Season 1 - Episode 6: Phage (part 1)
May 13, 2371 (1 Month, 28 Days in the Delta Quadrant)

The far corner of the Mess Hall was quickly gaining a reputation as my personal table, and I suppose I could understand why.

For the past month, coming to the Hall in the morning for breakfast, getting a cup of water and whatever the Talaxian was serving for the morning meal - usually leftovers from the previous night's dinner, had become a part of my routine. Then I would step into the back corner, where I had a clear view of both the Hall as well as the stars outside the window, and I would sit, eat, and read the reports from the night shift.

It was a relaxing way to start my day, and it had the benefit of helping me wake up that little bit more. Sonic showers were good to help one get clean, but they just didn't have the same power to energize me in the morning like a traditional hot shower did.

At first people gave my table a wide berth, but that didn't last very long. As the members of Security had begun to show up in the mornings, and I took the opportunity to invite them over to share meals and talk with them, the unsure looks had slowly faded to wary acceptance. I wasn't doing particularly well in the friend department, and while in my old life I didn't require a lot of people in my social circle to have a happy existence, in my current one that was a much more pressing problem since you couldn't function well on a starship as a loner.

One only had to remember Tuvix's fate, even if I'd stop that from happening here.

Fortunately, new me didn't have a lot of the same social ineptitude as old me. It was likely Shepard's influence, as he had become fairly good at making friends when he needed to. Or, at least, getting people to do what he wanted, and what I wanted now was support from the crew. My life might very well depend on it.

Making the effort to get to know the personnel directly under my command over the last month had proven to be an unexpectedly enjoyable experience, and more than just a little useful in gathering local intelligence. Gossip passed from person to person at an alarming rate on this ship, reminding me of an old saying from somewhere that "nothing travels faster than the speed of light with the possible exception of bad news, which obeys its own special laws."

I had learned from Ensign McDowell that Ensigns Molina and Lang were dating each other, the Delaney sisters had approached CPO Jarvis, separately, about going to the holodeck but had turned them both down because he had his eye on a girl in the Science division, and that Paris had been sniffing around Lt. Wood until the Maquis had drove her knee into his groin.

I'd told her to make a formal complaint if it happened again. That'd hurt for far longer than her first rejection. She just nodded, and told me she'd consider it.

It made for an entertaining morning briefing, and it got me some face time with the people I was training outside of the 'classroom.' It also gave me paths for things to pursue, as those I sat with tended to provide ideas or inspiration for me to plan around that I couldn't get bouncing around in my own head. Finally, these soft meetings in the morning with various crewmen were doing wonders to adjust my image on the ship.

Torres and Dalal had, in fact, both commented at different times that I had a fairly harsh reputation with the crew. One they didn't believe was deserved, and one which neither of them knew the source of, though Dalal has insinuated it might've been Andrews.

Case in point, the current situation of having Junior Lieutenant Harewood sitting to my right, Kes to my left, and Neelix in the chair directly across from me. The Talaxian was speaking animatedly, using his hands to gesture and make his already enthusiastic self even more fervent than usual. I'd allowed him to tell these stories as, after a while, I'd learned to only pay attention to the important bits that he'd left out of the disgraceful list of bullet points he'd called a 'report'. "...like I said, it was only by complete accident that I had even stumbled across the planetoid, and let me tell you there are quite a few Yallitaian engineers who'd have given all three of their spinal columns to know about it! But when Captain Janeway told me they were searching for some dilithium, I knew I had to do my part for the crew and gave her the coordinates."

He looked extremely pleased with himself, and to the casual observer not fully aware of what kind of person the Talaxian was, it would be a praiseworthy feat. Kes and Harewood smiled at the man, with my junior lieutenant adding, "I'm sure the crew will thank you for this."

I took a bite of my darvot fritter, a fresh breakfast food Neelix cooked this morning to celebrate his contribution to the crew's hunt for resources. To be fair, it was delicious and tasted a lot like a kwek-kwek, or Filipino quail egg fritter, only a little more heavily seasoned. Not bad for a plant that looked more like ginger root.

Still, I was looking forward to the first aquaponic crops. The rice was doing extremely well, and the various fish we had found and added to the water were coming along just as swimmingly. Wildman predicted that by the end of 2371 we should have enough fish, with a stable breeding stock, to make it a weekly special for the entire crew.

I really missed seafood. The replicated stuff just didn't taste the same, and I needed the replicator rations to get some of my projects up and running.

Swallowing the pastry, I took a sip of water and added, "I know Engineering is excited. Torres already asked permission to start modifications to the auxiliary impulse reactor to convert it into a crude refinery." I'd been tempted to spend one of his points to help her out, now that I was back in the black with eight charges in my reserve, but they needed to go to something that she wouldn't figure out in a few days, something game-changing.

Kes smiled, looking absolutely delighted, as usual, "I know. I was helping the Doctor this morning with a few bruises and cuts they got while building some things. All of them were really happy!"

"I've got to ask," I started, looking at the Talaxian who was staring at his girlfriend, "if knowing about this rock of dilithium could have set you up for life, why didn't you sell the information to anyone before now?" I knew I shouldn't, but it was just so obvious, I had to see what kind of lie he'd spin next.

Neelix leaned back, a forlorn smile on his face. "I had considered it a few times. I nearly did once, when I found a mercenary company that might have been able to attack the Kazon and save my Kes, but when they found out what I wanted them to do they backed out of the deal. It isn't good business to attack the Kazon in this area, not unless you are planning on killing them all at once. Otherwise all you have done is angered an entire sect and possibly the entire Order. Kazon will war among each other happily for dominance, but woe be to outsiders who attack them as they will rise as one to put down the threat."

I looked at him, wondering just how much time he'd known about this rock before Kes got captured, or, worse, how long he'd spent aimlessly wandering around for a solution after the supposed love of his life was taken by the red, honorless Klingon-wannabe's that dominated this area of space. I made no move to interrupt him, however, and let the self-appointed cook continue.

Looking much happier, as it seemed that everyone believed him, the Talaxian added, "So, I figured I would just keep hunting through scrap and searching for more things to simply buy the Kazon off and let me bring Kes with me. Raw resources don't interest the Kazon, but weapons are something else entirely!"

Harewood and I had both narrowed our eyes at the implication of Neelix buying the Ocampa girl sitting with us at the table, but relaxed as Kes looked entirely unconcerned and just continued to smile at her boyfriend. The two of us shared a look, having a silent conversation of eyebrow twitches and subtle shakes of the head, before we both frowned and agreed to put this nugget of information behind us. Or, at least, that's what I was agreeing to. Hopefully I hadn't just suggested we nix Neelix, though I'd cover for her if she did.

If nothing else, how the Kazon operated would certainly end up in my official, public files. The more that was there, the more I could justify knowing about later. Harewood, from what I'd come to understand about the regulation minded young woman, would likely sit down with Kes later and have a girl-to-girl talk. When they were both off duty, of course.

"But," Neelix continued after a moment of quiet introspection, "then I ran into this fine ship and her crew. I thought about then using what I knew to save Kes and sell the knowledge of the planetoid we could have a comfortable life together. Until we both decided to join your crew as repayment for your help."

'Translation,' I mentally corrected, 'Kes wanted to stick with the people who had the power to protect her when you left her alone to the tender mercies of the Kazon, and you wisely listened to her advice. It was either that, or risk losing her.' I hadn't been terribly impressed with his character on the show, and daily exposure to the alien hadn't improved my opinion of him in the slightest.

The Talaxian was about to say something else, when he looked at the kitchen and made a strange noise in his throat I hadn't heard before. As he scrambled to stand up, I glanced where he was looking and observed the steadily increasing amount of steam rising from the pots and pans. He abruptly turned to look at us, saying, "If you will pardon me, I believe that my cooking needs tending to."

He gave Kes a quick peck on the top of her head as he rushed off, and she smiled as he broke into a run. Harewood just shrugged as she poked at her own breakfast, ration pack number five - stewed tomatoes with dehydrated eggs.

I felt sorry for her and cut my fritter in half, passing the larger piece to the junior lieutenant and saying, "Eat that. If might not be steak and eggs, but it is a hell of a sight better than a ration pack. Now that we have a steady supply of food coming out of The Farm, you don't need to punish yourself with that."

"Especially since you gave Neelix some pointers on cooking for humans," Kes added helpfully.

That had been a long evening for me, working with Neelix in the kitchen to show him how to not over-season his dishes had required me to spend time with the alien. Worse than that, it'd forced me to dance around his fragile feelings, something neither old me nor Shepard cared for very much, and it'd taken hours, time I would have preferred to spend on any of my nearly dozen side projects. But, it was either do that, or watch as a lot of the food we produced went into waste reclamation, burning resources and energy for no good reason. We'd nearly hit peak inefficiency before that point, just because no one whose job it was to manage the crew had bothered to reign in the new hire.

It had been frustrating, arguing with the man every six seconds when he would burn something to 'flavor it', while simultaneously reassuring him that other species would likely enjoy it. Or convincing the alien that no, adding enough seasoning to make a dragon bitch about the heat wasn't 'adding some zing', and I had to bust out the charts, repeatedly, to explain to him why we literally couldn't eat that, but I was sure his species could. And the forty minutes I'd never get back where I had to explain that while some foods humans could eat were particularly acidic, they all had some sort of natural buffer and none of us enjoyed heavily alkaline drinks, or the damage they did to our bodies, and yes, Talaxians were strong enough they didn't have that problem, weren't they just the bees knees. Especially as I'd then had to explain bees, their knees, and how they weren't a client race of humanity. At the end of the night, I hadn't even been sure he would listen to my advice. Thankfully, at least some of it had stuck, though I'd also learned enough of his 'techniques' to recognize which dishes to avoid.

Kes softly continued, sotto voce, "I know he would never admit it, Neelix is a very proud man and doesn't like asking for help, but I think it would have hurt him more to cook all this food and see most of it not eaten. Hopefully this will prove to him that he has something to contribute."

Harewood piped up, "I thought he was the unofficial ambassador to the Delta Quadrant. Isn't he supposed to be leading us through these territories and helping us avoid the more dangerous stretches of space?"

"Apparently it doesn't keep him busy enough," I smirked. "This sector must be very peaceful and friendly."

Kes smiled at the joke, though it went over Harewood's head, "He works very hard, but it isn't too difficult to make a map of places to avoid and lists of friendly places to trade. And until we arrive at a new planet, his ambassador status doesn't leave him with much to do. I think that is why he spends all his time trying to find something useful to do. Last night I even saw him brushing up on Security procedures."

I looked at the ceiling and sighed dramatically, "Odin, save me from the Talaxians."

Harewood snorted in amusement and Kes laughed easily at the joke even if she didn't know who Odin was. My junior lieutenant cheerfully commented, "I didn't know you were polytheistic. I thought most people on Earth were into monotheism."

"Odin said he would get rid of the frost giants," I answered playfully. "And he kept his promise. I don't see any Frost Giants running around."

The young stilled for a moment of thought, and then asked, with an innocence bordering on Kes', "Do Andorians count?"

"Damn it," I laughed at her reply. "Guess I need to look for a different Æsir."

Harewood looked at Kes for a moment, and then back to me to add, "You know, that isn't a bad idea, keeping busy. Maybe we should run some drills for the rest of the crew as well, not just our section. Couldn't hurt to make sure everyone on board knew which way to point their phasers, or which settings to use."

Looking back at Kes she added, "I know you're working with the Doctor, but you could learn to fight with us as well. I've seen how quickly you pick up on things and I'm sure you would be a natural in hand-to-hand with a little work. If nothing else, it can be fun to roll around a mat for an hour."

I had to admit, the Lieutenant's idea has some merit. Tuvok would need to be coordinated with, but he wouldn't have any objections to it. It kind of made me think of the difference between joining an army and joining a national guard; send crewmen to security for a two-week bootcamp and then run then through drills one weekend every few months to keep them fresh. Tuvok already ran shipwide drills, but all that did was reinforce ship-to-ship combat skills while allowing small scale tactics and survival skills to be left to waste. It was no wonder every time the ship got boarded, it got captured.

"Yes," I decided, looking back at the young officer, "sounds like a fine idea. Right up a proposal for me to look over, and then we'll take it up to Tuvok for approval. I don't see a reason why he would shoot it down." Looking over at the Ocampa, I added, "And since you aren't officially part of Starfleet, you can just join us for training when you want. Just give me a little warning so I can prepare something for you. Wouldn't want to throw you into a Klingon battle charge without warning."

Harewood groaned. "That wasn't a fun afternoon." A few seconds later she amended, "at first anyway."

"Janeway to Neelix." came echoing out of the kitchen, the voice projected out of the back of the comm badge. It still amused me how needlessly complicated the comm system was, and how public it was, allowing any transmissions to be overheard by anyone within ten meters of the target.

Another thing to add to my ever-growing list of things to change. If not the whole ship, then at least for the small fiefdom I currently ruled over. The pockets had been a daring foray into innovation, testing the Captain's very limits of adaptability. I shuddered to think of what she'd think of my newest hare-brained scheme: earpieces!

The Talaxian tapped his badge with a free hand while he moved some food around to fresh pans to cool, "Go ahead, Captain."

"We're approaching the planetoid you directed us to. I want you to come up and visually confirm it is the correct one," Janeway commanded from the tiny speaker.

"On my way." he called, and presumably the comm link ended. He turned to a nearby crewman who was just reaching for some food, and called out, "Ensign Parsons, would you mind keeping an eye on things until I get back? Everything is done cooking, just remember, one to a customer. One!"

While the Talaxian was quickly stripping off his apron, I finished my last bite of the fritter and then downed my glass of water. Next to me, Harewood cleaned her plate just as quickly, presumably anticipating I was going to order her to do something. Kes just smiled at us and sipped at her own glass.

"Okay," I began as I stood up from the table, "Harewood, let's head up to Security and get you outfitted."

"Outfitted? Are you going somewhere?" Kes asked, wide eyed and curious.

The junior lieutenant nodded, "Yes, we expected an away mission today when we were told about Neelix's discovery. A couple of us are going down with the away team to make sure the abandoned planetoid is still abandoned, Kes."

"Have a pleasant day," she wished us as I left the table, Harewood at my heels, and we headed directly for the turbolift.

Once we were inside, and the doors closed, I commanded, "Deck Four," before turning to my . "Harewood, I have something new to pass on to you and your squadmate."

The young woman stood straighter, "Have they been cleared for active use, Sir?"

I nodded as the turbolift slowed to a stop and the doors slid open, the woman relaxing slightly. Walking down the hallway, I explained, "I pulled them from the databanks, and Torres gave them a once-over. They're nothing that new, just updated. I'm going to pass them out to everyone tomorrow, but since we have an away mission today, you and Mr. Bell are going to get the first ones."

We stopped at the range and I poked my head in, not seeing the young Ensign I was looking for, and moved on to the briefing room. I found the young Maquis there, sitting in one of the few desks and reading over something on his omni-tool. I was so happy that the roll out of the new devices went so well last week, and that finally we'd ironed out most of the bugs. Security and Engineering were the first to receive them, and Science was next once we narrowed down the scanners to their requirements. I had to admit, I was taking a perverse joy in being able to deny the Command Division access to the limited number of devices we have manufactured thus far, but eventually anyone who wanted one would have one.

Sadly, the current version of the device couldn't be hidden inside the sleeve of your uniform. It was still too bulky for that, being about the size and shape of a bracer, with the holoprojector right below the wrist. They still needed to be removed in order to recharge the power cells - the same ones we used for the phasers – but that meant it was just easier on everyone to have an easy way to remove them so having them strapped like armor over the uniform was fine for now. I had plans to further refine it in time, but it worked extremely well for what it was intended for at the moment, and Torres had added a little extra 'protective casing' to it when she thought I wouldn't notice. I was pretty sure she just wanted to punch someone with it, but I couldn't blame her, I kind of wanted to as well.

Frankly, I was astounded by how quickly people had taken to writing new apps for the operating system. I limited myself to just programing the tricorders and holographic tool systems, but within twenty-four hours the first open app had appeared on Voyager's systems for download, a simple visual calendar that was tied to the ships records that reminded you when you were due on duty, when reports were needed, and everything else that could be publicly accessed on the ship. Yesterday one of the engineers wrote a Tool-to-Tool messaging app so people could text non-immediate messages across the crew without having to interrupt someone with their comm badge.

I couldn't wait to see what would be created by next year.

When he noticed the two of us enter, he immediately stood before I had a chance to tell him not to, shoulders taut with tension.

"At ease, Mr. Bell." I directed, walking over to him, Harewood following.

Once the three of us were around the desk I began, "As you already know, you both are going to be on the recon mission to the planetoid Neelix directed us to. They are expecting to find various rocks, and dilithium. Your job is to make sure there is nothing else down there waiting for them."

"Sir," Bell began, glancing towards Harewood, "do you think we will really be needed down there? It's just a geological survey of a dead rock."

I nodded at the question, before shaking my head ruefully, "That's how most away missions start. It's 'just a survey', or it's' just a quick in-and-out to grab something'. Until it isn't anymore. How do we know that the rock is lifeless? Some things just never show up on sensors, not until it's too late. That's why I have been training you, both of you, so you'll assume no place is safe until you're absolutely sure it is."

Offering them a small smile, I gently added, "It doesn't matter if you think some place is secure, it doesn't matter if someone in engineering, in science, or even in command tells you it's secure, you have to make sure it is secure. Besides, all you have to do is stick close to the crew and look intimidating while you keep them safe from the things that go bump in the dark caves."

"Now," I started, dropping back into a professional mindset, "I have one more tool to add to your equipment."

"Sir?" Bell asked, glancing once more to Harewood who gave him a reassuring nod.

I walked to the storage lockers, the one meant for myself, though I rarely used it. Retrieving my gift, I walked back to them and held out my hand. There, in my palm, were a pair of new combadges, nearly identical except the space between the two lower prongs was filled in, the space black. Harewood, now that she saw the new kit, echoed the Ensign with an inquisitive, "Sir?"

"These are new combadges," I told them, getting a 'well, obviously' look from the , though she was disciplined enough not to say anything. "I made some small changes to the internals and added small microcamera to the faceplate," I explained. "These are designed to work in tandem with the omni-tools, recording what you see or hear."

"All the time?" Harewood asked, sounding suspicious.

I couldn't blame her, and just shook my head to add, "Not at all. You have to manually turn them on or off outside of two specific situations. There isn't even a command override so I can't secretly turn it on remotely, nor can Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, Provisional-Commander Chakotay, or even Captain Janeway. First, anytime you are off the ship the recording function will actively engage and won't shut off again until you are back on the ship. The second is during an emergency situation on the ship. If someone orders a red alert, the camera will engage, and then disengage once the alert is cancelled. You've both been through the drills, those aren't subtle. This will make it easier to get a record of what happened, when, and where. It'll help you when writing reports because you will have easy access to reference, and the videos should be logged with the reports as a backup."

"To pair it," I explained, "just set your new badge on your active omni-tool and state your name and service number. It will transfer information and set the new badge as your primary while simultaneously deactivating the old one."

Harewood replaced her combadge immediately, while Bell looked between it and me a few times before shrugging and doing as instructed. I was still surprised how simple it was to add the tiny microcameras to these badges, as the needlelike devices slid into the tech almost like they were designed for it. There were actually hidden in the top tip of the badge, the bottom was a range and power booster to punch through mild interference. The most difficult thing had been setting the programming needed on the Tool to store the data. While I was tinkering around with them, I also made sure to boost the signal they output by slightly increasing the efficiency of the transmitters, increasing targeting resolution for transporter locks. Only a single percentage up from standard, but in my book every bit helps.

"What's the field of view on these cameras?" Bell asked.

"One-hundred-sixty-degree field of view, resolution is currently set to sixteen thousand pixels due to storage considerations, but we might be able to boost that in the future. It syncs with the Tool to provide a record of what the scanners said at any point in time they were active as well, so you don't need to guess on how far away something was." I rattled off as I waved for them to follow me into the armory. I could've had the storage much higher, using the Omni-tools as primary hard-drives, but I was hesitant about linking them that closely, especially as the Omni-tools still occasionally shorted out. Nothing harmful, but inconvenient.

I handed them their TS-71s and made sure they each carried their type-two phaser in an ankle holster. With a surreptitious glance at Bell, I looked him over and tried to compare what I saw now with the man my counterpart described in the abandoned timeline a month ago. He didn't look as green or soft as other me initially reported, but then again, whatever had happened on that mission hadn't exactly been something most people, Starfleet or Maquis, would be prepared for either. That same report also said that, once he was over the initial shock, Bell was a strong man who worked hard under the pressure of impending doom and grew by leaps and bounds.

I hoped that those same traits remained, and they weren't something he only developed on planet, now lost to the time warp.

A few minutes later we were stepping into the transporter room, ready to go. Tuvok was standing there with Provisional-Commander Chakotay, Ensign Kim and Mr. Neelix, giving a small briefing on the planetoid. "...surface gravity corresponds to approximately point-eight of standard Earth. Thus, you may find that you are overcompensating with your steps, which is something to take note of, though if you fall, while it will still hurt, likelihood of injury is greatly reduced."

The Provisional-Commander smiled as he responded, "This isn't my first rodeo, Tuvok."

"No," the Vulcan replied, and then looked at Neelix. "It is, in fact, his."

Neelix puffed up his chest and proudly proclaimed, "No need to worry, Mr. Vulcan! I can take care of myself. I'll have you know that I have been on many different planets all across this region of space and have managed well in all kinds of strange environments. Why, there was this one time that I-"

Kim cut him off by waving at the three of us who walked in and called out, "Commander, here to see us off?"

I wasn't sure whether to thank the operations ensign for stopping another of Neelix 'true I swear' accounts, or growl at him for directing attention to us. Aloud I said, "Just seeing off two of my personnel. Making sure that everything was handled."

Chakotay barely waited for me to finish my sentences before casually dismissing me with a wave of his hand, "We are heading down to barren rock. There's no need for security. You can take your people back."

Looking at the Maquis, who seemed to love other cultures and nature far more than stellar anomalies, I wondered how many 'barren rock's he'd actually explored. Instead of taking the dismissal personally, I calmly asked, "Are you sure it is a barren rock? Are you completely certain there's no unknown fauna that might live there and think you are a tasty meal? Are you absolutely, one-hundred percent confident that no possible species could hide from our sensors?"

"If they are we won't know until we get down there," the older man argued, scowling at me.

Before I could point out that, if he didn't know what was down there, then how he could be so sure it was safe and didn't need us, Tuvok cut in. He did so likely to head us off before tension could build between us, as it usually did when the two of us are in the room. For a number of reasons, Chakotay rubbed me the wrong way, that silly facial tattoo of his never failing to annoy me. Conversely, the traitorous captain couldn't stand me. Whether it was my status as a member of S31, which I'd discovered that Janeway had briefed him fully on after we first met, or for my outing the Cardassian spy subordinate he was having an affair with I couldn't tell. Either way, the 'wise, understanding' Chakotay hadn't bothered to talk to me about it, and I saw no reason to do so either. The Vulcan took a half step between us, which we both noticed. "Having security personnel with you on an initial expedition is a prudent safety measure," he noted, trying to be objective.

"It is also a Starfleet regulation that most tend to ignore." I added calmly, continuing to stare back at the First Officer. Manfully, I resisted the urge to ask if it was his time with the Maquis that led him to forget that, or if he was breaking protocol before he turned his back on the Federation.

"For good reason," the man continued to argue, ignoring the out both the Vulcan and I offered him. "Most of the time there's no reason for Security personnel to join the away team. They just end up wasting their time and standing around."

"It is our time to waste," I countered. "We are here to make sure you are safe. If that means most of the time we just stand around, so be it. And that one-in-ten time when you do need us, you'll be glad you had us."

Chakotay looked sourly at me, before flicking his hand up and pressing his combadge. "Chakotay to bridge."

"Janeway here, what's the problem Chakotay? You haven't even left the ship." the Captain's voice replied dryly. Like a permanent conference call, I couldn't help but think.

The Provisional-Commander looked me in the eye as he stated, "I've got Shepard saying Security's coming down with me."

I looked at the man calmly, but inside I was seething. This was another reason I hated Chakotay, the word games, the lies, and the deception. Tuvok, as much of an asshole as he could be, was straightforward and did his best not to lie, even if he did mislead people from time to time. He didn't, however, do so in the middle of a mission, and from the man's raised eyebrow, I could tell the Vulcan wasn't exactly happy with his direct superior either, though he said nothing.

"Shepard?" Janeway's voice snapped, any trace of good humor gone. "I haven't given you permission to leave my ship!"

I smiled at Chakotay, and his slightly smug expression shifted to a half-glower as I honestly, and happily replied, "Then it's a good thing I'm not leaving, Captain. I was just walking the two security personnel, as is protocol on an away mission, to the transporter bay myself. I was also going to warn everyone about the conditions on the ground, but Lieutenant Commander Tuvok was already taking care of that." The second part was an absolute lie, I hadn't even thought to warn them about the lessened gravity, not having remembered it from the show, but it netted me another dark look from Chakotay and a surprised but appreciative nod from the Vulcan, so win-win.

Tuvok, who had remained silent, added, "He is correct, Captain. Going down are Ms. Harewood and Mr. Bell, as I informed you." Sending Tuvok my plans so that he could pass my choice up the chain of command had been a good idea. Janeway had rubber-stamped it without a second thought, whereas if I had brought her my choices personally, I was sure she'd over-ride me, choosing crewmen that'd be completely unsuitable for waited for them down there, like Molina and Murphy.

"Then what's the hold up?" Janeway asked crossly. "The Dilithium isn't going to find itself, men, and we need that energy, badly!" With a click she cut the connection, and I stood there as the five of them, Kim, Neelix, Bell, Harewood, and Provisional-Commander Chakotay beamed out, the last of which still staring at me as I smiled back at him.