1-06 For the Want of a Nail
The Doctor announces he loves Seven of Nine. Seven of Nine changes her mind.
Voyager and characters (except the Colonel) in this story are copyright of Paramount. No resemblance is intended to any person alive or dead.
The story line and the Colonel is my own.
Constructive criticism and comments are welcome on e-mail story@rgower.plus.com
If like me you like to know why things occur like they do, I would heartily recommend you start at chapter 1-01 Castaway.
This story is rated PG
The burns received at Kellorn had left the Colonel physically below par. He was annoyed to find even after three weeks of treatment from the recalcitrant doctor the feeling was only just starting to return in his burnt hand. His burnt backside no longer left him stiff thanks to the exercise regime, that he had continued with against the Doctors advice, though he had to accept that the scars would probably always be there. "Just another scar of battle!" He had declared to B'Elanna Torres, when she had inquired about them and the stiffness they caused.
The good side of the wounds was that the enforced rest had forced him to turn to his Star Fleet studies with vengeance. If only to reduce the crushing boredom, that he always felt after action. At home he would of immersed himself in the paperwork required to maintain the regiment, or improving the men's training. So hard had he studied, that he had finally completed the last theoretical studies to qualify him for the Star Fleet rank of Ensign, much to the surprise of everybody, except Seven of Nine. He had been with Voyager for a mere nine months, the Academy course usually lasted two years.
"You have applied yourself correctly to the task," she had declared sternly, then spoiled the effect by kissing him.
There by lay one of only two problems he had yet to overcome. He pondered them as he worked at the desk in his quarters.
He had finally accepted that he loved Seven of Nine deeper than he had ever loved anybody else in his life, even his wife, Anneka, who had died so tragically. He had even accepted the fact that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hide his love behind the mask he wore to hide the feelings of despair and pain he lived with. The ship was simply too small to allow him to hide, from her, his feelings, or the crew, who seemed to know more about his dealings with her than he did. His problem was why she had chosen to return his love with such devotion of her own. For the life of him he couldn't see a single good reason for her to attach such devotion to a broken down battle scarred old soldier with a dubious past and very uncertain future. Especially as she was surrounded by a seemingly huge range of Star Fleet men, all younger, more handsome, with no past to hide and a lot more future. If they kissed, or she crawled into his bed and put her arms around him, he could feel she wanted more from him. But he was terrified of the consequences of the final step.
His second was the doctor. The doctors attitude to him since Kellor had been distinctly hostile. Whilst he had carried out the necessary treatment in his usual competent manner, the Colonel had sensed he would rather be doing something else.
The Colonel disliked the medical profession on principle, he had been hurt and incarcerated in hospitals too often not to. He particularly disliked their phoney bed manner and ability to restate the obvious. The fact that his doctor now was a holographic projection, a technology he had to accept but didn't understand, and appeared to have a mind of its own, only heightened his disquiet.
In the end he decided that it was just him and the doctor that were at odds, so he he chose to avoid the EMH as much as he could.
The door chimed.
"Come in," he called.
Captain Janeway walked through the door. Stiffly he stood and saluted her, "Ma'am," he intoned.
She smiled. She found it hard not to at the stiff formality of the British soldier, stranded out of time and place. He still clung, in the face of Star Fleet casualness, to the rules and regulations he had served under for so long.
"Am I disturbing anything?" She asked, looking at the desk with interest. She could see it contained a table lamp and magnifier, a couple of thin pieces of wire and a small piece of what looked like wax on a piece of leather wadding.
"I was just about finished," he admitted lamely.
"What is it?" She picked up the piece of wax he had been working with so much care, trying to make out the detail. She gave up squinting and put it under the magnifier so she could see it more clearly. It was a model of a laurel wreath about 6mm in diameter, exquisitely detailed down to the veins in the individual leaves. In the centre, hiding what appeared to be a small clip, sat the emblem of the Colonels regiment, its motto clearly marked on a tiny scroll running underneath.
"It's the Regimental Award for Valour," he announced.
"It's beautiful, but why?" She asked.
He explained. "During the Napoleonic Wars rifle regiments gave those from their regiment that volunteered for the first assault on a castle a laurel wreath badge. They were called the 'Forlorn Hope', on the grounds they were unlikely to survive. It was a forerunner of formal decorations."
He continued, "when my regiment was reactivated, we were tasked with a range of operations that would of been too politically sensitive to record formally. I reintroduced the Laurel's so that particular acts could be recognised within the regiment, then let the Sergeants administer them. They became quite cherished, more so than the few medals we were awarded." He hesitated, then said quietly, "I was hoping that you would permit me to present them to Miss Nine and Lieutenants Torres and Paris for their actions on Kellor."
"Awards from a brave man to brave men?" Suggested the Captain. "Perhaps we ought to give one to you?"
"Perhaps. But I already have one," the Colonel said, pointing to an embroidered golden badge on his right shoulder.
"I cant imagine what you could have done, she claimed with a grin.
"What were they made from?" She queried more seriously.
"Ours were embroidered, but we made a few from silver to give to a few non-regimental people who particularly impressed my men."
"Why didn't you simply replicate them?"
"I will, but I hardly knew how to describe it to the replicator. Besides this seems more.. Personal," he finished.
"Very well. I shall let you present them, at the ceremony tonight on Holodeck 1," she announced.
"Ceremony, Captain?" It was his turn to ask questions.
"Yes. To present you with your ensigns insignia," she replied evenly.
He laughed. "With a mighty bound the Colonel leaps to the dizzy ranks of subaltern," he quipped. "I'm sorry, Captain, is it really necessary?"
"Yes! I believe you've made great strides in adapting to be a part of this crew and this century, it should be rewarded," she avowed with feeling.
"But I am not and will probably never be Star Fleet. Have you forgotten, I've sworn an oath to another commander, I cannot and will not serve two," he reminded her gently.
He caught sight of her disappointed face and immediately relented. "I shall accept your award and the honour you offer with gratitude." He smiled, so did she.
"I'm glad," she announced. "Now what shall we make these badges from, Silver is a little old fashioned don't you think?"
"It is traditional," he answered, "but is difficult to keep polished, so perhaps you're right. What would you suggest?" He asked.
"I think an Iridium alloy would be ideal, I'll help you." She placed the model in the replicator and persuaded it to provide what was required.
"Why do we still call you Colonel?" She asked whilst they waited. "Even Seven, who has more reason to be personal than anybody, only ever refers to you as Colonel, never as Alan."
The Colonel sighed. "For thirty years I was in Her Majesties Army. I was a rank, name and number- Rifleman Samuels 502. As I was promoted the number was dropped not being necessary anymore. As a Colonel even the name is no longer needed in normal conditions, I was the only one there," he explained. "If anybody used my Christian name, I probably wouldn't answer!"
"The more you tell me of your past life, the more it sounds like the Borg. No name just a designation, don't think do as you're told," she announced with feeling. "My, these are beautiful," she continued, pulling the newly created badges from the replicator and admiring their silver sparkle.
The Colonel took one from her and examined it under the magnifier. "Close enough," he grunted in acknowledgement.
To the Doctor, the Colonel was a primitive and violent ape, a clever and capable one, he had to admit, but still a primitive and violent ape. Like the Colonel, he was also puzzled by why Seven of Nine should attach herself to the Colonel. Unlike the Colonel, however, he was not prepared to accept the situation and let her make her own decisions. He was in short, jealous of the Colonel and the easy way he had accepted her company and past.
Seven of Nine had appeared in his sickbay for routine maintenance on her implants.
"I need to carry out a full diagnostic on your implants, he announced after a quick examination with his tricorder. "Your optical unit is out of specification.
He had her lay on the couch and was was probing her.
"Why do you wish to be with the Colonel so much?" He started.
"I find him fascinating," she replied, honestly and understated as always.
"But do you love him?"
"I find him comforting, I enjoy interacting with him. You have recommended I should interact with the crew more." She replied firmly.
"The unit you are adjusting has no effect upon my optical circuitry, she added as he set a contact.
"Your circuitry is all interconnected, he pointed out mildly. "I have to adjust some other parts to make it possible to correct others. What do you do when you interact?" He asked firmly.
"We talk. Sometimes he puts his arm around me and holds me. Sometimes he offers a kiss."
"And what do you talk about?" He asked making an adjustment.
"My life as a Borg. Sometimes he tells me stories of his previous life. There are many parallels. Alone of all the crew he understands the life of a Borg, he does not criticise it and does not attempt to judge my actions as part of the Collective, as others do. He helps me to accept my previous life."
"You could do that with me, no need to trouble the Colonel!" The doctor exclaimed, adjusting another control.
"You do not understand the Borg as the Colonel does. As a soldier he has carried out many of the functions of the Borg. To destroy life, adapt and assimilate hostile situations. He has had to repair the damage created by Borg like actions. Yet he has done it without the Collective for protection. He has faced the feelings I feel, now I do not have that protection, and has adapted to live with them. I cannot dismiss or forget those feelings, but he has helped me to live with them," she replied annoyed.
Again he made an adjustment.
"Do you love him?" He asked again.
"Yes!" Came the unequivocal reply.
Another adjustment to the implant, this time adjusting in the opposite direction.
"Do you love him?" He asked again, urgently this time.
"I-I don't know!" She replied shakily.
He mentally sighed, it would have to do, there was no more adjustments to be made.
"I love you more than the Colonel ever can," he announced hurriedly.
"I can give you everything he can, even more than he can. I can repair your implants and even help you forget your life as a Borg, he cannot do that!" He continued.
"Now will you love and stay with me?" He finished.
"Yes. I think I may love you!" She announced.
He could barely contain his excitement. "Good go to his quarters and retrieve your things and bring them here," he commanded. "Then tell him you've finished with him. Go on!"
The confused ex-drone got up and walked out the door. She felt something had been adjusted that shouldn't have been, but was unable to determine what it was.
She found him on Holodeck 2, running a bridge simulation. He was sat at the pilots console with a manual on his lap, glaring at the controls. She stood and watched him for a while, trying to remember why she so desperately wanted to finish her liaison. He put the file down and walked over to her.
"Hello Seven, I wasn't expecting to see you for a while. I thought you were going to do a long range scan today?" He said brightly bending forward and kissing her tenderly on the lips. He was surprised at the lack of response.
She pulled away. "I am glad you are applying yourself to your studies," she stated, desperately trying to give herself time to think. His kiss had re-awoken feelings that she felt she had before, she needed time to assimilate them.
The Colonel was puzzled, something was out of kilt somewhere. In his experience not even women changed their minds that quickly, certainly not the obsessively consistent Seven of Nine. From adoring sweetheart, prepared to tear the eye's out of another woman that looked wrong at her boyfriend, to total frost maiden in less than four hours.
"Yes. I understand my next subject is how to drive. It seemed a sensible precaution to make sure I at least knew where to sit!" He answered cheerfully.
"Unfortunately the manual and the dashboard don't seem to coincide particularly well," he continued. "Perhaps you could spare a few minutes to demonstrate the main controls?" He smiled.
"I do not have time to waste training you!" She announced, suddenly sharp. "I have come to inform you that our relationship is at an end. I have formed one with the doctor."
He stood shocked, his whole world crashing down around him. Now he knew there was something wrong. If she had announced her love for almost anybody else on the ship he could of understood it, he may even of accepted it and wished her well, but to the doctor!
"I must transfer my belongings to the sickbay," she announced, turning to leave.
"Don't!" He exclaimed, temporarily regaining control of his feelings, "love him or not, the sickbay is not a place to live in."
She stopped, uncertain, "It is where the Doctor lives. I should be with him. I can no longer be with you!"
"The Doctor doesn't live in the sickbay, he exists there," the Colonel pointed out desperately, feeling himself loosing control again. "I shall remove my equipment from quarters, they are yours!"
She turned back to him, something was gnawing at her. "That is not necessary, you will no longer have quarters of your own!"
"You cannot live in the sickbay! And I would rather die than force you to take up permanent quarters in the cargo bay again. I shall clear my kit within the hour!" His tone brooked no discussion.
"Thank you!" she stammered.
He slammed to attention in front of her, bowed and kissed her hand. "Your servant Ma'am," he declared formally, then left at the double. Leaving her standing confused with her own emotions.
The Colonel himself was engaged in the battle of his life. But this time it was with his own feelings. It was a battle he could not win. In what he now considered as Seven of Nines quarters, he rapidly stowed his few belongings in his rucksack. By his profession he was frequently required to move out of quarters at a moments notice, so by custom his kit was always kept to a minimum and largely packed. Picking up the final few pieces of gear he ran from the room.
He got to the Cargo Bays before his emotions got the better of him. Blindly he stumbled into the bay, startling the Ensign and her work party. "Are you okay, Colonel?" The young woman asked.
"Get out!" He snarled at her.
She saw his face, white, drawn with eyes that burned, then ran from the bay with her crew. Desperately she sealed the bay doors. "Security to Cargo Bay 1, Emergency!" she screamed at her communicator. As a former Maqui and Bajoran camp survivor she had seen hatred on the faces of Cardasian's and the terror in her fellow Bajorans, but nothing compared to the mixture of both she could see in the Colonel's own face.
Tuvok and a four man security team arrived within five minutes. The security team took up station around the door.
"Report!" He demanded.
"It's the Colonel, he's in there. He's gone insane!" The ensign stammered.
There was a crash and an animalistic scream from inside the bay, they could clearly hear it even through the thick bulkhead of the cargo bay, proving the Ensigns assertion. Then it went quiet.
Tuvok started to tap on the control panel by the door. "I have erected a level nine force field in front of the doors," he explained, "I shall now open the doors."
The doors rolled back. In the centre of the bay leaning on his sword, his head resting on his hands, knelt the Colonel. He appeared to be praying. Around him were the remains of half dozen containers.
Seeing no immediate danger, Tuvok released the force field and entered. "Colonel, release your weapon and move back," he calmly instructed, his own weapon levelled.
The Colonel looked up at him, with a blank and haggard face. Carefully he looked around the bay, taking in the damage. Slowly he rose.
"Put down your sword and stand back," Tuvok insisted.
The Colonel looked at his sword, then at Tuvok. Slowly he turned it around and offered it handle first to the Lieutenant Commander, who took it thankfully.
"You are unwell, we will take you to Sick Bay for treatment," He announced.
"I'll treat somebody," the Colonel snarled suddenly, thrusting Tuvok aside he made for the door. The security team fired. A phasor bolt hit him, he staggered, but kept going. Again they fired, this time three beams hit their target and he slumped to the deck.
"Transport him to the brig," commanded Tuvok, recovering from the shock.
Two hours later the Colonel started to recover from the phasor strikes. He shook his head to clear the whoozy feeling and looked around. He found himself in a brig cell, standing against the opposite wall was a security guard, his weapon drawn and ready. The guard had heard how difficult the Colonel was to stop and was taking no chances. The Colonel tested the force field across the doorway, it seemed stronger than he felt at the moment. He sat back on the cot and waited.
The Captain, Doctor, Seven of Nine and Tuvok arrived a while later.
The Doctor advanced upon him, tri-corder in hand, "I just wish to take some readings, so I can announce you safe," he smiled.
"Keep away from me you bastard," the Colonel spat, his anger rising again. "I know what you are upto, and I won't go along with it!" He suddenly launched himself from the bed, snatched the emitter from the Doctors arm and threw it out of the cell. The doctor disappeared and the Colonel slumped back onto the bed. A stunned silence fell on the gathering.
He looked up. "I'm sorry for the damage caused, Captain. Please take Miss Nine away as well, she shouldn't see me like this. I promise I'm not a danger any longer," he pleaded.
The Captain looked hard at the haggard and broken man in the cell. How different he was to the tall and strong minded man she had talked with a few hours ago she thought. Finally she nodded, "Tuvok I think you and Seven should leave us alone for a while."
"Captain, that is not wise. He is still dangerous, as he demonstrated with the Doctor!" Protested the Vulcan.
"I don't think so," she pronounced. "If he was he would be out the cell by now. We didn't re-establish the force field after he threw the Doctor out," she pointed out.
Tuvok led Seven of Nine out of the room. The Captain turned and faced the Colonel.
"You've wrecked a cargo bay, assaulted a security team and the Doctor and terrified my crew, explain yourself!" She demanded sharply.
Quietly, haltingly even, the Colonel explained what had happened, since his return from Kellor.
"I believe when Miss Nine went for her routine calibration, the Doctor adjusted something he shouldn't," he finished at length.
"Women do change their minds quickly you know," she suggested gently.
"I know they do, but not that quickly and not Miss Nine! This morning she was proposing to prepare a candle lit dinner tonight! You can't tell me that is the act of a woman changing her mind!" He pleaded desperately.
She got up, unusually he didn't. "I shall investigate the situation," she announced. "Is there anything I can get you for the time being?"
"I'm tempted to ask for a gun with a single bullet. But the temptation to use it might be too strong." He tried to smile. "I'd like my bible and flute, please Captain. They should be in my pack over there," he pointed at a pile in the corner of the room.
"You look as though you were ready to leave us!" She commented as she searched the pile.
"I'm always ready to vacate my quarters without notice," he replied flatly. "Miss Nine's needs are greater than mine, so I packed."
"You're still love her despite all this?" She asked fascinated, handing him the articles he had requested.
"Of course," he retorted. "If your investigation shows I'm wrong. Then the Doctor has my apology's and blessing. I will even ask to be released from the ship, if you don't wish to dismiss me. But I will still love her, that can't be changed."
"So you would have her back?"
"If she wants me. She's now seen most of my unpleasant side laid bare. If she's any sense she won't come near me again," he answered sadly.
She left him playing his silver flute.
The re-activated Doctor, smiled to himself in sickbay. Things were turning out better than he had hoped. After the displays in the cargo bay and brig, there was no other choice for the Captain, but to banish the violent ape. The fact that Seven had decided to leave her belongings in the Colonel's quarters were irrelevant, if he was no longer around.
His thoughts returned to Seven of Nine. He had sent her to regenerate in the alcove, believing that the machinery would lock his suggestions in her mind more permanently. He wondered how he could make her more reliant upon him.
He idly started to work at the console.
The Captain called a bridge meeting on her return. Chakotay, Tom Paris, Harry Kim and Tuvok trooped into the ready room behind her. Briefly she described the discussion she had had with the Colonel, then asked for opinions.
Tuvok spoke first. "The Colonels antipathy to the Doctor is well known, Captain. He could be making it up to provide an excuse for his actions."
"I disagree," interjected Chakotay. "His actions are a result of Seven of Nine's decision. If I was as infatuated as badly as the Colonel, I would be violent. Until now, I'd have said the only person on the ship more in besotted than the Colonel, was Seven of Nine and it wasn't with the Doctor."
"I'd agree to that," Kim announced, with feeling. He had tried to engage Seven of Nine in conversation, on several occasions and had significantly failed to get to first base. "If he's in the room, he's pretty well the only person she has eye's for!"
"How about in sickbay, Tom?" The Captain asked. "Has the Doctor been behaving unusually?"
Tom Paris straightened in his chair. "He's been more surly than normal, sure. But I've taken it, until now, as simply him trying a new attitude."
"So it looks as though there may be something in what the Colonel has said. We have a potentially berserk killing machine and an equally berserk Medical Hologram. I don't like either! What do we do about it?" The Captain demanded.
"The Colonel is safe in the Brig, for the time being," pointed out Tuvok. "However we should not allow the Doctor or Seven of Nine to approach him."
"Agreed. Nobody outside this room is to approach him."
"We could get Seven to check her logs, the Doctors actions will be recorded," suggested Kim.
"That could be dangerous Captain," interjected Tuvok. "If she finds there has been unwarranted adjustment. she may also suffer breakdown."
"You could simply talk to her, Captain?" Suggested Chakotay, mildly.
"Agreed. We will leave Seven's logs alone, unless essential. I want B'Elanna's Schematics for Seven of Nine's implants, before I talk to her."
Two hours while later she called Seven to her quarters.
"Come in," the Captain announced casually, as Seven entered.
"I want to know your side of today's story?"
"I told the Colonel I was not in love with him, he became agitated," Seven declared coldly.
"I'm not surprised. You don't drop a bombshell like that from out of the blue without some reason. This morning you were proposing to cook him a romantic dinner!"
"I do not wish to discuss the situation. I am leaving," the tall drone announced. "I must return to the Doctor, I am needed!" She claimed, suddenly flustered.
"The Doctor can look after sickbay for a short while and I want to know what happened. We are talking about a mans life here. If we find him guilty there will be no option except to put him off the ship, he is too violent to keep briged. A man that until this afternoon, you loved more deeply than I've ever seen anyone be. So you will discuss it and you will discuss it here! Computer seal the doors!" The Captain commanded, her voice rising in anger.
She gained control of her voice again. "Now please, lets sit down. Then you can tell me what has changed your mind. I promise I'll not try to change your mind for you," she said gently.
She sat timidly on the edge of a seat, shocked at the Captains display of emotion. Janeway sat at another.
"Now," she started, keeping his voice gentle. "You believe you have formed a relationship with the Doctor, would this be when you went for your calibration this morning?"
"Yes! I went to the sickbay for routine realignment of my optical implants. He laid me on the couch to adjust some parameters. He claimed that the Colonel did not love me. That he could love me better than the Colonel could. Nor could the Colonel look after me as well as he could. He says he can help me forget my past. Then said I couldn't love the Colonel!" She catalogued.
The Captain felt a sense of outrage building on behalf of the Colonel, at the patent lies and untruths. She took a deep breath, controlling her own ire.
"If there is one thing I am certain of in this quadrant, it's that the Colonel loves you as much as any human can!" She said quietly.
A thought pricked her mind. "You said he had you lay down, that's not normal is it? I've seen him adjust the optical implants before, you're standing during adjustment."
"He said he needed to adjust some other implants to bring the optical units into specification," she said uncertainly.
"Which implants did he adjust?" the Captain asked carefully, not sure what was coming.
"I believe it was these," Seven of Nine declared, showing her two small controls on the edge of her metallic eyebrow.
She drew a sharp breath.
"Seven," she said softly. "They have nothing to do with your optical processors. I think they may be the units that control your emotions!"
"I would be aware of incorrect adjustment, Seven of Nine announced firmly.
"Only if you looked because you were uncertain of the results. And you trust the Doctor. We all do! Captain Janeway said quickly.
"Captain?" Seven asked in confusion.
"Do you love the Doctor?" Janeway asked urgently.
"I am uncertain."
"But you are prepared to live in the Sickbay with him?"
"Yes."
"That's not a logical action for someone who doesn't know she's in love is it?"
"Captain?" The confusion was evident now.
"I think he may have adjusted the Borg implants that allow you to ignore your real feelings and then implanted some of his own!"
"I have been reprogrammed? My thoughts are not my own?" Seven asked in rising panic.
The room rocked violently, as an explosion wracked the ship. Throwing them from their chairs. Lights went out to be replaced by dull emergency lights.
"Report!" The Captain screamed at the communicator as she picked herself up from the floor.
"Torres here Captain," the worried voice came over the intercom. "We've had a major feed back through the EPS manifolds. It looks as though it's blown every circuit in the ship, except emergency life support. We're trying to isolate the core. I have wounded in Engineering and I can't raise the Doctor!"
"Keep on it!" She commanded, then turned towards Seven.
"Seven, are you all right?" She asked.
"I am undamaged Captain," said the shaken ex-drone, picking herself up. "I do not like the idea of having my opinions adjusted, against my will."
"Nor do I! But we will have to discuss it later. They need your help in engineering."
Janeway staggered onto the bridge. "Report!" She demanded again.
"No propulsion, we're not going anywhere" advised Paris.
"Shields and Weapons are inoperative," from Tuvok.
"Sensors are down, computers not responding," from Chakotay.
"All attempts at re-routing power are failing," Tuvok announced.
"Get a grip of things," her mind screamed at her, "Think!"
"Tom go with Seven of Nine to engineering, they have casualties. Tuvok, find the doctor, he's gone missing. Whatever he's done we need him. The rest of you make your way to the mess deck, we can concentrate emergency life support there. Chakotay and I will remain here as long as possible," she commanded. Having made her demands she settled into her chair, and gazed at the blank screen.
"I think we have a problem," she finally stated to Chakotay.
"I think you may be right. The force field around the brig will be down," he commented mildly.
When the ship rocked, the Colonel had been dozing on the cot in the brig. Automatically he shot upright and ran for his equipment, pulling his combat jacket from the pile. He forced the door open and was running toward the source of the explosion, letting the old impetuous to march towards the guns to take over. Totally forgetting that he was under restraint.
He reached Engineering and stopped at the scenes of pandemonium being enacted. Equipment and consoles were liberally scattered around the room. People where standing stunned, others were sitting heads in hands, others were laying groaning on the floor or under equipment. Training and experience took over him. Quickly he started forcing people to treat the injured. His voice, honed through years of experience to carry commands to men in the noise and confusion of battlefields, jerking people into action.
"Where is Lieutenant Torres," he demanded of one confused crewman, grabbing his clothing. The crewman indicated towards the main engineering hall.
"In there she's trying to protect the core from the feed back," he stammered.
Dropping him the Colonel ran into main engineering. Seeing a new plume of smoke starting to emanate from the console behind her. "Torres get down!" he yelled, then ran towards her.
Instinct made her follow his bellowed instructions. But the console beat her to it, she was caught in the full force of the explosion as she hit the deck. Before she could get up again he lifted her bodily, throwing her over his shoulder and left the room to the smoke.
She screamed at him, "I've got to throw the isolators to the warp core or the ships goes. You stupid ape."
"You're not going anywhere, you're too badly hurt," he stated calmly, showing her his hand covered in her blood.
Tom Paris and Seven of Nine arrived. "Mr Paris, look after Lieutenant Torres," he demanded.
"Miss Nine. We've got to trip the isolators to the core."
"It too dangerous for you to enter, you may die," she said.
"If I don't we're all dead. I've least to loose," he snarled.
"I shall do it. You must instruct me on how to do it when I get there," he continued firmly.
"You! bring me that breather," he ordered a dazed crewman.
"I shall comply," stated Seven of Nine, swallowing hard.
Putting the breather on he fought his way through the smoke to the console Torres was working on.
"Seven, I initiated first stage isolation, he must complete that before starting final isolation from main control," hissed Torres, under treatment from Paris.
"Acknowledged," Seven replied, biting her lip.
"Miss Nine, I am at the control panel nearest the warp core," the Colonel announced calmly.
"There is a lot of smoke, so I can't see a great deal. I can see the colours of the pads, but I cannot read the text. You will have to lead me by colour command. I currently have a steady red lamp in the centre of the console and a flashing green one at the bottom right. What do I do?"
She swallowed, trying to visualise the panel, she looked at Torres for help. "Green, yellow, red," Torres hissed at her.
"Press the green flashing lamp. Keep it pressed until a yellow pad comes up."
"Roger. I have a verbal warning, First Stage Manual Isolation Priming," his voice echoed.
"Ignore it," she advised. "Hold the yellow pad until the red light flashes, then press that." She was keeping her voice level.
"Operation complete. I have a new warning. First Stage Isolation Complete. From that I assume there is more?" The voice came back.
"Go to the wall console to your left, it has the schematic of the ships power systems above it," Seven answered.
"Will do," silence, then "Bugger the damned displays collapsed onto the console, I'll have to pull it away, hold on."
There were flashes and bangs from inside the room, the sparks could clearly be seen through the window between departments.
"Colonel, are you still there?" Seven asked nervously.
"I never knew you cared!" Came the calm reply.
"God I hate electricity. The damned thing bit me," it cursed.
"You are damaged?" She asked. The voice ignored her.
"Now what? I have a touch panel, only the menu's appear to be showing."
"Fourth menu down, press it," Seven was concentrating hard. "Select the third option, a red pad will appear, press that. Then leave, immediately!" She finished in a rush.
"Will do!" The voice coughed, then came back again. "Operation complete, somebody shout so I know how to get out of here!"
A series of profanity's emerged from the communicator as the Colonel stumbled back to the control room.
Seven of Nine moved to the doorway and caught him as he stumbled out of the smoke, blackened and singed.
He coughed heavily several times, then straightened up.
"Lieutenant Torres," he announced. "I have come to the conclusion your department doesn't like me, bits of it kept jumping out and attacking me," he quipped, demonstrating the bloody welts of scratches on his body and numerous holes in his uniform. "I'll have to pay for the uniform when I get home!" He protested, amidst the laughter.
He slumped heavily onto Seven of Nine, exhausted by the exertions in the heat and smoke. She struggled to hold him upright as Tuvok appeared.
The Colonel weakly held out his hands, wrists together. "I suppose you've come to take me home Commander?" He asked quietly.
"It was not the purpose of my arrival," Tuvok answered. "But I shall have you escorted back to the brig. Are restraints required?"
"I believe it is in your regulations and it is not impossible we may meet the Doctor, I cannot guarantee my reactions" the Colonel answered levelly. "I've done enough damage today don't you think?"
Tuvok nodded to one of his men, who approached and placed restraints onto the Colonel's wrists. "You will escort the Colonel to the brig, collect his equipment, then go to the Mess deck," he ordered.
"I cannot hold you in the brig and power for life support will have to be localised on specific parts of the ship." He explained, for the Colonels benefit.
"I am looking for the Doctor, he has gone missing. Has anybody here seen him?" He asked loudly.
Nobody had.
"What's all that about Seven?" Torres asked in quietly, as Tuvok and the Colonel left. "He hardly looked at you. Haven't had a tiff have you?"
"You are not aware?" Seven asked, surprised.
"No. I've been here all day, nobody's been in or out."
"I made an error and I do not know how to correct it," Seven replied, turning away to hide her watering eyes.
"Some error. For him to be held in chains," Torres muttered quietly.
She got up painfully, "Okay people, lets get this ship together again, emergency power doesn't last forever."
On the bridge Janeway fumed. Some times she paced around the deck fuming, other times she sat on her chair and fumed, neither seemed to help her mood. Apart from a message from Torres to say that the core had been stabilised and repairs were underway and another from Tuvok to announce that the Colonel had been apprehended, there was no good news.
"Where is the Doctor? What caused the explosion?" She ranted.
Chakotay sat quietly, she didn't want any answer he could provide. Silently he prayed to his animal gods.
Tuvok stepped on the Bridge. "Report?" she blasted at the unfortunate Lieutenant Commander.
"We have been unable to locate the Doctor or his emitter. I believe he has deactivated both himself and the emitter, if that is the case we will not find him until the systems come online again." He answered calmly, he had faced an angry Captain Janeway before.
She nodded in reluctant agreement. "And the Colonel?"
"He surrendered himself in Engineering. He is under restraint on the Mess Deck," Tuvok admitted unhappily.
"What is he under restraint for? He's not been violent again? As I've heard it he saved the ship!" She asked incredulously.
"He quoted Star Fleet Regulations to me, He also informed me he may not be able to control his emotions if we found the Doctor. I had no option," Tuvok announced defensively.
"Damn the bloody Regulations!" She exploded, finding that the Colonel's terminology was the only one that suited her mood. "Have him released immediately."
"I have attempted to do so, but he has refused until he is returned to the brig," Tuvok said calmly, secretly he admitted he had never seen the Captain so upset.
"I'll deal with him," she breathed at last.
The main lights came up. "Torres to Captain!" squawked her communicator.
Chakotay intercepted the message. "Chakotay here, tell us you've got some good news B'Elanna."
"We have main power to life support, shields, external sensors and computers. We've been locked out of the computers though. Seven is requesting the assistance of the Colonel for getting the main power distribution and propulsion controls back on line."
"The Colonel's help?" He asked incredulously, "He doesn't know anything about the ships controls!"
"True, but we can't move the panels in one piece. The Colonel did on his own, we want to know how!" Came the reply.
"I'll see what we can do," he promised. "Keep working on it! Chakotay out."
"We will go and see him now!" Announced the Captain.
On the Mess Deck Janeway marched straight to the Colonel. "Why are you still in restraints?" She demanded.
"I have escaped from confinement whilst under close arrest. I am still a potential danger to your vessel. And just at the moment I have no beneficial function aboard your vessel."
"I am having you released," she stated bluntly.
"Captain?" He asked calmly.
"I don't care how sorry you're feeling for yourself. But I, this ship, and Seven needs your assistance. You are giving it whether you like it or not!" She declared, releasing the manicles.
"Ma'am?" He asked again.
They were interrupted by the voice of the Doctor.
"Good evening, this is your friendly doctor with a house call," the voice announced.
"Where are you?" Called Janeway, looking around.
"All around Captain. Since I had an enlightenment three weeks ago I have been doing some thinking."
"Go on," Janeway prompted, "What have you thought of?"
"Well it started in a small way with, what an ill mannered ape the Colonel is. Then I thought the rest of the crew isn't a lot better in their treatment of me. Except that is, for Seven of Nine, but she has decided she prefers an unintelligent ape man compared to somebody who is her equal."
"Gas bag," growled the Colonel.
"It gets lonely in the sickbay, so I decided I'd like some company. Seven of Nine's company."
"He's in the computer!" she exclaimed.
"Keep him talking," the Colonel hissed in a whisper. "I need to borrow Mr Kim. Please, don't ask questions."
She nodded.
"But she's already spoken for," she reminded the EMH.
"Precisely."
"So what did you do?"
"At first nothing, taking the standard texts as a guide, a young woman's first fling never lasts very long."
The Colonel pulled Kim away from the group. Then whispered, "Remember the ball a while ago, I promised to show you how I did it?"
Kim nodded.
"I think it is a good time to show you. Can you get to the hologram programs from this emitter?"
"I think so!"
"Do it. I want programme Samuels 01," the Colonel commanded.
Puzzled, Kim set to work.
The hologram of Corporal Miller appeared. Quickly the Colonel clamped a hand over the Corporal mouth to prevent him saluting.
"Corporal, I wish you to meet Ensign Harry Kim. Mr Kim may I introduce my pet computer hacker Corporal Miller."
"Now Corporal, Mr Kim, his friends and I, have a bit of a problem with a bug in the ships central computer, it goes by the name of Emergency Medical Hologram, series 1 aka. Doctor. It is wide spread. I need you to round it up and disable it. Don't destroy it like the one you found in the CIA system. We may need it in one piece and in one place. That's right isn't it Mr Kim."
Kim nodded his head in amazement.
"How good is the security Sir?" The little Corporal asked.
"I would assume maximum hostility from security. Deal with it as you see fit," the Colonel suggested.
"Sir! Is your lady, Miss Nine, in trouble as well?" The Corporal asked.
The Colonel was surprised. "Yes, why?"
"She activated me a week ago and we had a long talk about you. She's mightily impressed by you, Sir. I approve of her, Sir. I shall ensure no harm comes to her as well."
The Colonel was flabberghasted, "Thank you, Corporal, get on with it please."
"Sir!" the Corporal saluted.
"By the way Corporal, you remember that little WRAC typist you had your eye on for a while, I hear she's interested in you too. Sort my little problem out and I'll ensure her Sergeant doesn't hear about you as well."
The weasely Corporals face cracked into a grin. "Consider it done Sir." He disappeared.
Kim sat stunned at what he had witnessed.
"Ensign. Never ever do something yourself when you have the services of somebody else who can not only do it for you, but do it better and faster than you could hope to," The Colonel confided. "If anybody can sort the Doctor out, it will be Miller."
"What have you got against Seven and the Colonel teaming up? The Captain asked, working to keep the doctor talking and wondering what the Colonel was up to.
"He is an unintelligent, violent, ill mannered, primitive life form, the Doctor raged. "They are simply not compatible in intelligence or genetics, and she is being led astray by him.
"I think the Colonel is the politest human Ive ever met, certainly one of the most protective, the Captain observed.
"Irrelevant!
"Should they have to be a perfect match, if they are happy? Id say they form a good match as they are and it certainly looks as though Seven is happy with him, wouldnt you agree? The Captain continued doggedly. "Nobody has complained about Tom and BElanna and there is no way they form a perfect genetic match!
"She will be happier with somebody that is her intellectual match, the Doctor responded.
"Would she? Surely she can make her own decision. Shes rejected your attempt to provide a perfect holographic mate, she reminded him.
"But it can only be a passing phase! the Doctor snarled. "Seven will see through him in the end.
"But this one looks as though it will go all the way doesnt it? From what Ive seen the Colonel has done everything short of throwing her out to make sure she knows what he is."
"Precisely. I misjudged how infatuated Seven of Nine was with the ape. And how much of a gentleman he was. I couldn't believe it."
"If we accept that the Colonel isnt Sevens perfect mate, what can you offer her? The Captain asked working hard.
"My intelligence and company.
"The Colonel isnt as unintelligent as you seem to think, hes proved that, Captain Janeway disputed. "As for company the Colonel is offering a lot more than that, love, friendship, comfort, patience, he listens to her without judgement and he is always there wherever and whenever she wants him. Something none of us has ever done for her.
"Its a trick to get her to accept him!
"So youve decided more direct action is required?" She asked angrily.
"That's right."
"So you waited for a routine re-calibration of Seven's Optical Sensors and tried to meddle with her thoughts and it all went wrong? What did you do?" She demanded.
"It didn't go wrong!" The voice exclaimed, "I simply adjusted a couple of the nodes that controlled her feelings, they wouldn't adjust far enough. You have no idea how strong a hold she and the ape have on each other. It did leave her open to suggestion, so I left some: She loved me not the Colonel, the Colonel didn't love her, the Colonel wasn't good enough for her and so on, it was quite simple."
"The Colonel would probably agree with you on the last one," admitted the Captain. "It wasn't enough though was it?"
"No," The voice admitted, "I never expected the ape to move out of his quarters so fast, or that Seven would opt to stay in them. I thought I had got away with it when the ape went berserk, then threw my emitter out of the cell, there was only one possible action for you at that point. But you didn't take it." he sounded upset.
Janeway saw the Colonel making a thumbs up towards her, then urgent keep going actions.
"So what do you intend to do now?" She asked, steadily.
"Oh, I still intend to have her."
"How?"
"I shall give you a choice Captain, either you can fulfil your duty and banish the Colonel from the ship, then I can take Seven of Nine for myself. Or I'll simply drain her consciousness into the computer and we will live happily here. Alternatively I could just turn off life support to all decks, and she will still be mine. It is all so easy from here. You can't touch me, without the computer you can't even destroy the ship. But I can control you, as you have seen in Engineering. Which will it be Captain?" Thundered the Doctors voice.
The Colonel made a bolt for the door and Engineering.
"You cannot help her this time, Colonel!" The voice chased after him.
"You should know me better than that. I will never surrender a member of the crew and I doubt that Seven will be a willing participant now," said the Captain, keeping calm. Hoping the Colonel knew what he was doing. She spotted Ensign Kim, smiling nervously at her.
"I will not have problems with her will, I know how to override that," the voice was dangerous now.
"Then you won't have Seven of Nine, will you?" The Captain asked mildly. "It is her will that makes her what she is!"
The voice came again, "Never the less she will be mine and in time she will accept the situation. Which option will you take Captain?"
"What about the times that members of this crew have risked their lives, for you and the others on the ship. They're all your friends. They've all you helped you become more than a simple EMH?" The Captain pleaded.
"They've helped because it was necessary for them to survive, not as friends," the doctor retorted.
"Which option will you take Captain?" He repeated.
"I'll let you know!" She drawled.
The Colonel arrived in Engineering breathless. Seven of Nine saw him and floated towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I must let him take me, he cannot have Voyagers crew!" She exclaimed.
"Just wait!" He whispered.
"It would be your reaction, wouldn't it?" She asked puzzled.
"Of course it would, but only if I had no other card to play. If the Captain can keep the doctor dangling long enough, then the card will play itself. Trust me!" He whispered gently.
Minutes passed. Breathlessly the crew waited.
Then the doctors voice came again. "I have lost patience waiting Captain. I shall take Seven's mind now then deal with the crew."
"No!" Screamed the Captain, in anguish.
Seven of Nine screamed as a stab of pure pain hit her. She slumped in the Colonels arms, then slowly stood up again, her face pale. "You released your Corporal Miller in the main computer!" She accused, "I heard him when the doctor tried to capture my mind."
The voice of the doctor came back, furious. "This is a trick, the ape man isn't clever enough to do this."
The Colonel spoke up. "I admit it, Doctor, I'm not. But I know a man who is and he works for me. I look forward to reprogramming you though, you don't need a lot of intelligence to use an axe!"
The next sound was a scream, that cut off suddenly.
B'Elanna had been leaning on a terminal, she started as the whole system came to life. Desperately she scrabbled with it to get things under control, shouting at her team to do the same. Eventually she hit her communicator, "Captain, everything just came on line at once, what happened?"
The Captains voice came down, "I think the reason for the change is standing up here in the Mess, ask the Colonel to come back up would you!"
"My compliments, Miss Nine, may I escort you to the Mess Deck? I believe there is someone we ought to thank," the Colonel asked, bowing.
For the first time he saw Seven of Nine actually smile. "I shall accompany you," she announced, taking his proffered arm. Together they led the puzzled Engineering crew to the Mess Hall.
"It was almost worth the aggravation just to see you smile once," he murmured.
"It is not a course of action I intend to employ again," she replied.
In the Mess Hall, Miller slammed to attention and saluted, as he spotted the Colonel walk towards him.
"Mission accomplished Sir!"
"I owe you a great many thanks Corporal!" Said the Colonel. "Why did you stand watch over Miss Nine?"
"I couldn't let the bastard have your lady, Sir. She's much too good for you, Sir," the Corporal announced.
The Colonel stiffened at the double meaning.
"I thank you as well Mr Miller, for my rescue," declared Seven of Nine, to everybody's amazement she leant forward and kissed the little Corporal on the cheek. He visibly swelled with pride in front of the gathering.
"Don't let it go to to your head Corporal. Remember messing with the Colonel's lady is a hanging offence," the Colonel reminded.
"Now, where did you put the Doctor?"
"He's in the terminal in the medical bay, sir. I slipped the locking codes to Miss Nine before I slammed the door on him. I'm afraid I had to break every security code on the ship to get him there though," he announced.
"I'm sure they can be put back in place. Maybe you can help them devise a code that you can't break in a couple of seconds?" The Colonel suggested.
He turned towards the Captain. "Captain, may I present Corporal Christopher 'The Hack' Miller, late of the 60th Regiment. Corporal, Captain Kathryn Janeway, Commander of the vessel you just saved."
"And Corporal before you say something you shouldn't, the same penalty awaits you if you try and mess with the Captain," he added.
"Sir!" The Corporal replied, disappointed.
"I can only mirror your Colonel's thanks, Corporal. I don't know how you did it, or how he arranged for you to do it."
"Miss Nine wrote the programme, Ma'am."
The Colonel cringed.
"The Colonel just gave her the parameters. But, you know, I think after all these years he's starting to get the hang of them," he confided.
"Corporal, I believe you have another date to attend. So bugger off, there's a good chap, before you leave me totally bare," the Colonel suggested gently.
The Corporal saluted the gathering again and disappeared.
"He's a good man, but inclined to be a bit loose mouthed," The Colonel confided to the Captain.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, Captain. I have had a long day, I shall turn in!" The Colonel saluted the gathering, turned and walked towards Tuvok.
"My compliments Commander. I believe you have a nice quiet cot available in your brig. I believe I am still under close arrest, will you lead?" The Colonel asked, holding out his arms, hands together, in an act of submission again.
"Restraints are not required, Colonel," Tuvok announced. "You have been freed."
"I am also homeless, I have no billet," the Colonel pointed out.
"You have quarters on deck 3," protested Tuvok.
"Had, Lieutenant. Had. They belong to Miss Nine. It would be improper to ask for them back! Perhaps she will invite me in some day for tea."
"Very well Colonel, follow me," said Tuvok, not wishing to provoke an argument.
Seven of Nine watched the tall soldier follow Tuvok, en-route to the brig.
She had felt so close to the Colonel, when he held her in engineering, but he was forcing himself away again. She felt her eyes start to burn. "Captain," she whispered in a small voice, "does he still want me?"
The Captain, who had been trying to work out the Colonels actions herself, stared at her in amazement. "Of course he does, he wants you to be sure you want him! You've seen some of his dark and uncontrolled side. It may weigh more heavily on you than his caring side. Just give yourself a couple of days to think!"
Without speaking again Seven picked up his pack. She blanched at the weight, but managed to throw it onto her back and staggered out the mess.
"Then perhaps not!" The Captain thought, smiling.
"Okay, people!" She announced, clapping her hands to make herself the focus of attention. "It's late, the excitement is over, lets get back to our duties."
"What do we do about the Doctor?" Asked Chakotay quietly.
"I'm not in the mood to think about him or the consequences tonight," she announced firmly.
"What if he gets out again?"
"If that Corporal Miller cracked every security code on the ship, protected Seven of Nine, trapped the Doctor in a single terminal, and turned everything on again in less than an hour. I doubt anybody's going to break into something he's created that quickly!" She announced firmly.
Seven of Nine sat in her new quarter's, carefully unpacking the Colonel's belongings, then equally carefully put them in their customary place in the room. The room was more comfortable she thought, knowing the Colonels belongings were neatly installed in the wardrobe and draws. She found his notebook diary. After nine months on the ship, he still insisted on using paper and pen to maintain his logs. Unable to resist, she opened it and flipped through the pages. Most were in the Colonels curious spidery short hand, noting his working outs and progress on various problems. But one page stood out as a plain text list, she studied it carefully and realised it was a poem. Carefully she read it aloud to herself.
"How great is my love for thee?
As great as the mountains?
Greater,
As great as the oceans of the world?
Greater,
As great as the sun?
Greater,
As great as the galaxy?
My love for thee is greater than these.
How long will I love thee?
As long as the giant elephant?
Longer,
As long as the mighty redwoods live?
Longer,
As long as there is air to breathe?
Longer,
As long as the stars shine?
My love for thee will last longer than these."
"And I Love Thee Too!" She concluded softly. She closed the book and put it in its place in the draw. She undressed and climbed into bed. Cuddling her teddy bear fiercely, she fell to sleep.
The first port of call the Captain made on getting up in the morning was to the brig. She found the Colonel working at the drop down desk in the cell.
"Good morning, Maam!" He announced cheerfully as she entered.
"I must say security is awfully lax here. They forgot to close the door. Prisoners could escape and anybody could walk in," he complained. "Nor should the guard smile when they deliver breakfast to the condemned," he added.
"I'll do something about it," she promised.
"What are you working on?" she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Miss Nine delivered this along with a hammer," he said, showing her the doctors emitter. "I think, she thought I might like to take revenge. I fear she's learning bad habits from me."
"As it's still largely in one piece, I assume you had better thoughts?" She asked, her curiosity still gnawing at her.
"I don't like technology, Captain. I find it makes simple things more complicated. But I have to live with it. I am also a nosey bastard. I like to try and find out what makes things tick!"
"Did you find anything?"
"Hold out your hand," he commanded.
She did as she was told and he emptied the contents of a slip of paper onto it.
"What is it?" She asked, peering at it closely at the flecks.
"At a guess, it's Copper Sulphate," he dripped some water on her hand and they watched as the flecks started to turn from white to blue. "In short the doctor caught verdigris on Kellor!"
She stared at the crystals as they formed in her hand.
"For the lack of a nail, the ship was lost," quoted the Colonel. "His emitter isnt gas tight.
"We need to correct the doctors programmes, and we still have security systems unprotected, may we borrow Corporal Miller?" She asked.
"I'm sure it can be arranged," he assured her.
"If Seven and the Doctor had really got together on their own, would you have accepted it?" She asked curiously.
"Yes! Not happily perhaps, but if it was her own decision, then their would be no hesitation. And I would have left the ship, for both of their sakes!"
"There are a couple of things, before you go, Captain," he announced.
"Yes!" She said, raising her eyebrows.
"Miss Nine invited me to dinner tonight and asked me to share her quarters."
"So?"
"I said I would have to ask permission from you, as her Commanding Officer."
She stared at him, then collapsed on the cot shaking her head in wonderment. "Another of your 'Regulations'.?"
"Ma'am, the number of regulations I've marched through in the last 24 hours, would have the Courts Martial put me in front of a firing squad before I cross the Courts threshold. I don't intend to break any more until necessary."
"Provided dinner is either after or before the presentation tonight, you may do anything she wants you to do! As for the quarters they are officially still yours, not Seven's."
"A lady always has first call for a dwelling place in my book, Ma'am. Miss Nine had no quarters. I shall arrange to take accommodation on the crew decks, with your permission, Ma'am?"
The Captain sighed reflectively. "Make a suitable accommodation with Seven, ensure you both get some privacy. But you will upset her immensely if you try and separate from her like that!"
"Thank you, Captain. I think."
She left him.
The morning staff meeting was a boisterous affair.
"How much damage has been repaired?" asked the Captain.
"We've got warp engines online," reported Torres. "But we are walking on egg shells down there. There are over 40,000 security lockouts and interlocks that prevent us doing things in the wrong order, that Corporal Miller has cleared them all. It will take months to put them back again!"
"I have obtained the services of Corporal Miller, will that help?" she asked.
"That will do nicely, Captain," Torres replied smiling.
"The Doctor is another problem," Chakotay announced. "We will need Miller to treat him as well."
The reconstituted doctor was sought out by the Colonel, at the presentation. Reclaiming the Doctors programmes had taken the redoubtable Miller and Lietenant Torres four hours of work. The time it had taken him had upset the little Corporal. But he cheered up considerably after being kissed by both Torres and Seven of Nine. The little Corporal never had much of a social life with the ladies the Colonel had pointed out. To be popular with two attractive young women, even for a moment, would be better than all the Christmases he had ever had all rolled into one. The Colonel hoped it wouldn't go to his head.
"I'm very sorry for what I did..." The Doctor started.
The Colonel stopped him. "Doctor, we never were or will be close friends. You are an amalgam of things I dislike, the medical profession and technology. I will continue to respect you for your professional abilities and I will not hold a grudge against you, a soldiers life is too short for that. If anything you may have done me a favour. The person you should be grovelling to for forgiveness, is Miss Nine. I trust you will do so and be convincing, because she will need your professional assistance and she must trust you."
"What should I do?" The doctor asked humbly.
"You could start by throwing away those medical texts you have about human emotions, at best they are wrong, at worst they are downright bloody dangerous. Start learning about real people, if you work at it hard enough after a few years you'll start to know how they will react."
"That's very deep Colonel," claimed Captain Janeway, as she joined them.
"Madam," he intoned, "I have been working with people for more than thirty years. Getting them to do things they wouldn't normally do and do it willingly and safely. That's what a commander does, not computer programming, engine plumbing or star gazing. There is always going to be people who can do that for you, all you have to do is identify them."
"Did you ever meet Freud?" she asked.
"No, Ma'am, he was before my time. I understand he was an unfortunate man, who thought he could people into books as examples for other unfortunate men like the Doctor. It doesn't work!"
"It's time for your presentation," she claimed, changing the subject.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Crew and Family of the Voyager!" She called.
"A little over nine months ago, we found a derelict ship. It was a vessel from our own quadrant. On that ship was a wounded man, more dead than alive. He was lost and marooned in the wrong time and place. We took him in and made him part of our family, we've tried to teach him our ways, not expecting to learn from a man who was born over 600 years ago. But I find that the values and the wisdom he uses are often better founded than my own. I have learned to respect his opinions and we have learned as much from him as he has from us. It is therefore an inadequate honour to have to bestow upon Lieutenant Colonel Alan Samuels the certificates and effective rank of Star Fleet Ensign. Heaven help Star Fleet if they don't make him Admiral when we get home!"
The Colonel stepped forward, slamming to attention. Captain Janeway fastened a stud to the collar of his dress uniform, then kissed him.
Stunned he was temporarily lost for words. "Thank you Ma'am," he managed.
"You have a presentation of your own," Janeway prompted.
"Yes, Thank you, Ma'am," he breathed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, hopefully even friends!" There was a general laugh amongst the gathering.
"I must confess before I start, that most of this ship is still black magic to me," he admitted, "I therefore thank everybody in advance for their help and patience!"
"I wrote a little speech on my cuff before I came here. It's one of the benefits of modern technology to be able to throw the thing away rather than have to try and clean it for next time. Unfortunately the Captain has rendered it inappropriate already, so this will be virtually 'off the cuff', not physically" he continued. The weak joke prompting more laughter.
"In my time, the Twentieth Century, for anybody who's been asleep. It was customary to give medals to those that performed better than expected. In my own regiment, a Sergeants panel presented a laurel badge to those it felt performed in the best traditions of the regiment, i.e. Did something brave, stupid and foolhardy. A few were even given to those outside the regiment who actually impressed us. The Captain has permitted me to present a couple of those tonight. For their actions under my command on Kellor would Lieutenants Torres and Paris and Miss Seven of Nine step forward, please."
Wonderingly they stepped forward. Torres and Paris attempting to achieve as straight an alert state as the Colonel had done. Gently he attached the small wreath badges to their collars, then stepped back and saluted them.
"I also have one more badge to give. The worth of the victim has been impressed upon me by everybody in the crew and believe me I've counselled everyone. So you could say it is your award to a brave person. Captain Kathryn Janeway, if you please."
She gasped in shock. Chakotay and Tuvok, gently but firmly, pushed her forward and held her up, whilst he pinned the badge to her collar. Again he saluted her, "Ma'am".
Desperately she tried to find her voice, but only tears were available.
The ever supportive Chakotay spoke for her, "From what we know of and have seen of the Colonel in action. I believe, any award he is prepared to give, can only be the highest possible value and must therefore be more than well deserved. We have all been with the Captain when she has had to make difficult decisions in dangerous circumstances. Even when we thought they were the wrong ones, we have followed her trusting in her to prove us wrong, which she does almost everytime. I believe the Colonels award is well justified."
The assembly burst into spontaneous cheers. Then pressed forward to try and see the little emblems.
Under the cover of the commotion the Colonel and Seven of Nine escaped to their quarters.
"Well Miss Nine. What are your instructions?" He asked.
"I desire an extended period of comforting. You will provide it," she announced firmly, wrapping her arms around him.