Children in Charge
Naomi Wildman woke from her dream filled sleep. She opened her eyes slowly at first, then opened them fully as she realised that something was very wrong. She got out of her bed in the quarters she shared with her mother, and went into the main living area. Her mother was not there and Naomi knew that she wasn't on duty that morning. Even if Red Alert had been sounded, it would have her up. She went back into her room and picked up her comm badge and tapped it.
"Naomi Wildman to Ensign Wildman" she called her mother, but there was no response. She hailed her mother several times but to no avail, so the little girl asked the computer to locate her mother.
'Ensign Wildman is not on board' came the cool and clinical voice of the computer. Naomi was beginning to panic slightly. "Naomi Wildman to Nelix" no reply "Naomi Wildman to Captain Janeway" but there was still not a reply to be gained from anybody. A small thought had popped into the back of her mind. "Computer, is there any crew members on board Voyager?"
'There are no crew members on board'
Naomi's mind went into overdrive as she tried to figure out what had happened to the crew. She decided to change into something other then her sleepwear and grabbed some toast. When she was done eating, she decided to leave her quarters and head towards sickbay. If anyone could help her, then it was the Doctor she decided. As she expected, the corridor outside was empty of the crew going to and from the various places they had to be at. She reached the nearest turbolift and pressed the call button. She barely had time to take her hand away before one of the turbolift cars came and she got in.
"Sickbay" she told the computer and it dutifully took her to Sickbay. As it did so, Naomi thought about what she had asked the computer. "Computer" she called out "Are there any lifeforms on Voyager, apart from me?" she asked as the turbolift slowed to a stop.
'There are three other lifeforms on board'
"Identify and locate them" the girl ordered and the computer obeyed her without question which told Naomi that there had been no damage sustained to the computer systems if Voyager had been boarded.
'Mezoti is currently located in Sickbay. Azan is currently located in Sickbay. Rebi is currently located in Sickbay' the computer informed the girl as she exited the car and ran the short distance to Sickbay.
"Naomi!" a force bumped into Naomi so hard, she was nearly knocked off her feet. Mezoti hugged her friend who hugged her back.
"Mezoti, are you alright?" Naomi asked her friend.
"I am fine" Mezoti assured her.
"We are also undamaged" said the twins who sat on a biobed each.
"Ah, Naomi Wildman! It is good to see you" the Doctor came out from his office. "I was beginning to wonder if we four where the last on board" he added.
"Do you know what has happened?" Naomi asked the hologram.
"I'm afraid I don't. I didn't even know about the crew disappearing until these three came in here about half an hour ago. I have tried to access the sensor logs, but they have been wiped from the computer. There is not even a deletion marker in the power files" and the Doctor's holographic face frowned.
"What shall we do?" asked Azan.
"Has anybody checked on the condition of the ship?" asked Naomi.
"We have not. We wanted to see if anybody else would arrive here" Rebi said.
"Perhaps we should find out" Naomi said. "Computer, what is the currant status of the ship with regards to hull integrity and other systems?" she asked.
'Hull integrity is at 100. Life Support is at 100. Impulse is at 100. Warp Drive is at 100' reported the computer.
"What are we going to do?" asked Mezoti.
"Maybe we should go to the bridge" Naomi reasoned.
"I agree with Naomi. We would be able to find out information better if we are on the bridge" the Doctor said as he transferred himself to the mobile emitter. When he was done, he led the way to the turbolift and the group headed off towards the bridge. As the doors opened when they arrived, the children gasped in astonishment even though they knew there would be nobody there anyway.
"What do we do now?" Rebi asked as he gazed around the deserted bridge.
"Lets each take a station and see if something works" Mezoti suggested and the others agreed. Mezoti took the Science console, Azan took Engineering while Rebi took the Helm, and the Doctor had taken the Operations station while Naomi took the Tactical/Security station. Everybody checked the various consoles and found them to be working. The doctor had discovered that the sensors where offline, but after doing nothing but pressing a button, he got them back up and running. A quick scan told them that Voyager was at a complete stop and alone, orbiting a gas giant planet. However, they couldn't find out how they had arrived there.
"Well everybody's stations check out except mine. The computer won't tell me if weapons are available" Naomi said.
"That's not such a problem for the moment" the Doctor said. "What we have to decide is what we are going to do next?"
"We should conduct a scan for a warp signature which will allow us to find those who have taken Captain Janeway and the others" Mezoti said her voice belying the fact she thought the doctor was wrong for suggesting they should simply abandon their friends, and in Naomi's case, family.
The Doctor didn't know how to do a scan like that, so Mezoti and Naomi did it instead. It took less then a second to find a recent trail that led out of the planets system and into deep space.
"Now we have a trail, we can find the crew and my mom" Naomi said brightly.
"It is the most logical thing to do" the twins said in unison.
"The captain has saved us before, it is only right that we do the same. However there is a problem. Who is in command of the ship?" Mezoti said her voice edged with the question.
'Naomi Wildman. There is a message for you' the computer spoke so suddenly that everyone – even the Doctor – jumped.
"From who?" Naomi asked.
'It is a recording made by Captain Kathryn Janeway. It was only to be played after you had entered the bridge' the computer explained.
"Very well. Play the message" the girl ordered. The main viewer winked into life and everyone saw Janeway sat in her chair.
"Naomi, if you are watching this then you know some of what has happened. Voyager has been ambushed by several alien vessels which threatened to destroy us if we fired upon them Tuvok say that they have about the same level of technology compared to us. We are being escorted to a planetary system were we will orbit a gas giant. Once there, we have been told to prepare to be taken aboard one of their ships and taken back to their home world. They haven't looked at our computer systems yet, so I have ordered the computer to delete all information on you and the other children. If I do that, then they will not search for you four. I am also going to make it look as if the sensors recorded nothing until we arrive at this planet. When this recording has finished, the computer has another surprise for you. There is also a second recorded message for you, Janeway out". The viewscreen went back to it's normal view of space with the gas giant below them. Before anybody could speak, there was a sound of chimes being played over the bridge speakers. At the same time, there was a sound of the transporter in use and a set of 4 rank pips appeared on the seat of Janeway's chair.
'Attention on Deck' the computer intoned and the viewscreen came back to life.
"As you can most likely guess, I'm putting you in charge of Voyager. I'm granting you a field commission of Commander for as long as necessary. Look to the Doctor for guidance and help as well as the other children. Your orders are to try and locate and rescue us. If that is not possible, your reserve orders are to set course back to the alpha quadrant. Should you have to abandon us to our fate here, shut down all power to the decks you are not using. Seven thinks that should save you several years worth of power if there are only four people and one hologram on Voyager" Janeway looked certain of the one she had entrusted her ship to. 'There is someone who wants to speak to you' and the viewscreen's view shifted to show the only other person on the bridge. 'Naomi, I want to say that I love you so much. I am so proud that the captain has chosen you to try and get us. I want you to know that if it is too dangerous, you have to leave us behind and not come back for us. I know you will want to save us, but you have to think about the others and try to keep them safe' Naomi's mom looked at something off screen then looked back at the camera. 'Sweetie, I have to go now. Just remember that I am so very proud of you and that I love you so very very much' and the viewscreen returned to show the stars and the planet below.
"Mom? Mom? Please come back" Naomi started to cry and Mezoti walked over and hugged her very best friend while the Doctor patted her on the head. Azan and Rebi just watched the sensors in case the aliens came back for the ship.
"Naomi, it will be alright. Captain Janeway clearly has a deep trust of you, or she wouldn't have put you in charge of Voyager" the Doctor said as he tapped a few buttons on the nearest console and in a few seconds a small handkerchief popped into existence in Naomi's left hand. She smiled a thank you at the holographic man and then proceeded to dry her eyes with it.
"Are you feeling better?" asked Mezoti concerned.
"Yeah, thanks" Naomi grinned. She looked at the twins who looked back at her with expectant looks on both their faces. "Can you two re-tune the sensors to detect how old the trail is?" the girl asked.
"Yes. It should take us no more then five minutes" the twins said and Azan went to Operations as Rebi took Tactical. They worked furiously to re-set the sensors and before long they came up with a result.
"The trail is approximately four hours old. We will still be able to it" Azan reported.
"If we are to follow the people who have taken Captain Janeway, your mother and the rest of the crew, we should decide who is to have which station to attend to" Rebi said. "There is also the additional problem of that there will be nobody in Engineering monitoring all the systems on board" he added. Naomi thought for a moment then struck upon an idea.
"Doctor, could you go to Engineering and monitor the various systems? You can have the computer alert you to any problems" she asked.
"Well, it would be nice to add an engineering section rating to my file" the Doctor joked "But what if there is a problem that needs somebody who knows what to do?" he asked his holographic face frowning again.
"I know it might not be the best thing for you, but could you go to the holodeck and call up the file on B'Lanna? Then you could transfer your emitter to her holoimage then she could fix the problem and give it back to you, O.K?"
"I suppose I can do that" he said smiling and he headed into a turbolift and vanished.
"I guess it means that we have to pilot Voyager ourselves" Mezoti said with a trace of fear in her voice.
"Guess your right. I don't think we need to use the Phasers or Torpedoes yet, so we can let the computer handle that. Okay, my first act as Commander is to give out assignments. Azan I want you to handle Operations, Rebi take the Power Monitoring station and Mezoti? I want you to take the Science station" Naomi said thinking about what each of her friends where good at and that was how she decided how to sort out the assignments. "I'll take the Helm" she added. The other three nodded and went to the places Naomi told them to go to.
"Naomi? I have re-scanned the trail again. The co-ordinates have been sent to the helm" Azan said and as he said it, a little message screen popped up on a console screen.
"Thanks. Okay, as Uncle Tom says, let's get this show on the road. New course: 180 mark 45, ahead full impulse until we clear orbit then Warp 5" Naomi muttered to herself as she looked at the various controls in front of her. After a few seconds of looking at the buttons, she pressed a set of large white and brown buttons. It was clear she had done the right thing, and the children could hear and fear the almost imperceptible hum of the Warp Drive, as it took the ship faster then light.
An hour or so after they had left orbit, Naomi left the seat at the helm and moved to Captain Janeway's chair which was more comfortable. She had the computer get her friends some cushions to it on while they worked at trying to find the alien vessel. So far they had worked really well together and they had no arguments so far.
"Naomi Wildman, there are two small vessels nearby" Azan said looking at the Operations console normally used by Harry Kim.
"Are they related to the ship that took my mom and the crew?" Naomi asked hope evident in her voice.
"Their warp signatures indicate they are not related to those who took your mother and the crew" Azan said. "They are holding orbit over a Class M planet in the system directly ahead of us"
"What are they doing?" Naomi asked.
"I do not know Naomi Wildman. It appears that they have sustained damage to their shields and weapons systems. Impulse appears to be offline but Warp Drive is online as is Life Support" Azan reported.
"Perhaps they know something about the alien kidnappers" Mezoti said.
"That is a logical thought" Rebi said.
"I agree. While they may not have seen the aliens, perhaps they have heard some news" Mezoti said.
"I hope so" Naomi said as she got out of the captains chair and returned to the helm. She studied the console a few moments then tapped a large pale blue button experimentally. A display on the left console screen changed to show the system ahead and the two ships orbiting the planet. A few more button taps and ten minutes later, and Voyager slid into a parking orbit a respectful distance from the two ships.
"Azan? Can you hail the lead ship for me?" asked Naomi.
"Opening a channel" there was a pause as they got a reply. "They are replying Naomi Wildman, audio only" Azan said.
"On speakers. And Azan…….. It's just Naomi" the girl smiled at the boy.
There was a soft flicker in the sound on the bridge as the channel was established between the two vessels. The person in charge of the other ship spoke first.
"This is Captain Lish, of the Snap Alliance ship Turner. How can we help you?" the captain of the other ship was a male, judging from the voice. But from prior encounters of species, it might not be the case.
"This is the Federation Starship U.S.S Voyager, Commander Naomi Wildman commanding" Naomi hoped she didn't sound young or scared to the other captain.
"I have never heard of your people before" Lish said.
"We are explorers on our way to our homeworld, a long way away. We detected your ships on our sensors and read the damage. We wondered if we could render any help" Naomi's knees had started to tremble as she realised that she was making first contact with another species.
"That is very generous of you Commander Wildman. However we have almost finished repairs to our ship. We are still able to be on the ship due to our efforts. The only thing stopping us leaving with speed is our impulse drive" Lish sounded as if he had been in a panic and Naomi could understand how that felt.
"Our sensors are telling us that you had a fight. Can you tell us more?" she asked.
"Of course Commander Wildman. We where on our way to our home planet which is located three light years from this system, when we got attacked by unidentified ships. We managed to escape from them to this place to make repairs to the ship. There was something strange about the ships though. There was a set of different life signs on what appeared to be a command ship. I think they may have been another ships crew who have been captured" Lish sounded relieved that it was clear Voyager was not going to attack his two ships. Naomi suddenly had a thought and sent a scan recording to the Turner.
"Captain Lish, did these ships have a Warp Drive that had this signature?" she asked a good deal of hope had built in her when Lish had mentioned the different lifeforms on one of the ships.
"Indeed. These match the scans we took of the ships. We counted five ships that attacked us, and they match this scan exactly" Lish said as the children guessed he was looking at the sensor scan Naomi had sent them. "Have you been chasing them?" he asked.
"Yes, they captured several of our crew members and we are trying to catch up and rescue everybody" Naomi said.
"My regrets on that" Lish said and he sounded really sorry indeed.
"Can we help you with any repairs?" Mezoti spoke and Lish assumed that Mezoti was Naomi's first officer.
"We have everything completed except our Impulse Drive. During our escape we blew out several power regulators, and we did not carry any spare parts for them" Lish said. Naomi thought for a moment as she had a thought battle in her mind. Voyager did have quite a few in reserve and while she didn't know if it would work out, she told Azan to transport over two of the power regulators to the Turner. Lish was grateful for them and informed them that they fitted just perfect. They needed fine tuning and careful watching, but Lish told the children that he was able to get two thirds impulse power which would be enough to get them home. After exchanging databases and farewells, the ships, parted company. Voyager headed off to resume it's pursuit of the alien kidnappers and the children talked about how they could attempt to rescue the crew from being held hostage. So dedicated was Naomi to finding her mom and the crew, that it was nearly 13:35 when the Doctor came back to the bridge and ordered them all to get something to eat and to have a rest. He promised that if anything happened he would tell them.
"I miss Neelix's cooking" Mezoti said as they each got something from the replicator.
"I know I do" Naomi said as she started to eat a cheese sandwich while the twins had an old earth food called pizza.
"Naomi, you are concerned with your mother being missing are you not. Well we will all help you find her again" Rebi said. Naomi thanked her friend and they ate and chatted for sometime afterwards.
"Naomi, can we go to your quarters? I was going to get Seven to brush and style my hair today, but….. "something popped up" as Mr Paris says" Mezoti asked.
Naomi was about to agree when suddenly the Red Alert sirens went off.
'RED ALERT, All Hands man your battle stations RED ALERT All hands man your battle stations this is not a drill…' the computer's voice was overridden by the Doctor's.
"Doctor to Naomi Wildman, Mezoti, Azan and Rebi. Please come to the bridge. I think we have found the crew" and the Doctor closed the channel. The friends looked at each other in amazement.
"There are only five of us. What do we do?" Mezoti said as she looked out of the mess hall's porthole at the sight of alien ships in front of them.
"Get to the bridge and man battle stations" Naomi said. "Computer, four to transport directly to the bridge" and the computer beamed them away to the bridge.
A/N: Well, this is my first Star Trek: Voyager fanfic and I hope you like it!
I got the idea for it by thinking what would happen if the ship had been boarded and everyone had been taken except for the children? Well this is the result of the idea! First chapters are always sounding bad, so if it does then I'm sorry for that.
I made Naomi in charge over the Doctor (so no ECH) and the other children because she has been on Voyager longer then the others and so has "rank" on them.
Well, I hope that you have enjoyed reading this chapter and hope to start work on the next chapter soon. Those that point out errors, can send me a Long PM (I don't mind) to tell me what should be changed.
Regards,
Pixel