A/N: It's been an inexcusably long time between chapters and this is ridiculously short but I felt I should get something out now, darnit. I've mostly recovered from a minor accident and should be able to get to writing on a more reasonable schedule. Please keep in mind that I'm not trying to be technically correct with the court scenes. It's just a way to create more tension as I pop back and forth with the action scenes. As always, I appreciate your reviews and your incredible patience!
Time Enough Chapter 16
"Call Lieutenant Tuvok." Harry poured a glass of water as the Vulcan took the stand and identified himself for the record. His throat was about to close up so shaking hands be damned. He was inordinately pleased to notice he hadn't spilled. Filing the glass halfway helped. He drained it in two gulps. "Lieutenant, please describe how you came to be involved with the incidents in question."
"I received a call from Seven of Nine," Tuvok stated impassively. "She asked me to verify the location of Crewman Nels."
"Where was he?" Harry prompted.
"The location monitor on Crewman Nels indicated he was in his quarters," Tuvok replied.
"Was he?"
"No, he was not."
"How did you determine this?"
"I ordered the guard assigned to his quarters to enter and search them." Tuvok saw Harry start to ask why so he continued. "I could hear Seven of Nine's footsteps and breathing over the comm and concluded she was running. I made the logical deduction that there was an emergency situation. When the guard reported back that Crewman Nels' quarters were empty I monitored Seven of Nine's comm badge and sent a detail to her location to assist."
"Were they able to help?"
"No. It was over before they arrived."
Seven ran down the corridor. She dodged past stunned crew with her rifle in both hands. "Get out of the way," she yelled at one Ensign too engrossed in reading his PADD to notice her. She shoved past him and threw herself into the turbolift. "Deck Six!" she barked. Seven used the transit time to slow her breathing and focus. When the lift opened, she charged out and ran the short distance to the holodeck entrance. She entered an override code. It was one she had created for emergencies and was only useful once thanks to the computer's security systems. She would need to create another one at a later time. The door slid open to reveal sunshine and an expanse of white sand.
Seven saw it happening in the distance. She ran toward them but the sand seemed to hold on to her feet. She felt like she was moving in slow motion. She saw Sato and Cavanaugh at their beach picnic site standing beside their lounge chairs. Sato had what appeared to be one half of a coconut shell in her hand. Nels stood in the water pointing an antique firearm. There was a popping noise and the coconut shell fell to the ground. A tiny paper umbrella fluttered down beside it. A few more seconds and she would be in range. Just a few more seconds and she would have been in time.
Seven skid to a stop. She growled softly as she thumbed the power selector. She sighted and fired. Nels spun around and fell disappearing under the water.
"Call The Doctor."
The holographic doctor manifested in the witness chair. "A little advance notice would have been nice," The Doctor huffed.
Harry let it pass. "Doctor, how did you come to be on the holodeck on the date of the incident?"
"I received a call from Seven of Nine," The Doctor said. "I sent myself there immediately."
"What did you see?"
"Ensigns Cavanaugh and Sato were lying in the sand. Crewman Nels was in the water and appeared to be drowning."
"How could be drown on the holodeck?" Harry asked.
"Seven of Nine informed me that the safety protocols were off. I had gathered as much from the blood," The Doctor said dryly. "I went to Crewman Nels and had him transported to Sickbay. I was assessing the Ensigns when a security team arrived."
"Were you worried that Crewman Nels might escape from Sickbay?"
"No. I took the precaution of having him transported into a secure ward. By the time I finished with the Ensigns, he had recovered from the stunning shot I later learned was fired by Seven of Nine. I then had him transported directly to the brig."
"You didn't treat him?"
"No," The Doctor replied with an edge to his voice. "He recovered on his own. I was far too busy trying to save a life. If he had any lingering side-effects from the stun, he was free to ask the guard for an analgesic."
"Are you aware that Crewman Nels has accused you of failing to provide him with appropriate medical care?"
"He is incorrect. He had no water in his lungs and the effects of a stun blast are temporary. I choose not to leave a dying patient to give him an aspirin," The Doctor said angrily.
"You don't like Crewman Nels," Harry said.
The Doctor did not dispute it. "I evaluated Crewman Nels and determined his life was not in danger. I am not responsible for making him comfortable." The Doctor looked over at the judges. "I treated Ensign Sato when the VS-4 returned. Besides, the fact remains that he was merely uncomfortable while my patient was dying."
"You wanted me to die," Nels yelled. "You never even came into that cell."
"I'm a hologram, you idiot," The Doctor replied. "Sickbay's systems gave me the same information I'd have if I'd be in the room with you."
"Order!" B'Elanna barked.
"Did Crewman Nels have any injuries not consistent with a stun?" Harry asked.
"He had scratches on his face and neck and bruises on his legs," The Doctor replied. He fixed Nels with a glare.
"I think a recess is in order," Janeway said. "We'll reconvene in an hour. Dismissed."