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.
Chapter 35: First Duty Aftermath And Reporting To the Council
"If that's what happened I'm letting it go, but with the fact that this was possibly a border dispute between federation citizens and possibly the Cardassians. The only option is this traveler ended up on that planet if he's trying to lead you astray now. I'm asking for one of the other captains to deal with this and we go to another planet. Because I'm not losing you, not after everything we been through." he said to him gently at that.
"We just changed the course of history by seeing what that 11 months and the effects of this connection between us was doing to you. Aside from that I haven't seen you looking like this since we had Devin on board the ship at the time 3 years ago. And with that in mind, just to prevent his plans from playing out and I don't care either. At the moment, regarding these children's request to have you return to the academy at the moment."
"Or what your squadron says, when at home you're under another superior officers command. At the academy I suggested Deladier to supervise your small craft piloting, but here you're under mine. So I'm keeping you home to recover for 3 years and training for another 2 1/2 year on the enterprise. I maybe a captain, but I'm also a friend of the family that's needed more then the command card, but medical and parental now."
"But we alter this portion of the show and though the episodes play out, it's taking a sabbatical or two just to prevent his plans from going through. But this is medical leave, the next one is probation and you're back in training on the ship. And the last is a sabbatical and we stage act that one, because once Haden finds out. Now that her plans are involving a clear case of trouble in relocation, it's either we do a deal with the clan."
"Or they request to leave the federation, but either way, it's a win/lose scenario now by that point. But whoever gave that order, is clearly asking to destroy your career here, but sometimes to do the right thing, you have to go against the whole. Which was the next test in this case, if Jackson's former commanding officer was given the same orders. Said ill conceived orders I was, and they risked a court martial to protect the planet."
"Or, in your case prevent a shoot out, so sometimes you follow orders, others you have to break them if they're wrong. That's the point of this next test after that, but if need be and you need a sabbatical for a few weeks I'll accept that. Just to keep from losing you, especially if you're suffering graduating anxiety by that time. Though that happens it's making sure whoever caused it is staying out of our personal business here."
"But it's time to work through that by you taking a few months off and finishing it out here on the ship by that. Though if Robin really becomes pregnant, that's enough to head off his plans and with whatever he has planned here." he added and Wesley nodded to him. "Yes Sir, and I know that, but that could be the problem, but I'm not washing out of the academy here, I don't care what the squadron says, I had a job to do here."
"Not going to happen Sir, I need these 18 months back up here with you and the next 18 as well. It's my only chance at preventing my bonds with the seven of you from being destroyed, Sir. I've never let you or mom down before and I'm not about to start now and with that in mind, these last seven months. I can't take losing something else I care about, and not for people that are not my friends and with that in mind right now."
"Choose between you and them, no choice needed, I choose you and I'm turning them in so its on their heads and they better get used to that. Because with the fact we changed this moment in time, there's no chance they're destroying my career. Not when I'm this loyal to you, but I have a duty to the truth, to you, to my squad. I will not lie to save this team." he said and Picard hid a smile at the declaration at that as he looked at her.
"So sorry Sito, but you're on your own right now, I have to think about my family, and I'm not letting you drag me into a debate over this. You're part of Nova squadron on the ship, I'm part of Gamma, you're my rivals now, you and Derek. So no use fighting me here regarding this." Wesley said and they nodded. "You're right, regarding that piece though, never allow your emotions to get in the way of what needs to be done now."
"I don't blame you for hating him, you're angry and that's fine, but don't let that control and keeping you from doing the right thing. But that's the final emotional setback in our eyes and their paying the consequences when I get through with them later. You've been my patient since you were 15, starting with Aldea, and then Devin's murder. Tasha, Jack and now this and your resentment over being singled out, it's a ticking time bomb."
"And one that's waiting to go off and we have defuse before you make your injuries worse by taking it out in an intense workout. And one serious enough to rebreak the bones we just healed that weekend." Deanna said gently at that and Wesley looked at her as she gave him a hug and he hugged her back. Rembering what they were like their second year together he tightened his arms around her, as he said it then.
"Well seven to eight months with Dr. Pulaski back, I've got the best parts of the first two years after my training now. But they're out of luck when the others learn just who I turned into later." He said as they watched Picard's double get into conversation with her. "Are you a certified pilot Ensign?" he asked her and she nodded. "Yes Sir." she said as she followed him into the room as he sat down at his desk and leaned back at that.
"Alright Lal a redirect in this episode, Wesley just finished his time at the academy and is now wearing his command Red's and he's my assistant." Picard said and he looked at him. "Assistant?" Wesley repeated and he nodded. "Yes, I named you as my personal assistant after you graduated from the academy. Your position, starting after you graduated from the academy, was now junior commander, in essence now."
"Your position was the same as Will's, you just did it with the junior crew now, as the added kicker now was your crew was the junior version to my senior staff. So your positions were matched to the sextet, that included Ensign Ogawa now. And unknown to the Novas, I decided she was to be a plant on their team. Like Benjiman was a junior version to Guinan at the time this is to monitor things in crew evaluations here."
"And you were in charge of the junior crew evaluations, in addition to your jobs as pilot and engineering, along with that." he said and the duo exchanged looks. "I'd hate to be her, Taurik, and Lavelle as well as Hanson and Farley when they realize I'm really a plant on the team and with me is Ben. So we can keep an eye on them, after we arrested Derek once too often lately." Allysa said and Wesley nodded as Beverly answered her.
"True, but the longer things continue like this and the more chance they're going to cross a healthline they can't take back later at the moment. And frankly, I feel better knowing you're acting as the medical surveillance member. Just in case they cross a healthline or two that we don't need right now, after the riot. And we arrested Cadet Hanson once too often since we activated him for basic training." Beverly said and Picard nodded to her.
"But now, is I decided to call off Chief O'Brien or anyone of Geordi's team, let alone Worf, getting transferred later and our crew was in one piece at the time here now. With the latest arrivals we were undergoing crew evaluations and I just got the news from your mother, Deanna, Geordi and Will. In it that we had a repeater in the scholarship profiles again here now and you were bringing back that information as a result."
"And you were now taking on the attitude and tone of being a full commander at the time here. And you were acting as a younger version of Commander Riker on duty and you and your junior crew are running crew evaluations. And of the entire ship of the recently arrived training ensigns and recently promoted ensigns." Picard said and it got redirected as it started over from there at his remark as his double got started then.
"Tell me ensign, how long have you been aboard the enterprise?" his double said and she answered that as she went into parade rest. "Seven months, Sir." she said and he nodded. "I see, I understand you've been recommended for the ops position, do you think you're up to it?" he asked and she nodded. "Yes Sir." she said and his tone shifted and Picard crossed his arms as he watched it, firmly.
"Yes well I'm not so sure of that, because I'm concerned about your penchant for pulling dangerous, daredevil stunts. And ones that cost a person their life, and nearly cost another his and then lying to cover it up. But can you assure me that will never happen again now." he said sternly and Wesley nodded. "I'm lucky I told you when you reached the conclusion of this at the time, and the Admirals with you at the time now, Sir."
"Because if I hadn't the stress of trying to live up to everything in this, I reached my limit, as, because of them. I lost my enthusiasm of staying in Starfleet, and having to fix the damage they caused." he said and Picard nodded. "Yes and with it, I'm not so sure I trust her at the helm either." he said as he heard his double then. "I'm not so sure Ensign, I'm concerned about your record." he said bluntly and she looked at him.
"Sir?" she asked and Picard said it with a growl, as he looked at her double. "The attempt to try the Kolvoord starburst young lady, the incident at the academy. In which you pulled an illegal maneuever that resulted in killing a cadet and lied to cover it up. My prize pupil nearly has his career destroyed because you wanted to cover up that scandal, and I still haven't forgotten, now."
"In his reaction after the outburst, in the hearing, young lady, you and your leader, cause him to have a relapse that his mother and Commander Riker. As well as Commanders La Forge and Data, had to break him out of after getting a serious blow taken to the head. Do you understand how this would look to me and why I'm not risking it happening twice with 1,500 innocent lives."
"And on the ship, and with that in mind, as I understand it you were recommended for the ops position. But that position doesn't include dangerous daredevil stunts, as this ship is a flying colony, and I'm the leader of the crew. But the hard part of being a senior officer is that the decisions that with it affects other now." he said firmly as he said it to then as he looked at her sternly.
"If there's any side effects to our situation like it is now, and we find the plant, I'm having his head and his job. And for nearly killing you if it ends up back in the bowels of the ship, because once was enough at the moment. Roberts told me you had a secondary panic attack after they arrested the guard. That they dragged out of your apartment, and it's because MacGregor came in and Will just barely defused it."
"The side effects of being on the go for 20 hours at the moment, it's the left overs from this are going to have lasting effects." he said and Deanna nodded to him. "If there's any leftovers from this mission, he and the kids dealt and yes there will be. But at the moment, he's emotionally compromised and 2) is he sees MacGregor. And his inner child, after Aldea, is going to over rule his young adult self." she said and he nodded firmly.
"Though that happens again and this causes the added injuries and nothing is saving him if our theories regarding that programming are true. If they result in your losing your grip on the ladder leading into section 23, because if it's from the higher levels. The fall alone could break your neck if you fell through that hatch." he added then as he went further then as he said it to Lal then gently, as he decided to alter the conversation then.
"Lal, alter my argument in the way you do his, because this is going to be very different then the way they created the show once we hit the accident and the aftermath to it. But it's revealing his truth to me as I tell her what I know of this and what Wesley had told me and his mother as well as the rest of my senior staff crew. And I am making it very clear that I am putting her under evaluation after what he has told me regarding this."
"And the investigation and his producing the tape that has sealed her fate on board the enterprise as he plays it back for the quintet, security and the engineering crew. As we just altered the course of history by keeping him home for the next 18 months now. And with it now is the fact the truth came as soon as he ended the sting operation in it. But to us full career officers the scrutiny is not being let up whatsoever at the moment here."
"And no matter how many years go by till the girls, whoever it is that gets added to my ship. Shows they can prove they can learn something that doesn't include acting like a daredevil hotshot when at the helm, and use their mental muscles instead of the real ones. Because no matter how much time goes by, only one thing can destroy your life and you're branded for life after that point, you've been on probation here now."
"Till such time as we lifted it young lady." he said to her and it rewinded to alter it. "I can't believe it, did she really think you three would have forgotten this after three years. I mean seriously, after another concussion, and a slight trigger after what's left of the effects of the programming. To you, none of you are risking anyone triggering it and Nick does before you snap me out of it." he said and the quintet nodded firmly to that remark.
"Yes and I'm still annoyed at both that and them trying to sneak this passed us, I mean you gave them warning after warning. We didn't reach our ranks because of our muscles we were honest working officers, your mother reached her rank. Because she didn't let anything slip by her when it came to something like this and it's the same for me. And if they expected me not to catch this, they're not as smart as they think, and with that."
"We gave them chance after chance and they did this to themselves." Picard said as his double said it then. "The Kolvoord Starburst cadet, the incident you were involved in at the academy, and the hearing, regarding that incident. I heard from Kate Higgins that you were talking to your squadron about things at the academy. Involved in that conversation was the accident at the academy and Locarno."
"Hearing the conversation and paying more attention to it, is that in that conversation that you remarked on Mr. Crusher at the time. In his turning you in to us regarding Joshua Alberts death, said remark in that. You hoped after all this time since we saw each other last. We forgotten what took place that week, before and after I brought Mister Crusher home so he could recover from it."
"To answer that question though, we haven't, you know, the unusual thing about being involved in a cadet's life, from the time they're entering their mid teens. Is that when you watched them grow up and helped raise them, as you're a friend of their parents. Is that certain events in their lives are harder to forget at times, when you see them suffer several traumas in four years."
"And of such its when your student is nearly killed, among others, especially when you're the one investigating what went on. And you hear the exact truth to what went on prior to their return to the academy. Because you just dealt with having to arrest the people responsible for the trauma. And prior to this situation, and barely three months after they return another happens."
" During their academic years and you uncover information that just makes you even more stern, regarding things. And when your student's rivals are all hotshots at the helm, and when the second in command of your first officer's team is involved in this. When also hearing that there was a deep seated rivalry among the previous generation and then hearing that the said former leader."
"Of said team in the previous generation that the former leader of your student's team idoled upon. Your student's rivals opinions match up to his former leader's opinion as I recall the exact remark was 'what about your duty to your friends.'. Well in that student's opinions, 'it's there's no duty to your friends, when they're trying to get you to be dishonest with a superior.'."
"But upon learning that information it results in a low opinion now as a result, because the said student is beyond loyal to you and his crew. And then you get the added shock that your student's girlfriend is pregnant with his child. Said child now 2 1/2 years old at the moment, but to said student. The acts of loyalty to your superior officers, and the ones who raised you now as well."
"Are so much stronger then the rest of his supposed squadron think and to the point. He's never lying to us at all, so with those words in mind right now at the moment here. Do you recall the accident cadet, as I did say and Crusher said now when he told us the same. But did you really expect us to forget the accident even though it's been three years and Admiral Brand sent you here."
"That's what I want to talk about right now, with your training on the ship, you switched from piloting to security. Because neither myself, Commander Riker or Lieutenant Worf think you're ready for the ops positions at the moment. One thing affects your reputation and life and you're branded for life after that, and this was your testing time." His double said, emphasizing it to her, watching her.
"With respect, what does Higgins or Crusher have to do with this?" she asked and he crossed his arms. "Do you understand what position his squadron has on this ship in the junior crew?" he asked and she shook her head. "His squadron is the junior version to the senior staff, as you saw his rank. I named him a junior commander which is the same as Commander Riker's rank, as for his team."
"They cover the other five spots here, but commander, lieutenant commander, Lieutenant, junior grade and ensign. In essense, they are junior senior staff of the crew, so while I've got his mother, Counselor Troi, Commanders, La Forge, Data and Commander Riker, covering things for me in the adult crew. Gamma squadron does the same thing for the junior crew, and with that right now."
"I heard from them that with crew evaluations being run, that the subject of getting the best duty stations cropped up and with it was this. That your squadron was discussing matters of getting promotions at the current moment. And your squadron is getting antsy right now, regarding promotions, because any of them could flunk they're testing time and be demoted in positions."
"Jumped for another another member of your squadron who gets the promotion, and overlooked for someone else. And to the point they're afraid your restlessness is going to result in a relapse if you don't control it. At the current moment as I understand you've been discussing the accident. And the hearing with your friends on your squadron, but did you expect us to forget."
"That your recklessness killed a cadet or that we gave you chance, after chance to save yourselves and coming forward until we catch you in the act. It doesn't matter how much time goes by, as I said I'm concerned about your record. And this is why, if you're being recommended for the ops position." he said to her as he crossed his arms then as he watched her carefully then and the group nodded.
As they watched her stiffen as she answered him. "Yeah she wasn't expecting you to bring that up, Sir." Wesley said and he nodded in agreement. "She was probably hoping we'd forget after it's been three years since the accident. And you showed us and the rest of the security crew the footage from your memories of the accident at the time. But then for us, we lost one of our students, because of her arrogance at the time here."
"We nearly lose you in the process of that accident, we learn Robin's pregnant with your baby, and then to top it off is a repeater of the added side effects. Of what happened today, and there's still a small set left over from the fight or flight response impeded in the programming, and we're still trying to prevent it from going off here. After repeated head injuries, so sorry kid, no matter how much time goes by now regarding that."
"We're not letting it go right now." Bates said firmly as they heard her answer response to Picard's remark then as she said it."With all due respect Sir, that was three years ago and my record since then..." she started to say and he interrupted her as he quoted his double. "It doesn't matter how long it's been ensign, would you do something like that again?" he asked her firmly then at that as she answered him.
"I can assure you Sir, I would never, never jeopardize lives by participating..." she started to say and he cut her off with slightly stern tone. "In a daredevil stunt, I would certainly hope not, but what concerns me. Is that you participated in a cover up, that impeded an official investigation into the death of a cadet." he said to her and as she answered him, Wesley sighed as he said to him at that remark.
Looking at the older man he gave his thoughts on the subject. "I don't why she's surprised regarding this, you been apart of my life for 18 years. I know you better then she does, to you the rules, in training, were clear. You break the rules it's enough to get you expelled and in doing it in they did. I don't have to hear your thoughts, because you believe they should have been expelled and it's because of a maneuver like this."
"You always did consider maneuvers like this and what the smuggler captain on the movie series did as daredevil. But this isn't just like any game at the arcade it's serious business, because one missed calculation. You could jump too close to a blackhole or supernova and get yourself and everyone else killed, Sir. But it takes calculus and physics to get it right, you don't and it can and will kill you and whoever's with you."
"I've spent five years flying this ship and I know this better then anyone in the junior crew of new arrivals. But then I'm a jack of all trades in the science and engineering department, I also know this ship inside and out to know what you have to do. When the others just read the schematics on it, I've been working on those engines. And upgraded them, and created the equipment we just started using and with that in mind right now."
"It's she knows that's not going to work on you, you've been monitoring her progress and training ever since she was assigned to the ship. But as my squadron has won training test after training test you assigned for us in hands on training here. That she's hearing our code name every time she turns around at the moment here. To the point she and the rest of the ship based version of Nova is getting aggravated at the moment."
"Because we've been at it for 3 years straight in training and we've won every wargame and drill that you tested us on since. And you're closest to us in your training ensigns at the time, but as our squadron has a spot on the wall in the lounge by that time. But of your junior version squadron, Sirs, the ones you helped raise. They were me and Jake at the time, so with that in mind right now at the moment it's the added act right now."
"That we're the ones you've been training in manhunts, survival training, stealth and we just moved on to wargames in battle strategy against the Borg, Cardassians. And at times the Ferengi as well, but, thanks to Maxwell violating the treaty. It started a second time, that they're getting sick of being overlooked at the moment. But that's the debate I had with him after you forwarded your warning through me to him at the time."
"But it's the cadet version to your debate and counter debate with Maxwell at the time here during the accident. And the damn idiot was suffering the very same psychosis, just in training mode, that Maxwell was here. But is it any wonder that with he's getting worried about where's he's getting stationed with graduation in three months." he said and the seven nodded as Will answered that remark as he crossed his arms as he said it.
"If they're getting jealous we're focusing on thinking your way out of the box, team work, honesty, and keeping to your regime like you have been doing. Then they better get over it at the moment here, because if Daniel's grandfather's team was the most famous of the teams at the command they worked at. Than everyone in the next sector over was getting sick of hearing their code name every time they turned around."
"For the Novas it was the same for us, so me, Anna, Jenna, Daniel and Peter at the time here. And the reason being it was because we won the Rigel cup ten times in 20 years, but we were Nova's rivals at the academy, Nova are all just Marks and his team. But until the last five years they've never been treated with anything but respect. I mean at the academy it was Nova that was the best flight team at the academy, or so they thought."
"Well here on the enterprise the best squadron happens to be Gamma now, because you're just a younger version of me and my squadron. As to why Gamma knows exactly what we want from them when in training and you can anticipate our orders. You're all Starfleet born cadets and you know what we want from you in hands on training. As you've been doing it for years and the duo the same on their former ship assignments."
"Aside from that Gamma squadron are all the 'think, before they act' type and I was the leader of the previous generation and you took after us in training. So if they're jealous, they better get over it, because you, Robin and the boys are our prize pupils. But you're right, of the five of you in Gamma, the captain, and the rest of us. We were helping your parents raise you and Jake specifically at the time and as a result here now."
"Your bond to me, as your coach is so strong, you're not letting go and you both decided you're not leaving the enterprise as a result. And since you guys completed survival and stealth training as well in the two years since then. The training simulations since the game have been based on manhunts, practice runs with the Borg, Cardassians and so on." he said and Picard finished that remark then at that as he said it gently.
"Aside from that, regarding your squadron here on the ship, you're the ones who been running things and with it, it may have been close to 3 years later. But it doesn't matter, the fact you took the rules of your regime seriously, and you're a medical born. We've already seen twice in five years what going off your regime does. But now it's the added act of their getting used to our rules." he said firmly and Wesley nodded to that gently.
"Yes and the act of my being your prize pupil is being made clear right now, because you said it repeatedly, that you never tolerated dishonesty. But I was stage acting leading into the reveal and we told them I told you the second you arrived and I asked for weekend leave. Like always, and this time, I just lost my best friend on the squadron, and I needed to tell you my exact thoughts, before it resulted in an added problem."
"But just getting it out and before you figured it out, ignite the plasma, I was going to tell you the second you did. But I was working undercover at the time, but I made it clear, it's being honest and coming forward, together. But as you heard the added catch to that, I'm the one acting just like you when it comes to this thing. First impressions are needed, but he blew his career at attempting to lie his way out of this at the time now."
"It's not only insulting your intelligence right now, but you as the forensics team and the enquiry, it was only a matter of time, before you figured it out. And they were given chance after chance, by you and the enquiry to come forward. While I dropped the news on you before you figured it out at the time. And they still didn't do it, but is it any wonder you're telling her off right now for it?" he said and Picard nodded to him at that.
"Yes and I'm making that clear to her right now." he said as he heard his double say it, as he crossed his arms as he said it sternly. "You were given chance, after chance, after chance to come forward at the time Cadet, but Crusher made it clear. At the time coming clean and your chances were higher at staying at the academy. He said he couldn't do what you asked, because he'd been taught to be honest."
"He knew I wanted him to tell me the truth at the time, so I could get him out of the mess you got him into at the time. As if that's not enough, he made it clear as well: that he knows my thinking strategies. And he knows and knew the second I hear the words ignite the plasma, I'd figure it out. I know every maneuver in the book, and I figured it out and told her and you were done for."
"And he wanted to come forward and tell me before I told him I knew, but he's never lied to me before and why start now, in his eyes. He made it clear, we were giving you a chance to save yourselves from expulsion, now. We gave you chance, after chance, after chance to come forward, together. And you still never did it, and then I hear, in Locarno's words, you didn't want to."
"And you didn't have a problem with lying to us, or her to stay there, but if Crusher did, he could resign his application to the academy and walk away. Now tell me, just what does that say about honesty now, he quoted my exact words to Locarno in that lecture I gave him and I'm saying it to you now. But when at the academy you learn the rules and regulations of being an officer."
"And when in on the job training that those regulations are groomed into your actions as you mature from your current rank. And into a seasoned career officer, but being in Starfleet now as an officer. A Starfleet officer's first duty is to the truth, be it scientifical, ethical or responsible. It is the founding principle in which Starfleet was based, hearing the truth over the holodeck."
"I realized it wasn't Crusher I was talking to, he's heard me tell him that so many times. That the only option was for showing me his side of the story and before it was too late, as he decided on an undercover operation. As he exposed you three and with it, getting me his side of the story as to him. So the only thing he and Alberts were guilty of was now coming forward sooner on this."
"And telling me that they decided to do the undercover operation we asked them to do, as he showed me the clear view to your takes on things. And for the liars you are as it was you three that lecture, my lecture, was being aimed at. But the first portion of it I heard from you, as you told him he didn't have to lie to us, just don't offer new information, and a lie of an ommission is still a lie."
"Second I heard, in Locarno's voice, that he should call me a liar when I said that if you don't come forward and tell them, then I will. As I hear the added remark that you don't have a problem with lying to your parents, us as your commanders, and Brand. But if he did, that he could resign his commission to the academy and walk away, but don't make you pay for his guilty conscious."
"But repeating his remark, would a true team, true friends, leave you holding the bag after a team member was killed. Would a true team coerce you into keeping silent, when you never, ever lied to the people who raised you, and watched you grow up. And would a true team tell you if you can't go through with their idea of calling the man you idolized a liar to save yourselves."
"And you had a problem with lying, that you could resign your application to the academy and walk away. But don't make them pay for your guilty conscious, now tell me, if you were in his shoes, would you go through with that. After everything your captain, I, did for you as you grew into who you are now. And with me the rest of the crew who's closest to you, including the senior staff."
"So with hearing that cadet, now tell me, just why shouldn't I be concerned about this in your records?" he asked her sternly and they watched her as she tried to answer him. "Good question, like every other problem I've dealt with, having to keep quiet about it, didn't sit right with me and never has. You've been telling me that lecture in training for years, and I wanted to come forward and tell you right from the start."
"Just so you could get me out of this mess and the only thing I preferred was doing my time up here. Just so I could fix our bonds and things never changed between us at the time. The added act of my telling you the truth, I did tell you and I was getting ready to go into why at the time now regarding that. But I needed to do that in privacy as well, so there was no stalling." he said and Picard nodded as she tried to answer his double.
"Sir, I know I should have come forward..." she started to say and he interrupted her at that. "Yes you should have, but you didn't, instead you joined with the others and pretended that was just an accident. Now tell me what just does that tell me about your character?" he asked her and Wesley sighed. "Yeah she's going for the guilt trip, but that never works on you, Sir, I've known that for years too."
"And as I said repeatedly our lives are what we make of them: you can choose to tell the truth and keep the respect of everyone, at the academy. Or you can lie, try to cover it up and it tears your life apart now, but you guys. You're not destroying me and my life just so you can get out of the consequences. I'm a Starfleet born cadet, I will not lie to my superiors whatsoever here." he said and watched as his captain's double went further.
"Aside from that, you're like my father and our bond is that of father and son, when it comes right down to it, choosing between you and them. And it's a no choice necessary, it's you and it will always be you, you and mom, and the quintet. But you matter more to me then all five of them put together, if it means I don't lose your trust. It's never mind lying, I'm telling you right off the bat." he added and the older man nodded gently then.
"Yes and I watched you grow up, you knew what had us going on autopilot the past 11 months and it's because of the fact we didn't have you around. And like you said, they don't know our medical backgrounds, likes, dislikes, excetra. We had a newly arrived ensign who was so much like you that it hurt, seeing him in every spot. That we normally saw you in and to top it off is we're dealing with a newly activated basic training ensign."
"That's aggravating us to no end, because he's trying to get out of your shadow and with that is the fact he's still on light duty and medical watch. And several fights, one adverse reaction and several other problems in the junior crew contigent is having every senior officer. And security crew member, about ready to lose their patience with things in the junior high and high school program coming to an end over the scholarship problem."
"So why else would you choose things that had a connection to what we always did together, but you knew why we were running on autopilot all this time. And why the programming hit us so hard, it's you're our first training ensign and our bonds are close." Picard said and he nodded. "Looks like I'm about to give her the lecture I normally gave Hanson after his cousin washed out as well." he added as his double went on further.
"We may have planned this ahead of time this past week but at the current moment right now, it's making it clear at the moment. You knew all along what you had to do when this happened at the moment, and you did it still, you did the right thing, no matter what they say. You did the right thing, Joshua died in the line of duty just to make sure this stunt was never to be used again and you turned them in, but this was another time."
"Different from our own lives as they are now, as we planned this out 18 to 20 months in advance. But I think our one option now to get this planned out in advance when you return to the academy, is by you calling me on the priority one transmission. Asking to return to the enterprise for the weekend and you can tell us then what happened. By doing the simulation of it on the holodeck and you pretend and do this undercover."
"By going over this, but that reprimand in what I said to you, during our stage acting scene that day, I'm not talking about you at all, I'm saying this to him and the duo. Regarding the last piece to that lecture, because with the fact you told us and the enquiry the truth. And even before the investigation started, you're in the clear, because you and Joshua even though you never told us immediately at the time here now."
"You were working under cover, and just do this in your own coding to me and Andrea, as to how in this. With us in orbit over the academy Lal has direct access into the academy's camera room and hearing. So tell her to sound proof the court room when you tell the enquiry what happened and do the same to your dorm room. Like you did in these alterations at the time and it's probably a good a idea if you have her do it."
"And you can review the alterations to the episodes we just did, leading into this mission so whoever is killed is seen as this wasn't an accident. And you were doing undercover work for us, and this way we get you off in the same way. So you can tell me and we call this as a weekend leave with us right above the academy. And your mother is forwarding that to Andrea and the nurse as well." he said and Wesley nodded to the orders gently.
"Looks like she's not able to answer that without it making her look bad right now, what with the fact I've been working over time now. Leading into my supposed leave to return home at the moment, but this is just weeks before my decision to quit." he said and he nodded. "I supposed you wondered why I kept Crusher home, from the academy and asked for Alberts to come up?" Picard's double said and she nodded to him.
"During the course of Crusher's medical leave and sabbatical from the academy, I had a firm discussion after the situation over the conspiracy that infected the the enterprise. With Crusher, Dayton and Lefler in regarding to why everyone thought it was Dayton at the time that started the riot at the tavern. Near the academy, and what I learned was that Crusher and Dayton already met."
"Seeing them together, I knew he found his new best friend, and during our conversation while he was being examined after the aftermath. That it was then that the truths to why he's looking like this was coming out and it's all centered around the fact that Locarno is determined. Now, to be the best at the academy, but it also included past loves and rivals as we learned a couple things."
"In regarding the rivalry between Hanson and Crusher himself, such things in it included why Marks was giving him such a hard time. And why Derek Hanson created that rumor in the first place. Included in that information was that our Charlie was not the one to start the riot. At the tavern, oh no, it wasn't Charlie Dayton at all, Admiral Brand gave us the Intel of the other Charlie Andrew."
"And his last name was Hanson, but he also went by his middle name, which was Peter, so he was called Charlie Peter Hanson. Hearing that news from Crusher and Dayton himself, I learn the added facts. Now, to your former team leader's obsession, regarding Crusher and Dayton. In regarding this and we decided ahead of time that this situation, in the incident at the academy."
"I suppose you wonder why, of all people, it had to be a former team mate that turned you in, correct. You're thinking he'd never turn you in to us, that fast, he'd go along with your trying to keep it as a accident. I heard from the bartender you were discussing this with your little clique: Lieutenant Junior Grades Lavelle and Taurik, to them and the other members close to Nova."
"The Nova squadron on board the ship, and I decided the teams were to be separated from each other when working which is why he hasn't spoken to you. Since you arrived on the ship and you made friends with the trio and Benjiman, well the reason for why that is, is it's because your teams are rivals. The quintet are varsity junior crew, you're JV junior crew at the current moment."
"And they have been here longer, but they all share one thing in common with each other that you don't have, Cadet, do you know what that one thing is?" he asked and she shook her head and he explained that to her. "It's the act of being Starfleet born cadets, the quintet have all been in training. And from a certain age, been given the lessons in the exact same way and by another version."
"Of myself, Commander Riker, Lieutenant Worf and the late Lieutenant Tasha Yar. They know what we want from them, because they're all the 'mind over matter', 'think their way out of the box' type. But it takes years of training to get maneuvers, like the one you tried to attempt, correct. You get it off by even a fraction of a foot and it can and will kill you and whoever is with you."
"To him, nothing mattered more then not losing my trust, let alone the trust of my crew and the others that trained him and watched him grow up. Which is why he had to see us, to get it off his chest before he did more damage to his arm when he was recovering from the explosion. But 1) he kept a promise to us and 2) he knew what the consequences were going to be if you didn't admit it."
"So to him, he decided to come forward ahead of time and then pretend he hadn't to you. But this was a test of honesty and leadership skills in your cases, to the point that he was not getting involved in your attempt to cover this up. So he chose door number 2) tell us ahead of time and let you be the ones to decide for yourselves and Locarno signed your death warrant as a result."
"So he was a traitor in your eyes, I also heard from him that everyone in your grouping is considering him as he's trying to stay on my good side. Why it could have been one of the other cadets listening to your conversation and turn you in at the time. But no it had to be the captain's man, the Senior staff crew's pet in your eyes, I know that's how you really see him and with that in mind."
"You ever wondered by Derek Hanson's cousin Colin Marks and his friends washed out of on the job training when on the enterprise at the time." he asked and they saw her swallow as she nodded as he crossed his arms as he explained that to her with a firm look on his face. "When on this ship for new ensigns, I set certain requirements for the newly activated ensigns fresh out of the academy."
"But what I also look at is academy records, your SAT scores and your ability to follow rules and regulations. To me and everyone else that was training you, it's not a matter of fast reflexes or quick thinking. Such as the case of being in martial arts, go ju, to translate that it's hard and soft. Hard martial arts are based on your muscles and strength, soft is based on speed and precision."
"As such, that's the point of being a jack of all trades when you're still a cadet and Wesley Crusher knew what he was talking about. When he said that you had the measurements off, because living in space, on a spaceship. Is not based just on physical education, you need every subject at high school. To make it up here, because you make even one error and it can and will kill someone."
"Such was the mistake Locarno made when he tried it at that angle, and I know you see me as I'm just a captain leading everyone on the ship. But I'm a seasoned pilot myself, and I told this to Crusher now. but it takes years of training, calculations and measurements to get it right on the first try. You may have gotten the first half of it correct, but timing the plasma ignition correctly."
"It's based on chemistry and physics, an engineer has to do this job on chemistry, physics and mechanics. And Crusher was a junior scientist on his way to earning his place in recognition by the committee now. Because he was a science and mechanics expert, and a computer expert. To know that this maneuver was full of holes if you haven't taken chemistry and physics class."
"That's what I look at when I scan a record for a recently graduated ensign or adult arrival. As you possibly heard from Hanson, I don't look at quick thinking and fast reflexes, when I get an acquisition for a new arrival. I look at the recently graduated ensign's abilities to think their way through a situation. So you may have heard about Commanders Crusher, Lefler and Dayton."
"And how, together, they prevented an incursion into Starfleet and the federation. Well the first step to doing that was by Crusher's creating a computer program and with it, he and Commander Data downloaded Data's daughter into the computer A.I.. But this was Crusher's test in the no winner, as he looked at the options, crossed them out and created his own at the time."
"But that program was created in case he wasn't completely up to his best when he returned for leave. I suppose you've seen how the junior crew works in unison with each other, and the fact that when on the job. It's not just their physical muscles that they use, but they exercise their mental ones. You saw the plaques on the wall in Ten Forward, yes?" he said and she nodded to him.
"Well it's because they been working as a team for three years, working as a group, as a true team in training. But they all have something in common with each other that you don't have, it's that they're all Starfleet born training ensigns. But the added act of this and I know Cadet Hanson already told you this, but it's they're not showing off to me or the rest of my crew."
"They know what I want from them, and with me is the rest of the senior staff and the other crew leaders in different departments. They took the time to get to know us, to see past the facade of rumors and lies about our reputations. If you came here thinking everything you heard about me. And Comander Riker, is true, it's not, none of those facts are true, you saw me when at the enquiry."
"Commander Crusher already knows this about me, because he spent 6 years getting to know me. In that time he sees past the facade and all the other rumors the crew in the lower decks say about us. As such, it's because of this and the added fact that, if Hanson also told you that rumor. The rumor regarding Crusher, his mother and myself and what happened at the time."
"Well I'm bursting that bubble right now, because that rumor is not true, did Commander Data tell you what is a requirement once you're on board the ship. Before you start your hands on training, as you know this ship was the youngest of the ship's named enterprise as to that. We make it a priority to know the history of the past ships going by that name and our predecessors."
"The original enterprise crew, but that history included a few things, but the ship was infected. And with another version of the virus our predecessors, the original Enterprise crew dealt with it. As we're infected with a virus that has you acting like you're on drugs, like pot, that you can't control your behavior. So none of us could control our behavior at the time back then as a result."
"And Wesley saved the ship by use of his engine accelerater and shield generator. And he used that device to get the engines working strong enough to get us out of range of a meteor that the collapsing star. That the Tsiolkovsky was studying, before they too became infected with this virus. It was known as the Polywater virus, and in order to do this, we all had to dig into the files."
"While he decided to prevent the infected from getting into the engine control, upload his program accelerator. And while doing that he deactivated several controls and turned on several others. While giving his mother time to create the vaccines and cure and just as the meteor. That the high gravitational pull from that star was thrown at us, he, Commanders Data and MacDougal."
"Got the accelerator working and restored helm control just as the meteor hit the Tsiolkovsky. But afterwards when I gave him the vaccine, and he just barely collapsed on us out of exhaustion. Because like the games, it over-rides your body basic impulses to rest and eat. And Commander Riker got him to sit down, before we got him in sickbay so he could sleep it off at the time here."
"Around a month later we had a being called a traveler on board the ship, who was monitoring Wesley's abilities. And then explained to me he was to be a very special young man, but the ending results are. That he has his ability to think our way out of trouble thrown at him every time he turns around. But the virus, we all made a pact that it was never to be brought up again after that."
"But someone did and right in front of Mister Hanson and he decided if it was enough to make trouble. Then he'll use it, so I guess Hanson never mentioned that part of it to you, did he. That pact we created, it was suggested by Ensign Ro's predecessor now, Ensign Ro took up her legacy to be a surrogate older sister to him." he asked and she shook her head and they knew she was in shock.