*29*
Mess Hall, Voyager II,
June 24
She sensed he was there before she saw him.
"Can I help you?" She asked, without lifting her head from the report she was reviewing.
"Captain Janeway."
It was a statement, not a question.
After several long beats, Janeway finally looked up. The young man who stood before her, obviously very much at ease, kit bag slung casually over his shoulder, didn't really look as if he needed any help at all.
She raised one eyebrow - in a fair imitation of Tuvok - she hoped wryly, and deliberately returned her gaze to the PADD she had been studying. But the young man either couldn't take a hint, or was being intentionally obtuse. He continued to stand there, waiting for her full attention.
She had decided to take a quick break from her office and the tedium of dealing with pre-mission minutia that seemed to have taken over her life recently as Voyager II's departure drew closer, and had made her way to a table in a quiet corner of the mess hall with a freshly brewed pot of coffee. Most of her staff knew not to bother her during these rare down times -if you could call them that - but this young man was definitely new, and had clearly not yet been briefed on the likes, dislikes and habits of The Captain.
The ship's personnel had been checking in regularly over the past several days, and she had been making an effort to meet and greet as many of them as she was able. She and Tuvok had reviewed the crew roster countless times and in consultation with Starfleet Personnel had literally handpicked most of their staff, and so far she was extremely pleased with those she had seen. She had instructed all department heads to send the new crewmen her way after they had been properly processed and inducted. However, she reflected, not during her coffee breaks.
But this young man was different. His attitude was casual, his demeanor, although not at all disrespectful, was more relaxed than any of the others who had presented themselves to her. And, she realized, when she finally lifted her head to look at him again, he was probably one of the most beautiful young men she'd ever seen.
He wasn't too tall, not much over six feet, but he was definitely well built and filled out his Starfleet uniform very nicely. She shook her head imperceptibly and wondered where that thought had come from. His features, although not perfect, melded together perfectly. He had full lips, a slightly aquiline nose, piercing blue eyes, and a shock of dark brown hair, a lick of which resting lightly over his forehead, gave him an air of casual insouciance. He had a magnetism that even Kathryn Janeway, newly married and very much in love, couldn't help but notice.
When he saw he finally had her full attention, he tossed his bag down onto the floor beside him, retrieved a chair from the table next to hers and sat down across from her.
Janeway, torn between annoyance and amusement at his presumption, sat back and waited.
"I'm Lieutenant Chip Dalen," he said with a smile, "Ship's counselor, reporting for duty." His voice was mellifluous with a slightly exotic accent, and his smile dazzling. Janeway had to force herself not to respond in kind.
"I reported in to sickbay about a half an hour ago, but the Doctor wasn't available and the ensign who was there suggested I come back later," he explained.
"I see," Janeway said, "Did you not try to seek out the appropriate personnel officer first? I believe Lieutenant Colson is responsible for intake and induction procedures today. She would have told you when the Doctor is on duty."
"I did," he replied with another engaging grin. "We had a nice conversation, actually, and she gave me all the information I needed. She was very efficient," he said, defending his fellow officer, "but I told her I thought I'd have a look around and introduce myself, anyhow."
Janeway immediately wondered whether Lieutenant Colson had been so charmed by a pair of bright blue eyes she had neglected to mention that one didn't just wander around the ship introducing oneself to the captain at will.
"I know it's probably not proper procedure," he continued, and she tried to recall whether Counselor Dalen had listed psychic capabilities among his counseling skills, " but I like to get a feel for the ships I work on as soon as possible."
"I see."
"I met several members of your staff and crew on my way here," he continued, "They were very helpful in pointing me in the right direction. A Lieutenant Commander Delaney escorted me on a tour of the Astrometrics laboratory..."
"I can imagine. But Jenny Delaney has been assigned to the Odyssey..."
"Yes, she told me," he replied. "She was here visiting a friend. She's quite vivacious, isn't she?"
Janeway could only nod in agreement.
And there was an Ensign Meltor too. She helped me with my bag, although that wasn't really necessary. And Professor Chakotay..."
"Professor Chakotay?" Janeway couldn't quite mask her surprise.
"He was on his way back from a meeting, I believe. In fact it was Professor Chakotay who suggested I try the mess hall, he said he thought you'd try to escape here..."
"Professor Chakotay is a dead man," Janeway muttered quietly under her breath.
"Did you say something, Captain?" Dalen asked, and then continued without pause. "He also told me he thought it might be a good idea if you showed me where my office is yourself, although I told him I was sure I could find it on my own."
Janeway twisted the wedding band, still so new on her finger, and wondered fleetingly what exactly constituted justifiable homicide, and whether if she murdered Chakotay before they actually left for the Delta Quadrant it would impact negatively on her image as mission commander.
"Let's go then," Janeway said decisively, and stood up, indicating to her newest crewmember that he follow her lead. He did with alacrity, picking up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder in a casually fluid manner.
They exited the mess hall together, and headed for the turbolift. On their way down the corridor they passed two young female crewmembers who stared at her companion in awe for several long seconds before remembering to salute their captain. Janeway nodded at them, and turned to look at Dalen who seemed to be totally oblivious to the commotion he was causing.
"You're here, on Deck 5," Janeway told him as they exited the turbolift and headed towards a group of offices not far from sickbay.
"I understand you've been on several long deep space missions," Janeway said, as they made their way around a flustered looking ensign who somehow managed to drop the toolbox she was carrying as they passed.
"Yes, I spent eleven months on the Cochrane and sixteen months on the Mohawk," Dalen replied, as he'd retrieved the last of the young woman's escaped hypo-spanners and handed it back to her with a smile. "The Mohawk was on an isolation assignment for five of those months. I developed several methodologies for dealing with problems unique to remote missions, and I expect some of those same situations will arise during our travels as well." He stopped in front of the door marked Counselor, and turned to face her. "I'm more than prepared, Captain," he said seriously.
"Lieutenant, you would not be here if I didn't think you could do the job," Janeway told him as she began to key a code into the pad beside the door.
"Thank you, Captain," he said and they both stared in surprise as the door opened before she had completed the sequence.
"Hello Captain," B'Elanna Torres said, as Janeway stepped into the office, Chip Dalen right on her heels. "The counselor's replicator needed a bit of an adjustment, and I thought I'd see to it myself." She grinned impishly and Janeway raised an eyebrow in reply.
"Lieutenant Commander B'Elanna Torres," Janeway introduced them. "Voyager's chief engineer - Lieutenant Chip Dalen."
Torres reached out to shake Dalen's outstretched hand. "Welcome aboard, Counselor. I think you'll like it here."
"I think so too," he replied and dropped his kit bag onto the sofa opposite his desk. "Everyone is extremely friendly," he added, as he opened up the bag and began to rummage through it. They both watched in silence as he pulled out a large silver goblet, a heavy looking candle with three wicks, and a small silver bell. He ran his fingers abstractedly through his hair as he surveyed the room carefully, obviously contemplating where he would put these objects, and they both realized he'd forgotten they were there.
Janeway pulled at B'Elanna's sleeve and they both turned and left him to his own devices without another word.
"Not you too, B'Elanna," Janeway said as the office door swished shut behind them. "Please don't tell me..."
"Don't worry, Captain," Torres grinning, hurriedly reassured her. "But I heard about him from four members of my staff this morning. I just wanted to see what all the fuss is about."
Janeway sighed, and then laughed. "I wonder how many crewmembers are going to suddenly find a need to consult our new counselor?" she mused as they headed towards the turbolift.
"I'll bet they'll be lined up at his door...before we even leave the Quadrant."
*30*
Voyager II,
June 25, 2381 Stardate 57476,
T-minus two hours
The transporter operator looked up curiously from his controls. "And you are?"
"Lieutenant Auraan, Chief of Ops," she snapped, adjusting the strap of the duffle bag on her shoulder as she stepped off the transporter pad, surprised he wasn't expecting her. "You should have been notified of my arrival."
"Yes, ma'am," the Ensign said, straightening to attention at her tone of voice. "Just a confirmation, ma'am." He added, somewhat apologetically, "It's not the usual procedure for crewmembers-let alone senior officers-to beam aboard less than two hours before the scheduled launch time." Auraan flushed as he continued to stare at her. "If you need any help taking your belongings to your quarters, I can have someone-"
"That won't be necessary," she said, cutting him off. "I'm on my way to the bridge." She strode out into the corridor.
The strap of her bag was cutting painfully into her shoulder. Auraan briefly regretted turning down the ensign's offer of assistance. She stopped, rubbed the painful muscle, then hoisted the bag once more. A Rigelian crew member-also a lieutenant, she noticed from his pips-approached from the opposite direction, then slowed imperceptibly as he passed her. He was accompanied by two women, one of whom appeared to be Bajoran, the other Vulcan. All three glanced at her curiously, then resumed their whispered conversation. Auraan felt her face tighten. They were probably talking about her. She wondered if they knew who she was, or even worse, assumed she was Bolian because of the similarity of her skin coloration.
She entered the turbolift, glad to find it was empty. "Bridge," she ordered. She composed herself best as she could, conscious she needed to make a good impression on her commanding officers. "'Begin as you wish to proceed,'" she muttered under her breath, echoing one of her grandmother's favorite aphorisms. Though she had ceded the throne in favor of her eldest son some years before, the Queen Mother was as sharp as ever, still retaining her political acumen. Auraan knew her grandmother's advice would doubtless be useful on this 'officer exchange' program with Starfleet she had committed herself to for the next year.
The turbolift doors opened. Auraan took a deep breath and stepped out onto the bridge. The first thing she saw was a Klingon at Tactical and a Terran at Ops-*her* station. The Klingon looked fierce but that was nothing compared to the look the Vulcan first officer gave her as he rose from the center command seat.
Lifting her chin proudly, she said, "Lieutenant Auraan reporting for duty, sir."
"I am Commander Tuvok," he said with a slight frown. "Lieutenant, all personnel were required to check in no later than 24 hours before launch."
"I had a message sent," Auraan said immediately, "explaining that there were extenuating circumstances and that I would be arriving a bit later but would be on board in time for the launch."
Tuvok was about to answer, but another voice spoke first. "I don't know what the norm is in the Troyian Royal Navy, Lieutenant," said a petite woman standing just outside the Ready Room door, "But in Starfleet officers are supposed to follow regulations to the letter, no exceptions made." She drew even with Auraan and gave her a level look. "Particularly before a mission has even begun."
Auraan flushed deep indigo but kept her temper under control. "I apologize for any inconvenience, Captain, but I-" her voice faltered underneath that cold gaze. "I'm sorry." Her head held high, her spine perfectly straight, Auraan turned and started toward the Ops station, prepared to take up her position.
"Lieutenant Auraan," said Tuvok sharply, "You have been assigned the gamma shift. Ensign Zesas will continue at Ops for the remainder of this rotation."
Auraan opened her mouth to protest but her eyes met those of the captain and she thought better of it. "Would you tell me where I am supposed to be now, Commander?" she asked frostily.
"Report to sickbay, Lieutenant, for your medical exam."
"Yes, sir." Auraan turned on her heel and exited into the turbolift, trying to wrap the last shreds of her dignity around her.
Even the patterned breathing exercises her drill instructor at the Royal Academy was so fond of couldn't help her calm down. Auraan stomped angrily into sickbay, trying not to think about the debacle that had just occurred on the bridge. There was no *need* for the captain and commander to treat her so dismissively, none whatsoever-
"May I help you?" A pleasant looking dark skinned Terran male looked up and smiled. The only other medical personnel she could see was an officer moving around in an inner office, and what was probably a technician working in an adjacent lab.
"Lieutenant Auraan. I'm here for my physical," she said brusquely.
"Well, Lieutenant, why don't you stick your bag in a corner and sit down on a biobed." He smiled again and gestured at the empty room. "Take your pick." He picked up the mediwand, prepared to run a scan.
"I'm Troyian," she said right away. "You don't want to set the baseline for a Bol-"
"You know," he said so smoothly it hardly seemed like he was interrupting her, "It's amazing the advances in technology these days. I could tell right off the bat that you were Troyian-not because I'm a brilliant physician or have an extensive background in xenobiology-although both of those happen to be true-but because the medical tricorder is telling me just that."
The mildness with which this was said brought her up short. "I'm sorry," she murmured, embarrassed. "I'm not usually so-I'm having a really bad day."
He paused for a moment. "Is there anything else I should know about you?"
"No."
"Then let's start again," he said. "I'm Doctor Zeke Brown." He held out his hand.
"Lieutenant Auraan," she said, holding out her own hand in return.
The warm pressure of his hand was reassuring-and friendly. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant." He picked up his mediwand once more. "Now let's get this exam out of the way so you can unpack and get settled in."
*31*
Voyager II
June 25, 2381 Stardate 57475 1400 hours
:::Good journey, Captain,::: said Admiral Hayes. Next to him, on the main promenade of the station, stood a variety of dignitaries, including the Federation president.
"Thank you, sir," Janeway said. "Request permission to depart."
Hayes nodded. :::Give our regards to the Delta Quadrant, Kathryn. And we're looking forward to your safe return in another 18 months.:::
"We'll do our best, Admiral." As soon as the connection was broken, Janeway looked at the Ops officer. "Open a shipwide channel. All hands, this is the Captain. Prepare for our immediate departure. Janeway out."
The main observation lounge was nearly filled with off-duty personnel. The heaviest concentration of people, of course, was directly in front of the large floor-to-ceiling viewports through which the docking clamps still holding the ship firmly in place could be seen. Even as Chakotay watched, one of the slender pylons swung outward, away from Voyager, and slowly began to retract itself into the main body of the docking bay.
Chakotay glanced down at his neat civilian clothes. It felt strange not to be in uniform, even stranger not to be standing on the bridge right now, at Kathryn's side. A glimmer of starlight reflected off the simple metal band he wore on his left hand. He smiled at this reminder that despite the changes their lives had undergone in the years since the original voyage-or perhaps because of them-he and Kathryn were embarking now on a shared journey of discovery.
Closer to the viewports, Chakotay caught sight of a tall graceful figure in Vulcan dress accompanied by a smaller one who jumped and down and squealed with excitement. Chakotay's smile turned to a grin as he saw T'Pel bend down to Miral and then pick her up so she could see better. He started to make his way toward them through the crowd, trying to ignore the whispered murmurings as he passed, "That's the captain's husband!"
He had nearly reached the other side of the room when he noticed, standing off to one side, a very striking young woman in a gold Starfleet uniform. Or at least she would have been beautiful were it not for the sour expression on her face. The woman's skin was a pale dusky blue, which contrasted sharply with her inky mane of hair and wide dark eyes. For a moment he couldn't place which species she belonged to; Bolians were bald, and she lacked the Andorian antennae. And then he remembered that Kathryn had mentioned the new Chief of Ops was Troyian. But if that indeed was her identity, why was she here right now, in the lounge, instead of on the bridge? Normally, the alpha shift would be on duty on the occasion of a mission launch. Just then she raised her head and gave him a cold stare, and then moved out of his line of vision.
Chakotay shook his head; it was no business of his. Such matters were under the purview of the ship's new first officer
Odyssey
"Docking clamps released, sir."
Captain Geordi La Forge nodded to the helmsman. "Thank you, Lieutenant Korbut. Take us out nice and easy, one quarter impulse."
"Aye, Captain."
Geordi's gaze met that of Harry Kim at the Ops station. In the younger man's eyes Geordi saw the same sense of excitement he himself felt, but there was something more-almost the look of a man who was returning home. Geordi smiled, not really surprised. He could well imagine how the original 'Voyagers' felt about returning to the Delta Quadrant.
Next to him, Sam Lavelle had noticed Kim's expression as well; with an impatient clearing of his throat, the first officer activated his console and called up the mission protocols. Geordi shook his head, and then turned his attention back to the main viewscreen and watched as the planets of Earth's solar system quickly slipped by.
Pioneer
"Incoming message from Utopia Planitia, main docking ring, sir," said the young Ops officer. "Prepare for departure in three minutes."
"Acknowledged," said Captain Josh Merves.
"About time," said Ambassador Diaza, with a slight edge to his voice. "Was it really necessary to keep us waiting for so long?" At his side, his aide stirred but did not speak.
"There are certain protocols and procedures involved in departure from spacedock," Lieutenant Ayala noted from the Tactical station. Merves gave him a grateful look.
But Diaza was not satisfied. "I understand that, but did we have to be the last of the three ships to be thus released?" he demanded.
"It's my understanding that the escort vessels-in this case Voyager and Odyssey-always go before a colony ship or other civilian transport," the Talaxian Ambassador put in diffidently. Diaza stared at him for a moment as if he were beneath contempt and then resumed fuming under his breath.
Merves hurriedly rose from his seat and went to stand by the Helm console. He didn't know which bothered him more, Diaza's constant complaints and criticisms or the cold silence of the Romulan 'observer.' He bit back a sigh. It was going to be a long journey.
Voyager II
B'Elanna glanced around Engineering, mentally checking off that each engineer was at his or her assigned station. Unable to relax, she called up the latest warp diagnostic figures once more.
"Everything appears to operating within normal parameters, Commander," Vorik said to her quietly.
B'Elanna jumped guiltily, and then smiled. "Thanks, Vorik, but I just wanted to make sure."
:::Bridge to Engineering,:::
"Torres here, Captain."
:::All systems ready to go?"::: asked Janeway.
"Yes, Captain," B'Elanna said, feeling a thrill of excitement. "Just give the word."
On the bridge, Janeway rose from her seat and walked to the main viewscreen. Without turning around, she said, "The word is given."
A faint, almost imperceptible hum arose. "Mr. Paris?" Janeway said crisply.
"Increasing our speed to one-half impulse...full impulse...we're at warp, Captain."
"Very good," Tuvok said. "Maintain maximum cruising speed."
Pathfinder
Admiral Paris watched the screen mounted on the wall in the main complex as the three sleek ships-each equipped with a third nacelle signifying their transwarp capabilities-moved outward from Utopia Planitia's outermost docking ring in formation. He stood there for a long time, unmoving, until the ships had passed beyond the range of the short term sensors. And then his lips moved in a barely heard whisper, "Godspeed, Kathryn-for you and the rest of your people."
FINIS
Credits
1. Hayes tells Janeway of new mission parameters (Rocky) January 10
2. Colony ship idea introduced, personnel matters (Rocky) beginning of February
3. Jim Morrow decides to go to Bajor (Penny) beginning of February
4. J/C scene (CyberMum) February
5. Ayala and his boys (Christina) beginning of March
6. Janeway & Torres discuss Vidiians (Julie) March
7. 2nd Ayala Scene (Christina)
8. Bajor- Ayala, Tal, Celes & Morrow decide to go to DQ (Janet) beginning April
9. Andorian governor (Christina) April
10. Neelix and Sarexa (CyberMum) April
11. Naomi Wildman (April)
12. 1st Delaney scene (Christina) early May
13. 2nd Delaney scene (Christina) early May
14. 1st Marie Stevens scene (Christina) Mid May
15. Joe Carey family decides not to go (Rocky) Mid May
16. J/C/ Chakotay & civilian scientist set up May (CyberMum)
17. Tom & B'Elanna reuniting with Harry (Julie) late May
18. Janeway/Tuvok touch base, mission updates, introduce Romulan observer (Rocky) end of May
19. Geordi in his ready room (Penny) beginning of June
20. Harry & Sam Lavelle (Julie) early June
21. 2nd Marie Stevens scene (Christina) mid June
22. Tom & B'Elanna begin settling into quarters on Voyager II (Julie) 2 weeks before departure mid June
23. EMH-Zeke scene (Penny) within 2 week departure window - mid June
24. Tuvok and T'Pel settle into their quarters on Voyager II (Janet)
25. Geordi with Lavelle & Ogawa (Penny) within 2 week departure window mid June
26. B'Elanna discovers she's been given the wrong Murphy (Seema) one week before departure
27. Museum dedication (CyberMum
28. J/C dedication (CyberMum) June 20
29. Counselor Chip Dalen checks in, along with other personnel (CyberMum) 48 hours before departure
30. Lt. Auraan makes a belated appearance (Rocky) June 25
31. 3 ships launch for DQ (Rocky) June 25 Stardate 57476 1400 hours