Disclaimer: I was completely bored by Unforgettable...but found myself intrigued with the basic story -- *not* the supposed attempt at romance. I have written my version of an episode before it aired, but outside of some complaints and notes -- never after an episode has aired (additions don't count!).
So, I entreat you to please forgive me for dragging this forgettable episode into the open again.
As for asking TPTB to forgive me... :-P They should be begging *me* to forgive them...
Warning: Some language (nothing major). The romance factor is barely there. And if you are looking for Chakotay and the alien babe making out -- forget it. I do not like Alien-of-the-Week romances.
Nikell wrapped her fingers in her blonde hair as she smiled at Voyager's first officer. She had to admit that he was very handsome -- and if she had time she wouldn't mind...Well...Her smile grew bigger at the thought before she pushed it away. Such liaisons were not allowed by her government, and she was leaving anyway. She laughed when she realized he'd been speaking to her. "I'm sorry..."
Chakotay grinned. "You seem lost in thought."
"I guess so. Well, Commander, I have enjoyed my stay on Voyager. Please thank Captain Janeway for her assistance." She hated the deception involved in her work...But it allowed her a freedom that most of her species were denied.
Chakotay nodded. "Our pleasure. Good-luck in your hunt."
"Thanks." Nikell fingered the triangular-shaped weapon at her side as she stepped onto the transporter pad. "It was a most informative three days. But I am forced to agree with your security officer, Tuv, that my quarry never boarded the ship at Grobin."
She enjoyed her private joke. "Good-bye and thank-you again." She glanced around warily, as she grasped her weapon. The trap was set -- now if the prey had taken the bait.
Chakotay pushed the controls on the console, but instead of the usual twinkling of lights, there were several bright bursts of energy and a third form appeared in the room.
Chakotay raced to assist the startled male-humanoid, but Nikell was faster. She fired at the male, enveloping him in a blue field that disappeared when he crumpled to the ground.
Chakotay glared at her as he reached for his phaser. "What the Hell are you doing?"
She fired at him, this time with her weapon set on stun. He fell to the floor. "I'm sorry Chakotay."
She had seconds to transport herself and the older male humanoid to her ship and engage the tiny ship's cloaking-device before Voyager reacted. Without responding to Janeway's hails, Nikell started her journey home.
Voyager did not pursue.
Nikell sighed. She'd liked the people on that ship. It had been hard for her to play her game with them. This time it was difficult for her to accept that within 24 hours they would have no memory of her existence.
She set the controls to auto-pilot so she could examine her prisoner. She'd been pursuing him for about a year -- yet she had found him only 3 weeks from their home world.
"You never were very good at hiding," she said as he groaned. His eyes fluttered open and he stared at her blankly. She was not concerned at his pale and confused appearance -- this was the usual reaction to the memory wipe.
Nikell handed him a glass of a drab-yellow liquid. "Hello father," she whispered.
#
#
Tom leaned over the ops-console and smirked. "Harry, Harry. Admit it."
The young ensign gave Tom a disdainful look, then with a deliberate motion returned to his work. "I thought you were here to help..."
"I am. Sensor arrays...Seven...So, do you enjoy working with her?"
Harry blushed, but any retort was cut off by a violent tremor.
Tom raced back to the pilot's seat and made some adjustments. A second quake almost threw him out of his chair.
"Captain, sensors are detecting poly-photonic-weapons fire from several ships..." Harry continued to manipulate the controls. "But they are not detecting any ships."
"Red alert. Evasive maneuvers. Are they firing at us?" Janeway wondered what new enemy they'd made today.
"No, Captain. We seem to be caught in their cross-fire."
"Captain," Tuvok said. "I have adjusted our sensors. There are two ships."
"On screen." The hazy images of two small, triangular-shaped ships appeared. The were engaged in an intense battle.
One ship took a direct hit as it flew behind Voyager: the following explosion caused Voyager to shudder. The second ship lurched sharply to its port side, then was stationary.
Janeway stood. "Open hailing frequencies." She waited a second. "This is Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager..."
A faint female voice replied. "Voyager...Thank the gods that I found you...Is Commander Chakotay there?"
Chakotay stood slowly, his face showing his confusion. "Yes...who are you?"
"It's a long story..." There was a hiss of static, followed by silence.
"Captain, I'm not detecting any life-signs." Harry sounded concerned.
"Are the ship's environmental controls working?" Chakotay asked as he glanced at Janeway. She nodded.
"Minimal life-support, but failing quickly."
Chakotay moved toward the lift, "Tom, Tuvok you're with me." The two officers hurried after him.
Janeway watched them leave before turning to Harry. "Keep a transporter lock on them."
"Aye Captain."
#
#
The interior of the small alien ship was in ruins. An interior wall had collapsed, exposing the power core, and the ceiling had caved-in. There was dust and debris everywhere. Chakotay motioned quickly for them to spread-out. "Any life-signs?"
"No sir," Tom replied as he dug through some debris. "But this could look like a nav-console." He brushed the smaller fragments off. "Curious, the tricorder isn't getting any readings." He began examining the alien console.
Chakotay waded through the debris, avoiding the larger pieces of ragged metal. He noted that his tricorder was also behaving erratically.
A soft moan caught his attention. "Over here," he called out as he pushed at a long metal beam to reveal a booted foot.
"Chakotay?"
"Yes." Chakotay struggled with a large support beam. "Can you move?" he asked the still unseen female alien.
"I'm just pinned..." She moaned. "And my head hurts."
Tuvok left the power source to assist with the removal of the debris. Tom came to help and the trio quickly exposed the body of a young, blonde female. She grimaced as she tried to move. "Tuv, you came too?"
Tom ran a tricorder over her. After several tries, he hit it against the remains of a chair. "Damn piece of junk." He glanced at the Commander. "Obviously she's alive, but the tricorder isn't picking up any life-signs."
The woman laughed, then groaned. "Of course it isn't..." Her eyes closed.
"See if you can stabilize the ship's systems," Chakotay tapped his comm-badge. "Chakotay to Voyager. Lock on my signal. Two to beam to sick-bay."
#
#
Janeway glanced anxiously at the Doctor then at his patient. "Do we know who she is?"
"No, Captain. She didn't identify herself before passing out." Chakotay ran his hand through his hair. "We've not be able to access her ship's computer..."
The doctor grunted, "Tricorders do not register anything. It is like she has a dampening field surrounding her. Fortunately I am a master of visual diagnosis. She is suffering from a concussion to the right temporal lobe. A number of contusions and abrasions -- indicative of being buried under debris." He noticed the captain's glare. "She will be fine."
"When do you expect her to come-to?"
"That I cannot tell you. If she were human, I would say in couple of hours."
Janeway rolled her eyes slightly. "See if you can adjust the tricorder to cut through this field and keep me informed." She motioned for Chakotay to follow her into the corridor. "Well?"
Chakotay shrugged. "I don't recognize her." Then he smirked evilly. "She isn't the type one forgets..." He laughed at the wicked expression Janeway threw him. "Don't tell me you're jealous?"
She stepped into the lift with a haughty toss of her head. "Any reason I should be?"
He followed her and waited until the lift doors closed before wrapping his arms around her. "Of course not, Kathryn."
She leaned her head on his chest and started laughing. "Chakotay, what are you doing? We agreed..."
"Nothing while on duty. I know...But you can be so bloody exasperating..." He kissed the top of her head before letting her go.
"Paris to Janeway." Chakotay bit back a laugh as she responded.
"Janeway here. Tom?"
"We've been able to stabilize the ship's systems."
"Good job, Tom. Can we bring it onboard?"
"Aye Captain."
"Proceed. Have B'Elanna go over the ship. Janeway out." She quirked an eyebrow. "I'd like to know more about the ship and our guest."
"I'll see what's in the database."
She nodded. "And we're getting the Hell out of here. I'd rather avoid being in the middle of someone else's battles."
"Agreed." He took her hand and squeezed it. "Dinner?"
"Of course. I was looking forward to dessert though."
#
#
B'Elanna crawled out from under the alien ship, "Tom, I'm going to take a bat'leth to you," she growled. "This had better be good"
"Hey! Be, don't kill me," Tom raised his hands in surrender. "But I was wondering if you by any chance remembered what tonight is?"
"No, should I?" She started to crawl back under but stopped suddenly. "Oh." Her voice softened. "I'm sorry, Tom. I'll make it up to you."
He grinned. "You will. Trust me, you will."
"Never, Helmboy."
He bent down and grabbed her feet and pulled her back out. "Never?"
B'Elanna laughed. "Never..." She took deep breath to calm down. "I think I've figured out how the shielding works on this ship...It's incredible..." She handed Tom a PADD. He smiled at her enthusiasm.
She watched him eagerly for a second, before her eyes wandered around the shuttle bay. Suddenly she pushed herself up into a sitting position. "Tom?"
"Hmm?" He continued reading the PADD.
"Did you see that?"
He glanced around. "What?"
"I...Nothing." She indicated the PADD. "What do you think?"
"Looks promising. Want some help?" He knelt beside her.
#
#
The Doctor merely ignored the security guard at the foot of the bed as he hurried over to his patient. "Finally, you are waking up." He noted the time in her patient record -- exactly three hours and twenty-two minutes after her arrival.
The young alien woman tried to sit up, but the doctor placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her down. "Take it slowly. The Captain will want you to answer some questions."
"You don't remember me." She wrapped her fingers in her hair nervously. "I'll explain." She glanced toward the doors as Janeway entered, followed by Chakotay. "Captain Janeway, I request asylum."
Janeway stopped and stared at the other woman before speaking. "I will take your request under advisement. You know us...But we don't know you."
Nikell sighed as she rubbed her forehead. "I am Nikell Oslar. I'm a tracer...That's how we met."
Janeway studied the young woman. "We've met? Our computer has no information on you or your species."
"I suppose it is very confusing." She again tried to sit up, this time the doctor let her. "I was here about eight weeks ago, you were at Grobin. I believe it was a..." She hesitated. "A Tom Paris who described me as a bounty hunter. It's an accurate description. My quarry had hidden on your ship..." She contemplated her hands for a second. "I wasn't as clever -- Commander Chakotay found me..." She lifted her eyes and grinned at him. "But don't expect either trick to work again, we've improved our personal cloaking devices..."
"But why don't we remember you?" Chakotay asked.
"The Kaestothans are very xenophobic. We've developed innumerable ways to hide from visitors...Or to be forgotten if we do have contact..." She moved to stand up. "They will come after me. Please let me help you..." She glanced from the Doctor to the captain. "Please?"
Janeway nodded then looked at the Doctor. "Can she leave sick-bay?"
"Yes." He then spoke to his patient. "If you feel dizzy, I want you to contact sick-bay immediately."
Nikell nodded. "I presume you want to know why you don't remember me?"
"We've gone through our database and can find no mention of you." Janeway was more than a little curious about the young woman.
"I caused that..." Nikell studied the two officers. "We set a trap to catch the runner. I had just enough time to introduce a viral-algorithm into your computer."
"What?"
Nikell shrugged. "As I said, my people are very xenophobic." She had always believed that her people had the right to maintain their anonymity. "We do whatever it takes to maintain our isolation...Including capturing runners--those who flee our world."
"And our memories?" Chakotay asked as they stopped in the doorway.
Nikell laughed. "Your memories of me only exist while I am here. When I leave, the memories fade. Usually within twenty-four hours."
"Out of sight, out of mind," Janeway looked doubtful, but intrigued..
"Exactly." Nikell thought a second. "We've evolved..." She shook her head. "No. More likely individuals were chosen for breeding who had a certain type of physiology. We have a strong bio-magnetic field that interferes with the normal long-term memory of other species..."
Janeway glanced at Chakotay and shrugged. An incredible story...
"There are records of similar things happening in the Alpha-quadrant," Chakotay said. "For obvious reasons, they're not well documented."
"Rather defeats the purpose. I know there are rumors of our existence, and even a few species that remember. Our people pride themselves on our capability to hide..." She stopped. "I was serious when I said I would help. I don't want to go back. They will destroy me." Her eyes pleaded with Janeway. "Please, let me help you modify your systems to detect our technology!"
"Work with Ensign Kim. We'll need your help to reconfigure our sensors and shields."
Chakotay placed a hand on Janeway's shoulder, "Nikell, you probably haven't eaten for a while? And we'll need to make arrangements for you to share quarters."
"Is Neelix still cooking? I for one liked his food...Though I think strawberries and cream is the best." She winked at Janeway and started trotting down the corridor. The security officer hastened after her.
The Doctor frowned as he analyzed her information. "I have made some progress in understanding her physiology. She is right about being hidden from the universe...Her body emits a fluctuating bio-magnetic field that disrupts our scanning equipment." He handed Janeway a triangular shaped weapon. "I found this on her." He watched the two senior officers inspect the item for several seconds. "I asked Seven if she had any information on this species. She did not."
#
#
Nikell studied the various food choices, only looking up when Neelix scurried over to the counter. "Hello, Neelix."
The Talaxian stared at her. "The mystery guest."
She laughed. "I guess I am. But really, I have been here before." She pointed to a pot of lavender-colored stew. "You served that the last time I was here."
"Ah. My Briskian stew. I'm afraid it's not very popular with the crew." He leaned over the counter. "Between you and me, I froze the leftovers and pull it out every week. We can't afford to waste supplies."
She nodded. "Well, I'll have some. It reminded me of my..." A pained look appeared in her eyes, but passed before Neelix could ask. Instead he ladled a large bowl of stew for her. "Thank-you Neelix."
"You're welcome..."
"Nikell."
"Welcome aboard Voyager, Nikell."
"I hope to stay for a long time." She picked up her tray and strolled over to an empty table. She noted that everybody was observing her, but she tried to pretend it didn't bother her.
"Don't tell me you plan to eat that?"
Nikell jumped then turned to face the speaker. "Hello, Harry. And yes, I do."
Harry laughed as he sat down across from her. "I've been told we're working together."
She took a bite of food. "I would like to get started as soon as possible. My name is Nikell." She took a second mouthful. "Hmmm. I think storage has affected the taste."
Harry laughed. "A great introduction to Voyager..."
"It beats what..." She hesitated a split-second before she continued. "It beats what I was eating before. I would recommend we start work on the sensor arrays first..." She went on to describe her ideas for the modifications.
#
#
Janeway acknowledged the late-night summons as she quickly dressed. As she pulled the uniform jacket on, she again contacted the bridge.
Paris's voice filled her room. "Captain, Lieutenant Torres has taken a team into the shuttle-bay to investigate."
"Very good, I'm on my way." She quickly left her quarters, not glancing at her companion until they stepped into the turbo-lift. "I seem destined to not get any sleep." She ran her hand down his shoulder. "Or anything else."
Chakotay grinned at her as she tapped her comm-badge. "Status, Mr. Paris?"
"The energy fluctuations have increased ten-fold in the last three minutes. B'Elanna has pulled her team from the shuttle bay."
The lift door opened. "Prepare to dump the ship." She stopped at the ops-station to examine the data.
Tom stood, "Captain. The tractor beam is in place."
"Do it." She turned to watch the screen as the small Kaestothan ship was pulled from the shuttle bay. "Move us to 1000 kilometers."
Two minutes later, Nikell's ship exploded in a blaze of red and purple light. Janeway continued to read the data for several seconds afterwards, before speaking. "Lieutenant Paris?"
"Captain. There was no warning...No intruder alerts either."
She closed her eyes, another long night. "Senior staff meeting in five minutes. And have Nikell attend."
#
#
Nothing. They had found absolutely nothing. Janeway didn't know whether to be relieved or not. After twelve hours at a tactical alert, they had not found any sign of an intruder. The explosion could easily have been a result of the damage.
Nikell had managed in less than 24 hours to turn the ship upside down. First her incredible story of having met before, and now the young alien's increasing concern that there was a tracer onboard.
If there was someone onboard, he was very good at hiding...Janeway leaned back in her chair. If? Could they really hide so successfully...
She didn't know...But weirder things had happened, she reminded herself.
#
#
Nikell sat down at the table and studied the young woman curiously. She found meals were an excellent time to chat with the crew.
Seven intrigued her -- so different from everyone else. Life on Voyager was so different from what she knew.
Seven paid no attention to her, but continued to concentrate on the object she was holding. Every few seconds her hand would come up and move a thin section of the item. After observing Seven for several minutes, Nikell spoke. "What are you doing?"
"Reading a book," Seven said in a dry monotone.
"A book?" Nikell leaned closer. "What's that?"
"A very ineffective way to transmit information, but the Doctor is of the opinion that it will improve my ability to work with the crew."
Nikell reached out to touch the book. She'd never seen anything like it. "What kind of information?"
"All information. Mostly fiction." Seven placed the book down on the table. "This is about love, one of the most ineffective ways to handle procreation."
Nikell nodded. "Our government agrees. All matches are approved by local officials."
"An effective way to handle the situation. There is no need for socializing and useless conversation."
Fascinated, Nikell picked up the red bound book and examined it carefully. "What is its power source?"
"There is none. It is words printed on paper."
"I can read what is on the computer, but not this."
"The computer translates it for you. This device is ineffective in that regard. I can have the computer replicate a copy in your own language."
She shook her head. "It is a beautiful item."
"The Doctor believes I need to improve my aesthetic tastes."
"At least you have the opportunity." She ran her fingers over the binding. "Such things are unheard of where I'm from. I learned much during my last visit here...And even more when I returned home." She placed the book on the table. "At least the food is better..." Her attention strayed to the far-side of the dining hall.
Seven cocked her head, the only sign that she noted the change in subject. "Neelix's food is nutritious."
"So I hear." Nikell searched the room -- her fingers reaching for the weapon she normally carried...With a quiet gasp she remembered she didn't have it.
She was just nervous...That's it. Nervous. There was no way...Was there?
Seven began to inspect the room. "Is there a problem"
The other tracer ship had blown up...With the new modifications to the sensors, they should detect any tracer ships.
It was her nerves, Nikell decided. "No, I guess I'm just jumpy." She smiled to dispel her own unease.
She jumped when the lights started blinking. "What's that?"
"A red alert." Seven stood and strode toward the door.
"A what?" Before Nikell could follow, her comm-badge chirped.
#
#
"Captain, the Kaestothan ship is on an intercept course." Tuvok announced.
Janeway gripped the arm of her chair. "Hail them." She released her grip and looked at the screen.
"No response," Harry tried several frequencies. "They are charging weapons."
At that moment the Kaestothan-ship fired a bright red beam of light.
"Shields are holding," Tuvok announced. "The Kaestothan ship is leaving."
Janeway quirked an eyebrow. "Track them." She glanced at Chakotay and shrugged.
"They were just gathering information." Nikell stared at the screen, her face a calm mask.
#
#
Nikell sat down on the bed and sighed. She looked around the room she shared with Ensign Gallagher. Her roommate was nice enough...just never around.
She knew what she would do. The only thing she could do...It had been a Tracer tradition that they always succeeded. It probably wasn't true, but no way would the Tracers let one of their own escape.
She would never get another chance...
"I want to be remembered!"
Her mind raced as she contemplated the many possibilities. How to be remembered...
She stood. They had shown her how to use the replicator. Maybe...Just maybe.
"Computer, one book."
"Please specify the content of the book."
She now knew what she would do. "Cancel order." She picked up a PADD. Her story and the information from the computer on her ship. They would find it, read it, and then remember her."
#
#
B'Elanna was not in a good mood this morning, Ensign Marie Gallagher decided as she hastily moved to the far end of engineering. Even there she could still hear B'Elanna's irate voice as she shouted Klingon obscenities at everybody and everything in general.
Marie muttered a few of her own as she picked up her tool kit. The only good thing about her assignment was she wouldn't be near Lieutenant Torres. And today that was probably a good thing. No matter how much she didn't like working in the Jeffries tubes.
She waved at Joe Carey, who smiled at her. She grinned in return. She was scheduled to spend the day doing routine maintenance on deck seven -- far away from engineering. She would enjoy it.
The silence that enveloped her as the lift doors closed did not offer the comfort she expected. She fingered her tool kit, then laughed. "Really, Marie. You've become as paranoid as your new roommate." But she was still jumpy when she exited.
#
#
Torres controlled the urge to strangle the doctor as she waited for him to answer her question. And waited.
Finally she couldn't stand it anymore. "What the Hell happened to her?"
The Doctor didn't even turn. "If I knew Lieutenant, I would tell you."
"Will she be all right?"
"She should be fine. Ensign Gallagher has just suffered a concussion. She is unconscious." He glanced at his assistant. "Lieutenant Paris, I believe Lieutenant Torres is more in need of your expert assistance than I am. Please escort her back to her quarters. I shall keep you informed of any changes in the ensign's condition. Good afternoon."
"Come on, Be. She'll be fine." Tom took her hand and guided B'Elanna out the door, right into the Captain.
"Excuse me, Captain." Tom rubbed his elbow.
"It's all right. How is she?"
"She'll be fine...The Doctor got tired of B'Elanna..."
"What happened?" Janeway addressed the question to the engineer.
"I don't know. It was just routine maintenance of the gel packs on deck seven. We found her fifteen minutes ago, unconscious. We think she slipped and fell..."
"Fell?"
"Carey is there now analyzing the the accident site. We won't know more until Marie wakes-up."
"Keep me informed." Janeway glanced at the door. "Well...I should see how she is doing..."
#
#
Nikell studied the words the computer showed her and with an imperfect hand, started copying them onto the paper she'd replicated. A short letter in her hand, explaining the small blue book she was leaving.
In this way somebody would remember her. She glanced around her quarters again. They had not detected any sign of a tracer...But...One was here.
And she knew now what happened to runners. They were made nothing...Like they had done with her father, a broken shell of the once proud physicist. He couldn't even do simple math equations anymore. Such a waste...
She wrote quickly...Hoping that the symbols she scribbled would be read and understood by someone on this ship. She glanced around again.
Maybe she was paranoid...
No, she knew too well how the tracers worked. She knew the tricks. They would know by now that she had helped Voyager, they would modify their weaponry and tricks -- try something new.
She finished her letter, carefully dictated to the computer and translated into the language of the ship. She'd had the computer replicate a copy of her auto-biography and details of the modifications they'd made during her brief stay.
The letter...For some reason she'd wanted to write it with her own hand, make it part of herself. She folded it carefully and tucked it inside her book.
She glanced around again as she stood and strolled to her bed carrying the book. She hoped her roommate would find it. She lay down, sliding the book under the pillow.
"Hello, I know you are here."
A shadow flickered on the wall opposite her, and an older man appeared. "Hello Nikell." He held his weapon casually at his side.
She grinned at him. "I should have known they would send you. Tralm how are you?"
He shook his head, "I would have expected a more interesting hunt from you."
She shrugged, but didn't move. "Sorry to disappoint you. Maybe I found another way to play the game."
Tralm looked around the room nervously, then pointed his weapon at her. "Sit up slowly."
She shifted into a sitting position, while sliding her hand down her leg. She rolled off the bed and pulled her weapon in a rapid movement, but Tralm pulled his trigger, instantly surrounding her with a blue light. She collapsed.
Tralm sauntered over and picked up her weapon. "Such a waste." He was in a hurry as he scanned her computer terminal with a small rod -- the virus was all ready working. "Good." He turned toward Nikell. "Now, my dear, say good-bye to your friends, in 24 hours they will have no memory of your existence."
He moved the pillow and picked up the book. "Hmmm. Is this your new way to play?" He flipped through it, not sure what it was. He stuffed it in a pocket, not noticing the piece of paper that fluttered to the floor.
Tralm bent over his prisoner and ordered them transferred to his ship. It had been a good operation. He would be well rewarded.
#
#
"It's not mine, Commander." Marie Gallagher stared hard at Tuvok.
"You have just been released from sick-bay after suffering a head injury..."
She grabbed the dark blue jumpsuit from him and held it against herself. "It's not even my size." The outfit definitely belonged to someone several inches shorter. "And there are other things."
Tuvok took the outfit and handed it to another officer. "Scan this and find the owner. Bring her here." He walked over to the spare bed.
"I had everything picked up before my shift. And no one has slept here for a month. Not since we had that fire in section three. Look at it."
Tuvok did. The bed had definitely been used recently. He scrutinized Ensign Gallagher. She was upset -- first by having spent a day and a half in sick-bay...Then finding her quarters had been broken into. "It is possible that someone took advantage of your injuries and used your quarters."
Marie nodded. "It's just...after being confined to sick-bay, I was hoping that..."
"I understand Ensign." Tuvok took the tricorder the other officer handed him and quirked an eyebrow. "Most curious."
"What?" Marie grabbed the tricorder. "What? No residual trace of DNA?" She grabbed the jumpsuit and rescanned it. "Damn piece of equipment."
Tuvok took both the tricorder and pantsuit. "Have these rescanned." He again handed them to the other officer. "Perhaps your friends are playing a joke..."
"It's possible," Marie admitted reluctantly. "If you will excuse me, I have twenty-four hours off, and despite this, I would like to enjoy them."
"Very well, Ensign. If you find..." She'd walked out the room. Tuvok started to follow when he noticed a folded piece of paper lying on the floor. He bent down to pick it up.