Disclaimer: Don't own Andromeda or Star Trek Voyager and, sigh, never will.
A/N: Thanks to those of you who posted reviews. Keep 'em coming.
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Chapter 7
Beka couldn't believe her eyes. This man who had just appeared out of thin air looked like a dead ringer for her Uncle Sid. But Uncle Sid never learned to materialize at will, at least as far as Beka knew.
"He's your uncle?" Paris exclaimed, not even bothering to try to hide his shock.
Q was grinning from ear to ear at the excitement and confusion he was causing. The Continuum member couldn't hold back the laugh that developed inside him. "Oh really, this is just too amusing. I must have a seat and enjoy the show."
"Not so fast Q. I want an explanation," Janeway ordered sternly.
Q sat down on one of the of steps on Command Deck near Beka. "You know Kathy, you really should lighten up. It's not all that bad."
"Not all that bad? We just traveled through a wormhole to a parallel universe and don't have a way back," Janeway reminded the troublemaker.
"I didn't say it wasn't partly bad. You have to admit you are relatively safe here on the good ship Andromeda and Captain Hunt and his crew are being quite the gracious hosts. So why don't you just relax and enjoy the ride for now?"
AI Rommie was now confused, and that wasn't good for an avatar. It seemed as if Captain Janeway and this Q fellow knew each other. "If it's not too much trouble, would somebody mind explaining how come this Q fellow looks like Beka's Uncle Sid and how Voyager's crew knows him?"
Janeway quickly apologized. "I'm forgetting my manners. I apologize. This annoying gentleman is Q. He part of a group called the Continuum. The members of the Continuum have no physical form as we know it. However, they are able to temporarily take on the appearance of any life form they choose."
Beka looked down at Q and gave him a scowl. "So why did you choose to take on the appearance of my Uncle Sid?"
Q chuckled at the question. "Why, for a joke Rocket. Sid Barry is one of the first humans I actually found who amused me. Although in a different way than Captain Janeway and her Voyager crew amuse me, but in a more predictable way. Your Uncle Sid has a sense of adventure, without being droll or a lout. Forgive me Kathy, I didn't mean you were a lout, but you have to admit all those Starfleet regulations get in the way of you have a good time."
"Don't call me Rocket!' Beka protested.
Q put up his arms in mock surrender. "As you wish."
"What do you want Q?" AI Rommie demanded.
The Continuum member stood up and faced Voyager's captain. "Why to initiate some cross cultural diplomacy between your crew and Captain Hunt's, while having a little fun in the process."
"I don't like the sound of that last part. The fun is most likely gonna be at our expense," Harper intoned with suspicion.
Q walked over to Harper and put an arm around the engineer. "Oh don't be so suspicious my little mudfoot. You are actually going to play a key role in my little effort at cross-cultural understanding."
Harper put a hand on the gauss gun in the holster on his right leg. "Now I know I don't like the sound of that."
"Oh Please! I wouldn't harm a hair on any of your heads. Would I Kathy?" Q protested.
Janeway scowled at the Continuum troublemaker. "You will address me by my rank and last name Q. Captain Hunt; I don't suggest you agree to whatever it is Q wants. Our past encounters with him have been less than pleasant."
"You and your crew are still alive and well, are they not Captain Janeway," Q interrupted.
"We have barely escaped with our lives after each of our encounters with you Q. Even the Continuum has reprimanded you for your interference," Janeway reminded the troublemaker.
Q actually looked hurt as the smile on his face faded. "Well, you didn't have to bring that up. Anyway, if I'm so bad than why did you agree to help me raise my son?"
Hunt, Harper, AI Rommie, and Beka all turned and stared at Voyager's captain in unison and Janeway was put in the uncomfortable position of having to explain her relationship with Q.
"You practically begged me to baby-sit your son. I took pity on the poor child, especially considering who his father is," Janeway explained.
Harper grinned at visual image he had of Captain Janeway babysitting. The engineer guessed that child rearing was not something covered at the Starfleet Academy Kim and Paris had mentioned earlier. "Oh now this is getting good," Harper chuckled.
"Harper, mind your manners," Hunt reprimanded his engineer.
Harper bowed his head, "Yes Boss."
Q approached Harper and put a hand on the engineer's shoulder. "This is what I'm talking about. You see how Mr. Harper defers to you Captain Hunt? This young man grew up on an Earth where he had to defer to the Nietzscheans or die and now you make him defer to you."
Hunt now could see why Janeway wasn't pleased at the arrival of this Q fellow. He was a meddler of the highest caliber. "I'm the captain of this ship. I expect my crew to follow orders."
Q removed his arm from Harper's shoulder and approached Hunt. The troublemaker was hoping Hunt would get defensive. It would mean Q had struck a nerve, giving the Continuum member the opening he wanted. Now it was Q's chance to make his point. "Of course you should expect your crew to follow orders Captain Hunt. But Mr. Harper has spent his whole life being ordered around. Don't you think it's time he got a taste of life on Earth where he wouldn't be ordered around? Life on an Earth where there are no Nietzscheans or Magogs to fend off and no threat of death by starvation?"
"That would be a clever little trick if you could pull it off," Tyr remarked from the door of the Command Deck. The Nietzschean had finished his workout and walking down the corridor, when his sensitive ears picked up the conversation.
Q turned to face the Nietzschean and smiled a broad grin. "Welcome my Nietzschean friend. Why don't you join the party?"
Tyr stared the Q in the eyes and growled. "I am not your friend so do not refer to me in that manner. I do not see any cause for joyous celebration her either."
Q was about to a smart remark that would anger Tyr, but Hunt interrupted. Hunt could tell Q was antagonizing the Nietzschean and decided to put a stop to it before something violent happened. "What is it you're really offering Q?"
Q seemed satisfied to end his taunting of Tyr and turned his attention back to Hunt. "I am offering your engineer a chance at a new life on Earth in Captain Janeway's universe." Paris and Kim stifled sarcastic laughs as Janeway glanced their way. Janeway knew Q well enough to know he there were always strings attached to his offers. "Why don't you tell Captain Hunt and Mr. Harper what you want in return for your generosity and let them decide if what you're offering is worth the price?"
"Very well," Q relented. "I propose and exchange program. In return for giving Mr. Harper a chance to experience life on a relatively pleasant Earth, one of Captain Janeway's crewmembers will experience life aboard the Earth of this Universe. The same Earth where Mr. Harper grew up. I think Mr. Paris would make a good choice to switch places with Mr. Harper."
Paris tried to hide his shock and horror. If Earth was half as bad as Harper had said then the helmsman wasn't about to try living there; even temporarily. Harper scowled at Q. "As much as I would like to see an Earth without Nietzscheans and Magogs, I think I'll take a pass. I would wish the Earth from this universe on my worst enemy. Well, maybe worst enemy, but not any of Voyager's crew."
"Well suit yourself, but I feel it only fair to inform you Mr. Harper that if you or Mr. Paris turn down my generous offer, there will be a penalty," Q warned.
Tyr did not like the direction the conversation was heading. The Nietzschean had just heard the tale end of the discussion, and was glad he had arrived when he did. Things might get ugly. "What sort of penalty would you have in mind?"
Q practically pounced at the question. The continuum member was just waiting for somebody to ask that very question. "Why the penalty would be that a Magog World Ship might just happen to appear off Andromeda's starboard side. As for your precious Voyager Captain Janeway, a Borg ship might just appear outside off the port side."
"Hunt didn't know how this Q fellow knew so much about Andromeda's crew and didn't like that this stranger was using that knowledge to play a dangerous game.
AI Rommie less than thrilled at the thought of this intruder on board her ship-self sicking a Magog World Ship on her. AI Rommie took a step towards Q when the continuum member pointed an index finger in her direction. AI Rommie froze in her tracks and began blinking her eyes. AI Rommie's systems shut down and the avatar slumped to the deck.
Harper and Hunt rushed the AI Rommie and down over the avatar. The two men moved AI Rommie into a sitting position with Hunt holding her upright. Harper began examining the avatar when Q stood over them. "Don't worry you two; your precious avatar is fine. I just shut her down temporarily to demonstrate that have the power to bring the Magog World Ship here. Now I suggest Mr. Harper and Mr. Paris seriously consider my offer."
Trance and Tuvok quietly appeared on the Command Deck. Q was so busy being self-absorbed that he didn't notice their arrival. Trance came to a stop right behind Q. The Continuum member felt the Golden Woman's presence and turned to face her. The color suddenly disappeared from Q's face.
Trance was unfazed at seeing the unexpected visitor. "You're surprised to see me. You shouldn't be you know."
A/N: Thanks to those of you who posted reviews. Keep 'em coming.
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Chapter 7
Beka couldn't believe her eyes. This man who had just appeared out of thin air looked like a dead ringer for her Uncle Sid. But Uncle Sid never learned to materialize at will, at least as far as Beka knew.
"He's your uncle?" Paris exclaimed, not even bothering to try to hide his shock.
Q was grinning from ear to ear at the excitement and confusion he was causing. The Continuum member couldn't hold back the laugh that developed inside him. "Oh really, this is just too amusing. I must have a seat and enjoy the show."
"Not so fast Q. I want an explanation," Janeway ordered sternly.
Q sat down on one of the of steps on Command Deck near Beka. "You know Kathy, you really should lighten up. It's not all that bad."
"Not all that bad? We just traveled through a wormhole to a parallel universe and don't have a way back," Janeway reminded the troublemaker.
"I didn't say it wasn't partly bad. You have to admit you are relatively safe here on the good ship Andromeda and Captain Hunt and his crew are being quite the gracious hosts. So why don't you just relax and enjoy the ride for now?"
AI Rommie was now confused, and that wasn't good for an avatar. It seemed as if Captain Janeway and this Q fellow knew each other. "If it's not too much trouble, would somebody mind explaining how come this Q fellow looks like Beka's Uncle Sid and how Voyager's crew knows him?"
Janeway quickly apologized. "I'm forgetting my manners. I apologize. This annoying gentleman is Q. He part of a group called the Continuum. The members of the Continuum have no physical form as we know it. However, they are able to temporarily take on the appearance of any life form they choose."
Beka looked down at Q and gave him a scowl. "So why did you choose to take on the appearance of my Uncle Sid?"
Q chuckled at the question. "Why, for a joke Rocket. Sid Barry is one of the first humans I actually found who amused me. Although in a different way than Captain Janeway and her Voyager crew amuse me, but in a more predictable way. Your Uncle Sid has a sense of adventure, without being droll or a lout. Forgive me Kathy, I didn't mean you were a lout, but you have to admit all those Starfleet regulations get in the way of you have a good time."
"Don't call me Rocket!' Beka protested.
Q put up his arms in mock surrender. "As you wish."
"What do you want Q?" AI Rommie demanded.
The Continuum member stood up and faced Voyager's captain. "Why to initiate some cross cultural diplomacy between your crew and Captain Hunt's, while having a little fun in the process."
"I don't like the sound of that last part. The fun is most likely gonna be at our expense," Harper intoned with suspicion.
Q walked over to Harper and put an arm around the engineer. "Oh don't be so suspicious my little mudfoot. You are actually going to play a key role in my little effort at cross-cultural understanding."
Harper put a hand on the gauss gun in the holster on his right leg. "Now I know I don't like the sound of that."
"Oh Please! I wouldn't harm a hair on any of your heads. Would I Kathy?" Q protested.
Janeway scowled at the Continuum troublemaker. "You will address me by my rank and last name Q. Captain Hunt; I don't suggest you agree to whatever it is Q wants. Our past encounters with him have been less than pleasant."
"You and your crew are still alive and well, are they not Captain Janeway," Q interrupted.
"We have barely escaped with our lives after each of our encounters with you Q. Even the Continuum has reprimanded you for your interference," Janeway reminded the troublemaker.
Q actually looked hurt as the smile on his face faded. "Well, you didn't have to bring that up. Anyway, if I'm so bad than why did you agree to help me raise my son?"
Hunt, Harper, AI Rommie, and Beka all turned and stared at Voyager's captain in unison and Janeway was put in the uncomfortable position of having to explain her relationship with Q.
"You practically begged me to baby-sit your son. I took pity on the poor child, especially considering who his father is," Janeway explained.
Harper grinned at visual image he had of Captain Janeway babysitting. The engineer guessed that child rearing was not something covered at the Starfleet Academy Kim and Paris had mentioned earlier. "Oh now this is getting good," Harper chuckled.
"Harper, mind your manners," Hunt reprimanded his engineer.
Harper bowed his head, "Yes Boss."
Q approached Harper and put a hand on the engineer's shoulder. "This is what I'm talking about. You see how Mr. Harper defers to you Captain Hunt? This young man grew up on an Earth where he had to defer to the Nietzscheans or die and now you make him defer to you."
Hunt now could see why Janeway wasn't pleased at the arrival of this Q fellow. He was a meddler of the highest caliber. "I'm the captain of this ship. I expect my crew to follow orders."
Q removed his arm from Harper's shoulder and approached Hunt. The troublemaker was hoping Hunt would get defensive. It would mean Q had struck a nerve, giving the Continuum member the opening he wanted. Now it was Q's chance to make his point. "Of course you should expect your crew to follow orders Captain Hunt. But Mr. Harper has spent his whole life being ordered around. Don't you think it's time he got a taste of life on Earth where he wouldn't be ordered around? Life on an Earth where there are no Nietzscheans or Magogs to fend off and no threat of death by starvation?"
"That would be a clever little trick if you could pull it off," Tyr remarked from the door of the Command Deck. The Nietzschean had finished his workout and walking down the corridor, when his sensitive ears picked up the conversation.
Q turned to face the Nietzschean and smiled a broad grin. "Welcome my Nietzschean friend. Why don't you join the party?"
Tyr stared the Q in the eyes and growled. "I am not your friend so do not refer to me in that manner. I do not see any cause for joyous celebration her either."
Q was about to a smart remark that would anger Tyr, but Hunt interrupted. Hunt could tell Q was antagonizing the Nietzschean and decided to put a stop to it before something violent happened. "What is it you're really offering Q?"
Q seemed satisfied to end his taunting of Tyr and turned his attention back to Hunt. "I am offering your engineer a chance at a new life on Earth in Captain Janeway's universe." Paris and Kim stifled sarcastic laughs as Janeway glanced their way. Janeway knew Q well enough to know he there were always strings attached to his offers. "Why don't you tell Captain Hunt and Mr. Harper what you want in return for your generosity and let them decide if what you're offering is worth the price?"
"Very well," Q relented. "I propose and exchange program. In return for giving Mr. Harper a chance to experience life on a relatively pleasant Earth, one of Captain Janeway's crewmembers will experience life aboard the Earth of this Universe. The same Earth where Mr. Harper grew up. I think Mr. Paris would make a good choice to switch places with Mr. Harper."
Paris tried to hide his shock and horror. If Earth was half as bad as Harper had said then the helmsman wasn't about to try living there; even temporarily. Harper scowled at Q. "As much as I would like to see an Earth without Nietzscheans and Magogs, I think I'll take a pass. I would wish the Earth from this universe on my worst enemy. Well, maybe worst enemy, but not any of Voyager's crew."
"Well suit yourself, but I feel it only fair to inform you Mr. Harper that if you or Mr. Paris turn down my generous offer, there will be a penalty," Q warned.
Tyr did not like the direction the conversation was heading. The Nietzschean had just heard the tale end of the discussion, and was glad he had arrived when he did. Things might get ugly. "What sort of penalty would you have in mind?"
Q practically pounced at the question. The continuum member was just waiting for somebody to ask that very question. "Why the penalty would be that a Magog World Ship might just happen to appear off Andromeda's starboard side. As for your precious Voyager Captain Janeway, a Borg ship might just appear outside off the port side."
"Hunt didn't know how this Q fellow knew so much about Andromeda's crew and didn't like that this stranger was using that knowledge to play a dangerous game.
AI Rommie less than thrilled at the thought of this intruder on board her ship-self sicking a Magog World Ship on her. AI Rommie took a step towards Q when the continuum member pointed an index finger in her direction. AI Rommie froze in her tracks and began blinking her eyes. AI Rommie's systems shut down and the avatar slumped to the deck.
Harper and Hunt rushed the AI Rommie and down over the avatar. The two men moved AI Rommie into a sitting position with Hunt holding her upright. Harper began examining the avatar when Q stood over them. "Don't worry you two; your precious avatar is fine. I just shut her down temporarily to demonstrate that have the power to bring the Magog World Ship here. Now I suggest Mr. Harper and Mr. Paris seriously consider my offer."
Trance and Tuvok quietly appeared on the Command Deck. Q was so busy being self-absorbed that he didn't notice their arrival. Trance came to a stop right behind Q. The Continuum member felt the Golden Woman's presence and turned to face her. The color suddenly disappeared from Q's face.
Trance was unfazed at seeing the unexpected visitor. "You're surprised to see me. You shouldn't be you know."