MAQUIS 1/9/2018
Scene 1
Chakotay's crew left the hollow tree as soon as Lady Q snapped her fingers. They found themselves on a rickety bus bouncing over potholes travelling across a moorland. The crew noticed their clothes had changed - they were wearing fashions from the early part of the twentieth century on Earth.
"Where the hell are we? I am tired of the Q using us for their dirty work. I want to go back to my real life which was hard enough," complained Kathryn.
Chakotay agreed with her so went to the front of the bus to talk to the driver. He wanted to find out where they were heading to. The driver ignored him and didn't take his eyes off the road. Chakotay thought he looked familiar.
"Have you been drinking, old fruit? Do you make a habit of boarding transport without any idea of where you're going? " asked Q.
He took off his cap and beamed at him. He pulled into a rest stop and parked the bus. "Well children, you are about to take part in your Second Quest!" announced Q.
"Lady Q told us to tell you they are watching to stop you from cheating, " shouted Kathryn.
"Don't listen to her. She isn't my boss," snapped Q, he didn't appreciate their interference.
Kathryn had enough of dancing to Q's tune, "What do you want this time Q? Let's get on with it and finish this farce."
Q snapped his fingers and Kathryn appeared on his lap, "What's wrong with you, my dear? I've never seen you behave like a shrew before!"
Stick around and I'll show you how unladylike I can be, " warned Kathryn, as she jumped off his lap.
She stood by Chakotay and the other members of the crew. This choice wasn't lost on Q. They were all showing signs of hostility so he decided to come to the point.
"You are substitute teachers on route to a private school, in the country. Eight of their staff contracted a mystery virus in the past week. Their Doctor sent them to an isolation hospital to prevent the spread of the virus."
"What is the quest? Why do you have to be so dramatic?" Kathryn was trying to force him to get to the point.
"This is not a normal school. All the pupils have special gifts and talents. One of the little darlings is a Q. You have to identify the student and persuade them to meet us and discuss their future," explained Q.
"Is that it? What happens if they don't want to talk to you? asked Kathryn.
Nothing, we aren't savages! We don't swan around the Universe taking the lives of people who annoy us." Q looked straight at Chakotay, "Although it does seem like a good idea."
Kathryn was cynical, "We have reports from the Enterprise of your meetings. You caused the death of their Security Chief without a hint of remorse."
"I don't know why you listen to Jean-Luc Picard - he's over exaggerates everything, " moaned Q.
"Why don't you play with someone else? Aren't you tired of us by now?" asked Kathryn.
"I don't know why I keep coming back to you? I try to distract myself with other women but to no avail," admitted Q, thinking aloud.
Kathryn couldn't believe Q's feelings for her were genuine. The problem was she didn't feel the same way about him. She didn't want to find out if hell hath no fury like a Q scorned.
Q put his indicator on and turned right. The driveway to the school was very impressive.
"Here is the list of the subjects you will be teaching," said Q.
He turned to Kathryn, who hadn't returned to her seat yet. "We will continue this conversation later my dear - in private."
Q disappeared leaving the real driver in his place. Chakotay looked at the list and read it out to the crew. "Mike and B'Elanna, you are the new Physical Education teachers. Kathryn, you will teach Chemistry. Astra will cover history. Tom will teach physics and Lam will teach the younger boys the basics of cookery."
"What will you be teaching, Captain?" asked Astra.
"I am the substitute House Master for Johnson," replied Chakotay. I will be in charge of one hundred boys between the ages of five to eighteen."
Chakotay blanched at the thought of dealing with so many small children.
A large imposing man stood outside the school waiting for them to disembark. He greeted everyone as they stepped off the bus.
As soon as the bus left he introduced himself, "I am Harvey St John, Headmaster of St Eustace. Our school is unique. The children have certain talents or gifts. It is our job to teach them how to use them to help society and not to terrorise them."
"When do we start teaching Sir? " asked Kathryn.
You will start teaching tomorrow at nine o'clock on the dot! Cook has prepared tea for you in the kitchen. One of the Prefects will escort you to your accommodation and allow you to settle in, " said the Head.
Scene 2 - The Continuum
"The High Council ordered you to find the child yourself, Q," scolded Lady Q.
"Where would be the fun in that? asked Q, "Kathy does look good in the fashions of that era though."
"Why can't you leave that human female alone? If you like her why don't you say something? Only you would torture the woman you love!"
Q stuck his tongue out, "If it was that simple - I would have done it already."
"Make sure you treat the fledgeling Q with kid gloves," warned Lady Q.
Scene 3 - The First Day
When Kathryn woke up the next morning she wanted to stay in bed under the blankets. The bed was warm and comfortable but the temperature in the room was freezing. Ice had formed on the inside of the window.
Kathryn jumped out of bed and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. There was a jug with steam rising from the hot water and a bowl on a dressing table. She washed and dressed in the warmest clothes from the suitcase she found in the room. At least Q had provided clothes from the period. She found a jumper and a tweed skirt with woollen stockings.
There was a desk with a large folder. Kathryn skimmed through the contents. There were lesson plans and details of the students in her classes. The science teacher had even included a floor plan of the school.
Kathryn heard voices outside so she picked up the folder and left her room. Astra and B'Elanna were chatting while waiting for her.
"I thought I was going to freeze to death this morning," whispered Astra. I have never felt so cold before. "
Tom, Lam and Ayala met them on the stairs. "Chakotay is currently supervising breakfast for the boys. He would rather face a Klingon attack than have to deal with small children," joked Ayala.
The crew headed for the staff dining hall. They took it in turns to supervise meals for the pupils. They finished breakfast as the bell rang, which warned them lessons were about to start.
"Good luck everyone! said Kathryn, "Remember they are only children."
Kathryn struggled to open the door to the classroom with the folder in her hand. Inside they were not expecting a teacher to arrive. Some boys were chasing each other around the room, blowing spitballs at each other. The other boys were standing in groups chatting. Every child ignored her arrival.
She put the folder on her desk and turned around expecting the class to sit down. They still didn't acknowledge her presence. Kathryn picked up a metal bin, held it high above her head and dropped it on the floor. The noise caused every boy in the class to freeze in shock.
"Now I have your attention, sit down at a desk," said Kathryn.
She picked on one of the ringleaders, "Pick up every piece of litter on the floor and sit there when you've finished." Kathryn pointed to the desk in front of her.
"Your teacher informed me that you were investigating acids and alkali. Turn to page sixty and read the first chapter," ordered Kathryn.
Astra entered her classroom to find exercise books floating around the classroom. One of the boys was practising his talent for levitation. Every boy in the class turned to look at Astra to see whether she would freak out.
She stared at the ringleader and raised her hand. The boy floated into the air still sitting on his chair.
Astra grinned at him, "In the monastery where I lived toddlers could perform that trick. She lowered the boy to the ground and directed the books floating around the ceiling to pile up on her desk.
She pointed to a boy sitting at the back of the classroom, "Hand the books out please," ordered Astra.
"Yes Ma'am!" said the boy, whose name was Quinn. He was a small boy with mousy blonde hair, huge glasses and a slight build. He looked about five years younger than the other boys. He adored his new teacher already.
Scene 4
Chakotay was sitting in his study. Two young boys were standing in front of him trying not to cry.
"What do you have to say for yourself? Your teacher is being treated by Matron for a cut on her forehead."
Chakotay picked up a catapult and waved it in front of them, "This is a dangerous weapon. Why did you bring it to your classroom?"
"I'm sorry Sir, one of the other boys was bullying Sam. I was trying to hit him when he ducked and I hit Mrs Thatcher instead, " explained Henry.
"Did you report the bullying to a teacher?" asked Chakotay.
"Yes sir, Mr St John told us that it was part of school life and we had to learn to cope with it or fight back," said Henry.
"Sam, what is the name of your bully," asked Chakotay.
"Gerald Smyth, Sir. I'm not the only boy he's bullying. He picks on the clever boys and forces them to write his homework. He locked Gray Forsyth in a cupboard last week. Gray was claustrophobic. He collapsed and almost died due to a panic attack. They sent him home to recover with the excuse that he contracted a mystery virus."
Chakotay couldn't believe the school were condoning bullying. He decided to stamp it out while he was there. He hoped the others were having more luck in their search for the Q.
Scene 5
Ayala and B'Elanna ushered their charges into the gymnasium. They had set up a circuit of exercises to complete. The class was full of 17-18-year-olds who didn't look interested in participating. B'Elanna hoped they would try to misbehave. If she made an example of the ringleader it would be easier to establish dominance over them.
"You are old enough to recognise a circuit. Form a line and we will start you at staggered intervals," said B'Elanna.
Every boy in the class was looking at one boy in particular. They were taking their cues from him.
B'elanna asked him to step forward, "What is your name?"
"Who wants to know?" asked the obnoxious young man
The boy kept checking to make sure the other members of the class were paying attention to him. The younger boys started to snigger.
"My name is Gerry, what do they call you sweet cheeks? asked Smyth.
"Your teacher!" said B'Elanna.
The other boys gasped but nobody moved. Gerry stretched out his hand to touch B'Elanna's shoulder. She grabbed his hand pulled him towards her and flipped him over onto his back. With luck, there was a crash mat to break his fall.
Gerry was furious! "You don't know who I am. When I tell Mr St John you will be out on your ear tomorrow - bitch!"
Ayala came over to see if she needed any help, "Do you want me to take him out?"
"If I don't deal with him myself then the other boys will never accept my authority but thank you for the offer."
She stood over him, "Get up! Go into the changing room and get dressed. You are in Mr Chakotay's House so I will ask him to collect you after you've changed."
The rest of the lesson passed without another incident. The boys treated her with the utmost respect. After all, she had sent the biggest bully in school away with a flea in his ear
After she packed the equipment away, Ayala escorted her to lunch. They sat at the same table so they could supervise the boys. Chakotay was eating at the Headmaster's table. He passed a message to B'Elanna that he needed to speak to her at the end of the day.
Chakotay asked for an appointment with Mr St John after school finished. He wanted to talk to him about Mr Smyth. For now, the bully was sitting in his study eating lunch by himself. Chakotay intended to keep him there for the rest of the afternoon.
After the school day ended, B'Elanna went to see the Headmaster as requested. She met Chakotay outside his study waiting to see Mr St John with Master Smyth in tow.
"Why are you here, I thought I was the only one in trouble?" joked B'Elanna.
This young man has been bullying the younger boys but seems to get away scot-free. I wanted to ask the Head why he can't punish this young man for terrorising the younger students. What happened during your lesson?
"He decided to challenge my authority and address me in a disrespectful manner. I told him to report to you so I could continue with the class.," explained B'Elanna.
"We should go in together, there is strength in numbers," said Chakotay.
Master Smyth was not nervous. Most boys would be fidgeting and nervous waiting outside the Headmaster's study. Smyth didn't appear to have a care in the world.
When the study door opened, Mr St John smiled at Master Smyth.
"What have you been up to boy? Have you given the new teachers a hard time? Go back to your dormitory and stop the hazing,"
Smyth walked past B'Elanna and Chakotay grinning. He whispered to B'Elanna, "I'll see you later sweet cheeks."
B'Elanna knew she was going to have more dealings with Smyth. It was evident he had a protected status in the school. It would be interesting to find out why.
The Headmaster pointed to two chairs in front of his desk. He sat down and Chakotay noted his chair elevated his position so he was looking down on them.
The Head talked to B'Elanna first, "Mr Smyth is our Head boy I am sure he didn't mean to upset you. It is a tradition to give the new teachers a hard time. They will settle down soon when they get to know you, Miss Torres."
B'Elanna realised the Headmaster had dismissed her so she stormed out of the study.
"I've always found female teachers overemotional and flighty. She will realise we only have her best interests at heart," said Mr St John.
Chakotay knew B'Elanna wouldn't agree with those sentiments.
"I've had reports that Smyth is bullying the younger pupils. He is making some of the clever boys do his homework. He chooses a younger boy to do his chores every day." Chakotay had a sinking feeling when he saw the Head's face.
"I 'm afraid Gerald Smyth is handsome, successful and smart. He inspires envy in the other boys. They tell a lot of lies to get him into trouble," replied the Head.
"Doesn't the volume of complaints signify there is something wrong. They were very convincing!" said Chakotay, trying to persuade him to do the right thing.
"I appreciate your input Mr Chakotay but you are a temporary master. I know my school and the characters amongst the pupils. I can assure you Mr Smyth is a model pupil who acts as an inspiration to the younger boys."
He ended the interview by ushering him out of the door. Chakotay knew the Headmaster had ignored every complaint he'd made. What did that arrogant boy have over him because it must be something big?
Scene 6
Before bedtime, Chakotay passed a note to the crew asking them to meet in his room. B'Elanna was the only one who knew why he'd called the meeting.
Tom was the last one to join them because he had been dealing with an incident. One of the younger boys, Sam Williams was discovered in his dormitory unconscious. Tom organised his transfer to the infirmary.
Chakotay told the crew everything about their dealings with Master Smyth. He included the temper tantrum in B'Elanna's class. Tom added the news that the boy who accused Smyth of bullying was now unconscious in the infirmary.
He continued, "When we told Mr St John we thought Smyth was a bully he defended him. The boy he described did not match the insolent bully we were dealing with."
"With that level of arrogance and cruelty - is he the Q we're looking for?" asked Kathryn.
"We have to find out what he is using to blackmail the Headmaster. As soon as we solve that issue we can turn him over to the Q to deal with. We need to keep a watch on Smyth at all times until we find out how he is controlling Mr St John. Mike, organise a guard duty," ordered Chakotay.
Scene 7
It was Tom's turn to watch Master Smyth, He didn't have a lesson until the first period in the afternoon. Tom hated bullies! He wanted to teach the arrogant young man a lesson.
Before breakfast Smyth chose the victim of the day, He pointed out his choice at breakfast to the rest of his gang. Matthew Clark was the chosen one to finish Smyth's physics homework the previous day. He was sick of doing the other boy's work so he wrote a terrible essay for science. Smyth received a poor grade so he swore to exact his revenge.
Tom stuck like glue to Smyth and his gang. He wanted to be there to ensure they didn't put another boy in the infirmary.
At morning break, the gang cornered Matthew Clark outside the Tuckshop. The gang formed a circle around the younger child so nobody could see what was happening. Smyth started by slapping Matthew around. The gang were encouraging him by cheering and stamping their feet.
"What are you doing boys?" asked Tom.
The gang around Smyth disappeared leaving him to explain what he was doing.
Smyth put his arm around the younger boy, "We were messing about Sir - nothing to concern yourself with."
"Leave him alone," said Tom.
He spoke to the frightened young man, "Come over here and I'll take you to your dormitory."
Matthew ran away as soon as Smyth let go of him. Then the bully tried to intimidate Tom. That was his first mistake. He tried to punch Tom in the face but he blocked him.
"Give up - I am not one of your normal teachers and I will defend myself. I won't hurt you unless you attack first.
Gerald Smyth was arrogant, lazy and stupid. He didn't know when to back down.
He threw another punch but Tom was ready for him. He ducked under the punch and hit him hard in the stomach. Smyth bent over in pain, winded from the blow.
"My father will make sure you never work again. Your career is over you dumb country bumpkin."
Tom laughed and clipped him around the head, "I don't work for the school. Your threats are empty you coward. I noticed you pick on the smaller boys and not your peers."
"You wait, Mr St John will speak to you soon. I will make sure he sends you home with a flea in your ear.
Tom walked away with Smyth's threats ringing in his ears. He found Chakotay in his office and told him everything about his fight with Smyth.
"I'm jealous, I've wanted to hit him for his cowardly behaviour," swore Chakotay.
We need to spy on the Headmaster to find what Smyth uses to blackmail him. Tom thought there was no time like the present so he headed to his Study to start his surveillance.
Scene 8
When Tom reached the Headmaster's study, the door was shut, so he sat down and waited. He could hear loud voices, from the study, which were getting more shrill. The boy inside must have done something terrible to earn that scolding. Tom reacted without thinking, to the blood-curdling scream by pushing the door open ready to tackle the threat inside.
He stopped in his tracks to process the scene in front of him. The Headmaster was on his knees in front of the Devil. Right beside them, a sinkhole had opened up with flames shooting out of it. All you could hear were screams, moaning and maniacal laughter.
Tom shook his head trying to make some sense of the scene in front of him. Either the Devil had appeared to claim the soul of Mr St John. Or Master Smyth was a Q and had turned himself into the Devil. The Devil was showing the Headmaster a vision of his future in hell to show him the error of his ways. He was still pleading for his life. He hadn't even noticed Tom entering his study.
"Q, come and deal with this entity. You need to clear up this mess created by your junior psychopath," shouted Tom.
Q appeared beside him and he wasn't in a charitable mood, "Show a little more respect human. I could stop your heart with a click of my fingers."
"You won't because you'll have to do your own dirty work then. This entity needs discipline or it will be impossible to control him."
Tom left the Study without looking back. He was sick of being used by the Continuum. If Q wanted a relationship with Captain Janeway, he should ask her out like any normal male.
When they were alone Q started a slow hand clap. "That scene was over-theatrical but excellent work little one. You convinced this snivelling coward that you were the Devil. This minor victory was a complete waste of your time and powers. You need to be educated by your own kind. He snapped his fingers to teleport the brat back to the Continuum.
Then he turned to Mr St John, "I should stop your affair with the Matron. If you weren't cheating on your wife you wouldn't be so easy to blackmail."
Mr St John stood up convinced he was losing his mind. He decided to retire and never mention the end of his career ever again. He didn't want to spend his retirement in a padded cell.
Q was furious because the Maquis crew had completed two of his quests. The third one had to be fiendishly difficult. He needed an excuse to bring Kathryn Janeway back to the Continuum to stay with him for eternity.