Exploratory.
By
Serena Aris.
Disclaimers: Paramount and other big organisations own Star Trek: Voyager, the ship, its crew and the whole trek universe. I'm just borrowing some of it for a short amount of time.
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Exploratory.
By
Serena Aris.
Chapter Seven.
After several hours of final overhaul and maintenance checks the orbiting Voyager was ready to go. However the going part was proving difficult. The crew were going to miss the benevolent race that had become their friends but their goodbyes they had to say and did with sadness. Although they were sad to leave the crew's morale was high. The chance to relax planet-side in relative safety had brought a feeling of peace that would unfortunately be short-lived on their journey through the unknown.
Walking onto the bridge of her ship Captain Janeway felt a spring in her step. A feeling of refreshing energy had returned after deserting her long ago. Looking around at her crew she could see that she wasn't the only one in a good mood. The atmosphere was relaxed and smiles adorned various crewmembers' faces. Janeway couldn't keep the smile from her face either.
As she took her seat next to Chakotay they shared a smile before he turned back to his console. "I'm reporting no damage or system fluctuation from the planet launch and leaving the atmosphere. All the crew is accounted for and the food stores are full." The first officer reported.
"Excellent. You know, I'm really going to miss this place and these people." She paused and knew that Chakotay felt the same. "Helm set a course to rendezvous with the away team, warp six." The helm officer replied with an "aye" before carrying out the order. Then more to Chakotay she said, "We're slightly behind schedule. The Alkarians certainly know how to throw a party."
"They sure do. It makes a nice change to meet a race so friendly and accommodating."
"And so willing to trade. I hope Mr Neelix follows their recipes to the letter." She pushed back the thought of the delicious dishes slaughtered by a smothering of spices. "If he does we'll be eating like royalty for months." He smiled as she tapped on a padd.
"It seems the Alkarians managed to please everyone, and an even taller order pleased the Doctor. He is busy experimenting with samples of the planet's vegetation. Apparently he has found that some of them contain medicinal properties."
"He's experimenting on all of the planet's vegetation?"
"Yes, he was categorising all of the samples while listening to the music of Alka-Prime, in C-minor I think it was."
"He's not testing on the plants that make coffee!" Chakotay wasn't sure if that was a question or an order as he watched Janeway's face take on a look of horror. "He better hadn't be! They produce the best coffee I've ever tasted." She paused for a moment. "Time until we meet up with the away team?"
"Approximately seventy two hours."
"Right...You have the bridge." She said as she rose from her seat.
"You're going to check on the Doctor aren't you?" He chuckled already knowing the answer.
"No just the coffee." She left the bridge leaving Chakotay to watch on his console the retreating image of Alka-Prime 2 and with it their new friends.
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To be continued…