Chapter Twenty:
"I still say we should demand to speak to their leader," Worf said
gruffly. "Sitting here in this--room accomplishes nothing."
They were inside a small waiting room, its angles as sharp as the Aki starship had been.
"We must abide by their laws and customs," Data replied.
"Even if that means being held like prisoners?" Worf glanced at La
Forge, who turned away from the window and joined them.
"Quite frankly, Data, I was beginning to think the same thing," Geordi
said. "Are they planning to hold us here indefinitely?"
Before the android could reply, the door chime sounded. Data walked
over to the door and tapped a panel that caused it to slide upward. Pro-counsel Thor was
standing in the hallway. "Has the arbiter reached a decision?" Data asked.
"No," Thor said, stepping into the room. "It is getting dangerously
close to the time when regeneration will no longer be possible for your iStargazer/i crew. That is
why I've taken my own actions. I hope you approve. There is an Akodian law that
allows me to present a challenge to the arbiter. He must call a final hearing this midday and
render a decision based on the evidence gathered thus far and the notes he's written on the matter.
This does not guarantee his decision but either way, the waiting will finally be over. Thor turned
toward La Forge. "I want you to know that not all Akodians approved of your capture. The end
result may bring ultimate good, but such an end could have been brought about by more
equable means.
"If Akie wanted to establish an alliance with the Federation," Geordi
replied, " they're certainly going about it the wrong way. Your people have intricate
knowledge of some of our technology, and yet we're expected to sit in this room where we can
witness none of yours, while we wait out the fate of our comrades--the death of whom your
people are responsible for!"
The Akodian bowed his head in shame, but Data came to his defense.
"Pro-council Thor is on our side. We should not hold him responsible for the actions of his
government."
"It is all right," Thor responded. "I understand his anger and his need
to lash out at someone. I just happen to conveniently be available."
"I'm sorry for my outburst," Geordi said, though not entirely sincere.
The alien nodded. "I accept your apology with gratitude and hope we
can become friends."
pre /pre
"This is ridiculous," Worf grumbled. The Akodian arbiter had ruled
that the Federation officers could not be present in the time court while he made his decision.
"I tend to agree with you, Mr. Worf," Data said. "However, it is their
technology and we have no choice but to follow their rules."
"Their game, their rules," Geordi quipped. The engineer walked away
to pace along the hallway where large windows lined one wall. At least the Akodians were
not keeping them from viewing their world.
Nearly an hour passed. Data listened to the Klingon's grumbles with no further comments.
Then finally, pro-counsel opened the courtroom doors to announce the arbiter's decision.
"Arbiter has ruled in favor of regeneration of Federation starship iStargazer/i."
"Then they will be brought to our present?" Worf asked.
"Actually, to our future," Thor responded. "Quain and his crew will
accompany you back to your space where the procedure will be conducted in two cycles. He will
instruct you further on a need to know basis."
"May I inquire as to the deciding factor in the arbiter's decision?" Data asked.
"My people are worried about future relations with your people. I hope that neither side
wants to see our peoples go to war. And whether or not regeneration of your iStargazer/i crew
proves successful or not, it is my people's hope that it will be seen as a gesture of good will."
"I am sure my superiors will see it that way," Data said with a nod.
"What of the question posed by anti-counsel Frei regarding continued Federation access to the
wormholes?"
"That is a matter that must be brought up to the highest council in our
government. it could take nearly a pelvar for them to render a decision."
"And how many cycles are in a pelvar?" During his stay on Akie, Data
had already observed that a cycle was twenty-three-and-a-half-hours long.
"Four hundred and ninety," Thor replied.
"That is a considerable time, but not unreasonable."
"Good. Now you will need to leave the court building. May you enjoy our
planet until Quain is ready to take you back to your small craft."
"Thank you for your help, pro-counsel."
pre /pre
As Data had wished for earlier, he now found himself with a little free
time before the Emblem's departure. He, Geordi, and Worf spent the next few hours
enjoying a tour of Akie's most distinguished sites. They visited the top of Mount Kuran, fed a
giant Jhagia, a cat-like creature, at the planet's largest zoo, and walked through the underground
caverns dug out by ancient Akodians several millennia ago.
Fortunately, the threesome did not have to wait long after returning to
the departure site for the Akodian captain and they were soon aboard his ship heading back
toward the iHuron/i. Barclay, Raines and Berlitz were both relieved and overjoyed to see them.
They had nearly finished their survey of the wormhole pockets, but Data instructed them to
discontinue.
"Until such time that the Akodians agree to permit us access to their
wormholes," the commander said, "we will hereby cease our investigation."
"Aye sir," Raines said with understanding, but also disappointment.
To everyone's surprise, Quain agreed when Data requested that the
iHuron/i be allowed to travel through the wormhole first. The Akodian explained with these words:
"Let you be our honored guests, so we shall be yours in your portion of the galaxy."
The iEnterprise/i was waiting for them just over ten-thousand kilometers
away from the wormhole. Riker immediately hailed them. "It's good to see you, Data,"
the captain said.
"You too, sir," the android replied. "The iHuron/i is ready to come aboard."
Before Riker could reply, the Akodian ship flew out of the wormhole
and came to a stop next to the runabout. It immediately hailed the iEnterprise/i and Riker
ordered the tactical officer on duty to answer. The viewscreen split between the image of Data
and that of the Akodian captain.
"Greetings, Captain Riker," the alien said. "I am Captain Quain of the
starship Emblem, representing the Akodian Empire of the Delta Quadrant. It has been my
pleasure to see your officers safely back to your quadrant."
Riker smiled broadly and replied, "On behalf of the United Federation
of Planets, I'd like to welcome you to our little corner of the galaxy."
After the runabout had decked, the away team transferred to the bridge
and Riker called a meeting. "Your honest opinions," the captain said, addressing the group.
"Do you believe regeneration will work?"
"It is difficult to say," Data replied, "with absolute certainty."
"I believe it will," La Forge offered. "From what I've gathered, this
doesn't appear to be a new technology to the Akodian's. Whatever failures they've had in the past.
..well...they're in the past.
The question, I believe, is not whether the regeneration process will work,
but rather whether the crew members of the iStargazer/i will suffer any psychological side effects
due to this process."
If only Deanna were here, Riker thought. We need her here to gauge
the emotional conditions of those regenerated. But then he realized how overwhelming
that would be for the half-Betazed if she were to be exposed to an entire regenerative crew at
the very moment of "rebirth." Anyway, once the iStargazer/i crew appeared, Riker was under
orders to escort its crew back to Starbase Nineteen where they would undergo extensive
psychiatric evaluations.
"Sir, there is something else you need to be made aware of," Data said.
"The Akodian High Council is debating whether or not to give the Federation full access to
their wormholes. Unfortunately, they probably will not reach a decision right away."
"Bridge to the captain," came the ensign at tactical, "the Akodian ship
is hailing us."
"I'm on my way," Riker replied. "Thank you, Mr. Data, Geordi." He
stood and his senior staff followed him out onto the bridge. "On screen," he ordered once he'd
taken his position.
"Captain, Greetings," Quain said. "We are ready to commence the
regeneration process. You may watch, but I must warn you that any questions you may pose will
go unanswered. I am to share none of this technology with your people."
"Understood."
"Very well. We will proceed." The Akodian severed the link.
A few seconds later, as the entire bridge crew stared at the viewscreen,
a purple mist emanated from the hull of the Akodian craft. Nothing more seemed to
happen. Whatever the mist was supposed to do, had it been ineffective? At sublight speed, the
alien ship backed away from the area until it was approximately twelve-thousand kilometers
away.
"Captain," his first officer said, "it might be advisable that we move
away from the area as well. When the iStargazer/i appears it could be dangerous to be within a
close proximity of the area."
"Agreed. Berlitz, take us another five-thousand kilometers away from
the mist."
"Aye, sir."
The image on the viewscreen did not change much, and yet, Riker felt
the distance. He wondered if his former captain would return in minutes, hours, or even
days. Dammit! Why wouldn't the Akodians tell him at least that much?
They waited. . . .again.
pre /pre
Nearly three hours later, the Akodian captain hailed them. "It is almost
time," he said and abruptly severed the link.
About five seconds later, the mist expanded several times in size
and suddenly the iStargazer/i began to solidify. The entire process took exactly fifty-three
seconds, the android officer verbally observed, but to Riker it seemed much longer.
"Your iStargazer/i crew has arrived," Quain stated reappearing on the
viewscreen. "Now, we must begin the next phase--psychological evaluation. We would be happy
to--"
"If you don't mind Quain," Riker interrupted. "The iStargazer/i has Federation crew on
board. I think it would be best if they were initially greeted by their own kind."
"Very well, but as soon as you have your people aboard the iEnterprise/i I
want to beam a team of regeneration experts aboard."
"Agreed."
Quain severed the connection.
"Mr. Worf, please open a channel to the iStargazer/i."
"Aye sir."
"iStargazer/i, this is Captain Riker aboard the iEnterprise/i. Are you able to
hear me and understand me?"
The viewscreen filled with an image of the iStargazer's/i bridge. Picard
was standing close to his own viewscreen, squinting as though he could not see. "Will?"
"Captain, I know this is quite a shock for you and your crew. Please remain calm and
we'll do everything we can to help you. We would like to beam all of you over to the iEnterprise/i
where we can discuss this situation."
"Situation, Number One?"
Riker glanced at Data, who was showing a great deal of concern for their former captain.
Both of them knew that it had been quite some time since Riker had served as Picard's Number
One. Did Jean-Luc Picard remember that or had regeneration caused him to now suffer amnesia?
"Jean-Luc, it would be far better if I explained it to you in person. Will
you agree to beam over?" He had standing medical orders from Starfleet to beam the entire
iStargazer/i crew over anyway, but Riker felt the situation would unfold more smoothly if he had
Picard's permission.
"Everybody. . ." He glanced at his bridge crew. "Yes, yes, perhaps that
would be best."
"Good. Inform your entire crew and we'll begin beaming them over in
five minutes."
Picard nodded weakly, seemingly unable to respond verbally. He did
not look like the formidable captain he had once been. Now he just looked confused and
vulnerable--an almost mirror image of his expression after being rescued from the Borg
collective. Riker hoped that it wasn't a permanent side-effect of regeneration.
"Data, assemble an away team. Once the iStargazer/i is evacuated, I
want you to beam over," Riker said. "While Dr. Selar's team is examining her crew, I'd like you
to check the integrity of her systems."
"Aye sir," the android replied.
pre /pre
Thirty minutes later, Data Worf and Berlitz beamed onto the bridge of
the iStargazer/i and each of them went in separate directions to examine the onboard systems.
Whipping out their tricorders, they scanned the room to check the integrity of the hull. Their
readings indicated a structure consisting mostly of duranium, tritanium, and polymer composites,
the standard construction for Starfleet vessels.
From the science station, Berlitz said, "The main computer is online."
She brought up some files from the main computer core and began browsing through them.
"Everything is up to date from the time up until the iStargazer/i was destroyed."
Worf walked around to the tactical station and brought up the main
viewer. The iEnterprise/i loomed across the big screen. "Sensors are operating at optimal
efficiency," he informed the android.
"There's a considerable amount of data on the wormhole pocket they encountered just
prior to their destruction," Berlitz said, swiveling in her chair. "Should I upload it to Starfleet."
"Proceed, Lieutenant," Data replied. He was sitting in the command
chair, reading through Captain Picard's logs during the last several days of his life. "Amazing!
Virtually everything is intact and running efficiently."
"Sir, may I make a personal observation?" Berlitz asked and the
commander nodded. "I'm wondering what has happened, if anything, to the debris of the
iStargazer/i. I mean, can it coexist with this ship?"
"Indeed, that is an excellent inquiry," Data commented. "Contemplating all the possible
paradoxes in this situation could prove mind boggling."
Berlitz nodded pensively before turning back toward the science station. "The files were
successfully transferred," she informed them.
"Good, Lieutenant." Data turned toward the Klingon. "Mr. Worf, hail
the iEnterprise/i."
"Aye sir."
A moment later, the iEnterprise/i bridge filled the iStargazer's/i screen.
From its command chair, Riker said, "Your report, Commander?"
"It is amazing, Captain. The iStargazer/i is completely in tact, both
structurally and systemically."
"Let's just hope its crew is as well off."
"Indeed. I think we are done here, sir. Three to beam back aboard the iEnterprise/i."
After the first group from the iStargazer/I had been beamed over, Dr. Selar and her medical
staff immediately began the time-consuming physicals. The biobeds were quickly filled up
and the team scurried about to find new objects to create makeshift ones out of. Every
regenerated officer was understandably disoriented, and some were in need of immediate medical
care. Riker stood over Picard as he was brought to a biobed and slowly, painfully, attempted to
explain everything to the older man.
"Do you remember the accident at all, Jean-Luc?" Riker asked.
"A bright light. . .blinding light," Picard replied, his eyes distant. "We
had no warning, no warning at all."
"Do you understand how much time has passed since then?"
"It seems like it just happened, but. . . .months. . . ." Picard strained to
gain composure. He sat up despite the medical technician's objections and looked his former
first officer in the eyes. Dammit, he'd faced too many obstacles for anything to stop him now!
"What stardate is this?"
"50497. If we had waited much longer. . . ."
"I wouldn't be here," Picard finished with a nod. He appeared to be
accepting of the time that had passed, but Riker wondered if it weren't more because jean-Luc
was in shock. "None of my crew would. But are they--are we--better off?"
Riker did not need to answer the question, for many of those around
them were obviously suffering from mental anguish that could possibly take months to
overcome--if they ever did. He placed his hand on Picard's shoulder and gave him a reassuring
squeeze.
Trying to sit up and look around the room, Picard said, "Martha?
Where is Martha?" Riker knew that he was referring to Commander Martha Lasalle, his first
officer aboard the iStargazer/i. At least he now remembered that Riker was no longer his first
officer.
"Calm down, Jean-Luc," Will said, coaxing the older man to lie back
down. "I'll check on her for you and let you know. She is receiving the best of care."
"Of course," Picard said with a nod. "Beverly--no it's Dr. Selar now aboard the
iEnterprise/i, isn't it? This is all so very confusing." He closed his eyes and Riker hoped that his
friend would succumb to sleep.
"Your memories will come back to you," Will reassured Picard.
Picard opened his eyes partway and saw Worf approaching them.
Directing his words at Picard, the Klingon said, "Sir, it is good to have you back. May you live
again with honor."
Picard nodded almost unnoticeably before giving in to his fatigue.
Worf turned toward Riker and they stepped a few feet away from their
former captain to talk in hushed tones. "Captain, a few of the regenerated officers have shown
hostile tendencies. It was even necessary to restrain two of them in a stasis unit. One, a young
female Bajoran, inflicted injuries on herself. Recommend that we double security in sickbay."
Riker glanced around the room although he had already determined his
answer. "Agreed. Maintain around the clock security of this area until further notice."
"Aye sir." Worf did not leave as the captain had expected him to.
"One more thing, sir. I know this is a difficult situation, but Deanna. . . ."
"I do understand, Worf. As soon as we've taken the iStargazer/i
personnel to Starbase nineteen, we'll request permission to travel to Betazed."
"Thank you, sir." With a nod, he walked away to perform his duties.
Data to Captain," came the android over the commlink.
"Go ahead," Riker replied as a young ensign nearby began screaming.
"Sir, Captain Quain is insisting that you allow his away team to beam
over now."
"Thank you, Mr. Data. I believe we're ready for their assistance."
It was then that Riker noticed a woman sitting on a biobed in the far
corner, her legs tucked underneath her. She wasn't moving, didn't even seem to be aware of her
surroundings. "Beverly," he uttered just above a whisper.
A few minutes later, Quain and four of his officers, accompanied by an
iEnterprise/i security officer, joined Riker in the sickbay.
"Greetings," Quain said with a nod.
"I'll admit it, Captain," Riker said, holding his arms out to indicate all
the chaos. "You were right. We do need your help! As you can see, their reaction is pretty
intense."
Quain's expression conveyed no surprise. "Actually, I've seen much
worse. I don't mean to belittle your concern, Captain Riker. I just want to reassure you that we
Akodians have been dealing with regeneration patients for many pelvars. I think my team can
handle this. You should return to your bridge now, Captain Riker." Quain offered him a
smile. "I'm sure you will be more comfortable there."
Not knowing how to respond, Riker simply sighed. As he walked
passed the Akodian captain, he patted the man on the shoulder and said, "Be gentle with
them."
pre /pre
For the first time since he accepted command of his own ship, Riker
did not feel comfortable sitting in the captain's chair. He wanted to be in sickbay with Picard and
Dr. Crusher! Rationally, he knew that he had no expertise in how to help them through
their anguish and yet he needed to be with them.
Around him, the entire bridge crew seemed both aware of his need and
to share a growing anxiety. Beside the captain, Commander Data was trying to keep busy by
reviewing Starfleet updates from the past week. Busy work for an android, Riker realized.
That's all any of them were doing right now on the bridge.
"Dr. Selar to Captain Riker."
"Riker here."
"Captain, something has happened that warrants your attention immediately."
"I'm on my way," he replied excitedly. At least now he had something
to do besides sit and wait.
On his way to sickbay, he wondered--and worried--about the
emergency. Were the iStargazer/i crew members proving too difficult even for the Akodians?
When he arrived, to his relief, the situation in sickbay was not nearly as
chaotic. Dr. Selar met him halfway inside.
"Captain, one of the Akodians, Medic Parkin, is with a young Bajoran,
Ensign Tuck Janis, at the moment. Ensign Tuck claims to have had visions during the time she
was deceased."
"What? But that's impossible! The Akodians assured us that memories
during that time were impossible."
"Nonetheless, she speaks of them. The logical conclusion would be to
assume that the Akodians have not yet realized the limitations of their own technology."
"Where is this Ensign Tuck now?"
"In my private office."
Riker stepped around the doctor to enter her office just in time to hear
the ensign exclaim, "Take me back! You have to take me back!"
The female Akodian doctor tried to calm the confused young woman
with a pat on the arm, but the ensign pushed her away. As she caught her balance, Medic Parkin
noticed that Captain Riker had entered the room. After straightening her uniform, the doctor
stepped toward the captain.
"Greetings!" she said. "I am relieved that you could make it down her so quickly."
Before Riker could respond, Ensign Tuck picked up her ranting.
"There was a light. . .a beautiful light. In the name of the Prophets, you have to let me go back
there!"
"Ensign Tuck," Riker said, approaching her.
"You don't believe me! You're thinking it's impossible!"
"Janis, I understand how confused you must feel right now. In time, hopefully you will
understand what has happened to you and why we decided to bring you back."
"I don't want to be here," she told him with conviction.
"Janis, the bright light you saw--it was a wormhole collapsing around
your ship. I understand how terribly frightened you must have felt."
The ensign began shaking her head wildly. "No, no! That isn't true! It
was too beautiful. There were birds singing so sweetly. The breeze felt so warm and gentle
on my face." She brought her hands toward her face and smiled as though she were feeling
the breeze now.
"Do you know where you were?" Riker asked, deciding to play along.
"Heaven, of course," she responded. "It was the afterworld the
Prophets built for us. What else could be so beautiful? This ship, the stars, the planets that we
visit--they're nothing compared to what Heaven has to offer. I need to go back there." Tuck
cried out. "Please, Captain!"
"I wish I could help you, Ensign. I will talk with the Akodians, the aliens who brought
you back to our dimension, and find out what they can do to help you." Riker
wasn't completely sure if she understood, but she nodded. He turned toward the Akodian doctor
and in a whisper said, "I think we need to discuss this outside of Ensign Tuck's presence."
"That would probably be best," Parken agreed. "Why don't we take this
discussion to your private office."
"How about the conference lounge room instead?" Riker decided he
didn't want the Akodians inside his ready room. They hadn't done anything yet to prove
themselves untrustworthy, but he realized he couldn't be too cautious when dealing with new
races.
"That will be just fine."
Once they had settled into the conference lounge room several minutes
later. Riker began, "You said that none of your regenerated patients ever spoke of seeing
anything during the time they were. . ."
"Dead, Captain."
"Yes, dead. It's a little difficult for me to think of them that way," he
admitted. "Are you completely certain that no regenerated patient ever had visions before?"
"Yes, Captain. As part of my medical training, I had to study every
case of regeneration. I am well versed on the subject. Most of them remember the moment of
death, and then, to them at least, their moment of rebirth is instantaneous. That's why they feel
such a strong displacement. Imagine that in one moment you are alone or within a
small group and then suddenly hundreds are bustling around you, trying to help you."
"Why not leave them be for a while? Give them time to adjust?"
"We can't do that for medical reasons. Your chief medical officer
reported that twelve percent of the iStargazer's/i crew were in need of immediate medical
treatment. Without it, they would have died. Regeneration cannot be performed a second time.
Unfortunately, that is an average occurrence."
"But Ensign Tuck's memories are not a normal occurrence. How do we
explain that? Is there some physiological difference between our races that precipitates such
memories? I find that hard to believe. I've always thought that we left our corporeal beings
behind when we crossed over. I guess that's one question that will be left unanswered until we
die. Do your people believe in an afterlife? In God?"
"Oh yes," Parken exclaimed with a smile. "You are probably wondering why then we feel
the need to regenerate so many of our dead. We have never claimed to be a logical race."
"Neither are we humans," Riker admitted. After a moment, he asked,
"So what should we do to help Ensign Tuck?"
"My people will help you counsel her. It will take a long time, possibly
months, before she learns to accept what has happened to her. You cannot expect an
immediate recovery."
The captain nodded as he wondered how many others were as bad off as Ensign Tuck.
Had they really done the right thing by bringing them back to the dimension of the living?