Chapter Three

<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= 33 WIDTH="71"><div> Chapter Four</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="71"><div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Four"><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="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Two "><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> <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> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter One"><U>Chapter One</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Two "><U>Chapter Two </U></A>   |   <B>Chapter Three</B>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Four"><U>Chapter Four</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Five"><U>Chapter Five</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Six"><U>Chapter Six</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Seven"><U>Chapter Seven</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Eight"><U>Chapter Eight</U></A>   |   <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="09f644b0.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="0a0644b0.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Chapter Three</div> <div> By Trekscribe</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 01620hrs, Wednesday</div> <bR> <div> Their discussion was over. Both young women were absorbed in their own thoughts as they walked silently together to the turbolift. Seven promised B'Elanna that she would meet her in the Mess Hall to give an update on the Maxwell meeting, but talking to B'Elanna seemed a waste of time now. There wasn't much to say concerning Rene's and the Captain's relationship; Rene' didn't provide anything new. She'd kept their discussion focused on herself, Seven and the Doctor. Seven learned more than she wanted to know about the Doctor's love life or lack thereof and the actions he'd taken to try to improve it. She'd learned that the Captain and Rene' had discussed her at length. It made her feel exposed, vulnerable. She wonder if the Captain was consulting Rene' regarding their relationship. Was Rene' telling Kathryn not to get involved? Regardless, she thought it extremely unfair, since Rene' was a potential rival for the Captain's affections. This couldn't go on.  Then Rene', as if she understood what Seven was feeling, whispered, “Don't worry Seven, it'll be alright.” </div> <div> Seven didn't know what to say. She glanced at Rene' waiting for Rene' to explain, but Rene' didn't seem to notice. Seven wasn't sure what to think. Rene' had started off being horrible, now she appeared to sincerely want to help. Should Seven trust her? There were probably a lot of reasons not too, but there were many things she didn't know about Rene's and the Captain's past.  The Captain obviously thinks Rene' is worthy of her trust. Seven was willing to find out. </div> <bR> <div> Rene' touched her Insignia Communicator “Maxwell to Captain Janeway.”</div> <bR> <div> “Janeway here.” The familiar husky voice answered.</div> <bR> <div> “It's…Lt. Maxwell, Ma'am.” She almost said Rene' without thinking. Seven was now aware that she was on a first name basis with Kathryn but she caught herself, realizing she didn't know whether the Captain was alone. “Is it possible that I could speak you and Commander Chakotay before our scheduled meeting today?”</div> <bR> <div> “Concerning?”</div> <bR> <div> “Ship security.”</div> <bR> <div> “Should Lt. Commander Tuvok also be involved?” A hint of concern rose in the Captain's voice.</div> <bR> <div> “I don't think that will be necessary Ma'am, at least initially. However I suggest that he should be briefed after our discussion.”</div> <bR> <div> “Very well. We'll be waiting for you in my ready room.”</div> <bR> <div> “You actually are going to report the Doctor?” Seven grabbed Rene's arm to stop her, to force her to look at her. She wanted to do whatever she could to keep Rene' from carrying out her threat. </div> <div> “You should reconsider. You could talk to him and tell him that his behavior is inappropriate and discuss alternative ways he can express his feelings for you that you would find acceptable.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' looked down at Seven's hand on her arm then smiled. “Wow, you <I>are</I> a strong girl, Kathryn  sure didn't exaggerate about that. If someone told me I'd <I>ever  </I>want to say this to you I'd tell them they were nuts but because of the circumstances I'll have to…, Seven, please let go of me.”</div> <bR> <div> Seven let her go. </div> <bR> <div> “As far as the Doctor goes, your suggestion would be nice, <I>if</I> I wanted him to express his feelings. I'm obviously not interested in him, in <I>that way</I>.” Rene' didn't yield. “I'll try to be fair when I talk to the Captain. I really will try but…I thought he was, I don't know, I'm not good at handling...I can't put into words what I'm feeling right now.” She paused then added, “When he's not trying to fuck me literally or mentally, I like being around him. Unfortunately those times are becoming few and far between.”</div> <bR> <div> Hickson was entering the turbolift just as they approached. Rene' saw him and her face lit up. Seven tried not to show her disgust but it was extremely difficult. Why would anyone want <I>this person </I>for a friend? They entered the turbolift and gave the computer their deck numbers, Deck 2 for Seven and Deck 1 for Hickson and Rene'.</div> <bR> <div> “How are you home girl? I've been missing you something awful.” Hickson smiled.</div> <bR> <div> Rene' smiled back. She and Hickson have been together since the beginning of their Starfleet Academy careers; Best friends since the first day of school, they were both assigned to Voyager after Command school.  He was tall, broad shouldered with a faint scar running down the side of his face that he picked up in a fight 6 years ago in Quark's tavern on Deep Space 9. He could have the scar removed but he said it got him the “chicks”. His hair buzzed into a crew cut, he was beyond retro. <I>Nobody</I> wears their hair like that. She loved him like a brother and like a brother he was at times a major annoyance to her. He bitched about everyone and everything but he was loyal, dependable and laughed at her jokes; always good character traits to have for a friend.  She did her best to ignore that he could be a jerk sometimes but he forced the issue occasionally. Hickson always had a twinkle of mischief or malice in his eye. Today it was mischief.</div> <bR> <div> “And how are <I>they</I> today Seven.” Hickson said casually.</div> <bR> <div> Before Seven could answer. Rene' jumped in, she had never been present during his sexist putdowns before. Friend or no friend she wasn't having it. “Hickson, that's it!” She turned and got right in his face. She said in a conversational tone, “You've been repeatedly warned about this. Are you brain dead? You act like you are sometimes. Why is this so hard for you to understand?” She didn't give him a chance to respond.  “Let me help you get it.  Your next scheduled downtime is suspended. Instead, report to Lt. Torres' maintenance detail and assist them in cleaning out the Bussard Collectors on the warp drive. …. If I hear <I>anything</I> about you spouting this crap again it'll be 2 downtimes devoted to the Bussard Collectors, then 3, 4, etc. Get the point<I>?</I>”<I> I soooo don't need this today.</I></div> <bR> <div> “What the fuc-”</div> <bR> <div> “Careful,” She warned softly not breaking eye contact,  “I don't want to hear another word out of you right now. <I>I mean it</I>.” Rene' gave him a look that meant it.</div> <bR> <div> Hickson said nothing; his eyes cast to the floor of the lift. His face expressionless. </div> <bR> <div> “Computer, note in Lt. Hickson's file that his next scheduled downtime has been suspended due to inappropriate sexual remarks made to another person on board ship and that he's been ordered to report to Lt. Torres' maintenance detail tomorrow at 0700hrs.  Forward this notation to Lt. Torres. Out.” Rene' turned her attention away from him.  <I>Stupid ass</I>.</div> <bR> <div> He may have been out of line <I>a little</I>, but it's not like Seven of Nine hasn't been talked to like this before, the Kadi colony ambassador made a pass and actually touched her!  He'd never think of doing <I>that</I>. Rene's really beating down on him like a raging meteor storm. She's acting worst than Chatokay! </div> <bR> <div> “Lieutenant, what are your plans for this evening, after you see the Captain?” Seven was faintly smiling, not bothering to look at Hickson who was visibly dying to speak but didn't dare. </div> <bR> <div> <I>AH HA!</I> <I>So, that's how it is, is it?! He fumed. Unbelievable!</I></div> <bR> <div> “Permission to speak Ma'am.” Hickson ventured.</div> <bR> <div> “Denied. Hickson you couldn't say anything right now that I'd particularly want to hear.”</div> <bR> <div> Then to Seven, “I'm supposed to host the “20Somethings” monthly Karaoke party, in holodeck, 2.  Why?” She said absently. She'd love to get out of doing it. She really wasn't in the mood to play hostess tonight. </div> <bR> <div> “I would like to continue our conversation. Are you available after the..Karoake?”</div> <bR> <div> “I may be late for the show, in fact I know I will be. Why don't you go? I don't think you've ever been before…you might like it and I'll see you there later, maybe?”</div> <bR> <div>  Hickson fumed in silence. <I>Rene' thinks *I'm*</I><I><B> </B></I><I>“brain dead”. At least I know better than to hit on the Captain's girlfriend. Hickson was shaking his head, no. Don't do it.</I></div> <bR> <div> “I will see you there.”  </div> <bR> <div> “Good, I'll look forward to it, Seven. If there is *anything* I can do for you in the meantime, don't hesitate to call me.” Rene' let the killer smile flash. </div> <bR> <div> The turbolift opened on deck 2. Seven nodded, “Perhaps, I'll …'take you up', as you would say, on your offer.” She smiled slightly and exited. </div> <bR> <div> “I don't care if you put me under the brig for a month, I can't keep quiet another second about this!” Hickson burst after the turbolift door closed. “Computer, halt turbolift! What the hell is going on? Why did you bust my balls? Why does Seven want to meet you? Is she flirting with you? Why are you flirting with her? Are you insane?!” It all came tumbling out in one long sentence.</div> <bR> <div> “First, nothing's `going on.' Second, you were insulting and sexist and got what you deserved. I would have busted anyone who did that in front of me. Third, Seven wants to learn a little more about me, there's nothing wrong with that.  Fourth, was she flirting? I think <I>not</I>. And finally, am I insane? Must be, to have a friend like you.”  </div> <bR> <div> “You were flirting with her, don't bullshit me Rene'. It's me, the Hickster. I've seen you in action.”</div> <bR> <div> “Nonsense. I just said if she needed any---”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, Seven, if there's <I>anything</I> at all I can do for you, like…oh, like, helping you undress, just give me a call, PLEASE.” Hickson mocked.</div> <bR> <div> “Very funny.” Rene' didn't laugh although it was slightly amusing. </div> <bR> <div> “Rene', be real.” </div> <bR> <div> “Ok, maybe I was flirting <I>a little</I>. I flirt with everyone. So what?” </div> <bR> <div> “Not like that! You don't give the “anything at all” come on to just anybody. That's why I think you're insane. <I>That piece of work,</I> the Borg babe, belongs to the Captain. I guess you want to spend the rest of your time on this ship scrubbing decks with your toothcleaner?” </div> <bR> <div> Rene' shrugged. “I haven't done anything, so I'm not worried about it.” <I>Maybe just a bit worried.</I></div> <bR> <div> “Don't come crying to me when the Captain fucks you over.”</div> <bR> <div> “Change subject. Why are you heading to the bridge?”</div> <bR> <div> “They got me filling in for Kim, tonight so I'm going to be very late for the Karaoke par-tee.” He gushed with fake tears. “Old Mudface has it in for me. Hey, did you talk to him about the reprimands yet? He's screwing us for cussing, that's the least of the things I do around here.”</div> <bR> <div> “I asked you to not call him that in my presence. And yes I did. Computer, start turbolift. He blew me off. But it ain't over by any means. I'm taking it up with the Captain.” Rene' disagreed strongly with Chakotay. She wanted to give the so-called public swearers a warning before entering something permanently into their records. Chakotay wouldn't budge. She walked away from him while he was still rationalizing his position. She didn't handle the situation professionally, but he was wasting her time.  </div> <bR> <div> “I'm going to meet Chakotay and the Captain right now to discuss a few things, if I have time I'll bring it up.”</div> <bR> <div> “Aren't you the lucky one.” Hickson said sarcastically. </div> <bR> <div> “Hickson do you like <I>anyone</I> on this ship?” Rene' smiled.</div> <bR> <div> “No.”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, I know you like the Captain. You just don't like to admit it, even to me.”</div> <bR> <div> He didn't want to talk about it. “I wish there a way to clone Angie Dickerson. I'd love to be lying on a bench in St. Croix sippin' a Whiskey sour with Angie pulling my bathing suit down just about now.”</div> <bR> <div> “Angie's alright, I guess, if you like that retro, hard hair, 20th century look. I think she was popular during the 1960's maybe some 70's. Is it sick that I know that? Yes it is.” She answered herself. “I prefer Jeri Ryan.”</div> <bR> <div> “Who??”</div> <bR> <div> “Later.” Rene' winked.</div> <bR> <div> The turbolift door opened on to the bridge. Directly to the right of the door was Lt. Commander Tuvok standing near his station at tactical; he nodded a greeting to Rene' and ignored Hickson. “The Captain is waiting for you, Lieutenant. You are late.” There was a hint of reproach in his voice. God she hated to displease him.  She learned to truly respect him. He couldn't possibly approve of her antics, which even she admitted went over the edge of decency at times, however he never commented on that; his focus was on her work. Only the Captain deserved her respect more than he did. </div> <bR> <div> “Yes sir. Sorry.”</div> <bR> <div> “I reviewed your findings Lieutenant. Your data was comprehensive and concise. I concur with your conclusion, however, I would like you to run a comparison of sequence 1087 again, to confirm the variation, before you execute your assignment.  I have given the Captain my briefing.” </div> <bR> <div> Rene' contained her pride. There just wasn't anything like getting a compliment from a Vulcan, only second, in her book to getting a compliment from the Captain.</div> <bR> <div> “Thank you, sir. I was hoping you'd prove me wrong for the Celdars' sakes.”  As she headed for the Captain's ready room. Hickson whispered softy, “Kiss ass.” She acknowledged it with a slight smile. <I>And he wonders why he hasn't been promoted.</I></div> <bR> <div> Hickson stalked across the bridge to the left toward the Operations station. Ensign Kim bounced out of his chair as Hickson advanced.</div> <bR> <div> “Lieutenant, the coordinates are laid in, I've charted the shortest possible course to the planet.” Kim said curtly, then he added a slightly veiled warning.  “There's no need for you to modify it.”</div> <bR> <div> Hickson shrugged, “What-ever. I'll just look it over and see, Ensign.” He made a point of emphasizing `Ensign.'</div> <bR> <div> Kim winced. He hated when anyone else touched the controls and when it was Hickson, that made it even worst. No one knew the ship's navigational system better that Harry. Of course he was aware that Hickson had a low opinion of him. Hickson let everyone who would listen know that he and not Kim should be on the bridge.</div> <bR> <div> “Why didn't you lay in Bearing 000, Mark 260? That's the quickest route.”</div> <bR> <div> “There's an unidentified ion field transversing that course, Lieutenant, <I>if</I> you'd bothered reading the panel you'd see that.” Kim was usually easy going but Hickson really got under his skin like a big splinter. </div> <bR> <div> “Yeah, So? I see it. You should have sent a probe out to verify if the field would harm the hull. This course adds 12 hours to our arrival time.” <I>What a</I> <I>Numbnuts.</I>  “If it's <I>such</I> an emergency I don't see-” </div> <bR> <div> “Gentlemen. The Captain has approved Ensign Kim's course. Ensign Kim you are relieved. Remove yourself from the bridge, now. Lt. Hickson <I>sit down</I>.” Tuvok had had enough of the mine-is-bigger-than-yours road show. </div> <bR> <div> “Yes, sir.” Kim shot a jagged flare at Hickson then disappeared. Harry wanted to punch his face in.  <I>Big Twerp</I>. </div> <bR> <div> Hickson looked over at the helm and saw Ensign Pablo Baytart sitting quietly with a goofy smile on his face, softly humming a Broadway show tune from the Chorus Line, “One.” Hickson groaned. <I>Oh Boy.</I> <I>What is this, amateur night? Sheeesh. I hope nothing goes wrong until my shift is over.</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0772b270.png" border=0 width="555" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> After her communication with Maxwell, Janeway immediately hailed Commander Chatokay. </div> <bR> <div> “Chatokay, I need to see you in my ready room, <I>now</I>.”  She cut off the transmission before he could ask any questions. </div> <bR> <div> <I>Ship security. </I>She hoped it still wasn't the old discontentment and defections that stirred up shortly after Voyager was marooned in the Delta Quadrant. Five years ago a significant number of the crew gave her a vote of no confidence. Some of them were disaffected enough to work out a scheme to take over Voyager.  They decided that she wasn't fit to be their Captain, because of her command to destroy the Caretaker's Array instead of using it to return Voyager to the Alpha Quadrant.  </div> <bR> <div> Objectively she understood the rationale for some of the crew's actions. They were reacting to the possibility that they would never return home. But their behavior bashed against all her Starfleet discipline and her Captain mentality. They should have had faith in her. She couldn't help taking it very personally; she was human.</div> <bR> <div> Under ordinary circumstances every crew member who took part of the planning, discussions and/or implementation of the plot to remove her as commanding officer, would have been court martialed and sitting <I>under</I> a prison cell right now. When she first found out about their plans she wanted to throw the whole lot of them into the brig for the remainder of the journey home. That was impossible. She was short staffed as is and could not afford to leave key positions unfilled. </div> <bR> <div> Fortunately, the number of people who still were brooding, angry and upset appeared to gradually decrease as time pushed forward. Some admitted they were wrong and personally apologized to her. Others just stopped talking about their misfortune and went on with their lives, resigned. Then there were the ones who acted up occasionally with disrespect to her senior officers. They knew better than to mouth off directly to the Captain and since none of them disobeyed direct orders, she was more lenient than she would be normally. </div> <bR> <div> She found it interesting that the mutineers compromised only a handful of the “20Somethings”, the group that by nature of their infatuation with 20th century culture would be more prone to challenge authority and question every decision made by her or the officers.</div> <bR> <div> When Rene' sent her that list of names of the “traitors”, she saw some names that she would never have suspected, exemplarily crewmen and women. They had never mouthed off, never questioned an order; they appeared friendly and open to her and the rest of the crew. </div> <bR> <div> She realized how easy it was for some people to present a façade and that good decent people can and do crack under pressure. Except for the ones that came forward and admitted that they had taken part in the rebellion, none of the others suspected that the Captain knew they had participated. She certainly had a lot more respect for the people who let their feelings be known and admitted they made a mistake.  And so the detractors were watched secretly by Tuvok and his security detail.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0772b270.png" border=0 width="555" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Kathryn thought about the emotions she had to deal with these past 5 years.  Then there was Rene' and her “issues”, Mark (her ex-fiancé), being away from her family, the crew, being struck in the Delta Quadrant, her feeling for Seven. The rest of the crew have equally challenging ordeals they are going through as well. It was obvious what she needed to do. </div> <bR> <div> Voyager's scheduled assignment seemed short term and simple, capture the Marquis ship's crew, rescue Tuvok. The Captain felt no need to have a counselor assigned before they left Starbase 212 for the Badlands where the Marquis ship was stranded. She definitely regretted not bringing a counselor on board and that she had been too wrapped up in her duties running the ship and her own personal life to take care of the problem, until now. Well, no time like the present. </div> <bR> <div> She went to her workstation and requested the computer to search all crew personnel files looking for the people who had completed the most psychology courses, a psychology major or minor, and who had tested psychologically as extroverted. It wouldn't do to have someone shy. The things that go on around here would give the faint of heart a cardiac arrest. </div> <bR> <div> The monitor flashed two results</div> <div> > Lt. Rene' Amanda Maxwell, minor psychology</div> <div> > Ensign Charlie Russell Mulchaey, minor psychology</div> <bR> <div> Hmmm, it didn't seem fair that an Ensign should carry the psychological burdens of this cruise.</div> <bR> <div> She accessed Rene's file and queried for a listing of course work pertaining to psychology. The courses displayed promptly:</div> <bR> <div>                Diagnosis (Terran)</div> <div>                Diagnosis (native or non-Terran, non-native)</div> <div>                Diagnosis (non-native and non-Terran)</div> <div>                Diplomacy</div> <div>                Electronics Ops Life Support</div> <div>                Electronics Ops Medical</div> <div>                                     Language (non-native)</div> <div> <I>               </I>Physiology (Terran)</div> <div>                Physiology (native or non-Terran)</div> <div>                Psychology (Terran)</div> <div>                Psychology (non-native and non-Terran)</div> <div>                Xenobiology: General</div> <div>                </div> <bR> <div> Hmmmm, Diplomacy….<I>She needs a refresher course on that one. </I> Rene' was only two courses short from having a major in Counseling, which makes her the only logical choice.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Oh she's going to love that; Kathryn smiled</I>. Well the disadvantage is that Rene' probably has more personal problems than anyone on the ship, but… the advantage is that it might be good for her. She can be so self-absorbed; being a counselor will keep her in the mix, maybe she'll stop thinking she's above it all. Maybe she'll look at her problems more objectively.  Besides, she psychoanalyses everyone on the ship now anyway, and she pretty good at it, might as well put it to good use.</div> <bR> <div> She typed in her recommendation that Rene' become the part-time counselor for Voyager for the duration their mission and transmitted the recommendation to Chatokay for discussion.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0772b270.png" border=0 width="555" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Janeway remembered her first encountered with then cadet, 4th year, Rene' Maxwell. Starfleet Academy had asked Kathryn to be a guest speaker for the Space Strategy course. She couldn't help but notice Rene'. She was extremely pretty but was trashing her looks like most of the young people did at the time. She wore her hair in the god-awful style that was popular, shaved closed on the sides, long on top. It was an androgynous look that Janeway didn't care for. What was wrong with looking like a woman or man? Starfleet allowed upperclassmen some leeway concerning dress code the last year of school before they were assigned to various ships.</div> <bR> <div> Rene' was slouched in her chair, seemly disinterested in the topic. She was actually chewing gum in a classroom!  It was distracting and rude, so before Kathryn started the lecture she asked her to remove it. Rene' scowled at her like she'd been asked to submit to a root canal without Novocain and muttered something barely audible under her breath.  She <I>did</I> remove the gum. Janeway glance at the class sitting roster to make sure she got Rene's name right when she reported her to the instructor of the course after class. Why was this behavior allowed? <I>Who were they letting into Starfleet now a days</I>? She sighed. </div> <bR> <div> The society that now existed on Earth had no hunger, poverty or war. The social divide between rich and poor had disappeared. Everyone was allocated the monetary requirements to live fruitful productive lives. People were compensated based on their contribution to the global good, not their own self-interests. Unfortunately, other interests and career choices competed with Starfleet for the cream of the crop. Perhaps Starfleet was making too many concessions to complete for personnel, Kathryn wondered. </div> <bR> <div> Recent decisions that Starfleet had made concerning the Marquis, the revelation that a small number of Starfleet Captains sometimes did immoral things to advance themselves personally and financially, had caused a noticeable drop in the number of applicants to the Academy. Some young people openly challenged the Federation's philosophies and policies.  The world she had grown up in was dissolving, evolving. Looking over the class and at the insolent, young Ms. Maxwell made Kathryn feel a little old.</div> <bR> <div> Kathryn began the lecture with a detailed summary of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's offensive and defensive strategies concerning the Borg. Rene' closed her eyes and appeared to be mediating, or sleeping perhaps.</div> <bR> <div> <I> I hope she is sleeping. My test questions are going to be taken directly from the lecture and she'll blow 20 points on her final exam.</I> </div> <bR> <div> Mid way during the talk the Captain asked if there were any questions. Rene' suddenly became alert and stood up. “Cadet Rene' Maxwell, Ma'am. I don't have a question. It's more of a statement actually.” She began in slight southern accent, “I've read Captain Picard's reports concerning the Borg. Based on his and other accounts, I've come to the conclusion that it's ridiculous spending a lot of time discussing the Borg in this course. Some of the time would be better served learning more tactical maneuvers for dealing with the Marquis or Romulans, far more worthy adversaries than the Borgs. Any captain with half a brain and the kind of firepower a Constitution class Starfleet ship or better can deliver should easily defeat them. They're so predictable.” Rene' said with distain.  “Only The Borg Queen is free-thinking, however she doesn't appear to be very innovative. I doubt, that she will ever allow any drone, except maybe an assimilated Commander Data or Captain Picard, if she can get her hands on them again, share in the decision making for the Collective.” </div> <bR> <div> There was a snicker a couple of seats off to the left of Rene'. It was a young man with dark blonde hair, sporting the same dumb hairstyle as Rene's. Three hoop gold earrings dangled from his right ear. “And boy does she want to get her hands on them again. That chick's been outta luck for a long time!” The class broke out in laughter. Everyone except Rene', Kathryn and the instructor in the back of the classroom who covered his eyes with embarrassment.  </div> <bR> <div> Rene' sighed. <I>I'm trying to make a point here and he's making bad jokes.</I></div> <bR> <div>  Kathryn looked at the class sitting roster, again. <I>Ok, Hickson, another one to report. </I></div> <bR> <div> “Cadets Maxwell and Hickson, there is nothing funny about this topic. The rest of you settle down, <I>now</I>.” She commanded. There was dead silence.</div> <bR> <div> “If I may continue Ma `am, I agree there's nothing funny about this topic. As I was saying before I was interrupted.” Rene' shot Hickson a I-can't-take-you-anywhere look. “Borgs compute all the possible ways to destroy you in their vast but strictly “think within the box” collective little minds and come up with ways to annihilate you based on how they think you will react to them. Then they prioritize their options, with their first preference being the one they feel will be the most effective. Their second choice, third, etc are executed in sequence. If you survive their first attack, the odds increase significantly that you will survive subsequent attacks. They're glorified robots, you know.”</div> <bR> <div> Janeway couldn't believe that so much cockiness and bravo could be packed in that slight frame. “Maybe, I should pass on your recommendations to Captain Picard. I'm sure he's just waiting on pins and needles to receive some advice from <I>you </I>on how to defeat the Borg. If you're finished Cadet Maxwell, I'd like to continue with the lecture.” <I>Maybe a bit too sarcastic. But she deserves it. She actually thinks she can do better dealing with the Borg than Captains who have had years of combat experience? Who the hell is this person?</I></div> <bR> <div> Rene' was undaunted. “Ma'am, Hickson and I programmed all known encounters Starfleet has had with the Borg into a tactical simulation, our actions and their actions.  It's based on what battle strategies the Borg have learned concerning Starfleet. The program has a degree of 99% accuracy in predicting what a Borg ship will do in a combat situation and how they think we'll react to their actions. It's simply of matter of doing something different than they could possibly think of, using my program as a reference. The next version of my program will give possible actions against the Borg based on what they will do.”</div> <bR> <div> “Ms. Maxwell, that 1% of inaccuracy that <I>you say</I> your program has, might cost you your life and the lives of the people on your ship. Don't rely only on computer programs to make decisions when there is so much at stake. Sometimes in the final analysis all you'll have is your instincts. Even then that might not be enough. Remember that.”</div> <bR> <div> Rene' sat down. Kathryn could see that Rene' was actually pondering her words. Maybe she had gotten through to her. </div> <bR> <div> “Yes. Ma `am.” Of course she couldn't help adding. “I did get an “A” for my program.”</div> <bR> <div> Janeway smiled. “I'd be interested in evaluating your program. Please upload it to me when you get a chance.” <I>What the hell.</I> </div> <bR> <div> Rene' nodded.</div> <bR> <div> Rene' glanced at her padd that was buzzing softly to let her know that a message was waiting for her. She punched her access code in the padd. Two words flashed across the display screen. “Kiss ass.”</div> <bR> <div> She looked over at Hickson and made a face. She didn't think she was trying to impress anyone. She just wanted to let some bigwig captain know that she had worked out some constructive ways in dealing with the Borg. <I>That's it</I>.  </div> <bR> <div> When the class was over and the cadets had all filed out, Lt. Wilson, the class instructor came over to Janeway, with a sheepish look on his face. “I'm really sorry I didn't get a chance to touch bases with you today before class…to warn you about Maxwell and Hickson.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes,” Captain Janeway, shook her head, “They're quite the duo.”</div> <bR> <div> “Right, they're usually together in classes. All the instructors are used to their antics. Rene' wants to show that she know as much or more than the instructors and Hickson is just a silly class clown.  The plus side for Maxwell is that she scores very high in leadership aptitude. She is also in the top 10 of her class. She will make a fine captain one day. If..” </div> <bR> <div> The Captain just looked at him and chuckled. <I>God help us.</I></div> <bR> <div> He continued, “If she gets over her self importance long enough to learn the finer arts of being a captain, that is. There are so many things she needs to know that the Academy can't teach her. Then there's Hickson, he's very good with computer and ship operations but needs to grow up and not think all he has to offer anyone is a joke. His leadership assessment tested out at Lt. level possibly Commander, but… he'll have to change his “It's all a big joke” philosophy to get as far as Commander level in my opinion.”</div> <bR> <div> “Has anyone thought about separating them?”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh we did that their second year. They were more incorrigible when they weren't together, so the last two years we allowed them to be in as many classes they wanted.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, reward their bad behavior, makes sense.” The Captain shook her head.</div> <bR> <div> “Rene' has improved since her first days at the Academy. She actually curse an instructor her first month she started school.” </div> <bR> <div> “That's really charming. Are you sure you want to keep them in the Academy? It's not for everyone.”</div> <bR> <div> “Five years ago I'd say no, but as there's a very old song that goes, “the times they are a changing.” You know Starfleet's in trouble. We've been hit hard. We need all the new blood we can get.”</div> <bR> <div> “So, what's her story?” <I>Kathryn, why do you want to get involved with this? </I></div> <bR> <div> “She'd the only girl in a family of 3 boys, the oldest. Her mother died when she was 10. Her father is running a merchant ship line that does the majority of it's trading with the Ferengi. He's gone months at a time and was seldom around while she and the boys were growing up. The children lived with their Aunt, her mother's sister. She was only 10 years older than Rene' when she took them on and treated Rene' like a sister more than a daughter. She made the children go to school and took care of them but Rene' and her brothers are a strong willed bunch. None of them got into any serious trouble but they don't have a high regard for authority.”</div> <bR> <div> “If she doesn't like authority why would she join Starfleet? This is where she'll have to toll the line.”  </div> <bR> <div> “She filled out the Starfleet application as a dare from her friends. Never thinking we'd call her in. The reason she listed on her application was `to kill things.'”</div> <bR> <div> “Obviously joining Starfleet was a joke to her but you called her in anyway? Are we that desperate?”</div> <bR> <div> “She was an excellent student. So we decided to accept her and work out the rough spots.”</div> <bR> <div> “You're doing a good job.” </div> <bR> <div> “Her counselor thinks all she needs is a captain with a firm hand to work out the antiauthority streak she has and to show her that she doesn't know everything.”</div> <bR> <div> “Has she been assigned to a ship yet?” <I>Don't do it Kathryn, a little voice said.</I></div> <bR> <div> “No. I think her counselor is going to recommend that she be place with Captain Jameson on the <I>Gettysburg.”</I></div> <bR> <div> “Jameson is a good captain, he runs a very tight ship but he doesn't have a lot of patience with young cadets.” <I>Both of them would probably be very miserable.</I>  “I have an alternative.  For her cadet cruise, Maxwell should spend it on  the Al-Batani.”</div> <bR> <div> “Are you sure, Captain? She's not going to be easy to break. Jameson has a lot of experience putting the screws to unruly cadets and turning them around. He's handled far worst than Maxwell with excellent results.” Lt. Wilson was astounded that Janeway would even consider getting involved with this Maxwell problem.</div> <bR> <div> “I'm sure. I don't think the purpose of her Cadet cruise shouldn't be to `break' her. Having some fight in her is a good thing. She needs to learn to accept authority and responsibility. A heavy hand will not do.”</div> <bR> <div> “You seem to know a lot about handling her after only a short interaction.” He couldn't contain his skepticism.</div> <bR> <div> “She reminds me a little of someone I knew a long time ago. Let's see what I can do with her.”</div> <bR> <div> “If that's what you want, Captain.”</div> <bR> <div> “The other one, Wickson?..”</div> <bR> <div> “Hickson, and…No…You aren't considering taking them both! That would be extremely foolish, believe me--.” His eyes widened. </div> <bR> <div> She didn't let him finish. She'd made her decision; he couldn't change her mind. “Oh, I wouldn't think of splitting up such a delightful pair.” She smiled. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Want to Read More about Rene's Academy Days? </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Art of Seduction"><U>The Art of Seduction</U></A> <A NAME="seduction"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>