THE IMMUNITY SINDROME

by Soledad

Author's notes:

I always wondered how Geordi ended up as Chief Engineer, starting in Season 2. We never really got an answer to that, so I came up with my own solution.

Commander Maddox's only appearance was in the episode "The Measure of a Man".

EPILOGUE

Six weeks later the Enterprise was ready to leave the orbit of Aldebaran III. The complete diagnostic run by The New Alberdeen Shipyards had shown that the damage the ship had suffered were more severe than thought: several dilithium crystals were cracked and had to be replaced; the guidance control computers had to be overhauled and reprogrammed from the scratch. There was a lot of damage to the Auxiliary Control Room, beyond the entrance hatch that had to be cut open.

"A good thing that we already had replacement crystals; the ones originally meant for the Beagle," Chief Engineer Argyle said on the last staff meeting before they would leave orbit. "That sped up the process considerably."

Picard nodded in agreement. "True enough. So, are we ready to leave?"

"Whenever you give the word, sir."

"And I can't persuade you to change your mind?"

Argyle shook his head. "No, Captain. My tour is over, and I feel like settling down. Twenty-eight years in deep space have been enough."

"Are you returning to Rigel VI?" Picard knew that Blake Argyle and his spouse had their official residence on that planet.

The chief engineer shook his head again. "Actually, sir, we're temporarily relocating to Mars, although we'll keep our first residence, just in case."

"To Mars?" Picard echoed in mild surprise.

"I've been offered a job in the Daystrom Institute of Technology, to work with the Cybernetics Division, and Jim was also promised a position there," Argyle explained. "Apparently, my work with Commander Data, especially the comparative studies I was able to do between him and Lore, waked the interest of Commander Maddox, who currently holds the Chair of Robotics."

"Well, I presume congratulations are in order, then," Picard said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for you to make yourself a name in your chosen field. Even if it leaves us without a chief engineer; and an assistant chief engineer."

"If I may make a suggestion, sir?"

"Certainly. You know your people and their abilities the best."

"I believe that Lieutenant Singh will be perfectly suited for the position of the assistant chief engineer," Argyle said. "And as for my job, you should give it to Lieutenant LaForge."

"Me?" Geordi echoed in shocked surprise. "I'm a pilot, not an engineer."

Argyle shrugged. "You minored in Engineering at the Academy, and I've checked your credentials, which are excellent. You have a good sense for the board systems; better than anyone with the exception of Commander Data."

"But I am just a junior-lieutenant," LaForge pointed out. "I can't occupy a senior position."

Argyle shrugged again. "Well, it's high time for you to be promoted, in my opinion. Your plan has saved ship and crew, after all; if that isn't a good reason to promote somebody, I don't know what is."

Picard nodded. "That is an excellent suggestion, Mr Argyle. I'll consult Starfleet Command, and if we get the nod, which I presume, that is what we'll do."

Riker grinned at LaForge who still couldn't quite believe his ears. "Chief Engineer… it does have a nice sound, doesn't it?"

Geordi just nodded, grinning over both ears. Being the chief pilot of a Galaxy-class starship wasn't a small feat already, especially for a man with artificial eyesight, but becoming its chief engineer… other people worked for decades for a chance like that!

Riker then turned to Picard. "Captain, what do you intend to do about Crewman Hodel?"

"Nothing," Picard replied simply. "He was clearly acting under the influence of the virus; what happened wasn't his fault."

"One could say that Wesley was under the same influence when attacking Doctor Ames," Pulaski, also recovered from her allergic reaction to the vaccine, pointed out."

"Which is why he's been released from the brig as soon as the immediate danger was over," Picard replied. "However, I believe we should seriously consider giving him some formal training. I'll leave it in your capable hands, Number One."

Everyone present carefully avoided looking at the first officer.

"I'm not a teacher, Captain!" the man in question protested.

"I don't expect you to teach him," Picard returned. "I want you to organize and supervise his training. I'm sure Counselor Troi will be able to support you in your efforts," he added with a half-smile, which Troi returned.

"Gladly, Captain."

"Good; then it's settled," Picard rose from his seat at the head of the conference table. "Inform everyone still on shore leave on Aldebaran III that we'll leave orbit tomorrow at oh-eight hundred. Dismissed."

The senior officers left the briefing room, one after another. Data, now back to his usual intrepid self, happened to end up in the same turbolift cabin as Doctor Pulaski, and the doctor's next words to him revealed that this had not been a coincidence.

"Commander," she began, "I want to apologise for what I said to you on the surface of Aldebaran IV. I could seek for excuses, say that I was under the influence of the virus, but the sad truth is that I tend to be prejudiced from time to time. I was way out of line and for that I'm sorry."

Data blinked – twice! – to analyse what was said; human emotions were still a puzzle for him. But in the end he believed he understood the true meaning of Pulaski's words.

"There are times we all do things we regret," he quoted a statement he had heard during his sociology class, back at Starfleet Academy. "It is, after all, what makes us… human."

~The End~

Soledad Cartwright 10.02.2018.