Chapter 3~ Tempest

Voyager soon came across a Cardassian designed missile, one Val Jean was familiar with, The Intrepid class starship was very intimidated by the impressive defensive weaponry that the missile had. "Watch it!" Val hissed. "Those bastards know how to build them good." "Get it to talk, it knows you from what your engineer says."

Val swallowed and spoke softly, her voice quivering. Whatever she said must've ticked it off for the next instant she was facing down a powerful missile until it was blown up. Once the debris cleared revealed on the other side was an old male Constellation-class starship

Voyager attempted to distract the warhead. He just barely managed to transport off the warheads Quantum torpedoes as well as good deal of its antimatter. After getting them. He was surprised to see the Constellation class approaching "Another federation ship?" "V-Voyager..." He breathed. "Who are you?" He said in partial shock. "USS Tempest, NCC-27496. Constellation-class" "What are you doing all the way out here?" The young starship asked "This being took me here." "The Caretaker?" "That's him!" "Well that is how we got here too. I was supposed to be going after Val here. Apparently she got pulled in first, and somehow then I was. I assume you were sent to investigate my disappearance?" "No, I got pulled in as well. Do you really think Starfleet could send a ship to the Delta Quadrant in this short time." "No, but I went missing like my Maquis friend here, and you were sent to investigate, But how did I not see you at the Array before I destroyed it." He shrugged. "I saw you. I've been tracking you ever since. Those Kazon are really bitchy about their territory." "Yeah, they are. But with three of us. we should have a much better chance." "More the merrier." Tempest agreed. "Well what do you say we go home?" "Aye." Tempest agreed. "Oh I dunno. I'll just be arrested and shoved into some Starfleet jail." Val snorted though secretly she wanted to keep going if only to remain with Voyager. "Yeah but not for another 70 years." Voyager chuckled. "And you haven't lived until you have seen ESD and Earth, those border worlds are but just one of the wonders that are in this galaxy." "Aye, suppose the Maquis won't even exist by then. Everyone I know won't..." She whimpered. She leaned against Voyager. "That is one possibility. But it could be just as likely that the federation is gone. But why do you think the Maquis wouldn't exist. You are a very resourceful group of people." He said as she leaned against him. "Because our cause is just. We'll succeed as long as the Federation exists. Because that's all we want. We want to return to the nation we love." "Then why don't you? Federation space is not far. DS9 is the closest Federation base. Although its Cardassian." "Because to you we're criminals." Voyager was about to make a counter statement but he didn't and just went quiet moving at impulse about one kilometer behind Tempest. Val stuck close to him. He was the only company she'd had for a long time. She didn't want to leave him.

"It is good to have Tempest here. Another ship around my size is a good thing, And he has a lot of shuttles." "More firepower aye." "And he has four torpedo launchers, none astern though." "They are impressive." "Oh?" He chuckled. She nuzzled him. "I'm sticking by you Voyager." "Why? I didn't think you trust me." Voyager, felt they should go to warp but Tempest had more experience, so he deferred to the older starship. "As soon as we leave this system." Tempest called. "I've come to." She replied. "I like you Voyager. You're a good ship with a good heart." "I am?" He said shyly. "You are." She replied. "And would you still say that if I was pursuing you?" She shrugged. "What the hell, it's the Delta Quadrant and we're not likely to get home for 3/4 of a century." "Yeah I guess." He sighed. "Knowing you though, you'll figure something out." "I am not in charge anymore and to be honest I prefer it that way. I was only supposed to be gone three weeks. It's been a month now." "Think Starfleet knows where you are?" "I was supposed to check in every 4 days. It'll take years to hail Starfleet." "They'll think we've all been lost." Val sighed.