Sector 1195
U.S.S. Enterprise, NCC-1701-D
0525 hours, Stardate 48156.8

Things had been too quiet aboard the Enterprise recently. Since Captain Picard's latest encounter with Q, there had been nothing remarkable happening, outside of the captain joining the senior staff for their weekly poker game.

Worf started each shift double-checking the security logs from the previous night, careful to make sure that no one on his staff had missed anything important. He had yet to find anything, much to his annoyance.

The majority of his shift passed slowly. Routine scans. Random communiques from his security teams, reporting nothing of interest.

It was going to be another boring shift, he decided.

Captain Picard and Commander Riker walked onto the bridge at near the middle of his shift. "Status, Mr. Worf."

"There is nothing to report, sir."

A grin passed over the commander's face. "Is that disappointment I hear in your voice?"

"Of course not, sir."

Another two hours passed. Commander Riker talked about a fishing trip when he was younger. Captain Picard spoke about Doctor Crusher's latest theater production.

Worf couldn't find it in him to be disappointed that he only had thirty minutes left in his shift.

Before he could begin to think about what he could do to make up for the tedious shift, a chirp sounded from his station. For a moment, he thought he imagined it, but as he looked down at the display, he realized that there was something wrong.

"Sir, sensors are detecting a subspace anomaly," Worf announced from his station.

Picard stood up from his chair, casting a glance at Commander Riker. Worf knew there was nothing in Starfleet records that showed that this area of space of susceptible to anomalies. "On screen."

There was a longer than normal pause from the Klingon. "Based on the readings, the anomaly is forming on the Enterprise. Deck 4, main shuttlebay."

Will shot up from his seat. "Shields up."

Worf pressed several buttons and frowned. "Controls are unresponsive."

Picard took a step towards the Ops station. "Can we set up a containment field to contain it?"

Data's fingers flew over the controls. "Attempting to establish a static containment..." His voice trailed off and his fingers faltered. "Sir, I am detecting a life sign within the field."

Picard and Will exchanged a glance. Picard gave a slight nod.

"Worf, get a security team down there," Will ordered.

The Klingon nodded. He pressed several buttons on his console, ordering a half dozen men to the shuttlebay.

"Sir, creating a static containment field could potentially injure or kill whoever is trapped in the anomaly." Data tapped a few buttons. "Based on the computer's sensors, the anomaly is weakening. I believe that it will collapse within two minutes."

That was all the information Worf needed. He crossed the bridge, phaser in hand. Whatever was waiting down there, he wanted to be ready for it.

The ride in the Turbolift seemed to take longer than usual, but finally the doors opened and Worf approached the cargo bay. The rest of the security team stood outside the door, waiting in case anyone attempted to leave the bay.

"Mr. Worf, please advised that the anomaly has collapsed on itself. Commander Riker and I will down shortly to greet our guest. Picard out."

Worf frowned. They had no way of knowing who was beyond the door and he had no intention of allowing his commanding officers walk into there without it being secured. He approached the control panel, overrode the security code.

Moments later, the doors slid apart.

Worf cautiously stepped inside, phaser in hand. He looked around the bay, not noticing anything out of place. He tensed, preparing himself for a surprise attack.

He listened for any out of place sounds, but all he heard was silence.

Who would want to try to sneak aboard the Enterprise? The Ferengi? The Cardassians? Or maybe the Romulans had some new technology? The grip on his phaser tightened.

"Show yourself," he demanded. His eyes scanned the large containers in the corner, but he saw no movement. He walked to another stack of shipment containers when he heard it.

A faint groan came from his left.

When Worf spun around, he saw the intruder, laying on the ground. The person, wearing some kind of green armor, didn't move as he approached.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

The person didn't reply.

"What are you doing aboard the Enterprise?"

The bay doors opened behind him. Captain Picard and Commander Riker walked to Worf's position. "He has not responded to any of my questions."

Suddenly, the armored hand started to move. Worf's grip on his phaser tightened.

But, the man didn't make any moves towards them. He slowly reached up and lifted up the gold visor. As it slid up, Worf saw a face of a human.

"I need to get to Halo." Then, his eyes fluttered shut, slipping into unconsciousness.

Riker's brow furrowed. "What's a Halo?"

"I have no idea, Number One, but I suspect we will find out soon enough."