ch 5
The addition of the children on the ship was both a blessing and a challenge; a blessing because they were physical proof to the crew that their legacy had continued. But it was a challenge to keep them busy, active, and yet out of the way. Lorian finally suggested, and Archer agreed, to let the children have the gym for a half hour each day to continue the physical training they were used to on their Enterprise. It would help them burn off some energy and also work on their skills. The captains put Lieutenant Welles in charge, since it had been one of his duties on the other Enterprise, and the crew was asked to refrain from using the gym during that time.
The next morning, the kids poured into the gym, their shouts and laughter filling the large room. Andrew watched them, and returned their excited greetings as they lined up. He noted that Hoodu was in the front row, with his friends Fooz Phlox and Jeremiah Chang. He waited a moment while the room quieted, then spoke.
"I hope everyone remembers the forms, because we'll start with those right after we warm up." Immediately everyone began stretching their arms and legs, working out the kinks in their bodies. Hoping to remain unseen by Welles or the class, Malcolm Reed slipped inside the gym to stand by the door and observe.
After a few moments, Welles called for attention again. "Let's get started, you should be with your proper level, work through your forms then pair up for practice. If anyone wants to test, come up and see me." He knelt down to the level of the youngest in the class, that included Hoodu and his buddies. "Line up guys, and let's see your first form." The little ones, hopping impatiently like little firecrackers, followed instructions, trying to be solemn and quiet their giggles. Welles walked along the line, correcting stance and position as he moved along, giving encouragement to every child. Reed watched with interest; he could see the ease in Welles; the man was good at this job.
Soon a short line had formed, and, starting with the youngest, Andrew began the testing for those who wanted to move up in skill rank. The first one to advance was Jeremiah Chang, and Reed realized with a start that the child must have been named for Major Hayes. Jeremiah punched, kicked, and struck the upheld hands that Welles offered, and soon the excited little boy was bowing and shaking hands with Welles and received his congratulations for a successful test.
The last person in line was a teenaged Asian girl with jet black hair pulled back in a bun, and Andrew beckoned her forward, "Black belt, Jehda? Come on then, bring it to me." She first demonstrated her knowledge of the correct forms, then she attacked, and they sparred fiercely for quite a while, as the rest of the class watched avidly. They all knew how important this was to Jehda. Finally Andrew halted, they both bowed, and he shook her hand. Her smile lit up the room and she impulsively hugged him, as the other children cheered. Every child who had tested, including Hoodu, was able to advance, and although they received no physical evidence of their achievement, no belt or certificate, they stood proudly with their teacher.
Soon their time was over, and as various members of the crew started to come in for their workouts, the children crowded around Welles to thank him, and Reed noticed how affectionate he was with them all. It really was true, he mused as he watched the children leave the gym, those from the other Enterprise were just like one large family. He approached Welles after the last child had departed.
"That was quite a show," he commented calmly to Andrew, who had known his commanding officer was in the room almost the entire time. "Those kids loved every moment of it, didn't they?" Andrew shrugged, "It gets boring for them being constantly on a ship, they don't have the room to run and play like most kids do on their home worlds. This class always meant a lot to them."
Malcolm walked with him as Andrew headed for the doorway. "It was obvious that you mean a lot to them too," he commented. "Is tae kwondo the only martial arts form you teach them?" Andrew stopped suddenly, and with a frown turned to face the other man. "What's the matter, sir, is this another duty you want to take over?" he asked, his voice threatening. "No, I-" But Andrew wouldn't let him finish, "just let the captain know, sir, I'm sure he'll be glad to put you in my place." Andrew spun and stalked away, leaving Malcolm standing there wordlessly, staring after him.
It seemed to Reed that Andrew was deliberately avoiding him for the rest of that week, and seemed so engrossed in his work that every time Reed tried to talk to him, Andrew made excuses about having something to finish and that he needed to get back to work. Malcolm didn't want to push the other man, but he didn't want the hard feelings Andrew seemed to have towards him to continue. Malcolm also didn't want the efficiency of the armory to suffer, and while the other crewmen didn't let on that they thought the two men were not on best terms, Malcolm did notice the looks he received whenever the crew thought he wasn't looking. Crewman Kemper, one of Welles' men, seemed to be glaring at him all the time, but the rest of the crew knew better than to be caught even speculating about any friction between the two.
It puzzled Reed, because he felt Welles above others should know that Reed's position was both earned and not to be questioned. He wondered if Welles had been any problem to Captain Lorian while on the other Enterprise, and spent some time researching the records from that ship that had survived and were available. But he found nothing to indicate that the man had been anything other than an outstanding and dedicated officer. In fact, Malcolm felt, sometimes it was like reading about himself when he read of Andrew Welles' achievements.