Here's the next chapter- enjoy! Questions, comments, suggestions- feel free to leave a review!
Universal Dialect Ch 3
Kathryn Janeway trudged through the desert. She had managed to find a dirt path of some type going in the direction of the structures. It was official.... it was hot out by now, and sweat was beginning to drip down the inside of her replicated clothes. She stopped and pulled off the top layer of fabric, leaving only a small, black form-fitting tank-top. At least in black the sweat didn't show too much, she mused.
As she approached the structures, she stopped and inhaled sharply. Her memories of history class were coming back now. These were early radio telescopes, the kind that had done the first real deep space observations. The shuttle may have landed them in one of the few places that could help to yield some answers as to how they got here, and hopefully how they could get back again.
As Janeway came closer, she noticed a small one-story building situated near the nexus of the rows of telescopes. Having no better plans, she headed towards it, mentally preparing herself to try not to seem so out of place in case she met anyone.
Janeway knocked on what appeared to be the only door of the building apprehensively, not sure if she wanted anyone to answer, or what she would say if they did.
Ellie glanced quickly out of the small window in the door of the lab and was surprised to see a striking auburn-haired woman standing there. She opened the door, "Hi... can I help you?" It took her a few minutes to get over the shock of meeting a stranger at the lab this early in the morning. Especially meeting such an attractive stranger ..... at *her* lab.... this early in the morning....
Janeway snapped into her best diplomatic mode, "I hope so, my name is Kathryn Janeway," she figured it wouldn't do any harm to use her real name after all, she didn't exist yet, "I'm a scientist doing work in...she organized her thoughts.. San Fransisco.. I was traveling out this way hoping to learn more about this facility, and my ...she paused trying to come up with the appropriate words.... *vehicle* broke down on the way. Gods she hoped that sounded credible for the time period, she felt she had heard that line in an old holonovel.
Janeway shrugged and looked up at the young blonde, "and I didn't know quite what to do, so I found my way here."
Ellie was still a bit confused, but the other woman seemed harmless. It might be nice to have a little company, even for a little while. "Sorry about your car, come in." Ellie extended her hand, "Elanore Arroway. Sorry I'm the only one using the Array today, so there's not much going on to observe."
Janeway took her hand...she had a firm grip. Years of Starfleet had taught Janeway you could tell a lot about a person from their handshake. "Pleased to meet you Elanore, and thank you for letting me in, it was getting hot out there."
"Call me Ellie. What type of work are you doing in San Fransisco?"
Arroway.... the slivers of memory coalesced in Janeway's mind..... this must be THE Elanore Arroway. She had been the guinea pig, for lack of a better term, in the Machine that allegedly made the first "first contact," but history had yet to truly corroborate her story. The scientific community was still not united on the issue. Some said it was a government cover-up, and if the aliens Arroway claims to have met had existed, contact would have been made again. Still others felt the story couldn't yet be proven or dis proven, and that too much evidence was likley lost since the 21st century. Here she was, face to face with one of mankind's greatest mysteries.... and she had no idea what to say.
Janeway didn't say much at all, her mind raced to give Ellie an answer. She settled on something that seemed plausible for the era, and might keep Ellie interested. "Ive... been doing some work on high frequency gamma rays, looking for irregularities in close stars. I'm looking for evidence of planets."
Ellie's head turned to Janeway, her eyes bright, "I'd be very interested to hear your findings, I don't usually do direct observations, just scan for changes in frequency."
Mission accomplished thought Janeway, the longer she could keep Ellie interested, the more she was likely to be able to learn about the potential uses of this technology.
ooooooooooooooooo
A full six hours later the women were still engrossed in conversation. It had began as a tentative discussion between scientists about methods and findings, and had evolved over the hours, and Janeway was surprised to find how captivating this young scientist was. She was clearly one of the great minds of her era, despite how history had treated her.
During the course of their day together, Janeway had pried a bit, trying to get Ellie's side of the historical story. She described the network of wormholes or something similar thorough which she had been transported, and the destinations that she had been shown. Her story immediately led her to think of the Borg trans-warp conduits, but the description wasn't quite right. Perhaps the technology operated on some of the same principles. If she got back, Seven would be interested to hear what she was learning.
Ellie was very easy to talk to, her knowledge was considerable given the science of the time. However, what struck Janeway most was her almost childlike enthusiasm for discovery of the unknown. It was refreshing to see someone so passionate about their research and it made Janeway remember how she once felt when learning new things or exploring new places. The burden of command had begun to erode that part of her. Every opportunity to explore now came with the possibility of danger, and she had to think of the needs of her crew. Janeway took unexpected joy in hearing Ellie describe her work, not to mention she was remarkably beautiful, especially when she let a rare smile cross her usually serious and thoughtful face.
She did so at that moment, glancing at one of the computer monitors, "Wow, quarter -to- five! No wonder I'm getting hungry, we've been talking for hours."
Janeway shook back to reality, it had been nice to just talk to someone without the constant interruption of her command duties. Besides, from Ellie's accounts of the experiences she had, Janeway was starting to get an idea as to how they may have ended up back in the Alpha quadrant. "You're right! Sorry, I seem to have taken up your day."
"Don't worry about it, really. I enjoyed our talk, but do you need to get back to... get back to... where are you staying again?"
Janeway had to think fast. "Well, I was planning on driving back tonight, but now I'll have to stay around here. Any suggestions?"
Ellie smiled, "There's really only one option, there's a motel about 40 minutes down the road, I can give you a lift if you'd like." For some reason, Ellie wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet. She had that rising feeling in her stomach that only meant she was getting interested in this woman, and not just for her views on binary star systems. Leave it alone Ellie, you'll just get in trouble or hurt, she thought to herself. But she didn't want to leave it alone, and once she wanted in something, it was hard to change her mind.
"Sounds like my night's been planned for me," Janeway replied, smiling warmly. Janeway hoped Paris had the transporters back online by now, or she'd really be spending the night at the motel.
"Great, let me wrap things up here. You hungry?" Ellie stood and began to shove some folders into her bag.
Janeway paused, realizing she hadn't had anything to eat since they had landed. "I could use some dinner, is there a restroom I could use before we leave?" Janeway needed to get away to check on Tom and Waters and inform them of the events of her day.
oooooooooooooooooooooooo
The blue convertible pulled up in front of Ellie's house. "Come in, I need to get changed. I'll look to see what I might have in the way of food." Ellie hopped out of the car, nodding at the door. Janeway followed her in, she had put back on her long sleeved shirt to protect against the growing evening chill.
Once inside, Ellie motioned for Janeway to have a seat at the small kitchen table, while Ellie rummaged through the fridge. She let out a long breath upon surveying the contents, a box containing week-old pizza, one can of tomato juice, half a stick of butter, and a six-pack of beer with only four bottles left. "We're going to have to go out." Ellie called over her sholder, shutting the fridge. She blushed slightly as she realized her wording.
"You don't have to do that, I can get something at the motel." Janeway replied, feeling she was causing too much trouble for the young scientist
"No, really come with me. I'm going to have to go anyway or it looks like I'll be going without tonight. I'll take you to my usual spot. Like margaritas?" Ellie's eyes flashed brightly at the brunette.
Ellie turned and headed to her beadroom to change, "make yourself at home," She told Janeway as she walked away down the hall.
Minutes later she emerged wearing dark jeans and a lightweight fitted v-neck sweater the color of her blue eyes, though not so vibrant. She had taken down her thick hair and tied it partly back in a loose half-ponytail, letting the bulk of it cascade down her back.
Janeway was surprised at how small and feminine Ellie appeared, and yet radiated confidence and strength.
"All set?"
Janeway nodded, forcing herself to stop staring at the young blonde. "All set," she replied.
