A New Generation (The Next Generation reboot)

[USS Fardell]

Star Trek: A New Generation
In the mid 24th Century the United Federation of Planets was in what was considered a golden age. Starfleet prepared for further exploration with the Galaxy class.

Farpoint Part 1
Captain Jean-Luc Picard wandered the corridors of his new command, the USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D, an example of the Galaxy class. It was an example of how advanced the Federation had become in the two centuries since its founding. Having just left Sector 001 they would reach their destination at Deneb IV in less than a day. ‘Remarkable. It would have taken the Stargazer a week!’ he thought as he stepped into a turbolift. “Bridge.” He was sure he was ready for the command, despite being out of it for nearly a decade.


A month earlier
Picard entered Admiral Satie’s office. “Jean-Luc, welcome,” she said.

“Good Morning,” he said as he sat down and sipped at the offered tea.

“You have received your orders?” she asked.

“Yes, Admiral. To take command of the Enterprise and begin a voyage of exploration. But…”

“But?”

“It nearly a decade since the Stargazer was lost. I’m not sure I still have it in me.”

The Admiral raised her hand. “I have confidence in you. So does the rest of the Admiralty. I have read the reports on your recent missions. You did well in a command role. Besides you will have an experienced First Officer. The field has narrowed down to a few officers.”

That did reassure him, but there was one niggle. “I’m also not sure having children aboard a starship is a good decision.”

“If we are going to have long term missions, we can’t have officers who have families miss them for long periods.”

Picard had heard that argument before. “I understand. I guess I will have to let the First Officer deal with them.”

“Is that all, Captain?”

“Yes.”


Enterprise – Present
Diplomatic Officer and Chief Counsellor Deanna Troi looked over the bridge as she emerged from one of the turbolift. Most of the Senior Officers were there. The Android, Data, stood up from the Command Chair. “Welcome Counsellor,” he said.

“Afternoon, Data,” she said, trying to warm.

“We’re one hour, forty-seven minutes out from Deneb IV, maintaining a speed of Warp 9.”

“Making good progress,” Troi said as she sat at her station, next to the command chair.
Data nodded and sat down again.

She activated her terminal and looked over the information on Deneb IV again. It didn’t really tell her anything she didn’t know. That the Bandi had been able to build Farpoint over a very short period of time was part of the reason Starfleet had sent Enterprise to investigate. There were rumors that they intended to join the Federation. ‘I’m certain I’ll be able to determine if that is true or not,’ she thought as she played with a lock of hair. She quickly stopped that action. She looked around.
None of the other officers had seen that action. She was sure. She sighed inwardly. ‘Counselor, counsel yourself,’ she chided. That was one reason she usually wore it tied up. She made a note to schedule a session with one of the Junior Counsellors for sometime the next week. She heard one of the turbolift doors open and saw the Captain come back to the bridge.

“You will agree, Data, that Starfleet’s orders are difficult?”

“Difficult? Simply solve the mystery of Farpoint Station,” the Android officer stated. He looked, perplexed. Unlike everyone else aboard Enterprise, she could read very little from him.

“As simple as that,” the Captain added.

“Farpoint Station,” she mused. “Even the name sounds mysterious.” If it wasn’t too good to be true, it would be a very useful forward base for exploration of the regions beyond, given that First Contact with the Bandi had only occurred less than twenty years earlier.

Captain then said. “It's hardly simple, Data, to negotiate a friendly agreement for Starfleet to use the base while at the same time snoop around finding how and why the people there built it.”

The android looked confused. “Inquiry. The word snoop?”

The Captain was incredulous. “Data, how can you be programmed as a virtual encyclopedia of human information without knowing a simple word like snoop?”

“Possibility. A kind of Human behavior I was not designed to emulate.”

As much as Data didn’t intend to be funny, Troi found herself close to laughter.

“It means to ‘to spy, to sneak’ …” Picard began.

Data interrupted, with a tone of delight. “Ah! To seek covertly, to go stealthily, to slink, slither…”

“Exactly, yes…” the Captain interrupted as the Android continued rattling off definitions.

Suddenly, a powerful presence made itself known to her. “Captain! I’m sensing a powerful mind!”

The Red Alert klaxon then went off. “Something is strange on the detector circuits,” Worf said from the Operations Console.


All through Enterprise, the crew raced to deal with the sudden crisis. Such an incident wasn’t completely unexpected, but the route was far from the Federation’s enemies; far from Romulan, Cardassian, Talarian, Tzenkethi or Kzinti space. There was speculation among some that it was a Ferengi vessel, but the reality was something completely different. Some kind of barrier had materialised in the starship’s path. Many elements of programs in the computer network were surprised along with the crew.


Captain Picard took in the information flooding into the Bridge. “Go to Condition Yellow, and shut off that damned noise!”

“Shields and deflector’s up, sir,” Worf said.

“Reverse power, full stop.”


Enterprise came to a stop rather close to the phenomenon.


Suddenly there was a flash of light on the bridge and a man dressed in clothes from an era in Earth’s past appeared. He took a moment to prevent the entrance of a security team into the bridge by causing to appear a miniature version of the phenomenon in front of the ship across the turbolift door before saying “You are notified that your kind has infiltrated the galaxy too far already. You are directed to return to your own solar system immediately.”

Picard wasn’t completely surprised. Many Starfleet vessels had encountered beings claiming to be all powerful over the previous two centuries. “That’s quite a directive. Would you mind identifying what you are?”

“We call ourselves the Q. Or you may call me that; it’s all the same thing,” the being said. He indicated himself. “And I have presented myself to you as a fellow ship captain so that you will better understand me. Go back from where you…”

The being turned as Ensign Torres attempted to stun him with a phaser, letting out a blast that caused him to fall to the floor. The temperature on the Bridge had dropped, both figuratively and literally. “Data call medics!”

Troi leaned next to him “He’s frozen. Can you feel the cold?”

The Captain picked up the dropped phaser and showed it to ‘Q’. “He would not have injured you! Do you understand this; the stun setting.”

“Knowing humans as thou dost, Captain, wouldst thou be captured helpless by them? Now go back or thou shalt certainly die.”


After Torres was rushed to sickbay, Picard quickly grew tired of Q’s pompous attitude as he continued to list examples of human failings through history. He was certainly self-righteous. Maybe he could get him to leave that way. He let his anger show as he said. “No! The most dangerous 'same old story' is the one we're meeting now! Those who go on misinformation, half-information, self-righteous life forms who are eager not to learn but to prosecute, to judge anything they don't understand or can't tolerate.

Q seemed to have an ‘ah ha!’ moment. “What an interesting idea. Prosecute and judge?” he said as he stepped towards the Captain. “And suppose it turns out we understand you humans only too well?”

“We’ve no fear of what the true facts about us will reveal.”


Troi was annoyed. That annoyance wasn’t enough to override the fear of what Q could do.

“The facts about you? Splendid! Splendid! You are a veritable fountain of good ideas. There are preparations to make, Captain, but when I return…” Q then vanished from sight. But Troi could still sense his presence somewhere nearby.

As Worf and Yar made the case for fighting against Q, the being sent a telepathic message. ‘…And don’t you have your secrets? It would be a shame if I revealed them.’

‘Stay out of my mind, Q! I’m not afraid of what you might reveal,’ she sent back although she was afraid of what the being may say. ‘I’ll deal with it afterwards,’ she thought to herself.

“Sense anything, Counsellor?” the Captain asked.

“Its mind is much too powerful, sir. And frightening. Concur we avoid further contact if possible!”

The Captain thought for a moment and came up with an idea. After ordering for radio silence and for engineering to prepare for maximum acceleration he asked Data about using Saucer Separation at high warp.

 

[USS Fardell]

Farpoint Part 2
Worf returned from Engineering. He hoped the Captain’s plan, whatever it was, would work. “Engine Room ready, sir.”

“The board shows green, Captain. All go,” Troi said.

The Captain moved back to the command chain. “Stand by… Engage!”

The Enterprise began moving.


Q looked as Enterprise began moving. Oh, those Humans, trying to escape his trial. He was well aware of what the Captain planned, but decided to play with them…


“We’re now at Warp 9.3, sir. Which takes us past the red line, sir,” Worf repored.

“Continue accelerating,” the Captain ordered. He turned to Troi.

“Counselor, at this point I’m open even to guesses about what we’ve just met.”

“It….” She took a moment to compose herself. To try to articulate what she had felt. Not even Cyndri had words for it. She was also uncertain the Universal Translator would parse them right. It had to be kept simple, and in Federation Standard. “It felt like something beyond what we’d consider a ‘life form’.

“Beyond?”

“Very, very advanced, sir. Or…” She thought for a moment. “Or certainly, very, very different!”


The Enterprise continued to accelerate as whatever it was chased her. But the object was soon overtaking the starship.


“Captain’s Log, Stardate 41153.7. Preparing to detach the Saucer Section, so that families and the majority of the ship’s company can seek relative safety while the vessel’s Stardrive, containing the Battle Bridge and main armaments, will turn back and confront the mystery that is threatening us.”

Saucer Separation was hardly new. The Galaxy class had simply taken the concept further. The earlier classes of ship (the Excelsior and Ambassador classes mainly) could reconnect with an involved manual process, but the Galaxy could do it with various automated modes.


The Battle Bridge. It was a small space, as if it were an afterthought. Picard knew it wasn’t so. After-all a space was needed to command the Stardrive/Battle Section while the Saucer Section was separated.
“Lieutenant, the torpedoes must detonate close enough to the hostile to blind it at the moment we separate,” Picard ordered.

“Understood, sir,” Yar responded.

“All decks acknowledging, sir,” Troi reported.

“Worf, this is the Captain. At the moment of separation, we will reverse power enough to get the Saucer Section out ahead and clear of us.”

“Understood, sir.”


Enterprise fired torpedoes from the rear launcher, and the Saucer Separation started. As soon as the Saucer separated, the Stardrive reversed course towards the pursuing Q. The Saucer continued on course for Farpoint.


Having gained some distance, the Stardrive dropped out of warp. “All forward motion stopped, sir,” Chief Miles O’Brien reported.

“Thank you, Conn. Commander, signal the following in all languages and on all frequencies. We surrender, without any terms or conditions.”

“Aye, sir,” Troi said.


Soon afterwards, the Battle Bridge crew found themselves in a courtroom.

Troi looked around the courtroom. She could detect nothing from the people there other than the other officers who arrived with her. But she knew Q was there, somewhere.

“Historically intriguing, Captain,” Data said. “Very, very accurate.”

“Mid 21st Century, during the Post Atomic Horror,” Picard said, referring to the many warlord states that arose in the aftermath of the nuclear exchange at the end of World War Three.

‘Could have been worse,’ Troi thought. It could have been Nazi Germany, Khmer Rouge Cambodia or the Great Khanate.

“All present, stand and make respectful attention to the honoured Judge,” the bailiff said.

Troi leaned closer to the Captain. “Careful sir. This is not an illusion or a dream.”

“But these courts happened in the past.”

“I don’t understand either, but this is real.”

“Get to your feet, criminals!”

Then Q appeared, in a garb appropriate to a ‘Judge’ of the era.

“At least we’re acquainted with the Judge, Captain,” Data remarked.

Picard stood. “Can we assume you mean this will be a fair trial?”

“Yes,” Q answered. “Absolutely equitable. Proceed.”

The Bailiff spoke again. “Before this gracious court now appear these prisoners to answer for the multiple and grievous savageries of their species. How plead you, criminal?”

“If I may, Captain…” Data began.

Picard nodded his ascent.

“Objection, your honor. In the year 2016, the New United Nations declared that no Earth citizen could be made to answer for the crimes of their race or forbearers.”

“Objection denied!” Q declared. “This is a court of the year 2059, by which time more 'rapid progress' had caused all 'United Earth' nonsense to be abolished.”

‘Of course!’ Troi thought. She then felt a flush of anger from Tasha as she rose to her feet.

“Tasha, no!” Picard admonished.

“I must, because I grew up on a world that allowed things like this ‘court’. And it was people like these that saved me from it. I say that this so-called court should get down on its knees to what Starfleet is, what it represents.”

Q gestured towards Tasha, and froze her as Torres had been frozen.

Troi jumped to her feet as she felt Tasha fall into unconsciousness. “You Barbarian! That officer!”


“You will answer the charges!” Q thundered.

Or what? Or this, or worse? Or death? I suggest you take a better look at human history.”

“You are charged, criminals. How plead you.”

“Just a moment ago, you promised "the prisoners will not be harmed." We plead nothing so long as you break your own rules.”

“I suggest you center your attention on this trial, Captain. It may be your only hope,” Q responded.

“I suggest you are now having second thoughts about it. You are considering that if you conduct a fair trial, which was your promise, you may lose.”

“Lose?” Q asked incredulously.

“Yes, even though you’re judge and prosecutor.”

“And Jury.”

“Accepted, so long as you keep to your agreement,” Picard said. “And assaulting prisoners is hardly a fair trial.”

“This is a merciful court,” Q said as he thawed Yar. “Continuing these proceedings, I must caution you that legal trickery is not permitted. This is a court of…”

Picard interrupted. “Court of fact! We humans know our past, even when we're ashamed of it. I recognise this court system as the one that agreed with that line from Shakespeare. Kill all the lawyers,” he said referring to Henry VI.

“Which was done,” Q added.

“Which led to the rule guilty until proven innocent.”

“Of course,” Q said, clearly enjoying himself. “Bringing the innocent to trial would be unfair. You will now answer to the charge of being a grievously savage race.”


Deanna could feel that Tasha was tense, trying not to remember what she had experienced of the ‘courts’ on her home planet. She placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Tasha’s turbulent emotions began to settle. But she knew that would have to be a session after they arrived at Farpoint.

“Greviously savage could mean anything,” Picard said. “I will answer only specific charges.”

“Are you certain you want a full disclosure of human ugliness?” Q asked. “So be it, fool!” He turned to the bailiff. “Present the charges.”

The Bailif handed the charges to Picard on a PADD.

“I see no charges against us, Your Honour.”

“You are out of order!” Q said.


Yar saw the situation deteriorate. Q’s soldiers were now holding guns to Troi and Data’s heads. She was trying not to breath heavily. ‘I left home to get away…’ she thought as she listened to Q and the Captain argue.

“There must be many ways we can be tested. We have a long mission ahead of us.”

“Another brilliant suggestion, Captain. But your test hardly requires a long mission. Your immediate destination offers far more challenge than you can possibly imagine. Yes, this Farpoint station will be an excellent test.”


O’Brien had seen the others on the Battle Bridge disappear, only to reappear seconds later.

“What is our present course, conn?” Data asked.

O’Brien checked the console. “It’s what It’s been all along, sir. Direct heading to Farpoint Station.” That was strange. He remembered changing course after the Saucer Separation. ‘Must be that Q’s doing,’ he thought. He made a mental note to check the computer logs thoroughly later. “Know anything about Farpoint Station, sounds like a fairly dull place.”

“We’ve heard that we may find it rather interesting,” the Captain said.

“Q say something, sir?” he asked.

“Not in so many words,” the Captain answered.

 

[USS Fardell]

Farpoint Part 3
The Enterprise wasn’t the only starship in the area. The USS Hood was already in orbit around Deneb IV. Commander William Riker looked down at the planet as the ship established a standard orbit. He had finished packing his quarters an hour ago. He heard the door announcer. “Come,” he said.

Erina Browne, the Hood’s security chief entered. “Are you ready to beam down, sir?”

“Yes. Lieutenant, I’m ready.”


After beaming down, Riker recorded a log entry. “Personal log, Commander William Riker. Stardate 41153.7. The USS Hood has dropped me off at Farpoint Station, where I await the arrival of the new USS Enterprise to which I have been assigned as First Officer. Meanwhile I have been asked to visit the Farpoint Administrator's Office, in the old city.”

Riker entered Administrator Zorn’s office.

“Ah, Commander Riker, I thought you’d want to know we’ve still no word from the Enterprise. I trust the Hood is staying until they arrive?”

“They are.”

“Good.”

“Would I sound ungrateful if I ask for some information?” Riker asked.

“Anything.”

“Fascinating, the advanced material used in construction of this station. Your energy supply must be abundant as I’ve heard.”

“Geothermal energy is the one great blessing of this planet,” Zorn responded. “I’ll have all the details sent to your quarters.”

However, Riker knew something wasn’t right. “Thank you. But it still seems incredible to me that you could have constructed this station so rapidly and so, so perfectly suited to our needs.”

“Would you care for an Earth delicacy, Commander,” Zorn asked.

Riker knew it was a diversion. ‘What is he hiding?’ he pondered. “If there is an apple?” There were no apples.

“I’m sorry, Commander.”

“It doesn’t matter. What I was saying was…” Will trailed off as he noticed a bowl of apples that hadn’t been there seconds earlier. “I’ll be damned.”

“Ah yes, there was another selection here,” Groppler said.

Riker could see through the obfuscation. “Groppler, I could have sworn it wasn’t here a minute ago.”

“And did your failure to notice it make it unwelcome?”

‘He’s still obfuscating. Why?’ Riker pondered. “Not at all, Gropper.”

“I trust it will be the same with Farpoint Station, Commander. A few easily answered questions about it won’t make Starfleet appreciate it less.”

‘But they would remain curious about it,’ Riker thought as he took another bite from the apple. “It's delicious. Thanks Groppler.”


As soon as he was sure Riker had left, Zorn said; “You have been told not to do that! Why can’t you understand? It would arouse their suspicion. And if that happens, we shall have to punish you.”


After leaving the Groppler’s office, Riker returned to the Marketplace. He soon found the Enterprise’s Chief Medical Officer.

“It’s Commander Riker,” Dr. Crusher’s son, Wesley called out.

“Hello, Wes. Enjoying Farpoint Station?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I was looking for you.”

“Oh? I was about to do some shopping whilst we were waiting for the Enterprise,” Dr. Beverly Crusher said.

“I’ve been meaning to visit the Mall myself,” Riker said.

“Of course,” Crusher said in a reserved tone.

“If you’re wondering about Mom, Commander Riker, she’s not unfriendly. She’s just shy around men she doesn’t know.”

“Wesley!” Dr. Crusher admonished. “I believe that means he would like us to be friends.”

“I’m willing, Doctor. And yet, although we haven’t yet joined the Enterprise, I thought there might be something useful we can do while we wait.”

“Useful? How, Commander.”

“I have been investigating some things that I have noticed since I got here,” Riker answered. “The last was a piece of fruit.”

The Doctor examined a piece of cloth. “Gold would be lovely with this,” she said. She then turned her attention back to Riker. “I am sure, Commander, there are reasons for a first officer to want to demonstrate his energy and alertness to a new captain. But since my duty and interests are outside the command structure…” she paused as she noticed something had changed. There was a gold bolt of cloth.

“Isn't it remarkable they happen to have exactly what you asked for?” Riker asked.

“Thank you. I'll take the entire bolt. Send it to our starship when it arrives. Charge to Doctor Crusher.”


“Let’s see, where were we?” Riker asked as they walked away from the stall.

The doctor gave an apologetic look. “I was accusing you of inventing work in order to curry favour with our new captain. I apologise.”

“The gold pattern definitely wasn’t there, Mom,” Wesley pointed out.

She shot a look of annoyance at her son. “I know, Wes. Maybe this is something Jean-Luc would like looked into.”

That surprised Riker. “Jean-Luc Picard? You know the Captain?”

“When I was little, he brought my father's body home to us.”

That brought Will up short. He didn’t know what to say to that. He had read Doctor Crusher’s personnel profile, but while it noted that she was widowed, it didn’t state the cause of her husband’s death.

“Yes, Wes, long long ago,” Beverley said wistfully. “A pleasure to meet you, Commander. You will excuse us.”

“My pleasure.”


Not long after the Crushers left, another officer arrived. “Sir, the Enterprise is arriving,” he said.

“Is this an official report, Lieutenant?”

“Sorry Commander. Sir, Lieutenant La Forge, reporting. The Enterprise is arriving, but without the Saucer Section.”

That was a development. “Stardrive Section only? What happened?”

“I don't know, sir. Captain Picard has signalled for you to beam up immediately.”


Lieutenant Yar put the thoughts of Q’s courtroom out of her mind, again, as she entered the Transporter Room. She knew she would have a session with Troi later.

“Commander Riker has signalled,” the Chief said.

“Energize,” Yar ordered.

Riker then materialised.

“Lieutenant Yar of Security, sir. Captain Picard will see you on the Battle Bridge,” she said as she lead him out of the room.

“With the saucer gone, I assume something interesting happened on your way here?” Riker asked as they went to the turbolift.

“Battle Bridge,” she ordered. “That’s for the Captain to explain, sir.” She was thankful for that, although she knew she would have to file her own report at some point.


After watching the Bridge record of Q’s appearance, Riker entered the Ready Room. “Not exactly a run of the mill happening, Captain.”

“It seems we're alive only because we have been placed on probation. A very serious kind of probation,” the Captain said.

“The Saucer module is now entering orbit with us, sir,” Data reported.

“Acknowledged. Commander Riker will conduct a manual docking. Picard out.”

“Sir?”

“You’ve reported in, haven’t you? You are qualified.”
Of course. “Yes, sir.”

“Then I mean now, Commander.”


Shortly afterwards, Riker directed the redocking manoeuvre with aplomb.


“A fairly routine manoeuvre but you handled it quite well,” the Captain said shortly afterwards.

“Thank you, sir. I hope I showed some promise.”

“I do have some questions for you though.”

“Yes, sir. I thought you might,” Riker said.

“I see in your file that Captain DeSoto thinks very highly of you. One curious thing, however, you refused to let him beam down to Altair Three.”

“In my opinion, sir, Altair Three was too dangerous to risk exposing the Captain.”

“I see. A Captain’s rank means nothing to you.”

To the contrary. “Rather the reverse, sir. But a Captain's life means a great deal to me.”

“Isn't it just possible that you don't get to be a Starfleet Captain without knowing whether it's safe to beam down or not? Isn't it a little presumptuous of a first officer to second guess his captain's judgment?”

“Permission to speak candidly, sir?”

“Always,” Picard said.

“Having been a first officer yourself, you know that assuming that responsibility must by definition include the safety of the captain. I have no problem with following any rules you lay down, short of compromising your safety.”

“And you don't intend to back off that position?”

“No, sir,” Riker said firmly.

“One further thing. A special favour.”

What was this special favour? “Anything, sir.”

“Using the same kind of strength you showed with Captain DeSoto, I would appreciate it if you can keep me from making an ass of myself with children.”

“Sir?”

“I’m not a family man, Riker,” Picard explained. “and yet, Starfleet has given me a ship with children aboard.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And I don't feel comfortable with children. But, since a captain needs an image of geniality, you're to see that's what I project.”

“Aye, sir.”

“Welcome to the Enterprise, Commander Riker.”


Doctor Crusher saw Lieutenant La Forge enter Sickbay. “Come over,” she said,

After the pleasantries were said, she added. “Naturally I've heard of your case. The visor implants you wear.”

“Are remarkable pieces of bio-electronic engineering by which I quote ‘see much of the EM spectrum ranging from simple heat and infrared through radio waves’ et cetera, et cetera, and forgive me if I've said and listened to this a thousand times before,” he answered in a tone of boredom. He took off the visor containing the actual visual receptors, revealing that his eyes were non-functional.

“You’ve been blind all your life?”

“Since birth,” La Forge answered.

“And you've felt pain all the years that you've used this?”

“They say it's because I use my natural sensors in different ways.”

‘Of course,’ Crusher thought. “Well, I see two choices. The first is painkillers.”

“Which would affect how this works. No. Choice number two?”

“Exploratory surgery. Desensitise the brain areas troubling you.”

“Same difference. No, thank you, Doctor.”

“I understand.”

“See you.”

As La Forge left, Crusher picked up a PADD and saw that Admiral McCoy had finished checking over the medical layout. It had passed with flying colors, not that she had expected any different. The main concern was that the ship had left Utopia Planetia without all the medical supplies she needed for her long mission.


Data lead the old Admiral towards a shuttle bay, rather than a transporter room at his insistence. “Have you got some reason you want my atoms scattered all over space, boy? “ the Admiral asked once they started walking.
“No sir. But at your age, sir, I thought you shouldn't have to put up with the time and trouble of a shuttlecraft,” Data said.

“Hold it right there, boy.”

“Sir?”

“What about my age?” Admiral McCoy asked.

“Sorry, sir, if that subject troubles you.”

“Troubles me? What's so damned troubling about not having died? How old do you think I am?”

Data recalled the information immediately. “One hundred thirty seven years, Admiral, according to Starfleet records.”

“Explain how you remember that so exactly.”

“I remember every fact I am exposed to, sir.”

“I don't see any points on your ears, boy, but you sound like a Vulcan,” McCoy stated.

“No, sir. I'm an android.”

“Almost as bad.”

Data was confused. “I thought it was generally accepted, sir, that Vulcans are an advanced and most honourable race.”

“They are, they are. And damned annoying at times.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, this is a new ship, but she's got the right name. Now you remember that, you hear.”

“I will, sir.”

“You treat her like a lady, and she'll always bring you home.”

“Understood, sir.”


“The Enterprise shuttle has departed, Captain,” Lt. Commander Browne reported.

“Thanks, Commander,” Captain Robert DeSoto said. He turned to his Conn officer. “Set a course back to Federation Space.”

“Aye, Captain.”



Q watched the Hood leave orbit of Deneb IV and jump to warp. He turned his attention back to the Enterprise. The Bridge Crew were wasting time! He then stepped in to hurry them up.


Captain Picard didn’t like the restriction Q had placed on them one bit. They could hardly solve the mystery of Farpoint in 24 hours! Just as well it was well into beta shift. He could sleep on it.


‘Of course, they’re wasting time for their sleep cycle,’ Q thought disparagingly. He turned his attention to Troi in particular. Or more specifically the transmission she had just sent. ‘Not much there,’ he thought, once he looked it over.