"Report!" The captain demanded once the turbolift door opened. " No damage to the ship. Lieutenant Tarn has been hit by some unknown type of radiation, sir. He's in sickbay." "You have the bridge, Number One," the captain turned back. "Sickbay," he snapped at the turbolift. "What's wrong with him, doctor?" "Nothing is wrong with me, captain. In fact, I'm better off than I've ever been before!" The captain turned to see his friend smiling confidently. "How so?" He inquired. "Well." the lieutenant replied enthusiastically. "I understand so much more now." "Captain," the doctor was clearly concerned. "This radiation has increased the production of neural transmitters in his brain by over 500 %. The presynaptic membranes have increased permeability to match it! And that's not all - the corpus callosum, the connecting bridge between both sides of the brain, is so active that the hemispheres are essentially acting as one. It's not only his intelligence, that has been enhanced, sir. It's creativity, resourcefulness, inspiration, imagination. He's far more evolved than any other known human being!" "I suggest we confine him to quarters and post security guards, captain!" The first officer suggested. The captain turned his chair to look at him. "May I ask why? Has he done something wrong?" The commander looked baffled. "Well, no sir, but. we know similar cases from our history. Lieutenant Commander Garry Mitchell from Kirk's Enterprise, Lieutenant Barclay from Enterprise 'D'." "What's your point, commander?" The captain didn't seem willing to indulge his first officer. "Well, sir, every record says they all turned against humanity. With all that superpower they claimed they could enhance the human race but in the end." "That's pure speculation," the captain interrupted impatiently. "Lieutenant Tarn hasn't done anything wrong and until he does, he is to be treated with respect, like any other member of the crew. Is that clear?" "Yes, sir." "I'll speak to him. Dismissed." "How do you feel?" "I feel just great, sir!" Tarn grinned happily. "There is so much I can do now!" "Relax, Tarn," the captain slowed him down. "You're aware of what they say? Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Tarn laughed out loud. He was being a little more laid back than usual but still far from showing any disrespect. "I know, captain," he said, struggling for breath. "That was the first thought that came to my mind when I realized what happened to me." "And?" The captain asked patiently. "I know why they're afraid. Honestly, sir," he got serious. "I can see why it is so tempting, with all the new possibilities opened up. But it's a question of character. I see absolutely no reason why I should make others 'happy' against their will. I promise you, captain, I may be presenting you some options but I'm not going to act on them without your authorisation." "That's good enough for me, lieutenant. Dismissed." "Captain, we are receiving a distress call!" "Source?" "Federation ship USS Cruiser, sir. They're under attack." "Romulans?" "Cardassians, sir." "Plot a course, warp nine. Engage! What's our ETA?" "Four hours, sir." "Captain," lieutenant Tarn said through the commlink. "If you allow me to modify our warp field, I can bend subspace and take us there in ten minutes!" The captain looked around his bridge crew. The expressions were sceptical, at best. "Is it safe?" He asked through the commlink. "Absolutely, sir." "Proceed." "Captain!" The first officer exclaimed. "That's all right," the captain relied somewhat nervously, observing the space round them curl and twist wildly. Then, in a split second, they emerged on the other side of what seemed like a giant wormhole and saw the USS Cruiser evading phaser fire and dodging torpedoes from a Cardassian Galor cruiser. "Target their weapons! Fire torpedoes, maximum yield, full spread!" "Captain, I can modify the phasers." Tarn began. "Do it!" The captain yelled, without waiting for him to finish as the ship rocked under the enemy fire. Two minutes later, the enhanced phaser fire destroyed the Cardassian ship's weapon array. "We've got to think about a more efficient way to utilize your new abilities, lieutenant," the captain said thoughtfully. "What do you mean, sir?" "Waiting for me to approve each of your moves is slwoing you down, isn't it?" Lieutenant Tarn looked warily at his commanding officer. "Do you have any specifics in mind, sir?" "I don't know," the captain shrugged. "You tell me." "My ESP level has also been increased, sir" Lieutenant said slowly. "I can establish a direct mind link with you during emergency situations, if you wish." "Excellent!" The captain enthused. "We'll be able to communicate a instantly!" "Uhm. it might be dangerous, captain." "Why?" "My mind is now much stronger. If we're linked that way you may not be able to assess the situation objectively anymore." "But you will, lieutenant?" "Yes, sir. But it will be my judgement, not yours." "Oh, but I trust you completely, lieutenant!" "Why do you wish to resign from Starfleet, lieutenant?" "Admiral," Tarn was thinking how to explain things. "I am no longer fit for duty," he said finally. "May I ask why you think so? You've got a clean bill of health and from what your captain says, you've become an invaluable member of the crew." Tarn siged. "That's exactly the problem, sir." "Explain," the admiral demanded. "Well, the fact is that I have practically assumed command. The captain relies on me so much he doesn't make his own decisions anymore. I appreciate his trust but." "You think you're still underestimated, lieutenant, is that it? You want your own ship?" "No, sir, I don't! I just wish things were back to normal. The amount of responsibility is. overwhelming." "With your enhanced mind, lieutenant, that shouldn't be a problem!" Tarn shook his head. He couldn't help it. He walked out of the admiral's office as a new captain with orders to assume command of the new Federation flagship. *Sometimes it's not power that corrupts,* he thought sadly. *Sometimes it's those who crave for that power.*
