Disclaimer: If I owned anything of value, why would I still have a dial up modem? If I owned Star Trek, I would be writing episodes or fawning over the actors or something other than writing this. Duh.
Author's notes: School. A one word explanation for why I haven't updated in awhile. At least I update, unlike some other writers I know cough Twinny cough Anarra cough.
Half an hour later, 15 crewmembers had lined up in Ten Forward. Geordi, Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher, Deanna and Data were the senior staff members that were going to stay on duty. Zandile and Zarin sat next to each other, imposing temporary mind blocks on the crewmembers. After each person had had a mind meld, Zarin tried to use his telepathy on everyone, and wouldn't let anyone leave until all of them could block his mental voice.
Captain Picard was very pleased that the first two parts of the plan had gone without a hitch. Everyone was safely locked in his or her quarters, and he couldn't hear any voices in his head, even as they got closer to the planet.
In the rest of the ship, however, crewmembers could hear the voices. The aliens begged them to turn the ship around, but no one could. People all over the ship banged against the doors of their quarters, begging for someone on the outside to unlock the doors.
Dr. Crusher was monitoring the crew from sickbay. She used internal sensors to monitor everyone's biosigns, and was disconcerted by what she was seeing. She called the bridge, "Captain Picard, the crew is going mad from the voices. They can't act upon what they are saying. If they keep up, they could hurt themselves. Heart rates around the ship are at dangerous levels. The sooner we get this over with, the better."
"I know, Doctor," Captain Picard replied calmly. "We are almost to the planet now. Picard out."
After closing the comm channel, he turned to Zandile at the security console. "Open a channel to the planet, let anyone who is there hear us." Ordered Picard. He turned to the screen.
"Cannel open." Said Zandile.
Captain Picard spoke to the screen, not knowing if anyone could hear him, and said, "This is Captain Picard of the USS Enterprise. We mean you no harm. We are peaceful explorers. We only want to learn about your culture. Please respond, if you are able to."
There was no response. Suddenly, Deanna Troi, who had been sitting next to Picard, sized up. She fell to the floor; her face screwed up in concentration. "Get out of my head!" She gasped to someone not on the bridge. "Captain," she struggled to say, "Captain, they want us to get out!"
Then, she stood up calmly, "Do not be alarmed, I am the high chancellor of this planet. I am speaking through your friend. She is a very good telepathic conduit. We do not want to be disturbed, and we will do anything necessary to make sure you go away."
Captain Picard went up to Deanna, who stared blankly at Picard. "Please, high chancellor, we only want to learn about your race, but, if you do not wish us to bother you, we must be allowed to pass your planet."
"We cannot allow that anymore. We tried to warn you to away, but you were too curious. Your ship has knowledge of our existence. The only way my people can be safe is if you are erased. If word gets to our enemies, even indirectly and inadvertently, through your ship and crew, they will destroy us. You cannot leave this sector." Said Deanna in a flat voice.
"Please, let us pass, we will not tell anyone. We can erase our computer records." Said Captain Picard. While he was talking, he signaled Zandile to come around behind Deanna. She slowly crept up behind her, waiting for Picard to signal again.
"How will we know you will keep your word?" Said the chancellor, through Deanna, who was still glassy eyed and staring into nothing. Picard held up his hands and gestured to Zandile what she should do.
"We could go down to your planet, meet face to face, and work out an agreement that is to both our advantages.
"No!" Said the chancellor. Deanna's body jerked. "No one will see our planet! It is too dangerous! You will all die because of your knowledge!" Deanna jerked again and lost balance. Captain Picard signaled Zandile. She caught Deanna before she hit the floor, and pressed her fingertips on the counselor's temples and chin. She initiated a mind meld.
Inside Counselor Troi's mind Zandile could see the chancellor who was controlling Deanna. He was a tall, vaguely humanoid, and probably male. His skin was very pale blue and long, dark hair. His forehead glowed softly from the mental strain of keeping the bond. There was an image of Counselor Troi in chains and sitting in a corner, meaning that she was not in control in her own head anymore. Zandile pushed further, trying to get into the chancellor's mind. She strained her abilities. The chancellor protested. Zandile concentrated harder on trying to get him out of Deanna's mind. Suddenly, the chancellor was gone in a huge flash of light.
On the bridge of the Enterprise, Zandile collapsed in a heap. Deanna stood up, shaking her head and rubbing her eyes. "What happened?" She asked, incredulously.
Before anyone could answer her, there was a call on the comm system. "Captain, the crew members in their quarters are all going into shock. They're going to die soon!" Cried Dr. Crusher voice.
Muh hahahaha! I am so evil. Hey, I might have time to update again this weekend, if you're nice to me. Show me the sugar, my lovely readers. If you're good to mama, mama's good to you.