Chapter Six

<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 ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Nebula </div> <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 Seven</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> -- Coming</div> <div> Soon</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 33 WIDTH="71"><div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Five"><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> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#003333" FACE="Arial" ><B>Crossing the Nebula</B></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>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter Three"><U>Chapter Three</U></A>   |   <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>   |   <B>Chapter Six</B>   |   <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> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0de644b0.jpg" border=0 width="100" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Chapter Six</div> <div> By Trekscribe</div> <div> A blast of music assaulted her ears as she stepped though the holodeck door. The lighting was low and smoke dimmed the room making it difficult for her to focus on anything. Seven was here--- somewhere in this jumble of noise and people. Would Seven be glad to see her? Kathryn was angry with herself that she even had to ask that question. <I>Well, old girl it's your own fault.</I> She decided to stand by the entrance a minute to get her bearings before finding Seven.</div> <bR> <div> It was a medium sized room with a stage in the back and a small area next to the stage where people were attempting to dance. Tables, chairs, ashtrays, stools were scattered around.  The room was stuffed with people, at least 70 or more--gradually she started to make out some faces. She didn't immediately recognize anyone--a crowd of holograms roamed the front of the room where she was, which just so happened to be where the bar was located---these holograms were a thirsty lot, buying drinks two or three at a time, using strangely familiar, pieces of green colored paper with odd looking men printed on them. They pushed and jostled each other to get the bartender's attention-a good looking young man with a ponytail extending down his bare back.  No one appeared to take notice of her. The patrons wore an array of colors. It didn't seem to matter that the colors matched or not. The women were squeezed into short cotton or leather dresses or tight pants that flared at the bottom; some had strands of beads around their necks and headbands to keep their long unkempt hair out of their eyes. The men wore tight pants, many had their shirts opened--others didn't bother with the shirts and sported leather vests with fringes covered with beads. They were rather scruffy-stringy hair, and the ones with beards didn't bother to groom them. <I>They all could really use a good, hot bath.</I>  </div> <bR> <div> “Welcome to the Love-in sweetie.” A pretty young girl, who couldn't be older than 18 bounced in front of her-wearing a tight white cotton shirt, her nipples struggled to escape the material. <I>Hmmm,</I> <I>Interesting.</I> Across the girl's chest in bold pink letters were the words “OFF THE PIGS.” <I>God only knows what that means. Somehow I sense that I wouldn't approve. </I>  “Here you are!” The girl slipped a loop of beads around the Captain's neck and placed a small hand rolled cigarette in her palm. “This is the best shit ever!”  Kathryn examined the cigarette, a wisp of a smile danced across her face. <I>I haven't smoked one of these things in ages.</I> <I>When was the last time? Graduation day at the Academy, I think.  Lisa and I smoked one before we made love-- for the last time. I didn't know it was the last time--at the time--but Lisa did. </I>Her smile faded. <I> Not something she wanted to think about right now.</I></div> <bR> <div> Society stamped out physical addictions to drugs, alcohol even cigarettes centuries ago. By the age of 10 everyone was inoculated against chronic physical dependency. But people, even in this day and age, being what they are, still developed mental addictions to these types of things-- if they weren't careful. The mental cravings will be around until the end of time. Society did not impose restrictions on the use of these “vices”, but heavy penalties were inflicted <I>if</I> intoxication caused harm or damage to other people and property. There was no excuse for that to happen---walking around intoxicated was a clear choice.  A hypo easily dissipated the so-called high immediately. Some people wore time sensitive patches that  “sobered” them up at a predestinated time.  An added benefit of taking the detox was-no hangover. </div> <bR> <div> Most of the vices were harmful to the body if used over long periods of time. A person had the option of using a simulated product.  For example, cigarettes were smoked that are harmless and relatively cheap to purchase, but not so flavorful (according to connoisseurs), or one could use real cigarettes that tasted a million times better than the imitation but required cancer causing pollutants to be removed from the user's system, periodically. Starfleet prohibited cigarettes of all kinds. The official position was that cigarettes don't promote the professional image Starfleet wants to portray to the Federation. When it came to cigarettes, and the rest of it, the Captain was flexible regarding what people did in the privacy of their cabins or the holodeck as long as it didn't impact ship operations.  It irked her slightly that some people needed to drink in order to relax and enjoy themselves. <I>What's wrong with a nice, quiet dinner with friends? Com'on Kathryn you used to raise a little hell when you were a kid. And it wasn't that long ago, least it doesn't seem to be that long ago? Maybe it's good to join in these things sometimes, you don't want to get stuffy--could be fun. Especially if Rene' can join Seven and I and tell us what the devil some of these songs mean.</I> <I>This one they're playing now is rather strange- White Rabbit? </I></div> <bR> <div> “Something wrong, baby?” The hologirl purred.</div> <bR> <div> “Not at all. I was just…reflecting.”</div> <bR> <div> “Well, that sounds really square, hon. You're here to party!  I'll go round you up a drink.”</div> <bR> <div> “How do you know what I'd like to have?”</div> <bR> <div> “I know. I'm never wrong.” The girl beamed with pride. “ It's the weirdest thing but I must be psychic or somethin'. When I see someone-doesn't matter if they've been in here once or hundreds of times,  I just know what they'd like to drink. You're a  Jack Daniels, right?”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, that's right.” <I>I suppose whoever programmed this girl took the time to search our replicator drink orders and </I><I>incorporated</I><I> the information into her.</I> <I>Nice touch. Sounds like something Rene' would do</I>. </div> <bR> <div> “Here.” The Captain handed back the cigarette. “I'd rather not smoke this and drink at the same time.”</div> <bR> <div> The girl took the cigarette and slipped it into her denims pocket with a shrug. <I>Her pants look like they're painted on. </I> “Whatever you want. Back inna couple, baby. Remember my name, I'm Crystal Rain Sunbeam. I'll be taking care of you tonight, sweetie. You sure look like you could use a drink-it'll loosen you up a bit. Power to the people! Love, Peace and Soul!” She waltzed away bobbing to the music.</div> <bR> <div> “Captain?” She glanced over to her left to see the familiar face of Lt. Hargrove greeting her. “Is it really you or one of these crazy programs? Way too many of them in here tonight.”</div> <bR> <div> Hargrove was a bit older than her, maybe five years, give or take. Like her, he was dressed in his uniform and stood out like a beacon. Dark and handsome, Hargrove was one of the few men on Voyager who wore a mustache. A very sweet man but incredibly bland. </div> <bR> <div> “Hard to believe, but yes, it's me.” The Captain chuckled. “I'm surprised to see you here too. This gathering looks like it's more for the younger set.” </div> <bR> <div> “Well, I guess most of the regulars who come here are younger than me, but then who isn't?”  He laughed. </div> <bR> <div> “I've known about these Karaoke parties but never made the effort to come until today. What exactly is this place suppose to be? Or is it spawned from the over active imaginations of Lieutenants Maxwell and Hickson?”</div> <bR> <div> “Nope there really were bars like this, during the 1960's and 1970's. This is pretty authentic, but then Rene', Lt. Maxwell and Lt. Hickson, always put a lot of time into the details. Look what I got when I came in.” He showed her a small daisy. “In the 1960's there used to be a group of people called Hippies. They passed out flowers and beads to each other and had what they called free love…which meant they didn't care about traditional bonding rituals, they made love to whoever they wanted, whenever they wanted, very racy for their time. They didn't work, just had sex, listened to music and took drugs all day. They looked at the society the previous generations had handed to them and said--”</div> <bR> <div> “Off the pigs?”</div> <bR> <div> “Exactly! How did you know?”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, I put two an two together. How did they manage to get away with not working? During that era didn't society require that everyone work to survive?”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes people were required to work, but the Hippies (most were kids), rejected that. The majority lived off their parents or other handouts. They sold their bodies, sold drugs, because they wanted the freedom to express themselves.” Working was a dirty word, it was selling out to `THE MAN'. Society was very patriarchal back then, nothing like it is today. </div> <bR> <div> “I would suspect the movement ended when their parents cut off the money.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, you're right again! But that generation I think they were called, “Baby Bloomers.” Influenced the values of our society for years to come. They were the idealists. The ones who planted the seeds for many of the social programs we now have today, hundreds of years later.”</div> <bR> <div> “Really? Thank you for the background data, lieutenant. I've heard a little about hippies before, Lt. Maxwell has mentioned them to me before, however I didn't know there was a political connection between them and the 24th century, very enlightening. You seem to know a lot about that time in our history, are you a “20Something?”</div> <bR> <div> “I get their newsletter, but I doubt I'm `cool' enough to be considered one of them. I'm attracted to that time in our society because it's so different than the way we are now--the people were just so--” He struggled for the right words.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> ”Out there?” She offered.</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, exactly!”</div> <bR> <div> “So, do you enjoy these parties?”</div> <bR> <div> “Putting aside that the music is a little too loud for me, I do. I come here to be around a group of people, I miss being out in the crowd. Back home my wife and I were barflies we'd try to hit the clubs every couple of weeks. We love listening to live music. We're old fashioned that way. Most people use their personal holoprograms and never venture out of their homes for entertainment anymore. I can see their point-- after all, why get all dressed up, pay the transporter costs or fly your hoverjet to the entertainment zones when the entertainment possibilities are endless just sitting at home in your lounging apparel. </div> <bR> <div> The Captain smiled. Some how Hargrove always managed to work his wife into all his conversations. He missed her terribly and didn't mind showing it. Many found it a bore but she'd always thought it touching. “Oh, I agree with you--- there's a lot to be said about attending a live performance, I prefer it myself. By the way, have you seen Seven here tonight?”</div> <bR> <div> “Why yes, I did. I saw her heading toward the stage. I'll take you over to her.”</div> <bR> <div> “Thank you, lieutenant.”</div> <bR> <div> He started toward the front of the club, pushing people out of the way to make a path for her.</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, Captain, I saw that communiqué you issued about assigning Lt. Maxwell the counselor position. I think it's an excellent move.”</div> <bR> <div> “Really? Nice to hear someone does.”</div> <bR> <div> He looked surprised. “I can't imagine why anyone would have a problem with her. Sure, she can be a little--- assertive at times and she likes to joke around sometimes, maybe a little too much for some peoples' taste. But I've always found her to be insightful and caring, when you need her to be--Great attributes for a counselor. I couldn't think of a better choice. She really turned herself around since the first days we were lost in the Delta Quadrant. I didn't think I'd ever be able to trust her again but she's made up for it.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, I agree.”</div> <bR> <div> She was able to see Seven sitting a few feet away, there was no use calling out to her because she wasn't facing in the Captain's direction. The music was even louder closer to the stage.  </div> <bR> <div> Suddenly there was a commotion behind her. She stopped to see what was going on. </div> <bR> <div> Crewman Frank Boylan was pushing his way toward her, with one of the Delaney twins hanging on each of his arms. When he reached her he studied her careful for a moment before walking around her until he was facing her again, blocking her path.</div> <bR> <div> “Crewman Boylan, would you mind stepping aside?  I need to talk to someone and your standing in my way. I'm in a bit of a hurry.”</div> <bR> <div> Boylan didn't acknowledge her. “Oh, man. This is perfect, exquisite. Hickson has positively out done himself. The hair, the ass done up to a letter, she's got the best ass, don't think girls?”</div> <bR> <div> Hargrove stood next to the Captain; his eyes bulged out of his head. “Boylan, watch your mouth! Do you have any sense at all? Speaking to the Captain in this fashion!”</div> <bR> <div> Boylan ignored him and took a long drink from a bottle that had been sitting on a nearby table-- he was more interested in slipping his arms around both girls waists.</div> <bR> <div> “Definitely. The Captain's ass does look really nice and tight, right Megan?” Jenny Delaney appraised.</div> <bR> <div> “Without a doubt, I've admired it a time or two.” Megan Delaney couldn't resist reaching out to give the captain's ass a little pinch. The captain gently pushed her hand away. </div> <bR> <div> “I don't think so.” There was a slight smile on her face. <I>Kids- they think they can get away with anything!</I></div> <bR> <div> “She isn't supposed to do that! This program has a bug. Shouldn't we be able to touch her if we want? Whatta rip off!” Megan whined.</div> <bR> <div> Boylan tried to explain to them what happened without sounding too patronizing. Tom had warned him that the Delaneys were good for some fun but only if they were treated with respect. “Oh yes, indeed girls, what's the point of having her around here if we can't play with her? We'll have to speak to Hickson about that. But, on the other hand the real Captain wouldn't just let anyone grab her ass, would she? I think it's plausible for the hologram to stop you. Like I said, the Hickster is a genius.”</div> <bR> <div> “ `Plausible' but not much fun. Visually this is the best holoprogram of the Captain, I've ever seen!” Jenny gushed.</div> <bR> <div> “Yes, positively!”  Megan concurred.</div> <bR> <div> “Would you like to tell them Lt. Hargrove or shall I?” The Captain folded her arms and began tapping her fingers impatiently on her arm. </div> <bR> <div> Crystal Rain Sunbeam suddenly slid up to the Captain with a glass in her hand. “I didn't forget ya sweetie. Sorry I didn't get back sooner, this place is so crowded tonight. Here's your drink. I get off around 3 if you're interested. I just love older women.” She handed the drink to the captain with a wink. “Back in a few.”  </div> <bR> <div> The interruption gave Hargrove some time to let the blood drain out of his face, he could barely get out the words. “Boylan, you blubbering idiot!!! This IS the captain.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yeah, so you're in on the joke too, lieutenant? Figures.” He laughed. “Well I'm off duty so you can take a cookie and stick it up your ass.”</div> <bR> <div> Both Delaneys rolled their eyes and giggled.</div> <bR> <div> Hargrove was stunned. The Captain shook her head in mild disgust. <I>All three of these youngsters have had far too much to drink, smoke, whatever, tonight.</I> <I>Shame they can't hold their liquor. People like this shouldn't be allowed to drink</I>.</div> <bR> <div> “'Captain', since you've decided to grace us with your presence this fine evening let me take this opportunity to let you know a few things. First, we crewmembers in the lower decks have lives ya know, we aren't just some peons for you and your officers to order around. We're not interchangable pegs to fit in your holes. It would be nice if you and some of your officers took the time to come visit the lower decks sometimes instead of struttin' around the bridge all the time giving orders. You probably don't even know my name. Ya cow.”</div> <bR> <div> “Cow, oh my!” Jenny repeated.</div> <bR> <div> “Cow! That's cold.” Megan parroted.</div> <bR> <div> <I>This was amusing,  but it's starting to get a tad tedious. </I> The Captain sighed. “I know who you are Frank. I'm surprised you feel there's a caste system of some sorts on this ship.” The Captain took a sip of Jack Daniels. “Obviously you and I need to spend some quality time together. I want to find out whether you're just letting off some steam or if I need to do a better job showing you that I <I>do </I>appreciate your work and your efforts.”</div> <bR> <div> Boylan took another gulp from the bottle then fired back. “Anyone wanna bet that after this little talk with the `Captain', WE'LL decide that I'VE got the PROBLEM. You're a real pill you know that? The word phrasing, the tone and inflection is down to a tee. Incredible, isn't it ladies?”</div> <bR> <div> Lt. Hargrove moved toward Boylan, permission or not, he'd had enough of this. He couldn't stand by and hear the Captain be disrespected. </div> <bR> <div> The Captain put her hand on his arm to stop him--calming him down immediately. He was inches from socking Boylan on the jaw. “It's alright lieutenant, I'll handle this…..situation. There comes a time is every young person's life when they learn to bear the consequences for being out of control in public.” She gave Boylan the LOOK. He smirked at her. “Do you remember Old Horse Face McKlien, lieutenant?” She continued.</div> <bR> <div> “Uh, yes-Never will forget that one, he <I>taught</I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" >, </FONT>and I use that word loosely, Operations. Couldn't stand the man. </div> <bR> <div> “Everyone hated him because, he was the absolute hardest teacher at the Academy.”</div> <bR> <div> “I'll say, he'd teach us one thing in class then test us on crap, sorry Ma'am.” He blushed.</div> <bR> <div> “It's ok, lieutenant-“ she continued for him “He'd test us on material that he covered weeks before which most of us had forgotten already.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes! What a pain in the neck!”</div> <bR> <div> “Anyway, after one of his so called “knowledge checks” a group of us went to a local bar where the cadets liked to unwind, we needed to drown our sorrows.  We'd all thought he really out did himself this particular test. We got roaring drunk and decided to use the opportunity to voice our dissatisfaction with the man. We hatched the brilliant idea, I think it was my idea, to take turns climbing up on our table and doing monologues about his physique or lack thereof, and making horrible comments about his mother who raised a sadist in our most humble opinions. As I finished my turn, a wave approval from my friends washing over me, I was in heaven--until I heard him screaming my name as he huffed and puffed toward me ready to give me a nasty dressing down.</div> <bR> <div> “Oh wow, you were busted!” Jenny exclaimed.</div> <bR> <div> “You don't know the half of it.” the Captain shook her head. “We made a dash out the back door. We thought it was hilariously funny, there was no way he could catch us and he did look funny trying, it was probably the fastest that man had moved in years. We were too drunk to think about it rationally.” </div> <bR> <div> “The next day, as soon as I stepped on campus, I was told to report immediately to the academy commandant's office and there was `Horse Face' waiting for me still quite upset about the whole business. The commandant and McKlien had already decided my fate but wanted me to tell them who the others were with me. They said they would go easier on me if I gave them the names. Of course there was no way I'd ever do that, they were my friends. I wasn't going to betray them.”</div> <bR> <div> “You just aren't that type.” Jenny nodded.</div> <bR> <div> “So for the rest of the year, three times a week I had to stay after school and help Lt. McKlien, running errands for him, helping him with his research or whatever else he needed. He even sent me out to buy a negligee for his wife, because he forgot their anniversary! I was quite upset. I wasn't there to run his personal errands! I had better things to do with my time.  But I took my punishment.    He wasn't a sadist, I soon learned. He tested us on material we'd covered before, over and over again because it was important. He stressed the building blocks everyone must remember, the things we weren't going to have time to look up because by the time we did, it might be too late. But he never bothered to explain that to the cadets. There are some morals to this story.” She directed her attention to the girls because they appeared to be listening intently.  Boylan was yawning.</div> <bR> <div> “I can't figure out what the bottom line to that story is, my brain's shut down but, she <I>is</I> incredible. That story is so cute.” Jenny smiled.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> “<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000BF" FACE="Arial" >It sure was. Wish I could take her back to my quarters. She's so sexy.” Megan agreed.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> “Well, we could both have her-that would be a lot of fun. Could Hickson manage that?”</div> <bR> <div> “ Well if the Doctor can roam around where ever he pleases, why not our HoloCaptain? If you two girls are nice to me, maybe I could work out something with Hickson.” Boylan dangled the carrot. The girls hardly looked at him. </div> <bR> <div> <I>These girls are incorrigible!</I> “While that's very flattering ladies, I'll have to decline your offer. I'm…involved with someone. At least I still hope I am.”  The Captain demurred.</div> <bR> <div> “Oh isn't that exciting! This Holoprogram keeps coming up with more and more surprises.” Jenny clapped her hands together. </div> <bR> <div> “That's so cool! We didn't even know. They're a lucky girl or boy. Which is it?”</div> <bR> <div> “Actually it's a girl, well, woman.”</div> <bR> <div> “Wow, who is it?”</div> <bR> <div> “I'd rather not say, actually, I haven't treated her well lately and I'm not sure she's going to want to even talk to me right now.”</div> <bR> <div> “I can't imagine you doing anything wrong. She'll forgive you. I mean, you're the Captain and so adorable.” Megan assured.</div> <bR> <div> “And of course if she doesn't want you, you can drop by our quarters any time.” Jenny wanted to make it an official offer.</div> <bR> <div> “Didn't she say she has a girlfriend, you shouldn't hit on her. At least until she has a chance to see if it's going to work out with the other one.”</div> <bR> <div> “What's the harm in asking, I said <I>if</I> it doesn't work out, didn't I? If you want to get on your high horse, I'm not sharing her if she takes me up on it.”</div> <bR> <div> “Anyway, once when I was working in engineering, helping out witch girl, I mean I mean Lt. Torres--” Jenny felt inspired by the Captain's story to share a story of her own.</div> <bR> <div> “Why would you want to call her that?” the Captain was taken aback.</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, it's what Tom calls her. You get in the habit. I'll have to watch it, I might forget sometimes and call her that to her face.”</div> <bR> <div> “Sister, you're dead if you do.”</div> <bR> <div> “Tell me about it! Tom says she has the worst temper. Typical Klingon.”</div> <bR> <div> “Are you saying that Tom, calls B'Elanna names in front of you?” <I>That's really awful. </I></div> <bR> <div> “Honey, we see Tom a lot, at least once a week, if you know what we mean.” Megan gave the Captain a knowing look.  “He's called her every name in the book. He can't stand how controlling she is. He says he can't do anything without her wanting to know where's he going, who's going to be there. She might as well work in security like one of Tuvok's zombies, she's that bad.”</div> <bR> <div> “Seems she should be suspicious, shouldn't she? Based on what you've just told me.”  The Captain decided not to let them know yet how disappointed she was with Tom's behavior.</div> <bR> <div> “Not really, we aren't <I>always</I> screwing him. Sometimes we play his hologames. He likes to pretend he and Harry are leading men in some bad space opera, serial, whatever the hell it is. When we're bored we go along.” Megan clarified.</div> <bR> <div> “Can I get back to my story now,” Jenny sulked. “Anyway, last year, I was working in engineering, and you, the Captain, I mean, came in and she asked me how I was getting along and I said fine, then I reached for a circuit tester, and the Captain picked it up and handed it to me. Her hand brushed against my hand. Just her touch made me so fucking hot. No telling what would happen if she ever actually kissed me. I never washed that hand again.” Jenny held up her hand to prove the point. </div> <bR> <div> Megan groaned. “Uh, how many times are you going to tell that lame story? I finally made you wash your hand, I couldn't take it anymore with your bragging about it!”</div> <bR> <div> Hargrove ran his hands though his hair. <I>God I want to take all three of them and stuff them into the nearest Jeffries tube.</I> </div> <bR> <div> The Captain smiled. “I don't know what to say, except, that I appreciate your….support.” <I>That's sounded a little silly but I have no idea what to say in this type of situation. </I></div> <bR> <div> “Awww, hearing you say that makes my day! Your girlfriend is a lucky girl. We actually prefer girls but, hey sometimes ya gotta make due.”  Jenny said hitching her thumb at Boylan.</div> <bR> <div> “You shouldn't feel you have to go out with someone you don't like to have a good time. Why suffer bad company. Going out by yourself or with a friend can be rewarding.” The Captain took another sip from her drink.</div> <bR> <div> “You're right.”</div> <bR> <div> “She sure is. Why are we with him again?”</div> <bR> <div> “It was YOUR idea, Megan.” </div> <bR> <div> “No, I think you wanted to go out with him. Don't try to pin it on me.”</div> <bR> <div> “Excuse me Girls, are you a couple of nitwits, or what??? Hellllllooooo! She isn't real.” Maybe it was a bad move, considering Boylan wanted to get laid but they were beyond dumb and he couldn't take it anymore.</div> <bR> <div> “Who are you callin' a nitwit? You sawed off little runt. We could use your head to rest our drinks, you're so small.” Megan glared.</div> <bR> <div> “Keep the name calling to a minimum, ok, twerp? I mean, she acts so life like.  It's eerie.” A shade of doubt cut through Jenny's marijuana haze. “Are you <I>sure</I> this isn't the Captain?” </div> <bR> <div> “I <I>am</I> the Captain, I assure you.”</div> <bR> <div> Boylan was tired of this hologram stealing all the attention, “Ridiculous-- and if you want to split hairs there's some things about the “real” Captain that aren't all that real, just look at this hair for example. Do you think someone's hair could actually be that shade of red? Hey, ya think the Captain enhances her hair??”</div> <bR> <div> “I'd say enhanced. Too perfect.” Megan scrutinized the hair.</div> <bR> <div> “I vote enhanced. I'd die for that hair color.” Jenny agreed.</div> <bR> <div> “Wrong.” The cow comment hadn't fazed her, the rantings of a drunk weren't worth expending a lot of energy, but this thing about her hair was annoying, he really shouldn't be going around saying things like this. “It happens to be my true hair color. I'd advise you not to spread rumors, especially false ones about people.”</div> <bR> <div> “This is what she gets excited about? That we think she enhances her hair. How shallow can you get?--even for a holloprogram.” Boylan reached out to grab a stand of the captain's hair between his fingers. The captain slapped his hand away--hard. “Didn't your mother teach you it's rude to touch people without asking their permission?” <I>He's lucky I don't pour this drink on his head to sober him up.</I></div> <bR> <div> “Shit that hurt!, watch it… bitch..uhhhhh, She couldn't hurt me if she was a…. hologram…”</div> <bR> <div> “That's what I've been trying to tell you. This is the Captain!” Hargrove fumed. He was dying to choke the life out of Boylan.</div> <bR> <div> “FUCK me!” Boylan slumped into a chair. He was lucky it was there, it could have easily been the floor. </div> <bR> <div> “No chance of that, crewman.” The Captain said dryly.</div> <bR> <div> The Delaney's mouth flapped open. They moved away from him scowling in shock.</div> <bR> <div> “Frank, I expect you in my ready room tomorrow morning. Check my schedule for an appropriate time. As for you two girls, I'll see both of you in the afternoon.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes Ma'am!” they squeaked.</div> <bR> <div> Boylan couldn't look at her, he nodded his head, eyes down cast. The Delaney's were shooting draggers at him.</div> <bR> <div> “If you'll excuse me, I see someone I'd like to talk to. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Frank, I suggest you slow down on the drinks.”</div> <bR> <div> “Yes Ma'am.”</div> <bR> <div> <I>One has to have the patience of Job to deal with some of these Kids! </I> The Captain walked away.</div> <bR> <div> “I feel faint”, Boylan breathed, “Would one of you girls get me a glass of water?”</div> <bR> <div> “Oh, no.” Megan shook her head.</div> <bR> <div> “No way, Jerk.”</div> <bR> <div> “Anyone who couldn't figure out THAT was the captain, is a real loser.” Megan sneered.</div> <bR> <div> “I wouldn't want to be you. You're doomed.”</div> <bR> <div> “Bigtime.”</div> <bR> <div> “Hey, you were fooled too, right?” Boylan grasped.</div> <bR> <div> “Are you kidding? We were just playing around, knew it was her all the time. Psyching ya out.” Megan produced a small marijuana cigarette from a leather purse hanging on her shoulder. She took a heavy, deep drag. The need to block out what had just happened was intense. </div> <bR> <div> “Yup, playing along with it.” Jenny snatched the cigarette away from Megan and inhaled deeply.</div> <bR> <div> The drug took effect immediately, Megan smiled at Boylan. “We didn't say anything bad, really. We just said we wanted to screw her. Granted we might <I>not </I>have said it to her face, if we weren't so goddamned stoned, but what's the big deal, most people want to screw her, it's not like something she doesn't know.  I mean, you called her a COW.”</div> <bR> <div> “That was hideous. Absolutely disgusting. How dare you!” Jenny hissed.</div> <bR> <div> “Deserve what you get, in my opinion.”</div> <bR> <div> “<I>You</I> should be ashamed of yourself.”</div> <bR> <div> They walked away, bickering upon themselves, neither wanting to admit to the other that they wanted to accept the date with Boylan tonight anyway.</div> <bR> <div> Boylan looked up at Hargrove, searching for a shred of solace, “Sir, should I go over to her and say I'm sorry, I had too much to drink. I didn't even mean what I was saying I was just trying to impress the girls. They turned out to be a couple of fickle… bitches, did you see how they turned on me!? They only want to date officers, stuck up little--”</div> <bR> <div> “Watch your language, Boylan. You've done enough damage tonight. Save the apologies for tomorrow you're gonna need them, go sleep it off.” Hargrove pulled on his mustache. </div> <bR> <div> “What do you think the Captain will do to me???” His eyes widen. He couldn't help shivering from the thought. The high was gone and he didn't <I>dare</I> drink another drop tonight, not after what the Captain said.</div> <bR> <div> “Crewman, during officer training I remember spending a whole semester learning how to make people like you utterly, totally, miserable.” There was a gleam in Hargrove's eye.</div> <bR> <div> Boylan groaned. He felt a surge of liquid trying to escape his throat. He kept the urge to explode at bay for the present.</div> <bR> <div> “I just hope there's something left for me when <I>she </I>gets done with you. I didn't like that stick the cookie remark at all. Drunk or not there's limits.”</div> <bR> <div> “I want to throw up.”</div> <bR> <div> “Get outta here.” Hargrove growled. </div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>