Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
Author's Note: First, this is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All other characters and events in this story are entirely fictional. Also note, that this site seems to have completely broken centering. If anyone knows how to change HTML so it is not ignored, let me know.
-=oOo=-
Author's Note: This story will be have some common elements to Araiansu but is a different story.
-=oOo=-
"Sir, I am detecting a distress call. Type unknown," said Data.
"Adjust course Mr. Data. Get us to scanning distance," said Captain Picard.
"Altering course now."
A few seconds later he added, "I am beginning to get telemetry. I detect no signs of engines of any kind. Coming out of warp now."
"On screen."
"I don't see it," said Picard.
"It is near black. Enlarging. There is a marking," said Data.
"That's English. FSP and then a serial number of some kind," said Riker.
"Data check. See if anything matches that number."
"Checking. I now also have an audio feed."
"Play it," said Picard.
"This is an automated distress beacon. All Federated Sentient Planets craft are ordered to attempt rescue of Prime Rowan under the authority of the Federal Telepath and Teleport treaties. Prime Rowan is currently under emergency third stage bio stasis. Stasis generator has power remaining for four point three hours. This is an automated distress beacon."
"The message is repeating," said Data.
"Cut it. Can you beam the occupant to sick bay?"
"That is possibly unwise. Recommend Shuttle bay two and quarantine procedures. I have found no records to match that craft or any of the mentioned terms. Nor do I have a full understanding of the bio stasis they are in."
"Go ahead. Picard to Sick Bay."
"Crusher here."
"We are loading up some kind of pod in shuttle bay two. One Prime Rowan is apparently in bio stasis. A very bossy computer suggested we rescue him."
"Who?"
"I have no idea."
"The occupant does read as possibly human. The equipment and the stasis fields make a clearer reading impossible," said Data.
"Okay I'll get my team and get down there."
"Beverly, the machine said four point three hours."
"Understood. At least we don't have to do anything drastic then."
"Engineering."
"Geordi here."
"Head to shuttle bay two with your kit. Doctor Crusher may need help with the pod. Once Mr. Data finishes loading the pod on board he will join you there."
"Understood."
-=oOo=-
Geordi looked at the oddly plain black clam shell shaped container.
"Do you have any idea how to open it?" asked Beverly.
"It hinges, it seems." Geordi opened his tricorder and started to scan, eventually coming to a spot on the front of the pod. A few taps in an almost hidden spot caused a panel to slide left. A small screen and keypad was now visible. The little screen read, "External atmospheric data not available. Is environment suitable for human life?"
Geordi tapped the key next to Yes. A series of bolts came unscrewed from all around the pod and the pod opened up.
Inside was a woman as tall as Beverly with long silver blond hair and a average sized chest. She seemed almost unnaturally thin, though she did not seem unhealthy.
"She is beautiful," were Geordi's first words.
"Admire later," said Crusher who gently pushed him aside and began her own scans.
"It looks like the chemicals they are using for quasi stasis are self eliminating. Geordi did you find anything of concern?"
"Nothing is setting off any alarms in the tricorder, though it will all be scrubbed before this air is reused in any event."
The woman's eyes opened showing they were a very pretty silver.
"Can you understand me?" asked Beverly.
The woman tried to speak, but failed. Her mouth opened. Only gasps came out. She settled for a nod.
"The chemicals keeping you in near stasis are likely still lingering. I don't detect any problems. For now, I'm just recommending we wait. I have some water here if you can drink," said Beverly.
Doctor Crusher handed her a glass of water with a straw. She reached over the side of the cradle to hold it to her. The Rowan took it slowly, evidently having trouble holding the glass. It took her a couple minutes to drink half of it before managing to set it down.
"I don't detect any disease or illness, though I'd like everyone to remain here till I can scan her in sick bay," said Beverly.
Beverly suddenly heard in her mind. "I was perfectly healthy during my last exam about two weeks ago, though I suspect it has been more than two weeks."
"Your telepathic?" asked Beverly out loud.
The Rowan nodded. She then managed to carefully work the console inside the ship.
Geordi watched. "According to that screen she was in bio stasis for close to ten months."
"Wasn't meant to last that long," heard Beverly in her mind.
"Your lucky it did. This pod is almost out of power," said Beverly.
"Damage?" she heard in her mind.
"I do not detect any long term damage. I'm not an expert on telepaths. Do you think you would be okay being beamed to sick bay?"
"What is that?" she heard in her mind.
"Geordi can you replicate her a bio hazard suit, and help me get her sealed in it?"
"Sure thing."
"Healthy," she heard insisted in her mind.
"Even if you are, you clearly don't have the same immunizations and protections. I really want to get detailed scans before anything else, and that means getting there normally, since if your not familiar with matter transportation, I'm not introducing it to you now."
"Moment," managed the Rowan.
"Please think about this sick bay and forgive the intrusion," sent the Rowan.
"Alright. I'm focusing on the sick bay. You can see I'm not hiding anything from you," said Beverly before the Rowan, with a pop wasn't even there.
"Doctor Selar to Doctor Crusher."
"She is there isn't she?"
"Yes, she appeared. It wasn't a transporter beam."
"Please close sick bay and do a deep scan for anything of concern and treat her as required. We will remain in the cargo bay. I don't think you will find anything, but check. She is telepathic."
-=oOo=-
The next day, they were all, save Rowan, in the main briefing room. Doctor Selar was also there.
"What can you tell us about our guest?" asked Picard.
"Well the random telepathy stopped now that she can talk again. She acknowledged it was rude, but considered it reasonable in the circumstances," said Beverly.
"I gave her the first of a standard series of immunizations. She is perfectly healthy, but I'm keeping her in sick bay till she completes the second half tomorrow. She clearly has existing immunizations, but they do not match what is required," said Doctor Selar.
"I spent quite some time talking to her via telepathy. It was quite refreshing. She has a remarkable mind. On her Earth, which I'm quite sure is not the same as the Federation one, the development of extrasensory abilities is very refined. The absolute best in a field are known as Prime Talents. There is usually only a handful. In the case of the Rowan she is a prime talent in the fields of telepathy and teleportation. Her job was to move a mixture of ships, cargo and people among the member worlds of the Federated Sentient Planets," said Deanna.
"Your kidding. She is moving ships with her mind?" asked Geordi.
"She normally uses electrical generators that are tuned to work optimally for similar talents."
"I don't know. That sounds less than likely to me," said Geordi.
"I was a skeptical as well, but she took me along on one of her typical jobs. As for proof, she admitted to leaning on ships power to teleport. There may be a log. She would ordinarily not need it herself, but she wasn't willing to trust her abilities fully after nearly a year in stasis."
"Computer was there a power anomaly when the Rowan transported to sick bay?" asked Geordi.
"Confirmed. There was a brief additional load of nearly twenty thousand watts for less than a second."
"An actual transport would have taken far more power," noted Data.
"No kidding," said Geordi.
"Is there a threat to the ship?" asked Picard.
"Not from moving herself around. It is insignificant," said Geordi.
"Are we working on the theory that she is not from this dimension? That is what she said, right?" asked Riker.
"I've confirmed it. She is stable enough. No idea how she got here. Data you analyzed her logs. What did you find?" asked Geordi.
"After adapting ships power I was able to read the computer data from the main screen. She clearly went through some form of spatial anomaly, but the sensors in the pod were not of adequate resolution to determine the exact type. I downloaded the raw data, but the required information is simply not there," said Data.
"That is not surprising. That pod was not meant for much, well other than keeping her alive and unharmed. How did it even move?" asked Geordi.
"She helped move it. She was moving from Earth to Callisto station around Jupiter, which of course doesn't exist in this reality. Prime Peter Redinger was with her mentally as she moved. There was a friend of hers named Afra Lyon on the other end. He wasn't a prime, though he was what they call a T3 which is two levels down. With the Rowan helping the transport was not unusual. She is powerful enough to manage the trip alone, but that is considered an unjustified risk," said Deanna.
"Amazing. Is there any way to help her return?" asked Picard.
"Not at this time. We have no basis to even begin locating her reality, let alone moving her back. It would take an entity like the Q to manage it with what little we know," said Data.
"Yes, well, while I wish her the best, I am personally fine if we never deal with him again," said Picard.
Riker winced and looked around, and then let out a breath. Ten seconds later Q flashed in.
"Do I hear my name in vain?"
"Your not a god Q," said Picard dryly.
"Perhaps not, though the difference is a trifling. Hmm, I see you have found somone interesting."
"Could you return her to her home?" asked Picard.
"Sure."
"Will you?"
"No. She is useful here. Oh, I won't stop you if you find a way to return her, but I'm not going to help." Q vanished.
"That was interesting," said Riker.
"Indeed. I do have one question though. Why is she called Rowan? It is a bit of an unusual name. Rowan, is after all a type of tree," said Picard.
"That's actually a very interesting story Captain. When the Rowan was young, barely a toddler really, the settlement her and her parents were on was part of a mining group. The warning from the weather service about the mudslides came too late. Her parents perished, though not before putting her into a hopper to keep her safe. The hopper got bounced all over scaring her greatly. It broke open and mud started coming in. She was eventually saved, because a whole planet heard her cry for help. They ended up having to seal her memories to help her get past the trauma. Her past was not known for a long time, though she knows it now. The name Rowan comes from the Rowan Mining company, and it stuck, so she hasn't changed," said Deanna.
"Remarkable. Please work with her on becoming a Federation citizen, and help her if you can. We aren't giving up finding a way home for her, but she is likely to be here for some time," said Picard.
"I've already mentioned such. As to the rest, she has already had the best treatment possible. Hers is a remarkably developed and really an amazing mind. They wanted the best for her and she got it. She was too important not to get it."
"I see. Well then continue and if you need anything just let me know."
Deanna nodded.
Riker looked at her curiously.
"Will," chided Deanna.
"I never got such a complement," he complained.
"Because it would inflate your already inflated ego," joked Deanna.
Will smiled and nodded.
-=oOo=-
Deanna sat at her desk in her cabin. She was wearing a nightgown. She was just about to read three new letters from her mother when she heard, "Picard to Councilor Troi?"
"Yes Captain," she said trying to keep the annoyance from her voice at being interrupted in her preparations for bed.
"The pleasure of your company is requested Councilor. We are having a reception for the arriving delegates."
"Captain, I'm not really dressed for this."
"Just throw on any old thing. We are about to have our first look at the wormhole."
"I'm on my way," she said neutrally. Then after the connection dropped she said, "God forbid I missed the first look at the wormhole."
When she got there, she was introduced to the delegations and one Devinoni Rai who was eyeing the Rowan even as he smoothly negotiated for the wormhole to the Gamma quadrant for the species he was representing.
The Rowan glanced at her and sent, "This one is annoying." The smile did not leave Devinoni's face.
"How so?" she sent back, also not letting her neutral smile slip.
"He protects his lustful thoughts poorly. I have to actively block to avoid them with his mind as loud as it is. He is like you I think. More feelings than thought."
"Is he really? Does anyone know that one of the negotiators is using empathic abilities?"
"I do not believe so."
"I'll deal with it," thought Deanna tiredly.
"You are tied. You should rest."
"It's not that simple."
The Rowan walked over to her. "Will you dance with me?"
"Say yes please," the Rowan sent with a touch of wistfulness in her mental voice.
"Alright," she said out loud. Mentally she added, "But why?"
"It will annoy that man, and I can refresh you mentally, if you wish it. Also, I believe it will be fun," the Rowan thought back.
"Really? It's safe?" sent Deanna.
"Yes, simply transferring energy is quite easy."
Deanna let Rowan lead as they began to dance. Several looked at them including a clearly admiring Riker.
"Will, you had such potential," thought Deanna.
"You do not mind him admiring us?" send Rowan.
"Will is a good guy. He is very kind and considerate. He just never truly wanted to commit. I suspect this Devinoni might be someone I'd have liked if I didn't know he was doing what he is doing. He is quite pretty, and seems genuine, but then I suppose he has practice seeming genuine," she sent.
"I never cared for those who start with the assumption that the ends justify the means," thought back the Rowan.
"I think I'll try that boost, but do it slowly and stop if I ask."
"Of course."
Deanna could feel energy flooding her system and couldn't help but smile. Then as if to ruin the feeling Devinoni was suddenly next to them.
"I couldn't help but admire you both. Is there any chance I could get a dance tonight?" he said with a charming smile.
"I'm quite enjoying being in the Rowan's arms actually," said Deanna.
"I've handled this badly. I do apologize. I'll leave you be."
"He is not a bad guy I don't think. Too pretty perhaps," sent Rowan.
"He is that," thought back Deanna with amusement.
Next up was Riker.
"You look enchanting Deanna. You too Rowan."
Deanna rolled her eyes. She then looked at Will more seriously before asking. "Want to dance?"
"I didn't mean to interrupt. I just noted how happy you looked out there."
"Please, just for a short time." Then to the Rowan she sent, "He is as good a person to tell as any."
"Then I believe I shall retire. It has been a long day," said the Rowan out loud. Then to Deanna mentally she added, "If you want to satisfy your curiosity and mine, we can get you checked after wards, but what I did is generally perfectly safe. I'll be in sick bay."
"Can't hurt I suppose. You know I'd rather keep dancing with you," thought Deanna back.
"And yet dancing with this one also interests you. I do not mind. Come find me after," thought the Rowan.
"I will," sent Deanna.
Deanna and Will started dancing.
"I envy your ability to have whole conversations in secret, you know," said Riker softly.
Deanna sent to Will, "Do you remember our training. Can you still hear my thoughts?"
"I can, though not too sure about responding," said Will.
"That's alright. Did you know that Devinoni is an empath too? The Rowan sensed it. His thoughts are apparently very loud and somewhat lustful. He is keeping it a secret isn't he?" sent Deanna.
Will nodded, without further expression. He then added, "I'll make sure the captain knows. It has been a long day. Would you like me to walk you back?"
"If you wish. Your company is always appreciated."
-=oOo=-
On the way to sick bay Riker asked, "Where are we going?"
"The Rowan lent a bit of energy to me, because I was exhausted. She is sure it is safe, but figured I would want to be really sure, so she went to sick bay first."
"You two really did look good together."
"Are you trying to find me a date Will Riker?"
"No, I would never dare, nor do you need my help. What about Devinoni? I'd have thought he might be your type."
Deanna sighed. "He might have been, but finding out he is lying about being an empath. I'll pass."
"His loss." They entered the sick bay. The Rowan and Doctor Selar were there.
"I already gave Rowan a brief scan, mostly because she is a new patient. She is fine. She told me what she did, so if you will lay down on the bio bed I can finish quickly and you can go and rest."
Deanna laid down on the bed with a bit of help from Will. The doctor began her scans.
"I see nothing of concern so far but please remain still a little longer."
Deanna nodded.
Doctor Selar continued scanning for several more minutes. "It is taking a bit of effort to even identify the change. This is really quite remarkable. I see no harm." She turned to the Rowan. "Are there any limitations on this technique?"
"I do not yet know Deanna's mind well. That may change or it may not. I do not mean to imply anything here. In time, she could perhaps learn some of what I have learned. Most of that would require real effort. A little bit of energy now and then is harmless. If she did follow our path it is a lifetime commitment, but then any form of mental discipline is. It is not harmful, provided it is followed. In some ways, it might be better to consider it. I have not sensed any formal training backing her empathy, or at least none of the type I am familiar with," said Rowan.
"Interesting." The doctor turned to Deanna. "For now I'm going to recommend not doing this again for at least a few days, and then we will recheck then. This is an interesting new field. If you do decide to continue on this path, then I am going to ask for regular medical scans, either with myself or with Doctor Crusher. I would also like to, if possible, learn how to do this."
The Rowan looked at Doctor Selar carefully. "You have good natural shields which I will make no attempt to get behind. It is likely you have significant potential. I could come back tomorrow and we could begin exchanging training."
"That would be acceptable. I will arrange for Doctor Crusher to be the neutral medical observer."
"Then I'm good to go?" asked Deanna hopefully.
"Yes, you are fine. I can give you a mild sedative if you wish help sleeping."
"I knew there had to be a downsize to this," said Deanna wryly.
"Sorry," said an obviously not sorry Rowan.
"I'll take the sedative. Otherwise I may not get to sleep for hours," said Deanna.
"I can teach you how to fall asleep when you need to, if you wish," offered the Rowan.
"So no magic trick there?" asked Deanna curiously.
"Those in established relationships might permit that level of mental touch, but generally it is considered quite rude and off limits."
"I see what you mean. If you can alter mental patterns to encourages sleep you can encourage other things."
"That would require considerable more effort and is offensive. It is also possibly punishable by death or at least life in prison. A Talent may not use their power to harm or directly manipulate another. That has long been written into the FSP charter."
"It sounds like a good rule, and one that our new friend is breaking," said Riker.
"It's a gray area. He isn't manipulating their moods directly. I did a very light check to verify. He is just choosing his words and mannerisms based on information they don't realize they are providing. There is probably not a current law against it on my world, but then again if people did that enough, one might be created. We mostly consider it very rude, but there is a lot of money potentially involved. I don't have a better answer. Sorry," said Rowan.
"You know that isn't truly fully avoidable for me. I can't shut it off," said Deanna softly.
"You were up front when we had a relationship. That matters," said Riker.
The Rowan nodded in agreement. She then turned to focus on Deanna. "I may be able to help you there. We will just have to see. I sense you could develop your telepathy significantly. Working with a senior Talent also tends to help that, but it all depends on what you want."
"I'll think about. I confess there are times, particularly when my neighbors are a bit amorous it would be great to be able to shield more somehow."
"You sense that. Of course you do. You know I can get you a new room, or them one," said Riker.
"They are fine. It's just very distracting."
"I can impose one from outside, but then you are inside my own shielding. You would feel my emotions and it is a little tiring since it prevents me from sleeping soundly, but if you need or simply want uninterrupted rest, let me know," said the Rowan.
"Or me, if you want your rooms changed," said Will.
"I can also authorize that," said Doctor Selar.
"I'm fine. I really am," said Deanna.
"Do you mind me speaking medically about you here?" asked Doctor Selar.
"No, why?"
"You are personally overdue for a vacation by several months and it has been my experience that personnel perform better if they take recommended vacations," said Doctor Selar.
"Well Deanna. You and the Rowan here could take a trip to Risa and have some fun," suggested Will.
"You are shameless Will. You know that. Besides, I know someone much more overdue."
"Captain Picard," said Riker.
"You got it in one."
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't take one," noted Riker.
"Perhaps I should offer to share my quarters with the Rowan," teased Deanna.
"Tempting, but it would be inappropriate for someone I wish to teach, if she will permit it," said the Rowan.
"And what about what I want?" asked Deanna curiously.
"I'm not opposed to exploring the possibility, but ethically I have to remain as neutral as possible to anyone I am currently teaching."
"I would agree. That is a most sound decision," said Doctor Selar.
Deanna frowned.
"I apologize. You are remarkable. I just have learned to be cautious."
"Why is that, if you don't mind me asking?" asked Deanna.
"No, I do not hide this, mostly because people have a right to know, and people might learn from it, and avoid my mistake. When I was young, barely old enough to consider such matters, I once foolishly opened my thoughts to a young man without a mind who capable of protecting himself, and I did so very carelessly. It was, a remarkable night, but in the morning his mind was badly damaged. The people that cared for me took care of it and though I deserved more punishment, I got very little. I didn't understand what they meant when they said to be careful and to be safe. I thought they meant against pregnancy. I have resolved never to make such a horrible mistake again."
"You mean you literally well loved him to um..." said Riker awkwardly.
"Yes. It is not a memory I am proud of, at all, but it has at least served to increase my care and precision with my talent."
"Then you can't be intimate or..." continued Riker.
"Will," warned Deanna.
"I have been intimate since. I will not detail my sexual history, though it is not extensive. The main thing is you cannot share thoughts on that level. It is not safe, well unless someone is of similar level or at least has a lot of training to prepare them, and possibly not then. Please do not misunderstand, I do not seek to train you for that. I simply see potential, in you both really."
"But if you dropped all barriers, they would know or at least be able to know everything," said Deanna wistfully.
"Yes."
"My mother always told me tales of telepaths finding such unions. I've seldom seen it myself," said Deanna.
"It is quite rare, but does happen," said the Rowan.
"I'll see if I can catch the Captain before bed and let him know about our friend, though I'd be surprised if he doesn't suspect something," said Riker.
"Thanks WIll, and I guess I will take a sedative and go to bed."
Deanna was surprised when after they went their separate ways, Will met up with her as she walked to her room. She turned to him.
"Will, are you being mothering?" asked Deanna dryly.
"Maybe just a little. I just want you to be careful. She is very powerful and I think very lonely. I can't imagine what it would be like to not be able to love freely."
Deanna smiled. "We certainly had a few fun times, didn't we?"
"We did. You know I'm really sorry Deanna."
"For what? Your a wonderful man Will. We just aren't what each other needed long term. There is no fault in that."
"Do you think Rowan might be what you need?"
"Perhaps. In truth she needs to go home, but then I'd imagine she was lonely there as well. Impossible responsibility on so few. Their system may work, and it may even have been necessary, but it is also cruel in its own way."
"And when she refused to consider exploring any intimate relationships and put her duty first, how did you react to that?" asked Riker softly, in the empty hallway.
"Oh you know psychology and you know me. It made me want to do so more. It's not love of course. That takes time, but she made me curious dang it," said Deanna with mild irritation.
"I'm here Deanna if you need me."
"Somehow I don't think spending the night with you would help," said Deanna softly.
"Not what I meant, and your curious. You will wait and find out and you will be scrupulously fair, perhaps too fair. Deanna, if she makes you happy and you can find a safe way, then I just want what is best for you."
"Risa is an option, even if we mostly used it for training. Doctor Selar could come as well. It would allow non interrupted training for a couple weeks."
"Or you could do the training here, then have actual fun on Risa," said Will.
"I'm really curious if she is right, that just training with someone so much more skilled can extend my abilities. I know you don't understand, and I know I should be content, but on Betazed I was often looked down on as less for being half human, for not being quite real in their eyes."
"Makes sense to me. If you have more potential you want to live up to it. Most Starfleet officers are like that. Certainly most on the Enterprise are."
"Your right. I'm being silly. Would you do me a favor and stay with me tonight? I'm not asking for intimacy. I just don't feel like being alone right now."
"I'd be glad to Deanna."
-=oOo=-
Several Ferengi joined in the negotiations over the wormhole the next day. Shortly after that the Federation negotiator became sick in unusual circumstances. Riker was put in charge of the Federation position. The day after that Deanna, Doctor Selar, the Rowan and Beverly Crusher met in the conference room next to sick bay.
"How does this all work?" asked Beverly.
"There is lots of boring theory. I'll do my best to recall it. We will have to incorporate it against what is known here," said the Rowan.
Beverly tapped her com badge. "Crusher to Commander Data."
"Data here."
"Are you busy?"
"I am helping Goerdi prepare a probe for examining the wormhole, though that task is almost complete."
"Can you come to the medical conference room when you're done? I'd like your help to organize the telepathic theory that the Rowan is going to present against that seen in the Federation."
"He can go now. I can finish up here," said Geordi.
"I am on my way now," said Data.
They waited for Data to arrive before the Rowan carefully went over every detail of her education. After that Deanna asked, "Could you tell us about some of the problems you had with telepathy and such, or others had?"
"Sure, I suppose I'll begin with the story of how this all seemed to really begin a few generations ago at the Jerhattan Parapsychic Center. I suppose them meeting Peter Reidinger started it all. He was badly injured in an accident and doomed to likely be crippled for life. Our medical technology has improved since those days, but I can tell yours is far better still. They did the best they could for him, but it only made things worse. Eventually they discovered he was a very powerful kinetic. In time, he did very well indeed learning to move again on his own power, even those his body was still the way it was. That was the true beginning. There is another Peter Reidinger out there today that is his descendant and so much has happened in all this time. I'll do my best to recall it all."
She described their history in detail. Deanna then responded with some of her own history and about the problems she had seen with telepathy in her life before the Rowan went over more of her own. She reported the problems she had, and what people had responded with. She enumerated her mistakes and her recommendations, as well as every scrap of theory she could remember. She covered the ethics and the rules she lived by, in detail, as well as the penalties for infractions, which were generally rare. No one of any skill grew up without living and breathing the rules. It took almost six hours before they ran out of questions for her. It was then Doctor Selar spoke.
"The training and detail the Rowan gave is not incompatible with Vulcan theory and understanding. Yes, we make different choices, but that is partly because of our removing emotion from controlling our lives. Mr. Data. Could you compose the work today and compare and contrast to other Federation member worlds training?"
"Yes, I can do that now if you want."
"It is not necessary if you have higher priority tasks."
"I do not."
"Very well. I will want to review and possibly edit your work before we send it to Betazed and Vulcan for further review."
"I understand. I agree with your conclusions. I can find no obvious conflicts in my cursory scan of my memory. It is likely that similar principles were developed for similar reasons. The key difference is their training is far more focused and intense, and appears to be better at healing damage. They also appear to be able to activate latent potential when an effort is made," said Data.
"I would like a copy as well. I tried to be as accurate and as honest as possible here, but I may be able to add to it, or simply identify where I made a mistake. Not training someone to responsibly and safely use their gift, is, in my opinion, nearly criminal."
"And if they didn't want to use their gift?" asked Beverly softly.
"People have free will. They may do as they wish, though it be a waste, but for those with an active gift, without training they could harm themselves and others. It may not be fair, but it is required."
"Tam," said Deanna softly.
"Who is he?" asked the Rowan curiously.
"He is a very powerful telepath who cannot shield out all the minds around him. The Federation wants to use his ability but he mostly avoids anyplace with too many people. He is near my age," added Deanna.
"Why was he not properly trained from the first time his ability was identified? It will be harder to fix now," said Rowan.
"We don't know how to train telepaths that strong," said Deanna.
"I see, then we should make sure to correct that. Doctor Selar's plan seems the correct direction for that. The sooner this oversight is corrected the better."
"I think we can all agree with that," said Beverly with a smile.
-=oOo=-
Geordi and Data went through the wormhole in a shuttle craft. A pair of the Ferengi also went in a separate shuttle craft. The negotiations continued. The captain privately warned the people that were trying to sell access to the wormhole about Devinoni's ability, but it didn't seem to change much.
Later that same day, Beverly, Selar, Rowan, Deanna, and Picard met in the medical conference room to discuss teaching Deanna the Rowan's skills.
"Are you sure this is safe for Deanna?" asked Picard.
"It should be. I do know what I'm doing, and we are being very careful. With her permission, I'll begin with a light merge of our minds to begin teaching her."
"I want this," said Deanna.
"Alright."
The Rowan held out her hand to Deanna who took it as they sat side by side on one side of the table. Minutes passed and soon Deanna wore a small smile on her face as emotions flickered across her features. They were interrupted nearly an hour later when Worf reported from the bridge. The view screen in the medical conference room switched to showing the same view as the bridge viewer.
"I'm detecting some odd activity from the wormhole." The Rowan spoke, while still gripping Deanna's hand.
"Emergency. Wormhole unstable. Do not attempt rescue. Engines dead!"
The lights in the conference room dimmed and nearly went out as her eyes, and then her body and even a bit of Deanna's body glowed with energy. Picard, Beverly, and Doctor Selar looked on alarmed.
"Get them medical. I'm not being nice. There isn't the time," commanded the Rowan.
Less than a minute later their ship shot out of the wormhole at extreme speed.
"Beam them and me to the infirmary now," said Beverly who vanished.
"Beam me as well," said Doctor Selar. She vanished.
The Rowan turned to Deanna who was holding her head. "I deeply apologize. I didn't think there was time to remove you from the link as gradually as you needed to be removed. Are you well?"
"Massive headache. I'll be okay. You saved them. That is what is important."
"I almost wasn't able to. Only the fact that the wormhole still existed allowed it."
"Good job. I'm going to the bridge. I want you two to rest, though I also want you both in sick bay as soon as they are not so busy," said Captain Picard before he too got up.
-=oOo=-
A few minutes later on the bridge they heard, "This is O'Brien. I'm taking charge in engineering for now. We have a lot of blown power relays and things down here. It's a bit of a mess. Don't expect normal operation for a few hours. The main systems are okay, but a lot of secondary systems suddenly fried."
"That was likely the Rowan. She appeared to do something with the electrical system to save Geordi and Data," said Picard.
"Well, I recommend we not repeat that, if it can be avoided. She doesn't seem to use warp plasma for what she does. She instead fried the secondary systems."
"Could you build something that will help?"
"Should be able to. We don't send a lot of major power through wires anymore because of the energy density required. We certainly know how to create it when we need to though."
"Good, once the situation is stable feel free to work with her to provide what she needs. If it will save lives, its a tiny price to pay."
"No kidding. I still have no idea how they did it."
"I know a little. There are some telepaths, not many, in her universe that have such talents and training."
"Interesting."
-=oOo=-
Rowan and Deanna spent the night in sick bay as a precaution. Geordi woke up around midnight. Both of them were still awake.
"How am I here?" asked Geordi.
"I was able to pull your shuttle out of danger, but you were physically injured. Doctor Crusher fixed a concussion, a broken leg and arm. I apologize for injuring you," said the Rowan.
"Don't. I'll take not dead any day of the week, rather than adding risk of not getting back. Data is alright isn't he?"
"One of his arms was slightly damaged, but Chief O'Brien has already repaired it," said Deanna.
"That's good. The Ferengi, if anyone cares, are stuck in the Delta quadrant. The end of the wormhole moved. We saw something was odd and started back, but evidently not soon enough. It was dissolving around us."
"O'Brien pulled the shuttle's logs. They already know," said Deanna.
"How bad is the shuttle?"
"The shuttle is mostly intact, I think. It was just that the shuttle's inertial dampener didn't seem to be working," said Deanna.
"Forcing our way back in messed us up pretty bad, but we made it back so I can't complain."
Doctor Crusher walked in, while covering a yawn. "Everyone should go back to sleep."
"Easier said than done doctor," said Geordi.
"I'll get you all a sedative. You need rest," said the Doctor.
-=oOo=-
Captain Picard was sitting in his ready room drinking a cup of tea when Q flashed in.
"Remarkable isn't she?"
"Quite. You know O'Brien reviewed the logs. He thought they left in time. He wasn't sure, but based on the readings he finds the whole thing odd."
"Are you accusing me of foul deeds?" asked Q in mock surprise.
"Did you increase their danger to test her?"
"And if I did?"
"Then I would kindly ask you to stop."
"I did you a favor, though you don't know it yet."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you really want an answer?"
"Yes."
"I kept the Rowan from accidentally damaging Deanna's mind when she was still part of the merge to save your crew. In so doing, a door was opened."
"Your saying you made Deanna like her?"
"No. That would be silly. Trauma can activate latent ability. I did little more than prevent actual damage. In fairness I think she would have recovered anyway. She is a very skilled telepath and she was protecting Deanna while simultaneously saving those two and managing to yank energy from a fair distance away that is not quite what she is used to. She is quite fascinating."
"I get that, but your interest seems extreme. Her abilities certainly are to the level of the Q."
"Do you know what the difference between a human child of today and of five hundred years ago?"
"Mostly training. Human potential hasn't changed that much," said Picard.
Q nodded. "This group is interesting. A few have refined their abilities to such an extent that they are giants among men and yet have not been corrupted by it."
"They are more or less indoctrinated, aren't they?" asked Picard.
"Not in any formal way. They just are raised with responsibility, ethics, and all the rest as core values. This is all despite a world that often wants to abuse their abilities."
Picard nodded, not particularly surprised. "I'll tell Deanna what you did. Can I also tell her why?"
"Sure, once you figure that out, feel free." Q vanished.
"You said you did little more. What else did you do?" asked Picard.
"Do you really think I'm going to answer anything I do not wish to?" asked Q.
"You have warned us in your own way in the past. Is trouble coming?" asked Picard.
"You'll figure it out. You know it is rare Jean-Luc to have delivered almost exactly what I was looking for."
"And what is that?" asked Picard.
"A pebble thrown into a pond."
"Explain."
"I'll tell you what Jean-Luc. Just say the word and I will erase this and every other time you or anyone else ever broke the prime directive. I could do it. Undo all those decisions. It would exhaust even me, and you would not like the outcome, not at all, but I could do it."
"I'm not going to play games Q. History is what it is. We dare not play with it and I will not substitute my judgment for all the decisions that have been made by so very many. That would be arrogance and stupidity all wrapped in one. I wouldn't even do it to just my own. Yes, I have regrets, but there are also quite a few that I do not regret at all, no matter what Starfleet says."
Q smiled.
"You've done something."
"Yes, I have. Tell me Jean Luc, what do you do when the rules say it is nearly impossible to win; that even with your best efforts entropy will be the victor?"
"You do what you have to do and pay the price for it."
Q smiled. "The others quite want to talk with me. Tell me Jean-Luc, what do you think will be the price for me changing the rules? I think they might even agree, in time. Today I tossed a pebble in. Will you, I wonder, agree when it is time to real in the fish?"
"It would help if you weren't being cryptic."
"The time for understanding is not yet, though I have no doubt you will figure it out eventually."
Q vanished.