A "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Fan-Fiction Story - by Vicky
PART VIII
INT. PICARD'S READY ROOM – Same Day
WILL RIKER sits at one end of the couch with JEAN-LUC PICARD, arms crossed, standing in front of him.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
Contact Starbase six-two-eight and inform them that our arrival will
be delayed. I'm ordering an all-stop until Data, Geordi, Deanna and
Beverly are returned to the ship.
WILL RIKER
Yes, sir.
Riker begins to stand but pauses when Q appears, sitting at the opposite end of the couch.
Q
Sometimes you're too logical for your own good, Picard. You seem
to be forgetting that I'm an omnipotent entity.
(Devilish grin.)
The galaxy needn't come to a complete standstill for my benefit.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Frustrated.)
I'm tired of your games, Q. I want my officers returned within
the hour.
Q
(Shrugging his shoulders.)
Actually, I have no control over the time frame. Your officers
will dictate when the game's over and, subsequently, when they're ready
to return to this ... life.
WILL RIKER
(Narrowing his gaze.)
What do you mean?
Q casually crosses his legs and leans back against the couch, his hands behind his head.
Q
Oh Riker. I figured you'd be able to grasp the simplest of subjects
by now, but I'll spell it out for you anyway.
(Pauses.)
What I mean is that they are on their own. I've merely become
an observer in this instance. I did, however, serve as the catalyst
to their journey.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Taking a step toward Q.)
And exactly what type of "journey" would you be referring to?
If any harm comes to any of them ...
Q
Stop worrying, mon Capitain. It doesn't suit you.
(Shifting his gaze between Picard and Riker.)
In my own special way I'm allowing your senior staff to view their
lives from a new perspective – to reassess their priorities and to build
confidence.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Slightly skeptical.)
With all due respect, Q, that doesn't sound at all like you.
Q
(Speaking with mild disdain.)
Being banished from the Continuum once was bad enough. Unless
I want to be thrown out again, I'm required to perform a completely selfless
act on occasion. The Enterprise just happened to be in the
area when that time rolled around.
WILL RIKER
If Deanna and the others have the ability to bring your game to an
end, why haven't they done so already?
Q
(Leaning toward Riker.)
Still hung up on the fact that she turned your down, huh? That
had to be quite the blow to your ego. I don't know how you can concentrate
on anything else.
WILL RIKER
(Becoming defensive.)
That's none of your business, Q! Deanna and I ...
Q slaps his knees and stands.
Q
(Interrupting Riker.)
Gentlemen, as much fun as this conversation has been, I must return
to my work. I have a feeling my services will be needed shortly.
Before Picard or Riker can utter another word, Q is gone in a flash of light. Riker stands, his emotions beginning to cool, and moves next to Picard.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Turning to Riker.)
I still want the all-stop ordered ... just to be on the safe side.
WILL RIKER
Aye, sir.
The doors to the ready room open and Riker pauses in the archway.
WILL RIKER
(His back to Picard.)
I hope this is all over soon.
JEAN-LUC PICARD
(Tugging down his uniform shirt.)
As do I, Number One.
(Nodding.)
As do I.
* * * * * * * * * *
EXT. FOREST – Simultaneously
DATA stands in the middle of the yellow brick road waiting for the others to join him. Before long, GEORDI LA FORGE, DEANNA TROI and BEVERLY CRUSHER approach from behind. Deanna and Beverly immediately halt their jogging and stare at the site before them with mouths agape. Visible on the not-so-distance horizon is a series of large, domed buildings representing the Emerald City of Oz.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Quietly.)
It's beautiful.
DEANNA TROI
(Equally amazed.)
No, it's breath-taking.
DATA
(Looking at Beverly and Deanna.)
I believe that is our intended destination. It quite possibly
could hold the answers to some of our questions.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Smiling.)
Let's go.
Data and La Forge start walking toward the Emerald City. Beverly and Deanna, both still staring at the city before them, follow after a few moments, catching up to the pair ahead.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Speaking from behind Data and La Forge.)
So what's our plan when we reach the city gates? I really don't
think we should go in there without some sense of an action plan.
Deanna and Beverly quicken their pace so that the group is now walking four abreast on the road – Deanna and Beverly on the edges, Data and La Forge in the middle.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Placing an arm around Beverly's shoulders.)
This isn't a battle, Doc. Lighten up a little. I do think
we should try to keep in sync with the plot events of the story as much
as possible though.
(Glancing at Deanna.)
Counselor?
DEANNA TROI
In that case, we need to meet with the Wizard and ask him for help
in obtaining our goals.
(Wryly.)
And let's hope he doesn't ask us to kill a witch before granting our
requests.
After a few silent minutes, the quartet arrives at the Emerald City. The buildings tower over them. A gentle glow emanates from the structure, bathing the group in soft green light.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Reaching out to touch a wall.)
It's even more amazing up close.
Data begins to survey the nearby buildings, walking away from the others.
GEORDI LA FORGE
Q really has his work cut out for him this time. I'm impressed.
DATA
(Calling over his shoulder.)
I believe I have found the entrance.
La Forge, Beverly and Deanna exchange anxious glances before moving toward Data. A heavy green door stands before them with a portal-like window located above their heads. La Forge makes eye contact with the others before stepping closer to the door.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Deep breath.)
Here goes nothing.
La Forge knocks loudly on the door three times then returns to his original position next to the others. The window immediately opens and Q pops his head through. He is wearing a high-collared green robe with a matching beanie on his head and is sporting a pointed goatee.
Q
Well it's about time!
(Slight annoyance.)
It sure took the four of you long enough to get here. I was ready
to give up all hope you'd ever arrive.
DATA
(Cocking his head.)
It was my understanding that you had detached yourself from us, Q.
We did not expect to see you during our journey.
Q
You really didn't expect me to miss out on all the fun, did
you? Be realistic Data.
(Small grin.)
Or should I call you "Tin Man?"
BEVERLY CRUSHER
Q, we've come to see the Wizard.
Q pokes his shoulders through the window and maneuvers his body to better see Beverly, who is positioned to his left.
Q
(Gasping.)
You have!
(Grim expression.)
Unfortunately, Dorothy, that's impossible. The Wizard is busy
at the moment and won't be taking any more visitors today. Let me
check his calendar real quick to see when his next available appointment
opening is.
Q produces a small notebook and flips through many pages before finding what he's looking for. He studies the selected page for a moment before tossing the notebook over his shoulder.
Q
Bummer. He's booked solid. The earliest I can squeeze you
in is three years from today at twenty-two-hundred hours. Shall I
pencil you in?
(Pauses, waiting for a response.)
No?
(Clicking his tongue.)
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Q begins to retreat into the building but is stopped by Deanna's very loud and very angry voice. She steps forward and stares up at the window.
DEANNA TROI
Knock it off, Q! I've had quite enough! All of us have
played along with your little game with good humor and a great deal
of patience.
(Gesturing at those next to her.)
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm quickly losing what little
patience I have left!
(Lowering her voice in response to the shocked expressions given
to her by the others.)
The least you could do is let us in so that we can finish this ...
(Struggling for the right words.)
... whatever-you-want-to-call-it.
(Sighing.)
Please.
Q
(Suppressing a smile.)
My, my Counselor. Never in a million years would I have pegged
you to be this much of a troublemaker.
(Light laugh.)
You're spunky. I almost find that attractive.
DEANNA TROI
(Hands on hips.)
Are you going to let us in or not?
Q contemplates the thought for a moment before smugly peering down at the quartet again.
Q
Okay. But first ...
Q ducks back through the window and disappears from sight.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Disbelief.)
Where'd he go? I thought he was going to let us in.
Seconds later, Q emerges from the window again and tosses each officer a pair of glasses with round green lenses. They each study the glasses with a quizzical expression.
Q
(Dryly.)
City ordinance. Put 'em on.
The officers put on the glasses, albeit with some reluctance.
DEANNA TROI
(Under her breath.)
Great. As if I don't look silly enough already ...
Hearing the comment, Beverly looks toward Deanna and unsuccessfully tries to stifle a small giggle. Deanna gives Beverly a somewhat friendly glare in return.
DEANNA TROI
You ...
(Pointing at Beverly.)
... be quiet.
BEVERLY CRUSHER
(Mock salute.)
Yes, ma'am.
With that, the door opens a crack and Q exits the building, sealing the entrance behind them.
Q
Glasses on?
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Tilting his head.)
Yeah, but where are yours?
Q
(Smirking.)
Omnipotence excludes me from the ordinance.
GEORDI LA FORGE
(Skeptically.)
Uh-huh ...
Q
(Waving off La Forge's comment.)
But that's beside the point.
With flourish, Q throws the door to the Emerald City wide open and grandly motions for the quartet to precede inside.
Q
Welcome to the Emerald City!
– End Part VIII –
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.