Captain Janeway sighed as she slipped her tunic over her head. It had been quiet in the Alpha Quadrant; ever since Voyager arrived at the edge of the quadrant there had been no signs of anything or anyone. She didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but whatever it was she knew her crew was ready. Their warp drive was now 75 fixed, which meant they were that much closer to starting their long journey home. It would take 8 months to reach earth, 4 months to reach the nearest star base.
Earth; the one place she missed the most. The Indiana air on her face as she walked towards her boat, the lake awaiting her like a groom awaited his bride. Katheryn smiled peacefully as the image swam in her mind, but then shook it off and remembered where they were. Looking at her chronometer, she walked towards the door, hoping for something exciting.
"Morning Captain." Commander Chakotay said cordially as Katheryn stepped onto the Bridge and made her way towards him. Giving him one of her famous half smiles, she replied,
"Chakotay. Anything new to report?"
Quirking an eyebrow, he shook his head "Sorry Captain, all is quiet on the western front." Janeway shook her head and tried to not look at his dimples as he smiled and sat down. It was going to be one of those days she thought as she heard the status report and watched the stars snail by at impulse.
Three hours things changed. It all happened so fast; first the mysterious power shortages all over the ship, then the ominous voices which could be heard in lower decks. It was strange how in a few hours the crew went from calm and collected to scared and nervous. Janeway was trying to reassure them that everything was okay when the inventible happened. Ensign Harry Kin was standing at his opts consol running a diagnostic when he disappeared.
"Bridge to Captain Janeway." rang the calm and cool voice of Lieutenant Tuvok. Katheryn was just about to start lunch, tapped her commbadge and replied,
"Yes Tuvok."
"Sir, we have an emergency; Ensign Kim has disappeared."
The senior staff was seated around the meeting table in the main meeting room. The lights flickered ever so slightly as the mysterious shortages continued around them. The atmosphere was subdued as Captain Janeway strolled into the room, her face deadly serious as she looked around the room. Tom Paris looked calm, but she knew he was concerned; B'Elanna looked ready to kill the next person that spoke. Janeway knew she would rather be in engineering fixing the problems on the ship, but was glad she was there. Doc was waiting patiently; since no one was injured and all were healthy, he didn't have anything to do and was glad to be in the meeting. Seven looked impatient and bored as she sat straight and waited for the bombshell to drop. Janeway noted that only Chakotay looked serious and determined as her. Nodding her head, she began.
"Alright, what do we know?" Tuvok, who had been on the Bridge at the time, got up and moved to the wall panel, where he pushed a few buttons and an inside view of the Bridge came on. There were digital readings and diagnostics layout on the monitor, showing where everyone was at the time in question.
"As you can see captain, at 1135 hrs Ensign Kim was running a diagnostic on the warp system. 2.5 seconds later, he was gone. I interviewed all the crew who were on the Bridge at the time, and they alike me have no recollection of the event." He touched another button and an internal scan showed with life signs of the whole crew. At precisely 1135 hours, the screen flashed and there was one less life sign. Janeway furrowed hr brow in thought and began walking around the room. She stopped beside Tom and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently for reassurance she didn't feel. Looking back to Tuvok she asked,
"Were there any signs of intruders?"
"No. I have run long range scans of the quadrant and there is no one within 100 light years." At this, Seven spoke,
"We do not know a lot about this part of the Alpha Quadrant. It could be possible there is a new race which is highly advanced in which the Federation knows nothing about. They could have technology which enables then to shield and cloak their life signs and warp signature making it appear as if there is no one there."
Everyone stopped and thought about it. Janeway walked over to the view port, as if expecting to see something there, but none came. Could it be possible? They had been gone for 7 years after all…
"It is possible Captain; I suggest we go to Red Alert." Tuvok stated from the wall. Janeway look to Chakotay, who looked thoughtful.
"Penny for your thoughts Commander?" she asked him. Chakotay looked up startled.
"Well, anything is possible Captain. F there is a new race with that kind of technology, and then we have to be careful. But I think Red Alert is a bit much, we don't want them to know we're on to them."
"I agree. We'll go to yellow alert for now. I want a deck by deck sweep of the ship, Kim may still be onboard, but has lost his commbadge. As for the power shortages, I want a full diagnostic on the ship; there has to be a simple explanation. Is that all?"
The staff shook their heads, knowing how serious the situation was. After dismissing her staff, Janeway turned around and faced the stars, concern etched on her face. She had lost another member of the crew; after 7 year they had all become family. She felt like a mother to them, watching them grow and mature into adults. Closing her eyes she pictured all those who couldn't be there with them; Kes, growing into a beautiful woman, leaving the ship to find herself. Neelix, who had become an Ambassador to the Delta Quadrant and now, lived with his own people, finding love and happiness. Her heart grew heavy as she thought of those who have passed away, never to se their loved ones again. Sighing, she pressed her head against the cool glass.
"Katheryn?" a voice directly behind her said softly. Turning, she looked into the deep opal eyes of her first officer and smiled sadly.
"I know." She replied, answering his unsaid remark. She knew everything would work out, but when?
Harry Kim opened his eyes, only to close them again as the bright yellow light invaded his senses. He didn't know how long he had been unconscious, but from the way his body didn't hurt, he thought only a few hours. Allowing his other senses to become adjusted to his situation, he listened intently for any signs of where he was. It was silent, except for the chirping coming from his far left. Risking another glance, he opened his eyes, squinting into the brightness and called out,
"Who are you? Why did you take me?"
Silence. Sighing he was about to close his eyes when he felt two sharp pokes on his eyes lids, forcing them to stay open. The bonds on his wrists tightened and he felt himself rise into the air, the yellow light surrounding him completely. Knowing that shouting would be useless, Kin became quiet and waited for what was to come. However, nothing came and he knew he was in trouble. Not panicking, he waited.
Janeway was in her ready room, trying to concentrate on the reports in front of her. It was late at night now, almost 2300 hours, yet she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Just as she was about to grab a coffee from her replicator, the door chimed, announcing a visitor.
"Come." She said as she rose up and tried to look alert. Chakotay walked in, holding a PADD in his hand and a concerned look on his face. She frowned, knowing what was to come. Coming to a stop in front of her, he began,
"Captain, we found something odd in the last scan. It seems there was a power surge in the main deflector 5 seconds before Ensign Kim disappeared. After further scans, Seven was able to discern it was a transporter signature." His voice drifted off as she read the report, her brow furrowed in though.
"It seems Seven was right. What else do we know? Are they a race the Federation knows about?" Shaking his head, he replied softly,
"We're not sure Captain. If we were within distance of the nearest star base, we would be able to make a comparison. As it is, we have no way of knowing."
"We're as blind as a bat in daylight then." She said softly to herself as she looked at him. She could see the frustration building in Chakotays eyes. Placing a calming hand n his arm, she felt him relax as she looked into his eyes. Suddenly she smirked. Quirking an eyebrow, Chakotay asked,
"What's so funny?" Squeezing his arm gently, she said with a bit of flirtatiousness.
"Normally you're the one calming me down; instead I'm calming you down." Chakotay chuckled and leaned against her desk, watching as she walked over to the replicator and got a coffee. Turning back, she was taken by him. There had always been this attraction between them, however they were forbidden to have a relationship, but deep inside she didn't care anymore. She knew she was ready to take it to the next step; it was obvious by the way she shamelessly flirted with him in public. She pictured herself walking up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, feeling his hands slide over her hips. She smiled as she imagined her lifting her face towards his, their breath mingling together as their hearts began to race in the unbidden passion. A blush went to her cheeks as she imagined their lips brushing against each other, the bridge finally crossed. Shaking her head, she condoned herself for thinking those thoughts and felt another deeper blush come to her cheeks as he watched her.
"What?" she asked as she sat down on her couch overlooking the stars. He just shook his had, knowing what she had been thinking and sat down beside her, their bodies mere inches apart. Without thinking, she took his hand in hers, not really caring. They were off duty after all.
"Nothing. I was just thinking of the last time I saw you smile like that." He replied gently, watching her closely. Chuckling, Katheryn replied,
"I think it was 2 years ago, during Neelix's New Years Eve party." The memories came flooding back to her. That was an interesting night, and one she'd never forget. She heard him chuckle beside her and smirked. Then she became serious again, squeezing his hand gently and moved closer.
"Are we ever going to get home without loosing more of our family?"
Chakotay moved his arm and put it around her shoulder, giving her personal reassurance as he spoke.
"I can't say what will happen Katheryn, but I do know that you have people on this ship that will do anything for you. They want to get home and will do anything it takes. They know the risks. And hey don't blame you for anything.
"I know, but sometimes it feels as if I failed them. I promised to take them all home. I left too many of them in the Delta Quadrant. Their spirits are stuck on that black space, and their families' won't rest until their home."
"Katheryn, no matter how you look at it, that crew are with us now, guiding us and helping us. Their family understood the risk, and knew what would possibly happen." He felt her relax and knew she was still upset. He knew she was a powerfully strong woman on the outside, but on the inside, she was a weak, sensitive woman who needed love and support. Getting into a more comfortable position he looked at Katheryn and saw she had fallen asleep as he was talking. Feeling a bit tired himself he hugged Katheryn closer to himself, smirking as she cuddled up to him, her hand now on his chest. Closing his eyes, he too soon fell asleep.
On the Bridge all was quiet; it was now the last shift of the night, the late shift, where Ensign Kim would have been in the Captains chair. Now however, it was Lieutenant Paris who sat there trying not to think about his 1 month old daughter who was sleeping soundly in their quarters. Miral was born when they arrived in the Alpha quadrant. Technically, she was born in the transwarp hub halfway between the Alpha and Delta quadrant, but Doc felt it was appropriate to place her birthplace as the Alpha Quadrant and Tom was thankful. He loved the way she cooed as she looked at him as he held her close, the way she slept like an angel. He wanted to give her the word; or at least a small part of it.
"Sir, I'm detecting a minor disturbance in the Captain Ready Room." An Ensign said from the Tactical station. Tom rose from his chair and tapped his commbadge, praying his worst fear wasn't coming at last.
"Paris to Janeway." He stated, fear trying to escape his lips.
Nothing.
Trying Chakotay and getting the same response, Tom went into action. Having the Ensign call the senior staff and going to Red Alert, Tom went to the Ready Room and signaled entrance. After receiving no reply, he tapped the command code for entrance and waited for Tuvok to come. Once Tuvok was ready and gave the signal, Tom stepped forward only to find the room empty.
The Captain and Commander were gone.
