Ongoing Path – The Star Trek Voyager Universe
By Stargatesg1fan1
Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within. If I did own these rights Tom Paris would have had a harem.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Stardate 53556.4
Voyager encountered a small damaged vessel. The species onboard the vessel called the Qomar were slightly more advanced than the Federation standard of technology. Unfortunately the Qomar had the ego to prove it. Harry hadn't been present at the initial interaction with the Qomar in sick bay but he heard all about it later from Kathryn.
"The female Tincoo actually said, 'Forgive us, Captain. We come from a closed system and don't interact with many other species, especially inferior ones.'"
Kathryn was sitting with her family sharing an evening meal as she explained the Qomar encounter.
"She did not," B'Elanna said half outraged, half amused.
"Oh, yes, she did," Kathryn confirmed.
"What did you say?" Erin asked.
Seven's parents were sitting further down the table near their daughter.
"I said, 'Try to bear with our deficiencies just a little longer,'" Kathryn explained. "Then I got the hell out of there before I burst out laughing. They had no concept of sarcasm in their society."
The table was highly amused at this event.
"They don't think very highly of the Doctor," Kathryn added. "How is the analysis of their ship coming?"
"Quite well," B'Elanna answered.
B'Elanna nodded to Seven to continue the explanation.
"We have finished analyzing the systems and are already working with Starfleet engineers on ways to upgrade the general Starfleet level of technology. Tom has been instrumental in understanding the science of their technology," Seven explained.
"He always is," Kathryn said fondly.
Denara entered the mess hall at that moment and approached the group.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Captain," Denara said.
"Not at all, Denara," Kathryn said. "How are the Qomar?"
"That's why I'm here. They have certainly changed their tune about the Doctor," Denara replied before something about that statement seemed to amuse her.
"Oh, how did that occur?" Kathryn asked.
"Through music," Denara answered. "The Qomar have never heard the concept of music before let alone music itself. The Doctor was singing to himself as he sometimes does and they heard it. They were enthralled and began asking all kinds of questions. They wish for us to return to their system with them."
"I'll need to talk to them," Kathryn mused. Then she said, "It would give us a chance to look at more of their technology. Excuse me," she told her family.
Kathryn stood and left to talk to the Qomar onboard Voyager. The conversation would result in Voyager heading to the Qomar home-world.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
The Qomar home-world had a great deal of traffic in orbit.
"We're picking up thousands of sub-space transmissions and all of them are encrypted," HK announced.
"We are being hailed," Tuvok added.
Tincoo appeared on the main view-screen with an older male Qomar standing behind her.
"Captain, you now have the privilege of meeting Prellet Koru," Tincoo introduced.
"Welcome to the Qomar planetary alliance," Koru said as he stepped forward and Tincoo stepped back.
"Thank you, Prellet. We're looking forward to learning more about your culture," Kathryn replied.
"Our civilization is no doubt intimidating. We'll do what we can to avoid overwhelming you during your stay," Koru said.
"I appreciate that," Kathryn said while turning away for a moment to hide her face and the smile she flashed behind her. She masked her turn by walking higher up in the bridge. "I understand we are not as advanced as you." Voyager had its cloaking field concentrated on hiding the Promethium Drive and spatial disruptor enhancements. "But we're fast learners and we would like to," Kathryn added before she was cut off.
"We want to learn more about the algorithmic expressions you call music," Koru interrupted. "Your Emergency Medical Hologram…we would consider an exchange of technology if you give us complete access to this device."
"I believe he has made some recordings," Kathryn pointed out.
"No. Not recordings," Koru answered.
"I propose the Doctor holds a recital. It's a live performance. We can put together a program of various styles of music," Kathryn offered.
"Will the Emergency Medical Hologram sing?" Koru questioned.
"Yes. Of course," Kathryn answered. "And his chosen name is the Doctor."
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Harry sat and listened to the Doctor singing opera. The performance was being held in the mess hall. The Voyager crewmembers present for the performance gave an ovation at the end of the current song. The Qomar didn't know what to do at first but quickly followed suit. The Prellet was overzealous and carried on his clapping long beyond the appropriate point to stop.
"Thank you, you're very kind," the Doctor said before announcing what that selection was from. The Qomar clapped again after this information. "Another human musical form is called Jazz which has flourished since the early 20th century. Mathematically you'll find the rhythmic structures quite interesting…particularly the use of syncopation which is said to make the music swing. Particularly you may also notice some fascinating Trigonometric functions in the counterpoint but I suppose I'm going off in a tangent." The Qomar all burst out laughing at the math joke. "Without further ado I give you Harry Kim and the Kim Tones."
The Doctor sat down and HK's instrumental group came out and started to play. The Qomar quickly grew bored. Prellet Koru leaned over to Abarca and whispered something. Abarca was one of the original Qomar who had encountered Voyager.
"We wish to hear the Doctor," Abarca called over the sound of the music.
The other Qomar echoed him and Kathryn leaned forward to look at Abarca in shock at the male's rudeness. Harry leaned forward towards the Doctor.
"Doc, sing along with their music. They will adapt," Harry whispered.
The Doctor stood and began singing. Once he did that the tempo picked up and the Qomar were appeased.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
At the after party of the recital it became rather clear to the Voyager crewmembers that the Qomar present were rather zealous in their admiration of the Doctor.
"Congratulations, Doctor," Kathryn said as she approached the EMH with Harry. "You stole the show."
"Thank you, Captain," the Doctor replied. "But I can't take all the credit. There was something in the air…a certain magic."
Kathryn and Denara exchanged a smile at the Doctor's demeanor.
"Doctor," Prellet Koru said as he approached with Tincoo.
"Prellet, what can we do for you?" The Doctor asked.
"I will introduce your singing to more of our people," Koru explained.
"I find myself flattered," the Doctor replied. "Thank you."
"You will perform on our planet," Koru said.
"I would consider it an honor," the Doctor said. Denara who was holding the Doctor's arm gave him a squeeze. The Doctor got the hint. "If it is alright with the Captain," the Doctor added.
"Another concert would mean extending our stay," Kathryn said. "The performance would need to be scheduled soon."
"As soon as possible would be good for us at well," Koru answered.
"One of the lecture halls at the university would work quite nicely," Tincoo pointed out.
"Could we go over the acoustics of the lecture hall?" The Doctor asked.
"I can assist you with that," Tincoo volunteered.
"You have a booking then, Doctor," Kathryn stated.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Harry sat in the lecture hall before the Doctor's performance next to Kathryn. The Doctor came out in a white opera costume that actually rather reminded Harry of a clown. The Qomar audience began to applaud. They actually stood as they clapped. The performance was good. Harry found the Doctor's voice to be soothing but with the knowledge that the Doctor had the aid of synthetic technology it took something away for Harry. If the Doctor's voice had been able to make those sounds with biological organs Harry would have been amazed. But the Doctor was someone Harry considered a friend so he would support the EMH. Denara stood off to one side backstage throughout the performance supporting her lover.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Harry was called to Astrometrics along with Kathryn. Harry ran into Kathryn as they both arrived at Astrometrics at the same time.
"What have you got," Kathryn prompted.
"I believe the Qomar are attempting to disable our com system," Seven announced.
"How are they doing that?" Kathryn asked.
Harry stepped closer behind Seven and examined her readings.
"This is fan-mail," Harry said.
"It is millions of teraquads of irrelevant data," Seven pointed out. "The small number I have deciphered so far include invitations to personal encounters and cloying tributes to the Doctor's talents."
Kathryn was amused and said, "Computer, stand down Red Alert. This isn't sabotage, Seven."
"People who admire performers are called fans," Kathryn explained.
"Does this word derive from fanatic?" Seven questioned.
"Yes," Harry answered.
"Why would the Doctor inspire fanaticism among the Qomar?" Seven asked.
"It isn't the Doctor so much as the music he is conveying. Unfortunately the Doctor will think it is him," Harry explained.
"I agree that the glorification of the individual is irrational. The Doctor is merely reproducing the works of others," Seven pointed out.
"Hence why I don't enjoy the Doctor's performance as much as I could," Harry replied. "I go to support my friend the Doctor and to keep Kathryn company."
Kathryn took Harry's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Their interest in the minutia of his everyday life is alarming," Seven pointed out. "They want to know such aspects of his life as what he does in his spare time and to how many decimal places he can calculate pi."
"On Earth people have always fantasized about knowing celebrities personally," Kathryn explained. "It's a way of making themselves feel more important."
"People react to fame differently. Some people dislike the spotlight. But more often people enjoy the attention. The difficulty is not letting the fame go to the person's head," Harry explained.
"Hopefully Denara will keep the Doctor grounded," Kathryn suggested.
Just then the com system chimed.
"Tuvok to Janeway," Tuvok said.
"Go ahead," Kathryn prompted.
"There is a security breach on Deck Two," Tuvok announced.
"I'll be right there. Janeway out," Kathryn stated. To Harry she said, "Come with me."
Tuvok met Kathryn and Harry at the Deck 2 Turbo-lift exit. The Deck was filled with Qomar.
"The problem is evident," Harry noted.
"Our efforts to accommodate the Qomar are no longer working," Tuvok explained as the trio walked towards the mess hall.
"No further transports from the surface," Kathryn instructed. "Why are they here?"
"To meet the Doctor," Tuvok answered.
The Doctor was handing out miniature singing holographic replicas of himself to the line and greeting each fan.
"Doctor, we need to talk," Kathryn told the Doctor when she reached the front of the line. The Doctor walked with Kathryn off to the side away from the line of Qomar. "Doctor, this is getting somewhat excessive."
"I am only doing whatever I can to ensure first contact with the Qomar goes smoothly," the Doctor explained.
"Doctor, that wouldn't require you to use our replicator reserves to create miniature versions of yourself," Kathryn said.
"Each Qomar who receives one of those miniature versions has given the deuterium it cost to make the miniatures plus a small increase to cover wear and tear on the replicators," the Doctor explained.
"Fair enough," Kathryn said. "But you are needed in sick bay."
"Denara is covering sick bay. Anything she can't handle she has promised to contact me for," the Doctor pointed out.
"Do you really think it is wise to put so much stress upon your significant other?" Kathryn queried.
"She has been expressing concerns," the Doctor admitted.
"Finish up with this line here but then you are done for the day. And no more miniatures," Kathryn ordered. "After that, report to sick bay."
"Yes, Captain," the Doctor said as Harry and Kathryn left.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"You called, Kathryn?" Harry said as he entered Kathryn's ready room.
The Doctor was the only other person present. Kathryn handed Harry the data pad she held and he quickly scanned it. It was the Doctor's resignation and a formal request for he and Denara to remain with the Qomar.
"Doctor, do you realize that they aren't fascinated with you so much as music in general?" Kathryn clarified.
"They seem pretty fascinated with me," the Doctor replied. "This is a once in a life-time opportunity to realize a dream. Starfleet can send another EMH in a Transwarp Shuttle."
"We don't want another EMH," Kathryn stated. "You are part of our family."
"I understand that," the Doctor agreed. "I know you feel that way. But there are still crewmembers who treat me as a piece of equipment though they aren't always so overt about it. The bottom line Captain is that if Harry Kim met an alien woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and raise a family you wouldn't stand in his way. I feel like with me you would."
"Doctor, I won't stand in your way," Kathryn assured.
"Doctor, I have a proposal to make," Harry said. "I want you to do a performance as a flesh and blood being without the aid of your increased vocal processors. Tell me then if the Qomar react the same way to you. I believe it is the music conveyed by your technology enhanced vocal processors which they are fascinated with. This will eliminate the enhancements."
"I have never practiced with a physical body before so couldn't possibly do that without years of training. Besides that I can never have a flesh and blood body. You know that," the Doctor pointed out.
"That isn't the case any longer. But let us get to that in a minute. Look what Tincoo is busy doing right now," Harry said as he brought up a hologram of Tincoo's lab complete with sound.
Tincoo was working on what at first appeared to be a duplicate of the Doctor.
"What is that? Is she trying to replicate me?" The Doctor asked. Then the double of the Doctor began singing in tones far outside his vocal processor's range. "No…she is replacing me…trying to make a better model."
The Doctor's expression was one of horror.
"I am sorry you had to find out this way, Doctor. But it is better you find out now than after you have already damaged some of your interpersonal relationships with crewmembers who consider you a friend," Harry explained.
"No. I understand. Thank you for showing me the truth. What did you mean about having a body?" The Doctor questioned.
"Computer, display a model of the ME-M1," Harry called out. A device which looked a lot like the Doctor's mobile emitter appeared on Kathryn's desk. "This device can store bio-matter while a biological being is converted into photonic matter and vice versa. I have cloned the original version of Denara's body which is in storage wracked with the Phage and genetically engineered you a body, Doctor. Over the past several years I have enhanced your program to the point where you are an honest Artificial Intelligence. I have been in contact with Starfleet and have you recognized as such. You now have full rights in the Federation as a citizen."
The Doctor gaped at Harry and then swept forward and pulled Harry into a hug.
"Thank you, Mr. Paris," the Doctor said in a highly emotional tone.
"You will need a name more than ever now, Doctor," Kathryn suggested with a warm grin for the Doctor.
"You're right," the Doctor agreed. "Any suggestions?"
"I once had a good friend named Neville. I've always liked that name," Harry put forth.
"I like that name," the Doctor mused. "I'll still have to think of a last name."
"Talk it over with Denara," Kathryn suggested.
"I will. Can I have access to the specifications for the new mobile emitter and our new bodies for Denara and I to review?" The Doctor questioned.
"It's already available in your personal directory. The project is codenamed Photonis," Harry replied.
"Thank you," the Doctor said. "Excuse me."
The Doctor rushed out.
"I'm glad I called you in," Kathryn mused. "What you have created…it sounds phenomenal…revolutionary."
"I know," Harry agreed.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Dr. Neville Jackson opened his eyes and sat up. He felt a rush of dizziness.
"Easy there, Doctor," Harry said while holding the Doctor.
"Neville," the Doctor corrected.
Now that he had picked out his full name the Doctor had embraced it.
"How are you feeling, love," Denara asked from her bed beside the Doctor's.
Denara was sitting with her legs hanging off the edge of her bed facing her mate.
"Different," the Doctor said.
"You did a good job simulating having a body for our holo-matrices but they aren't exactly the same, Tom," Denara said. "It's amazing to be back in a body again."
"Yes…I find myself eager to try out all the experiences having a physical form has to offer," Neville said.
Neville was looking particularly intently at Denara.
"You can get to that part in a bit, Neville," Harry said. "First, test out your new mobile emitters."
"Right," Neville said.
Denara was first to activate her emitter but her partner wasn't far behind. Their forms flickered for a moment before firming up again.
"We're definitely back in holographic form," Denara confirmed. She triggered her emitter again. "And now I'm back in my flesh and blood body."
"We should perform some tests," Neville suggested.
"Of course," Harry agreed.
The trio went through a series of tests which showed both Denara and Neville to be in good condition. After the tests passed by successfully Harry let the couple go enjoy their new forms in their quarters while he went to inform their friends of the good news. Harry had expected Denara and Neville to react the way they had to their biological forms. After all, Harry was a sex god and even if his aura was generally restrained…some small amount of leakage occurred. Voyager had already resumed a course for Earth. The Qomar had been bid farewell with a cloaked Parris Array satellite to maintain communications with. Harry had enjoyed revealing the Parris Array technology which was superior to Qomar technology. The Qomar had been less smug about their superiority after that revelation.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Stardate 53611.3
"Son of a bitch," Harry swore as a Borg cube came out of seemingly nowhere and began firing on Voyager.
"Why haven't we detected them?" Chakotay asked from his seat.
"They were using a dispersal field to mask their approach," HK replied.
Tuvok and Kathryn came onto the bridge. The red alert had been sounded.
"Report," Kathryn commanded.
"A Borg ship just hit us out of nowhere. They snuck up on us which isn't their normal mode of operation," Chakotay answered.
Harry was already taking evasive maneuvers.
"I am returning fire," Tuvok announced.
The first several volleys from Voyager's phaser banks stopped the attack from the cube.
"Why did they stop?" Kathryn asked.
"The Borg vessel has lost weapons," Tuvok stated.
"It can't be that easy…what's wrong?" Kathryn prompted.
Seven had entered just before the point when Tuvok started returning fire.
"I believe I can explain the unusual ease with which we have disabled this cube. The cube should be crewed by thousands of drones. But I am picking up only five signatures," Seven explained.
"We can't hit their shield generators because the generators are too deeply embedded within the cube," Tuvok added.
"What are the chances of us getting another Transwarp coil from that ship?" Kathryn asked.
"Their transwarp coil has been pretty badly damaged," Harry replied, already having looked. "I don't think we are the first ship they have tangled with. Those drones that are active…they aren't mature. They are children."
Suddenly the cube's crew began transmitting to Voyager.
"Disengage your navigational deflector from your hull or face assimilation," the voice of the Borg came through to the bridge of Voyager.
"Transmit this response," Kathryn said. "You have no weapons and are in no position to threaten us."
"Their communications array has been damaged. They wish to adapt our deflector to signal the Collective for help," Seven suggested after briefly muting the outgoing transmission.
"We will tear your deflector from your hull unless you comply," the Borg responded.
"Seven, Harry, I suggest we offer to repair their communications array instead. Let them think we fear them so mean to help them. This will give you a chance to get close and disable the five adolescents so that we can remove them from the Collective. If things go badly we can send in David. What do you think?" Kathryn asked.
"It has a good chance of succeeding, Captain," Seven said while her mate nodded.
"Cube," Kathryn said after signaling HK to transmit again. "We won't give you our deflector but we will help you repair your communications array. We can send you two very capable engineers who have much experience with your technology."
The Borg were silent for several moments before they replied, "You may transport them onboard."
Coordinates were provided for the transport.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
When the couple arrived onboard the cube they noticed all of the corpses of the adult drones strewn about immediately.
"Proceed to grid 63, sub-junction 01," the Borg directed using the cube's internal speakers.
"They most likely want to scan us using their internal sensors and assess how much of a threat we are to them before we get close," Seven informed her lover.
"An appropriate precaution," Harry mused.
The first drone the couple encountered was a cute 13-year old girl. The other four drones were nearby. All were males ages 22-years old, 20-years old, and 14-years old (twin boys). Harry skimmed their minds briefly and found out their real names which he relayed to Seven. The girl was called Mezoti. The eldest male was called Icheb. The 20-year old was called Spahn but the others called him First. The twins were called Rebi and Azan. Spahn led the small Collective of five.
"State your designations," the Borg directed in the voice of the Collective.
"Seven of Nine," Seven answered.
"Tom Paris," Harry answered.
"Seven of Nine is a Borg designation," First said.
"She is like us," Mezati added.
"Not like us," Icheb said as he walked closer. "She is damaged. Her infrastructure has been removed."
Icheb's voice had a stuttering glitch to it.
"We could fix her," Mezati suggested.
"You will add to our perfection," Icheb told Seven.
"You are neo-natal drones," Seven said dismissively while walking around the group. "You should still be in maturation chambers."
"We have matured long enough," First replied.
"That is doubtful since your thoracic nodes have yet to form," Seven said. "You are incomplete and therefore you will continue to malfunction. You must return to your maturation chambers." The drones just stood there. "Comply."
"Don't listen to her," First ordered.
"We tried to go back in," Icheb explained. "The chambers were offline."
"What happened to the fully matured drones?" Harry asked.
"We don't know," Rebi answered.
"Irrelevant," First interjected. "Don't tell them anything."
Seven walked over to an interface console and began typing.
"This vessel has been severely damaged," Seven announced. "You will not be able to repair it alone. We can help you. Take us to your communications array."
Icheb and Mezati began leading the couple away.
"If they try to resist assimilate them," First instructed.
"I find that one annoying," Harry sent to Seven.
"Indeed," Seven agreed.
"Do you have a designation?" Seven asked Icheb as they walked.
"Second," Icheb answered.
"Were you the second to emerge from the chambers?" Seven questioned.
"No. I was the first but I could not establish order," Icheb explained. "I became second and he became first."
"So you have established a chain of command, a hierarchy," Seven noted.
"We are a collective," Mezati put forth.
"You are a collective of five on a vessel normally run by 5,000," Seven pointed out. "What makes you think you will survive?"
"When we reestablish our link with the Borg they will come for us," Icheb pointed out.
When Harry and Seven began working on the communications array Harry did a little digging.
"It would appear the drone known as First already tried contacting the Collective. The Collective deemed the five drones here and everything else not worth their time to come retrieve. Most of this ship is too badly damaged for anybody to salvage much," Harry sent to Seven.
"First must have lied to the others. Or maybe…he doesn't have the ability to decrypt the response. Yes…now that I consider it more if they aren't fully developed they may be incapable of decrypting the response," Seven said. "We should go consult the Captain."
"Alright," Harry agreed.
After a few minutes of work Seven said aloud, "We need to retrieve some components from our replicators onboard Voyager."
Icheb looked off into the distance before saying, "Agreed."
Icheb had consulted the rest of his mini-collective. Harry and Seven transported back to Voyager.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"This is an unusual circumstance to say the least. I am inclined to offer them a place on Voyager," Kathryn said.
"That may be difficult," Seven said.
"Difficult but not impossible," Kathryn pointed out.
"Not impossible," Seven agreed. "But the Borg maturation chamber restructured my synaptic pathways which replaced the turmoil and terror of my assimilation with order. That order continues to be a source of strength for me. Another major source of my strength of course is Tom and my friendship with all of you. My…relationship…with Tom isn't something these drones would have."
"Your insights will be invaluable for them, Seven," Kathryn said. "And while they won't have Tom as a lover…they will have his presence and ours."
"Not all drones can be saved," Seven stated.
"That doesn't mean we won't try," Kathryn answered. "David, how confident are you that you can disable the drones without harming them?"
"If they are before a critical stage in their development I can safely disable them all. If they have passed that development stage the ability to disable them unharmed goes down exponentially. I will only know once I have scanned them up close," David answered.
"Ok. David…get as close as you can undetected and scan them. You two continue to repair the cube," Kathryn instructed David, Harry, and Seven.
The trio left.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
David began his scans right away. His results were relayed to his father telepathically. Harry had been working on teaching his son basic telepathy. Harry could of course grant his son the knowledge using a nanite upload but teaching David the "old fashioned way" gave Harry and David a chance to bond.
"The drone known as First is the only one that has matured beyond the point where disabling him without harm would be extremely problematic," Harry relayed to both Seven and Kathryn.
"That's the drone you said is most resistant to leaving the Collective," Kathryn clarified.
"Yes," Seven answered. "I believe he fears life outside of the Collective the strongest."
"Perhaps we should just stick him in a shuttle and send him back to the Collective after wiping his memories of his encounter with us. The Borg may have deemed him not worth the effort to come and retrieve but if we deliver him to them they will take him," Harry suggested.
"Tom, you can't seriously think that is a good idea," Kathryn protested.
"Look…the Borg are being held at bay by an enemy they can't counter. I don't think it will be too much longer until we or someone else finds a way to shut down the Hive Mind. At that time all drones will become individuals," Harry pointed out.
"I don't like it," Kathryn said. "But that doesn't mean it isn't the best option. I don't want this going in any official reports back to Starfleet. How will we get him back to the Collective?"
"David can modify one of the small craft in the main hangar," Harry suggested.
"Do it," Kathryn ordered.
David snuck off again to make the modifications to one of the ships.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"The modifications are complete," David announced a short while later. "A Desari craft has been fitted to achieve transwarp speeds long enough to return the drone known as Spahn back to the nexus of Collective controlled space."
"Good work," Harry said approvingly. "Begin disabling them one by one. Start with Icheb and Mezoti since they are closest."
Harry's senses followed along as his son stealthily drew up alongside Icheb. David's assimilation tubules snaked out and into Icheb's neck. Harry followed along as David's nanites flooded Icheb's form and sent the drone into unconsciousness. David caught Icheb and lowered the sleeping drone to the ground. David was masking the absence of Icheb's mind from the mini-collective quite well but only if a being wasn't looking for a missing drone. Harry would work with his son on nanite control later.
"Two," Mezoti whispered as she turned and saw the state of her fellow drone.
Mezoti grew confused because she still felt his mind in the mini-collective. Before her confusion could grow David was at her side injecting her with nanites. David caught her too before she could hit the ground. David used his personal teleportation technology to relocate himself to the section of the ship the mini-collective had based themselves out of. Harry watched his son efficiently disable the twins Rebi and Azan. As Azan was lowered to the ground Spahn came into the room. Spahn immediately spotted that something was wrong.
"Identify yourself," Spahn said even as he stepped over to a control panel and began typing rapidly.
An energy wave washed out from a nearby console which sparked and failed. The energy wave washed over David and slightly revealed his form. David wasn't fully visible but a faint outline of his location existed. David dropped his cloak to Spahn's obvious surprise.
"You are Borg," Spahn declared.
"Of a sort," David said while closing on Spahn.
Spahn struck out with an arm and attempted to smash David back with enhanced strength. David deflected the blow just enough that he could step to Spahn's right side. David's arm came up under Spahn's neck and tightened in a choke-hold. David put pressure against Spahn's lower back to push Spahn into the hold. Spahn clawed uselessly at David's arm as his airway was cut off. Borg could survive longer than most beings without oxygen but not indefinitely. Spahn tried extending his assimilation tubules behind him. The tubules tried piercing David's skin but to no effect. Within a short span of time Spahn had stopped struggling.
"He will not remain unconscious for long. Get him to the ship swiftly and send him off on the automated course," Harry instructed.
David nodded and teleported away.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
The procedure to turn the other four adolescent drones into individuals went off as planned without trouble. The freed former drones were told that First had escaped to parts unknown. Seven was assigned the task of guiding the drones back to individuality. Her parents embraced the opportunity to help out. It would give the couple a chance to study an aspect of the Borg they had thought they would never get to study. They had been studying the remnants of this de-Borging technique in their daughter but now they would see it in action. Seven was just happy to get some assistance from her parents.
Holo-crewed transwarp vessels from the Federation would be salvaging components from the cube to study for some time to come. Meanwhile Voyager moved on again with a crew compliment increased by four.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Stardate 53679.4
"What is it, Aristotle?" Kes asked Aristotle after a hologram of her husband's replicat companion appeared in front of the blonde who was sitting in one Hogwarts' many rooms.
Kes had been using her power to scan the alternate universe where Harry hadn't been involved in her life in order to see her fate at the present in that universe. What she found hadn't been pretty. She had also been missing being with her old crewmates on Voyager. The truth is she had been feeling left out. She could visit Alternate-Voyager but it had changed so much from Main-Voyager that at this point it just wasn't the same experience.
"There is a female which I know Harry would want to bond as a mate in the original timeline. But in the original timeline she used to be old friends with HK," Aristotle explained.
Kes sped her perceptions up a little bit and said, "You mean Lyndsay Ballard. Yes I can see why he would want to bond her."
"I have located a universe where Lyndsay was friends with the human Tom Paris back at the academy instead of HK. I would like you to arrange Harry's interactions with this bonding initiation and first meeting," Aristotle explained.
"Why?" Kes asked.
Aristotle was silent for a moment before he explained, "You know that I interact with Harry's subconscious mind frequently. Subconsciously he knows through your bond with him that you are feeling left out on Voyager. If you do this you will get to more closely watch those onboard Voyager."
"Alright," Kes agreed. "I'll do it."
Kes suddenly felt more fondness towards Harry's replicat. She stood and vanished from the room.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Kes appeared in open space near Voyager not at all bothered by the vacuum thanks to her powers. She focused on a region of space near to Voyager and caused a portal to form. The portal wouldn't be detectable by any of the starships present except Hogwarts but would bridge this universe with the reality Aristotle had found the targeted Lyndsay Ballard within. Moments later Lyndsay's small ship came through the portal and began contacting Voyager. Kes set the portal to stay open and follow Voyager at a short distance. She wanted to make things interesting. Then Kes appeared onboard Voyager.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"Captain, we are receiving a transmission from an alien vessel," HK announced even as Harry noticed Kes and sensed the wormhole his mate had opened up bridging realities.
"She remembers you as an old friend even though you don't remember her. She was one of HK's friends in this reality," Kes explained to Harry.
"Put it on screen," Kathryn ordered.
An exotic looking alien female with blue and purple skin appeared on the main view screen.
"You are a sight for sore eyes, Captain," Lyndsay declared with a smile. Her smile turned warmer and she added, "You too, Tom."
"I'm sorry…but do we know you?" Kathryn asked.
"Lyndsay Ballard, is that you?" Harry said.
Lyndsay's smile had faltered at Kathryn's question but returned fiercely with Harry's question.
"Yes. I'm Ensign Lyndsay Ballard. I was a member of your crew. I'm not surprised you don't recognize me like this. After you buried me in space I was picked up by an alien race and revived. They changed me," Lyndsay explained.
"Hold on a second," HK spoke up. "Lyndsay Ballard was never onboard Voyager. She still works back on Earth."
"This Lyndsay is from an alternate universe. There's a wormhole to her universe near the ship," Harry announced startling everybody. "You can't detect it but I know how. I ran a facial recognition program as soon as Lyndsay appeared familiar to me."
"This isn't my universe and my Voyager?" Lyndsay asked.
"I'm afraid not," Harry replied.
"You had better come onboard so we can discuss this," Kathryn suggested.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Sick Bay…
"Tom and I were on our way to a Class M planet in the Vintati Expanse," Lyndsay explained as Dr. Neville scanned her. "We were after dilithium ore we had detected a few days earlier. When we landed we realized it was a trap set by a Hirogen hunting party. They had reconfigured a power cell to give off false dilithium readings. Tom and I headed back to the shuttle. We were ten feet away when I was hit with a neural disruptor. Tom said my injury wasn't that bad. He always was a terrible liar."
Lyndsay finished her story with a fond smile towards Harry. HK, Kathryn, Chakotay, Harry, and Seven were present along with Denara and the Doctor.
"I woke up on a ship in a stasis chamber surrounded by aliens," Lyndsay continued. "They told me they had used their technology to reanimate me. I didn't believe them when they said I had died. But they showed me visual scans of my own corpse lying in the torpedo casing I had been buried in. The race I was with…they're called the Kobali. They look just like me. They said I had been drifting for weeks. After the reanimation process they spent months altering my DNA. It was endless scanning and injections. The Kobali procreate by salvaging the dead of other races. I was given the Kobali name of Jhet'laya and placed with a Kobali family to help me acclimate."
"In other words you were a prisoner," Kathryn surmised.
"At first," Lyndsay confirmed. "I tried contacting Voyager but they wouldn't let me near any communications equipment. They said you were part of my Kynsteika…my past life. They said I needed to forget you…all of you." Lyndsay said the last bit while looking particularly at Harry. The deity felt the sparks flying metaphorically from Lyndsay to himself. "For two years I worked on letting my new family think I had accepted them. Once their trust was finally earned I stole a shuttle and started looking for Voyager. That was six months ago and a Kobali ship has been pursuing me ever since."
"Despite her appearance she still has human DNA. When compared with the genetic scans sent by Starfleet of Ensign Ballard on Earth there is a match," the Doctor explained.
"Tom, what do you think? Is she telling the truth? And what about the wormhole?" Kathryn asked.
"She is telling the truth," Harry confirmed.
The others took Harry's word as truth because they knew he was a telepath.
"The wormhole would still be undetectable to our sensors if Tom had not shown me how to detect it," Seven explained. "It is unlike any wormhole ever encountered that I know of. We are still studying it but it appears to be one-way."
"So I can't get home," Lyndsay said.
Her countenance visibly saddened for several moments.
"This may not be your Voyager but it is still Voyager. Just try being here for a time and see what differences there are. You may like it here," Kathryn suggested.
Kathryn dropped the force-field and Lyndsay had relieved tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, Captain," Lyndsay said before stepping forward and hugging Kathryn.
Lyndsay then repeated the gesture by hugging Harry.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"This is kind of weird," Holographic-Lyndsay said from Earth as she sat across from Kobali-Lyndsay.
Harry and HK sat in the same room. Kobali-Lyndsay had explained that she had been great friends with Tom Paris back at the Academy and onboard her Voyager. The first major difference between the universes had been discovered. It had been decided to arrange this meeting to find out what other differences there were.
"I agree," Kobali-Lyndsay replied.
"We'll get used to it," Holographic-Lyndsay assured. "Now let's compare notes."
And that was what the two females did for quite some time while Harry and HK listened.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
After the meeting with her counterpart Lyndsay and Harry were walking away. HK had stayed behind to catch up with his Lyndsay.
"So are you still into classic cars and cheesy old holo-programs?" Lyndsay asked.
"I was for a while but now I have branched out and am into many different things. I'm heavily into science," Harry answered. "Deck Two," he added as the pair stepped into the turbo-lift.
"Huh…that's unexpected. Driving in one of those cars with you is number twenty-seven on my list. The list is something I made up to pass the time while I was away," Lyndsay explained. "I tried to think of everything I wanted to do if I made it back to Voyager. The list includes some things I wasn't able to accomplish my first time around."
"I'd love to hear the list sometime," Harry suggested.
"Maybe I'll even tell it to you," Lyndsay said.
"Here are your quarters," Harry said while opening the door to Lyndsay's quarters and showing her inside.
"Roomy," Lyndsay commented. "But kind of empty."
"Well Kathryn has authorized you to replicate whatever you need," Harry explained.
"You're on a first name basis with the Captain," Lyndsay commented with surprise. "And do we have enough dilithium in reserve for that type of frivolous replication?"
"There are a couple of major differences between our universes," Harry said while gesturing for Lyndsay to sit on the edge of her bed. Harry did the same. "When I said I was into science…that was an understatement. I have installed a shielding system on Voyager called the Promethium Drive. The Promethium Drive is capable of stripping the energy off of any type of incoming attack and recycling that energy into replicated dilithium."
Lyndsay whistled and asked, "And where did this Promethium Drive come from?"
"That is a secret for now. I haven't told anyone from the Federation, not even my mates," Harry answered.
"So Voyager is in contact with the Federation? And what do you mean by mates plural?" Lyndsay probed.
"Yes. We're in contact with the Federation thanks to another technology I have created for Voyager. I mean mates in plural as in I have several women I am in love with and sleep with. They all know about each other and share my bed," Harry explained.
"And they just accept that?" Lyndsay asked with considerable surprise.
"They do if they want to be with me. So far they have all made it work," Harry explained.
"How do you make that work? I mean how can you keep up with so many women?" Lyndsay questioned.
"I'm not exactly human," Harry answered.
"What are you then?" Lyndsay queried.
"Again…that is a secret for now," Harry replied.
"You're kind of mysterious…aren't you," Lyndsay mused.
"Sick-bay to Ensign Ballard," the Doctor broke in over the com. "I have finished analyzing your bio-scans."
"I'm on my way," Lyndsay said unhappily.
Harry and Lyndsay left for sick bay.
When they walked in Dr. Neville explained, "My scans have revealed a genetic pathogen which appears to have converted most of your human DNA into a Kobali protein structure."
Harry blew up the results on a holographic image while Denara added, "The bio-chemical changes have affected every system in your body."
"There isn't enough of the original DNA left to make you human again," the Doctor added.
"If only this universe's Lyndsay wasn't on the other side of the galaxy," Lyndsay lamented.
"But we can make you look closer to the human version of you," Denara added. "Though, it may take several treatments. Your physiology would still be Kobali but on the surface you will look more human."
"I have lived with this face for long enough. Let's do it," Lyndsay said.
"Have a seat," the Doctor directed with a hypo-spray in his hands.
"You may experience some dizziness," Denara said.
"I will hang onto Tom for support if he doesn't mind," Lyndsay said.
"Not at all," Harry assured.
The Doctor injected Lyndsay and the shape of her head almost immediately turned mostly human as did her skin color. There were still certain marks that were Kobali but now she looked like a hybrid instead of pure Kobali.
"How do I look?" Lyndsay asked.
"You look mostly human but you still have some Kobali traits," Harry explained.
Denara handed Lyndsay a mirror and Lyndsay stared at herself for several moments before smiling.
"Come on…let's go get my favorite dessert to celebrate," Lyndsay said while grabbing Harry's hand and intending to drag him from sick bay. "Thanks Docs," Lyndsay shouted over her shoulder as she left. "The Kobali ate the same gray paste year after year," Lyndsay explained as they went. "I want a hot fudge and strawberry syrup sundae so badly."
"That certainly does sound more appetizing," Harry mused as the pair reached the mess hall and replicated the dessert.
Lyndsay and Harry found a table and she took a bite.
"This doesn't taste the way I remember it," Lyndsay said.
"Your taste buds are still Kobali. We can work on that though," Harry assured.
"I need to go take care of number seventeen on the list anyway," Lyndsay announced.
"And what would that be?" Harry questioned.
"Dazzle Lieutenant Torres with a stellar performance," Lyndsay answered. "I'll catch you later, Tom."
Lyndsay was an engineer and had worked under B'Elanna in her home universe. Harry heard later from B'Elanna that Lyndsay corrected a problem in Voyager's warp core systems which B'Elanna hadn't gotten around to asking Harry to take a look at using a Kobali technique. Lyndsay had slipped into the Kobali language while carrying out the correction and it had unsettled Lyndsay. But B'Elanna had managed to pick up Lyndsay's mood again despite the lapse.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"How do I look?" Lyndsay asked as Harry met her in sick bay.
Lyndsay was now sporting some red hair and her features looked pretty much fully human.
"I like it," Harry replied.
"It's too bad that just beneath this red hair still lies the six lobed brain of a Kobali," Lyndsay said.
"You're human at heart. That is all that matters," Harry assured. "I hear Kathryn wants to have dinner with you tonight just you two."
"Yes. I'm not sure why," Lyndsay replied. "Do you know?"
"She just wants to take the opportunity to get to know you better," Harry replied. "You'll be fine."
"Wish me luck," Lyndsay said before she left.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Kathryn later explained to Harry that things with Lyndsay hadn't gone so well. Lyndsay had expressed a Kobali teaching and it had made Lyndsay greatly upset. Harry had a little present commissioned for Lyndsay after that. He just wanted to choose the right moment to give it to her.
Later that night he sensed Lyndsay's inability to sleep and met her in the hall outside her room as she left intending to go find him.
"What are you doing here?" Lyndsay asked.
"I could sense you needed to talk," Harry answered.
"Huh…one of those mysterious things about you I guess. Come in, please," Lyndsay requested.
The pair went back into Lyndsay's quarters and sat on her couch.
"So what is troubling you?" Harry asked.
"The day didn't go so well," Lyndsay stated. "It was a bad day."
"You are troubled by the fact that you still feel Kobali," Harry discerned. "You don't feel like you belong here anymore."
"Yes," Lyndsay answered. "Babbling in front of the Captain didn't help," she added.
"Kathryn understood just like I do," Harry reassured Lyndsay. "You always have a place here no matter how hard it is at the moment. You will adjust. I'm not exactly human so I'm speaking from experience."
"You're so much like my Tom but you're even more insightful and intelligent. You're brilliant," Lyndsay whispered as she stared at Harry. "I just want to feel human again," she said before leaning forward and kissing Harry.
Harry returned the kiss and hands began to roam.
Smut Scene Redacted (See Hpfanficarchive for Erotic Version)
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Lyndsay became somewhat distressed when Kathryn called the next morning to say that Lyndsay's Kobali "adoptive father" Q'Ret had arrived and was asking to speak to Lyndsay (Jhet'laya). She agreed to the meet on the condition that Harry was present. Harry and Lyndsay entered together.
"What have they done to you?" Q'Ret asked.
"Given me my life back and more," Lyndsay answered.
"You were so beautiful," Q'Ret said. "It's good to see you Jhet'laya."
"My name is Lyndsay," Lyndsay corrected.
"Why did you leave us?" Q'Ret questioned.
"I wanted to be with my people again," Lyndsay replied. "You can't understand how much they mean to me."
"They set you adrift in space," Q'Ret said accusingly.
"That was the burial custom of our people," Lyndsay said, not letting on that these weren't the same Voyager crew that buried her. "I'm grateful to your people for reviving me but that doesn't give you the right to do what you did to me and are doing to others."
"The reanimation process usually results in extensive memory loss," Q'Ret explained. "This makes the transition less painful. Unfortunately some remember their former lives more than others. Jhet'laya is an example of this."
"I told you to call me," Lyndsay corrected.
"Lyndsay Ballard," Q'Ret interjected. "She is dead. She has been for three years. Forgive me for being so blunt but when we found her she was a lifeless corpse. We salvaged that raw material."
"It obviously wasn't as raw as you are trying to lead us to believe if the memories were still intact," Harry pointed out.
"The moment her extensive memories presented themselves you should have let her go," Kathryn added.
"This place isn't where you belong. You don't even think like these people anymore. The first words into your mind are in my language, not their language," Q'Ret told Lyndsay.
"I belong wherever Tom and my friends are," Lyndsay insisted while she took Harry's hand.
"Your sister misses you," Q'Ret tried.
"We can keep in touch with her. Voyager has ways," Lyndsay replied. "If you choose to accept that condition then we can keep in touch with her. This conversation is over."
Lyndsay left and Harry went with her. Harry sensed the last of Lyndsay's memories were returning to her. She hadn't gotten all of her memories before Voyager back when she had been revived but her new upgraded physiology had retrieved those memories from where copies had been stored within her essence.
"I have a present for you," Harry said while guiding Lyndsay towards his lab.
"What is it?" Lyndsay asked curiously.
"You'll have to wait only a few more moments," Harry said as he accessed his lab.
The lights came on in the room and Harry retrieved a small device from one of the lab tables. Harry attached the device to Lyndsay's arm.
"What is it?" Lyndsay asked. "It kind of looks like the Doctor's mobile emitter," she added.
"Do you remember me telling you about the new version of the mobile emitter?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Lyndsay confirmed.
"This is a variation of that technology. You will now be able to remain fully human 23 hours out of every 24. You won't exist as a hard light entity at all but will just be two biological entities," Harry explained.
"But I thought you couldn't help me because the other Lyndsay is back on Earth," Lyndsay pointed out.
"I was able to make a close enough form for you. The reason you need to go back to Kobali form for an hour every day is to allow the ME-M2A to repair damages built up over the course of the day due to the differences between this duplicate form and Lyndsay's back on Earth. The ME-M2A will access the Parris Array and use detailed scans of the Lyndsay on Earth to affect the repairs. She has already agreed," Harry explained.
Lyndsay waited for Harry to activate the device and once she was fully human she threw her arms around his neck.
"Thank you so much," Lyndsay whispered. "You have no idea how much this means to me."
"I think I do," Harry assured. "And just so you know…I find both forms of you beautiful. I would appreciate being able to make love to you in both forms."
"How about as a reward you test out my second form now…on your lab bench," Lyndsay suggested.
"No argument from me," Harry agreed.
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
"Q'Ret somehow managed to make his way back through the wormhole," Kathryn informed Harry and Lyndsay after Harry answered the door of Lyndsay's quarters. "No need to be self-conscious," Kathryn added to Lyndsay as she eyed Harry appreciatively.
Lyndsay had been covering herself with the bedding.
"Is he coming back with friends?" Lyndsay asked worriedly.
"He threatened to," Kathryn admitted. "But Seven's scans which Tom showed her how to make reveal that the special type of wormhole has closed down. I don't think Q'Ret will be back."
"Did he take the communications array with him?" Lyndsay asked half-hopefully.
"No," Kathryn answered.
Lyndsay looked disappointed.
"I can put you in contact with your adoptive sister," Harry assured his newest wife.
Lyndsay perked up at this statement and grinned happily at Harry.
"Well I'll leave you two to continue getting acquainted," Kathryn said. "I just wanted to give you the news."
Kathryn turned to leave and was almost to the door before Lyndsay called, "Wait." Kathryn and Harry turned to look at her curiously. Lyndsay bit her bottom lip thoughtfully. "Tom deserves a big reward for all he has done for me. And I've always been a little curious. Would you like to join us, Captain?"
Kathryn looked Lyndsay up and down for a moment before saying, "You're going to have to call me Kathryn from now on."
OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP – Star Trek Voyager – OP
Rev 0 Posted 3/14/2016
Author's Note:
Check out my Facebook group Stargatesg1fan1's Fanfiction Works and Favorites.
For those of you who ask me questions about specific Path verses I am no longer answering these in individual PMs. Instead when someone asks me about a potential Path verse I will go categorize it in a document on my Facebook group called Planned Path Verses & Other Verses. I'm simply tired of answering questions where nobody but the person who asked them can read them. Lol! I'm trying to save myself time. Multiple people are curious about the same verses.
Stargatesg1fan1