=/\=
The first time Tuvok came into the Mess Hall and challenged him to a Kal-toh match, Icheb was relieved. He must truly be feeling better. While everyone knew the prescribed course of treatment for fal-tor-voh had been successfully completed - although no one ever mentioned it publicly - Tuvok still received benefits from another, very welcome, source. T'Pel had come to stay with her husband on Voyager.
Although Starfleet had not yet been released information to the general public about the Rift and the negotiations with the Fluidians and the Borg Resistance group, those connected with Headquarters were well aware. Once the talks reached the point where the major issues had been dealt with successfully, and only minor points were still under review, Captain Janeway requested permission from Admiral Paris to invite T'Pel to join her husband. Since the Rift was not far from Vulcan, the admiral sent Tom and Harry in the new Delta Flyer class prototype as a "test flight." They "just happened" to pick up a certain passenger for the return trip.
When they began their first match, or their "rematch," as Icheb put it, he said to Tuvok, "This time it's for real," adding that his victory in their first match was tainted by reasons "unknown to me at the time." The effect those unknown reasons had on that game was quickly made clear to Icheb. He lost that game in less than ten minutes. The next three games lasted longer, but each outcome was the same. However, Icheb was delighted when he won the fifth match.
When the shimmering ball appeared, Icheb called out to his Voyager roommate, "Freddie, your bet was the right one after all!"
"Congratulations, Cadet!" the newly-promoted lieutenant j.g. exclaimed. "Nicoletti and Vorik both threatened to make me pay them back for the first bet. I don't have to worry about that now!
"Betting on a Kal-toh match, Cadet?"
Icheb wished he'd waited to say anything to Freddie, since the tone of Tuvok's voice had been disapproving, but he didn't have much choice. Icheb had to respond to Tuvok's query. "When the crew learned I would be playing against you the first time, most of the engineers were sure I'd never beat you. Freddie bet that I would be successful at least by the twentieth time we played. It was a shock to everyone when I beat you on the first try, although we both know there were . . . extenuating circumstances. I'm glad this victory means the parameters of his bet were satisfied."
After a deep sigh, Commander Tuvok said something in Vulcan which was not rendered into Federation Standard by the Universal Translator. Icheb couldn't understand the exact comment, of course, but he had little doubt that Tuvok was making another negative statement about Tom Paris's encouraging the crew to bet on anything and everything, as it seemed, during Voyager's journey to the Alpha Quadrant. This impression was confirmed a moment later by T'Pel's gentle admonishment to her spouse.
"Husband, didn't you tell me that the betting pools were an integral part of the social life of Voyager? You told me they were instrumental in maintaining the crew's morale while the ship was traveling through the Delta Quadrant, all alone, and in virtually constant danger."
From the expression on the commander's face, Icheb half-expected him to refuse to acknowledge his wife's comment. His lips tightened the way they did whenever Neelix became overly enthusiastic about something at "Mr. Vulcan's" expense. However, he graciously conceded, "I did say that at one point during my recent leave. I do not believe I was thinking completely logically at the time. There may, however, be a very slight amount of merit in that view."
Turning back to Icheb, Tuvok said, "Cadet, I am pleased to see how well you now play. You must be practicing diligently. Have you had much opportunity to play with Mr. Kim?"
"Occasionally. I've played Cadet Verit on a regular basis, however." Icheb nodded to where his suitemate was sitting, silently observing their verbal exchange, just as she had their game.
Tuvok turned to her. "From the improvement in Cadet Icheb's play, I suspect you have attained a degree of mastery in Kal-toh as well, Cadet Verit."
"Thank you, Commander. My father taught me. He believes Kal-toh is not just a game. He says it exercises the mind in many concepts, such as the recognition of spatial relationships and the desirability of anticipating multiple outcomes of any single action, which lead to success in many fields. I was pleased to learn Icheb was familiar with the game when he moved into our suite. Up until then, I was forced to play the game in its Solitaire form. I was unable to discover any quality opponents until he arrived at the Academy."
"Indeed, Cadet Icheb's diligence in practicing and perfecting the subjects which he studies is well known to me," Tuvok agreed. "I now offer a challenge to you, Cadet Verit."
"I am honored, Commander," Verit replied, visibly pleased by the compliment.
Icheb surrendered his chair to Verit, and Tuvok offered her the first move.
This game took quite a while, but eventually, the commander was victorious again.
"You play well, Cadet Verit. Both of you do. It is what I would expect of cadets rated as highly as both of you are. I'm pleased to see your progress, Cadet Icheb, even though I'm no longer responsible for overseeing your education."
"Your tutoring continues to influence me, Commander. Without your lessons and guidance during the time I thought attending the Academy on Earth was an impossible dream, I would not be doing nearly as well," Icheb replied.
"I believe you would, but it is gratifying to hear you take that position," Tuvok stated, with the rare lightening of facial expression which conveyed how pleased he really was. He promptly challenged Icheb to another match, "before Mr. Kim insists upon challenging me again. You are clearly the more capable opponent."
Icheb accepted, relieved that Harry was not in the Mess Hall at the time to hear Tuvok's dim opinion of his skills. Icheb couldn't suppress a little bit of pride knowing that, however it had happened, he'd succeeded in besting Tuvok twice in six tries, while Harry had yet to beat the Vulcan commander even once.
They were still in the preliminary stages of their game when Captain Janeway, Chakotay, Admiral Paris, and the Fluidians Boothby and Archer swept into the Mess Hall. Admiral Paris was the one to make the longed-for announcement. "Attention, everyone! I have some very good news. The treaty talks are finished! We've come to an accord, which will be ratified the day after tomorrow."
Admiral Paris had to stop then as everyone in the Mess Hall began to clap and cheer. Icheb couldn't wipe the grin off of his own face. He noticed Verit's eyes were sparkling, although her mouth was twisted tightly closed to contain her emotions. She clearly didn't wish to express her happiness too broadly in front of Commander Tuvok and his spouse. When Icheb looked over at them, however, he saw T'Pel clasping hands with her husband. They may not have been cheering or smiling, but it was clear they were savoring a precious moment they would cherish throughout their years together. It truly was a momentous day in the history of the Federation, and Icheb knew what a privilege it was for him to be a part of it.
Icheb realized Axum hadn't come in with the rest of the group. Had he gone to Seven, in Astrometrics, to share the good news with her? If not, Icheb wanted to be the one to let her know of the culmination of their hopes. Turning to Tuvok, he asked, "Commander, will you allow us to suspend our match for the evening? I wish to speak to Seven." Permission was readily granted. Icheb was certain the commander would also have trouble concentrating upon a game, even one which he was as fond of as Kal-toh, when this news was flashing throughout all the fleets.
=/\=
The doors to the Astrometrics lab swished open, but the pair inside made no sign they noticed. Icheb stopped his forward momentum abruptly. He was certain Seven was very aware of the accord, since she and Axum were hugging each other in a close embrace. While Icheb stood there watching, Axum pulled back just enough to take Seven's left arm from around his shoulders and plant a tender kiss on the palm of her hand. The movement was so intimate, Icheb took a step back.
Before the door could close again, however, the pair turned to the doorway and saw him standing there. "Come in, Icheb," Seven said.
"Have you heard the news?" Axum asked.
"Admiral Paris just announced it to everyone in the Mess Hall," Icheb confirmed, as he stepped near the pair.
"Good. I believe all those at this last meeting are letting the people on their own ships know. The official announcement will be made as soon as the leaders of all the parties know our task has been accomplished."
"Is that why it's going to be ratified the day after tomorrow?" Icheb asked Axum.
"Yes, the Fluidian's leader will arrive then to sign our preliminary agreement. We'll all travel back to Earth with you for the formal treaty signing with the Federation Council." Turning back to Seven, he added, "I'm happy to say Boothby and I will both be staying on Earth for some time, as representatives to the Federation council."
"But Seven, won't you be moving to Utopia Planitia when we get back to Earth?"
Seven's smile was dazzling. "The distance between Earth and Mars is negligible, compared to separation on opposite ends of the galaxy, Icheb. You won't mind if he stays in our house in San Francisco, do you?"
Icheb felt breathless for a second before he managed to say, "Of course not. Welcome, Axum!"
Axum's smile was almost as broad as Seven's as he said, "Thank you, Icheb. Oh, and by the way, I don't know if Academy cadets have a different uniform for formal occasions, but you are expected to be one of the observers on Enterprise when the initial treaty is signed." Axum looked at Seven. "The presence of both of you is required. No one believes this day would have come about if not for actions both of you undertook during the past several years."
"Including my lying to Captain Janeway about the true facts about the invasion of Fluidic Space by the Borg?" Seven asked him sardonically.
"As it happens, yes. If the Queen had sent someone else to Voyager that time, perhaps events would have turned out differently. You would not have been freed from the Collective after so many years as a drone, proving it was possible for others to be as well. You would not have been on board to rescue Icheb and the other children from their cube. I could not have contacted you when we needed your assistance protecting the drones of Unimatrix Zero from the Queen."
He turned his attention back to the cadet. "And you were the key to freeing the galaxy of that Queen, Icheb. You did so even though you knew it might cost you your life as an independent being. You see, even events which seemed to be disasters when they occurred now seem to have been necessary, preliminary steps, which have led to an agreement which we hope will stabilize the entire galaxy. Even Bulloch has decided you're not evil personified, Annika."
"That is . . . good to know," she responded, with a huskiness in her voice that told Icheb, more than words could have done, how grateful she was to be here this time - with Axum.
=/\=