Knight Progenitor

  Chapter Four

  "Doc, I'm going to say this one time. It's what your mother would say. You ever do anything like that again, I'll break your arm."

  "You're right. It's exactly what she would say. How come I didn't change?"

  "I don't know. Regeneration happens at the point of death. I don't know why you did it the first time. You shouldn't have. All Gallifreyans don't regenerate and you're half human. You also seem to have gone through it with fewer problems than I have. My behavior is usually extremely erratic immediately afterward."

  "How about that? I'm impossible."

  "Your nephew said the same thing. Someday, I hope you'll meet him. Diz made a suggestion. Let's find some 'bad guys' to fight so we quit 'beating up' ourselves."

  "He's full of good ideas. When do we start?"

  The Doctor smiled. "How about now? Let's get you off that bed. Slowly. Hang on to me. Let me lift you. I SAID, LET ME DO IT! Now slowly. Feet over the side. Good. Let me take your weight. Now down easy."

  "Wow. That thing you used on me must really be something."

  "It is, but most of your blood was held in the old fashioned way."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Diz held you together until we could sew you up. The deep healing beam came later. Data did most of the sewing."

  "Sure he did. And you just stood and watched."

  "Well, I wouldn't say that."

  "I didn't think you would."

  "We can't both be Doc. I'll think of something else."

  "No, I'll go by Peral. Your hair sure grows fast."

  "My head was cold. I hurried it a bit." The Doctor sighed and waited for them to quit laughing. "Data, how soon will we be establishing orbit?"

  "Thirty-seven minutes, twelve point six seconds."

  "Peral. Peral! This isn't going to work. You don't answer to your name and I HATE being called Doc. We'll just take the chance."

  "I have a suggestion."

  "Yes, Data?"

  "I suggest I call you Captain and they call you Dad."

  "I just spent nearly two MONTHS trying to BREAK them of that."

  "Doctor, may I point out you have not succeeded?" Data decided he was 'pleased'. All three boys had sunk to the floor laughing.

  "Data you have a unique sense of timing. How is the training going?"

  "All three are well above Starfleet standards in unarmed and armed combat. Doc is the most proficient. Followed by Tech, then Diz."

  "Liberty trained Doc. I believe I trained Tech. I wouldn't have started as early as she did. Diz was the only one I was worried about."

  "I'm not bad. I catch on fast."

  Doc shook his head. "Dad, he's understating it. In a month I won't be able to beat him. At anything. He's the fastest moving person I've ever seen. Except you and Data. And given time, I wouldn't bet on you."

  The Doctor looked at Diz. He was the smallest of the three. He remembered how quick Gwen was. "Diz, I think you should tell me what happened to your mother."

  Diz looked at Data. "It's in his future."

  "Is he directly involved?"

  "No, but he'll know."

  "Data, you understand you can't do anything to change what will happen?"

  "Yes, Doctor."

  The Doctor turned back to Diz. "She was killed in a shuttle explosion when I was six. It wasn't even on duty, a pleasure trip. Some stupid fool skipped a maintenance check and over fifty people died. I had a cough and they kept me on the planet. It was weird. I got over it in a few hours. It only lasted long enough for me to miss the shuttle. Mom had to get back for duty. How did you know?"

  "You didn't ask me to let her know you were all right. Let's see. We're a very small group of mercenaries. We'll have to be very impressive," He looked around him and smiled. "but I don't think that will be a problem."

  The contracting agent looked over the five in front of him. A man, some kind of alien and three boys. The boys were triplets. The man looked dangerous. The alien might be, but the boys... "I don't think I've got anything for you."

  "Yes you have. You just had a bunch blow a job on Liberty. The contractors won't be happy. They'll want to try something else."

  "Look here, I wouldn't accept another contract from that bunch if I knew it was from them. I don't take illegal contracts. How did you find out about it?"

  "Tech, what is the current rate of dant to mek credit exchange."

  "What market?"

  "Turith."

  "One point three six. Down two, up five in four."

  "I suggest you check, Agent Slogar."

  They'd set it up with the TARDIS. Tech remembered how, but not the numbers. Sometimes details were clear. Usually, they were not.

  The agent keyed up the index and watched it. It ticked up five in exactly four minutes. "You're still too small an outfit. You don't have enough power."

  "We are as effective as any group of fifty. Perhaps more. Leroy, I'd like some fresh air. Make me a window."

  Data walked to the wall and created a perfectly square hole in it. "Will that be sufficient, Captain?"

  "Yes, Leroy, thank you. Diz, the guard looks tired. Hold his weapon for him."

  Diz spun, kicked the guard's weapon out of his hands, caught it and said, "Anything else, Dad?"

  "No, not right now, thank you. Doc, how many people in the building?"

  "Thirty-nine. All but eight human. Eleven females, the rest male. Dad, there is a couple making love behind that wall. He's enjoying it more than she is."

  "Doc, did you count us?"

  "Of course."

  "Where are the other non-humans?"

  "Two in the next room. One in the lobby."

  The agent looked shocked. "You're not human?"

  "I don't believe I said we were."

  "You look human."

  "So did my mother. Boys, I have asked you not to giggle."

  Tech said, "Sorry, we thought you only meant when we were killing someone."

  Diz added, "We didn't know it was impolite at other times too, Dad."

  Doc suddenly spun and covered the door with the nonfunctional weapon he was carrying for 'show'. "Two. Male. Armed. He called them."

  "Agent Slogar, we seem to have made you nervous. Let them in boys, then settle them for a nap."

  "How long, Dad? Permanent?"

  "No, Tech, just a few minutes."

  "That's no fun."

  "Please don't argue."

  Two armed men burst in. Tech and Diz laid them out. The Doctor stood and leaned on the agent's desk. "Tech, where will I find the contract I want?"

  "Top right drawer, Dad. It's locked."

  The Doctor took hold of the top of the desk. "Leroy, please hold the desk still." Data flattened one hand on the side of the desk and the Doctor lifted the top off, reached in the drawer, took out the stack of papers, laid the top of the desk down and sat back down in his chair. "Leroy, reattach the top, please. Just spot weld. I may want to get in it again." Data used his thumb.

  The Doctor pulled his reading glasses from the air, read the two hundred pages of contracts, selected the one he wanted, replaced his reading glasses and dropped the rest of the contracts on the desk. "This one will do. Now, where did I put that pen?" He pulled a pen into existence and signed the contract Captain Knight. He'd had quite an argument with Tech over it. He'd wanted to use John Smith, but Tech had insisted it was very important he use Knight.

  "Thank you, Agent Slogar. All right, boys, you may clear the hall, but don't kill anyone."

  Tech said, "Aw, Dad, you promised us some fun."

  "These are our friends, aren't they, Agent Slogar?"

  The contracting agent gulped and nodded. He followed them out the door. Nine men lay unconscious in the hall. Within a few hours, the name Captain Knight was known on five planets.

  "I'm hungry. Let's find a really nice restaurant."

>   "Dad, we don't have any of their money."

  "Money. Hmm. That's all right, Doc, we will by the time they bill us." He led them to a very pleasant restaurant near the spaceport. He'd been on the planet several times before. He always arranged to eat there.

  He handed the waitress the menu and waited til she left the table. "I think that went well. I do believe the agent was a bit impressed." He looked at the three boys with their heads down on the table laughing. "You know, Data, taking children out to eat can be so embarrassing." He smiled. The meal was served and they enjoyed it immensely.

  "Dad, we're beginning to attract attention."

  "No, Doc, you're beginning to attract attention. Predominantly feminine."

  "I wasn't going to mention that."

  "I believe the five young ladies two tables over are very interested in the three of you. Would you like an afternoon off?"

  "Tech, do we?"

  "Yes, Doc, we do. And we don't even get in trouble."

  The Doctor smiled. Diz had been moving before Doc or Tech had even laid their napkins down. They'd begun to work as a coordinated team.

  "Doctor, they would appear to have begun blending their talents."

  "I was just thinking the same thing, Data. It is a rather unique combination. I was worried Doc and Diz would become a bit intimidated by Tech's knowledge of the future, but it doesn't seem to be a problem. Diz seems to be coming into his own."

  "He does seem to be much more comfortable with his identity."

  "It was finding out he was best at something. I think Doc deliberately pointed it out. He seems to have recovered well. Shall we go to work? I didn't find anything that looked like a remake of the Liberty contract, so I chose one I liked. We may have to do a few 'jobs' before we discover who 'paid the bill' on that one."

  "Doctor, perhaps we should approach the problem from its obverse."

  "Hmm. In what way?"

  "After we have established ourselves, let it be known we have a contract with Liberty to stop the attacks."

  "Data, you have just solved my major dilemma. I was having a great deal of difficulty with the idea of establishing ourselves as 'heavies'. I must admit, I chose a contract that put us on the side of the overmatched. We shall need to have a true contract eventually. Hmm."

  "Sir, that may make it difficult to maintain our fictional identities."

  "I don't think it will. Actually, we should write the contract immediately. Our employers paid in advance."

  "May I request an explanation of that statement?"

  "We're not going to contract with the government. Payment was four years' transportation and assistance on a world named Laeth. Let's get back to the TARDIS. We need a hoof print on a contract."

  "Doctor, you have suggested something my programming has identified as humorous. It is a novel experience."

  "Just don't laugh, Data. You need a bit more practice."

  Neaht didn't keep them waiting long. He stepped on the ink pad and then on the contract. The Doctor had decided the old fashioned method would be best. Neaht was unlikely to have a credit identification to use to finalize an electronic contract.

  The Doctor and Data were working out a method for fulfilling their current contract when the boys returned to the ship. A mining company was making life very difficult for an agricultural planet. Their job was to stop it.

  "Hi. Tech has been snickering all day and he won't tell us why. He said it was your story."

  "Hello, Diz. Why don't we wait for the others before I tell you about it."

  "They're right behind me. Well, not far behind." He grinned. "I only had one girl to say good-by to. Dad, this ship is ugly. Needs a paint job."

  "I have a few other improvements in mind as well. Check the drawer in the wardrobe. See how much currency we have for this period."

  "OK, just don't start the story without me."

  "Diz, do you know what to look for?"

  "Yes, I had Tech identify time and place. I like to know where and when I am."

  "DIZ! I forgot to tell you I moved the TARDIS. It's in the Captain's cabin."

  "I wondered how long it would be before you decided that cabin was cramped."

  "It wasn't the cramped quarters. It was the ten minute walk to the hold."

  Doc and Tech arrived shortly before Diz returned from the TARDIS. There hadn't been much of the correct currency. The Doctor explained the contract he and Data had drawn up and then waited for Doc and Diz to recover. Tech had snickered all the way through the explanation.

  "Data, you and I are going out this evening."

  "Where are we going, Doctor?"

  "There's a casino with an extremely high profit margin on the edge of the city. We're going to rebalance their books. Or rather, Captain Knight and Leroy are. Let's find something a bit more flamboyant to wear."

  "I have had some experience in a casino before, Doctor. I became most proficient at a game called craps."

  "Excellent. Boys, decide on an exterior for the ship. Keep it simple."

  They settled on the exterior design in less than ten minutes. It was waiting when the Doctor and Data returned from the wardrobe.

  "Wow! That should get you noticed."

  "That was the idea, Diz."

  "Data, that Panama hat makes you look like an old time riverboat gambler. Looks great."

  "Thank you, Doc. It seemed appropriate for the mission."

  "I like this." The Doctor was looking over the sketches for the ship's exterior. "It will be simple to do and very distinctive."

  "We thought we'd have someone else paint the ship black, then we'd do the logo." Diz grinned. "Tech doesn't trust anyone else to get it right."

  "No, I just know I'll do it." Doc cleared his throat. "With Doc and Diz' help, of course."

  "Since you've finished this, I've another task for you. Stock the ship. Order everything we need. You'll find a list of equipment on the TARDIS console. Some of it may not be available. I can't remember if all of it had been invented in this time. If not, find something we can adapt. Hire out most of the exterior work. Get it done tomorrow."

  "Here, Dad. Make sure you give me that list back tomorrow so I'll remember it today."

  "Hmm. Yes, Tech, I will. Thank you."

  Diz returned with the list from the TARDIS. "Dad, you're going to break the casino's bank paying for this."

  "No, Diz, we're going to break five. I want a bit to give away. There are some very needy children on this world. Ah, the comm. That should be delivery of the last part of our evening accouterments. Shall we go, Leroy?"

  "Yes, Captain."

  They watched 'Captain Knight' and 'Leroy' leave, then Diz said, "They're really something in those outfits. Did you see those rings. That ruby must have been a hundred carats."

  "Both in white. Data dressed like a Mississippi riverboat gambler and Dad for an evening at the opera. That white walking stick he was twirling was outrageous."

  Tech laughed. "Yes, Doc, but it did go well with the white cape. Let's go to work. Diz, let's see that list. Doc, get us on the net. We're going shopping. Diz, these are things that haven't been invented yet, but can be built from things that have. Your job is figuring out what."

  "Why not just give me a list like you gave Dad?"

  "All right. Make a list of what we need and help me memorize it tomorrow so I can give it to you now."

  "Uh, I think it will be less work if I just do it."

  "Captain?"

  "Yes, Leroy?"

  "This establishment has unfair advantage in every game."

  "That's why I chose it. Marked cards, weighted dice, magnetized wheel, the whole spectrum of how NOT to run an honest house. We have very little currency. I had to give the florist delivery girl a rather large amount of what we had as a tip to keep in character. We need to run it up a bit. I'll watch for awhile. You increase our bankroll."

  "May
I suggest we start with craps?"

  "An excellent choice, Leroy. I haven't decided on a way to beat the roulette wheel. Tech gave me a list of numbers, but we'll have to overcome the house advantage before they'll be accurate."

  "I may be of service in that respect. I have been known to cause malfunction in electromagnetic systems."

  "Leroy, let's buy some chips. This promises to be a delightful evening."

  They changed the dice on Data four times. He balanced them. When he began to accumulate a very large supply of chips, the Doctor took a stack to the card tables. Each began to attract a large group of admirers. Data joined the Doctor and their winnings grew.

  "Leroy, I tire of this. I should like to play roulette."

  "Yes, Captain."

  "I don't really feel like standing. Bring me a chair, a nice tall one from the bar."

  "Yes, Captain."

  "Leroy, don't forget to pay for it."

  "I will leave appropriate compensation."

  The bartender stared at the man walking off with one of his bar stools. It still had a large piece of floor attached. The pale yellow-eyed man had left three thousand credit chips on the bar.

  "Leroy, those rivets may damage the carpet."

  "You are correct, Captain. I shall remove them. I shall also stabilize the chair for you, Sir. Please indicate a suitable height."

  "Hmm. It's about eleven centimeters too tall."

  Data ripped off the pieces of floor, punched out the rivets with his thumb, split the metal post, bent it into a tripod and placed it for the Doctor. "Eleven centimeters shorter, Sir."

  "Thank you, Leroy."

  The Doctor was having a wonderful time. He'd been planning on doing something about the casinos for two regenerations, but he was usually too busy worrying about worlds to worry about 'petty' crooks.

  He and Data had both acquired female admirers. He was surprised at how well Data handled them, then realized he was playing the part of 'high roller' and the ladies went with it. He sent one of his own admirers to the bar for a glass of spring water. He gave her two hundred credit chips. One for her, one for the bartender. He smiled when he took the first sip. It was drugged.

  He spun the walking stick and tapped the glass twice. The liquid turned black. "Leroy, please assist the bartender. He seems to have had difficulty with my order. I should like spring water with no additions."

  "Yes, Captain. May I return that glass for you?"

  "That would be most kind."

  The Doctor skipped two spins of the wheel. Tech had marked the spot. He spent the time getting acquainted with the four beautiful women around him.

  Data returned the glass to the bar, leapt over it, poured the Doctor a glass of spring water, leapt back over the bar with the full glass in his hand and carried it back to the Doctor. The bartender stared. He hadn't spilled a drop.

  The Doctor played a few more spins, then stood, stretched, and smiled at his feminine admirers. "Ladies, I have enjoyed your company, but I grow weary of this place." He flipped four thousand credit chips in the air in quick succession. Each dropped precisely in the center of well displayed cleavage. "Leroy, collect our winnings and cash us in. I shall await you at the door."

  Data collected their cash and joined the Doctor. They stepped through the door and stopped. "I count about eight, Data."

  "I also counted eight. Six meters south. The echoes indicate an alley."

  "They probably won't use weapons this time, but be prepared. Shall we go? I'd hate to think I'd kept our 'friends' waiting."

  One of the 'friends' had a stunner, but he made the mistake of using it on Data first. He didn't get a second shot. The manager of the second casino was a bit surprised when they strolled in the door. They weren't even slightly rumpled.

  They played it approximately the same way, but this time Data flipped the chips in the air and dropped them in place. It took them a bit longer to dispose of the six men than it had the eight before. They had beam weapons.

  They made a stop at an 'honest house' and deposited the majority of their accumulated cash with a reputable banking firm with facilities on the premises. The Doctor opened an account in the name of Captain Knight and listed Doc, Tech, Diz and Leroy as authorized to draw on it. The large 'wad' of cash had begun to handicap their movements.

  They played two more casinos and removed two more sets of 'muggers'. They made another banking stop and headed for the final casino on the Doctor's 'hit' list. Before they entered he said, "Data, we have stopped being a nuisance and become a problem. I doubt they'll wait until we leave to try to dispose of us. I expect an attempt to incapacitate us shortly after I start playing the wheel. They haven't been able to drug me, so I imagine it'll be a nice quiet stunner. I want you to drink a large quantity of alcoholic beverage. Lead them to believe you're drunk."

  "Doctor, if you believe it dangerous, why pursue this course of action?"

  "Enhancing the reputation, Data. I also calculate we will require most of the currency in this casino. We'll cash in after every game. I have a handy place to keep it. I've been saving it for the finale. We have been very sedate. That is about to change. We are about to 'carouse'. Shall we begin, Leroy?"

  "I am ready, Captain."

  The Doctor slammed through the casino doors, grabbed the first beautiful woman he saw and kissed her. Data caught her. She looked wobbly. He caught the next one too and swept them along in the Doctor's wake. The Doctor spun his walking stick fifteen meters toward the vaulted ceiling and caught it behind his back as he kissed another lovely lady. Flower petals showered down. He held the lady up and gathered another in, lifted them off their feet, spun around, set them down, threw back his head and laughed. He pulled two white roses from the air, gave each one, and headed for the craps table. Data followed the Doctor's osculatory example, then released the two women. He was pleased to note they had resumed looking wobbly.

  "Leroy, develop this into a stack. I wish to become better acquainted with our fair friends." He flipped a twenty credit piece toward the ceiling. Data jumped two meters into the air and caught it in his hat. The Doctor roared with laughter when he landed on the edge of the craps table on his toes, did a back flip and strolled over to the cashier's window to buy one chip.

  "Diz, Doc, it's wardrobe time."

  "All right, Tech. You and Diz go on. I'll wait on the confirmation. Pick me something appropriate."

  Tech and Diz found three sets of white leather pants and jackets. They were tight, but supple. All checked carefully to make sure they didn't hamper movement, then left the jackets partially unzipped 'just to enhance the image'. They brushed their hair back and each clipped a diamond stud to his right earlobe. They checked themselves in the mirror and grinned. Captain Knight's boys were ready.

  Tech remembered the way to the casino. They were unarmed, but that wouldn't present a problem. They walked three abreast and people got out of their way.

  Data cashed his craps winnings in and carried them to the Doctor. The Doctor took the four banded stacks, tossed them into the air in rapid succession and spun his walking stick to follow. There was a flash of light and four white doves flew towards the door. He caught the stick and pulled two twenty credit chips from the air. "Leroy, let's play cards. Oh, I almost forgot." He tapped his stick on the craps table and a stack of hundred credit chips appeared. "Leroy, tip the people."

  Data flipped the chips. Every waitress, each lady and the croupier got one. The bartender stared at the one that landed in front of him. He was forty meters away from the craps table. Data lifted another drink off a tray, downed it and followed the Doctor to the card table. They ran up stacks of chips and cashed in. Light flashed, doves flew, chips flipped and they moved to the wheel.

  Data started playing drunk. The Doctor played the wheel. He knew when it would come. Tech's list ended. He was pleased when he felt the woman playing with his chest use
the injector. Stunners gave him a headache. When Data saw the Doctor fall, he hiccuped and fell on the floor.

  The Doctor awoke tied to a chair. He lifted his head and a muscle-bound oaf hit him.

  "Where's the money?"

  "What money?" The small dark man nodded and the oaf hit him again.

  "The money you won."

  "Oh, that money. It flew out the door." The oaf hit him again.

  "I want a straight answer."

  "I want your oaf to stop hitting me. It's beginning to aggravate me." The oaf hit him again.

  "You're in a very bad situation, Captain. You've made some very dangerous people very unhappy."

  "Where's Leroy?"

  "Locked in the cooler. If you cooperate, we'll take him out before he freezes. Maybe."

  "And if I don't?"

  "There's plenty of room for two."

  "I see. I've decided I'm tired of this." The Doctor slipped out of his ropes and stood up. The oaf and two fellow oafs pointed weapons at him.

  "Sit down, Captain. Or I'll have them put holes in your pretty white suit."

  "You're beginning to make me angry. You won't like the things that happen when I get angry." The oaf hit him with his gun butt. "That's done it. I'm leaving." He grabbed the oaf, threw him into the two oafs, opened the door and stepped out. The hall was full of armed oafs. He raised his hands and stepped back through the door. The three oafs all hit him. Several times.

  He wiped the blood from his lip with his thumb and looked at it. "You know, Leroy and my boys won't be happy about this."

  "Captain, you've outlived your welcome." The man looked toward the door. There was a commotion in the hall.

  Data decided he'd waited long enough and removed the door to the cooler. He stepped out into the kitchen, leaned the door against the wall, and headed for the gaming room. He met the boys in the middle of it.

  "Upstairs. Back. Fifteen in the hall armed. Nine in the casino. Four on the balcony. Four in the room with him. Three armed. They just hit him again."

  "Thank you, Doc. Diz, his walking stick and Leroy's hat are behind the bar. Get them."

  "Right, Tech. Wait for me."

  Diz went over the bar, dropped the bartender before he could reach his weapon, grabbed hat and stick, went back over the bar and rejoined them. "Leroy, your hat."

  "Thank you. I think the captain is ready to leave."

  Data and Doc took the staircase on the left, Tech and Diz the one on the right. People started screaming when beam fire started crisscrossing the room. They removed the nine sources and hit the stairs.

  Diz said, "Oops" when he knocked one over the balcony. The fifteen in the hall got in each other's way, but not for long. The door was locked, so Data removed it. The man stared at the four who had stepped into his office and laid out the oafs.

  "Captain, I believe you dropped this." Data handed him his walking stick.

  "Thank you, Leroy."

  "Dad, can I kill him?"

  "Tech, it just isn't necessary."

  "You promised."

  "Yes, but he's not on our contract."

  "I think you should let Tech kill him, Dad."

  "Why, Diz?"

  "Your lip's bleeding."

  "That's true. Well... no. Not this time. He was probably just following orders. You all understand orders." Data and all three boys nodded.

  "Twenty assembling outside. All armed. He pushed an alarm button."

  "Thank you, Doc. You know you really are a gambler. Most casino managers aren't. Leroy, disable the communications."

  "Yes, Captain." Data smashed the comm console with the palm of his hand.

  The Doctor strolled out the door and called back over his shoulder, "Tech, I said no."

  "Aw, Dad." Tech smiled at the man and said, "Next time."

  The manager walked behind his desk and sat down. His employers weren't going to be happy. It had been a very expensive night.

  "Dad, I broke one. It really was an accident. He went over the balcony rail. He had a bead on Doc and I was in a hurry."

  "It happens sometimes, Diz. You haven't had as much training as the rest of us. Come talk to me if it really starts bothering you."

  "Five behind cover across the street. Two on each side of the door. Three on the roof opposite. Two on this one. Three at each end of the block."

  "A real crossfire. Any innocents, Doc?"

  "No, but six people were hurt pretty bad when they opened fire in the casino."

  "Anyone killed?"

  "No, Dad, but the hospital's not far and I can feel a doctor's real upset about one woman. She needs more help than they can give her here. She's sure she won't make it til morning. Nice lady. Really cares about her patients."

  "That's it. I hate to do it, but we don't have time to waste. Pick up weapons, but try not to kill anyone."

  "We'll try, Dad, but we aren't going to be completely successful."

  "All we can do is try, Tech. Data, you left. I'll go right. Leave Doc a weapon. Doc, roof. Tech and Diz, the ones across the street. Now!"

  Tech got hurt. He'd known he would. He also knew the man he shot was aiming at Diz. Diz shot the man who shot him. He was about to finish the job.

  The Doctor carried Tech to the hospital. Data ran to the ship and got the deep healing beam from the TARDIS. He had Tech's key and a hospital room number. Tech had given them to him in the casino before they freed the Doctor. He hadn't told him why. He didn't 'feel' it, but he thoroughly understood the Doctor's mixture of worry and aggravation he hadn't told them he would be injured.

  The physician was very surprised when the Doctor laid Tech on the other bed in her patient's room. Several people skidded to a halt outside the door. Doc and Diz didn't look like they were planning on letting anyone in.

  Data ran through the hospital doors, jumped a gurney, dodged two nurses, ran up a flight of stairs, dodged a patient and ran into the room. He handed the Doctor the deep healing beam.

  "Her first, Dad. She's dying."

  "All right, Tech." He turned and smiled at the physician, then began treating the woman. He recognized her. She was the first woman he'd kissed when he walked in the casino. "You didn't see this, Doctor... ?"

  "Glace, Jeanne Glace. What is that?"

  "A small wonder I picked up in my travels. I shouldn't be using it on her, but, if we hadn't been there, she wouldn't have been hurt."

  "Who are you?"

  "A lot of people ask me that. I'd prefer you didn't. She'll tell you who she thinks I am when she wakes up. Do you know her name?"

  "I do, Captain."

  "Good. Arrange discreet payment of her bill, Leroy. Done. Your turn, Tech."

  "I'm more than ready."

  "Reality worse than remembering?"

  "Lots more intense, but that goes for the good parts too. Better already."

  "Sleep. We'll get you home."

  The Doctor finished treating Tech and snapped off the beam. "My walking stick, please." Data handed it to him. "Take Tech, Diz and Doc to the ship. I'll be there soon. I'd like to talk to Dr. Glace awhile. Take this with you." He tapped the stick on the bed and the banded currency appeared. "Have one of the boys deposit it and have a balance available for me. I'll call for it." He reached into the air and pulled a white rose and a hundred dollar chip from it and laid them on the woman's pillow.

  "Dr. Glace, may I escort you to a place of refreshment?"

  "You can escort me anywhere. Actually, I think I'd follow you anywhere."

  The rather stunned and very curious emergency facility staff watched the very dedicated Dr. Glace walk out of the hospital on the arm of the man in white. In the middle of the shift! She wouldn't be back. He was going to fulfill her dreams.

  "This is where it's needed."

  "I agree. The conditions are terrible. You'll need help. Doctors, teachers, even cooks and cleaning people."
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  "There are a lot of doctors and teachers who really want to do something about this. The rest of the jobs will be filled right here. Employment opportunity is what most of these people need."

  "That building appears structurally sound. It should be big enough to start."

  "Big enough?! It's bigger than anything else in the entire city."

  "I expect you to expand. This isn't the only city where children need help. The government here isn't particularly corrupt, just exceptionally inept. Find good administrators. People who care about people, not money."

  "I will. I think I'm dreaming."

  The Doctor stepped over a pile of garbage. "I don't know about you, but most of my dreams don't have quite this strong an odor."

  He walked her back to a safer neighborhood, pulled a pale pink rose into existence, gave it to her, bowed and left.

  In three days, she would be safe anywhere in the world. She was Dr. Jeanne Glace, head of the White Knight Foundation. She named it.