Metamorphosis - Jean Lorrah [6]
“Therefore the Enterprise is proceeding-His There was a flicker on Data’s board, the tumbling numbers halting so briefly before resuming that even jthe ship’s computer did not note it. Data said, “Cap’tain, instruments show a variation in warp speed.”
“What?” Picard sprang forward to look over the [*thorngg’android’s shoulder as Data replayed the readings. The ,captain punched the communications button. “Engi-beneering! Why did we have a drop in power?”
“No drop in power, sir, was came Geordi La Forge’s equals voice, sounding somewhat puzzled. “Engines are running at optimum. his “Continuing at normal speed, Captain,” Data reported, punching up current reports from all systems. “The fluctuation in velocity did not originate within the ship. There was a temporary change in the gravitational field of this area of space.”
“How?” Geordi asked. “What’s going on up there, Data? Giant meteor go by or something?”
“Nothing so obvious,” Data replied, too concerned that his instruments gave no answers to remind Geordi that it would have been the Enterprise going by a lwdy in space-not the reverse-Something rower1”ul enough to afect the speed of a Galaxy-61,99 starship, even for a nanosecond, ought to be instantly obvious. Instead, scans showed this sector of space normal, as charted. “Well, Mr.
Data?” Picard demanded.
Data shook his head. He was thoroughly familiar with the feeling of frustration; it usually came when he exercised his primary function as the perfect data-retrieval instrument, and the captain cut him off in midreport. Now, though, he experienced the reverse: he was unable to provide information the captain wanted.
“Instruments show all systems normal,” Data said as he studied the replay of the fluctuation.
“Sensors indicate only that there was a brief surge of-was “Shh!” the captain interrupted, laying his hand on Data’s shoulder. This time the shift was stronger: a faint, momentary difference in the subliminal hum of warp travel. It was gone in an instant, but Data’s perfect memory automatically recorded it. Whatever it was, it was real. Now Will Riker stepped forward to stand behind the captain. “Whatever that was,” he said, “it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.”
“What’re you guys doing up there?” Geordi’s voice demanded. “Slaloming around star systems?”
“Engineer, transfer to the bridge. Captain out.” Picard turned back to Data. “That was a gravitational anomaly.”
“Agreed, sir. However, saying so is merely to label equals t, riot to define it.”
“Then define it, Commander!”
“I am trying, sir.” Data set the ship’s sensors to scan at the broadest range, attempting to determine the source of the surges.
Two minutes passed before another occurred, but this time Data pinpointed its origin. “Powerful electromagnetic and gravitational fluxes are being generItted in the vicinity of the planet Elysia.”
“Elysia?” Riker asked. “A century ago they had a Simple agricultural society. The survey report indicated nothing to suggest the birth of industry, let oLlone a technology that could produce that kind of power.” “It may not be artificially induced,” Data said as he refocused the sensors. “Possibly the planet is undergoing natural gravitational stresses. If so, the populace may need our help.”
“If their … gods do not object,” muttered Picard. “What can you find out, Data?”
“I have focused all sensors on Elysia.
We ought to be fible to determine the epicenter of-was i “Captain!” Worf interrupted. “We are intercepting radio transmission. Subspace, but not Starfleet frequency.”
“From Elysia?” Riker asked.
“Open all frequencies,” the captain instructed. “It is from the direction of Elysia,” Worf confirmed, phanging the configuration of his board so that the Enterprise could receive any broadcast, not merely Starfleet transmissions.
“Dare! I can’t hold course!” came a voice over the bridge speaker. “We’re caught, too. Hang on, Poet! Maintain-was “I know those people,” Captain Picard said in a tone Data recognized as meaning that he could not place the circumstances