The Other Torres | A Star Trek Fanfiction *Book 1*

Learning Curve-Chapter 40

"Communications Officer's log, Stardate 48846.5, Captain Janeway has informed the Crew that I am back to my former posting as Communications Officer, rather than Second Officer. I am far too young and inexperienced to be in a Commanding roll." said Amanda in her log which she finished as she stepped onto the Bridge.

[Holodeck - Janeway's Gothic novel]

Janeway opens the drawing room windows to let in the sunshine. "Good morning children. I'm your new governess, Mrs Davenport. Too formal. Henry, Beatrice, I'm so glad to meet you. I've heard so much about you, and I'm sure we're going to be very good friends. Oh, too familiar. Hello, I'm Mrs Davenport. Your father has asked me here to be your new governess." she was saying to herself. The children enter quietly behind her. "Something he did without mentioning in to us." Henry, one of the holodeck characters. "Good morning, children. It's good to see you. You must be Henry. And this is Beatrice." said Janeway.

She holds out her hand. Henry gives a little bow. "Henry Burleigh, Viscount Timmons. My sister, the Lady Beatrice Flora. You will address us as my Lord and my Lady." said Henry formally. "Of course, my Lord. Please, sit down. Let's get to know one another, shall we? I'm Mrs Davenport. I hope to be a friend to you as well as a governess." said Janeway. "In ullam rem ne properemus." Henry replied promptly. "I beg your pardon?" Janeway asked. "In ullam rem ne properemus. Is your Latin a bit rusty?" Henry asked.

"I suppose it is." said Janeway. "Then I don't see how you'll be doing my lessons with me." snarked Henry. "My Lord, I assure you that I am more than qualified to instruct you. I may have to brush up on my Latin, but when it comes to mathematics and the sciences, I'm sure you'll find my lessons challenging. And Beatrice, what do you like to study?" Janeway asked turning to the young girl on the other chair. "Nothing." Beatrice said bluntly. "Not even painting or needlework?" asked Janeway. "I just made my first sampler. I finished it yesterday." said Beatrice.

Janeway smiled. "Did you? Oh, I'd love to see it sometime." she said. "I don't have it anymore. I gave it to Mother." Beatrice replied. "Beatrice! My sister is confused. She gave the sampler to Mother before she died." replied Henry. "No, I didn't. I gave it to her last night." said Beatrice to her brother. "Beatrice!" Henry exclaimed. "I talked to her!" Beatrice argued. "Beatrice is upset, Mrs Davenport. She hasn't yet accepted our mother's death." Henry explained. "Beatrice, I know it was a terrible thing to lose your mother." said Janeway.

"She's not dead! I saw her last night!" yelled Beatrice. She vanishes. "What have you done to my sister?" Henry asked before disappearing himself. "Computer, restore characters in programme Janeway lambda one." said Janeway. "Unable to comply. There has been a disruption of power to energy grid beta four." the Computer replied. "Janeway to Bridge. Report." Janeway said. "We're experiencing--"

[Bridge]

"Power fluctuations on deck six, Captain. Mister Tuvok is investigating." said Amanda from her conn, she was happy to be back at her station again. "Keep me informed. Janeway out." Janeway replied.

[Corridor]

Tuvok finds an open access panel. "Tuvok to Lieutenant Torres. Has any equipment repair been authorised on Deck six?" asked Tuvok tapping in com.badge. "Negative. What's going on?" B'Elanna asked. "Stand by." said Tuvok. A head pokes out of the access area. "Be careful! Sorry. You might have broken the connection." said Dalby.

He was a former Maquis. "Crewman Dalby, what are you doing here?" Tuvok asked. "One of the bio-neural gel packs was malfunctioning. I had to replace it." Dalby replied. "Did you inform Lieutenant Torres?" Tuvok asked. "Not yet. I was just going to take this to Engineering for analysis." Dalby replied. "On this ship we have a protocol for such procedures." said Tuvok.