Chapter 128.
(Leah POV)
"Captain log Stardate 54208.3, Last month's datastream from Starfleet never arrived, So the crew and I are looking for to this one with even more anticipation than usual. We can all use some news from home. We're received something. But 7 and Harry have been at Astrometrics for the last 24 hours trying to decode it. Let's hope they are a bit farther on now, End log." I said.
"Kim to McCall," Harry said.
"Go ahead, Harry," I said.
"7 and I need to see you right now," Harry said.
"On my way," I said.
As I got to Harry and 7.
"Okay, Ready when you are," Harry said.
As a Hologram of Reg showed up.
"Reg," I said.
"Un no but he did design me, I'm a walking talking problem solving interactive hologram, You can call me Reg," Reg said.
"Good," I said.
"The Pleasure's mine, Captain," Reg said. "Harry, 7, I've been looking forward to working with you,"
"You have," Harry said.
"I know, You were expecting letter from your friends and families," Reg said. "But with any luck in a few days, You'll be seeing them face to face,"
"What, How," I said.
"In 3 days time, Voyager is going to be passing through Grid 898, A sector of space occupied by a red Giant Star," Reg said.
"Sensors detected it a few days ago," I said.
"At this very moment a team of Federation Scientists is orbiting another Red Giant in the Alpha quadrant," Reg said. "In 72 hours they will target it's magnetic field with a Verteron beam creating a geodesic fold, As a result a corresponding fold will open here in the Magnetic field of the Red Giant that Voyager is approaching, Space will be punctured these 2 point, Creating a gateway between the quadrants,"
"Our shields are useless against Geodesic Radiation, We toyed with the idea of opening a fold ourselves, But it didn't take us long to realize we wouldn't survive the trip," I said.
"A lot's happened in Geodesic Research since you've been gone, I've brought schematics for shield upgrades to deflect the radiation from the fold, Medical technology to provide additional protection for the crew, We've thought of everything," Reg said.
"Starfleet never mentioned you in any of the previous datastreams," 7 said.
"Well, Lt Barclay didn't want to raise your hopes, In case the plan didn't live up to expectation, but lucky for you, It surpassed them," Reg said.
"What about last month's Datastream? Why didn't we receive it," I said.
"Pathfinder tried sending an unabridged version of my program, It overloaded the MIDAS Array," Reg said.
"And the only casualty this time was our transceiver," Harry said.
"If everything goes according to plan you won't need it anymore," Reg said.
"If we were to attempt this, You'd need access to areas of this ship, that aren't equipped with holo emitters," I said.
"Not to worry Captain, we've thought of that too," Reg said.
XXX
"My Emitter is your Emitter," Doc said.
"Computer transfer the Barclay hologram to the Mobile Emitter," I said.
"Transfer complete," Computer said.
"On Lt Barclay's behalf I thank you," Reg said.
"Just make sure to return it when we get to Earth," Doc said.
"We're ready for you in the Briefing room, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Excuse us Doc," I said.
As we got up there.
"This is our destination, Red Giant 23139, The Geodesic fold will open here, Adjacent to the Giant's Northern pole," Reg said. "We'll have exactly 16 seconds to take Voyager through,"
"Reg Has prepared a list of assignments, I expect you to give him your full cooperation," I said.
"Tom, You have the honour of plotting our Course to Big Red 2," Reg said. "Lt Torres, Commander Tuvok, I'd like you to start working on Shield modifications, And in the Meantime, I've asked the Doctor, to prepare a series of inoculations that will protect the crew from the Radiation,"
"We should discuss the possibility of apply Borg Technology to Starfleet's plan, It could increase our chances of success," 7 said.
"Got on it," I said.
"How long before the Transceiver's back online," Chakotay said.
"No more than 2 hours," Harry said.
"Then we'll still have time to Transmit a response to Starfleet," Chakotay said.
"Keep us posted, I'd like to send Lt Barclay a little Thank you note for all his hard work," I said.
"Is there anything I can do Reg," Neelix said.
"Your job might be the most important one of all," Reg said. "The Next few days will be difficult, The Crew will be working extremely long hours, they're going to need an experience Morale Officer, to keep their spirits high,"
"You can count on me," Neelix said.
"If this was any other ship, I'd have my doubts, But this is Voyager, the Miracle ship, You've survived 6 years in the Delta Quadrant, You've evaded the Kazon, The Vidiians, The Hirogen. You've even faced down the Borg," Reg said. "I think with a little teamwork, We can pull off one more miracle and take Voyager Home,"
"Then let's do it, Dismissed," I said.
XXX
"Captain's Log Supplemental, With the help of the Barclay Hologram, We've nearly completed the modifications to Voyager, As for Reg, He's becoming extremely popular with the crew, End Log," I said. As I managed to Sneak into the Mess hall and Hear Reg Impersonating me.
"Imagine my Disappointment when I discovered that Lt Paris had eaten all the scrambled Eggs," Reg said. "It was pure unadulterated gluttony, Gastronomic conduct unbecoming a Starfleet Officer, He knows it's my favourite Breakfast but he ate them anyway, We have an Egg-mergency here people. I want to know what you plan to do about it,"
"Maybe I can replicate some more, Captain," Neelix said Nearly dying from laughing hard.
"Do it," Reg said. "Thank you, Thank you," As he normal voice came back.
"He's not only programmed to get us home, He does impressions," B'Elanna said.
"You see, It's always bothered Lt Barclay, that he was uncomfortable in large groups, so he designed me to be the life of the party," Reg said.
"I hope he's not too shy, He's going to have 150 new friends when we get back home," Harry said.
"If we get home, Harry, If," Tom said.
"Pardon my friend here, He's convinced we're destined to live out our days in the Delta Quadrant," Harry said.
"Your pessimism is illogical, Perhaps a mind meld would help to alleviate your concern," Reg said In Tuvok Voice.
"Sickbay to Reg," Doc said. "Please report to Holodeck 2,"
"On my way," Reg said. As he left.
"Bloody hell, That's was funny as hell," I said.
XXX
"I don't think I quite understand the Problem, Doc," I said.
"Are you aware that he's been doing impressions of you," Doc said.
"You should hear his Tuvok, It's eerie," I said.
"It's disrespectful," Doc said.
"What do you want me to do, Deactivate him," I said.
"Just long enough to run a diagnostic of his program," Doc said. "His recent Behaviour may be indication of a more serious problem,"
"I Haven't seen any evidence of that," I said.
"Of course not, In front of you, He's all smiles, But I've seen him be rude, and careless, 2 trait the real LT Barclay never exhibited," Doc said.
"I know the real Reg is a friend of yours, And I'm sorry if the holographic version hasn't lived up to your expectations," I said. "But that's hardly reason to deactivate him,"
"Are the lives of 150 crewmen reason enough," Doc said. "Maybe you're right, Maybe I am overreacting, But what if I'm right, We're less than a light year away from the geodesic fold, Do you want to risk being led through it by a malfunctioning hologram,"
XXX
"Captain, you saved us a com call," Reg said.
"We're ready to bring the enhanced shielding on line," 7 said.
"Good work, I need a moment alone with Reg, 7," I said. As 7 headed out. "Your program has been running continuously for how many hours now,"
"56 hours, 11 minutes and 21 seconds," Reg said.
"I'd like to run a diagnostic of your matrix, Make sure you haven't suffered any degradation over the last few days," I said.
"This isn't the Doctor's Idea is it," Reg said.
"He expressed some concern for your well being, yes," I said.
"I bet he did," Reg said.
"Believe me Reg, the Crew and I are grateful for everything you've done, But we need to take every precaution," I said.
"I understand perfectly," Reg said. "And if the ship's Doctor thinks I need a checkup, Who am I to argue,"
XXX
"That tickles, Lt," Reg said.
"Sorry Reg, We're almost finished," B'Elanna said.
"Have you identified any problems yet," Doc said as he transferred himself here.
"I've gone over his entire matrix, He's working perfectly," B'Elanna said.
"Maybe I'm not the one who needs a diagnostic hmm," Reg said.
"I'm a big enough hologram to admit when I'm wrong, I'm sorry I doubted you," Doc said.
"Well if anyone is owed an apology, It's you, I should've been more sensitive," Reg said. "Friends,"
"Friends," Doc said.
"Now that that's out of the way Captain, What do you say we get this ship back to Earth," Reg said.
"Let's ride," I said.
XXX
"2 million kilometers and closing Captain," Tom said.
"Take us to one quarter impulse," I said.
"Bridge to Astrometrics, Bring the enhanced shielding online," Chakotay said.
"Aye Commander," Reg said.
"Astrometrics to the Bridge," 7 said.
"Go ahead," I said. "7,"
"There was a problem, Captain, But I've corrected it," 7 said.
"Something's wrong, Captain," Harry said.
"Astrometrics to the Bridge, Why are we stopping," Reg said.
"The Fold's collapsing, Reg, We didn't make it in time," I said.
"It's not too late if we remodulate the shields," Reg said.
"I appreciate your determination, but we can't risk it," I said. "You did everything you could,"
"Captain, Someone just initiated a site to site transport," Harry said.
"Who," I said.
"Reg and 7," Harry said. "They've beamed to an escape pod,"
"Bridge to 7, what's going on, 7 respond," I said.
"The Pod's been launched," Harry said.
"Tractor beam," I said.
"There is too much interference from the fold," Tuvok said.
"Harry, can you get a transporter lock," Chakotay said.
"Hold on," Harry said. "Got Them,"
XXX
"Captain's log Supplemental, 7 has recovered from her injuries and Reg has been deactivated, Until we finish analyzing his program, His motivations remain a mystery, End log," I said.
As I got back to our quarters as I went in and saw 7.
"You okay," I said.
"Am now," 7 said.
"Good," I said. As I kissed her.
That's all for this Chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
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PEACE!