Taking Control

Disclaimer : Paramount owns the TNG Star Trek characters but they've been neglecting them.

Summary: In the recent TNG books Picard hasn't been behaving like the captain we (and Beverly) admire. In this story I've attempted to remedy that shortcoming. The story is set after the episode 'All Good Things' and before the film 'Generations'. Assume also that it comes after the Dominion War.

Riker started to speak as soon as the door closed, but Picard held up a hand. He was speaking to himself; inaudibly at first then louder.

"That, Number One, is the understatement of the week. How on Earth did he get this assignment? He might be a good trainer for academy cadets, but for experienced crews?"

"Sooner, if I can't control my temper. Will, I need you to ensure I'm never alone with him."

"I'll make it a new standing order. But seriously, Sir, why are Starfleet installing this new helm control system in such a rush?"

"I know, however some bright spark at HQ thinks that if you introduce the same helm control system across all the ships then you can more easily transfer bridge staff."

It was Riker's turn to be irritated. "But even if the systems are the same, every class of ship handles differently and even within classes ships can differ. The Enterprise isn't like her sisters anymore; Geordi's made lots of modifications."

"Which is why," Picard explained, "there isn't a holodeck training program and why we're learning on the real thing."

"This makes me nervous, do you remember Kosinski and his warp drive improvements?"

"Vividly, but at least this time La Forge is satisfied the principles behind the new system are sound. Once we have it tuned correctly her responsiveness should improve."

Just then, their conversation was interrupted by the com-system. "Commander Leadbetter to Captain Picard.

Picard grabbed an object from his desk and pretended to throw it. Will grabbed his arm and gently restrained him.

"Run along now Sir," he mimicked a mother sending her son off to school. "You don't want to be bottom of the class."

Jean-Luc straightened his jacket, "Quite right Commander, that wouldn't be good for my image."

Picard approached this first class with a slight touch of apprehension. The last few days had been busy and he had only found time to skim through the instruction manual. The other Enterprise students had obviously been studying hard and he was proud of how they answered promptly and correctly. When his turn came, Leadbetter asked him how the helmsman should respond to a particular scenario. Picard gave the standard solution he'd been using for years.

"That would have been right 15 years ago Captain, but helm control has moved on since then. Nowadays the correct answer is …". While Picard suffered the indignity of being corrected, another student was foolish enough to giggle. The Captain gave him an icy glare, then returned his attention to the instructor. When the man finally finished, Picard stood and with no hint of petulance declared "Obviously I have more studying to do before my next lesson. I'll get to it."

Leadbetter had the sense to realise a ship's captain needn't ask permission to leave.

Picard was so engrossed in his reading that he barely noticed Beverly enter his quarters. It wasn't until she lent over his shoulder that he finally lifted his head.

"What's so fascinating?" she asked. "Don't tell me it's that damned instruction manual."

"I gave a wrong answer yesterday. I don't want the crew thinking I'm not up to it."

Beverly resisted an urge to smile at the double entendre. "Don't worry, there's plenty of evidence to disprove that," she reassured him.

"Are you sure? Since the Dominion War ended I feel I've been coasting. Nothing's been a challenge."

Crusher helped herself to coffee and croissant, and sat down opposite. "I know what's really bothering you. You're annoyed because Starfleet gave someone else the task of training the crew. You've always prided yourself in being the ship's best pilot."

Picard protested a little, then gave in. "All right, I'll admit it. I am irritated. It wouldn't be so bad if Leadbetter wasn't …", he paused searching for the right words."

"I don't, the description's Deanna's. She's had to calm several people who've been tempted to hit him. I've only met him once briefly. Every time I book a place on one of his training classes he moves me to the waiting list."

"Don't you dare!" she ordered. "I've more that enough patients at present, thank you."

She finished off her coffee and stood up. "Thank you for breakfast; it's time I got my day started."

Picard rose too and followed her to the door. "Beverly, do you think I'm being childish resenting Leadbetter?"

"Not at all, if someone was in Sickbay instructing my staff I'd feel just as uncomfortable."

He smiled at her understanding. "In that case Doctor, I hope you realise I expect all my bridge officers to master the new helm system."

Neither of them planned their next actions, their quick kiss on the mouth had a volition all of its own. Both were surprised at its occurrence but not unhappy.

After she'd gone, Picard remained where he was, memorising the feel of her lips against his.

Later that morning, Leadbetter had started running practical training classes on the bridge. To avoid unecessary contact with him Picard retreated to his quarters and continued his study of the manual. It therefore fell to Riker to deal with any problems Leadbetter might cause. It wasn't long before three complainants had cornered him in the Ready Room. One was the normally easy-going Chief Engineer. Riker could have managed easily if the other two hadn't been Dr Crusher and Counselor Troi. Will backed into the fish tank as the two women advanced on him. Deanna's tirade was still in full flow.

"… fifthly, he suggested the Captain might be too old to learn new systems and sixthly, he thinks Beverly and I shouldn't be having training in helm control. Apparently he doesn't consider us 'proper' bridge officers."

Riker wondered how come Leadbetter wasn't a patient in Sickbay. "Okay, okay. I can understand why you're annoyed." He took a deep breath. "So, Geordi, what's he done to irritate you?"

"The man just won't listen. I've tried telling him the Enterprise isn't like other ships but he doesn't want to know. If he's on the bridge for much longer he could do some real damage. Where's the Captain? Does he know what Leadbetter's doing?"

Right on queue Picard entered the room. "Number One, I hear we have a few problems. Who's first?"

"Sir, I think Commander Leadbetter is using the wrong procedures for this ship. If he keeps doing sharp turns his way then …"

His words were interrupted by the dull thud of an explosion and a shudder that reverberated through the ship.

Alarms started sounding. La Forge headed for Engineering while the others followed the Captain onto the bridge.

Picard instantly recognised the smell - panic, the kind of mind-numbing panic that causes experienced crews to forget their training. Leadbetter was making it worse by shouting conflicting nonsensical instructions.

Picard calmly tapped the helmsman on the shoulder and asked for a report. The ensign managed to summon enough composure to reply succinctly. "We've lost helm control and we're drifting towards that moon. I can't get manual control either."

The captain immediately took over the left con-station. "Doctor, can you put an end to that noise?" Leadbetter's rantings finally subsided as her hypospray left his neck.

In the view screen the moon was getting alarming close. The computer's voice warned them of impact in 47 seconds. Everyone stood still as the captain moved his fingers expertly over the control panel. Soon the old-hands recognised the sound of the impulse drive shutting down and the faint vibration as the manoeuvring thrusters kicked into action.

Slowly at first, then faster the Enterprise changed her heading. When, at last, the impact warnings ceased, the outlet of breath around the room was audible.

Picard looked across to the helmsman. "Can you plot a course away from this system? I recommend you avoid the asteroid belt, I think we've had enough excitement for one day."

She was still rattled by the recent panic, but Picard's calm manner was restoring her self-confidence.

"In which case take the helm in four, three, two , one." He watched her for a second or two , then stood up. "Number One, the bridge is yours. Mr Leadbetter, my Ready Room please. Everyone else, return to your stations."

As the captain left the bridge, Deanna whispered to Will, "I'd like to be a fly on the wall."

Picard saw no need to shout; Leadbetter had already suffered a greater punishment than more words could inflict. An instructor who needed rescuing was a laughing stock. Instead the Captain ordered him to sit and fetched him a glass of water.

"If you repeatedly use the aft nacelle vents to manoeuvre the ship then you're asking for trouble. They weren't designed for that procedure."

Picard cut him off, "… the instruction manual is excellent, but only if you bother to read the exception paragraphs. Have you done that Commander?"

The Captain was still angry - he'd put the ship at risk! However, despite this, he knew Starfleet could not afford to loose another officer, not after loosing so many in the War. Leadbetter was a good trainer when he understood the limits of his expertise.

"Karl," this time his tone was softer, "I'm going to give you two options. You can either leave the Enterprise tomorrow when we reach Starbase 12 or you can stay till your planned leaving date. If you choose the latter then I expect you to spend your time learning how to apply the new helm control system to non-standard ships."

Leadbetter didn't understand why Picard was being so considerate. "Thank you Sir, I'd prefer to stay."

"First, there is no such thing as an 'honorary bridge officer' aboard my ship. Dr Crusher and Counselor Troi are just as qualified to sit in the command chair as you or Commander Riker. Further more I expect all my bridge officers to be competent helmsmen. As this recent incident demonstrated, it may be necessary for them to take over the helm at a moment's notice."

"Second, Crusher and Troi are also experts in their own fields. If you need help sleeping or want someone to talk to then feel free to avail yourself of their services." Leadbetter looked doubtful. "They're both professionals, Commander, they don't bear grudges. Dismissed."

As he walked along the corridor, Picard felt more positive than of late. His cheerful mood was enhanced by the nods of recognition he received from passing crewmen. Was it his imagination or were they more effusive than yesterday?

At the door of Sickbay he paused. One of the staff pointed to Dr Crusher's office, assuming that was whom he wanted to see.

Nurse Ogawa was in there with her, which caused Picard to adopt a more formal manner. Crusher told her colleague she would join her shortly, before turning her attention to the captain.

He hesitated as several erotic possibilities flashed through his mind. He immediately chided himself and cleared his throat. "You can attend an instruction class in helmsman control at 16:00 today."

The pair of them were smiling at one another. Dare she tell him how attractive she found him when he took such masterly control of the bridge? Better not, she decided, it might make him self-conscious.

"Not really, Starfleet needs him; besides you could say it was my fault for giving him too much leeway."

Sensing she'd embarrassed him, Beverly picked up her tricorder intending to join Ogawa. Picard, however, made no effort to move out of her way.

She halted only inches from him. This time the idea of kissing was a conscious one. They were on the point of turning that thought into action when Ogawa's voice interrupted.

Picard stayed a moment, cursing his luck, then shrugged and moved on. No doubt the opportunity would arise again.

Little did he know that fate would not be kind. Coming events would curb their chances of flirtation and it would be years before he ever properly kissed her.

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E-mail me at catherine_ell69@hotmail.com

Taking Control

by Catherine Ellis