Chapter One

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003333" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="041d4c00dduajq.png"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>             Crossing the</div> <div> Nebula </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="159" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 30 ><NOBR><div> Chapter Two</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Two "><U><IMG SRC="06e20180.png" border=0 width="32" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="71"><div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Delta Quadrant Chronicles"><U><IMG SRC="07320180.png" border=0 width="32" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Previous Page</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="71"><div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Table of Contents"><U><IMG SRC="07320180.png" border=0 width="32" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> Table of Contents</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Teleport Instructions:</B></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800f0ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Click on white rectangles above to go to a specific page.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800f0ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hold your mouse over a rectangle to see the topic.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Wing0a7300a800f0ffffff00.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Notice that the page you're currently viewing has a "halo" and is highlighted in yellow.</div> <div> Click <A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U>HERE</U></A> to give me quick and easy Feedback on this site.</div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#990033" FACE="Jokerman" ><B>Crossing the Nebula</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >     |   </FONT>  <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Crossing the Nebula"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <B>Chapter One</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Two "><U>Chapter Two </U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Three"><U>Chapter Three</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Four"><U>Chapter Four</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Five"><U>Chapter Five</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Six"><U>Chapter Six</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Seven"><U>Chapter Seven</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Eight"><U>Chapter Eight</U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Art of Seduction"><U>The Art of Seduction</U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="085644b0.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="08b644b0.png" border=0 width="100" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Chapter One</div> <div> By Trekscribe</div> <div> (c) 2002-2008</div> <div> Stardate Unknown. Approximately 52542.3. 0710hrs. Tuesday</div> <bR> <div> The mess hall was typically quiet this time of day. There was only one other person present besides Neelix and Voyager's resident doctor with no name. Ensign Jack Murphy was sitting in a corner far away from the bar playing with his breakfast of Darvot Fritters. <I>He doesn't seem to like them</I>, Neelix fretted; the spots on his hedgehog like face darkening. He busied himself by cracking Firenuts on a cutting board he'd placed on the bar counter, occasionally eyeing Murphy, hoping the young man would take another bite. <I>Why was it so hard to please these people?</I> He'd always gotten compliments for his Darvots before he ended up on this ship, <I>Blast it!</I> Neelix planned to make some coffee out of the woody Firenut shells. At least he <I>knew</I> many of the crew liked the bittersweet brew. It was a steady request from the galley's menu. He'd have the coffee ready before most of the regulars wandered in for breakfast.</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor stood next to the bar, a couple of feet away from Neelix but didn't seem to notice that Neelix was even there. The Doc wasn't good at hiding his emotions. His eyebrows knitted into a single black line cross his forehead.  A white rose lay on the bar counter in front of him, contained in some kind of polyplastic shell to keep it fresh. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the bar, glanced at the mess hall door every couple of seconds. <I>Where was she?</I> He resisted the urge to have the ship's computer tell him; afraid of what it might report; with her, one never knew.  </div> <bR> <div> “Doctor, is there something wrong. Anything I can do to help? You seem a bit… anxious” Neelix put on his "Chief Morale Officer" hat. He was sincerely concerned. </div> <bR> <div> The Doctor clutched and unclutched his hands not knowing what to do with them, finally deciding to anchor them firmly on the bar. “Oh, there's nothing wrong, Neelix, should there be?” He could be considered handsome, in an off-the-main-trade-route kind of way. He filled out his blue and black duty uniform rather well, so he thought, except  that his gleaming bald head distracted from the total package. Why was the image he had to present to the crew, bald? No one else on this ship is bald. <I>How fair is that?</I> Does <I>she</I> find him sexually attractive? <I>Probably not with this hideous bald head!</I></div> <bR> <div> “Are you sure you're all right? You don't seem like yourself today.”</div> <div>  </div> <div> “What, Neelix?…sorry. I was just pondering something and wasn't  paying attent-,  I mean, I didn't hear you.” </div> <bR> <div> “I saw you standing there, looking a little anxious and I thought I'd ask if you needed anything.” Neelix offered. The Doctor doesn't eat or drink. <I>What a dreadful existence</I><I>. </I>So, all Neelix could do was give him an ear. </div> <bR> <div> “Well, I was… wondering …Have you seen Lt. Maxwell this morning? She's usually here by now.” <I>Why was he acting so nervous, it's only Neelix. What does it matter what he thinks?</I> He felt foolish. Don't act like you really care all that much. </div> <bR> <div> “Why, yes! She came in here about 0635hrs. Asked for some Ginger tea. I think she's been up all night. After running this place for so long, I know an 'all nighter' when I see one.” Neelix chuckled. “Amazing how much energy some people have around here. Work all day, play all night, and we know how much the Lieutenant likes to play…I have to force her to eat something at least once a day or she wouldn't eat anything at all. You know, I whipped up some Eskarian eggs today just because she ate them a couple of weeks ago and <I>seemed</I> to like them, but when I tried to give them to her…she made a face like she was going to be ill.  She said it isn't my cooking…She just-"</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor cut him off. “All night! I specifically told her that I would report her to Commander Chakotay if she didn't take a few hours off.” The Doctor was really peeved. <I>Why don't these people listen to me?</I><I> </I> He would have liked to think that Rene', especially Rene' would listen to him. “Computer, locate Lt. Maxwell.”</div> <bR> <div> The cool impersonal female voice responded, “Lt. Maxwell is located in the Science Lab II, Genetics, deck 9.”</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor tapped his Insignia Communicator to contact her and was greeted with “Lt. Maxwell is not taking communications at this time, please try again later.”</div> <bR> <div> <I>I think not</I><I>.</I></div> <bR> <div> “Computer override, Maxwell's security code III-M-Alpha 06 and hail Lt. Maxwell again.” <I>She can run but she can't hide.</I> He smiled.</div> <bR> <div> “Good Morning Rene', or is it still evening for you?” the Doctor loved teasing her. She never seemed to mind. <I>She doesn't let just anyone tease her, so it stands to reason that she likes *me* more than some people. </I></div> <div> <I> </I></div> <div> “What's up, Doc?” Rene' didn't sound surprised or upset that the Doctor had removed her self-imposed answering machine. </div> <bR> <div> “I'm here waiting for you in the mess hall. We always meet here in the morning at precisely 0700hrs, you know that.” </div> <bR> <div> “Yeah, Sorry, but I've decided to keep working. I'm on to something very interesting.”</div> <bR> <div> “And I'm sorry too, <I>for you</I><I>.</I>  I'm reporting this to Commander Chakotay.” The Doctor threatened. He used the sternest voice he could manage with her. “You are not supposed to be in the laboratory now. I've warned you twice. It's required that all crew members take an 8 hour break from work once a day. You've gone 24 hours without a break. And so, I'll have to-”</div> <bR> <div> “Why don't you just... <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="chill_out_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT><A HREF="id48_chill.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>chill </U></A>out.” Rene' protested. “I'm doing this for the Captain. Special orders.” Rene' liked to use 20th century slang. The Doctor found it charming <I>now </I>but he was aware others thought it eccentric. </div> <bR> <div> “You have exactly two minutes to get here or, you can explain it all to Chakotay.” The Doctor was really enjoying himself. </div> <bR> <div> “Asshole.” Rene laughed and logged out. </div> <bR> <div> “Well,” Neelix ventured into dangerous terrain, “I couldn't help over hearing that. She uses some ….colorful terms..of…endearment.”     </div> <bR> <div> “I suppose nobody's perfect.” The Doctor considered. “She does have good qualities too, I assure you.” <I>She'll be here any minute. He could hardly contain himself.</I></div> <bR> <div> “Is that rose for her?” Neelix thought this was a good time to bring it up.</div> <bR> <div> “I didn't ask anyone else to meet me here, did I?” the Doctor seemed to get a little testy and self-conscience.</div> <bR> <div> “Doctor, may I say something…” Neelix geared up for one of his heart to heart talks.</div> <bR> <div> “If you must. If I said no, I imagine you'd implode.” </div> <bR> <div> “That's funny Doctor, all kidding aside….” Neelix had a hard time figuring out when the Doctor <I>was</I><I> </I><I>kidding</I><I> </I>or ridiculing him so he always decided to take the positive route. “I think Rene' is generally a wonderful person, but…how do I explain it…”</div> <bR> <div> “Just say it!” The Doctor huffed. <I>Neelix could be insufferable!</I><I> </I></div> <bR> <div> “She can be just a little bit overbearing.” There! He'd said it. The Talaxian seemed relieved to share this information. It took great effort for him to say anything negative about anybody but he felt the Doctor should be more cautious when it came to Lt. Maxwell.  Neelix's feelings were still stinging from a recent encounter with her. Yes, he'd mistakenly double booked her party and Lt. Hargrove's party for the same time in the mess hall. He tried to straighten it out with her but she didn't even want to listen to him. She just said frostily, `how hard could it be Neelix, how <I>hard </I>could it be?' She repeated it a couple of times while looking at him like he was the stupidest creature in the Delta Quadrant she'd ever encountered.  Then she offered to write a computer program to remind him at the beginning of each day what parties and events he had scheduled and their times. He thought she may have muttered “idiot” as she walked away taking her party elsewhere. She was very insulting, condescending, dismissive and…</div> <bR> <div> “That's it? That's what was so hard to tell me?” The Doctor gave Neelix a sour look. “You're full of deep insights Neelix.”</div> <bR> <div> “Thank you Doctor.” Neelix didn't catch the sarcasm. “I can't help but notice that you seem taken with her.”</div> <bR> <div> "Well….She really is very sincere, warm and open, not to mention extremely intelligent, all good qualities for a…<I>.</I><I>friend</I> to possess." The Doctor beamed. "She treats me like a person…unlike some who will remain nameless.  She's helping me to experience emotions I haven't felt before. You know, we even talked through that Seven "Thanks for the memories" business, which, unfortunately everyone knows about by now. She explained it, from a woman's point of view. I guess I was a… 'bastard', as Rene' would say.”</div> <bR> <div> “Doctor it's only been a couple of months since your, ah, break up, with Seven, it just seems to me that you're jumping into this a little too soon… I know it's not my business but..“</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, Neelix it's not your business, but if you insist….Seven and I were never a couple, so calling it a “break-up” is absurd. Believe me, your concern is unfounded. Let's just say, I'm very fond of Rene and she's quite fond of me.”</div> <bR> <div> “If I could add one more thing, I noticed in the ship records that she's…..”</div> <bR> <div> “I have access to every piece of data about her Neelix,” <I>everything she hasn't encrypted anyway</I>, “have you forgotten who you're talking to? There is nothing you could tell me about her I don't already know. She's a little…unconventional, but with the proper motivation, she'll settle down.”</div> <bR> <div> Neelix missed the implications of what the Doctor had just admitted to him.</div> <bR> <div> “Hi Doc. I made it here in 1.8 minutes. See how cooperative I can be.” </div> <bR> <div> Then there was the lovely Lt. Rene' Maxwell, twenty seven years of age but looking more like twenty four,  tan skin, dark deep eyes that reached right into you. They were warm eyes but there was hint of something else behind the warmth; something that should be bound; kept at bay and she was just barely containing it. Her hair was jet black, shoulder length. She was 5'5”, 120 pounds, with a killer smile which she flashed a lot and a killer body that you couldn't help but notice. </div> <bR> <div> “<A HREF="id48_yo_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>Yo</U></A>,  <A NAME="murphy"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Murphy.” She called to the young man sitting in the corner.</div> <bR> <div> He looked up, smiled, gave her the <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ></FONT><A HREF="id48_peace_sign.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>peace sign</U></A> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > <A NAME="then_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></FONT>then went back to absently rolling a fritter between his finger and thumb, deep in thought.</div> <bR> <div> More “20Something” clowning. The Doctor brushed it off. Maybe one day she'll grow out of it. He certainly hoped so.</div> <bR> <div> “I wish I could give you my heart…but maybe you'll settle for this, for now.” The Doctor smiled. Then handed her the rose.</div> <bR> <div> “What's this? You didn't have to….” She wasn't prepared for this display. Now he's giving her gifts in addition to wanting to be with her during <I>all </I>her free time. She needed to have a long talk with him and it looked like it should be soon. “Thanks, but I don't think I deserve this, after the way I talked to you.”  She started to hand it back to him.</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor raised his hand in protest. “No, No, you were just a little out of sorts because of fatigue, you push yourself too hard. I'll get you into bed….I mean..” The Doctor stammered, “Oh, you know what I meant.” If he could have blushed, he would have. Luckily he hadn't implemented that sub-routine yet.  What a dumb thing to say. <I>She's going to think I'm a buffoon</I>. </div> <bR> <div> Neelix blushed for the Doctor. <I>What is he trying to do? First Seven, now Lt. Maxwell.</I></div> <bR> <div> Rene' ignored the slip and smiled, “You really like making me tow the line…getting off on it a little, eh?”</div> <bR> <div> “Not at all,” He lied. “I just want you to stay healthy, and on that note… Neelix prepare the Lieutenant a type 4 nutritional supplement to make up for the 3 meals she's missed.”</div> <bR> <div> In an instant Neelix had the mixture sitting in front of her. It was a thick green malt with chucks of orange gelatinous masses floating aimlessly though out. “Here you go, Lieutenant, enjoy.” Neelix grinned. <I>If she drinks it, it'll be one less problem eater to worry about today.</I><I> </I><I>He had enough of them to worry about.</I></div> <bR> <div> “I'm thrilled by all this attention…but I don't partake of food or drinks that are green and slimy. Just a rule of mine.” Looking at the mixture made her want to throw-up. </div> <bR> <div> Surprisingly the Doctor didn't push it. Neelix's grin fell.</div> <bR> <div> “You will be able to make it tonight, won't you?” The Doctor wanted her to commit her time to him before someone else beat him to it.</div> <bR> <div> “I don't know. It's awkward. I'd rather stay home and read <A HREF="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html"><U><I>Catcher</I></U></A><A HREF="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html"><U><I> </I></U></A><A HREF="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html"><U><I>in the Rye</I></U></A><A HREF="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tmtm.com/sides/catcher.html"><U> </U></A>again.” </div> <bR> <div> “If you'd stop encouraging the <I>Captain</I>, maybe it wouldn't be so 'awkward'....” The Doctor admonished. He'd promised Rene' that he wouldn't bring it up again but he didn't feel it had been settled.</div> <bR> <div> “Let's not talk about it right now. We'll only end up fighting and I don't want to fight with anyone who's just given me a rose….” She smiled and then leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Thanks, you <I>really</I> shouldn't have.” Stifling a yawn she added, “I guess I'll go to my quarters and stare off into space for awhile since I've been banned from doing anything productive. Talk to you later.” She smiled at the Doctor and nodded to Neelix, obviously the double booking incident was forgotten as far as she was concerned. One thing Neelix did have to admit, she wasn't one to hold grudges. </div> <bR> <div> She went out, without touching the supplement. </div> <bR> <div> “See how hard it is to get her to....” Neelix sputtered. <I>They're worse than children!</I></div> <bR> <div> “I'll see that she drinks it tonight, Neelix. I'll change the consistency and color, make it odorless and tasteless, then put it in her drink while she isn't looking. She won't even notice.”</div> <bR> <div> “I'm surprised at you Doctor.  Is that ethical?” Neelix was truly amazed. </div> <bR> <div> “Don't be ridiculous. I should know what's medically ethical or not.” The Doctor snapped. He wasn't acting like himself at all. For good or bad the Doctor was in love.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0772b270.png" border=0 width="555" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> They passed each other in the halls, worked together occasionally on projects, but he never really <I>noticed </I>her and she certainly never <I>noticed</I> him until, he happened to come upon her by accident. He ran into her a couple of days after Seven "dumped" him. Rene' and four of her friends were about to enter the holodeck. They were standing outside of the door, laughing and joking; going over their characters; reciting some lines. The subject of interest was an obscure 20th century movie, called <A HREF="id48_pulp_fiction.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U><I>Pulp Fiction</I></U></A><A HREF="id48_pulp_fiction.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>.</U></A>  <A NAME="rene_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Rene' had created a Holoprogram showcasing some of the scenes.  The Doctor immediately recognized Lt. Junior Grade Michael Hickson, who the Doctor considered to be a cretin, under a curly black wig and Ensign Murphy, a quiet brooding sort, under a long stringy black one. They were both dressed in black business suits, ties and carrying guns. Rene's other two friends who were present, the Doctor had to recall from his memory, Ensign First Class Barbara Lang and Lieutenant Benz Calloway. The Doctor hadn't interacted with them since performing their six month physicals. Rene' was in a dark maroon sweater-like dress with a hideous red wig. She also had a gun. "Any of you fuckin' pricks move, and I'll execute every motherfuckin' last one of you!" she shouted pretty convincingly. Even with the weird clothes and makeup, the Doctor could see that she was drop dead gorgeous. Why hadn't he realized it before? Ah, yes. Seven. He had been assigned to "socialize" Seven of Nine and he loved every damned minute of it. Seven was a very beautiful young woman as well. Not just physically, the Doctor found her soul to be lovely. He had developed romantic feels for Seven but she was definitely not interested in him anymore. He thought it was primarily Voyager's main pilot, field-commissioned Lieutenant Tom Paris' fault that he and Seven couldn't continue "dating." The Doctor knew her very well, there wasn't much hope of changing her mind. He was beyond disappointed but chose not to show it or discuss it with anyone.</div> <bR> <div> He continue to watch the group, well actually he was watching Rene'. </div> <bR> <div> He recalled their last interaction which happened a few days ago. He bumped into her as she was coming out of the Mess Hall. She smiled and handed him her padd which displayed a genetic scan. She had never smiled at him before. They didn't socialize after work and usually worked with each other via ship communications. Her smile was very disarming. "Do you know who this is?" she asked. </div> <div> He reviewed the scan. "No. You didn't take the time to label it. Obviously you feel the need to show me that you have  superior knowledge when it comes to recognizing genetic profiles at a glance."</div> <bR> <div> She continued to smiled at him as he reviewed the scan, her good mood couldn't be deflated by his needless defensiveness.</div> <bR> <div> "I <I>can </I>tell by the genetic sequences who it isn't. It's definitely not anyone serving on this crew and it's non-humanoid. You haven't logged it into your genetic database." </div> <bR> <div> "Oh, don't be such a baby." She chastised playfully.  "I wasn't try to <A HREF="id48_dis_1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>dis</U></A>  <A NAME="you"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>you in any way. I just wanted to see if you had done any work on this yet."  </div> <bR> <div> "Dis?" He searched for the meaning and found it in an obscure database on 20th century earth language. <I>Why couldn't she simply say...disrespect, instead of using some ancient slang term that most people on the ship wouldn't know. </I><I>What a</I><I> </I><I>s</I><I>trange</I><I> young woman. </I>"Oh, I understand. Well no, I haven't studied it. I don't know <I>w</I><I>ho</I><I> </I>it is. Care to enlighten me?"</div> <bR> <div> "Species 8472. I was finally able to completely map the species' genome. It was challenging since the building blocks their proteins  are based on are so different than anything we've encounter in the Delta or Alpha Quadrants. You can tell they aren't from this dimension. What you're looking at now is the gene sequence for the species' eye structure. Pretty cool, eh? I can put one of these suckers together or pull one apart in my sleep now. Next time species 8472 tries to <A HREF="id48_fade.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>fade</U></A>  <A NAME="us"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>us again we'll be able to use a genetic modification device I've been working on. Zap! And they instantly go blind, or maybe if the Captain prefers, they'll lose the use of their arms. I guess you get the picture." She appeared to be pleased with her accomplishment.</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor was on his way to have "lunch" with Seven, she was probably waiting for him in the Mess Hall right now, but he couldn't help being drawn into this conversation. </div> <div> "Lt. Maxwell, I'm a Doctor, I don't share your apparent morbid interest in..weapons of destruction.  Have you thought about limiting the use of your 'device' for positive endeavors, instead of inflicting pain and terror?"</div> <bR> <div> "As with any device Doctor, it can be used for whatever purpose the operator chooses. Good or Evil, <I>what-ev-er</I> those concepts mean. I surmise that if species 8472 couldn't use their eyes, they might be more prone to listen to reason, <I>if</I> we want to bother." Rene' smiled slightly. "You would agree that Voyager should use any means at its disposal to defend itself?"</div> <bR> <div> <I>Is she's one of those gung ho military types or just playing devil's advocate? No point discussing this with her now. Once she's finished with her little "device" the moral and ethical debate will begin.  </I> He ignored her question. "Very interesting that their protein structure is silicon based. Fascinating in fact." he muttered as he reexamined the scan. "How did you get..."</div> <bR> <div> "Well, Seven returned our visitor to the Hirogen's ship against the Captain's orders, before you or I had a chance to take a direct sample from it. However.."</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor interjected, "Seven is not a member of this crew, need I remind you and.." </div> <bR> <div> Rene' cut him off before the philosophical argument could kick into full swing. "Let's not even go there. Either you think that if she's made the decision to stay here with us and if she uses Voyager's resources she should carry out and abide by the Captain's orders, or you don't."</div> <bR> <div> <I>Well that was true.</I> The Doctor agreed silently; it's another topic of discussion that should be sidelined, <I>for now.</I> <I>Are we all just automatons on this ship? Don't we have the moral duty to follow our own consciences even if it's contrary to the Captain's orders? </I>In the short span of two minutes, Rene' had touched on two complicated moral dilemmas. He was intrigued by the discussion. </div> <bR> <div> "To answer your question, I was able to get some of 8472's tissue from one of the many holes that stupid creature made around here, which I and my repair crew are still fixing by the way.  In my <I>free </I>time," Rene' chuckled softy to herself, "I broke the species' genetic code. My padd please."</div> <bR> <div> He handed it back to her. Impressed but certainly not about to tell her so.</div> <bR> <div> She entered a couple of keystrokes. "There. You have it now. Have a nice day." As an after thought she added. "Oh, if you happen to see Seven of Nine, that mega <A HREF="id48_hottie.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>hottie</U></A>,  <A NAME="which"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>which I'm sure you will today, tell her I'll spank her ass next time she beams an alien species off this ship before I have a chance to take a tissue sample from it."</div> <bR> <div> "I will do nothing of the kind!" The Doctor choked, completely off guard that a professional conversation had quickly turned into something highly unprofessional in his opinion. "I mean, really, Lt. Maxwell, that language and sentiment is uncalled for and.."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, afraid she might like the idea?" Rene' winked and walked away. He wanted to shoot a witty parting shot at her but couldn't come with a suitable one before she disappeared down one of the hall corridors.</div> <bR> <div> He remembered being embarrassed. <I>We don't converse like that around here.</I> The idea of Rene' giving Seven a spanking floated in his head and in spite of himself he became aroused. <I>See! That's why we don't talk about these kind of things around here! It leads to distracting thoughts.</I> He made a mental note to complain to Commander Chakotay about Maxwell. </div> <bR> <div> He stepped into the Mess Hall and saw Seven sitting alone, she threw an irritated look his way as he approached her.</div> <div> "I'm sorry Seven, I was.."</div> <bR> <div> "You are exactly, 5 minutes and 3 seconds late." Seven raised her eye brow expectantly, waiting to evaluate his excuse. One of the many things she liked about the Doctor was his punctuality. On rare occasions that he was late he always let her know in advance. What could have been so important that he couldn't let her know he would be delayed? </div> <bR> <div> "Lt. Maxwell decided she had something to discuss with me that couldn't wait."</div> <bR> <div> "Of course." The mention of Maxwell seemed to annoy Seven. "If Lt. Maxwell has something to say, no matter how inconsequential, I'm sure you, Tuvok, even the Captain will find the time to hear it." There a hint of jealousy in her voice.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't remember ever going out of my way to...  Excuse me, there's Commander Chakotay, I need to speak to him for a just a minute."</div> <bR> <div> "Doctor, <I>you </I>were the one who suggested we have 'lunch.' If you don't wish to do so, I'll leave you to your.... preoccupations."</div> <bR> <div> "Seven, I <I>do </I>want to have lunch with you, I'll be just a minute I promise."</div> <bR> <div> She sighed.<I> A conversation with Maxwell and he's completely impossible to deal with.</I> "If you have not concluded your discussion with Chakotay within five minutes, don't bother to return."</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor hurried to the bar where Chakotay was standing alone casually sipping a hot cup of Neelix's Hlaka Soup. </div> <bR> <div> "Commander, I've just had an unsettling conversation with..."</div> <bR> <div> Chakotay sighed, " Hmmm, 'an unsettling conversation', I'll take a guess, either it was with Lt. Maxwell or Seven."</div> <bR> <div> "It was Lt. Maxwell, How did you know?"</div> <bR> <div> "Ninety percent of the 'unsettling' conversations on this ship are instigated by either Maxwell or Seven. If this is about Maxwell, it's probably sexual in nature or she was just behaving in her usual arrogant, condescending manner. I haven't had any sexual complaints about her in awhile, so I'll choose that. Let's see, she said something risqué? Maybe one of her infamous double entendres?"</div> <bR> <div> "Exactly! And.."</div> <bR> <div> "You told her you didn't appreciate her comments?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yes! And.."</div> <bR> <div> "You would like me to talk to her, tell her not to speak to you in that manner again, reprimand her in some way?" </div> <bR> <div> "I... suppose so. How-?"</div> <bR> <div> "How did I know what you are going to say? Because I've heard it all before. If you want me to talk to her I will, but she will pretend that she doesn't know why anyone would be offended by anything she'd say. For example, when I tried to reprimand her for saying to Ensign Powell, 'You can take whatever you like from me, anytime you like.' She said she was just referring to her equipment chest, that's all. How dare I think otherwise. 'Get your mind out of the gutter,' she told me, can you believe that!? And of course Ensign Powell thought there was nothing inappropriate in the comment." Chakotay was working himself into a fit of frustration just thinking about the incident. "You know it's not what she says sometimes, it's how she says it!" He took a deep breath.  "The sad thing is that in a day maybe three days, you, like everyone else who's complained about her to me, are going to come to me and say, something like 'I was over reacting to Lt. Maxwell's comments, she didn't mean anything by it. Don't bother putting anything in her file about it.' Can you believe that even B'Elanna, said this to me? So, after telling Maxwell that I had recommended to the Captain that something be put into her file about her lewd comments, I had to go back to Maxwell and say that I wouldn't be putting anything in her file. She just looked at me with that 'of course you fool' smile of hers, and didn't say a word. I guess people enjoy her unprofessional, insulting, inappropriate, condescending remarks, because when I asked around about it, they looked at me like I had two heads. Even the Captain gave me one of her LOOKs, when I tried to bring up Maxwell's behavior. I haven't even mentioned the profanity she and her friends enjoy inflicting on the rest of us."</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor watched him warily. <I>Obviously there is a history between Maxwell and Chakotay.</I> <I>I'm getting far too much information here, all I wanted is for her to keep her inappropriate comments to herself. </I> </div> <bR> <div> "She's not stupid." Chakotay said wearily, "Since you told her you don't like her type of 'bonding' she will not do it again. I'm just surprised that she hasn't played around with you until now. I guess she hasn't found you particularly interesting the past five years, what did you do Doctor, use a new brand of after shave?" Chakotay chuckled.</div> <bR> <div> The Doctor frowned. <I>This is getting silly.</I> "Hardly." He replied. </div> <bR> <div> "I was trying to be funny, maybe you need to work on your humor subroutines." Chakotay teased. "She's one of these people who thinks that sexual talk..is fun. I think she's constantly thinking about sex and tries to draw others into her shallow, immature mindset. I hope that you will be one of the few people who want to maintain a professional work ethic around here. I for one think there are far too many sexual undertones brewing. Maxwell doesn't help the situation with her little comments." Chakotay was enjoying the soap box. "Just because a man has deep feelings for another man doesn't mean there is anything sexual going on between them." </div> <bR> <div> The Doctor continued to stared at him in wonder. <I>Where did that last comment come from? Where has any of this triad come from? </I> He was starting to feel a little sympathy for Maxwell. <I>She probably can't say anything without Chakotay trying to find some hidden sexual agenda in it.  </I></div> <bR> <div> Chakatoy continued, " There's just too much sex and not enough friendship and fellowship on this ship." </div> <div>  </div> <div> "Well, thank you Commander, for taking the time to chat with me about this, I think you're right, there's no need to mention this to Lt. Maxwell. I'll be going now. Seven is waiting for me." The Doctor smiled weakly. <I>I had no idea he was so repressed. </I></div> <bR> <div> "I'm not surprised that you wouldn't want me to talk to her, why should you be any different than the others? Oh, by the way, Seven left a couple of minutes ago."</div> <bR> <div> <I>That's wonderful, I'm wasting my time talking to this...this... prude and Seven leaves without saying good bye. I better find her and apologize. </I></div> <bR> <div> The sound of laughter dropped the Doctor back into the present...</div> <bR> <div> Rene's "drama" group were ignoring him or were so caught up in the preparation for the holodeck program that they didn't notice he was there.</div> <bR> <div> “Rene', I think I need help with motivation,” Barb sighed. She looked bizarre in a black pageboy wig, piles of make-up and short white minidress. “I don't get why Mia's taking these drugs. Why would anyone want to?” </div> <bR> <div> “They dull the pain.” Rene' stated matter-of-factly.</div> <bR> <div> “Pain? I think this <I>might</I> be outside my range.” Barb laughed.</div> <bR> <div> “You're a trooper Barb. Just go with the flow, ya know?” Hickson patted her on the back.</div> <bR> <div> “I'm not as much a trooper as Calloway. Did you read what happens to him? He gets screwed up the…. Rene', how in the world did you find this script and why?” Barb teased. “I can't believe some of the crap we're expected to do and say.”</div> <bR> <div> “Don't mind her Rene', Quentin ruled. Better than Shakespeare.” Hickson weighed in.</div> <bR> <div> “Well that's a debate we can have later.”  Rene' challenged.</div> <bR> <div> Calloway decided to ham it up, with an overblown English accent. “I'm an ac-TOR.  Ac-TORs must sacrifice themselves for their craft.”</div> <bR> <div> “Don't enjoy it too much Calloway, you're suppose to be humiliated during that scene.” Rene' playful slapped him on the butt.</div> <bR> <div> “Don't touch me like that unless you mean it.” He grinned.</div> <bR> <div> “My character likes mayonnaise on French fries. Sounds like something Neelix would dream up, oh man, that's so gross.” Murphy quipped.</div> <bR> <div> “He doesn't say he likes it, he remarks that it's weird.” </div> <div> Rene' corrected. “Shall we?” she pushed the holodeck door's controls and was about to enter.</div> <bR> <div> “Are you aware,” The Doctor said to no one in particular,  “That Tarantino enjoyed the so-called “blaxploitation” movies of the 1970's and was particularly enamored by a young actress who stared in many of those films? Her name was Pamela Greer. He cast her as the lead for his next movie after Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, which was not critically acclaimed or a box office success.” </div> <bR> <div> They all turned toward him, noticing him for the first time.</div> <bR> <div> “Wow……” Hickson stared at the Doctor in awe. </div> <bR> <div> “Before you decide to marry him because he knows that, Hicks, keep in mind that he can pull up facts in the computer databases anytime he wants.” Rene' smiled. “But… that really <I>was</I> interesting information, thanks for sharing, Doctor.” She added.</div> <bR> <div> “Anytime.” The Doctor smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "Would you like to come play with us?" Rene' asked. </div> <bR> <div> "Well, I had planned to do a diagnostic check on one of my tricorders this evening. It's been acting a little..."</div> <bR> <div> "You can do that anytime. Hickson get him set up in the 'Boxer's' wardrobe. Doctor, you can read over the script while Hickson modifies your clothing program. Give him your padd Calloway."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes ma'am." Calloway smiled and thrust his padd into the Doctor's unwilling hand.</div> <bR> <div> "I haven't said I wanted to do this-" The Doctor hesitated. He wanted to get to know Rene' better but wasn't sure he wanted to act in this crudely worded, violent melodrama. The people who lived in the twentieth century didn't always have the best taste when it came to entertainment he'd discovered.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't be a bore. It's a Friday night. Why sit alone playing with your...tricorder?" She smiled. "When you can experience action, love, hate, romance."</div> <bR> <div> He didn't want her to think he was boring.</div> <bR> <div> "Very well, if you insist."</div> <bR> <div> "Great!" Hickson grabbed him by the shoulder. "Com'on let me see what I can do about your clothes, <A HREF="id48_a_ight.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Glossary"><U>A IGHT</U></A> . <A NAME="_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <div> So the six of them acted out the scenes Rene' had chosen for them. To the Doctor's amazement he actually had a pleasant time. They finished up around two in the morning. Barbara and Calloway had to work the morning shift so they ran back to their respective quarters to try to sleep a little. Before the group broke up, Rene' asked them all to meet her for lunch if their shifts permited, to critique the movie and let her know if they liked playing the roles. The Doctor told her he had made other plans (not really, he just wanted to speak to her alone), would it be possible to meet her later in the day. She said OK. He had a feeling that she really liked him.</div> <bR> <div> Actually, Rene's motives were altruistic. She had heard the Doctor had been "crushed" as Neelix put it, by Seven and she thought he might want to take his mind off his problems by hanging out with her and her friends for awhile.</div> <bR> <div> They met in the Mess Hall around 1800 hours and talked about <I>Pulp Fiction,</I> earth movies, books and culture for what felt like a short time to him but was actually a couple of hours. She was interesting, charming, different than anyone he'd chatting with before, and <I>unfortunately</I> refrained from making any inappropriate comments which was disappointing. He wanted an opening to flirt with her which didn't present itself. </div> <bR> <div> He became an honorary guest in Rene's clique. Occasionally allowed into her inner circle which consisted of the god awful Hickson, Ensign Jack Murphy, who B'Elanna Torres, Chief Engineer, had the hots for before Tom Paris came into the picture, Ensign 1St Class Barb Lang and Lt. Benz Calloway. This group made up the core of a bigger group of about 20 people known as the “20Somethings” that Rene' and Hickson founded five years ago, shortly after Voyager was marooned in the Delta Quadrant, to relive their boredom and to get their and other crew members minds off their misfortune. </div> <bR> <div> The group was an outlet for avid scholars and admirers of 20th century culture, focusing mostly on art, entertainment and especially music. The “20Somethings” also used the cryptic slang of the era that only someone who had extensively studied the times and culture would understand. The Doctor had an advantage when they decided to speak in their “code,” because he was linked with the ship's computer and could access the slang's meaning immediately. He liked impressing them with words they hadn't thought of using yet. The group published an electronic newsletter about 20th century culture, produced Karaoke shows and cast themselves in plays, musicals television shows that were popular at the time. A few in the group had a mild disdain for authority. They always did as ordered but with a scowl or a “<I>whatever” </I>attitude. </div> <bR> <div> They took their admiration for the culture to the extreme by most crew members accounts. They sometimes cursed in public as people were prone to do during the 20th century. Chakotay made it a point to recorded each cursing incident in the offender's performance file. The Captain evaluated Rene's job performance without Chakotay's input and although Rene' occasionally cursed in public she was not reprimanded for it. Something that Chakotay wanted to take up with the Captain again when he had a chance. Chakotay was known irrelevantly as Old Mudface by the “20Somethings.” Hickson christened Chakotay Mudface because Chakotay never smiled at him. Hickson said Chakotay was afraid that his face would crack like mud if he smiled. Also, he thought Chakotay was a "stick in the mud." The other "20Somethings" thought the nickname was a good one and started using it too, all except Rene' who thought it went a little too far. </div> <bR> <div> Rene's focus in the "20Somethings" was mainly the entertainment aspects; that was the only reason she founded it; the push back on authority that some of them liked to engage in, she steered clear of, <I>now</I>. She'd done her part as far as she was concerned.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>