Author: Christy Anderson
You can contact me at kittyunlimited@go.com.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Paramount minus Ensign Christy Anderson and a few selected insignificant characters.
This is the fifth part, still many more to come. Please be patient, everything is going to be a little late, school and all.
Stars of Night (Sterne der Nacht): Part 5
The old lab gleamed with its comforting familiarity, and in the background I could hear my Father's voice, deep in conversation with Tre'kent. I felt peaceful and calm as I stared out the window and gazed at the stars. After taking Tre'kent to every part of Voyager, he had requested to see the holodecks. As I had explained to him about how to create or choose a program, he had inquired if I would show him one of mine. The holodeck recreation of the old lab was a place where I was often found, but tonight was Tre'kent's night to meet my Father.
I could hear my Father arguing in English, a language he almost never used in here, but the only one Tre'kent could understand. I smiled at their trivial argument over plant genetics. My Father was winning, as I had expected. It was strangely soothing to follow the stream of logic, the frame of their structured arguments. I leaned back on the overstuffed pillow on the couch; I had never been so tired in my life. Sheepishly, I recalled that I hadn't slept since 03:00 hours yesterday. Usually when I was here in the holodeck, I was hard at work in the lab, or asking for advice from my Father, but resting had never killed anybody. Soon I buried myself in the couch, and my eyelids slowly fell closed to the comforting drone of the familiar voices as I allowed my sleepiness to overtake me.
"Christy," I heard a faraway voice call. My eyes fluttered open as I sprung up from the couch. My cheeks felt hot as I realized I had fallen asleep.
"Was Zeit ist es?… What time is it?" I asked.
"23:34 hours," Tre'kent said softly.
At his answer I jumped to my feet in horror. "The Commander is going to kill me. You were supposed to be in Transporter Room 2 at 22:00 hours."
He put his hand out to stop me. "I had Commander Chakotay contact Dr. Migfay three hours ago to request more time to spend with your Father. Dr. Migfay agreed and gave me until 24:00 hours. It's all right."
I looked around, quickly becoming disoriented. "Es ist Mitternacht?… It's midnight?" I questioned drowsily.
He nodded. "Almost. Your Father was an interesting colleage to talk to. He opened my eyes up to many of his theories. I learned a great deal tonight…" he paused as he stared into my eyes, "and today," he put in a little later.
My eyes shut again, and I was struggling even harder to stay awake. "Christy…?" he gently said with concern.
I opened my eyes and looked around. I became alarmed when I realized that the hologram of my Father was missing. "Wo ist mein Vater?… Where is my Father?" I asked after noticing that the old lab was empty.
"The hologram left to go home. He gave me an offer to use the lab as late as I needed to. Your Father saw how tired you were, and so he also said that when I was finished I needed to wake you up and send you home as well. Although, in reality, I can't send you home, back to earth…" he let his voice trail off.
My face winced at the painful memory. "Yeah, we are thousands upon thousands of lightyears from home," I admitted sadly. As I moved to stand up, I became very lightheaded. "Ich bin so müde… I'm so tired," I said slowly.
"Yes, I noticed," Tre'kent said with definity, "Wait, and I will help you to your quarters."
I shook my head. "Nonsense, I need to get you to the Transporter Room first. Then I'll take myself to my quarters." Using up my last ounce of strenth on my last words, I collapsed back onto the couch in exhaustion.
"I'll get somebody else to take me to Transporter Room 2." At Tre'kent's words I simply groaned, already too far away in my dream world. I felt a pair of strong arms pick me up and lift me off the couch. "Computer, end program," Tre'kent's familiar voice said.
I could see the bright light penetrating my dark world. I yawned slowly and rubbed my eyes. I was startled to find myself in my own quarters.
"Oh good, you're up!" Ensign Wildman cheered. "I have your breakfast ready, are you able to eat?"
My mind raced to make sense of the previous night; all I could remember was passing out. "Where is Tre'kent?" I questioned.
Samantha shook her head. "Christy, he's safely back on the Moheelean home world…" she paused as if unsure how to go on. She drew in a sharp breath and proceeded, "Last night you gave me quite a scare. In the middle of the night, Tre'kent woke me up with you in his arms. Tre'kent said that you had passed out on the holodeck, and that you had told him earlier that it had been a very long time since you had any sleep. After we had you safely in bed, I had the computer transport him directly to Transporter Room 2. Then out of fear, I called Lieutenant Paris up to come to take a look. He said that you are suffering from chronic sleep deprivation. His best advice was that you really need to sleep today. Tom talked with Captain Janeway about the situation, and she excused you from your shifts, although you'll have to pull some double shifts in the next few days to make up. Tre'kent left this note for you; you can read it later."
I nodded and accepted the breakfast Samantha handed me. "Ich fühle mich viel besser jetzt… I feel much better now."
Samantha smiled. "Ich hoffe, daß Sie. Ich zählte auf einer deutschen Lektion heute… I hope you do. I was counting on a German lesson today."
"Wie Sie wünschen…As you wish…"
I began a short German review, testing her over the lessons she had studied in her own quarters. Needless to say it was an improvement from the previous weeks. I complimented her progress and laughed when she divulged that she had done nothing else since the beginning. Samantha and I talked for hours, much like the time I had spent with Tom. This was a unique opportunity, a rarity, compared to most days on Voyager. I enjoyed the break, knowing that I would have to return to my vigorous schedule all too soon. Samantha grasped her abdomen in pain and I knew our short time together was through for now.
"You need to rest, Samantha. I'll be okay. Here, let me help you to your quarters," I said gently. Helping her along the painful way across the hall, I half expected her to dissipate in a transporter beam to Sickbay. As I got her settled in, I replicated for her an early lunch and set it aside her. "You can eat when you feel like it," I said slowly.
She nodded, beads of sweat forming on top of her head. "I suppose I overdid it," she said weakly.
"It's okay. I'll be back to check on you later."
She gave me a look of suspicion. "Remember, Christy, you are supposed to be resting yourself."
I acknowledged her and promised to take it easy. As I walked to my quarters, I remembered the message from Tre'kent she had mentioned. The doors swished open and I walked to the table where there was a PADD lying. I picked it up and read the first few lines. I could almost hear his voice when reading it. "Christy: I hope the morning will find you feeling well. We can collect the samples of triiceraliite that you wanted any day that you wish. You will find any of our resources available to you. I will make an attempt to contact you on the Comm tonight. Dr. Migfay will be able to help me overcome any technological obstacles that I encounter. Until then: Tre'kent."
A feeling of joy rushed through me and I could feel myself smiling inwardly. The feeling of anxiousness sat there as I waited in anticipation. Diese Nacht würde nicht bald genug kommen… tonight would not come soon enough. I ran over the things that I could do until then. Although the Captain had excused me from my shifts, I was determined to show up in the Science Lab for my shift at 15:00 hours. I could not afford to make up so many missed shifts. As my stomach slightly growled, I finished the remnants of my breakfast and turned my attention to my studies.
'Starfleet security protocol 63-a: Any security officer shall make no violent advances on the enemy when a fellow hostage is at stake. Starfleet security protocol…' the list dragged on. I encouraged myself to contine and promised myself that I would pass the test Tuvok administered this Saturday, and I would begin my shifts on the Bridge as soon as possible. A small beep sounded as the computer directed a page on the Comm.
"Lieutenant Paris to Ensign Anderson," the laid-back voice came over the Comm system. Immediately it brought an expression of joy to my face, and I relaxed at the sound of his friendly voice.
"Ensign Anderson here, Tom," I replied.
"Ah, Christy, feeling better? Perhaps you would like to join Harry and myself for lunch in the Mess Hall?"
I could almost picture them outside my door, waiting anxiously. "That's a wonderful offer Tom that I'll take you up on," I said.
"We were counting on it. Neelix knows how much you love his leola root stew. Make it quick though, we're waiting outside your quarters."
Wie ich wußte… how did I know. "You may enter," I said loudly. The doors swished open to reveal my two comrades. "I'll be ready to leave in a second," I said as I picked up miscellaneous items from the floor. I turned to them in expectation. "Lassen Sie uns essen! Let's eat!"
As we turned the corridor and headed to the turbolift, Harry turned to me and raised his eyebrows questioningly. "So, tell us about Tre'kent…"
To be cintinued…