Author's Note: This next part will be split into two parts. Don't ask how I came up with using the sun to power a civilization. It just popped into my head.
Chapter 3: Daughter to Father Part 1
Nicole woke up that next morning. Her body screamed at her as she tried to sit up. Once she was able to sit up, she stayed in bed till she had to get ready for her shift.
She met up with Commander La Forage in the Engineering Storage Room. They were in need of some supplies in Engineering so she was helping him with making a list of the items they had and what they needed. Then she would have to figure out what they could get at the nearest Starbase or if they would have to go to Earth for.
Nicole tried to stifle a yawn. This was the most tedious task they had to do. And it didn't help that her body kept screaming at her every time she tried to move a heavy crate to get to what she needed.
Tucker was not gentle to her last night. He was rough. Nicole liked it rough, but she felt like he was more possessive. He told her right before he entered her that he wanted her to remember who she belonged to.
"Lieutenant!" Geordi snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Yes sir!" It was the first thing that popped into Nicole's head. She didn't know that the Chief Engineer was talking to her the whole time.
Geordi folded his arms across his chest and raised an eyebrow. Nicole hung her head. Geordi wanted her to take the Assistant Chief Engineer position since the current one was stepping down since she was pregnant with her first kid. He also wanted her to be in charge of the night shift a couple nights a week. So she could one day be a Chief Engineer.
"I apologize sir." Nicole said, staring at a scuff on her boots.
Geordi sighed. He tugged his shirt down and then placed a hand on Nicole's shoulder. Nicole lifted her head to look up at him.
"I know this task can be tedious, but we need to make sure we have everything we need." Geordi said.
"Yes sir. I understand." Nicole said.
Geordi smiled slightly. He then took off his hand. He stayed for another half an hour before he got sent back to Engineering.
Nicole had her back turned towards the door so she didn't know who walked in. She almost dropped the data pad when she heard his voice.
"How's it going?" Commander Riker asked.
"Almost finished here, Commander." Nicole said. She stood up to address the first officer.
"Do we need to go back to Earth for supplies?" He asked.
Nicole shook her head so she wouldn't look into his eyes. "I won't know until I go through the list."
"Let me know so I can tell the Captain."
"Understood." Nicole nodded her head.
Commander Riker nodded his head. He then went silent. Nicole's baby blues met his baby blues.
She truly missed her father. She wanted a relationship with him. However, Tucker was right. He did walk out on her. His career was so important!
"Is that all, Commander?" Nicole asked, breaking the silence
Nicole thought she sensed some sadness coming from him. Did he crave a father and daughter relationship like she did?
"I would like the report by 1900 hours, Lieutenant." He said, slapping the command mask back on.
"Understood." Nicole said.
Commander Riker nodded his head one more time before leaving the Cargo Bay.
Nicole was in the middle of completing her report. So far they didn't have to go to Earth, but she was only half way through everything. She sat the stylus down on the data pad to rub her eyes. How long has she been sitting at this console?
"Are you alright, Nikki?" Lieutenant Commander Data asked her.
Nicole turned to look at the Android who became one of her good friends. "Yes Data. I am alright."
"Do you require assistance?" He asked.
Nicole shook her head. "Nope."
Data tilted his head. "Very well. I will leave you then."
He then turned and walked away. Nicole kept her eyes on him as he walked away. She didn't want anyone to know so she buried it away under lock and key. She had a crush on the Android. He was so gentle and kind to her. And he would listen while she complained over and over again about Commander Riker.
Tucker never cared to listen to her complain. He just waved her off. Even when it came to her father, he didn't especially want to hear anything about that. So if she had a rough day or Commander Riker was being annoying she just kept it to herself.
"Finally." she groaned as she finished the list. Thankfully they didn't need to go back to Earth. Although, part of her wished they did.
She missed Admiral Collins. The man who became like a father to her. The man whom she trusted deeply.
"Hey Riker!" Geordi called to her from the other side of Engineering.
Nicole looked over at the Chief Engineer. "Yes sir?"
"The captain is asking for you to join in the mission briefing." Geordi said, walking up to her.
"Me? Why me?" Nicole asked, confused.
Geordi shrugged. "Your expertise is needed."
Nicole hopped down from her seat. She handed the data pad to Geordi who handed it to the acting chief engineer's assistant. She then followed the Chief Engineer towards the turbo lift.
No matter how many times she has been in the observation lounge. It still feels like being here for the first time. She took a deep breath as she took the seat next to Geordi.
It didn't take long for the first officer to join along with her mother. She smiled at her mother who smiled back.
"It's good to see you out and about." Troi teased, knowing Nicole likes to hide in Engineering.
Nicole just smiled and rolled her eyes. That was when they drifted to the first officer who sat in his usual seat. The empathic counselor sat next to him. Just like she usually does.
"Lieutenant." Commander Riker said.
"Commander." Nicole said.
Captain Picard cleared his throat which brought their attention to the briefing.
"I asked Lieutenant Riker to join in this briefing, because a dilemma showed up. The Higu are in need of a new planet. One that can withstand thermal energy." Captain Picard explained.
"Can't any planet be able to use thermal energy?" Troi asked, puzzled.
"No it cannot." Nicole blurted.
All attention was brought to the young junior grade Lieutenant. She took a deep breath before continuing.
"In order to use thermal energy, which you can probably get from any heat source, the best way is to get it from the sun."
"You mean like solar panels." Geordi said.
"Yes Commander." Nicole nodded her head. "When I was on the Newton we came across a species called the Thoth. They used something similar to solar panels to harvest light from both their planet's suns. Which then helped power their homes, schools, hospitals, and so on and so forth."
"What type of environment will we need to find?" Captain Picard asked.
"Probably something that has mainly sunshine, but not a whole lot, because you don't want anything overheating. The Thoth had issues with that. Which is why I came up with a cooling system." Nicole said.
"Miss Riker, I would like for you to work with Mr. Data in finding a suitable planet." Captain Picard said.
Nicole looked over at the Android. They nodded to each other.
"Can you also put in a report on how you fixed the issue with the Thoth, Nikki?" Commander Riker asked.
"Her name is Nicole Elisabeth Riker, Will." Her mother said, smiling at the young officer.
"Nikki." Will Riker said, smiling at the little infant in his arms.
He gave her that nickname! She thought her mother or grandmother was the one who gave it to her. No. It was her father all along.
"Yes, that way we can send it off to Starfleet Command so they can get started in helping the Higu." Captain Picard said.
"Yes sir." Nicole said, hastily.
Nicole and Data were at one of the aft stations searching for a suitable planet for the Higu.
"We need something that can support life Data." Nicole said.
"There is Lorth JJOZ. It has two suns. Two moons." Data said.
Nicole looked at the blue and green planet on the screen. It was able to sustain life. And the various wide open spaces can be used as farmland and even a small colony.
"This one will do nicely." Nicole said. "Commander, we found a planet."
Commander Riker walked over from Tactical. Using Nicole's chair for support, he leaned over to look at the screen. Nicole remembered her mother telling her that he had a bad back so he always leaned to relieve the minor pressure from it.
"It will not only support life, but the suns will help with generating power." Nicole said.
"At our present velocity we can be there in two hours and thirty-two minutes, sir." Data said.
Commander Riker straightened up and then he ordered the helm to take them to Lorth JJOZ. Nicole downloaded the information on a datapad to present it to the Captain.
Nicole just about lost her lunch. The captain was asking her to do what?
"I'm asking you to join the away team." Captain Picard said.
Usually Nicole didn't mind joining the away team. There have been a couple occasions where she had to join an Engineering team. However, this time, she was joining the away team and Commander Riker would be in command of it like always.
"I understand there is some tension between you and Commander Riker." Captain Picard started.
"That's only half of it, Captain." Nicole blurted. Which caused her to get a stern look from her Captain.
"But, I need you to set aside that tension to focus on this mission. You are the only one who would know if this is a suitable planet or not." Captain Picard finished.
Nicole wanted to kick, scream, yell, do whatever it took to stop her from going. In the end, she chose to follow orders. She found herself meeting the away team in Transporter Room 3.
"Lieutenant Riker reporting for duty." She said, looking at the 3 pips on Commander Riker's collar.
Commander Riker's jaw clenched. He, too, was astounded by the Captain having Nicole join on the away team. Although, part of him was actually quite glad that she came along with.