The second-long wait was agonising, as my mind kept going over all the things that could go wrong. I may not be in the Holodeck. The arch may not appear. The two men beside me may not be Data and Geordi, but some kind of trick or trap. I may actually be a simulation, and I'll disappear as soon as I walk out into the corridor. In fact, what if the corridor is different, or not there at all? This could be another Enterprise, or another ship entirely. Maybe it's a parallel universe and absolutely anything could be out there.
When you know Star Trek, you learn to expect the unexpected.
To my relief, the arch did appear out of nowhere on the stone wall to my left. I sighed, and I'm sure my face was delighted. My insatiable taste for adventure was finally being satisfied, and I may well walk out into the one place I've dreamed about more than any other.
At my approach, the doors slid open with that oh-so-familiar and distinctive sound. Outside was a corridor that could've passed for a hallway in any futuristic film: darker duck egg blue walls with black screens, light blue and cream carpet, pale brown sliding doors with a red plaque to indicate where they lead to. But to me, that corridor couldn't have been anywhere else.
A woman in ops yellow walked briskly past, head bent over a padd in her hands. She was muttering to herself; I caught the words ''Beta shift short two crew members… plus Worf wants to reconfigure the alpha shift to accommodate Ensign Robert's maternity leave… I don't know how I keep up with this workload…''
She ran her fingers through her auburn hair, and as she did so she looked up from her padd. Her peripheral vision must have caught sight of me, because she stopped dead in the corridor and faced me with her mouth open. I guess I looked incredibly strange in my pyjamas and coat, especially considering the Holodeck behind me displayed 19th century London with Data and Geordi dressed appropriately for the period… albeit rather extravagantly in Data's case.
Then I remembered: I supposedly looked like I was from that time. Neither of the men behind me could see my real attire, so why was I so surprising to her?
''Ensign'' Data's soft, serious voice said from behind me, ''What do you see in front of you?''
The ensign continued to stare at me. I lowered my gaze and shifted my feet, suddenly embarrassed. ''I… I see a teenage girl wearing an old-fashioned black coat over floral pyjamas, sir. And she's got black and blue trainers on her feet.''
''Sounds like she's telling the truth, Data.'' Geordi's voice.
''Intriguing...''
I turned around to see Data looking at me with even more interest. He had that detached look on his face, the one he gets when he has thousands of scenarios and calculations running through his mind. ''Willow, please step into the corridor.''
The moment of truth. Turning back to the ensign – who had now backed away several paces – I took a couple of deep breaths and walked towards her. Stone turned to carpet, and I stopped right in the middle of the corridor to turn and look back. Several seconds ticked by as everyone waited to see if I would vanish. Eventually I looked down at my feet (still there) and scratched my nose.
''Well, it looks like we've gained a new passenger'' Geordi muttered.
''Ensign, please inform Lieutenant Worf that there is a potential breach of Starfleet security. Tell him to report to the Brig. That will be all.''
Nodding, the woman scurried away. I turned to Data, surprised. ''The Brig? Oh god, Data. I don't understand any of this any better than you do. I understand why you think I'm a spy, but do I need to go in the Brig? I'll answer all your questions.''
Was there sympathy in his eyes? ''I am afraid that you must, Willow. It is standard Starfleet protocol. I will have Doctor Crusher meet us there to attend to your injury.''
I'd forgotten about my head until he mentioned it. ''Ouch!'' I muttered, tentatively probing it with my fingers. Data gently lowered my hand, then shifted his grip to take hold of my upper arm.
We got lots of funny looks walking to the Brig. Some glanced at us through doors and did double-takes, while others simply stopped and stared before flattening themselves against the walls to let the two senior officers and the weirdo girl pass. Reg Barclay's usual mystified expression intensified tenfold, before changing to one of shock and pain when he walked smack into the wall on a bend. I think I must have smiled in fond recognition, because Data gave me a quizzical look. If he had cogs in his head, they would've been spinning at warp ten.
While we walked Geordi contacted Doctor Crusher and Counsellor Troi to ask them to meet us at the Brig. It seemed that Captain Picard and Commander Riker were attending a formal function at Starfleet Headquarters, where we would be rendezvousing with them tomorrow morning. Does that mean I'll be in the Brig for all that time?
You don't see the Brig very often on screen, but it couldn't really have been anywhere else. A simple space with door-less cells around the perimeter. Worf was standing, arms folded, in the middle of the room. His usual serious expression wavered slightly as we walked through the automatic doors, possibly to one of surprise. But it was quickly covered by his business-like exterior.
''She is the cause of the security breach?'' he growled.
''That has not yet been determined'' replied Data. Was it my imagination, or did he give Worf a reprimanding look?
In any case, I don't think Worf noticed it. ''You will remove all excess items of clothing, and any pockets will be searched. You will then be placed in a cell for questioning.''
I didn't remember a scenario like this on screen – they appear to skip over lots of the security details when it comes to prisoners. However, I knew well enough not to argue.
''You still see someone from the 19th century, don't you?'' My question was directed at Geordi and Data, who each gave a slight nod.
''Commander?'' Worf's tone was laced with surprise and suspicion.
''It would appear that only Geordi and myself are taken in by a Holodeck illusion, Lieutenant. We were attempting to solve a Holmes mystery when this young woman injured herself, and as we believed she was significant to the story…'' A 'look' passed between the two best friends, and Data hastily amended his speech. ''…As I believed she was significant we staunched the bleeding and questioned her. She is apparently not a Holodeck character at all, but a human from early 21st century England with extensive knowledge of the Enterprise. She does not know how she came to be on the Holodeck.''
Klingon eyes narrowed, and I swear Worf's hand shifted towards his phaser. ''Please remove your coat. Female security officers may supervise you in a separate room if you wish.''
''Nah, I'll be okay.'' I decided to alleviate some of the tension with a little joke; the atmosphere was like treacle. ''My PJ's aren't tight, and they're not too far removed from what civilians seem to wear around here.'' Geordi gave a little chuckle, but I don't think anyone else appreciated my efforts.
Shrugging off my coat, I dropped it to the floor at my feet. A tiny rattling sound issued from the pocket, and Data immediately tilted his head. ''A sound typically made by a small metallic object. What do you have in your pocket?''
It took many seconds of confusion for me to remember, in which Worf had placed his hand on his phaser, strode forwards and crouched down. ''Oh! Yes! It's what brought me here when I put it on, an...'
''Emerald ring'' Worf finished for me, holding it up to the light. The stone sparkled, much larger than any I had ever seen. A soft 'wow…' came from behind me, and I swivelled to see Geordi staring open-mouthed, not at the ring, but at my coat. ''As soon as you picked that ring up Willow's clothing just… changed. Do you see it, Data?''
''Affirmative.'' I had the feeling Data had already assessed the coat and moved on to a thousand other things. Always one – million – steps ahead. ''Do you recognise that ring, Geordi?''
VISORed eyes fixed on the object help between Worf's forefinger and thumb, and comprehension dawned. ''Yeah… isn't that the ring in the Holodeck photograph? The stolen one that we were searching for?''
''I believe so.'' The ring was handed over immediately, and examined in the way only Data can. ''The metal is white gold – 14 carats - and weighs approximately five point six seven three ounces. The stone is emerald, six carats, with a classical rectangular cut. There are no abnormal weight distortions, so implanted devices are improbable. There is no 'mark', so the creation date cannot be identified without further study.''
All this was achieved by simply holding the ring in his palm, tilting it ever so slightly and scrutinising it with android vision. Worf looked accusingly at the ring.
''So the ring is unlikely to be a danger to the ship?''
''Precisely. I will retain it for analysis.'' Data turned to me and opened his mouth, but was interrupted by Doctor Crusher and Counsellor Troi bursting in.
''Sorry we took so long'' the former panted, ''Lieutenant Barclay met us in the corridor complaining of a head injury. I told him it wasn't serious and to report to Sickbay if it was causing him pain, but he kept insisting that he could feel his prefrontal lobes shutting down.'' The doctor looked one part irritated and one part amused, as if Barclay was a child insisting that he had found the end of a rainbow.
As soon as she saw my head she knelt on the floor, opened her med kit and assembled something inside. ''Now that's a head injury!'' She stood back up with a hypospray in her hand, that maternal look on her face. ''This is to relieve your pain, and then I'll deal with the wound.''
But she'd only taken a few steps when Worf pushed out an arm to stop her. ''No. We have not finished searching the prisoner. She may be dangerous.''
Cue the other side of Beverly: authoritative, serious and always ready to stick up for those in need. ''This girl requires medical attention. You've got your phaser. Data's here. I'm sure everything will be fine.''
As she and Worf eyeballed each other my mind wandered. This is just so surreal! I'm actually on the Enterprise, and everyone is exactly as I've seen and imagined. I wonder if there's any sides of them we never saw on screen? It's as if I'm looking down at myself in this scenario, rather than truly being here.
Worf lost. ''Yes, Doctor. But you, hold your hands away from your body, where I can see them.''
''It's Willow, sir. I'd just like to say what a pleasure it is to meet you.''
It just slipped out before I could stop myself. I immediately bit my tongue and looked anxiously at the Klingon. Sometimes my brain to mouth filter malfunctions, and I find it hard to keep my thoughts inside my head. Perhaps it's because I'm used to talking so much - I just never shut up.
Silences in general disturb me, and this one seemed to hang in the air. I thought I was about to get into serious trouble. But then a little snort of laughter came from Deanna, who had been stood serenely watching the proceedings. Geordi and Beverly joined in, until the three of them were chuckling quietly. A glance at Data showed me the birdlike flicker of him accessing information, and then I was rewarded with that adorable mouth quirk that appears every now and again.
I looked back at Worf. Was that a small smile? His eyes seemed to shine with mirth, before he changed back to that strict professional. It was at that moment that I vowed to make him laugh; Guinan would be pleased!
Deanna finally chipped in with her friendly smile. ''Hello, Willow. It's so refreshing to have someone that doesn't outrank Worf stand up to him.'' Something told me we would continue that conversation another time: she doubtlessly wanted to know exactly what I knew and felt about the crew and my situation.
After I had greeted the counsellor in return the doctor had placed the hypospray on my arm. ''Now don't worry – it doesn't hurt. You'll just feel a slight pinch.''
It was a very strange sensation, like a hiss of cold air and a little squeeze. I was intensely grateful that I was in the 24th century; I really hate needles. The pain evaporated pretty much instantly, and the doctor carefully wiped off a little excess blood before using one of those instruments that looks like a mini laser to erase my wound completely. A dermal regenerator?
I felt the pain relief wear off, and I suddenly felt exhausted. After I stifled a yawn she checked over me with a medical tricorder. ''Willow, what time was it when you were… transported?''
''The middle of the night. Hence the pyjamas.''
''You need rest.'' She turned to Data. ''Questions can wait until tomorrow, can't they?''
Worf made a noise of protest, and Data considered his answer for several seconds. He seemed torn between his ethical subroutines telling him to let me sleep, and his duty to Starfleet to check any potential threats.
''Yes, Doctor'' he finally agreed. ''However, she will be required to spend the night in a cell.''
''No probs'' I said cheerily, and I swear Data winced slightly at the word. ''I'm sure the beds are still infinitely comfortable.''
No doubt he could tell me exactly how much to the nearest thousand decimal places, but he settled for ''Pleasant dreams, Willow.''
''Yeah, I'm sure they'll be interesting after today.'' Geordi and the two women bid me goodnight with smiles ranging from small to dazzling, and Worf gave a nod of acknowledgement after he had checked my empty pockets, ushered me into one of the cells and activated the force field.
Once the lights were dimmed, I lay down and stared at the ceiling. Yes, I was scared, but I was also madly excited and ecstatic to be there… in the Brig or otherwise. I also felt that I had gained, if not friends, then allies. Maybe I had earned a touch of respect, too.
In case you are wondering, the 'bed' was like sleeping on a cloud.
Author's Notes: Sorry this chapter took so long - I had my birthday followed by a monster piece of biology homework that took about 10 hours. Don't you just love school? I should be back on track now. At least the chapters are getting longer, which is something I hope to continue.
This was a little trickier to write because it dealt with stuff we don't see on screen - the 'behind-the-scenes' of security. I'm sure prisoners are searched, and those that turn up mysteriously with advanced Enterprise knowledge would be taken to the Brig. This is simply my interpetation. How did I do? Is there anything in particular you really want to see next? Let me know. xxx