Oblivious Hearts
Admiral Kathryn Janeway nodded at her counterpart. 'I'll meet you in the shuttle bay at twenty-two hundred hours. There's somebody I must see before I leave.' She turned and exited what were her former quarters, aware of the confused look on the Captain's face.
In the years since she had left Voyager, Janeway had forgotten what command was about. The trust earned by officers over the years was something she neglected to take into account when she planned this. And this was a good crew. Approaching the turbolift, she tried not to think of what she must do next.
It wasn't the mission that she was avoiding, but her final visit to Seven of Nine. She tapped the lift's control panel and stepped across the threshold when the doors opened. The Admiral could still see the look in Captain Janeway's eyes when she had passed on the news that Seven was going to die. Even more so, that she would be married to Chakotay. The hurt, fear, and regret poured from her face.
The Admiral tried to compose herself, knowing what the younger Janeway was thinking at this very moment. She had never been able to approach Seven during all those years on Voyager about this. Janeway knew this mistake had to be corrected as well.
'Astrometrics,' she instructed and the lift began its descent. Even now, over sixteen years later, Kathryn still remembered what she was like after Seven's death. Eating came rarely, and command took a backseat to grief. She had never gotten over that.
Then Janeway saw Seven enter sickbay during her initial examination, looking exactly like the picture in her mind. She was barely able to speak, and could only manage to whisper 'hello, Seven.' In that moment, it was like the years never happened. There was an urge to abandon this mission altogether and stay on Voyager. Everything could change.
But to do that would be to deny Captain Janeway what she needed. The lift stopped and the doors opened. Slowly, Kathryn stepped out and began the walk down to Astrometrics. She was amazed at how easily the ship had accepted her again and Janeway knew that this was her home.
It had been taken away from her upon her safe return to the Alpha quadrant and subsequently decommissioned. She had fought to keep it running, but Starfleet's PR department had convinced the Admirals that it needed to be a museum. 'A testament to the fact of Exploration,' the signs read. The she herself was promoted to an Admiral's position, never to command again.
For awhile, Janeway was a frequent visitor to Voyager's new home. She led tours of the ship ' only because it gave her the chance to step onto the bridge again. To sit in the command chair and stare out at the viewer. But it was not the same.
Kathryn eyed the door to Astrometrics as it came closer. On those tours, she had never shown the guests the lab, nor Cargo Bay 2. She couldn't bear to step in either of those rooms without seeing Seven working or regenerating. But Janeway could not stop the questions. From official inquiries by the Federation to news reporters, everyone wanted to know about Seven of Nine. Recently, in a Starfleet Academy class, she was asked yet again and reminded of Seven.
The door was right in front of her. It read Astrometrics. But she stepped through with confidence for the first time in years, knowing without a doubt that the woman on the other end of the threshold would be her.
Seven was working at the main console, studying data on the transwarp hub. Janeway inhaled and exerted every piece of her control. 'Seven, I need to talk to you.'
The ex-borg turned and looked at Janeway. 'Yes, Admiral?' she replied by default.
Kathryn forced her legs to move and enter the room, approaching her. This was not going to be difficult once she got the first sentence out of her mouth. But that first sentence was not willing. 'It's about Janeway,' she began, staring in to ice blue eyes. 'Captain Janeway. She needs to talk to you.'
'Indeed?' she replied, in a tone that stung the Admiral. It was cold, emotionless, like it was directly after her liberation. 'Why has she not hailed?'
Janeway shook her head. 'I was her once, Seven. I know what she is thinking right now in her quarters. And she is thinking about you.'
Seven turned back to the console. 'I have given the Captain no reason to worry about me lately.'
The Admiral walked around to the other side of the console, her eyes remaining focused on the woman. She noted the blond hair in its customary bun, and the mesh-covered hand that was tapping at the controls. It was so familiar yet so far away. 'It's not the Captain who is worried about you. It is the woman behind the rank.'
'I do not understand,' Seven stated, glancing up at the elder Janeway before returning to her work. She must remain focused.
Start from the beginning, Katie, her inner voice ordered. Kathryn sighed. 'When I told you about your future death, I told you it would impact your family and friends. What I didn't convey is how much it would affect me ' how much it affected her. Captain Janeway has pulled back from you. And she will continue to do so. Her fear is pushing her away.'
Seven stopped her work and looked up at Admiral Janeway. In a much softer voice, she said, 'I will take precautions to avoid that circumstance. But if I do die, she will continue to live. Captain Janeway is a very strong leader, and eventually will recover from my death.'
Janeway looked up at the ceiling of Astrometrics. If there was only a way to show her, let Seven see what her younger self went through during those years. And what she continued to go through now. 'Stardate 54129,' she spoke finally. 'When your cortical node malfunctioned, Captain Janeway was willing to put Voyager at risk in order to board a Borg ship to find you a new one.'
'Captain Janeway is a caring individual. Although the act was irrational, it was based on emotion,' Seven said. 'And the Captain did not want to lose a valued member of her crew.'
'I believe you do know what I'm talking about, Seven. You told me then that I would not accept your death,' Janeway said. She heard her voice crack and attempted to control her voice by clearing her throat. 'You were right. You mean more to Captain Janeway ' more to me ' than anything.' Kathryn moved even closer and gave up on controlling her voice. This was the moment. A moment she had denied herself, but her counterpart would not be denied the happiness she lost. 'I love you, Seven. She loves you. But she will never tell you.'
Kathryn gripped the console with her hands, using the structure as a support for her body as she waited for a response. A diagram of the hub continued to rotate on the screen, a orange hew present on the woman's features.
'Why are you telling me this?' Seven finally responded, her voice conflicted.
'Because I don't want to leave knowing that both of you will continue on in your current roles without at least discussing this,' Janeway said. Then she whispered, 'maybe even pursuing it.'
'Captain Janeway to Admiral Janeway,' the comm chirped. 'We need to get underway as soon as possible. Meet me in the shuttle bay.'
She sighed and acknowledged the hail. 'I'm on my way, Captain.' Kathryn turned her eyes back to Seven, knowing this would be the last time. 'I wish there was more time.'
'There was enough,' Seven whispered. 'Take care, Admiral Janeway.'
In a way, Janeway was thankful for this moment. She was unable to be there when Seven died in her timeline. Unable to say anything to her. 'Remember what I said. Don't let this be an end. Let it be a beginning.' Kathryn took a deep breathe and reached her hand out to Seven's cheek. 'Goodbye, Seven,' she said, and felt a single tear leave her eye.
Seven lifted her left hand from the console and gripped the Admiral's wrist gently. 'Goodbye?Kathryn.'
Janeway nodded and turned on her heel, quickly walking out of Astrometrics. Once outside, she steadied herself against a bulkhead and took a deep breathe. She was thankful for the opportunity to say goodbye this time, even though it hurt to do so. It would have hurt much more not to.
Content with the fact that she did everything she had set to do, she stood up straight and adjusted her uniform. She walked back up the corridor to the turbolift. Everything was out in the open. It would be up to Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine to pursue it.
---
Seven of Nine was finding it hard to concentrate. Her sensors had informed her that the Admiral's shuttle had just left the shuttle bay and entered a transwarp conduit. She didn't know what the two Janeway's had planned just yet, but had confidence that whatever it was would work.
Going forward with this plan will lead to your death, Seven. The Admiral had been blunt then, and was blunt in their last conversation. I love you, Seven. She loves you. She couldn't get the voice out of her head. Admiral Janeway said that her death would cause many pain, and that Janeway would be affected the most.
It didn't surprise her, that. She had offered earlier that year to Janeway that she would not be able to accept it. But the circumstances have changed. Before, Seven thought it was because it was her own inadequacy. Was it possible the real reason was not a fault of hers, but love?
The entrance to Astrometrics opened, and she identified the person as Captain Janeway by the reflective surface on her console. 'Report,' the woman said as she strode up to the console, directly behind Seven.
Seven attempted to compose herself. This was not the time to question her about the Admiral's statement. 'Contact with the Admiral's shuttle was lost as soon as it entered the conduit, Captain.'
Janeway nodded. 'Keep an eye out for any activity from that transwarp aperture. Maybe she'll make it back.'
'She will not,' Seven stated, using every measure of her control. The tone of the Admiral's remarks made it clear that she was not to return. Perhaps that is how the woman found the strength to say what for years she couldn't.
Seven heard Janeway sigh and watched as she walked around to the other side of the console. It was exactly where her counterpart had stood not three minutes ago. 'You were the last person she had to speak to,' Kathryn said. It wasn't a question so much as a statement.'
'There were some things she said I needed to know,' Seven replied. 'About you.' Seven watched Janeway's face, and found recognition. At least, it was recognition to Seven. But before she could continue, the doors opened again to reveal Commander Chakotay.
'Any word from the Admiral?' he asked, but stopped quickly, noticing Captain Janeway standing near the console.
'Not yet, Commander,' Seven replied, turning back to the screen. It currently showed the schematics of the transwarp hub. It had multiple exit apertures in every quadrant of the galaxy, providing the Borg with instant access to literally every species.
'Did the Borg give her any trouble?' he asked, and walked up to the console, now standing between her and the Captain.
Seven stifled a sigh. Her feelings toward the Commander now seemed insignificant compared to what Admiral Janeway had told her. She loves you. It was entirely possible that the Admiral was speaking on terms of friendship, but when Seven thought of the word, it didn't seem to apply to Chakotay. She thought of the Captain. She postponed her thoughts, and delivered the answer. 'Her vessel was scanned by several cubes, but none approached ?sir.'
'Thank you, Seven,' Janeway said, beginning to back away from the console. The atmosphere was uncomfortable to her, and she didn't want to be in the middle of anything personal. 'I'll be on the bridge. Inform me of any change in readings.'
'No,' Seven said. 'I need you to stay?Kathryn,' she said, saying her first name with great effort. 'I must talk to you.'
Chakotay backed up in preparation to turn around. 'I'll, uh, go to the bridge instead. Are we still on for dinner tonight, Seven?'
She looked at Janeway and back to Chakotay. 'No, Commander, we are not,' she informed and turned back to the console. A few seconds later, she heard the doors open and Chakotay leave for the bridge, albeit a little noisily.
'What's wrong?' the Captain asked, and Seven noticed the worry spread across her face. 'I don't recall you using my first name before.'
Was it worry for her or for what the Admiral had told her? 'You are correct,' she confirmed. 'But I need to talk to you on a personal level.' She retracted her hands from the panel and turned to face Janeway. Seven found the same look in Captain Janeway's eyes that she saw in the Admiral's when she told of her feelings. 'The Admiral suggested it.'
'What did she say exactly?' Janeway asked. 'Tell me.'
'I mean a lot to you,' Seven said without thinking. 'More than I realized until just now.' She met Kathryn's eyes, her voice cracking. 'You love me.' Seven never described silence as being loud, but this was the loudest silence that she could ever remember. It was worse than when the crew was in stasis and she was alone on the ship, by herself. Louder than the initial silence after she was severed from the collective. And it lasted for what seemed like hours.
The reply from Janeway was barely a whisper, but in light of the silence it seemed like a yell. 'Yes. I do.'
Seven searched Janeway's face. Most of the crew joked about the Captain having a impenetrable 'command mask.' She had seen it often when they were arguing. But Seven did not see it now. 'Why did you not tell me?' she asked.
Janeway leaned forward on the console, resting her chin on her hand, and gazed into Seven's ice-blue eyes. 'I didn't tell you because I couldn't tell myself. And I'm the Captain. What if something happened to me? If something happened to you? I couldn't deal with it. And now you're involved with Chakotay.'
Seven thought about this. Her thoughts reflected back to when she was in a shuttle, mere meters away from the alien catapult. There were so many thoughts running through her head at that time, and Kathryn had been the voice she heard. The only voice that mattered. Then, this past year, when she felt like she hadn't lived up to the Captain's expectations, it was Kathryn's voice again that she had heard and listened to. 'My attraction to the Commander is no longer an issue.'
The red alert klaxons began to sound, surrounding the room in a red hue. 'Bridge to Captain Janeway,' the voice of Commander Chakotay said over the comm.
Janeway sighed. This was definitely not the time. She tapped her commbadge and replied, 'Janeway here. Report, Commander.'
'We're approaching the nebula.'
'Acknowledged. We're on our way. Janeway out.' Ending the commlink, Janeway straightened up and looked at Seven. 'Come with me.'
'Yes, Captain,' Seven managed and followed her out into the corridor.
They walked through the hall and into the turbolift in silence. The silence was broken for a moment when Janeway told the lift their destination.
'Kathryn,' Seven said, turning her head to look at the Captain, not sure of how to say this. The feeling had been building since Admiral Janeway had talked to her. 'I was not certain of these feelings before. But I am now. I love you.'
Janeway turned to face her. Putting her hand on Seven's back, she encouraged her to walk out. 'Let's go home.'
---
Captain Kathryn Janeway looked out towards the viewer. On the screen, her eyes continued to confirm what her mind couldn't believe. About two dozen Federation starships, prepped for a battle with the Borg, began to stand down from their red alerts. Though only a whisper, the statement resounds throughout the bridge. Somehow, everything seemed to fit into place. The Borg's unimatrix was destroyed along with the Transwarp hub. And Voyager, after seven years in the Delta Quadrant, finally was returning home.
Janeway ventured a look at Seven. The ex-drone was monitoring her station between glimpses at the sight in front of her. Kathryn recalled how the woman had not expressed a joy at returning to Earth, her home. But the look in Seven's eyes now betrayed the cool denial of days past. Janeway made contact with ice-blue eyes as the blonde looked at her and offered a small grin.
She acknowledge the grin and returned her gaze to the viewscreen, not wanting to stare at the woman. She was beautiful. It had taken words spoken by her future self, however, to get her to acknowledge that fact. Without a doubt, Kathryn knew she would never had told Seven otherwise. But it was true, and when confronted with the fact she was unable to deny it.
Pulling herself back to her duty, she stood up and straightened her tunic. It was time to address the ship. 'All hands,' the Captain began, opening the hail. 'We are approaching Spacedock. Secure from your stations and prepare to initiate docking procedures.' Janeway looked back to Ensign Kim. 'If you forgot them, you can look them up in the manual,' she added wryly. 'Janeway out.'
'Mr. Kim, hail Spacedock control,' she ordered, slipping smoothly into the role of command again and into a routine she hadn't done in years.
'Aye, ma'am,' Kim replied. 'On speakers.'
Kathryn took a deep breathe. 'Spacedock control, this is the U.S.S. Voyager. We are requesting permission to dock.'
'Acknowledged, Voyager,' came the reply. 'You are clear to dock at bay seven. Welcome home.'
Kathryn wondered if the number they were assigned was just some strange coincidence or if it had been purposefully given. The number seven was of significance to the captain for three main reasons. It symbolized Voyager's seven year journey and it was also the same port that the ship was first assigned before departing for space station Deep Space Nine. But it was also the name of the ex-drone standing behind her. Seven of Nine, formerly of the Borg Collective, or just Seven. Janeway wondered if the woman would ever reach a point where she would accept Annika as her name again.
Normally, she would want her best pilot, Lieutenant Tom Paris, at the helm for a maneuver such as this. But Tom had other more important business to tend to in Sickbay, his newborn daughter, Miral, having been born while in the transwarp conduit. Instead, Commander Chakotay, her first officer, was manning the station. She watched the screen surreally and felt tears sting her eyes as her ship, although damaged from battle and not at full efficiency, pushed closer to the mighty Spacedock doors that Janeway didn't plan on seeing for some time.
Slowly, the doors began to open, recognizing their approach and ready to welcome one of its own back. Voyager was no longer a pure Starfleet ship, though, both in its circuitry and its crew. It's systems, after years of experimental and non-approved upgrades and systems overhauls would be nearly unrecognizable to the Starfleet Corp of Engineers. Unfortunately, it would also mean many months in refits.
It's crew, a mix of Starfleet, Maquis, and Borg would be the first to be scrutinized by Command. Although Janeway had pleaded to Admiral Paris for clemency for the former Maquis officers, it was yet to be seen. She had even asked for their full reinstatement into the fleet for those who wanted to stay. But it was unknown as of yet.
'Approaching Spacedock doors, Captain,' Chakotay stated, disturbing her from her reverie.
'Slow to half-impulse, Commander,' Janeway ordered. She approached the helm and stepped down to the free space between the console and the screen, allowing for the maximum view. 'Prepare to switch to automated systems.'
The next few minutes passed in a blur to Janeway. She recalled vaguely giving the order to switch controls to Spacedock's command, but recalled little after that. Now, though, still looking at the screen and trying valiantly to control the tears threatening to fall down from her eyes, Kathryn realized they were docked. The lighting still exhibited a red hew, however. Janeway only now realized it, having forgotten about in all the excitement.
'Stand down from red alert, Mr. Tuvok,' she ordered, walking around the front of the helm and back up the steps to the command center. 'All hands,' she began, addressing the ship. 'Disengage all nonessential systems. Any who wish to disembark may do so after submitting the paperwork to me. Voyager is home.'
A loud applause began to fill the bridge and, if Janeway knew her crew, the rest of the ship as well. She looked to Seven for strength, but the sight of her smiling and clapping with the rest of the crew pushed her over the edge. No longer able to control herself at all, she let the tears flow. 'Thank you all,' she managed.
'Captain,' Tuvok's voice said, penetrating the celebratory cheers and claps. 'Admiral Nechayev is requesting to speak with you.'
Kathryn nodded and stepped up into the command center. 'On screen, Mr. Tuvok,' she ordered, her voice, while strong, still broken as she wiped the fallen tears from her cheeks.
'The Admiral has requested to be transported aboard,' the Vulcan security chief replied.
Janeway turned and looked at Tuvok. The request was curious, but yet not so. The Captain figured she would meet with Starfleet's top brass after the excitement had cleared and Voyager began to get back to normal again. Then again, Nechayev was also a adamant supporter of destroying the Borg, rather than trying to find a way to liberate them and might be here to congratulate her. Or she could be here to decommission the Maquis officers. In either case, she thought, I'm not looking forward to this meeting. 'Permission granted. Inform her both Commander Chakotay and myself will meet her in transporter room one. You have the bridge, Mr. Tuvok.'
'Aye, Captain,' Tuvok acknowledged, executing the order and calling for a replacement officer as he relinquished the station and walked down to the command deck.
Kathryn Janeway nodded to the Commander and motioned for him to follow her as she walked to the turbolift. 'Transporter room one,' she ordered the computer after the doors closed on the bridge.
'What do you think this is about?' Commander Chakotay asked, breaking the silence that had grown between them since Seven's dismissal of him in Astrometrics.
'I wish I knew,' she replied. Janeway continued to look straight ahead, though, and didn't turn to face him. The last thing she wanted was for the conversation to turn to those events earlier.
'How is Seven?' Chakotay asked.
Too late. The lift doors opened and she stepped out, walking briskly through the corridors to the transporter room. 'I think she's a little overwhelmed by the homecoming, but happy to be back nonetheless ' despite her dismissal of Earth before.'
Chakotay grasped her shoulder as they approached the entrance. 'Tell her I'm sorry for walking out like that. And that I wish her well.'
Janeway nodded. 'I'll do that, Chakotay,' she promised and stepped through the threshold, releasing his grip on her shoulder. Kathryn looked up at the transporter pad and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the form that would materialize there shortly. She looked at the ensign manning the console. 'Energize,' she ordered.
Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev materialized on the platform and stepped down to the deck. 'Commander, Captain,' she greeted them, glancing at Chakotay for only a millisecond.
Janeway stepped forward and offered her hand. 'Welcome aboard Voyager, Admiral. We weren't expecting you, otherwise we would have tried to clean the walls,' she said, pointing to a bulkhead showing burn marks from one of their recent battles.
'Captain, Voyager is in fine condition considering what you've been through,' Nechayev complimented. 'Now on to business,' she continued, gesturing towards the door.
Janeway nodded and followed along, with Chakotay falling in behind. Only a few things could turn the eye of Fleet Admiral Nechayev. One of them was a way to defeat the Borg. The new technology Voyager brought home might go a long way to destroying what's left of the Collective ' the factions that would no doubt form might put the Federation in the middle of their civil war. But there was a complication. 'Our new advanced technology, right?' she queried, walking down the corridor. It was the only logical answer.
'Yes. I need to know all about it. Arrange a meeting of your senior staff for 0900 hours tomorrow,' she ordered. 'If the ship can hold me, I would like to spend the night on Voyager.'
Kathryn gestured towards the turbolift and looked back at Chakotay. 'My first officer can set that up for you, Admiral.'
'Thank you. Voyager will, of course, have to be kept under a strict level of security ' almost a quarantine,' Nechayev informed as she stepped into the lift. Chakotay followed her in the lift and stood behind her. 'I know your Chief of Security. Nothing will pass through without his looking over it first. Understood?'
Janeway nodded. 'Mr. Tuvok is an exemplary officer. He will not fail you.'
'I certainly hope not, Captain,' the Admiral conveyed. 'We can't afford to let this information get out.' She stepped back and the lift doors closed with a soft hiss.
Janeway stared at the dark grey doors for a minute and shook her head. It was good to be home, but with there were still things that must be dealt with. A certain matter of the heart crossed her mind, and she pictured Seven's face again from the bridge just hours ago. The smile and love radiating from her features destroyed any composure she was keeping, and caused her to break down right in front of her senior staff. Now that her 'secret' was out, Kathryn wondered why she ever kept it to herself in the first place. But she already knew the answer. You were to stuck-up in your duty as Captain to acknowledge you even had a chance with her, the voice resonated inside.
She turned from the bulkhead and started walking in the direction which she came, on her way to Engineering. Janeway passed a few crewmen who were smiling at laughing as they walked. They had every right to be glad. Voyager had succeeded. But with that success came political and temporal consequences. Ones that Kathryn hoped would not cause a new instability in the Federation's power structure.
Chapter Two
Seven of Nine manned her post on the bridge with the appearance of calm. It was a good appearance, but nothing more. Seven was far from calm. The time was 1700 hours and Captain Janeway had yet to emerge from the ready room, despite the fact that her shift had ended over an hour ago. Word had spread quickly of Admiral Nechayev's presence, and Seven had looked at her Starfleet profile. Whatever the reason for her visit, Seven was no doubt involved in the subject matter somehow.
Seven tried to distract her thoughts by looking up at the viewscreen. A flash of images showcasing Earth and various ship building facilities, including Spacedock, continued in a never ending loop. Ensign Kim had executed the rotating modulation before his shift ended. Although the images were intriguing at first, the novelty had now worn off after an hour.
She shifted her eyes back to the console and tried to focus on her work. Currently, her station was busy analyzing the science behind the advanced technology that Voyager had used to get home. Perhaps, she thought, if I can assimilate the science, I can re-create similar technology myself. But the data flowing across the screen was nothing more than a blur for her right now, and her eyes looked back to the ready room entrance again.
Admiral Janeway had made it clear that Seven must take the first step and approach the Captain. But what now? Kathryn seemed reluctant to talk to Seven, except for a nod or two earlier. According to the elder Janeway, the Captain would never feel comfortable enough to take the first step.
Her own feelings were also in conflict. Up until her final conversation with Admiral Janeway, Seven had believed that she was pursuing a serious relationship with Commander Chakotay. But afterwards, when thinking of Chakotay, she thought less of it being a serious relationship. Instead, it seemed more like a fabrication of feeling. Seven was still wrestling with her feelings over Janeway, but one thing she knew. Seven deeply cared for the auburn-haired woman behind that wall.
All this time, her eyes remained on the door below the tactical station. Not allowing herself to think, Seven locked down her station and briskly walked down the stairs to the ready room entrance, before her mind could tell her different. She took a deep breathe and pressed the admittance control.
'Come in,' announced Janeway from the other end. The voice sounded tired and worn, and Seven thought for a moment of returning at a later time.
Instead, though, she stepped forward, causing the built-in door sensors to pick up her movements and slide open. Crossing the threshold, Seven spotted Janeway on the raised level looking out at the immense size of the Spacedock facility. To an ex-borg, the structure should not have been as breathtaking, it was only a fraction of the size of the former Unimatrix complex. However, Seven had to admit to a certain amount of amazement.
Kathryn turned to face her. 'Hello, Seven,' she said.
The words sent a chill down Seven's back and reverberated throughout her body. Fighting the urge to shiver, Seven maintained her composure. Those words were spoken in the exact tone that the Admiral had in sickbay upon first seeing her. It didn't help that the words were the same, and only added to Seven's reaction. 'I am sorry if I disturbed you, Captain,' Seven replied. 'If you wish I can come back later.'
Kathryn looked at her for a minute, but did not move from her position. 'You've never seen Spacedock, have you Seven?'
'No,' she replied. 'Although Ensign Kim left a slideshow on the viewscreen, and to date I have seen the image one hundred and eight times. I wanted to disengage the program, but the other bridge crew seemed to enjoy it.' Seven saw Kathryn's lips part into a smile. But there was something different in it this time that she did not notice before. There was a warmth that had gone unnoticed and she could not help but to grin in return. 'The detail was not captured accurately before, however.'
Janeway shook her head, but continued to look at Seven. 'Being told about something is not the same as experiencing it for yourself, Seven. Some things must be experienced. And sometimes it is difficult.' Kathryn continued to watch Seven for a minute before turning back out towards the view of Spacedock. 'I just never thought I'd experience this,' she said, her voice exhibiting a slight crack from the normally strong tone. 'But I've waited for this moment for a long time. And it's really, finally, real.' She closed her eyes and took a breath, still grasping the words she was going to say. 'We're home.'
Seven walked up the two steps, feeling a need to be closer to the woman. 'Yes,' she replied, the bright light from the interior of Spacedock illuminating the features on Janeway's face and causing the woman's blue-grey eyes to show a certain sparkle. 'I am curious, however, to know what will happen next.'
Janeway sighed and looked away. 'First, Starfleet will hold a standard debriefing of the senior staff and take Voyager off the active ship roster. Then a decision will be made by the Starfleet Corp of Engineers as to whether to refit the ship or decommission her. Either way, it'll be some time before we are on Voyager again.'
Seven tilted her head. 'They are going to order evacuation of the ship?' She had expected to be able to stay on the ship in order to begin repairs and ensure that no harm was done to her equipment. And to have a place to stay. Not knowing many people on Earth, her future remained the same since she first came aboard - uncertain.
'Not immediately,' Janeway tried to reassure. ' But once the refit begins, only the Chief Engineer and personnel from the SCE will have access to the ship.' Kathryn's brow furrowed as she attempted to think of a lighthearted explanation. 'Treat it as an extended shore leave,' she said, turning back to Seven, a grin playing at her lips.
Seven nodded and, although it was not the answer she was looking for, it opened up a question. 'I do not have much family on Earth. None that I feel would be comfortable. And I still need to regenerate once every seventy-two hours.'
'Stay with me,' Kathryn replied quickly.
Seven blinked and replayed the words in her mind. The response was a surprise to the ex-drone and, judging by the look on Kathryn's features, a surprise to her as well. 'That would be acceptable,' she replied softly. But Janeway's offer had only raised more questions. Does she wish to pursue our attraction? Or is it merely a 'friendly gesture?'
Kathryn smiled. 'I'm glad.' She ran her left hand through her auburn hair and walked around Seven, heading for the couch. With a sigh, Janeway sat down on the soft cushions. 'Have you though about what you will do after Voyager?'
A chill reverberated down Seven's spine. The question was a familiar one to her, one she had yet to be able to answer. 'I am?uncertain,' the ex-Borg replied. It was curious to Seven how she had worked so much to get to Earth, yet when they arrived she did not know what to do.
'Please, sit down,' Janeway gestured, resting her hand on the seat to her left. Kathryn tilted her head, auburn hair shifting in step with the artificial gravity of the ship. 'I know you don't feel comfortable staying with your family on Earth, but have you considered visiting them? I'm sure they'd love to see you again.'
Seven accepted the invitation, walking around the round coffee table and sitting down next to the Captain. Her thigh lightly brushed against Kathryn's, making Seven realize her proximity was too close. Shifting her position, she gazed at the soft carpeting below her. 'My family is Voyager. I do not know my human relatives well.' Seven's eyes shifted to Kathryn's, capturing the warmth returned in those blue-gray eyes. 'I would like to get to know your relatives, though,' she added.
Janeway turned in the seat to give her full attention to Seven. With a concerned look accenting her features, she asked 'Why are you hesitant to meet your relatives?'
Seven breathed. She had still not been able to come to terms with her family. The conversation she shared with her aunt only weeks ago had been exhausting. Trying to find the right words to say and the right way to say them had been exhausting. Seven did not want to repeat that experience again. 'I do not wish to meet them,' she said resolutely to Janeway, who continued to look at her.
'Okay,' Kathryn sighed. Seven felt the softness of Janeway's hand on her shoulder. 'I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.'
'You did not,' Seven re-assured her. 'I realize that someday I will need to meet them, but not today.' The ex-drone continued to look at Janeway's face, an awkward silence falling into place. The warmth that radiated from the auburn-haired woman's soft eyes was powerful, and the feeling pushed her closer. 'Kathryn,' she whispered, her closeness allowing Seven to see every detail of Janeway's face.
'Seven,' Janeway replied. She leaned in closer and Seven felt Kathryn's other hand touch her cheek.
The warmth and tenderness of the fingertips tracing her cheekbone caused her to shiver, and she fell into Kathryn, her arms slipped around the other woman's waist. Their lips touched lightly, sending a feeling that pulsated from her groin throughout her body. She had studied dating lessons, and had learned the proper method of kissing, but this was not about methods or steps. Seven pushed away the thoughts and surrendered to the moment. She felt Kathryn below her, and their arms entangled as they explored each other's mouths.
In the background, a chirping sound came from Janeway's desk. Seven identified the sound as a communication request and pulled away from Kathryn's lips, staring now at her blue-gray eyes. 'Somebody wishes to talk to you,' she informed.
Kathryn, just hearing the sound, sighed. 'Damn,' she moaned and closed her eyes.
Seven pushed herself away from the woman and sat up. Knowing how Captain Janeway tried a great deal to keep her work and personal lives separate, and how she had interrupted that routine, she stood up. 'Captain, I apologize. I have interrupted you routine again. I did not mean to bother you,' Seven said.
'You never bother me.' Kathryn stood up, freezing as her gaze shifted to the table. Janeway's fingers brushed across her moistened lips. She looked back up at Seven, her head tilted and a slight grin on her features. ''Cept the way I love to be bothered.'
The door chime rang again and Janeway straightened her tunic, turning around to face the entrance. 'Come in,' she announced.
Seven, in turn, adjusted her tunic and walked to Janeway' side, noticing as she looked that the Captain's insignia badge was misplaced. She quickly fixed it, nodding at Kathryn as she did.
The instinctive hiss of the doors opening attracted both of their attention, and Admiral Alynna Nechayev stepped across the threshold. 'Captain Janeway, Seven of Nine,' she greeted, stepping to the upper platform.
'Admiral,' Seven said, simultaneously with Janeway. It was an awkward moment, but Seven reminded herself that Nechayev had no knowledge of what they had been engaged in.
Nechayev offered a nod in Seven's direction. 'I've been ordered to take both of you to Starfleet Headquarters for a special briefing.'
'Regarding?' Seven questioned immediately. She felt a sense of trepidation towards Starfleet Command, not knowing what plans they may have regarding her Borg technology. It didn't seem likely, but Seven knew from knowledge of assimilated species that there is always a section of government that will do anything to find a weakness of the Borg.
'There's been a development regarding Voyager's advanced technology,' Nechayev informed.
Janeway glanced at Seven quickly before returning her gaze to Nechayev. 'What kind of development, Admiral?' she asked. 'I've already submitted my full report to Command.'
Nechayev nodded. 'I know, Captain. This isn't about your report. Starfleet Intelligence as reason to believe that the specifications for the technology have been leaked to outside parties. And that the leak originated from Voyager.'
Janeway stepped forward. 'What outside parties? Who leaked the information?' Seven knew the Captain to be extremely protective of her ship and crew, and would be disappointed to know any had betrayed her or the Federation.
'I cannot tell you that information,' Nechayev responded. 'Any questions we are able to explain will be answered at the briefing.' She extended her arm toward the door, expressing that the meeting would take place now.
Seven looked at Kathryn. Her expression puzzled, Janeway began to descend the stairs to the lower level and head out of the room. Seven, not sure how to interpret these latest events, followed behind the Captain. This would be her first visit to Earth. She only wished it wasn't under an air of suspicion.
---
It was a perfect San Francisco day. The sun's rays shown through the partly cloudy blue sky, beaming off of the large dark gray skyscraper that was the main building at Starfleet Headquarters. Captain Kathryn Janeway stood near a window on the thirty-second floor, gazing at the Golden Gate Bridge. It never ceased to amaze her that the huge ancient construct was still standing after hundreds of years of abuse.
Gasoline-powered automobiles no longer traveled the surface, as in days of old, however, the bridge was still very much in operation. Hundreds of people traversed it everyday - a great number of them being Starfleet officers. Janeway thought she could almost see her old house from here. She wondered if her belongings remained untouched, if they had been moved into storage, or if they had been returned to her mother.
Seven of Nine stood at her side, also captivated by the view, which was new to her. They were awaiting Admirals Nechayev and Paris, along with the heads of both Starfleet Intelligence and the Temporal Mechanics Division to discuss the situation. There were many questions she wanted to ask them. First and foremost on her mind was who was it that they believed had leaked the information and why they felt so strongly that this person had been on Voyager.
"It is an impressive view," Seven said, stirring the Captain from her thoughts.
Janeway grinned. "San Francisco hasn't changed much in the past few hundred years.' She turned to look at Seven, 'But I'll never tire of the view."
The sound of a door opening caught Janeway off guard and it took her a second to remember that HQ used old-fashioned wooden doors in the building. She turned around and saw Admiral Paris enter. His strong presence and build made him look out of place in an Admiral's uniform. Paris' guidance had been invaluable in the early part of her career, and still was - even if they did engage in heated disagreements on occasion.
"Hello, Katie," he said, smiling, as he walked over to her. "It is very good to see you again."
"Likewise, Admiral," Kathryn returned, her lips spreading into a full smile. She looked over at her companion. "This is Seven of Nine, my Astrometrics officer."
Paris reached out and offered his hand. "An honor," he said. "I've read a lot about you in Voyager's logs. Welcome to Earth."
Seven hesitated for a moment, and Janeway eyed her quizzically. Finally, Seven accepted the greeting, extending her fully human hand. "Thank you, Admiral.'
"Owen, what's this all about?" she asked, hoping that her friend would pass her some 'under the table' information.
"We'll get to that in a minute," he replied, his tone sympathetic. "We're just waiting for one person. In the meantime, I thought I'd come in and welcome you back to Earth personally."
A quick knock followed by the door opening signaled that the meeting was ready to begin. Janeway watched two officers in Starfleet uniforms walk by and take seats at one side of the long oaken table in the center of the room. She knew it would be awhile until she was used to seeing people in the new unfamiliar uniforms. The last to enter was Janeway's direct superior, Fleet Admiral Nechayev. She entered silently and took her seat next to Owen at the center of the table. As was usual for a briefing, they sat all on one side, the two lead Admirals in the middle flanked on each side by what Janeway figured were advisors. She and Seven were expected to sit opposite them. Janeway felt as if she were before a formal board of inquiry, only smaller.
Nechayev cleared her throat. "I, Fleet Admiral Alynna Nechayev, officially begin this briefing on Stardate 54975.6 in regards to suspicion of espionage concerning Voyager's advanced technology."
Janeway nodded along with the rest of those seated. This shouldn't be such an annoyance, her inner voice told her, it's just a formality. But seven years in the Delta Quadrant had made her less tolerant of the formality and more interested in the facts, and the whole proceeding, while required for Starfleet records, seemed to her, to be an enormous waste of time.
"...And our last attendee is Admiral Dylan Olsen, head of Starfleet Security," Nechayev announced, and Janeway realized she had missed the introduction for one of the representatives. "But first, on to the details. Approximately two hours ago, a transmission identified as having originated from Voyager was transmitted to coordinates near the outskirts of the Badlands. The transmission was intercepted and found to contain detailed specs of Voyager's advanced technology along with what we suspect was a personal message. The contents of the message were encrypted, and Starfleet Security is working to translate. Starfleet Security personnel will also be boarding Voyager to attempt to determine whom it was who sent the information."
"Absolutely not," Janeway protested. "Our security personnel are more than capable of tracking down any possible link if, in fact, the transmission was from Voyager." Outraged at the idea of foreign persons - albeit Starfleet persons - boarding her ship without permission, Janeway nearly stood up before remembering that she was in Starfleet Headquarters, and no longer alone in the Delta Quadrant.
"We considered informing your Security Chief," a baritone voice said from the right end of the table. "But we felt that the fewer people involved from your ship, the less it would impair our job."
Instead of pushing the issue, though, Janeway fell back. She knew from her past experience that arguing with the head of Starfleet Security was useless. Instead, she stared at Nechayev. "But you are involving us."
"We've reviewed your logs, Captain," Nechayev. "From your reports, you work most efficiently when paired with Seven and Tuvok. And, you are the ones most experienced with this technology." She took a breath. "But we have narrowed the team down to just the two of you. We felt that Tuvok should stay on Voyager in case there is a complication."
That meaning, Janeway knew, that Starfleet wasn't willing to risk all three of them on this one mission. "How close are we to finding the source of the transmission?"
Nechayev sighed. "Not very. But we hope that Admiral Olsen's investigation will turn up leads." Turning to Olsen, Nechayev continued, "I believe this would be an ideal time to hear your plan."
"Yes, Admiral," he acknowledged. "Our first goal is to question the Maquis members of your crew. They are most likely to have sent a message to that area."
"Wait," Janeway said, holding up her hand. "What makes you so sure it was a Maquis crewmember?"
Olsen shrugged. "It is simply the most logical place to start. The Maquis may still have a stronghold in that area and are planning to use this information to continue their attacks against Federation and Cardassian outposts."
"Admiral," Seven interjected, "the conflict between the Maquis and the Federation is over. The officers are loyal to Starfleet and to Captain Janeway. They would not have deceived her. Your own log reports to Voyager indicated that the rebellion had been silenced."
Olsen nodded. "We know that it is unlikely, but stranger things have happened. A starship traveling over 70,000 light years in just seven years, for example."
'Perhaps,' Seven allowed. 'However, the Maquis are not a separate unit. They are part of our crew and have served loyally under Captain Janeway for seven years. They did not betray her during the 70,000 light year journey. Could any 'stranger things occur?'
Kathryn touched Seven's knee gently. I know you're angry, she thought. Seven titled her head, and her eyes burned into Janeway's mind. "Assuming Voyager is the originator and we find the perpetrator, what do we do then?"
"We must find the technology and bring it back here before any more possible contamination is possible," a blonde-haired man in his late fifties said from across the table. Janeway figured from his response he was from Temporal Mechanics.
"And before anyone else can use it against us," Olsen interjected. "Let's not forget what this technology is capable of doing. Regardless of when it was designed, it is here now and must be considered a threat to the Federation as long as it remains outside of our control."
Seven leaned forward in her chair. "If your wish is to keep this a highly classified matter, how will you be able to efficiently conduct an investigation if you commit more Starfleet resources?"
"Admiral," Janeway interjected. "We could use Voyager. Assuming that whoever received the specifications has built their own version of these weapons, we will need a vessel able to fight them."
"I'm sorry, Kathryn,' Admiral Paris stated. "It would be too much of a risk to send the ship out where it could be captured again."
Janeway blinked and snapped her head up, her jaw twitching as she bit down the angry words vying for release. Again. She had tried very hard to put the incident behind her. It was the first and only time her ship had been forcefully taken away from her and captured. Having allowed Voyager to fall into enemy hands, Janeway had disobeyed Starfleet directives to pursue her own personal goals. "It never happened again," she spat, allowing a sliver of anger to penetrate her voice. "And it won't happen now."
Nechayev cleared her throat. "In any case, Captain, involving Voyager would be too dangerous. It most clearly is the most advanced ship in the fleet at this time. We're not here to criticize your abilities. We're here to give you your orders."
"Understood, Admiral," the Captain replied formally. She was aware of her hands squeezing the arms of the chair tightly, moisture from the heat forming in her palms. Janeway felt a mesh-covered hand resting on her thigh. Kathryn knew that Seven was attempting to calm her down, but she didn't want to be calmed right now. Janeway looked toward her companion and shook her head slightly. Seven removed her hand, and Kathryn turned her attention back to Nechayev. "What are our orders?"
"You and Seven of Nine will be taken to Deep Space Nine aboard the USS Endeavor. Once there, you will be provided with a fully armed runabout in which to proceed to the Badlands," Nechayev informed. "Commander Olsen will accompany you as well. When you arrive, you will observe and report back to me.' Nechayev leaned forward, placing her weight on her elbows. You will not pursue anything without authorization, understood?"
Janeway sighed. She didn't like to be held on a leash. But, instead of contesting it, she simply replied, 'Yes, Admiral.' While the Captain would have liked to have Voyager's power behind her, she would have to settle for that of a runabout. It was, after all, much more maneuverable and smaller than a starship, qualities that were good to have in the Badlands. It was also why Maquis ships were so small. But not having Voyager nearby still bothered her. "What will happen to my ship?"
"It will remain docked here," Paris said. "Until the ship is evacuated, personnel will be allowed to stay on board, but any outgoing or inbound communications will be monitored. We will await your report before deciding what to do with the technology. If it has already spread rapidly throughout the sector, we will continue with the refit of Voyager and begin adding the enhancements to all ships in the Fleet."
"Admiral," the Temporal Mechanics head said. His tone indicated that he disagreed. "We've been over this before. We must not arm more Starfleet vessels with this technology. We need to find the schematics and reclaim them."
"That would be hard to do, Commander Michaels," Olsen replied, "if the thieves begin equipping their ships with the technology. As we all know, this technology is resistant to conventional weapons."
"This is not a debate, gentlemen," Nechayev intervened. 'Captain Janeway, do you understand your mission?"
Janeway stood up. "Yes, Admiral. I trust, however, you will also keep me informed regarding Voyager."
"We will keep you informed." Nechayev, along with the rest of the party, stood up. "Good luck, Captain."
"Thank you, Admiral," Janeway said, and watched as the four officers left the room, the door closing resolutely behind them. She turned and walked back to the window.
"Would that be considered an 'average' Starfleet briefing, Captain?" Seven asked, approaching her from behind.
Kathryn sighed. "Pretty much. When receiving orders from the Fleet Admiral, a Captain doesn't have much say."
Seven stood directly behind Kathryn and placed her arms around the woman's waist. "I think I will find it difficult to adapt to this chain of command, Kathryn."
The Captain knew that this was a major breach of Starfleet protocol and certainly would undermine her command presence if someone were to walk in, but she did not object. "It won't be easy for me either Seven. I've been on my own for a long time and this going to take some getting used to." She leaned into Seven's body, comforted by the contact. 'But I'll adapt.' she said using Seven's familiar phrase.
"I am also finding it difficult, Kathryn," Seven said, resting her chin on Kathryn's shoulder.
Janeway closed her eyes. 'I know," she whispered. 'Thank you for standing with me.'
'Always.' Seven returned, strengthening her grip.
Janeway closed her eyes; she was glad that they could have this moment alone. It gave her the time she needed to be comforted and to calm the tension that had grown, now that the meeting was over. "Come on, let's get back to Voyager," she said, patting Seven's hand around her waist. "We've got a mission to prepare for."
Kathryn Janeway sat idly in the command chair on Voyager and watched the worker shuttles move through the interior of the Spacedock facility. She knew that it was very possible this would be the last time she ever sat in here. Janeway tilted her face to the left, noticing the empty first officer's chair.
As per Admiral Olsen's orders, all Maquis personnel had been removed from the ship one hour ago. It was decided that there was no need for replacement personnel to be transferred to the ship since it was no longer on the active roster. It left Voyager with an empty feeling. Glancing around the bridge, the only officers she could spot were an Ensign at Engineering, and Lieutenant Commander Tuvok at Tactical.
It didn't surprise Janeway that Voyager would be working off a skeleton crew in Spacedock ' it was standard procedure. But it just felt wrong after spending the last seven years of her life here. She still wished to take Voyager to the Badlands and find out what information had been leaked. With her crew. People that Janeway knew she could trust. Damn Starfleet protocol, a part of her said.
Janeway, though, knew that attitude had to be left in the Delta Quadrant. There was no room in the Federation for a renegade Captain, and she would have to rely on her training, and Seven, to get through this.
Kathryn eyed the door to her ready room. All the belongings she would be taking with her were inside packed in a standard issue carry-on. Janeway gripped the arms of her chair, not wanting to leave, but knowing that the USS Endeavor would be ready to transport soon.
She pushed herself into a standing position, and looked back at Tactical. 'Mr. Tuvok, report to my ready room in five minutes,' she ordered. 'Until then, you have the bridge.'
'Aye, Captain,' came the crisp reply from the Vulcan. Janeway knew that he, too, would need to be leaving for Vulcan soon because of a neurological disorder that was beginning to affect him. The only known cure was a meld with his family and, a few weeks agothat would have been impossible. Now, though, it was within a day's distance at maximum warp. But he had insisted on staying on active duty until his duties on Voyager was over.
She descended from the bridge and entered her ready room, the doors hissing open when her presence was recognized. Janeway didn't want to impose more work on the Security Chief, even though she knew that Tuvok would not object. But she had trusted Voyager to him in the past, and knew he would take care of her.
She walked around behind her desk and sat down, tapping the terminal in front of her. On it, tactical data on the Borg transwarp hub still remained, giving energy readings and ship locations. Janeway glanced around the room. This had been her home for over seven years. I can't lose this ship, she thought resolutely. Maybe after this mission is over Starfleet will approve the refit and Voyager will be returned to me.
The door chime echoed throughout the room, causing Janeway to look towards the door. Surely it hadn't been five minutes already. 'Come in,' she ordered, the doors hissing open at her command.
Seven of Nine stepped through the threshold, carrying a carry-on that was exactly like Janeway's over her left shoulder. 'I am ready to proceed, Captain,' the ex-Drone informed, walking up to the front of the desk.
'I'm waiting for word from the USS Endeavor to clear us for transport,' Janeway returned, leaning back in the chair. She turned to look at Seven, and her blue eyes captivated Kathryn. It wasn't long, though, before she was staring, and she looked away. 'As soon as they reply, we will be ready to leave.'
Seven nodded. 'I have been in contact with them in regards to my regeneration unit. They requested I inform you we can transport at your discretion.'
Janeway nodded absently. She didn't want to leave her ship. Except it's not your ship anymore, Katie, her inner voice chastised. And it was right. Starfleet was allowing her to stay aboard, but she was no longer officially in command of Voyager. But she was having a hard time accepting the reality of that.
'Kathryn?' Seven questioned, her ice blue eyes focused on Janeway.
'Oh,' she replied softly, looking up at the ex-drone, 'I'm sorry. My mind was wandering. We can get underway immediately.' Janeway tapped her communicator. 'Janeway to Tuvok.'
'Tuvok here,' the baritone, logical voice that Janeway had come to expect filled the channel.
'Report to my ready room, Commander,' she ordered, trying
not to consider that this would be her last role as Captain.
'On my way,' came the reply, and then the closed channel. The door chime sounded seconds later.
'Come in,' Kathryn ordered, the doors responding to her command and opening, allowing the Vulcan to step inside.
'You wished to see me, Captain?' he questioned, approaching her desk and taking a position to the left of Seven. He, as always, stood at perfect attention, yet projected it with such ease that didn't make him look stiff, like green ensign fresh out of the Academy.
'Yes,' Janeway replied easily. The hard part was next. 'Seven of Nine and myself will be leaving the ship. You will be taking over command of Voyager.'
Tuvok tilted his head slightly. 'Captain?' he questioned, Janeway recognizing the silent words represent by the question.
'We'll be accompanied by Commander Olsen of Starfleet Security,' she said, in an attempt to ease her friend's concerns. 'And we expect to be back in two weeks, but there are no guarantees.'
Tuvok nodded. Janeway knew that he still had questions, but also knew he understood Starfleet policies.
Questions like why not take Voyager, she thought. But the orders had been given, and Admiral Nechayev would not change them. There wasn't even a hint that command would be returned to her. Just that it was being taken away. Janeway shook off the thoughts, burying them in the back of her mind, and focused her attention on the current task. 'The Endeavor is standing by to transport us.' She took a deep breath, knowing this last part would be the hardest. 'Computer. Transfer all command codes to Lieutenant Commander Tuvok. Voice authorization Janeway, delta-47-omega.'
The computer chirped in response. To the inanimate object, the order was just one of many in the day. 'Transfer complete.'
And it also had no idea how hard the words were to say. Janeway walked around her desk and to the upper level of the ready room, grabbing the carry-on by its shoulder strap. 'Let's go,' Janeway said, and walked down the steps, placing the strap over her right shoulder. As Kathryn walked past Tuvok, she stopped for a second and placed her left hand on the Vulcan's shoulder. 'Take care of her, Commander,' she ordered.
'Aye, Captain,' Tuvok replied. He turned around and watched both Janeway and Seven leave the ready room, the doors sliding shut behind them, leaving him alone in the ready room.
---
Commander Tuvok stared at the closed doors for a second before walking towards them. They opened obediently and he returned to the familiarity that the bridge provided. This time, though, instead of heading for his station at Tactical, he stepped up to the command deck and approached the Captain's chair.
He sat down and leaned over to the console, looking through the crew roster. A replacement for the tactical station would have to be found. Even though Voyager was in the safety of Spacedock, tactical was still required to institute security policies and regulate inter- and intra-ship issues.
The unfortunate reality that Starfleet had ordered the Maquis personnel off-ship did not help. Many of his top personnel were in that group including Lieutenant Ayala, his former second in command.
He was still perplexed as to the reason behind Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine's departure. It wasn't like the Captain to be so vague with her intentions, but Tuvok also realized that they were now within Federation space again, which meant that Starfleet Command could have placed her under a classified mission. But it was unusual to be this early, Voyager having just returned less than seventy-two hours ago.
What furthered his curiosity was that Janeway had transferred command codes to him. The procedure, although simple to carry out with the correct authorization code, was only done when switching Captains, or when the current commander was placed on an extended mission. And she had relinquished command to him, instead of having a replacement Captain be assigned by Starfleet. But Tuvok could understand that, for many reasons. First, Voyager was currently dry-docked and not on an active roster, and second was due to the highly secured nature of the ship's information and technology.
'Commander Tuvok?' a voice called from behind.
Tuvok rose from the chair and turned around to face the individual. He was wearing the new style of uniform. Gray above the shoulders and black below, it looked the most militaristic. The tunic he wore below the jacket was a familiar Starfleet red, and his rank was Admiral. But Tuvok didn't need the uniform to identify him. 'Admiral Paris,' he identified. 'Is there something you require, sir?'
Paris let his hand glide on the rail as he walked down to the command deck. 'Some weeks ago, Lieutenant Barclay and the Pathfinder project attempted to send you a hologram. According to the Captain's Log, something is mentioned of an error, but further information is not given.'
Tuvok nodded, remembering the incident. 'Correct. We had determined that there was a recursive error in his logic subroutines. Its cause was unknown, but speculated to have occurred during the transmission.'
Paris straightened, placing his hands behind his back. Tuvok looked at his eyes. From the Vulcan's experience with humans, the Admiral was holding back certain information.
'Has it been accessed since?' the Admiral queried.
'Negative,' Tuvok replied.
Paris handed a PADD to Tuvok. 'While Starfleet Security was parsing through your communication logs, we found this transmission, received shortly after word of Voyager's return was broadcast. It piggybacked on one of the mail queues. We also checked your power consumption logs. Those findings are also included.'
Tuvok accepted the device and scrolled through the information. He arched an eyebrow and looked back up at the Admiral. 'Is this confirmed?'
'Yes, Intelligence was able to decode and match the signal,' Paris answered.
Tuvok rose from the command seat, still going over the PADD's data. 'We must inform Captain Janeway.'
---
Disembarking for Badlands
Captain Jillian Daniels gripped the arms of her command chair upon hearing the turbolift doors hiss open behind her. She had already received the orders from Admiral Nechayev about escorting Captain Kathryn Janeway, formerly of the lost Federation ship Voyager, and her Astrometrics officer ' a position she was unaware an Intrepid class ship to have ' to the Badlands.
She had asked why they did not just let the Captain use her own ship, but was met with a turnabout answer ' meaning to her that the Voyager was something Starfleet was trying to keep under tight security for a reason that Daniels couldn't fathom. She had heard of the ship's explosive return to Earth, inside the belly of a Borg cube, and of how the ship had exercised non-Starfleet technology. If it was advanced technology, why not use it?
Jillian stood up and turned around. Her eyes immediately picked out Voyager's Captain emerging from the lift first. The striking auburn hair and blue-gray eyes immediately fixed on her and, though Daniels was clearly in command, the aura that the woman gave off seemed to question her authority. She held out her hand. 'It's a pleasure to have you aboard, Captain Janeway. I'm Captain Jillian Daniels,' she said. 'This is my first officer, Commander Mark Jacobs,' she introduced, nodding to the officer that was now standing behind her.
'You have a fine ship, Captain,' Captain Janeway complimented. 'This is my Astrometrics officer, Seven of Nine.'
Clarke's eyes shifted to the left and focused on the tall blonde form. She glanced at the implants that were still attached to the woman's face and arm. 'Amazing,' she blurted. 'Welcome aboard, Seven of Nine.'
Seven responded with a tilt of her head. 'Thank you, Captain.'
'Well,' Daniels said, 'It looks like we are ready to get underway.' She turned and headed back to her command seat, her form fitting into it easily as her hand reached for the ship-wide comm. 'All hands,' Jillian announced, 'Prepare for departure. Department heads submit final readiness reports to Commander Jacobs. Daniels out,' she concluded, closing the channel. Standing up, she turned to her communications officer. 'Mr. Dyll, signal Starfleet that we are ready to depart as soon as Mr. Jacobs authorizes the department reports. I'll be in my ready room.' Jillian turned to her counterpart and nodded them to follow.
Upon entering, Jillian walked around to the other side of the desk and sat in her chair, leaning back as she studied Janeway. What is this about? She kept asking. 'Starfleet's orders were very vague, Captain. And I don't like taking my ship out without a clear definition of our mission.'
A slight grin appeared on Janeway's face as she sat down on the couch, gesturing for Seven to do the same. 'I'm under orders not to divulge any critical information of our mission but I will tell you, Captain to Captain, that you should prepare your ship for combat. It's possible I may need you to back me up on the way out.'
Jillian closed in on Janeway's eyes. There was a fire developing that she knew all too well. 'Something tells me that isn't part of Starfleet's orders,' she said, searching the woman's face for response. But Captain Janeway had an impeccable mask that refused to let up.
'I'm not able to divulge that information, Captain Daniels,' Janeway replied. 'But I need to know I have the Endeavor's support should I need it.'
It was obvious to Jillian now that Captain Janeway was planning something outside the realm her orders. She knew because she had done it many times herself. 'I have a great respect for you, Captain. We'll be standing by.'
Janeway smiled. 'Thank you for your help,' she said generously and stood up. 'Seven and I have much work to get done between here and the Badlands.'
Jillian also stood. 'Of course,' she replied. 'Oh, and Captain,' she added as the two officers were halfway through the door, 'Welcome home.'
Captain Janeway nodded and walked out, the doors hissing shut and leaving Daniels alone in her ready room. She tapped her communicator. 'Daniels to Jones,' she said, hailing her tactical officer, 'Report to my ready room at once.'
Seven followed Janeway back onto the bridge as they made their way for the turbolift. She had noticed the slight flinch in the Captain's features when she asked Daniels for support ' tactical support, she knew. Seven also remembered Nechayev's orders being to observe and report back, not to take action.
'Deck three,' Janeway said upon the doors closing.
'Captain?' Seven queried
'Yes?' came Janeway's short reply, as if knowing already the statement that was going to come next.
'I am perplexed by your suggestion to Captain Daniels.'
Kathryn leaned in towards Seven's ear. 'I have a plan to erase all of the information from their databanks. Whoever 'they' are. We can't wait until Starfleet gives us new orders. I'm quite capable of making command decisions on my own.'
'I am not disputing your command ability. However, Nechayev's orders specifically stated that you do not act. This would a direct violation of those orders,' Seven said, the lift doors opening in front of them. They crossed the threshold onto the deck and began to walk towards the VIP quarters.
'I never said it wasn't,' Janeway returned, her eyes focused forward, her step brisk. Seven recognized the action as one of many that Kathryn used when in full command mode. It was not easy to talk to the Captain rationally in these cases.
Seven stopped in the hallway and touched Janeway's upper arm lightly. 'Kathryn,' she said, 'we are no longer outside of Starfleet's borders. If you disobey, they can order a court-martial.'
'I'm already going to be court-martialed,' Janeway said, shaking Seven's arm off and resuming her walk. 'I could see it in their eyes at the briefing. This will be my final mission as Captain of Voyager. I've already said my goodbyes.'
'You were an Admiral in the future.'
'Command will promote me to Admiral only to get me out of the public spotlight. I'll spend the rest of my days alone behind a desk,' the Captain countered. 'Maybe this future will be no better than the other one.'
Kathryn stopped in the hall and turned, facing Seven. 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'Seven, sending a report on our findings doesn't accomplish anything. If we act, we might be able to not only find out who is doing this, but also destroy the information before it spreads further. That transcends my orders from Command. It becomes a matter of Federation Security, and Starfleet has regulations dictating what to do in that case. I'll be bending them a little, but it's been done it before.'
A tall form in the corridor prevented Seven from responding. She recognized the officer as Admiral Olsen.
'Captain Janeway, Seven of Nine,' he greeted, clasping his hands behind his back, 'the very two officers I was looking for. Just get on board I take it?'
'Yes, Admiral,' they said in unison.
'I see,' Olsen replied. He turned to Janeway. 'Captain, may I see you in private please?'
'Of course, Admiral,' Janeway replied. Turning to Seven, she said softly, 'I'll stop by later.'
Seven nodded. She watched as Kathryn nodded to the Admiral and they walked off down the corridor. Seven allowed her eyes to follow them until they rounded a corner.
She resumed her stride, heading to the suite she was assigned. How long had the Admiral been standing in the corridor? She hoped that he had not heard anything substantial.
Chapter Four
Commander Tuvok, currently in command of Voyager, sat behind the ready room desk and looked up at Admiral Paris. The information in the PADD was a significant advance in the investigation into the stolen information. However, it was not discovered by him or his security staff. Starfleet Security uncovered the hole. 'What is the current status of the Endeavor?' he asked.
'The ship disembarked shortly after Captain Janeway disembarked this vessel,' Paris replied. 'As per my request, Admiral Olsen has placed the Endeavor on silent mode. The perpetrators would no doubt be monitoring our communications.'
Tuvok stood. 'I suggest that we send an encrypted message to Captain Janeway. This information would greatly help in her investigation into the matter. At this time she has no possible leads.'
'I'm afraid not, Commander,' Paris said. 'Our focus should be on tracking down the hologram on Voyager before any more information can be transmitted. I 'm also ordering you to shut down your outgoing and incoming mail. Who knows what the Ferengi will request next.'
'I disagree, Admiral,' Tuvok replied, crossing around the desk and walking to the upper level of the ready room. 'The Ferengi will communicate with the hologram again as long as they believe they are not being investigated. However, by instituting what you ordered, we will cause them to shut down their operation and run away, thereby eluding us.'
Admiral Paris clasped his hands behind his back. 'Then what would you suggest, Commander?'
Tuvok turned to face him. 'We leave our mail systems online and institute a search for the hologram in the computer's memory core. Every incoming mail queue will also be scanned for the frequency in this report.'
Paris stared out the windows of the ready room, considering the suggestion. After a minute, he stepped to the upper level and walked up next to Tuvok. 'Very well, Commander. Get your people on this immediately.'
'Aye, Admiral,' Tuvok replied, ending the meeting. After the Admiral left the room, Tuvok walked back to the desk and turned on the terminal there. After instructing the computer to scan all incoming mail transmissions for the frequency he left the ready room and entered the bridge.
Engineering staff were littered on the bridge, beginning repairs to Voyager's systems damaged in the attack. B'Elanna had prepared a work list for her remaining team before she was removed from the vessel, and they were going about their work. Admiral Paris had not mentioned anything to him about it, although technically all repairs should wait until the ship was cleared by command. Tuvok, however, did not order the crew to abandon their tasks, despite it being against protocol. Voyager was not the same ship that left this dock over seven years ago. Many modifications and tweaks had been made to every piece of the ship. These changes would make it nearly impossible for a team from the Starfleet Corp of Engineers to be effective in their duties.
Sitting down in the command chair, Tuvok sent a message to the remaining senior officers on board to report to the conference lounge in fifteen minutes. After the Maquis were removed, only Lieutenant Paris and Ensign Kim remained.