Voyager-B
Part V

I was on the bridge when Ro returned to duty almost two hours before the Alpha shift would begin. I motioned for her to take the First Officer's seat instead of relieving Lt. Ward, the Gamma shift Tactical Officer.

"Did you have a chance to sleep, Lieutenant?"

"A few hours, Captain," she replied, sitting down. "Any word?" she asked.

"None, so far. I expect it'll be a few more hours before Seven and Tuvok return."

I yawned once. Loudly. I normally had no trouble staying awake, working non-stop around the clock. But it had been some time since I'd had watch on the Gamma shift where all I had to do was just sit in the Captain's chair and wait for something to happen. The combination of bridge boredom and stress over Beragun was beginning to wear at me.

"Lt. Ro, I want you to know that I understand why you came back to the bridge so early, and I appreciate it," I said in a voice that only she could hear. A small nod from her and I knew that I was right - she'd returned to duty early so that I could have a break. "You have the conn. I'll be in my Ready Room."

"Understood, Captain."

It wasn't until I was almost in my Ready Room that she moved over into my chair. Only a little tension around her neck and shoulders gave any indication of her unease at being the Bridge Officer.

I took off my tunic once I was in the privacy of my Ready Room. I sat down on the couch and pulled my boots off. I stretched out, pulling the blue and white Starfleet blanket down over me, then I ordered the computer to wake me at 0645. A power nap would do the trick, I was certain. If there was one thing I had learned in Starfleet, starting with my days at the Academy, it was how to fall asleep anywhere, anytime. That, and how to stay awake for long periods of time, I thought a little ruefully.

I slept until I was startled out of a deep slumber by the touch of a hand on my hip, a warm kiss on my forehead. I smiled. I knew that touch.

"Yes, Seven?" I said, my eyes still shut.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Kathryn, but we need to meet with you."

My eyes flew open. I didn't want anyone else from my crew to see me sleeping on my couch. I sat up, the blanket tangled about my waist. I was relieved to see that we were alone.

"What time is it?"

"0640."

"Computer, deactivate alarm for 0645," I said hoarsely.

"Alarm deactivated," the computer answered back.

I stretched, my red uniform tee shirt hugging my body tightly. Seven watched me, one eyebrow raised.

"I forgot how much you like me in these tee shirts, darling," I said, pulling on my boots, a wide smile on my face. I knew how much I liked seeing Seven wearing her gold one.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Yes, please," I said, heading for the small ensuite.

I left the door open as I splashed some cold water on my face and then ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to comb it out.

"Commander Tuvok will be on the Bridge at 0700," Seven said, folding the blanket up.

"What did you find out?" I asked as I returned to the room.

"It will be better if we both speak with you and Lt. Ro."

"I don't like the sound of that," I grumbled, putting my tunic back on. I nodded my thanks as she handed me a large mug of coffee.

I returned to the Bridge, Ensign Backus announcing my presence from his Operations post. Lt. Ro relinquished her spot in my chair, and sat down in the First Officer's chair.

"Report, Ro?"

"All systems at one hundred percent, Captain. We are proceeding at warp seven point five and should reach our scheduled destination in thirty-six hours. Shields are up, and we are still running quiet. Scanners have not picked up any traces of Dominion raiders, or any of their victims."

Tuvok arrived onto the bridge a few minutes before the shift change, Harry right behind him. I could tell that Harry was curious to see me on the Bridge, Ro beside me.

"Tuvok, Ro, Seven, my ready room. Harry you have the conn."

Coffee mug in hand, I led my officers to my Ready Room. I took several large swallows before sitting down at my desk. I glanced at the small, framed holovid of the Delta Crew senior staff that sat beside my console. It had been taken day we'd returned to the Alpha quadrant. I was in the middle, flanked by Tuvok and Seven, an arm around both of them. Far happier times than what we had now.

"Weapons status, Tuvok?"

"One third of all remaining compression rifles have been modified."

"What do you mean, 'remaining'?"

"More than one fourth of the rifles are missing."

I swore to myself. "How were the rest modified?"

"The only setting that is operational is 'kill'. The stun capability was disabled," Seven explained.

"More than one half of the hand phasers were drained as well."

"What?" It was a good thing I was sitting.

"And twenty of the photonic grenades have had their explosive charges removed."

"The rest of the weapons?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer to my question.

"They all checked out as acceptable."

"I have a small team recalibrating all of the modified weapons now. And I had Seven re-lock weapons storage with Borg encryption codes."

"As soon as this has been resolved, we are going to re-evaluate the security procedures regarding the Weapons Storage. This is totally unacceptable." My voice was harsh.

"I have already begun the re-evaluation, Captain," Tuvok said. I know that Vulcans are supposed to be unemotional, but Tuvok almost seemed to be embarrassed.

"Later, Tuvok. Right now I want the security team doubled in engineering immediately. And I want a protective force field around the engineering decks after I've spoken to B'Elanna. "

"You are concerned about sabotage, Captain?"

"Call it another of my hunches, old friend." I drained the last of my coffee. "We need to locate the explosives. Even one could blow a hole in our hulls."

"I will work on modifying the scanners at my station to search the ship for traces of photonic particles," Seven said. "It will not take long."

"Good. Make engineering and the bridge the first place you scan. Tuvok, I want you and Ro to work out a plan for defending ourselves against an intra-ship battle."

"Right away, Captain."

After they left, I tapped my commbadge. "Janeway to Torres."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Lt. Commander, I need to see you in my Ready Room."

"On my way, Captain."

I replicated myself another mug of coffee and read the shift reports while I waited for B'Elanna. My wait wasn't long. She was at my door in minutes.

"You wanted to see me, Captain?"

"Have a seat, B'Elanna."

I gestured with my mug and she shook her head, declining my offer.

"What's going on?" she asked, cutting right to the point.

"Why do you ask that?"

"The security in my department was doubled just as I was leaving to meet with you. Does this have anything to do with Seven and Tuvok in the Weapons Storage this morning?"

I grimaced, hoping no one else had seen them. "B'Elanna, we're going to have a protective force field set up around the engineering decks."

"What? Why?"

"There will be a few bridge officers, security, yourself and a few of your staff that will be have the capability to disable it."

"Captain, we can't work like that, always having to ask permission to come and go out of the department."

"The security chief in the department will be in charge of activating and deactivating for unauthorized personnel," I continued, my tone telling her that there would be no arguing with me.

"Captain - Kathryn - what's going on?"

"I'm playing it safe, B'Elanna," I said, then I explained the situation.

"This is not good, Captain."

"I know. I want your people to be especially careful. Report anything out of the ordinary, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. We have to be ready for anything."

"Captain to the Bridge," Harry broke in over my commlink.

"I'll be right there, Harry." I turned to B'Elanna. "We need to keep this quiet."

"Understood."

We walked out onto the bridge together. Commander Beragun stood by the turbo lift, four of his subordinates behind him.

"Is there something I can do for you, Commander?" I asked, hands on my hips, my voice as neutral as I could make it.

"Your pet Borg has locked me and my troops out of Weapons Storage," he said angrily.

"The lieutenant locked the Weapons down as per my orders," I said coldly.

"You can't do that. We have to prepare for battle."

I stood stiffly, staring at him. I could sense my crew's tension. "I am the Captain of this ship, Commander, and I do not think multiple visits every shift to Weapons Storage is necessary."

"What do you know of war and weapons?" he sneered. "While you were out cruising the Delta Quadrant, we here in the Federation were fighting for our very lives."

"I hardly think we were 'cruising' the Delta Quadrant," I replied, my voice even and tight. "You don't know what war is until you've faced countless unknown enemies with no Federation support, not even a lowly freighter. Don't tell me I don't know about war."

My security staff had discreetly removed their phasers from their belts. Seven and Ro had both stepped nearer to me, and B'Elanna hadn't left my side.

"You will open the Weapons Storage by 1200 hours, Captain."

"Or what, Commander?"

"Or I will take them without your assistance."

His troops quickly pulled their compression rifles off their backs and aimed them at me.

"Don't threaten me."

"It is not a threat, Captain. It is a promise."

Before security could detain them, they disappeared as they were transported off the bridge. It was just as well. The last thing I wanted were shots being fired on the bridge.

"Computer," I ordered, "Lock out all site-to-site transports. Authorization Janeway, Alpha-four-seven-one-red."

"Lock out complete," the computer answered back.

"Get the force field up around Engineering and the shuttle bays," I ordered Tuvok. "I also want security guards for all senior staff. No one is to move around the ship unescorted, or unarmed."

"Agreed, Captain."

"Seal the decks where his troops are quartered and trained."

"I am attempting to do so now, Captain, but he appears to have overridden some of the security codes."

"He's gained control over the security codes for his deck," Harry added.

"Seven? Ro?"

"I am unable to override it from the bridge."

"We could try it from the Jefferies tube on Deck 17," Ro suggested.

"Yes, with Lt. Torres assistance, I believe we can use my Borg encryption programs to disable his and enact our own."

"Janeway to Chakotay," I said, tapping my commbadge.

"Yes, Captain?"

"I need you on the Bridge. Now."

"On my way."

I turned to Lt. Karter. "Open up a channel for shipwide communications."

Seconds later, he nodded to me. I sat down at my chair and activated the channel.

"This is the captain. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. We are at DEFCON Six."

DEFCON Six was a new Starfleet procedure. All non-essential personnel were confined to quarters and the entire security team was put on duty, with several non-security officers temporarily reassigned to security. It was bastardized "Intruder Alert" procedure.

"Tuvok, make sure all the security staff has rifles. All personnel not confined to quarters are to be armed."

Chakotay came onto the bridge, moments later, a security guard with him.

"Captain, what's happened?"

"Tuvok, brief the commander. Seven, Ro, Torres, you're with me."

They followed me into my Ready Room. Using codes known only to me, Chakotay and Tuvok, I opened my weapons locker. Even Seven hadn't known about the weapons that were cached in my Ready room. I sensed that Ro was probably aware of it, or at least suspected something like it.

I handed Seven and B'Elanna hand phasers. "I know you won't have time to get your own out of your quarters, so you can use these."

After giving Ro a phaser and attaching one to my hip, I then took out two compression rifles. I handed one to Ro. I hated to admit it, but I took some comfort in the size and weight of the rifle as I cradled it.

"Ro and I are going to provide you two with protection so that you can override the security codes that Beragun's division put into place."

I set my rifle down and took my tunic off. I instructed them do to the same. I then took out black vests with special shielding.

"These vests should help if we're fired on."

"What are these, Captain?" B'Elanna asked, fastening the straps at her waist.

"They're PDVs, aren't they, Captain?" Ro asked. "I didn't know they made it beyond the prototype."

"PDVs?" B'Elanna was still confused.

"Phaser Deterrent Vests," I explained. "And they're hot off the rack. I have five stored here, and Tuvok and Chakotay each have five locked up in their own Weapons Locker. There are additional vests stored in security. The guards put them on as soon as we went to DEFCON Six."

"What do they do?"

"Absorb phaser fire, minimizing the effects," Ro explained. "A phaser set to kill would only stun you."

"They can only absorb so many hits," I added. "They have to re-charge, so be careful."

Seven had remained quiet, but I could see the questions in her eyes. I also knew that she would soon ask her questions. I tried to warn her with a look, but she either missed it, or deliberately ignored it.

"Captain, why are you leading this mission and not remaining on the bridge?" she asked.

Damn. "I appreciate your concern, Seven, but I think I'm the best one to lead this mission," I said evenly.

"Irrelevant. You should be on the bridge."

B'Elanna knew by the look on my face to keep quiet, even though I knew she was thinking the same thing. Ro tactfully kept quiet, her face impassive.

"Nobody knows this ship better than you, B'Elanna and me. If anything should happen to one of us, there will be two others ready to step in to complete the job. Lt. Ro is with us because I'm lucky to have the finest Tactical Officer in Starfleet aboard my ship. There are very few aboard this ship that I trust as well to be 'back-to-back' with me."

B'Elanna looked up at my use of a Klingon battle phrase. She looked at Ro, impressed with my assessment of her.

"Are there any tools you need?" I asked them as I fastened my PDV.

"I have a set of engineering tools in my quarters," Seven offered.

"We'll stop there first, then proceed to Deck 17." I tapped my commbadge and requested Tuvok and Chakotay to join us.

Both took in the sight of the four of us armed and dressed for battle.

"I need you to monitor the Special Forces from the bridge and keep Lt. Ro and me informed." I hefted the rifle up, then slung it over my shoulder. "We'll be leaving our commlinks open on a secure channel."

"Captain, I don't suppose I'd have any luck talking you out of this," Chakotay began.

"No. This is my ship. I never should've let it get to this point." I patted his chest and smiled. "But thank you for trying."

He didn't smile back, his face full of concern.

"If we're not successful, take decks 18 through 20 by force. Contact Commander Endicott on a secure channel. I think she might be of some assistance to us. And no matter what, you must keep Engineering and the Bridge."

We exited my Ready Room via the Conference Room. I didn't want the bridge crew to see us all so heavily armed. My guards were waiting for us, both carrying compression rifles and wearing their PDVs.

"Ensigns..."

"Jarvis, sir, ma'am," replied the stocky dark-skinned man, stumbling over his words.

"Captain will be fine," I said smiling. I turned toward the other guard, a tall, massive Echonian. Maybe it was prejudice on my part, but I was glad to have someone his size with us.

"Hurk," he said in a deep voice.

"I hope you're ready for a little more action than following the Captain around the ship. We'll be putting all of that Starfleet training to good use today."

Neither of them looked worried. Quite the opposite, in fact. They looked excited, eager to prove themselves.

"What do you want us to do, Captain?" Jarvis asked.

"First things first. We're going to Lt. Seven's quarters to pick up some equipment." I led them into the turbolift. "Jarvis, I want you on the point with me. Hurk, you cover the rear."

"What exactly are we protecting you from, Captain?"

"Not what, who. Any of the Special Forces crew."

We quickly made our way down the deserted hallways of Deck 3. Once inside of Seven's quarters, we pulled up the ship's schematics.

"Suggestions, Lt. Ro?"

"While Lt. Seven and Commander Torres are in the Jefferies tube, we should post Jarvis here, Hurk here, and me here," she said, pointing out various sites on the diagram. "You should stay by the tube, Captain. Should anything happen, you're our next hope for getting the override in place."

"Agreed." I looked at Seven and B'Elanna. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, Captain."

I contacted the bridge. "Chakotay, any sign of the Special Forces?"

"They haven't left their decks yet."

"Tuvok, has anything shown up on Seven's scans for photonic particles?"

"It is still performing a deck by deck scan."

"Let me know, both of you, if any changes. Janeway out."

"We'll split up and the meet on Deck 17. Ro, you lead Torres and Hurk. Seven, Jarvis, you're with me."

 

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