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

[DarkDestroyer]

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

Author's Note: Short and Sweet because we have other things to get to.

I recall why the Parvenium System rang a bell. The Enterprise is assigned to conduct a magnetic wave survey of the system...I guess why astrometrics was so excited about this...why? I've no bloody clue. However after about a week here we encounter the Ressikan probe which scans Picard and sends him into his coma. I am recalled from sleep, I've been sleeping pretty heavily after the 16 hours days, I've barely had time to see Laren. I am not moved into junior officer's quarters as per usual, which causes a bit of a scuff with the Lower Decks, but I smooth things out with them by creating a weekly poker game with a bunch of them. I have chosen to socialize with my fellow Ensigns. I am an Ensign now!!! I am a Ensign. I get called to the bridge...and find...

Picard laying on the deck of the bridge, and Beverly there running a scan over him. Before Will fills me in I cut him off.

"I knew this bit of space was familiar...the Captain's been scanned by an ancient probe belonging to a race of beings called the Ressikian's...he'll be in this state for about twenty five minutes. He'll be okay. He's uh---he's having an experience of a life time."

I am a little envious to be honest, but there's no way this could have happened to me. I'm not on shift here.

I JUST WOKE UP! I rub my eyes.

"What kind of experience?" Riker demands

"I'll let him be the one to explain when he emerges from the scan...he's okay though. I promise. If anything...sudden happens other than what I have said is going to happen, call me immediately. I'm going back to bed with your permission sir."

Riker nods and I go back to bed.

Picard lives Kamin's life as he does in the show and emerges from the scan---25 minutes later. The next evening as I am about to go onto my shift I beep the Captain's quarters. I hear the Flute playing. I try and compose myself.

"Come." I hear.

"I thought it might be you." he says gentle and with a bit of a sparkle , it's dimly lit and he's sitting at his couch---the flute is out. I can tell he's been playing it for hours. He can't get the tune out of his head. It means that much to him.

"I wanted to check on you after your...experience sir. What was it.. like?" I ask and he motions to sit down beside him

"You've seen the episode, you know what I...what I went through....but it was...unlike anything I've ever experienced before in my life." he says quietly

"A profound experience." I nod.

"Is that his---your flute?" I gesture at the silver instrument, almost in awe. To a Star Trek Fan the Resskian Flute is akin to a holy relic. I force myself not to reach out and touch it. Like reaching out and touching a lightsaber from Star Wars.

"Yes, do you play?" he asks

"No. I tried when I was younger...in school. I love flutes and clarinets. Just before my arrival here...my nephew was learning to play. He was actually pretty good."

"You must miss them, your family."

"Every day sir, but I like to think that I've gained a new one here." Allowing a smile he nods, understanding.

"I would love to hear you play it sir. That particular tune you play...it means a lot to me." I say trying not to be cringe.

He smiles, he's been waiting for me to ask him. He puts his lips to it and plays "The Inner Light" theme, and I can't help it, I cry while listening to it.

 

[commanderjoe]

Great chapter and many thanks, hope space Lincoln randomly finds you

 

[DarkDestroyer]

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

December 2368 begins. It is nearing both Christmas and my birthday, and with the latter the second anniversary of my assimilation into Locutus. Deanna's renewed sessions have been extremely beneficial. My guilt is something I had thought I had seriously dealt with, but the fact of the matter is that I will never forgive myself. Maybe the Borg Queen was right. Maybe I WANTED this to happen. We've dealt with those issues as well. Deanna agrees that some part of me wanted to become Locutus, but not for the reasons the Queen stated to me. It wasn't out of some ego driven thing. Maybe there was some kind of fucked up subconscious desire to become Locutus, but it certainly wasn't some kind of hidden desire, and nor do I think it was some cool thing. It still surprised the fuck out of me that it even happened. A bold strategy for the Borg, and I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that at some point in the future I encounter Young Guinan, and Dr. Agnes Jurarti, and Jurarti invertedly gives me away to the Borg Queen triggering the events that happened. Talk about a temporal causality loop...

Tactical/Security shift duty is interesting when nothing is happening. It is mostly mundane work, which is I suppose kind of great in a way. It means I don't have to do much. Worf runs drills every five days on random times of the day, something he says he learned from Tasha. I'm getting better at them, but slower than the others, who have years more experience and training than I do, including the other fresh crop of Ensigns we have taken on in the next couple of months. Training with Laren has helped me, especially with Tactical, but I find the actual security work boring. I've kept that largely to myself though. I know expressing my concerns to Worf or Morani would make my life---harder than it has already been the last several months.

I lay with Laren during the day time--when the door chime goes off. I get out of bed and put on my robe. Grumble about having sleep disrupted and begrudgingly answer the door. I'm surprised when it is Guinan.

"Guinan. I'm not missing one of our phaser sessions or anything am I?"

She is wearing a crimson outfit

"I apologize for waking you..."

"But you wouldn't have if it weren't important. Come in. Computer lights, 35 percent. Care for anything? Tea? Coffee?" I ask as I head to the replicator for a cup of Earl Grey.

"No thank you. I won't take up much of your time." she says as I order my tea and head over to couch. I hear Laren stirring in the bed.

"What's up?" I ask taking a careful sip of tea

"Data's head." she says deadpan and my eyes grow wide.

"Time's Arrow...damn, we're here already." I mutter

"You know what must be done?" she asks

"Yes. You need to go to Jean-Luc. I'll make sure the rest happens." I reply

Guinan nods, that's all she was here for. I then put my tea cup down and take off my robe and slide into bed next to Laren.

"Who was that?" she asks half asleep

"Guinan." I reply

"What'd she want?"

"You'll find out about it in a few hours time." I said---unintentional puns which I silently laugh too. I kiss her cheek and tell her to go back to sleep.

The Enterprise is suddenly recalled to Earth where Captain Picard, Data, and myself are requested to see a cavern near San Francisco...and I know what we're going to find. Data's head. It's Time's' Arrow time.

"Work crews were down here installing seismic regulators when they found some remarkable artefacts." the archeologist begins as Picard and I walk side by side in the old mining cavern. It's been cordoned off and Starfleet Security have been posted outside.

"And it's been determined that they date back to the late nineteenth century?" Picard responds

"Yes" replies the archeologist

I watch as he takes off a sheet from a packing case to reveal the items.

"The bifocal vision aid is typical of the era. The weapon is a forty five calibre double-action cavalry pistol invented by Colt Firearms in 1873." Data explains as I fight an exhale.

"Here, look inside the watch." he states

"To To S.L.C., with love. 30 November, 1889" reads the engraving

It's Twain's pocket watch. Picard turns to look at me.

"Ensign?"

"Yes sir it is Mark Twain's pocket watch, and pistol, sir." I Turn to look at the archeologist

"You mentioned that you were concerned with possible alien involvement?" I ask already knowing the answer

"The crew was having a problem with the regulators. Something inside the cavern was interfering with the phase conditioners. It turned out to be the cavern itself."

Data takes out his tricorder and begins scanning. He's going to pick up the trilolic waves. Picard and I wait for the results of his scans.

"The composition of the exposed rock face has been altered by exposure to triolic waves." Data announces right on cue

"Which you're not going to find on Earth during the 19th century." The scientist replies I look at the Captain again

"Trilolic waves The by-product of an energy source employed by very few species because of its deleterious effect on living tissue." I beat Data to his answer and he does an unintentionally humorous double take at me.

"That is correct sir." Data answers

"Mr. Young?"

"Just a moment sir...Doctor, you recalled the Enterprise for a specific purpose. We'd like to see your discovery." I say getting to the point of the matter

He nods and leads us to....the spot where Data's 500 year old head is resting half in the sand. I crouch down...and take out my tricorder. The positronic signature is an exact match to Data's.

"Confirmed sir. It is...Data's...head..." as Data joins me mimicking wonder. I can not help but feel true wonder as goosebumps form on my arms....

After discovering the cavern I brief the senior staff on what is going on with Data's head...it's complicated so it takes me a good half hour to explain everything and how it's related to the Deviadans. I explain that this is a fixed point in time, and Picard wants to know why.

"Captain, do you remember how you met Guinan?" Picard blinks.

"Yes, of course I do."

"Are you sure?" I ask and he frowns

We're dismissed as Ro sets a course for Devida II as Picard and Guinan have their conversation about how they first met.

Everything proceeds as it did in the episode proper and Data disappears. The crew prepare to go get him back. Worf is left in command and I observe on the bridge from the Tactical station.

"If all goes well...I'll see you back in a few minutes." He nods as they beam down to the planet


I head back to the bridge, and resume my position at Tactical, while Worf is in the Captain's chair. As expected the crew vanish into the portal after the Deviadans. Ro turns in her seat to look at me.

"So what do we do now? Just wait for them?" she asks

I nod.

"Yep. For them it's gonna be a few days or something like that...for us...a few hours or so. Maybe less. I don't remember exactly."

It's actually a few hours before we suddenly hear Riker's voice, they're back, but without Captain Picard and Data, and with...a very expected visitor. I head down to the transporter room to welcome them back and to see Mark Twain...Samuel Clemons himself.

Riker reports what happen and I nod my head...he then introduces me to Clemons.

"Mr. Clemons, it's an honor to meet you. Welcome aboard."

"Ahhh. This-this starship of yours is---remarkable."

"Would you like a tour sir?" I ask and both Will and Worf look at me

"I can assure both of you sirs, that Mr. Clemons is not a security threat. I would be more than happy to give him a tour of the ship."

"And I would be more than happy to take that tour...if..ah...this lovely lady here accompanies us." I laugh to Deanna in her head

"It would be my pleasure." he takes her arm under his

As Twain and Deanna leave , Will stops me for a second.

"The Captain..."


"The Captain will be okay sir. He's with Guinan. We'll get him back shortly." Riker nods and I head to meet them at Deanna's quarters where Twain is waiting outside for her.

"How did you know I would be here?" he asks in that voice of his

"I am...well....it's a little complicated."

"Try me sonny." It is Sam Clemons.

"Okay...but promise me you won't use this as an idea for any of your books." I half joke. He gets that twinkle in his eye and nods eager to hear what I have to say.

"I'm from another...reality, one in which, this reality....the people in it, and the events, are characters in an ever evolving story." I put it in a way that he would understand. His eyes light up.

"Ahhhh a dimensional traveler!! You know up until I met your Mister Data, I would have dismissed this notion as poppycock, but I also can tell truth in a man's eyes. I assume that they know this?"

"Oh yes. I took a gamble and told them right away."

"And it has paid off for you."

"In spades." that gets him to laugh.

"I saw your look when you saw me in that confounded, transporter room...do I take it that you have read my books?"

"A few of them, yes sir. Huckleberry Finn was the first book I read, my mom used to ground me by making me read books."

"A sensible woman, your mother."

"Yes, yes she is. My mother is the one who instilled in me my love of literature, and writing...and science fiction."

"A woman with great taste too I see."

"Yes. I have long admired you sir...you mean so much to so many."

"Thank you son, that means a lot."

Deanna emerges from her quarters and smiles at both of us.

"And what were you two gentlemen talking about?"

"Mothers, and their influence on their sons." Clemons says with that twinkle still and I smile

We give Twain the tour of the ship and end up back in Data's lab as Geordi has him hooked up. Twain laments about Data.

"I believe I sorely misjudged your Mr. Data...as well as a great many things." I smile

"We all have our lapses in judgement, Mr. Clemons." I reply

"You seem to have a good insight into that." he says and I laugh.

"Oh yes."

"It has been a honor meeting you sir, I wish you Good Journey back home." we shake hands

Picard returns, and Data is restored as Picard and Guinan have their conversation in Ten Forward.

 

[Kahalah]

This was good. Yes MC didn't really do anything but wait however this was just as good to have a conversation with Mark.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

This was good. Yes MC didn't really do anything but wait however this was just as good to have a conversation with Mark.

Click to shrink...

Heh. I REALLY wanted to go with them into the past, but couldn't really justify it, and honestly there was nothing for SI Adam to do there. Besides which I REALLY wanted to have that conversation with Twain anyways.

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter

 

[DarkDestroyer]

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

Christmas comes and goes and Laren and I exchange presents. At first, I was wondering if Laren would actually participate in Christmas. Bajorans have of course the Gratitude Festival, which is for giving thanks---so close to North American Thanksgiving which is still celebrated in both America and Canada. They don't really have anything to close to Christmas or any of the other end of year celebrations back on Earth. While we have long since passed any point of establishing trust between us, the notion of receiving anything for the sake of doing so still is foreign to Laren.

It is a pretty quiet day as it usually is, but a fun one, and I take my first shot at making Christmas dinner for the senior staff for the first time and it turns out pretty good. Turkey with all the trimmings, and Yorkshire Pudding. My birthday fast approaches, it is as I mentioned before, also the two year anniversary of the assimilation. Instead of being in a celebratory mood, I have dark thoughts. Laren attempts to try and console me but I am inconsolable. I am responsible for the lives of 11,000 people and the loss of 39 starships. It doesn't matter what the Board declared, it doesn't matter what my friends think...I KNOW deep down inside of me that I AM LOCUTUS OF BORG and what happened was my fault. No one has been able to convince me otherwise.

I lay with Laren in her quarters and fall asleep...and wake up...in an environment that I have never seen or encountered before, and hear a BOOMING voice.

"We have been watching you ADAM CHRISTOPHER YOUNG."

A booming voice says, I clench my ears as I hear my name amplified by this voice.

"Q? Is this you?"

"We are not Q, but you are aware of our organization, on a limited level."

I hear the sound of swirling clouds and wind but can't see anything. It is dark and a weird bright spotlight from above bears down.

"I'm aware of you..."

"Yes. We are not the Continuum. We are above the Continuum. We are above ALL."

"Okay. I guess. So what are you concerned about me doing? Changing things?"

"Your alterations are having consequences. We are in the----" the booming voice cuts off and suddenly I hear a human voice.

"That's enough with the theatrics. I'll handle this from here." a familiar voice with a drawl states

A man dressed in a well kept suit and swept up hair approaches me and I instantly recognize him.

"Gary Seven..." I breathe...astonished

"Correct. Come with me. We'll handle this in more suitable environment." he has a kind of southern drawl that I can't place

Reaching into his jacket pocket he takes out his Servo---which resembles the Second or Third Doctor's Sonic Screwdriver, and presses a button that makes a clicking sound and a TEAR in the fabric of space and time opens in front of us. I see a 1960's quaint office on the other end of it. I follow him through the portal, and am suddenly in his office in New York City, located at Apartment 12B on 811 East 68th Street in New York. I hear a woman's voice enter.

"Oh you're back...oh." It's Roberta. I'd recognize her anywhere.

"Roberta Lincoln." I greet.

"Roberta, meet Adam Christopher Young, he already knows who we are. This is the reality hopper we've been monitoring. The bosses want to brief him. Can you prepare two cups of tea? Earl Grey. One with no sugar or milk...." he turns to me

"Is that correct?"

"Yes."

I'm bewildered and bamboozled beyond belief. He motions to a chair

"Sit down. We'll begin when she returns with our tea. Don't worry. You're not in any trouble---yet. Just here to talk."

I see a black cat suddenly come out of nowhere and jump onto a desk and gracefully purr her way towards Gary as he unbuttons his jacket and sits down. Opens a file. Mine.

"Isis." I greet the shapeshifting feline

I say and the cat hisses at me. I'm not at all surprised.

"Don't worry, she does that to almost everyone."

"I know." I reply

Okay. I don't know what the fuck is going on here, but I'm really here. In 1960's New York City about to have a cup of Earl Grey with Gary Fucking Seven, prepared for me by his secretary, Roberta Lincoln. What? What? WHAT?!

 

[Kahalah]

Oh shit. This is never good

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter

 

[Marlow3]

Well there is a plot twist and a completely unexpected one at that. Thanks.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

Hell of a doozy eh? We shall continue!

 

[DarkDestroyer]

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

Seven waves his Servo at me and looks at it for a second...

"You check out." he replies placing it down on the desk while writing notes

"That's a relief. W-what am I doing here? What is Aegis' interest in...me?" I ask

AGEIS?!! It's been fucking AGEIS this whole entire time?!! Q did warn me that the higher powers of the universe were aware of my, presence, and weren't happy about it--but never in a million blazing hells did I expect THIS or THEM!!!??

"That is a good question. I asked that very same question a long time ago when I was first recruited..."

My jaw drops. WHAT?

"Close your mouth. You're not being recruited. Perhaps I underestimated your intelligence. I thought maybe you'd figured out why you're here already."

It takes me a couple of seconds....but it makes sense...

"Ageis...somehow they are responsible for bringing me here. Why?"

"On occasion, the bosses get...preoccupied with certain things. They are beyond our understanding...and I don't use that phrasing to insult us...but they are by far and away the most intelligent, and advanced beings in this cosmos that we have ever encountered. They make the Bajaroan Prophets look like infants. They...perhaps unwisely decided that they want to see how someone would react in the circumstance that you have been placed in. Relocation from what you and I would call "reality" into a fictional one. Suffice it to say you have gotten their attention."

"With my choices...the butterflying?"

"Yes, a healthy dose of decision making that has very subtly started to influence an entire universe. The so-called Butterfly Effect. In your case...it is in it's infancy, however the bosses---as have some of the other higher beings, have begun noticing changes. You even might have yourself."

"Yes...canon has changed. I mean..."

"I'm aware of what canon means Mr. Young. Yes...that is part of it. There are others. They assume that they will be more."

Wait? More reality hoppers?

"What am I doing here? I mean with you...you said I'm not being recruited...."

"This is a warning. You will only get ONE. The Bosses , want to send you home. Q told you that you are being watched. The higher beings of this universe are...concerned about you. You have tremendous potential to unravel and even destroy the order of things in this reality. You will not. I have already informed them that you don't have it in you---but they don't think like we do. They see infinitely and on a macro basis that is...again...unfathomable to us. They see that warning you have in the back of your head...that nagging little voice..."

Gary Seven talks to me like the Architect does to Nero in "The Matrix Reloaded". It's unnerving to say the least.

"Emperor Young...is nothing more than a fantasy..." I claim but he sees right through it and scoffs

"You're in a fantasy now, Mr. Young. A very REAL one. Made manifest by my bosses. What you and I see as a mere thought, a whim, they see as actual fact. We don't know the how of it...but they do, and it scares them. YOU scare them." he states plainly finally

"I'll be careful." I reply

Seven takes something from the second drawer of his desk. It is a very tiny green and white chip. He hands it to me.

"What is it?" I ask turning it over

"If anything absolutely dire should happen to you...and I do mean dire...as in near death...and there are no other alternatives available to you--press that with your thumb and help will come. This is good for only a single use. As I said...dire situation." he explains

"Thank you. Are you releasing me?"

"Yes. Consider yourself on probation. Since the bosses are responsible for you being here...it means that none of the other agents like myself will be able to intervene and send you home, which we all want to do. So tread carefully...and Mr. Young?" he's about to reach for his Servo again.

"Yes?"

"Sweet dreams, and happy birthday." he says as I suddenly go unconscious

With that I awake with a start...Laren is laying next to me and stirs slightly. This has given me a bit to think about.

 

[commanderjoe]

Thanks for the chapter, Dr McCoy tells me your a great writer not a bricker layer. Stay well my friend

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapter

 

[DarkDestroyer]

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

Author's Note: I'll be honest. We'll be skipping MOST of Season 6 and 7 so the next few chapters will seem like "greatest hits" until we reach the massive "Generations" arc.

Things settle down after the incident with Data and Samuel Clemons, as well as learning about who was responsible for bringing me into the Star Trek universe finally. I can hardly believe that it is 2369...Laren is going to leave for Earth in a few months time to begin her tactical training based on Captain Picard's recommendation. I choose not to tell anyone about the Aegis thing, it doesn't concern them or ship's security so they don't have to know. Gary Seven though!!! I never thought I'd encounter him, just goes to show you can't keep a good time traveler down.

The Enterprise responds to a distress signal from the USS Yosemite and Reg has his transporter phobia deal. There's nothing that I can do to butterfly this, but go out of my way to hang out with him afterwards. In truth, Reg is a fascinating person, and my plan is to get him over to Jupiter Station at some point. It's a little too early for that now though.

My duty shift is remarkably uneventful. Probably why newly minted Ensigns are given Delta shift duties. Minor course corrections to avoid various stellar drift, the odd request from astrometric's to study nearby phenomenal, that kind of stuff...or the most boring, staying at station keeping while studying nebula or stars. Nothing to do but occasionally glimpse at the console to make sure we don't drift anywhere. Rotating between security and helm has been interesting. I'm starting to much prefer helm. I wonder if I could transfer now?

We have good news that Geordi and Sonya have revealed a wedding date for May!

I expose Vas Alkar for his previous crimes by accusing him of violating privacy laws and using his powers to gain unfair advantages in various talks, and manipulate various women for...sexual advances. Captain Picard says this is a serious accusation and wants to know how I intend to prove it---since it hasn't happened to Deanna yet. I request that one of Alkar's entourage come aboard, they'll see the events of the episode in my head and they'll have their proof. The Lumerians reluctantly agree as the scan is conducted and Jarth, one of Alkar's associates from the episode is revolted by what he sees in my head. He apologizes and says that Alkar will be stripped of his Ambassadorship and punished for his previous crimes. They had no idea that this was happening.

Amanda Rogers comes aboard the Enterprise and Q appears before me to demand that I not interfere in this.

"You are not to interfere in this matter. It has been decreed by the Continuum."

"She deserves to live her life, the way she wants to Q." I say quietly

"Rogers is a member of the Continuum and I have been duly appointed to make sure that happens. If you violate this...request...you will be sent home immediately. This is serious mon ami."

"You executed her parents by engineering a tornado..." I say through gritted teeth

Q sighs.

"I'm not here to argue with you about this Adam. The decision has been made. You know the rarity of children amongst us, we have none. Amanda is the first and the Continuum are determined for her to come home. This is not a battle that you can win mon ami."

"Fine. Do what you need to do, I hope Sisko punches you out though." I reply and Q has a puzzled look on his face

 

[Kahalah]

Q is going to be so mad when that happens. Or laugh because of it.

 

[DarkDestroyer]

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

"Ensign Young, report to sickbay." I hear Doctor Selar and acknowledge her

"Aye, on my way."

I wonder what this is about...and find out quickly what the situation. It's THAT episode. Ro, Guinan, Keiko, and Captain Picard are all...children. I smile

"Is there something amusing about our current situation, Mr. Young?" Kid Picard asks

"No sir. Not at all sir." I reply and refrain from saying he looks exactly like his nephew, Rene.

The medical staff are going about their scans of the...children...when Dr. Crusher approaches me.

"The transporter somehow beamed them back like this...please tell me that I find a solution to this?" she asks and I nod

"Yes. I don't remember exactly, but it has to do with...their rybo-viroxic--nece---the strand that are responsible for developmental changes during puberty. You're able to reinsert them, through examination of Keiko's plants."

"What would Keiko's plants...of course. Thank you Adam!" she pats me on the shoulder

I head over to see Guinan and Laren.

"Hi."

"Don't you dare utter a single joke!" Laren exclaims to me with arms crossed, while Guinan laughs

"I would never dare to do that...this is a temporary set back. You'll be back to your usual grumpy self in no time."

Laren harrumphs

"Young to Commander Riker."

"Riker here."

"We have another situation that is about to crop up, I suggest that we set a course to the nearest Starbase while we're under going this...crisis so that we can avoid it."

"What is the situation?"

"We're currently being trailed by rogue Klingon Bird of Prey's, being commandeered by a Ferengi marauder. I don't know how long they've been tracking us, and our sensors won't detect them, but I suggest the nearer we are to a starbase and aide, the less likely the chance is that they will attack us. We should probably alert sector command about their presence as well so they can send someone to deal with them, while we deal with...this situation, sir."

"Understood. Thank you Ensign."

Hopefully that butterflies that situation. Now we just have to wait until Beverly and Geordi are able to reverse what happened to the...kids. Teehee. Adam stop.

We manage to avoid the Ferengi marauder. It was under the command of Daimon Lurin now that I remember, and they're reported to the proper authorities...the Ferengi Alliance is aware of Lurin, he was dismissed from the Ferengi Fleet for behavior unbecoming an officer---he was stealing profits---that were supposed to go to the treasury so they sacked him, and he's been roaming around as a pirate ever since. Apparently he was against peace with the Federation, and is a bit of an old school Ferengi that doesn't agree with free trade. The original Ferengi were kind of pirates before they formed the "Alliance" and got civilized. This butterflied away some fun moments, but the Enterprise should never frankly be put in a position where that kind of thing happens, plot reasons or any other reason so if I can take measures to avoid that---I will.

I beep Laren's quarters and am being ignored. I know she's in there, or she just took off her comm badge, which is always a possibility.

The door swishes open and she's standing there with a pouty expression on her face. Good thing I have some experience with this.

"Can I come in? I just want to talk, no jokes."

"I don't want to see you like this." she replies

"Laren, believe me when I say that this is not the most ideal situation, but it won't be forever. Another few hours at best. I do have experience with children."

"I'm NOT a child!"

Ooof. Wrong thing to say to a temperamental Bajoran....child. Adam...stop.

"No you're not. You are one of the most intelligent, capable people that I know, you're a Starfleet officer. I know why you don't want to see me in this state, but that doesn't matter to me, you're still Ro Laren to me. You always will be, no matter what."

The door unlocks and I walk in and see her smirking.

"So what happened?" she asks as we head to her couch

"What do you mean?

"We're suddenly back on course to the nearest Starbase. What happened that caused you to make that decision?"

"We were going to be attacked by a rogue Ferengi and his co-horts...they catch us with our bridges down and try to...make demands. I would just rather avoid that situation completely."

"I see. It would have been fun to recapture the ship from a few dumb Ferengi..." she mumbles as she leans against me.

"Maybe, but I didn't want to risk any of you nor the ship. There's fun hijinks yes, but it was a very dangerous situation that I had the ability to change."

"How long until Crusher finds a way to reverse this?" she asks highly annoyed

"I dunno. I think you've got about a few hours left still."

"Guinan wants me to embrace this...since as you know, I never had much of a childhood."

"I agree with her."

Laren looks up at me and frowns.

"Of course you would. Sigh. What am I supposed to do? Play?"

"Sure. That's one option. You could do art, you could go to the holodeck."

"Go to the holodeck? Do what there?"

"I dunno...I was thinking...The Adventures of Flotter..."

"Oh hell no. I'm not playing that stupid children's program!" she huffs

"Oh come on Laren, it won't be so bad. It'll be for a few hours, then you'll be an adult again."

"I don't suppose you want to play Flotter with me?" she asks

"Only if you want me to. I haven't played the program yet." I admit...in fact...I've not really used the holodeck to do anything...uh...fun...at all yet.

"You're a grown man, I shouldn't think you would want to."

"That's true, but it's still a program from the show that I've at least wanted to experience. Plus my niece and nephews would get a kick out of playing that with me."

"Fine." she says jumping up off the couch looking a bit sympathetic when I mentioned niece and nephews.

"Let's go. Ro to Guinan."

"Guinan here."

"Adam and I are headed to the holodeck to play...Flotter... would you like to join us?"

"It's been a long time since I played Flotter. I dated his creator for a bit you know." Guinan replies

Laren and I exchange looks. The program was one of the FIRST holo-programs created so I wouldn't be surprised

"We'll meet you at holodeck 3."

"I'm on my way."

I smile at Laren as we head to the holodeck. This should be interesting. I HATE Flottter. But you know, reverse psychology works sometimes

I of course, like most Star Trek fans if they watched "Star Trek: Voyager" would be very familiar with "The Adventures of Flotter". Introduced as being Naomi Wildman's favourite holo-program, brought by her mom Samantha. The version that the Enterprise holodeck contains is a natural copy of course, uploaded for the children on board the ship. The holo-program was designed after those old school 1990's educational programs for Mac and PC. I load up one of the ones from "Voyager" that I am familiar with... "Flotter and the Tree Monster" about acceptance. In this case, the user needs to persuade Flotter to become friends with Trevis, after hearing that he wasn't a monster, and they need to work together to help Trevis' tree's grow with Flotter's water. It is a about acceptance and cooperation. I think somehow prudent themes right now....I take a quick look at Laren and Guinan and complete the program inputs.

"Good Choice." Guinan says

"Thanks. Let's hope Laren doesn't get frustrated and break the holodeck." I reply

Guinan laughs as we join Laren with Flotter

We play through most of the program until my badge beeps.

"Crusher to Young."

"Young here, go ahead."

"Captain Picard, and Keiko have been restored to adult hood. I am ready for Ro and Guinan when they are."

"Understood. We're almost done here Doctor, I'll have them report to sickbay when we're finished in the holodeck."

"There's no rush. Take your time, and say hi to Flotter for me." Beverly says

I groan.

"Of course."

 

[Lillie Jones]

thanks for the chapters