Ch 1. Ensign

The commotion itself had long since faded, yet the buzz of chatter lingered on as the faint ringing in Seven of Nine's ear. The piece of paper in her hand reaffirmed what she already knew: she had graduated Starfleet Academy, a nice little formality she had undertaken not long after Voyager reached Earth. Seven felt she owed much to Starfleet and, for that purpose, saw favorable opportunity in officially cementing her relationship to the organization. Of course, she had learned much of what was taught at the Academy through prior circumstances, which provided an academic upperhand and enabled her to graduate in approximately half the time required for the average student.

But despite the relative ease of her experience, to gain full rank into Starfleet seemed incredibly surreal. Perhaps it was the name on the diploma: Annika Hansen. To be Ensign Hansen after almost an entire lifetime as Seven of Nine wildly disturbed her perceptions of self, launching a minor fluctuation of confidence and consciousness. Who was Ensign Hansen? Aside from a recent graduate and intended science officer awaiting assignment, she had no clear answer.

Luckily, there were some grounding forces in her life. Admiral Janeway, for example, visited her consistently. A single whisper from that woman was a booming echo of herself, and Seven could soak her in like sunshine and all at once feel better. Truly, the topic they discussed hardly mattered. Whether they discussed the tediousness of the Admiral's duties, the proficiency of Seven's academics, or even topics of a more personal nature, to meet with her former Captain was remarkably pleasant and oddly calming.

Moreover, Seven had Chakotay. His ongoing affections served a subtle testament to her existence as well as anchoring her both to the past, the present, and, ideally, the future. She felt very strongly about him and considered herself remarkably privileged to be his selected romantic interest. The trouble with this sort of relationship, however, was never knowing what tomorrow held in terms of assignments and stations. On any given day, Chakotay-and now she, too-could be placed on a new vessel or sent across the quadrant.

Seven currently awaited his arrival, a somewhat extravagant-looking dinner set out on the table. While certain components were replicated, she had primarily prepared the meal by hand, partially as an experiment into her own abilities, which he continuously urged. Their dinner would be comprised of all his preferred (and compatible) dinner items, which she had committed to memory both by gauging his reactions during the many meals they had shared as well as by his own admissions. Seven of Nine liked to think she was a fairly decent girlfriend.

Yet she stood idly with her diploma in hand, occupying herself with wonderment and awe at the simple fact that she had graduated, when the doorbell indicated Chakotay's arrival. A minor, groundless fear shot through her, as if finding her marveling there would somehow affect his opinion of her, and she quickly returned her diploma to its rightful place on her mantle. Puzzled slightly by her own irrational panic, she regained composure after a moment and called, "You may enter!"

The door slid open with customary noisiness, followed by the sound of familiar foot steps. However, they were not the set of feet Seven had been anticipating. At first, she only blinked in response, but quickly the surprise dissipated, leaving a content smile in its wake; while she was of course expecting Chakotay, this guest was always welcome. "Welcome, Admiral."

"Ensign," replied Admiral Kathryn Janeway, her tone indicative of satire. Her crooked smile said, "hello," but her blue-grey eyes demanded, "coffee". Knowing her old Captain so well, Seven did not require any sort of urging to walk to the replicator and ask for a "coffee, black." With an assumed air of formality, she slipped the newly-materialized mug into Janeway's eager fingers. Her inhalation was audible, her grin contagious, as she sipped merrily for a moment. Then she placed the mug on a table with sudden conviction, but before Seven could inquire into the apparent quality of the coffee, she was swept into a tight embrace.

While she had, to an extent, adjusted over time to the physical expressions of affection her friends exemplified, the sudden nature of this particular hug inspired a slight reactionary twitch. "It's… nice to see you, as well, Admiral," she offered, confusion manifesting as a hesitant pause.

In the equally abrupt way she had seized her, Janeway quickly released Seven and took a step back, adjusting her uniform as she did so. "You haven't heard," the Admiral stated incredulously. "Admiral Piller was supposed to tell you…" She redirected her focus on Seven, regaining volume as well as poise, her posture straightening. "Congratulations, Ensign. You've got your first official assignment."

Before Seven could properly react, the moving door captured her attention. Chakotay had arrived. "Sorry I'm late, I-" he began, the full apology prepared and on his lips but cut short by the unexpected occupancy he found. "Hey, are we having a party?" He chuckled casually. "What are you doing here, Kathryn?"

"I have an assignment," said Seven bluntly, foregoing any and all trivialities in favor of poignancy. She reached for him without mentally registering the motion, and in an instant he was beside her, an arm draped loosely but supportively around her shoulder.

"Wow, that's great!" Chakotay exclaimed with sincere enthusiasm. She saw light in his eyes and felt slightly more at ease. "Congratulations, sweetie! What is it?"

Because she had no answer, she simply directed her gaze back to Admiral Janeway. Chakotay picked up the hint and mirrored her aversion. The coy smile on Janeway's thin lips suggested a tremendousness that commanded full attention. "Seven, you're about to have an honor and priviledge not many of us get: you're going back home."

The enormous grin that spread instantly across Chakotay's face indicated his immediate comprehension, but Seven of Nine paused momentarily before it truly sunk in. Then she smiled. "Voyager."

Janeway nodded. "It'll be different," she cautioned as almost an afterthought. "A lot of us aren't going back out there with you. Metaphorically speaking, I'm trusting you with the keys. The senior staff mission briefing will be held tomorrow at 1600 hours. Any questions?"

As the shock began to fade, Seven found a single question: "Who is the Captain?"