The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [41]
“Speaking of that, Doctor Pulaski, how are you and Mister Data coming along with our uninvited guests?”
Data started to answer and then paused, as though seeking Pulaski’s permission. She gave a small motion for him to proceed. Fatigue was setting in now that the crisis was over, and letting Data do the report suited her fine.
The android nodded, then turned to Captain Picard. “We have completed the preliminary examination of this new race, Captain. As best we can tell, they live outside of our time continuum, which is why we have had so much trouble communicating with them.”
“I don’t understand, Data. They live ‘outside our time continuum’?” Counselor Troi’s question echoed on many of the faces around the table.
“Our research suggests that something or someone has altered their bodies as well as the materials of their ship. Based on our calculations, their atomic structures vibrate exactly two-point-three-four seconds faster than the universal standards of time. They’re literally out of sync with the rest of the universe.”
Picard leaned forward in his chair. “How could such a thing be possible?”
“I believe I can answer that, Captain.”
Picard turned to his hulking security chief. “Please do so, Mister Worf.”
“We have inspected the intruders’ ship. Going through their logs, we’ve determined the beings are known as the Cizinec. We learned that a temporal anomaly struck their planetary system. The survivors found their world altered by the time wave. Unable to communicate or interact with other beings in this sector, they turned to salvage or raiding to survive.”
“It is true we have had difficulty communicating directly with them, Captain,” Data continued, building on Worf’s information. “Indeed, this is what confused not only our sensors but our own eyes. We were seeing where they were two seconds ago. This rendered both our phaser fire and physical attacks ineffective. Thanks to Doctor Pulaski’s observations, I have been able to alter the sensors to compensate. It is similar to the technique used to track the movement of stars through space by watching the blueshift and redshift, which, as you know, is how astronomers see in what direction and how fast a star is moving through space.”
Picard held up a hand to cut off Data’s lesson in astronomy. “Very good, Mister Data. Do you believe we’ll be able to establish communications with them?”
“We are setting up terminals in the brig in hopes of establishing a way to take the time difference into account. I am certain by the time we reach Starbase 28, I will be able to converse with them, at least digitally.”
Jean-Luc smiled at the crew. “With any luck, we’ll be able to aid the Cizinec and put an end to their raiding. Mister La Forge, have their ship brought aboard and store it in one of the shuttlebays. Well done, everyone. Dismissed.”
As one, the officers rose and headed toward the door, except for Commander Riker, who rose only when Pulaski reached his seat on her way out. “Doctor, could I speak to you for a moment?”
Pulaski tensed, but she sensed Riker didn’t want a fight. “Of course, Commander.”
Will waited for the room to clear and then spoke. “I’d like to congratulate you on your actions today. I’ve recommended you to the captain for a commendation both for your personal bravery and for the actions of your emergency team.”
Pulaski bit back her usual caustic response. No sense in making this any harder than it already is. “I’m flattered, Commander, but it’s not necessary. If anything, it should go to Lieutenant La Forge for having the foresight to prepare those reserve batteries.