DISCLAIMER: It's Paramount's galaxy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: C/7. Each chapter set in a different AU and all have a common theme. Serves as a prologue, epilogue, or something in-between for the "Alternatives" universes first established in "The River of Time"
This series has expanded beyond my original intention. I'm going to try and make each chapter in this story stand alone, but they would of course be more thoroughly enjoyed if you have the background provided in the other stories mentioned. A guide to the various alternative universes can be found on my profile page.
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UNITE
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Chapter 1 – À aimer et à chérir
Stardate 58923.1 (AU1), Location – Deep Space Nine, Bajor Sector
Author's note: This chapter is an epilogue to "Les Exiles" and takes place approximately one year after the final events from that story.
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The Enterprise loomed large near one of Deep Space Nine's docking spires. Several smaller craft were positioned in concentric rings about the station, and Chakotay moved his and Seven's small shuttle to prepare for parking into a space across from the Enterprise. Even though they had operated within the Bajoran sector for the past year, this was their first visit to Deep Space Nine. They had spent a part of the morning near the Bajoran wormhole to watch it open and close and had toured a nearby star forming region. Typically, Chakotay and Seven endeavored to steer clear of Starfleet and Federation planets, but today was a special occasion.
"It appears Jean-Luc and Beverly were able to make it after all," Seven commented, taking in the full sweep of the station and the many smaller craft that hovered about. Seven was already dressed for the reception and looked resplendent in a knee-length white dress. She kept her blonde hair short, just a little longer than what Doctor Crusher restored when she had removed much of the remaining Borg armor and components. The ocular implant above Seven's eye was still visible, and the web-like lattice that encased her hand and up her left arm that penetrated her skin just below the sleeve. Seven hardly noticed these any more, and Chakotay didn't care, even before Doctor Crusher's handiwork.
Chakotay nodded at Seven's earlier observation. "It will be nice to see everyone," he said, referring not only to the two Enterprise officers, but also to the rest of the crew from the Val Jean who had been invited and were presumably waiting for them. They were headed to one of Deep Space Nine's holosuites to not only meet with their friends after the yearlong separation, but to also finally officially get married. The Val Jean had been destroyed by the Borg, but the original crew, along with the few from Voyager who they were able to rescue when the Caretaker's array was destroyed, had themselves been rescued by Jean-Luc Picard and the Enterprise after using the Borg trans-warp hub to get back from the Delta Quadrant. All the Maquis, including Seska who maintained her Bajoran appearance, were given amnesty. Chakotay and Seven, however, were presumed dead due to a transporter accident, a ruse initiated by Picard. This was to avoid having Seven sequestered at Starfleet Research to exploit her knowledge of Borg nanoprobe technology. The two of them assumed the names Marius and Cossette Pontmercy, and although the identification papers they carried listed them as a married couple from Dorvan Five, they both felt a ceremony in the company of friends to make that official was desirable.
Chakotay was about to turn to face Seven when something caught his eye as the changing perspective allowed a view of another ship behind and close to the Enterprise. He smiled in surprise at seeing the old trading vessel, almost identical to the Val Jean. "Seven, take a look. It's a ship very much like our Val Jean."
Seven stepped up behind Chakotay and leaned down to look out the front viewing port. Her neck was now so close to Chakotay, he turned slightly and gave it a kiss. "Do you think she came in that?" Seven asked surprised.
"Oh no," Chakotay replied. "She's coming in a craft very much like ours. That old ship has no ties to the Maquis." Chakotay frowned. Most of the Maquis who were left were those who survived with the Val Jean. During the past year, he and Seven had tracked down leads to try and locate others. There had been significant successes, but in general, most of the Maquis still listed as missing were probably long dead.
"Shuttle Fantine, disengage your engines and prepare for a station keeping tractor," Deep Space Nine's space traffic control called.
"Understood," Chakotay radioed back, snapping out of his somber thoughts. "Disengaging engines. You have control." He powered down the rest of the shuttle's systems and stood up from the pilot's chair to join Seven. "You look beautiful," he said and swept her up in his arms and twirled her around once so her dress flared out before releasing her. "I better get dressed myself."
The shuttle was larger than a standard Starfleet shuttle and included living quarters big enough for the two of them. He stepped into their quarters and took off his casual clothes to replace them with a more formal suit that he had replicated that morning. Seven stood in the doorway with a content grin on her face. This past year, with the two of them together, had been the happiest of her life.
They beamed directly over to Deep Space Nine's in-processing area, showing their identification papers listing them as traders licensed for work in the Bajoran sector. The process went quickly, and as they stepped onto the main promenade, a dark-haired woman with black eyes approached them with her hands on her hips.
"I should be furious with you," she said to Seven, her eyes flashing. "You don't know how bad I felt when I thought you were dead."
Chakotay gave a look of mock hurt. "Did you feel bad about my death too?"
The half-Betazoid gave Chakotay an annoyed glance and shook her head dismissively. "I sensed there was something strange going on at the time," she added. "B'Elanna and Seska's emotions didn't seem quite right, but I was too overwhelmed to really question them." She was of course referring to the supposed transporter accident. Marina Jor, one of the Val Jean crew members, leaned forward and gave Seven a hug, and then turned to Chakotay to give him one too.
"It's good to see you Marina," Seven said. "But you know it was necessary and I've apologized in our correspondence."
Marina ignored Seven's comment. "Well, you'll be seeing more of me now that you two are officially back from the dead." There was still a little annoyance in her voice. She then stopped to look at Seven more carefully and took a step back. "Seven, you look gorgeous!"
Seven was still unaccustomed to compliments, despite Chakotay's attention, and wasn't sure what to say. "I have to admit I'm a little nervous about meeting everyone," she finally managed. "No one has seen us in a year." In fact, only B'Elanna and Seska had seen Seven after Doctor Crusher removed the Borg armor and components when they had gone to the Val Jean one last time with her and Chakotay.
Marina laughed. "Just be glad this isn't a Betazoid wedding."
"Are the others here?" Chakotay asked.
"They're all waiting for the guests of honor up in the holosuite," Marina said. "I had a very revealing discussion with your sister, Chakotay." Marina opened her eyes wider for effect. "And Seven, your Aunt Irene is wonderful."
"I didn't realize our families had been invited as well," Seven said with trepidation. She had only just recently contacted her aunt on Earth. The prospect of meeting Chakotay's sister for the first time was also a little intimidating.
"Are you kidding," Marina smirked. "Everyone is here. Except you two. I was getting antsy and decided to come down here and speed things along a bit."
"Let's get going then."
The holosuite was crowded. It was made up to look like a reception hall at the Grand Beach Hotel on Risa, complete with decorations from a variety of Federation planets and cultures. They were to discover later that all the various species from the Val Jean were represented: Earther, Ktarian, Bajoran, Bolian, Vulcan, Betazoid, and Klingon. As Seven and Chakotay entered behind Marina, the conversations stopped and all eyes turned in their direction. Harry Kim was the first to start clapping, and soon enough, the whole room was applauding their arrival. Both Seven and Chakotay were taken a little aback and at a loss for words.
Everyone was indeed there. The original Maquis crew of the Val Jean, the Voyager additions, and many family members of those present. Seven's aunt and Chakotay's sister were the first to approach. It was a bit overwhelming to be reunited after such a long time, and Irene refused to let go of Seven for several minutes. For her, it hadn't been just the year, but nearly a lifetime since she had said goodbye to her little Annika.
Chell was next and shook their hands vigorously. With him were his parents, who shared Chell's mannerisms and enthusiasm. Harry Kim and Meagan Delaney followed. Harry had rejoined Starfleet on his return to the Alpha Quadrant, but the last Chakotay heard, he had resigned his commission and was pursuing a different path. The rest stayed where they were and waited for Seven and Chakotay to make their way around the room. Marina assumed the role of Seven's maid of honor, clearing the way ahead and initiating the introductions with the next group of celebrants when necessary. Marina and Seven had become friends near the end of the time in the Delta Quadrant.
Towards the rear of the holosuite, Seska was standing next to Gerron and a group of other Bajorans neither Seven nor Chakotay recognized. Seska herself looked quite different. Her hair was long and draped over her shoulders and she was dressed in clothes typical of rural Bajor. When Chakotay and Seven approached, Seska turned to greet them and revealed she was pregnant. Both Chakotay and Seven looked at her in surprise. Seska glanced at Gerron briefly, and then, as if realizing she would get no help from him, faced Chakotay and Seven again.
"Ah, yes. A lot has happened in the past year," Seska began. "Gerron invited me to Bajor to meet his family." She gestured to the three other Bajorans besides Gerron in the small group. "Chakotay and Seven, let me introduce you to Gerron's parents, Erin Raul and Erin Wexa, of the Central Province, and his sister, Inga." Both Chakotay and Seven extended their hands in greeting, and understanding the gesture, the Bajorans enthusiastically exchanged handshakes. "Gerron and I…" Seska started, but then smiled and shrugged, leaving the rest unsaid but obvious considering her pregnancy.
"Congratulations," Chakotay said. Gerron smiled and nodded in return. As he regarded Gerron, Chakotay realized he was no longer the boy who had joined the Maquis and Chakotay's cell all those years ago. Gerron now exhibited a maturity and air of confidence that Chakotay had never noticed before. The difference in age between Gerron and Seska was apparently irrelevant. Seven and Marina were talking with Gerron's family, and Seska took Chakotay's elbow and guided him a couple steps away to talk in private.
"It was truly a shock to me," Seska confessed. "His feelings towards me, and perhaps more surprising, the feelings I developed towards him and his family. They've accepted me without question, and they know. They know all about me Chakotay."
"I'm sure Gerron has told them how instrumental you were in our survival in the Delta Quadrant," Chakotay offered. "You were a valued member of the Val Jean crew."
Seska smiled. She looked more at peace than at any time Chakotay had known her. "Thank you Chakotay," she finally said. "Thank you for everything. I'm…" She sighed and looked back to Gerron and his family. "I'm truly happy."
The rest of the greetings of the Val Jean crew and their guests were a blur. Logan and Jenny Pullman and their newborn son. Samantha Wildman, her Ktarian husband and their daughter Naomi. Naomi had grown taller in the years' time and was nearly as tall as Seven now. She held onto Seven for several minutes, laughing and crying at the same time. Cathal O'Donnell and several members of his family from Alpha Erindani. Gabriel, Miriah, Tabor, Kenneth, Lachlan. Everyone was there. At the end of the line waited Jean-Luc Picard, Beverly Crusher, and another Enterprise officer Chakotay didn't recognize.
Picard approached and extended his arms. "Marius, mon vieil ami. Vous regardez bien," he said, and kissed Chakotay on each cheek. Picard then turned to Seven, and taking her hand in his added, "Et Cossette, vous sont enchanteurs et beau comme jamais." He then bent down and kissed Seven's hand dramatically.
Beverly Crusher shook her head and took Chakotay's extended hand. "He's been wanting to do that ever since he learned you two were going under the aliases of Marius and Cossette Pontmercy," she laughed, a little bemused by the spectacle.
The other Enterprise officer extended her hand as well. "I hope you don't mind me crashing the party," she said. "I'm Deanna Troi. I feel I know you both from my conversations with Marina."
"Deanna has been helping me with my training," Marina added, although didn't elaborate on what that training might be.
Seven turned to Doctor Crusher. "Doctor… Beverly, have you been able to review my latest scans?"
Crusher nodded. "I have and think I can help. I believe a slight adjustment to your biradial clamp in your shoulder will relieve the pain you are feeling. We can take care of it after the ceremony if you'd like."
"That would be wonderful," Seven replied. The corner of her lips then turned up slightly and she added, "And of the other matter?"
Now Beverly grinned widely and glanced to Chakotay and back to Seven. "I see no reason why you and Chakotay can't start a family. There may be some issues with the nanoprobes during the pregnancy, but I'll be right there to help you all along the way."
Seven looked back with a questioning look. "With us?" she asked. "What do you mean?"
Beverly opened her mouth, but then turned to Picard with an expression of alarm. Picard answered for her. "So you haven't been told yet?" he asked cryptically.
Chakotay and Seven exchanged a look and then both shook their head.
Picard gazed about to those assembled nearby, and finding who he was looking for, motioned for her to come forward. T'Vora approached with an escort. Both were dressed in flowing Vulcan robes that reached the floor and T'Vora's short hair was highlighted with silver braids, an extravagance for a Vulcan, but also providing an exquisite look in her black hair. In their circuit of the holosuite, Chakotay didn't recall greeting T'Vora. T'Vora nodded towards Picard, an apparent gesture requesting that he continue the explanation.
Picard turned back towards Chakotay and Seven and cleared his throat. Indeed, the rest of the conversations in the holosuite seemed to end abruptly, as when Chakotay and Seven had first entered, and now Picard was the center of attention.
"Well," Picard began. "As you know from our correspondence over the past several months, T'Vora's team has made great strides in their Borg nanoprobe research. Not only have they duplicated Seven's original programming, but have developed a possible defense against the assimilation process itself."
Chakotay took Seven's hand and squeezed it. A few months after their presumed death, Picard had contacted them and had been keeping them up to date on T'Vora's progress. Through the Enterprise, they had slowly reestablished contact with the rest of the Val Jean crew. In recent months, Seven had been consulting Doctor Crusher more often concerning some health issues related to her remaining Borg implants.
"T'Vora's time with the Maquis has perhaps made her savvier in the art of negotiation," Picard continued. "She demanded some very specific things with regard to payment from Starfleet and the Federation in exchange for her cooperation in continuing her research." Picard glanced about again, and now everyone was moving closer and paying attention. Tom and B'Elanna stepped up and stood next to Seven and Chakotay, B'Elanna holding their daughter, Miral, in her arms. Ayala and Amelia stood close by arm in arm. They were both smiling broadly with their four sons at their side, the two who had been on Earth during their time in the Delta Quadrant, standing proud and almost as tall as their father.
"Tell them already," Marina said. That was met with a chorus of affirmation to encourage Picard to speed things up.
Picard raised his arms and smiled. "Alright, alright." He then placed his hands on both Chakotay and Seven's shoulders. "Did you happen to notice the ship next to the Enterprise when you arrived?"
Chakotay nodded. "As a matter of fact, we did. Very much like the old Val Jean."
"Just about as old, I'm afraid, but B'Elanna and her team have finished a complete refit of the warp and impulse engines. It is the payment T'Vora demanded. That, and a complete exoneration of both your names within the Federation. The two of you don't have to skulk around as Marius and Cossette anymore."
Before the full realization of what Picard had said had sunk in, T'Vora approached Chakotay and Seven.
"Captain, Seven," she said and took her hands out from her robe and gestured to all those around her. "It is our wish, the desire of the entire former crew of the Val Jean, to present you with this vessel as a wedding gift and for the two of you to assume command as captain and first officer." The assembled group now erupted in cheers and applause. Chakotay and Seven were overwhelmed. All their friends and family continued the applause.
When the commotion subsided, T'Vora continued, "And, forgive my impertinence, but I respectfully request to be assigned as your science officer, and this man, who is my husband, as an engineer to serve under B'Elanna." The Vulcan standing next to T'Vora bowed slightly and then T'Vora added, "He will serve adequately."
"I want to join you too!" Harry called from the crowd.
"In fact, a lot of us want to be a part of the crew," B'Elanna said.
Chakotay was dumbfounded. He glanced from face to face, at everyone around them. All of their colleagues and friends grinned back at them.
Beverly stepped up and added, "That goes for me too. I've requested and was granted a sabbatical from Starfleet, and with your permission, would love to serve as your chief medical officer for the next year. In that way, I can be close at hand for when Seven is… you know."
Chakotay laughed. "I don't suppose we'll be going on raids in the demilitarized zone," he joked.
"No," Picard replied firmly. "T'Vora and I have arranged a contract for your vessel to conduct mapping and prospecting for the Federation on the fringes of our space. Not much is known about that particular sector, and so you will be the first to shed some light on it. You will use Deep Space Nine and Bajor as your base of operations. It's not, of course, in the Delta Quadrant, but it is in that direction."
"Well then," Chakotay said, and turned to Seven who gave him an encouraging nod. "It seems like it's been all arranged. What have you named the ship?"
T'Vora bowed again slightly, and said, "It is yet unnamed Captain. It's previous designation irrelevant. We have left that honor to its new captain and first officer."
Chakotay again turned to Seven. There was something Jean-Luc had just said that rang in his ears, and a connection to Seven's past he wished to honor. It was even that time of the year again. "If my first officer agrees," he said. "I would like to name it the Sankta Lucia."
The ocular implant above Seven's eye raised slightly and she squeezed Chakotay's hand, which she was still holding.
"The Sankta Lucia then," Picard said amidst general approval of those assembled. "And I think, now that everyone is here, it's about time we get this ceremony started and make your marriage official, don't you?"
"I'm not quite sure all the guests have arrived," Seven said and started peering about. Suddenly she found who she was looking for near the edge of the crowd. The woman was separated from the rest of the group, but after seeing Seven nod, started moving through the crowd. She was Bajoran, with short black hair and moved with a catlike gait.
As she drew closer, recognition finally dawned on Picard. "Laren?" he gasped.
"It is agreeable to see you again Captain," Ro Laren replied. She nodded to both Chakotay and Seven, and then to Beverly and Deana added, "Doctor. Counselor."
A tear ran down Picard's cheek and he stepped forward to embrace her. "And you," he managed, choked with emotion. Beverly placed her hand on Picard's shoulder, a knowing look on her face. It was as if a long lost daughter had returned to her father.
Picard still appeared somewhat shaken and Ro looked about at the assembled guests. Many of the former Maquis knew her, or at least knew of her. It was a gift to them to see another of their comrades who had survived. "Sounds like you might need a pilot for this new ship of yours Chakotay," Ro said, a smile growing on her face. "I'm in."
Chakotay nodded satisfactorily. The Ferengi shuttle merchant's information had been sound, but it was tough convincing Ro to return to Federation space. In the end, it was Seven who had finally persuaded her.
Everyone was now crowded around Chakotay and Seven. Picard sighed heavily to regain his composure, and then returned his attention to the two guests of honor. What a joyous moment for all of them.
"Since the days of the first wooden sailing ships, all captains have enjoyed the happy privilege of joining together two people in the bonds of matrimony. And so it is my honor to unite you, Seven Cossette Pontmercy, and you, Chakotay Marius Pontmercy, together …"
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Author's note: As with all stories and alternative universes, there could be so much more. What of the adventures of the Sankta Lucia and her crew on the fringe of Federation space? Will the Borg threat ever reach the Alpha Quadrant again as Starfleet predicts? Who knows…? For now, however, that's it for this particular AU. Please review – it would be nice to hear your thoughts.
Next chapter: a prologue to AU#2's "The Folly of the Stewards." This is basically the unaltered Endgame timeline, although it eventually does get altered so that Seven doesn't meet an untimely death! The common theme will become obvious if you haven't already guessed…
