"A warning beacon?"
It wasn't entirely unexpected. It was a standard enough explanation for the presence of that simple old satellite, left there to warn unwary visitors of some unknown danger down there on the lush surface of the planet below.
Nevertheless, the content of the transmission was revealing. Data informed the captain (and Will Riker, who had been summoned into the Ready Room to hear the results of the investigation) that the number of alien languages posted pointed to a relatively small acquaintance with the stellar community; so small, indeed, that he would place the compilation quite close to the start of the twenty-second century.
Geordi had also appropriated part of the transmitter's casing to test, confirming his earlier opinion of its composition. This was now found to match almost exactly the standard in use by Starfleet and its affiliates at the time.
"A warning beacon, made on Earth and not listed in Starfleet records," said Riker, frowning.
"There were numerous intelligence and counter-intelligence agencies in operation at that time, Number One." Jean-Luc sat back in his chair, studying the battered transmitter thoughtfully. "Does the text of the message say what exactly what the danger consists of?"
"No, sir." Data used his voice simulator programme to reproduce the message faithfully. "'Warning to all ships. This planet's atmosphere contains toxins hostile to intelligent life. Do not land.'" The male voice spoke English with a mid-American accent. "I have already run it through the voice recognition programmes, captain. It is not the voice of an individual, but a composite, created by a sophisticated technique to create an apparently genuine vocal sequence."
"No recognition."
A shake of the head. "The same goes for the remainder of the messages. They are all artificially created."
"And have you managed to identify this 'toxin' the message refers to?"
"No, sir. I had already carried out quite exhaustive tests on the planetary atmosphere, and I have confirmed my original findings. I can find no toxin that occurs in any of the scientific databases." He paused; his programming included deft touches of Human speech nuance. "However, there is a compound present in the lower atmosphere that has psychotropic qualities."
"So someone who visited the planet a long time ago might have identified it incorrectly?" asked Riker.
"That is possible, sir," Data admitted. "Its effects would be slow, but they would be cumulative and long-lasting. Prolonged exposure would result in psychological trauma, possibly incurable."
"I'd like you to investigate this with Doctor Pulaski, Data. She may be able to provide some insight. In the meantime–"
"Lieutenant Worf to Captain Picard."
"Picard here."
"Captain. I have been carrying out scans of the planet, and I have discovered the remains of a vessel. It appears to have crashed many years ago."
The three men in the Ready Room looked at each other in surprise. "I'm on my way. Picard out."
They returned to the Bridge, where on command Worf brought up the image on to the main viewer.
The growth of lush woodland around it had rendered the small craft all but invisible from above. Computer-enhanced imagery now revealed a more accurate picture of what did, indeed, appear to be wreckage.
Data returned to his own scanners. "Initial indications are that it is of a similar composition to the satellite," he reported. "The size suggests a small shuttlepod. I would imagine it was a freighter-shuttle. One of its fins is still relatively intact, and resembles that of a type in common use in the 2100's."
"Captain!" Worf had been studying more reports from the Tactical Station. He broke in now, sounding agitated, and his next words explained why. "There is a Human on the planet!"
=/\=
"What?" Will Riker looked incredulous.
"I have double-checked my scans!"
Looking as amazed as it was possible for an android to look, Data swivelled back to his own scanners. "Correct, Captain. Approximately one point four kilometres from the crash site. There is a cave system there, and presumably he has been inside it up till now. The rock in that area is extremely dense. It could possibly have hidden him from our scanners."
"Definitely Human?" pressed Will.
"Yes, sir. But the life signs are very faint."
"Organise a rescue, on the double!" ordered Jean-Luc. "Have them beamed aboard. But have security and a medical team standing by." He thought, but did not say, that any hapless person stranded down there for any length of time must by now have fallen victim to the effects of that psychotropic and must be kept under the firmest control while Katherine examined them. It went equally without saying that the doctor would do her utmost to help the poor soul; but what exactly should be done if even her medical expertise failed was a problem he would address if and when he must.
"Yes, sir." Worf gave the necessary orders.
"Mister Worf, see what you can find out about that crashed vessel. Mister Data, you have the Bridge." Will, the captain knew, would be consumed by the same curiosity as he was himself. They would both want to see for themselves who or what was brought up from the planet below. Data – fortunately or unfortunately – did not experience that most human of emotions, impatience.
The security team was arriving at the double as he and his XO exited the turbo-lift. Katherine was approaching from the opposite direction, her comely face alert and concerned. "What's happening, Captain?"
He gave her the bare gist of the facts, but Commander O'Brien already had the co-ordinates programmed in and was standing by for the order to transport. Not without a twinge of apprehension, Jean-Luc gave it.
The transporter lights glowed. Over one of the pads the familiar incandescent cascade formed the shape of a human being, and as the brilliance faded the shape solidified into a hunched form that crumpled to the floor.