June 1, 2378 0730 Kathryn's Quarters
Kathryn had just finished removing a tray from the replicator that contained their breakfast; bowls of hot oatmeal and spiced apple slices with a small pitcher of lactose reduced milk (in deference to having discovered the hard way that Chakotay was lactose intolerant), when Chakotay entered her quarters. He no longer rang the chime as Kathryn had given him permission to use her code, which she knew he knew anyway.
"Good morning sweetheart, do you want a hand with that?" Chakotay asked.
"No, I think I've got it, how about you get us our morning coffees and some honey?" she asked.
"OK," he said and moved to the replicator; actually glad she'd left getting the coffees to him as that way he could get his as sweet as he liked it.
As they sat enjoying their morning meal, Chakotay decided to bring up an idea he'd been toying with for a few days.
"Kathryn, I'd like to have a little brainstorming session about the tactical situation that the Super Badlands represent and I was thinking of doing it in a pedagogical setting," Chakotay said.
"Excuse me peda-what?" she asked in surprise.
"Whoa wait a second, you mean me, the guy who speaks Standard as his third language, finally found a word you, a native Standard speaker, doesn't know?" Chakotay asked teasingly.
"Well I guess you did, what does it mean?" she asked slightly amused at his attitude.
"It refers to teaching or training," he answered.
"So you want to teach a class based on the tactical situation the Super Badlands represents?" she asked not sure about his idea.
"Well, yeah sort of, I used to do this with my Advance Tactics class. I'd take half a dozen of them into a seminar and set a problem for them in which they must think through the tactical situation from both sides. Of course this will be a very difficult problem because we don't know that much about the pirates that we suspect are in the Super Badlands. If we come up with anything good we can implement it," Chakotay answered.
"Who would you take into this seminar?" Kathryn asked.
"Well, I was thinking of trying to get a pretty broad spectrum of 'students'. I thought I'd take Ken Dalby, Mike Ayala, Tom Paris, Harry Kim, Icheb and Tuvok," Chakotay answered.
"Is there any reason there are no women in the seminar?" Kathryn asked, just slightly suspicious.
"Uh, well yes, but I swear its not some sexist thing about men being better at this sort of thing. In fact in the academy one of my best students in Advanced Tactics was a woman. But frankly, right now I didn't think my fiancée would like me to be cooped up with a bunch of women, but if you insist I could substitute say the Delaney twins and Seven of Nine for-" Chakotay's teasing answer was interrupted.
"No, no I think you've chosen wisely." Kathryn said as she smiled at him over her coffee cup.
"When did you want to start this?" She asked.
"The sooner the better," Chakotay said. "I'm getting nervous with Voyager cruising out here like a lure for the pirates."
"All right, go ahead and do it today if you want," Kathryn responded, green lighting his project.
"Thanks, I'll feel better about things if I think we've got a good strategy for confronting these pirates," Chakotay said as he finished off his breakfast and helped Kathryn clear their dishes.
"Well, you better send out messages to your seminar 'students'," Kathryn told Chakotay.
"Will do, I'll set up the session for 0900 in the briefing room," he replied with a smile.
June 1, 2378 0900 Briefing Room
"So any idea what Chakotay wants us for?" Harry asked Tom.
"Nope not a clue," said Tom.
A moment later Tuvok and Mike Ayala entered the room followed shortly thereafter by Icheb and Ken Dalby. Just as the six men were about to sort themselves out around the conference table, Chakotay entered.
"Welcome to TAC602 Advance Tactics Seminar gentlemen," Chakotay said jokingly. "Tuvok you're over here with Harry and Icheb, Tom you're over here with Mike and Ken," Chakotay directed the men to sit on opposite sides of the conference table with him at the head.
"Here, these pads will help explain what we are doing here faster and better than I could by talking," Chakotay said as he distributed six pads to his 'students' and kept a master padd for himself.
After Chakotay judged everyone had had time to read and digest the information on the pads, he asked, "Well gentlemen, any questions?"
Just to be a smart aleck Tom Paris asked, "Do we get academy credits for this?"
"Only if Star Fleet Academy still recognizes my credentials as a tactical instructor," Chakotay replied with a laugh.
"All right Tom, you, Mike and Ken are our pirate team. Tuvok, you, Icheb and Harry represent the Voyager team. I'll help out both teams as best I can," Chakotay said.
"Why don't you take a few minutes to discuss among yourselves the data and brainstorm a couple of attack and defense scenarios?" Chakotay suggested.
In the space of a few hours, working in the two small groups and then coming back together to exchange ideas, they came up with several sound recommendations that Chakotay decided to take to the captain.
"Thank you gentlemen I think what we've come up with will make Voyager safer in the long run," Chakotay said, and then began making specific assignments.
"Tom, Mike I'd like you two to draw up a list of possible pilots and gunnery officers. Icheb, I want you talk to Seven about the feasibility of installing photonic missiles in the new shuttle/fighters and also upgrading the shielding to match that in the Delta Flyer. Harry, Tuvok look into the deployment of the sensor probes and setting a schedule of improved battle drills. Ken, you get the unenviable assignment of figuring out, with lots of help from the rest of the engineering staff, how to 'soup up' the shuttles' engines and weaponry," Chakotay concluded his list of assignments.
"Commander, should we not wait to hear what the captain has to say before we carry out these assignments?" Tuvok asked.
"No Tuvok, all the assignments I've made are preliminary, we won't alter any shuttles or pull anyone from duty shifts for training or deploy any sensor probes until she approves, but I want our response to be swift and well developed when she does approve and I'm confidant she will," Chakotay replied.
"Yeah, I bet you are," Mike said.
"What was that, Lieutenant?" Chakotay said sharply.
"Uh, nothing sir." Ayala quickly replied.
"Look, let's get this straight, the captain of this ship is not engaged to marry the first officer of this ship. Kathryn Janeway is engaged to marry Chakotay, son of Kolopak. Maybe that's a bit of a fine line for you to get your mind around but try, OK? I won't use my personal relationship with Kathryn to convince the captain to do something that I, as Voyager's first officer believe she should do. If she doesn't think our suggestions merit implementation then I'll argue with her about it, but I'll do it as Voyager's first officer and if I can't win that argument then so be it," Chakotay explained.
"Yes sir, I'm sorry sir. I should never have said anything that made it seem as though I thought you would do otherwise," Ayala responded feeling awful for having doubted his commanding officer and friend's principles.
"No problem, Mike. But-" Chakotay paused and then when he had the entire group's attention continued, "I wouldn't mind if all of you helped me get that message around to anyone who might have a misconception about the way the command team on this ship will continue to function," he requested.
With a chorus of assents his 'TAC 602 students' left the briefing room to carry out their orders while he considered how he, Commander Chakotay, was going to present his recommendations to Captain Janeway.
June 1, 2378 1130 Ready Room
The chime of her ready room sounded and Kathryn called out, "Come In".
"Chakotay," Kathryn said as that special smile she saved just for him spread across her face.
"Is it time for lunch already?" she asked.
"No, not quite," Chakotay said, struggling to keep from giving her an answering full dimpled smile of his own.
"Actually I was hoping to talk to you Captain, about the tactical meeting I just concluded," he said.
"Of course Commander, please sit down," Kathryn said to Chakotay and indicated the chair in front of her desk rather than the couch. She was doing her best to keep their interaction as professional as possible, as it seemed he wanted to by asking to talk to the captain.
"Did your 'class' come up with any useful recommendations?" she asked.
"Yes, several," Chakotay answered. "I'll list them in order of what I believe are increasing importance, in terms of truly making us more prepared to take on the pirate threat. First, Tuvok has recommended a series of redesigned battle drills that would focus on the likelihood of an attack by a fairly significant number of small highly maneuverable ships. Second, Ensign Kim has suggested deploying a series of remote controlled sensor drones that could increase our ability to detect an attack from the Super Badlands. Both of these suggestions are easy to implement and would not cause a significant drain on manpower or resources," he reported to her.
Chakotay paused before moving on to the most unconventional suggestion, "The third suggestion is basically from Tom Paris and myself. We'd like to redesign our existing shuttle fleet to make them over into fighters. We'd need to do some minor changes in the aerodynamics, augment the engines and shields and in some shuttles upgrade the armaments. We could then use the shuttles and the Delta Flyer as fighter support of Voyager," he concluded.
"Five is an odd number for a fighter flight isn't it?" Kathryn asked and Chakotay visibly relaxed. Such a question seemed to indicate to him that she approved of the idea.
"Yes, normally there'd be a flight of six ships but we just don't have the sixth vessel available," he answered.
"What about Neelix's ship?" she asked.
"The Baxial? It's a freighter. I don't know if it could be used to any advantage," he said skeptically. He paused a moment considering her suggestion. "You really think we should consider it?" Chakotay asked, uncertain if Kathryn really meant her suggestion seriously.
"Well, we might as well at least look at the feasibility, that is if Neelix will allow it," she said.
"So you are willing to OK the redesign of the shuttles?" Chakotay asked, trying not to seem over anxious.
"Yes, I think it's a good idea. In fact I wonder why we never considered it before?" Kathryn pondered.
"Thank the boosters for that," Chakotay said a bit annoyed.
"Why do you say that?" Kathryn asked a bit curious.
"I've learned from the doctor that among the side affects of prolonged use of the boosters is a steady decline not only in sex drive but in assertiveness and aggression. The damn things basically turned me into a lap dog. I wasn't aggressive enough about protecting my people, that won't happen any more," Chakotay said resolutely.
Kathryn wasn't sure what to think about his statement and as she contemplated whether or not to make any comment at all, Chakotay continued with his plans for providing more defenses for Voyager.
"We will also need to train some fighter pilots and gunnery officers," Chakotay added.
"All right, go ahead and implement your plans, Chakotay," Kathryn said.
"Yes, Captain," Chakotay said as he rose from the chair and started towards the doors of the ready room.
"Chakotay?" Kathryn's uncertain voice stopped him in mid stride. "You could give orders to implement your plan from here and then we could have lunch together," she said.
"I knew that," Chakotay said with a grin that he hoped covered his previous preoccupation with being the perfect first officer and pretending to be oblivious to the fact that he was talking to the woman he loved.
"Chakotay to Bridge," Chakotay said to open communications to the officers on the bridge.
"Tuvok here, sir," came the crisp reply.
"Tuvok inform the rest of the 'Advance Tactics class' that the captain has approved our recommendations. Please see to it that appropriate assignments are made to implement the recommendations," Chakotay ordered.
"Aye Sir," Tuvok answered.
Before Tuvok could terminate the link Kathryn added, "And Tuvok, the commander and I will be having lunch in my ready room please see that we're not disturbed for the next half hour."
"Of course captain," Tuvok said as he closed the comm line.
"You know commander," Kathryn said as she began stalking seductively towards Chakotay, "you simply must remember to delegate."
As she reached him she said, "Now, what do you want for lunch, Chakotay?"
He gathered her into his arms and asked, "Are you on the menu?"
"Not yet," she laughed and playfully pushed out of his arms.
"Well if you aren't, then maybe we shouldn't have lunch alone here in your ready room," he said.
At her disappointed look, he said with a grin, "Look, I can resist anything except temptation. Let's go to the mess hall for lunch and afterwards we can talk to Neelix about transforming his ship, OK?" he suggested.
"Oh, all right," she said with a pout that made it clear she didn't really like his suggestion.
"Look, if you don't like the choices we've got, change things," he said trying to keep things light, but actually growing annoyed at her.
Kathryn realized being flirtatious with Chakotay right now was a mistake and she was teetering on the edge of making him angry again. "No, you're right. Let's go see what Neelix is offering for lunch," she agreed.
June 1, 2378 1200 Mess Hall
"Greetings Captain, Commander, what can I get you for lunch?" Neelix asked brightly.
"Well what have you got?" Kathryn asked.
"We've got pleeka rind casserole or roasted chadre-kab with broiled Talaxian tomatoes or" Neelix said slightly less enthusiastically, "I can get you something from the replicator."
"Roasted chadre-kab with broiled Talaxian tomatoes sounds good to me," Chakotay said.
"Make that two servings, Neelix," Kathryn said. "And why don't you see if you can break free after the rush is over and come join us. We have a proposition for you," she added.
As Kathryn and Chakotay finished their lunch, Neelix approached them with a tray containing a carafe of coffee, three cups, three bowls containing some sort of dessert and three spoons.
"I have something for you to try, it's a fruit compote, my mother's recipe, well not exactly my mother's recipe because we don't actually have Talaxian mung fruit or Mylean cream for that matter but-" Neelix prattled on.
"Uh, why don't you just let us try some," Kathryn said mercifully interrupting the chatty Talaxian.
Chakotay looked dubiously at the concoction but decided to be brave and give it a try. "Hey, this stuff is good!" Chakotay said sounding surprised. "It reminds me of something my mother use to make."
With Chakotay's ringing endorsement Kathryn decided to try it too, "It is good, a little too sweet for my taste, which probably explains why Chakotay likes it," she said and grinned as she made fun of her fiancé's notorious sweet tooth.
With his commanding officers enjoying the sweet treat, Neelix decided to ask what their proposition for him was. "So what did you want to talk to me about?" he asked.
As Kathryn had just stuck a spoonful of dessert in her mouth, Chakotay took it on himself to answer Neelix's question by asking a question, "You are aware of the region of space we call the Super Badlands that we are skirting around?"
"Yes, of course I am, Commander," Neelix replied.
"Well, you're an experienced space traveler, what has your past experience taught you about traversing past an area of space were sensors can't give you accurate information?" Chakotay continued asking questions as though Neelix was a student in his tactics class. Kathryn stayed silent, enjoying watching Chakotay handle this situation.
"If it's possible for them to, bandits like to lie in wait in such areas," Neelix noted.
"Yes, and we are alone out here with no one to call upon for help if these bandits attack us and so we must help ourselves. We are going to convert the shuttles into fighter craft and Kathryn thought we might ask you to volunteer your ship, the Baxial to likewise be refitted to make her more battle ready," Chakotay concluded.
"Well, the Baxial is a small freighter, she's not going to make much of a fighter," Neelix said truthfully.
"Perhaps not, but she might make a pretty good gunship, if we beef up her shields and give her plenty of fire power. She won't be trying to maneuver around attacking enemy ships, just getting in a good position to pour phaser fire or photonic missiles on them," Chakotay said.
At the mention of photonic missiles Neelix's ears perked up.
"Well, anything for the good of the ship," Neelix said.
"Good, then we'll start an assessment this afternoon to see what's feasible," Chakotay said.
And so it was decided Neelix's ship would join the shuttles in being modified for battle.
June 2, 2378 1330 Shuttle Bay
"Icheb could you hand me the microwelder?" Joe Carey asked and reached his hand back out of the service crawlway of the Baxial for the tool.
"Here you go, sir," Icheb said, as he slapped the tool into the older man's hand like a surgical assistant handing a surgeon a scalpel.
A few moments later, Joe asked, "OK, Icheb how does that read?"
"Power couplings to the new enhanced shielding are stable," the young ex-Borg announced.
"OK, now this old freighter can hang in there and take a beating, next thing is to give her something to beat back with," the assistant chief engineer said with a grin.
"Seven of Nine believes the Baxial can be equipped with a photonic missile launcher as well as a conventional photon torpedo launcher. Will we also be upgrading the phasers?" Icheb asked.
"I think Commander Chakotay wants the Baxial to be able to punch as heavily as she can. Something about her being like a super heavyweight, not very mobile but able to give and take a lot of heavy punches," Joe answered.
"Hey, Joe you in there?" asked Ken Dalby, as he stuck his head in the Baxial's main hatch.
"Yeah, what is it, Ken?" Joe asked.
"I think we're gonna run into some materials shortages issues here soon and wondered if we want to make some changes," Ken replied.
"What are we gonna run short on?" Joe asked.
"I think the main thing is torpedo casing. It's always been a major problem. Usually we don't even have raw materials on hand to fabricate them like we do now, but even so, we are gonna run out if we try and put a standard compliment in all shuttles, plus I don't think the two smaller shuttles really have room for them," Ken said bluntly.
"Yeah and you know what, those two smaller shuttles would be a lot faster if we eliminate the launchers and streamlined the hulls," Joe said.
"Yeah, but you know what Chakotay said, 'you need a hook and a jab'," Ken laughed a little as he said it.
"You know what Ken, that Big Indian can't always have everything he wants," Joe said.
Ken laughed, "You don't know the half of it, Joe."
"You want to let me in on what's so funny?" Joe asked.
"Uh, never mind, just forget I said anything, OK?" Ken said with just a hint of pleading as he realized he'd been about to break a confidence.
"OK Ken, whatever. Let's go see about making some sort of compromise on those torpedo casings and the modifications we've been making," Joe said.
June 4, 2378 1230 Mess Hall
Tom Paris and Harry Kim sat at their favorite table morosely pushing 'lunch' around their plates.
"You know this stuff wouldn't be so bad if I didn't somehow feel like I was eating crow." Tom said.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Well, Chakotay thought a good way for the pilots I'd chosen to get some very important training would be to watch two experienced pilots in a dog fight. So he and I got into simulators on the holodeck with our fighter pilot trainees watching and did a demonstration dog fight," Tom answered.
"So, what happened?" Harry asked expectantly.
"Well, the engineering crew may have nicknamed him Commander Crash because of the number of shuttles he's totaled, but the guy can flat out fly any fighter pilot out of the sky," Tom answered.
"He did things with that little shuttle/fighter I didn't think were possible. Of course he came close to burning out the inertial dampers a few times, but I swear he made that little shuttle/fighter do pirouettes. Really wiped the floor with me and I thought I was pretty good," Tom admitted.
"The worse part is he talked through the whole thing, telling the pilot trainees what maneuver I was trying to execute and how he was countering it," Tom continued. "Then at one point I was in the Delta Flyer and he was in the smallest shuttle/fighter and well he did this maneuver - it was like he made the ship do a somersault with a twist, so instead of my shooting him in the tail section he was strafing my port nacelle," Tom explained to Harry.
"Anyway he didn't tell the students what that maneuver was called. I remembered at the time I thought 'What the hell? I was never taught that move'. So after we finished the demonstration dog fight, Sue Jenkins asked him what he called that maneuver. Chakotay said as far as he knew it didn't have a name. It was just something he used when he was up against a Cardassian Hideki class fighter in a little Peregrine fighter. Later when the trainees were practicing, I heard Debbie Lang encouraging Pablo Baytart to do a Chakotay maneuver to get out of a jam he was in," Tom said with a pained smile.
"You know, I think Chakotay is sort of getting off on preparing to fight these supposed pirates," Harry observed.
"Yeah, he was really into it yesterday during that battle drill, wasn't he?" Tom asked rhetorically.
"Oh man, you should of seen the look on the captain's face when he kept giving orders before she could say anything," Harry said with a grin. "I was relieved when she told him if we were attacked she wanted him to take over directing the battle," he added and Tom nodded.
"Come on, we're due back at our duty posts," Tom said.
June 5, 2378 01200 Mess hall
Chakotay and Kathryn headed to the mess hall together to grab a quick bite for lunch. Just after they sat down at their favorite table B'Elanna joined them.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked.
"Kathryn?" Chakotay deferred to his fiancée, as he would of course welcome B'Elanna's company.
"Please, join us!" Kathryn said and made room for B'Elanna.
"How's the first day back at work treating you?" Chakotay asked.
"Well, considering you've got my entire crew busy creating your little shuttle/fighters, fine," B'Elanna said in her normally feisty way, but then added more gently, "but I miss Miral terribly, already. Don't suppose I can get you to let me set her crib up in my office, now can I?" B'Elanna asked.
"Well, I don't know. If we set that precedence for you then Kathryn will want to have our baby in her ready room and I'm not sure I approve of that," Chakotay said teasing both women.
"Hey, I almost forgot, we are going to have a gathering to officially christen Miral tomorrow evening but we wanted to have a smaller gathering tonight in our quarters, can you come?" B'Elanna asked.
"Well, we were suppose to go on a double date with Tal Celes and Billy Telfer tonight, but honestly, I don't mind canceling out," Kathryn said.
"Don't let Billy and Celes hear that, you'll hurt their feelings." Chakotay teased Kathryn.
"Well honestly Chakotay, their twenty years younger than us, what would we have in common?" Kathryn asked.
"Besides living on Voyager, only that they too are in love and want to get married," B'Elanna answered smugly before her 'brother' could.
"How did you two end up agreeing to a double date with those two anyway?" B'Elanna asked.
Chakotay looked at Kathryn guardedly, as though he wasn't sure if he should answer or not.
"It's not that I mind giving you an answer to that question B'Elanna, I just don't want to do it here, OK?" Kathryn asked.
"All right, so how about you two come a little earlier than everybody else who's coming by tonight and you can tell me then, OK?" B'Elanna bargained.
Chakotay put his hand over Kathryn's and said, "OK, what time do you want us?"
"How about 1800?" B'Elanna asked.
"OK, we'll see you then," Kathryn said then added, "you'd better finish up here Chakotay. I hear tell you have another holodeck simulation set up for your fighter pilots and their gunnery mates."
"Yes," Chakotay added, "I've got to be sure their prepared for any situation."
Chakotay quickly shoveled in a few more mouthfuls of food and took a large gulp of iced tea, and then picked up his tray and leaned over to kiss Kathryn as he said, "I hate to leave such beautiful company but duty calls. I'll drop by your quarters about 1745, OK?" he said to Kathryn. "See you this evening B'Elanna," he said to his 'sister'.
"All right, Chakotay," Kathryn answered.
"See you, Chakotay," B'Elanna said to his retreating back.
"You know I think that in a strange way this pirate threat has been good for him or maybe it's just you that's good for him," B'Elanna observed.
Kathryn shook her head vigorously and said dejectedly, "No it's the pirate situation that's good for him, not me."
"Do you want to talk about this?" B'Elanna asked.
"Yes, but like I said before not here and not now, tonight," she implored. "And B'Elanna I think tonight's discussion would be easier woman to woman and man to man," she said.
"OK," B'Elanna said then started to get up from the table. "I better get back down to the shuttle bay. No telling what they've tried to do to those shuttle's while I was gone."
"All right," Kathryn said. She sat in the mess hall a while toying with her lunch and thinking about this evening's conversation.
June 5, 2378 1745 Kathryn's Quarters
Kathryn looked at herself in her full-length mirror. A loose long sleeved blue shirt over a white t-shirt with a pair of navy slacks. Chakotay could not possibly think this outfit looked sexy. It was just very comfortable, nothing revealing, and nothing tight.
God, she hated having to think about how to dress around him so as not to arouse him. She knew the waiting was grating on his nerve and she really wished she could just get over her superstition. But she couldn't and they both had to live with that. Maybe confiding in Tom and B'Elanna would help. She hoped Chakotay would go along with her idea for her to talk to B'Elanna and for him to talk to Tom.
As she was brushing her longer hair and trying to decide whether to braid it or not Chakotay entered her quarters.
"Kathryn?" he called out.
"In here," she responded, standing in front of the mirror in her bathroom starting to braid her hair.
"Please don't braid your hair. It looks so beautiful when you wear it loose," Chakotay said.
He reached for a barrette he saw on the countertop and as he handed it to her he said, "Here, use this instead."
"All right," she conceded, "for you."
"Chakotay," Kathryn started uncertainly "I talked to B'Elanna a little after you left today and I told her I'd like our conversation tonight to actually be two conversations."
"Oh," Chakotay said. "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I just think it might be easier man to man and woman to woman. Don't you think?" Kathryn asked.
Chakotay sighed in relief and then said, "I was thinking the same thing, and I was wondering how to maneuver things."
"Oh, well to hear the scuttle butt, you must know exactly how to do that. It's surely just a variant of the Chakotay maneuver," Kathryn teased.
"The what?" Chakotay said obviously both curious and amused.
"Apparently the fighter trainees are all trying to perfect the Chakotay maneuver," she answered.
"Oh great, I guess that's what I get for being determined to beat Tom no matter what he threw at me," Chakotay responded.
"Hey, we better get going," Kathryn said as she hooked her arm under his and pulled him towards the main room of her quarters.
June 5, 2378 1745 Tom and B'Elanna's Quarters
"So you have any idea what the problem is?" Tom asked B'Elanna as he set out some appetizers on the dining room table.
"Well, only that it has something to do with the explanation of why they'd agree to double date with Billy Telfer and Tal Celes and that they didn't want to discuss it in the mess hall," B'Elanna replied, as she put some flowers on the table, then she added, "Oh and when I suggested that either the pirate situation was good for him or she was, she immediately jumped in and said it was the pirate situation. She seemed really down in the mouth when she said it too, like she thinks she's bad for him or something."
"Huh, that doesn't sound good. I mean they've only been engaged for two weeks," Tom replied.
"Oh Tom, Kathryn did suggest that whatever it is, it would be easier to discuss man to man and woman to woman," B'Elanna said.
"Oh that's a relief then," Tom said.
"What do you mean by that?" B'Elanna asked.
"Well, think about it if she wants to talk to you and wants Chakotay to talk to me, it's probably just a sex problem. You know mismatched libidos or something," Tom said.
"I suppose you could be right about that, but I'm not sure I want us playing sex therapists to our commanding officers," B'Elanna replied.
"We're not, we're just being the only married couple they can talk to and it doesn't hurt that we're 'family'," Tom countered.
Just then the chime to their quarters sounded, letting them know Kathryn and Chakotay had arrived and they'd soon have their answers as to what the problem was.
"Come in," B'Elanna called out.
Kathryn and Chakotay came in and Tom and B'Elanna could immediately tell they were nervous about the upcoming discussion. But they'd had no more than a second to make that observation, when Miral's lusty cry drew everyone's attention.
"Ah, someone has noticed that we have company," B'Elanna said as she headed towards Miral's crib.
"Oh, you're soaked," she exclaimed when she picked Miral up.
"Kathryn, want to help me change her?" B'Elanna offered.
"Sure," Kathryn answered and the two women went off to the bathroom to change Miral's diaper.
"I think that's our clue to have a little man to man chat about whatever's bugging you," Tom said.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it doesn't require both Voyager's captain and chief engineer just to change Miral's diaper," Chakotay said.
"Come on let's have a beer and talk over whatever the problem is," Tom suggested as he went to the replicator and produced a couple of bottles of cold beer.
"OK," Chakotay replied not sounding overly enthusiastic about the prospect of the upcoming discussion.
"So, what is it that's got the two of you double dating with Billy Telfer and Tal Celes?" Tom asked as he handed Chakotay his beer.
"Well, they're not unique, we've double dated with one couple or another every night for the last two weeks except tonight and well I think this will work just as well," Chakotay said, then took a drink of his beer.
"Work for what?" Tom asked.
"To keep my libido in check," Chakotay replied. "Look, when I asked Kathryn to marry me I expected the kind of 'privileges' every guy expects of such a relationship but"… Chakotay trailed off a bit then took another pull at his beer bottle.
"Wait are you saying – you and Kathryn aren't…" Tom left his question unfinished and simply stared at Chakotay in disbelief.
Chakotay nodded and sighed, then said, "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying".
"But why not?" Tom asked upset for his 'brother-in-law'.
"Fear, irrational almost superstitious fear," Chakotay answered.
"What's she so afraid of, not sex I hope?" Tom asked.
"No, at least I don't think so," Chakotay added sounding a bit like he hadn't given that last bit a consideration before and was sincerely hoping it wasn't the case. "This is the third time Kathryn's been engaged and well the last two times didn't work out so well."
"Oh, yeah I guess you could say that. I know the first guy was killed in the same accident her dad died in and somehow she felt guilty about surviving the accident. I remember my dad talking about her being in this really bad depression afterwards," Tom said
"Yes, and shortly before she was to get married the second time, she got thrown out here in the Delta quadrant," Chakotay added.
"So, she thinks if she doesn't make love to you before you're married that some how this time things will work out?" Tom asked in disbelief.
"Yes, and I know it makes no sense, but it's how she feels and I promised her I'd respect her feelings," Chakotay said. glumly.
"Easier said than done when your battling testosterone surges, huh big guy?" Tom asked.
"You said it," Chakotay answered with a sigh. "I want, no I need to let Kathryn know that I'll keep my word to her and that no matter how difficult what she's asking me to do is, that I'll respect her feelings in the matter," Chakotay said with conviction.
"Yeah, but if she wanted to talk about this with B'Elanna, then maybe she's changed her mind," Tom said trying to give the older man some hope.
"Maybe, but Tom," Chakotay started then paused a moment trying to think how to explain his thought process to his 'brother-in-law'. "Look, I proposed right after Miral was born, and then later that evening I gave her the engagement ring. Her response to getting the ring made me think maybe she'd changed her mind about our making love and well things got a little heated," Chakotay explained.
"How heated?" Tom interrupted Chakotay for clarification.
"Lets just say I'd rounded third base and was heading home," Chakotay said.
"And then what happened?" Tom asked.
"She threw on the brakes and I got furious with her. I thought she was playing the tease or testing me, seeing whether I'd keep my word. I really blew up at her. And the way she responded to my temper was a revelation," Chakotay explained.
"How so?" Tom asked.
"She was terribly shaken and she tried to give the engagement ring back. She couldn't imagine that I could be so angry at her behavior and still love her and want to marry her," Chakotay replied.
"Wow, what would make her think that way?" Tom asked obviously shocked by what he'd heard.
"I'm not sure, but I'd say somehow she got the message at an early age that being loved was something you earned by meeting expectations and doing things to please the other person," Chakotay speculated.
"Yeah, well if her dad was anything like mine, I can understand her growing up to think like that," Tom said a bit sadly.
"Well, I don't want her to go on thinking like that. I want her to know that I love her no matter what. So I feel like I really need to let her have things her way in this matter, just so she knows how much I value her," Chakotay answered.
"Love imposes impossible tasks, though not anymore than any heart asks," Tom quoted.
"What?" Chakotay asked a bit confused.
"It's a line from an old English folk song my mother use to sing. It was full of impossible tasks like making a shirt without a seam, plowing a field with a lamb's horn and reaping wheat with a sickle of leather. Towards the end of the song the singer says if his love says she can't do these things, let him know that at least she will try and then there's that line about love imposing impossible tasks," Tom said obviously remembering his mother singing the song.
"Well, this isn't an impossible task but it's damn hard," Chakotay admitted.
"I'll bet you are," Tom said to lighten the mood and both men laughed.
Meanwhile in the bathroom of Tom and B'Elanna's quarters, the two women set to the task of changing Miral's diapers while they too discussed the problem.
"So are you going to tell me why you two agreed to double date with Billy and Celes and why you practically implied that you're not good for Chakotay?" B'Elanna said in her no-nonsense way.
"Oh B'Elanna, sometimes I think Chakotay deserves a much different woman than me," Kathryn responded.
"Well, I'm pretty sure he'd disagree with that. Come on, out with it, what's the problem?" B'Elanna asked as she deftly positioned the diaper and nappy beneath her newborn.
"I made Chakotay promise we wouldn't make love until after we're married," Kathryn blurted out.
"What?" B'Elanna blurted out loudly, and then when Miral began to fuss she realized she'd better keep her voice down and so she asked her question again in a softer voice. "What did you say?"
"You heard me, I made Chakotay promise we wouldn't make love until after we're married," Kathryn repeated.
"But for Kahless' sake, why?" B'Elanna asked truly shocked.
"Because I'm, I don't know neurotic, I guess," Kathryn answered somewhat flippantly.
Seeing B'Elanna's skeptical look, Kathryn tried again.
"Look I've been engaged twice before and both times the engagements ended badly. My first fiancée was killed in a shuttle accident with my father. I was the only survivor of the crash. The second time I was engaged to be married I was thrown out here into the Delta quadrant and he gave me up for dead and married someone else," she explained.
"So this is kind of like a superstition?" B'Elanna asked and then added for clarification, "You think that if you don't make love to Chakotay before you marry him, maybe you actually will get married?" B'Elanna asked as she cuddled her baby to herself.
"Exactly," Kathryn answered. "Only now I'm not so sure because under the current circumstances, I mean with Chakotay fighting the effects of neutralizing his boosters, I'm afraid he'll either die from the frustration or just give up on me," Kathryn added caught between amusement and sadness.
"Well, despite what men say, 'blue balls' can't kill them. If Chakotay's got a problem he can handle it himself so to speak." B'Elanna said and both women smiled.
"And I know he won't give up on you. He stood in these quarters less than three weeks ago and said he'd go to his grave loving you. So you don't have to worry on that account," B'Elanna reassured Kathryn.
"The only thing I'm wondering here is, are you changing your mind about this or something?" B'Elanna asked shrewdly.
"Yes," Kathryn admitted slowly. "I love him and I want him so much. It's really hard to resist the temptation and now its gotten more complicated," she said.
"How so?" B'Elanna asked.
"It's like Chakotay thinks he has to prove something to me by keeping his word," Kathryn explained.
"Oh yeah, that sounds like Chakotay all right. He gave you his word now he has to keep it, stupid p'tak!" B'Elanna said annoyed at her 'big brother'.
"Don't be so judgmental of him until you hear what I did when he gave me my engagement ring," Kathryn said in defense of Chakotay.
"He had proposed right after Miral was born and then later that evening he gave me the engagement ring. I was so overwhelmed by his giving me the ring and the things he said that, well I responded to him in ways that I'm sure made him think I had changed my mind about our making love and so …well things got a little passionate," Kathryn explained.
"How passionate?" B'Elanna asked.
"Lets just say Chakotay thought he'd hit a home run," Kathryn answered.
"And then what happened?" B'Elanna asked.
"I stopped him and reminded him of the promise he had made only that morning," Kathryn replied.
"How did he react to that?" B'Elanna inquired.
"He was furious. He thought I was playing the tease or testing him to see whether he'd keep his word. I don't think I've ever seen him so angry and that anger was directed at me. And that really frightened me," Kathryn confessed.
"Oh, why?" B'Elanna asked.
"I couldn't believe he could be so angry at me and still love me and want to marry me. I offered him the engagement ring back, it was the hardest thing I've ever done," Kathryn explained.
"Obviously he didn't take the ring back," B'Elanna observed.
"No, in fact he seemed really stricken that I'd even think to give it back. Later after he'd gone to sickbay he called me"…
"Wait, why'd he go to sickbay?" B'Elanna asked in confusion.
"Oh well, when I stopped him he fell off the couch and hit the coffee table, he cracked a couple of ribs," Kathryn explained.
"Oh Kahless," B'Elanna said and laughed at her dear friend's predicament. "I'm sorry, I interrupted you. What did he say when he called you after his little detour to sickbay?" she asked.
"He said he was sort of glad it happened because he needed to understand that I didn't know what unconditional love was and I needed to see his temper," Kathryn replied.
"You know, I don't think I knew what unconditional love was until Tom came into my life. And when you're not accustomed to it, it takes some getting used to, but when you do get used to it, it's the most wonderful thing in the universe," B'Elanna reassured Kathryn.
"You know what, I think we've stalled about as long as we can. I think we better go back in there and talk to our men," B'Elanna said as she started to carry her daughter into the living area. When they rejoined the men they found them draining the last of their beers and laughing.
"What's so funny?" B'Elanna asked as she handed Miral to Tom.
"Uh," Tom said and looked at Chakotay for an instant, "guy stuff".
"Oh, I'll just bet we ladies would understand." B'Elanna argued.
"You probably would but Tom's being a nice 'brother-in-law' and saving face for me, OK?" Chakotay cajoled, and then motioned to Tom to let him hold his niece for a while.
"Yeah and I've no idea why I'm doing you favors after the way you wiped the floor with me in the flight simulators the other day," Tom quipped as he handed Miral over to her Uncle Chakotay.
"Hey, you're a really good pilot Tom, you just haven't had the actual battle experience in a fighter that I've had," Chakotay said while he cradled Miral in his arms, trying to encourage Tom.
"Is he really that good a pilot, Tom? I mean with his record with shuttles I wasn't sure I should let him do this," Kathryn teased.
"Yeah well, I think I got it figured out. In order for him to bring a shuttle in without a scratch you probably ought to have someone trying to shoot him out of the sky," Tom answered.
They all laughed and then Paris asked Chakotay, "By the way, where did you learn to fly like that?"
"My first duty station out of the Academy was the USS Griffin. I served as a fighter pilot during the early part of the second Cardassian War from 2355 to 2357," Chakotay replied, his demeanor changed becoming decidedly more somber and he handed Miral off to Kathryn.
"The Griffin!" Tom exclaimed. "Man, I remember in the academy being told that the captain of that ship would have been court-martialed for his reckless disregard for his crew's safety had he survived his tour of duty. My flight instructor said the life expectancy for a Griffin fighter pilot was about 3 months."
"Yes, we lost a lot of good pilots to that mad man's 'vision' as he called it," Chakotay said bitterly.
"But you survived 2 years of combat flights under him?" Tom asked.
"Yes, and I lost a lot of friends. By the end of the first year I got a bit wary of even making friends among the other pilots and more than a little tired of flying a fighter. As soon as I got the chance I transferred off," Chakotay admitted.
"Well, I hate to say this Chakotay, but I'm glad you'll be piloting Voyager should we run into trouble rather than out there risking your neck in a fighter," Kathryn said as she cuddled Miral to her.
"Yeah well, I wish I could say the same. Tom's going to be out there in one of those fighters and my heart's going to be in my throat the whole time," B'Elanna said and then glared at her husband and 'brother' and reached out to Kathryn to take Miral in her arms.
"If it makes you feel any better B'Elanna, he'll be in the Delta Flyer and that's the best shielded, fastest of the fighters and other than Neelix's gunship or Voyager it's got the best armament," Chakotay said to try to reassure B'Elanna.
"Speaking of Neelix's ship who's going to pilot that ship?" Kathryn asked.
"Neelix is," Chakotay answered as he perused the dining table for something to stick in his mouth so he could avoid answering her next question.
"And who will be the weapons officer?" Kathryn asked the question Chakotay had been dreading, so he made a big show of having his mouth too full of cheese to answer and so Tom did it for him.
"Icheb is going be his gunnery officer," Tom said and waited for the explosion.
"Absolutely not! Chakotay don't tell me you've approved of having that boy out in the middle of a dog fight?" Kathryn said to Chakotay in a challenging tone.
"Calm down, you'll upset the baby," Chakotay said by way of stalling.
"Answer my question, Chakotay. Do you approve of Icheb being Neelix's gunnery officer?" Kathryn demanded.
"Yes, I do and before you get all up in my face about it, let me explain. First, with the new shielding Neelix's ship is as safe as Voyager would be, if not safer, as it won't be the major target of the pirates. Second, Icheb is not a boy; he's a young man. Third, he understands the armament in Neelix's ship better than anyone except Seven and she's going to be Tom's gunner. Finally, he's actually the best gunner we have, I suppose because of those youthful reflexes or something to do with his having been Borg." With that Chakotay sat down next to Kathryn and waited for her to argue with him some more.
"Well, if you're sure it's OK," Kathryn said.
Chakotay leaned forward and placed his hand on her forehead as though he were checking for a fever and said, "Well you don't have a fever but you must be sick, you're not arguing with me about this."
Kathryn swatted at him and said, "Oh you, stop it. I can be reasonable you know."
"Couldn't prove it by me," he responded before thinking through what he was going to say.
"No, I suppose not," she said very softly and obviously very upset as his comment brought back the crux of their earlier discussions.
"Hey," Chakotay said and put one of his large hands on her chin to tilt her face up towards him, "I didn't mean that to sound like I was complaining, OK?"
"OK," she said in a soft voice with her blue eyes shining and locked on his.
Tom and B'Elanna looked at each other and silently nodded to each other. They knew that Kathryn and Chakotay were going to be all right after all, with a little help from their friends.
"Hey you two, if you need some help getting through your engagement and you get tired of double dating the likes of Billy and Celes you're welcome to come join us," Tom offered.
"Thank you, we probably will, especially if we get to hold Miral," Kathryn said.
Before anyone could say anything more the red alert Klaxon sounded and Tuvok announced "Red Alert, Battle Stations, senior staff report to the bridge. Fighter pilots and weapons officers report to your ships."
At that everyone in the room started to scatter and as B'Elanna started to the door with Miral in her arms Chakotay said with a note of concern in his voice, "Where are you going?"
"First to sickbay, Miral with be safe with her Godfather. Then I'm going to engineering. Now you better hurry up. I hear you have a ship to pilot while my husband goes and gets his rear end shot off," B'Elanna replied.
As the shuttle bay was on the same deck as Tom and B'Elanna's quarters, everyone but Tom got in the turbolift. Just before the turbolift doors shut Chakotay yelled at him, "Don't let anyone launch until they get orders from the bridge."
As the doors closed Tom's "Aye sir," could be faintly heard.
B'Elanna requested deck five and Kathryn asked for the bridge. Miral was awake and alert throughout the tumult but remained quiet. Chakotay noticed this and commented with a smile, "She's going to be a cool one that niece of mine."
"I'm hoping she takes after her namesake there beside you more than her dad or her 'uncle'," B'Elanna said just as she got off the turbolift.
June 5, 2378 1810 Bridge
The turbolift continued on up to the bridge and as soon as the doors opened Kathryn barked, "Status Mr. Kim."
She continued down to her command seat and before she could even take it, Chakotay was tapping the ensign at the helm on the shoulder and indicated with his thumb that the officer should relinquish his seat to Chakotay.
"Our remote sensor probes show at least 13 vessels coming out of the sensor blind of the plasma storms. Unknown configurations but there appear to be 10 small fighter sized craft, 2 intermediate size vessels and 1 ship approximately the size of Voyager," Harry reported.
"Mr. Kim, relay that information to the shuttle bay. Tuvok, any indications that they are running with their weapons hot?" Chakotay asked as he began punching things up on the navigation console.
"The EM readings are suggestive of phasers on standby," reported Tuvok.
"Do you wish to raise shields and activate weapons systems, captain?" Tuvok asked.
"Chakotay, your opinion on that?" Janeway said deferring to her more battle experienced first officer.
"No, not yet. If we assume a defensive posture they will realize we've detected them and then we lose an element of surprise," Chakotay said.
"What we need now is a good educated guess on when they'll enter their effective weapons range," Chakotay said.
"At the speed they are approaching I would estimate 12 minutes," Tuvok said.
"Chakotay to Defenders, be prepared to launch in ten minute," the first officer ordered. "Immediately after they launch raise shields and arm all weapons, Tuvok."
"Aye Commander," Tuvok replied.
"Mr. Kim, keep me informed of the pirates' progress. Don't want to get caught napping here," Chakotay added.
"Aye sir," Harry replied.
The next nine minutes passed almost painfully slowly as everyone waited for the pirates to get close enough for battle to ensue.
"Defender 1 to bridge," came Tom Paris' voice.
"Bridge here," answered Janeway.
"We're ready to launch whenever you give the word," Tom said.
"Chakotay?" Janeway asked.
Chakotay turned around in the pilot's seat and nodded, "Tell them to launch."
"God speed Defenders, you're clear to launch at your discretion," Janeway said.
"Harry, give me a clue about the arrangement these ships are flying in," Chakotay requested.
"The largest vessel is coming in at 0 mark 090 then the two larger vessels are coming in from 045 mark 120 and 135 mark 060, the ten smaller craft are flying in two V formations ahead of the two medium sized vessels," Harry replied.
"Defenders deploy in standard octahedral formation for now, until we see a reason to do otherwise. Make your weapons hot," Chakotay ordered.
Six 'aye sirs' came in from Tom Paris, Neelix, Mike Ayala, Pablo Baytart, Sue Jenkins and Debbie Lang, the six fighter pilots dubbed the Defenders.
The pirates' fighters began to make runs at Voyager, obviously trying to attack her weapons and shield generators but the deployment of Voyager's Defenders was thwarting that strategy. The pirates lost several fighters and one of their medium sized ships had sustained damage to its weapons system effectively eliminating them from the battle, so the pirates adopted a new strategy, trying to pick off the smaller, weaker defenders.
"Defender 3 to Voyager they've knocked out our propulsion. We've still got shields and phasers but we're sitting ducks out here," Sue Jenkins strained voice reported.
"Neelix can you maneuver in front of defender three to provide cover?" Chakotay asked as his hands sped over Voyager's navigation console.
"Can do," came the Talaxian's answer and the Baxial could be seen to maneuver in front of the crippled fighter/shuttle.
"Harry, get ready to tractor that ship into our shuttle bay, you're going to have about three seconds to do it," Chakotay ordered.
"Tuvok lay down withering fire fore, port and starboard. Neelix will have our six," Chakotay said as he initiated a maneuver he'd just programmed into the navigation console. Suddenly Voyager pivoted and swooped, ending up a few kilometers behind the disabled shuttle/fighter, Voyager and the Baxial effectively covering the small ship.
"Jenkins, we're going to tractor your ship in and for good measure we'll beam you off, so when the tractor beam engages lower your shields. Tuvok, lower the aft shields. Harry, activate the tractor beam and open the shuttle bay doors. Get that ship in here now. Transporter room, lock onto the crew and beam them to sickbay," Chakotay gave the successive orders quickly.
"Got it," Harry Kim announced and then added, "They're lowering their shields. Crew transport complete, Defender 3 is in the shuttle bay."
"Shields are back up," Tuvok announced.
Just then the Baxial launched a succession of photon missiles at two pirate fighters. The two ships went up in a pyrotechnic display and Icheb's voice came over the comm system in triumph, "Got 'em!"
"Cadet, maintain proper communications protocol," Chakotay barked at Icheb.
"Aye sir," came the cadet's embarrassed response.
Chakotay then added "Good shooting, Icheb."
The pirate ships suddenly began retreating and headed for the Super Badlands.
"Should we pursue them Commander?" Harry Kim asked.
"No, they're retreating to an area we can't scan and that they know well. Following them in there would be suicidal. Just make sure the sensor probes keep a sharp lookout for them. They'll probably be back and they may bring friends next time," Chakotay said as he stood from the navigation console and stretched to try to ease the tension that had built up in his back and shoulders during the fight.
Just as it dawned on him that he hadn't heard a peep out of Janeway during the entire skirmish she said, "Well done Commander, I've been in contact with sickbay and engineering they report no serious injuries and minimal damage. We should have everything repaired in about twelve hours including Defender 3," the captain announced.
"Hope the pirates give us that long," Chakotay said.
"Well, I think all personnel not regularly scheduled for this shift should get some food and a little rest and then we should convene a tactical analysis. Wouldn't you say Commander?" Janeway again deferred to him.
"Yes, that sounds good let's convene the senior staff at 2100 in the briefing room," Chakotay said.