Voyager is back home in the Alpha Quadrant and life is going well for Kathryn Janeway. She is now an admiral and is engaged to be married to Seven of Nine. However, an old adversary from the Delta Quadrant makes an incredible claim that will impact her life and the lives of the ones she loves. According to members of the Think Tank, they have her daughter. Is this an elaborate hoax? And, if true, how will she bring her daughter home?
This story is set right after Voyager’s return to the Alpha Quadrant. Background sources used are Voyager episodes Threshold, Omega Directives, Pathfinder, Think Tank and Endgame. Certain facts were taken from other episodes as well. Other background information on the early life of Captain Kathryn Janeway is found in the novel, Mosaic. Materials from DS9 episode Rejoined, and DS9 novels, were also used.
Any scientific references to genetics are a creation from my warped mind.
The characters of Morgan and Hiro are my own creations.
Paramount pictures own both Star Trek Voyager and DS9. I am not making any profit from these stories.
This Story contains the depiction of love between two women. PG17
DISTANT ECHO
By cygirl1. November 1, 2006
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Part One
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CHAPTER ONE
X
“Please, this has all been a misunderstanding. Captain Janeway has deceived you. We can straighten this situation out for both of our benefits,” Kurros reasoned, while managing to maintain his outwardly calm and non-threatening demeanor. He found it usually worked to present a meek façade to those whom you conducted business. This time, it appeared not to be working. “We can help you achieve any goal you desire. Just let us be reasonable and discuss this.”
The Hazari commander snorted in disgust and said disparagingly, “You can give us nothing that we cannot take from you. Be thankful that we do not throw you, and your friend, out of an airlock.”
The Hazari commander was under the impression that there were only two members of the Think Tank present, Kurros and Fennin, a tall reptilian alien, who stood meekly in front of a habitat tank that held Xyglys, another Think Tank member. When the commander asked what was in the tank, Kurros told him it was a Grutokian sea creature given to them by a client. Moreover, removing it from the tank and exposing it to air caused it to secrete a poisonous gas, which would melt the flesh off the bones before one could take a breath. The Hazari crew quickly moved away from the area surrounding the tank.
The Hazari crew was stripping the ship of her cargo, which consisted of items collected over hundreds of years, in payment for the Think Tank’s help in solving many planets’ life threatening problems. In most instances, these items were vital to the client’s planet in some way, but were demanded as part of the bargain.
Kurros tucked his hands in the full sleeves of his long brown robe. Closing his eyes, he telepathically communicated his distress to the original Think Tank founder, Bevvox, a glowing bioplasmatic life form contained in a variable gravimetric environment. Bevvox was easily overlooked by the Hazari, and passed as a piece of the ship’s machinery. “They are taking everything we have gained over the past century. What possible use could they have for items they cannot even comprehend?” Kurros mentally wailed.
His mind received Bevvox’s thoughts clearly through his implanted translator. “It matters little. We have unlocked the secrets of each item. In addition, we have stored the pertinent information in our data banks. We must now devise a plan to remove ourselves from this situation.”
Kurros opened his eyes in time to see two Hazari trying to lift X92, an advanced artificial intelligence who was another member of the Think Tank. The Hazari mistakenly thought X92 as a piece of technology and not as a member of the Think Tank. He quickly accessed his implanted translation device to communicate mentally with X92. “X92, initiate a countdown, and activate some lights, as if the Hazari have activated a dangerous device.”
Just as the Hazari started to lift X92, an ear-splitting siren sounded and red lights flashed. This caused the two to cease their activities and drop X92 quickly back in place.
“What in the name of Potales’ three balls is making that racket? Shut it off!” bellowed the commander.
Kurros screamed, “Do not touch it, or it will detonate immediately and obliterate this parsec of space and all in it! We must leave, and leave now! If we leave now at warp nine, we may have a slight chance of escaping its destructive power!”
“Huh…Abandon ship. Leave everything! Bridge, emergency beam out, now!” demanded the Commander.
Adding further dressing to the ruse, Kurros ran screaming toward the Hazari Commander and in a beseeching voice said, “Please, take us with you!” The last thing Kurros saw, before the boarding party beamed off, was the sneer on the commander’s face.
Kurros smirked smugly and said, “X92, you can stop that infernal noise now, before you shatter Xyglys’ tank.”
X92 abruptly abated the ear splitting squeal and sinister flashing red lights. The Think Tank’s ship headed in the opposite direction from the path the Hazari ship traveled, and out of that sector of space.
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CHAPTER TWO
XXX
“It is necessary that a method is found to neutralize Voyager in her journey through this quadrant. If we fail to do so, we risk Captain Janeway informing other denizens in this quadrant of our method of conducting business. Voyager’s path to the Alpha Quadrant is almost identical to our planned route. In truth, this route does not retrace any of our previous ones, thus removes us from contact with previous clients, who may feel exploited by our past business agreements,” surmised Bevvox, founder of the Think Tank.
Fennin, the tall reptilian member of the five, stated the obvious, “We underestimated Janeway’s ability to realize that we deceived her. What she lacks in superior intelligence is more than compensated by her innate cunning and her ability to correlate sequences of events to conclude that a deception was enacted.”
Rubbing his cheek in thought, Kurros replied, “Voyager may still be open to negotiations. Not for the Borg, of course. Captain Janeway will never part with her. However, for some other item of value to us, besides their silence.”
“Would it not benefit us more to destroy Voyager?” Xyglys noted.
Kurros held both palms out in a gesture of denial and shook his head. “Voyager could not be so easily destroyed without risk to us. If we followed that course of action, others in the Delta Quadrant would know of our deed. Do not forget the old Bareto adage, ‘The Universe has a billion eyes, ears, and mouths.’ Someone would come across wreckage and analyze it, and send out messages of what transpired. There could be survivors to spread news of the event. Why risk being ruined? No, we must find Janeway’s weakness. We must discover what she, or better yet, her society and species holds most dear. What would they risk their lives for without question or thought of danger or death?”
X92’s thoughts filtered through the translation device, “The micro-borer did attach itself to one of the Borg’s finger pads when she touched my faceplate during communication. It then entered Voyager’s mainframe when she accessed one of Voyager’s computer terminals. It proceeded to send us data until it ceased functioning. I have not analyzed the data, but it may contain information we can utilize in discovering a factor that will ‘persuade’ Janeway to negotiate with us on our terms.”
Kurros smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Brilliant, X92. We will analyze the ship’s logs and database for items of interest. X92 analyze the logs for any technology or discoveries that may be of interest to us. Especially, any information pertaining to Borg technology. This Seven of Nine may have data and research stored. Leave no file unopened.”
5.622 hours later, with all data from Voyager analyzed, the members of the Think Tank came to a meeting of the minds to share their findings. Kurros, standing with eyes closed and hands tucked into his sleeves, requested X92 to report any significant technological discoveries that would be of value.
“There are various Borg components incorporated into Voyager’s shields and sensors. In addition, there is some preliminary research into transwarp technology. There is one log remaining. This log has Borg encryption codes that are proving most difficult to unravel.”
Fennin reported, “Janeway’s record contains nothing we can utilize. However, her medical records do contain one odd, but perhaps irrelevant, fact. She and her helmsman, Tom Paris, produced three offspring while in a mutated form. This mutation occurred due to the accelerated evolutionary process caused by exceeding warp ten. Voyager’s doctor reversed the process for Janeway and Paris. The three offspring remain on the planet. There was no known procedure to de-evolve the offspring, since their genetic material was not evolved, as was that of their parents.”
Bevvox, the founder of the group, observed, “Though the mutated young are interesting, I do not think we can use them to our advantage. Borg technology is tempting and warrants further investigation. However, we do need to consider the possibility that many cultures in this sector would be hesitant to utilize it in fear that the Borg would be able to detect it on their sensors and trace it to the source. I propose, for now, that we forgo any dealings with Voyager and use our hyper-drive to jump light years ahead of her. This will not only put us clear of Voyager, but, in addition, give us the opportunity to waylay her, if, on further analyzes, we decide that we do want the Borg technology.”
Xyglys said, “As we know, the hyper drive engines are still in the experimental stage. They would be very risky unless we used them for very short bursts. It would take months to get far enough ahead of Voyager to have leeway to execute our endeavors.”
Kurros sighed in resignation. “While it is not an optimum choice, it is perhaps the best choice. It‘s a pity really. I would enjoy seeing Janeway bow to our demands.”
All agreed to follow Bevvox’s recommendation.
XXX
Two days later brought about a radical change in plans due to X92‘s cracking of the Borg code.
“Daily log, Seven of Nine, Stardate 51781.4. For 3.2 seconds, I saw perfection…The Omega Molecule. I have no words to describe this phenomenon. I would gladly spend the remainder of my life in studying...perfection. I am sure the scientist in Captain Janeway regrets the destruction of all records pertaining to our discovery. However, she is a Starfleet Captain, and what Starfleet mandates, she will carry out. She can do no less.”
Janeway had found the most powerful element in the Universe. The one, who possessed the knowledge of the Omega, and the power to use it, would rule the Universe.
“We have gone over all the ship’s logs pertaining to the time frame preceding this log entry. The logs, three weeks prior to this date, and three weeks preceding, do not indicate any irregularities, or contact with other species,” Reported X92.
Bevvox speculated, “It is obvious that Janeway acted under orders, put in place by Starfleet, to destroy the Omega should they come across it. She erased all evidence that they discovered anything out of the ordinary.”
“We could retrace their path,” said Fennin.
X92 replied, “Janeway has altered the records going back, and forwards, from Stardate 51781.4. We could spend decades searching for the source. In addition, she would destroy all Omegas in her path.”
Kurros said, “This, friends, is worth confronting Janeway. I have been thinking about Janeway’s mutated offspring. The one constant factor in Humanoid societies is the protection and rearing of young. We may have a bargaining tool...her children.”
Fennin replied, “You forget, Kurros, Janeway abandoned these offspring. She appears to have no nurturing instinct for her offspring and may have no desire to have them in her custody.”
Kurros rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Captain Janeway may not have any nurturing instinct, as of yet, due to the unique nature of her mutation when these offspring were conceived and birthed. The offspring in their current state are of a different species, though evolved from current Human genotypes. They may not be sentient, or may be so advanced we are but an amoeba to them. I believe that if we present these offspring to her in Human form she will do all in her power to obtain them. Her moral beliefs would play a major factor in her decision to safeguard her young. You also have to factor in the father. Lieutenant Paris hails from the same social community. The probability is high that he shares with Janeway the same core beliefs and values. No. This will succeed if we present them with Human offspring.”
Fennin interjected, “All is moot unless we can transform these creatures into Human form.”
Kurros continued his argument, “We can use similar principles to that which Voyager’s doctor used in reversing the transwarp evolutionary syndrome.”
Fennin cautioned, “You assume that the offspring have inherited the mutated protein sequence possessed by their parents. In all probability, this may be a unique characteristic found only in individuals who go through the process of increased evolution. The genetic coding of the offspring may not contain this protein since they never evolved, as did their parents.”
Xyglys interjected, “You are aware that my species go through stages of evolutionary genetic changes before reaching adulthood? If we can combine the enzyme that contains the proteins that cause this effect with their genes, it may act as the catalyst we need. We would then need to expose the treated creatures to an artificial temporal distortion field with negative polarities. This, I believe, will de-evolve their genes, thus achieving the results we want. Using the temporal distortion field with positive polarities, my species has been able to speed genetic changes at a much greater acceleration, thus producing an adult in minutes, instead of the decades it takes now. In lower life forms, when negative polarities are applied, they did de-evolve. However, we have never applied this to our species, or any sentient species.
“ Also, be aware that any method we employ would render the subject with no memory and leave only instinct. They will possess a normal brain and the intelligence that they inherit from their parents, but lack knowledge to use that intelligence, much as a neonate. They must go through a long learning process, which may take years, just as it does in the normal development of their species from neonate to mature adult.”
Fennin noted, “We have several other factors to consider. We do not know what the growth rates of this amphibious species are. They may already be mature and have gone through one, or more, mating cycles. In addition, if there is any combination of male and female, they may have already mated and produced young.”
Kurros, taking a deep breath, said, “We will span that blackhole if we come to it. Now, we need to discover if the offspring have survived.” Placing his hands back in his sleeves, Kurros continued, “There are certain procedures that can greatly accelerate the learning process and the retention of what is learned. An individual in which these…procedures are applied will learn in months what now takes years. This will not increase, or decrease, the intelligence level they have inherited.”
Fennin said, “I am assuming the method that you speak of does not utilize the technique of gene splicing. In my investigation into Federation laws, it is unlawful to alter the gene sequence with splicing the genotype for intelligence. If we do this to the offspring, this will prohibit them from entering many professions in the Federation. Janeway would hold us accountable.”
Kurros replied, “No, I thought to introduce certain enzymes to the learning and memory centers of the brain right before the de-evolving process. While minute traces of these enzymes may show up in certain testing procedures, it will be thought a benign, naturally occurring product of the planet on which the offspring were born.”
Xyglys inquired, “You are referring to the Oprepian enzyme? It is prohibited on many planets and would mean our incarceration for life if it is discovered that we posses it…and our deaths if we utilize it.”
Kurros smugly answered, "Who is to know if we do not keep records and the offspring are taken to the Alpha Quadrant?”
Fennin asked, “Where would we obtain this enzyme?”
Kurros, looking pleased with himself, declared, “I happen to have several samples in my possession. After all, I believe in being prepared for any transaction and providing our clients with many options.”
Bevvox informed the group, “At maximum warp, and utilizing the shortest route, it will take 21 months to reach the planet where the offspring are located. If Voyager continues her estimated route to the Alpha Quadrant, it would take an additional 39 months for us to be in the vicinity of her projected coordinates. However, if we employ the hyperspace burst drive, in short 15 minute bursts every 26 hours, we would reach our destination in 17 months, and Voyager in another 30-32 months.”
Fennin protested, “The drive has not been refined. It poses too great a danger. We may find ourselves stranded in hyperspace for a long time.”
Bevvox added, “That is why we must use a short burst and wait 26 hours for the antimatter phase shift to realign. If monitored carefully, for even a minute flux, we could immediately drop out of hyperspace. This, my friends, will be worth the venture. I believe the odds are on our side.”
XXX
“I am detecting only one life sign, located at latitude 48.7, longitude 52, which closely matches both the mutated genetic codes of Janeway and Paris that we obtained from Voyager‘s medical records. This signature is stationary and located near a briny estuary situated near the mouth of a river, which empties into the planet’s fourth largest ocean,” Intoned the flat, tinny, artificially produced voice of X92.
Kurros wondered briefly if the other two offspring perished, but was pleased that one had survived. “Good. The laboratory is ready. Commence beaming the subject to the prepared examination area. Come, Fennin. Let us see what offspring Captain Janeway has left.”
Kurros ran his medical scanning device over the one-meter long amphibious, salamander-like creature. He had to sedate it, as it attempted to bite him with its wide and muscular jaws. As he worked, he relayed his findings to the others. “A female, appearing to be right at the cusp of late adolescence and full maturity. She is slightly malnourished, but showing neither long-term signs of severe malnutrition nor any history of severe trauma to the body or internal organs. She is negative for any disease processes or congenital abnormalities. She should be able to go through the procedure with no adverse reactions. I will leave her sedated and proceed with injecting the enzyme to the areas of the brain discussed earlier, and then we will proceed with the rest.”
XXX
CHAPTER THREE
XXX
“Sprout, do not throw objects into Xyglys’ tank,” exclaimed Kurros. “Would you like to have objects thrown on you while you are sleeping?”
There was a thoughtful look on the teenager’s face. “No, Kurros. I am sorry, I did not think.”
“You should always think through the possible consequences of actions that you take, Sprout. Tell me, what did you think the consequence of your actions would be?”
Sprout put her right thumbnail between her teeth and started to chew it, something she often did while thinking.
Before she could answer, Kurros chastised her. “Sprout. Do not chew your fingernails. It is disgusting behavior. Now, answer the question I posed to you.”
She ceased this activity and answered, “I was conducting an experiment to see which object would float and which would not. I did not think Xyglys would mind.”
“Did you seek her permission?”
She hung her head, her dark red shoulder length hair falling forward onto her pale face. “No.”
“Why not?”
She took a deep breath through her nose and replied, “She is sleeping, and I did not want to wake her.”
Kurros went on in his soft but firm voice, “Could you not have waited until she awoke and then seek her permission?”
Sprout pushed out her bottom lip in thought then answered, “I did not want to wait. It would take hours for her to wake, and I did not want to wait that long.”
“I see, and you thought since she was sleeping you would go ahead with your experiment. You did not even consider that your actions might have harmed her if one of the objects had struck her.”
Wrapping her arms around herself, Sprout answered, “No, Kurros, I did not. I am sorry.”
“Sprout, you must learn patience and consideration for others. You should have asked her permission. Moreover, always try to think through any action, or experiment, you conduct to include any possible dangerous outcome as well as the beneficial ones. It could mean your survival or that of a colleague. Now, go to your quarters and think why you should have asked her permission. Later, when Xyglys is awake, you shall apologize to her.”
Still hanging her head, she answered, “Yes, Kurros.” Then she turned to go to her quarters.
Kurros knew that she was not attempting to harm Xyglys in any way. Curiosity led her to do this. However, she must learn the possible outcome of her actions. Perhaps he was expecting too much too soon. She was, in reality, only eight months old. Her learning had come a remarkably long way in only a short time, due to the Oprepian enzyme treatment.
Earlier in her development, she was into everything: pushing buttons, opening panels, and generally keeping everyone vigilant and on guard least she harm herself or blow up the whole ship. You had to hide every loose object or she would have it torn apart to see what made it work. They taught her quickly that certain areas and things were off limits. If she wanted to know the function of an object, one or more of the group would tell her, and, in X92’s case, show her through a holographic projection with any schematic she wished to view,. She received, as part of her learning, puzzles and simple mechanical toys with cogs, gears, and winding mechanisms, which she could take apart and put back together. Later, she received primitive electronic devices to study and assemble. She had the ability to determine how these objects worked and in what sequence to place components. Soon, he would give her more sophisticated components with which to construct devices.
He surmised that it was her father from whom she inherited this ability. Records from Voyager showed that he had a high mechanical aptitude, as well as superior spatial awareness. No doubt why he chose to be a pilot. His hobbies, rebuilding antiquated petroleum-fueled vehicles, and his collaboration with Ensign Kim in the construction of the Delta Flyer, demonstrated his mechanical aptitude.
She had her mother’s love of discovery and learning new things. She would spend hours in front of her computer‘s holographic screen researching the spatial phenomena she saw, of course, at her own level of current language skills and knowledge, which were accelerating rapidly.
She was, at present, on the reading and understanding level of a standard Human 13 year old. In another four months, she should be able to read and understand at the level required for entrance into Starfleet Academy. This would be close to the time they would intersect Voyager’s path. He thought Captain Janeway would be most appreciative of this. He would not inform her of the enzyme. Is she questioned Sprout’s current level of development, he planned to tell her it was a new technique developed for those with severe brain damage, which, in effect, stimulated the brain cells for rapid processing of information. If she objected, he would tell her that she would spend years teaching her daughter how to read, write, and function, on even the level of a 12-year old.
Sprout had a mind of her own, no doubt inherited from Janeway. For the most part, she was eager to please and compliant with rules the rules of the Think Tank. Although earlier in her development she was non-compliant.
She was a horror those first few weeks after her emergence; engaging in temper tantrums if she did not get her way, flinging herself on the deck and screaming at the top of her lungs, and thrashing and rolling around as in a seizure. Fennin said to ignore her, which is what they did to hatchlings on his world. When the young saw their behavior was not effective, they would learn to work with others to get what they wanted. Indeed, this advice worked after two long nerve-wracking weeks. Each member would go about his business and ignore her during one of her tantrums. If she threw her food on the floor because she did not like it, she did not eat that night. If she threw her possessions, she did not get them back. Soon, she learned to control her temper and to work out compromises. However, she could be stubborn at times and want to argue every point and rule. And to his surprise, her arguments were often logical.
Yes, he thought, Captain Janeway will not be disappointed. Besides being intelligent, she was physically attractive by most humanoid standards. Physically, she resembled both parents, having her father’s build, tall and slender. She stood at 5’7.5”. She might yet grow another half-inch before reaching full adult maturity. She had her mother’s general face shape, seen in her high cheekbones, the shape of her nose, eyes and chin. The eye coloring was more that of the bright blue of her father. She had his mouth and placement of eyebrows. Her hair was a dark red, not the auburn of her mother’s. At her emergence, he estimated her age to be 15.9 in Human years. He would miss her, but to harness the power of the Omega Molecule was too overwhelming to give up.
XXX
She had lost something and realized that it was trust. Trust she had in Kurros and the others. Kurros stated that he had never meant to deceive her. He would have informed her, in time, of her heritage when she was at a stage in her development to understand. He stated that the time had come for her to learn who she was.
It had started out with what she thought was an innocent inquiry. Moreover, it resulted in a misinterpretation of what she thought were facts. She had assumed that Kurros was her parent, as biologically she had very similar physiological characteristics to his own. They were both Humanoid, and he was the only Humanoid on the ship. He took an interest in her safety and wellbeing. He taught her how to take care of herself. He provided her with food, clothing and shelter. He was interested in her intellectual development. Was this not what a parent did for their offspring? She had asked him if he were her only parent by means of parthenogenesis, or if she had another parent with whom she shared her genetic makeup. He had said nothing at first. He stood and appraised her with an analytic stare. He had sighed and informed her it was time she learned the truth about herself, what she was, and why she was aboard their ship.
What she learned about herself and her origin was bewildering. She could not fathom that the story he told had anything to do with her. How her biological parents were aboard a starship just a few months away. That he was going to reunite her with her parents. She wanted no part of it. Kurros, and to some extent the four others on the ship, were more her parents than those who had abandoned her. No. This was her home. She wanted to stay. He told her that would be impossible. Their travels and mission often led them into some very dangerous situations, which could be life threatening. She would be safer with her parents. She reasoned that if her parents had truly wanted her, they would not have abandoned her on that planet. Forget that they did not know how to transform her to a Human. They should have still taken her with them and attempted to discover a way to transform her. Why did he want to give her over to them? He had told her because they owed Captain Janeway a debt of gratitude for her part in a prior mission. He would not elaborate on the details of the mission, or what Janeway’s role was, but Kurros taught her to take nothing said or done at face value. She was sure the ‘owe’ part could have several meanings on many different levels.
He allowed her to view selected information about this ship, Voyager, from tens of thousands of light years away. He also let her view selected information on her parents. She had at first refused to look at this information. She would not acknowledge these Humans as her parents. She had gone to the others and pleaded her case. They had only agreed with Kurros. She felt unwanted. They had lied to her with their silence. What other information were they withholding from her?
Finally, she gave in to her curiosity and accessed the information on the two Humans. She was not impressed. This Captain Janeway had gotten herself, and her ship, stranded thousands of light years away from their home. She was not intelligent enough to find a way to get them home again. Her father was inferior to her mother in rank, which proved, he was even less intelligent. Kurros could find another way to repay them for their assistance.
She knew that the purpose of the Think Tank group was to solve problems. She knew they outstripped her in intelligence. That must be it. She inherited her inferior intelligence from her parents, and Kurros and the others, did not think her intelligent enough to contribute. They thought her unworthy. As for her genetic parents, they had thought her so unworthy as to abandon her. This fact was perhaps the one that hurt the most.
XXX
“Since our long range scanners have failed to discover Voyager in the projected vicinity, we should stay in normal space until we find some ship, or a nearby planet, that may have information on them. I surmise that Voyager should be within a few days of our present location,” Bevvox rationalized to the others.
XXX
Three days later a Talaxian freighter from a nearby colony contacted them. The news was, to say the least, distressing. Voyager had made it back to the Alpha Quadrant; of this, they were positive, as her Captain had contacted a former Talaxian crewmember, by the name of Neelix, through an artificial wormhole. This wormhole was only large enough for a small stream of energy to enter and to exit. This wormhole was created by a Federation communications system called the Midas Array. The Think Tank members were familiar with the Midas Array, as Voyager’s logs contained a substantial amount of information pertaining to it. It could prove useful in contacting Captain Janeway in the near future.
What was truly stunning was that Captain Janeway had somehow managed to enter into Borg space and use the Borg transwarp hub for Voyager’s trip home. How did Janeway do it? Again, they had underestimated her abilities.
They would visit the Talaxian Colony, which lay less than two weeks away from their current position. This Talaxian, Neelix, had been aboard Voyager when the Think Tank had their encounter with Janeway. They would have to gain enough of his trust to do business. They would need to use this Midas Array to contact Captain Janeway. Of course, they would be willing to pay for access to the wormhole generated by the Array. A colony was always in need of some service or item. After all, an enemy force occupied the colonists’ native planet, Talaxia, and could not lend them support. It would be in the Talaxians’ interest to do business with them. Besides, the Think Tank had a key that would more than likely buy this Neelix’s support: Sprout. Talaxians were strong on family ties and support. He would more than likely be eager to reunite his friends’ daughter with them; of that, Kurros was certain.
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CHAPTER FOUR
XXX
This news pleased Sprout. Voyager and her genetic donors, as she referred to her biological parents, were back in the Alpha Quadrant where they belonged. True, Kurros had made it known that she could not stay. She was hurt and angry, but did get some amount of satisfaction from their plans having failed.
She had known something was wrong, as Kurros had not been his dutiful self in reminding her it was time to eat, or time for her lessons. She asked him what was transpiring. He, at first, told her it was business between him and his associates. She informed him it was her business, too, as it concerned her and she was no longer a child. By Federation standards she was an adult, having turned 18 a month ago. He looked at her as if she were a stranger or some new discovery. She just looked right back at him with a calm, assured look, which told him she was right, and he knew it. He had nodded and told her he would discuss it with the others. She went over to one of the consoles and drew up one of the small view screens to search for anything of interest near their current location. She knew they were discussing something to do with her as they had shut down her implanted translator. It was much too quiet: No conversation, as they were using just their thoughts to communicate. X92, Kurros, and Fennin could communicate by voice, but Bevvox and Xyglys only by thought. Thought communication gave her a terrible headache and made her nose bleed if she used it for more than two minutes. She wished for them to conclude their discussions and inform her of their decision.
XXX
Kurros stated, “She is an adult, after all, at least in the Federation. She is able to formulate accurate decisions based on the evidence presented. In fact, I would say that her logical approach to actions and consequences is beyond her years. We need not inform her of the Omega Molecule.”
Bevvox asserted, “Agreed. We invested a lot of time in her, time that we could have used to pursue our prior agenda. If there is no way for us to trade for the Omega, there may be some culture we can trade or sell her to.”
Kurros angrily retorted, “No, she stays with us in that event.”
“Your reason is clouded by an attachment to this Human. I founded this coalition, Kurros, the decision is mine, or better yet, we will cast a consensus.”
“I will not participate, and I will leave. You need me, Bevvox. I am the only one that Janeway will deal with. She is Humanoid and more inclined to accept my offer. The majority of species in the Delta Quadrant, as in all Quadrants, is Humanoid. You would not be able to communicate with 90 percent of them. Xyglys is so alien to them they would think of her as non-sentient. X92 is a machine. They would deal with a Borg before they would deal with a machine. However, many Humanoid races would find Sprout attractive. She is also well spoken. Many cultures would more readily listen to her than to me. She can act as our representative or…bait.”
Xyglys laughed, or what passed for laughter in her species. “Kurros has become both father and mother to her. His fry is ready to leave the egg pouch and he wants what is in her best interest. Is it not so, Kurros?”
Kurros nodded. “Yes, I admit I do think of her as my child. However, that does not have any bearing on what I am proposing. She possesses self-confidence and presence, as well as intelligence. With the proper training, I believe she would make a very good representative for us.”
Bevvox acquiesced. “You have persuaded me. Even if we contacted Captain Janeway, she does not speak for the Federation and may not have the information on the Omega that we need. However, she may be able to persuade Seven of Nine to part with the knowledge. What information she has on Omega will be part of her eidetic memory. After all, Janeway freed her from the collective and she may believe she is indebted to her.”
Kurros, rubbing his chin, replied, “We need to turn our efforts to opening up a way from the Delta Quadrant to the Alpha, so that the trade may be made. However, Janeway must come to us. We do not go to her. I do not trust Janeway. She would lay an ambush.”
Bevvox said, “It is settled. Let us formulate a plan.”
XXX
Kurros informed Sprout that they would find a way to return her to her parents. Sprout had argued that Janeway did not want her, which is why she left her on the planet. Why would she change her mind? Kurros said this was because she had been a different species. Now she was ’Human’.
Sprout knew that Kurros was not being truthful. He taught her never to take a word or discussion at face value; a simple explanation could disguise and hide very different meanings. She had a feeling he was keeping something from her. She would find out for herself. Little did they suspect, when they excluded her from their discussions, that she was not only utilizing the computer to access the viewscreen, as she was allowed to do, but had been able to obtain the data codes to unlock the portion of Voyager’s logs that had been denied her. She had broken the codes over several days by positioning her small hand computer close enough to the console to pick up voice commands and hand movements. They had been careless. They had overlooked her computer, not realizing that it was active and recording their private codes each time they required information from the main frame. She would have her computer display all information on Kurros and the others. Especially, information from Voyager’s logs. Perhaps she could discover information to assist her in uncovering what they had hidden from her.
XXX
CHAPTER FIVE
XXX
Neelix felt he was the happiest man in the Delta Quadrant. He now had a family and a community that looked up to him as a leader. He was also the sole Delta Quadrant Ambassador to The Federation, and kept in regular contact with Starfleet and his former Captain, now, Admiral Janeway.
This not only afforded him a fair amount of prestige among his own people, but also among other races. The Talaxian Asteroid Colony was on its way to becoming an important place to visit, and the only place that had direct communication with the Alpha Quadrant. Indeed, it was worth going out of your way to visit and offer discounts on supplies and needed equipment, just to stay in the Ambassador’s good graces. Of course, it was customary to send a few gifts to the Ambassador, as a token of good will. After all, the speculation was that it would only take a short while for the Federation to find a quick and safe way to travel to the Delta Quadrant. This would open up many new trade opportunities that could make one very, very rich. In addition, the area surrounding the Colony would more than likely be the Alpha Quadrant’s entry point when that happened. The Colony already had plans in the works to build a commerce area and docking ports. Long-term plans were to commandeer other close by large asteroids for additional living space as well as areas of commerce.
Moreover, Neelix’s opinion mattered on just about every plan or action, however large or small. Neelix also served an important role for the Federation. He was the eyes and ears to any news, rumor, or gossip concerning the remnants of the Borg, and of any threat from other species in the Delta Quadrant that could affect the Alpha Quadrant.
Yes, Neelix was the ‘go to man’ of the Delta Quadrant.
XXX
Neelix was just getting ready to leave his large Ambassadorial office when he was stopped in his tracks by the sudden appearance of a familiar being. “What do you want? Say, I remember you. You leave. We have nothing here for you,” Neelix exclaimed, his eyes squinted, tried to look stern.
The holographic form of Kurros softly replied, “Hear what I have to offer first. I’m sure the information I possess will not only be of interest to you but for your Captain Janeway as well.”
Still glaring at Kurros, Neelix responded sharply, “I doubt that. I need nothing from you. Nor does Admiral Janeway. Now, depart from here or I’ll find your ship and blow it to dust.”
Kurros, his hands tucked in his sleeves, replied with a smile, “Admiral Janeway? This is all for the better. As Admiral, she may have the authority to retrieve something of value she left behind. You can help her do this if you allow me to contact her through the Midas Array.”
“Not a chance. Now, take your holographic self and leave.”
Kurros bowed his head slightly and said, “You mean, Ambassador, she would not want her own flesh and blood? She would not want to be united with her child?”
Neelix, struck dumb for a moment, recovered himself and snorted disparagingly. “What trick is this? Admiral Janeway has no child. Why, I would have known about it. Now, you listen to me. I want you gone from here by the count of 10, or I will send out every ship we have to search you out and blow you to bits...”
Kurros put up his holographic hands to halt Neelix‘s threat and said, “I will send you my proof through your communications system. View it. If you need more proof, I will provide that also. I will be in contact with you in 12 hours. The decision is yours, Ambassador.” With that, the hologram disappeared.
Kurros sent an information packet detailing Sprout's discovery, and the methods used to augment her genetic material. He also included her genetic chart, as well as a report on her physical and mental development. Included in this information were holographic images of Sprout through her past three years, engaged in activities such as asking questions and studying lessons. At first, Neelix decided he would not even open the communiqué, as it would contain nothing but lies. He did not doubt that Kurros and his cohorts could make up a plausible story. No. He would just ignore it. Nevertheless, it would not hurt to review the lies as it could give him future insight on how the Think Tank operated. He would access the data later, when he had time.
Neelix had just tucked Brax in for the night after telling him a bedtime story. Dexa was reading the latest novel from Be’ena. Neelix decided to spend some time going over different reports. He went to his computer console and saw that the message light was blinking. He had almost forgotten about the packet of lies Kurros was sending him. ‘Well, why not. Let’s see what this Tagglocian slime worm has sent.’ Thirty minutes later he did not know what to think. It all seemed plausible to him.
“Dexa, come here and view this and tell me what you think. I must warn you, this Kurros and his cohorts are about as honest as Kazons.” Neelix nervously rubbed his hands together and started pacing.
Dexa took the seat in front of the computer and started reading. She glanced up at her pacing spouse and said, “Neelix, I can’t concentrate when you do that.”
“Yes my Sweets. I think I’ll take a walk and get some exercise. I’ll be back in around thirty minutes.”
When Neelix returned, Dexa, still seated, was looking at the video of Sprout. She immediately turned and stated, “Get Dr. Podda over here as fast as you can. Let her view this. Neelix, I...I don’t know what to think. It all looks plausible to me.”
Neelix inquired, “Don’t you think she looks like Admiral Janeway? Of course, I can see some of Paris in her, too.”
Dexa replied honestly, “Humans all look alike to me; I had a hard time telling them apart when I was on Voyager, except some were male and some female.”
“Hee, hee, well after living with them for seven years I got pretty good at telling them apart, hee, hee, hee.”
XXX
Dr. Podda shook her head, baffled at the information she just read. “I don’t know, Ambassador Neelix. This de-evolution procedure is beyond what Talaxian Medicine knows. I could scan the young woman and verify that she is Human. Even get genetic evidence you could send to Admiral Janeway. She can have the genetic test compared to components of both her makeup and that of the child’s father. Beyond that, there is nothing more I can do.”
Neelix nervously rubbed his hands together. “Yes, yes, good idea. In nine hours, Kurros will contact me. I can demand that he bring the girl here and let you examine her and obtain the genetic sample you need.”
Dr. Podda agreed, “Very well. Contact me when you have the child.”
Neelix continued to rub his hands together. “Dexa, what will I do if it is Admiral Janeway’s child? Moreover, what does Kurros want in exchange for her? I can’t leave her to those…kidnappers.”
Dexa put her arms around Neelix and hugged him. “You will think of something, my Sweets. You always do”
XXX
“What if I don‘t want to meet with this…Ambassador Neelix?”
Kurros tilted his head to one side and asked, “Why do you continue to defy us? We have had this conversation before. You will not stay.”
Sprout growled, “Uhgggh, I do not know why I continue to waste my time arguing. You lied to me when you said you owed Janeway a debt of appreciation. I am the key to persuading Janeway to give you something that you want. Seven of Nine, perhaps?” She smirked when seeing the stunned expression on Kurros’ face. “Do not bother denying it. I was able to slip through your codes and access most of Voyager’s logs. I know what you are, Kurros, what all of you are. You are predators. You prey on the needs of others for your, so called, assistance. However, at too great a price, for you leave them, in many ways, worse off than before. You taught me well, Kurros. Everything has a price.”
Kurros bowed slightly in acknowledgement and said, “You are brighter than we thought, and have the cunning of your mother. Nevertheless, I will be honest. You are nothing but the means to obtain something we want. Even if this venture fails, you may find yourself traded or sold.”
Sprout went silent, and looked at Kurros with eyes wide in disbelief. She felt like crying, and her eyes started to water. In a voice full of hurt, she said, “You would do that, Kurros?”
“It has been discussed.” He dropped his gaze in obvious embarrassment and perhaps, shame.
She studied him closely for a moment, and then came to a decision. Her eyes now shuttered and cold, she said in a sharp voice, “I will do as you wish.”
She turned to go and ready herself to meet Ambassador Neelix, but stopped, and turned. Laughing derisively, she stated, “I do believe Janeway will not play your game. I am nothing to her. I am sure what you want in return for me is too much. She would get a poor bargain. If you hope to gain the Borg, Seven of Nine, you will have gained your own demise. She will destroy you, as you have nothing to hold her here. I admit that I have a grudging respect for Janeway. She has outwitted the Borg, and you. That is no small achievement for one who is of an...inferior species.” She turned and headed for her room.
XXX
CHAPTER SIX
XXX
Daily Log. Pendolian Stellar Time. 7461.7213. All that I have known, since my first waking memory, has ended. I have no family, no friends, and no sense of who I am. I know what I am. I am a freak of science and of nature. An accident to be forgotten by those who are my parents. I am but a commodity to those that made me as I am now. A commodity to trade, for what I do not know. Yet, Kurros will fail in his plans. He, and the others, have their superior intellect, but lack the innate ability to extrapolate from the actions of others their intended path.
I have read about my maternal parent, Captain Janeway. She has the ability to stay one-step ahead of her enemies. She has the ability to put herself in their place and say, “If I were in their place, this is the next action I would execute.” I am her progeny. I am developing this ability. I do not need great intellect. Too much intellect and belief in your superiority leads to hubris. Hubris allows you only to see one aspect of yourself through a narrow tunnel. You fail to see the stones at your feet. It is the stones that will trip you. I am a stone.
XXX
It had been four days since Neelix first met Sprout. If this was a trick, an illusion, it was, without a doubt, the best that he had ever seen. He could see both Admiral Janeway and Tom Paris in her makeup. Unlike Tom, or even Admiral Janeway, she was reserved and mostly silent. Neelix did the talking for both of them: Telling her how he knew both of her parents well. How Janeway was the shrewdest, smartest, bravest, and best captain he had ever met. How her father was the best pilot he had ever known, could create the best holo-adventures, and loved to build fast ships. She just let him talk. Saying nothing really, asking a few questions about the technology used in building the colony or the various functions of equipment she saw in the medical bay.
Dr. Podda took DNA samples and ran various tests, including brain scans. She asked Dr. Podda what she was doing and asked to see the many instruments and how to read the information. She asked no questions about her parents, or the Alpha Quadrant. It flummoxed Neelix that she lacked interest in her parents and heritage. These were important matters to Talaxians. Perhaps these…kidnappers had done something to inhibit her emotionally, or left out something in the process when turning her into a Human. Well, that was the least of his worries. In two hours, Admiral Janeway would contact him for his monthly update, and he would send Kurros’ request for a conference. He would also send the data on her daughter he obtained from Kurros, along with their own data, for her to analyze. He pitied both Admiral Janeway and Tom Paris, for there might well be heartbreak all the way around. He would do all at his end to assist Admiral Janeway and Tom Paris in getting their daughter to them.
XXX
PART TWO
X
CHAPTER ONE
XXX
The bronze and black placard on the wall next to her new office door read, ‘Admiral K. Janeway’. ‘Gods, that was my father’s title. I don’t think I can get used to that without thinking my father has somehow miraculously appeared…or the former version of my older self.’ She had gone by Captain for so many years; it had almost become her official first name. That time and place were now behind her. The present and future were what she had now, a future that was looking pretty good, ‘Thank you, Admiral Janeway.’
She turned her attention to the old-fashioned oak door and pressed down the polished, cool, brass handle to gain admittance. The door and handle were an anachronism from the past, linking that past to the present, showing that power and command remain a constant, even in the here and now. There was no computer chime to announce a visitor. One must have the courage to knock and wait for the power within to grant entrance: To turn the handle, cross the threshold, and enter into the lion’s den, to bell the beast before it devoured you.
Surveying the interior from the open door, a large picture window drew her gaze, offering a view of San Francisco Bay, and the majestic San Francisco Bridge, stretching over the harbor like a comet’s tail. The Bridge was as much a symbol of this city as were the old antiquated cable cars that had been in service for centuries and were still running up and down the hills. Earthquakes toppled much of the Bridge into the bay below, once in 2024 and again in 2283, then the Breen attack during the Dominion war destroyed it. However, each rebuilding adhered to the original look.
Her gaze next rested on the soothing shades of muted blues of the carpet and decorative drapes. The walls were bare, waiting for the occupant’s choice of art to give the room that personal touch. Decorating and art really were not one of her strong points, despite having taken art lessons from a hologram of Leonardo da Vinci. She would consult with Phoebe on the appropriate ‘Admiral’ art to hang on the walls. Smirking to herself, she thought, ‘I will have to stress the ‘appropriate’, or Phoebe will have my office looking like who knew what….a Risian Pleasure Palace or some nightmarish landscape out of a Klingon’s worst, or maybe best, dreams.’
In the back and center of the room, and facing the door, were an oak desk and a large, tobacco brown leather chair. She wondered if the pieces were the real McCoy and not replicated wood and leather having the same look, feel, and textures. Her mother, ever the Traditionalist, swore she could tell the difference between the natural product and the replicated. “It’s the smell,” she would proclaim. “That is the one thing that can never be replicated”. Her mother and sister had a ‘nose’ for what were real wood, leather, cloth, and food. To Kathryn, real and replicated all looked, felt, tasted and smelled the same….except of course for Phoebe’s coffee, whiskey, and her mother’s cooking. Nothing replicated could ever match the taste or smell of those genuine articles.
She entered her office and strode toward her desk and chair, her right hand lightly caressing the desk’s surface in passing. Turning the chair toward her, she gracefully slid into it, wiggling her behind a little to get the proper fit. Putting her arms on each armrest, she pushed with her feet to twirl the chair around a few times. ‘Hmmm, not a bad fit.’ She surveyed the room noted that it was twice as large as her ready room on Voyager. ‘Rank does have its privileges.’ On the left side of the room was a large rectangular conference table with six medium blue chairs. Sitting parallel to the table, and against the front wall, was a small bar made of oak and polished to a rich brown, its surface graced by several crystal decanters and a rack of crystal glasses. She would have to check it out later to see if it contained the appropriate ‘medicinal’ supplies.
She noticed the replicator next to the bar and hoped the program for coffee produced a drinkable brew. ‘Perhaps I can bribe Phoebe to brew up a pot for me to take to work each day.’ Turning her attention to the desk, she noted the stack of PADDS; one set to the side was blinking for her immediate attention. Grabbing the PADD, she quickly scanned it for the item of today’s briefing: A request from Commander Tokale for additional ships to patrol the area around the Breen sector due to suspicious activity. She had plenty of time to go over the details before the first meeting. Lightly tossing the PADD to one side, she marveled at the size of the desk. ‘Gods, this is the size of the pool table at Sandrines and as empty as the deserts on Mars.’ The only other objects she saw were a communications and computer module. Her bust of Leonardo could go on the right outer edge. In the rest of the space, she would place family pictures, and pictures of Voyager’s crew taken while still in the Delta Quadrant. Of course, her favorite picture was the one taken a few weeks ago of herself and Seven sitting in the swing on her mother’s front porch, Seven dressed in a white poet’s shirt and dark linen trousers. She, still in her Starfleet Uniform, having just returned from her ‘interrogation’ by Starfleet brass.
That night had turned out to be a special night when each woman said to the other, “I love you” for the first time. Every day since that night, they kept saying those three words to each other, and hearing them was still as wonderful and magical as the first time she heard Seven say, “I love you”. Somehow, she knew that the words would always be magical when Seven said them to her.
Her thoughts traveled back to the Delta Quadrant, where she was not only the Captain of Voyager, but filled the role of Admiral and Ambassador. That time and place were literally thousands of light years away. Her eyes turned a pensive sea gray blue, as images, people and places flashed like a strobe in her thoughts. Crewmembers left behind in death, each young face and name forever chiseled into her memory. Harrowing escapes from Vidiians, Hirogens, Borg, and other hostile species. Also, friendlier encounters, where Voyager was received with friendship, and they were able to take much needed respites on the journey home. There were friends made, and left behind, but never forgotten: Neelix, Kes, Amelia Earhart, and so many others. She brought home to Starfleet new technologies, some stolen from the Borg. She chuckled in amusement. Not only technologies; she had stolen and kept for herself the Borg Queen’s most prized possession, Seven of Nine, the former Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One. This one young woman alone made the journey worthwhile, and she would gladly do it all over again just to have her.
She remembered the first time she saw Seven stepping out of that lone alcove on the Borg cube as the Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One. The young Borg had intrigued her. It was obvious, even with her Borg armor and attachments, that Seven was someone special and not your average mindless drone. No, the Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One had what other Borg lacked: a personality, and the ability to make her own decisions and take her own course of actions. Of course, at the time, those decisions were paramount to what was good for the collective. Still, she was no mere automaton. The fact that Seven was born of Human parents, who were citizens of The Federation, gave Kathryn the needed justification to free her, even if she did have to double-cross the Borg Queen to do it. The Bitch had it coming. How many times had she double-crossed them?
From the beginning she had felt herself strongly drawn to the young woman. She had a gnawing desire to see what lay beneath the armor and implants, to delve into Seven’s mind, and discover what made her so unique. She attributed this desire to her love for ‘scientific discoveries’, but now, thinking back, she knew that her motivations might not have been so pure. The fact that Seven did not want any part of individuality worried Janeway little. After all, Seven could not remember a time when she was not Borg, and Janeway wanted to help her discover that her true nature was Human, that being free to follow that nature was more rewarding than having your thoughts directed by the will of the collective, or the Queen.
Later, with the removal of Seven’s armor and most of her implants, she found herself attracted by the Borg’s cold and austere beauty, combined with Borg efficiency and a brilliant intellect.
Her heart ached knowing all that this beautiful young woman had missed by not having a childhood and loved ones to nurture you: The simple things that were important in a young person’s life, such as birthday parties, climbing trees, playing tag, and going to your first dance.
She would be Seven’s guide back to Humanity. She thrived on their ‘philosophical discussions'. Seven’s refusal to follow orders that she deemed ‘irrelevant’ intrigued and invigorated, as well as, challenged her. This battle of wills kept her on her toes. Seven was more like a willful adolescent, not quite child and not quite adult, deliberately breaking her parent’s rule in a demonstration of independence. And, like an adolescent, testing the limits of her power to make decisions, and having to reap the consequences necessary in preparing for adulthood.
Seven drew her attention as a Ferengi was drawn to a vault of latinum. Many a night, after her shift, she would go to cargo bay 2 just to gaze upon the young woman with wonder, and, yes, with longing. Seven was never aware of her nocturnal vigilance…of her…what…caring and concern? ‘Yes, Katie, and more, be honest, she was your obsession.’ She would never admit it at the time. She had duties far beyond that of the average Starfleet Captain.
She was Seven’s superior, and her crew would perceive any relationship, other than friendship, as a weakness. Not only that, but her professional actions, as pertained to Seven, would come under scrutiny. Any orders pertaining to Seven would be dissected to see if they were flavored with favoritism. Therefore, she lived in hope that someday she would be free to claim Seven’s affections. How? She did not know.
There was also another, not so noble feeling, she harbored for the young woman. She had a most definite proprietary feeling for Seven. Seven was hers. She had fought the Borg Queen for her, and won. Seven was her prize by right of conquest. ‘To the victor goes the spoils’ and woe to him, or her, who tried to take that prize from her.
She thought back on that ‘Chakotay’ business Seven had engaged in and gave a small shudder of abhorrence and felt a surge of anger. ‘Gods, the nerve of the man strolling onto my bridge all smug and smirking, sitting down next to me, and announcing his “so called” relationship with ‘my’ Seven of Nine.’ It had been all she could do not to jump up, smack him up against his head, and knock off those disgusting blue chicken tracks. Instead, she had put on her best Cheshire Cat smile to wish him well. Thinking all the while, ‘no way, this is not going to happen.’ Someway, she would make Seven see sense. She hadn’t fought the Borg Queen, Ransom, and the Think Tank, to get Seven back just to let her ‘waste’ herself on some phony wooden drugstore Indian.
She had fumed all night long, tossing and turning, while sleep evaded her. She remembered thinking of at least thirty different ways she could ‘off’ the fool to make it look like an accident. She had said to herself, “Damn, it must be just one of Seven’s forays into Humanity. I bet you all the coffee in Brazil that Holographic Sawbones is somehow behind this. He is about to get his light bulbs unscrewed for good. Chakotay, what does he see in her. Damn, the jerk had wanted to space her.” She remembered him spewing out all that phony ’doom and gloom’ prophesying that Seven would betray us, as it was in her nature. She remembered a sudden nauseating thought hitting her, ‘Good gods, Katie, he is after her body. That is what it is. It has to be. Seven is like a babe in the woods, with Chakotay the big bad wolf. No, make that a horn dog. Bet that’s his totem animal. Katie, you have to do something.’ That something turned out to be the intervention of Captain Kathryn Janeway’s future self, Admiral Janeway.
XXX
CHAPTER TWO
Two months earlier
XXX
They had done it. With the sacrifice made by Admiral Kathryn Janeway, Voyager had made it back to the Alpha Quadrant. After a stunned silence, on the Bridge, for almost 2 minutes, it finally started to sink in. With tears, cheers, and jubilation, the lost sheep had returned to the fold. Just forty nine hours to what was home for most, and a symbol of Starfleet to all. Terra Firma, Earth, Gaia.
Already, Starfleet channels were flooded with messages to loved ones and friends on Voyager. Most of the crew stayed wide awake; many afraid if they closed their eyes and slept, they would wake up and it would have all been a dream, a cruel trick played upon them by a malevolent Delta Quadrant culture, much like a similar incident that occurred earlier in their journey.
Captain Janeway had shut herself up in her ready room, stealing an hour or two of light sleep, on their forty-nine hour journey home. This time, they were not alone. Flying escort were dozens of Starfleet vessels, of all classes, that rendezvoused with Voyager at the coordinates where she emerged from the Borg transwarp corridor. Starfleet had destroyed the one Borg sphere on Voyager’s heels, and the corridor collapsed behind them, sealing off the main doorway to the Alpha Quadrant. This incident would perhaps prevent a Borg incursion for a very long time.
Now Janeway, and her command crew, except for B’Elanna Torres-Paris and Tom Paris, in sickbay with their newborn daughter, were aboard Enterprise as guests of Captain Jean Luc Picard and Admiral Hayes.
Introductions were made, and the mood was jovial, except for Seven of Nine, who hated any sort of party gathering, and, oddly enough, Chakotay. He sat in the opposite corner from Seven, his features taciturn and brooding. It was obvious that he was looking everywhere, and at everyone, with the exception of Seven. ‘Trouble in Paradise?’ Janeway pondered. ‘Now, that we are in Federation space, has Seven finally come to her senses?’ She would talk to Seven later and find out what had happened. For now, she had to stay in her role of the Fearless Captain Janeway, who had brought her small ship and crew home, beating all odds.
Glasses of Chateau Picard were poured and passed around. They toasted Voyager’s return home. Janeway toasted her crew and officers.
Then she gave a withering look to Commander Will Riker and said with a growl in her voice, “Mr. Riker, I hear you have already been circling my crew looking for recruits for Enterprise.”
Will nodded his head to Janeway, lifting his glass in a salute, and said, “Can you blame me? They are among the best seasoned crew in Starfleet.”
Captain Picard, hearing the comment, stated evenly, “The Dominion War left us with thin ranks. The war took a terrible toll of experienced crew and officers. Kathryn, when you get back to Starfleet, you will find quite a few commanders and captains still in their twenties, with virtually no experience in coming up through the ranks and learning all the nuances of command.”
Janeway looked stricken. “I knew we were hit hard from reading the reports that came through the Midas Array. I had no idea it was that bad.”
Admiral Hayes, shaking his head sadly, said, “It was devastating. Your seasoned crew, who are in Starfleet, can expect promotions and many offers. They will have their pick. And you, yourself, Kathryn, can expect your pick of any of the new vessels being built at Utopia Shipyard.”
Janeway thought for a moment before inquiring, “What about my Maquis crewmen? They served Voyager and Starfleet well. Without them, we would not have made it back. I can vouch for Chakotay; he will make an outstanding captain. B’Elanna Torres kept our ship flying on a wing and a prayer. I think she held it together by sheer will power. From what you are telling me, Starfleet can ill afford to turn down this opportunity.”
Admiral Hayes smiled smugly. “Rest assured, Kathryn, we know a good thing when we see it. With the pardoning of the Maquis, there will be no problem in signing on those of the former Maquis who wish it.”
Suddenly, Seven’s voice was stridently inquiring, “What of myself and Icheb? What plan does Starfleet have for us?”
Janeway, glancing over at the young woman, saw that she was no longer seated but standing rigidly in her customary Borg pose she took when upset. Her now glacier blue eyes were boring into Admiral Hayes’ eyes with the intensity of a phaser set on kill. Janeway kept her voice level and said, “Seven, let me handle this, I’m sure…”
Seven turned that laser gaze onto Janeway. “No, Captain. Both you and I know that Starfleet has made a decision on what disposition to take in regard to the future of myself and Icheb.” Turning her attention back to the Admiral she stated, “It would be inefficient for Starfleet not to have done so. Am I correct, Admiral?”
Admiral Hayes cleared his throat and donned what he hoped was an appeasing smile. “Annika Hanson, is it…may I call you Annika?”
Seven, still in her ‘Ice Queen’ mode, answered frostily, “You may not. I prefer you refer to me as Seven of Nine.”
Janeway stifled her guffaw. ‘And that is Ms. Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One, to you, windbag.’
Admiral Hayes conceded with a nod. “Seven of Nine, you and the other Bor…boy have nothing to worry about. We are aware of the special situation that both you and the boy are in, and will do our best to help both of you to acclimate to society. Starting the day we get back to Earth, Starfleet will take custody and responsibility for the care of both of you, and guarantee your safety and well being.”
“We will not comply,” Seven stated frostily.
Janeway quickly read between the lines of Admiral Hayes’ comments and came to a quick conclusion. Seven and Icheb would be taken into Starfleet custody for other, less than honest, reasons. “Admiral Hayes, with all due respect, you can’t mean that. Seven has family she has not seen since she was a very small child…An aunt, grandparents, and cousins, who are eagerly awaiting her return. She has family she needs to connect with and they with her. Both she and Icheb are no longer Borg, nor are they part of the collective. I assure you, Admiral, Starfleet intervention will do more harm than good. If there are concerns, I will vouch for them both. Tuvok has started adoption procedures for Icheb and has been granted legal guardianship of the boy by the Vulcan Embassy until the adoption is finalized.”
Will Riker amusedly interrupted, “This entitles the boy…Icheb, according to Vulcan law, to all the rights and privileges of a Vulcan citizen. Starfleet will have no jurisdiction over him.”
Captain Picard interceded, “Seven is a full citizen of the Federation with all its rights and privileges. In addition, Starfleet has no jurisdiction, as she is not a part of Starfleet. Federation law plainly states that Starfleet can only take a citizen into custody if that citizen poses a threat to the Federation, or its allies. I have talked to Seven, in part to gauge if she was a danger to the Federation, and have concluded that she poses no threat. We should give her the honor and acclamations she deserves for saving Voyager from destruction on many occasions. Without her, Voyager would never have made it home.” Captain Picard looked at Janeway and continued, “Captain Janeway knows Seven better than anyone, and it is my strong recommendation that Captain Janeway be appointed to temporary guardianship until this situation is concluded. I will go to any hearing the Federation, or Starfleet, may deem necessary, and testify that Seven is not a threat.” Picard, staring hard at Admiral Hayes, added, “After all, Admiral, I am an expert on individuals severed from the Borg.”
Seven dipped her head slightly in deference. “Thank you, Captain Picard."
“You are more than welcome, Seven.”
Admiral Hayes cleared his throat and said in an appeasing tone, “Why yes, I think that is an excellent idea, Captain Picard. I am sure, after I explain it to Starfleet, they will agree.”
Janeway could not help but think that Admiral Hayes would tell them Starfleet’s plan could very well explode in their faces. It would not hurt to throw them a bone. “I am sure, at some date in the near future, Seven will agree to tell Starfleet everything she knows about the Borg.” She gave Seven a force ten stare and hoped Seven would agree.
Seven looked slightly amused at Janeway but conceded. “Acceptable, Captain.”
They put the subject aside, and the conversation turned to other topics.
XXX
After the gathering on Enterprise, Janeway and her officers beamed back aboard Voyager. Leaving the transporter room, Janeway placed her hand on Seven’s shoulder to gain her attention. “Seven, I would like to discuss a few things with you. Please accompany me to my quarters.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Both women kept silent on the way to Janeway’s quarters. Once there, Janeway immediately ordered coffee, black. “Anything to drink for you, Seven?”
Janeway expected Seven’s usual reply of ‘I require no liquid refreshment at this time’ and was surprised when Seven answered, “Thank you, Captain. Earl Gray tea please.”
“One cup of Earl Gray tea, hot.” Handing Seven the tea, Janeway inquired, “Seven, I didn’t know you liked tea.”
Seven, taking the cup from Janeway, answered, “Captain Picard offered me a cup, and I accepted. I find that I appreciate the taste.”
Janeway gave a slight smile and said, “I didn’t know that you and Captain Picard had met earlier.”
“You were occupied, Captain, with preparing final reports to give to Starfleet. He asked Chakotay’s permission for me to beam over for a discussion.”
“You like Captain Picard, don’t you?”
“I find him…interesting. I knew him as Locutus of the Borg. I was curious to see how well he has adjusted to being severed from the collective.”
“Do you mind my asking what you discussed?”
“No, Captain. He inquired how well I have adjusted to severance from the collective. I informed him it was difficult at first, but that I have adapted, with your assistance. He also inquired if I wished to return to the Borg. I informed him that was not my wish, that I was now an individual, free to my own thoughts and actions, that I now thought the Borg flawed in that perfection could not be achieved by suppressing freewill or thought.”
Janeway nodded in acknowledgement and sat on the sofa. Leaning back into the cushions she looked at the young woman and said, “Seven, have a seat.” She indicated with her head a place next to her on the sofa. She was surprised when Seven complied. Any other time it would have been, “I prefer to stand”. ‘The Doctor’s lessons on etiquette must be working.’
Janeway took a sip of her coffee and carefully placed the cup on the coffee table. Turning herself in Seven’s direction, she studied the young woman for a few seconds. Seven looked back at her inquiringly. “Seven, I’m sorry about the situation Starfleet Command has put you in. I want you to know part of my reason for accepting any guardianship role is for your own protection, not because I do not trust you, or think you aren’t capable of looking out for yourself. I feel that you don’t need a guardian and Starfleet is over reacting. But this will give me a legal reason to intervene on your behalf should things get…sticky.”
Seven frowned. “They do not trust me, Captain. They fear the Borg, and for all intents and purposes, I represent what they fear.”
Janeway moved a little closer to Seven. “Truthfully, Seven, I had no idea Starfleet would react this way. I can only surmise that the recent conflict with the Dominion has everyone extra cautious and, frankly, a little paranoid. I’m sure they read my logs that contained reports on how well you served Voyager; putting the crew’s interest and safety before your own. When we get back to Earth, I want you to know that I’m obtaining civilian legal counsel for you.”
Seven inclined her head. “I will accede to your wishes if you surmise that course is required, Captain.”
“I believe in preparing for all possibilities, Seven.”
Seven raised the implant over her left eye and said with a small smirk, “Indeed.”
Janeway put her right elbow on the back cushions and leaned her head into her right palm. “Seven, have any of your relatives contacted you?”
“My aunt Irene Hansen has contacted me and stated that she has a room all prepared for me at her home.”
“That’s good, Seven.”
Seven frowned slightly. “It is not. I do not wish to stay with her.”
Janeway drew her head up from her palm and inquired, “Why, Seven?”
“She has indicated that I have grandparents, aunts and uncles, and many more relatives, who wish to meet me. She informed me that there will be…. family gatherings to attend. I find that I am apprehensive. I do not know these...relatives.”
“Seven, I can understand being apprehensive and uncomfortable with people you really don’t know, but you’re their only link to your parents. After all, Seven, they lost a son and a daughter, sister and brother, whom they loved very much.”
“They will ask questions. Questions I prefer not to discuss. Questions that will cause me pain.”
Janeway slid over, placed her arms around Seven, and hugged her close. “Oh, Seven, I do understand. I don’t look forward to talking to the loved ones of my crew who died. It’s very painful. However, I owe them that much. It’s painful for them, also, Seven. They need these ghosts put to rest so that they may have closure and go on with their lives.”
Seven swallowed hard, her right eye tearing up and said in a small voice, “I do not know what to tell them.”
“Tell them the truth, Seven. Your parents were assimilated by the Borg, and it’s not known for sure if they are still alive.”
“Do I inform them that I saw my father as a Borg drone and that the Borg ship he was on was destroyed?”
“Seven, you don’t know if he died on that ship. Tell them only that their fate is unknown. That is the truth.”
Janeway was somewhat surprised that Seven turned into her embrace and returned her hug, pressing herself against Janeway, and saying, almost in a whisper and close to her ear, “Thank you, Captain, I will visit my aunt and relatives.”
Seven pulled back and Janeway released her hold, feeling a little breathless and stimulated by the soft breath that had caressed her ear. ‘Wow, Katie. Right. That was only a hug of thanks, nothing more, even if your hands are tingling.’
Janeway took her last swallow of coffee, more to have time to get her thoughts under control than to frame her next questions. ‘What are you waiting for; you’re not going to find out unless you ask.’ “Are you going to stay with Chakotay after your visit to your aunt’s?”
Seven looked at her pointedly. “Why should I?”
“Well, Seven, you are seeing him in a romantic way, are you not?”
Seven coldly replied, “No, I have terminated my relationship with the Commander.”
‘Oh my, Commander is it?’ “What happened, Seven?”
“I came to the conclusion that any relationship with the Commander would not be productive. We have no common interest. He did not elicit in me any significant emotional or physical response. I found him to be unsatisfactory as a potential mate.”
‘Hoh boy.’ “I assume you informed him of this.”
“I did.”
“What was his reaction?”
“He tried to persuade me that I was mistaken, that I needed to give our relationship more time. I informed him that more time was futile. He became angry and accused me of …playing with his affections, and reminded me that it was I who pursued him. I apologized for my miscalculation in judgment. He told me to give him a chance to prove that I was mistaken. It is his belief that if I… ‘sleep’ with him…that is a euphemism for copulation…”
“I know what it means, Seven.” It was all Janeway could do to hold back her ire toward her first officer. “What happened next, Seven?”
“I informed him that I had no physical attraction for him and the act of copulation would not change my decision. He put his hands on my shoulders and forcefully tried to kiss me. I pushed him into the bulkhead, and he fell to the deck. As I departed, he called me a bitch and a dyke. I failed to see why he called me a term used to designate a female canine. I was unfamiliar with the term ‘dyke’. Later I researched the term and found ‘dyke’ to designate…”
“I know what it means, Seven, and he should not have used either term.”
“I believe he must have struck his head when I pushed him into the bulkhead and became temporarily disoriented when he referred to me as a bitch. However, his second designation in addressing me is accurate, though I think his intention was to use dyke in a derogatory manner. Some find this term offensive. The correct word would be lesbian.”
Janeway felt her mind go numb for a second. ‘Great Gods, Katie. Is she saying what I think she’s saying?’ “Oh, I, uhm…are you sure you’re a …lesbian, Seven?”
“I am positive, Captain. I find my true romantic interest to be toward females.”
Janeway felt hot and cold then hot again, “Then…why all this…interest...in dating Chakotay?”
“In my interaction with The Doctor on dating, he had me study information that he downloaded. This information pertained only to heterosexual relationships. I had only observed mating behavior between a male and a female. That was between Lieutenant Paris and Lieutenant Torres. I had not thought to analyze my attraction to females in the context of choosing a mate. I now realize that I had erred. I researched the word dyke. This led me to a further study of female homosexuality. I have concluded that my attraction, and interest, in Humanoid females is within the scope of normal Humanoid sexual behaviors and has a genetic base. I then accessed my cortical node and discovered that male and female homosexuality exists in 99.6 percent of the species known to the Borg. Those that do not have instances of male or female homosexuality are often those that are hermaphroditic, or those species that have more than two sexes. Species 498, the Antolians, possess the highest percentage of lesbianism, consisting of 89.643 percent of the female population. The lowest percentage occurs among Cardassians at only 6 percent. I also …..”
Janeway, coming out of her temporary shock, interrupted, “OK, Seven, I get the picture.” ‘Boy and how I get the picture, Seven dressed in a black negl…don’t go there, Katie, this is not the time to visit that little scenario.’ “Well, Seven, this is….a surprise.”
“Indeed.”
Beepblip.
‘Damn, I should have put a privacy lock on the communicator.’ “Captain Janeway.”
“Captain, I received a message from Starfleet Command wishing a conference with you in 10 minutes.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kim. I will be in my ready room in three minutes, route it there please, Janeway out.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Seven, I want you to know that after your visit with your aunt you are welcome to come and stay with me anytime, and for as long as you want. I will be staying at Mom’s the next seven months until the rent agreement with the tenant now residing in my apartment has expired. Mom won’t mind, in fact I’m sure she will enjoy having someone to discuss the latest mathematical theories with, and I understand that you’re learning to cook. She could never get me or Phoebe interested. I think she would enjoy teaching you. We also need to decide where to locate your alcove. Icheb’s is going to the Vulcan Embassy. When are you due for your next regeneration?”
“I am overdue by 22 hours 3mins and 32 seconds.”
Janeway tried her best force 10 stare, but since this was not a severe transgression, she only managed a force 5. “Seven, I’m ordering you to go and regenerate, now. We don’t know how long it will take to have your alcove ready.”
“Very well, I will regenerate. In the future I may no longer depend on my alcove for energy. I am now starting to ingest more solid nutrients, and have been able to initiate short periods of sleep. This has extended my need to regenerate to once every sixteen days. As time passes, and with increased ability to digest solids and sleep longer hours, I will be able to eventually go without regeneration.”
“My, Seven, this is news, I didn’t know you had progressed that far. What brought this on?”
“I think it will be more efficient. My alcove does require a great amount of space and energy. I also find that I enjoy the flavors of many different foods and beverages.”
Janeway, smiling, replied, “I will have Mom prepare some of her special dishes for you. I think you will enjoy them. I know I will after seven years of replicated food and Neelix’s cooking.”
Seven lifted the implant over her left eye and turned up the corners of her mouth in a small smile. “I would enjoy that, Captain.”
Janeway gave a pleased smile. “Now, I have a meeting to attend, and we will discuss your alcove later.”
Janeway and Seven stood up at the same time. “Thank you, Captain.”
Janeway, on impulse, reached out to the young woman and gave her a quick hug. “You’re very welcome, Seven.” Seven gave a shy smile, and both women left Janeway’s quarters.
XXX
CHAPTER THREE
XXX
Voyager had arrived at McKinley station 3 hours earlier. Janeway felt drained and melancholy, mainly due to getting very little sleep, or rest, and being immediately sequestered by Starfleet Security and Admirals Paris and Sylvanus. It was a joy to meet with Admiral Paris again. He had been one of her father’s staunchest friends, and Janeway and he had gone through a lot together, including capture by the Cardassians.
Admiral Sylvanus was another matter. He was just barely cordial and appraised Janeway with shrewd brown eyes that looked as though they had x-ray vision. The reason for his behavior was soon apparent: Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix Zero One. He, and Admiral Nechayev, wanted Seven and Icheb taken into custody as soon as Voyager docked at McKinley Station. That Admiral Paris, Admiral Ross, and Admiral T’Benak thwarted his wishes made him set against giving Janeway an easy time.
“I hear you persuaded Captain Picard to interfe…intercede on behalf of the Borgs aboard Voyager.”
Janeway clenched her teeth before replying, her voice lowered and almost coming out in a growl. “On the contrary, Admiral, Captain Picard graciously interceded on his own accord. I did not ask him to do so, nor did Seven of Nine. He did so only after concluding that Seven was no longer Borg or a threat to Starfleet. After all, who else would know about being a former Borg better than Captain Picard, who has more experience on the subject than anyone you could find in Starfleet Command.”
He stared hard at her, but Janeway did not flinch. He was a fluffy tribble next to some of the beings she had had the pleasure to butt heads with in the Delta Quadrant.
Admiral Paris, ever the peacemaker, came to Janeway and Seven’s defense. “Now, Randall, this is not the time to go into this matter. Who better than Captain Janeway, and Captain Picard, to assure us that Seven of Nine represents no threat to the Federation. Kathryn signed the paperwork and now has legal guardianship of Seven of Nine, and the boy is in the process of being adopted by Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, and under the protection of the Vulcan Embassy. We do not need to bring this up now. Kathryn has not even been home yet. This can wait. This should be a time of congratulations for a job well done.”
Admiral Sylvanus’ chocolate brown face looked even darker as he sarcastically replied, “As for a job well done, that remains to be seen at the debriefings and hearings.”
With that, he got up from his chair and curtly nodded his head at both Janeway and Admiral Paris. “Admiral, Captain, I have staff to consult before Voyager’s departure for Earth.” He turned smartly and walked away.
Janeway grimaced and said, “That went well.”
Admiral Paris replied, “Don’t worry, Kathryn. After all, you’re a hero and he won’t make a big of a deal out of Seven, or make your hearing an official interrogation.”
“I hope you’re right. After seven tough years in ‘exile‘ I don‘t relish being court martialed and spending an additional ‘exile’ in a Starfleet penal colony.”
“I read your logs, Kathryn. You bent a few rules, and may have ‘fractured’ a few. But you did what was necessary, as all good captains do. As for the Prime Directive, well, given the circumstances and where you were, you had no recourse but to use your own ’interpretation’ of them. I’m not saying your hearing will be a cake walk, but believe me, you’ll come through it with flying colors…with just a tap on the wrist instead of a slap.” Admiral Paris said with confidence. And with a gleam of speculation in his eyes, thought, ‘Yes, Kathryn, the Delta Quadrant has seasoned you. Your future in Starfleet is on an ascending star. And we can use a resource like you.’
They talked of other subjects relating to the possible time schedule for debriefings of the crew. They agreed that these would not take place until the crew had a much-needed respite of two weeks to see family, and wind down. Janeway was not as fortunate, only getting a week before she had to go for debriefing and hearings.
Admiral Paris informed her of the reception waiting for them on Earth. Voyager was to do a flyover of the San Francisco Bridge and touch down at a selected spot on Starfleet Headquarters’ parade ground. They would disembark and be escorted to a room at Starfleet Headquarters for a small party for crewmembers and their families. Later, Starfleet would host a more formal welcome home party. Those crewmembers who had no family, such as the former Maquis, would have Starfleet personnel assigned to them. Those Maquis from other planets, such as Bolia and Bajor, would have the respective representatives from their embassies to assist them.
“Go get some sleep, Kathryn; it will be a long, long day tomorrow.”
XXX
She rested her forehead tiredly against the clear aluminum window in the living room of her quarters. Feeling the cold from the pane gave some slight release to the headache she had developed. She closed her eyes against the bright blue and green orb of Earth. She shuddered slightly from fatigue and stress. As much as Admiral Paris tried to convince her all would be well, she knew from experience, as the daughter of an Admiral, and later as a Starfleet Officer herself, there would be some problems. That was the nature of the beast. The decisions she made in the Delta Quadrant would affect her career in some way, she was positive of that. Either for good or ill. Starfleet might be an old institution, and things might seem to move slowly at times, but change did happen. There was not only her future to think about, but also that of some of her crew, especially, Seven of Nine. She felt both a heated anger at Starfleet and a cold fear grip her.
She would protect Seven. It was not only her duty, but also her desire to do so. She had faced down the Borg Queen for Seven. She would not be alone this time, with only a few close friends to assist her. She had her family. Her mother was a formidable force, and, having been the wife of an Admiral, had insight into the inner workings of Starfleet, its laws, and how the political machine worked. She also knew how to use this insight. Her mother had hinted once that she knew things that current Admirals would resign over, if certain information ever leaked out. Her mother would never use blackmail for personal gain, but Janeway had no doubt that she would use whatever means necessary to protect her daughters and the people they loved. The people she, Kathryn, loved. And Seven was foremost. ‘And you do love her, Katie. You will no longer be her captain. You have no excuse now, Katie. Claim her before some other woman does.’ Janeway had a feeling that Seven would not be averse to her attention. She believed the young woman did harbor feelings beyond friendship for her, and she was certain Seven did not think of her as a motherly figure. It was in the way Seven challenged her, sought her out for their philosophical discussions, even the way her eyes would soften when looking at her, and that luscious mouth would slightly part. Probably the way Kathryn herself looked at Seven.
The age difference was a tad over 14 years; nothing when one considered the Human life span was around 127 years. Seven, in many ways, was older than anyone she knew from having been assimilated by the Borg and having the memories from thousands of species. She no longer thought of Seven as a child or innocent. Though she might be inexperienced in love, or in knowing how to express emotions adequately, that did not mean she was unaware of her feelings and emotions. She knew that Seven could be single-minded and relentless in her quest for what she wanted. Janeway hoped she was what Seven wanted.
To be honest, she wasn’t surprised that Seven was a lesbian. She had sensed it as Seven gained more experience in her ‘Humanity.‘ The old adage of “It takes one to know one” was generally true. There was no scientific proof that homosexuals had some built-in extra sense to detect this in someone they had just met, but many believed in this ability. Janeway found that her extra sense was right the majority of the time, and she had only a genetic 7/12 for homosexuality.
The majority of Federation member worlds accepted same sex orientation as a normal genetic occurrence.
During the twentieth and early twenty first centuries, on Earth, geneticists had speculated that homosexuality was determined genetically. Dr. Yong Ming had discovered the genes that determined a person’s sexuality at the mid 21st century. By that time, the old stigma and taboos were mainly gone, except for certain religious beliefs held over from the Dark Ages. It was not just one gene, but consisted of 24, that when joined in varying combinations, ran the gamut from mild attraction to the same sex, to one hundred percent attraction to the same sex. Both her and Phoebe’s genetic combination was at a 7/12, indicating that their strongest attraction would be to women. A 12 would result in a 100 attraction to the same sex, a 1 only a slight interest in pairing with the same sex. She never asked what her parents’ quotient was. Not all of the population possessed the set of 24 genes, thus, the largest group was exclusively heterosexual.
She had had a torrid love affair with another woman while at the Academy, and even a few casual liaisons. She felt a stronger attraction to women than to men. However, at that time she had liked to think that it was the person, and not the gender. Her relationship with Justin, she realized not too many years ago, was not so much from a strong attraction to him, but because her father had really liked Justin and was pleased that they were involved. He had almost thought of him as a son. She did not want to disappoint him. She did love Justin, but was not in love with him. He was supportive of her goals, an adequate and considerate lover, good looking, intelligent, and they had many similar interests and got along well. However, there was not that deep emotional and passionate bond she knew she would find with a woman.
At the time, focusing on her career goals remained primary. She feared the intensity of her passion if given to a woman would be her undoing. If she should meet the right woman she could easily lose sight of her goals. Men were emotionally safer. Looking back, she realized that in the long run, it would not have worked with Justin, or even Mark.
Mark was more a friend than a lover. He was not inspiring or exciting but…just comforting. At the time of her engagement to him she had her career as a Starfleet captain to add passion and excitement to her life. At that time, it was enough. Mark was just like a comfortable armchair you fell into when you came home all worn out from all of the excitement that Starfleet offered.
At that time her passion was for Space, discovery and of course, career. That had been then. Now, she was ready for something more in her life than just Starfleet. Seven years in the Delta Quadrant had given her all the discoveries and excitement she could process.
She was tired of always being in command and in control. She wanted, no, needed, someone to nourish the woman beneath the accouterments of command. She needed to connect with someone in both a spiritual and emotional way. She wanted passion, wanted it to consume her. She wanted to give love and receive love in return. She wanted someone who shared a love of science and learning. She also wanted the house, the picket fence, two dogs in the yard, and a lover to keep her warm at night. Maybe not the actual house and fence, but what they represented: a place to nest and a mate to share it. She wanted Seven of Nine. She knew that Seven would fill her heart and soul to overflowing. She would give her the love and the understanding that only a woman could give her. Janeway wasn’t going to sit back and wait for Seven to approach her. She would take the initiative. She would court Seven, wine and dine her, bring her flowers, and show Seven just how important she was in her life.
She would make her see that she, Kathryn Janeway, was all that Seven needed. She had no more excuses. She was no longer Seven’s captain. The only Captaincy Kathryn Janeway wanted with Seven of Nine, was to be the Captain of her heart. That was the one command position Kathryn Janeway was prepared to fight for, and win. She could be relentless in her pursuit. She could be like a force of nature, a tornado or tidal wave. Unstoppable.
XXX
Janeway felt energized after managing to grab 6 hours of much needed sleep. She also knew that the adrenaline rush of finally being able to set foot on her home world was partly the cause for her high energy. Before entering the Bridge for, perhaps, her final journey on Voyager, Janeway had contacted her mother just to update her on their arrival schedule and to ask permission to place Seven’s alcove in the guest bedroom, if needed.
“Of course, Kathryn, I’m eager to meet Seven. Your recent correspondences have me intrigued. From what you said in the communication packets you sent, she is a remarkable young woman.”
Janeway smiled, her eyes bright. “That she is, Mother. I’m sure you and she will get along very well. You’ll have someone with whom to discuss mathematical theories, and since she has taken up cooking as a hobby, you’ll have someone who can share your recipes.”
Gretchen had a knowing smile on her face as she looked at her daughter on the comm vid screen. She could see clearly her daughter’s bright expression and heard the warmth in her voice when she spoke of Seven. “She is welcome to stay as long as she likes, Kathryn.”
Janeway let out a small breath of relief. “Thank you, Mom. Can you do me another favor? Seven’s aunt, Irene Hansen, is meeting her when we disembark. Would you and Phoebe meet with Ms. Hansen and stay with her while all this is going on. Seven tells me she comes from a very small village in Sweden. Starfleet headquarters and grounds are probably many times larger than the village.”
Gretchen nodded in agreement. “Send me her comm number and I will contact her. We can have her transport in at the station here and pick her up. Also, she and Seven should stay with us as the hour will be late when the celebrating is through, and she will more than likely be exhausted due to the time differential.”
“Thank you, Mom, I will send the information you need.” Janeway sighed a little and her face sobered. “I missed you, Mom. I even missed that reprobate sister of mine. I can’t wait to see both of you in the flesh.”
“Oh, Kathryn, it’s like a miracle. You know, I never really gave up hope. I always had the feeling that you were alive. I think if you had died, I would have known somehow.”
Janeway said with a catch in her voice, “Well, I’m very much alive and plan to stick around for a long time...if I can survive the welcoming ceremony, and the debriefing and review boards.”
Gretchen laughingly joked, “The debriefing and the review board will seem like a walk in the park compared to sitting through all the official interviews with the press, and the award presentations you will have to attend in the coming days. I know how you hate to sit through speeches, but I’m warning you now, Kathryn, you better prepare yourself.”
Janeway groaned. “Mother, you’re not helping matters. I might as well get back on Voyager and look for another Caretaker Array to take me back to the Delta Quadrant.”
Gretchen’s face sobered for a moment. “This is a very big event throughout the Federation, Kathryn. Everyone who is anyone wants to horn in on the ceremonies and celebrations. Any embassy, who has a member of their species on your ship, wants a piece of the action, so to speak. Your arrival, and the ceremonies afterwards, will be broadcast all over the Federation. Fortunately, the party tonight is informal and for your crewmembers and their families...and of course, a few Admirals have to make an appearance. But don’t worry too much, Kathryn; the list of speakers is limited to Admirals Paris, Ross, and Hayes.”
Janeway groaned again. “Not Admiral Hayes. We will be there forever, and at the same time be bored out of our gourds. You are just cruel, Mother, Phoebe has corrupted you.”
“Dear, I think it is the other way around. I won’t tease you any more.”
Janeway snorted. “Well, the main thing is, my crew will be reunited with family and friends. Even those who have no family, or whose families are too far away to make it in time, will have representatives from their home worlds to greet and escort them while here on Earth. Well, Mom, guess I better sign off and make sure everything is shipshape before leaving McKinley and returning home.”
“I have to get ready for tonight’s shindig myself. Kathryn, I want you to know, I love you and will be there for you during the coming few weeks…and for as long as you like.”
“I know you will, Mom…I love you too, see you in a few hours.”
Janeway swallowed hard, trying to squelch the ache in her throat and jaws from holding back the tears. She stood and straightened her uniform, now outdated. However, the crew had decided to wear them one last time, partly because of pride in their accomplishments achieved while wearing the now obsolete style. Also, because they would stand out from the rest of Starfleet who would attend the ceremonies. They would mark them as special…having done the impossible. The old uniform forever would remain in their memories as their badge of honor. Composing herself, and wearing her command mask, Captain Kathryn Janeway exited the ready room and stepped onto her Bridge.
“Report!” Janeway barked out, as she gingerly stepped down the steps to the bridge and slid into her command chair, next to Chakotay, seated in his first officer’s chair on her left.
“All stations secure, Captain,” reported Tuvok.
Janeway acknowledged his announcement with a small nod. “Mr. Kim, contact McKinley control for the ‘all clear’. Mr. Paris, prepare to disengage the holding locks at my mark and slowly take us out the bay doors at impulse speed…maintain that speed until otherwise notified.”
“Aye, Captain.”
Harry Kim announced, “All clear, Captain.”
“Mark.”
No sound of the locks were heard disengaging from the docking area of McKinley Station, nor was any momentum or movement felt as Voyager slipped out of the dock and turned to head out the bay doors, but that didn’t stop many from imagining that they felt it. After seven years on one vessel, you found yourself attuned to every little minute change in sound and vibration.
Voyager slid, silent and ghostly, out of the bay doors, her bow pointed towards Earth. All eyes, on every deck, turned towards the view screens and the remarkable sight of Earth, shining green and blue in the blackness of space, an oasis in the desert of almost every waking thought in their long, long, journey home.
“Mr. Kim, open all ship wide communications and view screens.”
“Ship wide communications and screens opened, Captain.&rdqu