Boogeymen - Mel Gilden [20]
Embarrassed and horrified by his Boogeymen, Wesley said, “No breakthroughs, sir.”
“You look unwell,” Data said.
“I’ll be fine. But I think this is all my fault.”
“Turbolift,” Picard called out, “temporary halt.”
The turbolift stopped, but its mechanism continued to hum around them.
Data said, “I cannot allow you to take full responsibility, Wesley. After all, I used the Borders scale to design the Boogeymen.”
“Sure. To my specifications.”
Picard said, “Gentlemen, please. At the moment, laying blame is not as important as finding a solution to our problem. Empirical observation forces us to make certain assumptions. Either we must admit the possibility of what we know to be impossible, or—”
“Or,” Data said, “we must assume we are still on the holodeck.”
“But we left the holodeck,” Wesley said. The captain was right about not having time for recriminations, but that did not prevent Wesley from feeling guilty. If they ever got out of this, he’d have to find some way to apologize and, more important, make sure nothing like this ever happened again.
Considering, Data said, “We left a holodeck simulation of the bridge and entered an area that looked like a ship’s corridor. Is it not possible that one is as unreal as the other?”
They contemplated that possibility for a few minutes. Wesley was glad to be on the turbolift. It gave him a certain amount of security, even if it was as fake as everything else apparently was.
“Your hypothesis is easily tested,” Picard finally said. He called out, “Arch.”
Before them an arch appeared. It looked like a slice of corridor. Using it, they could adjust the holodeck computer without leaving the holodeck. Picard said, “If you would be so kind, Mr. Data,” and gestured toward the touch pad.
Data walked under the arch and said, “Computer.” There was the familiar auditory twinkle and Data continued, “Tell me the present locations of Captain Picard, Ensign Crusher, and Commander Data.”
The computer said, “They are in turbolift seven between decks three and four.”
Picard looked unhappy, which was how Wesley supposed he himself looked. Picard said, “Computer. Exit holodeck.”
Holodeck doors appeared in the turbolift wall. The three men stared at them skeptically.
Wesley said, “I guess we can’t trust the computer.”
“We can trust only ourselves,” Picard said. Neither he nor Wesley stepped toward the exit. Beyond it beckoned a normal-looking corridor. It seemed to be empty.
“Shall we go?” Data said.
Picard said, “There is no guarantee that the corridor before us is any more real than the one from which we just escaped.”
“And more Boogeymen could be waiting around the corner.”
Data frowned. He said, “Our choice is clear. We can either stay here for the test of our lives, or we can search for a solution to our problem.”
“Right you are, Mr. Data.” Picard strode forward, Wesley and Data a few feet behind him. Suddenly three Boogeymen leapt out at the captain. He managed to twist away from them, and they went after Wesley and Data.
As he fought, Wesley felt himself losing control of his emotions. He cried with fear and frustration. Data stunned one of the Boogeymen with a roundhouse punch, and Picard used a two-handed fist to knock away the one harassing Wesley. Someone was pulling Wesley along, and then they were back inside a turbolift. He leaned against a wall, shaking.
“Emergency hold between decks three and four,” Picard said. The turbolift began to move, but stopped a short time later.
“Are you all right, Mr. Crusher?” Picard said.
Wesley tried to stand up straight. He smiled and blinked and said, “I guess I shouldn’t have designed them to resemble creatures I had nightmares about when I was a little kid.”
Picard looked surprised, then gave Wesley an understanding smile and said, “You’re to be commended for wanting to meet your ancient fears head on.” He shrugged. “Though perhaps these were not the best circumstances for it.” Picard seemed uncomfortable.