The Bonds Of Family And Friends
Disclaimers: The characters don't belong to me, the story belongs to me and everything else belongs to the movie company and the creator.
Warnings: This story is going to be alternate reality from the end of this episode and forward, as what if the game had far reaching consequences than they were expecting and as time went on the bonds between him and the sextet had deepened even further, as this reaches season seven and his future.
If he'd been part of the enterprise for a following few months and the repeated traumas effect him enough he's choosing to stay longer. But in this story Journey's End to Nemesis never happens and the stories leading into Nemesis never happen and he, the O'briens, Riker, Worf and Deanna never transfer off the enterprise as they stay with the crew and Starfleet after things end.
All characters named that were not in the show, are members of the un-named members of the crew in each episode, but the ones named the most are part of the engineering crew and Geordi's team and the ones Wesley spent the most time with. Aside from a guest appearance from the duo in 'The Naked Now.', and the duo that are his age, next to Robin Lefler.
Chapter 8: Gossip Debunked And Rivalries Revealed
"So in your eyes, it's never mind listening to these gossip channels on board the ship and when you can get the truth directly from us or the horse's mouth?" Will asked and he nodded to him gently. "Yes Sir, that's exactly my thinking right now, because no half scientist/half soldier cadet would take whatever these idiots say seriously anyway. It's just not believable and not when we've met and he unloaded it to me already."
"He already told me the truth and in turn I told him my situation, but our bonds of brotherhood. Nothing could get between us and nothing ever will now, you don't have to worry, he's my best friend, nothing could ever change things between the four of us. We're just the next generation version to you now." he said and Will nodded as he hid a smile of the loyalty between his godson and his new student as Dayton went further.
"We're too smart to believe a rumor like this and would just backtrack it back to the source. And then hear first hand of the victim of said rumors anyway Lieutenant, I don't believe a word of it. In fact if this was so he could drive a wedge between Wes and me it backfired and I think..., Derek tell them the truth. Were you in contact with Nick Locarno, before Wesley came home and I arrived here?" he asked and they watched him then.
Seeing him swallow at that, they knew it then. "It's not Nick, but his cousin he's been in contact with right now, if that look on his face tells me anything. We switched places after you graduated from school and as a result the Hansons are trying to destroy us. And our friendship, because Nick is suffering a case of crazy jealousy right now, bro, he's either trying to destroy our friendship or worse." Wesley said and he nodded to him.
"Well there's the catch now, mom, dad, the Hanson cousins are trying to destroy our friendship, before it could truly begin now. He was in league with my team captain just to prevent this from happening now. He lost Robin to Charlie and he was determined not to lose me next, he was in touch with Hanson. And to prevent me from making contact with his rival squadron leader, told him to spread that rumor to him next at the time."
"And if necessary..., oh my god, this was an attempted murder, well there's your remark buddy." he told him and he stood up at that as the sextet looked at him in shock at the news. "Oh wait till Brand hears this one, you mean to tell me they had been in league with each other just to prevent you guys from bonding. And in this case so he never lost you to his rival squadron leader?" Geordi said sharply and he nodded to him firmly.
"Nick is considered to be the model student, but when he's obsesses with something, like not losing something he cares about. He goes to extremes and starts doing anything he can to prevent it, case in point. But these knuckleheads never learn do they, alright just what happened now exactly so if he got himself in trouble. And with Greyson and the commander this time, Charlie?" he asked and Greyson answered that one with a sigh.
"After the situation with the Potts brothers he got arrested for being over the limit, again, and he blew his college tuition here on the ship. And he's working in the cargo bays as his father gave us the warning if that ever happened now. After Charlie arrived, he tried to start the rumors that landed him in the tank along with Marks. At each time, after you got into that fight with him, but he was ignoring them during flight training up here."
"Though seeing you boys together now, it's clear that it's you guys are exactly alike and this just switched positions. But again we don't need a repeat offense between you guys and the last thing I need is to have to prevent you from breaking your wrist. And after breaking the panel, on level 7, section 23, on this side of it, for a second time, okay guys." he said and the duo nodded as Wesley looked at Dayton to finish his sentence.
"But I can tell you they're not true and neither are the other rumors you hear about the captain's connection to my family. The captain was my dad's C.O. on board the stargazer, and they and mom had a mutual friend in common with each other. Said friend was Captain Walker Keel, he was captain of the Horatio at the time. And the last time they saw each other was during that last conspiracy at command HQ three years ago."
"But there's the next catch now, if we were back 380 to 390 years, it's he'd be in spec ops. And I'd be in officer's training in multiple fields of science and you're trying to live up to my reputation now. And he just can't take the fact we're this good right now, but we did this together by bouncing ideas off each other, last night and this morning. But no need to get jealous buddy, as to why that is at the moment here and in truth."
"I never did this alone and single handedly either, you had my back all this time and with it now. You, Robin and I beat the odds of going up against our own people, when one of the three of us was in no condition for a mission like this. And again how could a bunch of hotshots do this without violence and beat the odds here?" he asked and Dayton smiled as he answered him as they and Jake exchanged grins and the group smiled.
"They can't, because they're not thinking ahead of looking at the ramifications as there dozens of ways this could go wrong and they get caught and it spreads. But hundreds of ways not to and it's by thinking it through, taking your time and in our cases. Growing up on a ship like this all of our lives." he said and he nodd." Yeah exactly that's it exactly, and that's why these guys are so jealous and why he's trying to get between us now."
"And it's because he's had it out for me ever since I reported him for the speedballing and that I just humiliated him in front of his parents last year. And he's humiliated himself in training by getting arrested by the commander. He's been trying to live up to my reputation but he can't, but you could, and the crew actually prefers mind over matter. So that's why they take so much time on us, to them, it's mind over matter."
"Brains over brawns, and we just gave the show needed to prove the captain's lesson to him. We scored so high in this test, it's enough to get into advanced training and keep our colors and ranks. To the senior staff and security crew that's something to be proud of, because if this was a normal test. The lesson is why 'use weapons when you can think your way out of the box now'." he said and the engine crew nodded as they got it then.
"Very good Wesley, that's exactly the point of this test and you're right, you passed it so well you just earned that promotion. But all three of you have earned the right to wear your uniforms and keep your ranks. As I said last year, you want to go somewhere and you want to be somebody you better wake up and pay attention in class. Because once in the real world it's not how good you think you are or who you're connected to."
"In the eyes of your bosses, it doesn't matter, if you don't have an education, than you don't have a way to make it life and that's the truth. I'm very proud of all four of you, what you scored in this test in the highest score in record history in the no winner testing exams once in on the job training. That's going to get a lot of attention back at the academy when they hear this later." Picard said and they nodded as he smiled at him.
"So those rumors that he's spreading are because he's the village idiot trying to discredit him, because you prefer the ones that are a younger version of you in training Captain?" he asked and Picard hid a chuckle as he answered him. "Most of us senior officers prefer mind over matter, that his, and your, personalities are what we prefer. We can relate to each other, because you're not trying to show off to us, what the commander told you."
"Though, regarding his father, that was true, Jack was my number one on the Stargazer and we've been friends for 25 years. In addition to offering to help out to his mother, when he chose to stay here, I was honoring his father's memory by getting him started in training. But he wasn't ready to leave, and I had him with me for one year, his mother and him the next and leading up to when he left last year." he said and Dayton nodded.
"So your dad was his First officer, mutual friend in common with each other was Captain Keel and the last time he saw you, before meeting up here four years ago, was when we were five years old. Okay got it, as I said it doesn't matter, nothing is getting between us now. Now that you told me that, I'd rather hear the truth from you than all these blasted rumors going on." he said and Wesley nodded as the entire adult crew sighed in relief.
"Well that nips this in the bud, nice try Derek, it didn't work then and doesn't work now, when are you going to learn exactly. Because in this case we prefer to work the academic scholarships, there's more money in that and with it. It's living up to what we have, because you make a mistake and it can and will kill you and whoever's with you. That's the point of today's lesson, 'why need the weapon when you can use your mind'."
"With you just getting started like four months ago, you haven't had the chance to get to know them as who they are, rather than everyone makes them out to be. Charlie listen to me, at the moment the reason they've been doing comparisons is because they watched me grow up. And you just started it takes time to get to know you, as you are than what your reputation was and with that in mind right now at the moment."
"You're getting jealous they're taking pride in the fact I just did what you can't, though you were helping me last night in this in the same way now. And with that is you're trying to live up to my reputation, but there's no need to try and live up to my reputation or live yours down, to get out of my shadow, you have to create your own path. As for you Derek, you're going to have to accept the fact that your athletics are not enough."
"And that nothing you do is going to get your reputation back up to where you had it. It's not going to happen now, him and me, but we've been working together so easily that nothing is getting between us, including you. Now you're the latest recruit into the junior crew and with that. Robin you better get up here, junior crew meeting on the bridge, honey." he called out and they heard the girl answer firmly then as she said it to him.
"Got it Wes, I'm on my way." she said and they nodded to that, looking at the other teenage ensign, Bates and Greyson, as well as their teammates. They positioned themselves next to their junior team mates then firmly. Seeing the look of care and love in Bates eyes as he looked at Wesley he felt his jealousy grow by the minute. "You lose it now as with your drunk, it's getting you arrested in the way Colin was, young man."
"Because I've had all I can take with that attitude and your friends and enough is enough right now, so don't push me right now." Greyson said with a warning tone as he looked at the 19 years old. "Yeah don't remind me, I'm lucky we had to explain this to him in front of you, in case Colin lost it a second time. But drinking and driving is a felony, either on earth or in the on the ship politics." Wesley said and he looked at him in shock.
"Marks was at conn and he was drunk at the time?" Dayton said in shock and they nodded. "Yes and it's why we arrested him, like you, Wes was dealing with the same nickname he branded you with buddy." Perkins said and he nodded to him. "Like the captain and commander, we believe in mind over matter, what you, Wes and Robin did, not one training ensign, if they hadn't been raised on a ship at the time."
"They could never pull this off with only a single injury." Bates added to him gently. "Though we admit that when we saw you in every place he once was, it was hitting us hard, but with the fact we have both of you for the next 18 months. Advanced training just took on an entirely whole new meaning now at the moment Cubs." Greyson said as he looked at their prize pupils and Wesley hid a smile at that remark.
"Back to the old nickname again huh guys?" he asked and the seven all nodded to him with a gentle smile. "Added side effect, with Jenson saying that out loud on when I came in through the upstairs passage leading into the Jeffries tubes. I knew he meant me in that remark, but with three all with the same abilities the act of double trouble just took on a whole new meaning right now." he added and Perkins hid a smile as Greyson said it.
"Yes well don't over do it, before you scare us into a heart attack kiddo, because what you did in there was enough I nearly went in there and dragged you out myself. And I was in the engineering when I heard that last crash as a result. But if you're trying to scare us out of our wits that's a good way to do it. And when we never allowed you to do it from that height as a result, though you keep this us and we're not making it now."
"To our next birthdays if you try that twice, but training is on a hold until you're fully recovered, but to get back to this. Was that you making the noise in there or was it Lal, because the morse code was a slightly aggravating?" Greyson asked and he chuckled. "I activated the sound effects the second I got into place, but I knew you were there. And directly on the other side of that wall when I did it through morse code this afternoon."
"But I was waiting till the timer ended before did this." he said and they nodded. "At the moment until you get that attitude under control you're never going to make it in basic training up here, Derek. This job is harder than it looks, but you were too focused on screwing around in class to notice what I was really doing at the time last year. But our jobs as the junior crew are three fold here, Derek and with it we have three pieces to it."
"But 1) we look after the kids younger than us, act as their adoptive big brothers and sisters, if they're younger than seven years. 2) we help in the medical lab or wherever the adult crew needs us to, but we focus on our school work as well and finally 3) and most important now. Though you considered trying to arrest me last night, our orders were that regarding the situations like this, we leave it to the adult crew to deal with."
"We're too young and haven't had enough experience in dealing with said dangerous situations yet, though in this case the three of us didn't have a choice in the matter. Because if we hadn't done this the expansion would be underway right now, and she and I are in enough trouble already for doing this when I'm not up to my best right now. And for nearly giving the duo a heart attack after my stunt in there."
"Though your idiocy could have gotten you killed or captured at the moment and you're beyond lucky that was Commander Data and not Roga who you ran into in the hallway last night at the time. And what the hell were you thinking exactly, I mean what makes you think I'd throw aside my careful planning and suddenly try to attack them head on. Because that would get me captured and arrested if I did attack the teams like that."
"You're jealous that the commander and the captain chose Charlie to be my second in command, though we're going co-leaders in this case, but you're the youngest of the five of us. Just starting barely five months ago, while the rest of us were raised on ships all our lives. You recall the captain's lecture though last year, you want to go somewhere and you want to be somebody, you better wake up and pay attention now."
"Because here in the real world, to them, it doesn't matter how good you think you are or who you're connected to. It doesn't matter to them or to Brand, without an education you don't have anything. That scholarship wouldn't have lasted long if we were back in the 20th century anyway Derek, because they only last as long as the college chooses to renew it, you get in trouble with the cops and it's bye bye scholarship after that."
"And you have to work your way through college, but you've been arrested five times in six months and just barely committed a murder. To them, it's you just got yourself thrown out of being in training at the academy on an athletic scholarship and you have to work your way through school now. It's pretty damn obvious why you're trying to get me out of here, at the moment and I can see the crazed jealousy in your eyes."
"But if I have to classify you as anyone, I see Nick Locarno when I see you, he was the supposed perfect student, everyone treated him like the golden child. But to Charlie and me, he's the obsessive team captain, and suddenly learning his girlfriend chose someone who's just like them and her best friend chose them as well and approved. Well when you think about her, I can see the complete jealousy in your eyes at the moment."
"And it's because you want everything that I have: my rank, my position with the senior staff and if you've fallen in love with her, my girlfriend. And it's killing you and feeding your arrogance that I have everything you want, Derek. As to that, if you think they're not going to recognize this attitude you better guess again, because they do." Wesley added and the group nodded, as they waited for the over reaction to his words.
"Robin chose me if you've fallen in love with her and have been asking her out ever since you started and yet she doesn't want to deal with guys that are likely to get so reckless it kills them. She prefers someone like herself, half soldier, half scientist, but you're a soldier, she's a scientist and this could never work." he said firmly and they watched as the other boy moved away from the wall at that as Greyson caught him by the arm then.
"Try it and you're spending ten hours in the tank, young man, after Data arrested you again for drinking and speedballing and we had to do it for a second time. But you're drunk, so lose it right now and you're ending up in a detention cell. And that's not just a warning, but a promise now, stand down right now young man." Beverly said sharply and they nodded to that as Dayton exchanged looks with his new quartet then.
"That's the reaction we were waiting for, he humiliated himself last night after getting arrested by Data. And for jumping feet first into it and to repeat what you said, Sir. He wasn't thinking at all, he got reckless and he blows his training lesson by getting caught by one of the teachers in it. But like Peter, the self restraint disappears the second they start with the substance abuse right now." Dayton said to Will then at the response.
"Uh huh, yeah that's what I thought now, the reason he's getting jealous and is trying to get me out of here. It's because everything I told you last year just came forward, mom, everything we discussed. But it's one thing when it's your age and another when it's twice your age, I think we found Marks and his clique, just as a teenager, Hanson's at it again." Wesley added to her and she nodded in agreement to that as Will said it for her.
"Hanson and his stupid rumors regarding you and your bond with the captain, while he can't take the fact you're this good and just why wouldn't I listen to you exactly. When you're my star pupil and my godson, well with that in mind, if this is heading where I think it is. Than it's that he can take the trio, but he can't you're that good or that you're who we prefer to be the leader of the junior crew team now and with that in mind."
"With three of you right now, it's just gotten even more out of hand if you're acting like a trio in everything right now at the moment." he said and Hanson looked up as Robin walked in the door then. "Hey you okay honey?" Wesley asked and she nodded as she gave him a hug and he tightened his arms around her smiling then. "Yeah I'm fine, but I figured it was close, did you tell them?" she asked and he nodded to her smiling.
"Yeah I did, but to Pulaski, she's thrilled I recovered so fast from Salia, but you, you're my soulmate, my parents were hoping I'd find the right one now, and I do. When I meet you, but I'm not leaving you, I'm never leaving you. I'm not going anywhere." he said as she pressed her forehead to his and the seven hid smiles to that response. "I heard most of what Charlie said here regarding Nick, but you chose me, alright that does it."
"The werewolf just got ticked off at the vampire now, because I've been run ragged and I need downtime with my pack now." he said and and she hid a chuckle. "Take it easy wolf, you've already damaged your paw today, and you're in recovery. We don't need you doing further damage to yourself after learning that information right now, brother." Dayton said in answer to that and she chuckled as she finished that remark.
"Aside from that, we're back together for good finally 18 months we can enjoy that time together more that we're separated from Nick and Peter right now." she said and they went into a four way hug as his mother had a smile at that. "I can't wait to see the look of disbelief on his face when he learns that we had this planned in advance. And that you're back with your pack family again bro." Dayton added and he smiled and nodded.
"Thanks brother, I'm glad that with us this far out now, he's got no chance at interference now and it's because with us building the bonds needed. It's he's screwed from the get go now, and you're right being on Nova it's like being in a werewolf pack. I want to be solo, or did till I learned you're here, finding you now after being separated from you that's exactly what I needed, bro, but I have a question."
"What did you mean by you were his rival?" he said and he sighed as he answered him. "Rival in an intellectual sense buddy, the truth is she was dating him for eighteen months after she went into training as an engineer, the classes separated them. And I was in a dual layered schedule myself, but our parents were stationed on board her ship. And for three years and we met up at the academy, beyond relieved we were back together."
"That last ten months when you arrived worked even better, but she told him, face to face, that with deployment getting started. It's that her career wasn't going to leave enough time for them after that, that it was time to end things. He lost his temper when he saw me, and quoting word for word, into the argument. The one leading into the fight in the mess hall, seeing me standing next to her with my arm wrapped around her."
"His remark was don't do him any favors after that, we managed to prevent a fist fight from breaking out, but he hated me after that. Seeing you and me hanging out together, just talking in class or on the grounds, he figured this was going to be perfect. That he had someone from the best known ship and crew in the entire fleet. And he was about to get him to join his squadron, but seeing you ripped away from me now at the time."
"That was enough to tick me off, because, seeing as he lost his girlfriend to me, supposedly, he wasn't losing his latest team mate to me as well. But too late now, we understand each other, your mother's keeping you home in training. And the jokes on him, because he doesn't know that we're up here with you. Or that with the added member of the pack being about to get recalled until you guys return though."
"But at the moment you're free of his pack and created your own with us and Jake in it now. Depending on how long it takes to recover from this: nine months to eighteen, that's plenty of time, you're out of his influence and our pack is going to double in size once we get the duo up here. My wingman, Katie Higgens, and Josh, are the next two additions to our pack, but together we created our own pack and you're free of him."
"For the next 18 months, though once Jake, Tony and Eric hear why you're bringing them in, if the sudden decision on a banned maneuver results in nearly killing someone. Though that happens and it's not you turning them in, it's Gamma squadron, all this time it was Gamma squadron. And it's his ex girlfriend and school rival and he's finished when we reveal that." Dayton said to him and he nodded smiling in agreement to that remark.
'Good word for it and you're right, honey take it easy right now baby. Because we don't need a fight breaking out in here, because you're getting terroritorial with her at the moment. And young man try to start a fight here and you're in big trouble at the moment and we mean that.' Beverly thought as she hid a smile at the remark as she saw the amused look on the duo's faces and knew they were thinking the same thing.
"Yeah he's right, I told him repeatedly that Charlie was my best friend, if he was playing the original alpha that would do it alright. But we just created an alternative version to that second story, you're healing my heart and the duo are my wolf cousins, you're my rightful mate. And the alpha and the beta are the cousins to the omega and love interest to the rightful alpha now at the moment, Charlie's my best friend for seven years."
"And with that in mind, you're my rightful alpha Wes, I belong to you now." she said and pressed her forehead to his and Beverly hid a smile at the wording. "Derek you better get that temper under control, try and attack her and you're getting arrested now. So calm down, she chose me and that's it." Wesley said after he let her go as he turned to look at him as the duo put themselves on both sides then as Will sighed at that.
"Here we go again, I remember this exact argument when we were discussing this last year before he downloaded the program into the computer. And his theory regarding a rival just hit the table now Captain." Will said and he nodded as he crossed his arms at that as Geordi said it for him. "Geordi, the added side effects of the headset acts like the side effects of the syndrome and he's drunk, but it's back to that again right now."
"But you're looking at a repeater of the riot and altercation in the hallway, just with Pulaski and grandpa here right now. He's suffering the same reaction he did that year, and you said this one too often that you can't make it any clearer then this." Wesley said and they nodded as he said it to him as he turned away from the terminal. "Well now, this is all starting to make sense here now, it's back to that again right now, huh."
"And now that he just said that, I can guess, if you're behaving like this, is if you'd been fully active at the time, you're part of the group or would be part of the group that the captain ejected from the ship last year, correct?" Geordi asked sharply and he looked at him. "What group exactly?" The boy asked and he crossed his arms. "Your buddies that got ejected from the ship Derek, to put this bluntly there were two groups here."
"The half and half members of the ship that preferred intellect and activities that did no damage. And the ones that engaged in dangerous sports that did a lot of damage and had a lot of disdain for us members of the intellectual side of the crew. And it's clear to everyone in the room where you fit in right now and with that. You're a helm jockey and one who's playing dangerous sports in down time at the moment."
"But to answer your question, it's the hotshots that are the reason he ended up in the emergency room in our second year, because they can't take the fact he's that good. If you were dressed in uniform and 25 years old, you'd be with Marks and his clique. The red shirted helm jocks that can handle being around a half Betazoid, a android and a Klingon, but when dealing with a kid who's a jack of all trades, in the medical."
"And the science department, than it's enough we can catch the added behavior and resentment and with that, you just gave yourself away now. And that's when you start resenting the fact he's a prodigy of every science there is. Is that what you are, young man, apart of the group that is just like them, if you're trying to get him out of here." Ensign Nicholas Wells said to him sternly as Wesley decided on going on it then.
"Nick, guys, calm down, I get that you're still furious regarding what happened that year, but with the fact. Now, that I just proved that he'd never pass this test, unless he had someone to partner up with. It's enough that he's not going to make it in training under you in true officer's training, unless he tones it down, but as I'm the team leader, let me take it this now." Wesley said and the engineering team quintet nodded to him softly.
"Captain, Commander, mom, allow me, I'm the leader of the junior crew, so let me deal with one of my subordinates right now." he said and the trio nodded. "Guys get ready in case he loses it right now, you all know that though I'm fully focused. I'm exhausted right now and frankly none of us are in the mood for a temper tantrum right now." he said and the adult crew all nodded as to him as he looked at his rival sternly.
"Alright Ensign, I'm not getting into a debate here with you right now over ranks and not when this scenario isn't over yet as it is. But refusing to comply with a direct order is an act of insubordination and with you being a possible newly started member. And of the junior of the crew and not part of the whole yet either at the moment. But as you're getting insubordinate with me, let me clue you in now regarding this now."
"But I suppose you see everyone on the ship, if they're an officer, dressed in three different colors correct, red, gold and sky blue. And all of them wearing their ranks on the left side of their collars with it. Let alone why Charlie, Robin, Jake and I are dressed in those same uniforms, but with the single pip on our neck collars. Though we're dressed in these grey jumpsuits when in training?" Wesley asked him gently, but firmly.
And Picard exchanged looks with Will at that as they clearly heard the stern tone in his voice that they used to use with him. And when he was 15 at the time and knew he'd taken on their characteristics with him. 'I remember that tone when we started out right now, but his tone is not a teenager reprimanding a troublesome team mate. It's that of a leader, dealing with a subordinate who's acting insubordinate right now at the moment.'
'But I think he went to a training session in departments when everyone, aside from you and me are in two different colors. And he, Jake and Charlie all wear red, but colors and ranks now. But I just named him to a full lieutenant, and he's on the edge of making lieutenant commander if we keep this up. And Derek is a training ensign, so ranks and colors, it's the lecture Wesley didn't need at the time when we started out now."
'He was second generation born Starfleet, his parents are both Starfleet officers and he knew the rules and the department colors and knows what they mean. But he and the trio are all advanced training ensign's entering advanced training now. And Hanson is a recently activated cadet, he's giving him the lecture, he never needed. From us, because we've been training by example these last 4 years.' Picard said to him softly at that.
'Uh oh, yeah I remember that tone and we used it with him repeatedly when he was 15 to 16 at the time during his training at the time. But then back then it was an adult to a teenager, but this time he's using it on a kid his own age. And he's a full lieutenant here on the ship, while Hanson is a training ensign and new recruit.' Will thought back to him at that as he exchanged looked with the quintet at his tone as he said that remark.
As the same thought hit Picard and every adult officer in the room as Worf crossed his arms at his tone. "Here we go, time for an uniform ranking exercise and dressing down in front of me right now, alright Wesley let him have it. You're our star pupil, so time to make that clear, you're my rank now, so let him have it.' he thought as he crossed his arms to listen as the other boy said it with an arrogant tone in his voice then.
"Yes I have, but what's your point exactly in this?" the other boy asked and he explained that to him. "Well to go into that, if you were a true ensign and member of the crew, let alone the four of us. I mean look at the trio and me, we're dressed in red and gold uniforms with the single pip in our tunic collars, to the adult crew we're equals. If you were part of the whole as it were, would you be dressed in these clothes right now?"
"Light grey tunic and jumpsuit with the dark grey shoulder pads, think it over, if you saw my graduation photo I was dressed in the red uniform of a career officer with the single pip in the neck collar of my tunic and this was just months before I left. But as you saw me like that several times, before I left, that's my work uniform. But this one is my exercise uniform and with those words now, look at the duo, or everyone in the room."
"Because everyone in the room is dressed in either red, blue or gold, aside from Counselor Troi as she's the captain's advisor. Charlie is dressed in red, Robin in gold, but they like me, carry the single pip in the collar, indicating we're all junior ensigns. And look at Jake, he's also wearing red with the single pip in his collar, as it is now. The captain just promoted me to Lieutenant, so two pips in the collar, one for the trio."
"And up to three for everyone in the adult aside from the captain, he's wearing four in his collar on his tunic. But look around right now, as you notice that everyone in the adult crew, it's they're all wearing their ranks at the left side of the neck collars. And with up to three pips on it, now look at your uniform, you'll notice the difference between us, we have them in our tunics, your uniform doesn't have them sewn into it yet, not yet."
"You're just dressed in a grey uniform, no insignia on it and just wearing your communicator. And I may be dressed in a different version of those clothes, but it works best with what I had to do today as this is my workout uniform. And when I'm on duty I'm dressed like the captain and commander are. But look around you, they look at us and they see an equal and then, in your case, to everyone in the room here at this time."
"To them you're still just a kid, a kid playing with the big boys in training, to them, the trio and I are an equal. Of rank, experience and a fellow team mate in the ensigns and up to Commander Data's rank, to them we're equals. And we just pulled off something that takes years of experience in the field to do now, to them we're just like them now. But you, you're still a rookie without any experience and with those words in mind now."
"Is that you're not an ensign at all, in fact that uniform was to be used for something else. That uniform you're wearing is not colored to the uniforms they're wearing right now and though I'm not dressed in uniform right now. I am part of the circle they are and with that in mind. If you didn't see me when I returned I was dressed in the full color regalia that a member of the command staff, and pilots was and is wearing."
"That department are dressed in command red and two are part of the senior staff, namely the captain and commander. I'm in officers training and spent four years earning that rank, but then in that time I've been doing this for years. But I'm in training to join command crew, but I'm also a pilot, with a career in engineering. And several sciences, which in this case, explains Shelby, she was command crew, but a scientist as well."
"But my training began here on the enterprise under their watchful supervision and with that in mind. So going into analysis mode now, if you were fully active, you'd be wearing the uniform of a member of the command crew right now. Of the type that Ensign Ro is wearing. Dressed in red, but sitting at the front left conn position, dual layered as a member of the command staff, but she works as a member of the engine crew at times."
"And as that position is you're working at is officers command crew training, your position is pilot at the flight console. But at the moment you haven't earned your rank yet, but with it is the fact that that the lieutenant next to you is a dual layer officer. And as was Commander La Forge, when he started out here on the ship. As to how I know that, it's because he and I were at Farpoint together, and with us was the commander."
"That uniform you're wearing now is for on the job training here on the ship, once you made the conversion after six months and it's obvious to me you haven't yet. In fact you're dressed as someone still in academy training and not part of the whole yet, while I am at the moment. Ensign Leffler is dressed as a member of the engineering staff, I'm dressed as a member of the senior crew staff in command of this ship."
"And she, Charlie and I all went under the command of Commander Data, though he's dressed in gold, he's part of the leadership, and with my mother compromised. We had Dr. Pulaski arrive and she's dressed as a member of the medical/science department in sky blue. So taking all this into account, right now, if you were out of on the job training you'd be dressed as Lieutenants Evans and Hillard are at the current moment."
"Officers training covers areas of every position in the staff of the crew, but you're not carrying the pips of a career officer as if yet. In fact your uniform doesn't even have the pip symbols of a career officer, so therefore you're not yet. So with that in mind, it's being taken to the leadership of this crew, snd with that in mind right now. Captain, Commander, Sirs, which position is he at, acting ensign, or full ensign with him starting."
"Just before I got back?" he asked and Will smiled at his touch at the way he did that. 'Nice touch in a public dressing down, regarding ranks, I never would have gone into analysis mode that quickly. And when I see a new officer arrive and he's showing insubordination. And not when the said rival is still suffering the side effects and possibly drunk right now.' Geordi thought with a slight smile at the way he did that.
As Will and Picard looked at him gently as Worf said it for the seven of them gently. 'Nicely done Wesley, that was very good, and you're correct, he's not one of us yet.' Worf and Picard thought together as they exchanged looks. 'I think he over did the analysis mode in that.' Beverly thought with a mental chuckle and Deanna answered her. 'If it means putting him in his place than best to publicly humiliate him now.'
"And in front of us career officers, the boys and Robin just proved their just like us now and earned the right to dress in their uniforms and their ranks. He hasn't and won't to be honest until he gets over the fact that Wesley humiliated him front of us once. And he's right, in the year since you were gone, it didn't take long when we were working through his training, as things kept up."
"But this was the lecture Will never needed to give him, because Wesley is so good that he's just like Nick when we were their age at the time. But as everyone on the ship is dressed in these colors aside from the officers spouses. And their families and me, as I've got my own dress code as I'm the ship's counselor, it works too at the moment now, because he's getting arrogant.'
'And he's right, that uniform became the on the job training uniform ever since he himself was a training ensign and Derek doesn't even know this right now. He's just started and obviously doesn't understand the way life is on our ship, till he sees him when on duty. And this is just to get the added touch of his JCL position going through him, because with us keeping him home for 18 months."
"He's decided to act like Will when on duty, though he's hurt and he's on light duty, that's not stopping him. And as if that's not enough he sounds like Will in business mode.' she said and Beverly nodded as they crossed their arms at that. "I did say, if there was any just recently activated cadets wandering around the corridors that they were getting jumped for promotion in training and with that in mind right now."
"But I recognize the uniform he's wearing as the one I was dressed in for 18 months, before you promoted me to full?" he asked them and Picard crossed his arms as he got the question. "He's undergoing hands on training and he's an acting ensign right now Wesley, but then your uniform. That I gave you a year, before you left for the academy at the time, and he's below your rank." he said to him and he nodded firmly to that.
"That's what I thought, he's a acting fourth year cadet at the academy, Sir?" Wesley asked him and he nodded to him. "Yes son that's right, he hasn't gained his career uniform color designation yet. His position was supposed to be command crew with a specialty in piloting at the moment, but he's not gained it yet. And at the moment he's stuck in his training phase till he does." Will added to him and he nodded to him gently.
"In other words, he's a basic training ensign, acting fourth year cadet, if that's why Charlie laid into him last night. I get why, and with that, that's why they jumped you Derek, you're not a full ensign at all, you're a training ensign. The four of us are skilled advanced training ensigns, we all grew up on ships. And we've been training for this for years, but you're just a beginner, you're a cadet." Wesley said and he looked at him.
As the boy looked at him in shock at the news, he just gained as he stood up then. "What?!" The other boy said in shock and Wesley crossed his arms as she repeated it to him. "You're an acting fourth year cadet Derek, the rest of us are trained Junior ensigns, Junior ensigns. As in we're in on the job training and just entered advanced training now." Robin said and Wesley finished that remark as he pulled her closer to him
"He's saying that, on this ship, there's not just five or six ranks, there's seven and your rank is training, acting ensign is training ensign. To put this bluntly, is if we were the other three departments in the military, you're a cadet trainee in the Air Force. Or just the Navy, the trio and I are lieutenant second class entering advanced training. Which explains our original trio on board and they got promoted to junior grade at the time."
"But the trio and I, we're Ensigns, which, in the Air Force, is lieutenant second class, and we're all about to get promoted to first class now. I'm a full ensign, therefore I'm in charge Hanson, and with that, I'm working under him. But to answer your question here now, acting ensign is just below full ensign and with that in mind right now. Junior ensign is a training ensign, but we're advanced training ensigns at the moment here."
"To answer your remark here Derek, actually no I'm not, I was promoted to full ensign when I started at the academy, but you're an acting ensign, I'm a full ensign. Here on the enterprise I'm a full ensign and as to why, the captain promoted me to that rank. With you just a few months ago, I see you're just starting training on the ship in on the job training as they get you used to things when in a live environment right now."
"To which I am no longer, I'm a full lieutenant now, the duo junior grade, Jake a full ensign and you're just an training ensign. So therefore I'm in charge, because I'm, if we were the other three branches, a captain, they're first and second degree lieutenants and you're just a cadet, therefore we outrank you and with it now. So this may all seem like a game to you in working your way up the ladder, but it's not, it's a serious business."
"But this is not just working in the arcade now Derek, this is the real thing, Robin, Charlie and I have been doing training in on the job training from the day our parents shipped out. You just got started, and you're still under scrutiny right now and with that in mind. So watch the attitude and do as I say right now, and get to sickbay." he said to him sternly and he sighed as he looked at Will and Picard then in exasperation.
As Will crossed his arms as Wesley turned and looked at him over his shoulder. "Good word for it right now Wes, you're a younger version of me at this age now. And with that, with the subordinates acting like this, never mind acting on being fair. But command tone, than its best to take my tone with the ones that are acting out right now." Will said firmly as he also crossed his arms and posted himself to standing at his side then.
"It's not the subordinates at all dad, it's the mind meld causing this right now and with that in mind. Charlie, relax and focus, I know you're not acting like yourself and with that in mind. Lieutenant could you get the culprit in here for this, it's started a second time, regarding the near broken monitor in the hall by the transporter room." he said and at the guard nodded as at that he watched as Dayton slumped forward in exhaustion.
"Charlie try to stay awake, kiddo." Will said to him quickly as he nearly fell to the floor, as Geordi grabbed him as at that. "Great like you said the alnighter from hell and the four of us are all beyond exhausted right now dad. And this is why none if us are in the mood for a temper tantrum right now, so cool it and get to sickbay, Derek." Wesley said sharply as Geordi sat him down in the second seat next to him gently at that.
"Whoa, alright how many times do we have to do this, before the effects wear off completely, because this is getting ridiculous right now." he said and they sighed in relief at that. "At the moment you and I are running on fumes right now anyway." Wesley said and Will nodded as he answered him. "And with everyone beyond exhausted at the moment a lot, but after debrief and medical check ups, you guys are getting 2 days off."
"To sleep this off and I'm not kidding I catch any of you working and you're going to get it and I mean that Cubs." Will said and the trio nodded to his orders. "Well I'm not going anywhere for a while, but at the moment it's just making sure that syndrome doesn't do more damage than necessary after the bar brawl in ten forward. And I'm not kidding either here at the moment." Wesley said and he nodded in agreement to that remark.
"Breaking the regime results in the same consequences as it does if you were full officers and with that in mind. That's why I chose Charlie, Derek, as I said last year young man: if you want to go somewhere and you want to be somebody. Than you better wake up and pay attention, because the real world is out there, and in the real world. They don't care how good you think are or who you're connected to, it doesn't matter out here."
"If you don't have an education then you don't have a way to make it in life, Charlie and Wesley already proved the point of that remark. And by using everything in their mental Arsenal and they passed this test with flying colors. Such as it is, as I told Marks and his clique, I prefer intellect over athletics, it takes more than muscles to make it in this job. Knowing your team mates works best when you've been together as long as we have."
"And I don't have to hear the words to know what he or trio are thinking, but him most of all. And it's to him, he knows about my medical condition and he's not risking a problem, because you caused me to lose my temper. So again that's another reason he wants you in sickbay right now, especially with the Doctor that did the surgery here on the ship." Picard said to him sternly and he swallowed as he he tried to answer him.
As he tried to figure out what he meant, Will looked at Wesley and practically heard him thinking that. 'And I won't either, Derek I swear to god, you cause him to need a trip to Sickbay because his blood pressure was spiking. You're on stand down till further notice, I'm not risking him having a case of hypertension. And it's because you're ticking him off right now, so stand down right now.' he saw him thinking and hid a smile at that gently.
As he looked at Picard as he said it. "You just said his thoughts out loud Sir, well there's another example to what we're talking about right now. But, 'know your enemy and know yourself, and you will win 100 battles without disaster.'. we've been together so long it's enough he can practically read our minds now. I'd say once we're all fully recovered this is enough it's back to the old machine working in sync once again."
"Though we got five new upgrades to that machine and they and our original piece are now working together so easily that the connections are stronger than ever." he said and Picard nodded smiling. "Yes and like he said, one piece leaves and the rest of the machine starts getting erratic now. Which, in this case, is the literal truth, with him gone we lost our focus and we're back to being a whole crew once again."
"Though once we figure out what's wrong, he's getting that sabbatical and he's recovering up here till he's ready to return to earth and the academy again." he said and Will nodded in agreement. "That's an understatement Commander, and again Derek, don't push it right now. I'm not risking his blood pressure spiking because you're ticked that he jumped over you in favor of Charlie, so stand down." Wesley said to him sternly
"That's what what we mean by know your enemy and you defeat them, as well Derek. You can get inside their heads." Geordi said firmly and he looked at his best friend smiling and he smiled back at him. Just as he was saying it a young woman ran into the room. "Sir the ship's crew are being released from her control one by one at the moment, but the public areas just called off the lockout and the duo that lost it."
"Last night, they're the ones that have finished detoxing from the secondary program, but if anyone else has an outburst Robin said to keep an eye out. And Dr. Pulaski just reported into the sick bay to take charge and Lieutenant Bates sent me to tell you." she said and he nodded. "Alright thank you, I appreciate that, whoever in the engine crew took charge, get them up here now." he said and she nodded as she looked at Wesley.
"Is he okay, because he's asleep on his feet right now at the moment?" She asked and Ro sighed. "Not exactly Jane, but you better put a hold on that right now, we got a bit of a problem, regarding added side effects here so you better wait till we get into sickbay for that." she said and the other ensign sighed. "How bad is it exactly if his crew is surrounding him right now?" Ensign Jane Rogers asked her and Will looked at her.
"Ro, at the current moment he's just drained himself to exhaustion, and the reason is this is what happens if the said physical exertion hits all at once. When in recovery from caffeine, or stimulate, withdrawal and he's just drained both that and the dose he took. And the whatever dose was left in his system of that caffeine he took in before, just quit on him, and here's the result." Dayton said and she nodded to him gently at that.
"I'm worn out, but I'm okay Jane, if you want to talk we can do that after we deal with this, but right now. I've got to deal with my subordinate in his act of breaking orders last night. Despite the fact that Commander Dayton gave him direct ones, as did Lieutenant Porter." Wesley said and she nodded as she looked into his brown eyes and saw the strength in the young man she heard about from Guinan as Will finished that remark.
"We've got the diagnostics, but we have to run them a second time, but we're trying to figure that out Jane. But you'll get the chance to meet him soon enough, but at the moment, we're dealing with trying to do damage control, before we deal with 'her' at the moment. So just be ready for the call out, because there's going to be a minor tactical team meeting in sickbay." Will added and she nodded as she answered him at that.
"It was Miles O'Brien Sir, he's taking charge and they did the rest, but once Wesley got the commander and Lieutenant Worf out of the room, Pulaski arrived. And Data hit them with the cure, before she turned this into a medical situation and they got the cure into the computers." she said and he nodded as Geordi hit his communicator. "Miles you better get up here, we have to talk." he said and the other man quickly answered him.
"Got it Geordi, I'm on my way, be there in ten." he said and they nodded to that. "Ro you better check on the freed members of the crew, see if they're okay or not. Because their going to be exhausted, depending how long we've been infected here. If you run into Kate in the hallway, get her up here, because we need to talk. and with her get Kyle so I can meet them both right now because whatever went on in year two."
"Then I need that from regarding medical records regarding my son and my friends right now, but I need to know just what caused his last case of the flu and when." Beverly said and she nodded to the orders and left the room as she saw Hanson trying to figure this out then. "Added need for the lime light and I'm just quoting Hailey's remark to Sam in the 21st century after she met her at the time, and with them, Shelby's thoughts too."
"But 'The great Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, Wesley Crusher, Wiliam Riker and Charlie Dayton, you think a day goes by in this place where I don't hear your name. You got the highest score in every class I've ever been in, won every award I've ever been up for. They've been comparing me to you since the day I walked in the door, I can never seem to measure up.'." he said and they nodded as Ro crossed her arms at that remark.
"So that's it, what, for the first time they're not automatically the best and brightest at everything they do, well get over it, there are more important things at stake right now." she said and Picard nodded. "Yes and you just said everything the ten of us and the committee of that century are thinking by that attitude, Ro. Until they get over this attitude, they're never going to make it training." he said and she nodded to him gently.
"Acts of jealousy, it just took on a whole new meaning here, because everyone is talking about him. And the fact he just pulled it off, and nearly single handedly, the grapevine is about to start going haywire around here, regarding this Sirs, Doctor. So you better get ready for the repercussions right now, because whoever or whatever the catalyst was that pushed him into this it just got worse." Ro said to them and they nodded to her.
"Jealousy is the understatement the century right now at the moment Ro, if he was 24 years old and dressed in a red uniform. You're looking at the jerk who put me in sickbay when we had Jaan here at the time." Wesley said and the nurse covered her eyes at the remark. "Before you ask I'll tell you later, but you better do as she says, please." Will said and they both looked at Wesley at that as Picard thought it over and said it firmly.
"I bet it's that damn nickname they branded him by and he vented his pain over losing both Jaan and Jack to me after Jaan was killed. But if that's about to start a second time I'm not going to take it well right now." Picard said and she nodded in understanding. "I really don't blame you for that remark Sir. But then, ever since you gave me that chance I changed at the time, I'm happier under your command than anywhere else."
"Though if this is why he's refusing to let go I can sympathize with that opinion at the moment." she said and he chuckled. "That's the problem, once the crew gets to know me they're ready to follow me into the infernal regions. And at the moment he's no exception, let alone you're not either. As to that, he's a younger version of me, his father and Commander Riker at the moment, just as gifted and just as dedicated right now."
"Though that's reason he's gaining these promotions so quickly at this age, he's been training here on the ship and doing everything that the cadets are learning on a real bridge, engine room. And doing it by games in theory rather than in wargames, but that's why everyone of the crew you heard is talking so much about him. But he's been acting on helping where needed and his scores up here are unsurpassed."
"In truth after we had a traveler on board the ship four years ago, I decided to have him training from up here and he's been scoring highly on every test we've given him." he said and she nodded as they needed it at that and she left the room. And as the other boy felt his annoyance and jealousy shoot through him. And at the way they were treating him then as he tried to figure this out then as he looked at the quartet then.