DISCLAIMER: It's Paramount's galaxy.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: C/7. Set in AU#4 established in fanfiction story "Alternatives." Picks up at the end of that story and follows Captain Chakotay and First Officer Lieutenant Commander Annika Hansen and the uncertain future of the starship Voyager.

#

RECHARTING THE COURSE

Stardate 57893.2 (AU#4)

# Chapter 1 - Decisions

…

"We are remaining in system and out of sight until we discover the fate of our missing crew members. The Doctor's program is gone and irretrievable. Fortunately, Doctor Kadan has asked to leave with us, and so Chakotay has made him Chief Medical Officer. Seven other non-Voyager personnel have joined the crew, having been married to crew members in the interim, and there are now eighteen children of these and various other unions, including Robert and Ixchell.

"I remain hopeful we will resume our voyage back to the alpha quadrant soon.

"End first officer's log, stardate fifty-seven eight ninety-three point two – Lieutenant Commander Annika Hansen recording."

#

Annika leaned back in her chair and considered her log entry. She had been meaning to begin her First Officer's log for some time with a synopsis of the events that led to them all being back on Voyager, but had put it off until now. She was still getting used to the idea of not being who she thought she was for the past three years, let alone to her new position as First Officer. It was midafternoon, ship time, and Ixchell was sleeping in her lap after nursing. She kept her newborn daughter with her for most of the day. Her older son, Robert, spent part of the day in the preschool they had set up on Deck Six. He enjoyed preschool or being babysat by one of the older children. He was particularly fond of Naomi Wildman. Today, however, he was spending the afternoon with Chakotay on the bridge. With so many families and children on board, the dynamics on Voyager were less the formal Star Fleet vessel it was before and more like a community now.

As for being hopeful to resume their voyage back to the alpha quadrant, she had mixed feelings. Their circumstances were now so radically different. Captain Janeway, her mentor who took her from the Collective and helped nurture her humanity and individuality, was dead. She tried to recollect her last conversation with her. It was on Quarra, when they both worked in the energy power plant and she was the efficiency monitor. She didn't even know who Kathryn Janeway was at the time, and they were discussing irregularities with the personnel at the plant. It was then when she and Inspector Yerid went to discover what was going on in Division Six, and Captain Janeway and her friend Jaffen went to the energy plant to try and bring down the shield grid. These were events she only recently remembered. It left her with an empty feeling, of unfinished business that could never be fixed now. As far as they could determine, Captain Janeway and Jaffen had entered the energy plant and something had gone terribly wrong. On that same day, Voyager was captured, the Doctor's program deleted, and several crew members went missing. There were records of B'Elanna Torres, Harry Kim, and Neelix undergoing dysphoria treatment on that day, and Doctor Kaden recalled processing them through his department. After that, however, these three and several others including Tom Paris, Ameila Jenkins, and Vorik, all disappeared. And then there was Lieutenant Commander Tuvok. His Vulcan mind had almost broke through the mind-altering effects of the dysphoria treatment, but in the end he paid for it with his life. Doctor Kaden confirmed there were complications during his subsequent treatment, the same day both she and Chakotay had been treated.

How long Chakotay intended to remain near Quarra was uncertain. As they had settled back into a routine on Voyager, he seemed to be reluctant to move on. Voyager remained in a high orbit. Only once did a patrol question Voyager's intent in system. Since most of the crew were either previously registered guest workers or Quarren citizens, there was no trouble. To be on the safe side, only Dr. Kaden's name was kept off the crew manifest, although even he had every right to leave the system. It had been only six months before when Chakotay and Annika had finally achieved their Quarren citizenship.

Annika was in the First Officer's office. Chakotay had used it little, preferring to be out amongst the crew during times he wasn't assigned to the bridge. In recent weeks, Annika had retreated here for at least a couple hours a day to collect her thoughts and be alone with Ixchell. There wasn't much going on anyway, and she was rarely disturbed. It was a small office, but as Annika regarded the space, she idly wondered if a piano could fit along the inner bulkhead. The chime on her door sounded. It took her a moment to realize what it was. "Enter," she called out, and the door immediately slid open.

Lieutenant Commander Joe Carrey stood in the doorway. Joe hesitated halfway inside, and then finally said, "I can't decide whether to call you Annika, or Seven, or Commander. Do you have a minute?"

"Sure Joe, come in," Annika replied and motioned to the empty seat across from her small desk, trying not to disturb Ixchell who was still sleeping in her lap. In truth, she hardly knew what to call herself. Doctor Kaden had removed all her cybernetic implants during their time on Quarra, and so now even with her former memories restored, she was more like who she had become on Quarra than the Borg drone from before.

Joe entered the room, lightly touched the top of Ixchell's head, and then sat heavily into the seat, as if relieved to escape from something. Annika and Chakotay had entertained Joe and Natalie often in their home on Quarra. The four of them had become good friends. Their older children had played together in the energy plant's daycare, and they all attended religious services each week. At least, they used to attend those services. It had been several months since she thought about those former routines.

"How are things in engineering?" Annika asked.

Joe shrugged his shoulders. "We're as ready as we'll ever be. We've used up most of the spare gel-packs, and so now we have to start working on what to do when the remaining ones start failing. Other than that, all systems are back up to specs."

Annika nodded. She already knew that. Not quite all systems, however, since they no longer had any photon torpedoes and the hydroponics gardens were still coming online. The former couldn't be helped and the latter would take a little more time. Regardless, they were ready to go whenever Chakotay gave the word.

Joe shifted in his seat. There was obviously something on his mind. As Voyager's First Officer, Annika had to get used to reading the crew and sensing their mood. She knew Joe well, however, and he was making it obvious. "Do you remember that time we took the maglev to that park on the outskirts of the city?" he said.

"I do. It was a beautiful day. Clear with not a cloud in the sky except over the atmospheric towers."

"Exactly. The kids had a fun time in the park, and we all had a great conversation about our plans for the future…"

Annika remembered. It had been just a few days after she and Chakotay had discovered she was pregnant with Ixchell. What a joyous time. Seemingly limitless possibilities as they considered their future. They planned for a big family. After all, they both had excellent jobs with indications they were in line for citizenship and promotion. She closed her eyes and visualized the place in her mind. The industrial structure of the atmospheric reprocessing plant loomed nearby over the park with the several towers off in the distance, but somehow the outline of these structures were aesthetically pleasing. Was this a remnant of the memory conditioning of the dysphoria treatment? But, as she recalled the city profile in the distance in her mind's eye, she didn't think so. The city was clean and safe, and in a strange way, she missed it.

Annika opened her eyes and considered her friend. He seemed distracted as he too seemed to be recollecting the time in his mind. "What's on your mind Joe?" Annika said, bringing him out of his reverie.

Joe hesitated, shifting again in his seat. Finally he said, "we kind of miss Quarra, despite knowing some of our happiness might have been fabricated. Natalie and I have been giving it a lot of thought. Are we certain we want to resume our trip back to the alpha quadrant? I know life here on Quarra is perhaps not an option. It's changing. With what we know now, it's clear someone in the government has started using the dysphoria treatment to control the opposition. But settling down somewhere, on a world with the earth beneath our feet and the sky above our head. There's something to say for that."

Annika had to admit she had entertained the same thoughts. She and Chakotay had discussed various possibilities, but never seriously considered abandoning their goal of reaching the alpha quadrant. Or was that the reason Chakotay was hesitant to go? "What of Star Fleet?" Annika asked. "At some point, we might get back in touch with Project Pathfinder."

"We've been trying, I know," Joe responded. He looked about the room. "It really requires the Midas array signal from their end off that itinerant pulsar. It's going to be difficult for us to replicate, and perhaps they're no longer broadcasting after being silent for three years."

Annika nodded. The hope was that Project Pathfinder was still active and would reestablish contact at some point, but they couldn't be sure of that. Perhaps Voyager had been finally given up for lost by Star Fleet. Annika recalled the discussions she had with Admiral Paris and Lieutenant Barkley and shook her head. "I don't think they'd give up on us. I believe we'll eventually get back in contact with Star Fleet."

"Perhaps," Joe replied tentatively. "It is still going to take decades to reach the alpha quadrant. Do you think they would object to us settling down on a planet?"

Annika smiled. "Joe, you're the Academy graduate and Star Fleet officer. You tell me."

Joe considered his response. "I think if we had a compelling argument, we could convince Star Fleet that our ongoing operations would be here in the Delta Quadrant, as long as we establish and maintain regular contact. Eventually, ships will be constructed that could come and get us, making our voyage irrelevant."

"It's…," Annika started, but then stopped. Regardless of their circumstances these past few years, Annika too had been… happy. As Joe had said, she also knew that some of those memories had been fabricated and manipulated for her to feel that way, but she couldn't shake the fact that life with Chakotay and her growing family on Quarra had been comfortable and enjoyable. That life was now turned upside down and confused with her memories from before. She made a decision. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps it's at least time to open the discussion up with the entire crew, and get a feel for what everyone wants."

Joe nodded, a smile growing on his face. "I concur. Our situation has changed, and we need to reassess as a group our future course. I know there are several of us in engineering that would welcome such a discussion."

#

Robert looked up from the paper he was drawing on with color pencils. Still mostly scribbles, but also interspersed circles of various sizes and colors, a talent he had just developed. "Wistal?" he asked with excitement.

Annika reached over and touched his shoulder. "Not today," she said, and Robert returned to his drawing. Had Robert understood their conversation? She turned to Chakotay and raised her eyebrows and Chakotay nodded in return. The two of them were talking about opening up discussions with the crew concerning their future course and had also mentioned the things they had left behind on Quarra. Ixchell was asleep in her crib, and Robert was still up doing one last drawing before bed. He must have overheard them talking about Quarra. Wistal had been his best friend at the energy plant daycare. She was the daughter of a Quarren couple who had recently moved from a different province. Annika had recruited them and found them jobs at the energy plant. Wistal had been their first child as well, and Vandray had been expecting their second when they had left Quarra. Annika realized she missed Vandray as well.

Chakotay motioned for Annika to follow him to the other side of the room. "We have to start watching what we say," he said with a smile when they were out of earshot.

Annika smiled as well and glanced back to their son. He was bright with such a curiosity and already his own personality. It was hard to believe he wasn't even yet three.

"Quarra seems out of the question," Chakotay continued more somberly. "The sweep the Reformists had in the last election, and the decision of the previous Administrator to not seek reelection. It seems clear that an element of the government is using the dysphoria treatment to solidify power. Who knows what's in store as they continue to consolidate and expand."

Annika nodded. "Doctor Kaden suspects the same. When he was removed from his position and had his memories altered, he had just discovered that all his research had been classified and indeed treatment was being consolidated in a government facility."

Chakotay frowned. "It's amazing we were able to reverse the treatment for all of us and escape when we did," he mused. "I suspect as those responsible continue to clamp down, access to the equipment will be cut off."

"There are other nearby planets that might prove suitable," Annika said. "I've asked Icheb in Astrometrics to assemble a list with descriptions. Let's see what the rest of the crew thinks."

Chakotay seemed satisfied. In fact, to Annika he appeared happier than he had been in some time. He turned to look out their quarter's window, the distant globe of Quarra visible below. "I'm also thinking of setting up weekly services here on Voyager, as we had on Quarra" he said tentatively.

Annika raised her eyebrows. "Not everyone is as spiritually minded as you, Chakotay," she replied. "And I am certain there are many different religious beliefs amongst the crew."

"That's exactly what it was like on Quarra," Chakotay said. "With such a diverse workforce, species from around the sector, the services we attended were a bit eclectic. There was even that atheist who attended regularly. That's what made them interesting. Many came with views that were different, and even contradictory, but it provided a venue to explore the spiritual side of our nature and also understand the beliefs of our friends and coworkers."

Annika turned to look at her husband. Their conversation reminded her of something that was haunting her. They were so different, her and Chakotay. Would they have gotten together if they hadn't been on Quarra? Was it the alterations in their memories that made their relationship possible in the first place? "Do you suppose we would be married if we hadn't been on Quarra?" she asked. It was a question that had been forming in her mind for weeks now.

Chakotay now turned to face her and look into her eyes. "Yes," he responded confidently. "There is not a doubt in my mind."

"How can you be so sure? We're so very different."

Chakotay reached over and pulled Annika into a hug. "Are you having second thoughts?" he teased.

"No," Annika replied quickly. She had been attracted to Chakotay from even before their experience on Quarra. Indeed, she had been just beginning to construct holodeck programs to explore different social situations before their memories were altered. Those social situations were to include a romantic encounter, and she had decided to use Chakotay as her test subject.

"You forget too," Chakotay continued. "In the dream I had that led us to exposing the alterations in our memories, in most all the different timelines, we were also together."

Annika hugged Chakotay back. They had been married now for three years, and there was no doubt in her mind either. It's just nice hearing it said by your husband from time to time. The two separated a bit and turned to look out the window at Quarra below. From this distance, it looked very much like Earth. Annika's thoughts returned to their previous conversation. She was not convinced about the wisdom of starting the Quarren services on Voyager. "In retrospect, it's clear the government was beginning to try and use those gatherings to manipulate the populous," she commented.

"Indeed, but not always successfully. It might be that those service organizations will become the only truly independent entities not controlled by the Quarren government given the current climate."

Annika shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose it's true that our experience on Quarra has reawakened a curiosity of several crew members concerning the beliefs and practices of their ancestors. Joe and Natalie have alluded to researching their Christian roots. Joe was speaking to me the other day about religiously significant events called Marian apparitions."

"Indeed," Chakotay replied with a smile. "Our Lady of Guadalupe."

"That was one of the circumstances he mentioned. You have spoken to him as well?"

"No, but I researched this particular apparition when I was a boy. Mary, who is the mother of the Christian god in human form, Jesus, appeared to an Aztec man who had converted to Christianity in 16th century Mexico."

"I looked up the details in the ship's database. Some fascinating information was recorded about the artifact that is purported to have resulted from those apparitions on Tepeyac hill."

"Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin's tilma. I've actually seen it in Mexico City's Basilica of Guadalupe. "

Annika became intrigued. "And so it has still not deteriorated?"

"Precisely. The tilma should have disintegrated in a very short time, but it still hangs in the Basilica."

"If it had been made from native cactus fibers, as originally thought, it would have lasted only a few decades. The consensus now, however, is that it is made from native hemp, and that material could last centuries."

"Oh," Chakotay replied. "I think I remember hearing about that theory as well. It's been nearly nine centuries now."

"Were you able to hear the fetus' heartbeat, or look into the maiden's eye?"

Chakotay laughed. "No. I don't think tricorders are allowed near it. But I have read some of those curious facts about the tilma. That it remains the constant temperature of a human body, regardless of the surrounding temperature; the apparent images of Juan Diego and those present when the image was revealed reflected in the maiden's eyes; the heartbeat of the infant Jesus in her womb."

"But if they don't allow you to examine the tilma, how can you know if these stories are true or simply fabrications?"

"I imagine the bishop who oversees the Basilica is unconcerned about convincing those who are skeptical."

Annika was disturbed by Chakotay's response. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."

"Perhaps. But as with everything, there will always be those who believe without having to see the evidence first hand, and those who will never believe despite all the evidence presented to them. If you have faith in something or against it, you either don't need the proof or disregard the proof."

#

Ixchell cried again.

"Does she need changing?" Chakotay asked groggily with his eyes still closed.

"No, she's just hungry," Annika replied. "You can stay asleep, I'll take care of it." She sat up and got out of bed. Ixchell's crib was right next to them, and Annika reached in and lifted her daughter out and cradled the baby in her arms. Ixchell stopped crying and started searching with her mouth. She obviously was very hungry. Annika turned to say something more to Chakotay, but it was clear he was already back to sleep. Too bad men couldn't nurse infants in the middle of the night. But, biologically, humans had two sexes, and the two were different. It was the mother, like it or not, who lactated and fed a couple's infant.

Annika sleepily stepped over to a nearby chair and sat down. The small night light near the crib provided all the illumination necessary, and so she decided not to bother turning on any other lights. Ixchell latched on quickly, and Annika closed her eyes.

When Annika opened her eyes, the room was bathed with a soft blue glow. In front of her was a Quarren woman who was also nursing an infant. She wore the traditional outerwear of someone from the NorthernPrefecture. She was young, very young, perhaps no more than sixteen Earth years old. She smiled knowingly and turned her head to look at something to her left. Annika followed her gaze and saw her friend Vandray and her family. They were kneeling on the ground with indistinct figures of security officers behind them in the shadows.

"Why have you abandoned us Annika?" Vandray said. She sounded forlorn and her eyes pleaded.

"I have not abandoned you," Annika replied.

"Who are you?" someone else said from the opposite side of the room. Annika turned her head to see who had spoken. She recognized him immediately as Tom Paris. Behind him stood B'Elanna Torres holding the hand of a young child – a half-human/half-Klingon hybrid.

"It's me, Annika," she said.

"I don't know an Annika," he replied. "Quarra is changing. Are you here to help us?" Before she could answer, he, B'Elanna, and the child faded and disappeared, as if the light illuminating them had been turned off.

Annika turned back to Vandray, but instead of her friend, another worker she recognized from the energy power plant was there. He belonged to a species from a nearby Delta Quadrant planet. In fact, a number of his same species worked at the plant. "Who am I?" he asked.

"Employee six-one-one-two," Annika replied, "you work in Receiving. I believe your name is Borell."

"But who am I?" he pleaded again, and then disappeared as Tom and B'Elanna had before.

All that remained was the young woman with her infant. It became apparent that the blue glow emanated from her clothes. In fact, both she and the infant in her arms also glowed softly. She continued to smile lovingly at Annika, exuding peace and comfort.

"They are all my children, my daughter," the young women said. "Do what you can to help them."

Annika blinked, and the vision was gone. Everything was as it was before. Ixchell was asleep in her lap, and their quarters were again dark with only the faint glow of a night light visible near the crib.

#

Author's note: I actually started this story before "Out of New Earth," but a plot never gelled in my mind. I think I might have something now. This "Alternatives" AU is a little different than the previous three I've written because Annika and Chakotay are already married, and so the story can't be about them getting together. Also, they have a 3-year marriage we know little about. In fact, as I thought about it, that three years on Quarra must have affected the entire crew significantly, not knowing who they were and building a new life for themselves (and conditioned to enjoy that life). I wanted to write another chapter or two before I posted this first one, but due to lack of time, I haven't yet written anything more. Perhaps posting this first chapter will get things moving. Hope you enjoy, and reviews/comments are always welcome.