Worf looked down at his monitors, frowning. "Captain. We are receiving a distress signal from a nearby planet, Megdana IV."
Captain Picard pursed his lips, recalling. "Megdana. Isn't there a Federation colony there?"
"Yes, and an established one, too. It's been there for at least eighty years," Riker answered, crossing the bridge to stand next to the Captain.
The Captain nodded. "Put it on the viewscreen."
Worf nodded. Two human women appeared on the screen. Their expressions were steady, but their eyes betrayed their anxiety.
"I am Sezara, the elected leader of the Megdana IV colony," the older woman spoke. "We are relieved that you are here." The younger woman looked on nervously.
Captain Picard furrowed his brow. "I am Captain Picard of the Starship Enterprise. What can we do for you, Sezara?"
"We have been hit by a series of large asteroids. Many of our monitoring stations have been destroyed, and many of our people have been killed or wounded. Our medical system is overwhelmed, and we suspect based off of the fragmented signals that we are receiving, that an even larger impact is coming. We also suspect that our planet's orbit has been altered by these impacts." Sezara maintained her composure, but the younger woman crumpled as she listened. "We ask that you help us in whatever capacity you are able."
Riker's eyes were wide with shock. Picard turned to Counselor Troi briefly.
"I can sense their desperation, Captain," she said, her face twisted with worry. "They have suffered great losses."
Captain Picard turned back to the viewscreen and nodded. "Yes, we will treat as many of your wounded as we are able and share supplies and information regarding the asteroid. We will attempt to divert its course." He turned from the viewscreen to look at Worf. "Lieutenant, can you locate the asteroid they're referring to?"
Worf nodded, eyes on his screen. "Yes, sensors indicate that it is one third as massive as the planet Megdana IV. Estimated impact in five hours." Picard and Riker turned to each other, making meaningful eye contact. Sezara and the younger woman looked at each other, the fear plain on their faces.
Picard tapped the comm link on his chest. "Dr. Crusher, are you getting this?"
"Aye, captain," her voice carried over.
"I want you to clear sick bay and prepare to beam up wounded from Megdana IV. We need as many beds as we can get. Commander Data, see to it that Lieutenant Yar is returned safely to her quarters, then report to the bridge."
Data turned to Dr. Crusher expectantly. "Is it safe for her to return now?"
Dr. Crusher looked down at her monitoring screens and nodded. "Yes, the embryo has detached, and she doesn't technically require medical supervision past this point. Normally I'd keep her here for observation at least a few hours, but…" she trailed off, standing and hurrying around the room to prepare.
Data looked down at Tasha. Her eyes were glazed over, and her head lolled with pain. She gritted her teeth to try to sit up, bracing herself with her arms, but she quickly crumpled, cradling her aching abdomen.
"Are you able to walk?" he asked, doubtful. She was incredibly capable at the worst of times, and though his prediction was that she would not be able to, he didn't want to underestimate or insult her. She shook her head, grimacing. "Then I will carry you," he said. He was relieved that she wouldn't try in her present condition. He stood and gathered her in his arms, scooping her from the table effortlessly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into his chest, her eyes shut tight against the pain.
Dr. Crusher stopped her frenzy of activity to give direction. "Make sure she has enough heat for the pain, and towels for the bleeding. She also needs to stay hydrated. Check in on her in an hour, her pain should begin to subside to a more manageable level by then." The doctor was already back at work before she finished her instructions. Data acknowledged her and then stepped into the turbolift with Tasha in his arms.
"I am sorry. I feel responsible for your pain," he said, looking down at her. She shook her head, pressing her face further into his chest, but didn't speak. He walked quickly down the corridor to her quarters, drawing odd looks from all passing by. He made sure his movements were gentle and smooth, careful to avoid jostling her. He could feel the muscle contractions in her lower back against his arms. Based on their force and duration, he could estimate her pain levels. The information worried him deeply.
At long last he carried her over the threshold into her quarters, gently laying her down on the bed. He put down a towel and helped her roll on top of it. She curled into a ball, pulling her knees into her chest. He sat down next to her, offering her water, but she shook her head and turned her face away. He left the glass and pitcher on her nightstand, and resolved to make her drink when he returned. He pulled the heated blanket up over her shoulders and left the room, dimming the lights as he went. He barely heard her mumbled thanks as he stepped into the corridor.
"Data, you're covered in blood," Riker's booming voice called out as Data stepped out of the turbolift and onto the bridge. All eyes turned to him. He looked down at his uniform in surprise, noting that his sleeves were stained a dark crimson.
He looked back up at Commander Riker. "So I am. I will go and change." He turned to leave, but Captain Picard cut in.
"There's no time now. Data, at your station. The asteroid will be reaching the planet's atmosphere in just over three hours. We need to find a way to knock the asteroid off course." Data sat down and began reviewing the available information.
Worf continued the explanation. "It is surrounded by hundreds of smaller asteroids. Most will burn up in the planet's atmosphere, but others are large enough to also make impact."
Riker looked from Worf to the Captain. "Tractor beam?" he asked, his tone betraying his lack of hope.
Worf responded, shaking his head. "The main asteroid is too large to lock onto. We may be able to get a hold on some of the smaller ones."
Data turned around in his seat. Riker looked down at him, unable to take his eyes off of the blood on his sleeves. "Captain, could we launch the smaller asteroids into the larger one to alter its course away from Megdana IV?"
Captain Picard raised his eyebrows. "We can certainly try," he answered, intrigued.
Commander Riker broke into a wide grin, turning to the Captain. "Like asteroid billiards!" The Captain nodded, his dark eyes dancing with delight. It was an elegant solution.
"Billiards, sir?" asked Worf, out of the loop.
Riker turned to him, bright smile still flashing. "It's a human game played with a set of identical balls. You have to mentally estimate the exact angle and necessary force to hit one ball into a goal using another. I happen to be a bit of an enthusiast," he said, his body language expressing a kind of aw-shucks false modesty.
"Well, our calculations will certainly need to be more reliable than mental estimations, number one," the Captain answered, grinning in kind. He resolved to challenge Riker to a game as soon as they had some downtime.
"Captain, I have identified nine asteroids large enough to change the course of the main asteroid. By my calculations, we will need to hit it at least three times to alter its trajectory enough to prevent impact with Megdana IV," Data said. He transferred the coordinates of the three asteroids he recommended to Geordi's console.
"Mr. La Forge, it will take some delicacy to maneuver in this asteroid field. Please use all caution," the Captain warned.
"Aye, sir," Geordi responded, working at his console.
"Shields up," Riker called. Worf confirmed.
"Proceed to the first projectile," the Captain commanded.
"Proceeding to projectile one now, sir," Geordi responded. The ship flew slowly into the asteroid field. There was minor turbulence, but it settled quickly.
"We are being peppered by small space debris, sir," Worf explained. "Shields are holding." They sat in anticipatory silence for several moments before Worf spoke up again. "We have a lock on projectile one, sir."
"Launch angle is 13.292 degrees," Data called.
"Target asteroid on the main viewer," Captain Picard ordered. The viewscreen was soon filled with the sight of the oblong asteroid, rotating in space.
"Prepare to launch," said Riker.
"Ready, sir," Worf responded, one hand stationary over his console.
"Launch." Captain Picard gave the order. The bridge crew watched with bated breath as the projectile crashed into the target, knocking it slightly off course and increasing the speed of its rotation, making it look more menacing than ever.
"Updated estimation of impact two hours, forty-nine minutes. One hour and thirty-seven minutes to atmosphere," Worf called. Riker's jaw dropped.
"How did we lose time?" he demanded.
Data responded quickly. "We have increased the speed of the asteroid, but it is no longer on a direct collision path with Megdana IV. It is now on course for a glancing blow, which would be much less catastrophic to the planet."
"We'll knock it further off course well before then. Mr. La Forge, please position us for the next shot," the Captain interceded.
"Aye, sir."
They lined up and launched the second projectile with perfect accuracy. The target asteroid was now barely on course to collide with the planet. Data's head tilted up suddenly. He turned to the Captain. "Sir, it has been one hour and I must check on Lieutenant Yar."
The Captain raised his eyebrows. "Can it wait, Mr. Data?" he asked, gesturing at the spinning asteroid on the main viewer.
Data continued. "I am worried about her, sir. She was in considerable pain when I left her." The Captain glanced at Data's blood-crusted sleeves and relented.
"Page her, then."
Data nodded, tapping his comm link. "Data to Lieutenant Yar." He waited a moment, then tried again. "Lieutenant Yar, come in. This is Data." Still, there was no response. Commander Riker and Captain Picard shared a look.
The Captain tapped his comm link. "Lieutenant Yar, this is your captain speaking. Come in." They waited a moment more in the silence. The Captain turned to Data, gesturing to the lift with a nod. "Go," he said, his voice urgent. Data sprung from his chair and disappeared into the lift.
He sprinted through the halls, his long legs pushing him faster and faster. He burst through her door calling her name. She lay still, unresponsive. He pulled back the electric blanket and his eyes widened. She lay in a pool of blood. The sheets and towel were soaked through, and her pulse was weak.
He tapped his comm link again. "Dr. Crusher. I am bringing Lieutenant Yar back to sick bay. She is unconscious, and has lost a large quantity of blood."
"Confirmed. We'll be ready for her," Dr. Crusher responded.
Data slid his arms under her and picked her up for the second time that day. Her back was dripping wet with blood, and he was now covered in it as well. Her head lolled against his arm. This time he ran with her, carrying her to sick bay as fast as he had run to her room.
Dr. Crusher gasped when she saw the blood covering both of them. Data placed her on a table surrounded by other tables with trauma patients from the planet below. Dr. Crusher quickly threaded an IV into her arm, beginning a blood transfusion.
"Will she be okay, doctor?" Data asked. She opened her mouth to answer, but the Captain's voice carried over the comm link before she could speak.
"Doctor Crusher, report on Lieutenant Yar's condition."
She made eye contact with Data and sighed, then turned her attention back to her monitors. "She's critical, but appears to be stabilizing. She's suffered heavy blood loss and is still unconscious."
"Thank you, Doctor. Data, please return to the bridge. We are nearly in position for the final projectile."
Data looked down at Tasha, his lips pursed. He was clearly torn. Dr. Crusher looked up at him in surprise when he didn't immediately move to leave, then softened her expression when she saw the look on his face. She patted his shoulder.
"Go. She'll be fine, I promise. I'll take good care of her," she said, meeting his eyes. He took one last long look at Tasha before turning away. He watched her as the turbolift doors closed in front of him.