The Continuum troublemaker was dressed in a Starfleet admiral's uniform.
Members of the Continuum didn't exist in solid form, but could temporarily
take on a solid form when they chose to. Despite his low opinion of humans,
Q often chose humanoid form when interacting with humans. With Q's great
ego it was not uncommon to find him dressed in human military uniforms
emblazoned with insignia of high rank. Playing practical jokes on Starfleet
vessels was one of Q's favorite pastimes. He had become fascinated with the
human species, and human Starfleet officers in particular, during his first
encounter with Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew of the U.S.S.
Enterprise D.
"Let me take a wild guess. The wormhole was your doing, right Q?" Chakotay asked angrily, although he already knew the answer.
Q smiled arrogantly, obviously very pleased with himself. "My how perceptive of you Commander. The concern you humans show for your fellow beings is quite touching. Juvenile, but touching nonetheless."
Chakotay stepped towards Q who immediately vanished and reappeared behind the Native American.
Chakotay turned around, anger flashing in his brown eyes. "Where are Captain Janeway and the others?"
Q saw the anger and smiled. He really enjoyed antagonizing this human and it was so easy too. Q was enjoying his little game with Chakotay and continued to antagonize the commander. "Temper, Temper Commander. You know you won't get any information from me while you're angry. Did you know you're face turns a delightful shade of red when you're angry?"
Chakotay forced himself to calm down. As much as he detested Q, the member of the Continuum held the upper hand. If Q really was responsible for sending the away team through the wormhole then he was also probably their only hope of returning to Voyager alive. "Okay Q, would if it's not too much trouble would you please tell me where Captain Janeway and the rest of the away team are?
"It would be no trouble at all my Native American friend. Kathy and the rest of the away team are in a parallel universe. And before you ask any further questions, that is all the information I'm disclosing for now. You and the rest of the Voyager crew will just have to wait a little while longer."
Chakotay refrained from saying the expletives that came to his mind. Experience had taught him that it would get him nowhere calling Q names. It would only be playing Q's game. "When will you be providing us with more details?"
Q paused momentarily before answering, "I haven't decided. But I will tell you in due time Commander. Trust me."
Having had his fun for the day, Q snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving Chakotay to his anger. The Commander looked up at the ceiling of the bridge and sighed. Chakotay forced himself to calm down then turned to his crew on the bridge. "What are you all doing just standing around? Doesn't anybody have work to do?"
***
Back on Andromeda the away team and Andromeda's crew had begun debriefing each other. Trance had gotten up began passing out hot cups of coffee, beginning with Janeway and the Voyager away team.
Janeway began first, mentioning that she and most of Voyager's 4,000 plus crew was from earth and that she, Paris, Tuvok, and Kim were Starfleet officers. Janeway then proceeded to explain the history of Starfleet and how it was headquartered on Earth.
When finished, Janeway received a sarcastic laugh from Harper. Andromeda's engineer had been silent until now, listening intently to what Janeway and her crew had to say.
Hunt shot his engineer a stern look which the engineer immediately acknowledged. "I'm sorry Dylan, but Captain Janeway here is so funny I'm about to roll on the floor laughing."
Janeway and the rest of the away team couldn't help but notice the sarcasm oozing in Harper's words. Janeway sat up straight in her seat, which her crew recognized as trouble for Mr. Harper. Paris had seen his captain like this before and found himself sympathizing with the engineer. This was partly because Paris usually found himself in Harper's position, facing the wrath of Captain Kathryn Janeway. Paris also felt sympathy for Andromeda's engineer because they were close in age.
"I am not aware that I was joking Mr. Harper," Janeway said sternly.
Hunt contemplated stepping in and telling his engineer to sit down and be quiet, but knew it would be useless. Harper had suffered through too much horror and pain on his home world of Earth to listen.
"I'm sorry Captain Janeway; I know me speaking up like this is against the rules but don't blame Dylan. He can't make me just sit here listening to you like a good little soldier would. You see, I'm from Earth and I can tell you for a fact that there is no is no Starfleet there. And another thing I know for a fact, is there never will be as long as the Niezscheans run Earth."
The Voyager crew didn't even bother to hide their shock. It was written all over their faces. Janeway looked at Hunt who saw the questioning look in her blue eyes.
After placing a hand on Harper's shoulder, pushing the engineer back down in his seat, Hunt turned his attention back to Janeway. "I'm afraid that, while not very tactful in his presentation, Mr. Harper is, nevertheless, correct about the lack of Starfleet on Earth," Hunt explained.
"Please elaborate Captain Hunt," Janeway asked, keeping her voice composed.
Dylan Hunt began by giving a brief history of the Systems Commonwealth and how it was destroyed by the Nietzschean sneak attack hundreds of year before. Hunt went on to explain how Earth was involved in a deadly war which wiped out most of its inhabitants. The away team listened in horror as Hunt told of the Magog invasion of Earth, where many humans were eaten by the rampaging invaders. Many of those that survived were infested with Magog larvae and therefore, doomed to horrible death when the larvae ate their way out of their hosts. Hunt concluded by telling of the Drago-Kazov Pride of Nietzscheans offering the humans on earth protection of refugee camps, and how those who lived in the camps were turned into slaves by their Nietzschean benefactors.
Tom Paris looked over at Harper and noticed how the young engineer had suddenly seemed to age. The pain in Harper's blue eyes revealed a man older than his years, who had seen too much suffering in his life. Paris didn't need any more proof that Hunt had told the truth. "As strange as your story sounds, I find myself believing it."
Kim looked at Paris as if his best friend had just turned purple with pink polka dots. "Oh, please Tom. You don't really believe that fairytale do you? Kim didn't want to believe Hunt's version of Earth history. It was too horrific.
Tyr leaned forward in his chair and glared at the Ops Officer. "I'm afraid Captain Hunt was not retelling a fairytale Mr. Kim. Unfortunately his story was all too true. I am a Nietzschean from the Kodiak Pride and have been to Earth. I have seen first hand what my fellow Nietzscheans have done there to non-genetically modified humans like Harper. I may be a Nietzschean, but I assure you I have no love for the Drago-Kazov Pride. The Drago-Kazov Pride betrayed my Kodiak pride and nearly wiped it out. I am the last surviving member of the Kodiak Pride. So believe me when I tell you that Earth is not a pleasant place right now."
Andromeda's crew noticed the confusion written on the faces of Janeway and her crew. The away team obviously had never met a Nietzschean and wasn't aware, until now, that Tyr was one. Harper immediately tried to assuage the fears of the away team. "Don't worry about Tyr. He won't hurt you. Just don't make any threatening moves though. Nietzscheans are bred for self preservation.'
Tukok's eyes widened after hearing that last sentence. "Of course, Nietzscheans. Nietzsche. I should have made the association earlier. You race adopted the philosophy of Frederick Nietzsche."
Tyr nodded his head. He was surprised Tuvok made the association at all. The dark-skinned Nietzschean vowed not to underestimate any of these new visitors again. The next time it happened, Tyr reasoned, there might be more than a little trouble for Andromeda and her crew.
Hunt noticed that Janeway and her crew had relaxed slightly, but still looked slightly shell-shocked. It was well past midnight so Hunt brought up the idea of everyone retiring to their quarters for night. The High Guard captain realized that the new visitors had been given enough fantastic information to assimilate for now. It didn't take any arm twisting to get everybody else to agree either. So, the coffee mugs were put into the sink and the two crews gradually filed out of the mess hall.
AI Rommie escorted Janeway and her crew to their sleeping quarters one deck above. Janeway was accorded the customary respect due a visiting high ranking dignitary and had her own quarters. Paris, Kim and Tuvok chose to room together reasoning that there would be safety in numbers.
"Let me take a wild guess. The wormhole was your doing, right Q?" Chakotay asked angrily, although he already knew the answer.
Q smiled arrogantly, obviously very pleased with himself. "My how perceptive of you Commander. The concern you humans show for your fellow beings is quite touching. Juvenile, but touching nonetheless."
Chakotay stepped towards Q who immediately vanished and reappeared behind the Native American.
Chakotay turned around, anger flashing in his brown eyes. "Where are Captain Janeway and the others?"
Q saw the anger and smiled. He really enjoyed antagonizing this human and it was so easy too. Q was enjoying his little game with Chakotay and continued to antagonize the commander. "Temper, Temper Commander. You know you won't get any information from me while you're angry. Did you know you're face turns a delightful shade of red when you're angry?"
Chakotay forced himself to calm down. As much as he detested Q, the member of the Continuum held the upper hand. If Q really was responsible for sending the away team through the wormhole then he was also probably their only hope of returning to Voyager alive. "Okay Q, would if it's not too much trouble would you please tell me where Captain Janeway and the rest of the away team are?
"It would be no trouble at all my Native American friend. Kathy and the rest of the away team are in a parallel universe. And before you ask any further questions, that is all the information I'm disclosing for now. You and the rest of the Voyager crew will just have to wait a little while longer."
Chakotay refrained from saying the expletives that came to his mind. Experience had taught him that it would get him nowhere calling Q names. It would only be playing Q's game. "When will you be providing us with more details?"
Q paused momentarily before answering, "I haven't decided. But I will tell you in due time Commander. Trust me."
Having had his fun for the day, Q snapped his fingers and disappeared, leaving Chakotay to his anger. The Commander looked up at the ceiling of the bridge and sighed. Chakotay forced himself to calm down then turned to his crew on the bridge. "What are you all doing just standing around? Doesn't anybody have work to do?"
***
Back on Andromeda the away team and Andromeda's crew had begun debriefing each other. Trance had gotten up began passing out hot cups of coffee, beginning with Janeway and the Voyager away team.
Janeway began first, mentioning that she and most of Voyager's 4,000 plus crew was from earth and that she, Paris, Tuvok, and Kim were Starfleet officers. Janeway then proceeded to explain the history of Starfleet and how it was headquartered on Earth.
When finished, Janeway received a sarcastic laugh from Harper. Andromeda's engineer had been silent until now, listening intently to what Janeway and her crew had to say.
Hunt shot his engineer a stern look which the engineer immediately acknowledged. "I'm sorry Dylan, but Captain Janeway here is so funny I'm about to roll on the floor laughing."
Janeway and the rest of the away team couldn't help but notice the sarcasm oozing in Harper's words. Janeway sat up straight in her seat, which her crew recognized as trouble for Mr. Harper. Paris had seen his captain like this before and found himself sympathizing with the engineer. This was partly because Paris usually found himself in Harper's position, facing the wrath of Captain Kathryn Janeway. Paris also felt sympathy for Andromeda's engineer because they were close in age.
"I am not aware that I was joking Mr. Harper," Janeway said sternly.
Hunt contemplated stepping in and telling his engineer to sit down and be quiet, but knew it would be useless. Harper had suffered through too much horror and pain on his home world of Earth to listen.
"I'm sorry Captain Janeway; I know me speaking up like this is against the rules but don't blame Dylan. He can't make me just sit here listening to you like a good little soldier would. You see, I'm from Earth and I can tell you for a fact that there is no is no Starfleet there. And another thing I know for a fact, is there never will be as long as the Niezscheans run Earth."
The Voyager crew didn't even bother to hide their shock. It was written all over their faces. Janeway looked at Hunt who saw the questioning look in her blue eyes.
After placing a hand on Harper's shoulder, pushing the engineer back down in his seat, Hunt turned his attention back to Janeway. "I'm afraid that, while not very tactful in his presentation, Mr. Harper is, nevertheless, correct about the lack of Starfleet on Earth," Hunt explained.
"Please elaborate Captain Hunt," Janeway asked, keeping her voice composed.
Dylan Hunt began by giving a brief history of the Systems Commonwealth and how it was destroyed by the Nietzschean sneak attack hundreds of year before. Hunt went on to explain how Earth was involved in a deadly war which wiped out most of its inhabitants. The away team listened in horror as Hunt told of the Magog invasion of Earth, where many humans were eaten by the rampaging invaders. Many of those that survived were infested with Magog larvae and therefore, doomed to horrible death when the larvae ate their way out of their hosts. Hunt concluded by telling of the Drago-Kazov Pride of Nietzscheans offering the humans on earth protection of refugee camps, and how those who lived in the camps were turned into slaves by their Nietzschean benefactors.
Tom Paris looked over at Harper and noticed how the young engineer had suddenly seemed to age. The pain in Harper's blue eyes revealed a man older than his years, who had seen too much suffering in his life. Paris didn't need any more proof that Hunt had told the truth. "As strange as your story sounds, I find myself believing it."
Kim looked at Paris as if his best friend had just turned purple with pink polka dots. "Oh, please Tom. You don't really believe that fairytale do you? Kim didn't want to believe Hunt's version of Earth history. It was too horrific.
Tyr leaned forward in his chair and glared at the Ops Officer. "I'm afraid Captain Hunt was not retelling a fairytale Mr. Kim. Unfortunately his story was all too true. I am a Nietzschean from the Kodiak Pride and have been to Earth. I have seen first hand what my fellow Nietzscheans have done there to non-genetically modified humans like Harper. I may be a Nietzschean, but I assure you I have no love for the Drago-Kazov Pride. The Drago-Kazov Pride betrayed my Kodiak pride and nearly wiped it out. I am the last surviving member of the Kodiak Pride. So believe me when I tell you that Earth is not a pleasant place right now."
Andromeda's crew noticed the confusion written on the faces of Janeway and her crew. The away team obviously had never met a Nietzschean and wasn't aware, until now, that Tyr was one. Harper immediately tried to assuage the fears of the away team. "Don't worry about Tyr. He won't hurt you. Just don't make any threatening moves though. Nietzscheans are bred for self preservation.'
Tukok's eyes widened after hearing that last sentence. "Of course, Nietzscheans. Nietzsche. I should have made the association earlier. You race adopted the philosophy of Frederick Nietzsche."
Tyr nodded his head. He was surprised Tuvok made the association at all. The dark-skinned Nietzschean vowed not to underestimate any of these new visitors again. The next time it happened, Tyr reasoned, there might be more than a little trouble for Andromeda and her crew.
Hunt noticed that Janeway and her crew had relaxed slightly, but still looked slightly shell-shocked. It was well past midnight so Hunt brought up the idea of everyone retiring to their quarters for night. The High Guard captain realized that the new visitors had been given enough fantastic information to assimilate for now. It didn't take any arm twisting to get everybody else to agree either. So, the coffee mugs were put into the sink and the two crews gradually filed out of the mess hall.
AI Rommie escorted Janeway and her crew to their sleeping quarters one deck above. Janeway was accorded the customary respect due a visiting high ranking dignitary and had her own quarters. Paris, Kim and Tuvok chose to room together reasoning that there would be safety in numbers.