AN: A little shout out to Tayababy, who's constantly reviewing and giving me input.
Also, I still need a name for the planet, if anyone has any ideas.
The next morning found Janeway and Chakotay on the bridge at 0700 hours, anxiously awaiting the start of the last transmission. At 0800 the entirety of the senior staff had arrived. By 0810 the last of the reports where done and Janeway had stood in the middle of the bridge.
"Seeing as this is our last transmission to Starfleet, I'd like to make a few minor changes before we get started," she stated, receiving looks of confusion from most of her crew, save Tuvok and Chakotay. "First of all," she looked at Ensign Kim. "Harry, seven years of loyal duty has spoke volumes," she walked towards her Chief Operations officers and added a hollowed out pip to his solid one. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Kim," she gave to an absolutely beaming Harry Kim, no longer 'Ensign Eager', he now took the roll of 'Lieutenant Loyal'.
Kathryn then turned to look at B'Elanna, who she'd specifically asked to come to the bridge, with Tom. "Lieutenant Torres, you've served this crew valiantly as Chief Engineer," she noted, as Chakotay moved to the new mom and replaced her old rank bar with that of a lieutenant commander. "Congratulations to you, as well, B'Elanna," she noted, before Chakotay took over with the mini-speech making.
"Lieutenant Paris, you have been the proverbial thorn in my side since the day I met you, I think that's why we're promoting you, Lieutenant Commander," he stated, causing Janeway to laugh and Tom to take on an impish grin as Chakotay replaced Paris' rank bar as well.
"Tuvok, my conscience since the day we met," Kathryn gave, stepping forward and replacing Tuvok's hollowed out pip with a solid one. "We've been calling you 'Commander' for awhile now, I'm pleased to make it official," she noted, and was slightly taken aback when the new commander gave her a hug.
"It has been an honour to serve under you, Captain," he noted, before returning to his station.
Kathryn nodded. "You have the bridge, Tuvok. Chakotay and I have a few more surprises to attend to. Lieutenant Commanders Torres and Paris, take your daughter home. You all know when to be in Astrometrics," was given as the two parents, Miral, as well as the commanding officers left the bridge.
By 0900, when the transmissions where scheduled to start, the pair had finished the promotions. Some of the more notable one's included Sam Wildman to lieutenant junior grade, as well as Susan Nicolleti to lieutenant commander. Seven of Nine, although not a Starfleet officer, was given a provisional rank of lieutenant. Seven was the last promotion, occurring just before the transmission from Starfleet came through, ensuring the Captain and Commander would be present in Astrometrics on time.
"Good morning, Admiral," Janeway greeted, with Chakotay at her side, Seven at the con.
"Good morning, Katie. Have you settled on a place to colonize?" the admiral enquired, receiving a nod from Janeway.
"We have, Seven is sending the coordinates to you as we speak," she stated, looking at the woman she had all but raised.
"Transmission sent, Captain."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Janeway acknowledged, waiting for Owen to acknowledge receiving the coordinates.
"Ahh, here they are," he quickly glanced over the report that was sent with the coordinates. "Looks like a nice place, Captain, very hospitable," he offered.
"Thank you," she responded, smiling a bit. "I hope Starfleet doesn't mind, but we made a few rank changes. I felt it a suitable thing to do before the last transmission, and in light of everything this crew has done," she stated.
"Of course, Captain, you'll send the updated information to Starfleet?"
"Yes, Admiral, I will. Before I do that, however, I believe your son and daughter-in-law want to see you," Janeway gave, stepping away from the screen so that Paris and Torres could see the admiral, Tom holding his daughter.
"Hi, Dad," Tom greeted, holding Miral up. "B'El and I would like you to meet Miral Paris-Torres," he stated as Owen looked at the infant.
"She's beautiful, Tom, 'Lanna," he noted, smiling. "Hi, Miral, hi, I'm your grandpa, Cutie," he said in a cooing voice as he grinned, before looking up at the parents. "I see that Kathryn promoted the two of you," he said with a nod of his head.
B'Elanna nodded. "She did, Dad. Tom really deserved it."
Tom smiled. "She did too, Pops. B'El's held this ship together, somehow, over the last seven years. She'll do a good job on the planet too," he gave smiling.
Their conversation continued for the allotted fifteen minutes before the admiral let them go.
Lieutenant Kim entered Astrometrics as the Paris' left. At the same time as he entered the Kim family came into view. As this family appeared Kathryn, Chakotay and Seven left Astrometrics.
Each crewmember was allotted fifteen minutes to talk to their family, inclusive of Seven. When her turn arrived she stood outside of Astrometrics, attired in the blue uniform of a science officer, her pips carefully placed on her collar.
"Seven?" Kathryn questioned, eyeing the lieutenant.
"Sorry, Captain, I think I am… anxious? I have never talked to the Hansen family," she responded. "Captain, I would appreciate it if you would lend me y our moral support," she requested.
"Of course, Seven. Lead the way," Janeway motioned, before following Seven of Nine in.
The meeting was uneventful, though easier for Seven and her aunt than for the other crewmembers and their families, as Seven had been estranged from her family since her assimilation, several years ago.
The next meeting to occur was between Chakotay, his younger sister and her daughter. This conversation, like the rest, was done in private, as Kathryn and Seven stepped out of the room.
Fifteen minutes later it was Kathryn's turn. She left instructions with Seven to join her in the allotted time. When she did step into Astrometrics Chakotay's sister was still on the screen, where she grinned upon seeing the Captain.
"Captain Janeway," she greeted.
Chakotay turned and smiled. "Captain, I'd like you to meet my baby sister, Sekaya, and her daughter, Taya," he gave, smiling. "She wanted to meet you, sorry Kath."
"That's okay, Chak," she responded, turning to look at the screen. "It's a pleasure to meet you, both of you," Janeway greeted.
The Native woman smiled. "You too, Captain. Now I'll let you go, I think your family is anxious to see you," she gave before offering a goodbye to Chakotay. "Oh, Captain, look after my brother for me, okay?"
"Of course, I'll do my best to keep him in one piece," she offered, just as Sekaya left the view, infant in her arms , only to have the Janeway's step into view.
"KATIE!" Phoebe screeched at her older sister, holding her four-year-old daughters hand, her infant son in the arms of Gretchen Janeway.
"Hi Phoebe, Mom. Hi Kate," she greeted of the girl, who'd been given her name. "And who's the little one?" she questioned.
"This is Edward, Phoebe named him for your father," the eldest Janeway gave.
"Hi, Edward," Kathryn gave, smiling at the boy, who looked at the screen in wonder.
"That must be your oh-so-handsome First Officer," Phoebe interrupted, grinning. "Chakotay, right?"
"Hi, Phoebe, Mrs. Janeway," the commander greeted.
"Oh, call me Gretchen, Chakotay, no point in calling me anything else when I'll probably never see you again. Phoebe's right, though, you are handsome," was noted, causing the oldest Janeway daughter to blush.
"Mother…" she gave, causing Seven to chuckle in the background.
"Who do I hear in the background there, Honey?"
"That's Seven of Nine, Mom," Janeway answered, motioning Seven forward.
"Seven? Oh a pleasure you meet you, Katie's told us so much about you. You're a lovely young woman, Sweetie."
Seven gave a friendly enough smile to the Janeway. "Thank you, it is a pleasure to meet the Captain's family," the former Borg gave before moving back out of view.
Kathryn smiled at this. "She's been a wonderful addition to the crew. I've taken joy out of watching her grow," she told her family.
Her family, in turn, smiled back. "I see that, Katie," her mom stopped and looked to the side, out of view of the screen. "Oh, Admiral Paris is back, we should be going," Gretchen said.
"Bye Mom, I love you. You too, Pheebs, give the kids a hug for me, and take care of Maggie for me too. Tell her love her and miss her, take care of the puppies too," she gave, misting up as she said her final farewell to her biological family, and, in Edwards case, her first and only hello.
"We will, Katie," Phoebe said, both her and her mother getting teary eyed as well. "Chakotay, you take care of her for us, okay?" Phoebe asked.
"Always, Phoebe, take care of those kids of yours, I'll keep Kath in line," he responded.
The Janeway family nodded before leaving the screen, only for Admiral Paris to take their place.
"Admiral, the change in ranks have been sent to Starfleet," Kathryn stated, recovering from her teary farewell.
Owen nodded at this. "There are a few changes Starfleet has decided to make, Captain. We've decided that, in all future records, you will be noted as Admiral Janeway. It's an official promotion, Kathryn, though Voyager will always be your ship, your baby. Also, all of the provisional ranks will be honoured, and given the same rank within Starfleet," he paused to let this sink in. "Finally, Commander Chakotay, after much prodding, you will be officially promoted, by Starfleet, to Captain. Though I doubt this would have occurred if you where to be returning to Earth, it's being done now. You all earned it," he stated, smiling at the two.
"Thank you, Admiral," the pair said in unison.
"You're welcome Admiral, Captain. I should probably say my farewells. If, when, Starfleet makes it out to that neck of the woods we'll bring supplies for you," he noted. "Goodbye. Live long and prosper, as the Vulcan's say."
"Goodbye, Admiral. You too," Janeway said, holding up her right hand in the Vulcan symbol for 'live long and prosper'.
Chakotay smiled and offered a farewell in the language of his people before offering a translation.
"Take care of that group, Katie, it's a good crew you have there," Paris said. "Paris, and Starfleet, out," he said, just before the screen to Starfleet went out for the final time.
Before the pair left Astrometrics they started a ship-wide transmission informing the crew of everything the admiral had said, except their own promotions.
TBC
Enjoy. More chapters are on their way and in the writing as you read this.