I'm Back... Yes that's right, Its your old pal J again. This time I'm writing a futuristic story about... You guessed it.... Mr. Bass... While this is a work of pure fiction again, I have no knowledge of NSYNC or there preference in Men... Women... Whatever.. Also I am writing without the permission of Paramount entertainment, but since Star Trek: Voyager is a work of fiction anyway there shouldn't be any problem. And now...
Bridge of the Starship Voyager:
"Captain, Long range sensors are picking up nutrion emissions from a planet about 3.5 light years away." Commander Tuvok pointed out from his security station.
"Really? How long till we can reach them?" Captain Janeway asked from the command chair.
"This course and speed, three days." Tuvok replied.
"Mr. Hawke, continue course." Turning in her seat, she looked gravely at her first officer. "Chakotay, I want you and Harry to work on this."
A surprised look crossed his face as he said, "Captain?" How could she ask him to work with the one person who had hurt his beloved husband? "Chakotay, I understand your frustrations, but you have to understand. Without those nutrions, how will we survive? Chakotay, I know it's hard, but you have to let go." She said as she looked at him. Of course he would do anything she asked, but how could he work with Harry again? He knew what it took to get him to come out of the closet, and when he broke Tom's heart, he just wanted to die. But then again it was his own fault because Chakotay never outed himself to any of the crew before the wedding. He was afraid it would jeopardize the command structure of the ship, and for a while it was tense going, especially with some of the humanoid races. It took Captain Janeway's militaristic attitude to straighten them all out.
"Aye Captain" was all he could say.
Holodeck 1:
"Computer, Save changes to specified folders and exit." Ensign Harry Kim said as he watched the Holodeck change back into a grid of emitters. He made his way over to the command center of the Holodeck, and was about to run his simulation when the intercom beeped in.
"Paris to Kim." He heard.
"Kim here." He said into his combadge.
"Harry, I was hoping you would be up to join me for breakfast, but it appears you are a busy young man." His voice sounded so far away although he was only three decks above him.
"Sorry but I wanted to get a tackle on this project so we could all have some rec time together. Neelix has been badgering me for some Earth history, so I thought I would combine the two. How do you feel about NSYNC?" Harry asked his friend.
"I haven't met them yet. What do they do?" Tom's question was quite comical.
"They don't do anything. They are a holographic fantasy that has been dead since the last world war! They are a musical group from the year 2000." Harry had to chuckle at his friend.
"Hey, Don't make me come down there and make your fantasies come true Mr." Tom was laughing just as well.
"You would like that. Besides don't you have to go entertain Seven today?" He asked as he replaced a circuit in the holo emitter.
"Yes I do if you must know. She is waiting for me in astrometrics." he said.
"And just where are you know?" he asked, knowing that the astrometrics lab was one deck below the Holodeck.
"Right behind you." Tom said as he let himself into the holosuite.
"Hey you." Harry said as he turned and looked at his best friend.
"Hey yourself. I'm on my way to see Seven." Tom said
"Hmmm I'm sure Chakotay will be thrilled to hear that you stopped to see me first." Harry said with a frown.
"Harry, I told you. He's better now, he doesn't hate you. He's just afraid I would leave him for you that's all." Tom said as he walked around the room.
"So who's this NSYNC you're talking about?"
"Only five of the hottest guys from the 21st century!" Harry exclaimed as he walked over to the command console again.
"Computer access the sub files of program, Kim Delta one." He said.
"Please specify the parameters." The computer replied.
"Sub files: Characters: Sub folder Lance, JC, Justin, Joey and Chris."
The computer chimed its response, and in a few seconds, the five members of NSYNC joined Harry and Tom. After the third world war, the nuclear fallout killed almost everything and everyone except the computers of the world. As Starfleet had created the technology of holograms, the memories of fans had helped create the images that stood before them.
"Wow, you were right. They are hot!" Tom blurted out as he walked past them.
"Hey watch it Mr.!" Harry giggled.
"Not as hot as you though. Are we on for dinner?" He asked casually.
Before Harry could respond, the communicator chimed in.
"Seven to Lt. Paris." Seven - of - Nine, the Borg drone stated.
"Paris here." Tom replied.
"Lieutenant, I thought you were scheduled in astrometrics with me." Her cold attitude never changes, Harry thought.
"I am, I am on my way seven." Tom replied looking helpless.
"Lieutenant, Your lack of time management is unacceptable." She replied.
"Seven, I'm 5 minutes late, I will be right there! Paris out!" Tom shouted, obviously angry.
"Tom, It's no use getting upset. She is just doing her job." Harry said as he walked over to Tom. "Let's spend some time later on the Peruvian Slopes, ok?"
"Ok, But I get to make dinner first." Tom said.
Astrometrics Lab:
As the doors hissed open, Seven - Of - Nine looked up from the control panel to see Commander Chakotay. He was looking quite unhappy this morning, and while she usually shied away from her emotions, she couldn't help her humanistic instinct that there was something terribly wrong here.
"Commander? May I help you?" She asked.
"Huh? Oh yeah I'm sorry Seven, I came in to help you plot a new course for the star system we about to enter." He said, as he looked sad.
"I have received the coordinates from Commander Tuvok. Lt Paris and I could have plotted a safe course." She replied in typical Borg fashion, as if no one could do it better than her.
"I understand that. I just thought you might want some help." He lied. He really only came here because Captain Janeway had wanted to talk about Harry, and since it was time for him to come on shift, he thought it best to be alone right now. Seven, being of Borg designation was unlikely to pester him about his problems. He had no idea that Tom was due here any minute now.
"Tom is on duty here? I thought he was working with the Doctor." Chakotay said with a small smile.
"Lt. Paris and Lt. Decker switched. Lt. Decker had some sub routines she wanted to work with the Doctor on. Did you not receive my duty assignment?" She asked.
Chakotay nodded negatively. Although he himself was not one to stick to the rules, he was unaware because Tom had not mentioned his switching shifts at all.
"It's ok though Seven, I don't mind the switch." He said as the doors hissed open and his lover walked in.
"Lt Paris. How nice of you to finally join us." Seven said sarcastically.
"Hi Chakotay. I thought you had the bridge this morning." He said as he walked towards him.
"I did, but the Capt wanted to spend some time with Harry. I thought you had Sick Bay today." He said evenly.
By his general demeanor, Tom noticed that Chakotay was not in a good mood today. As he walked past him, he tried to give him a small peck on the lips, but was unsuccessful. 'Maybe now is not the best time to mention I saw Harry first' Tom thought as he walked towards his console.
"So what are we plotting today, more asteroid belts?" Tom asked no one in particular.
"Tuvok found some nutrion emissions this morning, he thinks we can get there in three days." Chakotay said as he hit the console next to Tom's. The wall before them had opened and a huge starfield came into view.
"Computer, Enhance grid 9A." Chakotay said.
"Over there. There is a class 9 planetoid a few miles before it. Computer, enhance grid 12B." Seven said. Suddenly a huge chunk of space rock filled the screen.
"We need to plot a course around it." Tom said.
Hitting numerous keys on his console, he came up with a plan that seemed it might actually work.
"I think I got it." He said. He hit another key, and on the screen appeared a miniature version of the ship. As it made its way across the screen, it seemed to effortlessly avoid the rocks and space debris.
"Very good Mr. Paris. But...." Seven said as she hit another series of buttons on her console. The screen went blank, and the ship appeared again. This time, it was moving a slight faster, and when it came upon the rock formation, it smashed into the side of it.
"You neglected to compute the velocity of the formation in regards to our velocity." Seven said matter of factly. "If you had, you would have also noticed the Warp engines couldn't have stood for the strain put on them. We would have seriously damaged the ship even if we could have altered course at the last minute." Looking at Chakotay for help, Tom saw that he wasn't going to win this argument.
"Fine Seven, your right. I screwed up." He said as he ripped his tri-corder out of the docking port and stormed out of the lab.
'What's his problem' Chakotay thought as he watched him go. Looking at Seven, he noticed an urgency in her eyes, and picked up where Tom left off.
Back on the Holodeck:
"Kim to Neelix." Harry said into his combadge.
"Go ahead Mr. Kim." Neelix said.
"When you get a chance, come to the Holodeck, there is something I want to show you." Harry said as he moved some emitters around.
"Understood. On my way." Neelix said as he left the galley and headed toward the holdecks.
Thinking what he could do to make the setting seem a little more realistic, he was about to change the file once more when Neelix entered.
"Hi Harry, whats up?" He asked causally.
"Are you ready for this?" Harry asked.
"Boy am I ever!!" Neelix said as he stood at the console next to Harry.
"Computer, Load program Kim Delta One." Harry said casually.
Suddenly, The holosuite was bathed in darkness. Harry and Neelix could feel the heat, and hear what appeared to be thousands of screaming fans.
"Are we at a rock concert Mr. Kim?" Neelix asked.
"You bet. Watch and find out who." Harry replied.
Suddenly, there were searchlights that came on, and a stage was lit up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I hope you are in for a good show tonight. Please just a few rules: No Video Cameras, and NO VOICE RECORDERS!" The announcer boomed from the speakers.
"Without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, Please Welcome to San Francisco: LANCE! JOEY! JUSTIN! J.C.! AND CHRIS, THE BOYS OF N'SYNC!!!"
The crowd around them went wild, and Harry looked pleased at the shocked look on Neelix's face.
"What do you think so far??" Harry shouted over the roar.
"A little loud, Don't ya think?" Neelix asked.
"PERFECT!!!" Harry shouted back.
As the two men stood by the console, they watched the entire show reproduced before them. The fans had done a great job recreating the guys from their outfits to their dance moves. As the show unfolded from one song to the next, Harry watched Neelix's face contort with a twist of emotions. At one point Harry was going to stop the show because he thought Neelix didn't like it, however Harry didn't realize that the emotions of a Talaxian were opposite of that of a human. The show went on for a few songs when Harry finally paused it.
"Computer Pause Program. What do you think Neelix?" Harry asked as the room became silent again.
"Wonderful job Mr. Kim. I never thought it would be this great!" Neelix said with enthusiasm.
"I was planning on having them do a half a show this time, and then have the crew decide what they like and maybe do a full show later on?" Harry asked.
"Sounds like a plan. What does one serve at a rock concert?" Neelix asked.
"Well on the data we have so far, its beer and beer. But since this was a rock group that catered mostly to young girls, beer is out. Just serve a normal North American meal, and see where it goes from there ok?" Harry asked as he manually entered the save command and the Holodeck returned to the usually grid.
"Sounds good. Now if you will excuse me, I need to check on some plants in the airponics bay." With that, Neelix was gone. Heading to the bridge himself, he hit the button for the turbo lift at the far end of the corridor. As the doors hissed open, there stood Commander Chakotay.
"Commander." Harry greeted him.
"Ensign Kim." Chakotay responded. Ever since the whole incident with Tom, Chakotay had reverted back to the chain of command professional attitude.
"Please state your destination Ensign Kim." The computer asked.
"Main Bridge." Harry replied as the doors hissed shut and they were propelled upwards. The whole ride was less than a few seconds, but more unbearable than expected.
"Harry, nice of you to join us." The Captain said from her chair.
"Did Commander Chakotay inform you of our new course?" She asked as he settled into his station.
"No, Where to now?" he asked almost comically as he entered his security code and was preparing for his shift.
Looking at her first officer rather un amusedly, she responded "3.5 light years from here, we found some nutrion emissions. We are going to check them out."
Looking at his screens, Harry replied, " Looks like we may find something else as well. That planet, while Un - in habited has traces of carbon, methane, and ethanol. I also show traces a metal / steel / plastic composite." Harry added.
"Well whoever lived there was probably way ahead of their time." The Captain said.
"Or behind ours. Captain, those articles are mainly found on Earth."
Harry said and looked up at the distant planet.
Everyone on the Bridge at that moment looked at the view screen undecided as to which way they would go, and who or what they would find.
"Well then. It appears that we have a new mystery on our hands. Mr. Hawke, set new speed at warp 6." The Captain said. "Engage."
With that the concert with NSYNC would just have to wait, Harry thought as he watched the screens on his console indicate they were moving 6 times past the speed of light.
That's it for now boys. Let me know what ya think..... J =)