The Return of Charlie Evans—chapter 3
Lieutenant Tola spent the remainder of that afternoon in her quarters, poring over the historical files about Seven and Evans. She began to feel a profound sympathy for Charlie, despite the accounts of his misdeeds aboard Kirk's Enterprise, and couldn't help but wonder just what kind of a person he really turned out to be. Neither she or Troi believed Q's assertions about him being a murderer. In fact, the more they studied Evans' personality profile by Doctor McCoy, the more they were convinced that he was most likely a victim of circumstance and a tragic casualty of history. Tola couldn't help feeling that it was extremely likely that the Q was lying and hiding certain facts from the crew of the Enterprise. She thought that the Q was the most rude, arrogant, self-serving, self-righteous jerk she had ever met. Why was he bothering with such a hapless castaway? Also, judging from the historical files on Seven, the mysterious intergalactic secret agent appeared quite capable of defending himself, as did the Thasians. Non-corporeal beings are not easy to kill. Something was fishy about Q's version of what had transpired on Thasus, preceding the discovery of the time transporter by the Federation. Tola was about to recall information about the Q continuum when she was interrupted by her door buzzer.
"Enter" she responded, switching off her desk computer. She sensed that her visitor was also new to the ship and was curious about her. She was also picking up random thoughts about security matters as the gentleman stepped through her threshold.
He was a somewhat nervous middle-aged human male in a red uniform with two pips on his collar. He approached her and offered her a hand, wanting her to shake it. 'A peculiar human custom', she thought, but she obliged. She read in his thoughts that he had just transferred over from the star ship Hermes, having been their chief of security and that his name was Vickers. He was slight of build, but wiry. He had a handsome, intelligent face, wavy dark brown hair, which was parted to her left, and he spoke with a distinct British accent.
"Lieutenant Tola, it's so good to meet you. My name is Vickers. Am I disturbing you?"
"Not at all, Mr. Vickers. I was expecting Mr. Worf, but it is always nice to meet someone new."
"Worf sent me here. The captain wants him on the planet once we arrive. I'm supposed to accompany the away team once they are chosen for this mission." She read in his mind that he thought her red uniform clashed with her blue skin. She chuckled.
"Yes, I suppose it does, Mr. Vickers."
"Alistair, if you please. I don't stand on formalities." She sensed that he was a little taken aback by her telepathic ability. He, of course, had read everything he could about Andorians in general and her in particular, but did not realize until that moment how amazing her mental gifts were. He decided to ask her if she checked for listening devices, for the information he was about to give to her was meant for her only.
"Very well, Alistair. There are no listening devices around here. I have already made a thorough check. What is it you wish to discuss?"
"First off, Lieutenant, this is the first time I have had the privilege of meeting a female Andorian. Are all of you telepathic?"
She smiled.
"Not all of us are. I am a rarity. I was born with super sensitive antennae, which are able to pick up minute electrical impulses from most minds I encounter." She stood and went to her replicator. "May I offer you some refreshment?" Tola inquired, looking back at him in her peripheral vision. "Some tea, perhaps?"
"Thank you, yes. That would be lovely. It is approaching 16:30 hours. I find that one cannot easily maintain the tradition of afternoon tea while on duty. Tell me, Tola. Have you visited Earth?"
"No, sir, but I have studied some of your cultures. Yours is British, is it not?"
Vickers nodded in the affirmative and watched as she ordered his tea. He wondered if she would get anything for herself. A few seconds after handing his cup of Earl Gray to him, noting that the captain's favorite was the same, she went back and ordered some Eminian Trova. It was an interesting choice for an Andorian and he wondered then how she came to know of this rather obscure beverage.
"In answer to your unvoiced question, Alistair, I studied the historical account of the peace treaty of Eminiar Seven and Vendikar. I was merely curious about the drink that Mr. Anon offered Captain Kirk. When I tried it for the first time, I liked it very much, and, of course, the rest is history, no pun intended. Sir, I see in your mind that you still have some misgivings about me. May I ask the source of those qualms?"
Vickers blushed.
"It's just that…I heard about your extra year at the academy. Speaking strictly as a part of the security staff on this vessel, was it your intention to deceive your instructors?"
"Not at all, sir." She said with a smile, taking a sip of her Trova. "I had no notion to deceive. At first, all of my instructors were non-telepathic humans—the easiest group of people to read for me. I just naturally assumed that everyone was aware of my telepathic gifts."
"I see." Vickers responded with an amused smile of his own. "I suppose you are wondering why the Enterprise was chosen for this mission."
"Among other things."
"As you might be aware of, the Enterpise was the first ship to encounter all of the entities involved. I think we were chosen mostly because of that, even though Mr. Evans wouldn't know 1701-D's crew. As you can tell, it was bound to happen that the good ship Enterprise would continue to historically affect the whole fleet in one way or another."
"Fascinating, to coin a phrase. Tell me, sir. What exactly is your impression of the Q?"
"I think he's a liar and a sneak. He obviously plays by his own rules and is not always fair and impartial. I dare say I trust him as far as I could throw a shuttle craft."
"You and I are of the same opinion, Alistair. Do you have any idea on what we will find when we reach Thasus?"
"Details are pretty sketchy, but it has been reported that the transporter discovered is in perfect condition, but everything else is in a shambles. I, for one, found that report to be a bit odd."
"There are many things that are odd about this mission." Tola mused thoughtfully.
It was a three-day journey to mysterious Thasus, and, from all appearances, not very eventful. The crew was thankful that the Q hadn't made any more appearances since that time in the Enterprise briefing room. Nobody liked him or trusted him. Troi also still didn't believe that Evans killed the enigmatic Mr. Seven and his assistant of yesteryear.
Picard watched as Thasus finally appeared on the main view screen, from all appearances as a dry, lifeless ball of sand. They all knew differently, however. This world had long been classified as an off-limits planet, like Talos Four, or more recently, the planet where the skin of evil resided, and where poor Tasha Yar, the Enterprise-D's former security chief, had met her demise.
Deanna Troi detected the tension building on the bridge as the captain ordered a standard orbit. Navigator Tate glanced back at the captain with uncertainty. Troi could read her emotions to be simple curiosity, mixed with a genuinely understandable fear of the unknown. Of course, Tate had encountered worse, but not knowing what to expect if they should encounter the non-corporeal life forms would be enough to make anyone a little edgy. Picard decided then that this young woman would be a part of the away team to the surface.
"Life readings, Mr. Data." Picard requested.
"Indeterminate, Captain, because of the nature of this planet's inhabitants."
"Understood, Lieutenant. I think they may be wary of us as well as we are of them." Picard stood, straightened his jacket, and still gazed at the buff-colored globe on the main viewer. "Well, people, we have a job to do. The landing party will consist of Mr. Riker, Mr. Data, Lieutenant Vickers, Ensign Tate, and Lieutenant Tola."
"Sir?" Tate squeaked in astonishment.
"A look at the unknown, Miss Tate. I think you could do with another one."
Tate blushed and mumbled a 'yes, sir'.