Ch 6: Ju’Trip
“Bridge to Captain Janeway.”
Janeway heard Tuvok’s voice and swallowed quickly, trying to push away the lingering sleep.
“Go ahead, Tuvok.”
“I’m sorry to wake you, Captain, but Yerivat is asking for you.”
She swallowed again. Behind her, Chakotay, tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her close against his chest.
“Put him through, Tuvok. Audio only.”
“Aye, Captain.”
A moment later Yerivat’s voice filled her quarters, “Skoudrid Yerivat calling Skoudrid Janeway.”
“Janeway here.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Kathryn. I’m not yet familiar with your species sleep cycles.”
Idly Kathryn reminded herself that Yerivat had given her ample time to sleep. She’d simply used it for more…personal matters. “Not at all, Yerivat. As I recall, you were sleeping last night when I called.”
“Indeed, Kathryn.”
“What can I do for you, Yerivat?” Chakotay had started kissing her back, making her concentration wander.
“I wish to invite you and Chakotay to the Dawn Star this evening for dinner. I think we have much to discuss.”
“That sounds like a great idea, Yerivat. 1900 hours?”
“That would be excellent. Shall I contact Chakotay as well?”
“No. Thank you Yerivat, but that’s not necessary. He might still be sleeping. I’ll inform him of the arrangements when he wakes.”
“Tread well, Kathryn. Yerivat out.”
Behind her, Chakotay yawned. His hand started forming slow circles on her stomach. Instinctively, she moved her own hand to his, interlacing her fingers with his. For a moment their fingers duelled lazily, before growing tired of the game and settling into a comfortable grip. He kissed her back again, this time at the base of her neck.
“Good morning, Kathryn.”
For the first time she turned to face him. His eyes were still half closed, and his hair stood out in an unruly mess. But his golden skin seemed to glow in the dim starlight filtering through the widow. He looked content…and glorious. Tentatively she reached out a hand to stroke his chest. She probed his flesh, feeling skin and muscle and bone, reassuring herself in the process that he was indeed real, that she had brought him to her bed the night before.
Gently he opened his eyes, drawing them up along her naked form to meet her eyes.
She broke into a grin at his brazenness. “Good morning to you, too.”
“How did you sleep?”
“Wonderfully. You?”
He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “Better than ever.”
She felt his hands on her back, tracing the curve of her spine, the strength of her shoulders and the shape of her hips. His hand lingered on the brand on her left shoulder.
“I wondered what yours looked like.”
Gingerly, she reached out her own hands, finding the bandage on his shoulder. She remembered seeing his mark the night before, a marriage of the Starfleet emblem and his tribal tattoo. She studied his face for a reaction, loath to hurt him but feeling an intense need to map his body. “Does this hurt?”
“Not at all.” His brow creased quickly, “does yours?”
She shook her head, “no, mine was already healed before yesterday.”
Gently he rolled her onto her stomach, so he could get a look at the mark. His fingers explored the ridges of the red scar. “Did they tell you why they chose this design?”
Janeway nodded, reaching to the table beside her bed for the bottle of Absona and wooden cup Yerivat had placed with the items beamed aboard after her Right of Captaincy. “Will you share the memory with me?”
“I would be honoured.”
Janeway was startled at the tenderness in his voice, but reminded herself that he had not experienced memory sharing as she had; his experience was limited to An’Anaki ceremony, where as she had shared with friends and comrades in arms.
Each took their drink, waiting eagerly for the heightened awareness brought on by the drug. When she felt her mind open, she reached out again to place her hand on Chakotay’s bandaged shoulder. She brought up the memory of her Right of Captaincy, and felt him inhabit the recollection with her.
As she turned to enter the terrace where Yerivat was waiting for her, she saw an orange clad man standing behind her. In his hands he held the long pole attached to the brand that had burned her flesh. His hand reached out to her arm, stopping her before she could continue.
“Captain Janeway, it has been an honour to design your mark.”
Janeway, still sluggish from the Absona, didn’t know how to respond. The man, however, continued.
“When I dipped into the life that you have lived, I saw before me a bright core, hard and strong, surrounded by layers of protection you have built around you. These sheets keep you safe, but it is that shining centre that is the essence of your being. Take care that you don’t loose your core in the layers, as Irin did. That is why I have given you the mark of Irin, with one ring for each year you have spent in this strange space.”
The memory faded, but their hands remained.
“Do you know who Irin is?” Chakotay asked.
“There is a legend in the An’Anaki database that describes of a princess captured and taken to a foreign land. She escapes and destroys her captors, but she spends the rest of her days wandering, always searching for her homeland, and never finding it.
“The An’Anaki have their own constellations, and they named a supernova Irin, because of her power and strength.”
Chakotay turned Janeway once more onto her stomach, tracing the schematic of a supernova on her shoulder. The fiery outer ring was just one of seven concentric circles etched into her flesh. He had heard the strain in her voice, the fear that perhaps she was indeed the mythical Irin, the perpetual wanderer.
He pressed his lips against the brand. “If you’ll let me, I’ll make Voyager your home. And perhaps the An’Anaki can help put an end to our wandering.”
She rolled under him, and he could see tears streaking down her face as she cradled his face. “Chakotay, you’ve already made this ship home for me.”
Try as he might, he couldn’t answer; she’d taken control of his mouth for more important purposes.
*
Several hours later, Kathryn and Chakotay, still flushed with their recent exertions and the promise of new love, made their way to the transporter room. Each wore their Starfleet duty uniform, an acknowledgement of their roles as Starfleet officers before any responsibility the An’Anaki might wish to thrust upon them.
For the two officers of the Starship Voyager, their new relationship was proving difficult to conceal. Sleep deprived and worn as they were, their giddy joy was near impossible to hide from a crew as sharp to romantic intrigue as Voyager’s. At every word spoken, or movement made there seemed between the two a need for physical contact, for reassurance that their openness of the previous evening would survive the light of day and the pressures of command. Unfortunately, the crew immediately picked up on the aborted movements, and the subtle way each kept the other constantly in sight. The normally physically demonstrative command team managed to alert the rest of the senior staff, as well as the transporter technician as they beamed over to the Dawn Star for dinner with Yerivat.
They were escorted to his quarters by an An’Anaki crewman, and greeted a moment later by the venerable Skoudrid. As soon as the doors had closed, the Kalipht Emnari stepped from a second room.
“Kathryn, Chakotay, I greet you.”
Kathryn was surprised at the Kalipht’s presence without a disguise. “Kalipht Emnari, your presence honours us.”
Emnari waved her off. “Kathryn, in these quarters, I am Emnari, consort to Yerivat. My presence here on the Dawn Star is not official.
“Of course, Emnari. I had no idea you were Yerivat’s consort.”
Emnari smiled. “Then hopefully no one else was aware, either. Kaliphts and Skoudra are not permitted to marry. It is considered to be a conflict of interest.” The Kalipht placed her arm around Yerivat, who reciprocated the gesture born of long habit. “Now, however, everything has changed. Yerivat has told me you will permit a delegation to accompany your ship in its return to the Alpha Quadrant. Is this so?”
Kathryn nodded, “I’m sure the Federation would be glad to meet your delegation. But can this device bring you back?”
Emnari shook her head, “No, Captain, it cannot. We hope to start a colony somewhere in the Alpha quadrant, out of the way of the Federation and its enemies. Do you think the Federation would object to this idea?”
Janeway considered the idea for a moment. “I can’t see why they would. As long as your people are committed to peaceful coexistence with the Federation, I imagine they would welcome you with open arms.”
Emnari smiled, “I believe we will wish to do much more than maintain peaceful relations; I believe we will wish to join the Federation.”
Janeway was surprised by this, “Emnari, forgive me but you are already part of a thriving culture here. Why do you wish to go to the Alpha Quadrant and join and another?”
“For centuries our people have thought that we were alone in our values of rational government and the dignity of every species. This knowledge has weighed heavily on us. Now, however, we have met your people and we think that your values are close to our own. There is a group of An’Anaki that is always ready, always on call in case such a group might be found. This ship, the Dawn Star, is carrying the last of us to our colony ship in orbit of Ju’Trip. When we leave An’Anaki space, it will be as An’Anaki. But we will be free to establish our own traditions and practices when we settle. Our colony need not ban the union of a Skoudrid and Kalipht.”
“How long have you been consorts?”
“Since we met, twenty-nine years ago.”
Janeway watched with a heavy heart as she realised what Emnari and Yerivat had given up for their place in An’Anaki society. She couldn’t ignore the parallels between their situation and her own with Chakotay, either. If Voyager hadn’t run into the An'Anaki, would they have been doomed to ignore their feelings for the rest or their voyage? Sadly, she was forced to admit that it was likely.
“I wish you luck. Finding love and companionship can be difficult in the best of times.”
Yerivat spoke for the first time. “Thank you Kathryn. I have found, as I’ve gotten older, that the rules we work under are often more constraining than I’d imagined as a young man. I often wonder if my spine shows evidence of having been bent and bowed to conform.”
It was Chakotay’s turn to reply, “You bear the burden well. I often wonder if some officers think Starfleet created its rules just so they could be circumvented.”
Yerivat laughed, “Very true, Chakotay.” He gestured to a small sitting area, “Please, sit. We have much to discuss, I think.”
*
Three days after their dinner with Yerivat and Emnari, Chakotay and Kathryn sat on Voyager’s bridge as she arrived at the edge of the system holding the planet Ju’Trip. Voyager had been a hive of activity since the Captain had announced their plan to the crew. She’d spent most of her time in Engineering, working with B’Elanna and Seven to try and come up with technical solutions to problems they could only begin to guess at. Chakotay spent his time pouring over the An’Anaki texts, trying to glean some more information about Ju’Trip and the device. He was also dealing with a number of crewmembers, anxious about returning to the Alpha Quadrant. Meanwhile, Voyager was scanned three times on the way by sentry posts. The last time a search team had come on board, manually searching the cargo bays and Astrometrics. They gave no indication of what they were looking for, but apparently left satisfied. All of these actors served to keep the Captain and First Officer apart, except in a strictly professional manner. Both were starting to feel the strain as they finally entered orbit.
“Captain, we’re being hailed by the planet.”
“Put them through, Harry.”
“Aye, Captain.”
A male An’Anaki appeared on the screen, wearing dark green fatigues, and a matching helmet. “I am Guardian Tregnt. By what authority do you approach Ju’Trip?”
Janeway and Chakotay had dressed for the occasion, wearing the stiff red uniforms that befitted their rank. Standing, Janeway spoke, “We approach by the authority of the An’Anaki High Council.”
The green-clad man spoke a final word, “proceed,” before breaking the connection.
Janeway and Chakotay exchanged uneasy glances before Janeway ordered, “Tom, take us in. Match speed with the Dawn Star.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“Captain,” Harry’s voice rose from ops, “I’m getting some strange readings out there. My sensors indicate a ship orbiting Ju’Trip that’s almost the mass of a Borg cube.”
“Put it on screen, Harry.”
Before them appeared a ship of impossible size and brilliance. It shimmered in the bright light of Ju’Trip’s star, reflecting the light in all directions, creating a dazzling image. Where a Borg cube’s design spoke of the soulless order sought by the collective, this ship seemed almost organic, as if the planet below had given life to the delicate mass of metal floating in orbit. Slender petals, each endowed with a warp nacelle, embraced the central pillar of the ship. The aft of the ship contained 4 massive impulse engines and an immense aperture.
“Captain, the ship is hailing us.”
“On screen.”
Janeway was surprised at the familiar face before her. “Captain Dr’ouk! It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“And you honoured Skoudrid Janeway. I understand that your path has been rocky. I am gratified to see you have made your way here without undue injury.”
“That’s quite the ship you’re commanding now, Captain.”
Dr’ouk smiled, “The Distant Sun is not my ship. Skoudrid Yerivat will take command once the Dawn Star docks. I’m merely serving watch.”
“Will you be joining us on our voyage, then?”
Again, the Captain smiled, “Yes Skoudrid. I am honoured to make the journey with you.” Dr’ouk turned his head for a moment to listen to an aide before continuing, “I’ve been told that preparations are complete here for Voyager. I’m transmitting the approach vector now.”
“Captain,” Tom Paris spoke as the information arrived at his station, “they want us to land inside that thing.”
Janeway looked back at Dr’ouk in askance.
“Skoudrid, our confinement beam is too small to transport both ships. We’ve made room in our main cargo bay for Voyager.”
“Tom, is there enough space for us?” Kathryn couldn’t believe that they intended Voyager to travel inside that behemoth.
“It’ll be tight, but we’ll fit Captain.”
“Very well, Tom, take us in. Captain Dr’ouk, we’re starting our approach now.”
“Excellent, Skoudrid. I would be honoured to speak to you face to face again.”
“I look forward to it, Dr’ouk.”
*
Under Tom’s expert hand, Voyager slid gracefully into the Distant Sun’s cargo bay. A massive chamber, the space held a number of other vessels designed to help the new colony get started. Atmospheric flyers, planetary surveyors, as well as long range shuttle craft sat neatly parked alongside the Dawn Star. Voyager dwarfed them all, but was still but a tiny compared to their host. Once secure, Dr’ouk contacted Voyager again, extending an invitation to the crew to visit and explore the Distant Sun. Quickly, Voyager’s crew began to disperse, marvelling at the arboretum, the swimming pool, and the full dinning facilities that not even a Federation Galaxy class ship enjoyed.
For Janeway, however, her mind was far from the sights and sounds of the Distant Sun. B’Elanna’s survey team had returned from the surface of Ju’Trip. Janeway was rereading the engineering report for the fifth time, searching for something, anything that could go wrong. The An’Anaki intended to create an unstable wormhole, allowing the Distant Sun and her cargo to travel through to the Alpha Quardant. Aside form the massive energy output required, the idea was one Federation scientists had played with for years. What they lacked was a long term commitment to the project. No human endeavour had ever been planned with a completion date over 1000 years in the future. Once again she was amazed at the longevity and foresight of both the Routal and the An’Anaki.
As for Voyager, the mood onboard was one of celebration, tempered with caution. Too many times the carrot had been yanked away, leaving the crew to feel the bite of the stick. Always Janeway and her resourceful crew had discovered a plot, or flaw, or deception in the nick of time to avert disaster. In spite of her earlier confidence, she felt compelled to search through the data again, halfway convinced that some error had gone undetected.
She was rereading a part concerning the targeting scanners, when her door chimed.
Sighing at the interruption, she answered, “come.”
Her first officer strode into the small space, once again dressed as a Starfleet officer. “Give it up. You’re exhausted.”
“I need to be sure this will work.”
“You’ve got the whole engineering team on it, plus Seven, Ichib and the Doctor working independently.”
“And what if they miss something?”
Chakotay let out a breath and tried another tactic. “The PADD will still be there in the morning, and you’re head will be clearer.”
In answer, she turned back to the PADD, but Chakotay could tell her heart wasn’t in it. Walking quickly, he moved around her desk, grabbing the PADD and sliding his lips against her ear in the same motion.
“I’ll make dinner.”
He could see the shiver run through her body as she reacted to the tickle of breath against her neck. Pressing his advantage, he moved his lips to her neck, kissing his way toward her collarbone.
And then the chime sounded.
Jumping back, Chakotay stood at ramrod attention, and Kathryn all but yelled, “come!”
B’Elanna took two steps into the room, and saw the way her commanding officers were acting, the way Chakotay’s hand gripped the back of Kathryn’s chair, the way a blush had risen in Kathryn’s cheeks, they way they both looked like they’d been caught at something, but most of all she saw how close Chakotay was standing to his Captain. Turning on her heel, she tried to escape, only to run headlong into Seven of Nine.
If B’Elanna had been alone, Janeway may well have let her go, buying time to come up with some sort of cover story. When Seven walked in behind her, Janeway knew there was no escape. The scene would play out, and by morning the whole crew of Voyager, the Federation, the Klingon Empire, and perhaps even the Borg would know that she’d been found in a compromising position with her First Officer. Deciding to press on as best she could, Janeway tried to ignore the heat coming off Chakotay, and looked B’Elanna in the eye.
“Report, Lieutenant.”
B’Elanna swallowed quickly. “We’ve run every test we can think of twice, and there’s nothing, no reason we can come up with why this shouldn’t work.”
Janeway nodded, turning next to the former drone, “Seven?”
“Though inefficient, the technology is sound. Medically, the most probable side effect is mild space sickness.”
“Thank you for your reports. Please, extend my thanks to both your teams, and enjoy the Distant Sun.”
B’Elanna took the opportunity and bolted for the door. Seven eyed the Captain and Commander suspiciously before leaving too.
Letting out a long sigh, Janeway flopped back into her chair. Immediately, she found Chakotay’s hands on her shoulders, working to relax tense muscles.
“We have to be more careful.”
“About what?”
Janeway turned to look at her First Officer, dumbfounded. “About letting the crew see us. What did you think?”
“Are you planning to let them know eventually?”
“Yes.”
“Then why not now? I’m not ashamed of this.”
Her expression softened immediately. “Oh Chakotay, I’m not ashamed.”
He crouched down, staring into her eyes, and asked, “Are you sure?”
Janeway hesitated a breath, amazed that he could ask suck a question without bitterness or rancour. In that moment, she knew the answer to his question and several more. “Chakotay, I love you. I could never be ashamed of you.” And she reached out to kiss him deeply.
Eventually they broke apart, and Chakotay rested him hands on her knees. “How do we tell them? I don’t want to relive the last three days again.”
Janeway thought of the chaos of the previous days and found herself agreeing. “I don’t think we tell them. I think we just let them figure it out themselves.”
“And risk the rumour mill onboard this ship?”
Janeway shrugged. “What option do we have? Make a ship-wide announcement?”
Chakotay smiled down at her, “I’d like to do that.”
Janeway chuckled at the thought. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides, I want to keep this for the two of us for a while longer.”
He sighed acquiesce, but pulled her to her feet. “That’s fine for now, Kathryn Janeway, but I won’t lie about us.”
Janeway nodded, “me neither. Now,” she continued, “I believe you promised me dinner.”
Neelix’s detached voice interrupted them before they could reach the door. “Neelix to Skoudrid Janeway.”
Janeway rolled her eyes at the use of her An’Anaki title before replying, “Go ahead, Neelix. And it’s still Captain around here.”
“Sorry, Captain, but there’s an impromptu gathering here in the mess hall. The crew are calling it the ‘last night in the DQ’. I thought perhaps you’d like to join us here?”
Janeway glanced at her First Officer, who just shrugged in reply. “Commander Chakotay and I will be down shortly.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
After the channel closed, she turned back to Chakotay. “We don’t have to stay long.”
“Kathryn, I’ve spent seven years convincing you to spend more time with the crew. Much as I’d like to monopolize your time, I’m not going to give up this victory.”
She kissed him quickly, than led the way to the mess hall.
*
When they arrived at the mess hall, they found the party in full swing. Tom Paris had wheeled in his jukebox, and a familiar song came humming over the buzz of the crowd. Chuck Berry belted out “He never ever learned to read or write so well, but he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell.”
Chakotay leaned close to his Captain and whispered, “Seems Tom’s been raiding the historical database, too.”
Janeway smiled, but didn’t get a chance to respond as Neelix moved toward them, holding out a tray of Champaign. Across the room, Tom Paris tapped a spoon against his glass, calling out for quiet.
“I’d like to propose a toast, to Captain Janeway. Thank you on behalf of a grateful crew for believing in us, and always fighting to get us home.”
The assembled group broke out into applause, before Janeway raised her own glass, “To the crew of Voyager, may the rest of your journeys be short.”
A patter of laughter greeted her words, before the music came back on, and the crew moved on to the serious business of enjoying their party. Previously, Janeway had been compelled to limit parties before making large leaps in their journey. An intoxicated or hung-over crew could spell disaster during delicate adjustments to the slipstream drive, or while trying to use a transwarp coil. With Voyager safely nestled inside the Distant Sun, however, she could allow her people to indulge in some debauchery.
A few hours later she was speaking with Tom and B’Elanna, discussing their plans for the Alpha Quadrant. B’Elanna was the only completely sober person present, as her pregnancy prevented her from imbibing. Janeway had forgotten how many glasses of Champaign she’d drank, but knew that the pleasantly warm feeling wasn’t just from the alcohol; the prospect of returning home certainly brightened her spirits, as did her new relationship with Chakotay.
As the evening wore on, the crowd dwindled. Janeway had just gotten herself a glass of water, and was standing back, admiring the few revellers left, when Chakotay appeared on her arm.
“Can I have this dance?”
Janeway listened for a moment, realising that the music had changed from upbeat, fast numbers to slower, more charged songs. She didn’t recognize the music, but the minor key appealed to her. She took Chakotay’s hand, and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
“Do you know who is performing the piece?”
Chakotay pulled her tight against him, and murmured into her hair: “not a clue.”
She laughed at him, enjoying the kinetic negotiation between their bodies. Just as first kisses had as much to do with learning how to create the experience with the other person, so too was the first dance a series of compromises between feet, and hips and hands. They found their rhythm, moving slowly as the mournful male voice sang of strange and beautiful stars.
As the song finished, Chakotay placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. Janeway moved to respond, but noticed the few crewmen still scattered throughout the room. Though no one seemed to be paying attention to them, she felt an intense need to have him alone, to here the beating of his heart. She hoped that they would be able to loose themselves together.
“C’mon,” she whispered, taking his hand and pulling him toward the door.
*
“Captain Janeway, we will be ready to begin the sequence in one hour.” Yerivat’s voice was calm, but Janeway could swear she saw a glint of excitement in his eye.
“Excellent. We’ve secured Voyager. My crew’s already on the way to the observation lounge you suggested.” Yerivat had secured an area of the Distant Sun with an exterior view for use by Voyager’s crew during for the rest of their journey.
“Good. I trust you and Chakotay will be joining them?”
She smiled, “Of course. It’s not every day our ship travels through an artificial wormhole.”
“Very true. Kathryn, would it be acceptable for Emnari and me to join your crew?”
Janeway was surprised by the request. “I would have thought you’d be needed on the bridge.”
Yerivat smiled, “While tradition requires me to assume command as the highest ranking Skoudrid onboard, in practice my presence would be a distraction. Captain Eucari is a capable, experienced Captain. Her crew trust her, and she is more than capable of carrying out this mission.”
Privately, she understood. An Admiral on the bridge often served to irritate a crew, making them more likely to make a mistake. “You and Emnari are more than welcome to join us.”
“Thank you, Kathryn.”
“Thank you, Yerivat.”
*
“Two minutes to wormhole creation.”
The mechanical voice sent a new wave of chatter through the crew of the Federation Starship Voyager. Most stood clustered around the windows of the Distant Sun’s observation lounge. At the moment, only empty space filled the view, but the promise of a spectacular light show and familiar stars filling the heavens had the crew fairly bouncing off the bulkheads with excitement.
Standing behind the mass of the crew were Commander Chakotay and Captain Janeway. Dangerously close together with their crew nearby, they watched both the heavens and their flock. A few steps to the side, Emnari and Yerivat watched everything with the eyes of outsiders.
“So, can you see the glint?” The Kalipht’s murmur was playful, meant only for the ears of her lover.
“Yes. In both of their eyes.”
“And in the way they stand so close, too. You can almost feel them aching to touch each other.”
“It seems they’ve found what they were looking for, in more ways than one.”
Emnari reached out to take his hand, “And so have we.”
*
Across the room, a sent of Vulcan ears picked up the private exchange, and looked toward his Captain and Commander with interest. He had suspected a relationship between the two since the previous evening, but admitted a certain unfamiliarity with humanoid emotional attachments. Hearing the conversation between the two An’Anaki lent weight to his previous speculation. They were correct that the proximity between the two officers had decreased, though that intimacy might well be brought on by the potential for the completion of their mission.
In either case, Tuvok wished his commanding officers well; their tireless efforts seemed to have finally achieved success. Happiness was a just reward for such work.