Disclaimer: All things Star Trek belong to CBS/Paramount. I only own my imagination.

Spoilers: Basics pt 2. If you haven't seen it, this won't make much sense.

Author's Note: I have the ambition to keep these coming, but I also have a real life which can mess with me. Janeway never dealt with the actual mutiny in Resolutions on screen, so I'm giving her the opportunity to reflect on that. I'm still assuming Tom was XO in that episode and I'm letting Tuvok show he's not as wooden as the Trek writers sometimes made him out to be. The XO referred to here is of course then sub-commander T'Pol who dealt with the same open challenge to her authority.


"Our resident hero," B'Elanna glanced to her left, "managed to blow up a wide range of relays and fuses and some wiring needs to be replaced as well. It's not critical but it takes a lot of time to go over it all and conduct the repairs," B'Elanna reported, sitting comfortably relaxed in the briefing room chair she currently occupied.

"Does it interfere with our capability to defend ourselves?" the captain asked.

"No. Those systems are all up an running and we've already conducted the repairs needed on those. They are fully operational," B'Elanna replied. "Life support and weapons were our top priorities, the rest is coming along nicely but we're looking at a couple of weeks work to finish all the repairs necessary."

"Good," Janeway said with emphasis letting a small hint of a smile cross her face. She turned to look at Neelix. "How is crew morale coming along?" she asked and the smile was leaking in to her voice.

"There's nothing like coming home," Neelix said. "People are settling in nicely and are spending a lot of time in the mess hall, with each other. And they're eating! I'm certainly busy in the galley!" he continued enthusiastically.

"I can imagine. Even Starfleet ration packs would have put a smile on my face a few days ago," Janeway said and now she couldn't keep her smile from growing. She turned to the screen where the Doctor could be seen but before she could ask any questions he begun reporting.

"Despite the ordeal, the crew is generally in good health. A few cuts and bruises, but you weren't on that planet long enough to suffer any lasting malnutrition. I'm happy to report that ensign Wildman's baby also is doing well," he said and looked pleased.

"Very good." The captain turned to look at the people sitting at the table. "I'm taking this opportunity to tell you that I think you all have done well. You worked well together, inspired the rest of the crew and each one of you showed competence in a difficult and dangerous situation. I am proud of you." The familiar faces around the table begun smiling as they looked around at each other.

"Thank you captain," Tuvok said in a less formidable manner than usual, apparently not unaffected by her praise. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that we were fortunate to have you as a captain in such difficult times." Everyone's eyes had turned to look at her, some nodded in agreement and their smiles grew.

"Thank you," she replied warmly. After a short pause she continued. "We still have one important thing to deal with before we can lay this to rest. We lost two members of our crew and we need to commemorate them the way they deserve." Janeway started to turn towards Tuvok.

"Captain," the EMH cut in and the captain looked down at the screen. "If you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if we could hold the memorial service on one of the holodecks. I would very much like to attend."

Janeway looked a bit surprised but nodded. She quickly glanced at Tuvok and then turned back to the Doctor. "I was going to ask Tuvok to speak at the service for crewman Suder, but it occurred to me that you might have something to say," she said. If the Doctor wanted to take part in a service it would be wise to involve him in it as well she decided. He had after all been part of Suder's last difficult days.

"I'd be honoured, captain," the doctor replied looking a bit taken aback but clearly touched.

Janeway turned to look at Tuvok. "Unless you have any objections?" she asked her Vulcan security officer, for formality's sake.

Tuvok met her eyes calmly. "I have not," was his reply and his voice didn't reveal any displeasure. "May I suggest that lieutenant Torres makes the speech for ensign Hogan," he said evenly and glanced at B'Elanna.

The captain looked at B'Elanna with the unspoken question in her eyes. She sat up straight and looked over at Tuvok with apparent surprise. "Of course," B'Elanna said quickly.

"Very well," Janeway said and looked down at the screen. "Doctor, since we will be on the holodeck, I would like you to work with lieutenant Torres to create a suitable framing for the event. I suggest we'll hold the ceremony in three days, at 18.00 hours." The Doctor nodded and Janeway turned to B'Elanna who did the same. "Good. If there's nothing else?" She paused for a moment and let her eyes sweep over the gathered officers. "You are dismissed," she continued.

People started moving and getting out of their chairs to leave and in the corner of her eye she noticed the silent exchange between her chief engineer and flight controller when they rose from their chairs. As they headed out of the room they started a quiet discussion which ensign Kim joined when he caught up with them. Well, she thought, if B'Elanna needed support when writing her speech, she certainly had friends to turn to.

Janeway had been slightly surprised by Tuvok's suggestion but when she thought about it, it made sense. B'Elanna had been the closest of the officers present to ensign Hogan and also his superior. She was young, but she was a department head and as such it was only natural that she should take on the responsibility to hold a memorial speech. Especially for a friend.

She had realised it was definitely time to groom the younger officers for command. It had become blatantly clear, when she had been forced to hand over command to Tuvok, that the younger officers needed to learn how to handle more responsibility and respect for the chain of command. She had authority and so had Chakotay, but Tuvok had ended up in a difficult situation. People hadn't been prepared for the possibility of him taking over command on a permanent basis, not something unheard of. Vulcans had throughout history had difficulties with human crews ever since the first regular Vulcan XO had been forced to assume command on the very first human mission in the 22nd century. They all needed to learn to respect the chain of command and to deal with swift changes in responsibilities and above all, they all needed to learn to support each other. Not one of the officers left aboard had lent Tuvok support. Paris might not have openly opposed Tuvok but he hadn't stepped up as Tuvok's second in command. He had taken on the practical work of an XO, but not the role as adviser. Tuvok had certainly not made that part easy for Paris since he had a tendency to lean heavily on his logic for his decision making, not taking in to account that he might need input on the effects of his decisions on his emotional crew. Tuvok and Paris would have to learn to work closer together and the art of listening to each other. The other officers further down in the command chain also needed more training of actual command, the sooner the better.

She rose from her chair and headed for her ready room to start planning. As she passed Chakotay on the bridge she turned her head and looked at him.

"Chakotay, I need to speak with you," she said and continued through the bridge. "Tuvok, you're in command," she continued as she arrived at the ready room, now with Chakotay close behind. Inside the ready room she went over to the replicator and ordered a cup of coffee. Chakotay had stopped in the middle of the room as he had a tendency to do.

"Would you like anything?" she asked but he shook his head. "Please, sit," she motioned towards the couch as she picked up her cup to join him. She sat down and let a small sigh escape her before looking up at her first officer with a smile.

"I need your counsel," she simply said.

Chakotay smiled back. "I'll do my best," he replied.