Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and its characters is owned by Paramount / CBS. I'm surely making no money with this.
A/N 1: Written as a birthday present for my dear friend Sira *megahuggles*
A/N 2: A big thank you to elem and Cori for doing the beta for this (you're the best!!) and to Dana who volunteered for some brainstorming when I was stuck.
A/N 3: If anyone is interested: There's also an NC – 17 version of this story available. It can be found on my homepage via my profile.
Business As Usual
Chapter One
Tom Paris really knew how to push the buttons of his commanding officers. There was no other explanation for how he could neglect his duties like that. Starfleet protocol normally dictated that even when a Starship was orbiting a planet on autopilot, the officer on duty had to be completely focused on his station in case of a possible, sudden emergency. On the other hand, what was normal about the fact that a once Starfleet drop–out, ex-Maquis, now rehabilitated Starfleet officer was piloting the most technically advanced, fastest and, in his eyes, most beautiful ship the Alpha Quadrant had to offer, 30.000 lightyears from home? For these things alone, Tom thought, Starfleet would surely turn a blind eye to the fact that his back was turned to his console and he was facing the bridge crew, busily entertaining them with highlights of his newest holo-adventure.
"…and just as the bomb showed a countdown of only five seconds left before detonation, I was finally able to deactivate it with the tool I'd built only minutes before with only a hairpin, glue and a wire I'd accidentally found!" He exclaimed, gesturing with his hands as if to demonstrate the actual impossible act.
"Well, you sure seem to enjoy your new creation, Tom. What is the character you're playing called again?" Commander Chakotay asked, chuckling.
"He's called Mac…," before Tom could finish his sentence though, a loud beeping erupted from Ensign Kim's console. At once, Tom Paris was professional again and turned to his station, fully alert.
"Report, Mr. Kim!" Commander Chakotay ordered, sitting up straighter.
"Sensors show that a detonation just occurred in the capital city," Harry reported in a calm voice that belied his concern, as his fingers flew over his console.
"Where exactly?" Chakotay was on his feet at once, moving up to the Ops console to look over Harry's shoulder.
"It's the Ambassador's Residence," and even though everyone already knew, it he added, "where the Captain is."
"Are you able to contact her?"
"Negative Sir," Harry Kim shook his head.
The Bridge crew, well trained as they were, reacted at once.
Tom deactivated the autopilot and intently scanned his screen trying to be ready in case of an attack on Voyager.
Harry Kim, meanwhile, tried to contact the Alavian government to offer their official help, while Commander Chakotay was almost halfway across the Bridge to the Turbolift.
"Commander Tuvok," he ordered. "Assemble an Away Team to meet me in Transporter Room one, we're going down. You have the Bridge!" Chakotay ordered while Tuvok's fingers danced across his console.
Just as the Turbolift doors closed in front of him he heard the Vulcan contact Sickbay and reported in that cool stoically voice, to prepare for incoming wounded…