Relics - Michael Jan Friedman [24]
Picard crossed the room and extended his hand to the newcomer, smiling broadly. “Jean-Luc Picard, Captain Scott. Welcome aboard.”
Scott clasped the captain’s hand as warmly as it was offered. “Thank ye, sir. Of all the ships that could have found me, I’m glad it was yers. But-if ye dinnae mind-call me Scotty.”
Picard nodded. “Very well. How are you feeling… Scotty?”
Scott looked to Beverly. “I dinnae know. How am I feeling, Doctor?”
Crusher grunted in mock-seriousness. “Well,” she said, “other than a couple of bumps and bruises and a slightly battered arm, I’d say you feel fine for a man of a hundred and forty-seven.”
Scott cast Picard a rakish look. “How about that? An’ I dinnae feel a day over a hundred and twenty!”
Picard grinned at Scott politely. However, he didn’t join in the bantering. As Crusher knew from long experience, that just wasn’t the captain’s style.
“I must say,” Picard commented, “I was more than a little surprised when Commander Riker informed me that you were aboard the Jenolen. Our records didn’t list you as one of their crew.”
Scott’s smile faded a little. “I wasn’t actually a member of the crew, sir. Truth to tell, I was just a … a passenger.” He winced again, just as he had when Crusher had touched a sore spot on his arm. “I was heading for Norpin Five, y’see, to settle down and enjoy my … retirement.”
He spat out the last word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. And maybe it did, Crusher mused. Obviously, the man found the whole idea of retirement an embarassment.
“I see,” remarked the captain. “Well, I would very much enjoy the opportunity to discuss your career at some point. History is one of my hobbies… and I’m sure you have some fascinating insights into the events of your time.”
“I dinnae know if I’d call them fascinating exactly,” Scott replied, smiling at each of them in turn. “But I’d be happy to answer your questions.”
“Good,” said Picard. “I look forward to it. Unfortunately, I must return to the bridge now.”
“I know the feeling,” Scott said. “Duty calls. I’ve been called to the bridge a few times myself, y’know.”
He’s asserting himself, thought Crusher. Reminding us that he was once important too.
“So I understand,” the captain assured him. Turning to Geordi, he said in a somewhat less casual tone “Commander, we need to begin a full analysis of the Dyson Sphere.”
Geordi nodded. “I’ll get right on it, sir.”
Finally, Picard refocused his attention on Crusher’s patient. “Again, welcome aboard, Mr. Scott.” And with that, he took his leave of them.
A moment later, Geordi turned to Scott. “You heard the captain. I have to get back to engineering to start that analysis.”
Scott’s face lit up at the word. “Engineering, lad? I thought ye’d never ask!”
And before Crusher could stop him, he’d moved down off the biobed to accompany Geordi. However, the doctor wasn’t about to give Scott the run of the ship-not after what he’d been through. Though he was in generally good health, there was no telling what kind of long-term effects that kind of experience would have on a human body.
“Just a minute,” she said, placing a restraining hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Scott looked at her, puzzled. “What is it, lass? Ye’ve finished yer tests, have ye nae?”
“True,” Crusher conceded. “But you’ve had quite a shock to your system and I don’t want you to push yourself too hard. The first thing you’re going to do is get some rest.”
Scott seemed on the verge of protesting-until Geordi intervened. “We’re pretty busy right now anyway, Captain Scott. But I’d be happy to give you a tour of engineering a little later, when the doctor says it’s okay.”
Scott looked from one of them to the other. Faced with uniform resistance, he sighed. “Aye,” he said in a resigned tone, even managing a little smile. “When the doctor says it’s okay.”
“Great,” said Geordi. “See you then.”
As they watched him exit through the sickbay doors, Beverly turned to Scott. “I’ll ask for an ensign to show you to your quarters,” she said.
“Whatever ye say,” he told her.