Star Trek The Next Generation: Struggles of the Mind

Chapter 2

In her quarters, Deanna Troi slept, with Doctor Crusher standing nearby. A nurse had joined the Doctor. The silence that engulfed the small Betazoid's quarters was almost eerie. Very suddenly, and without warning, Deanna's eyes shot open and she sprung up from her bed into a sitting position. A bright light, entered Troi's room. It was so bright that Beverley and the nurse had to look away and shield their eyes from it. The light hovered over Deanna, engulfed her body and then disappeared.
When Crusher had gotten over the shock of what had happened she ran forward to Troi's bedside, but without warning Troi's fist went straight into the Doctor's face. Beverley fell to the floor with a cry of pain, as Deanna escaped from her room.

Picard's communicator beeped, as he sat with Riker in the 'Ten-Forward Lounge.

"Worf to Picard." Came the Klingon's deep voice.

"Picard here. What is it Worf?"

"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but there's a strange..."

"What, Mister Worf?"

"It's gone. Sorry, sir, I thought we detected something, but there's nothing here. The sensors must be malfunctioning. I will run a diagnostic. Worf out."

"That was strange." Commented Riker.

"Indeed, it was, Number One." Picard agreed. "Reminds me of the time we..."

Picard looked to the Heavens as if to say 'not again', as his commbadge chimed again.

"Nurse Myers to Captain Picard." Came a small, frightened voice.

Riker arched an eyebrow at his captain. It was unusual for a nurse to contact the captain. It was usually Riker who dealt with nurses' queries.

"Picard here."

"Sir, we have a problem. Counsellor Troi just attacked Doctor Crusher and ran from her quarters."

Picard looked at Riker and was sure that his own expression mirrored that of his First officer's.

"Is Doctor Crusher all right?"

"She's suffered a broken nose and partially fractured jaw, I'm about to get her to Sickbay now."

"Thank you, Nurse. Please keep me informed of Doctor Crusher's progress. Picard out." He looked back at Riker.

"Well, I'm definitely not going to be picking fights with Deanna anymore." Commented Riker, covering his shock with amusement.

"I would most certainly advise you not to, Number One." Picard replied with a slight smile.

Picard tapped his commbadge once more and channelled it for a ship-wide broadcast.

"Attention, all hands, this is Picard. If anyone sees Counsellor Troi contact either Commander Riker or myself, but do not approach her. Picard out."

Within seconds a commbadge chimed, this time it was Riker's.

"LaForge to Riker."

"Riker here, what is it Geordie?"

"Deanna's locked herself in Cargo Bay 2. She's not interfering with any of the controls and there are no life forms with her. Should I get a team in there?"

"Assemble a team, but wait until I'm there before you go in."

"Aye, sir. LaForge out."

Riker looked at his captain.

"I believe we should go, sir."

"I think that that would be a good idea." Answered Picard, as the two officers rose from the table and left 'Ten-Forward.'