Star Trek The Next Generation: Struggles of the Mind

Chapter 3

On the Bridge Data had remained in command. He sat staring at the viewscreen. From the science station, Geordie LaForge wondered what Data saw and what he thought of when he lost himself in the stars. Geordie's thoughts were disturbed as the turbolift to his left
opened. Picard, Riker and Troi emerged. Troi seemed very pale, but showed no other sign of assimilation. He moved instinctively towards them as did Data and Worf.

"Counsellor, how are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Geordie. Thank you for asking." She replied.

Worf scowled at her.

"Worf, I'm not the enemy!"

"I did not mean to offend you, Counsellor, but my job is to protect the ship and crew."

Worf's posting on Deep Space Nine hadn't changed him much.

"Yes, Worf, I know," she answered and smiled at him, "and I understand."

They took their stations on the Bridge. As Picard settled into the Command chair he spoke to Data.

"How is your research going, Data?"

"Not well, sir. Unfortunately the scanners did not gather enough information for us to make any more headway."

"Hmm." Pondered Picard. "Can we track the life-form down, Data?"

"Yes, sir. The life-form leaves a small trail of ionic particles."

"About the only thing the sensors did pick up." Commented LaForge.

"Good." He turned to face the Ensign at the conn station. "Ensign, catch up with that life-form, fastest possible speed."

"Aye, sir." Answered the young man.

"Mister LaForge, work with Data and Worf. See if you can modify the shields so as to protect ourselves from another scan."

Geordie and Data nodded as they made their way towards the turbolift where Worf stood waiting. Picard turned to Troi.

"How are you holding up, Counsellor?"

"Pretty good, considering." She smiled. "My natural defences have started to work on the nano-probes and I can feel their process slowing."

Picard awarded Troi with one of his uncommon smiles of support.
Several silent moments had passed before the young Ensign spoke up again.

"Captain, we've reached the co-ordinates."

"Thank you Ensign."

A Vulcan woman, Lieutenant Sarn had taken Data's place on the Bridge.

"Sir, we are in visual range." She said.

"Good. Put it on screen, maximum magnification."

Troi felt her whole body shudder slightly at the sight of the energy-based life-form on the viewscreen. She felt the crews' nervousness, or was that just her own?

"Okay, Counsellor, it's up to you now." Picard said.

"Thank you, sir." She replied.

Deanna Troi closed her eyes and laid-bare her mind. She lost herself in the minds of those around her. The first mind she sensed was her Captain's. She felt his calm and his carefully hidden concern.
Another mind brushed past her own- Will Riker's mind. His was the most familiar mind and she drew courage and strength from him. She felt his concern and distress about the situation they had found themselves in. Very suddenly, without warning and very intensely,
another consciousness pushed its way into her mind. The voice's chorused,
'Assimilate them all! Resistance is futile!'