Disclaimer: No ownership; just coveting.
Things Unseen
Chapter One
Three days earlier...
Captain Kathryn Janeway stared intently at the wedge-shaped ship on the viewscreen. It was a good deal smaller than Voyager, but was armed to the teeth.
"Captain, we are being hailed," Ensign Harry Kim informed her from Ops. She exchanged glances with Commander Chakotay, seated as always to her right.
"Onscreen," she said tersely. An alien of slight build appeared on the screen. He had thin membranes below his mouth that vibrated when he talked, giving his voice an underlying hum. "I am Captain Kathryn Janeway, of the Federation starship Voyager. How can we help you?"
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain. I am Vanis, commander of the Nechaka. The feats of the intrepid Voyager have already been heard, even in this sector. I am sent by the leaders of the Torvalan system, to extend an invitation to you. You and your crew are in need of replenished supplies, yes?"
"There are supplies that we could use," Janeway replied. "Perhaps we could arrange a trade?"
"We would be happy to help in any way that we can. We can proceed to Torvala Seven. It is the garden spot of the entire system. Your crew would surely enjoy a break from their duties."
"We thank you for your hospitality," Janeway said graciously. Vanis nodded his head, in a gesture something like a bow, and blinked off the screen.
"He is sending us the coordinates for Torvala Seven," Kim announced.
"Lay in a course, Mr. Paris. Neelix has been complaining about the state of his larder for the past week," she murmured in an aside to Chakotay, who chuckled.
"Yes, and the doctor has been complaining about the number of cases of indigestion he has been treating lately," he said. Kathryn grinned at him.
"Let us hope we can remedy the situation. Janeway to Engineering," she raised her voice on her last remark.
"Torres here," responded her chief engineer.
"Compile a list of supplies you could use in engineering. We may be stopping for a few days."
"Aye Captain," B'Elanna replied. "Torres out."
"Captain, I must remind you –" came Tuvok's precise tones.
"Tuvok, I assure you I have no intention of authorizing shore leave, without checking the planet first. We will conduct trade with the Torvalans first, and if everything meets with your approval, we will rotate down to the surface. The crew haven't been off of the ship in weeks."
"Understood," the Vulcan replied stolidly.
"I'm sure there will be nothing to worry about. The Torvalans seem friendly enough."