B'Elanna watched the display in Astrometrics as an image of Voyager fired a torpedo at a wireframe of the Quagaar homeworld. The torpedo struck near the red mark of a fault line and exploded. Pressure, in the form of a color gradient, dissipated from the impact point. B'Elanna reset the simulation. She heard the door behind her open.
"You're early," she said.
"What?" the wrong voice replied.
B'Elanna turned. "Leslie? Why are you here?"
"I'm Voyager's Chief Science Officer," the blond woman replied. "I thought the captain might like my input."
"I'm sure if she needed your input, she would contact you."
"Still, it doesn't hurt to be ready," Leslie replied.
"If you say so."
The door opened again and Lisa Hununga and Tadao Nureek entered. Lisa made a point of looking around the room.
"Lieutenant Hununga?" B'Elanna said. "And Ensign Nureek. Why are you here?"
"I'm a planetologist," Lisa said. "You are dealing with geology. You may need my help."
"I have diplomatic training," Tadao said.
The door slid open again. Ensign John Barrows entered.
"Ensign Barrows?" B'Elanna said. "Leslie, is the entire science department coming to this presentation?"
"No," she replied. "Just the four of us."
"But we are recording it for the others," Tadao said.
"Why?" B'Elanna asked.
"Phil's presenting a paper," Barrows said. Lisa grunted and cuffed him across the shoulder. He winced and said, "Sorry."
"Phil's papers are that good?" B'Elanna asked.
Leslie shrugged. "We don't know. He never wrote any."
"Really? That's interesting."
"What's interesting?" Phil asked, walking in.
"You," B'Elanna replied.
Phil looked at the members of the science department. "Oh," he said. He walked to the console. "Computer, access Keegan file Seismic Reflection Simulation and upload to this station."
"File loaded."
"Sounds intriguing," B'Elanna said.
"It's just an alternate plan," he replied. The people from the science department laughed. Phil sighed at them.
"Yes," B'Elanna said. "Very intriguing." She tapped her comm. "Commander Chakotay, we are ready in Astrometrics."
"Understood," he replied.
A few minutes later, the captain, the commander and the Quagaar delegates walked into Astrometrics smiling. The captain's eyes gave the science department members a moment, then she introduced the delegates to B'Elanna and Phil.
"Lieutenant Torres is Voyager's Chief Engineer," the captain said. "We will hear her plan first. Lieutenant Keegan is the head of our Computer Core. I've asked him to provide an alternate plan. I trust Lieutenant Torres completely, but I'm interested in seeing what Lieutenant Keegan can do. I've recently become aware of his interest in science, and I want to help him develop it."
"A generous action," the Fore Minister of the Quagaar High Council replied.
"Thank you," Captain Janeway said. "This is my Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Leslie Willis. She and the members of her department will help evaluate Lieutenant Keegan's plan." She motioned B'Elanna to the main console.
B'Elanna proceeded with her demonstration, explaining the effects of the torpedoes along the way. "As you can see," she finished, pointing to the main screen in Astrometrics, "Firing a photon torpedo with essentially a minimal load will dissipate much of the trapped energy in your main fault line."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," said the Fore Minister, his beak snapping softly. "How long will this repair last?"
"We estimate sixty-two years," B'Elanna replied. The Quagaar beaks snapped positively.
The captain called Phil forward. He looked at B'Elanna strangely as he walked to the console, as if asking for her forgiveness. He tapped the console, and the graphic changed to show hundreds of dots scattered along either side of the fault line.
"It is possible to continuously dissipate the energy of the fault line by placing dilithium reflectors at these points," he began. "The reflectors redistribute the trapped energy of the fault into the surrounding soil and convert much of that energy into heat." He explained the design and placement of the reflectors and showed the effect of the reflectors on the soil. "Ambient temperature in the area would increase about three degrees."
"Will this prevent quakes?" the Fore Minister asked.
"No, you'll have hundreds a day, so weak you'll never feel them," Keegan replied.
"Could this be done on all of the fault lines?" the Mid-Aft Minister asked with a hissing and a snap.
"No. The reflectors would start to cancel each other out. This can only be done on the six major fault lines. You'll still have quakes, but nothing like you have now." The lieutenant tapped the console again, and the graphic changed to show the final effect.
The Aft-Central Minister stepped forward. "Isn't that dilithium scheduled to go to you?"
Keegan waved at the screen. "You need only two thirds for this line, and you have more than enough in the ground for the rest."
"We will accept additional food and medical supplies as well as some technical components in place of the dilithium," the captain said. The Aft-Central Minister nodded.
"It seems your insight was correct," the Fore-Minister said to Captain Janeway. The Fore Minister snapped graciously at the captain, Chakotay and the two lieutenants. "We thank you for what you have done," he said. "Captain Janeway, I offer you this hand carved bone that I extracted from my own grandfather. He will be honored to know you have it."
She smiled and took the carved leg bone. "On behalf of the Federation, I accept."
Commander Chakotay stepped forward. "We have a state dinner prepared for you. If you will please follow me."
The captain watched them leave, promising to join them in a moment. "Have you considered transferring to the Science Department?" she asked Keegan.
"We'd love to have him back," Leslie Willis said.
"Back?" Janeway said to Keegan.
"I felt I was needed in Engineering, Captain," he replied.
"Why did you leave Engineering?"
"You had no one in the Computer Core. I knew I could do the job."
"B'Elanna," the captain said to her Chief Engineer. "What do you think of Lieutenant Keegan's plan?"
"It's a geologist's answer," she replied.
"A scientist's answer," the captain said. "Specific to the task."
"Yes," B'Elanna said.
The captain smiled. "As opposed to an engineer's plan which is quick and dirty."
"Yes, sir," B'Elanna said.
"Did he do work like this for you?" Janeway said to Lieutenant Willis.
"No," she said. "He never presented a paper."
"Very interesting," the captain said. "And thank you for coming. Please, join the dinner. Mister Keegan, may I speak with you?"
Kathryn examined the simulation. She watched the stress waves bounce against each other along the fault and the simple fractal they created. "Cochrane's Unclaimed Thesis?" she asked.
"Just a hobby."
"What do you think of it?"
He shrugged. "It needs work."
Janeway almost choked on that. "I know some scientists that say it's his best paper."
"First of all, it's not his. Second, his paper on sub-space harmonics is much better."
"But the Unclaimed Thesis gave Cochrane, and all Starfleet vessels, their power core."
"It's an anti-matter reactor. Scientists thought of that in the twentieth century. Someone would have built the reactor eventually. The thesis just gave them a head start. But Cochrane didn't understand reactors. He understood sub-space and how to manipulate it. He was a theoretician, not an engineer."
"That's almost blasphemy on a Federation Starship."
"You can flog me if you like."
"I'll take that under advisement. Shall we go to the party?" She waved in the direction of the door.
"Certainly, Captain."
"And, Mister Keegan—"
"I will keep my opinions to myself."
"Thank you."
While the captain and Chakotay negotiated a new deal with the Quagaar Center Minister of Economics, the other ministers spoke amiably with the officers about some of the sights Voyager had seen. The Center-Fore Minister of War spoke with Mr. Tuvok about battles the crew had survived. The Mid-Aft Minister of Science and the Center-Aft Minister of Geology spoke with Lieutenant Keegan about his plan. Lieutenant Keegan answered well and threw back five glasses of synthehol. He winced when he swallowed and asked for another glass.
"Someone mentioned you're interested in power systems," the Mid-Aft Minister said.
"It's a hobby," the lieutenant said and swallowed another glass.
"I have much interest in these things," the minister said. "Is the fuel ratio always one-to-one?"
"No." He drank another glass and coughed through his teeth. "If we start the engines cold, we release a large amount of normal matter into the reactor and feed in a trickle of anti-matter. This allows a slow steady buildup of energy." He swallowed another glass. "But, if we need a sudden burst of energy, we can open some stored magnetic bottles. The extra normal matter gives the released anti-matter something to react with."
"Is this dangerous?"
"It hasn't been dangerous for decades."
The minister clacked and nodded. "Most interesting."
"Perhaps you should speak with our Chief Engineer, B'Elanna Torres. She knows much more about the warp core than I do. B'Elanna? Could you come here?"
"Yes, Lieutenant?" B'Elanna said.
"The Mid-Aft Minister is interested in the reactor core. Perhaps you could discuss it with him?"
"'Her,' Lieutenant," the minister corrected.
"My apologies. I will leave you in B'Elanna's hands while I refill my drink."
Lieutenant Keegan walked toward the bar, and in the general direction of the door. He passed Tuvok and the War Minister as he did.
"You say this is called Tri-D chess?"
"Yes, Minister," the Vulcan responded.
"Lieutenant Keegan, do you play?"
The lieutenant said something that sounded to Tuvok like the word "Shit." The security chief believed he was mistaken.
Tuvok turned to the minister. "I taught Lieutenant Keegan myself five years ago."
"Lieutenant," the War Minister said. "Would you honor us with a game?"
The lieutenant looked down at his feet and took a slow breath. He looked up and said, "I would be happy to, Minister."
Captain Janeway walked over to them. "Did I hear something about a game?"
"Yes, Captain," Tuvok said. "The War Minister has asked to see a game, and Lieutenant Keegan has offered to play."
"Interesting," the captain said. "Who will be your opponent, Lieutenant?"
"I will, Captain," Seven of Nine said. "I have studied the game, but I have not yet had a chance to test my skills."
"I'm sure you'll go easy on her, won't you, Lieutenant?" Janeway said.
"No, Captain," he replied in a defeated voice. "I'm going to dig her a grave and throw her in."
"Yes, Lieutenant," the captain said, smiling. "I'm sure you will."
Lieutenant Paris leaned over to Tuvok. "I wish the Quagaar were a betting people."
"You wish to take advantage of our guests?"
"No reason I can't have fun too," Tom said.
"Betting is inappropriate at a state dinner."
"Vulcans have no sense of fun."
Seven moved her first piece cautiously. Keegan stared at the board a moment and moved a piece. Seven felt her way among the pieces and moved again. Phil closed his eyes in contemplation, opened them and moved. Seven paused at the new move, waited, thought and finally moved. Phil moved again without hesitating. Seven returned, and the two began moving pieces without pausing.
After thirty moves, Tom Paris said, "Who's winning?"
"Seven," Tuvok replied. "I believe they are reproducing the Vimmtir-T'Mel match of twenty-two-oh-six. Seven will win on the forty-seventh move." Phil inclined his head toward Tuvok, as if he had heard the exchange.
"How much of the game have you studied, Annika?" Phil asked.
Seven blinked at her name. "All of the major matches."
"When was this?" he said, holding a rook.
"Four months ago," she said.
"That's not enough," he said. He placed the rook.
"I have an eidetic memory," she replied while lifting a bishop up a level.
"So do I. That's not what I meant." He sacrificed a pawn.
"I didn't know that," Tom whispered.
"Nor did I," Tuvok replied.
"Someone had to create those games, Annika," Keegan said. "Reading them is not enough."
"I am aware of that, Mister Keegan," she said. She took his bishop with her knight.
"Have you read Vimmtir's description of this match, Annika?" he asked casually and moved his rook.
"No, Lieutenant." She moved again.
"She called it her worst mistake," he said and moved another piece.
"Vimmtir won," Seven replied and moved.
"That was T'Mel's mistake," Phil said. He watched Seven for a time before moving his piece. Seven watched the board as if unable to move.
"What happened?" Tom whispered.
Tuvok said, "Mister Keegan moved his knight when he should have moved his bishop."
"What does that mean for the game?"
"I am unfamiliar with the current board configuration."
Seven moved cautiously again. Lieutenant Keegan followed without hesitation. After twelve moves, he called checkmate in a tired voice.
"Congratulations, Lieutenant," Seven said.
"Thank you. You played well."
"Mister Keegan," the captain said. "I had no idea."
"Yes, I know. The party seems to be breaking up. You'll excuse me please."
"Yes, of course," Janeway said. "Are you all right?"
"I've been better." He walked away before she could respond.
"Phil," Tom said. "Very nice. I wanted to bet against you."
"I know. Do you know where I can get some real alcohol?"
Tom said, "Neelix has some, I think. I didn't know you drank."
"Neelix you say? Thanks." He walked towards the galley. He spoke with the Talaxian briefly, took a bottle and left.
"Is Mister Keegan all right?" the Fore-Minister asked.
"Yes," Captain Janeway said. "I'm sure he's fine."
"A very interesting game," the Fore-Minister said. "Captain?"
"I'm sorry, Fore-Minister. Yes, an interesting game. He plays very well." She watched the door. "Much better than I expected."
Philip Keegan pounded his fists into a holographic practice dummy two days later. His shirt and pants were dark with sweat. His fists, elbows and feet struck hard enough to bend the padded figure in two. He turned briefly when the doors of the holodeck opened, then continued his attack.
"Lieutenant Keegan," Seven said, walking to him.
He blew sweat from his nose. "What is it, Annika?"
"Your assistance is required in Astrometrics."
"Fucking hell!" He punched his hand through the dummy. He put his other hand on the dummy's neck and pulled his arm out. "I'm not on duty for another hour."
"I will expect you in an hour, Mister Keegan."
"Is there any reason B'Elanna couldn't do this?" He took a towel and wiped the perspiration from his face.
"Yes. Lieutenant Torres is overseeing the transport of the new supplies."
"Fine," he said. "I'll see you in an hour."
He walked into Astrometrics an hour later fresh from a shower. He carried a standard repair kit.
"What's the problem, Annika?"
Seven stood at one of the side consoles.
"These consoles had new components installed three weeks ago. They are malfunctioning. Their repair requires two technicians."
"I know. I'm familiar with the components." He walked to a console, dropped down and pulled off the access panel. "Why am I here?"
"Two are required—"
"I know, Annika, but any technician could do this job. Why do you want me here?"
"I wanted to ask you some questions about your comments."
"Such as?" He pulled a panel out and ran a welder across it.
"'Get laid, get wasted'?"
"It's a colloquialism. It means have sex and get drunk. Although, it's easier the other way around."
"I do not enjoy intoxication," she told him.
"Or that inflection I suggested. As for sex, you have a few options."
"I have not found anyone compatible among the crew."
"You could always try the holodeck." He put the panel back.
"I am reluctant to do so."
"There's the old fashioned way." He pulled out another panel.
"What?"
"I'll let you figure that out on your own. Most people do anyway."
"What is a 'penthouse pet'?" she said.
He leaned out and looked at her cautiously. "You don't want to know. Check the relay."
"Seventeen percent improvement. I am not sixteen."
"What?" He leaned out again.
"Chronologically, I am eighteen."
"Oh. Sorry." He returned to the panel.
"How did you know which match I chose?"
He examined another panel. "Because you didn't choose it. I did. I guided you to a match I knew I could win."
"But the number of matches from my initial moves was—"
"A little over two thousand. I know." He replaced the panel and took out another. "You never went through puberty, did you?"
"I emerged from the Borg growth chamber fully adult."
"No wonder you have so many problems dating. Check the second relay."
"Twenty-one percent improvement. What do you mean?"
He looked up again. "Puberty is more than just physical changes. There are emotional changes as well. I'm surprised the Doctor didn't mention that."
"What emotional changes?" she said.
"An obsession with horses and a sudden urge to pass little notes to someone sitting behind you."
"Excuse me?"
He shook his head. "Romantic interaction is about understanding your likes and dislikes and trying to match them with your partner's likes and dislikes. You don't know what you like. How could your partner know? It's like trying to play an instrument when you've never heard music before."
"What is your suggestion?"
"Go to the Doctor, get some artificial hormones and try out some social encounters on the holodeck."
"How long will this take?" she said.
He shrugged. "About six years."
"And what do I do in the meantime?"
"Home relaxation equipment."
"What?"
"You'll figure it out," he said.
Seven stared for a moment before continuing. "Forty-four percent improvement. How did you come up with the solution to the Quagaar problem so quickly?"
"I've studied geology, and I followed B'Elanna's work."
"Fifty-three percent improvement," she said. "Why have you lied to everyone?"
"Because I'm hiding a past so horrible, being a hermit is better than the alternative," he murmured into the console.
"What is this past?"
He sighed. "That was a joke, Annika. I'm a private person. I like to stay that way. Check the relay."
"Sixty-eight percent. Your privacy is interfering with the efficiency of Voyager's operation."
"So is your inability to deal with your past," he said.
"I have dealt with my past on several occasions."
"Bullshit, Annika."
"What does—"
"Another colloquialism. I'll make you a deal. I'll become a less private person, if you watch home movies of your life before you were a Borg."
Seven said, "Eighty-one percent. I will take your suggestion under consideration." She tapped the console a few times. "What are the common likes and dislikes of a partner?"
"Don't worry. You've already got most of the 'likes'." He scratched his head. "It helps if you have similar tastes in music or literature for example."
"I have an interest in certain technical journals. I understand you do as well."
"That's not enough," he said. "Find some fiction you like."
"Reading fiction is an inefficient use of time, and it is rarely accurate."
Keegan sighed. "If it were accurate, it would be history. It exists for the emotional stability and intellectual development of the reader. Read some fiction. It will help you become more human."
"Very well. I will read fiction. The relays are now functioning normally."
"I'm glad something is. Good-day, Miss Hansen." He walked out before she could respond.