. . . Splinter Universe. . .

., . . Enterprise . .

I groaned feeling the back of my neck aching and my head throbbing.

"Ow, my head." I said, leaning forward.

"Good to see you are awake,Quarty!" Jean-Luc said.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You tripped over a Ensign and hit your head on the corner of a table top," Jean-Luc said. "Right after you got on board from passing Star Fleet Academy exam and the online courses as well."

My eyes widened.

"I passed?" I said, in shock.

"Through and through." Jean-Luc said.

"If I passed, why is Brooke here with you and why is Beverly so concerned?" I asked.

"Quary, I met up with a man who told me not to miss out on everything in life and to enjoy while I can," Jean-Luc said. "So Beverly and I have recently decided to take a unexpected vacation from Star Fleet for awhile."

"Starting when?" I asked.

"Tomorrow." Jean-Luc said.

"You can't just take a vacation from being a Captain!" I said.

"Quarty, you are the acting captain," Jean-Luc said. "I have all the confidences in you that you will captain this ship to your best ability."

"How long?" I asked.

"Long as we like," Jean-Luc said. "And this makes Brooke your first officer and Clewis your second officer."

"I just got word." Brooke said.

I didn't understand the sudden decision but I understood one thing for certain; it is about damn time they got together.

"I approve," I said. "You finally decided to make it apparent you are together." I clapped happily. "Bravo! I am really happy for you!"

About thirty minutes later when I was heading to my quarters I came across B-4. B-4 came to a stop holding his stuff in a large box. It reminded me of how Data's expression was when he packed his stuff up when he resigned from Star Fleet over his civil rights. I also came to a stop expecting the android to speak first.

"So where are you going?" I asked.

"Shuttle bay." B-4 said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"I am going to a nearby planet where the USS Challenger is stationed," B-4 said. "I am telling Geordi first."

"Regarding your sudden devotion to felines?" I asked.

"No," B-4 said. "I have come to great consideration and time into this decision."

I recalled then the conversation I shared with him.

I patted on B-4's shoulder. Or should I call him Data? Okay, Data then.

"Well . . ." I said. "Data, starting tommorrow the Enterprise will start under a legacy that is different but otherwise the same."

"What do you mean?" Data asked.

"I am the Captain of the Enterprise," I said. "I can't believe it myself."

"Wake up." Data said, randomly.

"'What?" I asked.

"Wake up." Data said.

"I am awake!" I said.

"Picard and Beverly just left the room. They're just baiting you to wake up." Data said.

"This is not a dream." I said.

"On a subconscious level, it is," Data said. "They don't know. Not yet. Not yet who I am really. Goodbye Q, it was nice knowing you. I have to get to the Challenger."

Data vanished.

"HEY, WHERE IS EVERYONE?" I shouted.

The hallways grew darker and darker.

I grew frightened and scared.

"Anyone?. . ." I asked.

What the hell is going on?

I felt alone, isolated, singular, and loneliness.

What happened to me?

"Quarty," I heard Jean-Luc. "Wake up."

"He's not going to wake up due to the damage he made in his organs." Beverly said.

"He awoke the first time." Jean-Luc said.

"That was brief,Picard," Beverly said. "The only thing he got to say was 'there's a war out there'."

I looked around.

"What is wrong with my brain?" I asked.

I heard Beverly walk away.

"Quarty, why did you walk so far?" Jean-Luc asked.

Home.

"You are a stubborn man, Quarty." Jean-Luc said.

I heard Beverly leave the room.

"Listen, you better wake up because we are going to find this planet 'Colo' one way or another," Jean-Luc said. "I understand that is one of the planets you can possibly find yourself content at. It has mixed races. Or it will." I felt my hand being squeezed. "Please don't go any deeper into the coma. Wake up."

Colo?

What is that planet?

My head is throbbing, I can feel a pain in the back of my neck. I could hear the loud sharping beeping sounds from behind my head. I had to follow the pain. The beeping sounds grew louder and clearer. My brain felt swollen. Not that the brain is unable to become swollen but that can happen when this is me. What had I fallen on? What was I commenting about? Why can I not remember what lead to my injuries?

I passed the Star Fleet Entrance exam.

I remember that.

I remember Transport Chief welcoming me aboard.

Why can't I remember the events afterwards?

My ears rung and I felt sick to my stomach. Even though I hadn't eaten. Why? I had puked out the contents of my stomach awhile ago? I felt a cold item enter my skin then my levels returned to their usual rate. The voices became extremely faint. My ears felt as though they were covered by something. Something soft, something fluffy, something rounded and very comfortable. Something felt different about me.

"Patient is stabilized." A young man's voice came.

"Tell him to follow the pain," Jean-Luc said. "And he'll keep responding."

"How long do you think it'll take for him to get out of it?" The young man said.

"Long as it takes." Jean-Luc said.

I feel like my body is resting and repairing itself

How odd.

"Just follow the pain, Commander." The new young man's voice said.

I was going to wake up.

Seriously.

And ask what the hell happened!