See disclaimers in part 1
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Captain Janeway walked down one of the unpaved streets of their new colony. The sound of hammers and singing (of all things) filled the air.
Since the decision to stay was made or forced upon them--depending on how one looked at it--the crew had been busy preparing for their new lives here.
Chakotay was in charge of the construction. She thought back to their stay on New Earth, when she had first learned of his love of building things and her. He was busy with the colony--and they hadn't had much time together recently. She kicked a stone on the road irritably.
She reached the top of their ridge and looked around. In the past 2 months, 17 homes had been finished and several more were almost completed. B'Elanna had modified one of Voyager's phasers to mill the wood. Working together, it was surprising how fast a house could be built.
She turned to look at her ship. Poor Voyager: the noble creature of flight, doomed to be forever land bound. She wondered if perhaps that applied to her too.
She sat on a rock and looked out over the land they'd picked to be home and then looked out across the bay. After over 5 years of almost continuously being in Voyager's controlled atmosphere, she was unused to being on land. It was taking her a long time to adjust to the constant variations in pressure and temperature--she just hadn't been feeling well. She knew she should talk to the Doc, but...Eventually she'd adapt.
She had left a pile of unfinished work on her desk--including her speech for the clinic dedication, but she had promised Chakotay she'd eat lunch with him. She watched him leave the clinic and start walking toward her. The clinic would be completed soon--it had better be--the dedication was in 2 days.
He leaned down and kissed her.
"Someone might see."
"So. Everybody knows. Anyway when we build our house, they'll know for sure."
She didn't respond but leaned down to pick several of the small white and red flowers that carpeted the area.
"Kathryn, what's wrong?" Her mood swings were bothering him. The past several days in particular she had been non-communicative.
"Nothing. It's the climate here. I'm just having problems adjusting."
"Is that the only reason, or do you feel as if you have given up."
"Given up. Of course, I have to. Voyager's stuck here..." She started to weep and he sat down beside her to hold her.
Harry pulled the fused wires from the holo-emitter. "We're still pulling too much current over here." He turned to B'Elanna. "I'm not sure this will work. Not as planned anyway. I think we'll have to add some resistors and possibly put the circuits into series."
"We can add the resistors, but we don't have time to redesign the wiring. And it's just this section of wiring that is a problem--the rest work."
"I know, I tried replacing everything this morning. You see the results." He threw the wire on the ground.
"Star Fleet, calm down." She put her arms around him. "Temper, temper."
He laughed. "You're the one with the temper. I'm calm." He kissed her. "Maybe the problem is before the junction box." He went to look. "Dinner?"
"OK. I've got to get back to Voyager, let me know if you need any help?"
"All right. See you later." He turned back to the wall and started examining the new section of wires.
The colony was on a peninsula, surrounded on one side by forest. There was a large field, several small ridges, and a range of hills separating them from the ocean. One of the first things they had discovered was that the creatures that swam in the sea were good to eat. At least most were. Out of habit, the classification system of Earth and the Alpha Quadrant had been adapted for use on Gaea--the name of their new home--from the ancient Greek name for planet Earth.
#
#
Samantha Wildman had brought her child, Kim, and Kes' to the beach. They both loved to play here. But today Tom Jr. wanted to try fishing.
Samantha usually looked after the other children too, but this afternoon she had left them with Lucy Waterbury.
Tom Jr. threw his fishing line into the waves. "Auntie Sam, do you think I can have a boat. I bet I can catch more fish out there." He pointed out to bay.
"I don't think so, not until you're older anyway."
"Oh." His line shook. "I got one." He started to pull it in. Samantha watched him and then looked at her 4 year old asleep beside her. Kimberly Kathryn Wildman. After the horrors of her birth, death, and rebirth, she had been named for the 2 people responsible for her young life.
Tom Jr.'s fish was large--about the length of his arm. He strutted around the beach with it, showing it to whomever would look--mainly the birds.
Samantha returned from her reverie and applauded him.
"I'm going to take it to Daddy." He bolted up the hill, back to the colony before she could stop him.
#
#
Neelix was in his kitchen leaning over a large stockpot of some exotic stew, when his son ran into the house with his catch.
"Look Daddy, Look what I caught."
"That's pretty big."
"And I caught it all by myself!"
"I'll tell you what. We'll prepare it and put it into storage." His son looked disappointed.
"Would you like to have it for dinner?"
Tom Jr. smiled. "Yes!"
"All right kiddo. I'll serve the stew to the crew, and we'll have fresh seafood for dinner. Leave it here and go get cleaned up, your mother will be home soon." Tom scampered out of the room.
Neelix went back to his stew. One last taste before he finished. "It needs some leola root."
When they had first decided to settle here, he had carefully dug and prepared a patch of ground to plant his leola roots. When he had gone to the storage bins to get the tubers, they were all moldy. Five years on the ship, and his leola roots had never even turned green. But after only a few days on the planet, they were ruined.
The crew never complained though, and had even complimented him on his cooking.
He loaded the soup and the other foods he had prepared for the crew onto a cart. It was a pleasant evening. He would serve them outside again. Eventually he would no longer be the ship's cook...But then again perhaps he would. Enough of the crew didn't cook--that when their houses were completed--they would still rely on him for many of their meals.
As he pulled his cart down the road to Voyager, he wondered if he should just take his family and ship and return to his people. But the trip would take more than three years and Kes, his precious Kes, wouldn't survive the trip. Their time together, always limited, was more so now. She wouldn't want to leave anyway, and where would he go. Like Kes, he had no family to return to.
Yes he did. Here on this planet.
He placed the food into the warming ovens. With some help from this family, he had designed an outside cafeteria where the crew helped themselves. This left him free to return to his home and cook that monstrous thing his son had caught for dinner. He'd use the leftovers for something at the upcoming dedication ceremonies.
#
#
Kes left Voyager's sick bay to head home. In less than two days, at least she hoped so, they would move into the new clinic. Doc was frustrated that he hadn't been able to see it yet. She laughed. He was convinced something was wrong with it. Outside of the trouble with the holo-emitters, it was fine. But try convincing the Doc of that. And Harry was working on the emitters. She had just spent the last 10 minutes reassuring Doc that all was well, again. Finally, she had told him she had to get home.
She liked the water. It was new to her, and like traveling across the galaxy, brought a special peace within her. She usually walked home along the beach. It was longer, but she liked to watch the waves and the birds.
She passed Chakotay who was standing there staring at the reflection of sunset in the water.
"Commander, is everything all right?"
"Huh? No."
"Kathryn?" Kes was the only other person on the ship who used the Captain's given name.
He nodded. "She's not taking to life here well. I'm worried about her."
Kes smiled. She had been watching the Captain for the past few weeks. "She'll be fine. Eventually. She should see Doc though. Don't worry and be patient."
"That's been very difficult recently."
"I'm sure it is. I'll try to talk to her."
"Thanks."
Chakotay listened to her continue to walk along the beach and returned to his meditation.
He remembered back to the day he had destroyed his ship so Voyager could live. At that moment, he had been angry, and had even considered trying to capture her ship: but she had placed her complete faith in him by appointing him as her second-in-command. He had seen something special in her and had sworn to himself that he would stay by her side. That had been five years ago. He very quickly had found himself attracted to her. The first time he had been aware of this was when she had entered Tom's pool hall, looked at the table puzzled, held the cue wrong, and then ran the table. It was one of the few times Kathryn had shown her sense of humor in public. She was an intensely private person, and it had taken him almost two years to get past that wall of privacy. It had taken being infected and being left together on a planet for four months to start breaking down that wall. Then the emotional upheaval of having her ship taken and returned had crumbled the rest of that wall. He had been patient, waiting until she had been ready.
But recently...
The sun had set, the last rays still lingered on the beach. He realized that he should get going. He had to return to the clinic after dinner.
#
#
Tom leaned against Jenny as they ate dinner. He was indulging in one of favorite pastimes--observing the crew. His eyes wandered among the crowd, watching for subtle changes in behavior.
"Tom, over there." Jenny tickled him in the ribs with one hand and as she nodded toward the serving table. She indicated Harry and B'Elanna. "Now who would have thought..." She giggled--Tom had predicted it about 6 months ago.
B'Elanna and Harry had been a surprise to everyone, but Tom. They were such opposites, she had a temper and he rarely lost his. But since Voyager had settled the question of whether they would remain or continue, B'Elanna and Harry had been a couple.
Tom smiled at Jenny, and returned to his observations.
He had started his career on the ship by trying to date almost all the women on board. He and Jenny Delaney had developed this on-again, off-again relationship. They kept returning to each other, sometimes for a month, sometimes only for a day. But they had been together for the past year. He knew the crew was even starting to wonder if this time it would be permanent.
He grinned as Commander Chakotay moved to stand in the serving line. Ever since the Captain had asked the Maquis leader to be her First-Officer, the crew had watched them. The Commander in particular--he was less guarded in his emotions than she was. Tom had finally decided that she would use *protocol* as her excuse to not get involved, when they both had become infected and had had to be left on a planet. The crew had speculated like mad when four months later Voyager returned to retrieve them. No one ever found out what happened on the planet--Tom was convinced something had. Yet it was another year before they finally threw *protocol* out the window. The crew had been delighted and wisely pretended not to notice.
#
#
Kathryn Janeway had taken her food tray to her quarters. She noticed again that Neelix's food tasted better ever since his leola roots had been ruined. For five years she had noticed that his food was better whenever he ran out. But Neelix had been immune to hints that his food was better without the tuber.
She continued working at her desk, occasionally stopping long enough to take a bite of food. She was tired and lonely--that surprised her. She had been use to being alone, until two years ago.
As she readied for bed, she wondered if Chakotay would join her. He hadn't come the past couple of nights. They hadn't been speaking much recently. They'd both been so busy.
She heard her door open. She smiled as he sat down on the bed and undressed.
"Kathryn, when the clinic is finished we'll go somewhere, alone. All right."
"I'd like that."
He lay down and she rested her head on his chest. He stroked her hair. "Would you talk to Doc tomorrow?"
"If I have time."
"That's always been your excuse. Find time."
"Don't start telling me what to do."
"Kathryn, please. Don't." She rolled over away from him.
#
#
Kathryn woke up feeling awful. She had been aware when Chakotay had slipped out earlier. She had slept badly, her stomach was turning, and she was furious with herself for everything. She didn't feel like getting up, but finally did--making her way to her replicator.
She had her morning coffee, but it didn't go down well. Maybe she'd try some breakfast, eventually.
It was another hour before she felt well enough to leave.
#
#
Kes usually helped Neelix at the dining area in the mornings, then went to sick bay. That morning she waited for the captain.
"Good morning Captain."
"Morning Kes."
"Captain, you look awful. Is everything all right?"
Kathryn shook her head, looked at her tray and put it down. "I can't eat anything now."
Kes smiled. "I think you should have the Doc examine you."
"You too. I don't have time."
"Captain, yes you do. If you don't come willingly, I'll have the Doc order you to. And I really think you should, now."
"Well, I haven't been feeling well."
"I know."
"That obvious."
"Yes."
"I keep thinking that as soon as I adjust to the climate, I'll feel better."
"I don't think it's that simple. Coming?"
"All right." She looked at Kes with a puzzled look and a suspicion started to grow in her mind. Had she been so busy that she had failed to recognize her symptoms?
#
#
"Good morning Doc." Kes cheerfully greeted the rather grouchy Doctor.
"Good morning Kes. Captain. They are still working on the holo-emitters. I still can't check the clinic to make sure everything is correct."
"Doctor the Captain's not here to listen to your complaints."
"She's not? You're right she doesn't look very good." He picked up his tricorder. Kes smiled as she looked on. "Captain, basically you're fine, good pulse, your blood pressure is a little high, and..."
"Doc?" He seemed to be enjoying this a little too much.
"I'm afraid you won't be keeping your badly kept secret much longer."
"I'm pregnant."
"You and Commander Chakotay will be parents in seven and a half months. Do you want to know the sex?" He continued to run his scan.
She shook her head.
"The baby is fine. Captain, I want you to start eating better. And start an exercise program. Kes will show you the program we've put together for expectant mothers. Congratulations, Captain."
Kathryn looked at Kes and smiled. "We've talked about starting a family."
"He'll be thrilled."
"I know. But last night...And things haven't been well between us for several weeks."
"Contact him. Let him know."
She tapped her comm-badge. "Janeway to Chakotay."
She smiled as he answered, "Chakotay here. Yes Captain?"
"We need to talk."
"I'm afraid you're timing's not very good. We've had some problems show up at the clinic."
From the back the Doc muttered, "I knew it."
"If you find the time, contact me. Janeway out." She turned and looked at Kes. "I suppose I could just tell him over the comm-badge. My luck he'd fall off the ladder or something like that." Kes laughed. "So this is why I've been tired?"
Kes nodded. "You'll have to cut back on some of your duties and sleep more. This is program Doc and I put together." She handed Kathryn a data padd. "Be joyful. It will work out. How's your dedication speech coming."
Kathryn shook her head. "I wrote it several days ago. It's lousy. I wasn't in a very pleasant mood when I wrote it. Maybe I should work on it now."
"Read this first. Take it easy."
"I finally have a good excuse to. Thanks Kes."
"Kathryn, congratulations."
Kathryn smiled as she left sick bay. As she passed several of the crew who were dismantling Voyager to build the colony, she felt a twinge of sorrow.
"Good morning, Captain."
"Hello B'Elanna. How is everything?"
"Great. I'm finishing the adapters to connect the computer to the new clinic. We're hoping that this afternoon we'll be able to bring Doc to the clinic."
"He's rather frustrated about not having seen it yet."
"I'm avoiding going near sick-bay because of that. I get lectured by him enough. I've almost decided to lose my comm-badge so he can't talk to me." She paused. "Captain, is everything all right?"
"Fine." For the first time in several days she actually sounded fine.
"Captain. I'd like you to be the first one I tell. Harry and I, well. We're engaged."
Kathryn smiled. "Congratulations."
Kathryn grinned as she entered her cabin. Harry and B'Elanna?
She pulled out the data padd Kes gave her and started to read.
#
#
Chakotay looked around the clinic entryway. They had arrived this morning only to discover that some of the lab equipment had been wired wrong. They had been so busy with the holo-emitters no one had had time to check.
He started wondering again about Kathryn's message. If it was important, she'd come by and tell him. He realized Harry was trying to say something to him.
"Commander. We're ready to test the holoemitters."
"Finally. Doc's been pestering me all morning. Clinic to sick bay."
"Doc here. Does this unprecedented message mean you're ready for me."
"We hope so. We'll bring you over in a few minutes. Chakotay out. Harry, has the lab been rewired?"
"Yes, we did that quickly. We ready?" Harry typed on the computer and the Doc appeared.
"Well, well so this is my new home. Rather spartan."
"Doc, we'd like you to walk around so we can test the holo-emitters. Harry would you escort him. I have to check on the rest of the buildings."
"Well Doc, this is the clinic." Harry announced in grand style.
The Doc stopped and looked at his bioscanner. "Has all the equipment been properly tested?"
"Yes Doc, Kes and her students spent the morning completely testing everything."
"I heard you had some problems this morning?"
"Nothing serious, and we've fixed them." They started the tour of the clinic.
"We need to check the emitters we've set up outside for the ceremonies tomorrow." If the emitters on the inside were a problem, the ones on the outside had been a disaster. He and B'Elanna had spent a lot of time designing and building a portable holo-emitter. There were still a few bugs. "Doc, these are experimental. So don't be surprised if..." The biggest bug was the sound.
"If what, lieutenant?"
"We're having problems with the sound. Give it a try."
The Doc looked at the door and back at Harry. This would be a new experience for him. He had never been outside. He walked toward the door, talking to Harry. "Despite having not being able to assist with the installation of the equipment, it has..." As they stepped through the door, Doc's voice was lost. But the image was intact.
Kes watched them re-enter the clinic and followed them. "Hello."
"Hello, Kes. I need to get back to work. Would you finish showing the Doc the clinic?"
"All right. By the way, rumors are flying about B'Elanna and you. Any truth?"
Harry grinned. "Depends on which rumor. But yes we are engaged."
Kes smiled. "Congratulations Harry, this place is full of good news recently."
Which was about time. For five years Voyager had flown from conflict to conflict. With many deaths and much destruction. There had been seven children born on the ship during that time, including hers. And each new child had brought life and happiness to a crew that was increasingly tired of death. Ironically, it had taken the death of the ship herself to start bringing peace to the crew.
She took Doc's hand and they continued the tour.
Harry watched them then returned to replacing the paneling he had removed to do his repairs.
He had been a young ensign, fresh out of the academy. In fact Voyager was his first assignment. And last. Four years as an ensign. Then his promotion, as if it really meant anything out here, but it had to him. It had helped him finish coming to terms with their situation. He had had a life in the alpha quadrant. His parents and Libby were, are still there. He hoped that Libby has continued with her life.
He, B'Elanna, and Tom had become friends early on. They had worked together to keep the ship flying and on a long list of modifications and experiments.
Tom had come aboard with a reputation of betrayal and self interest. He had shown there was another side and quickly gained the respect of the crew.
B'Elanna had a reputation for letting her Klingon temper get the better of her. She had learned to control it. Only a couple of times had he seen the full force of that temper. The worst had been when it was discovered that Seska had betrayed Voyager and was also a Cardassian spy: he had thought B'Elanna would rip engineering apart. She hadn't, but she had terrified several of the crew.
#
#
Kathryn had changed out of her uniform. After 5 years of always having to wear her uniform, she now found time not to. She had given herself the afternoon off, for medical reasons, and wandered down to the beach to a secluded spot that she and Chakotay had found.
She sat against a rock and pulled out her data padd. She had a speech to rewrite. She read what she had written earlier. "The clinic is for us." Awful. She paused, hit delete and started over.
After working for about an hour, she stopped to reread it. An improvement, but it still needed some work.
She leaned back against the rock to enjoy the warmth of the sun's rays and promptly fell asleep.
When she woke, she wasn't sure how much time has passed, but by the position of the sun she knew it was late. She stretched and walked back to Voyager, happy and for the first time since the decision was made, content. She watched the sun set. There were a few clouds so it illuminated the sky even more impressively than usual. The most peaceful part of the day for her was immediately after the sunset.
The outside cafeteria was bustling. Neelix had brought his family with him. He didn't have time to cook for them, prepare dinner for the crew, and finish preparations for tomorrow's clinic dedication.
"Captain, you look much better." She wondered if Kes had told him.
"Neelix." She remembered what the Doc had said about eating better. She served herself and looked around. Chakotay wasn't there--he was probably still at the clinic. She also became conscious that she was one of about 4 people out of uniform.
Tom waved for her to come join him and Harry. "Captain, gave yourself a day off?" He asked.
"I spent the afternoon working on my speech for tomorrow, if you must know." She smiled. "Harry, did Doc ever get to visit the clinic?"
"He's still over there, driving Commander Chakotay mad. It seems he wants some things moved. He's a fine doctor and everything, but he knows nothing about overloading a circuit. He's managed to short three. We're going to be there all night fixing it."
Harry and Tom both caught the quick look of disappointment on her face. They smiled. She noticed and changed the subject,
"Harry, Congratulations." Now it was Harry's turn to be embarrassed.
"Thanks Captain. I've got to be going."
"Have fun Harry." Tom grinned. He turned to Captain Janeway. "Captain if this is a statement about the future of uniforms, I think you'll find most, if not all the crew, delighted with the choice."
"Tom, I'll take that under advisement."
"Captain, good evening." She nodded her head and he left.
#
#
She returned to her quarters and to her speech. She read it again. She now knew what was missing. It needed to be her speech, something only she could say. So she again rewrote part of it.
Her comm-badge chirped as she typed. "Chakotay to Janeway." She smiled.
"Kathryn here."
He was thrown by her use of her first name. "It looks like I'll be here most of the night. Doc wants us to rearrange equipment and we'll have to rewire. I'm sorry."
"Me too. About last night and the past several weeks. Chakotay?"
"Yes."
"We need to talk after the dedication. And that is a direct order from the Captain." And mother of your child, she added to herself.
"Yes ma'm." She could hear the laughter in his voice.
The next morning, alone in her quarters, Kathryn stood dressed in her uniform, staring at her data padd, rereading her speech. She still wasn't happy with it. She read it several more times. It wasn't even close to what she had originally planned on saying, but with a few additional changes it would do. She grinned as she thought of how Chakotay would react. The crew reaction might be good too.
She came to a quick decision, again rewrote parts of her speech, took her hair down, and changed out of her uniform into a blue dress. The crew would soon follow--Tom was right about that.
#
#
The Voyager crew had gathered outside the steps of the new clinic. They were standing in small groups, conversing--Kathryn spotted a few who had withdrawn and stood to one side. She sympathized with them--she too felt the intense sorrow of the moment. But she also felt the joy.
Kathryn looked at the familiar faces and smiled. Spotting Chakotay, she again felt guilty for the other day. She started to walk toward him but stopped when Kes came up to her.
"So what did he say?"
"I haven't told him. He was trying to get the clinic finished for today. I'm going to tell him this morning." She grinned.
Harry joined them. "Captain, We're ready to begin. We finally got the exterior holo-emitters working properly."
"Very good." She glanced at her data padd to quickly refresh her memory.
Doc, B'Elanna, Tuvok, Tom and Chakotay were sitting at a table to one side. Harry walked over to join them. She smiled at Chakotay, but he was talking to Doc. 'Probably trying to convince him not to move any more equipment,' she thought. Kes had gone to stand by Neelix.
She stood on the stairs and looked across the crowd. Well, *The time has come...* She sighed nervously, as she clutched her data padd and waited for the crew to quiet. She smiled quickly at Chakotay, who grinned back. She turned back to the crew.
"Voyager, go and meet your destiny. An old Rigelian saying. The destiny of two ships took us to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. Where we united and worked together to survive. And the ship became our community. We watched former enemies become friends and even lovers. And Voyager became a home. We traveled far across unknown distances. And found peace...We come to this planet to start our lives and families far from our pasts but close to our present. Our future is here. A new world, a new beginning, a new life, exist for us here on Gaea.---"
Chakotay looked at her suspiciously. Puzzled, he looked around and caught sight of Kes beaming at him. Startled, and with growing realization, he turned back to watch Kathryn.
"---This clinic represents our hopes for that future.---"
Chakotay was absolutely still. He thought back on the past two months. Of how moody she had been, the Doc's apology for making him work last night (and a couple of guarded comments), and the significance of Kes's smile.
"---In thinking of our present and future we remember our past and those we left behind. To our past, our present, our future. May we live long and prosper."
There was applause. Tom watched her, then looked at the Commander, who wore an intensely shocked-but-happy look on his face. Tom smiled, as the Captain picked up a pair of scissors to cut the ceremonial ribbon.
"I dedicate..." Kathryn stopped and started again, trying not to smile too much. "The creation and construction of this clinic represent the results of all our dreams and hopes. I would like to invite Commander Chakotay to cut the ribbon. Commander." She smiled at him as he walked over in a slight daze--it wasn't often that she had seen him speechless--and a quick look at her senior staff told her he wasn't the only one who had seen through her speech. It was all she could do not to laugh.
Tom did laugh. He noticed Harry was also grinning.
Chakotay looked at her for a moment. This had not been part of the Dedication Ceremony plans. "Thank-you Captain," he stammered.
She handed him the scissors, watched him cut the ribbon, then moved to stand next to him and whispered, "So you're convinced everybody knows?" He turned to face her, a little puzzled. And right there, in front of everybody, Captain Kathryn Janeway put her arms around her First Officer's neck and kissed him. He responded by taking her in his arms and kissing her back.
"When," he whispered.
"Seven and a half months."
The Doc stood there, he was supposed to have followed with his own dedication speech. He looked at the two Commanding Officers locked in a rather passionate embrace and smiled. "I don't think I can top this, so I'll just say welcome."
Chakotay grinned as she pulled back from him--just a little. She smiled, slightly embarrassed.
He held her close and turned back to the crew. "Before the festivities start, I..." He looked at Kathryn, who nodded her head "We would like to announce that our child is due in seven and a half months." He was surprised at the overwhelming emotion he felt as he said that. "So come on in and celebrate the opening of the clinic and our new home here." He pulled her to one side. "And we'll celebrate too." He lifted his hand and she entwined her fingers with his, then they kissed again.
The crew, with smiling glances at their commanding officers, entered the clinic.
Tom, Harry, Jenny, and B'Elanna stopped to offer their congratulations.
Tom grinned. "We were beginning to wonder if we were going to have to continue pretending we didn't know."
Kathryn smiled wickedly at him, "At least you can't blackmail us anymore."
"Captain, I never...And I thought I had been promoted because of my good looks." He grinned when Jenny poked him in the ribs. "I'm being reminded that I'm supposed to tell you that Jenny and I, well, we'll be getting married."
"I'll see if I can arrange it in my schedule. Congratulations Jenny, Tom."
Kathryn watched the Voyager crew as they entered the new clinic. How different this was from 5 years ago when they first entered the delta quadrant. The two crews were originally sometimes more willing to kill each other than work together. That had changed. She had always been surprised at how fast it had changed. Maybe she shouldn't have been. She had appointed Chakotay as her second-in-command for political reasons--to help keep the peace between the two crews and he had never let her down. He was a reliable commander. Imaginative, talented, caring. The two crews had been one for most of those five years. In fact they thought of themselves as Voyager's crew--not Star Fleet or Maquis.
And Tom. He had been an angry youth when she had first asked him to help her. But she had seen something. He too had *found peace* on the ship.
She smiled as she remembered how Chakotay had used that phrase to declare his love a little over three years ago. *The first Federation Colony in the Delta Quadrant and the Federation doesn't even know. Someday they will,* she thought.
She started to think about her past. Mark. She hadn't thought of him in a while. She hoped he had continued with his life. Her mother and sister. They'll never know what had happened to her. Kathryn turned her head so no one would see her tears. She felt his hands on her shoulders. Chakotay always seemed to know what she was feeling. She turned around and buried her head in his chest.
"Memories?" He asked. She nodded her head. "I was thinking of my brother and his family. We haven't spoken since our father died. I was regretting that. Many of the crew are melancholic. Reality has hit. This is our home and life. All our ties with the Alpha Quadrant have been severed, except for our memories." He lifted her chin and kissed her. "We should make an appearance. If you don't mind, for that matter even if you do, I will not call you Captain, Kathryn."
"Only if I don't have to call you Commander," was her response. He smiled and escorted her into the clinic.
Neelix had outdone himself. The building had been colorfully decorated and there was lots of food. And music: songs and melodies from the various cultures represented by the crew. No, they were now settlers of the first Federation colony in the Delta Quadrant.
She smiled and turned to Chakotay. "You should go change. I'm creating a new rule. No uniforms."
"Come with me?"
She laughed. "We'll never get back." It was very tempting though. "Later."
"Promise."
"I'll think about it."
He kissed her neck. "Promise?"
"I promise. Now get going." She watched him leave.
"Captain."
She turned around. Tuvok was standing there. She almost thought she saw a smile. "Congratulations."
"Thanks. How are your botanical studies going?" Soon after deciding to settle here, he had started to catalog the plant life. Kes, Neelix and their kid were helping.
"They are going well. We have found some plants that can be domesticated. And the climate here is ideally suited for agriculture. Neelix and I will be planting a experimental garden."
"Has anyone started to catalog the animal life?"
"Ensign Baker from Biology has. He and his wife are working on it."
She watched him carefully. For all the crew, the decision to stay must be the hardest on Tuvok. He wasn't the only one with a family in the alpha-quadrant, but being a Vulcan he still would have been alive when the ship returned. He would never admit anything. She wondered if he would start a new life here or be content with his botanical work. She figured the latter.
Tom approached her. "Captain, may I have this dance." Before she could answer they were dancing. The space was limited to an unfinished waiting room and the halls. After several minutes, she had to stop. "That's enough Lieutenant Commander."
He smiled. "I just get used to my promotion and we settle down to be civilians." He became serious. "Captain, I don't think I've ever thanked you for, well for everything. My life."
"Tom, I know your father would be proud of you. I am."
"Thanks. I just wish he knew." Memories again.
She looked around the crowd. Some were chatting, some were dancing, and some were just there. She walked over to the table of food and helped herself to an Volarian Chocolate Eclair. Ever since Neelix's leola root supplies had mysteriously decayed, his cooking had improved. He was still ranting about it, but had never found out what happened or found a replacement. She knew the cause would remain a mystery. No one would ever believe she had introduced the mold to the roots while they were in storage.
A wave of dizziness overcame her and she sat down.
"Kathryn, are you all right?" It was Kes.
"I'll be OK. Kes do you ever regret coming with us?"
"No, I have Neelix, Tom Jr. and the most wonderful friends in the galaxy." She paused. "I do sometimes wonder how my people have fared since I left. But no regrets. Kathryn, be joyful. And think of the future. You should be proud of your accomplishments and of your crew. They are settling into life here. You will always remember your lives from before. But this is what is important. Our present, and the future." Kes smiled and left as Chakotay approached.
"Tired?" He asked.
"A little."
"You up to a walk?"
"A slow one."
They strolled out the back door of the clinic, and walked slowly, her hand in his. They walked past the first built houses, to Voyager, then through the vacant and silent ship to the bridge.
She looked around the empty bridge.
"Computer, activate security program Chakotay sigma five alpha."
"Program activated," the computer's voice echoed slightly.
"You're not thinking what I think you are..." She tried to frown.
"Only what I've wanted to do for about five years." He took her hand and pulled her toward his chair, and then into his lap as he sat down. "The Captain ordered me to talk with her today."
"She wants to tell you about a few changes that will be occurring." She kissed him. "But first..."
#
#
A month passed. The warm breath of spring was changing into the even warmer one of summer. Neelix and Tuvok's garden had sprouted. They were experimenting on how to best cultivate the native plants.
Captain Janeway had become Governor Janeway.
Voyager was no longer spaceworthy. And at Kathryn's insistence was being turned into a museum: a memorial to their past and roots.
A hangar was being built for the 3 shuttlecraft and Neelix's ship. Voyager's computer had been modified to run the community. And the number of buildings had tripled.
#
#
Kathryn and Chakotay were completing the move into their house. She was unpacking a box of items from the ship--mementos of her career and life. They were important to her and her unborn child. They would be their only connection with the alpha quadrant.
She stopped unpacking and stared out the window. The house was built on their ridge with a view of the bay that she particularly liked. Originally their house was to have been built last, but she had forgotten that Tom Paris was a master conspirator. A month ago while she and Chakotay had been...She blushed--if nothing else that day had obliterated command protocol and structure forever. Well, Tom had organized the crew, found the plans for the house (he had B'Elanna hack her way into the computer and *steal* them) and they had started to build. The next morning the frame, roof and one wall were up--and she couldn't say no. Actually, she hadn't been able to speak. Doc told her she might be more emotional because of her pregnancy. He'd been right.
Harry had taken the various logs--official and personal (with permission of the owners)--and was working on a history of Voyager. Kathryn had been surprised at his request, but had given him permission. She had even loaned him her personal logs, on the condition that he not use everything in them. She had weeded somethings out.
The shuttle fleet would be returning today after a spending a week exploring the system. Tom had been delighted when she had promoted him to Commander and given him command of the shuttle fleet. Tom had permanent wanderlust. This would keep him occupied. Chakotay had been pleased with her choice to replace him. He had resigned, only to find himself her co-governor. He still managed to find time for his woodworking projects. He had finished this wonderful bed, with intricate turned posts and had brought it home yesterday. He had been so proud of it. She smiled at the recollection that they hadn't even waited for night before *testing* the bed.
She and Chakotay had spent many hours deciding on a name for their child. They had finally agreed that they both wanted to name the child after family--if it was a boy they would name him after Chakotay's father, and if it was a girl after her sister.
Tomorrow was a big day. It was Gaea's summer solstice, and a large celebration was planned. Also three weddings: B'Elanna's and Harry's; Jenny's and Tom's; and hers and Chakotay's. Theirs had caused the most difficulties. She couldn't conduct her own wedding ceremony, so as governor she had a new one created. The council had approved and it was the new ceremony they would be using tomorrow.
Kes was coming with her dress. Kathryn had found the material soon after entering the Delta Quadrant. She smiled as she remembered the reason she had given when she bought it. *I might need it, someday.* Foresight? The two crews had only just been combined and she had been at odds with Chakotay over whom to appoint Chief of Engineering. He had made the right choice. B'Elanna Torres was a marvelous Chief Engineer. She was still in command of engineering and had done a remarkable job adapting Voyager's equipment to the planet.
Voyager, her ship. A wonderful ship. Like Tom, she had permanent wanderlust. But she was now a Captain or rather former Captain without a ship. Even B'Elanna couldn't create the miracle necessary to keep Voyager flying.
Kes entered through the open front door. Kathryn turned. "Hello Kes."
"Kathryn. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine, so's the baby."
"Doc told me that he wants to see you again the end of the week. You missed last week's appointment. He's not happy."
"I know, I told him I would be in Friday. There's been so much to do."
Kes handed Kathryn a box. "Where's Chakotay?"
"He's helping Harry finish their house."
"Good. I understand it's an Earth custom that he shouldn't see the dress."
Kathryn laughed. "A very old one. But this isn't exactly a traditional dress."
"I didn't do that much research. But green is a good color. Samantha finished hemming it last night. Try it on."
#
#
She woke in their house, alone--Chakotay had spent the night on the ship. Their first night apart in a month.
Kathryn was fidgety. "I don't know why I'm so nervous," she wondered. "Nothing is going to change." Or was it. Did her upcoming wedding symbolize completing the process of accepting the Delta Quadrant and Gaea as home? Her permanent home. Letting go of her past and accepting her future here as Governor, wife, and mother.
She had promised to meet B'Elanna and Jenny for breakfast, and she should have left five minutes ago.
Breakfast was at Jenny and Tom's house. B'Elanna was already there. Kathryn apologized profusely for being late.
"Lost in thought, I suppose." B'Elanna remarked. "I've been doing that for 3 days. Remembering."
"So have I," Jenny added. "Life in the alpha quadrant, before Voyager, sometimes seems like a dream. My sister was telling me she has the same feeling."
"I think it's the not knowing," Kathryn said. "We're dead to those in the alpha quadrant. Star Fleet would have declared that six months after our disappearance. They have gotten on with their lives. We on the other hand know we don't know how they are." She paused. "But as Kes says we should be joyful. She's right. We have much to be thankful for." She touched her belly.
Jenny smiled. "We just found out that I'm pregnant. I'm due two months after you. When I told Tom yesterday, I thought he would fly to the moon and back without one of his shuttle." She laughed at his exuberance, while B'Elanna and Kathryn offered their congratulations.
Jenny turned to Kathryn. "Captain, I want to thank you for Tom's promotion. I was worried how he would take to being land bound." As she spoke, she wondered how the Captain would take to being land bound.
#
#
The weddings took place under a large, spreading oak-like tree just beyond the colony. The ceremony was simple, each couple exchanged a vow of love and signed their names in the official records book.
Chakotay's hand tightened around hers. Kathryn looked up and their eyes met. He smiled and pulled her close.
"Happy."
She smiled, "Yes."
#
#
The leaves of the few deciduous trees changed color, from the rich greens of summer to the brilliant oranges and reds of fall. Soon the green conifers stood misted in the low, patchy fog--that every morning seemed a little thicker. The air chilled and the rains fell.
The gardens planted in the spring were harvested.
#
#
Between the experimental gardens and Kes's hydroponic gardens she still maintained on Voyager there would be enough food to last the winter.
#
#
Kathryn groaned quietly as she tried to get comfortable in her chair--at almost 7 months that was difficult. The council--consisting of her senior staff, Samantha Wildman, and several others--was meeting to discuss Neelix's suggestion that he and Tom lead an expedition to explore the tropical regions of Gaea. The idea would be approved, Kathryn just wished she could go with them.
Ensign...Ken Baker and his wife wanted to try domesticating livestock. Tom scowled when he realized that they would need to use a shuttle for hauling the animals. But first, the Bakers would accompany Tom and Neelix's away-team.
Kathryn sighed as the meeting broke-up. She was tired and ached. She looked forward to being able to go on an away-team mission again.
The meeting had been held in the briefing room on Voyager. She slowly followed the others out. Chakotay was up ahead talking with Tom.
Only about one fourth the crew still lived on Voyager--they would finish building in the spring.
The walking felt good after sitting for a couple of hours.
She felt the baby kick, and smiled. Chakotay wanted her to start taking it easy--to relinquish most of the rest of her duties to him. She would eventually, but not right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks.
"You all right," Chakotay asked. He had finished talking with Tom.
"I've been less sore and more comfortable, but I'll live."
He smiled. "You look radiant and beautiful."
She grinned, that was how he usually responded when she complained. "But right now, I want to go home and put my feet up."
#
#
The winter solstice had come and gone. Kathryn's time was soon and she had finally relinquished most of her administrative duties to Chakotay. It was hard for her to do almost anything.
She was alone in the house--Chakotay was at a council meeting. She had taken to wearing her comm-badge. The Doc had told her to. He would use the medical transporter to get her to the clinic. It was a comforting thought.
She had been reading the draft of the first volume of Harry's History of Voyager. She has been surprised at his interest in history. The first volume covered the period before coming to the Delta Quadrant. Equal time was given to both crews and both captains. B'Elanna said that he had always wanted to be a historian. Their first child was due in 7 months.
She felt a twinge then a sharp pain. She'd felt them before, so when it passed she started to read again.
All morning had been like that. It wasn't until after lunch that the pains started becoming regular. Finally, she thought.
"Janeway to sick bay." Surprising how old habits die hard, she thought as she contacted the Doc.
"This is the Doctor. Are you OK?"
"I think I'm starting."
"Initiating emergency medical transport." The lights twinkled and she found herself in the maternity ward of the clinic. The Doc came over and helped her into a bed, then ran his tricorder over her. He signaled Kes to prepare for delivery.
"Does Chakotay know."
"No," she groaned as another contraction began.
"I'll send someone. Where is he?"
"Council meeting."
"Don't worry we have plenty of time. I'll be right back."
He went next door where Tom and Jenny were waiting. "I'm going to have to postpone your appointment. Tom, would you go get Chakotay from his meeting. The baby's coming."
#
#
In less than half an hour the entire colony knew. Despite the drizzle, many gathered outside the clinic anxiously waiting. Each birth had brought forth a similar response--but this one was special, the first child born on the planet and it was the Captain's.
#
#
The hours passed. Doc had asked Kes to send those standing around outside in the cold and wet, home. A few had left.
Chakotay held Kathryn's hand and bent over to kiss her. Kes was on her other side. Kathryn was sweaty and he was very nervous. "Almost there," he whispered to her.
Doc smiled, "One more push." A pause and there was the sound of crying. Doc handed the new mother their infant girl. Chakotay ran his finger over the newborn's head. And again kissed his wife.
Doc asked "Have you chosen a name?"
They both smiled. "Phoebe."
#
#
The seasons progressed, the years passed and the little colony grew: enduring disappointments and tragedies; celebrating victories and exultations.
Kathryn Janeway watched her two children playing in the mud. She and her oldest, Phoebe were going with the away team to visit the colony's chocolate and coffee plantation.
Ten years ago they had transplanted Kes's Volarian chocolate shrubs to this tropical island--the second fall after settling on Gaea. Later they had also started growing a coffee substitute they had found,.
Chakotay was staying behind, to look after the youngest child, Kolopak.
Phoebe was very much her father's child. Rambunctious, a quirky sense of humor, and she loved a good argument--sometimes starting one just for the sake of debate. She was also going to be tall like her father. At ten she was only an inch shorter than her mother. She wore her dark hair braided down her back, like how her mother was now.
Kolopak was quieter than Phoebe had been when she had been 6, but already was developing his abilities to get what he wanted. And he was chronically curious. Three days earlier he had discovered scissors--his short dark hair had been cut even shorter to even out the damage he had inflicted. Kathryn smiled, Kolopak might be quiet, but he was into everything.
"Kolopak, don't eat the mud." She reached down to take the boy's muddy hands out of his mouth. "Phoebe, you need to get cleaned up, we're leaving in an hour."
"Yes mommy." Phoebe had been looking forward to this trip for a couple of months. It would be her first visit to the plantation. It was also a good excuse to get out of school for a couple of days, even though she would be writing a report about it.
#
#
Chakotay joined them at the shuttle to see them off. Kolopak was furious that he wasn't going and managed to spoil Phoebe's good mood, at least until they were airborne. This wasn't Phoebe's first shuttle flight, but it would be the longest. She found a seat behind Uncle Tom. She watched him as he deftly fingered the controls of the shuttle.
Tom Paris smiled, the kids always got a kick out of watching the pilot--it didn't really matter who was piloting the shuttle, but Tom enjoyed the attention. Phoebe had the makings of a good pilot, he'd already given her lessons (and had even let her fly the shuttle--for a minute). He ran his hand through his graying hair. There were six on this trip, the Captain (most of the crew still called her that), Phoebe, Tuvok, Ken Baker, and his and Jenny's oldest kid Gene.
Tom nodded his head at the empty co-pilot's seat and Phoebe quickly sat down. "How long will we be, Uncle Tom?" She asked excitedly.
"Just under one hour." He flicked a switch. "Here, look at this console, you can watch what we're flying over. This is the south coast of the continent we live on. You've been studying about it in school."
"Gene told," Gene was just a few months younger than Phoebe.
Tom smiled, the two kids were constantly competing against each other in almost every topic. It drove the teachers crazy. He laughed, it drove the parents crazy.
"Why does she get to sit there?" His son asked.
"I invited her. You said you didn't want to," Tom replied.
"Well, since I can't do any rolls, I guess I don't want to help you fly." He frowned as he moved back to the passenger area.
"How come I've never gotten to roll the shuttle? Why?"
"He hasn't either, we don't roll the shuttles."
"Why?"
Tom closed his eyes, someone had once told him a parent's greatest revenge was grandchildren. His son was in the why stage too.
"It's not safe." He looked at the console. "See those big white clouds?" He pointed ahead.
"Uhuh."
"Thunderclouds." He made a few adjustments in the route to go around them.
"We learned about them in school." She turned. "Mommy, come see the neat clouds."
Kathryn laughed quietly as she put down her book and moved to the front of the shuttle. "Yes they are very pretty. Is she bothering you Tom?"
"Not at all Captain, I invited her." Tom motioned his head toward his son.
Kathryn laughed. "Is the weather a problem?"
Tom shook his head. "Not at all, we'll go around, just add about 10 minutes to our flight time."
She nodded. She stood there and watched the clouds. There may have been no choice ten years ago when the decision was made to stay and she loved life on Gaea, but Kathryn Janeway would sometimes get lost in her memories of her family. What was her sister doing, her mother? Did they think about her at all?
"Mommy, are you all right?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking. Look." She pointed to a large cloud formation.
"It looks like Voyager," Phoebe said.
Both Tom and Kathryn looked at the cloud fondly before it's shape changed. Kathryn laughed, a bit of irony in that probably.
"Brings back memories," Tom said. When the Captain didn't answer, he realized she was also remembering.
Phoebe looked at the two adults and then at the clouds. "It's a boat," she said excitedly pointing to another cloud. "Just like the one we use in the bay."
"That's not a boat, it's a Kazon warship." Gene had returned to the front. "I changed my mind, can I sit here now."
Phoebe stood. "Sure, I'm going to read." She moved to back of the shuttle.
Janeway looked at Tom, "No rolling." She too returned to her seat.
#
#
There was a mist over the island plantation as Tom made his final approach. It wasn't to bad--visibility was 2 kilometers. Anyway he'd made the landing many times. He started the descent.
The plantation was on a tropical island. It had been selected because the climate was perfect for the chocolate and coffee substitutes, little wildlife, and the elevation was high enough that the sometimes wicked weather that passed through wouldn't be a problem.
There was still much of the planet to be explored. It had been mapped, but only a small percentage (less than 10%) had actually been visited. And most of that was surrounding their home. In the ten years since settling, there had been 35 births and seven deaths, including Kes.
Kes. When the Ocampan woman had died six years ago Neelix had been devastated. He still missed her, but managed to keep busy with his restaurant and gardens. Their son, Tom Jr., now a young man, managed the plantation.
#
#
The plantation had been successful. The coffee substitute did OK, and the chocolate plants were doing poorly. In the past six years chocolate production had decreased by 43 percent. The plantation research staff were looking for a substitute for the chocolate as well as analyzing the various tropical plants in the area, the nearby islands, and continent for food and medical usage. This is where the plantation had its greatest successes. They had found several tropical fruits--including something that resembled a kiwi fruit and a flower that contained a rather potent antibiotic. Janeway was going to be talking with the staff there about expanding their research. While she was doing that; Phoebe and Gene would be given a tour of the island, and Tom would be conducting recertification training for the plantation shuttle crew.
The plantation was also working on a classifying the animals of the region. Ken Baker was rejoining his wife and three kids. That was their project. A secondary project had started two years ago as they attempted to start domesticating a feline like creature they had found on the continent. It had taken three generations, but they were now convinced that this feline--despite it's size--was going to make a wonderful pet.
Janeway wasn't so sure. But throughout her meetings with the staff, she had been followed by one of these cats. Every time she had sat down, it tried to make friends with her. By the end of the day it had. She was going to take it home with her. Something about an absolutely mushy feline (even though she was a dog person) was rather appealing.
That evening she introduced it to Phoebe, who found the creature as fascinating as her mother had. The only problem was the cat insisted on sleeping in Phoebe's bed. There was no room for the girl in it.
Phoebe found the whole trip fascinating. She had been absolutely astounded to discover an exotic insect with a wingspan of 15cm. Colored in iridescent reds and yellows. She had been a little perturbed when Gene had said it was poisonous. She didn't touch it again and had washed her hands thoroughly afterwards.
#
#
The two days went fast, especially for the two kids. Neither really wanted to return to the colony, and had reluctantly boarded the shuttle for the return trip. Phoebe was still delighted. She was bringing home a new pet. (And Gene wasn't.) The cat wasn't too sure about the shuttle, but with a little coaxing had finally boarded too. After all, when a four foot long cat (not including the almost four foot tail) decides to do something, it usually gets it way.
#
#
Chakotay watched the cat with awed amusement. It studied him too. Kolopak was terrified of the thing. He wanted nothing to do with it, which delighted Phoebe. She had finally decided on a name: Tigger, after one of the characters in her favorite story.
Chakotay smiled at his wife and welcomed her home by wrapping her in his arms.
Phoebe smiled at her parents as she petted her new pet. Gene moved to stand behind her. "Why are adults so mushy?" He asked--Tom and Jenny were also embracing.
Phoebe ignored him.
Tom leaned on his cane as he looked around the assembled colonists. The young outnumbered the old, he thought sadly. His grandmother had once said that growing old wasn't hard: it was surviving one's friends and loved ones that was difficult.
She'd been right. Harry, B'Elanna, himself and fifteen others were the only surviving members of the original Voyager crew.
For them in particular, this morning was of major significance. For everybody really.
Kathryn Janeway had died peacefully in her sleep three days ago. The woman who had redeemed his life, given him and so many others a second chance. He rubbed his eyes, in a vain attempt to stop the tears. Voyager's Captain had died, forty-two years after settling on Gaea.
Phoebe, her daughter (and his daughter-in-law Tom added with an attempt of a smile), said she had died with a smile on her face. Phoebe was convinced that the spirit of her father had come at the end to be with her. Chakotay had died nine years earlier--he'd collapsed in his wood shop.
Tom looked around the crowd again. Life on Gaea had been hard--but there had been rewards. Their children and grandchildren. And with a smile he noted the newest member--the Captain's great-granddaughter, born three days before she'd died.
Again he rubbed his eyes.
"Tom, you okay?" Harry asked.
"Fine. I've just been thinking."
Harry smiled. "She was a remarkable woman."
Tom nodded, no longer pretending not to be teary eyed.
B'Elanna looked at Tom, then Harry. "She's happy now, again." Ever since Chakotay's death, then a year later their son's death in a fire, Kathryn Janeway had been unhappy.
B'Elanna took Harry's hand, then took Tom's. Together they moved to the front row.
#
#
Phoebe looked at her husband, Gene Paris and their four children. She too had been remembering. Trying to remember the good times--to block the pain of the moment--but the bad times were there too.
The crowd hushed as the newly elected colony governor stood on the steps of the clinic. Phoebe blinked back the tears as she began. "My mother was a remarkable woman. Working against the odds and at times the entire delta quadrant she strove to get her crew home. When destiny stepped in again and we settled here, she felt like she had broken her promise. She eventually came to terms with Gaea as home. But for the rest of her life she would look to the stars. I remember watching her standing outside and looking at the stars. She always seemed so distant, so sad. But my father knew how to bring her back." Phoebe smiled. "I've heard the stories of Voyager--two different crews...Two Captains...How through the adversity, the disagreements an alliance was formed. In the version my father liked to tell, it was an *ancient legend of my people.* Mother told me the other meaning of that story just before..." Phoebe stopped and wiped her eyes. "Several years before the colony on Gaea had been founded, my mother and father spent several months alone on another planet. He told her that story one night. Mom said it was his first declaration of love. And that the worst thing she ever did was to try to ignore it. Gaea gave her a chance to stop being *Captain.* Despite everything, she was truly happy here..." She couldn't continue.
#
#
Phoebe wanted to be alone. She sat in her mother's garden. Kathryn had grown the best tomatoes on the planet, she remembered with a smile. Then there were the roses. Kathryn Janeway, a self proclaimed purple-thumb, had actually enjoyed working in her garden. She'd spent the last twenty years of her life growing roses. She'd wanted a certain color--pink and yellow.
Phoebe stared at the plant--it would be blooming soon. Small delicate pink and yellow flowers. She smiled.
Somewhere out there two souls were again at peace.
I finally realized why I couldn't write this story. It's not a story. Just a note: Dr. T'Brel was to have been the leading character in the story that never happened. She's half Vulcan, half human.
Holographic Images: Jennifer Kim Voyager Colony, Gaea
Almost one hundred years ago, The United Federation of Planets, represented by Star Fleet, entered the Delta-Quadrant. As they explored deeper into the Quadrant, stories were found among the various cultures, telling of previous encounters with a Star Fleet ship. Because of translation problems, initially the stories were ignored or believed to be simply coincidences. The mysterious ship's name was translated from the various written languages to be Traveler, Wanderer, Trekker {ed note, couldn't resist}, Voyager. The stories languished for years, before being collected by Dr. Ryan Smith and published fifty years ago. He used the then newest in translation methods to phonetically translate the proper names and determined that the ship was one that had disappeared from Federation space in 2371, the USS Voyager.
Two hundred years ago, the Federation had just signed their first treaty with the Cardassians and relations were tentative at best. There was a movement (the Maquis) started by colonists displaced by that treaty and others to fight the Cardassians. The USS Voyager was sent to capture a Maquis ship and rescue a Star Fleet operative on that ship. Both ships disappeared.
My interest in this story started at an early age--my great-great-great grandfather was the spy aboard the Maquis ship, Lt. Tuvok. Ten years ago I updated Dr. Smith's research and started on my own quest, to find out what happened to Voyager.
{ed note: Here followed a synopsis of the first seasons--which I hope you all are familiar with.
By piecing together the stories, I was able to determine the route Voyager followed and determine approximately when and where the ship disappeared.
Volaria, an exotic planet in sector 259 alpha, known for its chocolate, is the last known culture to have a Voyager story. All known cultures between Volaria and the Alpha Quadrant do not mention Voyager.
A year ago, I spent several days at Volaria, researching in their archives looking for references to Voyager. Apparently about five years after being pulled into the Delta Quadrant, Voyager spent several weeks there. But, I also found a reference from 20 years later about a peaceful encounter between a Volarian ship and an unknown ship. It occurred in a sector the Volarian's claimed was uninhabited. Even now it is a sector not well studied.
I was able to find passage on a ship, the USS Enterprise S, that was just starting an exploration mission of that sector.
Five weeks into the mission we came across a small ship. Imagine our surprise when it was identified as a Federation Shuttle craft--a model not used for 150 years. Imagine their surprise to find a Federation ship in their system. Two hundred years ago the Voyager crew had settled on a planet they called Gaea. We were invited for a visit and ended up staying three weeks. It was the Bicentennial of the Colony founding. We were allowed access to their computer, their archives, and we were invited into their homes to be wined and dined.
The biggest thrill for me, was to actually meet my great-great-great grandfather, Tuvok. He was a little hard of hearing, but very interested in learning about his family in the alpha-quadrant. He showed me his greenhouse and his orchid collection. His collection will be featured in the upcoming June edition of Galactian Geographic.
The colony is remarkable. Not only has it survived two hundred years with practically no outside contact, it has flourished. The colony population stands at about 435, most of its citizens residing in the main settlement, with some living in one of the several smaller settlements. They have limited use of replicators, and other items most of us consider essential. They raise their own food and have domesticated several of the native animals. A large ox-like animal is used for draught work (plowing and hauling). They raise several species of domesticated fowl, and several animals have been domesticated as pets. It's rather disconcerting to walk into a house and to be greeted by a four foot long feline, eight feet if one includes the tail.
They started with three shuttlecraft and a small Talaxian ship--but now only have two shuttlecraft. For two hundred years those two shuttles have been so carefully maintained and cared for that they are almost like new.
They've been able to maintain Voyager's power supplies (mainly to run the computer and holosuites). The principle source of power for most everything else comes from solar power and harnessing the tides.
Voyager itself has been enshrined as a museum--a memorial to their past. The colonists have a proud tradition of considering themselves the first Federation colony in the Delta Quadrant. Five months ago that status was officially conferred upon them by the Federation.
The Voyager story was more impressive than anything we had put together. For five years, as they headed home, they explored, they made contact with the various cultures, suffered set-backs and celebrated triumphs.
Voyager's Captain had promised that someday they would return to Federation Space. Their bicentennial celebration became a celebration of that return.