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Minbodians 1
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Chapter 1
First Officer's Log Star Date 43215.6
We are in orbit around Gamas VI and most of the crew have already taken advantage of this. We are having a well deserved rest after the surveying of Sector 342 where we found two habitable planets but no recognisable life forms. With everything running sm
oothly and with the Captain's permission I will soon be joining them.
Commander William Riker ended his entry and stretch tired muscles, the surveying trip had been routine but he couldn't wait to relieve some of the tension from the constant monitoring that it had required. He smiled when he remembered how this was to begi
n, he had a date with Deanna at a nice little bar on the surface. He glanced at the time and suddenly sat up straight, if he didn't hurry he would be late and Deanna had long ago used up all her patience in regard to him. He stood, neaten his uniform and
exited.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard sat in the command chair, gazing quietly at the display of the green planet that they orbited. He turned slightly when the turbo lift doors opened and watched as his first officer walked down the ramp to stand before him.
" Well, number one, I thought you had joined the others down on the planet? "
" I'm just leaving Captain. Thought I would do a last check to see that everything was correct."
" I do believe Will that you think that the Enterprise would fall apart if you leave it. " Picard gently mocked.
Riker smiled wryly, " Well it has been a while Captain since I had the chance to relax off the Enterprise. For anyone in fact, I hope you are also benefiting from this opportunity."
" Yes Commander, I am. Doctor Crusher had kindly offered to join me in viewing some of the art gallery of Gamas VI. I am quite looking forward to it."
Riker smiled to himself but seriously replied, " That's good to hear Captain. Well I have an appointment I don't wont to be late for so I will perhaps see you later on Gamas VI. Good bye Captain. "
" Good bye number one and oh say hello to our counsellor when you see her."
Picard grinned openly at having been able to get in the last word with his officer.
Riker entered the transporter room with a few minutes to spare before he was late for Deanna. He looked over at the controls and noted that one of O'Briens ensign was operating today. O'Brien was probably down on the surface already with his wife looking
at plants or something. Most likely the something if O'Brien had any say, thought Riker as he nodded that he was ready to the ensign. The ensign engaged the controls and looked up to watch as the Commander faded from sight, he did not see the sudden flas
h on his control panel or the gibberish that briefly replaced the normal display. When he looked down all was as it should be and he quietly exited the room.
At the same moment on the bridge, the lieutenant at the science station finished telling his companion about the last time he was down on a planet. He failed to note the sudden forming of a warp hole that registered on his display and was recorded. It la
sted just a second before it collapsed and disappeared off the scanners. He turned back to find all was normal.
Deanna looked again down at her watch and tapped impatiently at the table top. Will was an hour late but he may have been caught up on some last minute duties, she excused him to herself once again or .... here her thoughts halted. She was tired of makin
g excuses, this was her time off as well and if he wasn't here in 10 minutes she would get Worf to hunt him down for her. She giggled at the thought, how Will would hate that. Her thoughts wandered on until 10 minutes had passed then she tapped her commun
icator.
" Troi to Riker. " She waited but there was no response. She tried again,
" Counsellor Troi to Commander Riker. " Nothing, perhaps there was something wrong with her communicator and Will had been trying to reach her. She tapped it again,
" Troi to Enterprise. " There came an immediate response.
" Enterprise here, Counsellor Troi. What can we do for you? " spoke the ensign at the communication station. Picard looked up when he recognised Counsellor Troi's voice.
" I am trying to locate Commander Riker. "
A new voice answered her and she recognised the captain, " Commander Riker left over an hour ago to keep his appointment with you Counsellor. Has he not joined you? " he asked in concern.
" No Captain, I haven't seen him. " She answered, beginning to feel uneasy.
" Perhaps you have your location mixed up, I'll see if I can find him for you. Enterprise out. "
Captain Picard sat back thoughtfully in his seat and addressed the computer, " Computer, locate Commander Riker ."
The calm tones of the computer responded. " Commander Riker is currently not on board. He left the Enterprise at 13:12 for the surface of Gamas VI. "
Picard nodded thoughtfully and tapped his communicator.
" Picard to Riker. Number One respond please. "
There was no answer. " Captain to Lt. Worf. "
" Yes sir. " Came Worfs deep tones,
" Report to the bridge. "
" Aye sir."
The lift doors opened and Worf exited, followed closely by Counsellor Troi.
" Worf, I want you to locate Commander Riker. "
" Yes sir, have there been any incidents. "
" No, but he had an appointment with the counsellor that he did not keep and he is not answering any hails. "
" Very well sir." Worf moved up to the security station and began altering the scanners. As he worked away searching the planet and checking past movements of the commander, Troi moved forward and took her seat beside the captain.
" I am worried Captain, this is unlike Will. "
" Yes I know Counsellor but there is sure to be a reasonable explanation. "
The captain was interrupted by Worf.
" Captain, a primary scan of the planet has revealed no sign of the commander or his communicator and records show he transported down at 13:12. "
" Continue with your investigation. Computer locate Commanders Data and LaForge. "
" They are on the planet. "
" Captain to Data and LaForge. "
" Yes Captain, we are both present. " responded Data.
" Report back to the Enterprise immediately. "
" We are on our way Captain. "
When Data and LaForge entered the Bridge, Picard began speaking immediately.
" Commander Riker has gone missing. I want you two to join with Worf in a thorough search for him, investigate Gamas VI with scanners and the entire solar system for all space traffic activities or strange phenomenon. I will be going down to the surface
with Counsellor Troi to speak with the Gamas VI Elect. If you discover anything contact me immediately. "
" Yes Captain. " They responded and moved off to join Worf.
The figures of the captain and counsellor solidified in the antechamber to the office of the Elect. His primary assistant Romo stepped forward.
" Greetings Captain Picard, Counsellor Troi. The Elect is honoured by this unexpected visit. If you will follow me. "
He turned opening the double doors and entered the revealed room. The Elect sat behind a large desk, he stood, moving forward to greet his guests from the Enterprise.
" Captain Picard, I did not expect to see you until this evening at the ceremonial dinner and Counsellor Troi, always a pleasure. "
" Something has occurred that requires immediate attention. I will get straight to the point. My first officer, Commander William Riker, left the Enterprise for the surface at 13:12 today. We have lost all contact with him and are unable to locate him wi
th our scanners. "
" But this is terrible. What do you suspect happened to your commander? "
Picard shrugged, " At the moment, everything. My crew are investigating the matter further. What I was hoping from you Elect, was that you notify your security force of this development. Perhaps Commander Riker suffered some accident shortly after arriv
ing on Gamas VI. Also I would like your co-operation in our inquiries about recent movement in this system. "
" Of course, Captain. I will have my people informed immediately. However, you can not suspect foul play? "
" As I stated previously Elect, I am considering all possible events. Thank you for your time, now I must return to the Enterprise. "
" Certainly Captain. I hope that this issue is resolved quickly and your commander returned safely to you. "
" Thank you Elect, as do I. " Picard reached up and tapped his communicator, " Two to beam up. "
As Picard and Troi stepped off the transporter pad and exited the room, Picard turned to Troi.
" Your observations, Counsellor. "
" The Elect and Romo were both shocked and concerned over your revelation Captain. I felt no hint of deceit or concealment from either of them. "
" I did not expect any. Gamas VI has been a long standing member of the Federation. Well, let's see what the others have discovered? "
