Uninspired Voyages

A Star Trek: Voyager fanfiction by Andrew J. Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: Voyager, Deep Space Nine, The Next Generation et al are the property of CBS Television, Para creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

After the victory over the Kazon-Nistrim and before the formation of the Delta Alliance...

Again, there was that strange sense of familiarity, and unfamiliarity, when Janeway appeared on the Equinox's transporter pad. It was cramped, like the rest of the ship. Standing in front of her was a tall, black crewman in science blue. He wore a friendly smile.

"Welcome to the Equinox, Captain Janeway," he said, "I'm Crewman Lessing."

"Permission to come aboard?" She asked.

"Granted, ma'am," Lessing replied. Janeway stepped off the pad, her eyes traveling around the damaged transporter room-Numerous components looked battle damaged. Noah shook his head.

"We gutted the other transporter room to get this one working again," he said. "Sorry, the captain got called away to deal with a problem-"

"It's quite all right, Crewman," Janeway said gently, her heart filled with compassion, "trust me. I understand. I hope you're making a list of what you need?"

"I think Lieutenant Maxwell is working on that with Ensign Gilmore," Lessing said, leading Janeway out into the corridors. There were many patches to the bulkheads, and many plasma burns on the carpet, as he led her to a turbolift. They entered, and slowly ascended up to the bridge. Noah gave her a smile.

"We're so glad we met you out here," he said, "the trip out to the Alpha Quadrant on our own wasn't looking good."

Janeway nodded.

"Honestly? The feeling is mutual," she said, "especially after that rescue you pulled off."

Lessing smiled and shrugged.

"Science ships don't often get the chance to be the cavalry, but Rudy pulled it off... Like he always does" he said, as the turbolift came to a stop and the doors opened onto the bridge. Again, Janeway's heart was moved to compassion: It looked exactly like Voyager's bridge did when they first came to the Delta Quadrant: Dark, damaged consoles, flickering lights. Ransom was working on one console with an engineer. He looked up and headed over to Janeway.

"Welcome aboard, Captain," he said.

"Thank you, Captain," Janeway returned. Ransom gestured over to his ready room, and Janeway gratefully accepted the invitation. She walked into the ready room, which clearly served as his quarters as well. It was dark, covered in artifacts from his expeditions. He hit the panel near the door, and the lights flickered on.

"Sorry I can't offer much hospitality," Ransom tried, but Janeway waved him down. He nodded, and took a seat at his desk. She sat on the other side. Ransom sighed.

"We're in pretty rough shape, Captain," he admitted.

"Nova-class ships weren't designed for this kind of situation," Janeway said, "honestly? It's incredible you've kept your ship and crew together this long. Testament to your leadership skills."

Ransom slowly nodded.

"We tried our best... But a lot of us didn't make it," he said mournfully. Janeway frowned in commiseration.

"I know," she said, "I'm sorry."

"To you, as well," Ransom replied, nodding back, "we've had to do some things... That I'm not proud of."

Janeway nodded back slowly.

"I know the feeling... Not to mention some things I don't think you would believe," she said.

Ransom smirked wryly.

"You too. Wouldn't mind comparing notes," he said. He shook his head.

"So... You've been dragging this out. Do you want to go ahead and say it?"

Janeway frowned in some mild confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You're going to tell me we need to leave Equinox behind," he said, "that she'll only slow us down."

Janeway blinked.

"What? No," Janeway insisted, "not what I was here about at all!"

Ransom frowned.

"No?"

"Of course not, what gave you that idea?" Janeway asked.

"I've had some run ins with Admiral Paris before," Ransom admitted, "he was hardheaded, stubborn, always insisted he was right. I was... Expecting the same."

Janeway kept a wince off her face.

"He could be a difficult taskmaster," she allowed, "how bad-?"

Ransom chuckled.

"Reprimanded my crew in front of me on my bridge, after a survey mission. Apparently I wasn't thorough enough in my security procedures."

Janeway didn't hide the wince, but smiled ruefully and nodded.

"Yeah... That sounds like him, all right," she said, "but I'm not about to scrap your ship. You saved us all. But the speed of your ship is an issue."

Ransom nodded slowly. Janeway smiled.

"But, that's something we can work on together," she said. "And let's be honest... Your crew wouldn't take kindly to me taking you off your own ship."

"Talked to them, have you?" Ransom asked. Janeway smiled.

"A little... But I've mostly seen how they look at you. I can't take their captain away. They wouldn't follow me."

Ransom nodded. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Still... I'm no soldier, Captain. I'm a scientist. And let's face it, my ship's not exactly flagship material," he said.

Janeway leaned forward.

"No... But I'm not going to just lord that over all of us," she said. "I want your input. I want alternatives. And frankly? Given what I've... Decided out here? I think I need some challengers."

Ransom shrugged.

"How bad could it be?" He asked.

"Piracy, for one," Janeway stated grimly, "theft. Prime Directive..." She shook her head and sighed. "Larxeena wants to use our tech to form a grand alliance, make this permanent... I don't even know if it will last. Or if it will turn into a despotic regime with our own technology... All just to try and do some good."

"If it helps, Captain?" Ransom said, "I agree with you. Out in the Delta Quadrant..." He grumbled.

"We're in the Wild West, so to speak," Janeway said, "and that means... We're going to have to get our hands dirty. When we get back to Earth..."

"I'll ask for a cell next to yours, if they court martial us," Ransom said.

"I'm hoping it won't come to that, but... Try to find us some cells with a view," Janeway chuckled darkly.

Ransom gave her a crooked smile back.

"Seriously though... I'm willing to defer. Vethren though... She's inexperienced."

Janeway nodded.

"I know... She kept her crew together. Like you. Like me... Like Bartatt."

Ransom's face darkened.

"Yeah... That..."

Janeway shook her head again.

"I meant what I said. We're going to stick together to get home. As long as they want," she said, "but based on the behavior of some of his crew..."

"We'll handle him, if it comes down to it," Ransom said quietly. He shook his head. "Not that I like the idea-"

"I have a crew of Maquis aboard who like it even less," Janeway deadpanned, "but we have to accept the possibility."

"Doesn't mean we should go provoking them," he said.

"Not suggesting we do," Janeway replied, "but they're a warship, and we're not."

Ransom nodded back, letting out a breath.

"All right," he said, "but let's... Keep this quiet, and simple. Less chance of them picking up on anything."

"Agreed," Janeway said. "We're going to spend a few weeks over Talax. We'll get your ship fixed up... And after? We'll head for home."

She and Ransom worked out some more details-Private comm channels, and other things-before they got up and headed out onto the bridge. Janeway spied something amongst the rubble of the crew. She knelt down, and picked up the commemorative plaque. Ransom paused, and chuckled.

"I wondered where that went," he said, "it's been missing for months... Max looked, but he couldn't find it."

Janeway smiled back at her fellow captain.

"A good omen," she said.

"I thought Starfleet captains weren't supposed to be superstitious," Ransom said quietly, a small smile on his face. Janeway shook her head.

"On this journey? We need every bit of luck we can get," she said. "Let's put it back up... Together."

Ransom agreed. And they set the plaque back up.

"I got power back!" Marla Gilmore, the chief engineer, cried. The lights went back on, illuminating the bridge properly. Janeway saw the smiles on the crew of the Equinox's faces. Her own grew.

They were no closer to home physically... But it felt like the journey was a lot brighter.

I'm gonna have to do some backfilling... But it will help with the overall story.

Also! Another chapter without a Shepherd!