Uninspired Voyages
A Star Trek: Voyager fanfiction by Andrew J. Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: Voyager, Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation et al are the property of CBS Television, Para creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.
Shepherd sighed as he leaned back in his beach chair, a bunch of kids running by laughing and playing. The sound of the waves crashing into the shore, the gulls overhead... It was relaxing. The great expanse of the Atlantic Ocean stretched out before him, blue and vibrant in the South Carolina sun.
"Hello Shepherd," murmured Arul, in her usual green bikini. She sat nearby, a wrap around her long hair. Their twins were playing on the blanket between them under the large beach umbrella. Tal was trying to crawl, resembling a caterpillar, while Tala was trying to eat some sand. Shepherd quickly pulled his daughter up into his lap and pulled the sand away. She whined, but he cuddled her and soon calmed her down.
"Haa... It's great to be back on Earth. I survived the Delta Quadrant, and finally get to retire," he sighed, stroking his baby daughter's head lovingly. He looked over at his beautiful wife, who stared at him over her sunglasses. It was damn sexy, but it was the kind of skeptical look he was familiar with.
He groaned heavily.
"Goddamnit, this is another dream, isn't it?" Shepherd grumbled, bouncing his daughter a bit when she got squirmy.
"I'm afraid that is the case," Arul said gently. She picked Tal up and elegantly scooted over next to him. Vulcans were probably the only race in the galaxy that could scoot elegantly, and in Arul's case, she made it look damn sexy.
Then again, Shepherd was biased. He'd jumped her when she was reading a grocery list to him. Her voice was just that damn sexy.
"Ugh. You know, I kind of resented my dad for being away so damn much on missions for Starfleet," Shepherd groaned, "and here I am, the deadbeat dad. Even worse than that. I knocked it up a notch."
Arul didn't react to the dad joke, but he was sure she was mentally rolling her eyes.
"It wasn't your fault," Arul said gently, "and no amount of self recrimination will ever make it not so. Nor will it make you feel better when you have no control over the situation."
"I guess not, but I'm gonna keep doing it," he admitted. He squeezed her hand in his, as Tala chewed on his shuttle keys. Tal was fast falling asleep against his mother's bosom. Sometimes he thought the little brat did it just to annoy his dad. Deny him access to Arul's amazing breasts.
But nah, Tal was just a baby and that's what babies did. Though really, he was lucky he was so dang cute.
"You know, when we meet again? I am so glad you'll be able to do a mind meld on me," Shepherd said, "because there's no way mere words will be able to convey how much bullshit I had to deal with just to get back home to you all. Or how much I love you."
Arul again smiled. Goddamn, for that smile, he would cross the entire galaxy and slay Borg cubes with a butter knife.
"I know," she said. She leaned in to kiss him, and push their twins together into a family group hug-
"Shepherd? Shepherd!"
Shepherd groaned and opened his eyes. He was in his quarters on Voyager. Yeah, he knew that easily enough. He was in his bed, dressed in his boxers and naught else. That too was familiar.
Kes was laying alongside him in the bed, in... Thankfully, full on pajamas. That was new.
Shepherd put his hands up and rubbed his face.
"Kes... I'm still on medical leave. I haven't tried to escape you for days," he stated.
After she started carrying a phaser all the time, he decided he'd pushed as far as he could go. Damn her cat ears, too.
"I'm not actually here for that," Kes admitted. "I just... I couldn't sleep alone."
Shepherd stared at her. She flushed and held her hands up.
"I-I didn't do anything! I just... Well... I used to crawl into my parents' bed when I was young and scared."
"How did you even get in here?" Shepherd grumbled, clumsily getting up out of bed. He headed to the replicator and ordered some basic breakfasts-Bacon, eggs, toast, etc. Funny enough, he still had a lot of replicator rations. It's what came from being held hostage and tortured for so long, he supposed, as he carried the food to the living room area. Kes joined him, still in her pajamas. He had pulled on a shirt though-One baring the legend of his favorite Klingon Acid Punk band, 'Kahless Riders'.
"Through the Jeffries Tube, since the doors were locked with triple encryption and had photon grenade trip mines," Kes pointed out. Shepherd shook his head, chewing on some toast.
"I put trip mines in the Jefferies tube, too," he said, pushing a plate over to her. She nodded.
"I know. I deactivated them with my telekinesis," she explained, before digging in herself. Shepherd rolled his eyes.
"Shouldn't have taught you how to do that," he grunted, ravenously eating through the breakfast. "Still... Could have just called."
Kes nodded.
"I know, I just..." She squeezed her bicep nervously. "I just... Everything that's happened? I feel... Very confused." She looked towards him. "And well... You're fairly... Quiet. Almost like Tuvok."
"That's a word I'd never thought I'd hear associated with me," Shepherd chuckled. Kes shared the laugh, though she was still a bit tense.
"And... Neelix, well," Kes nibbled on her lower lip, "it's... Awkward."
"I think you coming out of my quarters in the morning is going to make it more awkward," Shepherd pointed out. Kes nodded quickly.
"I know... I know... I'll just go with through the Jeffries Tube again. I just..." She shrugged, "I just feel comfortable around you. And I like it. I... Well..."
She looked away. Shepherd frowned, got up and sat down next to her.
"What?" He asked.
Kes sighed quietly. She put her hands together, as she stared out at the remains of their breakfast.
"... Neelix knows where he belongs," she said, "but right now? I'm not sure where I belong. I wanted to leave Ocampa, to go out... To lead my people to see the universe. To see everything the universe had to offer. But now? After my first love went... Well, that way? And well..." She looked over at Shepherd.
"You have such a firm sense of purpose. You know who you are, and what you want," she murmured, "but me? I don't know. I don't know where I'm going... Or why."
Shepherd nodded slowly.
"Well... I mean... It's not like I always know what I'm doing," he said, "or where I'm going. Hell, there have been times I've asked myself who I really am."
"So what do you do when you're in situations like that?" Kes asked softly. Shepherd hummed, and leaned back on his couch.
"... It certainly doesn't hurt to have a friend to talk to about it," he admitted. He gave Kes a smile. "Someone who will listen."
Kes smiled brightly.
"I... Thanks," she agreed.
"Any time," he said, sipping some orange juice. "So... What do you want to talk about first?"
Kes sipped her own juice, and stared into the orange depths as though some mystery would be revealed if she looked hard enough. With none forthcoming, she turned her large blue eyes over to Shepherd. She locked onto his, as though she needed an anchor.
"... I... I killed Michael Jonas," she admitted, "he was the traitor. He was working for Seska, he-he would have killed us all. I know it was... Necessary, but..."
Her eyes went back to her juice.
"I felt him... Sensed him pass," she explained, and she held her shoulder as though trying to find some warmth. "I had to sense everything that he was just... Vanish. Gone. And it... it almost feels like part of me is gone, too."
Kes looked up again, biting her lower lip. Shepherd remained silent and still, like he was trying to keep a rabbit from darting off. She did rather remind him of a little lost rabbit: Big eyes, small size, and how sad and conflicted she looked.
He leaned forward, sucking in a breath through his nostrils.
"... I've had to kill before," he admitted. He looked at her intently, and he caught her eyes again. The shame was making her want to drop them, but he made sure his thoughts were open and honest.
"It... It's never a good feeling, I'll admit," he said. Images of Borg drones swam into his mind. A dark corridor. Desperate pleas from his teammates to protect them. The drones advancing on him... Their faces alternating between blank obedience and... Desperation.
"Please! Please, kill us!"
Kes's eyes got wide. She'd probably seen the memory, and felt all the emotions related to it.
He sucked down a deep breath.
"Some guys... They're scumbags. Killing them isn't nice, but leaving them alive will cause more harm than good. So, in a sense, you're doing the universe a favor," he said, "but... Ya know..." He shrugged helplessly.
"There's a part of me that worries about feeling that way. Feeling... Justified. Because it's so easy to rationalize deaths as just being 'part of the job'. But, my mentor taught me that, well... We have different parts of ourselves that we bring out to different people. To different situations. It's all us, but... For killing? I have to be the professional. I have to weigh the situation rationally. Is there any way to deal with this problem other than killing someone? If it's necessary, then yes. I do it, and I hope that it can be justified in the larger scheme of things."
"I could have done something else," Kes whispered. "I-I could have just stunned him, or-or caught him... I was injured and had trouble focusing, and the fear all over the ship..." She closed her eyes tightly. "I keep saying that in my head, but I'm afraid I'm making excuses."
"If you hadn't stopped Jonas," Shepherd said softly, "everyone on this ship, and millions more besides would be dead. Or worse. For what it's worth? I don't think those are excuses. Just the situation."
Kes nodded slowly, still not meeting his eyes.
"Then what do you do when you feel like you're making nothing but excuses?" She asked softly.
Shepherd sighed, and stood up. He stretched.
"I go and do something about it," he stated. Kes looked up at him. He smiled.
"You lost control. You were hurt. You didn't have the training needed to do things non-lethally," he said, "so you should train. Get better, and improve your skills. Moping about it won't help. You should join our training session today."
"I..." Kes nodded, smiling and now managing to meet his eyes, "I would like that. Very much."
"Not a problem," Shepherd replied. "Now please? Get out of my quarters. The neighbors will start to gossip."
Kes beamed, nodded, and snuck off to the Jeffries tube. She crawled in, and shut the hatch behind her. Shepherd sighed and shook his head.
"I really wish Troi was here... If only so she'd have to deal with this bullshit, and I wouldn't."
Somewhere in the Alpha Quadrant, a certain half-Betazoid counselor sneezed.
Shepherd's routine wasn't very complicated, really. He'd get up, eat breakfast, hit the gym for over an hour, grab a sonic shower and then get to his office in the armory. After reviewing all the reports he'd gotten while he was off duty, he would put together the basic agenda for the day's security briefing and meet his team. He nodded approvingly as a few more Ocampans had joined up, sitting nervously in the front row. His more experienced troops (read, all of them) sat behind them. Biessman and Lathrop in particular were trying to hide smirks.
"Okay, we'll be running the standard counter boarding combat scenario in Holodeck 2, but don't get lazy," Shepherd stated clearly, "Chell, your response times still need work. You too Csatlos. Now, I just got done being held prisoner by the Kazon for a week and I don't get paid enough to do all your work for you! So you grunts better learn to pull your weight-I gotta get sleep!"
"Yessir!" The crowd responded, the Ocampans following last. Shepherd looked them over, nodded approvingly, and looked up at Jurot, Mari, and... Kes. Right. Well, this wouldn't be awkward at all, would it?
"Munro, take Squad A and do more practice with the rapid fire setting for the phaser rifles," Shepherd said, flipping through his PADD, "I'll take Squad B on Thursday." He looked up and tried not to look at Biessman, but the big Maquis probably knew he was the subject.
"And good job, guys," he said with a grin, "that altercation with the Cardassians using the holodeck? You handled that well. Lieutenant Foster says Gul Bartatt apologized in person."
"Yeah, well, we're all in this together, sir," Biessman observed.
"Nobody mentioned you, Biessman," Telsia teased, "and given it's good news, it's even less likely you're involved!"
"HEY!"
More good natured ribbing and jibes were thrown back and forth. Shepherd shook his head and chuckled.
"Yes, yes, good job Biessman. You didn't break any skulls when you didn't need to," he said.
"I'm saving it up for the Kazon, or whoever else we're gonna run into out here," Biessman said proudly.
"Or he's trying not to offend his new girlfriend," Ensign Laird tossed out with a vicious grin. Many catcalls followed, as Biessman growled and glared around.
"What is this, first year academy? I-I was just helping her out! Being diplomatic!" Biessman shouted.
"Oh yeah, she was totally hoping you'd establish relations with her," Lathrop chuckled. Biessman punched the young Bajoran in the arm, making him wince, but the smile didn't leave his face.
"Geez... When did I become the punching bag, huh? I'll punch back!"
"Relax, Biessman, we'll just wait until someone else has a lot of drama going on," Shepherd said with a chuckle. "Speaking of, gossip! Come on guys, give me dirty laundry!"
There were a lot of eager looks directed everywhere. The Ocampans in front looked nervous. Finally, one of the young men spoke up.
"Uh... I saw the captain came out of Commander Chakotay's quarters late last night!" He offered.
Shepherd laughed, as did many others.
"Oh! You mentioned the captain and the XO, Oleg!" Shepherd laughed. "It's kind of a rule, kid. Basically, nothing's going to happen with those two. And until something actually does, if you mention it, you gotta..."
"Clean the weapons rack!" The rest of the security team cheered. Oleg sighed, shoulders drooping. Munroe patted his shoulder and leaned over.
"But we'll help you out, since it's your first day," he said, and Oleg brightened. Shepherd nodded.
"Exactly. Anything else new? Scandalous?"
"Tal Celes was stalking Ensign Kim again," Chang volunteered. Shepherd nodded, making a note on his PADD.
"Good, good... Any indications she'll get up the courage to ask her out?"
"C-Couldn't Ensign Kim ask her out?" Oleg asked. More laughter followed. And more shoulder and head pats.
"Kid, you're hilarious," Biessman laughed.
The briefing was finished, and the Hazard Team began the new training. The four Ocampans started out on field medicine-Jurot handled that, as their primary field medic. Now granted, the Ocampans would learn how to fight, but given the injuries they had sustained (and how much the Doctor had been complaining), training them up to put people together first was probably wise.
Besides, Oleg had tried firing a phaser rifle and nearly taken Lathrop's head off. After that, they all agreed to stick to med kits, and maybe hand phasers.
If they were good.
Shepherd meanwhile did his own training with his troops. He went through every weapon they had, firing it off, and checking his accuracy. He started with the slug throwers, to wear him out first. Then the phasers. They had a few Kazon phasers too, and they ran through trying them out as well.
Shepherd saw Kes was struggling a bit with the large phaser rifle. He shook his head and walked over to her. He put it down on the table in front of her.
"Too big," he said, "I suggest you stick with something smaller."
"Such as?" Kes asked, pouting a bit. "A hand phaser isn't always the answer!"
"No, I suppose not," Shepherd hummed. "Hey, Oviendo!"
The dyed blond quartermaster for the Hazard Team put down his own phaser rifle, and walked over.
"Yessir?"
"Got something more suitable for our Ocampan friends?" Shepherd asked, hefting the big Type III phaser rifle up, "this is a little too big."
"Hmmm," Oviendo hummed thoughtfully, scrutinizing Kes to the point she nearly flinched, before he nodded. "Got just the thing!"
He went to the replicator, and cycled through a few options. He then nodded.
"Aha... Computer, replicate pattern 2256 Ares Arms Compact Phaser Rifle."
The replicator lit up, light shimmered, and a smaller black phaser rifle appeared on the pad. Oviendo pulled it off, and then slammed a powerpack into it. He handed it to Kes, who took the smaller phaser rifle in confusion.
"This weapon?" She asked. Shepherd nodded, and looked to Oviendo.
"You want to nerd out or shall I?"
"Your call, sir," Oviendo said. Shepherd grinned, and nodded back.
"No no, by all means, nerd away, " he said. Oviendo smiled, and led Kes back to the firing range. He stood next to her as he got her into the right hold for the weapon, and helped her sight along its' sights.
"This is the model of compact phaser rifle used when the original Enterprise was on her first few voyages," he explained, "it's still in use in reserve units, but it's become more popular lately because it's a lot easier to use on a ship. Tight corridors, corners, etc. This phaser doesn't have as many shots as the bigger Type III, but it has more power than a Type II. Go ahead, give it a try. Keep in mind, it pulls a little to the left when you shoot."
"Okay," Kes murmured, as Oviendo backed away. Kes squeezed the trigger, and a phaser bolt shot out. It struck one of the holographic targets (a Kazon making a face), and it was disintegrated. Another target appeared to take its place, and Kes fired again. She nodded happily, looking back over her shoulder.
"Works great! Thanks Oviendo, Shepherd!"
"Not a problem!" Shepherd grinned. He turned to his quarter master. "I think we might bring these back in larger numbers. Would be useful in counterboarding."
"I don't disagree, sir," Oviendo said cheerfully, "they're a great little phaser. Still popular all over the Federation. Would need a few updates but, it's all pretty easy stuff."
"Get on it then, Oviendo," Shepherd said with a nod. Oviendo leaned in closer to his commanding officer, his eyes still on Kes as she kept firing.
"That said, sir," Oviendo murmured, "just a fair bit of advice-If you're going to pursue Kes-"
"I'm not," Shepherd stated, giving his quartermaster a flat glare. The quartermaster nodded.
"I know that sir. But if it looks like you are, well... You might want to clear the air. Nothing worse than pissing off the guy who cooks your food, sir."
Oviendo returned to the firing range. Shepherd bit back a sigh as Kes continued to fire her phaser, her aim improving with every shot. He shook his head.
Great. How many other people knew about this? And who would blab it to Neelix?
He wasn't entertaining the idea that it wouldn't happen. He wasn't that stupid.
... Anymore.
Captain Kathryn Janeway sat primly in the chair at the head of the conference room table. Captain Vethren, Captain Ransom, and Gul Bartatt filed in, sitting on either side of the table. There was a pile of PADDs on the table in front of them, and Janeway was eager to get to them as quickly as possible.
Gul Bartatt cleared his throat as he sat up in his chair.
"My regrets, Captain Janeway, for the... Behavior of my crewmen," Bartatt stated. Janeway nodded.
"It's all right. No one was seriously hurt, and you can pick your men up from my brig when we're done here," she said.
Ransom shook his head, as Vethren smirked. The human male captain chuckled.
"Well, captains always have to deal with rowdy crewmembers on shoreleave," he said, "I think that's common to all our species."
"Yeah," Vethren said cheerfully, "in the Great Blue Fleet days, a shoreleave was considered quiet if the local bar wasn't on fire."
Bartatt nodded, a wry look on his scaled face.
"I suppose that's a good metric to use, then," he said. "Still, I commend your crew for their discipline, Captain Janeway... Especially with former Maquis aboard."
"Most of them have begun opening up to your people more, Gul Bartatt," Janeway said gently, "especially after you took so many hits for us in that battle."
Bartatt nodded again, and everyone went to the PADDs. Janeway cleared her throat.
"First item on the agenda: Captain Ransom?"
"We've been going through the subspace maps of the region," Ransom said, "and working with your Ensigns Harren and Wildman. Between Voyager and Equinox's astrometrics, we might be able to cut down five, maybe ten years off our journey."
"Biggest issue is that there isn't as much warp traffic in this area as compared to the Alpha Quadrant," Vethren added, "not much of a subspace highway network anymore."
"Still, it's a boost and I'll take any we can get," Janeway said, something Bartatt nodded to. "How about that solar system we did a survey on?"
Ransom looked a bit smug.
"We found a huge dilithium deposit-Along with an asteroid belt rich in kemocite," he said. "We sent the data off to the Delta Alliance. They'll start mining operations immediately. They never picked it up before because their sensors couldn't get through the radiation."
"That's a win for the Delta Alliance, at least," Vethren suggested, her antenna twitching happily, "the more benefits they can provide to membership, the more stable it'll be."
They talked about a few other issues and projects. Repairs to the various ships after the battle and all they'd been through were still ongoing. They were planning on outfitting the Trager and Equinox with holodecks to make things easier on their crews, as well as expand the hydroponics and aeroponics gardens there. The Trager's science unit wanted to work with Voyager on studying a trinary pulsar on their route home, which Janeway happily approved.
Finally they came to the part Janeway was dreading a bit. The PADDs with personnel files, for potential transfer candidates.
Janeway understood the necessity, of course. Voyager had the largest crew complement percentage remaining among all the ships in their fleet. The Equinox had a small crew to begin with, but had lost many key personnel to the Delta Quadrant. The Lillehammer and the Trager had lost over a third of their crews to the Kazon. The Trager had the highest remaining crew number at around 300, but a lack of automation in key areas of Cardassian technology meant they were overworked to keep the heavy cruiser operating.
A lot of these assignments would be temporary... But even so, Janeway couldn't help the dislike of losing any member of her crew. So many had slipped into places in her heart reserved for family members.
Still. She was a Starfleet officer.
"The Trager's medical staff was decimated," Bartatt said bluntly, "Medical Technician Mell is overworked. We have been trying to help her, but crash courses in medical training have been difficult to fit into our normal duties."
"One doctor for three hundred people? Geez, that's a nightmare," Vethren said with a wince, "Doc Fleming was lucky to survive with Nurse Keawaaysae, but the Kazon were brutal. They only recently got back on their feet."
Vethren was audibly angry as she bit that last part out, but closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Ransom nodded.
"Doctor Ovesian was a xenobiologist, with a specialty in mammals and mammalian like creatures," Ransom admitted. "She was aboard in case we found any advanced lifeforms on the planets we were surveying."
"So, a vet's been keeping your crew alive?" Vethren asked, raising an eyebrow. Ransom shrugged.
"According to her, most mammals are largely the same when you cut them open," he said. "Our EMH has been helping her out after we lost our actual CMO."
"Several of our Ocampans have been trained as field medics," Janeway interjected, "we can have them go around to help out."
"Don't you just have your EMH?" Vethren asked. Janeway nodded.
"Yes, but he's... Well, we've made some improvements," she said, "he's been operating very well. Apparently some of our encounters helped him become sapient."
Bartatt grimaced.
"Isn't that an issue for security?" He asked. "I've heard horror stories about Federation holograms going amok."
"Nothing of the sort," Janeway said with a smile, "he's bound by the Hippocratic Oath as part of his core programming."
"That's a relief," Ransom sighed, "last thing we need is a Moriarty situation."
"Moriarty?" Vethren asked. Ransom shook his head.
"Long story," he admitted. "How many Ocampans can you spare?"
"We have about thirty aboard, and twelve have been training as field medics," Janeway said, "I think we can get along with just Jurot, Kes and Mari helping our Doctor for the time being." She sent them the profiles via her PADD, "look through and then get someone to interview them. Whoever would be a good fit for you? Take them. If it's mutually agreeable, they can stay aboard."
"Ah, horse trading, the most fun part," Vethren laughed. Janeway nodded, looking at the youngest captain.
"How is Lieutenant Carey working out for you, Vethren?" Janeway asked. The Andorian security chief turned captain grinned.
"Honestly? Wonderfully! He's got a real skill for managing people. The Engineering crew hasn't been this happy since we were rescued. He actually got our EPS system back to spec! Can you believe it?" She beamed at Janeway. "If it's all right, I'd like to make him my chief engineer permanently?"
"Granted," Janeway said, smiling back, "he was in the running for chief here, but I chose B'Elanna over him. I think he'll do well on your ship. Any other postings that need filling on the Lillehammer?"
"We're mostly shorthanded in our security department," she admitted. "Lieutenant Shanks has a good head on his shoulders, but he's inexperienced. H'Riss, our chief petty officer, is helping him manage but he came to Starfleet late and he's not much better."
Janeway flipped thorugh her PADD.
"Currently our third in command for security is Lieutenant Foster," Janeway said, "he used to be a Starfleet MACO back during the Cardassian Wars. He's the most experienced security officer we have other than Tuvok, and-"
"Er, actually, I was wondering if I could get Lieutenant Shepherd?"
Everyone stared at her. The Andorian woman's smile became just a bit softer.
"After all, his heroic actions more than demonstrate his capabilities," she said quickly, "he'd get promoted to Lieutenant Commander for that back home! And Lillehammer is a fighting ship, after all!"
"Let's not be too hasty," Bartatt stated, "the Trager is also a warship. I still have the most troops of any of our ships. His training would enhance them, and in turn, enhance our fleet's ability to defend itself."
Ransom leaned back, looking a tiny bit amused as Vethren and Bartatt stared intently at one another.
"He can train your troops as my security chief just as well," Vethren pointed out, "and he is a Starfleet officer."
"Given his history as a covert agent among my people," Bartatt said, "I imagine he would adapt quickly."
"Captain, Gul," Janeway interjected, "Shepherd is quite capable... But he's a bit... Unpredictable. In all honesty, between everything you have to manage, adding him to the mix would be unneeded stress. Believe me."
Vethren blinked. Bartatt raised a scaly brow.
"How do you mean, 'unpredictable'?" Vethren asked.
A Jefferies tube hatch opened nearby. Shepherd poked his head out, and everyone looked at him. Shepherd looked at Janeway and smiled.
"Captain! Er, Captains! And Gul! Howdy! Excuse me."
He got out, and handed brightly colored cards of pink, green and blue paper. Each captain opened them. Janeway blinked.
"'Congratulations, you're my lunch?'" Ransom asked in disbelief. Shepherd nodded, just as a heavily armed security team, led by Munroe, barged in through the doors. Shepherd checked his watch, and shook his head.
"Tut tut tut," he said, "too late! The captains are all dead," he said. "I gobbled them up!"
The Hazard team groaned. Biessman glared. Chell sighed. Telsia laughed.
"Sir, with respect," Ensign Munroe pointed out, "I don't think a salt vampire could eat them all in that time."
"I totally could," Shepherd huffed. "Especially with... ITS' SALT VAMPIRE BABIES!"
Four Ocampan children burst out of the Jefferies tube, yelling as they headed for each captain with a suction cup dart. Each dart unfurled a sign that said "LUNCH". Ransom, amused, stuck his on his forehead. Bartatt just raised a brow at the Ocampan who tried to stick him. The little girl cringed. Bartatt then took the dart, and stuck it on his chest, making the little girl smile. Vethren, laughing, stuck hers to the top of her head, making the little Ocampan boy laughed and clap. Janeway rolled her eyes indulgently and let her Ocampan girl stick her in the side.
"You got me," she deadpanned.
"Yay!" The little girl (Arin was her name, Janeway recalled) cheered.
Shepherd turned to his Hazard Team, nodding smugly.
"See? They're all salt vampire food," Shepherd said. He rested his hands on his hips and shook his head. "Either way, an armed man and four armed children snuck into the meeting room and you failed to stop us in time. Reset the clock! We're trying again!"
"Can we assassinate the first officer this time?" An Ocampan boy asked eagerly. Shepherd scowled at him.
"Yuri! Don't give away our plans!" He hissed. Yuri looked down at his shoes.
"Sorry," he murmured.
"Don't be sorry, do better next time," Shepherd stated, patting him on the head, "come on guys! Out we go! Sorry for the interruption, Captains, Gul."
"Not at all, Mister Shepherd," Janeway said with a smile, "please! Carry on."
Shepherd ushered the Ocampans and his security team out the doors, which slid shut behind them. Janeway looked over at the captains, hiding her smile.
Vethren shook her head with a scoff,
"Is that the worst he could pull? I could handle that!"
"He's lucky he has children to enlist," Bartatt observed.
Janeway shook her head.
"I assure you, that was tame," she said, "he's helping you acclimate."
"Even so," Vethren scowled. Janeway sighed.
"I'll reassign Foster to you. He'll be a good fit. But! I am going to allow Shepherd to train all our security forces," she said, "no sense in hording our knowledge."
Hopefully, that training wouldn't be needed too soon, Janeway thought. She prayed it wasn't too much to ask for some down time, after all they'd been through.
Meanwhile, in Voyager's sickbay, a specimen sample case began to shake, and rattle...
Back in the Alpha Quadrant...
Arul had returned from a long shift at the infirmary. Her usual Vulcan serenity hardened a bit as she looked around the family quarters-She didn't see or sense the Shepherds anywhere nearby.
She did hear Tal and Tala laughing softly. She walked to the nursery, hand on her phaser.
A doctor constantly being armed may have been unusual, but it had become second nature to her given her stint in SI.
That, and she would never allow any harm to come to her children. Not after the Klingon invasion.
She tapped the door controls to open the hatch. She peeked in, phaser trained and ready... Only to see another phaser trained on her.
This phaser was held by a large, rocky, mottled gray, black and orange creature: The size of a man but resembling an Earth invertebrate, a sea urchin if she recalled the name correctly. This creatures's spines were swept back, as though built for speed. It wore a Starfleet commbadge on one of those spines. Two of its tendrils held up toys for the babies to play with, another holding up the phaser. It pulled the phaser back, and clicked and chirped in mild amusement.
"Good to know your reflexes remain on point," said the creature. Arul holstered her weapon, and moved over to sit next to the twins. She almost smiled at her intruder.
"Hello, Commander Manifold," she greeted the Horta.
"Come now! Call me Manny! Manifold makes me sound like I'm over five centuries old," the Horta replied. He tucked his phaser back into a pouch carried on his back, his tendrils still entertaining Tal and Tala. Both babies kept trying to catch the toys, but Manny kept dangling them just out of reach each time. "I see you have given birth to Shepherd's offspring. They are healthy... Though can't say much for their looks."
"You do not find humanoids aesthetically pleasing in general, Commander," Arul observed.
"I just didn't find Shepherd that pleasing. His voice is too high pitched-No infrasound. If he didn't talk all the time he would have been tolerable," Manny ground. The twins began to cry, and the Horta let them both have their toys. "Ugh, I take it back, they inherited his vocal abilities. You have my condolences."
"I am sure their vocal abilities will improve in time," Arul said, gently stroking the tops of her childrens' heads as they chewed happily on their toys. "It is agreeable to see you again."
"Same," Manny replied. He rippled his spines, the Horta equivalent of a shrug. "Would have been here sooner, but all hell's broken loose. Been busier than ever. SI hasn't been this busy since the Borg attack."
"
I would ask for more details, but I suspect those are classified," Arul stated. Manny chirped, amused again.
"Sharp as ever. Wonder what you saw in my slow witted apprentice? Must have been pity for a lesser being."
"I love him," Arul said. Manny's spines stood up straight, and then relaxed. The Horta laughed again.
"He can make you admit to emotion? Ha! Motherhood does change beings," Manny said.
Arul nodded slowly.
"It has made me re-examine many of my beliefs," she admitted. "May I get you something?"
"No, no, this is just a brief social call," Manny said. "Finally picked up your husband's tricorder. Intel on the Iconians! HA! I almost take back some of the bad things I ever said about him."
"I do not understand your efforts to conceal your obvious affection for him," Arul said. Manny's spines shook again.
"Bah! You and your blunt nature! No wonder you were never assigned to field ops!"
"I had little desire to, after seeing what you and Shepherd went through," Arul stated. Manny skittered about, on hundreds of little tendrils, to head for the door. He paused, and his spines drooped.
"Even the fastest starships we have would take decades to get out to them. I'm sorry about that," he said.
Arul nodded.
"Thank you. I believe he will return to us," she said.
"Ugh. Even Vulcans can get mushy," Manny ground, annoyed. He rummaged in his pouch, and tossed her a data PADD. "Here. Your in-laws are still technically part of the House of Mogh. Some intel that they and their house head might find interesting."
Arul frowned as she quickly read through the contents.
"Intelligence on the Klingons? Doesn't this violate regulation 33?"
"You, your family and Worf are cleared for Ultra Violet Intel: This isn't that classified," Manny stated, "besides, anything to end the Klingon conflict sooner means the Founders are unhappy. I want them to be as unhappy as possible."
Arul nodded.
"Thank you," she said, "for visiting. Shepherd would have appreciated it."
"Yeah, he would. He was always squishy like that," Manny huffed. "Well! I'm off to work. There are Changeling infiltrators in the Federation and the Klingon Empire. It's my job to find them... And for what they've done?"
The Horta vanished, invisible.
"They have my undivided attention," the Horta finished.
Arul hummed. She could no longer sense the Horta... Yet the door remained closed.
She shook her head. That was Manny for you.
For a moment, she might have almost felt pity for the Changelings.
But then... She was a Vulcan.
Omake! Meanwhile, back in the Delta Quadrant...
Tom had given up on learning more about Shepherd's backstory... But Harry Kim wasn't so easily deterred. This young man was determined to get back to Earth, after all, and Shepherd's trolling just invited more investigation.
Harry: "All right... I've got it! Shepherd's private holofiles!"
Tom: "This seems a little overboard, Harry."
B'Elanna: "And kind of illegal."
Harry: "Fine, report me to the Federation civil courts when we get back home. But I've gotta know... Okay... All of this is... Porn."
Tom: "Yeah, I can see that. Ooh! Romulan MILF 3? That's a classic!"
B'Elanna: "Ugh! Paris you hormone!"
Tom: "I am what I am, babe."
Harry: "Correction! Most of it is porn! But not all of it... AHA! 'Arul Memories 1!'"
Tom: "It seems... Far too obvious."
B'Elanna: "He is a spy, after all."
Harry: "All he wants to be is a data analyst, remember? Besides, we got through three levels of high grade encryption! Isn't that paranoid enough?"
Tom: "Ugh... Fine. But I think you've gone off the deep end, Harry. I mean, I'm the criminal. You're supposed to be the upstanding golden boy of Starfleet."
Harry: "A lot can change in the Delta Quadrant..."
They head to the holodeck... Along with Kes, who was curious. They entered the holodeck, and Harry put in the isolinear chip.
Harry: "Computer? Run program!"
In an instant... They were aboard a Galaxy-class starship. And in... High school uniforms?
Tom: "... Huh?"
B'Elanna: "Eh-AHHH!" She pushed down her skirt "What the hell?! WHY IS IT THIS SHORT?!"
Kes: "Huh! I kind of like it!" twirls "Heh!"
Arul ran around a corner, with a piece of toast in between her teeth. She ran into Shepherd. Both fell down after bumping into eachother.
Shepherd: "Oof!"
Arul: deadpan "Ow."
Shepherd: "Sorry... Are you all right?"
Arul: "I am unharmed." Has shoujo sparkles around her
Shepherd: "Huhhhhhh...?"
Narrator: "Little did I know that I had just met the girl of my dreams, and my future waifu! Here at... Enterprise-D Academy!"
Kes: "... Eh?"
Tom: "Harry. Somehow, I doubt things were this crazy. Even aboard the Enterprise."
Harry: "Ugh, fine. He got us again. Computer? End program."
Nothing happens. Save for several school girls in Starfleet-themed fukus turning to look at them... And holding up wooden paddles.
Schoolgirls: "TICKLE TIME!"
Tom: "HARRY GET US OUT OF HERE!"
Harry: "I CAN'T! THE PROGRAM'S LOCKED!"
B'Elanna: "YOU IDIOTS!"
Schoolgirls: giggling "TAKE YOUR PUNISHMENT~!"
Kes, B'Elanna, Harry and Tom: "AAAAHHHHHHHH!"
Elsewhere... Shepherd is fast asleep in his bed as his commbadge buzzes frantically...
Shepherd: "Zzzzz... Sleeep... Blessed sleeeeeep... Oh, hello Arul... Naughty school girl again? Okay~... Heheheheh..."
Later, the four intruders are in Janeway's office... All still in their school uniforms. Kes actually looks radiant, since she got her hair and makeup done. B'Elanna also got her make up and hair done, but looks far less happy. Harry and Tom are covered in bruises.
Shepherd is also there, in his pajamas and looking groggy.
Shepherd: "Ugghhh... Guys, it was my day off..."
Harry: "We're sorry... Okay I'm sorry! I did most of the bad things! I'm really, really sorry!"
Tom: "I did tell him not to... Several times... He just ignored me! Me! The expert on screwing up!"
Shepherd: "Wow Harry! You really wanted to know that badly?"
Harry: "YES!"
Shepherd: "... Maybe if you take my duty shift tomorrow... I'll consider telling you. At some point."
Harry: sighs "That's fair..."
Janeway: "It did take five hours to get them out of the holodeck, Shepherd. It might be useful to know if you have any other such holographic traps?"
Shepherd: "Hmmmm... I might have a few. This was probably the least horrible."
B'Elanna: "LEAST horrible?! I can't sit down!"
Shepherd: "You should have just done what Kes did, which was say 'I'm really sorry, I had nothing to do with this, please stop.'"
Tom: "I SAID THAT! REPEATEDLY!"
Shepherd: "Yeah but you're not as honest as Kes... Or as good a liar. Not sure which."
Kes: smiles like the sun
Harry: "I think you're slipping."
Tom: "Thanks a lot, Harry..."
Kes: "Wow! I never knew you could do so many things with your hair, skin and nails! That program was amazing, Shepherd! I've never had a manicure or a pedicure before!"
Shepherd: "Yeah, you have to get past a minigame in the actual holonovel by impressing either Arul-sempai, or Class President-"
Janeway: "Ahem?"
Shepherd: "Right. Sorry ma'am. I'll get right on that list of holo-traps for you... After I've had some actual sleep."
Janeway: "Sounds good to me. And Mister Kim? I trust you'll prepare for your shift in security?"
Harry: "Yes ma'am..."
Tom: "If it helps, B'Elanna... I think you've never looked better."
B'Elanna: curses in Klingon
Tom: "I love it when you talk dirty to me."
B'Elanna: "GRAAAHHHH!"
New Story Arc Start!