Stardate: 58496.2

The image of planet Earth turning below the Enterprise was displayed on the large viewscreen in front of the helm and ops stations. As Captain Picard walked to the rear of the bridge, the turbolift doors opened and T'Mera stepped through them.

"Can I help you, Doctor?" Captain Picard offered a smile to the holographer.

T'Mera returned a smile to the captain, "Data asked me to sit in on the terraforming briefing. Assuming you have no objections, Captain. He hasn't called me to tell me not to come, so here I am."

"Yes." Picard nodded and gestured to the door to her left, "I've authorized you to be at the briefing." He resumed walking through the automatic doors to the observation lounge.

T'Mera followed through the doors, "Thank you, Captain. I do appreciate it."

"I suspect that all the requests for your presence are due more to Mister Data's needs than your own." Captain Picard replied as they entered the empty observation lounge.

T'Mera took a moment to look at the first glass case, which contained gold-painted models of previous Enterprise vessels. "You'd be right." She walked the length of the observation lounge, past the master systems display and computer console to look at the other glass case of ships. "Still, I don't mind doing my part for you and the Enterprise, whether it's programming or consulting or just keeping Data happy."

Captain Picard took the seat at the port side head of the table. "I don't mean to pry, but so much attention has been given to Data's wellbeing that you seem to have fallen by the wayside. How are you doing? I can't imagine that being an android has been easy."

T'Mera gazed at the Constitution-class Enterprise for a moment, then turned to face Picard, "It's not easy. Sometimes, I feel like a katra in a can." She walked to the opposite side of the room, to stand by the aft windows. "However, I'm doing fine, and you don't need to worry about me." She turned to smile at the captain. "I'll wait to see where everyone sits, before I choose a chair, since I'm not actually sure what I'm here for."

"You're consulting, again." Captain Picard replied as he leaned back in the chair, "Given that we're going to Omicron Theta to dig and terraform, there's a possibility of finding more of Doctor Soong's work. You and Mister Data are the foremost experts on positronic androids."

T'Mera rubbed the bridge of her nose, "Ah, I had been joking with Data, but given that there's still two prototypes unaccounted for…" The sound of the doors opening drew her attention.

Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge entered the observation lounge, then grinned at T'Mera, "Consulting, again, I take it?"

T'Mera smiled back at Geordi, "It seems so, although I can't imagine I'll have much to add to this meeting. It should be interesting. Using terraforming to return life to an M-class planet that was decimated by a cosmozoan."

Head Counselor Veluna was the next to enter the room, taking her seat to Captain Picard's left. The Deltan's large brown eyes scanned around the table, giving a single dip of her bald head to each person present. A slight smile spread over her full lips as she noticed T'Mera standing near the starboard corner of the table.

Doctor Beverly Crusher was the next to join everyone, taking her place to Veluna's left. Her blue eyes carried the smile from her lips as she noticed T'Mera. "I see we have our consultant for this."

T'Mera returned the smile to the Chief Medical Officer and the Head Counselor, "Hello, Doctor… Counselor… Yes, we have our consultant."

Lieutenant Commander Deni Hagan entered the observation lounge, followed by an ensign in the security division. "Captain, given the preliminary discussions about Omicron Theta, I thought it might be pertinent to have Ensign Murphy here for the briefing."

Captain Picard nodded to the security chief, "A very good idea. Commander Data and the terraformers should be arriving shortly."

As if on cue, the automatic doors whooshed open, and Commander Data walked inside, followed by a dark-haired woman and a blonde-haired man. "Greetings, everyone." Data gestured to the scientists to sit, as he made his way to the master display panel and console.

T'Mera waited for everyone else to sit, then sat down in the remaining open chair, which was against the aft side of the table, to the right of the blonde-haired man.

Data began with introductions, "This is Director Luisa Kim, Bio-designer." He indicated the woman with the dark hair and wide-set brown eyes.

Luisa's strong, high cheekbones enhanced her friendly smile, "Thank you, Commander. I prefer to think of myself as a gardener of Edens."

Data continued, "And this is Chief terraforming engineer, Bjorn Bensen." He indicated the blonde-haired, blue-eyed man with the cleft chin. "You already know Captain Picard, Commander La Forge and Doctor Crusher. May I also introduce Head Counselor Veluna, Security Chief Deni Hagan, Ensign Renay Murphy and Doctor T'Mera Chipman."

Bjorn Bensen turned to his right to extend a hand to T'Mera, "Nice to meet all of you." When T'Mera clasped the engineer's hand, he furrowed his brow slightly, but released her hand after a couple of shakes.

T'Mera bowed her head to the scientists in a greeting, then glanced at Data with a wordless raise of her right eyebrow.

Data pressed a few buttons on the console and brought up the image of an orange and brown planet with two small moons. "The Federation has decided to approve terraforming on class M planets that, for one reason or another, have become devoid of life. One such planet is Omicron Theta, which was attacked by the crystalline entity at the beginning of Earth year twenty-three thirty eight, and which removed all traces of organic life, including soil bacteria, leaving behind bitrious matter, as well as elevated levels of hydrocarbons, lanthanides, and nitrates." He turned his attention to Luisa Kim, "Director Kim, would you like to continue the briefing?"

Luisa Kim smiled, "Thank you, Commander." She pressed a button on the small console insert in the lighted curved table, changing the display screen to show the thirty year plan, "Since it's already class M, we can skip past phases one and two and move to three, which is hydraulics. We'll also be using the pre-existing underground bunker as labs and quarters, thus saving us the time it would have taken to build a residential station. The hydraulics specialists will begin with charting the available subsurface water and measuring the amount of moisture in the clouds. We'll also be creating water basins using hydraulic landscaping, and working to desalinate some of the more saline lakes. Over time, with pumping and filtering, we expect to add more moisture into the planet's atmosphere."

Luisa pressed another button, showing a new chart, "Phase four will be the introduction of micro-organisms, like algae spores, bacteria, fungi, lichens and eventually grasses, in order to return the soil to an arable state. Commanders Data and La Forge have modified some of the shuttles here to act as plows and seeders, and which will remain with us after the Enterprise leaves. Each shuttle will have a wide angle tractor beam array that will pulse on and off at a high rate, pointed at the ground. This will enable the soil to be lifted and dropped in greater amounts than with conventional methods. Before this is done, however, each area will be scanned to make certain we won't be ruining any archaeological areas. Previous reports have most of those as being in the mountains, so we don't expect any problems." She gave a quick head nod to Data.

Data continued, switching the display to a view of the planet's desolated surface, "Currently, the atmosphere on Omicron Theta has minimal oxygen and there is a danger of dust storms. Most of the structures from the Omicron Theta science colony, while still standing, will be in disrepair from being vacant for forty three years. Federation observers and scientists have completed a few surveys of the planet, to make certain that it is a good candidate for rehabilitative terraforming." He looked at Doctor Crusher with an expectant expression.

Doctor Crusher spoke up, "Anyone on the away teams who needs oxygen will be given a tri-ox compound, and the teams will carry medkits with hyposprays of the compound. That should keep anyone from passing out. The last reading taken of Omicron Theta's atmosphere still does place it within human tolerance, although it will be like working at an extremely high altitude." She inclined her head to Data.

"The initial away team will beam down to the Tripoli landing site then search the area. After any security concerns are addressed, and the area is deemed safe, the terraforming team can begin to move into the bunker and set up their equipment." Data switched the display to a chart of the Omicron Theta itinerary, "At that point, a few away teams from the Enterprise can survey the planet for any possible archaeological sites which might be endangered from terraforming. Once the terraforming team is self-sufficient, the Enterprise will leave, and there will be monthly checks by Starfleet vessels that happen to be in the area."

Data tapped quickly on the console, "I have also taken the liberty of copying the information I have from the colonist logs that pertained to farming on Omicron Theta. If you look at your seat displays, you will see the directory of the adult colonists, their scientific or community specialty, and their related knowledge. Of particular importance will be the works of Kiran Cooke, who did the majority of genetic modification of agriculture to enable farming in arid or harsh planetary conditions."

T'Mera leaned forward in her seat, perusing the list of colonists.

Bjorn Bensen checked the list, then turned his attention to Data, "You mentioned security concerns, but there shouldn't be any, should there? It's a dead world."

Data nodded back to Chief Bensen, "It is, however there have been no extensive searches done for security, archaeological sites or positronic readings."

Chief Bensen raised an eyebrow, "Positronic?"

"You once asked me where I was manufactured and if there were others like me." Data gave the chief a quirked smile, "At the time, I had stated that both matters were subjects of protracted discussion. It seems that now is the time to have that discussion. I was created on Omicron Theta, by a Doctor Noonian Soong. Prior to my creation, there were four others, three of whom were prototypes. As of this moment, two of the prototypes are unaccounted for, and might still be somewhere around the colony. If encountered, they should not be reassembled or reactivated until Doctor Chipman is alerted to their existence."

Chief Bensen turned his head sharply to regard T'Mera, "Ah. That explains your cybernetic hand."

T'Mera looked up from the colony list to reply to Bensen, "You could tell my hand was mechanical, just from the handshake? You're good." She scanned the others at the table, "Data's right, though. Even if you just find pieces of androids, let me know right away."

Security Chief Hagan nodded to T'Mera, "We will." He looked at Commander Data, "I'd like Ensign Murphy to join the away team, since they don't breathe, and the lack of oxygen won't bother them."

Data studied the ensign in question. At 1.77 meters tall and approximately 68 kilograms in weight, Ensign Murphy's body showed strong musculature, yet lacked curves at the hips or chest, and had no trace of facial hair follicles aside from dark eyebrows. Short-cut, slicked back light brown hair and intense hazel eyes added to the tough stance and forbidding expression that so many in security conveyed. "Very well. The first away team will include the ensign, once Commander Worf approves them."

"We will be arriving at Omicron Theta in three days." Captain Picard addressed Director Kim and Chief Bensen directly, "You will be free to roam unrestricted areas of the ship and to use the crew lounge and holodecks if you so desire. Are your quarters satisfactory?"

Luisa nodded to the captain, "Everything is quite satisfactory, thank you, Captain."

Captain Picard stood, "Very well. The briefing is concluded. Dismissed."

T'Mera stood and walked around the table to Data, "I looked over that list of the Omicron Theta colonists. It reads like a who's who of discredited and disreputable scientists."

"You would not be incorrect in that assessment." Data waited for the others to file out of the room, then smiled at T'Mera, "It seems the Chief could tell your hand was mechanical, but not that you are an android."

T'Mera patted Data on the back, "I don't act very android-like. I'm really more like an organic person in a prosthetic body. Are you staying on duty now through alpha?"

"I believe so." Data replied as he walked with her to the exit, "I do not require rest, so I can continue for the rest of beta shift, then gamma." He leaned to kiss her, just before reaching the door to the bridge.

T'Mera met Data's lips with hers, "I'll see you at alpha, then." She walked onto the bridge, then turned right to enter the turbolift, while Data continued to his seat at ops.