Chapter Four - Analysis And CommentaryThe Robinson siblings stood outside their respective holodeck doors. Despite their earlier argument, they sought each other's strength.
"Penny? Do you think what we're about to do is a sin?"
She shook her head, nervous but excited.
"I can't see how. I mean, they're not real people. Just relax, Will. I never thought I'd be the 'get it over with' type. But I'm 18, and I've never even been caught by Mom or Dad doing--anything! This could be our last chance to find out what its like."
Will nodded, glad that she would be relatively nearby--and glad that his sister would be happy.
"Good luck, Penny. I really mean that."
"That's just it, Will. We don't need luck. They'll do whatever we say. Be--however and whoever we want them to be. But thank you."
Penny entered her deck. Inside was a loft. No dust. Cool but dry. Huge picture windows. Plush carpeting, but not garishly deep. The moon was full, and very large in the sky. One set of couches formed an island in the living area. The TV was 50 inches. The music was soft, and romantic.
"Computer---change music to Classic Rock."
After a few clarification queries, the strains of 'Layla' began to be heard, audibly, but not overloudly.
A voice now was heard.
"You must be Penny. I'm David. I'll have dinner ready in a moment. Listen, there's a Chaucer Troupe on PBS, if you like."
The computer had not failed her. The man worked out, but didn't look like he obsessed over it. And he could cook, and he liked Chaucer. Giddy with hormones and power, Penny froze the program.
"3 inches taller--and blonde."
"Hair--spiked a bit. Nothing wild."
Every so often, she would strike again.
"Make him--a redhead."
It did, and she almost pounced on him.
"Red hair---just like----"
Her heart almost seized.
"Computer--back to blonde. No more--I repeat NO MORE redheads."
When he burped, she deleted the burps. He yielded up the TV's remote control entirely. The kitchen was immaculate, and a bevy of beautiful women on TV didn't interest him--only Penny did.
---------------------------------------------------
Will entered his deck. It was a large swimming pool in the backyard of someone's home. At first, it was too realistic.
"Why don't you go on home, little boy?"
But if anything, Will was more adept at handling this situation than his sister.
"Computer--delete all potential bullies, and like personalities."
In the pool itself, five boys who were about to 'whirlpool' a girl merely vanished. That alone told Will that more polishing would be in order. He was not ready for how rough and tumble these parties could really be. Nor just how realistic the sim could be made. A grown man came out.
"You kids! The first time I have to tell you to be quiet is also the last time! You got me?"
Will said something with a relish that surprised him.
"Computer--delete parents and/or chaperones."
Will's ears were then pierced by a whistle.
"If I see so much as a shoulder-strap slide down, this pool is closed!"
Wondering where the lifeguard came from in a private home, Will reasoned that Tom Paris must have thrown it together in a hurry.
"Computer--delete lifeguard. Initiate safeties to make sure no one drowns, or is harmed."
Will then decided to choose his girl, and find a private spot. But all were spoken for.
"Computer--why is there no girl for me? That's why Tom made this program?"
"According to social timeframes provided, pairings occurred quickly at the described events."
At that, something snapped inside Will.
"Oh no--you don't."
He began small.
"Delete all male characters."
As they vanished, a girl walked up.
"Hey! This is a girls' only party, pal!"
"Delete objection to my presence."
"Have a good swim."
She walked off, and Will spotted something else anomalous for a private home. He walked into a changing area on a group of showering girls.
"Pervert! Get out of..."
He now spoke through gritted teeth.
"Delete Modesty parameters."
"Bathroom's down the way. Sodas in the fridge."
Seething that a computer program meant to provide him with a simple thing was challenging him at every turn, Will gave in to what he thought he wanted.
"Computer--Render pool water clear. Germ-free, but no chlorine."
The girls, all 15, all witty, charming, and attractive, cavorted and played. But Will wasn't through. The power had gone straight to his head.
"Computer--delete female bathing attire, towels--if they can cover themselves with it, unless its their hands or such--delete it!"
He then jumped in, and saw beauty all around him, and they thought nothing of his presence, and wanted only to attend his every need.
-------------------------------------------------
An hour later, brother and sister emerged from their holodecks with frowns on their faces.
"You?"
"No. You?"
Will nodded.
"I couldn't go through with it either."
Penny stared back at the hyperfect man and his hyperfect house. Will deleted a 15-year old boy's fantasy. Together, they spoke.
"We better talk to that Doctor."
------------------------------------------------
But The Doctor, The EMH, was occupied analyzing one of the other guests from the Jupiter 2.
"So you see, sir. Major West threatened to strangle me on 17 occasions. The Doctors Robinson threatened to banish me on 20 occasions. Even the dear, sweet children lectured me in a vile, untoward manner on countless occasions."
The EMH raised an eyebrow.
"I see. Doctor Smith--may we move on to the second month of your voyage?"
--------------------------------------------------------------
Medical Log, Emergency Medical Hologram Mark One, Acting CMO, USS Voyager, Delta Quadrant
When I was activated, I asked Captain Janeway what I always ask.
"Please state the nature of the medical emergency."
She held a disk for me, while Mister Tuvok held a phaser at a nervous-looking human male of middle age. At the time, I actually thought this overkill. Silly me.
"Doctor, we need you to analyze this man, using your psychological database. I realize that its not as extensive as your medical one. But barring a Counselor, it'll have to do."
An odd thought struck me then. Had poor Suder ever managed to complete his rehabilitation, he would have made an excellent Counselor. No one would allow themselves to have problems, just for fear of seeing him. This oddity was interrupted by the man in question, whom I rapidly learned was named Doctor Zachary Smith.
"Madame--Doctor Zachary Smith needs no such analyses! I am the very picture of mental health! I am Doctor Zachary Smith!"
Like I said, I rapidly learned his name. I wish deleting it were nearly as easy. I may have Ms. Torres put in a subroutine, for just such an emergency.
"As one Doctor to another, Doctor, trust me--you're in good hands."
I had chosen to attempt to placate his fears by posing as a potential friend. I really, really, really wish I hadn't done this.
"Ohhh, I hope so, Doctor. I have been in the wrong hands on sooo very many occasions. I am as an inn-o-cent adrift in a hostile sea, into which I was never meant to venture forth."
Just outside Sickbay, I gave the Captain my initial opinion of Doctor Smith.
"Would you please tell Mister Paris and Miss Torres to restrict their practical joking to the verbal? And for you, Captain, to be in on such a prank frankly..."
"Doctor--he is very much for real. Although I understand why you might feel otherwise. Just give us the best picture of him you can."
Oddly, later on, Mister Paris suggested showing Doctor Smith some of my pictures. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why. Before they left, Tuvok spoke with me.
"Doctor--I know several Vulcan calming techniques. You may find later on that you have use for them."
Truer words. I went in, and began my session on a high note.
"Just what The HELL do you think you're doing to my console?!"
In a remarkably short time, this genius of destruction had torn my console to pieces, and come dangerously close to accessing my program. Non-holos have no way of imagining that feeling. He had an explanation that, to him, must have sounded adequate.
"It is hardly my fault, sir! Your equipment is obviously of a shoddy construction. I suspect it was built by the lowest bidder. That eb how these things are done, you know, in our money-grubbing society."
"We don't have low bidders, Doctor Smith. Our 24th Century society is free from economic strife."
I have been accused of stridency by those who have never truly encountered the attitude. Trust me when I say that I have encountered true stridency.
"Then you have removed all striving within mankind, Doc-tor! The sole advancement of one's own interests benefits all. At least in the long term. For some."
He then struck home his telling point, by striking the console. I began to fade, but my program stabilized. Doctor Smith was revealing more of himself here than he would in our hours-long chat upcoming.
"Oh...my! What manner of creature are you?"
"I'm a hologram, still learning his way in interacting with non-holograms. My social skills are therefore sorely lacking. Whatever is your excuse?"
I eventually found a method of keeping Doctor Smith from touching anything.
"What is this infernal thing? I cannot move more than 3 feet in any direction."
"We call it a Level 10 Forcefield."
"But Captain Janeway only put a Level 8 around my cell."
"I'm not Captain Janeway."
After the whining stopped, it restarted. After that, he told me his version of events aboard The Jupiter 2, those past five years. Thanks to Mister Paris, I now have the knowledge necessary to translate these sort of conversations.
"So it was that my supreme, unselfish conscientiousness cost me my home planet. If I had not done that one last check--had I not put my appointed task ahead of my own concerns--we would not be here chatting, today."
Translation: He snuck aboard the Jupiter 2, intending some manner of unknown mischief, and was stuck in the middle of it when the ship took off.
"From the beginning, my contributions were unappreciated. Only the dear children understood how the journey drained me so, and aided me in my attempts to better our condition. But no longer, as they have been poisoned against me."
Translation: They knew what he was from the start, but the kids put up with him, and for their troubles sometimes got bamboozled into one of his schemes. They now appear to have wised up.
"A minor pulling of weeds, and these hid-eous beings saw fit to try and transform us all into plant life."
Translation: Do not send Zachary Smith on First Contact or away missions.
"The Wish Machine could grant anything to anyone. But John Robinson's lesser mentality feared its true potential, and it was lost to us."
Translation: Fearing that it would turn his entire family into greedy cowards like Smith, Doctor Robinson wisely got rid of this machine.
"The moral deterioration has been horrid. Young William and Penelope I have actually overheard discussing the most efficient methods of---self-pleasuring."
Translation: The Robinson siblings are normal human teenagers who are making the best of their isolation, and who should learn to check if any snooping ears can hear them.
"We are forever stopping here and there, doing--exploration, instead of concentrating our efforts in a sensible manner--and going home."
Translation: John, meet Kathryn. Kathryn, meet John. Zachary, meet confinement--in a rubber cryo tube.
"Were it not for me, this would have been a much different voyage."
I'm not touching that one.
"John Robinson is a man blinded by a foolish and narrow idealism."
Translation: He's a better man than me, and I resent him for it.
"Maureen Robinson is a harsh mistress. Obsessed with cleanliness to an insane degree."
Translation: She asked me to do a few simple chores, to earn my keep. Likely Smith doesn't do them, either.
"Major West is a vile thug who sees me engaging in endless conspiracies that exist only in his sorry excuse for a mind."
Translation: West has always kept his eye on me, and never had any delusions about what I am.
"Judith is mine, once I've disposed of the others. Oh, my. Did I say that or think that?"
Translation: Doctor Zachary Smith is a scheming busybody who is also a craven, lazy coward. He is a habitual, perpetual unconscious liar--with a rather nasty secret that I will have to analyze further before speaking to either the Captain or The Doctors Robinson.
"Doctor? Am I free to move about the ship?"
The level of his incomprehension had me calling upon Mister Tuvok's calming methods.
But this was after I beamed Doctor Smith back to the brig, pending his total lock-out from ship's systems. And after two troubled young people came to see me. Will and Penny sat before me, and I happily needed no translator. But what we spoke of belongs in another log.Boy, does it belong in another log.
--------------------------------------------------
Judy gave Naomi back to Samantha, and imagined what holding her own child would be like. Back in the quarters that she and Don shared, though, that was being brought into question. Don was fuming. John and Maureen seemed oddly resolved.
"Go on, John. You want this done--you tell your daughter. Cause I'm not. And I do not consider it a command decision! So stuff
confinement--sir.""Dad--Mom--what's going on?"
Judy Robinson's earliest memories of her parents concerned protest marches against what some saw as blood-simple murder, and others as the final test of true democracy and freedom. They had left the more strident groups when the bombings and blockades began, and the more mainstream groups when they failed to condemn these tactics strongly enough. But their own beliefs about life had never wavered, and while they were not proselytizers, you never encountered more coherent defenders of when that life begins.
So understandably, Judy wondered about her sanity when Maureen next spoke.
"Judy--your father and I think that you should have an abortion."
For kids, there is always a day the world stops making any sense. For the 21-year old Judy, that day had now occurred.
To be fair, Judy Robinson at least tried to be rational, and keep in mind the deep love and respect she had for her parents. But it had never been made more difficult to do so simple a thing. What they asked of her was not something she had ever expected to hear.
"Why--do you not want me to have this baby? You knew that Don and I were together. We'll marry, if that's a problem."
John Robinson, Mission Commander, was forced to push aside the other John Robinsons. The scientist, anxious to study the first Earth child born in space. The Minister, who held all life sacred, a fact which had benefited Zachary Smith on many, many occasions. The Father, so anxious to watch his family mature and grow. As Kathryn Janeway could attest, there are things a CO must do that sometimes make all moral belief seem a mere luxury. One such time was then.
"Judy---if you two want to marry, that's fine. But you cannot have that baby. And in the future---I'll ask that you two use several methods of protection. Perhaps while we're here, this EMH can perform a reversible....."
The young woman had her eyes closed. She remembered certain words.
"Young lady, you're making a mistake.
However that child was conceived, its rights are as fundamental as your own. Unless you are nearly 100% certain that having it will cause your death, then you have no right to cause its death. Give it up, if you must. But don't flush it away."Judy opened her eyes, and looked at John.
"Remember those words, Daddy? You never shouted 'murderer' at those young women, outside those hateful clinics. But you told them what we felt they were doing. Some of them even turned away. The paint-throwers and lung-shouters never understood what you did: That gentleness, not carnage, turned away wrath. That's why they forced you both out. That, and your consistent respect for the mother's own life. There were many hypocrites, both inside and outside those clinics. And there were a handful of people, making a well-thought out moral stand. Until now, I thought that you two were firmly among them. But maybe I should have placed you among the bombers and those who practiced outright infanticide, in some cases."
Maureen's face grew arch.
"Judy, it was all infanticide. That was why we were out there."
The eldest daughter's fury was not abated in the slightest. Don remained silent, knowing that his own temper could be of no help, especially when his own family history ran counter to nearly every belief held by the Robinsons.
"Mom---was it all infanticide? Or are you both like what the Planned Parenthood people always said? Anti-abortion--til its your daughter becomes pregnant. I used to think they were just self-deluded hypocrites. Maybe they were--but I now see very clearly that they had company."
The slap Maureen then placed across her face stunned Judy. But not into immobility.
Judy grabbed her mother's hand, and held it in a painfully tight grip.
"If---IF you ever touch me like that again, I better have fallen off the wagon, or have murdered Penny and Will for kicks! Otherwise----"
Judy pushed Maureen away.
"---don't even DREAM about it. I'm 21, and my childhood is WAY over!"
Now, Don did speak.
"And I'm of a mind to make that a four-way throedown."
John was steadfast, though.
"Major--you are so far out of line, that only our friendship is keeping me from busting you in rank!"
Don laughed out loud.
"I'M out of line? Right now, I'm not even sure that you're John Robinson. Cause' I can't see him--or his wife. All I see are two people issuing very loathsome orders and making no sense while they do."
Maureen realized that she'd been wrong to slap Judy. But her pride of place had been sorely wounded by being shoved away. So Don's words cut her to the quick.
"You want sense, Don? Alright, try this on for size. We live in a tin dome. A few feet of aluminum keeps the air in. Our food is always being stretched to the limit. All of our resources are. We are frequently targeted by alien species that almost invariably begin by going after the most vulnerable of us. We live in storage bays that were never meant to be used as rooms. And each day, I watch as my two younger children die inside of loneliness. Thank Heaven they have each other, and Robot. But that's no substitute for a real life. There are certain things siblings can't do for each other. I cried my eyes out when I realized it
was time for Penny's senior prom---and that she hadn't even been to high school."Don seemed a bit calmer, now.
"Yeah. Well, Will helped her take care of that. When we were out spelunking, he set up the Bridge as a dance floor. To make up with her for arguing on her Birthday. Sometimes, I think there isn't anything they wouldn't do for each other."
At these words, truer than any of them knew, John concluded his point.
"Now, do you two see our point? This isn't about religious or moral principle, any more . This is about survival. We don't have one-twentieth of the luxuries Voyager does. A baby--would be lonely, vulnerable--and we might one day have to choose to let it die, so the rest of us could live. And need I remind you that each and every one of us that are regular crew serves a vital function? A baby wouldn't have Will's skill in making that junkpile work. It couldn't pilot, command, project course, analyze reams of data or keep reliable records."
Judy shook her head."Daddy--it would be loved. You once told me that is all a baby needs. Were you lying?"
Remembering his wife's words about who Judy took after, in terms of stubbornness, John proceeded gently.
"I wasn't lying. But perhaps I was a little naive. Out here, my darling, things have to be different. For that I'm sorry."
A rapprochement seemed at hand.
"I'll consider it. All right? Give me--give us time, and we'll consider it."
The word was seemed.
"There's nothing to consider. That wasn't a request, Judy. It was an order. This is not negotiable."
The younger couple then stormed out, and all was chaos. Maureen held John, and neither felt very strong, right then.
------------------------------------------
In her quarters, Captain Janeway looked down and smiled at her sleeping First Officer. Despite all the myriad precautions they took---and myriad was the word--they still feared being found out. So it was that an attraction that ran deep was rarely given into.
"This---was a mistake."
Activating a Captain's-eyes only site-to-site transport with deeply encrypted codes that only she could change, Kathryn sent Chakotay back to his quarters. Hours earlier, in view of several crewmembers, a hidden holo-emitter had 'Chakotay' entering his quarters alone. Again, a myriad of precautions, aboard so isolated a ship, where Command could not be seen or sensed doing Command.
Janeway happily flopped back into the downed mattress she would soon recycle.
"But some mistakes are a lot more fun than others."
Two hours later, her commbadge buzzed.
"Captain, this is Tuvok. Please respond."
"I'm here, Tuvok--sort of. What's up?"
Tuvok sounded tired himself.
"Up?"
Janeway nodded.
"Up."
"What's---up?"
Both must have been quite bleary.
"Up."
"Captain, I too was recently awakened. Did you say you wish to Sup? As in have dinner?"
Janeway tried desperately to clear her head.
"Sup?! Tuvok, why did you call me? I'll assume there was a reason."
"True. Major West and Judy Robinson wish to speak with you. And If I recall correctly, you yourself had some questions for them."
"True. Have them meet me in my ready room---in about 1 hour."
On the Bridge, Tuvok turned to one of his men.
"I am assigning you to temporarily keep the Doctors Robinson from their daughter Judy and Major Don West."The man seemed confused.
"But--why--sir?"
But Louis-Francois Feret was a man who obeyed orders, and so went to do as he was told.
In Janeway's ready room, a barely-ready Janeway met the crewmembers of The Jupiter 2.
"Major--Doctor---what was so urgent, that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"
Don spoke for himself and the woman he loved.
"Captain Janeway--for political, religious, and social reasons--Judy and I would to request asylum on Voyager. Maybe become part of your crew."
Kathryn stared blankly ahead. She really didn't need this.
"Computer--Raktageno. Its going to be a long night."
She quickly took a swig of The Klingon coffee. She then stared at the cup.
"Why did I order this?"
John Robinson's reaction to the news was every bit as reasoned and unemotional as Captain Janeway had been expecting.
"Kathryn, surely you can't be seriously considering acquiescing to this childish burst of snitty foolishness."
Maureen Robinson was every bit her husband's equal.
"What John's trying to say, Kathryn, is that we can't believe you'd give anything other than the lightest courtesy to this absurd, stupid request that Judy and Don have made."
Judy was her parents' daughter.
"Captain, it should be noted that in my parents' lexicon, anything they don't like or agree with is by definition childish, stupid, and just plain wrong."
Don West showed the elder Robinsons all the courtesy, patience, and reason that he had always felt---towards Zachary Smith.
"All Hail the Mighty Morphing Moral Hypocrites! Lecture you when you're wrong--or just on any old occasion! Let's have Will do unnecessary homework, turning him into a brat out of resentment. Let's cancel Penny's rise into adulthood, making her impossible to live with. After all, that ship needs a maid and butler. Why does it need them? Because the supposed fifth adult doesn't earn his keep, and even leeches off everyone else. We can't put him off the ship--that'd be wrong. But Oh Don--Oh Judy--please get rid of that inconvenient baby. When we left Earth's atmosphere, our Pro-Life credentials became inert. Much like our souls!"
John balled his hands into fists. Tuvok patted his phaser, in John's full view.
"Doctor--Do Not."
Both exhausted and hopped up on wrongly-ordered Raktageno, Kathryn Janeway was in no mood for all this. But her obligations were clear. An asylum request had been made. One that Judy and Don had at least valid reasons for making.
"Would all of you please be quiet? I will hear this asylum request, and I will consider it under the aegis and guidance of the appropriate regulations. The Prime Directive may not apply, as you all have been exposed to technologies that may in fact exceed our own. That too, has to be determined."
She looked at each in turn.
"Judy. Let it be known that on a mission level, I agree with your parents' decision. I also cannot see it as anyone's right but your own to decide this. There's also the matter of interfering with the timeline of your world. All will be taken into account. Up or down--you will respect and abide by my choice. Understood?"
Judy nodded.
"Major West. Let it be known that I don't care for insubordination. But much like another very talented XO of my acquaintance, it is a role you never expected to be in, and one you appear to have made work. If my decision goes against you, as it well might, you will permit me a chance to explain myself as t how I arrived at that decision."
If Don's own ground commander in Saudi Arabia had not been a woman, he might have done some 20th Century grumbling. But as it stood, he saw that Janeway was every bit as thoughtful as she looked.
"Agreed, Captain."
"Thank You. Maureen--your children are remarkably well-behaved, especially when one considers your circumstance. It could easily have gone another way. So it was for us. Mister Chakotay and I could have been standing at phaser-point to each other, me spouting regs, him spouting rhetoric. Starfleet CO's have big blind spots; Maquis CO's believe in their cause well but not always wisely. Had either of us been a hair different, the two crews would never have become the one. Your crew was already one. It could have broken up. This matter might still make that happen. When my choice comes down, consider your own. The stakes are rarely as Zero-One as we think at first glance. And even good CO's can be dead wrong."
Maureen seemed a bit offended, despite the respectful tone Kathryn had given her.
"Kathryn--have you ever been a mother?"
Having attended to other ship's business, Chakotay entered as Maureen said those words. He knew his Captain, friend, and sometimes-more well enough to know what her reaction would be to such pointed words. He was not to be proven wrong.
"Don't even attempt to use that on me. Because everyone who's ever used a like argument on me has lost and lost big. I'll make my choice--and then we'll see what happens. Maybe one of you four will change your minds, either way. But birth only imparts a bond, Maureen. It does not impart divinity, any more than these pips do. Kindly back off."
Having never had her ace-in-the-hole argument shot so full of holes before, Maureen did just that. Finally, Janeway turned to her fellow Commanding Officer.
"John. Let it be known that I have no desire to hear this case. But when I agreed to take the center seat, I signed up for the hard, not the easy choices, just as you did. I also have no desire to usurp or otherwise harm your authority or your standing with your family. But Judy is an adult by the standards of the culture we both ultimately come from. Again, while I believe yours is the correct choice, I feel that you have prosecuted it in a way that I must deem ill-advised. I also firmly believe that you do not have the authority you are claiming over Judy's body. When I make my decision, all three of those factors will mean---nothing at all. I will make my choice based on the appropriate regulations and legal precedents, both of your time--and my own."
John decided that Captain Janeway's decision-making process might serve well as a cooling-off period. He also greatly appreciated her effort at wording. Plus, while he loved her dearly, John had been waiting for 20 years to see Maureen's mother argument cut off at the knees.
"Thank You, Kathryn. Was there anything else?"
"Yes. What I'm about to say I plainly have no right to say. None at all. And, as Chakotay could tell you, no Starfleet Commander is pure enough to cast the first stone in this matter. But, here goes. You and Maureen have argued that your situation is so very dire, it demands that you eschew the beliefs of a lifetime. If I decided this on debate alone, that one argument would cost you everything. For I have found that, when things are at their very worst, it is then that you must cling to those beliefs most firmly, else they mean next to nothing. Rules can be bent, and moral beliefs sorely, sorely tested. But on this plane of existence, the only ones who can hold us responsible for how well we live up to them--are the people who stare back at us from the mirror. Lord, I hate to pontificate."
John smiled."Why? You do it rather well."
Alphas either butt heads or bond instantly. Were either CO a lesser person, at that moment, Maureen and Chakotay might have had some worries as Kathryn smiled back.
"Thank You. But I do have one more non-binding suggestion. Judy, I'd like you to see our EMH. I'd like the baby to be checked for defects. Potential problems of the life-threatening kind. There are still some problems that we in our century can detect, but not correct. If one of those is present, then I'd like you to consider that in your choice."
Judy looked at her parents.
"Alright, Captain. After all, their argument holds water in that case. Certainly, we can't sustain a neo-natal ICU on our ship. And if there's
more than that---I'll abide by what they've asked of me. IF--that's what the Doctor says, in unequivocal language."Don looked at his CO and best friend.
"John, later, when we've had a chance to cool off--I'd like to talk."
"I think I'd like that, Don."
As The Doctors Robinson left as well, Chakotay turned to his Captain.
"From time to time, you remind me why I found the second spot so very acceptable. You handled that brilliantly. Now, I hope you can stay brilliant. We have two discipline problems. Apparently, Tom and Belanna gave Penny and Will free run of two holodecks. To my mind, you hadn't authorized such temporally iffy access."
Janeway rubbed her head. Again.
"On the one hand, I believe that the Robinsons are not your normal time-lost travelers. John told me of many frankly superior cultures, and their sciences. On the other hand--those two had better have a damned good reason for jumping the gun. So have them sent in."
Chakotay nodded.
"I think they do. But I also think you better hear it from them. This one's a stunner."
She shook her head.
"Please don't say that. If you are truly a loyal First Officer--please don't say that."
--------------------------------------------------
In Sickbay, Will began their tale.
"You see, Doctor, it was Penny's eighteenth birthday, and she felt a little depressed, and became a little high-strung, and I was stepping on her toes without meaning to."
Penny appreciated his words, but corrected her younger brother.
"Will's kind to a fault, Doctor. The truth is, Will didn't do anything. Not that it mattered. Because, on my 18th birthday, I became a moody, stuck-up little bitch. Pardon my French."
The EMH looked up.
"When did you speak French?"
---------------------------------------------
Janeway looked at the two officers she had raised up with a little bit of scorn. She was not one to mince words, and she didn't start mincing them then.
"How in the hell could you two expose two teenagers from the---blessed--20th Century to holo-deck technology?! I'll grant you that the Robinsons have been exposed to illusion-generating tech in the past, but you gave them access to full modification parameters. With the innate intelligence that Will and Penny have shown, you had to know that they are very capable of understanding it all. You may have altered their universe's timeline in ways we can't even begin to predict. Why? So Penny could alter her male companion an unheard of 1500 times? So Will could swim with a gaggle of nude 15-year old girls?"
Tom Paris spoke up, confused.
"Why did he alter my basic 'Pool Party' program that much? If he wanted multiple companions, then I could have...."
Chakotay stopped him.
"Tom, I checked the program's run sequence. Let's just say the computer was in one of its non-compliant moods. As you might expect, Will quickly became frustrated, and went to an extreme. Oddly, though, he was only in the pool a minute. My guess is, he didn't want to find out if there were any more restrictions on his actions."
"What restrictions? I gave him carte blanche, and a clear field--so to speak."
Chakotay shook his head.
"Not in the program I saw. There were bullies, parental figures, lifeguards, and so many other males at first, that he couldn't find a girl to even talk to."
Paris knew the Captain was waiting, but couldn't break away.
"Odd. Really odd. Commander, the things you're describing--aren't in that program. I made it for Harry---its designed to be gentle--and no practical jokes."
"Mister Paris?"
"Sorry, Captain. And--Sorry, Captain."
Tom turned to his partner in holography.
"Captain, Be'lanna had nothing to do with this. She didn't know what I was---"
Torres shook her head.
"Tom--don't even think about it. Captain, we were both in this up to our stinking eyeballs. We were trying to help Will and Penny. Tom was afraid--and now so am I-- that those kids may eventually fall into what some call an 'OCC' relationship. We thought that if they worked out some feelings here, it might help them in the long run."
Janeway's jaw dropped.
"Outer Colony Companionship? You think that they---oh my God. Alright. I can't punish you in this instance. I won't. But you two just earned point on helping me figure out this asylum question. And no more tech-intro without my approval."
Tom smiled.
"Captain--thanks. But among the things we discussed before putting the holodecks to use was a plan--that just might help the crew of The Jupiter 2--and this crew, to boot."
Captain Janeway listened to the first ever collaboration of Paris/Torres. She and her First Officer liked what they heard. Potentially, this plan solved a whole host of problems.
-------------------------------------------------
Down in Sickbay, Penny began her story.
"I had just hit 18--finally. I couldn't get drunk, so I found another way to make a complete fool of myself."
---------------------------------------------------
JUPITER 2, LATE 2001
Will was exhausted. Scrubbing floors was not his favorite chore, and doing them all by himself made it even less so. But cleaning the ship within an inch of its life was very, very necessary any time they were planetside. Mold and fungus in a closed environment was just not a good idea.
"Where is she? Where Is She? WHERE IS SHE?!"
She emerged, smiling and happy.
"Will--you do such good housework. Did anyone ever tell you that?"
There was an attitude in Penny's voice that Will definitely wanted to see brought down a peg.
"Where were you? Nevermind. While I'm finishing up the floors, you inspect the dishware and utensils for residue. Then we can both clean the oven elements before nightfall."
His older sister merely giggled, though, and tweaked his nose.
"Nope. I don't have to."
Will shook his head.
"Yesterday was your birthday. Today we both go back at it. C'mon, Penny. Quit kidding around."
She put her arms at her hips.
"The only kid I see here is you, Will Robinson.
Chores--cleaning--that's done by the little people. People like you. Now do a good job--Mom and Dad expect this place to be ship-shape--heh-ship-shape."Way too pleased with herself, Penny wandered off and did what she pleased. Will did not. Experience had taught him how to handle such circumstances, though. So he did not go to his parents. He let his parents come to him, some hours later.
"Will--why are you still cleaning those cooking elements at this hour? We take off tomorrow, and we need these things already done when we begin countdown."
Maureen seconded her husband, as Will knew she would.
"I'm glad you had a chance to play in the open air, Will, but you should really be more considerate of everyone else. If these things needed doing, then you should have done them when Penny did her chores."
Will stood up, and actually smiled, despite his aches and the grease that was all over him. Penny was going to get hers so bad, and after she did, he was going to take pains to rub it in.
"Mom, Dad---about Penny's chores, inconsiderate people, and doing what
we're supposed to......."---------------------------------------------------------------
"Penny, we need to talk with you."
Happily for the Jupiter 2, the system they were in had a good many quasi-livable planets. Air could be exchanged, and water reoxygenated, almost once a month. By coasting into reentry, something Don had become quite expert at, and using the planets' magnetic field to break orbit, their fuel use had become minimal.
It had been one month since Penny had declared herself free of the cleaning regimen that life on the ship demanded. Will had bided his time, since there was really nothing to do aboard the ship but clean---and be alone. He knew that come next planetfall, Penny would be spoken to, in no uncertain terms. That time had come. At a remove, he listened in, and relished every second of it.
"Sure thing. John--Maureen--what do you want to talk about?"
The two parents looked at each other. Maureen spoke first.
"Penny--its Dad and Mom. It will always be Dad and Mom. It will never not be Dad and Mom. Am I clear?"
Penny laughed.
"If you two want to hold onto those titles for sentimental reasons, then I'm adult enough to go along with the gag."
John now took point.
"Penny---you are not an adult."
She shook her head in the dismissive way that Will had memorized, the better to eternally remind her of it.
"Of course I am. I'm eighteen now. That means I am an adult."
John shook his head in a dismissive way that no Robinson child needed to memorize.
"Honey, when we came out here, we all agreed to make sacrifices. One of those sacrifices has to be a delaying of the things that would have occurred, had we remained on Earth. Treasure your childhood a while longer. Once we reach Alpha Centauri, it'll be over soon enough."
Penny sensed his direction, and liked it not at all.
"But--we might not reach Alpha Centauri for another ten years. Maybe longer. When do I become an adult? 21? 24?"
Maureen stepped in.
"It depends on what you mean by an adult, dear. But until this mission is completely over and done with, we need you and Will to keep on with that cleaning. Its vital to our very existence, and its very unfair just to dump it all on him."
Penny picked up a snit, both in her voice and in her face.
"Oh, but its eminently fair to dump them on both of us, while letting Judy--who DID become an adult at 18, off the hook."
Maureen next said what Penny prayed she would not. In a way, this confirmed one of her
most paranoid fears."Dear--Judy's a special case, and needs special consideration."
Penny sat down, and while she successfully fought back tears, it was only the first wave.
"Why? Because you never had the control over her you did on me and Will? Maybe if I had been the pretty, pouty young blonde drinking,
snorting and spreading my legs on---and off-- the Broadway stage, then I'd be an adult right now, too."John wisely saw that this ugly moment was only going to get uglier.
"Honey, back when we started, the cleaning was done the way I and your mother remembered it. Then, especially after we encountered those Amazons, your Mother reminded me that it was the 21st Century, and that maybe we men should start earning our keep. With one notable exception, we have. But cleaning duties are more than just picking up after ourselves. They are as vital as Don's astrogation, my spacewalks, your Mother's biophysical analysis, and Judy's record-keeping and fuel watch. Birth has you two at the bottom of the pecking order, here. If we could count on Doctor Smith for anything, it might be a different story. But its not. So, as tedious and menial as it might be, those duties are where this mission demands you stay."
Penny was beginning to feel sick.
"I have other duties. So does Will. You also still haven't answered my question. When do I become an adult?"
John now delivered the coup de grace, a blow meant to be delivered gently, but still savagely hurtful in its implications.
"We'll all discuss that as we go along."
Penny then bolted, and closed the door to her room. Maureen spoke from behind her husband.
"John----"
"Darling, don't. None of us are where we planned to be. The mission demands no duty shifts--not after almost five years. We have no margin for retraining errors."
Raised to be a wife of a certain tradition, Maureen held her tongue. But one day, aboard a ship called Voyager, she would follow the example of another woman she met--who was not even remotely trained to hold her tongue.
Emerging from her quarters an hour later, a seething Penny returned to her duties-- and to a childhood with no end in sight. She also learned a hard rule: Be very careful how you treat people on your way up, because they will be waiting for you on your way down.Will Robinson was waiting for his sister with open claws.
"Mind if I put on some music?"
She was checking the tiling beneath the floor for mold. She shrugged.
"Suit yourself."
He smiled, and flicked on the audiofile.
It was an old Disney favorite."Cinderelly---Cinderelly----Clean The Kitchen---Shine The Silver---"
Her hand flicked it off, and red rage entered her eyes. She let him have it all, in a few sharp words.
"Go to your room, little boy--and go play with your hand!"
But Will was not just ready for a fight. He was spoiling for one.
"Like you don't. I can hear you at night, you know. Need a new pillowcase?"
Things went downhill from there.
Penny quickly shot back.
"You little pervert! Have you been listening to me...at night?"
Will folded his arms.
"We little people have to have our amusements, after all."
"Why don't you grow up?"
Will looked at his sister.
"Because I knew what would happen, if I tried to say I was a grown-up. I even tried to tell you. But you weren't listening. So you got all Princess HighnMighty. But you were really just a roach, and Mom and Dad squashed you."
She slammed her fist down on the table nearby.
"Do you have any idea the amount of garbage I have taken from you, all these years? The amount of idiocy that I've put up with? You know, you're as bad as Smith, touching everything here and there--causing problems. You and your little boy troubles! When I was a little girl, I put up with all the attention they give you and Judy. But now I can tell you, you spoiled brat. You are nothing but a showboat. All your brains, and you're still just a lonely, stupid kid who wouldn't have any friends even if we were back on Earth."
Will frowned.
"Ohhh--its YOU who's put up with ME? I don't think so. Try living with a land mine. Try having someone who whines about me and special favors that I supposedly get. Try someone who compares herself to Judy, and moons over Don, despite knowing better. Try someone who tries repeatedly to get Mom and Dad to change their minds about how we do things, when she KNOWS that's just gonna make things worse. Try having someone who won't let you forget anything wrong you've done, but can never remember anything wrong she's done!"
Penny turned away from him.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this. I'm supposed to be an adult. When Dad says, 'Not while you're under my roof', I'm supposed to have the option of moving out on my own, and finding a crummy, sleazy overpriced apartment with a deadbeat slob of a roommate."
Will shrugged.
"I'm SO sorry that your promotion got cancelled. Guess you're stuck here with dumb old me!"
She turned back towards him.
"You jerk! I never wanted to be better than you. I just wanted to be an adult. You know, they could've just told me to keep doing the
chores---they didn't have to say that I wasn't really one of them. Would it kill them to just pretend?"They both felt the anger dissipate, as a common feeling emerged. Will spoke now without sarcasm.
"Sometimes--I think that Mom and Dad like having us all in this situation. On Earth, Judy would have moved out, at least. You'd be applying for several colleges--probably MIT or Harvard. I'd be begging some girl to let me---"
He stopped. Penny glared.
"Just say it. However else I've been acting, I've never judged you---not deliberately, anyway."
So he said it.
"Begging her to let me under her bra."
"Under her bra? You were embarrassed to say that? Will, some of Judy's friends at 15 were going to nude swimming parties."
"Penny, I---don't have a life. I've never had a life. I was 10 when we left. I only got the bra reference from 'Happy Days'. I don't know what girls let you get away with, in 2002. I don't know any girls, period."
She walked away, to go to her room upstairs.
"We neither of us know anybody, Will. No petting--no proms, with what happens after---nothing. We're little Ricky. We're Tabitha. We're Bobby and Cindy, for God's sake. We are never going to be allowed to grow up. Because mission or no, that's how they like it."
The statement was unfair and somewhat inaccurate. But it felt true.
------------------------------------------------
The EMH stopped the narrative.
"Those are some fairly bitter feelings. Though I'm frankly surprised you don't feel them more deeply than you do. You may not care for your parents' approach, at times--but its obvious that they raised you very well. Your common strength of character is evident. Well, now that its all out in the open...."
Penny shook her head.
"No, Doctor. That was only the beginning of what happened. See, I was still in a mood. So, Will here did something very wonderful to snap me out of it. His intentions were sweet, and good."
Will looked sheepish now.
"And it kind of led where some good intentions end up."
--------------------------------------------
As the siblings explained their situation, Robot encountered a situation that bore no explanation.
"Ohhh, please, let me out of here. Have we not been friends and boon companions, these five years?"
"No, Doctor Smith. We have not been friends, etc, etc. etc. You have often called me 'a booby'. Other phrases include 'Mechanical Moron' and 'Ferret Face'."
Smith shook his head.
"Ferret Face? When have I ever called you that?"
"Ahhh. It seems that my memory files became mixed with Major West's MASH Collection. You have my apologies."
"Boooby---I don't want your apologies! I wish to be released from this accursed brig. Captain Janeway shall hear from my attorneys, when we reach Earth, and I shall file an cross-dimensional lawsuit that shall make legal history!"
The Robot started.
"Doctor Smith--were you just saying something?"
"Feh! If you were any kind of true friend, you would join me in this brig. I've become sooo very lonely."
"Very well, Doctor Smith. I shall join you."
Smith was ready to bolt, when the brig was lowered. But Robot merely sauntered right through instead. Smith was incredulous.
"But why didn't it stop you?"
"My circuitry scanned the field's frequency, and simply attuned me to it. Watch. I can step out....."
He wheeled forward, then back.
"....And I can step in. Out. In. In. Out. Notably, you are lacking in this ability."
Smith smiled.
"Or rather---I was."
He tore out the Robot's power pack.
"What say you to that---BOOOBY?"
The Robot spoke.
"I say that what you have just pulled out is no longer my power pack--Booby. Will Robinson miniaturized it and improved its efficiency some time ago."
The scheming man was indignant.
"But no one ever told me of this."
"You--didn't--ask."
Plans of freedom frustrated yet again, something in Smith's mind began to change. The change was most decidedly not for the better.
----------------------
Captain Janeway was ready for The Robinsons. She sent a message to John and Maureen's cabin.
"Doctors--I'm prepared to announce my asylum decision. When do you wish to meet?"
John sounded a bit dazed.
"In--about five or six hours, Kathryn."
"And you, Maureen?"
There was silence.
"Maureen--can't talk right now, Captain. I-I-IIIyiiiiiyi--I'll get back to you---"
The pleasure in John's voice said it all.
"Well, I guess that having real privacy for once can be quite liberating for a married couple."
Chakotay nodded.
"I've always found it so."
She next contacted Judy Robinson and Don West.
"Doctor--Major--I'm prepared to give my decision in about six hours."
Judy responded, almost giggling.
"That's----stop that----fine, Captain Jane--whoaaa!!--way. We'll
be----"Both Captain and XO had to laugh. Chakotay shrugged.
"Well, now we know how they pass those long months on their voyage."
Janeway's smile faded.
"How most of them pass their time, anyway. Smith probably plots his next caper, and Robot had the good sense not to be programmed like we poor weak humans--at least not entirely. I wonder how they made him? I can't wait to hear the Doctor's report."
"On him and on Smith. The Doctor indicated that our permanent brig-guest has a secret of his own. But after what Tom and Belanna just said, I'm more concerned about Penny and Will. And no offense, Captain--but why were you so anxious to let them off the hook? Granted, it was a good, and quite possibly a logical concern in their situation. But you all but gave him an automatic pass."
Janeway nodded. She punched up a file, using her personal security code.
"Forget about being a loyal First Officer. If you are my friend, then this file does not travel. Not to Belanna, Kes, Neelix, or Harry. If Tom asks you why I showed this to you, it was for security and disciplinary reasons. Any breach of this trust, and I will withdraw my apology for keeping you in the dark on The Jonas Matter. Understood?"
"With that look on your face? Understood, Kathryn. And for the record--I am both and in both instances am I loyal. Understood?"
She nodded.
"I know. But that file will tell you exactly why Tom Paris has such strong feelings on Outer Colony Companionship, or as its clinically
known----incest."The word had been said, the euphemisms dropped. Chakotay's jaw soon followed, as he read the report in full.
--------------------------------------------------
In Sickbay, Will picked up the narrative.
"I decided that if Penny wanted to be free of all the little kid stuff--maybe I could make a kind of gateway. So while everyone else was out spelunking, I did some work on The Command Center."
-------------------------------------------------
FEBRUARY, 2002 - JUPITER 2
Penny stared in awe at Will's overnight work.
"What--what did you do?"
There were streamers, colored lights, a punch bowl, and even a makeshift disco ball. Will pointed about.
"Its Prom Night!"
She glared.
"This isn't funny, Will. What's next--pig's blood?"
"Noooo. I didn't do this as a joke. Penny--this is your senior prom. Now, let's get into those clothes Mom kept for us from the wish machine. I'll be your escort to the dance."
She sighed, then cupped his cheek.
"Will, I love you for this. But going to the prom with your brother is not a sign of a good social life--or even a make-believe one."
Will smiled, shaking his head.
"C'mon! Use your imagination. I'm only your escort. When we get to the dance, your date will tap me on the shoulder, and then you'll dance with him."
She nodded, excited at least by the fantasy aspect of it all. She had so wanted to go to a prom. Or any social function.
"All right. But if we're using our imaginations, my date has to have a little sister your age, and when he taps me, then you dance with her. Alright?"
Glad that she was getting into it, Will ran to get dressed, as did she. But just for fun, she took two hours to his one to do so.
When she emerged, in a pink gown and matching hair-scarf, Will gulped.
"How do I look?"
"Like you've always looked, Sis. You're gorgeous."
She looked down.
"You didn't need to say that. I know I'm not like Judy."
A bit tired of her self-criticism, Will held out his hand.
"Judy Who?"
The smile returned to her face. They began to dance. It was a tender moment, as the music played.
"May I Have This Dance; For The Rest Of My Life; Will You Be My Partner; Every Night; When We're Together--It Feels So Right; May I Have This Dance; For The Rest Of My Life?"
It was fun, dancing together, she thought. But now her imagination kicked in. She saw her date---frontier handsome, of course--registering at the front.
"Ohh--My Love--My Darling--I Hunger For Your Touch; A Long---Lonely Time--Time Goes By--So Slowly--And Time Can Do So Much;"
She closed her eyes, and saw Will tapped on the shoulder by her date. Playfully, he gave Will the heave-ho sign with his thumb, then slapped him on the back lightly. She pulled him close, and reveled in the moment. As she saw Will walk towards his date, she silently mouthed thanks to her little brother.
Going along, Will closed his eyes and saw that
Penny's date's sister was one of those crazy girls who for some reason didn't know just how pretty she was. Suddenly his tuxedo seemed appropriate to such an event--and such a young woman."You--are beautiful."
"Thank You. You look so good in that."
As the long evening continued, the two couples danced the night away.
"Oh, What A Night...Late December.."
"You Make Me Feel Like Dancin' "
"I Want Yooou To Show Me The Way.."
"But Don't Forget Who's Takin' You Home And In Whose Arms You're Gonna Be.."
The moment had come. The chaperones were on another part of the floor. Penny felt her date grasp the sides of her head, ever so gently. She didn't hesitate to open her mouth.
Will was dazzled by this girl, and she seemed to like him. He grasped her head by the sides.
"I won't if you don't want to."
"I want to. With you. Very Much."
Nervous as hell, he kissed her, full on the lips. She tasted and smelled terrific. And felt so very familiar. It was the best moment of his life.
Penny thought it sweet that a seemingly mature boy was actually nervous around her. She felt so much the same way. And it was as if she had known him her whole life. In what she thought of as a role reversal, she began to probe his mouth with her tongue.
But after fifteen minutes of this, their eyes popped open--and all was revealed.
--------------------------------------------
The EMH nodded. His concern was evident.
"What happened to you two was not unexpected. You have a combination of early mental maturity combined with an extended childhood--and normal teenage hormones. In short: I don't think you're insane. You do have some things to work out. Oh, boy, do you have some things to work out."
Penny nodded.
"But Doctor--can we trust each other? Because, just for a moment, after I opened my eyes--I didn't care who I was with. I just wanted it to never stop."
Will looked down.
"I was even worse. I was actually thinking of what my next move would be."
The EMH stood up.
"Well, my first recommendation is very basic. Don't do it again. We'll figure out the rest as we talk more. Okay?"
They left, at least happy to have this burden shared by someone else. When they were gone, the Doctor let loose with his own immediate take on the subject.
"Oooooh---ICK!!"
Hours later, a Will and Penny who now felt a great deal more relaxed around one another joined their family in Janeway's ready room.
"Folks--I'm putting off the asylum question for now, and substituting an offer. We need able, intelligent crew. You were lost in your reality's Delta Quadrant. Combined, our chances of seeing any version of Earth are greater. Stay with us. Become the third crew to join ours. Make your family a part of what we've forged here."
John spoke.
"Kathryn, your offer is enormously generous......"
Maureen stepped in.
"And we're going to give it every consideration. We'll have an answer for you, soon enough."
John glared.
"Honey, I think we might have an answer already."
Maureen stared back, and gave no ground.
"I think you might be wrong, dear. In fact, I know that you are. We'll discuss it. All of it."
Janeway knew better than to seek a ringing endorsement, so she dismissed everyone to their discussions. John's feelings aside, almost all were for it. For Judy and Don, it was their baby's life and a chance at new tech. For Will and Penny, it was the relief of many other potential mates. But quite a bit was still to be settled.
Suddenly, the ship rocked.
"Janeway to Tuvok---what the hell was that?"
"Captain---there have been two simultaneous explosions. One in the hydroponics bay, and one in Kes's quarters."
"My God."
Outside of Smith's brig, Neelix delivered one of his specials. Smith regarded it warily.
"Is it at all edible?"
Neelix heard the explosions, and smiled broadly.
"Doctor Smith, you would be amazed at what I can cook up, given the right motivation!"
-------------------
Chapter Five - We'd Like To Know A Little Bit About You For Our Files....