Lost Past; A Star Trek Story

Paramount Global owns the Star Trek franchise. This is a piece of fan fiction based on Star Trek the Next Generation characters. 

Exploration

  Everyone hurried back to the bridge.

    “Talk to me Data,” Picard ordered.

    His fingers worked frantically at his console. “The USS Jormungand, sir. Built by the federation for a private individual. End of story, Captain.”

    “What?” Picard said in shock.

    “The Federation built this thing.” Westerfield scoffed. “It amazes me what the Federation does with its money.”

    “There is no more information from Star Fleet sir,” Data answered. “Jormungand was a mythical Norse figure. A serpent.” Data spun around in his chair facing Picard. “According to mythology. Jormungand is one of three children of the god Loki and his wife, the giantess Angrboda. The gods were well aware that this monster was growing fast and that it would one day bring much evil upon gods and men. So Odin deemed it advisable to render it harmless. He threw the serpent in the ocean that surrounds the entire world (Earth) hence the name Midgard Serpent. It lies deep in the ocean where it bites itself on the tail, and all mankind is caught within its coils. At the destruction of the universe, Jormungard and Thor will kill each other.”

    Westerfield groaned, “thank you for the lesson in mythology.” He got a stern look from Picard.

    “This ship looks like a dragon, not a snake.” Will observed.

    “Wait,” Worf growled. “If the Jormungand is a bad thing, then it is safe to assume that this ship is a war ship. We must proceed with caution, sir.”

    “Agreed,” Picard said.

    As Data turned back to his station he kept seeing charcoal drawings of the ship before him. He shook it off.

    “Data?” Picard asked.

    “If this vessel was built by the Federation, then our technologies should be compatible.” Data commented.

    “Make it so. Mr. Worf, try hailing it.”

    “Aye sir.” The first time Worf tried the ships wings unfolded.

    “Wow!” Geordi sighed.

    The second time Worf tried the ships eyes turned red.

    A shot of pain ripped through Data. His vision was blurry. “Stop!” He stumbled out of his chair, around to Worf.

    “What is the meaning of this,” Westerfield barked. “Talk to the damn thing!”

    “Delay that order,” Jean-Luc said with a stern voice.

    “I gave you an order Lieutenant.” Westerfield screamed. 

    “I said delay that order. This is my command Admiral. Do you think you can do a better job?”

    “It is not a question of better job. It is a question of getting answers now.” 

    “We will not be able to get answers if my crew is dead and my ship destroyed.”

    Westerfield grunted.

    Data’s head was spinning. He inhaled a sharp breath.

    Jean-Luc’s communicator beeped. “Picard here.”

    “Captain?” Beverly spoke. The crew on the bridge could hear wailing and screaming in the background. “What is going on up there?”

    Data was unable to maintain his balance. “Worf,” he called as he stumbled backwards. 

    Mr. Worf caught him, guiding him back to the railing behind Picard. Data opened a communication channel. “SU ZUNG BTF GT JNXG.” His voice was full of pain. So much so that he could barely speak. The ringing in his ears grew louder. The turbo lift doors slid open allowing Beverly to step onto the bridge.

    Worf could no longer support Data. He collapsed in the floor.

    The ships eyes began to close and its wings began to fold back against the hull.

    Beverly rushed over to Data. He was still unconscious. She examined his head. There was a yellow substance oozing from his ears. “Let’s get him to sick bay.”

    “Number One, you have the bridge.” The Captain ordered.

    “Yes sir.”

    “Wait a minute,” Westerfield snapped. “What do you think you’re doing?”

    “I have an officer down.”

    “I don’t care. Talk to the damn thing. Find out what it is.”

    “Look at it,” Jean-Luc pointed out the window. “Does it look like it’s going someplace?” I have an officer down. When we fix this situation, we will address the ship out there. Understood!”

    Westerfield was furious. “This will be noted in my report to Star Fleet.”

    “Please do.” Picard snapped.

    Jean-Luc accompanied them to sickbay. Once there he saw 10 different alien species, crew and civilians alike, some with headaches, some complaining about ringing in the ears. “What do they have in common?” 

    “They all have acute hearing.” Beverly answered as she examined Data’s ears. 

    He grabbed her by the wrist. She jumped. He opened his eyes, taking a long look around. “Did it work?”  

    “Yes Data, it worked.” Captain Picard reassured him. “How do you feel?”

    He let Beverly go. “Sorry Doctor.” He moved his legs, “sore sir. I have,” he thought for a moment. “I have a headache sir.”

    “What just happened?”

    “It is my opinion that the Jormungand thought it was under attack and was merely defending itself.” Data looked at all the people in sickbay with him. “It is possible the hailing frequency we use was too low. It could have been mistaken for a growl, an aggressive action.”

    “Why didn’t the words have meaning?” Jean-Luc continued.

    “Words have no meaning, sir, if you cannot understand them.”

    “True.” He agreed. “Do you feel up to going back to the bridge?”

    “Yes sir.”

    One of the aliens they picked up on Anunious 5 lunged at Data screaming in his native language. Two of the nurses grabbed him.

   “No, let him go.” Data said.

    He stepped closer to Data. His voice was almost robotic through the ships translator. “You have to fix this.”

    “Fix what?”

    “Fix what?” He mocked Data.

    “Yes. Fix what?”

    “Fool.” He hissed, returning to his corner of sick bay.