(Disclaimer goes here, yata yata. I know he's not our favorite character, but hopefully I can change our minds. My longest chapter so far (and that's saying something since it's shorter than Janeway's!))
I sit on the couch, alone, facing the window. My thumb relaxes on my mug of coffee, something I never really drank until I left Voyager. It's the only thing besides my memories that I have. The space outside sits idly, only a ship or two passing by every few minutes. I know I made the right choice though, leaving Voyager that is. I know that even if we did make it home to the Alpha Quadrant, I wouldn't feel at home because I wouldn't have my home. My family is gone, but here, on the asteroid, I have a new one. It's not like Talax, but I've learned to adjust, or as Seven of Nine would say, adapt.
"Brax finally gave in and went to bed," Dexa says, walking into the living room and sitting slowly next to me, her pregnant bulge hindering her usual graceful movements. She snuggles into my chest, and I wrap my free arm around her, the coffee still in my grasp. I can't I'm going to be a father. Though it wasn't my first opportunity, it will be my first child. Some days I think of Kes, and what would have happened if we had gone through with having a child. What it would look like, or be like. "What are you thinking of, love?" Dexa asks, startling me from my thoughts.
"Nothing," I reply, not wanting to disturb her. I never told her about Kes, but it isn't like Kes could just show up.
"I find that hard to believe," she says, moving her head to look up at me. "I don't understand why your thoughts always seemed to be elsewhere, and then you say it's nothing." I sigh, bringing the coffee to my lips and letting the liquid take it's time down. "Is there something wrong, Neelix?"
"No, not at all," I say, looking down into her worried eyes. "Things are perfect." As if cued, my computer starts chirping. I stand up, careful as to not let Dexa fall, and walk into my office. I tap a key and my partnering trade companion comes up on screen.
"Neelix, Raxel's ship...," he says quickly, the background around him shaking. "Raxel, his ship has been demolished."
"What?" I say, my eye widening. "What's going on, why are you under fire?"
"The miners, they've returned," he says, his ship shaking once again.
"But we negotiated a treaty with them!" I say, growing angry.
"Obviously some of them are not obeying it. We were returning from our excursion, when they came from one the asteroids. They must have been cloaked or something, because our sensors didn't pick them up until they were firing on us."
"How far are you from the colony?" I ask.
"Ten minutes, but we won't last that long. You have to do something." The channel is cut, and I slam my fist on the table. Damn right I have to do something. I grab my coat, and walk to the door.
"Neelix, what's going on, why were you yelling?" Dexa asks.
"I can't talk now, I have to go," I say, walking out. I know I should tell her, but by the time I finished my rant, Pelax, my co-worker, will be dead. I make my way down the dim-lit tunnel, until I reach my vessel. I start her up, and quickly jump to warp, locating Pelax's ship on my sensors. It's stopped, and there are two vessels nearby it. Taking my surprise attack advantage, I power weapons and drop out of warp. I shoot a volley at the closest ship, and it juts backwards on my viewscreen, small explosions blossoming on its hull. My ship shakes as the other ship fires on me. I fire another volley, sending this one to the other ship. I know I could probably take one ship, but with two, I know I'll fail. I hail Pelax's ship, and to my surprise there is a reply.
"Neelix, you—here. We need--- ments. Call --- ack up," Pelax says, his screen filled with static, and his voice keeps cutting off.
"Are you're weapons operational?" I ask, multi-tasking and shooting off my phasers at the two ships.
"Neg--- ive."
"Get them back, or we're both going to die," I say, failing to suppress my panic.
:: Shields down to 54 percent. :: The computer reports as my ship shakes again.
"Computer, seize audio reports," I request, not needing the added tension. I manage to disable one ship, but the other goes flying off towards the colony. I try and access my engines, but warp if offline. I'll never make it back on impulse on time, but I have to try. I hail the colony. Oxilon appears on screen.
"We're reading an oncoming miner vessel," he says, alarm reflecting in his eyes.
"I'm coming back, but Pelax's ship has been disabled," I report. "Get ready, their weapons are still online."
"Understood. I've raised shields," he says. "What's your ETA?"
"A good 15 minutes on impulse, but I should have warp back up in a few minutes," I tap the console. "They were just kicked offline; I need to warm them up."
"Understood," he says again. The background behind him rocks slightly. "The ship has arrived. Shields are holding at 90%." I would have grinned at this with pride, our powerful sensors against their inferior weapons, but my warp kicks back on and I jump to warp. I quickly drop out, spotting the vessel. I target his weapons array, and fire.
"Computer, reactivate audio reports," I say, watching closely as the ship stops firing.
:: Vessel's weapons systems are offline. ::
Suddenly there is a shot from the surface, and the ship explodes in front of me.
"Thank you, Neelix," Oxilon says, still on my small viewscreen. "Pelax should be returning soon, I'm reading his engines are functioning."
"Understood," I say with a sigh, leaning back in my seat with relief. "I'm sure Dexa won't be liking this. I'll be making repairs for weeks," I say, starting the landing procedures.
"When is she due?" Oxilon asks, now casual since the threat as been taken care of.
"Three weeks, but we've had several false alarms the past week," I say. My shuttle shudders as it lands.
"A good sign," Oxilon says. "It could be any day now, you know."
"I just hope she doesn't have another mood swing on me," I say, running a thorough scan of damages. "Do you remember that vase you gave us as a wedding present?"
"Yes, it was from Talax."
"She threw it against the wall," I say, shaking my head. "I had just returned after a good two weeks from trading, and was brutally angry with me."
"I'm sure I could find another vase to replace it, Neelix," he says reassuringly. "But for now, you should really get home." I nod.
"Good night, Oxilon," I say, taking a PADD and loading the damages onto it.
"Good night, and good luck, Neelix. Sounds like you may need it," Oxilon says with a smile. The channel ends, and I take the PADD, powering down my ship and leaving. The walk back to Dexa and my quarters is too quick. Before I know it, I'm unlocking the door, but she opens it first from the other side, and stands with a hand on her hip.
"Wrong code, I guess," I say, with a nervous laugh and smile.
"Where did you go? Why wouldn't you tell me? And what happened?" Dexa asks, blocking the entrance by leaning I the door frame.
"Pelax told me that Raxel's ship had been destroyed, and that he was under attack. I didn't want to worry you," I say, hoping that she won't be too angry. Her look softens and she steps back.
"It worries me more that you wouldn't tell me," Dexa says.
"With our little one on the way, I didn't want to throw you into any kind of stress," I say, sliding my jacket back off and hanging it on the hook it was on just before I left. "It could throw you into labor, and I would want to be here to help you."
"Neelix, I'm fine," she says, walking into the living room. I follow her, and help her sit down more smoothly this time. Just as I go to sit down, my computer chirps again. "You better tell me if you're going to be running away this time or not," she warns. I walk into the office again, and open the channel. Though this time I sit down, smiling ear-to-ear.
"Neelix, I hope this isn't a bad hour for you."
"No, not at all, Admiral," I say.
"I've lost track of time in the Delta Quadrant, so I could be calling you at any time now days."
"I'll always be around to talk to you," I say, laughing lightly.
"Good to know," she says. "I don't suppose I could get a report from you on how the colony is doing?"
"Well you wouldn't believe me if I told you I just got back from a fight with the miners."
"Didn't you negotiate your territory out with them?"
"We did," I say, "and all has been smooth right up until this evening! No disturbances, not a peep from them. Then I get a call from my business partner, and he says that he's under attack, and that one of our newer workers has been annihilated."
"I'm sorry to hear that," she says, worry contorting her features. "Since you're home, I can safely assume that the issue was worked out."
"I surely hope so. There were only two ships, so they could have been rebels who didn't want to give up on our resources."
"Possibly. Keep me informed on them," she says, pausing only to sip her usual drink – coffee. "Now on a more personal note, how is Dexa doing?" I glance into the living room where I meet Dexa's eyes. She must have heard her name, because she struggles to stand up and walk into the room. I stand up for Dexa to sit.
"Admiral, what a pleasant surprise," Dexa says, sitting in my chair.
"Dexa, I was just asking Neelix how you were feeling," she says, smiling brightly.
"The same way I did when I was pregnant with Brax, so I have no worries," Dexa says.
"Very good to hear. You'll have to call me once the little one is here," she says.
"Of course, Admiral," I say. We continue to talk, and though I wish I could be with the Voyager crew, I'm glad that I can be here with Dexa and Brax. The Voyager crew needed me as a cook and morale officer, but the Talaxians needed me for much more, and I could never reject my own people in their desperate time of need. I'm just glad to know that I've helped them, and found love once again.
I sit on the couch, alone, facing the window. My thumb relaxes on my mug of coffee, something I never really drank until I left Voyager. It's the only thing besides my memories that I have. The space outside sits idly, only a ship or two passing by every few minutes. I know I made the right choice though, leaving Voyager that is. I know that even if we did make it home to the Alpha Quadrant, I wouldn't feel at home because I wouldn't have my home. My family is gone, but here, on the asteroid, I have a new one. It's not like Talax, but I've learned to adjust, or as Seven of Nine would say, adapt.
"Brax finally gave in and went to bed," Dexa says, walking into the living room and sitting slowly next to me, her pregnant bulge hindering her usual graceful movements. She snuggles into my chest, and I wrap my free arm around her, the coffee still in my grasp. I can't I'm going to be a father. Though it wasn't my first opportunity, it will be my first child. Some days I think of Kes, and what would have happened if we had gone through with having a child. What it would look like, or be like. "What are you thinking of, love?" Dexa asks, startling me from my thoughts.
"Nothing," I reply, not wanting to disturb her. I never told her about Kes, but it isn't like Kes could just show up.
"I find that hard to believe," she says, moving her head to look up at me. "I don't understand why your thoughts always seemed to be elsewhere, and then you say it's nothing." I sigh, bringing the coffee to my lips and letting the liquid take it's time down. "Is there something wrong, Neelix?"
"No, not at all," I say, looking down into her worried eyes. "Things are perfect." As if cued, my computer starts chirping. I stand up, careful as to not let Dexa fall, and walk into my office. I tap a key and my partnering trade companion comes up on screen.
"Neelix, Raxel's ship...," he says quickly, the background around him shaking. "Raxel, his ship has been demolished."
"What?" I say, my eye widening. "What's going on, why are you under fire?"
"The miners, they've returned," he says, his ship shaking once again.
"But we negotiated a treaty with them!" I say, growing angry.
"Obviously some of them are not obeying it. We were returning from our excursion, when they came from one the asteroids. They must have been cloaked or something, because our sensors didn't pick them up until they were firing on us."
"How far are you from the colony?" I ask.
"Ten minutes, but we won't last that long. You have to do something." The channel is cut, and I slam my fist on the table. Damn right I have to do something. I grab my coat, and walk to the door.
"Neelix, what's going on, why were you yelling?" Dexa asks.
"I can't talk now, I have to go," I say, walking out. I know I should tell her, but by the time I finished my rant, Pelax, my co-worker, will be dead. I make my way down the dim-lit tunnel, until I reach my vessel. I start her up, and quickly jump to warp, locating Pelax's ship on my sensors. It's stopped, and there are two vessels nearby it. Taking my surprise attack advantage, I power weapons and drop out of warp. I shoot a volley at the closest ship, and it juts backwards on my viewscreen, small explosions blossoming on its hull. My ship shakes as the other ship fires on me. I fire another volley, sending this one to the other ship. I know I could probably take one ship, but with two, I know I'll fail. I hail Pelax's ship, and to my surprise there is a reply.
"Neelix, you—here. We need--- ments. Call --- ack up," Pelax says, his screen filled with static, and his voice keeps cutting off.
"Are you're weapons operational?" I ask, multi-tasking and shooting off my phasers at the two ships.
"Neg--- ive."
"Get them back, or we're both going to die," I say, failing to suppress my panic.
:: Shields down to 54 percent. :: The computer reports as my ship shakes again.
"Computer, seize audio reports," I request, not needing the added tension. I manage to disable one ship, but the other goes flying off towards the colony. I try and access my engines, but warp if offline. I'll never make it back on impulse on time, but I have to try. I hail the colony. Oxilon appears on screen.
"We're reading an oncoming miner vessel," he says, alarm reflecting in his eyes.
"I'm coming back, but Pelax's ship has been disabled," I report. "Get ready, their weapons are still online."
"Understood. I've raised shields," he says. "What's your ETA?"
"A good 15 minutes on impulse, but I should have warp back up in a few minutes," I tap the console. "They were just kicked offline; I need to warm them up."
"Understood," he says again. The background behind him rocks slightly. "The ship has arrived. Shields are holding at 90%." I would have grinned at this with pride, our powerful sensors against their inferior weapons, but my warp kicks back on and I jump to warp. I quickly drop out, spotting the vessel. I target his weapons array, and fire.
"Computer, reactivate audio reports," I say, watching closely as the ship stops firing.
:: Vessel's weapons systems are offline. ::
Suddenly there is a shot from the surface, and the ship explodes in front of me.
"Thank you, Neelix," Oxilon says, still on my small viewscreen. "Pelax should be returning soon, I'm reading his engines are functioning."
"Understood," I say with a sigh, leaning back in my seat with relief. "I'm sure Dexa won't be liking this. I'll be making repairs for weeks," I say, starting the landing procedures.
"When is she due?" Oxilon asks, now casual since the threat as been taken care of.
"Three weeks, but we've had several false alarms the past week," I say. My shuttle shudders as it lands.
"A good sign," Oxilon says. "It could be any day now, you know."
"I just hope she doesn't have another mood swing on me," I say, running a thorough scan of damages. "Do you remember that vase you gave us as a wedding present?"
"Yes, it was from Talax."
"She threw it against the wall," I say, shaking my head. "I had just returned after a good two weeks from trading, and was brutally angry with me."
"I'm sure I could find another vase to replace it, Neelix," he says reassuringly. "But for now, you should really get home." I nod.
"Good night, Oxilon," I say, taking a PADD and loading the damages onto it.
"Good night, and good luck, Neelix. Sounds like you may need it," Oxilon says with a smile. The channel ends, and I take the PADD, powering down my ship and leaving. The walk back to Dexa and my quarters is too quick. Before I know it, I'm unlocking the door, but she opens it first from the other side, and stands with a hand on her hip.
"Wrong code, I guess," I say, with a nervous laugh and smile.
"Where did you go? Why wouldn't you tell me? And what happened?" Dexa asks, blocking the entrance by leaning I the door frame.
"Pelax told me that Raxel's ship had been destroyed, and that he was under attack. I didn't want to worry you," I say, hoping that she won't be too angry. Her look softens and she steps back.
"It worries me more that you wouldn't tell me," Dexa says.
"With our little one on the way, I didn't want to throw you into any kind of stress," I say, sliding my jacket back off and hanging it on the hook it was on just before I left. "It could throw you into labor, and I would want to be here to help you."
"Neelix, I'm fine," she says, walking into the living room. I follow her, and help her sit down more smoothly this time. Just as I go to sit down, my computer chirps again. "You better tell me if you're going to be running away this time or not," she warns. I walk into the office again, and open the channel. Though this time I sit down, smiling ear-to-ear.
"Neelix, I hope this isn't a bad hour for you."
"No, not at all, Admiral," I say.
"I've lost track of time in the Delta Quadrant, so I could be calling you at any time now days."
"I'll always be around to talk to you," I say, laughing lightly.
"Good to know," she says. "I don't suppose I could get a report from you on how the colony is doing?"
"Well you wouldn't believe me if I told you I just got back from a fight with the miners."
"Didn't you negotiate your territory out with them?"
"We did," I say, "and all has been smooth right up until this evening! No disturbances, not a peep from them. Then I get a call from my business partner, and he says that he's under attack, and that one of our newer workers has been annihilated."
"I'm sorry to hear that," she says, worry contorting her features. "Since you're home, I can safely assume that the issue was worked out."
"I surely hope so. There were only two ships, so they could have been rebels who didn't want to give up on our resources."
"Possibly. Keep me informed on them," she says, pausing only to sip her usual drink – coffee. "Now on a more personal note, how is Dexa doing?" I glance into the living room where I meet Dexa's eyes. She must have heard her name, because she struggles to stand up and walk into the room. I stand up for Dexa to sit.
"Admiral, what a pleasant surprise," Dexa says, sitting in my chair.
"Dexa, I was just asking Neelix how you were feeling," she says, smiling brightly.
"The same way I did when I was pregnant with Brax, so I have no worries," Dexa says.
"Very good to hear. You'll have to call me once the little one is here," she says.
"Of course, Admiral," I say. We continue to talk, and though I wish I could be with the Voyager crew, I'm glad that I can be here with Dexa and Brax. The Voyager crew needed me as a cook and morale officer, but the Talaxians needed me for much more, and I could never reject my own people in their desperate time of need. I'm just glad to know that I've helped them, and found love once again.