DARK ROSE

 

By cygirl1

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Star Trek is the property of Paramount. I am not making profit from this story.

 

SUMMARY: B'Elanna/Seven and Janeway/ Female. Voyager has made it back to the Alpha Quadrant but along the way, Seven and Harry Kim are stranded in Romulan Territory and fall into the hands of the Tal Shiar. B'Elanna and Tom, with the help of Romulan allies, attempt a rescue.

 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the sequel to my story Your Love Is An Oasis. I would suggest you read that story first to get some background information on how B'Elanna and Seven got together. In addition, it would help you understand some of the teasing and puns.

 

The events in the episode of MUSE, in Season 6 of Voyager, are mentioned.

 

Women Warriors At The River Of Blood is a novel mentioned in Voyager. B’Elanna was reading it in the episode ‘Real Life‘.

 

Vulcan Love Slave is a Holosuite program that is mentioned in Deep Space Nine and in several ‘Trek’ novels. The sequel is Vulcan Love Slave. Part Two: The Revenge.

 

In my story, Voyager never ran across the Borg Children. Voyager makes it back home earlier than seven years: More near six years and nine months. PG17 for some four-letter words, descriptions of consenting sex between women, unwanted sexual advances toward one of the main characters (NO RAPE), and violence, but not in the extreme.

 

The following story has some Romulan words and phrases:

 

Romulus: Ch'Rihan or sometimes seen as ch'Rihan

 

Romulan People: Rihannsu

 

Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. Rihannsu identify themselves with the Four Elements.

 

 Frahdha’nia Kholairlh-a nahi: What in the element’s name. An exclamation of surprise.

 

 Jol-ao-au: I love you.

 

Klivam: Derogatory word for Klingon.

 

Lagga uh’ j hu: A flower for an Angel.

 

Mnhei'sahe, “The ruling passion." Which centers on honor, duty, courtesy and strength.

 

 

 

 V-ri nanov: Adopted mother.

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

Sela is encountered in Star Trek: The Next Generation. She is the daughter of an alternate time line Tasha Yar and a Romulan official. This version of Yar went back in time to serve on the Enterprise-C, which was captured by the Romulans. (See The Next Generation episode of "Yesterday's Enterprise") Yar agreed to become the concubine of a Romulan official to save her fellow crewmembers. This union led to the birth of Sela, around 2345.

 

Yar attempted to escape with her daughter in 2349, but Sela did not want to go and revealed the plot. Yar was discovered and executed. Sela grew up to become an operative for the Roman Empire and a military officer. In my story, I have her serving as a Tal Shiar officer. Sela's first appearance was in the episode "The Mind’s Eye", and later in the episodes "Redemption, Part II" and "Unification. I and II"

 

x

 

Chapter One

 

“Time. 0600.”

 

“Computer. Lights at one quarter.” Seven’s voice was at a lower octave than usual having just awoken. She remained still, not wanting to extricate herself from the warmth of her wife’s body spooned behind her, feeling the soft breasts pressed against her back and one arm draped around her waist. She heard a groan close to her ear, feeling the soft warmth move against her, and then a soft mouth and nose nuzzle the back of her neck under her hair. The arm that was around her waist moved upward, and she felt a soft warm hand gently cup and squeeze her right breast. She felt hot, moist breath in her ear then a sharp nip on her earlobe. “We do not have sufficient time to engage in making love.”

 

“Uhm, how much time do we have?” B’Elanna enquired in a sleep-roughed voice.

 

“Fifty-six minutes and twenty seconds before we present our final report at the senior staff meeting. Captain Janeway will no longer tolerate our tardiness.” Seven turned over on her back and pulled B’Elanna over and on top of her, drawing her head down for a kiss.

 

B‘Elanna softly growled, “So what. The captain doesn’t have a beautiful woman in her bed when she wakes up in the morning or she would understand. Besides, we’ve only been late a couple of times.”

 

“Twelve times since we returned to duty one hundred and twenty days ago.”

 

“Big deal,” B’Elanna snorted. “That works out to what? Once every ten days.” She ran the tip of her tongue in the crease around the rim of Seven’s ear, causing her be’nal to feel a delicious shiver course down her spine.

 

Seven groaned but managed to say, “Incorrect, as we have had seventy meetings to date. One day out of every 5.833 is the correct correlation.”

 

B‘Elanna chuckled and said, “Who’s counting? Besides, we were late for only a couple of minutes--five at most.” B‘Elanna straddled Seven’s waist and placed her hands beneath her be’nal’s generous breasts, lifting them slightly and sighing. She watched as the pink nipples hardened and the areolaes pebbled. “Uhmm, I can’t leave these beauties pining for my attention now, can I?” She leaned down and taking a nipple between her teeth, lightly bit and flicked her tongue over it.

 

Seven squirmed and groaned, pulling B’Elanna down for a hard kiss, wrapping her legs around her be’nal.

 

B’Elanna abruptly pulled away, slid off her be’nal to stand by the bed, reaching her arms up high and arching her back in a long feline stretch, her breasts pert and stomach muscles taut. “Well, I guess you’re right, duty before pleasure.”

 

Seven quickly sat up, reached out catching B’Elanna by her right arm, and pulled her back in bed and on top of her. “You are correct. It is your duty to attend to my pleasure before we proceed with our schedules.”

 

B’Elanna melted into her be’nal and laughed. “If only all duties were so pleasurable.”

 

x

 

Captain Janeway entered the Conference Room, took her seat at the head of the table, and quickly looked around her, noting that all of her senior staff were here save for her Astrometrics Officer and Chief of Engineering. It was now two minutes until 0700 hours. She had given precise orders that no one was to be late to this meeting due to its importance. She couldn’t very well start without Seven and B’Elanna. The two informed her last evening of the final simulation of the transwarp coil, and Janeway planned this meeting to discuss the preparations that they would require for a successful trip back to the Alpha Quadrant.

 

Tuvok was perusing a padd and Chakotay was rubbing his tattoo with his index finger; something the Commander often did while thinking or waiting. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Tom nudging Harry while looking at his wristwatch and whispering a countdown, a smug look on his face. No doubt, he expected to win on a wager involving the two absent officers. She heard him whispering, “Six, Five, Four...” and was just about to nail him with a force ten stare, when the door whisked open at the count of ‘one’, and her two wayward officers entered. She quickly noticed the sour look on Tom’s face and the smile on Harry’s. She then knew for sure they were betting to see if the two officers would make it on time to the meeting.

 

She let her glance rest on the two arrivals, and smirked when she saw B'Elanna’s flushed face. She had a suspicion that that look came from dallying in bed too long with her wife, as was further evidenced by the dazed look in her eyes. Seven, of course, was immaculate. She could go through a velocity match and five minutes later look like a cadet for a Starfleet recruiting poster.

 

Seven had taken to wearing her hair in a loose ponytail held at the base of her neck by a wide gold hair clip, with nary a strand out of place. Since her and B’Elanna’s ordeal on the desert planet, she had taken to wearing a Starfleet Science Officers uniform, and Janeway thought she was far more alluring in a uniform than in those skintight biosuits, as was demonstrated by the generally approving glances of the crew when she passed them in the corridors.

 

She was also more approachable since embarking on her relationship with B’Elanna, and Janeway noticed that she smiled more frequently. Crewmates had now taken to greeting her in the hall and she returned their greeting with a slight smile and comment, rather than walking on by as if they didn‘t exist or were unworthy of notice.

 

That wasn’t the only change. Since marrying Seven, B’Elanna was more patient with her crew and less volatile when things didn’t go right. She was more willing to delegate responsibilities, and worked within her schedule instead of working 10-11 hour days, unless there was an emergency that required more time to resolve. She had taken to wearing her hair in a more attractive and Klingon manner; the loosely flowing waves a reflection of her more relaxed attitude. She didn’t seem as angry and easy to take offense as she once had. Yes indeed, marriage was definitely good for B’Elanna, or to be more precise, it was Seven who was good for B’Elanna. All it takes is the power of love and a certain Borg. Resistance is futile.

 

Janeway cleared her throat and said, “Now that everyone is here, we can begin. As you are aware, Seven and B’Elanna have been working diligently on perfecting a viable transwarp coil that will return us to the Alpha Quadrant. I’ll let them give you an update.” She looked expectedly at the two women.

 

B'Elanna smirked and facetiously said, “You want the good news first or the ah…flip side?”

 

Janeway, in good spirits answered, “Give us the good news.”

 

“All simulations show that it works.” There was a few seconds of silence before everyone started talking at once.

 

Janeway held up her hand for silence, clearing her throat before inquiring, “And?”

 

“We will need to equip the Delta Flyer with a small reflector array as it needs to follow in Voyager’s wake. The Flyer will be within Voyager’s transwarp bubble and the array will strengthen the transwarp signature, preventing the conduit from closing prematurely. Hmm, Seven, you give them the rest.”

 

Seven utilized a projector, which created a three dimensional star chart above the middle of the table. “We have constructed a coil based on that which the Borg utilize. Since the coil is composed of actual Borg components and those designed along Borg specifications, we could not improve the compatibility of the unit to operate efficiently with Voyager’s warp core power for the time needed to reach the Alpha Quadrant. Our simulations show that the transwarp corridor opened for a period of 2.47 minutes before collapsing, which would allow us to go a distance of 20,000 light years. This would put us in this sector and close to the border that separates the Delta from the Beta Quadrant.” A small area in the star chart lit up. “We found that if we elongated the warp bubble to a distance of at least 1000 Kilometers behind Voyager, it would facilitate an increase in time to 3.01 minutes. We would reach this area of the Alpha Quadrant.” She used her control padd to highlight the area. “Voyager’s array can only be used to keep the corridor open in its forward progress. We tried mounting a small array on Voyagers aft position, however, the power required to stretch the warp bubble drains needed energy from the forward array, causing the integrity of the field to collapse. The simulations show that if we mount a small deflector on the Delta Flyer, we can extend the bubble to the required amount needed. The corridor will collapse but not before we achieve our objective of reaching the Alpha quadrant.”

 

All eyes were  on the display with the pinpoint of light blinking in the Alpha Quadrant. Janeway’s expression showed a fleeting glance of worry before she went back to ‘Captain Mode’. “That puts us right at the edge of the Romulan Neutral Zone.”

 

Seven said, “Yes, Captain. We have a seventy-eight percent chance of making it to Federation Space and a nineteen percent chance of making it to this point.” A pinpoint of light activated just barely inside the neutral zone.

 

“That leaves three percent,” Commander Chakotay noted.

 

Seven activated another pinpoint of light a small distance from the neutral zone but well in Romulan space.

 

Janeway smirked and said, “That’s hardly a risk after what we have gone through out here in the Delta Quadrant.”

 

Tom piped up, “If that’s the bad news, then I don’t think we’ll be losing sleep over it.”

 

Seven looked at Tom and replied, “That is the good news. The negative aspect is to keep the Delta Flyer within the transwarp bubble at a precise distance from Voyager of 200 meters. Any deviation will cause the aft bubble to collapse, expelling Voyager and the Delta Flyer from the corridor and into the Delta Quadrant, or somewhere in the Beta Sector, perhaps even in Romulan space. We have boosted the engines of the Delta Flyer to obtain a maximum warp of eight. This will facilitate a sufficient entry into the transwarp bubble in Voyagers wake. Voyager must not exceed warp eight. The ideal speed for optimum safety would be at warp 7. 2.”

 

Tom said in his self-assured voice, “Piece of cake. With me at the helm of the Flyer you’ll be having dinner in Federation space on the same day we leave here.”

 

B’Elanna rolled her eyes. “It’s not going to be a ‘cake walk’, Tom. We will need you to pilot Voyager. The main turbulence occurs as the transwarp coil tears open space in front of Voyager to create the corridor. If Voyager is unable to navigate the eddies and deviates even slightly, it could cause the projected signature from Voyager to the Flyer’s reflector to fluctuate and collapse the bubble in her wake. That‘s why Seven and I will be in the Delta Flyer trying to adjust for any fluctuations.”

 

Janeway looked at both women and said, “Who will insure the steady operation of the transwarp coil and handle any problems that may arise in Engineering?”

 

B’Elanna glanced down at the table before looking at Janeway. “Well, I’m training both Carey and Vorik to handle the transwarp coil and make any adjustments to the deflector. They are both able to take care of any engineering crisis that may arise.”

 

“Is it necessary for you to be on the Flyer or can Seven handle the array?”

 

“Er, I thought I would go along as pilot.”

 

“I see. Well, I will go over your report before I make any final decisions as to what personnel are to go where. When can we have Voyager and the Flyer ready?”

 

Seven replied, “In approximately sixteen days, Captain.”

 

“Start right away. Take whatever personnel you need to get the job done. Our next transmission from Starfleet is in seven days. I will send them a packet with the information and expected place and time of arrival. It will be their decision if they want to contact the Romulans and try to get their cooperation if we should end up in Romulan space. Do we have any questions?”

 

Chakotay looking at Janeway, inquired, “Do we inform the crew, Captain?”

 

“Yes. They need to know. I had rather them hear the facts from us than have any wild speculations flying about at warp ten. Everyone needs to do his or her part in helping to achieve the success of this. We will give them the facts, both positive and negative. I want to know from all of you what the feelings of the crew are about this so we can address any concerns. Now on to other business…”

 

x

 

B‘Elanna walked beside Seven and said, “Uhh. I’m starving. Let’s get breakfast in the mess hall. I thought the Doc would never shut up about that damn home brew Ensign Jackson and Watson are making. It has to be at least 120 proof. Any fool that would drink that stuff deserves to feel like a photon torpedo exploded in their guts and head.”

 

Seven entered the turbo lift with B’Elanna. “Deck two. It is obvious that you have knowledge of Ensign Jackson and Watson‘s endeavor of producing a prohibited and obviously dangerous substance. As an officer you were obligated to report this to the Captain, were you not?” Seven’s ice blue eyes bored straight into B’Elanna’s surprised, dark brown ones.

 

“Err. Well, I ah…“ B’Elanna said sheepishly. She glanced at Seven and noticed that the ice blue stare did not waver. She sighed resignedly and said, “Okay, I had a small taste. A very small taste. A teensy weensy taste. I didn’t report them because every Starship, Maquis ship, and merchant ship, I have been on has a secret still that the Captain doesn’t know about, or turns a blind eye to. They probably had one on Noah’s ark, too. I’m sure Janeway knew someone on the ship had one, but didn’t want the details. Hell, she probably had a nip or two herself. If some of the crew hadn’t over indulged and told old Doc, she would have let it go. Now, it’s in Voyager’s log and Janeway has to follow the rules. If I know Jackson and Watson, despite having to scrub out the plasma conduits for a week, they‘ll be back in business. Hopefully, they will stick to making wine, like they used to do.”

 

She gave Seven a big smile and hoping to change the subject, added, “I think I could go for a big plate of banana pancakes and a side order of hash browns. Especially after that workout you gave me this morning.” She then wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

 

Seven maintained her icy demeanor and said, “You are attempting to divert my attention from the subject.”

 

The turbo lift stopped at deck two, and before the doors opened, B’Elanna quickly grabbed Seven by her chin and planted a kiss on her lips. The turbo lift doors swished open, B’Elanna stepped out and waited for Seven. Smiling coyly, she said,  “Was I successful?” She noticed the corners of Seven’s lips quirk up in a small smile, and took her be’nal’s hand in hers as they proceeded to walk the few yards to the mess hall.

 

There was still a lingering smile on Seven’s slightly upturned lips as she replied, “Perhaps.” She gave B’Elanna’s hand an affectionate squeeze.

 

Many of the crew in the mess hall greeted them. None offered them a seat, as the two were still considered to be in the Honeymoon stage, preferring to eat breakfast alone. On the occasions when they didn’t take meals in their quarters, they would gladly accept invitations or invite others to dine at their table in the mess hall. Seven would listen intently to their conversations, often joining in, asking questions in a polite voice, and smiling at their jokes. She even surprised the crew with her dry humor. The gossip making the rounds was that B’Elanna had managed to melt the Ice Queen, and Seven had tamed the Klingon.

 

Seven took a chance on Neelix’s Tagrath grain hot cereal with a dollop of replicated honey, and a glass of milk. B’Elanna used her replicator allotment for banana pancakes with maple syrup, and milk. They found a table by the window, and B’Elanna no sooner took a seat before she started eating her pancakes, and said around a mouthful, “Good, but not like my Nana could make.”

 

Seven took a sip of her milk and said, “You make that observation every time you consume them.”

 

B‘Elanna quickly swallowed her next bite. “It’s true. She made them from scratch and the maple syrup was the real thing. When we get back to the Alpha Quadrant I will make you the real thing with real bananas and maple syrup from real maple trees.”

 

Seven looked across the table at her mate. “B’Elanna, we have not discussed, nor have we made plans, for our future when we arrive in the Alpha Quadrant.”

 

“I know. If it’s okay with you, I would like to go to Qo'noS, make peace with my mother, and learn more about my Klingon heritage. We don’t have to stay long.”

 

“We will stay as long as you desire. If you like, we can make our home there.”

 

B‘Elanna’s smile was sappy. “You really are wonderful bang'wI.” She paused and then added, “I don’t know about a home there. Is there anywhere you would like to live? I know you have relatives on Earth. Maybe you would like to visit them for a while…maybe live on earth. I’m not adverse to that. Some of my father’s relatives still live on Earth.”

 

“I have no desire to live on Earth, or for that matter, anywhere else, except with you.” She looked at B’Elanna tenderly and said in a soft voice, “Wherever you are, bang’wI, is my home,”

 

B‘Elanna gave Seven a melting look and sighed. “You say the most wonderful things and you’re a wonderful be'nal. I feel the same way. But, I do think you need to see your relatives. I know your aunt and cousins have contacted you through the array. It‘s important for them, I think, to meet you and you to meet them. They are a part of your parents’ history. And through your parents, they are a part of your history.”

 

“I will visit my father’s sister, Irene Hansen. I believe I have an obligation to inform her of what occurred to her brother and my mother. It is an obligation I am not looking forward to performing.”

 

B‘Elanna reached across the table and rubbed the back of Seven‘s Borg hand. “I know. You know I’ll be there with you to give what support I can.”

 

“Yes. You are an exceptional mate. Thank you.” Seven took a sip of her milk before adding, “We need to decide our futures as far as careers. I know that Starfleet has pardoned the Maquis, and since I was born a Federation citizen, and married both a Federation and Klingon Citizen, Captain Janeway believes that Starfleet will not take me into custody as a threat to the Federation--”

 

B’Elanna interrupted and snarled, “If they touch a hair on your head they will rue the day they were born.” She continued in a calmer voice, “I sent a copy of our wedding certificate through the array to the Klingon Embassy on Earth. Since you are my be’nal, you are a full citizen of the Empire. I doubt Starfleet would want to start a confrontation. Klingons are warriors, but believe me, they have their romantic side and would champion our cause.”

 

Seven’s mouth flicked up at the corners in a decidedly seductive smile, and her voice sounded almost like a purr when she said, “Yes, I have personal experience with their… romantic side.” The look that accompanied this comment made B’Elanna tingle. Seven continued, “I have also read Women Warriors At The River Of Blood, which was very informative on Klingon romantic and sexual customs.”

 

B‘Elanna drew her head back slightly in obvious surprise before blurting out, “Gee, Seven, I thought I recycled that thing. It’s fiction and has nothing to do with reality, especially the sex scenes.” B’Elanna then gave Seven a salacious look and softly growled, “Believe me ‘be’nal, you’re so good in the love making department, you could write a manual on it.”

 

“That would be plagiarism, as I obtained my information on how to perform Klingon sexual practices from, Women Warriors At The River Of Blood.”

 

B'Elanna's eyes widened slightly in mild alarm. Kahless. I have to delete ‘Vulcan Love Slave’ from my collection of holosuite programs before Seven finds it, or she’ll think I’m into all that stuff and wasn’t just curious.’ She then smugly smiled. Yeow, with a be’nal like Seven, I don’t need no stinking holo-sex programs.

 

Chapter Two

 

Seven knelt on the deck by an open panel, making final adjustments to the deflector on the Delta Flyer. “Mr. Kim. A micro spanner please.” Harry Kim handed Seven a micro spanner and resumed reading his padd. Seven had selected Harry to help her install the reflector array in the Delta Flyer.

 

Janeway had called a meeting earlier that morning and announced that Harry would pilot the Delta Flyer as he had a hand in building and designing it, as well as a familiarity with the deflector, as he and Seven were working to install it. Seven would monitor the deflector in the Delta Flyer and B’Elanna would monitor the transwarp coil on board Voyager. Tuvok would handle Voyager’s deflector. B’Elanna was not too pleased that she wouldn’t be with Seven on the Delta Flyer, but understood why Janeway needed her on Voyager, as she knew the transwarp coil inside out.

 

“So, Seven? You and B’Elanna make any plans for when we return to the Alpha Quadrant?” asked Harry.

 

“We shall disembark on Earth, where we will proceed to the Klingon embassy. There, we will finalize my citizenship as a citizen of the Klingon Empire. We will proceed to stay with Captain Janeway, either at her residence in San Francisco, or at her mother‘ residence, while I arrange to visit my aunt. We will proceed to visit my aunt and I will attempt to explain to her what occurred to my father and mother. I am not looking forward to it. Following the visit to my aunt’s, we will return to Captain Janeway’s residence and obtain times and dates for a trip to Qo'noS. Captain Janeway might be able to obtain passage for us on a Starfleet vessel instead of a civilian starship. We will depart Earth. Depending on whether we are provided Starfleet passage, or that of a civilian ship, it will take us approximately--"

 

“Uh, Seven? That’s not what I meant. Have you and B’Elanna decided where you are going to live? And what career paths you will each pursue?”

 

“No.”

 

“Oh. Uh. I guess you have plenty of time to decide that when we get home.”

 

“Indeed.” Seven closed the panel and stood up. “We will now commence with testing procedure 15 Alpha.”

 

“Right, 15 Alpha.” Harry activated a communications console and said, “Lieutenant Torres, commence with testing procedure 15 Alpha.”

 

“Acknowledged, 15 Alpha has been initiated.”

 

Seven viewed the control panel while entering in the data. After a few moments, she announced, “The test was successful.”

 

B’Elanna still had the communications line open. “That’s great. It looks like we’re on schedule for the day after tomorrow. Let‘s call it quits for now and head for the mess hall. Bring Starfleet, he‘s treating.”

 

Harry suspiciously asked, “Wait a minute. Why am I treating?”

 

“I know you have a zillion replicator credits stashed away. No way you’re gonna be able to spend them all in two days. So, as your good friend, I thought I would help you get rid of them.”

 

“Oh, yeah. Right. Actually, I only have twenty-seven. Tom has been mooching off me since Neelix cleaned him out a few months ago.”

 

“Hey, that’s what Tom PetaQ gets for running bets on my love life. I thought by now he would have come up with a new scheme to fill his coffers.”

 

“Well, ever since his big loss, he has had a run of bad luck and owes everybody.”

 

“Ha. You know Starfleet, by helping him out you’re just feeding the beast. I bet he has a pool betting on when Voyager reaches home. At least he learned his lesson and won’t involve my personal life in his little schemes anymore.”

 

Harry was silent for a little too long and Seven noticed him grimace.

 

Despite not being able to see Harry, B‘Elanna noticed the strained silence. “Starfleet, you would tell me if he was making betting pools on me or Seven, wouldn’t you?"

 

“Ah…sure, B’Elanna,” He hesitantly answered.

 

“Hmmm. Okay, good. Now back to those twenty-seven credits you have. It’ll be a big steak and baked potato with sour cream for me. Oh, and a big piece of Texas toast, too. What will it be for you, Seven?”

 

“I shall have chicken Parmesan, baby asparagus sautéed in butter, and a dinner roll.”

 

“Wait a minute. That comes to over twenty credits. I won’t have any left for my dinner,” Harry groused.

 

Seven smirked and answered, “It comes to exactly twenty-six credits. You shall have one credit left.”

 

“Well, it is your lucky day, Starfleet. One credit is enough to get you a glass of tea to wash down Neelix’s Leola Root Surprise. See ya, B‘Elanna out.”

 

Harry looked beseechingly at Seven, and whined, “That’s not fair.”

 

“Fair is irrelevant,” Seven replied in her Borg monotone.

 

x

 

Captain Janeway looked at her Senior Staff seated around the conference table. She had listened to the various reports on the ship’s readiness to undertake the mission to return to the Alpha Quadrant. “Starfleet has been informed of our approximate time and place of arrival tomorrow. They will have several ships, not only at the expected points of arrival, but also ships at various distances surrounding those points if we should arrive at a different location. The Romulans have agreed to assist us if we should emerge from the corridor in their space. I think their cooperation has something to do with the fact that we were allies in the Dominion War.”

 

She then smiled and continued, “I have some important news for three of you here at this table. I put in a request for promotions and appointments to Starfleet, and they have been approved.” Janeway fixed her gaze on Ensign Harry Kim and allowed her smile to broaden. “Let it go on record that Ensign Harry Kim has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Jr. Grade. Congratulations, Lieutenant Kim.” Janeway stood and motioned Harry over to her, and amidst the applause and cheers, pinned a black pip on his collar next to his gold one.

 

“Thank you, Captain.” Harry was all smiles.

 

“I want to thank you, Lieutenant, for your outstanding service to me, the crew, and this ship.”

 

Harry took his seat and Tom patted his back in congratulations.

 

Janeway remained standing and reached for a small envelope on the Table. “For her outstanding Service to me, this crew, and Voyager, Annika Hansen has been awarded the provisional rank of Senior Lieutenant.” Every one clapped and B’Elanna threw her arms around Seven’s neck, giving her a hug.

 

Seven gave B‘Elanna a questioning look, not knowing quite what to do. B‘Elanna looked at her wife with pride and said, “Go ahead and take it, Seven, you earned it.”

 

Seven rose from her seat and walked up to Janeway, who attached the oblong gold bar with two horizontal gold stripes onto her collar. She grinned and said, “Seven, thank you for all you have done for us. You’ve come through for us many times.”

 

“Thank you, Captain Janeway. I will serve to the best of my ability.”

 

“Of that I have no doubts,” Janeway said with her trademark lopsided smile.

 

Tom Paris looked over at B’Elanna and smirked. “Hey B’Elanna, she outranks you now. Guess she will be giving you orders.”

 

B’Elanna smiled good-naturedly and said, “And this will differ, how?” This caused everyone to laugh. Seven went back to her seat and B’Elanna reached over and squeezed her shoulder, looking at her be’nal with pride. Seven gave B’Elanna a pleased smile.

 

Captain Janeway reached for another envelope. “I have one more. For her outstanding service to Voyager, Lieutenant. Jr. Grade, B‘Elanna Torres, has been awarded the rank of Provisional Lieutenant Commander.”

 

Tom exclaimed, “What! Two whole jumps in rank. Gee, she’ll be bossing me around.”

 

Seven hugged a surprised B‘Elanna who rose from her seat and walked over to Janeway who pinned her Lieutenant Commander Bar on her collar. “B‘Elanna, we wouldn’t have made it this far without your expertise in engineering. You have done an outstanding job.”

 

Chakotay gave a “Hear, Hear” and among the cheers and clapping, B’Elanna took her seat next to Seven, who hugged her neck.

 

Janeway said, “Well folks, we have a big day tomorrow. I know with all the excitement it will be hard for many of us, as well as the crew, to get any work done. Just check to make sure there are no problems that we can‘t handle. Try to get some sleep tonight. I want everyone awake and aware tomorrow. We have come this far and I don‘t want any miscalculations because of fatigue to ruin our chances. Try to impart this to the crew also.”

 

The Doctor spoke up, “I don’t want any calls in the wee hours of the morning due to injuries received because of rowdy behavior or over indulgence in synthehol.” He looked at Tom and sniffed, “I heard all about the ‘Last Night in the Delta Quadrant’ party you’re throwing. I will be keeping an eye on things.”

 

Tom said, “Hey Doc, it’s the last time we’ll be at Sandrines and Fair Haven you know? Everybody has an invite to drop by and have one last blow out on the good ship Voyager. Many want to say goodbye to some friends from these programs. They may be holo-characters, but we have become attached to them over time. Surely, you can understand that.” Tom gave his best winning smile and added, “ We hope to see you there too. You know we need a piano player and a crooner at Sandrines. Who better to fill that role than yourself? You know all the good tunes, you’ll be ideal. So, how about it?”

 

The Doctor seemed to preen and smiled smugly. “What time do the festivities start?”

 

“They’ll be going on all day and well into the night so the different shifts can attend. I’ll spread the word to the crew that you’ll make your farewell appearance as Voyager‘s primo star and virtuoso. They will mob the place,” Tom said smoothly.

 

The Doctor’s smile seemed to grow even larger and he actually puffed out his holographic chest. “You can count on me. I can’t let my adoring fans down.”

 

Janeway tried to control her desire to smirk at Tom’s obvious play to the Doctor’s vanity. “I’ll be dropping by Sandrines for a few games of pool. Tom, it’s your final night to try to take my crown away as Voyager’s top Pool Player. Think you have the moxie to pull it off?”

 

Tom gave the captain a feral smile. “Better powder up that cue, Captain, I’m going to run the table tonight.”

 

Janeway gave him one of her lopsided grins and facetiously said, “Oh? And to do this, what handicap do I have to play with? Blindfolded and one hand tied behind my back?”

 

This caused everyone to laugh and it was with an upbeat air that Voyager’s senior officers left the conference room.

 

x

 

B’Elanna entered her and Seven’s quarters, and saw that the lights were on, which indicated Seven was home. She went into the bedroom, and not finding her be’nal there, went into the bathroom. Seven was in the sonic shower and B’Elanna leaned against the sink, a big smile on her face, as she viewed the warm flesh tones through the opaque shower door. Even though the glass did not allow for a clear view, she could still make out the luscious curves of her be’nal. After a couple of minutes the sonic shower stopped, and Seven emerged from the shower, seeing  B’Elanna, she smiled. “B‘Elanna, have you finished your duties for today?”

 

B’Elanna walked the few steps over to her and wrapping her arms around Seven’s waist, pulled her close while tipping her head up for a kiss. “If you’re referring to my work duties, yes.”

 

Seven lifted the implant over her left eye in question. “What other duties are there?”

 

B’Elanna quickly licked the cleft in Seven’s chin and replied, “My wifely duty.”

 

Seven gave B’Elanna a seemingly innocent look and said in a seemingly innocent voice, “You are going to prepare our dinner?”

 

B’Elanna chuckled and facetiously replied, “Why yes. Is there anything particular you would like tonight?”

 

Seven put her left arm around B’Elanna’s’ shoulder and her right hand behind her head and drew her close, her lips a breath away from B’Elanna’s. “This.” She pressed her lips against B’Elanna’s in a searing kiss and softly  moaned, deepening the kiss, which elicited a growl from her wife. Seven drew back slightly, her breathing quickening. She nipped B’Elanna’s bottom lip,  moved to her neck, and lightly bit the throbbing pulse point, eliciting a deeper growl from her wife.

 

B’Elanna took Seven by her  hand and drew her into the bedroom, stopping by the edge of the bed. Seven reached out to unfasten B’Elanna’s jacket and then drew it off. She next pulled her wife’s gray uniform shirt over her head along with her black undershirt leaving her be’nal’s chest bare. Seven softly stroked the caramel breasts, noticing with satisfaction that the brown nipples had hardened. She ran her hands along the sides of the trim waist before lightly guiding B’Elanna to sit on the edge of the bed.

 

Seven knelt and removed B’Elanna’s boots, and tugging down the pants and undies, dropped them to the deck. Still kneeling, Seven ran her hands up the outside of B’Elanna’s legs then to the silken inner thighs, parting them. She placed gentle kisses on the smooth flesh, nipping softly with her teeth. B’Elanna groaned and shivered as Seven’s silken long hair brushed across her thighs. Seven looked up into her be’nal’s dark eyes, molten with desire, her own, liquid blue and questioning. B’Elanna groaned again and quivered lightly, her voice roughened by desire. “Oh yes, bang’wI. Please.”

 

Seven lowered her face to B’Elanna’s apex, breathing deeply the rich, heady aroma of her be’nal’s arousal. B’Elanna shivered, groaning again as she felt Seven’s warm breath tickle her pubic hair and soft fingers separate the wet folds of her labia. B’Elanna fell all the way back upon the mattress, opening her legs wider, entangling her hand in Seven’s hair and gently urging her to the source of her fire. Seven drew her fingers through the slick, warm wetness and gently massaged the hard knot above her be’nal’s opening. She removed her fingers and touched her tongue along the wet opening and up to the protruding bud. She flicked the bud with her tongue and then forcefully licked along B’Elanna’s crease, tasting the slightly salty and bitter essence of her wife‘s arousal.

 

B’Elanna sucked in her breath as she felt Seven’s lips and tongue caress her center. She groaned and began to move her hips in rhythm to the oral caresses. She lost all rational thought as her bang'wI took her to that place where all that existed was this primal fire, stoked to such heat, that she felt as she were the great cosmic core gone nova, filling the void with stars and light. Time and place had no meaning. She did not know if seconds or centuries passed, until a voice pulled her back into the now. “I have you be’nal.” She felt herself cradled in warm arms, and the soft press of lips on her forehead. She turned into the warmth, pressing her face into the soft breasts, and cried from the sheer joy of loving this woman and having this woman love her in return.

 

Seven continued to stroke her wife’s hair and back while whispering her love into her ear. B’Elanna took a shuddering breath, pushed Seven down on the bed, and gently settled her weight on her be’nal. She kissed her deeply, feeling Seven’s lips move against hers, and tasted her own essence. She parted from the kiss long enough to say, “Now bang'wI, I will return to you the fire you have kindled in me.”

 

x

 

Seven stroked B’Elanna’s bare back as her be’nal nuzzled her ear and purred, “Hmmm, you have worn me completely out. I’m not moving from here until the alarm goes off.”

 

Seven reached her hand down to B’Elanna’s posterior and pinched one of her cheeks.

 

“Ouch! That hurt, ” B’Elanna protested.

 

“That was the purpose.”

 

“What did I do?”

 

“You have failed to perform your...wifely duty.”

 

B‘Elanna blew a puff of air through her mouth in surprise and said, “What…your cortical node must have failed. We’ve been performing our wifely duty for the past two hours.”

 

Seven propped herself up on her elbow and smirked. “That is not your primary wifely duty. Your primary duty is to prepare our dinner.”

 

“You had rather eat than make love?” B’Elanna asked in disbelief.

 

“No. However, I have not eaten since breakfast and making love has depleted my energy. I wish to replete my energy in order to resume making love.”

 

B‘Elanna snickered and replied with growl in her voice, “Hmmm. Well, I guess I will need to replete my energy if that’s your plan.” She lightly smacked Seven on her behind and said, “So, be’nal, you can replicate me a hamburger with all the fixings, and a chocolate shake…oh, and serve it to me in bed.”

 

“That is not my duty. Your duty is to prepare our nutrients and my duty is to wash dishes. We agreed to this when on the desert planet.”

 

B‘Elanna complained, “Gods, Seven, you haven’t replicated anything to eat once. Throwing dishes in the recycler does not count as washing them.”

 

Seven answered, almost indignantly, “That is untrue. I have replicated breakfast fifteen times and dinner eight times since we have been sharing these quarters.” Seven sighed and fluffed her pillow, lay her head down, and turned slightly away from B’Elanna, saying in her Borg monotone. “Very well. We shall forgo nourishment and attempt to sleep. Tomorrow we shall go to the mess hall for breakfast. Perhaps that will be sufficient to regain my strength for our journey to the Alpha Quadrant.”

 

B‘Elanna sighed resignedly. “What will it be?”

 

“A peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich, and a glass of milk.”

 

B’Elanna replied in a nasal voice, “Yes, dear.”

 

After a few minutes, she returned and handed Seven a tray. “Anything else, Your Highness?"

 

“This will suffice… for now.”

 

B’Elanna crawled back in bed beside Seven and leaned back against the headboard. Seven leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, bang‘wI. You are an exceptional mate.”

 

B’Elanna reached over to the tray on Seven’s lap and took her plate. “Just keep remembering that, bang’wI.” She took a bite of her burger, chewed and swallowed. After eating a few more bites, she said, “This is our last night in the Delta Quadrant. Hard to believe we have been here almost seven years. In a way, it seems like a lifetime, but in another way, it seems like yesterday.”

 

Seven took a sip of milk, and looked at B’Elanna for a few long seconds, before asking, “Do you regret your time here in the Delta Quadrant?”

 

B‘Elanna answered right away, “At first I did.” She smiled gently and let her gaze search Seven’s face before saying sincerely and softly, “Now? No. How can I regret what happened when it brought me you? If I have any regrets, it’s that I didn’t get to know you better when we first met. I should have listened to what my heart was telling me, instead of fighting you all that time.” B’Elanna leaned over and kissed Seven’s cheek.

 

Seven smiled, her teeth showing and her eyes bright with little crinkles at the edges. “You did listen to your heart, your Klingon heart. It told you I was your mate and you acted in the Klingon way. It demanded that you challenge me to see if I would be a worthy mate.”

 

“Yeah, you were a challenge all right. I guess being half Klingon it took longer for me to understand what was really going on. I was a real PetaQ to you, and to make matters worse, I hooked up with an even bigger PetaQ. That I truly regret. What a waste of time.”

 

“The past is irrelevant. We are together.”

 

“Forever, bang‘wI. I just wish I could be with you on the Delta Flyer tomorrow.” B’Elanna took Seven’s Borg hand and kissed the fingertips. “I’m all wound up tight about tomorrow. I doubt anyone will get much sleep. I bet Sandrines will be jumping until early in the morning.”

 

“Do you wish to attend Tom’s …bash?”

 

“Not at all. I want you all to myself. I have plans for you, my dear,” she said and wiggled her eyebrows, a salacious grin on her face.

 

Seven smiled at this, and inquired innocently, “Plans? What are the specifications of these…plans?”

 

“Me, you, here in this bed, doing things. Delicious things to each other that we both enjoy. Things you do so very well,” B’Elanna replied in a sultry voice.

 

Seven lifted the implant over her left eye. “Things? Could you be more precise? Perhaps give me a demonstration of these…things?”

 

“I can do better than that. I can give you a lifetime subscription to these things. They come complete with their own special bio-molecular unit, and a lifetime guarantee of providing you with the utmost enjoyable activities and pleasure. The only requirement you have to do for keeping your unit working at peak performance, is to operate it several times a week, as often as you like. In fact, the more times the better.”

 

“Maintaining the unit will not present a problem. I accept your generous offer. Now, I would like to utilize my unit and experience these…enjoyable activities. What is the procedure for activating the unit?”

 

“The unit is activated by using the owner’s distinct genetic code. The only thing you have to do is place your lips against the matching part on the unit, and it’s done.”

 

With that, Seven pressed her lips against B’Elanna’s who deepened the kiss. After a few long minutes of passionate kissing, B’Elanna pulled a hair’s distance away and breathlessly said, “Bio-molecular Unit is activated.”

 

Chapter Three

 

B’Elanna walked with Seven to the Delta Flyer. Harry Kim was already inside at the helm checking the systems for the last time. The two boarded the Flyer and B’Elanna drew her wife’s head down for a kiss. “Have a nice flight bang'wI. I’ll be thinking about you while we’re going through the corridor.”

 

Seven leaned in for another kiss. “I will expect you to greet me with a kiss…our first kiss in the Alpha Quadrant.”

 

B’Elanna smiled and said, “Our first kiss of the millions to follow.” B’Elanna let her gaze linger on Seven’s face for a few moments then added, “Well, I’ll see you in a little bit.” Seven nodded and with an effort, tore her gaze from her be’nal’s, and walked into the Flyer to the helm, taking the seat behind Harry. B’Elanna stood in the opening of the Flyer and said loudly to Harry, “Hey, and Starfleet. You take care of my girl.”

 

Harry turned and shouted back, “Hey, Maquis, she’ll be taking care of me. See you in the Alpha Quadrant.”

 

“Sure thing.” B’Elanna looked at Seven and their gazes met, their eyes bright, and saying what they did not need to voice.

 

“God’s Speed, bang’wI,” B’Elanna mouthed in a whisper.

 

Seven’s enhanced Borg hearing heard, she smiled and also replied in a whisper, “Good Journey, bang’wI.”

 

‘B’Elanna could not hear her but read the movements of her lips, smiled, and walked out of the Flyer, heading toward Engineering.

 

x

 

“Delta Flyer, we are engaging transwarp in 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, mark,” Tuvok said over the comm system.

 

Harry and Seven’s view from the Flyer’s window was of the rippling vortex of blues and violets opening around Voyager. They could not see the front of Voyager as she plunged through the opening eye of the storm, but they did have a good view on their viewscreen of the back portion of the warp bubble at a safe distance closing behind them.

 

Harry fingered the controls and announced, “Voyager is maintaining a steady course, as are we.”

 

“The array is functioning within acceptable parameters. We should emerge in one minute twenty six seconds.”

 

Almost a couple of minutes passed before Harry looked nervously at his controls and readings, and declared, “Damn, Voyager must have picked up some turbulence. She’s starting to bounce a little. Not to worry, We’re still within safe parameters.”

 

Seven announced coolly, “Collapsing corridor field has progressed to within 800 meters of the Delta Flyer. We are now within forty-eight seconds of the targeted point.”

 

Harry was concerned now, his voice strained when he said, “Damn! Come on Tom…keep her steady.” He now said with alarm, “Voyager is careening too much and at too rapid a speed!”

 

Seven’s voice was at a higher pitch, reflecting her concern, “Array has lost contact with transwarp signal. Corridor is collapsing. We have fifteen seconds remaining to reach the designated point. Ten seconds, four seconds--”

 

The Delta Flyer suddenly shook by the forces of the collapsing corridor. When the swirling lights around them cleared, they found themselves in a clear star field.

 

Seven quickly accessed the scanners. “I am not detecting Voyager‘s signature. Nor do I detect any debris.”

 

Harry looked over at Seven, concern on his face and asked anxiously, “You think they made it through?”

 

“Yes. The collapse caught us at three seconds before emergence at the terminus point. My calculations are that the collapse did not catch Voyager and they have emerged in the Alpha Quadrant.”

 

“Any idea where we are?”

 

Seven accessed the various readings and after a few long seconds, announced, “My astrometrics readings show that we are in the Beta Quadrant.”

 

“Where in the Beta Quadrant, or do I want to know?”

 

“We are in Romulan Space.”

 

“Oh boy. I hope that they are going to help like they said they would. I hope they are still on good terms with the Federation. After all, we were allies in the Dominion War.”

 

“That may be correct. However, given the history of the Romulan Empire, both past and present, good terms do not necessarily mean cooperation. We shall plot the quickest route to Federation Space.”

 

“Should we send out a distress call?”

 

“Send out a distress call on all channels. If the Romulans intercept it, they will search for a Federation vessel with a Federation ship design and power signatures. Our vessel utilizes components that are Borg, and a few from other Delta Quadrant species. I can disguise our weapons array. This may enable us to escape detection or be perceived as none threatening until we can determine if there is a threat.”

 

“That’s a good idea, Seven…er, Lieutenant.” Harry hadn‘t had time to adjust to Seven’s new rank.

 

Seven ignored his breach of protocol and said, “It is not my idea. I assimilated this particular tactical idea from Species 1091.”

 

“What species is that?”

 

“Romulan.”

 

x

 

Captain Janeway held tight to the arm of her Command Chair. She felt as if her teeth would rattle right out her mouth and her eyeballs would fall out onto the deck. She watched as Tom fought to keep Voyager within the transwarp Corridor. Come on, Tom, just a few seconds. Suddenly the shaking stopped and the viewscreen showed that Voyager was in clear space.

 

Before she could call for a damage report, Tuvok reported, “Captain, we are being hailed by Federation Vessel, Embolden.”

 

Janeway looked at Chakotay, her second in command, and said, “My, that was quick. Chakotay, check the status reports.” She quickly faced the view screen and drew herself up to attention. “On screen.”

 

The placid features of a Vulcan Starfleet captain greeted her. Her voice was evenly modulated, “Welcome home, Captain Janeway. I am Captain Dasal of the U.S.S Embolden.”

 

Janeway smiled, “Captain Dasal. I take it that we are in the Alpha Quadrant?”

 

“Actually, Captain Janeway, you are in the Federation portion of the Beta Quadrant.”

 

“Ahhh. Federation Space at least. Are there any other ships in the vicinity?”

 

“We are to maintain station keeping until Federation vessels, Liberty, Vladimir, and Exeter, arrive in the next hour. Admiral North is aboard the Exeter. In the meantime, Captain, is there any assistance that you may require?”

 

“Thank you, Captain Dasal. I have not had time to go over any damage reports. I will contact you shortly.”

 

“Understood, Captain. Dasal, out.”

 

Janeway went back to her Command Chair with a beaming smile on her face. “Well, it looks like we made it.”

 

Tom turned in his seat with a stricken expression. “Captain. The Delta Flyer is nowhere in the vicinity.”

 

Janeway sprang to her feet and looked at Tuvok who said, “I have scanned the surrounding area and have not detected the Delta Flyer's signature, nor have we received a distress call.”

 

Janeway set her features into a firm mask, only her eyes showing a stricken look. “Do another search, go through any information we gathered on our way through the corridor. They can’t be far away if we were able to make it through the corridor. I’ll contact Captain Dasal from my ready room.”

 

x

 

B’Elanna sat on the edge of her chair and looked around the Exeter’s conference room table. To her right was Captain Janeway, and to her left was Tuvok. At the end was seated Admiral North and across the table were Captain Carlos Leon, and his Second in Command, Commander Fariso.

 

Admiral North had their attention as he spoke, “We have to do this by the book. Romulan Admiral Telir is to rendezvous with us in two hours. What I’m going to tell you next is not general knowledge outside of Starfleet Command, and I expect it to stay here. Our operatives in Romulan space have been sending reports to us for the last six months, and it appears that there was an attempted coup by the Tal Shiar, and certain members of the Senate, to take over Romulus. It was unsuccessful. However, the Tal Shiar, under the command of General Sela, has its own base of operations and a fleet. For years now, they have been stock piling supplies and building defenses on various planets in the sector that you indicate as a possible location of the Delta Flyer. They have also supplied various other factions of non-Romulan species that wish independence from the Empire, with weapons and ships. Including the enslaved inhabitants of Romulus’ sister planet, Remus. The Empire has stretched its fleet and forces thin in trying to squash out the various rebellions. The Tal Shiar has enough ships, weapons, and resources to prevent the Empire intruding on what they consider their domain.”

 

B’Elanna could no longer contain her fear and anger and rose from her seat, facing Admiral North with a belligerent stare. “So, what you’re basically telling us is that we cannot expect any help from the Romulans, nor from Starfleet. Is that what you’re saying? You’re going to sit back and do nothing?”

 

Janeway put her hand on B’Elanna’s arm and calmly said, “B’Elanna, let’s see what options we have.”

 

B’Elanna glared at Admiral North, who glared back. She took her seat, her face flushed and teeth clinched.

 

Admiral North looked at B’Elanna with sympathy. “We are not going to abandon them. We are going to do everything we can to get them back quickly and safely. We will have to work with the Romulans for this to succeed. I’m asking, no, ordering you, Commander Torres, to hold your tongue unless we consult you. You could jeopardize everything. Is that understood?”

 

B’Elanna looked down at the table top, then back up. Her eyes held a hardness that glittered like jet. “Understood… Admiral.”

 

Janeway reached behind B’Elanna and patted her back in affection and support. To come this far and then to have this happen.

 

x

 

Admiral Telir looked directly into the eyes of Admiral North. “I am aware that the Federation has knowledge of the problems that our Empire faces. You have your spies and agents, perhaps in the Senate itself, and we have our…sources in the Federation.”

 

Janeway studied the Romulan Admiral closely. She was an older woman, in Human years, perhaps in her 60’s, but it was hard to tell with Romulans. She could well be over 100 years old.

 

She let her gaze settle on Telir‘s aide, Adjunct Vlara. She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties. She appeared more Vulcan than Romulan due to her smooth forehead. Then again, her features and fair coloring were more like the Vulcan/human hybrids one occasionally saw. Her hair was a rich seal brown, curling softly around her face and almost to her shoulders, and not in the ugly, severe military cut that was now popular among Romulans. Her face was a soft oval, unlike the angular features of most Vulcans and Romulans, and her eyes were large and expressive. Janeway had not managed to get close enough to note the color clearly, but from where she sat, they appeared hazel. Her nose was not too small or large. It was slightly pug in an attractive way. Her mouth was small and well shaped. She was not what one would call beautiful, or even pretty, but she was attractive in a race that Janeway had never found physically appealing. Romulans always looked too stern and foreboding to her: The women harsh and angular , especially with the current fashion of dark lip coloring and unbecoming haircuts. Janeway knew she shouldn’t judge other species by her more Earth centric standards of beauty, but still, one couldn’t help certain cultural biases. The young woman quickly turned her gaze to Janeway, causing her to blush at being caught staring, and turning her attention back to Admiral Telir.

 

Admiral Telir said, “Your crewmen are indeed in the section of space that you have pinpointed. One of our ships, close to that sector, received their distress signal and relayed the information to me. I will be honest, if it has not happened already, the renegade Tal Shiar will soon apprehend them. They will quickly investigate the source of the communications, as well as any unusual singularities appearing in the sector controlled by them. The most we can do is to have our operatives pass on any information they receive. If there is a chance to get them out, our operatives will take it. The chances are very slim that you will see your people again, unless the Tal Shiar were to use them in trade for something they want from you or us. You can rest assured that the trade would be to their favor and would not be accepted by us or your Federation.”

 

B’Elanna quickly stood, flinging back her chair, and tersely declared, “No! God damn it, no! I’ll not accept that. You can let me take a small shielded shuttle into the area. I’ll find them!”

 

Admiral North barked, “Commander, you’re out of line.”

 

B’Elanna ripped off her officer’s bar, slammed it down on the table, and shoved it towards the Admiral. “I don’t answer to Starfleet anymore. I’ll get them back without Starfleet’s help.”

 

Janeway looked beseechingly at the distraught woman and calmly said, “B’Elanna, please, take your seat--”

 

“No!” B‘Elanna turned blazing eyes on Janeway and in a barely controlled voice stated, “Thank you, Captain. It has been an interesting ride. But this is my stop. We are not far from Klingon Space, and I request passage there…Please. Contact the nearest Klingon ship and tell them a citizen of the Empire, and Maquis Freedom Fighter, requests passage home.” With that, she turned and left.

 

Admiral Telir questioned, “Maquis? The ones in our space are  Maquis?”

 

Janeway looked at Admiral Telir and said, “No. One of the two is her wife and the other a good friend.”

 

The Romulan Admiral raised her eyebrows, a thoughtful look on her face. “Ahhh. The Universe sometimes exacts a bitter payment for every sweet success.”

 

Janeway sighed. “She won’t give up on finding them, and neither will I.”

 

Admiral Telir nodded her head. “I will assist as much as I am able.” She looked toward the Starfleet admiral. “Admiral North, I need as much information as you are willing to share on the two lost individuals, and their ship. With your permission,” she looked at Janeway, “and if Captain Janeway is agreeable, I would like to meet with her and Commander Torres, face-to-face. Perhaps we can come up with a viable plan of action.”

 

Janeway held her breath and looked at Admiral North.

 

He smiled and said, “Agreed.”

 

x

 

B’Elanna left the transporter pad and rushed out from the room, leaving the ensign operating the controls feeling some dismay at the look of rage on her face. There was no one in the corridor or in the turbo lift when she exited the lift, and hurried to her quarters, sealing the door behind her. She went into the bedroom and looked around, her sight settling on Seven’s bathrobe draped over the back of the lounger. She picked it up and brought it up to her face, breathing in deeply the scent of her wife. A primal scream of rage and anguish issued from deep in her chest, and catching her breath, she screamed again. Still holding Seven’s robe, she threw herself face down on the bed, and screamed until her voice was hoarse. She turned over on her back, staring up at the ceiling, wondering what she could do, and how she could awaken from this nightmare.

 

Her comm badge beeped but she did not acknowledge it. Tears welled up and leaked down her cheeks, neck, and down into her hair.

 

She didn’t know how long she lay there until she pushed herself off the bed and went to the replicator. “Computer, double rum straight up.” The small glass of spirits materialized and she quickly grabbed it, drinking the contents down in one swallow, and then she threw the glass across the room where it shattered against the view window. “Computer, double rum straight up.” Another drink materialized and she again downed the contents, repeating her action of smashing the glass against the window. “Computer, one bottle of light rum.”

 

You have insufficient credits to purchase this item.

 

“Damn. Computer, double rum, straight up.” a glass of the clear liquid materialized, and she once again drank down the contents in one swallow, and threw the glass against the window, feeling some amount of satisfaction as the glass splintered.

 

She was just about to see if she had enough credits to get another drink when she heard the chime at the door. “GO AWAY!” The chime sounded again and she sat on the couch, ignoring it. The chime kept pealing, making B’Elanna angry, and she screamed, “God damn! I said GO AWAY!”

 

There was silence and then the door opened, and Captain Janeway walked into the darkened quarters, stopping and looking around, her eyes not yet adjusted to the darkness. “B’Elanna?”

 

She was startled when she heard a hoarse voice from the dark growl out menacingly, “Get the god damn hell out of here!”

 

Janeway swung her head toward the voice and saw B’Elanna outlined by the faint glow of the running lights on Voyager. She walked over to the couch. “May I sit down?”

 

B’Elanna sprang up and stood close enough for Janeway to see the dim light reflecting from the black pools of her eyes. B’Elanna’s voice was dangerously low. “Get. Out.”

 

Janeway did not budge. She could smell the alcohol on B’Elanna’s breath. She reached out her hand only to have it slapped away, and she said sincerely, “B’Elanna, I haven’t given up. I came here to go over some ideas with you on retrieving Seven and Harry. I’ll not let this go. If I have to, I will resign my commission and find some way to search for them.”

 

B’Elanna stopped breathing for a moment, and then asked in a surprised voice, “You’d do that?”

 

“In a heartbeat. Seven is like a daughter to me, you as well. Harry has been loyal and I’ve grown quite fond of him. And you know, I never leave my people behind. Let‘s sit down and see what resources we have to work with.”

 

B’Elanna hesitated for a second, searching Janeway’s face, before sitting down on the end of the couch. She placed the heels of her palms against her eyes trying to stymie the flow of tears. Janeway sat beside her and pulled her into a hug. B’Elanna hugged her back and placing her head on her captain’s shoulder, cried. Janeway let her cry, rubbing her back in comforting circles.

 

Finally, B’Elanna sat up and rubbed the tears from her eyes. Janeway got up and went to the bathroom and replicated a washcloth, dampened it with cold water, returned to the couch and handed it to B’Elanna, who wiped her face.

 

“Captain, what can we do?” B’Elanna asked beseechingly.

 

“What we’ve always done. Bend a lot of rules, break a few, and make up our own. We may have an ally with Admiral Telir. She has invited us to dine with her on board her ship, and give her information on Seven and Harry that would assist her in searching for them.”

 

“Do you trust her? I mean, the Federation is on friendly terms right now with Romulus, but these are Romulans."

 

“Yes. I think she is sincere in wanting to help. I’m not so naive that I believe she won’t gain something out of this. My greatest fear is that she wants the information on the transwarp coil. Or, it may be as simple as wanting to establish better relations with the Federation. The Empire could use some allies right now. Let’s float some ideas around. And, If you don’t mind, I would like to call Tom in on this. He has expressed a desire to help.”

 

B’Elanna looked like she was about to object and Janeway put her hand up to forestall her as she added, “I know he can be immature and a pain. But, he also has an active imagination and may come up with something. Besides, Harry is his best friend and he wants to help.”

 

“You’re right. Knowing Tom, he probably already has an idea. I just hope it doesn’t involve ray guns and rocket packs.”

 

x

 

Vlara went to her desk in her quarters and pressed her fingertips onto a three by four inch recessed green lighted area on the  polished black top. A drawer slid open and she removed a flat green leather folder. She sat in her chair, and placing the folder on the table, flipped it open. There was a picture of her and her father taken on the day of  her acceptance as a Senatorial Page at the Imperial Senate Training School. Her father was a handsome man, as far as humans went. He was fair-haired and blue eyed, a color combination very rare on Ch’Rihan and very much sought after in concubines and slaves.

 

She had loved him very much, even though his station in life was that of a slave. Her mother loved him also, in her own way. Her mother chose him as part of her share of a war prize after the Romulan victory at Narendra III.

 

Starfleet prisoners were often executed after information was obtained from them. Save for those that caught the eye of some senator, military official, or upper caste citizen. Starfleet prisoners made poor slaves in that they felt it was part of their duty to escape captivity. Her father’s name was Richard Vincent and he had served as a Lieutenant in the science department on board the Federation Starship Enterprise. His capture followed the destruction of his ship at Narendra III. He resided on her mother’s ancestral estate on Campus Prime, which was located on a small habitable moon of the gas giant Dothus, in the Corunian system. There was no way he could escape; the only ships permitted on the moon were supply ships and certain military ships. That did not keep him from trying. Once he hid away in the grain bay on the monthly supply ship that delivered supplies to their home. He was quickly apprehended after the broadcast, on subspace frequencies, of his missing status. His punishment had been confinement to his room for a time, and when allowed to wander the estate, loyal servants of her mother watched him around the clock.

 

Her mother never physically or mentally abused him. She was a patient woman and treated him kindly. She knew he was trained as a biologist and had a love for nature, so she would take him for walks among the estate’s forest and fields. Much of the moon’s fauna and flora remained unstudied and unrecorded. Her mother offered him the task of doing this and he readily accepted. She even told him to name the plants. He would share with her mother, his findings and they would discuss the various aspects and characteristics of the different species. Not long after that, a friendship grew between them, which led to love, as much as was possible between two persons of unequal social class.

 

For political reasons her mother had never married any of the available Rihannsu in her class. She made him an official concubine. He could never be a citizen, but was accorded certain respect due to the position of her Mother. She was born two years after his capture, and was the couple’s only child.

 

She was a full citizen, due to her mother’s status and social class. Her mother was often gone on missions, leaving her father as her primary caretaker. He seemed satisfied with his life on Campus Prime and she never learned of his past until after her graduation from the Imperial Senate Training School.

 

He told her of his background as a Starfleet officer, and most shocking of all, revealed that he had a wife and three children in the Alpha Quadrant. His children had been thirteen, ten and six years of age when he left for a six-month tour. They would now be adults. His wife had most assuredly thought him dead and had probably remarried. His one wish was to tell them that he had not died and that he loved them. He assured her that he loved her. He made her promise that one day she would get word to them, and if he still lived, tell him what she had learned of them. She had promised him that she would carry out his wishes.

 

That had been nine years ago. He died four years ago from the sting of a harvester bee while studying plant life along a nearby creek bed. The bee sting was painful but not fatal to most mammals. It appeared he was allergic to the sting and his death occurred within a matter of minutes.

 

At the time of his death, she was serving as a civilian adjunct to her mother. Their ship was near the Neutral Zone when word reached them. She was shaken and saddened. It was a solemn homecoming for her and her mother.

 

They interred his body in the family mortuary vaults. There was the customary feast in his honor, attended by all the servants and military staff alike. As is the Romulan custom, his family and friends recalled various anecdotes concerning his life with them, with both laughter and tears.

 

He had left a letter for her, and one for her mother, with instructions to open them in the event of his death. Her mother did not share the contents of the letter to her but did share with her his last request. That she, his daughter, one day visit the Federation and carry private letters that he had written to his children and wife. She knew this of course, as her letter contained the same request he had made to her personally.

 

The recent events with the lost Federation craft and crewmembers might open up a way for her to go to the Federation planet of Earth. It was her mother’s desire that she journey in person to carry out this last request. It was a matter of honor to carry out the last wishes of a loved one.

 

All she needed was for the Federation to allow the visit. It would help facilitate matters smoothly if she cultivated a friendship with a member of Starfleet.

 

Captain Kathryn Janeway was an honorable person according to the data and research they had on her. It would not hurt matters that the Federation also viewed Captain Janeway as a hero. If her mother could help Janeway recover her lost crewmembers, then perhaps Janeway could help her. If this action resulted in better relations between the Federation and The Empire, it would give her mother a power point to use in her future position as a member of the Senate, perhaps even as Proconsul someday. After all, it was not only who you were that mattered, but also who your friends were.

 

x

 

Captain Kathryn Janeway looked with appreciation at her reflection in her bathroom mirror. She admired the fit of her new formal Starfleet uniform, how the white dress jacket brought out the red in her hair and flattered her figure. She always hated the old former dress uniform: A red sack that made her look short and dumpy. One last sweep of the brush through her hair and she was ready. She was looking forward to dining with Admiral Telir. She hoped B’Elanna would be on her best behavior, after all, the old earth saying that you got more bees with honey was tried and true.

 

She met B’Elanna in transporter room one and immediately noticed that she was also wearing the new version of the Starfleet dress uniform. Her white jacket had a yellow shirt and gold trim. Janeway noticed with pleasure that B’Elanna still had her provisional rank bars, indicating that she had not carried out her threat to resign…yet. She also noticed her engineer's drawn face and tired eyes. “The new dress uniform looks nice on you B’Elanna.”

 

B’Elanna smiled faintly and looked Janeway over. “As does yours, Captain. The person who designed these needs to be awarded a medal.”

 

Janeway saw that the smile never reached B’Elanna’s eyes. “Well, then. Let’s see what plans our guest has.” She turned her attention to the ensign at the transporter controls. “Ensign, two to beam over at set coordinates.”

 

“Aye, captain. Permission has been granted.”

 

Both women materialized on a transporter pad and were met by Vlara who gave them the typical Romulan military salute consisting of clinched fist and arm, quickly drawn to the chest. “Captain Janeway, Commander Torres, welcome aboard. If you will please accompany me.” Vlara’s voice was surprisingly warm and the sound possessed a deliciously rich throatiness that made the hair on the back of Janeway’s neck prickle in a pleasant way. The young woman had not spoken at their first meeting.

 

After a short walk down a wide corridor, Vlara stopped at a wide door, which parted to allow them to enter into a large living room. This was obviously the Admiral’s personal suite. Their host greeted them cordially. “Captain Janeway and Commander Torres. Welcome. Please, this way.” She led them to another room that contained a set table with a number of food items already in place. “Please, Captain, sit here.” She indicated a seat at the end of the table. “Please, Commander Torres, here. She indicated a seat to the Captain's right.

 

Vlara took the seat across from B’Elanna. Admiral Telir sat at the other end of the table, and after a few seconds, two servers entered with carafes of various liquors, stood at the elbow of the Starfleet officers, and taking their glasses, poured in a small amount of blue liquid. Captain Janeway recognized it as the rare and prohibited Romulan Brandy: That is, prohibited in the Federation.

 

Admiral Telir stood and lifted her glass. “I believe it is an Earth custom to toast success with a drink of spirits, Captain Janeway?” Janeway nodded and Admiral Telir continued, “To your return home, Captain, and the safe return of your crewmen.” Captain Janeway nodded and took a sip of the spirit, finding that it went down easily and left a slight licorice aftertaste. One of the waiters immediately refreshed her glass. Admiral Telir was still standing and looked toward B’Elanna. “To the safe return of your loved one, and friend, Commander.” B'Elanna nodded and threw back her head and swallowed the sapphire liquid in one gulp.

 

Admiral Telir was an excellent host. The food was delicious, and the conversation touched on everything from the recent Dominion War, to some of Voyager’s adventures in the Delta Quadrant. Janeway was surprised at the seemingly candid discussions on the brooding Civil War with the Remans and the mutiny of the Tal Shiar.

 

The Admiral was an astute listener and seemed to enjoy Janeway's anecdotes of their adventures in the Delta quadrant.

 

Janeway glanced often at B’Elanna and noticed that she seemed to have relaxed. Whether this was due to the amount of Romulan Brandy she consumed, or their host’s interesting portrayal of events while Voyager was missing, from the Romulan point of view of course, she did not know. Perhaps it was a combination of both. Janeway also glanced on many occasion at Adjunct Vlara. For the most part, the young woman seemed to be engrossed in the conversations, only speaking when confirming a specific event that Admiral Telir was relaying. Several times, she would catch the young woman looking at her, only to lower her eyes or look elsewhere. However, the last few times she caught the young woman staring at her she was amused to notice a smile and the cutest dimples that she had ever seen. Janeway returned her smile. She is very lovely when she smiles. She had a feeling that there was something more than an officer and commander relationship between the two women. Perhaps, they were lovers. Before she could ponder more on their connection, her host made a surprising announcement.

 

“Captain Janeway, Commander Torres. I wish to help you retrieve your two crewmembers. With your permission, Captain, I wish for Commander Torres to stay aboard my ship and work directly with me to achieve this goal.”

 

Before Janeway could answer, Admiral Telir looked at B’Elanna. “Commander Torres. What I am formulating could very well cost you your life, but it is the only solution I have at the moment.”

 

B’Elanna’s eyes glowed and her color heightened. “Admiral. Trust me. I would give my very life to have my be’nal safe. My only question is, when do we start?”

 

Janeway interceded, “I would have to hear your plans before I could approve them. It may be out of my hands anyway, Starfleet would have to be informed and give their permission.”

 

B’Elanna immediately reached for her provisional rank bar, and taking it off, laid it on the table. “I resign my commission, Captain.” She looked at the Admiral. “Admiral Telir, when do we start?”

 

Admiral Telir looked at Captain Janeway, her face neutral. “Captain. I would like for you and Starfleet to approve this mission. I believe it could open up promising possibilities of friendship between our governments.”

 

Janeway nodded. “I agree and I will do what I can to facilitate things.”

 

Admiral Telir smiled and said, “I have a personal favor to ask of you, one which I think in your role as a Starfleet officer you may be able to perform.”

 

Here it comes, thought Janeway. Her eyes did not blink as she stared directly into the Admiral’s eyes. “That favor would be?”

 

Admiral Telir looked across the table at Adjunct Vlara. “Take my daughter back with you to the Alpha Quadrant to visit with her family there.”

 

Janeways eyes widened and she turned to gaze at Vlara. Vlara returned the look with a smile and said, “Yes, Captain, my father’s family. He is dead, but it was his wish that I carry messages to his family…my family. On my honor, as his daughter, I promised him I would do so.”

 

Janeway saw the sincerity in the young woman’s eyes. “I …see.” She looked at B’Elanna and saw the pleading look in her eyes. She directed her attention to Admiral Telir, giving one of her trademark lopsided smiles, and said, “I’m sure we can work something out.”

 

Admiral Telir nodded and motioned to her staff to fill the glasses with more sapphire liquid. “On my honor, Captain Janeway, I will do what I can do bring your crew back to you safely.” She stood, lifted her glass and looking at B’Elanna, and then at Janeway, said, “Let us toast new friends, old friends, and loved ones far away. May the universe smile on them and grant them success, happiness, and good fortune.”

 

The other three women stood and lifted their glasses and swallowed the contents to honor the toast.

 

Chapter Four

 

 

 

Seven of Nine checked the various indicators on the Delta Flyer's monitors, while Harry slept in the Flyer's aft area. So far, the only sensor readings had been those of a few cargo ships at a far enough distance away to avoid any contact. She had fine-tuned the various sensors to detect any tachyon particles in the vicinity that would indicate the presence of a cloaked ship. Realistically, she knew that the Romulans were already aware of their presence in Romulan space, and that a search for them was already in effect.

 

She knew that their identity as a Starfleet vessel remained unknown, due to the various Borg and Delta Quadrant components in the weapons signatures, arrays and shielding. Any ship close enough to scan them would undoubtedly be concerned more with the Borg signatures, as that would pose the greater threat to the Romulan Empire.

 

Seven wanted to evade capture for as long as possible. This would give them time to get that much closer to their destination, and in the event of their capture, send out a burst of communications as to their last location, which would have a better possibility of reaching the Federation.

 

True, the latest information had the Romulans as allies during the Dominion war, but it could be as Janeway had once told her, “Even your worst enemy can ally with you in the face of a bigger threat. I did that with the Borg to fight species 8472, and they did not keep up their end of the bargain.” Now that the war for the most part was over, the old status quo could be in effect.

 

She and Harry were in agreement to avoid capture as long as possible while maintaining their present course. She estimated reaching their destination in approximately three months at their present speed and course. They had plotted the course back to the Alpha Quadrant using the coordinates from where they had emerged, and where the expected exit point of Voyager would have been. The accuracy of this method was in doubt due to the nature of wormholes themselves, but it was the best method they had going for them.

 

By following the supposed path, they could also scan for Voyager if she had emerged from the wormhole before reaching the plotted emergence point. Seven had a gut feeling, as B’Elanna would say, that Voyager had made it safely to the Alpha Quadrant and that B’Elanna was now engaged in searching for her. B’Elanna was intelligent enough to use Voyager’s recorded data of the trip through the wormhole to get an accurate estimate as to The Delta Flyer's emergence point.

 

The Flyer’s cabin lights were off and the only lights that lent any luminescence to the interior darkness were from the few instruments and the star field outside the cockpit. Her eyes gazed at the stars that appeared as pinpoints of light that elongated on either side of her vision as they passed. Those straight ahead were a constant beacon toward the Alpha Quadrant and to her heart and home, her be’nal, B’Elanna.

 

There was not a waking hour that did not go by that she did not think about B’Elanna, and her smile, her voice, her scent, and her taste. B’Elanna was the last thought she had when claimed by sleep and the first when waking. Her B’Elanna was in her dreams, holding her and telling her that she loved her. She would cry silently into her thin bunk pillow when she realized her be’nal was far away.

 

She heard Harry stirring behind her and smelled the aroma of tea. “Hey Seven, can I get you anything…tea or something to eat?”

 

She turned and acknowledged him. “A cup of hot chicken noodle soup, please, and a glass of milk.” She had informed him to call her Seven, and not lieutenant , when it was just the two of them. She had yet to become accustomed to her new designation…Lieutenant Annika Hansen.

 

She noticed that Harry wore his slate gray shirt and his black pants. They both looked fresh and she assumed that he had run them through the sonic shower to remove any grime or odor.

 

They had a small replicator on the Flyer, but it did not have the capacity to replicate complete uniforms, and its main function was to replicate food items. There was also a thirty-day supply of Starfleet rations in self-heating packets and containers. Plus a thirty-day supply of emergency ration bars. She hoped the replicator would continue to operate so that they would not need to resort to ration bars.

 

Seven, at one time, would have deemed the flavor irrelevant, but after almost four months of eating a varied menu of foods provided by her be’nal, the thought of ration bars was along the same line as the nutritional milk shakes she had consumed in the past: Unacceptable.

 

She found out that she had a particular fondness for chicken, as it had a very similar flavor to the iguanas that B’Elanna had prepared for their meals when they were stranded on a desert planet together, some months back.

 

Harry handed her the tray with the hot cup of soup and glass of cold milk, then took the seat at the console behind Seven, who occupied the pilot’s seat. “Anything of importance out there”?

 

“Negative. There does appear to be an increase in freighter traffic and Ion trails. It appears to originate and terminate in a star system five light years away, which has an M class planet.”

 

Kim accessed his panel. “Yeah, looks like the system is in our path. Maybe we should detour around it.”

 

“Negative. I have formulated a plan that may assist us in passing through this area of space undetected.”

 

Harry quickly looked in Seven’s direction. “Okay. I’m for anything that will get us back to the Alpha Quadrant faster.”

 

Seven input data into her console. “We shall use the ion trails left by freighters to mask our own trail.”

 

“Yeah, Seven, but in order to do that, we would have to get in a vessel's wake. How would we avoid detection?”

 

“We shall use long range sensors to detect a vessel headed in our direction. We will drop out of warp and shut down all systems, save for life support. When the ship passes, we will maneuver at the speed of the ship and enter the ion trail, then maintain the same warp speed as the vessel.”

 

“That could work. But if the freighter enters the system and heads to, say a space station, then what?”

 

“If that occurs, we will drop out of warp and travel at impulse speed to another point in the system and repeat the procedure with a ship heading in our designated direction.”

 

“I guess that could work. Don’t tell me this is another trick the Borg assimilated from the Romulans.”

 

“It is not. It is a …trick…I learned from B’Elanna. The Maquis used it often to evade their enemies.”

 

“A Marquis trick eh? What other kinds of tricks has B’Elanna been teaching you?”

 

Seven turned in her chair and gave Harry a level look, her implant lifting to her hairline.

 

Harry, realizing how that sounded, turned red and sputtered, “Ah...I didn’t mean it like that, Seven, I, ah, honest, I swear... I just wondered what other Maquis tricks she ah…honest…”

 

Seven turned back to her console and smirked. B’Elanna is correct. Harry is such an easy mark.

 

x

 

Dr. Damar stood back from the biobed with a smile on his taunt features, and looking B’Elanna’s face over, said, “All done. I must say, the results are better than I expected. You make a very good looking Romulan, Commander.”

 

Tom Paris gave B’Elanna a leering wink, and said, “Hey, you make a very cute Romulan. Not that you weren’t cute to begin with.”

 

B’Elanna brought her right hand up to her forehand, feeling the absence of her Klingon ridges, and the wide spaced v-shaped ridge in their place. “Give me a mirror.” Dr. Damar turned to one of his assistants and nodded his head.

 

B’Elanna turned on Paris and snarled, “You’re next flyboy. I can’t wait to see how your little cosmetic surgery will turn out.” An assistant handed B’Elanna a mirror, and she quickly brought it up to her face, her eyes growing wide. “OH MY GODS!” she brought her left hand up and touched the points on her ears and the heavy ridges over her eyebrows. “I’m not ME anymore.”

 

A voice answered from the doorway, “No you’re not. You are D‘len and Lieutenant Paris is your brother, Tomos. You are both traders in fine wines and spirits from the Romulan Empire, and even rarer spirits from as far away as the Federation itself.” Admiral Telir stopped in front of B’Elanna, inspecting her closely, a half smile on her face. “Very good, Dr. Damar. You are not only a superb doctor, but an artist as well.”

 

Dr. Damar smiled smugly. “Thank you, Admiral.” He turned his attention to Tom. “If you will sit on the table, Lieutenant Paris, I will apply my artistic skills on you.”

 

Tom asked shakily. “You did say the procedure is reversible didn’t you Doc, I mean Doctor Damar?”

 

Dr. Damar smirked, His dark brown eyes crinkling at the corners. “Of course, but I assure you I will do such fine work on you that you may never want to go back to looking…Human.”

 

Tom smiled weakly and got up on the table vacated by B‘Elanna.

 

B‘Elanna smirked and turned to Admiral Telir. “So, we are wine merchants? I gotta tell you, the only thing I know about spirits is drinking them.”

 

Admiral Telir replied, “Not to worry, we have eight days to reach your embarkation point. That is eight days for you to learn enough about wine and spirits to convince all but a true connoisseur that you are knowledgeable in the product. Just avoid an in-depth conversation with a connoisseur. Or have Lieutenant Paris dazzle them with his…wit, and his ability to flatter.”

 

“Hey….” Tom said. Only to be stilled by Dr. Damar.

 

“Please, be still, I almost sliced your right ear off.”

 

B’Elanna smirked. “I see Paris’ reputation as a smooth talker has preceded him.”

 

Admiral Telir nodded. “Of course, Commander. I know all there is to know about both you and Lieutenant Paris. We have obtained a considerable amount of information in the short time we had. I know a lot about your personalities and your likes and dislikes. I know most of your history and even your psychological makeup.

 

B’Elanna frowned. “I don’t even want to know how you came by any of that.”

 

Admiral Telir laughed. “And you shan’t. Even the Klingons and Cardassians have their ways of finding out about anybody in our respective military and government, as we do theirs. Just as the Federation probably has the same on every Romulan who serves in the military and senate.”

 

B’Elanna lowered her voice. “You think you could show me what you have on Captain Janeway?”

 

Admiral Telir drew her head back and gasped in mock surprise. “That, Commander, is classified information and only one with General or Admiral Rank is privileged to review. And only if it pertains to a mission.” She smirked. “You are known as Voyager’s unofficial source of gathering and disseminating…information. Perhaps you could fill in the blanks that are missing on your Captain. Hmmm?”

 

B’Elanna blushed and sputtered. Before she could come up with a suitable answer, Dr. Damar proclaimed, “Another masterpiece.”

 

B’Elanna took one look at Paris and said, “Wow, your own mother wouldn’t even know you.” She turned to Doctor Damar and discreetly winked. “But, Doctor, it looks like you made his ears too large and they are lopsided.”

 

Apparently, Dr. Damar understood the meaning of a wink. “Oh, yes. Hmmm, well, I don’t have time to rectify the error. I’m afraid he’s stuck with them.”

 

Tom quickly grabbed the mirror off the end of the bed and stared hard into it, then displayed an amazed but pleased look on his face. He grinned and touched the points on his ears and the v-shaped ridges above his now slanted eyebrows. “Ha. What are you talking about, why I’m still a handsome devil. Bet I have the Romulan girls lining up for a night out with me. You did a damn fine job, Doc. Of course, you had something to work with.”

 

B’Elanna snorted and rolled her eyes.

 

Dr. Damar slowly looked Paris up and down, pursed his lips, and said, “Why don’t you drop by my place for dinner and some… conversation…later tonight, say 1900, and tell me how much you admire my work. You know, we still have to darken your hair and change your eye coloring. And we can easily do that in the comfort of my quarters.”

 

Tom Paris was suddenly at a loss for words and his eyes darted around, not focusing on the Doctor’s face. “Well. Hee, hee, Ah…

 

It was all B’Elanna could do to keep from bursting out with a belly laugh at the sight of Tom’s face turning red and his obvious loss for words. ‘Wait until I tell Seven this one.’ Her laughter died in her throat as she immediately realized that her be’nal was far from her. She felt her jaw ache and her throat tighten from the anguish of her loss. She battled to squash the negative emotions assailing her. Closing her eyes tightly she wrestled down the feeling of despair. You are alive my be’nal for I still breathe and my heart still beats. I’ll find you. I promise.

 

x

 

Janeway gazed at the dimpled, smiling face across from her. Damn, she is cute, downright lovely when she smiles. She absently rubbed her tingling left hand on her pants legs. For the last five days, ever since coming aboard Voyager, Vlara had been her dinner guest. The young woman was witty and had a way of describing things that Janeway found most interesting and refreshing. Janeway loved the sound of Vlara’s voice and how it could sometimes cause delicious goose bumps to skitter along the back of her neck. The young woman was an attentive listener, often asking Janeway to elaborate on points she was making, and on Voyager’s adventures in the Delta Quadrant.

 

Voyager was now eight days out from McKinley Station and home. There were reports that she still had to complete for Starfleet, and conferences over communications with the brass.

 

Admiral North often beamed over to Janeway’s ready room to discuss different issues, and to catch her up on almost seven years of Federation history, as well as changes in Starfleet policy. She had had several lunches with Admiral North, Captain Leon, and his first officer, along with Chakotay and Tuvok. However, she preferred to spend her nights in the company of the young human-Romulan hybrid across from her. Vlara was not at all taciturn, as she believed most Romulans to be. She did not have that saturnine olive look of most Romulans, or even Vulcans. Her coloring was more Northern European, except for the softly waving fine dark sable brown hair, which she wore shoulder length. Janeway surmised that her blood was more in the red spectrum than in the green of both Vulcans and Romulans, as evidenced by the few occasions she blushed. Her eyes were light brown with green flecks and Janeway noticed that when excited the green was more prominent. Janeway had also noticed that she was close to her height, solidly built, with curves, and not lanky and wiry like most Romulans.

 

Janeway had learned that the young woman‘s role in the Romulan military was not that of an officer at all, but as a liaison between the Romulan senate and Admiralty. She had told Janeway that her true wish was to become a botanist as her father had been, but her mother’s house had always served the Empire as military officers and senators, so it was tradition that she pick one of those two fields to serve in. She chose the governmental branch, and started training as a senatorial aide. However, she did manage to cross train as a botanist through the Imperial Institute of Sciences, earning the equivalent of a B.S degree.

 

She had given Janeway a little insight into the machinations and complex underpinnings of the Romulan Senate, which Janeway had never learned in her political science classes.

 

“Captain Janeway. Am I taking up your time?” Vlara inquired softly.

 

Janeway drew herself out of her reverie. “No. Not at all. And please, when we are alone in settings like this, call me Kathryn.”

 

Vlara smiled and said, “Kathryn,” causing Janeway to draw in her breath at the richness of the sound.

 

Janeway said, “I was just thinking…I know that you have one brother remaining on earth who wishes to meet you. But you have not mentioned where you will be staying?”

 

“My brother is making arrangements for me to stay in an Inn. Ah…I believe he referred to it as a hotel.”

 

“I see. I was wondering if you would be averse to being my guest during your stay on Earth. My mother has plenty of room and would not mind you stay with us during your visit.”

 

Vlara looked closely at Janeway and smiled, her dimples in evidence. “I would not want to impose. You have just returned after a long absence and I would only be a fifth leg on a coliby.”

 

Janeway smiled lopsidedly. “I seem to recall that coliby is the Romulan equivalent of our horse. And no, you will not be imposing. True, I will be busy with Starfleet for the next few weeks, but I believe you need a base of operations and also contact with Starfleet on a regular bases.”

 

Vlara replied, “I see. Your invitation was prompted by Starfleet no doubt, to keep me under surveillance?”

 

Janeway grimaced and put up her hand, palm out, in denial. Damn Katie, she thinks you are spying for Starfleet. “No. I’m putting this badly. Starfleet has not approached me, nor I them, with the purpose of keeping you under surveillance. I won't lie and say that they will not keep an eye on you, but I will tell you honestly, I won’t be doing that. I gave my word to your mother that I would look after you and assist you in contacting your two sisters who are serving in Starfleet. That is what I met when I said you needed to stay in contact with Starfleet on regular bases.”

 

Vlara blushed, looked down and then back up into Janeways eyes. “I apologize. I am a grown woman, yet my mother worries needlessly. If it would not inconvenience you, or your family, I would be honored to be your guest.”

 

Janeway smiled then replied, “I must tell you that my mother is a Traditionalist and pretty much lives a Traditionalist life.” Seeing the puzzled look on her guest’s face, she continued, “Traditionalism is a way of living life as it pretty much was lived by the average North American citizen 200 years ago. No replicators, food is organic, and dishes prepared by actually blending the ingredients and cooking them. Clothes are often tailored from cloth composed of natural materials. No sonic showers, but aqua showers--that sort of thing.”

 

Vlara’s eyes opened wide and she smiled. “Ah, pretty much how we do things in my home on Campus Prime. I myself am considered a good cook. Perhaps we can trade recipes. No?”

 

Janeway laughed. “My mother is the cook. I replicate, and sometimes not too successfully. I think you and she will get along very well.” Janeway felt almost giddy with the knowledge that the young woman would be her guest. She thought briefly why this was so, but brushed any thoughts but friendship into that part of her mind labeled, Danger. Do not open.

 

x

 

Seven relinquished her seat at the cockpit to Harry and proceeded to go to the back of the shuttle to take a sonic shower and clean her uniform. She had taken to removing the jacket and leaving on the slate blue sweater. She quickly shed her clothes and let her hair down before stepping into the small sonic shower and setting the cleaning cycle for five minutes. When through, she deposited her uniform in the shower for 2 minutes, and removing it, once again dressed. She took a seat on a small fold down chair set in the bulkhead, and pulled on her socks and boots.

 

They had successfully entered the commerce zone of the solar system by slipping into the ion trail of a large freighter, and had blended in with the busy space traffic. They received only one hail. This occurred when they dropped out of warp and into one of the lanes that would head in the direction of the Alpha Quadrant.

 

The Spaceport Controller had inquired if they were having problems as they had stopped in one of the busiest lanes. Seven, had put on the audio only, and answered in perfect Romulan standard, that she was testing a craft she was thinking of purchasing. The controller snorted and stated he hoped she did not purchase it from Craket Used Crafts, as he sold nothing but clunkers. Seven raised an eyebrow, looked at Harry in puzzlement, and silently mouthed, “clunkers?”

 

Harry had snickered and whispered, “Junk”

 

She had answered, “Yes, it is a vehicle that Craket has for sale. Thank you for your warning.” The Controller passed them on through.

 

 Seven’s ability to lie convincingly, and so easily, impressed Harry. “Ah…Seven. I didn’t think Borg lied.”

 

“They do not. However, I am also human.”

 

That was all she had to say for Harry  to get the meaning.

 

It was not soon after that incident that they located a freighter heading in their direction. They slipped behind its ion exhaust, and had been following it now for seven days at warp six. They kept a monitor on the freighter's communications for any indication that their presence was discovered, or their identity known. So far, the only communications were the normal chatter to other freighters and communications with different clients and prospective clients.

 

Seven spent her off time writing love letters on a padd to give to B’Elanna. Granted, with her eidetic memory, she had no need to commit them to a padd. However, she wished to give the padd to B’Elanna as a gift when they were reunited and have B’Elanna pursue them at her leisure. Besides, Seven had a feeling of shyness come over her at the thought of repeating each letter verbally. She regularly and on a daily basis, before their separation, had told B’Elanna many times that she loved her. However, committing the words to a padd was somehow more profound. She found she was able to go into detail about her feelings for her be’nal. She even waxed poetic. She compared her mate to a dark rose, one whose beauty and scent were enticing, and only she was able to hold the soft petals to her breasts without fear of the thorny stem pricking her. She commented on the beauty of B’Elanna’s eyes, comparing them to the richest amber gems, with mystic depths that reflected the fire of her soul. How she loved to breathe in her be’nal’s breath, which was life itself, and sustained her. The taste of her mouth, rare nectar and intoxicating, driving her to take all that B’Elanna could give, and for her to give all that she was to B’Elanna. The sound of her voice, that both soothed and inflamed. Seven even complimented her intellect and other mental virtues.

 

As Seven wrote these things, she felt comforted, as if her words conjured up B’Elanna before her. She was comforted, yet melancholy at the same time because her be’nal was not there with her.

 

Seven was beginning a new padd of her love letters when Harry exclaimed from the cockpit. “Seven. Two Romulan war ships have uncloaked at 7000 meters and have demanded that the freighter come to a halt.”

 

Seven felt both hot and cold at the same time before her nanoprobes regulated her temperature. She had a feeling of dread. The Romulans had discovered them, of that, she was sure.

 

She resumed the comm station behind Harry and scanned the readings. She reached for the controls of the communications array to send a message blast containing their location, hoping it would reach B’Elanna or Starfleet. Before she could facilitate the action the communications array blinked for an incoming message. She put it on both audio and visual, routing it to the small viewscreen in front of the cockpit. She faced the small screen as the image of a Romulan officer appeared on it, who quickly surveying them, announced, “Federation craft Delta Flyer, you will surrender and make no attempt to escape. We will retrieve your vessel by tractor beam to enter our cargo bay. Remain where you are until further instructions. We are scanning your vessel, and any attempt to send a message, or delete information from your computer banks, will result in your immediate destruction.”

 

Harry turned in his seat and looked at Seven, uncertainty and fear in his eyes.

 

Seven glanced quickly at him, her features bland. It did not surprise her that the Romulans knew who they were. The Collective's assimilated information on this Species contained the fact that they were superb at gathering information in clandestine ways, and quickly. She turned her attention back to the small screen. “We will do as you have instructed.” After all, what choice did they have? Surrender willingly or be blasted to so much space dust. The former course held out the hope of escape or rescue, the latter was unacceptable as that meant she would never see her be’nal in this lifetime.

 

Chapter Five

 

B’Elanna eyed the portly, or should she say, fat Romulan male who was leering at her. “Hey. Wait a damn minute. No way am I gonna pretend I’m his spouse. That just isn’t going to fly. Understand?" she said forcefully.

 

There was silence for a moment as Admiral Telir considered B’Elanna’s comments. Tom tried not to snicker. B’Elanna glared at the Romulan agent, com wine merchant, she recently met. Efok was his name. He had offended her from their first introduction by slowly looking her up and down, in a lascivious way, as if she were a sweet morsel he would like to eat. He was doing it now. B’Elanna hissed, “If you don’t stop leering at me, I’m gonna snatch your eyes out of your head and shove them up your fat--”

 

Admiral Telir quickly interceded. “It is the best solution to our problem. Efok is a trusted agent, as well as a wine merchant, and has customers among the Tal Shiar. It would be fitting to take his new wife and her brother on his business trips to teach them the trade and to introduce them to his clientèle.”

 

B’Elanna still was not mollified, and baring her teeth in a false smile, directed her gaze to a smirking Tom Paris. “I got the perfect solution. Tom PetaQ can be the blushing bride, or whatever.” She smiled with gleeful malice at Tom’s widening eyes and his gaping mouth.

 

Efok answered quickly, his voice having all the charm of a used shuttle salesperson, “My dear, D’len, my reputation as a lady’s man is well known in the section of space we are about to embark upon. Your friend would not do. I am a successful merchant, and believe me, when I say that you are the sort of beautiful woman my clients are used to seeing in my company. They will think I am fortunate to have such a lovely wife.”

 

B’Elanna sneered. “Hey, creep. Any beautiful woman, or for that matter, any woman at all you have ever been seen with had to be bought, or you got her drunk on your wine.”

 

Admiral Telir said, “Trust me, Commander. Efok receives invitations to all the houses of the elite, and that of the Tal Shiar. He attends many of their social functions and dinners. He has a way of soliciting information at these events that no one else can. Posing as his wife will entitle you to accompany him and be another set of eyes and ears to gather information.” She looked forcefully at the smirking fat merchant. “I give you my word, if he should step out of line with this pretense; you have my permission to spill his guts…after the mission is completed, of course.”

 

Efok immediately replaced his leer with a sober look and nodding to both B‘Elanna and Admiral Telir stated, “I give you my word I will act in a courteous manner toward the young lady. But it may require a hug or chaste kiss in public so that people will think we are blissful newlyweds.”

 

B’Elanna screwed her mouth up as if she tasted something vile. “Listen, you. I’ll be the one to decide when public displays of  affections are to be initiated. Got that?”

 

He smirked again. “Of course, my dear. I do love a spirited and bossy woman. Tell me my dear; is it true what they say about Klingon women? That they are so passionate that they often break the bones of their paramours?”

 

B‘Elanna gave him a feral smile and slowly raked him up and down with her eyes. “Not only that, my dear, but my house is entirely female and we kill our husbands after mating and devour their hearts. It assures that our unborn children are properly nourished while in the womb.”

 

Efok blanched and pulled his tunic collar out from around his neck. “I see.”

 

Admiral Telir tried not to laugh and roughly cleared her throat before saying, “Well. Let’s discuss your route and review all recent information over dinner tonight, shall we?”

 

x

 

Kathryn finished unpacking her Starfleet issue suit bag and placed her three new Starfleet issue uniforms in her closet. She had replicated the new pattern on Voyager when they had entered the Alpha Quadrant two weeks ago. Her Traditionalist home did not have a replicator, which necessitated her need to bring the uniforms, and other personal items, with her, including several pieces of civilian attire.

 

She looked around her old room, noticing that her mother had kept it dusted and clean.

 

Gretchen and her sister, Phoebe, had never given up hope that she was still alive, lost somewhere in the vast regions of the universe. Now their dear daughter and sister had returned to them, alive and safe.

 

Alive and safe, she remarked to herself as her thoughts returned to her two lost crewmembers, Seven and Harry. The last news she had received was several days ago from Admiral Telir, who had sent her a brief message stating that the Tal Shiar had sent out a search party to look for a ship that was thought to be Borg. Janeway had no doubts that this was the Delta Flyer.

 

B’Elanna Torres and Tom Paris were now aboard Admiral Telir’s flagship, and on a mission, with the help of the Admiral herself, to rescue the two.

 

Tom had volunteered to go out of loyalty to his friend Harry, but Janeway knew that he did it for B’Elanna and Seven, too. Tom, ever the one to try and lighten the serious mood of the situation, had said the real reason he was doing it was so he wouldn’t have to go through the entire official Starfleet debriefing, and to have his dad, Admiral Owen Paris, raking him across the coals.

 

Admiral Telir had been receptive to having Tom Paris accompany B’Elanna on the mission when she found out he was perhaps, one of Starfleet’s top pilots, and had brought both shuttles and Voyager through more scrapes and battles over the past six and a half years than Janeway could name.

 

She was jarred from her reverie by a light knock on the doorframe, and looked up to see Vlara regarding her with a small smile.

 

Kathryn smiled and said, “All unpacked and ready to go down to dinner?”

 

“Yes, thank you. I hope I am not inconveniencing your sister by using her room during my stay.”

 

“No. Not at all. Actually she rarely uses it as she has an apartment and studio a few minutes away in Bloomington, as well as a small flat in Paris.”

 

“Oh. Are they centers for art and culture for your planet, as Brilharde and Tollusad are for Ch’Rihan?

 

 “Paris is one of the many cultural centers for art, cuisine, and fashion here on Earth. There is also Rome, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and New York, to name just a few.”

 

Vlara looked thoughtful. “I will have to learn my father’s heritage and history since it is part of who I am.”

 

“I will point you in the right direction. Now, let’s go down for dinner. I assure you, my mother is a great cook and her dishes, in my opinion, rival any cuisine in the galaxy.”

 

She stepped out the bedroom door and Vlara linked her arm through Kathryn’s and smiled. Kathryn took delight in the warmth that radiated from the woman’s nearness, but quickly reined in the feelings of arousal that also accompanied it. She is just being friendly Katie, it is a cultural thing’ She remembered seeing a group of young Romulans in San Francisco, who were with a special envoy to the Federation, linking arms in pairs and threes with same sex as well as opposite sex companions, while seeing the sights. She learned it was a cultural idiom for friends to do when walking together on their free time, and did not indicate a romantic involvement. She was flattered that the young woman thought her a friend and felt at ease with her.

 

Over the two weeks it had taken her to get home, she had dined every night with the young woman, and after dinner they would discuss everything from politics to stories about their childhood. On four occasions Kathryn had taken her to the holodeck to teach her the ground rules for velocity, admiring Vlara’s graceful moves and her ability to keep her on her toes. Kathryn had won all games and Vlara was a gracious loser, unlike Seven, who hated to lose in both physical and intellectual pursuits.

 

They had stopped briefly at Star Station 5 where Kathryn and the Voyager crew had been guests of honor at a dinner hosted by the station’s commander and his senior officers. They all wore their new dress uniforms and Kathryn had invited Vlara to attend with her.

 

Kathryn had Vlara meet her in her quarters and was impressed, and pleased, at the young woman’s appearance. She wore a soft green robe of emerald and light green, which she belted at her waist with a light gold and green sash. Her delicate pointed ears had small emerald stone studs in the lobes. The colors made her eyes sparkle and the green was very much in prominence. Kathryn thought her quite lovely and was pleased at the admiring looks given to the young woman as she escorted her through the station. She arranged to have her seated next to her at the dinner.

 

Vlara was a pleasant and an interesting conversationalist, and had a nice sense of humor. Something Kathryn appreciated in a dinner companion. The young woman had asked her the night before if there were any set ritual to a formal dinner that she would need to observe. Kathryn informed her of the silverware placement and on what items of food to use them, and how the use of the fingers to pick up food was considered uncultured, unless it was bread and certain specific food items. She had looked at Kathryn with a slightly bewildered look and stated she would follow her lead. Other than that, Kathryn informed her that burping loudly after a meal was not acceptable, even though many cultures did practice this. Vlara laughed and assured her that Romulans did not incorporate this in their culture. However, in certain provinces, when a guest desired an additional helping of food, they banged their plates on the table, and did the same with an empty glass or goblet for more drink. Kathryn had laughed and told her they would reserve that practice for rowdy taverns and spaceport bars.

 

Kathryn groaned in delighted fullness as she pushed her chair back from the table. “Mom, you don’t know how much I missed your cooking. Gods, I will be getting fat.”

 

Gretchen looked across the table at her daughter, a satisfied smile on her face. “I have yet to serve dessert, Kathryn. I hope you left room for your favorite.”

 

“Caramel brownies?” Kathryn asked with a grin.

 

“Yes, and Phoebe has agreed to make coffee to go with them.” Gretchen looked commandingly at her younger daughter, seated to her left.

 

“The pot is all set up and the only thing I have to do is turn it on,” Phoebe said as she got up and quickly went to the kitchen, returning a few seconds later.

 

Kathryn noticed that Vlara seemed to be enjoying the varied foods that Gretchen had served. Chicken and homemade dumplings, dinner rolls, deviled eggs, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Vlara had even asked Gretchen if she could have seconds on many of the items. Gretchen had smiled and told her to help herself to as many servings as she pleased.

 

The conversation had been light. Mostly concerning the happenings around the community. Conversation then turned to a darker subject, the recent Dominion war.

 

Soon, Phoebe announced enough of the bad news, and began to regale them with stories about her latest exhibits and the peccadilloes of her artist cohorts. Kathryn noticed, with some envy, that Phoebe looked like she hadn’t aged a bit in the almost seven years she was gone. She now wore her chestnut hair in a soft, curling bob, just below her ears and looked almost pixyish. Her eyes were a bright blue and still retained that mischievous glint that Kathryn remembered. She always thought Phoebe the beauty of the family, and had to admit that she was envious of her sister’s height, which was three inches taller than her own five feet, five inches. How she kept her figure so trim was a mystery, as Phoebe abhorred exercise and ate like the proverbial horse.

 

“Mrs. Janeway. Thank you for the wonderful meal. I enjoyed it immensely. Perhaps you can give me some of your recipes,” Vlara said.

 

This compliment pleased Gretchen, and she smiled warmly, and said, “You’re welcome. I will be glad to give you any recipe you like. Do you like to cook?”

 

“Yes. I have several recipes that I will trade, if you desire. Your chicken is very similar to the hlair, which is our main poultry on Ch’Rihan. I believe you would have ingredients that could substitute for the ones we use.”

 

“I would be delighted to share recipes.” Gretchen looked ruefully at her daughters. “Neither of my daughters have an interest in cooking. Kathryn always preferred replicated food to freshly cooked dishes. Phoebe always prefers eating at  restaurants.”

 

Both women protested, Kathryn replying, “Mom, believe me, after tasting Neelix’s concoctions, and after eating replicated dishes for the past few years, I have come to appreciate how good we had it growing up and eating your delicious food.”

 

After dinner, they retired to the living room to enjoy coffee and brownies. Both Gretchen and Phoebe asked Vlara about life on Romulus and her home, Campus Prime. It was then that Kathryn learned that Vlara’s birth name had been Valarie, given to her by her father, and Romulized to Vlara, which was also the name of a small hawk found only on Campus Prime.

 

Vlara had been in touch with her brother, and next week was to meet with him. Phoebe volunteered to accompany her to Rome where he currently lived, and show her the way around. She also volunteered to show her some of the ancient art galleries and buildings. Vlara agreed, her eyes shining with obvious excitement.

 

Conversation turned again to events closer to home. Phoebe looked at Kathryn over her cup of coffee and said, “I saw Mark about a month ago.”

 

Kathryn replied nonchalantly, “Oh. I hope he’s doing well and is happy. Last I heard he was married to his secretary.” That had been in the ‘Dear Jane’ letter she had received while in the Delta Quadrant.

 

Phoebe scrunched up her face as if she smelled a bad odor. “He was with his little woman, who apparently has a pie in the oven.” She glanced over at Vlara who was trying to follow the conversation. “That means she is pregnant. Oh, and Mark was Katie‘s fiancé. They were planning to be married until she got herself lost in the Delta Quadrant.” She turned her attention back to her sister. “Katie, it was worth getting lost so you didn’t end up married to him. Gods, I would be volunteering for deep space missions if I were married to Mr. No Personality.”

 

Gretchen interceded, “Phoebe…”

 

Kathryn held up her hand. “That’s old history. Believe me, looking back, I know that in the long run it would not have worked out. I mean, I was the one that kept postponing the wedding date. That right there should have told me I didn‘t want to commit to him. I‘m glad he decided to go on to someone else, because if he had waited I would have had to break some unpleasant news to him.”

 

All of a sudden, a voice in controlled outrage declared, “What? He has no honor. For you I would wait forever….” Vlara seemed to realize what she said and blushed deeply. “I mean…for Romulans it is customary for those who are betrothed to wait at least nine years for their intended, if they are lost while serving on board ship. The universe is often a dangerous and unforgiving mistress and it could be that one is stranded on a planet, or being held prisoner, and will one day return.” She bit her lower lip and went silent, staring at her cup.

 

Kathryn glanced quickly at her mother and sister. She noticed that Phoebe had a small smile on her lips, and her mother was staring intently at Vlara, a pleased look on her face, and turned the same stare onto Kathryn.

 

Kathryn stared back, puzzled at the expression, and then understanding dawned. Oh, no. She‘s reading more into this than there is. Isn’t she? She cleared her throat, “I think I’ll have another cup of coffee, anyone else?”

 

x

 

Seven and Harry, following the orders of their captors, exited the Flyer with their hands on their heads. A young female officer had quickly looked her and Harry over, and then said, “Follow me."

 

Their captors flanked them as they followed the officer. They came to a transporter and were ordered to stand on the pad. Seven felt herself dematerialized and then rematerialize. She looked around and saw that she was in a small, eight by eight foot cell that contained a sink and a toilet in one corner, and a fold up bunk against the left wall. Only the front afforded any view out, and from that area, she detected the slight hum of a force field. Across from her cell was nothing but a wall. She heard Harry’s voice come from a cell next to her.

 

“Seven. Are you there?”

 

“Yes. I am in a cell.”

 

“Ah, me too. I guess we wait to see what happens. I mean, the last I heard from communiqués that Starfleet sent us, we are kind of allies with the Romulans, you know, helping each other against the Dominion. Maybe we will be out of here soon, ya think?” Harry was nervous, by the tone and timbre of his voice.

 

Seven hated to disillusion the young man, but it was not the Romulan military that held them, but their secret service, the Tal Shiar. She had noticed the uniform differences in the halters and belt’s they wore. The information she had on the Tal Shiar was that they were a separate branch from the military, and often operated on principles that had nothing to do with military laws, or even those of the Romulan Empire. They were ruthless and a law unto themselves. Not even answerable to the Senate, to whom they only gave lip service.

 

She wavered in her answer but decided honesty was best in this instance. He would, perhaps, need to prepare himself for the possible difficulties that might lie ahead. The Borg had assimilated a few Tal Shiar operatives in the past. She accessed information from her cortical node, and knew that they would use any brutal means necessary to obtain information they needed, and to ‘persuade’ cooperation in their many nefarious endeavors. “They are Tal Shiar.” There was silence for long seconds.

 

“Oh.”

 

“Rest assured, Mr. Kim. As your commanding officer I will endeavor to protect you and negotiate a release.”

 

“I know that, Seven…ah, Lieutenant. I just don’t want any heroics. You forget I was the one who promised B’Elanna that I would look after you.”

 

Seven smiled wryly. “Indeed, Mr. Kim. I cannot forget. After all, I have an eidetic memory.”

 

They had passed the time over the next couple of days playing word association games back and forth. They received two meals a day. However, their captors would not communicate with them, even at Seven's most imperious Borg command that they comply.

 

Seven rested against the wall of the holding cell. They had been in captivity for two days now. When she was not in conversation with Harry, she studied the minute vibration of the ship’s engines and tried to pick up the muted sounds of conversations. Now, she noticed the vibration change slightly, and the sounds differing. It alerted her to possible changes in the ship's speed, or perhaps, it had reached its destination. She had no more finished that thought when she heard footsteps approaching and saw an officer and four guards, weapons drawn, stop in front of her cell. The force field immediately dropped and a guard motioned for her to exit the cell.

 

Seven saw that the officer in charge was a centurion, by the style of her rank belt. “You are to come with us. No questions.”

 

“Hey, where are you taking her? What’s going on?” Harry’s voice was frantic.

 

The guards ignored him, and Seven fell in step behind the officer, flanked on each side by two guards, and the other two guards behind her.

 

They went down the corridor and to a turbo lift, the doors swished open and they entered. The officer and two of the guards entered with her. “Deck one,” the officer stated, her eyes never once wavering from Seven’s face. Seven lifted her eye implant and returned the scrutiny. Seven thought it probable that the Tal Shiar taught their soldiers this technique to intimidate their foes and prisoners. It would be hard for one to guess their intent if there were no facial expressions.

 

The doors swished opened, the officer turned, and Seven followed her out into a corridor. The two guards flanked her, one on either side. The officer stopped at a transporter room and ordered Seven up on the transporter, where the officer and two guards, joined her. Moments later they materialized on a transporter pad, exited into a long wide corridor, and continued on to stop in front of a set of large double doors that had a guard on each side.

 

The two guards at the door saluted with a quick motion of their right arm with clenched fist across their chest.

 

The officer ignored them and tapped a comm badge on her right harness belt. The doors immediately slid open and the officer ordered Seven in. The room was dark, except for a bright spotlight shining on a small area of the floor.

 

“Stand in the light and do not move,” The officer ordered before turning around. Seven heard her footsteps recede and exit the doors where they had entered.

 

Her surroundings, save for the spotlight she was under, were dark and in shadow. She immediately sensed she was not alone. Her enhanced hearing could detect breathing seven feet in front of her. She quickly adjusted her visual implant and was able to see a female figure of about five feet, seven inches, standing before her in the shadow. The first thing she saw was the short cropped blond hair, and the second, the uniform with the insignia belt sporting the rank of General. Her night vision had problems making out the color of the eyes, but she easily discerned the general shape of the rest of the face. She quickly assessed her cortical node for information that would indicate the identity of this particular Tal Shiar commander.

 

The voice surprised her with its sudden declaration that pierced the surrounding dark. “Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct to Unimatrix Zero One. Severed from the Borg Collective by Kathryn Janeway, captain of the Federation Ship, Voyager, on Star Date 51003.7. Or do you prefer to be called by your human name…Annika Hansen?”

 

She almost stated that she preferred the name Seven, but for some reason, found her preferred name coming from this stranger distasteful. Her friends called her Seven. Her be’nal called her Seven. Let this one call her Annika. That name invoked in her feelings of trust betrayed by those that were supposed to protect her. Coming from the General’s lips it would remind her that this woman was not to be trusted. “Annika.”

 

The General nodded her head and smiled. “Annika. The name given to you by your parents, both scientists, Magnus and Erin Hansen. They too were assimilated by the Borg. Information recovered from the Raven’s records contains much interesting data on the subject of their studies.”

 

Seven knew that the Tal Shiar were thorough, but to have this much information and this quickly, was surprising. No, not surprising since Janeway would have forwarded Voyager’s logs through the Midas Array, and they would contain all the records that they had managed to savage from the remains of Raven. It was obvious the Tal Shiar had their agents within the halls of Starfleet itself.

 

Seven had finally found the information she wanted from the assimilated memories of a Romulan operative, assigned aboard the USS Enterprise as an ensign during the Battle of Wolf 359. She was Admiral Sela then. A member of the Romulan Military. Now, apparently, she was no longer a member of that organization. “Sela. Daughter of Starfleet Lieutenant Tasha Yar, who was aboard the U.S.S Enterprise, under the command of Captain Rachel Garret, when it was captured in 2344 at Narendra III by the Romulans. She became the Concubine of Romulan General Kaonz of the Tal Shiar, who fathered you. You betrayed your mother when she attempted to escape…

 

“Silence!”

 

Footsteps approached and General Sela stepped into the light. Her eyes glaring, she looked into Seven’s eyes, almost challenging her. Then she abruptly smiled, but Seven noted that the smile did not reach her eyes.

 

“I see Voyager’s data banks were not lacking in intelligence information.”

 

Seven almost revealed where she actually got the information. However, she decided that the less she revealed about what the Borg knew, and how they obtained it, was in her own best interest.

 

Sela looked her over carefully, focusing on the implant over her left eye. Then the one on her right cheek. She looked down at her left hand. “Hold up your left hand,” She demanded.

 

“I will not comply."

 

Sela smirked. “Let's get one thing straight, Lieutenant Annika Hansen. You are in no position to deny my request. I can make it very unpleasant and very painful for you to refuse.” She paused and then continued, “However, the information I have on you indicates that you can take a lot of pain, even torture, but your crewmate, Lieutenant Harry Kim, would be unable to take much of what I can give him. Now, hold up your left hand.”

 

Seven knew that General Sela would not hesitate to carry out her threat. Sela was ruthless. Seven obeyed. Sela looked closely at the Borg hand and then stared Seven in the eyes as she reached out to feel the mesh.

 

“It is warm, not like metal at all. Your medical records sent to Starfleet indicate that you still have your assimilation tubules, show them to me.”

 

Seven sighed and protruded her tubules. She was satisfied to see that Sela looked slightly sickened at the sight of the two squirming worm like strands. Sela took a step back. “Put them away.”

 

Seven retracted her tubules and stared at Sela.

 

“Now, Annika. Here are the rules. They are quite simple. You will cooperate with me and I will assure that you, and Lieutenant Kim, will remain unharmed. If you do not cooperate, I will have you witness firsthand the methods we use to gain information. I know that Lieutenant Kim probably has less of the information I need than you do, and it would be a shame to have him suffer the side effects of our methods when you will eventually tell us what we want anyway. If he succumbs to the side effects, then we will apply the methods to you. Believe me, ‘resistance is futile’.” She laughed at her own joke. Then she sobered and asked, “What will it be Annika, cooperation or foolish heroics?”

 

Seven frowned and said factually, “I know of no Federation secrets that I can impart to you. We were lost in the Delta Quadrant, and only recently returned. Nor was Captain Janeway in the habit of keeping me informed of any communiqués she may have received from Starfleet.”

 

Sela smirked. “I know that. What I want is the information you have on that transwarp coil you and your half-breed wife constructed. Give me that, and you and Lieutenant Kim can enjoy your little stay without fear of harm.”

 

Seven said, “The information you request will not give you the results you desire. You will fail in constructing a transwarp coil for your use.”

 

“Oh? And why is that?”

 

“You need certain Borg components to integrate into the transwarp coil.”

 

Sela smirked and said, “Tell us which ones we need and I will be able to obtain them.”

 

Seven blinked in surprise and stared at the woman. It suddenly dawned on her that Sela was being factual. She could obtain the needed parts.

 

Sela laughed at the fallen look on Seven’s face. “My lovely Annika. You were at Wolf 359, were you not? You know that many of the small Borg craft never returned to your cube because they received damage and could not form a transwarp conduit to escape. You also know that many made their way to the Beta Quadrant. Your collective never saw them again.” Sela continued facetiously, “Why is that, Annika?”

 

Seven said nothing. One thing was certain, she would only give them information piece meal. And information that she would encrypt with certain Borg codes that would cause massive malfunctions when triggered by certain Borg frequencies, which she could broadcast over subspace and hyperspace, when she made it back to the Alpha Quadrant.

 

She was sure she would make it to the Alpha Quadrant. She knew with some kind of hidden sense or intuition, as B’Elanna called it, that she and Harry would make it there. She knew in her heart that her be’nal, and Captain Janeway, had correlated where they left the slipstream, and her be’nal was already on her way to find her.

 

“Now. Your stay here will be long, very long. Short of some intervention by the Gods, you and Lieutenant Kim will never see the Alpha quadrant. I want to make your stay with us comfortable, and I will assign you both quarters. You will both be under constant surveillance, and we will monitor your time spent with each other, so there will be no plots to escape. If you attempt to escape, I will punish you...severely. I will assign you two assistants. Both are officers of junior grade. If you need anything, within reason, they will obtain it for you.” Sela paused and once again looked Seven up and down with keen interest. She had a small smile on her face when she said, “You will dine with me tonight.”

 

Sela next pressed the communicator on her harness, the door opened, and two young officers entered, one female and the other male. “This is Ulan Glaria and Ulan Spar. They are assigned to you and anything that you need, within reason, they will do for you or obtain for you.” She turned to them and ordered, “Show her to her quarters.”

 

x

 

Seven was surprised at the size of her quarters. They rivaled Janeway's quarters on Voyager. She had a living area with a combined dining area, and a small replicator. The living area had a low divan and many large pillows on the floor. The dining area had a low table with two low couches and two chairs. Seven knew from her studies that Romulans often reclined while eating, especially on formal occasions, much like the ancient Greeks and Romans on Earth. She wondered if Sela would follow this custom when she joined her for dinner, or use the Romulan military custom of sitting in a chair to dine at a table.

 

She noticed the two large transparent aluminum windows that overlooked a lush blue and green garden under turquoise skies. She surveyed the outside with her infrared vision and knew this was no hologram. There was a door that led to the garden.

 

To her right was a door that led to a good-sized bedroom with a neatly made double bed. Both living room and bedroom were decorated in pale mauve and turquoise. Leading off the bedroom was a bathroom complete with a sonic shower as well as a large hydro tub set into the floor. There was a large mirror placed over a long counter area, which had two sinks. In one corner was a commode. She noted that there were a few brushes, combs, and other toiletries on the counter.

 

She went back out to the living area and to the computer console located against the far wall. She sat in the chair by the computer console and studied the computer’s manual control pad. She would try a vocal command first.

 

“Computer. What is my location?”

 

You are in Sector one cabin four.

 

“Computer. What facility is this and where is it located?”

 

Tal Shiar headquarters in Sector 24, the Geggis system on Geggis Supreme, in the Province of Qulpar in Rihanaia City.

 

“Display a map of the beta quadrant and indicate the location.”

 

The screen displayed a map of the quadrant. Apparently, Sela was not concerned with this information. She was delighted to see that the location was not far off the path they would have taken to get to the Alpha Quadrant, and the path that B’Elanna would surely take as the quickest route to get to the point where the Delta Flyer came out of the transwarp corridor.

 

Computer, display a schematic of this facility.

 

That is restricted information.

 

“Computer. Give me the location of Lieutenant Harry Kim.”

 

Lieutenant Kim is in his quarters.

 

“Open up communications with Mr. Kim.”

 

The screen showed the symbol for the Tal Shiar and cleared to show Harry’s face.

 

His eyes widened in surprise. “Seven. Am I glad to see you.”

 

“Likewise. You are well?”

 

“Yeah, so far. I have my own room, but can’t leave unless I get permission, and then only under guard.”

 

“Likewise. Our calls are monitored, as are these rooms. Can you discern the location of your room?” Seven hoped their communications would not be terminated at this point.

 

“Uhm, I have a window that looks out on a garden area, which is about six meters below me. I must be about one story up.”

 

“I am on the ground level. Perhaps it is the same garden, there is a round fountain surrounded by blue flowers.”

 

Harry said, “Yes, that’s what I’m seeing, too. I must be right above you. There is a small balcony, but the door is locked and I can’t open it.”

 

Seven, could not of course, establish his exact location and give hers, but she surmised that he was either right above her or very close. She hoped to prolong their conversation with small talk. She felt that whoever monitored them would lose focus on their conversation if it were not interesting.

 

“Perhaps we will be able to venture outdoors together and enjoy the esthetically pleasing surroundings of the garden.”

 

“Well, it would be nice to walk among real trees and smell real plants growing. Maybe we can have a picnic lunch outdoors soon. I can’t complain about my room though, kind of small, but I do have a replicator and a small bathroom. The replicator is for food only. You know, the food isn't half-bad. It sure beats a lot of what Neelix served. I‘m told I will be provided appropriate clothing. The computer only lets you have so much information. There are a lot of novels and games I can access, though. So I guess it‘s not too bad. It sure beats sitting in a cell.”

 

Seven knew Harry was nervous by his continuous chatter. The door chime interrupted her. “I will contact you later. Seven, out.”

 

She did not have a chance to give the command to enter, when the door slid open, and her two guards entered. The male carrying what appeared to be garment bags, went to her bedroom and deposited the bags on her bed. The female stepped in front of her with a smaller bag. “I am to instruct you that dinner is at 1900 hours and you are to wear the items in this bag.” She handed the bag to Seven and said, “We will be here at 1855 to escort you to the quarters of General Sela. Please be ready.” With that, both guards exited her quarters.

 

“Computer, time.”

 

The time is 1756 hours.

 

She had plenty of time to investigate the clothing the General had given her.

 

Chapter Six

 

Seven paced her quarters with agitation. She was not looking forward to the dinner she was to have in General Sela’s quarters. She felt a great amount of trepidation concerning this event after viewing the garments given to her by the guard.

 

Her face still blushed as she thought about the contents of the bag. There was a small ice blue sheath which would require only her bosom to hold it up, its length was a good three centimeters above her knee and split to her thigh on the right side. There was a matching pair of silky ice blue briefs, in Seven’s opinion, very brief, only a lacy V in front and back. The only other items were a pair of soft step in shoes. There was no way she would wear what B’Elanna termed ‘seduction lingerie’ for anyone but her be’nal.

 

She felt a certain queasiness as her thoughts quickly ran down a list of all the possibilities that General Sela had in mind in connection with the outfit she had provided. Was she expecting sexual interactions as part of assuring that she and Harry would remain free of harm? Or, was this the expected attire when one dined with a Romulan dignitary? If the former, what would she do if Sela threatened to harm Harry if she did not acquiesce to her desires. Would she, or even could she, have intimate relations, even to save Harry’s life. One part of her rationalized that it would only be hollow motions and not anything related to what she and her be’nal shared. Their sharing was spiritual as well as physical.

 

The Borg had purged many assimilated references to social and sexual interactions from the collective as being irrelevant. She could find no Romulan information to indicate the proper dinner wear. She had looked through the other clothing provided and found them to be more acceptable, even though they had the military cut and style to them. She would wear the set that consisted of a pale gold tunic and matching trousers, and her Starfleet issue boots. The material was soft and silky and had a sheen that was appealing. It was casual yet elegant. She also received more functional underclothes that she could don. Her mind made up, she went to take a sonic shower and dress.

 

x

 

Seven stood in the lush surroundings facing the large table, which was set with a variety of dishes, and decorated with numerous candles. Seven had a sinking feeling when she saw the muted lights and realized this was a romantic setting. She saw that this was also a dinner for two, as there were only two dining couches. Besides her and the two guards, there were two other species present, an Andorian and the other Human. They stood to the side by a serving bar, dressed identically in simple cream smocks, their heads bowed slightly, seeming to focus on the floor. Seven surmised that they were servants, or slaves. Many upper caste Romulans took enemy captives as slaves and concubines. Sela‘s own mother had been a captive and kept as a concubine.

 

She heard a door open on her left and General Sela entered. Seven noticed that she was dressed similarly to herself. Her tunic was black and belted with a red sash, her trousers, gold. Sela’s expression had been what Seven thought of as anticipation, which quickly changed to a scowl when she stopped two yards away and gave Seven a discerning look. Her face flushed red and she barked out, “Why are you not wearing what I requested?” She looked from Seven to Ulan Glaria.

 

The young Ulan swallowed hard. “I did as you ordered, General.”

 

Sela returned her gaze to Seven. Seven noted the fury in the eyes and decided it was prudent to answer. “I wished to wear this garment instead.”

 

Sela put her hands on her hips and said in a harsh voice, “You wished? My wishes come first. What you wish is of no consequence. Where are the items located that I ORDERED you to wear?”

 

“I placed them back in the package, and placed it on my bed.”

 

Sela looked at Ensign Glaria and ordered, “Go to her quarters and retrieve the package and bring it to me.”

 

Glaria saluted and hurriedly exited. It would take her only a few minutes to retrieve the items, as Seven’s quarters were only four doors down from those of the General.

 

Sela turned her back to Seven, went to the side bar, and poured herself a glass of sapphire blue liquid. She turned back around and looking at Seven, smiled and took a slow sip, continuing to stare at her over the rim of her glass, her eyes slowly raking Seven’s body and then focusing on her face.

 

This continued until Ensign Glaria entered and handled the bag to Sela.

 

Nodding, she looked at the two guards and ordered, “You two, to your post.” They saluted and quickly exited. She next looked at the two servants. “Out.” Both nodded in deference and quickly went through a side door. Sela next focused on Seven, her eyes became dangerously bright and intense. She motioned at the outfit Seven wore with her right hand. “Take those off.”

 

Seven looked at her in shock, her breathing stilled.

 

Sela’s smile disappeared and her eyes hardened to blue ice. “Here Now. Take them off.”

 

Seven swallowed and stood straight in her old customary Borg pose, her hands clasped behind her back. “I will not comply.”

 

Sela tapped a small jewel on her tunic, apparently a communications device. “Centurion Lodar, I have need of your services. Bring the Federation Officer, Kim, to my suite at once.”

 

Seven looked sharply at Sela, assessing her with her cold Borg stare, and in a decidedly Borg voice said, “State your intentions.”

 

This caused Sela to laugh and then she paused and narrowed her eyes, looking Seven over slowly, taking her measure. “My lovely Annika, how forceful and commanding you are, how…very refreshing and should I say, stimulating. Your very voice and bearing tell me you are a woman who loves to take the lead. Tell me, do you command that little half-breed wife of yours. When you make love to her, do you take her and bend her to your will. She is part Klivam and it is a fact that they are passionate and often violent lovers. However, you, you are Borg. You are strong and arrogant. The Borg Queen herself groomed you to succeed her and rule. Tell me, Annika, does your little half-breed beg you to take her and make her come?”

 

Seven was both appalled and angered. She ground her back teeth and it took all her will power not to leap on Sela and throttle her. She noticed that Sela‘s respiration had increased, and she could gage with her Borg implant, a slight increase in temperature. Seven knew that Sela was aroused. “You are…disgusting.”

 

Sela swallowed the remains of her drink and smirked. “Disgusting, am I now?”

 

A chime at the door interrupted them. “Enter”

 

A heavyset older Romulan entered, followed by Harry Kim, dressed in a lounging robe and barefoot. He wore a look of fear on his features. He was flanked by four guards, two on each side of him.”

 

“Now, Annika, see what results you have reaped by disobeying my command.”

 

She nodded to the Centurion, who smiled in glee, and then he nodded at the guards. One stepped behind Harry and held his forearm around the lieutenant’s neck. The other two held his arms on each side. The Centurion quickly, and with much force, punched him in the stomach. Harry would have bent over except for the Guards holding him up. The Centurion forcefully smashed Harry’s face with his fist. There was a resounding crunch, which resulting in a splattering of blood from his nose and mouth.

 

Seven made a move toward her friend but the fourth guard held a weapon on her. Sela quickly stated, “Move and I will kill him, and no amount of begging or pleading by you will stop me.”

 

Seven shouted, “I will do as you say!”

 

Sela ordered, “Enough, Lodar. Take him to the infirmary for treatment, and then return him to his quarters.”

 

Lodar saluted, and the guards dragged a dazed and bleeding Harry out of the double doors.

 

Seven trembled slightly, her nanoprobes working hard to keep her from vomiting. True, as a Borg drone, she had witnessed pain and suffering of those she assimilated, and even the removal of limbs from those that were awaiting assimilation. Now, her humanity had found its way back to her. What she now witnessed sickened her. Harry was a friend and she had caused him to experience pain.

 

Sela poured herself another drink and tuned to her, raising her eyebrow inquiringly. “I‘m waiting.”

 

Seven pulled the tunic up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. She would not look at Sela. She next removed her boots, loosened her trousers and slid them down her legs to pool around her feet, and stepped out of them. She stood straight and stiff, clad only in a soft white chemise and panties.

 

“Take off the rest.”

 

Seven swallowed hard, closed her eyes, took her chemise off and let it drop to the floor. She next slid the simple pair of white briefs down her calves until they pooled at her feet, and stepped out of them. She stood embarrassed and ashamed. There was a time that nudity would not have mattered, now, she knew the social taboos and the erotic nuances that nudity entailed. Only for her be'nal would she willingly display herself like this.

 

She heard the soft approach of steps and opened her eyes quickly. Sela stood only a few feet away now, raking her body with hot eyes. She walked around to Seven‘s back and Seven felt a hand pull the pins from her hair, and heard them tinkle on the marble flooring where they fell. She felt a hand run through her hair, felt the soft gold mass fall about her shoulders and down her back. She felt the heat radiate from the General and heard a slow drawn in breath through the nose, as if she were being scented. She felt a warm exhalation of breath below her right ear, which caused her to shiver involuntarily, feeling the goose bumps skitter across her neck and back. There was a soft caress at one, and then the other, implant below her shoulder blades, the ones used to draw power during regeneration. The caress continued down her spine and the small of her back, over the tops of her hips, where her abdominal implants terminated. She detected steps as Sela continued around her, and felt a gentle stroke on the implant on her right arm.

 

Sela stood back in front of her, looked at her breasts and the thin band that followed their bottom curve and continued around her ribcage. She shifted her gaze lower to the two thin bands that girded her hips and dipped down to her apex. She did not touch Seven.

 

She returned her gaze to Seven’s eyes, hers bright and her breathing quick, and mouth slightly parted. Her voice was soft and at a lower decibel when she spoke, “You are the Shalora Jewel that the Imperial Symbol of our first Empress holds in her beak. There is no jewel that is more beautiful. Idonana, the power that embodies the Four Elements, made it from a star. She gave the jewel to our first Empress as a token of her great love. Perhaps, you are a gift to me from Idonana herself to show that she loves me. For I am the one who will bring the Empire back to its former glory.”

 

She stared for a few seconds longer and abruptly handed the bag to Seven. “Dress.” Seven took the bag, donned the panties, and slid the ice blue sheath over her torso smoothing it down her thighs. She stepped into the soft slippers, bent, and retrieved the pins where they had fallen on the floor. She smoothed back her hair into a twist and was about to pin it.

 

“Leave it down.”

 

Seven, finished now, looked at Sela. She knew she had to be careful here. “What are your intentions?"

 

Sela momentarily looked confused at the question, then smiled, and replied, “You want to know if I will require any sexual favors from you, do you not?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Very well. Let me say this and you must never repeat it, or I will make you sorry. I have never forced my attentions on a woman, nor required her to please me, unless it so pleases her. I require certain things in a sexual encounter that may surprise you, Annika. I am a general, a leader, and billions obey my commands. I decide the fate of thousands of worlds. I can destroy a city, or a planet with a word and none dare disobey me. If it was my desire, I could have any man or woman I want, even the spouses and lovers of my officers. None would say a word, or even dare look displeased about it. That is not what I want, or desire. I do not want to lead in matters of passion or desire. I desire to be led--to be taken. I need to be taken…made to forget who, and what I am. I need to know that it is not Sela the General, but Sela the woman, who is desired and sparks passion. Do you understand, Annika?”

 

“I…do not know. However, I do not desire you or want you. I belong to another. All that I have, and all that I am, is hers. I will not, and cannot, give you what you want. Even if you were to order me, I would only be able to go through the motions, which would be devoid of meaning, with no passion or love. Hollow. The only emotions they would evoke in me would be loathing and hate. ”

 

Sela smiled wryly and said, “Oh my exquisite jewel. In time you will give me what I desire, what I crave. You will do this willingly and of your own accord. Deny it all you want, but I will be yours and your taking of me will bind you to me.

 

“You were created to rule and to take what you want. This is part of your nature as the successor to the Borg Queen. You are relentless in your pursuit of your desires. Yes, desires. These Borg drones are but mere automatons, but the Queen, she is more, much more than an emotionless automaton. She feeds on power. She feels pride and satisfaction at what she has accomplished. She even feels love and possessiveness. Her pursuit of you tells me that.

 

“You, my lovely Annika, you were fashioned by her hand and infused with her desires. I can give you what you truly crave and want. Power over billions, power over the universe. Even the mighty Borg Queen will bow before you, when you finally stand by my side. I will surrender to your passion and you will have your fill of me and still want more. I will be your addiction, Annika. Our union will shake the very foundations of the universe and reverberate over all four Quadrants.” She saw Seven’s obstinate and confused look, then forcefully said, “Do not dare deny it for I have the control now.” She then smiled and said, “Let us to the table and dine. I want to hear of the Borg and who better to tell me but a former Borg Princess.”

 

Seven said nothing, but reflected on Sela’s words, finding them disturbing and obviously coming from a delusional and unbalanced mind. The part of her thought process that was still Borg analyzed Sela’s statements and found them illogical. She is flawed, weak, damaged. She shall be terminated.

 

Chapter Seven

 

B’Elanna exited the plush and opulent quarters that Efok assigned her on his ship. In the nine days that they had left Admiral Telir’s ship, they had come across six freighters, none bearing any news of foreign ships, or anything out of the ordinary with the renegade Tal Shiar.

 

She was getting frustrated, and to boot, plenty fed up entertaining freighter captains every other night and having to play Efok's demure little wife.

 

Efok’s ship, Tat be Qual, or Free Spirits in Federation Standard, was more than what she seemed. Granted, she had a cargo bay full of rare, and not so rare, wines and other spirits, but she also sported state of the art warp engines capable of sustained speeds of 8.9, and short burst of 9.78 warp, as well as a cloaking device. State of the art Romulan devices masked the true nature of her engines. Any scans done would show ordinary industrial engines only capable of reaching warp seven.

 

Efok had a nasty, hulking, vampire looking engineer, named Brod, who she later learned was a Reman, a native of Remus, Romulus' sister planet. He gave her the creeps, but Tom seemed to get along well with him, swapping stories and boasting of their romantic conquests. B’Elanna had warned Tom that he had better not mention that they had once been more than friends, or she would divest him of his manhood, and he would be able to find employment on Risa as a joy boy, and he could employ his tongue, which he loved to wag, on pleasuring female Hortas and giving oral umox to Ferengi. This must have worked, as there was no indication from Brod that Tom was telling him anything.

 

She was, however, glad that Tom was with her. He encouraged her to keep up hope and she often went to him when she needed to talk. He told her he was honestly happy for her and Seven, and that he had never seen her so content. He conceded that he was at first jealous of them, but after seeing them together, he knew they were right for each other. He even apologized for making the bet that none on Voyager would have her. However, B’Elanna thought he was sorry that he had lost his entire stash of rations, but she did make him promise that he would never bet on her or Seven or anything to do with their relationship ever again.

 

Efok entertained many clients aboard his vessel and it had small, but opulent guest rooms and a large opulent dining and entertainment area, with tables, chairs, and couches.

 

It was attending social functions and dining on the couches that she hated the most. At these functions she had to share a couch with Efok. She had to feel his fat belly against her back, and his breath on her neck, during the dinners as she reclined in front of him. The first time she had to dine this way, he nuzzled her neck and attempted to kiss her cheek. She had viciously reached back and grabbed his genitals, squeezing hard, until she heard him groan in pain. After that, he was more subdued in his actions, but still sickened her with his display of ‘my sweet and my dears‘. He had to have a special couch that was a little larger than most, due to his rotund size. She supposed she should be grateful he had a fat belly, as she would kill him if she had felt a particular part of his anatomy poking her throughout the meal.

 

Tonight would be different though. They were coming to a planet that boasted a busy spaceport to attend a banquet that would be crawling with not only Captains of various vessels, but dignitaries from other planets and colonies.

 

Tom and Brod would be busy taking a little tour among the many bars and taverns that catered to the crews of various freighters and cargo vessels. Brod told Tom that crews of freighters were always full of information, and when plied with enough spirits, would sing it out on the street corners. He had grinned, looking even more menacing with his sharp teeth bared, and stated, “The right amount of fermented juice, and they will confess to screwing their brother’s wife.”

 

B’Elanna was relieved that the banquet did not have a couch big enough for both her and Efok to share, and that she had one all to herself.

 

So far, the talk was all about commerce and very boring. She had no interest in the price of grain on Dosoil. And almost screamed when the conversation turned to the difficulties of cleaning out  cargo holds after transporting farm animals.

 

She picked a small nut from her plate, and while no one was looking, tossed it at Efok who was on the next couch. It hit him on the side of his head and he turned and looked at her. She motioned with her head and eyes to get the topic onto subjects that were more useful to their needs.

 

There was a pause in the conversation and Efok quickly changed the topic. “You know, I heard something a week or so ago from a freighter captain heading to the Ocelor system. He said something about the, ah…authorities…looking for information on a ship that may have contained pirates that were operating in and around the Brasling system. I, for one, am heading that way and sure don’t want to run into any pirates.”

 

A slightly tipsy freight company owner, by the name of Granor, guffawed and said, “Pirates? Not on your life. It was smugglers, and the Tal Shiar caught them. I know that for a fact.”

 

B‘Elanna perked up at this, and Efok inquired, “Oh, and how is that, Granor? Was it perhaps one of your ah…ships that got caught?" Everyone laughed at this as it was a fact that many freighter captains, and owners of freight lines, dabbled in smuggling.

 

Granor hrumphed. “I read the report from the captain of my ship the Blue Nova. When they left the Nolido system a small vessel apparently left with them, concealed in their Ion exhaust. You know, to disguise their exhaust trail. Well in sector twenty-eight, two warships stopped them and apprehended the ship and its crew. The commander of one of the warships ordered them to go and said he was sure they did not know that they had company, and he would not levy a fine against them. My captain was then ordered not to scan the vessel, and to keep on his way. Well, he did as he was ordered, you know them being Tal Shiar, and all. He states he did get a visual of the craft on his screen, and it was a small craft, about the size of a shuttle. Looked like it couldn’t carry much, and only big enough for about four people. He had never seen that type of shuttle before, and the strange thing is, it had symbols on the side that were not Romulan, or any that he was familiar with. Anyway, he states that it wasn’t much later when these two warships passed him, not even cloaked, and headed toward Tal Shiar headquarters on Geggis Supreme. Probably the poor crew is dead by now, or wishing they were.”

 

Everyone shook his or her head in pity and one guest said, “A person can’t even do a little harmless bartering these days without it being a capital offense.”

 

A short time later Efok begged tiredness, and amongst much guffawing from the others that he wanted to leave the banquet to be with his pretty wife, he and B’Elanna returned to the ship.

 

x

 

B’Elanna paced up in down the small conference room. Seated at the oblong table were Tom, Brod, and Efok. She stopped pacing and addressed the others, “It’s them. I know it is. The fucking Tal Shiar has them. Gods we got to get them out.”

 

Efok had a sober expression on his face. “ Granted I don’t know all there is to know about your crewmates. But I do know you used some kind of device to get from the Delta Quadrant to the Alpha Quadrant, and some kind of Borg technology was involved. That fact alone is very valuable to General Sela. She will keep them alive if they have information she can use. She is not one to torture or kill. That is, if they cooperate. Besides, they are Federation citizens and serve Starfleet. She could use them in the future as a bargaining tool. There is a good chance that both are alive.”

 

B’Elanna looked at him disbelievingly and tersely said, “Not one to torture and kill? Great Gods, Efok, you must not know her as well as you think!”

 

“I know her well, about as well as anyone could know one such as her. I have sold my goods to her, and also sold certain information to her that she was able to use against her enemies on Romulus--”

 

B’Elanna growled and grabbed Efok by his collar. “You fucking PetaQ. You’re a double agent. Gods, you probably sold us out to her and are just delivering the goods.”

 

Brod immediately broke B’Elanna’s hold on Efok and Tom held B’Elanna back.

 

Efok coughed to clear his throat and still clutching at his neck, said in a squeaky voice, “I play the role of spy for Sela. Admiral Telir, and certain members of the Senate, go along with this. I feed her information that does prove correct, but not to the detriment of the Empire. She pays me quite handsomely, and I am able to gain information from her. So far, what I have told her has resulted in what she thinks of as gains for herself. Actually, they are, but very small ones. Ones that are really of no consequence. This has built her trust in me.

 

“She will invite me to dine with her and her officers. These banquets of hers almost always include the spouses and lovers of her officers. I always have a good amount of spirits set aside for her, as well as delicacies that are difficult to come by. I provide the entertainment, so to speak, by regaling them with gossip I have obtained on my travels. The spirits will flow and tongues will wag, and this is at the reception before the banquet, when officers socialize, gossip, and tell jokes. I tell you, just play your role as my pretty wife and you will know the whereabouts of your friends the first night of her banquet.”

 

B’Elanna closed her eyes for a second to compose herself. “Okay. That sounds like the easy part. How do we get them out?"

 

Efok smiled, “I have the schematics to the main headquarters building. I know where her brig is and the location of her quarters, as well as where most of her troops are located.”

 

B’Elanna snorted and wryly said, “Oh, and these places aren’t guarded, and we are just going to walk right in and shut down the whole place. Hmm. If it were that easy why hasn’t the Empire just waltzed right in and done it before?”

 

Efok laughed and winked at B’Elanna. “My dear wife, that’s just what the Empire is doing now, isn’t it.”

 

“Okay. So we waltz into the joint, and somehow get by security, I somehow find my wife and Harry, and we somehow escape. We would have more luck looting the Ferengi Great Vault. We have two prisoners we have to free and I bet they aren’t walking freely down the halls. Every door in that place will lock down and every move we make will be monitored. That place would be like stirring an ant hill with a stick, soldiers pouring out of every nook and cranny.”

 

“I won’t lie, it will be hard but not impossible. I have a device that will shut down anything that operates by a plasma or electrical impulse, for twenty-six minutes and within a three-mile perimeter. Not a phaser, weapon, door lock, transporter, or containment field will work during that time. No messages will be able to pass to orbiting warships, nor will they be able to contact the compound.

 

Tom exclaimed, “Wow, I would like to see that.”