In the next day, just after I woke up, I decided to use the morning to view the records from when I was a kid.

I told the computer from my home to turn on and asked it to search for the video records of my childhood, especially from the time that I was eight. After some time it found a film, made probably by my father, of our vacation in the south of France. When I opened the archive and started the film it looked like I was seeing myself from a mirror, the appearance that I had at that time was exactly the same from what I looked like now, and that was over 38 years ago.

I stayed the rest of the morning viewing all the other records that I had. And I don't know if my mind was staring to regress, or if it was simply nostalgia, but I got a strong feeling of homesick after seeing all that. Probably it's just nostalgia, I thought to myself as I closed the video archives.

I was browsing thought a news web site when suddenly I received an incoming video call notification from the computer. I was informed by the computer A.I. that it was Captain Piers (an old friend that graduated in the academy the same year that I did). I promptly answered the call.

When the image appeared I could see the instant change of reaction from my old friend. I could see the shock in his facial expression, and I could understand it. The situation was so unusual (quite unique actually) that no matter how one prepare for it, should still be surprising to see the thing in real life.

After the initial shock he started laughing quite histericaly and that really took me by surprise. I told him to calm down, and asked:

- What is so funny Piers? It's not like we never met before…

-Sorry Jean Luc, but the situation is already quite funny, and really, teddy-bear pijamas? I don't think that this is helping you a lot…

I took some time to understand what he had just said, then I noticed that what I was wearing was some pijamas that the people from the hospital had given to me. Since I did not have any clothes for my current size, I was given some pieces that I could use at the moment; they were one new uniform specially made for me, some pijamas from the hospital and Doctor Crusher sent me some clothes from Wesley (She didn't really told me from whom they belonged, but it was an easy guess).

-So tell me Charles, You called me just to make fun of my new sleeping wear?

-No, not really, it was just an opportunity that I could not pass on, You must admit that the situation is quite funny, and I could not have imagined you like this, with quite a lot of hair and all. But let's get down to business (I think he noticed my expression starting to get more and more annoyed), I was told by Starfleet headquarters that you are to be given a command again.

That information really took me by surprise, I felt a rush of happiness that was difficult to express. I really wanted to go back to Starfleet, and not having to wait some years to grow up again would be pretty nice, still something seemed odd, so I continued:

-But why? I was relived from command to avoid complications generated from my appearance and I was told that I would only be reintegrated in Starfleet after eight years, when hopefully I would be old enough.

-To tell you the truth old friend, yes there was some fear that this condition was going to get in the way and that your performance would suffer from it. The thing is that Starfleet is not in the position to lose a good captain just because of some accident if his mental abilities are still intact. That is why you were relived from duty in the first place. You made some tests in the hospital to check your mental capabilities, as I am sure you remember, and the result showed to Starfleet that you were still capable of performing your duty.

-Yes I do remember that, and I must admit that I am quite relieved to know that I will be back in action. I was already desperate by the prospect of doing nothing for a long period of time. But now that you uncover this fact I am curious, in what command Starfleet will put me into?

- You are supposed to command a small scientific crew to the planet delta 12 to explore a new archeological camp side recently uncovered. (He must have seen my face of disappointment and continued) Don't make that face Jean Luc, consider this as a test to really see if you can command a mission again, and if your results are good, you are to assume the post of Captain of the Enterprise as soon as your mission is over.

-Well I guess that it could be worse, but really I'm not that used to command a scientific crew.

- Well, I am sure you will do fine, old chap, the mission briefing will be at the headquarters tomorrow morning at nine hundred hours, I'll be there too to help you, should you need any.

The rest of the day I spent studying the situation in delta 12. I learned that there was evidence of an advanced civilization that disappeared in that planet and that archeological artifacts that were found recently sustain that hypothesis.

The meeting with my crew was an eventful one. The day after Piers called I went to the Starfleet headquarters by train, since I paid less to ride it (child discount) and I really was not in the mood to repeat that incident with the cab driver that occurred two days ago.

The thing is that I left my home in my Starfleet uniform. So I noticed a lot of people looking at me with doubtful expressions. When I arrived at the entrance of the Starfleet Command, as I went there by foot, was promptly stopped by the guards and told to go away. I had to show my ID to them, and after the usual reaction, I was told some apologies and to proceed.

It took me 30 minutes to find the room; the reason was that I lost my way in the corridors; mostly due to the difference in perspective from when I was an adult to my child self was so great that it disoriented me. After I finally found the door, I stopped in front of it, looked down, thought to myself "ohh well, here we go again, I hate this introductorily meetings…" and opened the door.

There was 60 people in the room, from what I could gather, further analysis shown me that they were from different age groups, from the late 20's to the early 50's. I think that they were expecting me for some time, since everyone was sitting in a chair but the sound of chatter had taken over the room. When I opened the door the chatter died gradually, one woman that were in the front row came at me and said: are you lost boy? I was fully dressed as a captain of Starfleet but still there was no recognition that I was one of them...

But I was thankful that from behind the woman came a voice that I promptly recognize as being of captain Piers. He said: Here gentlemen is your commanding officer for this mission.

There was a explosion of laughter after that, I heard someone asking the captain what was the joke, some of the women called me cute, While the laughter was still high I went to the computer of the room, said: computer display Captain Picard Information with current condition and past commands, as well as medical record from the past 3 months.

The information came instantly in the front of the room in a thing that the ancient people would call electronic white board. When the projection was shown the laughter started to die slowly. When all the room was in silence, and everyone else was with their jaws in their feet, I started my presentation.

-I would prefer to start the meeting with a mission briefing, but due to circumstances, I think that a proper introduction is needed. I am Captain Jean Luc Picard, my shuttlecraft was hit by a molecular reversing field and the emergency transport reacted with that field, the result made me regress to this state. This event occurred while I was in command of the starship Enterprise, I can assure you that I am a fully fledged captain with more than 30 years on duty, and that my appearance is, and I don't think I am exaggerating, very misleading.

A moment passed with no word. And I could see the bright face of Piers with a big and mocking smile, I went to the computer, commanded "show mission 88290 briefing" went back to the middle of the room, and continued:

-The mission at hand is one of the most important for the archeological department of Starfleet, and a lot is expected from the results of our work, that is why the officers here were handpicked by the Starfleet command, due to their expertise.

-The ship that we are going to use both as a transport and as a base is the USS Pathfinder, an Intrepid Class Starship, and the date of departure is set for Stardate 46295.8, in about five days. I hope we could work as a team and I look forward to be with you all. Is there a question?

I think no one was in a position to talk, so I dismissed everyone and waited the room to be emptied, so I could talk to my college.

-Why haven't you told the crew about me beforehand? I could be spared from all this reactions...

-And miss the opportunity, come on Jean Luc, said him said with a playful smile, you know me, I tried not to make this joke, but the impulse it was stronger than my will.

-Well, you could have spared me this embarrassment… I am still not used to this situation.

-But you better be, said he with a sudden serious face, a lot is expected from the result of this mission, and Starfleet really hopes that you can assume command of the Enterprise, since the last captain to take command there made so many mistakes that was relived from duty in only three weeks of command.

- Well yes, I see your point, but I dislike your methods of showing it nonetheless.

-Well, nothing you can do about it, old chap. He said to me with a smile and continued: I guess is time to get going, see you around Jean Luc.

And after that little chatter with Piers, I went back to my quarters and stayed the rest of the five days studying Delta 12 and what was know about the ancient civilization that once existed there.

Author's note:

To be quite frank I am having some difficulties in translating the thought of Captain Picard to the story. I find that his personality is quite difficult to put in paper specially to a writer that is not used to storytelling, so I will put this series on hold for a while, and pursuit other projects of mine until I am experienced enough to continue this fanfic.