Chapter Three

Home is the best place

As Kathryn Janeway walks in the corridor of StarFleet headquarters, she wonders what has become of things since Voyager returned some two years ago. All the inquiries, and investigations about their journey were useless. They practically tore the computer apart trying to find something to hold the former Maquis members, but they didn't. The crew was decorated for their bravery and for their sacrifices, to remain a StarFleet crew through out the mission.

No that she was an admiral; she has responsibilities here on Earth. But more than anything she wanted a ship again. She wanted to command, to explore but the Federation counsel decided that even though she was an excellent commander under trying conditions, the entire community to command a ship did not trust her. So they gave her a promotion instead.

As she enters the door to StarFleet medical, she is conceiving a plan to do just that.

"I don't care if you do know everything about medical history, you still don't have the human nature to give people an understanding of their illness." the red-haired doctor says to the holographic doctor from Voyager.

"Just because I'm made have photons and force-fields doesn't mean that those words can't hurt Me.," replies the Doctor.

"Oh, come on now. You were deemed a failure until you convinced Dr. Zimmerman to recall all of your 'brothers' and reinstate the EMH program. I think it was a waste of manpower anyway." answers Beverly Crusher.

"Can a human doctor go into a biohazard area without protection? Can a human doctor make as many discoveries and new insights, such as I have with the limited resources we had aboard Voyager? I think not!"

At that Janeway breaks in and says, "Come now doctors, we have to get along. After all we're only the sum of our parts-"

"Or programming." The Doctor adds.

Crusher reluctantly agrees with a nod. Then she says' "You're a doctor, not a flicker of light-So act like one."

As she walks away Janeway asks her old comrade, "So did you get my message?"

"Yes, Admiral I did. I thinks it's risky and could get us all thrown in a rehabilitation center."

"That may be true, but we have to do something. After all they don't know where they are." Janeway informs.

"But in taking a ship without permission could be detrimental. I'm sure Captain Chakotay will make it out without incident. Maybe he was on a secret mission or was-"

"I checked into that. There are no classified missions regarding any of for our crew. In fact, StarFleet has made it clear where the Voyager crew is, with the exception of the Appalachia."

"I want to find out what happened to them whether they like or not. But we need help." Janeway says as she looks at Crusher.

Crusher gives a puzzled look back over to Janeway and the Doctor and responds, "No way! No way will I help you do whatever you're planning."

"You can be first officer, and help to find others."

"One last adventure, before retiring, why not. It's not like StarFleet will court-martial us." as Crusher agrees.

Tending to his garden at his home in San Francisco, Mile O'Brien hears his monitor alerting him he has a message. He walks in and finds that it's encrypted and is in text mode. It says:

WANT AN ADVENTURE MEET IN SECTION 12 OF STARBASE

He thinks to himself, "Now what?"

In the office are of newly installed admirals, Janeway makes her way to her office. She walks in and its dark. She sees a mysterious figure by the window.

"Lights." she calls to the computer.

She sees the figure is her long time friend and confidant-Tuvok.

"I didn't know you were cured yet."

"Time will only tell. Perhaps it will not be sufficient. But then again, maybe contact with humans can help as well." The stoic Vulcan answers.

"Then maybe you need something to insight your interest in human contact."

The Vulcan look at his former commander with distrust and raise an eyebrow, "I have spoken with the Doctor. I don't think you realize the consequences of what you are going to do. I'm sure that Captain Chakotay is fine."

"Can you be sure? Are you absolutely positive that they are fine, Tuvok?"

"I cannot."

"Then are you in? We have a few others to help. We can do this without alerting suspicion. Voyager is scheduled to be sent over to the Moon tomorrow to be dismantled. We could just say that we're taking one last voyage aboard her."

"But when we don't arrive they will search for us." Tuvok adds.

As they go back and forth discussing their plans for 'borrowing' Voyager, there is a more imminent threat that no one knows is coming.