STAR TREK – REVELATION

Episode 007 – Family Ties

Pen Name: Haldane.

"Captains Log, Stardate – 45475.1

The Revelation is currently on route to the planet Algerian Six which for many years has been used for training sports teams, due to its climate, terrain and ecological system. The first Terran football team has been training there for the past six weeks and the Revelation has been asked to transport the entire squad to Starbase Two-fourteen. From there, they will be taken to Rigel Six where they will take part in the Intergalactic Football Tournament that is taking place very soon there. Most other teams are said to be already there including the other two teams competing on behalf of Earth and the two women's teams from Earth are there to win glory in the female tournament. On another note the ship and crew have operated well and systems are at full operational status."

"Why are going to Algerian Six anyway?" asked Lieutenant Michelle Lowe, a young security officer, of her Chief, the head of ship's security Lieutenant Kel Aniyan.

"I'm not entirely sure," replied Kel, "All I know is that we're picking up some passengers for transportation. It's probably just routine, I don't foresee any problems."

Michelle smiled slightly, knowing full well that 'a routine mission' was rare aboard the Revelation.

"Now if you monitor the flow rate, I'll keep an eye on the dissipation." The experiment began and all seemed well. "Flow rate is steady," reported the second scientist.

"Everything is proceeding as the simulation predicted," beamed the first. At that moment the door opened to reveal an annoyed Chief Medical Officer, Lieutenant Commander Paul Galloway. "Ensign," said Paul addressing the second scientist, "You were on duty in Sick Bay twenty minutes ago. I don't what it was like at your last posting but on the Revelation we report for duty on time."

"I apologise sir, it's just that we wanted to complete this experiment and I lost track of time," explained Ensign Markson.

"It was my fault entirely Commander. I asked Ensign Markson for his help with this." Then he saw that Doctor Galloway wasn't interested in his excuse or anyone else's.

"It won't happen again sir," said Markson as he realised that was what Paul wanted to hear.

"See that it doesn't," answered Paul sternly, "Now report to Sick Bay Ensign," he added,

"Aye sir," was the reply as the Ensign scurried away.

"I hope your experiment was successful," said Paul as he left the laboratory.

Commander Katherine Malloy, the Revelations First Officer was on duty on the Bridge and the ship was cruising at warp three. The Revelation glided through space with the greatest of ease as she was capable of travelling at almost twice the speed she now maintained. "What's our E.T.A. at Algiers Ensign?" asked the Commander.

"Two hours three minutes Commander," answered Ensign Jorell who was currently at the Helm. "Increase velocity to warp five," ordered Katherine, "Do you think they'll be any problem if we arrive a little ahead of schedule?" asked Katherine, directing her question at Commander Savok sat at operations. "Unlikely Commander. But if we are not expected early then it is possible we will have to wait," replied the Vulcan Operations Manager. Not for the first time Katherine remembered that Savok, being a Vulcan had a talent for stating the obvious.

It was a little under an hour later when Ensign Jorell informed Commander Malloy that they were entering the Algerian System. "Slow to impulse," ordered Katherine, "Captain to the Bridge." Captain Mike Delany, the Revelations Commanding Officer exited his Ready Room and strode onto the Bridge. "Proceed to Algiers Six and enter a standard orbit," ordered Mike as he sat in his chair in the centre of the Bridge.

"Sir," said Savok, "We are receiving a message from the surface. It appears the squad is ready and prepared to beam up now." Mike looked at his First Officer, "Lieutenant Kel and Commander Galloway report to Transporter Room Two."

"Why should Doctor Galloway report sir?" asked Katherine.

"At the request of the coach," answered the Captain.

"The first group is ready to transport Lieutenant," said Ensign Phillipa Brook, the Transporter Chief currently on duty. At that moment Paul entered the Transporter Room.

"You're almost late," commented Aniyan.

"I wasn't expecting to be called here, and this is really your job."

"This is still my job, but for some reason your presence is required. I know not why. Energise!"

The transporter came to life and eight people materialised on the Transporter Pad. One of them was clearly the coach. Too old to play professionally any more, but very able to train people who weren't. "You're the Doctor I presume," snapped the coach.

Paul didn't care much for his tone, "Yeah, the blue uniform kind of gives it away doesn't it," answered Paul sarcastically. The coach looked at Paul scornfully, "Shame you're not a member of my team, I'd soon lick you into shape and teach you some respect."

Paul grinned, "I'm in pretty good shape as it is, as for respect, it is earned not given away. But if you insist on teaching me respect, then please feel free to try at your earliest inconvenience."

"Don't you mean my earliest convenience?" enquired the coach.

"You heard me and I meant what I said," retorted Paul.

Kel decided to try and defuse this potentially volatile situation, "How many are there in your squad sir?" she asked. The coach looked hard at Paul then answered the question put to him, "Twenty-four, you may beam the next group on board," he replied.

Phillipa rolled her eyes and looked at Lieutenant Kel who nodded permission for Phillipa to do as she was asked. Two transports later the whole squad was on board and the Transporter Room was by now a little crowded. The last group was moving off the Transporter Pad except one. This one was looking or to be more accurate staring at Paul. Paul was staring right back, with a very black look on his face. "Hi Paul, been a long time since you saw me," said the person still on the Transporter Pad, "And I could go a lot longer without seeing you," retorted Paul.

"Right everyone report to the Medical Bay," yelled the coach over the chatter that was filling the Transporter Room.

"Excuse me coach, but Sick Bay is my department and all these people down there would be very inconvenient, they would hinder us from doing our job down there," stated Lieutenant Commander Galloway.

"But my men need a full medical. I was told I'd have your full co-operation."

Paul just smiled, "Nobody told me," he said, "But if you want your men to undergo a full medical examination then I might be able to accommodate you, but when I say. Am I clear coach?"

"Maybe I should take this up with the Captain."

"Feel free to do so, but you might want to run it by the First Officer first as Commander Malloy is kind of strict when it comes to procedure."

"Understood. Now where are our quarters?" the coach wanted to know.

"Sorry coach, it's not my department," answered Paul and after glaring hard at the only member of the squad he'd spoken to Paul left the Transporter Room.

"What was all that about," thought Kel as she saw nothing different about that particular member of the squad, but Paul obviously did.

It wasn't long after the team had been shown to their quarters when the coach arrived on the Bridge. "Do you have permission to enter the Bridge?" enquired Lieutenant Vexx who was on duty at the time.

"I didn't realise I needed permission," answered the coach.

Lieutenant Vexx being Vulcan showed no emotion but she was a little concerned with the coach's abruptness. "If you state your business perhaps I can assist," she said.

"I'm looking for the First Officer, Commander Malloy."

Upon hearing her name Katherine who was sat in command chair immediately stood up and said, "You've just found her."

The coach looked at her up and down, "A woman," he exclaimed.

"Your powers of observation do you credit," she replied sarcastically but icily.

"I would like to speak to the Captain," said the coach forcing himself to be polite.

"The Captain is very busy, but if you tell me your concerns I'll see that he hears them."

"What was it about him?" asked David Piper, the Deputy Chief Engineer, when he met Lieutenant Kel for a drink in Ten Forward. "I don't know," replied Kel, "But there was something that Paul obviously noticed."

The two had started discussing something else when Paul and Sally Whitaker a young nurse entered Ten Forward. "Are they an item yet?" asked David of Matt who was the barman.

"I'm not sure," replied Matt, "Why don't you ask them?"

"I might just do that," decided David and he picked up his drink and walked to the bar where Paul and Sally were stood. "Paul have you got a minute," asked David when he arrived.

"Sure, in fact for you David I've got a few."

At this point Sally excused herself as she had spotted someone she wanted to talk to.

Paul kissed her then turned back to face David, "What's on your mind?" he enquired.

David cleared his throat uncomfortably before he answered, "You and Sally look kind of close,"

"You wanted to ask me about my social and love life?"

"Not really, unless you wanted to tell me about it."

"I respectfully decline," smiled Paul as he received and took a sip of his drink. But he sensed David wanted to talk about something else, "Was there something else?" he asked already knowing full well that there was.

"Kel told me what happened in the Transporter Room," said David.

"Ah, I wondered when that was going to come up," answered Paul, "The thing is, one member of the football squad is my brother."

"Brother!" exclaimed David at quite a volume.

"A little louder David, I think there's a couple of patients on Deck Twelve in comas who didn't quite hear you." David realised he'd revealed to all present something that maybe Paul didn't want to broadcast. But Paul just smiled, "It doesn't really matter too much, if I didn't say anything I'm guessing he would. A word of advice though, don't tell him anything you might want to keep private. If you told him a secret at breakfast it'd be all over the ship by lunchtime."

Paul was in his quarters almost asleep when Katherine Malloy arrived. She rang the bell three times before a sleepy voice from inside said, "Come in."

Katherine entered the room and found Paul lying on his bed, fully clothed but almost falling asleep again. "Tough day?" she asked.

"Not tough just tiring," answered the Doctor.

"I heard about your brother being on board," remarked Katherine.

"Oh," responded Paul not really caring.

"So, is he half Betazoid too?" she asked.

"No," answered Paul, "My father died long before he was born. We have the same mother but his father was Terran. He's human through and through," explained Paul, "We don't get on very well and we didn't even when we were kids. I left to go to Starfleet Academy and I was glad to leave. Don't get me wrong I love my mother but my stepfather didn't like me that much mainly because I wasn't his and like I said my half-brother and I don't get on."

Katherine couldn't think of anything to say so she suggested a drink and Paul agreed.

Things were quiet and serene in Ten Forward when the First and Chief Medical Officer arrived but things didn't stay that way when the Terran football squad entered the area.

"Twelve pints of your best ale barkeep," ordered a large member of the team, "And make it the real thing, none of that synthehol stuff," he added.

Matt the bar tender remained unmoved; he didn't like being referred to as "barkeep" at the best of times. Matt was human as having had human parents but he spent years on Ferenginaar and had memorised many of the Rules of Acquisition and was well versed in the Ferengi Code. Therefore he sold real alcohol from behind the bar, he didn't give it away! Somehow he didn't think that the player would be willing pay for the real thing.

His thoughts were confirmed when he pointed at the price list attached to the bar, "I'm not paying anything and you're going to get me my drinks or you'll regret it."

Matt remained unmoved and had no intention of getting anybody anything. Paul was watching this and could see that this was a potentially violent situation. He felt his muscles tensing in his arms like steel wires; he glanced across at Katherine and saw her fists clenched tight and wearing a look that meant she was ready to lay out anyone who got in her way. The squad member grabbed Matt and almost pulled him across the bar, Matt struggled loose and when a security officer stepped in, the powder keg finally blew!

The player turned and landed a crashing blow in the face of the security officer who went stumbling back tripping over a chair and landing flat on his back on a table. Seconds later both officers and players were on their feet and after a few seconds more fists were flying and it turned into a barroom brawl! Katherine's first thought was to try a calm the situation down but it soon became clear that time for talking was well and truly over and when a player appeared in front of her and aimed a punch at her face Commander Malloy decided that defending herself was the first order of the day. Lieutenant Scott Hawkins, the Revelations Chief Engineer had decided to make one of his rare appearances in Ten Forward and have a quiet relaxing drink, possibly with one of the few members of the crew he chose to socialise with. What he did not expect was having to dodge a punch the very second he walked through the door! Scott immediately thought the safest course of action would be to leave but a stray elbow in his stomach changed his mind. Scott was of the school that if he was hit, then he would be perfectly justified to hit back, so he did and in doing so became very much involved. It wasn't long before Security arrived and managed to calm things down with the use of phasers and maintain some sort of control.

"What started it Number One?" asked Captain Delany who had taken no action so far other than confining all those involved to their respective quarters until he got all the facts and his First Officer seemed the obvious choice to speak to primarily.

"I'm not entirely sure but it was certainly a member of the football squad who threw the first punch sir," stated Katherine.

"Well, I can request that he be confined to quarters except for training sessions but without knowing how this fight started how do you suggest we prevent it from happening again?"

"I'm not sure we can sir, unless we confine all members of the squad to their quarters."

"And you know very well we can't do that without good cause."

Katherine nodded, "But we could increase security sir. A presence of security officers could act as a deterrent against trouble," she suggested.

"It is well thought of Number One, make it so," answered the Captain.

"Aye sir," was the reply.

Paul was in Sick Bay, as was Doctor Hadrius Pel the Deputy Chief Medical Officer and they were busy treating the injured from the fight in Ten Forward. Paul himself had got off pretty lightly but being well versed in at least three of various martial arts, he was more than capable of defending himself. "Mainly cuts and bruises sir," reported Victoria Hill a young nurse, "A few broken bones and mild concussion, but nothing too serious."

Paul smiled, "Just as I expected, but it could've been worse."

"How the hell did it start?" Hadrius wanted to know.

"I'm not entirely sure myself," answered Paul, "I saw Matt struggling with a member of the football team and then all hell broke loose. But I'm pretty sure some of that team went in there looking for a fight." At that moment a call came through from the Captain, "Doctor Galloway, report to my Ready Room," said Mike.

"Time to face the music," muttered Paul before he answered, "Acknowledged sir," he said into his comm-badge as he left Sick Bay.

"I wonder what that was about?" thought Hadrius as he ran his medical tricorder over the abdomen of Lieutenant Michelle Lowe who was a member of the security team that had been sent to Ten Forward to try to calm things down and received a few well aimed blows for her trouble.

"Have you anything to add to the report made by the First Officer?" asked Captain Delany sternly of his Chief Medical Office after Mike had handed a PADD to the doctor and had given him a little time to read what was on it. "Nothing Captain. It was one of the squad who started the fight by threatening Matt, the bartender. After that I was forced to 'defend' myself," answered Paul indicating that he had been dishing out a few blows that he couldn't really justify as simply self-defence. "Understood Doctor. Dismissed."

"Aye Sir."

Paul left the Captain's Ready Room and Katherine stepped forward, "How did it go?" she asked.

"Well enough," replied Paul, "He knows that us getting involved in that fight was practically unavoidable."

Katherine smiled, "That's not entirely true."

Paul grinned, "It's close enough," he said as he entered the nearest Turbo Lift.

Meanwhile, some of the Terran football squad had entered Sick Bay as a couple needed very minor medical attention after a training session on the Holodeck. Why half the team accompanied them remained a mystery.

Katherine was on the Bridge sat in the command chair and deep in thought. There were a few things about certain recent events that puzzled her. She decided the best and only thing she could do was to voice her concerns to her Captain.

"Come," came the command from inside the Ready Room as Katherine rang the bell, "Ah Number One," said Captain Delany as Katherine entered the room, "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you can clarify a few things sir," she replied.

"What things?" enquired Mike.

"Permission to speak candidly sir?"

"Can you not voice whatever it is that's bothering you within the realms of protocol when addressing a senior or commanding officer?" asked the Captain raising his eyebrows a little.

Katherine thought for a moment, "At first I believe so, but if your answers are what I suspect them to be then I may lose my cool just a little and I want to cover myself."

Mike smiled, "Permission granted," he replied.

Commander Malloy took a deep breath and said, "You knew about all this didn't you?"

The Captain looked a little taken aback by this but quickly regained his composure, "About what exactly?" he asked calmly.

"About the football team. There are two teams from Earth competing in this tournament, but I believe you knew that Paul's brother was part of the squad we were picking up," replied Katherine frostily. Mike knew it was pointless to deny it, "Yes I knew, but I didn't see it as a problem."

"You could've told Paul. The first he knew about it was when he saw his brother standing on the transporter pad," exclaimed Katherine.

The Captain nodded, "I suppose I could have prepared him for the arrival," remarked Mike.

"I would say so!" answered Katherine.

"It may get worse," muttered Mike loud enough for his First Officer to hear.

"Worse?" she questioned, wondering how it could get worse.

Mike smiled, "Not between Paul and his brother. I've heard that Michelle's father is on Starbase two-fourteen where we are to drop off the football team and make the crew transfers. And I think you know that Michelle doesn't get on very well with her parents."

Katherine agreed, "I think Scott is the main route of the problem."

"That's may be so but there's a little more bad news," said Mike gravely.

Commander Malloy couldn't believe her ears, "What else?" she asked.

"Michelle's mother is on that Starbase too," replied Captain Delany.

"Am I dismissed sir?" she enquired.

"By all means," answered her Commanding Officer.

"Thank you sir!" said Katherine as she left the Ready Room not feeling very happy about the previous trouble and the trouble yet to come.

Paul was on his way to Sick Bay but nothing prepared him for the sight that greeted him when he arrived. Hadrius was on his knees clutching his stomach; this was serious enough in itself. A few members of the football team were chasing various nurses round the biobeds and Scott was fighting other members alongside Doctor Pascoe. But the team had the strength of numbers and it was only when Paul yelled, "What the hell is going in here!" very loudly that people stopped and looked at him. Paul was wearing a very black look and the people who knew him, knew that this was very bad sign. Paul walked straight over to his brother who had been pummelling Scott and knocked him out cold with one punch. Then he started directing, "Doctor Pascoe, see to Hadrius, I want everyone who is not requiring medical attention, except my staff to get out of here or I will personally throw you out and then you will require medical attention."

Scott walked slowly over to Paul, "They were making a move on my lady friend," he said quietly with menace. Paul said nothing, he quickly emptied the contents of a hypospray that he'd picked up the moment he walked into Sick Bay into Scott's neck.

"Sorry Scott," remarked Doctor Galloway, "No option," he added as he caught the now unconscious Chief Engineer as he fell towards the floor and dumped him unceremoniously on a vacant biobed until the sedative wore off. Doctor Galloway then turned on a member of the football team, "And what's wrong with you?" he asked.

"Nothing at all," replied the player.

"And you're still here?" enquired Paul, wondering if his second directive had not been fully understood.

"I want to see you throw me out," answered the team member. The next thing the player felt was his nose go crunch and blood running down his face. He then felt a strange sensation like he was flying through the air before he landed in a heap outside the doors of Sick Bay.

"Was that really necessary?" questioned Doctor Pascoe.

"I'm not sure, but either way, I think I've made my point," answered Paul with pardonable sharpness.

The remainder of the trip to Starbase Two-fourteen was without serious incident but there were a few cross words between various members of the crew and members of the football team. However the increase in Security Officers on all decks proved to be an effective deterrent against trouble.

Paul's brother was in the Transporter Room and was one of the last members of the football squad to leave the ship. The order to energise was about to be given when Paul entered Transporter Room Five. "You're the last person I expected to come and see me off," remarked Paul's sibling.

"I realise that," answered Paul, "But I wanted to make sure you left," he added.

"You'll understand if I don't call," said the football player.

"I won't lose sleep over it," answered Paul.

"Energise," ordered Lieutenant Kel, hoping to prevent the remarks from becoming a full-blown argument that could end with violence.

She succeeded.

"The Revelation has arrived sir," said a Commander to a Senior Admiral to whom she was the assistant. "Thank you Commander," answered the Admiral, "Shall we go and meet her?" he added, directing this final remark at the woman also in a Starfleet uniform who he'd been sat with as she was his wife and she nodded.

Captain Delany was on the Bridge when he received a message from the Starbase, "Starbase Two-fourteen to Revelation, the Admiral is ready to beam aboard."

"Acknowledged," responded Mike as he rose from his chair and headed for the Turbo lift and Transporter Room Three. He arrived just prior to Lieutenant Kel but found Commander Malloy already there.

"Energise," ordered the Captain as soon as Aniyan arrived.

"Aye sir," answered Lieutenant Brooke. The Admiral appeared holding the hand of his spouse, "Permission to come aboard Captain?" said the Admiral.

"Permission granted Sir, welcome to the Revelation."

"Thank you Captain," replied the Admiral as he stepped off the transporter pad and shook Mike heartily by the hand.

"This is my First Officer Commander Katherine Malloy and my Chief of Security Lieutenant Kel Aniyan." The Admiral shook hands with both officers and introduced his wife, "This is my wife, Captain Rebekah Lowe."

Lieutenant Kel heard the Lowe surname quite clearly and shot a glance at Katherine who ignored her as she already knew what was going on.

"I need to talk to you Captain, but I'm sure my wife would like to be taken to our quarters and freshen up before our tour," stated Admiral Lowe.

"Of course Sir. Lieutenant Kel, could you do the honours and escort the Captain to their quarters on Deck Nine?"

"It will be a pleasure, this way Captain," smiled Kel as she and Captain Lowe left the Transporter Room.

"We can talk in my Ready Room, if that's alright?" said Captain Delany.

"That would be perfectly acceptable," replied the Admiral, and he and Captain Delany left the Transporter Room and headed for the Main Bridge.

The Captain and the Admiral exited the Turbo Lift and walked onto the Bridge and Lieutenant Michelle Lowe at Tactical instinctively looked towards the Turbo Lift as did everyone else to see who it was.

"Admiral on the Bridge," barked the Ensign on duty at the Helm. Michelle was the only officer who continued staring at the Admiral who had accompanied the Captain to the Bridge, "Lieutenant," acknowledged the Admiral.

"Dad," was all she could reply.

"Very nice," remarked Captain Lowe as she entered the quarters that had been allocated to her and her husband for the duration of their brief stay.

"For Starfleet Admirals and their families only the best," smiled Lieutenant Kel.

"I only wish we had cabins like this on any of my previous commands," stated Rebekah, as she glanced wistfully around absorbing the tasteful décor. "I was wondering, I understand my daughter is aboard this vessel?" said Captain Lowe.

Lieutenant Kel understood immediately to whom the Captain was referring to, as there was only one officer aboard the Revelation, other than the Admiral and his wife who carried the surname of Lowe. "She is Captain, in fact she's in my department," replied Aniyan wondering where this might be leading.

"Thank you Lieutenant, you are dismissed," said Rebekah indicating that the conversation was now over.

"Aye Captain," acknowledged the mystified Lieutenant as she left the cabin.

Admiral Lowe looked at his daughter and strode to the back of the Bridge to speak with her.

"I'd heard you were serving aboard this vessel," he said in a low voice.

"Yes sir," answered Michelle, forcing herself to be polite to her senior officer.

"Why don't you join us for dinner this evening, I know your mother would like to see you," continued the Admiral.

"I will, providing my duties permit it."

The admiral smiled, "I'll speak to the Capt-," he began, but his daughter interrupted him, "You don't need to show me any special treatment because I'm your daughter sir. I got to where I am without your help and I don't need it now." Admiral Lowe nodded but didn't reply as he went to join the Captain in his Ready Room.

Lieutenant Michelle Lowe hadn't seen her parents for a few years and she wasn't overjoyed to see them now. Her father was an Admiral and he had expected every member of his family to obey his orders as other officers would. But although his wife and daughter were Starfleet officers, he couldn't issue orders to them like they were standard officers and expect to be obeyed. All this was running through her head as she made her way to the quarters occupied by her parents.

"Come in," said a voice from inside her parents cabin when Michelle rang the bell. Michelle groaned inwardly, she had hoped they'd be out; they never seemed to be there when she needed them before. Now when she hoped they would not be there, there they were. Michelle took a deep breath and entered the cabin.

Meanwhile in Sick Bay the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Engineer were having a heated discussion. "Did you have to sedate me?" exclaimed Scott.

"What do you think? You were aggressive, violent and worst of all, you threatened me!"

"You were worried about what I might do to you?" laughed Scott.

"Not exactly," smiled Paul, "I don't allow fighting in my Sick Bay, it doesn't matter who's involved or what the outcome might be, it just doesn't happen."

Scott muttered something that Paul didn't quite hear, but being a Betazoid and being trained in the use of his mental powers by Lieutenant Vexx, Paul didn't have to hear what was muttered.

"You run Engineering your way, and I'll run Sick Bay mine," snapped the Doctor.

"Alright Paul but the next time I catch someone trying it on with or hurting Michelle, you'd better prepare the morgue for a new arrival," snarled Scott then he left Sick Bay.

Paul grinned to himself before he went back to his work.

"Michelle, my little girl," exclaimed Rebekah when she saw her daughter for the first time in a few years. She didn't like her father but Michelle had missed her mother, "It's nice to see you too Mum, but a bit less of the little girl. You haven't called me that since I was seven."

I'm sorry," replied the older of the two ladies, "But you'll always be my little girl, when you have children of your own you'll understand."

"What makes you think I'm going to have children?" remarked Michelle, knowing full well that what she said was the last thing her mother wanted to hear.

"Please tell me you're not serious," replied her mother, but Michelle just smiled, "Not entirely serious, to be honest I haven't decided yet. But what's the big deal, my brother Alistair has four kids including twin girls. It's not like you've got no grandchildren."

"May be not, but I expected my daughter would want children," replied Rebekah.

"You can say what like Mum, but I won't be pressured into have kids," answered Michelle.

Captain Lowe nodded, "You're not saying no to children then?" she enquired.

"Mum will you stop, I'm may have kids one day but when I want and I'll choose the father too," replied Michelle firmly.

Both sat in silence for a few moments before Rebekah spoke again, "Would you like a drink? I believe you like tea with honey."

Michelle couldn't stop herself from smiling, "You remembered," she said and she was genuinely but pleasantly surprised.

"I have one other question," said Rebekah tentatively, "And we have spoken about this before. Michelle, why Starfleet? Why did you insist on joining Starfleet?"

"Do we have to have this conversation again?"

"We never finished this conversation!"

"I don't understand why you have a problem with my career choice. Most parents would be overjoyed that one of their children is following in her parents footsteps but you won't let this rest."

"But Starfleet is such dangerous work."

"And of course it was so much safer when you and Dad joined up," yelled Michelle who was now in a very real rage.

It was at that moment that Admiral Jonathon Lowe entered the cabin, "Oh speak of the devil and he appears," snapped Michelle and the Admiral knew at once that he had walked into the middle of something. "Is this a new argument," he asked innocently.

His wife opened her mouth to answer but Michelle spoke first, "No Dad, it's a very old argument and I don't care to hear anything you've got to say. And you can forget about dinner, I wasn't that hungry anyway." That being said, Michelle stormed out of the room.

Scott was in his quarters having an argument with his replicator, which was not doing as it was told. Now Scott was beginning to come to the conclusion that this particular replicator had a personal grudge against him and was not in a forgiving mood. He was contemplating going to Ten Forward for dinner and admit that the replicator had won round one.

"This isn't over," he snapped.

"Please restate request," answered the computer innocently.

"What good would that do? You didn't comply with my last request anyway," muttered Scott who was to be fair in a really bad mood, which hadn't improved much from his chat with Paul and the sedative Paul had used on him.

"Please restate request," repeated the computer.

"Oh shut up," replied Scott as he made up his mind to head to ten forward after all. As the doors opened for Scott to exit, he saw Michelle standing outside them in the corridor looking very upset. "You do live here you know, you don't have to wait for me to open the doors for you. They will respond to you as well," joked Scott hoping to see her smile, but when she didn't he asked, "What's wrong?" then without waiting for an answer she ran straight inside and he took her into his arms. Michelle then buried her face in his chest and sobbed.

Admiral Lowe was angry. His daughter had always been a thorn in his side, never taking the advice he imparted to her and taking great delight in wilfully disobeying him and her mother. But worst of all, she wouldn't even meet the son of a great family friend, a young, up and coming officer who Jonathan would love to welcome into his family as a son-in-law. Michelle made it clear that she would choose the man she would marry and not the man her father would pick for her, if she ever decided to marry at all!

Michelle, after a little while of sobbing had finally managed to tell Scott what had happened between her and her father. Lieutenant Hawkins wasn't surprised as he knew of Michelle's parents as she had moaned about them often and not just to Scott. Other members of the crew on the late USS Genesis where they had both previously served, as well as a few members on the Revelation, mainly Katherine, Kel and Rochelle who were her closest friends also knew that Michelle didn't exactly get on with her family.

However Scott also knew her father in a more direct capacity. Michelle on the other hand didn't know that, nor was Scott going to tell her that as his past was just that, past.

Just after getting Michelle to calm down, the door chime to their quarters sounded. Michelle got up off the sofa that they were both sat on and answered it, however she soon wished she hadn't.

"Michelle," spoke her mother, "We have to get through this. After chatting with your father and your brother via subspace, I've accepted that you have made your choice of being in Starfle-"

"You bet I have Mother!" interrupted Michelle.

"Michelle, please don't refer to Rebekah as Mother, you know how much she hates it, as do I. What we are trying to say is-" spoke Admiral Jonathan Lowe before suddenly stopping mid sentence, "What exactly is he doing here? In your quarters?" asked Jonathan upon seeing Lieutenant Hawkins.

"He lives here."

"The computer said that these were your quarters," spoke Jonathan, looking to Michelle, clearly not happy about this situation and totally ignoring the presence of Scott.

"They are actually ours. I live here with her, we both live together," confirmed Scott as he stepped up to Michelle and placed an arm around her. She happily took it.

Admiral Lowe looked at them both, "Michelle, you can do better than him."

Michelle looked from her dad to Scott and back again, "Maybe, but whoever I choose will never be good enough for me by either of you two unless you happen to choose him for me. Well, I choose Scott. He is good enough and if you two cant see him for what he really is, instead of being judgemental then there is no point continuing this. Goodbye Father! Goodbye Mother!"

Upon the words Goodbye being spoken twice by Michelle, the computer interpreted that to mean to close the doors.

And it did, much to the relief of Michelle and Scott but much more to the annoyance of the Lowe's.

The Revelation had arrived at the rendezvous coordinates supplied by Captain Lowe upon her arrival on the Revelation back at Starbase two fourteen and now its sensors had detected the approach of the Ambassador class USS Kestrel NCC 26303, which was Captain Lowe's command. It was assigned to routine patrols in the area surrounding Starbase Two Twenty-six and the Debausey planetary region. The Starbase orbited high above Debausey four, which was under the command of Admiral Lowe. This way, both could be near each other without compromising their positions.

One of the advantages of being an Admiral was the ability to choose which ship served you to a point and in this case, the Admiral had chosen his wife's.

Both the Admiral and the Captain were now in transporter room two, waiting to disembark from the Revelation; Captain Delany had just finished his pleasantries with them both when Lieutenant Scott Hawkins entered the room.

"Lieutenant, something I can do for you?" asked Mike upon the unexpected arrival of his Chief Engineer.

"No Sir, it is just that Lieutenant Brook is due a relief so I volunteered to take over."

"I am?" asked Phillipa with a blank stare at Scott until she caught his meaning, "Oh, yeah. That's right, I am. Thank you Chief." Quickly, she left the room.

Scott started to check over the console, Mike glanced over to him and could see that the checks he was doing weren't necessary. He was just playing for time until the Captain had left the room.

"Well, I erm…I'm due on the Bridge. I will leave you in the capable hands of my Chief Engineer. Admiral, Captain," he acknowledged on his exit from the room.

Once the doors closed, Scott looked up from his controls, "Admiral, we need to talk."

"Actually Lieutenant, we don't."

"Sir, if I can just explain?"

"You don't need to explain. I saw everything. When I sponsored you through the academy, I gave you specific instructions that you were to keep an eye on my daughter, to protect her, not date her!"

"Whilst she is together with me here, I can protect her."

"She can do better than a petty criminal like you Hawkins. You broke into my house, tried to steal from my family-"

"I was trying to survive. You try surviving on the streets of Kwel'lthian with no help, no family. My parents had been murdered whilst planet side on Argalius and the Captain of the freighter that they served on just abandoned me there on that godforsaken planet. I needed food, clothes, shelter," interrupted Scott, trying to justify his actions.

"And you just happened upon mine and my wife's residence. What happened to you doesn't justify your actions. You could have just asked for help, instead you attempted to break into our home. That was your first mistake Hawkins. Your second is dating my daughter against my instructions, though I suspect she choose you due to our dislike of you. Your third mistake will be if she ever dies due to your failure to protect h-"

"Admiral," interrupted Scott, "With respect, I've already given my life once to protect her. When the Genesis was destroyed, her escape pod was in direct line of sight with a Romulan Starship. I used the thrusters on my pod to knock hers out of the way. She got to the safety of the planet that we were near, I on the other hand fractured my fuel cells and oxygen tanks lines due to the impact of the collision. It should have been her who was captured, not me. Is that enough protection or do you want more?"

"My daughter never told me that," admitted Admiral Lowe. Jonathon looked Scott over, only this time apparently seeing him in a new light, "You gave your life up for my daughter?"

"I would do so again Sir," admitted Scott, "I would do so for the lady I love. I fell in love with her back in the Academy, and I believe she has fallen in love with me. I don't know of any other reason as to why she left the USS Darkheart."

Captain Rebekah Lowe looked to her husband and whispered something to him. It was then that Jonathan spoke once again to Scott, only this time all the derision in his voice had gone, "Scott, if you can keep her safe, as you proved during that incident, then you two will have my blessing to be together. A man who will put his life on the line for the lady he loves is a better man for my daughter to be with, and better than anyone we could ever pick."

"I promise you sir, I will protect your daughter with my life. I would rather die than have any harm come to her."

"That Scott I do believe. It appears that sponsoring you through the academy instead of sending you to a correctional facility for your petty crimes on Argalius has indeed been beneficial for the both of us."

"More so than you will ever know, Admiral Lowe," confirmed Scott.

"Rebekah knew, but never told me until now. Keep her safe, Son. Energize."

Scott smiled at them both and then transported them over to the Kestrel.

Once they had completely left Scott finished, "I swear I will keep her safe, even if it costs me my own life; I died once for her on Franquila and I would do it all over again."