The Bonds Of Friends And Family
Disclaimers: The characters don't belong to me, the story belongs tome and every else belongs to the movie company and the creator.
Warnings: For this Chapter it's showing the added side effects of the mission Wesley and Robin took on as they, Kurland and their friend create a new team. As they're going over things, as the truths of the added side effects of the games start coming forward. They see that the further they dig into and the more sinister that the Ktarians plan becomes as they're discussing things.
The true findings of the side effects make themselves clear to the senior staff crew. As things shift course, as they all realize just what causes their added problems were, while the added side effects make themselves known now as his diagnostics reveal the added damage to his body. And they take charge while the group gets a chance to deepen the bonds now.
As Wesley gets a chance to be with some new friends and having everything he wants now as an adult. As the episodes from here stay the same, Unification gets jumped, as they're dealing with the aftermath of this episode. So it jumps the cliffhanger and goes right to the next episode of the season, before it hits the next few episodes in the season, as things start picking up now for them.
As the situation from this episode starts foreshadowing the rest of the season as they decide to make changes to the next episode focused on him. Before he returns to the academy and they keep him home as he returns to on the job training as the term starts, as he's in recovery for three months and then in month four Sito Jaxa, Kate Higgens and Josh Alberts Joins the young crew as they start training now in that as she gets a glimpse of her possible future now.
Chapter 17: Added Truths And Medical Discussions
"It's clear to me right now dad, that the jealousy is getting worse and that they're afraid if they cross the line in flight training someone is killed, again. And the results are it's getting them, that is Hanson and Locarno, expelled from the academy, Hajar and Derek here with even worse results then expected. As to why that is exactly they basically say they're not coming forward now."
"And they're willing to lie and cheat they're way into staying at the academy at the moment during this. And while Sito and Wes are home for the duration after that as she continues her training. But for the real thing as their trio is in one piece, but if she can get a glimpse of her future. Then she'll graduate at the top of her class and become an officer worthy of working here on the ship."
"And under you, Sirs, but dad you better keep me active for the next 20 months." Lal said and Data nodded to the request at the remark as Wesley finished that remark. "Such as it is, he was jealous that Charlie scored the highest in every class, won every award. And so forth, but Peter was Nick's best friend as the rivalries got worse until the act of all's fair in love and war fell into it." he said and the trio nodded to him.
"Better double check that, I'm keeping you active for a long time, because you're still a member of the junior crew now, Lal. So we're not turning you off you're part of the crew, just in the computer, but still a member of the crew now." Geordi said and they heard a gentle smile in her tone. "I appreciate that Commander La Forge, and dad, just think of it this way, you got me still, but I'm in the system, starting now."
"So though not physically I'm still here right now, I'm just acting as systems control starting now." she said and he nodded as the sextet exchanged bemused smiles at the informal version to her father as Picard answered that remark then. "Sudden switch from father to the more informal term now, starting now, young lady?" Picard said in answer to her remark, bemused and he heard a chuckle as she said it.
"With my being no older then a teenager and around my equals, best to act like them now, Captain, I can just be another member of the squadron. Though I'm in the computer still right now at the moment here, Sir. So just another member of the junior crew starting now." she said and Robin tried to keep from laughing. "Then just watch the attitude or your time out is you're getting turned off and I mean it."
"Start showing us attitude and while they get sent to their rooms, you're getting turned off, so watch the language and your attitude, young lady." Beverly said in response as the adult crew exchanged bemused looks at the news. "We just added another training ensign to the crew and she's not only a computer expert. But the computer itself, alright we got to get this under control." Barnfield said as she started laughing at that news.
"Lal are you kidding me, the way you hear us teenagers we try to keep it censored, so with that in mind, our way was more censored then the 20th to 21st century versions. So stick to ours if you lose your temper or the engineering crew is turning you off for a week. And for getting that crude and insubordinate and when we have kids younger then us listening to the conversation." Wesley said and that did it for the trio as Jake said it.
"Great, by watching us in how we act, she's decided to follow our lead and here's the result right now, but you better watch what you put into wording. And our terms for swearing, don't over do it or it's going to have them turning you off. And that's your timeout for getting to insubordinate with them right now, so watch it Lal." Jake told her laughing and they watched her avatar as she gave them a nod to the orders at that.
"But half my graduating class are a bunch of wild animals and the other not bothering to study and focus, right now, Peter Hanson being one of them and like Derek, he's had that same rivalry with Charlie. But I'm a acting career fleet officer ever since we had the traveler on board this ship and I'm serving on the frontlines ever since then. And dealing with a multitude of scenarios that no cadet could take without a nervous breakdown."
"And if it was real and these guys are trying to get me to relax and act like everyone here. I mean seriously I'm the only Starfleet academy cadet that is wearing a real uniform when I'm at home, and I'm serving under the two best career officers there are. I've dealt with scenarios that are enough to give a rookie nightmares out of P.T.S.D., and then to top it off I'm dealing with, or just dealt with, another foothold incursion."
"Right into Starfleet and they want me to act my age here when I'm on campus. But no, after four years working here on the ship, I'm far more battle hardened. And I'm not letting my career be destroyed, because they want me to just act like a normal college student, if we'd been in that time frame. This keeps up and someone does something so idiotic it can and it will get the team killed, I'm not holding back on you."
"And it's because they're not really my team, you are as are the trio, I'm Gamma squadron, not Nova and Nova are like every other team. The in-crowd, and frankly I just want out of the in-crowd and before it destroys my career." Wesley said and they nodded as Will answered him. "If you were in your first year of college, I'd say that was normal, you're the son of two career officers as well as the godson of two more as well."
"But these kids are a bunch of preppies evidently, using their familial influence to get on to the team. So these kids haven't been through what you have since we met, but that's ridiculous right now. You kids are cadets, you're preparing to go into the fleet, at this age, if you were in college you'd lose your free ride if you got arrested. I knew the weekends tended to get little crazy in training, but hearing this information, now."
"And it's like frequent bar blasts at the dorms till someone starts a riot and the security patrol gets called in. And it's because these things are enough to get you busted by the security anyway. My graduating class was even worse, but hearing yours started repeated riots in the dorms or off campus, it's enough someone's going to be expelled if it keeps up, because I wasn't expecting one to start when you're outside of the campus."
"Because that's enough to get you expelled from the academy if you start a riot in the tavern, when there's a bunch of civilians in the room with you. God what is it with these kids, one drink of the ethanol is more than enough when on duty." Will said to him with a bemused smile at that remark and Picard nodded in agreement to his opinion as he finished that remark, before Geordi went to the next question regarding that.
"Who started it exactly?" Geordi asked and he started laughing as Dayton said it. "My squadron, the character that started it hit the billiard ball right off the table and the shot took out two shot glasses, a pitcher and knocking over a bowl full of pretzels. The guys playing against Walker were drunk, you know the usual thing, the next shot. Double or nothing to win, someone is going for double or nothing, but Walker declined from it."
"But Peter starts taunting him, Jamison tells him don't start, let it go and ignore him and he and the duo get into fight with this guy. And it starts going six on six, till the guys in the corner try to put an end to it, and the players got into a fight with them. Till someone made it worse by throwing the guy that was trying to prevent it into a card table. And it started going crazy in there after that, although Peter got arrested at the time."
"But Gamma high tailed it out of there, before the cops showed up." he said and they nodded as they started laughing. "That's part of the problem here in his, Derek's eyes, his cousin was the one who instigated it, between him, Walker and Taylor. Jamison is lucky though, I was under strict orders by the four of you to stay out trouble. This entire time down there, with just starting when I was 18, and with you being a doctor mom."
"I wasn't crossing the line in health here, letting alone getting into trouble with the cops, knowing what your reaction to that was going to be, before I returned home and filled you in on my progress during leave. Not realizing that or the fact that the reason I'm so well known around here, is because I've got a certain spot. And in every department on the ship and to the point that Peter is never going to pass your training tests either."
"Because, like Colin and Derek he wants the Enterprise, and you, as his captain, but then as you keep saying. And I told this to Peter already after he said this to me, but it's not up to me, it's up to you four, as the commanding officers, the CMO and the Psychologist. And with that in mind right now at the moment, it's the determination to over do it. But Peter contacted Derek regarding this and, like me, he hates Charlie in that same way."
"Because of my, or rather our getting added to the crew, before I even graduated now, to them this was grating on their nerves. And as to why, it's because they think you're on the act of giving special treatment, when, in reality here as well. The acts of our first six months together made an impression on you, and as time went on. It's you decided to give me a chance and our bonds deepened as a results in this case at the moment."
"I'm good, but I don't start flaunting it and neither does Charlie, though Peter and Derek, they were. And though I didn't know Derek's cousin was at the academy, as I was was now working up here in training. And here's the added bad news, but Colin was also Derek's cousin, so hearing that his cousin was being showed up. And by a 16 year old genius prior to when I arrived, as the best and brightest in the academy at the time too."
"And these guys, they are throwing their weight around in this and they blow their chance by getting into trouble with security here. And from there the best and brightest resentment struck a nerve, because my name kept getting dragged up. And it's because our vessel was the most well known and I was serving under you. And he barely blew his chance at doing that, because your regime when under 21 one was pretty clear Sirs."
"Being the best and brightest is clear, but it's not how smart you are, or how good you are, it's by following orders and staying out of trouble. Though in retrospect, the pull I have with all of you isn't that at all and it's by getting to know each other and four years together is enough that we're bonded like family. 4 1/2 years together, our starting point is by just getting to know each other and that makes more an impression here."
"But than trying to show off which is what he's been trying to do, but in your eyes, and case in point was last night's training and and it's like you keep telling him." he said and they nodded as Will said it firmly to the news. "So that's the reason Marks had it out for you this long, he was Derek's cousin. And he was jealous that we spent so much time on you and Jake and not paying any attention to him." Will said with a stern tone at that.
"How did you find out that Peter and Colin were my cousins?" Hanson said and he crossed his arms. "He found that out from me Derek, after he told me a bit of info, I told him that when he and I were together at the academy. And with it that the duo were your cousins and you were screwed, because that's enough to shoot it. Why well it's because as we say, it's not how good you are or who you're connected to, that counts."
"It's your education, we all did this from early teens, and with that, he and I are the same type of officer." Dayton said to him and Wesley said it at that firmly. "Derek the captain has told you this possibly a 100 times since you got into trouble regarding Willie and Jake. But if you want to go somewhere and you want to be somebody you better wake up and pay attention, I didn't get in on showing off, I got in on trust and loyalty."
"It's more the dedication and loyalty than the work or what your abilities do, and they were hoping to impress you, Captain, by showing off and I don't have to do that. Not when just demonstrating our bonds are very clear, and I've done that for four years, but where your thoughts. And qualifiers are concerned drinking or getting into trouble with the law will disqualify if you get caught and that's exactly what happened here."
"And with that they were all hoping to serve under your commands, you being the best in the fleet and the quartet all blew their chances by getting in trouble with the cops, though they graduated it's not enough. But that's part of the problem in his eyes, he, Colin, screwed up his chance slightly by getting in trouble with the cops. But I've got a clean record with you and he's jealous of the pull I have with the entire senior staff."
"As for Peter at the time, he ended up getting arrested by the cops for starting that riot and he was egging on Walker. It's the entire 'want to go double or nothing' 'No I think I'll cut my losses' his exact response to that remark was gloating at him as he answered him. It was enough to cause the tensions to start spiking in there, before the bartender called out and it got worse." he told him and they nodded as Hanson got up at that.
"That's not what happened Crusher!" the other boy snapped at him. "It's not huh, care to tell them what really happened, instead of throwing that jealousy on me, because as I said here. Acts of violence and jealousy are things that they, as the senior staff, don't tolerate whatsoever. I'm just saying everything I heard from MacDougal and Charlie and he was in the room with you and he filled me in." He told him and he stood up at that.
"And what about the altercation, you instigated the fight when we had Sarek here, had it not been for the quintet, and security teams. Those injuries you gave Charlie could have been mine, and it's because you're suffering the need to always be in the lime light because you're jealous. You're jealous that you're always in my shadow, you're jealous that I get attention, simply by not showing off, but by offering ways to help them."
"By using my mental muscles, but to you it's 'leap, before you look' and so on. But it's 'the great Wesley Crusher, or Charlie Dayton, you think a day goes by on this ship where I don't hear your name at least once. You've gotten 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 just never seem to measure up.'."
"Well here it is, so that's the added jealousy huh, what for the first time in your life, you're not automatically the best and brightest at everything you do. Well get over it Derek, there are more important things at stake here. Namely preventing that thing from getting off this ship right now, if you're so jealous. Then why not spend 20 hours doing more than screwing around on the holodeck playing dangerous games at the moment."
"Instead of sabotaging your rival by making up rumors like that, you want to be the best, then you better wake up and pay attention. This is the real world, not earth and up here, it doesn't matter how good you think you are or who you're connected to, it doesn't matter. If you don't have an education, than you don't have anything and that's the truth, and you failed that test last night." he said and they saw him tense up at that.
Watching the other young man from his position then, Will said it with a warning tone in his voice now that he gained the reason for the near altercation on the bridge as he answered him. "So that sums it up in his jealousy, he blew his chance at a clean record with me and the captain. And it's because you've always followed our rules after we decided to give you a ro-test when you were fifteen, before your mother left."
"And you kept yourself out of trouble this entire time, before things changed directions in our bonds and six to seven months together are enough time to change things. That we decided to have you training hands on, which works better anyway and it takes a certain level to know what you're doing. And he barely blows his chance at it and it's also, your name keeps entering the conversation when our vessel keeps coming into it."
"But in my eyes it's not the rank or the know how, it's behavior and attitude here, being the model student. My being the best commander in the fleet, and the captain the most well known, and hearing you're serving under us. And you don't even need to graduate in school is what's grating on their nerves. Because you're the son of the CMO on our vessel and we changed the rules for you leading into when you arrived at the academy."
"Uh huh, well if that's the reason for the provocations on the bridge, the rumors and everything else. Then starting a fight turned altercation can and will disqualify you as well." he said sternly and Picard finished that remark then as he added on to it. "And with those words in mind now, Will and I trained you well, you made us proud boys. But clearly if he's deliberately trying to provoke you into a fight and with that in mind here."
"Young man start something and you're getting it now, you've done enough damage, regarding my students. And you're on thin ice here, you even attempt to start a fight with him you're off this ship and getting transferred to the academy A.S.A.P., because I will not tolerate fights over acts of jealousy. I'm not having this turned into an altercation and not in Sickbay, stand down now!" Picard said with a sharp warning tone in his voice.
Looking at the 19 year old sternly the rehab doctor said it with a firm warning tone. "He's clean of the programming anyway, young man you can leave the room, but I'm warning you. If we find out you were drunk and you got arrested in ten forward in there again this time. For starting a fight or another riot, you lose your commission on board the enterprise." Anenzi said to him sternly and he stalked out of the room as they sighed.
"Every person on campus my age and younger are never letting him live that down, after I spread it around on campus. That he got arrested by the security patrols for getting caught about the rumors and speedballing at the time here. Everyone, once they heard I arrived. They will let him know he just got showed up by a first year cadet, yet again and he's been getting more and more reckless and volatile ever since, Doctor."
"So if anyone loses it in ten forward, if they're drunk he's going to, and it's because he's got a chip on his shoulder regarding me. Although if this results in what happened last month, and it's going to be me this time. But that situation at the tavern, no one was and is letting their squadron live that down since they graduated, especially when those of with parents in the fleet take it seriously." he said and they nodded to that, amused.
"For gods sakes these kids need to get their tendencies under control, before they take on someone twice their size if they're drunk." Greyson said as he started laughing at that. "High school is one thing and you're getting arrested for a domestic disturbance, but starting a riot is ten times that and with that. If they're not careful they're going to be banned from that tavern if that keeps up." Bates said in answer to that laughing.
"Yeah I would say that would get them expelled alright and like I said, one glass is more than enough in the ethanol, just to prevent an altercation from breaking out, let alone a riot, but that's ridiculous." Will said through his laughter. "Yeah well at the moment, if we switch lives, it's Peter that gets it this time, Derek is suffering a repeater here. But you're looking at the trouble up here ending up down there when he gets started later."
"Because you know me and Charlie well enough we'd never cross that like at the moment." he said and they nodded as Picard answered him. "Did the cops come to the academy when that happened?" he asked and Wesley nodded and he sighed in aggravation at that as he answered him. "I'm lucky you weren't with them or you'd be in big trouble for getting yourself in trouble with the law young man and with that."
"I'm just saying this now, but that happens again and I'm sure Brand is expelling the half that are screwing around way too much. If they started a bar brawl at the tavern just up the road from the academy, because that's enough to get them expelled if it happens a second time." he said in bemusement and he nodded to that. "But like I said, that Brain Trust stuff was because they think you're acting on special treatment here Sir."
"I can't help, or we can't, that we're that good and all of you know that, as for Jaan, losing Tasha was one thing, and then five months worth of this attitude. It's I reached the point to where their jibes had struck a nerve in me. After the conn, I switched places with that day started showing resentment. I was getting sick of that attitude at the time and Jaan was the final straw back then." he told him and he nodded in understanding.
"These guys need to get their attitudes under control here, before this results in you over doing it, yet again. But with you recovering from this, you're off the bridge for a week, but I want you under adult supervision in case this gets worse." he said and Wesley nodded as he went further then as he looked at him gently. "But they haven't had to risk destroying their entire lives just to insure that that thing never gets off the ship."
"Nor did they nearly drain themselves completely while doing it, while, going against your closest friends. And with that, I really don't give a damn that think I'm favoring you or not. And it's because in reality our bonds are because I'm your father's best friend and your parents and I've known each other 25 years. The acts of working under pressure, showing that much commitment on the job, that's what I look for in applicants."
"Along with that is loyalty, showing the dedication of a true officer, and acting on doing the right thing, no matter how much it hurts later. You passed that exam and it's earned you the rank of Lieutenant now in the service on the ship, and that's full lieutenant as well. Because you pulled off the impossible that no cadet, if they hadn't lived on board a ship, could ever manage by themselves, though with the fact you four did."
"That just makes my training lesson clear to these young hotshots at the moment after you proved my point. And this is because you've seen every thing up close and personal in the job." he said to him gently and he nodded to him. "Though it's been 11 months to a year, she's thinking of letting me graduate by next summer Sir, though if there's trouble in the squadron it's a no choice needed, I'm not risking my career here at all."
"Not for them, if it's a choice between you or them, I choose you, I don't care if I let the trio down, when I'm not even a member of Nova. I'm Gamma squadron and I'm a Starfleet officer, so you want the truth, I'll give it to you. But you're my future position Sir, and I know that when choice comes up its one that needs to be worked out. But no choice if Nick crosses the line, it's a no choice needed, they're getting turned in here."
"Trust me though, that's why I was relieved to be back on duty, because this way I'm acting as I'm supposed to here, whatever the future has in store. If this isn't over yet, I'm deflecting it by making sure we never reach the planet it starts with, but I made my choice, I'm not giving this up. So if the squadron pushes me into it, I'm just turning them over to you and being free in knowing that though I failed them, at the time."
"It doesn't matter so long as I never failed you, and my mother, you mean more to me, I'm not losing your trust, just so they can get off on a reprimand. As it is, us Gamma are Starfleet born cadets, we know the rules, we have a duty to the truth. And though they may ask that question." he said and the trio exchanged smiles as Dayton finished that. "There is no duty to your friends if they're trying to get you to be dishonest here."
"And lie to a superior officer, but a lie of ommission, is still a lie and we will not lie, we have a duty to the truth, be it scientific, ethical, or responsible. We will not lie, and if it means choosing between them or you, it's a no choice needed now." he said as Wesley ended it with the next remark. "And I will not lie, why exactly well, it's because I'm not really a cadet, but an ensign back on my ship and back under your command again."
"You're my captain and I'm back under your command once again and the bonds are just much stronger with the fact I was home for 18 months at the time. But these guys just don't understand that, I've been serving under the best on a real starship and doing things they've only done in simulation. To them, they think I should act my age and not a career officer, but their opinions don't matter to me whatsoever, yours do though."
"As to that, just getting away from the rookies is enough of a relief when I've been serving on the frontline for the better part of three years now. As if that's not enough, after five months hanging around these guys. Once Admiral Brand told me I could sign myself up for a vacation, I immediately took it just so I could get away from the trio. and get back back to work up here, just so I could get back to business up here now."
"And it's a good thing I did or I don't doubt that Titan would've converted the entire planet by now." he told him and he nodded as he hid a smile at the remark as Will smiled at that as Beverly looked at the duo bemused. "And I thought our graduating classes were bad Jean Luc when we were they're age, because thats beyond ridiculous." Beverly said with a slight chuckle and he nodded in agreement to that and Wesley smiled at her.
"So why are you saying that mom?" Wesley asked and she chuckled. "I'll tell you later, but it's a 25 to 44 year time difference in timelines and that's one area that landed Captain Kirk at fleet, because he got arrested for starting a bar brawl. And Captain Pike had to head it off when the guys that started it beat the crap out of him back then, when he was Locarno's age." she told him and he nodded as he started laughing at that.
"Well that's a piece of his history I wasn't expecting, so our predecessor was a troublemaker back in his prime. But a constant party animal, before he became a full captain, I didn't see that coming in his record." He said and Robin nodded in agreement. "Alright so his career started off as a troublemaker, he was a Starfleet cadet like Nick and he became the best known captain in Starfleet as a result in his prime, nice twist."
"And our crew is right behind them as we're the enterprise winding up with repeated problems when on the job. Alright so his ship was the original enterprise and we're the fourth model. Was that why Admiral McCoy came to check the ship out on at your start?" Robin asked and they nodded as Picard explained that to her. "Yes, he and his crew were now admirals, but our version was the one he wanted inspect, before we shipped out."
"And ever since the middle of year one, our track record is just as unorthodox as theirs is. As to why it's because we wind up in a lot of scenarios that are as close to ridiculous and insane as you can get. Having to chase down an escaped soldier is one thing, let alone having our ship hijacked repeatedly, our holodeck going crazy and we've had a bunch of scenarios here that are enough to drive you crazy if you're just getting started."
"Such as having the equipment going crazy, love triangles, getting launched a few light years into unknown space and couple dozen other things. All in all, our track record is as crazy as Kirk and his crew is and was. But this week's situation just demonstrated that you let your guard down too soon and you're going to have an unexpected surprise thrown at you." Picard told her and she nodded as Wesley switched subjects then.
"And whoever in Starfleet is the intended mole. The said person knows what type of bond I have with you guys, Sir. It's not that puppet master notion like they pulled, before we ran into the Romulans, it's personal now, because if this was a conspiracy it's pointed directly at our ship. And its meant to destroy the prime directive, and start a war between us, though we dealt with one such as this, regarding the Stargazer."
"Though I ended their plans, if they're trying to get to you by using me, it's by forcing several of that year's situations on you all at once and wait till the right minute to hit the start button. But if they're trying to start something it's by going on that three way war decision thing, rebellion, retaliation and retribution. And I just deflected the first and with that in mind." Wesley said and Will's tone went firm at that as he answered him.
"They're going for rebellion next and trying to start something between us next. You deflected their plans and now they're trying to get to us by using you to do it now." Will said and she finished that. "For Jean Luc it started with dizzy spells and sleep deprivation, because he kept having dreams about that battle against the Daimon's son. So if this keeps up its heading toward incapacitating migraine headaches next."
"And you don't get those and with it is the fact that, up,until now I never saw you taking in that much caffeine before. But if there's a connection between the caffeine level and that game, then we better figure it out, because it's like to cause a blackout. And before we deactivate the link between you and Jean Luc, honey, but one of these spasms in the shaft." Beverly said to the trio and they nodded in agreement to that remark.
"And that's the last thing we need right now, if one hits in the middle of another emergency and you get hit in the middle of training on the holodeck, like what happened earlier or suddenly right there in the hallway." Worf said sharply and he nodded in agreement. "Alright let's see here, when he got infected himself, he and the ones that did get infected were trying infect the the president and they killed the ones that did."
"Before they arrested him next, and that chase was going through the upper levels of the building till he jumped right over the railing of the third story over hang and when he did, he blew the landing and they sedated him, before he took a shot at his best friend and he passed out. As they went to questioning that disgusting slug, though they never arrested his counterpart." Barnfield said and covered her eyes at that as he sighed.
"Anyone consider we still have a parasite on board this ship right now, let alone just as we're ending the foothold on the bridge. And that MacGregor suddenly walks into the room when I'm surrounded by the six of you. During our explaining to the conn officers and you have to tell him to leave the room, before I can relax completely." he asked and Worf nodded. "Now that you're mentioning that now, that does seem odd right now."
"If he's the other host running loose on the ship, than its..., first me and then possibly Magregor now. The parasite jumped hosts after the agent got arrested in that story, I'm clean now, so who's the second one exactly?" Will asked and he shrugged. "I'm not sure, but that's why I was resisting capture that long, because I wasn't getting turned into the next host Sir." he said and Robin looked at him at that remark as he went further.
"But that's what the added programming I created was meant for, to tell us who the plant is, and she, Charlie and I have another idea in order to incorporate it into the computer. But if MacGregor is the said plant and with who knows how many people suffering the secondary, we can't tell you just. So for now we wait until the secondary programming gives out.. he said and the group nodded in understanding to that,
"Anybody feeling like they just got out of the shower after having a hotflash here?" Robin asked and they all nodded to her. "Your body temperatures are coming back down, so whoever is still suffering the side effects are going to be the reddish orange dot and whoever isn't is going to be the greenish yellow. So with that in mind, keeping everyone in their positions, class, jobs and out of the hallways is your only chance."
"To find the infected host of in my case, if that programming activates, separating me and the search parties from everyone else on the ship and locking down decks 1-9 to corral the person that is the secondary host or of the newly infected one one. And focusing on the victim's life signs, that's your only chance to keep them from getting off the ship. Letting alone using what you learned, both from me and dealing with Roga."
"But if whatever programming she downloaded into the one she used on me causes me to black out is possibly going to trigger what we talked about. Up on the bridge last year as well, and causing my training for this situation to start going berserk." He added and they nodded. "That happens and it ends up back in the shaft and nothing is saving the plant when we find him." Will said as Picard looked at his CMO new CMO to go into it.
"If we had to do that, then it's making sure whoever has a nervous reaction to this thing is getting caught is what I'm worried about right now, because they did or they're trying to get their's back on and it's arresting them and destroying the damn thing." Picard said and the two medical doctors nodded in agreement to that remark. "Yes and with that if we're all clean now, act one just ended, so it's going to acts two, three and four now."
"And that's what you got to worry about now, as to why I'm saying that, it's because the nervous reaction is going to be either an over exposure to the ethanol over drugs in violence mode. But the host itself, this is going to take six to seven people to take down, because their team mate tried escaping with their computer Intel. And everything else to get it back to the hive, while the second beat the crap out of the narrator."
"Before he got turned into a host himself, and that's the dangerous part, because their portion of the government was the protection of the president. The only chance we have of making sure that the leech never gets off the ship is by quarantining ourselves, no one in or out now. And not until we get out of warp and arrive at 67 do we release the tractor beam, but nobody's going anywhere." Robin said and quartet nodded in agreement.
"Good point with me and Kate just arriving we're the members of the crew until we get to 67 and then I'm heading back to earth after that. But until the situation is over we're not going anywhere at the moment." Kyle said and they nodded. "Sir we recommend going to medical security alert/condition three, and high security alert condition yellow, borderline orange, because with a possible secondary host on board."
"We have Lal controlling the computer until we find our plant on board the ship with all of you free of the conditioning. So this way he doesn't doesn't which terminal I put the chip to have her now self aware into. Nor does he, whoever he is realizes that I have a final ace up my sleeve we can talk about tomorrow here. But this way, until we reach Starbase 67 and get out prisoners off the ship, this covers all the loose ends now."
"And it's enough that damage control is needed and preventing it from getting off the ship now is the goal. Including our secondary host escaping with his queen, or they're trying to get the chosen target next. Though if this attack hits after we've been at the Starbase for over a week and getting repairs done and I'm the target." Wesley said and Picard nodded to him as the rehab Doctor answered him as he crossed his arms.
"And that's not if your headset had an added function to it, son, but if those pills are part of it, just what the hell is the added programming and what and when is the damn timer set for exactly anyway?" Anenzi said and he sighed. "I'm not entirely sure, but if it's in the next few days and I suddenly get hit by the same jolt as the captain, Doctor. Than there's your answer, though with you putting me on a sabbatical from the academy."
"That's the next problem by having it trying to get me off the ship by shuttle next, though if this has any further side effects and those pills are part the programming. Than it's over riding higher reasoning at this till it gets me off the ship and headed with the headset and for the Endeavor or back to earth. But if we have any nervous reactions regarding these things, expect trouble, because it's part of her ploy to throw you off."
"As she has me finish off your instructions when you were still compromised." he told him and they nodded as Robin pulled him closer to her. "We have to move that headset into the science lab. If we get trouble tonight, but either they're all neutral or the victim created another one. And it's we're looking at repeated fights breaking out, before we get to Starbase 67." Will said to him and he nodded to him agreement to that.
"There's no getting off the ship when in warp speed, because we're in hyperspace, so that knocks out use of the transporters and the shuttle base. But..." he started to say and smiled. "Ensign Jenkins, pull us over there's two last things I have to add to the programming right now. With the fact we got her and her crew in a detention cell, and I'll tell what I have in mind in a closed session in the lounge later, Sirs."
"I'm reprogramming her system computer to act on autopilot till we get to 67, and the added notion now or what that's going to do. Is, if she tries to use me to use he ship to get it out, the added failsafes to it is going to have Lal move her A.I. to her ship just to prevent the ktarian's plan from getting off either our ship or hers. Before you ask Sir, the tractor beam left on for an extended amount of time, if we keep it up like this."
"And..." he said and Picard nodded as he got it. "That's going to blow it out or we have to stop, so best to put in the autopilot so we can get it up there and with it now. Whatever you have in mind regarding the added security arrangement go ahead. Because until the situation is completely finished no ones going anywhere at the moment. And best to go to open confinement now, yes I see what you're saying and you're right."
"We can't have her escaping custody now, with repeated fights breaking out around the ship and with that in mind right now at the moment. What's this secondary programming if we now have to keep you four protected now exactly?" he asked and Wesley sighed as he answered him. "The secondary programming is meant to get the game back on the former drones and turn me and Charlie into one, so we can finish the orders."
"That she gave you, but if it doesn't work, then whatever back up plan she has is possibly connected to why I'm this worn down at the moment. Though if that's her plan, or their combined plan, then my only option, or rather ours, the trio and me, now. Is to put a failsafes into the computer with the fact you gave orders to Lal, and as did I. Depending on how long it takes for this situation to hit that point, I don't know."
"But if I have to guess with her trying to get her hands on me last night and this morning, as you prevented a war between us and the Klingons. Then if her drones back up programming doesn't work, then whatever's in these pill will. Because if I suddenly have a black out and combined with it is my suddenly coming down with something. Then our conversation over this, regarding my training for this, has gone berserk."
"And between both together, you don't have a choice, but to drain my strength, and if it ends up back in the extension shaft. I'm not going anywhere anyway, because it's going to do the amount of damage we already discussed regarding it." he said and they nodded. "That happens and the plant if he gets involved is ending up in here himself, before we throw him in a detention cell for nearly killing you that way and with that."
"Though depending on added problems now I'm looking at possible repeated altercations breaking out in the hallways or ten forward, if they combine it with the ethanol as a result of that thing." he said in exasperation then as he finished that. "If that's her next intention here, it's making sure you never get off the ship Wes. But with looking like you're coming down with something and the fact you turned those pills over to them."
"If there's anymore to this, its landing you in here if your system crashes while this is happening." Robin said as she stood up and he looked at her. "Yeah and guess what position you're playing exactly, with the fact I'm the title character and you, Charlie, Data and I did it together. Just to end this and now the mission switched courses, they're back to normal?" he asked and she nodded as her eyes narrowed in anger.
"And we don't know where that thing is hiding now or where the heck this leading, till we do a strip search or just question the person involved in this. I get it, his team mate and who later became his girlfriend, I'm her. Data the scientist and the duo both sides of his father, while Charlie happens to be his best friend. And that sums it up, you just barely missed getting turned into in the first round, at the moment here."
"If she can't get it on you in the next and Ira going to be the third round and if that's her intention by getting these to Starfleet academy it's not happening, I'm not losing you." she said with a dangerous growl then and he sighed as he said it. "I'm just going on speculation Robin, because we've had to theorize more than once, before these situations get started, but if I'm right and that's the entire intention right now."
"And they kept driving up the intensity every few hours, that happens again..." he said and they nodded in agreement to that as Will finished that. "And you get turned into the title character and the one we have to arrest by non lethal means as well too. Yeah we get it, alright subject change right now, if those dizzy spells get any worse and you're in training here on the ship, but until you're leg is completely healed you're on light duty.
But if this gets any worse and the added drug effects of that are over riding your higher reasoning and keeping you from getting the rest you need here. And if you're the intended target and suffer a jolt in the middle of training it's going to do a lot of damage, though considering you nearly gave us a heart attack. It's enough this happens again and if Q shows up in the middle of it and I'm really going to be ticked at that."
Because it's been one too many close calls in the side of four years and having your head messed with is enough of a concern. And one none of us are risking or letting them get away with here either. And you guys are on stand down for two days, with the fact you're asleep on your feet, you need to rest boys." Will said sharply and she nodded in agreement to that, but just as she was answering, Wesley got up and nearly fell forward.
"Honey!" she said and Worf caught him. "God, Wes what is it?" Beverly asked and he sighed. "I think the blow did more damage then we expected like he said." he said as Worf helped him back onto the bio-bed then. "That's more then just a near dislocated joint, I think I tore something in the landing." he said and she nodded as she answered him. "How hard did you land on it exactly?" she asked and he sighed as he said it.
"I didn't crouch in the landing, and I was going to fast to even have time to, but that might have to do with it at the moment right now." he told her and she nodded, as she hid a sigh at that. "Either that or the sleep deprivation side effects are kicking in right now." Geordi said sharply as she looked at him sternly as she said it. 'For crying out loud, my cub is dealing with enough the last few days and he's exhausted right now.'
'Alright I'd better act like I always did when he was training on the holodeck and over did it.' she said to herself as she answered him. "Alright you better take a break and get off that ankle and I'm not kidding honey, you're beyond exhausted, so get some rest." she said and he nodded to her gently. "Lal reactivate the site to site, he can't walk on that leg or he's just going to make it worse right now." Jenson snapped and in answer to that.
There was a flash as he left the room to head for their quarters. "You think he's going to listen at this rate?" Deanna asked her softly and she chuckled. "I'll go check on him, but just making sure he's not trying anything else is my concern. I'll stay with him until one of you goes to check on him, mom." Robin said and she nodded. "At the rate this is going I think it started a second time in the case of the knack." Pulaski said to her gently then.
"He's got Jack's stubbornness, but if that tells me anything, he's taking one night off and is back on the job tomorrow in the engine room." she said to her and she nodded as Geordi sighed. "For gods sakes, I knew he was determined, but where possible injuries are concerned it doesn't pay to keep aggravating it when you're beyond exhausted. And not when two members of the team you spend the most time around are watching you."
"Though he tries that tomorrow and I'm having him at the computer by the converter so he's staying off that ankle." he said and she nodded. "Don't worry Commander, he and I are working together to deal with those headsets. To check for further side effects after what just happened, but he suffers another dizzy spell, I'm letting both of you know." Robin said and they both nodded to her. "Thank you Robin, we appreciate that."
"How close are you guys getting exactly?" she asked and Robin blushed and they chuckled. "It's getting close, huh?" Beverly asked her and she nodded. "Yes mam, I like him a lot, but if this is the beginning of our relationship, I'm not letting go now." she said and the trio nodded smiling at that. Listening to their conversation, Picard and Will exchanged smiles at that as he went to check the hall and saw him heading to the turbo lift then and nodded as he thought it over then as she left the room as well.
Watching Robin leave the room as well, Will sighed. 'Kiddo, I'm not taking anymore scares regarding you, if I have to act like I'm really your father. Than I'm going to do it, I just got you back for the next 18 months, I love you like a son, I'm not letting go.' he thought to Wesley softly. Remembering their four years together he remembered the trust, love and admiration in his eyes when he watched him and the trio when on duty.
How the four of them were together, the training and the time they spent together and he sighed. 'Dang it, why'd I even bother letting him leave, he was already earning the added credits of working in the field at the time. Before he left for the academy, hands on training works better than doing it by simulation. In simulation you never learn things on the fly, being in the real world is the catch now and that's what he's been learning."
'Four years, if this is what a father feels regarding their son when he's about to leave the nest, I know how he feels now. I love that boy like he's my son, I'm not losing him and not to some parasite now, or to his guilt.' he thought to himself then as he looked at the sextet. "We better keep an eye on this, let alone those two, because if that jolt is just the beginning, I doubt this is over yet." he said and the duo nodded in agreement.
"Between him and Robin together, I think it just got worse, she was next to last and with both of them, and it's he's the one who's running on fumes just to stay awake right now. Though if that tells me anything it says he's not letting himself rest till he knows for sure that the programming Etana put on us, doesn't make a come back right now." Beverly said and he nodded in agreement to that as Geordi looked at her at that.
"Great, if he has another one its when I'm on watch when we're in the engine room. But Robin is the one likely to catch it before I do. Hearing her tone get overly protective and possessive with him is enough to tell us she's in love with him now." Geordi said to her. "At this age, I'm not surprised, if we were back 370 years back home, the kids would be acting like normal teenagers and they'd be on their two month anniversary."
"Though if this results in them falling for each other completely it's enough that, if he's the one who suffers any problems, that their relationship is going past couple and bordering on soulmate." she said in answer to that and Picard hid a smile at that as he answered her. "How old is Ensign Lefler if they connected that quick, exactly?" Picard asked and he smiled as he said it to him with a chuckle then.
"She's also just graduated from the academy Sir, so I think he found his future love interest. But if that says anything now to us, she's going to be acting like his girlfriend if this situation changes directions now. At the moment if that tells me anything, best to keep an eye on those two, in case of trouble and with that in mind, tomorrow." he said and turned to the engineer across the room from them.
"Dave follow him, if that happens again, I want to know about it." Geordi said and the engineer nodded to his orders and went with him as Picard exchanged looks with Will then. "Strained, somethings off about that remark here. Because whatever angle he landed at had to have been serious, but that injury shouldn't have him looking like he's coming down with something." Beverly said and they nodded as Picard took over.
"Indeed, something is very wrong here, because he was looking fine when he arrived, but if having to deal with her now is what is causing him to get this weak and I'm really going to be furious. You remember your reaction to the Ferengi messing with me, Beverly, because I was in that exact same condition and the diamond only made it worse. But if he's suffering something close to it, they finally ticked me off, if they did anything else regarding this." he said and she looked at him then as she said it.
"I knew you've grown close, but I wasn't expecting you to react like this now Jean Luc." she said and he nodded as he answered her. "Things changed, one year together with you gone, our bond deepened so much I see him as a son now. Aside from that I know what he wants regarding future duty stations and it's to be placed under my command, I'm the only one of the six of us who had a connection to both of you."
"Because I've known you longest and Jack was my first officer on the Stargazer and with that in mind here. If things change further, between us, I'm likely to become his stepfather next and these criminals are not going to want to mess with me now las a result. Because they touch him, I'm killing them myself next." he said and she nodded, bemused at that remark, because she knew he was right and that they had grown close.
"Number one, what was that thud I heard exactly, because those tunnels amplify the added noise of what goes on in there. You said if he landed himself in the E.R., you were going to blast her, why is that exactly, because the way you said it caught my attention and I've never heard you like that before either. So what is wrong exactly if you were trying to support him and were holding him that close to you."
"Because your face and expression, I've never seen you like that before. Your tone was more than savage, but bordering on overly protective father hell bent on destroying the person that hurt your cub, what happened if you're this furious at her?" Picard asked him and he sighed as he waved Data and Deanna over to them. "That remark on strain, is off, way off, as to how I know that, it's because it's not a strained muscle at all."
"Let alone the muscle weakness, but what Damian told you is the exact case right now, as to how and why exactly. He barely missed breaking it when we were in the main entrance into the Jeffrie tubes and as to how exactly, he took a 25 to 35 foot drop, feet first, down the access shaft, and he was limping when he got up. He also tried climbing back up the tube when we ran him into that ambush in there earlier at the time.
"But the thud you heard was him landing on the tunnel floor, from 25 feet above it. I was in the tunnel and I realized it then and we caught him, before he could get up there. The landing was way off and he rolled his ankle in the blow, I didn't have to hear the shout of pain to know what he was feeling. As to why, because he was standing right in front of the shaft I was in as I saw him flinching when he was walking in there."
"But I wasn't risking him climbing back up that access hatch, not when his hands were slipping off the bars, Sir." he said and they looked at him in shock as Beverly answered him. "The access hatch directly into the Jeffrie tubes, that's a 40 to 45 foot drop directly into the corridor of that tunnel. If he let go from the 10th or 15th rung, that could have caused him to break something in the landing in there if he tries it again."
"But muscle weakness and letting go from that level is enough to do permanent damage right now." Beverly said in shock as Picard finished that remark as he went into leader mode then. "No he let go from deck 3 section 23 and dropped the rest of the way into it. But that explains the landing at the moment." Will told her and she nodded in shocked disbelief as Geordi said it for her amazement at that remark.
"Deck 3, section 23, that's four levels and that's 15 feet." he said in shock as she finished. "That's 60 feet in the drop, I can't believe it, whatever he was thinking must have been enough, if she was determined to get to him last of all. Because I never thought he'd try something that reckless just to evade capture. Stage acting maybe, but that's still going way too far!" Greyson said in shock and she nodded in agreement.
"You've been training him, since we met and when it came to the holodeck, it was no higher than two floors off the ground. And not after repeated bumps and bruises leading into when Beverly returned. If I didn't know any better, I'd say the knack was still affecting him right now, if he just barely broke or dislocated that ankle in the landing." Deanna said in shocked disbelief and Beverly and Picard nodded in agreement.
"I know and that's why I was ticked at her, she basically caused him to nearly dislocate his ankle in the landing, but the fact he had another spasm. And when it in the vertical shaft, that's what pisses me off, I mean what if he lost his grip. When he's 20 to 30 feet above the shaft airlock and landed directly on top of it. It could knock him unconscious, or worse right now." he said with a low tone and they all nodded angrily at the news.
"Yes and I agree with you, if he's trying to scare us into a heart attack he's going about it the right way right now, but that's going too far and I'm 62 years old. He keeps this up and I'm not making it to 70 at this rate he needs to get this under control right now." Picard said and he nodded. "The last spasm ended up on the floor of the shaft, but he just barely had a secondary one when I caught sight of him in the hall earlier."
"But the last of his strength was giving, before it ended up back in transporter room IV, and we ended it there. But if hits again and causes him to black out, it's going to be the added of act of once it ends up back if the shaft. If it ends up back in the shaft, it's four to five on one as we drain the last dose as he wears himself out. But if he has another spasm we're going to have to keep him restrained." he said in a low tone to the eight.