CHAPTER FIFTEEN
GLIMPSES
Part One
The midnight mess hall was still, quiet. Kathryn stood in the middle of the empty room and looked at the kitchen. She could see a ghost of Neelix potter around, stirring his latest soup in a large saucepan, and a heaviness weighed on her heart. Life on Voyager just wasn't the same without him. He had left two weeks ago to start a new life on a Talaxian settlement, and saying good bye to him was one of the hardest things she ever had to do. She had come to love him very much and was missing him profoundly. Everyone else was missing him too. It had been a difficult few weeks. First Q had abandoned his son on the ship in the hope of the boy acquiring some discipline and the human equivalent of a teenager had caused nothing but trouble during his brief stay, then Joe Carey had been killed during a mission presented to them by Starfleet Command to retrieve an ancient Federation probe named Friendship One, and then Neelix had left.
And on top of everything else, it had been Christmas. It was always the time of year that Kathryn dreaded most. As the crew consisted of many different races with many different beliefs, Christmas was never publicly celebrated. But she knew this was hard for those who did celebrate, and she always found it hard herself. It was the one time of year when thoughts lay very much with home, and the one time of year when the longing for home and loved ones was profound. She had always made sure there was a communal Christmas dinner in the mess hall every Christmas Day, and had always attended, but it just wasn't the same. In the privacy of her quarters, she had wept that first Christmas Eve they were stranded, and had wept every Christmas since.
But while this Christmas may have been a difficult one for many of the crew, for her personally, it had been a special one. Chakotay had lived long in a culture that celebrated Christmas, and so it had become a part of his life too. For him, it represented a time of both rejoicing and reflecting. A time to rejoice in the blessing of family, and a time to reflect on the year that has passed. While she was on duty one afternoon, he had decorated their quarters with gold and silver tinsel, and with saved replicator rations, had replicated a Christmas tree with beautiful fairy lights of rainbow colors. Beneath the tree, he had placed several presents all beautifully wrapped in shiny paper and decorated with ribbon. It had all been such a wonderful surprise, that Kathryn had wept from joy. Then, in return, she had placed presents beneath the tree for him, and they had spent Christmas morning opening each others gifts. It was the first Christmas since they had got stranded that actually felt like Christmas.
Kathryn wandered over to the kitchen now and replicated herself a glass of water. She was feeling rather thirsty and couldn't help feel that if she was thirsty, so too were the growing babies inside her. Although she was only three months pregnant, her abdomen had already begun to swell because she was carrying twins, and a distinctive bump was visible.
Suddenly, the doors to the mess hall opened and Tuvok came in.
Kathryn looked up at him and smiled softly. "Can I get you a glass of water, Tuvok?"
She knew that Tuvok was missing Neelix more than anyone, even though he would never admit it.
"That would be replenishing," Tuvok answered.
Kathryn replicated him a glass of water, and then left the kitchen to make her way over to him. She handed him the glass and then gestured to the couch in the corner of the room. She and Tuvok made their way over to it and sat down.
"I'm surprised to find you here so late," Tuvok said, putting his drink down on the table before him.
"I couldn't sleep," Kathryn replied. "My back was aching and I just couldn't get comfortable. I didn't want to wake Chakotay as he has an early shift tomorrow, so I just put on some clothes and came here." She paused. "What brings you here?"
"A puzzle," Tuvok said seriously. "It is most strange. And the peculiarity prevented me from getting rest."
Kathryn lay back against the couch. "Anything I can help with?"
"I very much doubt it, Captain."
"Try me."
Tuvok thought for a moment and then began. "For sometime now I have been suffering from a certain medical condition."
Kathryn sat up again at that, an anxiety consuming her. "Oh Tuvok ... Why haven't you ever told me..."
"I have not told anyone. And until today, I did not tell the Doctor. I knew very well what I was suffering from and knew there was nothing he could do to help me. The disease was in its early stages and I knew how to relieve the symptoms. However, over the past month, my condition deteriorated and I knew I had no choice but to consult the Doctor. So, this morning, I consulted the Doctor and he did indeed confirm my self diagnosis. However, he was able to determine a cure within seconds."
Kathryn smiled in relief. "That's wonderful, Tuvok."
"But it does not make sense, Captain. Doctors on Vulcan have been attempting to find a cure for many years but have never been successful. A mind-meld with a compatible Vulcan is still the only method of treatment that is known to be effective."
"The Doctor is very capable," Kathryn replied. "He has found cures for many unknown diseases. Remember, his mind is a computer. He is able to process and analyze data much quicker than any humanoid."
"That is true," Tuvok answered.
"And this disease you were suffering from, it may well have been similar to one of the many we have encountered in this Quadrant. If the Doctor was not so good at finding cures for unknown diseases, most of us would not be alive now."
"That again is true," Tuvok responded.
"This just unsettles you because you had long believed this disease to be incurable. It's always unsettling when what we believe to be the truth turns out to be something else."
"You are right, Captain," Tuvok answered. "I allowed an emotion to interfere with logic. The explanation you have rendered is indeed the logical conclusion."
He reached for his drink now and took a sip of it.
"I'm glad the Doctor was able to find a cure for you, Tuvok," Kathryn continued, "very glad indeed. But I'm very disappointed and very concerned that you didn't seek medical assistance as soon as you were aware something was wrong. I'm also deeply disappointed that you didn't confide in me."
"My illness did not effect my working capacity," Tuvok stated.
"I'm not talking about your working capacity, Tuvok. Next to Chakotay, you're the person I'm closest to on this ship. Our friendship extends back years. I care about you very much. If there's ever anything troubling you, anything whatsoever, I want you to come to me. Understand?"
"Yes, Captain," Tuvok replied. He then put down his drink and rather abruptly got to his feet. "Now the cause of my unrest no longer exists, I should attempt to get some rest. I too have an early shift in the morning."
"Then you had indeed better get some rest," Kathryn smiled.
Tuvok gave a nod. "Goodnight, Captain."
"Goodnight, Tuvok."
She watched as he left the room and then turned to the window of stars before her. She watched the stars fly by at warp speed for a while and the motion made her sleepy. She finished off her drink and then got to feet. She should try and get some sleep too. She had promised Seven that she would pay a visit to her quarters in the morning. For weeks Seven had been working on her quarters in her spare time and had been quite secretive about what she was doing. No one had been allowed to go in except Naomi and Icheb. Kathryn had long been curious and was looking forward to finally seeing the fruits of Seven's labor.
The following morning, Kathryn was just finishing a breakfast of cereal, fruit, and pancakes, when Chakotay unexpectedly returned from the bridge.
Kathryn looked up at him. "Everything alright?"
He smiled. "Fine. I just wanted to see if you're alright."
For the past month she had been suffering from nausea in the mornings, sometimes quite severely, and Chakotay had changed his shift several times to avoid an early start so he could take care of her. But Kathryn had insisted on him changing shifts no more as she didn't want her pregnancy to interrupt the lives of the crew, especially not in these early months.
"I'm good," Kathryn replied. "I don't feel as nauseous today and have managed to eat most of my breakfast." She smiled. "Or at least if I haven't, Silvia and Silvesta have."
Chakotay smiled at that and went over to the table. He sat opposite her and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "Lieutenant Crowman gave me this plan for suggested modifications to our quarters." He unfolded the paper and lay it before Kathryn. She studied it carefully and liked what she saw. Because she was captain, their quarters were the largest of all and comprised of four bays and a bathroom. The first bay was their bedroom, the second and third were their living area, and the fourth bay their rudimentary kitchen and dining area.
"I like it," Chakotay continued. "By erecting a wall between the third and fourth bay and then dividing the fourth bay into two, we get two additional bedrooms. And if the doors into the rooms are placed close together and in a central position, we get a lot of side space. One of the bedrooms would be windowless, but we could have that. We'd also have to seal off the external door which would otherwise lead into that room, but we hardly ever use that door anyway. As to our current bedroom, all that would be needed is to make it smaller so that we could all have direct access from the living room to the bathroom." He pointed to the area on the plan. "As you can see, all that would entail is removing half of the wall containing the open doorway, and then using the removed material to construct a wall across the bedroom, with a regular door, to isolate the bedroom as a separate room. That would also give us almost another half bay of space that could be used for the kitchen area." He paused. "What do you think?"
"Great," Kathryn smiled. "It would use very little resources and I don't think would take very long at all to do. Just a couple of days perhaps."
Chakotay smiled. "Then I'll tell him we like it."
Kathryn took a sip of water. "When do you think we should have the alterations made?"
"I think as soon as we can. We obviously won't need to use the two bedrooms at first, only one as a nursery, but the sooner we get them built, the sooner we can start work on the nursery."
Kathryn couldn't help smile. She had long suspected that he was eager to start work on the nursery.
"Then we'll have them done as soon as possible."
The door chime sounded and Kathryn turned towards the door. "Come in."
The doors opened and Celes, one of the youngest members of the crew, although even she was almost thirty now, and definitely one of the least competent members, entered.
Chakotay got to his feet as she did so. "Well, I'd better return to the bridge."
Kathryn picked up the plan. "Don't forget this..."
Chakotay smiled. "That's ours to keep."
He walked towards the door and addressed Celes as he passed. "Good morning, Celes."
"Good morning, Commander," she answered nervously.
He left the room and the doors closed behind him.
"I didn't mean to interrupt your breakfast, Captain," Celes said anxiously.
"It's alright," Kathryn smiled. "I was just about finished." She gestured to the empty chair opposite her. "Take a seat."
Celes sat down and Kathryn noticed that she was trembling slightly.
"What can I do for you, Ensign?"
"It's more ... It's more what I can do for you, Captain."
Kathryn tried to hide a smile at this unusually confident statement from Celes. "I'm all ears."
"Well, I've been thinking how difficult it will be for you to look after two babies and be Captain of this ship. Babies are a lot of work, even when there's only one. They cry all the time and need feeding and changing and bathing..."
Kathryn interrupted, not liking the way this conversation was going. It worried her immensely how she and Chakotay were going to manage and didn't need to have those fears confirmed in the voice of another.
"Is there a point to this, Ensign?"
"Yes, Captain," she replied. "I'll look after them."
Kathryn was a moment in answering as she tried to absorb this. "How do you mean look after them? What about your duties on Voyager?"
"I'm more of a hindrance than a help on Voyager, Captain. Everything I do has to be double checked by someone and despite everything we've been through, I'm no more capable today than I was seven years ago. If we were in the Federation, I would have left Starfleet a long time ago and done something else with my life. But out here there's no where else for me to go, no other job to do. And if you were in the Federation, you and the Commander would have a nanny to look after the children while you work. I'm good with children, Captain. I have a lot of brothers and sisters, both younger and older, and looked after children and babies all the time. I may not be qualified but I'm well experienced."
"Are you saying you would like to give up your present position to become our nanny?"
"Yes, Captain. I offered my services to B'Elanna and Tom Paris, but B'Elanna said she is going to look after her baby as much as she can herself and Karla Banks, an old Maquis friend of hers, is going to help."
Kathryn took a sip of her drink. "The Commander and I are certainly going to need help. That's without question. I'm just not happy with you giving up your position to help us."
"I want to, Captain," Celes said hastily. "I love being with children and I'd be so much happier as your nanny than I am as an ensign. Please, Captain. I really would like to do this."
Kathryn smiled. This was obviously something the girl really wanted to do. "Alright then. When these little ones are born, you can be their nanny."
Celes broke into a wonderful smile and looked happier than Kathryn had ever seen her. "Thank you so much, Captain, thank you so much."
The girl's happiness warmed Kathryn's heart. "Thank you, Celes."
Celes got to her feet. "And I won't disturb your breakfast any longer, Captain."
Kathryn reached for her arm. "Not so fast. Replicate yourself a cup of tea or coffee or whatever you like and join me. We're going to be spending a lot of time together in the future so I think we should get to know each other better."
Celes smiled again. "Yes, Captain."
Seven waited impatiently in her quarters for the Captain to arrive. The Captain had said 9:30 hours and it was now 9:31. It was so unlike the Captain to be late. At last, the door chime sounded. Seven turned to face the door. "Enter."
The doors opened and Kathryn came in.
"Welcome to my quarters, Captain."
Kathryn looked around the room and was amazed at how beautifully homely Seven's quarters were. They were nothing like the two plain bays she had been assigned. Before her was a very inviting living room that had pretty pictures on the wall and a soft brown carpet on the floor. In one half of the room was a sitting area, with several comfortable looking chairs, and in the other half a kitchen and dining area. Kathryn wandered over to the kitchen. There was a stove, a fridge, a replicator, a sink, a drainer, utilities, a long tabletop and beneath it two large cupboards.
"Very traditional," Kathryn said, running her hand over the tabletop. "This has to be the finest private kitchen on the ship."
"I wanted a large kitchen," Seven added. "I could not cook to maximum ability in a confined space."
Kathryn smiled. "You're really enjoying cooking, aren't you?"
Seven hesitated, uncomfortable with expressing delight. "I find it ... satisfying."
Kathryn took that as a yes. "And now that you have your own quarters, you can begin entertaining."
"I would not know who to invite."
"Then why not start with Chakotay and I? You could invite Celes too. When the twins are born, she's going to be their nanny. A dinner party would be the perfect way for Chakotay and I to get to know her better, and for you to get to know her too. It would be good for you to have a female friend of your own age."
"I have a day off tomorrow," Seven replied. "Would tomorrow evening, 19:30 hours, suffice?"
"It would be perfect," Kathryn smiled. Then she walked back into the center of the room. There was a door that clearly led to another room. "Is this the way to your alcove?"
"To my bedroom," Seven replied, moving ahead to open the door. "You may look."
Kathryn walked into the room and was surprised at what she saw The bed was covered in a pretty flowered quilt and a pink carpet covered the floor. Opposite the bed was a white rocking chair and on it was an array of cuddly toys. There was also a white wardrobe and next to it a long full length mirror.
"It's beautiful, Seven," Kathryn said, the childishness and the femininity of it touching her deeply. It wasn't at all what she would have expected and was further testimony that beneath her often cool Borg exterior lay a young woman with feeling.
"I now sleep three nights out of seven," the former drone elaborated, " and only need to regenerate for four."
A feeling of guilt kept over Kathryn at those words. She was completely unaware of this. "I didn't know," she said quietly. "But that's wonderful, Seven."
Seven turned away from Kathryn and gestured to the wall at their left. Kathryn looked at it and saw there were two independent doors. Seven pressed a button and the door to the right opened. "My alcove is in here."
Kathryn looked inside and saw that Seven's alcove was indeed there.
"And this room is the bathroom," Seven said, going over to the last silver door. She opened the door and stepped inside. Kathryn followed her and found herself in a very pretty bathroom. The walls were decorated with cream tiles and there was a wine lavatory and sink to her right and a sonic shower to her left.
"Very nice, Seven," Kathryn said, feeling another lump gather in her throat. She had no idea that Seven had such domestic instincts. And she would never have thought it. It seemed contrary to her character. But it was clearly just another example of how different Seven's public persona was to the private. If only she could allow people to see more of Anneka... Kathryn wandered back into the bedroom and went over to the rocking chair. She picked up a rag doll that sat next to a teddy bear and ran her fingers over the frilly red dress she was wearing.
"It must have taken you a lot of replicator rations to replicate many of these items," she said quietly.
"Yes," Seven answered. "That's why it's taken me so long to finish decorating my quarters. I've been replicating everything bit by bit. The kitchen took the most replicator rations."
Kathryn turned to her protégé. "The kitchen?"
"I had to replicate all the materials and tools necessary to construct it."
Kathryn put down the doll and then raised her hand to her brow. "Oh Seven."
"I also had to construct the bedroom and bathroom and move my alcove."
Kathryn turned to face the former drone. "You had no help at all in modifying the bays?"
"No, Captain," she answered.
Kathryn took a deep breath and went over to Seven. She lay her hand on her arm. "Why didn't you come to me or Chakotay and tell us what you wanted? We would have had Lieutenant Crowman design and modify your quarters to your liking. It wouldn't have taken him more than a day or two to do it. He did Arlei's in no time at all."
"I was not aware such assistance was available or permitted," Seven said quietly.
Kathryn longed to draw Seven close and hold her tight, but she knew such affectionate gestures were unwelcome to the former drone.
"But I would not have wanted such assistance anyway," Seven continued, raising her shields again, "I wanted to design and construct my quarters myself."
Kathryn smiled warmly. "And you've done a magnificent job, Seven. Truly magnificent. I'm very proud of you."
Suddenly Icheb's voice over the comm interrupted them.
"Icheb to Seven of Nine."
Seven hit her commbadge. "Go ahead."
"I think I've detected a nebula on sensors that contains wormholes. It's approximately 1.8 light years away."
"A nebula containing wormholes is extremely unlikely," Seven replied. "Are you certain you interpreted the data correctly?"
"As certain as I can be..."
Kathryn interrupted. "Seven and I will be right there, Icheb."
"Understood, Captain" he responded. "Icheb out."
"He's probably mistaken," Seven said as the connection terminated. "Yesterday he believed he had detected a Borg cube on sensors. However, there were no Borg ships."
"Better to be safe than sorry," Kathryn replied, already making her way out of the bedroom. "If there is a nebula containing wormholes, or just a cluster of wormholes in isolation, it may be our best chance yet of getting home."
"Definitely a nebula containing wormholes," Seven said as she analyzed the on screen data in Astrometrics. "In fact, there are dozens deep within the nebula."
Kathryn felt a surge of hope but tried to contain it. "Any leading to the Alpha Quadrant?"
"I am unable to determine at this distance. But the likelihood of one of the wormholes terminating in the Alpha Quadrant is strong."
Kathryn smiled. "Then nebula containing wormholes, here we come! I'll inform the bridge and we'll set a course."
She put her hand on Icheb's shoulder. "Well done, Icheb. But keep this to yourself for the moment. We don't want to give the crew false hope."
After going to the bridge and reporting the latest finding to all present, Kathryn made her way to sickbay for her weekly exam. The discovery of the nebula meant that once again Chakotay could not accompany her.
"I'm afraid it will have to be a quick check-up today," the Doctor said as she entered. "Lieutenant Torres has just gone into labor."
Kathryn looked behind the Doctor and saw B'Elanna lying on a biobed behind him. She was breathing deeply and was clearly in a lot of discomfort.
"I'll have my check-up tomorrow," Kathryn replied.
"That could be a problem," the Doctor added. "Klingon labor can last for days."
Kathryn stared at him incredulously and then went over to B'Elanna. She took her hand. "How are you doing?"
"Going crazy already, Captain," B'Elanna replied. "But at least I'll only have to do this once. You'll have to do it twice in a row."
"That's where you're wrong," the Doctor said, walking over to the bed. "The Captain will be having a caesarian."
Kathryn turned to him. "That's the first I've heard of it, Doctor."
He sighed. "If you had read the literature I told you too, you would have been aware of that. At your age, a multiple birth would be too strenuous for your body."
A shaft of pain consumed B'Elanna and she cried out. "I want a caesarian. Give it to me now!"
"There is no medical reason for you to have one, Lieutenant. Natural birth is in your best interest."
Kathryn squeezed her hand. "The Doctor's right. Just take deep breaths ... Nice and easy..."
B'Elanna did as she was told and began regulating her breathing until another pain made her cry out. "Where's Tom? Where the hell is he?"
"He should be on his way," the Doctor said." I have summoned him."
"We found a nebula on senses that contains wormholes," Kathryn added. "Maybe that's delaying him. We..."
She was interrupted as sickbay doors opened and Tom came in. His face was flushed from rushing and his hair was disheveled.
"I came as quick as I could," he said, hurrying over to the bed. "There was no one to relieve me at the helm."
Kathryn stepped away from the bed as he approached. "Where's Lieutenant Farrow?"
"He just knocked off three hours ago. I didn't want to wake him. Chakotay's taken over instead." He took B'Elanna's hand in his. "How are you doing, honey?"
"How does it look like I'm doing? And if anyone else asks me that, I'll..." She cried out in agony again.
Tom turned to the Doctor. "Isn't there anything you can do for the pain?"
"It's childbirth," he replied bluntly. "It's meant to be painful." He then turned to Kathryn. "Seeing as Lieutenant Paris is here, I'll examine you now."
"Very well," Kathryn replied.
She followed him into his office and he began to examine her. Just as he did so, Chakotay's voice over the comm interrupted them.
"Chakotay to Janeway..."
Kathryn hit her commbadge. "Go ahead."
"I think you should come to the bridge right away."
"On my way. Janeway out."
She turned to the Doctor. "It looks like this exam is just going to have to wait, Doctor."
When Kathryn arrived on the bridge, the ship had come to a standstill and on the screen before her was the image of the nebula. It was a glowing white and quite breathtaking.
"Report?"
Seven answered. "It seems Icheb was not mistaken. We detected a Borg cube entering the nebula."
Kathryn swallowed. The last thing she wanted was another confrontation with the Borg.
"Have you detected any more cubes within the nebula?"
"No," Seven answered. "But we lost trace of the cube as soon as it entered the nebula. The density of the nebula prevents sensors from working to maximum capacity. There could be any number of Borg cubes inside."
Tuvok continued. "We have, however, detected several wormholes within the nebula that do indeed lead to the Alpha Quadrant."
Kathryn glanced at Chakotay and he saw the inner battle taking place in her eyes. She paced the floor and clenched her hands tight. Then she turned to face everyone. "Alright. We'll enter the nebula. If we come across more Borg cubes, we'll get the hell out of there. If there's just one Borg cube, we'll take our chances and find a wormhole that leads us closest to home. It's a big nebula. We should have no trouble hiding ourselves from a single Borg cube." She turned to Chakotay. "Chakotay, take the helm again and lead us in."
He nodded and took his seat as Kathryn took hers.
Two hours later, they had reached the nebula and were about to enter it.
"Chakotay. Take us in, warp 8."
Chakotay did as he was told and within minutes they were inside the nebula. Kathryn could hardly breathe and could feel her heart beat in her mouth. Suddenly, a Borg cube flew before them, then another, then another. In the distance there were a dozen more.
Kathryn anxiously got to her feet. "Reverse course, Chakotay! Get us out of here, maximum warp!"
Within minutes Voyager was free of the nebula.
"Maintain maximum warp," Kathryn said, "and get us as far as you can from the nebula before reducing speed."
"We were not detected," Seven stated. "No cubes are pursuing us."
Kathryn paced the floor, her disappointment manifesting itself in anger now. "Why the hell didn't you warn us that we were about to enter Borg territory, Seven? This is quite clearly Borg space!"
"My memory processor was damaged when I was severed from the Collective," Seven answered. "I retain much knowledge, but not all."
Kathryn turned to Harry. "Mr Kim, open a channel to the Talaxian settlement. We're going to need some kind of map of this region before we can plot a course through it. Otherwise we might just fly ourselves straight into the heart of Borg space."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"I'm going to my ready room. Inform me as soon as contact with Neelix is established."
Alone in her ready room, Kathryn sat on her couch and buried her head in her hands. The disappointment was overwhelming. At last, at long long last, she thought they had finally found a gateway home, only for it to be completely blocked by the Borg. It was unfair, so unfair. There was no way she could risk taking the crew into that nebula. The Borg would assimilate them for sure.
"Kim to Janeway."
Kathryn hit her commbadge. "Janeway here."
"Connection to Neelix established."
"Understood. Janeway out."
Kathryn went over to her monitor and switched it on. Neelix's face appeared on the screen.
"I believe you require my assistance, Captain."
"That's right," Kathryn answered. "We've entered Borg space and we want to plot a course that will take us safely out of it. But we don't know the boundaries of Borg space in this region. Is there anyone on your settlement that can help us?"
"There will surely be someone, Captain. I will make enquiries and get back to you."
"Thank you, Neelix."
The connection terminated and the screen went blank.
It was over an hour before Neelix returned communication. Kathryn had returned to the bridge and was waiting anxiously for any information he might be able to give them. At the moment Voyager was returning the way she had entered this space, but even that path was not entirely safe. It was likely that they were still very much in Borg space.
At last there was an incoming transmission.
"We're being hailed, Captain," Tuvok said. "It's Neelix."
"On screen."
"I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to you, Captain," Neelix began. "It took me a while to get the information you needed."
Kathryn stood up. "Then you have it?"
"Yes, Captain ... well, a rough estimate of Borg space. No one here knows its exact boundaries."
"A rough estimate will more than suffice. Well done, Neelix."
He smiled. "I'll transmit it now."
"Thank you."
"There's also some information about species in the neighboring space, but again no one can outline their boundaries. They're apparently all friendly, Captain. They have to be, given their proximity to the Borg."
Tuvok spoke. "We've received the chart, Captain."
"I'm sorry I can't provide you with any more information," Neelix continued. "But very few people here have traveled further than our settlement."
"I'm very grateful for the information you have provided," Kathryn smiled. "It will help us immensely."
"Glad to be of service, Captain," he smiled in return.
The link terminated and Kathryn turned to Seven. "What's our position in relation to Borg space?"
"According to this chart, we're still within it, Captain, but only just. I can plot us a new course that will guarantee we avoid Borg space." She hesitated. "It will, however, add ten years to our journey."
The blood drained out of Kathryn's face. "Ten years?"
"The Borg occupy a vast area of space in this region, extending almost to the core of the galaxy. Circumventing this area will increase our journey by at least 10,000 light years. It will also mean we will lose all contact with the Federation again."
Chakotay saw Kathryn's lip tremble and his heart ached for her. He knew how desperately she wanted to get the crew home. But whatever Kathryn was feeling, the Captain overpowered her.
"We can't travel through Borg space," she said at last. "I'd rather us get home a few years later than not get home at all. Plot us a course that will take us safely out of Borg territory and submit the route to Chakotay."
"Yes, Captain."
Seven began to plot a new course and within minutes had transmitted the information to Chakotay.
Kathryn took her seat again. "How long until we are clear of Borg space, Chakotay?"
Chakotay turned to the transmitted data and studied it. " If this chart is correct, at maximum warp we should be free of Borg space within six hours."
Kathryn nodded. "Then take us to maximum warp."
END OF PART ONE
