Disclaimer: I don't own anything, just this story.
"Sorry, Commander, but no, I will not be going!" Captain Kathryn Janeway looked up sharply from her desk when her second in command entered the sanctuary of her ready room. Though as soon as she caught the hurt expression on Commander Chakotay's face, her own features softened, he had only tried to get her to take some shore leave and relax for a while, after all.
It was rare that they met aliens who agreed to help them in every way, granting supplies and shore leave in abundance. They had met this special type of humanoids only two days ago and cargo bay one and two were already filled almost beyond their capacity. First contact had amused the whole crew. These aliens were shorter than the average human hight, so that this time Captain Janeway had no problem looking them in the eye. Other than that they looked like they were all going to a Halloween party with a cat theme: There were the typical cat-like ears and eyes, a short snout and a wild mane of various colors, that could almost rival a lion's. The rest of their body was human-like, except for the long tail and bushels of hair around their wrists and ankles. Their hands and fingers were rather slender, but instead of fingernails they used to toy with their claws while speaking to Voyager's commanding officer. The dresses of the Faylee-people, as they called themselves, were very bright, even Neelix's clothes seemed rather dull in comparison, yet they suited them in a beautiful way.
Kathryn brought one hand up to her temple, trying in vain to rub away the headache that gradually built up behind her eyes. "Look, Chakotay, I am just glad that we stopped and that I can catch up on the reports a bit. After all the problems we have had lately, it is the best I can hope for." She sighed and surveyed the ever growing mountain of padds on her desk.
"Then let me treat you for dinner at least. We can make it a working dinner and I can help you with B'Elanna's report. What do you think?" Chakotay's voice sounded hopeful.
"Right now I am eating and breathing these reports, I don't think I want them to follow me to my quarters tonight."
Chakotay's eyes dulled.
"Do you think you can manage dinner with just me for company?" she asked with pure mischief dancing in her eyes while her special crooked smile lightened her face.
Chakotay shook his head slowly as if to shake away an odd dream, but suddenly his eyes lit up as well and he gave her a huge dimpled smile in return. "You never cease to amaze me, Captain, here I am, trying to find a way to get you to relax at least a little bit and you agree to it just like that. I was prepared for much more work on my part."
"Oh, but there is one condition."
"I should have known... "
"I'll take you up on the offer to read B'Elanna's report, tomorrow morning. When you get it done till lunchtime you might find yourself somebody to accompany to this beautiful planet in the afternoon."
"I will be honored to do so, my Captain!"
Kathryn laughed. "Now go and enjoy your shore leave. You have truly earned it."
Voyager's first officer was almost out of the door, when he was called back: "Oh, Chakotay!"
He turned around. "Yes?"
"1900 hours, your quarters and don't be late!"
"1900 hours it is." He chuckled and strode on the bridge.
A few hours later Kathryn wished she would have gone with Chakotay or that she could go back in time and undo everything, never minding the headache she would surely get. Blankly she stared at the screen, knowing that the beautiful feline face of the president of the Faylee-people would haunt her until the end of her life as well as those of her ten crew members: Chakotay, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, Neelix, Naomi, Seven, Lieutenant Carter, Crewmen Jacobs and Miller. Who would get them home, if not Tom, Harry and B'Elanna? Could they face the unknown without the superior knowledge of Seven? How could she ever face Ensign Wildman again? What about Neelix and the others? And Chakotay? Tears threatened to spill, but they didn't, not yet, maybe never. The Captain was in charge now, had to be in order to stop the world from spinning. There had to be something she could do, to wake up from this nightmare.
Kathryn had been working on her reports well into beta-shift, but she seemed to get through them with ease. She even caught herself humming once or twice, and couldn't remember her earlier headache at all. The bridge crew had caught on her good mood and were much more relaxed than they had been this morning. Jokes and laughter were flying around the bridge and occasionally a remark from Tuvok, keeping the other officers alert nonetheless. She was aroused by Tuvok hailing her, calling her to the bridge. Smiling she made her way towards the door, what was that song again that now stuck in her head? Oh right, "When Irish eyes are smiling". She shook her head, that was definitely going too far, she really needed to talk to Chakotay, yet she couldn't help grinning as she stepped out of the door.
"The president called us, Captain", Tuvok told her quietly.
"Well, put her on screen, Lieutenant", she replied enthusiastically.
"Hello President! It is nice to see you..." Her smile died and her voice fainted when she beheld the seriousness in the face of her host. She felt an odd tingling sensation that covered her scalp. It took a few seconds for her to realize that it was fear that she was feeling. She threatened the moment the president would open her mouth to tell her, but the Captain knew that she had to hear it. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and looked up. "What can I do for you?"
The president seemed to need some time to compose herself as well. "I am so sorry Captain, I really tried to help, but there is nothing I can do, the laws bind my claws and teeth, I ..."
Kathryn held up her hand, stopping the other in mid sentence. Calmly, almost kindly she spoke: "Please, President, just tell me what has happened." Nothing in her voice displayed her emotions.
"Somebody killed two dozen of our cats, your officers were caught at the scene of crime. We had earlier reports, that your people petted the ancestors, which isn't a crime, just highly unusual as it is normally done only by the descendants, but killing them is outrageous. The usual penalty is death, since they are off worlders we can grant them mercy, they will stay in prison for the rest of their lives. I am sorry." The president hung her head.
Kathryn eyes flickered towards Tuvok, but he solemnly shook his head.
The silent communication between the captain and her officer didn't escape the Faylee's eye. "We have modulated the shields of the planet, Captain, you cannot beam them back to your ship. They will have to remain on the planet. The laws are strict. If I allowed one exception, the whole system would collapse, anarchy would be the result. We cannot allow this to happen," the president took a deep breath, "I wish to offer you my condolences, but would advice you to leave orbit as soon as possible."
Kathryn's head was spinning, but no plan did come to her mind, no nothing at all. But she couldn't accept this, couldn't abandon her people. "Is there nothing I can do?", she asked, her voice trembling with pain and hope.
The president looked at her with compassion in her pretty green eyes and shook her head. "There is something, but we can't ask that of any of you." She hesitated, but as she caught Captain Janeway's pleading look, she continued: "We do have an ancient tradition. If somebody chooses to lay down his life willingly for his friends, then his friends will go free." She looked up and saw something in Kathryn's eye, something she couldn't interpret. "Mind, I said willingly, otherwise his or her death will be for nothing, the ancestors will know..."
"I assure you, President, that I would never ask any of my crew to sacrifice themselves, never! I wouldn't even allow it if they suggested it on their own. I am their captain and responsible for them."
"Captain, I am sorry that I misjudged you and that I cannot help you. I wish you a save journey and...", her voice trailed off as sudden understanding hit her. She looked at the leader of this small group of voyagers in awe. During her time as president of the Faylee-people she had encountered many leaders, but only a few of them would make such a decision; she herself wasn't sure if she could be numbered among them. "and please don't do anything rash, I will contact you again in one hour", the president concluded and the screen went blank.
The beta-shift crew looked at each other in confusion, only Tuvok lifted both eyebrows as Captain Janeway rushed to her ready room. He turned the bridge over to Lieutenant Baker and joined his commanding officer.
Kathryn sat on the couch, looking out at the stars when Tuvok entered her sanctuary. She didn't even bother to turn around. Tuvok, on the other hand, hesitated only for a moment than sat down next to her. "I will miss you, my friend", he whispered. They sat in silence, until she finally turned around. Her eyes seemed darker than usual, glittering with unshed tears.
"Don't make me change my decision, it is final!", she replied quietly, trying to hold back her tears. "Almost all of the senior staff is imprisoned. The ship won't function without them."
"The ship can't function without its captain, either."
"Commander Chakotay is a very good substitute. I know Voyager will be in very good hands, you will take care of them, won't you?
"They will not understand. They will be devastated. They will grieve. Voyager will never be the same again. Commander Chakotay, he will have nobody to turn to, I am worried about him, Captain."
The tears now fell silently. "I am so sorry about all this, but I can't do anything else, I... Oh, please help them, Tuvok, you are my rock, will you be theirs as well?
"I will look out for your crew, Captain. It grieves me as well to let you go, but I knew what your decision would be, but I had to try, for the sake of the others and for my own. I will never forget you, Kathryn."
She hugged him briefly. "I can't ask for more. Live long and prosper my friend."
Tuvok could only nod.
Then came the call from the bridge: "The president is hailing us, Captain."
She walked out of the room. "On screen!"
The picture of the president filled the screen silently awaiting the answer.
Kathryn looked straight ahead, a small smile was playing around her lips, her eyes were sad but determined. "I will do it!"
The president nodded, her face solemn. "That is what I thought. Stand by for your transfer."
TBC...