Jennica's Story
9. New Transitions
J/C
Rated MA
June 2009
By: AW
Length: 6,696 words
Summary: 10 Days after 'Difficult Decisions'. Voyager meets the Haazari and the 'Think Tank'.
Disclaimer: blah blah blah, I DON’T OWN THEM
[10 Days after part 8. Difficult Decisions]
Kathryn sat in her ready room thinking about what had happened to her and her crew over the past two weeks.
She had been forced to make a decision for her daughter as a captain, a choice that no one should ever have to make.
B’Elanna was still in sickbay, slowly getting better.
Jennica wouldn’t talk to her and neither would Harry outside of the area of Captain and Ensign, or Captain and crewman.
Her heart broke every time Jennica called her Captain instead of mom off duty.
Kathryn bowed her head, and remembered,
She needs a transfusion Captain, she’s just lost too much blood.
Are there any matches in the crew?
The doctor refused to look at her, “Just one.”
“So who is it?”
“Jennica.”
It had been at that moment that she had really been forced to take the Captain to the next level. Asking her daughter to donate blood-plasma, to save a woman who was dying because she had miscarried Jennica’s baby.
And then came the explosion:
“Jennica she needs help, she tried to help you.”
“Then why are you the one coming and asking me? Dad afraid to come?”
“That’s not fair Jennica, she’s his wife.”
“And that was my baby.” She paused turning around so her back was facing her mother, “My one chance at true happiness.”
“You and Harry can still live full happy lives together.”
“You and Chakotay have three kids, you’re the top two officers on this ship, and everything is going well for you. What right do you have to say we’ll be happy without these things?”
She remembered being unsure of what to say to that. In all honesty she couldn‘t picture her life without her children: all of them.
She was lost in thought and she decided there was not much sense thinking about it anymore. It was beyond her control, and beyond her reason.
She walked up to her desk and took out the game that Tom had introduced to the crew recently. She had spent hours, and was damned if she was going to let it beat her.
Forty-five minutes later, Kathryn heard the chime to her door ring.
“Yes.”
Seven walked in, she refused to be called Jennica by her mother any longer. “Captain, long-range scans have detected -”
She ignored Seven’s yammering. She would not give her daughter the satisfaction of seeing her in pain. “One second. I've wasted two hours on this thing and I'm no closer to solving it.”
“You can thank Ensign Paris for introducing the artefact to the ship.” *Ensign Paris, she won’t even call him dad.*
She looked up at the woman who’s ‘blonde’ perfection - aside from the hair colour – mirrored her own. “He was behind the last ship-wide craze, too. Yo-yos. Now it's Sheer Lunacy. Another hour and I'll go insane.”
“The solution is quite simple. If you align –”
“No, I want to figure this out myself.” Kathryn pushed a couple of more buttons, hoping it would give her the answer and she could prove for once to this former Borg Drone that she was worthy of being in the Captain’s seat.
The ‘game’ made a funny noise and Kathryn looked up at her daughter, “You said something about long range scans?”
“They've revealed a planetoid with high concentrations of dilithium crystals.”
“Let's take a look.”
She got up from her place behind her desk and gave the ‘toy’ one more smack before proceeding to the bridge.
Harry looked at Kathryn coming out of the ready room, “Captain on the bridge.”
Kathryn glared at Harry. “On screen.”
There were pools of dilithium according to their sensors just below the planet’s crust. Kathryn looked at the scans, there was something odd about it though, not quite right.
Jennica quickly moved to her station and scanned, seeing the same thing the Captain did. “The planetoid is destabilising.”
Chakotay realized they were going to be right in the line of fire of the gas clouds, “Shields!”
Janeway stood up from her seat, “Report.”
Chakotay answered not sounding too happy, “We're trapped in a cloud of metreon gas. It's collapsed our warp field and knocked the impulse engines offline.”
Tuvok interrupted the banter, “A heavily armed vessel just dropped out of warp off the port bow.”
Seven stared at the vessel and Kathryn knew that she knew who they were. “Captain, I recognise it. It's Hazari, species four-two-two-eight: Technologically advanced, extremely violent. They make excellent tactical drones.”
Kathryn looked at her daughter, knowing that she had knowledge in her head that most of the crew would never even know or need, “What do they want with us?”
“They’re bounty hunters. They’re hired to capture and deliver alien vessels.”
Harry asked from the ops deck, ”So who hired them?”
Chakotay answered, “The Malon, the Devore. We've made our share of enemies here.”
Finally Harry gave them contact, “They're hailing.”
A mean looking alien showed himself on the viewscreen and demanded right away, “Surrender. No one need be hurt. My client would prefer your vessel intact.”
Kathryn, always the Captain answered, “Who hired you?”
“That's not your concern.”
“I'm only asking because I'm curious how much they're paying. Maybe we can do better.”
“Doubtful “
The banter between the two leaders went on for a few minutes when finally Kathryn pulled her trump card: “Charge phaser banks to full power.”
Y'sek answered from the viewscreen, “Fire and you'll ignite the gas cloud. You'll be destroyed.”
Kathryn got a smug look on her face, “You've left me no choice. I suggest you back off if you want to save your own ship. End transmission.”
Tuvok the voice of reason when the Captain didn’t know when to stop spoke, “They are moving closer. They've locked on a tractor beam.”
Tom spun around from the helm, “Looks like they're calling your bluff, Captain.” He saw Kathryn’s determined face and got a bad feeling, “It was a bluff, wasn't it?”
Kathryn spoke of their shields, and forcing them to hold. She asked Seven if they still had warp power: At the affirmative, a plan started to form. Tuvok shook his head and as the gas cloud approached them, he stated: “Shields are holding. We're approaching the perimeter of the gas cloud.”
Finally Kathryn heard a sigh of relief from the con. “We're out.”
“Warp speed.”
Tuvok, shocked every time that Captain Janeway got them out of a seemingly impossible situation agreed with Paris and the rest of the bridge crew, “No sign of pursuit.”
Kathryn looked suspiciously at the screen then turned to Chakotay, “They weren't that heavily damaged. Why aren't they following us?”
At his shrug, he made his way to the ready room following her.
Five minutes later, Sam Wildman came in with baby Hannah. She clasped the baby to her breast and turned to Chakotay, “I’m going to have to get her on a bottle soon. I can’t just stop every time she needs to be fed.”
Chakotay nodded, “I know Kathryn, she is six months old. I think that you’re right.”
Kathryn smiled, “This is the last one Chakotay. This is the last time that I will ever feed a child from my body. This is it. My child rearing days are over.”
Chakotay laughed, “No doubt, but you know you’re happy about it.”
“Yes I’ll be happy when breastfeeding is over. Won’t put Sam through hell every time that Hannah needs to be fed.”
Chakotay smiled, “I’m sorry that you have to deal with this Kathryn, but it’s almost over.”
Kathryn had spent hours trying to figure out how the hell she was going to get the ship out of this one. Every time there was a possible way out, Kathryn found the loophole. The way that they would get Voyager no matter what.
She sat in the mess hall going over padd. after padd., there had to be a way.
Kathryn heard the com line open. “Kathryn I can picture you sitting there with cup after empty cup of coffee. The doctor wants to know if he should prepare a hypospray?”
Kathryn shook her head, “Excuse me?”
Chakotay laughed at Kathryn’s response, “So you can absorb the caffeine more directly. Save time.”
“Point well taken. I'll make this my last cup and I’ll be home soon.”
Kathryn was leaning against the wall, stretching her back. She loved her time alone in the mess hall. It was so quiet at this time of night.
She spun around at the sound of another’s voice. “There is nothing like a good problem to spark the synapses, is there? To open the mind to new possibilities, new ways of seeing things. Of course, one must always confront self doubt and fear, but that is a small price to pay for the exhilaration of finding the perfect solution.”
“Who are you and what do you want?”
“You have a problem, Captain. I am the solution.”
Kathryn stared at him and slapped her combadge. “Security to the Mess hall. Intruder alert.”
The alien looked at her smugly, “I deactivated your communications device, Captain, but do not worry. I am not an intruder. In fact, I am not really here.”
“A hologram.”
Kurros looked at her as if she were an insect trapped in a flytrap, nothing important and nothing woprth worrying about. “Nothing so crude: An isomorphic projection.” He picked up her cup of unfinished coffee and smelled it and then took a gulp. “You actually enjoy this?”
“It's an acquired taste.”
He smiled, “It bears a resemblance to an Alkian confection we acquired several years ago.”
“We?”
Here came the truth, and everything was becoming clear as Kathryn listened to him tell his tale. “I am a member of a small group. Explorers like you, but we seek out challenges. Problems to be solved technological, biological, social, even artistic.”
“A Think tank.”
Kurros looked at her puzzled, “I like that, it's very apt. Our Think Tank is nearby. A modest vessel. I have come to offer our help with your Hazari paradox.”
Kathryn let out a little laugh, “Paradox?”
“That is right. Is it an escape route or is it a trap? Do they know that you know that they know? It is the best kind of puzzle: Pure tactics, psychology.”
“Something tells me your help comes with a price tag.”
“Whatever your culture has to offer that is unique. Technology perhaps, or maybe something you would not even think to value. I would need a closer look at your database.”
Kathryn looked at him suspiciously, “And how do I know you aren't an Hazari trap? Maybe they're trying to lure us into an ambush like before.”
“You are wise to be suspicious, Captain. We have done some preliminary analysis on their manoeuvres. It does suggest some more likely ambushes. I've downloaded the data onto your computer.”
He handed her a pad with the co-ordinates to meet him ‘face to face’. Then he looked at her, so sure of himself. “Then I look forward to meeting you in person.”
Kathryn nodded and made her way to the ready room.
She thought about the many things that had happened to her in the past 2 years with Jennica’s re-emergence in her life.
Then she thought about the past 4 years and the arrival of her first baby and then the two after them.
She ran her hand over her stomach, she still looked good for a woman who was just over 40 with three kids – four if you counted Jennica – and who was under constant stress at all hours of the day.
Jennica
That was one subject she’d have to deal with sooner or later.
At the moment though the immediate concern was the ‘Think Tank’
She was roused from her stupor and thoughts of the past, present and future by a chime at the door.
She sighed, “Come in.”
Tuvok appeared, this she had not expected, her husband perhaps, or even her daughter, but Tuvok only came if there was a big problem. “You have a visitor. Mister Kurros has returned in isomorphic form.”
“Send him in.” She watched as Kurros appeared, “Welcome back.”
“Captain, we have compiled a short list of items we would like. It was not easy. Voyager has a great deal to offer.”
Kathryn slowly looked over the list of stuff that Kurros was requesting. “Quantum slipstream technology. I should warn you. We never got that to work reliably.”
“It is still intriguing, theoretically.” *Yeah that’s what we thought too until it blew up in our faces.*
“Neelix's recipe for chadre'kab?” Kathryn almost laughed at that. Neelix would be pleased that his food made the list.
“Yes.”
“An ancient Olmec figurine: I guess Commander Chakotay can be persuaded to part with it.” *Or I can just borrow it from the shelf in our room.*
“I am pleased to hear that.”
Kathryn saw the next item and her jaw dropped open. They wanted Jennica. They couldn’t have her, she had just gotten her back. She looked at him shaking her head. “You can't be serious.”
“I realise the next item may seem unorthodox, but I believe it can be beneficial to both of us.”
“You never mentioned anything about bartering my crew members.”
He smiled at her with teeth that left something to be desired showing through his mouth. “She will have an extraordinary opportunity to explore the galaxy as one of us.”
“I'm afraid the answer is no.” She had to keep the family together even if they didn’t want to be with her.
“I understand your feelings, Captain,” *Oh no you don’t, you don’t have any idea. “But have you thought to ask Seven of Nine herself?”
Kurros left and Kathryn picked up a china mug off the edge of the counter and threw it against the wall.
She almost hyperventilated as she tried to breath through her anxiety. She took in three deep breaths, trying to calm herself and reached her hand up to her combadge. “Janeway to Chakotay.”
“Chakotay here Captain, what can I do for you?”
“Could you please come to my ready room. I need to speak with you.”
“Acknowledged, I’ll be right there.”
Five minutes later, Chakotay had walked into her ready room, looking wary at having been summoned into the ready room halfway through the shift. “Yes Captain.”
“Kurros wants Jennica.”
Chakotay shook his head, “Okay Kat, start at the beginning, what the hell are you talking about.”
She drew in a deep breath. “Kurros: the alien from the think tank, he wants Jennica, or Seven to him.”
“What do you mean he wants her?”
“I mean that that is what he wants her in payment for the answer to our little Hazari trap.” Kathryn began to cry, and Chakotay walked up to her and engulfed her in a hug.
“It’ll be okay honey, I promise we’ll figure this out.”
An hour later Kathryn was relatively calm and had summoned Jennica to the ready room.
She stared at Jennica. “Do you understand what he’s asking? He wants to take you away from everything. Me, your father, Chakotay...Harry. The possibility of a life outside of your Borg Identity.”
“Okay mom, so what do you want me to do?”
“I want your opinion. You’re not a baby anymore, you can make your own decisions.”
Jennica stared at her mom, “Honestly, if I’m what they want to save the crew: I can’t really say no.”
“There is no solution. What's at stake here is your future: Your happiness.”
“The issue is Voyager's survival.”
Kathryn stared at her daughter. She approached her and told her, hoping for once Jennica would listen to her mother. “Sit. Please.” Jennica had a seat and Kathryn looked at her more as the Captain than as her mother, “While I still question this Think Tank's way of doing things, there is a genuine opportunity for exploration. It could be the chance of a lifetime.”
This was killing her but she had to make Jennica see that this was a possible option. She had to make her see that maybe this was what she needed to do.
Jennica was taken aback by those words and stared at her, “I knew you never wanted me around. All I was doing was messing up your perfect little family.
Chakotay never accepted me as his daughter: I know. You're telling me to go, then maybe I will; and you’ll have your perfect little family without the bastard child that you never really wanted.”
“You don’t understand baby. I don't want you to go, but it's not my right to tell you what to do anymore. Until now – when I finally got you back from the Borg - I've kept a close eye on your progress, helped you with decisions but, I think you've learned enough as an individual to make this decision yourself. Would you like to join them?”
Jennica shook her head as tears fell down her cheeks. “I can’t. I love Harry too much to leave him like this. I need to see that through.”
Kathryn couldn’t help but think that she had been about Jennica’s age when she had found Chakotay for the first time, and it has taken her twenty years to realize that love. She wasn’t sure that she could do that to her daughter, no matter what the danger was to Voyager.
“Mom, I appreciate the trust you’re putting in me, but you need to make the decision for Voyager, not me.”
This was killing her but she had to say it, she had to give her daughter the choice: and kids eventually grew up. “You've earned it. And remember, if you do choose to go make sure it's what you want, not what you think is best for Voyager. We're getting out of this, with or without the Think Tank's help.”
[Bridge]
Jennica walked back onto the bridge. She had gone to see them and told them no. “I said no mom. I don’t want to be with them I want to be with Voyager.”
Kurros appeared, “You refused our first offer, there will be more.”
“She said no Kurros: Please leave my bridge.”
“You are making a fatal mistake. We have already analysed hundreds of scenarios. Voyager will not survive without our help.”
Kathryn glared at the think tank representative. “Your scenarios, not mine.”
“Your confidence is unfounded, Captain. Reconsider. Order Seven of Nine to join us.
“No, I won’t do that, it was her decision.”
“Captain, we will get Seven of Nine one way or another.”
“We have an old expression, Kurros. Don't call us, we'll call you. Re-modulate the shields to a phase variant frequency.”
Tuvok looked at his Captain, she was acting illogical. “His ship is vanishing from sensors. It's being absorbed into subspace.”
Chakotay had to back his wife up no matter what, “I get the distinct feeling they won't take no for an answer.”
She sighed, “Same here. Looks like we're facing two threats now. The Hazari and our would-be saviours.”
[0300 – Ready Room]
Kathryn had sent Alpha shift home many hours ago, including her husband, but she needed to find an answer. She couldn’t let Jennica leave her.
Finally sleep found her on the couch of her ready room and she awoke, not in the comfortable area of her ready room but aboard the ship with the ‘Think Tank’. “Why have you brought me here? I’m not the one you want.”
“Our friend here, he was in complete contact with Seven of Nine, or should I say Jennica.”
Kathryn’s jaw dropped open. “You think that you can hide such things from us?”
Kathryn shook her head, “Apparently not.”
“I know you want to give your husband the son that your daughter destroyed. I felt the guilt. I know that you want to help her have the child that she wants.”
He looked at her. “I know all.”
“And you know that I would willingly give myself up to save my crew.”
He smiled a sly smile, “Yes, but would your daughter do the same thing and give you up?”
“My daughter would obey me as would the rest of the crew.”
“Maybe so, but we’ve started as a motion of good will. You have been healed, we expect Seven of Nine with us by 1200 hours your time tomorrow, or we will destroy your son.”
Kathryn shook her head. “I’m not pregnant.”
“There is a solution to any problem Captain, and we have found the solution to yours.”
[0500 – Janeway Quarters]
Kathryn woke up around 5am in her bed, next to her husband. She sat bolt upright. “Chakotay, wake up.”
Chakotay grumbled something unintelligible and rolled over. “Chakotay!”
He still wouldn’t move, “Commander.”
The steel of the command voice coming out in full force. Chakotay woke up and was out of bed so fast. “I have to go and check something out and I might have to explain something to you a little later. First though, I’d like you to organize a meeting for me with the leaders of the Hazari and our senior staff at 0900.”
Kathryn got out of bed and got dressed, she looked herself in the mirror and saw nothing different.
*How could she be pregnant? The doctor had taken out her uterus more than 6 months ago.* She shrugged her shoulders and decided not to sweat an impossible comment by a little man.
She sauntered over to the bridge and checked to see who was on. Poor Harry, she knew he liked being in command of the night shifts, but lately Chakotay had put him only on night shifts.
She shook her headed to the ready room.
She looked over the tactical scenarios that had been discovered by Alpha and Beta shift.
Everyone came to the same conclusion, they couldn’t do anything and they couldn’t get anywhere they were trapped: which meant that Jennica was their trump card.
It was 0700 when Kathryn headed back towards her quarters for breakfast. She walked into the quarters and saw Taya playing with a puzzle, Haley had gotten out of bed and was sitting with a sippy cup drinking some apple juice, which mean Hannah was still sleeping.
He went to the baby’s room and looked at the perfect baby, sitting up happily cooing at Kathryn. “Hello, my little girl.” She picked her up and felt a dry bottom, Chakotay must have been up and changed her already. She called out “Chakotay.”
He came into the room, “Already been up have you?” Chakotay nodded and walked up behind her. “Kids seem happy enough, I think that we should take them for breakfast in the mess hall.”
Chakotay nodded, “You do realize that for the most part these kids eat nothing but Neelix’s food.”
“Yeah, we’re torturing them.”
“Oh it’s not that bad, Kathryn.”
Kathryn stared at him, “I guess so, but come on. If had lived on this crap when I was small I’m not sure that I would have eaten every day.”
Chakotay chuckled, “Well let’s get going and see what he’s made for breakfast.”
They picked up all the children and made their way out of their quarters.
[Mess Hall – 0730]
Kathryn lifted a spoon to Haley’s mouth, “Oh come on honey, one more bite.”
Haley hit the spoon and oatmeal went all over the place. Chakotay laughed, “Okay Haley, eat for your mother.”
Kathryn glared at Chakotay, “Hey how come now that the baby is being bottle fed you get her and I get the mess one?”
Chakotay laughed, “Hey you were the one who said you couldn’t wait until Hannah was off the boob so I could feed her.”
Kathryn raised an eyebrow at her husband. “This is still your issue once in a while.”
She stood up, “Well Chakotay it is almost 0800 and we have to get these children to the nursery and get to the bridge.”
Chakotay nodded, “Yes mommy.”
Kathryn rolled her eyes, “Come on daddy, let’s go.”
[Bridge – 0900 hours]
Kathryn sat on the bridge and was holding the chair, making sure she didn’t fall out of the chair as the Hazari fired at them. Kathryn turned to Chakotay, “Kurros told us that the Hazari always fire in pairs, fire at the supporting ship.”
Tuvok looked at her, “Aye Captain.”
Jennica answered, “No effect Captain.”
“Janeway to transporter room one, can you get a lock on those Hazari?”
“Not yet Captain, there’s still too much interference.”
Kathryn got off her chair and went towards Harry’s station. “Ensign, can you get a lock on them, cut through the interference using a quantum resonance scan.”
Harry looked at the Captain, “There now I have a lock.”
“Fire.”
Tom stared at Harry and then at Kathryn, “Direct hit. The lead ship is breaking off.”
“Can you cut through their shields and get a lock on those two Hazari.”
“Yes, ma’am.
Harry locked onto the Hazari and transported them to the bridge. Kathryn pointed a phaser in their faces. “You’re on my bridge now.”
“Senior staff meeting 1000 hours.” Kathryn stared at Chakotay, “Let’s go to my ready room, we have to talk.”
“Paris, you’re in charge of the prisoners. Tuvok, help him out.”
Tuvok nodded and Chakotay and Kathryn made their way to the ready room.”
Kathryn got into the ready room and stared at Chakotay. “So what do you think of my act of terrorism so to speak?”
“Kathryn, that wasn’t terrorism. How many times have I told you over the years that sometimes you have to go against Starfleet protocols to make things right, to have them work in our favour.”
“I know but now that we have a marriage and children to look out for, the stakes are so much higher.”
Chakotay shook his head, “You know my dear I have never heard you talk that way before.”
“I guess I’m just realizing now how fragile life is, and how much I always had to lose.”
Chakotay stared at his wife, “And if you back down now though you won’t be the Kathryn Janeway we’ve all followed and loved throughout.”
Kathryn nodded. She took Chakotay by the arm, “Chakotay...”
“Yes Kat?”
Kathryn laughed, “Never mind, it’s not important.”
[Hazari Vessel – 1000 hours]
Kathryn stood by the communications panel. “Any luck?”
Chakotay didn’t look too sure, “I'm still trying to access their primary database.”
“Let me guess. They're the strong but silent types.”
Tuvok looked at Kathryn, there was something not right with her, but he held strong. “Very silent.”
Chakotay piped up, “Did you try a mind meld?”
“Oh great idea Chakotay, mind melds don’t solve everything.”
Tuvok raised an eyebrow and said, “Without success. They're unusually resistant.”
Kathryn laughed, “Well, hold off on the torture till we see what we can dig up here.”
“I've found something. A series of encoded transmissions.”
“They've been discussing Voyager. Our co-ordinates, our defences.”
Tuvok looked at the command couple, “Whoever hired the Hazari know a lot about us.”
Kathryn looked at everyone, checking over the sensor readings, “Check these sensor logs. See if they had any visitors recently.”
“I've got some bioreadings, but they're pretty scrambled.”
“If they are bioreadings, perhaps the Doctor can unscramble them.”
Kathryn looked at Tuvok, then at Chakotay. This was their last chance, “Tell him to give it a try.”
[Mess Hall – 1500 hours]
Kathryn had finally given B’Elanna permission to come to the mess hall and help them figure stuff out. She led her over by the arm, pulling out a chair and letting her sit down. The doctor had told Kathryn that B’Elanna would still not be at 100%, but she needed her there.
Her mind was no something that the crew could do without, especially not with the Hazari and the Think Tank threat.
Kathryn made sure that B’Elanna was settled and smiled at her before getting to the head of the table. “We've got a puzzle and we're not leaving this room until we solve it. The Think Tank is out there somewhere, hiding in subspace. How do we find them? And even if we can, their ship's hull is neutronium-based alloy, impervious to our weapons. How do we capture them?”
“What if we send out a multispatial probe?”
B’Elanna piped up and Kathryn knew that she had been right to break her out of Sickbay. “It would take weeks of scanning to find them.”
The Hazari Y’sek answered “Weeks? We're not willing to wait that long.”
Kathryn shook her head, “Maybe we're going about this the wrong way. A direct assault seems unlikely to succeed. Pure tactics, psychology, that's how they solve problems. That's what we have to do. They've created this paradox to manipulate us into giving them Seven of Nine. How do we manipulate them? Think.”
Chakotay tried to support B’Elanna, “I thought we were onto something with B'Elanna's plan”
“Forget it. I was wrong.”
“Let him talk.”
The doctor piped up, “We're talking in circles.”
Kathryn all of a sudden felt her head spinning. She shook her head and felt really warm all of a sudden.
Chakotay walked up to her, “You okay?”
Kathryn nodded and tried to keep herself standing, but then she lost consciousness. Chakotay rushed up to her, “Kathryn!”
Y’sek ignored the melodrama that was going on, he didn’t have time for this, “Enough! Three hours, no progress. I should have contacted my ships by now.”
Chakotay stared at Y’sek, “My wife is sick.” He turned to Tuvok, “Get him off her ship.”
Tuvok nodded and pulled Y’sek to the transporter room.”
The doctor walked up to Kathryn and scanned her. His eyebrow furrowed. “This can’t be.”
“What what is wrong with my wife?”
“Please Commander, I need to get her to sickbay.”
A blue ensign walked up an placed Kathryn on a stretcher. “He looked to Harry, “Harry, make sure you keep me informed of the Hazari threat.” He turned and looked to Tom, “Get to sickbay and help the doctor.”
Tom nodded and went off to sickbay. “I need to go and check on the kids, Tom I’ll take care of your children tonight too.”
“Tom nodded, thanks Chakotay.”
Chakotay nodded, “No problem.”
Chakotay walked to the ready room first, and went to get the reports. He had to get this Hazari threat taken care of now. Kathryn was in no condition to make any of this happen at the moment.
Chakotay picked up the reports and went to his quarters to go get the children set up and to make sure that he had all the information that he needed.
He walked into his quarters and saw Sam there with the kids. “Thanks for brining them home Sam. And I have the Paris children too, but it will be okay, again...thanks.”
Chakotay brought Taya and Miral to the table and made them chicken rice.
Then he brought the babies, which he realized he had three of, to the table set them up and began to feed the tykes.
He started feeding Haley and she spit the strained carrots all over him. *Nice so this is what Kathryn deals with.*
When the child finally got enough food in her he turned to Katie. “Okay baby, make this easier on me.” Then he though, *She’s a Kathryn...I’m screwed.*
Two hours later, Chakotay finally had all the children fed and put down for bed. *Thank god that’s over.*
The door chime rang and Chakotay hailed, “Come.”
Tom Paris showed his face. “I’m done my shift: Do you want me to take the kids for a bit?”
“Oh now you come, they’re asleep and fed, and now you decide to show your face.”
“I just thought maybe you’d like to get a chance to go and visit your wife in sickbay.” He paused, unwilling to tell him what was wrong. “She’s awake now, and would probably like to see you.”
Chakotay took in a deep breath, “Thanks Tom. Did you guys find out what was wrong with her?”
Tom nodded, “Yes we did and when you go to sickbay, I’m sure that the doctor will tell you.”
“Thanks Tom, see you in a little bit.”
Tom nodded and Chakotay took off to see his wife and figure out what was wrong.
Chakotay walked down the hall towards the sickbay. He had to make sure that Kathryn was okay; he needed her, the kids needed her and the crew needed her.
He finally got off the turbolift and made his way towards sickbay. When he got to the door, he entered and saw the doctor scanning her, focusing on her abdomen.
Finally Chakotay cleared his throat and walked up towards his wife and the doctor.
What he saw on the monitor made his heart stop. “I know what that looks like but how is it possible?”
Kathryn smiled. “I had a feeling this was the case this afternoon when I went to see the Think Tank.”
“That doesn’t answer my question Kathryn, how?”
“When I see the Think Tank with Jennica, Fennim read her mind. He knew that I was Jennica’s mother. He read Jennica’s thoughts about wanting a baby, and he checked out our biochemical balance.”
“But why are you pregnant?”
“Well when a man and a woman...”
“Damnit Kathryn, that doesn’t answer my question.”
“We had sex yesterday and you know that semen stay alive in a woman’s body for a couple of days. And Kurros figured if he did this for us, Jennica might help him, possibly even join him.”
Chakotay shook his head, “So what are you gonna do?”
“I’ve spoken to Jennica and here’s what’s going to happen.”
[Bridge – 0900]
Kathryn watched the viewscreen and the confrontation going on between the Hazari vessel and the ‘Think Tank’. In the Hazari vessel, Y’sek watched
Kurros on the monitor.
Kurros spoke up, “We have what we want. Call off your attack.”
“Not until we've been compensated.”
Kurros looked at him suspiciously, “Fine, but first order your other vessels to stand down.”
“Now, or we'll destroy Voyager.”
Kathryn watched the scene play out, she heard the talks going on and she felt queasy. She knew in her heart of hearts this was psychosomatic she was only three days pregnant, but could she do this again?
Was this baby safe within her womb?
Would any baby that Jennica entrusted in her care be safe?
Kathryn let the tears fall down her face and excused herself to the ready room.
Chakotay watched her leave and was concerned. He let her stay alone for five minutes and then followed her in.
When the doors to the ready room closed Chakotay walked up to her, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“There is nothing wrong with me.”
“You were listening the conversation between the two enemies that could quite possibly end our lives and our very fragile family and here you go: freaking out.”
“Why did this happen Chakotay? I never asked to be a mother again. I thought I was done.”
Chakotay looked at Kathryn. “I’m sorry Kathryn.”
“You know that’s normally not what people say when their wife says they’re going to give them a baby.”
He walked up to her and kissed her on the lips, “You know that’s not what I mean Kathryn; but is this going to make you happy?”
Kathryn looked at him, “I don’t know what will make me happy; but I know we have to get back out on the bridge and see where this situation goes.”
The two of them walked out onto the bridge. “Ensign report.”
Harry looked at the Captain, she looked like hell. “Are you okay Captain?”
She smiled at Harry, “I’m fine Harry thanks, just feeling a little under the weather lately.”
“Okay Captain, sorry to bother you. I was just wondering, Jennica says she hasn’t seen a lot of you lately.”
She grinned and nodded her head. “I understand that you and Jennica are very close, I just haven’t had a whole lot of time lately with Chakotay and the kids.”
Kim smiled, “I can understand that Captain. Well if you want to talk or anything, Jennica and I are always around.”
Janeway smiled and nodded her thanks.
Jennica finally came onto the bridge. “So you understand the plan then Jenn?”
Jennica nodded, okay well wish me luck.”
Janeway nodded and Jennica went over to transporter room to make her way to the ‘Think Tank’.
Kathryn acknowledged the transport. Jennica as onboard.
[Think Tank]
Kurros looked at the Borg Dron: “Seven of Nine, welcome.”
Jennica looked at Kurros with hostility.”Your hospitality is irrelevant. I am here because you left me no choice.” Jennica turned on the Borg ‘charm’ and hoped against all hopes that her mother would work it out and get her off the ship before they had a chance to totally integrate her into the Think Tank.
“You gave into your human instincts to save your crew, as we knew you would. Just another factor in our equation.”
“If Voyager is destroyed, I will not co-operate.”
“Do not worry. The solution to the Hazari paradox is quite simple.”
[Bridge]
The EMH came over the comm. line, “Sickbay to Bridge. Seven's neural transceiver has been activated.”
Kathryn looked at Tuvok, “Acknowledged. Do it.”
“I'm transmitting the carrier wave.”
“Was there any effect Tuvok? Can you target the think tank’s ship now?”
Tuvok nodded, “Yes transmitting the co-ordinates to the Hazari right now.”
Janeway nodded an opened a channel, “Voyager to Hazari vessels. Their systems are down. Fire the spatial charges.”
[Think Tank]
Seven stared at Kurros, “We seem to be experiencing some turbulence.”
Kurros looked at Jennica smugly, “Primitive spatial charges. I will have the dome back online before they can do any damage.” He looked at Jennica, “What have to done? We're being pulled out of subspace.”
[Bridge]
Kathryn stared with fear in her eyes towards Kim, “Harry, what’s your tactical status? Do you have a lock?”
“I've got a lock on Seven.”
“Good Harry, initiate transport.” She stared at Tuvok, “Are the Hazari going after them?”
“The Hazari vessels are converging on the Think Tank.”
“Tom.”
“Setting a course.”
Kurros got in the middle of things from the other vessel. “Captain, we helped you, you’re reaping the benefits at the moment.I urge you to reconsider.”
“A good guest knows when he's outstayed his welcome. Thank you again for everything you’ve done for us, but I think it’s time we left.”
“We can still negotiate a peaceful solution. Do not destroy my faith in diplomacy.”
“Your diplomacy could use some polishing.”
Kurros stared at Jennica, making one last plea for her to stay with the Think Tank. “You know you will never be satisfied here among these people. Is this what you really want?”
‘Acquiring knowledge is a worthy objective, but its pursuit has obviously not elevated you.”
Kathryn gave Kurros a sly smile, “Looks like your ship's having difficulties.”
“A minor problem.”
“Oh, I'm sure you'll find a solution. Just give it some thought.”
She turned to Tom, “Get us out of here.”
Tom nodded.
Kathryn turned towards Chakotay, “Can you meet me in my ready room Commander?”
Chakotay nodded and followed her. When they got into the ready room, she looked to her husband. “I’m sorry Chakotay, it’s been a rough day. I do want this baby, I do want to give you a son. I don’t know what Kurros planned to do, but I’m glad he did.”
Chakotay nodded, “I guess we’re going to have another baby then.”
Kathryn nodded, “I guess so. Looks like you’re finally going to get a son Chakotay.”
Chakotay let a shadow fall across his face, “I had a son Kathryn.”
“I know, but this time I’ll try to be more careful, this time the baby will come full term and healthy.”
“I hope so Kathryn, I hope so.”
To be continued in 10. The Hero's Answer