Deanna & Riker Take Over (Part Two)

Guest Poster: Beverly Crusher

As Jean-Luc is thrown in to the Sickbay by Deanna and Riker, they smile at me.

"You two lovebirds can stay imprisoned in here, while we pilot the ship." says Deanna, "You ought to thank us for keeping you together."

"You'll never get away with it!" I tell them, "Starfleet will soon be on your trail; don't you realise that Sloan hypnotised you with that sleeper message. You are acting under his willpower."

They both give a typically evil laugh, like the villains that they've been turned into.

"On the contrary, Beverly." Riker answers, "He has opened our eyes to the truth. The crew are all locked in their quarters, and the Enterprise can be run on autopilot. When we get to the rendevous point with Sloan and the rest of Section 31, they will fit a cloaking mechanism to the ship."

"That's illegal" pipes up Jean-Luc, "The Treaty of Algeron strictly prohibits the use of cloaks on Federation vessels."

"That is true, Picard." answers Riker, "But Section 31 isn't a group that follows things by the book; besides, technically, they don't exist. The group will be able to carry a few subversive attacks on groups we don't particularly like, and none will be any the wider. Sloan tells me we have quite a few to get through!"

They both do another evil laugh and leave.

"Well, what do we do now, Jean-Luc?" I ask as we assess the situation, "We've got to regain control of the ship."



He thinks for a moment; I'm not sure if his expression reads 'I've got an idea' or 'I haven't a clue'. Unfortunally, they look very alike.

"Perhaps we could contact Seven?" he suggests, "Where is she now?"

"I thought of that." I tell him, "According to the computer, she is regenerating in her alcove, and they have circumvented the controls so her auto alarm clock has been switched off."

Then a thought occurs to me; we might have the answer right here.

"What about the EMH Doctor?" I suggest, "Since we've had holographic projectors fitted throughout the ship, he should be able to go through the ship and sabotage what they do."

"Well done, Bev!" exclaims Jean-Luc, and kisses me.

I ought to try and get a few more good idea in the future!

I activate the EMH.

"What is the nature of your medical emergency" he exclaims, then looks disappointed when he sees it is only us.

We explain the situation to him, then the Doctor smiles.

"Oh, I see all too clear." he tells us, "You keep me switched off and only activate me when there is something you can't handle. Once it's done, you switch me off again until the next time, or when you want the Sickbay sweeping up; I tell you this, it might be to my advantage Riker and Troi taking over. Perhaps Section 31 will treat me with a little more respect than you do and.."

"Look!" exclaims Jean-Luc, "What also may happen is that Section 31 might reprogram you, remove the holoprojectors or delete your program."

The Doctor pauses for a moment to weigh up the situation.

"Very well." he says, "I'll do it."

To be continued...