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[If you don't understand the interchange between Boothby the gardener and Boothby the ambassador in this chapter, may I direct you to my stories, "Wisdom of the Ages" and "Words of Wisdom." And Six of Twelve, here's your Boothby conversation I didn't think I'd get into this story. I found a place for it after all. ;-) ]
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"Some must search from one end of their homeworld to the other to find the love of their life. Some of us have to be thrown into the other side of the galaxy to find theirs." Tom paused at this point and smiled at his B'Elanna, who smiled sweetly in return as laughter rippled through the assembled engagement party guests. "But I can't imagine literally traveling from one end of the galaxy to the other to find your soul mate. But the guests of honor at tonight's little fete had to do just that to fulfill their destinies as partners for life. Annika - Axum - we all wish you more joy than the collective number of kilometers you had to travel to finally be with each other in the flesh, rather than in a virtual love affair of the mind. Annika, A.K.A. Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01, and Axum, A.K.A. Five of Twelve, Secondary Adjunct of Trimatrix 942, we wish you long lives, filled with love, health, and happiness. To the happy couple!"
Tom raised his glass of champagne high in the air. All the guests followed suit, repeating Tom's phrase. Icheb lifted his own glass, too, even though it was filled with sparkling grape juice rather than the traditional beverage used for toasts on Earth. Of course, the beaming couple's glasses were filled with the same liquid. Even syntheholic champagne affected both of them as much (or more) as the real stuff did. As they raised their glasses and sipped from them to acknowledge the toast from their friends, Icheb had to admit they were a lovely couple, perfectly matched.
During the past couple of months, he'd come to appreciate the Ioronian for his quiet strength, intelligence, and warm personality. He knew his adoptive mother Seven, despite having a personality that was the opposite of Axum's in many ways, recognized how well his qualities complimented hers. Their mutual respect reminded him of another couple he knew. The hosts of this party, Tom and B'Elanna, were a perfect example of the way two very disparate personalities could form a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship.
And Icheb also knew he would soon have a father who would always support him. It was a wonderful feeling.
After the toast, Tom circulated among the guests, encouraging everyone to partake of the vast array of comestibles and other forms of liquid refreshment available. His path approached the place where Icheb and his suitemates were standing. They all were sipping the same beverage as Icheb "in solidarity," even though Verit and Farys were both well over the age anyone could complain about their partaking of an alcoholic drink. "Enjoying the party?" Tom said, as he came close enough to be heard above the babbling of the excited party guests.
"Very much so. I especially liked your toast. Was the inclusion of the word 'collective' deliberate, or some sort of mental slip?" Icheb replied, with an air of exaggerated innocence.
Tom laughed. "Caught me. Resistance was futile, once I thought of it."
"Ouch," Austin said, laughing. "I didn't catch that pun until just now. Did the rest of you?" Farys and Verit both nodded their heads, and Austin shrugged ruefully. "I guess I'll have to pay more attention when you're addressing us in the future, Commander."
"This is a party, Austin! Call me Tom. I'm only Commander Paris when I'm on duty!"
"As you told me once, a long time ago," Icheb answered.
"Barely three years ago. It does seem like such a long time ago now, doesn't it? So much has happened since you came on Voyager. Well, kids - I hope you don't mind me calling you that, since to me, that's what you are - have a great time. Get some food. Fill your plates. That's what it's there for." As Tom shooed Austin, Farys, and Verit to the buffet table, which was laden with delicacies from many worlds, Icheb was very glad Tom and B'Elanna had thought to include them. He was getting more conscious every day that their time together at the Academy would come to an end in a little more than a year. How long would it take for him to think back fondly on these days and think of their friendship as something that began a "long time ago?"
As this thought came into his mind, his soon-to-be father waved him over to join Seven and him. They hugged Icheb when he reached them, which pleased Icheb no end. "Perhaps we should have had you stand with us when Tom made his toast," Axum mused.
"It's traditional to toast an engaged couple. I didn't mind being one of the spectators. I was the first one you told about your engagement. That's enough of an honor for me."
Just then Dr. Mark Zimmerman passed by, smiling a little too broadly as he pointed his imager at the guests clustered around the serving table. Axum called out to him, "Doctor, please point your imager here so we can greet Mezoti together."
"I'll be happy to," the EMH replied. As he moved into position in front of them and raised his imager, he added, "Now, when you see the little red light begin to shine, I'll be recording your message to our distant colleague."
"Doctor, by now we're very familiar with the process," Icheb remarked, chuckling softly. Under his breath he added, "Taking over, as always."
Axum and Seven began to chuckle with Icheb, just as the little indicator light flashed on. "Hello, Mezoti!" Icheb addressed the imager. "I hope you're enjoying this record of the engagement party. We're at Admiral and Mrs. Paris' home, but Tom and B'Elanna are actually throwing this 'shindig,' as he calls it, welcoming Axum into our Voyager family!" Icheb paused as he momentarily ran out of anything to say to Mezoti. Fortunately, Seven and Axum both recorded their own messages to his little sister while Icheb brought his emotions under control.
If only she could have been here! Maybe Seven would be marrying Axum today instead of only taking part in a pre-wedding celebration.
The wedding would not take place for several months. When Icheb had asked them why they were waiting so long, Axum explained it was for "diplomatic reasons."
"The Federation Council has asked us to take part in a mission to visit several non-aligned worlds, to explain our new alliance to them. We're hoping more may join us, to further stabilize the Milky Way galaxy. Annika will be one of the representatives of the Federation, as well as a part of the former Borg contingent. The Valerie Archer from Fluidic Space is the lead representative of their species. Since one of our stops is not far from the Vorothon Gorge, which Annika and I always spoke about visiting when we met in Unimatrix Zero, we thought we would go there now, instead of waiting until after the wedding."
"Wouldn't that be a perfect spot for your honeymoon?" Icheb had asked.
"After coming back from this mission, we may not have the opportunity to go that far away for several years. Annika will return to Utopia Planitia once her vacation time and extended leave of absence is over. I must resume my duties with the council when we get back. It will take a few years to finish terraforming our new planet. Others will oversee the project while we're away, but I'm sure I'll be asked to make many decisions upon our return. So, we won't be able to visit a place so far distant for quite a while."
"I wish I could come with you. Not for the honeymoon aspect," Icheb had hastened to add. "Just to see the falls. Maybe I could have been included in the crew as part of my training cruise - if my service on Voyager to the Rift hadn't been counted as that." Icheb sighed. As rewarding as his time on Voyager at the Rift had been, he wouldn't have minded going on a training cruise with Austin and Farys, as well as Verit.
"We'll be home again soon enough. You'll be busy with your classes. I understand you'll be taking more during the summer. The time will fly by," Seven replied, trying to reassure him.
"Maybe. Admiral Virdian has asked Verit and me to join an exobiology seminar and share information about new species we've obtained through our contacts with the Borg survivors. It's a tempting offer, but since you're going to be away from Utopia Planitia, I was going to ask B'Elanna if I could spend some time there, working with her engineering group."
"You may have a chance to do that, too, although B'Elanna will have the assistance of Axum's engineers to assist her. They won't be traveling with us. And I doubt this would have counted as your senior training cruise anyway. We'll be traveling in a Fluidian bioship," Seven had explained. Drily, she added, "I'm sure B'Elanna will have her hands full, ordering more Borg around."
"Ever since they met General Korok, my crew have found Commander Torres to be refreshingly mild-mannered," Axum offered, smiling, and that made them all laugh.
As Icheb finished the last of his sparkling grape juice, he recalled this conversation. It was a comfort to know the mission was traveling on a bioship. Because the properties of Fluidic Space differed so much from that of Dry Space, it could travel far more rapidly than vessels using other technologies, even regular transwarp. They may not be able to move as quickly as Borg ships did through the destroyed Trans-Warp conduit system, but the trip was projected to take only a few months, rather than years.
After depositing his empty glass on a tray left for that purpose on a small table in the corner, Icheb picked up a plate and visited the buffet table himself. After choosing what must surely be an overabundance of food - although Icheb was certain he'd be able to stuff it all down - he joined his suitemates and took a seat on the couch next to Farys. After sampling most of his selections, which were just as delicious as he'd thought they would be, he asked, "Verit, did I hear you received a message just before we left for the party?"
"I did. It was from Torin."
"Excellent," Icheb responded. "Has their group had any contact with the Fluidians in the Gamma Quadrant?"
"No. My message to him about the Rift surprised him, although official word arrived just after he received my message. He said he was fascinated by my report and was pleased I had authorized him to share my experiences with his entire group."
"And how are things going for him?" Austin asked.
"The project is going very well. He may not be away as long as was originally projected."
"You miss him. And don't tell me that's a human emotion. I know you too well," Austin chuckled.
"I would prefer to state it somewhat differently: I look forward to the time when he will return to me, when we can again share our lives in a mutually beneficial relationship. Is that acceptable phrasing, Austin?"
"Acceptable Vulcan-Speak for, 'Yes, I miss him'? Yeah, I think so."
They all laughed. This may be why the EMH suddenly materialized in their corner, imager in hand. "You seem to be having a wonderful time. Do you have any greetings to send to our friend Mezoti on Wysanti?"
Everyone did, of course. Verit's salutation included a quick post-script. "I will send you a separate message, Mezoti, describing my perceptions of this ceremonial gathering in greater detail. I look forward to hearing your response to what I share with you."
Once the Doctor walked away from the group, Austin said, "I didn't know you sent messages to Mezoti, too, Verit."
"I do, from time to time. She's asked me to keep her informed of anything her brother Icheb fails to let her know, if I believe it's something she should be aware of." At this, she quirked up an eyebrow and glanced in said brother's direction, which prompted a grin. He knew there were some messages from Mezoti she'd failed to share with him. He'd already guessed he must have been the subject of most, if not all, of them. Verit continued, "She also keeps me informed about her studies of the insects on Wysanti. Her observation are very detailed, and her conclusions, astute. She's a remarkable child. I enjoy our correspondence."
The suitemates spent the next few minutes finishing their meals and saying nothing much of consequence. The Doctor passed by their corner several times, in search of moments to record for Mezoti. After one of these transits, Farys remarked, "Dr. Zimmerman's smile looks so big and pasted on, it borders on painful - if he were an organic, that is. Icheb, what's the story? There's got to be one. I've never seen him look that way before."
Icheb sighed. "I guess I never told you about this. The Doctor has a big crush on Seven. Actually, it's probably more like an unrequited love affair on his part. Once, when he thought his program was decompiling - which would have meant his death - he confessed to embarrassing actions he'd taken towards several of the crew of Voyager which were embarrassing for him to admit. And he also confessed his love for Seven of Nine. Fortunately - or unfortunately, from the Doctor's point of view, since he'd spilled so many deep secrets - B'Elanna rescued his program. He's had to live with everyone knowing what he'd revealed ever since."
"Is that why he always seems to date women who are tall and blonde - more or less Scandinavian looking, like Annika Hansen?" Austin asked, glancing towards the Doctor's latest girlfriend, who was indeed tall, blonde, and buxom, and standing somewhat uneasily in another corner. The EMH hadn't been dating her long enough for her to know many of the other party guests.
"Yes, Bettina does fit the mold," Icheb replied. "She has a nice singing voice, too."
"Does your mother sing, Icheb?" Farys asked.
"She has a very lovely singing voice. I wish she sang more." Icheb sighed. Maybe he should ask Axum if he knew how well she sang. She should be sharing that voice with someone.
"Oh, look. I knew the Fluidian Ambassador Boothby was here, but isn't that our Academy gardener speaking with him?" Austin asked, breaking Icheb's chain of thought.
"Why yes. I'm sure it is. Excuse me. I want to say hello." Icheb stood up and walked over to the twin Boothbys.
"Well, if it isn't one of the 'good ones' I was just speaking about, Ambassador," the more casually dressed Boothby remarked.
"Hello, sirs," Icheb said politely, extending his hand to shake each of theirs in turn. "I'm glad to see you here," Icheb said to the gardener.
"I was very pleased when Tom Paris extended the invitation. Quite a show. Not surprising, when you consider who the guests of honor are."
"They do make a lovely couple," the ambassador replied.
"Isn't Harry Kim at the party? I looked for him, but I don't see him."
"It's his father's birthday today. His mother planned a surprise birthday extravaganza for him this evening, so Harry couldn't be here."
The gardener tut-tutted. "Bad timing for him, I suspect. I remember commiserating with him on more than one occasion about how much he owed his parents, especially his mother - and the fact that she never let him forget about it, either. I enjoyed the discussion we had a few weeks ago, when you brought your mother Annika to visit my garden with Mr. Kim."
"I enjoyed it, too," Icheb said, smiling at the two. "It was quite a surprise to see the two of you conversing with each other that day."
"I thought I should get to know the person my manly form and figure were modeled upon," the ambassador said, as the original model snickered. "He's a very wise man, you know. Lots of experience."
"Yes, you've been at the Academy a very long time, haven't you, Mr. Boothby?"
"Oh, just Boothby to you, Icheb. Although I do see it might be a little difficult right now, since the ambassador here goes by that name, too. Yes, I've been here for several decades."
"I guess you may be planning to retire soon," Icheb said, then added, hastily, "but not until after I graduate, I hope!"
"No fear of that, young man. I don't plan on going anywhere in the next couple of years - if I can help it. Now, sometimes, I do like to 'take a bunk' and leave unexpectedly from wherever I'm living at the time. But I haven't any firm plans to leave at the moment."
The gardener glanced over at the ambassador. They both were smiling rather enigmatically, Icheb thought. Since he'd seen that expression on the faces of both Boothbys from time to time, he didn't think much more about it. Instead, he said to the gardener, "I'm glad to hear it."
"Come see me if you need to talk anytime, once your mother and her intended have left for their trip. Come to think of it, I suspect the ambassador will decide to look in on you every now and then as well."
"You have an open invitation to 'pick my brains' any time you wish, Icheb," the ambassador confirmed.
"I'm hearing that from everyone. Captains Janeway and Chakotay have both told me to come see them if I need to speak with someone. And Tom and B'Elanna, of course. I've gone to them sometimes even though Seven has been here for me. They've been my mentors for years now." Icheb looked around. The party was going strong, and he knew both Boothbys were likely to want to visit with others in attendance. "I guess I'd better get back to my friends now. It's been great speaking with you. Enjoy the party!"
"We will, Icheb. Say hello to Cadet Verit for me. I enjoyed our interactions when we were at the Rift. She's a very intelligent person," the ambassador said.
"She is. She's a good friend. I'll be sure to pass on your message. Good-bye for now."
Icheb walked away. Despite his enhanced hearing, there was so much going on around him, he didn't pick up on what the gardener had to say to the ambassador once Icheb had left.
"He doesn't know the full itinerary, does he?" the gardener said.
"Nope. It's better that way. I don't think anything is going to happen to interfere with Axum and Annika's plans, but it will be good to surprise him. As long as no one lets him in on the secret before they get back, that is. Everyone else seems to know! How did you find out? Kathryn?"
"Yes, she came to me again to discuss that promotion the Admiralty is dangling before her. Not that accepting it would matter much now, since everyone knows about her relationship with Chakotay. They wouldn't be in the same chain of command this time, with him teaching at the Academy and her at Starfleet Command. Just before she left, she told me about the 'precious cargo' she dropped off while passing through the Delta Quadrant. I think she's glad that a precious someone will be coming home, now that she doesn't have to worry about being the one to transport her all the way here!"
The ambassador laughed with the gardener and said, "She told me about that. She feels a little guilty now about leaving her behind. She had no idea they'd get home so soon afterwards at the time, of course. Kathryn wanted to protect her from the big, bad Delta Quadrant. She's been living with good people, at least. It will be hard on them to lose her, I should imagine."
"I'm sure it will be, but keeping them informed about what's happening here has prepared them for what was bound to come about eventually. That's why they recorded this gathering for them to see. Now they'll not only know what will happen, they'll know the 'when.' I look forward to meeting her. Maybe I'll even stick around long enough to see her graduate from the Academy, if I'm spared that long."
"The way you're going, you really may live forever!"
"No chance of that," the gardener groaned. "My old bones won't last indefinitely. But for a while yet, I hope. I've got a lot of cadets to keep my eye on before I pass on the job to someone else. Any chance you'd be interested?"
The ambassador shook his head and laughed. "Let me get this alliance all ship-shape and working smoothly, the way we all expect it to, before I take on another job! But thanks for the offer. I'm flattered you think I'd be up to it!"
"I think you knew you'd be 'up to it' when you chose to look like me, back in the Delta Quadrant."
At that, they both laughed.
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After the party was over, Axum and his Annika added a postscript of their own to the message to be sent to Mezoti and her foster parents through the next datastream. If Mazani and Arebi hadn't already known it was coming, it would have been devastating news, mitigated only by the uttermost joy with which the youngest resident of their home received it.
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