Thanks for the feedback people. I have another chapter for you all.
Chapter 21
When they returned to their hideout Harper and Q2 opened a can of peaches and a can of beans. It wasn't much but it tasted better than the food bars they had eaten previously.
When they were finished Harper stood up and patted his stomach. "Now that's what I call a meal. It kinda brings back memories. Do you feel like taking another walk Simon?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Do you think we can rest awhile first though?" Q2 asked wearily.
Harper frowned at the teen. He didn't want to push the kid like this but if they waited to rest any longer the magaog would be starting their raids. "Sorry Simon but we don't have time. The upside is we don't have to go too far."
Q2 wiped his mouth on his sleeve and put on his jacket. "Alright then, I guess I'm ready."
A half hour later the two sat and watched a building that housed the police records. Harper and Q2 remained hidden in an abandoned building a couple hundred yards from Records Building. The Nietzscheans kept nearly all of the data they collected on the Kludges of the Boston area in the police records. It was one of the ways the Ubers kept track of the Kludges. Every Kludge had a police file on him starting from the day he was born.
Harper planted to hack into the building's computer system to see if he could find anything that might tell him of Brendan's whereabouts. It was a long shot but Harper was desperate. The mudfoot grapevine just wouldn't have any news on Brendan. As he glanced over at Q2 Harper felt a twinge of guilt at bringing the teenager along. But the engineer convinced himself that Q2 was in more danger just holed up alone in the sewers.
Harper pulled out a visor and slipped it on. The visor enabled Harper to better see the terrain and guard movements. Q2 wondered if Harper had planned to check the Records Building all along but the teenager knew better than to speak and possibly give away their position.
Q2 watched with amusement as Harper stuck an arm into his backpack and produced a small box with four wheels attached. Harper placed the box on the ground before reaching into a pocket in the backpack. The engineer produced a small remote control devise and held it up for Q2 to see.
Harper pulled off his visor and expertly maneuvered the tiny box towards the Records Building. With the help of a small monitor Harper could guide the movements of his remote controlled vehicle.
After about a half hour Harper steered the remote controlled vehicle back to their location and returned it to the backpack. Harper motion to Q2 that it was time to leave and they headed down the street, trying to fit in with the locals.
In the Delta Quadrant Voyager was making first contact with residents of the planet Madar. 4. The Madaris appeared eager to learn more about Voyager's crew. Janeway and the Madari leader agreed to meet with an away team delegation.
Janeway led the away team consisted of Tuvok and Seven of Nine. The away team was greeted by and official Madari delegation of ambassadors who took the visitors to the offices of the Madari Supreme Commander.
The Madaris were short but stout looking humanoids with yellow skin. The away team had to slow down their pace when they found the Madaris falling behind as they walked to their transport vehicle.
Janeway, Tuvok and Seven of Nine were treated to a state dinner that evening. The consensus was that the food was excellent, even though it didn't look appetizing.
Lethen, the Supreme Commander, regaled the away team with stories of the history of Madar.
"I'm impressed with your agricultural achievements Supreme Commander," Tuvok complimented.
Supreme Commander Lethen smiled at the Vulcan. "Thank you Mr. Tuvok. We are rather pleased with what we've been able to produce. You are welcome to take some specimens back to Voyager."
A pleased look briefly flashed across the Vulcan's dark face. "Thank you. I was hoping to be able study the fruit of one of your flik tree. It is most fascinating."
Supreme Commander Lethen steered the conversation back towards his main reason for inviting Janeway and her away team to his planet. "Captain Janeway now that we have eaten I have a proposal for you to consider."
"Very well Supreme Commander Lethen. Please continue," Janeway encouraged before sipping her beverage.
The Madari leader paused a moment as he carefully chose his words. "Captain Janeway I would like one of your away team to stay here on Madar awhile longer. We still have much to learn from your crew. The fact that there is such a wide array of species represented onboard your ship is quite fascinating. We do not have any non Madari living here on Madar."
"Then perhaps we can arrange to have an exchange of personnel," Janeway suggested. "One of my crew could remain on Madar for awhile while a Madari comes and stays aboard Voyager."
The Lethen nodded his head in agreement. "Yes I was going to suggest just such a thing. I already have in mind the perfect delegate to send."
Janeway finished off her still hot beverage and smiled. "Then it's agreed. I propose we start the personnel exchange tomorrow."
"Tomorrow is fine. I'll notify Chandri that she will be assigned to Voyager for the next few days," Lethen announced.
Janeway decided on Harry Kim, feeling it would give the young ensign some experience. "That's fine. Ensign Kim here will be the Voyager representative."
Harry Kim quickly suppressed his surprise at being selected. "I'm looking forward to learning more about your planet Supreme Commander Lethen."
"It's getting late so I believe we should all retire for the evening and get some rest," Lethen suggested.
"That sounds like an excellent suggestion supreme Commander," Janeway agreed as she stood up.
The next day the away team left Harry Kim and headed back to Voyager with Chandri, the Madari. Chandri was given a tour of Voyager where she asked questions regarding human and Vulcan culture while answering a few questions on Madari culture.
The next few days past uneventfully as Chandri and Kim collected specimens and entered all the pertinent data. Both were given sendoffs and small gifts before returning to their respective homes.
Harry Kim was studying one of the specimens from Madar when Chakotay entered the room.
"Ensign Kim you know it isn't necessary for you to examine those specimens; we have a team of scientists who will be doing that," Chakotay announced.
Kim looked up from his console and nodded at the Commander. "I was just anxious to see this one specimen. I found it's not as exciting as I had first thought."
Chakotay looked over at the readout and frowned. "Hopefully the rest of the specimens you brought back will be more interesting then. I was just going to grab a bite to eat; would you care to join me?"
"Sure Commander. I forgot what time it was. I just need to clean up here and I'll meet you in the mess hall," Kim replied as he began putting instruments in their places.
"Alright see you there then," Chakotay said cheerfully.
Voyager was now well away from Madar space and headed for the neighboring solar system.
Captain Janeway was in the middle of a conference with Supreme Commander Lethen in her ready room when she received a call over the com.
Chakotay's voice sounded over the com link. "I apologize for the interruption Captain but a wormhole just appeared on the screen."
"I'm sorry Supreme Commander but I have to cut our meeting short; something just came up that demands my attention."
"I understand Captain Janeway. Perhaps we can continue our conversation at a later date," Lethen suggested.
"Yes I would like that. I will contact you once this matter is finished," Janeway offered before ending the transmission. Janeway studied the wormhole on the view screen upon arriving on the bridge.
Tuvok studied the data on his console and turned to the captain. "Captain, the wormhole appears to have the same properties as the one that sent us into The Andromeda's universe."
Janeway walked over to the console and stood next to Tuvok, examining the data intently. "Since we can be fairly sure that Q or the Continuum isn't behind the wormhole this time then it raises the question of just how this one appeared."
Chakotay leaned forward in his seat saying, "I thought you might find this interesting Captain."
"I do indeed Commander. Maintain this distance from the wormhole Lieutenant Paris; we don't need to go back there again."
"Aye Captain, keeping our distance," Paris acknowledged as he tapped the console in front of him.
"It seems more than coincidence that this wormhole showed up again. It's as if it's following us," Chakotay remarked out loud.
"It does seem more than mere coincidence. I'll be in my ready room. Mr. Kim I want a full report in 30," Janeway instructed.
Kim looked up at the captain saying, "Aye Captain."
"Captain we're drifting toward the wormhole. I can't get the ship to respond," Paris announced. "I've tried rerouting the controls but it's no use. I have no control."
Janeway stopped and turned around to face the view screen. "Keep trying to regain control Lieutenant but everybody prepare for worst just in case."
Janeway and Chakotay took their seats as Voyager continued to head towards the wormhole. The crew on the bridge worked furiously to change Voyager's course to no avail. The crew held on as Voyager bucked as it traveled through the wormhole. When Voyager came exited the wormhole it was facing a familiar site.
"If I am not mistaken that is The Andromeda Ascendant," Tuvok observed.