Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. Too bad, though.

Authors Notes: Sorry it's taken so long. I was waiting for reviews, and I had band contests and a computer hog sister.

A few minutes later, the ship skidded to a halt, throwing Zandile into a heap on the floor. She got up, rubbing her head as the rest of the bridge crew started blinking and rubbing their eyes.

"What happened?" Asked Captain Picard.

Zandile answered, "There's someone on that planet. I don't think they wanted us to find them."

Data chimed in after checking the helm; "We're 10 light-years away from that planet. Long range scans are being blocked just as much as the short range scanners were."

Just then, a comm channel came to the bridge. "Astrometrics to the bridge," said Zarin," What just happened? I felt an alien presence before the ship went back to warp."

Captain Picard answered, "Apparently, Lieutenant Rey felt the same thing. Have you been able to get any scans from down there?"

"No, I think the aliens were blocking them."

"I see. Try to get more resolution from the scanners for when return."

Aye, Aye captain." The channel was closed.

They tried to scan the planet three times, and each time, hallucinating crewmembers turned the ship around before Zandile or Data could stop them. During these attempts, they did find out that crewmembers with psychic powers and sufficient psychic blocking training weren't affected by the hallucinogens. They also realized, that each time, the ship was forced to retreat to further and further distances, and that the field was gaining range.

Deanna Troi, who could shake off the mental attacks, was able to find out that the people on the mysterious planet didn't want anyone to get close enough to find them. Captain Picard called a senior staff meeting and invited Zandile and Zarin because of their insights on the issue.

"We need to find a way to get through the sector, at least." Said Geordi. "Whenever the hallucinations start, someone down in engineering starts to press buttons. When it stops, we find that the engines and sensors were being tampered with. I'm afraid that whoever is causing this might make someone start a warp core breach if they get desperate to get rid of us."

"Does anyone have any suggestions?" Asked Captain Picard.

"Um, I do," said Zandile in a small, shy voice.

"We're all ears." Said Picard.

"All ears, sir? But most humanoids only have two ears." Said Data.

The officers cracked up. Zandile grinned, and in the lighter atmosphere, she was able to say her piece. "I think that we should minimize the risk to the ship by confining all crewmembers in their quarters. Only the most essential could stay on duty, and those who can block the affects. Then we could go to that planet and crack the problem."

"But what about the crewmembers still on duty? We can't have only four people take care of the entire ship and the people confined to quarters." Commented Commander Riker.

"Would mind melds work? We could use mind melds to put the crew's minds into order and help them temporarily block the affects." Said Zarin, piping up for the first time. "Zandile and I could do the melds."

"I didn't know that non- Vulcans could perform mind melds." Said Captain Picard.

"I trained with Vulcan masters on how to use my abilities. I taught Zandile. She caught on really quickly." Replied Zarin.

Zandile blushed. Captain Picard, however, was pleased. "Well, it seems we have a possibility. Let's try it. Commander Riker, please announce to the crew that everyone will be confined to quarters in one hour. Decide who is the most essential and ask them to go to 10 Forward for the mind meld. Lieutenant Rey, you will be in charge of security during this venture. Please set up some back up measures to prevent crewmembers from tampering if the mind melds don't work. The rest of you, batten down the hatches and be in your quarters in one hour."

There was a collective, "Aye, Captain," from the senior staff.

"Dismissed," said Picard.

The senior staff rose from their chairs and left the observation deck without another word.

There you go. I may have been nice in the cliffie department this time. I assure you, there will be another doozy coming up later!

Twinny, update!