Rated: PG
Disclaimer: Paramount & the Viaborg own the Characters. I just was trying out my writing skills. This is a first so it is a bit rusty.
Summary: voyager comes across a stange ship
By Allyssa
((Two men are at a console with strange symbols on the pads. Older & younger- obviously not human.
Scans appear of what appears to be a human female))
"How is she doing?" "Fine. She has reached what the humans call adolescence. It is supposedly a difficult time in a human's life and
she is dealing with it fairly well. I am pleased with the results so far." "Good, keep the simulation running. I want to learn as much
as we can from her." "Yes sir."
Captains Log Supplemental Stardate- endgame hasn't occurred and they have been in space for 8 years now.
((Note: Chakotay and Seven? No way!))
We have just left the Tarei system. They were unable to provide us with information on the following sectors
but have cautioned us about the dangers. They have informed us that although they have had many explorers venture out, none have returned.
Kathryn Janeway was sitting in her chair on the bridge. Lounging was more like it she thought to herself. The last few days had been
full
of meeting and briefings with the Tarei and with her crew. It seemed like this was her first time to take a break. She sighed;
her only wish now was for a cup of coffee. Chakotay heard her and looked over grinning. "Thirsty Captain?"
She tried to give him a death stare but she wasn't in the mood. She was forced to settle with a near-death stare instead.
Unfortunately it was a waste as he simply grinned back at her.
"Captain, this is Seven. I believe that I have found something that may be of interest to you. Could you please come to astrometrics.
"Of course Seven. Chakotay and I will be there in a few moments." "Thank you Captain."
Sighing she forced herself out of her chair and headed for the turbolift. Chakotay followed silently, and they made their way to Astrometrics.Once there they found Seven behind the main console. Shrugging at Chakotay, Kathryn walked up next to her.
"What did you find 7?""This. It is the region of space that we are about to enter Captain," she said bringing a 3-D picture up to the
screen, "this is what I thought you might be interested in." She zoomed in on a small region of space that was a few days away as
near as Kathryn could tell; a small outline of a vessel was visible. "What is it besides a vessel though 7?" she asked, curious as to how 7 thought that this was worth a visit to Astrometrics. 7 glanced over and gave her a look that seemed to call Kathryn an idiot for not
waiting till she finished."I have been aware of the vessel for some time. I was in fact working on increasing the scanning capabilities
of out scanners when they picked up a micro-fracture in the ship's defense shields. I decided to investigate and was able to penetrate
their scans without their knowledge of it. The reason I called you here is because this is what I found." She proceeded to tape in some commands and the 3-D map was gone, only to be replaced with 5 separate pictures."Humans!?" Chakotay exclaimed in disbelief.
Each of the five pictures showed a rough outline of five humans, they were varying sizes but that was all that was apparent.
Kathryn stared at the pictures dumfound. 7 nodded and replaced the 5 pictures with more of different species.
"There are exactly 5 specimens of each species. There are 45 species that I can total. Except for one, where there is 46 members
of one species. The specimens of 5 are all being kept in a single area with their own kind. The one with 46 however, seems to go around
the ship freely. As we get closer to the ship I will be able to determine more. Would you like me to keep you posted Captain?"
Kathryn, who had been thinking about how the humans could have gotten here started, "What? Umm, yes, please do 7. Thank-you."
She turned and Chakotay nodded his farewell to 7 as he followed his Captain out the doors.
"Well what do you think Chakotay?" "Captain?"
"About the humans. What do you think their story is?" They were at Kathryn's quarters and eating their dinner.
Chakotay had been focused on trying not to get a burnt piece of food in his mouth without Kathryn noticing and was startled by her
sudden question."I don't know. It could be anything. We have already seen Borg humans, alien abductions, and Caretaker fault.
I really can't say." He said looking up, Kathryn only nodded and pushed her food around on her plate. Chakotay put his fork down and leaned back, "OK, Kathryn, what is it?"It was Kathryn's turn to be startled, "what is what Chakotay?""You haven't touched your food
and you have been unusually quiet since 7 told us about the humans." She grinned and looked at his plate, "You shouldn't be talking, you
haven't eaten much of yours either." He simply shrugged though and made a quiet comment about burnt food but she let it pass.
"I just have this odd feeling about this. Like it is important to Voyager to find out about the humans" she continued in a softer tone,
"or maybe just to me." Chakotay smiled and reached for her hand, "Voyager or you, I'm sure 7 will have more information tomorrow."
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. She smiled, "You're right. Now," she continued in a brisker tone, "maybe you can replicate us some
edible food?" He grinned, "Anything for you."
"Sir, the vessel has repeatedly scanned us. They seem to be trying to access the computer core as well." The young male alien reported.
"Let them, we are a research vessel and pose no harm." His superior officer replied boredly."But sir, the vessel is Voyager."
"Voyager? Are you certain?" But instead of waiting for a reply he began to read his own consol findings and confirmed the young alien's report, "Yes, it's Voyager. Do they know that we have humans aboard?" "Yes sir, they have scanned that sector repeatedly.
Do you think they are planning a rescue mission?""Perhaps" was the only answer that he received however. Confused he continued,
"Then shouldn't we be preparing for an invasion Sir?" The officer was silent and thoughtful, after a few moments he spoke up,
"No, I don't think so. We are suppose to be studying them in all situations and this is a unique opportunity to see how they react to an unknown factor. However I don't want any of the other species to be `saved', place level 5 force-fields around all sectors except for the main system and the human habitat."
"Yes Sir" was the response as he began to establish the force fields.
Kathryn was in Astrometrics with Harry and 7. They were beginning to review the Data that they had managed to download from the station core."It almost seemed as if they had opened the core for us"Harry was saying as 7 scanned through the data, "As soon as we discovered their network configuration and set our scanners to the
same frequency with a record device it was easy to gain the information we needed." Kathryn nodded,
"Good work you two. Now, what have found out 7?" 7 finished scanning and turned to report her findings,
"It is a science vessel Captain, made for studying and observing different species in their home environment. They have several different environs, one for each species it seems.""OK, so we now know what they are and what they are doing with so many species.
What did you find out about the humans 7?""There are five humans. All of which are different ages.
The first is still a fetus, not yet born. I believe that it is a female, however she is still too young to be certain.
There is also a young male. He is around the age of 4. A young female who is 16 years old, a male that is 35 years old, and an old man
who is about 85 years old. All of them are placed in the same habitat, however according to their computer none of them know each
other." 7 looked at the Captain expectantly."Good, so now we know much more about the actual people.
What about these environments 7?" "They seem to be set in the beginning of different eras. The one that contains the humans is set in
the beginning the 21st century. There is one oddity Captain that I find curious." "What is that 7?""There is a reference to Starfleet.
They seem to hav incorporated it into a type of entertainment called television. There are distinct references to Captain Kirk and Captain Picard, there are also references to Voyager Captain.""Voyager? What do you mean?""Well they seem to have gotten wind of many of Voyager's adventures and have transformed them into a television show."Kathryn was thoughtful for a moment, and then she smiled,
"A television star, I wonder if it is anything like being a holo-novel star." She grinned, "wonder if we can get a hold of any of these
shows, what do you think 7?""I believe that I am able to download them, I will begin as soon as possible. I am also curious to see how
they portray the crew of Voyager."Kathryn grinned.
A consol began to beep. And Harry hurried over to find out what was going on. "The station is erecting force fields Captain.
I can't seem to penetrate them. Voyager's sensors can't even scan the formation of them, they are beyond Voyager's capabilities."
Kathryn walked over to join Harry, "Has the section where the humans are staying been closed to us as well?"
"No, Captain, all of the station has erected a force field except for that section and the one that contains their computer core."
He sounded almost amazed and then confused."It almost seems as if they are trying to help us recover the humans.
First our easy access to their computer files and now this." Kathryn mussed aloud."It may be a trap Captain." Seven warned.
"No, I don't think so. If they wanted to capture us I think they could have. Their technology seems superior to ours so far."
She paused to think. "Well then, the only way to find out is to go in."Both 7 and Harry looked at her dumb-struck.
he simply smiled at them and left astrometrics. Harry looked at 7 and shrugged before following the captain out of astrometrics.
Nicole poked at her cereal before taking a small bite. Grimacing she forced herself to swallow and standing up from the table she
dumped the rest of it down the drain. Rinsing the bowl out she placed both it and the spoon in the dishwasher.
Quietly she grabbed her book bag and headed for the door. Her mother's voice stopped her though.
"Nicole, I thought you said you were hungry?" she was standing at the door to the kitchen with her arms crossed.
Nicole sighed and turned around."I changed my mind. The cereal tasted bland, I lost my appetite.
I have to go to school mom, I'll see you tonight." Her mother scowled,
"Here, take this" she said tossing Nicole an apple from the counter. Nicole grinned as she caught the apple, "Thanks mom, love ya."
Her mom however only sighed and walked back into the living room. Nicole on the other hand happily bit into the red apple.
She slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for school.
She attended L.J. High and was a junior who seemed small for her age. She had deep brown eyes and strawberry blonde hair that fell
softly to her shoulders. She walked to school munching on the fruit, she was going to be early but that was OK with her, she had just
found a really great book and was excited to start. When she arrived at school she tossed her apple core away and headed for her classroom. She had English first today, her favorite with Mrs. Carrie. She waved to all her friends and headed for the couch that
Mrs. Carrie kept in the corner. Plopping down she began to read. A few minutes in however and she looked out the window.
She had a funny feeling that she was being watched, however she couldn't see anyone around.
She looked at the blue sky and sighed, her dreams of escape coming to mind.
Firmly she pushed them away and returned to her book, but not before she sent out a silent plea of help.
Kathryn needlessly adjusted her white suit shirt. Chakotay looked over at her and smiled.
"Having problems dressing Kathryn?"
Humoring him she smiled, "It feels weird to be in these clothes again.
Last time I saw them was when we went back to Earth in the past to save its future," grimacing she adjusted them again,
"I had hoped it would be the last."
Chakotay shrugged, "I do to, but what can I say, you are the one who pointed out that we should blend in and these work perfect."
Kathryn sighed, "I know." The two were in the transporter room waiting for Tom to show up.
When he did the three stepped on the pad and were transported into the Human Habitat as Tom was calling it.
They had appeared in what seemed to be an alley. 7 voice came through Kathryn's com badge, "
Captain I have pinpointed one of the human life signs, it is the human male, he is 35 feet away."
Kathryn nodded, "On my way."Kathryn led the way out of the alley and stopped dead, "Chakotay I thought there was only 5?"
Chakotay only shrugged. Ahead of them an entire city was visible, along with the correct number of people to occupy it.
Kathryn looked at Tom and Chakotay and then back at the scene before her. "Tuvok we have a problem"
she tapped into her com badge as Tom began to scan the people in front of him.Tom spoke up, "Captain, they're holograms!"
Kathryn stared at him, "Holograms?" Tom nodded, "they are emitting photonic energy but no life signs.
I am however picking up one life sign exactly where 7 said it would be. Should we head for him?" Kathryn shrugged, "Why not?"
Together they headed toward the life sign.
As the three walked through the crowds Kathryn was surprised to see that none of them reacted to them.
A few waved hello, but most of them ignored them and continued on with there business. Tom's voice cut into her observations,
"I found him Captain. He is over there." Kathryn followed where he was pointing to a small café; a young man was sitting outside
with a salad in front of him. He was reading what appeared to be a novel.
He was alone and Kathryn had an idea, one that had nothing to do with getting a cup of coffee.
"You two stay here and try and locate one of the other humans, I'm going to talk to the man and see what I can find out."
Chakotay was about to protest but she simply looked at him and he gave a sullen, "Yes, Captain."
Chakotay and Tom stepped toward another alley and began to fiddle with their tri-corders. Kathryn headed for the café.
"May I join you?"
Alex looked up to see a woman standing at the other side of the table, one of her hands on a chair.
He was so surprised at her question that he answered before he could think, "Of course, please." She smiled and sat down.
"My name is Kathryn Janeway," she said holding her hand out. He grasped it, "Alex Caril, it's nice to meet you Kathryn."
She smiled, "same here. I am new to this city and have been looking for a good coffee shop and heard that this might be my pot o' gold."
Alex smiled, "Coffee? Of course, I'll get the waiter." He signaled the waiter and ordered a cup for her, "Put it on my tab."
Kathryn blushed and protested but he ignored them.As they waited Kathryn began to ask questions. For a while he was ill at ease
but quickly relaxed and began to enjoy her company. She was quick and funny and if she paused over his answers he ignored it.
When the coffee came she inhaled the aroma like it was a lost friend and he smiled. Kathryn shrugged as if she couldn't help it
and threw another bombardment of questions his way. All to gladly he answered which made it easy for her to sneak in some
questions that had to do with space travel and the future. If they seemed odd he brushed it aside and answered as truthfully as he could.
Tom glanced over at the Captain; she was smiling as she talked to the man.
He turned back to his tricorder and decided to throw a barb at Chakotay.
"So Chakotay how does it feel to be dumped for a man she hasn't even met?"
Chakotay jerked up right, "What are you talking about Tom?"
Tom grinned and nodded toward the little café. Chakotay glanced over and shrugged,
"She is trying to get information Tom that's all." Tom only shrugged as Chakotay returned to scanning the city;
he did notice however that Chakotay looked over at the Captain more often. Grinning he continued scanning.
Kathryn stood up thanking Alex for a wonderful time. She quickly located Chakotay and Tom and headed for them.
She saw Chakotay notice her walking and he and Tom met her halfway.
"Have a nice time Captain?" Kathryn was surprised to hear a hint of emotion in her first officer's tone.
Glancing over at Tom she saw that he had a small smile on his face. She sighed,
"The coffee was nice and I had a hell of a time trying to find answers with out arousing his suspicion."
"Did you find out anything?" he asked, his tone normal.
"Yes and no. His name is Alex Caril and he was born in Iowa. He has never traveled in Space.
I believe him, in the sense that he wouldn't know. He must have been drugged or was actually born on this facility.
He believes that this is Earth. He is an English teacher and doesn't believe in Fantasy or Science Fiction.
He hasn't heard of Starfleet because he finds those shows to be unrealistic and trash," at this Kathryn couldn't help but grin,
"I decided that it wouldn't be wise to tell him my true identity. He would have thought me a little odd"
Chakotay grinned for a second but then was more serious. "That means that he isn't here against his will?"
"It sounds like he doesn't even know he's here" Tom said,
"Are we going to go through all that trouble to rescue a man who wouldn't even believe us?"
Kathryn shrugged, "I'm not sure. I do think that we need more information however." Tom and Chakotay both nodded.
"I have located the little boy. He is at a park a few miles away. I suggest beaming there." Kathryn nodded,
"Let's go."A few minutes later the three were strolling down the street toward the park. Tom had his tri-corder out, "There."
He pointed to the swings where a young boy was playing. Chakotay nodded, "I'll take care of this one."
Kathryn and Tom nodded and sat down on one of the benches to wait for him.Chakotay headed over to the young boy,
Kathryn saw a woman look up from the book she was reading and started to stand up.
She assumed it was the boy's holo-mom. Suddenly the mom froze and then suddenly sat down and continued reading.
She grimaced, they were being watched and given free reign. She just wanted to know why.
Chakotay headed for the boy slowly as to not frighten him. He was swinging and Chakotay joined him on the swing next to him.
The boy stopped swinging and looked at him.
"Aren't you too old to play in the swings?"
Chakotay tried to look insulted, "Me? No way, I love to swing. Don't you?"
The boy gave him a funny look before answering, "It's OK, but I like the slides better." Chakotay nodded in understanding.
"My name is Chakotay, what's yours?"The boy answered promptly, "George Bell," he stood up and glared at Chakotay,
"Are you one of those people who steal kids. And if you are I'm not afraid of you!" He crossed his arms and stared at Chakotay.
"Me? A thief? Sorry but you have the wrong guy. I just wanted to play, see my friends over there are really boring
and don't want to hang out with me so I thought that you might want to," he pointed at Tom and Kathryn.
George uncrossed his arms and shrugged, "I'll play if my mom says yes, OK?" Chakotay nodded, "OK"
George ran over to the woman reading and proceeded to ask her a question where he pointed at Chakotay,
she nodded and Chakotay sighed with relief. George ran back over, "She said yes!"Chakotay grinned,
"Let's go to the sandbox," George nodded and led the way.
Tom watched as Chakotay began to play in the sandbox and occasionally ask the boy a question.
The Captain was busy scanning the area; she suddenly exclaimed an `ahhah' and showed her finding to Tom.
"The old man, I found him. I want you to check it out Tom."
Tom nodded, "Yes Captain." he accepted the tri-corder that she held out to him, "Just find out what he knows right?"
She nodded, "Yes. Let me have your tri-corder though so that I can continue scanning for the other human."
"I thought there were two more?""There are but one is a fetus and I doubt that we are going to get many answers from her,"
she said smiling.
"Right. Should I beam back to Voyager once I finish?" she nodded, already fiddling with Tom's tri-corder.
Shrugging he headed toward the old man's position. Chakotay waved good-bye to George and headed toward Kathryn.
She stood up and they began to walk some place more private.
"What did you find out?"Chakotay hook his head, "His name is George and he was born in this very town.
He wants to be a doctor when he grows up and like the Wiggles? Has no idea about space besides that that is where stars live."
He shrugged, "Nothing really, almost the same as what you got from Alex. Where's Tom?""He went to talk to the old man."
Kathryn was thinking and her answer was noncommittal. 7's voice came through the com badge.
"Captain I have been able to translate a piece of the Data we downloaded and believe that it has important information."
"Thank you 7. Chakotay will be up in a few moments. I still want to talk to the last human." "Yes Captain, 7 out"
Kathryn looked at Chakotay, "see what you can find out from that data and what we have discovered here." He nodded,
"Yes Captain" and walked away. Kathryn watched his retreating back before heading in the opposite direction.
Her tri-corder led her to the front of what appeared to be a large school.
It was fenced in and she thought that it would be better if she waited till school ended.
A quick glance at the sun's position told her that it was about 2:00 o'clock.
She spotted a small café across the street and headed over to wait.
A little while later she heard a faint ringing. She stood up and headed back over toward the school.
She checked her scans and saw that the person was heading straight toward her. Smiling she waited.
Nicole grabbed her binder and shut her locker. Patiently she wove through the crowds toward the gate.
She didn't have much homework and was excited to get home to surf the net for a while.
Her little brother had basketball and wouldn't be home till 6. She smiled to herself.
A few moments later she was at the gate.
As she stepped outside she smiled, free at last! Rolling her eyes at her own antics she began to walk home, and stopped dead.
A woman was watching her from outside the café. Nicole gapped and blinked.
This is not happening, no way. She told herself and shook her head slightly. When she looked though, she was still there.
Short with auburn hair that reached her shoulders about.
She was wearing a white suit and high heels that still didn't give her much height, Kate Mulgrew.
Kathryn watched as the girl walked out of the school smiling. She saw her glance over and stop suddenly. Kathryn was reminded of George's "mother". For a few seconds she just stared at Kathryn when an anxious student bumped into and she wavered unsteadily. Kathryn began to walk over, the girl simply stood, waiting for her.Smiling approached her.
The girl's eyes were wide and a binder was clutched tightly to her chest.
"Kate? Kate Mulgrew?" she asked, almost in what Kathryn would call awe.
Kathryn shook her head slowly, confused, "No, I'm Kathryn. Kathryn Janeway."
Kathryn didn't think the girl's eyes could get any larger but they did.
"You've got to be kidding me. Kathryn Janeway is just a character." She said dubiously.
Kathryn smiled, "Let's take a walk…" she waited for a name."Nicole Zannon," she replied instinctively and began to walk next to Kathryn.
"Who is Kate Mulgrew?" Kathryn asked curious.
Nicole gave her a funny look but answered her question well enough,
"She's an actress. She has acted in a lot of shows.
She was most famous when she played Kathryn Janeway, the woman you claim to be. However," she continued forestalling Kathryn's attempt to restate her identity, "that can't be. Kathryn Janeway is a Captain of a starship called Voyager.
She exists in the future and wouldn't want to walk with a boring old 16 year old." She stopped and looked Kathryn in the eye,
"which means you must be Kate Mulgrew", her tone was almost demanding but Kathryn heard edges of respect and astonishment.
Kathryn smiled, "You know about Starfleet?"
"Of course. I watch Voyager every night. I know it is stupid but I like it."
Kathryn nodded and continued walking, she heard Nicole follow her after few moments."Are you really Kate Mulgrew?"
"No."
Nicole's voice took on and edge of resentment, "Then who are you. Because you look a lot like her."
"I told you, my name is Kathryn Janeway." Nicole was silent at her remark.
They came to an empty bus stop and Kathryn headed into the enclosed space and sat on the bench. Nicole also sat down next to her.
"Are you telling me that you have the same name as a TV character?"
Kathryn smiled and shook her head, "No, I am that TV character." She paused, "TV is television right?"
Nicole nodded dumbly, "You are Captain Janeway? Of Voyager with Chakotay? This isn't some kind of Joke or anything?"
Kathryn smiled, "Sorry to disappoint you." "Disappoint? Me? No way, this is totally awesome,"
Nicole stood up and Kathryn could she that she was quivering with excitement, "Voyager? In orbit." Kathryn said smiling.
Nicole suddenly went on her knees in front of Kathryn, "Captain, I have a question, actually it is more like a really big favor."
She took a deep breath; "Can I join you and your crew."
Kathryn who had been listening with a slight smile stared at her hard, "What?"
Nicole sighed and stood up, turning around she face the front of the bus stop;
"Ever since I first saw your show I wanted to join you. It was a foolish fantasy to want to live with fictional characters.
But it felt real to me; this place held nothing for me.
I didn't want to grow up a nothing, and Voyager offered me away to make my dream happen.
But I thought it was fake, all of it. But now," she turned to face Kathryn, her eyes shinning,
"it's real and all I want is to join you up there in space."
Kathryn was taken back by her sudden revelation and for a few seconds didn't know what to even think.
Standing she placed a hand on her chin and studied the girl."You want to come aboard Voyager?" Nicole nodded,
"But why? You have everything you need here. No war or famine." Nicole looked at her strangely.
"But we do, we hover on the brink of World War III and Africa is still 3rd world and AIDS are everywhere.
Who wouldn't want to get away? Especially since it all seems empty and pointless."
"Empty and Pointless? How?" Nicole shrugged,
"It's hard to explain but I feel like it is just that, empty.
I've seen poverty and it made me feel bad but not as bad as I thought it should.
Like the people weren't alive. There just images to me." She shrugged again, "That's the best I can do."
Kathryn thought for a second and made up her mind, "OK, Let's go."
"Really? Oh thank you so much Captain, I won't be in your way I promise."
Kathryn simply smiled and asked for a beam up for two.
As she glanced over at Nicole she saw an expression of pure joy on her face.
As they rematerialized in the transporter room Nicole couldn't contain her gasp,
"It's real, you weren't lying. You ARE Captain Janeway," she exclaimed to Kathryn. She simply nodded.
"Now let's go, there is a lot of explaining to do," she said as she walked out the door. Nicole, grinning, followed.
As they walked down the corridors Nicole tried to take everything in, by the time they reached the briefing room
she was almost gapping. Kathryn smiled and sat down, indication that Nicole should as well.
Instead however she had walked over to the large window behind Kathryn and was staring at the station.
"Wh-what's that?" "A space station. The one that you have been living on."
Nicole shook her head, "No, it can't be, I was living on Earth."
Kathryn sighed, "Nicole, come sit down. As soon as everyone else arrives all will be explained."
Nicole nodded dumbly and sat next to Kathryn. Soon all of the senior staff began to file into the room.
Kathryn waited until everyone was seated.
"This is Nicole Zannon. She has appealed that she be allowed to join us in our mission home."
Nicole was trying very hard not to stare at the people seated around the table but was doing a poor job of it.
"She knows about us? I thought that she was living in the 21st century. They hadn't even developed warp technology at that time." B'Elanna said surprised. Kathryn nodded, "It seems that Harry and 7 were correct, there is a type of entertainment in her world that portrays us as characters, no more real than our holo-novels."
"Captain I was able to access these programs if you wish to see what they entail?"
Kathryn nodded, "It may provide us with some clues." 7 nodded and began to tap commands into the small screen on the wall.
Nicole watched fascinated as the episode dubbed "Caretaker" began to play, including the credits.
They watched spellbound to the incredible accurate portrayal of their plight for an entire hour. When it was finished they all were speechless. Finally Kathryn spoke up, "Well, that certainly explains how Nicole knows about us."
Nicole nodded her affirmation.
"The show stops though after 7 years and you make it make to the Alpha quadrant with help from the future.
Many people thought that the episode ended your voyage to fast and that it didn't fit the plot. I can see why now."
Nicole said softly. Tom looked confused, "7 years? We have been here for 8 years."
Harry nodded, "It seems that the aliens who created the show couldn't find anymore information about us."
7 nodded in agreement."Aliens?" Nicole inquired. "She doesn't know?" B'Elanna asked stunned.
Kathryn shook her head; "There wasn't any time. I was going to tell her in a moment, but I wanted to see what everyone found out first. Tom?"
He shrugged, "Nothing, the man was going insane, I couldn't get anything out of him. Sorry." Kathryn waved it off.
"It's OK Tom. It seems that nobody remembers being brought here.
Which means they were either born here or brought here when they were unconscious."
Nicole looked at the Captain, extremely confused, "Excuse me, but what do you mean?"
Kathryn sighed, "Nicole I know this is going to be difficult to understand but please bear with me."
When Nicole nodded she continued,
"This is a space station where as close as we can tell different species are being observed, to what end we are not sure.
You, with 4 other humans live in that station in a type of holodeck with holocharaters that interact with you.
You don't really live on Earth during the 21st century, it is all a ploy to study you in what we think the aliens believe is your natural surrounding."
"My family?" "All holograms" Kathryn said softly. Nicole only nodded, "I understand. And thank you Captain."
Kathryn simply nodded and Nicole gave a weak smile.
"Captain something odd is happening, could you please come to the bridge?" a young ensign's voice said interrupting the meeting.
"I'm on my way." She made her way to the bridge, the rest of the senior staff filing out after her.
Nicole waited till everyone was out before quietly following. As they took their respective stations Nicole watched from the back.
"Captain I am receiving data from the station." 7 intoned from behind Kathryn.
"Captain I am also detecting something."
"Something Mr. Kim? Can you give me a better description than that?"
"I am detecting several objects being deposited in cargo bay 3 by some type of transporter beam."
"Captain?" Tom uttered in shock.
Kathryn watched the viewscreen fascinated as the station slowly began to disappear, "What's going on?"
"It seems like the station is phasing out of our time."
"That must be how the aliens were able to capture the essence of the 21st century, they were there!"
"That is a safe assumption Captain."
Nicole watched as the place that she used to think was Earth vanished from sight.
"Captain we are receiving a transmission" Harry said, breaking the silence. "Put it through"
A male voice came through, "Starship Voyager, thank you for providing us with unique information on the human species.
Please continue your mission, do not follow. We have let the girl go but will not be so willing if you try again."
The bridge crew listened in silence as the alien cut off the transmission.
Kathryn was the first to break the quiet, "Well Nicole, I guess that means that your stuck with us."
Nicole simply grinned.
What do you think let Allyssa know mail her at black_fire5@yahoo.com .
or you can mail me and I will mail Allyssa. Mail me at t_tjeertes@hotmail.com
