Part 6 (1/2)

”Emergency hold between decks three and four,” Picard said. The turbolift began to move, but stopped a short time later.

”Are you all right, Mr. Crusher?” Picard said.

Wesley tried to stand up straight. He smiled and blinked and said, ”I guess I shouldn't have designed them to resemble creatures I had nightmares about when I was a little kid.”

Picard looked surprised, then gave Wesley an understanding smile and said, ”You're to be commended for wanting to meet your ancient fears head on.” He shrugged. ”Though perhaps these were not the best circ.u.mstances for it.” Picard seemed uncomfortable. Was it because of the situation or because of Wesley's brief breakdown? He stood up straighter and said, ”I'm fine now, sir.”

”Right. Computer, take us to the bridge.”

The turbolift began to move again. Picard said, ”Any idea what to expect, Data?”

”None whatsoever, sir. To guess without information seems pointless.”

The turbolift stopped, and the doors hissed open. Picard stepped onto the bridge and fell into a martial arts crouch. Three Boogeymen were in the command seats. The one in the center jumped up and cried, ”Intruders! Get them!” The other two ran toward the turbolift.

Picard pushed Wesley and Data back into the turbolift as he retreated. The doors closed and Picard said, ”Deck ten.”

Data said, ”The main computer, sir?”

”Yes. It may be no more real than the arch, but it still may be able to tell us something about this holo-universe. Also, I'm hoping that somehow we can break through to the real Enterprise. How are you getting on, Mr. Crusher?”

”All right, sir.” Sure. As right as can be expected when meeting one of your worst fears in the flesh. The captain was correct: it was unfortunate Wesley had used an old nightmare as the model for the aliens. But Wesley was a lot older now than when he'd had those terrible dreams. He'd designed the Boogeymen in the form of his old nightmares because he'd been convinced he could successfully face them. Having seen them, he was shaky but optimistic.

The corridor on deck ten was as deserted as the others they'd been on. Ten Forward was deserted. Not even any Boogeymen were in sight. That had to mean something. Wesley thought about this as they walked quickly to the main computer.

Every so often Picard stopped, touched a companel, and asked it where they were. None of the companels worked and Picard wondered why, if the turbolifts and the arch worked.

Data said, ”Difficult to say, Captain, not knowing exactly what is wrong with the holodeck computer.”

The captain kept trying. This holo-Enterprise looked like his s.h.i.+p, and at some primal level, down in the base of his brain, Wesley thought Picard still believed that it was his s.h.i.+p. The components ought to work even though all his logic told him there was no chance.

Hoping to redeem himself in Picard's eyes, Wesley said, ”Sir, have you noticed how deserted the s.h.i.+p seems to be?”

”Not deserted enough,” Picard said.

”Even the Boogeymen,” Wesley said. ”We've never seen more than three at a time.”

Data said, ”The number may be coincidental. Or it may be the result of a glitch in the program. It may mean nothing at all.”

”Everything is evidence,” Picard said.

”I was not disputing that fact. I was merely suggesting that the evidence may not be helpful.”

Picard touched a companel and said, ”Picard to Riker.”

A moment pa.s.sed, and Wesley thought this companel was as dead as all the others Picard had tried. Then a voice said, ”Riker here, Captain.” The voice could have been Riker's. Wesley smiled and even Data brightened.

”Number One, Commander Data and Ensign Crusher and I are trapped on holodeck three. Have Mr. La Forge attempt to shut down the holodeck computer.” He glanced around and said, ”And just to be on the safe side, send Mr. Worf with a contingent of security guards.”

”Security guards?”

”Difficult to explain, Number One.”

”Aye, Captain. Security guards.”

As Picard stepped back from the companel to let it know he was done, he said to Data, ”Perhaps you can reach the main computer through this companel.”

Data stepped forward, touched the panel, and said, ”Computer.”

There was no response. Data called the computer again, and once more nothing happened. ”Most puzzling,” Data said. ”Perhaps the panel is able to act only as a person-to-person communication device.” He touched the companel again and said, ”Data to La Forge.”

Before La Forge had a chance to answer-if the companel had made contact at all-they heard scuffling behind them. In a moment, three more Boogeymen galloped down on them wearing the uniforms of Enterprise security guards.

In a h.e.l.lish parody of Worf's voice, the lead Boogeyman cried, ”Security detail reporting!”

By that time Wesley and the others were moving quickly, running around the large curve of the corridor. Wesley ran without looking back. He supposed Picard and Data were close behind him. He glanced over his shoulder, turned cold, and did what he thought was impossible-he ran faster. Two Boogeymen were chasing him. One was bald and wearing a red uniform. The other was a pale waxy yellow and wore a gold uniform. They were catching up. The bald one cried, ”Mr. Crusher! Mr. Crusher!”

Wesley ran so fast he was certain he almost attained warp one. Then somebody grabbed him. He fought blindly, thras.h.i.+ng out and kicking and clawing, in his frenzy having forgotten everything he'd learned about martial arts.

”Mr. Crusher!”

It was Captain Picard's voice. His real voice. Wesley opened his eyes and saw that the real Captain Picard held him by both shoulders.

”Captain! They're after me. Boogeyman versions of you and Data.”

Data looked back along the corridor, and said, ”The corridor is empty, Wesley.”

Wesley looked too, and when he saw that Data was right, he felt both relieved and cheated. He'd been ready for a fight, and now it seemed there was not to be one. He tried to make his heart stop banging quite so hard. He said, ”How did you two get in front of me?”

”I wasn't aware that we were until you ran into us,” Picard said.

”Evidently,” said Data, ”the topology of this holodeck Enterprise follows different rules from those on the real s.h.i.+p.”

”Or anywhere else,” said Wesley. He commanded himself to get a grip. He'd made a mistake designing the Boogeymen the way he had, and now he had to live with it. The situation would not improve if he became hysterical.

Picard looked around as if he could see the anomalies on all sides. ”I'd be very surprised if the holo-Enterprise follows any rules at all other than the ones the Boogeymen make up as they go along.”

Wesley shook his head. ”They could have caught me, sir.”

Picard nodded and said, ”I a.s.sume you designed them to be good game players.”

”Yes, sir.”

”Then I suggest to you that, for whatever reason, they wish the game to continue.”

That was certainly an explanation, but it didn't comfort Wesley. He'd had enough of this game already. And he'd learned a lesson about writing special programs for the holodeck.

Data said, ”Perhaps the main computer core will give us more answers.”