Here's another one... am i babbling? ... Probably.
Is there a point to this story? ... Probably not.
Any comments or suggestions, you can mail me at
I don't handle criticism well, so... please be gentle.
Disclaimers:-
Paramount, or someone other than myself, owns these people, their ship and, i imagine, some parts of the universe thru which they travel.
If you think i'm likely to make any money outta this, you obviously haven't read the story yet :-)
This story may contain some slightly naughty words, same-sex relationships, very minor violence and bad coffee. Sorta like a toned-down version of the real world.
I don't hold a degree in medicine, astrophysics, biology or anything else for that matter, so if i try to say something techie and it makes no sense, just make like it does :-)
..Here & Now..
by MoJoR.
Chapter Twelve.
For a long moment after the door slid shut, Kathryn stood motionless, her mind blank. Slowly, her body released her and she sank to the couch.
*What's wrong with you?* the unwelcome question echoed in her head. *Are you so accustomed to being alone that the mere thought of a friend scares the pants off you?*
Kathryn leant back in the couch, sinking into the soft cushions. She enjoyed what little time she had spent in Kayla's company. Last night at Sandrines and the first night Kayla had been on board when she had had dinner with her and Seven were among the few occasions when she had let her guard down and allowed herself to be Kathryn Janeway rather the The Captain.
Maybe that was part of the reason Kayla unsettled her. The fact that in her presence she felt her Captain's mask starting to slip. It was just that she reminded her so much of Seven. Not so much her personality, but the odd phrase or expression that was so much like what she had come to expect from Seven. And that frightened her. Was she so distracted by her attachment to Seven that she would she see her likeness in Kayla where none existed. Maybe she was simply attracted to Borg in general! Maybe,(and this was seeming more likely every minute) she had spent too long in the Delta quadrant and was going out of her mind!
"I have been alone too long." she whispered into the silence.
Janeway reached for the data-padd resting on the low table and decided it was time she spoke to B'Elanna. Perhaps she should call into Astrometrics on the way and see if Seven of Nine had anything to offer regarding the nebula.
Seven had just completed another analysis on the amino acid found in the Demgat plant from D'jeri. Intrigued by the effect it had on her systems, she was curious about what effect it might have on a Borg drone linked to the Collective. The results were still inconclusive and Seven was preparing to log herself off-duty when the doors opened to admit her Captain.
"Captain, how may I be of assistance?" she asked polititely.
"I was just on my way to Engineering and thought you might have something to add to this." Janeway handed the data-pad to Seven with Kayla's information of the nebula highlighted for her to look at.
After reading thru the displayed data Seven handed the padd back to the Captain.
"I apologise, Captain, but Kayla's knowledge of this area is superior to my own."
"There's no need to apologise. The information we already have is more than I would have hoped for a few days ago."
Kathryn stepped further into the room and headed towards Seven's console. "What are you working on at the moment?"
"I had just completed a secondary analysis on the gamma aminobutyric acid found in the demgat and was preparing to end my duty shift. Was there something you wished me to do, Captain?"
"No, Seven. I'm sorry to have held you up." Janeway prepared to leave the young woman to enjoy her break when Seven spoke.
"You were unavailable yesterday for our regular Velocity match."
"I was. I should have contacted you to cancel." Kathryn apologised. She had lost track of time going over the security reports with Tuvok and Chakotay. She hadn't realised it was so late until Chakotay had asked her if she was planning to go meet the rest of the bridge officers at Sandrines.
"I could use a good game if you're free this afternoon?" Kathryn continued, for once listening to the encouraging voice in the back of her mind.
"Eighteen hundred hours?" Seven suggested.
"Sounds good. I'll meet you at holodeck two." Kathryn smiled at Seven and the young woman met and held her gaze. For an instant, Kathryn lost herself in those blue-grey depths. She found it impossible to look away and couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to wake up looking into those eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, bringing her back to the present and she realised Seven was regarding her with an unusual expression.
Not wanting to embarrass herself any further, Janeway excused herself and headed for engineering.
Lt. Torres read the file eagerly and Janeway was both amused and impressed by her Engineering Cheif's passion for her job. It was something that Janeway identified with and she was glad that the possibility of resources for her gel packs could brigthen the Lt's day so.
"Have a look at entry 216 as well, Lt." Janeway prompted her.
Doing as she was directed, B'Elanna accessed the report outlining nearby mineral deposits and ore rich asteroid belts.
"We'll go over the details more thouroughly in tomorrow's command meeting." Janeway commented as B'Elanna looked up from the padd.
"She a regular encyclopedia!" B'Elanna remarked jokingly as she handed the report back to the Captain. "This would pass even Seven's high standards for efficiency." she realised how benificial Kayla's local knowledge would be to them and B'Elanna was a little suprised. Kayla had seemed to indicate that she didn't know too much about the region of space beyond D'jeri's system.
"What did you think of her B'Elanna?" Kathryn asked lowering her tone slightly.
"Kayla? She seems nice, I think everyone had a good time last night. I was a bit worried at first though, I think maybe we threw her in the deep end."
"In what way?"
"She was a little unsettled when she first arrived. She just needs time to settle in. She should probably spend more time with people other than Seven and the Doctor." Torres commented and immediatly noticed the Captain stiffen.
"What makes you say that?" An edge of steel to her tone despite her efforts to hear B'Elanna's thoughts objectively.
"Only that she would benefit from making friends on board. It would help her to find her place."
"And it is your opinion that Seven of Nine couldn't offer that friendship?" Kathryn found herself quickly becoming annoyed. She realised she was perhaps overprotective of Seven but that still didn't alter the fact that too few people on board gave the young woman the credit Janeway felt she deserved.
"No, that's not what I mean." Torres floundered, not sure where she was going but wishing she could backtrack a few paces. "I just think there are probably others on board with whom she might benefit from spending time with.
"Then by all means, feel free to spend time with her, but don't discourage her friendship with Seven." With some effort, Torres tried to find a way to express herself a little better. While she admitted to herself that she doubted the former drone was the best person to take Kayla under her wing, she certainly hadn't meant to openly critisise her. Torres was sure Seven was doing her best to help Kayla familiarise herself with the ship. It was simply a fact that the ex-Borg wasn't really equipt to handle that role.
Before she had a chance to explain herself, the Captain concluded the conversation. Turning on her heel, she left engineering and Lt. Torres knew she wasn't happy.
Seven found herself drifting towards Kayla's quarters before she realised where she was going. She stopped before she entered the turbo-lift to re-think her destination. It was not yet seventeen hundred hours, Kayla would still be busy with the Doctor. She should return to Astrometrics to study the data the Captain had showed her regarding the nearby systems.
"Computer, state the current location of Kayla Thompson."
"Kayla Thompson is currently in her quarters."
Seven had proceeded into the turbo-lift before the computer finished it's announcement. She found she was looking forward to seeing her friend. Even if Kayla was busy with her lessons as she expected, Seven found the prospect of perhaps discussing the nature of her studies with her made her smile.
Seven rarely experienced this feeling of anticipation and she found it both unsettling and oddly pleasing. She had previously deemed the presence of others as unimportant, and with the obvious exception of the Captain, had not considered that she would find enjoyment in simply being near another person. She even more rarely sought out that company as she found herself doing now.
With something akin to nervousness, she alerted the computer to her presence outside Kayla's quarters. Kayla stood at the door as it slid open holding two cups in her hands.
"Hello Seven, come in." stepping back to allow Seven to enter, Kayla handed her one of the mugs. "I made you hot chocolate, extra sweet." she said with a grin.
Seven took the drink, a puzzled expression on her face.
"How did you know I would be here?"
"I just asked the computer where you were. She said you were outside my door. Try the hot chocolate." Kayla motioned for her to take a sip, doing so herself.
"Well?"
"It is sweet." Seven replied, not entirely sure she like it but not entirely sure she didn't.
"Yeah, that's how I like mine. What did you do today?" she asked settling into the couch assuming Seven would do the same.
"I conducted an analysis of the demgat plant." Seven replied taking another sip of the chocolate drink looking at Kayla over the rim of the mug when she heard her laugh.
"Got you intrigued, has it?"
"It has. I am unaware of any other chemical that has such an effect on the Borg."
"Let me know what you find out, or tell me if you could use some help. I may not understand exactly what you're doing but if an extra pair of hands or a test subject could help..."
"I would enjoy your participation. I will inform you before I continue my research. I believe however, that the Captain will require my skills in Astrometics if we are to service the gel packs."
"She showed you my report?" Kayla queried, warmed by the approving smile that Seven directed towards her.
"The Captain was impressed."
Kayla tucked her legs underneath herself on the couch as Seven finally decided to take a seat. Still clutching the warm mug in both her hands as she drank slowly.
"You did not report to the Doctor today?" Despite the fact that Seven was glad Kayla had been in her quarters she was nevertheless suprised.
"I did, but I was late and he was with one of the crew. We were going to start on areas of the brain today." Kayla's tone made it clear that she had been disapointed when the Doctor had told her he would be unavailabe for the remainder of the day. There was always tomorrow, she reminded herself.
"So you have the afternoon free?" Seven clarified.
"I believe I do. What did you have in mind?" Kayla asked with a grin, hoping Seven had something in mind.
"I have scheduled a game of Velocity at eighteen hundred hours with the Captain. Did you wish to help me practice?"
"I'll try anything once! You'll have to teach me though." Seven stood preparing to leave immediately.
"That is not a problem."
"Being a beginner at the game, I get a few points advantage though." Kayla spoke in a serious tone. Seven simply raised an eyebrow.
When Janeway arrived at the holodeck, she noted that the velocity program was already running. As she was a little late, she assumed Seven was warming-up. Releasing the doors and entering the holodeck, she paused for a moment as she saw Seven attempting to move out of the velocity disks path.
The blonde woman had a large patch covering her Borg enhanced eye and a length of cord joining her left wrist to her right ankle. Kathryn noticed the additions seemed to be having an adverse effect on her game, as the disk bounced off her shoulder and the computer announced the score.
"Point to Kayla. Game to Kayla 7/5."
"Wooo hooo!" Kayla cheered herself and did some kind of jig before slapping Seven on the shoulder. "I kicked your butt!"
Kathryn could help but laugh at the disgusted look on Seven's face as she removed the eye patch.
"Next time, I play without these hindrances."
"We'll see." Kayla said with a grin.
"If I'd have thought of that, I might win a little easier!" Janeway said with a chuckle as she came to stand beside the two women. Despite having only begun playing recently, Seven was the only person on board who really challenged Janeway at Velocity and she fully expected Seven would start actually winning sometime soon.
"I hope you havn't exhausted my partner!" Janeway teased and wondered as she finished speaking if that had sounded as possesive to Kayla as it did to her own ears.
"Just look at her, she isn't even sweating!" Kayla replied and Janeway wasn't suspised. Even after their toughest matches, Seven had only ever looked slightly tired, where Janeway herself could hardly stand.
"Frustrating, isn't it" she sympathised.
"You mind if I watch how the professionals do it?" Kayla was looking forward to watching them play, if Janeway was half as good as Seven indicated.
"Not at all." and Kathryn realised she would actually enjoy sharing the game with Kayla. Noticing that Seven was removing the cord that restricted her movement she turned to speak. "I wouldn't have any objections if you wanted to leave that on."
"Yes you would." Seven stated.
"Oh?" Kathryn was suprised at Seven's comment even though she had been joking with her.
"My abilities are comparible to your own. I challenge you to excel yourself. You enjoy that."
Kathryn knew Seven was right, in more ways than one.
Kayla felt a little conspicuous sitting at the large briefing table. Although this time the faces were familiar, apart from the initial smile in greeting, everyone was straight down to business. Kayla's seat was thankfully between Seven and Neelix both of whom she was more or less comfortable with.
As the meeting began, she caught her first glimpse of the Captain as her other crew members saw her. While everyone had been respectfull at Sandrines, there was still a sense of comraderie. Here, however, the Captain's authority was clear as was the admiration and faith that the crew had for their Captain.
Except Seven. While Kayla knew without doubt that Seven respected and trusted the Captain completely, it was not overly apparent during the meeting. On several occasions, Seven questioned Janeway's opinion and at one stage even interrupted her to suggest an alternative line of thought.
While Kayla had to admit that Seven's suggestions benefitted the meeting and in all honesty the Captain didn't seem suprised at the interruptions, she did note that the other officers seemed bothered by it.
As everyone else seemed to wait for their turn to add to the discussion, Kayla remained silent. When she had information she thought may have related, she committed it to memory having decided she would speak to Seven after the meeting to see if she thought the information relevant.
The crew were discussing the scans they had received regarding the area of space between Voyager's current location and the Nebula. Kayla had included in her report that the system was high in radiation that would cause anomalous sensor readings and it was her opinion that they had interpreted her report incorrectly.
The modifications they were considering would be ineffective and Kayla added that to her list of comments for after the meeting. Lt Torres was part way through informing the Captain of the changes she was proposing when Seven interrupted.
"Your calculations are incorrect, Lt." When all eyes turned to their end of the table Seven continued, "I believe Kayla has something to add."
Kayla sat motionless, wishing the dozen eyes curently focused on her would look elsewhere. At the other end of the table, the Captain waited for to speak. Out of the corner of her newly regenerated eye, Kayla could see the challenging expression on B'Elanna Torres' face. Growing impatient the Captain broke the silence.
"Will one of you please tell me what else you know!"
Kayla locked eyes with the Captain, ignoring the officers on either side of her. She refused to diminish this woman's opinion of her. Standing at her place, Kayla clasped her hand behind her back and addressed the Captain.
"The changes you are considering will only cause the faulty sensor images to reflect and modulate with other readings, compounding the problem. It has been tried. Entries 286 thru 289 in my report will provide details on other failed attempts to navigate the nebula as well as possible areas for investigation." Kayla remained standing as the Captain, Torres and Chakotay each accessed the data padds in front of them.
"I hadn't gotten that far." B'Elanna admitted after a moment. "Flooding the area with Hydrogen would have been my next suggestion." the engineer added as she continued to read.
Having read thru the report already, the Captain was the first to finish the relevant entries.
"You would recommend an ionised pulse before each scan?" Janeway asked.
"I don't fully understand the science behind it, Captain. As you know, I have the information, but not the knowledge." Kayla replied honestly, wishing she had more to add. She was hesitant to suggest a course of action that she did not understand. The information provided by the Borg indicated that a number of smaller vessels had encountered difficulties. Some severe enough to have caused considerable damage and loss of life.
"You mentioned that alternating beween phases was unsuccesfull. Did they use a modulating conversion?" B'Elanna asked, already performing calculations in her mind.
"I am unsure, Lt."
"But you said they used infrasonic waves. At what frequency?"
"I wish I could be of more help, but I don't have the scientific knowledge as yet to understand this." Kayla shrunk inside herself a little at the look B'Elanna directed at her. Obviously they were discussing something that was considered fundamental knowledge.
"But you included an analysis on this in your report." Torres was confused as to how Kayla could have written such a comprehensive report on something she obviously didn't understand.
"Have you never been told something that you didn't fully understand, B'Elanna?" Kayla asked and when she didn't receive a response immediately, she continued. "I have documented everything I could remember regarding this region in the hope that you will understand what I can not."
"You came by this information while you were working on the D'jeri station?" B'Elanna asked.
"That's enough Lt." The Captain interrupted. "Kayla has given us what she can, the rest is up to us." Kayla shot an appreciative glance towards Janeway but the older woman was looking at her officer.
Kayla wondered if perhaps it would not be easier to inform the crew of her history with the Borg. Surely what they would think of her then could be no worse than the mistrust B'Elanna was now showing. Clearly she doubted either Kayla's lack of understanding or the information she had included in her report. It was a logical assumption to make based on the amount of esoteric data in the report. Either Kayla knew more than she was admitting, or someone else had prompted her on what to include in her report.
Kayla began to sink slowly back to her seat, running thru her memories of the Nebula. She had never been thru it herself. The Borg had assimilated two races that had infrequently mined the asteroids in the nebula and information had been retained on both the nebula's resources and the various techniques they had adopted to combat the regions hazards.
In preparation for their own journey to the heart of the nebula, the Borg cube had been modified to emit an ionised pulse. As she had been freed and the Borg cube destroyed before reaching the nebula, Kayla was unsure how the pulse would have been used and if indeed it would have been successful.
She knew that the pulse was designed to be emitted from every drone and that the sheilds had been modified to allow a barrier of the charged particles to form around them. Perhaps...
"Seven of Nine, what would the Collective hope to acheive by ionizing the shields." Kayla turned and spoke softly to Seven hoping her new friend would be better able to draw a conclusion from the actions of the Borg. "If hull temperature was increased by 20 degrees and the external sheilds re-inforced to accept an ion pulse discharged from each drone...?
Ignoring the enquiring looks from the senior officers, the two discussed the scenario until Seven thought she understood the logic behind the Borg's preparations.
The two woman turned from their muted conversation to find bemused stares from along the table. Kayla had the courtesy to blush. Seven simply raised an eyebrow at the assembled staff before proceeding to the computer display at one wall. Entering her specifications, Seven, with a few pointers from Kayla, illustrated how Voyager might adapt to withstand the radiation.
Index | Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four |