Chapter 4

The Captain closed her eyes, bowed her head, and felt a tear fall from underneath her lashes. She didn't move or open her eyes. "I have to ask," she said roughly. "Why did you do it? Why did you create the accident? Why Seven?"

"Because I know you, Kathryn. There is nothing you love more than your crew. Seven was right. I am dying, and desperate people use desperate measures. It took a great deal of my resources to create a conduit for myself through Voyager's warp core, but it was well worth it. As for Seven," Archon replied, "you said it yourself. You love her, and remember, she is still my prisoner. I'll let her go once you obey me. I let you free the last time because you are stubborn. You wouldn't abandon your crew or your precious ship. This time, you will come to protect them."

Her father did the clasp on the necklace. Kathryn looked proudly down at the shimmering blue moonstone and smiled. "It's beautiful, Daddy. Thank you."

"It's just the color of your eyes when you're happiest, Goldenbird," he said.

"I'll take it with me when I'm a captain," she promised. "I'll keep it with me always."

"Why do you want to be a captain?" he asked. "Why not aim for the admiralty?"

"Because," the six-year-old explained, "captains explore the galaxy. They meet new people and have wonderful adventures. They make exciting discoveries and see things no one's ever seen before. They get to help and save people. They fight in space battles!" Her expression grew thoughtful. "But…most of all…they get their own ships and crews to care about. They get their own people to teach and protect, and those people are very loyal to them. I want that, Daddy. I want to be a captain."

"People say that having your own ship is like having a second family," her father told her. "Captains have to sacrifice for their crews, too, sweetheart. It's like a mother does for her kids. They have to prepare themselves all their lives for those times."

The young girl nodded solemnly. "I'll be ready, then," she said.

Her father smiled lovingly. "I'm sure you will be, Kathryn. And I know you'll be the finest, most special Captain there ever was."

Kathryn touched the necklace as she made it appear over her heart now, feeling its smooth, cool surface as she ran her fingers over it. She opened her eyes and finally turned.

Archon was standing by his gateway. "It's time. No more waiting."

She approached the spot without hesitation. She reached a hand out to the glowing door. It looked like fire, but it rippled like warm summer waters against her skin. Although her heart ached with a twinge of regret for what she was leaving behind, she was also gripped by a deep scientific curiosity as she stepped closer still. She gazed at the glowing light until it filled her vision. She could feel the energy flowing all around her, and she closed her eyes one last time to embrace it. For her. For them.

She's coming around! Prepare twenty milligrams…just in case…Seven, can you hear me?

Seven awoke in Sickbay and bolted upright.

"Seven!" Chakotay exclaimed.

She threw herself into his open arms. "The Captain," she sobbed. "She…she is not coming back." She looked toward the still form on the biobed.

"The Captain's vitals are destabilizing!" The Doctor warned.

Seven rushed to Janeway's side. "Captain, please listen to me!" she begged in distress. How could you leave me? You said you loved me. You called me your daughter. Please, someone save her. Please!

Aunt Kathy!

There was only one person in the universe who called her that. Janeway opened her eyes, startled. Someone was pulling her backwards, away from the light. She realized she was breathing hard, as if she had just run a marathon under double gravity. Her heart was pounding so hard against her chest that it hurt terribly. "Q!" Her legs felt weak beneath her, and she found herself leaning against Junior for support.

"NO!" Archon rushed forward, looking as if he just might push them both through the gateway, but Junior's father stopped the enraged being dead in his tracks.

"I've been hunting you for a long time," Q said, crossing his arms across his chest, "and I've finally found you. It's judgement day, Archon."

Archon shouted, "Never!" The fiery dome began to collapse, revealing a sky filled with lightning. He raised his arms and gathered it in a crackling mass within a split second, hurling it toward his three opponents.

The Captain instinctively dropped down to the ground with her godson, trying to shield Junior as the air snapped and sizzled around them with ten times the force of the strongest ion storm. She struggled to focus through the bolts. It's my mind! A phaser appeared in her hand. Shakily, she aimed and fired. Archon stumbled backwards. The air settled.

"Enough is enough," Q huffed, and then he ordered, "Junior, take care of your Aunt Kathy. I'll take care of him."

"Dad, be careful," Junior warned. "You might need help!" Archon was so much more powerful than he had ever led the Continuum to believe.

Q looked at his son. "Trust me," he said, and then he snapped his fingers.

There were indistinct voices swirling around her. Light was beginning to invade corners in the infinite darkness.

Janeway opened her eyes and drew in a long, sharp breath. She immediately tried to sit up, but dizziness overcame the urge, and she collapsed back down onto the biobed. "Junior," she murmured.

"He's here, Captain, and Seven's alright." The Captain sighed in relief at Chakotay's quick reassurance. He was always able to tell her what she needed to know before she asked. He and Tom gently helped her up, and she registered Seven's tear-streaked face.

"Come here," she whispered, and Seven fell into her embrace.

Suddenly, Voyager shook beneath their feet, and she heard, "Kim to Sickbay. There's something strange going on outside."

"Acknowledged. We're on our way," she answered the call.

The Doctor immediately began to protest, "You're in no condition…"

She threw him a glare and held up her hand to stop his barrage of indignant objections. "I have to," she said.

She marched out as steadily as she could, with Chakotay, Tom, Seven, and Junior in tow.

"Mr. Kim, onscreen!" Janeway ordered upon taking the bridge. "Red alert."

Tom assessed their propulsion quickly. "We still don't have Warp drive online, Captain,"

The viewer came to life, and they saw two swirling forms of light, one gold and one blue, twisting and turning as they battled. Lightning seemed to crackle and pop around and in between them, and Voyager rumbled with each discharge of electricity.

"Captain, there's a large energy buildup coming from…them. It's reaching critical," Harry warned.

"No!" Junior cried.

"Tuvok, shields to maximum! Mr. Paris, back us off as far as you can." The light intensified until no one could bear to look. As she shielded her eyes, the Captain called, "All hands, this is the Captain. Brace for impact!" She grabbed Junior's hand and gripped the railing.

"Impact in 3, 2, 1!"