Throughout his tenure aboard the USS Enterprise, William Riker had been faced with numerous oddities and predicaments. It was almost a weekly occurrence for [i]something[/i] to catch their eye and throw them into a brief storm of chaos. Riker would never leave the ship however, not even if offered something "better." To him, the crew had become his family and he could never abandon them. He was certain the same feeling was mutual, even among the more new additions to the ship. Riker leaned to one side as Captain Picard tried to wrestle with their current mystery. Riker could only give a shrug, "Nothing concrete has turned up I'm afraid." He told Picard. Even a clue would be enough but so far their scans have come up empty. "I feel it may be in our best interest to just report the area and perhaps quarantine it and move on."

"Lieutenant Uhura reported that her communications have come up with nothing." Data commented, looking up from his digital pad of information. "Our probes has also picked up nothing since the anomaly's sighting." He added. "And Ensign Hillard claims this area of space is currently unmapped." He said plainly. 

"It hasn't done anything to our ship or the computer system or the engine or warp drive." Geordi spoke up. He felt unsettled by the event and felt powerless as to be able to help. So far nothing seemed to turn up any answers. "We can't conclude it's a black hole or even a wormhole, our systems would have registered that specific energy and structure." He frowned. "We really don't have any data to determine what happened." The ship had once been trapped in a loop for who knows how long. They had faced many tense situations before and yet somehow, this one seemed a little different. 

"No one on board has reported any symptoms." Beverly reported quickly. "I don't think we're dealing with anything biological like an airborne virus or anything." 

When Captain Picard concluded they couldn't just sit, it was Worf's turn to speak up.

While they were a team that guided the USS Enterprise and those who called it home, the decision rested on the shoulders of Jean-Luc Picard and his crew was ready to follow his command. When Picard was called back to the bridge, the other officers rose and followed after him. Nex, Nyota and Gabe had remained on the bridge and upon the Captain's return, the ship's counselor could immediately pickup on his anxiety, his need to find answers. 

Eyes turned to the view in front of them where a small pod was drifting. 

After Ensign Cadish concluded the report, Hillard spoke up: "It seemed to come out of nowhere, sir." He said. He had a year under his belt and he was glad for the experience. Like Erin, he felt utterly blessed to be where he was, despite seemingly being in constant danger. He could never pass up a chance to make new discoveries on a vessel that held such a high reputation. 

"Yes sir." Data nodded when Captain Picard gave him command while the others went to check out their new find. Taking a seat in the captain's seat, he looked out as the small pod was pulled into the ship. Nyota looked over to the others as Riker and Worf followed Picard to the turbolift.

"If this is related to the transportation incident, that would be interesting." Riker commented.

While the pod was being handled, Geordi excused himself and went back down to Engineering while Nex also took her leave, having an appointment with an Ensign who was having trouble with homesickness. Beverly Crusher decided to head to Sick Bay, hoping that her services wouldn't be needed but she was still anticipating giving whoever was in the pod, medical attention if need be. When the three men made their way to the shuttle bay, Riker checked his phaser but still kept it holstered. Moving to the settled pod, he got in front of Picard and stepped to the door. He observed it and couldn't recall seeing anything like it. He gave a questioning look to Worf and Picard before he banged on the door. "Is anyone in there?" He called out and paused. "I'm going to open the hatch." He said before he grasped the handle and twisted, giving it a forceful tug.

It slowly opened and he took a step back, getting his phaser out and pointed it to the open door.

"You are aboard the USS Enterprise. Are you hurt? Where are you from?" Riker questioned, his guard raised as they waited to see if they had a new addition to the ship or if they would be preparing funeral arrangements.