CH 2 ENGINEERING PROJECT: A BETTER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION

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SICK BAY

"Chief Medical Officers log star date 2259.232," McCoy takes a large swallow of his whiskey. Today was not the day he thought it was going to be when he woke up. McCoy grimaces as the hot liquid burns his throat on the way to his stomach. "At 1100 hours Captain Kirk, Lt. Commander Scott, and Lt. Barbara Sanders reported to Sick Bay with…"

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SCOTT QUARTER'S FRIDAY AFTERNOON STAR DATE 2259.229

Kate shows up at Scotty's quarters directly after school on Friday. After her antics last week, the hammer came down. Kirk grounded her for a week. Kate had gotten into trouble before with Han resulting in privileges being removed but typically it was only Holovids. Kirk's grounding ran the gambit. No TV, computer, PADD, friends, and bedtime was strictly observed. Like everything else in the Milky Way, parenting is very different. While Han and Leia were good parents, they were absentee ones saving the galaxy every other day. Kirk is more hands-on in your face and in your business. Because of the nature of the projects, Kirk has given Kate some leeway in the reporting to the bridge after school and not hanging out with the kids.

"So before I tell you my idea what were you thinking," Kate says to Cameron barely able to contain her excitement.

Cameron can't help but smile at Kate's enthusiasm. Joanna is so different from Kate. "You first," Cameron is both scared and intrigued at what Kate has mulling around in her crazy ass mind. Part of him hopes it involves the lightsabers, but the adults will never allow it.

"Let's make a hovercraft," Kate bounces out of her seat. "I saw the movie JACKASS," she perches on the edge of her seat, "and it got me thinking."

"That is a great movie," Cameron grins sitting back. John is right. Kate is not really a girl. Joanna or Erika never saw the brilliance or entertainment factor in people doing stupid things that could kill them.

"Well my first idea was to build an astromech or protocol droid but that would take too long so I got to thinking. R2D2 had these rockets on his feet," Kate's eyes take on a wild gleam concerning Cameron slightly.

"Um," Cameron sits a little straighter. "I was thinking more of,"

"So I pulled back some." Kate locks eyes with Cameron. "I say we make a hover chair that runs on jet propulsion like in the movie WALLE but with more kick."

Joanna would never come up with the idea or go along with it. "Rocket chair," Cameron repeats before high-fiving her. "This is going to be great. We need a servomotor for propulsion, magnets, some kind of axis, control pad, and maybe a seat belt," Cameron sketches out a basic design listing the parts on the side of the page.

Kate was on the same page until he listed the last part requirement. "Why a seat belt?"

"Safety Kate," Cameron shakes his head like she is stupid. "I mean if this thing is going to hit 30 mph we need some sort of safety feature." Kate nods agreeing. "If we build one for each of us we can turn the track into a go-chair course." Kate laughs as he nudges her in the side. The thought of flying anything in this tin can appeals to Kate immensely.

"I guess maybe we can get bonus points for that," Kate nods looking over the preliminary design. "What should we use for fuel? Oh," Kate snaps her fingers. "Can you get some dilithium from your dad?" Cameron can't tell is she is pulling his leg or serious.

"Dilithium no but follow me," Cameron smirks leading her to a storage closet. "Dilithium we can't get but," he turns on lights showing her a box of fireworks. "A basic motor will work and we can get that from shuttle parts. What we need is the initial boost. Using these babies," Cameron picks up a few rockets, "we can show that given a little thrust the speed will increase exponentially if we eliminate friction and drag."

"Oh my god we need a steering wheel," Kate says bringing up an image of a go-cart. "I will drive it," Kate asks excitedly.

"Hell no, it will have to be big enough for us both. If it is successful, we will be heralded as geniuses. If we crash and burn…idiots. Either way I am betting the adults are going to kibosh this contraption soon after its launch and I so want a turn to ride it like you."

"You think so," Kate wrinkles her nose in disgust.

"Oh yeah, but there is always a chance they will let us keep it," Cameron lays down the final sketch of their engineering project. It looks like nothing Kate had envisioned. The design shows two office chairs welded together with a small motor seated under the two seats and a pole between the seats. One of the chairs has a PADD to be used as a control panel on a retractable arm. The other chair holds a steering apparatus.

"What's the pole for," Kate stares at the design.

"If we don't create rotational movement the top magnet and the bottom magnet are going to try and flip because of the polar attractions. Look," Cameron draws some magnetic lines around the top and bottom on the chair. "The pole creates an axis of rotation thereby creating centrifugal force. The pole wants to stay in upright so the three movements, magnetic attraction, centrifugal force, and the spinning motion, keep us hovering. The base needs to have an independent suspension so that we don't power vomit from spinning in circles."

"Makes sense," Kate looks at the design again not completely understanding it. "Vomit typically doesn't give any one bonus anything."

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SATURDAY MORNING CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS STAR DATE 2259.230

"Hey, do you mind if I borrow this," Kate asks holding his father's 1965 corvette steering wheel. By some remarkable act of God, the battered steering wheel from his father's corvette was the only part of the car that survived going over the quarry.

Jim looks at the wheel feeling slightly uncomfortable. For a week, he has told Kate this is their home. Now she is standing before him holding something that is exclusively his. Jim's first reaction is to take it but that might send the wrong idea. "What for," Jim asks before denying her. Maybe she thinks it is cool like the rest of the kids and only wants to hang it in her room.

"I need it for school," Kate stands looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Sure but I'll want back. It has some fond memories attached to it," Jim agrees.

Kate looks relieved getting a small smile to her mouth. "I will bring it back in the same condition you left it in," she pretends to drive with it daydreaming about her and Cameron's project. Jim flashes back to driving it off the quarry cliff. "Hey, are you…um coming to the…um presentation of the projects," Kate rolls her feet to the side standing on the edge of her sneakers. Jim goes to speak, but Kate cuts him off. "What I meant to say is you don't need to come. There is no reason for you to show up. You are the Captain and you belong on the bridge." Kate twists the steering wheel nervously in her hand. "I am fine without you being there. I will tell you all about it at dinner."

Jim laughs at Kate's fumbling attempt to pretend she doesn't want him there. Jim was planning to attend just like all the other parents. "Oh Katie bug," Jim laughs. "You're my daughter. I wouldn't miss your first class project for the world."

Kate drops into a chair looking at him seriously. "Kirk you don't need to make up for lost time by spending every waking minute with me. How about I tape it for you and you can watch it later," she nervously drums her fingers on his desk.

Jim debates on calling her out. It is so obvious she wants him there her attempts to dissuade him are laughable. "Tough luck kiddo I am not skipping out but I will try to not embarrass you how's that. Deal," Jim sticks out his hand.

"No pep talk," Kate points a finger at him warningly. "You all are so perky positive I feel like I am getting a cavity," Kate rolls her eyes. "I just think for one it will be an utter disaster so you won't miss anything and two you will freak the other kids out. I mean having the Captain analyzing your project. I can handle the criticism. They can't so stay on the bridge?" Kate picks at the edge of his desk clearly on edge.

"I am not going to critique anything. Just be there to cheer you on like the rest of the parents. Now go and show them how it's done," Kirk gives her the pep talk she wanted to avoid.

"Cool, it is at 1800 hours next Monday," Kate gives him a time carrying the steering wheel. Kate makes it to the door before feeling like an asshole. She is only going to be here a few more weeks. If Kirk really wants to see her project, Kate figures she might as well let him. "Ugh," Kate stops turning around stamping her feet before escaping through the door. Why she can't lie to them is really making her nuts. "Kirk it is at 1100 hours and I don't want you to come. Having you there is going to freak me out." Hoping her confession will make a difference Kate looks at Kirk for him to agree not to come.

"News flash, that my job as a parent and I knew it was at 1100 hours," Jim replies not looking up from the PADD.

"Whatever," Kate blows him off but two steps to the door she breaks into a small smile. Kate will never admit it, but she is really excited to have Kirk there. Finally, it will be a chance to show him she is better as a crewmember than a useless kid. This is going to be the turning point for Kirk to give her the respect she deserves.

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SUNDAY MORNING SCOTT'S QUARTERS STAR DATE 2259.231

Several days later Cameron is concerned but Kate is ecstatic. "I am telling you, Cameron, the way to win is to think outside of the box," Kate says tightening the final screw. This idea sounded great Friday afternoon when Kate suggested it, but Cameron is not so sure anymore.

"Well there is outside the box and then…this," Cameron scratches his head. The design looked so much sturdier on paper. "Kate I don't think this is exactly what my dad meant when he said create a new form of transportation. And it is mid-terms not a contest."

Kate waves off his comment. Anything that involves more than one person and a presentation is a contest and no one will ever tell her different. "Don't wimp out on me Cam," Kate says with a grin smiling at her creation.

"Oh I'm not but I am glad we installed the seatbelts," Cameron sighs.

"This is just like pod racing back home only in a chair and I was an excellent pod racer," Kate holds her hand up for a high-five which Cameron gives her begrudgingly.

"Okay so I have to work with Ronin, Erika, and Jo today but I think we are good. Tomorrow we are going to rock the house," Kate does an impromptu dance. "I gotta go. See you tomorrow." Kate leaves Cameron's quarters heading for the O'Neill's.

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O'NEILL QUARTERS

"Hey Ronin you ready," Kate is grinning from ear to ear. I have blocked off "1000 to 1300 hours for you, 1330 to 1630 for Erika, and 1700 to1900 hours with Jo."

John comes out of his bedroom leaning against the doorjamb. "What about our project Kate," John asks with his easy grin. John tries not to be jealous that everyone, but him gets to spend time with Kate today. She is grounded so if it weren't for these school projects no one would see her.

"Dude it is due like Friday. We have oodles of time," Kate blows off John's concern leaning against the door as Ronin gets his shoes on.

"Dudette we can't put if off to the last minute," John teases leaping over the edge of the couch to take a seat as Samantha reminds him the furniture is not a jungle gym. "Let's at least meet to find a topic."

"I got one. What stands up to the mighty power of the laser," Kate wiggles her eyebrows encouragingly. From her tone, John and Jack see she is serious.

"Um no," Jack says while reading the hockey news from his PADD.

"We can use the lightsaber," Kate gets excited. Everyone on the ship has a fear of the plasma sword and Kate is determined to show them how it is also a useful tool.

"Oh hell no," Jack set the PADD down. "No flying flashlights."

Kate gives him a pouty look. "You know if you learn to use it you will really like it," Kate rocks on her heels playfully. "There has got to be some material on the ship it can't cut through." Samantha looks at her husband from across the table. This kind of project is right up her alley. In fact, her department has spent two weeks trying to find a material to stop it but hasn't.

"Uh huh Star Fleet would love that," Jack finally catches the gleam in his wife's eyes.

"So would Kirk," she giggles.

Jack stares at his wife dumbfounded. There is no way she can honestly thing slashing up the ship with the light saber is a good idea in any universe. "For cryin' out loud you both are going to cause me to go gray," Jack mumbles while reading the news shaking his head. Kate catches Sam's smile. She may be an unexpected ally in her quest to get the light saber back. Kate files this fact about saber use as a topic to discuss with Sam O'Neill rather than Jack.

As much as destroying things with a weapon appeals to him John is with his Dad. Kate gets into enough trouble without swords. "We'll talk about it later over lunch," John agrees.

"Do you need a hearing aid? What part of no destroying government property is so hard to comprehend," Jack says staring at the three of them. Jack is subtly surprised John is in this conversation, not Ronin.

"Chicken shi iii ii….p," she says remembering Ronin's challenge to not cuss.

"I heard that Yo Yo. Nice save," Jack compliments but gives her the 'watch your ass or I'll watch it for you' parent glare from over his PADD.

"Yeah I am having a working lunch but maybe dinner," Kate tries to be amenable.

"Ugh," John sighs thinking about waiting all day for Kate to pencil him in. "I'm holding you to that."

"Come on Ronin," Kate hastily pulls him from the room

"Women… can't live with them can't stun them," John grumbles falling back on the couch tossing a ball lazily in the air.

"Oh you can stun them but they tend to wake up rather pissy," Jack says forgetting his wife is in the room. Her sharp glare causes him to reword his statement. "Stunning women over a stupid idea is wrong," Jack says without any conviction causing Samantha to shake her head in mock frustration.

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GYM MONDAY MORNING STARDATE 2259.232

Scotty rubs his hands together excitedly. Kate and Cameron's project was the only one covered in a sheet and needed an unveiling. "So last but not least we have Katie and Cameron with," Scotty's brow furrows as reads the project title. "Rocket chair," he says a little shocked. Scotty looks at Jim warily who pretends not to notice.

"There is no way two 12 years olds could make a flying chair…could they," Jim thinks getting a slight crease in his forehead. Maybe Kate's whining about him not showing up was genuine. Either way he is glad he is here now.

"Tada," Kate says gleefully pulling back the blanket as Cameron begins to explain the details of the project.

"You suck as a partner," Ronin whispers to his brother nudging him in the shoulder.

"John they are not actually going to fly to office chairs welded together," Joanna says glancing at her Dad who is pinching his nose in disbelief.

"I have no idea just get back for safety though," he pulls his friend back several big steps.

"It looks like they have strapped a bunch of fireworks to a chair," Ronin analyzes their project. "Damn, why didn't think of that."

Jack overhears his son Gibbs smacking him. "No light sabers," he reminds John concerned the message yesterday was not clear enough seeing the contraption before him. John gives his Dad a sour look.

Kate walks over hearing Jack's concern and Ronin's excitement. "See I come up with great ideas. Our physics projects will be just as awesome I promise you," Kate rocks on her heels smiling.

"No lightsabers," Jack repeats his rule. "That means using, making, even drawing," Jack points a finger at Kate making sure she understands.

"Um Kate shouldn't you be wearing a helmet," Jo says seeing Cameron getting into the seat.

"We have a seatbelt," Kate looks at Joanna like she is nuts walking to the rocket chair.

"Ya know the lassie has a point. I think we'll be needin' helmets," Scotty says signaling a nearby crewmember. The sight of rocket chair and the possibility of a test run has gathered everyone into a tight semi-circle. As Scotty places the helmet on his head, Kate and Cameron instantly go on the defensive.

"Dad this is our project! Kate and I know the design and should be the one to demonstrate how to use it," Cameron protests as Scotty climbs into the seat.

"Looks easy enough to operate laddie," Scotty says sliding into the seat with the control arm.

"But it requires two operators," Cameron gestures wildly to the extra seat.

Kirk whistles sharply to Dawson clapping his hands for the second helmet. "This is so unfair Kirk," Kate snaps stepping in front of him. "This is exactly why I did not want you coming."

"Every hear the saying life is unfair," Jim says looking at his daughter.

"Yeah," Kate says eye wide.

"Great then I don't need to explain what it means," Jim grins sliding into the seat. The positioning of the steering wheel lets Jim know the design was not meant for adults. The kids wanted to keep this all to themselves. After wiggling a bit, Jim finds an acceptable position to steer rocket chair. A shot of electricity runs through his body as he grips the steering wheel remembering driving the corvette. "Oh yeah," Jim smiles to Scotty giving him a high-five.

"I knew this was going to back rocket if you came," Kate grumbles. "I am not going to get chucked under the land speeder on this one Kirk."

"See I have no idea what you are saying to me," Kirk swivels the steering wheel as Scotty turns on the contraption. "So I am taking a page from your book and ignoring you."

"Then let me connect the nav points for you," Kate glares at Jim. "This is our project!"

"Lassie dunna worry. You'll get your chance right after us," Scotty smirks activating the chair. After a brief sputter, it lifts off the deck hovering.

"Sick Bay prepare for possible casualties," McCoy says into his comm.

"Okay so it goes up to 30 mph but we have only tested it at 2 mph," Cameron warns.

"Got it. The acceleration button is," Scotty scans the control pad.

"Here but you need the initial thrust," Cameron says indicating for Kate to light one of the rockets under the seat. Kate grumbles but ignites one setting off a shower of sparks. "But you need to do it incrementally we,"

"You need to use rocket's," Jim looks at Kate with concern for the first time.

"This one," Scotty stabs the acceleration button lurking the chair forward.

"Holy shit," Kirk laughs as they begin to slowly travel down the gym track. "Damn these kids don't know how lucky they have it. Public school would never allow this," Jim remarks guiding the chair around the corner. "Let's see what this baby can do. Cameron said it's top speed is 30 mph. Scott's always make things with more juice. " Jim lines the rocket chair up with the makeshift human finish line at the end of the straightaway. "Let's show the kids how this is done." Grinning widely Scotty increases the speed. As Kirk rounds the corner, he and Scotty fist pump generating cheers from the adults as a makeshift line forms for the next ride.

"Dad watch your speed," Cameron yells as the chair flies past. "We didn't have time to install breaks."

McCoy spins Cameron roughly backward. "Did you just say that death trap doesn't have brakes!"

Jack watches Kirk and Scotty picking up more speed. "Tell me you went with reverse thrusters," Sulu asks making the same calculations as Bones and Jack.

Kate face palms her forehead. "Why didn't we think of that," Kate looks at Cameron who shrugs.

"Jim! Scotty! Cut it. No more speed. No breaks. Stop," is yelled by the adults who are also waving their hands frantically. Kate and Cameron finally understand what the adults are panicking about seeing Jim and Scotty zoom around the corner.

"Let's make it an NASCAR finish," Scotty says indicating for the crowd to keep up the cheers.

"Punch it," Jim smiles locking his shoulders for better control of the wheel. The rocket chair bucks forward from the surge in acceleration generating whoops and cheers for Jim and Scotty. As they approach the halfway mark Scotty attempts to apply the brakes.

"Aye Captain, I think we may hava wee problem on our hands," Scotty searches the control pad for the deceleration button.

"Okay on the count of three," Jack orders as Kirk barely makes the turn past the throngs of people gathered at the end of the track. "NO BRAKES," they all yell in unison.

The centripetal force pushes Scotty into Kirk as they whip around the corner. "Cut all acceleration," Kirk yells pushing Scotty upright with his shoulder.

"Whadda ya think I'm tryin' to do ya bloody bastard," Scotty curses attempting to cut the power to the chair.

"Incoming," Jack yells looping an arm around Kate's waist pulling her out of the way as she tries to wave to her Dad. Jim makes the turn again slightly slowing but still with too much speed to abandon the craft safely. Kate forces herself to the front of the crowd. Closing her eyes, she focuses on pushing the chair backward. If she was on a planet this would be easy but she is on the Enterprise. Kate is still confused to why the Force doesn't come easily to her on Kirk's ship. Secretly Kate thinks they have a Ysalamiri on board. To Kate's knowledge, only the furry, lizard creatures from Myrkr, can block the force. Jim can say all he wants that he has never heard of a Jedi, but he sure has something on the ship to block her powers. Kate concentrates hard feeling panic and stress building in her.

"We need to create drag Cap'n. If I pull the plug we are gonna drop like a rock anna there isa 'nough paddin' between us and the ground," Scotty explains.

"On it," Jim says leaning to the right tipping the chair slightly. Scotty presses into him tilting the chair even more. The crowd parts as Jim and Scotty slip and skid along the track sending showers of sparks behind them. "Outta the way," Kirk screams plowing through the crowd.

"And I said," Lt. Barbara Sanders says snippily coming out of the locker room before breaking into a blood-curdling scream as the chair takes her out at the knees. The impact of the chair into her body slows the chair enough that it comes to a stop a few feet from her catapulted body.

"Medical emergency to the gym," Bones says into his shirt comm sprinting towards Lt. Sanders. "Don't move darlin'. I need you to relax." Bones doesn't need a tricorder to know her leg at least is broken. "Get me at least three gravity stretchers," Bones barks making his way to Jim. There is no way he or Scotty is walking away from the crash unharmed.

"You broke our project," Kate squeals after seeing Jim and Scotty crawl out of the wreckage unhurt.

"You trying to kill me," Kirk gives her a lop-sided grin which Kate returns shaking her head.

"Why did you not install brakes," Scotty yells getting to his feet. "Did ya not think stopping would be a valuable component to ya design."

"We ran out of time," Cameron says scratching his head. "I just can't believe the balance was off that much. I was worried about the possibility of it tipping over and you easily did that. The pole was supposed to keep it always upright."

"Ah, it was just because we weigh more. The weight proportions were off which caused it to tilt. Not a design flaw," Jim ruffles Cameron's hair as Bones scans Jim with the tricorder. "Go take care of Sanders," Jim orders swatting Bones away like he is fly.

"Not a design flaw! Are you mad man? I think your brain was off…all of you," Bones grumbles uncharacteristically sharp with the kids. "I mean rocket chair really. You couldn't come up with a better project than death chair."

"There was nothing else to do," Kate squeals indignantly. "

"You're telling me that there were no other projects besides death chair to move people form one place to another," Bones presses.

"No, there wasn't," Kate says putting her hands on her hips.

"We engineered the perfect sports sneaker," John points to him and his brother overhearing Kate's conversation with Bones.

"And we used air pressure to keep bubbles aloft demonstrating frictional lift," Erika slings an arm around Jo's shoulders.

"Your experiment may have not turned out like you planned but, it was a sound idea. So aye lassie, ya both passed," Montgomery Scott grins.

"Can we build another one," Cameron looks at his dad. "Aye laddie but this time we will add breaks," Scotty says kneeling down with Cameron to inspect the damaged spots.

"John when is your physics projects with her," Jack hooks a thumb at Kate.

"Friday but we still don't know what we are doing," John sighs crossing his arms. "Kate you planning on resurrecting rocket chair for our project." Part of John hopes the answer is yes.

Kate saunters over to John. "No way. My idea will put this one to shame," she says cockily pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

"Son,"

"Yeah dad," John says looking up

"Wear your hockey gear," Jack teases.

"No more moving, spinning projects I hope," Bones mutters watching Lt Sanders being taken by Dr. Reed to Sick Bay. "So far the recorded the injury toll for these school experiments is one. Let's try to get through tomorrow with zero huh darlin," Bones smiles. "Now if you will excuse me. This rocket chair debacle has created a mountain of paperwork."

"I am so bringing my camera on Friday to document your death dear brother," Ronin laughs.

"Don't listen to them John. It is going to be epic," Kate looks at John serious for a moment. "Epic is that the right word for so fucking totally cool."

"Yeah," John grins. The projects this week promise to be so much more fun with Kate involved.

"Hey watch your language young lady," Jim glares at her surveying the damage. Surprisingly the chair only has one control arm dented. A small smile crosses his face as he sees the steering wheel roll across the gym floor.

"You mad," Kate bites her lip.

"No. Your design needs some calibration and brakes but it was cool," Jim smiles.

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SICK BAY

"Chief Medical Officers log star date 2259.232," McCoy leans back in his seat rubbing his eyes. At 1145 hours, Lt. Barbara Sanders suffered from a Transverse Femoral Fracture to the right leg. The anterior break ran in a horizontal line 2/3rd's of the way down the femoral shaft. No spiraling occurred. The break required surgery with an osteo-generator lasting 6 hours. She will be on bed rest for three days followed by a week of light duty. 200 mg of Percocet will be administered every eight hours for pain. Due to anxiety, she was administered Lorazepam." McCoy leans back in his chair staring at the sleeping blonde lieutenant. One a good day, she can make you insane with her gossip-mongering and petty complaints. Now McCoy has the pleasure of spending the next three days with her. His inner conscious scolds him for thinking ill of his injured patient. Lt. Sanders only went to the gym not planning to be run over by a robotic death chair doing 30 mph around the track; however, this is the Enterprise and one must be prepared for anything.