Getting Home

Stardate 214321.3 (Wed 17 Sept 2375): Someone has sabotaged Voyager‘s attempts to get back home, but trying to find out just who is responsible may tear the crew apart.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Paris and Torres’ Quarters
Stardate 214085.4
31 January 2376 0436 hrs

B’Elanna Torres woke with a start, sweat soaking the sheets of
the bed she shared with Tom Paris, with whom she had moved into
larger quarters a few months earlier.

It had been nearly a year since Voyager had discovered the late
Starship Challenger adrift in space, plucked from death in the
Alpha Quadrant sixty-five years previous. The crews had
integrated well.

Not so lucky was the crew of the Starship Equinox, who had only
been aboard a few weeks, just over five months after Paris and
Torres decided to live together. Some were locked up in the brig.
All had been broken to crewmen, subordinate even to the other
enlisted crew aboard Voyager. Paris stirred, but did not wake.

Let him keep his dreams, Torres thought. She crawled out of bed,
her dream nagging at the back of her mind. Something about getting
home. Something telling her it should have already happened several
times over.

Torres grabbed her terry robe from the chair she’d draped it over
only a few hours earlier. Throwing it on, she went into the living
room area of their quarters, sat down and grabbed a PADD. Keying
it into the ship’s main computer, she played off a hunch from her
dream.

Oh, gods, Torres thought. This can’t be right. She retyped her
command sequence. The results were the same.

Sabotage.

“Fascinating,” Tuvok said, simply, as he looked up from the PADD in
his hand.

“I think we can discount the Challenger and Equinox crews,”
Torres said.

“How have you reached this conclusion?” Tuvok asked.

“Because,” she answered, “the sabotage has been ongoing since our
second year in the Delta Quadrant. We didn’t find the Challenger
and the Equinox until our fifth year.”

“That is logical,” Tuvok said, “but still flawed. We cannot
discount the possibility that whomever purpetrated these acts of
sabotage is — or was — not working alone. He or she may have
recruited one or more accomplices from the new crew, if that
person found someone similarly disaffected with the prospect of
returning to the Alpha Quadrant.”

“That would be just about anyone from the Equinox,” Torres
observed darkly.

“Indeed,” Tuvok agreed. “Thank you for bringing this to my
attention, Lieutenant.”

“Let me know as soon as you find anything,” Torres said, standing.

“I must, of course, first inform the captain,” Tuvok said.

Gods! Torres thought. It’s just a figure of speech!

“Right,” she said instead. Torres turned and left Tuvok’s office.
As she made her way to the turbolift, she passed the brig, where,
through the bulkhead, she could hear one of the Equinox‘s senior
staff yelling at the guard on duty.

Well, she thought, at least we can rule them out.

Torres stepped into the turbolift when it arrived and the doors
opened. The doors closed behind her with a soft hiss.

“Seven of Nine’s quarters,” she instructed the computer.

Torres pressed the chime signal at the door of Seven of
Nine’s quarters.

Six months before, Harry Kim convinced Seven that she should move
into her own quarters, rather than the cargo bay that she had
lived in for nearly two years, saying it would help her better
understand humanity if she lived as one of them. Kim had even
helped install an alcove in not only her new quarters, but also
in his own, in anticipation of their rapidly-progressing
relationship.

Torres pressed the chime again, growing impatient. She’d never
known the ex-Borg to take so long to answer the door.

Maybe she’s sleeping for once, Torres mused.

The doors parted, revealing a bleary-eyed Harry Kim. He was
dressed in a standard-issue robe that he’d obviously thrown on
in a hurry.

“Harry!” Torres exclaimed in surprise.

“Hi, B’Elanna,” Kim said. “What brings you here at oh-dark-
hundred?”

“I’d ask you the same thing,” she quipped, “but I think I already
know the answer.” Kim started to blush, looking at his feet in
embarrassment. “Don’t sweat it, Starfleet. Is Seven up?”

“I think so,” he replied. “Is this one of those conversations
where I should excuse myself to my quarters?”

“Actually, I think I can trust you,” Torres said, glancing over
each shoulder at the opposite ends of the corridor.

Kim noticed the nervous glances. “Come on in,” he said. “I’ll let
Seven know you’re here.” A few minutes later, the three were
seated at the coffee table in Seven’s living area — Seven and Kim
on the couch under the windows and Torres in the chair opposite
them.

“There’s a saboteur on board,” Torres said, breaking the silence.

“What?” Kim asked, shocked.

“Someone apparently doesn’t want to get back to the Federation.
Someone is willing to go so far as to destroy every attempt we’ve
made to use some alien technology to enhance our propulsion
systems.”

“You mean,” Kim said, swallowing, “that the simulations were
right? That we should have been able to use all these
technologies we’ve found?”

“At least a half dozen times over,” Torres said, sullenly.

“Do you have any suspects?” Seven asked.

“I’m not sure,” Torres said. “I handed my data over to Tuvok, so
he’s really in charge of the investigation.”

“Is it the Equinox crew?” Kim asked.

Torres shook her head. “No, the sabotage has been occuring ever
since our second year in the Delta Quadrant.”

“So they’re out of the picture,” Kim said. “And so are the
Challenger crew.”

“And me,” Seven said.

“Right,” Torres said. “Whomever’s responsible may have recruited.
Certain members of the Challenger and Equinox crews – particularly
with the Equinox — may not feel so great about getting home to a
nice, warm prison cell.”

“Yet you believe that I was not affected,” Seven said. “You
came to me for my aid, convinced that I would not have
collaborated with a saboteur.”

“Exactly,” Torres said. “You might also have an insight into
possible suspects.”

“I will compile a list,” Seven said.

Torres stood. “Thank you.”

After Torres left the room, Kim turned back to Seven. His face
was a palette of fear, anxiety and confusion.

Seven cocked her head to the side. “Are you in love with me,
Ensign?”

Kim’s face melted into a crooked grin. “Absolutely.”

“We have one-point-five hours until our duty shifts begin,” Seven
said. “Let us return to the bedroom.”

“Seven, there’s not that much time to sleep. We might as well get
ready for work.”

“I did not say we would be sleeping.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Briefing Room
Stardate 214085.8
31 January 2376 0810 hrs

“Sabotage,” Captain Kathryn Janeway said. “You’re certain?”

“Without a doubt,” Torres said.

“I have opened an investigation into this matter, captain,” Tuvok
said. “If it becomes necessary, I will require your permission to
view the personal logs of our suspects.”

“Let’s take that on a case-by-case basis, Tuvok,” Janeway said,
shifting in her chair.

“As you wish, captain,” Tuvok said without missing a beat.

“Do you have any suspects yet?” asked Janeway’s first officer,
Commander Chakotay.

“Nothing conclusive as yet,” Tuvok admitted. “I intend to narrow
the list of crew members with the skills necessary to accomplish
the sabotage and establish their locations when each act
occurred.”

Janeway stood at the head of the conference room table. “Keep me
informed, Tuvok,” she said. Then, looking at the faces of her
senior staff, “Dismissed.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Mess Hall
Stardate 214087.1
31 January 2376 2018 hrs

“Who would object so much to our returning to the Federation that
they’d sabotage the ship?” Lieutenant Commander Everett Dyson asked
his friends, seated for an informal conference in the mess hall. The
room was empty, save Neelix and those seated with Dyson. No one
wanted this to get out. At least, not yet.

“Did you say someone’s sabotaging the ship?” Neelix asked, aghast.

“Yes,” Dyson said, “and keep it to yourself. If whoever is
responsible knows we’re looking, they’ll go underground so fast
and so deep, we’ll never find ’em.”

“You sound like you’re speaking from experience,” Torres said.

“I was there when Kirk uncovered the conspiracy to assassinate
the Klingon Chancellor,” Dyson said. “I knew Valeris at the
academy, so I know that anyone can do the most horrific things
if they’re convinced they’re doing them for the right reasons.
Even Vulcans.”

“I remember reading about that in the academy,” Kim said.

“Thank you for reminding us how much time we’ve missed,” Dr.
Danielle Marcus said icily.

“I’m sure Harry didn’t mean anything by that, doctor,” Dyson
interrupted. “As for my question, who would do it?”

“Who on this ship,” Marcus asked, “will probably go or has been
to prison?”

“I didn’t do it!” Ensign Tom Paris roared, knocking his chair over
as he jumped up in fury.

“I wasn’t saying you did,” Marcus responded as Torres began to
pull Paris back into his chair.

“You sure implied it pretty heavily,” Paris glowered.

“Look,” Dyson said, “we have to be able to trust our friends.
Tom’s proven himself. I don’t think he’s involved.”

“Commander Dyson is correct,” Seven of Nine said, speaking for the
first time that evening. “There are now nearly two hundred people
aboard this vessel. We cannot blindly accuse one another. It would
be unproductive and divisive.”

The table was silent as they all pondered Seven’s words. Finally,
Kim broke the silence, saying, “Look, it’s late, and we’ve all got
duty in the morning. We can’t accomplish anything here, so let’s
just go try and get some sleep.”

Everyone nodded their assent, and they began leaving the room.

“Look,” Marcus said to Paris as he and Torres left the room, “for
what it’s worth, I don’t think you did it either, but like
Commander Dyson said, we can’t trust anybody anymore.” Paris
looked at her for a moment, then walked off towards the turbolift.

“What the hell was that about?” B’Elanna Torres asked Tom Paris
after the door to their quarters slid shut.

“I’m sorry,” Paris said. “Ever since I heard about the sabotage,
I feel like everyone’s pointing their finger at me. I’m the only
one on board who’s been in prison and, except the Equinox crew,
I’m the only one who’s been busted down in rank.”

“And unlike them,” Torres finished, “you’ve been here since the
beginning.”

“Exactly,” Paris said. There was an uncomfortable silence.
“B’Elanna,” he said finally, “I didn’t do it.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Office of the Chief of Security
Stardate 214088.4
1 February 2376 0730 hrs

The next morning, Seven of Nine entered the office of the Chief
of Security and handed a PADD to Tuvok. “I have compiled a list of
every person aboard Voyager who may have a motive for not
returning to the Federation,” Seven said. “The highlighted names
have been aboard since Voyager‘s first year in the Delta Quadrant.”

“There are seventy-eight names on this list,” Tuvok observed.

“Correct,” Seven said. “Considering there are one hundred ninety-
eight people aboard Voyager, that is a substantial reduction.”

“Thank you, Seven,” Tuvok said. “I will take this information into
consideration during my investigation.” Seven nodded, turned and
exited the office.

Tuvok’s attention returned to the PADD, glancing first at the
list of highlighted names.

Thomas Eugene Paris. A convicted felon, he may fear
re-incarceration. Also, his relationship with his father may
spur him to remain in the Delta Quadrant. Specific instances
of insubordination…

Neelix. A native of this region of space, he may not wish to
continue on the journey towards the Federation…

Chakotay. The leader of the Maquis cell that the Voyager was
following, he may fear incarceration for crimes committed as
a member of the Maquis. Specifically, he…

B’Elanna Torres. As a member of Chakotay’s Maquis cell, she
may fear incarceration. Also, as Voyager‘s chief engineer,
she has full access to the ship’s systems. Incidents with the
captain…

Kathryn Janeway.

Janeway? Tuvok thought in surprise. I had not seriously
considered the captain a possible suspect. He read on:

Due to various violations of Starfleet regulations over the
course of Voyager‘s journey through the Delta Quadrant, she
may fear incarceration or other official reprisal for her
actions. Specifically, she has aided and collaborated with
the Borg, a known threat to the Federation, violated
temporal security regulations, ignored the Prime Directive
on several occasions, as well as other violations of
Starfleet protocol.

Tuvok set the PADD on his desk. No, he had not seriously
considered her, yet Seven’s argument was quite logical.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Main Engineering
Stardate 214089.6
1 February 2376 1747 hrs

“Lieutenant,” the Vulcan engineer, Ensign Vorik, said flatly, “may
I inquire as to what you are doing?” Lieutenant junior grade Clark
Bowman, a security officer and one of the survivors of the late
Starship Challenger, pulled his head out from under the EPS
conduit embedded in a wall in a relatively concealed corner of
Main Engineering. He looked at Vorik for a moment.

“No,” Bowman said, returning to the EPS conduit.

Vorik stopped, confused. He was junior to Bowman, so he couldn’t
force the issue, but Bowman was a security officer, not an
engineer; what business did he have to go poking about
unannounced? Vorik stood in place for several moments, then turned
and walked back to Main Engineering proper. Bowman heaved a sigh of
relief, turning his full attention back to what he was doing. A few
minutes later, he was interrupted again.

“What are you doing, lieutenant?” a voice resonated within the
small anteroom. Bowman pulled his head out of the wall panel
again.

“I’m never going to get anything done,” Bowman began, “if I keep
getting interrupted.” Bowman noticed the newcomer’s identity —
Lieutenant Joe Carey, assistant chief engineer, who stood with his
fists on his hips, Vorik at his side. “Uh, sir,” Bowman added as
an afterthought.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Carey said.

“I’m, uh, I’m,” Bowman began. He was beginning to lose his
composure. There was no way he could avoid having to answer
Carey’s questions.

“Engineering to security,” Carey said, tapping his communicator.
“It would seem we have caught a saboteur. Please send a team down
immediately.”

“Acknowledged,” came Tuvok’s voice over the ship’s comm system.
“We are on our way now.”

“Vorik,” Carey said, “take him into custody.” Turning to an ensign
passing the anteroom, Carey continued, “Ensign, come here and find
out just what this man was doing to the ship.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Interrogation Room
Stardate 214090.3
1 February 2376 2351 hrs

“Lieutenant Bowman,” Tuvok repeated, “why were you attempting to
reroute the warp plasma into the EPS console at which you were
detained?”

“I-I,” Bowman stuttered, “I can’t.”

“You cannot what?” Tuvok asked.

“I can’t tell you,” Bowman said.

“You cannot tell my why you were in Main Engineering. Why can you
not tell me this?”

“I can’t,” Bowman repeated. He was sweating profusely from the
combination of the stress of the situation and the lights shining
on him in the interrogation room, the better for the sensors to
record every nuance of this interrogation.

“You have not answered my question, lieutenant,” Tuvok said.

Bowman was beginning to crack. He couldn’t handle the stress of
the position he was in.

“She made me do it!” he yelled, suddenly.

“Who?” Tuvok asked. “Who compelled you to attempt sabotage on the
ship’s warp core?”

“Captain Janeway!” Bowman cried out. Tuvok’s eyes widened, an
eyebrow automatically launched upward. Was he simply attempting to
shift the pressure off of him, or was he actually telling the
truth? If so, the implications of Bowman’s confession were
staggering.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Ready Room
Stardate 214091.2
2 February 2376 0803 hrs

“You don’t seriously believe I’m involved in all of this, do you?”
Janeway asked incredulously.

“I have a sworn statement from Lieutenant Bowman,” Tuvok said,
“that specifically names you as the architect of his attempted
sabotage.”

“And you believe him?” Janeway countered. “He was under your
interrogation for six hours. Six hours you had him under those
lights, badgering him. How can any of what he said be admissible?”

“By itself, the evidence is circumstantial and mere hearsay,”
Tuvok admitted. “That is why I must review his personal logs.”

“Do you think he’d be stupid enough to say in his log, ‘I think
I’ll blow up the warp core today’?” Janeway asked.

“I do not know. That is why I must review them,” Tuvok said.

“I know he’s not that stupid. Permission denied,” Janeway said.

“You do not have the authority to deny that access during this
investigation,” Tuvok stated.

“Bullshit. I’m the captain.”

“You are also a suspect,” Tuvok countered. “I must review them.
I am simply informing you that you are under investigation
yourself.”

“Tuvok,” Janeway said. “We’ve known each other for years. You know
me. I wouldn’t do this.”

“Nor did Commander Dyson and I believe that Valeris would commit
treason and conspiracy nearly eighty-three years ago.”

“So that’s it?” Janeway asks. “You’re going to investigate me like
some cloak and dagger miscreant?”

“Yes,” Tuvok said. He turned and left the captain in her ready
room.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Office of the Chief of Security
Stardate 214091.5
2 February 2376 1012 hrs

“Do you really think she did it?” Dyson asked his old friend,
Tuvok.

“I do not know,” Tuvok said. “I must not discount the
possibility.”

“I still can’t get over how much you’ve changed,” Dyson said. “You
used to be so… I don’t know. Young.”

“I was undergoing the Kohlinahr when the Challenger disappeared,”
Tuvok said. “I did not complete the training, but that which I
did changed my perspective and sharpened my logical reasoning.”

“Captain Spock never finished it, either,” Dyson said.

“How did you become so privy to the life of Captain Spock?”

“I overheard Captain Sulu and Commander Rand talking about him
once, after you left the Excelsior,” Dyson said. “It was just
after I’d gotten promoted to full lieutenant. I was doing some
grunt work on the comm station. Rand used to be Kirk’s yeoman,
back when she and Sulu were both on the Enterprise.” He sighed,
almost wistfully. They don’t make captains like that anymore, do
they?” he asked.

“Times are different,” Tuvok replied. “The emphasis of Starfleet
has changed to strengthening security and improving peaceful
relations with our neighbors. That may no longer be the case,
however. The Federation is currently involved in a large-scale
war.”

“Yeah, I’ve been reading about that,” Dyson said. “The captain
put me in charge of developing a new communications system so
that we can cut the transmission time for messages to the Alpha
Quadrant. Guess it’s the best she could do with someone who’s
specialty no longer exists as an exclusive branch within the
fleet. Pity, really. The communications officer really did do
more than just sit there with an antenna in their ear.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Office of the Executive Officer
Stardate 214091.7
2 February 2376 1232 hrs

“You’ve solved the case already?” Chakotay asked. “Who did it?”

“Lieutenant Bowman was telling the truth,” Tuvok said. “It was,
indeed, Captain Janeway.”

“Where’s your proof?” Chakotay challenged. “I’m sure as hell not
going to let you throw her in the brig unless you have some
damned good evidence.”

“After comparing logs,” Tuvok said, “concerning previous attempts
to find a faster means of propulsion from as early as Mr. Paris’
ill-fated attempt at transwarp to the most recent incident of
Mr. Bowman’s attempted sabotage with possible motives and Bowman’s
own statements, I believe I have sufficient evidence to place
Captain Janeway under arrest.”

“Nevertheless,” Chakotay said, “I’d like to see a full report
before you take any further action.”

“I anticipated as much,” Tuvok said, handing a PADD to Chakotay,
“and took the liberty of preparing one for you.”

Chakotay took the PADD glancing at the cover page. “Give me some
time to read through this before moving forward,” he said.

“Of course,” Tuvok said.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Mess Hall
Stardate 214092.4
2 February 2376 1811 hrs

“It is my distinct pleasure,” Janeway began, “to promote Ensign
Harry Kim to the rank of lieutenant junior grade, for excellence
in the performance of his duties, uncommon valor on numerous
occasions and, above all, he has earned the respect of the entire
crew.” The mess hall burst into spontaneous applause as she pinned
the new insignia onto Kim’s shoulder strap. “Congratulations,
Lieutenant Kim,” she said. “This is long past due.”

Paris and Torres came up to Kim, Seven of Nine not far behind.
“Way to go, Harry,” Paris said. “It’s about time.”

“Yes, congratulations, Harry,” Seven said, giving Kim an awkward
hug.

On the other side of the room, Chakotay pulled Tuvok aside.
“I can’t argue with the logic of your report,” Chakotay said.
“This isn’t the time or place to arrest her, though. She’s not
going anywhere. It can wait until tomorrow. I’ve got a plan.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Bridge
Stardate 214093.9
3 February 2376 0751 hrs

“Good morning, Lieutenant Kim,” Chakotay said as he stepped out
of the turbolift, surveying the bridge with a glance. “Aren’t you
a little early for your shift?”

“Just a few minutes,” Kim admitted. “Seven got up early this
morning to assist Commander Dyson with the communications project
the captain has him working on.”

The turbolift doors opened again to admit Tuvok and Paris.
“Commander, lieutenant,” Tuvok said, nodding to each as Paris
took his station at the helm.

“Is the captain in her ready room?” Chakotay asked.

“Yes, sir,” Kim said. “She’s been in there for about a half an
hour now.”

“Thank you, lieutenant,” Chakotay said, then he turned to the
Vulcan security officer. “Tuvok.” Chakotay and Tuvok walked over
to the door of the ready room, where Chakotay activated the signal
chime.

“Come in,” Janeway’s voice came over the comm.

“Captain,” Chakotay said after the doors shut behind him and
Tuvok.

“Chakotay, Tuvok,” Janeway said warmly. “Good morning. What can I
do for you?”

“Captain, we know,” Chakotay said.

“Know what?” Janeway asked.

“I have corroborated Lieutenant Bowman’s statements,” Tuvok said.
“The evidence is sufficient to warrant your arrest.”

“You can’t be serious,” Janeway said, offended.

“I am a Vulcan,” Tuvok said. “I am always serious.”

“Commander,” Janeway said to Chakotay, “what do you have to say?”

“I’ve read his report,” Chakotay answered. “Reluctantly, I have to
agree with him.”

“This is mutiny,” Janeway said. “You’re both relieved of duty. Get
out of my sight before I call security.”

“You do not have that authority, captain,” Tuvok said. “According
to Starfleet protocol, the weight of evidence is enough to arrest
you and relieve you of duty, pending court-martial.”

“You’ve got a choice, Kathryn,” Chakotay said. “Either come with
us peacefully, or we’ll have no choice but to escort you from the
bridge at phaser-point.”

Janeway, Chakotay and Tuvok crossed the bridge from the ready room
to the turbolift. As the doors parted and the three entered the
waiting lift car, Janeway stopped.

“Mr. Kim, the bridge is yours,” Janeway said, then entered the
turbolift with Chakotay and Tuvok, leaving behind them a confused
bridge crew.

Word of Janeway’s arrest and pending court-martial as the
architect of a five-year-long sabotage ring spread through the
ship at warp speed, decimating morale just as quickly.

Despite his best efforts, Neelix was unable to lift the crew’s
spirits. The ship’s mood was unusually subdued.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Sickbay
Stardate 214102.8
6 February 2376 1311 hrs

Seven of Nine entered sickbay, expecting to find her mentor and
father-figure of the past three years, the Emergency Medical
Hologram, but the Doctor was nowhere to be found. Instead, Dr.
Danielle Marcus stepped out from the duty physician’s office.

“Can I help you?” Marcus asked.

“I believe so,” Seven said. “I have been feeling unwell for the
past several days. Are you familiar with my medical profile?”

“I’ve been studying it,” Marcus admitted, “just in case something
like this should happen. Go lie on the main biobed.” Seven complied
and Marcus activated the sensors. “So you don’t normally get sick?”
she asked.

“My nanoprobes act as an advanced immune system,” Seven said. “I
can become ill, but it is unusual.”

Marcus studied the readouts transmitted to the PADD in her hand.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” she breathed.

“Doctor?” Seven asked.

“Congratulations, Seven,” Marcus said. “You’re going to have a
baby.”

“I am pregnant,” Seven said, shocked. “I-I must inform Harry.”
Seven stood from the biobed, passed the nurses — who came to see
who had come into sickbay — and absentmindedly exited the room.

“What’s with her?” one of the nurses asked.

“She’s pregnant,” Marcus said, a little shocked herself.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Briefing Room
Stardate 214102.8
6 February 2376 1315 hrs

“You are the first officer,” Tuvok said, “therefore, it is you who
must assume command of the ship and preside over the court-martial.”

“I’m not Starfleet,” Chakotay argued. “Not really. When we get
back — and we will, soon — how will the almighty admiralty view
the court-martial of the Starfleet captain and succession by a
Maquis?”

“We are following Starfleet regulations,” Tuvok countered. “We are
still operating within the law. There is nothing the ‘almighty
admiralty,’ as you put it, can say.”

“True enough,” Chakotay agreed, “but they’ll talk. You can bet on
it.”

“Do not concern yourself with how you are viewed by others,” Tuvok
said. “Do what you believe is right.”

“‘Don’t try to be a great man. Just be a man and let history make
its own judgements,’ is that what you’re trying to say, Tuvok?”

“In effect, yes.”

“Great,” Chakotay said. “That’s how I got involved with the Maquis
to begin with.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Bridge
Stardate 214102.8
6 February 2376 1319 hrs

As Seven of Nine exited the turbolift, all eyes on the bridge
turned to her.

“Seven!” Kim exclaimed, surprised by her unexpected appearance.

“What can I do for you, Seven?” Dyson asked, rising from the
center seat.

“I require Lieutenant Kim,” Seven said. “If I could have a moment
to speak with him privately in the briefing room…?”

“Absolutely,” Dyson said, a little confused and, simultaneously,
curious. If Seven was coming to the bridge to see him in the
middle of his shift, Dyson reasoned, it must be important.

A crewman took Kim’s place as he left his station, following Seven
into the conference room. They sat on one side of the table and
turned their chairs to face one another.

“So,” Kim said, “what is it, Seven?”

“Do you recall our conversation last year,” Seven asked, “after
we left the holodeck and I expressed a desire to procreate?”

“Yeah,” Kim answered. “We agreed we weren’t ready to have kids
yet, but we did become intimate eventually.”

“Do you still object to having children, Harry?” Seven asked.

“I’m still not sure if we’re ready for that yet,” Kim said. “Kids
are a big responsibility.” Kim looked into Seven’s eyes. “If it’s
this important to you, though, that you’ve brought it up again
now, I think we should talk about it more when I’m off duty.”

“Then I should not abort the fetus,” Seven said.

“What?!” Kim exclaimed, utterly shocked. “You-you’re pregnant
now? Why didn’t you say so?”

“I felt I should ascertain your position on child-rearing before
informing you,” Seven answered. “If you were still opposed to
having children, I would have aborted the fetus until such time
as we were both prepared to begin a family unit.”

Kim opened and shut his mouth, as if to say something, but no
words would come out. Finally, he found his voice. “Seven,” he
said, “it’s not that simple. A family is based around love and
caring and compassion. You don’t just get an abortion because
having a kid is incovenient to us without even telling me! This
is my baby too!”

“Then you wish to keep the child?”

“Yes!” Kim exclaimed, a massive grin crossing his face. He wrapped
his arms around Seven in an enormous hug. “Seven, we’re going to
be parents!”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Brig
Stardate 214103.1
6 February 2376 1621 hrs

A few hours later, Seven entered the brig, stopping near the
force-field sealing Janeway’s cell.

“I was wondering when I’d finally get visitors,” Janeway quipped.
“Does this mean you’ve agreed to act as my defense counsel?”

“No,” Seven replied. “I am not convinced of your innocence in
this matter. Therefore, I cannot in good conscience act in your
defense.” Seven paused. “I have come to see you on a… personal
matter.”

“Really,” Janeway said, disappointed. “Still, it’s the most
conversation I’ve had in days. Shoot.”

“Since I came aboard this vessel, you acted as a surrogate mother
to me. I felt you should be aware that I feel… betrayed.” When
Janeway didn’t react, Seven continued. “Also, despite my feelings,
I nevertheless felt compelled to inform you that I am pregnant.
Harry and I will be moving into shared quarters soon, and Harry
has asked me to marry him.”

Janeway harrumphed. “So, life goes on.”

“Yes,” Seven said as she turned and exited the brig.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Holodeck One
Stardate 214110.4
9 February 2376 0800 hrs

Chakotay hit the bell with the gavel in three double-tap groups,
then set the gavel beside the bell. “These proceedings are now in
order,” he said. “Captain Kathryn Janeway, you stand accused of
sabotage and conspiracy to commit sabotage. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” Janeway said.

“Let the record show,” Chakotay said, “that the defendant has
entered a plea of not guilty. You may be seated. Mr. Tuvok, please
proceed with the opening statements for the prosecution.”

“The prosecution shall show,” Tuvok began, “that on multiple
occasions, beginning as early as Stardate 210373.4, Captain Janeway
and her cadre of saboteurs have willfully disrupted attempts by
the crew of this vessel to return safely and expediently to the
Alpha Quadrant.

“Her own saboteurs have confessed to Janeway’s oversight and
planning of each act of sabotage, meticulously constructed with
the attention to detail of a scientist to conceal the obvious
signs of tampering.

“Indeed, it shall be proven that Captain Janeway’s irrational fear
of reprisal from Starfleet Command upon return to the Alpha
Quadrant for violations of protocol, negligence and collaboration
with known threats to Federation security such as the Borg led her
to willfully engage in sabotaging attempts to speed our return to
our homes and families.” Tuvok took his seat.

“Mr. Vorik,” Chakotay said, “please proceed with the defense’s
opening statements.”

“Thank you, commander,” Vorik said, standing. “Captain Janeway has
been wrongly accused of these crimes. Allegations of her
masterminding a plot to prevent her own ship from returning home
— a mission she, herself, has worked diligently toward — are not
logical.

“Indeed, the record clearly shows Lieutenant Bowman — caught in
the act, I might add — did not name Captain Janeway until six
hours into interrogation. The prosecution’s entire case is built
upon hearsay and idle speculation.

“Granted, there are questionable events in the captain’s record,
but bear in mind she could not call Starfleet Command for help or
authorization at the first sign of trouble and had to make the
best of bad situations. Her alliance with the Borg was seen as the
lesser of two evils, and the choice was not an easy one.

“But the alliance with the Borg — short-lived that it was — does
not mean that Captain Janeway would sabotage her own ship and
destroy her own goal of returning home within our lifetimes.”
Vorik sat down again next to Janeway.

“Thank you, Mr. Vorik,” Chakotay said. “Mr. Tuvok, call your first
witness.”

“The prosecution calls Lieutenant B’Elanna Torres.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Holodeck One
Stardate 214113.9
10 February 2376 1432 hrs

“Captain,” Vorik said to Janeway in a private conference room, “I
cannot argue with the evidence Commander Tuvok is presenting, yet
as your defense counsel, I must. How can I argue in your defense
when I am no longer convinced of your innocence? I feel that you
are not sharing all the evidence with me.”

“What,” Janeway asked, “do you want a mind meld to see if I did
it? Hell, no!”

“I suggested nothing of the kind,” Vorik said. “I simply asked you
to confirm that you are not hiding anything from me.”

“And if I am?”

“Then you should change your plea and throw yourself upon the
mercy of the court.”

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Holodeck One
Stardate 214116.0
11 February 2376 0921 hrs

“Captain Janeway,” Tuvok said, rising, as Janeway sat on the
witness stand, “did you blame yourself for nearly causing the
deaths of the Mahjes of the major Kazon sects during the attempted
summit and alliance with the Trabe on Stardate 210337.4?”

“Of course,” Janeway said. “I organized it. The Trabe tricked us
all.”

“Did you feel that Starfleet would not look kindly on nearly
beheading the leadership of the Kazon?”

“Objection,” Vorik said, rising. “Captain Janeway was unaware of
the Trabe’s intentions.”

“Sustained,” Chakotay said.

“If I may rephrase the question?” Tuvok asked. Chakotay looked at
the others on the panel, then nodded. “Did you believe Starfleet
Command would be displeased with your involvement in the matter?”

“A little,” Janeway admitted. “But as Vorik pointed out, I didn’t
know the Trabe would try to blow up the building we were holding
the summit in.”

“Did you feel strongly enough to sabotage the transwarp fields…”

“Objection,” Vorik said again, once more rising from his seat.
“Captain Janeway has not been identified as the saboteur.”

“Commander,” Tuvok said, “that is what I am trying to establish.”

“Objection overruled,” Chakotay said. “Proceed, commander.”

“Did you feel strongly enough to sabotage the transwarp fields
during Mr. Paris’ ill-fated transwarp flight?”

“I didn’t sabotage the shuttle,” Janeway said sternly.

“That was not my question,” Tuvok said.

“Yes,” Janeway conceded. “I felt strongly enough, but I didn’t do
it.”

“Instead, you had then-Ensign Swinn sabotage the shuttle for you,
correct?”

“Objection,” Vorik repeated, rising from his chair once more to
address the panel. “Captain Janeway has not been identified as
either the saboteur or the mastermind of an alleged sabotage
ring.”

“As I have said,” Tuvok interjected, “that is precisely what I am
attempting to establish.”

“Objection overruled,” Chakotay said.

Janeway sat in silence.

“Captain,” Tuvok said. “I have Crewman Swinn’s sworn statement
indicating you did. Is this true, or did she perjure herself?”

Janeway remained silent.

“Kathryn,” Chakotay said softly, turning to Janeway, “you must
answer the question.”

Janeway’s head fell, her posture slumped. After a moment, she
resumed her rigid posture. “Yes,” she finally said, almost
inaudibly. Then, “Yes, it’s true.”

There was a collective gasp throughout the ship, as everyone
watching the proceedings heard the captain admit her guilt. Vorik
sat in stunned silence.

“Do you also admit,” Tuvok said, breaking several moments of
silence, “to arranging the other acts of sabotage, notably
Stardate 212978.2 and Stardate 213164.3?”

“Yes,” Janeway said, louder this time.

Tuvok turned to the panel headed by Chakotay. “Commander,” he
said, “the prosecution rests.”

“This court is in recess,” Chakotay said, “until oh-eight-hundred
tomorrow.” He picked up the gavel and rang the bell.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Holodeck One
Stardate 214118.6
12 February 2376 0809 hrs

“Kathryn Janeway,” Chakotay said the next morning, “it is the
judgement of this court that you be stripped of all rank and
privileges. You shall be imprisoned until our return to Federation
space, at which time your case will be turned over to the
Starfleet Judge Advocate General Corps, for review and
resentencing.” He rang the bell for the final time, rose and
exited the courtroom.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Brig
Stardate 214122.4
13 February 2376 1718 hrs

“So now you’re going to take the ship home,” Janeway said to
Chakotay through the brig forcefield.

“That’s right,” Chakotay responded. “B’Elanna’s reinstalling the
slipstream drive components. We’ll test everything, make sure it
works, run a few hundred simulations to be sure, then we’ll be on
our way.”

“And you’re the captain now,” Janeway said. “How convenient for
you.”

“I wanted Tuvok to take command,” Chakotay said, “but he insisted.
I was your first officer and the next in the chain of command. He
felt it was logical that I assume command.”

“So,” Janeway said, “what, you’re here to gloat? To tell me you’re
getting the ship home instead of me?”

“No, nothing like that,” Chakotay returned quickly. “I’m — I’m
just trying to put some demons to rest.” Chakotay paused. Janeway
looked at him dubiously. “I want you to know, I bear you no
malice. I couldn’t, because I care about you, Kathryn. I have ever
since New Earth. I just wish I could have told you under different
circumstances.”

Janeway was, to say the least, surprised. “Chakotay,” was all she
could say.

“I have to go to the bridge,” Chakotay said, turning. He left the
brig without either of them saying another word.

U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656
Bridge
Stardate 214143.2
21 February 2376 0801 hrs

A week later, the excitement in the air throughout the ship was
electric as Chakotay stepped once more onto the bridge. They were
almost home.

“Captain,” Kim said from the Operations station, “Engineering
reports we’re ready to get underway.”

“Excellent news, Mr. Kim,” Chakotay said. He pressed a button on
the arm of the center seat. “This is the captain speaking,” he
said, his voice resonating throughout the ship. “We are, as you
are all no doubt already aware, preparing to engage the Quantum
Slipstream drive. We’re going home. It will take a few months,
even with the slipstream drive, but we will be home. Good luck,
everyone.” He pressed the button again, ending the transmission.
“Mr. Paris, set a course for home.”

“Course already laid in, captain,” Paris said.

“Engage,” Chakotay said, taking his seat at the heart of the
bridge. Voyager streaked ahead into the slipstream towards home.

end