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.

Distress 

    Picard was sitting in his office when his door chimed. “Come.” It was Data.

    “What do you have for me?”

    “Nothing sir.”

    “Nothing,” he motioned for Data to sit. “Explain.” 

    “The Jormungad’s computer system is like the Enterprise. It will tell you automatically who accessed the computer system and when. According to the logs, the HaBlich deleted the astrological charts. I would theorize it was an accident. They were unaware of what they were doing?” Data was silent for a moment. “Captain, I brought something back with us from the HaBlich planet.”

    “What?” Picard sat straighter in his chair.

    “Come with me sir.” Picard followed Data to his quarters. In the corner of the room standing up against the wall was a large golden slab. Lying on Data’s bed was the gelatinous mass from the cage. 

    “Data, what is that?” Picard was shocked. “Do you know the harm this could do to my ship?”

    “It is not a what,” Data never took his eyes from the mass. “It is a who. A person. And it will do this ship more harm if we did not intervene.”

    “Captain,” Wil’s voice boomed over his communicator.

    “Yes.”

    “We are receiving a distress call from the HaBlich planet.”

    “On my way.”

    He and Data entered the bridge, “report!” He ordered.

    Geordi’s voice came over the intercom. “Sir, I have the engines in full reverse. We are still moving forward.”

    The view screen came into focus. The HaBlich princess was sending out a distress call to anyone that could hear her. The image was distorted. “Help us. Our planet is being destroyed.”

    “This is Captain Jean-Luc,”

    “Do not try sir.” Worf growled.

    “We cannot get through the atmospheric interference.” Data responded. 

    There is more to the message. I am attempting to clean it up.” Data reported. The Princess voice filled the bridge, “Enterprise; if you get this message, Data.” The image shook. The Princess fell. It was obvious she was struggling to get the message out. “My nightmares are coming true.” 

    “That is all of the message, sir.” Data reported.

    “Mr. Crusher, you are excused.” Picard ordered. Wesley promptly left the bridge. Westerfield sat in his chair.

    “What does that mean Data?” He turned around to face Picard.

    “The book I gave her was a dictionary of geologic terms. She told me she was having nightmares about her planet being torn apart by forces she was unfamiliar with. She said they had never happened on her planet in its recorded history. She had no names to call the events in her dreams.”

    “Her nightmares are coming true.” Picard restated.

    “Would it have anything to do with what you took from the planet?” 

    “It would have happened anyway sir. You read the Sheno’s history, sir. It can be a lot worse. If geologic upheaval is all they experience, they will be lucky.”

    “What did you bring aboard the Enterprise, Data?” Westerfield hissed.

    “Your mistake. And I left a present in your quarters.”

    “You went into my quarters?” Westerfield jumped out of his chair.

    “Do not worry. I just dropped something off. With the caliber of your personality, you will get great satisfaction out of it.” Westerfield backed slowly off the bridge. “Oh Admiral, every time you look at that. Imagine what it would look like as a coffin.” Westerfield tripped over the ramp leading off the bridge. He stood back up, scurrying out the door.

    “You scared the wits out of him.” Deanna reported. 

    “He does not comprehend the meaning of fear, yet.”