CHAPTER 3
Data and La Forge were discussing Data's coincidence theory in Ten-Forward when the call came from the Captain for all senior staff to report to the bridge, signifying the Enterprise was about to rendezvous with Voyager.
Unlike Picard, La Forge had a genuine interest in Data's theory, however even he had to admit the math behind it were far beyond his knowledge. As they left Ten-Forward together, La Forge jokingly asked Data if he had a theory on why they where always at the furthest point away from the nearest Turbo-Lift whenever they were summoned to the bridge. Data interpreted this as a serious question and constructed a whole sub-routine to analyze the phenomena. He estimated it would be two-point-three hours before he could formulate a basic theory.
"So take the current situation," said La Forge as they walked through the corridors of Deck Seventeen. "It does seem a coincidence we find Captain Scott is the one who discovers Voyager, who just-so-happens to be in a shuttlecraft we gave him, and when the call comes in from Starfleet we 'just-so-happen' to be the nearest Federation Starship to his position."
"Plus," Data added. "The Federation base we are ordered to escort Voyager to 'just-so-happens' to be Deep Space Nine, where Voyager began her mission into the Badlands."
"Right!" said La Forge, as he mentally made the connection. "So how does Seldon's Law fit into all this?" La Forge still didn't know why Data had not taken the normal credit for creating a theory by naming it 'Data's Law' but he thought he would save that conversation for another time.
Data decided to answer the question by formulating a question of his own. "What would you say are the odds using known mathematical theories of all these events occurring?"
La Forge thought for a moment but could not even begin to calculate a rough guess. "Immense, almost impossible I'd say."
"Approximately…." Data paused, reflecting the fact that people seemed to dislike it when he quoted large numbers. "Let us just say you would have more chance of being run over by a Twenty-First Century Automobile."
La Forge did not know if Data had just made an attempt at a joke or if it was another one of his odd statements.
"But under Seldon's Law," Data continued, "this figure could be reduced to about fifty-to-one, although I admit at this point this is more of a rough guess than a real estimate."
"How come?" La Forge was surprised. It was rare indeed to witness Data making 'a rough guess.'
"According to my theories, Seldon's Law dictates each event is triggered by past, present and future events, as well as by itself. Therefore Voyager's sudden return may have been triggered when Captain Scott first approached the Dyson Sphere over seventy years ago, as well as a near infinite number of other related and seemingly unrelated events."
La Forge whistled in amazement. "That would mean, well the figures involved would be astronomical"
"Exactly," said Data as they entered to turbo lift. He instructed the computer to take them to the Bridge. "Unfortunately, gathering the relevant Data and calculating the figures are far beyond the limits of my Positronic Brain."
La Forge doubted any computer could handle so much sporadic, seemingly unrelated data
"However I have noted humans and certain other species do have the ability to detect such events. They refer to them as coincidences, or some form of DejaVu."
"What if it is all just a coincidence?"
Data noted La Forge's lips were at the exact curved parameters he used when executing a joke.
"Good one, Geordie!" Data patted La Forge on the shoulder in, what he thought, was the appropriate manner. "However using this as a basis I have constructed the preliminary schematics for a new computer Matrix; one that I believe could put my theories into practice."
Data gave La Forge the correct amount of time to absorb this information, approximately two-point-three seconds, before asking his next question.
"I was wondering if you would like to assist me in this project, during our free time of course?"
La Forge thought for a moment, "Data, something like this could take years, even a whole lifetime!"
"Even if we, 'ignited the midnight petroleum'?"
La Forge thought this time it definitely was a joke.
He smiled while patting Data on the back, "Good one, Data!"
"The old ones are the best!" Data added.
As they exited the Turbo-Lift, La Forge agreed to have a look at Data's designs later.
The edges of Data's mouth curved up slightly, into a tight Data-like smile, as he made his way to the helm controls satisfied that not only would his friend be assisting him with his project but also that he had successfully executed a joke.
Meanwhile La Forge made his way to the Engineering console where he transferred primary controls from Engineering to the Bridge. With a few quick keystrokes he downloaded the sensor logs from the helm and began to examine the preliminary scans taken by the Enterprise as they approached Voyager's position.
While La Forge became lost in his analysis, Captain Picard was saying his farewells to Captain Scott.
"Are you certain I can't persuade you to stay Captain? I'm sure we could use your skills in assessing what happened to Voyager."
Scotty smiled. The image on the main view-screen showed that he was back on-board the Goddard.
"Nay laddie. I have ma own mission ta get back to. Plus, between you and me Captain, there's something not quite right aboot that ship."
"What do you mean?" Picard said curiously.
"Well, you know how ya can tell certain things about yer ship, without having to even look at any monitors, just from the wee sounds she makes or the feel of the ship under yer boots?"
Picard smiled and nodded in agreement. He could tell what warp speed they were travelling at, no matter where he happened to be on the ship and he knew when a system needed re-calibrating just from certain noises and vibrations that emanated from the Enterprise.
It seemed to be a skill only Captains and Engineers developed from years of experience in space. A skill that infuriated the Starship designers who insisted it was impossible for a human to diagnose such information without utilizing a technical readout or checking a log. But Picard knew better.
"Well, I seem ta have developed certain special empathy for ships over the years," continued Scotty. "And although I canna pinpoint why, as soon as I set foot on Voyager, I just knew there was something, something deeply wrong aboot that ship."
Picard knew Scotty would not state something if he didn't really believe it. "I appreciate your warning Captain. We will take all necessary precautions. Good luck with your mission."
"Aye, you too Captain, you too. Scotty out!" Scotty's image disappeared from the view-screen.
Several minutes later Picard and Troi materialized on Voyager's Bridge. Picard activated his communicator.
"Picard to Enterprise."
"Enterprise here," responded Riker.
"Everyone on-board?" asked Picard.
"All teams have reported in."
"Very good, you may proceed."
"Aye-Aye Captain."
The Enterprise engaged engines at one-quarter impulse power, until positioned approximately one hundred thousand kilometers in front of Voyager. Blue beams of energy streaked out of the Enterprise, engulfing Voyager's saucer section and main deflector as the tractor beam locked on. As the Enterprise's warp engines powered up, an extended warp bubble formed around the two ships. Second later their warp nacelles began to stretch due to the extreme forces being applied, then suddenly the two ships shot off at warp speed towards the distant stars and Deep Space Nine.
On Voyager's bridge, Picard gave one quick look at the Star field on the view screen then made his way into Janeway's ready-room, closely followed by Troi. Waiting inside was Chakotay who was stood close to the Captain's desk. He was there at Picard's request rather then confined to quarters like the rest of the remaining crew. Troi could sense several distinct emotions eminating from Chakotay; anger, frustration and fear - all quite understandable under the current circumstances.
"Captain…" Chakotay began to say, but Picard held up his hand.
"One moment, Mr. Chakotay," Picard activated his portable note pad. "Captain's personal log; continued. Let it be noted command of the USS Voyager has been transferred to me. The codes and command protocols will be transferred as soon as the main computer is back online."
Picard would have felt more comfortable if Voyager was completely under his control but as it was only backup and automated systems were currently functioning.
Picard seated himself in Janeway's chair. Troi could sense Chakotay did not approve. She noted he suddenly felt very possessive but could not tell if this meant he believed Janeway should be the only one sitting there or if he thought the chair, and the position of Captain, belonged to him.
"Please, have a seat Mr Chakotay.' said Picard as he motioned for Chakotay to sit opposite him.
"I prefer to stand." Chakotay could feel the old anger towards Starfleet rising again.
"As you wish, now, would you…."
"Captain! "interrupted Chakotay. "I must protest at the treatment of my crew!"
Picard raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Chakotay, under the present circumstances you understand we must take appropriate precautions."
"To some extent, yes," answered Chakotay. "But being escorted, in some cases quite roughly I might add, and confined to quarters is not my idea of understandable precautions!"
Picard paused for a moment. Troi could sense the controlled anger hidden within Picard. The same type of anger he always felt whenever it was suggested a member of his crew had acted in a manner not appropriate of a Starfleet officer.
"Your crew are temporarily confined to quarters simply so we can perform an initial investigation before we reach Deep Space Nine. However I will personally look into your allegations and take any appropriate action, if required." Picard put on a very neutral face, but Troi knew he was testing Chakotay, waiting for his response.
Chakotay did not believe any of Picard's words, but was willing to let it go, for now.
"Thank you Captain." He looked at Troi, as if calculating an enemy, then casually back at Picard "So, how can I be of assistance?"
Picard sat back in the chair and clasped his hands together, "I'd like to hear in your own words what happened?"
"Everything I know is in my report. I was under the impression Captain Scott had sent you a copy."
"I did receive it, but I'd like to hear it from you all the same. You may have missed out some gut feelings, or hunches you may have. It may seem inconsequential to you now, but it may prove vital."
"Plus, I suppose it's nice to have a Betazoid present," Chakotay didn't try to mask his sarcasm, giving Troi a hard stare; his distrust apparent.
"Counselor Troi," Picard emphasized the word 'Counselor,' forcing Chakotay's attention back to Picard, "is here in her professional capacity, to judge the well being of the persons onboard this ship. You and your crew have been through a lot, even before current events. The Counselor is to assess and assist were necessary."
Picard sat forward releasing his hands. He again gestured to the seat opposite. "Please, we are all on the same side. You must understand our eagerness to unravel this mystery and we have a lot of work ahead of us. As they say, 'Time is the fire, in which we burn'."
All well and good, thought Chakotay as he finally accepted Picard's offer to be seated. He suspected Troi was also here to sense if any of them were lying. Well, he was determined not going to give them any satisfaction. If they thought they could break him using Starfleet interrogation techniques they were in for a big surprise. He had survived far worse at the hands of the Cardassians and several nasty species from the Delta Quadrant.
As Chakotay relayed the events leading up to the present, his anger began to dissipate but his fear and frustration continued to grow. What had happened to Janeway, Tuvok and the rest of the Starfleet crew? How was it one moment he was having diner with the Captain, the next he was in the Alpha Quadrant being woken up by Captain Scott?
The question he most feared was, 'Did I have anything to do with it'? It was evident Picard and the others thought so too, but despite their suspicions he was somehow faking the memory loss, Chakotay really didn't remember a thing. He had no idea how Voyager had made it back to the Alpha Quadrant; no clue as to what had happened to the Janeway and the rest of the original Starfleet crew
'Time is the fire, in which we burn' Picard had quoted. How true, thought Chakotay, but he had this growing sense, this gut feeling that the flames were burning low and time was running out!