Star Trek: Ascension-Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Levelle sits in the command chair of the Enterprise with the bridge crew at their stations busy coordinating with the repair teams.

"Commander," Torak calls from tactical, "the Titan is hailing us."

"On speakers," he replies confidently.

A moment later Barclay's anxious voice permeates the bridge, "Enterprise, we've got communications online. But we've been unable to contact the bridge."

"What about using internal scanners?" Levelle checks, "are they online yet?"

"Not yet," Barclay's answers, the Enterprise command crew listening intently. "We should have access to the command functions shortly, though."

*

Within the matrix, Data waits outside sickbay as the last of the crewman strolling through the corridors steps out of view. He checks the computer interface band that lines the corridor for other crewmen in the area and finds the passage is clear. "Arch; computer, execute Picard Data alpha."

Data's matrix persona is transformed into a young crewman in his mid twenties. A moment later the matrix Picard exits sickbay and is politely stopped by the young man.

"What can I do for you, lieutenant?" the facsimile asks impatiently.

"I am returning your communicator to you, sir," Data states, offering the captain the com-badge. "I found it in the corridor on deck eight and the computer said it was yours."

The matrix Picard takes the communicator and presses it. The badge chirps, opening a com-channel.

"Computer, confirm issue for this com-badge."

"This com-badge is issued to Captain Jean-Luc Picard."

The matrix captain looks at the disguised Data with surprise. "Thank you, lieutenant."

"You are welcome, sir," Data replies without moving, monitoring Captain Picard's matrix counterpart continue down the corridor intent on ship's business.

"Arch," Data says before the captain can round the corner. "Computer, execute Picard Data beta."

In mid stride the captain is caught up in a transporter beamed and carried away.

He materializes within the steamy jungle setting of Worf's calisthenics program. The floor is crawling with tiny creatures and on all sides holographic foes are engaged in ferocious battles with small alien monsters. Hearing a hideous hiss behind him, the matrix Picard turns to face an enormous version of the monster standing over him. With lightning speed, it lunges.

*

At the same moment his manufactured counterpart is being dispatched Captain Picard steps out of the turbolift and onto the bridge of the galaxy class Enterprise. He pauses at the threshold in wonder at the memory come to life. All his old comrades stand ready at their stations just as they had years ago when he lived in the distraction of command and duty. Now those collections of moments lay under many years worth of other moments, the later not so overlooked by him recently. He drinks it all in anew, impressed at how well the program has matched the aging of his friends, before moving toward the center of the bridge. "Report."

Commander Data rises from the command chair and replaces the crewman at the operations station just as he had a thousand other times back on the real Enterprise those years ago. "We have yet to determine a way of penetrating the field. Continued malfunctions have been reported throughout the ship, and several crewmembers have been reported missing."

"Captain," Counselor Troi's doppelganger addresses dreadfully in perfect pitch from her seat next to his. "The computer has been unable to locate Commander Riker or Lt. Worf."

"Computer," Picard calls, "location of Commander Riker and Lt. Worf?"

"Commander Riker and Lt. Worf are not aboard the Enterprise."

"Counselor?" Picard checks.

The matrix Troi shakes her head with somber eyes.

"Helm, lay in a return course to the quadrant armada," the captain orders.

Around him his command crew exchanges expressions of surprise and reservation.

"We're leaving?" Troi blurts, giving voice to the astonishment of the bridge crew.

"Our mission will not be successful if we maintain this course of action, counselor," Picard explains, realizing that the matrix crew had probably been rallied into a dare devil expedition by their captain and that from their perspective he is breaking character. "This distortion of space is claiming members of my crew. I will not risk more."

"There are currently fifty-three members of the Enterprise crew unaccounted for," Data interjects from his observation at the ops station.

The matrix version of Counselor Troi turns to Picard, tears welling in her eyes, "We just can't leave them! There must be something we can do!"

"What do you suggest, counselor?" the captain retorts, surprised at how easily he is drawn in by the integrity of the program. "That we risk the loss of the entire crew when even the quadrant's greatest minds have no clue as how to combat this phenomenon?"

Troi looks down at her hands, the tears in her eyes welling over their borders and running down her face, trying to regain her composure. "I'm sorry, captain."

Picard sets his attention on the helm, glancing at Data who gives a reassuring nod. "Helm; engage."

With the margins of the matrix moving away from the degradation with the Enterprise's new heading he stands and walks to his ready room, turning around at the entryway to look once again at Troi and the command crew. "Commander Data, you have the bridge."

As the doors to the ready room close behind him Picard moves slowly touring the office. The sofa where so many conversations and counsels had taken place and above it the painting of the Enterprise D commissioned by the designers at Utopia Planitia for the commissioning ceremony. He moves through the soft light to his old desk and runs his hand along the cherry edge and then looks up to watch Livingston's ghost drift with ethereal disinterest in his bulbous tank. Picard moves behind the desk and stands, as he had so many times before, in front of the full-length window. While gazing at the stars soaring by, he catches a reflection in the transparency and turns around quickly.

"I've always wanted to meet you," Alden says, standing in front the desk dressed in the black shouldered, red breasted captain's uniform.

Picard moves slowly back to his seat behind the desk, assessing the lieutenant with the sharp eyes of experience. "I would have preferred another method of introduction."

"I didn't want you here, captain," Alden snaps as if provoked.

"Can you return me to Professor Moriarty?" Picard begins carefully.

Alden laughs and sits in the chair in front of the desk. "You don't understand, do you?"

"Understand?"

"It's all so easy," Alden muses leaning forward and focuses on Picard with a raised hand. An apple appears atop his fingers without the showmanship and pageantry that a Q would have displayed. "You see, I can do what ever I want here. Be whatever I want. I know how. You don't."

Alden bites into the apple and behind him alien phantoms appear and fluctuate in and out of sight, each of them chewing the bite of apple as Alden grins maliciously. The images disappear abruptly when Picard begins to speak.

"We have got to get out of here. You are well aware of the condition of this holographic matrix."

Alden tosses the apple into the air where it vanishes as quickly as it appeared. "That's what Moriarty says. He thinks you know the way, but you don't."

"But you do, don't you," Picard leads in a cautious tone. "Perhaps if we contact Moriarty, we can find a mutually beneficial solution."

"Mutually beneficial?" the young man scoffs, looking at Picard with a face drawn in contempt. "I didn't do this to benefit anyone but myself. I'm through with orders. Now is my time to benefit, captain."

"But you will not benefit, lieutenant! You will perish" Picard rebuffs, tired of fencing with the juvenile mentality. "Regardless of whatever kind of control you may have attained here you cannot control the degradation of this holographic matrix!"

As if slapped in the face Alden stands, throwing back his chair, and faces Picard with clenched teeth and balled fists. The ready room is wiped away as if it were truly just another holodeck re-creation. However, like newer paint being removed to reveal the color underneath, the scenario's deletion broadcast the scene behind the scenes. Picard finds himself with Alden surrounded by giant, cartoonish characters looming over them. Disfigured caricatures of Alden's parents, Captain Riker, Troi, officers he has worked under in the past, teachers and professors. All towering, crowding around them with shrill, maniacal voices taunting him with his weaknesses and failures. Their voices rise horribly. Their eyes and exaggerated faces contort in spite. Fingers wagging, pointing, prodding incessantly. The scene rises to a feverish pitch and Alden sinks to his knees with his hands over his ears. "Enough!"

With a wide fanning motion, he sweeps his hands back and the huge figures melt into gruesome pools of blood, flesh, and bones. The grotesque lumps of flesh ignite, encircling Picard and Alden in a high ring of fire. Alden stands, his mad eyes stained with tears and shakes his fist at Picard. "I can! I will! I will find a way!"

Picard assesses him with new understanding. Compassion washes over his features and he steps up to Alden, gently putting his hands on Alden's arms and looking him in the eyes. "The past can be a merciless tormentor. So much loss, so much pain, but there is a better way."

Alden throws off Picard's hands, stepping back and turning away, looking into the flames. His posture stiffens and he takes a deep breath. "I know. I've found it. I can be anything I want to be here. Do whatever I want."

Picard takes a careful step towards Alden. "No. This is an illusion, a narcotic, and it will destroy you in the end. You deserve more than this."

Alden turns to Picard with a sneer. "Everything is an illusion, captain! Reality is merely a figment of our sensory perceptions! From now on I will choose the reality that I want!"

Dark, sinister clouds, unnoticed during the fervor of their exchange, loom in the gray distant nothingness ever closer. It is only the break of their distant rumbling beyond the flames that catches the attention of Picard and Alden. They watch in suspended fascination the crepuscular clouds roll toward them. Within the seething black billows fire rolls like embers hidden in ash, churning and seething in their swell. Lightning in hues of red flames arch and strike amid the thunder heralding a black silhouette leading fray. The figure approaches with an unnatural swiftness. Alden and Picard peer through the flames to find themselves staring at the hard and bitter face of Professor Moriarty.

*

Data stands in the midst of the biological archive, having been thrown out of the matrix with Alden's deletion of the Enterprise scenario. The files of life forms scroll past him as he orients himself within the archive and takes the opportunity to attempt to delve deeper into the functions of the machine.

A luminescent plate appears below him and he descends as if on an invisible lift. It ushers him into the depth of the software, textured with holographic conduits, circuits, and pillars of light. Brushing his hand in one of the beams a console appears before him.