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Once Icheb recovers from the operation, his studies continue. The many programs he is set involve theoretical and practical applications. He studies Earth literature with interest, and in 2377 takes to quoting from such ancient Earth literature as Livius' 'A History of Rome' (Titus Livius is more commonly known as Livy), and the ancient Greek tragedy playwright Sophocles' 'Oedipus Rex', both of which he quotes to Seven in [#164 Human Error] e.g. 'Don't kill the messenger.' from 'Oedipus Rex'. Later that year, as depicted in [#165 Q2], Janeway examines Icheb on the subject Early Starfleet History, and endures Icheb's presentation which over-runs the required 20 minutes. She ends his presentation some 34 chapters from its end, just after Icheb finishes detailing the events of legendary Captain James T. Kirk's first five-year deep space mission. She gives him a pass in the subject.

Icheb gives his presentation for Early Starfleet History [#165 Q2]

Janeway gives Icheb a pass [#165 Q2]

Icheb is delighted [#165 Q2]

During his work in the astrometrics lab, Icheb picks up an automatic transmission from a warning beacon in an alien species' weapons testing ground. The weapons being tested are subspace weapons, capable of destroying Voyager if one of them hits the ship. As the weapons create minor gravimetric distortions as they approach the subspace barrier, Seven recalibrates the sensors to isolate the effect, thus giving a few seconds warning to enable Voyager to adopt an evasion couse. Icheb analyses the sensor data and refines Seven's detection methods by a margin of 10.3 seconds. The Doctor also calls on Icheb to start some of his shifts in the astrometrics lab a few hours early in order to give Seven a greater opportunity to complete regeneration cycles.

screenshots from [Human Error]

In 2377 Icheb takes up shuttlecraft piloting lessons, with Tom Paris as his teacher. Icheb is a conscientious pupil and is soon given the helm of the Delta Flyer under Paris' guidance.

Icheb is sometimes allowed to pursue his studies at work stations in engineering under Seven's supervision. Seven is an exacting teacher who encourages him not to accept just Starfleet guidelines but, for example, to do better on a particular aspect than the 0.3 variance allowed by the Starfleet Manual ([#158 Lineage]). As his studies progress, it becomes apparent that Icheb's ability has been under-estimated by the sernior officers. This is discovered by chance when he brings a tactical systems report to Torres in main engineering during extensive engine refits in 2377 [#154 Nightingale]. Icheb manages, independently, to locate and rectify the source of a power drain, a charge imbalance in the EPS feed. This impresses Torres, who is a hard to impress person. She believes Icheb to be capable of a lot more than delivered PADDs, and Janeway agrees. Chakotay even notes, tongue-in-cheek, that Icheb's progress is such that he could be running the ship within a few years. Icheb's aptitude allows the refit schedule to be accelerated, and he is given a roster of independent tasks which include repairing a malfunctioning holo-emitter in sickbay. On another occasion he is given the (unenviable) task of sorting salvaged Borg components. Torres fosters his abilities but she also suggests that he should allow himself more time between his work and studies for recreation.

Torres gives Icheb a PADD detailing his work roster

Torres invites Icheb rock-climbing with her in a holoprogram

The above 5 screenshots are from [#154 Nightingale].

Unfortunately Icheb misconstrues Torres' interest in him. She invites him to go rock climbing, which is an activity that fits in with his interest in geology. But Icheb's naivety as regards the opposite sex and apparently intimate encounters leads him to suspect that Torres has romantic feelings for him.

Icheb touches Torres' hand as he takes an object from her during maintenance work

Torres laughs off the physical contact saying it can't be helped in such confined spaces

Torres, startling Icheb, leans on his shoulder to give her a boost to standing up in the Jefferies tube network

Icheb surreptitiously scans Torres.... ....and is alarmed by the tricorder readings.

He is concerned not just because she is older but because she is a married woman. Knowing that the Doctor has given Seven social lessons in the past (e.g. as seen in [#84 Prey] and [#116 Someone To Watch Over Me]), Icheb presses the Doctor for advice on a so-called 'hypothetical' situation but does not name names. The Doctor tells that that tell-tale signs include compliments, invitations to social activities, and finding excuses to be in close proximity. When Torres does all these three things, Icheb fails to see that they are all totally innocent and his suspicions are confirmed. He asks Torres specific questions designed to elicit informative responses e.g. whether she would prefer to spend her free time with her husband Tom Paris. He covertly uses a tricorder to scan he to check for physical signs of supposed romantic interest in him. The above 5 screenshots are from [#154 Nightingale].

[#154 Nightingale]

Icheb also becomes defensive when Paris cracks jokes about the amount of time that Icheb and Torres are spending together. Icheb interprets Paris' invitation to join him in his racing car holoprogram as a kind of ritual contest for Torres' affections.

Because Icheb has a developed sense of morality, he decides, reluctantly, that it is only right that he faces up to the situation as he sees it. He tells Torres:

"I scanned you. ... Your blood pressure and neuro-transmitter readings indicated a state of arousal."

The above 6 screenshots are from [#154 Nightingale].

[#157 Shattered]

Icheb takes on the task of helping to tutor Naomi Wildman. Apart from sharing studies in class together, he is a logical choice as he is a friend who is closer to her age. He teaches her about genetics, on one occasion using a jigsaw as a fun educational tool.

It is fortunate that Icheb acts as he does regarding the Torres "romance" because it would otherwise become unnecessarily complicated, for a few weeks later Icheb is present in engineering, engaged in studies under Seven's supervision, when Torres unexpectedly collapses. Icheb scans Torres with a tricorder and detects another lifesign within her. His prognosis is that it may be a form of parasite. Technically he is correct! - Torres is pregnant, as Seven immediately realises. Icheb is responsible for helping to disseminate the good news throughout the ship with remarkable speed.

[Lineage]

[#158 Lineage]

Not long afterwards, Paris asks Icheb to look over the Doctor's findings regarding supposed genetic abnormalities in Paris' and Torres' baby. This is due to Icheb's expertise in the field of genetic research, an aspect originally encouraged unwittingly by his parents. Icheb discovers a computational error in the information which indicates that the Doctor's program has been tampered with. This enables Seven and Paris to realise that it is Torres who has altered the Doctor's program so that he would willingly carry out a 'correctional' operation on her and her baby. Paris arrives in time to stop the operation and, after discussing the subject with Torres (sometimes quite heatedly), she agrees that her decision was misguided and that the operation is unnecessary.

Icheb and Q2 go to spend recreation time together after Janeway gives Q2 some well-earned time off Q2 sits on Icheb's piloting lesson in the Delta Flyer Paris offers Q2 a chance to do some basic piloting of the Delta Flyer Q2 searches out his friend Icheb, ostensibly to do a Delta Flyer repair as a secret favour for Lieutenant Paris Icheb does the repair with Q2's help but... Q2 kidnaps him and takes the Delta Flyer to flee from his father Q, and traps Icheb behind a forcefield when Icheb demands they return to Voyager Q2 releases Icheb to aid him when the Delta Flyer is fired on by the Chokuzan Icheb is badly injured the dying Icheb in Voyager's Sickbay above from [#165 Q2]

Late in 2377 Icheb gains a friend and something of a bad influence when Q deposits his offspring, Q2, with Aunt Kathy i.e. Janeway. Q2 appears as an adolescent human boy, and he his has the character to match - he is rebellious and disrespectful of authority, and he is contemptuous of 'lower' lifeforms and not above abusing his powers to satisfy his often transitory whims, such as taking away Neelix's vocal cords (Neelix is later restored by Q).   At first Q2 is not impressed with Icheb whom he dubs "drone boy", but Icheb suggests they could engage in some recreational activities and the two become friends. Q2 pumps Icheb for hints on writing an essay on the Q Continuum for Janeway which Q2 is required to do as part of a schedule of enforced educational lessons set by her. Icheb suggests a structure for the essay that includes the origin of the Q, followed by an analysis of their interaction with humanity, and concluding with a description of events that led Q2 to Voyager. Icheb's help stretches to writing the entire essay, but Janeway recognises the style.   Q2 calls his new friend "Itchy" and likes to be called in rturn "Q-Ball". Icheb seems to be amused by these monikers, though he does asks that Q2 not called him "Itchy" in front of the senior officers. They form an interesting but contrasting double act as their characters are quite different.   Q2 talks Icheb into secretly repairing an ion imbalance aboard the Delta Flyer without permission, following one of his scheduled piloting lessons with Tom Paris. He is reluctantly drawn into one of Q2's antics when Q2 decides to take the Delta Flyer on a little jaunt. Icheb is shocked that Q2 is taking the Delta Flyer without permission but when he goes to report it, Q2 traps him behind a forcefield and disables communications.   When the Delta Flyer runs into a Chozukan spacecraft and its occupant wants to incarcerate the pair according to regulations, Icheb wants to comply so that the misunderstanding can be properly sorted out because he has been taught to respect the laws of other cultures. But Q2 refuses to comply, and instead fires on the Chozukan vessel and takes flight. Q2 does not realise the seriousness of his actions until the Chozukan ship attacks, severely injuring Icheb whose cels are necrotised by some kind of omicron radiation.   With the prospect of Icheb dying, Q2 has the choice of whether to flee or return to Voyager to obtain medical treatment for his friend. Admirably Q2 does the latter. It turns out that the Chozukan was actually Q in disguise, and the incident was designed to teach Q2 the lesson that his actions have consequences. Q restores Icheb.

adult Icheb in astrometrics (with adult Naomi), [#157 Shattered] adult Icheb disarms a Kazon-Nistrim soldier in engineering; friend and colleague adult Naomi Wildman dashes into engineering behind him [#157 Shattered]

In an unrealised timeline depicted in [#157 Shattered], in 2394 USS Voyager is still in the Delta Quadrant, and Icheb has obviously successfully graduated from Starfleet Academy because he wears a Starfleet uniform, and is probably the only Brunali to do so. He works in astrometrics along with a grown-up Naomi Wildman. The adult Icheb (along with adult Naomi) is astonished to see his two former superior officers, Janeway and Chakotay, both of whom have been dead for some years in this time frame. But Voyager has been split by numerous temporal fractures into 37 different time frames and Icheb and Naomi are not seeing the Janeway and Chakotay of their time peroid resurrected. Instead they are meeting Janeway from the time period when USS Voyager is about to set off for the Badlands on the mission that would see it end up in the Delta Quadrant, and Chakotay from the 2377 time period; both have been injected with a special serum developed by the Doctor that allows them to cross between time frames. The adult Icheb and adult Naomi scan the fractures using recent modifications made to the astrometrics sensors. Icheb suggests tht the temporally displaced senior officers try to find the time period in which the original tempoal shattering occurred. Later he helps them take control of engineering, which is located in the 2373 period when the Kazon-Nistrim seized control of Voyager. In this the adult Icheb is helped by other members of the crew from a variety of time periods, and eventually the time-shattered Voyager is restored.

Chakotay from the year 2377 and Icheb from the year 2394, [#157 Shattered]

[#171 and #172 Endgame]

Icheb takes up kal-toh under Tuvok's tutelage. Late in 2377 Icheb manages to defeat Tuvok at a game. Since this has never happened before, and should not happen, Tuvok realises that it is a sign that his secret degenerative neurological condition is worsening. There is a cure in the Alpha Quadrant but Voyager will not reach there in time.

"Kal-toh." says Icheb. "You beat him!" exclaims Kim.  [#171 and #172 Endgame]

Fortunately Admiral Kathryn Janeway from the future, namely the early 25th century, travels back in time to bring ship and crew home early.

Icheb's winning kal-toh move against Tuvok. (pop-up window) [#171 and #172 Endgame]

Voyager arrives back in the Alpha Quadrant. (pop-up window) [#171 and #172 Endgame]

After USS Voyager arrives in the Alpha Quadrant in late 2377, it is not known what becomes of Icheb. At first he would be in an unfamiliar environment but he has his adopted family of officers and friends to help him adapt. He also has expertise in many fields, such as astrophysics and genetics, and that, together with his determination to graduate from Starfleet Academy, will no doubt produce a skilled, experienced and dedicated officer who will be a great credit to the Starfleet uniform.