Star Trek: Constellations
Westfall/Star Trek TNG Crossover Fanfiction #1
Scene 5
Gemini tapped the communication badge on her shirt. “O’Brien, I have six more to beam up.”
“Aye, Lieutenant.” The transporter chief replied.
Soon, six more residents of Westfall disappeared from the planet’s surface, leaving only four remaining: the mayor, his wife, the mechanic, and Gemini.
“Gosh, this is really it, isn’t it,” Hudson’s eyes scanned the empty streets of Westfall one last time. He had gathered only a small messenger bag full of his belongings; a far cry from the overfilled bags and crates others had assembled.
Thomas’ wife, Carla, had one hand wrapped around her husband’s arm and the other resting atop such a bag. “What’s this gonna feel like?” She asked somewhat worriedly.
“I don’t know, hon; I’ve never done this before,” he replied with the smallest hint of a smirk.
“It won’t feel like much of anything, really,” Gemini also offered a smile. “You’ll just be here, and then you’ll be there.” She glanced back at Hudson, who was still solemnly staring toward the chapel down the road. “Mr. Rowlett?” She tried.
The man turned back to her. “I know we gotta go, but... it’s still a little sad to know we’ll never be here again.”
She nodded in sympathy. “I understand completely. I had to leave my home planet, too.”
Thomas inched closer as Hudson’s face clouded with compassion. “Yeh did?”
“My planet was destroyed in battle, and I was left for dead; but, like you all, the USS Enterprise was the ship that rescued me.”
Hudson’s worry continued to subside. “And you sure seem happy, now.”
“I am,” she found a smile again. “I can’t say it was easy to process in the beginning, but I can promise you’ll be comfortable here, and there are many aboard who can help you—myself included. Don’t ever hesitate to ask, even if it’s just talking you through it.”
Thomas’ moustache nearly hid the hint of a smile below it. “Thank yeh. And we can’t forget that we’re gainin’ a new life in the process,” Thomas held Carla tighter. “Westfall can be anywhere; we’re not tied to this place.”
Gemini had to pause at his words. Years ago, Deanna had told her something similar: that, despite her separation from Aravast itself, she would always carry her heritage with her. She could experience her new life as well as remember how far she had come. She was pleased to see such wisdom already imparted from Westfall’s mayor, and she could only nod proudly when all three returned their wandering eyes to her.
Gemini’s badge chirped again. “Six have been beamed board,” O’Brien announced. “Ready when you are.”
She looked to the three behind her, and the mayor of Westfall straightened in determination.
She tapped it. “Four more to beam up, and that will be everyone!”
“Aye, ma’am; bringing you home.”
Upon his word, Carla and Thomas glanced at each other while Hudson glanced up to the sky. Gemini found herself smiling just as a beam of shimmering light coated them.
Moments later, their forms and belongings reappeared on the transporter pads.
A man with tan, curly hair nodded to the group from his place behind the control panel. Beside him stood a dark-haired man with a beard and a wide smile.
“Welcome back, Lieutenant,” William Riker grinned.
“It’s good to be back,” Gemini smiled at Chief O’Brien as she stepped off the pad. When she turned back around, she found the three behind her wide-eyed and frozen in place. “Mr. and Mrs. Hiller, Mr. Rowlett: Welcome to the Enterprise.”
Hudson was the first to suck in a breath. “Gosh...” he breathed it back out.
“We’ve had that reaction a lot today,” Will smirked as he leaned against the panel. “Counselor Troi is with the others in sick bay while they get their physicals. Data’s there, too, to assist you in assigning them rooms.”
“Great; I’ll bring these three down and join them,” she gestured to now cautiously curious group behind her.
Chief O’Brien, however, had donned a look of concern. “A word with you, Lieutenant?” His eyes remained on the panel in front of them.
“Of course,” she stepped closer, a similar expression paling her face. “Commander—”
“I’ll be sure they get to sick bay,” Will stepped in before she could finish, taking Carla’s stack of luggage while the two men shouldered their bags. “Right this way,” he held out his hand toward the door. They had barely begun to approach it when it opened on its own—causing all three newcomers to shrink back.
“Gosh!” Hudson again exclaimed.
As Commander Riker and the last three residents of Westfall exited the room, Gemini joined Miles O’Brien on the other side of the panel.
“You said there were seventeen on the planet, right?” He glanced at her.
“Yes,” her tone dipped, as if uncertain.
“Plus you and Counselor Troi is nineteen.”
“Yes.”
Chief O’Brien’s lips pressed tight. “I beamed aboard twenty.”
Gemini drew in a breath. “Twenty?” She repeated worriedly. “Could it be the sheer amount of oversized luggage?”
He frowned and shook his head. “All twenty registered as life forms.”
“Well, maybe one of them brought along a pet or something? Or maybe a bug? The little boy was distracted by something just before he beamed aboard.”
“Ah,” the chief stepped back. “It could very well be; I wasn’t payin’ much attention to that. Between the baggage and their coats and scarves, something small would’ve blended right in.”
“Same here; I regret I wasn’t paying better attention,” she frowned nervously. “I really don’t to mess up the first mission I get to lead...”
Miles caught her disappointment and offered her a smile. “That’s what the rest of us are here for—to help you out. You’re doing a great job.”
At last, his smile rubbed off on her. “Thank you, Miles.”
With that, Gemini exited the transporter room and started down the hallway. She navigated the corridors, passing a handful of officers along the way, until she reached the turbo lift to take her to down to sick bay.
There was already a small gathering of Westfall’s refugees in the hallway outside the door, standing around Lieutenant Commander Data with awe on their faces.
“So... you ain’t human?” One of the older men had his hands on his hips and was leaning precariously close to the android in front of him.
“No, sir, I am not.” He replied, eyeing the man’s wide-brimmed hat as it loomed near his chin.
“But you look just like one!” A woman with graying braids added, reaching forward to touch his hand.
“I was designed to appear as a human male.” He turned to look at the woman at his side. “Excuse me,” he politely attempted to remove himself, but his eyes soon discovered Gemini approaching to their group. “Ah, Ms. Gemini. I was beginning the process of assigning these residents to their quarters.” He stepped out of the group and lifted a tablet in his hand. “I have determined there to be a total of four couples, one family of three, and six individuals. Some are still completing their physicals, but these here are ready.”
The group redirected their attention to the Aravasti woman behind them—all except the woman who was now examining the back of Data’s head.
“All right; let’s get the family settled in first,” she held up a pointed finger that scanned the group until she found the boy peeking around his mother’s hip. She crouched down to his level. “What’s your name?”
“Riley,” he said gently.
“It’s good to meet you, Riley; I’m Gemini.” She introduced herself.
“Riley’s parents are Mr. Randall and Mrs. Rebecca Thatcher.” Data surveyed his tablet. “I believe room 503-A will be suitable for them.”
Gemini, however, was still focused on the curious boy before her. “After everyone’s settled, I’ll be sure to show you and your parents to the children’s room. You’ll be able to meet and play with the other kids here.”
At once, Riley’s eyes drew wide and his mouth fell agape.
His mother put a hand to her lips as his father’s red beard tugged wide around a smile.
“Riley’s never met anyone his age,” he admitted, almost tearfully, as Gemini returned to her feet. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Despite the poignancy of Randall’s admission, Gemini was still able to retain her smile as she led the family to their new quarters down the hall. She showed them the basics of using the food replicator, pointed them in the direction of a common room they would be able to use, and reiterated her promise to show them the children’s room at a later time.
When she returned to Data, a couple and another red-haired man was now standing beside him.
“Wow—you could be Randall’s twin,” Gemini eyed the man.
“He is, in fact,” Data offered. “This is Mr. Adrien Thatcher—along with Mr. Henry and Mrs. Margaret Richardson,” Data gestured to the couple. “The Richardsons may use room 503-B, while Mr. Thatcher may use 509-A.”
“Thanks—would you mind me getting these two settled in first?” Gemini asked Adrien as she stepped up to the couple.
The red-haired man simply nodded without a word, and, once the attention of both Gemini and Data was removed, he turned and started away in the opposite direction. As he rounded a corner, he nearly ran into a Vulcan officer in a blue uniform.
“Excuse me,” the Vulcan woman lowered her head as she passed him. She continued down the hall until she passed a befuddled Data, staring at the empty wall where Adrien once had been.
When Gemini approached him, she held out her hands. “Where did Adrien go?”
“I am... uncertain,” Data glanced from side to side.
The door to sick bay slid open to reveal two more couples—along with Adrien Thatcher.
“Mr. Thatcher,” Data appeared relieved. “Ms. Inova is ready to show you to your room.”
“Thank you,” Adrien began to follow Gemini, only to pause when a Vulcan officer in a blue uniform passed through the hallway.
“Excuse us,” Gemini, too, had to stop to avoid running into her.
Data’s brows again furrowed as he processed her identity, although he shook it off to instead identify the couples waiting beside him.
Soon, everyone had been cleared from sick bay, and the seventeen members of Westfall were settled into their rooms. Gemini and Data reunited in the hallway, with the Aravasti grinning tiredly.
“Now all I need to do is let the captain know we’re ready to go—and I will be done.” She immediately released a sigh and slumped backward against Data’s chest. “Whew,” she huffed into the air.
The android almost appeared amused as he looked down at her. “You have had a very successful day. I believe a ‘good night’s rest’ is in order.”
She twisted around to look at him. “Wait; tonight’s our Ten Forward night.”
“I do not mind postponing our meeting if you desire rest.”
“Well—”
Data’s badge chirped. “La Forge to Commander Data!”
Gemini turned the rest of the way and tapped Data’s badge for him. “Data, here.”
“Hi Gemini,” Geordi La Forge’s laughter came next as Data squinted at the woman in front of him. “Data, I could use your expertise down here in shuttle bay two; we seem to be having some sort of malfunction with one of the shuttles.”
“I am on my way,” he replied, his eyes focused ahead.
Gemini stepped back put her hands on her hips. “Sounds like we’ll need to postpone our meeting anyway.”
“Indeed. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Data.”
The android disappeared around the corner, and Gemini tapped her badge. “Lieutenant Inova to Bridge.”
“Picard here.”
“Captain, the residents of Westfall have been given a clean bill of health and are settled into their quarters. We are ready to begin course to Starbase 203.”
“Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Ms. Vasquez, make it so.”
Gemini smiled. “Thank you, Captain.”
“Good work, Ms. Inova. Picard, out.”
The communication link was closed, and Gemini breathed another sigh as she remained in the now-quiet hallway.
A door slid open down the hall, regaining her attention.
Hudson stepped out from his room, hands tight at his sides as he warily glanced up and down the corridor. He was still in his dusty shirt and jeans and seemed particularly out of place among the almost sterile hallway.
Gemini bit her lip in a poor attempt at hiding a smile. “Mr. Rowlett?”
Hudson nearly jumped when he saw her. “Oh—hi, Ms. Gemini!”
“Did you need something?” She started down the hall to meet him.
“Ah, not really; I was just wantin’ to check out the common room.”
“I can show you.” As Gemini came to a stop, an idea tugged her smile wider. “But first, would you like to come with me to Ten Forward? It’s a kind of lounge-restaurant-bar-thing,” she gave a short chuckle, “but it’s got the best view on the entire ship.”
“A view—of space?” His dark eyes grew wide, though he was quick to curl away sheepishly. “Ah, only if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” Gemini nodded and tucked her hands behind her back. “Come with me.”
Scene Notes
- It's a lot of work to keep track of a bunch of people... expecially when you start getting distracted...