A Long Voyage Home

Chapter 9— One Year Later

By: MysticPhantasy

(A/N: Well here we are with another update. I hope everyone enjoys.)

(Disclaimer: We do not own Star Trek: Voyager or its characters except for our OC Miley.)

It had been about a year since the devastating Vidiian attack on Voyager. Since then, the ship and crew have had their share of good times and bad. They had lost a few more crew members, most notably, Ensign Seska, whom everyone thought was a Bajoran who turned out to be a Cardassian and she had recently switched her allegiance to Voyager's other worst enemies, the Kazon. This had upset Chakotay the most as they were former lovers, but he tried to be strong for the crew, especially Janeway. They haven't heard from her since she left, but they knew it was only a matter of time before their enemies would come for them. In the meantime, the crew continued their voyage of discovery along the route to home and the bonds that hold them together have become stronger. And today, it was a particular crewwoman's birthday and there was a celebration in the holodeck. For the crew that has faced so much hardship, any excuse to throw a party was very welcome.

"And today we celebrate the birthday of our colleague and friend, Ensign Miley Fitzpatrick," Janeway smiled, raising a glass to the members of the crew, including the senior staff and the engineering staff, "Over the past year, she has gone through a very personal trial, but has overcome it and become stronger and we are fortunate to still have her." She smiled and everyone took a drink.

Miley blushed, "Thank you all. I don't think I'm that special."

"Nonsense," B'Elanna said, "You're one of my best engineers and have done more than your part helping us through several scrapes."

"Thank you B'Elanna," Miley said, "but I wouldn't have been much use to you if it wasn't for Harry, Tom, and Commander Chakotay risking their lives for my sake."

"We were glad to do it," Tom replied.

"Yes and if we had to do it all again, we would," Chakotay replied.

"I especially want to thank the Doctor, Kes and Harry for helping me through my rehabilitation," Miley smiled and gave each of them a hug, her tail flipping back and forth behind her.

"I was only doing my duty," the Doctor replied.

"Accepting gratitude is also part of your duty, Doctor," Kes reminded him.

"Well in that case, your gratitude is happily accepted," the Doctor replied to the light laughter of everyone else in the room.

"Well everyone, it's time for presents!" Neelix announced, guiding the guest of honor to a table where a small pile of packages was gathered, "If you don't mind Miley, "I'd like to go first."

"Umm okay go ahead Neelix," Miley smiled. Neelix handed her a small package and smiled. Miley tore open the paper and it revealed a book, "What is it?" she asked, then she saw the title. It was a cookbook of Shamazar recipes, in both English and her native language.

"Just thought you'd like a taste of home sometime, so whenever you want to, pick a recipe from that book and I'll be happy to prepare it for you," Neelix grinned.

"Thank you Neelix, that means a lot to me," Miley smiled.

"Now it's my turn," B'Elanna smiled and handed her a wider and slightly thicker package. Miley eagerly tore away the paper and it was a standard Starfleet issue tool case, "Your own personal tool kit…so you'll stop stealing from mine!" she laughed and the others joined in.

"Hey I was just borrowing without permission," Miley countered, "And I do return what I borrow at the end of the day."

"Well it still drove me crazy and now you won't have to," B'Elanna replied.

"Okay then," Harry said, "Why don't you open my gift next," he smiled.

"Ooh I can't wait," Miley tore open the paper and found a small box inside. When she opened it, a gold necklace with a small gold heart at the center was inside, "Oh Harry, it's beautiful."

"Well…it's to mark our 10 month anniversary," he grinned, getting a shocked reaction from everyone except from Tuvok.

"Ensign. There is no such thing as a '10 month anniversary.' By definition, an anniversary has to at least be a year long," the Vulcan said.

"Well I still wanted to commemorate the occasion and since there is no other appropriate word, anniversary will have to do," Harry replied.

"Oh Harry I love it!" Miley wrapped the young ensign in a hug before Tuvok could counter with another argument, the necklace already around her neck.

"I guess we can let you wear it for today," Janeway smiled, "But that necklace isn't regulation, so no more wearing it unless you're off duty after today," she ordered.

"Yes captain, thank you captain," Miley replied.

"Aww…does this mean no more double dates with the Delaney sisters?" Tom asked.

"Well not with me, but you can always ask someone else to be your wingman," Harry replied.

Just then a call came through the holodeck.

"Bridge to Holodeck," It was Samantha Wildman, the first time she was left in charge of the bridge.

"Go ahead Ensign," Janeway said.

"You better get back to the bridge. Sensors indicate a small fleet of Kazon ships approaching us fast."

"Go to Red Alert and raise the shields," Janeway ordered Samantha, then to the gathered officers, "Miley, transfer the EMH back to sickbay then report to engineering, everyone else, to your posts!"

XXX

It took two turbolift rides to get everyone on the bridge and they all quickly took their posts. Samantha relinquished the captain's chair and took her own station in the science section. B'Elanna reported from engineering that the defense systems were good to go. Once everyone was seated the captain turned to the main viewer where a fleet of three large Kazon carrier ships approached.

"The lead ship is hailing us captain," Harry reported.

"On screen," Janeway nodded. The viewer switched to showing the bridge of the lead enemy vessel and the leader of the Kazon-Nistrim, Culluh, glared at them with Seska standing at his side with a smile on her face and she was rubbing her pregnant belly affectionately, which only served to make Chakotay nervous and Janeway angrier.

"It's nice to see my old friends again," Seska smiled at them.

"You stopped being one of our friends a long time ago Seska," Janeway replied, "What do you want this time?"

"The same thing I've always wanted captain…to show you the error of your ways and to make nice with the Kazon. With the advanced technology at your disposal and their military might, we wouldn't have to worry about going home, we can conquer ourselves a new one," Seska replied.

"You know we won't do that," Janeway said, "You're just wasting your time."

"Who's going to know? Starfleet? The Federation? As far as they know we're all dead. There's no one to answer to here in the Delta Quadrant but ourselves!" Seska said.

"We do have a higher authority," Janeway said, "The rules and regulations that govern our society. We are still representatives of that society no matter how far away from home we are."

"Enough of this Seska," Culluh glared at the woman, "Janeway. You will surrender Voyager to us or be destroyed."

"I seriously doubt you want such a valuable a prize to be destroyed," Janeway replied, "You need Voyager intact."

"Perhaps. But I don't need its crew intact. How many of them die before you surrender is entirely up to you," Culluh replied, "End transmission!" The viewer switched back to the display of the trio of Kazon carriers increasing speed to pursue Voyager.

"They're firing weapons," Tuvok reported. Blue phaser beams lanced out from each of the enemy ships striking the shields of Voyager.

"Return fire with phasers only," Janeway ordered, "I don't want to use torpedoes unless absolutely necessary."

"Acknowledged," Tuvok replied. He returned fire on the lead ship, attempting to target their weapons and succeeded in disabling one of their phaser banks, but the other two ships' fire more than made up for them, "They're targeting our engines," the Vulcan said.

"Captain, if we were to drop to impulse, our smaller size will give us an advantage in maneuvering," Tom pointed out.

"And we could let them think they're winning," Janeway realized, "Do it Tom, drop us out of warp and when they get close come about. Tuvok that will be your chance to fire with every phaser bank we have."

Voyager dropped out of warp and slowed down. The three enemy vessels did as well and were closing in on the smaller ship. Then it turned around and flew in between two of the ships and split its fire evenly on the sides of both and then fired at the engines of both, slowing the Kazon even more. However the lead vessel was there waiting and fired a continuous blue phaser beam at the forward section of Voyager.

"Our shields are down by 40%," Tuvok informed everyone.

"Status of the enemy vessels?" Janeway asked.

"The two ships we fired upon have disabled impulse engines, but they are still capable of warp and their weapons are fully charged. The lead vessel's weapons are only at 50% but are still enough to deal serious damage to us," Tuvok reported.

"Mr. Paris, keep up with the evasive maneuvers. We can't let them get us in a crossfire," Janeway ordered.

"Yes ma'am," Tom acknowledged.

XXX

"They think they are winning," Seska smiled, "I think it's time for the surprise our new comrade prepared for us."

"If we did that from the beginning Voyager would be mine by now!" Culluh shouted.

"No, we wanted them to play their big card first and with two of our ships temporarily disabled, I think that was it," Seska replied, "Time to change our phaser frequency," she turned to an officer who didn't appear to be Kazon.

"Yes Seska," a female voice replied.

XXX

"We're almost out of here," Tom announced, but then another bright blue beam struck from the lead Kazon ship and hit Voyager…hard! The whole bridge shook and Janeway and Chakotay were thrown from their seats.

"Did they penetrate our shields that quickly?" Chakotay asked as he and his captain struggled to get back in their seats.

"Negative," Tuvok looked slightly puzzled, "Shields are holding, but their weapons are going right through them." Another bolt struck the ship and the hull was scorched along a line on the left side of the primary hull.

"However she's doing it doesn't matter at this point, the point is she is and we're about to become sitting ducks or worse," Janeway said. Two more phaser blasts hit the ship, one after the other.

"Captain, I've lost impulse engines," Tom reported, "We're starting to drift."

"Can we go to warp?" Janeway asked.

"I wouldn't recommend it captain," Tuvok said, "there is damage along the primary hull and structural integrity is low. Going to warp now could rip that side of the ship apart."

"Damn…" Janeway cursed under her breath.

"The lead vessel is approaching," Harry said urgently.

"Captain," Chakotay said, "We may have to use the contingency play we came up with."

"Input the necessary codes in the computer," Janeway ordered as the ship shook again from enemy fire.

"What was that?" Chakotay asked. Just then the sound of a transporter beam activated and Seska appeared on the bridge targeting a weapon towards Janeway. Tuvok drew his phaser but Seska fired a warning shot just near Janeway's ear.

"Now now Tuvok," Seska said, "Wouldn't want your precious captain to get burned now do you?" the traitor then turned to the captain, "Are you sure you won't change your mind? We obviously won this time. Surrender, save your crew. I promise I'll make sure Culluh doesn't make you all slaves. He'll need some of you to help him figure out how your technology works."

"I thought that's why he had you," Chakotay replied.

"Ah Chakotay, come with me and help raise your child. We can be a real family. Not a surrogate one like this crew," Seska offered.

"You obviously don't know what family really means, Seska," Chakotay said.

"Even now, on the brink of defeat, you are still as stubborn as ever. All of you! Don't you get it? You can join me and help the Kazon build an empire in this Quadrant, one that we could rule together. Federation technology is the most superior technology this side of the galaxy has ever seen. Think of the possibilities. Just now, I used the Kazon's prototype transporter. To us it's an everyday tool, to everyone else; it can be one of many ultimate weapons."

"We all have thought of the possibilities Seska. And we can't let them happen," Janeway replied.

"Then I guess that means we'll have to execute your crew," Seska sighed but smiled.

"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear," Janeway said, "I will sooner destroy Voyager than allow the Kazon to use its secrets for conquest. Computer, Program Janeway-Chakotay 1." Just then the red alert klaxon sounded throughout the ship.

"Auto-destruct sequence activated, one minute countdown. There will be no further audio warning. No code sequence will deactivate the countdown," the computer announced.

"You're a madwoman!" Seska shouted.

"Maybe, maybe not. It won't matter in…50 seconds," Janeway replied nonchalantly.

Seska hit a communicator on her wrist, "Culluh, it's time for our second option. Janeway's going to blow up Voyager."

"Seska you have failed. You will regret this when you return. We have the life sign you indicated and are transporting her now," Culluh replied.

"What life sign?" Janeway asked.

"A special member of your crew. There's one more I need," Seska replied. While still holding the Kazon weapon at Janeway's head, she drew a second weapon from her coat and pointed it at Harry.

"Captain! That's!.." then Seska fired and twin bright beams came out of it and the young ensign vanished in a bright light.

"Gotta go," Seska waved good bye as the transporter beam took her from Voyager. On the bridge of the enemy ship she turned to Culluh, "We have got to get out of here. Voyager is about to explode and it will take all of our ships with us if we don't!"

"Grr…very well, full retreat!" Culluh ordered. The view screen on the Kazon bridge showed their other two ships went to warp and then they too went to warp, the viewer switched to a rear view where they saw a large antimatter explosion.

TBC…