Ship's Counsel

by 9adam4

An alternate history of the NCC-1701-D, in a world where the Federation thinks a bit more rationally, and Star Fleet takes its duties a bit more seriously. There is only one change in the crew (at least initially): a Haliian named Soriana Turhal is the Counsellor (and ethics officer) rather than a certain half-Betazoid. Other changes reveal themselves over time.

33. Elementary, Dear Data (Mini)

"Are you sure I'm wearing this right?" Soriana adjusted the tight garment supporting her breasts for the third time. "It's very uncomfortable."

"Women at the time complained as well," admitted La Forge, dressed in a suit that looked far less constricting to her. "Yeah, you have it on right." Soriana felt his spark of attraction as he 'looked' (she was curious as to exactly what it was he saw), and his following embarrassment as he clamped down on the first thought. It still amused her how self-conscious the males of non-telepathic species often were; in Haliians, Deltans, and Betazoids, males and females both knew there was no way to hide attraction and so were much more casual about it.

Data arrived, his deerstalker cap in place and a meerschaum pipe in one hand. "I apologize for my tardiness," the android greeted them. "Is the program ready?"

"I certainly hope so," Geordi smiled. "Clancy and I worked for quite some time on it. The idea was to create a mystery authentic to Doyle's era and style, but with wholly new characters and facts. That way Data's existing knowledge of the Holmes stories won't give away the mystery from the get-go."

"Haven't others done this before with Holmes mysteries?" Soriana asked. "They're popular on several Federation worlds, I read."

Geordi nodded. "Yes, but… just like with hand-crafting a model ship, doing it yourself is part of the fun. And I suspect playing Watson will be far more enjoyable when I already know the mystery that Data is working to unravel. Computer, load La Forge Holmes Mystery 3, latest version."

The holodeck doors opened to reveal the apartment of 221B Baker Street. "What happened to Mysteries 1 and 2?" Soriana asked.

"Had to scrap them. Clancy and I tried an automated process where the holodeck systems generated an adversary, but the program kept running up against the safeguards that we put in place after the Bynars hijacked the ship with Tasha on board. When we're done here, Data, I wouldn't mind your help figuring out why."

"All in good time, my dear Watson," the android bellowed, leaning dramatically against the bookcase. "But for now, do please get the door for the young Englishwoman and her Scottish gentleman escort."