Dre and Voran materialized in a quiet hallway at Starfleet Headquarters. Voran calibrated their temporal shielding, and the scene around them flickered as if they were under water. They were now invisible to anyone in this time.
"Admiral Janeway's office is straight ahead." Nodded Voran.
Dre paused to prepare herself. The twenty fourth century was not her area of expertise. She'd always found it boring – filled with confusing wars that seemed to start for no reason. The people of this time were still so territorial and segregated. And rules, they had lots of rules. Dre had to think carefully to avoid offending anyone.
But, her partner Voran was all about rules. He excelled at them. Dre would just have to keep her mouth shut and let Voran do the talking on this mission.
They found an older woman with deep lines on her face sitting at desk, reading intently. This human female was small, even for her time. Dre found it hard to believe that this frail creature had survived so long on the frontier of the Delta Quadrant.
"Don't take your eyes off of her for a minute." Warned Voran. "She's fiercer than she looks."
"She's a little old lady." Whispered Dre.
Voran nodded towards their target. "That little old lady defeated the Borg Queen."
"You can't kill the Borg Queen. They just hatch another one." Corrected Dre.
"It was a feat no other being has ever accomplished."
Dre knew better than to argue Borg history with Voran. It was his obsession and once he started talking about it, there was no stopping him.
"Fine. Mission history noted. Beware the scary little old lady."
"Protocol dictates we approach and identify ourselves. You take the lead. She'll like you." Voran motioned Dre to enter the room first.
Dre wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not. She stopped just inside the grey metal door and deactivated her temporal shielding. Voran did the same.
Admiral Kathryn Janeway startled when two beings in black jackets and pants materialized in her office.
"Well, come right in, why don't you." She said with sarcasm. She knew who they were: Temporal Investigators from the future. Their appearance only confirmed that her plan was going to work.
"Kathryn Janeway?" asked the female.
"Guilty."
"May we talk?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"No." said the second, a tall male with skin the shade of coffee. His eyes were too big to be human, but she couldn't help but think part of him was.
"I am Temporal Investigator Dre Almas, and this Temporal Investigative Commander Voran. Admiral Janeway, let's be frank. The journey you are about to embark on cannot happen." Said the woman.
Did they really think that she hadn't anticipated their interference? "Mmm. I see. So that's your plan? Just tell me not to do it?" She leaned forward and stared the girl in the eyes.
To her credit, she did not blink or give any indication she was bothered by the insult. "Admiral Janeway, you of all people understand that there are more often than not unintended consequences to interfering in past events. Need I quote the Temporal Prime Directive to you?"
"No, you need not." She growled as she stood up.
"Good." She said calmly. "Understand that we are authorized to use any means necessary to ensure the integrity of the timeline."
Kathryn was glad this one was talker. But her partner wasn't. His large brown eyes never moved from her face. He'd be good at poker. But, she was better. Kathryn spun and lunged for the communicator on her desk.
By the time Dre reached the desk, Kathryn Janeway had vanished, transporting to who knows where.
"Why that sneaky old,"
"Dre! Scan for her signature to see if she's still in this time!"
Dre checked her temporal tricorder. "She's still here." The scan took a few more seconds before pinpointing the old bat's location. "She's on shuttle that just left the system."