Beamed into Star Trek

Chapter 21: Time distortion

...Enterprise...

...About 3 months after the events at Far Point...

"Captain, we have come across a unusual...thing," Riker said.

"Thing?" Picard asked.

"That's the only way we can describe it," Riker said.

Data is currently, along with Worf, visiting a 'tactical skill fighting' convention on a planet about one week away. However the Enterprise had been drawn away by a large and strange bubble. It was detected earlier by a Ensign in Data's usual seat. Picard looked toward the screen a where a massive dark bubble outlined in shape almost resembling a wormhole. Close to the bubble is a Constitution classed ship that is seemingly a drift.

"Hail them," Picard said.

"No response," Yar said.

"Perhaps we should get closer," Picard said. "Get closer to the ship."

Somehow, in someway, the Enterprise nicked the side of the bubble making it through various colors displayed on screen. Everyone held on to their seats at least startled by this development. The Enterprise came to a stop now more closer to the Constitution class. Only thing is the Constitution class is now hailing them!

"We are being hailed, sir," Yar said.

"On screen," Picard said.

The screen flickered to show a Constitution classed bridge.

"This is--" The man in the seat stopped dead in his sentence and it clearly registered in the minds of the Bridge crew that the voice coming out of his mouth was that of Data's. The man smiled standing up. "So that is where you've been for 700 years."

"700 years?" Picard said.

"The year is 3064, and I am Captain Data Soong of the USS La Forge," Soong said. "Call me Soong, please."

Geordi is currently not on the bridge.

"How is that possible?" Picard asked. "We were en route to adrift space ship."

"I can explain," Soong said. "In a shuttle. I will meet you half way. Data out."

The screen turned black.

"Number One," Picard said. "It seems we should have not gone after the ship after all."

"Half way?" Riker asked. "No way you are going alone."

"I will go with," Yar said.

"Respectfully;no," Picard said. "This is Data's other self and he is not a risk to anyone."

...15 minutes later...

...Shuttle...

"I wish you would have stayed aboard the Enterprise," Picard said.

"No way I am not standing by," Yar said, being the pilot.

Picard sighed.

"Data is not at all harmful," Picard said.

"Sir, this is a different Data," Yar said. "He may be unpredictable."

"Only when he needs to," Picard said.

They came to a stop in front of the other shuttle that is equipped with armor, rockets, and shielded windows. Picard in a moment disappeared off the El-Baz. He found himself inside a perfectly gray inside of the other shuttle. He is sitting down in the passenger side of the shuttle. He looked over to a rather different version of Data standing by. It became apparent to Picard that Data had replaced several body parts over the years to keep himself operational.