Anthony Siegel opened his eyes and stared for a time at the ceiling of his temporary quarters on board the Enterprise. His whole body still felt like he had hit a wall going at warp nine. He rolled over, the bed protesting under his massive weight, and reached for the glass of water he had left for himself the night before. His fingers fumbled around in the darkness and, before he could stop himself, knocked over the glass. He heard a soft thud and quiet splash as it hit the floor. He groaned inwardly because he didn't have the energy to do it out loud. After a few minutes, he finally got together the motivation to ask for the time.
"The time is thirteen hundred and twenty-one hours," the computer's familiar voice chimed.
Siegel groaned and rolled back over, fully intending to sleep until the Terran star went nova. Before he could get back to sleep however, his comm badge beeped and his captain's voice sounded.
"Wakey, wakey sleepy head." Benjamin said in a matter of fact voice that didn't match the words.
Siegel again rolled over and fumbled in the darkness, this time looking for his badge. When he heard familiar clicking tone, he wrapped his fingers around it and pulled it close to his face.
"What do you want, James?" He mumbled, his voice half muffled by the bedding.
"Is that any way to talk to your captain?" Benjamin responded with exaggerated indignance.
Siegel started to roll his eyes, but stopped when the motion caused pain to flare in his head. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing the pain away. His training came to the front of his mind unbidden. He could hear his old master's voice, speaking very softly, forcing a very young Anthony to listen carefully.
"Pain cannot be controlled. It is a wild monster that will rage inside you. What you must learn to do is refuse to acknowledge its presence. Treat it as though it doesn't exist. This will be very difficult, but doable."
Siegel opened his eyes and focused on the badge in his hand with everything in him. Finally able to ignore the aching in his muscles, he responded to his captain.
"I'm off duty," he said, "What do you want?"
"I thought a nice, high gravity run would do you some good."
Siegel sat up, brow furrowed in confusion, "That program was on the Davenport. They won't have it in the holodeck here."
"I know," Benjamin answered cheerfully, "I got a stock hiking program and increased the gravity. Get dressed and meet me in holodeck 2."
Siegel stood and looked around for his running pants. "Be there in two minutes," he said before closing the channel.
Spike walked down the depressingly well lit hall, seeing people openly stare at him. He would have been indignant about it, but he had caught himself staring more than once at the various creatures he had seen. The Doctor walked with him, talking to him about the history of the United Federation of Planets and its military, Starfleet.
Spike had grasped most of it, but it still blew him away. He must have been out for a very long time, indeed. After watching the video, Spike had asked about how the world had changed. The response from the Doctor was overwhelming. Humanity had apparently completely left the world of magic behind. None of the truths of the demons and other dimensions had survived the centuries. As they had expanded into space, humanity had completely forgotten the truth of their origin.
One piece of the puzzle of his presence here clicked into place. The prophecy started with "When humanity is seeded among the stars". That certainly was the case here. His head spun with all of the new information. He stopped walking a put a hand to the Doctor's chest.
"Doc," He said wearily, "I don't think I can take anymore right now."
The Doctor nodded, "Of course, Spike. I understand that this must be very difficult for you. It's a lot to take in. But here we are, the holodeck. You were looking for a chance to, how did you put it?"
"Stretch my ass-kicking muscles," Spike answered.
"Ah yes," the Doctor laughed, "Well this room will create what ever fantasy you desire. We use it to relax, but also to run important simulations and experiments. Commander Worf has a number of combat training programs that he uses. Any preference on weapons?"
Spike shook his head, "Nothing like a bare fisted punch to the face to let someone know who their dealing with."
"Suite yourself," the Doctor shrugged, "Computer?"
The panel next to the door chimed in response.
"Run Worf Exercise Program Alpha."
The panel chimed and a woman's voice answered, "This holodeck is already in use."
"What?" the Doctor said, surprised, "By who?"
"The holodeck's current occupants are Captain James Benjamin and Commander Anthony Siegel." The female voice answered.
"Open the door," the Doctor ordered
"Warning," the computer responded urgently, "The gravity inside the holodeck is one point five times normal. Authorization required."
The Doctor huffed, "Doctor authorization one six seven nine delta."
The computer chimed and the door slid open. The Doctor and Spike walked through. As soon as he crossed the threshold, Spike could feel the increased gravity. His coat seamed heavier and he could even feel the difference in the way his limbs moved. The inside appeared to be a convenience store inside a log cabin. The walls, shelves, and even the desk appeared to be made of lovingly hand carved wood. There were lights in the ceiling, but whoever was in charge appeared to prefer the sunlight streaming in from the various large windows. Spike stepped carefully to avoid the beams as he walked around the store. A voice made him jump.
"Didn't see you two come in," said a man behind the counter, "What can I do for you?"
He was dressed in a pair of old jeans and a flannel shirt. It unnerved Spike that he couldn't smell the man. He figured that it had to be like the Doctor, he was a hologram, so he had no scent. Knowing that didn't make it any less annoying.
"Hello," The Doctor said to the rustic clerk, "We're looking for two friends of ours. A Big, bald man and a smaller one with a beard."
The clerk nodded, "Yeah, they were here. They got water and went up the trail. If you hurry, you can catch them. They only left a couple of minutes ago."
The Doctor moved to the door and opened it. As the light came into the room, Spike took a casual step back putting himself just out of reach. The Doctor looked back and motioned for Spike to follow.
"I don't know how much you know about vampires, Mate," he said, "But we're not the tanning type."
The Doctor motioned outside, "It's a holographic sun, it won't hurt you."
Spike scoffed, "You're not the one who gets served up extra crispy if you're wrong."
"Would you come on?" The Doctor said in an impatient tone.
Spike carefully took a step forward and let the tips of his fingers into the light. The expected white hot irons stabbing into his hand and moving up his arm didn't come. He stepped fully into light. The glorious sensation of warmth swept over him, showing him the world in a way he never thought possible.
"Are you ready?" The Doctor asked
Captain Benjamin and Commander Siegel stood at the first rest point on the trail. Siegel took slow even breaths while Benjamin huffed and puffed. Benjamin stretched his sore legs, trying to work the kinks out.
"I'll never understand how it is that you can endure so much physical punishment," Benjamin said after catching his breath.
"That's your problem," Siegel replied, "You assume that I endure it. You were taught to endure pain, while I was taught to ignore it. For you, pain is an adversary meant to be conquered. For me, it simply doesn't exist."
Benjamin shook his head, taking a drink from his water bottle. The action reminded Siegel of his own thirst. He pulled his own bottle and drank. There was something on the captain's mind. Siegel was just waiting for him to bring it up, but he knew that could take forever. He finally lost patience and decided to ask.
"What's on your mind, James?"
Benjamin pushed the air out between pursed lips. He stared off in the distance for a moment longer. Finally he said, "I'm lodging a formal complaint against Captain Riker."
Siegel shook his head, "You shouldn't do that, James."
"What do you expect me to do, Tony?" Benjamin asked quietly.
"I expect you to be reasonable," Siegel answered firmly, "Riker did the only thing he could do. Donotra had his wife. Besides, if Riker had stuck around, the Enterprise would have been disabled like the Davenport, the Kothre would have gotten away and we would all be dead."
"You expect me to believe that?" Benjamin asked incredulously, "The Enterprise is a Sovereign Class starship, the most advanced ship in the fleet. It's the flagship of the United Federation of Planets. You expect me to believe that it wouldn't have had a slightly better chance of surviving that encounter than us. The Davenport was a second generation Nebula Class. It wasn't designed for combat. It was a science vessel. Riker caused the deaths of thirty good men and women because he couldn't let his wife go. He should have stayed and done his duty."
Siegel grabbed his captain by the shoulder, trying desperately to get his point across, "Will you listen to yourself. It's like you've got some kind of grudge. He would never have left his wife and you know that. The Enterprise might have had a marginally better chance in that trap, but it not being caught was the only thing that saved the lives of the five hundred eighty-one people who survived. Besides, you said it yourself, the people who died did so saving the rest of the crew. All things considered, James, we're extremely lucky to be alive."
A voice caught both of their attention. They turned to see two people walking up the trail toward them. One was the ship's doctor, but Siegel didn't recognize the other one. The unfamiliar one had platinum blond hair and a long black coat. Siegel couldn't help noting how ridiculous he looked, especially on a forest hiking trail. He looked to the captain, who shrugged.
"I suppose we should go meet them," Benjamin said.
Spike and the Doctor had been walking for about ten minutes when they saw the two officers heading down the hill. One of them was short and average looking, with brown hair and a goatee. The other seemed like a giant in comparison. The mountain of a man toward over his companion.
The Doctor seemed not to have any trouble scaling the hill even in the increased gravity. Spike would never admit it, but he was starting to wish he'd left his coat back at the store. He stopped when he reached a flat spot. The two men were not far from them and Spike was actually tired.
"Commander Siegel," the Doctor said in a chiding tone, "What do you think you're doing up and about. I told you to rest, yet I find you high gravity hiking. Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"Doctor," The bigger man said, holding up a hand to forestall any more arguments, "I know my limitations and needs better than you do. I need to be moving around."
"That may be," the Doctor said, "But you still shouldn't be trying to do a high gravity hike."
"Look Doc," The shorter man interjected, "I asked him to come. I've known Tony since my academy days. Trust me, this is what he needs more than anything."
"And if his musculature collapses under the increased weight of his skeleton?" He asked.
"It won't," the big man said, annoyed, "I was raised on Vulcan specifically because of its high gravity. It's the only reason my muscles can support my skeleton. I have to keep it up to maintain my strength."
"Look Mate," Spike said, speaking for the first time, "I would listen to the Doc. Now clear off so I can get in a spot of violence before bed time."
All eyes turned to Spike. Even the Doctor seemed surprised at his sudden interjection. Spike looked right at the big man, raised his eyebrows and held out his hands as if to say what, you have a problem?
The smaller man stepped forward, "Who are you?"
"I'm Spike. I-"
"He's the one we found frozen in that derelict vessel," The Doctor interrupted, "I promised him use of the holodeck for sparring."
The smaller one cocked an eyebrow, "Oh, you want to spar? Well I know I could use a work out."
Spike looked at the smaller man. "Who are you?" he asked.
The man straightened, extending his hand. "Forgive me," he said, "I am Captain James Benjamin, formerly of the USS Davenport. This is my first officer, Commander Anthony Siegel.
Spike didn't take the man's hand. "And you want to spar? With me?" Spike scoffed.
"Only if you're up to it," Benjamin answered, smirking.
The Doctor stepped forward, "Now Spike, I don't think-"
"Sounds like fun," Spike said, ignoring the Doctor.
AN: As always, please let me know what you think.