#instead of just making Chakotay like Starfleet again so they can be together | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

Visit Blog

Explore Tumblr blogs with no restrictions, modern design and the best experience.

Fun Fact

Post activity is at the highest at 4:00 pm EDT; notes peak at 10:00 pm EDT.

#instead of just making Chakotay like Starfleet again so they can be together

giffingthingsss · 2 years

Text

I maintain that there were good things in the Kazon arc, but those things were obscured by a few missteps.

Things they should have done:

1. Wrapped up the Kazon arc in season one.

It's pretty unbelievable that Voyager, supposedly better and faster and stronger, hasn't outrun them long ago. A year plus at warp and we're still running into Kazon?

2. Condensed the arc.

I'm basically elaborating on the first thing. There's a halfway interesting story here that is partly lost because it's so spread out.

You need some other episodes in between for passage of time purposes, especially if you're doing the pregnancy arc, but this is an arc that heavily features your resident delta quadrant alien and the maquis crew members (Seska, Chakotay, B'Elanna, Suder, Jonas, Tom; it's all Maquis) and all the questions about whether we stay Starfleet or follow the philosophy of the Maquis and the Cardassian. It's the perfect arc to take up your first season. But it gets lost in the shuffle.

3. A different motivation for the Kazon.

Making the Kazon so interested in a transporter and a food replicator doesn't do wonders for their villain status. You can never take them terribly seriously. They have big ships and a lot of them and we're supposed to believe they're a threat to Voyager, but they're desperate for food replicators. Those two things don't gel together. 'We need their technology' and yet you could destroy them.

These people are still interested in revenge on the Trabe after thirty plus years. They could just be going after Voyager simply because that first fight and then subsequent skirmishes made them see Voyager as the enemy. They’ll attack Talaxians just because they’re there, why not Voyager?

The Kazon tribes fighting because Voyager's the enemy, but Cullah having a vision of uniting the tribes with Seska as his strategist is the direction I would like to have seen emphasized. I don't think the Kazon have to stay the way they are. They could learn and grow.

I like the concept of Basics a lot too. Even if you took out that 'fitting end for a people that wouldn't share their technology' line, the episode would work as another test of this Starfleet crew in more primitive conditions. And I would take out all that caveman/monster stuff and deal with internal conflicts and survival instead. 'How will we choose to handle this' at its rock bottom level.

4. More build up of Chakotay/Seska.

I understand they probably weren't sure at first what they were going to do, but in a perfect world, there would have been Chakotay/Seska before State of Flux. It didn't need to be explicit or current, but at least some scenes where you get a sense of their past relationship and hints that maybe they'll pick it up again. It would make the betrayal much more potent.

Notes:

Cullah's the one character I kind of like in the Kazon. He's the one thing that manages to not make it a total snoozefest for me. His viewpoints grow out of his culture, but he has the potential to grow. 'Grrr, women,' but he's completely whipped. Sometimes I want to punch him and sometimes I'm like, 'he can be salvaged.' I credit the dedication of the actor.

The Kazon weren't a good villain overall, but there are scenes with Janeway and Cullah that are exciting. I think the scene with her calling him a bully is the first glimpse I get of who Janeway will become.

His final scene with Seska, it's clear he really loved her. Maybe he resists it because that's what he was taught. But it's there. And I give him points for accepting the kid as his own and despising Chakotay for supposedly taking advantage of her.

I always liked Alliances and that little twist of the Trabe being a different kind of cold-blooded villain. I like how it puts the Kazon in a different light.

Starfleet has a philosophy, but ideally its approach to those who don't hold the same philosophy is persuasion and example. It doesn't throw people in the trash because they're not there yet, it holds out its hand in hopes they will one day arrive. Maybe that's why I like Alliances so much.

I kind of hope the Kazon did see that unification and an evolution. I kind of hope they are now ruled by a half Cardassian (I wish he actually was half human, but oh well) who is as cunning as his mother. And if he's not a better person than his parents were yet, maybe he can be.

#i'm doing a project that has this whole thing on my mind #apologies #voyager things

7 notes · View notes

nonbinaryhatboxghost · 3 years

Text

So, I finished watching Star Trek: Voyager. (spoilers throughout)

I started watching the show a couple of years ago, and I remember being impressed at how solid its pilot was. Star Trek shows (in my experience) have a history of starting out a bit rough before figuring themselves out, and it felt like Voyager had a pretty solid identity figured out right from the get-go.

But while I have loved watching the show as a whole, it felt like it went through multiple identity crises along the way.

It’s frustrating because the show contains the best depiction of the weight of being in the captain’s chair out of any Star Trek story I have ever seen. Janeway herself is just a great character in general, but getting moments like the finale of “Tuvix” or literally any scene in “Year of Hell” go much further in depicting the effect of leadership on our lead character than one would expect in a Trek show.

Over the course of my viewing of Voyager, I noticed that I tended to respond more to darker episodes than others. “Meld”, in which Tuvok mind-melds with a serial killer Betazoid played by the great Brad Dourif, is one example. “Mortal Coil”, in which Neelix experiences a crisis of faith after a death experience, is another favorite. And while I am indeed a sucker for a quality dark Trek story, the main reason that I believe I favored these kinds of episodes was because they felt like they had an impact on the characters.

Most of the blockbuster two-parters over the course of the show didn’t really stick with me, despite some very fun premises. And it’s because, with the exception of “Scorpion”, most of these two-parters tended to resolve in a way that completely undid any semblance of consequence on future episodes.

The most egregious example of this is the ending of “Year of Hell”, a two-parter that began development as a premise for the entirety of Season 4, but was rejected by producer Rick Berman and downgraded to two-parter instead. While I had pacing issues with the episodes due to sensing the abbreviated nature of a lot of the subplots, I overall really liked the story and seeing the crew of Voyager having to endure so much. Not because I wanted to see them suffer, but because I wanted to see stories that conveyed their journey home would have an impact on them. So when “Year of Hell” ends with a timeline reset that completely eradicates all of the events of the two-parter, I felt cheated. Because it is a cheat.

When Voyager did a similar time travel reset for their 100th episode, “Timeless”, in which a future Chakotay and Harry pull some shenanigans to prevent Voyager from crashing into an ice planet, that story successfully had its cake and ate it by having our present-day crew be aware of the future Harry and Chakotay’s actions. The episode ends with a shocked present-day Harry watching a video message from his now-dead future self.

When I finally got around to the series finale, “Endgame”, all I knew to expect was another time travel story. I have no issues with time travel in Star Trek. It’s possibly overused, but I never get tired of it because more often than not, Trek knows how to find the fun in whichever story they use that device in. I enjoyed the first half of “Endgame” and its depiction of our crew’s future lives back on Earth. I liked seeing Admiral Janeway go rogue in order to time travel back to the Voyager crew that we’ve been following throughout most of the show. And as purposely-but-still-strangely jarring as it was to see Admiral Janeway try to prioritize Captain Janeway and the crew over defeating the Borg, I really liked their scenes together as well as Admiral Janeway’s confrontation, defeat, and death with the Borg Queen. (who is suddenly played by Alice Krige again in the finale after being played by Susanna Thompson in previous Voyager episodes. I was happy to see her but a bit confused after the show seemed to indicate that Thompson was meant to be Borg Queen 2.0, only to have our original Queen from First Contact return)

Then the last few minutes happen. The Borg are quickly dispatched, Voyager makes it back to the Alpha Quadrant, and the show ends with them blowing up a Borg Sphere and saying “hello” to the Starfleet ships waiting for them. There is barely any time devoted to the impact of arriving home on the crew because it happens so suddenly. And as much as Mulgrew does to sell “Set a course for home” as the final line... it falls flat.

I suspect that the reasoning for the abrupt ending is that the writers thought depicting the future older versions of the crew on Earth would serve as closure for our cast of characters. But it doesn’t work because the whole premise of the finale centers on Admiral Janeway undoing that future so she can save the lives of Seven of Nine and Chakotay, who are dead in this depicted future.

During one of Admiral and Captain Janeways’ scenes together, they are debating whether to use the Borg space tunnels to get home faster, or if they should destroy the tunnels to keep the Borg from being able to get around space. Then Captain Janeway proposes that there’s a way for them to “have our cake and eat it, too.”

Despite the convenience of this final plot, one that is explicitly identified as such by that line, the finale could still have stuck the landing if we saw or felt the impact of arriving home on the Voyager crew that we have been following for seven seasons. As messy as the show sometimes got, and as underserved as some characters became after the show introduced Seven of Nine (which confuses me because the writers did such a good initial job of utilizing that character to create new dynamics with the cast), this cast had earned and deserved a depiction of their arrival home. And we never got that.

Tom Paris is my least favorite character on the show. It has nothing to do with Robert Duncan McNeill’s performance, it’s just that the character never felt particularly developed beyond his initial characterization for me. His best material, in my opinion, was in “Lineage” when Tom comforts and assures B’Elanna that he will never leave her and that he wants their children to inherit their mother’s Klingon heritage. But one thread throughout the course of the show that seemed so straightforward of a payoff to save for the finale was Tom’s reunion with his father.

Tom talks frequently over the course of the show about his strained relationship with his Admiral dad. Then once Voyager is able to establish contact with the Alpha Quadrant (another development I had mixed feelings on because it diminishes the premise of the show by minimizing the ship’s isolation), we get introduced to Admiral Paris and he becomes a recurring character. We even get a moment where he expresses his love for Tom and how much he misses him. And while we do see Tom’s reaction to this, this huge character moment isn’t a direct interaction between these two characters. So naturally you would assume that their reunion, and likely reconciliation as father and son, would be shown once Voyager returns to Earth in the finale.

But that doesn’t happen.

Even though Admiral Paris is in the finale, that reunion setup is just not payed off in any way.

We also don’t get to see Tuvok reunited with his family.

Or Seven of Nine’s first impressions of Earth or her meeting any of her relatives.

Or any indication of what our former Maquis crewmembers’ reception by Starfleet would be.

Strangely, the only satisfying character sendoff of the show is Neelix, who in an earlier episode leaves to be with a colony of his own people and serve as Starfleet’s Delta Quadrant ambassador. His goodbye to the crew is a beautifully simple scene of him walking to his ship and passing by the entire crew, who are assembled along the hallway to see him off. And we even get a payoff to his friendship with Tuvok when Tuvok briefly taps his toes as a farewell gesture to Neelix.

Neelix started as the show’s most grating character, irritatingly cheerful and toxically possessive of Kes. By the time the show ended, he had become a well-rounded and essential presence. His traumas of losing his faith and family, as well as his insecurities around his role in the crew, were well developed over the course of the show.

In a way, the finale was a perfect example of the show. The premise was solid, and the cast was totally game and performed it to the best of their ability. But when it came down to conveying any impact that this episode, or the series in its entirety, would have on its characters... the finale just sidesteps that and ends abruptly.

Janeway, Seven of Nine, Chakotay, B’Elanna, Tuvok, Harry, Tom, Kes, and The Doctor all deserved better.

#kyle rants #star trek: voyager #star trek voyager #star trek

100 notes · View notes

kncrowder88 · 3 years

Text

Voyager and Romance

So, the thing about Voyager and romance that sticks with me is they seem to do one couple really, or more accurately two characters, any real justice overall. And that is B’Elanna and Tom. While moments for that relationship may not be perfect that is rather realistic for relationships, as no relationship is perfect all the time so that is tolerable. This post though isn’t going to be about looking at that particular relationship though but primarily at other relationships. Largely because a discord server I am in was talking about Counterpoint and I realized why I both love the episode but also have weird feelings with it. Which, I’ll touch more on that specifically after I discuss the relationship stuff (as that plays a part).

So, I will preface this with it has been a bit since I’ve done a binge of Voyager and really a full binge of Star Trek in general. As such, I may forget a few relationships on the show and overall, throughout Trek in general. From what I can really toss together … I honestly am beginning to believe that when it comes to Voyager and the other shows (the older ones not the new ones – I am not including any NEW Trek in this) that for some reason the relationship writing with Voyager was rather different. Like, they gave 3 characters active relationships prior to being stranded. That being Harry Kim, Kathryn Janeway, and Tuvok. Out of these three we get Janeway and Tuvok holding onto those relationships in their own way while … it seemed mildly convenient for Harry to mention it when it suited him, I guess (like that time Tom wanted to set them up for a double date or you know when he ended up in that alternate timeline but still wanted back with Voyager even more like). Like, the reason I don’t list Tuvok-T’Pel above is because we don’t actually get to SEE that in full, we just get to see Tuvok’s side of it and his dedication – we don’t see the relationship, we don’t see the couple.

Harry and Tom, prior to his relationship with B’Elanna, seem to frequently do this sort of two bros dating around thing which is fine but like … same time the show used them for that. And once they settled Tom with B’Elanna they used Harry in those plot lines when it worked. Thus the alien STD episode and the “how dare you not get the standard permission from your CO and CMO” line (like they really put that into a Trek ep and I’m still unable to not picture Riker, Kirk, Picard, and everyone other Trek character constantly getting permission for their latest romance – just remember Jadzia and Worf likely had to get permission from Sisko and Bashir if the Trill and Klingon weren’t already approved of in the system just saying, that’s a thing that happened). Anyways … my point is they went out of their way on this. Like, when Kes was with Neelix they wrote Neelix to be that jealous judgmental boyfriend who literally got upset she knew where other people’s quarters where, she was nice to Tom, she was … just yeah. They wrote Tom to come off as a player pulling Harry into it, when Tom settled down Harry seems to pick that up (I mean you got his “omg Seven” phase and the alien STD stuff and lord knows what else I’m forgetting with him).

And to top this off I haven’t even touched on the “Janeway can’t have a romance” stuff yet. Which is where my real problem is. Like, its bad enough they brought in Jeri for the sex appeal (which lets be honest stems from the fact they couldn’t use Janeway for that – which I get, Kate was right in the whole concept of the audience target having to keep respect for a female lead and sex appeal couldn’t be a focal point but they could have balanced it right and regrettably because they couldn’t that meant Jeri got all of the other side of the coin). Many of Seven’s eps center on romance or social stuff and honestly that is a whole other WTF post in its own right because it all leads up to the sudden get with the one person on the ship who didn’t want you here in the first place and who also would have served better as the male adult guidance figure/father figure than as a ROMANTIC partner but hey BS happened behind scenes to cause that chaotic romantic on screen set up. But yeah … this is just another example of the poor Voyager romantic plot lines.

Chakotay’s romantic plot lines are usually – and by that, I mean pretty much always – with these strong independent women. But usually, at least from what I recall, they are also typically the “needs help” (damsel in distress/can’t do it alone/etc.) plot. Like, Riley was strong independent but also set up to need help in regard to getting her little collective put back together on the planet. You got Kellin, again another strong lady who yet again also needed help. At least in the ep she’s in and if I recall much of the info on how they fell in love during that time as well – primarily with getting away from danger at the start and then during the initial romance finding her target. Valerie is the only one who doesn’t fall into the needs help plot and that’s largely because she was being manipulated by Chakotay for information – which honestly just goes to show how well Chakotay was at the whole undercover stuff (which tells us a lot about what he could have been doing as a Maquis). Seska was the plot point of “you once dated her, now she is going to badger you to get with her again and when that fails, she’s going to assault you” …. like all of Chakotay’s romances are literally him either 1) being manipulated (as that’s what Seska and Riley did) or 2) being the kind guy or 3) not an actual relationship (either because its undercover work or because the writers were too cowardly to make him and Janeway canon).

Then you got Janeway. Then you got KATHRYN JANEWAY. You know, the one where Kate Mulgrew said no romance, no sexualizing, no doing that sort of stuff because the audience had to maintain respect for the character. I’m sure someone has the exact various quotes out there. Like … this is why we don’t have JC as canon. But what we do got instead is …. Janeway in Prime Factors being flirted with by the administrator as if that’s going to get him what he wants because “female leader means flirt with her”. We got Janeway and a period drama holodeck adventure in the early years which was clearly meant to be her romantic tête-à-tête early on that never got followed up with. We got “delete the wife” with the Fair Haven plot point (because its totally respectable to see the FEMALE LEAD, the STARFLEET CAPTAIN, just straight up DELETE THE WIFE of another individual - yeah, I get its meant to be humor factor because hologram but come on). You have her whole thing with Mark which we get tidbits off but again similar to Tuvok we literally only get to see her side of it – the only couple moment of theirs we get is the comm call in Caretaker.

But Jaffen? You are correct. We got that lovely and touching and wonderful romance with Jaffen …. Oh wait … they had to remove her from the ship, strip her of her memory, and her autonomy in order for her to have a relationship with another individual. And yes, by losing her memories, by losing what made her who she was as a person, she did lose a sense of autonomy. She entered into a relationship without a full sense of independent choice. The point in which she made a choice in that episode, the point in which she – Kathryn Janeway – made a choice with all of the person, the individual she is, was at the end when she had her memories back and could decide based on the values and beliefs and all that she is. What I’m getting at is the people on that planet deliberately took away who she was, they took her memories and her ability to make the decisions they knew she would make --- they did that deliberately (that’s even established in the episode) --- and as such her decisions while in that state are not truly her full independent decisions but the ones impacted by the state she was forced into.

And while I love Resolutions, while I love all the JC goodies, we get in that ep … Yet again the only time we get to see Janeway in any sort of romantic situation is when they remove her from the ship. When they remove her from command. When they strip her of that setting. This time, though – well the first time – she keeps awareness and has to go through lose of it all in order to even start to let it all happen. I love the episode, I do, but I just find it rather amusing they went “’Hey we gotta strand them what should their tasks be on the planet?” and they immediately went “Well Janeway is scientist how about that” “Okay and he can build, Chakotay can start building. Man builds house, right?” and then like went “oh and then she can start a garden” …. Like really? Really? That’s what you got for me. Oh, and then there is the monkey. That’s the romance this ep. Boat, science, monkey.

Then we got Kashyk. We have dealt with Kathryn throughout this series dealing with various leaders of various styles. As mentioned, Prime Factors guy attempted flirting. Other leaders pulled similar or worse or even dismissed her …. Like the list goes on. Counterpoint is a great episode because it deals with prejudice and is rather dark. The thing is, had Janeway been able to have a healthy romantic relationship on screen to counter this episode this episode probably would have come off better. Episodes like Prime Factor could have been done different (that leader didn’t need to be as flirty for example). One or two eps through the series having creepy dudes she had to deal with, fine, whatever … that be a nice impact for the audience. But when you have to many prior to Counterpoint – even if its minor, small stuff – it makes this episode so much harder for fans. Especially the female fans who deal with this constantly.

See, here’s the thing with this ep…. Some of the fans who watch … we know Kashyk well. We know that character. He is that male leader, that male power figure, who uses the power he has to manipulate those in his control to get what he wants. And Kathryn … Kathryn was in his control. Kashyk is listed as a relationship on memory-alpha. But much like how I view Seska with Chakotay … I do not view Kashyk as a proper relationship. In Devore space, Kathryn did not have proper power. She had people in her command, on her ship, that she had to protect. That she knew she had to protect. Her own best friend … lives in her hand … and Kashyk right there willing to kill them. Willing to snatch them up and destroy them. And he used that power to manipulate her and play her. Yes, she played him right back but … did she truly have a choice? Did she have any other choice but to play his game? What would have happened if she said no? And that … that is why this episode is so unsettling for some people. And why this relationship being considered on is so off putting … that the writers, that memory-alpha, that the fact I’m putting it on this list as one of the ones on here for Voyager says so much … they wrote this as one of her relationships while out there … she had to do what so many women had to do to stay safe, to keep people she loves safe, and that’s not a relationship.

Voyager could have done romance/relationships such better justice.

#star trek #star trek voyager #i had some feelings about things #primarily the Kashyk thing #but that lead to other things #and honestly i am really begining to question romance in voyager #but also like overall in Trek in general #like the more i think about Voyager the more im like oh god they really did seem to fail there #because the only valid couple i can think of is Tom and B'Elanna

34 notes · View notes

itsclydebitches · 3 years

Note

Voyager. Now that’s a kettle of fish. Obviously watch/enjoy whatever you wish, but I do recommend also checking out SFDebris’ reviews of the episodes (he’s the rwde of Voyager). He is a lot smarter and more eloquent than me.

Putting these two asks together since my thoughts on both are all jumbled!

Now, I want to emphasize that I’ve only watched the first 16 episodes (Season One + Season 2 premiere), so idk if Voyager is going to go seriously downhill later on, but right now I do really like it. And not in a, “Lol yeah compared to the other crap on it’s good, I guess” way, but in a completely honest, “It has its flaws, but is overall a solid, compelling show with lovable characters” way. Out of curiosity I watched SFDebris’ review of “Phage,” though I’m afraid I didn’t agree with it. The only part were I was like, “Yeah okay” was pointing out that they had the Doctor using a keypad when he supposedly wasn’t solid, but that’s precisely the sort of continuity error that, in an otherwise strong show, I’m willing to shrug off. For all the major points, it sounds like SFDebris is concerned primarily with the show he wants Voyager to be, rather than the show Voyager actually is. Which I know sounds familiar--I’ve heard that criticism leveled at my own work: “You just want RWBY to be a totally different show”--but the difference is that Voyager is a part of an established franchise, following three other TV shows, an animated series, and a collection of films. It’s not an original show (like RWBY) that can take itself in any direction the story may need/claim to want (again, RWBY). It has a brand and those established characteristics seem to be bumping up against SFDebris’ critiques:

Hating Neelix as a character - You’re supposed to hate him. Or at least find him frustrating (I don’t personally hate him) because that’s what all the characters are grappling with too. From Tuvok forced to have an awkward conversation while Neelix is in the bath to Janeway dealing with him taking over her dining room, Neelix’s conflict revolves around how others learn to accept him. Star Trek as a franchise is about “Infinite diversity in infinite combinations.” Voyager begins with the problem of how the trained Federation officers are supposed to work with the more violent Maquis. Difference doesn’t just create “Wow, you’re so amazing!” reactions, it also includes frustration, disagreement, and outright hostility. Creating an outsider character with a kind heart but incredibly overbearing personality is a great way to test the other characters’ convictions. Do they actually care about all life in the universe? Or do they only care about life when they personally find it palatable? Having Neelix around is a great reminder for them--and the viewer--that just because someone annoys you at times doesn’t mean they’re any less worthy of love, respect, and companionship. It also doesn’t mean they don’t have something to offer: he keeps the crew fed even if his cooking is horrible, he provides information about this area of space even if he sometimes gets it wrong, we roll our eyes at the “Morale Officer” stuff, but Neelix does provide much needed perspective for characters like Tuvok. If Neelix made fewer mistakes, stopped bugging the crew, became a “cooler” character for the audience to root for rather than be frustrated by... a lot of the point of his character would be lost.

Frustration about discoveries not carrying over to the next episode - AKA, the crew finds inanely powerful, alien tech and then (presumably) never uses it again. This would indeed be a big problem in a serialized story (like RWBY) but Voyager maintains much of Star Trek’s original, episodic nature. Though we have continuity in the form of them inching towards home and evolving as characters, the world still resets to a certain point at the end of each episode. This is what allows Star Trek to explore so many different questions and have so many different adventures. If you demand that serialized continuity--this character needs to have an arc to deal with this traumatic experience, the crew has to follow the thread they just discovered, our Doctor needs to do something with the new tech they just found--then you lose the variety that Star Trek is known for. Instead of a new story each week (or, occasionally, across two weeks) you’ve got a single story spanning months. Neither form is better or worse than the other, it’s absolutely a preference, but there’s a very specific, structural, intentional reason why the characters “forget” about the things they’ve discovered and, at times, experienced. Unlike Ozpin forgetting that he has a nuke in his cane for seven volumes, or Ruby forgetting to use her eyes at crucial points, Star Trek deliberately sets things aside to ensure there’s room for new ideas and questions next episode.

Janeway doesn’t kill the Vidiians to get Neelix his lungs back - No Starfleet captain would. At least, not during this period of Star Trek. Sisko has development in that regard (making morally gray choices), but that’s built into the heart of the show from the start: he’s on a station, not a starship, that is jointly run by the Federation and the Bajorans, and built by the Cardassians. The rules of the Federation always had a tenuous hold there and Sisko as a character always pushed the boundary of the Federations expectations (Q: “Picard never hit me!”) Janeway, in contrast, is 100% a Federation captain and, more importantly, has explicitly told her crew that they will be operating as a Federation vessel, despite being so far from home. That’s the conflict between the officers and the Maquis. That’s why Tuvok accepts the alien tech in “Prime Factors,” recognizing that Janeway can’t. That’s why Seska is a compelling antagonist, pressuring the crew to abandon their ideals for survival. The series (or at least that first season) revolves around questions about identity and whether they’re willing to give that identity up now that they’re out from under the Federation’s thumb. Overwhelmingly, they choose not to... which would make murdering the Vidiian a complete 180 for her character. We’re not necessarily supposed to agree with Janeway’s choice, we’re supposed to acknowledge that murdering another sentient being is not some simple choice to make, especially when you’re a leader devoted to a certain set of ideals. We’re supposed to recognize the challenges here (many of which SFDebris doesn’t acknowledge) like how you’re supposed to keep a prisoner for the next 75 years when you’re already struggling to feed and take care of the crew you have, or the fact that they claim to take organs from dead bodies and this was a rare time when they couldn’t. (It’s only in “Faces” that we learn this is complete BS and they actively kidnap people to work as slaves and then be harvested.) The frustration that Janeway doesn’t act here stems from wanting her to be a character who is, fundamentally, not a Star Trek captain.

Granted, I only watched one review, but that’s what the whole thing felt like: wanting a series that’s not Star Trek. Something without a token, challenging character, without hand-wavy science, that’s more serialized, and doesn’t adhere to a “do no harm” code. (I just started “Initiations” and Chakotay asks a vessel to stand down three times, while actively being attacked, before finally retaliating and then he tries to reestablish communications and then he warns them about their engine and then he beams them aboard his shuttle. That’s what Star Trek (usually) is: that idealized love of life, even when that life is actively hostile). And like, that’s obviously fine! As you say, Flawartist, “watch/enjoy whatever you wish,” but just based on this one review I wonder if SFDebris just wants something other than Star Trek.

I think one of the reasons why I feel passionately about this (beyond my love of context and recognizing when shows are actively trying to accomplish something specific) is that I went through this with DS9. For years I heard about how horrible the show was. It’s trash. It’s a mess. It’s not TNG, so don’t even bother. Or, if you do, be prepared for disappointment. There was this whole, strong rhetoric about how silly it all is--Star Trek is, by default, silly, so supposedly only the Shakespeare loving, archeology obsessed captain is sophisticated enough to save it--and then... I found nothing of the sort. I mean yeah, obviously Star Trek is silly as hell (that’s part of its charm), but DS9 was also a complex, nuanced look into everything from personal agency to the threat of genocide. There’s so much wonderful storytelling there... little of which made it into my cultural understanding of DS9. And now I’m seeing the same thing with Voyager. When I did some quick googling I was bombarded by articles saying how bad it is and now I have an ask comparing it to a show I don’t think has even a quarter of the heart the Star Trek franchise does. Which is is not AT ALL meant as a knock against you, anon. I’m just fascinated by this cultural summary of Star Trek: TOS is ridiculous but fun if you’re willing to ignore large swaths of it, TNG is a masterpiece and that’s that, DS9 is bad, Voyager is bad, and to be frank I haven’t heard much of anything about Enterprise. It’s weird! Because I watch these shows and I’m like, “Holy shit there’s so much good storytelling here.” Is it perfect? Not on your life, but it’s trying in a way that I can really appreciate. It’s Star Trek and Star Trek (at least at the time) meant something pretty specific. Criticisms about divisive characters or idealized forgiveness feel like walking out of a Fast and Furious film and going, “There was too much driving and silly combat. Why didn’t they just fix the situation in this easy way?” Because then we wouldn’t have a film about lots of driving and silly combat! If you make all the characters palatable, make Janeway harder, extend the impact of all the discoveries, remove the ridiculous science that doesn’t make any sense... then you don’t have Star Trek anymore.

#star trek #ST #mymeats #flawartist

19 notes · View notes

ariella884 · 4 years

Text

Voyager Book Club - February Favorite Fics

So I put forth a challenge of sorts to our Voyager Book Club. I asked everyone to pick ONE Voyager fic that they consider to be their favorite. Now, you can imagine, this is pretty freaking hard! There are so many incredible fics out there. I didn’t say it had to be the best written, or the most in character. I gave examples such as: the one you read over and over or your go-to fic, however you want to phrase it. It was pointed out that a favorite fic can change every hour based on your frame of mind and what you are in the mood to read at any one moment. I get it. Even so....I challenged everyone to only pick ONE. And they did it! Or most of them! I got around 20 different favorites picked! So here is the list of our Favorite Voyager Fics, why they were chosen and by whom. Happy Reading!!

Note: Click on the name of the fic for a link to it! Also, this list is in no particular order.

-------

@curator-on-ao3: ‘Fragile Things’ by @mia-cooper

“Fanfic is about exploring possibilities. That’s what put this fic over the top to be my favorite. In Fragile Things, MiaCooper examines multiple versions of one relationship, pulling different threads to see how things unravel or knit together. It’s thoughtful, it’s meta, it’s realistic as hell, it’s damn good writing — it’s MiaCooper and it’s excellent.”

-------

@ariella884(yep, that’s me!): ‘2013′ by PCBW (@pcbw)

“I had a hard time choosing my favorite (like most people here), mostly because as i was gathering them all from everyone else I kept seeing ones and going, ‘Oh! I love that one!’. I also didn’t want to have any duplicates so I had to change mine a couple times, that being said, 2013 is easily one of my top three (which of themselves is almost impossible to pick just one. I’m lucky that my other two were chosen already and I didn’t have to!). I love 2013 because it is a modern AU, without being a completely modern AU. No, that doesn’t make sense. But you get our Janeway and Chakotay, Starfleet officers and all, and you get them in the modern world. It’s incredible! We see the challenges they go through of being taken from everything they know and put into a world that is pretty much unknown to them. Add to that the personal differences they have to work out together. Splash in the normal challenges that we all go through when trying to live a life in this day and age (jobs, house, money, love, family, etc). This is just an incredibly beautiful story that I have read many times and will continue to read over and over. It’s also a long fic and those are my favorite because I like to get completely involved in stories!”

-------

@mia-cooper: ‘Deceiving’ by QuantumSilver

“Because it starts with a canon event that is absolutely devastating and shows just how devastated Janeway and Chakotay are by it (and Tuvok and Ayala as well, though they only make a brief appearance). It shows Janeway at her absolute best - every last inch the captain, going above and beyond for her crew not just physically but emotionally in spite of the absolutely gut-wrenching cost to her - and it really kicks off with one of my absolute favourite tropes: mutual pining to the Nth Fucking Degree.

It has Chakotay being every bit the commander, backing her up even though he's dying inside, and REFUSING to let her shut herself away even though he KNOWS she's going to want to murder him for pushing and pushing and pushing at her.

And then OH MY GOD, he's deliberately getting on her every last nerve just so he can wrench honesty from her because he knows if she doesn't tell him how badly he's hurt her, how she's absolutely bottomed out because of him, she will never open up to him or anyone else again.

AND THEY DRINK WHISKEY OMG GIVE ME KJ AND C UTTERLY MISERABLE AND DRINKING WHISKEY LIKE IT'S WATER AND PINING LIKE FUCK AND NOT SAYING A WORD BUT BLEEDING TO DEATH FROM THE HEART AND I WILL DIE HAPPY FOREVERRRRRRR

I'm sorry for yelling but this fic makes me want to rip off my clothes and run up and down the street screeching how everybody should read it and they are just BRUTAL with each other and they STILL do not understand, refuse to, CANNOT understand, that the other would not just die for them but MURDER WHOLE FUCKING ARMIES FOR THEM and it's tragic and devastating but then oH MY GOoOoOODDDDD

So that is my favourite fic and the one i read approximately every two months or more if i really hate my writing that day and want to torture myself with How It Should Be Done.”

--------

@bizships: ‘Fealty’ by MsDisdain

“My favorite story. I honestly don’t have to think about it. It’s one I always go back to.

I love the way the crew pledges their loyalty to her and the way subtle way they tell her that it’s okay that she’s happy too in that they effectively give her Chakotay for her birthday, by way of him “fighting” Tuvok(Starfleet) for her hand.”

--------

@arcadia1995: ‘The Space Between’ by lauawill ( @joyful-voyager)

“The Space Between is a story I return to time and time again when I'm feeling down. I like that it realistically portrays what might have happened between Janeway and Chakotay right after the returned home in Endgame. I like that no one in the J/C/7 triangle ends up being a bad guy. I like the hopeful ending and imaging what might have happened after the fade to black (lots of sex!!!)“

-------

@wishful-thinker-87 : ‘if you came this way’ by tree

“It’s always a go to for me, even though I don’t usually like AUs. The sex is intense and emotional. The characterization is pot on. And we get Phoebe being an awesome sister and some Chakotay/Molly bonding too. What’s not to love?!”

-------

BlackVelvet: ‘Bluffing the Crowd’ by @ralkana

“Even after years since i read this, just thinking about this story brings a warm fuzzy feeling to my heart and a huge silly grin to my face. I simply love it.”

-------

@purpledog47: ‘The Future is Ours’ by Dawn

“My favorite is most definitely Dawn’s ‘The Future is Ours. This is my one fic. It’s super long and it tells us what happened after Endgame and it has a little bit of everything in it: angst, romance, hurt/comfort, Q, babyfic, romance.”

-------

@amoderngirl: ‘Time and Distance’ by northernexposure

“If I am ever loosing the thread with J/C, I can always read this and I am immediately in love again.”

-------

@coffeeblack75: ‘Soft Light’ by northernexposure

“There are so many reasons why I love it that I can't even, haha. I'll start with: it was the first piece of fanfic smut I read, so I love it for that reason - my first time haha. More importantly, it is just beautifully, beautifully written - it's plotted beautifully, it flows beautifully and the pacing is spot on. The author has complete control over all of that & over the language, which is just used masterfully. There's so much subtley going on in this story too - the author doesn't spell everything out for us and instead draws us to the details that reveal what is important - the beginnings of these two getting to know each other. Gosh, it's so hard to articulate haha! But lines like this just make me shiver in delight for their beauty and what they reveal: "he was kissing her, with a lot more sweetness than was wise. Ah god, I could go on and on but perhaps I'll finish with my favourite bit, which is when C feels that first stab of lust & realises she might too & tests his theory by blowing softly on the back of her neck. This moment, omg, the moment is just so beautiful, so quiet, so pointed and private and intimate. You really feel that moment as if you are there. Ahhhhh :)

Also….there are two sequels to it that are equally as wonderful ;)

Oh and one more thing I adore about this story is the way that the C thinks he is lusting after KJ but it is quite obvious he loves her - even before they come together - but he hasn’t realized it yet. The way the author does this is just incredible - so deft! Everything for C is about taking care of KJ … it’s just beautiful.”

-------

@caladeniablue: ‘Lifeline’ by helenagray ( @picking-daisies-in-the-outfield)

“Why do I like that fic? An unfinished WIP at that (Started in 2013; last update in Jan 2019. No indication how many chapters to go.) The perfect serial story and that's part of the attraction for me.

The first chapter sets the scene: raw Janeway, alone, without the backup of her ship, her crew or Chakotay. Bare of essentials and with only her courage and intelligence and sheer determination to help her survive, and even she wonders how long those will last her.

And while we learn about Chakotay and how he seeks her while the crew has to move on, I am drawn to Janeway most of all.

The fic jumps back and forth across locations and in time from that first chapter to catch up with it again some 20 chapters later, but there is no jarring. The reader knows immediately what KJ is experiencing , but the past events that led to that situation are as important, and that's one of the many attractions of this story. No overlong flashbacks, no tedious info dump. It's all layered, making one wait for the next chapter and the next one, while knowing all the time where KJ has ended up.

The writing is gorgeous, which is a bonus. And it is pure J/C, distilled to its purest by separation. Perfect.”

-------

@keiraniels: ‘Bad Ensign’ (Series) by @curator-on-ao3

“Ok so I chose Curator’s ‘Bad Ensign’ because I come back to it often - - it’s such a freaking brilliant idea that I can 100% imagine being canon, and it inspired so many Voyager Bookclubbers to write Bad Ensign stories”

-------

@cnrothtrek: ‘War Torn’ by @curator-on-ao3

“Why? I had the pleasure of beta reading this story, and I am so glad that I did. It has a great plot, is well-written and perfectly paced, and is hard to put down. The way it pulls together two pieces of canon backstories for Miles O’Brien and Kathryn Janeway is genius. The characters feel so real and their voices can be clearly heard in the text. And the supporting characters of Captain Benjamin Maxwell, Will “Stompie” Kayden, and Molly Walsh are incredible. The story is intense, absorbing, and emotional. I just can’t say enough good things about it.”

-------

@theshortywrites: ‘The Dragonfly Oath’ by Koneia

-------

@emmikamikatze: ‘All the Good Things We Never Did’ by northernexposure

“This story brings me to tears, makes me smile and shiver and fear and worry. It's given me phrases that won't leave me, that keep repeating itself in my head even months (years) after first reading it. There's just the right amount of show trivia to make it a fanfiction, but little enough to make it a unique and original story. ne makes me fall in love with these characters all over again as if I didn't know them beforehand.

This story is special and precious and it speaks to me on so many levels I can hardly comprehend how genius it is. It's a literary masterpiece of fanfic if there ever was one.”

-------

@missmil: ‘Here I Stand’ by lauawill

-------

@manalyzer13: ‘Gravitation’ by northernexposure

-------

@grace-among-the-stars: ‘Filling the Void’ by Spiletta42

“Filling the Void is the one fic I always return to. It has my fave ships, JC, PT and D7. Minor characters play major parts and it is just funny. It makes me laugh every time.

JC’s relationship is really explored from all angles, this is not just your average, ‘the crew get them together fics’, it is so much more. It has sexual tension, smut, humour, sadness and is pure JC BLISS. It always cheers me up and I was so happy when Spiletta42 added it to Ao3 because this meant so many more people would find it.”

-------

Anonymous: ‘Bent, Not Broken’ by @killermanatee

“This is an incredible hurt/comfort Janeway/Chakotay fic. The story is painfully written from both characters' perspectives, showing how each is suffering in a different way from the traumatic event that has occurred. In the end, their love for each other will help them come together and they will both be able to heal with time, comfort, and support from one another. This is a beautifully told, emotionally heavy story of one couple's love overcoming tragedy. It is my favorite Janeway/Chakotay fic, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a heartbreaking yet fulfilling story.”

-------

@minakotenjou: ‘Mysterious and Curious’ by @h4t08

“It was so hard to choose - there are a lot of incredible fanfics out there. This was one of the first...shall we say spicier J/C fics I read and for some reason I still think of it often. It's great smut for sure, but I think it stuck with me because of how it all gets tied together at the end.”

-------

@leisylaura: ‘The Bitter End’ by @mia-cooper

“We have post endgame books but not one about the original timeline, I remember reading “The bitter end” and thinking “this is it, this is what happened”. I cried from beginning to end.”

-------

@killermanatee: ‘The Dying of the Light’ by @cnrothtrek

"This fic is such a gorgeous piece of art. I hadn't seen the TNG episode before reading it and when I did watch it I was very disappointed because this fic is just on such a completely different level. The storytelling is so delicate and intriguing, that combined with the poignant and elegant writing style, so that it was impossible to put my phone down. I can't recommend this fic highly enough."

-------

@cheile: ‘Marooned’ by Soliquilii9 (aka Running Horse)

“I love how she makes the story unfold in slow steady measures. Also, she filled in the gaps left by the writers in regards to his heritage by using information from her own Cherokee background and it is done naturally (not in an info dump type manner). “

__________

What do you think of our list of Voyager favorites? Do you have a favorite that isn’t on this list? Reply to this post with your favorite!! And if you haven’t read ALL of these fics yet, I strongly suggest you get started!! Have fun and enjoy!!

#voyager #star trek voyager #voyager fic #voyager book club #Voyager Favorite Fics

216 notes · View notes

summahsunlight · 4 years

Text

This Way Became My Journey, CH. 15

Two weeks after Voyager is taken from the Alpha Quadrant...

Tom Paris stumbled on his way out of the holodeck thanks to a horribly placed vending cart in Rome circa 1920. Things hadn't gone according to plan, hell they never seemed to go according to plan for him. Perhaps he should have told Harry the truth from the beginning, but Harry wouldn't have ventured down to the holodeck if he had told him the truth. So he had told a little white lie, what was the harm in that?

Apparently a lot because Harry was stalking off down the corridor to the turbolift. "Harry, wait up!"

Harry Kim shook his head. "No way, Tom. "

"Aw, come on Harry, I've been smoothing out the details for this date for days now! You can't leave me in the dust like this!"

"Oh yes I can," Harry snapped, pressing the button to call for the lift.

Tom caught up with him as the lift opened and pressed the button to send it on its way before Harry could step inside. His friend turned to glare at him. "It's the Delaney sisters, Harry, they come as a package. It's a double date or no date, Harry."

"I never agreed to a date of any kind."

"Sure you did," Tom replied. "Last night."

A blank expression passed over Harry's face. He couldn't recall ever have such a conversation. Of course, he was so tired last night he probably would have agreed to jumping out of an airlock. "I never agreed to any date last night. We ate dinner with Lieutenant Barrett, who told me to enjoy some recreational time while she was away to quell my homesickness. There was never anything about a date in that conversation Tom."

Tom grinned mercelessly. "Well, dates are recreational. You're following counselor's orders."

"She didn't order me. She suggested recreational activities," Harry fumed. "Why am I arguing with you on this? I have a girlfriend back home, I don't need to go on any dates."

"Harry, Harry, Harry, you honestly think she's going to wait for you?"

"Yes!" He exclaimed quickly.

"That's rather selfish of you, don't you think?"

"Look who's telling me about being selfish," Harry hissed. "It was rather selfish of you to think I'd go on this date so you can get with Meghan Delaney."

Tom shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, it was rather selfish of me, but you are my best friend Harry, who else would I ask to go on a double date with me?" He looked innocently at his friend. Harry rolled his eyes doing his best imitation of Sarah Barrett when Tom got this way. "Can I help it if I thought I was helping my best friend out?"

Harry grunted. "Helping me out with what?"

"Moving on!"

"Tom, we've only been out here two weeks, you think Libby's moved on that quickly?"

"Well of course not," Tom retorted, "but she's going to, eventually, Harry. You know it."

He did know it but he didn't want to acknowledge it. He wasn't ready to accept that Libby was going to move on without him, that she was going to think that he was dead. It seemed rather unfair to be so far away from home and going out on a double date with Tom when Libby was probably grieving for his loss back on Earth. Why should he be happy when he knew that his loved ones were not? Tom on the other hand didn't have this dilemma. He could care less about his family and had no girlfriend back home. Girlfriends just weren't Tom Paris' style. Harry wondered how long the chase of the Delaney sister's was going to last. He opened his mouth to speak, but no word came out.

Tom grabbed him by the arm. "Now come on, they're waiting for us and I only have forty five minutes left of holodeck time saved up."

Harry allowed Tom to pull him all the way back to holodeck, the whole time awestruck that he had every intent on not going back there but Paris found some way to drag him along. Every time, he thought as they entered the holodeck, he gets me every time with the moving on and selfish of me to think she'll wait bit. But even as he was dragged towards the candlelit table, with a very smiling Jenny Delaney, he wondered just how much trouble Tom had really gotten him into. It's going to be a long night.

The constant thrumming of the engines was soothing to him as the tiny shuttlecraft cruised along to the home world of the Karvaians. Voyager had made first contact with one of their scout ships two days before and the Captain wanted to immediately send out a diplomatic party to speak with them. The first officer had been given the mission, taken a shuttle, and departed from Voyager. Chakotay had always found that piloting a ship manually was a good source of therapy and relaxation, better than sitting in a chair and talking to a psychologist for hours on end. Maybe that was why he was having trouble getting to know Sarah Barrett.

It wasn't that he didn't like her; she was a bright young woman with a strong personality. However, she was a psychologist and whenever he opened his mouth to speak he wondered if she was taking silent notes about his mental state. It was this reason, that he was uncomfortable around her, that he believed Captain Janeway had sent them on the mission together. She was hoping that the time alone would help them work up a little bit of a rapport aside from the first officer/counselor relationship. Well, it was proving to be hard to do just that since Barrett was barely speaking to him. She had helped him with preflight and everything else that Starfleet protocol demanded of her, but once they were well on their way she had barricaded her self so to speak in the aft cabin of the shuttle, reading over PADDs.

Her eyes were narrowed, reading over the material vigorously, as if she felt that she didn't have enough time to read through it all. He recalled her concern for Neelix not being allowed on this mission, but Janeway had not felt comfortable allowing the Talaxian on another away mission just yet, not after what had happened on Ocampa with Neelix deceiving them to help rescue Kes. So, instead, Sarah had been handed stacks of PADDs on the data that Neelix had on the Karvaians right before they left.

He had been trying to get her to talk about what she was working on, to break the ice, but she had responded coldly that once she had a better grasp on Karvarian culture she would let him know, and the discussion had ended there.

But despite the lack of communication on this trip, he could see why Janeway liked the young woman so much. She could switch from hard and calculating, to soft and caring when the situation presented itself. And, he admitted, she had a wry sense of humor. But other than her personality, he didn't know much about her, except what her service record had indicated, and even then that didn't go into depth. He did know that she had a dark past, one that she was trying to turn her life around from. Like so many other people on this journey, he thought with sudden realization, as he made a course correction.

He had also tried asking her about her time at the Academy, perhaps make a connection between the two of them there. She had remarked, perhaps another time.

Looking at his panel he concluded that had been over two hours ago, just after they had cleared Voyager and been on their way to Karva. They would be reaching the planet in about thirty minutes. "Captain Janeway tells me you were a part of a team that studied the Borg," he spoke up, hoping to get something from her. It seemed that if they didn't have the integration of the Maquis into Voyager's crew to talk about, then they had nothing to talk about. And he didn't know why, but that bothered him.

"I was the head psychologist on a research vessel that composed of some of Starfleet's top engineers, science officers, and doctors," came her subdued reply. "Our mission was to collect as much information about the Borg as we could, such as their psyche and their technology and bring it back to Starfleet in the hopes that a better defense against the Borg could be made and spare us from another disaster like Wolf 359."

"Really? What made you want to study the Borg?" Chakotay asked her, brown eyes peering up for only a few seconds. "They aren't exactly the warmest species in the galaxy to be hanging around with."

"My mother was killed at Wolf 359," Barrett replied, a bit of pain etched in her voice. "I guess I wanted to justify the reason they had killed her."

Her answer had deadpanned the conversation, just when he felt like he was getting somewhere with her. The console blared suddenly and the ship lurched to the left. Perplexed, Chakotay corrected their course thinking that they had run into some form of spatial distortion; another blare and an even more violent lurch.

"A ship just appeared off of our port nacelle. They're firing on us," Barrett announced. She had jumped up from her seat in the aft cabin and into the one besides Chakotay. Her fingers were running over the console. "I don't understand why sensors didn't pick them up coming in!"

"I've never seen this type of ship before, it's not Karvaian," Chakotay said. "I'm going to try out running them. Try hailing them on all frequencies."

"No response," Sarah replied as the shuttle was hit again, this time causing sparks to emit from the conduits.

The shuttle craft in reality was no match for the alien ship. The readings were showing them that they were up against a ship that had vast technological advances, superior to their own, but perhaps, if they could get in communications range of Karva, their new friends could assist them. But with the next hit, the port nacelle caught fire, sending the shuttle into a downward spiral. Chakotay tried to right the shuttle with the only engine he had, as smoke filled the cabin. Barrett was screaming that the aliens were trying to take out their engines, causing the hull to breach around the nacelle, in affect, ripping it off the tiny ship. They were hurtling towards the surface of a small planetoid.

"Can we land?" Chakotay asked her.

"Land?" Barrett repeated. "We're going to crash before we do that!"

"Is the atmosphere compatible for us?"

"It's a Class L atmosphere," Barrett replied, sapphire eyes roaming the readings the computer was giving her. "The surface consists mostly of mountains and rock, not a lot of water; high concentrations of carbon dioxide. Can we survive down there? Yes, but that's only if we survive the crash first."

Chakotay shook his head, looking at the controls determinedly. "We're not going to crash."

Sarah looked up him skeptically. "How can you say that?" Her body lurched about violently as the tiny ship entered the atmosphere. "We only have one engine and those aliens are doing everything they can to take the other one out! Commander, if we hit the rock at this speed it will tear the ship apart and us with it!"

"Not if I can help it!"

"Commander! Even if we survive the crash or landing as you put it, we don't know if those aliens will come after us," Barrett pointed out. They had only been in this part of space for a couple of weeks, but already they had learned that most of the species in this quadrant weren't friendly, the Kazon, for example, were not to be trifled with and they hadn't gotten off on the best of terms with them.

"We're going to make it look like we've been destroyed. On my command I want you to vent the plasma," Chakotay instructed her, eyes running over his console, trying to find a good place to put the shuttle down. They were coming in fast towards a very rocky region. It was not going to be a smooth landing. "Hang on!" he cried out as the aliens fired across their bow. Sparks emitted from the aft cabin and he could see Barrett gripping the console, however she held a calm expression. No doubt it was something that she had learned while studying the Borg. Who knew that experience was going to come in handy now?

"Chakotay, we're going in too fast," the Counselor rasped out, anxiously.

"Unidentified ship, surrender."

Chakotay slapped at the comline. He didn't want to hear them implore surrender. They weren't out of tricks just yet. If they were lucky the alien ship wouldn't follow them into the atmosphere. The shuttle began to quake violently as it entered the upper atmosphere. "Vent the plasma, Sarah, and target phasers on it. Fire when I tell you too."

"But that would ignite the plasma," Sarah said, even as she followed through with his orders.

"I know, I want them to believe that we've burnt up in the atmosphere."

"I hope you know what you're doing," Sarah replied.

Me too, Chakotay thought as the shuttle hurtled faster and faster towards the surface. "Fire now!"

Phasers burst forth from the shuttle craft, igniting the plasma into a fireball behind them. The alien ship backed off, whether or not they believed that the shuttle had indeed exploded and were avoiding exploding themselves, the two officers couldn't be sure. They had other problems. Chakotay noticed on his fading sensors that the alien ship was reversing course. For the time being the threat had been eliminated, but now they were spiraling out of control towards a rocky planet. "Dispatch an automated distress signal to Voyager!"

Sarah moved about so she could record a message and send it to Voyager. It was brief, seeing how they didn't have much time before the ship hit the surface, but she hoped that it was effective. Turning back towards the Commander she only had a few moments to grip the console as he cried out to brace for impact.

Despite Chakotay's best efforts, and even though he managed to slow the ship's descent, the shuttle hit the rocky soil hard and both officers felt their bodies being thrown about against the panels and controls as the shuttle tore a path through the rock. It swayed back and forth, first the port nacelle was sheared off, and then the starboard nacelle came ripping off as well, exploding in a ball of flame that sent both Chakotay and Sarah flying from their seats as the shuttle slammed into a solid rock wall. In a blinding flash of light, both officers were knocked unconscious, the shuttle coming finally to a stop, crumpled against a mountain side.

He awoke with the taste of blood in his mouth and smoke in his eyes. Chakotay blinked, trying to take in his surroundings. The lights were flickering on and off, the consoles as well, and the memories began to return to his jostled mind. Rising up on to his elbows he peered out the view port. The shuttle was in shambles, but lucky for them, the shields had held long enough to protect them from the fires and explosions of the nacelles. Now, they were rested against a solid bed of rock. It hadn't been his best landing, but at least they had managed to get down in one piece.

They. He suddenly realized that he had no idea where Sarah was. Turning about, which sent a shooting pain up his right leg, he tried to locate her. She was a few feet from him, plasma burns covering a part of her face and hands. There was a huge gash across her cheek and she did not appear to be breathing. Grabbing the emergency medical kit he pulled out the tricorder and ran the hand scanner over her body. She was breathing and alive, but she had not faired as well as he had when it came to the crash landing.

She had several broken ribs, one had punctured a lung. The burns on her face and hands were second degree plasma burns that he could easily treat with a deremial regenerator, but that was the least of his concerns, she had suffered massive internal bleeding as well. If Voyager did not find them and find them soon, the young woman was going to die. Her eyes opened then and she looked at him, confused.

"We made it?"

"We made it," Chakotay replied, helping her sit up slightly. She winced in pain. "You were injured in the crash."

"How bad?" Sarah asked, trying to grit her teeth and bear the pain.

"Nothing too serious," he lied to her, reaching in the medical kit for a hypospray.

"You're a terrible liar; didn't they teach how to lie with the Maquis?"

He laughed, giving her a warm smile. "Should have known I couldn't fool you," he whispered, pressing the hypospray to her neck. "Here this will help with the pain. I'm afraid that's all I can do for now, besides treat your burns. You need surgery."

She nodded her head as the pain began to dull. "What about Voyager?"

Chakotay shook his head. "I'm not sure our message was received and I'm not sure I can send another one. It looks like our systems took heavy damage." He wiped some sweat from his brow and glanced around the cabin. He wasn't sure how they were going to get out of this one. Pulling himself up to his feet he moved towards the communication panel and saw that it was burnt out, probably where Sarah had received the burns from. So much for trying to send another message out to Voyager; he realized that even if he were able to get another message out, the aliens that had attacked them may pick the transmission up and come back to finish them off. Then they'd be in more trouble then they were now.

It was best to try and survive on this planet and wait for Voyager to find them. Glancing at Sarah he wondered how much time she could hold out. He wasn't a doctor, knew some basic first aid, but even he knew that she didn't have time on her side. One thing was for sure, they were going to need something to keep them warm and water. They had enough emergency rations to last them a few days, but a quick glance at the systems told him that the replicator was down and so weren't environmental controls. Once they lost the sunlight, it was going to get cold in that tiny shuttle. He grabbed a tricorder and a phaser. "I'm going to go look for water and something to start a fire with."

"You really think we'll be here that long?"

"There's no telling how long we'll be here," Chakotay responded, opening the hatch. Before he left he turned about and offered her a smile. "Don't go anywhere while I'm away."

A small, pain filled smile spread across her face. "Don't worry, Commander, I won't."

#star trek voyager #star trek voyager fanfiction #kathryn janeway #chakotay #tom paris #sarah barrett (oc)#tuvok #harry kim #b'elanna torres #kes #neelix #the doctor (emh)#janeway x chakotay #tom paris x ofc #this way became my journey

17 notes · View notes

sharpnothashtag · 4 years

Text

The Good Ship CrushWay, Chapter 30

Author’s Note: I needed some time away from that last story. Call it a mid-season break, if you’ll allow it. Now, for something I’ve wanted to do for literal years. (Yes, the stardate is going to be inaccurate because as much as I want to care about it, I don’t. Two years have passed since chapter 1; six months have passed since chapter 29. That’s all you need to know.)

Seven is walking through the corridors, nodding at doctors who smile at her.

Seven: Personal log, stardate 97770.33. Admiral Paris has called myself, Captain Janeway, B’Elanna Torres, Tom Paris, the Doctor, and a few people I have not yet met to an early morning meeting. It is rather inconvenient timing, as I was beginning to incorporate a new aspect to the filing system that would improve its efficiency. Now, until I am permitted to return to my duties, the system will remain in its current state of disarray.

Seven walks up to a door. She rings the chime.

KJ: Come! Seven: (enters, it’s a conference room. KJ is seated near the head of the table. Seven nods in acknowledgement.) Captain. KJ: Good morning, Seven. Seven: How was your sleep? KJ: Beverly woke me up snoring. (drowning her yawns in coffee. ...) Since when do you care? Seven: The Doctor and I have been talking about little talk. It seems an inefficient way of communication, but the Doctor tells me it is seen as polite. KJ: It’s called “small talk,” Seven. And I am perfectly fine to sit in silence--my restless night has left me rather cantankerous this morning. (Seven nods in acknowledgement. They have one more moment of silence before Tom and B’Elanna enter. They see the way the Captain is chugging her coffee and decide not to comment. They have a seat as well. AP enters, smiling warmly.)

AP: Good morning, all. Tom, would you mind bringing the Doctor up on this panel so we can begin? Tom: Yes, sir. Will there be anyone else joining us, sir? AP: Yes, but I need to brief you all on your mission first. Tom: Understood, sir. (He goes to the panel, presses a few buttons, and the EMH appears.) EMH: Good morning, Lieutenant Paris. Tom: Good morning, Doctor. AP: Good morning, all. I’m so glad to see you all again. You all know I don’t like to beat around the bush, and there isn’t much time before you need to leave. I’ll be brief. We’ve managed to narrow down the location of the Voyager crew to a section of M class planets toward the border of the Delta and Alpha Quadrants. We’ve not been able to communicate, but the homing signal they sent finally reached us. According to his report, there were several minor injuries, but the planet they landed on had a benevolent species that took pity on them and helped them get to a stable position. They, as far as I know, are waiting to be rescued, as the escape pods were very badly damaged in the landing. We’re giving you a ship to bring back your crew. (brings up an image. smiling) Friends, this is the USS Ohana. KJ: (smiling) Family. Family means no one gets left behind. AP: She’s intrepid class, just like Voyager. She should have more than enough space to get all of you back in one piece. KJ: She’s beautiful. When do we leave? AP: Well, as soon as your new crew members get here. Seven: New crew members? AP: Yes. First, (pulling up a headshot) your head of security and first officer, Lieutenant Commander Tasha Yar. KJ: Yes, she can cover that and tactical until we get to Tuvok. That still leaves Ops, assuming that Tom will be covering the helm. AP: Your new Ops officer, Ensign Ro Laren (headshot). I will warn you, Captain. Both women are extremely opinionated and headstrong. KJ: Outspoken, are they? They’ll fit it well. (as if on cue, the doorbell chimes.) AP: Come! (Tasha and Ro enter.) KJ: (to Tasha) Commander Yar, yes? Tasha: Lieutenant Commander, but yes. Tasha Yar. AP: Report to cargo bay 4 in 2 hours. Dismissed. Tasha: (to KJ) Good to meet you, sir. KJ: Just “Captain” is fine. I’ll be calling you “Number One.” (They all walk toward the Turbolift together.)

Tasha: I am honored. Captain Picard used to call Commander Riker that. KJ: You served aboard the Enterprise? Tasha: Yes, many years ago. I left for another position on a smaller ship that had the opportunity of advancement; Captain Picard gave me his blessing, as he and Captain Anton Farley were in the academy together. (smirking) He said I could learn a good deal from him. KJ: It’s a long story, but I became “Number One” after Commander Riker left for his position aboard The Excalibur. Ensign Ro, is it? Ro: Yes, Captain. Thank you for using my proper name. KJ: No need to thank me for common decency. Commander Chakotay taught me well. B’Elanna: Speaking of Chakotay, where is he? Seven: He is on an extended spirit quest. He left messages with Starfleet Command that he would be back in a few months. Admiral Paris felt it best to respect his religious practices and appoint you instead, Commander Yar. Ro: Now, Chakotay, why do I know that name? B’Elanna: It’s been a long time, but he and I fought with the Maquis against the Cardassians. Ro: But you aren’t Bajoran. B’Elanna: But Starfleet sure as hell didn’t give a damn. We knew what needed to be done, and so we went to help, no matter what that meant.

(Tasha and Ro share a look. They’re uncomfortable and that is clear. They certainly aren’t going to acknowledge what’s bothering them here. The turbolift comes and we are back with KJ and Bev.)

Bev: You’re going to call me every day at lunch, right? KJ: Of course. I looked at the coordinates briefly--it doesn’t seem like it will be that long of a trip as far as navigation goes. The species Tuvok has befriended seems docile and willing to learn from us according to his report. I’d say I’ll be back in a month. Bev: Every day, Kate. KJ: 1200 hours. We’ll keep up. And when I get back, you’ll get to meet my crew. Bev: When you get back, can we tell your mom about us? KJ: (stopping dead in her tracks) Tell my mom? Bev: I don’t have parents to tell that I’m happy. My closest friends and family already know you, especially since Wesley finally came to see me and you met him. It’s time for your mom to know. KJ: I know it’s time. I’m just worried that if we tell her, she’s going to fall apart. It’s only been 6 months since Phoebe died. Bev: Her daughter is happy. How could she “fall apart” over that? KJ: I don’t know. I guess I’m just scared. Bev: We’ll make a trip to see her and tell her in person. It’ll be fun! Plus I’ll finally get to meet Molly and Rocco. I’ve been excited about that for a long time. KJ: Molly and Rocco will love you, and so will my mom after knowing that you’re my girlfriend. (leaning in to kiss her) Just like I love you now. (in each other’s arms) You’re the most loving, loyal, positive, funny, and sarcastic person I’ve ever known. I love you. Bev: I love you, too. KJ: I need to go. Bev: Do you have to? (starting to go in for another kiss) KJ: I might have 15 minutes or so...(going in for a kiss on the neck) Bev: Good. That’s just enough time.

Tasha is packing. Ro enters.

Ro: Tasha, are we not going to talk about this? Tasha: There’s nothing left to talk about. Ro: Yes, there is. We’re going to rescue some former Maquis. Tasha: Former Maquis who then became Starfleet officers. Ro: (sitting down on the bed) Tash, I need a friend right now. Tasha: A Maquis wanting to befriend a Starfleet officer? Ro: Will you just shut UP about that?! (Tasha takes a deep breath and sits down next to her.) I defected to the Maquis, yes. That’s only because I saw my people suffering. I saw myself as a little girl again. I couldn’t watch other people watch their fathers die like I did. I just couldn’t. Tasha: Listen...I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I was hurting for a long time. You and I were really happy, and then you defected. It felt personal. Ro: You know it’s not. Tasha: I saw the way you were looking at that Kira Nerys. Don’t tell me that had nothing to do with it. Ro: That’s just it! Kira had nothing to do with it. Tasha: Bullshit. Ro: Ok. But not in the way you’re thinking. She understood my passion for Bajor. She knew that Starfleet couldn’t help me with that. Tasha: And that’s where the problem really is--you think that I didn’t understand, or that I couldn’t. I grew up outrunning rape gangs, Ro. I know what it’s like to have an unsafe, miserable childhood. Ro: But you don’t know what it is to have someone else understand that and be able to help you through that. Be able to give you something to do about it. Tasha: ...I thought I did. I really thought I did. (Tasha gets up from the bed and starts to finish up her packing.) Ro: Tasha. Tasha: Dismissed, Ensign. (Ro sighs. She looks at Tasha longingly one more time. She leaves.)

Seven is in the Medical facility. It’s clear she’s stressed out. Erin: Annika, just let me take care of that while you’re away. Seven: My name is not Annika any longer. Erin: What should your designation be, then? Seven: Seven of Nine is more than appropriate, even if it is a bit vague. Erin: Seven, please. Just let me take care of the records while you’re gone. Seven: You won’t know what to do. Erin: Yes, I will. Seven: (stops what she’s doing) Show me. (Erin does the same sequence of events Seven has been doing.) You have forgotten to capitalize Biquv’s name under “assigned counselor.” Erin: But is the rest of it up to your standards? Seven: It is...passable. Thank you, Erin. Erin: You’re welcome. (Seven starts to walk away.) I was wanting to talk to you. Seven: (Stops, turns on her heels. slightly annoyed.) Proceed. Erin: We didn’t get the time to be mother and daughter. When you return, could we start getting to know each other? Seven: When I return, I will have many things to do. Erin: But you have to eat. We could at least eat together. Seven: (taking a deep breath) We will attempt conversation once a week. Erin: Five times. Seven: Three. Erin: Sold. Now hurry--your mission can’t wait.

1 note · View note

mia-cooper · 6 years

Text

Desperate Measures - recap

Publishing of this fic is about to slow down (for two reasons: one, most of my mental energy is being diverted to job hunting and two, up until this point I was revising and rewriting, but I’m about to hit uncharted waters) so I thought I’d put together this post as a refresher for people whose memories are as shitty as mine when the next chapters get published.

Spoilers under the cut in case you’re waiting until it’s finished to read this.

For those who read on, there will be a test at the end. Kidding. But I do have a favour to ask.

In the Prologue: Homecoming, set immediately after Endgame, Janeway and Chakotay allow personal misunderstandings to cause a breakdown in communication that leads to hurt feelings and estrangement.

(image by @themostpowerfulmagicofall, used with permission)

In Chapter 1: Coercion, we find out why the Voyager crew has been sequestered for two months, Chakotay x Seven is a thing, and we meet Fleet Admiral Nyla Kjogo (aka She Who Needs a Face-Punching) who blackmails Kathryn into a deal for her crew’s freedom which is not at all sweetened by a hollow promotion.

(gif by @fabricetuerk)

In Chapter 2: The Delta Quadrant’s Darling, Chakotay accepts a captaincy working to Owen Paris at Starfleet Intelligence and is promptly tasked with infiltrating the pirate merchants taking control of the Borderlands. Kjogo’s manoeuvring of Kathryn into an empty public relations role, and her orders to Kathryn’s aide Tora Jens to keep her separated from friends and family, starts Kathryn on a downward spiral into depression.

(image by unknown artist)

In Chapter 3: Turning Tides, Kathryn falls fast and hard for the charismatic Ryan Austin, while the bloom is definitely fading from Chakotay and Seven’s romance as Seven gets closer to Harry Kim ... and Kjogo’s meddling in Kathryn’s personal relationships comes to light.

(image by Camryn)

In Chapter 4: Imperium Ludum, Chakotay is unwillingly recruited by Section 31 agent Jonah Miles, whose revelations about the Entera Coalition conspiracy leave him stunned. Kathryn finally receives Chakotay’s undelivered messages but opts to protect herself emotionally by not rekindling their friendship, stepping up the intensity with Ryan instead.

(original manip by GillyH, further edited by me)

In Chapter 5: False Steps, Chakotay reluctantly embarks on a mission for Section 31 while Janeway starts to wonder what Admiral Kjogo’s agenda is, and when Chakotay and Kathryn come face to face for the first time in months, it initiates seismic changes in both of their intimate relationships.

(original image is a still from Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009); Chakotay/Mark/Kathryn manip by Tachyon, further edited by me)

In Chapter 6: Sheep’s Clothing, the shady Entera Coalition is expanding its power base, prompting another visit from Jonah Miles. Meanwhile, a showdown between Chakotay and Kathryn, suffering from an insidious ailment she’s refusing to acknowledge, ends up pushing them even further apart, and Kathryn has her doubts about Ryan’s new career in politics. And Chakotay turns out to be quite well-suited to the secret agent life, uncovering a few secrets Ryan would probably prefer stayed hidden, including an unexpected connection to a Voyager crew member.

(image by me)

In Chapter 7: Adrift, Kathryn’s health gets worse as she prepares for her wedding to Ryan, while Chakotay tries to warn her against her fiancé and completely cocks it up. When Ryan is elected to Federation Councillor, Admiral Kjogo and President Zife make it clear they expect Kathryn to morph into the perfect politician’s wife, and with Chakotay further estranged, not to mention absent on his Borderlands mission, the only person who seems to be on Kathryn’s side is her aide, Tora Jens. But does Jens have an ulterior motive of her own?

(image by me)

In Chapter 8: In Umbra, an increasingly disillusioned Chakotay is forced to compromise his principles to make inroads into Entera, angering his sister Sekaya. Kathryn’s life continues spiral out of her control until a chance meeting with Seven, whose simple, obvious happiness shines a harsh light on Kathryn’s own emotional turmoil. But before she can accept the truth she’s been denying, events take a devastating and horrifyingly personal turn.

(image by me, featuring L-R: Natalia (unnamed species) from Star Trek: Beyond; Sarek (Vulcan) and unnamed Andorian from Star Trek: Discovery; Ilia (Deltan) from Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Kash (Trialan, based on the doctor in Star Trek 2009); Chakotay)

In Chapter 9: Broke Down, Chakotay’s disgruntled Starfleet traitor persona finally convinces his contact, Kash, to ensure his acceptance into the Entera ranks. A pep talk from Owen Paris and the chance to escape Kjogo’s demands and Ryan’s treacherous influence for a few days gives Kathryn some breathing space. But fate has a strange way of playing its hand.

(Image by me, featuring L-R: unnamed female (Elloran) and Ru’afo (Son’a) from Star Trek: Insurrection; Jaylah (unnamed species) from Star Trek: Beyond; Gamora & Peter Quill from Guardians of the Galaxy (just because); Chakotay; Kash; Navaar (Orion) from Enterprise; Deanna Troi from the drinking scene in Star Trek: First Contact; Morn (Lurian) from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Shran (Andorian) from Enterprise; Kathryn Janeway)

And that brings us up to date.

So now the favour.

Chapter 10 is cued up and ready to go, but thanks to the aforementioned stumbling blocks, I’m only in the early stages of drafting Chapter 11 so it’ll be a little while before it’s betaed, reworked and ready to post.

However, there’s still quite a bit of story to go, and the end of Chapter 10 does bring a natural intermission point. So here’s the thing. I could wait to post Chapter 10 until I’ve written enough ahead to be sure the hiatus between updates isn’t too long. Or I could post Chapter 10 now and hope you’ll all tune back in when I start publishing again.

If you’d like me to publish Chapter 10 now, please reblog this post or leave me a comment on AO3.

If this post gets 30 reblogs, or the AO3 comment count on Desperate Measures makes it to 230 comments, Chapter 10 will go up as soon as timezones permit, and you’ll all level up in karma.

I’m so grateful and appreciative of everyone who’s read, kudosed, reviewed and reblogged this fic so far, and especially worshipful of my patient and wonderful betas, @jhelenoftrek and @littleobsessions90. So if this seems like shameless begging for attention, that’s only because it is ♥︎

#miawrites #desperate measures #wip #post-endgame #tw: rape #tw: non-con #do you want more?#i can give you more #reblog #review #send money #try the veal

81 notes · View notes

kjaneway115 · 5 years

Text

Star Trek Voyager: Night

Episode 5.1 “Night”

Stardate 52081.2

Harry and Tom are playing a Captain Proton program on the holodeck. The Doc enters, frustrated that Tom has gone three minutes into his holodeck time. There’s a power surge to the hologrid. Chakotay is on the bridge alone. There are no star systems within 2500 lightyears. They’ve been crossing the expanse for two months, and they have another two years to go. Seven tells Chakotay and asks if she should inform the captain. “No,” he says, “I’ll tell her.”

Chakotay says it’s been 53 days since they entered the desolate region. They are creating energy reserves. Chakotay calls the senior staff in for a briefing. B’Elanna says there’s nothing new to report. Everyone is going stir crazy. Neelix suggests adding a third holodeck and rotating crew assignments. Neelix, Tom and the others ask about the captain. “Rumor has it she never leaves her quarters,” Tom says. Chakotay defends her, “She can run the ship from wherever the hell she wants.”

Tom and B’Elanna are at each others’ throats. Neelix gets angry at them and tells them they are supposed to be setting an example for the rest of the crew, then Neelix starts to have an anxiety attack.

Seven suggests to Tuvok that he try Borg regeneration instead of meditation because it’s more efficient. They detect theta radiation.

Chakotay tells Janeway about the theta radiation. He tries to convince her to join him for a few rounds of Velocity. “What if I told you I’m not leaving until you join me?” he asks. He tells her she’s packed a bad time to isolate herself from the crew. She says she’d give anything for a little distraction. “No time to stop and think about how we got stranded in the Delta Quadrant.” He tells her the story of how they were stranded, “we decided to stay.” No, she disagrees, “I decided to stay.” “Kathryn…” Chakotay tells her their mission has been a success. She says she made an error in judgment. “It was shortsighted and it was selfish, and now all of us are paying for my mistake.” She says to tell the crew that the captain sends her regards.

Harry occupies himself playing his clarinet. Tom shows Seven the Captain Proton program, but she doesn’t understand how to play along.

The ship suddenly drops out of warp, a blackout. Seven and Tom are in the holodeck. Harry and Tuvok are on the bridge. Chakotay finds Neelix having another anxiety attack. There are intruders aboard the ship. Janeway reappears, the crisis having gotten her out of her quarters. They bring the warp core back on line. Janeway and Chakotay work seamlessly together. The alien vessels are chased away by another alien vessel, a Maalon freighter.

The Maalon captain beams aboard to talk to Janeway and Chakotay. He suggests that Voyager turns around; there are more of the intruders ahead. Janeway says they can’t go back. The Maalon captain says there’s a spatial vortex a few light years away that leads to the other side of the expanse. He asks for the remaining intruder aboard their ship. Janeway asks what’s going on, but he won’t tell her. He says that she can either cooperate or stay behind. Janeway says they need to hear the other side of the story. They go to talk to the intruder who is in sickbay. The doctor reveals that the alien is dying of theta radiation. The alien tells Janeway that the Maalon are poisoning their space. Janeway stays with the alien and sends Chakotay to the bridge. “Finally something to put in my log book,” she says.

Chakotay goes to Tuvok for advice (“a first” Tuvok quips). Chakotay says he’s always respected Tuvok’s judgment and right now he could use some Vulcan clarity. Tuvok notes “guilt has been her constant companion”. Chakotay asks if he’s seem him like this before. Tuvok tells a story about her in her first year as a commander aboard the USS Billings where an away team she ordered was injured and she returned to finish the work alone. She wanted the crew to know that their suffering had not been in vain and he tells Chakotay she could have been killed. Chakotay knows they have to be prepared for her to do something like that again. Tuvok lets Chakotay know he has his support.

The alien tells Janeway that they need Voyager’s help to close the vortex so that the Maalon can’t get into their space anymore. Janeway confronts the Maalon and offers to help them purify their waste if they show Voyager through the vortex. The Maalon captain tells B’Elanna and Chakotay that their technology is great, but that it would put him out of a job. B’Elanna gets angry, but Chakotay tries to be diplomatic. J&C go through the options. Chakotay says they can go through the vortex on their own and then approach Maalon authorities. Janeway says they could collapse the vortex, but they have to do it from this side. That would add two years onto their journey; Janeway says she can’t make the same mistake twice. Janeway tells Chakotay, “There’s no one I trust more than you,” and “you’re a fine first officer.” She asks if he’s ready to captain the ship and tells him to assemble the crew.

Janeway enters the bridge for the first time in two months. The whole senior staff is there. She gives them orders to proceed to the vortex and tells them she’ll take a shuttle. B’Elanna shuts down the conversation right away, and everyone refuses to cooperate. She looks at Chakotay for a long time. Tuvok tells Janeway, “As you can see, you’re not the only one who’s had time to evaluate the past.” Janeway tells them they could all be hanged for mutiny. Chakotay has an idea. Janeway’s spirits are boosted. “You told them. They knew coming in,” Janeway says, sitting down in her chair. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t be a fine first officer if I hadn’t,” he replies. Just in the nick of time, the other aliens come in and help Voyager distract the Maalon. They manage to ride the shockwave through the vortex and collapse it. They are not quite out of the void. Then they see other stars and planets and are finally out of the void. It is beautiful. “Harry, what do you see out there?” Janeway asks, holding back the emotion in her voice. Kathryn tries not to cry and says, “Full speed ahead.” Janeway never deals with the fallout of this episode.

Original Airdate: October 14, 1998

Production Number: 195

Episode Tags: J/C, Journey Home, Character Backstory

Notable First Appearances: Captain Proton

Meanwhile, back in the Alpha Quadrant...

Starfleet has decided to stop fighting a defensive war. Admiral Ross asks Sisko to plan the invasion of Cardassia. Sisko finds a weak spot in Cardassia’s defenses. Meanwhile, Weyoun argues with Damar about leaving a weak spot in their defenses. Damar reveals that they have new automated weapons platforms. Dukat reappears unexpectedly. Dukat reveals that he believes Sisko caused Ziyal’s death, not Damar, and that he wants to take revenge on Sisko. Dukat says he now exists in a state of complete clarity that he wishes to share with the universe. Dukat says he wants an artifact that will make it possible for Dominion reinforcements to come through the wormhole and destroy the Federation. Sisko tries to convince the Romulans to join in the invasion, but they fight with Martok. The Cardassian defensive grid is not activated yet, and this prompts the Romulans to join the invasion. Sisko has a vision from the Prophets, and they tell him not to go to Cardassia. Ross gets mad at Sisko when he tells him, and says he has to choose between being the Emissary and a Starfleet captain. Sisko chooses Starfleet. Dukat arrives with an artifact. He chants an invocation and releases the Pah’wraith which then inhabits his body. Sisko leaves Dax in charge of the station. Dax and Worf are trying to have a child. Worf goes on the Defiant, leaving Dax behind. The battle isn’t going well for the allies. Dax goes to the Bajoran shrine to pray for a child when Dukat appears. He attacks Dax and then puts the Pah’wraith into the orb. At the same moment, Sisko realizes something is wrong. The crew of the Defiant manages to disable the generator for the Cardassian weapons platforms, and the allies land ground troops in Cardassian space. Dukat reveals that the wormhole is gone and that the Bajorans are cut off from the Prophets completely. Weyoun is angry, but Dukat tells him it’s not a problem. Sisko arrives back on DS9, and the Bajorans tell him he has to ask the Prophets to return because all the orbs are dark. Jadzia dies although Bashir is able to save the Dax symbiant. Sisko stands over Jadzia’s coffin and tells her he has failed as the Emissary and as a captain. He tells her he has to get away and figure out how to make things right again. Sisko takes a leave of absence, leaving Kira in charge of the station. Sisko goes home to New Orleans.

#star trek #star trek voyager #episode #episode guide #kathryn janeway #janeway x chakotay #captain janeway #kj115's episode guides #night #s05e01 #chakotay #voyager

3 notes · View notes

jhelenoftrek · 6 years

Note

Relaunch Universe. Taking into account their conversations from Architects of Infinity, what does your JC "happily ever after" look like. Since her time hanging out with Gretchen in Indiana after returning from the continuum, I cant get the vision of KJ mucking about in the dirt, living a (somewhat) simpler life, and what the crew might think, seeing her/him/them together in that light. Additionally, how would it change the JC dynamic to finally be together fully out of the command experience?

Note: Minimal spoilers for ‘Architects ofInfinity’ here as well as ‘Eternal Tide’.

Ooh. Okay. I’ve been sitting on this question a few days, thinking this through,cause it’s a great question. Before I forget, thanks @sunkistlynnki for the ask!! I never just get stuff out of the blue, but I certainly welcome it.

I think, A of I conversation or not, my “happilyever after” has always been the same. I’mvery much in agreement with K. Beyer when it comes to their level of commitmentand how that should be portrayed.

I love that vision of KJreturning to some roots, physically and metaphorically. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see her justplanting flowers and petting dogs and eating Chakotay’s cooking everynight? That’s what she deserves,right? But would she really behappy? Eh… maybe for a littlewhile? But this is the woman that tamedthe Borg! She not only survived the DQ, shegot her crew home in 7 years, instead of 70. She explored all that shit and metall those lovely new alien people and LEARNED so much… she craves thatadventure and science and now, POWER that comes with being an Admiral – she mightnot admit it, but she’s high on those little admiral bars on her collar. I’m sorry, but all of that drive and hard-earnedaccomplishments aren’t going to fall away because she’s got him in her bed. We get a glimpse of how stir-crazy she is in “Night”with very little to do, I think after a while on the farm she’d be just as stircrazy and trapped again, and they both know it.

Him, on the other hand,he’s given up Starfleet how many times now? I think he’d honestly jump at the chance to be done with duty. I know what he says in Eternal Tide about howimportant it is to keep exploring the DQ to protect the AQ/BQ and how it’s worthall their deaths to do so, but if Full Circle Fleet is recalled, I think he’dgive it up in a heartbeat. (Just like Beyer wrote in A of I).

I guess, I see themmeeting somewhere in that boring, realistic middle ground. KJ as basically a desk Admiral – maybe ateaching one, or an advisor of some kind that lets her leave to negotiate blahbity-blahfrom time to time. And Chakotay as anadjunct professor, instructor, occasional-shuttle-crasher, ‘oh-shit-we’re-short-on-Captains-can-you-do-this-mission-guy’. If he does end up a professor, please dearSpirits don’t let him teach archeology. Givethe man a Tactical class, ffs. But atnight and on weekends they both find themselves transporting home to the familyfarm or some little cabin in the middle of nowhere and having amazing sex and tendingto the tomatoes until Monday.

Once they’ve finally hadenough, or if they get pushed out by the next generation in like 15-20 years,they’d probably retire fully and just travel around, but danger and intriguewould always follow them. KJ is a magnetfor it, especially when she’s not looking.

I think the crew – especiallythe original Voyager crew – would bevery happy for them in whatever capacity they show their love. I envision scuttlebutt to be like we see inmost fics “thank goodness it’s about fricking time”. But, there’d be those who would be concerned,especially the officers that don’t know them as well. Because for the time that they’re still bothin command, I’m sorry but that’s a HUGE conflict of interest. It makes ME uncomfortable and I’m not on oneof those ships. We’ve spent 7 seasons hearing about how it’s not appropriate tohave ‘that kind’ of relationship due to the high-possibility of tough decisionsand BAM. Here we are. After how we (the audience and his closefriends) know how deeply and devastatingly he feels for her and vice-versa, areeither one of them gonna make that tough call? Yeah… probably will. But it’sgonna suck nuts. People are going to gethurt, no doubt.

Ok, the final part ofthe question. How would settling downaffect the JC dynamic. GREATLY. And yet, not much. (are you sick of me yet?) Let’s face it, these two have only ever really knowneach other in the command setting - him under her, him as advisor but herwith the final say. That’d be a tough dynamic to get out of. BUT also, Beyer hasdone a wonderful job of making them equals in their personal relationship – certainlynot without continual reminder and work as it should be. Like Tom and B’Elanna, they keep clawingtowards the middle, one making up for the other and just always drawing theother back in. (spoiler alert from this marriedlady, that’s love, folks. That’s howreal relationships succeed, it’s fucking work).

It’d be a choppy year, Ithink, when she hangs up the uniform completely. They’d have to compromise a lot and try prettyhard to find a new normal. She’d be atad restless, he’d be too calm and it’d get under her skin. She’d prod at him just a bit and he’d take ituntil he shouldn’t anymore. They would,for sure, succeed. KJ doesn’t fail and certainly not at this. But eeeeevery once in a while Chakotay’s gonnahave to be like “Kathryn, you can’t pull rank on me anymore,” just to kinda reestablishthat there is no pecking order.

Then she’d bat hereyelashes at him and sidle up to him and run her fingers through his hair andbe like, “But Chakotay, I really want Chinese for dinner.”

Eggrolls would be on thetable by 1800.

#ask helen #thanks lynnki #janeway x chakotay #headcanons #spoilers #relaunch spoilers #eternal tide #architects of infinity #k. beyer

23 notes · View notes

fbismostunwanted1158 · 7 years

Note

Are you still taking second person prompts? I just saw you might still be taking second person prompts. If you are...everyone on Voyager remarks upon your resemblance to Captain Janeway and you know it's affecting your romantic prospects on board so you decide to secretly offer yourself to Chakotay as an intimate physical substitute. You dim the lights and tell him to pretend--you don't mind.

Okay, anon. This morphed into something crazy. And AWESOME. Thank you! I hope you’re not disappointed. NSFW. Obviously. It’s me…

Try as you might, there’s nothing you can do. Your eyes,hair, skin, build, everything; they’re also hers. Crew members gawk, jokes aretossed around the mess hall, and Tom Paris gives you a mock salute from time totime. You got into a heated argument with Harry the other day and actual fearregistered in his eyes.

The latest hilarity to ensue must be the greatest so far onthis seemingly endless journey home. You decided last week that you werecutting your hair, that was it, you’d had enough. Then, what happened? Youcaught sight of the Captain in the mess and there it was. Your new hairstyle.Right there. Staring back at you. She nods her head in a friendly gesture andyou return it, quickly ducking the several sneering snickers directed towardyou.

“Nice haircut, Beth.” Theirlaughter sours the tea and toast you gather from the replicator. You toss itviolently straight into the recycler and strained silence falls over the room.Embarrassed beyond belief, you about face and march straight back through the doors.

Rolling your eyes in exasperation as another ensign winks inyour direction, you continue down the hall; your dour mood weighting itself inthe stomp of your boots down the corridor. Instead of smiles, the faces ofthose that meet you avoid your heated glare and find something interesting onthe bulkheads to focus on.

You turn the corner and run directly into a solid chest. Ittakes you by surprise and knocks you straight to the ground. Bracing yourselfagainst Starfleet issue carpet, you bat at the hands that attempt to right you.

“I don’t. Need. Help,”you cough against the recycled air slowly returning to your stricken lungs.Warm firm hands grasp you anyway and pull you effortlessly to your feet.Growling in frustration, you look up to give this man handler a piece of yourmind and—

“Commander! I-I-uhm…,”he smiles brightly, nearly blinding you. Damn it, he’s beautiful. The sparklein his dark eyes takes your breath once more and concern settles into hiseyebrows.

“Are you alright, Neilson?” Holy shit, he knows who you are? Of course, he knows who you are. He’sthe First Officer! Ah! He asked you a question! SPEAK! UGH!

“Y-yes, sir. I am so sor–,” he moves his hands up from yourelbows and brings them to rest on your shoulders.

“Nothing to apologize for. Are you alright? You look a bitpale.”

“Ah,” you chuckle, “Artificial lighting. I’ll be fine. Justoff to Engineering to repair a few relays.”

“Didn’t you just come from a full shift, Lieutenant?”

“W-well, yes. There is still so much to–,” he shakes hishead and smiles.

“No more work for the evening. You look like you could usesome rest,” there’s something in his expression that you’ve never seen beforeand his intense inspection of your face is causing a blush to tint your cheeks.Yet again, you’ve never really spent thatmuch time staring at the Commander’s face. Okay, yes you have.

He suddenly breaks eye contact, removing his hands from youand putting them behind his back. The unease is palpable. He clears his throatand you both speak at the same time.

“Have you—“ “’I’m so—“

He laughs. Actually laughs. It’s wonderful. It comes fromsomewhere deep in his chest and rises to caress your ears with its gentle lilt.There’s no stopping the smile that forces its way on your mouth.

“It’s alright. There’s no need to apologize. I was justabout to ask you if you’ve had dinner.”

He waits patiently for your response, which is seriouslylacking at this point in time. Your brain stumbles to form a complete sentenceand something ridiculous slips out.

“I…uhh…erm…just came—I can’t go in there again.”

“Where?”

“The…mess, sir.”

“Why is that?”

“This…,” a deep sigh leaves you as you gesture to your newhairstyle. His gaze returns and sweeps over you. He grins deviously and appearsto be holding back his comments. After careful deliberation, he speaks.

“There is a remarkable resemblance,” his eyes return toyours briefly before closely examining your face, “Facial structure, skin tone,eye color, build; you could definitely fool some. Yet, your hair is a shade ortwo darker, she has at least three inches on you, “he pauses, taking in abreath, “And you have freckles. So does the Captain, but yours are morepronounced. How do you do that with the absence of sunlight?”

The scrutiny that your melanin deposits are under is quiteunsettling. Your blush reaches a whole new level. Freckles? Really? And he’stelling me I’m short? Am I dreaming? Is this even real?

“I apologize. I’ve made you uncomfortable. Don’t let anyonedictate your actions. People will take a chance to find anything to entertainthemselves,” he moves around you and returns to his intended path, “Let me knowif there’s any more trouble.” Oh, God. He’sleaving? Wait.

“Wait,” theCommander halts and turns at your call.

“Yes?”

“O-our last shore leave.” Jesus, what are you doing?

“Two weeks ago. Yes, what about it?”

“Th-at’s how. I, uh. My freckles. Been this way since I waslittle. I’m out in the sun for a second and they just…,” the courage to finishthis stupid thought evaporates from you. Why?Why couldn’t you have just let him go?

He processes what you’ve said; smile returning to soften hisfeatures. Your insides melt instantly and he steps back to where you’re rootedto the deck.

“Would you be comfortable accompanying me to my quarters fordinner? No one there to bother you. I have a vegetable vindaloo programmed thatI have been looking forward to all day. I’m sure there’s enough for two.”

That sounds amazing. You’ve heard wonderful things about theCommander’s cooking. But, his quarters?! You can’t even call him by his firstname; let alone having any businessin his quarters! Everything in you is screaming against the answer about toleave your mouth, yet you let curiosity get the best of your logic.

“That sounds…perfect. If you wouldn’t mind any company,”relief floods his body and his arm makes a sweeping gesture for you to proceedhim down the hallway. Complying happily, you instantly feel the heat radiatingfrom his body beside you. Close besideyou. Why does he need to walk nearly on top of you? The width of thecorridor is more than accommodating; you wouldn’t have the broad protection ofhis proximity leave you for anything.

The absence of conversation on the way to his quarters issurprisingly comfortable. You haven’t felt this calm around a member of theopposite sex in long time. In fact, this is the first social call you’ve beenon in a while. It feels nice, easy, warm—no.This is the Commander.

He keys in the code to open his door and you are envelopedin the dark heady scent of him. The tingle of the spice and sandalwood travelsstraight to the molten heat of your belly. And to think he’s going to serve youvindaloo.

“Would you like a drink? I have some cider, some wine fromour last shore leave.”

“That wine is amazing!I really loved that little–.”

“The little vineyard by the cove. Yes, it was beautiful. Ithought I caught you there,” he reaches for the bottle and retrieves twoglasses from his table. Two glasses. He only has two. Oh, God. They’re for him and—

“If I recall,” he hands you a healthy glass, “you were therefor quite a while. Alone. No one else wanted to come along?”

You take a large drink of the bold sweet alcohol, girdingyourself to make it through the night with some of your dignity left intact. Heleaves the question to hang in the air; reaching for the replicator panel, theCommander drinks from his own glass, tapping away at the controls.

“You…noticed that I was by myself?”

“Who wouldn’t notice an attractive young woman sitting nearthe beach with nothing but a padd to keep her company?”

Attractive. Jesus. Didit just get warmer in here? What in the hell is going on? Taking another swig,you press on. Give it all you’ve got.

“How do you know I wasn’t waiting for someone?”

“No one ever showed up. I can’t believe that any man in hisright mind would stand you up,” he turns to pierce you with a heated gaze. Theroom begins to shrink around you; breathing is becoming an issue.

“Commander? I—maybe this wasn’t such a great idea,” you setthe glass half empty on the table and start for the door. Just before you reachthe sensor, he blocks your path. A look of disappointment on his face.

“I apologize. I was out of line. Forgive me. Please, call meChakotay when we’re off duty. This ship is too far from Federation space for usto not have a life outside of ship’s business,” his last statement seems to bedirected more to himself than you.

Instinct tells you to lay a gentle hand on his shoulder,reassure him that his small talk is not the cause of your hesitancy. You tampdown that inner voice and find that you’ve both opted to stare openly into thedepths of one another’s eyes.

Warm fingers brush the hair from your face, his rough palmcoming to rest against your face. You let your eyes slip closed; so slowly youbreathe, in fear that any harsh movement will startle the moment. Soft lipsquest against yours, unsure in their pressure; your mouth opens to welcome himand his movements gain purpose.

Tongues snake together, lazily tracing, acquainting theother of preferences. He draws your bottom lip between his teeth and his handspull you closer at the moan you let escape into his hot mouth. The lower halfof your body molds to his and you feel an impressive erection resting againstyour belly.

Liquid heat pools in your panties and your hands travel downto tangle in the short hair at the nape of his neck. He hums and leans back,just enough to press his forehead against yours, watching you lick your wetswollen lips. Breaths mingle, chests heave, time stops.

“Tell me to stop. I need–,” your finger traces around tosettle over his lips, silencing him.

“I-If I tell you to stop…I’d regret it for the rest of mylife.”

He kisses your finger and brings your hand to rest over hisheart; nuzzling his face into your neck, breathing deeply.

“Mmmm…are you still hungry,” his deep mumble against yousends shivers across your body. A large hand slips down your back and massagesboldly at your ass. You groan, leaning into his accommodating embrace.

“Not for curry…”

“Perhaps I could interest you in some dessert,” the handgroping your ass slides between your legs to brush against your center. Thiscauses you to step wider and give him better access.

“Oh, God. Yes…please…”the throaty whine that leaves your throat is so ridiculous, you feel likeyou’re in a damn holonovel. This is wrong. Sowrong. But, shit. That pressurehe’s putting on your clit is exquisite.

“Spirits, you’re beautiful, Elizabeth. Absolutely breathtaking,” he captures your mouth and proceeds toturn you to a quivering mess in his arms. You’re grasping at his biceps to keepfrom dropping to the floor and he hauls you against his chest in one deftmovement.

No one ever calls you ‘Elizabeth’, except for your mother.The way that it rolls from his tongue, swimming on the rich honey of his voice;it melts you, warming your everywhere.

His powerful body rotates and he sets you firmly on thetable, standing between your legs. After taking another thorough inventory ofyour teeth, his fingers work at the fasteners of your jacket and turtleneck.Some sense seeps back into the foreground of your consciousness.

“Mmmm…w-wait,” hisface raises from your jaw and his hands rest over your clothed breasts, “I need to know one thing.”

“Anything,” hekisses your nose; regarding you with tender eyes, his hands rub soothingly upand down your arms, “What is it?”

“Is it—Is it because I look like her,” the question leaves you in a rush, you’re suddenly breathless.His hands cup your face, his expression takes on an air of seriousness.

“No. Initially—yes,” you attempt to hide and his fingers onyour chin bring you back to him, “The more I watched you, the further in love Ifell. Now, I see you. Your humor,talent, dazzling smile, the way you smell your tea before you take each drink,”you both chuckle at your idiosyncrasy.

“I’ve done that for a long time. Who knows why–,” his lipsseal yours, swallowing the rest of your babbling.

“I’ve wanted to taste you for weeks,” he runs his tonguealong your jaw and down the muscles of your neck. It’s provocative and you letthe whimper flow from you, grasping at his head, pulling him closer.

Now you’re down to your bra, bare from the waste up; hefeels you shiver against the cool air of his cabin. As he strokes your back togenerate warmth, he calls to the computer to change the temperature of theroom. As stupid as it sounds, this is the most anyone has done for you in months, maybe even a year. The caringgesture swells inside your chest and morphs into pure passion.

No longer an innocent bystander, you take action, threadingyour fingers through his hair and you change the angle of his head and open hismouth to you. Sucking greedily at his lips, gnashing teeth, he snarls andgrowls against you; the fabric of your bra is ripped away and your nipplesharden at the sudden temperature change.

He cups each breast, weighing it as he breaks away to starehungrily at them. You’ve been told before that you’re a ‘bit larger’ thanaverage. Judging by the dark sparkle in his eyes, he is thinking the samething. Throwing caution to the wind, you firmly guide his face to your chestand he takes the hint, closing his mouth greedily over a waiting nipple.

The fire he’s blazing across you burns straight through toyour already throbbing cunt. You haven’t been this wet in your life; this man is intoxicating,overloading every one of your senses. Watching him is just as erotic as thesensations he’s creating; his other hand fondles your unattended breast,readying it for his mouth.

You sigh, low and long, your head thrown back as you leavehim to his work. Running your fingernails over his scalp, massaging at the hardmuscles of his neck and shoulders. He is wearing entirely too many layers. Youbring your hands around and press against him. His mouth pops off your tit witha wet smack and he looks right at you.

“I need you naked.Now.”

He drops a kiss to each of your breasts and one to your lipsbefore pulling your legs around his hips, working his hands under your ass. Youget the hint and settle against him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders,tucking your face into the warmth of his neck.

The heat in your belly makes it’s way to your heart; you snuggleimpossibly closer into him. His hold on you makes you feel safe, protected,loved. He lays you gently onto his bed; your arms recline over your head as hewatches you concentrate on his body.

He is lean, long, hard; the muscles of his chest and abdomenripple under soft caramel skin as he unfastens his trousers and pushes themslowly down his thighs. You rub your thighs together anxiously at the sight ofhis erection twitching under the thin material of his briefs.

Answering your prayers, he hooks his thumbs under theelastic of his waist band and releases himself with a hiss. Your hands travelover your breasts and tickle your belly as you reach for your own pants. Hethumbs the glistening head of his cock; your hips raise to let your pants andunderwear down your legs.

He pulls them off the rest of the way, depositing your bootsand socks on the floor, kissing his way up the arch of your foot. His tonguetickles your ankle, tracing up your leg, running flat and slow along your innerthigh. He opens your legs to him and breathes hot air over the tight wetness ofyour sex.

“Gods,” he runshis finger through your lips, opening you, “Sowet.”

Your hands grasp at his hair and he grunts, swirling histongue over your swollen clit. His hands massage your thighs and ass as he sucksand nips at your cunt. You feel him press a finger into you, a fresh rush ofwetness lubricates him as he pumps into you slowly.

“So tight. Mmm…that’sit. Ride. Take me.”

You rock against his thrusts, pulling his head up your body;he nuzzles your breasts before claiming your mouth. He’s wet and slippery withyou and you taste it on his tongue. Adding a second finger, his thumb rubsdelicately around your clit.

You shudder and shake; he’s nibbling on your neck, lickingyour collar bone, feasting on your breasts. It feels like he’s everywhere withthe masterful way he works your body. It sings as you writhe under him; yourmuscles ripple tightly with the return of his fingers deep inside you.

Gasping and clawing at his back, your orgasm tears throughyou; the surprising force of it taking your breath away. You open your eyes tosee him watching your pleasure play across your face; his fingers continue tomove carefully inside you, riding out your aftershocks.

“You’re amazing,” yourlips slowly war with his, tongues tangling, his hand roams your torso. You bitehis lip, pulling it into your mouth and he ruts his erection against your slickthrobbing slit.

“Oh, yes. Please.”

“Tell me. Tell me whatyou want,” he pants into your mouth; hand guiding his cock over your clit.You press down into him, hooking your legs around his thighs. He groans deeply,mouth to your ear, his cock nudging at your entrance.

“Is this what youwant,” you feel him push into you slowly, cunt rippling deliciously aroundthe hard and heavy cock. A moan leaves you in a rush, your legs are beingpressed back as he sinks into you down to the hilt.

“Alright,” hemurmurs in question; you adjust to his size, nodding in affirmation.

“How do you like it?” Experimentalthrusts cause your toes to curl, heels urging him at the firm globes of hisass.

“H-ha-rd. Deep. Uhng.Yes. Oh! God! Chakotay,” finally, his name falls from your lips and itcalls his attention to your face. He grins, kissing you passionately whilefucking you into the mattress.

It’s the best sex of your life; every nerve ending isfiring, electricity skittering across your goose flesh, bursting in a searingthrob in your cunt.

Chakotay’s tongue slides along your own in counterpoint tothe steady pounding his hips are giving you. You revel in the feeling of hisbody covering you, protecting you, warming you, loving you. Hanging on to the sweaty softness of his shoulderblades, the thoughts running through your mind send you into a second series ofspasms.

He grunts hotly against your ear as your inner muscles milkhis cock for all it’s worth; drawing him deeper, waiting for him to fill you.The rhythm of his thrusts stutter and he cradles your body as he spurts, thewarmth spreading beyond your womb right to your soul.

You cling to him, something welling up inside you,threatening to break. Tears burn at the back of your eyes and a sob bursts fromyour chest. Immediately, his eyes are on you, examining, he pulls out and youwhine at the loss of contact.

“Are you hurt? What’s wrong,” hands brush the hair from yourface, firm fingers under your chin bring you to brown eyes filled with worry.He rolls to lay beside you, taking stock of your body, running hands over you.

“Shhh,” he hushes, “Breathe. Deep breaths.” Tears begin anewas he gently traces your features, pulling you to rest on his chest. Warm handsmassage at your lower back, soothing you with the thunder of his heartbeatbeneath your ear.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I,” he kisses the top of your head,his tone anxious.

“N-no. I just–,” you gasp in for air, “I…ha-ven’t b-beenthis close to an-nyone in a long ti-me,” he hums and it reverberates throughyour whole body.

“In my lifetime, I’ve had my share of sex,” you huff out alaugh and he chuckles in response, “There are few instances where my spirit hasfelt a connection.”

He pauses and combs through your hair; you can feel hishesitancy.

“I felt it too,” yourwhisper flows over his broad chest. He holds you tighter and your stomach rumblespainfully.

“I felt that. I doremember promising you some dinner,” laughter erupts from the both of you andhe brings you to sit up with him. You lay in the embrace of his arm, staring upinto his shining eyes. He kisses you once more and moves to get up.

“Stay right here. I’ll bring you a bowl,” his shapely assdisappears out the door and you snuggle deeper into his sheets, inhaling hisscent.

“What are you doingtomorrow night,” the deep voice calls from the other room.

“Nothing special,” you reply. He rounds the corner, twobowls of vindaloo, completely nude. He is the picture of perfection.

“Dinner again?”

“Certainly,” the bowl is deposited in your waiting hands,“As long as I can have dessert first.”

13 notes · View notes

chronotrek · 7 years

Text

752. [VOY] Homestead

SCORE:

(5/5 stars)

Neelix and Naomi Wildman have put together a First Contact Day party in the mess. Janeway notes that when she was a kid, all First Contact Day meant was another school holiday, but the two of them have gone full out on celebrating Zefram Cochrane by eating his favorite snack (cheese pierogis) and dancing to classic rock on a jukebox. Neelix gets Tuvok to recite the first words Vulcans ever said to humans, "Live long and prosper," but Tuvok is too annoyed to further indulge Neelix by joining him on the dance floor. Chakotay interrupts the festivities with some intriguing news for Neelix. They've detected Talaxian lifesigns just a few light years away.

They track the lifesigns down to an asteroid field but they aren't responding to hails. Neelix, Paris and Tuvok take the Delta Flyer into the belt to see if they can make contact directly, but they find themselves in the field of fire of some mining ships that are breaking apart smaller asteroids, and are forced to crash-land on the Talaxian asteroid. Neelix awakens inside the asteroid being tended to by a Talaxian woman named Dexa, but she's standoffish and only answers his questions with short replies. When he tries to get out of bed to check on Tom and Tuvok, she erects a force field around his chamber. These Talaxians do not trust outsiders and don't understand why he's traveling with aliens.

Neelix has a brief interaction with Dexa's son Brax before Dexa returns with the colony leader Oxilon. He frees Neelix and welcomes him to visit, but Tom and Tuvok will have to leave. Neelix says if his friends aren't welcome, then he isn't either. Dexa gives him a brief tour of the colony built on the inside of the asteroid. There are 500 Talaxians here and they build the colony using parts from some of their spaceships. She takes him to the Delta Flyer, where Tom and Tuvok are making repairs. Tuvok tells Neelix he's sorry the visit wasn't friendlier, but Neelix was just happy to see his people again, noting this is probably the last time that will ever happen.

As they restore power to the Flyer, an intruder alert sounds, and Neelix finds that Brax has stowed away because Neelix said he'd let him see Voyager. Neelix takes him to his mother and finds Nocona arguing with Oxilon, demanding that the Talaxians vacate the asteroid within 3 days so they can begin mining it. Dexa yells at them that they have no right to kick them out of their homes and Nocona shoves her away. Brax gets angry and throws a rock at Nocona, who demands the kid be brought to him. Neelix warns him to stay away from the kid, and Nocona starts a fight with Neelix instead, which ends with Neelix grabbing Nocona's gun and demanding the miners leave the asteroid at once.

Oxilon thanks Neelix for his help but doesn't think it's going to make a difference. Neelix suggests they have Janeway mediate a negotiation between the two parties and takes Oxilon, Dexa, and Brax to Voyager. Neelix gives Dexa and Brax a tour of the ship, where the bridge crew play up his many roles on the ship, and Seven is able to show them a picture of Talax from the Astrometrics database. Brax wants to know why they can't live on Talax, but Dexa says the reason they left was because the Haakonians control the planet now. That night, Neelix shares a bottle he'd been saving for fifteen years with Dexa as she tells him stories of their struggle to find a place where they aren't oppressed or forced out, including the time her husband was killed for farming outside the small plot of land designated for them. Neelix realizes things are starting to get a little intimate and quickly excuses himself.

The negotiations the next day don't go very well, but they manage to negotiate enough time to pack everything up to evacuate, and Voyager will help take them to the nearest habitable world. Neelix doesn't think it was enough, and asks Tuvok for assistance in devising defenses for them because the planet they've selected is near many warp-capable species. Tuvok points out that they'd be vulnerable anywhere and don't seem particularly inclined to defend themselves anyway. He suggests their asteroid is as defensible a position as they could get so long as they erect shielding, but they'd need strong leadership willing to mount the defense. Tuvok gives him a "hypothetical" pep-talk convincing him to take charge and lead the defense.

Neelix is ready to take out his shuttle, which alerts Janeway's suspicions and she asks why he doesn't simply have Tom take him over. He points out that since he's not Starfleet, he's not bound to the Prime Directive, and he doesn't want to get them involved. He concocts a plan where he and Oxilon will orbit the asteroid with their ships, dropping shield emitters along the surface that will tap into the asteroid's geothermal energy for an effectively permanent power source. Once they begin, the miners will surely recognize what they're doing and attack, so they'll have to work quickly and deflect any charges fired at the asteroid. As Neelix prepares to leave for his shuttle, Dexa kisses him.

As predicted, once they start laying down emitters, the miners attack. Neelix is able to shoot down several charges but a blast disables his weapons systems. He's about to sacrifice his shuttle by moving in front of another charge, but the Delta Flyer shows up, Janeway rationalizing the Prime Directive violation that she's just helping a friend in distress. With Voyager's aid, the shield is erected, and the mining charges explode harmlessly on its surface. Neelix joins the Talaxians in the celebration, but has to return to Voyager despite Brax begging him to stay.

Going back to his duties on Voyager, the thought nags at him. He pays Naomi a visit and realizes she's all grown up now. She doesn't need him to tuck her in bed or read her stories. He joins Janeway for a cup of coffee late that night in the mess and she discusses with him a proposal she has to run by Starfleet for establishing a permanent Federation ambassador in the Delta Quadrant. Since they have permanent communications set up, it would need to be someone who can stay in frequent contact with Starfleet, and it makes sense to appoint a native. She asks Neelix if he'd be interested in the job.

As Neelix packs his things and prepares to leave the ship he's called home for seven years, he finds the crew lining the corridors to say farewell to him. Tuvok, in one of his most endearing displays of affection to Neelix, sticks out a leg and shakes it back and forth, fulfilling Neelix's mission of getting him to dance. Neelix arrives back at the asteroid and embraces Brax and Dexa, his new family. And I'm not crying, you're crying, shut up.

NITPICKS

The Delta Flyer kicks up dust clouds when crash-landing on the asteroid, but absent an atmosphere, any debris would simply arc away. There would be no gaseous medium for it to be suspended in. I know this because I've read accounts from Apollo astronauts who noted how weird it seemed that the regolith didn't cloud up underfoot. This is, of course, a common VFX error of showing things in space behaving as if in atmosphere: fireballs, visible energy beams (without an atmosphere to scatter the beam, you should only see its start and end points), etc.

FAVORITE QUOTES

Tuvok: Vulcans do not dance. Neelix: But it's tradition. Tuvok: There is no tradition, Mister Neelix. This ceremony is entirely your invention. Janeway: This is an official ship function, Commander. Don't make me order you to dance.

Neelix: This is an Engineering station, and over there is Tactical, and down there is the helm. And this is the Captain's chair. Brax: Which station is yours? Neelix: Well, actually, I don't have a specific, er, I'm more of a... Kim: Neelix does too many things to have just one station. He's our Ambassador, morale officer... Chakotay: Trade negotiator. Without a doubt, he's the most versatile member of our crew.

Brax: Why don't we just go back to Talax? We could live there. Dexa: It's still controlled by the Haakonians. They don't treat Talaxians very well. That's why we left. Brax: Maybe Neelix could go with us, and we could fight them. Take the planet back. Neelix: If tomorrow's negotiations go well, you won't have to go anywhere.

Naomi: And once, there was a transporter accident. Neelix and Commander Tuvok got combined to make a completely different person. Brax: Really? Naomi: You don't think I could make up a story like that, do you?

#star trek #voyager #voy #chronotrek #chronological #review #homestead #neelix #tuvok

2 notes · View notes

voyagerafod · 7 years

Text

Star Trek Voyager: A Fire of Devotion: Part 4 of 4: Hotter Than Hell: Chapter Nine

“Good morning, Mister Carey,” Chakotay said as he passed the engineer in the corridor. “You seem happier than usual today, sir,” Carey said, stopping and turning around to catch up and match Chakotay’s pace.

“Is it that obvious?” Chakotay asked. “Well, I hear you have reasons of your own to be in a good mood.” “Word travels fast,” Carey said. “But yeah, my oldest son has qualified for early entry into Starfleet Academy.” “Congratulations,” Chakotay said.

“All the credit goes to his mother, sir,” Carey said. “I haven’t exactly been able to be there for my boys lately.”

“True enough,” Chakotay said. “But I can’t imagine that finding out their father was not only alive but the assistant chief engineer on the ‘miracle ship’ was anything less than inspiring.” “Maybe” Carey said. “May I ask what your good news is today sir?” “I spoke to my sister this morning,” Chakotay said. “I didn’t even know you had a sister, sir.” “I don’t talk about her much,” Chakotay admitted. “Or my family in general. There was a lot of tension there for a long time. My Dad’s death, and my joining the Maquis only compounded that. I hadn’t spoken to Sekaya in almost ten years, until today. I really think we might finally get to have the kind of relationship our father wanted us to have.” “That’s fantastic news, Commander,” Carey said. “This seems to be the day for it,” Chakotay said. He smiled as he clapped his hand on Carey’s shoulder. “I have to get to the bridge now. Congrats again, Joe. I’m sure your kid will do great.”

“Thank you, sir. Best of luck with your sister.”

---

Captain Janeway was happy to be speaking with one of her former Academy professors, the now Admiral Hendricks, but even with all the small talk, she got the feeling that there was more to this call than just catching up. Not that she doubted the Admiral was happy to hear her stories about the Delta Quadrant, but he could’ve contacted the ship at any time during the 11 hour window to request a meeting later. This was a request with rank attached to it. “I have my Admiral hat on today, Kathryn. And I didn’t call just to catch up,” Hendricks said. “I had a feeling that might be the case,” Janeway said. “Sharp as ever. Starfleet has a mission for you.” Janeway smiled. “My first official mission in seven years. I’d actually forgotten how much I missed it.” “I’m certain not having to answer to anyone above you had it’s perks,” Hendricks said, smiling. Janeway frowned somewhat. “There have been times,” she admitted, “where it would’ve been nice to have the guidance of those with more experience.” “Well,” Hendricks said, “there are a handful of members of the Admiralty Board who don’t approve of some of the choices you made out there. They however are in the minority. The rest of us, regardless of our personal feelings, understand full well the extenuating circumstances. If anything, one could argue there were times when perhaps violating Starfleet protocol would’ve been the better choice.

“But, on with the mission details.”

---

Chakotay listened to the centuries-old recording from Earth’s history with a warm feeling. He glanced at Lieutenant Paris and could tell Tom felt the same way. Tom looked back at him and simply smiled as if to say “No way the captain's not letting a couple of history buffs like us lead the recovery.”

“Friendship I,” Harry said. “I remember having to memorize that greeting in grade school.” “Same here,” Tom said. “I even built a model of the probe when I was a kid. If I were one to believe in fate…” “I’m tempted too,” Janeway said, “but fate or not, we have our work cut out for us. This probe was launched in 2067. There’s very little chance it has a power signature we can track. Starfleet has given us a search grid. It’s a little off course, so we’re going to lose several days off our trip home, but if we’re lucky enough to find it, we’ll be recovering a piece of history.”

Chakotay smiled, and looked at the rest of the senior staff. Most of them looked excited. Except of course for Tuvok, but that was to be expected. B’Elanna’s facial expression seemed fairly neutral on the subject, but she was already tapping on a PADD, presumably coming up with ideas for how to narrow the search area down. Seven of Nine, to his surprise, seemed genuinely curious, leaning in to get a better view of the specs for the one-hundred thirty plus-year-old probe on the briefing room monitor.

“We should get started immediately,” Janeway said. “If anyone has any ideas on how to improve our chances, I’m open to suggestions.” “On it,” B’Elanna said. “I as well,” Seven said. “Alright,” Janeway said. “Dismissed.” Everyone got up to leave, Chakotay and Janeway exiting last. “So, how does it feel?” Janeway asked. “What do you mean?” “Well, technically, this is the first real order you’ve gotten from Starfleet since you joined the Maquis.” “I’ve taken your orders,” Chakotay said. “More often than not willingly.” Janeway chuckled at that. “In all seriousness though,” Chakotay said, “there are times when I felt like asking you to let the former Maquis crew members have real rank pips instead of the provisional ones.” Janeway frowned. “Oh my. All this time… You should’ve said something to me sooner. To be honest, after awhile I stopped noticing the difference.” “I thought that might be the case,” Chakotay said. “Well, tell you what. Once we find this probe, let’s have a ceremony where we make all the ex-Maquis crew members official.” “Shouldn’t you clear that with Starfleet command first?” “What are they gonna do, court martial me?” Janeway said. “Don’t worry about it though. I’ve got friends in high places. And even if I didn’t, something tells me the Federation Council wouldn’t like the bad PR if they mistreated members of the ‘miracle ship’ crew for past infractions. Especially after the Dominion War.”

Chakotay nodded. “I look forward to it. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments where I missed my old uniform. Considering the colony I left it behind on was wiped out by the Jem'hadar several years ago, it’s probably burned to a crisp.”

---

“Nothing in grid 295,” Harry said, sighing.

“Mister Paris...” Tuvok said, sitting in the command chair for this shift.

“Moving on,” Tom said, already entering coordinates to the next grid. Well, at least one of us still thinks we can find that thing, Harry thought. The past five days have been nothing but blank sensor scans and false positives.

“Harry,” Tom said, “didn’t you tell me you stayed up all night re-extrapolating the probe’s trajectory?” “I did, but-”

“Lieutenant Kim,” Tuvok said, “Do you believe you have a better idea of where the probe may be?” “Maybe, sir,” Harry said. “Where?” “Grid 310.” “That is not much further from our present location,” Tuvok said. “A detour would add time to the search, but not a considerable amount. Mister Paris, take us to Grid 310.” “Are you sure you don’t want to run that by the Captain first?” “She placed me in command for this shift, Lieutenant,” Tuvok said. “She left no instructions beyond standard shift change duties. I do not believe she would take issue with this decision. And if she does, I will take full responsibility for it. “Can’t argue with that,” Tom said. “Course plotted.” “Mister Kim,” Tuvok said, “if you were concerned that your suggestion would not be taken into consideration, perhaps you should take additional courses when we return to the Alpha Quadrant on the subject of command. A good commanding officer does not dismiss their subordinates out of hand. It is why, despite our advancements in technology that would make it possible, Starfleet does not allow individuals to command starships alone.” “I’ll take that under advisement,” Harry said, feeling somewhat embarrassed that he didn’t make the case sooner.

Several minutes later, an alert noise from his console made Harry smile. “I’m detecting a titanium signature that matches the probe’s parameters,” he said. “Location,” Tuvok said. “A planet, two light years away,” Harry said. “Not exactly where my recalculation put it, but closer than I’d honestly expected.” “Good job, Harry,” Tom said. ---

In astrometrics, Seven pulled up the data the long-range sensors had gathered on the planet that was, in all probability, the location of the Friendship I probe. “The readings Mister Kim found,” she said, manipulating the controls and causing the image of the planet to zoom in, losing some detail, but not so much as to completely obscure the land mass she was focusing on, “are coming from the northern subcontinent.” “Can you localize them? Janeway said, she and Commander Chakotay staring intently at the screen despite the relative lack of details. “Unfortunately, no,” Seven admitted. “There is a large amount of antimatter radiation in the atmosphere, scattering the titanium signature. It took some work to narrow down the area of the probe’s landing, or more likely crashing, this much.”

“Good work, Seven,” Chakotay said. “Any lifesigns on the planet?” “None,” Seven said. “It is doubtful that life could be sustained on this planet given the amount and nature of the radiation.” “In that case,” Janeway said, “I really hope there wasn’t a civilization here when the probe crashed. It was powered by antimatter. Commander, put together an away team and take the Delta Flyer down for a closer look. Once we have a more accurate location for the probe, or what's left of it, then we can plan a recovery operation.” “Aye, Captain,” Chakotay said. “Have the Doctor prep an inoculation, but take environmental suits anyway. Can never be too careful,” Janeway said. “Looks like Mabor Jetrel’s research is going to aid us once again.”

“Shame he’s not alive to see how much use we’ve gotten out of his work,” Chakotay said.

---

Chakotay, Neelix, Harry Kim, and Joe Carey all sat in sickbay, patiently waiting for The Doctor and Tom Paris to give them their inoculations.

“I took a look at those atmospheric readings,” Tom said, as he pressed a hypospray to Neelix’s neck, then adjusted it to give a dose to Chakotay. “Thermal eddies, gravimetric shear…” “Let me guess,” Chakotay said, “you want to pilot the Flyer for this mission?” “Am I being that obvious?” Tom said. “About as subtle as the first draft of Photons Be Free,” Chakotay said. “Ha ha,” The Doctor said dryly, rolling his eyes as he gave Carey his inoculation. “I don’t see why not,” Chakotay said. “Get yourself inoculated and report to the shuttle bay.”

“I have to ask, Commander,” Neelix said, “why you’re bringing me along.” “You have experience in salvage operations,” Chakotay said. “True,” Neelix said, “but then shouldn’t you wait until after you find it?” “I figure if you’re there,” Chakotay said, “you’ll be able to tell me if what we find is even worth salvaging.”

“Okay,” Neelix said, “I can see that.” “I’m just lucky B’Elanna didn’t try to break my nose again when I told her Chakotay picked me for the engineer spot on the mission roster,” Carey said. “She’s certainly jealous,” Tom said, “but even with the inoculation and the suits, she’d rather not risk the baby on just a scouting run. I imagine it’ll be a hell of an argument if it leads to a full-fledged retrieval though.” “I bet between the two of us we can talk her down,” Chakotay said. “I’m honestly surprised she’s so interested. History was never her favorite subject as I understand it.” “I guess my history buff ways have rubbed off on her,” Tom said as he readied his own inoculation. “It’s been months since she’s been on an away mission though, and I can tell she’s getting antsy.”

“I guess she doesn’t count the time on Quarra,” Carey said. “I would. I mean, apart from the kidnapping, and the brainwashing, it wasn’t the worst time I’ve spent planetside.”

Tom laughed.

---

Chakotay looked out through the front viewport of the Delta Flyer as Tom brought it under the clouds, and sighed.

“Looks like our worst fears may have come true,” he said. “There’s definitely sign of a civilization having been here at some point.”

“With this level of radiation there’s nothing alive down there now,” Harry said, his own tone echoing Chakotay’s disappointment. “This level of radiation…” “They always could’ve gone underground,” Neelix said. “There is precedence for that kind of thing. The Vaadwaur for instance.”

“Or the people we found that time I almost got killed by a simulated evil clown,” Harry muttered. “Face it, Harry,” Tom said, “that’s not the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you.”

“Save the gallows humor for later,” Chakotay said. “I’ve localized the signature to a three-kilometer radius,” Carey said. “Transfer the coordinates to the helm,” Chakotay said. “Tom, bring us in for a landing.” “Yes, sir,” Tom said.

“If we find a large enough section of the probe,” Chakotay said. “we can use transporter enhancers. Put them around the debris and beam it to the Flyer’s cargo bay.” “If we’re lucky,” Neelix said, “we may find enough of the probe we can use the enhancers to send the whole thing to Voyager. We might not even need a full recovery mission.” “That would be fine with me,” Tom said. “Even with the hull protecting us I don’t like being surrounded by this much radiation.” “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Chakotay said. “Tom, go ahead and stay with the Flyer. The rest of us will split into two teams of two and use our tricorders to try and find the probe. Carey, you’re with Neelix. Harry, you’re with me.” “Aye, sir,” Harry said, while Joe Carey and Neelix simply nodded. The ship shuddered slightly as it landed. “Suit up,” Chakotay said.

---

Harry Kim had to constantly wipe snow off the environmental suit’s faceplate in order to see the readings on his tricorder. Most of the time, he found snow beautiful to look at, but knowing this was the result of a ‘nuclear winter,’ it instead looked ominous to him rather than pretty. “I’m getting something,” Chakotay said. “Ninety meters, in that direction.”

“I’m surprised we picked it up first,” Harry said. “Aren’t Neelix and Joe in that direction too?”

“Maybe they found the same readings but wanted to confirm before hailing us,” Chakotay said. “Let’s head over there anyway. We can always split up again.”

Harry followed Chakotay, the two eventually reaching a small hill. When they climb up it, Harry gasped at what he saw. “Are those-?” “Missile silos?” Chakotay said. “That’s what it looks like. Strong antimatter signatures coming from them.”

“You got the same readings too?” Joe Carey’s voice said over the comm. Harry turned and looked back to see two Starfleet environmental suits coming up behind them; obviously Carey and Neelix. “It’s definitely the strongest signal in the area,” Harry said. “We saw some missile silos over the hill. Guessing they have antimatter warheads in them. The signature they give off is strong enough, I think it just lessened our chances of finding the probe.” “Maybe there’s nothing left to find,” Chakotay said. “What if whatever civilization had been here used the antimatter from Friendship I to develop weapons, and they ended up annihilating themselves in some kind of global war?” “Makes a tragic amount of sense,” Carey said. “I wonder if there were any survivors,” Neelix said. “We passed some caves with magnesite making up most of the rock. If people got deep enough there it would’ve at least partially shielded them from the radiation.”

“Which is what I was about to say,” Carey said jokingly. “Didn’t mean to steal your thunder there, Joe,” Neelix said. “Nah, don’t worry about… Hey, did you see that?” “See what?” Chakotay said. Joe Carey aimed his wrist light back in the direction he and Neelix had come from. “I thought I saw movement,” he said. “Must be a trick of the light or something.” “Or maybe the survivors of this war went underground after all,” Chakotay said. Harry looked at his tricorder. “I’m not detecting any lifesigns.”

“Maybe we should go back to those caves,” Chakotay said. “Look deeper.” Before anyone could either agree or offer a counterpoint, several humanoid shapes, all clad in pitch black clothing with only a thin shiny metal plate where eye level would be on a human rushed at them, all brandishing weapons of some sort. “Get back to the Flyer!” Chakotay called out. Harry bolted, cursing himself for not thinking to suggest the away team bring phasers. Harry turned when he heard thuds, and saw that the bulk of the attackers had already pinned Neelix and Carey, and two more were on Chakotay’s tail. “Commander!” Harry called out. “Go! That’s an order, Lieutenant!” Chakotay yelled out as he himself was tackled, leaving only one armed assailant to try and grab Harry. Harry ran as fast as he could manage with the suit, but he heard the humanoid trailing him start to slow down. He didn’t turn to see why, and just made as direct a line he as he could manage to the Delta Flyer, grateful that he was the only team member without a transport enhancer on his back to weigh him down. “Kim to Paris!” he yelled into his comm. “What’s wrong, Harry?” Tom said. “The away team was attacked,” Harry said. “I’m on my way to you now. Suit up and grab a phaser rifle.” “On it,” Tom said, cutting off the link. Harry’s chest hurt, his breathing became more labored, but he forced himself to keep going. Soon he could see the Flyer through the snow and made for the entrance that Tom had thoughtfully opened up for him.

He made his way up several steps before he felt something grip his ankle. He turned and saw his pursuer had managed to catch up without him noticing. He went to kick the humanoid in the face, when a burst of energy struck them in the chest, causing them to let go of Harry as whoever it was slumped to the ground. Harry looked up and saw Tom, wearing an environmental suit and aiming his phaser rifle at the fallen humanoid. “Bring him aboard,” Tom said. “He might know where the others were taken.” Harry climbed back down to grab the individual. He was about to tell Tom that they should secure the prisoner, then go back for the others, when the unmistakable sound of weapons fire came from the other side of the Flyer. Tom ducked back inside for a moment. He contacted Harry over the comm. “Shit, we got incoming. Antimatter based weapons. If I don’t have shields up when they hit we’re dead. Get inside, now. I’m taking off while you secure the prisoner.”

“But Tom-”

“Two people are not enough for a rescue mission,” Tom said. “We need to get back to Voyager.” “Dammit,” Harry said, knowing full well that Tom was right.

---

The humanoids took Chakotay and the others to the caves that Neelix and Carey had passed earlier. They stripped the away team of their helmets once inside, though the rocks and the inoculation would only protect them from the radiation omnipresent in the air for so long. Several of the humanoids began beating on them, Carey trying to fight back only to be struck in the head with the butt of a rifle-like weapon. Chakotay tried to swing at Carey’s attacker only to be struck the back himself by two weapons, nearly knocking him to the ground. “Leave them alone,” a voice called out. A man wearing the same gear stepped in between the Voyager away team and their attackers, removing his mask. Whatever his species looked like before, it was hard to tell, as Chakotay recognized visible signs of antimatter radiation poisoning on his face. He was amazed the man was able to stand upright, let alone talk clearly if it were as advanced a case as it appeared.

“Who are you? The man said. “I’m Commander Chakotay. We’re from the Federation starship Voyager. And you are?” “Verin. What are these?” the man said, picking up Chakotay’s transport enhancer that had fallen to the ground during the struggle. He explained what they were for. “We planned to use them to retrieve our probe,” he said. “Probe?”

Chakotay recounted in as much detail as he could remember the history of Friendship I. He felt like there were details he was forgetting, but chalked that up to a blow to the head he’d taken in the initial attack, before ordering Harry to run.

“Too bad you didn’t come for it sooner,” Verin said. “It would’ve saved my people so much suffering.”

Chakotay didn’t say anything. He just looked at the ground. “You used the technology from the probe to create weapons?” Carey said. “Why would you do that? Friendship I was on a mission of peace!” “So you say,” Verin said, sounding skeptical at best, believing that Carey was lying at worst. “Secure the prisoners. Find me a way to contact their ship. What is the name of your commanding officer?” “Captain Kathryn Janeway,” Chakotay said. “I’m sure working together the two of you can find a peaceful solution to this.” “We’ll see,” Verin said. The other men, and all the attackers turned out to be men as they removed their masks, took the other transporter enhancers, as well as their tricorders, and moved them over to a nearby table that looked like it had been set up as a makeshift research lab. Two men with rifles stood between the table and Chakotay, though he doubted he’d be able to avoid getting shot if he went for the table anyway.

And even if I did, he thought, nothing they took from us can be used as a weapon.

“Verin,” someone Chakotay couldn’t see shouted. “I’ve found their ship in orbit. I can establish communication with them.”

“Do it,” Verin said. “This is Captain Kathryn Janeway,” the captain's voice came over a crackling speaker. “Who am I speaking with?” “My name is Verin. Your crewmen are my prisoners.” “Why? We haven’t done anything to harm you,” Janeway said. “You committed genocide,” Verin said, getting noticeably angrier as he spoke. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. We arrived-” “You’re from Earth?” Verin said.

“Yes,” Janeway said. “Then you’re going to pay for what your people did to us,” Verin said. “I’m sorry, I honestly do not know what you’re talking about. We came here looking for a probe we lost contact with over a hundred-” “We’re not as naive as you seem to think we are, Captain. Not anymore.” They blame us for what they did to themselves with the antimatter from the probe, Chakotay thought. That kind of poor logic, that much anger, this is going to end badly, I just know it.

“What is it you want?” Janeway said. “I want you to get us off this planet,” Verin said, now facing Chakotay and the others. “Find us a new home.” “Release my crew and we can talk about it,” Janeway said. “No talking. Your people won’t be safe until mine are,” Verin said. “We’ve only met so you wouldn’t know this about me,” Janeway said, “but I don’t respond well to threats.”

“And I don’t want to kill anyone, but I will if you don’t cooperate! You have three hours to begin evacuating us.”

---

“Tuvok, begin scanning for any M-class planets within sensor range,” Janeway said. “If we can’t find a way to get our people out of there, we may have to capitulate.” “Sickbay to the Bridge,” The Doctor’s voice said over the comm. “The Delta Flyer brought back a prisoner. One of the attackers who grabbed the away team, and almost got Mister Kim. He’s awake if you wish to speak with him.” “I’m on my way,” Janeway said. “Have Harry and Tom wait there.” She quickly headed for the turbolift and made her way to sickbay at a steady clip. She wanted to run, but knew that shaving mere seconds off her interrogation time wouldn’t likely mean anything. When she arrived, The Doctor was scanning some sort of protective suit. “It’s the alien’s garment,” he said upon noticing her enter. “It’s lined with magnesite.”

“A makeshift environmental suit?” Tom said. “Pretty clever to throw something like that together out of cloth and rocks.”

“Unfortunately,” The Doctor said, “the protection it offers is limited. His tissues are saturated with antimatter radiation. It explains why we couldn’t detect any lifesigns. His people are virtually indistinguishable from the environment.”

“Now that we know that,” Janeway said, “maybe we can adjust our sensors to detect them. Harry, go work with Seven.” She walked over to the alien, strapped into a bio-bed. He appeared angry, but his body language suggested to Janeway resignation, as if he expected to never get up again.

Don’t assume, Janeway reminded herself. For his people, that could be a gesture of arrogance, or sadness, or anything.

“Why did you attack my people?” Janeway said. “I did what I had to,” the alien said. “Whatever it takes to undo the damage you caused.”

“If you’re referring to what’s happened to your planet,” Janeway said, “we had nothing to do with it.”

“Your species sent the probe, didn’t it?” “300 years ago, to make contact with other species.” “You did more than that,” the alien said. He looked around. “Surprisingly few walls for a prison.”

“This isn’t a prison,” The Doctor said. “The restraints are only because you attacked a member of our crew. This is sickbay. I am treating you for prolonged radiation exposure.” “You can treat me?” “I believe I can, once I know more about your people's biology.” “In exchange for what?” “Nothing,” The Doctor said. Janeway had wished he hadn’t said that, but she supposed it was too late to take the ‘bad cop’ route now. “We might be able to help all your people,” Janeway said, “Mister?” “Otrin,” the man said. “You may not believe this, but I am a scientist.” “If your specialty is biology,” The Doctor said, “you are in a better position to help me with your treatment.” “We’ll help you now, Otrin,” Janeway said, “and I want to share anything we develop here with the rest of your people, but I can’t just give it away while my people are held hostage. What guarantee do I have they won’t be harmed the minute we send you back with medical aid?”

Otrin sighed. “I can’t give you one,” he said. “That decision lies with Verin, and he is quick to anger.” “When you said ‘the damage we caused,” Tom Paris chimed in, having been so quiet up to now that Janeway had almost forgotten he was there, “what did you mean by that? Harry said he and the others found missile silos. We certainly didn’t build those.”

“Those silos are still full,” Otrin said. ‘The missiles were only built for defense, they never launched.”

“Then what caused the devastation my people saw?” Janeway said. “A containment failure in our power grid,” Otrin said. “You blame us for a failure at one of your power plants?” Janeway said, crossing her arms. “Before the probe,” Otrin said, sounding defensive, “my people had never conceived of anything like antimatter. Once it was released in the failure, it destroyed everything. We wouldn’t have had it if it weren’t for you. ‘We offer this information freely, with the hope that one day we will stand on your soil and extend our hands in friendship.’” Janeway recognized the words from the recording that had been sent out on Friendship I. Only Otrin spoke them with bitter sarcasm.

“The recording from the probe,” Tom said. “Your people sent us technology you knew would destroy us,” Otrin said. “That doesn’t make any sense,” Janeway said. “Of course it does,” Otrin said. “We’ve had decades to ponder it, and now it seems so obvious. You send us new technology, encourage us to use it, and then wait for us to obliterate ourselves.” “Oh, come on,” Tom said. “That’s absurd. You kidnapped our friends based on a conspiracy theory?!” “Tom, calm down,” Janeway said. She knelt down to look Otrin directly in the eyes. “My helmsman’s outburst aside Otrin, he is right about one thing. You say you’re a scientist. Presumably you value reason and logic. Where’s the logic in contaminating a world we’d seek to conquer if your theory were true?”

“It’s easier than invading us,” Otrin said with such certainty Janeway doubted she’d ever be able to convince him otherwise. “Today,” Otrin said, “I saw your people standing on our soil, just as the recording promised. And they were wearing protective suits. Suits that blocked the radiation in the atmosphere.”

“We couldn’t even see that there had been civilization on your world when we entered orbit,” Janeway said. “My people wore the suits because all we could see with our sensors was radiation.” “If you were in my position, Captain, what would you believe?” Janeway glowered at Otrin, but wasn’t sure what to say. Otrin was wrong of course, but based on his perspective, from where he was standing his conclusion was perfectly logical. She wondered if maybe she would’ve reached the same conclusion in his place.

---

A visibly pregnant Uxali woman, Uxali being the name of this planet’s people as Chakotay had learned, handed him a crudely made ice pack that he proceeded to place on Joe Carey’s head.

“Thank you,” Chakotay said, appreciating that the woman, Brin, had had to argue with Verin to allow this much interaction with the hostages. “I think he might have a concussion, Commander,” Neelix said, helping keep Carey upright and awake. “Sounds about right,” Carey said, groaning as the ice pack was applied. “I don’t suppose you could convince Verin to let us have the medpack from my suit,” Chakotay said. Brin shook her head. “I figured as much,” Chakotay said. “So, when’s your baby due?” Brin didn’t answer and started to walk away. Chakotay decided to keep trying, Hopefully building a rapport with some of the Uxali, any of them, could help ease the tension of this situation and possibly save their lives. “A couple of my friends are expecting a little girl in a few months,” Chakotay continued. “She’s got her mother’s forehead ridges and her father’s eyes. If they’ve chosen a name for her though they haven’t told me yet.” “How do they know it’s a girl?” Brin said. “We have technology that lets us see the fetus,” Chakotay said. “Tom and B’Elanna, those are my friends, were kind enough to share images with the rest of the crew.” “Hmm,” Brin said. “Is this your first?” “No. Two boys and a girl. They were all stillborn.” “I’m sorry,” Chakotay said. “Are you a doctor?” Brin asked. “No,” Chakotay said. “Just using some basic first aid to help my friend here. To get him proper treatment we’d need to get him to my ship’s doctor. He’s probably the best in the quadrant, maybe he could-” “I shouldn’t be talking with you now,” Brin said, walking away. It seemed that despite her willingness to help with Carey’s immediate problem, she still held as much bitterness towards them as the others. “I wish we had more details about what happened,” Neelix said. “If Verin would tell us more about the disaster I bet we could prove that none of this was Earth’s fault.” “I doubt he’d believe us even if we had anything short of whatever deity or deities he believes in, if any, vouching for us,” Chakotay said. “Some of the worst atrocities committed by humanity before First Contact were caused by people who believed things that were provably false. As late as the Eugenics Wars there were people who were convinced beyond reasoning that the moon landings of the 20th century were fake.”

---

Tuvok pulled up a star map, and even before he started talking about what the images represented, Captain Janeway knew she wasn’t going to like what she heard. “This is Voyager’s current location,” Tuvok said, a small yellow triangle on the map appearing in one grid. A line extended from the triangle representing Voyager to another point on the map. When it stopped, a long-range sensor image of a planet appeared. “This is the nearest M-class planet; approximately 132 light years away.”

“At maximum warp,” B’Elanna, standing between Janeway and Tuvok, said, “that’s two months, round trip.”

“How many people are we talking about?” Janeway said. “If the sensor modifications developed by the Doctor and Mister Kim are accurate,” Tuvok said, “approximately 5500. That would take seventeen trips adding up to at least three years to complete the relocation.”

“We can’t do this,” B’Elanna said. “Logistics aside, there’s no way he’d let our people go until the relocation was done, and I’d rather not have both my oldest friend and my right hand man rotting down there for three years.” “The use of force may be required,” Tuvok said. “Not until we’ve exhausted every other option,” Janeway said. “These people believe that we’re violent. I don’t want to do anything to reinforce that idea unless absolutely necessary.”

---

Seven of Nine entered sickbay, but waited for the Doctor to finish his current task rather than risk interrupting him. She’d heard about the man, Otrin, and his condition, and she was certain she could help. “Seven,” The Doctor said. “What brings you here today?” Seven handed the Doctor a small container. “I have extracted a small number of nanoprobes. I believe you can reprogram them to aid in the treatment of this individual.” “What? Otrin said. “Is that wise?” The Doctor said. “I mean…”

“It has worked before,” Seven said. The Doctor stepped closer and leaned in to whisper to Seven. “Need I remind you that the last time we tried something like this our morale officer ended up almost committing suicide?” “Nanoprobes?” Otrin said, sounding concerned. “Microscopic machines,” Seven said, walking past The Doctor to speak with the alien scientist directly. “Hopefully, they will help us repair your damaged tissue.” “You said you extracted them,” Otrin said. “Are they yours?” “Yes. They maintain my cybernetic implants. If you are concerned for my health, they self-replicate, so I can extract a number of them safely. Too much would be dangerous, however, I believe the number needed to treat you is small enough that removing them was no inconvenience.”

“Are others on your crew like you?” Otrin said.

“Only myself and my son,” Seven said. “Isn’t it risky carrying a child with cybernetic implants?” “He’s adopted, actually. He-” “Okay, okay, the patient doesn’t need your life story, Seven,” The Doctor said. “I’ll start reprogramming the nanoprobes. I’ll test them on a sample of Otrin’s tissue before I even think about injecting him though.” “I’m surprised you’re so concerned with my well-being Doctor, given how my people have several of yours hostage.” “Mister Otrin,” The Doctor said before entering sick-bay’s side lab, “once this is over I’ll be more than happy to teach your people’s physicians about a little thing called the Hippocratic Oath.” The door to sickbay opened and Captain Janeway walked in. If she was surprised to see Seven there she hid it well. “I need to speak with Otrin,” she said. Seven nodded. “The Doctor is in the lab,” she said. “We’ve found a way to accelerate the patient's treatment.”

“Good,” Janeway said, not even looking at her. To Otrin she said, “Earlier, you told me you’ve been looking for ways to neutralize the radiation in your atmosphere.” “All my life,” Otrin said. “Tell me about your work,” Janeway said. Seven raised an eyebrow, thinking she should hear this as well.

---

Joe Carey groaned, and Neelix knelt by his side to check the bandage on his head. “It’s not that,” Carey said. “I’m feeling queasy all of a sudden.” Chakotay sighed. “Our inoculations must be wearing off. Even with the natural shielding these caves provide, they’re no substitute for an environmental suit.”

Neelix couldn’t argue with that. “Maybe I can try to connect with Verin,” he said after a few moment’s thought. “What do you mean?” Chakotay said. “I’m Talaxian,” Neelix said. “I know all too well what it’s like to belong to a species that blames someone else for their failings. I can tell him about the war with the Haakonians, how they never would’ve used the metreon cascade if we hadn’t made them so desperate-” “It’s an admirable thought, Neelix,” Chakotay said, shaking his head. “But if Verin’s as much as a zealot as I think he is, he either won’t believe you, or he’ll think you’re a traitor for not fighting in your people's war.”

Neelix wasn’t so sure about that, but he decided he’d defer to the commander. For now at least. “You,” Verin said. Neelix turned and saw that he, and two armed guards, were pointing at him, directly. “I wish to speak with you.” “Me?” Neelix said. “Why?” “You are not human, like them.” “I’m not human, true,” Neelix said, “but I’m far from the only non-human aboard Voyager. If you bothered to learn anything about us before making threats, you’d realize the Federation is made up of hundred of species. None of them conquered by the way. “Now, unless you are ordering me to go with you,” he added, putting a hand on Joe Carey’s shoulder. “This man may have an injury to his brain. It’s my responsibility to keep him awake until we can get proper medical care for him.”

“Did they send a probe full of antimatter to your world too?” “No,” Neelix said. “But this man,” he motioned towards Chakotay, “knows much more about his homeworld’s history than I do.” “Chakotay, your name is, correct? Brin told me about you. Second-in-command. A very high-value hostage. I imagine your being here is providing great incentive to your captain to help us. If not...”

“Verin, Voyager is attempting to contact us,” another man said. “Put her through,” Verin replied. “I assume you are calling us to arrange for the start of relocation, Captain,” Verin said.

“No,” Janeway said. “The nearest suitable planet is simply too far away.” “I don’t care!” Verin shouted. “Listen,” Janeway said in a level tone of voice. “We can’t have a successful negotiation if you won’t let me finish a sentence. If you want your people to get the help they need, we both need to keep calm.” Verin took in a deep breath. Neelix couldn’t see his face though, which worried him. The communication was sound only, which put the Captain at a disadvantage; she couldn’t look for any ‘tells’ that Verin might have. “Continue,” he said. “I have a possible alternative. We have one of your people aboard, a Mister Otrin. He has some interesting ideas about counteracting the radiation.” “Otrin has many ideas,” Verin said. “I only listen to about a third of them.”

“I believe his theories have merit,” Janeway said. “What he’s lacked until now is the means to carry them out. I’ve already granted him access to my ship’s labs. If you release the hostages and come aboard yourself, Ostrin and I can show you. We both are convinced we can undo at least some of the damage done to your environment by the power plant safety failure.”

“This is just a stalling tactic,” Verin said. “No it isn’t,” another voice said. “Otrin?” Verin asked. “Yes. I am alive. And insulted, I might add. A third?” “The point is,” Janeway said, “it would take three years to get all of your people moved to another planet. My ship is the only Federation vessel within 30,000 light years.”

“So once again, you offer us the ‘benefits’ of your technology,” Verin said, starting to wave his arms around. Neelix got a good look at his face as he moved around and saw that he was agitated, and angry. Nothing Janeway was saying was unreasonable. If Verin had been asking for evidence that would be one thing, but he was beyond skepticism and into full-fledged paranoia.

“I’m offering a realistic alternative,” Janeway said. “I doubt you want my people down there for three years any more than I do.” “If I release the hostages,” Verin said, “what’s to prevent you from leaving? Or attacking us?”

“I don’t blame you for not trusting us,” Janeway said. “If I were in your place I might reach a similar conclusion, but-” “You talk about trust,” Verin said, “but you’ve yet to do anything to make me believe I should even consider trusting you.” “Then how about a small step,” Janeway said. “You return one of the hostages, and I’ll send a supply of food and medicine.” Verin looked down. Neelix saw that he was looking at the transporter enhancers he’d taken off the away team. “Which one of you can show me how to use these?” he said. “I can,” Chakotay said. “Commander,” Carey said, trying to sit up. “I appreciate the effort, Joe,” Chakotay said. “But with your head injury you’d probably put them together backwards.” He added a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re the one sent back so the Doctor can take care of your head.

Neelix had a feeling, a voice in the back of his mind telling him to stand up and go in the commander’s place, but before he could protest, Chakotay had already walked over to stand next to Verin.

---

“Impressive, Commander,” Verin said as Chakotay locked the last transporter enhancer in place. “Now, get inside the triangle you’ve created.” Chakotay frowned. “I have a wounded man,” he said. “He needs-” “This will give your Captain more incentive to remain true to her word,” Verin said. “And by sending you back, the most valuable member of her crew, she’ll know I am serious about what I say.” Chakotay didn’t like the tone of Verin’s voice, but with armed men all over the cave there wasn’t much he could do. Only a few of them had their guns out, but that fact wasn’t enough to justify the risk. He looked back at Neelix and Joe Carey. “I’m sorry,” he said, “I’ll make sure this is resolved as quick as possible.” “Commander?” Neelix said. “He’s sending me back. Not my idea. Make sure Lieutenant Carey doesn’t pass out.” “I promise,” Neelix said, looking worried. Chakotay stood in the center between the three transporter enhancers. “Your man is ready to transport, Captain,” Verin said. “Very good,” Janeway said. “Beam him to sickbay,” she added to someone on the bridge. “Is there anything you’d like me to tell the Captain?” Chakotay asked. He felt the tingle of a transporter lock, temporarily immobilizing him as it prepared to break down his component atoms for transport. “You won’t need to say anything,” Verin said, picking up a rifle off a nearby table and pointing it at Chakotay. “No!” he heard Neelix yell as Verin took aim and-

--- “Bridge to sickbay, what happened?” Janeway yelled, having heard Neelix shout and the sound of gunfire. “I- I’m sorry,” The Doctor said, sounding as though he were about to cry; a change he had not yet added to his subroutines though he had considered it in the past. “Commander Chakotay is dead.”

The bridge went silent. Janeway gripped the railing by the auxiliary tactical console where she’d been standing when she gave the order to Harry to activate the transporter. She felt like she was about to fall over. She stole a glance at the console, and saw the button that would launch a barrage of torpedoes and for what felt like years, she seriously contemplated it.

“Why?” Otrin yelled. “Verin, you idiot! Do you honestly believe they will help us after what you’ve just done?”

“Don’t force me to kill anyone else,” Verin said. “We’ve suffered for decades. Three years won’t make that much difference. I will come along with the first wave. Once I see my people settled, we will return here, and you can send a medic to treat your Mister Carey. You have one hour to begin modifying your transporters for large groups.”

“I can’t-” Janeway started to say, but the sound of a comm channel closing cut her off.

“Harry, Tom, Tuvok, my ready room. Now.” Janeway said.

---

Neelix focused on helping Joe Carey stay awake. He had to, it was the only thing keeping him from either crying or attacking the nearest Uxali in a fit of what he knew would be ultimately impotent rage. Several Voyager crew members had died in the seven years he’d been with the ship. He hadn’t been close to all of them, but that didn’t make the loss he felt any lesser. This though was something different. Of all the deaths, Chakotay was the one he’d been the closest to. The two of them had faced death together. That was the kind of bond between sentients that few ever understood and even fewer had actually experienced.

“Is the Commander alright?” Carey asked weakly, struggling to keep his eyes open. “I don’t know,” Neelix lied, seeing the image of the top of the Commander’s head exploding in his mind’s eye over and over again. Not even The Doctor, amazing as he was, could bring a crewmember back from that. “You’re suffering radiation sickness now,” a soft voice said. Neelix only then realized that Brin was in front of him and Carey, handing them each a bowl of some kind of herb or vegetable. “This should help with the symptoms.” “Why are you helping us?” Neelix said. Brin didn’t respond. She simply made sure they had their respective bowls, then walked away. “Probably figures we aren’t good hostages if we’re dead,” Carey said, closing his eyes. “I’m just gonna take a nap now.” “No, you’re not,” Neelix said, lightly slapping the side of Carey’s face. I’ve lost one friend today already, he thought.

---

When Janeway walked in to sickbay, the Doctor stood between her and the bio-bed where Chakotay's body was, his arms crossed. She saw the body was completely covered in a large sheet, so much so that she couldn’t even make out the frame of her friend and first officer.

“I know why you’re here, Captain.” “Can I see him?” “I don’t think you should,” The Doctor said. Janeway glowered at The Doctor. “This is not the time to pull medical rank with me.”

“I’m not telling you this as a doctor,” The Doctor said. “I’m telling you this as your friend. I don’t want you, or anyone for that matter, to see him as he is now. If I could, I’d forget too, but we already know what happens when we try to alter my memories like that.” Janeway sighed. “Tell me,” she said, closing her eyes. “It was a crude weapon. A sort of ugly hybrid between an energy weapon and a solid projectile. The top third of his head, it was just, gone when he beamed in. There was nothing I could’ve done. I just wish there was a nicer way I could’ve put that, but at the same time I think you understand now why I don’t want to let you see the body.” Janeway flinched somewhat when The Doctor used the word ‘body,’ as if somehow that made this more real than it already was. She heard the door to sickbay open and turned in time to see a very concerned looking Jaffen walk in. “Kathy, I heard what happened,” he said, He took her in his arms. She made no effort to resist him, but she couldn't bring herself to hold him back. “Are you holding up okay?”

She considered lying, but the only other people who could hear were the man she loved, and a man bound by confidentiality. “I’m holding it together for the sake of the crew,” she said. “But I really, really want to hurt someone right now. Federation principle be damned, I want to dig my thumbs into Verin’s throat. He’s lucky he’s not here. And I’m lucky my crew is. They need me to be their rock right now.” She closed her eyes and leaned into Jaffen. “And I need you to be mine.” “I hate to do this, Captain,” The Doctor said, “but I would prefer if you remained outside while I performed the autopsy.” The word ‘autopsy’ was when Janeway finally started to cry. I need to get this out of my system before I go back to the bridge, she thought. The rescue mission- “Damn,” she said. “What is it?” Jaffen asked. “Doctor, in my… grief, I forgot to tell you why I came to see you. We need you, and Mister Otrin’s former clothes, for the rescue mission Mister Tuvok and I devised.” “What do you need me to do, Captain?”

---

Neelix looked up when he heard a loud groan. He saw Brin, clutching her stomach as two Uxali women came to help her walk. It didn’t take much more for Neelix to realize that the woman had gone into labor. “Help them,” Joe Carey said. “I don’t have a lot of experience with-” Neelix said.

“I can talk you through it,” Joe said. “What I can remember anyway. I was there when my kids were born.”

Neelix shook his head. “I’d be happy to help any way I could, but there’s no way Verin would let me.” “Can you help?” Neelix heard Verin say, unaware that the man had heard them. He looked at Verin with undisguised anger. “After what you just did?” “The baby is too soon,” Verin said, sounding for the first time like something other than full of rage. “She thinks you can help. I still don’t trust you, but there are so few of us left.” Neelix took in a deep breath. “Okay,” he said. “Bring her over here. Mister Carey will help me as best he can. I’ll also need one of the medkits you confiscated from us.” Neelix got to work, trying to remember the few things he picked up about the process from when Samantha Wildman had gone into labor years ago when Naomi was born. I just hope Uxali births are similar enough to humans, he thought. Neelix caught an armed Uxali man run up to Verin and whisper something to him. Verin went over to a nearby console and pushed several buttons. “Send a patrol. Double the guards at the entrance,” he said. Neelix wondered if it was a rescue mission from Voyager. If so, he thought, I appreciate the effort, but they picked a really bad time.

---

The Doctor, wearing Otrin’s now discarded makeshift radiation suit, pointed an Uxali rifle at Tuvok. “I got one of them,” he yelled in a distorted voice, and hoped that none of the several armed Uxali who approached realized he wasn’t one of the other patrol members that the rest of the away team had scattered with a barrage of phaser rifle fire. “I’ll take him to Verin,” The Doctor said, grabbing Tuvok by the arm of his environmental suit. “Find the others.” The other Uxali did exactly that, and The Doctor was grateful the deceit was working so far. Once he was sure they were out of sight and earshot, he slid the handphaser he’d been hiding in his disguise out and handed it to Tuvok, who proceeded to hide it again, this time in the place where the suit’s medkit would normally be. “Lieutenants Kim and Ayala should have the rest of the patrol immobilized shortly,” Tuvok said. “We should make haste to the caves nonetheless.” “Agreed” The Doctor said. “You should also keep the rifle in your hands pointed at my back for the sake of appearances, in case we are seen before reaching the entrance.” The two made their way through the snow. The Doctor had never personally witnessed a nuclear winter before. He found it paradoxically both beautiful and macabre. Once they were inside the entrance of the cave, and past the guards, he walked Tuvok right up to Verin, honestly surprised that no one had questioned his identity thus far. “Put him with the others,” Verin said, motioning for Tuvok to be moved near Neelix and Carey. The Doctor looked and noticed that the two men were surrounded not by armed Uxali, but by unarmed ones, including a woman cradling an infant. “You should thank whatever Gods you believe in that Janeway sent you down at this moment. Because your friends there saved the life of that newborn boy, I’ll forgo executing any of you for this. But if it happens again, I swear to you-” “Now,” Tuvok said. The Doctor had a phaser set on stun in his hand in seconds, dropping Verin quickly while Tuvok took out his own weapon. Within seconds every armed Uxali was unconscious, The rest appeared scared as The Doctor removed the suit’s helmet while Tuvok contacted Voyager to let them know the mission was a success. “Doctor?” Neelix said. “When you need to infiltrate a toxic environment,” The Doctor said, “it helps if you’re a hologram. I just wish we’d thought of this sooner.”

“Doctor,” Neelix said, “this baby needs your help. I don’t think he’ll survive without treatment.” The Doctor walked over to the newborn, and scanned him. “You’re right, he’s already suffering from radiation exposure, even with all the magnesite. Ma’am? You should come with us.”

“But-” the woman said, “Brin,” Neelix said, “this is the best Doctor within a hundred light years. He can help you, and your son. Let him.” “I’ll need to treat Mister Carey immediately, too,” The Doctor said, running his medical tricorder over the assistant chief engineer while Neelix talked to the woman he’d called Brin. “Luckily there shouldn’t be any permanent brain damage.” “I’d feel better if you just said no brain damage without the qualifier, Doc,” Carey said. “The fact that you can crack a joke right now is a sign that you’ll recover quickly,” The Doctor said. “Okay,” Brin said. “But you have to promise me you’ll send us back.” “We promise,” Neelix said, offering her a hand to help her up.

---

“He’s already responding to treatment,” The Doctor said as Janeway looked down on the Uxali infant. Janeway looked at the boy’s mother, sleeping peacefully in a biobed, receiving treatments of her own like those Otrin had been receiving. After only a day the latter Uxali had lost almost all visible signs of radiation poisoning, giving the Voyager crew their first look at what the species had looked like before the disaster.

“How’s Joe doing?” Janeway asked. “Bed rest, for now,” The Doctor said. “I think because of a combination of his concussion and shock his mind couldn’t process what happened to Commander Chakotay. It’s a bit early to tell, but I’m recommending he speak with a specialist on Earth at the first opportunity. He’s almost certainly going to be dealing with survivor’s guilt once he’s fully recovered.”

“Once the baby and the mother are well enough,” Janeway said, “transport them and Otrin to the surface, along with some food and medical supplies. I can’t condemn the entire race because of what Verin did, as tempting as it is. Chakotay would never forgive me.” “We’re leaving?” Neelix said. Janeway hadn’t realized the Talaxian was awake. He hadn’t appeared to be when she came to sickbay. The Doctor had said he’d been fortunate not to be as affected by the radiation as Mister Carey, but that The Doctor used triage to determine that Carey and the newborn needed treatment first. “Once we’ve returned our guests, and as soon as I report to Starfleet,” Janeway said. “Captain, once we send them back they’re just going to get sick again. Didn’t you say there might be a way to neutralize the radiation?” “Yes,” Janeway said. “But they made it clear they didn’t want our help.” “Verin didn’t want our help,” Neelix said.

“And he killed Commander Chakotay,” Janeway said. “I won’t waste time and resources helping murderers.”

“I’m not saying we should forget what happened,” Neelix said, “but if you saw how they were living, how desperate they are-” “That’s enough, Mister Neelix,” Janeway said. “What would Chakotay say if here were here right now?” Neelix said. Sickbay seemed to get quiet, the tension between the Captain and Neelix growing palpable. She looked around and saw The Doctor trying very hard to avoid looking at them, scanning the infant again even though he had just done that a moment ago. Janeway just glared at Neelix, keeping her mouth shut. She considered Neelix a friend and she just knew that if she said what was on her mind in that moment that could ruin that forever. “It wasn’t intentional,” Neelix said, “but that probe had a terrible impact on these people. Yes, the fault lies mostly with them for not securing the core of their power plant properly. But not entirely. Humanity bears a portion of the blame too. Isn’t that what Chakotay would be telling you right now?” Janeway thought about it. She wanted to say, “No,” but she knew deep down that that would be a lie.

“He’d want us to at least try to help these people,” she said quietly. She sighed and looked at The Doctor. “I’ll be in engineering.”

---

Seven resented having to be in engineering right now. She wanted to be with her family. She felt they needed her this day more than ever. Each of them had suffered loss before. They’d all felt sad before, but the Commander’s death had affected all of them deeply. Icheb even expressed a desire for revenge, something he’d never done before.

But the Captain had insisted she aide Otrin in engineering, so here she was, waiting for Captain Janeway to arrive so that Otrin, herself, and Ensign Vorik, filling in for an injured Joe Carey and a grieving B’Elanna Torres, could demonstrate what they’d developed to help the Uxali. The entire crew felt the sting of the Commander’s loss of course, but it was unsurprising that B’Elanna, who had known him longer than anyone aboard Voyager, had taken it the hardest. When Janeway came in, Otrin wasted no time. “I’ve changed the radiation levels in this canister here to match conditions on the surface,” he said. “I’ve also added an agent to the air in it that will allow you to see the radioactive particles.”

“That explains why it looks like a rain cloud in there,” Janeway said. “Exactly,” Otrin said. “Now, watch.” He added a device to the side of the canister and activated it. “If this works as we believe it will,” Seven said, “An isolitic chain reaction will occur.” “Meaning?” “It recombines the nucleonic particles in the atmosphere,” Vorik said. “The results will not be instantaneous. How-” Vorik’s sentence was cut off by a glow coming from the canister. Janeway took a step back, but Seven raised her hands in a calming gesture. “This reaction from the air inside the canister was expected, Captain,” she said. The glow got brighter for a half a second, then appeared to vanish, leaving the canister empty. “Good work,” Janeway said. “How do we apply your methods on a planetary scale?” “Atmospheric processors are one possibility,” Seven said. “Too bad we don’t have a corp of engineers on hand to build them,” Janeway said. “True,” Seven said. “What if we infused some photon torpedoes with the catalytic agent and used the concussive force to start the reaction?” Janeway said “That would be the fastest way to do it,” Otrin said. “But it would look like an orbital attack from the caves. Verin could easily use it to rally the other survivors around him.” “What could they do to us from down there?” Janeway said, her tone suggesting a legitimate question rather than arrogant dismissal. “The unused antimatter missiles,” Otrin said. “They’re still in their silos, and I know for a fact that most if not all of them still work.” “Captain,” Vorik said, “we have enough raw resources aboard to create at least one, perhaps two, atmospheric processors. Providing them as well as the schematics to build more, to the Uxali would improve their conditions.” “Seeing as they’ve been aware of Earth for over a hundred years, I can’t exactly argue that on Prime Directive grounds,” Janeway said, “but in terms of practicality, what would it take to get two working processors assembled?” “In total,” Seven said, “including replicating necessary parts, assembly, determining where on the planet to place them, several days.” “Get started,” Janeway said. “In the meantime, Otrin, are you well enough to travel?”

“I’ve been healthy enough to return home since yesterday, Captain. I stayed largely so I could help.” “I appreciate it. But for now, you and I are going to have a talk with Verin.” “Captain,” Seven said, honestly stunned by what she was hearing. “Going to meet him in person is far too dangerous. He was perfectly willing to murder Commander Chakotay. He would likely execute you on site.” “He’d have to go through me to do it,” Otrin said. “I’m more than healthy enough to take on Verin if I have to.” “Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Janeway said. “Brin and the baby are coming with us too. I’m returning all three of you home personally.” “At least take a phaser with you for defense,” Vorik said, “if you insist on this unwise course of action.” “No,” Janeway said. Seven got the impression from the way she said it that she wasn’t doing it as a sign of good faith to Verin, but more like she was afraid she would lose control and attempt to get revenge for Chakotay. While she did not approve of this plan any more than Vorik did, she wasn’t going to argue the point.

---

When Janeway entered the transport room, she was surprised, but not exactly shocked, to see Jaffen there. “If you’re planning to try and talk me out of this-” “Come on, Kathy. I may not have known you that long, but I know you well enough. I can’t talk you out of anything once you’ve really set your mind to it. So, instead of trying to convince you not to do the bad idea…” He stepped up onto the transporter pad, standing between Otrin and Brin. “I’m going to go and do the bad idea with you.” “Jaffen,” Janeway said, frowning. “I can’t lose you too.” “You won’t,” Jaffen said. “I”m going to be there when you win this thing. Once this Verin character sees what you’re willing to do to help his planet, he’ll back down. And if he doesn’t, I bet some of his people will and will try to stop him is he does anything rash.” “You’re that sure that’s what's going to happen?” Janeway said. “Absolutely,” Jaffen said. Janeway groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine. I don’t have time to argue anyway.” She stepped onto the transporter pad, made sure the helmet on her environmental suit was secure, and gave Lieutenant Kitrick the order to beam them down.

When they materialized in the cave, the party had weapons pointed at them immediately, but Verin himself gave the order to hold fire. He walked up to Brin, shoving aside the others as he did so and looked at the baby in awe. “You’re both alive. And healthy,” he said. “May I?” Brin took a small step back. “Yes, but only after you listen to what Captain Janeway has to say.” “Janeway?” Verin said, turning quickly to look in her direction. “You!” He reached for a gun, but Otrin grabbed his arm as Jaffen moved in front of her. She gently moved Jaffen aside as Otrin and Verin continued to struggle, glad that Verin’s judgement seemed too clouded by anger to make the obvious call to order one of his subordinates to shoot them. “I want you to understand one thing before we continue the conversation that you rudely interrupted by murdering a member of my crew,” she said. “The only reason I am helping you now, instead of just leaving once these people were treated,” she motioned at Otrin and Brin, “is because it’s what Chakotay would’ve wanted. He would’ve insisted we least try to help.”

“You’re not just going to kill me?” Verin said, finally giving up the fight once Otrin had what had been his own weapon trained on him. “Why should I believe that?” “You really are blinded by hate,” Janeway said. “Use your brain, Verin. I came down here, unarmed, with only my friend and two of your people to protect me. I needed you to be able to look me in the eye and see that I am telling the truth when I tell you that working with Otrin, we have found a way to start clearing the antimatter radiation from your atmosphere.” “Why should I believe you? Any of you?” Verin looked back and forth between Otrin and Brin. “How do I do she didn’t poison your minds somehow?” Janeway started to unclasp her helmet. “Uh, Kathy?” Jaffen said. “Is that really the best-” She had the helmet off before he could finish the question.

“Look me in the eye,” she said forcefully. Otrin nudged him with the point of the rifle. “Do it,” he said. Verin walked up to Janeway, fist clenched. Janeway repeated what she’d said before about the atmosphere, adding the details about how it worked that Otrin had given her. “I saw it work with my own eyes,” Otrin said. “It will be a slow process, but it can be done.” Verin stepped back. “Can this technology rebuild our cities? Bring back the people who died?” “They’re offering us their help,” Otrin said, “despite being in a position to just leave. The Captain chose to come down here of her own free will. After you murdered her second-in-command in cold blood. Do you really care about our people Verin, or do you just want revenge for what you think happened?” “You thought it too,” Verin said. “Yes, I did. But I was wrong. This was never about conquest. Over a hundred years ago, Captain Janeway’s species made a poor decision. Putting design specs for how to harness antimatter in their probe when they had no idea how or even if any race that encountered it had either the intelligence or temperament to use it safely. And you know what? We did. So many other races would’ve used that power to make war, but we didn’t. What happened to us was an accident, Verin.” “Why do you trust them?” Verin said, but to Janeway’s ear it sounded like he was losing confidence in his argument. He’s trying to convince himself, not everyone else. “They sent armed men to attack us!” Verin said. “To rescue hostages,” Otrin said. “We would’ve done the same in their place and you know it. And keep in mind they did not kill anyone. That was you. They used non-lethal weaponry. Did any of the guards they shot die?”

Verin frowned, refusing to answer the question. “That’s a ‘No,’ I take it,” Jaffen said. “Jaffen,” Janeway said, calmly. “Sorry,” Jaffen said. “Friend? I know that tone. You brought your lover down with you, Captain?” Verin said. “That is either very brave or very stupid.” “I don’t see the two as mutually exclusive,” Janeway said. Verin let out a short laugh. “I will not a be party to this,” Verin said. “I can see that none of you,” he looked at the gathered crowd of Uxali, including the guards whose weapons were all lowered, “will listen to reason. Trust her, then. I will go to the ruins of my old city. I will not watch my people sign their own death warrant.” “Verin-” Brin started to say. “Let him go,” Otrin said. “Assuming he doesn’t kill himself, we can find him once we’ve started the atmospheric processors. Once he sees for himself that it works…” “One can only hope,” Janeway said, knowing all too well that some people can never be convinced of the truth, even when they see it with their own eyes.

---

Samantha watched the streaks of lights pass by through the viewport in the mess hall. Things had taken longer than expected to get the first few atmospheric processors up and running, but once active they exceeded expectations. Large swaths of the Uxali homeworld were still too radioactive to resettle, but according to Seven of Nine, it wouldn’t take much longer than two to three years for Otrin’s people to start building processors of their own. “Enjoying the view?” Sam turned to see Joe Carey standing a few feet behind her. “Hey, Joe,” she said. “Glad to see you up and around.” “Well,” Carey said, “I’ve been recovered from the concussion for almost two weeks now. I just haven’t been leaving my quarters much.”

“So that’s why I didn’t see you at the memorial,” Sam said. “Yeah,” Carey said, sighing. “Sorry about that.” “It’s okay. No one held it against you. A lot of us were worried you were blaming yourself for what happened.” “As Vorik would put it, ‘an accurate assessment,’” Carey said, taking a seat next to Sam at the table, looking out the viewport himself. “If I hadn’t fought back I wouldn’t have been smacked in the head, and I would’ve been the one to assemble the transporter enhancers.” “And you’d be the one who’d be dead,” Sam said bluntly. “And?” “What about your sons, Joe?” Sam said. “Speaking parent to parent, do you really think that your boys wouldn’t be traumatized by the knowledge that their father was murdered by a madman? You dying would be hard on them no matter what the circumstance obviously, but like that? No way. Maybe if you dying had saved an entire civilization from genocide, or ended the threat of the Borg once and for all, they could at least take comfort in you going out like a hero. But what Verin did…” The two Voyager crew members fell silent, the background chatter of the other officers as they talked over their own meals the only noise in the room. “If you want to honor Chakotay,” Sam said, “then do what you know he’d want you to do. Live, and do good.” “Live and do good,” Carey repeated quietly. “Yeah, I can do that.”

---

Seven saw B’Elanna standing outside Chakotay’s quarters leaning against the wall. “Are you alright, B’Elanna? Seven said. “Hmm? Oh, hi, Seven,” B'Elanna shook her head. “Just, apparently during the whole construction project the Captain pulled up Chakotay’s… His will, basically, although Starfleet uses a somewhat less loaded word for it these days, but that’s what it’s called. Chakotay left me some of his family’s tribal artifacts.” Seven leaned against the wall next to B’Elanna and just listened. Had this happened several years ago she likely would’ve tactlessly told B’Elanna to just get on with it, or worse made some snide comment about “foolish organic sentimentality.”

“I’ve come here three times in the past two days, but I can’t make myself go in there,” B’Elanna continued. “Would it help if I went in with you?” Seven asked. “You know, maybe it would. Lucky for me he included pictures,” B’Elanna said, holding up a PADD. “In addition to items belonging to his tribe, he also had a number of items from other Native American tribes, The ones from his were obviously family heirlooms, or items important to his faith. The others he kept for historical value, or for artistic reasons. Thing is, without a handy guide, there’s no way in hell I’d be able to the difference just by looking.” Seven sighed. “What is it?” B’Elanna asked. “I just realized something. In the four years I knew the Commander, all the times I listened to him talk about his people's rituals and beliefs, I somehow managed to never actually learn which tribe he belonged to.” B’Elanna snorted. “I’m sorry, but, in a weird way that is kinda funny.” “Seems like something I should know,” Seven said. “I wasn’t as close to him as many people aboard were. I wouldn’t call him a friend. But I respected him. Both Naomi and Icheb looked up to him. He took time out of his day to help Sam when Naomi was still a baby.”

“Yeah,” B’Elanna said. “Nothing’s going to be the same around here, is it?”

---

The crew had retrieved the remains of Friendship I, but none could bring themselves to come by and look at it, so Janeway had it placed into containers in cargo bay 1. The general mood of the ship had grown darker since they’ve left Uxali space. Working to build the atmospheric processors and recover the probe had served as a distraction for the members of the crew involved in the process, but that just meant that unlike everyone else, the reaction to their loss had been delayed. She went through the motions of command, grateful that no other crisis had presented itself in the intervening weeks. There were still things that needed to be done. Appointing a new first officer for starters. But that she felt she could put off a little while longer. B’Elanna had, without being asked, volunteered to take on the task of informing Chakotay’s sister. Jaffen had been a source of comfort, talking when she needed him to, and shutting up when she didn’t.

Ever present at the back of her mind though, even as she casually gave orders on the bridge as she had so many times in the past seven years, was the thought that this was it for her. The burdens of command could be trying for anyone. Even the best Captains in Starfleet history had had breaking points. Some drove them to take time away, others to the Admiralty, and even some into retirement and civilian life.

She felt she was at hers now. She’d felt this way once before, after the incident with Arturis and the Dauntless, but she’s come back from that. Now though, if she could just snap her fingers like a Q and go home right this moment she would, and the first thing she would do afterwards is turn in her resignation.

She’d kept this thought to herself. Not even Jaffen knew it, not yet anyway. No point in telling anyone now, not when her crew was still 30 years from home, coming up on 29.

As the chronometer ticked over to 1200 hours, she decided there was one task she couldn’t put off any longer. Tuvok, she thought, looking at the empty first officer’s chair. That’s obvious. As for new chief of security, I’ll ask him, but if I were the gambling type I’d go all in on him suggesting Lieutenant Ayala. Within twelve hours, she was proven right.

#a fire of devotion #chapter nine #Part 4 #fan fiction #sam7 #star trek voyager

0 notes

summahsunlight · 5 years

Text

This Way Became My Journey, CH. 5

Word Count: 4029

Pairings: Janeway/Chakotay, Paris/OFC

Characters: Kathryn Janeway, Chakotay, Tom Paris, Sarah Barrett (OC), Harry Kim, B’Elanna Torres, Kes, Neelix, the Doctor

There was a bright light in her face and it was causing her head to throb. Slowly Sarah Barrett opened her eyes to take in her surroundings; the drab ceiling in sickbay greeted her. Sitting up slightly she saw that she was back on the ship, in the very same position she remembered being in before she had been taken to the array. She wondered how long they had been over there.

Sitting up, she felt a wave of nausea come over her. Groaning a little she thought I feel like I have a hang over. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye.

Tom Paris was nervously glancing around the cabin. Harry Kim was not where Tom had last seen him on Voyager; in sickbay. Every last member of the crew he could recall being there at the time of their abduction was there, except Harry. A pit the size of a boulder began to form in his stomach. Could Harry have died over there on that array? It was entirely possible that whatever the aliens had done to them had ended up killing some of the crew. Tom prayed that his negative line of thinking was proven wrong, but how else could he explain why everyone was put back in the place that they were last seen and Harry Kim had not? Tom dreaded that he had lost his only friend on this trip before he really got to know him.

"Senior officers report to the bridge," the Captain's voice came over the comm. line, cutting through his thoughts.

Tom noticed Sarah jump down from her biobed looking like she was about to throw up everywhere. Come to think of it, he thought, I feel the same way.

"Excuse me, could someone explain what has transpired," the EMH was demanding to know from Paris. "People don't disappear for three days without something happening."

"Three days?" Sarah gasped. "We were gone for three days?"

"Yes, and you're all in perfect health, at least from the people I scanned here," the Doctor replied.

Paris moved about the room anxiously. "Computer, locate Ensign Kim," he said, ignoring the Doctor completely.

"Ensign Kim is not onboard."

Paris and Barrett exchanged worried glances before quickly leaving sickbay behind them. Paris tapped his combadge. "Paris to Janeway. Kim didn't come back. He must still be over there."

The two entered a turbo lift and Sarah ordered it to take them to the bridge. Tom fidgeted with his hands the whole way. She bit her lip for a moment, knowing that this was probably a time where she put the explorer, researcher away, and took out the counselor. Harry had been the only one as far as she was aware that had not judged Tom by his past actions. "Tom, we'll find him," she whispered as the lift came to a stop.

He glanced at her as the doors hissed open and a soft look came over his eyes. Stepping out of the turbo lift they could see that Janeway was communicating with the Maquis. Tom felt his blood go cold at the sight of Commander Chakotay. It was no secret what the former Starfleet officer and Maquis leader thought of him, at the present time Chakotay couldn't see Paris on the viewscreen.

"Commander," Janeway could be heard saying as Barrett and Paris made their way down to the command station, "you and I have the same problem. I think it makes sense to try and solve it together, don't you?"

Solve it together? Paris thought with a flurry of panic. Chakotay would throttle him before joining Janeway, especially when he learned that Paris was hired to help find him.

Chakotay looked at the Vulcan sitting next to him. The Vulcan nodded his head as if to say that it was a good idea. He looked back at Janeway. "Three of us will transport to your ship." The transmission ended and she was looking at the Maquis ship again.

"They're powering down their engines and dropping their shields," Rollins announced as Paris and Barrett came to stand behind Janeway. She glanced over her shoulder at the former Starfleet pilot and her ship's counselor as the sound of a transporter etched its way into her mind. She turned and watched as three men materialized before here, wearing different forms of civilian clothing. They had their weapons cocked and ready to use in case of ambush. The Maquis weren't known for their trustworthiness.

"Watch out Captain, they're armed," she heard someone say. She put her hand up and turned to Rollins.

"Put down your weapons," she assured him. She turned to Chakotay and his men. "You won't need those here," she told him, gently. The three Maquis hastily lowered their weapons. Janeway stepped forward looking at the Vulcan. "It's good to have you back Mister Tuvok."

Chakotay and the other man looked at him confused. "I must inform you, that I was assigned to infiltrate your crew sir. I am Captain Janeway's chief of security." The other man made a move to strike at him, but Chakotay threw his arm out and stopped him.

"Were you going to deliver us into their waiting hands, Vulcan?" Chakotay asked, bitterly.

"My mission was to accumulate information on Maquis activities. And then deliver you into their 'waiting hands' that is correct," Tuvok answered.

It was then that Chakotay noticed Paris standing near the tactical station. "I see that you had help," he spat. Janeway and Tuvok turned to see that he was referring to Paris.

Paris stepped forward. "It's good to see you too Chakotay," he greeted, coldly.

Chakotay's eyes filled with rage, a rage that was raw and terrifying. "At least the Vulcan was doing his duty as a Starfleet officer. But you, you betrayed us for what? Freedom from prison? Latinum?" He shouted his voice getting hotter. "What was your price this time?" Chakotay yelled, moving towards Paris. Barrett grabbed a hold of Tom's arm, gently pulling him away. For a brief second their eyes met and there wasn't hostility from her swimming in her sapphire orbs.

Janeway stepped between the two men. "You are speaking to a member of my crew," she snapped. "I expect you to treat him with the same respect as you would have me treat a member of yours." She glared at him for a few seconds, a look that her children and former members of her crew knew all too well. Chakotay eventually backed down and turned away from her and Paris. "Now," Janeway stated, "We have a lot to accomplish and I suggest that we all concentrate on finding our people and getting ourselves home."

"Based on my initial reconnaissance Captain, I am convinced that we are dealing with a single entity in the array," Tuvok announced. He looked about the room at the gathering of Maquis and Starfleet officers.

"You thought the same thing too," Janeway said to Sarah.

The young woman nodded her head. "Yes ma'am. I'm not sure why the life form chose a Midwestern farm to transport us too, perhaps to make us feel comfortable, before getting to what they really wanted from us."

"I would suggest that he scanned our computers in order to find a comfortable holographic environment. In affect a waiting room, to pacify us until biometric assessment," Tuvok concurred.

"An examination," Paris questioned, hotly. If they had wanted the biology of human beings, then they could have just asked them for the data on it, instead of putting them through a painful experience.

"It is the most logical explanation," Tuvok replied, wondering who the newcomer was. "Why else would he have released us unharmed?"

"Not all of us were," Tom snapped, thinking of Harry.

Janeway looked at the floor for a moment, trying to decide what to do next. She looked up at Tuvok after several seconds of thinking. "Break out the compression phaser rifles. Meet us in transporter room two." She looked to her side at Chakotay, who had not said a word in several minutes. "We're going back,"she said, he looked almost shocked by that comment.

"We'll divide into teams," she announced, looking back at Tuvok. "Mister Tuvok, your job is to find out as much about this array as you can. It brought us here; we have to assume it can send us home. Miss Barrett, I'm going to need your psychological expertise when dealing with this…entity. I'm not sure what we're going to find over there and I'd like to do first contact the right way this time."

Barrett nodded her head. She felt anticipation rising, it had been a long time before she had dealt with a new species. Her time on the Explorer had solely dealt with the Borg.

Janeway was looking about the group pensively. "Do you agree with the plan?" she finally asked Chakotay. He gave her a curt nod. Janeway took the lead, and the Maquis, Tuvok, Barrett, and Janeway began to leave the bridge, while Paris contemplated his next course of action. He heard the Captain giving tactical orders and then she addressed Rollins. "Mister Rollins, the bridge is yours."

Paris realized he had two options,while the group of officers and Maquis moved off the bridge, stay behind and sit with Rollins and do nothing, or go and help the only friend that he had on this ship. The decision, in the end was a simple one.

"Captain!" He called, moving to catch up with the group just as Janeway was about to step into the turbo lift with the others. She stopped and went to meet him. "I'd like to go with you."

She sighed. "If this has anything to do with what Chakotay said…."

"It doesn't!" he snapped, she looked at him sternly. "I just…I'd hate to see anything happen to Harry."

Understanding that he wanted to help a friend, Janeway agreed, "Come on," she told him and the two made their way into the turbo lift hoping that their next trip to the Array meant getting their missing people back.

The farm was back. However this time there were not as many people around to greet them and ask them if they wanted any corn. Paris found this unnerving and relieving all at the same time. He patrolled the area with Janeway, Barrett, and Chakotay, looking for Harry and Chakotay's missing Engineer but so far they had found nothing.

The group made their way around the farm, Paris clutching tightly to a compression rife. As they rounded the farm, they met up with Tuvok and Michael Ayala, one of Chakotay's men.

Tuvok had his tricorder out. "There are no humanoid life forms indicated Captain. Kim and Torres are not within tricorder range."

Kathryn looked down at the ground. This mission kept getting worse and worse. First they were flung seventy thousand light years from home, then they were taken from their ship, examined by an alien being, and now Tuvok was telling her that two people had just basically vanished into thin air. Where could the array possibly have taken Kim and Torres?

"They may not be on the array," Tuvok finished.

"This may have been what they wanted all along, Captain," Barrett said.

Janeway knew that it was a real possibility, yet she was hoping for the best. She was hoping that they were going to find some clues as to where Kim and Torres where on this array.

"He can tell us where they are," Chakotay said before Janeway could respond, pointing towards the old man, playing a banjo on a bench in the middle of the farm yard. He broke away from the group and started for the man.

Paris, Barrett, and Janeway followed. "Maintain your comm. link," the Captain told Tuvok. "I don't want to lose anyone else!"

Tuvok and Ayala took off in the opposite direction.

When Chakotay, Janeway, Barrett, and Paris stepped up to the old man he opened his eyes and looked up at them. With a disgusted look he said, "Oh why have you come back, you don't have what I need."

"I don't know what you need, and frankly I don't care," Janeway snapped. She was tired, seventy thousand light years from home, had a missing crewman, and her baby had an ear infection; in short she was a woman who had a short fuse at the moment. "I just want our people back and I want us all to be sent home!"

The old man chuckled at her. "Oh, aren't you contentious for a minor bi-pedal species?"

Janeway placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, a look that Bryan had always joked was her "command" glare. "This minor bi-pedal species doesn't take kindly to being abducted," the Captain snapped.

The old man waved a hand at her in contempt. "It was necessary."

Chakotay sat down on the bench across from the old man. "Where are our people?" he asked, softly, hoping that the passive tones would do more on the man than the more aggressive tones of Janeway.

"They are no longer here."

"What have you done to them?" Janeway inquired.

The old man looked at Chakotay. "You don't have what I need," he said, and then pointing at Chakotay, he whispered, "They might. No, you have to leave them."

"We won't do that," Chakotay replied.

"We are their commanding officers," Janeway said. "We are entrusted with their safety. They are our responsibility; that maybe a concept that you don't understand."

The old man looked at her with understanding. "Oh no, I do understand. But I have no choice," he sighed, sadly, tears beginning to appear in his old eyes. "There just is not enough time left!"

"Left for what?" Janeway asked.

"I must honor a debt that can never be repaid," the old man answered.

Janeway and Barrett exchanged glances before Janeway went to sit on the bench next to the old man.

"But my search has not been going well," the old man continued, staring into the distance.

"Tells us what your looking for, maybe we can help you find it," Janeway offered.

"You," the man laughed. "I've searched the galaxy with methods beyond your comprehension. No, there's nothing you can do."

Janeway felt her frustration growing and she made eye contact with Chakotay. "You've taken us seventy thousand light years from our home. We have no way back unless you send us and we won't leave without our people."

"But sending you back is terribly complicated," the old man argued. "I don't have time! NOT ENOUGH TIME!" He waved his hand about angrily and the group before him disappeared in a golden flash. On the bridge of Voyager, the entire away team appeared with a flash of bright light to the puzzlement of the bridge crew.

Janeway went to lean on the rail near Conn, peering at the view screen and the pulses emitting from the massive array. Where could those pulses possibly lead? Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that the Maquis were leaving, probably to go back to their ship, and Tom was going to put the compression rifles away. Their foray over to the array had left her with more questions than answers. "Tuvok, Counselor, can I speak with you both in my ready room please?"

Straightening her form she made her way down the steps and into the private room. Tuvok and Barrett followed behind her and she didn't address them until she heard the door hiss shut behind the young woman. "First things first, we need to establish a little chain of command here."

Barrett raised an eyebrow. "Ma'am?"

"I've lost my first officer, my chief medical officer, my chief helmsmen, and my chief engineer, not to mention my chief operations officer is missing, I'd say that my senior staff is pretty dwindled, wouldn't you agree, Counselor?" Janeway inquired, rhetorically. "Until we get home…if we ever do, I'm afraid that you and Tuvok are the only senior officers I have. Now, normally a ship's counselor wouldn't be called upon to command, but under the current circumstances, you may have to. Tuvok, until further notice you're acting as my first officer."

"Understood Captain," the Vulcan answered emotionlessly.

Janeway rubbed her temples for a moment; she could feel a stress headache forming. "I want you to find out where those pulses are going, Tuvok. Maybe the array used them some how to transport Kim and Torres. Sarah, I want you to coordinate repair efforts; all acting senior staff will report to you."

Barrett nodded her head, not sure why Janeway had put her in that position. "Shouldn't they be reporting to Tuvok?"

"I need Tuvok at Tactical," was Janeway's reply. She snapped her tired eyes up to the two officers. "You have your orders, I'll be in my quarters; you're dismissed." The Captain watched as Tuvok and Barrett left her ready room. When they were gone she exited the room herself using the port entrance and made her way to the turbo lift.

This wasn't how she had pictured her first mission as captain to go. She was always prepared for things to not go as planned, but this had blown way beyond that preparation.

Entering the access code to her quarters she just wanted to sit down with a good cup of coffee and mull over the next course of action. She wasn't going to get such a chance. Michael had tried to the best of his five year old abilities to feed Ava dinner and both children were covered in what Kathryn assumed was the baby's cereal. Ava was more interested in playing with the food than her brother feeding her.

Groaning inwardly, the cup of coffee pushed to the back of her mind, Kathryn stepped into the quarters.

"Hi Mama," Michael greeted her as Ava plopped a fistful of cereal in his hair. "Ava was hungry, so I fed her."

Kathryn plucked Ava out of the dining chair and tried to muster a smile for her son. "Thanks honey," she said, softly, wiping Ava's mouth with her bib. "Why don't you go start the bath water while I clean your sister up?"

Michael's response was to run into the bathroom. Kathryn soon heard the water as it started to fill the tub. Finishing up with cleaning Ava's goopy hands, she reached for the hypospray with the ear infection treatment. It had been three days since Ava had had it, since that had been how long they had spent on the array. Kathryn had checked on the children after she had woken up in Engineering and found them in one piece in their quarters. But she had been whisked away to the bridge before she could give the baby her medicine.

Ava squirmed slightly as her mother pressed the hypospray to her neck, whining so her mother would put her down. Kathryn obliged not in the mood to fight with her daughter. As she did so and Ava took off waddling to play with some toys, she heard something break in the bathroom and Michael call out a hasty apology.

Closing her eyes, she had one thought running through her mind, it's going to be a long night.

Harry awoke with the sound of energy pulses coursing through his brain. He was in a completely white, sterile room, and it certainly was not Voyager. He briefly recalled the array and what had happened there. For a moment he wondered if the others were all somewhere in rooms like this one, waking up groggy and confused as to what was going on.

A woman was looking at him now. Just looking at him, it was a little disconcerting. A man joined the woman now. He smiled softly at Harry. He wasn't sure if they were trying to communicate with them, believing that he was a telepath, or if they were just...staring at him.

Harry felt him self panic. "What am I doing here? Where am I?" he asked, sitting up.

The woman put her arm around him. "Please don't try to move yet," she spoke. "You're very ill."

"Ill?" Harry said, confused. He had not been sick when he left Deep Space Nine. "There's some mistake," he said, gazing at his hands. "I'm not ill." But even as the words left his lips he saw the sores and welts on his arms. They were huge and puss filled and looked like they were slowly spreading throughout his body. He opened the white shirt he was wearing to see another abrasion on his chest. His breathing quickened as he realized that something was wrong with him.

"No," a woman's voice shouted.

Harry glanced over his shoulder to see a Klingon woman jump off the cot next to his. Briefly their eyes met before she ran towards the door, pounding on it. The man went to stop her, but she fought him. Harry watched as the woman pressed a button near by the beds and as the man struggled with the Klingon. She hit him squarely in the mouth to get away from him and was back at the door trying to get out.

As she did the door slid open and another man and woman, their lower faces covered with a white material of some kind, entered the room, grabbing a hold of her. She struggled in their grasp, noticing the sores on her body for the first time, as the first man got up off the floor, nursing his mouth. He held a type of hypospray to her neck and she fell unconscious again.

The two aliens holding onto the Klingon woman brought her back to the empty cot and laid her down, leaving the room afterwards. Harry watched as the first man and woman tended to the Klingon, and then looked a way, a pit forming in his stomach. Was this how his first mission was going to end? By dying?

"Lieutenant Carey, can I speak to you for a moment please?" Sarah Barrett asked stepping into Main Engineering.

Joe Carey, temporarily in charge of the department looked up from his console with a flirty smile. Wonderful, Sarah thought as she moved towards the station, another Tom Paris. "Yes, ma'am, what can I do for you Counselor?" the engineer asked when she finally came to a stop at his station.

Sarah held the PADD she had in her hand up. "Care to explain why this status report hasn't been updated in nearly ten hours?"

"I've had nothing to update, ma'am."

"Nothing to update?"

Carey laughed nervously. "It's taking a lot longer to make repairs than I originally believed; nothing is done being repaired yet. I can assure you though Counselor that we're working around the clock to fix everything. None of my people have left yet and we're all pulling double shifts, some even are pulling triple shifts. It will get done, it's just going to take time."

Sarah tapped the PADD against her leg. "Time," she repeated. "Lieutenant Carey I don't know if you've looked around you lately but we don't have a lot of time. We're seventy thousand light years from with a missing crewman. Time, as you say, is not on our side. If Captain Janeway asked you to have the repairs to the warp engines made by a certain time you'd complete it by that time, would you not?"

"Well of course I would..."

"What bothers your more, Lieutenant? The fact that I'm a counselor or that fact that Janeway left me in charge of repairs?"

Carey looked increasingly uncomfortable. "Neither ma'am. I'll make sure the warp drive is back online by the morning. We'll double our efforts."

Sarah smiled sweetly. "Thank you," she said before turning on her heel and leaving. As she walked out she briefly became aware that people were looking at her with a little bit more respect, which wasn't the point of coming down, however, it was a nice added bonus as she made her way out of the room. It would perhaps make her job of over seeing the repairs a little easier.

#star trek voyager #star trek voyager fanfic #kathryn janeway #chakotay #tom paris #sarah barrett (oc)#harry kim #b'elanna torres #kes #neelix #the doctor (emh)#janeway x chakotay #tom paris x ofc

7 notes · View notes

jhelenoftrek · 7 years

Note

Are you still taking imagines? If so... Imagine being in the mess hall while Janeway and Chakotay have an argument without realizing you're there 😁

Yes! Thank you, anon! Thanks also to the ever helpful @mia-cooper for the argument idea. Can’t they just get along?!

Gamma shift. 0230hours. And your mother always swore thatnothing good ever happened after two AM.

You’d kill for ‘nothing good.’ Crud, you’d beg for ‘moderately interesting’at this point.

“Shit!” you exclaim, smacking your head on the sharp undersideof the kitchen counter. You pull backand extricate yourself from the stainless steel cupboard where you have beencrouched for the last hour, give or take. You’re sore, tired, and your handsare coated in some kind of horrible smelling spice that Neelix must havedropped back here a year ago. And now, your head is throbbing.

“Stupid piece of crap,” you mutter, knowing full well thatthere’s no one around to hear you. IfNeelix didn’t need this burner to make breakfast in three hours there would benothing stopping you from shoving the entire appliance out the nearest airlock. But, he muttered something about wantingto fry Alberrien fish egg omelets in the morning and lord knows you don’t wantto deprive the day shift of thatbreakfast.

You might finally be done, you have only to turn on the gasand hope that it won’t singe off your eyebrows again. Wrench on the fitting, ‘lefty lucy,’, you recite in your head. And then you hear the doors to the mess hallslide open.

‘I swear to God, ifthat’s Neelix coming to check up on me I’m gonna lose it,’ you think.

But no, the footsteps are too light. Before long, a voice from across the roomsays, “Coffee, black,” and you know instantly who it is. You frown, wondering why the captain would beup at this hour, and in the mess hall no less. Her replicator must be on the fritz again, you realize. At least day shift can deal with thatone. You’re just about to make yourpresence known – you’re trying to squeeze yourself out of the corner - when thedoor opens and closes again.

“Kathryn.”

You freeze.

“We need to finish this conversation,” says a deep,masculine voice that can’t be more than a few steps inside the room. It’s another one you’d know anywhere.

“Our conversation is over,” comes her reply in a significantlyless than friendly tone.

There is a long pause and you consider, for just a second,outing yourself before this becomes awkward, but you realize that it alreadyis. You also concede that this mightjust be the most exciting thing that’s ever happened on Gamma shift. As such, you keep the wrench wrapped in yourarms and your mouth shut.

“Last time I checked, just because you walk out of the room doesn’tmean that the subject is actually closed.”

“Last time Ichecked, I was the one…” You’re waiting for her to lay into him aboutbeing the one in charge around here when instead you hear a sigh. “Oh, damn it. It’s too late at night for this, Chakotay.”

“Looks to me like you’re going to be up for a while yet,” hesays, as you hear his heavier footsteps approaching her location. “Why not finish what we started?”

Someone sets a mug on a table not far from you and it makesa clunking sound.

“I just don’t think there’s much more to discuss. You made it pretty clear a few minutes agothat you don’t trust me.”

‘A few minutes ago?’ you think. ‘Just how late do those businessdinners go?’

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s that I don’t trust Starfleet.”

“We’re one in the same.”

“No. You’re not.”

You hear a deep sigh and a chair is pulled out not far fromthe counter that you’re perched precariously under. Your legs are starting to go numb and you’dswear the wrench is magically gaining mass.

“You agreed to uphold Starfleet principles when you took theuniform,” she continues with forced calm.

“I did that for my crew.”

“And now?”

“And now, well. Not alot has changed there in the last three years, has it? We all still need to work together to gethome,” he reminds.

“Are you sure you wantto get home?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“It sounds like you’re not exactly sure.”

“Just because I’m in fear for my people –“

“Your people?” sheleans into the word as she interrupts.

“Yes. At the end of theday, when we cross the boundary intoFederation space, and we’re orderedto the nearest penal colony, they become mypeople again.”

You’re shocked at rising anger apparent in his voice as itbellows against the empty room. You’venever heard Chakotay like this before and quite frankly it’s starting to scareyou, but you’re confident in Janeway’s ability to hold her own. True to form, she continues on, matching his intensity.

“And you don’t think that I’m going to do everything in mypower, everything conceivable, to make sure that they’re, you’re, treated fairly and given special consideration based on the commitment you’ve made out here?”

“Of course you will, I know you will. I’m just saying I can’t count on your weight beingenough in a court of law. And if it’s not, I have to beready.”

“Now, see,” she says, and you can imagine that Janewayfinger waving right at him. “That’s thepart that worries me. What does it meanwhen you say, ‘ready’? When, exactly, will you be becoming ‘ready’ to take matters into your own hands? Am I going to have a fight on my hands? ”

Your legs are shaking now, and you’re starting to feel theheat in the room expand past just where they’re sitting. You could cut the tension in the air with one of Neelix’s butcher knives. A long pause and then you hear a very quiet, “No,”come from Chakotay. “Please, believe mewhen I tell you I would never order the Maquis members of this crew to fight inany way. I’d never condone that.”

“Former Maquis,” she corrects gently.

He lets out a heavy sigh. “Former Maquis.”

“Good. Because whenthe time comes – and it will come, because we will be getting home – I can’t be second guessing our destinationin fear of a mutiny. I can’t risk anyone over a botched escape attempt either.”

You hear a second chair be pulled out and now assume thatthey’re both sitting. God, how you wishyou were sitting instead of still bent at the knees, perched on the achingballs of your feet.

“We’ve all been out here a long time,” he says, calmer now. “We’re grasping at straws to get home and nowwe’re grasping for reasons not to get there.”

“It has been a long time,” she concedes. “But not long enough.”

“No. Not long enoughfor the crimes that the former Maquis committed - that I have committed - tobe forgotten. The Federation wasactively hunting us, Kathryn. They maystill be hunting my comrades and if that’s the case then the Val Jean creware not going to look a whole lot different in their eyes.”

“I forget that sometimes,” she admits.

“You may not think about your original mission much anymore, but Istill do.”

“I guess… I’m sorry. I lose sight of that sometimes. It’s just so much pressure already, trying to keep everyone safe and –“

“I know. I don’t wantto add to your burdens.”

“Your crew isn’t a burden. Voyager wouldn’t stand achance without you. Any of you.” Another drawn out pause and then she beginsagain softly. “That’s why this hasn’tcome up before…you didn’t want to upset me,” you hear the realization in her voice and then she ralliesdetermination and finishes, “I’ll make them see, Chakotay. I promise you that.”

“I know you’ll try. And I know you’ll get the chance. Because you will get us home.”

“We will get ushome.”

“Yes.”

“Until then, let’s just agree to cross that bridge when wecome to it, okay?”

“And we’ll do it together?”

“Always.”

A heavy sigh leaves one of them. Oh, what you wouldn’t give to be able to seethem right now. But really, you’re justhoping that you’re not discovered. Yourlegs are throbbing so violently now you feel as if they’re just going to giveout.

“It’s late,” he says finally. “Can I walk you back to your quarters?”

“Yes. Please,” shereplies softly.

You exhale carefully as they pass by, glad that they’re finallyleaving and you’re no longer in the role of an unwitting spy. Two sets of footsteps draw fartherand farther away. For a brief instant inthe dim light you catch their reflection in a large soup pot. They’re arm in arm, sans uniform jackets, herhead resting gently on his shoulder.

Things are just as they should be, you realize.

Finally, you hear the door swish open as Chakotay calls, “Computer, lights out.”

It’s just you now, in the dark. You and your wrench. And the most interesting Gamma shift you’veever had.

#imagine #Janeway & Chakotay x Reader #naughty you #you shouldn't be eavesdropping!#tsk tsk tsk #i have a few more imagines to cover and i will get to them all i promise!!#thanks so much anon!

43 notes · View notes

Last Seen Blogs