Fear
By the time Kathryn and the rest of the Senior Staff had reached Astrometrics, the message from Starfleet was displayed on the screen.
"What did you find?" Kathryn asked immediately.
Arturis turned and gave her a smile. "We managed to decrypt all but one section. It was too heavily damaged to do anything with."
"Alright. Well let's see what we've got."
The group crowded around the console to see what Starfleet had sent them. They listened in shock and awe as Admiral Hayes' face appeared, informing them that they had sent a ship to rendezvous with Voyager. It had faster technology and could get the crew home safely in the span of only three months.
"Is he serious?" B'Elanna asked.
Kathryn shrugged. "It sounds legitimate."
"These coordinates were imbedded in the file," Seven interrupted, displaying not only the coordinates but the image of a ship as well."
Kathryn held her breath. Could this really be what they'd been hoping for? A way to get home in three months instead of sixty years? Part of her wanted to believe it was true but the Captain in her reminded her she needed to keep a level head.
"Tom, I want you to set a course to those coordinates. Chakotay, recall the rest of the crew from shore leave."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"We're going home."
Faces beamed back at her as Kathryn watched Tom and Chakotay leave the room. Harry, B'Elanna and Tuvok stood expectantly.
"You're dismissed. Return to your stations."
"Yes, Captain."
The Captain turned to Seven and Arturis. "You two should be very proud of yourselves. Why don't you take a break?"
"Thank you, Captain. That is very generous of you."
"Perhaps something to eat from our Mess Hall?"
"Captain, the infant's party?" Seven reminded her.
"Oh, you're right." She glanced guiltily at the screen in front of her before leaving the room.
"Does she do that often?" Arturis asked.
"No. However, I have observed when it pertains to her child, she is not always logical."
Kathryn rounded a corner and nearly collided with Q. She caught herself before tripping and looked down at her son.
"He's getting restless, Kathy," Q said.
"I know. But something's happened."
"It has to do with that alien, doesn't it?"
"Yes. He and Seven managed to decode the message from Starfleet. They've sent us a new ship. It has faster technology that will get us home in three months' time."
"Sounds perfect."
"Q. Is that jealousy I'm detecting?"
Q made a face. "Jealous? Me? Of what? Some big headed alien who could decrypt a file? Big deal."
"Come on. Quinten deserves a few presents. It is after all his birthday."
She looked down at the boy and caught a smile. He knew what they were talking about. Together, they made their way back to her quarters. Q had brought the majority of the presents in from the Mess Hall.
"Let's see what we have here," Kathryn said, setting Quinten in her lap.
Q handed her a neatly wrapped gift and she gently unwrapped it. A small Captain's uniform sat in a box and Kathryn couldn't help but smile.
"I wonder who that's from," she laughed, looking at Q. She knew full well it was from him.
"He's going to be Captain one day. He'll be used to the uniform."
"I'm sure he'll look adorable." She set the outfit aside. "Give him another."
They got through two more presents before Tom's voice came over the comm. system. "Captain, I think you'd better come see this."
"I'm on my way."
She stood up, Quinten's fingers clutching the fabric of her uniform. She placed a kiss on his cheek as she made her way on to the bridge. On the view screen was an impressive looking ship with Starfleet insignia.
"It looks real and its right where they said it would be," Harry commented.
"Yes it is, Mr. Kim. But we need to be cautious. We don't know anything about this new ship." She turned to Chakotay. "I want you, Tuvok and Mr. Paris to transport to the vessel and take a look."
"Yes, Ma'am. We'll stay on an open comm. frequency."
"Good. I look forward to hearing your assessment, gentlemen."
A short time later, the trio found themselves on the vessel. They appeared to be on the bridge. It was massive, several times the size of Voyager's bridge.
"This is pretty impressive. I know the Captain is skeptical but, wow," Tom stated, looking around.
"It does seem to be well equipped," Chakotay agreed as he accessed the ship's schematics. "The USS Dauntless."
"I believe we should examine the vessel further,' Tuvok interjected.
"Agreed. Let's see if we can find Main Engineering."
After some wandering they found the Engine Room. Just as they crossed the threshold, the ship began to shake violently, sending them tumbling against bulkheads and consoles.
"What was that?" Tom asked.
"It looks like the engine is powering up," Chakotay answered.
"I've never seen an engine like that before. What do you think it is?"
"I'll see if there's any manual of operation in the system," the First Officer answered.
As he began to search through the computer system, Tom and Tuvok took a closer look around the engine room. Tuvok's tricorder beeped loudly as he bent down behind a bulkhead.
"Find something, Tuvok?" Tom asked.
"Perhaps."
Together, they pulled the bulkhead away to reveal alien technology. "What si that?"
"I do not know. I believe we should return to Voyager and discuss our findings with the Captain," Tuvok answered.
"Good idea." A pause and a tap of hiss comm. badge. "Chakotay to Voyager."
"Go ahead Chakotay."
"Three to beam back."
Kathryn met them in the transporter room. No one spoke as they made their way to the Briefing Room. Just as they arrived, Seven approached from a connecting corridor.
"Something wrong, Seven?" Kathryn asked as they entered the room.
"I wish to speak with you. It is urgent."
"It's going to have to wait. We found alien technology on the Dauntless," Tom interrupted.
"I believe Arturis is not who he says he is. Nor is the message complete. I went back and was able to decrypt the block he deemed to be damaged."
"And?" Kathryn prompted.
Seven pressed a few buttons on the computer console on the wall. The transmission began again.
"We've seen this before," Chakotay told her.
"This was not in the message Arturis retrieved."
The communication continued, explaining that Starfleet had not found a way to bring Voyager home but they had not given up.
"Why would Arturis lie to us?" Tom asked.
"We're going to find out. Tuvok, take a security team to the Mess Hall. Bring him to my Ready Room."
"Understood."
Kathryn let out an annoyed breath as her colleagues left her alone. Seven stayed behind, giving the Captain a concerned look.
"Captain...I know this was not what you wished to hear."
"Don't apologize, Seven. We were deceived. If it wasn't for your work, we would have gone off on that ship into who knows what. I appreciate your diligence."
"it has not been the day you were expecting."
"No, it hasn't."
Some ten minutes later, Kathryn stood across from Arturis. He tried to give her a convincing look of innocence but something in her saw right through it.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do. Where did that ship come from?"
"I don't know what you mean, Captain."
"That ship wasn't sent by Starfleet Command. From my officers' determinations, it isn't Starfleet at all."
The alien let out a shaky breath, eying the security guards behind him.
"You'll have to forgive me. It is my ship."
"I do not appreciate being tricked, Arturis. What exactly were you planning?"
"I had heard of you and your crew before we met. I..I am one of a few of my people left who hasn't been assimilated."
"Seven said your people had never been assimilated by the Borg."
"She was wrong. Do you have any idea what it is like to live without the people you love? To know they've been destroyed for the pursuit of perfection?"
"My people have been taken by the Borg. I sympathize with your anger but what does that have to do with my crew? Why deceive us?"
"It was perfect. I would have had an offering. They'd take you instead of me."
"It doesn't work that way. The Borg don't negotiate."
Kathryn let out a long exhale and ran a hand over her neck in frustration. She couldn't afford to keep him in the brig. He hadn't harmed anyone yet.
"I wish I could help you but I can't."
"You don't know what you're doing. You're signing my death warrant."
"Escort him back to his ship."
Arturis tried to protest as hands grabbed him but to no avail. They dragged him to the transporter room and sent him to his own vessel.
"Tom, get us out of here, warp six."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Evening soon arrived and the Senior Staff gathered in the Mess Hall for Quinten's party. He sat in a chair, his face beaming as present after present was placed in front of him. The Doctor stood off to the side, smiling proudly as each of his six gifts were opened.
"You spoiled him, Doctor," Kathryn said, moving to stand beside the hologram.
"Godfather's prerogative."
"It's been one hell of a day."
"Yes it has. I'm sorry it's been so hectic. I know how much the crew wanted to go home."
"We'll get there…I have no doubt about that." She caught Q out of the corner of her eye and they shared a small smile. Something in her told her they would make it home in one piece, as a family.