Disclaimer:I do not own STVOY; I just play with the characters now and again and enjoy doing so.
The Letters
The letters started to arrive not long after we'd been contacted by Starfleet's Pathfinder project. I am not to sure as to whom they are from, but I look forward to their arrival each month via the data stream. There are things that tell me I should know this 'Little Person' and why she keeps me guessing as to her identity.
To: Chakotay,
Hello Brother, this will be the only communications I will possibly send to you. A mutual friend will keep in touch, now that Starfleet has established regular contact with Voyager; Sekaya.
PS. Hello Poocuh, from A, one of the 'little people'. I will write soon.
Dear A 'little person',
What to write? I did write a letter to my cousin in Ohio when we thought we might have regular contact via an alien communications network, but it was not to be; such is our lot out here in the Dangerous Quarter. That is what some on Voyager have nicknamed this quadrant that we travel through. This is not a glorious adventure of discoveries and delights; it's more a struggle to survive, not knowing who'll be shooting at us next or trying to steal our meagre resources, technologies etc. Looking for our next stop for supplies of food and power and if they'll be friend or foe. We have made some friends though, amidst the enemies. Two of those friends decided to join us in our journey, Neelix a Talaxian and Kes an Ocampan. The latter recently left us for parts unknown to explore her new self. We 'rescued' – if you listen to the Captain – or wrenched from the female's point of view a Borg Drone, human female, Seven of Nine aka Annika Hansen. Pretty blonde – not my type, really; but we shall see.
There have been times when I remember 'Home' and wonder if I'll live to see it again. Hope – she instilled that in us all right from the very beginning of our journey, it is what drives us on to achieve the seemingly impossible to reach the Alpha Quadrant. I try to ease her burdens as much as I can, but there are times when she doesn't make it easy for me or her logical friend. I'll leave you to work that one out! I look forward to reading your letter. Regards C.
Hello, C.
I have yet to read your first letter to me, so this will be just a fill-in for the moment. I am currently at Starfleet Medical as this war with the Dominion means every one with medical knowledge is required to try and stem the tide of the loss of life. How that hurts me – the unnecessary loss of life. Wolf 359 was bad enough. I won't throw my woes on you, I'm sure you have enough to cope with right now.
It is good to know that you are alive and making for home. Where is that I ask myself? Home! Do you have an answer? Maybe you could ponder that for us both, since it sounds like you have time to sit and think about these things and their meaning. How is your Morale Officer? I understand from Barclay that he is quite a character. Things have certainly changed since the last time we met and perhaps not for the better, I fear. From A.
Hello A,
Time on my hands! I wish. Receiving letters from 'home' is good news for some and not for others, thus I am rather busy at the moment, helping the crew to come to terms with what is happening back home. There is nothing we can do to assist in anyway, except to hope for the best I suppose. Sounds like things are pretty grim within Federation space. The demise of the Maquis was a bitter blow to all of us here. I did not like the news I had to convey about our former comrade in arms; and yet one thing has been brought home to me now more than ever. Voyager is not made up of two crews, Maquis and Starfleet, but one family. Former enemies are comforting one another, trying to help them see that our not being there wouldn't have made any difference, except to add to the dead statistics, no matter how much it grieves us that we're stuck out here. Those who have families in the war zone or on Starships are feeling it too and in much the same way, thus we're all comforting each other and for very much the same reasons. Morale Officer? Party time person might be a better description. Neelix is fine and sends you his greetings since I mentioned you'd asked about him. He is curious about you too. Give my sister my greetings. C.
Hi C,
Little person? I'll give you little person!
Voyager's officially released logs do not tell the whole story of your journey, but they are giving me some idea of what it must be like. Tell me about you, Poocuh, please. What you are doing, how do you feel about things in your life? I ask because I'm worried about this unofficial counsellor you have become, rather than your position as XO. Sekaya is concerned also; not that I have spoken with her directly or recently as your people are trying to re-establish a new home for themselves. Some here at Starfleet Command are not happy with the situation on Voyager. There have even been some unpleasant noises – grumblings of discontent from certain other quarters that worry those at Pathfinder. I am concerned for you, Poocuh. Take care. A.
Earth – Starfleet Medical:
The woman re-read the letter she'd received from the man she called a friend. She also called to mind what had led her to this point; having security sealed her message in reply and sent it to Lt. Barclay at Pathfinder.
"Ensign Dark-k-k-ka," called a stammering male voice. The woman in medic teal stopped to let the male catch up with her. He grinned awkwardly at her. "Ensign you and I are to report to Admiral Paris, er now...p..p..please," he stuttered.
"Ok, Barclay. I don't bite, Reg," she softly teased him, as they walked together across the Starfleet HQ grounds to the main Admiralty Office block. He just blushed at her.
Once they'd been shown into the Admiral's office, Barclay was dismissed and then Paris got down to business straight away, his expression earnest and intent.
"I'm sure you are aware of events surrounding Voyager and the Maquis, Ensign," he said, noting her nod of acknowledgement. "These are your orders, Ensign," handing her a small paper note rather than a PADD. "You are to discuss this with no-one. These PADD's contain all the relevant details and data about Voyager, you are to read them and act as you see fit. Understood?"
"Yes, Admiral. One question, Sir," she responded, having read the paper note.
"One? Ensign," he queried. "I would have expected more from you," he softly bantered with a warm smile.
"For now, Sir," she countered. "Am I in this officially?"
"No, Ensign. You'll be directly answerable to me over this affair otherwise your duties at Starfleet Medical stand. I'll make sure you have full legal counselling jurisdiction in this matter."
"I fear I may need it," she muttered quietly. "And Admiral I'll warn you now I will use that legal standing to the full," she told him earnestly.
"I'm counting on it, Ensign."
"You're that worried," she said softly. Paris only nodded to her sadly and then dismissed her.
She left his office and returned to her assigned quarters at Starfleet Medical and set about composing her first letter, not to Voyager, but the man's sister.
Hello A,
Sorry I did not write to you with the last month's data stream, but as I'm sure you're aware we all sacrificed space on the data stream to allow the EMH/Doctor to try and give his creator and mentor some medical help. I believe it went well.
I really look forward to your letters, your warmth and concern comes through your words and even what you don't say. That is if I'm remembering the right Little Person. You asked about me, what to tell you? Who am I? Where am I going? What am I doing? How am I feeling? I know my name and position aboard Voyager and we're currently making our way towards Federation space, the Alpha Quadrant. Apart from that I do not know. 'Home' you asked me to define it; I'm not sure that I can. I suppose people are what define a place as home or a feeling or some special attachment. But right at this moment Voyager is home, this is where my family lives, works and plays. It is where the people I care about reside. Most of the time we are fighting to survive out here in this far flung corner of deep unforgiving space, where around every corner enemies lurk; but the wolf is the same whatever it's clothing or disguise or the habitat it hunts in. Voyager keeps us safe from the trickster and I want to make sure she continues to do so for all of us.
People are and have been pairing off, including two of our senior staff. I didn't approve at first, but he has proved himself and she is happy with him and as far as I'm concerned that is all that matters to me. I hope this is enough of me? Look forward to your next communiqué, from C.
To C,
Your letter revealed more than you might have thought, when you wrote it, but I'm glad it did. Sounds like you have been doing some deep thinking of your own, especially about yourself and where home is for you. It is good that you have found your place and that you are reasonably happy. You spoke of couples or pairing up; and you? Do you have a special person? Or would that complicate matters. I seem to remember that you have a big heart, meaning that you are capable of caring for more than one special person. You need not tell me if you don't want too.
Things here are gearing up for a big showdown with the Dominion, but at least our Federation allies are sticking with us – for now. Politics was never my scene, nor is it yours really. Alright the DMZ, Dorvan V, the Cardassians and Starfleet abandoning your people is a different and a very personal matter to you; and I do not want to argue with you on that subject. Write soon; regards A.
To A,
Special person? I thought there was once, but she proved to be a false lover. A slippery character if ever there was one. Now? I'm not sure. Again I did think so, I expressed my feelings for her once, but she has never recipucated; if anything she has drawn away not just from me, but her long standing friend also. You called me a counsellor; I did seriously think of taking that track whilst at the Academy, but I think too many of my female clients would have used more than my shoulder to cry on. If you've read my physiological profile, you'll know what I mean. Tactical was more my forte and it has stood me and Voyager in good stead out here in the DQ.
How is Sekaya? I think of her often and hope that all is well with our people. You said that they are attempting to re-settle. Where? How are they managing? Are they getting any assistance? There are so many questions I'd like to ask, but there isn't the space to ask them all. And you 'Little Person' what of you? Regards C.
Earth Pathfinder:
"Barclay I need Stardate 54090.4 logs; it is important."
"I'm so..rr...rr...ry En...en...ensign. You do...not have right se...cc..curity clear...rance," he stammered apologetically.
"Reg. Please," she implored him.
"Something wrong, Lieutenant?" asked Pathfinder's commanding Officer – Cmdr. Peter Harkins. "Ensign?" he queried the female in teal.
"I require the Voyager Logs of Stardate 54090.4, Sir." Watching as the man called up the required date on screen.
"Sorry Ensign, those logs have been classified," he told her.
"Why, Sir?"
"I'm not at liberty to say, Ensign as you don't..."
"...have the right security clearance," she finished for him, sounding exasperated. "Please, Sir it is very important that I have access to them. As to why I am not at liberty to say, Sir. Except ask Admiral Paris," she informed him tightly.
"Lieutenant," his tone of voice giving Barclay all the information he required, that he downloaded the logs to a PADD. "I never saw you here," he said giving her the PADD.
"Yes, Sir," she acknowledged, taking the PADD and left the area quickly.
