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The first few days on the Enterprise-D proved to be a challenging adjustment period for both Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his newfound daughter Danaë. The captain’s meticulously structured routine, which had served him well for years, was disrupted by the presence of a four-year-old. As for Danaë, her life on Regula-16 with her mother was vastly different from life aboard the Enterprise. On that initial night, she cried inconsolably for her mother, causing the captain to stay by her side and hold her hand as she slept.

In the following days, Captain Picard attempted to ease her fears, but his words fell on deaf ears. Danaë was convinced that Brand Emilek, the man responsible for her mother’s death, would come after her next. Emilek, a Chameloid and shape-shifter, held a grudge against Cmdr. Solenne Bennet and Captain Picard for their role in testifying against him for espionage and selling classified documents. Although Danaë hadn’t even been born at the time, she had seen his hate-filled amber eyes fixated on her shortly before her mother’s tragic demise, and she now encountered them in her nightmares.

Despite the captain’s assurances that she was safe on the Enterprise, Danaë remained unconvinced. Understanding her deep-seated fear and knowing he was her only family, Picard became her refuge. However, the reality of his responsibilities as captain beckoned, and he couldn’t spend every waking moment holding her hand. A part of him began contemplating whether Danaë would be better off with his brother Robert and his wife, or even Solenne’s sister Lotte and her husband. Moments like these only strengthened his resolve to consider those possibilities. Yet, for the time being, he had more pressing matters to attend to, like the solemn task of preparing Solenne’s body for transport back to Earth for a proper burial.

Six security officers were selected to accompany Solenne’s casket with utmost respect from the space station onto the shuttle, and ultimately onto the Enterprise. Among them was Ensign Gacheru, who wore a visor akin to Geordi Laforge’s. He walked in perfect synchronization with the others, keenly observing everything around him. The catafalque, covered in an array of flowers from individuals on the Space station bidding their farewells and paying their respects, also contained some bouquets from Enterprise crew members, either as a tribute to their fallen comrade or a gesture of support for the grieving captain. Picard silently watched as they positioned the casket accordingly, each officer stepping away gracefully before leaving the hold. Once outside, Ensign Gacheru removed his visor, revealing his unmistakable amber eyes, as he keenly absorbed every detail around him. His next objective was to locate the captain’s quarters and the vulnerable child held within.

Unbeknownst to the captain, other eyes were fixated on him. Powerful and all-knowing, Q couldn’t withstand the opportunity to observe one of his favorite subjects, Jean-Luc Picard, and often incorporated tests and lessons during his visits. However, there were times when Q simply wanted to observe silently, ensuring that all was well with his favorite “pet.” To his surprise, he discovered that his treasured “pet” now had a puppy.

For two days, Q observed Danaë closely and arrived at two conclusions. Firstly, she possessed a lively and quick mind, reminiscent of Picard himself, which delighted him. Secondly, he noted that human development was a gradual process. Despite their adult versions already appearing awkward, clumsy, inferior, and short-sighted, the children seemed to exhibit those qualities even more so. This revelation did little to elevate Q’s hopes for their intellectual growth. Nevertheless, he found Danaë undeniably fascinating, and since she belonged to Picard, his beloved subject, he would keep a watchful eye on her.

It was during this observation that Q noticed Ensign Gacheru, donning his visor once more, stop a couple of crew members and inquire about the captain’s quarters, feigning the delivery of personal items from the Regula station. The crew members politely provided precise directions before continuing on their way. Q, already aware of Ensign Gacheru’s true identity as a Chemeloid and his non-Starfleet affiliation, possessed the power to annihilate the intruder with a mere snap of his fingers. Yet, being a pragmatist, Q opted to see what the human puppy would do when faced with danger. Though he would prevent any harm befalling her, he couldn’t withstand conducting a test.

As Ensign Gacheru approached the captain’s quarters, he removed his visor, transformed into an identical replica of Picard, thus deceiving the sensors and gaining entry. Once inside, he restored his original form and hastily put the visor back on to conceal his distinctive eyes. His gaze swiftly scanned the room, seeking out the child who sat on her father’s bed, engrossed in playing with her doll. Dressed in a soft blue eyelet dress with a satin ribbon cinched at the empire waist, a delicate white petticoat, and puffed sleeves, she resembled a perfect Victorian princess. Her long, golden curls cascaded down her cherubic face, held in place by a silver and blue flowered barrette. In many methods, Danaë was indeed a princess, the princess of Picard’s heart, and Ensign Gacheru vowed to bring her reign to an end.

“I have a message from your father,” the imposter declared, capturing her attention. Willing to hear what her father had to say, she approached him, her doll clutched tightly in her arms. In a swift movement, he grasped her arm and drew a knife from his pocket, plunging her into imminent danger. Fearing for her life, Danaë fought back with all her strength, kicking and squirming, inadvertently dropping her precious doll in the process. When the imposter attempted to restrain her further, she mustered the courage to bite his hand, causing him to curse in his native tongue while releasing her. In the midst of their struggle, Danaë accidentally bumped into the coffee table, causing two of the captain’s cherished artifacts to tumble onto the floor and one to suffer a small chip. In the ensuing chaos, the imposter’s visor slipped from his face, revealing his piercing amber eyes – the same eyes she had seen in her dreams belonging to Brand Emilek. Consumed by hatred, fear instantly gripped her, compelling her to flee from the quarters and into the corridor, crying out for her father.

“Pa-pa… Pa-pa! Help me!” she screamed, unaware of her destination but resolute in her need to escape. Unbeknownst to her, Brand, equipped with his visor once more, diligently pursued her, desperate to accomplish his unfinished task.

Just as she rounded a corner, two arms swiftly enveloped Danaë’s small frame, pulling her into a hidden alcove. Initially, she struggled to break free from the unfamiliar embrace, until she heard her father’s voice in her ear, compelling her to cease her movements and remain still, assuring her that the assailant would not discover her. Entrusting in her father’s words, she did as instructed, and in a matter of moments, the imposter dashed past without ever detecting Danaë’s presence. She turned around, her heart yearning to embrace her father, but instead encountered a man with short, dark hair and a somewhat arrogant countenance. Although he appeared unfamiliar, his eyes were typical, suggesting he was not the malevolent intruder. Clad in a Starfleet uniform, he exuded an aura of authority, yet something about him indicated that he didn’t belong among the crew.

“Who are you?” she asked meekly. “You’re not my Pa-pa.”

“Thank goodness for that. I am Q,” he replied.

“There’s a bad man trying to hurt me. I need to find my Pa-pa,” she pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Yes, I am aware,” he affirmed. “I will take you somewhere safe, a place where the bad man will never find you.”

“Where is that?” she inquired, her voice trembling with trepidation. He didn’t respond verbally; instead, he covered her eyes with his hand momentarily before removing it. In an instant, Danaë found herself in a resplendent room adorned with Christmas decorations in every corner. She marveled at the sight, having never experienced a…

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