Star Trek The Next Generation The Gift: A Star Trek SI

[Goku_san]

Honestly, if they knew what was going on they could probably just have sent in a drone designed to impart some movement on the cruiser to push it out of the kill zone.

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Drones isn't something Starfleet does, because that would be the smart thing to do and would probably violate a secret pact the Federation has with some lovecraftian horrors that require constant human sacrifices in exchange for plot armor.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Honestly, if they knew what was going on they could probably just have sent in a drone designed to impart some movement on the cruiser to push it out of the kill zone.

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Yes but this would have robbed me of ordering photon torpedoes of the first time! This was the whole point of me even acknowledging this episode---as well as to butterfly out the Leah Brahams hologram.

Geordi is on a completely different personal path now.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Drones isn't something Starfleet does, because that would be the smart thing to do and would probably violate a secret pact the Federation has with some lovecraftian horrors that require constant human sacrifices in exchange for plot armor.

Click to shrink...

This is correct. SI Adam will be recommending Drones though after a certain incident happens. I'm sure there's some kind of current treaty that prevents them from using them in universe....

 

[Psyckosama]

Lets be honest, the Federation likes to shoot themselves in the foot so much there's probably a treaty forbidding them from shitting on Mondays.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Lets be honest, the Federation likes to shoot themselves in the foot so much there's probably a treaty forbidding them from shitting on Mondays.

Click to shrink...

This is correct as well. Monday's and Tuesdays really!

 

[Marlow3]

Great chapter and a satisfying interaction with him disappointing Picard again. Thanks for the work.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Paramout-SkyDance Own Star Trek. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

Author's Note: This is going to disappoint all of you, but I found this neccessary to do. I promise though everything has a pay off eventually that happens. This also was a REALLY short chapter on purpose. We're about to go on a bit of an arc next.

Selar and I decide to break up. It is a logical decision. We're just not that compatible. Clearly there was something there, but sometimes attraction and passion alone are not enough. We decide to remain friends. I did have to explain to the director of the Astral V Annex why we weren't towing in a vintage Promellion battlecruiser, but she was more than understanding about it. We end up staying a couple of days at the ship museum there, which is a whole lot of fun. While leaving Transporter Room 2 I accidently bump into someone....and after steadying ourselves I see who it is.

"Lieutenant Henshaw! My apologies!"

"Mr. Young...isn't it?"

"Aye sir."

"It's okay. Things happen, everyone coming and going back and forth from the museum, things like this are bound to happen."

I hand her over her PADD and she thanks me.

"I am off duty currently, was actually just heading to Ten Forward, you wouldn't care to join me for a drink would you?" Henshaw asks

"Sure I'd love to."

Something new has possibly begun.

 

[Lillie Jones]

Thanks for the chapter

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Paramount and SkyDance Own Star Trek. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

It takes me a few minutes during our drinks that this Lt. Henshaw is actually CHRISTY Henshaw---the officer who Geordi had a crush on during this season and whom ended it with him because she didn't feel the same way about him that he did with her...good thing that Sonya managed to woo him with her charm then. Christy...turns out is pretty charming herself. I feel bad about this happening so soon after breaking up with Selar, but this feels comfortable. The evening quickly becomes night time as drinks turn into dinner, I order a steak and mash while she orders pasta with a light salad. I have a lemon bar for desert and she has vanilla ice cream. Christy offers to invite me to her quarters but I turn her down saying I have a busy day ahead of me but...next time if she's interested I'll cook dinner for her at mine. She accepts the offer.

The Enterprise responds to a distress signal originating from the Galmodon Core. It turns out to be Romulan...Captain Picard requests my presence on the bridge and I immediately remember this episode. It's the episode where Geordi gets left behind and has to fend for himself against another Romulan officer, while Worf refuses to aide the Romulan we are about to find here with a back transplant. The planet---which if I recall correctly is plagued with extreme radiologic storm s that interfere with comms and transportation. Picard wants my assessment of the situation.

"The wreckage is immense. There are survivors but due to the time window involved, you pull out one, but lose Geordi in the process." I explain

"I see. What would you recommend we do Mr. Young?"

"I recommend that we launch a probe first to determine what exactly is down there, if it is unable to transmit any readings back to the ship, then proceed with rescue op." I reply my training starting to kick in

"Very good...and if Mr. LaForge gets left behind again?"

"Tell Geordi to be extremely mindful...Wesley develops a way to make contact with him if it happens...but tell him I said to watch himself."

There's not much I can do about this if it happens again. They won't allow me to beam down into this kind of a situation, not with Romulans involved.

"Understood. What of the Romulan we bring back?"

I exhale.

"He has extensive neurological damage from the storms, Doctor Crusher is going to discover that he is in need of rare ribo---rib something---" damn medical terms


"Ribosomes?" Riker offers

"Yes sir. Thank you sir."

"And only one person on board matches with him...take a wild guess who it is. "

Riker blows air through his mouth.

"Worf."

"Yes sir."


"We'll deal with that when the time comes, thank you Mr. Young. You've been most helpful as usual. We'll call you if you're services are required. Dismissed."

"Aye."

I am no longer needed as Geordi doesn't fall down and get left behind---I do make a point of telling Captain Picard to tell Tomalak of the other survivor on the ship and that Tomalak should focus on that rather than bitching about us violating the treaty. I also tell Picard if Tomalak gives him any trouble, tell him that you're aware of his extra curricular activities---if he huffs and puffs call me and I'll deal with the blow hard. The rest of the episode transpires as it does in the show as Crusher and Riker attempt to convince Worf to do the right thing and donate the--ribosomes, but Worf refuses to compromise and the Romulan dies...Tomalak decides to ignore our warnings and our information and appears armed. Since Borcha isn't on the Enterprise with Geordi to convince the Commander to stand down, Riker calls me to the bridge.

"WHO is this?" demands Tomalak

Tomalak exclaims angrily as I appear in my all black outfit. I try not to get emotional as I face off against the great Andreas Kastaslas. Hello Old Friend. G'Kar....a weird flash happens that jerks me around for a second, but I recover quickly and motion away the Captain and Commander Riker.

"Commander Tomalak, I am Starfleet Special Consultant Young...and have been authorized by Captain Picard to speak to you on behalf of the United Federation of Planets. First, it is a great honor for me to address you." I bow sincerely while the others exchange glances behind my back.

"Secondly...I understand that you are angered at our presence here. We were as Captain Picard informed you prior, responding to a distress call your crashed vessel sent. We were sadly unable to save the survivor of that crash...however there was another named Borcha there---that you went and retrieved. I greet him as well with the same honor and respect I bestow upon you."

"You dare address me...you are in violation of---"

"Commander Tomalak please cease your posturing, I am aware of your--extracurricular activities alongside the neutral zone borders. Captain Picard was not bluffing earlier when he pointed this out to you---I can assure you that if you continue along this hostile action---you will not like the consequences." I use my command voice but it is also full of genuine respect

"How could you possibly know..." Tomalak breathes

"I know things Commander. Things you do not want THEM to know and I am willing to expose them right now if you don't disarm your weapons and turn your ships back home, immediately. We will be more than happy to return to you your fallen comrade if you wish---other than that though you have no business here, and we will shall be departing shortly." I drop my voice as it goes cold when I said this last part.

Tomalak leans over in his chair to really look at me for the first time and I am slightly unnerved about this. This is dangerous. I have now revealed myself to the Romulans for the first time. This will not bode well for me later.

"How do I know that you are not bluffing, Mr. Young?" he asks and I sigh

"The Apnex Sea." I say deadpanned

Tomalak's green blood drains from his face faster than I could have possibly have imagined.

"It has been my pleasure Captain, Mr. Young....I commend your Special Consultant on his diplomatic tact...but I have been called away on an urgent matter. You have my apologies..."

We watch in awe as the screen goes black and switches to the warbirds decloaking and reversing course faster than they can engage their singularity engine.

Riker strides up next to me.

"What's the significance of the Apnex Sea?" I grin

"It is the location of the family home of one of the Commander's colleagues...a superior in fact."

"I get the feeling that we'll be hearing from the Romulans sooner than you're letting on Adam." Picard says using my first name formally on the bridge for one of the first times. He's starting to soften to me as I start to use my knowledge to prove myself to him. I want him to be proud of me.

"Sooner than we all think sir--but that's for another time. I suggest we get the hell out of here while the getting's good."

"What about the Romulan officer?" Deanna asks

"We'll arrange for an envoy to pick up the body at the nearest Starbase. It's clear that whatever Mr. Young said to Tomalak had an impact he didn't want us to find out about...they'll send someone for the body, or they won't. Ensign Rager set a course for Starbase 87, Warp 4."

"Aye sir."

"Well done Mr. Young...however I can not help but feel like you've just made your first enemy today."

"Thank you sir, only time will tell on that front." The three of us turn to sit down in our chairs--me in the "box" beside Deanna as she smiles at me. I blush. Rager inputs the coordinates for the starbase and we head to warp.

 

[Psyckosama]

Ugh. Another thing the Federation needs to figure out... medical stasis. I mean seriously, they have the technology.

 

[Marlow3]

Big oof on Selar and I had no idea about Henshaw till I checked MA. I am confused by your MCs need to confront Tomalok considering what a pain he is for the enterprise crew going forward. Just doesn't seem worth the exposure. After all the Tal shiat get a whiff of his knowledge and they will swarm the Big E with cloaked cruisers until they kidnap his butt and torture all the details out of him.

Thanks for the chapter mate. Looking forward to how the Romulan situation evolves over the story.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Big oof on Selar and I had no idea about Henshaw till I checked MA. I am confused by your MCs need to confront Tomalok considering what a pain he is for the enterprise crew going forward. Just doesn't seem worth the exposure. After all the Tal shiat get a whiff of his knowledge and they will swarm the Big E with cloaked cruisers until they kidnap his butt and torture all the details out of him.

Thanks for the chapter mate. Looking forward to how the Romulan situation evolves over the story.

Click to shrink...

You'll see next chapter what the point of the confrontation was This is the very beginning of what is going to be a VERY long Romulan arc that will carry us well past Star Trek: Nemesis in this timeline.

 

[SotF]

This is correct. SI Adam will be recommending Drones though after a certain incident happens. I'm sure there's some kind of current treaty that prevents them from using them in universe....

Click to shrink...

It might be another part of the same treaty of algernon with the Romulans...the Romulans were shown to use drone ships in Enterprise

 

[Goku_san]

If you can, grab the Pressman-cloak without the Romulans knowing and without Picard doing political grandstanding. That thing is too important, given what's going to happen inside of 10 years. Would be nice to see a Pressman that doesn't get fired over this shit.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

If you can, grab the Pressman-cloak without the Romulans knowing and without Picard doing political grandstanding. That thing is too important, given what's going to happen inside of 10 years. Would be nice to see a Pressman that doesn't get fired over this shit.

Click to shrink...

My plan is to sneak some new stuff into this that we've talked about before, so while SI Adam isn't a fan of Pressman, he knows he was answering to higher ups (and since Adam is chummy with THE higher upper---this could be a thing that happens prior to that), and knows that this project will aide the Defiant Project.

The relationship with the Romulans is going to be a little bit different in this than what most folks are thinking from the show. I have plans.

 

[Goku_san]

My plan is to sneak some new stuff into this that we've talked about before, so while SI Adam isn't a fan of Pressman, he knows he was answering to higher ups (and since Adam is chummy with THE higher upper---this could be a thing that happens prior to that), and knows that this project will aide the Defiant Project.

The relationship with the Romulans is going to be a little bit different in this than what most folks are thinking from the show. I have plans.

Click to shrink...

So, Sisko's Pimphand™ gets the phase cloak? That would be fucking awesome.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

So, Sisko's Pimphand™ gets the phase cloak? That would be fucking awesome.

Click to shrink...

Yeah I'm thinking this is plausible to do and I have no issue with butterflying that. Not RIGHT NOW, but a little later on when SI Adam becomes more...influential. Let's say. Plus he's already disappointed in Will's actions but understands them, and Will now KNOWS that Adam knows about stuff---so he's just waiting for the right time to confront him about the Pegasus.

I don't want to tease too much stuff, but I'm thinking we might go get Scotty and poor Franklin soon as well.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

It might be another part of the same treaty of algernon with the Romulans...the Romulans were shown to use drone ships in Enterprise

Click to shrink...

Almost certainly written into the Treaty of Algeron. The Romulans are going to be a thing every now and again. I don't predict anything DRASTIC with them, but you never know. Also there's the supernova to deal with...I have PLANS.

 

[AHHGKS]

Yeah I'm thinking this is plausible to do and I have no issue with butterflying that. Not RIGHT NOW, but a little later on when SI Adam becomes more...influential. Let's say. Plus he's already disappointed in Will's actions but understands them, and Will now KNOWS that Adam knows about stuff---so he's just waiting for the right time to confront him about the Pegasus.

I don't want to tease too much stuff, but I'm thinking we might go get Scotty and poor Franklin soon as well.

Click to shrink...

If the MC gets Scotty soon enough, then it's certainly possible that he could save that other guy that's in the transporter buffer. His pattern had degraded too much to save, however, it is possible that right now the pattern is just on the edge of salvageable.

TftC!

 

[DarkDestroyer]

If the MC gets Scotty soon enough, then it's certainly possible that he could save that other guy that's in the transporter buffer. His pattern had degraded too much to save, however, it is possible that right now the pattern is just on the edge of salvageable.

TftC!

Click to shrink...

Yep, Poor old Matt Franklin as I mentioned. Both will be saved in time. They were a day or so too late for Franklin, but more than enough time if SI Adam acts within the next year or so. I've plans for BOTH of them so this will be dealt with.

 

[Fellow Human]

Please tell me there is faction building (kingdom building - either an OC faction, or fixing Federation or both). Military + industry fixits, getting those forgotten episodical technologies and so on?

 

[Lillie Jones]

Thanks for the chapter
Conuinue on
Cheers!

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Please tell me there is faction building (kingdom building - either an OC faction, or fixing Federation or both). Military + industry fixits, getting those forgotten episodical technologies and so on?

Click to shrink...

Not really. I wasn't interested in doing that---however I AM working on another Star Trek SI that is VERY much like that inspired by @Goku_san (without the sexy time hijinks) so watch out for that maybe later this year.


The base concept of this SI was literally what would I do in the Star Trek universe if given a chance to inflict change?


We are going to be fixing a lot of things here, don't get me wrong. A lot of infrastructure organizational, that kind of stuff. But SI Adam won't have his own little faction, at least not what I think you're hoping for.


If you are interested in that...there's a lot more of that in the Babylon 5 story!

 

[Fellow Human]

Not really. I wasn't interested in doing that---however I AM working on another Star Trek SI that is VERY much like that inspired by @Goku_san (without the sexy time hijinks) so watch out for that maybe later this year.


The base concept of this SI was literally what would I do in the Star Trek universe if given a chance to inflict change?


We are going to be fixing a lot of things here, don't get me wrong. A lot of infrastructure organizational, that kind of stuff. But SI Adam won't have his own little faction, at least not what I think you're hoping for.


If you are interested in that...there's a lot more of that in the Babylon 5 story!

Click to shrink...

How bout wearing armor and having proper ships?
None of that lets be non threatening as possible, bend backwards to appease other factions, that will make them respect Federation.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

How bout wearing armor and having proper ships?
None of that lets be non threatening as possible, bend backwards to appease other factions, that will make them respect Federation.

Click to shrink...

You'll have to wait and see to when we reach the Dominion War.

SI Adam is a HUGE "Dune" and "Iron Man" fan so we might see the Fleet adapt some of his ideas.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Paramount-SkyDance Own Star Trek. For Entertainment Purposes. Non-Profit.

"The Price" is completely butterflied when I inform Captain Picard that the Barzan wormwhole is a complete dud and is going to collapse in on itself during the talks. He wants to know how...Data and Geordi conduct tests while inside, discovering that the Alpha Quadrant side is unstable and is going to collapse. The Barzans will want proof of this however, ask the Barzans to conduct the test before the talks are granted. Convince them that this is the only way that the Federation will take part in the talks. Picard does so and the Premier allows the tests and Data and Geordi are able to confirm that the Alpha Quadrant entrance will collapse in a matter of weeks. The wormhole is worthless. Also this means the two Ferengi won't be lost in the Delta Quadrant and contaminate the planet they land on. A calculated risk, but shouldn't affect anything.

We skip over "The Vengeance Factor" as that takes place as it did on the show. I have Christy Henshaw over for dinner and cook her my lemon chicken pasta, a light leafy salad as a side, and ice cream for desert. We enjoy each other's company and she agrees to see me for a third date.


I'm awoken as my comm alerts me to report to the bridge on the double from Commander Riker...as I get there...I see that the Enterprise has encountered a Romulan scout ship being fired upon by a warbird. The Enterprise is able to chase off the warbird and beam over the occupant of the scout ship who identifies himself as Sub-Lt Setal...he informs Captain Picard that he has sensitive information that could help the Federation and wants to deflect. Oh boy. Here we go.

I am called to Captain Picard's ready room to discuss Setal's claims and Admiral Jarok is sitting there already. Picard introduces me to Jarok and I play my card now...

"Greetings Setal. It is an honor to meet you. I know that you have come to us with great risk to yourself, because you're attempting to protect your family and that you wish to be with them."

I watch as his face changes. He's suspicious of me.

"What do you know of me?"

"I know you sir, more than you're currently aware of. I know why you're being hunted by Tomalak, and by High Command." I turn to Captain Picard

"Do you remember our little encounter with Tomalak a few weeks ago sir?"

"Yes. You mentioned the Apnex Sea to him and he ran off faster than it took you to say it..." Picard is observing Setal and we both notice a visible reaction to hearing the name of his home.

I turn to face Setal again.

"Sir, with respect, not for your past, but for what you are attempting to achieve now...I am aware of the slander against you, and that you are being set up. Nelvana III has been scrubbed as part of this set up...more than likely by Tomalak and his faction. If you reveal the truth of yourself to Captain Picard now, I may have a solution to how to help you."


He looks at me.

"I don't know you..."

"No you don't. I'm asking you to trust me, and to trust the Captain, and Captain I'm asking you to trust me as well."

He glances hard at the two of us then exhales.

"I apologize for the subterfuge gentlemen, I believe that I am out of my element. Captain Picard...forgive me for my deception but I felt it was necessary...I am in truth Admiral Jarok, formerly of the Romulan High Command."

Picard gasps.

"Alidar Jarok...of the Norkan Massacre."

Jarok nods sadly.

"Yes. I was a different man then, than I am now. Now all I want is to be with my family...war...has become tiresome and destructive. It is tearing apart my people, Captain. I came here hoping to prevent a war, but it would seem that my superiors chose this as an opportunity to set me up...I suppose that I am fortunate to have, Mr. Young here as an advocate."

"Adam, what have they done?"

"There's no formal proof as one expects...but the Romulans have been busy building secret bases along various points of the neutral zone. Jarok here is sincere about why he is willing to help us, all he wants to do is retire and spend the rest of his days with his family."
Picard sighs and tugs the bottom of his uniform.

"You have placed me in a difficult position Admiral. The Federation Council has ordered me to return you to the Star Empire. However...I have come to...rely upon Mr. Young's information...it is uncannily accurate. I trust you have a plan?" he asks me

"I do, but it's complicated, and I need to utilize my network to make it happen---I'm not even sure if it will work, but I request that you trust me again."

"Very well. What do you propose we tell Tomalak?"

"Tell that bombastic oaf that the Admiral took his own life...for now there will need to be some pain sir, but I assure you that if my plan works, you'll be reunited with your family."

"I don't know either of you but somehow I trust you. Very well."

"Captain, I request permission to use communications beyond my security clearance?" which is still unusually high for a civilian.

He nods.

"I'll make sure you have whatever it is you need, Mr. Young. Good luck"

It takes me a couple of days...I honestly thought it would be way longer...but I have friends in high places now, and while they were---questioning my efforts---they allowed it due to my good standing with them. I wait patiently until suddenly---I hear HIS voice.

"Mr. Young, I presume? You have requested to with me?" The Great Man asks

"I have gone great lengths to do so...Ambassador Spock."

"We do not have much time on this channel, make your business plain"

I tell Spock about Admiral Jarok and the Romulans plan to set him up...and that I believe that he has information that would be of use to the Federation and to Spock's own...quest. We're on a triple encrypted channel so I make sure not to say out loud anything about his movement.

"I believe that I can have something arranged."

"Thank you Ambassador."

"You intrigue me Mr. Young...I have never encountered a civilian that has been authorized to use this high a security clearance before, and you have gone to even greater lengths to...protect my own interests. For that you have my eternal thanks....whatever you need in the future, should it be in my ability to give---is yours."

I try not to cry.

"Thank you Ambassador...I wish there was more time, I have a great many things to talk to you about."


Jim, Scotty, and Michael are all alive!!! I want to scream at him, but refrain. There will be time yet to tell him.

"Perhaps we shall meet again Mr. Young. Until then....Live Long and Prosper."

I raise my hand in the Vulcan salute perfectly and Spock arches his eyebrow.


"I look forward to that time Ambassador. Peace, and long life."

The comm ends and I cry...I just talked to Ambassador SPOCK!!!

Next Up: We skip over "The Hunted", and "The High Ground". Nothing really happens that I can interfere with.

Q!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Paramount and SkyDance Own Star Trek. For Entertainment Purposes Only. Non-Profit.

Tomalak buys the story of Jarok committing suicide (that is what happened in the original episode) as Doctor Crusher puts him under for as long as medically possible to induce a coma. They leave and arrangements are made with Spock's people to take Jarok to him on Romulus.

"It will be an arduous journey but I have been assured that you will make it. I can not guarantee that you will be able to go home---but it has been arranged that your family will be relocated to wherever you will be."


The Romulan Admiral bows in gratitude to me.

"Thank you for all you have done for me Mr. Young...it is much appreciated."

"You are welcome Admiral, and good journey."

I take the next few days off as I am granted rest and relaxation for my efforts. I enjoy it as I am absolutely exhausted. Christy comes over and we just chill. I like her a lot, I am realizing and she seems to like me, yes this still astonishes me, it is due to my lack of experience, I can never tell and am always astonished. Christy reminds me that I'm in a different place and time than I'm used to...something Elizabeth constantly reminded me of.


Q drops out of the sky naked and I'm immediately requested to attend to him at the brig. I enter the brig, acknowledge the security Lt (all the security who have brig monitoring duty are Lt's or above I've noticed). I slowly approach the cell and he sits there with his arms crossed, Picard has just left him.

"Hello, Q." I say measured trying not to secretly mark out to him.

"Ah, it's the Anomaly." he replies

"Is that what the Continuum is calling me, or is that your little nickname for me?" I ask

"Does it matter....Adam?"

"So you do know who I am."

"Of course I do. We have been monitoring you since your Arrival last year."

"You heard me calling out for you when I arrived." he grins that annoying grin

"Yes, I did. I chose to ignore you."

"Why? Only you have the abilities to send me back home...why ignore me?"


"You think you are the first such reality hopper? You humans think so Two Dimensionally." he retorts annoyed

"Q!"

"My apologies....it is the Continuum's opinion that you should be allowed to stay in this reality. I protested of course. You don't belong here and the potential consequences of a prolonged stay...could be catastrophic to this timeline , however my esteemed colleagues disagreed, too curious to see how you would conduct yourself in our reality. Each reality hopper you see, is different in their....decision making process when it comes to---butterflying events. The Continuum became fascinated to see how you would deal with yours, and you haven't disappointed them...so far."

"Then I'm stuck here." I state

Q stands up and uncrosses his arms and approaches the brig door.

"Isn't THIS what you've always wanted? To be here in the...Star Trek...universe...what a droll name...if there's anything I can count on humans for it is your inability to name things...."

"Q..."


"I'm serious! You call your planet Earth---you named it after dirt."

"Q!"

"Very well...but you see my point yes? You're here for a reason. What that reason is...I couldn't fathom to guess. All of the higher beings have no idea why you're here. They're...cautious of you. You are in the process of making great changes that they...fear the consequences of. That is also why my colleagues in the Continuum are so fascinated by you, they want to wait and see all the changes you plan on making pay off."

"I'm not a character in some...story Q!"

"I'm afraid that's exactly what you mon ami, and if it was up to me...and I assure you that it isn't...you'd be back home, living your miserable life...contemplating all the..."

"Okay. Enough. I get it. It's a...privilege to be here. I know that. I'm excited to be here, believe me...it's just--"

"You're worried about your family and friends."

"Yes."

"Sigh. I'm no expert in such things, however I would hazard a guess that your reality is on pause while you are here, and that whenever you go back--IF you choose to do so, or a way is found---it will continue on as if you'd never had left in the first place."

I nod content with that...for now. Now to deal with Q's situation.

"So you've managed to piss off your colleagues enough that they saw fit to strip you of your powers...and send you here, to mull about with us mere mortals?" I ask

"Can you imagine the indignation? The embarrassment?!" John deLancie is a GOAT.

"Only you would see this as that." I reply getting annoyed but also...in a kind of weird state of awe. It's fucking Q!

"Adam, you know the future, what happens with me?" I hear the desperation in his voice...it is genuine. He's scared. Just as I'm about to repy, Data appears.

"Ah. I see you're about to be freed. As for what happens to you Q...sorry...spoilers."


It is slightly satisfying to see his face drain. I'm not unsympathetic though...

Data greets me.

"Was your conversation with Q enlightening, Adam?" he questions

I like how Data calls me by my first name because I'm still a civilian.

"Not really...no, but I didn't expect it to be. I can confirm though that Q is sincere...he is here due to punishment with the continuum. It will be some time before the others are convinced but---he needs our help...and Data...despite his usual demeaner...he's scared."

"I will make a note of that. Will you not be accompanying us?"

"Afraid not my friend, I've got a date, and I'm already late. Don't hesitate to call me if you---have any issues with Q."

Data nods and I head out of the brig.

 

[Wivk]

Unless you are going to stop Voyager being taken by the caretaker you should have used thr delta quadrant wormhole to set up a resupply station for them.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Unless you are going to stop Voyager being taken by the caretaker you should have used thr delta quadrant wormhole to set up a resupply station for them.

Click to shrink...

Voyager isn't going to be saved, however there will be a kind of a side plot to get them home early. SI Adam has too many things going on to completely butterfly everything. This isn't what this story is about.

 

[Marlow3]

That was a good interaction there with Q. Though the implication that something was able to transplant the MC and the continuum have no idea who or what must be unnerving for that bunch of omnipotent busybodies.
Thanks for the chapter.