Recovery

 

Prologue

The turbolift doors opened in front of Captain Kathryn Janeway.  She slowly stepped through the threshold and looked around the brightly lit bridge, scanning each and every crevice.  She had memorized all the schematics and blueprints, but she knew there was so much more here than simple conduits and bulkheads.  The moment she put her feet down on the metallic floor, she could feel it.  It enveloped her.

'Captain on the bridge,' Admiral Patterson announced, stepping across the threshold and waving her down to the command center.

 Instantly, the light discussion in the air stopped and all crewmembers stood at attention, turning and looking at her for directions.  'As you were,' she waved.  Janeway turned to the Admiral and she knew the excitement was visible in her expression.  'It's bigger than I expected,' she whispered to him, walking down the steps to the heart of the bridge.

'Schematics never full prepare you for the real thing,' he told her, but his voice hardly registered to Janeway.

Janeway looked at the Command chair.  She knew that, up until now, the seat had remained unscathed.  For her, sitting in that chair symbolized the acceptance of her command, although Janeway officially accepted command long before this time.

 'Go ahead.  Try it on,' Admiral Patterson gestured.

Janeway, who was still caught up in all of the astonishment of the moment, stared for a moment longer.  Then, without further pause, she slid in easily and adjusted her shoulders against the padded backing.  Could use some breaking in, she joked.  Janeway basked in the chair, taking in the still rich smell of the fine leather, and admired the view in front of her.

 Her view was replaced in a flash of light.  She now found herself standing in the briefing room, surrounded by what looked to be Commander Chakotay and her closest friend, Tuvok. 

'Mr. Tuvok,' his strangely distant voice said.  'Assign two guards to escort the Captain to Sickbay.'

The picture cleared.  'I think I can find my way, Commander,' Janeway replied sternly, the words very familiar to her now, and looked into Chakotay's eyes one last time. 

 

She crossed the distance of the bridge ' once her bridge ' into the turbolift and took one final glance, burning every niche, every console, into her mind forever.

 

'I'm taking command, Kathryn,' Chakotay's voice echoed in her thoughts as the doors slid shut and the bright lighting of Voyager's command center was replaced by darkness.  She was falling through space, away from Voyager.  Janeway watched the vessel until it became nothing but a speck amidst the stars.  The void refused the former captain breath.  Former captain, Janeway repeated silently before she choked, not finding any air to breathe, and lost consciousness.

 

 

Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway awoke from sleep with a jerk.  Her breathing was heavy and beads of sweat soaked her face and pillow, a testament to the impact of the dream.  Kathryn closed her eyes briefly and tears began to mix in with the sweat, running down her face and onto the covers.  She glanced over at her companion, Seven of Nine, formerly of the Borg collective, sleeping peacefully at her side. 

 

Slowly, she slid herself out of the covers, swinging her legs to the side of the bed to meet with the soft carpeting below.  Janeway pushed herself off the bed, careful not to disturb Seven's sleep.  On the other side of the window, space was warped as Voyager continued its journey home through unfamiliar territory at maximum speed. 

 

Kathryn scanned the layout of the quarters, still trying to adjust to their diminished size in comparison from her former Captain's Quarters.  Unfortunately, there was no separate bedroom ' the bed actually being an extension of the living space - forcing Janeway to leave the lights off so that she did not wake her companion.  Still in her nightgown, she walked over to the dining table on the other side of their quarters and sat down on one of the chairs.  She rested her chin on her hand and stared out into the void pensively.

 

She felt the soft touch of a hand on her shoulder.  Not expecting the sensation, she jumped and turned her head.  'I'm sorry,' she whispered to Annika.  'I didn't mean to wake you.'

 

'Whenever you are not sleeping well it concerns me,' she replied softly, trepidation touching her voice.

 

'I don't know what it is, Seven,' Kathryn breathed, gripping Annika's hand with her own and squeezing it tightly.  'I just can't stop having this dream.'

 

'Kathryn,' she soothed, 'try not to focus on it.  You will not regain your command by thinking about the past.'

 

Kathryn sighed.  Both of them had conversations mimicking this one for over a week in the late night, and every time she resolved to stop thinking about it.  'I know.  It's been over a month, Annika, and at the last meeting they decided I needed to be observed for another thirty days.  I'm beginning to think I'll never regain my command.'

 

'You will regain your command, Kathryn,' Seven assured.  'I am sure of that.  However, Voyager has been passing through a very quiet region of space that has not given you the opportunity to prove your skills to them once more.  Patience, Kathryn, is all that is needed.'

 

'But it just seems that nobody cares, Annika,' she told her and immediately regretted the statement.  She knew there was no point in saying it, other than to release her own frustration.

 

'That is an erroneous statement,' Annika reminded.  'I care for you, Kathryn.  I love you.' 

 

Kathryn felt Annika's arms envelope her and she gave into the embrace, resting her head on the woman's shoulder, tracing the ex-Borg's cortical implant with her free hand.  'I'm sorry.  I know you care for me.  I love you too.'

 

'Will you come to bed now?'

 

Kathryn looked back out at the stars passing by and wondered how many they had passed so far and how many there were still left to go.  Will I be able to navigate through this as I have navigated this ship through the quadrant? she asked herself.  'In a little while,' she replied, and kissed Seven's mesh-covered hand.

 

'I will await you,' Annika replied.  Kathryn could feel her arms pull away and watched as the lean woman made her way back to the bed.

 

Janeway turned her head back to the stars passing by their single view port in the quarters.  I really should get back to bed, she thought, knowing her shift in Astrometrics started in less than five hours.

 

 

Chapter One

Morning came slowly for Janeway, who had not come back to bed with her partner despite what she had told Seven.  The dark lines under her eyes only served to accentuate her sleepless night. 

 

Kathryn sighed and pushed herself out of the dining area chair.  Five minutes until 0600 hours.  She walked over to the replicator and looked through some of the breakfast choices that were presented to her.  It would be nice if I got breakfast ready for Annika for a change, she thought, and entered a few commands into the replicator.  Seconds later, two plates of scrambled eggs and bacon materialized on a tray, along with two glasses and a container of orange juice.  Kathryn carefully carried the tray over to the table and set it down.

 

Janeway looked over at Annika, who she had rescued from the hands of the Borg collective over two years ago.  Quietly, she walked over to where she lay under the warm covers and knelt beside her.  Kathryn tenderly ran her fingers through the soft blonde hair of the ex-borg and looked at Seven's face, innocent in the thralls of sleep.  'Wake up, darling,' she whispered.

 

'Kathryn,' Seven rasped in recognition, pulling herself up into a sitting position.  'You didn't come back to bed last night,' she continued, Janeway noticing the hint of disappointment trailing her voice.

 

'I know, Annika.  I'm sorry,' Janeway apologized, wrapping her hand around the young woman's.  'But I tried to make up for it,' she grinned, and tugged at her partner to come and see.

 

'You made us breakfast,' Seven realized after seeing the steam rising off of the plates of eggs and bacon on the dining table.

 

Janeway smiled.  'You know I'm not as good of a cook as you are,' she reminded, watching as Seven put on her robe, 'but I tried my best.'

 

'I'm sure it will be sufficient, Kathryn,' Seven assured.

 

They both crossed the small distance to the dining area quickly and sat down opposite each other.  Janeway watched as Seven scooped up some eggs off of the plate.

 

Seven looked up, surprised.  'This is quite good,' she complimented.  'You deviated from the replicator's default and added in some spices of your own.'

 

'I learn from the best,' she gestured.  Kathryn took a bite of the eggs herself, enjoying the taste as it exploded in her mouth.  'So what's on the schedule for today?' she asked, changing the subject.

 

'Voyager is passing through a region filled with numerous nebulas,' Seven informed.  'The Captain has requested that we map them out to try and determine the reason for the high concentration.'

 

Kathryn tried not to wince.  She was beginning to accept the fact that she was no longer in command and that she had another role to assume on the ship, but the thought of her former first officer being Captain still upset her.  'I see,' Kathryn responded.  'It is odd that the concentration would be so high, especially with so many young systems in this sector.  I'll also want to run a scan of the neighboring planets in order to try and determine if any of them have life ' and if so, to find out if they are space faring.  Secondly, I think it would be a good idea to find the best way to map out the nebulas without taking too much time off of our journey.'

 

Seven nodded.  'Captain Chakotay suggested that be done as well.  I would also like to add enhancements to the sensor array to scan for energy signatures.'

 

'Why?' Kathryn asked.  'If there are any materials we can make use of, Voyager's sensors will be able to detect them.'

 

'I was not talking about energy sources,' Seven corrected.  'I have been studying Starfleet's tactical database.  Many species have been known to use nebulas as a tactical vantage point to launch an attack.'

 

Janeway thought about this.  There was no evidence that there was any life in this sector at all.  Why would Seven suggest this unless there was evidence to the contrary?  'Seven,' she said, 'Has the ship encountered a hostile species?'

 

'I'm sorry, Kathryn,' Seven said.  'Even if that were the case, I still would not be able to tell you.'

 

Janeway sighed.  'I know.  My security clearance isn't good enough.'  She finished up the last piece of bacon and stood.  'I'll make sure to run the scans when I get to Astrometrics.  Right now I'm going to take a shower and get ready for work.'  Janeway walked into the ensuite.  She turned to Annika.  'Have my coffee ready when I come out?'

 

Seven tilted her head.  'Of course,' she confirmed.

 

Kathryn smiled, turned around, and removed her nightgown.  She let the soft fabric slide from her body down to the floor.  She stepped inside the sonic shower to her right and looked at its control panel.  Unfortunately, these quarters didn't contain a hydro setting, something she was trying to get B'Elanna to add as a favor.  Instead, Janeway selected the 'Standard' setting.  The shower hummed to life and proceeded to radiate the dirt off of her skin.  She had always found the experience weird.  Having grown up in Indiana, Kathryn was never entirely comfortable with the idea that one could be clean without using water.  In less than a minute, the device shut off and she stepped out.  She longed for the soft streams of water that welcomed her in her old quarters.  I miss the space, too, she thought as she looked around at the cramped ensuite these quarters provided.

 

Janeway reached for her uniform and put it on, being sure not to forget to add the insignia to her jumpsuit and the two pips to her collar.  In a few swift movements of her hand, Janeway picked up the hairbrush and combed her hair.  Kathryn took a quick glance at the mirror and tugged down on her uniform.  The band of blue that lined her shoulders was more than evident and Kathryn sighed, wishing it were the red of Command.

 

Without further hesitation, she looked away from her image and walked out into the main room, Seven having already dressed in the blue and gray jumpsuit that Janeway absolutely adored.  'Nice choice,' she complimented.

 

Seven grinned.  'Thank you, Kathryn,' she replied.

 

Janeway returned the gesture.  'Well, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for another day of work in Astrometrics.'  Kathryn couldn't tell whether Seven picked up on the underlying tone of disappointment that lined her voice or not.  While she accepted her new position on Voyager and did her job to the best of her ability, she felt out of place.  Astrometrics was Annika's domain.  Hers was on the bridge.

 

'I, too, need to get an early start,' Seven echoed. 

 

'Oh?' she questioned.  'I thought that your bridge shift didn't begin until 0700.'

 

'That is correct.  However, I need to make a trip to Cargo Bay 2 to retrieve some information that I downloaded from the Starfleet database last night.'  Seven picked up a large silver mug from the counter and handed it to her.

 

Kathryn accepted the coffee and took a large gulp before she steadied the mug with her other hand.  'Very good, as always,' she commented.  'Why didn't you download the files here?'

 

Seven sighed.  'My station in Cargo Bay 2 has a more efficient interface.  I will be able to assimilate the information much more easily than I would here.'

 

'Oh,' Janeway replied.  She glanced at the chronometer.  'Meet you back here for lunch?' she questioned.

 

Seven nodded.  'Of course, Kathryn.'

 

She smiled.  'Good.  I'll see you at 1200 hours, then.'

 

 

Seven of Nine watched Kathryn nod and walk out of the quarters and head towards Astrometrics.  She looked back at the dining table, the remnants of breakfast still there.  Seven walked over and picked up the plates in one hand and the glasses in the other.  She carried them over to the replicator and initiated the recycle option.  They instantly disappeared, no doubt being converted back into energy for later use.

 

She walked into the ensuite on the other side of the cabin and checked her appearance in the mirror.  Her hair was a little disheveled; some strands had fallen out of the bun during her sleep.  Seven quickly adjusted the misplaced segments.  Satisfied that she looked ready for duty, she left the ensuite and took one last glance at the cabin.  It looked acceptable.

 

Annika walked up to the door and crossed the threshold into the hallway.  The lights were still dimmed; the full lighting would not come on until Alpha shift officially began in a half an hour.  Seven noticed no one in the corridor as she made her way to the turbolift at the end of the hall and realized Kathryn and her were probably the only ones who started their shifts early today.

 

She had told Kathryn that she needed to download some data from her workstation and, although it was partially true, she did not enjoy the feeling that resulted from the words.  Seven didn't want to tell Janeway until she proved that the procedure could be done.  Which will be tested this morning, she told herself.  Allowing you to tell Kathryn this evening.

 

She came to the turbolift and pressed the request button.  The doors opened immediately, the lift not in use.  Efficient, she thought, stepping inside.  'Deck eight,' Seven instructed the computer.

 

The trip was rather short, given that their crew quarters were on Deck six.  The doors opened and she crossed the threshold.  Seven could already see the doors that opened to the Cargo Bay on the left.  She walked a little faster, realizing that the experiment could take some time.  She did not want to be late for her duty shift.

 

Seven walked into the bay and noticed everything was just as she left it before.  Now that she no longer required daily regeneration, the only time it was visited was for maintenance reasons.  Now, however, Seven had use for the Borg equipment once again. 

 

The console was dark.  'Computer, activate workstation, authorization Seven one-zero-five.'

 

'Authorization confirmed,' the computer replied as the workstation flickered into existence, the bright pastels of the Starfleet LCARS system illuminating the darkened space.  Wasting no time, she began working on her alcove.

 

The bay doors opened and Seven turned to see who had entered.  'Naomi Wildman,' she said, after she identified the small body that stood in the doorway as Voyager's only child.  In a way, she felt close to Naomi because of that.  They were both unique on the ship.

 

'Hi Seven,' Naomi replied and walked into the large room.  'I was waiting for you in the mess hall.  Kadis-kot, remember?  Our weekly game?'

 

Seven silently cursed ' a technique she had learned from Janeway.  'Reschedule for tomorrow.  I'm working now.'

 

'Redecorating isn't work,' Naomi said, making a face.

 

'Aesthetics are irrelevant,' Seven said, aware of the grin that the response earned from the young girl.  'I'm modifying the alcove to function as a cortical processing subunit.'

 

'That was my next guess,' Naomi returned and stepped closer to the workstation.

 

Seven enjoyed conversing with Naomi.  Sometimes, she could see her own childhood likeness in Naomi and was determined not to let what happened to her be transferred to this one.  'Then I won't need to explain its purpose,' she told Naomi.

 

Naomi sighed.  'Okay, you win,' she said, defeated.  'What do you do with a cortical processing?uh??'

 

'Subunit,' Seven completed.  'On Borg vessels, there's one in each unimatrix.  It downloads newly assimilated data to the drones.'

 

'But Voyager isn't a Borg vessel.  And you're not a drone anymore,' she stated.

 

Seven finished her enhancements to the alcove and walked back to the workstation where Naomi was examining the console's buttons.  'Voyager collects a great deal of information ' sensor scans, navigational projections, engineering updates, away team reports, scientific analyses.'

 

'The results of our Kadis-kot tournament?'

 

Seven smiled.  'That, too.  The crew must read and study the information ' and inefficient procedure.  These data nodes are downloading the information into the alcove.'

 

Seven noticed the girl's eyes light up.  'Which is going to download it into you!'

 

'Precisely.  In less than an hour, I will assimilate several months worth of data.' 

 

'Can I try it?' Naomi pleads.

 

'No,' Seven replied.  'Your physiology is different than mine.'

 

Her shoulders slump.  'Guess I'll stick to reading my lessons and listening to Neelix tell stories.'  Seven could tell that was not exactly an entertaining hour in her day.

 

Seven needed to finish this experiment before 0700 hours and, while she enjoyed Naomi's company, she realized that the work must be done.  'I will see you tomorrow,' Seven promised.

 

'Can I watch?' Naomi asked. 

 

Seven turned her head and looked at the child in her best attempt to mimic Kathryn's death glare.  It seemed to have worked.

 

'Okay!' Naomi shouted.  'Tomorrow.'  She turned and left, the doors closing after she crossed the threshold.

 

Seven touched a few more of the controls and finished all the necessary modifications.  There was twenty-five minutes until the beginning of Alpha shift.  Not enough time for a full test, but a limited one should suffice.  She walked around the workstation and stepped into the alcove.  Seven waited for the regeneration cycle to recognize her presence.  The cycle time was set to twenty minutes, allotting her five minutes to report to the bridge.  She closed her eyes and allowed the cycle to overtake her.

 

 

Chapter Two

Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway was busy in Astrometrics.  Her workload had increased when she read the amount of sensor access forms the various science labs had requested for the day.  Since the area of space they occupied at present was full with 'candy,' the Science Department was jockeying for the best times.  The way Janeway's schedule was working out, she would have to utilize the two hours in the morning plus the time during shift changes to get the scans complete.

 

'Chakotay to Janeway,' her commbadge chirped.

 

'Go ahead,' she replied, tapping the unit.  Her reply to his voice was no longer icy like her first few weeks working with him had been, merely standard.

 

'We're going to need to shut down the sensor grid for the remainder of the day,' he told her.

 

'Why?' Janeway asked immediately.  If the sensor grid was shut down for the remainder of the day, not only would she not be able to complete the scans required, she was quite sure the remains of her body would end up in Sickbay after the Science department got through with her.

 

'Seven thinks a mating pair of photonic fleas is interfering with the power flow to the grid,' Chakotay explained.  It didn't sound like he was sure, though.

 

Janeway pushed a few buttons and instructed the computer to do a quick power flow analysis.  'I'm not picking up any fluctuations at my station.  Is it possible the sensors in that area need to be recalibrated?' she asked, reading the results of the scan.

 

'The creatures are young, Lieutenant.  They have not yet been able to disrupt anything that the sensors could pick up, but Seven can only repair the problem if the sensor grid is shut down.'

 

Janeway stifled a sigh.  'Understood.  I'll need to shut down the grid from the Jeffries tube junction box in order to effectively stop the power flow.  Sciences are using the array heavily.'

 

'Understood.  I'm sending Seven and B'Elanna to meet you there,' he replied.

 

'Acknowledged,' she said, ending the commlink.  Janeway logged out of her station and crossed the threshold into the hallway.  Hopefully Chakotay would inform the Science department of the problem, so she would not be littered with tons of messages to her station when she returned.  One could hope, anyway.

 

 

Seven of Nine and Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres made there way down the corridor to Jeffries tube junction 47-Gamma.  Seven, satisfied that the results of her theory had proved useful to the crew, hoped to tell Kathryn about how she arrived at the conclusion over lunch today.

 

'How's The Captain doing?' Torres asked as they rounded the corner.  Seven realized that by 'The Captain' she meant Janeway, not Voyager's current commanding officer Chakotay.  B'Elanna was one of the few who still refused to accept the events of the last month.

 

Seven thought for a moment, attempting to find the correct phrase.  'She is adapting to her new position.  Although there are times when she still has problems sleeping.  It?disturbs me that she doesn't sleep.'

 

'We'll she's been through a lot, Seven.  I'm sure she appreciates you standing up for her, though.  Which is more I can say for some,' B'Elanna said.

 

Seven detected a bit of anger in the engineer's tone, the woman not yet having recovered from the whole proceeding.  In reality, the crew was still divided on the command staff's decision.  She had noticed a drop in the efficiency in some departments.  The only departments that seemed to be maintaining a normal level of efficiency were engineering and Astrometrics.  'The crew is still divided on the issue.  I hope that it is not permanent.  Kathryn would not be pleased to hear that the crew isn't adjusting.'

 

Seven noticed the Jeffries tube junction had already been opened, the panel rested on the side of the bulkhead.  'Lieutenant?' she queried, uncomfortable with the rank usage in association with Kathryn but determined to maintain protocol as she was asked.

 

'In here, Seven,' came the somewhat distant, but radiant, voice.  'I've just completed the shutdown sequence for the sensor grid.'

 

Seven crawled in and B'Elanna followed behind.  'Understood,' she replied.  'We will need to proceed to the access port in Junction 48-Alpha to inspect the power flow regulators'

 

Janeway nodded.  'Let's go.'

 

Seven watched as Kathryn picked up her kit and entered the next Jeffries crawlspace.  She looked back to make sure that B'Elanna, who still didn't seem to believe her theory, was following.  Torres nodded to keep going.

 

'Seven,' Kathryn yelled back, 'tell me more about how you came up with this theory.  Sensors can't scan anything on that level.  What kind of modifications did you make?'

 

'I?' Seven stuttered.  Did she really want to tell Kathryn now and risk a debate in front of B'Elanna?  Better not chance it.  'I have developed a new technique.  We can discuss it later,' she said.

 

'I look forward to hearing about it,' Janeway replied as they approached the junction box.  'Lieutenant Torres,' she ordered, 'shall we remove the panel?'

 

'Yes, ma'am,' she replied and opened her tool kit, which contained more tools than Janeway's, as B'Elanna's was an 'advanced' kit created for her alone.

 

Seven watched as Torres removed a circular device that would allow the panel to be removed without harming any of the metal components of the bulkhead.  Pressing a control on its side gently, she activated it and attached it to the plating.  With a final look towards Seven and Janeway, she pulled back.  The panel un-hinged itself from the bulkhead instantaneously. 

 

'Well, let's have a look,' B'Elanna said and stepped back so that Seven and Lieutenant Janeway could see. 

 

Seven felt her lips curve upwards as her eyes noticed the two tiny organisms within the regulator.  For accuracy, however, she removed the tricorder clipped to her belt, which she had modified so it could detect the life signs.  Seven held it to the regulator and examined the readings.  The tricorder beeped twice signaling a positive ID match.  She noted the other two looking towards her for confirmation.  Seven nodded in response.

 

'Excellent work, Seven,' Janeway beamed.  'Let's find a more suitable home for them.'

 

 

Kathryn Janeway pressed a few more commands into her Astrometrics console.  After beaming the photonic fleas to a container in Sickbay ' which the Doctor was no doubt thrilled about ' she had begun the restart sequence for the sensor grid.  Unfortunately, however, the grid lost some information as a result of the fleas' interference.  She had spent the last few hours re-calibrating the computer's sensor files and re-aligning the matrix for maximum sensor accuracy.  Janeway didn't mind the work, she was just glad she remembered how to do it.  It had been years since these skills were required of her.

 

She heard the slight hiss of the doors open behind her and, expecting it to be Seven arriving to 'pick her up' for lunch, turned around quickly.  Instead, Captain Chakotay entered.  Remembering her Starfleet protocol, she stood at attention.  'Sir?'

 

'At ease, Lieutenant,' Chakotay waved and offered the PADD.  'I want you to look over these specifications.  Analyze them and tell me how far you think Voyager can safely travel through this 'catapult.''

 

'Catapult?' Janeway asked, puzzled.  As she wasn't privy to bridge activity or meetings, she was usually left in the dark.

 

'It's all in the specifications,' he replied.  'It won't get us home, but any little bit can help.'

 

Janeway grinned.  She still felt some animosity towards Chakotay, but no longer was openly angry with him ' nor would it stop her from doing her job.  'I know the feeling.  I'll submit to you my findings by the end of the day, Captain.'

 

'Thank you, Lieutenant,' he responded stiffly.  'Carry on.'

 

Kathryn turned back to her station and heard the doors close from behind her.  She laid the PADD down on the top of her console as she instructed the computer to begin running a sensor analysis on the coordinates provided to her.  It looks like Sciences won't get their time today, she thought as she instructed the system to use whatever sensor allocation was required.  Then, after picking up the PADD again with her hand, she logged out of the station and headed towards her quarters.

 

She crossed the threshold into the quarters and the doors shut behind her, closing the room off from the rest of the ship.  Janeway allowed a brief respite of relaxation fall on her and she sighed.  The day had been extremely busy so far.  Kathryn saw no sight of Seven in the quarters or the ensuite and assumed that she was being kept on the bridge.  No doubt because of the catapult, she reasoned.  She walked over to her small desk and activated the terminal, setting the PADD down on the surface.  Kathryn scanned the data quickly and hoped that Chakotay had included a description of the owner's species.  He had not.

 

Janeway tapped a few buttons on the terminal, instructing it to sync the data from the PADD to the terminal.  The computer beeped to signal its completion.  'Computer,' she ordered.  'Cross-reference this data with the ship's library.  Report any similarities in species, vessel, or technology that corresponds with the data in this report.'

 

'Working,' the computer confirmed.

 

She nodded.  Perhaps the computer would have better luck, as she could not remember encountering anything similar.  Kathryn wished Seven would get here so she could ask her about it.  The thought of Seven forced her to glance at the chronometer once more.  It was unusual for the former drone to be this late for lunch.  Even if she was forced to cancel, she would have left a message at the terminal.  Janeway checked again just to make sure that she didn't miss it.  She hadn't.  'Computer,' she ordered, 'Where is Seven of Nine?'

 

'Seven of Nine is in Cargo Bay 2,' the computer replied.

 

'Cargo bay 2?' Janeway asked rhetorically.  It was unusual for Seven to be in there unless something was troubling her.  What could it be?  She did say she was doing some research, she thought.  It may be best not to disturb her.

 

'Affirmative,' the computer responded, having treated the query as a request for information.

 

Janeway sighed.  The computer could get annoying at times, despite its usefulness.  She tapped her commbadge.  'Janeway to Seven,' she said.  She normally wouldn't interrupt the ex-Borg during research, but concern laced her voice.

 

Instead of hearing Seven's voice reply, however, she heard the computer's familiar chirp.  'That signal is currently locked.'

 

'Override,' Janeway ordered.

 

'Access Denied,' the system responded.  'A Level III Authorization or higher is required to disable the lock.'

 

'Damn,' she cursed.  'What is the status of Seven of Nine's bio-readings?'

 

'Bio-readings are stable.'

 

At least she's okay, Janeway thought.  If Seven wanted to be alone then Kathryn decided it would probably be best to let her deal with whatever it was that was keeping her from showing up for lunch.

 

'Neelix to Janeway,' the chipper voice of the ship's resident Morale officer and Ambassador hailed over the comm system.

 

The communication pierced the silence in the room and interrupted Kathryn from her thoughts.  She grinned at hearing the Talaxian's voice and took a deep breath to steady her nerves.  'Janeway here.  What is it, Neelix?'

 

'Could you come to the Mess Hall?  There is something I'd like to talk to you about.'

 

Kathryn caught the underlying meaning in his voice.  'Does this have anything to do with Seven?' she asked.

 

'Why, as a matter of fact, it does.  How did you know?' he queried.

 

'I'm on my way now, I'll explain then.  Janeway out,' she said and ended the link.  Kathryn grabbed her coffee mug off the table on her way out and decided to get a refill while she was there.  She hoped, though, that Neelix could provide some insight into Seven's behavior of late.

 

 

Neelix watched as a couple of ensigns departed their table and didn't take their trays with them.  He picked up a rag from behind his kitchen and walked over to the table, wiping the excess food that had spilt over and picking up the trays. 

 

It was the Alpha shift's lunch break and the busiest of all the shifts since Beta and Gamma shifts accounted for less of the crew complement.  Despite all of the crewmembers eating and talking, however, Neelix spotted the presence of Lieutenant Janeway walking through the double doors with coffee cup in hand.  Even with her lower rank and different uniform color, Janeway still presented an aura of command wherever she went.  Neelix thought he almost heard the entire room fall silent for a moment before returning to its normal shrill of voices.

 

He dropped the rag over the kitchen counter and left the trays in the recycling unit as he approached the woman.  'Hello, Lieutenant,' he beamed.

 

'Hello, Neelix,' she replied.  Neelix noticed an outstretched hand, a coffee mug in its grips.

 

'I'll get that refill for you right away,' he said and took the cup from her.  He walked back around the kitchen and found the steaming pot of coffee he always kept brewed for the officers.  Although he did know a few other die-hard coffee consumers, Janeway was by far his most frequent drinker.

 

'You said you wanted to talk to me about Seven,' Janeway said.  Neelix knew when it came to Seven, Janeway had no other priorities.  Even small talk.

 

'Uh, yes,' he explained and finished filling up the mug.  Neelix handed Janeway the now full cup and watched as she took a good swig of it.

 

'Very good, as always,' she remarked.  'Your voice sounded a bit concerned over the commlink.  Is something wrong?'

 

'Oh no, no,' he exclaimed, trying to put the woman's fears to rest.  There wasn't anything wrong, per say.  At least, he didn't think there was.  Well, there was always the possibility but that wasn't the case here.  'Just something I wanted to tell you.  I mean, I could have told the Captain but I thought I'd tell you first.  I was just in Cargo Bay 2 before the lunch shift began to pick up some supplies when I noticed Seven was in her alcove.  I found it quite unusual as she usually spends lunch time with you.  This has been the first lull in the break I found to call you.'

 

Janeway's face tightened.  Neelix recognized it as the command mask he had come to know so well.  'Thank you, Neelix.  I appreciate you telling me this and thanks for the coffee.  Excuse me.'

 

Neelix nodded and watched her walk out of the Mess Hall.  Obviously, he was correct that this might be a problem.  He heard a crewmember yell his name from the other side of the room, requesting his meal and disrupting Neelix's thoughts.  He went back behind his kitchen and prepared the meal for the crewman.  He hoped that he did the right thing in telling Janeway.

 

 

Chapter Three

Seven of Nine inspected the Borg data node she had just inserted near her alcove and looked at the time at the chronometer.  Her watch on the bridge had been extended because of a staff meeting, taking time away from her lunch break.  She realized she would not be able to eat with Kathryn today, but her work here needed to be completed first.  Hopefully she'd finish the download before the end of lunch and secure some time to see her.

 

Seven sighed and walked over to her console, bringing the alcove online.  That done, she stepped up onto the dais and took her position.  She took one pensive look around the bay and wondered if this could not wait.  It cannot, she decided.

 

'Computer,' she ordered, 'begin regeneration sequence.'  She heard the slight hum of the device and felt the energy that began to flow through her.  With a final sigh, she closed her eyes and awaited the cycle's completion.

 

 

Commander Tuvok stood behind the tactical station on the bridge and looked over the day's security reports.  Apparently there was a minor scuffle on Deck 9 between two angry crewmembers.  They had been reprimanded and ordered to their quarters until the Captain had looked the situation over and discussed the consequences with each of them. 

 

Although technically the first officer, Tuvok had arranged that he be allowed to return to his duties as Chief of Security on Voyager a week ago and re-assigned Ayala to the Beta shift.  It was Tuvok's opinion that Ayala did not as of yet have enough experience to command the Alpha shift.

 

His communicator chirped.  'Seven of Nine to Commander Tuvok.'

 

Tuvok tapped his commbadge and answered the hail.  'Tuvok here.  Go ahead.'

 

'I have an urgent matter to discuss with you regarding Mr. Tash, the alien from the catapult.  He is attempting to deceive us,' Seven explained.

 

Tuvok raised an eyebrow.  Nothing about Mr. Tash's behavior had stood out to Tuvok.  His story had checked out.  'How did you arrive at this conclusion?' he asked.

 

'Astrometric sensors recorded the destabilization of the catapult yesterday during our initial encounter.  Epsilon radiation was encountered,' she continued.  'I cannot explain it to you over the commlink.  I recommend you come to Astrometrics.'

 

'Understood.  On my way,' he informed her and ended the commlink.  Tuvok requested a replacement officer for his station during his absence and, when the officer appeared, Tuvok nodded and entered the turbolift.  Any possibility of deception must be investigated by him, no matter how improbable.

 

Tuvok departed the lift on Deck 6 and walked to the entrance of Astrometrics.  He took a moment to compose himself and then stepped across the threshold.  Seven was working at the console. 

 

'Commander,' she greeted upon seeing his presence.

 

'Seven,' he returned.  'You said you had some evidence of deception on the part of Mr. Tash?'

 

Seven turned around.  'Correct.  The catapult uses the same technology that was used to trap Voyager in the Delta Quadrant over five years ago.'

 

Tuvok raised an eyebrow.  It was intriguing speculation.  But without fact, it could not be proven.  'That does not prove that Mr. Tash is attempting to deceive us.  Epsilon radiation is unusual, but it is not unheard of.'

 

'Epsilon radiation is one of the bi-products of a tetrion reactor.  According to Voyager's database, your only encounter with that technology occurred five years ago in the Alpha Quadrant, shortly before you were transported across the galaxy,' she explained.

 

Intriguing, Tuvok thought.  'Go on,' he encouraged.

 

'A coherent tetrion beam locked onto Voyager, and you were hit by a massive displacement wave, which pulled you across 70,000 light years in a matter of minutes.  The source of that beam was the Caretaker's array.'  Seven turned around a pressed a few controls on her console and took a deep breath. 

 

On the screen, Tuvok could see the original sensor records recorded of the Array on the left of the screen and the new readings that were taken of Mr. Tash's catapult device on the right.  They were nearly identical.  'Curious.  He did seem reluctant to allow us to send over an away team.'

 

'Out of concern for our safety,' Seven said dryly.  'It's obvious he's trying to hide his tetrion reactor.'

 

Tuvok straightened.  'We must bring this to the Captain.'  He nodded at Seven to follow behind him, and they both walked out into the corridor.  'I am intrigued.  How did you arrive at such a conclusion?' he asked.

 

'I was looking over some of Voyager's logs from five years ago in an attempt to assimilate more information about this collective,' she explained.  'When I checked the sensor recordings of that time, I noticed the appearance of the epsilon radiation and the tetrion reactor.'

 

'Indeed?'

 

'Yes,' she answered.  'On a 'hunch,' I checked the sensor readouts of our encounter with the catapult and found the same readings.  Eventually, the pieces fit together and I found out that Mr. Tash was attempting to deceive us.  I have not, however, discovered any motives for that deception.'

 

'Your 'hunch' proved successful.  I will question Mr. Tash thoroughly after we relate this to the Captain,' Tuvok promised.  Although he chastised himself for not recognizing the deception himself, as he was the Chief of Security, he was glad it was brought to his attention before Mr. Tash could complicate matters for the crew of Voyager.  And also relieved that Seven had happened to be reading up on their first encounter with the Caretaker.  They boarded the lift and he entered the destination as 'bridge.'  It was interesting that Seven had chosen this time to study the information regarding the Array.  However, he decided it was merely a coincidence.

 

 

Chakotay stood behind his desk and glanced at the Doctor, who was standing next to Seven with a medkit near the door.  The doors parted and Commander Tuvok, phaser drawn, led Mr. Tash into the room. 

 

'Is this any way to treat a colleague?' he protested as he was hustled in front of Chakotay's desk. 

 

Chakotay looked at Tash and then back to the Doctor, to whom which he nodded.  'Scan him.'

 

'Aye, sir,' the Doctor complied, pulling out his medical tricorder and running it over his body.  Chakotay waited for him to complete his analysis.  'Not so much as a molecule of Caretaker DNA, Captain,' he concluded, finishing his scan.

 

'Thank you, Doctor,' Chakotay said.  'Return to sickbay.'

 

'Aye, Captain,' he replied and exited.

 

Chakotay returned his attention to Tash.  He glared at him.  'All right, Mr. Tash.  So you don't have any Caretaker DNA.   That still doesn't explain the tetrion reactor powering your catapult.'  He noticed the disturbed look on Mr. Tash's face when he revealed this and walked around his desk up to the man, until he was head to head with him.  'You didn't want us to find out about that, did you?'

 

Tash replied with silence.  But Chakotay could tell from the man's body language that he was obviously defeated. 

 

'Unless you cooperate with us, Mr. Tash,' he threatened, 'I'll order my helmsman to resume course.  You'll have to ask somebody else for help.'  Chakotay waited for a reply.  When he received none, he stepped around Tash and walked towards the entrance, the ready room door opening obediently. 

 

'Wait,' Tash whispered.  'I acquired the tetrion reactor at great cost.  This territory is full of species that would do anything for such advanced technology ' including steal it.  I'm sorry for the deception, but you do understand my reasons.'

 

Chakotay walked back to his desk and looked at Tash.  He could find no part of him that looked like he was lying.  Instead, it appeared to him, that Tash was merely cautious.  If he was in the same situation, he would probably act the same.  'I can relate to your concerns, Mr. Tash.  I don't see any reason to alter our agreement.  Keep me informed on your progress.'

 

'Thank you, Captain,' Tash said.  'I will.'

 

Chakotay watched Tash leave the room, leaving him with Tuvok and Seven.  He sighed.  'That reactor had to come from somewhere ' and I'm sure there aren't many of them around here.  Seven, keep scanning.  See what you can find.'

 

'There is another possibility,' Seven offered.  'The reactor may have come from the same Array that brought Voyager to the Delta Quadrant.'

 

Chakotay blinked.  'That's one hell of a supposition, Seven.'

 

'Perhaps not,' Seven replied.  'Again, according to Voyager's own reports you believed the only way to keep the Array from falling into the wrong hands was to destroy it.  It's possible that the destruction was incomplete.'

 

'So, you're saying that one of the reactors survived?' Chakotay questioned.  'We scanned for debris after we destroyed the Array and found nothing except some fused pieces of a metal alloy!'

 

Seven cocked her head.  'It is a possibility we should not rule out, Captain.  May I have your permission to continue my investigation?'

 

'In case we were mistaken?' Chakotay said, although he didn't believe they were.  'Go right ahead.'

 

'Thank you,' Seven said.  'I would request that Lieutenant Janeway be transferred to bridge duty for the remainder of the week.  To be most efficient, I would require the use of the Astrometrics bay.'

 

Chakotay sighed.  He knew this question would be coming sooner or later.  Janeway hadn't been on the bridge since she was escorted off by Tuvok over a month ago.  He just wasn't sure it would be a good idea.  But Chakotay also realized that Janeway was, if anything, held by Starfleet ideals.  And there wasn't anything he could come up with to override it.  'Very well.  Make the transfer immediately.  Dismissed.'

 

He watched as the two officers left his ready room.  Once they had departed, he crossed the ready room and stepped to the upper level, looking out at the Catapult nearby.   The issue of the tetrion reactor bothered him still, despite Mr. Tash's assurances that it was being concealed to protect it from theft.  A logical reason, yes, but tetrion reactors are rare ' in any part of the galaxy.  Where he got it from remained a mystery.  Perhaps Seven would be able to turn up something with her research.

 

The thought of Janeway being granted a position on the bridge also made him a bit nervous.  She knows you're in command.

 

I know that, dammit.  I just?

 

Are afraid she'd come up with better command decisions than you?

 

He shook the thoughts off.  It was an irrational train of thought, Chakotay knew.  He had come to grips with his command status a few weeks ago.  It wouldn't be a big deal.  Maybe if they were both on the bridge, he could get over the uneasiness of being around her.  Then again, perhaps that was the real reason for his discomfort.  In any case, it wasn't important.  He'd deal with it after this situation was resolved.

 

 

Seven paused in front of the door to Astrometrics.  She pondered on what she was going to tell Kathryn and whether she would take it as good news or not.  She also needed to apologize for missing lunch.  Seven knew how much their time together meant to Kathryn.  How much it meant to her.  But she needed to finish this experiment.  Hopefully it would benefit the crew.  She released another breath and crossed the threshold.

 

She spotted Kathryn leaning over one of the auxiliary consoles on the right, pouring over readings from the catapult.  Seven watched as the auburn colored head turned and she stared into those blue-grey eyes for the first time since this morning.  Seven noticed the expression was reminiscent of the way Kathryn looked last night when she woke up to found the woman looking to the stars.  'Hello, Kathryn,' she said.

 

'Hello, Seven,' Janeway returned.  'I'm just going over some of these sensor readings from the catapult.'

 

'Kathryn,' she said, 'I'm sorry for missing lunch today, but something came up.  A new development arose with Mr. Tash that was required for me to resolve,' Seven explained.

 

'I noticed the scans you left on the viewer,' she pointed out.  'Have you discovered anything about the tetrion reactor?'

 

'Not as of yet,' she explained.  'I have a theory that it may be from the Caretaker's Array.'  Seven watched Kathryn as her mind began thinking on this new piece of information. 

 

'That's a pretty far-fetched hypothesis, Seven.  What's the probability that the same tetrion reactor traveled over 30,000 light years in five years?'

 

Seven considered this.  She knew that arguing with Kathryn usually forced her to think.  'Voyager has traversed the distance.  It is entirely possible that the reactor did.  Or it was deposited in this sector as a result of the explosion.  The amount of epsilon radiation released when the Array exploded could have brought it across the quadrant.'

 

Now Janeway considered the argument.  'Perhaps,' she allowed.  'But it's still speculation.'

 

'I intend to prove my hypothesis,' she re-affirmed.  Seven decided the conversation wouldn't get much further until she had more evidence.  'What did you eat for lunch?'

 

'Just a sandwich and some iced tea.  I didn't feel like making much.  I missed your company,' Janeway replied.

 

Seven approached the compact form.  'I had prior obligations.  I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it.'

 

'Don't worry about it,' Janeway shrugged.  'So,' she sighed, 'what brings you to Astrometrics?'

 

Seven approached the Lieutenant.  She decided the best way to tell Kathryn was to do come out and say it.  'I will be working here for the rest of the week.  You will replace me on the bridge and attend the staff meetings while I complete my research.'

 

Janeway was astonished.  'Seven, did you get Chakotay's authorization?'

 

'Yes,' she answered.  'I also thought it would be good for you to be on the bridge again.  It has been a while,' Seven grinned.

 

Janeway smiled a smile that always served to melt Seven's current thoughts.  'Yes, I suppose it has.  Thank you, darling.'  She wrapped her hand around Seven's arm and pulled her close.

 

Seven gave into the gesture and relaxed in the safety of her partner's arms.  She enveloped Janeway in an embrace and kissed her gently on the lips before stepping back.  She was, after all, still on duty.  'You should get to the bridge,' she told her.

 

'I suppose I should,' she agreed.  'Keep me informed of your progress,' she ordered as she headed for the door.  'I'll see you tonight for dinner?'

 

Seven nodded.  'Yes.  I promise to make up for my absence at lunch by preparing a full-course meal this evening.'

 

Janeway grinned.  'Could you make Chicken stir-fry instead?  I haven't had that in over a week.'

 

'Of course,' she decided.  'I will see you then.'

 

'Good,' Kathryn beamed and left the room, the doors hissing shut behind her.

 

Seven waited a moment and composed herself before logging into the console.  This is difficult, she realized.  Not being able to tell Kathryn about what she was engaging in was wearing her down a little.  Hopefully, this evening might be a chance for her and Kathryn to make up for it.  She sighed, turned back to her console, and pulled up the Caretaker's Array.  It was time to begin.

 

Chapter Four

Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway waited for the turbolift doors to open.  It would be the first time in nearly two months that she would see the bridge.  Janeway closed her eyes.  She could still see the image she captured before the turbolift doors closed on her when she was relieved.  It seemed like it was an eternity ago.

 

Then the lift doors opened and caught her off-guard.  She opened her eyes to see the forward viewscreen.  It looked exactly the same.  Slowly, Janeway stepped out and looked to tactical and saw Tuvok there.  It was a habit, she knew.  Tactical was always the first station she looked to, probably because Tuvok always helped give her a boost in confidence when she needed it most.

 

'Lieutenant,' he nodded.

 

'Hello, Tuvok,' she returned and noticed that her presence had attracted the attention of every officer on the bridge.  She looked directly back to Tuvok.  Commander, she remarked silently.

 

Apparently he understood.  'Resume your stations,' he instructed.  'Lieutenant Janeway, please take your position.'

 

She nodded to him.  Thank you.  'Aye, sir,' she said and walked over to the auxiliary panel directly behind the command center.  Many times she recalled Seven standing there and looking at her in the Captain's chair.  She found it somewhat ironic that now she was standing here.

 

Janeway pressed a few controls and logged in.  Then she disengaged from the normal function of the auxiliary station, which was to provide a way for an officer to access both the Ops and Tactical consoles should the ship be forced to rely on the emergency batteries alone, and tied the console into the Astrometrics network.

 

Not long after she began an analysis on the metal alloys used to construct the catapult, the turbolift doors opened behind her.  She didn't bother looking?it was probably just some ensign submitting a report to the Captain.

 

But she identified the voice easily.  'Commander, I've been reviewing the data on the destruction of the Caretaker's array,' she heard Seven's voice address Tuvok.  'Unfortunately, the sensor records are incomplete.'

 

'I don't doubt it,' Paris said, turning around from his helm station.  'We were being attacked by the Kazon.  Half the ship's systems were down,' he frowned.

 

'Commander,' Seven continued behind her, 'you fired the tri-cobalt charge that destroyed the array.'  Janeway realized it wasn't a question ' it was a statement. 

 

'Correct,' Tuvok confirmed.

 

'Under the Captain's orders?'  Seven asked.  Janeway turned her head around and looked at Seven.  Her blue eyes made contact with Kathryn for a split second before turning back to Tuvok. 

 

He nodded.

 

'Did you also program the charge?' she queried.

 

'Yes.'

 

'Under the Captain's orders as well?'  Seven continued.  Janeway noticed an underlying tone of suspicion in her voice.

 

'Not directly,' Tuvok replied.  'I determined the yield.'

 

'20,000 terracochranes,' she stated. 

 

'That is correct,' Tuvok confirmed.

 

Janeway scanned the bridge.  Apparently she wasn't alone in her eavesdropping, as the rest of the staff also had tuned in.  It gave Kathryn the expression of an interrogation.  She thought about ordering them back to work but decided against it.  Janeway heard Tuvok's voice again, and was aware she had lost track of the conversation.

 

'The Captain wanted nothing left for the Kazon to use.  I calculated a yield certain to produce that result,' he stated.

 

'Something may have escaped the blast,' she revealed.  'One of the tetrion reactors.'

 

This was enough.  Senior officer or not, she spoke up.  'We scanned for debris, Seven.'

 

Seven turned and looked at her with ice blue eyes.  'The charge you detonated tore an opening in subspace.'  Janeway realized that it wasn't Seven's normal, collected tone.  Rather, it seemed accusatory.

 

'And that's where the reactor went?' Tom asked in disbelief.

 

'Yes,' Seven replied.

 

'How?' Janeway asked, although she realized her voice was more demanding than questioning.

 

'It was pushed there by a tractor beam.'

 

Tractor beam?  It was unlike Seven to present this sort of information without proof to back it up ' and Janeway had yet to hear any evidence pointing in that direction, merely conjecture and speculation.  She looked at Tuvok.  He seemed to agree.

 

'Do you have evidence of a tractor beam?' he questioned.

 

'Perhaps,' Seven said. 

 

No, Janeway decided.  This was not like Seven at all.  Seven never came to her with conjecture like that if there was no evidence to substantiate her theory.  But that is exactly what she had done here.  An argument ' perhaps a plausible one ' but it held no water without evidence to support it.

 

'Speculation is not evidence,' Tuvok stated.  'There was no tractor beam because there was no ship in the vicinity to generate one?unless you can prove otherwise,' he concluded, leaving an opening for a possible rebuttal by Seven at a later date.

 

'Thank you, Commander,' she said and turned to leave. 

 

Their eyes swept over each other quickly as Seven walked into the lift.  The un-mistakable question radiated from Janeway's face.  Why?

 

 

Seven of Nine stepped through the doors and entered Cargo Bay 2.  The scene on the bridge had become more than she had originally planned it to be, and having Kathryn there only increased her nervousness.  She would have to talk to her about it tonight at dinner, she knew.  Keeping it from her this long had been wrong.

 

She sighed and accessed the console, calling up the records of the only other ship that she perceived was remotely in the vicinity - Neelix's.  According to her research, he was still within long-range sensor distance of the Caretaker.  With any luck, she'd find out what she was looking for.  She ordered the contents to prepare to be transferred to the data node, but to wait for her authorization.

 

Seven stepped up on the dais and began to configure the node to retrieve data.  Her discoveries so far had been beneficial to the crew so far and that pleased her.  'Computer,' she ordered, 'begin data transfer.'

 

The computer obeyed, with a soft beep.  Within seconds, the data and been copied from Voyager's database to the node.  She walked back to her console and checked the chronometer.  She would need to return to her quarters to begin making dinner arrangements in two hours.  Accordingly, Seven set the regeneration time for ninety minutes and brought the alcove online.  She hit the controls necessary to lock the console and began the ninety minute countdown.

 

Seven got up on the dais and checked the node again, just to make sure it transferred the data.  It's status was, indeed, functional.  She stepped into her alcove, turned around, and pressed the correct sequence of commands to begin the regeneration sequence.  She allowed herself to fall into regeneration immediately, her eyes closing on the bay and on the universe.

 

 

Captain Chakotay lounged at his chair in the ready room and glanced over the afternoon's security report.  It was rather short.  A few entries for insubordination that, after reviewing the circumstances of the argument, were tossed out of the record.  But nothing major, he noticed.  He was pleased at that, considering the past few days reports had been littered with instances.  It seemed to him that the ship went through a cycle - three good weeks per every bad week.  They really need some shore leave, he thought.  I'll mention it to Seven at the next staff meeting.  There's got to be plenty of Class-M planets in this region.

 

The door chime interrupted him from his thoughts.  'Come in,' he instructed and he saw Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway walk in.  He noticed she looked around the room.  'Checking up on me?' he joked.

 

'Just making sure the ready room doesn't look like your quarters,' she returned.

 

Chakotay chuckled.  'Well, I've done my best to keep it up to standards,' he said.  Their friendship had taken a heavy blow over the last few months and he could tell she was doing her best to make it seem like everything was normal.  It wasn't, he knew.  There were many issues they would need to deal with and he wasn't sure she could ever completely overcome what he had done.  'What can I do for you, Kathryn?' he asked.

 

'I?uh?wanted to ask you a question about Seven,' she said.  'She's been acting strangely lately.'

 

Chakotay nodded.  'From her photonic flea theory this morning to her uncovering of Mr. Tash's deception, Seven is turning up more surprises today then ever.'

 

'That's what I wanted to discuss,' Janeway agreed.  'She left early this morning because she had some 'diagnostics' to run in Cargo bay two and then forgets lunch.  Just now, she interrogated Tuvok about the Caretaker.'  Janeway stepped up to the upper level of the room and leaned on the railing.  'I think we should check it out.'

 

Chakotay shook his head.  'The thought had crossed my mind, but I can't authorize it.  Seven's done nothing wrong.'

 

'She's acting out of character,' she returned.  'At least submit a request for a medical checkup.'

 

'Tuvok to Chakotay,' his first officer interrupted over the commbadge, preventing him from finishing the conversation.

 

He answered the hail.  'Go ahead, Commander.'

 

'Mr. Tash is preparing for launch,' he reported.

 

'Understood, Commander.  Chakotay out.'  He looked back towards Janeway, who was still leaning on the upper rail.  'We'll have to discuss this later.' 

 

'I understand, Captain,' she said.

 

Chakotay turned and walked out of the ready room and onto the bridge, crossing the space into the command center.  His eyes focused on the forward viewer, which showed Tash's vessel directly in front of the catapult.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Janeway walk over to the auxiliary station and take her position.  'Report,' he ordered.

 

'The tetrion reaction is stable,' Harry reported from Ops.  'Graviton field is set for a 100 light year jump.'

 

'The catapult's locking on to him,' Janeway reported directly behind Chakotay.

 

'We are being hailed,' Tuvok said.

 

'Put it on screen,' he ordered.  A moment later, the appearance of Tash flashed onto the viewer. 

 

'Voyager, I'll contact you the moment I re-enter normal space.  Thank you, Captain,' he remarked.  Tash extended his open hands outward with the thumbs raised and nodded.  Chakotay figured it was his species gesture of thanks.

 

'It was our pleasure,' Chakotay replied diplomatically.  'We'll talk to you when you emerge from the catapult. Voyager out.'  He gave the order to Tuvok to cut the channel with a wave of his hand.  The viewer switched back to the catapult, and eight beams of light began to lance out towards the little ship.

 

'Catapult is at full power,' Janeway said.

 

'Final launch sequence has been initiated,' Tuvok confirmed.

 

Chakotay nodded and continued to watch as the beams intensified, the photonic energy enveloping the ship.  An instant later, the ship disappeared through the catapult on course to its destination, one hundred light years away.

 

'He's gone,' Harry said.

 

'How long until we can expect to hear from him?' he asked, looking towards Tuvok.

 

'Assuming his vessel survived, we should hear from Mr. Tash in one or two hours,' he reported.

 

'Seven of Nine to Lieutenant Janeway,' the overhead comm system hailed.

 

'Go ahead, Seven,' Janeway responded.

 

'I require your assistance in the Astrometrics lab.'

 

Chakotay looked back to Janeway and nodded, giving her permission to leave the bridge.  Seconds later, Kathryn was already in the turbolift and headed for Astrometrics.  Chakotay hoped she could straighten this out so they would not have to have further conflicts over this matter today.

 

 

Chapter Five

Kathryn Janeway walked down the corridor that would take her to the entrance of Astrometrics.  She wondered why she called over the bridge comm and not her personal commbadge, but what Kathryn was really concerned about was Seven's behavior in total.  She hoped she would get the answer she needed as she strode through the threshold into Astrometrics.

 

'Computer, seal the doors,' Seven ordered before Kathryn even finished walking in.  'Deactivate all internal sensors in this room.'

 

'Seven?' Janeway asked.  She knew Seven's behavior had bordered on the peculiar, but this was beginning to worry her.

 

Seven sighed.  'I believe Chakotay and other members of this crew are involved in a conspiracy to resurrect the Maquis rebellion.'

 

Kathryn stared at her for a moment.  She had the sudden urge to burst out laughing and thought that it was in fact a joke.  But that wore off as Seven's expression did not change.  Janeway took a deep breathe and walked in to the room further, noticing the huge amounts of data being displayed in various windows on the main screen.  'Go on,' she ordered.

 

'Voyager and the Federation are in grave danger,' she elaborated.  'I've concluded that Chakotay plans on using the catapult to launch attacks against Cardassian and Federation starships.'

 

Janeway shook her head.  'That's impossible, Seven.  Chakotay gave up his allegiance to the Maquis long ago.  What you're saying doesn't make sense.'

 

'Can you be absolutely sure of that after his mutiny?' Seven countered.

 

'It wasn't a mutiny, Seven,' Kathryn defended.  'Chakotay acted under Starfleet guidelines, not Maquis.'

 

'Perhaps,' she said.  'But as improbable as you may believe it to be, I have found compelling evidence to support my theory.'  Seven walked over to the control pad and looked up at the main screen.  'In the months before Voyager's arrival in the Delta Quadrant, Neelix recorded the sudden appearance of fifty-two vessels, including this one,' she said and increased one of the smaller windows to fill the entire screen.

 

Janeway watched as the ship appeared.  'A Cardassian warship,' she breathed.  It was an unexpected piece of evidence.  It surprised her. But then maybe it didn't. After all, the Equinox had been pulled in too. She listened more carefully to Seven now.

 

'I've analyzed the hull geometry and warp signature,' Seven continued.  'It was one of the same ships that pursued Chakotay and his crew in the region known as the Badlands.  It was pulled into the Alpha Quadrant by the caretaker during that engagement.  According to Federation records, that same ship was found destroyed in the Badlands.' 

 

Janeway watched as Seven set her eyes on the wall, doing her best to avoid eye contact with her.

 

'The investigation revealed it was attacked by the Maquis,' Seven said, drawing Janeway's attention back to her words.  'I believe that for some unknown reason the Caretaker had sent this ship back to the Alpha quadrant and that Captain Chakotay attacked the vessel before it could reach its destination.  He downloaded the computer core and discovered the presence of the Caretaker's array.  He realized that the array could be used by the Maquis as a weapon to launch surprised attacks against Cardassian and Starfleet vessels.'

 

Janeway flinched slightly.  The data was hopelessly wrong, she knew, and Seven's explanation only served to worry her more.  Worry about Seven or Chakotay? She found herself asking.  Both, she admitted finally.  Seven had, however, left out one important piece of data.  'Well, I commend you for your imagination Seven ' but Tuvok was a spy on Chakotay's ship.  If your theory was true, he would have known about it.'

 

'He does,' Seven answered simply.  'Tuvok has been collaborating with the Maquis resistance all along.'

 

'That's not possible, Seven,' she stated.  'I know Tuvok.  He wouldn't disobey his Starfleet loyalties for any reason.'

 

Seven ignored Kathryn.  'With Tuvok's assistance Chakotay plotted a course toward the next likely appearance of the Caretaker's displacement wave, offering his vessel as bait.  His ploy almost succeeded but the Caretaker was more powerful than he anticipated.  His crew was taken captive.  A few days later, Voyager arrived and facilitated their escape.  Chakotay seized that opportunity to make one last attempt to gain control of the array ' but, then, you gave the order to destroy it.'

 

'Circumstantial evidence ' not proof,' Janeway retorted and, despite her best efforts, began to get irritated by these turn of events.  And hurt, by Seven's apparent un-caring attitude towards her, not even looking her in the eyes.  But she was convincing Seven as much as she was convincing herself.

 

'Who carried out your order to destroy the array?' she questioned.

 

'Tuvok,' she replied sternly.

 

'Using what type of technology?'

 

'Tri-cobalt devices,' Kathryn returned impatiently.  Although normally not carried by Federation ships, Voyager had two in its inventory.  They were supposed to be delivered to a Federation research base after the Maquis mission was over.  She grinned slightly, knowing that the delivery would be a little late.

 

'He set the yield to 20,000 terracochranes.  It was enough to tear an opening in subspace.  A cloaked ship locked onto one of the reactors, protecting it from the blast and hiding it from Voyager's sensors.' 

 

Kathryn watched as the picture on the screen changed from the warship.  Now it showed the Caretaker's array in the process of exploding.  She caught sight of a faint beam of blue light.  Seven enlarged the photo, and Kathryn clearly identified the beam as a tractor beam.  Its origin, however, was unknown to her.

 

'The reactor was retrieved and carried by a series of vessels,' Seven further explained, 'before it was delivered to Mr. Tash, who was well-compensated by Chakotay to build the catapult.  He was waiting here for Voyager so Chakotay could complete the mission he was forced to abandon five years ago.'

 

Janeway paused, allowing herself to take a deep breathe, before she responded.  'I might be willing to consider this theory of yours if I didn't know Chakotay as well as I do.'  Chakotay was still a sore spot for her, but she wasn't going to allow her thoughts about his reasoning allow her to make a possibly flawed conclusion.  I must remain objective, she told herself.  Janeway stepped closer to Seven, and for the first time their eyes met one on one.  'What you've done here,' she told her, 'is build what we call 'a house of cards.''

 

Seven broke the eye contact almost immediately and began to pace back and forth, unleashing her raw data.  'Stardate 48343:  Chakotay successfully helps his engineer, B'Elanna Torres, become Chief Engineer of Voyager.  Was it a simple matter of talent, or was he making sure Maquis officers would be in positions of strength?

 

'Stardate 48658:  Seska is revealed to be a Cardassian spy.  She defects to the Kazon and impregnates herself with Chakotay's DNA.  Was he unaware of the procedure, as he claims, or were they working together to create a new Kazon sect to capture Voyager?'

 

Kathryn noticed the edge in Seven's voice.  It hadn't been there earlier.  She wanted to discount the Borg's findings and tell Chakotay, but part of herself kept making her stay and hear her out before jumping to conclusions. 

 

'Stardate 49522:  Chakotay recommends establishing trade relations with the Kolhari.   Their technology uses tetrion power cells.  A simple diplomatic overture, or was he seeking a source of energy for the catapult?

 

'Stardate 52951:  Chakotay relieves you of duty and demotes you to the rank of Lieutenant.  Was he following Starfleet protocol, or removing a possible threat to his plan?

 

'You may not be able to be absolutely certain of these facts, Kathryn,' she concluded, 'but can you ignore them completely?'

 

Kathryn turned her head and looked up at the viewscreen before her.  Data littered the screen, showing the former Captain that Seven had worked extremely hard on this theory.  And it did make a little sense.  But she wasn't prepared to risk the crew's well-being to prove a theory.  She'd just have to take it one step at a time.  'I appreciate what you are trying to do here, Seven,' she whispered, drawing closer to the Borg, 'but I can't jeopardize the safety of this ship over a theory.'

 

'But you can jeopardize the security of the Federation?' Seven retorted, anger in her voice.

 

Janeway's hand gently touched Seven's left shoulder.  'Seven,' she began softly, 'I'm not going to disregard these facts entirely.  But I can't base my decisions on them alone.  I will keep an eye on Chakotay and see if I can gather any further proof.'  She sighed.  'I'm going to head back to the bridge.  We'll discuss this over dinner this evening.'

 

Seven took a deep breathe, as though she was going to say something more, but let out a sigh instead.  She nodded her head slowly.

 

Kathryn let her hand slide off of Seven's shoulder and returned the nod, turning to walk out the door and back to the bridge.  'Computer, unseal the door and re-initiate internal sensors in this room.'   The soft beep let her know the system had complied.  She approached the door

 

Seven's voice stopped her.  'Kathryn?  Be careful.'

 

'I will,' she promised, and walked out the door.  The evidence proposed to her in the room was strong and couldn't be shared with anyone ' even Tuvok, and certainly not Chakotay.  She would take the comments with a grain of salt, but she couldn't help feeling that a part of her wanted to believe them, a part of her wanted to re-take command from Chakotay by exposing this perhaps-false conspiracy.  But it was a very small part, and it was pushed down easily.

 

She shook the last of the thoughts off of her mind and stepped into the turbolift, giving the destination as 'Bridge.'  As the lift began its upward descent to Voyager's command center, she began to feel uneasiness associated with having to keep information secret and not allowing anyone else in on it.  The lift doors opened and she stepped out, spotting the form of Captain Chakotay on the command deck.  He turned and looked at her, nodding before returning his position to the viewer, the catapult still on the forward screen.  Janeway returned the nod and resumed her station.  She did, however, keep a suspicious eye on Chakotay and ever so slightly glanced at Tuvok as the day progressed.

 

 

Chapter Six

'I'm picking up a transmission, heavily distorted,' Tuvok said, piercing the silence that had permeated the bridge.  As a result, the message seemed louder than usual.

 

'He made it!' Harry exclaimed from his station, only noticing the slip of protocol after his remark.

 

Chakotay, who had been sitting in the Captain's chair studying the readouts from the catapult, grinned at the excitement around the bridge.  Indeed, if this proved successful, Voyager would be that much closer to home.  He stood up and walked towards the helm station.  'On screen,' he ordered.

 

The image on the screen was heavily distorted and waves of subspace interference prevented Chakotay from seeing the image clearly.  It was far more interference than a 100-light year communication warranted.  'Can you clear it up, Harry?' he asked

 

Silently, the ensign complied and the image cleared to show Tash.  In the background, smoke swirled and Chakotay could see some circuitry hanging from the ceiling.

 

'Success, Captain,' Tash exclaimed from the screen.  'Five thousand light years!'

 

Chakotay looked to Tuvok and then to Janeway, whom he noticed was somewhat pensive in her position at the console.  Almost as if she didn't know what to expect next.  She nodded, though, confirming Tash's position.

 

'Are you alright?' Chakotay asked after noticing spark from one of the consoles in the background.  He wasn't prepared to make this journey if Voyager couldn't come out in one piece on the other end.

 

Tash nodded.  'A few systems overloaded,' he confirmed.  'Nothing serious, though.  I had to re-adjust my shields in mid-flight ' almost lost my outer hull, actually.  I'm sending you the shield modifications. My catapult is yours, Captain.  Good luck.'  Tash nodded a final time and the signal cut.

 

Chakotay turned back to Janeway, who was studying her panel.  No doubt the enhanced shield modifications, Chakotay thought.  She was downloading the information into a padd.  'Get that information down to B'Elanna, Lieutenant,' he ordered.

 

Janeway looked up from her console.  'We're still going ahead with the jump?'

 

Chakotay's eyes narrowed.  'I'd like to run some tests and launch a few more probes.  But if everything checks out, I see no reason not to.'

 

'Understood,' Janeway replied and checked the padd again, checking to make sure the download was successful.  After she did, she turned and walked to the turbolift.

 

Chakotay focused his eyes as the Lieutenant stepped in the lift and turned around.  He noticed her eyes focused first on Tuvok briefly, and then locked on him.  The lift doors shut, preventing him from analyzing it any further.  He knew there was a message there though, but he couldn't discern just what it was.

 

'Seven of Nine to Chakotay,' his communicator chirped.

 

'Go ahead, Seven,' Chakotay responded, wondering what the ex-drone had in store for him now.  With Janeway's behavior being as it is now, he could only wonder.

 

'You're presence is required in the Astrometrics lab,' she stated plainly, not bothering to elaborate.

 

'Understood.  Chakotay out.'  He crossed the short flight of stairs and looked to Tuvok.  'You have the bridge, Commander,' he ordered before crossing the threshold and entering the lift.  The doors closed and lift began its descent.  His thoughts turned back to Kathryn's behavior on the bridge moments ago.  It was very uncharacteristic for her to act that strange, almost as if there was something she was hiding. 

 

The lift stopped and he crossed through the threshold, following the corridor to the side entrance to the Astrometrics lab.  Chakotay took a moment to compose his thoughts before entering.  He wondered what Seven has been up to with all the research data she has been collecting.  Chakotay knew he would find out, and so without further hesitation stepped across the threshold and into Astrometrics.

 

Seven was at first absent from the Captain's view, but he spotted her form out of the corner of his eye.  She was situated at an auxiliary console on the far left wall.

 

'Computer, seal the doors and deactivate all internal sensors within this room,' she said as she crossed by him and walked up to the main console.

 

Chakotay didn't know what to think.  When it came to Seven, he was never entirely sure what to think, but he decided to play along for now.  'What's this about?' he asked.

 

'I believe Voyager's presence in the Delta quadrant is no accident,' she stated.  'You and the crew have been stranded here intentionally.'

 

'By whom?' he immediately asked, both suspicious and curious.  Seven's conclusions today had been right so far, but he doubted this could be true.

 

'Former Captain Janeway,' she replied.

 

Chakotay wanted to laugh, but withdrew the emotion.  Seven seemed serious, but her conclusion had to be a misunderstanding.  'What do you mean?' he prodded.

 

'Janeway and Tuvok are involved in a Federation conspiracy,' she explained.  'They're in collusion with the Caretaker and possibly the Cardassians.'

 

Chakotay gaped at her last statement.  Even if it was true, Janeway was no longer in a position to command anymore, thus voiding the conspiracy.  'I see,' he began.  'And the point of this 'conspiracy?''

 

'They are attempting to establish a military presence in the Delta quadrant,' Seven concluded.

 

Chakotay searched Seven's eyes for some hint of what was going on in her head.  He found none.  'That's quite a theory,' he remarked.  'Perhaps you aren't familiar with the Jankata accord.'

 

'No species should enter another quadrant for the purpose of territorial expansion,' she quoted.  'I am aware of the agreement.'

 

'Then you are also aware that both the Federation and the Cardassians signed it.  Captain Janeway would have been the last person to violate it,' Chakotay insisted.

 

Seven turned and walked over to her console.  'As improbable as it may sound, I have found compelling evidence to support my theory.'

 

Chakotay followed.  'What kind of evidence?'

 

A bunch of data, spread out over a dozen windows, filled the large forward screen.  'I've analyzed over thirty terraquads of data regarding Voyager's activities over the past five years. It is quite clear that we have been a victim of an elaborate deception.'

 

He looked at the multitude of data on the screen and tried to analyze some of it on his own for a brief second before realizing that would be impossible.  'I don't have the benefit of a cortical processor,' he sighed, both out of frustration and irritation.  'Why don't you give me the abridged version?'

 

'In the months before Voyager's arrival,' Seven began, 'Neelix recorded the appearance of fifty-two vessels?including this one.'

 

The focus on the screen changed to a barely recognizable photo in the middle of the screen, which was increased in size until it enveloped the whole screen.  Chakotay was stunned by the significance of it.  'A Cardassian warship,' he identified.  He had been through enough fights with them that he could recognize the configuration.  It looked a lot like the one that had attacked him previous to his encounter with Voyager in the Badlands.

 

'A remarkable coincidence,' Seven remarked dryly.  'Only days before Voyager's arrival the Cardassians were already in the Delta quadrant.'

 

'The Caretaker was looking for a mate, remember?' he asked, a slight edge of anger lacing his voice now.  'He was pulling in ships from all over the galaxy.'

 

Seven didn't relent.  'I'm familiar with the Caretaker's actions.  In each instance, he would examine the crews' DNA and when he failed to find a genetic match he would release the vessel, but in this case Neelix's sensors indicated the ship vanished.  Obviously, it was returned to the Alpha quadrant.  Why?'

 

Chakotay glared at the ex-Borg, wondering why she was asking him the question unless it was to fulfill some sort of dramatic clause in this fa硤e.  'You seem to have all the answers,' he replied.

 

'I believe the Cardassians were sent back in order to deliver strategic information regarding the Delta quadrant.'

 

'That's conjecture,' he stressed.

 

'Extrapolation,' Seven countered.

 

Chakotay shook his head and walks away from the screen.  'I can believe the Cardassians might be involved in this,' he admitted, 'but not Starfleet.'

 

Seven stepped away from the screen and followed Chakotay back.  'There are precedents for unauthorized missions of this type, Commander.  According to the Federation database the Maquis were victims of several of them.'

 

Chakotay couldn't disagree there.  He remembered each one of those times, which only served to deepen his crew's hatred for Starfleet protocols.  It had taken time to put that hatred behind them and adapt to this crew.  Time that Chakotay wasn't willing to repeat again.  But what Seven said was truthful.  'Okay,' he sighed and looked into her eyes, 'you've got my attention.'  Chakotay looked back at the viewer, the image of the warship was still active.  You said that Janeway and Chakotay are involved.  Tell me how.'

 

Seven took a deep breathe.  'At the same time the Cardassians were meeting with the Caretaker, your Maquis vessel was infiltrated with a Maquis agent.

 

Chakotay nodded.  'Tuvok,' he admitted.  The deception was a sore spot with him at first, and in many ways it always would be.  The betrayal would always remain, despite the fact that he and Tuvok have ironed out all of their problems in the five years they've been serving together on the ship.

 

'Your navigator,' she stressed.  'He guided your ship to pre-arranged coordinates in the Badlands where the Caretaker locked onto you.' Seven walked away from her console and began pacing around the room.  'Once you were pulled into the Delta quadrant, Tuvok could have secretly transmitted final instructions to the Caretaker.  A short time later, Captain Janeway guided Voyager to the same coordinates and was also pulled into the Delta quadrant.  All of these events took place within a matter of days.  I find that suspicious.'

 

He shook his head.  'I'll admit, the timing seems a little convenient.  But that doesn't mean there was a master plan.'

 

Seven stopped pacing and looked directly at Chakotay.  'Why did the Captain destroy the array?' she questioned.

 

'So the Kazon couldn't use it to attack the Ocampa,' Chakotay answered.

 

'That's what she told the crew,' Seven continued.  'I believe she intended to remain in the Delta quadrant all along.  If the array had remained intact you and all the others would have insisted on using it to return home.'

 

Chakotay shifted.  'She was keeping it from the Kazon!'

 

The comment was ignored by Seven.  She walked passed Chakotay and called up another screen on the viewer.  'The Captain ordered Commander Tuvok to destroy the array.  He fired two tri-Cobalt devices.' 

 

On the viewer, Chakotay saw the replay from Voyager's sensor database, showing the two torpedoes impacting with the array and destroying it.

 

She turned and looked at Chakotay once more.  'Are those weapons normally carried on Federation ships?'

 

'No,' he answered.  Thinking back, Chakotay never did find out ' or bother to, for that matter ' why Voyager had been carrying the devices in their cargo hold.  He figured that they were going to deliver them to some research station, but his certainty was beginning to waver on that point.

 

'But they were part of Voyager's arsenal,' she related.  'Why?'

 

'I can't explain that,' Chakotay replied, unable to find a suitable reason for their presence on the ship.

 

'I can,' she asserted.  'Neither phasers nor torpedoes are capable of creating a tear in subspace.  However, a tri-Cobalt device is.'

 

Chakotay saw the image on the viewer zoom in to the array.  There, to the right, he could make out what looked to be some kind of energy distortion resembling a tractor beam, although he couldn't identify it.

 

'As Tuvok detonated the device, a cloaked ship locked on to one of the array's tetrion reactors and pushed it through the tear into subspace ' protecting it from the blast and hiding it from Voyager's sensors.  But the Captain and Tuvok knew exactly where it was going.  Once Voyager left the area the reactor was retrieved and began a similar journey carried by a series of vessels until it was finally delivered to Mr. Tash.'

 

Chakotay began to piece all the pieces together, but did not like the picture unfolding before him.  'And he used it to build the catapult,' he reasoned.

 

'He was waiting here for Voyager and the final phase of the mission,' Seven concluded.

 

'What is the final phase?' he demanded, hoping that with this information he could disprove the theory and not worry about any possible conspiracy unfolding on his ship.  'Even if this is true, Janeway is no longer in command to carry it out,' Chakotay added.

 

'True,' Seven allowed.  'However, Tuvok is currently in command of the bridge and he is your first officer.  I don't think he is planning on using the catapult to return to the Alpha Quadrant.  If I'm correct, this region of space will soon be filled with a Federation-Cardassian invasion force.'

 

Chakotay shook his head.  'You have uncovered some interesting facts,' he allowed.  'But your interpretation is flawed.  These are random incidents.  Granted, some of them are hard to explain, but there's no conspiracy here,' he continued, testing her data further.

 

Seven began to pace, her voice lined with agitation as she spoke.  'Stardate 51008:  Captain Janeway allows Kes to leave Voyager.  Neelix told me that Kes had suspicions about the Caretaker.  Was the Captain trying to silence her?

 

'Stardate 51462:  The Doctor's program is transmitted to a Starfleet vessel on the outskirts of the Alpha quadrant.  Was it an attempt by the Captain to contact Earth, or a secret communiqu頩nforming Starfleet of her progress?

 

'Stardate 50984:  Janeway forges and alliance with the Borg,' she continued.  'Stardate 51762: A cease-fire with the Hirogen.  Stardate 52861:  A non-aggression pact with the Terkellians.  She called each incident 'diplomacy.'  I believe she was trying to establish a tactical infrastructure in the Delta quadrant.'

 

Seven stopped pacing and stopped.  She looked directly at the Captain.  'Over the past five years Janeway has altered course 263 times in the name of exploration.  In reality, she was mapping the region and collecting strategic data regarding''

 

'I get the point!' Chakotay yelled, cutting her off.  He didn't know what to make of what he was told.  On one hand, the evidence was convincing, on the other it was flawed.

 

'You still doubt my suspicions.  But can you be certain I'm wrong?' Seven asked.

 

Chakotay thought of every reason why she was wrong.  He listed in his head every reason.  But there were concerns he had now, this data changing his perception of events.  Was Equinox more than a coincidence?  The Prometheus?  He couldn't be sure.  'Absolutely certain?' he thought.  'No,' Chakotay sighed.

 

Seven approached him and lowered her voice.  'Until you are, you must not allow Commander Tuvok to be in command.  I also suggest you assign a Security team to Lieutenant Janeway.'

 

Chakotay nodded, but did not respond.  He had no words.  Instead, he took a deep breathe and walked around Seven and left of Astrometrics. He crossed the threshold into the corridor and began to head to the bridge.  'Computer,' he asked, 'locate Lieutenant Janeway.'

 

'Lieutenant Janeway is in Main engineering.'

 

He stopped.  What was she doing there?  He thought about what reasons she would have to go there, and then remembered his order on the bridge.  Of course! He remembered.  The padd.  The one that contained the shield specifications.  He sprinted to the turbolift and hit his communicator. 'Chakotay to Tuvok.'

 

'Tuvok here,' came the reply over the channel.

 

He thought for a moment of what direction he wanted to take.  He could order Janeway arrested and Tuvok as well, or he could confront Janeway himself and trust Tuvok to follow his orders.  Chakotay knew that in either case, if he were wrong, there would be consequences.  But isn't that what Command is all about?  Pick one, he told himself.  'We have a possible security threat, Mr. Tuvok.  Meet me in main engineering.'

 

'Aye, sir.  I will inform Lieutenant Torres.'

 

'No,' Chakotay ordered.  'I don't want to compromise our position, Commander.  Just meet me in Engineering.'  If Janeway found out what they were doing, Chakotay knew she could become dangerous.

 

'Understood.  Tuvok out.'

 

The channel cut and Chakotay walked inside the turbolift.  'Main engineering,' he instructed, hoping that whatever was going on, that the Cargo bay would be the focal point where all things fit together.  He still hoped that he could prove Seven wrong.  There was evidence to support either side, but there was just too many coincidences to be ignored.  He could be wrong.  I can only hope, he thought as he stepped from the turbolift and headed towards Cargo bay 2.

 

 

Chapter Seven

Lieutenant Kathryn Janeway strode purposefully into Main Engineering, carrying the padd in her hand.  She realized if she went through with this she could be demoted to Crewman, but if it meant the safety of the ship she could accept it.  Janeway spotted Torres on the second level, bent over a engineering status display.  She nodded to Vorik and pointed to the upper level, indicating her need to speak with the Chief Engineer.  Vorik nodded and she walked to the rear of the room, heading for the lift.

 

She knew it was entirely possible that Seven could be wrong and all of that data was analyzed falsely.  It could be a mistake and, even though Seven was Borg, she could still make mistakes.  But Kathryn knew that taking that chance could mean the safety of Voyager and the security of Starfleet.

 

'Lieutenant,' she said as she stepped off of the lift and walked up to the engineer.  'I have the shield enhancements here.  But I need to ask a favor of you.'

 

Torres approached her former Captain.  'Of course,' she replied.

 

Janeway sighed.  This was the chance that would mean everything, whatever the case may be.  She turned the padd so that B'Elanna could see, and explained.  'I need you to add a .03 variance to these modifications,' she ordered, although Janeway knew that Torres outranked her.

 

Torres cocked her head.  'But that will disrupt the emitters,' she stated.

 

Janeway nodded.  She had looked over the specs on her way down.  'And you'll need another six hours to bring them back on-line.  I know.'

 

'Have you run this by Chakotay?' she asked.

 

Janeway sighed.  Perhaps this wasn't going to go as smoothly as she hoped.  'No.  And I don't plan on it, either.  At least, not yet.'

 

'Why?'

 

She pulled the engineer away from the consoles, ensuring that nobody else would hear what she was going to say.  She repeated to the engineer ' nearly word for word ' all the evidence that was presented to her by Seven.  'Now, I know that this isn't proof, but I need time to verify the data.  If you don't modify these specs as I said, we'll find out first hand what the truth is, and I'm not ready to do that.  If necessary, I'll perform the modifications myself.'

 

'Kathryn,' B'Elanna said, invoking her first name, 'how can you be sure?'

 

'I can't,' she reiterated.  'I couldn't tell you if this is true right now.  If you perform the modifications, I'll have time to figure out either way.'  She looked into B'Elanna's eyes.  Janeway could see the fight going on inside her mind between loyalty to her and loyalty to Chakotay.

 

'Couldn't we just go to Chakotay and confront him?' Torres suggested.

 

Janeway shook her head.  'If this data is true, I don't think so.  The risk is too high.  As soon as he realized we knew, we'd be thrown in the brig and wouldn't be able to do anything.  This is our best plan,' she said.  'B'Elanna,' she said softly, 'I know this is a difficult decision.  But if I can look at Seven's database and take a look at the evidence myself, I could know for sure.'

 

Torres nodded and made her decision.  'Aye, Captain,' she said, taking the padd from Janeway.

 

Janeway might have denounced the comment in any other circumstance, but this time she didn't object.  There was an underlying meaning to the response ' one of trust and loyalty that she felt honored to receive.  'I'm going to head to Seven's alcove,' she said.  'Make the modifications and head to the bridge.  Whatever happens, I need you there.'

 

'Understood,' Torres said. 'Captain, wait.  You might need these.'  B'Elanna opened a storage locker and handed a belt containing a phaser and tricorder to her.

 

Janeway didn't question the action, but quickly fastened the belt to her waist.  She nodded and walked towards the lift.  Janeway looked back to Torres, who had already begun modifying the shields, and stepped on the lift.  As the lift began its descent, she knew that the line had been crossed from where there would be no return.  If either her or B'Elanna were discovered, they would face Chakotay.  Which is why she needed to hurry.  She stepped off the lift and walked across the deck towards the exit.  Janeway crossed the threshold and walked down the corridor to the nearest lift.  She would need to hurry. 

 

As she entered the lift and entered her destination as 'Cargo bay 2,' Kathryn began to wonder whether what was behind Seven's actions of late.  What purpose would she have to study that much data? She wondered.  It had to be something Seven was testing with her alcove.  Janeway remembered as Seven left early for duty, saying she needed to complete some things in Cargo bay 2.  Then later, at lunch, when Neelix had informed her she was regenerating.  The entrance to the bay was just ahead and Janeway quickened her pace. 

 

She stepped through the threshold and entered the bay, turning immediately to the alcove.  As she approached, she opened her tricorder and set it to do a scan of the power output.  A red light blinked on the tricorder's tiny display, letting Janeway know the readings were above norms.  Where is the extra power going to then? She asked.  And why didn't Tuvok pick it up on his readout. 

 

Before she could find out, she heard the bay doors open behind her.  She resisted the urge to draw her phaser, and instead turned around.  Janeway made out the form of Captain Chakotay as he crossed the threshold.  'I picked up a power surge coming from the Cargo bay, sir,' she explained, hoping that if she acted normally than he wouldn't suspect anything.  Janeway did notice, however, Chakotay wore a phaser belt like she did.

 

'I detected the same thing,' Chakotay replied cautiously.  'You think it's coming from the alcove?'

 

'Could be,' Janeway replied, not giving any information away.  So, she thought, the dance begins.

 

'Let's take a look,' he responded and stepped up on the dais.  'Are phasers standard equipment on board now?'

 

Janeway looked down towards Chakotay's own belt.  'Must be,' she said.  She returned to her scans.  If Chakotay wanted to play the game, she would follow along.  Her tricorder beeped.

 

'The data buffer's been activated,' he said before she could. 

 

'I know,' Janeway replied.  'I wanted to make sure it wasn't malfunctioning.'

 

Chakotay turned and faced her.  'You should be careful, Lieutenant.  Someone might think you were trying to delete a few files.'

 

Janeway wondered what that meant.  Why would she want to delete files?  'Why would they think that?' she probed.

 

'Some of those files could contain sensitive information.'

 

Janeway took a step closer to Chakotay.  She watched as his hand wavered near the belt for a moment, and then rest again at his side.  'If that's true, someone might think you were trying to do the same thing.'  She tried to see past his eyes to find his motives.  Obviously, he wasn't arresting her and she didn't see a security detail anywhere.  She decided to probe further.  'That catapult out there,' she said, pointing to the outer wall, 'it's a powerful piece of technology.'  Janeway still saw no reaction.  Further, she pushed herself.  'If the Maquis ever had access to something like it they might have been successful.'  His features changed, but it wasn't the recognition that she expected to find.  Instead, it was confusion.

 

'And if we had,' he retorted, 'your mission to the Delta quadrant would never have gotten off of the drawing board.'

 

Janeway had to shake her head to clear it.  'What are you talking about?' she demanded.

 

'Come on, Kathryn!' he yelled.  'The game is over.  The mission you've been on for the past five years has failed.'

 

'My only mission was to try and get this crew home,' she returned.  Until it was taken away, she added silently.

 

'Seven showed me the sensor records.  I saw the tractor beam,' he stated.

 

Understanding came into Kathryn's mind.  Sensor records.  Tractor beams.  The catapult.  Pieces of a puzzle that were hazed now became totally clear.  There was no deception, no Maquis plot.  'She showed me the same thing, Chakotay,' she revealed and stepped off of the dais.  'But she implicated you in some sort of Maquis plot!'

 

The realization hit Chakotay.  'Same evidence.  Two different theories.'  He took a breath and stepped down to where Janeway was standing as well.  'I'm sorry.'

 

Kathryn looked at his face, uncovering the hidden meaning in the words.  Not just sorry for this incident, but sorry for everything that had happened over the past few months. 'Me too,' she acknowledged in the same way.  Janeway shook her head.  'This all started with those damn photonic fleas,' she said, trying to inject some humor into the situation.  'She was downloading Voyager's database.  But why?'

 

'Bridge to Captain Chakotay,' Ensign Kim's voice said over the channel.

 

Chakotay tapped his commbadge.  'Go ahead, Harry.'

 

'I just picked up a unauthorized launch of the Delta Flyer.  Seven's at the helm.'

 

Janeway looked into Chakotay's eyes.  She would deal with her own thoughts later; right now her priority was Seven.  Her look was a silent plea.

 

Chakotay nodded.  'Set a pursuit course and go to red alert.  We're on our way.'

 

'Acknowledged,' Kim replied and closed the channel.

 

'Chakotay to the Doctor,' he said, tapping his communicator.  'Get down to Cargo bay 2 and run a diagnostic on Seven's alcove.'

 

'Acknowledged.'

 

Chakotay looked towards Janeway and nodded.  'Accompany me to the bridge?' he asked.

 

Janeway returned the nod and, despite herself, smiled.  'I'm glad we got that settled,' she said, still speaking on the wider angle.

 

'Likewise,' Chakotay said.  'But perhaps we should keep this one out of our logs.'  He put his hand on her shoulder, a gesture of trust.

 

'Agreed,' she said and they both left the cargo bay.  Tuvok appeared at her other side and realized Chakotay must have called him to stand guard outside.  

 

'Sir?' Tuvok questioned.

 

'Seven is in the Delta Flyer,' Chakotay explained.  'She was the security threat.'

 

Janeway looked at Tuvok as they entered the turbolift and Chakotay ordered it to the bridge.  His face, as always, betrayed no emotion in seeing her.  Except for the red-shouldered uniform he now wore, he looked every bit the Chief of Security she remembered him to be.  She and Chakotay may have buried their hatchet back in the cargo bay, but she knew there was a long way to go until complete recovery with both Tuvok and Chakotay. 

 

The lift opened, and she crossed the threshold out into the bridge, but instead of taking her normal station, took a stance behind Tuvok's. 

 

'She's altering course,' the Vulcan reported.

 

'Maintain pursuit,' Chakotay ordered from the other side of the bridge.

 

Janeway looked up at the forward viewer.  The Delta Flyer was approaching the catapult quickly, but she didn't know what was going on.  She felt an urge to leave the bridge and beam over.  An uncontrollable urge, not just to protect her lover, but to protect the ship.  Seven couldn't be allowed to carry out whatever it was she was trying to do.  She turned to Harry at ops.  'Try to beam her out,' she ordered.

 

Kim worked his board, to no avail.  'She's altered her bio-signature.  I can't get a lock.'

 

Chakotay approached Tuvok. 'Target her propulsion and weapons,' he ordered.  'Fire.'

 

Janeway watched as several phaser bursts lanced out at the Flyer but none of them hit their target.  She glanced back at the tactical board.  'She must have taken the targeting scanners out of alignment before she left,' she hypothesized.

 

Tuvok nodded.  'She's charging weapons.'

 

'Doctor to Chakotay'

 

'Go ahead,' he replied.

 

'Seven downloaded too much data into her cortical implant,' he reported.  'She's trying to make sense of more data than she can process.'

 

Janeway approached Chakotay, keeping an eye on the viewer as she did.  He looked at her.  'I'm going over there.  Tuvok, you're with me,' he said.  'You have the bridge.'

 

It was tempting to let him go, to take over command.  But she couldn't allow it.  'No,' she said.  'The ship can't afford to lose its Captain.  And I have a better chance of getting through to her alone.'  She turned to Harry.  'Beam me onto the Delta Flyer.'

 

'This isn't part of your mission, is it?' he whispered with a hint of sarcasm.

 

Janeway smiled amid the chaos.  'Is it part of yours?'

 

'Good luck, Kathryn,' he said and turned to Ensign Kim.  'You heard her, Ensign.'

 

'Aye sir,' Kim replied.  'Energizing.'

 

 

Seven of Nine studied her console as the Catapult increased inside through the forward window.  It was hard for her to distinguish her thoughts.  Her mind kept returning to Kathryn and why she would do this to her, betray her like this.  She couldn't make sense of it.

 

But soon, she wouldn't need to try.  In minutes, she would destroy the catapult and end her life so that Janeway's mission could not be carried out.  In the background, she heard the faint sound of a transporter beam.  The sensors identified it as her.  Quickly, she erected a force field to protect herself from the woman.  'Lieutenant Janeway,' she said.

 

Seven heard the sound of the force field behind her, no doubt an attempt by Janeway to approach her in order to finish her mission.  'You came here to stop me,' she discerned.  'You'll fail.'

 

'Turn this ship around.  That's an order.'

 

'You're orders are irrelevant!  I am no longer under your command,' Seven spat.  She wanted to ask why she did this, what caused Janeway to betray her, but there were more immediate thoughts she must consider.  'You deceived me.'

 

Janeway sighed.  'There is no conspiracy.  There is no Maquis rebellion.  The Federation isn't planning to invade the Delta Quadrant.'

 

The information was old to Seven, who had realized her errors in those two incidents.  Why she was unable to uncover the true meaning of the evidence before her at the time still confused her.  'I realize that,' she responded.  'Because I finally uncovered your true objective.'

 

'And what's that?' Janeway asked.

 

Seven swiveled her chair and looked at Kathryn.  It was difficult to maintain eye contact with the woman.  'Me,' she said and turned her eyes to the floor, unable to maintain her gaze.  'Stardate 32611:  The Federation sends my parents to study the Borg Collective.  They know my family will be assimilated.  That was their intention.

 

'Stardate 48317: Voyager is sent to the Delta Quadrant with order to retrieve me.  When they reach Borg space Captain Janeway negotiates and alliance with the Collective in exchange for information regarding Species 8472.  They agree to give her Seven of Nine.

 

'Stardate 51030:  Janeway extracts the implants from my body to remove any knowledge I have of her agreement with the Borg.

 

'Stardate 53329:  Lieutenant Janeway and Commander Tuvok finalize plans to use the catapult to deliver Seven of Nine to the Alpha Quadrant where Starfleet will dissect and analyze the drone to gather tactical data to fight the Borg.

 

'I won't allow you to complete you mission,' Seven concluded.  'If necessary, I'll destroy the catapult.'  She turned back to the console, trying to concentrate on her primary objective.  'And myself.'

 

'You're right, Seven.   There is a conspiracy here,' she heard Janeway's soft voice penetrate the shuttle.  'But I believe it's a conspiracy of one.  I've got a theory of my own.'

 

Seven looked back again at Kathryn, who was standing at the edge of the force field.  She knew that Janeway's theory was incorrect.  It had to be, since she had already found the true nature of her mission.

 

'Your modified alcove threw your synaptic patterns into chaos and your mind can't make sense of all the information, so you're generating theory after theory in an attempt to bring order to that chaos,' Janeway explained.

 

'Your reasoning is flawed,' Seven said.  'My alcove is functioning perfectly!'  Seven turned back to the console and began preparations to complete her mission.  She had run scans on it earlier in the day to make sure that there were no errors.  There were none, which proved her theory correct.  Janeway's true mission was to bring her to the Federation.

 

'What about you?' Janeway's voice, filled with compassion, asked her.  'You're not a drone anymore.  You can't always predict how Borg technology will affect you.  You should be in sickbay, not behind that force field.  Let me help you.'

 

No!' she refused, turning around once again.  She couldn't understand why, after all they've been through, Janeway would still attempt to deceive her in this matter.  She loved her.  But apparently Kathryn's emotions towards her were fabricated, just another attempt at Janeway to complete her mission by engendering trust.  'I don't believe you!' 

 

'Of course you don't,' Janeway returned.  'Anything I say gets woven into your paranoid conspiracies.  But you should believe me, Seven, because I've never lied to you.  And I'm not lying to you now.  You have to put your doubts aside and trust me.'

 

A part of Seven wanted to turn around and disengage the force field, return to Voyager, and believe everything would be okay.  But she knew when they got back to the Alpha Quadrant, she would be handed over to Starfleet like property, where she would be mauled over day and night by scientists and engineers as they tried to mount a defense to the Borg.

 

'Stardate 51030,' Kathryn began.  'Seven of Nine is severed from the hive mind.  The Captain tells her not to resist ' that she'll learn to accept her humanity.  Seven complies, and slowly begins to embrace her individuality.  Does she regret that decision?

 

'Stardate 51652:  The Captain encourages Seven to develop her social skills.  Seven insists it's a waste of time?but after further requests, she pursues it ' and begins to develop her first human friendships.  Did Janeway lead her astray?

 

'Stardate 52840:  The Captain orders Seven to study her parents' journals.  Seven claims they're irrelevant, but eventually she reads them ' and discovers part of her own past.

 

'Stardate 52841,' Kathryn whispered.  'For the first time, Seven tells the Captain 'thank you.'' 

 

'It was Stardate 52842,' Seven corrected.  She remembered that day well.  It was the morning after their first evening together.  She swiveled and looked at Kathryn.  There was no ulterior motive in her voice then, and there was none now.  Seven wondered if Kathryn had intentionally given the wrong date.  '0600 hours in the mess hall,' she remembered.  'We had just finished breakfast.'

 

'My mistake,' Janeway said.  'Stardate Today:  Janeway beams onto the Delta Flyer.  She reminds Seven of the bond that's grown between them.  Seven lowers the force field and she decides to come home.'

 

Seven knew that it was still possible that this was a lie on Kathryn's part.  She attempted to make sense of the theories screaming to her in her mind, but heard only one voice amid the chaos.

 

'All I'm asking,' The voice said, 'is that you trust me again.'

 

Seven took a deep breath and placed her hands back on the console.  Part of her wanted to destroy the array and herself, but knew that by doing such she would also destroy Kathryn and that was unacceptable.  Instead, Seven lowered the force field. 

 

She followed Janeway's form as she stepped down into the pilot area, their faces mere inches apart.  Seven turned back to her station, not able to focus her eyes.  Kathryn drops to one knee.  She could feel Janeway's eyes on her, daring her to look back.  She finally focused back on the woman's eyes and the trust that radiated from them.  Seven knew she had made the right choice.

 

Kathryn tapped her commbadge.  'Delta Flyer to Voyager.  Two to beam out.'

 

 

Epilogue

Kathryn Janeway approached the entrance to Chakotay's quarters.  After making sure that Seven was okay back in their quarters and visiting B'Elanna to thank her, she was hailed by Chakotay, who wondered if it would be possible for them to get together for dinner.  They hadn't had dinner together since she had been demoted, and she discovered she missed sharing a meal with her former first officer from time to time.  Seven requested that she have some time alone to think about what happened today and, while she told the ex-Borg not to focus on it too much, she knew otherwise.  Janeway focused her mind on the dinner ahead.  Hopefully, she thought, this will be a first step to repairing our friendship.  Without further hesitation, she hit the control pad.

 

'Come in,' Chakotay's voice said through the speaker.

 

The doors parted and she stepped inside.  The lighting in the quarters was just low enough to be comfortable and she spotted the tall form of Chakotay near the replicator.  'I heard the strangest rumor today,' she said, remembering their discussions of gossip.  'Apparently, the Captain and a Lieutenant almost came to blows.'

 

Chakotay turned around.  'Mutiny?' he gasped.

 

She approached the table.  'Captain walked the plank,' Janeway teased and took her seat.  'Or so I heard.'

 

Chakotay shook his head, playing along.  'I don't believe a word of it.'

 

Janeway watched as he sat down and set a tray of Chicken stir-fry on the table.  It was accompanied by two glasses of wine.  'Me either,' she replied, taking her helping from the bowl and putting it on the plate in front of her.

 

'Seven was malfunctioning,' Chakotay stated as he sipped at his wine.  'We don't have that excuse.'

 

Kathryn sighed.  'Your right.  We've been through much to stop trusting each other.'  Again, like in the Cargo Bay, she got the sense they were speaking on a broader level that encompassed the last few months.

 

'I agree,' Chakotay nodded and looked down at his meal.  'Your performance today was exemplary.'

 

Janeway looked up.  A lot of responses came to her mind about duty and honor, but none of them seemed to fit the situation.  'Just part of the job,' she shrugged.

 

'No, its not, Kathryn,' Chakotay disagreed.  'You had an opportunity to re-take command ' several of them, in fact.  Why didn't you?'

 

Janeway looked back into the past, of all the times Chakotay could have mutinied, and the answer he always gave her for not doing so.  'Because,' she stated slowly, 'that would have meant crossing the line.'

 

Chakotay nodded and Janeway saw recognition in his eyes.  'I've been thinking about that all day,' he said.  'And I've decided that, if you still want the job, its there for you.'

 

He didn't have to say what the job was.  She knew.  For an instant, Kathryn thought about declining.  It was not an easy position to be in, and it required total separation between professional and personal views.  But she knew there was no choice in the matter.  It was hers to accept, not his.  He hadn't signed up for this mission and wasn't responsible for its consequences.  She looked at him.  'Alright,' she decided finally.  'But only if you stand beside me.'

 

'Always,' Chakotay promised.

 

Janeway smiled and picked up her fork.  She stared at the plate.  'You didn't poison this, did you?'

 

'No more than usual,' he chuckled.

 

They proceeded to eat their meal, exchanging jokes about the last few days.  Chakotay brought her up to speed on the ship's status and briefed her on what she missed, which is to say, not much.  The ship had been fairly peaceful of late, not that she was about to complain.  In a quadrant where they had been provoked and battled so much, there was nothing wrong with a 'dry spell.'  Finally, he had switched the command codes back over to her, officially re-instating her as the vessel's commander and had accepted a voluntary demotion back to Commander.

 

Captain Kathryn Janeway emerged from her first officer's quarters shortly after finishing her wine and strode down the corridor.  She nodded at a few passing crewmembers who were confused at first, but then smiled and continued on their way.  Chakotay had insisted she change tunics before she left and, while hesitant at first, obliged.  Janeway now wore the red-shouldered uniform of command and the four pips that announced her as Captain.

 

Kathryn approached the turbolift and entered, giving the destination as Deck 6, her quarters ' although she planned to be back in the Captain's Quarters by tomorrow ' something she knew Seven would not object to.  Junior officers quarters on the ship were almost inhuman in their dimensions.

 

As the lift doors opened, she recalled the circumstance of her own demotion and, crossing the threshold to Deck 6, vowed to never let it happen again.

 

 

Seven of Nine glanced at the chronometer and wondered what was taking Kathryn so long.  Having finally come to terms with her actions today, she missed the company that Kathryn provided so well.  Before returning to her quarters, she had engaged Naomi Wildman in a thoroughly challenging game of Kadis-Kot.  The young girl, a subunit of Ensign Samantha Wildman, nearly beat her tonight. Nearly.

 

Her mind, though, was occupied during the game much as it was now, thereby considerably helping Naomi's score.  Her original purpose in constructing the alcove to function as a cortical processing unit was so she might be able to help the crew.  But, as she had learned, the quantity of information is not necessarily proportional to the quality of information.  She was no longer Borg, either, and assimilating that much raw data was not possible.  Seven would just have to accept that.

 

The doors opened and she saw Kathryn enter, but Seven noticed something different in the woman's demeanor.  She seemed more like the force of command that she used to resemble as Captain.  'Kathryn?' she asked.

 

'Yes?' the sweet, soft voice said as her form drew closer.

 

Seven watched as Kathryn's features became more evident, the light from the stars illuminating her body.  It was then she noticed the red-shouldered uniform of command and the four pips attached to her uniform.  'Are you?' she began.

 

'Yes,' came the reply.  'Chakotay just re-instated me.'

 

Seven, hardly believing the news, walked up to Kathryn and embraced her, letting her head rest on the woman's shoulder.  'That is wonderful news,' she exclaimed and felt as arms slipped around her waist.  She was content just standing there, wrapped in the warm embrace of her companion. 

 

'Yes, it is,' Kathryn whispered softly in her ear.  'I almost wanted to decline it, though.'

 

Seven pulled back from the embrace and looked in Kathryn's eyes.  'Why?' she asked.

 

'I thought it might be easier on you,' she admitted.  'You wouldn't have to worry about me constantly or wait up for me when I work late.  I know that bothers you.'

 

Seven slid her hand over Kathryn's shoulders and pulled the woman back towards her.  'That doesn't matter.  I may make it seem that way, but I am not happy if you are not.  I love you, Kathryn.  It doesn't matter what your rank or position is.'

 

'Thank you,' she said, even as she wrapped her arms around Seven's neck.  'We should probably go to sleep,' she continued, but it was obvious to Seven she was not really anxious to move. 

 

Neither, Seven realized, was she.  Content in her lover's arms, she nudged her head into Kathryn's shoulder and kissed the woman's neck softly. 

 

Janeway pulled away.  'Let me get out of this uniform,' she said and entered the ensuite.

 

'Very well.'  Seven slipped out of her bio-suit and put on a light blue nightgown before sliding under the covers on the bed. She saw Kathryn emerge from the ensuite and walk over to the bed. 

 

Janeway slowly drew the covers away and slipped underneath them before tucking them just under her shoulder.  'Hold me,' she said.

 

'I will,' Seven returned and wrapped her arms around Kathryn, letting her breathing fall into rhythm with her companions.  Almost instantly, sleep enveloped the ex-drone and she did not resist it, allowing her eyes to close on what was the longest, most difficult days she could remember.  But the day was nearly over and she was comfortable and safe in the arms of her companion, Kathryn Janeway.  Tomorrow is a new beginning, she decided, for both of us.

 

 

Kathryn Janeway stirred from sleep and her eyes slowly opened.  She cocked her head to the left, where she heard a plate being set down, and saw her companion preparing breakfast.  She sat up slowly and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, tossing the covers off as she did.  'What time is it?' she asked groggily.

 

'06:30 hours,' Seven replied.  'Your uniform is on the counter in the ensuite.'

 

'Thanks,' Kathryn said as she lifted herself off of the bed and stood up, stretching her muscles.  She walked into the ensuite and took care of her morning ablutions. 

 

Moments later, thanks to the quickness of the sonic shower ' which, still, she could not get used to ' Captain Janeway emerged from the room, affixing her commbadge as she walked over to the table on the other side.  'Mmm, eggs,' she said, eying her breakfast as she sat down.  'We'll have to eat quickly, though.  I want to make the jump as early as possible.'

 

'I will accompany you to the bridge,' Seven stated.

 

'No,' Janeway ordered, scooping up some eggs with her fork.  'I'll need you in Astrometrics to monitor our progress.  Have Ensign Tal report to the bridge station.  She could use the training.'

 

'Aye, Captain,' Seven responded, finishing her breakfast.

 

'Would you be up for a game of Velocity after our shift this afternoon?' Janeway asked with a glimmer in her eye.  They hadn't played in a few weeks and she had been itching for a game.  She hadn't lost to the Borg yet.

 

'Perhaps,' Seven returned, standing up and walking over to the counter to prepare Kathryn's thermos.  'But I do not know if the Captain will allow it.'

 

Kathryn grinned.  'I think that something can be arranged,' she teased.  'Seriously, Annika, are you sure you don't want to take the day off?'

 

Seven set the thermos down in front of Janeway on the table.  'Yes,' she answered.  'I am fine, Kathryn.'

 

Janeway stood and took her thermos under her arm.  'Just giving you one last chance,' she said and walked over to the counter.  See you back here for lunch?'

 

Seven looked up.   'I promise.'

 

Kathryn smiled and stepped closer to Seven, resting her hand on the Borg's shoulder.  She leaned in and brushed her lips over her companion's.  She let the kiss linger before pulling back and walking to the door.  'See you at 1200 hours, then,' she said and walked out into the corridor.  Janeway walked down to the turbolift and realized this was her first day in command in over two months.  Hope I'm not too rusty, she thought, stepping through the threshold.  Noticing the lift hadn't moved, she instructed, 'bridge.'  Then she remembered something else she needed to check on.  'Janeway to Torres,' she hailed through her communicator.

 

'Go ahead,' B'Elanna greeted.

 

'What's the status on the shield modifications?'

 

'We've removed the .03 variance, Captain.  We're ready.'

 

'Acknowledged.  Janeway out,' she said as the lift doors opened and she stepped out onto the bridge.  She nodded at Tuvok, who had returned to his gold-shouldered Security uniform.

 

'Captain on the bridge,' Ensign Kim, a grin playing about his features, said formally from Ops.

 

'At ease, Mr. Kim,' Janeway ordered and walked down the short flight of stairs to the command deck.  'Good morning, Commander,' she greeted cheerfully to Chakotay, who was at his customary position in the first officer's seat.

 

'Sleep well, Captain?' he inquired.

 

'Like a baby,' she replied.  'What's our status?'

 

He checked his monitor display.  'All systems report ready for the jump, Captain.'

 

The turbolift doors opened behind her and Janeway cocked her head to see who it was who had arrived on the bridge.  Tal Celes emerged from the lift and walked over to the auxiliary station directly behind her.  'Astrometrics,' she identified.  'Report.'

 

'Astrometrics is ready, ma'am,' Ensign Tal replied.  'Seven's already sent the course through to the helm, although we think that the catapult will do most of the navigating.'

 

Janeway nodded and re-affixed her view to the forward screen.  'Understood.  Mr. Tuvok, bring the modified shields online.  Ensign Kim, prepare to activate the catapult.'

 

'Acknowledged.'

 

'Aye, Ma'am.'

 

On the screen, she saw the catapult's systems come on-line, the emitters locking onto Voyager's coordinates. 

 

'Ready to begin the countdown, Captain,' Kim reported from his station.

 

Janeway nodded.  'Do it.'

 

'Initiating launch sequence,' Harry reported.

 

'Graviton reaction is stable,' Tuvok remarked from his console.

 

'Entering null space in five?four?three?two?one?mark,' Kim said.

 

Janeway watched the forward viewscreen as the projector's propelled the ship into null space.  There was a minor shifting as Voyager's inertial dampeners adjusted to the new environment but it diminished quickly.  On the forward viewscreen, all that could be seen was blackness.  Null space was definitely not known for its view.  Not even one spare electron around, Kathryn mused while analyzing the data on the screen.  'At least we only have to put with this for a few hours,' she remarked, turning to her first officer.  'You have the bridge.  I'll be in my ready room.  She stood up and tucked her thermos back under her arm.

 

'Understood,' he said, but did not move from his seat.  Janeway suspected that he had seen enough of the Big Chair to last him until they arrived in the Alpha Quadrant.  She chuckled lightly at that and entered the sanctuary, having forgotten how much she really enjoyed having this room.  Nothing had changed, of course.  Chakotay didn't touch a thing. 

 

She set the thermos down on the desk.  Kathryn walked around to the other side and sat in the chair, flipping on the console screen.  Her first day in command turned out like all the rest, but then again she didn't expect anything special.  She was just glad it wasn't time for crew reports?or she would have delayed accepting command until tomorrow.

 

Janeway took a sip from her thermos, savoring the flavor of the coffee that Seven had made for her earlier in the morning.  She still couldn't figure out how she managed with the replicated substitute before.  Kathryn looked out to the windows.  It was disconcerting she couldn't see the stars, but glad to be back where she belonged.  In command.  And the only star she needed to see was Seven. 

 

THE END