Transporters

Safe Passage

Moments later, B'Elanna, her team and Radella rematerialized in Transporter Room One. After giving brief instructions to her staff, B'Elanna led Radella to the bridge.

"You have a very impressive ship," Radella commented as they stepped out of a turbolift.

"She's not too shabby." The Chief Engineer led her guest onto the bridge where Captain Janeway sat, discussing something with Chakotay.

"Captain." Kathryn looked up upon hearing t B'Elanna's voice.

"How'd it go?"

"Not a lot of luck. We managed to contain the leak temporarily but the warp core is completely shot."

"I see." Kathryn stood up and gave Radella a look of sympathy.

"Why don't we talk in my Ready Room?" She led Radella off the bridge, leaving Chakotay in charge. The short walk to her Ready Room was quiet.

"Please, have a seat." Radella took the seat across from Kathryn.

"So, how can we help you? We can't just leave you stranded."

"We've been in contact with our home planet and they are trying to send a rescue ship. They would be six or seven days out."

"I can't let you be sitting ducks for a week. We know the dangers of the region, hostile species looking for an easy target." Radella just nodded politely. Kathryn leaned back in her chair, thinking for a moment.

"You said your people are about a week away?"

"Yes. It's rather unfortunate that our engine blew so close to home."

"What about escape pods?"

"We have twelve, not enough to get everyone home safely. I've tried to think of every possible way to get my people back home." It was Kathryn's turn to nod politely.

"What if we gave you a ride the rest of the way?"

"Really, Captain. Your generosity is appreciated but we don't want to take you off course." Kathryn stood and motioned for Radella to join her by a computer console. With a few light taps to the screen a map of space appeared.

"Where are you headed exactly?"

"Saylon. It's in the Danu system." After a few minutes, Janeway found Saylon. A small blip blinked some distance away, indicating Voyager's present position. She smiled to herself as she plotted a possible course.

"It doesn't look like it takes us out of our way at all. We'd be glad to help you get home."

"I'll have to talk it over with my people but I don't see why they wouldn't accept your kindness."

"We understand wanting to get home. We're on our way home as well."

"Are you far?"

"Yes, very far. We've been stranded in the Delta Quadrant for over three years." Radella's face revealed her own brand of sympathy.

"When we arrive on our planet, perhaps we can return the favor. Supplies and food."

"That would be very nice, thank you," Janeway agreed. The two women stood for a moment just smiling at each other before heading back to Transporter Room One.

"I'll contact you as soon as I've discussed the arrangement with my people."

"We'll be waiting." As soon as the other woman dematerialized, Kathryn tapped her comm. badge.

"Senior Officers report to the Briefing Room immediately." The bridge emptied quickly. Chakotay left an Ensign in charge as he, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry and Tuvok left. Once everyone was settled, Kathryn let out a breath.

"I've offered Radella and her people passage on board Voyager until they reach their home planet."

"Are we sure that's the best course of action, Captain? We don't know anything about these people," Chakotay asked.

"They seem pretty peaceful to me, Chakotay," B'Elanna retorted.

"I'm inclined to agree with B'Elanna. She's gone back to her ship to talk the arrangement over with her people."

"Do we know how many people there are on the ship?" All eyes were on the Doctor as he spoke. Janeway began to shake her head in the negative but B'Elanna interjected.

"I counted about thirty or forty when I was over on the ship. We'd have to double up in crew quarters."

"Quarters would be a little cramped while they were on board but it would be only for a week." A murmur of consent rippled through the senior staff.

"Let's assume they say yes. I'd like to get them settled as quickly as we can. Tuvok, Neelix I want you to organize which crewmembers will be bunking together. Doctor, when they arrive, I want you to tend to any medical needs they may have."

"Yes, Captain."

"Anything else?" Chakotay asked.

"I'll be in Transporter Room One. If the ship hails, route the transmission there. You have the bridge."

"Yes, Ma'am." Kathryn stood up, signaling the impromptu meeting was adjourned.

Back on the transport vessel, Radella sat in the small room with a few other women, including Laili. They all looked at her expectantly.

"Captain Janeway has offered to give us passage on her ship until we reach home."

"What about the rescue vessels? Won't they reach us in a few days?" one of the women asked.

"The government hasn't agreed to send a rescue vessel out yet. If we accept the Captain's offer, we won't have to wait here, drifting for a week. We could inform the government we had arranged for other means of returning home."

"Would they offer medical care?"

"I am sure they would. They have a Doctor on board." Laili leaned against the doors, listening to the conversation.

"Radella, do you want to accept her offer? After all, you are the one in charge of this transport."

"Captain Janeway made a good argument for accepting her offer. We would be dead in the water for close to a week with very few defenses. My answer would be yes. But it is not just my live I have to consider."

"Well say we accept it. We're running low on rations and supplies." The rest of the woman agreed to the idea. Without another word, they left Radella to contact Voyager. On Voyager's bridge, Harry picked up the hailing frequency.

"Commander, the transport vessel is hailing."

"Route it to Transporter Room One."

"Yes, Sir." Chakotay tapped his comm. badge.

"Chakotay to the Captain."

"Go ahead, Commander."

"We're routing a transmission from the transport vessel to your location."

"Acknowledged."

Kathryn turned her attention to the screen in front of her. Radella's face appeared, taking up most of the screen.

"I've discussed your offer with my people and we've all come to an agreement. We would like to accept your offer."

"I thought you might. My crew has begun preparing space for your and your companions. I've also asked the Doctor to be on standby for any medical emergencies." Radella smiled broadly.

"Thank you, Captain. I'll prepare my people for transport."

"I'll send B'Elanna over. We have equipment that can enhance the transport beam. We should be able to bring all of you over in one swoop." Radella nodded and the image went dead.

"Lieutenant Torres, report to Transporter Room One." Five minutes later, B'Elanna walked in.

"B'Elanna I want you to take a team and set up transport enhancers. We're going to get them here in one swoop."

"Yes Ma'am."

A short time later and for the second time that day, B'Elanna and a handful of other engineering crewmembers stepped on to the transporter platform.

"See you soon." Kathryn engaged the transport. When B'Elanna and her colleagues arrived on the transport vessel they were met with thirty woman and girls standing ready.

"You work fast," B'Elanna muttered.

"Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Just stand where you are. We'll set the transport enhancers around you." The group seemed to bunch together a little more, giving the crewmembers space to work around them.

"We'll send you over first to make sure it worked," B'Elanna explained once the equipment was set up and functional.

"Torres to Voyager. We're ready for transport."

"Acknowledged." As the beam began to dematerialize the group, a few girls clung to their mothers' hands. Several minutes later, Kathryn's voice emanated from B'Elanna's comm. badge.

"Good work, Lieutenant, we've got them all."

"Wonderful. Four to beam back."

By the time, B'Elanna and the others arrived back on Voyager; the ship was a buzz with activity. Members of the crew were leading small groups towards Sickbay. B'Elanna set her equipment down and just watched as people moved in every direction. She was so caught up in watching that she didn't notice Tom join her.

"So, I was thinking…maybe one of us could you know…give up our quarters for the week." She turned to look at him, slightly surprised to find him standing there.

"You just want any excuse don't you?"

"It's only for a week, B'Elanna. Besides, contrary to popular opinion, I do not think about contact every time I talk to you. For instance, right now I'm thinking about what I'm going to eat for lunch." She just laughed and shoved his arm playfully. He feigned a pained expression which only made B'Elanna roll her eyes.

"Come on, flyboy. Let's make ourselves useful." They walked out of the transporter room and down the corridor towards Mess Hall.