GROUNDED by DAVID BISCHOFF

Author:DAVID BISCHOFF
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Publisher: Pocket Books.
Published: 2000-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

THE STARS CHANGED.

Ten-Forward had a nice panoramic view of the stars, and before, they’d been in their strange Dopplering dance of warp drive. Now they’d slowed down and were still.

The band kept on playing, though, not noticing, but Data noticed immediately.

Mikal, sitting at a table alongside him and Penelope, noticed as well. “We’ve come out of warp,” he said.

“Why are we stopping?” Penelope wanted to know. She didn’t seem particularly interested. She seemed concerned and preoccupied with other matters.

“A diagnostic, level one, is being performed,” replied Data. “The captain must have decided to take the warp engines off-line to check them.”

“Makes sense,” said Mikal. “This sort of thing happens all the time. Diagnostics, I mean.”

“Diagnostics occur automatically every day,” said Data. “Level-one diagnostics occur only at monthly intervals or when trouble is suspected.”

“And this isn’t a monthly interval.”

“No.”

“Nothing we can do, right? Might as well enjoy the party. But, Data . . . I would think that you would have been asked to participate. I mean, you’d be perfect for that kind of analysis.”

Data opened his mouth to reply truthfully, but received a kick in the shin from Penelope, along with a significant glare. He knew her well enough by now to recognize the signal. It was good that she was so reactive, given this social interaction. Nonetheless, Data was concerned about her aggressive nature. He would have to speak to Troi about this. Again, he wondered why Troi was not there. According to his calculations, she was a full ten minutes late. Her presence would no doubt go a long way to ease the situation.

“I am being trained in human social interaction and being helped by Penelope here. As such, I received special dispensation. My presence is not required for this diagnostic. However, I can be called to assist, if necessary.”

“Data’s such a good student. But he’s got a long way to go,” said Penelope, patting her “pupil” on the shoulder. “But you must tell us more about yourself, Mikal.”

“Oh, I’ve been blabbing away too much anyway. Perhaps you could tell me something more about your—”

He was interrupted by Metrina Harcourt. “Hello. Well, Mikal, I didn’t think I could make it . . . but here I am.”

“Oh. Metrina! Glad to see you.”

She nodded to the others. “Can I steal him for just a moment? I want him to meet a friend. I’ll bring him right back.”

Data didn’t know what to say. Penelope was speechless. But the most shocked person was Mikal. “Well, I don’t know. . . .” he said.

“Just a nanosecond, and we’ll come right back.”

“That’s all right, Mikal,” said Penelope. “We’ll be right here.” Mikal, bemused, allowed the young woman to lead him off. They walked over to the other side of the room to where a knot of people were standing by the refreshment table.

“Data!” Penelope said immediately. “Data, this is just disaster!”

Data looked around, startled. Seeing that everything appeared to be all right, he turned to Penelope. “I’m sure that the diagnostic is well in hand.

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