned to me and said. "You've learned this game very well."
"Yes Sir, I believe I have."
"I'll tell you what. I bet I can find any card you hide in this deck, and furthermore, I'll make you help me find it."
"Careful Data." Counselor Troi chimed in.
"Your guidance is much valued Counselor." I said with a small nod. "However…" I pushed my chips into the middle of the table to show I would take the bet.
Commander Riker fanned the deck of cards out in front of me, told me to pick a card (the jack of hearts), show it to Deanna and Worf but not to himself. He then had me place the card back in the deck and cut the deck evenly three times. Each time he took one of the stacks away.
"How many cards?" he asked me.
"Eleven."
He then told me to take five and throw them away, so I did and casually tossed them over my shoulder. Deanna giggled and Worf was just as silent as ever.
"Choose three more." he instructed and I did. "Okay, now pick one of those."
I chose a card and flipped it over to show the jack of hearts.
"Is that your card?" the Commander asked.
"Incredible." Deanna said turning to Worf.
"Not at all Counselor." I replied and turned to Commander Riker.
"You surreptitiously placed the edge of your left thumb against the card. When you divided the deck to reshuffle, you kept that card on top. You thus, were able to have me either save or discard depending upon the location of the card; which you followed at each step, until we were left with just one, the card I originally chose. Sir, I believe under the circumstances…" I smiled and made a show of gathering all of the chips. I would have to tell Emma of this event at dinner tonight.
Just then, the Captain called us to the bridge earlier than planned. There was a distress call coming from the Federation Freighter Arcos. It had been set in emergency orbit around Turkana IV. Tasha Yar, our previous tactical officer and my friend, was born on the planet below and died while attempting a rescue on Vagra II. I missed her.
As we took our places on the bridge, we got to the freighter just before it blew up. Luckily the two men escaped in a shuttle. Unluckily, they had nowhere to go but the surface of Turkana IV. The planet was once part of the Federation of Planets, but now they were not and the last time people landed on the planet, they were killed. I made the Captain aware of this and he told Lieutenant Worf to gather an away team for the rescue mission.
The team, which consisted of myself, Commander Riker, Lieutenant Worf, and Doctor Crusher were beamed down to the planet and found ourselves in the middle of a raid.
"Who are you?" one of the colonists asks us.
"We're from the Federation starship Enterprise. We're looking for two crewmen who are being held here. Do you know anything about them?" Riker quickly explained.
"Possibly" the colonist replied. Just then, yellow proximity detectors began blinking in their chests and they ran off with us following.
Once we were in safety, we were introduced to their leader, a man called Hayne. He explained to us how Turkana IV was now divided between the Coalition, the cadre he lead, and the Alliance, the cadre that held the crewmen.
"We don't have your men, but we'd be willing to help in exchange for weapons." he said as he opened a case that was stolen from the Alliance.
"That's no better than ransom!" Worf growled.
"We need them to keep the peace. We've heard the Alliance got their hands on a lot of sophisticated weapons recently."
"Really, because that's not what we've seen so far!" Riker was almost yelling at this point.
" Look, there's no real danger thanks to the proximity detectors. Both cadres have them and they alert us when danger is near." Hayne stated calmly.
"We know that your colony has been torn by violence and conflict for a long time." Doctor Crusher stated.
"That's ancient history!" Hayne exclaimed, "Who told you that?"
"One of our crew was born on this planet." I told him. "She died in the line of duty."
"We've got to get back to the Enterprise." Riker told him.
"Take this as a gift for your captain." Hayne tossed a bottle to Riker, "Tellurdian Synthale."
"Riker to Enterprise, get us out of here." Riker ordered and in 6 seconds we were gone and back on the Enterprise.
Back on the bridge, Captain Picard had opened the bottle of Tellurdian Synthale and sniffed it. "I do not want to give them any weapons, but I also recognize this to be our only door open at the moment."
"Captain a communication from the colony is being sent." Worf called.
"On screen."
It was Hayne. "Commander Riker, would you please introduce me to your captain?"
"My name is Captain Jean Luc Picard." he said while stepping forward.
"Captain, I want to introduce someone to you." Hayne said gesturing to the blond woman standing next to him.
She stepped forward, "My name is Ishara Yar. I'm Tasha's sister."
Emma's POV
"Commander LaForge to Ensign Young."
I heard my name over the combadge. Tapping it once, I answered, "Ensign Young here."
"Ensign, report back to main engineering."
"Yes Sir, I'm on my way." Luckily I had just finished the fifth repair on my list of duties for the day. The rest would have to wait.
"You wanted to see me Commander?" I asked after I was granted entrance to his office.
"Yes. You remember that conversation from earlier this morning? Well, here's your chance to prove yourself."
I thought my heart stopped.
"Emma, the captain already gave his approval and you're the best I've got. You can think on your feet and you're excellent at what you do. I've got to stay up here and monitor just in case things go wrong."
I took a huge breath. "Alright, what do I need to do?"
"Right now, you're coming with me to the briefing to find that out exactly. Go get washed up and meet me back here in five minutes."
"Yes Sir."
"Dismissed Ensign."
I turned and ran for the nearest bathroom to wash my face and hands. I'm glad that my uniform wasn't too terrible. I inhaled and slowly exhaled while bouncing from one foot to the other. "Lord, help me get through my first away mission, please!" I dried off quickly and ran back to Geordi. "Alright Commander, I'm ready."
Inside the turbo lift I was biting my lips again, bad habits are hard to break. Geordi turned to me and asked, "Are you alright Emma?"
"Honestly, Sir, I'm incredibly nervous."
"Emma, first, call me Geordi when it's just us, please? Second, I believe in you. You can do this." He smiled at me.
"Thanks Geordi." It felt weird calling him by his first name, but if your commanding officer asks, it's hard to say no.
We made our way to the conference room where I sat on one side of a long conference table and Geordi quietly explained that we were waiting for two more people. I nodded and in walked Data and a blond woman with an odd hair style.
"This is Ishara Yar." Data introduced.
"You don't believe I'm Tasha's sister, do you?" she accused.
"That thought had occurred to us, yes." Captain Picard admitted.
"You can check my DNA if you want."
"Yes, I will." Doctor Crusher told her point blank.
Data and Ishara took their seats and the briefing began with Ishara telling us about what the colony was currently like since we had old information. As she was talking, I couldn't help but feel like something was off about her. I didn't trust her and neither did the other crew members. I crossed my arms and cocked my head to the side.
A message from the Alliance was then sent to us and we saw Tan Tsu being instructed to give the Alliance's demands or in 20 hours he and the pilot would be killed. Doctor Crusher tried to ask if the Alliance would allow a medical team to treat them, but she never got to finish her question as the signal was cut off.
"Take that threat seriously, Captain." Ishara warned. She then began to describe where the hostages were being held and what the dangers were that lay before them. We then began to explore different possibilities for rescue but just being able to find where they were was a problem.
"Commander LaForge, what about using the myographic scanner?" I suggested.
"That's a great idea." Geordi gave me a nod.
"Unfortunately we don't know where the escape pod is." Captain Picard chimed in.
"We would need to get to level 3C to get to the escape pod." Everyone just stared at her in disbelief. "The Coalition has their sources. Why?"
"Inside the escape pod is a myographic scanner. It can trace the crew members when they are outside the pod. If we could boost the signal, we could find them easily." I told everyone.
"Exactly," Geordi chimed in. "Ensign this is your idea, you're going to boost that signal."
"Yes Sir." I looked right at him and gave a small smile. I was so thankful that my idea caught on.
"I have a data file that shows the network of tunnels on the Alliance's side. I can show you where it is on there." Ishara informed us.
The more I listen to her talk, the more I keep getting this gut feeling like she's too good to be true. I'm just not sure about her. The Captain dismisses us from the meeting and we all follow Geordi to engineering to come up with a strategy to get to the escape pod and the crewmen. Ishara hands Data the file and he puts it into the computer and a map of the tunnels shows on screen.
"Access tunnels are here and here." she points out.
"We could transfer the away team right into this intersection." Riker suggests.
"Don't underestimate them, Commander. They'll be ready for that. I've seen them use this kind of strategy before. I know it looks isolated and easily accessible, but my guess is they have hundreds of men on the levels above and below just waiting for you to make your move."
"We will need a diversion." Worf states plainly.
We could transport a couple of photon grenades into the adjoining chamber. At minimum intensity it wouldn't kill anybody, but it would shake them up a bit." I think out loud.
Commander Riker shakes his head. "That won't give us enough time. We need to occupy them long enough for you to install the relay."
"Transport me into this corridor. My magnetic implant will set off the defence alarms. They'll think it's a raid by the Coalition." Ishara tells him.
No. That's too dangerous. We've seen what those tunnels look like. You could easily be cut off from the rest of us. Worf, if we…"
"Commander Riker." Ishara interrupts him, " I was ordered to assist you in any way possible. That doesn't mean as long as it's safe or convenient. If you had the time, we could come up with another plan, but you don't. Right now, I'm your best option."
"She would have to be armed, sir." Data reminds Commander Riker.
The Commander folds his arms in front of his chest. "I'd like to discuss this with the Captain. Data, take Ishara down to see Doctor Crusher."
Commander Riker turns and walks out. There was a thickness in the air after that confrontation. I feel like I've been holding my breath and exhale audibly.
"Commander Data, may I speak with you privately for a quick moment before you go?" I ask him.
"Yes. Ishara, I will return momentarily and then I must take you to sickbay."
She nods yes and then I follow Data to an empty section of engineering.
"What is it you wish to tell me, Emma?" he asks as I bite my lips. "You are nervous. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
I sigh, "Data, it's about Ishara. I don't know exactly how to describe what I'm feeling."
"Please try to be as accurate as possible. I will not understand otherwise."
"Yes, I'll try. Have you ever heard the saying that something is too good to be true?"
"I have, yes."
"Data, that's how I'm feeling about Ishara. There is just something off about her. The way she looks at you is, well, it's making me feel protective of you. I guess I just don't trust her. Please be careful around her."
"Emma, she has not given me a reason to not trust her. I must go now. We will talk later."
He left me in the empty corner of engineering, wide eyed and speechless.
Data's POV
I returned to where Ishara was in engineering and had her follow me to sickbay. Through the conversations we had, I learned that Ishara did not like that Tasha had left her. She thought Tasha a coward and I realized that Ishara did not know Tasha in the same way that I and the rest of the crew knew her. As we walked through the doors to sickbay, Doctor Crusher met us and had Ishara sit on a biobed while I stood off to the side to observe the procedure and consider what Emma had said.
"You have Tasha's DNA on file?" Ishara asked Doctor Crusher.
"The ship's computer does. There's always some differentiation between sonomic chromosomes, but not enough to affect results. It should take me a few hours to run the sonomic comparison." Doctor Crusher replied as she scanned her with a medical tricorder and took a blood sample. She then left the room to run the comparison.
"That wasn't too bad." Ishara said as she hopped off the table. "So, all that's left of my sister is a file in a computer."
"Tasha exists in our memories as well." I said as I approached her.
"How did she die?"
"Lieutenant Yar was killed on Vagra II by a malevolent entity." I told her softly. My mental pathways were still accustomed to Tasha. I missed her.
"In battle?"
I shook my head, "No. She was killed as a demonstration of the creature's power, without provocation."
"That's not how I intend to die."
We both heard the door to sickbay open and Commander Riker entered.
"The Captain approves. You're with us." he told Ishara and we all left for the transporter room together.
Emma's POV
"Alright Emma, you know what you've got to do. Stop worrying and repeat it back to me." Geordi instructed over the comm as I chewed on my lips and made my way to the transporter room.
I took a big breath and let it go. "The others will cover me, I just focus on boosting the signal."
"Right. Don't worry about fighting unless you absolutely have to."
"Alright. Thanks for the encouragement Commander. Ensign Young out."
Lord, please help me do this. Please let this first away mission go smoothly. Please help me boost that signal as fast as possible. Amen
I snuck through the transporter room door and saw the rest of the team waiting to beam down. I looked at Data and quietly asked, "I'm not late, am I?"
"You are not late." he assured me and gave me a small smile. My face instantly turned red and I stared at my shoes. I adored his smile. Commander Riker, Lieutenant Worf, Doctor Crusher, Data, and myself stepped onto the transporter pad.
"Energize" Commander Riker told Chief O'Brien and we were beamed as close as possible to the escape pod. "Enterprise, we're in position." There were guards surrounding the escape pod. I focused on calm breathing and then we heard the alarm go off and all but two of the guards took off. Commander Riker and Lieutenant Worf ambushed the two guards and stunned them with their phasers.
Quickly and quietly I ran towards the pod and I got right to work on the myographic scanner taking off the panel so I could get to it from within. Time ticked and I couldn't figure out why the power kept fluctuating. My heart was pounding. I wanted to get this thing working and get back to the Enterprise.
"Come on, come on, come on! Ahhhh!" I punched the panel beside the scanner in frustration.
Commander Riker ran over to me, "Ensign, what is taking so long?"
Sir, there's a lot of damage here. The myographic scanner is operational, but the power source keeps fluctuating."
"Can you fix it?"
I sighed and thought for a second, "I can probably run a shunt from the convertor."
"How long will that take?
I shrugged unsure but gave an answer anyway. "Ten minutes?"
"Do it." he told me and I ran as fast as I could to get the convertor. After bringing back to the sensor, I started searching for wires I could use to connect everything. I quickly cut through a wall on the opposite side of the room. Luckily the wire behind it was the just the right size. I cut and stripped it and wired it all together.
Lord, please let this work!
I took out my meter and checked the power flow again. Yes! I double checked the signal strength. Perfect! I turned around to see Lieutenant Worf covering me from phaser fire. I screamed as I felt a white heat graze my shoulder. Worf turned in my direction and fired his phaser at the guard to my left.
"Have you finished?" Lieutenant Worf demanded to know.
"Yes, Sir."
"Enterprise, two to beam up." he instructed O'Brien over the comm badge.
We materialized back on the Enterprise. I looked around hoping to see Data.
"Sir, where is Commander Data?" I asked slightly panicked.
"Ensign, Commander Data is doing his duty and you must do yours. I am ordering you to sickbay." he stated firmly. I stared at him with worry all over my face. He sighed, "I will send him to you when he returns. Do not worry."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Worf."
"You are welcome. Dismissed."
I left the transporter room knowing that a Klingon does not break his word. I would see Data soon enough.
Thank you, Lord, for helping me complete my first away mission and for it being successful. Please bring Data and the rest of the crew...and Ishara back safely. Amen
I entered sickbay and Doctor Salar fixed my arm up while I talked about what happened down on the planet. Afterwards, I went back to engineering to report to Geordi.
"I knew you were the right person for this, Emma. You were excellent today." Geordi congratulated me.
I blushed, "Thank you Commander. That means a lot to me."
"Go back to your quarters Emma. You deserve a rest."
"I will, but first I have a meeting with Counselor Troi."
"Alright, but after that, get some rest. Dismissed."
I left engineering to go back to my rooms and shower before seeing Deanna. Once inside, I went to my bedroom to get my bathrobe. I headed for the bathroom and undressed. I threw my horribly stained and damaged uniform into the trash. There was no saving it. I put my comm badge on the counter then stepped into the shower and turned on the hot water.
The heat relaxed my tense muscles and I began to think about Data while I shampooed my hair. I hoped he was safe. I thought back to the mission and then my thoughts turned to Ishara. I didn't trust her and I didn't want Data getting hurt by her. I know he would say 'I can not be hurt in that fashion.' but I know him. He feels in his own way and I feel for him. Why did he not even acknowledge what I confessed to him about my feelings in engineering? What in the universe was going on in that positronic brain of his anyway?
I sighed and rinsed my hair, " I'm over thinking things. If Data says she's okay then shouldn't I trust his judgement?" I asked the steamed air.
"Data to Emma"
My heart leaped as I reached out of the shower to tap the badge. "Emma here."
"Emma, I am alone. You do not have to be so formal. I hear water running are you in the shower?"
"Data, I am so happy to hear from you and yes, I am in the shower."
"I apologize for disturbing you."
"Data, it's alright. I've been worrying about you."
"I am safe, Dearest. I wanted to tell you I can not come see you. I am needed on the bridge."
"Thank you for letting me know you're safe. I'll see you later. I love you."
"I care deeply for you. Data out."
I finished my shower with a heavy weight lifted from my shoulders.
I met Counselor Troi in her office where she offered me a seat on the couch and some hot chocolate.
"Deanna, thanks for meeting with me on such short notice." I said as I took a sip from the clear glass mug.
"You're welcome, Emma. How have you been since the trial and so far today?"
"Well, I'm very glad that the trial is over and I just want to leave it in the past. There's no sense in talking about it anymore."
"I can understand and respect that. How about today? It was your first away mission."
I set the mug on the coffee table and sighed. "I was terrified today. Not only was I terrified of possibly having to fight, but that Data would end up injured...or worse."
"Away missions are not easy and they are even more difficult when a loved one is sent on one. Have you talked to Data about this?" she asked before lifting her mug to her lips.
"Not yet, I had wanted to see him when he got back from the mission, but he comm'd me to let me know he had to be on the bridge. What I'm more concerned about is Ishara."
Deanna nodded, "Yes, the whole ship is concerned about her and who she says she is."
"Well, it's not just that. Deanna, I really don't think she's trustworthy. There's something about her that's just...I don't know...off. Like, she's too good to be true. I told Data about this, but he didn't even acknowledge what I said. All he said was that she had given him no reason to not trust her."
"Do you trust Data's judgement?" she asked.
"I do, and I asked myself the same thing earlier, but I just can't shake this feeling."
Suddenly her comm announced it was the Captain.
"Counselor Troi and Ensign Young here, Sir." she answered.
'I would like to see you both in my ready room."
"Yes, Sir."
"Captain Picard out."
Deanna waited a moment for the line to turn off before she reached over and touched my arm, "Emma, if this feeling of yours turns out to be accurate; which I believe it may, just be there for Data."
"I suppose that's all I can do." I replied as we got up to leave to meet the Captain.
"Good, we're all here. Number One, how is she?" Captain Picard asked Commander Riker after we were all seated.
"A couple of cracked ribs. She'll be alright." he replied.
"The reason I called you all here is because Doctor Crusher just called me with the results of the DNA comparison. Ishara is Tasha's sister." the Captain confirmed.
"After what she did for us down there, that doesn't surprise me one bit." Riker replied.
"I have talked with Ishara and she is willing to have the implant removed, Sir." Data informed us.
"Good. Inform Doctor Crusher."
"She also expressed a desire to leave the colony. She hopes to apply to the Academy and eventually join Starfleet." Data added.
I sighed audibly.
Captain Picard glanced at me with a sympathetic look on his face. "Does she understand the magnitude of these decisions?"
"She claims to, Captain."
Troi spoke up this time, "I get a sense of ambiguity from her. Her loyalties are clearly divided, Captain."
"Are you suggesting we deny her an escape from this environment?" Picard asked.
"No," Deanna shook her head, "I'm just not sure she wants to escape. It's the only way of life she's ever known."
"Ultimately, it is her decision to make, not ours. Mister Data, proceed with the mission as planned." he told Data. Then he and Commander Riker left the room.
"Data?" I called out to him but Deanna turned to me and put her hand on mine.
"Yes, Emma?"
Deanna stepped toward him and asked what I had been thinking. "You seem so strong in your support. I'm curious."
"We must free the crewmen. She appears to be our best hope of doing so. In addition, I have become used to her." he said softly and then turned on his heel and left.
"He doesn't trust me. He knows me better than any person on this ship and he doesn't trust me."
"Emma, I really don't think that's it." Deanna turned back to me and took my hands in hers. I was angry and hurt and I shook her off.
"Deanna, I told him I didn't trust her. I told him and he dismissed me altogether! I thought relationships were built on trust? My feelings don't mean anything to him and I understand that, but now that there is this evidence that she is Tasha's sister. I have nothing to base my concerns on!" I was sobbing. I tried to get control of myself so I could leave the ready room.
"Emma, Data does trust you but…"
"No, either he trusts me or he doesn't." I stormed out onto the bridge and couldn't believe what was happening right in front of me.
Data's POV
I was positioned at a computer on the bridge viewing more of the file Ishara had given me when she walked up to me.
"Hello Ishara. Doctor Crusher is expecting you in sickbay."
"Thank you, Data."
"You are welcome."
"It's all so different."
"To what are you referring?" I inquired.
"On the colony, nobody does anything for anyone else unless they have something to gain from it."
"But I do have something to gain from it." I told her softly, "Your continued presence on this ship. Is something wrong?"
"I have to tell Hayne and the others. I owe it to them. Guess I ought to get it over with."
"If you desire privacy, you may use the Observation lounge." I suggested.
"That would probably make things a little easier." Ishara glanced over my shoulder and then leaned toward me and kissed me and left. I heard a small gasp and turned.
"Emma." She was visibly upset and strode passed me toward the lift. I wanted to stop her and explain what it was she saw, but I still had duties to perform. The mission needed to continue. Counselor Troi came toward me.
"Counselor, may I speak with you?" she nodded in confirmation. "I do not understand why Emma is so upset. Did she tell you anything? I would like to help if I can."
"Emma believes you don't trust her. When she saw Ishara kiss you, she felt heartbroken. You have befriended someone she has legitimate concerns about and now she feels that you've been unfaithful. Data, I know you to be loyal. I know you would never purposefully hurt her. When this mission is over, you need to talk with her."
"Thank you, counselor. I will."
Commander Riker, Lieutenant Worf, Ishara, and myself were back on the planet. It was the last phase to the rescue mission and Ishara was leading us to the crewmen.
"There!" Ishara pointed out, "Your men are right behind that door."
Lieutenant Worf and I moved cautiously toward the door while Commander Riker and Ishara covered us. We were able to phasor the door open and there sat the men against the wall with their hands bound.
"Hold out your hands." Commander Riker told them. They did and he cut their bonds with his phasor and then an alarm sounded "Let's get out of here."
We exited the room but Ishara was nowhere to be seen. There was, however, a guard, face down on the ground.
"What the hell happened here?" Riker demanded to know.
"She probably tried to draw their fire. It triggered the alarm." Worf suggested.
"Worf, get these men back to the Enterprise. Data, you're with me."
"Yes Sir." I followed Commander Riker until we reached a fork in the tunnels. At the end of the tunnel I found Ishara
"Ishara. What are you doing? The fusion generator is overloading. You are attempting to disable the defence system." I realized, "For what reason? We have rescued the crewmen."
"I don't care about your crewmen. We have three thousand troops waiting at the perimeter. When the defences go down, they'll come in. The Alliance will fall." she spat out triumphantly.
"The Federation will be responsible for the resulting deaths. I cannot allow that." I informed her.
"You don't have a choice."
"That is not so."
Ishara aimed her phasor at me then, "I don't want to kill you, Data. But I will."
"We will both be destroyed by the explosion."
"The Coalition's been all I've had for fifteen years. They've given me a life. I don't mind dying for them. But you won't have to if you just get out of here now."
"Was this your intention from the beginning?" I questioned.
"We never could have gotten this deep into Alliance territory without your help."
"Our help was not deliberate. You deceived us."
"What's the difference? You got what you came for. Why do you care about what we do?" she argued.
"Your friendship with me was part of the deception, was it not? You misled me at each step, and yet Emma had warned me. She didn't trust you and she was right not to."
"That doesn't matter now! None of it does! Now get out of here, Data, please. Now!" she was almost begging me.
"My duty requires me to intercede." I took a step toward the fusion generator. She fired her phasor at me and I swiftly stepped back dodging her fire.
"Ishara!" Commander Riker called out and distracted her. She then turned her fire on Commander Riker and I stunned her with my own phasor. I ran over to the control panel, holstered my phasor, and stopped the overload.
"What was she doing?" Commander Riker asked as I finished my work.
"Disabling the detection system so her forces could attack." I answered.
Riker reached for her phasor and looked at it, "Set to kill."
Back on the Enterprise, I had escorted Ishara to the transporter room so she could go back to her planet. I then left to find Emma. I had a misunderstanding to clear up. "Computer, what is the current location of Ensign Emma Young?"
"Ensign Emma Young is in her quarters."
Two minutes later I was standing outside her door asking for entrance but received no admittance. I entered my override code and walked in. She was on her couch in the fetal position asleep. Tissues littered her floor and her Bible was open. A verse in the book of Jeremiah was highlighted. It read, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
I wondered if this is what she believed in. Trusting that she would have a hopeful future. I gently shook her shoulder. "Emma, please wake up. We must talk." She stirred lightly and after one more plea for her to awaken, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Data, why are you here?" she demanded to know. Her voice was still 'sleepy' as she had called it before.
"Emma, I am here to apologize and ask your forgiveness." I took a seat next to her and reached for her hands. "You were right not to trust Ishara. I am sorry I did not heed your concerns when you voiced them. She deceived us into helping cause a civil war and manipulated me into a false friendship." I explained.
"So, that kiss on the bridge?" Emma inquired.
"It was all a scheme. I could never care for her in the way I care for you, my dearest." I pulled her to me and kissed her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips. She smiled. "Please forgive me, Emma?"
"Data, my love, you are forgiven. How was your poker game this morning?"
I smiled the half smile she favored and told her all about it.
