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Chapter 7: Four Arwings and A Starship
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Captain's Log, Stardate 020502.1

Three days have passed since Commander McCloud's report on the advancement of the Venom Armada. As predicted, Admiral Cartwright has insisted that Voyager be outfitted with the necessary hardware to house the Star Fox Elite.

Commander McCloud and her squadron have been assigned to Voyager for the duration of our stay in the Lylat System. With their help, our crew has managed to not only complete the replicator installation, but to complete the modifications to our shuttle bay in record time.

We have collected our supplies and have left the confines of Star Port One. We are currently orbiting Corneria, awaiting the official transfer of the Star Fox Elite, after which we are cleared to be on our way.


"Voyager, this is the Star Fox Elite. Requesting permission to dock with Voyager."

"Permission granted."

Madison and her squadron approached Voyager from behind as they maneuvered into position to dock. They had left Star Port One minutes before and were eager to get under way.

As they came in for their final approach, Madison gave her crew their docking orders. "Okay Star Fox, let's do this. Brandon, you take the lead. Dock with the second clamp on the right."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Madison saw her friend descend in front of her, and watched as his Arwing closed the distance between him and Voyager and then disappear through the shuttle bay doors.

Madison looked to her left. "Daria, you next. Second clamp on the left."

"You got it, Fox!" A chipper female voice acknowledged.

Madison watched Daria's Arwing move in front of her, following in Brandon's wake. "Okay, CK. You take up the rear. Once I've entered the shuttle bay, c'mon in and take the first clamp on the left."

Madison accelerated slowly, leaving CK behind her. The shuttle bay doors loomed in front of her and she took a deep breath. She adjusted the Arwing's position and slipped between the lowered warp nacelles before decelerating. Looking below her, she realized that she couldn't have been more than ten meters above the hull. She could see every bolt with extraordinary detail.

The blue flicker of the shuttle bay's force field accompanied her as the Arwing's nose crossed the threshold. Once she cleared the door, she brought her ship to a stop and engaged her hover-jets. Carefully maneuvering the nose ninety degrees to the left, Madison eased the Arwing back until she felt the gentle bump of the docking clamps take hold. She began her shut down sequences and watched as CK's Arwing docked across from her.

The exterior doors closed as Madison opened the hatch and removed her helmet. She tucked it under arm, extended her ladder and climbed down to the floor to reunite with her squadron in the middle of the bay.

"Alright guys, let's change out of these flight-suits and report to Janeway's Ready Room."

"Please allow me to officially welcome you aboard." Janeway beamed. The Elite stood before her and Chakotay.

Madison smiled, "Thank you, Captain. It's an honour to be here."

"I'm sure you're all anxious to get settled in, even if it is for a short period of time."

"Yes, Captain."

"Voyager's facilities are ever at your disposal. We'll see you in a few hours." Janeway nodded her dismissal and the Elite began to file out. "A word with you, Commander McCloud."

Madison looked at her friends. "I'll catch up with you." She turned back into the room as the door slid behind her companions. "Yes, Captain?"

"Have all the necessary preparations been made?"

"Yes. Lieutenant Paris and I ironed out the final details last night." Madison informed them. "We have downloaded all the necessary tactical information and all of the key maneuvers have been practiced."

"And your Squadron?" Chakotay inquired.

"I haven't informed them of the plan, but they will do what is required of them when the time comes."

Chakotay nodded his approval.

"Is there anything else?" Madison inquired of her hosts.

Janeway shook her head. "No, Commander. That'll be all." She watched in silence as Madison took her leave. She waited until the door closed behind the young Commander before asking: "What do you think, Chakotay?"

Her first officer moved to the front of her desk. "I've been overseeing the modifications these last few days. All I have to say is that if they fly together half as well as they work together, we should do well."

Janeway nodded thoughtfully. "I hope you're right, Commander."