SEASON SEVEN

EPISODE 6: THE BEST TOYS...

By: Elektra

 SPACE: THE FINAL FRONTIER. THESE ARE THE VOYAGES OF THE WWF TITANPRIZE. IT'S MISSION: TO EXPLORE AND ENTERTAIN NEW SOCIETIES AND NEW CIVILIZATIONS.  TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO WRESTLER HAS GONE BEFORE!

TITANPRIZE/NYTRON CREW:

Captain Vince Russo (aka High Commander)
First Officer, Commander Jeff Jarrett (aka The Chosen One)
Chief Engineer, Commander Stephanie McMahon
Chief of Chiefs, Commander Linda McMahon
Chief of WrestleFleet Security, Commander Kane
Chiefs of Nytron Security, Commanders Hall, and Nash
Chief WrestleFleet Medical Officer, Dr. Taker
Chief Nytron Medical Officer, Dr. V. M. Piro
Diagnostics Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jericho
Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Commander Austin
Transporter Chief, Lieutenant Commander Debra McMichael
Communications Officer, Lieutenant Rock
Counselor Al Snow (assisted by H.E.A.D.)

... And many more!

WWF TITANPRIZE - CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM

    "Captain's log, Stardate 072620.00. All is going as planned. We are currently making our way to our destination. I have decided to go at half-impulse to truly revel in the joy of ruling the Titanprize and her crew," Russo leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, "In other news, Kimmy has asked permission to study the Y2J Unit closer. I have assigned our resident computer expert, Ensign Torrie Wilson, to assist her. End log,"

    Russo looked at the silver-haired man in front of him, "Kimmie thinks I don't know about her obsession with the Y2J Unit," he let out a snort, "Study him, my ass! She wants Ensign Wilson to mess with his programming to make him want her. Was she like this with you, Eric?"

    Bishoff tried to answer, but his gag prevented that.

    Russo shrugged, "If I actually cared about her, I'd probably be upset," he smiled, "But our relationship is purely physical. It's a good set-up.."

    He leaned forward, his smile growing cold, "So… do you think McMahon's daughter would find me attractive, Eric?" he asked, "Talk about the ultimate insult! First, I take his ship, then I take his little girl!" Russo spun around in his swivel chair, and laughed cruelly.

SHUTTLE BAY 4

    Jericho went to his rooming section and saw Stephanie lying on the bottom bunk. He went up to her, "I thought you liked being on TOP," he started with a smirk.

    Stephanie glared at him, "Shut up, Jericho! I'm really not in the mood tonight!"

    "I'm sure you don't say THAT too often..." he replied.

     Stephanie jumped to her feet and swung at him, "I SAID shut up, Jerkicho!"

    The Y2J Unit grabbed her wrist before she connected.  "Woah woah! What's YOUR problem?! Bad PMS?" Stephanie swung her other fist at him, and he caught that as well. She attempted to kick him, and in a blur of motion, he grabbed her legs, and she soon found herself lying flat on her back, "I bet this isn't a new position for you!" He could so easily flip her over and wrench her back.... but... he wouldn't. He just couldn't... "Now you want to explain to me why you're super-bitch today?"

    Stephanie looked away from him, mouth set in a tight line. Lt. Commander Jericho sighed, and let go of her legs. She quickly got to her feet, trying to save some dignity, and climbed up to the top bunk. "I brought him some flowers from the garden deck..." she said, her back to Jericho, "And he threw them out, saying he didn't have time for that kind of stuff..."

    Jericho didn't have to ask who HE was. He shook his head as he climbed part-way up the ladder and dangled his legs through the rungs, "Why do you even bother holding on to a man who would throw you out as quickly as he did those flowers?"

    "Because... I love him..." she said.

    "Do you really, Steph? Can you honestly look at yourself and say you LOVE that flower-boy jackass?" Jericho asked. "Or are you just desperate?"

    Stephanie spun towards him, "What would YOU know about love anyway?" she snapped, "You're just a dumbass robot who's emotions come from a stupid chip in his finger! You don't know ANYTHING about loving someone! There are always obstacles! You just have to overcome them!"

    "Listen, Skankanie, I may just be a dumbass robot but when someone tries to kill you, that's a pretty big obstacle to overcome for your so-called 'love'!" Jericho snapped.

    "Like you said the other day, he did NOT try to kill me!" Stephanie replied angrily.

    Jericho rolled his eyes. Why bother? "Whatever, Stephie. I'm heading to the Smackdown. Feel free to stay here and pine away for Triple Nose if you want..." with that, he climbed down the ladder and walked out.

THE SMACKDOWN

    "So how are things with Chavo, Jr," Jericho asked Chyna as he sat beside her at the bar. He studied Lt. Loco from a few feet away.

    "Not well," Chyna sighed, handing him a synthehol, "He's as stubborn as Eddie, and is passing off his Nytron rank as some sort of great accomplishment,"

    "Kids..." Jericho shrugged, "What can you do?"

    Chyna let out a small laugh, "Like you would know anything about kids..."

    Jericho sipped his synthehol and shrugged, "I've been reading up," he smirked, "Maybe I'll build one..."

    "I'd rather do it the old-fashioned way..." Chyna replied with a sly smile.

    "Speaking of which," Jericho put his drink down and raised his eyebrows, "You and Eddie been trying to have kids lately?"

    Chyna furrowed her brow, "No. What do you..." she stopped, and giggled, "I forgot! You don't sleep much! You've probably heard us in the wee hours of the night!" her giggles turned into laughter, "I'm sorry, Chris! We'll try and keep it down..."

    "Hey, I think you two are a great couple," Jericho replied, "but I really don't need to hear HOW great you are in the middle of the night!"

    Chyna laughed louder... until a voice interrupted her, "Did my Chrissie tell a joke? Do share!"

    Chyna's good humour quickly faded as Kimberly slithered up to the bar. Jericho frowned, "Since when am I YOURS?" he asked, not hiding his annoyance.

    "Silly Chris... don't you know? EVERYTHING aboard this ship is mine! Mine and Russo's that is," she smiled sweetly, "That includes toys like yourself!"

    Lt. Commander Jericho wanted to knock Kim to the ground and put her in his patent move -- the move he couldn't bring himself to put on Stephanie earlier. He turned to Chyna, "Do you smell something?" he asked, "Smells like bullshi---"

    "CHRIS!" Kimberly snapped angrily, "As long as Russo runs this ship, he said I could have anything I wanted! That includes YOU!"

    Jericho looked out over the Smackdown, "Hey, Page..." he called out to the Nytron sitting a few feet away, "I think you should get your dog spayed! The Bitch seems to always be in heat!"

    "She ain't MY problem anymore, Jeri-scum!" Page replied, and continued talking to his fellow Nytrons.

    "Damn..." Jericho muttered, and turned back to Chyna as if Kimberly wasn't there, "So, how are things going in here? Anything interesting happen lately?"

    "Chris!" Kimberly said. Why wasn't he paying attention to her? Surely she was more interesting then CHYNA was.

    "Do you hear something?" Jericho asked his friend.

    "No, nothing at all..." Chyna replied.

    Suddenly, Kimberly swung her hand and smacked the Y2J Unit across the face. He was GOING to pay attention to her, damnit!

    Jericho jumped to his feet, knocking his bar stool over. He looked about ready to kill.

    "I got this one, Chris!" A voice said, and soon Kimberly found herself in an Aerialian headlock from Lita, who had been sitting a few feet away, "NO ONE touches my friends, wench!" Lita snapped angrily.

    Kimberly's fellow Nytrons did nothing but watch with amusement as Lita sent the dark-haired woman crashing into a nearby table.

    Chyna put a hand on Jericho's arm. She could feel him shaking with anger, "Turn the chip off, Chris, before you do something you'll regret..."

    Jericho snapped his head around to look at her, "I DID turn it off!" he replied through clenched teeth, "After she slapped me!"

    Chyna slowly removed her hand from his arm, "My god... Chris... then why are you still--"

    "Adreneline rush, " he interrupted, "It has yet to run its course..." At least, that was the most logical explanation.

    A few feet away, Kim climbed to her feet, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth. "I'll see you DEAD, Aerialian slut!" she shouted angrily at Lita, then looked at Lt. Commander Jericho, "And I'll see YOU later!" she allowed a cold smile, and walked out.

    Jericho watched her leave, and flicked his emotion chip back on. Is this what pure hatred felt like?

    It disturbed him. It disturbed him greatly.

SICKBAY

    "Dr. Taker, anything you need me to do for you this fine evening?" Ensign Angle asked.

    Dr. Taker looked at him, "Yeah, you can get your stank ass out of here!" he replied.

    Ensign Angle saw the papers on Dr. Taker's desk, "Need help going through that, sir? I can file it away for you," he began to grab the papers, but one look from Dr. Taker froze him in his tracks. "or... maybe not..."

    "Maybe not!" Dr. Taker replied.

    Ensign Angle saluted respectfully and headed out of Dr. Taker's office to busy himself with cleaning up sickbay.

    Finally, peace and quiet! Dr. Piro was in the Smackdown with his buddies. Now Dr. Taker could go over the files he had found in McMahon's safe two weeks ago.

     He picked up a file, and began to read...

SHUTTLE BAY 4

    Lt. Commander Jericho sat on the bottom bunk since Stephanie had decided to take over the top one. She seemed to do that a lot, even though it wasn’t her assigned bunk. Not that it mattered to him. He didn’t actually require sleep, though he would practice the human routine when there was nothing better to do.

    Jericho heard something so quiet and faint, he couldn't quite make it out.  He got to his feet, and heard it again. Was that his name? Someone was calling him... but...

    He looked up at the top bunk. Was Stephanie calling for him? He quickly climbed the ladder... and saw she was still sleeping. She had a sweet smile on her face... and she WAS saying his name. "What the hell?" He frowned. She was probably dreaming of putting him through another beating from Triple H.

    Stephanie turned her head towards him, and slowly opened her eyes, "Chris?" Stephanie asked quietly.

   "Yes… it’s me."

    Stephanie suddenly blinked, and everything came into focus. She looked rather annoyed as she sat up in the bed, "CHRIS!" she snapped, "Why are you staring at me? You get some weird joy watching me sleep? PERVERT!"

    "Watching you? EXCUSE me?" He frowned, "You were calling out my name, Skankanie! Unless you there's some young Ensign named Chris I don't know about...."

    Stephanie quickly turned away. "Go away!" she snapped, voice strained -- as if she was about to cry, "Just leave me alone!"

    Jericho furrowed his brow. He'd never seen Stephanie react that way to an Ensign comment before. He sighed, "Steph," he started, "I was wondering something..."

    "What? Wondering how many Ensigns I've visited tonight?" she asked, eyes flashing with fire.

    "No!" he snapped, "Listen to me, I still have some of your memories. That's how I knew about the Snow Globe,"  Stephanie winced at the mention of that gift. She had broken it a while ago in anger. Unfounded anger. "But this whole slut thing... tell me honestly -- is it just something you---"

    "I'm really tired, Lt. Commander..." Stephanie interrupted, voice hard. Jericho blinked. Why was she being so formal suddenly? "Leave me alone,"

    The Y2J Unit would have said more, but realized it was a wasted effort, "Fine," he replied coldly, "I'll leave you to your sadistic little dreams of Trip pulling that sledgehammer on me again," with that, he climbed down the ladder.

    Stephanie turned to him, but he had already disappeared through the curtains. She let out a deep breath and studied the ceiling, "That's not what I was dreaming about, Chris..." she whispered, knowing he wouldn't hear her, "Not it at all..."

TITANPRIZE CORRIDORS

    Jericho headed out of the shuttle bay and walked to the nearest turbolift. He suddenly stopped in his tracks as he heard something behind him.  He spun around and saw a flash of dark hair.

    The Y2J Unit quickly flicked off his chip. Kimberly was nearby, and he didn't need those disturbing negative feelings running through his body.

    To think he was even capable of such evil thoughts frightened him.

    Jericho continued down the hall, and was quickly confronted by three Nytron girls holding phasers.

    "Chris, I told you you'd be mine," Kimberly's voice was like ice behind him.

    Even with his chip off, the negative impulses still made their way through his wires. If only Matt was here to run a diagnostics on him.

    Jericho took a deep breath. That was something else all together. There was still a void.

   Suddenly, Jericho felt something digging into his back - and a paralyzing surge of energy filled him. He collapsed to his knees as Kim's stun-gun rendered his functions useless. He heard Kimberly laugh as another surge went through him, then all went black.

SICKBAY

    Dr. Taker walked around Sickbay aimlessly, spitting every so often on the ground.

    "Oh! Let me get that for you, Dr. Taker..." Ensign Angle said. He quickly brought out a mop and cleaned up Taker's little mess, "You know, sir... that is an unhealthy habit..."

    Dr. Taker looked at him, and spit again.  Like a good little butt-kisser, Angle cleaned up THAT one as well.

    Dr. Taker scowled at him, "Go away, boy. I really DON'T want you here. Go kiss Dr. Piro's stank ass!"

    "But sir!" Angle gasped, "He's the ENEMY!"

    "Listen, son, if you don't get outta my face, I'll hurt you!" Dr. Taker looked at him, his eyes like ice.

    Ensign Angle swallowed hard, "I'll... uh...." he cleared his throat, "I'll clean this up later," he said with a nervous smile, then quickly left Sickbay.

    Taker was finally alone again.

    The dark doctor sighed and sat down in his office. He opened the drawer in his desk and took McMahon's files out again. Damnit, Vince! Surely you had SOME plan!

    He frowned and studied them for another hour, then let out a frustrated shout and put the files away again.

    Well, if McMahon's files showed nothing, then perhaps the answer would lie in McMahon's logs.

    The doctor quickly turned to his monitor, and called up all the private and professional logs he could find.

COMPUTER LAB

    Lt. Commander Jericho came to slowly. His emotion chip wasn't on, he knew that much. But, it was also MISSING. He found himself lying on a workshop table. Or more like TIED to it.

    "Oh, you're awake!" Kimberly said happily, the looked behind him, "You can put it in now Ensign Wilson. "

    A leggy blonde came up in front of Jericho, and snapped his emotion chip back in place, "All done," she said with a smile. "Shall I turn it on?"

    "Yes please," Kimberly replied, then turned back to Jericho, "We've moderated your chip. You'll like it a lot more now," she smiled coldly, "You'll like ME a lot more now..."

    The Y2J Unit suddenly bolted upright on the table as a surge of power went through him. He opened his mouth, and let out a scream. Whatever they had done to his chip sent painful bursts of energy throughout his positronic brain. Were they trying to reprogram him?

    Kimberly paled, "What's wrong?! What's happening!?" she asked.

    "I don't know!" Ensign Wilson gasped.  She seemed at a loss, "Maybe the modifications aren't compatible?" She went to a nearby monitor and called up the Y2J Unit's schematics, "I did everything I was supposed to! I don't understand this!" She said loudly, trying to be heard over his screams, "It's like there is something else in his body that's refusing the chip!"

    "That's impossible! He's just a robot! He couldn't possibly be refusing the chip! I mean... a robot is only the sum of his parts, right?" Kimberly asked. When Ensign Wilson didn't answer, she raised her voice, "Right, Torrie?! RIGHT?!" she tried to be heard over the horrible sound.

"Wench..." Lt. Commander Jericho hissed, glaring at Kimberly. Kim gasped. She could have sworn his eyes were GLOWING, "DIE!" he began to scream again.

"Torrie! DO SOMETHING!"

    "I don't know what to do, Kim! He's more complicated then your average 'bot!" Ensign Wilson said, "I don't think we can force him, emotion chip or not, to FEEL the way you want him too!"

    "What are you telling me, Ensign?" Kimberly asked angrily, "I can't make him want me?" Jericho stopped screaming long enough to spew obscenities at Kimberly. Violent, vulgar obscenities. The ear-piercing screams then continued. Kimberly’s eyes went wide, "What’s going on?"

    "He HATES you, Kim. Even modifying his chip can't seem to change that!" Ensign Wilson said, covering her ears. The sound was horrible!

    The Y2J Unit suddenly stopped screaming, and slumped over. Everything was quiet. Ensign Wilson slowly removed her hands from her ears.

Eerie Silence.

Kimberly’s voice was no more then a whisper when she spoke, "Is he… dead?"

    The Y2J Unit jerked suddenly, and broke the ropes that bound him to the table. He jumped off and began to stalk towards Kimberly.

    Kimberly looked helplessly at her friend, fear in her eyes, "What's happening to him?"

    "Oh god..." Ensign Wilson gasped, "The chip is totally fried!"

    "Wh--wh--what does that m-m-m-m-mean?" Kim stuttered as she backed herself against a wall.

    "It means that his emotions are running uncontrollably throughout his body. Particularly his HATRED!"  Ensign Wilson said, not believing it herself.

    "He's gonna kill me!!" Kimberly shouted, "Stop him!"  The Y2J Unit reached out, and grabbed her by the throat, squeezing, "T--t--tor--rrrrrieeeeee.." Kim squeaked.

    Ensign Wilson quickly grabbed the stun gun, and ran at him. Jericho let go of Kimberly, and spun on Wilson, knocking the gun out of her hands.

    "Oh crap!" Wilson gasped. "Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!" she repeated, and ran out of the room, leaving Kimberly grasping for the stun-gun on the floor.

    Lt. Commander Jericho turned to his original victim, and his body wrenched violently as Kimberly raised the stun-gun, and fired.

    The Y2J Unit fell to the ground, unmoving.

    Kim stood over the unconscious form, her pulse thundering in her ears. There was only ONE person on the ship who could reverse the damage, and the very thought that she'd have to ask this particular person for help disgusted her.

    Nonetheless, Kimberly ran out of the room, and searched for Commander Stephanie McMahon.

    "What did you DO to him?" Commander Stephanie snapped angrily as she looked at the unconscious Jericho.  A hysterical Kim had dragged Stephanie out of bed, crying that the Y2J Unit had fried its circuits and tried to kill her.

    Stephanie couldn't blame him.

    "I... I didn't do ANYTHING," Kimberly said quickly, nervously. Stephanie didn't believe her.

    The Chief Engineer and the Nytron girl picked the Y2J Unit up and placed him on a near-by table.

    Stephanie didn't appreciate being dragged into the computer lab wearing only a faded tank top and spandex shorts, but from the way Kim sounded, it had been an emergency.  She ran her tricorder over Jericho's unmoving body, and saw where the problem lie. Stephanie grew angry, and glared daggers at Kimberly, "His EMOTION CHIP?" she shouted, "Of ALL things... you messed with THAT?"

    "Well... it... it wasn't me... it was Ensign Wilson..." Kimberly sputtered.

    "YOU instigated it! EVERYTHING he IS was in that chip, Kimberly!" Stephanie was noticeably upset, "You might as well have KILLED him, you Nytron slut!"

    "I wanted to PLAY with him.... not KILL him!" Kimberly replied.

    "PLAY with him?" Stephanie yelled, then swung back and slapped the taste out of Kimberly's mouth, "Is he just a TOY to you? Is EVERYONE on this ship just a toy to you?! We're LIVING BEINGS!" she snapped, "And DAMN you Nytrons for thinking we're your own personal playthings!"

    Kimberly was taken aback by the anger in Stephanie's voice and eyes, but then again, rumour had it Miss McMahon was a tad loony toons.  Kimberly walked away, and sat in a nearby chair, her expression cold, "Just fix him," she said, "Or you will see EXACTLY what I think of you and your crew!" Kimberly pulled something out of her pocket. It was a phaser. The Nytron girl smiled, and promptly aimed her weapon at Stephanie, "Do it! NOW!"

    Commander Stephanie frowned, then turned back to the Y2J Unit. She popped opened his fingernail and studied the chip. It was scorched and burnt beyond repair, "Damnit..." she sighed. She scraped it out, and it fell in ashes on the table.  "Damnit, damnit!" She felt like crying.

    For all intents and purposes, Lt. Commander Jericho was dead - leaving only a fancy, unemotional walking computer in his place.

SICKBAY

    Dr. Taker studied his monitor. Everyone's personal thoughts and feelings were here before him, although the fools didn't know.

    He allowed a cold smile and pressed a button. Before him were the official and personal logs of one Captain Vincent K. McMahon.

    Surely something would have to come up... wouldn't it?

COMPUTER LAB

    Lt. Commander Jericho's eyes flew open. He looked up at Commander Stephanie, and bolted upright. Stephanie jumped away from him, startled. He quickly hopped off the diagnostics table, his eyes wild and confused.

    "Is he ok?" Kimberly asked as she stood up.  He spun around to face her, pure unbridled hatred in his eyes, "No...!" she gasped. "Not again!"

    The Y2J Unit began to walk towards her, jaw clenched angrily.  He looked almost psychotic.

    "Chris!" Stephanie gasped. "Stop!"  He turned to her, and within seconds, she found herself pinned against a nearby wall, "Chris!" Stephanie cried. He was HURTING her! "What did you DO to him, Kimberly?"

    "I had Ensign Wilson reprogram his chip. Make him want me. Turns out he hates me," she smiled coldly, "At least I can be happy knowing he hates YOU too, if his current behaviour is any indication!"

    Lt. Commander Jericho looked towards Kimberly, then back to Stephanie... as if unsure who to attack first.  He lifted a hand to Stephanie's face, but paused. He gently touched her cheek, and felt an odd wetness under his fingers. Tears? "Commander," he asked, "What's wrong?"

    Stephanie's eyes went wide, "You're hurting me!" she whimpered.

    Lt. Commander Jericho noticed the grasp he had on her arm, and quickly let go. He took a step back, "I'm malfunctioning!" he gasped, and grabbed his head, wincing in pain, "Overloading!" he sounded almost hysterical.

    Stephanie grabbed her sore arm, but stepped away from the wall, "Calm yourself, Lt. Commander!" she ordered.

    "Orders to calm Unit Y2J disobeyed. Emotion chip inaccessible," he said, backing away. His eyes darted around the computer lab erratically. "Unable to comply!"

    Stephanie glared at Kimberly, "You like your new toy, Kimmie?" she shouted. "YOU LIKE THAT YOU JUST DESTROYED JERICHO?"

    Kimberly grew angry, and aimed her phaser at Stephanie as Jericho tried to steady himself. Not only was his behaviour erratic, so was his walking.  "Don't blame this on ME! It's not MY fault he's defective scrap!" she smiled cruelly, "And soon, you'll be a defective SKANK, Stephie-dear!" She pressed the trigger on her phaser, and fired.

    In a blur of blonde hair, Stephanie was thrown to the ground, missing the phaser beam by an inch.  Kimberly's eyes went wide when she saw what had happened.

    Despite his malfunction, the Y2J Unit had saved Commander Stephanie McMahon.

    Lt. Commander Jericho cocked his head to the side, and studied Kimberly. He held a hand out, "You are not authorized to carry a WrestleFleet weapon. Surrender the phaser to me," It was a demand.

    "You were malfunctioning two seconds ago!" Kimberly gasped, surprised at his recovery.

    He still stood before her, hand out, "I repeat - surrender the phaser to me. You have fired on my superior officer. Therefore, I must confiscate your weapon. I am aware that the current occupation spares you any further punishment... but if you do not hand over the weapon, I will take it by force!"

    "She is NOT your superior officer! I DEMOTED her!" Kimberly said.

    "In WrestleFleet's eyes, she is still a Commander, and I will refer to her as such. Now give me your weapon, or I will TAKE it from you..." Jericho took a step towards Kimberly, his expression hard.

    Kimberly dropped the phaser on the floor, and quickly ran out of the Computer lab... before Lt. Commander Jericho had another mental breakdown. He quickly picked up the phaser and pocketed it. No telling when it would come in handy.

    "Chris," Stephanie started from the ground, "Thank you... but... how did you fix yourself?"

    Jericho went over to her and assisted her to her feet, "When I have a malfunction such as this, my program automatically runs a systems check and reconfigures my positronic matrix. Unfortunately, it took longer then the normal estimated time due to the severe damage the modified emotion chip did to my systems,"

    Stephanie blinked. She hated technobabble. She took a deep breath, and spoke, "I'm sorry I couldn't save your emotion chip. It was destroyed," Saying it like this made it all too real. His emotion chip was no more, and it upset her greatly.

    "Irvine Inc. will provide a replacement..." he paused, "That is, if  Nytron Captain Russo allows us to contact them," he studied Stephanie for a moment. She was still rubbing her arm. Jericho held the injured arm and touched the sore spot gently with his fingers,  "It seems I have damaged you. Forgive me, Commander. I ask that this not be written up in my file due to extenuating circumstances, though it is your choice to make."

    Stephanie allowed a small smile, "It's ok. You weren't in your right mind. Anyway, it's just a bruise. It'll go away in a few days," she searched his eyes for a moment, but no sign of the Jericho she knew was there. He was just a robot now. That’s all. " I… I should get back to the shuttle bay. I need to catch up on my sleep. I suggest you do so as well, Chr—Lt. Commander," Stephanie turned around and began to walk out.

    "Good night, Commander Skankanie..."

    Stephanie stopped in her tracks, and spun around, "What did you say?"

    The Y2J Unit's face was unreadable, "I said 'Good night, Commander Stephanie...' "

    Stephanie eyed him carefully. She could have sworn he had said something else.... but... without his emotion chip, snide comments like that weren't in his programming. She sighed, and walked out of the computer lab.

    Lt. Commander Jericho watched the doors swoosh shut, unaware of the smug smile on his own lips...

SHUTTLE BAY 4

    By the time Lt. Commander Jericho returned to the shuttle bay, everyone seemed to be sleeping. He had been wandering the ship aimlessly, getting dirty looks from the jobber Nytrons on duty.

       Jericho walked around the shuttle bay quietly. He came up to Ensigns Edge and Christian's section and peeked through the drapes to see the blonde brothers sleeping peacefully, both hugging mirrors close to them. Jericho figured the Kanatians would probably be hugging females if they were not so egocentric.

    Jericho turned and went to the next section. He opened the curtains to see Terri and the Kat showing off their rather revealing lingerie as they slept. He quickly closed the curtains, knowing full well the two ladies would be less then pleased should they wake up and find him studying their sleeping patterns.

      "Roody poo candy ass ... layeth the smacketh down ... turn it sideways... "

    Jericho turned at the sound of the voice and quickly made his way to Lt. Rock and Lt. Commander Austin's bunk, "Lt. Rock? Are you awake?" he asked, but when he pulled the curtains apart, he saw that Rock was indeed sleeping... and talking in his sleep.  Jericho let the curtains fall back into place.

    Lt. Commander Jericho peaked through the next set of curtains to see Lita sleeping on the top bunk, and Ensign Crash gone. He turned to see if Crash was walking around the shuttle bay, but all he saw was Miss Kitty's kitten, and Chyna's puppy cuddled together in a corner of the shuttlebay - sleeping just like everyone else.

    Jericho turned back to Crash's bunk, and the Houdinian was suddenly there, dreaming happily and hugging a small stuffed animal. Odd creatures, these Houdinians, with their canny ability to appear and disappear at random. The Y2J Unit let the curtains fall back as he walked away.

    Jericho decided to pass on Chyna and Eddie's bunk. He could hear barely muffled giggling, and knew they were quite awake. He briefly wondered why humanoids needed to touch one another so frequently.

    The Y2J Unit, of course, had no need for such things. He was, quite understandably, untouchable.

    Lt. Commander Jericho went through his own curtains, only to see Stephanie sleeping peacefully on the bottom bunk. She had apparently kicked her covers off,  revealing her faded "WrestleFleet Academy" t-shirt tucked into barely decent spandex shorts.

    The Y2J Unit gently pulled the blankets back over Stephanie, wondering what possessed him to do so. He reasoned that it was somewhat cold in the shuttle bay and it was his duty to make sure his superior officer was comfortable.

    Lt. Commander Jericho quickly climbed to the top bunk and stared at the curtains in front of him.

    Truth be told, if he was capable of emotion at this moment, the Y2J Unit would feel somewhat lonely in his untouchable world...