Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or Star Trek: Voyager, I merely toy with their characters on occasion by placing them in strange and unusual stories...like this one!^^
This story is a rather strange concoction of my weird mind; Rated for mild violence, adult themes and really unwanted Slash. [Seriously, this will make sense in later chapters]
However, the characters all maintain original relationships.
Chapter 1: Why the Captain was Cooing…
~)0(~
Janeway laid the steaming coffee cup down on the arm of her Command Chair, glaring at it on distaste and something approaching hatred…
Turning in agitation to her right, she craned her neck and asked Tuvok, "Commander, any sign of our rogue operatives?" she grinned as he raised an eyebrow in the classic, Vulcan equivalent of 'Are you kidding, what do you think I've been doing?'
Instead, he shook his head and answered in his signature monotone, "No, Captain. Sensors do not indicate their vessel has not left the designated system, nor have they attempted hailing us at any point. All frequencies are open and being monitored, in the event they are attempting to do so."
In a slightly more…to use an inappropriate word…human tone, he stated calmly, "I am certain they are fine, Captain. Both Ensign Kim and Lieutenant Paris have shown significant maturity in recent times that demonstrated their ability to carry out such a task. If they have been delayed by the delegates, as is most logically the case, there is no sense expending worry over their extended departure."
Janeway gaped for a moment, mind searching for an answer and coming up, an unsatisfying, blank. Chakotay leaned over his own chair and whispered, "He's got you there…I've known you to be so anxious, is it about the Maltarans? I know their ideas were a little…strange, but they did ask for our help and we did send the best available…"'
Kathryn closed her mouth and smiled, Tuvok nodded and returned his attention to the console before him as the doors to the Turbo-Lift splayed open with a mechanical hiss, revealing Neelix and what they all assumed to be one of his newest creations…considering the beam of pride he wore…and the pungent smell of burning…whatever-it-was, filing the Bridge.
"Mr Neelix, what have you been told about bringing food on the Bridge…?" she asked, standing to look at him full-on; he fidgeted and gave a mighty Talaxian pout, but brightened, "I know, Captain, but…just wait till you've tried my Tarkalien Casserole, made from fresh ingredients! It is a refined taste, but for those who do have the required palate, it is exquisite!"
Overtly praying to a God or Gods she didn't believe in for a miracle, Katheryn was surprised when they answered, slinging a giant cosmic helping hand in her direction…
~)0(~
"Captain, I am detecting the Delta Flyer incoming at Warp 1," intoned the Vulcan, fingers dancing over the numerous blinking lights of the Ops console keypads and datascreens. "They are hailing us…"
Near-jolting out of her chair, Janeway turned and pointed along with a stern, "On Screen!" before swinging back to face the viewscreen; Tuvok cut through her thoughts again, "Their vessel appears damaged, audio only."
He keyed in something else and looked up as a familiar static hiss and crackle echoed around the Bridge, grating the nerves of those on duty; Janeway called, "Tom, Harry…can you hear me? Please Respond."
There was a moment of silence, before a heavily distorted voice answered, "Ye-#ksssh#, Captain! We are currently #kshhhhtttttt!# from Voyag-#sssh#, Taken on damage. Life-support fai-#ooossssh!# Request Emergency Beam-out for f-#fsssssh!#-r…" came the panicked tones of Tom Paris' voice. Harry could be heard in the background of the transmission, and…was that a wail?
"I'm sorry, Tom. How many did you say?" she asked again for clarity, and Harry responded, "Four, ma'am, there's us and two in-#fssssh#! …-eed the Doctor…#ksssssssh…#" And the rest of the transmission was lost in crashing static.
Janeway frowned, "Either, their Transmitter Array was damage in whatever fire-fight they got themselves into, or they pissed off the wrong people and we'll be lucky to get them back in one piece…Tuvok, can you get a transporter lock on them?"
He nodded in the affirmative, scrutinising the screens before him, "Yes Captain, they are within acceptable beaming range." She nodded, "Good, do it. Have the Doctor meet us in Transporter Room 2; Chakotay, you're with me! Tuvok, you have the Con." And so saying, she strode out…
~)0(~
"…really don't see why people never tell me what's going on around here! And I- Captain! There you are, maybe you would be so kind as to informing me…what exactly is the nature of the Medical Emergency?" stated the Doctor, rounding a corner and heading straight for the Captain and Chakotay; Janeway felt him fall into step beside her. She remained silently impassive as they continued along the corridor, eyes forwards.
~)0(~
The familiar whining-hum of the transporter filled the still air, small specks of blue light shimmered in swirling spirals…but did not quickly reassemble their missing crewmen, as would usually be the case…
Instead, Ensign Kuran - an enterprising young man from Russia, with an advanced degree in Transport Technology from Starfleet Academy- stared at his console in shock… "C-Captain, I don't think…there seems to be some trouble distinguishing the bio-signs of each individual…I-I can't get a lock on…Wait! Transport in Progress…"
The humming-whine increased to a feverish pitch, and two shapes began to take form…"We have them, Captain!" sighed the relieved Ensign, all-but-sagging against the console; there were horror stories told at the Academy about all the potential things that could go wrong mid-Transport…and he never wanted to see any of them! Thankfully, today his wish was granted…
Two distinct forms solidified on the pads, each cradling something carefully in their arms; even shielding them from the hard metal of the platform as the pair half-turned and crumpled to the ground, unconscious…
~)0(~
Remaining as clinically calm as his programing allowed, The Doctor walked over to the prone figures and ran a tricorder over the closest one; pausing, and paying particular attention to the gurgling bundle in Mr Paris's arms. He made a little humming noise in the back of his throat, surprised, though not allowing his expression to show it.
Moving over to the yellow-and-black clad body of Mr Kim, looking rather splendid in his dress uniform, though a little pale…and ran the scanner over him, pausing again, to marvel at the readings he was receiving from the bundle.
He turned swiftly, "Captain, I recommend an Emergency Medical Beam out to the Sick Bay, as soon as physically possible for both men; although, I would prefer not to re-transport their travelling companions…it would be too much of a shock to their immune systems to do so again in such a short period of time.
So, for that matter, if you and the Commander wouldn't mind carrying the babies…?"
And, in a scintillating display of light, he and the two unconscious crewmembers disappeared; leaving two gurgling infants wrapped upon the transporter pad, and a very surprised looking Captain in his wake.
~)0(~
"Hello, you…" she cooed at the child, mildly uncomfortable but finding it was quite pleasurable to be holding the baby; it was young, probably only a days old, but still she reached out and grabbed the Captain's finger. "Chakotay…Chakotay, look at what she's doing!" she whispered in excitement.
The Commander looked up from the infant he held…and had been making funny faces at…to grin at her, "She's adorable, makes me wish I had one of my own…but the question remains, where did they come from? Who were there parents? And-"
"And why did two of our crewmen arrive back from a diplomatic mission with them, under heavy fire? Your answer is as good as mine…we'll just have to wait for them to wake up before we get any answers, until then…Who's a cutey?" she addressed the baby in her arms…
Crewmembers from all over the ship paused on their way to quarters and stations, that day; only to stare in surprised confusion as the Captain and Commander wandered by, each cooing at the infants in their arms…
TBC
Please Review, I would love to hear from you.
Next Chapter: Where did the Babies come from? What happened at the 'Peace Talks'?
Find out that and more!
================REVIEW===============================