Benton sat behind his desk in the ship's security section. He was caught up with his work and was taking a little time to reflect on the past two months' events. He had signed aboard the Virgo in the hopes of finding a little excitement, and he hadn't been disappointed so far.
His tour of duty here had started out a little on the rocky side. There had been the unfortunate incident in the Mess Hall, and the sequence of events that followed were difficult, but all had turned out well in the end. Benton's mind wandered back. He had been sitting in this very chair...
It was January 9, 2360. Directly across from him were the holding cells, which were normally empty, but two of them were occupied at the moment. One held a sullen ensign from the engineering decks, while the other was currently home to a distressingly vocal Ensign Francesca Milano from Stellar Cartography.
Benton was taking advantage of his Kelvan heritage by subdividing his conscious mind to do different tasks. He had assigned a small portion of his mind to monitor what Ensign Milano was saying, in case she actually said anything worth hearing. But mostly it was along the lines of, "It wasn't my fault!" and "When are you going to let me out of here?"
Another portion of his mind was directed to filling out the necessary routine paperwork required by any security action, sort of a "police report". His fingers flew across the keyboard in front of him and the report was quickly taking shape on the computer screen sitting on the desk.
The rest of his attention was divided among various other tasks: officially notifying the ship's computer that he was now a member of the crew; how he should go about regaining the crew's confidence in him which might have been lost as a result of the "incident" in the Mess Hall; helping Loran upgrade the Virgo's engines to be transwarp capable; and where he could get a steady supply of jelly doughnuts for Spot.
His fingers continued typing as he addressed the computer, "Computer, effective this stardate, recognize Lieutenant Benton as Chief of Security of the Federation Starship Virgo."
<Command code required for transfer of security protocols,> replied the computer.
"Computer, recognize voice pattern and command code 'Sierra-Charlie-Four-Seven' and execute."
The computer beeped and hummed to itself for a few seconds as it worked to verify that Benton's voice print and code were authentic. Finally, satisfied, it announced, <Voice print and command code matched. Beta two access granted to security protocols. Lieutenant Benton recognized as Chief of Security.>
"Thank you kindly," said Benton. That's one task done.
Just then Ensign Lan walked in. He gave Milano a rather dark look, then a downright black one at Benton. Lan had been acting more and more antisocial and negative toward Benton in the weeks since he arrived on the Virgo. Now for the next task, but this one won't be so easy, thought Benton.
Lan was talking to Milano in a very annoyed tone of voice, "Franny, be quiet will you! Your yammering is driving me nuts!" He stalked over to the desk where Benton was working and stood, staring at Benton. After a few moments, he said gruffly, "Lieutenant, let them go!"
Benton diverted part of his attention from the police report to his fellow security officer, all the while continuing typing. "In good time, Ensign. These two have violated regulations and therefore, according to StarFleet regulations, must be incarcerated until the matter is resolved."
"The matter is resolved! The fight's over!" exclaimed Lan. He was getting angrier and angrier. "In fact, there wouldn't even be a matter to resolve at all if you hadn't interfered back in the mess hall!"
Benton couldn't understand Lan's attitude. He said, "Ensign Lan, I was not 'interfering', as you put it. As a security officer aboard this ship, it was my duty to keep the peace."
But Lan would not be mollified. "I had the situation well in hand. Everything was fine until you showed up," he growled. "I suppose you want me to do your paperwork too," he finished sarcastically.
Benton finished typing and turned the computer so that Lan could see what was on the screen. "Of course not. Why would anyone ask you to do that?" he asked, genuinely puzzled. Delegating unpleasant paperwork to subordinates would never occur to him. A man should carry his own load. "Besides, it's already finished."
He downloaded the report onto a PADD and handed that to Lan. "If you don't mind however, please file it when you have time. I haven't had the opportunity to learn the department's system yet." Lan grudgingly took the PADD, becoming even more annoyed by Benton's apparent efficiency. "But first," continued Benton, "you may release the ensign there." He indicated the quiet engineer.
"Just him?" asked Lan.
"Yes. The only thing he's guilty of is being annoying to Ensign Milano. Hopefully, his time in the brig has taught him to behave in a more gentlemanly manner to his fellow crewmembers. But I would like a word with Ensign Milano before I release her," replied Benton.
"As you command, Sir," mumbled Lan, emphasizing the "Sir". He turned towards the holding cells, but was called back by Benton.
"And one more thing, Ensign."
"What?" glowered Lan.
"Would you meet me at the entrance to Holodeck One after your duty shift?"
Lan was instantly wary. "What for?"
"We need to decide who's Chief," replied Benton simply.
Lan knew what he meant. A smile grew on his face, but it was not a friendly smile. "It will be my pleasure, Sir."
With that, Lan walked away. He deactivated the force field in front of the ensign's cell and said, "Come on, ensign. The governor's granted you a pardon." As the two of them walked out of the security area, Benton could hear Lan lecturing the ensign, "You've gotta quit bothering the ladies..."
Benton now turned his gaze to Ensign Milano. She had been quietly sitting in her cell during the exchange between Benton and Lan, watching Benton intently. When she noticed his attention, she stood up rather timidly and took a few steps toward the force field of her cell. Her head was lowered, but she continued timidly peering at Benton through her eyelashes. A nervous hand was flipping her hair.
Benton came over and stood directly in front of the cell, hands behind his back. After a moment, he asked, "What should I do with you, Ensign?"
A flicker of hope returned to Francesca's eyes, Would he let me go? She clasped her hands in front of her, raised her head a little and said in her best "helpless girl" voice that worked so well on men, "You could let me go, Sir. I promise I'll never get in a fight again." She flashed him a tiny smile and swiveled her hips a little to the left.
"You struck a superior officer. That is a court-martial offense," said Benton, immune to Francesca's feminine wiles.
The flicker of hope in her eyes died. Rats. He's gonna throw the book at me for slugging him. Men! They're all the same. Egos the size of the universe. She hung her head again.
"However," continued Benton after a slight pause.
A ghost of the flicker of hope returned to Francesca's eyes. Her head came back up.
"I believe that if we take into consideration the fact that it was an accident..."
The flicker of hope became a steady flame!
"...we can overlook the episode, and no mention of it will be made in you permanent record..."
Yes! Free again! thought an exultant Francesca.
"...this time," finished Benton, adding emphasis to his last words with a significant stare at Ensign Milano. With that, he palmed the control that cut off the force field.
Instantly, she was out of her cage. She gave Benton a quick hug, stood on her toes and planted a delicate kiss on his cheek before he could avoid her.
"Thank you, Lieutenant Benton! Thank you so much!" She was her happy, gushing self again. Her words weren't coming fast enough. "You won't regret this Benton. May I call you Benton? Oh thank you."
Through this verbal onslaught, Benton tried his best to answer, "You're welco... My pleasu... Yes, of course... Don't mention it..."
Leaving Benton slightly flustered, Francesca blew out of the security area like a biped whirlwind, still gushing "Thank you's".
After she calmed down a little, she headed back to her cabin thinking, Oh, I just knew he was a nice guy!
Benton just stood a while, staring at the door that Ensign Milano had gone through. He eventually shook his head and gave up trying to understand what had just happened, and went back to work.
The computer chimed, <The time is 1800 hours.>
Benton looked up from his terminal screen, where he had been studying the filing system of the security department. Time to go meet Ensign Lan at the holodeck, he thought to himself. He was not looking forward to the encounter, but it had to be done. He and Ensign Lan would come head-to-head eventually, best it was done under relatively controlled circumstances and not while they were on a dangerous away mission somewhere. He got up and headed out.
On the way, he passed Lieutenant Jenara Tomme coming in the opposite direction down the corridor.
She brightened visibly when she caught sight of Benton. She changed course a little to head more directly toward him and said with a smile, "Why hello again, Lieutenant Benton."
Benton smiled and nodded an acknowledgment in her direction and replied, "Jenara," but kept on walking. He didn't want to be late for his appointment with Ensign Lan.
Ensign Lan was already outside the holodeck when Benton arrived. "Lieutenant," he said.
"Ensign. Shall we go in?"
"By all means," agreed Lan.
The holodeck doors parted and they two men walked in. There was no program running, so the walls just showed their familiar yellow-on-black grid.
Benton stopped under the arch and turned toward Lan and asked, "Do you know why we're here, Ensign?"
"Yes, Sir. We're here so I can teach you who's boss," replied Lan arrogantly. "I was handling security on board this ship perfectly well before you arrived, and I don't need your help. Not that you've actually been any help! Just the opposite. You bungled the incident in the mess hall a few days ago."
"Ensign Lan, we both know that I was caught unaware by someone who under normal circumstances would not have been any threat whatsoever," began Benton, then he changed his mind. He began again, "But that is irrelevant. I have been assigned as Security Chief by the highest command of the Alpha Fleet to which this vessel belongs. I understand that a Human in your position might feel some level of resentment toward me. I do not have your trust, and you have no confidence in me. Such emotions cannot be allowed to continue. It would undermine our effectiveness as a team. I will therefore make you this wager." Benton paused to make sure Ensign Lan was following him.
Lan was giving Benton his undivided attention. What is he up to? What wager?
Benton looked Lan in the eye and laid his plan out, "The two of us engage in hand-to-hand combat. The winner of the duel will be the new Chief of Security. The loser will gracefully accept his defeat and never mention this incident again. I believe this is only way to prove myself to you and regain your support." Benton tried to read Lan's expression, but saw only the unfriendly smile again. "Agreed?" he asked.
"Agreed," replied Lan. "What are the rules?"
In reply, Benton turned to the computer controls in the side of the arch and said, "Computer, run program 'Benton-One'. Disengage safety protocols." He turned back to Ensign Lan and said evenly, "None."
Lan's smile grew wider.
The yellow grid lines of the holodeck faded, and then they weren't in a bare room anymore. They stood in a small clearing in a forest. Under their feet were clumps of grass and rocky dirt, and the glade was bordered by old, gnarled trees and low piles of gray boulders. Overhead, gray clouds were being driven by a cold wind. A dreary setting for a dreary undertaking.
Without a moment's hesitation, Ensign Lan went into a fighting crouch and began circling Benton. Benton did the same. They circled each other, looking for an opening. Lan feinted to the left, but changed his direction and piled into Benton's stomach shoulder-first. Benton's breath exploded from his lungs in a mighty "Oof!" as they went down in a tangle of arms and legs.
Lan tried to pin Benton so he could get some good face-pummelling action in, but Benton was too quick. He rolled to one side, and when Lan's arms lost their grip on his shoulders, Benton grabbed on to him and with a powerful boost of one leg, launched Lan in a wide arc up and over his head. This time it was Lan who landed on his back with a mighty "Oof!"
Both men jumped to their feet once more and spun to face each other.
These maneuvers had removed the two men from immediate proximity to the holodeck doors, so they didn't see them open to admit Commander Lataro. The commander sized up the situation, then quietly went over and sat down on a big rock to watch.
Meanwhile, the battle raged on and on all through the forest. Small woodland creatures scurried for their lives as the combatants crashed through the underbrush. Neither seemed able to gain a significant advantage over the other, they were evenly matched. After an hour, both men were bruised and bloodied and had dirty and ripped uniforms, but still neither would give in. Their actions were coming more and more slowly and painfully as the fight wore on.
Lan had picked up a relatively straight seven foot long tree branch somewhere that he was using as a quarter staff, while Benton was armed with a shorter branch and a rock. Lan was attacking relentlessly with the staff, but Benton was deflecting every blow. Swinging the heavier branch was taking a considerable toll on Lan.
Just a little while longer, and he'll be exhausted. Then I make my move, planned Benton.
But just at that moment, Lan made a sudden change in tactics. He summoned the last of his energy reserve and executed a quick upward swing. Benton's tree branch was flung up, broke from his grip and went sailing high into the air and forever out of reach.
Benton backed away a step, but a massive tree trunk blocked any further retreat.
Lan advanced, holding the tree branch level with Benton's head. He smiled a humorless, wicked smile. He knew he had won. "Looks like this ship has a new Security Chief," he managed to gasp between breaths. He drew the branch back to deliver the deciding blow.
Benton could see no way out of this predicament. Odds were, he was about to lose the fight. He clutched his rock tightly in his hand, wondering if he could get off one lucky shot before Lan's branch connected with his head.
Then from out of nowhere, a monstrous shadow rose silently up behind Lan. Benton saw hints of terrible fangs and claws in the shadow, and it was advancing quickly and quietly on the unsuspecting Sitto Lan.
He doesn't hear it! thought Benton frantically. It's going to get him! And the safety protocols are OFF!!!
Without a moment's hesitation, Benton hurled the rock. Lan saw it coming and couldn't believe Benton would try it. But the rock missed him and he heard it hit something just behind him.
Benton wasn't giving any indication that he was going to attack again, so a thoroughly confused Lan turned around to look behind him. His tree branch fell from numb hands when he saw. On the ground not three feet away from where he stood was the ugliest, meanest looking monster he had ever seen. It was halfway between a gorilla and a bear, with brown and purple mottled fur, six inch fangs and claws that looked like they could have sliced his head off as cleanly as if it had been done with a surgical knife.
Lan just stood there, disbelieving, all thoughts of the fight with Benton forgotten.
"Bolean Bug-bear," Benton said from behind him.
"It was gonna eat me," said Lan.
"That would be my guess as well."
"You saved my life," said Lan, turning back to Benton.
"Well, I know you would have done the same for me," said Benton without a shadow of doubt in his voice. He began trying to straighten his uniform.
Lan wasn't quite as sure about that as Benton seemed to be, but he didn't say anything. Benton had given up trying to improve his appearance, and the two men just stood there a few seconds looking at each other. They had both gained a considerably greater measure of respect for each other as a result of the last hour and a half, respect for each other's fighting ability, respect for each others refusal to give up in spite of exhaustion, pain and injury.
Lan was the first to break the silence. He wiped a bit of blood from his lip and asked almost hesitantly, "So. Uh... Who won the uh...the fight?"
Benton considered for a moment and replied, "You had partially disarmed me and were about to deliver the deciding blow. Technically therefore, you are the winner."
Lan said quickly, "Yeah, true, but technically, if you hadn't knocked out the Bolean Bug-thing there, it would have got me and you'd be the winner. Besides, I didn't hear it coming and you did."
After a moment, "Well, perhaps we could call it a draw," offered Benton.
Lan smiled, but this time it was a genuinely friendly smile. "Sounds good to me," he said, "Chief."
The two former enemies approached each other and shook hands. They were a team.
"Good. Well, that's settled. Let's go get cleaned up," said Benton, making his way back to the holodeck exit.
"OK. But what's the captain or Mr. Lataro going to say about this?" wondered Lan, falling into step beside Benton.
"I think it might be best if we kept this little exercise just between the two of us. Besides, there was no harm done, and we've resolved our differences."
"You know Benny," said Lan, "I would have whooped your butt if that Bole-Bug..."
"Bolean Bug-bear."
"Bolean Bug-bear hadn't showed up," smiled Lan.
"I have no doubt of that, Sitto," replied Benton.
As they approached the holodeck door, they were shocked to find Commander Lataro waiting for them. They immediately snapped to attention.
"So much for 'just the two of us'," mumbled Lan out of the corner of his mouth to Benton.
"Well, well! Mr. Benton and Mr. Lan! A pleasure to see you both still alive!" said Lataro with a smile, but his smile too didn't contain much actual humor. "I trust this little demonstration of yours has been worth the trouble?"
"Yes, Sir. It was," answered Lan and Benton simultaneously.
"Good, good. I'm glad," said Lataro sternly. He paced slowly towards the two men and stopped three paces away. He directed his attention to Lan. "Ensign, you are dismissed. Report to sickbay to get yourself looked at," he ordered.
"Yes, Sir." snapped a relieved Sitto Lan. I can't believe I'm getting off this easy. But poor Benny. He's gonna get it. He quickly exited the holodeck.
Now Lataro turned his full attention to Benton. Benton withstood the Commander's intense scrutiny.
"Look at you, Lieutenant! You're a mess," said Lataro disapprovingly.
"Yes, Sir."
"What should I do with you?" he asked.
This had a familiar ring to Benton. Well, it worked once... "You could just let me go, Sir," he replied.
"Never mind that," dismissed Lataro with a wave of his hand. The Commander continued, "I know I told you you'd have to redeem yourself somehow, but this isn't exactly what I had in mind!" Suddenly, Commander Lataro smiled. "It was unorthodox, extremely gutsy, and most importantly, it worked. Congratulations, Chief." Lataro slapped Benton on the back.
They began walking towards the holodeck exit. Commander Lataro was still speaking. "I want you to report to sickbay as well. Then get back to work on the transwarp drive conversion."
"Yes, Sir."
"Say Lieutenant, I have to ask. Where did you learn to throw like that?"
"My grandmother, Sir," replied Benton.
"Your grandmother?!"
"Yes, Sir."
"Amazing!" whistled Lataro. After a moment, "Think I could learn?"
"She wrote a book about it, Sir."
"Can you get me a copy?"
"I'll check if it's still in print..."
The holodeck doors closed behind them.