Hello, friends and readers/writers. This is a brand new story based on Star Trek (2009) and TNG. You'll notice in this chapter that two things happen: (1): Although Data and Picard meet previous to the maiden voyage of the Enterprise D (Star Trek: The Lost Era: Buried Age), it is established here that they met for the first time on the Enterprise.
(2) Yar is back! The time travel done by Q in "All Good Things..." is not mentioned. (Notice the dialogue below, as a clue)
Chapter 7:
Captain of the Enterprise
Picard boarded shuttlecraft Galileo with a young lieutenant Natasha Yar, who asked, "Have you ever been on a Galaxy-class starship before, sir?" Picard answered, "No I haven't. I read the blueprints and specifications; but this will be my first time onboard." Tasha replied, gleefully, "Well, if I may say so, sir: You're in for quite a treat. The Enterprise is quite a ship."
Picard answered, "I'll hold you to that. I look forward to getting on board. It's too bad that Captain Halloway couldn't join us onboard." Yar responded: "I'm sure he had his reasons."
"Enterprise to Shuttlecraft Galileo, you are cleared to dock." Yar answered the hail: "Acknowledged, Enterprise."
Yar steps to the ramp. "Commanding officer, Enterprise, arriving." A flute is sounded and the crew stand at attention. Picard walks down the ramp and approaches the podium: "To Captain Jean Luc Picard, stardate 41148 (Saturday April 27, 2363): You are requested and required to take command the USS Enterprise, as of this date. Signed, Rear Admiral Norah Satie, Starfleet Command."
Picard steps down from the podium and approaches a woman. "Captain Picard, I am Deanna Troi, ship's counselor. Welcome aboard." "Thank you, Ms. Troi. From Betazed?" "Yes, sir. My father Ian Andrew Troi was from Earth; but my mother is from Betazed." "I've heard of your mother's achievements; but I've not had the chance to meet her as of yet." Troi answered, "Perhaps that day will come." Looking to the officer on her left. "This is Lt. JG Worf." Picard shakes the hand of the young Klingon. "A first for the Federation: A Klingon officer. Welcome aboard, Mr. Worf." "Thank you, Sir. And to you." "When we have completed the ceremonies, I'd like to get to know you more." Worf answered: "I will look forward to that session, sir."
Troi introduced the chief engineer Lt. Commander Sarah Heather MacDougal; chief petty officer, Miles Edward O'Brien; and many other lower-class officers in attendance. As people returned to their duties, "Captain, I'd like to escort to the Bridge." "After you, Ms. Troi."
As they walked through the corridor, Deanna mentioned, "As you arrived, our bridge officer taking command of the Enterprise was informed of an incoming transmission from Starfleet Command. We still have a few officers waiting to come aboard: A first officer and a Navigator officer." "I saw the communique. Do we have any names for these officers?" "No, sir, the message was coded, "Captain's Eyes Only." Picard nodded, "I see. Thank you, Lt."
As the turbolift approached the Bridge, the commanding officer stood from the captain's chair. "Captain on the Bridge!" Picard walked toward the acting captain. "Welcome aboard the Bridge, Captain Picard. I am Lt. Commander Data, operations officer." "It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Data. I relieve you." Data nodded, "I stand relieved. We are currently on our way to Farpoint Station in the Deneb IV system as per Starfleet Command orders. The pad in your hand has a message for your eyes only, which will need your authorization code to read the incoming message." "Yes, Lt. Troi had advised me on the way." Picard looked around, "As you were!" The standing officers returned to their duty stations.
Picard approached Data's station. "Reading your Starfleet file, Mr. Data, I find it fascinating all the achievements you've accomplished in your career thus far. Your species is labeled as 'android'." Data answered, "Yes, sir. I was a created by a cyberneticist by the name of Dr. Noonian Soong. The details of my construction and 'makeup' is listed there in the file in its entirety." "My word. I very much look forward to reading it in my spare time. Now, would you agree to describe our first mission via Starfleet orders as difficult?" Data answered, "No, sir. Simply solve the mystery of Farpoint Station."
Picard smiled as he approached his chair, "As simple as that." Deanna sat on her respective seat on the Captain's left. "Farpoint Station, even the name itself is mysterious." Picard nodded, "Indeed, and that is what the Enterprise' mission is all about: Exploration and investigation. Like the detectives of old."