by Various
As usual with the gateways, there was no feeling of transition from one point to the other. It was as if ops had been the next room over from the extragalactic outpost. The only change was that the Iconian outpost's gravity was a bit lighter than that of DS9, so Kira stumbled a bit upon her arrival.
Dax blinked several times. "Colonel?"
"Yes, Lieutenant, it's me."
Gan said, somewhat redundantly, "You're alive."
Kira resisted the obvious rejoinders. "Report."
"Europa Nova has been completely evacuated. Most of the refugees are on Bajor. The station's also filled almost to capacity. Lieutenant Ro, Sergeant Ychell, and Quark have returned, and Ro says she's got some good news regarding the Orion Syndicate. And Taran'atar's in the infirmary."
Kira's eyes widened. "He's all right?"
Dax winced. "I wouldn't go that far, but he'll recover. Whatever he fought gave him quite a beating." Then she smiled. "Apparently enough to cause delusions, since he reported that you were dead."
Probably didn't read my life signs on the planet and made assumptions, Kira thought. Given the radiation levels, I can't really blame him. "Let's just say I was able to make the gateway technology work for me. Go on."
Dax continued with her report, including the fact that the Defiant had gone off to rendezvous with the Marco Polo to help implement a plan to deal with the gateways; that the Trader was attached to Upper Pylon 1, Gul Macet having been invited to stay for a bit by Vaughn; the continued presence of Councillor Charivretha zh'Thane on board the station; and the fact that Lieutenant Bowers had taken the Rio Grande back to Europa Nova to keep an eye on the gateway there.
"It's been taken care of," Kira said. "There won't be any more antimatter waste in orbit of Europa Nova at all. Send a message to Bowers; tell him to do a full sensor sweep to determine how much contamination is still there. If we're lucky, it's little enough that we can work on repopulating sooner rather than later." She smiled. "And tell Bowers when he's finished to tow the Euphrates back. It should be in orbit." With, she recalled, remembering the shield enhancer she had salvaged from the tanker, a nice piece of new technology.
"Yes, sir," Dax said, moving toward a console. Then she stopped, and smiled. "It's good to have you back, Nerys. I don't think this place could've taken losing another commanding officer."
"Good to be back, Ezri. Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I've still got too much work to do."
Chapter 12
Kira sat in her office, looking over the historical records she had been able to scare up from the Perikian region. There was distressingly little from as long as thirty thousand years ago. She had found no record whatsoever of the Lerrit, aside from some archaeological indications of some kind of empire from that time period that looked Lerrit-like to Kira.
Kira had taken care of a variety of administrative duties - not to mention assuring everyone from station personnel to First Minister Shakaar that she was, in fact, alive, contrary to reports - and also been sure to visit Taran'atar in the infirmary. He was fairly weak, but recovering quickly, though Julian had made noises about even laboratory-bred supersoldiers needing their rest when they have the stuffing beaten out of them. For his part, Taran'atar had only one thing to say: "It is good that we have both reclaimed our lives."
"You don't know the half of it," Kira had said.
Afterward, she returned to her office and tried to find out what she could about the Perikian region thirty thousand years ago.
The name of Torrna Antosso did come up in several texts, as did that of others with that family name. Historians had debated just who Antosso was and what form his apparently tremendous influence had been in the peninsula, but given the number of landmarks and streets and such that had been named for him or other members of the Torrna family, it was obvious to Kira that he had taken her advice.
Assuming I was ever really there, she thought, as she rubbed her left arm, which still had the scar. Julian had offered to remove it, but she had refused.
Shutting down the computer terminal, Kira stared straight ahead for a moment, then picked up the baseball.
Benjamin Sisko had always kept that baseball on Ms desk. The central element of a human game that he'd been inordinately fond of, the white spheroid with red stitching was a symbol of Sisko's presence. When the station had been taken by the Dominion during the war, Sisko had deliberately left the baseball behind as a message to the occupying forces that he planned to come back - a promise he had fulfilled.
Even though the station was now hers to command, Kira had not been able to bring herself to remove the baseball. She wasn't sure why she had left it there.
No, I know why. I kept thinking in the back of my head that the Emissary was going to return - hoping that he 'd return and take the burden off of me, that he 'd take the station back just like he did two years ago, and everything would be back to normal.
But that's not going to happen. This station is mine, now. I may have lost the Emissary, Odo, Jast, and the kai, I may be Attainted - but I've got responsibilities, just like Torrna did.
And dammit, I'm going to live up to them.
She opened a drawer in the desk and placed the baseball in it.
I’ll hold it for you, Benjamin, for when you come back.
But I need this to be my office now.
She got up and went back into ops, knowing her journey was far from over.
Two gates for ghostly dreams there are: One gateway of honest horn, and one of ivory. Issuing by the ivory gate are dreams of glimmering illusion, fantasies, but those that come through solid polished horn may be borne out, if mortals only know them.
- Homer, The Odyssey
******
STAR TREK VOYAGER
IN THE QUEUE
Christie Golden
Chapter 1
"Intruder alert!" The voice was rich, deep, and oh so wonderfully familiar.
Janeway stared, almost unable to bear the joy of it, at the familiar surroundings of a starship. Not just any starship, either. With Barkley/Fluffy still wriggling in her arms, she turned and beamed at Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway requesting permission to come aboard," she stated in a voice that, despite her best efforts, quavered. "Belatedly."
That patrician mien softened and melted into a warm, surprised smile.
"Kathryn," Picard rumbled, rising and staring at her. "My God. You are literally the last person I expected to ever see on my bridge." He strode to where she stood beside the turbolift, hand outstretched. "Welcome home, my dear. Welcome, welcome home."
Janeway let Barkley jump to the floor, where he obediently plopped his behind down in a formal sit/stay right beside her left foot. She moved forward quickly and gratefully took the extended hand, feeling it close, warm and strong, about her own slender fingers. Tears welled in her eyes, and for once, she let them come.
"I can't believe this," she stammered. She heard voices talking in murmured excitement, felt rather than saw the strong presence of Will Riker loom up beside her. She had met him once before, when Q had transported him to Voyager as a witness in the trial of the alien who later took the name Quinn ... and not long after that, took his own life. Riker, of course, would have no memory of the encounter. She turned to address him. She'd forgotten what a large man he was. Shaking and laughing, she wiped at her wet eyes while extending a hand.
"Captain Kathryn Janeway. We've met. I'll tell you about it later. I can't believe this," she repeated.
"So, Captain, I'm delighted that you're here, but I'd like to know why and how," said Picard, stepping back and letting her regain control. "The last we heard, you were still in the Delta Quadrant. Operation Pathfinder has only just reported making contact with you. We'd hoped that you'd make it home one of these days, but I confess, manifesting on my bridge like some sort of ghost was not what I had expected."
He eyed the small animal. "And I see you've brought a friend," he added, a hint of disapprova
l creeping into his sonorous voice.
Fluffy barked and wagged his tail.
"It's a long story," said Janeway, clearing her throat and trying to recover her usual decorum. "A very long story."
"One which I and Starfleet Command will be very eager to hear," said Picard.
Janeway took a breath, preparing for a debriefing, which, if she knew Picard, he'd want to hear immediately, if not sooner. Instead, he did something which took her completely by surprise.
"Whatever it is, it can wait until you've had a chance to freshen up and eat something." She frowned and began to protest, but he held up a commanding hand. "I won't hear otherwise. I'm certain that whatever journey you and this creature have been on, it's been arduous and long."
She stared at him. Her "journey," or at least this most peculiar leg of it, had been approximately five minutes - most of which had been spent on Picard's own bridge. Mentally, she shrugged. Who was she to contradict Captain Picard on the bridge of the Enterprise?
"I'd consider it an honor if you would use my quarters," Picard continued. "Take all the time you need to refresh yourself. I'll meet you there in an hour or so for a bite to eat and I assure you I will be all ears, eager to hear about your adventures."
With that, he turned and resumed his seat. Will Riker was still standing beside her. With a grin, he made a mock bow.
"You're almost legendary in this quadrant now, Captain Janeway," said Riker. "I hope you'll afford me the honor of escorting you to Captain Picard's quarters?"
Janeway hesitated. She had no wish to appear discourteous, but she would have been much more comfortable sitting with Picard in his ready room, sipping coffee (he'd probably order that nasty Earl Grey tea he was so famous for drinking) and telling her fellow captain all about the gateway. Who knew how long it would be open? All the others had closed. Starfleet would certainly want to hear about them, and precious time was ticking by.
"Captain, I have no wish to appear ungrateful for your hospitality, but - "
"Then don't," said Heard, a touch irritably. "Go to my quarters, have a bit of a rest and a bath, and I'll meet you for dinner."
"Captain Picard - "
"Has spoken," said Riker smoothly. 'Trust me, you won't do well to question him." Playfully he extended his arm. "Come on. Put aside the trappings of command for a little while. After more than five years lost at sea, you could use a little break and some pampering Starfleet-style."
Janeway was at a loss for words. There was no way she could continue contradicting Picard, certainly not in front of his crew. Finally, she nodded, and, uncomfortable with the gesture but not wishing to appear rude, took Riker's arm. They entered the turbolift, Fluffy trotting obediently beside her. As the doors hissed closed, she kept wondering why Picard hadn't debriefed her at once, especially after so extraordinary a materialization on his bridge. It was out of character for him.
But then, she had been gone a long time. She knew how people can and did change.
And frankly, a hot bath sounded wonderful.
"So what's this about you meeting me before?" asked Riker, breaking her reverie.
"You were on my ship. Courtesy of one Q," she said. Riker's blue eyes widened, and he laughed.
"That Q. Up to his old tricks, is he? I suppose he's gotten bored with dour old Jean-Luc."
Janeway raised an eyebrow at the familiar, almost condescending tone Riker used. She knew his reputation; "fun-loving" wouldn't be an inaccurate term to describe him, but she had expected more respect from a first officer toward his captain, especially in front of someone who outranked him.
"You were a key witness in a trial," she continued, trying to overlook Riker's faux pas. "Q brought you to my ship in order to testify for his side. Afterward, he returned you and wiped your memory of the incident"
That, she thought, ought to ruffle him. Instead, Riker laughed aloud. "Doesn't that bother you? That you were snatched against your will, transported halfway across the galaxy, and you don't even have a memory of it?"
"Not really. I mean, that's Q for you, isn't it? He's not all that bad. He always means well, even if sometimes he doesn't understand how things bother us humans."
She stared at him, then shrugged. "I guess I have been away a long time, if the first officer of the Enterprise harbors warm and fuzzy feeling toward Q."
Riker merely grinned.
Janeway had often lamented the fact that all other Starfleet vessels were equipped with sonic showers. The only bath that had been taken aboard Voyager had been indulged in by Neelix when he first came aboard her ship. He had been overwhelmed by the proliferation of water and had simply had to try the experience of actually immersing his entire body in the liquid.
She personally hadn't had a real, hot water bath since she and Chakotay had been left on that planet together, when they had been infected by a disease the Doctor couldn't cure and the only way to save both their lives was for them to remain on the planet where they'd been infected. He'd built her a bathtub, and my, how she had enjoyed it. There had been much about that time together she had enjoyed, and regretted leaving.
Janeway was surprised to discover that Picard's quarters had a tub. Well, she thought, the Enterprise is the flagship. I would imagine Starfleet would think it a minor luxury for their esteemed Picard if he asked for it.
There was even a bottle of bubble bath perched on the side. Janeway stifled a laugh at the thought of Picard in a bubble bath, but who was she to judge? She certainly had no compunction about using up a bit of his supply. She liberally poured the liquid into the hot water, shed her uniform, and stepped into the tub.
"Oh," she breathed. The pleasure was keen, almost painful. She lay back and enjoyed the hot water penetrating to her bones, and played lazily with the mounts of white, frothy bubbles. Laying her head against the tub's edge, she closed her eyes and drifted....
"Mustn't stay in there too long," came Picard's booming voice. "You'll get all wrinkled."
Gasping, Janeway started awake. To her utter shock, Captain Jean-Luc Picard stood in the doorway to the bathing room, a smile on his lips, holding two glasses of wine. He was clad in loose-fitting white pants and a matching shirt that revealed small curls of gray hair. Comfortable-looking slippers adorned his feet.
Intellectually, Janeway knew the mound of bubbles shielded her body from his gaze, but that didn't matter.
"Captain, this is improper and inappropriate behavior. Please close the door." Her voice was icy, summoning all the dignity and confidence she could muster. Which, at this terribly awkward moment, wasn't a lot.
"All right," he said affably, stepped inside, and closed the door behind him. He stepped toward her, extending a wineglass. "This is a lovely merlot. I think you'll enjoy it."
Janeway snatched the nearest towel. Heedless of how wet it would get, she immediately wrapped it around her. "What the hell are you doing? I'm going to report this to Starfleet Command!"
"Oh, no, I don't think so," said Picard, leaning against the door and grinning.
"I do," Janeway stated. Dignity in every movement, she rose, clutching the sopping towel around her, and stepped for the door.
"You're late again, cadet."
Janeway blinked. She was no longer standing, naked save for a dripping wet towel, in Captain Picard's private bathroom, but in the doorway of a classroom. Standing at the desk was Professor Kerrigan, the woman who had become Janeway's personal bete noir. Janeway stared, first at Kerrigan, then at the sack full of PADDs she carried, then down at her own smaller, younger body.
"What's happening?" she whispered.
Kerrigan cleared her throat. The young Janeway looked up at her. "I said, you're late again, cadet. Do you want to add more homework?"
"S-sir, yes sir. I mean, no sir...."
"Which is it, Janeway? I've told you before, just because your father is a notable figure in Starfleet doesn't mean you're going to simply ace this class."
"I - I'm late, yes sir, and no sir, I don't w
ant to add more homework."
"Then take your seat." Kerrigan, all height and muscle and frosty blond hair, returned to her old-fashioned podium while Janeway stared aghast at the array of seats. Familiar faces stared back at her. Eddie Capshaw made his famous rubber face, crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue. She had always thought it terribly immature behavior for a nineteen-year-old cadet, and it seemed even more so seen from her true forty-something perspective.
Which seat was hers? She'd be in for a special project if she kept standing in the doorway like an idiot - "I'm a starship captain," she said softly, to herself. But Eddie Capshaw had heard the murmured comment and gaped.
"What was that, cadet?" Kerrigan's voice cut through her fog.