Chapter 6

"LaForge, I will need you to write a report on the Borg propulsion technology, which as we have seen is far beyond our own. It is where we understand them least, and our lack of knowledge in this area is to our great disadvantage."

LaForge nodded.

"I have already asked Data and Doctor Crusher to provide me their assessment of the cybernetic features of the Borg," the Captain continued.

"Just to re-emphasize, this is a conference designed to share intelligence on the Borg," said Picard, wrapping up the briefing. "We aren't there to make friends, by any means, but tolerance must always be on our minds," said Picard.

Worf had been silent for most of the briefing, and suddenly looked as though he could no longer restrain his frustration. "I will never trust the Romulans!" he blurted out.

Picard stood up and glared down at the Klingon. It was not news that Klingons hated Romulans and vice versa. "Mr. Worf, we all must struggle to overcome our prejudices…and you are no exception," he said stonily. He leaned over with his palms on the table. "That said I personally do not care if you ever trust the Romulans. But at that conference I expect you to comport yourself with the utmost professionalism—as you always have. Are we clear?"

"Yes, sir," replied Worf immediately, but his eyes were still fiery.

Picard straightened and smoothed the front of his uniform. "Good," he said sounding satisfied enough. "Please prepare a report on the Borg tactical systems—and one on the Romulan tactical systems as well—in case your distrust proves justified," he added. As far as he was concerned, based on his limited contact with Romulans, anything could happen. "Dismissed," he said to his officers, who all rose from the table.

LaForge and Worf exited quickly, but Riker stayed behind. He watched the Captain carefully. "Sir, are you sure you're alright?" The Captain had seemed short of breath but very healthy when he entered the conference room about an hour ago. Now though, Riker noticed the man's face appeared more gaunt, and his usually hardy skin tone had paled somewhat.

Picard gave him a small smile. "Of course, Commander…I am fine." They glanced behind them as the door opened and Data entered, stepping smoothly over to the Captain. Something very subtle about Picard's expression changed when he saw Data, and to Riker it seemed a bit strange.

Data halted in front of the Captain. "Sir, you had asked me to report here so that I might test your artifact," Data reminded him, perhaps in his own way reading the same expression on Picard's face.

Picard seemed to force out a little laugh, which also was quite unlike him. "Ah yes," he said as though he had forgotten. He reached into a pocket and opening his palm, revealed a small black stone. He glanced at Data and then hesitated looking at the stone again. Data held out his hand patiently, and at that moment, Picard froze in mid-gesture.

The voice whispered through his mind again, and this time although most of the language was still indecipherable, he understood one word: enemy. Data's face and body were instantly transformed into a Borg's, and his eyes now appeared lifeless. The bodies of his comrades and enemies lay on a vast grey battlefield. Was he the only one left alive? Picard took a step backward as the Borg advanced on him, the bright blue electrical charge of its prosthesis reaching for the artifact….

"No!" Picard shouted, stepping backward and clasping the artifact in his fist, holding it tightly against his chest.

Riker put a concerned hand on the Captain's shoulder. "Sir!" he said, gripping Picard's shoulder, trying to steady him. The Captain appeared to be in some kind of trance-like state.

Instantly, Picard seemed to snap out of it, and shook his head in confusion. He looked at the officer in front of him, and recognized him to be Lt. Commander Data. He slowly dropped his hand, and nodding slightly as if trying to reassure himself it was the right thing to do, he gave the artifact to Data. Then abruptly, without another word, and before Riker could stop him, he stepped away and left the room swiftly.

Louisiana 1881

Guinan thought the strangers clad in white robes had moved on, and so finding a path she wound through the trees careful to move her feet softly through the underbrush. She had to find someone she could communicate with; someone friendly who could point her in the right direction. The teachings tell us the last missing piece of the Other can be found on the planet E-arth, where some of the inhabitants are said to resemble our kind physically, but they are far, far different. Her grandmother's voice continued to drift in her mind almost fifty cycles after her passing.

By reading the old texts herself, Guinan had learned that the third piece of the Other had passed through the planet E-arth at some time in the year she was now present. The specific place she knew from the texts was called Moʼȯhta-voʼhonáaeva, which she could only hope was a well-known area on the planet E-arth. Once the piece passed through Moʼȯhta-voʼhonáaeva in this year, the trail went cold—the piece disappeared. This meant she must find it quickly.

Unfortunately, the combination of the old texts being incomplete, and the inaccuracy of her grandmother's map, may have caused her coordinates to be off. She couldn't know really, unless she found some kind of indicator or was able to communicate with some of the inhabitants. Her desperation caused her to reconsider her attempt at hiding. If she was to find the piece and transport it safely to Orla, her mind had to be free of fear and mistrust. So against her instincts she began to pursue the beings she had previously hidden herself from.

After Data departed for his lab, Riker tapped his communicator. "Riker to Doctor Crusher," he said tensely.

"Crusher here. What can I do for you, Commander?"

He hesitated. He didn't want to alarm her. "You haven't by any chance seen Captain Picard in the last five minutes have you?"

There was a pause. "No…is everything alright?"

"To be honest with you, I'm not sure. We just ended a briefing and the Captain had a moment where…well he didn't seem quite himself. He left here before I could find out if he was alright. I just thought you should know."

"Thanks, Will…the computer says he's in his quarters. I'll go and find him there."

"Alright," replied Riker. "If you need me for anything-anything at all, Beverly, please call me, I'll be on the bridge."

"Understood. Crusher out." Although her reply was simple, he could hear the appreciation in her voice. He had stopped just short of telling her to be careful. The idea that he might ever need to say such a thing when referring to Captain Picard, was highly unsettling.

Hi, thanks for reading and reviewing. Yes, this is the same story I posted several years ago. Once it reaches a certain point, I may change it up, or may keep it the same. Thanks again, hope you enjoy. -PP