Chapitre 44: Parturition: Part One
Chapter 45: Parturition: Part One.
(Seven days after Twisted.)
Neelix's POV
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I walked down the corridor. Worried about Kes. She was spending time with that-that playboy, Tom Paris for flying lessons. Suddenly, I heard Kes and Tom laughing. I looked over the bend to see them walking out of the holodeck laughing. With Tom's arm around her waist.
"I'll be ready for anything next time." Kes replied joyously.
"Oh, ho! It sounds like a challenge to me." Tom replied and they disappeared down the corridor. Tom Paris is trying to steal Kes from me.
-----
(Time: Breakfast.)
Micheal Janeway's POV
"Mommy? Why did you cut your hair?" I asked as we walked into the Messhall. I was afraid of insulting her so I only just built up the courage to ask her now. Mommy had cut her hair to a shorter softer hair style. It was nice. But I still missed her long hair.
She smiled down at me as we towards the mess hall.
"I needed a change of hairstyle. Something new." She replied.
"Oh."I replied. We stopped right in front of the messhall doors.
"I have to go for my shift now, but per usual I am sure Bini is having breakfast now too. Have fun kids." She said, giving us each a peck on the cheek, a smile and walked away with Mollie.
I gestured Sarah to follow me as we entered the messhall.
We saw Bini in the corner of the room, munching on toast and drinking Hot Chocolate but staring intently at the kitchen area. We grabbed our own meals and sat down next to Bini. Who muttered a greeting and never took her eyes off the kitchen.
"What are you lookin at?" I asked.
"Neelix." Bini said and gestured to Neelix in the kitchen who was glaring at Tom while stabbing alien tomatoes. "That cook is jealous."
"Why?" Sarah asked.
"Tom was teaching Kes how to fly. I guess Neelix got a little jealous. Well, understatement of the year. Really jealous. Tom has a death sentence." Bini explained.
"But Tom means well. Neelix wouldn't kill Tom!" I argued. She shook her head.
"Do you see the way he is stabbing that poor tomato. That is a killer stab." She insisted.
"You are overreacting."
"Oh really? Watch. Watch that crazy alien stab that food. Lunch is going to be a soup I guarantee you." Bini said in protest.
-----
(A few hours later.)
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
I ran my hand through my hair as the door to my ready room opened to reveal Chakotay.
"Come in. I hope you have good news, Commander. Based on this inventory, our food reserves look to be down to thirty percent of capacity." I informed him as I entered commands into my computer.
"Good news and bad." He replied and handed me a padd. "We have located an M class planet, and it shows high amino acid and protein readings."
"That should indicate a healthy plant life. What's bad about it?" I asked.
"It's a full day out of our way."
"I don't think we have any choice. It's the first chance we've had to replenish our supplies in weeks." I replied.
"And our long-range sensors can't confirm any plant life on the surface."
"Why not?" I asked.
"It's one strange planet, Captain. It's shrouded. Vapours cover it like a curtain. EM disturbances all over the atmosphere." Chakotay explained.
"Some of these readings suggest a planet early in its evolution, almost like a primeval Earth."
"The people in Stellar Cartography have already nicknamed it Planet Hell." He said with a smile.
"So it might be a wild goose chase." I concluded.
"Captain, I don't know what we'll find when we get to the surface. Flora or fauna, friend or foe."
"If we knew we'd find another M class planet soon, I'd--. Set a course for Planet Hell, Commander." I ordered.
-----
Harry Kim's POV
I looked at my musical notes as I pressed each key on the clarinet. Suddenly, the doorbell interrupted me, bring me out of my zone. I granted access and put down my clarinet to see Tom Paris enter my quarters.
"That was you?" He asked.
"That was me." I confirmed.
"I'm impressed."
"I keep hearing my mother say, practice, Harry, practice. So I ate Neelix's food for a week and used my replicator rations." I explained as Tom flopped on the sofa beside me.
"Play something for me." He requested with the wave of his hand as he stared up at the ceiling.
"Well, I've only had it for a few days, and I don't think-"
"Oh, come on." He insisted. "Play something. Just pretend I'm not here."
I sighed and continued to play the upbeat piece I was practicing before.
"Play something different."
"Different?" I repeated.
"Something not so cheerful." He replied.
"Why?"
"What, you don't take requests?"He asked in irritation.
"Something bothering you, Paris?"
"Oh, Harry. I'm in trouble." Tom admitted. I rolled my eyes.
"What's new?" I muttered.
"I think I'm in love." He added.
"What's new?" I asked again.
"With Kes." He admitted.
"Kes!" I yelled.
"I know. I know. I never even saw it coming. I thought we were just good buddies. But there she was in my arms." He explained. I moved away from Tom, shaking my head.
"In your arms?" I repeated. "Paris, you didn't."
"What?" He jumped. "Oh, no. I didn't. I wouldn't. She stumbled during a flight simulation. I caught her. I held her for an instant. Are you going to play or not?"
I raised my clarinet and started to play a few sombre notes.
"A whole crew full of women," Tom continued. "And I have to fall for the one I can't have. Why do I do this to my self?"
"If you ask me, I say you enjoy it." I concluded, stopping the music.
"Enjoy it?"
"Only thing that makes sense. You've been doing the same thing to yourself your whole life. Setting yourself up for rejection. You must enjoy playing the part." I explained.
"Hey, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. I just have to be more careful. I can't let myself be alone with her."
"There's an old Chinese expression. Stay out of harm's way." I replied.
"That's not a Chinese expression."
"If it works, use it." I said.
"Of course, it would help a little if Kes and I weren't going to be stuck on the same ship for the rest of our lives." He said.
"That's a pessimistic view."
"I'm in a pessimistic mood. Play something pessimistic. Practice, Harry, practice."
I rolled my eyes and began to play a cheerful tone again.
-----
Kes's POV
"--And then suddenly we fell into a subspace anomaly. None of the readings made any sense. I didn't know what to do!" I explained with enthusiasm as Neelix and I had a candle-light dinner for two in my quarters.
"It must have been terrible for you. Pepper, sweeting." Neelix replied.
"Ah. Anyway, it was quite a learning experience." I continued.
"I'm sure Lieutenant Paris is a fine teacher. Oh! I almost forgot the Palliantyne peas. Ever so lightly spiced." Neelix said. Trying to change the subject. I hesitantly accepted the food with suspicion.
-----
(Next Day.)
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
"Analysis." I ordered as I sat down in my command chair.
"High levels of trigemic vapours, but it should still support humanoid life." Chakotay reported.
"Sickbay to Bridge. Please turn to your Emergency Medical Holographic Channel." The EMH's harsh voice cut through the bridge. I sighed and activated the monitor between Chakotay and I. Giving a brief look to Mollie, who was asleep at my feet. Snoring softly. Chakotay and I both looked to the console to see the scowling face of the Doctor glaring at us.
"I hope you don't mind that I've been eavesdropping, but I have something important to contribute." He admitted.
"What is it, Doctor?" I asked in my own tone of irritation, trying to brush away the fact that he has been eavesdropping.
"Of course, it wouldn't be necessary for me to eavesdrop if I were included in these discussions as a matter of operating protocol."
"Doctor." I interrupted.
"You should be aware that trigemic vapours at the recorded levels can cause severe humanoid skin irritations." He explained.
"Could you provide some sort of skin protection that might help?"
"I am whipping up a batch of dermal osmotic sealant as we speak. Nevertheless, skin exposure to the atmosphere should be limited."
"Noted, Doctor. Thank you. Tell me, just how often do you eavesdrop?" I asked. Sharing a look with Chakotay.
"I am simply trying to monitor issues involving the health of the crew, Captain. When activated, the Emergency Medical Programme establishes comm. links with all key areas of the ship, and I have, on occasion. I am a Doctor, not a voyeur. I am programmed to be discreet." He insisted, his eyes darting around frantically, trying to come up with an excuse.
"I'm sure. Commander Chakotay will discuss operating protocols with you at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, no more eavesdropping, Doctor." I said.
"But Captain, I, I, I--" He stammered.
"That's an order." I barked.
"There's another problem, Captain." The Doctor continued. "We won't be able to transport to the surface because of the EM disturbances in the atmosphere. They'll interfere with our comm. links too."
"I'll have Mister Kim take a look." Chakotay suggested.
-----
(Meanwhile: Lunch.)
Harry Kim's POV
"Listen, why don't we take in a holodeck programme later? A Moliere comedy. That'll cheer you up." I suggested as we entered the messhall. Suddenly, Tom abruptly came to a stop with the fakest smile I have ever seen on his face.
"I think I'll just eat later." He muttered. A fake smile appeared on my face as Kes saw us and waved. We waved back awkwardly.
"Damn." I muttered.
"What do you want to do?" I quietly asked.
"Very simple. We just won't sit with her." Tom replied.
"But that's rude." I hissed.
"No, that's smart. We'll make it look like we have bridge operations to discuss." Tom explained. We made our way across the messhall. We noticed that Bini, Micheal and Sarah were sitting at a big table behind Kes. Arguing about something. Probably about those two love birds that had taken over their usual spot, or Neelix's newest creation.
Tom and I quickly grabbed our meals and sat across from each other beside the group. Tom was behind Kes. Kes glanced back to us with a confused look but shook it off. The group gave us a confused look.
"Tom, Harry. As much as I don't appreciate you spending your precious time sitting here-"
"Bini, don't be a suck-up. What is your question?" Tom asked in annoyance. She shrugged and nodded.
"Why are you sitting here? Out of all the places in this messhall. Why here?" She asked.
"Just act natural Filters." I hissed. Micheal and Sarah leaned forward, trying to hear more of the conversation.
"That's asking a lot." She muttered. Taking a swift sip of her Hot Chocolate. Neelix came over with the same fake smile we had on earlier.
"Neelix? You OK?" Sarah asked in her usual adorable manner. He nodded and held up a plate of...strange looking pasta. Bini and Micheal visibly cringed at the sight of it.
"Gentlemen, ladies. May I recommend the Alfarian hair pasta today?" Neelix asked.
"Hair pasta? That is just an expression, isn't it?" I asked. Silently praying it wasn't real.
"Not at all. It's actually made from the follicles of the mature Alfarian. We harvest the hair during shedding season in early fall. It's very high in protein." He explained.
"I don't think the...Em...Children can digest...That..." Bini slowly bit out.
"Whatever. We just have a lot of bridge operations business to discuss. Yeah." Tom said. Bini and Micheal rolled their eyes and started chuckling.
"Smooth, Tom." Micheal muttered. Adding to the amusement to Bini and Micheal, and now adding Sarah in the mix.
-----
Bini Filters POV
Micheal, Sarah and I managed to pull ourselves together. Getting a glare from Tom.
"Chakotay to Kim. Mister Kim, please report to the Bridge." Chakotay ordered on the comlink.
"Have a nice lunch." Harry sneered at Tom and quickly left the messhall. Tom uncomfortably sat back. Kes abruptly left her own table and left the room. Neelix leaned in towards Paris with a scowl.
"You subclass genus." Neelix hissed in Tom's face. Hot Chocolate almost came spirting out of my nose in surprise and amusement for what I just heard. Micheal and Sarah leaned towards Tom's side of the table to get into the excitement. Since I was sitting beside him, I was set.
"I beg your pardon?" Tom snapped.
"Sitting with your backs to each other like two strangers waiting for a transport. Was that supposed to fool me?" He continued in rage. I decided not to cut in with my usual sarcastic comment, that would probably make it less...um...toxic.
"Oh, a guy just can't win. Look, there is nothing to fool you about. Really. I swear." Tom insisted.
"Liar." Neelix snapped and threw Harry's food on Tom abruptly. Tom stood up, his uniform covered in hair pasta.
"What the hell are you doing?" Tom snapped. Micheal and Sarah yelped in alarm.
"I won't let you snatch Kes away from me, you lizard!" Neelix argued. Tom slugged Neelix with a swift jab. Neelix retorted by jumping on Tom over the table.
"Alright, down!" I barked. Micheal and Sarah nodded and ducked under the table. I grabbed my drink and ducked under the table, joining the other two.
"I'll kill you!" Neelix yelled as they fell to the floor, punching each other and still getting food all over themselves. The three of us curled under the table and watched the action.
"Tell me." I started. "Is this what you expected to happen today?"
"A food fight with hair. No." Micheal replied.
"Should we tell Mommy?" Sarah asked.
"Ha, ha, no. Let's watch this play out." I suggested.
"It's too late. I'm betting your hair pasta already did the trick." Tom snapped as they continued to roll around and fight.
"Janeway to Lieutenant Paris and Mister Neelix." The comlink cut through the room. Everyone paused, the cheering stopped, the bickering about the situation stopped, Tom and Neelix stopped and there was just pure silence.
Finally, Tom cleared his throat, still, in the last position, he was in when Neelix and he were fighting.
"Go ahead." He choked out.
"Yes, Captain?" Neelix asked in his suck up voice.
"Please report to my Ready room right away. I have something important to discuss with you." The Captain replied.
"Er, Captain, did you say right away? If we could have-"
"That's what I said, Mister Paris. Janeway out."
There was another moment of silence before Neelix and Tom got up and shoved each other out of the area. Then nobody dared moved before a Lieutenant from engineering stepped forward.
"Well...that was interesting." He exclaimed.
Micheal, Sarah and I crawled from the table and stood up.
"What...Should we...um...inform the Captain?" I nervously asked. A few people snickered before a young ensign appeared from the mass of people with a big evil grin on her face.
"I am pretty sure she will be able to figure it out." She started, then gestured around the front of her uniform. "Because they are covered in hair."
Everyone started to laugh and began to clean up the messhall.
-----
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
"Would anyone care to explain?" I asked and gestured to my officers in front of me in my ready room, their uniforms covered in Neelix's...latest special.
"It might be too long to go into right now, Captain." Tom respectful replied, as Neelix and he shot each other looks of hatred.
"Very well. I have a mission for the two of you. We have reason to believe that there are food sources on this planet, but we can't transport to the surface. You're going to take a shuttle down and do a little scouting." I explained. Leaning on my desk.
"Me and him?" Neelix asked in surprise and horror was written on his face.
"He's our best pilot, and you're our expert on edible plant species in this quadrant." I explained to Neelix.
"Captain," Tom started. "I'm not one to pass up a mission, but in this circumstance, maybe Ensign Baytart who is a fine pilot-"
"There are electromagnetic anomalies in the atmosphere and I would rather have you at the helm. Am I discerning a personal problem here, gentlemen?" I snapped in annoyance.
"Frankly, yes, Captain." Neelix replied.
"Solve it." I barked. "You leave at fourteen hundred hours."
-----
(An hour later.)
Harry Kim's POV
"We're modifying the transporter to try and penetrate the atmosphere. So far, no luck." B'Elanna reported as the senior staff sat in the briefing room.
"However," I added. "We have been running computer simulations to determine if the EM disturbances follow any specific pattern. Our data analysis suggests that there may be occasional atmospheric windows that would allow us to get through."
"How occasional, and how long would they last?" Chakotay asked.
"We should see one every thirty hours or so, but they may only last for a matter of minutes. I can't be sure yet." I admitted.
"At least long enough for us to beam up food supplies. Mister Paris, you and Mister Neelix will collect as many vegetables and fruits as you can while we wait for this atmospheric window to open. Mister Kim, be sure your computer simulations include--"
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Micheal Janeway's POV
I elbowed Bini as hard as I could in her ribs as Kes speeded down the corridor away from us. Bini flinched and held her side, glaring down at me.
"What was that for?" She snapped.
I rolled my eyes as if she didn't know. She just outed Tom and Neelix!
"You went and blabbed your damn mouth! Kes didn't need to know about her boyfriend beating up Tom and threatening to kill him." I yelled in anger.
"Micheal, watch your mouth!" She ordered. "Come on. We need to fix this."
She grabbed my arm to lead me down the corridor, I abruptly yanked my arm back and pointed an accusing finger at her.
"You. You are going to fix this." I snapped. "This was your felt!"
"Micheal, don't be childish. We both screwed up here. You started the conversation. As long as Kes doesn-"
Suddenly, Harry and Tom came down the corridor, the way Kes came. Blowing past us not making eye contact. Followed by Tuvok. Oh no. The meeting was over.
"Bini! The meeting-"
"I know, I know!" She jumped and grabbed me barrelling down the corridor. We stopped at a bend and slowly looked around the corner. We saw Kes stopped in front of Neelix as he exited the meeting room.
"What happened? I heard that you-"
"Nothing happened." He abruptly cut in. Maneuvering past Kes.
"Micheal and Bini said that you and Tom Paris had-"
"Kes. We'll talk when I get back." Neelix interrupted her again.
"I want to know, Neelix." Kes snapped. Lossing her patience. "Is it true that you were fighting?"
"When I get back." He insisted.
"But-"
Neelix entered into a turbo lift, trying to get away from Kes and her pressing questions.
"Shuttle bay." He ordered and the turbo lift closed. Kes sighed and stepped away, fiddling with her hands nervously. She shook her head and walked away, deep in thought.
"Ensign Filters!" The booming commanding voice of Mommy cut through the corridor. Bini and I stood up to attention and slowly turned around to see Mommy scowling down at us with Mollie, who I think was frowning, beside her.
"Captain Janeway? Isn't...Isn't this a surprise." Bini said with a big fake grin on her face.
"I am sure it is, Ensign." She snapped. "Tell me. Where you in the messhall when a certain incident took place? Specifically, right beside the source of the incident."
"No-" Bini started but the Captain held up her hand to silence her.
"I have been alive in this universe much longer than you, Filters. I am going to stop you right there. I know when one of my officers are lying to me. Tell me the truth." She ordered. Bini sagged.
"Yes, Captain. We were in the messhall when the incident took place." Bini admitted.
"And why didn't you take Sarah and Micheal out of the messhall when it started, Ensign?" She snapped.
"Beca-Because-be-because-" Bini stammered unable to come up with an excuse.
-----
(Few minutes later.)
Kes's POV
I entered the sickbay in a gloomy walk. The Doctor was puttering around sickbay, putting away supplies.
"Good afternoon." The Doctor greeted. "When you have a chance, could you run an analysis of the cytokinetic results for--"
"I did it during lunch." I muttered and entered the Doctor's office holding a padd.
"Are you all right?" He asked with concern.
"I'm fine." I muttered.
"Are you sure? You seem a little-"
"I'm fine." I interrupted.
"You know, if you skip lunch, the result might be a lower blood sugar level, which could. I'm sorry. It's in my programme. I see something wrong, I must attempt to diagnose it." He explained.
"There are some things you can't cure. Neelix and Tom Paris had a physical fight over me." I explained.
"How delightful." He said with a smile.
"Delightful?"
"You should consider it a high compliment. Throughout history, men have fought over the love of a woman. Why I can quote you autopsy reports from duels as far back as 1538." He suggested.
"That's not funny." I snapped.
"It's not meant to be. You've always been interested in autopsies." I retorted.
"Are all Talaxians so jealous?" I asked.
"I wouldn't know. I've only met one." He replied.
"I love Neelix. Why can't he just accept that? His suspicions about Tom are completely unjustified." I argued.
"Are they? Lieutenant Paris's affection for you is obvious."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he desires you." The Doctor replied.
"That's not true. Tom and I enjoy each other's company. We're friends." I insisted. The Doctor scoffed.
"Whenever you walk into the room, his respiration increases, his pupils dilate and the colouration of his ears turns decidedly orange. Until I noticed the pattern, I thought he was suffering from Tanzian flu. It's there for anyone to see. Maybe not in the same diagnostic detail as I see it, yet-"
"Are you saying that I didn't want to see it?" I asked.
"You're only two years old. There may be a few things you don't know to look for in a man. In time, you'll understand." He insisted.
"On my homeworld it's so much simpler. You choose a mate for life. There's no distrust, no jealousy, no envy, no betrayal." I explained.
"Hmm. Your world must have very dry literature." He muttered. I ignored his comment,
"I don't know how to handle something like this. What am I going to do?" I asked. Desperate for advice.
"You've done nothing to precipitate this state of affairs. You may not be able to do much to resolve it either. There are some things you can't cure." He told me. I nodded and downloaded my next lesson. Trying to get control of my emotions.
-----
Bini Filters's POV
I stumbled into my quarters, followed by Sarah and Micheal. I flopped into my big leather chair in the dark.
"Computer, lights 10%" I muttered. The computer beeped and the lights turned on slightly. Micheal grabbed a blanket and gave it to me, before joining Sarah on the sofa
"What happened to Bini?" Sarah asked. I curled up on my chair and wrapped myself tightly with the blanket. Micheal snickered.
"Mommy yelled at Bini about getting us in danger in the messhall. Bini studdered so much during it! HA HA HA!" Micheal said.
"Micheal, you talk too much." I sneered and groaned, rubbing my thudding headache. "Why do all these things happen to me?"
"Because you are bad at making decisions?" Sarah pipped up.
"Thanks, Sarah. It really made me feel better." I snapped in sarcasm. Sarah didn't seem to get the clue.
"Your welcome." She chirped.
---End of Chapter 45: Next: Parturition Part Two.---
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone