Boogeymen - Mel Gilden [21]
“Right. Computer, take us to the bridge.”
The turbolift began to move again. Picard said, “Any idea what to expect, Data?”
“None whatsoever, sir. To guess without information seems pointless.”
The turbolift stopped, and the doors hissed open. Picard stepped onto the bridge and fell into a martial arts crouch. Three Boogeymen were in the command seats. The one in the center jumped up and cried, “Intruders! Get them!” The other two ran toward the turbolift.
Picard pushed Wesley and Data back into the turbolift as he retreated. The doors closed and Picard said, “Deck ten.”
Data said, “The main computer, sir?”
“Yes. It may be no more real than the arch, but it still may be able to tell us something about this holo-universe. Also, I’m hoping that somehow we can break through to the real Enterprise. How are you getting on, Mr. Crusher?”
“All right, sir.” Sure. As right as can be expected when meeting one of your worst fears in the flesh. The captain was correct: it was unfortunate Wesley had used an old nightmare as the model for the aliens. But Wesley was a lot older now than when he’d had those terrible dreams. He’d designed the Boogeymen in the form of his old nightmares because he’d been convinced he could successfully face them. Having seen them, he was shaky but optimistic.
The corridor on deck ten was as deserted as the others they’d been on. Ten Forward was deserted. Not even any Boogeymen were in sight. That had to mean something. Wesley thought about this as they walked quickly to the main computer.
Every so often Picard stopped, touched a companel, and asked it where they were. None of the companels worked and Picard wondered why, if the turbolifts and the arch worked.
Data said, “Difficult to say, Captain, not knowing exactly what is wrong with the holodeck computer.”
The captain kept trying. This holo-Enterprise looked like his ship, and at some primal level, down in the base of his brain, Wesley thought Picard still believed that it was his ship. The components ought to work even though all his logic told him there was no chance.
Hoping to redeem himself in Picard’s eyes, Wesley said, “Sir, have you noticed how deserted the ship seems to be?”
“Not deserted enough,” Picard said.
“Even the Boogeymen,” Wesley said. “We’ve never seen more than three at a time.”
Data said, “The number may be coincidental. Or it may be the result of a glitch in the program. It may mean nothing at all.”
“Everything is evidence,” Picard said.
“I was not disputing that fact. I was merely suggesting that the evidence may not be helpful.”
Picard touched a companel and said, “Picard to Riker.”
A moment passed, and Wesley thought this companel was as dead as all the others Picard had tried. Then a voice said, “Riker here, Captain.” The voice could have been Riker’s. Wesley smiled and even Data brightened.
“Number One, Commander Data and Ensign Crusher and I are trapped on holodeck three. Have Mr. La Forge attempt to shut down the holodeck computer.” He glanced around and said, “And just to be on the safe side, send Mr. Worf with a contingent of security guards.”
“Security guards?”
“Difficult to explain, Number One.”
“Aye, Captain. Security guards.”
As Picard stepped back from the companel to let it know he was done, he said to Data, “Perhaps you can reach the main computer through this companel.”
Data stepped forward, touched the panel, and said, “Computer.”
There was no response. Data called the computer again, and once more nothing happened. “Most puzzling,” Data said. “Perhaps the panel is able to act only as a person-to-person communication device.” He touched the companel again and said, “Data to La Forge.”
Before La Forge had a chance to answer—if the companel had made contact at all—they heard scuffling behind them. In a moment, three more Boogeymen galloped down on them wearing the uniforms of Enterprise security guards.
In a hellish parody of Worf’s voice, the lead Boogeyman cried,