Small Packages

Part Five of Seven

By GirlX2

0o0o0o0o0o0

Data didn't know where he was. It was impossible: He knew every place on the Enterprise. He'd been in Geordi's bed, trying to sleep, and…and…he was not sure what happened next. He was now in an unfamiliar corridor. He was alone. He couldn't find Geordi or Wesley or any member of the crew.

He was afraid.

It made no sense. There was no reason to be afraid. Yet he felt skittish, unhappy, and lonely.

Geordi would explain.

"Computer, locate Lt. La Forge." Data reached up but he couldn't touch the computer. He tried jumping, but he was still incapable of reaching the computer. It was vexing.

He tapped the insignia his chest, and the communicator let out a beep. "Geordi?"

Nothing.

"This is Lt. Commander Data. I am in need of assistance."

Still nothing. It was malfunctioning.

Data walked down the corridor. He would eventually find someone or find a place he knew. It was inevitable.

He walked for fifteen minutes before stopping. He should have located a crewmember or a door by this time: it was statistically impossible that he had not found either. The schematics of the Enterprise-

Something behind him made a noise. He turned around, expecting to see a member of the crew.

What he saw was a large black slick on the floor of the ship.

It burbled at him and Data cried out in shock. Armus! Armus was on the Enterprise!

"Poor little tin boy." It rose into a humanoid shape. "Looking for your friends?"

"You do not have authorization to be on this ship." Data spoke, but something was wrong with his voice. It was shaky and far too quiet. "I will find a security officer."

"You'll find no one." Armus chuckled. "While you were sleeping, I found them all."

"You are lying."

The creature reached into itself and hurled a blobby hunk of metal at Data. He dodged, but a smear of the black substance dripped onto his face. He rubbed at it, feeling ill.

"Tell me that I'm lying now."

Data took a closer look at the item.

Geordi's VISOR.

"You are the last one on the ship, little tin boy." Armus returned to his slick form. "Don't worry. You'll soon join them."

It moved towards him. Data turned and ran. He wasn't as fast in this form as he was in his proper body. Armus was gaining on him.

"I'm coming to get you, little one." Something splashed on the back of his heels. It was gooey and warm. Data held in a cry of surprise.

"Not fast enough." The humor left Armus's voice. "Just like the rest of them."

Geordi was dead. The rest of the crew was dead.

"You called me evil. You and your crewmates. You have no idea what TRUE EVIL IS!" Armus roared. Something wrapped around Data's ankle and jerked him off balance. He fell to the floor, hard.

Armus flowed over his legs instantly, covering half his body in a moment. "They suffered, little one. While you slept they suffered and died. Every man woman and child."

"No…" Data kicked , but his legs were all but immobilized by the tar-like substance.

Armus flowed closer, covering his chest now. "Oh yes. But killing them all has given me one problem: I am bored."

Data gasped with surprise as the thing receded, freeing him. He scrambled away, to the far wall.

"I will give you to the count of ten. After that, I will show no mercy. Entertain me for as long as you can, little one." Armus laughed hoarsely.

Data's legs trembled as he forced himself to his feet. This body was overtaxed. He could think of nothing to say.

"One."

Data ran down the never ending corridor, tears blurring his vision. He couldn't run forever. They both knew it.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"You're saying Data had a meltdown?" Riker asked. He'd met with Geordi in a conference room after a near-frantic report of new information.

"I'd say more like a tantrum." Geordi said. "I managed to talk him down and get him to sleep."

"Sleep?" Beverly's head snapped up. "He's asleep?"

"Asleep and dreaming." Geordi let his words sink in. "This is beyond anything we could have guessed."

Riker touched the computer. "Riker to Engineering. Has there been any movement on the Data problem?"

"His body is so far unresponsive. We're testing a few theories. I may have something for you in a few hours." O'Brien replied.

"See that you do. Riker out." He turned to the lieutenant. "Geordi, until this is resolved, you're primary duty is to Data. Understood?"

"Yes sir. I'll go back to my quarters and—"

"Attention lieutenant La Forge. The subject has awoken." The computer interrupted him.

"I'll be right there." Geordi nodded to Riker and headed out. He walked a little slower than normal. If this continued, the Data he knew could vanish altogether. It wasn't a pleasant thought.

He arrived at his quarters. "Data, I'm back."

There was no response. Geordi touched his VISOR. It was functioning properly. Data was not in the room. "Computer, locate Data."

"Data is in engineering." It responded promptly.

"No, I mean little Data. The one who just woke up."

"One moment please." The computer beeped. "I cannot locate little Data."

"Where was his last known location?" He tried to remain calm. There would be a rational explanation.

"Outside entrance to the Jefferies tubes access port for this quadrant."

"Computer, hypothesis what happened to little Data after that."

"Little Data entered the tubes and the tracking system failed to note his small dimensions."

It made sense. He tapped his communicator. "La Forge to Riker: Data's gone into the Jefferies tubes for some reason. The computer isn't sure exactly where he is; I'm going after him."

"I'll send Worf and Wesley to help."

"Thank you sir. La Forge out." Geordi all but ran to the access port. Why in the world had Data gone into the Jeffries tubes?

0o0o0o0o0o0

To be continued.