AN: Sorry the chapters are so short, I put a break where it seems appropriate
VOYAGER-VOYAGER-VOYAGER-VOYAGER-VOYAGER
It wasn't until a few hours later, when her door chimed, that Kathryn finally asked for the time.
"It is 1000 hours," the computer responded as Chakotay entered the room.
"We're approaching the first planet, Captain," he gave. "I will be going down along with Neelix, Lieutenant Paris and Ensign Kim," he stated.
"Very good, prepare to leave upon reaching transporter range," Kathryn stated.
"Very well, we should be close enough in approximately thirty minutes," he answered, eyeing Kathryn a little.
"Anything else, Commander?"
"No, just wondering how long it will take before you inform me you're joining us so we can get on with the argument?" he enquired.
"I was going to do that in the transporter room, Commander, you tend to argue less in front of the crew."
"Only because I respect your authority too much, if you where any other captain…"
"…You would be in the brig instead of the first officer," Janeway finished with a bit of a smirk.
"Besides that, Kath," he gave, grimacing at the slight glower Kathryn gave him.
"Chakotay…"
"I know, Captain," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "But you'll have to get used to it after we colonize," he stated.
"Noted, Commander. Now you have less than ten minutes until we're in transporter range, I'd recommend getting ready."
"Aye, Captain. I'll see you in the transporter room, enjoy your coffee," and with that he returned to the bridge.
Kathryn, meanwhile, finished off her coffee and made her way, slowly, to the transporter room, stopping along to way to talk to her crew.
"Sam," she stopped the young blond. "How's Naomi? I fear I've slacked off in my responsibilities to my youngest crew member."
"She's good, Captain, energetic, as usual," was noted. "I'll tell her you asked about her," Samantha Wildman said. "She'd love to see you, Captain," was offered, after a hesitant pause.
"I'll see what I can do. I do miss her energy," Janeway responded before she continued on her way.
She arrived just moments after Chakotay, before the final three.
"Captain, you know I have to protest you going. We don't know what's out there," he stated, starting the ensuing disagreement.
"Duly noted, Commander, but I intend to see every potential planet with my own eyes," was her level response.
The officer at the transporting unit silently chuckled, watching the exchange between the commanding officers. 'Time to get in on those betting pools,' the ensign thought.
"It may not be safe down there. At least let us go down and make sure it's safe first," he offered as a compromise.
"And let my first officer, chief operations officer, head pilot and the chef go into a potentially hostile environment?"
"Yes, and I don't want to add 'captain' to the list. The captain is not expendable."
"Neither are any of you. Who do you think keeps me sane, Chakotay?" she questioned, not knowing that the rest of the away team had arrived.
"Your coffee, last I saw you were nursing your first of many cups for the day," he offered with a somewhat serious expression.
"Stuff it, Commander, I'm going. You know it, I know it, and I'm sure the crew knows it."
The away team nodded their head in unison, affirming the captain's statement. "Aye," came one or two voices from the trio.
"Aye, Ma'am, I'll have the doctor on stand by," he gave, making mental note not to join hr for dinner tonight.
"I said stuff it, Commander, before I cause you to sprain something."
It was with that that the entire team, save Kathryn, started to laugh. As they did this they opted to get onto the transporter pad, before they all got demoted.
Kathryn also stepped up onto the pad, taking her place at the front with the commander behind and to her left, Tom on the opposite side. Neelix was behind Chakotay and Harry behind Tom.
This is the formation in which they appeared on the planets surface, phasers and tricorders drawn.
TBC