Boogeymen - Mel Gilden [71]
“That is quite probably true,” Data said.
“When we have time to give commendations, Mr. Data shall receive one. So shall you all. But right now I hope you have good news for me.”
“Maybe, Captain,” La Forge said.
The deck began to roll like the deck of an ocean-going vessel. “More gravity fluctuations,” Data said.
“And,” said Worf, “the temperature is dropping.”
“Report, Mr. La Forge,” Riker said.
“Yes, sir. Data suggested that if we simplify the interface codes between input and the mainframe’s first lobe, a machete program would be able to delete the Boogeyman-d’Ort’d virus.”
“You mean the entire program, not just the Boogeyman part of it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Riker and Picard frowned. Worf’s expression was unreadable. Riker said, “We could still send the original d’Ort’d program back to the teardrop on Tantamon Four.”
“Absolutely,” said La Forge.
“I’m afraid you don’t understand,” Picard said. “The d’Ort’d program in our computer is not just an artifact of an alien culture. It embodies the aliens themselves.” It was definitely getting colder. Picard wondered how long that would matter.
“You mean,” said Wesley, “the d’Ort’d race is a computer program?” La Forge and Data shared his amazement.
La Forge said, “When we have a little free time, I’d like somebody to explain that.”
Wesley shook his head. “For the purposes of the machete program it doesn’t matter if the d’Ort’d are a race or a computer program or what. We can erase the Boogeymen-d’Ort’d combination and then send the original infowafer d’Ort’d back to Tantamon Four.”
Data said, “The problem is not that simple, Wesley. The original in Worf’s safe would have no knowledge of anything the d’Ort’d program experienced aboard Enterprise.”
“Yes,” said Picard, “and such knowledge would certainly be useful if the Federation and the d’Ort’d are ever to understand each other.” In his own mind Picard was weighing the importance of good Federation-d’Ort’d relations against the safety of his ship. Ultimately, if the Enterprise was destroyed, both updated and original d’Ort’d programs would be destroyed with it, benefiting nobody. Only the copy in the teardrop on Tantamon IV would still exist, and it would have no knowledge of Enterprise or of the Federation. Picard could choose to save the Enterprise or to save nothing at all.
Still, to destroy an entire race, or even a copy of an entire race, was horrible. All his Starfleet training, including the Kobayashi Maru scenario, had not prepared him to make such a monumental decision.
Picard said, “How long would it take you to implement your plan?”
La Forge said, “If Data’s calculations are correct—and they always are—about fifteen minutes.”
Picard glanced at Riker, who was watching him, waiting for the word, probably not envying him this decision. The captain said, “Very well. Mr. Data, do everything you must, right up to the point where you activate the machete program. You will do that only on my command.”
“Aye, sir. Given the current state of the Enterprise, I believe that I will have greater success if I input the new interface codes directly instead of through a terminal.”
“Right you are, Mr. Data. Be careful.” Picard smiled. “An d please send everyone on holodeck three my regards.”
Riker said, “I think, given the condition of our comlink, we should all stay together so we can coordinate our efforts.”
“Very good, Number One. Mr. La Forge, Mr. Crusher, you have the more difficult but, in the end, more satisfying task.”
“I know, sir,” said La Forge. “You want us to look for a way to untangle the Boogeymen from the d’Ort’d.”
“You must keep trying till the last possible moment.”
“Aye, sir. What is it, Wes?”
Wesley seemed reluctant to speak, so Picard said, “What is it, Mr. Crusher? We have no time for delicacy.”
“We can’t just untangle the Boogeymen from the d’Ort’d. Without the d’Ort’d influence holding them back, the Boogeymen will carry out their prime function, which is to destroy the Enterprise.”
Picard looked inquisitively at La Forge.
La Forge said, “Then we’ll just have to find a way to erase the Boogeymen