Star Trek The Next Generation The Gift: A Star Trek SI

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The rest of the year flies by as "Frame of Mind", "Suspicions", "Rightful Heir", and "Second Chances" all take place as they do in the series proper without any intervention from me. It is Christmas Eve 2369...my fourth Christmas now in the Star Trek universe, as once again I cook Turkey dinner for the senior staff, this has become something of a tradition now. All of us are enjoying ourselves. The next day I rest as I have taken a day of shore leave--I have several dozen days banked now...when all of a sudden...Red Alert goes off and I gather myself up off the couch and head to the bridge.

I enter the bridge and Captain Picard does so from his ready room at the same time.


"We've received a distress signal from the Ohniaka III Outpost. They say they're under attack." Riker tells Picard

"Ohniaka Three? There's no strategic value to that outpost. Were they able to identify the attackers?" Picard replies

"No, we haven't been able to raise them since the initial attack." Riker reports


"We are nearing the Ohnika System, sir." Worf reports

"Bring us out warp Ensign." Picard commands

We drop out of warp into normal space and Worf gives his report about the unidentified ship in orbit. Oh no.

"Captain..." I start to speak up

"Yes Mr. Young? Do you recognize that ship?"

I tug on my uniform as I stand up and nod.

"Yes sir, I do. It's a Borg ship."

Both Picard and Riker exchange glances at each other then Picard continues to press me.

"A Borg ship...it is unlike anything we have encountered before."

"Yes sir. I know. I recommend that we...do not engage them...the people on the outpost are dead. This was staged to lure us here...to lure...Data here."

Data turns around at that comment and everyone looks at him now.

The Borg ship realize that we haven't taken the bait like in the episode and begin firing on us. We return fire, and it has no effect on them as they set course for the Delta Quadrant using their transwarp drive. Picard orders us to pursue but we obvious lose them. Picard looks at me, then with more concern at Data.

"Senior Staff meeting immediately, Number One. Mr. Young."

"Aye sir."

We've encountered Lore's Borg, but Lore should have seen me coming. This may give us the advantage this time around, as all of us leave the bridge for the observation lounge.

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All of us file into the Conference Lounge, and Picard gestures for me to explain.

"Do you remember when Hugh was aboard last year?" I ask

"Of course." Picard replies

I lean back in my chair. I've spent all year trying to think of how to deal with Lore if that actually happened. Of course it was going to happen. How could it be otherwise? I need to be delicate here.

"As anticipated, Hugh was assimilated back into the Collective after his retrieval. The individuality he gained during his stay on the Enterprise, was passed throughout the Cube. This immediately set into effect a chain reaction with resulted with Hugh's entire Cube falling into disarray and cut off from the Collective proper." I begin

"That must've been terrifying for them." Deanna says and I nod

"It would have been...catastrophic. Suddenly cut off from the Collective and unable to properly process individuality...I have only a rudimentary idea of what they must have experienced due to my...own experience.. The ship unable to function due to none of the drones operating it...drifted in space, supposedly for weeks, until it was discovered by someone...someone unexpected."

"Lore." Data guesses and I see Commander Riker grimace at the mention of Lore's twisted brother

"Correct. Your brother discovered them afloat, chickens with their heads cut off, Lore made them an offer---one in which they were in no position to refuse at the time, he promised he would...help them, and due to their---confused status---was quickly able to assume leadership over them."

"Hugh wouldn't have supported or aided Lore." Geordi protests

"I agree, and he didn't. Hugh disproved of Lore's leadership, especially after the experiments started---and the fact that he quickly realized that Lore had no clue how to keep his promise to them. Lore and a few followers then went underground. We will need to seek him and his group out if we are to defeat Lore."

"What does any of this have to do with Data? You mentioned the attack was a trap to lure us out, to lure Data out. What is Lore's interest in his brother this time?" Beverly asks

I sigh and turn to Data.

"Sir, What is it that you want most in the entire universe?" I ask

"To become human." Data answers without hesitation

I then turn to the rest of them.

"But to also feel what it is to be human. To feel emotions. Lore knows this, and has been experimenting on the Borg---attempting to swap out their organic brains with a positronic one."

"Fundamentality altering the Collective...but again...what does this have to do with Data? Why were you adamant that we not engage them?" Picard asks

"Lore has converted a carrier wave on the modified Borg vessel he has commandeered. Creating it to send emotional subroutines to Data's emotion chip." I continue

"Enabling him to feel emotions." Deanna realizes and I nod again

"Correct. However, not just any emotions, because that would defeat Lore's purpose. Lore sends only anger and fear, creating confusion in Data, and an insatiable desire to join his brother to discover more of them."

"For what purpose?" Data asks

"To join him finally. To unite the Sons of Soong as Leaders of the Borg Collective to conquer the Alpha Quadrant, and usher in a new Positronic Era." I finish

"That's preposterous." Riker dismisses

"I have to agree with Commander Riker. I would never betray my oath to Starfleet." Data says

"No...but then you had no idea what you were dealing with, now I've just informed you. I suggest creating a firewall so that he is prevented from attempting anything." I suggest

"I am already creating a program, Captain?" Data looks at Picard who nods

"Make it so Mr. Data. How do we proceed against Lore, Mr. Young?" Picard prompts

I exhale again and rub my temple.

"I don't know. In the episode Data leaves, and Geordi and Deanna are captured. Now that we have in theory safeguarded Data from Lore...he will still want Data to go to him. I suggest we allow this to happen. I don't have the coordinates to their compound, so if we allow Data to go like before, we will be able to follow him. Data...you will have to put on a performance for your brother like you've never done before...do you think you're up to it?" I ask

"I will do my best, Ensign."

I nod. Data's best is better than most people's perfection.

"They used transwarp drive to head to the Delta Quadrant, as I have revealed in my initial report to Starfleet Intelligence, there are six known transwarp hubs they use. All connected by a massive sub-space network. Geordi will be able to figure out how to access it...and modify a shuttle for Data to leave, meanwhile Captain, I suggest that we put Starfleet on alert and form a task force. Lore will have his Borg take pot shots at us...again this is to lure us...and specifically Data to him...I suggest that we allow him to think that he's succeeding this time. I don't know if he knows about me, they will have Locutus in their databanks, but I'm unsure if that also means he has information concerning me."

"Very well...dismissed."

A few hours later Admiral Nechayev arrives on the USS Crazy Horse with a dozen or so other ships. I am called in to sit in on her briefing with Captain Picard. In the original episode proper of course, this is when Alynna chews out Picard for not using the virus on Hugh...the conversation takes place differently here.

"This is what you were hoping to prevent when you proposed the virus to the Admiralty wasn't it? Not just to stop the Borg's attempt to kidnap the Captain and their attack on Earth, but any future attacks?"

"Nevertheless we find ourselves in the situation that we are in now. What do you recommend we do about it, Ensign Young?"

"The plan is to allow Commander Data to leave the ship. We will follow him to Lore's compound and deal with him there."

"That's it? That sounds like there too many variables for this to work as smoothly as you suggest, Mr. Young. What if Lore is able to override Data's firewall and take control of him like he did in the episode?" she asks

"I have faith that Captain Picard and the others won't let that happen. Having Data uncorrupted as a double agent...sort to speak...is huge for the program. Lore won't expect it...and Data will help us turn the tables on his brother."

"This is a calculated risk Ensign..."

"Yes sir it is. Given what actually happens in the episode, and what I'm attempting to prevent, I'm willing to take it...just as much as you risked when you recommended me for promotion to Acting Ensign."

Both Picard and the Admiral look at me with astonished looks. I love when people underestimate my intelligence.

"I figured it out a few weeks ago. Captain Picard would potentially consider a promotion like this, since he gave one to Mr. Crusher---however not to someone like me who wasn't ready to receive it. No doubt that you did have your conversation with Counsellor Troi and Commander Riker, but this would have had to come from someone who wanted it to happen...and frankly I don't have that many allies in the Admiralty. This was based on your recommendation wasn't it sir?" I ask Alynna directly and she allows a small smile


"It would seem that we have something of a detective in our midst, Captain. Perhaps I should recommend you for Intelligence work. You are correct Mr. Young. I did recommend you for promotion, there are a few of us, and I admit that it is a small group, you've pissed off a lot of others in the Admiralty, that have admired your gumption and ambition. I have reviewed your academic progress thus far and under the circumstances it is most impressive. We would like to see you continue moving forward in this career, Mr. Young so I highly suggest you don't fuck it up."

"Aye sir."

"I will approve your plan, Mr. Young, but I recommend extreme caution. Lore is at best, unpredictable even for you, and we know next to nothing about these new Borg. Do what you must to end this..."

After the Admiral leaves the ready room. I make my request of the Captain.

"Sir, I realize this is an unusual request---but I want permission to accompany one of the away teams down to the surface." I formally request

"Absolutely not." Picard replies as I expected

"Sir...I have passed all my security training. I will be assigned to Lieutenant Morani's grouping. I will be well protected and observed. I need to do this." I plead

"Why?" Picard asks

"Geordi, Deanna, and yourself are captured by Lore. He tortures Geordi and makes adjustments to his visor. I promised myself if these events happened again, along with Data, I would make sure that didn't happen to Geordi."

Picard sees the earnestness in my eyes and makes a decision.

"Report to Lt. Worf, Mr. Young. You're dismissed." he says and I spin around and leave

All right Lore. What do you have in store for us???