Chapter 10

"…that's when I realized that, much to my chagrin, it was high time that I switched from EMH to Emergency Command Hologram and retake control of the bridge! As uncertain as I was, I, of course, rose the challenge."

Seven had a sudden urge to roll her eyes as she approached the small collective of young medical officers currently surrounding the Doctor, who appeared more than happy to share stories of his own accomplishments aboard Voyager. And from what she heard, embellish them as well.

Earth's orbital docking station was vast, and it accommodated a larger contingent than Seven had anticipated, especially now that the new temporary Voyager crew was starting to arrive. As a result, the large hall where the welcoming celebration was taking place was nearly full with Starfleet uniforms, most of them belonging to strangers.

"I didn't realize EMHs were programed to do that!" One of the admirers exclaimed.

"Oh yes, although, it must be said that I have expanded quite beyond my original program over the years."

"Doctor," Seven interrupted.

The Doctor threw her an annoyed glance over his shoulder. "Just a moment, Seven, I'm in the middle of a story-"

"Doctor, now."

The Doctor heaved a deep apologetic sigh directed at his audience. "Well, I suppose I'll have to finish this later. Excuse me. Seven, that was rude!"

"I apologize. I require your assistance."

"What, now? We're in the middle of the welcoming party, can't it wait?"

Seven was more than aware of this fact. She felt very uncomfortable in this gathering. Everywhere she turned she felt eyes on her, and whispers and hushed conversations seemed to follow her wherever she went. Her crewmates appeared to rejoice in the chance to socialize and celebrate their long-awaited return to Earth – even if none of them except the captain had actually set foot on the planet yet – but Seven found herself wandering alone, bribes of conversation floating to her ears as she passed by. Even Icheb was engrossed in a conversation with Harry Kim and three young female officers. She was glad for her friends, but the need to reconnect with what she knew, with those who would understand her best, had never been stronger than at this moment. Especially now that Starfleet Command had consented to send Voyager to rendezvous at the coordinates Species 8472 had shared with Seven. The desire to see Axum again created an insistent tug inside her that she struggled to ignore.

Perhaps the Doctor had been correct in his assumption after all – perhaps she was attempting to run away from something. Except it was not her feelings for Chakotay that she was looking to get away from – no, those had been processed and compartmentalized with more ease than she had anticipated – but rather the unease she felt at the thought of Voyager's being home. And, for her, the sudden loss of purpose that it entailed. She would not admit it out loud, however.

Chakotay would probably encourage her to think about it differently – that maybe running away from something did not mean that she wasn't also running towards something else. This thought assuaged some of her unease.

"I require your presence on Voyager to anticipate any harmful effects of the subatomic disturbances the crew will experience during the transphasic displacement to the Beta Quadrant," she told the Doctor.

The Doctor gave her an appalled look. "I thought the Species 8472 you talked to assured us that it was safe!"

"They have. However Starfleet Command has requested that we anticipate problems nonetheless."

"Well, I suppose that's wise. But can't it wait for a couple of hours? We're not due to depart until tomorrow. Besides, this reception would be a wonderful opportunity for you, Seven, to test out everything you've learned about social interactions and the niceties of human conversation."

Seven was about to reply that she had learned quite sufficiently recently, when Tuvok's voice called for her attention. "Seven!"

Seven turned around and greeted the commander with a nod. He was accompanied by two men that Seven recognized from the earlier briefing as Admiral Hayes and Captain Stedvak. Captain Janeway's replacement.

"Please forgive the intrusion," Admiral Hayes started politely. "We haven't officially met. I'm Admiral Hayes." The admiral extended his hand with a small, kind smile, and Seven shook it in the way the Doctor had taught her, long ago now. (Remember, Seven, you don't want to crush your interlocutor's hand, this is about greeting one another…). "I'm sure you remember Captain Stedvak? He will be taking Voyager to the Beta Quadrant while Captain Janeway is on leave."

Seven took the opportunity to assess this captain, and leveled a scanning gaze at him. When he met her eyes, his first instinct was to give her an overly friendly smile, but Seven's indifferent expression soon put an end to it, and he shook himself before he looked away.

That in itself told Seven many things about him, including his lack of command experience, and the fact that he was easily intimidated. For an instant she resented Captain Janeway's timing for deciding to take personal leave now. Of course she understood why, but Seven had never realized until then the extent to which she had taken Janeway's competence and leadership for granted.

"Is Voyager the only vessel you are sending?" The Doctor asked the admiral, unaware of the silent exchange.

"As a matter of fact, it's not. Captain Uang will also be accompanying Voyager with the starship Aspire. At the moment that's all we can afford to send so far away."

"While two starships for a two-week duration are not sufficient to ensure victory, I'm sure it will be an adequate start," Seven replied.

"That's certainly our hope," Admiral Hayes agreed with a nod.

"Has anyone of the original Voyager crew decided to join our endeavor?" Seven asked. She noticed that Icheb was now making his way toward her, and Seven nodded him over subtly.

It was Captain Stedvak who replied after clearing his throat. "A few. None of the bridge officers, unfortunately. Although I suppose that's a good thing – I won't have to contend with a crew used to dealing with another captain."

"My understanding is that you'll have a number of security officers and two or three engineers from the original crew, present company excepted," the admiral added with a look at the Doctor, ignoring the captain's comment. "The rest of the crew decided to accept the offered leave to spend some time reuniting with their loved ones."

"I for one regret that I will not be able to join you," Tuvok joined in. "However I dare not delay my return to Vulcan any longer."

By then Icheb had joined them and Seven promptly introduced him to the officers. Admiral Hayes greeted him warmly, stating that he had heard great things about him from Captain Janeway, making the adolescent square his shoulders with a mix of pride and embarrassment.

"Icheb has been essential to my endeavor," Seven said for Captain Stedvak's benefit, "I was hoping that you would grant him permission to join us on this mission before he officially transfers to the Academy."

Stedvak shook his head, and gave an incredulous chuckle, making the contents of his glass swirl dangerously to the edge. Was it possible that he was inebriated? "Are you serious? We can't take a kid with us – he'll only be in our way."

Icheb flushed furiously and Seven felt her anger swell like a wave. "Icheb is exceptional in more ways than one," Seven retorted, trying to control her temper, "and I might even suggest that he is much more qualified than you are!" She threw at him with a disdainful look at the captain's wine glass.

Admiral Hayes raised his hand between them as if to stop them from coming to blows, but Seven didn't budge from her stare. "Now now," he cajoled. "Let's not lose our heads here. Icheb, I know you show exceptional potential, but I believe Captain Janeway has arranged for you to join your classmates at the Academy as soon as you are ready to transfer to Earth."

Icheb glanced at Seven before nodding. "Of course. I look forward to it, Admiral."

The admiral nodded. "Good." He returned his attention to Seven and Stedvak, who were still assessing each other stubbornly. "As for you two, I suggest you learn to get along. Otherwise this is going to be a very long two weeks."

Instead of replying, Seven held the captain's stare a little bit longer before she turned her attention to the admiral and Icheb. "If you'll excuse us, the Doctor and I have some work to do on Voyager."

The next day, Seven decided to use the two hours free from duty to visit Chakotay while Voyager and Aspire went through a final check-up and inventory before they left for the rendezvous point. She realized now that the only thing that had kept her from seeing him until then had been her own reluctance and fear that he would begrudge her for leaving. But now that her departure was imminent, she felt a confidence in her decision that made her prior reluctance appear unfounded. Childish, even. So it was with a poised frame of mind that she decided to stop postponing the inevitable.

She was granted special permission to transport to Earth so long as a Starfleet officer accompanied her – and Seven chose not to care that Starfleet didn't seem to trust her completely. They would learn to do so in time, just as the Voyager crew had.

It was still early morning in San Francisco when Seven was finally directed through the cellblock doors. She made her way to the only cell that was presently occupied. Chakotay was already awake, and was currently sitting on the floor with his eyes closed in front of his medicine bundle, his hands clutching the piece of technology he used for vision quests. Seven was reluctant to disturb him, but he seemed to sense her presence before she could speak. In fact, he didn't startle when he opened his eyes, but instead quietly rose to his feet after gently closing the bundle again.

"Hi," he said quietly as he stepped closer, his eyes studying her closely.

Seven gave a brief acknowledging nod, uncertain how to comport herself in such circumstances.

"I didn't think you'd come down here," he said after a moment. Seven wondered if he meant Earth's surface or the basement of the Justice Inquirer General building.

"I can't stay long," she swallowed, "I've come to say goodbye."

Quite unexpectedly he smiled slightly. "Starfleet has approved your mission?"

"You know of it."

"Ka- Captain Janeway mentioned you had succeeded in contacting the Resistance last time I saw her. I think that's great." Seven briefly wondered if he had almost referred to the Captain by her first name, and, if so, why he had stopped himself. "Have you heard from her?" He asked, his tone doing little to hide a genuine curiosity and concern for the captain's welfare. Based on what she knew of human romantic love, it should probably be strange that she didn't feel any of the jealousy she had heard so much about. And yet, in light of her recent realization about Axum, it seemed more of a sign that leaving was the right thing to do.

"No. I only know that she left in a shuttle with Lieutenant Paris yesterday afternoon. She didn't say where she was going."

He nodded. After a moment of silence, he shifted on his feet. "I'm glad you're here. I haven't really apologized properly, or given you an explanation for the way I acted after my surrender…"

Seven shook her head to dismiss his apology. "Do not concern yourself. Although I didn't understand at the time, I believe I do now."

He held her gaze. "Still, I want you to know that… I really am sorry. If I had known that this was going to be the way things turned out, I wouldn't have allowed any of this to happen," he said, and Seven realized she understood his meaning despite his lack of precision.

"Perhaps I wouldn't have either. Though, all things considered, I do no regret it either."

Seven took the opportunity of his small crooked smile to let her gaze wander to their surroundings and Chakotay's cell. "I'm sorry that I won't be here for the trial."

He shook his head as if to dismiss the notion. "No, the last thing I want is for you to concern yourself with me. If this has taught me anything, it's that, if you have a whole future ahead of you, you should make the most of it while you can. Don't let me, or anyone else, hold you back, Annika."

Seven tilted her head. "Even so, I wish I could be here, as your friend."

He gave a quiet sigh but his expression remained calm, almost relieved. "Thank you. That means a lot to me. But I think we both know that your place isn't here, and certainly not down here," he added with a glance around his cell. "It's out there. Fighting the Borg. With your friend Axum, if that's what you want."

Seven frowned curiously. "You know about Axum? About my previous personal relationship with him?"

He gave a brief nod. "The captain told me about him after we had to destroy Unimatrix 0. I hope you won't begrudge her for telling me. She was just proud of you for acknowledging having that kind of human connection with another person." He paused and gave her a gentle smile. "You've come a long way, Annika."

His compliment reassured her that he truly didn't blame her for leaving. For leaving him. For leaving them all. Even if it was only temporary.

"Thank you. I should go," she said as she looked toward the cellblock doors. "I doubt our new captain would look kindly to my being late." She couldn't quite keep the disdain from seeping through her tone.

"What new captain?" Chakotay asked, frowning.

"Starfleet has assigned Captain Stedvak to replace Captain Janeway while she is on leave."

"I see," he replied, his frown deepening. "I didn't think they would send Voyager," he added to himself.

Seven inhaled slowly. "I confess, I am loathe to work with him."

He recovered and raised a teasing eyebrow. "Not a favorite of yours, then?"

"Far from it. Let me just say that Captain Janeway will be sorely missed. But I know this has been hard on her as well." She took in another deep breath. "I really must be on my way."

He nodded. "Good luck. Bring me back a souvenir from the Beta Quadrant."

Seven smiled faintly, recognizing his attempt at humor. But then she met his gaze earnestly. "Good luck to you, Chakotay. I wish I could be of help to you, but I have no doubt that the captain is much better suited to the task."

One corner of his mouth quirked up a little higher than the other. "I'll see you when you get back. Take care, Annika."

She nodded. "And you."

And with one last look she left, feeling as if an immense weight had been lifted off her shoulders. That, she realized, had been the weight of her guilt.

And now she was free of it.

ooooOoooo

The last few days had passed quickly for Mea. She'd tried to visit Mr. Chakotay as often as her duty permitted, but she'd had reports to produce, and a new assignment had taken her away from the office for an entire day. Add to that the assignments for her night class at university on 23rd-century legal history, which had kept her away from the cellblocks for two afternoons in a row. However she could not forget Captain Janeway's request to make sure that this particular prisoner didn't lose hope, and she always took her duty seriously.

In the end she had decided to keep him busy with Starfleet regulations that she believed would relate to his case directly or indirectly, and books. A lot of books. Despite his jokes of 'just how long do you think I'll be here for?' or 'I don't think I read quite as fast as you would like me to,' he seemed to appreciate her efforts.

"Why are you being so kind to me?" He'd asked her once, after she brought him a paper copy of Shakespeare's Hamlet she'd found in the archives.

Mea had been unwilling to divulge Captain Janeway's request, or to admit her own long-lasting admiration of the Voyager crew, so she had merely shrugged.

On other occasions, Mea had just sat with him. Sometimes they would speak: he was able to coax some personal stories out of her, stories about her background, her hopes, her ambitions to further her studies, and how she'd been raised by her Vulcan aunt since age 14. Sometimes he took his turn and told her about Voyager and their adventures in the Delta Quadrant (those were her favorite stories). And sometimes they didn't really say anything at all. Mea would bring her own reading material, and they'd both read on their respective side of the force field. The ghost of a smile on his lips told her he was pleased with the kind of basic companionship she was offering just by being there. She was aware that she was probably giving him too much attention not to be noticed, but the curious and empathetic part of her – the part she'd definitely inherited from her human father's side – fed her desire to help him in what she perceived as an unjust situation. But what she had not anticipated was how easy it was to actually befriend him.

Several days after Chakotay's arrest, she was called back to the admiral's office. In light of her visits and suspicions, the request made her anxious. However, she was still determined to figure out what the admiral's endgame was, so she told herself that this could be an opportunity.

The admiral was engaged in a conversation with someone on his computer monitor that Mea couldn't see when Mike opened the door to let her in. Her ears picked up a fragmented piece of the admiral's interlocutor's words and she perked up at the topic, committing to memory everything that was said.

"… everything's in place, but, Admiral, the chances that the captain will permanently relent the ship are slim. Especially being a favorite of the admiralty. It's going to take some persuasion. Captain Stedvak really needs to not mess up this opportunity to show his worth. They handed it to him on a silver platter, and it was no easy feat to get him in that chair."

Admiral Larks flicked his eyes to Mea as she entered, before returning his gaze to the monitor. "Well, I can't tell Simon how to do his job where he's going, but it so happens that persuasion is one of my most prized skills. Thank you for your input. We'll finish this later."

He terminated the communication and leaned back in his chair as he gestured Mea to walk closer.

"Ensign Tagashi," he greeted agreeably. "Tell me, how is Mr. Chakotay faring down below?" He stood and used a pitcher from his desk to water a plant by the large window. By the looks of the dry browned leaves, it was about time.

Mea forced herself to keep her expression neutral, like her aunt's, though she was still rattled by the bribe of conversation she had heard. She had learned that the admiral's son had been assigned to Voyager for a mission with the Borg, but until now she had not really considered that it might all be part of the admiral's endgame. What was he after? It couldn't be a coincidence that his son had been chosen to replace Captain Janeway. "He seems fine, Admiral. He hasn't given us any trouble, if that's what you're asking."

"I heard he's been getting a lot of gifts. From you." His tone was still conversational, but Mea tensed at the pointed glare he gave her.

"Not gifts, sir. Books to keep him busy. I figure it's the best way to keep him from planning mischief," she added, surprised at how easily the lie came to her. Her Vulcan ancestors must be turning in their graves. "Isn't that part of my duties, sir?"

He threw her a skeptical glance, but her neutral expression must have been convincing because he quickly moved on. "Fine. Let him keep the books. Also, do let him know that the date of his trial has been set. It's on the 29th."

Mea couldn't quite hide her surprise. "Of this month?" That was the day after tomorrow… and Captain Janeway had still not returned. She schooled her expression before the admiral glanced at her again. "Very well, I'll inform the prisoner."

Mea hesitated and stood quietly for a moment. He looked at her when he sensed her hesitation. "Was there something else, Ensign?"

"Actually, yes sir. As you know, I am pursuing my legal studies at university while I serve this office, and I was hoping that you would grant me access to some of your old cases."

Larks smiled, flattered by her interest, and the expression was genuine, if curious. "Any cases in particular?"

"I confess, given recent events, I have taken a new interest in better understanding the Federation's relationship to militias, such as the Maquis movement." He frowned, but not suspiciously so, so Mea pushed on. "After discussing this with my mentor, I have decided to explore the socio-political impetus for self-governing military entities in a post-state society. Treason cases are so rare, the few ones from the last few years would provide incredible datasets for this study."

He stared at her for a moment, as if trying to figure out if she had an ulterior motive – or if anyone in their right minds could actually find this topic of interest. Mea kept her expression a mix of mild eagerness and apprehension.

After a moment he moved again and returned to sit behind his desk. "That sounds fascinating, Ensign. I hope you'll let me read it when you're done with your research."

Mea let herself smile hopefully. "Does this mean I have access, sir?"

"You do. Ask Mike, he'll give you the proper clearance."

Mea let her smile widen. "Thank you, sir."

He nodded. "Dismissed."

Mea tried to contain her self-satisfied smile as she exited the office. A couple of days before, she had been contacted by Lieutenant Torres, the very same lieutenant who served as Chief Engineer on Voyager. She had asked Mea for anything she could find on Larks' past and current career, especially anything regarding his dealings with the Maquis. Accessing those files would fit that description, while it would also provide Mea herself with a baseline to compare the admiral's work over the last few years against his treatment of the Maquis, and to start to confirm or deny her hypothesis that his attitude was related to a personal matter. Her duplicitous behavior left a knot in her stomach, but, she reminded herself, this was for a cause worthier than her own personal feelings.

oooOooo

Far above Earth's atmosphere, Seven took her position on the bridge of Voyager. She couldn't help the ripple of excitement that coursed through her as the officer at the helm took her position.

"Alright, Lieutenant," Captain Stedvak said from Janeway's chair, "let's get this show on the road."

END PART I