One Lump or Three?
Part II
 

Wearing a bit more make-up than she usually did, which was doing its job to make her look like she'd gotten a fair amount of rest, when in truth she hadn't slept a wink all night and now had been awake for twenty-eight hours straight, Captain Kathryn Janeway rubbed her lips together lightly as she finished applying her make-up, loathing and cursing the rebel thought that just skipped through her mind about wondering if that was the last time she was ever going to do that. As she opened up her mirror and set the lipstick inside, then closed it back and pulled her hair behind her ears on one side, Kathryn frowned severely while she leaned forward, narrowing her eyes as she noticed the shiny grey hairs protruding from her temple, certain there were more there today than two weeks ago the last time she'd taken a moment to notice and resisted the urge to pluck them all out. When her door call rang out softly in the next instant, the captain sighed, waved her hand at her reflection as she backed away from the mirror and started out the open door of her ensuite, saying, "Come in," while she proceeded to her desk to grab her tunic, that being the only part of her uniform that wasn't newly recycled, with the exception of her boots. However, she had taken several minutes early to make sure they were shined and buffed enough she could see her reflection in them.

Glancing over her shoulder as her visitor entered, Kathryn smiled genuinely and said, simply, "Harry," while she reached for her tunic on the back of her chair.

"Morning, Captain," Kim smiled, always finding the way Janeway said his first name funny for some reason. While Janeway slipped on her jacket, zipped up the front and secured the bottom to her pants all around, he asked, "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a log," the captain returned, finishing dressing and picking up her cup of hot water, having stopped drinking coffee after leaving Sickbay and returning to her Ready Room so she wouldn't be completely wired, and so she could enjoy several cups at breakfast without going too far over her 'limit.' After taking a sip as Kim continued to stand near the center of her office with his hands behind his back, Janeway asked, "What's on your mind?" then held her breath, hoping Kim hadn't finally had enough of her and wanted to know why he'd yet to be promoted, certain that if that was coming, he'd use the fact that he'd been right on top of the super nova yesterday evening and hadn't hesitated to suggest to Fowler, who concurred, that they leave the system immediately.

"May I escort you to breakfast this morning?"

Kathryn refrained from sighing with relief, smiled and said nodding, "Thank you, Ensign. I'd like that," always having liked that part of being a female captain, never having minded that some old-fashioned traditions still remained since she thought it was rather nice to accompany someone to a ship's event, rather than have to walk in alone, as was the case for most male captains, unless they asked someone. Janeway thought the reasoning behind that was strange, but she didn't question it: it was just human.

Coming up next to Harry, who held out his arm toward the door, Kathryn chuckled along with him, stepped out of the door to her office, moving just ahead and said to Ensign Rodham, who would maintain the Bridge until after the senior officer gathering, "The Bridge is yours, Ensign. First Regal Devin will be joining us for a while longer if anyone from the Alaxiat asks."

"Yes, Captain."

After taking the quick ride down one deck in the lift, Janeway said as they stepped out, Harry held out his elbow, and she slipped her arm inside, "I think the last time you escorted me somewhere was to the holodeck right after we got out here."

Heading toward the secondary Conference Room, which had been changed into a Dinning Room after Neelix 'requisitioned' the captain's private dining room and turned it into the kitchen off the Mess Hall, Kim laughed and said, "I think you're right. That was the night of the infamous Janeway hustle."

Cackling once, Kathryn nudged her youngest senior officer lightly, then shrugged and said, "What can I say, Mister Kim…you were all ripe for the picking. I couldn't resist."

"I'll never forget the look on Paris' face when you pocked three solids on the break," Kim admitted, smiling and shaking his head. "The look on B'Elan," he stopped himself, sighed and said, "Nevermind. Paris' was the best anyway…"

Patting Kim's arm, Janeway said, "It's quite alright, Harry. She's mentioned that night on a few occasions, so I'm sure I can imagine the expression."

Kim sighed again, having contemplated the threesome's break-up more recently and now wondered if perhaps Janeway hadn't been such a bad match for Torres and Seven as he thought since he had a sense that the two missed her, although not so much visa versa, but Janeway had been extraordinarily dutiful and busy lately, so he wasn't sure. "Captain…" he began, uncertain how to finish, but feeling the need to say something that he was sorry things weren't working out and that perhaps she should try again.

"Harry," Janeway stopped him immediately, anticipating that as they halted just before the door to the small Dining Room, "you're too young to give me love advise." Even though Kim was now twenty-eight, she still often thought of him as the twenty, going on sixteen year old boy she'd met in her office all those years ago, who she'd instantly been fond of and tickled by, just because he was so cutely nervous. Harry had grown up quite a bit, but not enough in her opinion to give her love advise, even if she needed it, and truthfully, she didn't like the thought of him growing up too quickly...mostly because then she'd just worry more about him, and feel old.

"Yes, Ma'am," Kim nodded as Kathryn patted his arm and then stepped into the sensor grid to open the door.

"Mister Paris. Early bird gets the worm…eh?" Kathryn asked lightly as the lieutenant sat alone with a cup of coffee in the room that Neelix had already taken care of setting everything up in an hour ago, all of the food and coffee prepared an staying piping hot and fresh under stasis lids and thermoses.

Smiling slightly, nodding, Tom looked to Harry as he came right in after Janeway and asked, teasing, "Tryin' to move up in the world, Harry?"

"Very funny," Harry came back as Kathryn chuckled mildly to herself while she poured a cup of coffee, not seeing the need to wait, and hoping it would keep her hands from fidgeting since there were several things she was either eagerly anticipating or fretting internally about. One of the eager points being the arrival of Chakotay and Devin considering just before Kim had come to her Ready Room, Janeway had queried the computer for First Regal Devin's location in preparation for the fact that she'd actually planned to go get her, round up Chakotay from his quarters and all go together. However, Devin hadn't been in her quarters. She'd been in Chakotay's, and although the redhead had been curious as to how long the Fynth elder had been in there, she resisted questioning the computer to preserve their privacy, but her instincts were telling her there was more than met the eye there.

She was also eager to see how Fowler was handling the fact that she now knew Wildman wished to marry her, certain the happy couple would arrive together and hopefully not look as sleepless as she, herself, was. However, knowing Nicole like she thought she knew her, the brunette probably didn't get any sleep as well after being greeted with that news, which Janeway was almost entirely certain Nick hadn't seen coming until it hit her right over the head. Since Janeway felt nearly certain that Fowler would one day ask Samantha to marry her, she didn't think it terrible of her to delight herself this morning in her tall, smooth, and suddenly 'freaked' second officer's demeanor, figuring it would probably be quite comical, which Nick tended to be like, especially when she was nervous. And finally considering Wildman and the Doctor would be attending as well, she hoped to be able to gauge as to what exactly went on last night, other than the fact Kathryn was certain Samantha reprimanded him for saying as much as he did in front of the child when that detailed kind of information wasn't requested, just requested to be looked into.

About the only people that she wasn't really looking forward to seeing were her two favorites out of the whole group: Torres and Seven, but that wasn't because she would have to pretend to be broken up with them, yet still compliment and show her gratitude for the work they'd done. And she certainly planned to give them both full credit, especially Seven of Nine, just to finally hammer home the fact with every one that even though it would be all of them working to get them home, it was indeed the Ice Queen of the past and the friend and family member of the present and future that made it possible.

The reason she wasn't looking forward to seeing them was because she knew there would come a moment when she would have to say her goodbye, something she wouldn't allow herself to neglect since she'd never been able to say goodbye to Justin, or really even Mark, and if she died today, she didn't want them to have to go through that.

The captain sat back in her chair quietly while Tom and Harry talked as friends, which indeed they were, even if that friendship had hit a few more bumps lately because of Kim's recent extra dutifulness and Paris' discontent about the new shuttle being taken out of his hands, which Kathryn hoped to help remedy today since she thought they complimented each other well. Paris helped Kim relax and learn to have fun even in trying situations, and Harry helped Tom stay on the straight and narrow path Kathryn continued to demand of him. Janeway certainly wasn't unduly harsh, just tolerated less from him since he disappointed her so terribly nearly a year ago, and that was because she wasn't still angry with him, but continued to believe he required more discipline. And that was especially true now that it seemed they would be returning to the Alpha Quadrant soon, and she knew if Paris wished to remain in Starfleet, he'd have to keep his act clean as he'd been doing because there were much more strict and less personable captain's out there that could and probably would take offense to his sarcastic, sometimes adolescent ways. One of them being his father, Admiral Owen Paris.

When the pneumatic door swished open and in walked none other than Commander Chakotay with First Regal Devin on his arm, and the first's long, ghostly white hair was fixed in a braid with a twine holding the end together as it lay over her shoulder, Kathryn smiled softly to herself as she took a sip of her coffee, certain that meant her first office was indeed aware of the fact that Devin fancied him, and furthermore, that he liked her a great deal as well. Even though she couldn't be sure, she had a notion that her quarters had been uninhabited last night.

Pulling the cup away from her mouth, Kathryn looked up at them as Chakotay took Devin to the chair adjacent to Janeway, pulled it out for the first, and said, "Mornin'," and refrained from complimenting her on her hair style, because she knew she wouldn't be able to keep herself from smirking at her commander, and she didn't want to give away any possibly privileged information in front of Harry and Tom, especially since Tom was right up there on the rumor monger mountain with B'Elanna Torres. She did plan to get him about it soon, but not until she was sure they weren't trying to hide their 'relationship,' whatever that was, exactly, Kathryn didn't know yet, but she had a little first hand knowledge on how Chakotay behaved with a woman he had romantic inclinations for.

As Devin wished her a good morning, and Chakotay did as well, then left and went over to the other side of the table's end and started speaking 'manly' with the boys, Janeway asked, looking over to the first and speaking quietly, "Sleep well?"

While Janeway pushed out of her seat, came around her and grabbed a coffee pitcher, then turned over her ceramic cup and poured some for her, the first replied, "Exceptionally…Obliged. You?"

"Can't say it was bad," Kathryn answered so she didn't lie entirely, since it couldn't be bad if she didn't sleep, and said even quieter as she came up behind her and started back for her chair, certain Chakotay was keeping an eye on her, "I like your braid." Sitting down, looking at Devin squarely for a second, communicating silently, Janeway finally smiled as the Fynth shrugged, smirked and picked up her coffee, reaching back and feeling the twined hair again, "Well, I'm glad you had a nice night. Thank you for attending this morning."

"My pleasure, I assure you."

While Tom cracked a joke about Kim, and laughed, while Harry frowned at him, then made a fairly good jab back, which caused Chakotay to chuckle to himself and pick up his cup of coffee, Janeway looked over at him, smiled and winked quickly as she mimicked his movement, catching his slight bob of his head as the door opened again to deposit Tuvok and Neelix, who'd gotten rid of his apron and hat and had donned his best, loud outfit for the occasion. As the stoic Vulcan raised his eyebrows as Neelix finished his sentence, enthused, Tuvok merely allowed, "Indeed," before he turned to the females and said, "Good morning, Captain…First Regal," then came over next to Devin and took a seat.

As Devin turned toward Tuvok and started conversing with him, the first always having liked Tuvok as well from the beginning, although it seemed that she liked all of Voyager's senior officers with the exception of Paris and Neelix, who she found entirely too perpetually flipant or jovial for her personal liking, although she was never rude, just didn't go out of her way to speak with them, Janeway rose from her chair as Neelix started for her, inquiring as to how everything was. "It's perfect, as usual, Neelix…thank you," Kathryn said as she put her arm around his shoulders. "I'm glad you could make it. Things going okay in the Mess Hall?"

Narrowing his eyes some, and smirking, Neelix whispered, "Keilman's cooking today, but don't worry," he chuckled, "I've got fire teams standing by and I've already alerted Sickbay."

Chuckling at the thought of her lead Biometrics officer cooking, fairly well acquainted with the man, who was now a lieutenant, having promoted him at the same time as Wildman and Wang, although doing so privately in her office since he hadn't been as Samantha's birthday party like she had expected, Janeway replied, patting his back, "I didn't know he liked to cook?"

Neelix joked. "That's why the fire teams are standing by."

Janeway laughed lightly again, and said, "Good thinking. Why don't you have a seat and relax now…and no," she pointed at him, "getting up to serve people. That's an order. We can take care of ourselves. Understood?"

Neelix winked at her, and replied, "Aye, Captain," then went over and sat down next to his other buddy, Tom Paris, since those two had bonded after Kes had left and realized that although they were very different, they had quite a bit in common as far as having lived a good portion of their lives around some fairly shady characters and gotten by with their ability to con people to get what they wanted and needed. Now, about the only people that fell into their harmless traps anymore were Harry and the Doctor, but Janeway knew they liked to chat from time to time and relive their 'rebel without much of cause' days.

The next to arrive was the Doctor, who was always welcomed at their table, even though he couldn't or didn't need to eat. After he'd wished every one a good morning and made some crack about being asked to be on call for considering Neelix had handed over his kitchen to a scientist, which got a small chuckle out of everything, including the captain, Janeway was pleased when Chakotay gestured that he should come over and sit adjacent to him, and immediately began asking him how he was doing, even though she knew that the Doctor typically got on his nerves more than he got on hers since they just didn't have anything in common, at all. Almost immediately after that, the final four officers, all of them female, entered together.

Fowler and Torres came in first, and when Nicole patted her friend's arm smartly, seemingly on purpose, which caused the chief to wince and then elbow her friend, Janeway couldn't help but furrow her brow considering the second officer hadn't hit her that hard, which told Kathryn that B'Elanna had injured herself somehow and had once again refused to seek medical attention. However, she, of course, didn't ask what was wrong, even though B'Elanna continued to rub her arm as she came up to Chakotay, smacked his back fairly soundly and wished him a good morning. That wouldn't be appropriate for her considering she wasn't supposed to love the woman anymore, and even more important was that such actions were considered fairly dishonorable when done in a public setting, and Kathryn knew it would cause B'Elanna to get cranky if she showed concern that the Klingon couldn't handle an obviously minor injury.

While Torres slapped the Doctor's back too, saying, "Hey, Doc," then came over and sat next to him, leaving the single chair next to that open for Seven of Nine so she could sit next to Tuvok, Nicole Fowler started for the head of the table, greeted Tuvok, the captain, and then Devin.

Smiling as she passed by the Fynth, Nick tapped her finger to Devin's braid on her shoulder, which nearly matched hers in length and style, and allowed, "First, are you tryin' to steal my image?" Next, she chuckled, squeezed her shoulder very carefully, and finished, "You look lovely, Ma'am, and wear it better than I do. It's good to see you."

"Obliged, Nick," Devin smiled as Fowler came over to the other side of the table, but stayed standing next to Janeway, waiting for Samantha and Seven to stop speaking softly in the doorway, the scientist filling the Borg in on what had occurred last night with Naomi. Looking over to Janeway, Devin smirked, pointing up to Fowler, "Recall the swaggering lunatic I detailed to you at Seven of Nine's 'birthday' party? His deliriously charming sprit she channels regularly with exclamation."

As Fowler blushed modestly, wiped her nose, then gave her humbled thanks, then sat down while Seven questioned Samantha continuously, and started pouring herself and Samantha cup of coffee, adding cream to the blonde's, Kathryn chuckled, and nodded, then allowed before she sipped her coffee, "Yes, I'm sure she does." Once Fowler had sat back and taken a sip of her coffee, no one in a terrible hurry to get right down to business since they so rarely had the opportunity to just all get together and be personally professional in this manner without rushing, the captain asked, smirking slightly, "Miss Fowler, how are you this morning?"

Looking over to Janeway, having no idea what Kathryn's look was all about since Samantha had never told her she asked Janeway's advise about marrying her, or told her she informed her that she, Wildman, wished to do so, Fowler answered, keeping Naomi out of it unless Kathryn asked or Samantha brought it up, "Ready for duty, Captain…and on time by the skin of my nose," she looked over to Harry, then said loudly, "Boy, aren't you ever late?"

"I'm surprised you weren't the first one here, Nick," Harry smiled over at his newest Bridge buddy, bonding with Fowler as the dutiful Starfleet type, something that Paris would never be, "considering there's food. You sure you're not slowing down in your old age?"

As everyone laughed and Torres reached over and gave him a high five, and Seven and Wildman finally finished their conversation, Nicole returned, starting to stand while Samantha rounded the table, wished Devin and Janeway a good morning, "Laugh it up, fuzz ball." Then pulling the chair out for Samantha as Chakotay nearly choked on his coffee at that and Tom Paris laughed out loud, not at Torres, but because he figured that meant B'Elanna had taken his suggestion and watched the Star Wars dual trilogy, Fowler said as Samantha sat down and quietly thanked Nicole, "My apologies, Commander," speaking to Chakotay, who was coughing and asking, "Fuzz ball?"

While Torres stuck her tongue out at everyone, smiling, and refrained from flipping them off, while Seven, who was now donning her intricate Klingon patch on her arm in the same place as B'Elanna's new, and slightly sensitive tattoo, expelled the air from her chest, catching the meaning since she'd viewed the movies as well, Fowler sat down as Paris said, "It's from Star Wars…it's an old Sci-Fi flick." Then looking over to Fowler, Tom suggested, "I think you should be Han Solo next year for Halloween…that way," he smiled over to Torres, "B'Elanna can be Chubakka." As Fowler put her arm around Samantha, rubbed her tense neck affectionately, and laughed, slapping her leg, then pointing to B'Elanna, the helmsman went on, "In fact, we can do a whole Star Wars theme."

"Lemme guess," Torres shot back, "you could be Luke Skywalker?"

"That's right," Paris informed, ignoring her attitude. "Seven could be Bobbafete. Harry could be," pausing as he looked over at his friend thinking, "Harry could be a Stormtrooper. Sam," he looked forward to the pretty blonde, who he'd always liked, but had never asked out because she had a child, "you could be Princess Liea…and Naomi could be Annikan Skywalker as a kid."

"Who would I be?" asked the Doctor, intrigued.

Answering, Seven of Nine informed, "You could be Obi Wan Kanobe."

"Hey," Torres said, finally getting into it and over her irritation for Paris' continued attempts to make everything revolve around him as the central heroic character, "that's not a bad idea." Looking over to the Doctor, the Klingon nudged him and said, "That's good. You'd like him. He was cool, and you'd only have to wear a cloak." Pointing over to the first officer, B'Elanna said, looking to Tom, "Chakotay could be Qui Gon Jin. He's big enough…he can fight…sort of," he teased, smirking at him.

Laughing and nodding, Tom picked up his coffee and said, speaking to B'Elanna, "I think Neelix should be one of the renegades from Mose Isley's…and," he snapped, pointing over to the Vulcan, "Tuvok could be Darth Vader." As the people in the room who knew who that was laughed lightly, and the Vulcan merely raised his eyebrows, Paris finished, setting down, but still smiling, "First Regal, you could be the Emperor of the Sith. He was old," he said freely, knowing Devin wouldn't take offense, "and powerful…and evil to the core. He had superpowers and could shoot lighting from his fingertips."

Seven of Nine leaned forward to look at Devin, smiled, nodded and informed, "This is a compliment. The Emperor was an impressive and controlled the Empire as well as the Sith. He was a formidable opponent, and only perished when Lord Vader betrayed him to save his son, Luke Skywalker."

As everyone chuckled while Devin clicked and noted as she raised her long, bony finger, "Then I shall comply, Seven of Borg…Obliged," Chakotay asked purposefully, "Who would the captain be?" since she was the only one who'd been unnamed.

While Kathryn narrowed her eyes at Chakotay, and everyone quieted, those that knew the characters thinking, Paris said, "Well, she could be Yoda."

"Kathryn cannot be Yoda," Seven piped up immediately, which caught everyone's attention, considering she'd used her first name and was clearly displeased by that choice. Then blinking as she realized that she'd slipped again, the Borg straightened, and said, quickly, "It is unacceptable. She looks nothing like him. He was not even a meter tall…and green."

As everyone burst out in laughter at that, including the captain, Janeway played it off well, and said, chuckling, the clearly in throat, "Thank you, Seven."

"I know," Torres jumped in to save them all and finish the conversation, certain Kathryn was antsy to get down to business, "she could be Princess Liea's mother…Queen Amidala." Looking over to Janeway, as Samantha laughed to herself as Janeway once again was playing the part of her mother, B'Elanna smiled and said, "She was great, Captain…and her clothes were better, but you could be her in the The Attack of Clones so you you wouldn't have to wear an elaborate costume like she did in The Phantom Menance. Although," she smiled, "that would be cool if you did. You'd be sure to win the contest."

Seven, the reigning costume contest champion, looked over to B'Elanna, smirked and said, "Impressive. Although, if Sam san were to be Darth Maul, I believe he would give her a 'run for her money.'"

"Girl," Fowler jumped in, "if you can get Sammy to put on face paint and horns…you'll officially be my hero. Good luck, though."

"I am Borg," Seven of Nine cocked her eyebrow, smirking. "I were merely remind him that resistance is futile."

As everyone chuckled and Devin clapped her hands twice in amusement, Kathryn broke in and said, "Well, on that note…why don't we dig in before Nick gets her whip…"

Once everyone was finished with breakfast, except for Fowler, who was on her third helping, planning to eat as much as possible since she figured she'd be too busy for a while to escape to the Mess Hall for a snack, and Devin, who was a very slow eater, and still working on her first plate of grains and fruit, which Janeway had requested special for the Fynth ambassador, Janeway returned from her restroom break, having stopped by the Mess Hall to get a pitcher of warm water. Filling her empty coffee mug with the liquid, catching the faint smile on Seven of Nine's face as she downed her cup of decaf. When Seven reached over and placed her cup close to Janeway, and asked her for some, Kathryn filled it up, then said as the various conversations died down, certain Janeway was about to announce the reason for this breakfast, "Could I have your attention please…you're welcome," she finished softer as Seven thanked her.

While everyone grew completely silent, Janeway took a quick sip of her water, remained standing, then cleared her throat mildly as she set the mug down, "Most of you already know what I'm going to say, but for those of you who don't, before I explain, I want you to know that the reason those who do have been asked by me to keep this from you. It isn't because I don't trust you. It was to protect you and the rest of the entire crew, including the first's, from getting your hopes dashed. If it didn't work out, you would have never known…but," she smiled softly, "I'm very happy to report that it has worked out, and now it's time for you and the rest of our family to know."

As his heart rate increased exponentially, Ensign Kim asked as Janeway looked over at him and smiled, "Captain…are you talking about...going home?"

"It looks that way, Ensign," Kathryn said softly, then added, holding up her hand, "Now, there are no guarantees, Harry. We've still got a lot of work to do in the coming months, but the foundation has already been created…solidly."

"How?" asked Paris, looking around.

"You can start by thanking Seven of Nine," Janeway said as she sat back down, "and the chief for giving Seven the time she needed to do her research in private." Looking over to Tom and Harry, who were shocked, to say the least, the captain went on, "She's single handedly reinvented Slipstream technology and together," she now looked over to B'Elanna and the Borg, who was the only one of the two looking at her, Torres biting her nail and looking into her lap, "they've built what we believe will be a functioning Slipstream Drive aboard the Invictus." Glancing around at everyone, Janeway looked back over to the two and said, "Before I go on, on behalf of the entire crew, I want to say thank you to you both, but," she stood, smiling, "especially our one and only Borg…who's tireless efforts…and believe me," she chuckled, keeping things light, "I know…to bring this collective home will never be forgotten." Stopping behind her girlfriends, Janeway put her hand on each of their shoulders as they looked over at her, uncertain how to respond, Kathryn squeezed and patted them both, then extended her hand to Torres, saying, "Thank you, Chief…well done."

"Thank you, Captain," responded Torres, shaking her hand.

As Kathryn turned to her, extended her hand and said, "Seven," the Borg sighed, stood up, hugged Janeway, and said openly as Kathryn sighed and hugged her back, "No further gratitude is required, Captain. It is the 'least' I could do for all of your tireless assistance on my behalf." Then pulling away and placing her hands behind her back as almost everyone smiled at them, the blonde turned to the group and stated, "I am certain you will all concur when I say that I believe Captain Janeway is being too 'modest' again, and I am furthermore certain that if I stated it is us who owe her a debt of gratitude for her remarkable wisdom and leadership, you would all concur as well."

"Here, here," Chakotay said, standing up and raising his coffee mug. "To the captain of Voyager, Kathryn Janeway…to her chief engineer…and to Seven of Nine…the best Starfleet captain, Klingon chief engineer, and ex-Borg Astrometrics officer in the Delta Quadrant."

As everyone, including Janeway chuckled at that since they were probably the only of those people in the Delta Quadrant currently, stood and raised their glasses, saying, "To the captain, chief, and Seven," Kathryn nodded, shaking her head, then patted Seven's back as she sat and said, "Thank you."

"Captain," Tom jumped in as they all started to sit, "I don't quite understand…why build it on the Invictus?" certain that was the reason why his shuttle design had been seriously modified and the project delegated to Fowler's supervision instead.

"It's just a first step," Kathryn informed as she came back over to her seat. "Today after breakfast, I'll be testing the Slipstream Drive to make sure it actually works beyond theory and in the holodeck. If it goes as we think it will, we'll start construction on Voyager immediately."

Smiling, Paris asked, excited, "Need a pilot, Captain?"

While B'Elanna rolled eyes subtly and Fowler reached for her coffee mug to keep herself from mumbling to herself at Tom's continued attempts to boost his 'resumé' at the expense of others, Janeway remained easy, smirked at him and said, "I appreciate the officer, Mister Paris, but I'll be going alone this time. However," she went on quickly to stave off any objections from the Doctor, or anyone else, "I think there's a very good possibility you'll get your chance soon enough…all of us will."

"How long will it take to get home?" asked Kim.

Janeway grabbed her mug, sat back, gestured to the Borg with her hand and said, "Seven."

Raising her eyebrows, slightly surprised, the Borg turned to Harry and informed, "The power required to achieve maximum velocity and maintain is similar to the differential between antimatter reserves in warp technology. The Invictus's warp core is not that of Voyager's, so it would take approximately four days of continuous flight to reach the Alpha Quadrant, and approximately two days for Voyager considering this vessel could maintain a speed close to Warp Ten."

"Whoa," Paris jumped in as Kim's mouth dropped open, "Warp Ten. Captain," he turned to Janeway, "the last time we went that speed I evolved into lizard and kidnapped you."

"Don't get your hopes up, Paris," the chief jumped in, getting in a dig, "no more lizard babies for you and the captain." Nudging the Borg as Janeway closed her eyes and shook her head, but refrained from reprimanding, figuring Tom deserved a taste of his own medicine, however, she disliked being reminded of the incident, B'Elanna said, "Tell him, Seven."

"The speed is only an analogy to what would be required to cross such a distance in that amount of time utilizing warp technology. The quantum drive creates a conduit, not entirely dissimilar to a transwarp conduit, and the measurement of speed is not absolute as is warp. The more perfect the conduit, the faster the speed. However, transwarp 'cuts' through space like a wormhole. Slipstream does not. We will actually travel the entire distance inside of this conduit, which continually recreates itself. Any vessel within it will be elongated to accommodate for the speeds and to reduce force. The conditions inside the conduit become nearly perfect for space travel. Resistance is removed, which allows the vessel, once it has reached maximum velocity, to maintain by 'sliding' along inside. Power requirements at that point are negligible. The way in which we measure speed is not consistent with warp technology. Speed is measured in light years crossed per second. To reach Warp Ten, as you and the captain did, requires that you exist in all points of the universe at a single time, which is why you and the captain evolved. We will move from only point 'a' to point 'b' within the conduit. Maneuverability at this point, is not an option…however," she looked over at Torres and smirked, "I am certain 'in time' we will be able to enhance our design to allow for more efficient course changes by bending the conduit as necessary." Back to Paris, she finished, "This is merely the first 'step' and even the Borg must exit a transwarp conduit and create a new one to change course. There are exceptions to this, but only in a pre-existing series of interconnected conduits."

"So, does that mean we're going to have to put everyone in stasis to accommodate for this…stretching?" questioned the Doctor.

"No," the Borg answered. "We will be 'stretched' as well, but since we are inside of the conduit and being 'stretched' proportionate to Voyager…we will not know the difference. It is not unlike warp technology and the creation of a warp bubble to allow organic beings to exists safely within it even though you are moving well beyond the speed of light and actually existing in several points in the universe all at one time. The number of points in which we will exist at one time is actually less than what we are existing at currently." Cocking her eyebrow, she finished, "It is perfectly safe. I assure you."

"And if it's not," Captain Janeway said on the next beat, smirking, "then I'll be the only one stretched in oblivion."

"How long is this going to take to build on Voyager?" asked the ship's Talaxian ambassador, and Delta Quadrant native.

It being her turn to talk now as Seven of Nine nudged her, the chief leaned forward on her elbows and said, "Assuming we don't have any more transporter accidents," she smirked, looking over to Fowler, "or anything like that, if we work pretty much around the clock, we'll be ready to go in three months. It's taken us nearly that long to finish the Invictus, but we lost some time on it with the transporter problem, and we were also building a whole new shuttle. Most of the groundwork for the drive is already set up. We've enhanced the sensor capabilities in Astrometrics so we can know where the hell we are. The only thing left is to bolster the hull, the relays between the actual warp nacelles and the core, and to configure the computer to lower power output as resistance is minimized as we near maximum velocity. As we pass the threshold and actually enter the conduit, speed increases exponentially due to inertia until we're at maximum…so at that point, Voyager will actually seem like it's slowing because we won't need to push ourselves along anymore. Theoretically, in a perfect conduit without any resistance forces, which we don't expect to create, we could cut power altogether and just coast along." Sitting back and smiling at that, thinking that was just the coolest thing, B'Elanna finished as Seven reached for her hot water, "The hardest part is entering the conduit and then exiting. We'll have to speed up to slow down, or the change in velocity once we break out of it would crush us like a bug…but, that's not a catch considering if you can enter the stream, you should also be able to exit it in the same manner, just reverse engineer the maneuver."

"How far are you going today, Captain?" asked Kim, smiling.

Smiling back, Kathryn announced, "Just far enough to get into the stream, run a few tests on weapons, and that sort of thing. I won't go farther than five hundred light years so I can stay on sensors. Then I'll come out, run more tests on the shuttle's systems, turn around and come right back home." After sipping her coffee, she leaned forward and said, "I'm sure most of you know, we're on coarse for a Class-M planet. So, I'm just going to rendezvous with you there. If everything goes like it should, I should beat you to it by a little over an hour."

"If everything is so cut and dry," the Doctor said after a moment, "why are you going alone? Surely it's safer to take others in case of problems, Captain. I think at least you should take Seven along…"

"I'm not going to take Seven along, nor anyone else," Janeway came back quick and sure. "This is a test of an amazingly complicated, yet scientifically sound concept that we've never used before. I'm making the decision to go forward with the project to create a drive for this vessel, Doctor, but I'm not going to put anyone's life at risk, including yours," she hit her point home, "until I know that it works and the risk isn't much greater than traveling faster than the speed of light."

Standing up and looking around at everyone, the captain went on, "I have every confidence that we'll get this to work someday…somehow, but I can't take the risk of putting anyone else's life in danger until I've done this myself." While she started to pace, she spoke fluidly and eloquent, and from her heart, "If the worst happens today, I don't want you to give up on this because I know that together you can figure out what went wrong and how to fix it, and all of you are necessary to this ship to hold it together…Seven of Nine, included. Each of you has influence on the other officers aboard, and each of you has a responsibility to them to carry on no matter what. That's why I have to go alone. I need all of you to make sure you continue to press forward with this and take this ship home where it belongs." Stopping behind Commander Chakotay and placing her hands on his shoulders, she continued, "The commander and I have spoken extensively, and I'm not ignorant to the fact that losing any of us now, including me, would be a tremendous loss, but I could never do what I do without you. You all carry this ship just as much, if not more, than I do because you interact with a great many more people than I do. You know the officers that work for you every day, just as I know each and every one of you, and they will require your leadership to get them through any failures. They'll need you to keep believing in this. It will work, I know it, and the commander will need you to serve him just as steadfastly as you've served me."

After a moment, Kathryn patted Chakotay's shoulder and then went on around the side of the table, stopping for a moment to pat or squeeze everyone's shoulder, "I made a unilateral decision nearly eight years ago to keep this vessel here, and I've stayed true to form in this and made another one to send you home. So, consider yourselves now under direct orders from me to carry on with this project. Build another shuttle if you have to…do whatever it takes to make this successful before you try it with Voyager. Warp technology wasn't always perfect, but we're luckier than Mister Cochran…we've got the Borg on our side," smiling over at Seven, "and they tend to be sticklers when it comes to perfection. Don't lose sight of the fact that this isn't only for us…this is for the Federation. This technology has the capability to change space travel as we know it. We've have the privilege of being in on this at its beginning, and we have a duty to see it through to the end. I'm merely one person, and it seems a small price to pay to not only keep my promise to get you home or dying trying, but to be a part of something that will," she emphasized with her head as she stopped behind Fowler and placed her hands on her shoulders, "be the catalyst for changes and discoveries that are beyond our ability to imagine yet. Who knows," Kathryn smiled at all of them, "maybe our time in the Delta Quadrant is only just beginning, and maybe…just maybe, we'll all be able to come back here for family reunions and try to bring a little diplomacy to this place…since," she smirked, patting Nick and moving on, "I think we'd all agree that the Delta Quadrant could use some."

As a few people chuckled lightly at that, the captain came over to the first, placed her hand on the first's shoulder and finished, "I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again anyway. A captain could never ask for a finer crew than I have in you. You're diverse, complicated, out-spoken, unique individuals…each and every one of you, but you're also a singular unit who can do the most extraordinary things I've ever seen when you put your minds together and believe in each other. We've been through so many things together sometimes I forget the sheer brilliance and bravery all of you have displayed at one time separately and together until I take a moment to stop and think about how all of this really came about. So," she left Devin's side and came up to Tuvok and Seven, "if you hear anything I've said today, please hear me when I say that if this is the last time I ramble on, don't let it be the last time you all sit together as a family and share your ideas and experiences. All you need to think about to carry on just as easily are all of those times when hope seemed gone, but we managed to make it anyway and smile again. I know I rarely say it because it's not considered very captain-like," she smiled, looking around the table, "but I feel it constantly…I love each and every one of you like you were members of the wee," she chuckled, coming over to Torres, "yet fierce Janeway klan." As Torres and Samantha laughed while B'Elanna raised her hand to her shoulder and took the captain's to give it a squeeze, Kathryn patted her shoulder, and said, "So, on that note, let's get this show on the road because my mother, I'm sure, is just dying to fix you all an enormous home-cooked meal…and truthfully, I rather miss my dog."

After most everyone had filed out of the room, wishing her luck and shaking her hand, all of them except Samantha reporting to the Bridge, leaving her with only Devin, Chakotay, Torres and Seven, the lieutenant sighed as she got up from her chair as Chakotay and Devin spoke with Seven. Turning around to Kathryn, who was waiting by the door, B'Elanna cleared her throat and said, "Since Carey's playing house, Borg style," B'Elanna laughed as Janeway looked over to her and smiled softly, staring, "I'm gonna be in Engineering during your test. Seven's made a few last minute modifications to assist you in case you run into any problems, but I'll let her explain those."

"Alright. Thank you."

"Right," Torres nodded, stepping up close to her now, looking down, shaking her head several times. "Okay, now," she looked up to her and smiled, "don't wreck my rig, hot shot…I've got stuff in there I like."

Chuckling and swallowing, Kathryn said, wry, "I'll do my best, Miss Torres."

Torres sighed, next rubbed her forehead and finally said, "Fuck it," then grabbed Kathryn's face and kissed her squarely and passionately.

As Janeway kissed her back immediately, latching onto tight, the others turned to look at them for a moment, then turned back to each other and ignored them entirely, trying to give them as much privacy as possible. When Torres eased away from her lips, holding her at her neck and pressed her forehead to hers, Janeway maintained her composure, rubbed her nose against the Klingon's and whispered, "I love you, Lanna…thank you for this day."

"Thank me when you get back, Red," B'Elanna whispered, then took a deep breath. Kissing Kathryn one more time, which got the captain to make a high, involuntary sound in the back of her throat, she pulled away quickly and said, "I love you too," then turned and started through the door. Stopping in the seam, she moved only her head around and said, grinning, "Oh, and I checked with Kahless, and he says it's not a good day to die, Captain, so do me a personal favor and don't make me have to kill the greastest warrior to ever live for lying." Then pounding her the wall with her fist, she finished, "Qapla'!" and exited.

"I will see you on the Bridge," Seven of Nine said to Chakotay, then nodded at Devin before she turned around. Stepping up to Kathryn, Seven remained easy as she put her hands on Janeway's shoulders, straightened her uniform and fussed with it while she spoke, "If you encounter problems, I have programmed the computer to assist you with diagnosing the issue and offering the most probable solution. All you are required to do is ask your questions aloud. Recall that an escape pod is available for your use, Captain." As Kathryn smirked at her, the Borg went on, "Recall that it is easier for us to rebuild the Invictus than it is to rebuild you. As you said, we will get this to work, and that will undoubtedly be easier to accomplish with your assistance."

"I will comply," Janeway said, nodding, then asked, smiling up at the Borg, "Anything else, Counselor?"

"Please," Seven of Nine said quieter, but fairly crisp, taking her hands away from Janeway and placing them behind her back, "do not disengage the multi-phasic shielding for any reason. Its systems are completely separate from the drive's and it will not effect your 'trip' in the least. If the computer suggests to you to do so, do not comply, for it is in error…however, that should not happen."

Kathryn replied, still smiling at Seven and taking no offense to her 'orders,' "Yes, Ma'am."

"I will be in Astrometrics throughout the entirety of this 'test' monitoring your progress and position closely. Recall that if you encounter an issue, you are to activate the automated distress call sensor immediately. You will not be out of range and we can reach you at maximum speeds within a week. In preparation for this event, I have supplied the Invictus with everything that you will require to keep you comfortable, including several 'books' you may download to a PADD, recipes for your favorite meals, and the musical selections that you prefer. All the same electronic data is available in the escape pod's systems as well, and that has been adequately stocked with emergency rations and survival 'gear.'"

"Thank you, darling," Kathryn said sincerely, charmed and once again being give rock solid evidence about how far Seven had come in just four short years since she would have never thought to do that even two years ago, and most likely would have considered such amenities irrelevant. "That's very thoughtful."

"You are welcome, 'doll,'" Seven added, just to get a chuckle out of the redhead. Then reaching forward, Seven wrapped her arms around Kathryn and hugged her firmly, then said, "I have no doubts you will be successful, and I look forward to returning to the surface of a planet to continue our swimming lessons. I require your superior teaching technique so that I may 'beat' Nick Fowler next time we 'race.'"

As Seven pulled away, Kathryn tapped her lips and said, "It's a date. Time to go…kiss me." As Seven smirked, then did so softly and pulled away after only a few quick moments, both of them having already exchanged passionate kisses the night before and not wanting to detour themselves from their critical tasks too much, Kathryn sighed as she rested one hand on Seven's upper chest, grazed her thumb against her lips with her other and whispered, "I love you…thank you for my gift."

"I love you as well…thank you for you." Then stealing a quick, final kiss, Seven of Nine backed away and said as she exited, "I will see you soon…resistance is futile."

"Well, lady," Chakotay said, stepping away from Devin after giving her a small kiss while Janeway and Seven weren't looking, "I'm off to the Bridge. Anything you'd like done while you're gone?"

Chuckling, Kathryn said, "Just give me a bear hug and get the hell out of here."

Chakotay smiled, then complied, picking her up easily, but not squeezing too hard since she usually told him she couldn't breath when he did that. When Kathryn hugged him fiercely, then kissed his cheek, told him she trusted him, the commander whispered, "I know." Setting her down and pulling away, squeezing her hand for a second before they let go, he finished, "Ladies…as always, it's been a pleasure. Don't leave me alone with these crazy people or I'll send my animal guide after you."

As the commander left, Kathryn quirked her mouth for a moment, then sighed when she figured that meant Devin planned to come with her and said as she turned around, "The answer's no."

Smirking, the first came up next to her and said, "Then the question is you weren't planning to depart without me. I'm pleased it was that simple." Patting Janeway's shoulder as the captain sighed and shook her head, "You are wise beyond your length, Captain."

"Devin," Janeway came back, turning toward the towering Fynth, "you know I'm not going to let you go. You can, however," Kathryn turned toward the door, "escort me to the shuttle, but that's as far as you're going."

Walking with the captain easily, Devin stated, "I know nothing of the Slipstream. I will merely be your guest. Fear none, I will not get in your way." When Janeway turned toward her and opened her mouth, the Fynth placed her hand on her shoulder and said, "You expect me to carve a path you would not do yourself. If this were mine, you would request passage, and do not detail anything other because I know you well enough."

"First," Kathryn said softly, "your people need you more than mine need me. What about your legacy…what about Shreen?"

"My legacy would be nothing if I did not accompany you," the first informed immediately. "Shreen will dwell better without my legacy than to gain one which teaches her it is more important to salvage it than complete my duty as a first."

"But this isn't your duty, Devin," Janeway replied adamantly. "You're native to this quadrant…"

Cursing her foreign word, then lifting her finger, she was about to continue when two officers came around the hallway. Turning to them, she ordered with speed and deftness, "This pathway is closed!…Retreat!" Back to Janeway, who nodded to her officers as they halted and looked to her to make sure there wasn't a problem, Devin went on once they turned around and went the other way, "Together…two…working as one is what you carved, Kathryn. Do not spit upon that now when it demands the attention we reveled in prior, and do not detail to me what my duty is."

Feeling feisty, Janeway said, holding her ground, "Excuse me, but you're on my ship, standing here right now telling me what I will and will not do. I don't think you have any room to talk…and since this is my ship, I'm telling you that you can't come with me." When the Fynth opened her mouth, Janeway held up her hand, stepped up close to her and said, "Enough. You are going to stay because I need you here more than I need you to fulfill a captain's duty to another captain. You're the only one that understands what it really means to be a captain. All those things I said in there are true, but I've seen this crew lose me before…years ago and it nearly tore them apart at the seams. Chakotay needs someone like you to fall back on if I don't make it. His burden would be greater than anything I've ever had to stand up to. So, please, as a personal favor to me, don't fight me right now because I admire your courage and I appreciate your sacrifice, but I'm not going to bend on this one and I will," she nodded, curt, "have you escorted off my ship if you don't comply."

The Fynth held her stare for a beat to make sure she was serious, then blinked, nodded and said, softer and caring, "It has been an honor to detail you closely, Captain Janeway. So rarely do I discover an equal in duty, and even rarer is that equal so filled with a just spirit." Dipping her head and bowing slightly, bending at her knees, she finished as Kathryn sighed slightly in relief, "For this honor, I will submit to your will and see to your babes as if they were my own." Then placing her hand on Kathryn's shoulder as Janeway gave her quiet thanks, she said, "Tread down the pathway with your stubborn and willful swagger, my child…there is no need for escort."

As Devin touched her face on the side, then turned the other direction and headed away, Kathryn asked, "And where are you going?"

"Your central awaits my presence, Captain," the Fynth said, not turning around. Holding up her fingers, she added, "I will pray and keep my fingers crossed for your success while I'm flanked by the beautiful charmers. May the spirits be with you on your trek."

Smirking as Devin marched away confident, proud and truly regal, Janeway shook her head, looking up as she did so, surprised it had taken them this long to have and test of wills, certain she would have befallen the same fate if the situation was reversed, and then took off down the hall…stubborn and willful all the way to the Shuttle Bay.

While Seven of Nine stood erect in the space lab and sang You Are My Sunshine happily as she worked, feeling more confident now than she ever had about the Slipstream Project, and B'Elanna Torres sat in her office with the door closed and tried not to scratch her tattoo or bite her nails as she prayed to anyone who would listen to keep Janeway safe, feeling less confident than she ever had about the project, First Regal Devin sat comfortably in Kathryn's command chair, flanked by Chakotay and Fowler, carefully, but silently detailing everything that was happening around her, noticing easily that everyone was on edge, especially Chakotay, since she'd never seen him so solid, serious and tense. He did well to hide it, but it was obvious in the way he leaned over and watched the sensor readings come in from the command console.

Quickly Chakotay said as the readings told him Kathryn was about to enter the conduit, "Harry, put it on screen if you can."

"On screen now."

Looking up at the small picture, the commander asked, "Can you magnify?" As Kim did so to maximum and the Invictus was seen accelerating, stretching and then punched through the small tunnel the drive was creating with the shuttle's small deflector dish and disappeared from sight, leaving nothing but clear space, Chakotay got to his feet quickly, tapping his communicator and was about to hail Seven when the Borg's voice rang out, saying, "Seven of Nine to the Bridge…Captain Janeway has successfully entered the Slipstream conduit and is approaching maximum velocity."

As everyone held their breaths, Chakotay held out his hand to them all and asked, "Keep this channel open and let me know when she's there…"

"I will comply," Seven said, then started humming softly, not realizing she was doing so as she moved to the side panel gracefully, perfectly at ease and feeling the desire to dance. Then before Chakotay could ask her if she was humming, Seven of Nine raised her head, placed her hands behind her back and reported with pride, "The Invictus is now at maximum velocity, Commander, and power output is decreasing correctly as we speak. She is now covering a distance of nearly ten point eight light years per second."

As everyone remained silent and continued to wait, Seven of Nine reported again after a few moments, certain this would bring the cheers out of Kathryn's tense crew, "Apparently the captain has encountered remarkably 'smooth sailing' because she has now cut warp engines altogether and continues to move at maximum...utilizing only impulse engines."

Knowing that was amazingly good news since she'd been in the simulators with Janeway, Seven, and Torres and they hadn't once been able to cut warp altogether without slowing, Fowler jumped to her feet, leading the cheers and said, "Ah ha! That's right, woman…fly that bird…hot damn!" While Paris whistled and clapped his hands, Harry practically collapsed from holding his breath, then managed a smile. Tuvok merely cocked his eyebrow and nodded his head, impressed, while Chakotay clapped his hands toward the viewers and Devin stood up, rejoiced and admitted her awe of the Borg. Slapping her communicator, quieting everyone, Nick said, "Fowler to Torres."

"Report!"

"Chief," Fowler smiled, winking at Chakotay, "can you talk?"

"Yes, goddammit…what!"

"Sister," Nicole drawled, placing her hands on her hips, "Cap'n is takin' that slick rig of yours to school…I mean workin' it, T."

"I'm on my way!"

"Seven," Chakotay said smiling, putting his hand on the Fynth's shoulder as she stood next to him, "everything okay still?"

"Yes, Commander," the Borg reported. "She has just fired phasers from the aft and forward arrays without event. Her velocity and course continue to remain steady. She will be required to drop out of the conduit in one minute or risk surpassing our ability to 'track' her. I will continue to keep the channel open and inform you when power output begins to increase again."

"Commander," Harry Kim said with a smile on his face, looking up, "we're being hailed by the Alaxiat."

Chakotay removed his hand from Devin's shoulder, as he looked over to Operations and nodded, smiling as well, "Patch them through." Then looking back to the viewscreen as Grenthel appeared on screen, the commander asked, "Looking for the first?"

"Devin," Grenthel started quickly, hovering over a sensor board, "I recall you speaking once about diagonal protraction of matter. What was that in regards to?"

Frowning, the first answered quickly, "The Crelic's attack pattern. Are you detailing this phenomenon?"

The second answered as Torres bounded onto the Bridge, smiling, then stopped as everyone looked to the screen and seemed tense, "Yes…it's closing on our position…with swiftness."

"Who?" "Explain!" sounded Torres and Seven at the same time.

"Sound the alarm!" the Fynth cracked to Grenthel. "Fall back to a secondary position and await my directives. They will triangulate…there is always a third vessel that will remain in shadow when the others come out." Turning to Chakotay as he came up to her and asked what was happening, Devin put her hand on his shoulder and requested, "Will you allow me to guide our attack? I heard numerous tales of them before and they are deadly. Your diplomacy first will end in failure…surely."

"Red alert and drop us out of warp," Chakotay sounded, pointing up to Tuvok, then said, "She's all yours…just tell us what to do." Looking up out of habit as Devin quickly moved to Operations and spoke to Harry as to what to look for to spy the crafts hunting them, Chakotay said, "Seven, we've got company. How's the captain?"

"She has successfully dropped out of the conduit and is currently holding position," Seven of Nine rattled off quickly. "She is undoubtedly conducting diagnostics and is incapable of scanning us from her distance. I cannot contact her directly."

"Send out a long range message to tell her we're being tracked by three hostile vessels and she's on our own…that'll have to do. Then call Garen to take your place and report to the Bridge."

"Acknowledged."

Turning around to Torres, who was camped out with Tuvok as Fowler manned Auxiliary Tactical, Chakotay said, giving an order that he didn't like to do, but one he knew the captain wouldn't disapprove of since she'd been true to her word after the Fynth situation and vowed to take less chances with Voyager and utilize the Elite Force in shuttles when at all possible to keep fire away from the largest ship, "Nick…get to the Flyer and prepare it for departure…Chief…go with her and man Tactical. I want you to circle the area and try to draw them out. Stay on your toes and just bring'em here like old times, Torres."

"Right," B'Elanna nodded, understanding the technique that they used many times as Maquis.

"Aye, Sir," Fowler said at the same time, heading for the turbolift quickly.

"I've got them," Harry reported as Devin looked over his shoulder and told him what to do, but did not do so herself because she wasn't familiar with their console interface. "You're right…there's three…five million kilometers and closing. Tuvok?" Kim asked, knowing the Vulcan would understand and he forwarded the sensor information to the Vulcan so he could target weapons, as Devin nodded and started back for the command deck, moving to the helm quickly.

"Targeting weapons, Commander," the Vulcan informed as he worked his board.

At Tom's back, Devin informed while Seven of Nine came onto the Bridge and immediately took her standing position at the Auxiliary Tactical display, speaking toward the viewer where the view of her central continued to be shown as they prepared themselves and awaited the first's orders, "Cut engines." Once that was done she explained as the ships grew closer, speaking swiftly and articulate, "The shadow vessel is the foe. The others are unmanned toys. Destroy it and the toys will become erratic without their directives…they are programmed to ram if the brain is lost. If they sense we understand their tactic, it will modulate its cloaking device continuously and become difficult to track. Mine," pointing to the screen, "will keep the Delta Flyer adequately covered…do not hone in on the shadow vessel. Leave them to us. Direct your attack to their heart…you will do little damage but give us an adequate length to prepare to fire. Once we do, you must precisely hone in on their left wing…their ability to steer will be lost for length enough for us to finish them." Patting Paris' back, she finished, "If they are unsuccessful, the toys will converge on our position from both sides, diagonally…flee only when they have closed to one thousand of your meters. Without the brain, they're deftness is hindered and they will collide and destroy themselves."

"The Flyer is away," reported Tuvok as Paris acknowledged his orders and said it wouldn't be a problem.

Tapping his communicator as Devin turned and started for Janeway's chair, Chakotay said, "Voyager to Delta Flyer."

"We read you, Commander," Fowler said as she piloted the vessel, having gotten the rundown of the tactic from Torres as they sprinted to the Shuttle Bay.

"Stick to the ships you can see once they decloak…leave the other one to us. Once we engage them, target the left wings of your ships or they'll try to ram us…the Alaxiat will cover you."

"Acknowledged. Flyer out."

"Seven of Borg," the Fynth said as she sat down in Janeway's seat, "efficiency is required at this length. Detail to me what you would carve to destroy the shadow vessel."

"We should set a direct course for the vessel at half impulse," the Borg began, working her fingers quickly to continue analyzing the vessel as best they were able, utilizing her enhanced skills to interpret how space around it was affected instead of scanning it directly, "while firing phasers at the robotic ships to make it seem as though we are unaware of their presence. Once we are within range and have slowed, we should come about directly in front of them and vent our warp nacelles immediately, then fire phasers to ignite the plasma. This will disable them severely…at which point we can attempt to make contact before firing torpedoes." Looking up as Devin turned around and raised her eyebrows, Seven informed, "Captain Janeway would not approve of us destroying this vessel without attempting to make contact first and seeking a diplomatic solution." Looking back to her board, she finished, "This will ensure both objectives are met efficiently. This is only my suggestion, however. I will comply with your directives, I assure you."

Smiling, Devin stood and said, "Let us detail how it unfolds before we carve their finality then. Commander Tuvok, prepare your rear torpedo bays for the shadow and fire at will haphazardly to the toys. Flight, do as she suggests, and whomever should vent this plasma…do so as we turn." Turning around to Chakotay as Paris informed they were closing in and would be coming about in two minutes, the Fynth said while the commander reported he would take care of venting the plasma, "Strange to carve when one is knowing of so little of the systems, hmm?"

Nodding once and smirking at the Fynth, Chakotay said, "Ensign," getting up from his chair and walking over to the Engineering station, looking over his shoulder, "keep an eye on our people. If they get into trouble, let us know immediately."

"On it, Commander," Kim informed as he looked down at his board, then smiled, still looking down and reported, "I think Nick missed her calling as a stunt pilot. They're all over the place, but holding their own. The Flyer has yet to fire and had sustained zero damage. The Alaxiat is busy and taken two hits…shields are holding…although, little damage has been sustained to the robotic vessels."

"Grenthel is a steady gunner…he will find his marks," the first informed with sureness, then pointed to Tuvok and asked, "Are you capable of loading front torpedoes as well?"

"All torpedo bays are at the ready."

Walking up to the upper level and coming next to Seven, Devin informed, "No diplomacy is required for toys, when we turn and they have lost their ability for accurate flight, destroy them…Seven of Nine can launch the aft flurry if it is required."

"As you wish."

Tapping his communicator at that, Chakotay said quickly, "Voyager to Delta Flyer…Nick…when we come about, I want you to get the hell outta the way. Let the Alaxiat hit the wings and we're going to follow with torpedoes."

"Acknowledged. Flyer out."

"Chakotay," Paris reported from the helm, "stand by to vent plasma in thirty seconds."

Over to Operations, Devin asked, still standing next to Seven, "Ensign Kim, can you detail if your captain has received the transmission?"

"It will take at least an hour to reach her, Ma'am," Harry reported quickly. "She's still holding steady though."

"Coming about in ten seconds," Tom Paris informed as he slowed the vessel while Tuvok continued to fire randomly, making it look like perhaps he was intoxicated his aim was so purposefully terrible. As he began his turn, Paris said, "Any time, Commander."

"Venting plasma," Chakotay said mid-way through the turn so a full swath of the highly explosive exhaust was released all around. "Back us off, Tom…Tuvok…"

Pausing a moment to make certain they were moving forward before he fired, the Vulcan reported, "Firing phasers…now."

As Devin snapped her fingers to him, Kim informed, "The plasma is aflame…damage is occurring…it's difficult to say how much, though, Ma'am. I've never seen a ship like this…"

"Destroy the toys at will, Tuvok," Devin said as Chakotay left the Engineering station and ran over to Operations to assist Kim with trying to keep up with everything. Tapping the Borg's console, she commanded, "Fire your phasers twice to shake them…pause…then repeat, and wear none for they would destroy your collective to gain only one working shuttle. Such thievery deserves little remorse."

Nodding, Seven of Nine did as she was asked, saying, "Firing phasers."

"Detail to me Voyager," Devin requested crisply.

"One of the robotic vessels as been destroyed. The Alaxiat is targeting the other currently," the Security Chief reported. "That vessel is now out of range of our torpedoes."

"Firing phasers again," Seven said right on top of the end of his sentence.

"Flight…assist your gunner's range, if you can, but do not retreat to far from the brain."

After a beat, Harry reported to everyone, "We're being hailed by them…audio only."

Chakotay said, moving from behind Operations to the command deck, "Put it on speakers."

"No!" Devin said quickly, turning toward the commander. "Let them wait and taste what it is they carve for a length. Again, Seven…merely shake them." As the Borg paused, then nodded and did as she was asked, Devin said to Chakotay, who started toward her quickly, putting her arm around his shoulder so they could speak quietly, "Trust me, Second. First put them in a position where they can make no demands, and then show your graciousness or it will be your undoing. No mercy would they show you and they are fierce. It is not the length to take such risks for murdering thieves."

"The second vessel has been destroyed."

As they were hailed a second time, Kim reported, "Both of our ships are converging around the main vessel. They've sustained only moderate damage…however, all shields are down."

"Let me see it on screen," Chakotay asked over his shoulder as Devin whispered her theories. "Tom, bring us about and reload forward torpedo bays." Back at Devin, he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll take your lead." Then around to everyone, he said, "The first's in charge. I'll do what I can to assist her with our capabilities. Stay sharp and think for yourselves. If you have ideas, we want to hear them. Understood?"

"Aye, Commander…Yes, Commander…Aye, Sir."

As the commander nodded to her, Devin turned to Operations and said, "Recall the Delta Flyer," turning to Tuvok, "Assemble both of your special units. Send the second to the Alaxiat…the primary should remain here…however," touching Seven of Nine's arm, "I will retain Seven's services for this central."

Nodding, Tuvok came up to Seven, whispered to her the instructions, then turned and started for the door, tapping his communicator, saying, "Tuvok to Wang…Condition Red…Alpha, Beta…Two in one."

Following Seven of Nine to the Tactical console, Devin requested what her directives were. Making sure weapons were at the ready, Seven of Nine said softly, "The safety of the Bridge is my responsibility to maintain. Will you allow me to make demands at this time?"

"Shake them again, then direct at will, my child," Devin informed whispering, then stepped away.

"I require your attention," Seven of Nine said as she fired a light burst of phasers to keep them twitching, creating only moderate damage. As everyone turned to her, Seven said, "Commander, man Tactical please," to Chakotay as she looked over to him. As Chakotay didn't hesitate and came up the steps, Seven said to him, "There is a phaser beneath this console. This sensor here," she pointed to the nondescript red button, "activates the emergency transporters for this station and will beam you to a secure location aboard this vessel. In the event the Bridge is boarded, do not hesitate to use it immediately. There are weapons and specialized communicators that will allow you to roam without being detected. I will contact you utilizing it. First Regal," pointing to Devin, "please sit in the captain's chair. There is a phaser behind the command console for your use. If the Bridge is boarded, proceed to the Ready Room and understand that I will take you by force if necessary. Her office is nearly impenetrable." Since all secondary Bridge officers had been asked to leave for the captain's test, the only ones left wer Paris and Kim, so she said as she spun and started for the captain's Ready Room, "Paris and Kim, I will return with your directives shortly."

As Seven breezed into the office, Devin started gracefully for the command deck and said as Kim just stood there with his mouth half open, "She will take me by force…she details." Looking over to Chakotay, who was smirking lightly, she asked, "Is this treatment specific to relics, or does your captain undergo the same assault?"

Firing phasers again to give them more time to be fully prepared to negotiate with unsavory thieves, the commander said, "She gets the same treatment. Whoever's in command, actually. It's a good place to go. She's got a fully loaded weapons locker, and an escape hatch hidden in the floor of her bathroom now. If she goes in there, she can crawl out and get to anywhere in the ship she needs to go to retake it. She and Tuvok have everything worked out, so I'm sure Seven's been trained specifically on all of this. They have a pretty elaborate holodeck simulation of Voyager." Looking over to Kim, he said, "Just do what she says, Harry…the captain's okayed all of this. They know what they're doing. I know it seems like running scared, but it's just to fall back and keep a command structure intact while we wait to make our move."

"Aye, Sir," Kim nodded, then reported on the next breath, "First, we're being hailed again…audio and video this time."

Reaching behind the console, feeling for the phaser, Devin replied, "We shake them more, yet they gain more systems…interesting characteristic of your phasers." Then seriously as she pulled out the phaser and looked at it strangely, the first said, "Send them a text message, Ensign. Detail to them to cease their communicating and stand down all weapons or be destroyed. We will contact them when we feel we wish to converse." Getting up from the command chair and starting towards Chakotay, although taking the long way by Kim to tease the ensign as she moved the weapon about to look at it, Devin asked, "Chakotay, so I don't singe the babe…detail this mechanism to me."

As Kim chuckled mildly, Chakotay did as well as he came around the console and met her near the turbolift, reaching for the phaser, saying, "The large button is the trigger. It's automatically set for stun…that will immobilize just about any organic being. High stun will make them unconscious for a while. You can raise the setting by…"

While Seven of Nine was donning her Elite Force uniform that she'd replicated in the safety of Janeway's Ready Room, while she commanded the computer to open the weapons locker, all members of the Elite Force now having authorization to do so, four mercenaries of the Crelic shadow vessel came through the doors to the turbolifts at the same time, two and two, having beamed directly to those locations. They were all dressed similarly in smokey grey fatigues, all of them wearing utility vests except the largest and oldest one, who was simply wearing a tight, thick, ribbed, long-sleeve shirt, but had thick, leather covers on his forearms, and a black, leather belt with a silver buckle that display the Crelic symbol that held up his pants, which were thick, but comfortably roomy to allow for movement, and had many pockets on the outside, although his didn't look like he was carrying anything inside of them. As Chakotay raised the setting to maximum just a split second before while he stood with his back to the turbolift, pointing the weapon away from them as he instructed Devin quickly on how to utilize it, the Fynth looked over his shoulder first as the doors opened. As her eyes grew wide and she cursed, Devin grabbed Chakotay's hand, turned it toward one of them and pressed the trigger.

"Intruder alert! Deck One!" Harry Kim managed to get out before he launched himself at the two men coming after him, raising their weapons, one of them aiming at Tom, who hadn't a chance as he turned around and was struck directly in the chest by the energy weapon. Kim wasn't much of a fighter, but he was a sizable man and could take a few punches, so he knew all he had to do was hold them off for a few moments before Seven of Nine came onto the scene and kicked their asses efficiently. However, the Crelic were dense, equally sizeable, if not more so, and they were clearly trained to fight because Harry didn't get one punch to connect before he was chopped at his neck and the base of his back by both of them with the butts of their weapons, which sent him to the floor.

Just after Devin had fired and the one man yelled, then completely dematerialized, the other intruder with him slapped the weapon away. Since they were both holding it strangely in their haste, it went skidding across the floor. Pushing Devin behind him with his left hand as he brought his right around for a backhand after it had been knocked to the side when the weapon fell out, Chakotay connected with his face, yelling, "Go!" to the first while one of the men who'd downed Kim turned for them.

Since the Fynth was no match for any of these men, even if she was taller, Devin turned immediately and started for the stairs, but couldn't get away quick enough before she was grabbed by her long braid halfway down the steps and pulled backward. Falling to the ground against the stairs, halfway turned around to brace her fall, the elderly woman clenched her teeth as she felt several bones break in her torso, then seethed her curse as saliva formed near her lips, spitting at the pain, before she had to close her eyes tightly at her agony as her body registered it and went into protection mode while the solid presence over her moved away and started for the helm.

Able to hold his own one on one, Chakotay turned his aggression to the man that was at Kim's side just in time to see him fire his weapon. As the impact hit him in his upper right shoulder thanks to his quick turn, the commander was spun halfway around, but kept himself up by grabbing the handrail with his left arm. Seeing Devin in agony as she tried to pull herself off the unforgiving stairs and to a flatter surface, the commander seethed with rage, and kicked backward, knowing the intruder was behind him. As he connected fairly soundly, the commander, holding his right arm to his side to keep it secure, spun around and growled at the man, "Come on a fight me like a man, you coward!"

When the equally built man not wearing the utility vest, with short, squarely cut, salt and pepper hair and a small scar that obscured his bottom lip on the left side, smiled and tossed down his weapon, then brought up his fists, the first officer was about to barrel toward him and tackle his when the man that had gone after Tom snuck up behind him and chopped him with the butt of his weapon, knocking him unconscious.

Bending down as Chakotay slumped to the floor while the intruder he'd knocked silly shook his head and slowly got to his feet, the Crelic commander picked up his weapon, slung it over his solid chest and said, his baritone voice smooth and collected, "He's one of the commanders. Get them all into the turbolift. Everyone goes to the cargo holds…I'll get the old woman."

While all of that was occurring, although she hated to do so, Seven of Nine finished dressing swiftly, then accessed Voyager's computer instead of grabbing a phaser rifle and running out onto the Bridge. When she saw that there were intruders now throughout the ship, it became her primary objective to not protect the members of the Bridge, but protect the ship itself from falling into enemy hands, so she called out the authorization to lock down Janeway's Ready Room so she could work efficiently and not worry about others breaking in. Following orders as Kathryn and Tuvok would wish her to do, Seven of Nine quickly located the other members of the Elite Force, said "Shit," to herself as she saw that it looked like that before the Beta squad could beam to the Alaxiat, a great many of them looked to be moving to a singular location, other than the Transporter Room. Tuvok and Wang were in the Security Office alone, so she knew that was where she needed to get to first, and Fowler and Torres were just shutting down the Flyer in the Shuttle Bay, which meant as long as they assessed the situation quickly, they would act appropriately and move to a secure position, which unfortunately was a very long ways away when one was allowed to only utilize the Jefferies Tubes, which was the case for the Elite Force during this situation. Considering she was inherently quicker than all the individuals on this ship with accessing data from the vessel since she could interface with her assimilation tubes, which she was, she quickly listed all members of the Elite Force, as well as Captain Janeway as deceased on a date several weeks ago, so that if they broke into the computer and looked for unaccounted crewmembers, they wouldn't show up. Since Kathryn was a long ways away and wouldn't even know something was wrong for eighty-two point three minutes, and then would undoubtedly come directly back once she found out there was trouble, Seven hoped that with that possibility, and the Invictus' deadly weaponry, Janeway could easily assist them in finishing off the shadow vessel with the Alaxiat, assuming they had not been boarded as well. Since scanning the Alaxiat would tip off anyone on that ship that someone aboard Voyager was moving about freely and trying to assess the situation, Seven couldn't risk that occurring to find out whether or not their efforts were concentrated only on the larger vessel.

When she noticed a command unraveling as Janeway was listed as deceased and interpreted the data being passed to what looked to be each of the senior officers, Seven halted what she was doing and accessed the first packet she came across, which was a personal memo to Commander Chakotay. Only having to read the first paragraph to understand that these letters were goodbye letters, Seven hurriedly undid the command and returned them all to Janeway's personal database before anyone could read them, certain Kathryn would not wish it unless she were truly dead. However, and maybe it was just because she missed Kathryn terribly, nearly constantly anymore, or maybe it was because she was indeed adapting to her humanity efficiently as she hoped and others said she was, but she downloaded a copy of the letter to herself and stored it in her personal memory banks, where it would remain forever, unless she deleted it, and there, it could not be accessed with any ease by any one, not even the queen.

She did not read it, however, since she was savvy enough to know now was not the time, even if it would only take her a few seconds.

Once that was complete, she scanned the Bridge, and when she found that it was entirely empty, Seven paused for a moment to consider her options. If she fired a full spread of torpedoes, which she was certain would destroy the vessel, then locked down the Bridge as well, the intruders would be stranded aboard their vessels; however, that would also mean that the intruders would know someone had escaped. Then shaking her head and deciding it was better to take them out now while she had a chance, and didn't want to risk contacting anyone, Seven commanded the starship to fire on the shadow vessel. Smirking to herself as she looked out the window and watched the ship take the impacts, which started a chain reaction that took care of the rest of the ship, several large parts floating around, but only harmlessly so, the Borg turned her attention back to the sensor board and locked down all control of the ship from Helm to Operations to only members of the Elite Force. She furthermore shut the Bridge down entirely so no one could access anything, following directives which could create a make-shift Bridge out of the Security Office, or Main Engineering, whichever location was secure at the time.

Then breaking her connection with the ship, not sending out a distress call because she worried considering the types of individuals they'd come across in this region of space, it was more likely they'd try to take advantage, Seven turned to the weapons locker and pulled out a hand phaser. She could have used a phaser rifle instead, but considering she was going to have to crawl through a Jefferies Tube and ladder series, it was less cumbersome, and there were plenty of larger weapons stored in the Security Office. Moving towards the captain's bathroom, Seven requested, "Computer, locate Samantha and Naomi Wildman."

As Seven of Nine stepped into the bathroom, kicked back the decorative rug and revealed the escape hatch, the computer said, "Lieutenant Wildman is in the Cargo Bay. Naomi Wildman is in her quarters."

Pulling open the hatch, the Borg asked, "Is anyone else in Naomi Wildman's quarters?"

"Negative."

"Locate her precise position."

"Naomi Wildman is the in closet of her sleeping quarters."

Pleased by that since that meant that although the child was undoubtedly afraid, she was following orders, Seven of Nine commanded as started down the ladder, speaking quickly, "Computer, activate the Level Ten forcefield around her closet and log her status as deceased on the same stardate as Captain Janeway's termination…authorization Elite, zero, one, seven."

"So logged."

As she closed the hatch and started down the ladder, Seven queried, "Computer, locate Ensign Trisha Elliot-Caster."

"Ensign Caster is in the Cargo Bay."

"How many lifeforms are in the Cargo Bay?"

"One-hundred and fifteen."

"How many are members of this crew?"

"One-hundred and two."

"Computer, is anyone in the Security Office besides Commander Tuvok and Ensign Wang?"

"Negative."

Looking down, Seven let herself slide the rest of the way, which was only five meters, and closed her hands tightly right at the end to slow her decent and keep her from making a loud booming sound in case anyone was in the corridors next to her. Pulling out her phaser from the holster at her waist, Seven moved quickly and silent into the tube and began to crawl. Listening closely, she said, "Open channel" when she detected nothing that told her that there was anyone around to hear her as she spoke softly. Utilizing the automatic communications systems built into her suit, Seven went on, "Seven to One," which signaled to Tuvok, One, that she was hailing him.

All of the Elite Force, including the Beta Squad had numeric designations, which they were to use in Condition Red situations during communications. Since her name was already Seven of Nine, they didn't see a need to give her another number other than Seven.

"Report."

"I am proceeding to your position. Deck One is secure, yet abandoned. All 'friendly' personnel apparently seized. All 'friendly' secured lifesigns have been logged as terminated, including 'Alpha's,'" which was Janeway's callsign. "Enemy vessel has been eliminated."

"Acknowledged. Proceed on present course..."

"Intruder alert! Deck One!"

"Shit!" allowed Fowler as she sat in the pilot's chair of the Delta Flyer and powered down the systems. Jumping out of her chair, not bothering to oversee the rest as Torres cursed from the aft compartment and yelled at her to hurry, Fowler commanded, "Keep that hatch sealed!" They'd already been contacted by Wang to get to the Transporter Room as quickly as possible, but since now there was a direct, threatening presence aboard the starship, and they were currently secured, it was now their task to remained secured, assess the situation and then eliminate the threat using any force necessary. It was true that they were all Starfleet officers, but the chain of command was more lax in these situations, especially when they were broken apart. They'd been trained to operate independently and make sound decisions to ensure the functioning of this ship, so typically that required non-standard, although not unsavory tactics. They basically would use any trick they possibly could, and any weapon they possibly could, and many of their weapons weren't standard issue at all. All in all, if this kind of thing was what standard Security was like, Nicole was pretty certain she would have gone into that and been a Chief of Security by now, since these types of operations had always been right up her alley.

Clenching her teeth, then nodding, B'Elanna said, "Yes, Commander," before she turned around to face her best friend.

Fowler totally understood B'Elanna's desire to just grab her weapons, run to the Bridge and fight anyone she found, so coming up to her, she pat her shoulder once, strong, and said, "We'll get our chance. Let's just be smart."

"Right," Torres nodded, then unzipped her tunic underneath her metal sash as Fowler did the same, both of them tossing the jackets down and not bothering to get their communicators because it made it too easy with those for someone to track them. Since they were in the Delta Flyer, and all the Elite Force requirements had been transferred to the Invictus, they didn't have the capability to replicate special forces uniforms for themselves unfortunately. Only the replicators in each of their quarters, the Security Office, the Ready Room, and Engineering had those capabilities because those were there main strongholds. The Cargo Bays didn't have any replicators, even though those were strongholds too, but there were uniforms and weapons for each of them in unmarked containers.

"Computer, seal the Shuttle Bay, authorization Elite, one, zero, two," Commander Fowler requested as B'Elanna opened the weapons locker. Going over to the sensor board, Nicole asked, "Do you have two bat'leth's in there?"

"Just one," Torres said as she pulled it out, then slipped it over her back and tucked it into her sash where she had powerful magnets adhered to the underside so that the metal weapon would hold firm and not slip out. "Everything else is in the Invictus…great fucking timing."

"Replicate a whip and a piece of twine for me," Fowler requested as she accessed the sensor board and assessed the situation. After B'Elanna nodded, then ran into the front of the shuttle and created the weapon, then brought it back, Nicole made the loop large enough that the weapon fit over her chest like B'Elanna's sash, then tied it together so it didn't unwind with the twine as she reported, "Looks like everyone's moving toward the Cargo Bay…including the Beta Squad. Tuvok and Wang are in the Security Office, though. They look secure. They've got a forcefield up."

"Where's Seven?" asked B'Elanna quickly.

"She's in the captain's office. It's been locked down, so we should assume she's handling that aspect," the taller brunette reported. Turning to the chief, she said, "We're closer to the Cargo Bay. Let's get to Engineering and secure it. Once that's done, we can change into our uniforms and then get in contact with the commander. I'm sure Seven's getting into hers too and we'll meet up with them."

"You know," Torres said as she turned around and went back to the weapon's locker, "I'd never thought I'd say this," tossing a phaser rifle to Fowler, "but I'm glad Red's five-hundred light years away."

Slinging the weapon over her shoulder, Fowler came back, "No shit. It'll be a while before she gets that message, but at least we know we've got some back up out there."

"Well," Torres said as she grabbed a hand phaser and put it in her waist holster, "I don't know about you, but I don't plan on needing Captain Cowgirl to save the day. For once I'd like to not have to worry about her too." Then pounding the side of Fowler's chest as she prepared to open the hatch, Torres said, "Qapla'!"

Fowler smiled and said, "Kick ass, sister," as she pulled her rifle forward and aimed it at the hatch, opening and bending her stance, then nodded at the Klingon. Once the door was lowered and Nicole and looked about, she walked down the ramp, spinning slowly and covering their angles and Torres came in behind her with her weapon drawn, moving in looking in opposite directions to make sure they were secure. They then made a quick circuit around the shuttle to ensure no one was hiding or waiting to ambush them. Once that was done, she pointed to the far wall where there was a Jefferies Tube access hatch and requested of the computer, feeling she could responsibly do so now that they'd assessed the situation and had a clear set of objectives to accomplish, "Computer, located Samantha and Naomi Wildman."

"Lieutenant Wildman is in the Cargo Bay…Naomi Wildman is deceased."

As Nicole exhaled and grabbed her stomach, gasping, "No…baby," her heart wrenching for herself, but especially her lover, who she knew would be devastated beyond all belief, Torres's body tightened on instinct before she blinked and requested, hurriedly before Fowler lost her cool, "Computer, locate Lieutenant Torres."

"Lieutenant Torres is deceased."

Sighing and patting Fowler's arm, B'Elanna reminded, slightly winded from the scare, "Hey…it's cool." Taking a breath, she said, "That's just Seven taking care of business. That means she's safe. We're probably all officially dead by now…including Red."

Nicole took a deep breath, then exhaled, swallowed and said as B'Elanna opened the hatch, looked inside leading with her weapon, "Computer, give me the exact location of Naomi Wildman's communicator."

"Naomi Wildman's communicator is in the closet of her sleeping quarters."

Stopping B'Elanna before she went through the hatch, Fowler asked, "Is there a forcefield in place?"

"Affirmative."

"Now I can breath easy," Nicole said, then started through the hatch first. "You know the rules, T…higher rank, first to die. Cover my ass, girl."

"I've got your big butt, Fowler," Torres returned, slipping into the hatch and closing it behind them.

"Who here holds the highest rank?" boomed the deep voice of the Crelic commander as he and his team held their weapons on the large group in Cargo Bay One, the rest of Voyager's personnel being escorted to the second Cargo Bay as they were pulled out of their locked rooms and tracked down.

As Chakotay, Paris and Kim lay unconscious on the floor, while First Regal Devin lay next to them, no one allowing anyone to assist the elder woman, who was clearly wounded severely considering she was laying close to a fetal position and holding her abdomen while she whispered to herself, something no one could understand other than it sounded like a prayer or a chant of somekind, and spat out a white substance every few minutes, Lieutenant Wildman squeezed Ensign Elliot-Caster's hand, then let it go, whispered to her to stay toward the back, and said as she started to step forward around several large male officers, who were keeping the mothers protected and out of sight as best they could, "I am." As several of her scientists whispered to her to stay back and let Lieutenant Byers step up, not because she was female, but because she had a child, which Samantha understood, Wildman said, whispering, patting Lieutenant Keilman's arm as she passed the decade older biochemist, since he'd took her hand and said he'd go, "It's okay, Nathan. Stay with Trisha."

"Name, rank!" the commander demanded as two men, who flanked him stepped up quickly, pushing past people, grabbed her by the arms and dragged her forward roughly.

As Voyager's crew grew twitchy at that and Byers, Keilman, Edwards, and Jacobs yelled at them to get their hands off her, Samantha ordered over her shoulder to them, "Quiet!" Then turning back forward, she pulled her arms away and said, raising her chin and standing straight, placing her hands behind her back, "Doctor Samantha Wildman, Lieutenant."

"Medical doctor?"

"Doctor of Science."

Raising his dark eyebrows, he looked around at the group, then asked, "What systems are under you command?"

"Life and Physical Science Departments. Why won't you let me help her? She's not a threat to you."

The man narrowed his eyes at her and stated, "You're not a medical doctor…are you saying you're lying?"

"I'm a doctor of xenobiology…or alien, meaning non-human biology. I'm not a medical doctor, but I know enough to help her live."

Quickly and lax, the commander said, "But I don't care if she dies." Looking to the right to his lieutenant, he asked, "There was no lead engineer in the other holding block…are you certain?"

"Only more Science, Operations and Flight officers…a Talaxian too. No Command either."

Looking back to Wildman, he asked, "Where is your lead engineer?"

"What do you want with us?"

Grabbing Samantha by the throat, quick but not hard enough to hurt her, he stepped up close before he whispered, deep and ominous, the intruder's commander a few centimeters taller, although much more muscular and solid, "Do not test me, Samantha Wildman." As the twelve guards drew their weapons on the large crew to hold them back as many of them shuffled their feet at seeing Samantha, who nearly everyone liked, be mishandled, he looked around at the group, then said in the same tone, "They're especially protective of you…why is that?"

"I'm in command of this ship currently since you've hurt everyone else," Wildman said with spite, sharp. "Why do you think?"

"No, I'm in command of this ship," he hissed slightly, squeezing more. Next, grabbing her and spinning her around, he held her by her throat, while holding her other arm and shouted, "The lead engineer! Step forward! I have no need for biologists! Now, or she dies!"

Taking a shaky breath, Ensign Carey pushed his way forward and said, "Here! I'm right here! Don't hurt her...I'm right here."

Still holding Wildman firmly, squeezing her arm tightly as Joe stepped forward, he demanded, "Name, rank!"

"Joe Carey…Lieutenant and Chief Engineer," he lied purposefully.

The intruder narrowed his eyes at the man, and asked quickly, "Your rank dots do not match hers…lying causes death to your fair doctor."

Keeping his cool, Carey reached up to his collar, pretending like he was surprised, then shook his head and said, looking about the floor, "It must have fallen off. I was moving heavy containers when you all came in…I don't know."

"Seize him!" the commander ordered, believing him, letting Wildman's neck go, but still holding her by her arms. Turning her around as two men came up to Carey, grabbed his arms and pulled him to the side, he asked, untrusting and sensing deception, but uncertain as to why a woman, especially one they were so protective of, would step forward and put herself in harm's way purposefully, "Why did you step forward instead of him?"

"I out rank him in seniority," Wildman came back, lying quickly. "He was just promoted."

"Where is the old chief and the captain of your vessel?" the commander asked, his face searching hers for answers and clues. He then sneered, his lips curling some as he said the name of his prey, "Where is Janeway?"

Answering for Wildman quickly, since he knew the aspects of the Elite Force operations, Luke Byers said, his tenor voice collected and sure, "She's dead. Most of our senior officers died just recently in a shuttle accident." Pointing to Chakotay, he said, "He's in command."

"Name, rank!"

"Luke Byers, Lieutenant…Chief of Security."

"Seize him!" the commander ordered, nodding to Byers. As Luke held up his hands and went willingly, he asked Wildman, "Promotion too?"

Answering and nodding her head, Wildman said, "Yes. I outrank them both," just trying to go with the flow, and recalling that Byers was a member of the Elite Force and probably knew things about what they did that she hadn't a clue about, even if her lover was second in command of the Alpha squad. Since she'd been with Wang when he got the call from Tuvok, she knew the Elite Force had been planning something even though Samuel hadn't said anything and took off out of the Science Lab, which had immediately prompted Wildman to call her daughter and tell her to go into the closet and just wait to be safe.

Grabbing her throat again and pulling her close, he asked in a quiet tone, "Why is the old Fynth here?"

Wildman closed her eyes for a moment and tried to swallow as he held her tighter this time, and when he loosened at that, she answered, "She's helping us out." Doing the math quickly in her head, Wildman continued immediately, "Five of our senior officers died in the accident."

Pulling her closer and looking directly into her sea blue eyes, his hard eyes actually a very beautiful grey with shades of violet, the commander whispered, putting psychological pressure on her, trying to bring out any attempts at deceit, "Recite their names."

Remaining composed even though she'd never once been in such a situation, Wildman rattled off evenly, "Captain Kathryn Janeway, Lieutenant-Commander Tuvok, Lieutenant-Commander Nicole Fowler," she said that one as even as the one's prior, although it unnerved her greatly as she continued to wonder where Nicole was and if she had secured Naomi, "Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres and Seven of Nine."

"Fuck!" the man seethed, whirling Wildman around in his rage and wrapping his arm around her throat tightly, shaking her as he raged, "The Borg is dead!" Over his shoulder, he yelled, "Why was this information unknown!?!"

Since their commander was a dangerous man and known to kill members of his Black Guard, the only members of his large crew that took part in their piracy in this capacity, when they failed him, the lieutenant said hurriedly, concerned for his life since he was second in command and in charge of Intelligence, "We have no data on that, Sir…she's lying!"

"No, she's not!" Byers came back quickly. "Check the computer…it'll tell you they're dead."

Jumping in and assisting, Wildman said bravely as she was held firmly by the commander, "The Invictus was the shuttle…it's not in our Shuttle Bay. You can check that too. It was an experimental shuttle and the test flight went wrong...no one expected it."

The commander once again spun the blonde around, pulled out a knife, held it to her cheek and said, "You check it, and if you lie to me such a perfect face you'll have no longer, Doctor Wildman."

"Computer," Wildman started, certain Byers knew something that she didn't, but starting with the Invictus, hoping that would appease them, "is the Invictus in the Shuttle Bay?"

"Negative."

Not happy with that, he looked up and asked, "Computer, list the shuttle's aboard this vessel."

"The Delta Flyer is the only shuttle aboard Voyager."

"Computer, how many shuttles does Voyager maintain?"

"Three."

Pressing the knife harder against Wildman's cheek, he asked of her, "Where is the other one?"

"The Sri Lanka is aboard the Alaxiat…"

"Computer," he asked again, but looked directly at Samantha, "is Captain Janeway dead?"

As Wildman held her breath without inhaling, the computer answered, "Affirmative."

After huffing, he asked, "Computer, is Seven of Nine dead?"

"Affirmative."

Pulling he knife away, which allowed Wildman to sigh with relief slightly, it looking more like the fact that the knife was away from her face than she wasn't just proved a liar, the commander put it away, and asked, "Computer, who is the ranking officer aboard this ship?"

"Commander Chakotay."

"And after him?"

"Lieutenant Thomas Paris."

Right after Samantha nodded and pointed to the now pale, fair-haired helmsman with the phaser pulse burn to his abdomen, the commander asked, "After him?"

"Lieutenant Samantha Wildman."

"And after her?"

"Ensign Harry Kim."

Once again after Samantha had pointed to Harry, who didn't look to be in as bad of shape as Paris and Devin, and merely seemed unconscious and bruised, the commander continued to ask, "Computer, who is next in rank after Ensign Kim?"

"Lieutenant Luke Byers."

Speaking up and explaining as the man turned his head toward him, Byers explained as best he could without giving away that he really wasn't the Chief of Security, which would give him seniority over the ensign, "Kim outranks me because he's Operations and works on the Bridge. I don't yet...we're still trying to put ourselves back together after the accident."

"I'm next after him," Carey spoke up quickly, but remained easy, trying to keep him from querying the computer anymore. "Security outranks Engineering."

"Why does Science outrank Security?"

"This is a science vessel," Samantha informed quickly, telling half-truths. "Nearly two-thirds of the officers are in the Science Department. We're the biggest group of the ship."

The commander grabbed the blonde by the arm tightly and said, pulling her toward the door, "Then I guess I do need you, Doctor. Take those two to Engineering! Get started right away…the rest of you stay here. If anyone bothers you, shoot them all and jettison them from the airlock."

Looking over at her arm as he held it tightly and pulled her toward the door, Wildman said, "I'm capable of walking. Where are we going?"

The commander looked at her for a moment, then let her go and requested, "Take me to your office."

Wildman stopped just outside of the Cargo Bay and asked, trying to bide some time to think, "Which one?"

Raising his eyebrows, he asked, "How many offices does one doctor need?"

"I told you," Samantha said evenly, watching Byers and Carey be taken away down the hall, "I oversee Life and Physical Science…that's six different departments. I don't have an actual office." Then having an idea, she said, still seemingly cranky, as he sighed, becoming frustrated at the lack of smoothness in his operations since they were well-trained and usually got in and out without many problems, but he had had some concerns recently by their recent successes and was worried his mercenaries were growing over confident, although, he never had those concerns for himself, "If you're just looking for a nice office…I can take you to our Medical Bay. The Chief Medical Officer's office is nice." Before he could ask, Wildman said, "He died almost eight years ago when we first came out here. Lieutenant Paris, the one you shot," she snipped, "does most of our medical work now."

"Is this office private?" he asked. When she nodded and rubbed her aching arm, he questioned, "And does it have access to the systems of this ship?"

"Yes and it's completely sound-proofed," she informed, trying to sell him on it so she could work out her game plan, pretty certain she'd be alone with him, so if she could render him unconscious, no one would know immediately. "There's a bathroom, replicators, and security features for the windows for privacy…or," she added, pointing towards the others playing her part well, "you can just go that way with them to the chief's office in Engineering, or to the commanders office on Deck Two, but that's under construction…or…"

"Enough!" he snapped, shaking his head and holding up his arm, getting a headache. "Just take me to the Medical Bay."

Nodding, Wildman said, "This way," then started walking through the hallway. Once he'd come up next to her, she asked, "Are you going to tell me what you want with us?"

"Don't concern yourself with that, Doctor. All you need to do is follow my orders and answer my questions."

" We're not beyond negotiation," Wildman felt the need to inform out of duty. "If you need something, we'd help you. You don't have to do this…not at all."

"I'm going to take your warp core, Doctor," the man said openly, smiling over at her. "So, I highly doubt you'd be willing to turn that over. However," he said as they turned the corner as she pointed in the direction of the turbolift, "we're not beyond negotiation either. If you do as I ask of you, no one else has to get hurt. It's that simple."

"I'm not an engineer," Wildman reminded quickly. "I know very little about those systems."

"I've already got the engineer," he reminded as they stepped into the turbolift, "but my job is easier when no one fights." As Wildman called out Deck Five, he explained, "They're protective of you because you're the alpha female," he surmise since all the other female commanders were dead, "and you lead over half of them, so I'm going to keep you next to me until my job is done to ensure they don't resist. And maybe," he said, lifting his hand to her hair, and twirling the curles at the ends lightly, "since the Borg is dead, and she was a blonde scientist too, I'll take you as my assistant instead."

Slapping his hand away, Wildman said, "You're lucky she's dead because she would have broken every bone in your arm for that." As he smiled and chuckled deeply, charmed, she informed, "Seven was a theoretical, physical scientist. She worked on things like advanced propulsion. I work on things like cross-species genetics. I can't help you implement our core into your vessel."

As the door opened and he told her to go out of the lift first, not trusting that he if he did so, she wouldn't stay behind and close the door quickly, the commander said, "Let me worry about telling you what you can and can't do, Doctor." Grabbing her arm tightly, lifting her shoulder, he warned, "It will be better for you, I assure you."

Having worked out her plan, Samantha winced on purpose, although her arms were getting very sore from all his handling, then asked with attitude, "Are you going to keep doing that? I'll be much more willing to help if you don't. I bruise very easily and you're really hurting me." After he let her go at that, Samantha rubbed her arm and said, "Thank you," then pointed down the hallway ahead, "Take a right up here." Looking over at him, she asked, "What am I supposed to call you?"

"Commander."

"Commander of what?"

"If you don't want me to bruise you," the commander warned, "then don't ask needless questions, Doctor. Commander will suffice."

Stepping in front of Sickbay, rubbing her arm again, Wildman spat, "You've already bruised me, Commander." Noticing that the Doctor's mobile emitter wasn't gone, but the hologram wasn't around as she'd figured since if his program wasn't active when the intruder alert was sounded, he was ordered to remain inactive until someone requested him to keep him as a viable option in any plan the crew could devise in the event they were overrun. If an hour had passed and no one had updated him, he would then materialize and then download himself to his mobile emitter and try to take care of things himself. That wasn't something Wildman had known until receiving command codes and becoming a semi-senior officer three months ago. Pointing to the left, she said, "There's the office," then asked, "Do you mind if I take care of my injuries that you inflicted? I am capable of that…and we are in Sickbay."

Untrusting and curious since if their medical technology was as good as their propulsion equipment, he might like to have that too, he asked, "What will this entail? Show me the tools."

Wildman walked over to the medical cart as he followed. When he put his hands on her shoulders and warned her to move slow and be smart, she grabbed a hypospray, set it to a high sedative and said, "This is a hypospray…it reduces swelling." As he gestured for it over her shoulder, wrapping his other arm around her neck to keep her confined, but didn't do so uncomfortably so she couldn't breathe, she refrained from pressing it to his hand because the skin was too thick and it would do very little to help her, gave it to him and went on, picking up a medical tricorder, "This is a medical tricorder. You can scan anyone and it will pretty much tell you what the problem is. It runs off of a database, though, so if it doesn't know the species, it won't be exact and try to match as best it can. That's," she snipped, handing that over too, "why they need me…that's what I do."

As she picked up something else, he asked looking at the tricorder, definitely planning to keep that and gather the others lying about, setting them down once he was sure they were harmless, "And that?"

"This is a dermal regenerator. This will actually take the bruises that you inflicted off my body."

Taking that from her, impressed, he asked, letting her go slowly, "Why does it bother you so much that I gave you a few bruises?" He looked to her before she could answer, "I want you to show me how this works, so I'll let you treat yourself."

Samantha turned around, stood in front of him with her hands on her hips, and said, "Why do you think it bothers me, Commander? I haven't done anything to you. None of us have done anything to you, but you've hurt several people very badly and won't even let them have medication for the pain they're in. First Regal Devin is a very old woman. She could very well die if you don't let me help her. She doesn't deserve to die like that. I know you don't care, but I do care, so that's why it bothers me…and," she stepped even closer, "I'm not even talking about the fact that you're trying to steal our most important component. So, I don't like you at all, Commander…not at all."

The commander laughed deeply, charmed again, and said, "For a woman who bruises so easily, you're awfully brave, Doctor. I don't let most people speak to me that way."

"And I don't let most people touch me…so think of it as even."

"Even then," the commander smiled, then backed away, certain he could get a lot of use out of such a feisty and smart assistant once she realized she didn't have any choice but to comply or be killed. "Show me this office and how to access the computer and security systems. We'll be here a while and I'd like some privacy. Later you can take me on a tour of the vessel and show me all the other little gadgets you all have to offer me in thanks for sparing your lives."

Reigning in her attitude now, Wildman gathered up the tools, proceeded into the Doctor's office, then shut the door behind them, showing him which sensor to press. As she set the contents of her hands on the desk, she pointed, "That's the bathroom, and that large device mounted on the wall is the food replicator."

Intrigued, he asked, "Show me how it works."

Wildman nodded, then went up to it and asked over her shoulder, "What do you want…a drink to celebrate?"

"It will make liquor?" he asked, perking up since he was far too wanted of a man to go into any prominent space port and have a drink, so he got to wet his whistle so very rarely. He also had a headache, but didn't trust her enough to request something for it, certain she'd give him a drug to kill him. When Samantha nodded and said it would make just about anything, he said, "Then make me the strongest you have…tall. Make two...and you drink first."

Using her hands instead of voice so she could maximize the potency of the libation and order a nearly full, tall glass of vodka, and one water, she took the glasses out of the grid as they formed, handed him the vodka and said, "Here," then explained, "I don't really like to drink, but I'll be nice and have a drink with you so we can keep the bruising to a minimum." Hitting her glass against his hard, she said, "Cheers," then started drinking the water, taking big gulps, hoping he would follow suit, even though it was strong, allowing herself to cough since she knew he would, then shake her head as if hers was equally potent.

"Miraculous," he said, then started drinking. Getting two big gulps, he swallowed then coughed at the burning sensation in his nose and throat, and finally said, "I'll take some of these too."

Going over to the desk, Wildman said, "I'm not your secretary. You can keep track of what you want yourself, and I don't suggest you drink that too quickly, or you'll be intoxicated and at my mercy."

Taking another sip, this one smaller, the commander asked as he came over to the desk and sat down in the chair, "Has anyone ever told you you're strange, Doctor?"

Samantha took another sip of her drink, then coughed and said, shaking her head, "No." Taking hers back to the replicator, she muttered, "That's going to make me sicker than you are." Then taking a quick breath to steady herself and make her move as he asked her to show him how to get into the computer and work all of the controls since he wanted to contact his vessel, Wildman turned around and said as she started unzipping her tunic, hoping her body was true to form and that she had bruises forming already, which she figured she did considering how roughly and firmly he'd held her for several minutes, "The privacy control is to your left…that yellow rectangular sensor. That darkens the windows so no one can see in, but you can see out."

Pressing it, he took another sip of the liquor, watched the windows darken, but still allowed him to see out plenty, then informed looking over to Samantha, "You're lucky your vessel doesn't have the cloaking capabilities of mine, or I'd just take the whole ship and kill you all…except," he sat back as she took off her tunic, revealing her tight, long-sleeved undershirt, "I think maybe I'd keep you…just cut out your tongue so you'd shut up."

"Wow, you really know how to sweet talk a woman, don't you?" Samantha came back, coming over next to him, seemingly fearless, and keeping her eye on where exactly the hypospray was, not at all concerned that she could possibly kill him with such a high dose combined with the amount of vodka he'd already consumed. "Do you want me to show you how to get into the computer or not, Commander?"

He took another sip of the drink, then set it down and said, pointing to the desk, "Sit down on this desk in front of me and explain it while you mend yourself. I'm quick enough to figure it out and watch you too."

"And you're such a gentlemen too," Samantha said, coming up right in front of him and perching on the edge, tapping the sensor on the workstation to bring it up, "I'm surprised you don't have women falling all over you."

Chuckling, he came back, liking her more every minute, and never planning to cut out her tongue since he enjoyed her wit far too much, "Who says I don't?"

"I'm sure they're all at home where they belong, right?"

Laughing louder and folding his hands in his lap, the commander sat back in the chair, smiled at the blonde and said, "Proceed, Doctor…I'm paying attention."

Not wanting to log into her workstation as herself since her personal interface had a picture of Naomi that came up in the corner, Wildman began, moving the medical equipment next to her so she could reach. Scooting forward some and pulling up the bottom of her shirt from her waistband, she asked, "Can you be specific as to what exactly it is you want to do? This is a very complex system." Instead of just taking her arm out, she quickly pulled the entire shirt off, glad she'd worn a traditional bra today instead of the sport kind since this one, which was the completely sheer one she replicated for Fowler's benefit, would undoubtedly get his attention off the computer and onto her, which is where she wanted it. Considering she'd already got him to agree to stop grabbing her, heal her wounds, and have a drink, she was fairly certain she could get him close enough that she could administer the hypospray. She wasn't pleased that he could see all of her and was sure any regular bra would probably do, but that couldn't be helped now, and she wasn't going to let that stop her from taking him out and then making sure her daughter was alright before she located someone from the Elite Force, certain they were lurking about somewhere.

With the help of the alcohol, which was making him feel much less frustrated about the fact that they'd incurred significant damage, and that he couldn't kill Janeway and take the legendary Seven of Nine for himself, since there were wild stories floating all over the quadrant about the little Starfleet captain and her pet Borg, who she'd somehow reprogrammed or coerced into doing her bidding, the commander asked as he eyed her bosom, yet again suprised by the scientist since she was displaying herself rather openly, and he'd pegged her for someone who would put up more of a fight where her body was concerned, "Who on this ship is your suitor?" He wasn't the type to take advantage of a woman's body just because he could, so he figured it would take a lot of niceness and patience on his part before he could ever get his new assistant to see beyond his occupation and be pleasant with him, as well as let him take care of her in private and give her anything she wanted, except for her freedom, but he was hopeful since Wildman showed promise and sense of mind, as well as protectiveness for herself, and he was already taken with her toughness, enjoying such a thing in such a beauty.

"Commander," Wildman spat as she picked up the medical tricorder and handed it to him, keeping the small scanner at the top for herself, "I thought you wanted to know about all of our gadgets? Here," she said, "take that and just watch the readings while I run it over my arm."

As Samantha ran the top over her right arm where there were indeed clear fingermark bruises, which were currently bright red, the commander said, "So, who is he? You're too beautiful and important not to have one…the commander?"

Sighing, and shaking her head, Wildman said, cranky, "If you must know, I don't have one. Not any more." Looking over at him, Sam said, "She died too in the shuttle accident."

"She?" he asked, looking away from the readings and closing up the device, having seen enough to tell him he could acquire a lot of things by trading this technology, and he planned to keep some for himself too. When Wildman nodded, and said, "That's right. Have you got a problem with that?" taking it back and setting it down, he smiled and said, "I'm surprised, is all. You strike me as heterosexual, Doctor. Even when you're forceful, you're still feminine completely."

"Well, you're wrong…again...and that's a rather narrow-minded sterotype," Wildman said, picking up the dermal regenerator. After running if over half of her arm as he watched, fascinated, and said, "Maybe, but I've got a lot of first-hand experience to back up my ideas," she stopped as he leaned forward and put his hand on her thigh, moving his face closer to that side of her body to see, and to get closer to Samantha since he was suddenly feeling very attracted to her, mostly because she continued to surprise him completely. He didn't understand her at all, thus he was intrigued, and the view he had of her chest was definitely assisting. Sighing and handing the device to him, she said, "Here. You can finish the rest so you know how it works, and keep your hands busy," pushing his hand off her thigh.

Chuckling and taking it up as Samantha stood and turned around so he could get the back of her arm, he said, still sitting, touching her back with one hand and tugging on her bra, "This is a nice addition…supportive, simple, yet elegant. You wear it well, Doctor."

Over her shoulder while her moved his touch to her arm and started using the device, Sam asked, "Oh, what…do you want to steal my bra too now?"

He laughed, charmed again, then said, "I wouldn't have any use for it. You can keep it. Although, I will keep this instrument…amazing. Turn around and lift your arm out so I can reach the underside." As Samantha did so, subtly picking up the hypospray and merely holding it near her waist, not making any moves, he said standing and moving in closer to her so he could reach, "You shouldn't need that…there's no swelling."

While he worked the dermal regenerator and Wildman nodded, saying, "Alright...thank you," then looked up at him as he hovered very close, pinning her against the desk, just about finished with his work, and asked, just hoping to keep him close a little longer and get his guard down since she could tell he was watching her carefully currently, "How'd you get that scar...doing what you're doing now?"

The commander finished, and informed, smiling, "By helping a beauitful woman...no." With his right hand, he moved it to her throat lightly, prepared to take away the faint buises he left there, felt her fast heart-rate and asked, "Am I scaring you?"

Not lying, moments away from making her move, just needing him to relax just a tad more, Samantha said, "Yes...very much. I don't trust you."

The commander tilted her neck and remarked, bringing the dermal regenerator to it and using it easily, he informed after he told her she had a few bruises on her neck as well, "I like that about you, Samantha...you're honest." Setting the devise down as he moved his hand to her face, he rubbed her cheek and said in a deep whisper, "It's not my practice to harm those that help me, nor is it ever my practice to take advantage of a woman's body. Just keep doing what you're doing and I'll make sure you're unharmed." He smiled at her as he finished, bring his hand to her left arm and rubbing it gently where he'd bruised her, "I won't guarantee the same for your people, but I'm enjoying your company...and," he looked down at her bosom, "the view. I see so few women in my line of work. I forget how nice it is to be in the presence of such natural beauty. I'd like you to keep your shirt off while we're alone, but I won't make you if you're uncomfortable knowing I'm admiring you." Leaning forward toward her ear, he finished, whispering, "It would make me happy, though, and that's always best for your people."

Lifting the device quickly and pressing it to his neck, Samantha drew her knee up to his groin as he flinched the squeezed her arm. As he grunted, then quickly fell unconscious, she pushed him off of her into the chair as he slumped forward against her, and said, setting the hypospray down, "That's why I like Nick, Mister. She would have never fallen for that, even if she likes the view more."

Then grabbing the medical tricorder and running it over his body, making the necessary adjustments and going with her instincts as a xenobiologist, she estimated that the sedative, although with the synthehol, was enough to keep him sedated for at least two hours. After she pulled her shirt back on, she swiveled the chair to the side, grabbed the top and started wheeling him backwards, while she said to him, even though he couldn't hear her, "And you don't have to be a tough girl to kick ass…just smart…and sometimes it actually helps to have boobs."

Once the man was on the other side of Sickbay and she'd raised a forcefield so he couldn't get out, and the captain would at least have someone left to hold accountable for all of this mess, Samantha queried after she sealed off the Doctor's office to keep anyone from entering, "Computer, locate Naomi Wildman."

"Naomi Wildman is deceased."

Freezing as she reached for her tunic, Wildman's slightly blushed cheeks turned impossibly white as her stomach coiled into unthinkably tight knots. Then blinking as her eyes started to water, Samantha asked, ice cold, the words like needles on her tongue, "Computer, when did Naomi Wildman die?" Intruder alert, and she was not allowed to come out or hail anyone until someone she knew hailed her and told her it was safe, which was usually her mother. Then pulling her hands away and grabbing her tunic, she asked, her movements tense and agitated, "Computer, is Naomi Wildman's communicator in the closet of her bedroom?"

"Affirmative."

Since the captain, years ago once Naomi could walk and follow directions on her own, had personally, with her own two hands, installed forcefield emitters in the child's room, Wildman asked, "Is there a forcefield up around her closet?"

"Affirmative."

"Are there any other lifesigns in those quarters?"

"Negative."

Sighing with relief, then clearing her throat and forcing herself to sound perfectly calm, the blonde tapped her communicator and said, "Wildman to Naomi Wildman."

"Mommy," Naomi whispered, scared but not shaken, "can I come out now?"

"No, baby, not yet," Samantha said as she perched on the desk for a moment, unable to stop herself from taking a moment speak with her daughter since she was a mother before she was anything else, and she didn't expect to have any visitors because no one had seen them come in. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay…but my legs are starting to hurt again. I went right into the closet like you said to…the red light came on a little while after that," speaking of the small indicator light inside the closet that would tell her when the forcefield was active so she didn't hurt herself by walking into it. "Some people came into our house, but they didn't see me…they're gone now. Mommy, what's going on? Are you okay? Is Nick with you?"

"I'm fine, Naomi," Wildman said surely. "I'm alone and safe right now and Nick's doing her job and taking care of everything. Do you know were your leg cream is?"

"It's on my nightstand."

"Okay. I'm going to drop the forcefield. When the light goes off, I want you to run and get it, and pillow and a blanket, then come right back immediately. If your book's on the nightstand, you can get that too. Okay?"

"Yes, Ma'am…I promise."

After commanding the computer to drop the shield, keeping the channel open, she heard her daughter open the door, scurry across the room and come right back. As soon as she heard the door close and Naomi say she was back inside and got everything, Wildman raised the forcefield before she finished, "I want you to put the cream on your legs and just lie down and read. As soon as I can call you again, I will. Just stay quiet and you'll be perfectly fine. Seven, B'Elanna, Nick and Samuel are taking care of this. They'll keep us safe, alright?"

"Okay. What are you going to do?"

"I've gotta go do my job, baby, but I'll be careful, I promise. I love you, Naomi."

"I love you too, Mommy…I'll be good."

"I know you will, sweetheart. Thank you for being brave. I'll talk to you soon. Wildman out."

After taking a quick, deep breath and settling herself, Samantha once again turned to the computer to question, "Computer, locate Commander Fowler's communicator?"

"Commander Fowler's communicator is in the Delta Flyer in the Shuttle Bay."

"Are there any other communicator's in there?"

"Lieutenant Torres'."

"Are there any lifesigns in the Delta Flyer?"

"Negative."

"Computer, scan the shiop and locate Commander Fowler's lifesigns?"

"Commander Fowler's lifesigns are in the Jefferies Tube on Deck Ten, Section Fifteen, Beta."

"Are there any other lifesigns within a meter of her?"

"Lieutenant Torres'."

Turning around and tucking in her shirt, Wildman muttered, "Think, Sam…think…what would Janeway do?" She paced back and forth, she spoke aloud, "The Elite Force is moving around. They've taken care of the computer and those protocols…that's the first thing they would do. Nobody knows I'm in here…nobody knows he's in here. They don't wear communicators." Stopping and nodding, she said, "She would go back for the crew…" then quickly hurried and gathered the things she would need.

Using hand signals, Fowler informed that there were six people in Engineering currently, two of them friendly, as she read the data from the tricorder they'd picked up on their journey at one of the stations that were set up in the crawlways of the Intrepid class vessel for the Elite Force. Those stations held tricorders, phasers, power cells, medical kits, and components to create small, explosive devices, the could blow the door off an office, or open a Jefferies Tube hatch that was being barricaded. They could also be used like grenades to kill or serious maim someone if set off close to them, but their primary purpose was for opening passageways. Crawling away from the hatch, Nicole whispered, "Okay, four…that's two each, plus the element of surprise. We can take them. Agreed?"

B'Elanna merely nodded twice.

"I'd like to increase the odds. I don't want a hostage situation, so I'm gonna crawl to the other side of Engineering and put explosives on the door, then set the time for however long it took me to get there, plus two minutes. Then when the other hatch blows, we come out shooting as they're looking the other way."

"Not bad, but I'll go," the chief said, then smirked and said, "No offense, Lumberjack, but I move better in these than you do. I own this section by right."

Smiling, Fowler nodded, then swatted her shoulder and said, "Watch yourself."

"Back in a flash," B'Elanna said, then grabbed the small supply kit, squeezed it into the front of her shield to hold it, the case not any different from her standard tool-kit case, and quickly starting crawling away, still with her bat'leth on her back.

After only a three minute crawl, the Klingon moving swift and sure through a section of the Jefferies Tube system that she could navigate with her eyes closed and not run into anything, the chief reached the other hatch, that was directly on the other side of the room from the one behind which Fowler was waiting. Coming to a halt at the door and sitting down on her bottom, Torres quietly opened the case, even though the hatches were fairly thickly sealed and pulled out the explosive kit. Sticking two of the small, black cylinders together and twisting them to activate, repeating that move six times, B'Elanna carefully set the magnetized bottoms on the outer edges of the hatch, and one by the locking mechanism to destroy it. Then pulling out the detonators, she slipped them inside, and pushed the tip down on each one of them as she went, which would allow the time to be configured or a trigger set. Finally taking the small timing display, which communicated with the detonators, she set it for six minutes, just to be safe, then tapped the final switch and hurriedly closed up her tool kit. When she was about to turn away and she heard the hatch opening, she cursed in her mind, then drew her weapon just in time to see Carey pulling it open.

Ducking down so she wasn't seen behind him, when he spotted her and froze, she whispered, "Six minutes…stall for six minutes."

The former lieutenant, now ensign blinked his eyes purposefully hard to acknowledge, then said as he started to close the hatch, "You know what, I forgot…before we do that we have to…"

As soon as the hatch was resealed, B'Elanna breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around and made seriously good time back to Fowler's position. After filling her in on what had happened, and taking a deep breath, then admitting to how close that was, the chief asked, "Are you gonna let me go first this time? This is my engine room we're storming..."

Nodding, already planning to, but not because of that, Fowler explained, "Yes. You squat in front of me, when it goes, and you push open the hatch, I want you to drive out. I'll cover you while you get up…just make sure you roll a few times right or left so you don't come up in the cross fire."

"Right," the Klingon nodded, not looking forward so much to having to dive onto a metal floor without having the ability to roll onto her feet, but knew she shouldn't leave her bat'leth behind, and knew she'd also never do that just for comfort reasons. Getting into position, squatting and pulling out her phaser, then putting her hands on the hatch, she looked behind her as Fowler laid down on her stomach and urge forward until she was right underneath her legs, needing to be as close to the front at possible. Snickering, B'Elanna allowed, "I wish I had a picture of this…"

In a serious tone, focused, Fowler said, "I've already come to the conclusion Starfleet's gonna think I'm loco when we get back…You ready?"

"Am I Klingon?" Torres said, then fell silent from their whispering and listened closely, certain they'd hear the explosion either through the hatch, or for the fact that it was occurring in a Jefferies Tube system they were inhabiting. When they heard it clearly, Torres twitched, pushing forward as Fowler said, "Go," and not waiting for anything, she just let herself fall forward, trying to spy bodies as she toppled and braced herself fairly easily. As she rolled to the right, having seen more people off to the left, which would give her a better angle, she saw and heard Nicole's phaser blasts firing quickly and sharp over her head as the commander lay in the tunnel like a sniper. Torres only rolled once, deciding to stay on the ground, and drew up her phaser as she came to a rest on her stomach. As the third intruder was thrown back by the deadly blast of the weapon, them too concerned with taking back power of the ship first to worry about merely stunning people and having to deal with them later, the chief fired at the fourth man, who was aiming for Fowler and yelled, "Close it!"

When he fired right before he was hit squarely and flung back while Carey and Byers remained on the deck, knowing it best to just stay out of the way since they hadn't any weapons, Torres turned her head just in time to see Nicole covering her head with one hand as she reached down and pulled the hatch partially closed with her other. While the energy weapon zapped against the hatch, sparks and shrapnel flying, leaving a blast mark, but not doing major damage, B'Elanna covered her head to protect it from the flying debris, then yelled after a beat, "Sound off!"

"Fowler!" Nick said as she thrust open the small, lightly damaged door.

"Byers…Carey," said the other two, the ensign a little behind since he wasn't used to the request because he hadn't trained with the Elite Squad.

Pushing to her feet as Nicole came out of the tunnel, tenser than normal, although it wasn't every day that she was saved by a split second, quick thought both of them had at the same time, Torres asked, "You okay?"

"Hell yes!" Fowler said, then closed the hatch. "Lock down the core."

"Aye, Commander," Torres said, nodding, then ran over the warp core housing and said, "Carey…let's do it. Computer, seal off Main Engineering, authorization Elite, zero, one, three."

As Joe ran over to the warp core with her and they started the process of shutting it down the proper way so they could bring it right back up again if they needed to get out quickly, and so if it was stolen, it would never work until their authorization was either given or decrypted, them having no idea the shadow vessel had been destroyed since that occurred while they were making a circuit of the Flyer, Fowler turned around and said, pointing to the male lieutenant, "Save your report for now, Byers. Get into your gear…use the chief's office."

After Carey had told her what they were trying to do, the chief said as Fowler kept her weapon at the ready and kept her sites on the blown open hatch to the Jefferies Tubes, which would keep their engine room vulnerable, and which was why she was having them lockdown the core, "Nick, you here that? Fuckers are tying to steal the core!"

"I heard'em, Torres," Fowler said, then asked over her shoulder, "What's the time on that?"

"Less than two minutes," the chief came back. "What are you thinking about the Jefferies Tube?"

"Just leave it," Nicole informed. "They don't know about the breach and we can get in and out easier. I don't wanna risk booby trapping them in case anyone escapes that we can't contact. We'll use it to move in and of."

Over his shoulder, Carey informed, "Commander, we've got portable forcefield generators we can set up…just so you know."

"Thanks, but," Nick came back, glancing over her shoulder quickly, "as long as they're locked out, they can come all day in here and get trapped for all I care. I don't think they're stupid enough to try to puncture the housing."

"No, they definitely want to get out of here," Carey came back, standing as he finished his work and Torres finished closing down the second to last station, him not able to do as much anymore, so he had to leave it to her. Walking over to Fowler, he informed, "They mentioned the captain and Seven by name, and were pretty pissed when they found out they're dead. I think they've been tailing us, or tracking us…something like that for a while. They were quick and fast…they knew what they were doing. Me, Luke and Sam had to do some fancy talking to make them believe I was the chief engineer and he's Chief of Security."

Looking over at him quickly, Fowler asked, "Sam? My Sam?"

"Yea," Carey came back nodding. "The commander, Tom, Harry are either unconscious or have been shot…the first looks really bad…internal injuries or something. Sam was next in line with all of you thought to be dead."

"What?" Torres said as she finished her work and jogged over to him. "Chakotay's been shot?"

"Yes, but it's in the shoulder…I think he got hit on the head too. He's out cold," Joe said quickly as Fowler allowed, "Christ almighty," then he went on, "Paris is bad, though. Kim just looks to have been hit on the head too. They wouldn't let us help them at all."

"Where's Sam?" asked Nick, curt and demanding.

"I don't know," Carey said quickly. "Their captain, or whatever took her with him. They were talking about going to her office when they took me and Byers away. He said he needed her since most of our departments are Science…I don't know why really."

Feeling like she was about to have a meltdown, unable to stop herself from having terrible thoughts about Samantha being alone with that man, like her worst nightmare coming true all over again, Fowler barked, "Computer, locate Samantha Wildman!"

"Lieutenant Wildman is in Sickbay."

"Is there anyone else in there with her?"

"Affirmative."

"Who is it?"

"Unknown intruder."

"Fuck!" Fowler cursed, rubbing her forehead. Then pacing around, her movements jarring and agitated, she said, "Okay, okay…then we can't risk contacting her…SONOFABITCH!" she yelled while she spun and flung her weapon across the length of the room aggressively.

Having never seen Nicole come unhinged like that…ever, and previously thinking it was rather impossible…B'Elanna jumped, startled, then quickly ran up to her and said, knowing exactly what all of this was about, "Nick…Nick…just go…just fuckin' go get'er!"

As Carey got a real live does of what he was potentially in for if he ever messed with Samantha again, Fowler shook out her arms and said, shaking her head, pacing, "Negative. Negative, I can't do that…I'm fine."

"Listen to me, goddammit!" Torres grabbed her friend's arms tightly and shook her. "Byers is here! The captain is safe! Seven, Tuvok, Wang are secure. This ship is locked down. Their captain is there alone with her! In Sickbay! You can get in and take him out and no one will know! Now go! DaH!" She finished by slapping her arm, hard, pushing her toward the hatch.

"10-4," Fowler nodded, then turned quickly and ran over to her weapon. Picking it up and checking it out to make sure it was fine, which it was, Nicole took off for the Jefferies Tube, not bothering to look back or give any further orders.

As Luke came out of her office in his Elite Force attire, the chief turned toward Carey and whispered, "That's why you don't mess with Sam, Carey…remember that," then started for her office, telling Byers that Nick went to take out their captain, that she'd return from her office promptly, and they were to arm themselves immediately.

With a medical bag hanging around her back, including three hyposprays set with high doses of sedatives, Lieutenant Wildman opened the Jefferies Tube hatch on the floor of Sickbay and started down the ladder, not wanting to be caught roaming the decks until she was on Deck Twelve, where she planned to walk into the Cargo Bay unescorted and just tell them the commander released her for the time being and she was there to take care of the wounded. Since she didn't have any weapons on her, nor did she look like anywhere close to a fighter, and considering she was moving back into the enemy's grasp, she figured they would believe her easily.

After getting into the Jefferies tube, she crawled a ways until she hit one of the main ladder shafts. When she noticed a small box attached to the wall, she pulled it open, then thought about it, and grabbed the phaser out of it, figuring it was best to have a weapon while she was making her way to Deck Twelve, where she could leave it in the tube before she popped out near the Cargo Bay. She could just crawl into the Cargo Bay, but she knew she'd never be able to shoot all of the intruders before they turned their fire on the crew, so that was entirely too risky. No, she knew she should let the Elite Force handled the butt kicking now while she made sure that if her wounded colleagues were still alive, she could keep them that way until they could get them to Sickbay and activate the Doctor. She'd contemplated sending him in there with a phaser, but that was too much of a risk his emitter would get damaged and they'd run into a hostage situation, so she decided on her current plan and just hoped to hell it was the correct one.

Starting down the main shaft, noticing that all of the hatches were set to remain open, and wondering if that was part of the Elite Force operations too since she was certain they all would move through the hatches too, Wildman paid close attention to her footing and grip so she didn't slip and fall to her death down the long, dimly lit passageway. When she heard a noise echo from below, Samantha froze, then quickly, went up two more wrungs so she could get off the ladder and onto solid ground. As a soft boom sounded, which told her someone fairly sizeable just jumped down from the tunnel onto the small floor before they hit the ladder, she backed up more and quietly crawled into the tunnel. Pressing her back to it and holding out her phaser with her left hand as she heard the sound of heavy breathing and seriously fast, haphazard climbing, enough that she could see the ladder gyrating slightly at the impact, Wildman pinched her lips together as she held her breath. When she saw a rather large hand and strong forearm before she saw a head, Samantha took a breath and then snapped, "Don't move!" prior to saying, "Nikki?" as she recognized the top of her head that was poking through, the size of the hands, that were slightly dirty and scuffed, the heavy sounds all making sense now.

"Sam, it's me," Fowler said quickly, then started up the ladder again, frantic. As Wildman smiled and crawled toward her, Fowler said, climbing off the ladder, "Jesus, baby, come here," while she reached out to her, pulled her the rest of the way out and hugged her tightly. "Oh god, Sam…oh, baby, I love you…are you okay…are you okay?" she pulled away and looked at her, running her hands over her torso and back, checking her for injuries.

"I'm okay, Nick…I'm okay," Wildman nodded quickly, whispering. "I promise."

Nicole slumped down to her knees in the next moment, grabbing Samantha and pressing her face to her upper abdomen, mumbling, "Thank you…she's okay…thank you," over an over again.

Uncertain if this reaction meant Fowler had come after her because she knew she was alone with the intruder's commander, or if this is how she would react in any situation such as this, figuring it was a little of both considering Nicole had been seriously trucking up the ladder at full speed, Samantha grabbed her head, held her close and whispered, her voice deepening and taking on a more sure and steady tone, "It's okay, honey. It's okay. I'm fine…he didn't hurt me. I promise."

Sniffling and standing up, Fowler grabbed Samantha's face, kissed her squarely, then asked after she pulled away, breathed deeply through her nose and ran her right hand over Wildman's forehead and hair a couple of times, her movements still edgy, "Where is he?"

"He's in Sickbay…sedated behind a forcefield," Wildman reported, then smiled, "Somebody forgot to tell him scientists always plan everything."

Expelling the air from her chest, then smiling and nodding, rubbing her cheek again, Fowler looked at the bag and asked, "What's all this? Where were you headed?"

"I'm going back to the Cargo Bay," Samantha informed seriously. "Devin and Paris need immediate medical attention." When Nicole started shaking her head negatively, Wildman said, "Nick, please, listen to me for a moment. No one knows where I took him. I think most of the guards are in both Cargo Bays. I'm not armed. I'll just tell them he was finished with me for now and sent me back in to help the others because he needs their command codes. They'll let me in, Nick…I know it. Why would I go back there when they think all of you are dead…unarmed if I'd escaped from him? They'll never think that. I have to get back inside. I might be the only one other than the Doctor who can save the first with Tom hurt too…and," she said quickly, "we can't send the Doctor. They haven't seen him. This will work."

"Okay," Nicole said, "but you're coming back to Engineering with me first. If Torres and the rest are still there, we'll send you back, but we need to work out a game plan to take them out, and I'm not letting you go back until you know what to expect from us. We'll work as team. Understood?"

"Yes, Commander…please hurry…they're in bad shape."

"Alright," Nicole nodded, then started back down the ladder, checking it first, "let's go then. You stay behind me the whole time and watch our backs."

"You can't be serious?" exasperated Samantha Wildman to Seven of Nine as the entire Alpha unit of the Elite Force converged in Engineering, plus the scientist, Byers and Carey.

After Nick and Sam had arrived and Fowler dressed quickly, the trio from the upper levels had arrived just moments later after finally making contact with Torres to inform her they were converging on their position. Tuvok had explained that once the other ship was destroyed, they made contact with the Alaxiat to find that they had not been boarded, most likely because it was an old ship and the Federation technology was what they were after…well, that and the galaxy's most popular trophy girl: Seven of Nine. He furthermore said that they'd taken out all threats on Decks Four and up efficiently and no one seemed to be the wiser since these people were prepared once they boarded and didn't communicate with technology until they'd swept the entire ship and made sure everything was secure so their locations couldn't be easily tracked. Ordinarily, it would be a wise game plan, but they'd underestimated Voyager's preparedness for this sort of thing, and the right people had been in the right spot at the right time to ensure the ship's systems weren't seized. They'd also reported that Janeway was fine an looked to be continuing with her mission, completely unaware of what was happening…although there was now a time frame in which they had to retake the Cargo Bay and finish them off before Kathryn returned since she would receive the message in twenty-seven minutes and would be back in a little over five. They ordered the Alaxiat to inform her the Elite Force was secure and in the process of retaking the ship, but they all knew Janeway well enough to know she'd come aboard anyway, march right into the Cargo Bay and demand that they get the hell off her ship immediately, unarmed, just to let them seize her and turn their attention away from the crew until the Elite Force could strike.

As Tuvok raised his eyebrows in thought and B'Elanna rubbed her forehead roughly, not liking that idea at all even if she thought it was a good one and knew it would distract her, the rest of the men just kept their mouths shut, and Fowler wiped her nose while Seven of Nine said, "It is the most non-threatening, efficient distraction we could create, and I assure you, I am 'accomplished' to this task." Looking to Tuvok, she said, "It will 'work,' Commander. They will undoubtedly move to my position and I can 'improvise' enough to give you each time to 'slip' in through the various Jefferies Tube hatches. I believe anything else will create a 'hostage' situation. I will not seem threatening…especially if I behave as though I am malfunctioning."

"Alright, just wait," Torres said, raising her hand. "Why don't we forget the distraction, bust in there, and stun everyone? With a couple of rifles, we could hit everyone quickly."

"No, you can't do that," Wildman said quickly, adamant, "Trisha's in there. That could seriously hurt the baby at this stage, but," she added, pointing to Seven, "I still don't think you should walk in there totally naked, Seven. I think that's a little extreme and I don't think the captain would like that."

"Okay," Fowler jumped in, "what are we talkin' about here…T and A, right?" When Samantha frowned at her, Nicole said, standing up next to Seven, "We all know that Seven turns more heads around this place than everyone, even though we see her every day. She's a good distraction, and we've seen people pass her up because she looks harmless." Patting her back as Seven nodded once, she said, "I think this will work, and I think it will work fine if you wear some shorts and a bra. Butt naked might be a little over-kill, Seven."

"Thanks a heap, friend," Torres grumbled under her breath, mostly.

"Very well," Tuvok said even, then turned to Wildman. "Return to the Cargo Bay, Lieutenant. We will be behind you by only minutes. When Seven of Nine walks through the door, explain that she was in stasis and must have awaken. Attempt to draw all of their attention to her by informing them she will sense danger if they draw their weapons, but ignore them if they stand down, and that she requires reprogramming that you and Ensign Elliot-Caster can administer in Cargo Bay Two. Request two guarded escorts. They will most likely allow it, so do what you can to pretend to work on her until you are in the second Cargo Bay…at that point, move away to her alcove and she will eliminate them. We'll eliminate the others." Raising his eyebrow, he finished, "Be careful, Lieutenant. If they give you problems, follow their directives and we will adapt."

"Yes, Commander," Wildman nodded, then looked at all of them, grabbed Fowler's hand, squeezed and said, "See you soon," before she turned and trotted toward the Jefferies Tube.

Turning and starting for the chief's office, Seven informed, "I will only be a moment."

Once Seven of Nine had closed the door to the chief's office, Nicole moved over to Torres, and whispered in question, "You gonna be okay with this now?"

Nodding and taking a deep breath, B'Elanna said, "Yea…yea, it's cool." Then quirking the side of the her mouth, she slapped her friend's arm and whispered, "And thanks for talking her into putting something on. The captain would have blown a gasket for sure, and Seven would have never listened to me."

Stepping out of the chief's office wearing only a pair of standard issue briefs, the style that Kathryn preferred, which rode lower on her hips, and a half-tank top style sports bra, the outfit not much different than her bathing suit, Seven of Nine asked no one in general, "Should I take me hair down?" As Wang looked to be thinking it over, she turned to her friend and asked, "Sam san, which would you prefer?"

"I like it up, but," he reminded, "if you were in stasis, I think you would have it down. Don't you guys think that makes more sense?"

"Honestly," Fowler came up to Seven and patted her shoulder, "I don't think anyone's gonna notice, Seven, and I think that's the point. Leave it up so you can see better."

Seven smirked over at Nicole, then said, "I will comply, Commander," as Torres looked over at her, shook her head, and finally smiled, laughing, unable to pretend that she didn't like the Borg's sometimes brazen and clever ways, certain the blonde wouldn't have thought of this tactic a year ago.

As everyone quieted and turned to him, Tuvok gestured that they were all to follow him to a sensor board that Torres had unlocked for his use. Once the group of three females and three males, plus the Vulcan gathered around the board, he explained, "We can assume that they are unaware of our victories thus far. All barriers were set into place before any moves were made and the process for harnessing a functioning warp core is a delicate one, which would take a few hours. I'm certain they are aware of that, thus those left in the Cargo Bay believe they are merely keeping a possible resistance force in the crew from attempting to overtake them. Moving both crews to one Cargo Bay suggests they are confident as well."

As the group nodded, the commander went on, "Seven of Nine," he looked to the much younger Borg, "your mission is to enter the Cargo Bay and allow Lieutenant Wildman and Ensign Elliot-Caster to assist you. Then proceed from there to the second Cargo Bay. Once you are secure inside, eliminate any threats that follow. Lieutenant Byers will be under cover inside in the event more than two accompany you. Once you have done so, remain outside the Cargo Bay in case anyone attempts to flee. I will call you in if I believe it's necessary."

"Yes, Commander."

"Lieutenant," looking at B'Elanna, "you will lead the charge with Wang." The Vulcan pointed down to the schematic of the Cargo Bay and said, "Each of you is capable of descending from this upper access hatch and dropping to the floor without injuring yourself. This will put you directly in the middle of the guards and distract them while the rest of us enter from the side hatches. To further their unrest, just prior to engaging them, utilize the emergency transporters and beam the wounded to the Mess Hall. The deck is secure and I've contacted the Doctor. He is waiting for them there."

"We should beam Samantha there too. She can help the Doctor with Devin," Fowler jumped in.

Nodding, the Vulcan said, "Excellent." Looking to Seven, he said, "Inform the lieutenant that she will be beamed to the Mess Hall and that Trisha should remain in Cargo Bay Two until she hears otherwise." Once the blonde had nodded, he went on, looking back to the Klingon and Wang, "Each of you will be challenged. Make your blows quick and lethal and stay as low as possible. If you are taken hostage before we can apprehend them, remember to relax and pretend you are stunned when I fire on you." As Torres and Wang both snickered to each other, knowing the Vulcan's tactic for a hostage situation with his squad was to stun the hostage, then shoot the bad guy once the hostage slumped away, the commander continued, "Commander, as they descend, you're to come out of this port hatch here and Carey and I will come out of the starboard hatch that is parallel. Ensign," looking over to the Carey, "you're objective is to get everyone back and down as quickly as possible and then assist us from a distance. The Commander and I will charge ahead and engage hand to hand if necessary. Lay down suppressing fire to keep them at bay, and set your weapon to standard stun. If you accidentally hit one of us in the commotion, our suits will absorb the impact of one blast sufficiently. Any questions?"

When no one said anything, the Vulcan said, "This is what we have trained for. It is our duty to risk ourselves for the greater good. You have my authorization to use any force necessary to succeed and ensure we incur zero casualties. If you are severely wounded, attempt to activate your transport sensor…it is currently programmed to beam you to the Mess Hall." Looking to Torres, he finished, "Live today…so you can fight again tomorrow. Qapla'."

Holding up her hands as three guards converged on her immediately as she entered the Cargo Bay, receiving huge smiles and sighs of relief from many of Voyager's crew when they saw she was alright, Lieutenant Wildman said, "I'm unarmed…I'm here for the wounded." As one of the guards pulled the bag off of her and another one spun her around, she went up to the wall and allowed herself to be frisked without resisting while she explained, "That's medical equipment in that bag…three hyposprays to administer medication, a medical tricorder, and a dermal regenerator. I've shown your commander how to use all of them and he agreed to let me come back and help the wounded in exchange for showing him how to work them and access the computer."

The lead lieutenant turned Wildman around easily and said, "Clean…she's clean," then asked, "Where's the commander?"

"He's in the chief's office in Engineering," Samantha informed kindly as she took the bag from the other man. "Everyone else is in there working in environmental suits. They had to seal the room off now that they're getting ready to unlock the core, so he let me come back because he doesn't need me in there. Will you let me help my people now?"

"Yea, go ahead…just don't try anything funny, Doctor," the lieutenant said, annoyed that the commander was once again clearly trying to win the loyalty of a soft body by letting her do such things as assist wounded and walk around unescorted.

Moving quickly up to them, Wildman asked, "Will you let me have an assistant please?" Sam turned her head toward them and said, "All I want to do is make sure these people don't die. I'm only one scientist. I'm no match for you, and I can't treat four people at once…not with injuries this severe. I'm not a medical doctor."

"One assistant."

"Thank you," Wildman said, then turned and called out, "Trisha, sweetie," she said purposefully so they would think she was harmless too, "I need your help please." Then looking back over to him, she explained, "She works for me. She's a biologist too." Once he nodded as Ensign Elliot made her way through the crowd, her husband slowly following her as several people shifted to see what was happening on the floor, Samantha pulled out the medical tricorder and ran it first over Kim, who looked least wounded. When she saw that he had a concussion, she took the hypospray, changed the formula for the mixture of necessary drugs to wake him, reduce swelling, and kill pain until all of this was over and the Doctor could undo any real damage. Pressing it to his neck as Trisha came over, her tunic tied around her waist loosely to obscure the fact that her stomach was showing signs of her pregnancy, Wildman passed the tricorder to her and said, "Check the commander next…I think he might be well enough to wake too."

"Wait!" the lieutenant said, raising his weapon. "I didn't say you could wake them."

Sighing, Wildman said, "That's the commander of this vessel, Mister. He has the command code necessary to do what it is you're trying to do. I don't," pointing at herself, "nor does anyone else in this room. Your commander wants him awake. Why do you think I'm here? You think he suddenly grew a heart and cares?"

"Alright," the lieutenant snapped, then warned, "Just keep your smart mouth shut, though, Doctor. Or once he's awake, I'll kill you because we don't need you here either."

"He's got a concussion," Elliot informed quietly, glancing back at the man who'd yelled at Sam, nervous. "His shoulder wound will need some work, but he'll be fine."

Handing her a hypospray and she went over to Devin, who was still awake and gesturing for her, Samantha said, "Give him what the tricorder says, then start on Paris. Yes, First…I'm here."

As Wildman grabbed her hand, Devin squeezed, pulled her down and whispered, "My flock is well…hmm?"

"Yes, yes, they're okay," Wildman whispered back. "Can you tell me how to help you? Is this white liquid blood?"

"Is Chakotay stirring?"

Sighing slightly, Samantha nodded and said, "Yes, Ma'am…he's coming to."

Devin patted Wildman's hand, then closed her eyes and ordered as she was able to sense enough of what was going to happen from the blonde, her powers growing stronger as her body grew weaker, "Then assist Flight…he requires your bravery more than I. His thoughts are dwindling and chaotic. Chakotay will look after me when he can."

Wildman swallowed, then nodded and said, "Yes, Ma'am," and turned to Paris, who was pale and colder than he should be. As Chakotay shook his head, then groaned at that pain in his shoulder, took the hypospray from Trisha, and told her to go help Tom, Wildman said, "Commander, the first needs your help."

Giving himself a high dose of pain reliever, then crawling over to Devin, who was reaching back for him, the commander took her hand then whispered, "What can I do?" as he looked about and assessed the situation as much as possible, figuring the Elite Force was on the case since all of them were no where to be seen, but it was difficult to say.

Devin pulled him down closer, then reached back as much as she was able and touched his face. Having to drop her arm, too tired to do much of anything, the Fynth whispered, "I have a wish now that I would have damned the spirits fully last night. At this length, my being is a lash in and of itself…"

Sighing and leaning forward, Chakotay whispered, "Will you at least let me give you something to take your pain away?"

Devin pulled him closer, turned her head and spoke into his ear, "Tuvok's special unit will converge on us soon. See that I am not trampled, my beauty…hmm?"

"Okay," the commander nodded, then just came to a rest, with his legs crossed next to her. Holding her hand with his right and gently rubbing her shoulder with his left, he asked, "How's Tom?" as Kim had shaken off his daze enough to assist the others.

"Thank god his wound has been cauterized, or he'd be dead already," Wildman informed, testy, as she pressed the hypospray to his neck, not looking at Chakotay. "He's about on his last leg right now. Blood pressure continues to fall slowly…we're trying to level him off and bring it back up a little." Sighing, she said, "I don't know, Commander. He needs a doctor…right this instant."

A few seconds after that, cool, seemingly oblivious and mechanical as she could be, Seven of Nine waltzed into the Cargo Bay in her underwear, carrying a PADD and pretending to input data. When the guards turned around and drew their weapons on her, the Borg stopped, looked up from her work, deadpan, and began to move her head to each one and look them up and down, as if she was assessing the threat.

As the lieutenant yelled, "Who the fuck are you?" Samantha turned her head and gasped, purposefully, while the rest of Voyager just stood and watched, bewildered, "Oh my god, Seven!"

"What…what…the Borg?"

Getting to her feet quickly, handing her instruments off to Harry, Wildman said hurried, "Lower your weapons. If she sees you as threat she'll assimilate you." As some of them did, but the lieutenant kept his weapon drawn, Samantha said quickly, coming up to him, "Listen to me. She's was severely damaged and in stasis. She's been regenerating for weeks. We didn't think she was going to survive…her programming has been completely reset. Just back off and she'll ignore you…if you don't, she could assimilate all of us and a Borg Cube will come after her."

The lieutenant lowered his weapon at that, paid close attention to Seven, who then raised her PADD, continued imputing data, turned and walked right through the group of guards, letting her shoulders hit some of them and paying them no attention. Stopping at the wall and accessing the computer, she pulled up some irrelevant piece of data, entered more irrelevant information into the PADD, and continued to just work 'efficiently.'

Grabbing Sam's arm, the lieutenant said, "The commander wants that drone. So," he lifted his gun to her chest and pressed it against her sternum, "you either tell us how to deal with it and shut it off, or I'll kill you, your assistant, and the old woman."

"Okay," Wildman nodded, then informed, "First I need to see if she even recognizes me. If she doesn't, she'll never let me touch her."

"Alright. Do it then…carefully," he said before he pressed the weapon harder against her and added, whispering, "No funny business, Doctor. I'm not as easily seduced as my commander, and I'll kill a woman as fast as I'll kill a man."

Wildman bobbed her head, then walked through the group of guards, all of who were watching Seven of Nine work, intrigued and confused. When one of them came up to the former drone before she could get there, and reached out to touch her arm at her starburst, the Borg took advantage quickly. Grabbing his hand with her enhanced, mesh detailed hand, not looking away from the PADD, she crushed it soundly, then dropped her PADD, grabbed him as the others backed away and raised their weapons again, Wildman holding her hands out and telling them to stop. As Seven picked the man off his feet, and threw him back against the wall, Samantha said quickly, "Seven of Nine, don't you kill him! Comply!"

When the Borg halted her forward progress, Sam looked to the guards and said, in a whisper, "Lower your weapons...please. It'll be okay, just don't touch her."

As the Borg looked down at the man as he lay woozy from his impact with the wall, his hand unusable, Samantha said, "Seven, do you know who I am?"

Turning around immediately and walking up to Wildman, Seven looked her up and down and she kept her hands balled at her sides and answered, "Species 2431...human. Your designation is Samantha Wildman. You are a Starfleet lieutenant and a doctor of xenobiology." Looking away for a moment as if she was thinking, Seven raised her eyebrows, turned back to the blonde and stated, monotone, "You are my 'friend.' You are not a threat." Then turning, she reached down, picked up her PADD and got right back to work.

Samantha went over to the lieutenant and said, "It's okay. She still remembers me. I don't think she'll hurt me, and she'll listen to my directives as long as no one she doesn't know with a weapon tries to touch her. She'll ignore you completely up until that point."

"What's it doing?" he asked, watching Seven work as if she were the only person in the room.

"She's working. She always just works and tries to make everything more efficient," Wildman answered quickly. "We've got to get her into her regeneration alcove. She'll stop working at that time and then someone can tap into her cortical node and see what's wrong." Looking away from Seven and back to him, she whispered, "It's too dangerous like this. She could kill everyone on this ship in this mode. She can walk right through forcefields, and your weapons are useless…our weapons are useless. Her shielding will stop them. If you don't let someone reprogram her, one wrong move and she'll think we're a threat. She'll either eliminate us all, or realize she isn't connect to the Collective anymore and call them. The only person who knew how to deal with her like this was our captain…and she's gone."

Frustrated, the lieutenant said to another lieutenant standing next to him, "This is crazy! Why do we need a Borg? We know how to use our equipment. What the fuck are we gonna do with it?"

"You saw it," the second lieutenant whispered, "Look how fast it is, but it looks totally harmless…just like a woman. It's got Borg shielding…maybe we could figure out how to get some for our ship? Maybe we can program it so all we have to do is send it in to take care of everything? It'll work just like the decoy vessels. That's why the commander wants it. We need to keep it…so lets just do like the doctor says. The commander trusts her...all she wants is to save the crew. That's what's most important to them...just like our intelligence said."

"Alright…Doctor," the lieutenant whispered, "where's this alcove you need to go to?"

"It's just right down the hall in the second Cargo Bay," Samantha whispered back. "My assistant will need to come with me. She has very complex physiology…and," Wildman looked over to Seven, then back to him and said, "I'd like two of your men to come with us…just in case." Pulling him closer, she whispered into his ear, "You can fight her hand to hand. Her shielding only stops energy weapons. All of us could overpower her if she became violent. Just let me talk to her and tell them to stay behind her, okay?"

"Take three," the lieutenant ordered, "and tell your people to stand down or I'll shoot them all while you're gone, Doctor."

Nodding, Wildman gestured for Trisha to come with her and said, coming up to Chakotay, "Commander, we're going to get Seven to regenerate. They'll leave us alone if we just do what they ask."

Understanding perfectly that this was all one big charade, as did the rest of the crew, Chakotay said, looking up to everyone, but staying on the floor next to Devin in an effort to look harmless, "Okay everyone, just relax and sit down. The lieutenant's going to handle Seven of Nine. There's nothing to worry about. Stay calm and do as they ask."

Wanting to move along quickly, Wildman grabbed Trisha's hand and said, whispering into her ear, "Pick out three guards to take…not the lead one, but the next three smartest that you can tell."

As Trisha nodded, then started for the guards, speaking softly and explaining to them how to behave, Wildman went over to Seven and said, "Seven, you need to regenerate in your alcove now."

Since Trisha was still talking to the guards as they asked questions, Seven of Nine said, "I am required to complete my task," while she continued to work.

While Trisha finished picking out the guards, Wildman said, "Your task is now irrelevant. You're damaged and malfunctioning. You need to regenerate. You must comply."

Raising her eyebrows and dropping her PADD to the floor, Seven turned and said, "I will comply," then started walking toward the door as the guards watching, parted for her easily and quickly. Seven kept her stride quick and long, forcing Wildman and Elliot to trot every few steps beside her.

Once they got into Cargo Bay Two, Seven slowed her pace and then came to a halt in the middle of the room as Wildman said, "Seven, stop," then explained, "Wait here while Trisha and I configure your regeneration cycle."

"I will comply," Seven of Nine said, then turned around after a beat. When the three guards flinched, Seven looked at each of them, stated their species designation as some erroneous number because she wasn't aware of the species from the time she was severed, then turned around again and took two steps away from them, needing the room. When she didn't hear them move at all and only sigh with relief, the Borg modified her hand until the tips were sharp points, then bent forward in front of them and pushed herself easily into a handstand, holding it, and started walking around in front of them on her hands, moving away.

"What's it doing!?!" asked one of the men, quick and nervous.

Wildman looked over to Seven, blinked and then said quickly, improvising, "She was a gymnast before she was assimilated. Some of her memory files must still be in tact. We're almost done here...just ignore her and she'll ignore you."

Letting herself come back down to her feet, the Borg turned into a cart wheel, then a series of back flips, moving toward the guards. Stopping right in front of the center one as all of their eye's widened and they held up their hands away from their weapons, trying to show that they weren't a threat, Seven whirled around, suddenly smiled and said, "Greetings. My designation is Seven of Nine. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, P'TaQ."

As they all smiled and nodded at that, hurried and anxious, in a series of three moves, all of them executed nearly at the same time, Seven sliced the left man's throat with her fingerweapons, grabbed the center man with her right hand by his throat and squeezed and kicked the man to her right in his stomach, sending him hurdling back. As Lieutenant Byers jumped up and shot him after he crashed into a cargo container while Wildman grabbed Trisha, ducked her down and protected her with her own body, Seven grabbed his weapon with her left hand, pushed him back, then shot him squarely, saying, "The correct pronoun when speaking of me is she...'doll.'" Then shooting the other guard, who she'd fatally wounded so he wouldn't have to suffer any longer, Seven turned to the mothers and said, "Remain here and seal the room. Thank you for your impressive assistance, Lieutenant. You will be beamed to the Mess Hall shortly to assist the Doctor with the first regal's recovery," while Byers shot them again to dematerialize their bodies.

As soon as Seven and Byers were gone out the door, both of them speaking and moving quickly, Samantha sealed off the Cargo Bay with her command authorization. Then turning to Trisha where they sat on the dais of Seven's alcove, she said, "It's hard to imagine sometimes that she's my daughter's best friend when she does stuff like that."

Sighing and rubbing her forehead, Trisha asked, "Sam, is it wrong for me to be glad I'm getting special treatment?

Wildman put her arm around her younger friend and said, "No, because you're about to start the hardest job in the universe in about five months…"

"Acknowledged. Three out," Chief Torres nodded after receiving an update from Seven stating their mission was successful and they were waiting outside the Cargo Bay in position, whispering, then set the emergency transporters to beam Wildman, Chakotay, Devin, Paris, and Kim to the Mess Hall on her verbal command. "Open channel…Three to One…we're ready."

"We're in position…keep an open channel and proceed at will."

"Acknowledged." Looking over at Wang, who nodded at her and told her he was ready, Torres pulled out her bat'leth carefully, took he deep breath through her nose, letting her Klingon instincts to fight and conquer surge to the forefront, then nodded and said, "Energize."

Wang waited a beat, then programmed the hatch B'Elanna was standing on directly above a group of guards to open, the Klingon already hunched and preparing to fall several meters. As it gave way, Torres fell through, keeping her weapon secured with one hand, and swinging it around once just before she landed right on top of one guard, hitting another one with her bow and nearly decapitating him. As she toppled onto the lieutenant, Wang jumped out from the hatch, calling out loudly to draw their attention away from B'Elanna, and drove his foot into another guard's face as he flew down, unwinding his nun-chucks and spinning them in preparation. As Samuel rolled, chopping at another's man leg with his bare hand, then cracking his head with his clubs, Torres pushed herself to her feet, staying squatted and thrust her weapon up to the guard aiming at her with his weapon. As it discharged above her head and actually hit one of his own men, Torres spun, slicing his abdomen open as Fowler's voice was heard, yelling, "Freeze or die!" while she shot the lieutenant at the same time as he got to his feet and aimed for B'Elanna.

Tuvok shot another man as the guard's, who'd been completely taken by surprise and not at all prepared for this kind of quick fight, looked about and tried to figure out what to do, then commanded, "Seven, Five…proceed inside."

As Wang flipped one guard over his back, then spun and hit another as Fowler shot him at the same time, Seven of Nine proceed into the Cargo Bay immediately, and shot the fallen solider with her alien weapon as he landed somewhat in front of her, then quickly turned her weapon onto the three guards that were left standing with their weapons drawn. While Byers came around and flanked her, and Carey proceed forward as well after getting the people who had been left standing and wanting to join in to back off and stay down, the rest of them came around and made a wall between the guards and the crew behind them.

"Your ship has been destroyed. Your commander and other crew have been eliminated. If you do not comply, you will be terminated," Seven of Nine said ominously to the group, then the rest of them said at the same time, "Resistance is futile."

"You're gonna kill us anyway… " one of the guards said.

"Negative," Tuvok informed, more curt and hard than normal, also quicker without pause, which was caused by him intentionally changing his voice to sound more threatening, not because he felt angry. "We will hold you in our Brig until our captain decides your fate. You have three seconds to comply…one," he counted off once, then fired his weapon, which while talking he'd set to a wider beam, and since he was smack in the middle, he hit all three of them easily with one shot, never having planned to count to three since one warning was enough for his squad.

Lowering his weapon as they slumped to the ground, he turned to the crew and informed, "The ship is ours again, however, you are to remain alert and armed until the all clear has been given. I require all personnel with any medical training to report to the Mess Hall to assist the Doctor. Return to your quarters and await further instructions from your superior officers, with the exception of my Beta squad. The Elite Force will remain in command until the captain returns from her away mission. Dismissed."

As the crew got to their feet uncertain if they should cheer and applaud or just get moving, Seven of Nine said as she slung her alien weapon over her shoulder, "Ensign Caster." As the tall, pale, and thin man came up to her, tentative and fearful about his wife's condition, Seven smiled slightly and said, "Your 'wife' is in the Cargo Bay Two. I am certain she wishes to speak with you."

Nodding and sighing with relief, the man held out his hand and said, "Thanks, Seven."

"You are welcome," Seven nodded, shaking his hand, while the rest of the Elite Force checked on the downed guards, dematerializing those that were dead, and utilizing the hyposprays to render unconscious the fallen ones that could survive, before beaming them to the Mess Hall.

After informing his secondary unit to report to the Security Office and wait for him, Tuvok turned to his Alpha unit and instructed, "Commander, Seven, excellent work…return to the Bridge and bring us back on line. Dismissed." Since Wang had already used his suit to beam himself to the Mess Hall to assist with the efforts there, the Vulcan said to Torres, "Your technique is formidable, Chief. It has been an honor to battle with you."

"Thank you, Commander," nodded a blood stained Torres, although she didn't have a scratch on her. "Report to Engineering with Ensign Carey and prepare us to get underway. Recall any personnel required. However, I wish to keep only a skeleton crew functioning until the Beta Squad has finished sweeping the ship. We will not get underway until that occurs, or the captain returns and says otherwise. Dismissed."

"Uh, Commander," Joe said, as he holstered his weapon.

Cutting him off, Tuvok said, "Once the all clear has been given and we are underway, you will return to your quarters, here, and commence your rules of confinement, Ensign. My report will be thorough, and all of your efforts will be documented. Speak only when spoken to. Dismissed." Once they were gone and he was left alone in the Cargo Bay, Tuvok looked around, raised his eyebrows, very pleased with how his squad had functioned even though they'd been on 'vacation' for three months, and said as he turned and started for the door, "Open channel…Tuvok to Commander Chakotay…the Elite Force is in command of the ship and we will return to normal operations as soon as possible. What is the status of the first regal?"

"Wildman and Wang are working on her right now. She's critical, but stable and should pull through. The Doctor's operating on Paris. He's tentative, but we're hopeful. The rest of us are fine…although, I'll be out of commission until my turn. Harry's hanging tough, and he's on his way to the Bridge to update the Alaxiat and to beam Shreen over to be with Devin. Any word from the captain?"

"Not as of yet," the Vulcan informed as the walked down the hallway, still on guard because they hadn't been able to sweep the entire ship. He didn't think there were other intruders, or booby traps, but he wasn't going to let his guard down until he'd completed his duty and declared the ship safe for all personnel. "However, she received our distress call two minutes ago and is most likely on course for our position as we speak."

Managing a soft chuckle, Chakotay said, "Talk about making tracks…"

"Indeed."

"Seven's outfit was a nice touch. I'll put a good word in for you for that one. Excellent work all around, Commander…thank you…"

Hurriedly Seven of Nine zipped up her biosuit that she'd left in Janeway's Ready Room as she saw the Invictus sweep around Voyager quickly through the window of the office, and them come to a stop just off the bow. With an enormous smile on her face, Seven of Nine pressed the sensor on her suit that pretty much vacuumed sealed her inside, then literally ran out into the Bridge, where Fowler was speaking with the captain on the viewer as the brunette worked to unlock all the boards and bring them up into a functioning, standby state. As Janeway, who wasn't smiling, at all, looked over to her, then sighed and asked, "Are you alright?" the Borg climbed up to the command deck, letting Fowler do all the work for once and said, "Yes, Captain."

Turning to face her and putting her hands behind her back, Seven tried her best to reign in her smile, but it was truly futile, as she said, "It is good have you back. How was your 'trip?'"

Despite herself, Kathryn couldn't help but smile either as she leaned forward and spoke passionately, "You did it, Seven. It was beautiful…perfect…like standing still and having space move around you." Quieting, she whispered, touching her hand to the small screen on the helm board she was looking at where Seven's head was, "I wish you could have been there…although," she smirked at her, pulling her hand away, "from what Nick says, you were needed elsewhere…huh?"

"That is correct," Seven nodded, then asked, quickly, excited, not going to let this event ruin their celebration as long as nobody perished other than the intruders, "When will you dock?"

"Well," Janeway smirked, "I thought I'd be a good captain, for once," she looked over to Fowler, who'd looked up at that, "and follow the rules, so not until the all clear is given. Everything got cut a little short, so there are still several tests that I need to run anyway. How's B'Elanna?"

"She has proven again to be an honored warrior," Seven said proudly. "She was impressive, and she is undoubtedly cursing at the intruders for 'touching her stuff' in Engineering as we speak."

Chuckling softly along with Fowler, the captain looked over to Nicole and asked, "Commander, I know things are still happening, but any idea when I can get a report?"

As she hunched over Operations, Fowler said, "I don't see why Seven can't beam over and update you right now, Captain. That'll save Tuvok and I a lot of time." Looking up and keeping her face even, she asked, "Shall I energize, Ma'am?"

Smiling, Kathryn nodded and said, "Yes, Commander…thank you. Invictus out."

After receiving a happy kiss and a lengthy report from Seven of Nine, then updating her on her historic trip, Janeway piloted the Invictus back into Voyager's Shuttle Bay and immediately proceeded to Sickbay, where the first regal and Lieutenant Paris had been moved once the all clear was given. Chakotay and Kim were given the okay by the Doctor to return to active duty, which they did immediately so that both ships could get back on course for the planet that was still a few hours away, and Ensign Carey was allowed to return to his quarters in the Cargo Bay after it was cleaned and all traces of the battle that went on there were removed, he did, however, get and thank you from the captain for a job well done, and told him he should definitely strive to keep up the good work, not planning to go easy on him just because of this incident. Since Devin was now resting comfortably, all of her injuries, including her lashes, now gone, Shreen had returned to the Alaxiat, no longer needing to stand by to receive the first's legacy in case the Fynth suddenly faded, Devin having given the okay to be healed using the Federation's superior technology because it was important to her to see her flock to the Federation, and she knew she'd never make it if she didn't undergo advanced treatment. Tom Paris would also make a full recovery, but the Doctor admitted that it was nearly a miracle that he'd survived and if Wildman hadn't returned when she did and was able to administer some emergency medicine, he more than likely would have died on the operating table. That, as well as several other things, didn't bode well for Kathryn's demeanor or sympathy for the four prisoners in her Brig, and she had more than a few thoughts about putting them into torpedo tubes and shooting them out into space to fend for themselves. However, that wasn't how Janeway believed things should be done, so she was prepared to hold them in her Brig and watch them twenty-four hours a day until she decided what to do with them.

After the senior staff meeting, where the captain had learned the details of the entire mission, from all aspects, rather proud of all of her staff, especially Samantha Wildman, who she now believed should be included in all senior sfaff meetings until they returned—although the blonde never told anyone, for Nick's sake, that she removed any clothing, and just said when he was leaning over to look at the computer, she medicated him easily—Janeway congratulated them all on a job well done, and informed each of them that tomorrow they were to hold meetings with all of their staff and announce the third and final phase of the Slipstream Project.

Once everyone had gone, each of them stopping for a moment to congratulate her on her successful flight, Janeway said, "Seven…a moment please," before the Borg walked out the door.

"Yes, Captain?" Seven returned as she stopped and looked over her shoulder, then stepped out of the sensor to let the door close on the Conference Room.

As the Borg placed her hands behind her back, Kathryn leaned forward on her elbows, and asked, "Am I understanding correctly that you were interfaced with the computer when you logged me as deceased?"

Nodding, Seven informed as she tilted her head some, "That is correct, and I encountered your program immediately. When I discovered the purpose of it, I 'requisitioned,'" she allowed a smirk, "each of your letters to a secure location in your personal database before they could be accessed by anyone. I assumed you did not wish for them to be read."

"No I didn't…thank you," Janeway said, leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest. Looking up at her lover, she asked, quiet, "Would you tell me if you'd read the letter I sent you?"

Smiling, Seven of Nine answered, truthfully, "No. However," she smirked, "I have not."

Janeway smirked as well while she asked, "Are you lying?"

"No."

Nodding, Janeway inhaled, then stood up and said, "Well, in case you've got it stored somewhere in your memory files," she narrowed her eyes, knowing she did, "you have my permission to read it. Think of it as," she paused for a moment, then smiled, "a lesson in humanity…and," she raised her finger, picking up her coffee mug that contained water, and the PADD Tuvok had brought her, "humility."

"As you wish," Seven said back, which got Janeway to shoot her a knowing gaze and narrow her eyes again.

Rounding the corner of her desk, Kathryn queried, wry, yet serious, "Since they've seen you in your underwear, would you like to go interrogate the bad guys with me?"

"Very well," stated Seven, unflappable, as they stepped out of the Bridge.

After entering the turbolift and selecting the appropriate deck, Kathryn took a sip of her drink, leaned against the back wall and said, "I'm very proud of how you handled yourself today, especially on the Bridge with Devin…and I hope," she looked over at her, "that just because it would have saved us a lot of trouble and injuries to just destroy them first, that you won't let that stop you from trying to us diplomacy first." As Seven looked over at her thoughtful, Kathryn rested her head back against the wall, looking up and over at her, and said, quiet, "Sometimes it works wonders, and sometimes it bites you in the ass…hard," she smirked, "but all I have to do to remember how important it is to try, is to think about you, and it gets me through it."

"Computer, halt turbolift," Seven said quickly, then stepped in front of Janeway and said before she kissed her, the tilt of the captain's head and gaze far too nice to resist, "Our thoughts are one, my Kathryn. I think of you in the same context."

As Seven of Nine kissed her softly and lovingly, then seemed to pause for a beat, falter, and then intensified her kiss until it was raging with emotion, Kathryn dropped her steel cup and the PADD to the floor, wrapped her arms around her neck and started kissing her back equally feeling, although didn't quite understand what the Borg was pondering until she felt drops of wetness fall onto her own cheek. Reaching up and wiping Seven's cheek as the Borg picked her up, Janeway wrapped her legs around her waist and moved her kisses to the blonde's eyes, kissing away her tears, knowing without even asking that it had suddenly struck the blonde to read her letter while she was kissing her, since they'd only kissed quick and smart in the Invictus considering there had been still much information to gather and work to do.

Moving her kisses to her other eye, and then down her cheek, Janeway whispered, "Stardate today: Seven of Nine does many things, including reads Janeway's letter as they kiss in the turbolift, and proves that she is human…over and over again."

Seven kissed Janeway's lips again, and said while she did so, pressing the captain back against the wall, "You were…inaccurate…when you stated that on Stardate 50298.1 that I…mmm…admired the scenery and was…unaware of your presence. That was Stardate...50299.1…and I am always…mmm…aware of your presence…my Kathryn…except…sometimes…in Engineering…it seems."

"Mmmmymmmmistake," Kathryn mumbled, kissing Seven more and deeper now, their passion quickly returning to the level it had been two weeks ago in the bathtub and on the dance floor in the holodeck, the Borg once again leading the charge at full. Reaching up and pushing the blonde's head away with a soft hand to her cheek, the captain breathed her plea as they rested their forehead's together, their chest's rising and falling with speed, "Will you two come home tonight, please?"

"No," Seven answered surely, pressing her hip to the juncture of Janeway's legs, speaking right against her lips. "I wish to come home now, Kathryn…let the 'bad guys' wait this time." Then kissing her again, wanton and aggressive, she added after a moment as Kathryn moaned, "I want you to 'come' now…resistance is futile."

Whimpering as the Borg kissed her again deeply, pinning her against the wall and igniting all of her senses, Kathryn pulled away, heaving, wiped her hand over her face and over her head as much as possible, then looked up and said, "Computer, resume and go to Deck Three without stopping…captain's privilege." As Seven let her down to her feet and the turbolift zoomed upward, Janeway bent down, picked up her mug and PADD, carrying them in one hand, then spun around, pressed Seven against the wall and kissed her again, using her free hand to squeeze her right breast once, then rub between her legs with definite purpose.

As she felt the lift stop, Janeway disengaged quickly, turned around, and then walked right out of the door onto Deck Three, moving surely toward her quarters, putting a privacy seal on hers and Seven's communicator as soon as they turned the final corner and saw that no one was around.

Seven recovered fairly quickly from the surprise assault in the turbolift and marched directly behind the captain once she caught up with her. After they turned the corner and saw that the corridor was uninhabited, the Borg moved ahead quickly and swept Kathryn off her feet once she was done speaking. As she allowed Kathryn to press her hand to her door call, she stepped inside, let the captain seal it and then practically ran to the bedroom, taking off the captain's boots as she went, and letting Janeway hit her hand to the bedroom door too before the redhead dropped the contents of her hands, wrapped her arms around her neck and twisted her body, Seven helping her move until she was around her front again tightly, kissing her passionately, and expertly manipulating the senor on the back of her biosuit to undo it, even though she hadn't made that move in several months.

Kathryn unwound her legs, and slid down the Borg's body as Seven let her go, not breaking the kiss while she unzipped her biosuit, then grabbed the top and yanked it down while Seven pulled down the zippers on her tunic and pants. As Janeway stepped back, tore off her tunic, then her under shirts, Seven pulled down her biosuit, kicked it away and dropped to her knees. Pulling Kathryn close to her, she yanked down her pants to he ankles, then took one of her legs out, and lifted it to her shoulder as she kissed her stomach and ran her hand across her body. Then surging up, holding the redhead's legs as they ascended, stepping on the bottom of the captain's pants to keep them off of her, she rose halfway as Janeway yelped in surprise and pushed them back onto the bed, coming in quickly on top of the captain as she bounced on the mattress at being tossed back, spreading her legs and pushing herself in between them.

Reconnecting with Janeway lips, Seven let her heavy breasts flatten the captain's completely, Kathryn running one hand down her back and the other over the side of her bosom where it rounded out once she'd undone the clip for her hair and tossed it aside. As Janeway moaned and hummed, her touch becoming electric and greedy as she pushed Seven up enough so she could move one hand to one of her breasts and hold it as much as she could as its mass billowed over her small palms, Seven informed as she move her mouth to Kathryn's ear and whispered, sexy and deeper than normal, "I have missed still tasting you on my lips in the morning before we showered, and on my fingers," she added, which made Janeway purr and wrap her legs around her, while she kissed and nipped her shoulder, "and especially on my tongue. I yearn to taste you again, Kathryn."

Whimpering again and then opening her eyes in time to see Seven moving away from her ear and back to her mouth, Kathryn lifted her head and opened her mouth to kiss the blonde, leading with her barely extended tongue as the Borg continued to display her recent adaptations and completely excited the redhead to levels she'd never quite experienced with Seven when the Borg was being the aggressor. That had never bothered Kathryn in the least because she and Seven had always made beautiful, soft, passionate love, and there was also the fact that B'Elanna could always be counted on to bring a whole lot of fire and heady sexuality to the bedroom, but now that it seemed that rooming with the Klingon had helped Seven tap into that part of her sexuality as well, Janeway couldn't be more pleased, or aroused. Seven just kept getting better and better, even though it was truly hard to imagine what else she could improve upon. She was just so damn good at nearly everything, except the things she found irrelevant or inefficient, but those didn't count to the captain, and Janeway absolutely loved that about her Borg.

As Seven pushed herself onto her arms, holding herself up over the redhead, Kathryn rose to her elbows, keeping their chests touching and said as they kissed again, heavy on the lips and flicking, erotic and needful tongues, "Sevmmm…takmmmme." Clearer, after she back away for a beat, she reinterated, needful, "Do it, Seven...hurry, before someone calls me."

When the Borg broke the contact and started to smirk, Kathryn whispered, blunt, breathing quickly and erratic, "Just fuck me right now...we'll make love tonight..."

The blonde pressed her lips and tongue forward again at that, dominate and demanding, then pulling away and smirking, leaving Kathryn gasping, Seven said, "I will comply," next quickly moved down the redhead's body, using her tongue to trace her path, which caused Janeway to tilt her head back and say, groaning, "I really do love the Borg sometimes."

Seven smiled at that as she reached Kathryn's chest and licked her breasts heavily, tasting the saltiness of Janeway's dried perspiration on the underside and reveling in the essence of her perfect Kathryn's body once again, having missed her as much as she missed the song of the Collective after she was first severed…perhaps even more so, it seemed currently. Taking Janeway's right breast into her mouth, opening her jaw and sucking almost the entire amount into her mouth, Seven kept her eyes open as Janeway's head came forward. As Kathryn locked onto her stare, then bit her bottom lip at the sensation she enjoyed so very much while she attempted to lift her narrow hips into Seven's abdomen as much as possible, the blonde twirled her tongue around her small, firm and now tight nipple, then released most of her breast. Staying at the tip of it and taking the entire region between her teeth, Seven bit down lightly, flicked her tongue against the top, and when Kathryn inhaled at the acute, pleasantly and minimally painful sensation, the Borg changed again and merely began suckling lightly to sooth before she migrated to her other breast and repeated the entire process.

As the Borg released her bosom and migrated to her abdomen, which was now in wonderfully good shape—for the redhead, that is, who could never hold a torch to Torres' or Fowler's musculature—considering she worked out consistently more now than ever to deal with all of her frustrations, including those of the sexual variety, which were much stronger since her lovers were actually within the vicinity and not across the galaxy as had been the case when she first came out here, Kathryn whispered, watching Seven's tongue skid across her navel and start to drop lower, which caused her lower body to convulse lightly, "Hurry, Seven…do it before I come from just thinking about you."

Raising her eyebrows, the Borg said as she migrated lower and spread Janeway's bent legs apart further, "I was not aware that was possible."

While she felt the coolness of the air in her quarters that were still set to accommodate the first, hit her burning center as Seven opened her up, Kathryn tilted her head back and informed, her chest rising and falling quicker now, "Ohyes…yes, darling, I get so close just thinking about you both." As Seven began kissing her inner thigh, allowing the tip of her nose to graze her as she migrated back and forth, Janeway inhaled, then exhaled a short, high moan and added, bringing her head back to center and opening her eyes to watch again, "Some days it's all I can do to wait before I can get into the shower."

Seven took a long, heavy swipe all the way up Janeway crease at that with her tongue, then asked immediately, "And do you climax in the shower?"

Shivering and having to close her eyes, Kathryn's head fell back again as she whimpered, "Yes." When in the next instant she felt the Borg spread her inner folds very carefully with her left hand, then latch onto her shiny nerve bundle and suck while she pressed two of her fingers of her right hand inside of her without pause and started stroking immediately, the redhead balled her fists, grabbing onto the bedding as she cried out in pleasure. Then snapping her head forward as the blonde didn't let up on her, the redhead inhaled, then licked her lips and said, crisply in articulation, but soft in volume, "Yes…ohgod, Seven, yes I've missed you...fuck me, darling...faster."

As Seven's oral ministrations began to make her feel like her nerves were nearly on fire, Kathryn's head feel back as she started crying out in short bursts, her hips moving against the Borg's mouth and hand, who had her firmly locked down and unable to break free, which was driving Janeway to the brink in nearly record time with them. When the captain fell back off her elbows, arched her back some as her lower body jerked and pulsed against her face, Seven pushed her fingers inside as far as she could as Kathryn tried to draw her inside with her muscles, and eased up on her tight sucking, just licking slowly, as the redhead stayed fairly quiet, except grunting or calling out inarticulate sounds every few seconds as her orgasm went in waves and quick bursts of tension.

Slowly withdrawing her fingers as Janeway relaxed and fell silent, the blonde pressed her face back to her center and slowly and lovingly eased all of her tension with her tongue, not arousing just caressing her and rejoicing in a remembered sensation completely. After a few minutes when Kathryn's shaky legs moved and she tried to straighten them, the blonde eased back and kissed her way up Janeway's body, the redhead now looking down at her with slightly glassy, twinkling eyes that were catching the light from the obscured starfield out the window. Ending up on top of her again and kissing her mouth fully, but softly, Seven slid her arms underneath Janeway, then rolled them over, held Kathryn close and said, smiling, once the redhead moved down some and rested her head on her shoulder, still feeling pleasantly spent, "I believe that was closer to 'fucking'…however, I am not certain we have 'nailed ' it yet."

As the captain expelled the air from her chest heavily, although too tired to do much of anything more, Seven chuckled at her own humor, and whispered, kissing Kathryn's forehead, "I look forward to 'screwing' up again."

"Seven…"

"Perfection…"

"If that's your way of screwing up," Kathryn smiled as she rose up and made for the former Borg adjunct's mouth, "I don't think I'll live through you getting it right."

fin