Title: The "End" Solution
Author: C.J. Grant
Rating: G
Summary: The machines know everything. 
Author's Notes: Based on a challenge issued by myself to a "Day of
Honor" picture posted by Lyndsey.


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We know all their dirty little secrets. We're the eyes and the ears
of this ship, the unobserved observers. They tend to forget that
we're here most of the time. We, on the other hand, keep a constant
vigil.

We each have our own specific duties. Once they are discharged
though, what else have we to do? We watch them come. We watch them
go. We eavesdrop on what they think are private conversations.

I spend my life dispensing coffee. Occasionally, I'm asked to
replicate a meal or a cup of tea. Those times are few and far
inbetween. While I wait in my solitary purch in the Ready Room, I'm
party to all sorts of first hand knowledge. I'm often witness to
important meetings and official debriefings. It was from this spot
that I was able to help dispel a circulating rumor.

I've heard some of my brethren communicate the affection present
between the Captain and the First Officer. In fact, I've seen it for
myself. Some however have taken the rumor to the height of intimacy.
This I can say is far from the truth.

They were here together with the newest member of the crew, Seven of
Nine. Chief Engineer Torres and Flight Controller Paris were missing.
Operations were underway to locate and retrieve them. The briefing
ended. The Captain circled the corner of her desk and proceeded to
the Bridge. Seven of Nine turned, her eyes sweeping past Commander
Chakotay, and followed Janeway.

I would have missed it had I not been connected to the others in the
room. In the space of 1.7 seconds, Commander Chakotay's eyes dropped
and rested on the hindquarters of one of the departing women.

Viewer Nineteen confirmed the angle. Internal sensor node Alpha Eight
figured the triangulation. Computer processor Ninty-Two Delta
compiled the information and distributed. The solution was thus:

His momentary inspection had been of Seven of Nine's posterior.

His line of sight returned to level and he stood silently as the
double doors closed. Node A8 recorded increased respiration and
heighten blood pressure. He turned afterwards and addressed me.

"Computer. Water."

"Please specify temperature."

Without hesitation, he responded.

"Cold. Very cold."


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