"Report!" Kathryn stormed into Sickbay with Tuvok following closely behind. She immediately went to the Doctor's side by Seven's biobed.
"Seven collapsed. Two petty officers found her unconscious by her alcove," the Doctor announced as he was busy with his diagnostics.
"Why??" Kathryn asked, her eyes fixed on the unconscious woman.
"I'm not sure," he said, gaining the annoyed gaze of his Captain. "She has significantly elevated levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, indicating stress - perhaps a nightmare," he guessed. "From her alcove logs, she has not been regenerating as much as she should have - to the point of implant malfunction," he noted with irritation for Seven's recklessness.
Kathryn winced with guilt. "Will she be all right?" Kathryn asked worriedly, her eyes returning to the unconscious woman.
The Doctor looked at the Captain with concern. "Her cortical node is misaligned. The node's self-correcting feature was severely inhibited by her failure to regenerate. However, there is no evidence of an inherent flaw in her node, which is fortunate."
"What caused the misalignment?" Tuvok asked.
"I'm not sure. The misalignment may have been initiated by stress or by her lack of regeneration. Compounding the problem is that a misaligned cortical node degrades her neural processes, which includes amplifying emotions. With more stress comes more misalignment, which in-turn, causes more stress. The cycle would continue until it became debilitating and the stressed node shuts down - I would imagine to either await realignment from a repair Drone, or replacement, if too damaged."
"Can't you realign it?" Captain Janeway asked, knowing she would do whatever she had to do to help Seven, even if it meant back-tracking through the goddamn nebula to find a repair Drone or replacement node.
"I have to try," he said gravely. "The longer her node is "shut down" because of the misalignment, the less likely she'll regain consciousness."
"Try?? Doctor . . . ." Kathryn blurted fearfully.
"It will be a very complex operation, Captain - with no room for error. If we damage the node during attempts to realign it, well, I just don't have any replacement cortical nodes," he said simply. "And unfortunately, we don't have time to look for one," he said, pointedly eyeing the Captain.
Tuvok's brow rose. Like the Doctor, he was quite certain Captain Janeway would confront the Borg again if there was a chance it would help Seven.
Kathryn looked at Seven, feeling useless. "Understood," she said weakly.
The EMH tapped his com badge. "LT Torres and Ensign Paris, report to Sickbay immediately," he said then looked at the Captain before he began to set up the surgical area.
Tuvok looked at Seven a thoughtful moment, then his Captain. "Captain, I have work to do," he said, getting an absent nod from Kathryn.
As Tuvok left, Kathryn instinctively stepped closer to Seven and took her hand. She leaned down to the unconscious woman's ear and whispered emphatically. "I can't lose you, Seven. You've got to fight and get better - you hear me? That's an order."
***
After three hours, Tuvok returned to Sickbay and found Captain Janeway as expected - intently watching Ensign Paris and Lieutenant Torres diligently working with the EMH as they slowly realigned the cortical node.
"Captain," Tuvok said softly, getting a brief acknowledgment from the woman, who glanced at him, nodded, and turned her gaze back to Seven.
"I have found something that you should review," he said vaguely.
"Let Chakotay handle it," she said with mild irritation.
"I believe you will want to handle this personally. It may explain Seven's current condition," he said quietly, gaining Kathryn's attention.
***
"My God," Kathryn said after reading everything Tuvok uncovered. She sat back in her chair in her quarters, staring off into space trying to digest all the disturbing information. "How did you know to look . . . for this?" She asked distractedly and glanced at him, not bothering to hide her turbulent emotions.
"A logical deduction. After learning Seven's condition was due to a lack of regeneration and significant stress, I surmised that she had been working on something during her regeneration periods that had caused her great emotional conflict."
"But she was working hard on breaking the bond, which she never believed was the right answer," Kathryn countered weakly.
"True. However, I do not believe that work would have caused nearly the emotional distress as if she were working on something that you would not have condoned. Something she would likely want to hide to avoid conflict with you," Tuvok countered, causing Kathryn to drop her eyes and nodded, feeling significant emotional distress herself.
"From the amount of time Seven avoided regenerating, I concluded she would have generated significant data. Locating a large quantity of data was relatively straightforward. However, decrypting the Borg security codes was not," Tuvok explained, the words barely registering with the preoccupied woman.
"This is . . . my God," Kathryn said, shaking her head as she got up and paced. "She figured out how to find the Granarian ships. She manipulated the Doctor's memory. She falsified medical data, engaged in unauthorized medical experiments. . . ." The Captain rattled off the disturbing offenses and shook her head in amazement.
"She has been busy," Tuvok acknowledged, earning a sharp look from the Captain.
"I could throw her in the brig for any one of those things! And not disclosing how to find a cloaked enemy?!? You could call that TREASON!"
"I would not," Tuvok countered firmly. "From the evidence I have found and knowing her relationship with you, I would conclude she was motivated solely by her desire to help you," Tuvok said, causing Kathryn to stop her pacing and stare at him incredulously.
"Help me?? By letting the enemy continue to have an advantage? By violating the Doctor's programming? By taking away my ability to decide what to do about Jerran?? By lying to me?!?" Kathryn snapped angrily and started pacing again.
"While Seven has made significant progress, Captain, she is still new to her human collective and its complexity. She approached a difficult and emotional situation by relying on what she was most familiar with - efficiency and logic. As you have read, the serum to break the bond was not successful," he reminded her. "She had found a solution that would not only give you your freedom but would also save Jerran's life."
"Why the hell didn't she just come to me with the truth? Why didn't she just come to me and propose an alternative, instead of lying and going behind my back?" Janeway countered, still feeling hurt and angry, but his arguments were chipping away at her righteous indignation.
Tuvok's head tilted a thoughtful moment. "You had mentioned that the bond made the Taak, in essence, a slave. And your views on slavery are well known, Captain. From Seven's perspective, there was a high probability you would not have agreed a conveyance to another Oben, resulting in you eliminating the only logical solution for this . . . problem."
"She never gave me the opportunity to decide," Janeway said softly, wounded. "How can I command when the very people I need to trust go behind my back anytime they think I'll disagree with them?"
"I believe this is an isolated incident, Captain, driven by strong and inexperienced emotions," Tuvok offered. "And, it would appear that in the end, those very emotions prevented Seven from implementing her plan."
Kathryn looked at him a long moment. "So my command's safe, but not Seven's health . . . or my heart," she admitted awkwardly with surprising vulnerability. She was tired of hiding her feelings, though she suspected the perceptive Vulcan already knew them. "Funny, that doesn't make me feel much better."
"While the human heart is perplexingly illogical, it is impressively resilient," he offered, getting a mildly amused glance from his Captain, who hadn't expected a lecture from a Vulcan on the human heart. Though she welcomed his objectivity, knowing that when it came to Seven, it was difficult, if not impossible, to be objective . . . especially now, when her heart was so torn.
Tuvok quietly watched as she continued to pace, but more slowly. Her anger, the usual response when she felt blind-sided and out of control, had faded. Now that she knew the situation, he could see hurt radiating from her as she struggled with the fundamental betrayal of trust. He also knew she struggled with guilt, knowing the situation was caused by a young woman who wanted to help her. Knowing it was difficult for her to acknowledge her own heart, he wondered if Captain Janeway was yet able to recognize Seven's. It was a logical deduction from Seven's actions, he considered, but acknowledged Captain Janeway was not thinking logically at the moment.
"If," Janeway said and stopped herself. Taking a deep breath, she continued with determination "When she gets better . . . I'm not sure what I'm going to do about this," she admitted uneasily. "I know she wanted to help me but she stepped way over the line, Tuvok. As Captain, I can't allow that," Kathryn said firmly, then sighed, continuing to pace.
"Captain, I am compelled to offer two points. One, Seven never, in fact, accomplished what she had planned to do," Tuvok noted, getting a frown from the Captain, who still felt the painful sting of dishonesty, regardless of Seven's failure to execute her plan.
"And two, no one else knows of this," he offered, causing her to stop pacing and eye him.
While she appreciated his usual discretion, it didn't do a damn thing to help her figure out how to handle Seven or her disturbing duplicity. Her eyes dropped a thoughtful moment, then glanced curiously towards the VIP quarters.
"I do believe you're mistaken on your second point, Mr. Tuvok," she said as she tapped her com badge. "Captain Janeway to Jerran, report to my quarters immediately."
***
Jerran's initial eagerness to respond to Captain Janeway's hail turned to concern, seeing the grim look on her Oben's face and the Vulcan security officer standing by her.
"How is Seven?" she asked, guessing that was the reason for her Oben's look.
"Still in surgery," Captain Janeway said tightly, getting a nod from the woman as her eyes dropped with worry. Seven was the closest thing she had to a friend on this vessel. "Jerran, I want you to tell me everything you and Seven had planned."
"Oben?" Jerran said anxiously, her eyes lifting up with surprise and glanced between her Oben and the Vulcan security chief.
"Mr. Tuvok was kind enough to find and decrypt Seven's medical findings. What I would like to understand is how you, as a Taak, could keep something like this from your Oben."
Jerran was immediately on her knees. "Seven knew the serum to break the bond would never work. So she increased my mobility so it would appear that we were no longer bonded and I could leave."
Kathryn looked at Jerran, then Tuvok with confusion. His brow rose in surprise.
"What about Seven's work on initiating the conveyance?" Kathryn asked. "Surely that would have been preferable to death."
"I could never give myself to another without your blessing, Oben!" Jerran said vehemently, successfully bringing on another Janeway headache. "I would not, Oben," she added with concern.
"So you would rather die? Even after everything we had discussed??" Kathryn asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Living meant being either a burden to you or living in dishonor if I gave away what was yours," Jerran said firmly.
Janeway winced at this additional complication, weakly shaking her head in amazement. Seven's solution not only had to overcome her Captain's position on slavery, it had to appease Jerran's sense of Honor. Seven had to fool us both, Kathryn thought as her guilt grew, appreciating how difficult it must have been for Seven. On so many fronts....
"Would you get up?" Kathryn said irritably, tired of looking down at the kneeling Taak, who quickly stood.
"Jerran, if Captain Janeway agreed to give you to another Oben, would you agree that solution was honorable?" Tuvok asked, surprising both women.
"Tuvok, even if I deemed it a good option, it's too dangerous for Jerran. Seven calculated only an 80.3% chance of success," Janeway said.
Tuvok nodded in understanding, knowing a 19.7% chance of failure was unacceptable to the Captain.
"You would agree with performing a conveyance?" Jerran asked her Oben with surprise.
"Jerran, it doesn't matter. It's too dangerous," Janeway said dismissively, rubbing the back of her neck.
"It does matter," Jerran said emphatically.
***
Entering Sickbay, Captain Janeway found the operation was over. B'Elanna and Tom greeted her with nods and returned to reviewing medical data at the main computer by the Doctor's office.
The Doctor met her at the foot of Seven's bed. "Her cortical node has been realigned," he informed the Captain, who sighed with mild relief, then looking at the still unconscious woman with concern.
"Shouldn't she be awake?" She asked with worry.
"She's regenerating now," the Doctor informed her. Seeing her look up with confusion, he explained. "Thanks to LT Torres' modifications to the surgical bed, Seven can regenerate in it. I thought it best to recharge "her batteries" before attempting to wake her. She will be better able to self-correct any misalignments on her own," he said with a smile.
"Of course," Kathryn said, looking at the young woman with many strong feelings, the most predominate one at the moment was worry. Was Seven going to recover fully? How was she going to handle Seven's violation of regulations? Or the fundamental issue of trust? She sighed heavily, feeling like she had when she stumbled into the Delta quadrant - lost. Only in the Delta quadrant, she knew where she was headed.
"Doctor? Seven's norepinephrine and epinephrine levels are rising sharply," Tom said, looking up from his console with alarm.
"What does that mean?" Kathryn asked anxiously.
"They are indicators of stress. Seven must be having a night. . . ."
"Noooooooo!!!!" Seven cried out in horror as she sat up, seeing Voyager exploding into millions of bright pieces.
"Seven!" Kathryn said, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Oh Kathryn," Seven moaned in pain, vaguely feeling the woman's presence but only seeing the debris that once was Voyager. Debris of her home . . . of Kathryn.
"I'm right here, Seven. I'm right here," Kathryn said, squeezing her shoulder and placing her other hand on her forearm.
The Doctor looked over his tricorder as he scanned her. "Good, Captain. Keep trying to calm her."
"Seven, you're all right," Kathryn said, glancing uneasily to the Doctor, who nodded with approval.
Seven heard Kathryn's voice distantly, calling to her. Her eyes blinked as the images of the Granarian bridge faded away, replaced by familiar surroundings. "Voyager?" She asked in confusion.
"Yes, Seven. You are on Voyager, in Sickbay. You're going to be all right," Kathryn said firmly, now gently rubbing Seven's back to comfort her.
Seven sluggishly turned towards the voice. "Kathryn . . . ?" She asked with amazement as tears filled her eyes. Both relief and guilt washed over her.
"It's OK, Seven," Kathryn said, startled when the young woman lunged and desperately clung to her as she sobbed, repeating "I'm sorry."
Tom looked at B'Elanna curiously, both wondering why Seven was so upset.
"Shhhh," Kathryn said, holding the woman without reservation, wanting . . . needing to ease her distress. Though Captain Janeway didn't know how she was going to resolve any of this, Kathryn finally knew one thing with certainty. Having Seven in her arms was . . . right.
After a few moments, Seven had calmed, but still held Kathryn tightly. Kathryn looked at the Doctor with worry.
"She's all right. Her cortical node is still aligned. This is cathartic for her," the Doctor said softly, looking between the embracing women as he closed his tricorder. Kathryn nodded with relief, knowing this was cathartic for them both.
"Doctor? Please give us some privacy," Kathryn asked.
The Doctor smiled slightly. "Of course," he said and joined a very curious B'Elanna and Tom, who couldn't help but steal glances at their patient and the Captain, wondering what was going on between the two.
Slowly and gently, Kathryn disentangled herself from the embrace so she could look in Seven's eyes. Seven still felt disoriented and too self-conscious to meet the gaze of the woman she thought she had killed.
"I want you to understand a few facts, Seven," Kathryn said softly, but firmly.
Seven blinked in surprise and hesitantly looked at her Captain with a weak nod. She could deal with facts. She needed facts, the emotional young woman considered uneasily.
"I am your friend," Kathryn declared with conviction. "I care for you. And I know you care for me. Whatever you are worried about, whatever conflicts we might have - we will get through it," Kathryn declared, determined to make it so. She had to.
"You will be so angry," Seven whispered with worry, wanting to believe Kathryn, but unconvinced everything would work out.
"That's always a possibility, Seven," Kathryn admitted with a soft smile, then grew more serious. "But please - please - don't ever let that stop you from trying to talk to me and make me understand."
Seven looked at her uneasily. Any feeling of hope was undermined by fear. Fear the Captain would not feel the same way once she had learned everything.
"Rest now," Captain Janeway said, knowing that was what Seven needed at the moment.
Seven nodded weakly as a tear fell, already feeling the ache of loss. Before she could lay back, a gentle hand cupped her cheek as a thumb caressed her tear away. Her eyes shut as she pressed into Kathryn's soft palm, greedily absorbing the affection the older woman was offering, believing it would never be offered again. Her eyes popped open when she felt Kathryn's lips brush against her temple. Seven shivered when those lips brushed over the edge of her ocular implant, as if it was simply part of her, not some foreign attachment to be loathed or feared.
***
"Her endorphin levels are ris. . . .OW!" Tom announced, receiving a sharp elbow and snarl. "What??" he asked B'Elanna, then looked to the Doctor, who just shook his head and read a Padd.
***
After Kathryn withdrew, Seven hesitantly touched her temple, as if unsure she had just been kissed.
"I can't lose you, Seven," Kathryn admitted fiercely.
Kathryn's declaration resonated within her, giving root to a seed of hope. Perhaps Kathryn was right. Perhaps they would be able to work through this, she thought, searching Kathryn's eyes.
Suddenly uncomfortable at her unguarded emotion, Captain Janeway's eyes dropped. However, the reaction did not concern Seven, who found it oddly comforting to know they both would have to grow comfortable with their emotions.
"Now stop stalling, lie down, and rest," Kathryn said firmly and added "You'll need it for the lecture I owe you on the dangers of skipping regeneration."
Seven nodded and complied, finally believing they would work through whatever problems they faced - together. Her heavy eyelids shut as her mind drifted peacefully into a much-needed regeneration cycle.
After a moment observing Seven rest, Kathryn slightly frowned with worry, still not sure how she was going to handle all of this. But she was determined to find a way. This was a woman worth fighting for, even if she had to fight the woman herself, she considered as a knowing smile emerged.
With a new-found spring in her step, Kathryn started to leave Sickbay. She couldn't help but notice three pairs of eyes that had been staring at her, suddenly find other things of interest around Sickbay. Stopping in front of the nosy trio with a heavy sigh, Captain Janeway gave them each a stern look, successfully causing two of them great discomfort. Her eyes drifted to the third, who was frustratingly unfazed.
"You'll let me know if there is any change in her condition?" She asked the Doctor.
"Of course," he said with a satisfied smile.
"Thank you," she said crisply, shooting one last look of warning at Tom and B'Elanna, before she left.
When the doors whooshed shut, B'Elanna exhaled with relief as Tom took a
deep, excited breath.
"Not ONE word!" B'Elanna immediately barked.
Tom looked hurt and glanced to the Doctor for some support.
"Thank you for your help today, LT Torres and Ensign Paris. It was quite the successful day," he said with a smile, ignoring Mr. Paris' beseeching eyes and LT Torres' warning glare, and left for his office, humming happily.
When B'Elanna left Sickbay, Tom followed with a frown.
"Lana," Tom whined as he caught up to her.
"No! I don't want to hear anything you have to say," B'Elanna said, entering the turbolift. "Deck 11." She didn't want to connect any dots involving her Captain like THAT, yet Tom wanted to paint the picture in glorious 3-D!
"But you saw them, something must be going on!" He said, jumping into the lift before the doors whooshed shut. She turned to him angrily.
"And what if it were!?! You have a problem with it?!?" She said, poking her finger in his chest.
"I . . . NO! Of course not," he said with surprise, holding his hands up in surrender. She signed and turned forward to the doors, shaking her head. He also turned to look forward and added with a smirk "It would be SO hot."
"You're a pig."
"But I'm your pig," he said charmingly.
"Don't remind me."
"Captain on the bridge!" Harry announced with a surprised smile, causing everyone to turn and watch Janeway, Tuvok, and Jerran emerge from the turbo lift.
Jerran stood by the turbo-lift, curiously looking around as Tuvok quickly took his station.
Kathryn smiled and headed towards her seat. "It's good to see you too, Harry," she said, glancing warmly at the young Ensign, then eyed Chakotay, who was in her chair.
"How did the operation go?" Chakotay asked as he stood.
"Seven is expected to make a full recovery. She's resting now," Janeway said with a relaxed smile, getting nods of relief from her officers.
"So, is this visit business or pleasure?" Chakotay asked with a knowing smirk. She hadn't visited the bridge since she "stepped down."
"I'm afraid it's all business, Chakotay. I think it's about time I started to solve a few of my problems," she said, eyeing Chakotay, who smiled, pleased with her decision to return, even if he wasn't exactly sure what she meant by "solve a few of her problems." Though, he suspected it would be interesting.
"Anything you want to say?" Janeway asked, after a long moment of silence.
"Uh . . . welcome back?" He said with feigned ignorance.
"Chakotay," Kathryn cautioned, unamused.
Jerran's hand drifted over her dagger, ready to get her Oben's command back. She was confident she could take down the burly man without difficulty. "Jerran," Tuvok said softly, getting an irritated look. He shook his head no. With a frustrated sigh, her hand reluctantly pulled away from the hilt.
"Oh!" Chakotay said. "Of course. Computer, transfer command protocols to Captain Kathryn Janeway. Authorization, Chakotay alpha beta gamma."
"Command protocols transferred," the computer announced.
"Thank you," Janeway said with a pleased smile as she sat down in her command chair and immediately got down to business. "I don't know about you gentlemen, but I'm tired of running," she announced firmly, causing her officers to look at her curiously.
"Commander Tuvok, let's give those sensor modifications a try. If they aren't out there now, they soon will be. Ensign Green, drop us out of warp and execute a gamma-one patrol pattern within this sector," she ordered without missing a beat. "That ought to get their attention," Kathryn added with a satisfied smile, sitting back in her chair, which seemed surprisingly more comfortable than she had remembered.
"Sounds like you have a plan," Chakotay said with interest, sitting beside her.
Kathryn turned to him and smiled. "Finally."
***
"Captain, Voyager has just dropped out of warp," CDR Rath informed her, looking up from his console with alarm.
"Helm, match their movements," Ba'Re ordered, getting a nod from her pilot. "CDR Rath, any indications of propulsion problems?" she asked, causing her XO to tap a few commands in his console.
"None I'm able to detect," he said with a shrug.
"Curious," Karryn said absently, sitting back in her chair, eyeing the screen and the ship called Voyager. What is she doing, she wondered silently.
"Captain, the Tribute is hailing us," LT Olan said.
Captain Ba'Re sighed heavily. "Put them on."
The view of Voyager was replaced with an angry Captain Errgess. Ba'Re preferred the view of Voyager.
"She insults us!" Captain Errgess spat.
"How?" Karryn asked, rubbing her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
"Her mere presence in our space!" He proclaimed angrily. "She claimed she only wanted to cross our territory. Now she deliberately delays - it is a blatant insult! We should attack now!"
"Perhaps there is a reason for her dropping out of warp, Captain. Shouldn't we try to understand first, before jumping to. . . ," she responded, struggling to remain patient.
"We need to understand nothing!" He interrupted. "We will attack now and rid our people once and for all that blight to our honor," he proclaimed.
"Errgess, I strongly recommend . . ." Captain Ba'Re argued, but was interrupted when she and her crew were beamed off their bridge.
***
"What's going on!?!" Errgess barked with concern, as he and others from his ship materialized in a cavernous room. He pulled out his weapon as he looked anxiously around. There were large crates and barrels neatly stacked throughout the area.
"My guess? We're on Voyager," Captain Ba'Re said, immediately looking around to take a silent attendance of her crew. Quickly finding her nine crewmen all present and thankfully appearing healthy, she looked at Errgess and his weapon with frustration.
"If they managed to find us while we were cloaked and beam all of us here, do you really think that will intimidate them?" She asked with amazement, looking at his weapon pointedly.
"And what are you going to do, Ba'Re, roll over and let them dishonor us?" He grunted with annoyance.
***
Tuvok, Janeway, and Jerran stood in the conference room, watching Kathryn's newest guests on the side view screen.
"The large man," Jerran said, pointing to the figure, even though he was hard to miss. "Is Captain Errgess, Captain of the guardship Tribute," Jerran said with authority.
"He seems . . . volatile," Tuvok noted.
Janeway sighed, leaning against the conference table with her arms crossed over her chest, unimpressed with the blustery Captain.
"Yes. However, the Granarian Council believes it is a result of his great passion and devotion for Granarian tradition and honor. He is highly respected. He also has many political allies, which help him to protect his illegal business activities between sectors," Jerran offered without judgment.
Kathryn and Tuvok looked at Jerran with surprise. "Captain Taghra had me investigate all of his competition. He often used the information to his advantage," Jerran explained with pride.
"I'll bet," Kathryn said with irritation.
***
"LT Olan, could you check the doors?" Ba'Re asked, getting a nod from the young man who was eager to help. Jogging towards the door's control panel, he collided into a force-field, causing the young man to bounce off it and onto the deck. "Ugh!"
"OLAN!" She called out with concern. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, Captain. There's a force field," he stated the obvious, stiffly getting up with some embarrassment. Pulling out his weapon, he looked at his captain curiously. She sighed and nodded, prompting the young officer to fire at the force field.
The energy pulse caused the field to glow a bright blue before disappearing. Olan holstered his weapon and gingerly tested the force field again with his hand. He recoiled from the slight shock, frustrated he hadn't even made a dent.
***
"The blond woman is the Captain of the other crew, isn't she?" Janeway offered, watching the interactions closely.
"Yes," Jerran said stiffly and offered no more.
After a silent moment, Janeway's gaze drifted from the screen to Jerran. "And??"
"She is Captain Karryn Ba'Re, of the guardship Integrity," Jerran offered briskly.
Kathryn nodded and returned her gaze to the screen. Karryn Ba'Re, she considered and watched the group with interest. After another extended silence, Janeway turned to Jerran. "That's it??" She asked with surprise.
"Captain Taghra did not deem it worth my time to investigate Captain Ba'Re."
Tuvok's brow rose. "It would be unwise to underestimate any possible adversary. And Captain Taghra did not sound unwise," Tuvok said.
"He knew Captain Ba'Re was never a threat to his position or goals. She is the lowest ranking Captain in the guard, having obtained her position through a great, honorable sacrifice by her father. She has no political allies and no ambition to advance. She has frequently been at odds with the Council in public forums," Jerran said disapprovingly at the risky behavior, and offered "She was the only member to vote against attacking Voyager."
Kathryn eyed Jerran, then returned to study the Captain, who was becoming more and more interesting.
***
"Gath, Touric, Re'tak, aim at the field and fire upon my command," Captain Errgess commanded, prompting his men to pull out their weapons.
"Captain, you'll just be wasting energ. . . ." Ba'Re said, interrupted by Errgess who commanded "FIRE!"
Ba'Re winced as the men fired upon the force field in an impressive display of firepower that brightly lit the dark room. When they were done, Errgess eyed her and smirked. "Yatook! Test the force field. And don't be timid!" Errgess said, then eyed LT Olan, whose eyes dropped in shame for not being more aggressive.
"Errgess, don't!" Ba'Re called out.
***
"What is going on?" Kathryn asked, concerned by Ba'Re's reaction.
"Captain Errgess is simply using his Taak to test the force field," Jerran explained without criticism. "He would not risk his crew for that task," she added.
***
Errgess turned towards Ba'Re angrily. "If you are so concerned about my Taak, you test it. And that's an order!"
Ba'Re glanced to her XO, who was ready to take down Errgess. No need to compound the situation, she considered, gently shaking her head no.
"Unless you are unable to carry out my order," Errgess said with a sly smile, pointing his weapon at the young Captain. If she disobeyed, he would have the right to kill her. Finally, he thought, hoping she would.
"I pity your Taak and your crew," Captain Ba'Re said and turned towards the force field.
Her insults and the subsequent murmur from the crews made Errgess' eyes grow wide with fury. He lifted his weapon at her back as she stepped towards the field hesitantly, trying to brace herself for what she anticipated to be a painful experience, one way or another.
"Captain?" Errgess' XO questioned, wondering if he was going to shoot the other Captain in the back.
"Do not DARE question me, Ga'let," he spat, causing his XO to lower his head and nod.
Ba'Re winced in anticipation as she reached out. To her surprise, her hand did not hit anything. Curiously, she tried again as the Cargo Bay doors opened, making her jump back in surprise.
Errgess and his men immediately pointed their weapons at the enemy and fired. Nothing happened. They looked down at their weapons, trying to quickly readjust them, assuming they were jammed.
"Your weapons no longer function," Tuvok announced clearly to the group as he entered the Cargo Bay with Janeway and Jerran following. Two other guards remained at the entrance.
"I demand you release us this instant!" Captain Errgess barked angrily, eyeing the Captain of Voyager with hatred.
Ba'Re smiled with great relief at the sight of Jerran, who quickly averted her gaze from the blond captain. Her smile faded.
"But I must insist you enjoy our hospitality for a bit longer," Captain Janeway said with a polite smile, adding "Captain Errgess."
Errgess' mouth dropped, startled she knew him.
"Captain Janeway, I am Captain Ba'Re. . . but I suspect you already know that," she said, glancing again at Jerran. Janeway smiled with a nod. "Taghra is dead?" Ba'Re asked Janeway, unable to help herself and glanced again at Jerran, who wouldn't look at her.
"I'm afraid so," Kathryn answered regretfully, wondering why Jerran was acting oddly towards Ba'Re.
"And you two . . . are bonded?" Ba'Re asked to confirm her suspicions.
"Yes."
A murmur of surprise rippled through the group of Granarians. "That Taak betrayed us?!?" Errgess snapped, pointing at Jerran, whose narrow eyes locked onto him. She hoped he would give her a reason to use her dagger.
Before Captain Janeway could object to his offensive behavior, Ba'Re interjected tightly. "Errgess! You know as well as I, that a Taak serves their Oben, independent of politics," Ba'Re turned to face the angry man, who couldn't argue with the truth. Her eyes looked over the others in his crew to gage their reactions. Luckily for Ba'Re, they glanced down and nodded. It was the way.
"If you wish to blame, Errgess, blame Taghra, who initiated the conveyance with our sworn enemy!" Ba'Re added for good measure.
Errgess snarled unhappily at her but unable to respond.
Karryn glanced to Jerran. "It's good to see you are alive and well, Jerran," Ba'Re said sincerely, surprising the Taak with her direct greeting. Jerran briefly glanced at her and nodded briskly before averting her gaze and busying herself with eyeing the group of Granarians.
Captain Janeway curiously watched their interaction.
"What do you want from us?!?" Errgess once again injecting himself in the conversation.
"Now that's an interesting question," Janeway said thoughtfully.
"Well answer it!" He barked. Captain Janeway glared at him, clearly not pleased.
"Captain Janeway, please," Ba'Re quickly interjected. "understand that Errgess and I are concerned for our crews," she said, hoping she would accept that as a reason for his annoying outburst.
Janeway's brow rose with that explanation, which she acknowledged was loosely laced with truth. She had no doubt Ba'Re was concerned about her crew. However, she had observed Errgess enough to have no doubt he was concerned about only himself.
"I request leniency for them," Ba'Re added. "They were only following our orders," Karryn continued, glancing at an irate Errgess, then looked Captain Janeway in the eye.
If Taghra thought she wasn't a threat to his position, he was a fool, Janeway thought with appreciation, impressed by the young Captain's calm demeanor and quick thinking during a very stressful situation. Appearing to consider Ba'Re's words, Janeway looked around the Cargo Bay at the two crews, seeing a range of emotions - fear, anger, and worry. She felt bad for placing them in this position but adversity reveals character, she considered, glancing back to Ba'Re.
"Since you asked so nicely," Janeway said to Ba'Re, then glanced at Errgess, who fumed. "I'll give you an hour to select fou. . .five volunteers," Janeway said, correcting herself, wishing it could be more, hoping it would be enough.
"Volunteers?!? For what!?!" Errgess barked.
Ignoring the blustery man, she added "The rest will be allowed to leave." Janeway said.
"Thank you," Ba'Re said with a sincere smile and received a polite nod from Janeway before she turned and left with Tuvok and Jerran.
***
"This is appalling! She continues to insult us!" Errgess spat, pacing in the Cargo Bay as the stunned crews started to murmur nervously.
Glancing around the Cargo Bay, Ba'Re spotted a small crate. Pulling it out, she stepped on it and faced the crews.
"I will be volunteering, so we need four others," she said, glancing over the crowd, that murmured with her announcement. "I can not guarantee the safety of the volunteers. I do not know what will be expected. Perhaps, your death. However, Captain Janeway is allowing the rest to leave. To me, that is an indication of good will, which I. . . ."
"Good will?!?" Errgess interrupted. "Where do your loyalties lie, Ba'Re?!? Janeway trespassed! She insulted our people and culture!"
"Take a look at where we are, Captain," Ba'Re said, grandly waving her arm at the dark Cargo Bay. "Tell me she has not demonstrated superior technology and firepower. Tell me our cloaked ships will survive in another battle with hers now that she has clearly demonstrated she can find us. She trespassed, yes. And we attacked her and attempted to assassinate her. She could have retaliated against the attacks against her and her crew, and blown our ships into billions of pieces, yet we still live," Ba'Re argued. "I say we are fortunate she is not as blood thirsty as we have been for the crime of trespassing," Ba'Re said, eyeing the group, who looked at each other anxiously, their hushed comments creating a nervous hum.
***
"She is quite passionate in her beliefs," Tuvok noted, watching the young Captain's speech on the screen.
Janeway glanced curiously towards Jerran, who frowned.
"That passion will get her killed," Jerran said uncomfortably.
***
"She's toying with us - adding to the insult!" Errgess argued.
"We have work to do, Errgess," Ba'Re said dismissively to the man, who fumed. He hated her perhaps more than he hated Captain Janeway.
"I will join you, Captain," Commander Rath announced loudly, causing a mummer among the rest of the crew.
Ba'Re looked at her XO with sad appreciation and great respect. She nodded crisply, accepting his offer.
"I too will join you, Captain," LT Olan volunteered, surprising Karryn. "You always said I needed to learn more about other cultures. This could even be interesting," he said with a shrug, getting a short laugh from Ba'Re.
"Could be," she agreed with a shrug, getting a smile from her Lieutenant.
"I will join you, Captain Ba'Re," Ga'let said, surprising Captain Errgess.
"Your sacrifice, honors you and your family," Errgess said solemnly, then turned to Ba'Re with narrow eyes, before looking at his crew. "And never let it be said that Captain Errgess did not contribute to the sacrifice this day," he said grandly. "Yatook, join them," Errgess said, getting the Taak to nod and step up to the small group of volunteers.
Ba'Re looked at Yatook, who did not appear upset by the choice. Of course, he wouldn't, Karryn thought sadly. She glanced over the small group of volunteers with a pained expression, then looked directly at Errgess. "I hope your personal sacrifice is taught to all Granarians, from this day forward, Captain Errgess," she said with a heavy heart.
He looked at her with surprise, apparently pleased with her words and nodded.
"And as your father had done so many years before, you honor your family, Captain Ba'Re," Errgess offered generously.
***
"My God, he's willing to sacrifice his Taak?" Janeway said in horror, watching the scene play out in her conference room with Tuvok.
"It is the way, Captain Janeway," Jerran stressed. "Yatook will gladly volunteer to save his Oben," she said.
"But Errgess is an ASS!" Janeway said, throwing her hands up.
Tuvok's brow rose at Janeway's assessment, with which he was inclined to agree.
"Yatook did not choose which Oben to serve," Jerran countered.
"But you can," Kathryn stressed, startling Jerran.
"I . . . I thought you would evaluate the candidates," Jerran said uneasily. "I am your Taak."
"I want someone you will be happy serving," Kathryn said.
"I will be happy serving, Oben," Jerran countered, bowing her head.
"Even if it is Errgess?" She asked with irritation.
"He is a respected Captain in the Guard," Jerran offered. "Senior to all of your guests and has a promising future."
"But an ASS, who will be your Oben over my dead body!" Janeway said, then saw Tuvok's questioning look and growled "You know what I mean."
"Yes, Oben," Jerran said.
"You have absolutely no opinion on the subject???" Kathryn asked incredulously.
"I will be happy if my Oben is happy," Jerran said.
"What about Captain Ba'Re?" Kathryn said, getting an interesting look of consternation from the Taak, which she attempted to hide.
"She is not a respected member of the Guard. Her ability to advance is limited by disrespectful behavior and radical opinions," Jerran offered, unable to look Janeway in the eye. "She is . . . weak."
Weak was not something Captain Janeway considered Ba'Re. "CDR Rath?" Janeway asked, wondering what was driving Jerran's dislike of Ba'Re?
"He could be a Captain, but has chosen to stay as Captain Ba'Re's executive officer," Jerran offered. "That decision has made the Council question his ability for command. His status has suffered because of it."
"CDR Ga'let?"
"He has gained notice from the Council as Errgess' executive officer. He has a spotless reputation. His chances for advancement are very high, especially with his volunteering for this . . . exercise."
"LT Olan?"
"His service onboard Captain Ba'Re's ship will not be held against him. He is young and has not had much exposure to the Council politics. However, as with Ga'let, his volunteering should bring him honor and help his career."
"Hmm," Kathryn said, eyeing Jerran a moment. "I'm hungry. Could you please get me a sandwich from the mess hall, Jerran? Bring it to my ready room, I'll be there shortly."
"Certainly, Oben," Jerran said and promptly left as requested.
"She's unwilling to choose," Tuvok said thoughtfully.
"Captain Ba'Re would clearly be my choice. She cares for her people. She handles herself well during adversity. She doesn't treat Taaks like chattel. She is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. Jerran must see all that, but it doesn't seem to be important to her," Janeway said, shaking her head with amazement that Jerran would reject such a good candidate.
"Indeed. It does appear she would not select Captain Ba'Re as her Oben."
"But why?" Kathryn said, pacing around the conference table. "What does
Jerran see that we don't?"
Captain Janeway paced in her ready room as she waited for her first "interview." She glanced at the half-eaten sandwich Jerran retrieved for her, feeling guilty for using Jerran for such a menial task so she could talk with Tuvok alone. But the task seemed to make Jerran so happy. It pained her to think how unhappy Jerran really was on Voyager with her as her Oben, which convinced her she was doing the right thing, albeit unconventionally.
She didn't have to reread Starfleet regulations to know they discouraged Captains from holding people hostage, even if it was for a good cause. Although, Starfleet regulations didn't exactly help her figure out how to solve her "Taak" problem either. She sighed, mildly comforted that she had not lost sight of the line she chose to cross. Or perhaps, she considered, "lines."
She sat at her desk and forced her thoughts to the more immediate concern - she had to find a better Oben for Jerran. Unfortunately the perfect candidate to her was not so perfect according to Jerran. She just had to figure out why.
The door chimed. "Come," Captain Janeway said and stood as the door swooshed opened. "CDR Rath, please have a seat," she said with a smile, motioning to the chair in front of her desk.
Rath entered with one of Tuvok's security detail, who stood unobtrusively just within the door as the other guard stayed just outside the door.
"Captain Janeway," he greeted her politely and they sat. He looked around her ready room with interest. "Your ship is quite . . . spacious," he noted, making her smile at his observation. The Granarian ships were very compact and had the bare necessities.
"Well, after traveling five years in the Delta quadrant, it doesn't seem all that spacious," she noted with a wry smile. "Would you like something to drink?" She said, pouring herself a cup of coffee from her silver carafe.
"No, thank you," he said politely. "Five years?"
"Yes. We were supposed to be on a short mission, but we ran into some trouble and ended up here in the Delta quadrant. We've been trying to get home," she said.
"Where is home?" He asked curiously.
"Earth," she said, and continued seeing his confused look. "In the alpha quadrant, about 30 years from here at our maximum speed. Or about 33.4216 years, if we went around Granarian space."
He eyed her with surprise. "How do you keep up the morale?" he asked, surprising her by not bringing up her trespassing.
She considered the question and smiled. "Well, there are a few methods. My ship is equipped with two holodecks, which unfortunately consume. . ."
"Holodecks?" he asked curiously, then realized his rudeness. "Please excuse my interruption, Captain," Rath quickly added with embarrassment.
"Quite all right, Commander. Why don't I show you?" She offered, obtaining an agreeable smile from the man.
"I'd like that," he said, following after the surprisingly cordial Captain.
***
As they walked through the corridors, the Commander felt the eyes of Captain Janeway's crew on him.
"Your people are not sure what to make of me," he mentioned to Captain Janeway.
"I suspect the uncertainty is mutual," Janeway smiled at him, getting a smirk and a nod of agreement.
"Here we are," she said as they stood outside of Holodeck 1's door.
"Computer, activate program Janeway Cargo Bay 1," she said.
"Janeway Cargo Bay 1 is activated."
"Commander," she said, motioning for him to go inside. He looked at her uneasily, then took a hesitant step inside the surprisingly familiar room.
"This is the room you transported us to," he noted with a confused look on his face.
"Yes. I couldn't have you shooting up my actual Cargo Bay," she said with a grin. "This is one of two rooms which uses advanced holographic imaging to project energy into matter that the crew members can participate with. Unfortunately, holodecks consume a lot of energy. But even when we have sufficient energy stores, their usage is carefully rationed out. They are very popular with the crew."
Rath looked at her skeptically.
"Computer, activate program Janeway Granarian one," she said with a smirk. The cargo bay image transformed into the bridge of Captain Ba'Re's ship.
Surprise and concern was clearly written on Commander Rath's face.
"Computer, activate program Janeway alpha 3," she said, certain Rath got her not-so-subtle point. The bridge of the ship changed into a trail within a popular Terran park near San Francisco, Muir Woods. "Walk with me?" She said, motioning to the stunned Commander, who absently nodded amazed at the realism. If he didn't know he was onboard a ship in space, he would have sworn he was planet-side.
Captain Janeway continued to answer the Commander's question. "Besides the holodecks, I periodically arrange shore leave when we find a suitable planet. I also have a very busy morale officer, who arranges various events for the crew. The more intangible moral boosters involve finding a faster way home. We've been moderately successful enhancing our propulsion systems to be more efficient but we hope to either find a worm hole or create our own. However, in the mean time I find myself taking a few risks to get home sooner," Kathryn offered, eyeing him.
"Like traveling through restricted space," he added, without judgment, getting a nod from Captain Janeway.
He looked above at the magnificent trees. The forest floor was covered in a variety of plants and there were even striking black and blue birds. And the other senses were not forgotten, he considered, appreciating the sounds of leaves rustling and bird song, and the slight breeze that caressed his skin. He now understood why this holodeck technology was popular with the crew.
"So tell me, Commander. How long have you been Captain Ba'Re's executive officer?" She said conversationally, surprising the Granarian.
"Why?" He responded suspiciously.
"Just wondering what kind of Captain she is," Janeway answered easily.
"She's an excellent captain," he said defensively. Janeway had to smile.
"Well, she did volunteer herself, so that was one less of her crew that would have to stay," she offered. "But I guess she didn't have a Taak of her own, like Errgess," she offered.
"Even if Captain Ba'Re had a Taak she would never . . . ," he said with irritation, then sighed, eyeing the Captain with reluctant appreciation. "I fail to see what advantage that information gains you."
"I'm not sure myself. But I am new to the intricacies of the Taak-Oben bond. Unfortunately, Captain Taghra didn't provide a manual. Do you have a Taak?" Kathryn asked curiously.
"I do not," he said. "It is unfortunate you let Captain Errgess leave. He knows all about Taaks and Obens," he offered dryly.
"I am pretty sure I wouldn't appreciate his advice, especially after how he discarded his Taak the first sign of trouble," she said with irritation. Rath smiled, having predicted her annoyance with the boisterous Captain.
"Is your lack of a Taak a personal choice?" She asked.
"There are many Granarians that never get the opportunity to bond with a Taak. It is a reward and great honor for the privileged few. I am not among them," he said flatly, as if he had said it a million times, she thought curiously.
"Would not being a Captain in the guard rate as the privileged few?" Kathryn asked, stepping onto a wooden bridge that crossed a small rambling brook.
"Yes."
"They why doesn't Captain Ba'Re have a Taak?" She asked, stopping in the middle of the bridge, and leaned against the rail.
"You'll have to ask her," he said cautiously.
"I'll do that," she said with a smile. "Thank you for this chat, Commander," she said, getting a polite nod. "Computer, deactivate program," she commanded.
The trees, breeze, and birds suddenly disappeared, leaving a grey room with a mesh of sensors covering the walls. Commander Rath immediately missed the forest.
As Captain Janeway and the Commander approached the exit he asked "You are not intending to harm any of us, are you?" He closely gaged her reaction in her eyes.
"Not unless you really annoy me," Captain Janeway said with a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the tour, Captain," CDR Rath said and left the holodeck, escorted by two security guards.
***
Captain Ba'Re paced in their cell as CDR Ga'let, LT Olan, and Yatook sat and watched.
"Do you thing he's being tortured?" LT Olan asked nervously.
"Olan," Ba'Re scolded and shook her head.
"It is likely Rath is being interrogated for intelligence about our ships," CDR Ga'let said.
"I think they've already scanned us for that information, Ga'let," she said, causing a frown from Errgess' XO, who had to agree.
"Then why . . . . CDR Rath! Are you all right?" LT Olan said as everyone got up from their seats and turned towards the returning Granarian.
"I'm fine," CDR Rath said as he was guided into the brig by the guards.
"What happened?" Ba'Re asked as he entered the cell.
"CDR Ga'let? Captain Janeway wishes to see you," a guard said.
The Commander nodded briskly and looked at Ba'Re. "I will reveal nothing," he vowed bravely and left with two armed guards.
The Granarian captives watched as he left.
"He may not intend to, but he'll let things slip," he looked over to Ba'Re and confessed "Uh . . . She's disarmingly cordial. . . for a sworn enemy," he added.
"What did she want to know?" Ba'Re asked, concerned by his guilty look.
"Well, she seemed interested in learning about Taaks," Rath said, and added "and who had them."
Ba'Re frowned.
"She also showed me their Holodecks. They are rooms which transform into different environments. Amazing. I felt like I was planet-side."
"Why would she show you her technology?" Ba'Re asked, obviously surprised at that gesture.
"She was answering my question on keeping up morale on her ship," Rath said, getting a very confused look from Ba'Re. "I have already told you, she was polite and cordial," he said defensively. Ba'Re rolled her eyes and motioned him to continue.
"Well, the first program was the cargo bay we were in. We were actually in the holodeck when we were transported here."
"Guess she didn't trust us with her cargo," she replied with a grin, appreciating Janeway's caution.
"That's what she said essentially," Rath countered with surprise. "Then she ran a program that I suspect was intended to remind me of her position of strength."
"What was that?" Ba'Re asked.
"A very detailed and accurate replica of your bridge, Captain."
***
CDR Ga'let got more nervous as he approached the Captain's ready room. With a deep fortifying breath, he vowed to remain silent.
The doors opened and the guards led him inside to a seat across from Captain Janeway's desk. She was in her chair, but her back was turned to him. One guard left and the other stood unobtrusively by the door.
After a long moment, Janeway turned around and eyed him, without a single word. Ga'let shifted in his seat, finding it difficult to keep eye contact with the intense gaze boring into him.
The extended silence and her unrelenting gaze gnawed at him. The moments passed ever so slowly, without a single word spoken. What kind of interrogation was this, he thought with irritation. She should be asking questions, demanding answers, threatening him harm, not just staring at him . . . .
"I will tell you nothing!" He blurted with frustration, breaking the unnerving silence.
Her satisfied smile disarmed him a moment before he sat more erect in his chair, ready for the interrogation.
"You've already told me a great deal, Commander," Janeway relayed, dropping her gaze to her cup of coffee, which she slowly picked up and sipped.
"What!?! What have I told you??" He challenged, clearly growing more agitated at her exceedingly cool demeanor.
"You're brave. You're loyal," she said, startling him with her unexpected words of praise. "Very uncomfortable at the moment. And," she said, offering a smile "you don't like me very much."
"And why would any of us like you?!? You've trespassed into Granarian space!" He said.
"Yes, I did. However, no one ever bothered to asked why we needed to cross your space. And when I tried to explain, I was insulted."
"You were insulted!?! Taghra offered you passage, yet you threw his offer back in his face!"
"His price was insulting," she replied evenly.
"Three subservients for your ship's passage was more than fair," Ga'let argued.
"Our people do not condone slavery. I find it . . . appalling."
Ga'let looked at her in disbelief. "But you have a Taak!"
"Thanks to Captain Taghra, who didn't exactly ask permission to give me his Taak. So now, I have a Taak," Captain Janeway said with sigh. Ga'let fell silent, digesting the information.
"Do you have a Taak?" Captain Janeway asked.
"Not yet," Ga'let said. "There are many Granarians that never get the opportunity to bond with a Taak. It is a reward and great honor for the privileged few. I am not among them, yet" he said automatically.
Janeway eyed him. The familiar speech was delivered with a decidedly different feeling than CDR Rath's. "So you would have the opportunity if you were a Captain?"
"Yes. And I will be, one day," he said confidently.
"But Captain Ba'Re doesn't have a Taak," she said curiously, getting a surprised look from Ga'let, who guessed Rath had let that information slip. At Ga'let's silence, Janeway continued. "Why would that be? Isn't it a goal for a Granarian to be bonded?"
"Not all Granarians," Ga'let said with disapproval, thinking it should be. "Which is just as well. Those Granarians do not deserve the honor," he said with a distinct air of superiority that grated against Janeway's nerves.
"Including Captain Ba'Re?"
His eyes narrowed. "You're attempting to divide and conquer," he accused.
"I'm just trying to understand this "honor," Commander. Taghra tried to kill me, then gave me his Taak before he died. If it is truly an honor, then I'm at a loss as to why he would give me Jerran. Any ideas?"
"I do not believe Taghra would ever honor you, Captain. Only attempt to finish his mission," Ga'let hissed. "The bond could kill if attempted with another species or another Taak."
"Another Taak??" Janeway asked with surprise. The thought had never entered her mind.
"Occasionally, misguided Taaks will attempt to bond with each other to avoid becoming subservient to an Oben. However, it is not the way and they die a foolish and dishonorable death."
***
"Do you think my parents will be happy being recognized by the Council?" LT Olan asked weakly, sitting on a bunk and staring at his boots.
"Olan, I think your parents will be happy when you return home," Ba'Re said sternly, getting a nod from him. Ba'Re looked over to the very quiet Yatook. "How are you feeling?"
"I am well. Errgess is still nearby," he said.
She smiled at the Taak. "Good. If you feel any pain, let us know. I am sure Captain Janeway can offer medication to ease it."
"I will not dishonor myself by asking," Yatook objected firmly, eyeing Captain Ba'Re with irritation.
She sighed. "Very well, Yatook."
The doors to the brig opened and two guards returned CDR Ga'let to them.
"CDR?" Ba'Re asked, eyeing him.
"I'm fine."
"What was your topic?" Rath asked with mild amusement and great curiosity at Ga'let's thoughtful expression.
"Taaks," he said with a shrug. Rath and Ba'Re exchanged looks. "She's a cunning one," he said, shaking his head. "She got me to talk more than I intended," he admitted with a frown.
Ba'Re withheld a smile at his distress, but nodded sympathetically.
"LT Olan? Captain Janeway would like to see you now," one guard said, causing the young man to suck in a nervous breath.
"It will be all right, Olan," Ba'Re said reassuringly.
"I agree," Rath said and offered "She's the nicest captor I've ever encountered."
Ba'Re eyed him, knowing he's never had a captor before. Rath slightly shrugged.
"Why would she want to talk to me? I'm not a senior officer," Olan said uneasily.
"She's likely gathering information before she talks with Captain Ba'Re," Ga'let said, getting a nod from Ba'Re, who was also gathering information from these talks too. Unfortunately, she didn't like where the conversations seemed to be headed, wondering if Jerran had said something to Captain Janeway.
"LT?" the guard said more firmly and escorted the nervous young man out of the brig.
***
After the discussion with CDR Rath and Ga'let, she expected to learn very little from the young man that would help her with her problem at hand. However, recalling Olan's comment about learning about other cultures, she figured it would be an excellent professional development opportunity for Captain Ba'Re's young officer.
She sat at her lounge area, and stared out at the stars with a sigh at what was becoming a very long day.
The ready room door chimed.
"Come," she commanded, not getting up from the couch. She smiled, seeing the young man enter. "Over here, LT," she said, waving him over. One guard remained inside, standing unobtrusively by the door.
Olan swallowed uneasily and went to meet the scourge of the Granarians face-to-face. He stood at attention by the coffee table.
"I am prepared to die," LT Olan announced bravely with his head held high.
"Oh. Well, why don't we chat a bit first, then see how it goes," Janeway offered, getting a confused look. "Please, have a seat."
"I will reveal nothing," LT Olan said firmly, hesitantly sitting down.
She noticed him glance to the pitcher of ice water. "I see. So, if I asked you whether you wanted something to drink, you would keep me guessing?"
"I will accept no bribes."
"Are you thirsty?"
"Y . . . yes," he admitted uneasily.
"Would you like a drink of water?" She asked, then after a moment of conflicted silence she asked. "What is the first rule of survival?"
"Stay in one place, so they can find you?" His answer sounded more like a question, causing the Captain's brow to furrow.
"What's next?"
"Conserve energy?" He said, still not getting to the answer she was trying to provoke.
"And then?" She prompted.
"Eat and drink when you can, because you may not get ano. . . oh."
Janeway sighed with relief. "Good. I was worried Captain Ba'Re had not taught you that one."
"She is an excellent teacher," he responded defensively.
"Did she happen to teach you any manners?" She countered with amusement and motioned to the pitcher, once again extending the previous offer.
Olan grimaced. "I would appreciate a glass of water, Captain," he said sheepishly, prompting a smile from the odd Captain.
"It would be my pleasure, LT," she said, pouring him a glass. He accepted it awkwardly, the ice rattling against the glass from his nervous hand. He looked at the glass and sniffed it.
"Now I know I'm not exactly known for being a good cook, but even I can replicate water," she said dryly as she poured herself a glass and sipped it. "It's safe," she added with amusement, raising her glass up in salute as she eyed him.
He hesitantly sipped his glass then took a few larger sips which quenched his thirst. "Thank you," he said uneasily, looking down at his glass.
"So, how do you like serving on board Integrity?" She asked with genuine interest, sitting back against the couch.
"I enjoy traveling to different planets. I . . . ," he started, then eyed her suspiciously. "Why?"
"I'm an explorer too, LT. Part of my job, and the job of everyone onboard this ship, is to learn about other places and cultures in our travels. I find it interesting to learn how differently cultures do similar things, like serving onboard a ship or what sort of education someone gets to prepare them for that career," she easily explained as he listened curiously. "For example, my education started at home with my parents and continued as I attended formal schools on Earth. . . . ," she offered.
"Earth? Where is that?" He asked with interest.
She eyed him a moment. Ba'Re had surrounded herself with inquisitive officers, she considered with appreciation. "Come with me," she said crisply, getting up from her seat.
"I didn't mean to offend you by interrupting, Captain," he said nervously, not sure if he had. She didn't seem angry.
"You haven't. It will be easier to show you," she said as they left the ready room, smiling at her self-imposed roll as tour guide.
***
Janeway nodded to the guard, who stood watch by the door as LT Olan looked around Astrometrics with amazement.
"We don't have anything like this on any of our ships," he gushed with appreciation, then looked concerned he had revealed something important to the enemy.
"I know," she said with a smile to ease his concern. "Jerran and our sensors filled me in," Janeway explained as she entered a few commands in the console.
"She's your Taak now?" He asked curiously. It was unusual for a Taak to be bonded to someone other than a Granarian.
"Yes. Do you have a Taak?" She asked, getting an amused chuckle.
"I am only a lieutenant. I will need a few more promotions before I am among the privileged few," he said.
"Like a Captain."
"Yes. Or a Council aide or member of the Council."
"How many "privileged few" would you say there were?" Janeway asked curiously.
"I'm not sure exactly, almost a hundred, I guess."
"Why so few?"
"I suppose because there are not that many Taaks," he said with a shrug.
"Then why would Errgess so easily discard Yatook?"
"He feared for his life," Olan said, getting Kathryn to smile slightly at the young man's honesty.
"Why aren't there more Taaks?"
"There is a sickness among the del' Taaks. It was known occasionally in the old days, during birth. But now, the sickness has come to older del' Taaks and many have died. Captain Ba'Re says it has been a great worry for the Council, though they do not speak of it publicly."
"So Captain Ba'Re doesn't have a Taak because there are so few?" Janeway asked curiously as she tapped in a few more commands into the console.
"I don't really know. It would take an Oben to pass one on to her or the Council offering her a del' Taak. And that may not happen because she hasn't exactly gone out of her way to make allies with Obens or to please the Council," he said, never really understanding why. "But she is worthy, Captain," he immediately said with worry. She smiled and nodded, making him relax a little.
"To answer your question about Earth, look up there," she said, then looked at the stars filling the screen. "This is Granarian space. And this," she said, a green arrow pointed to the planet. "Is where we are headed - home."
"Earth, in the alpha quadrant," he said, studying the chart. "That's a very long way from here."
"Yes it is."
***
Janeway finished her conversation with Olan, finding it took a lot longer than expected. He was inquisitive and very talkative once he warmed up to her, she considered with a satisfied smirk as she entered Sickbay.
"Captain! So what brings you by my humble Sickbay?" The Doctor asked with a smile.
"Where's Seven?" She asked, glaring at him and his annoying smile.
"I gave her a clean bill of health and discharged her. And she seemed rather anxious to leave, though I would have thought she would want to stay to hear all of the Uterian operas that I picked up on our little trip to the . . . "
"And you didn't think that was the kind of change in condition I wanted to be notified about?" She interrupted with amazement.
His smile faded. "I'm sorry Captain, I didn't. . . ."
"Thank you," she said shortly and left Sickbay. As she entered the turbo lift, she tapped her com badge. "Computer, locate Seven of Nine," she said.
"Seven of Nine is on deck three."
"She doesn't waste any time," Janeway thought.
Stepping off the turbo lift, Kathryn grew more anxious, knowing there were many hurdles to overcome with Seven. But now she accepted that she wanted to and was ready to tackle each and every one of them.
Hearing footsteps, Seven quickly turned towards their source and took an uneasy breath. "Captain," she said, then felt her resolve waver. "I should come back later. You look . . . tired."
Before Seven could leave, Kathryn gently took her hand. Though Seven could have easily pulled out of her loose grasp, Kathryn's touch rooted her in place.
"You're the last one to be lecturing me about rest, young lady. You're lucky your little stunt didn't do any permanent damage," she scolded gently, squeezing her hand. "How are you feeling?"
Seven glanced down at their hands, feeling and odd mix of fear and comfort. "I am well, now, thanks to the operation, subsequent regeneration, and you."
With a small smile, Janeway said "come on inside. I need to take these boots off," she said, gently leading the surprised former Borg into her quarters. "They're killing me."
"Why do you not get boots that are more comfortable?"
Janeway looked at her, about to answer but sighed. "I'll get back to you on that," she said, sitting down and pulling her boots off. "Please sit down?" Kathryn said. Seven complied.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Kathryn said "So . . . you wanted to chat?"
"I wish to apologize," Seven said with difficulty, presenting the Captain with a data crystal. Kathryn glanced down at the offering a moment before accepting it. "From my decryption detection program, I believe Mr. Tuvok discovered only 96.4% of my data. The crystal contains the remainder of my work to initiate the conveyance and locate cloaked Granarian ships. However, I understand you have already successfully utilized the data Tuvok found to detect the Granarian ships," Seven said uncomfortably, uncertain of Kathryn's reaction to all of her unauthorized efforts.
Kathryn sat back on her couch and looked at the crystal thoughtfully, then to Seven, whose blue eyes lowered guiltily.
"Tuvok has not discussed his discovery with me, but I do understand there must be penalties for my actions," Seven said and took a deep breath and spoke with forced confidence. "I am prepared to comply with whatever punishment you deem fit."
Kathryn eyed her sharply and got up from the couch. "Whatever punishment I deem fit? Even if you thought it was too severe? You wouldn't fight it?" She asked, walking to her replicator. "Scotch, neat."
"I . . . ," Seven responded, unsure how to answer. "I believe you would be fair."
"Ah," she said and stared at her Scotch in the replicator. "You have faith in me. Now," she said with a heavy sigh.
"I made a mistake," Seven said softly, then took a deep breath and continued. "I concluded you would not agree with my plan and I thought it best to . . . proceed. I should not have gone against your wishes. I should have tried harder to find the solution you wanted," she said uncomfortably, torn by her answer even as she uttered it.
"No! You were right," Kathryn countered emphatically, surprising Seven. She turned from the replicator, her drink forgotten. "Not your methods," she quickly added. "But your conclusion," Kathryn said, getting a perplexed look. "Oh Seven, I'm not looking for blind obedience. I certainly don't need another Taak. What I do need is to hear your opinion. I need to hear if you think I'm wrong and more importantly, why. Yes, I might be annoyed. Yes, I might get angry. And yes, I still might not agree with you. But I might. And that's up to me, the Captain of this vessel, to decide," Kathryn argued.
"I . . . I am sorry, Captain. I was certain you would prevent the only solution we had," Seven said in a small voice.
Kathryn sat back on the couch and let out a long, thoughtful exhale.
"I know. I was rather emotional and reluctant to look beyond this bond as being anything more than slavery," she said with a grimace and turned towards the young woman. "But Seven, how can I possibly make an informed decision if you fail to tell me what you know?" Kathryn argued softly. "I've grown to rely on you. Not just professionally, but personally. More than I could have imagined a month ago," she confessed with difficulty. "And you have helped me through all of this, more than you realize," she said, then exhaled heavily as she struggled to express herself. "Then the very person I have grown to trust, goes behind my back because she didn't think I would agree with her," Kathryn said and looked away, taking a deep breath. "That . . . hurt," she admitted simply, but it was far from simple.
Seven looked at her with a pained expression, unaware of the depth of Kathryn's trust in her and the depth of pain she had caused. "I have lost your trust, haven't I?" she concluded miserably, immediately mourning the loss.
Kathryn countered with the very question that had plagued her. The very question that had to be addressed or there was no chance for them. "How can I rely on you not to go behind my back the next time you think I might disagree with you?"
"I wish I could promise you I will never act against your wishes, but I can not make such a promise," Seven offered with brutal honesty. Moisture gathered in her eyes.
Kathryn looked at the young woman, knowing she could abruptly end their relationship right now, before it even had a chance to start. She could walk away from this and continue to hide behind the protection of her almighty rules and regulations. She could even place the blame squarely on Seven's shoulders - and Seven would let her. How convenient, she thought sarcastically, knowing that wasn't what she wanted.
"I don't know how to fix this," Seven whispered painfully.
This wasn't something Seven could just "fix," Kathryn considered. It would take both of them, working at it, just like in any relationship. And by God, THAT was what Kathryn Janeway wanted.
Reaching out, Kathryn took Seven's hand in hers. "I wouldn't be able to make that promise to you either, Seven," she said, looking up from their hands. "But, I hope that in the future, when you disagree with me, I can trust that you'll at least try, very hard, to offer me the chance to understand why and to hear whatever ideas you might have."
Seven looked at Kathryn with amazement. After everything, Kathryn was still giving her a chance. She felt an incredible burden lifting. "I promise to try," she vowed.
Kathryn nodded and gently squeezed her hand before releasing it, disappointing the young woman, who quickly understood Kathryn's need for physical separation when the Captain spoke next.
"If you undermine my authority in the future, Seven . . . ," Janeway said in a grave tone of warning, though she paused, struggling to find the right words.
"I understand, Captain," Seven interjected firmly, not needing to hear the rest of the warning. She knew Kathryn would have to act as Captain, not as her friend. However, she was confident she would not be in that position in the future, fully intending to convince the Captain she was wrong the next time.
Seven could see the tension drain away from Kathryn's shoulders. "Good. As for what you did, I do understand and appreciate your reasons, Seven. And . . . . " Janeway offered with a slight shrug "you never actually went through with your plan."
Seven frowned. "I would have, had I more time to plan and not malfunctioned," Seven said stubbornly, not taking an easy out.
Kathryn found herself smiling at that. "Well, you know what I think?" Kathryn asked, facing her guest as she rested her elbow on the back of the sofa and rested her head against her hand. Seven's head tilted slightly, waiting for her answer from the comfortable woman. "I think your conscience got the better of you," she offered with a knowing smile.
"My conscience?"
"Yeah. Your plan may have been based in logic, but you had to compromise your integrity. And that bothered your conscience so much, you couldn't go through with it."
"My conscience," Seven repeated thoughtfully, absently touching her forehead where her cortical node was accessed. Kathryn nodded. "My conscience is most inefficient," Seven declared, prompting a soft chuckle from Kathryn.
Seven's pleased smile faded when Kathryn tiredly rubbed the back of her neck. "I should let you get some rest, Captain," Seven said reluctantly and stood.
Kathryn grimaced, not wanting Seven to leave just yet. "Actually, I don't think I'll be able to sleep for a while. I've had quite a busy day. I'd like to discuss it with you," Kathryn said. Looking at Seven expectantly, she asked "Stay?"
Joy washed over Seven. "Yes," she blurted and immediately sat, bringing a smile to Kathryn's face. "Captain," she added as an uncertain afterthought.
"Kathryn," Kathryn corrected softly, bringing a smile to Seven's face.
***
Early in the morning, Yatook groaned in pain, waking Ba'Re and the other
Granarians in the brig.
"Yatook!" Ba'Re knelt down by the Taak to see what was wrong, suspecting Errgess
had finally abandoned him.
He clutched his stomach and writhed in pain.
"Rath, tell the guards we need a Doctor," Ba'Re ordered, getting a brisk nod from her XO.
"But Captain, he said he didn't want help," LT Olan said with concern.
"He said he wouldn't ask. And he's not, I am. There is no reason he should have to suffer," she said tersely.
***
A security guard and Captain Ba'Re carried the ill Taak into Sickbay. The second guard held his weapon tightly as he followed them, cringing sympathetically with each groan. Before they could get the Taak to a biobed, he convulsed violently, slipping out of their hold.
"Yatook!" Ba'Re called out with concern as the Doctor emerged from his office.
Yatook collided loudly into a tray of medical instruments before he and the instruments crashed to the floor. Ba'Re was quickly at his side, joined by the guard as they grabbed the ill Taak and helped him up.
"Bring him over here," the Doctor said, stepping over the mess, and guided them to a biobed.
"His Oben . . . ," Ba'Re explained to the Doctor, who pulled out his medical tricorder.
". . . is gone, isn't he?" He supplied, disapprovingly as opened the tricorder.
"Yes," Ba'Re said, looking at the Taak with a wince at his continued pain.
"I don't suppose we can we get him back," the Doctor said with irritation, getting a wince from Ba'Re.
He compared the tricorder and biobed readings, which were not like Jerran's when she had suffered from separation. But then, he knew Jerran's bond with Captain Janeway had exhibited unexpected differences, according to Jerran, including an increased sensitivity to separation. Unfortunately, he had no other information to compare, he considered with a frustrated frown.
"Can't you ease his pain? Please, Doctor," Ba'Re said anxiously after another pained groan from Yatook. The two guards looked at each other with winces.
"Of course," the Doctor said and sighed heavily as he left to retrieve a hypospray.
Ba'Re turned back to the Taak and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Yatook. You should not have to suffer," she said to the moaning man, not sure if he understood.
Captain Janeway and Tuvok entered Sickbay, quickly surveying the scene. "Doctor, what's going on?" Janeway asked.
Ba'Re turned to face the Captain with a worried look, alarming Janeway as the Doctor explained.
"Yatook is in pain, consistent with the pain experienced when an Oben has left. However his readings are not consistent with Jerran's, when she experienced separation."
"Due to Human - Granarian differences?" Captain Janeway asked.
"That would be my guess," the Doctor said with a heavy sigh.
"But Doctor, our sensors have not detected any changes in the proximity of Granarian ships," Tuvok countered. All turned towards the two Granarians as the Taak suddenly bolted up and lunged for Captain Ba'Re.
One guard grabbed a startled Captain Janeway, pulling her away from the danger. The other guard pulled out his weapon but was not quick enough.
Ba'Re turned just in time to see the vicious look on Yatook's face as the laser scalpel tore deep through her side. As she expelled an agonized breath, Yatook snarled "With regards from Errgess."
The guard fired, the energy pulse propelling the Taak back into a stunned heap as Ba'Re crumbled to her knees. Mr. Tuvok swiftly collected the scalpel that had dropped from his hand as Janeway shook off the grip of the second guard with an irritated growl.
Groggy from the blood loss, Ba'Re attempted to press against her side, but could not stop the bleeding. She passed out as Janeway and the Doctor grabbed her and lifted her onto the surgical bed. The Doctor quickly went to work.
Janeway glared down at the Taak angrily. "Get him out of here!" She barked, prompting the guard to quickly move. Leaning over the Taak, the guard felt his pulse. "He's dead," he said with surprise. "I had my weapon on stun," he added with concern.
"Stand back," Tuvok ordered the guard, who jumped back from the body, as he went to the medical console and erected a field around the body. Tapping a few commands, he initiated a quick scan. "It appears he ingested poison," he said with a raised brow.
Kathryn grimaced in frustration at another senseless Granarian death on her ship, then returned her gaze to Ba'Re with a frown, hoping she was not make the number grow.
The Doctor continued to work on the wound. When he stopped and looked up at the biobed readings, she asked anxiously "how is she?"
"She lost a lot of blood, but I've stopped the bleeding," he said, assessing a picture of her wound on the screen beside the bed. "Odd," he said with a perplexed look as he tapped a few commands to rotate the picture.
"What's odd?" Janeway asked with concern, quickly glancing between the screen and the Doctor curiously.
"If I didn't know better," the Doctor said with amazement and looked at the Captain. "I'd say she was a Taak."
***
Seven of Nine, Captain Janeway, and Tuvok stood in the Doctor's office as he explained his medical findings, pointing to the image of the young Captain's internals. "She has had surgery to remove the majority of her Ke' Cha."
"How is that possible? Jerran said removal of the gland would kill a Taak," Janeway said impatiently. "Unless . . . she lied about that, too," she said tightly.
Seven's eyes dropped uncomfortably, feeling a pang of guilt for her own, recent lack of honesty.
"I don't think so. Captain Ba'Re had the operation when her gland was not fully developed. The stem of the gland is not full-size and wouldn't have a chance to grow after the operation. She wasn't a Taak yet."
"A del' Taak," Janeway offered.
"Before a Taak enters puberty and requires the bond?" Tuvok asked.
Janeway nodded, eyeing the image curiously.
"How does she survive without the gland?" Seven asked the Doctor.
"Most, but not all of the Ke' Cha has been removed. She has enough left apparently to control the life functions."
"But why would someone operate on her?" Seven asked.
"Olan had mentioned a sickness affecting del' Taaks. Is there any sign of disease?" Kathryn asked with concern for Jerran.
"No. If she had the Ke' Cha removed to get rid of diseased tissue, there is no sign of it now."
"Do you think Jerran is aware of this?" Seven asked curiously, getting a firm nod from Janeway.
"Mr. Tuvok, see if you and the Doctor can obtain any more information on this del' Taak disease from the Granarian databases. Seven and I will pay a little visit to Jerran."
***
"This gets more and more bizarre," Janeway said as they entered the turbolift. "Deck 3."
Seven nodded thoughtfully.
"Would you care to have dinner with me tonight?" Kathryn asked.
"Dinner?"
"You know, the main meal of the day, usually the occurring in the evening?"
"I am aware of the definition, thank you," Seven said.
"Well?"
"I would be pleased to join you, Captain. It is always fascinating to see Mr. Nelix's creations and the crew's responses to them."
"Ah . . . ," Kathryn said, interrupted when the doors opened and revealed two crewmen waiting for the turbo lift.
"Captain," they said, greeting her with smiles as Seven left the turbolift with long purposeful strides towards Jerran's quarters.
"Crewmen," Janeway said with a terse nod and followed after Seven, whose long legs swiftly increased the distance between them.
As Seven arrived at the door and started to press the door chime, Kathryn caught up to her and blurted "Wait!"
Seven's hand dropped as she turned to Kathryn with a raised ocular implant.
Smooth, Kathryn, very smooth, she thought with a wince. "Uh . . . I just wanted finish our conversation first," Kathryn said uncomfortably.
"I apologize. I thought we had," Seven countered. "Proceed."
"Yes, well, I was thinking it would be nicer to have dinner in my quarters," Kathryn said with a small smile, annoyed she felt like a hopeless teenager. But it had been a while since she really tried to date someone....
Seven looked at her curiously, making Kathryn even more uncomfortable. "Are you attempting to court me?"
Kathryn frowned. "Well, I guess my attempts are not very good, if you have to ask," she laughed self-consciously.
"I did not want to assume, considering . . . everything," Seven said uncomfortably, though her anticipation grew.
Kathryn frowned again, realizing Seven needed clear confirmation about her intentions. "Seven, there are things we still need to work through, but I would like to court you," she said, liking the sound of that. "I don't know how or if this will even work but . . ."
"It will," Seven interjected confidently, causing a small smile from Kathryn, who continued.
"Buuuut, I would very much like to try and thought we could start with a dinner, in my quarters at 1800, baring a disaster, of course," Janeway said wryly.
Seven beamed. "Agreed. I am confident we will be successful. I have studied much data on the topic. I will come appropriately prepared," she said confidently.
"It's not a test, Seven," Kathryn said, with a slight cringe. "All I require is your presence," she added with a warm smile.
"Nevertheless, I would be remiss if I did not contribute adequately to the courtship."
Janeway blinked, knowing it was futile to argue with her on this. "Seven? Push the chime," Kathryn said, facing the door in a tactical retreat.
"Yes, Captain."
"Kathryn."
Seven smiled and pushed the chime.