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By Root 686 0

room. She offered them a brief summary of the ship’s unique characteristics as they made their way to sickbay. Seven already knew a great deal about the Galen and had described it to Chakotay on their journey to rendezvous with the fleet. Still, Chakotay found the proud captain’s guided tour fascinating. It could accommodate a crew of thirty. The emergency wards—which took up the bulk of decks five and six—could easily treat a hundred wounded. More interesting were the holographic systems installed throughout the vessel, including medical, engineering, and security personnel. They were designed to come online only as needed. Since the Doctor had been one of the ship’s designers, Chakotay knew he would be keen to see these holograms used frequently. Chakotay found himself thinking that he might be glimpsing a part of Starfleet’s future.

Glenn tried to engage Seven in conversation as they walked, but Seven responded with brisk, succinct answers. The commander graciously turned them over to a cheerful, petite young woman with short raven hair whom she introduced as Ensign Meegan McDonnell, one of their medics.

“How may I assist you?” Meegan asked kindly as she gestured Seven toward a biobed.

“I wish to see the Doctor,” Seven replied simply.

“Which doctor?” Meegan inquired.

“The Doctor,” Seven emphasized.

“Are you referring to the Chief Medical Officer?” Meegan went on, unperturbed.

“Yes,” Seven said, her frustration clearly mounting.

“Please lie down here and I will perform a few basic scans to gather the pertinent baseline information before we trouble him,” Meegan said as she turned to gather her tricorder.

“That won’t be necessary,” Seven insisted more firmly. “Please advise the Doctor that Seven of Nine wishes to see him.”

“As I’m sure you can imagine he is terribly busy, and we do not waste his time,” Meegan countered just as sternly.

Chakotay couldn’t tell if Meegan had been well-trained or well-programmed. In either case she had to be the assistant of the Doctor’s dreams. He was certain the Doctor had never received such deference from his previous assistants, though Kes might have come close. Sensing Seven’s growing unease, Chakotay quickly tapped his combadge, saying, “Chakotay to the Doctor.”

A familiar and surprised voice replied, “Captain Chakotay? What are you doing aboard the Galen?”

“I’ll be happy to explain. Could you transfer your program to the main sickbay immediately?” Chakotay replied.

“Certainly. Is there an emergency?”

“There’s about to be,” Chakotay said, as he gently put Meegan out of Seven’s reach and quietly thanked her for her efforts.

Within moments the Doctor materialized with a wide smile and a heavy dose of sarcasm saying, “Please state the nature of the …” Before he had completed what had once been his standard greeting, however, he noted Seven’s presence and, with dozens of questions writ plainly on his brow, moved toward her in concern. At Seven’s request, they adjourned to his private office. Chakotay settled himself on a low stool at a diagnostic station to wait as Meegan did her best to look busy.

“I hope you understand, it’s nothing personal,” Chakotay offered as Meegan brushed past him with a stock of newly replicated hyposprays.

“Of course,” Meegan replied, clearly not mollified.

Well-trained, Chakotay decided. I’m guessing human. He doubted even the Doctor could have programmed an assistant to be so sensitive.

“Seven and the Doctor have a long history together,” Chakotay offered.

“I know,” Meegan said a little too testily. “He has spoken of her frequently.”

And possibly a little jealous, Chakotay realized with an inward smile.

He knew there had been a time when the Doctor had nursed feelings beyond professional for Seven. They—like Chakotay’s—had long since settled into friendship. It was nice to think the Doctor might have other possibilities on the horizon. Chakotay found himself wondering if the Doctor was even aware of the feelings of his medical assistant.

It seemed Chakotay had a lot of catching up to do with his old friends.

CHAPTER SIX

Lieutenant