Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Star Trek content - This is written not for profit and just for fun.
1.
Kathryn sat at her desk sipping at her coffee, she was feeling quite buoyant today thanks to a tit bit of gossip from her aide. Kathryn had found out that Alyanna Nechayev was retiring. This was good news, no it was excellent news as far as Kathryn was concerned. Kathryn blamed her for Seven ending their relationship. It had taken every ounce of Kathryn's will power not to simply give up after Seven left, Seven had not even stayed to complete the briefing process.
Kathryn had pinned her hopes on Seven returning after the briefing had been completed for the official homecoming party. When she did not show up Kathryn finally crumbled. In the end it was the thought of how much Nechayev hated her promotion that drove her forward, enjoying the look of shock when she strode into Star Fleet command after her leave.
Kathryn was rudely broken from her thoughts by a klaxon sounding followed by a broadcast "High Alert, all non essential staff to leave the building. Senior staff report to the emergency briefing room immediately."
Kathryn put her coffee down and headed out the door. Outside her aide looked to her puzzled, "Admiral?"
Kathryn smiled to him, "Well this is not something that happens every day Lieutenant. Come on, you're with me." Kathryn strode purposefully towards the briefing room, this was out of the ordinary and she could not help but enjoy the buzz of adrenalin. Kathryn had a lot of responsibility as Vice Admiral but she missed the excitement of being hands on.
Kathryn tapped in her security clearance code to the briefing room, "After you." The Lieutenant stepped inside, both he and Kathryn took seats at the briefing table. The room quickly filled and hush fell amongst the occupants.
Nechayev stood from her seat at the end of the table, "Afternoon everyone, it would appear retirement will have to wait."
"Shame." Lieutenant James muttered causing Kathryn to tap her aide with her foot. Whilst she totally agreed, she did not want Nechayev to have the satisfaction of dressing down the man in front of the brass. In many ways Liam James reminded her of Tom Paris, a very likeable man but sometimes pushed the boundaries a little too far.
Nechayev continued, "I am sorry to have had to lock down the building to all but essential staff, but I am sure you will agree that what I have to say needs to stay strictly within these walls. At 16:15hrs the MIDAS array intercepted this transmission." Nechayev hit a few buttons on the desk in front of her and the large display came into life behind her. The image was frosty with interference but Kathryn instantly recognised as General Korok. Nechayev hit another button and the General's message began to play.
"This is General Korok of the Free Borg. Star Fleet, we have information that The Borg are planning to attack. They intend to infect Earth with a virus which will assimilate anyone who comes into contact with it. I am sending you the details of the virus we obtained from a Borg cube we liberated. The Borg intend to use an array like that which belonged to the entity known as the Caretaker to launch the attack. They are gathering an invasion force at the array and intend to attack when they are at full strength. All the details we have on the invasion force, and the likely coordinates of their arrival in the Alpha Quadrant are in the data stream. Good luck, Korok out."
The image froze and Nechayev turned to address the room again, "We are calling this Operation Hannibal. We will be briefing all Star Fleet Captains, but otherwise what is said in this room is only to be repeated on a need to know basis."
Nechayev paused to sip from a glass of water, "We have obtained the data link, it is encrypted but I have been assured that we can retrieve the data by tomorrow. Admiral Henry and Admiral Taylor, you will liaise with Admiral Paris, once his staff have the data stream decrypted you will begin to formulate our tactical response."
"Yes Sir." Both Admirals replied in unison.
"Admiral Janeway, I want you to use your scientific knowledge to work on a vaccination or some other way of countering the effects of the virus. I have contacted Dr Crusher, who is thankfully earth-side, and has agreed to work with you."
"Yes Sir" Kathryn answered.
"Good." Nechayev nodded, "Everyone this is our number one priority, whatever is required, be it people, or resources it is now a standing order that Operation Hannibal can requesition whatever it needs. Are there any questions?" There was a silence in the room, "I will take silence as a 'no'. Dismissed."
Back in her office Kathryn turned to her aide, "Okay Liam we've got some people to contact. Here." Kathryn passed him a PADD, "I want The Doctor, Cadet Icheb, and Comander Tuvok here ASAP."
"Yes Ma'am." Liam typed the names in his PADD.
Kathryn sighed, she was stood with her back turned away from Liam, one hand on her hip and the other pinching the bridge of her nose. Kathryn knew she had no choice, this was life and death. She turned back to face Liam and willed the words from her mouth, "I also want you to contact Dr Hansen."
"Seven of Nine Admiral?" Liam tried and failed to keep the surprise from his voice. It was common knowledge that Seven had not had anything to do with Admiral Janeway since the Voyager debriefings two years ago. There was various speculation as to why Seven walked out during the debriefing process, but it was not a topic he had ever discussed with the Admiral.
"Yes Lieutenant, I want you to contact her on a secure comm link and I want you to ask her for her help. I believe she is at the Daystrom Institute of Technology on Mars."
"Yes Admiral, is that all for now?"
"Yes until tomorrow, the real work can start when we have that data stream." Kathryn walked over and sat behind her desk, "You're dismissed Lieutenant, I'll see you 08:00hrs tomorrow morning." Liam nodded and smartly left Kathryn's office.
Kathryn slumped down in her seat, she knew Seven would accept her request for help, what concerned her was how she was going to cope having to work in close proximity with her again.
"Janeway to Communications."
"Communications here Sir."
"Get me a secure link to Dr Beverly Crusher and have it patched to my office."
"Yes Ma'am, stand by."
Kathryn walked over to the replicator in her office and got a coffee while she waited for the response. Sitting back at her desk she moved the screen on her desk into position.
"Link established Sir."
"Thank you, Janeway out." Janeway tapped the screen and Beverly Crusher came into view.
"Admiral Janeway," Beverly smiled in greeting.
"Hello Doctor, it looks like we're going to be working together." Kathryn returned the smile and took a sip of her coffee.
"Yes, I'll be at Star Fleet Medical tomorrow, any plan of action yet."
"Not yet, I've asked my aide to call together a few people in preparation, but until we have that data there's not much I can do."
"Understood, I have a few people in mind for our team also, when we know more tomorrow I can make some calls."
"See you tomorrow then" Kathryn smiled again, "Janeway out."
