Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Star Trek or any of its franchises. I am just expressing my love of the series.

Hello everyone! So, this is my very first Trek fiction. I have been a Downton Abbey fanfic writer until quite recently. However, I have long been a fan of Star Trek: Voyager, just never had the courage to write anything for the fandom. Let me know how I did and if you would like me to continue. As always, please leave a review. Thanks.

Viroca Planet, Delta Quadrant

"Captain," he spoke, grabbing her forearm as if that would will her to listen. "You cannot do this."

She looked in his eyes and took a sharp breath, steeling herself. "It seems I have no choice, Commander."

The alien looked at the two men standing behind him, motioning his comrades to take the woman into their custody. They grabbed the captain's hands, securing them behind her back. The laser forcefield acted as a tight cuff, making movement difficult.

Their leader, clad all in a black military uniform, had a face of stone - broad shouldered and strong - one who had seen one battle too many. The sharp spikes that protruded from both his forearms were not the only weapons he knew and had mastered. His piercing green eyes met the captain's. "Captain Kathryn Janeway, for violating Virocan space, exposing its people to plague, and bringing death upon them, you are hereby found guilty by this military council. You will be remanded to the Virocan penal colony where you will serve the rest of your natural life." The Virocan commander raised an eyebrow at her, watching for signs of weakness…of discomfort. "I hope…" he added, "it will be a short one."

The guards led Captain Janeway out of the small, private chambers of the Virocan commander center. Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Tom Paris stood powerless as they watched her go.

Chakotay glowered at the Virocan commander. "This isn't over yet, Veilor," Chakotay warned.

"Oh," Veilor noted, smirking at the two men in Starfleet uniform. "I suspect it is. An eye for an eye, I believe is your humanoid expression," the military leader supplied as he turned on his heel and exited the room.

Lieutenant Paris tapped his combadge. "Voyager, two to beam out."

Voyager

"So, what are we supposed to do?" Chief Engineer, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, stood dumbfounded in the briefing room. "You seriously don't expect us to just leave her down there." She brought a hand to her forehead, massaging her temples and trying to desperately stop the headache that was beginning to form behind her cranial ridges.

Lieutenant Commander Tuvok raised his eyebrow. "It is what the Captain requested, and it is Starfleet regulation that we submit to the justice system of planets that we come into contact with…even when we may disagree with those laws."

"That so-called justice system," Tom Paris's voice rose an octave, "just got the Captain thrown into a prison for a crime she did not even commit…at least, not on her own!" He could not help but shout…as hopeless as he felt.

"Enough, Lieutenant," Chakotay said. "As much as it pains me to say it, Captain Janeway gave me a direct order to not interfere." The Commander swallowed hard. "And," he said through gritted teeth, "I cannot disregard her order."

"Even when you know it's wrong!" Paris countered, rising from his chair.

"Lieutenant," Chakotay warned again. "I understand we are all frustrated by this situation. Angered by what, on our count, appears to be unfair…a misapplication of justice." He stood from his chair. "But, it was our fault," he finally ceded. "We have our orders."

"And she's paying the price!" B'Elanna interjected. "For all of us. It wasn't just the Captain that exposed the Virocans. It was all of us. By all accounts, the entire crew should be thrown into the Virocan version of the brig. What justice is that to penalize one person for the crime of many?!"

Tuvok remained seated while the other officers engaged in passionate debate, waiting for his human colleagues to control themselves. "It is what Captain Janeway chose," he voiced, and the senior staff turned to look at him.

"I know," breathed B'Elanna.

It was not the first time that the officers felt powerless that day.

Helpless.

Without recourse.

"It was illogical to have her entire crew imprisoned. She chose to save the many over the one, even if we are all culpable for the deaths of many Virocans," the Vulcan reiterated what the Captain had said to him during their last meeting, the day before the tribunal.

"I can't help but feel responsible for all of this," Neelix whispered. "If I hadn't suggested we take this path through Virocan space, none of this would have happened." The Talaxian stared down at his hands, rubbing his palms thoughtfully. "I knew the Virocans had a reputation, but not one entirely so territorial."

"It isn't your fault Neelix," said Tom, placing a hand on the morale officer's shoulder. "None of us could have known what would have happened, even the Doctor."

"There were no known indications that the human biochemistry could produce a pathogen that could prove deadly to the Virocans," the EMH reiterated. "Biology can be a tricky business. To be accused of biological warfare," the Doctor shook his head, "was something I never even considered. All the tests I ran before we made first contact. There was no known reason why or even how Voyager could possibly harm the planet."

"No one blames you either, Doctor," Chakotay noted. "By all measures, entering Virocan space and making first contact should have gone by the book. And we would be on our way now…back home to the Alpha Quadrant…"

"So much for a shortcut," B'Elanna huffed, crossing her arms. "They want us out of their space now. And we're no closer to home than we were before we got here. And minus a Captain to boot." Her Klingon temper began to rise. "It just doesn't make sense." She looked at Chakotay, hoping to persuade the commander. "If we were still in the Maquis, we would rescue the Captain and get the hell out of here warp 8.9."

"But, this is not a Maquis ship," Chakotay replied. "I appreciate your enthusiasm to rescue the Captain, Lieutenant. However, we are a Starfleet vessel." Chakotay placed his hands on the table.

"And as such must operate on Starfleet principles," the Vulcan finished.

"Thank you, Tuvok," Chakotay said.

"So…" Harry Kim finally decided to speak up. The young Ensign did not like any of the options presented at the meeting. "How do we prove our innocence when our guilt is practically a foregone conclusion?"

"You have an idea, Ensign?" Chakotay asked.

"I may Commander," Harry replied. "You see, Tom and I spent a good deal on the Virocan surface and collected tons of data. I would have to shift through it all again…but there may be something that we're missing."

"It's worth a shot," Chakotay affirmed. "Get on it."

"Yes, sir."

"I will continue to review all the medical data I have collected about this pathogen," the Doctor announced. "However, I fear that the results will be the same. Voyager brought this disease upon the Virocan…even if it was unintentional."

"I will assist you," Seven of Nine voiced.

"We should have left as soon as the sickness broke out…" Tom sighed.

"It is unwise to dwell on what should have been. We were there, and our action had consequences," Tuvok answered.

Chakotay took a deep breath. He hated what he had to do next. Every fiber of his being fought against it. He never wanted to give this order.

But, like Kathryn, he had no choice.

"For now," Chakotay announced, "we must leave Virocan space."

"And abandon the Captain?" B'Elanna could still not wrap her head around this predicament.

"If we don't," Chakotay replied sternly, "her sacrifice means nothing."

B'Elanna glared at the Commander.

"Paris take us out of Virocan space warp 5," Chakotay ordered.

"Aye sir," said Tom as he stood to head to the bridge.

"Dismissed."

"B'Elanna," Chakotay called the Lieutenant to hang back for a moment as the officers exited the briefing room. "We will get her back…somehow."

"It's killing you, isn't it?" Lieutenant Torres looked at Chakotay. "Knowing what she's facing there. Trying to maintain vaunted Starfleet principles when you know damn good and well what she's likely to endure. Leaving her with that Veilor character…the Virocans…this whole thing…" B'Elanna eyed her Commander. She knew him too well.

"More than you know," Chakotay answered.

"Even if we do manage to save her," B'Elanna noted, hoping that her words might sink in. "She may not be the Kathryn you knew."

"I know." He dreaded to think that she would somehow be altered by this situation…in some way different from his Kathryn.

Or at least he thought of her as his Kathryn even if that was not the case.

"Just so you do," said B'Elanna as she exited the room, leaving Chakotay alone with his thoughts.