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.

Acid

     “When they arrived at Data’s door, it would not let him in. “Access denied.” He tried again. “Access denied.”

     “Override Picard, Jean-Luc, Captain, Beta Alpha Gamma.”

     “Access denied.”

     “This is great.” Data removed the plate covering the access panel. “Evidence of another phaser blast.”

     “Cabin temperature 185 degrees Kelvin.”

Data grabbed the door and started to open it. “Wait.” Picard ordered. He tapped his communicator, “Mr. Worf would you join us?”

     “Aye sir,” came his gruff reply.

     In no time Worf rounded the corner, “Worf we have evidence of a phaser blast here. I want this area search for any type of devices that might be activated if this door is opened. If someone has gone through all this trouble, they would want to make sure that their target is destroyed.”

     “Sir, as soon as that door is opened, I am going inside.” Data reported.

     “I understand.”

     They began searching the area for traps. “I found the source of your phaser blast. It has been discharged twice.” Worf handed the used phaser to Picard.

     “Cabin temperature 190 degrees Kelvin.”

     “Could someone shut her up?” Worf growled.

     “No,” Data answered. “Not until someone gains access to my quarters.”

     “Nothing out of the ordinary,” Geordi reported.

     “Now may I try?”

     “Yes, you may try.”

     “Wait,” Worf stopped him, while reading his tricorder. “I know you are strong;

however, the safety features have been removed from the doors. The compression is on, holding the doors closed.” He continued to scan the doors.

     “Someone has disconnected the hydraulics.”

     “We get one problem solved, and find another one. I am becoming fond of Jeffery’s tubes.” Data said as he gained access to a tube near his quarters.

     

     “I think your Limburger is starting to stink.” Geordi laughed as he entered another Jeffery’s tube on the opposite side of Data’s quarters.

     Data stuck his head out of the Jeffery’s tube as Geordi stuck his head out of the tube he was in. “At least I am not full of holes.” They disappeared inside the tubes.

Worf looked bewildered toward Picard. 

     “Don’t ask.” Picard frowned.

     Data found the small opening that controlled the hydraulics to the doors of his quarters. He tapped his communicator. “Go ahead.” Picard acknowledged.

     “They are completely destroyed.” Data reported. “Worf, check that phaser to make sure twice was all it was fired.”

     “This side has been completely melted.” Geordi confirmed Data’s report.

     “Melted?” Picard questioned.

     “Looks as though acid has been poured on them.”

      “Acid?”

     “Someone sure didn’t want us to get in.” Geordi groaned as he tried to get a sample of the acid.

     Worf confirmed that twice was all the phaser had been fired.

     “Cabin temperature 200 degrees Kelvin.”

     “How long do you think it will take to replace those?” Picard asked.

     “Three hours at the minimum.” Geordi answered.

     “Get a crew on it.”

     “Yes, sir.” Geordi appeared from the Jeffery’s tube.

     “Data.” He walked over to the other tube. He got no response. “Data!” He called again. He climbed into the tube to find Data sitting there. “Hey!”

     “What?”

     “Didn’t you hear me?”

     “No.”

     “What’s wrong?”

     “What kind of protector am I?”

     “A good one,” Geordi answered.

     “You can’t be here all the time. It will drive you crazy. You have to maintain your routine in order to maintain your sanity. We will find out who did this and they will be dealt with accordingly.” Data stared at his best friend. “It will be okay Data. We will have to build a better mouse trap.”