The Voyager's Aide

Story I

Chapter 14: Code Violation

Jeremy watched his boss clack away on the computer; she'd been at it for hours. A hefty pile of multi-colored folders were stacked on her desk. They contained Voyager mission reports dating back to Artie's days. Headquarters gave her the assignment to backlog every Voyager Aide visit in the last eight years. Data entry was the most boring part of any job. Jeremy helped out when he could.

During the ensuing year, Kayla Sheppard lost some of her spunk and the glow in her eyes dimmed. Jeremy attributed it to being snubbed by Voyager Phineas Bogg. She rarely spoke of him except to note that his omni needed cleaning and a field strip. Jeremy understood that Phineas had to rescue Jeffrey, but he'd left without an explanation.

Jeremy finally admitted his love to Kirstie and she felt the same. He wasn't far from proposing, but the little matter of his clandestine occupation held him back. He didn't know how he would tell her yet. He didn't mention it to Kayla until she dragged it out of him, she was genuinely happy for them both.

Jeremy almost wanted to sock it to Bogg if he ever came strutting around, but for a time Kayla was more than up to the task. At one point he saw her so flustered, she'd thrown things against the wall and cried. Jeremy never told her what he'd witnessed. He couldn't hate the Voyager; they'd become buddies of sorts in the very short time he was here. After careful consideration Jeremy decided not to pursue field missions. He couldn't imagine leaving Kirstie; she really needed him.

He finished polishing the silver omni on his worktable. Voyager Tom Welles had dropped it off two days earlier. Tom was a rookie Voyager but with a high G.P.A. and the perfect stamina for the job. He took an interest in Kayla but she'd remained professional. Tom was the tall, dark and handsome type the way Phineas was the blonde type, but they shared similar features and blue eyes. Jeremy wondered if that's why Kayla refused him.

Kayla wheeled her chair back with a huge sigh.

"I'm spent! My eyes are gonna cross if they don't permanently roll in back of my head."

Jeremy laughed and crossed his eyes at her. "I've noticed Kay, take a break or give it up, it's after five anyway. We have to get a time-clock and punch cards in here."

"I can ask. I need to take a walk. Hey kiddo, you better get going, you don't want to be late."

Jeremy smiled. He had a date with Kirstie at a popular nightclub for the younger crowd.

"Yeah, I know. My repair time's getting better, Tom isn't due back until Monday."

"Good job! He did not want to part with it. Sometimes the newbies with their calibrated silver omnis can drive you nuts."

Jeremy followed her upstairs. "Kay, Tom's pretty keen, why don't you invite him over for dinner?"

Kayla groaned. "Thanks, but no, haven't you heard he's moved on? I always prepare a little food when they show up anyway. Well, I try to…it seems to disappear before they get here." She kidded.

Jeremy lowered his head to hide a grin. "I know, but they always come late or miss the appointments, you wouldn't want it to spoil."

Kayla showed him out. "Sure Jeremy, go on, get outta here! Oh, here's your pay. Thanks for being so helpful and patient with me, don't think I haven't noticed."

Jeremy waited until he was in his car to count it. She generously paid him one hundred dollars a week. A flowery note was inside and three, crisp, hundred-dollar bills spilled out.

'Give her the time of her life!'

Jeremy dropped the envelope and ran back to the house. He embraced Kayla as she came down the steps.

"What's that for?" She gasped.

"You know what! Thank's Kayla! This is sweet!"

"Jeremy, it's my pleasure. Now, go already! Never keep a woman waiting, that's her job." She winked at him.

Jeremy leaped from the stoop and drove off; he knew exactly what to do with the bonus. It would look perfect sparkling on Kirstie's left hand.

~Oo~

Kayla took a short drive to a familiar spot, the shipping dock at South Street Seaport. The area was empty at this hour. She inched closer to the docks but stayed far from the water's edge. She never really had time to learn to swim and looking at the water too long made her freeze up.

She continued her stroll feeling utterly lonely inside. As she came of age, Artie warned her of the sacrifices many Voyagers and their associates made. Kayla rarely gave it a second thought until Phineas Bogg rushed in and out of her life like a summer breeze. She tried up and down to convince herself otherwise, but it was always the same conclusion, she was madly in love with him. She knew she wasn't the only woman to have fallen so hard. And she also knew he'd fallen in love with Mabel Hubbard. But she'd never remind him of it.

As she walked back to her car, her pager buzzed. She bounded into the front seat and pulled out a small, silver communicator.

"Kayla Sheppard, Voyager Aide 2550 calling in, what's the message?"

Headquarters used a simulated female voice to report any messages. The squawking lisp often got on her nerves.

"Attention 2550, Voyager Phineas Bogg has violated Code One where-upon he used his omni to reverse the course of history in the year 1715AD within a time-span of three minutes. His omni has been deactivated and he will be sent to you promptly for further instruction."

Kayla held her head and trembled. "Bogg, what did you do?"

The violation of Code One could very well mean a Voyager's life. She climbed out of the car and counted the seconds until she heard the vague, low, whistle of a Voyager landing. Looking up fast, she saw Phineas and Jeffrey hurtling toward her. She dove for cover as they hit the ground.

~Oo~

"I can't believe that, Bogg! We didn't trigger the omni!"

Phineas sprawled atop the planks. After Jeffrey rolled off him, he sprang up and massaged his lower back.

"I'm gonna need a good chiropractor when I'm an old man. All I know is, both lights went crazy and the dang thing went dead on me! Now we're here, New York, July 27th 1958. This place is familiar."

"Yeah, Bogg! It's South Street Seaport. This is where we rescued Kayla. I wonder what became of her? But, why here Bogg, what's going on?"

It'd technically been a year since Phineas last saw adult Kayla. Jeffrey was confused and even frightened, considering the near assault on his life. He didn't stray far from his partner's side.

"Don't worry, kid. Kayla's a Voyager's Aide, we need to find her because she can…"

"Explain what happened to you? I was just informed by Headquarters, Phineas. It's not good news."

Kayla looked radiant with bobbed hair, and dressed in a purple angora sweater and gray skirt. Jeffrey ran up to her in awe.

"Kayla? It's you! Wow, you're all grown up! You look great…I mean…" He blushed. "Doesn't she, Bogg?"

A gaze of attraction clouded Phineas' eyes. It was a trademark expression for him and he was most times unaware of it.

"Yeah kid, magnificent…Kayla, I'm so sorry I…"

She brushed his apology off. "There's no time for apologies. I need to take you back to the Brownstone, we really have to have a talk."

Kayla gave Jeffrey a tight hug. "Thanks for the compliment, Jeffrey. I didn't mean to be rude. I'm very proud of you for sending that creep back where he belongs. C'mon, we'll have some lunch if you're hungry."

~Oo~

Kayla chatted with Jeffrey most of the way but Phineas knew she was ignoring him. After a light snack, Jeffrey fell into a long nap in the upstairs bedroom and Phineas accompanied Kayla to her office. He sat on the couch with his head in his hands.

"What's gonna happen now, Kayla, I know exactly what I did…and I'm not sorry for it!"

"Phineas, they didn't give me all the details yet but they've suspended your Voyager privileges until further notice. Do you know the penalty for time reversal?"

Phineas jumped up angry. "Not really, enlighten me! I did it to save someone dear to me…three people, maybe more! If they didn't want Voyagers to use it, why have that function on the omni at all?"

"It's only allowed to be used with express approval and monitoring from the Council. How in the world did you learn to activate it?"

Phineas paced all around. "I had a friend who hacked into files at the control center. I dared him to do it after we learned about the omni functions in class. I knew he'd go through it with it. He's more a daredevil that I ever was. He added to my omni…because he said they'd never suspect me of having the function. It didn't show up in my trial; the judges only looked at the memory recorder."

"A file hacker? I think I know who…Billy Ryan. He's slick as a snake. Last I heard, he'd joined the Paradox league."

"Oh that's great, so much for small favors! I probably put him on a criminal path. Now what, Kayla?"

"Phineas, I doubt that, he had a history of infringements a mile long before he met you. Now, the Council can send you back to the exact moment you fell off the ship!"

Phineas slumped back on the couch in shock. "What? That's a death penalty! I don't deserve that, why would they?"

"Phineas they may not send you back to before you fell, and if you survived in your original time it could change the course of history in innumerable ways. The only way to keep things on track would be to leave you at that topmast. Hopefully they'd spare you a few moments to try and save yourself. Or they'll just put you on the ship. I…I really don't know, I'm so sorry."

As the consequences hit her, Kayla wept on the couch. Phineas' heart raced as fear seized him too.

"We'll find a way to beat this. They'll have a fair trial. With green light record, they can't just put me back there. I corrected too much. I had very good reasons to use it."

Kayla dabbed her eyes. "What were they, Phineas?"

"I was saving your future. Your ancestor was my best friend. His name was Vinchenzo Carvallo. He married a woman from India and their family line descended to your mother. Don't you see? I couldn't let him die anymore than I'd let you die. I also saved my father! If it hadn't been for Drake…Wait a minute!"

Phineas shot up and punched his palm.

"That's it! History wasn't supposed to be altered like that, Vinchenzo's supposed to live! My father wasn't supposed to die either! It was Drake who changed the future and the omni turned red. I was correcting it. The Council can't sentence me to death for fixing a red light, regardless of the means. Especially since it involves their own!"

Kayla was shocked. "My…my relative was your best friend? That's why Headquarters stopped my searches. I can't believe this! Phineas, they could still bring up severe charges and fire you…"

Phineas grabbed her excited. "It's much better than death, isn't it?"

"They could exile you forever."

"It's still better than death!"

Kayla hugged him. "Yes! Of course it is! Oh, Phineas, I'll represent you in any way I can, this involves me an awful lot."

"I know you will, now what's gonna happen?" Phineas demanded.

"I have to tell them that you were informed of the charges. What about Jeffrey? Should we tell him?"

"No, I don't want to complicate matters. He'll find out sooner or later. This whole mess could have a major impact on him."

"Jeffrey's supposed to be a Voyager, they won't just send him back. I hope not. He's made an indelible mark on history with you." Kayla said.

Phineas sighed, running his hands through his hair. "Yeah, we've been through a trial before. It could mean our separation. He'll be devastated. That kid means so much to me, we're a family now. It'd kill me if I never saw him again. I don't know what I'd do."

"We can't let that happen. Why don't you go upstairs and relax. I have to finish this up and contact Headquarters."

Phineas obliged her. He sprawled on the couch and turned on the television. An hour later Kayla came upstairs, she'd heard Phineas' deep, hearty laughter most of the time.

"Hey, Voyager B, what's so funny?"

"Television. It's amazing to see plays acted out like this. This redheaded woman drives everyone crazy!"

"Television's gonna change the world, and everybody loves Lucy!"

"Of course, I know television. Jeffrey's always talking about it in some way or another. It really hooks you. Takes your mind off your own troubles." Phineas shut the screen and sat upright. "So what are you doing? Or am I not privileged to know it?"

Kayla lay down and rested her head on his shoulder. "You'll find out soon. I had to tell them everything I know about this mess and wrote a letter of defense explaining your reasons. They aren't too happy with me either." She sighed.

"It's not your fault, you had no idea."

"But I should have, Phineas. What kind of Voyager Aide am I? After Artie died, everything fell on top of me. Artie was great but he left a huge mess, and tons of paperwork unfinished that I'm still going through for two years already. I thought I was prepared for it, I guess I'm not." She tried to control her turbulent emotions again, she turned away from him.

Phineas touched her cheek. "You've prepared for this career since you were a little girl, don't be so hard on yourself now."

"I'll try not to, but I recently sent in an application and letter to Headquarters. I want to learn everything Artie's learned. It's my turn for Voyager Training School. I definitely need it."

Phineas became crestfallen. He smiled and winked at her. Her going to Voyager school meant he might not see her for a long time. He playfully pulled at her hair and changed the subject.

"Did I tell you I liked the new haircut?"

Kayla twirled it, flattered. "No. Really? Thanks, it's a little different from the usual fifties bobs. It was a heart wrenching decision to cut, but no muss, no fuss for now! My friend Patti's Voyager and she popped back from the 21st century with some fabulous hair products, they work wonders!"

Phineas laughed aloud. "Gee, Voyager Aides get a lot of benefits, don't they?"

"Hey mister, we don't have a union, remember? We make our own benefits."

Phineas cupped her face, he gently drew his thumbs over her soft chin cleft and kissed her. She grinned, and returned the gesture.

"Phineas, I'm worried for you. I've followed your record for years. You're an example of what a true Voyager should be. They'll have to understand that. It's been proven before." She murmured, breaking the kiss.

"Thanks for the confidence, a man could use a good woman like you."

"Ha! You know what they say mister, behind every good man, is a great woman."

Phineas shifted uncomfortably. "Kayla, I'm sorry for taking off so quickly, but it's just that Jeffrey…"

Kayla put a finger to his lips. "I know, Phineas. I understand, but I felt upset and embarrassed since then. I just wish you'd told me."

"You never have to be embarrassed around me. Angry maybe."

The sparkle in his eyes drew her closer to him. His lips caressed her face.

"Do you forgive me?"

"Should I?"

"Absolutely."

"Fine, Voyager Bogg, I'm not one to hold a grudge." She whispered in his ear.

"Sure…I haven't met a woman yet who didn't." Phineas grip on her tightened. "Why don't we continue where we left off?"

"I'd love that, Phineas."

Just as he secured her in his arms; a white light enveloped the room.

~Oo~

A slender figure came forward and Voyager Susan stepped out of the light. Phineas and Kayla snapped to attention. Her gown sparkled and the gleam on her crystallized omni enchanted them.

"I'm glad I found you here, Phineas. You must come back with me; the Tribunal's demanding you be kept in a holding cell until we figure out your sentence. I'm very sorry. I'll be handling your case and we need to discuss further details. Are you ready?"

The women eyed each other and Kayla remembered Jeffrey's words from her childhood.

'Yeah, well, Phineas isn't the greatest at history. He said he paid little attention because of this blonde in his class with nice legs. Grown ups are weird sometimes.'

The lawyer was a vision of loveliness; Kayla could understand Phineas' attraction. She forced a smile.

"Hello, Susan, I've researched how you represented Bogg in the past, you're a very good lawyer."

"Thank you, and Headquarters always mentions how thorough and accurate Archibald Houlihan and his young assistants are. I also knew your father and he was an interesting person. The smartest man I'd ever met. He used to arrange study groups for the underclassmen, do you remember that Phineas?"

"Umm, actually, now I remember it."

"Surprisingly, since you fell asleep through most of them…when you decided to show up, that is." Susan chided.

Kayla looked at him with a raised brow and her hands on her hips.

"Oh, well, you know…there was so much studying to do, my eyes were tired." He stammered.

"Charles told you to get an eye exam, you probably needed glasses."

"Nah, besides, my vision was corrected before I started field work. I see clear as day!"

"Okay, Phineas, we must go now." Susan coaxed.

Phineas looked at Kayla and she nodded. "Go Phineas, I'll take care of Jeffrey and make sure he knows what's going on."

Susan turned aside to give the two a moment alone. Phineas held Kayla's hand.

"I appreciate all you've done, I can't say it enough."

"You saved my life three times, my ancestors, my future, if I had to die for you, I would." Kayla said resolutely.

Phineas choked up. He kissed her cheek. "I'd do the same. Please, tell Jeffrey I love him and will see him very soon."

Susan activated her Voyager Locator and the bright light returned. A vortex swirled in the center. She held his arm and they stepped inside.

Phineas was halfway within, when he turned to Kayla.

"I love you too."

The pair vanished and Kayla sank on the couch. Those could very well be the last words she'd ever hear from Voyager Phineas Bogg.