Chapter Six: Energize
The Holodeck doors opened revealing the dichromatic "bridge" of Captain Proton's rocket ship. It was perfectly modeled; tiny, with two bulky chairs. Flickering panels dominated the space, covering the all three sides and extending up onto the ceiling. Harry . . . Buster Kincaid . . . stood between the two chairs, blocking Tom's view out of the front window.
"Wow, Harry. I know I'm a genius but don't you think you could have been more original with your plagiarism?"
Harry smiled. "I wrote a new mission; new goals, characters, settings. It's time Captain Proton tries a scenario he hasn't written the program for."
Tom's pale blue eyes lit at Harry's challenge. "Well what are you waiting for? Let's get started!" He stepped inside the Holodeck.
Harry and Tom slid into their chairs. Tom began checking the panels and switches.
"Captain, were receiving a transmission from the President!" Harry said glancing up from his controls, dark hair falling in his eyes.
"Put it through," Tom said, leaning casually back in his chair. A worried, black and white picture of the Doctor's face appeared on a .38 meter screen between the two chairs. "Ah, Mister President, what can we do for you?"
"Captain Proton, thank God! Earth is in terrible danger." The Doctor's voice was low and urgent. The image of his face flickered with static.
"What's happened?" Harry asked. Both men leaned closer, waiting as the Doctor glanced around nervously.
"Chaotica has abducted one of our top scientists, Miss Amanda Finley. She was working on a super weapon; if Chaotica gets his hands on that information the Earth is doomed." The Doctor's voice grew frantic. "Captain Proton, you are our only hope, you must help us!"
"Take it easy, Mr. President, we'll stop him," Tom said negligently waving a hand.
"Thank you! I can not convey what a relief it—" the Doctor broke off as someone amusedly cleared their throat behind him. The sickbay background the Doctor's head had been blocking became visible to Harry and Tom, as he stepped backwards, turning to face Seven of Nine.
"You asked to see me?" She inquired neutrally, only the barest hint of amusement coloring her voice.
"Ah, yes." The Doctor said awkwardly. He turned back to the view screen. "Good luck Captain." As he lifted his hand to turn the viewer off, Seven caught Harry and Tom's eyes and raised a thin eyebrow.
Tom and Harry looked at the dark view screen for a moment, and then simultaneously started to laugh.
"You got the real doctor…"
"Actually it was sort-of his idea, he mentioned some things I could do with my enforced 'vacation'."