Disclaimer: I don't own the Andromeda or Star Trek Voyager Characters. I am
not making any money from this story.
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Chapter 11
Janeway's arrival back on Command brought on looks of excitement and anticipation. The Voyager captain wasn't cruel enough to keep those present waiting any longer. "I'm sure you all want to know if I was able to get any further information from Q. I'm sorry to say that Q was being quite tight- lipped. He didn't even bother to brag like he used to."
"What do you two captains suggest we do now?" Tyr asked as he leaned against the wall near the doorway.
"I suggest we trust Q and agree to his demand," Janeway said, addressing Hunt. "I know it sounds unreasonable and illogical, but I think it is our only chance. I have a pretty good instinct when it comes to Q and my instinct says to trust him this time."
Tyr had plenty of reasons for not trusting Janeway's instincts. The Nietzschean had learned to trust only his own instincts when it came to survival. "My instincts say that anybody who meddles in another's affairs is not to be trusted."
Holo Rommie materialized between Janeway and Tyr, easing the tension slightly. "I would have to agree with Tyr on this point Captain. The data I have managed to obtain indicate that Q is narcissistic and is merely behaves in a manner that will amuse him in one way or another."
Janeway had come to the same conclusions upon her first encounter with Q, but that was before he was reprimanded by the rest of the Continuum. "That may have been true in the past Rommie, but I believe that Q has turned over a new leaf, so to speak. Q has a son now and would not wish to endanger the boy by acting in an irresponsible manner."
"All three of you have valid points but I believe we're forgetting something here," Hunt informed, finally entering the debate.
Tyr unfolded his arms, letting them hang at his side. "And just what would that be?"
Hunt gestured towards Paris with an outstretched arm. "Mr. Paris and Mr. Harper are the ones at the center of our discussion, yet we haven't asked them if they are willing to trust Q."
Janeway walked over to one of the chairs on Command and sat down. "Your point is well taken Captain Hunt," then turning to Paris. "Well Mr. Paris, do you think we should take Q at his word and agree to the exchange?"
Paris looked at both captains and gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "You're both the captains. I'm used to taking orders, so whatever you both decide is okay with me."
"Tom, I'm not going to tell you what answer to give. The decision is yours," Janeway replied. She wanted the young helmsman to know she wouldn't pressure him, but Paris was used to taking orders. Even when he occasionally disobeyed orders; Paris knew there would be consequences and accepted that.
Paris didn't need any time to think over his answer. He had already been having the same debate with himself, weighing his options and what was the best outcome for all concerned. "Well, as much as I would rather not trust Q, and the Earth of this universe sounds brutal; I don't see that we have a choice. Besides, Harper survived most of his life on Earth, so I see no reason why I couldn't last short time there."
"While your courage is admirable Mr. Paris; it is due to lack of knowledge of the actual dangers the situation presents, rather than the desire to face those dangers head on," Tyr commented.
Paris was rather taken aback by the Nietzschean's dismissal of the helmsman's courage. "I'm not naïve enough to think it will be a picnic, Mr. Anasazi, but it doesn't really matter right now, does it?"
A small smile formed on Tyr's lips. "Maybe it doesn't child."
Dylan stared straight ahead and began speaking over the Com system. "Alright, everybody who's not on Command get here on the double."
"Be right there Boss," Harper's voice called out over the Com.
Minutes later AI Rommie arrived on Command, showing no signs of having been suddenly turned offline. "Before anybody asks me; my systems are now running at 100% efficiency."
"That is very reassuring," Tyr remarked.
Trance and Harper arrived on Command together shortly after the avatar. Janeway sensed the engineer and the medic shared a bond since she first saw the way the two looked at each other during the briefings in the mess hall. The same bond the Captain had sensed in Paris and Torres. Janeway didn't really know why she was noticing something like that at this time. Janeway shook off those thoughts and set her mind on the task at hand.
"Okay Boss, what's up? Did Q finally talk?" Harper asked breathlessly. The engineer always seemed to speak in streams of words the flowed out faster than Hunt thought possible.
"Q talked but he didn't give me any information," Janeway informed.
Harper looked at Tyr and walked over to the tall Nietzschean, reached up and put a hand on the man's broad left shoulder. "Looks like it's your turn now Big Guy."
Janeway, Kim, and Paris cringed at the thought of a powerless Q facing off with the dark-skinned Nietzschean. It didn't take much to imagine Tyr's preferred method of interrogation.
"I have come to the conclusion that our best course of action is to trust Q and go along with his plan. Mr. Paris has yet to give me his final decision," Janeway informed.
Hunt looked at the Harper, trying to read the engineer's feelings. Surprisingly the Earther didn't react at all at first. Harper kept his true emotions buried beneath the surface. "You're saying that the decision is Paris' and mine? What if the two of us don't agree?"
"You'll both have to agree, so I suggest you discuss it together." Hunt instructed, putting a hand on the shoulders of the two young men. Hunt then pushed Paris and Harper towards each other.
"If you two would like some time alone we can leave Command," Beka offered, giving Hunt an icy glare. The captain could be annoyingly pushy at times.
During this time Paris had made his decision so he decided that now was as good time to let everybody know. "I've already decided to go along with the exchange."
"Yeah, me too," Harper added. "Are ya sure ya wanna go through with this Tom?"
Paris gave a slight nod of his head in response. It wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but the helmsman was determined. "Yes, I'm sure."
Harper accepted the answer. "I'll agree too, although I think I'm getting the better part of the deal."
"Well, it's about time you didn't get the short end of the stick don't ya think, Mudfoot," Beka replied as she lightly punched the engineer in his right arm.
Harper rubbed the area of his arm that had just received the blow from Beka and smiled a forced, hollow smile. "I don't like the idea of Tom going by himself though. Did Q say anything about him having company when he goes to Earth?"
"Come to think of it, I don't believe he did," Hunt replied.
Tyr perked up. Now the conversation was turning interesting. The dark- skinned Nietzschean was debating whether to bring up the idea himself.
Q3 materialized on Command, at the two crews. "Very good people, but you did cut it awfully close waiting until the last minute like that."
Everybody watched Q3 with no small amount of surprise registering on their faces. Tyr and Tuvok did the best job of keeping their thoughts hidden.
"Great, just what we need, another member of the Continuum using us as their play things," Beka retorted. She didn't care if she offended the whole Continuum.
"Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions Captain Valentine. I'm merely here as an observer," Q3 replied as he approached the blonde.
It now dawned on Janeway why Q was so adamant about the Paris/Harper exchange and why Q insisted on being trusted. "You're here to observe Q, am I right?"
Q3 chuckled with delight. "Excellent deduction Captain Janeway. On behalf of the Continuum I would like to thank you for your participation our test."
"Test?" Harper blurted out.
Beka Valentine was now livid. Hunt grabbed the pilot and kept her from attempting to do physical harm to Q3. Hunt wasn't worried that the Continuum member would actually be harmed. Hunt just didn't want to see what would happen to Beka if Q3 should retaliate.
Beka struggled momentarily against Hunt's restraining embrace before relaxing. "You've got a lot of nerve coming here and using us in your games."
"Unfortunately, that's how the test was designed. The Continuum wanted to make sure was still behaving himself. He is still on parole, so to speak. The Q Continuum agreed to put Q in a situation where humans had a choice of whether to trust him. If he got the people whom he had toyed with in the past to trust him then he would pass the final faze of his parole," The Continuum member explained.
Paris gave a noticeable sigh of relief. "I take it that means I don't have to the Earth in this universe now."
Harper was happy for Paris, but slightly disappointment for himself. The engineer had been looking forward to seeing Starfleet Academy and all the other sights on the Paris' Earth. "Well, guess you don't getta see the Nietzscheans and the Magog after all Tom."
Q3 watched the humans with mild amusement. "That can still be arranged. I have been instructed to offer all of you a reward for your participation in the test."
"Thank you Q, but we'd prefer to get back to the Voyager and be on our way," Janeway said, answering for her crew.
"Very well, but wouldn't you like to have an exchange of technology between Voyager and Andromeda?" Q asked, as he snapped his fingers. Q materialized next to him.
Q had a broad smile on his face. He knew he had made through the gauntlet. "Thank you all. Really, I do appreciate your trust. However, I wish you wouldn't have waited until the last minute to make up your minds."
"Don't push it Q," Janeway warned.
"Well, we'll be leaving," Q3 announced. "Q will be back once his Q powers are restored and he will send the Away Team back. With that the two Continuum members disappeared out of sight.
"Well, I guess you're stuck with us for a little while longer any way," Janeway announced.
Hunt chuckled. He had grown accustomed to Janeway and her crew by now. "I think I can speak for my crew when I say that it will be a pleasure to have you and your crew stay a little longer."
A/N: Thanks for reading my story. I plan to do a sequel but it will be awhile in coming. In the meantime I am plan on enjoying reading stories up here on ff.net. Ciao.
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Chapter 11
Janeway's arrival back on Command brought on looks of excitement and anticipation. The Voyager captain wasn't cruel enough to keep those present waiting any longer. "I'm sure you all want to know if I was able to get any further information from Q. I'm sorry to say that Q was being quite tight- lipped. He didn't even bother to brag like he used to."
"What do you two captains suggest we do now?" Tyr asked as he leaned against the wall near the doorway.
"I suggest we trust Q and agree to his demand," Janeway said, addressing Hunt. "I know it sounds unreasonable and illogical, but I think it is our only chance. I have a pretty good instinct when it comes to Q and my instinct says to trust him this time."
Tyr had plenty of reasons for not trusting Janeway's instincts. The Nietzschean had learned to trust only his own instincts when it came to survival. "My instincts say that anybody who meddles in another's affairs is not to be trusted."
Holo Rommie materialized between Janeway and Tyr, easing the tension slightly. "I would have to agree with Tyr on this point Captain. The data I have managed to obtain indicate that Q is narcissistic and is merely behaves in a manner that will amuse him in one way or another."
Janeway had come to the same conclusions upon her first encounter with Q, but that was before he was reprimanded by the rest of the Continuum. "That may have been true in the past Rommie, but I believe that Q has turned over a new leaf, so to speak. Q has a son now and would not wish to endanger the boy by acting in an irresponsible manner."
"All three of you have valid points but I believe we're forgetting something here," Hunt informed, finally entering the debate.
Tyr unfolded his arms, letting them hang at his side. "And just what would that be?"
Hunt gestured towards Paris with an outstretched arm. "Mr. Paris and Mr. Harper are the ones at the center of our discussion, yet we haven't asked them if they are willing to trust Q."
Janeway walked over to one of the chairs on Command and sat down. "Your point is well taken Captain Hunt," then turning to Paris. "Well Mr. Paris, do you think we should take Q at his word and agree to the exchange?"
Paris looked at both captains and gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "You're both the captains. I'm used to taking orders, so whatever you both decide is okay with me."
"Tom, I'm not going to tell you what answer to give. The decision is yours," Janeway replied. She wanted the young helmsman to know she wouldn't pressure him, but Paris was used to taking orders. Even when he occasionally disobeyed orders; Paris knew there would be consequences and accepted that.
Paris didn't need any time to think over his answer. He had already been having the same debate with himself, weighing his options and what was the best outcome for all concerned. "Well, as much as I would rather not trust Q, and the Earth of this universe sounds brutal; I don't see that we have a choice. Besides, Harper survived most of his life on Earth, so I see no reason why I couldn't last short time there."
"While your courage is admirable Mr. Paris; it is due to lack of knowledge of the actual dangers the situation presents, rather than the desire to face those dangers head on," Tyr commented.
Paris was rather taken aback by the Nietzschean's dismissal of the helmsman's courage. "I'm not naïve enough to think it will be a picnic, Mr. Anasazi, but it doesn't really matter right now, does it?"
A small smile formed on Tyr's lips. "Maybe it doesn't child."
Dylan stared straight ahead and began speaking over the Com system. "Alright, everybody who's not on Command get here on the double."
"Be right there Boss," Harper's voice called out over the Com.
Minutes later AI Rommie arrived on Command, showing no signs of having been suddenly turned offline. "Before anybody asks me; my systems are now running at 100% efficiency."
"That is very reassuring," Tyr remarked.
Trance and Harper arrived on Command together shortly after the avatar. Janeway sensed the engineer and the medic shared a bond since she first saw the way the two looked at each other during the briefings in the mess hall. The same bond the Captain had sensed in Paris and Torres. Janeway didn't really know why she was noticing something like that at this time. Janeway shook off those thoughts and set her mind on the task at hand.
"Okay Boss, what's up? Did Q finally talk?" Harper asked breathlessly. The engineer always seemed to speak in streams of words the flowed out faster than Hunt thought possible.
"Q talked but he didn't give me any information," Janeway informed.
Harper looked at Tyr and walked over to the tall Nietzschean, reached up and put a hand on the man's broad left shoulder. "Looks like it's your turn now Big Guy."
Janeway, Kim, and Paris cringed at the thought of a powerless Q facing off with the dark-skinned Nietzschean. It didn't take much to imagine Tyr's preferred method of interrogation.
"I have come to the conclusion that our best course of action is to trust Q and go along with his plan. Mr. Paris has yet to give me his final decision," Janeway informed.
Hunt looked at the Harper, trying to read the engineer's feelings. Surprisingly the Earther didn't react at all at first. Harper kept his true emotions buried beneath the surface. "You're saying that the decision is Paris' and mine? What if the two of us don't agree?"
"You'll both have to agree, so I suggest you discuss it together." Hunt instructed, putting a hand on the shoulders of the two young men. Hunt then pushed Paris and Harper towards each other.
"If you two would like some time alone we can leave Command," Beka offered, giving Hunt an icy glare. The captain could be annoyingly pushy at times.
During this time Paris had made his decision so he decided that now was as good time to let everybody know. "I've already decided to go along with the exchange."
"Yeah, me too," Harper added. "Are ya sure ya wanna go through with this Tom?"
Paris gave a slight nod of his head in response. It wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but the helmsman was determined. "Yes, I'm sure."
Harper accepted the answer. "I'll agree too, although I think I'm getting the better part of the deal."
"Well, it's about time you didn't get the short end of the stick don't ya think, Mudfoot," Beka replied as she lightly punched the engineer in his right arm.
Harper rubbed the area of his arm that had just received the blow from Beka and smiled a forced, hollow smile. "I don't like the idea of Tom going by himself though. Did Q say anything about him having company when he goes to Earth?"
"Come to think of it, I don't believe he did," Hunt replied.
Tyr perked up. Now the conversation was turning interesting. The dark- skinned Nietzschean was debating whether to bring up the idea himself.
Q3 materialized on Command, at the two crews. "Very good people, but you did cut it awfully close waiting until the last minute like that."
Everybody watched Q3 with no small amount of surprise registering on their faces. Tyr and Tuvok did the best job of keeping their thoughts hidden.
"Great, just what we need, another member of the Continuum using us as their play things," Beka retorted. She didn't care if she offended the whole Continuum.
"Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions Captain Valentine. I'm merely here as an observer," Q3 replied as he approached the blonde.
It now dawned on Janeway why Q was so adamant about the Paris/Harper exchange and why Q insisted on being trusted. "You're here to observe Q, am I right?"
Q3 chuckled with delight. "Excellent deduction Captain Janeway. On behalf of the Continuum I would like to thank you for your participation our test."
"Test?" Harper blurted out.
Beka Valentine was now livid. Hunt grabbed the pilot and kept her from attempting to do physical harm to Q3. Hunt wasn't worried that the Continuum member would actually be harmed. Hunt just didn't want to see what would happen to Beka if Q3 should retaliate.
Beka struggled momentarily against Hunt's restraining embrace before relaxing. "You've got a lot of nerve coming here and using us in your games."
"Unfortunately, that's how the test was designed. The Continuum wanted to make sure was still behaving himself. He is still on parole, so to speak. The Q Continuum agreed to put Q in a situation where humans had a choice of whether to trust him. If he got the people whom he had toyed with in the past to trust him then he would pass the final faze of his parole," The Continuum member explained.
Paris gave a noticeable sigh of relief. "I take it that means I don't have to the Earth in this universe now."
Harper was happy for Paris, but slightly disappointment for himself. The engineer had been looking forward to seeing Starfleet Academy and all the other sights on the Paris' Earth. "Well, guess you don't getta see the Nietzscheans and the Magog after all Tom."
Q3 watched the humans with mild amusement. "That can still be arranged. I have been instructed to offer all of you a reward for your participation in the test."
"Thank you Q, but we'd prefer to get back to the Voyager and be on our way," Janeway said, answering for her crew.
"Very well, but wouldn't you like to have an exchange of technology between Voyager and Andromeda?" Q asked, as he snapped his fingers. Q materialized next to him.
Q had a broad smile on his face. He knew he had made through the gauntlet. "Thank you all. Really, I do appreciate your trust. However, I wish you wouldn't have waited until the last minute to make up your minds."
"Don't push it Q," Janeway warned.
"Well, we'll be leaving," Q3 announced. "Q will be back once his Q powers are restored and he will send the Away Team back. With that the two Continuum members disappeared out of sight.
"Well, I guess you're stuck with us for a little while longer any way," Janeway announced.
Hunt chuckled. He had grown accustomed to Janeway and her crew by now. "I think I can speak for my crew when I say that it will be a pleasure to have you and your crew stay a little longer."
A/N: Thanks for reading my story. I plan to do a sequel but it will be awhile in coming. In the meantime I am plan on enjoying reading stories up here on ff.net. Ciao.