Chapter 2

"Captain's log, stardate 2382.35. We have been ordered to explore the fourth planet in the Eritana solar system. We are currently enroute to our destination."

William Riker sat in the Captain's chair on the Enterprise E. "Captain, we are approaching the solar system." The lieutenant at the con informed him.

"Lieutenant Kaab, put us in orbit of the fourth planet." Will ordered.

"Aye sir." The Vulcan lieutenant typed in the coordinates. "Sir, it appears to be M-class."

"Put it on the viewscreen."

Lieutenant Kaab typed a few keys and a planet quite similar to Earth appeared before them.

"Any life signs on the planet?" Will asked.

The Vulcan officer pressed a few more buttons. "I'm picking up some animal life-forms; no humanoids."

"Then we'll beam down to the surface."

Deanna, who was at the helm moved to stand. Her stomach, which was rather large by this time, made it difficult for her to stand. Will jumped up to assist.

"Are you alright?" He whispered.

"I'm fine." She snapped back. Will straightened up a little hurt.

"I'm sorry." Deanna apologized. "I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's understandable in your condition." Will sympathized.

"I don't have a condition! When will everyone stop treating me like I have a disease or something?" Deanna irritably grumbled.

"Imzadi, why don't you go lie down-" Will tried to reason.

"No, I want to go on this mission."

Will shook his head. "You're in no condi-I mean, you are really too far along to be leaving the ship right now."

Deanna looked as if she wanted to protest.

Will gave her a teasing look. "That's an order."

She finally smiled conceding. "Alright. I'll go to our quarters."

Will cleared his throat as he noticed everyone in the room staring. "Alright, Commander Data, Lieutenant Kaab, you're with me." Will gestured to the people that he requested.

"Sir," Data called. Will turned to him.

"May I remind you that the captain's place is on the bridge. Starfleet protocols-"

"Yes Commander Data." Will nodded interrupting him. "I am aware of Starfleet's regulations. I think it will be alright this one time." Data quickly dipped his head and followed him into the Turbolift.

Soon they arrived in Transporter room 3. They each hopped up onto a pad. The transporter chief typed in a few keys. "Whenever you're ready sir."

Will nodded. "Energize." The transporter chief pressed another button and they began to dematerialize. In another moment, they were reassembled safely on the surface of the planet.

Data pulled out his tricorder and began to scan their surroundings.

Will looked around him. It was a jungle like atmosphere. The trees stood tall and wide with long purple fronds and were draped in violet vines. The ground was marshy and strange. Large bell shaped flowers overflowed with long string-like seed-pockets and seemed to be emitting a soft humming if you bent close enough. Unlike a tropical rain forest of Earth though, it was unusually quiet, with the occasional whisper of sound that alerted you that something alive was nearby.

"Captain," Data notified him. There are a few different animal life forms on this planet, but the ships sensors appear to be correct. I am not reading any humanoid life." He looked down as his tricorder bleeped. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Strange. Now I am reading one humanoid life form." He looked up and pointed south of their location. "Thirty meters in that direction." Will gestured for everyone to follow as Data led them in the direction his tricorder read.

After trudging through jungle conditions for nearly an hour, they finally came close to the life signs.

"This way." As Data guided them into a small cave, Kaab pulled out a light so that they could see. "We are now within two meters of the life signs." Data announced. Suddenly he came to a halt. "The signs seem to be emanating from this location. Kaab shone his light around the cave. "Captain, I see something." He pointed ahead where the form of a humanoid was lying still on the ground.

They rushed forward. Data bent down to examine the form while Kaab stood shining the light on it. Will gasped upon seeing a female humanoid with a shock of short blond hair. "Tasha Yar?"