On the bridge, she found the entire bridge crew, including Captain Picard, Will Riker, Worf and Deanna Troi in the same catatonic state in which she had left Wesley. With no effort at all, she lifted Ensign Charlon out of the Con chair and laid her gently on the floor. She then assumed the position herself. "Father", she spoke to the intercom. "I am in position." No answer. Lal hesitated and then repeated, "Engineering, I am in position." "One moment, Lal", came Data's reply. "I am arranging to feed you one-half impulse power. That should be sufficient to break orbit." "But Father, although I know exactly what to do, I am required to do several things simultaneously with each hand. That requires coordination, which is only achieved through practice, and which I have never had. I may tear the ship apart." "We have no choice!", exclaimed Data, with real concern in his voice. "Try to make your movements as slow and deliberate as possible. First break orbit and then take us away from the planet in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic. One half impulse power is now available!" As deliberately as possible, Lal operated the controls and the panel, and immediately the Enterprise proceeded to jerk and buck as though caught in a landslide. "Lal, you are over-controlling!", came Data's voice over the intercom. "Cease all activity!" Immediately, the bucking halted but the view screen now showed the Enterprise heading directly toward the planet that seemed to be the source of the menace. "I have reduced to one-tenth impulse power", reported Data. "Try again, Lal." Once more, the ship proceeded to jerk and buck, but not with the same intensity as previously, and even that gradually died down as Lal acquired some measure of co-ordination. When the ship was again sailing smoothly, Data's voice again came over the intercom. "What is our situation, Lal" "We are spiraling outward from the planet, Father. I judge that in a few moments, we shall be far enough away that I can change our direction to one perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic. The planet, or the beings on it, do not appear to be challenging our escape." "Not correct, Lal. They have increased the strength of the field that is holding all humanoid life in a catatonic state. However, that field can have no effect on us. Can we break orbit yet?" He was answered by a few mild bucks, which quickly died away. "We have broken orbit, Father, and are heading outward." "Is any reaction visible on the planet?" "Yes, Father. The planet has also left orbit and is pursuing us." "How fast is it closing?" "It is gaining on us at a rate of ten thousand meters per second. It will overtake us in approximately ten minutes." "We must increase impulse power. You now have one-half impulse. Try to outrun the planet." One more violent jerk, and then Lal gained control of her board. The Enterprise leapt forward smoothly. [380 lines left ... full text available at <url:http://www.reference.com/cgi-bin/pn/go?choice=message&table=05_1997&mid=3133868&hilit=HYPNOSIS> ] -------------------------------- Article-ID: 05_1997&3067810 Score: 82 Subject: Metaphysical / Occult (Predictions to Runes)