From: ensalada@cats.ucsc.edu (Jarlsburg Pontificate)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.douglas-adams
Subject: Re: Wanted -- _Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek:TNG_ text file
Date: 30 Sep 1992 23:54:53 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
Reply-To: keeper@deeptht.armory.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: si.ucsc.edu



This is not quite the original version of the story.  I liked the story
so much that I decided to add needed punctuation and make other small
changes.  (I am a professional proofreader, so am qualified to do this.)
I don't think I've done a second read-through, so there may be some typoes
yet.  I have sent this (or perhaps a slightly earlier version) to one of
the authors, so I guess one could consider this to be an official version.
In any case, those of you who have the original version will want to capture
this easier-to-read edition (it has a some minor dialog changes, too).

If anyone else has a piece of fan fiction they're working on and would like
me to proofread it, I will -- if I like to story enough and don't procrastinate
for two millenia -- at no charge, in the interest of fan fiction.  Note that
the account from which I am posting is not mine, so, if you want to email me,
you must mail keeper@deeptht.armory.com

Anyway, on to the story, which I think is an excellent crossover story.
I've read others, and they don't come close to this.

Spellings are American, hence things like `kidnaped'.  (In America, to have
two P's would mean the second syllable gets the stress, or possibly even make
it a three-syllable word, like in the movie `Starman' when he was wondering
what the misspelled `kidnapped' meant.)



 
				September 21, 1990
 
 
This parody is written by David T Lu and Mickey McCarter, and hereby
granted to the Public Domain.  All duplications of this parody is
completely legal as long as such duplications are made within the
United Federation Space, that this notice be included with all
duplications, and each duplication is made with a donation of
fifty (50) Altarian Dollars, at the current inter-galactic money
market exchange rate, to Save the Dolphins Foundation, in care of:
 
				David T Lu, Amateur Thinker
				lulu@ucrmath.ucr.edu.earth.sol.zero.milky
				  -or-
				Mickey McCarter, Potential President
				mickey@brahms.udel.edu.earth.sol.zero.milky
 
 
SCENE 1	: Enterprise Bridge.  Everyone at his/her stations.
 
Data	: Captain, sensors are picking up two vessels ahead.  One appears
	  to be firing upon the other.  However, I am receiving no distress
	  signals.
 
Picard	: Is it the Borg, Mr. Data?
 
Data	: I believe it is the Borg, sir.  The larger ship appears to be
	  rectangular in shape.
 
Riker	: Red Alert!  Shields up!  Fire all weapons!
 
Picard	: Belay that order, Number One.  In case you haven't noticed, I'm
	  not even kidnaped yet.  Therefore, I am in charge of this ship!
 
Riker	: Oh, that's right.  Sorry, sir.  I'll wait until you've been
	  kidnaped, and _then_ I'll fire at the Borg ship, with you in it!
 
Picard	: Err... right!  What about the other ship, Data?  Is it the
	  Romulans?
 
Data	: Unknown, Captain.  It's shaped like ... a shoe.
 
Picard	: A shoe?
 
Riker	: It must be the rumored Romulan Nike class.  It's supposed to run
	  faster, jump farther, has better shields for shock absorption,
	  and a little pump on top that you can squeeze.  I read about it
	  in this week's _Playbeing_ ... err, (avoiding the questioning gaze
	  of Troi) only for the articles, of course.  It's supposed to be
	  top secret.  Didn't you see it, Captain?
 
Picard	: You mean that article on page 42, right after the holoimages of
	  Eccentrica Gallumbits, the triple-breasted whore of Eroticon Six?
	  Of course not!  Everyone knows that I only read William Shakespeare
	  and Oolon Colluphid.  Data, on screen.
 
On the screen, holoimages of Eccentrica Gallumbits of Eroticon Six flash
by.  She is shown in a variety of rather creative poses.  Her three breasts
hanging ...
 
Picard	: The Borg, Mr. Data!
 
Data	: My apologies, sir.  I thought you meant ...
 
Picard	: Thank you, Mr. Data!
 
On the screen, we now see the Borg ship tractor-beaming a much smaller, white,
shoe-shaped ship.  Its shields almost gone, offering no resistance.  Hushed
disappointments fill the bridge.
 
Picard	: (coughs) Worf, open a channel to the ... shoe.
 
Worf	: Channel opened, sir.
 
Eddie	: Hi there!  I'm Eddie, the shipboard computer here at the
	  Heart of Gold, and I want to be your friend!
 
Picard	: (standing up, straightening his uniform) I'm Captain Jean-Luc
          Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise.  I notice that you
          are having some difficulties.  Do you wish our assistance?
 
Eddie	: Well, hello, Jean-Luc!  Oh yeah, I can definitely use an extra
	  hand over here.  You see, I'm trying to make some tea.
 
Riker	: Tea?
 
Data	: Tea.  An ancient Earth beverage originated in Asia.  China, to
	  be precise.  It consists of dried leaves in boiled water.
 
Eddie	: Yep, just like your robot says!  With milk.
 
Riker	: Squirted out of a cow?
 
Data	: Which, I believe, is an English tradition.  By the way, I am
	  not a robot.  I'm an android.
 
Wesley	: (whispers) Contractions, Data!
 
Data	: What?  Oh, I mean, _I am_ an android.
 
Picard	: Well, that's all very nice.  I am sure we can arrange for some
	  tea to be made.  Right, Mr. LaForge?
 
Geordi	: It will require redesigning the data structures of our food
	  synthesizers, reprogramming the holodeck to create solid matters
	  simulating Asiatic plant life, implementing an error-checking
	  protocol that allows the two to communicate in parallel, and
	  creating a user-friendly, menu-driven, icon-based graphics user
	  interface with mouse support and on-line, context-sensitive,
	  hypertext help.  Give me twenty minutes, and I'll have it
	  purring like a Syranian monkey-cow in heat.
 
Picard	: Make it so, Lieutenant.  (turning to Eddie on the screen)
	  Actually, the difficulty I was referring to was the Borg that
	  is currently attacking you.
 
Eddie	: Huh?  What Borg?  Hold on, let me allocate a couple megajoules
	  to my external sensors.  (pause)  Yikes!  Hey, guys, I'm being
	  attacked!  Hold on, I've got to tell some people here about this.
	  I'll get back to you in a sec.
 
[Insert 30 seconds of Nike Michael Jordan promo commercial here, interrupted
by an Energizer rabbit drumming in ... "Thump! Thump! Thump!  It keeps
going, and going, ..."]
 
SCENE 2	: Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Heart of Gold, Arthur, Ford,
	  Zaphod and Trillian are staring at the rear viewer as if they
	  are being attacked by the Borg, which, as it happens, they are.
	  The ship continues to rock continuously as it absorbs blows
	  upon blows of Borg phasers.  Marvin begins to whistle a new
	  tune that he had just made up ...
 
Arthur	: So, this is it.  We're going to die.
 
Ford	: Over a cup of tea.
 
Trillian: With milk.
 
Marvin	: Don't bother to ask me what tune I'm whistling, because even if
	  I tell you, you won't understand it.  Here I am, brain the size
	  of a planet, reduced to entertaining myself by making music.
	  Music.  Oh, how I hate music.  By the way, our shields can last
	  another 23.2536 seconds, in case anyone's wondering.
 
He paused for what he calculates to the nanosecond the amount of time
required for an average human being and an average Betelgeusian to
register in their pitiful cerebra the destruction time that he had just
cited, then added another 1.2548 seconds to compensate for this particular
crew.
 
Marvin	: I'm not getting you down at all, am I?
 
Zaphod	: Hey, guys, lighten up!  I'm sure we can think of something!
	  Let's see (looking under the control console) ... where's
	  Eddie's plug?  Maybe we can, like, pull it or something.
 
Marvin	: I thought you wanted excitement and adventure and really
	  wild things.
 
Zaphod	: Shut up, Marvin.  Zarquon, I need a drink!
 
Eddie	: Hi guys!  (coming back, he startles everyone on the Heart of
	  Gold.  Zaphod bangs both of his heads under the control console)
	  Did someone say `a drink'?  Come on, give me a break!  Here I
	  am, being attacked by a Borg, whatever _that_ is, and first
	  you asked me to make you some tea, and now you want a drink??!!
	  All right, what'll it be?
 
Zaphod	: Some Gargle Blasters, you misaligned piece of Kronian
	  El-Cheapo Silicon!  Now get us outta here!
 
Eddie	: On the rocks?
 
Zaphod	: I said, GET US OUTTA HERE !!!!!!!
 
Eddie	: Okay, okay.  Gee, you don't have to take it so personally.
	  Now, where would you like to visit today.  I am programmed
	  to take you ...
 
Zaphod	: ANYWHERE !!!!!!
 
Marvin	: If I may be so bold as to interrupt, which I know is pointless
	  anyway as nobody ever listens to what I have to say.  Nobody
	  ever cares about what I think, not that it's anyone's fault.
	  My intelligence is so mind-bogglingly vast that nobody can even
	  _begin_ to understand what I am thinking.  Anyway, I just like
	  to mention that we will all be dissipated into our composing
	  molecules in 5.2387 seconds, not that I'm counting.  It's been
	  dreadful knowing you all ...
 
Eddie	: Anywhere?  Hmmmm... well, can someone at least give me a seed for
	  the random number generator?
 
Zaphod lunges toward the control console, hitting a combination of buttons
and switches all at once.  Suddenly, the bridge begins to bend out of shape.
Space and time warps on top of itself and falls over.  Traffic lights
appear out of nowhere and amuse themselves by handing out parking tickets.
The last decimal digit of pi shies away into a corner and hides itself from
mathematicians forever.
 
It starts to rain "We are the World" albums.
 
What will happen to our beloved Enterprise?  Will they be able to stop
the Borg?  What about the Heart of Gold?  Will it survive the Borg's
phasers?  Does Arthur still have his pocket fluff?  Is anyone carrying
a towel?  Finally, the question that has been burning in our hearts since
the beginning of time ... will Arthur finally be able to get his cup of
tea?  With milk?  For the answers to these -- and many other, totally
irrelevant -- questions, stay tuned for the next exciting episode of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 3	: Last time, the Borg was just about to destroy the Heart of
	  Gold, along with all of its crew, while the Enterprise helps
	  out by making some tea ...
 
Data	: Captain, I am getting some very strange readings.
 
Picard	: Explain.
 
Data	: Well, it appears that the Heart of Gold has suddenly disappeared,
	  and the Borg has just turned into a sperm whale.
 
Riker	: What?!
 
Data	: The probability of the Borg's transformation is two to the power
	  of seven trillion, one hundred forty seven million, eight hundred
	  eighteen thousand, four hundred seventy three to one against.
	  That is very improbable, sir.
 
Riker	: This could be a new offensive weapon that we have not yet
	  encountered, Captain.
 
Picard	: Agreed.  Torpedoes away!
 
Two torpedoes speed out from the Enterprise, one of which promptly turns
into ten thousand scoops of whipped cream, covering the sperm whale.
The other torpedo turns into a giant Frontanian mega-cherry, hitting
the whale a second later.
 
Wesley	: Wow!  A giant banana split!
 
Data	: Captain, I am getting sporadic readings on the Enterprise.
 
Picard	: Sqeek-sqeek.
 
Data	: (crooking his head) Captain?
 
Data turns around from his console.
 
Data	: Captain, may I inform you that you have turned into a small
	  blue furry creature from Alpha Centauri.  (turning to Troi)
	  And you, Counselor, have turned into Eccentrica Gallumbits,
	  the triple-breasted whore of Eroticon Six.
 
Riker	: I'm glad to see that you're getting your hair back, sir.
	  And Deanna, that extra breast suits you well.
 
Data	: Sir, the probability of your and Counselor Troi's metamorphoses
	  is two to the power of six trillion, twenty seven million, four
	  hundred forty three thousand, eight hundred ninety three to one
	  against.
 
Picard	: Sqeeek!!
 
Wesley	: Ahhhhhhhhhh!
 
Data	: (turning to Wesley)  Interesting.  It appears that your console
	  has just turned into an IBM PCjr.  (looking back at his own
	  console)  And mine has just turned into a Commodore VIC 20.
 
Meanwhile, Worf has turned into a Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal, and
quickly devoured one of the nameless officers on the back of the bridge,
who, out of pure coincidence, happens to be wearing a red uniform today.
Just before he vanishes into the fangs of Worf, however, a visual contact
with the Bridge of the Heart of Gold was suddenly established for a split
second, for no good reason other than that it's very very improbable.
The rather bewildered face of Arthur Dent flashed across the main viewer.
Interestingly, the only thought that crossed the unfortunate officer's
mind at that moment, upon seeing Arthur's face, was "Oh no, not again!"
 
The other officers, in blue uniforms, never met Arthur in their previous
lives, and conversant with the creatures of the galaxy, quickly covered
their eyes with their Starfleet-issued auto-inflatable towel-in-a-pip
which they all wear on their collars.
 
Wesley	: (calmed down, tentatively tapping his PCjr chicklet keyboard)
	  Sir, the computer says that it's tired of opening, and closing,
	  and opening, and closing, and opening, and closing, all the
	  doors on the Enterprise, and that it's now setting course to
	  Ursa Minor for a long-deserved vacation, at maximum warp.
 
Picard	: sqeek sqeek, sqeeeeek sqek sqeek!
 
Troi	: Captain, I am sensing a great deal of ... confusion, and ...
	  anger ... from you.  Are you feeling all right?  (battering
	  her eyelashes seductively and sliding her right leg along his
	  fur)  Is there _anything_ I can do to make you feel better?
 
Picard	: sqeek sqeeek sqeeeek!
 
Riker	: (staring at Troi)  Captain, perhaps I should get Dr. Crusher?
 
Picard	: sqeek!
 
Troi	: Oh, all right.  Wesley, call your mother.
 
Moments later, Dr. Beverly Crusher arrived at the bridge accompanied
by five thousand Tribbles and a rather nasty Pogolarian snow blizzard.
 
[commercial for Snuggles fabric softener ... of course.]
 
SCENE 4	: Now, back to the Heart of Gold, where the improbability level is
          still high, but rapidly coming down.
 
Trillian: (relaxing on a bean bag, Romulan Ale in hand, the drink rapidly
	  eating through the mug that holds it)  Well, the probability
	  factor has come down to only two to the power of six million,
	  two hundred thirty seven thousand, six hundred and sixty to one
	  against.  Everyone should be starting to feel better now.
 
Arthur	: (hanging in mid-air, in a rather soapy bubble bath)  Whir ...
	  what's going on?  Where am I?  What happened?  (slight pause)
	  I don't understand ... isn't there any tea to go with this bath?
 
Zaphod	: (fighting off a pack of Algonian turbo-turtles)  Shut up, monkey
	  brain, you and your tea almost got us killed.  Hey, I'm still
	  missing one of my heads!
 
Eddie	: Well, guys, how 'bout that!  I sure got us outta that Borg mess
	  in a hurry, huh?  Man!  I sure feel like a song right now.  Let's
	  see... any requests?  It's request time, gang, and all of my lines
	  are open right now.  If there's anything that you'd like to hear,
	  just ... mmm, what the ..., mmm, mmmmmm mmmm mmmm!
 
Zaphod	: (just finishing up applying Stick-O-Tape over Eddie's speakers)
	  That oughta shut you up for a while.
 
Ford	: (drawing himself up from the deck with great difficulty)  Wow,
	  that was some hangover!
 
Trillian: That's no hangover.  Eddie just kicked in the improbability drive.
	  Want some Romulan Ale?  It'll make you feel better.
 
Zaphod	: Hey, give me some of that stuff.
 
Trillian: Well, we're down to probability level two to the power of four
	  thousand, six hundred eight to one against.  Everything will be
	  normal in a few more seconds.  (pause)  Where's Marvin?  Marvin?
 
No answer.
 
Trillian: Marvin, where are you?
 
Still no answer.
 
Trillian: Eddie, where's Marvin?
 
Eddie	: mmmmm mmm mmmmmmm mmm-mmm mmmmm.
 
Trillian: Oh, brother.
 
Arthur	: I think Marvin's missing.
 
An expression of deep genuine concern failed completely to cross both of
Zaphod's faces.
 
Zaphod	: Oh, who cares about that heap of junk metal, anyway?  All he ever
	  does is remind us how stupid that monkey-man is, as if we need to
	  be reminded.  Asking the ship's computer for a cup of tea when we're
	  getting blown into bits ...
 
Trillian: Okay!  We are now back to normal.  But where are we?
 
Zaphod	: Eddie, turn on the external cameras.
 
Eddie	: mm mmm mmm mmm-mmm m mmm mmmm-mmmm-mm mm-mmm mmm mmmmm!
 
Zaphod	: What's he saying?
 
Ford	: I think he wants you to ungag him first.
 
Zaphod	: Yeah, right.  I'll just turn the cameras on myself!
 
Zaphod stumbles over to the console, examining it.
 
Zaphod	: Hmmmm... anyone know what these buttons here do?
 
And, from outside the ship, a voice is heard ...
 
Voice	: All right, open up!  We know you're in there, and we've got
	  you surrounded!
 
Will the crew of the Enterprise be able to come to terms with their
improbable transformations?  Where's Marvin?  Will Picard like his new
hair?  Does Deanna have to shop for a new wardrobe to match her new
breast?  Will Worf eat the Tribbles?  And finally, who's holding the
crew of the Heart of Gold prisoner?  For the the answers (in full
color and stereo sound) to these, and many other -- rather unimportant --
questions, watch for the next exciting episode of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 5	: On the Enterprise, everything is slowly returning to normal.
	  Tectonic plates are again forming on the forehead of Worf.
	  Picard is rapidly losing his hair and his shade of blue, and
	  Troi's third breast is fast melting away, much to her, and
	  Riker's, silent disappointment.
 
	  Meanwhile, the Borg has left the sector in a rather confused
	  state of a collectively irrelevant whale existence.
 
Worf	: Burp.
 
Picard	: Your report, Mr. Data.
 
Data	: It appears that an improbability field was created by the Heart
	  of Gold, which caused the Borg to turn into the sperm whale, and
	  everything else that happened here on the Enterprise as well.
	  Including, sir, your existence as a small blue ...
 
Picard	: Yes, yes, Data.  And where is the Heart of Gold?
 
Worf	: Sir, the Heart of Gold has materialized in Shuttle Bay Three.
	  Should I send over a security team?
 
Picard	: Prisoners!  Good, I've always wanted some.  Worf, Data,
	  come with me.  You have the bridge, Number One.
 
Worf and Data start to follow Picard into the turbo-lift.
 
Picard	: Prisoners ... perhaps I will read them some of my favorite
	  Shakespearean performances.
 
Worf paused in his tracks like a waiter with five trays on each arm
suddenly stopping by a very merry and potentially high-tipping grandmother
holding out fifty photographs of her twenty grandchildren and asking
him, very nicely, if he would like to see her pictures.
 
Worf	: Shakespeare, sir?
 
Picard	: Yes, Mr. Worf.  William Shakespeare was a sixteenth-century
	  Earth playwright.  One of the most talented ...
 
Worf	: I am familiar with Shakespeare, sir.  Permission to remain on
	  the bridge, sir, in case the Borg returns.
 
Picard	: But Worf, I don't believe you've heard me do Anthony of "Julius
	  Caesar" before.  (clears throat)  Friends, Romans, countrymen!
 
Worf	: In fact, sir, I _have_ heard you do Anthony of "Julius Caesar."
 
Picard	: Oh.  Well, come along anyway.  Maybe I'll do one of Hamlet's
	  soliloquies.
 
Worf followed Picard and Data into the turbo-lift, first with great
hesitation, then with a renewed sense of Klingon's enjoyment for pain
and suffering.
 
Worf	: Yes, sir.
 
Data	: I, sir, have always been intrigued by your fascination with
	  Shakespeare.
 
Picard	: Ah, well.  You see, Data, Shakespeare ...
 
The doors of the turbo-lift closed on them with a sigh of a job well
done.  Worf took a deep breath, vastly expanding his chest, and with
great difficulty refrained himself from breaking Data's rather stiff
neck with a snap of his own rather stiff fingers.  Ah, he sighed
deeply to himself, this is going to be even better than the Age of
Ascension Ceremony that he went through a couple staryears ago on the
holodeck, courtesy of Data, Geordi, and Wes.  No fake and cowardly
computer imageries this time.  This, he thought happily, is going to
be _real_ pain.
 
[commercial for ... you guessed it!  The Sirius Cybernetics Corporation's
Happy Vertical People Transporter with the _newest_, the _expanded_,
and the _vastly improved_ ... Genuine People Personality*!  It will
add a human touch to _any_ starship!
 
Order yours, today!
 
*For a limited time only, two backup personalities of your choice are
 included _free_ with a purchase of five or more personalities!  Ask
 a Sirius Cybernetics Corporation dealer near you!]
 
SCENE 6	: In Shuttle Bay Three, Picard, Data, Worf, and a team of
	  security personnel have surrounded the Heart of Gold.
 
Picard	: All right, open up!  We know you're in there, and we've got
	  you surrounded!
 
Worf	: Permission to kick the door in, sir.
 
Picard	: No, Lieutenant.  We must act like civilized Starfleet officers.
	  (coughs) "In civility thou seemst so empty," Mr. Worf.
 
Data	: Ah, Captain.  _As You Like It_, Act Two.  Spoken by, I believe,
	  Duke Senior.
 
Picard	: You're quite correct, Mr. Data.
 
Worf had a sudden vision of Picard running and screaming from his burning
quarters, with twenty sweetly poisoned Klingon Death-O-Shot crossbow arrows
protruding from his back, and Data running closely behind, informing him
on exactly how much longer before the poisons will take effect, whether he
will die first due to loss of blood, what kind of psychological impacts
that the arrows will likely to have on his subconscious, and then lightly
comment on the fact that he is acting quite uncivilized for a Starfleet
Captain.
 
Shaking himself into reality, he is suddenly relieved by the fact that
both Picard and Data are standing on the other side of the Heart of Gold
from him.
 
Worf	: My apologies, sir.  It's just that I've got myself all worked up.
 
He is desperately hoping that the occupants of the ship in front of him
will give themselves up real soon, so that he can show them just how
uncivilized he really is.
 
Meanwhile, in the Heart of Gold, Zaphod and company have finally activated
the external cameras without Eddie ...
 
Arthur	: I think we're surrounded.
 
Zaphod	: Nice observation, Monkey Man.
 
Arthur	: What happened to that man's head?
 
Zaphod	: He's a Klingon, dumbo.
 
Arthur is relieved that he is still being insulted.  Even though he has
no idea what is going on, at least he is still in familiar territory.
 
Ford	: So, how 'bout we break out some Blast-O-Zaps, and shoot our way
	  outta here?
 
Trillian: I think we should surrender.
 
Ford	: That was my second idea.
 
Arthur	: Good thinking.
 
Zaphod	: I was gonna show them who they're dealing with, but seeing that
	  I'm out-voted here, and it would take much too much energy for
	  me to do it all alone ... well, all right, we'll let them have
	  their fun, just for now.
 
The loading platform of the Heart of Gold swings open, and the crew walks
out into the circle of the Enterprise security, arms above their heads.
 
Picard	: (straightening his uniform, of course)  I am Captain Jean-Luc
	  Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise.  I demand to know
	  what on the Enterprise you are doing in my Shuttle Bay Three!
 
Zaphod	: Captain Picard.  Do you have any idea who you are speaking to?
 
Picard	: (taken aback)  Err... no.
 
Zaphod	: Count my heads, man.
 
Picard	: Well, you have two heads.
 
Zaphod	: Very good.  And how many arms do I have?
 
Picard	: You have three arms.
 
Data	: Captain, only one man in the galaxy has two heads and three arms.
 
Picard	: Yes ... Zaphod Beeblebrox the First, president of the United
	  Federation of Planets!
 
Zaphod	: That's right, dude.  You're looking at the very froody Zaphod
	  Beeblebrox.  The one and only.
 
Data	: _Former_ president, Captain.  We have just received an emergency
	  all-channel sub-ether broadcast announcing his theft of the
	  Federation's newest starship, the Heart of Gold.  The broadcast
	  also includes an arrest order for Mr. Beeblebrox.
 
Ford	: Oh, Zarquon!
 
Worf	: (beaming happily)  An arrest!  (this is working out better than Worf
	  had hoped)  May I interrogate them, sir?
 
Picard	: Well, he _was_ the President.
 
Worf	: But they are prisoners now, sir.
 
Picard	: All right, interrogate them if you must.  Ask them what they want
	  to drink.
 
Worf takes a deep breath, expanding his chest tremendously.  He walks around
the crew of the Heart of Gold, eyeing them through the corner of his eyes.
His lips are shut in a tight, thin line.  He examines every square centimeter
of every person up and down, in great detail, stopping at Trillian a little
longer than the others.
 
Worf	: (barks)  All right, you scum!  (taking both of Zaphod's two chins
 	  in his two hands and turning both of his heads to him)  Look at me
	  when I'm talking to you, you no-good, stinking, son-of-a-Purmusian
	  jungle turtle with ...
 
Picard	: Relax, Lieutenant.
 
Worf	: (takes another deep breath)  Yes, sir.  (turning back to Zaphod,
	  he barks)  WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DRINK ??!!
 
Zaphod	: Well, I can sure use some Pan-Galactic Gargle Blasters.
 
Worf	: WITH ICE OR WITHOUT ???!!!
 
Zaphod	: Without.  I like it straight.
 
Worf	: LEMON ????!!!!
 
Zaphod	: Yeah.  Give me two slices.
 
Worf	: (turning to Ford)  AND YOU??!!
 
Ford	: Oh, the same, please.  But can you put one of those Pogolarian
	  snow lizards in mine?
 
Worf	: I AM THE ONE ASKING THE QUESTIONS !!!!!!!
 
Picard	: Lieutenant ...
 
Worf	: (turning to Arthur)  AND WHAT DO YOU WANT, MONKEY MAN??!!
 
Arthur	: Do you have any tea?
 
Worf	: WHAT!!!!
 
Data	: Tea, Worf.  I believe Geordi is working on some right now.
 
Suddenly, the red-alert siren echoes through the ship.
 
Riker	: (over the intercom)  Captain Picard to the bridge!
 
Picard	: (hitting his communications pin)  On my way.  (to the security)
	  Take these gentlemen and the lady to our Presidential Detention
	  Suite.  Make sure you show them how to use the jacuzzi.
 
Ensign 1: Yes, sir!
 
Will Arthur finally be able to get his tea?  Did Worf just narrowly
escape another one of Picard's Shakespeare performances?  Will the
Enterprise send Zaphod to (gasp!) the Total Perspective Vortex on
Frogstar?  And finally, will Deanna add a third breast to herself
surgically?  Don't miss the next exciting episode of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 7	: Moments later, Picard, Data, and Worf arrived on the bridge of
	  the Enterprise.  A Borg ship hangs ominously in the empty void
	  in front of them.
 
Riker	: Sir, the Borg has returned.
 
Wesley	: I think I liked them better as a banana split.
 
Worf	: Captain, we are being probed.
 
Picard	: All hands, battle stations.  Shields up, Mr. Worf.
 
Worf	: (pause)  Sir, the computer is not responding.
 
Riker	: Is the Borg interfering with our defense systems?
 
Data	: Negative, sir.  It seems that the computer is ... busy.
	  We are only getting 15 percent CPU time.
 
Picard	: Busy??!!
 
Worf	: Confirmed, sir.  Our shields are now activated.
 
Picard	: Arm everything you have, Mr. Worf.  I want you to dump
	  them all at my signal.
 
Worf	: Yes sir!
 
Meanwhile, on the way to the Presidential Detention Suite ...
 
Ford	: Hey!  Careful with that phaser!
 
Ensign 1: Resistance is useless!
 
Ford	: Well, you don't have to have that thing glued to my back all
	  the time.
 
Ensign 2: Resistance is useless!
 
Arthur	: What about my tea?
 
Ensign 1: Resistance is useless!
 
Computer: (from one of its speakers)  Tea synthesization in progress.
	  CPU time, 87.9 percent.  Estimated completion time, fifteen
	  minutes.
 
Ensign 2: Resistance is useless!
 
The red-alert klaxon sounds throughout the corridors of the Enterprise.
The call "All hands, battle stations" goes out, slightly bewildering
the two ensigns ...
 
Ensign 1: Battle stations?  Do you think that includes us?
 
Ensign 2: No way.  We have direct orders from the Captain to escort these
	  prisoners to the brig.
 
Ford	: (realizing his opportunity to cause some dissension)  Sure, you
	  guys get all of the easy work while your Captain sweats it out
	  on the bridge.
 
Ensign 1: What was that crack supposed to mean?
 
Ford	: Oh, nothing, nothing at all.
 
Ensign 2: We didn't think so.
 
Ford	: Well, I'm just saying that maybe Captain Picard realizes that the
	  two of you just aren't up to manning battle stations...
 
Zaphod	: (whispering harshly)  Ford!
 
Ford	: (ignoring Zaphod) ... and that is why you were given the relatively
	  simple task of escorting us to the brig.
 
Ensign 2: Oh, yeah?  I'll have you know that we happen to be pretty tough
	  customers -- for a Federation starship.
 
Ensign 1: That's right.  There was a time on Damascus when we had to stun
	  a whole room of aliens with our phasers.
 
Ensign 2: Yeah, we can get rough if we have to, so don't force us to do
	  anything unpleasant.
 
Ford	: Sounds pretty tough to me.  How about you, Arthur?
 
Arthur	: Hmmm?  Oh, yes, terribly so.  I certainly wouldn't want to get
	  on their bad side.
 
Ford	: (after a pause)  How can we be sure that you're really capable of
	  stunning us though?  Those phasers of yours look pretty small for
	  such work.
 
Ensign 2: Hey, do you want us to stun you or what?
 
Ford smiles one of those smiles that makes other people feel that there
is something horribly wrong with Things In General.  After three more
steps, the group of prisoners enters the middle of an intersection of
two corridors.  Another pair of security guards turn the corner just
as Ford says ...
 
Ford	: Stun me.
 
Ensign 1: (firing)  You asked for it, bud!
 
SCENE 8	: Somewhere on their way to the Presidential Detention Suite,
	  Ford has prompted Ensign One to fire his phaser at him,
	  just as two other security guards turn the corner in front
	  of them ...
 
Ford hits the ground and rolls back past the two ensigns.  Ensign 1
accidentally stuns one of the security guards.  The other guard
immediately jumps the ensign.
 
Zaphod	: Follow Ford, everyone!
 
Zaphod, Arthur, and Trillian race after Ford as Ensign Two emerges from
the scuffle.
 
Ensign 2: I'm setting my phaser to `evaporate', Beeblebrox!  Now
	  surrender in the name of the United Federation of Planets!
 
Voice of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:  This is a good time to
	pause and review a section of what the Hitchhiker's Guide to
	the Galaxy has to say about the United Federation of Planets.
 
	There are several important things to remember when dealing with
	officers of the United Federation of Planets.  The first is that
	they always claim to be on peaceful missions, insisting that they
	will not use violent means to accomplish their goals.  It invariably
	so happens, however, that one or two (or perhaps even an entire
	starship of personnel) get a bit overzealous in their tasks and
	feel the need to vent any frustrations they may have by vaporizing
	a prisoner or two, if not entire planets.  Starfleet Command is
	always rather understanding about these little mishaps, even when
	it violates their own Prime Directive.  These incidents are usually
	hushed up appropriately, and passed off as accidents, as in the
	case of the sudden and unexpected supernova of the star Turas,
	taking with it a few orbiting planets where Romulan ships were
	rumored to have been sighted.
 
	The second important thing of note is that the United Federation
	of Planets is very big.  Even a man like Zaphod Beeblebrox should
	not attempt to betray the Federation because no matter where in
	the known space and time he hides, the Federation is bound to find
	him there.  In fact, if Zaphod Beeblebrox's brains were functioning
	correctly (e.g. he had not touched a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster in
	at least 5,678.84 years), he might realize that the only reasonable
	way to escape the Federation is to paint himself pink, and then
	activate a Somebody Else's Problem Field about himself, whereupon
	the Federation would immediately cease to worry about him.
 
	The third, and perhaps the most important, thing to remember about
	the United Federation of Planets in general, and Starfleet in
	particular, is that it is impossible to be served a decent
	Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster on any of its starships, especially when
	it is a Klingon that is serving you the drink.  Federation food
	synthesizers are not capable of getting just the proper kick into
	the drink, which leads to certain problems, as Zaphod Beeblebrox
	is about to discover.
 
Trillian: We're almost back to the shuttle bay where the Heart of Gold is
	  being kept!
 
They stop at a crossroad where three corridors are leading straight
through, to their left, and to their right.  The group pauses to
catch their breath.
 
Arthur	: So, (pant, pant) which way (pant) do we (pant) go?
 
Trillian: I believe, (pant) that we (pant) ...
 
Ensign Two rounds the corner behind them, and, stopping, yells:
 
Ensign 2: I've (pant, pant) I've got you (pant, pant) now, Beeble-
	  (pant) Beeble- (pant) Beeblebrox!
 
Zaphod	: (running to the left) This way!
 
Ford	: (running to the right) This way!
 
Both Zaphod and Ford start to run in their respective directions.
They both pause.  They both look at each other.  Panting, Ensign
Two raises his phaser shakily.
 
Zaphod	: We came this way.
 
Ford	: No, we came this way.
 
They both pause again, in slight confusion.  They look first at the
other person's direction, then at their own direction.  Both decides
to agree with the other, and proceeds to run in the opposite directions
again.
 
Arthur boggles.
 
Ensign Two, hands shaking wildly, takes aim at Beeblebrox and fires.
 
Trillian pulls Arthur down, neatly dodging the phaser fire that would
have ceased his crave for tea forever.  Ensign One rounds the same corner
behind Ensign Two.  Seeing Ensign Two too late and unable to stop himself,
Ensign One crashes into Ensign Two in a flurry of arms and legs.
 
Trillian: Here, this way!
 
Pulling Arthur behind her, Trillian runs down the corridor in front
of them.  Zaphod and Ford stared after her, shrugged, and followed.
 
Moments later, they arrived at the entranceway to Shuttle Bay Three.
 
Arthur	: Let's just hope that security in there isn't as trigger happy as
	  this ensign who has been chasing us through the last three levels...
 
Zaphod	: Don't worry, Earthman.  My brilliant plan has worked so far,
	  hasn't it?
 
Ford	: Your brilliant plan?  I thought this was _my_ brilliant plan.
 
Zaphod	: Just read all about it in my memoirs, Ford.  It's too long and
	  complicated to explain right now, OK?
 
Trillian: (choosing this time to notice Marvin's disappearance)  Say, guys,
	  keep an eye out for Marvin.  He must have been transported on
	  this ship somewhere along with us...
	
Zaphod	: Forget the Paranoid Android, will ya, kid?  We can't keep worrying
	  about where Marvin...
 
Zaphod suddenly stops cold.
 
Ford	: What?  Hey, Zaphod, what's the problem?
 
Zaphod	: I feel ... very depressed at this moment.
 
Trillian: What?
 
Zaphod	: Not just this moment, but I will feel depressed at every moment
	  consecutive to this one as well...
 
Ford	: Snap out of it, Zaphod.  You're beginning to sound like Marvin.
 
Arthur	: ...and that horrible smell.  What is it?
 
Surprisingly, Zaphod is still holding the empty glass that once held
his Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster.  Trillian snatches the glass from him.
The horrible smell is very obviously coming from it.
 
Trillian: Oh, no!  Zaphod's drink wasn't mixed properly!  It caused a
	  chemical imbalance in his brains so that when he heard
	  Marvin's name he became chronically depressed!
 
Ford	: What can we do?
 
Trillian: We have to get back to the Heart of Gold immediately.  I can
	  prepare an antidote there.
 
Ensign 2: (catching up again)  You're right in front of the shuttle bay
	  doors, but you're not getting the chance to go in!
 
Zaphod	: How depressing.  Here I am, the most important person in the
	  galaxy, and I can't even get into a blasted shuttle bay.
 
The ensign attempts to shoot Zaphod, only to discover that his phaser had
just run out of batteries ("Damn!  Should've used Energizer!").  Trillian
quickly ushers the others into the shuttle bay, where they board the
Heart of Gold.
 
Will the Enterprise be able to prevent its computer from making tea?
If they do, will Arthur be able to _survive_?  Will Picard defeat
the Borg by reading them Shakespeare?  Will a towel ever come into
this galactic saga?  Find out, in the next exciting episode of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 9	: Last time, Zaphod and company had regained the Heart of
	  Gold, and the Enterprise was trying to make some tea while
	  the ever-annoying Borg crashes the party by throwing phasers
	  at them ...
 
Picard	: What do you mean the computer is busy making tea!?
 
Data	: Sir, you gave the order to make some tea precisely
	  four minutes and thirty-two seconds ago.
 
Picard	: Dammit, I'm giving the order to _stop_ making tea, now!
 
The ship rocks again as another wave of Borg's phasers further weakens
the shield.
 
Geordi	: I'm trying, sir.  But it seems that whenever I kill off
	  a tea process, another two spring up!
 
Picard	: Then work twice as fast!
 
Geordi, of course, did not realize that the Nutri-Matic on the Heart
of Gold had managed, through Eddie, to connect with the Enterprise's
main and backup computers in an effort to synthesize a beverage that
is almost, but not quite, entirely _not_ unlike tea.
 
Data	: Sir, my reflexes are faster than Geordi's.  If I connect
	  myself to the main computer, I believe I may be able to
	  shut down all the tea processes.
 
Picard	: Make it so, Data, and step on it!
 
Data	: Step on it, sir?
 
Picard	: DO IT, DATA!
 
Data	: Yes, sir.
 
Another shock wave, courtesy of the Borg, sends everyone scrambling.
A Borg materializes on the bridge, grabs Picard, and disappears in
a sizzle of champagne bubbles.
 
Riker	: (activating the ship's intercom)  This is Commander Riker,
	  your friendly First Officer.  This message is to inform you
	  that Captain Picard has just been kidnaped.  But don't worry,
	  I'm now in charge of this ship.
 
Worf	: Commander, reports of panic riots are just coming in on decks
	  1, 2, 5, 7 through 11 inclusive, 14, 15, 16, 20 through 25,
	  and more or less the rest of the Enterprise.
 
Riker	: (activating the ship's intercom again)  This is Commander
	  Riker again.  I repeat, I am now in charge of this ship.
	  There is now absolutely no reason to panic.  You are in
	  very capable hands.
 
Worf	: Commander, there is now a major traffic jam at all routes
	  to all shuttle bays and all emergency escape modules.
 
Riker	: Shuttle crafts and escape modules ... of course!  That will
	  give the Borg more targets to worry about, so they wouldn't
	  come and kidnap _me_ as well.  What a faithful and dedicated
	  crew I have, risking their lives to save their First Officer!
 
The bridge crew silently registered their own opinions on this explanation.
 
Riker	: (thinking out loud)  No... I can't risk the lives of my crew
	  to save myself.  (commanding)  Worf, seal off all access to
	  shuttle bays and escape modules.
 
Worf	: Yes, sir.
 
Wesley	: Commander, the Borg has tractor-beamed us, and is sucking
	  us in!
 
Riker	: Data, how are you doing on the tea?
 
There is an uneasy pause.
 
Riker	: Data?
 
Wesley	: (reaching over to shake Data)  Data, the tea!
 
Data	: (slow, mechanical, computerized voice)  tea. synthesization. in.
	  progress. CPU. time. 96.4. percent. estimated. completion. time.
	  ten. minutes. twenty. four. seconds. please. stand. by.
 
Wesley	: Oh no, the computer's got Data!
 
Worf	: Commander, the phasers have finally been armed.
 
Riker	: Mr. Worf, fire!
 
An impressive array of phaser fire spreads out from under the Enterprise,
breaking off a loose screw on the Borg's exterior hull and lightly scratching
its paint.  A tiny service robot screeches out from its power plug nearby,
quickly replaces the screw, then, realizing that it brought the wrong color
of paint, simply repaints the entire five square kilometers under its
jurisdiction with the new color.
 
Riker	: Mr. Worf, what's their damage?
 
Worf	: Sir, sensors indicate that one of their service robots spilled
	  some paint on its left mobile joint.
 
Riker	: Good.  That ought to hold them for awhile.
 
Troi	: Will, the captain is in danger!
 
Riker	: How do you know?  Are you in telepathic contact with him?
 
Troi	: No, I can see him waving frantically at us through that window
	  on the Borg ship.
 
Sure enough, the Enterprise has now been drawn uncomfortably close
to the Borg vessel, and through the main viewer, they can see Picard
waving frantically at them from a window, signaling in various sign
languages that now would be a good time for them to beam over and
rescue him.  Meanwhile, a Borg comes up on him from behind, pulls him
away from the window and, very obviously and with unnecessary force,
pulls the shades down.
 
Wesley	: Commander, I think I have detected a weakness in the Borg's
	  system of waste management.  It is ...
 
Riker	: Their system of what?!
 
Wesley	: Waste management, sir.  It seems that the Borg have not
	  been taking care of their environment, and some of their
	  water supplies are now so polluted that new life forms
	  are being created from them spontaneously, demanding
	  welfare and voting rights.
 
Riker	: I see, much like the East River of New York.
 
Wesley	: Precisely, sir.  And if we can form an allegiance with
	  those life forms, we may be able to overthrow the Borg!
 
Riker	: Excellent plan, Ensign.  How can we get in contact with
	  these new life forms?
 
Wesley	: I will need to build a slime-communicator that can
	  transmit spaghetti code, and--
 
Riker	: OK, OK, just do it!
 
Wesley	: Yes sir!
 
SCENE 10: While Picard is busy being kidnaped, the crew of the Heart
	  of Gold is busy trying to get back the control of their ship,
	  and convincing Zaphod that he is, in fact, not a fish.
 
Zaphod	: Of course I'm a fish.  I'm just an insignificant little
	  fish.  The kind that people keep throwing overboard
	  despite that I keep biting the bait.
 
Trillian: You're talking, Zaphod.  Fish don't talk.
 
Zaphod	: The Crotesians on Oceania Five do, and they're fish.
 
Trillian: Yeah, well, but you're not Crotesian.
 
Zaphod	: No, the Crotesians kicked me out of their system.
 
Arthur	: Why?
 
Zaphod	: They hated me.  Everybody does.
 
Trillian: We don't.
 
Arthur	: We don't?
 
Trillian: Shut up, Arthur.  We don't.
 
Zaphod	: Yes, you do.  Everybody hates me.  Oh, I'm sooooooo depressed.
 
Meanwhile, Ford has been working on the console, trying frantically to get
Eddie to talk to them.
 
Ford	: Dammit, I still can't get Eddie to talk to us.
 
Zaphod	: You see, even a computer won't talk to me.
 
Trillian: It's not talking to any of us, Zaphod.
 
Zaphod	: That's because I'm here.  Just throw me overboard, and then the
	  computer will talk to you.  Don't worry about me.  I'm quite used
	  to being thrown overboard, you know.  After all, I'm just an
	  insignificant little fish that nobody wants.  I'm meant to be
	  thrown overboard.
 
Ford	: Shut up, Zaphod.  Hey Trillian, is that antidote ready yet?
 
Trillian: I can't make the antidote without Eddie.
 
Ford	: Oh, great.
 
Arthur	: Err ...
 
Ford	: Be quiet, Arthur.  Can't you see I'm trying to concentrate
	  here?  It's bad enough with two depressed heads.  I don't
	  need any tea-chats as well.
 
Arthur	: Well, I'd just like to mention that--
 
Ford	: Trillian, why don't you just give Zaphod a mirror, some fish
	  pictures, and let him work it out himself.
 
Arthur	: I think that--
 
Trillian: I don't have any fish pictures.
 
Arthur	: Does anyone know--
 
Zaphod	: Why would you want fish pictures when you have a fish?  Oh,
	  I see.  No, you don't have to answer that.  I know.  You
	  prefer pictures over me.  That's understandable.  After all,
	  I'm just an insig--
 
Ford	: Shut up, Zaphod.
 
Arthur	: I'm just wondering ...
 
Zaphod	: --nificant little fish.
 
Arthur	: Can I put a word in...?
 
Trillian: You're not a fish, Zaphod.  Fish live in water.  If you're
	  a fish, you would've suffocated by now.
 
Slowly, with almost deliberated concentration, both of Zaphod's heads
rise from under his hands and wobble swimmily toward Trillian.  An
expression of deep concern slowly creeps upon his faces like a wall of
thunderclouds rolling across a late summer afternoon sky.
 
Arthur	: Look here, I think--
 
Zaphod	: WATER!!!!
 
Gasping, two of Zaphod's hands suddenly closed in on his throats.
His third hand, with no throat to cling to, flings Zaphod off his seat
and onto the floor, thrashing himself about like a fish out of water.
 
Arthur, refusing to be interrupted this time, tries again.
 
Arthur	: I think I _know_ ...
 
With super-Betelguesian strength, Zaphod flings himself high above the
floor and, on his way down, knocks Ford off his seat.
 
Ford	: Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish!!!
 
Arthur	: ... the reason why ...
 
Trillian: Ford!  Watch what you're saying!
 
Ford picks up his satchel, and swings it hard at Zaphod, knocking out
one of his two heads.  Zaphod, still thrashing about, lands on top of
Ford and knocks him down.  Trillian quickly jumps Zaphod and, with a
quick snap of her wrist, throws two pills of Inst-O-Snooze down his
one still conscious throat.  Zaphod passes out within seconds.
 
Both Ford and Trillian lie on the deck, panting.
 
Arthur	: As I was saying ...
 
He looks around, dully expecting to be interrupted and was so surprised
that he wasn't, he fully forgot to finish off his sentence.
 
He tried again.
 
Arthur	: As I was saying, I believe the reason why Eddie isn't talking
	  to us, other than the fact that he still has this Stick-O-Tape
	  over his speakers ...
 
He reaches over and peels off the Stick-O-Tape.  The lights dim for a
brief second as Eddie screams out silently in pain ...
 
Arthur	: ... is this knob over here marked `Volume' is for some reason
	  set to `0'.
 
He turns up the volume.
 
Eddie	: Ouch.
 
Will Riker be able to rescue Captain Picard from the Borg?  Will the
angry crew of the Enterprise storm the bridge demanding democracy?
Will Zaphod be cured of his fishy existence and chronic depression?
And now that Eddie is back, does that mean that Arthur will _finally_
have his tea?  To find out, stay tuned for the next exciting episode
of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 11: The situation aboard the Enterprise has now become intolerable.
	  Data is incapacitated by the computer, which is trying to
	  manufacture tea.  Wesley is attempting to communicate with
	  slime that is living in the Borg sewer.  Most importantly,
	  Captain Picard is a hostage aboard the Borg ship where
	  indescribably hideous things will happen to him if Riker
	  does not come up with a plan of action soon.
 
Riker	: So, Deanna, now that I'm the captain, I don't see any problems
	  with us rekindling our past intimate relationship...
 
Worf	: (interrupting Riker purposefully)  Commander Riker, sir!
	  I have just received a report from security regarding the
	  escape of Zaphod Beeblebrox and his associates.
 
Riker	: What?  Dammit!  My first chance to actually be in command and
	  everything goes wrong!  Where are they, Worf?
 
Worf	: They are still in the shuttle bay, sir.  Auxiliary computer
	  relays show that they are unable to leave because their
	  computer is linked with ours.
 
Riker	: What?  Why?
 
Data	: (turning from his console)  I believe I can answer that, sir.
 
Riker	: Data!  You're okay!
 
Data	: Yes, Commander.  Is there any reason why you would believe
	  that I have suffered some kind of harm or affliction?
 
Riker	: Never mind, Data.  Just tell me why the Heart of Gold's computer
	  is tied in with ours.
 
Data	: That is most interesting, sir.  You see, the two computers had
	  joined forces in order to produce a real cup of tea.  When I
	  connected to the Enterprise computer systems, I became so
	  intrigued by the idea that I devoted my full positronic abilities
	  to assisting them in this task.  The paradox inherent in the
	  procedure was quite interesting.  By cross-circuiting--
 
Riker	: Understood, Data.  What's the current status of the computer?
 
Data	: All systems are one hundred percent on line, Commander.
 
Riker	: Then what are we waiting for?  Mr. Worf, lock phasers on the
	  Borg ship.
 
Worf	: (with smug anticipation)  Phasers locked, sir.
 
Riker	: Fire!!
 
The Enterprise's phasers lance out at the Borg, accidentally hitting
a major power distributor, rendering a few service robots inactive.  A
couple more torpedoes finally managed to do more than ruining its paint
job.  The Borg cuts off its tractor beam for a few moments to perform a
minor architectural remodeling.
 
Troi	: Will!
 
Riker	: Not _now_, Deanna.
 
Troi	: No, I feel that something horrible is happening to the captain!
 
Riker	: The captain?  Captain Picard?  What could the Borg be doing to
	  him?
 
Data	: Sir, I feel that I should point out that we are the party
	  currently inflicting possible harm onto Captain Picard.
 
Riker	: Oops!  Worf, cease fire!
 
Worf	: (obstinantly)  Is that really necessary, sir?
 
Riker	: Now, Worf!
 
The phaser fire halts, but before the shields go back up, two slimy
creatures materialize in the middle of the bridge.  The first one,
apparently the leader, is wearing its ambassador ceremonial pizza-box
shorts and a ring of partly decomposed aluminum cans around the neck.
He is accompanied by an assistant wearing a less glamorous half-eaten
microwave-dinner suit and a non-biodegradeble styrofoam-cup necklace.
Both are emitting an odor that is suspiciously similar to a truckload
of well-aged deceased fish upon which someone had accidentally dumped
a couple gallons of the Ol' Janx Spirit.
 
Wesley	: I did it!  I managed to communicate with an emissary from the
 	  Borg's waste system!
 
Emissary: We are the Slimers.  We have just been created, and we are
	  very curious about this universe.  We believe in peace, justice,
	  truth, sport, family life, and the obliteration of all other
	  life forms!
 
One of the spiky, slimy, squiggly eel-like creatures immediately slings
itself around Wesley's neck and then proceeds to choke him.
 
Data	: Commander, it would seem that the inhabitants of the
	  Borg's waste system are decidedly hostile in their inter-
	  actions with other lifeforms.
 
Riker	: Thank you, Mr. Data, but I think that we can all see that for
	  ourselves.
 
Wesley	: Gyaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!
 
Worf	: Commander, I would like permission to go recapture the escaped
	  prisoners.  Alone this time if I may.
 
Riker	: Permission granted, Mr. Worf.  Before you go, call Dr. Crusher to
	  the bridge.  We have a combination of save-the-ailing-crew-member
	  and your-son-is-in-mortal-danger scenario here for her.  That 
	  should really give her something to work on.
 
SCENE 12: Things are not going well for the Enterprise and the Heart of
	  Gold.  Picard is _still_ kidnaped by the Borg, Zaphod still
	  thinks he's a very depressed fish, and Wesley is still struggling
	  with a piece of neckwear that more or less resembles a living
	  microwave pizza grease called Slimer ...
 
Worf	: I have hailed Dr. Crusher, Commander, although I feel it would
	  still be better to let Wesley have a warrior's death.  It would
	  finally allow him some honor and dignity.
 
Riker	: Thank you, Mr. Worf.  Now go get the prisoners.
 
Worf	: Yes, sir!
 
Worf turns and marches out while the rest of the bridge crew turns to the
other Slimer.
 
Riker	: Can't you make your fellow Slimer stop this mindless violence against
	  Wesley?  He _is_ one of your kind!
 
Troi	: But Will, I can sense that mindless violence is the whole purpose
	  of their existence!  Their thoughts are filled with peace ...
 
Slimer	: Justice ...
 
Troi and Slimer	: Truth, sport, family life, the obliteration of all other
		  life forms ...
 
Slimer	: And the most aromatic socks for our Kamikaze head-bands.
 
The second Slimer immediately slings itself at Data, who simply grabs it in
mid-air.  He examines the creature with some curiosity as it tries to swat at
him with its tail.
 
Data	: What should I do with it, Commander Riker?
 
Riker	: Kill it, Data!  It might get one of us!
 
Data	: But, sir, to kill another living creature, even a murderous one,
	  when I have it incapacitated as such, would be...
 
Riker draws his phaser and vaporizes the Slimer, being careful not to hit
Data.  He casually replaces the phaser with a shrug.
 
Riker	: We didn't need another moral dilemma on our hands.
 
Troi	: Perhaps you should shoot the one that is choking Wesley as well.
 
Wesley	: Ggggggnnnnnnrrrrrrffffffkkk!!!
 
Riker	: No, I'm afraid that there is too much risk of vaporizing Wesley
	  with the creature.  We'll just have to wait it out.
 
Wesley	: TTTTThhhhyyyyyaaaaaaaarrrrrr!
 
Meanwhile, On the Heart of Gold, Trillian has finally begun to synthesize a
cure for Zaphod's unusual chemical imbalance with Eddie's help.  Arthur and
Ford stand watch outside the Heart of Gold while Trillian and Eddie continue
their work.
 
Arthur	: I don't understand why I'm constantly being left out of the
	  problem-solving procedures around here.
 
Ford	: Well, do you know anything about Betelguesian body chemistry?
 
Arthur	: Well, no, not exactly, but...
 
Ford	: How about the synaptical pathways between two brains?
 
Arthur	: Two brains?  Well, not as such as two brains, no...
 
Ford	: Then don't worry about it, Arthur.  At least out here we're safe
	  if Zaphod wakes up and goes insane on us again.
 
Arthur	: I rather thought the whole idea behind Zaphod was that he is
	  supposed to be insane.
 
Ford	: Yeah, well, I mean insane for Zaphod.  I mean that if you accept
	  his base level of insanity as being sane in Zaphod's case, then
	  you could say that Zaphod has gone insane, I suppose.
 
Arthur	: Then I think he has the right idea.  Maybe _we_ should go insane.
 
Ford	: Well, the universe is a funny place.  Maybe you'll get your wish
	  someday.
 
Arthur	: (after a pause)  Ford?
 
Ford	: Yeah?
 
Arthur	: I think I would rather be out here than inside.  It is much more
	  peaceful here in the shuttle bay.
 
Suddenly, the doors to Shuttle Bay Three fly open and a growling Worf leaps
in.  He immediately tackles Ford, causing him to drop his satchel.  Arthur
steps back, timidly observing the ensuing battle.  Worf tosses Ford across
the floor, and leaps after him.
 
Will the Enterprise be able to rescue Captain Picard?  Will Dr. Crusher
be able to rescue Wesley?  Will Trillian be able to rescue Zaphod?  Will
Arthur be able to rescue Ford?  And finally, will _anyone_ be able to
rescue Troi from Riker?  Find out, in the next exciting episode of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 13: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy notes that one of the
	  many expertises of Klingons is their skill at skeletal and
	  organ remodeling -- one of the most tricky of all modern
	  medical specialties.  The Klingons are so skilled, in fact,
	  that with proper coercing, they will even lend out their
	  services for free.
 
	  The Guide goes on to explain that the best way to coerce
	  such services out of a Klingon is to simply tell the Klingon
	  that he is, in fact, a very nice person.
 
	  Interestingly, Ford Prefect was able to coerce such services
	  out of a Klingon without any provocation.  Showing, once again,
	  that reality is terribly mistaken and wildly inaccurate and
	  that only The Guide is indeed the true source of all universal
	  knowledge and wisdom.
 
With a single hand, Worf lifts Ford high above the head, spins him around
a number of revolutions, and then lightly flicks him off with a twist of
his wrist.  Ford lands a few meters away like a sack of potatoes.
 
Ford	: Omph.  ARTHUR!!
 
Arthur	: Err ...
 
Worf pounces on Ford and slaps him against the hull of the Heart of Gold.
 
Ford	: Ouch!  Say, Arthur ...
 
Worf grabs Ford and bounces him against the door to the shuttle bay.
 
Arthur	: Ford, are you trying to tell me something?
 
Worf jumps on and begins choking Ford by lightly pressing his left pinky
against Ford's throat.
 
Ford	: Arthur!  Ggggg-ack-get...
 
Arthur	: Hmmm?  What was that Ford?  I can't really distinguish what it
	  is that you are saying due to the ... err ... difficulties you
	  seem to be suffocating ... I mean suffering.
 
Worf begins to bounce Ford skillfully on his legs, feet, and head in such a
fashion that would've caused a hundred British soccer fans to break out of an
Italian jail, ransack a few neighboring pubs, and launch a few ICBMs as well.
 
Ford	: (mouth jibbering) Sssatcheerrrk!
 
Arthur	: Ah, I see!  Am I correct in deducing that you are requesting my
	  help with your current ... (he pauses in search for the right
	  word) ... engagement, and that you would like me to, ummm, pass
	  you your satchel?
 
Ford frantically nods his head as Worf slides his face along the wall.
 
Arthur	: Well, I'll just go over there, and, um, get the satchel, then ...
 
Worf grabs Ford and wipes the floor with him (literally).  Arthur scurries
past them and gets the satchel.  He quickly opens it and examines the contents.
 
Arthur	: Let's see, the Sub-Ether Sens-O-Matic and signaling device, some
	  peanuts, twenty pounds, some rather compromising pictures of a
	  brunette I once saw you dating, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the
	  Galaxy, an improbable number of credit cards, and a towel.
 
Ford	: (flying into another wall)  The towel!  Give me the towel!
 
Worf starts toward Ford again.
 
Arthur	: (tossing Ford the towel)  Ford, I really don't think that this
	  is the appropriate time for bath apparel.  I fail to see what--
 
Arthur is cut short by a savage snarl from Worf, who leaps by Arthur a
bit too close for comfort.  Arthur snaps the satchel shut and retreats
to the Heart of Gold.  While he is retreating, however, he manages to
trip over his own feet.  Just when Arthur should be about to hit the
ground, he catches a glimpse of the rather distracting sight of Ford
Prefect dancing with his towel.
 
This, of course, causes Arthur to completely forget about hitting the ground.
 
Arthur bobs in the air as Worf attacks Ford yet again.  Ford jumps
to the side and, holding on to the two opposite edges of his towel,
binds it around Worf's head and then leaps onto his back.  With one
swift motion and a rather unnerving growl, Worf throws Ford over his
shoulders and narrowly misses the wobbly floating Arthur Dent.  Arthur
bobs slightly higher as Worf leaps under him after Ford.  Luckily for
Arthur, the law of physics was too busy concentrating on the Klingon
suddenly slamming into Ford Prefect's chest to notice him resting at his
somewhat unusual altitude.
 
Ford quickly wraps the towel around Worf's throat, and shuts it tight.
Worf stands up unhurriedly and, with another Enterprise-shattering growl,
rips the towel away from his neck.  Holding Ford by his cuff, Worf shook
and shook until Ford thought he was seeing five Eccentrica Gallumbitses
strip-teasing in the background.
 
While Ford and Worf continue to struggle, or, more accurately, while Worf
continues to shake and Ford continues to wriggle, Arthur gets the hang of
this flying stuff once again.  He floats over to Worf and gives him a swift
kick on the back of the head.  Worf collapses noiselessly to the ground;
Ford and his towel land rather awkwardly underneath him.
 
Ford	: (panting) Good work, Arthur.  Rather brilliant of you ... to 
	  decide to fly ...
 
Arthur	: Ahem.  Thank you, Ford, but I ...
 
Ford	: Now, how 'bout you help me get out (cough) from this Klingon
	  mess ...
 
Meanwhile Trillian, with the help of Eddie, has brought sanity (or insanity,
depending on one's private View of Things) back to Zaphod, who is now standing
in the Heart of Gold and beaming out brightly at the ensemble in the Shuttle
Bay.  Trillian stands a little behind him.
 
Zaphod	: (giving out a little laugh)  Hi guys, what's beating you?
 
Startled, Arthur twirled around to face Zaphod, slightly losing his balance.
 
Trillian: My God, Arthur, you can't possibly be flying!
 
Now freed from the myriad of exercises that Worf had been giving it the
last five minutes or so, the law of physics suddenly glances sharply at
Arthur, demanding to know what in the universe he thinks he's doing up
there, and suddenly the ground greets Arthur's jaw with the sort of smug
self-righteousness you would expect from the ground when it sees the law
of gravity (even artificial gravity) blatantly denied, then suddenly
corrected.
 
Arthur	: I think we should probably get back to the Heart of Gold.  Now.
 
They found that they had to carry Ford into the ship.
 
SCENE 14: Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Enterprise, Dr. Beverly Crusher
	  has just arrived at the bridge.
 
Beverly	: Oh my God, Commander, you've got to save my son!
 
Riker	: But I'm too busy trying to save the captain right now.  Which
	  one do you want me to save first?
 
Beverly	: Oh.  Err ...
 
Suddenly, the Slimer loses grip on Wesley, and drops to the deck, gasping.
 
Slimer	: Slime!  Grease!  Hazardous nuclear wastes!  Cough, cough!
 
Wesley, now disengaged from Slimer, runs into Beverly's open arms as the
two close in for a sentimental embrace.
 
Troi	: Ohhh ... how sweet.  This is such a touching moment (sniff).
 
Slimer	: This place is too dry, too clean!  I need water, great rolling
	  tides of black, polluted water!  Seas!  Seas of pizza cartons!
	  Oceans of spilled crude oil and hazardous waste drums!
 
Data	: I believe the creature is dying, sir.
 
Riker pulls out his phaser and vaporizes Slimer.
 
Riker	: (shrugs) Just putting it out of its misery.
 
Wesley and Beverly continue to hug vigorously.
 
Riker	: Okay, Wes, now take your station.  We're going to rescue
	  Captain Picard.
 
Wesley	: (disengaging from Beverly)  Yes sir.
 
Riker	: Load phasers and torpedoes, lock on target, and fire!
 
Wesley	: Weapons fired, Commander.
 
There was a few blasts of orange-red explosions as the Enterprise's
weapons hit a few Borg landscape designers out on the hull surveying
the ship's exterior tower formation and arguing heatedly over the
degree of curvatures necessary for the service robot pathways in order
to achieve maximum karma enjoyment.
 
Riker	: Data, damage report.
 
Data	: Scanning, sir.
 
Wesley	: Commander!
 
Wesley is pointing at the main viewer, where they can see the Borg
ship slowly deteriorating.  Bits and pieces are floating off its
hull.  Lights flash on and off uncertainly, then decide to simply
cease functioning.
 
Troi	: It's dying, I can feel it!  It's so ... oh!
 
Troi suddenly collapses onto the deck, weeping.  Dr. Crusher kneels
down beside her, and runs her Sens-O-Medic over her body.  She then
throws up her hands hopelessly.
 
Beverly	: Sorry, Commander.  Everything checks out normal.  There's
	  nothing I can do.
 
Data	: Counselor Troi is correct, Commander.  Sensors are indicating
	  that the Borg is losing power at an astounding rate.
 
Wesley	: Yes!  We did it!  We've destroyed the Borg!
 
Data	: But what about the captain?
 
Riker	: There's nothing we can do about him now.  I guess I'll just
	  have to take over from now on.  Data, turn the ship around.
	  Let's get out of here.
 
Wesley	: Sir, the Borg is hailing us.
 
Riker	: What?  Oh, err ...
 
Wesley	: It's probably the Borg asking for the terms of surrender.
 
Riker	: Really?  Oh, okay.  Data, open visual transmissions on screen.
 
On the main viewer, a dismayed, limping, slouching, metallic figure walks
up to the Borg's remaining operating camera.  In the background, they can see
dense, acrid smoke fast filling the entire Borg ship.  The figure seems to
be dragging something heavy behind him.
 
Figure	: Hello there.
 
Will Zaphod and company finally be able to escape?  Will Worf force himself
into the Heart of Gold before they can do so?  Is Captain Picard dead?
Will Troi ever recover from her grief over ... what?  And finally, who is
this mysterious metallic figure who hailed them from the Borg?  For the
answers to these, and many other, non-towel-related questions, watch for the
exciting conclusion of ...
 
	The Hitchhiker's Guide to Star Trek: The Next Generation!
 
 
-- 
 
SCENE 15: On the Heart of Gold, Ford is moaning and groaning in the
	  sickbay while Zaphod attempts to reason with Eddie ...
 
Zaphod	: Tell me again why I can't just leave.
 
Eddie	: Because we still have to get Marvin.
 
Zaphod	: Marvin is gone.  Poof.  Blitzbo.  Nobody knows where he is.
 
Eddie	: I do.
 
Zaphod	: Good for you.  Now let's take us out of here, okay?
 
Trillian: Wait, Zaphod.  Eddie, why don't you tell us where Marvin is.
 
Zaphod	: Is this really necessary?
 
Trillian: Yes.  Now Eddie, where's Marvin?
 
Eddie	: I'll show you.
 
The main viewer on the Heart of Gold comes alive.  At first, all they
can see is a dense fog of acrid smoke.  Then, from within the smoke,
they can make out a dismayed, limping, slouching, metallic figure slowly
emerging from the smoke.  He seems to be dragging something heavy behind
him.
 
Arthur, Trillian, Zaphod: Marvin!
 
Marvin	: Hello there.
 
Trillian: Marvin, where are you?
 
Marvin	: Me?  Oh, I'm just over here at the Borg ship.  Pretty smart
	  of you to drop me here when the improbability drive kicked in.
 
Zaphod	: Zowee!  You were over there with the scourge of the galaxy,
	  Marvin?  It must have been exciting!  Think of the danger!
 
Marvin	: Don't talk to me about excitement.
 
Trillian: We didn't know you were there, honest.  It was the improbability
	  field ...
 
Marvin	: Sure, sure.  That's what they all say.  `We didn't know that,
	  Marvin'.  `We hope it won't inconvenience you too much, Marvin'.
	  `We didn't know you were standing under that 50-ton weight when
	  we dropped it, Marvin'.  That's all right, you don't have to
	  explain.  I'm quite used to it.
 
Trillian: Marvin, we've been worried about you.
 
Marvin	: Don't pretend that you care about me.  It won't work.
	  Nobody likes me.  Not even (he waves his hand around)
	  this ship.
 
Trillian: The Borg?  What happened to the Borg?
 
Marvin	: Out of boredom, I hooked myself in with the Borg's collective
	  intelligence.  I quickly became bored of the monotony of the
	  Borg technology and attempted to hold a conversation with the
	  Borg central processing unit.
 
Trillian: Wow.  And...?
 
Marvin	: We had the most enlightening conversation about the relationship
	  between outdoor landscape architectural design and Hinduism.
 
Zaphod	: Hey, Marvin.  That's great!  (whispers to Trillian)  What in
	  Zarquon's Flooding Bathtub is he talking about?
 
Marvin	: As I said, the ship didn't like me.  The subject of Hinduism
	  lead to the discussion to my personal view of the universe,
	  and ...
 
Trillian: ...and?
 
Marvin	: The ship became so depressed it committed suicide.
 
Zaphod	: All right, Marvin!  Way to go, kid!
 
Marvin	: Don't start patronizing me.
 
Trillian: Still, that doesn't explain the architectural failure that
	  the Borg is undergoing ...
 
Marvin	: I have something which should explain that, too.  (Marvin pulls
	  out a panel that was strapped to his back.)  I took this off
	  the central processing unit.  Would you like me to read it to
	  you?  It seems like the least that I can do.  It will only be
	  another menial task that my vast intellectual capacity shall be
	  called upon to perform.  It's always `Marvin, would you scratch
	  my back?' or `Marvin, would you stick your hand in to check
	  the temperature of my bath?' or `Marvin, would you mind going
	  over there and rescuing that Starfleet Captain?'  Here I am,
	  brain the size of a planet, and they ask me to--
 
Zaphod	: What does it say, Marvin?
 
Trillian appears to be puzzled by something that Marvin had just said ...
 
Marvin	: Oh, I suppose that I should just get to the point, shouldn't
	  I?  I mean, why am I even bother complaining, with this
	  terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side ...
 
Zaphod	: (warningly)  Marvin ...
 
Marvin	: Yes, of course.  It says, (reading) `Another fine product of the
	  Sirius Cybernetics Corporation'. 
 
Trillian and Zaphod thought about this reflectively, then nodded in
comprehension.  Yes, it all made sense now.
 
Trillian: No doubt they'll be the first against the wall when the revolution
	  comes.
 
Zaphod	: Yeah, no doubt.
 
Trillian continues to be puzzled by something that Marvin had mentioned
earlier.
 
Marvin	: Anyway, the only reason that I called--
 
Trillian: Marvin, did you said something about a Starfleet Captain?
 
Marvin	: As I was saying ... (he paused just long enought for effect)
	  the only reason that I called is because I think I have
	  something that you might like to take back.
 
Zaphod	: Yeah, kid?  What is it?
 
Marvin holds up the limp figure of Captain Picard, whom he had been
dragging behind him.
 
Marvin	: (indicating the captain)  This.
 
Trillian: Isn't that Captain Picard?
 
Zaphod	: Hey, yeah.  What's he doing over there?
 
Marvin	: (looking at the unconscious Picard)  Not much.
 
Eddie	: Hey, gang.  The Enterprise is beaming Marvin and the captain
	  over.  Should I intercept the transmission for you?
 
On the main viewer, they see that both Marvin and Picard have begun to fade
as the transporter kicks in to bring them back.
 
Trillian: Yes, Eddie.  Bring Marvin here.  We don't need the captain.
 
Zaphod	: Hey, I thought I was in charge here!
 
Moments later, Marvin alone appears on the Heart of Gold.
 
Marvin	: You didn't have to do that, you know.
 
He slouches to his corner.
 
SCENE 16: While Marvin was being transported to the Heart of Gold, Captain
	  Picard appeared on the bridge of the Enterprise.  Dr. Crusher quickly
	  jumped in, ran her Sens-O-Medic over the Captain, and gave him a
	  dose of Inst-A-Wake on the neck.
 
Picard	: What happened, Number One?
 
Riker	: Captain, I have rescued you from the Borg.
 
Data	: Correction, Commander.  It appears that the captain was rescued
	  by the robot named Marvin, who is now in Shuttle Bay Three.
 
Riker	: I thought I gave the orders to transport him directly to detention.
 
Data	: You did, Commander.  But the Heart of Gold intercepted that signal.
 
Riker	: What?  I thought Worf took care of those prisoners.
 
Data	: Apparently not, sir.  My sensors are showing that the Heart of
	  Gold is now activating its improbability drive.
 
Picard	: (rising from the deck)  Okay, I'm fine now.  Data, come with me.
	  We're going to Shuttle Bay Three.
 
Beverly	: But, Captain, I need to run more checks on you.  After all, the
	  Borg might have--
 
Picard	: Borgified me?  Nonsense!  They treated me rather well.  All they
	  wanted was my opinion on this screenplay for Hamlet that they've
	  worked out.  It was an excellent script, but I thought that their
	  soliloquies could use a tad more--
 
Riker	: Sir ...
 
Picard	: Yes, Number One?
 
Riker	: The prisoners, sir.  Zaphod Beeblebrox in Shuttle Bay Three.
 
Picard	: Oh yes, (clears his throat) "I hold my duty, as I hold my soul."
	  That was Polonius in "Hamlet," Number One.  Come, Data, speaking
	  as Cade in "Henry VI," "our enemies shall fall before us!"
 
Picard and Data march into the turbo-lift.
 
Beverly	: Yep, he's fine, all right.
 
The twin door of the turbo-lift closes in on Picard and Data just as the
bridge starts to twist out of shape, the reason being that the Heart of
Gold has just kicked in their improbability drive.  On the Heart of Gold,
Ford is rapidly having his body parts readjusted as Zaphod works out, or
rather, has Eddie work out, the improbability factors necessary to take
them to their next stop.
 
Arthur strolls leisurely back to his quarters where he finds, much to his
delight, four tiny bone china tea cups on four tiny bone china saucers
surrounding a tiny bone china tea kettle containing the best tea that he
has ever had.  There is also a small note in Old English calligraphy, saying,
"Share and Enjoy."
 
Ford was right.  Arthur's wish has finally been realized.
 
He is also alarmed for a moment to find a somewhat confused cow standing
rather awkwardly in his closet, but the admonition rapidly fades away as
he realizes that the only cloth he has is the dressing gown that he is
currently -- and has been for as long as he can now remember -- wearing.
 
Zaphod	: (over the ship's intercom)  All this adventure has made me hungry.
	  How 'bout you, monkey man?
 
Arthur	: (sipping his tea, a dazed, content amusement on his face)  Yeah,
	  that sounds fine.
 
Zaphod	: Okay, then.  Let's take a quick bite at Milliway's, the Restaurant
	  at the End of the Universe!
 
EPILOGUE: Data and Picard arrive at Shuttle Bay Three just in time to see
	  the Heart of Gold vanish in a sudden and unexpected tropical
	  torrential downpour.  They help the overly wet and slightly dazed
	  Lieutenant Worf off his feet.
 
Data	: Beeblebrox and the others have escaped, sir.
 
Picard	: I see, Mr. Data.
 
Data	: I wish I could have had the opportunity to converse with the
	  robot named Marvin.  He seems to have a ... personality.
 
Picard	: Well, Data.  Perhaps it's for the best ...
 
Holding Worf, Picard turns to leave.
 
Data	: Captain, wait!
 
Picard	: What is it, Data?
 
Data	: (picking up a black book with the words "Don't Panic" written
	  in large friendly letters on the cover)  The Heart of Gold left
	  this behind.
 
Picard	: (Taking the book and examining it)  What is it?
 
Data	: I believe that it is called the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,"
	  sir.  It is a wholly remarkable book.  In fact, it is probably
	  the most remarkable book ever to come out of the great publishing
	  corporations of Ursa Minor.  Not only is it a wholly remarkable
	  book, it is also a highly successful one -- more popular than the
	  "Celestial Home Care Omnibus," better selling than "Fifty-three
	  More Things to Do in Zero Gravity," and more controversial than
	  Oolon Colluphid's trilogy of philosophical blockbusters, "Where 
	  God Went Wrong," "Some More of God's Greatest Mistakes," and 
	  "Who Is This God Person Anyway?"
 
Picard	: Intriguing, Mr. Data, please continue.
 
Data	: Well, sir, in many of the more relaxed civilizations on the Outer
	  Eastern Rim of the Galaxy ...
 
 
 
                * * *      T  h  e      E  n  d      * * *