Captain Picard sat back in his chair as he savoured a steaming cup of Earl grey. The lights had been dimmed to evening shade and his ready room felt warm and comfortable. He was looking forward to two whole days off work, precious time to spend with his books and music. Only one small blot on the horizon
"Captain Shorthall will be contacting me soon. There will be no need for you to leave the room for that Number 1."
Will Riker smiled "Don't you want time alone with your dear friend."
Picard returned the smile. "How did you know I'm not fond of him."
"Just your face every time someone mentions him."
Picard shook his head. "Odious man. I don't know what it is I just find him offensive."
"Maybe that is because he is offensive."
Picard ran a weary hand over his eyes. "I don't know maybe I'm getting old. I have less tolerance for these young Captains."
Just then a message came in from the bridge.
"Captain there is a message coming through from the Hibernian."
"Thank you, put it though."
Seconds later the youthful face of Captain Shorthall lit up the small screen.
"Captain Picard so good to see you sir and looking so fit and well. You must tell us your secret. If I looked that good at your….."
"Captain Shorthall. Good to hear from you. To what do we owe this pleasure?"
Picard's tone was just a tad too brisk.
"I'm hearing through the grape vine you are down staff Picard. You know I am good friends with Admiral Pendergast. He told me about your problem. A few of the women folk are off on maternity leave and you are having staffing problems. "
"It's only temporary," Picard told him.
"So here's what I propose. I will send along three Ensign's to help you out. Jason Bates, Mark Roach and Toby Thomas. They are very competent ensigns. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. Especially young Bates. He will make a fine officer one day. We could randevu with your ship in two months time and I can take my ensigns back when your girls return to duty."
"My officers."
"Apologies Captain, your officers."
Picard sat back in his chair to think on it a minute. He really did need staff. Riker raised eyebrows at him in answer.
"Thank you Captain Shorthall, that will be fine."
"I will send along the details Captain."
The screen flipped to darkness. Picard scratched the side of his face.
"We do need staff." He said.
"But you'd have preferred to have gotten them from anyone else." Riker grinned.
"And I don't even know why. What do I dislike in this man. Am I simply jealous of his youth."
"No," Riker shook his head. "I'd be more inclined to think you feel something about him that hasn't quite come to the surface. Your instincts are telling you something about him."
"Maybe Number 1. I don't know. At least we will have three new staff members. Because they are ensigns we can place them where they are most needed. Geordi has been crying out for more staff down there. He has lost three in the last 5 months. We will assign at least one of them to engineering."
~o~
The three new shipmates took up their positions later that week. Chief O Brian was the first to meet them. Jason Bates stepped from the transport platform and came forward to shake his hand.
"Welcome to the enterprise. There will be a member of staff here shortly to bring you to your rooms," The transport officer told them as he shook Jason's hand.
Jason Bates smiled broadly. "Hay you're Irish. Well top of the morning to ye."
"Yes," Chief O Brian tried to take his hand back.
"Do they serve good ale here on this ship. It has a lounge I presume." Mark Roach asked. "Maybe we could have a session with ye sometime. You can show us how it's done."
"Yes, oh here is Deanna Troy. She will show you to your rooms and answer your questions."
Troy smiled as she led them out of the transporter room. Chief O Brian made a sweeping kick with his foot in their general direction spotting too late that there was a third man still on the platform. The young man thankfully hadn't seen what he had just done.
"Are you alright?" Chief O Brian asked.
"Yeah I was just checking I had the right documentation. I thought I had forgotten my transferral form."
"I shouldn't worry. They'll have sent a copy to the head of your department. They usually do that."
"Oh well thank you." Toby gave a quick shake of the transport officers hand before quickly heading out to follow the others.
"Good luck," Chief O Brian called after him.
~o~
Geordi was in terrible form, the main computer was running slow and glitching something fierce. He would have to ask for authorisation yet again to take it off line and do a full reset. On top of that he was terribly short staffed and instead of sending him trained staff they had sent him a young ensign from another ship.
"Look go through those chips and put them back into their cradles in the right order this time. Something is causing this console to have a bitch fit ," he barked at the new recruit.
"Yes sir," Toby muttered as he worked.
They worked together all morning trying in vein to get the computer to behave itself but it was still sending up code errors left right and centre.
"No, that file there. Toby look what you're doing." Geordi snapped once again as he pointed at the screen.
"Look Toby, go for your lunch. It's late afternoon already. You must be starved."
Toby got up from where he was working. He began heading out of engineering but then turned back to face Geordi.
"What do you want," he blurted out.
Geordi looked up at him.
"What do you mean." He asked.
"What do you want, a sandwich. Some soup."
"Eh, actually Toby could you bring back a cheese sandwich and some milk."
"Yes sir." Toby nodded.
Geordi stared after him for a minute before returning to his work.
Toby entered Ten Forward, he froze where he was as there was a sudden burst of laughter. After a moment he proceeded towards the counter.
Commander Riker smiled as the young man joined the queue.
"How you getting on down there. Geordi not working you too hard I hope?"
"Fine, I'm getting on fine." Toby nodded without looking at the senior officer.
The young mans answer was so abrupt Riker made no further attempt to engage him in conversation. The new recruit went and sat on his own in a dark corner of the room. Riker watched from his table as eventually the other two recruits went to join him. His young face seemed to tense up even more as the other two took their seats one each side of him.
~o~
Jason Bates had no such trouble mixing with others. Once he tired of his own two friends he headed over to a table of young cadets he had worked with that morning. They were young girls working in the catering department and they found this young ensign a great novelty. They were soon the loudest table in the lunch room sharing stories of their shore leave pursuits.
Once Jason was gone Mark turned a little away from Toby. He took out his hand held game and was soon immersed in the virtual world. Toby sat with his head down eating his lunch.
Geordi finally got to the lunch room. He was thus persuaded to leave the problem and come eat by Data. They both walked in together and headed towards the queue. Jason followed them up there as he wanted to get another drink.
"Hay Data Chip, you don't need to eat, why are you in the queue?" Jason grinned.
"I am merely here to continue my conversation with my good friend. I will not delay you in your endeavours to be served." Data answered.
Data was amicable to the young man but Geordi gave him a look of pure ice.
"His name is Commander Data ensign."
"Oh sorry," Jason looked back with wide eyes.
~o~
The day did not improve for Geordi. The main computer was now sounding lack of memory alarms all over the place but he could not find the source. He went through all the folders individually but could not find what could be eating into the memory. To top it off one of the shuttle crafts was due out and there was a problem with the on board computer.
"Toby, I'll be back. Just keep working on it. I'll be as quick as I can."
As it turned out the job with the shuttle craft took a lot longer than he anticipated. It was past eight in the evening before he slowly walked his way back to engineering. He ran a hand over the back of his neck as weariness began to take hold. Suddenly he stopped. He stared around at the consoles as he entered. They were working at normal speed.
Toby came around the corner with a tablet in his hand checking each console in turn.
"Toby, what happened." Geordi asked.
"It was actually the recreation files."
"The recreation files?"
"Yeah the files on people's personal computers in their quarters."
"Toby, how could recreation files that small hurt the main computer. That doesn't make any sense."
"Well you see it depends on the files. There is a certain drama made popular on planet Tibious called For the Love of the Mountain. People are obsessed with it. While the Enterprise was on shore leave there people must have uploaded episodes to their hand held computers. The files are not fully compatible with our main computer. It wouldn't have been so bad if they had been downloaded to the main computer and just left there but then they were uploaded to tiny hidden sub folders which ultimately caused the problem. The content had to be deleted bit by bit and very slowly."
"Are you telling me that this problem on our main computer was caused by a box set."
"I'm afraid so sir. I'm not talking about one or two files here. I think the majority of the ships crew saved the show and as I said the files were not fully compatible with ships computer. I've created a hidden folder extension These kinds of files will automatically download into this folder where they can then be deleted safely. You will just need to periodically check that folder for content. I would suggest checking it after every bout of shore leave."
Toby gave a rare smile and shrugged. "The crew are gonna think me a spoil sport but I couldn't do anything else with them."
"They will think you a much bigger spoil sport when we are drifting helpless in space." Geordi told him grimly. "Good work Toby. Well done."
Toby looked at Geordi then. "Thank you sir."
"Toby, it's past eight, you were supposed to finish at five today. What say we head to Ten Forward for a well deserved drink. We can get dinner there."
As if an invisible shield went up Toby began to back towards the door.
"No thank you. I have things I need to take care of. Maybe some other time."
"Yeah of course," Geordi nodded. "See you tomorrow then."
Toby was off down the corridor before he could finish.
The next day Toby was heading towards The library when he stopped short. It was too late, the captain of the Enterprise had seen him.
Picard gave him a smile.
"Young Mister Thomas. You seem to be settling in," he smiled.
"Am I, do you think so?"
Picard frowned. "Well don't you think so?"
Toby nodded with a nervous breath.
"Yes Captain, thank you."
He waited a moment to see if Picard had anything else to say and then when nothing was forthcoming he nervously went on his way. Picard stared after him.
He was about to head into the Library when Jason and Mark suddenly rounded on him.
"Now Toby I saw your exchange with Captain Picard. It wasn't good. You didn't show the proper respect." Jason told him.
Mark shook his head. "You're gonna have to pull your socks up. Do you like working on this ship?"
"Yes," Toby answered defensively.
Jason raised his eyebrows. "Your record wasn't good on the Hibernian you know that don't you. Barry…..I mean Captain Shorthall was always saying it. Hopefully they haven't noticed anything here. We can help you Toby but you have to work extra hard so that you don't repeat the mistakes you've made in the past."
Jason suddenly looked off down the corridor. "Oh look there's Data. Come on Mark. Data promised to give me a guided tour of the enterprise. "
They left him then. Toby turned from the library and quickly headed towards his quarters. Once he was alone he let out a ragged breath. He slowly went to the bed and sitting down he reached out and took a digital frame from his locker. He frowned and ran a finger over the smiling faces of his mother and two younger brothers. He swiped crossly at the sudden tear that ran down his cheek. He had told her all along that everything was fine. He was doing great. No need for her to worry. She must never know the truth.
~o~
Geordi was not pleased. The simple chores he asked this ensign to do…. Just nothing had been done right.
"Jason why is this transformer running hot. I told you to just run it long enough to get the job done. It's not supposed to be on all day."
Jason came towards him with both hands out stretched.
"With all due respect Sir, I'm doing my best. I've only been on this ship a wet week."
"I've asked you twice now to calibrate the medical devices. They have to go back to sick bay this afternoon and you still haven't done it. The fuel tank parts to clean are still by the sink. I need you to step it up."
"Ok fine," Jason huffed as he headed towards the sink.
Geordi shook his head in frustration.
~o~
Picard picked his way carefully through the throngs of busy staff in the kitchen. He finally found Toby, his arms deep in a sink full of dishes.
"Toby, I wish to speak to you."
The head chef suddenly appeared at Picard's side
"I don't care you are Captain, don't take him. I want him. Don't give me back that other fella."
"No, no Chef La Velle. I just wish to speak with him. I will have him back to you shortly. "
Toby followed Picard with a look of fear in his eyes. The captain came himself to speak to him. He didn't even send someone he came himself. This wasn't good.
"We'll go in here shall we."
Picard led the way into a small office and sat down. Toby eyed with trepidation the file he held in his hand as he spoke.
"I know you're busy just now so I didn't want to haul you upstairs for a chat. I shan't keep you long. Toby please sit down."
Toby sat on the edge of the leather chair and waited.
"I spoke to Captain Shorthall today. You three are due to return to your ship next week. He was asking me how you had gotten on. Toby in light of my conversation with Captain Shorthall I think it would benefit you to have a session with councillor Troy."
Toby immediately stiffened at this news and his face took on a defensive look.
"Sir, you can't make me see a councillor. " he muttered. "You can't make me talk to her."
"Nor would I want to," Picard told him patiently.
"I am merely suggesting it. It's usually a good idea for someone who has been severely bullied."
Toby swallowed hard before answering,
"How do you know I've been bullied."
"Toby you have been bullied. It does not take a genius to work that out. Commander Le Forge has commented on how you seem to hold up a guarded front unwilling to share anything about yourself with anyone."
Toby's face began to colour up.
"Geordi also tells me you're an excellent worker. He tells me you are conscientious and methodical. In fact I plan to start you there full time next week."
"What was that." Toby's face suddenly brightened.
Picard smiled "It seems Commander Le Forge can't do without you down there."
"He said that," Toby whispered almost to himself.
"Yes he did."
"But….but I'm due back on the Hibernian. They're expecting me."
Picard shook his head "No, I told Captain Shorthall that I wish to offer you a position on this ship."
"What did he say."
"He was none too pleased . He spoke of being understaffed and apparently they are missing you quite a bit over there. You don't miss the water until the well runs dry as they say. I told him that it wouldn't be a problem as I am willing to send a party of senior officers over to his ship to help him out for a couple of weeks. There are one or two little issues they can help him with."
Toby grinned at that plan.
"So what do you say. Are you happy to join us."
"Yes sir, very much… and thank you."
"And do consider paying a visit with Councillor Troy Toby. She is a councillor but she's also a nice lady and a good listener. Never forget, this bullying issue is not your responsibility. It's ours. You do not have to put up with that."
"I will sir."
"Good, now I'd better let you back with Chef La Ville or he'll put something nasty in my dinner."
Toby grinned as he led the way out of the small office.
"I don't know what I am going to tell him about next week. I'm sending you back to engineering and I have no one to replace you. I don't suppose you'd like work experience as Captain for a week."
"No sir," Toby shook his head with a smile.
"No I didn't think so," Picard patted him on the shoulder.
Toby watched as the Captain headed back towards the turbo lift. He let out a breath and felt a wave of calm wash over him. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. Happily he turned and headed back towards the kitchen.
That evening Jason and Mark came one each side of him as they headed towards the main restaurant.
"How did you stick that Geordi Le Forge for two weeks." Jason asked. "He has put a strike on my record for disrespect to a female officer. Come on. I was just kidding around."
"Yeah the sooner we get off this rust bucket and back on the Hibernian the better." Mark agreed.
They turned into the dining room and took a table in the furthest corner away from the others. It was only when they were seated did Jason and Mark realise that Toby wasn't with them. They both stared in silence as he took a seat at another table surrounded by the staff in engineering. He was soon immersed in deep conversation with them.
Jason frowned at the scene before him.
"Well go on, get the food in." He yelled at Mark.
The End.