Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/startrek/old-incomplete/aliensmeetstng.p1

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From: [e-mail] (J.L. Pizor)
Subject: AliensMeetsSTTNG PartOne
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Date: Thu, 6 Jan 1994 19:32:32 GMT
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                             Aliens Meets TNG

    "Sir, there is a small ship of unknown origin on our scanners," Data
said.
    "On screen," Picard said as he stood up.  The viewscreen changed from
it's familiar star field to an old, beat-up escape pod.  "Any life signs?"
    Data scanned his controls.  "Yes sir.  I cannot clearly identify
exactly how many, though."
    "Very well.  Number One, assemble an away team," Picard said.
    "Aye sir.  Data, Troi."  Riker motined them to follow him.  The three
officers entered the turbolift.
    The hazy image of four officers slowly appeared on the unknown ship.
Each officer quickly opened their tricorders and began scanning the area.
"The life signs are coming from over here," Dr. Crusher said as she
entered another room.  Data, Troi and Riker followed her.
    The room contained four life pods.  "These resemble cryogenic chambers,"
Data stated.
    "Oh no, not more of them," Dr. Crusher said, remembering the last group
they had saved.  Troi looked at Beverly and smiled.
    "Let's get them back to sickbay," Riker said.  He tapped his
communicator.  "Four to beam back.  And Chief, lock onto these cryo tubes
and beam them to sickbay."
    "Aye sir," the familiar voice of Chief O'Brien said.  The away team
slowly began to fade away, along with the cryo tubes.
    Once on board the Enterprise, the away team went directly to
sickbay to examine the cryo tubes.  Dr. Crusher walked over to the
pods and examined each person with her tricorder.  The first person, a
man, seemed to have severe acid burns to the upper body.  A nurse handed
Beverly a small unit that resembled a syringe.  Beverly magically moved
it over the man's burns.  Within a matter of seconds, the burns had
disappeared.  The next tube contained a woman in her thirties.  The third
tube held a young girl around ten years old.
    The fourth and final tube was perhaps the most fascinating.  "Data,
take a look at this," Dr. Crusher said as she stared at the upper body
of a man who had apparently been ripped in half.  His lower half was no
where in sight.
    Data examined the torso carefully.  "It is obviously an android. This
series, I believe was discontinued in the 23rd century."
    Captain Picard entered the room.  "I heard you found more cryogenic
tubes."  Under his breath, Picard mumbled, "I hope this group is a lot
more ruley than the last group."
    "What was that sir?" Riker asked Picard, a twinkle in his eyes.  Picard
ignored Riker as he looked in each tube.  When he came upon the fourth tube,
he stopped to examine it.  "What is this?"
    "It appears to be an android," Data said again.
    "I can see that.  Is there anyway to see if he's still active?" Picard
asked.  Data examined the upper body again.
    "I think so, sir."  Data connected some wires to the upper body.
After a few minutes, the torso slowly began to respond.  After another
minute or so, the torso was completely alert.
    "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise.  We came
across your ship floating lifelessly in space.  We examined it closer
and found these cryogenic pods.  Do you mind telling me your name."
    The torso pushed itself up a little in his tube with his hands.
"My name is Bishop.  I'm from the planet Earth."  Riker looked at Troi.
Troi shrugged.
    "Who are these other three people?" asked Dr. Crusher.
    "Corp. Hicks, Ripley and the little girl is Newt.  Tell me, are they
alright?"
    "Corp. Hicks seemed to have some severe burns, but I've already taken
care of them.  The other two seem to be fine.  They're still resting,"
Dr. Crusher said in her soft, caring voice.
    "Can you wake them," Bishop asked.  Dr. Crusher looked at each of the
officers.
    After affirming nods, Dr. Crusher shrugged.  "I don't see why not."
She walked over to Newt's tube and pressed the appropriate buttons.
    "Ripley!"  A little voice shouted.  The little girl sat bolt upright.
She quickly looked around the room before jumping out of her cryo tube
and onto the floor.  She climbed underneath a medical bed, clutching
her doll head.
    "What was that?"  Asked Riker.
    "Newt?"  Turning to Dr. Crusher, Bishop said, "If you had asked,
I would have suggested you awaken her last."  He turned back to where
Newt's yell had emanated from.  "Where are you?"
    "Bishop?  Where are we?"  Called a tiny voice from under the bed.
    "It's alright.  You can come out," Bishop calmly said.  A small head
peered out from under the bed.  A moment later, Newt crawled out and
walked over to Bishop.  She looked at him and held his hand.  The bed
was a little high for her to see inside, so she had to stand on her toes.
    "Where's Ripley?  And who are these people?" Newt whispered to Bishop
in that soft child voice of hers.
    "She's right next to you.  Hicks is there too," Bishop said.
    Newt pulled herself as close to Bishop's ear as she could.  "Are
there any of them on board?" she asked.  If Bishop weren't an android,
he would have had to strain to hear her.
    "I don't think so," he said.
Troi pulled Riker aside.  "What is it," he asked.
    "I sense grave fear from the little girl.  She seems to have calmed
down a little since talking to Bishop, however she is still frightened,"
Deanna said.
    "I'm sure she is.  She is on an unknown starship.  If I were her, I'd
probably be scared to."  Riker smiled at Troi.  "Don't worry.  I'm sure
it's nothing."
    "I don't know..." Deanna said.  She walked over to Newt and kneeled
beside her.  "You look like you could use a bath."  Newt hugged her doll
tighter.  She carefully looked at Troi.  "I promise I won't hurt you."
    "I want to wait for Ripley," Newt said.  Troi looked up at Beverly.
    "I'll wake her up along with the Corporeal."  Beverly woke the sleeping
Ripley.  In a matter of seconds, she was fully alert.  She sat up in bed,
a serious look on her face.  She looked around the room, carefully taking
in her surroundings.  She caught site of Newt standing beside Bishop's
bed.  A broad smile spread across their faces.  Ripley hopped out of her
bed and hugged Newt.
    "Something weird's going on," Newt softly whispered into Ripley's ear.
    "Like what?" Ripley asked.
    "I don't know."  Ripley stood up and looked at the crew.  Beverly then
woke Hicks.  He slowly sat up, rubbing his head, moaning.
    "Do I feel hung-over.  What did I drink last night?"
    Ripley smiled.  "Acid."
    "Oh yeah."  Hicks slowly got out of his pod.  Stiffly, he walked over
to Ripley and Newt.  Kneeling beside Newt, he hugged her.  "And how are
you beautiful?"  Newt smiled.
    "A-okay," she said.  Hicks stood up and looked at Ripley.
    "And how 'bout you?  You alright?"
    "I'm fine but you look like hell," Ripley said.
    "Yeah, well I feel worse," Hicks said as he leaned up against one of
the cryo tubes.
    "I'm afraid you're going to be a little stiff for a few days,"
Dr. Crusher said.
    "That's alright.  I've felt worse," Hicks said as he worked out a crick
in his neck.  He turned and looked at Bishop.  "Bishop, you actually look
worse than I do.  How do you feel man?"
    "I don't feel much of anything," Bishop said.  Ripley turned to Picard.
    "Where are we?"
    "You're on a Federation starship, the Enterprise," Picard said.
    "How far away are we from Alpha Prime?" Ripley asked.
    "Alpha Prime?  I'm not familiar with that planet." Picard turned his
attention to the computer.  "Computer, locate Alpha Prime," he said in his
stern command voice.
    The delicate computer voice replied, "There is no such planet as Alpha
Prime.  That name was last used in the 22nd century for a planet ten light
years from here.  That planet has since been destroyed."
    "22nd century?  What century is it now?" Ripley asked with anxiety in
her voice.
    Hesitantly, Picard began to answer.  "I'm afraid we're in the 24th
century."  A horrified look entered Ripley's eyes.  A shiver went up
Troi's spine.  She gasped softly.  Ripley turned away from everyone and
looked off distantly.  "I know this must come as a shock to you, but-"
Picard was interrupted.
    "I had a daughter.  The first time I left I lost 20 years of her life.
And now..." Ripley's voice trailed off.
    "The first time you left?  I'm afraid I don't understand.  This has
happened to you before?" Picard asked.  Ripley turned around to face him.
Her eyes were bloodshot.
    "It's a long story," Ripley said.
    "Why don't we let you get settled into your quarters before you explain
everything to us?" Picard suggested.  "Number One, why don't you show our
guests to their rooms?"
    "Certainly sir," Riker said.  "How many rooms will you be needing?"
Hicks looked at Ripley and smiled.
    "Oh no, we're not...I mean the two of us..."
    "Two would be fine," Ripley said.  Hicks put his hands in his pockets.
    "Why don't you follow me," Riker said.
    "What about Bishop?" Newt asked.
    "I'll be alright, sweetheart," he said.
    "I'll see what I can do to aid in his repair," Data said.  Riker walked
out of Sickbay followed by Hicks, Ripley and Newt.

                                    ***

    Ripley was sitting in the living room, staring out at the stars when a
freshly washed Newt walked in.  She walked over to Ripley and put her arm
around her shoulder.  "You miss your daughter, don't you."  Ripley continued
to look out the window.  "I miss my brother."  Ripley turned and hugged Newt.
The door chime sounded.
    "Come in," Ripley said.  The door slid open, revealing Hicks.  He walked
over and looked out the window.
    "Man, I never thought I'd be able to see them again."  Starring at the
stars he turned and looked at Newt.  "Wow, look at that.  There's a little
girl under all that mud and grime."  Newt smiled.  "How are you holding up?"
Hicks asked, looking at Ripley.
    "She misses her daughter," Newt whispered.  Hicks nodded.
    "I heard what happened to you after the first trip.  I know it must be
rough on you, but..."
    "Just drop it.  I'll be fine," Ripley said.  The door chime sounded
again.
    "Who is it?" Newt asked.
    "Commander Riker."
    Hicks smiled at Newt's innocence.  "Come in," he said.  The door slid
open and Riker walked in the room.
    "If you're up to it, the Captain would like to meet with all of you.
He's very interested in finding out what happened to you," Riker said.
Hicks looked at Ripley.
    "It's happening all over again," Ripley said.
    "It'll be okay this time," Hicks said as he placed a hand on Ripley's
shoulder.  "C'mon, the Captain's waiting."  Ripley slowly stood up and
gazed out the viewport for another minute or so before she turned to leave
the room.

                                    ***

    Picard sat in his chair at the head of the long oval table in his
ready room.  Troi, Geordi, Worf, Beverly and Data sat in their usual seats.
"Counsellor, have you been able to sense anything in the three travellers?"
asked Picard.
    Troi turned in her large chair to face the captain.  She placed her
folded hands on the table before her.  "From the child, I sense grave fear.
From all of them, actually, but Newt's is the strongest.  Ripley feels lost,
almost destroyed.  And Hicks seems to feel sorrow mixed with anger."
    The door slid open.  Riker walked in and stood by his usual chair.
He motioned for the others to find a seat.  Ripley sat down next to Geordi
followed by Newt and Hicks.
    "I trust all of you are well rested," Picard said.
    After an awkward moment of silence, Hicks decided to answer.  "Yes sir."
    "Could one of you tell me just what exactly happened to you?" Picard
asked.
    "We managed to runaway with our tails between our legs," Ripley said,
looking at no one in particular.
    "What she means is we discovered some kind of fucked up alien, if you'll
pardon my language sir," Hicks added as he looked around the room at each
officer.  Picard shifted in his chair.
    "Can you describe it in a little more detail," Picard asked.
    "They're big and scary and they have acid for blood and they don't
like people very much," Newt said as she shuddered in her seat.
    "Acid for blood?  I find that difficult to imagine," Riker said.
    Ripley slammed her fist on the table and stood up, turning away from
the table.  "Damnit, don't you see?"
    "What?  Calm down Ripley.  We're not going back there.  The planet
doesn't exist anymore, rmember?" Hicks said.  He sighed and shrugged his
shoulders.  "It's over, give it up."
    "I will not give it up," Ripley said as she turned around to face
Hicks.  "This is how it all started the last time.  I told everyone about
the aliens.  No one believed me.  Next thing I know, I'm on that god
forsaken planet again.  How many were there in the beginning?  Huh
Hicks?"  Ripley leaned over Hick's shoulder.
    "I don't know."
    "How many?"
    I don't...ten, maybe fifteen," Hicks finally said.
    "And how many of us made it out alive?" Hicks didn't answer.  Ripley
straightened up and walked over to the viewport.  "I'll make a formal
report and that's it.  No more."
    The room was silent for a few awkward moments.  "I'd very much like
to see that report when it's ready," Picard said.  Ripley slowly turned
to face the captain.

                                    ***

    Picard was in his office, sitting behind his desk.  In one hand, he
had a hot cup of Earl Gray.  In the other, Ripley's report.  The door
chime sounded.  Without looking up or emptying his hands, Picard said,
"Come."
    The door slid open and Beverly walked in.  "Gee, I wander what you're
reading," she said with a sly grin.
    Picard put the computer pad down and finally looked up.  "Beverly,
please, have a seat."  He motioned with his hand.
    "Thank you," she said as she sat down in front of his desk.
    "Have you read Ripley's report?" Picard asked.
    "Yes I have.  I find it most extraordinary."
    "Yes, so do I.  What interests me the most is what she discovered
on her first visit to the planet.  She explains she discovered another
spaceship that crashed.  When examined closer, it was obvious that the
aliens had been there," Picard said.  He took a sip of his tea, then
leaned back in his chair.  "I wander...do you think the aliens came to the
planet on that ship, or do you think they attacked it once it had already
landed?"  Picard placed a finger on his chin.
    "I don't know.  Ripley seems to think they arrived on the planet
through the ship," Beverly said as she crossed her legs.
    "Do you think it's possible there is an entire planet full of these,"
Picard spread out his hands before him and shrugged his shoulders, "acid
bleeding creatures?"
    "I suppose it is possible.  It's odd, however, that there are no other
incidents such as this one."
    "Yes, it is odd," Picard said.
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------    Fare thee well for I must leave thee
        Do not let this parting grieve thee
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