A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky
PART VI
EXT. BOTURLIA III - Same Afternoon
The AWAY TEAM has unpacked the equipment once again and continues its survey of the planet while awaiting further contact from the Enterprise about the transporter status.
DATA
(To Riker.)
Commander, the storm seems to have completely dissipated. Once
the transporter system is fully functional again, there should not be any
further atmospheric interference.
Data closes the tricorder he was using to scan the sky.
WILL RIKER
That's encouraging. The sooner we're off this planet, the better.
DATA
(Cocking his head, giving Riker a curious glance.)
Does this electric anomaly prove "unique" enough for the Federation
to justify building a research station in the area?
Riker claps Data on the shoulder and laughs.
WILL RIKER
I think it just might, Data. Any naturally occurring electrical
storm that appears out of nowhere with an energy discharge strong enough
to knock out power on the Enterprise and prevent the use of the
transporter system for a couple of hours is definitely something
worth researching.
* * * * * * * * * *
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE – Same Afternoon
The remaining SENIOR STAFF sits around the conference table. GEORDI LA FORGE stands at the head of the table, a schematic of the Enterprise on the computer panel behind him. WILL RIKER listens to the briefing via a COMM link.
GEORDI LA FORGE
After exhausting the normal means of re-routing power to the transporter
system failed, I assembled a team to find alternate solutions to our problem.
(Gesturing to Deanna.)
Counselor Troi then brought to my attention the idea that Cadet Gaireth
thought her father, chief engineer of the Neptune, might be of some
help to us.
(Nodding in Picard's direction.)
With approval from the captain, my team and I contacted Commander Gaireth
for suggestions.
WILL RIKER (COMM)
(Slightly skeptical.)
What led Cadet Gaireth to believe her father could offer any additional
solutions that our staff isn't capable of producing?
DEANNA TROI
(Tilting her head to the ceiling.)
According to Elyse, her father faced a somewhat similar transporter
problem on the Neptune and successfully found a solution, which
we have yet to do here.
Deanna looks toward La Forge to explain the technical aspects of the solution.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Addressing Riker.)
His plan includes routing the power through a combination of non-essential
systems as well as the warp engines for an added boost. But instead
of draining a ton of power from the engines, Commander Gaireth's proposal
pulls very little energy from them. The idea is to supply the transporters
with enough power to get your team aboard then we can do a complete diagnostic
on it to return full function.
(To all present in the lounge.)
We should have Commander Riker and his crew back on the Enterprise
within the hour.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Make it so, Mister La Forge.
The observation lounge empties as the staff members return to their
posts.
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM TWO – One Hour Later
GEORDI LA FORGE stands at the computer console and energizes the transporter beam. The AWAY TEAM materializes on the transporter pad.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(To Riker.)
Welcome back, Commander.
WILL RIKER
(Stepping off the platform.)
It's good to be back.
(Pauses as a smile crosses his face.)
But what took you so long?
* * * * * * * * * *
EXT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE TROI'S QUARTERS – Late That Night
WILL RIKER walks through the hallway and approaches the door
to Deanna's quarters. He rings the chime. When he doesn't receive
a response, Riker tries twice more before punching in the access code to
enter.
INT. TROI'S QUARTERS – Continuous
WILL RIKER enters the dimly lit room and hear quiet piano music playing in the background. He smiles at the scene before him: DEANNA TROI, still in uniform, lies stretched out on the couch, her eye closes, with ALEXIS sleeping on her chest.
WILL RIKER
(Whispering.)
Must have been a long day.
Riker quietly moves to the couch and gently picks up Alexis, careful not to wake her or Deanna. He carries the sleeping infant to her crib in the bedroom. As he lies her down, Alexis' eyes flutter open.
WILL RIKER
(Slight panic.)
Shhh, shhh, shhh. Go back to sleep. Please don't start
crying.
Riker breathes a sigh of relief as Alexis' eyes once again close and her body relaxes.
WILL RIKER
(Quietly.)
Thank you.
Riker returns to the main room and leans against the archway, watching Deanna sleep. After several peaceful moments pass, Deanna begins to stir. She suddenly sits up and puts a hand to her chest.
DEANNA TROI
(Gasps.)
Alexis! Where's the baby?
Riker quickly moves into the room from his hidden vantage point.
WILL RIKER
(Putting a finger to his lips.)
Shhh. You don't want to wake her, do you?
DEANNA TROI
(A mix of surprise and sleepiness on her face.)
Will. What are you doing here?
Deanna yawns, pulls her fingers through her hair and smoothes her uniform.
WILL RIKER
You didn't answer your door after I repeatedly rang the chime so I
used your access code to make sure everything was okay.
(Sitting next to Deanna.)
I didn't mean to wake you though. You and Alexis looked quite
content together ...and the scene, oddly enough, looked completely natural.
Riker turns his head away as Deanna stares at him with loving awe.
DEANNA TROI
(Suspecting what Riker meant by the comment but asking about it
anyway.)
Natural?
WILL RIKER
(Returning his gaze to Deanna.)
Yeah. You and a baby, I mean.
(Places a hand on Deanna's cheek.)
You've seemed ... different the past few days and I'm wondering if
it's because of having Alexis around.
Deanna covers Riker's hand with her own and gives him a glare of mock-accusation.
WILL RIKER
(Quickly.)
A good different, Deanna. I'm not complaining at all.
DEANNA TROI
You've been acting a little different on occasion yourself lately.
Don't let anyone tell you you don't have parental instincts, Will Riker.
Both of them let out a quiet laugh.
WILL RIKER
(Becoming more serious, he removes his hand from Deanna's face but
maintains eye contact.)
Have you ever thought about it?
Caught off-guard by the question, Deanna stares at her hands, which are in her lap. Riker places a finger under Deanna's chin and raises her head to make eye contact again.
WILL RIKER
Have you?
DEANNA TROI
(Feeling herself start to blush.)
From time to time.
(Pauses.)
Have you?
Riker barely nods his head. He gives Deanna a lop-sided grin and she returns it with one of her own.
WILL RIKER
Maybe it's something we should start thinking about together.
DEANNA TROI
(Her smile growing.)
Maybe ...
The two share a kiss as Riker gently lies Deanna back down on the
couch.
– End Part VI –
All "known" characters (c) Paramount, Star Trek: The Next Generation and all other relevant parties. This story was written for the enjoyment of other TNG fans and is not meant to infringe upon the copyrights of the aforementioned individuals.