Susie-Q popped onto the bridge... She looked about 26 now, garbed in a glittering white dress & shoes fit for a queen? (Deanna would agree!)

"Captain... I may have been followed here... on my way back from Risa... by a very ancient enemy... of the Continuum. Yes, the Continuum is far
from perfect, but then again, what in this galaxy or universe ever is? The old 'Good Vs. Evil' thing" said Susie, in a slightly serious yet also hopeful tone.

"An ancient... enemy?" queried Picard. Troi, Riker, and Whorf now had worried expressions on all of their faces. Data's was more curious.

"I'm afraid so... we in the Continuum do not even know their proper name... just call them 'The Ancient Enemy'. I am afraid that my
presence here is a danger to you, and your ship... for that was no ordinary asteroid. It had much Dark Matter/Energy inside the core!"

Susie went on: "Guess I should now tell you... I was just having fun, upon my first visit to you... no harm intended. A little game".

"I... see" replied Picard, both a bit aprehensive - and also curious as well.

Susie-Q: "The main reason I came, was to simply ask you... all of you... to please - be more kindly, to my big brother. Oh, he's not evil,
or a brother, in the human sense... And neither are our parents. We're all from very different backgrounds, actually. For, our 'parents'
in the Continuum are more like mentors... or teachers... since we first joined, at about the same time. But 'Q' has been a real dear to
me since that moment. And I am very sorry, that he has caused you much... troubles? That's why our 'parents' call him 'Big Stinker'..."

Susie then covered her mouth, barely stifling a fit of wild giggling and laughter... at the mention of her big brother's nickname.

Picard looked at Riker and Troi, then spoke: "We shall... do our best, Miss Susie... to grant your request".

Susie-Q: "Thank-You! You are some of the finest beings outside the Continuum I have ever been lucky to meet. And I hope that
you will let me be your... friend... as well". She then gave the hugest of smiles. The worried look she had earlier had lifted...

Picard: "It would be an honor, to have you as our friend... and also as a new contact - within the Continuum? - Miss Susie".

Susie-Q: "I had better go now, but if my big 'brother' is too pre-occupied, and you're ever in a deep and dark, and impossible,
nearly hopeless situation... ever. Just call out my name. I'm no angel - by a far margin - but I do love to help others. And know
I've been doing that, off & on, for many of your centuries. Yes, I do like having fun - but, though not human, I still have a heart.
Just like another old Earth song... a 'Heart of Gold'. You Earthers, the Vulcans, and a few others, like Troi, Data & Worf, I like. Bye!"

In a flash of glittering diamonds and light-pink haze, she was gone. A voice, from beyond: "Oh, one last thing..." (Susie-Q) "Just know
that anyone... even Mr. Worf, or golden Mr. Data... any true living consciousness can, one far day, rise up... and be like 'Q' - or me!"

Then, she was really gone... but would always have an 'open ear' - and treasure her visit, to one brave starship... and its 'family' onboard.

As no alien contact (an 'ancient enemy') was later made, the Enterprise and crew continued with the survey of the gas giant and its 47 moons.
And in relative quiet and Peace. For that, Picard and company were quite grateful. For her part, Doctor Crusher soon missed her 'visitor'. Susie 'Q'.

THE END