The third week post return.
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from:Doctor EMH Mk1 (EMH voyager)
to: Reginald Barclay (Lt, Pathfinder project)
Subject: starfleet operetta
I have been listening through the playback from our last three practice sessions, and I am still concerned with the vocal quality. Are you practising for 2 hours each day? The practice schedule I drew up for you allowed this time without over straining your vocal chords. You are warming up correctly? If you come to my office, I can run a diagnostic to ensure the correct training programme.
Is it anticipated that we wear costume to the audition, or is the starfleet uniform correct?
Is there a necessity to act? I am not so sure of my acting skills. If this is the case, can you suggest something as our audition?
Shall I see you in my office at 21:30 for a vocal review? otherwise I now have my mobile emitter, and will meet you on the holodeck at 22:00
bello amico di canto
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from:Doctor EMH Mk1 (EMH voyager)
to: Seven of Nine [annika hansen, voyager]
Subject: projects
Seven, I am aware that you are sharing your time with the astrometric data project, but I wonder if you could increase your attendance at our laboratory currently. Although I feel honour bound to acquiesce to the joint wisdom of Dr Crusher and the captain, the combination of Dr's T'len and Tarlen is like attempting to mix oil and water, and currently needs your presence to form an emulsion. Their similarity of names belies their opposite working practices.
Or would it be possible to have a schedule? Not knowing whether you will be working on the astrometric project or here is deleterious to our team harmony. I am aware you had such freedom of movement on Voyager, but we have a wider team to consider. If I could be so bold, I would suggest that you spend your mornings here, and then consider the astrometric project during the afternoon.
I also wonder if you would be so kind in the evening to review the progress Reg and I are making on our audition piece, after the lecture on known gamma quadrant species part 2. Shall I come to your quarters to escort you?
The Doctor
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from:Doctor EMH Mk1 (EMH voyager)
to: B'Elanna Torres Paris (lieutenant, chief engineer, voyager)
Subject: Klingon colic
I hope that the regular hypospray is enabling Miral to settle better and engenders a peaceful night for you all. When Lt Paris visited yesterday to renew the replicator allocation, it was clear that sleep has been limited. I recall that Naomi Wildman also had severe colic for a while, and recall that Neelix placed the crib on an incline. This may also be useful. Be assured that this period of colic is shortlived, and within a month Miral should have better oesophageal sphincter control. Due to the super-agility of the Klingon stomach, a semi upright position for 2 hours following feeding should be sufficient.
On another subject, my mobile emitter is working within tolerable parameters within the starfleet facility. I did hope to visit other cities, and perhaps friends when they move out of starfleet accommodation in the future. Are you aware whether any limitations have been placed on emitter functionality? I managed the visit to Dr Zimmerman without crisis, but we were within starfleet facilities at all times. I am aware that my mobility is restricted currently due to debrief, and do not intend to break this curfew except with permission.
Speaking of debrief, my inaugural medical presentation is tomorrow, and I wonder if you would permit me to show images of the alien crustacean that latched onto you for survival. I do not plan to unveil my hologramatic accomplice, and to tell the truth, I believe I should offer you a sincere apology. Having attended the required readjustment lectures for the alpha quadrant, my knowledge of the background of the Cardassian war causes horror.
Yours, Doctor.
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Seven
'doctor, it is inefficient to expect a response to your message when I will be attending the laboratory.' I chide him carefully, knowing that for both of us the entry into the alpha quadrant has been fraught with difficulty. 'It is as simple for me to deliver the message in person as it is to communicate electronically.' For an artificial lifeform, the doctor has advanced algorhythms for facial expressions. I believe the phrase is that his face has fallen. To my great relief, this has never been a literal statement, and there is not an expectation of a face actually falling to the ground. I believe crestfallen may be a more suitable description.
'however, I am responsive to the needs of this team and will attend mornings and then for an early evening debrief, after which we may attend such talks are useful, or promote cooperation with the alpha quadrant.' This project is in its infancy, and we have had only two days so far. The doctor responds positively to this, but there is clearly another agenda item.
he asks me about the recital piece he is singing with Reg. I believe that the composition is outside the skillset of Lt Barclay, and the emotional overtones are not best delivered by the doctor. However, it is a suitable musical selection. 'I will endeavour to assist the rehearsal with lt Barclay. Have you clarified the requirement for a prose audition selection?' i have not observed the doctor in any acting roles, unless you count the heavy handed approach to deception as the command hologram. Possibly acting will be where Lt Barclay is commendable.
I have some concerns with developing nanoprobe medical technology. My main concern being that currently Icheb and I are the only known sources of nanoprobes. Currently, most people are only aware that I have nanoprobes, as Captain Janeway has been a great pains to highlight that Icheb was prematurely taken from a maturation chamber and not fully developed, and lacks the full complement of essential Borg implants, such as the cortical node he donated. No-one has therefore asked about nanoprobes, and there has been no open disclosure. However, due to the detailed nature of the captains involvement in the crew, it must be available information contained within a restricted log.
Since the attempt by the Ferengi to acquire me or my nanoprobes in the delta quadrant, I have become aware that my life holds not just value as an individual, but unfortunately monetary value to the amount of 6 bars of latinum for every nanoprobe. Some 21.6 million bars of latinum. Enough to make abduction a consideration. Hence I have restricted my visits to Sweden, and am only meeting my Aunt here in starfleet. I keep out of the public eye. i have not raised this concern with the Captain, but I have discussed it both with my assigned counsellor and in debrief, and am assured of my safety.
I take a deep breath. The centering techniques the counsellor Rorvek, a vulcan, has prescribed are inefficient, but useful. For a vulcan, he is concerned that the lack of counsellor during my reclamation may have had a deleterious effect on not only my emotional, but also moral development. He is singularly unimpressed by the mentoring from either the captain or the doctor. He is calmly damning of the commander.
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from:B'Elanna Torres Paris (lieutenant, chief engineer, voyager)
to: Doctor EMH Mk1 (EMH voyager)
Subject: Klingon colic
I would have appreciated the knowledge of the cot incline somewhat earlier than this. Damn right Tom looks tired. We have had no significant amount of sleep in the last three weeks except at the weekend when Elizabeth has Miral in the afternoon. Then we sleep!
As for the upright position for two hours after feeds, you are aware that Miral feeds nearly every hour? I express milk for Elizabeth at the weekend, and for when Kathryn and Chakotay babysit for us, which they usually do for a couple of hours once or twice a week. It is like a constant red alert, but without the adrenaline to keep going.
The emitter should work fine. I am sitting with Kathryn, and she says she will drop by later to see how the project is starting. She also says that she doesn't recommend that you leave starfleet currently. Few people know about the emitter, but it would be a potential theft risk. She asks that you 'sit tight'.
We have also discussed the experience of the cytoplasmic lifeform. Unfortunately it was something the debrief was fairly caustic over today, so both Kathryn and I feel aggrieved. however. we both approve the use with reservations, that there must be no hint of an assistant, or who was used. the term is your 'exobiology database' Kathryn is keen to see how your lecture unfolds, and will be front row. Your apology is accepted.
B'Elanna
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From: Kathryn Janeway (captain voyager)
to: Doctor EMH Mk1 (EMH voyager)
Subject: bat'leth injury
Doctor, unfortunately i worked a little overhard with B'Elanna's bat'leth programme. clearly i am taking the exercise regime seriously. I did wonder whether it would be possible to see you when less people were around? comm me when it is a reasonable time to use the dermal and subdermal regenerator. I will aim to parry more blows next time.
I hope that you and Reg are making progress with your audition piece. The whole affair seems to be shrouded in mystery, but due to some theatrical winking, I am imagining at least some of the recent events involving Voyager will be alluded to, and I would hope that you could help keep me informed, and also tone down anything too untoward.
How are the projects settling in? Seven murmured something at lunch about micelles, I wasn't aware that lipid chemistry was part of the project, but i am prepared to be interested! Speaking of lunch, you should join the crew in the canteen now you have your mobile emitter. We have missed your regular presence.
Yours, Kathryn
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The Doctor
Hmm, I am pleased that the senior crew still consider me as a colleague. I regularly see or hear from the Captain, Lt Torres Paris x 2, Icheb and Seven. I believe that the captain's suggestion of walking with Seven to the mess is well intentioned, and I intend to acquiesce, at least on some occasions. I comm the captain as 'the coast is clear' . our oil and water have spent a productive afternoon working with Seven's initial questions and have now left.
I was initially surprised by the initial direction that Seven has taken. She has asked that we consider what the nanoprobes have done in two events - firstly in radioactivity decontamination from the friendship one event, and secondly in the removal of toxins from the blood stream - in that case the synthehol from the embassador enabling him to greet his colleague sober. She wants us to study the mechanisms, break down the steps required and see if we can replicate a non-Borg nanobot to complete a similar task. She also wishes us to push the envelope of keeping nanoprobes in stasis, and what basic pre-programming they could have, and consider whether there are alternative artificial hosts. This last will require specific permissions, and perhaps is something to consider at a later date.
In her usual efficient manner Seven informed me that she had no intention of spending her alpha quadrant existance tied to a medical establishment for the benefit of strangers to be able to be milked of her nanoprobes. When I enquired of her plans, she raised her eyebrow at me and stated that her original anticipated outcome had been derailed, and she was biding her time before 'reconfiguring her expectations'.
For me, she wants us to hone a definitive step by step treatment to separate drones from the collective and to rehabilitate them physically. An illustrated holomanual. This is less research, but more an opportunity to rescue other drones where possible. As she said, nanoprobes are going to start to be a valuable commodity when domesticated.
Adding this to the research I am doing for the Captain, and the trickle of Voyager crewmen that come to my consulting room, and I am carving my space here in the alpha quadrant.
'doctor?' and here is the Captain
'do come in captain. How can I help you? It is some time since I have had to join you back together. The joys of being on Earth!' and I smile at her, particularly as she can now smile back with ease. She slinks in and perches uncomfortably on the biobed before divesting her top. The bruising is significant.
'so doctor, how is the project implementation proceding?' ah, so this is also a debrief.
I discuss Seven's plans, and the Captain is somewhat non-commital, but she is enthusiastic about the manual for drone rehabilitation and I have started the detailed analysis of the neurolytic pathogen to see whether it can be limited to interaction with Borg technology. I can see the captain's involuntary shudder remembering her couterpart's sacrifice.
I have also discussed wth Icheb working with him to see if we can use his nanoprobes altered to fight assimilation, and also, to release the hopefully modified neurolytic pathogen. Initially I would want them to be able to cause resistance to assimilation, and for it to fail. But it would be even better if it could help disconnect drones safely from the collective. I feel enthusiastic as I discuss it. It is the start of something much bigger. Talking to the captain has always enabled me to widen my parameters.
She questions me further on seven, and asks me to contact her if I have concerns. Seven's introduction to the alpha quadrant has affected her on many levels. She also tells me that Lt Torres will be visiting me to make sure my programme is locked form external tamper. Not that the captain expects it, but now I am working on high secrecy projects she wishes to protect me.
I finish as Sam comms the captain for girls night. No wonder the captain seems a different woman these days. More relaxed and more human.
As she leaves, she reminds me again that I need a name, and teases me that she will name me herself if I take too long.
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Reg Barclay
I have been practising the duet in my head all day. I am limiting the voice practice to the timings the doctor has recommended. I have done the best that I can. I will continue to work hard on this, as I am so keen to be part of the production, but my voice does not rival the doctors.
As for a prose audition section, this is optional. However, I am going to suggest to the doctor we do this too. Since the production is as much acting as singing, I am going to suggest we do a more physical acting selection, with a humorous twist. There are some recent options of fairly standard dialogue and I will show these to him.
I hope I get the singing right. Like with acting, singing controls my breathing and gives me confidence. I just need to remember this.
I finish work on a section of our hypersubspace technology so that it will interface with the Talaxian colony where Neelix now resides. I have had Harry Kim and both Delaney sisters helping with this project, and I wish I had been able to directly work with them earlier. Harry in particular understands my random ideas, and then is much more skilled at applying it. The Delaney sisters add the working interfaces, smoothing the wrinkles, streamlining and simplifying.
In fact Megan? Jenny? immaterial. One suggested we readapt all of this to place on all the 'whales' and the ships going out to the far reaches. They are both sure that using the transponders as the fixed point, we should be able to use the technology, and are busy arranging a trial with the USS Mariner which is currently undergoing a 'voyagerisation' upgrade. even I noticed the admiring glances at the captain. It will be a radical solution to the ultra-long distance missions. Also, it is less easy to intercept these communications, as it requires the transponder code to receive.
Admiral Paris is more than ecstatic. We had thought the project would wind down with the Voyager return, but instead we have a huge wave of new technology and applications that will encourage exploration again.
I have been so engrossed in this work that the time is creeping to nine. Just time for a light supper and meet the doctor at his consulting room
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from:Doctor EMH Mk1 (EMH voyager)
to: Reginald Barclay (Lt, Pathfinder project)
Subject: starfleet operetta
Our best rehearsal yet! I recorded it and will show to Seven for her critical appraisal. I hope my performance in the acting will improve. We have four days!
Doctor