Star Trek The Next Generation
Fall of the Romulins
By Commander Spike
Chapter Two
"We are now arriving at Starfleet Headquarters," announced the shuttle pilot.
As everyone stirred awake, even Data after using his dream program, they all picked up their things and prepared to leave the shuttle for the solid ground of earth, the first time that they had been to earth for a long time.
After the soft thud of the shuttle landing on the ground the pilot announced, "We have arrived, please exit the shuttlecraft."
As Picard walked out he took a deep breath and said, "I've forgotten the fresh air that this blue marble has."
"It has just that Sir," said Riker, kissing Deanna on the cheek.
"Now, I believe we are heading in different ways?" said Picard.
"What do you mean Sir?" asked Deanna.
"I must meet with the Federation Counsel, they wished to talk about my command," stated Picard with a disgusted look on his face.
"You with a desk job," said Riker laughing a little, "I can't imagine you sitting behind a desk, except the one in your ready room."
Picard smiled and replied; "I have already told Starfleet I will only become a Admiral if I can have command of the Enterprise."
"Well Deanna and I have to catch another shuttle in an hour, how about we grab some lunch before we split?" asked Riker.
"I would like that," said Geordi still waking from his nap.
"Captain," said Data.
"Yes Data?" replied the Captain.
"What am I suppose to do on my shore leave?" asked Data.
"I'm sure that you will find
something," said Picard walking toward a little café.
"Or you can familiarize yourself with the Enterprise's new design," said Geordi.
"I shall do that Geordi, thank you," said Data.
As they all sat down to eat, Picard and the rest sat at a booth and looked out toward the ocean.
"I've forgotten how the ocean really looked up close," said Deanna smiling.
Picard sighed and said, "I wonder how the vineyard is doing after all these years."
"I'm sure your brother and his wife have taken good care of it," said Will.
"Commander, you have exactly forty-four minutes and twenty-six seconds before your shuttle leaves," stated Data.
"Thank you Data," said Riker picking up his sandwitch and taking a bite.
After the five of them had eaten they walked with Riker and Troi to see them off to Alaska.
"Take care Number One," said Picard with a smile, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"You too Sir," said Will with a smile, "All of you take care."
"See you in a year," said Troi as she walked into the shuttle, followed by Will.
After the shuttle took off and headed into the distance Data stated, "I believe Counselor Troi misstated a fact."
"And what fact was that Data?" asked Geordi.
"She said that she will see us in
one year.
"We are all to report to the Enterprise in one year, to start familiarizing ourselves with the new computers and equipment," said Picard with a smile.
"I'm late for my appointment for the engineering conference!" shouted Geordi as he ran down the long hall.
"I didn't know there was a conference today," said Picard raising an eyebrow at Geordi.
"It is a private conference that very few Starfleet Chief Engineers are invited to, you being the Captain of the Enterprise, were not informed because you have no ranking in engineering," said Data.
"Your right," said Picard, "I am part of the command crew on the Enterprise, not the Engineering detail."
"Captain, my I accompany you to your meeting with the Federation Counsel?" asked Data.
"Of course," replied Picard, "I could use an associate."
"An associate?" asked Data.
"It makes a better picture if I have a trusted member of my crew there to make the decision to accept the promotion to Admiral," said Picard.
"Very well, the Counsel does not meet till tomorrow, perhaps we should fine a place to stay the night," suggested Data.
"I already have a room for two at a hotel tonight, not knowing if you were going somewhere," said Picard with a smile.
"Ah, very well," said Data, "Shall we proceed?"
"Let's shall," said Picard with a smile.
As they both walked down the long
hallway, they did not know that they were being watched.
One Year Later…
"Mr. Worf," said Will as he greeted the Klingon and his son as they exited the shuttle.
"Commander, Counselor," replied Worf with a smile.
"Counselor Troi," said Alexander with excitement.
"Hi there Alexander," said Will, bending his knees to get to eye level with the child.
"Commander Riker," said Alexander with a sense of the command structure.
"Hello all!" came Geordi's voice.
"Geordi," said Will, noticing Leah Brahms's arm around Geordi's neck.
"Hello Commander Riker, Counselor
Troi, Commander Worf," said Leah.
"I'm sure you have," said Will noticing a certain pale-faced android walking behind Geordi.
"Data, how have you been?" asked Will.
"I have been operating within normal parameters," said Data.
"Captain Picard should be here shortly," said a female voice.
"Dr. Crusher," said Deanna, giving her a friendly hug.
Beverly started to say, "Deanna, Will, Worf, Geordi, Data, and…"
"Dr. Leah Brahms," said Leah.
"The person that Geordi had been talking about before we left," said Beverly with a smile.
"How are the new implants working Geordi?" asked Will.
"Same as the first time you saw me with them via the subspace communication," said Geordi with a smile.
"I'm glad to see you're all in one spot," said Picard walking in from behind Will.
"Captain," said Data.
"You weren't promoted?" asked Beverly disappointed.
"Yes he was Dr.," said Data.
"I just wear the pips, not the uniform," said Picard with a smile.
"Crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, please enter the shuttle for your trip back to your ship," came a voice from within the shuttle.
After everyone had walked into the
shuttle, including Leah, everyone got into a comfortable position and relaxed,
excited to see his or her ship for the first time.
One hour later…
"Shuttlecraft fifteen you are cleared to land in Shuttle bay two," came the voice from the Enterprise.
"Finally," said Picard sitting up.
"Did anyone see it?" asked Riker as the thud of the shuttlecraft landing in the shuttle bay.
"Nope, didn't even know we were near the place," said Brahms smiling.
Data, tapped buttons on a console and then the video log of the shuttlecraft were up and running on the screen.
"They changed the design," said Geordi.
"Yes, they did not add the torpedoes to Deck Two, nor the third nacelle," said Data.
"No new phaser cannon," said Will.
Picard stood up and stated, "That's because I would not allow them to add them."
"What?" asked Geordi.
"I looked at the plans with Data, and found many flaws in them," said Picard.
"But they did replace the warpcore," said Data," or at least upgraded it."
"I look forward to it," said Geordi.
"I look forward to Sickbay," said the Dr.
"And the rest of us are looking forward to seeing our bridge," said Picard walking out of the shuttlecraft.
