Chapter 113.
Vistuoso.
(Leah POV)
"Captain's Log Stardate 53556.4, We've towed a damaged vessel aboard and are attempting to repair it, While the Doctor treats the Qomarian crew who have suffered minor injuries. End log," I said.
As I was headed for sickbay.
"Doctor to Captain McCall, Please report to Sickbay," Doc said.
"I'm already on my way, Doc," I said.
As I got there.
"How are our guests," I said.
"Their injuries are minor, Unfortunately I can't say the same for their lack of manners," Doc said.
"Doc," I said.
"What is the status of our ship," He said.
"To be honest we're having a little trouble understanding your technology," I said.
"The problem is your technology Interference from your antiquated scanning devices shut down our propulsion system," He said.
"Forgive us, captain, We live in a closed system, We are not accustomed to interacting with other species, Especially inferior ones," She said.
"Well, then I guess we'll leave the repairs in your so called superior hands," I said.
"Our injuries will have to be treated first, is there someone other than this hologram who could help us," He said.
"No one who's better qualified," I said "So suck it up," As I whispered.
"Very well," She said.
"Try to bear with our deficiencies just a little longer," I said. As I left.
XXX
"Captain's log supplemental, the Qomar have completed repairs to their ship and surprisingly have invited us to visit their system Apparently it's no longer closed to outsiders, End log," I said.
"Harry, can you make sense of any of this," I said.
"We're picking up thousands of subspace transmissions, All encrypted differently," Harry said.
"Between the satellites and the space craft, It's like navigating an obstacle course," Tom said.
"With all this traffic, the Qomar might not even know we're here," Chakotay said.
"Apparently, they do, We are being hailed," Tuvok said.
"Captain you now have the privilege of meeting Prelate Koru," She said.
"Welcome to the Qomar Planetary Alliance," Koru said.
"Thank you, Prelate, We're looking forward to learning more about your culture," I said.
"Our civilization is no doubt intimidating, We'll do what we can to avoid overwhelming you during your stay," Koru said.
"I appreciate that, I understand we're not as advanced as you, but we're fast learners and we'd like to," I siad.
"We want to learn more about the algorithmic expressions you call Music," Koru said.
"We're prepared to give you complete access to our Musical Database as well as," I said.
"Your Emergency Medical hologram, We'd consider an exchange of technology if you give us complete access to this device," Koru said.
"I believe he's made some recordings," I said.
"No Not recordings," Koru said.
"How about a Recital?" I said.
"Recital," Koru said.
"A live performance, We can put together a program of various styles of music," I siad.
"Will the Emergency medical hologram sing," Koru said.
"He'll be the star attraction," I said.
XXX
I was in my Ready Room then the next thing I know we went to Red Alert.
"Harry," I said as I got out there.
"I didn't order a Red Alert, Captain," Harry said.
"Well someone did," I said.
"The Command originated in Astrometrics," Harry said.
"7 to the Captain, I've found evidence that the Qomar are attempting to sabotage Voyager," 7 said.
"On my way, Harry you got the bridge," I said.
As I got there.
"What have you got," I sad.
"I believe the Qomar are attempting to disable our com system," 7 said.
"How," I said.
"By overloading it with millions of teraquads of irrelevant data," 7 said.
"What do you mean by irrelevant," I said. "They're transmissions, All addressed to the Doctor,"
"Precisely, I've only be able to decipher a small fraction of them so far, but they include invitations to social and scientific functions, request for personal encounters, And cloying tributes to the Doctor's talents," 7 said.
"Bloody hell, Computer Cancel Red Alert," I said. "It's not sabotage, 7, It's fan mail,"
"Fan mail," 7 said.
"People who admire performers are called Fans," I said.
"The word I believe derives from fanatic," 7 said.
"Exactly," I said.
"Why would the Doctor inspire fanaticism among the Qomar," 7 said.
"Music is new to them, Clearly they're very excited about it," I said.
"This glorification of the individual is irrational," 7 said. "The Doctor is merely reproducing the work of others, Why do his fans fixate solely on him?"
"I suppose he's the embodiment of what they admire, He can do something they can't, And that makes him special," I said.
"Perhaps, but that doesn't explain their interest in the minutiae of the Doctor's life," 7 said. "What does he do in his spare time, To how many decimal places can he calculate pi, This one wants to know his favourite quadratic equation,"
"People have always fantasized about knowing celebrities personally, I suppose it's a way of making themselves feel more important," I said.
"Tuvok to McCall," Tuvok said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We have a security problem on Deck 2," Tuvok said.
"On my way," I said. "Just think, 7 as personal friends of the Doc, we're the envy of Millions of Qomar. See you later," As I kissed her and headed out.
XXX
"Our efforts to accommodate them have gotten out of hand," Tuvok said.
"I guess their interest in the Doc is greater than we expected," I said.
"Much greater," Tuvok said. "I recommend we refuse all further requests for transport from the surface,"
"Agreed," I said.
"And we should evacuate these visitors immediately, They are interfering with normal ship's functions," Tuvok said.
"Tuvok, When have functions aboard this ship ever been normal?" I said.
"Excuse me," I said.
"Sorry captain but you have to wait like everybody else," Doc said.
"I'm not here for an autograph, We need to talk," I said. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself Doc, But this is getting a little excessive,"
"I'm only doing what I can to ensure that First contact with the Qomar goes smoothly," Doc said.
"Does that include using our replicator reserves to create miniaturized versions of yourself?" I said.
"I would never do such a thing," Doc said. "As a matter of Fact, the Qomar have devoted an entire holo processing plant to manufacturing them for me,"
"I see well in any case, you've been neglecting your Sickbay duties, I haven't received a report in 3 days," I said.
"Oh come now, Leah, It's not as though there's been a flood of medical emergencies," Doc said.
"I wasn't aware we were on a first name basis," I said.
"I meant, Captain, I'm sorry," Doc said.
"Easy Doc, Just pulling your leg. Or do you prefer maestro," I said.
"Please, Either is acceptable," Doc said.
"Well then let me make it clear to both of you, Maestro you're finished for today, Doc. Report to Sickbay, now," I said.
XXX
"You're resigning your commission," I said.
"I've been asked to stay," Doc said.
"When this all started I thought you might have a little harmless fun, and that you'd be responsible enough to keep it in perspective, I can see now that I was mistaken," I said.
"This isn't harmless fun for me, Captain, It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to realize a dream," Doc said.
"What about your duty to Voyager," I said.
"I take that very seriously, but," Doc said.
"You're a part of this ship," I said.
"You sound as if you're talking about a piece of equipment," Doc said.
"That's not what I meant," I said.
"Then shouldn't I be given the same respect as any flesh and blood member of this crew?" Doc said.
"Every member of this crew is expected to fulfill his obligations," I said.
"If Harry Kim met a Alien woman on an away mission, fell in love and decided to spend the rest of his life with her, raise a family, Instead of continuing on this journey, you wouldn't stand in his way," Doc said.
"You're not Harry Kim, You're an emergency medical hologram," I said.
"Then you do see me as a piece of technology," Doc said.
"I have given you extraordinary freedom, to explore your creativity, to go on away missions, to pursue personal relationships, But enough is enough," I said.
"Why," Doc said. "Because you don't see me as an equal and you never have, Admit it,"
"I am responsible for the medical needs of this crew, If I let you leave, what kind of Captain would I be," I said.
"Every other Starfleet officer chose to be here, but I never had a choice until now," Doc said. "I've given this crew everything for 5 years, Isn't it worth anything, haven't I earned the right to self determination, You've lost other systems before and always managed to find a solution, you'll manage without me,"
"For how long? You forgetting about everything we have faced off against in the past 6 years," I said. "What about you, Will you manage without us,"
"The Qomar are a technologically advanced species. I have no doubt that my maintenance requirements will be met," Doc said.
"Now which one of us is looking at you as a piece of technology, I'm not talking about your maintenance needs, I'm talking about your emotional needs, You've got people on this ship who care about you," I said.
"The Qomar certainly seem to care about me," Doc said.
"And when their tastes change," I said.
"What makes you think that's going to happen?" Doc said.
"Fame is often temporary," I said.
"This isn't just about fame," Doc said.
"Oh really," I said.
"If you must know there's a woman involved," Doc said. "One who appreciates me in a way no one on this crew ever has,"
"Well it sounds like you'll have everything you need," I said.
"I believe I will," Doc said.
"I hope so, Doc, because once Voyager is gone, You won't be able to change your mind," I said.
"That's a risk I'm willing to take," Doc said.
"As your Captain, I should refuse this resignation, But as your friend, it wouldn't be right to stand in your way," I said.
XXX
We were finally on course back for home.
It wasn't longer before my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
As the Doc came in.
"Good morning Captain," Doc said.
"What's this," I said.
"A formal request to be reinstated," Doc said.
"So you've taken off your tails and put them between your legs," I said.
"Yes," Doc said.
"You offended a lot of people who care about you," I said.
"I know," Doc said. "I was a fool. I'm sorry, And I'm willing to do whatever it can to rectify the situation, Starting with the deletion of all my musical subroutines,"
"Denied," I said.
"But Captain," Doc said.
"No but's Doc, You're expected to follow orders just like every other flesh and blood member of this crew, Resume your normal activities, All of them," I said.
"Yes Ma'am." Doc said.
"Dismissed," I said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!