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Switched

Chapter 27

Sitting on a stool before a mahogany mirror in Kathryn and Chakotay's bedroom, Cayla carefully removed a black wig. Beneath it was an auburn bob, exactly the same style as Kathryn's, and she brushed it into place. Then she took out brown contact lenses, cleansed her face, applied some of Kathryn's make-up, and sprayed her wrists with Kathryn's perfume. From the bed, Goldy growled at her every now and again, but Cayla took no notice of him. Having dealt with so many beasts in her career, dogs didn't frighten her. Once her hair and face were done, Cayla removed her commbadge, took off her garments, and recycled them along with her wig and contact lenses. Then she looked through Kathryn's wardrobe, selected out suitable clothes and put them on. With all the stress of the past few weeks she had lost weight so Kathryn's clothes fitted her perfectly. After checking that Kathryn's commbadge recognized her voice, she pinned it to her jacket and put her own safely into a deep pocket. Then she stood before a full length mirror and scrutinized her appearance. Yes, she looked like Kathryn Janeway. Exactly like Kathryn Janeway. Now all she had to do was become her.

Wasting no time, Cayla rummaged through a set of drawers, found her desired sample of Kathryn's handwriting, and then scribbled a note to Chakotay. It told him that she'd been called unexpectedly to Starfleet Headquarters and would not be home for some time. She placed the note on the dining table, hoping he would look there, and then imputed a new access code into the house's security system. It was a difficult hack-job, especially as the house was being monitored, but she did it effortlessly. Then she picked up Kathryn's handbag, that was resting on a table in the hallway, and left the house.

"Leaving, Ma'am?" a tall armed guard said when she stepped outside.

"Yes," Cayla replied. "I'm going to Starfleet HQ."

"Would you like an escort?"

"No I would not," Cayla said rather sharply. "In fact, this whole charade is starting to drive me crazy. Are we the criminals here? Because I'm starting to feel like a prisoner in my own home."

"I understand how difficult this must be, Ma'am," he answered. "But it's for your protection."

"Well I'd like things relaxed, ok? If I want an escort I'll ask for one, understand? I don't want the third degree every time I step outside. Get me?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll see to it."

"See that you do."

With that Cayla left the garden and started to walk down the street. It was long, more like a tree lined avenue than a street, and was decked on both sides with characteristic old houses that dated back at least two centuries. When the street turned a corner, Cayla stopped by a large tree, took out her commbadge, fiddled with it, and transported herself to her shuttle. It was in orbit, cloaked, and for years had been her home from home. She had learnt to fly in the force and that skill had enabled her to pursue Taron. The shuttle itself was very advanced, could travel at warp speed, and was capable of auto-transport. As soon as she was onboard, Cayla transported herself to Starfleet Headquarters and materialized in the grounds.

It was a chilly day so Cayla walked briskly towards the main entrance. Kathryn's access code she did not have, but for this leg of her mission she hoped she could get by without one. And sure enough, an access code proved redundant. As soon as a security officer saw 'Captain Kathryn Janeway' approach he personally opened the doors for her. Cayla smiled at him, thanked him, and then boldly walked into the building.

"I thought I told you to take six months off," Admiral Hayes teased when he saw her.

"Just here for a flying visit," Cayla smiled.

"Glad to hear it. How are you doing?"

"Fine. But I'd be doing a whole lot better if I could find Commander Bolinski. Do you know where I can?"

"Exactly, no, but his office is somewhere on the seventh floor."

"That's a start," Cayla smiled. "Thank you."

Not wanting to be drawn into a conversation, she began to walk away. But as soon as she did, Admiral Hayes called after her.

"Before you go, are you and Chakotay free for dinner next week? The Mrs and I would love to have you over."

"I'm afraid next week is out of the question," Cayla answered. "We've already made plans. But thank you just the same."

"Another time then," he said. "Good day, Captain."

With that he went on his way and Cayla headed for the lifts.

In no time at all Cayla was on the seventh floor and searching for Commander Bolinski's room. It took her almost fifteen minutes to find it as there were over fifty offices on this floor, but her effort wasn't wasted as the Commander was at his desk.

"Good afternoon, Commander," Cayla said in Captain mode as she entered the room.

When the blonde haired man saw her he got to his feet and closed the gap between them. "You did it then?"

"Yes," Cayla replied, relaxing into herself now. "Are we alone?"

"Totally."

"Then the question is have you done it?"

"Yes. I have the exact co-ordinates of the time-ship."

"Well done. Is it in Arizona?"

"No. It's in a research facility in Oregon."

"I see. What can you tell me about this research facility?"

"Not a lot. It's called Rylan Dock and is where top secret fleet research is carried out. I don't know more than that. The ship, which is 38th century not 28th, is in a secure unit and not even Janeway will be allowed access without permission."

"And the best person to get this permission from is?"

"I'm not sure. You can try Admiral Elori Shanwell."

"Where can I find him or her?"

"Her. Floor 10, room 5. But I doubt you'll get an access code without good reason and you'll need an access code."

"Let me worry about that. Just give me the co-ordinates."

The Commander picked up a padd but did not immediately hand it to her. "If you want it for why I think you want it, you should know there are always temporal side-effects. Changing your past may not give you the future you want."

"I'm willing to take that chance." She held out her hand. "Give me the padd."

The Commander hesitated, but then gave it to her. "Good luck."

"Luck doesn't come into it, but I appreciate the sentiment."

The man shifted uncomfortably. "Does this...Does it mean we're even?"

"As level as a ruler." She put the padd into her handbag and then looked up at the Commander. "Goodbye, Rex. Have nice life."

Without waiting for a reply, she left the room.

Cayla found Admiral Shanwell's office without any trouble and the Admiral was delighted to see her.

"Captain Janeway," the dark haired, dark eyed, woman said. "This is an honor. What can I do for you?"

"As it happens, two things," Cayla smiled. "An access code to Rylan Dock and a coffee. I could kill for a coffee...decaffeinated of course."

"Well, the coffee I can do," the woman replied, "but I'm afraid you'll have to see Admiral Dawson about the access code and he's not in until the morning. But if it's urgent I can call the facility and arrange something."

Cayla was disappointed but tried not to show it. Tomorrow was only a few hours away and the past wasn't going anywhere. "No, it's not urgent," she said. "I'll see Dawson tomorrow."

The Admiral went over to a small replicator in a corner of the room. "How do you like your coffee?"

"Black," Cayla answered. "No sugar."

"Exactly the way I like it," the woman smiled. "Which is a sure sign we're going to get on like a house on fire when we start working together." She addressed the replicator. "Two coffees, black no sugar."

Two coffees instantly materialized and the woman picked them up.

"Athough as you're pregnant, I don't suppose you'll be coming back to work until after the baby's born," she said, taking a coffee over to Cayla. "But just between the two of us, I can't wait. It will make a nice change to have some estrogen flying around here instead of all the testosterone that bombards me constantly."

Cayla laughed and took a cup of coffee.

"So don't you dare refuse the Admiralty," the woman went on. "As far as I'm concerned, the sooner it comes the better."

Cayla took a sip of coffee and smiled. "I couldn't agree more."

It was after midnight when Cayla arrived back in Bloomington. After a very pleasant hour with Admiral Shanwell, who Cayla was pleased to learn liked to do most of the talking, she had left Starfleet Headquarters and returned to her shuttle. While she wasn't as convinced as Kathryn was that Chakotay would be able to tell immediately that his wife had been replaced with her twin, she didn't want to take any chances. So she'd stayed in her shuttle until midnight and done as much research as she could on Rylan Dock, not that she'd been able to find anything more than a few pictures of the exterior. She hoped that by delaying her return to Kathryn's house until the early hours of the morning, Chakotay would be asleep when she got there.

A guard was still posted outside the front door when Cayla reached the house, but he said nothing more than 'Good night, Ma'am' as she passed. Cayla quickly keyed in the access code she'd added, stepped inside, and then walked to the lounge as quietly as she could. If Chakotay was in bed asleep, as she hoped, she didn't want to wake him. Neither did she want to alarm Goldy. But when she got to the lounge, not only did lamp light greet her but a little golden pup. At first the animal greeted her with bright eyes and a wagging tail, but then his teeth came out and he growled. Cayla looked around, expecting to find Chakotay awake, but instead she found him fast asleep in a chair, an old book on his lap. Cayla smiled in satisfaction at this and then left the room. Goldy tried to follow her but Cayla kicked him back inside and shut the door. The animal gave a yelp but afterwards was quiet.

When she got to Kathryn and Chakotay's bedroom, Cayla turned on a lamp, changed into Kathryn's nightdress, and washed off her make-up. As she'd already showered on her shuttle there was no need to bathe again so she got straight into bed. Which side of the bed Kathryn slept in she didn't know, but as her nightdress was on the right side, she guessed it was that one. After making herself comfortable, Cayla turned off the light and closed her eyes. She figured Chakotay would sleep in the chair until morning, but even if he didn't there was no way he'd be able to tell she wasn't Kathryn in the dark. All she had to do now was persuade him she was Kathryn for a little while in the morning, as short 'a little while' as she could make it, and then return to Starfleet HQ to get an access code from Admiral Dawson. So far everything had gone to plan and she was determined for things to stay that way.

END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN