The Bonds of Friends And Family: Season 4
Characters: Wesley Crusher, William Riker, Beverly Crusher, Jean Luc Picard, Geordi La Forge, Data, Deanna Troi, Worf, Miles O'Brian, Guinan
Time Line: Dark Mirror Epilogue to the The Game and Wesley's discovery regarding the game
Synopsis: After Captain Jean Luc Picard gets back on board the ship after they deal with their mirror images and the other enterprise he reports everything they saw. As the realizations regarding that world and their's hit the eight of them. They realize just where the difference was between them.
Seeing the difference, they resolve to make sure nothing gets in the way of their bonds. Before they have several other problems then, as the next serious emergency arrives then and they realize they have further problems. As their bonds grow stronger it's clear how close they'd grown to each other now.
Disclaimers: The characters don't belong to me, the story belongs tome and every else belongs to the movie company and the creator.
Prologue: Reveals and Duplications
"All sections, all sections of the crew, I need a head count. Repeat I need a head count, we just had an encounter with the mirror image universe and had a duplicate of Ensign Stewart board us, is anyone missing right now. Repeat we just had an encounter with the mirror image universe. And been boarded by a duplicate version of Ensign Mark Stewart, have there been any other switching places areas in the crew, we need to know about."
"Everyone here, nobody else's missing, we didn't switch places by accident?" Ensign Wesley Crusher called out into the radio while the senior staff standing around him. And the added members of the senior crew all shook their heads. "No, we're all here son." Lieutenant Derek Greyson said from behind him as he rested his hand on his shoulder then as he got an affirmative from every section on board the ship.
"Nice thinking Wes, make sure nobody's trying to sneak on board by getting a headcount, with 1,445 people on board this ship. It's best to make sure that everyone's the real one instead of our alter egos right now." Lieutenant Commander David Jenson said to him smiling and he nodded. "God as if repeated problems for the past month and a half since Shelby showed up is not bad enough. The captain is still recovering from that trauma after getting assmililated into the Borg at the moment."
"And he reaches stage two finally when visiting his family two weeks ago and then comes this. What's next exactly, because this is getting ridiculous." he asked and they sighed. "I'm not entirely sure right now, but at the rate this is going, whoever is trying to start something else is getting arrested for that rumor. Because in your case, actually hitting a teenager not in Starfleet yet is enough to get a black mark on their records."
"And thrown off the ship kiddo, but we don't need you getting too frustrated either, so just take it easy alright, son." Lieutenant Richard Goldberg said to him gently and he nodded as he was working from his console. "How long did it take you guys to get that under control after I left the room. Because I was trying to keep from blacking out after I got hit?" he asked and Commander William Riker answered that question.
"My last remark, before we got in there, was the tempers were getting a bit more frayed than normal on the ship lately at the time and we walked in to find the room looking like a boxing match club. After trying to figure out what caused it, from Geordi, it took the three of us and the sextet fifteen minutes to break it up. But I saw you walk out the door just as we were coming in, and it looked like 19th century bar brawl in there that night."
"Rheinhold knocked me to the floor while Worf was dealing with two members of the engine crew that were not involved in your training. While Geordi was trying to restrain Jacob Wainscott, before the sextet and their teams got into the room. But the fight destroyed three tables and there was broken glass all over floor and while I'm on the subject. Who was the red that Commander Jenson threw over the bar counter?"
"Because I caught sight of that while we were trying to get to Geordi?" he asked and he sighed. "It was Marks, Commander, that was the result of their trying to arrest him after he and Henderson gave me that concussion. I can't believe this, what idiot actually tries that when in the middle of a room with thirty officers who are two and up to three ranks ahead of them?" he asked and his mentor and godfather answered that remark firmly.
"Someone who is not taking the message right now that the teenager in question is the godson of two his commanding officers. And the adopted son of his commander in chief on the ship and to top it off is that he's the surrogate son and student of two thirds of the veterans in the other two primary colors on board this ship right now. Let alone that the said teenager's mother is the CMO on board the ship at the moment."
"I was already annoyed enough that we had to break up the riot in ten forward, but then comes you getting into a fight with a kid your own age and you had a concussion. I was ready to bust these guys back to first year cadet for that, I mean is it that really hard to see that the way we are together here. Is that I'm a combination older brother/father figure to you and as if that's not enough, I was determined to get you back at the time."
"After Radue kidnapped you, because by that point, my feelings for you are as I'm now feeling like I'm responsible for you, like a big brother, had just kicked in. And I was ready to kill him for, in my eyes, kidnapping my little brother. That was our bond, fourteen year age difference maybe, but it didn't matter, you mean a lot to me." he said with a firm growl and he sighed as he answered him at that as he looked over his shoulder.
"If we were the characters on that movie series when the title character was just a child and he took responsibility for them. Than that's the catch, you raised me yourself, though my mother is also on board, I'm always surrounded by you, Counselor Troi, Data and the captain when I'm on duty. To the point that you practically raised me yourself as you're my mentor, and our bond is just that, mentor/father/best friend now."
"That's the problem right there though, they think you're showing me special treatment Commander, I mean in private I sometimes call you by that other title. But these jocks are a bunch of idiots at the moment, because I think they're following the lessons of some general, or colonel, back in 20th century. Which was 'think on your feet and think fast', you do that and you don't have time to slow things down to focus here."
"And said fact that should be focused on now is the fact that they should be seeing and looking at the way we are together when I'm around the five of you. But just seeing us together, it would be clear that our bonds are more than they seem. I mean I chose to stay put, because after losing one member of our crew 6 months prior to this. I wasn't separating from you guys now, not when our bonds have reached the point they have."
"Our bonds have switched courses, you're treating me like the way you phrased it now and the captain is feeling the same way. Our lives were closely knit, and this switches courses and the blasted idiot that brought it up in the hallway. Or they were talking about it when giving Derek his physical just crossed the line right now regarding this." He said, before getting the answering remark from their commander at that.
"Yes and at the moment the added problem is breaking through the lies these children are being told about our bonds at the moment. Though at the current moment regarding our latest problem here, I'm lucky that the other version of you didn't beam over here. Before I returned Wesley, because seeing you as I know you is enough of reason to take it seriously at the moment, you're my prize pupil and at the moment right now."
"I'm not ready to let you go yet." he heard and turned to see his captain and other mentor walk in the door as he answered him. "Yes Sir, and at the moment it goes both ways, I'm not ready to leave and let go anymore than you, any of you, are ready to let me go. Though considering what this just turned into now, it gives another reason to be thankful we fixed the problem, because if dad was the catalyst in their world."
"It's enough that we prevented that in ours, by talking things over, though you're not going to like the reason at the moment that the knack hit me that hard." he said as he sighed at that. "The next question is was it the knack or was it something else that caused you to push yourself till your system crashed at the time. When you came down with the flu last year, because I was ready to kill the catalyst that caused it last year."
"I mean it's not enough for repeated nightmares regarding the last trauma but now this, that's going too far right now." Greyson said sharply and the older man nodded. "Yes it is, and I take it you're still worn out from working over time. And I need an honest answer now, was it the knack that caused you to over do it, last year when Devin was here or was it because of Jack?" The captain asked and he sighed as he answered him.
"It's the no winner Sir, saving something at the expense of something else, I can't make that choice, not yet. But that's what ticks me off, dad forced you into that same choice, you couldn't have saved him even if you had enough time, it's not your fault he's gone. My double was acting like a spoiled brat when he did that, but it's still enough that he's not me, if he's trying to take away the real you in this case, I know you too well."
"You're still feeling guilty for what happened, but at the moment, it's enough we decided nothing was getting between us and mom and I forgave you for that long ago. Sir, listen to me, what happened to dad was not your fault. But you couldn't have saved him, even if you had enough time, he made the choice to go after whoever it was. That he was trying to fix the ship, from the outside when the Ferengi fired on you guys at the time."
"But it was a choice of saving both of them and the ship or sacrificing everyone to get to the duo. But save them and every member of the ship is killed, or dad sacrifices himself to save 400 people, including you, and the entire crew is safe. A no win, that's what hurts the most, he forced you into this choice that day, he abandoned me. Ten years holding it in, and the release valve is Jaan, but that's the catch now, he maybe gone."
"But you are my mentors, life had decided to put us together for good now, by getting you to let go of your guilt, and me, my anger at what he did. I don't blame you for that now, I never blamed you, I blame him, he's the one who abandoned me. He could have chosen to stay on leave at the time this mission was going on, but he didn't at the time and with that, it's like his career mattered more to him than mom and me now."
"And you chose the choice that brought us back together, whatever reason he pulled back then. I think fate decided to have you accept my request at staying put that year, so there was no interruptions in therapy. But resentment at always being singled out, regarding my abilities, separation anxiety with mom planetside now. And finally dealing with another no winner and forcing me to realize that no matter what choice was made."
"For any teenage scientist there are limits to what we can accomplish, but this happened to be mine and with it. I was dealing with a case of separation anxiety and then to top it off is these guys barbs as well. But to answer the unasked question, they nicknamed me the brain trust, which to any scientist and technician. This is like calling us a nerd back in the 20th century or some other derogatory name they gave us back in those days."
"But then it was our kind that was the reason the human race has lasted this long at the moment. So these hotshots come to us for help and are holding in a grudge they've got to, in their eyes. Have to turn to someone smarter than they are to get them out of the situations they get themselves into. But I was getting sick of being treated with a wide berth, simply because you gave me that shot, Sir, and my abilities are the reason."
"I've gotten us out of the danger zone, so many times and my solutions have saved the crew repeatedly, but I never asked for it too. Whatever Doctor Pulaski said, she's right, trying to get passed the image everyone sees me as, is hard. But I never asked you to give me that shot when we had the traveler on board. You gave me that shot and set up my regime, and to guys like Derek, and the catalyst that started this."
"To them it's I'm sucking up to you for special treatment, Sir, if they'd bother to ask then they'd know. That you're just offering mom a favor by you two deciding to start my training and then. By letting me stay, regarding the time I started my summer job here on the ship, but they're not bothering to do that. And definitely not asking that question right to your face." he said and the older man nodded as he went further at that remark.
'That's the reason for his aggravation that year when Kate arrived here, he's holding in resentment, regarding the crew members that treat him like this. And he's getting sick of being treated like we're giving him special treatment right now as well. He's right, I gave him that shot, but he never asked for it back then, I gave him that chance.' the captain thought softly as he knew that his second in command was thinking the same thing.
"The choices of command can affect someone else, saving one life at the expense of 300 more, you can't make that choice. But he could and did, but this, that made me realize I was blaming the wrong person, but that was no excuse for simply abandoning me at the time. And with those words in mind, had I met both of you when I was twelve, or even ten years old, you'd have replaced him by now and you have, and with that in mind."
"I don't blame you for that, I never did, I blame him, he shouldn't have pulled that stunt, as I said I'm not angry at you anymore, not even a little, regarding that. But he's the one who abandoned me, that's the catch that Jeremy has to come to terms with now. The piece I had never had the chance too, because I was barely six years old when it happened at the time, it's he should be asking, he's blaming the wrong person."
"For the accident, even if the lieutenant got to her in time, if it severed a vein or an artery, that would be it. And there's no surviving the injury, but that's the catch, he's holding in his anger and at the moment. He's in stage two, as we just got him over stage one, he's going to be pointing it directly at the wrong catalyst. When he should be angry at the person who abandoned him, like I am right now." Wesley told him and he nodded.
"Lieutenant, what happened exactly?" he added and Worf sighed as he answered him. "The cave was highly unstable, and just as we reached cove everything was in, there was a cave in, and she shoved me out of the way, just as she got hit by the rocks and debris. To save me, she risked her own life now, I couldn't have saved her, even if I had enough time to." he said to him gently and Wesley nodded to him as he sighed as he said it.
"She made the choice to go down, and she made the choice to join up, that's the catch, we all know the risks of being in Starfleet, and what happens but that's the catch now. Though we prepare for every scenario imaginable, nothing prepares us for the dangers and letting our guards down once off the ship is a mistake made once too often. But she, not even taking into consideration, what this would do to her only child at the time."
"Ignored self preservation and leaving it to another officer, immediately took the mission, and here's the result. He's blaming you, Lieutenant, when he should be blaming her and instead of getting what he really wants to say out, he's in denial, but I took care of that. And he's reached stage two now, anger, you may have decided on the bonding, but to finish his therapy, we have to get him to let go." he said and they nodded in agreement.
"Five stages of grief, and he's reached stage two, it's barely been a year since she passed. At nine to ten years old, the depression gets more volatile at the moment, and with it, he's suffering the added side effects, but denial, thanks to that lifeform taking on her appearance at the moment. And we got him to let go of that grief and accept she was gone, but now it's trying to get him to let go and say what he's really thinking."
"Like you did, when I finally got you to let go regarding his death after Devin was killed, you released that anger at his being gone finally. And, in the process, gave into your exhaustion at the time too." The older man said to him gently and he nodded. "The knack speeded it up, but had both it and the effects of Sarek been the release valve..." he said and he, Will, Greyson and the engine crew all nodded as they got it then.
"Then the reaction would be like a nuclear reaction waiting to go off that day and thank god we didn't have Sarek and his party on board the ship. And at the same time that we had that summit meeting, or the side effects, in your case, are enough to really do some damage right now." Will said and Greyson finished that remark. "And the catalyst and the source of these rumors just made it even worse at the time as well too."
"But now the next question is why would they choose to pick on you, we all know that truth, but the ones who don't. And are too stupid to not ask, are all part of the same grouping and it's the pilots in command crew. These hotshots are a bunch of knuckle headed jocks, who I might add are acting on a single thing and its the 'leap, before you look' touch when what you and the captain look for, is ' think your way out of the box.'."
"You want the truth ask the source of that ridicule instead of hearing it from some little brat who's determined to cause trouble. And simply because, despite the fact we all made a pact regarding our second situation that year. And saying what happened during that was not to be spoken of again. Whoever broke it is in serious trouble right now, because they could have killed you along with the people connected to you."
"But that situation after Beverly left was just the beginning and it was enough to tick us off after arresting Derek that night, by this crap at the moment. But it's enough that if we had overheard the conversation we'd have dragged him in front of the captain and get him to repeat what he said regarding your mother, and right to her face this time. But he knows he's screwed if we caught him red handed doing that and with that."
"You want the truth ask, but don't listen to some rumors that have no basis to them, and not when they're all lies it's as simple as that." Greyson said and he nodded in agreement to that. "Yeah well if this was 360 years ago, the catalyst, like his adult versions of himself, got in on an athletic scholarship. While I got in on just my SAT's, which are high enough to get me into every school in the country of the hard sciences there is and one of which happens to be medical school as my mother is an M.D.."
"I've had a few drawbacks in training, but that's not stopping me from getting us out of the situations we get ourselves into. And speaking of which, if there's trouble later, that's the piece needed to keep our ship out of the hands of the opposition. And I'll explain why later, but trust me you're going to like this idea, Sirs." Wesley said and Will hid a chuckle at that. "You did it again, didn't you?" The captain asked him and he nodded smiling.
"Did what?" the ensign coming in the door asked and he smirked as he answered him. "Another reason you and your friends are thinking I'm trying to get on his good side right now. But that's not needed and I'm not saying what it is. With the fact you're hanging around Derek Hanson and Steve Riley, you hotshot." he said and Will caught the annoyed look on the other ensign's face at that and he hid a sigh at that gently.
"And frankly I'm glad you walked in after I said that remark, or this is getting back to Hanson, Colin. What's the deal, can't find any guys your own age to hang around with, aside from your clique that you have to have hang around with a bunch of teenage high school hotshots, of your same category. Because that hotshot is on the edge of losing his scholarship, for starting a fight and getting arrested for speedballing."
"But he's working towards his shot, I'm getting in on just my SAT's at the moment, so guess who's going to make it in training, if he gets arrested again, for starting a bar brawl. At the tavern by the academy, hmm, who, as I'm the one who's been in training longer than he has, and he's not what the senior staff crew considers the model student. Or, in my case, student officer, because he keeps getting into trouble at the moment."
"With the town cops and the added personnel when we have two of said members in the room with us right now. And you have three charges on your record after that night for starting a bar brawl in ten forward. But all of three said charges are enough to get you kicked off the ship, so say or do anything else and it will so just watch it right now." he added to him firmly and Worf turned to look at the 24 year old and saw fear in his eyes.
"But I think dad wanted to give you a second chance regarding mom and me, give us a fresh start. With him gone, I have you and my mother now, but nothing is getting between us now. But what you just saw over there regarding our: her's, yours and mine, but our double's, in this situation at the time, regarding the full situation. That's their point of fact, had I let the anger at you consume me at the time."
"And you both giving into your anger and grief and the results are you both wanted me gone, because I reminded you both of him and everything you, Sir, took away from her. And in my case I wanted you dead now for taking dad away from me, but that's what's let your grief do the talking does and it's the alternate reality. As every choice we make affects our lives, but choosing the right forks is the part we have to choose on our own."
"As in this case at the moment, it's enough to make it clear just how different things could be, in these scenarios. But that's as barbaric as you can get right now." he said and the man nodded in agreement, in relief, as he said it. "That's the understatement of the century right now at the moment here. But hearing the words coming from you now, it's a relief that nothing strained our connection in our world, but he hates me."
"And it's because his version of your father is dead, in their's, but like Kirk said to advance through the ranks it's by assassination and just as his version of Greyson and Perkins catch him. But everything I saw was an exact duplicate to what Kirk saw in his encounter with their world. But it's advanced 100 years, since their encounter with their world and it's beyond disturbing right now, and as to why at the moment."
"Everything I saw matches up to our technological status after a 100 years of advancements, it's a lot more high tech and a hell of a lot more dangerous than it was when he encountered it. Our double's have taken their places and everything that shows us, as who we are, is not present in them at the moment and with that in mind. While my double hates you for everything you remind him of regarding your father."
"And your mother's double the very same thing, but that's the difference, when I helped raise you now. After your mother being transferred for a year, our bond switched directions, and though you may look like your father at this age. Our bond is even stronger and now it's enough I'm not losing you, not after being together for 18 months, in bonds as we got the chance to get to know each other." he said and Wesley nodded.
"Is our bond the type you had with dad at the time, am I like what dad was with you when he became your first officer?" he asked and the man smiled. "Yes, everything you and I've been doing together for the past eighteen months is what he and I did at the time when in downtime. Though at the moment, regarding my physical health, he tended to get overly protective of me too." he said and Wesley nodded with a smile at that.
"Sir that's the reason every time someone tries to get you to lose your temper, I'm not risking it, though whoever my rival is. They're going to have to accept that I know you better than you know yourself right now at the moment. If the said person is just like me, he's going to be acting like me when we're together, and for you seeing me reflected in him is going to hit you hard later." he said and the man nodded with a sigh at that.
"If that's going to do it for me, it's going to do it for everyone you spend time with Wesley, as to why I'm saying that, it's because we're the ones you spent the most time around. At the moment, until you graduate we have time to finish your training in intermediate, but as I said where the dangerous situations. Like Danar and several others that had you in here where I could see you, are non negotiable."
"Because you're still a training ensign, you haven't had the experience we've had and at the moment until that time comes. It's best you leave this to us adult officers, though sooner or later the times going to come when you've got no choice in the matter. And will have to do our job for us, if that virus mutates into something else at the moment, though it does, and you're taking orders from Data later regarding it."
"But like your mother, Will and I did the job regarding the incursion into Command HQ, it's going to take teamwork to pull it off and without casualties as well." he said and Wesley nodded as he answered him. " I know, Sir, and whoever gets assigned to the ship, if he's my exact equal, is going to take that remark seriously. But if he and his friend are my own kind, it's going to take the three of us to defuse whatever happens."
"Though if we have anymore teenage ensign's on board the ship and they're like Hanson, or Hanson himself gets turned into a training ensign. It's whoever joins the young crew has had a different version of the regime you created for me and they all started training and were doing it from a certain age. But get ready, because Hanson is not going to follow orders and jump feet first into it." he said and Will sighed in exasperation.
"Jake's been at his pilot training for close to three years after Remmick was here and I was dealing with the entrance exam. But the two of us and whoever is arriving before I return home, we're the true experts regarding field training and knowing what it is we're doing. But if my equal had my exact areas in them as well, it's taking that just to throw whoever hijacked you guys this time, off and he, or she, and I are working as one."
"But Derek's problem is the same as that hothead in that hockey team, he can't control his temper and it's he's on the edge of blowing his shot. While the four of us got in on just our grades." he said and Will nodded. "Derek is in enough trouble already for getting arrested for speedballing. But if I hear he gets arrested for recklessness endangerment, and he's in serious trouble." he said and the captain nodded to that in agreement.
"As it is right now, you never tolerated acts like this anyway, I mean you made it clear when you set my regime. I'm student officer, this was my part time job and the student portion comes before officer 2) is that I'm not breaking my medical regime, not after you saw the effects of the knack. 3) I'm staying clear of the toxic chemicals, 4) is looking after the kids younger than we are by 7 to 10 years, if we had another Roga on board."
"And 5) it's following orders directly, it takes sometimes jumping in before someone gets killed, but doing it against orders, no, so if he wants the 2IC, he's got to follow the rules, but as a athlete they leap before they look, if we were the true military, he'd be a marine, and the trio and I are the Air Force and we're all skilled in both areas, to gen 2IC, he's got to get higher than my scores, in every test and follow the rules."
"But as these guys never play a round of chess, it's taking that, strategical thinking, working as one, and not getting reckless in these cases. But you rush the net and it's going to get you and whoever's with you killed. As is if you can't concentrate and it's going to do more damage then necessary." Wesley said and Picard nodded in agreement as the doctor hid a smile at the way he was quoting what they taught him so far.
"Yes, you're in charge of the junior crew, whoever wants the 2IN and 3IC positions has to follow the rules of your regime. And you're right, if he disobeyed orders, we would have jumped that promotion in his training. And given the promotion to second in command of your team to whoever displayed everything you showed these last 2 1/2 years in training. Breaking direct orders given to you by us disqualifies you from that promotion."
"Which is one piece of it, especially if we were compromised or not, it doesn't matter, it's putting others at risk. And if they refuse to leave this to the ones that know what they're doing that's strike two and number three, is getting arrested by one of our grouping for reckless endangerment. And putting himself at risk, despite the fact we'd know you'd never break your strategy." he said and Will nodded as the counselor interjected at that.
"Sir, what did you discover of why Riley's double was beyond scared when he saw me?" Counselor Deanna Troi asked and Captain Jean Luc Picard explained that to her. "Whatever Kirk reported on regarding when he ended up in their world has just advanced a 100 years, the Klingons are being treated like slaves and everything regarding us is beyond disturbing." he told her and she nodded as Wesley thought it over then.
As he got up, he said it. "Marks, if you want the helm go ahead, I've got to check something out." he said and moved to the science console as he said it. "What's with the sudden change Crusher, had enough, because normally it takes a crowbar to get you out of that chair?" Ensign Colin Marks asked and listening to that response. "Alright that's it, I've had enough of this Marks, what is it, jealousy that I can be that open with him."
"Or is it, in your perverted mind, that you're thinking something completely inappropriate right now at the moment. As I caught the guy telling you those lies about my bonds with the captain. And my mother's with him as well, it's reached you're too stupid to really consider this and if we were the characters in that space travel tv show back in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, where they used a metal ring to get around."
"That this is like dragging up a illegitimate pregnancy out of wedlock and the person spreading it around is getting busted for it. Or saying something that is completely crude and inappropriate in front of the people that have the authority to bust you back to first year cadet at the academy. I mean think it over: you have the people your thoughts are centered on right here in the room with us, just what is going to happen now.
"When they hear what the supposed inclination is regarding why I beat the heck out of Derek the night you gave me that concussion. But here's a piece to consider at the moment, remarks like what Hanson has been spreading around, about my mother and me. Had we'd been back in that time frame, and the gossip was spread around, regarding why the leader of the base chose to add the female lead to the base program."
"And the first told is the second male lead regarding his relationship with, as in, the base leader is an adopted relative and what's said could be taken in a different context. And is, when said out loud on the base, completely inappropriate and if over heard, if the father of said victim was a general, was enough to get them hit with a court martial. If the father was also the best friend of the base leader, he'd kill him, vocally."
"And throw him off the base if the program was like what we're doing and the general leading the base was the best friend of the parent of the victim of said scorn. Every officer in this room knows that truth, because they spoke to the three of us regarding it. But as you arrived a year later, you broke several rules regarding in on the ship politics and one of said rules was, 'look, before you leap', regarding the gossip channel."
"And believe me, any officer, if it was the group you classify me and the group that arrested you, as would be seeing this the way they, the members in this room, do. And they would have your head for even thinking this. While refusing to go to the victim to ask when they'd all go directly to the victim. And hear it from the horse's mouth and with those words in mind right now and in case your mind isn't firing on all cylinders."
"When dealing with these items there's five things that the trio decided on when you started your training right now when you got assigned to the enterprise, but 1) we looked after the kids of seven to eight years younger than we are. 2) We helped you if you needed it, in the lab, here on the bridge or in the engine room. 3) We leave the severely dangerous situations to the officers who are more experience than we are."
"To them, like regarding Roga Danar for one, 4) regarding our regime is though we're officers, to the captain, and the rest of the officers here in this room you're considered under age if we were back in the 20th century. We stuck to the health plan they set for us, and with it was no drinking either, and we had to focus on school work as well. And we had a curfew already set, with us in college that curfew was set at 1030 hours now."
"And 5) and most important right now, it's regarding what happened in ten forward and with it. It's the act of being a complete idiot and losing total control in front of officers twice your age and two to three ranks ahead of you. But what happened last night and this morning as well as last month regarding the Borg are enough to strain the tempers around here, and then comes this, and you're fraying the tempers at the moment."
"Right now, it's we just dealt with a potentially dangerous situation earlier and one that takes a lot of skill to make sure you don't get replaced. But the added problem is regarding this situation, is knowing your friends thinking strategies, 'know your enemy and you defeat them'. Which is part of the training, but you never play a round of chess, it takes more than muscles to out think your opponent in these situations."
"You have to get inside their minds and act like they do to keep from getting figured out, but security questions are part of the training. You consider that if my double beamed over he'd kill you for the constant jibes at the moment. He's my alter ego, said alter egos are everything in you that the characters of every good being. And every super hero show, if he had beamed over here he'd kill you, your friends and Derek for that remark."
"And every remark you've given me since you started training up here. But as for Roga, did you ever consider that getting involved. And I mean physically, that that's a good way to get yourself caught and turned into a hostage. And it's putting everyone else at risk, you hotshot, no you didn't and why. And it's because guys like you never fire on all cylinders, but you ever consider I'm getting sick you're treating me like that."
"I never asked for that position, it's thanks to an encounter with an alien known as the traveler and ever since, my skills have you treating me like this. If you want to be jealous, take it out someone your size, now knock it off, Colin." he snapped as he stood up then. "And while I'm on the subject, did you forget we're not alone in here and you have one of two officers in the room that are still furious over this at the moment."
"And what happened two years ago, and five of those six were the ones in sickbay when you in walked when one of them was standing over me. I may have been asleep, but I still heard the entire conversation. But what's the problem are you jealous they're ignoring your skills in favor of mine or is it because you're too stupid to realize this is not what Derek made it out to be?" he added to him as he finished that remark then.
"You consider that I'm sick of your jibes, your taunting, his taunting, that I'm sick of everyone giving me such a wide berth. That I just want to be treated like I'm normal. You ever consider this, or is your mind to small to realize that not everything is what it's made out to be." he said as he ended it at that and walked over to the engineering console then to cool down as Deanna refocused at that remark then.
After getting hit by his anger at the outburst as she refocused and then remembered the conversation as she said it then firmly to him at that. Listening to that remark Picard, Will and Deanna exchanged looks at the remark then as Jenson rubbed his back to calm him down at that as she said it to Marks. 'Why choose their console to go to right now, what do they know about this?' the doctor thought as she watched him standing there.
"One too many close calls and this situation is enough to have everyone uptight with each other. But throwing these barbs at me, just because I'm trying to get some research done on what he just told us. It's beyond irritating right now at moment, again with the thinking I'm sucking up to the duo, alright I've had enough of this right now." he said to the quintet and the 2IC of the team answered him gently at that as he said it.
"I don't blame you for that remark, but with every person that does know, regarding what landed you in sickbay in here. Losing your temper, now, is going to have your mother ready to kill him after what happened in ten forward, so just take it easy kiddo, calm down." Chief Miles O'Brien said to him softly as he nodded to him gently. "That's the remark that started the entire trauma Chief, one too many close calls now."
"And frankly he's the one I hate the most, I mean no self respecting adult officer, and one who's half/half would buy that crap. But it's clear the idiot never thought to come straight to me or anyone else, and as to why. It's because he hates us in the same way his counterparts of 400 years ago treated ours, so what's that say to you." he said and the older man nodded in agreement to that remark firmly at that.
"Anything else happens and he's getting the reprimand of a life-time at the moment as he's getting the truth. But you lose your temper again and it's going to be like you hit her with a shockwave son, so just take it down a notch at the moment. There's no denying you're that good, but earth made it to the level it did because of people like us. Engineers, scientists, doctors, we became the reason the earth human race lasted."
"But that's his problem, the duo prefer intellect over athletics and he's jealous that they're listening to a teenage version of themselves. But that's the entire issue, you're just like us and frankly, your abilities and grades are something to be proud of. Had we'd been in that century what happened in ten forward and the hall would be reason enough for them to lose their scholarship, for getting arrested by the police, when drunk."
"Or speedballing like this and with that is attacking a kid under eighteen and not even of legal age. And he's screwed when the truth does get out regarding your connections to the counselor and the commander. Though I think she's already furious enough regarding this at the moment." Jenson said and he and Deanna both nodded to that remark as she turned around and looked at the 22 year old sternly as she said it to him.
"Alright that's enough Ensign, we're not going into this again, so just do your job young man." Deanna said sternly at that as he finished that remark. "Thank you Counselor, I appreciate that, but I have another job to deal with now." Wesley said and the quartet all straightened up at that. "And you know us brainiacs, eccentric as ever Colin." he said pointedly, emphasizing the tone in his voice as that got the quintet's attention then.
'Why does that tone sound familiar right now?' Will thought to himself, before he heard Deanna explain that to him. "That's the exchange they had, before the knack hit him that year." she said and he nodded as he and Picard exchanged looks at that. "Uh oh, I know that tone right now, but this time it's you just pushed it one too far young man." Perkins said firmly to Marks as he crossed his arms at the remark as he said it.
"And be thank thankful that we're in the room right now with you, because if you had lost your temper it's getting you thrown off the ship, young man. Especially after you already gave him a concussion and to be honest we're all still furious. that whoever the catalyst is, landed him in sickbay two years ago. And believe me when I find out who it is they're getting thrown off this ship and transferred." Will added with a stern tone at that.
"Are you really that stupid right now Colin, play back the conversation in your head and her and my response to it." Wesley told him and they watched as he sat there before he stiffened at that. "Yes that's right, you just said the exact remark that started this between us. So with that don't start with me Colin, because in case you hadn't noticed. We just did a reenactment of our conversation, before Devin was murdered at the time."
"And with that, it's you just repeated the remarks you said to me, and this time in front of the woman who has the legal rights to sue you for child abuse right now. And with those words in mind right now at the moment, are you trying to give yourself away now, of your part in my trauma that year, to them. Do you really want to get into it with the principal, and mother of the target of your scorn in the room with us at the moment."
"Just try it and if you're drunk, again, it's getting you arrested a second time." Wesley said to him sternly and the security guard duo nodded to that as the 22 year old ensign turned around slowly at that to see the quintet and Data staring at him. 'Oh dear god, what the hell am I doing, I say anything else I'm screwed right now, alright just cool it, before I give myself away right now.' he thought to himself, before Jenson said it then.
"He's right, if you want to give yourself away and get yourself busted for child abuse, just keep talking at the moment." he said as he crossed his arms. "And listen to me young man, you even try to start another fight in here and you're getting arrested at the moment, so just watch it, Colin." Greyson said to him sternly and Wesley looked at him with a sigh. "And to repeat my remark that night at the time here at the moment."
"What goes on between me and the senior staff is none of your business, so just back off right now Marks, and I've had enough of the jibes as well. You think they're not going to realize you're the reason here, because she's a mind reader. I didn't have to hear the words out loud to know she read your feelings when they brought me to sickbay. So if you want to just give yourself away now, just keep it up at the moment Colin."
"She, the commander and Comander La Forge, as well as the captain were my guardians that year, and if this is heading in that same direction. Just keep it up and you're getting evicted from the ship, So just watch it right now." he said and they watched him swallow at the remark as the quartet looked from him to Wesley as his android team mate said it. "Do I even want to know what the fight was about after you deflected the first."
"At the time Geordi, Commander Jenson?" Lieutenant Commander Data asked and they sighed. "You recall him walking in on us when the commander was dealing with Wes's going in and out of consciousness and we were speculating what the heck catalyst could have caused him to over do it at the time, Data?" Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge sked and he nodded as Geordi moved to resting his hand on Wesley's shoulder.
"Yes I do, why do you ask?" he asked and Jenson answered that question. "It's because we just found the source of the rumors that night and frankly it's enough to really tick us off here." He said to him gently. "Alright, subject change, lets get on with this right now guys." Lieutenant Jack Bates said to them and they nodded in agreement as Wesley got on the science console and said it firmly as he looked over his shoulder at them.
"Whatever this stuff was they used on our counterparts there's got to be a reference for it." he said and the older man nodded in agreement. "Well the first part is checking out the history books on this. Computer, all records of Captain James T, Kirk and his encounter with the mirror image reality. Back logs, badges, communicators, the symbol of their organization, procedures, and the agony booth." he said and moved to him.
"I think our only chance to understand this is by interrogation of Riley's double, he's scared of Counselor Troi and Commander Riker. If everything is a match up to what the quartet saw. It's our only chance to see how far the advancements have come from the second year they were together to now Captain." Wesley said and Picard nodded in agreement to his thoughts at that as Greyson nodded as he hit his communicator.
"Eric, get Rikey's double down here now." he added into his communicator then as Wesley's mother, Dr. Beverly Crusher, looked at them. "What are you thinking you thinking boys?" she asked and Wesley looked over his shoulder at her. "We're going to interrogation, so I know what the heck reason he had to be afraid of Deanna and Commander Riker when he saw them, let alone tried to back away from the lieutenant."
"When he tried to touch his badge, I hate to say it, but we're going to have to go to acting like them, to get a few answers out of him. Because if my double attacked the captain there's got to be more to this at the moment, though that's something I'd never do. Sir what was it he said to you?" he asked and the older man sighed as he answered him. "Why not just make it clean sweep now, if you intend to kill me."
"One Crusher dead and one who might as well be dead." he said and Wesley nodded as he felt his heart lurch at the reference. "Oh god, after his version of dad died, possibly the same exact accident that killed his version of dad. Only he thinks you masterminded it like that cruel version of King Louis in that movie version of the Man In The Iron Mask and she was heart broken at the time and he took advantage of that."
"I'm looking at the Man in the Iron Mask metaphor here, every scenario made in that movie was dragged into what happened in their reality. Her exact words are 'I have sinned against love and good for the sake of your mercy'." he told him and he stood up at that remark as he said it firmly at that as he finished his sentence. "Which you would not have given without my sin', my god, that's not only cruel, but completely barbaric."
"And that is the most disgusting thought I've ever heard of, you know me, I would never do such a thing." he said in shock as he answered him. "Aye Sir, me too and with that, that's the catalyst, he hates you because his father is dead, and his mother has been turned into harlot. Two years the bonds are so deep I'd never act or treat you and him like this. But..., one Crusher dead and one who might as well be, might as well be..."
"The only ones left of our family are mom and me, and she hates him, because she's heart broken and misses dad. And I remind her of everything your counterpart took away from her and your counterpart the very same reason, so, to him. It's he wanted vengeance and decided on assassinating your counterpart. And Lieutenant Greyson, Chief O'Brien and Ensign Perkins were your bodyguards, as was Lieutenant Barclay."
"But if that's what caused our added reasons here in trouble, regarding me. But if these fools are thinking anything right now." he started to say as he heard his rival's voice and meaning more clearly. 'I bet she's sleeping with him.' he heard and his eyes narrowed as he said it with a dangerous growl in his tone. "No, Derek I swear that's so far from the truth it's not even funny right now, if that's what you're spreading around."
"To Marks and his friends, let alone yours, and you're screwed once this gets to why, because it's enough to get expelled. And you're a dead man when I get through with you guys. But getting caught for speedballing when it's against the law on the ship for us to be drinking when under age, you're screwed when your parents find out why." he said with a firm growl as Will stood up at that as the remark hit him then.
"Mom, Sir, I just found it now at the moment, Derek is my alter ego in this case right now, but think about that remark for a second. What happened in year one that we were together, our first month together. And we were working out the kinks and we come across a new version of the virus that you had to dig out of the database. But same crew, same situation, and Sarah figures out what I did after the situation ends."
"But prior to that, you and the commander are trying to stay focused, he's trying to get into the control room and what happened in your ready room, after he infected you with the virus, mom?" he said and they both stood up at that as Will moved behind him at that remark. "It was sounding like that woman who was getting flirtatious over the radio, you have to got to be kidding!" Beverly said in shock and he nodded as he answered her.
"Mom, it was a few weeks after you left, if they created our lives into a tv show back in the 20th century, it's between when we encountered void that and we encountered that starship pilot, he was a smuggler. Michaels made it clear after you left that what happened that day was not to be spoken of at the time in front of these guys. Like the sextet, she knows and knew I hated being singled out at the time."
"But someone in sickbay broke specific orders in our mutual decision, after we all made that pact that Tasha suggested that make, as none of us could control our behavior. I was slightly out of it, but I still got us out of the meteor's path. And Derek over heard that conversation, either in the hall, in class or in sickbay itself, but despite the fact that Michaels demanded that what we decided on was not to be spoken of."
"It's I'm seeing this as someone in the medical staff broke orders and was discussing you're being in his ready room when we were infected with the virus. He over heard the damn conversation, and decided if this was enough to make trouble, he's using it. None of us could control our behavior, because we were drunk and on drugs, so to speak. To this jerk and his friends, his graduate school versions of himself, I might add."
"It's a case of quid pro quo, in the sexual sense, you've been his best friend ever since we fixed the connection, after you got stationed on the enterprise. To both of you, you're not giving me up without a fight now at the moment. And versa, as I've saved your lives one too many times and this time, it's I've reached the point of over doing it. And after the said catalyst pushes the remarks one too far and crosses the line here that day."
"That exchange you heard was the just the beginning that day Sir, I wasn't in the mood for that attitude that day. As I was running late for my shift, since I was about to deal with another case study in chemistry class, and he was irritated you turned the chair over to me. But to him and his buddies, it's I'm being giving special treatment and he's not even aware that he's being lied to and is too stupid to come to us for that truth."
"Aside from that, if dad wanted us to have a second chance at our bond, he got his wish. But neither of you'd tarnish his memory, not in the way they think you would. But that's to confirm your speculations regarding the rumors, I found the said source and Derek Hanson is it. In fact, he knows the second I reported this to you and the fact he got arrested for speedballing, he's dead meat." Wesley told them and they both nodded.
"You got to be kidding me, that's what the damn rumors are, that your mother is my mistress and you got in on a case of quid pro quo. I was doing a favor for your mother when you decided to stay, aside from that you're my student. And though Will took the position of godfather, you're like a son to me now." Picard said to him gently and he nodded as he answered him. "Yes Sir, that's what it is alright, and with that."
"In three years things can change, the bonds go from comrades to friends and then to..." he said and Picard nodded. "To family, yes I see what you're saying and I understand that." he said and Wesley sighed as he finished that remark. "That's the catch these idiots are not asking and are too afraid to ask you right to your face. And are making up crude rumors about. If they had a title for this problem said title at the moment."
"Would be the lower decks, translation, the junior officers are trying to figure out what you're thinking and are trying to impress you, so they can advance through the ranks. But with what just happened this week and further back, the rest of us senior officers are not in the mood for this at the moment and I'm just quoting your exact remarks, but we have zero tolerance for showing off, hotdogging, going by their gut instincts."
"Or they're trying to act like a hero, and definitely not when in the middle of a crisis. If they want to make it up here, or wherever they headed to get stationed, or even make it regarding their athletic scholarships. Then rein it in rookie and get that arrogance under control." he said as he raised his tone slightly and Jenson watched as Marks shoulders stiffened at that and he knew that he got what he was saying then at the remark.
"Yes and you are a senior officer as you're the leader of the junior crew, my JCL, and I don't care if they think I'm favoring you or not. You've shown, and have shown exactly what I come to expect from a model student officer at the moment. And though I may not be physically involved in your training, you still turn to me for guidance." Picard said and Wesley nodded as he answered him with a smile and he hid his.
"Yes, and that's the bond I'm not ready to let go of right now, you six and 80% of the people in the room are the ones I spent the most time around. Our bonds deepened and with it started a change at the moment and everything you taught me helped in pulling things off now regarding. With the time change rapidly come up, the separation anxiety is getting worse right now at the moment." he said as he finished with the next remark.