Chapter 5 – Unexpected Movement

On the Enterprise, Captain Picard and Dr. Beverly Crusher were sitting alone in the Captain's quarters, finishing dinner. After a moment of silence, they looked out into the sky above Risa.
"Such a quiet sky, that's what I love about Risa", Captain Picard stated. "Only three suns to worry about."
Beverly: "Yes, if only our galaxy entire was this simple"
Picard: "Maybe it is that simple. Maybe we're the ones that are too complex for our own good"

Beverly: "Maybe. But then, maybe we're overcomplicated so that we could enjoy simple moments like these.

Beverly crusher walked over to Picard so that they could be close while enjoying the serene view. Suddenly, Picard noticed that the three suns of Risa began moving in the same direction.

"Wait a minute," he said "Do you see that? These suns are moving!"
Beverly: "You're right! How is that possible? "

Picard: "Either Risa's suns are moving, or we are"

Beverly: "Why would we be moving in that direction, I'd think we would be in standard orbit?"
Picard: "Indeed." Picard said. He tapped his communications and contacted the helmsman. "Helm what's happening, what's the status on our position"
Helmsman: "We're still at orbiting the planet sir."
Picard: "Compare our current coordinates with our coordinates one hour ago."
Helmsman: "Sir, I don't how, but we are actually moving closer to the planet's surface"
Picard began walking to the bridge. "How has this happened?"
Helmsman: "Unknown sir, no one has done any type of navigation since we went into orbit."
Picard: "And it looks like we're accelerating. Do an examination of the starboard for any external anomalies that may be causing this movement."
Helmsman: "Aye Captain."

Captain Picard entered the bridge. He quickly explained the situation to the bridge crew.

:Picard: "Geordi, what's our engine status?"
:Laforge: "Our Engines check out. No symptoms that could be causing the movmenet"
:Picard: "Commander Data, run a ship wide diagnostic on all key systems"
:Data: "Aye Captain"

:Picard: "Counselor Troi, do you sense any malign alien presences?"
:Counselor Troi: "No sir, nothing unusual. Definitely nothing capable of moving this entire ship"
:Riker: "Red Alert! All hands stop any operations that are not vital or not authorized by the Captain."
:Picard: "All hands, report any suspicious activity or persons immediately."
:Data: "I may have found something, Captain"
:Picard: "Yes Data"

:Data: "There is, in fact, a remote uplink control signal that our ship navigational systems is responding to"
:Picard: "Where did it come from? Can it be terminated"
:Data: "Yes, but it will take approximately two hours to isolate and terminate the remote signal."
:Picard: "Start terminating it. Where did it come from, how did it get here."

:Data: "The signal originated in the transporter buffers approximately 5 hours ago"

"Captain Picard to Chief Obrien. Investigate the people who beamed off and aboard the Enterprise, starting from five hours ago until now. Look for any evidence of a remote control system."

:Obrien: "Aye captain"

:Picard: "In the meantime, we've got to figure out how to stop this ship. Suggestions?"
:Helmsman: "We've been trying to get an idea of where the ship might be headed."

:Picard: "And?"
:Laforge: "We don't know exactly where it will end up, but we know it should be somewhere above Risa's surface. The ship isn't free falling, so we probably won't be crashing into the planet head on."
:Picard: "I'll take any good news I can get. Number One, I want you to assemble an away team, take a shuttle, and head down to Risa. Alert the officials of our situation, and be prepared for further instructions as we get more information."

:Riker: "Yes sir."
"Chief Obrien to Captain Picard. I've managed to briefly contact the recent transports, but I can't get in touch with one of our transports—Worf's son, Alexander."
:Riker: "He's probably still down at the surface"
:Picard: "At this hour? Computer, locate Alexander"
:Enterprise Computer: "-The location of Alexander is unknown-"
:Picard: "Number One, have the away team search for Alexander, he's somewhere on the surface, and he may have something to do with this."
:Riker: "Aye Captain"
:Communications Officer: "Captain we're receiving a hail from the USS Chasity."
:Picard: "On screen"
:USS Chastity Captain: "Captain Picard, our navigational systems show that we're headed on a direct course to your ship with increasing speed!"
:Picard: "Yes, our ship has shown the same readings. Mysteriously, we've lost control of it likely do to a remote uplink control malfunction that we found in our transporter system."
:USS Chastity Captain: "Perhaps our ship has the same remote uplink problem. Do you have a lead on who or what may be remotely controlling the ship?"
:Picard: "One of our crewmembers visited the planet, and transported up around the time the uplink was installed. Our best guess is that he may have something to do with it. Currently, however, we don't know where he is."
:USS Chastity Captain: "Maybe one of my crewmembers is involved with this remote uplink malfunction as well. Computer please list any crewmembers whose location is unknown."
:USS Chastity Computer: "-The only crewmember whose location is unknown is Starfleet Graduate Tari.-"
:USS Chastity Captain: " I'll send my away team down to look for her as well. Thank you captain."