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

The council

The council reconvened. Sher still was unable to stand for long periods of time. She sat with Data and the rest of the senior staff. Westerfield’s family was allowed to sit. Worf and Lenox stood before the council.

Sher leaned over to Data, “did you have a nice time yesterday?”

“Yes, I had a blast.”

Thor asked. “What do you have for us?”

“We have been over the platinum with every method we know.” Worf reported.

As he spoke, Captain Dom walked into the room. “We have asked Captain Dom to help us analyze the platinum to make sure we were not over looking any details.”

“Captain Dom,” Freya asked, “is the platinum from your destroyed cruiser?”

“Yes your highness, it is. We mark the platinum, as you call it with an identification marker. Much as a finger print.”

Thor asked, “we call it platinum, what do you call it?”

“Shenotnum.”

“What is the gravity of your platinum?”

“21.4, sir.”

“Pure.” Thor marveled. 

“Yes, sir. It is abundant on our planet.” He sat down.

“The Enterprise’s activity logs have been wiped clean, how can we know how it could have gotten aboard?” Worf growled. 

“What theory do you have as to how it got aboard the Enterprise?” Thor asked.

“Someone would have had to sweep the debris field collecting all the platinum there. It would have been in different sized particles. The platinum we found in Westerfield’s quarters was a conglomerate. Someone had started to melt it together. They were either interrupted or got it to a point where it could be transported with ease so they stopped.”

“Who would have the knowledge to wipe the activity logs clean?” Freya asked.

“Captain Picard, Lieutenant Commander La Forge, and Lieutenant Commander Data to my knowledge.”

“Would an Admiral have the knowledge to do those things?” Thor asked. 

“With the proper access codes, it is possible.”

“Lenox,” Thor asked, “What can you add to this conversation?”

“We found dust particles on the platinum conglomerate that was constant with the bottom of Westerfield’s closet. It is apparent that the conglomerate was thrown in the closet. Kicking up the dust allowing it to resettle on the conglomerate. There are no human finger prints on the conglomerate, we did however, find a small piece of latex. A pair of latex gloves was replicated on

54423.1. This date is one day after the discovery of the debris field. The gloves were replicated in sickbay. However, they were not consistent with any of the gloves found in sickbay.”

“Interesting.” Thor roared. 

“We took the conglomerate apart, inside we found a hair belonging to Counselor Deanna Troi.” Lenox Continued.

“How could your hair have gotten in this thing?” Freya asked.

She stood up, “l have long hair. Anything is possible.”

“Have you at anytime been in close contact with Admiral Westerfield?” 

She looked at Westerfield. She felt sorry for him. At the same time, he disgusted her. “I escorted Westerfield to his quarters after he arrived on the Enterprise.” She sat down.

“What are you not telling us?” Juventus asked with a questioning glance.

She just took a glimpse at him. “Westerfield came on a little too strong.”

“Therefore it is possible for some of your hair to have been transferred to his clothing?” Thor asked. 

“It is possible.”

Wil held her hand, looking at her as if to say, ‘you didn’t tell me about this’.

Lenox reported, “we did find another strand of Counselor Troi’s hair on a jacket in Westerfield’s closet. We also found evidence of scorching on the left sleeve

near the cuff.”

“Scorching caused by exposure to heat?” Freya asked.

“That is the conclusion we came to.” Worf growled.

Thor turned to Westerfield. “What do you think about all of this Admiral?”

“Framed.” He said calmly.

“Framed,” Thor roared with laughter. “Who would want to frame you?”

“I am a retired Admiral. Who wouldn’t?”

“Shall we visit the Luminaria?”

“What is that?” Westerfield shrieked.

“It is a device that well tell us what you did.” Thor answered.

“No! I will not go.”

“What do you mean you will not go?” Vera asked. “If this machine can clear you, why wouldn’t you go?” He never said a word. He didn’t even look in the direction of his wife. “You did do it didn’t you? You have done the horrible things they accuse you of?” She walked closer to the cage. “You got that little girl pregnant and set her away to a prison colony. What was she going to do, die?” Westerfield never flinched. “You bastard. I have given you my life and two wonderful children.” 

“Two?” Thor asked. 

“Our son was killed during a rock climbing expedition.”

“Madam,” Freya asked, “How long have you been married?”

“35 years.”

“That is impressive for mortals.”

“You are immortal?” Westerfield sneered. He was talking to Sher who was holding Data’s hand.

“Yes.” She smiled. “I am immortal when people don’t try to kill me.”

“I was seduced by an immortal?” Westerfield held up his chin with pride. 

“Seduced? You? All a woman had to do is walk past you for you to get an erection.” She replied dryly.

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

Go play

Worf walked up behind Sher. “Hello Mr. Worf.”

“Hello.”

“Not going to play with your son?”

“I,” he thought for a moment. “Do not have this father thing figured out.”

“You are never going to figure it out unless you get your hands dirty. Here,” she pulled a football from under her chair.

“What am I suppose to do with this?”

“Alexander,” she called to him.

“Yes.”

“Catch.” She tossed him the football. 

“Teach your father how to play.”

“Whoo hoo! Come on father.”

“Worf looks so out of place.” Beverly spoke. She and Picard were standing under the patio railing. Picard wished at times he would have had a son.

“It isn’t too late Jean-Luc.” He just looked at Sher. “It’s never too late.” She winked.

Little Cher climbed up on the patio. “I am tired.”

“Have you played too hard?” Sher asked. 

“Yes,” she yawned. Sher picked her up, sitting her on her lap. She laid her head on Sher’s shoulder quickly going to sleep. Data watched them for a moment. Sher looked so at home with a child in her arms.

His thoughts were interrupted when Worf hit him in the head with the football.

“So you want to play rough?” Data asked.

Worf just shrugged his shoulders. “Bring it on.”

“Yes.” Alexander shouted.

An attendant came taking Cher from Sher. The little one was still asleep.

Soon into Worf and Data’s game, the brothers joined even Eric got into the game. The children had fun playing with the big boys. The girls that wanted to play joined in. 

Sher’s mind was a million miles away. She wasn’t watching them play anymore; she was reliving the last five years. Events she prayed to forget. She knew she never would. Some how she would have to learn to live with those memories. Data kissed her on the cheek. “Why did you quit playing?”

“I have not quite. I just wanted to check on you. You look distant.”

“Go play.” She kissed him. He leaped off the patio, rolling Lenox in the grass.

The sun was starting to go down before they stopped. Data sat down beside of Sher. She wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Today was a good day.”

“Yes, it was my dear.” He kissed the top of her hand. We received permission from the Captain. Tomorrow Counselor Troi and I are going to take the children on a tour of the Enterprise. Would you like to join us?”

“No darlin. You enjoy yourselves. I know they will.” He leaned over kissing her cheek. “Don’t forget to show them all the fun stuff that children like.”

“I will show them as much as I am allowed.”

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

Death by chocolate 

Ben and Guinan had decorated a corner of the courtyard to childish perfection. It looked like one big birthday party. Sher was sitting on the patio watching the children play. The grandchildren were having a ball playing with Alexander and Claire. Data was having a blast as well. He and Lenox would take turns chasing everyone. It made Sher smile to see him so happy.

Vera, Meg, and Lal were standing by the soda fountain. “She is so beautiful.” Vera commented as she watched Sher. 

“She is a beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.” Guinan added.

Do you know her?”

“Yes, she and I have been friends for a long time.” Guinan was in the process of making a Death by Chocolate. 

“What are you making? Vera asked. She watched every move Guinan made.

“I am making Death by Chocolate the drink. It is one of Sher’s favorite drinks.” Guinan started off with chocolate ice cream and chocolate milk to make a milk shake. Then she poured the milk shake into a bowl folding in small chunks of chocolate. 

“What are those?”

“Chunks of chocolate brownie.” She added the milk shake mixture to a clear soda fountain glass, covered it with chocolate whipped topping, sprinkled chocolate shaving on top, and then lightly placed a cherry on top. She put a long spoon and a straw in the glass before taking it to Sher.

“Thank you. You know exactly what I need.” She smiled at Guinan.

“Are you doing okay?”

Yes, I am fine. Thank you for decorating for us.”

“It was a pleasure.”

When Guinan returned to the soda fountain, Meg asked, “Will you make me one of those?”

“Sure, dark chocolate or milk chocolate?”

“What did she have?”

“Dark.”

She thought for a moment, “Milk. I don’t think I can handle that much dark chocolate.”

Guinan just smiled as she set to work making her art.

Vera walked over to Sher. “May I?”

“Please,” she smiled. “Join me.”

“If I may, I would like to ask you something.”

“You may ask me anything you like.”

“What is Pentarus V?”

“It is a prison colony. Only the worst of societies are sent there.”

“The worst?” She gulped. 

“Yes, if a planet doesn’t practice the death penalty, those prisoners are sent there instead of being put to death.”

“Was that lady ever hurt?”

“No, I would not allow it.”

“Is she still there?”

“No, she and her son gathered enough money to be transported to another planet. One more friendly.”

“Was it really Charles’ baby?”

“He wouldn’t allow a paternity test.” 

“Then how are you sure it was his?”

“His actions speak for themselves. Don’t you think?”

Vera never said a word. After a moment, “thank you for speaking with me.”

“You are most welcome.”

She went back to stand with her daughter.