"Of all the things you could have said, Ensign, this is the most unacceptable, monumentally out of line. You have absolutely no right!"
An angry voice sounded from behind a desk.
"I...I'm sorry, Admiral?" The Ensign asked, confused and anxious.
The face rose from behind the desk. Her brown hair was kept tied, her expression grave and merciless.
"If I find out you are joking with me, there will be hell to pay." The figure spat. "Is that clear?"
The Ensign nodded, unable to speak.
"Good. Now, try...rephrasing your statement. Please, be creative." The figure said, extending her hand fluidly as she got up from her desk and walked towards the Ensign.
The Ensign hesitated before beginning. "I...I'm sorry, Admiral. There is currently n...no black coffee available on Deep Space Four."
Admiral Janeway pounded her hand on her desk. She moved her head upwards, breathing deeply. She obviously was trying to calm herself.
She half-smiled and half-glared at the Ensign. "Well, I suggest you get started on a suitable...alternative. I made it through the Delta Quadrant on that liquid, and trust me, you don't want to see me off of it."
"Uh...Yes, sir."
Janeway gave the Ensign a death glare.
"Err... I mean ma'am...no...Admir..." the Ensign spouted nervously.
"Get out."
"Y...Yes, Admiral."
As the Ensign left, an older man entered the room.
"Well, if you keep scaring our Ensigns like that, I don't know what we'll do." the man joked.
Admiral Janeway smirked. "I'm mean with coffee and I'm deadly without it. Now, what can I do for you, Xavier?"
"Well, I've been in contact with Starfleet Command. Apparently they've assigned a ship to survey the Typhon Expanse."
"Not looking for more causality loops, are they?" Janeway joked.
"No, but they do want a seasoned crew at long-term exploration." Admiral Xavier smiled.
Janeway turned and looked at her counterpart with anticipation. "Don't tell me..."
"Yes." Xavier said. "Voyager. They'll be rendezvousing with us in the next couple of weeks."
"Wasn't it planned to become a museum ship? After the Borg enhancements were removed, of course." Janeway said, questioning the sudden change in heart.
"All put on hold. In fact, I hear your crew is being brought back together." He handed a PADD to Janeway. "And you're going along for the ride."
Janeway glanced at the PADD, and smiled. "Chakotay, still the one calling all the shots. Well, I suppose I can go along for at least one joy ride." Janeway rocked her head back and forth sarcastically. "It's still my ship, after all."