A/N: I'm writing this purely for fun and am getting no profit whatsoever. Please do not sue me. Unfortunately, all characters and ships belong to the geniuses at Paramount except Liz, she's mine. For any of you who have either had, or written about the same idea, what can I say great minds; think alike. If you have written about this, please do not be offended, I am not copying, for I have, to my best recollection, not read any but am still looking. Enjoy, and as always feedback is greatly appreciated.
PS: I apologize for taking so long to post a chapter but my homework has been making a valiant effort to take over my spring-break. I appear to be making some headway in this battle, so you should get another chapter soon.
CONFERENCE ROOM: VOYAGER
"Okay, most of you probably know by now that our guests in sickbay claim to be some of the most influential people in Starfleet history. I would like to have your opinions on the matter." Janeway opened the conversation up for discussion. She had called this staff meeting to get a feel for what the crew's opinions were as to having three walking legends in their sickbay. She had told Commander Tucker that she had to discuss a few things, but that they should stay there until she had a chance to find them some temporary quarters. He seemed extremely understanding of the kind of position she was in, as did the other two officers. *maybe those stories about time-travelers visiting the Enterprise are true after all.* Janeway thought to herself.
"Are we certain that they are who they say they are?" Tuvok inquired.
"Doctor?" Janeway redirected his question.
"I did a little research into Starfleet's medical records, and can find absolutely no evidence to the contrary. In fact, their DNA is identical to what is on file." The Doc answered.
"Well, the question now is, can we allow them to go back." Tom pointed out. After receiving a questioning look from Harry he clarified his earlier statement. "They've already seen sickbay, and its advanced technology, and if I remember right, both of the Tuckers, Tucker and Cannon rather, have extremely good memories. They, being the engineers they are, are undoubtedly going to want to see everything the future has to offer … "
"… but that means that they will be far more advanced than everyone else if and when they go back. But then again, if they don't go back, Reed won't develop photon torpedoes, Tucker won't get the Warp 8 engine running, and Cannon won't have improved their protein resequencers to be what we have as replicators today." B'Elanna finished Tom's thought. Everyone looked at her, surprised that she knew so much more about these people than everyone else. "What? I liked History of Engineering." She said after a moment of scrutiny.
"So basically, we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't." Janeway said, after a moment's consideration.
"I hate temporal paradoxes." Chakotay stated what everyone, excluding 7 and Tuvok, felt.
"Tom, B'Elanna, since you're our resident history buffs, I want the two of you to find out everything you can about these people. Harry, get working on an option to send them home when the time comes."
"Aye, Captain" they responded.
"Neelix, I want you to play host; make sure that they get quarters and are too busy to go snooping. I can't really condone keeping them in Sickbay but I don't want them gallivanting around the ship either. Tom, B'Elanna I assume you'll want to spend time with our guests: that is perfectly fine. That goes for the rest of you as well. Doctor is there any way that you can wipe their memories?" Janeway continued to issue orders.
"Not that I know of, but I'll look into it." The Doc said.
"Keep me informed. Okay people, we want them to feel welcome but learn as little as possible." She finished as she stood, signaling the end of the meeting.
"Well if you'll excuse me I have guests waiting." Neelix said cheerfully. B'Elanna inwardly winced. If she remembered the stories she'd heard about the three people correctly, none of them particularly liked overly cheerful, bubbly people, and Neelix certainly came off as one when you first met him.
**Sickbay**
"So let me get this straight, these people tell you that this is the 24th century, and you BELIEVE them!" Malcolm practically yelled at Trip.
"NO! I humored them, but I did not automatically believe them. What do you take me for, Malcolm, an IDIOT?" came Trip's rebuttal.
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP!" Alizilia finally spoke up. She had been listening to the two men bicker back and forth for the last five minutes and had had enough. Although they had two starkly different personalities, sometimes certain aspects were too similar for their own good. After the interruption, the two men quickly realized what they were doing an regained their composure.
"Sorry Malcolm, I should 'a' been more clear about what happened before I got them to wake ya up." Trip said, rather embarrassed at how he had briefly lost his temper.
"I apologize Commander, it was out of order for me to jump to conclusions so quickly." Malcolm said.
"Please, call me Trip." Malcolm nodded. "So any ideas as to how to verify what they're saying?"
"You could look into their computer database." Malcolm suggested.
"Okay, sounds good. Next chance you get, take care of it." Trip assigned. Just then the door opened to reveal the short Talaxian. Trip bit back a comment about the alien's smell and smiled.
"I'm Neelix, ship's morale officer, cook, and resident from the Delta Quadrant. You must be Commander Tucker, Lieutenant-Commander Cannon, and Lieutenant Reed … now how about getting you three some food and lodging." Neelix said happily. Trip could practically hear Malcolm's teeth grinding. The man was annoying and Trip knew that, although he probably meant well, it would take a large portion of self-control on all of their parts not to prematurely judging him.
**10 minutes later**
"Well, these are your quarters Commander." Neelix said indicating the spacious rooms the four of them were currently standing in. This was the living room, which had two large windows, a small couch and a coffee table. On the wall was a small alcove with a computer panel. Neelix moved them into the bathroom.
"This is the sonic shower, and over here are the sink and toilet. If you want a water shower, you'll have to ask the Captain. To work the shower, all you have to do is tell the computer what setting, high, medium, and low, and press the green button. Just pull the bowl of the sink towards you to turn it on." They walked back out into the bedroom. "I put some uniforms in the closets." He said as he led them back into the living room. "Just tell the replicator what you want or need and it will make it for you." Neelix finished off the tour of the living space by giving a demonstration.
"Wow, this place's bigger than the Cap'n's quarters." Trip said as he looked around. "I feel like I'm at the Ritz."
"No kidding." Malcolm commented. He was used to his small one-person bunk, which basically consisted of a bed, computer terminal, and toilet.
"Yeah, all this and not even a roommate." Liz said with a smile.
"Here are your combadges. Just tap it and tell it who you want to talk to and you'll be connected. Now lets see, Miss Cannon you are next door on the left and Mr. Reed you're next door on the right. Now you probably want to get out of those sickbay gowns, get a good shower and a fresh set of clothes. So what do you say I meet you in the hall in 20 minutes." Neelix said. After he saw that the two officers got to their quarters all right, he took up a position in the hall.
Malcolm and Liz went to their respective rooms and did just that: got a shower. However when thy tried to get dressed, they encountered a lack of any sort of fastener or most importantly, to any engineer that is, pockets.
"Cannon to Tucker."
"Yeah."
"Trip, does your uniform have pockets?"
"No, unfortunately not."
"I was afraid of that. You know how I always say if we ever design uniforms without pockets I'm gonna take it to the head of S.E.C."
"Yeah."
"Well I think I'm gonna have to write them a letter."
"Well you have my full support. I mean where are you supposed to put you tools?"
"I thought maybe it was just me. I'll see you in a few minutes. Cannon out."
