Thread by @jedwashere

Va’Kel Shon is staring wistfully at the Odyssey-class vessel hanging in Spacedock when he hears the soft tapping of boots on deck plate behind him. A familiar voice speaks, soft and inquisitive.

1/?

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“Am I correct in assuming that you’re still pondering whether you should take command of the recommissioned Enterprise-F?”

Shon turns. In front of him stands Captain Data, a Starfleet legend, in his neatly-pressed uniform.

2/?

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“Sir,” Shon says, straightening. “I didn’t realise you were here.”

“I am not on Spacedock in an official capacity,” Data says, shaking his head. “I am here to - as Geordi put jt - ‘set you straight’.”

3/?

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Shon smiles. “About the Enterprise?”

“Yes.” Data smiles. “She is a beautiful ship. I was never able to take a tour before the decommissioning, but Geordi and I spent a long while repairing her before his retirement.”

4/?

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“I’m surprised you’ve heard about my… reticence, sir,” Shon says. “Did Captain Seven tell you?”

“No,” Data replies. “Captain Seven told Captain Musiker, who told Commander Crusher, who told Commander La Forge, who told Captain La Forge, who told me.”

5/?

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“Oh.” Shon nods, nonplussed. “That… makes sense.”

“I’m familiar with the concept of ‘Chinese whispers’ - or ‘Aenar murmurs’, the Andorian equivalent.” Data’s expression is sympathetic. “I’d like to hear it from you. What is the issue with taking this command?”

6/?

“I already told Captain Seven,” Shon says quietly. “I’m the issue. Me. The Captains of the Enterprise have -”

“Been exceptional, and you believe you do not meet that standard.” Data nodded. “Yes, I surmised as much from what Geordi said.”

7/?

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“And let me guess,” Shon says, “you disagree?”

Data frowns. “I believe ‘exceptional’ is a very broad term. Your record shows a great many skills in common with the other Captains of the Enterprise.”

8/?

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Shon shakes his head. “The Captains of the Enterprise… they were exceptional. Captain Picard -”

“Captain Picard never believed himself to be exceptional,” Data cuts him off, his expression almost harsh. “Never once.”

9/?

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His expression softens. “Nor did Captain Garrett, Captain Kirk, Captain Seven, Captain Pike, Captain Monfette… none of these commanding officers believed themselves to be exceptional. ‘Exceptional’… this is a metric no one person can meet.”

10/?

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“All that a Captain can do is give their best.” Data smiles now. “And your record shows that you have always given your best. The Enterprise asks no more than that - and no less.”

He takes a deep breath - an affectation surely.

11/?

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“‘Treat her like a lady and she’ll always bring you home’.”

Shon blinks. “Captain Data?”

“Advice given to me a long time ago by a great man,” Data says. “I pass it on to you… Va’Kel Shon, Captain of the Enterprise.”

12/?

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Data walks off, leaving Shon alone with his thoughts. He turns back to the ship.

“Treat her like a lady,” he repeats, looking out at her hull and letting out a deep sigh. The idea mills around his mind… and Data’s certainty resonates with him.

13/?

“Alright,” he says, taking a deep breath. “We can try.”

He feels no greater certainty than he did before… but he feels that he can try, at least.

All he can do, he thinks with a smirk, is his best.

14/?

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Once again, thanks to @JulieEpperson for the Shon screenshots.