Part One
AN: I have spoken with my father, who is ex-special forces, about the numbers of officers on a vessel with a crew of 140-150 people. I have a friend who works for the military at a naval base and has been a wonderful source of information. It seems to me the structure of Voyager's crew is completely inappropriate. Memory Alpha lists at least 3 other Lt. Commanders on Voyager at the time of the ships disappearance. If that were so, why did Chakotay become the first officer? And just how many Ensigns and Lieutenants can one vessel have? Then again, why would you make an Ensign, straight out of the academy part of the senior crew?
"Ensign Kim," Captain Kathryn Janeway threw the order over her shoulder as she took up her customary position in the middle of the tri-level bridge. Voyager prepared to contact the ship currently holding stationary before them on their main view screen, "Hail the Val Jean."
"Yes, Captain," the fluorescent green officer snapped to attention as his hands worked the station before him.
Six days previously, Starfleet had given Voyager orders to find this particular Maquis raider and apprehended the crew. Ten days before that, Admiral Patterson approached the newly commissioned Captain, informing Janeway that her Security Officer had failed to make all three assigned contacts. One month ago, Kathryn visited Vulcan, and Tuvok's family, to explain the dangerous mission he'd agreed to undertake on behalf of the Federation. It had only been six weeks in total since Voyager exited space dock and Kathryn Janeway took command of her first Starship. At this moment, it seemed as if a lifetime had occurred in between the first and last events.
Waiting for the image to appear, the Captain wondered who, or what her bridge crew would see. If Tuvok had managed to infiltrate the Maquis, his orders were to attach himself to former Lt. Commander Chakotay's cell. They had been devastating against the Cardassian's, due in no little part to that man teaching advanced tactical training at the academy before leaving to defend his home colony after his family were decimated in a Cardasian raid. It had been rumoured he preferred to recruit ex-Starfleet personnel and ran his ship as if still in the service.
"Image is on screen, Captain," Ensign Kim stated. Like the rest of the bridge crew, all eyes turned to the picture.
"Well if it isn't Kathryn Janeway," the visage of a young, self-confident man smirked when he suddenly appeared on the forward screen of Voyager. His representation took up the entirety of the display making it impossible for the Federation vessel view the Maquis ship's senior officers or any of their crew. It was a deliberate move on the communications officer's part to limit the transfer of information between vessels. "I see by the extra pip you've finally made captain, Captain."
"Mr. Thomas Paris," Janeway offered in a condescending tone. Kathryn's arms crossed over her chest, one eyebrow arched as she glared at the egoistical ex-Starfleet officer. It was impossible not to know his identity. Kathryn Janeway had spent years serving under his father and the younger version resembled Owen Paris incredibly well.
Bristling under Paris's unwavering scrutiny, Lt. Commander Cavit came to stand beside his superior officer. He directed his own scorn-filled glare at the image on Voyager's main screen. "I'm sure Admiral Paris will be delighted when he reads this report," the executive officer stated arrogantly. It earned him a scowl from his Captain.
"After my Court Marshall," Thomas Eugene Paris, once the golden child of Starfleet and on the way to being one of the youngest captains in history, scoffed in a patronising voice, "I doubt dear old dad will give your account the time of day, especially after mentioning my name. Try Admiral Patterson, I'm sure he'll have more interest in hearing just how far I've fallen from grace."
"Just how far is that, Mr. Paris?" Questioned Captain Janeway. When the blue eyed blond, in his late twenties allowed his orbs to sparkle and lips to curl at the edge in a delighted smile, Kathryn knew he played with her. "I see you received a promotion of sorts, captaining a Maquis vessel."
"Oh, no, Captain," Tom allowed his lips to curl into a sardonic grin, "I'm only the first officer. There is so much more potential for advancement out here, in the demilitarised zone. You know, the Cardassian's being what they are." He shrugged making light of the situation as only Tom Paris could.
"You're operating outside Starfleet's jurisdiction and in breach of the Cardassian-Federation Treaty," Janeway reminded poignantly.
"True," Tom agreed easily, "but so are you and your vessel, unless you have Cardassian permission to enter this region of space, not that they conform to the treaty. So, tell me, Captain, between friends, what brings you to these parts?"
"I was looking for your ship," Janeway stated easily, unfazed by her opponents posturing.
"My ship," a chuckle escaped the young man's control. Paris turned deadly serious in an instant, "or a particular individual who tried to infiltrate this crew?" Pausing to let that kernel of information sink in, Paris's eyes zeroed in on Voyager's Captain. "I suggest you lower your shields, speak with your transporter chief and accept a surprise package that will arrive in three seconds."
"Mr. Kim," Janeway indicate he did as Paris requested.
Harry understood and erected a level five containment field around the transporter pad.
"Captain," a voice issued from the internal com system, "Mr. Tuvok has been beamed aboard."
Worry flashed across Kathryn's visage, before demanding, "what is his condition?"
"I am well, Captain," Tuvok answered unemotionally. "I have been treated in accordance with Federation Policy while on Val Jean."
"Report to the bridge, Lt. Tuvok," she ordered.
With a wave of her hand, the Captain signalled Ensign Kim to cut all com traffic. She didn't want to give anything away to the Maquis. However, Tom Paris was a five year veteran of Starfleet, in the command stream. He understood, even expected her every move. Mr. Paris had a stellar career, promoted to second bridge officer on Exeter two years after graduating and was well on his way to further advancement. That was before Caldik Prime. Even at his Court Marshall, the pilot decried his innocents, maintaining he hadn't made a mistake that caused the deaths of three officers. Lt. Thomas Eugene Paris had been dishonourably discharged and all but forgotten, until today.
Looks like the Maquis could use someone of his considerable talent, Janeway thought as she watched the subtle emotions cross the younger man's face. If I hadn't served with his father, I wouldn't know what was going on in that mind of his. Tom's deliberately playing with me. The question is why? What am I supposed to learn from this confrontation? I know he's trying to communicate something but I'm missing it.
"Aye, Captain," Tuvok's response brought Janeway back to the moment.
"Ensign Kaplan," she smirked, understanding Voyager was the most technologically advanced vessel in the current fleet and could pack more of a punch than the crew of Val Jean would expect, "I want a tractor beam on that Maquis vessel. Have a security detail ready to beam the crew directly to the brig. Mr. Paris is to be separated from the rest of the Maquis."
"Oh, Captain," Tom shook his head regretfully, "that's not very nice, and it's going to force me to play a little rough. I hope your bright, new, shiny ship doesn't get damaged in the plasma storms of the Badlands."
Making a signal of his own, the transmission terminated, leaving a blank screen on Voyager. Ensign Kim hurried to get the live feed active. The entire bridge crew witnessed Val Jean go to full impulse power as she prepared to ram the larger ship.
"Shields at maximum," Kaplan informed the command team, her trepidation contained to her rapidly delivered words.
"Weapons are charged," Kim offered in a similar tone. "Forward and aft array ready to fire on your mark, Captain."
The bridge shook as the smaller ship skimmed the external shields like a stone on the surface of a pond, before transitioning to warp speed. Lt. Commander Cavit was thrown to the floor while Janeway managed to keep hold of the banister before her. Reports from tactical, engineering and operations came in with rapid fire. The tactic hadn't damaged the larger ship and there were, thankfully, no casualties. The move had been cool and calculated, displaying Mr. Paris's unique piloting skills.
"The Val Jean is entering the Badlands, Captain," Kim responded to the changing situation with lightning speed. "Coordinates have been transferred to helm."
"Lt. Sadi, lay in a course and follow that ion trail," Janeway ordered. Hearing the turbolift doors open and close, the Captain wanted to speak with her security officer in private. Something in this whole mess just didn't add up. "Warp six until we reach those plasma storms, then drop to impulse power. Mr. Cavit, you have the bridge. Mr. Tuvok, you're with me."
The moment the ready room door closed, Janeway eyed Tuvok. He hadn't taken the time to change out of civilian clothing. Approaching the replicator, the Captain ordered a Vulcan spiced tea and black coffee before indicating Tuvok join her in the more comfortable lounge area. Placing the drinks on the glass topped table, she waited for her security officer to begin his report. Somehow, Kathryn Janeway knew the debriefing would take time and pose more questions than provide answers.
"As you know," Tuvok commenced in a typically Vulcan tone, "I was recruited to infiltrate the Maquis six weeks ago. I travelled to the Deep Space Nine as ordered then took the most disreputable freighters to the demilitarised zone. It took a week to reach a non-Federation outpost and another to make the necessary contacts. One of Chakotay's crew made the initial overtures. I was recruited only after meeting with the Captain personally and passing his scrutiny. The captain seems to prefer Starfleet trained crew, which worked in my favour. When I came aboard Val Jean, I was introduced to the entire crew, or so I thought. It seems their chief pilot and first officer was conducting negotiations for ships supplies."
"Mr. Paris," Janeway commented with a sigh.
"Indeed," Tuvok stated, allowing his eyebrow to rise. "I find it unfortunate that Thomas Paris was at Starfleet academy in my last year of teaching at that institution."
"You taught him," Janeway asked, rolling her eyes. Obviously no one considered Tom Paris's future employment prospects, such as joining the Maquis before sending out her security officer. His background, as well as relationship to a currently serving Admiral made Mr. Paris very useful to such an organisation. If the Cardassian's caught him, well, that didn't bear thinking about.
"I did not," Tuvok managed to sound intrigued. "However I was well known to many students. Tom Paris informed Chakotay of my Starfleet affiliations, convincing him I would not resign my commission a second time and I was escorted to the brig, where I remained until transported to Voyager."
"Then all this has been for nothing?" Janeway sounded aggrieved. Unable to hold in her disappointment, she stood and paced the upper deck. "What are we still doing out here. Surely our mission has been accomplished?"
"I think not, Captain," Tuvok challenged. "Mr. Paris came to the brig every day to ensure I was being care for in accordance with Federation Law. We spoke briefly about conditions within the demilitarised zone on each occasion. Data relating to Cardassian movements, tactics and capabilities was imparted. Before I was beamed back to Voyager, Mr. Paris handed me an isoliner chip and request I get the information to Admiral Patterson."
The Captain took the item, scrutinising it closely. "What do you think it contains?" she asked, watching the man before her very carefully.
"I believe Mr. Paris is not what he appears to be," Tuvok announced. "Several times he requested I contact Admiral Patterson and personally inform him of the current situation, albeit in a roundabout way that could be misconstrued as a joke. Logically, all evidence indicates Thomas Paris is a Federation operative employed to gain knowledge of Cardassian movements within the demilitarised zone. He is actively aiding the Maquis, to what end, I do not know."
Nodding, Captain Janeway took in a long, deep breath. Before she could begin to process this information, which seemed to tally with the hints Mr. Paris had given her during their short conversation on the bridge, Mr. Kim indicated there was a confidential transmission from Starfleet Command. Turning the computer terminal to face into her ready room, Janeway stood beside Tuvok as the image of Admiral Patterson appeared on her secure channel.
"Captain, Lieutenant," he greeted easily. "I'll get down to business quickly. I believe Voyager has come in contact with the Maquis ship Val Jean?"
"Yes, Sir," the confused woman answered.
"What is your current position?" Patterson requested.
"We are approaching the Badlands in pursuit of the Maquis raider," Janeway explained, allowing her mystification to colour her expression.
"Good, I want that vessel and its entire crew apprehended," Patterson ordered.
"Sir," Janeway offered in a puzzled tone, "Lt. Tuvok has been returned and I am currently debriefing him. I believe our mission is complete."
"The crew of that vessel has several ex-Starfleet personnel on board," the Admiral stated, as if he'd said all he needed to.
Making up her mind, Janeway decided to approach the white elephant in the room. "Would his have anything to do with Tom Paris being on board that ship, Sir? He's acting as Val Jean's first officer and was the individual to answer our hail."
"Please play back the entire interview, Captain," Patterson kept a neutral expression. However, both Tuvok and Janeway glanced at each other. This interest in Paris seemed to confirm their suspicions. They continued to observe the Admirals reactions as the communications log was replayed, it was inscrutable. At the end, Patterson's deep brown eyes seemed to glow. "Has Lt. Tuvok made an official report?"
Nodding, the Captain said, "verbally."
"Lt. Tuvok, when you were returned to Voyager, a subspace tracking beacon was initiated. That particular signal indicated crucial data needed to be transmitted using the most confidential channel to Starfleet Intelligence," Patterson stated.
"Admiral," Tuvok responded, showing the isoliner chip, "I believe this is the object you require."
"Please send the data on an encrypted channel directly to my office," the Admiral ordered, "then destroy the original."
Before either officer could acknowledge the order, Patterson cut the connection.
"Curious," Tuvok stated. "With your permission, Captain, I will attend to this in my office."
"Very good, Lieutenant," Kathryn frowned. "Then I want you back in uniform and on the bridge at your station. I have a feeling this day is a long way from over."
AN: Let me know what you think and if it's worth continuing this story.