Disclaimer: Star Trek Voyager and all who sail in her belong to Paramount/Viacom and no infringement of copyright/trade marks is intended. This story includes same sex relationships between women. If you are offended by this or it is illegal where you live or you are underage then please read no further.
Code: T/7.
Rating: R
Archiving: Please ask first.
Constructive feedback welcome.
Any feedback or other comments should be sent to lizbethblack@yahoo.com
Description: This story takes place sometime before the dreaded Season7.
| Part 1, Chapter 1 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 2 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 3 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 4 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 5 21 Mar 2001 |
| Part 1, Chapter 6 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 7 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 8 21 Mar 2001 | Part 1, Chapter 9 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 1 21 Mar 2001 |
| Part 2, Chapter 2 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 3 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 4 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 5 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 6 21 Mar 2001 |
| Part 2, Chapter 7 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 8 21 Mar 2001 | Part 2, Chapter 9 21 Mar 2001 |
Part 1, Chapter 1
21 Mar 2001
"Captain to the bridge!"
"What now?" snarled Captain Kathryn Janeway. After finally caving in to Neelix and his `a bath is a marvelous way to refresh the senses' lecture, Captain Janeway had resigned herself to the fact that she may as well just relax and enjoy this luxury. As she stood up and reached for the towel she castigated herself for thinking she could ever have a moment's peace whilst they were still puttering along in this damned Delta Quadrant.
"I hope this is worth it Chakotay," Janeway smiled at her first officer as she took her seat in the Captain's chair. "Report, Mr. Tuvok."
"We have picked up what appears to be a residue signature from an expired Trans Warp Coil."
Before Janeway could put words to her worried expression Tuvok continued his report, "However, there does not seem to be any evidence of Borg activity within our sensor range."
"Can you trace the origins of this residue Mr. Kim?"
"Yes Ma'am. It seems to be originating from a small craft currently in orbit around a class three moon... approximately 500,000 miles from our current position."
Captain Janeway looked across at Chakotay, knowing full well what he was thinking -the same thing she was - Borg technology this far out from Borg space was not good news. It was very tempting to forget what she had just heard and, simply, get the hell out of this sector. But, as was usually the case, curiosity got the better of her.
"What the hell is a ship that small doing with a Trans Warp Coil? Mr. Paris, set a course for that Moon."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Mr. Kim, keep a very close eye on those sensors. I don't want any nasty surprises ruining my day." Captain Janeway looked at the view screen and wondered what sort of trouble they would get into today. Almost as an afterthought, Janeway activated her comm badge, "Janeway to Seven of Nine."
"Yes Captain?"
"Seven, has your Borg proximity sensor been activated?"
"No Captain, it has not."
"Seven, could you join us on the bridge?"
As Seven walked out of the astrametrics lab she wondered as to the Captain's request. In fact, she was so preoccupied with the thought that she failed to notice Lt. Torres had just walked around the corner. As the two women collided, B'Elanna let out one of her favourite Klingon profanities and quickly bent down to retrieve her fallen data pad.
" Excuse me Lt. Torres. I apologise for any injury or damage I may have caused."
"Skip it Seven, I'm not in the mood" B'Elanna retorted as she continued her journey towards engineering.
Looking at the retreating woman's back, Seven could not help but wonder why it was that the Klingon always seemed to do her utmost to be particularly antagonistic. The same thought was passing through B'Elanna's mind except in her version she wondered why Seven went out of the way to be such an arrogant pain in the arse.
Captain Janeway turned to Seven as the Borg entered the bridge. "Seven, we've located a small craft that seems to have acquired a Trans Warp Coil as part of its propulsion system."
Seven of Nine arched her eyebrow "Captain, it is highly unlikely that a Trans Warp Coil could be...acquired."
The Captain let out a small laugh, " I would have to agree with you on that point Seven."
"Captain, we are within scanning range of the craft," Harry Kim announced, unable to keep the excitement from his voice.
"On screen."
The Captain slowly rose from her chair and moved to stand closer to the view screen. Seven moved next to Harry Kim and scanned the sensor readings with a slight sense of unease.
"Captain, the craft has had extensive Borg modifications. I estimate 35% of its primary systems have been enhanced by Borg technology."
"Mr. Tuvok, what is its weapon status?"
"Weapon systems are off line. The craft has taken heavy damage to 90% of its systems, including life support."
"Mr. Paris, hail the craft."
Paris shook his head, "No response Captain."
"Mr. Kim, any passengers on that ship?"
"Two life signature...hold on, I'm having trouble getting a stable reading. Captain, the sensors seem to be unable to lock onto a steady signature." Ensign Kim shook his head in puzzlement " according to the sensors there is only one life form but I can't tell whether it is alive or not."
"Two life forms - one life form? What the hell does that mean? Tuvok, Seven, beam over there and find out what's going on. Mr. Kim keep a transporter lock on the away team at all times and be prepared to get them off that ship at any sign of trouble."
"Aye, aye Ma'am"
Lt. Torres stood looking up at the warp drive but her thoughts were on a different subject: Tom Paris. Shit, she thought, I wish I had done it differently. Coming straight out with it like that - not exactly one of my most subtle moments, I must say. Torres smirked ruefully - part of my charm I guess. Well... maybe it was not the right way to do things but hell, I'm not the one doing the fucking around. Bastard, who does he think he is? Torres sighed as she checked the readings from the matter-anti matter conversion chamber. Maybe it's a good thing it happened now. Things certainly have changed over the last couple of months. Shit, I should be mad as hell not sulking around like teenager. Maybe I should do Seven's thing and forget about `romantic involvement' altogether. B'Elanna laughed at the thought but she had to admit that sometimes romance was, indeed, a `highly inefficient waste of time'.
On board the alien vessel Tuvok and Seven had found a passenger who seemed to be on the verge of death.
"Tuvok to Voyager. We have found one body. Life-signs are very weak. We require immediate transport to sick bay."
As Tuvok co-coordinated the evacuation of the alien body Seven began to scan through the ship's database.
"The database is badly corrupted. It will take several days to decipher. Computer, begin transferring data to the astrametrics lab."
`Transfer initiated."
"Captain to Seven of Nine."
"Go ahead Captain."
"Once you've finished your survey report to sick bay"
"Confirmed"
"Transfer completed."
To be continued....