"Ship Personification's Log, Stardate 42402.7: We are travelling in the Omega Sagitta System traversing between the twin planets that formed the Coalition of Madena. Both worlds are populated by a humanoid race which colonized the planets two centuries ago and which now coexist under a precarious but successful treaty."
"Unidentified vessel approaching." Worf's call got Dorothy's attention and she turned away from her station at science, rising to her feet.
"Sensors show it to be a small class nine vessel. Probably an interplanetary cargo ship." Data reported as Dorothy made her way down the ramp to her captain's side.
With the ship's guidance system damaged, the decision was made to alter course to intercept just in case assistance was deemed necessary. Hailing frequencies were opened. "This is the USS Enterprise, Captain Jean Luc Picard."
The main viewer lit up, revealing a rather amusing image of the freighter captain's backside as he worked to maintain course. Dorothy noted the woman next to him. "And this is the cargo carrier Earstwhile. Captain Okana at your service sir. No need for your phasers captain, I'm quite harmless and not quite ready for a mercy killing."
Dorothy smiled as the exchange continued. "Do you have a blow out in your guidance system, captain?" Picard asked.
"Whoa, since you can diagnose my problems how about helping me fix them?" Okana asked.
"We can accommodate you captain." Picard said.
"Captain, this is the first officer. If you prepare to shut down your engines we can lock on the tractor and beam you over." Riker said. "Transporter room, prepare to beam Captain Okana aboard."
"Standing by, sir."
"Is that a woman's voice I hear?" Okana asked as Riker and Picard turned back towards their chairs.
Dorothy chuckled when she saw the woman, presumably Earstwhile's personification, shoot him a glare.
Picard, ever the example of a stuffy captain, was not amused. "Yes, now please follow commander Riker's instructions so our ship can get back its normal routine." He said.
"As you say, captain." Okana signed off.
Dorothy couldn't help herself, she laughed. "What's so funny, Lieutenant?" Picard asked.
Dorothy cleared her throat. "Well sir, it's just that the unexpected is our normal routine." She replied.
Worf, Wesley, Data, and Dorothy all went to the transporter room. Okona and the woman, beamed in and Worf was ready.
"Your weapons please." He said.
While Okona was talking with the Klingon, Dorothy moved to help Edith. There was a cloudiness in her eyes as the blowout of the guidance system rendered her blind. "My name is Lieutenant Brahms. What's yours?" Dorothy asked.
"Edith." The other replied. She looked human and had the same dark hair as Okona. In many ways, she looked a lot like him.
"Let me help you." Dorothy said.
"Thank you." Edith nodded, accepting the other personification's guidance off the transporter pad.
"Permission to escort Edith to her quarters, sir?" Dorothy asked Riker.
"Permission granted, Lieutenant. Return to the bridge when you're done." He ordered and she nodded.
Edith took slow, half measured steps down the corridor even with Dorothy's guidance. But the other was patient and gentle in her instructions. Quarters had been arranged and with a quick palm of her hand, Dorothy helped her inside. She sat Edith down on the couch and began explaining where everything was.
"Two meters to your left is a coffee table. Its glass and the edges are sharp so be careful. Directly in front of you across the room is the replicator. There are no obstacles between you and it. If you follow the wall to the right, you will find the fresher. The doors are to the left of the replicator. They will open automatically to your presence."
"Thank you, Lieutenant, that is quite helpful." Edith said, her blind eyes moving about the room as she memorized Dorothy's words.
"How long have you been dealing with this?" Dorothy asked.
"A few days." Edith replied. "The system was giving me fits for a while but then it just cut out entirely. It was quite the shock to find I couldn't see anything but blackness."
"And Okona?" Dorothy asked.
"He's a joy." Edith said. "He means well, he always does but sometimes his methods of fixing things are well let's just say 'jury-rigged' at best."
Dorothy chuckled. "I think I get the picture." She replied, taking a seat next to her. "I figured you would prefer not to be alone, so I assigned Okona to the same quarters. I expected him to be along by now."
"Oh, don't worry about it." Edith grinned. "Knowing him as I do, he's probably charmed half the women on this ship by now. Beginning with the lady at the transporter."
"You don't seem bothered by his actions." Dorothy noted.
"It annoys me from time to time, but I have been his faithful ship for nearly ten years. If there is one thing I have learned, it's best not to interrupt him when he's engaging his conquests. Besides, it's nice to have someone new to talk to." Edith said. "Tell me, what's it like being an explorer?"
"Well, you certainly don't go for the easy questions, do you?" Dorothy said.
"I have never been out of this system, let alone traverse the stars at warp." Edith replied.
Dorothy really wasn't sure how to answer her question. To her, what Edith was referring to was simply a natural part of her life no different than the clothes on her back. Fortunately, she was spared in trying to chew out some answer when her comm badge beeped.
"Lieutenant Brahms, please report to the bridge." Picard said.
"On my way!" Dorothy stood. "I have to go. Will you be alright here alone?" She asked Edith who smiled pleasantly.
"I think I'll rest here for a while. I'll be fine." She said.
"Okay. If you need anything, just ask alright." Dorothy said and made to leave.
"One question Lieutenant." Edith called her back. Dorothy paused at the doors. "May I inquire as to your first name?" Edith asked.
"Dorothy." She replied and left.
Dorothy made her way to the nearest turbolift and was on the bridge in less than a minute. "You called for me captain." She said.
"Yes, what do you make of this?" Picard asked. 'This' was another ship approaching with weapons armed. And even though the weapons were lasers only which wouldn't even penetrate the Enterprise's navigational shields, it was enough to make Dorothy more alert.
"I'm not sure sir." She replied. "I hope they just want to talk."
Talk was not really on this captain's mind. "Federation vessel, you have no rights in this solar system. I am Debon of Planet Altec ordering you to heave to and prepare to be boarded."
"Shades of Gulliver's Travels?" Dorothy mused.
"Well, we are in his solar system." Picard replied and stood. "I am Captain Jean Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise. For what reason have you locked your weapons on us?"
"Enterprise, you are towing the spacecraft of a known criminal."
"Okona?" Dorothy whispered, surprised.
Picard considered his response carefully. "He was in need of emergency repair. It was our obligation to assist." He said.
"You have a man aboard by the name of Okona." Debon crossed his arms. "I want him."
"On what authority?" Picard asked.
"He is guilty of crimes committed on the planet Altec. I expect him to be turned over to my authority immediately!"
To make things even more interesting, a second ship was approaching. This one from the neighboring planet Straleb. This delegation also argued for Okona's handover. Curiouser and curiouser. The crimes in question that Okona supposedly committed did fit his profile. Even calling him to the bridge to explain himself did little to help his case. A pregnant woman and the theft of a prized jewel. Most interesting.
"Captain," Dorothy said. "Permission to leave the bridge. I might have a way to get some answers."
"Granted." Picard replied.
Slightly relieved, Dorothy made her way to Edith's quarters. The chime of the bell stirred Edith from her position. She had been lying on the bed but rose when she heard the chime. "Come in." She said.
Dorothy entered and made her way to her. "It's me Edith." She said.
"Dorothy, what can I do for you?" Edith asked, turning to look her way as she sat down.
"How are your eyes doing?" Dorothy asked.
"I'm not dizzy anymore which is good, but I still can't see until Okona installs the part." Edith replied.
"Okona is actually the reason I'm here. I was hoping you can answer some questions for me." Dorothy said.
"Well, I'll certainly try." Edith said.
"Right now, I have two ships threatening to launch what would essentially be a suicide attack. One from the planet Altec and the other from Straleb. Both their captains are demanding we turn over Okona. Now, I'm not keen on the idea but I also have no desire to instigate a conflict. So, I need to know from you if there's anything your captain might have done to anger either of these two worlds." Dorothy said.
"Well, you certainly don't go for the easy questions, do you." Edith deadpanned, then sighed. "No, I can't think of anything." She replied. "Did they say why they wanted him."
"The Altec commander is claiming Okona dishonored his daughter while the Straleb commander-"
"Thinks Okona stole his family jewel." Edith finished, nodding to herself.
"Yes." Dorothy replied, somewhat surprised that she knew that. "Did he?" She asked.
"Of course not!" Edith replied, somewhat offended not that Dorothy blamed her. It was her captain she was accusing after all.
"Then who did? Clearly you know something, tell me." Dorothy asked.
"I'm sorry Dorothy but the dealings of my passengers are not something I am permitted to discuss." Edith replied.
"Edith, that isn't going to work here." Dorothy stood and frustrated as she was, she began to pace. "I have two very pissed off commanders who are demanding I hand over your captain to them. Now I don't know exactly what they plan on doing with him if I do that but I do know that it won't be very pleasant. So, unless you want to see me hand him over, I suggest you start talking. Now!"
"Picard to Lieutenant Brahms." Dorothy's communicator chirped.
Dorothy sighed. "Brahms here captain."
"Can you meet me in the conference room on Deck 14?"
"On my way sir."
"Let me come with you." Edith said, standing as well.
"Edith-" Dorothy tried.
"He is my captain. If you are going to hand him over to those people, the least you could do is let me see him before that happens." Edith said. Her steps were shuffling but she managed to grasp Dorothy's arms. The Starfleet officer thought of Picard and what she might do if she was in such a position.
"Alright." Dorothy said, helping her around to where she was holding only her right arm.
Edith handled the trip well and the two arrived to find both delegations already there and currently in the middle of a rather heated argument.
"Okona you are without shame."
"For once, I agree with Debin. Youarewithout shame! I trusted you."
Picard was trying to diffuse the situation as best he could. While he did so, Dorothy turned to Edith. "Last chance." She said.
"It's as I've been saying all along. He didn't do anything wrong!" Edith snapped, her temper flaring. Dorothy once again could hardly blame her.
"Edith," Okona tried.
"No, Thadius! They are trying to take you away. Punish you for crimes you did not commit and I will not permit it." Edith replied, reaching his side with Dorothy's help.
Dorothy stood back as Okona rested an arm over Edith's shoulders and faced down the two delegations, declaring his intention to marry Debin's daughter.
"No!" Benzan protested loudly. But Dorothy noted the hurt in his voice and the lack of indignation and anger. His father was still accusing Okona of being a thief. "Nothing's been stolen. The Jewel of Thesia has been taken into custody by its rightful air, me." He took a breath and looked over at Yanar. "I was to give it to Yanar as a pledge of our marriage. Yanar is carrying my child."
"Now we hear some truth." Deanna murmured and Dorothy nodded in agreement.
"Dealings of your passengers, hmm?" She asked Edith who shot a glare her way.
"Oh shut it." The cargo ship snapped and Dorothy chuckled.
As the Altec and Straleb delegations worked out the details of the wedding, Dorothy and the rest of her crew made their way out. Negotiations continued for the rest of the day before Edith and Okona were finally ready to leave the ship.
The Earstwhile had been repaired and with her guidance system restored, Edith made her way to the transporter room just fine. Dorothy escorted her anyways. "If I didn't know better, I would say you're a mother hen." Edith accused her.
"I have been known to exhibit tendencies to that affect." Dorothy replied.
"I certainly hope we meet again someday." Edith said. "But you haven't answered my original question. What is it like being an explorer?"
Dorothy had had time to consider it and she gave the only answer she felt fit. "Life." She replied. "Exploration is life."
Edith gave a soft smile. "Indeed." She said, offering a hand. "My respects to you, Dorothy Brahms."
Dorothy accepted the handshake. "And mine to you Edith Okona."