Part 11: Echoes of the Void

Summary:

As the crew enters this empty region of space, Captain Janeway comes face to face with the decisions that she made four years ago. Can Chakotay shake her out of her funk before she goes over the brink? (J/C)

Pairing:J/C Rating: PG-13 Type of Story: Reflective Level: 3

Part 11: Echoes of the Void

i. Evening

"Seven of Nine to the Captain"

Kathryn looked up from reading her reports in her Ready Room with the activation of the ship's Com system.

"Janeway here."

"Please report to Astrometrics. There is a region of space that we are fast approaching that you should be aware of."

Kathryn smiled ruefully. She wondered if Seven would ever learn to request her presence without making it sound like a summons.

"I'm on my way."

"How large?"

"It's difficult to say Captain, but by my estimate this region of sparsely populated space spans at least 104 light years ahead, and approximately 50,000 light years across."

"Well so much for going around this time. We're going to have to go through again. Let's hope that we won't meet any unfriendly aliens this time."

"With the average distance between star systems being 25 light years, it seems unlikely."

Kathryn smiled ruefully at Seven's comment. The former drone did not have time to see her expression as she was too busy working at the consul in front of the Astrometrics display. Kathryn asked another question.

"Is there a reason why the sensors can only scan the first 104 light years."

"The sensors are picking up heavy concentrations of some type of phenomena at that point. The data being recorded is contradictory. We will not be able to know anything more until we get to that point."

"Noted. Well Seven I think that we are in for a bit of smooth sailing. It's a welcome change after the previous year, wouldn't you say?"

"Maybe, but given what I have observed of this crew it is more likely that they will be bored with the sense of order that travelling through this region of space would require."

"Don't worry Seven, we'll adapt." And with that Kathryn left Astrometrics.

"We can't see beyond 104 light years and it's possible at that time we may re-enter normal space, but until that time, it looks like we'll be going it alone, with very few places to replenish our supplies."

Kathryn stood at the head of the conference table in the briefing room together with the senior staff, Seven of Nine, the Doctor and Neelix for the weekly briefing.

"Neelix how's our food supplies?" She directed her question to the Talaxian who was on her left.

"No problem captain, we should be fine for another year once we have enough energy to maintain our current quota of replicator rations." He answered proudly. Neelix knew that most of the time, the crew grumbled about the amount of resources that he demanded for his kitchen on trading missions. But they didn't realize how much time he spent using as little of those resources as he needed to. He did so that in the event that occasions such as these arose, they could have enough food to survive comfortably. It gave him great pleasure to be this prepared in front of the bridge crew.

"If we don't re-fuel somewhere along the way, we are going to be running out by the time we get to that boundary." B'Elanna said frowning as she inspected the energy reserves list on her PADD.

"Sensor scans did indicate a planetoid rich in deuterium in our path, perhaps we can stop there and replenish our supplies." Seven pointed out

"Noted. Relay the data to the bridge and Tom set a course as soon as we're done here."

"Yes Captain."

"During this time, I think it would be prudent if we can engage the crew in some extra training."

"Planning to make the security details run through extra hoops again eh Tuvok?" Tom sat upright in his chair with a smirk on his face at the suggestion of the Security Chief.

"Those "extra hoops" as call them, are necessary so that the security on this ship would not be compromised as we pass through this quadrant. I try to update the security protocols periodically with the new knowledge that we have gained during our journey, however I must admit that with all of the events of the pass few months I have been derelict in my duty."

"Oh no, not you Tuvok." Tom said with a look of mock horror on his face. Beside him, Harry began to chuckle silently.

"However," Tuvok seemed to ignore the last comment that was made by Tom. "Since we will seem to have the time, I would like to propose extra training sessions for all crewmembers, including the bridge crew." Tuvok turned his gaze away from the Captain and focused on Tom and Harry. Tom had a genuine look of distress on his face as he answered hastily.

"You know Captain, now would be a great time to give a few key systems a complete overhaul, like the Com. systems and navigation." He gave a desperate glance to the Captain.

Kathryn smiled at both of them. Sometimes Tom was so predictable and he continued to underestimate the Vulcan's desire, if you could call it that, to get even for some of pranks that he had played on him.

"It would seem that we are going to have the time to do both, but because this area of space is sparsely populated, I'm going to recommend that we start with overhauling the ship's systems first. B'Elanna as chief engineer, you'll head this, submit a schedule to Commander Chakotay and he'll allot you the personnel that you need."

The Chief Engineer nodded curtly.

"If there is nothing else?" Kathryn looked round the table. The other officers were silent. "Dismissed"

"Nice try" Tom said to Tuvok softly as they filed out of the room. Tuvok looked a picture of innocence.

"Well you have to admit, he almost had you there, Tom." Harry said clasping him on the back.

"Close but no cigar."

"What's a cigar?" Harry asked puzzled.

They existed. Chakotay remained in his seat already working on re-arranging personnel to help B'Elanna with the overhaul of the ship's systems, using his PADD. He looked up after a moment when he realized that Kathryn hadn't left also. She was rubbing her neck and he realized that she looked quite haggard.

"Stayed up late working again?"

Kathryn gave a small yawn. "Yes. I had some reports that I hadn't been able to get to in the past couple of days. In fact I'm still not finished. But it doesn't look like I'll have to work late anymore to get my reports finished."

Chakotay smiled. "Are you sure you can handle that Kathryn?"

"It'll be tough, but I'm sure that I can find something else to do in my spare time." Kathryn was making her way to the door. Chakotay got up to follow her, planning to return to his office.

"Join me for dinner tonight." Kathryn impulsively asked Chakotay. She didn't know why, but the thought of spending the night alone in her quarters without doing any work, was making her uneasy.

"Planning on learning on how to cook?" Chakotay teased.

"I don't have that much spare time. My treat, your replicator or mine?"

"Well since you are using your rations, we can you use mine."

"Think of it Chakotay, it can be the start of the vacation that we have needed all year." She grinned as she clasped his shoulder momentarily and then went into her ready room as he got into the turbo lift to go to his office.

Evening ends…….