Paramount Global owns the Star Trek franchise. This is a piece of fan fiction based on Star Trek the Next Generation.
Gift
The next morning everyone was gathered for another feast. Westerfield leaned over to Picard. “Where’s Data?”
“I don’t know.”
“I thought you had a handle on your crew?”
“Sometimes my crew are like children, they are strong willed and do what they feel they need to.”
“IF the emperor asks, what am I going to say?”
At that moment Data appeared. He was behind the Princess. “Your highness.”
“Data.” He sat down beside of her.
“I have a gift for you. A book.” He gave it to her. He showed her a small earpiece, “put this in your ear and as you read the book it will translate for you. I think this should do an effective job in answering your questions.”
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome your highness.”
“No one has ever given me a book before.” They are generally reserved for scholars.”
“May this be the first in a large volume of books you are given.”
She put the earpiece in her ear and opened the book. Data got up and set next to Worf on the other side of the table.
“So this stuff is common on other planets?” She asked.
“Yes.”
“And the population survives?”
“Thrives on some planets.”
She continued to read.
“Well,” the emperor spoke. “Since my daughter is not afraid to ask questions. That is obvious. I have a question of my own. Have you in your journey here,” he paused quite nervously, “came across other creatures such as us?”
Picard boldly answered, “Yes.”
Sera closed her book. “Yes.” The emperor repeated.
“5 creatures such as yourself.” Picard answered.
“Where?”
“We found a ship drifting in space and found them on board.”
“And?” The emperor asked with excitement.
“I am sorry to report that when we found them, they were dead.”
“Dead!” HE slammed the table.
“Your majesty, after an extensive investigation we came to the conclusion they stole the ship they were in.” Data spoke. “Is that correct?”
“Yes. You know how children are.” He smiled at Picard, brushing off what they did. “Stealing a ship is no reason to kill them.”
“We have been unable to determine if they fired on a Sheno cruiser destroying it or if they were dead before the encounter.”
“The Sheno.” He scoffed. ‘Well you know the Sheno started it.” He paused, “did you say destroying it?” His interest increased.
“I did.”
The Emperor gave out a sheik of delight in acknowledgement of this great event.
“Father, your son is dead as is my fiancée. You brush it off as boys will be boys? Children playing with toys?”
“They destroyed a Sheno cruiser. That is worth their deaths. They died an honorable death. That is reason to celebrate.”
“Where are the bodies?” Sera asked.
“We met the Sheno before we met you. They requested a body from the group. Not knowing that we would meet you during our trip, we allowed the Sheno to take one of the bodies.”
The Emperor thought for a moment. “I do understand your position. May we have the remaining bodies?”
“Yes, of course.” Picard agreed.
“We will take great honor in burying our dead.” The Emperor was in deep thought for a moment. “We promised you a tour of our planet. Come,” as they walked Sera continued to read her book. “We will visit all the highlights on the planet. We are leaving Vespa our capital city.” They got into a shuttle car at the rear of the palace. “All of our infrastructure is underground. We are going to Piko, it is the largest docking port within 24 planets.” The Emperor reported with pride. They didn’t get out of the car. Their shuttle circled the port. “We offer free movement to and from our planet. We like to think we are the friendliest planet around.” He grinned widely. “This is Papas, we house all of our learning material and our school is here. It is a community unto itself. All the children on the planet go to school here; the boys are trained in the sciences while the girls are schooled the arts and how to be proper ladies; great mothers to our children.” They returned to the palace. “What do you think?”
“Impressive,” Westerfield exclaimed.
“I bet our friends would be interested in the sciences. After all, they are travelers. They have seen many planets.” Sera suggested.
“Sure, why not.” The Emperor agreed. “Even the lady?”
“This lady is very interested.” Deanna smiled.
Poetry & More 