Chapter 4: Daughter to Father Part 2
Nicole materialized on the planet. She immediately took out her tricorder to scan the area. She was picking up some life forms which turned out to be insects crawling through the grass and plants.
Along with Data, she was able to get some samples of the soil, grass, some plant life, and even some insects.
"I think we have enough samples." Commander Riker said.
"I agree." Nicole paused. "Although, I would like to take a walk around and survey the area a bit more. If that is alright, sir?"
Commander Riker turned his attention to Worf and Data."You two return back to the ship. Get those samples to the science lab. I will assist Lieutenant Riker further. "
"Commander I must insist…." The Klingon interjected.
Commander Riker gave him a look and Worf said, "Yes sir."
An hour or so went by. Commander Riker stayed close to Nicole. Making sure she stayed safe and out of harm's way. Though she probably could fend for herself.
He had heard the stories from not only Deanna but from Admiral Collins as well about her sparring. He was told that she did it so when she was on away missions she could defend herself. He, too, sparred several times with the Klingon security chief. Even Kyle Riker was known to spar in his youth. It was a Riker trait that he was glad Nicole inherited.
Now if only he could've been a man and acted like the father Nicole needed all of those years.
Just then there was a flash of light in the distance. It was fast approaching.
"What the-"
Commander Riker didn't get a chance to finish what he was going to say. The sky went dark rather quickly. An Ion storm popped out of nowhere.
"We need to find shelter!" Nicole yelled over the noise of the storm.
She grabbed the first officer by the hand, leading him to the caves near the base of the mountains. They could seek shelter there till the storm passed or at least eased so the Enterprise could transport them out.
Once in the cave, Nicole realized she was still holding his hand. She jerked hers away rather quickly. She took out her tricorder to check the cave wall.
"The cave should keep us safe from the storm." She said, turning her attention back to the first officer.
He nodded his head. He tried to reach the Enterprise, but the metal in the cave was causing interference. And it was too dangerous to step outside.
Nicole got to work. She went ahead and gathered materials in case she needed to build a fire. Ion storms were unpredictable so there was a possibility they would be here till tomorrow. She needed to prepare.
"You took the survival course at the Academy."
It wasn't a question, more of a statement. However, Nicole chose to answer anyway.
"Yes. I also went camping with Mark, Adam, and Rachel a lot during the Summer."
"You like to go camping?" Commander Riker asked.
Nicole looked at the pile of sticks she collected. She remembered laying the sticks a certain way to make a fire. She even remembered fishing at a lake in Oklahoma with Mark's sister who she just called Auntie.
She then brought up a dream of wanting to do those things with her biological father. With Commander Riker.
Commander Riker sat against the rock wall watching Nicole stare at a pile of sticks. He wished he was telepathic so he could see what she was thinking. He felt that he hurt her by asking the question so he dismissed it.
"I apologize." Commander Riker said.
Nicole shook her head. "No it's okay sir." she said.
She turned her attention back to the present. She looked at the entrance of the cave. The Ion storm was still in full force.
She sighed.
Then she joined Commander Riker, sitting right next to him. The wall was cool against her back.
They sat in silence for quite some time. The only noise was from the storm and occasional rocks falling in the cave.
"Lieutenant." Commander Riker said, breaking the silence.
Nicole looked at him and said, "Sir?"
"Why do you not want to be a full Lieutenant?" Commander Riker asked.
Nicole stared forward. She knew eventually someone would ask. Yes, she was still a Lieutenant Junior Grade. She could easily become a full Lieutenant. Starfleet has been trying to give it to her for years, but she has denied it.
"I just don't feel ready." She finally said after a couple minutes of silence.
"Geordi speaks highly of you. And I see how well you work. You could even be a Chief Engineer now." He said.
Nicole smiled at that. She has heard of many that her work has been exemplary. And yes, she should be Chief Engineer.
"It is like I said, Commander. I don't feel ready. I was forced into the Chief Engineer position on the Newton when I was an Ensign." Nicole said.
Commander Riker stayed silent this time. He didn't mean to pry. Nicole hated talking about her life on the USS Newton. It was an extremely difficult time in her life. It was her first ship and it all went to hell in just a short period of time.
"Commander." Nicole looked up at him.
"Yes Lieutenant." He looked down at her.
"Why aren't you a Captain yet?" Nicole asked.
Commander Riker looked away. "I actually do not know. Maybe I am like you in a way. I don't feel ready." He said.
"With all due respect, sir. You are nothing like me." Nicole blurted.
Commander Riker gave Nicole a stern look. Nicole bit her tongue. It was best that she stayed quiet. She didn't want to say something wrong that would cost her her career.
"What's that supposed to mean!?" Commander Riker asked, raising his voice slightly.
"Forget it, sir." Nicole said, shaking her head.
Nicole looked at the cave entrance. She wished the ion storm would just end. That way she could be on the Enterprise. With Tucker. Or at least immersed in her work. Instead of here on a planet. With the man she is supposed to call father.
Commander Riker scrubbed his face with his hand before he began speaking. "Look, I understand you're still angry with me for leaving your mother when she was pregnant with you."
"That's an understatement." Nicole interjected.
"But," Commander Riker sighed. "We work on the same ship and unless you want to leave."
Nicole glared at the first officer. "I have no need to leave, Commander."
Commander Riker lowered his voice as he smiled, "And nor do I."
The stare down between the Commander and his daughter lasted about a minute. Neither were backing down.
Back on the Enterprise, Nicole immersed herself in her work. She hid herself away in the science lab checking over the samples she collected.
Data came by after his shift on the bridge to see if she required assistance. He enjoyed helping her out with whatever tasks she needed to complete. And Nicole enjoyed having him around.
"It looks like the planet is perfect for a thermal power source." Nicole said, checking over her notes.
"Agreed." Data said, nodding his head.
"What does the database say on the climate?" Nicole asked, looking up.
Baby blues met yellow eyes. Nicole could easily get lost in those pools of sunshine. She fell in love with his eyes ever since he helped calm her when they had to expand her telepathic abilities.
She tore her eyes away. She was with someone else. Someone who she cared deeply for. And he just walked into the science lab.
"Hey babe." Nicole said, smiling.
Tucker smiled back at her. However, his smile didn't meet his eyes. Nicole could have sworn she sensed a little worry and anger coming from him.
"How's it going?" Tucker asked.
"So far so good. Just checking over the final notes before I write up my report for Starfleet." Nicole said.
Tucker placed a kiss on her head. He stayed close to Nicole as Data and her talked over the climate of the planet. He even thought how cute it was to see Nicole using a stylus instead of the keypad of the datapad to make her final notes.
"That should be everything I need. Thank you for your help, Commander." Nicole said, smiling.
Data nodded his head before leaving the science lab. Tucker glared at the Android as he left. There was something about him always being around his girl that upset him. He quickly shook it off, turning his attention back to Nicole.
"When do you need to get the report in by?" Tucker asked.
"I need to at least get the report ready for the Captain by 1900 hours. Then he will send it to Starfleet tomorrow morning." Nicole said, not meeting her boyfriend's gaze.
"Will you be in charge of it all? Setting up the thermal power?"
Nicole shrugged. "I actually don't know."
"I mean you are the one that has knowledge of thermal energy."
"Yeah I know. I just don't know if I want to be in charge of a team again."
Nicole fell silent as she concentrated on writing up her report. Tucker moved closer to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist. He could sense the sadness and pain coming off of her.
She was once in charge of a team. That was the hardest time in her life.
"I know you had a bad past experience, but it is different now. I have faith in you that you can do it." Tucker said.
This caused Nicole to smile. "Thank you babe." She said, telepathically.
Tucker kissed her on the cheek before he let go. Being the good boyfriend that he is, he stayed by her side while she worked on her report.