Chapter 5 Voyager Comes Home
Janeway stood on the bridge of her ship. "Report." She said
"We are right where we should be." Replied Tom Paris
"Mr. Tuvok…fire."
A single torpedo flew out of Voyager and hit the Sphere.
The Sphere had already come through the aperture in the vicinity of Earth. A Starfleet Armada was already on station and firing at the Sphere. When it began to explode from the inside, the ships stopped firing. Out of the fireball that was a Borg Sphere, flew the U.S.S. Voyager, lost in the Delta Quadrant for seven years finally returns home.
The Hazard team stood in a functionaries' office. "A satisfactory outcome…Starfleet is reasonably pleased." He said
"Reasonably?" asked Telsia
"Here are your new assignments, Telsia you will command the security force on the U.S.S. Dallas, Chell-" he started
"You're breaking up the Hazard team?" she asked
"Precisely. Chell, you are assigned to the research outpost in the Guernica system."
"Not even a starship?" Chell asked
"Precisely. Munro, I've assigned you to teach small group tactics here at Starfleet academy." Continued Stemmons
"You also assigned Tuvok to teach math?" asked Chang
"Munro is nurse-maiding Cadets?" added Telsia
"Precisely, that is his best use." Replied Stemmons
"Saving lives in no longer useful?" asked Chell
"Read Janeway's report. She said the Hazard team is a vital asset." Telsia pointed out.
"Precisely, vital to the Delta Quadrant. Your so-called Hazard team relied on non-regulation tactics." Replied Stemmons
"And no so-called Starbases for backup."
"Precisely, here in the Alpha Quadrant, traditional away teams are sufficient."
"The Hazard team takes missions that are too hot for traditional away teams!" said Chell
"There is no Hazard team!"
"Oh yes there is…and it outnumbers you." Said Chang.
"Everyone calm down. Stemmons, what Captain Janeway prized, was our ability to improvise flexible tactics for any situation." Said Munro
"Precisely, such extemporaneous tactics are no longer appropriate. You should be grateful we have a place for you at all. Why aren't you grateful for a chance to relax after seven long years of strife? I don't understand this at all."
"Precisely, you don't understand…at all." Replied Munro
With that the team walked out and convened in the hallway outside the office.
"I can't believe he's disbanding the Hazard team!" said Chell
"How do incompetent people end up with such important jobs?" asked Telsia
"Maybe we can get him fired for being a hack!" said Chell
"Whoa, even Chell wasn't this bloodthirsty fighting the Borg."
"At least the Chief got a good posting, Starfleet Tactical Research and Development." Said Munro
"True." Replied the Chief
"I'm going to file an appeal with Starfleet Command. Someone in the chain of command will listen to reason." Said Telsia
"And if that doesn't work?" asked Chang
"Then we make some hard choices." Replied Telsia
"Damn!" said Chang
As Telsia walked away, Lieutenant Munro was paged. "Lieutenant Munro, you have a visitor waiting for you at the main entrance." He followed Telsia into the turbolift since they were both going to ground level, then parted as Telsia went to file her appeal; Munro went in the opposite direction. He found the main entrance, looked around but didn't see anyone he knew. Then a familiar voice from behind him said "Greetings, Lieutenant Munro."
"Tuvok!" said Munro turning around to face his mentor. "What are you doing here?" he asked
"I had time for a brief stopover on my way to Vulcan. Congratulations on your new assignment."
"Thanks but I don't want to leave active duty for teaching."
"There are few jobs more important than teaching. But I will explain your ply to my colleagues."
"Thanks. I just think I could be of better use out there."
"The Academy offers contact with many prominent people. Demonstrations of talent and initiative do not go unnoticed." Tuvok replied
"Lieutenant Tuvok, please report to launch pad 2."
"It was an honor to serve with you." Said Munro
"The honor was mine Lieutenant Munro. Live long and prosper." Tuvok replied, bringing his left hand in the tradition Vulcan gesture.
Then another page for Munro came over the comm. "Lieutenant Munro, please report to the headmaster's office."
Munro headed down a few corridors and into a courtyard, he entered another building got into a turbolift and told it to take him to the headmaster's office. He walked in, stood at attention and said "Lieutenant Munro reporting sir."
"Ah good to meet you Lieutenant, I have your teaching assignment, you'll be instructing the cadets in small unit tactics." She said
"Very good sir."
Then Telsia was on the comm. "Telsia to Munro, could you meet me in the courtyard, Starfleet has answered our petition."
Munro excused himself from the headmaster's office, got back in a turbolift and went back down to ground level. He exited the turbolift and building, and then found Telsia on a walkway over an artificial pond complete with fish. He approached and asked what happened.
"Starfleet declined to hear our appeal." She said
"I see." Replied Munro
"What are you going to do?"
"What can I do?"
"Resign!"
"And that will get the team back how?"
"It'll show Stemmons the price of making stupid decisions."
"It'll show Stemmons he can bully us out of Starfleet…we end up paying the price…not him."
"Until the Borg pay a little visit. Or the Romulans or…"
"The Dallas is a good ship. At least you're back in action."
"What if we both resign? At least we'll be together."
"It won't work, we both need Starfleet or we'll go stir-crazy."
"Well…maybe you're right…I'll miss you." She said as she enfolded him in a hug.