Chapter 7 – Tactical Plans
Tom Paris surveyed Holodeck One from a raised platform near the entrance. Forty-eight abridged copies of the Doctor's program worked at forty-eight different biobeds on as many ex-Borg drones. Voyager crew members stood by as assistants to each of the Doctors and a hundred or more additional drones waited their turn against the side and out into the corridor with other crew attending them. Holodeck Two was outfit identically and the surgeries had been ongoing this way for the past twenty-four hours. A constant stream of patients all needing their Borg armor, components and implants removed cycled through moving to and from the temporary shelters being constructed on the planet's surface. Even then, there was still a long way to go to get everyone from the Unimatrix Zero survivors taken care of.
One of the nearby Doctor's looked up suddenly from his work and stepped back from the biobed. He stood as if at attention. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency." His patient, an Andorian female who was just waking up from the anesthesia, was quickly helped off the biobed by Crewman Anderson, this particular Doctor's assistant. Crewman Fitzpatrick, who was standing ready nearby, moved another survivor into the vacated place. Tom couldn't tell what species this new person was, although it was likely someone from the Delta Quadrant. Hundreds of different species were represented in the survivors. Someone else was also ready to escort the Andorian out into the corridor behind Tom and back to the encampment. For most of the survivors, it was a relatively short recovery period, and then they were enlisted in helping in the camp or with those still awaiting surgery. For some, additional surgery was required and handled by the real Doctor in the encampment itself.
"Doctor, we have a Borg-drone in need of component removal," Fitzpatrick said to the waiting program once the new patient was in place. He sounded tired. Everyone was pitching in and had been working long hours and there appeared to be no end in sight.
"Another one?" the Doctor said irritated.
"Yes Doctor," Fitzpatrick replied mechanically. "Emergency surgery is required."
The Doctor snorted and surveyed his new patient. He put out his hand "Twenty cc's of anetrizine." Crewman Anderson was already ready and placed the hypospray in his hand. The Doctor took it, examined it briefly with a scowl as he always did, and then administered the anesthesia in the patient's neck. He handed the hypospray back to Anderson and started working quickly and efficiently.
Fitzpatrick turned to Tom. "Couldn't you have given the new Doctors any personality?" Anderson looked up with a smirk as she placed the hypospray back on a tray, obviously in complete agreement.
Tom shook his head. "Just the bare minimum John. We had to create as many copies as we could, and Voyager's computers have only so much capacity."
Fitzpatrick grunted. He knew the situation as well as anyone, of course, but it didn't make the work any easier. He sighed and then moved back towards the waiting group of ex-Borg drones while Anderson returned to assisting her particular Doctor and awaiting his instructions.
Tom touched his comm badge. "Paris to Torres."
"Go ahead."
"I think we found the sweet spot and are finally stable here in Holodeck One. It's been over an hour with none of the programs destabilizing. How are things where you are?"
"Just peachy," B'Elanna snapped. She had been particularly on edge ever since Voyager landed, and was none too happy about diverting most of Voyager's resources to the holodecks. "But I think you're right. I'm leaving Joe in charge here and returning to Engineering. The Captain just asked for one of us to go to her ready room for a staff briefing and report."
The implication was obvious. "I guess that would be me," Tom said.
"Do you want to figure out how to keep the dilithium chambers from destabilizing while not being connected to the computers and start fabricating shelters for six thousand Borg drones when we don't have the power or computer resources to run a replicator?" B'Elanna shot back.
"I'm going, I'm going," Tom replied quickly. "Paris out." He motioned to Vorik who was helping with the group of Borg drones along the near wall waiting their turn on a biobed. Vorik stood and moved over to where Tom was and stepped up onto the platform. "I'm taking off to report to the Captain and leaving you in charge here."
Vorik placed his hands behind his back and nodded.
Tom turned to the holodeck entrance, but then turned back as he remembered something. "Keep your eye particularly on number thirty-seven. He was the last one showing signs of program instability earlier, but has been okay since then. I think we're out of the woods, but you never know."
Vorik frowned. "Understood sir."
#
Paris was the last of the senior staff to arrive. At least of those who were expected to attend this particular meeting. Captain Janeway scanned the faces of those present. Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Commander Tuvok were on either side of her with Ensign Kim sitting near the Ready Room's wall computer display and Neelix across from him. She wondered idly where Annika was, given that she rarely saw Chakotay and Annika separated since she had been liberated from the Borg. Had it only been six days? Tom took a seat next to Neelix and Janeway turned to Kim. "I understand Ensign you've found something," she prompted, getting the meeting started.
Kim had been fidgeting for the past five minutes since he arrived and was frowning. "You're not going to like it Captain," he finally replied.
Janeway raised her hands and motioned to their surroundings. "We're here on an unknown planet with most all of our systems dedicated to taking care of six thousand new Borg drones," she began.
"Six thousand, three hundred and twenty-seven," Tuvok corrected.
Janeway chuckled and shook her head. "Whatever. Six thousand, three hundred and twenty-seven," she repeated. "B'Elanna's worried about the dilithium crystals and who knows how we're going to feed everyone…" She turned to face Neelix.
"We have some good ideas on that," Neelix said. "Still… negotiating with B'Elanna and Engineering on how best to proceed."
Janeway turned back to face Ensign Kim. "What else could you possibly tell me to exacerbate our current situation?"
Kim stood and turned on the computer display. An image of the bright crescent planet that was in the sky was shown. He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again and shook his head.
"Out with it Ensign," the Captain demanded.
Kim pointed to the crescent planet on the display. "This is Ocampa," he said bluntly.
"The planet Ocampa?" Janeway asked.
Kim nodded.
"Kes somehow transported her entire homeworld to this system?" Chakotay asked incredulous.
Kim paused, and then shook his head. "No, that's not it at all," he said, growing even more anxious with the confusion. He sighed heavily to calm himself. "Even with the limited sensors we have available, I've determined our location with certainty." He again pointed to the planet on the display. "This is the planet Ocampa and it's right where we left it. Kes somehow transported the planet we are on back to where we started." The statement was met with stunned silence. Kim turned and adjusted the computer controls. A schematic of the system was now displayed. The Ocampan homeworld and their new planet shared an orbit about the Ocampan sun, both in a relatively close orbit about the other, and the few other larger planets in the Ocampan system. On the outskirts of the system, the location of the Caretaker's array, or at least the debris field of the array, was also shown. "Don't ask me how she did it, but the orbits are exactly circular about their common center of mass. The weather, the tides… it was all orchestrated perfectly to minimize the impact on both planets. It's as if they've always been orbiting each other. We're back where we started."
The Captain leaned back in her chair, and then placed her hand over her mouth. This new bit of information had been totally unexpected. No wonder Ensign Kim had been so agitated.
"Why would she take us back with her?" Tom asked, breaking the silence. They all looked back and forth between them.
"Perhaps it was inadvertent," Chakotay suggested. His expression was similar to the Captain's, a mix between astonishment and disbelief. "She doesn't appear to have complete control over her new powers, although she must have some at least unconsciously given the precision of the orbits Harry described."
Janeway was now rubbing her chin in thought. "Three years of travel lost, just like that," she mused. "It couldn't have taken us more than a few seconds to travel that distance."
"If Kes returns," Tom piped in, trying to remain positive. "Perhaps we could ask her to send us in the other direction next time. Even all the way back to Earth."
"But where is Kes?" Chakotay asked.
Janeway returned her gaze to the computer display. "I suspect she's on Ocampa," she said tapping the table and then nodded slowly. "I suppose it's time we go back for a visit."
Tuvok leaned forward. "In our current condition, that would be impossible. Ninety-eight percent of our computer resources have been diverted to run the copies of the Doctor in holodecks one and two. Unless that changes, Voyager is stuck on the planet's surface. Current estimates are we won't be completed with the initial treatment of the Unimatrix Zero survivors for another ninety-six hours."
Tom turned to the Captain. "The programs are finally stabilized," he reported. "I don't suggest we try adding any more Doctors though, and we've cut each program down to the bare minimum."
"On the contrary," Tuvok continued. "We should probably take some of the Doctors offline and divert that power and resources to sensors and weapons."
"Are you expecting company?" Neelix inquired.
"Need I remind everyone that this is the space of the Kazon Ogla," Tuvok said, as if he was back teaching first-year cadets at Star Fleet Academy. He gestured to the ready room windows. "Undoubtedly they will take notice when a new planet appears out of nowhere and come to investigate."
"A new planet with copious amounts of water," Chakotay added. "This planet will be very valuable to the Ogla and every other Kazon sect for that matter. A real prize."
Tuvok nodded. "I suspect, once discovered, we'll have the attention of all the Kazon sects in the area. We might very well be in the middle of a war in the coming days on which sect ultimately controls the planet."
Neelix shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "All eighteen of the Kazon sects."
Janeway frowned and then looked back to Kim still standing by the computer display. "You were right Ensign."
"Ma'am?"
"I don't like it at all," she replied and crossed her arms. They couldn't very well wait for Kes to return, if she was going to return, and hope she could get them out of this mess. The Unimatrix Zero survivors couldn't all fit on Voyager, and so picking up and leaving was out of the question. They were stuck here for the time being and had to make the best of it. "Our plan on expanding the encampment here near Voyager must be abandoned. It's much too out in the open. Too vulnerable."
"There's not enough room on Voyager for everyone," Tuvok commented, stating the obvious. "The bulk of the survivors need to remain outside and find shelter on the planet's surface."
"I'm well aware of that," Janeway replied, sounding a bit irritated. She turned to Chakotay. "Commander, I want you and Annika…" she began and then furrowed her forehead. It still felt odd not seeing Chakotay and Annika together. She looked about the ready room, as if Annika might be standing in one of the corners. "Where is Annika anyway?"
Chakotay hesitated for a moment. "She's with Marina in Holodeck Two helping with the survivors."
Janeway nodded. "I want the two of you to assemble some teams to scout out the environs of the nearby city ruins. Perhaps there are more defensible positions there, or at least a better location for a settlement or settlements. Also the hydroponics bays and greenhouses Neelix has in mind. You can transport…"
"Transporters are offline Captain," Kim cut in. He shrugged his shoulders defensively, not meaning to interrupt the Captain. "The Doctors…"
Janeway nodded again and cut him off. "Of course." She turned back to Chakotay. "Take the shuttlecraft then."
"We should probably reserve one of the shuttlecraft to remain in the vicinity of Voyager," Tuvok suggested. "Or better yet, in orbit above Voyager's position. Although they have limited shields and armaments, a shuttlecraft would serve as a deterrent to the smaller Kazon scout vessels if they should appear."
"Too bad we don't have a bigger shuttle," Tom commented.
"Perhaps you could design one," Neelix suggested.
Tom nodded enthusiastically. "I would love to do that. In fact, I have some ideas…"
Janeway raised her hands to cut them both off, evidently getting a little more frustrated. "That would be wonderful, but it will have to wait. We have our plates full right now Lieutenant." She turned back to Chakotay. "Use three of our four shuttles. Assemble your team and feel free to ask some of the Unimatrix Zero survivors to help if appropriate." Chakotay nodded. She then turned to face Tuvok. "Tuvok, have the remaining shuttle enter orbit above Voyager's position and start continuous scans of the Ocampan system. I want to know immediately when the first Kazon vessels come to investigate."
"Yes Captain."
"Dismissed."
#
Chakotay and Annika stood on the planet's surface before the volunteers that had assembled for the survey. It was midafternoon, Voyager's time recently having been synced to that of the local time of this longitude of the planet. The local time, that is, of the new set of circumstances for this planet now placed in the Ocampan system with a new sun. Behind them were three of the four currently operational Voyager shuttlecraft – the Tereshkova, the Cochrane, and the Ride. The group was divided somewhat evenly between Voyager crew members and Unimatrix Zero survivors. Most all of the survivors were free of Borg implants and wore utilitarian jumpsuits with a small pack on their backs with water and supplies. All were also eager to start helping the Voyager crew get them settled. Lieutenant Laura Hernandez and Siral were among them.
"Okay, our job is to find a suitable location where we can build our settlement for the Unimatrix Zero survivors" Chakotay shouted to those gathered.
"We can't just squeeze aboard Voyager?" someone called out. It was one of the ex-Borg drones that Chakotay and Annika didn't recognize, although it was obvious he wasn't being serious.
"I'm sick of space," another said. "I'd be happy to stay here on this planet."
"There's not enough space on Voyager, and so most will be staying here on the planet," Chakotay answered. "And with the possibility of the Kazon arriving, we need something that is both protected and defensible. Neelix has some requests and requirements that you should take a look at as well. You all have the imagery we took from orbit with possibilities marked. Our job is to assess these areas visually and make our recommendations to the Captain."
"Although we didn't detect any remnant indigenous population," Annika added, "look for evidence of more recent occupation and be prepared for possible contact if indeed a small population exists."
A number of those gathered were examining PADDs that contained the pertinent information. There was not much more that needed to be said, and time was of the essence, so Chakotay pressed forward. "So here's the plan," he continued. "We divide into three groups, one group on each of the shuttlecraft surveying a different location along the perimeter of the nearby ruined city. Each group will have nine members and will subdivide into three groups of three to conduct the survey." He consulted a PADD he was holding. "Annika, Marina and I will form one of those three-person groups on the Tereshkova. Those of you assigned to our unit start assembling over here to the right." He motioned to a location near the Tereshkova's open hatch. "Laura, Siral and Cathal, you will be the primary three-person group on the Cochrane. If you're in that unit, make your way there." He motioned to the shuttlecraft to his left. "Finally, I'd like…" he again glanced down at the PADD. "Bill, Ka… Kasinix, and Bleavilian Cor to be the primary three-person group on the Ride." Chakotay shook his head and frowned. So many new people. I think I just butchered their names.
You're doing fine.
He motioned to the shuttle behind him. "The Ride will take the northern portion of the crater, the Cochrane the eastern portion, and the Tereshkova the southern portion. Document what you find and report back here when complete. We'll reconvene this evening to prioritize the best sites."
Everyone nodded and started making their way to the various shuttlecraft. "What's with breaking everything down in threes?" Lieutenant William Chapman asked as he passed Chakotay on his way to the Ride.
"Yeah," Crewman Marina Jor said with a wink. She and Annika were still standing beside Chakotay. "I think I know what's going on. In the Tereshkova, can I go by the code name Three of Nine?"
Chakotay hesitated. Had he really just divided the groups according to standard Borg units and specifications?
Siral was close by and nodded, as if reading his mind. "Division of groups into powers of three is a common Borg practice," he said. "Although I'm not fond of the Borg or their methods, this particular arrangement is logical and appropriate in this case."
Chakotay shook his head. It had been unconscious on his part. He turned to Annika and she raised an eyebrow.
Marina now laughed outright and slapped him on the back. "Oh, come on Chakotay. You could be One of Nine of the Tereshkova if you'd like."
"Well, actually he'd be Two of Nine," Annika said and winked.
"No thank you," Chakotay responded with a smile and nudged both Marina and Annika towards the Tereshkova. The rest of his group was getting into the shuttlecraft and he moved to follow. "We'll be using our own names." He moved to the front of the shuttle and then sat down in the pilot's seat and Annika sat beside him. They both then swiveled their seats to the back to face the rest of the group. Four of the others were already seated in the shuttle's remaining seats, two on each side, and the remaining three were standing in the middle. It would be a crowded, yet short ride to the survey site. "Speaking of names, before we get started, we should perhaps quickly introduce ourselves to each other."
"Designations might be easier," one of the Unimatrix Zero survivors said. It was unclear if he was being serious or sarcastic, although he did grimace afterward, which might be something akin to a smile for his species.
Chakotay shook his head. "Possibly, but we'll be using our names," he repeated. "As you probably all know, I'm Commander Chakotay serving as…" He hesitated. He hadn't officially been reinstated by the Captain, although at this point it didn't really matter. "Serving as Captain Janeway's First Officer for the past three years. I'm human, from an Earth colony in the Alpha Quadrant." He turned to Annika.
"Annika Hansen. Formerly a Borg drone, I was assimilated at age six. I am also from an Earth colony world, similar to Chakotay."
Marina was next to Annika and continued. "Marina Jor. Half human and half Betazoid, another Alpha Quadrant species. I was on Chakotay's Maquis raider until we were… integrated into Voyager's crew three years ago." She smiled self-consciously, having almost said assimilated. It was still unclear to her how that would have gone over with this group. She shrugged and then turned to the person next to her.
"Aral," the alien said. He had a hairless head and green mottled skin. "A Suliban assimilated about three years ago. Alpha Quadrant as well." He gestured to Annika. "I've heard about you, in Unimatrix Zero, but we have never met."
Annika nodded. She had been notionally aware of all the Alpha Quadrant inhabitants of Unimatrix Zero, including Aral, due to their relative rarity.
"Sassimal," the next said. Humanoid, as all the others were, with dark brown skin and prominent ridges over his eyes. "Well, Sassimal Viangus Marichek, to use my full name. You can call me Sass. I'm Verundi. Here, well, I'm not sure. But near here, I think, in the Delta Quadrant." He scrunched his face and closed his eyes. "Eight years…" he added uncertainly. "I've lost eight years." He then frowned. "I don't know any of you."
"Merivor," the next in line, a slight female with a musical voice, said. She appeared to have short fine hair over all her exposed skin, almost like a pelt. In appearance, she reminded Chakotay of a cat. "My homeworld was assimilated three years ago by the Borg. If we're in the Ocampan system, I've heard of it. It was about twenty light years from my homeworld."
"Klank," the next alien said. He was heavy set with his arms crossed. His most striking feature a single cranial ridge that extended from the bridge of his nose to the top of his head. "Still a bit overwhelmed," he added, and then turned to the one next to him, evidently finished with his brief introduction.
The next was a Voyager crewmember in uniform. He shrugged. "The only original Star Fleet crew here on this pointless survey in this cursed trek through the stars," he said with a scowl. "Mortimer Harren from Earth. Not a colony world mind you, but the real McCoy. I thought I'd get my Star Fleet deep space duty taken care of while finishing the proof of my cosmological theories in a meaningless and mindless job, but have been stuck here with the rest of you ever since."
He was directing his comments primarily to Chakotay. His unhappiness was palatable.
I'm surprised he volunteered.
I'm surprised too. We haven't seen much of him in the past three years, to tell you the truth.
"We're glad to have you here Mister Harren," Chakotay said and turned to the final person aboard who was sitting just in front of him to cut off anything else Harren might have to say.
"You can call me Zan," she said. "I can't remember much of life before the Borg and Unimatrix Zero. I was very young when assimilated. Like you Annika." She turned to Annika and smiled tentatively. "No one I've met knows of my species."
Indeed, neither Annika or Chakotay knew either, other than Species 7418. It was odd, considering that through the Borg they should have some knowledge. Annika couldn't help but notice that it didn't appear Zan had any remaining Borg implants. None of the survivors aboard had any implants exposed, except her.
Perhaps the Doctor is making progress and will be able to help you some more.
Perhaps. We should also examine the Borg data nodes in Cargo Bay Two.
We might even find information about this planet and when it was assimilated.
Chakotay clapped his hands together. In the short time they had been talking, the Ride and Cochrane had already taken off, so it was time for them to get going too. "Okay then. Let's make our way to the survey site." Again, he and Annika swiveled their chairs in unison to face forward. Annika closed the switch to seal the hatch and cycled the thrusters to bring them online while Chakotay prepared for lift off. In a few seconds, they moved the shuttlecraft forward and then started cruising over the surface towards the ocean about seventeen kilometers to the west. Ahead of them, they could see the circular bay where the city had once been and angled the Tereshkova to the south to a point about two kilometers from the coast and near the cliffs overlooking the bay. The bay itself was about ten kilometers in diameter. The entire flight took less than ten minutes.
The nine of them filed out of the shuttle and gathered in a clearing. Chakotay had landed the shuttle on what must have been one of the roads leading away from the city center. The road ended abruptly about a hundred meters to the north at the edge of the crater. Near the edge were a number of abandoned vehicles, mostly what appeared to be similar to four-wheeled automobiles from Earth's early to mid-twenty-first century. Nominally, they seemed to have already separated in their three groups. Chakotay and Annika were amused at Harren's expression as he seemed to be paired with Zan and Merivor. Chakotay pointed back to the east. "Aral, Sass, and Klank. Why don't you move out in that direction. There's a possible site marked on the map about four kilometers from here and other possibilities you can check on your way back. We're looking for cover, defensibility, and suitability of the soil for agriculture. Annika, Marina and I will head to the coast." He motioned in the opposite direction. "Mortimer, Zan and Merivor, there are several possible locations in this general area. Stay relatively close to the shuttlecraft and spiral out to survey the entire area. We'll all meet back here before dark, so we have about six hours."
Everyone acknowledged their assignments and moved out. The area was thinly forested, and so travel across the terrain was relatively easy. To the east, the bare hills were visible that gave way to the inland dessert where Voyager had landed. To the west, in the direction they were headed, the land sloped downward and the forest grew thicker and greener. After a short time they came to another road that generally paralleled their path. Along the road they came to an abandoned vehicle, so they stopped to take a look.
"Tom would love this," Annika commented. Inside, the vehicle had seats for four people. In one of the front seats were some levers and pedals that evidently were there to pilot it down the road. Despite its age, perhaps fifty to one hundred years, it appeared to be in good order.
"I bet we could get this running again," Chakotay replied peering inside. "It might be interesting and would make our traveling easier."
Marina looked down the road to where it veered to the right and seemed to fall off into the nothingness of the crater. "I think I'll pass," she said with a wink.
Annika had taken out her tricorder and was scanning the vehicle. "Internal combustion engine," she reported. "It runs on a petroleum-based fuel, and there is some still left within the tanks. We would need a source of power to initiate the combustion, however."
"We could bring the power supply from the shuttlecraft," Chakotay suggested, again sounding enthusiastic about the prospect.
Marina had already taken several steps away. "Come on now, we still have a ways to go," she called back. "We're here to survey the area, remember?"
Annika closed her tricorder and she and Chakotay followed.
"I suspect initially there were many survivors of the Borg attack," Annika remarked when they caught up. "It's possible, however, no one survived the ensuing disease and chaos that followed."
Marina shook her head. "I'm not so sure about that," she finally said and looked about. "I have this feeling we're not alone on this world."
"Are you sensing a presence?" Chakotay asked. Marina was half-Betazoid, after all, and he had grown to trust her intuition and feelings over the years. It had served them well during their time in the Maquis.
Marina now shrugged. "I'm not exactly sure, but I do feel unsettled."
They left the road and continued west and down towards the coast, taking holo-images of possible settlement locations and sampling the soil along the way. In general, the entire area was suitable. Not necessarily defensible if the Kazon attacked, but at least far better than out in the open in the desert.
"Are we really going to leave these people here on the planet while we head back to the Alpha Quadrant?" Marina asked during a time they were walking between survey locations. It was obviously something on her mind. "Has the Captain said anything?"
"Not to us," Chakotay replied. "With everything that's been going on, she's been preoccupied."
"Of course she's still adjusting to us," Annika added, and then clarified by pointing to herself. "I mean, to me."
Marina was looking up at the sky, but the crescent of Ocampa was obscured by clouds. "Can you believe we're back where we started? I'm sure some of the Unimatrix Zero survivors would want to go with Voyager to the Alpha Quadrant." She returned to looking at the path in front of them. "I imagine there might be some of us from Voyager who would also rather stay here."
"Do you want to stay?" Annika asked Marina.
Marina shrugged and looked back up at the sky. "Like that one person said back near Voyager. I think I'm getting sick of being out in space."
Chakotay and Annika glanced at each other.
Would we want to go or stay?
I'm not sure.
They arrived at the coast in the late afternoon. The ocean extended out before them to the hazy horizon and their vantage point offered an expansive view to both the north and south. Each of them slipped off their packs and took a drink from their water flask and had something to eat. The ruins of what must have been a dwelling of some sort stood nearby, overgrown with the broad-leafed native vegetation of the area. Marina peered over the bluff to the broad beach fifty or so meters below. Large waves washed up periodically along the shore diagonally from the south. "Looks beautiful," she remarked.
"This must have been this house's yard," Chakotay remarked. They were in a clearing near the ruins of the dwelling with patches of bare stone and short grass.
Marina looked towards the sun and lifted her hand up to gauge the distance to the horizon. "We should start heading back to the landing site," she said. "We can move south a bit and swing up along a different path to survey those other sites."
Chakotay nodded. "We'll take another minute here and then head back," he said and took a final drink from his flask before packing it away and slinging the pack back on his shoulders. He looked about and spotted Annika standing by the bluff. She had wandered off and was overlooking the ocean. The sun was now behind a line of clouds near the horizon, rays extending out on either side. A trail led down to the beach off to the left where Annika stood, and to the right it opened up to an expansive view to the crater bay and the north. Chakotay stepped up to her and placed his arm around her waist. Something both of them had been thinking about.
"This is where it should be," Annika said and turned to face Chakotay. Her head was framed by the glow of the sunlit clouds behind her. Chakotay was struck by her beauty, despite the Borg implant above her eye. Curiously, he couldn't quite single out her thoughts from the cascade of thoughts and images flowing and swirling in their minds.
"This is where what should be?" Chakotay finally asked.
"Our Green Gables."
#
Author's Note: Thank you, thank you LeelaCullen and Cheshire Cheese for your reviews of previous chapters (and of course scifiromance and Jenndifurry as well). I'm thinking about three or four more chapters to go.