Boogeymen - Mel Gilden [56]
“Bridge to Captain Picard,” Wesley said.
“Here, Mr. Crusher.”
“Enterprise has dropped out of warp a hundred thousand klicks off Tantamon Four.”
The twinkle came again. “Sickbay to Dr. Crusher.” It was a male voice Picard did not know.
Dr. Crusher looked at Picard wonderingly and said, “Go ahead, Birnberg.”
“Doctor, the sleepers are awakening.”
“And demanding breakfast, no doubt,” Riker said.
“Why, yes, sir.”
“Feed them,” said Dr. Crusher. “Give them anything they want that the food slots are willing to produce. But don’t let them fall back asleep. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Captain?” Wesley said.
“Patience, Mr. Crusher. Doctor, it is still important for you to find a way to neutralize the Martinez node. We don’t want to be at the mercy of the d’Ort’d.”
“Aye, sir.”
Even before she was gone, Picard said, “Mr. Crusher?”
“Here, sir.”
“Make standard orbit around Tantamon Four. The answers to all our questions may be here.”
Riker said, “Mr. Worf.”
“Here, sir.”
“Put guards at all transporters and shuttle bays. We don’t want anyone leaving the ship on a d’Ort’d whim.”
“Aye, sir. Bridge out.”
“What should I do?” Shubunkin said.
“Come with me,” Picard said. “We’re going to sickbay.”
Chapter Twelve
GETTING TO SICKBAY was an adventure. First the turbolift went very fast. Then it went very slowly. Then it rattled along, shaking from side to side like a car in an old-fashioned steam-powered train.
The turbolift stopped first at deck eleven, and a Boogeyman said, “All ashore that’s going ashore! We won!”
“Deck twelve,” Picard said in what he hoped was a convincing way. The doors closed, and the lift dropped a floor as if the cables had been cut. The turbolift had no cables, but that was what it felt like. The doors opened and then shut quickly, almost pinching Picard in half as he exited into the corridor.
Sickbay was nearly empty by the time he and Shubunkin got there. Dr. Crusher, Counselor Troi, and a few orderlies were moving among those still in bed, mostly children, giving comfort where they could. When Picard approached Troi, see was hugging a small blond girl, rocking with her, telling her that everything would be all right. Troi saw the captain and Shubunkin and said to the little girl, “There. You’ll be fine now. Why don’t you lie down until you feel ready to go home?”
The little girl sniffed and nodded and did as she was told.
Picard and Shubunkin spoke with Troi near an empty bed where they would be out of the way. “What’s wrong with them?” Picard said, a little more gruffly than he had planned.
“Nothing, physically, as far as Dr. Crusher can determine. But if this little girl’s dreams were anything like mine, she has a right to be frightened.”
“Tell me about the dreams,” Shubunkin said.
Troi looked off and frowned. She shook her head and said, “Very alien. Mostly swirling colors. The perspective seemed all wrong, somehow.”
“Wrong?” Shubunkin said.
“It would be like explaining sight to a blind person.” Troi almost smiled and then shook her head. “Part of the dream was a powerful longing for home.”
“Home?” said Picard. “Betazed?”
“Nothing so specific, Captain. But we all felt a definite desire to return to a place that is far away in time and space.”
Picard said, “Perhaps that’s why you and the others were pushing Enterprise at warp eight.”
“I thought that was just a rumor,” Troi said unhappily.
“It is all too real, I assure you. We need to know how it was done, not only because in itself it is a tremendous scientific discovery, but because we want to prevent the d’Ort’d from doing it to us again.”
Troi thought for a few moments, then shook her head. “I’m sorry, Captain. It’s all very vague.”
“Try,” Picard said.
“Try,” Shubunkin said.
Troi sighed and said, “We changed the way we looked at the universe and imposed that new perspective on the ship.”
“Explain this new perspective,” Picard and Shubunkin said together.
“I’m sorry,” Troi said, looking as if she meant it. “I cannot.” Her hands moved restlessly.