STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Lessons"
It was the night watch and Data was at the main bridge sitting in the command chair; N.D.'s man the various vital stations. Picard entered from the Turbolift, preoccupied with the PADD in his hand.
"Good evening, Mister Data." Picard said.
"Actually, good morning, sir." Data said.
Picard smiled slightly as he realized Data was right.
"Ship status is -" he started but was cut off.
"No need to report. I'm just here to do some work of my own."
"Yes, sir."
Entering information on his PADD, Picard headed to his Ready Room.
"I'd like to talk to Doctor Mowray at his archaeological site on Landris Two. Please put it through to my Ready Room." Picard said.
"I am sorry, sir, but Stellar Cartography has requested a communications blackout while they run an experiment." Data said.
Picard was a little surprised to hear this.
"How long will it be?" he asked.
"Another three hours, twenty-two minutes." Data said.
Picard frowned slightly.
"I can override it if necessary." he continued..
"No, no... it's not important."
"Aye, sir."
Picard left and headed to the ready room.
When he got there he sat at his desk and put down the PADD. After a minute, he activated his desktop terminal.
"Computer, display the latest excavation schematics from Landris Two." Picard said.
"Library computer is temporarily off-line." computer said.
Picard reacted.
"Explain."
"Library Systems have been allocated to Stellar Cartography."
Picard frowned at this unusual circumstance.
He turned off his terminal and looked around the room. His eyes settled on a book and he decided to do some reading. He stood and crossed to the replicator slot in the wall.
"Tea, Earl Grey. Hot." Picard said.
"Replicator systems are off-line at the request of -" computer said.
Picard finished the sentence along with the computer.
"Stellar Cartography..." Picard and computer said together.
Picard was annoyed but not angry, reasoning that they must be up to something important.
"What could they possibly be doing down there...?" he said to himself.
His mouth was set for the tea, but curiosity got the better of him. He headed for the door.
Picard approached the door to the Stellar Sciences Department. Then he left to the cartography lab room. Then he entered. Startled by the sudden blackness, he stopped short in the open doorway.
"In or out, but close that door." someone said.
Picard stepped in quickly, and the door slid shut. He strained to adjust to the blackness as he entered. With a bang, his leg bumped into a table, dumping equipment noisily to the floor.
"Just try to stand still."
In the shadows, several N.D.'s were hunched over a console in the center of the room. It was a three-dimensional grid, and a faint light bathed their faces.
Picard stood where he was.
The woman's voice carried a tone of frustration that was slowly intensifying.
"It'll take a second for our eyes to re-adjust..." the woman said. "Elevate to three-point-two." she said urgently. "Good... we can do this..." she continued. "We're losing vertical alignment. Compensate..." she said. "Gently, don't bump it." she said. "No, no - hit the..." she said. "Forget it. Lights." she said much louder.
The group at the console broke up. The owner of the voice, Nella Daren, Lieutenant Commander, leaned against the console in frustration, her back to the door.
"Whoever you are, you just ruined four hours of work." Nella said.
"You might've taken the simple precaution of locking the door." Picard said.
She turned to lay into this cheeky interloper.
"It's three o'clock in the morning -" she said.
Her face fell when she realized it was the Captain.
"Captain Picard..." she said surprised.
Picard couldn't help but smile at her discomfort.
"You must be Lieutenant Commander Daren." he said.
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry. It's just we weren't expecting many people to be up at this hour."
Picard gestured that there was no need to apologize.
"You're new aboard the Enterprise. I think you'll soon learn to start expecting the unexpected." he said.
She appreciated his letting the matter drop and smiled.
"That's why I put in for this assignment."
"Excellent. Now perhaps you could tell me what was so important that it required depriving the ship's -Captain of a cup of Earl Grey?"
"Earl Grey? No wonder you can't sleep."
Picard reacted as she stride toward her replicator.
"Computer, bring replicators back on line and give me a cup of Daren herbal tea blend number three, hot." she said and turned back to the replicator. "You shouldn't be drinking a stimulant at this time of night. I think you'll like this."
Then she handed him the tea, looked on as he took a sip. He grimaced and made a sour face at the taste. Nella took it in stride.
"I've programmed seven other blends into the replicator..." she said and smiled. "You're bound to like one of them."
Though still smarting from the taste, Picard tried to be gracious.
"I look forward to sampling them." he said.
Nella smiled, then moved toward the console where she was working earlier.
"I'm sorry if the system blackouts we requested inconvenienced you. We were taking very precise gravimetric readings - it wouldn't have taken much to throw them off." she said.
"What are these readings for?" hesaid eyeing the console.
Nella was pleased the Captain was taking an interest.
"I'm trying to construct a mathematical model of an emerging star system. If it works, we'll be able to predict the configuration of a system that won't be formed for another two million years." she said.
"That's a long time to wait to find out if you're right." he said with a wry smile.
She smiled.
"I have a few things to do between now and then."
They regarded each other.
Riker, Data, Wesley and various N.D.s were on the bridge. Picard entered from the Ready Room.
"We'll arrive at the Borgolis Nebula in three hours, sir." Riker said.
"I understand it has unusual radioactive emissions - I'm sure Stellar Sciences will find it an interesting study." Picard said.
"Commander Daren has already requested time on the main sensor array."
Picard nodded and headed for the Turbolift.
"You have the Bridge, Number One." he said.
Data turned to address him.
"Captain, I would like to remind you about our concert this evening in Ten-Forward." he said. "We will be performing Chopin's Trio in G minor."
Picard nodded.
"I'll be there."
Data was gratified to hear this.
Picard and Beverly were in Picard's quarters sharing an afternoon lunch, chatting about this and that.
"... the upshot is... we'll be close enough for you to slip away for a few days."
Beverly beamed at hearing this.
"Wonderful, thank you, Jean-Luc." she said and sipped her tea. "This is delicious; what is it?"
"It's an herbal tea blend..." Picard said. "I came across it in the replicator files."
Beverly nodded.
"Have you met any of the new crewmembers we took on at Starbase Two-eighteen?"
She nodded again.
"In fact, I have a new Nurse. His name's Beck, he's an obstetrics specialist."
Picard nodded.
"I met the new head of Stellar Sciences last night. Lieutenant Commander Daren." he said casually.
"Yes... Nella Daren. She was in Sickbay for a physical last week. I liked her. Very forthright."
"Very."
Beverly suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you... The Exogenics Journal accepted my paper for publication." she said.
He smiled.
"That's wonderful, Beverly."
"I'm hoping to get a response from other scientists studying ribosomal replication. There's still no satisfying explanation for the genetic drift."
He smiled.
"That journal is widely read. You'll probably be swamped with responses." he said. "Did you know it's possible now to predict the configuration of a star system that won't be formed for another two million years?"
She stared at him, momentarily off-stride by this non-sequitur. but Picard's interests were many and farranging.
"Really? No, I didn't..." she said.
"It's quite intriguing. It's made possible by a rather complex mathematical construct based on fractal particle motion. And of course that's just the foundation... the modeling itself requires gravimetric wave inputs."
"I see."
He heard her polite, neutral response and smiled self-effacingly.
"Well, I'm sure it sounds dry. Stellar cartography isn't everyone's cup of tea..."
"I'm sure it's fascinating."
Picard smiled and put his cup down.
"Well... we'd better get to Ten Forward; we don't want to be late for the concert." he said.
And they rose to leave.
Deanna, Geordi, Riker, Picard and Beverly were at Ten Forward sitting among the N.D.'s waiting for the performance to start. People talked quietly among themselves as they wait.
A piano had been set up on one side of the room, along with chairs and music stands for the accompanists.
The crowd fell silent as the musicians entered and took their seats. Data carried his violin. Another musician will play a cello. Everyone was in place except the piano soloist, to whom Data gestured so they may enter.
It was Nella Daren.
Picard recognized her as Data gestured to the others and began the concert.
Nella dove into the piece with amazing skill and relish. From the crash of opening chords to the following arpeggiated run, her performance was an explosion of passionate color. At once, the room was electrified.
Picard listened to this virtuosic performance. He was never heard music played more beautifully. His eyes closed as he took it all in.
Picard was not alone in feeling moved by her playing during the reception following the performance. Nella was surrounded by admirers and well-wishers.
Data, Beverly and Picard stood nearby waiting their turn to thank her for the performance. After a moment, she turned to them.
"Your playing was remarkable." Picard said.
"Thank you, sir." Nella said without modesty.
"You're very talented." Beverly said.
"I noticed that the applause tonight exceeded average decibel levels." Data said.
Nella smiled.
"I guess that means they enjoyed themselves. I know I enjoyed playing."
"That was obvious." Picard said.
Data had been looking around for the other musician.
"Excuse me. I have not yet congratulated Ensign Cheney." he said.
Nella nodded.
"I'll go with you." Beverly said.
Beverly exchanged smiles with Picard and moved after Data.
Picard and Nella were alone. Their eyes meet.
"I played piano for a while when I was young. But I never put in the practice time it takes to become truly proficient." Picard said.
"That was never my problem. In fact, my parents had to make me go out and play." Nella said.
Picard smiled. Then something he had been wondering about.
"I wanted to ask you... during the second arpeggio in the first movement, I noticed you played an F minor chord instead of a diminished D." he said.
"You're a musician. What's your instrument? We should play some time."
"I'm very much an amateur. But I must say, your choice in that arpeggio was delightful. Not at all what one expects to hear."
She regarded him evenly with a twinkle in her eye.
"Well, Captain... now that I'm on your ship, maybe you should start expecting the unexpected." she said.
She smiled and Picard, hearing his own words echoed back to him, couldn't help but smile back.
Riker, Data, and various N.D.'s were on the bridge. Nella entered from the Turbolift and approached Riker.
"Excuse me, sir." Nella said.
Riker nodded that she could go ahead.
"I was hoping my people in Spectral Analysis could have another few hours on the main sensor array." she continued.
"I'm sorry, the array's been allocated to Engineering; they're running some warp field tests." Riker said.
"If we go off-line now, we'll lose the gas flow pattern we've been tracking."
Riker wasn't annoyed by any of this he was used to advocacy from Department heads and was comfortable making these kinds of decisions.
"I understand that. But we've got other departments waiting to use the array." he said.
"We're at a critical juncture -"
"Commander." he said firm.
Nella backed off. Though Riker wouldn't be pushed, he was willing to be flexible.
"I'll see what I can do about more time tomorrow." he said.
"Tomorrow... but -" she said then she realized this is the best she can get. "Thank you, sir."
Riker nodded an acknowledgment and she left to the Turbolift.
It's evening. Picard was in his quarters holding his flute, listening to a playback of a recording he just made. He was dressed comfortably, a cup of tea on a nearby table. The door chimed.
"End playback." he said.
The Computer stopped the recording.
"Come." Picard said.
The door opened and it was Nella standing in the doorway. Under her arm was some sort of rolled-up scroll.
"Commander Daren." Picard said surprised.
"I hope you don't mind me dropping by like this?" Nella said.
"I'm delighted. Come in."
She came in and the door closed behind her then saw the flute in his hand.
"What kind of flute is that?" she asked.
"It's Ressikan."
"I never saw one before."
"They're not made anymore."
"How long have you been playing?"
Picard didn't quite know how to explain.
"A long time..." he said.
"I'd love to hear you play sometime."
"I'm not very good."
"It doesn't matter, as long as you enjoy it."
"Yes, but I wouldn't want to inflict it on anyone else."
She shrugged.
"May I try?"
Picard handed her the instrument. She eyed it briefly, set her fingers to the holes, and tried it. The notes were off key and flat. She stopped and inspected it.
"You're not holding it quite right..." he said.
"Show me."
Picard took the flute and played a few notes, simple and sweet. Nella was pleased by the sound. When he finished he shrugged as if it were nothing.
"You're better than you think." Nella said.
"Please..." Picard said dismissing this.
"Really. We should play together."
This wasn't what Picard was hoping to hear.
"There's... no piano here." he said.
"Oh, but there is."
Nella took the scroll she brought in and unfurled it on a nearby table. It was a sheet of piano keys that flatten out to become a keyboard. She turned and saw the expression of surprise on Picard's face.
"I picked it up on Mataline Two. It's amazing." she said.
She did a little arpeggio to show off. It sounded like a good electronic keyboard.
"Remarkable..." Picard said hoping to hoping to get out of this. "Why don't you play something for me?"
She eyed him, knowing what he was up to.
"You start... I'll jump in."
Picard couldn't think how to get out of it. He set his fingers on the flute tentatively.
"What... shall we play?"
"What were you working on before I came in?"
"Bach... the third Brandenburg."
"Perfect. Go ahead."
He gamely started in; she waited a few minutes and then joined in. The moment she did, he was thrown off, and stopped.
"Sorry..." he said.
"It's all right... you're not used to playing with anyone, are you?"
"Just the computer."
She eyed him, suddenly feeling the plight of this man, sitting alone in his room, playing music with a computer.
"Well... I may not be as precise as a computer... but I think you'll enjoy it more." Mella said gently. "Let's try something a little simpler. How about..."
She began playing "Frere Jacque." He smiled and chimed in at the appropriate place for the round. They played it through once. He had played his part solidly and she was pleased.
"Very good! Now... let's have a little fun with it." she said and played a slight variation on the "Frere Jacque" melody. "Try it. Improvise on the melody - anything you want."
He took a breath and started to play. It was like a beginner's improvisation, not very loose or imaginative but it was a beginning.
"That's wonderful! Keep going..."
He did, and she joined in, noodling in and around his playing. It was a delightful little counterpoint and it helped to loosen him up. He became freer, took a few chances then she matched him. He launched into a bold, venturesome direction and she started laughing, staying with him, feeling the joyousness that the intermingling of music was bringing them both.
Riker, Data, and various N.D.s were on the bridge. Riker nodded that a PADD an N.D. was showing him checked out fine, then moved to sit in the command chair. After a moment, Picard entered from his Ready Room. He was full of energy and seemed to be in a great mood.
"Number One... my sparring partner cancelled for this afternoon. I was wondering if you wanted to join me?" Picard said.
Riker was unsure if the Captain was far better than he is.
"Fencing, sir? I'm really not very good." Riker said.
Picard dismissed this.
"It doesn't matter... as long as you enjoy it."
Riker considered, then smiled and nodded.
"Why not?"
"Excellent. Fourteen hundred hours, then." Picard said pleased.
He nodded and returned to his Ready Room. Riker watched him go, glad to see him in a good mood.
Nella was at sickbay being examined by Beverly, who waved a scanner over her right arm from elbow to wrist.
"You have a mild strain." Beverly said.
"I've been playing the piano a lot... I guess the Captain and I overdid it a little last night." Nella said.
Beverly reacted to this, bemused.
"The Captain?" she said.
"He plays a kind of flute... Ressikan, I think he said."
"Yes... but I didn't realize he played... duets."
"He never did before. But he seemed to enjoy it. He's actually quite promising."
"I see."
"Tell me... have you known him long?"
"Yes. A long time..."
"He seems... somewhat isolated."
Beverly reflected on this.
"I'd say he's a private person... but not isolated."
Nella took this in. Beverly turned off the scanner she has been using.
"There. That should help." Beverly said.
Nella flexed her wrist.
"It feels much better. Thank you." she said.
"Good."
Nella hoped off the biobed.
"I was afraid I'd have to cancel."
Beverly smiled.
"Another duet?" she said.
They shared a look and Nella left.
Nella was climbing up the Jefferies tube carrying a small bag slung over one shoulder, and was dressed in civilian clothes.
"Where are we going?" Picard asked.
"Keep climbing." Nella said.
As Nella passed out of frame, emerging after her on the ladder, the hands and face of Picard. He too was in civilian clothes.
"I don't see why we can't just practice in my quarters." he said.
"We're almost there."
It was the intersection of a vertical and horizontal tube. Nella climbed into the horizontal tube and scooted over to make room for Picard.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, she reached into her bag and pulled out her scroll keyboard, spreading it out in front of her. After a moment, Picard emerges and climbed into the tube with her.
"Do you know where we are?" she asked.
"The fourth intersect of Jefferies Tube twenty-five." he said looking around.
"No... this is the most acoustically perfect spot on the ship."
She started to play, and the sound filled the tube. Picard heard that she was right and nodded in appreciation.
"The intersection acts as a resonance chamber."
She continued to play as Picard spoke.
"How did you find it?" he asked.
"A little exploring."
"Don't tell me you climbed through every tube on the ship?"
She smiled.
"Well, not everyone." she said. "Try it. See how it sounds." she said indicating his bag.
Picard took his flute from her bag. He put it to his lips and began playing the melody from "Inner Light." It was lyrical, haunting, she was transfixed. He stopped, somewhat embarrassed by her rapt attention.
"That's beautiful. What is it?" she asked.
"Just an old folk melody."
"I've never heard you play with such feeling."
She began picking out the melody on the keyboard. Then he added chords. He watched her, enjoying her concentration, hearing the beautiful melody.
She looked up and saw the look on his face.
Their eyes locked for a long moment. He broke it off, and Nella looked down at her keyboard. After a few notes, Picard joined in.
At Engineering Geordi and Wesley were working alone at a console. Then they heard something.
"Is that, music?" said Wesley.
Then they walked around the room slowly. Finally, they leaned into a Jefferies Tube and put their head up the shaft.
Then Data entered the room to see Geordi and Wesley with their head sticking up the tube. He wa concerned.
"Geordi, Wesley. Is there a problem?" he asked.
Geordi and Wesley pulled their heads out of the tube.
"We hear music." Geordi said.
"Music?" Data said.
Geordi and Wesley nodded and moved away from the tube so that Data could stick his head in.
"I do not hear anything." Data said.
""Are you sure?" Wesley asked surprised.
Data nodded. Geordi moved back toward the tube and leaned his head in.
"I know I heard something." he said frustrated.
He listened, then pulled his head out.
"It's stopped." he said.
At the Jefferies Tube Picard and Nella were exchanging a warm and deep kiss.
Picard and Nella were in the turbolift after leaving the Jefferies Tube, still in civilian clothes. She was holding the bag containing her keyboard and Picard's flute.
There was a charge in the air between them.
"... I'd heard about Kerelian tenors all my life, but nothing could've prepared me for that man's voice. Soaring... incredible range." Nella said.
"I'm told there are nuances only Kerelians can hear - we don't have the ears for it." Picard said.
The lift stopped and an N.D. entered. Picard's demeanor changed slightly; he stopped looking at Nella and stared straight ahead.
After a moment she looked up at him.
"I should be finished with my survey by eleven hundred hours." she said.
It was clear that she was asking when Picard will be free, and when they could get together. As the lift slowed to a stop, Picard answered her as if she were reporting to her commanding officer.
"Very good, Commander." he said.
And he left the Turbolift. Nella was left wondering if he wouldn't rather just forget what happened between them in the Jefferies Tube.
Picard was at the bridge now in uniform. Riker, Deanna, Worf and various N.D.'s. Wesley entered from the Turbolift and approached Riker, who was at aft science with an N.D.
"Commander, we've finished the warp field test." Wesley said.
"You brought it in ahead of schedule." Riker said.
"No problem. We got modulation efficiency up point five percent."
"Good work." Riker said. "Notify Spectral Analysis they can have an hour on the main sensor array." he said to science N.D.
The N.D. nodded and moved away.
"Captain..." Worf said. "The Federation Outpost on Bersallis Three reports that they are entering a period of fire storm activity." he said and read off the console.
"Is the outpost in any danger?" Picard asked.
"No, sir. The storm is heading for the northern continent, which is not populated."
"Bersallin fire storms come in seven year cycles, this might be a good chance to study them." Wesley said.
"We have two days before our rendezvous with the Havana..." Riker said.
Picard considered.
"Helm, set course for Bersallis Three. Warp five." Riker told Helmsman.
The helmsman responded.
"Counselor, would you join me in my Ready Room?" Picard asked standing.
She stood and they moved toward it.
"You have the Bridge, Number One."
Picard and Deanna were in the ready room settled into the couch. Picard let out a breath, prepared himself for what he has to say.
"I wanted to talk to you about a matter of... protocol." he said. "I know there are no Starfleet regulations about a Captain becoming involved with a fellow officer, but..."
"You'd like my opinion about you and Commander Daren." Deanna said.
Picard regarded her wryly.
"It's that obvious?"
"Obvious in way that pleases people who care about your happiness? Yes, it is."
"But I have to be concerned about more than my own happiness."
"And you think that perhaps your feelings toward Nella could change the way you function as Captain..."
"Yes. Relationships with coworkers can be fraught with consequences."
"That's true. But cutting yourself off from your feelings can carry consequences that are just as important."
"I've always believed that becoming involved with someone under my command could compromise my objectivity." he said. "And yet..."
He trailed off.
"Captain... are you asking my permission?"
"If I were... would you give it?"
She considered.
"Yes."
Picard took this in, a mixture of relief and trepidation.
Picard approached the door to Stellar Sciences. He was about to stride right through when he remembered the other night and decided to ring first.
Nella was at the cartography lab working alone at a console. She was engrossed in her work and didn't look up at the sound of the chime.
"Come in." she said.
Picard entered but she didn't turn around.
"Nella..." he said.
She turned and saw him. Given what happened in the Turbolift, she decided to keep it professional.
"Can I help you, sir?" she asked.
Picard frowned when he heard her refer to him like this.
"I'm sorry about what happened this morning in the Turbolift." he said. "When that crewman walked in I felt... self-conscious. It might take me a while to get used to the idea of the crew seeing us together." he said and tried toexplain.
Nella's face softened as she realized why he did it.
"I understand..." she said and moved closer to him. "I'm glad you told me. For a minute there I thought I'd misread you..." she said and smiled. "One kiss and you're off to find someone else."
Picard smiled at this.
"I promise you... I'm not one for casual relationships." he said.
They look at each other for a long moment, suddenly one of Nella's colleagues entered behind them, carrying a PADD. The scientist nodded at them distractedly, then went to work on a wall console.
"There's something I want to tell you..." Picard said and glanced at the scientist. "But not here..."
Nella nodded.
Nella was at Picard's quarters sitting on the couch, listening as Picard told her a story.
"Do you remember that folk melody I played for you this morning?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I learned it on a planet called Kataan."
"Never heard of it." she said.
"I'm not surprised. Its sun went nova over a thousand years ago."
Nella looked confused.
"I don't understand." she said.
"The Enterprise encountered a probe sent from the planet before it was destroyed. The probe scanned me - I lost consciousness, and in the space of twenty-five minutes... I lived a lifetime there." Picard said and sat down next to her, taking her hand. "I had a wife... children."
Picard saw Nella struggling to get her mind around it all.
"It was all very real to me." he said.
She squeezed his hand. Picard looked at her.
"When I awoke, all that was left of my life there... was the flute I'd taught myself to play." he continued.
Nella was moved by his story.
"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked softly.
"Because I want you to understand what my music means to me." he said. "And what it means for me to be able to share it with someone."
She looked at him.
"Thank you."
Her face was filled with emotion. They kissed more passionately than before and she leaned back flat onto the couch, pulling him with her.
Riker made his way along the corridor. When he passed an intersection, Nella saw him and called out.
"Commander -" she said.
Riker slowly for her to catch up.
"I was hoping to talk to you about Ensign Cabot's transfer." she continued.
"Quantum Mechanics didn't want to give him up." Riker said.
"But he wants to come to my department."
Riker reacted.
"How do you know that?" he asked.
"I offered it to him." Nella said.
Riker stopped.
"Transfers have to be cleared through me - before an offer's made." he said.
Nella realized she made a mistake.
"I'm sorry. We were just talking and -" she started.
"It's okay. But Fontana should stay where he is."
Riker was about to resume down the corridor.
"Commander, please... don't make that decision final." she said apologetic. "I realize I shouldn't have made the offer, but he's perfect for the job. And quantum mechanics is over-staffed anyway."
He looked at her.
"Commander... do you realize the position you're putting me in?" he asked.
She had no idea.
"I think I'm just doing what any good department head would do - trying to build the best staff I can." she said.
Riker realized she didn't see his problem. He frowned slightly, made a decision.
"Look... I'll review the situation and let you know as soon as I can." he said.
He moved off, leaving Nella a little confused by his attitude.
Picard was in the ready room reading at his desk. The door chimed.
"Come." he said.
Riker entered.
"Can I have a minute?" he asked.
"Of course. Come in."
Riker approached, feeling uncomfortable.
"It's about Lieutenant Commander Daren..." he said. "As a department head, she comes to me about systems allocation, personnel transfers - things like that."
Picard nodded, sensing that Riker was telling him something he already knows as a way of leading up to something difficult.
"I have to say, I'm beginning to feel... uncomfortable dealing with her requests." Riker said.
Picard realized.
"Because of her relationship with me." he said.
"Yes."
"Number One... are her requests unusual?"
Riker considered.
"No, sir."
"Would you say she's just trying to do her job?"
"Yes."
This was what Picard was hoping to hear.
"Then let her." he said. "And feel free to do yours."
Picard tried to put him at ease.
"Ship's resources are your responsibility. I've always had complete confidence in your judgment."
Riker was glad to hear this from him. He smiled and stood.
"Thank you, sir." he said.
Picard nodded and Riker left. Though Picard had dealt with the situation, his face still registered concern.
Nella was in Picard's quarters in the middle of telling Picard a story over dinner. The lights and incidental music gave the scene a romantic feel.
"... I can't believe I'm going to get a chance to study the fire storms on Bersallis. Did you know they're generated by solar flare activity? Apparently the radiation -" she said then stopped when she sensed his distraction. "I'm boring you."
Her smile was self-deprecating. Picard looked at her.
"It's not that." he said.
She saw that he has got something serious on his mind.
"Commander Riker came to talk to me this afternoon." he said. "About you."
Nella reacted, she'd been thinking about their encounter herself.
"About the personnel transfer?" she said and he nodded. "I thought he felt uncomfortable." she said. "Did he think I was asking for special treatment?" she asked hoping it wasn't true.
Picard nodded.
"I was just doing what I thought was best for my department." she said.
"That's what I told him. But we have to be very careful. Obviously it's easy for people to misunderstand."
"I don't like the thought of having to second-guess people all the time. If I have to worry about what people are thinking about me, I'll be concentrating on the wrong thing. And I won't be as effective an officer."
"All I'm saying is that it's something we have to be aware of. But don't compromise yourself, do what you have to do."
He caught her eye.
"Because if I find out that the head of Stellar Sciences isn't effective anymore, I'll do what I have to do..." he said and smiled. "I'll replace her."
Nella smiled, the incident suddenly seemed manageable now that it had been brought out into the open.
"Noted, sir." she said.
I suggest we forget about this and enjoy the evening."
They rose their wine glasses and clink, eyeing each other fondly.
"What about that dessert you promised me?"
"Ah, yes." he said and stood. "A concoction I first sampled on Thelka Four..."
But before he could continue, Worf's com voice interrupted
"Bridge to Captain. Bersallis Three reports that the storm has changed its speed and heading. They are predicting it will hit the outpost within eight hours and are requesting evacuation." Worf said on com.
"On my way." Picard said.
Picard looked across the table at Nella. They were both disappointed that they won't have their evening together, but that was life aboard a Starship.
"Captain's Log, Stardate 46693.1. We have entered the Bersallis star system and are making preparations to evacuate the Federation Outpost on the third planet." Picard said.
Picard, Riker, Beverly, Data, Wesley, Nella and an N.D. colleague were at the observation lounge assembled to discuss the situation.
"The fire storms can kick up winds of over two hundred kilometers per hour - and temperatures as high as three hundred degrees C." Wesley said.
"Incredible... what causes them?" Beverly asked.
"They form when solar flare radiation from the Bersallin sun reacts with high energy plasma present in the planet's atmosphere."
"Wasn't the outpost built to withstand the conditions?"
"Yes; the structure is reinforced and insulated. But this is no ordinary storm; it's twice as big as any they've ever had. The outpost won't withstand it."
"We'll be arriving a little over an hour before the storm hits." Riker said. "It'll take at least two hours to transport all the colonists off the surface."
The direness of the situation was brought home to all present.
"I led a team of geologists to study the plasma geyser on Taurus Four - we cross-connected a few thermal deflector units to create a protective shield against the heat." Nella said.
"A fire wall..." Wesley said.
"Could something like that work here?"
Wesley considered.
"It might." Wesley said and moved to the Okudagram on the wall monitor that showed an overhead view of the outpost.
"The storm is approaching the outpost from this direction." he indicated. "If we set up a series of thermal deflector units along the northern perimeter, we could create a fire wall to deflect some of the heat - the outpost's insulation could probably handle the rest."
"Thermal deflectors generate a field approximately four hundred meters wide. We would need to cross-connect six units and align them so their fields overlap." Data said.
"How many people would it take to set it up?" Riker asked.
"Twelve, two per team. Cross-connecting that many units will be tricky; once they're set up we'll have to leave them in place and transport our people out - no one could survive very long outside the outpost." Wesley said.
Riker looked to Picard.
"Let's do it." Picard said.
Riker dove right into it.
"The storm's going to interfere with communications - everything'll have to be coordinated from the surface." he said.
Everyone nodded that they understand the risks involved.
"Mister Data, you'll coordinate the evacuation of the colonists." Riker said to Data. "Doctor, they have nine patients in the outpost infirmary. Your priority will be getting them to Sickbay - after that you'll stay aboard the Enterprise and be ready to receive casualties." he said to Beverly. "Marquez, you'll take some people down to track the storm - you'll need to keep all teams apprised of its heading." he said to N.D. officer. "Commander, you'll coordinate the deployment of the deflectors." he said to Nella.
Picard stiffened slightly when he heard this. Riker turned to the assembled faces.
"Let's go. Wesley, tell Geordi when you get back to engineering." he said and Wesley nodded.
Riker stood and the meeting broke up. Picard stayed seated, his eyes on the Okudagram on the wall. When nearly everyone was gone, he asked Nella to stay in an even tone.
"Commander Daren...?" he said.
She turned.
"About these thermal deflectors..." he continued.
Then he stood and moved toward the Okudagram. By the time he was there, everyone else was gone.
"It seems to me that any one of a number of people could coordinate their deployment." he continued.
Given their discussion, Nella was a little surprised to hear him say this.
"I assume Commander Riker chose me because I'm the best person for the job." she said.
Picard couldn't deny it. Nella took his hand, moved by his concern for her.
"Didn't we agree not to let our relationship get in the way of our work?" she asked.
Picard let out a breath, nodded. But still didn't like it.
"I'll be all right." she said then smiled to reassure him.
Riker and Picard were discussing final preparations.
"Lieutenant Marquez is already set up on the surface. Apparently the storm is still gaining speed - he's estimating it'll hit the colony in less than fifty minutes." Riker said.
Picard took this in.
Then they headed to the transporter room.
The Transporter pad was filled with N.D. team members awaiting transport. Nella was among them, loaded with equipment. As Picard and Riker entered, the first officer headed onto the pad to take his place.
Picard nodded slightly to Riker, but his eyes fixed on Nella's, speaking volumes.
"Energize." he said.
Picard held Nella's eyes until she and the others dematerialized.
Picard was in the bridge in command chair; all stations were manned. There was an undercurrent of shared concern for those who face the real danger, the colonists and members of the crew on the planet.
Worf, dividing his time between Tactical and Mission Ops, was assisted by an N.D. stationed at Mission Ops.
Picard's manner was intense and fast-paced, but not harried.
"How long before the storm reaches the outpost?" he asked.
"Seventeen minutes." Worf said.
A growing concern for his crew registers on Picard's face.
"Crusher to Bridge." Wesley said on com.
"Go ahead." Picard said.
Wesley was in the transporter room working at the transporter control circuitry on the far side of the room. An N.D. was working the transporter controls.
Geordi wanted to see how much better Wesley was getting so he had him take care of this one. He's better at taking control of the engineering, now it's time for a test.
"The ionization from the storm is interfering with the transporters. I'm compensating, but it's slowing things down." Wesley said.
Then there was the sound of transport in process.
"Keep at it, Mister Crusher." Picard said on com.
Picard was curious on how this was going to end. Geordi had told everyone his idea and they all agreed. After six years on the Enterprise and his engineering history they knew he could do it.
Six people had just been brought aboard. The look of relief on their faces was evident, mixed with concern for their friends still on the surface.
Two N.D. crewmembers, Richardson and Deng, were working near a rock face; each was setting up a defector unit. The units were cylindrical, and had a tripod base; they were capped by an emitter array, which lit up when the unit was activated.
Nella entered to check on their progress, having just come from an area where another team was working.
She opened her tricorder and began to scan the area between the two units.
"Riker to Daren." Riker said on com.
Riker's com voice crackled with static.
"Daren, here. Go ahead, Commander." Nella said activating her combadge.
"You've got less than nine minutes before the storm reaches the northern perimeter."
"I'm with team six right now, sir. We're about to bring the deflectors on-line."
"Whenever you're ready."
"Daren to perimeter teams. Stand by to cross-connect deflectors..." she said when she hit her combadge again.
She casted a glance at Richardson and Deng, who nodded that they were ready.
"Activate." she said.
The N.D.'s activated their units remotely, using PADD-like devices. The units pulsed to life, throwing up a field that extended out of frame but was only visible for a moment.
Nella held up her tricorder and scans.
"Team three, increase your output by point two percent." she said. "Good..." she said off tricorder. "Deng, decrease nutation by point four percent." she said while she scanned.
Deng worked her unit.
"Good... we've almost got it." she said off the tricorder.
On the bridge Picard was standing between Ops and the Helm.
"Crusher to Bridge." Beverly said on com.
"Go ahead, Doctor." Picard said.
At the transporter room a different N.D. was manning the controls. Beverly had come aboard with some infirmary patients, who were being led away by N.D. personnel.
"I've just brought aboard the last of the infirmary patients and they're on their way to Sickbay. But we still have over a hundred colonists down there." Beverly said.
Back on the bridge,
"Understood, Doctor." Picard said.
The concern on his face was evident. The Bridge was monitoring surface transmissions, the static in them only served to heighten the sense of danger.
"Daren to Commander Riker." Nella said on com.
"Riker, here. Go ahead." Riker said on com.
"We've got a problem -"
On the planet's surface wind had picked up and Nella had to shout to be heard.
"... we're having trouble keeping the deflectors cross-connected. The only way this is going to work is if we calibrate them manually." she said.
"If you stay with the deflectors, will they protect you when the storm hits?" Riker asked on com.
She looked at her team members.
On the bridge,
"I don't know, sir. For a few minutes... maybe." Nella said on com.
Picard's face registered what this all means.
"Number One, how many colonists are left to transport?" he asked.
"Seventy three, sir." Riker said on com.
"How long do you need?"
"At least ten more minutes."
Picard took this in.
"Captain, the storm will reach the northern perimeter in four minutes." Worf said.
Picard was faced with a difficult choice.
"Picard to perimeter teams." Picard said.
On the planet surface Nella and crew received Picard's static-ridden communique with grim faces.
"... It is imperative that you hold your positions until we finish the evacuation of the colony. Picard out." Picard said on com.
On the bridge Picard's look reflected his concern. He may just have condemned Nella to death.
"Picard to Ensign Crusher." Picard said.
"Ensign Crusher here." Wesley said on com.
"Keep a signal lock on all perimeter team members.:
"Captain, the storm's interference won't -" Wesley started but Picard interrupted.
"As soon as the last of the colonists are evacuated I want those perimeter teams out of there. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir."
On the planet's surface Nella was scanning the invisible deflector field with her tricorder. She got a troubling reading.
"Daren to perimeter teams... the storm's interference is going to make our job harder than we thought. We may lose communication, so it's up to each of you to keep your units operational." she said after she activated her com. "A lot of people are depending on us. Daren, out."
The storm was getting closer. Nella moved onto the rock face to get a higher vantage point.
Nella reacted to what she saw.
"Oh, my god." she said under her breath.
The firestorm was approaching. The deflector field fritzed on for a moment, it seemed scant protection from the immense angry cloud of flame that was bearing down on them.
On the bridge Picard and Worf were at an aft station, looking at the okudagram.
As they watched, the perimeter positions, blinking green, were overrun by the solid red field of the firestorm.
"The storm has reached the perimeter." Worf said.
Riker was at sickbay seated on an examining table, being attended to by Beverly. All background beds were filled.
Picard entered from the corridor. When Riker saw him, his face tightened.
"I got out with the last of the colonists. If it hadn't been for the perimeter teams, we wouldn't have made it." he said.
At least Picard knew that he made the right decision those who sacrificed their lives did so to save many others. But Picard took no comfort in knowing this.
"We managed to get four of the teams off the surface." Riker said. "The interference kept us from getting the other two... I don't see how they could have survived." he said grim.
Picard took this in, stone-faced.
"Which teams are missing?" he asked.
"Three and six." Riker said.
Riker sensed that though Picard desperately wanted to know, he couldn't bring himself to ask.
"The last I knew, Commander Daren was with team six." he said.
Picard's face was ashen. He nodded, then turned and left the room.
Picard was in his quarters very much alone. He sat very still. Silence.
After a long moment, he looked over at the table where his flute sat in its case.
He crossed over to the table and looked down at it. He reached out his hand, and carefully closed the case shut. It was as if a chapter in his life was gone forever.
After a moment, the silence was interrupted.
"Bridge to Captain." Worf said on com.
It takes Picard a long moment to respond.
"Go ahead, Mister Worf." he said.
"We've found survivors, sir.. They're beaming up now."
Everything was written on Picard's face.
"On my way."
A few perimeter team members were at the transporter bridge being helped off the pad by medical personnel; they were in bad shape, their uniforms blackened with smoke.
Picard entered and saw that Nella wasn't among them.
He kept his face even it wouldn't be appropriate to show his crew that he was looking for someone in particular.
As an N.D. survivor passed, Picard put a reassuring hand to his shoulder.
When the last of the survivors had filed out, Picard turned to leave as well, any hope of seeing Nella again was gone.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of the transporter humming to life. He stopped and turned to face the chamber.
As the N.D. worked the console, three figures began to materialize on the pad. As Picard watched, the woman he thought he'd lost took shape before his eyes. Nella s safe.
A look of incredible relief washed over Picard's face. Inside, he wants to run to hold her, but he was the Captain. He can't.
Their eyes met for a brief moment before the medical technicians took her away. But there was something in Nella's eyes Picard couldn't place.
"Captain's Log, Stardate 46697.2. Although we succeeded in rescuing all six hundred forty-three Bersallin colonists... we lost eight crewmembers. Let the record show that they gave their lives in the performance of their duty. Commendations will follow." Picard said.
Nella sat opposite Picard at his quarters. Although it was an informal setting, she was reporting to him almost as if they were in the Observation lounge. Both were in uniform.
"... when communications went out, I knew we had to fend for ourselves." Nella said. "We modified our phasers to create resonant disruptions in the deflector field... the disruptions formed small pockets inside the plane of the field... and we each stood inside one to wait out the storm." she continued. "Richardson didn't make it... all Deng and I could do was stand there... and watch."
He looked at her... hearing the flat tone of her voice... knowing the unspoken feelings.
"Nella... you know I had to give that order -" he started but was cut off.
She lifted a hand quickly and touched his lips.
"Don't... don't say you're sorry." she said.
He took her hand in his.
"It couldn't have been easy for you... hearing me order you to face death."
She didn't answer for a moment, taking in his words, acknowledging their truth.
"At first, when I heard you tell us to hold our positions, I didn't question it. Of course we would... that was our job." she said. "But when I saw that storm coming toward us..."
A long minute passed.
"Part of you must have... blamed me." Picard said.
"A small part, maybe... But in the end, I was more afraid that you would blame yourself if I died." she said and gave him a weak smile. "Would you have?"
Picard hesitated, rose then paced toward the window, gathering thoughts.
"I've lost people under my command... people I cared about deeply... but never someone I've been in love with." he said and turned back to face her. "When I thought you were dead, I went into some kind of shutdown... I didn't want to think, I didn't want to feel. I was here, in my quarters, and... the only thing I could focus on was music... and how it would never give me joy again."
She was silent, watching him.
"Well... where do we go from here?" she asked.
He turned to her and said the difficult words.
"We could continue... hoping we wouldn't face a situation like that again... knowing that we might... hoping the pressures on us wouldn't begin to erode our feelings for each other..." he said. "That's not what I want for us."
"I know. Neither do I."
"I don't think we can serve on the same ship." Picard said reluctantly.
She looked at him, knowing he was right and wished it weren't so.
"It would be difficult... for both of us." she said.
There was a long, difficult moment, each hoping the other will somehow refuse to accept the inevitable.
"I'll put in for a transfer." Nella said.
Picard took this in.
"We can arrange shore leave together." he said.
She smiled sadly. In theory they could but starships range wide. Schedules were difficult to coordinate.
"Yes, of course." she said.
Beyond that, there was nothing else to say. Now, staying there feels awkward. She rose, moved to him then lifted a hand to his cheek, and kissed him softly on the mouth.
"Promise me something?" she said.
Picard looked at her.
"Don't give up your music." she said.
Picard nodded almost imperceptibly.
She smiled through her sadness then walked out the door. Picard watched as the door slid shut behind her. He was alone with only the faint hum of his ship to keep him company.