starting a couple of days after Solstice

Kathryn stirred and felt his arms tighten around her. She smiled as she pressed her back against his chest. "Morning."

"Too early for that. How you feeling?"

"I'll live. What time is it anyway?" She held back a yawn.

"Too early." She felt him move and reach for something. "It's zero five hundred." He wrapped his arms around her again. "As I said, too early."

She laughed quietly. Chakotay was definitely not an early morning person. "Not with a staff meeting in an hour."

He groaned, but released his hold on her. "Can't we hold these things at a civilized hour." He rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed. "How about breakfast. Waffles with strawberries and whipped cream?"

"Sounds wonderful. You do that, and I'll just lie here a few more..." She shrieked as he pulled her out of the bed. "Just for that, I get the shower first." He wrapped his arms around her and both stood there laughing for a minute.

In the few days since she had told him of her pregnancy, they had spent the evenings talking, planning their future, and the future of the ship: how a child would affect the command structure and how the crew would react. It would not be easy, but as Chakotay had jokingly told her the previous night, 'What's life without a little challenge.' As if the delta quadrant was devoid of challenge.

When she entered the briefing room an hour later, all hopes of a routine meeting were dispelled. First the Doc was there, with a stack of data PADDS. Ever since he'd been freed from the confines of sickbay, he'd taken to inspecting the ship. For over two years, a medical officer had not done any health and safety inspections. Janeway suppressed a giggle--despite that, the ship's crew were still healthy. She wondered what subject he would bring up today. She had finally asked him to not discuss more than one item a day. Second, Neelix was there, his normal cheery self and wearing a bigger grin than usual--if that was possible. Third, Tom gave her a knowing wink. The day after the party, she had asked him to keep her pregnancy a secret, only to find out B'Elanna had guessed.

A minute later, the last to arrive, B'Elanna and Kes, sat down and Janeway started. The first part of the meeting was the usual routine: maintenance, tactical, etc. reports. Then Captain Janeway asked the Doc for his daily report.

He stood and looked about the room. "For the past several months I've been working with Ensign Wildman. Her child is, for the moment, the only child on Voyager. I have been taking advantage of my newfound freedom to explore the ship. I have reported on medical and safety violations--which I'm happy to say most have been corrected."

When he had mentioned children, both the Captain and Commander had winced. Tom had just grinned and winked at B'Elanna. Harry apparently hadn't noticed--he was reading the PADD the Doc had given him. Tuvok just raised an eyebrow.

The Doc continued, "I've also started looking into safety and medical considerations for children. I've given you each a PADD with my analysis. There are several issues that will need to be addressed. Captain," he smiled as he spoke. "With your permission I'd like to continue this discussion at tomorrow's briefing, after everybody has had a chance to read my report."

Janeway nodded, suppressing her own urge to smile. "Thank-you, Doc, I'll schedule you for tomorrow. Neelix?"

"Funny coincidence that the Doc is talking about children. I've been asked by an expectant couple to take care of the arrangements for a celebration."

"Yes, it is a funny coincidence," Janeway said with a straight face. It was Chakotay who was struggling not to laugh. "But you've just had the Solstice party."

"I don't mean right away, but the crew need a reason to look toward the future with a better outlook, and what better way than with..."

Tom interrupted, "Really, Neelix, any names?"

Neelix shook his head, "I promised them I wouldn't tell. They want to have a party for friends and family--in other words, the entire ship. In a month. They asked me to make the necessary arrangements." Neelix paused. "Though some things I've heard and observed make me wonder if perhaps there isn't a second expectant couple." He inflected his voice slightly at the end.

"Neelix, go ahead. Except this time I won't be able to authorize extra replicator rations."

"Understood Captain." Neelix was still grinning, leaving Janeway wondering how much Kes had told him.

No, Janeway thought, Kes wouldn't tell. But, if Tom could guess...

She dismissed the meeting, and remained in her seat. She was startled a couple of seconds later by Tuvok's voice. "Captain, is everything all right?"

"That depends. Tuvok, is there something else?" She was again alert and listening.

"I would like permission to run my security teams through a series of level three drills. Starting tomorrow."

"Very good, keep me informed."

"Here are my plans for tomorrow." He handed her a PADD. "Captain, I've been concerned about your health these past few weeks."

Janeway didn't answer right away. "Lieutenant, my health is fine. If there is nothing else, dismissed."

"Captain." Tuvok turned and walked out the room, she hadn't really answered his question--in fact she had seemed unwilling to answer it at all.

She was sitting in her ready room, dozing off. Doc had told her that she would be sleeping more, but this was ridiculous. Captains don't fall asleep while on duty. She went to the bathroom and washed her face, at least that seemed to help. Grumbling quietly she returned to her chair and the reports. For once, Voyager was actually well stocked. There were the usual things they were always in short-supply of. Certain minerals in particular, those used in the routine maintenance of the ship. Titanium, iron, tungsten, etc. And new food supplies were always welcome. She yawned again. "Computer, set temperature to 17 Celsius." May be if the room was cooler she might stay awake.

"Captain," her combadge chirped.

"Janeway here, yes Tuvok?"

"We've detected a class-M planet."

"Interesting, have Neelix join us on the bridge. I'll be out." She didn't feel tired now.

"Report," she said as she entered the bridge.

"Captain, we've detected a class-M planet, 13 hours away at present speed. It is inhabited and there are signs that they do have warp technology." Tuvok looked up from his data. "The planet is the third from their sun." He stopped as Neelix ran on the bridge, panting.

"I came as quick as I could, Captain. What's up?"

"We've detected an inhabited class-M planet," Tuvok repeated dryly.

Neelix looked at the data at Harry's station. "Hmmm. Strange place. Bistre--something. They don't do much trading, in the general markets. They deal mainly with arts and crafts. Their stuff is renowned in the sector. They've dealt with outsiders before."

Janeway nodded. "Open a hailing frequency." She waited a couple of seconds. "This is Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager." The response was just static.

"Captain, the planet seems to be very active--there is some sort of ion storm near the largest city," Harry said.

"Monitor the storm, as soon it clears, let me know. Tom set a course to the planet. Yellow alert."

The dining hall was almost empty. Since replicator usage had been restored, most of the crew had taken to eating elsewhere. It wouldn't last. Harry looked around the almost empty facility. He was planning on replicating a new clarinet, something much more than the student model he'd been playing the past couple of years. He figured if he ate at least two meals a day here for four weeks he would have enough credits. And as long as he stayed away from some of Tom's more bizarre gambling rings. He grabbed a tray and looked at the selections for lunch--it was limited. The sandwich looked good and the salad. Neelix had yet to murder a salad--one just needed to know which dressings to avoid. And a cup of tea. He moved to the back and sat down.

He watched a couple of others enter, including Tom: that surprised him--Tom's opinion of the dining hall was an ill kept secret.

"Hello Harry."

"Tom, run out of rations already?"

"Harry, Harry. Is that your opinion of me? I have a plan, that requires replicator rations. And you?" Tom smiled as he took a bite of the sandwich. "Thank God, no more leola roots."

"Just the ability to replicate them--and yes I'm also saving mine."

"So would you be interested in placing a bet in the baby pool?"

Harry laughed. "Shouldn't you wait until we're told. And probably yes on both of them." Tom started laughing, Harry joined in. "I thought you'd noticed."

"I passed her in the hall looking rather green. And you?"

"Unless Neelix was poisoning her breakfast, there weren't too many other choices."

Tom really started laughing, "Now that was an option I never thought of."

"Welcome to B'Strey, Captain Janeway of the Federation Ship Voyager." The speaker was a dark humanoid with a flattened noise and small eyes. "I'm Sh'Stama, Primary Undersecretary of Defense." Voyager had finally been able to contact the planetary government seven hours after their first try. "You are authorized to enter orbit around our planet. We will consider your request for permission to mine and trade. Expect our answer in fourteen hours."

Janeway shook her head, and quickly did some math: at present speed they would be in orbit in six hours, eight hours in orbit would give them pretty good reading of what was available in the area. Beta and gamma shifts would take care of the scans. She left instructions for them and retired for the evening.

Tom watched as B'Elanna finished closing the access panel. "You know Be, it was kinda fun watching them at the morning briefing."

"Tom Paris!" She laughed. "They're going to have to announce it soon though. Even Tuvok is suspicious."

"I thought Chakotay was going to lose it this morning, when Neelix started talking." They both laughed as they started walking to the mess hall. "I'm trying to conserve replicator rations, so I was hoping you wouldn't mind dinner at Chez Neelix."

"That depends. Why?"

"A secret project," he smiled. "You'll find out soon enough." He kissed her quickly. A few of the engineers smiled and turned away, B'Elanna blushed.

"Tom, what will people say."

"Ah, come on Be." He grabbed her and kissed her again. "The people here need a good show."

There was the sound of a throat being cleared. "Lieutenants? If you don't mind being distracted for a few minutes..." The pair separated and faced Commander Chakotay, who was trying, without much success, not to smile. "B'Elanna, we're hoping to get permission to mine--you and Tom will be in charge of that mission." He smiled wickedly, "Carry-on."

"Thank-you, sir." Tom remarked with an equally wicked grin. "And by the way, congratulations, sir..." He and B'Elanna made a quick exit. Chakotay shook his head and wondered if perhaps Tom should be assigned to Sanitation for a week as punishment for his perkiness.

Kathryn laughed as Chakotay described the meeting down in engineering. "Those waffles took a few too many replicator credits, we should eat at the mess hall," Chakotay added at the end of his story.

"I suppose. I think I can handle that. No leola root anyway."

He held out his hand and pulled her up, then circled her with arms. "Later maybe?"

"Now, I'm hungry. Remember..."

"Sort of hard to forget," he interrupted. "Have you given any consideration on how we're going to tell the crew."

"I thought I'd let the rumor mill take care of it." She smiled. "Actually no--a general meeting or announcement, after telling the senior staff. I think Neelix suspects and I'm not sure about Tuvok." She paused. "I guess I'm still not sure about this."

He pulled her closer. "I know." They stood there for several minutes before she reminded him of dinner.

Kathryn had fallen asleep, and he'd spent the past few minutes staring at his ceiling. The past few days had been a blur of information and emotions. He was going to be a father. The reality of that was sinking in. Finally he slid out of the bed and grabbed his medicine bundle. He looked at her sleeping there and smiled, then moved to his living quarters.

Sitting on the ground, he made the preparations to contact his spirit guide. "Acuchimoya..."

"Interesting?" She sat down. "Humans have such a peculiar way of understating things." She scratched her neck for several seconds before continuing. "You've learned the meaning of peace, now you get to learn the meaning of patience." She smiled, her amber eyes lit with amusement. "I hope I've taught you a little. You're going to need more. Much more. I have places to go. I shall be seeing you." She stood, walked off into the tall grasses and disappeared from his view.

"Captain Janeway, I'm Yu'Chia, Director of Security. I've been informed that we can be of service to you."

"Thank-you, Mr. Yu'Chia. In our communication yesterday we discussed the possibility of doing some mining and gathering food materials."

"Yes, Captain. I have taken the liberty to arrange everything for you. I have two guides for your team, a shuttlecraft, and equipment. Your scans are now complete--don't look so shocked, of course we noticed your scans of us. It is a good cautionary move. I am willing to negotiate for an exchange. Our help with mining... for?"

"Mr. Yu'Chia, we are limited in what we can offer." The B'Streyoan director looked puzzled. "Federation policy is designed to minimize our influence on other cultures--we're not allowed to offer services or items that can cause change. This is our Prime Directive."

"Captain, too bad you can't share that policy with some of the other cultures in the area. I understand completely. What are you willing to offer?"

Captain Janeway looked at the list of trade items they'd been working on for the past several months. "We have been developing such a list. I will send you a copy." She typed a few things.

Yu'Chia glanced at the list then back at the screen. "Captain, your away-team for the mining should consist of ten people. They will be going to the Y'Rad Region--this is a desert region on the third smallest continent on our planet. I've sent you the coordinates. Your team will meet the shuttle there, in four hours. It will be late afternoon in the Y'Rad."

She looked at Chakotay again then the screen. "Mr. Yu'Chia, I will be sending my First Officer and Chief of Security to meet with you to negotiate about the trade. In two hours?"

"I look forward to meeting with them." He signed off.

Janeway frowned, usually the negotiations were done before agreeing to anything. "Commander, Senior staff meeting in 10 minutes. Would you do me a favor?" When he nodded his head. "Tell the Doc he's going to have to postpone his discussion a few days." She smiled innocently at him. "You have the bridge," and left for her ready room.

Chakotay grinned as he contacted the EMH Doctor.

"Commander Chakotay, I have been so concerned with the Captain's health, I haven't asked about your's..."

"Doc, the Captain asked me to inform you that we will have to postpone your discussion for a couple of days." He looked around to see if anyone had noticed--Tom probably had, the damn kid heard everything.

"Oh, I thought that this topic was important to both of you."

"It is Doc, but we are meeting with the B'Streyoans in two hours."

"May I go, I've always wanted to do a First Contact mission."

"That would be up to the Captain," Chakotay replied. "But we would like to avoid showing them too much of our technology."

"I will not say I'm not disappointed, but I do understand."

Tuvok, Chakotay, and a five member away team took one of three remaining shuttles to the planet's surface. The planet was frequented by ion storms that would eliminate the use of transporters and communicators and the shuttles instruments--but one could fly on visual. A B'Streyoan security team awaited their arrival. They were quickly escorted to Yu'Chia's office.

"Commander Chakotay, Lieutenant Tuvok, welcome to B'Strey," the Director of Security said with slight bow of the head. "Welcome to our capital, B'Streyea. As you can see our people are artisans, no doubt you noticed the number of artisans along the streets on your way here. You didn't, I can arrange for you to see them."

"Mr. Yu'Chia, our away-team will be leaving shortly, we would like to complete negotiations before then," Chakotay said.

"Yes of course, I'm sorry. Almost anything on this list is acceptable, especially in the arts--I noticed several things that would be particularly appropriate. If you have the time, maybe some of your artisans would care to meet with some of ours. Perhaps we can arrange something."

"Perhaps," Chakotay responded. Tuvok was still standing by the door--looking as stiff as ever. "If you would let us know which items..."

"But of course. I have a list." Yu'Chia handed the Commander a small booklet, which Chakotay quickly looked at. "Commander, Lieutenant, it has been a pleasure doing business with you. I suppose you will be shopping our markets for food supplies. Excellent. I can arrange a guide for your team. Please let me know if there is anything else we can help you with." Yu'Chia escorted his guests to the door, his dark face breaking into a smile after the door closed behind them. "Excellent indeed."

Chakotay looked at Tuvok as they made their way back to the shuttle. "Well?"

"Most interesting. They seem willing to help us." There was a but in that statement.

Chakotay frowned. "He talked too much. He seemed willing to give us something for next-to-nothing."

"It was an illogical trade." They didn't speak anymore until they reached the shuttle and contacted the Captain.

She agreed with their assessment, but OK'd the mission.

"Commander, Lieutenant," she added. "Have your away team start looking in the markets." There were five others on the shuttle, including Kes and Neelix. Neelix was anxious to start looking for exotic foods.

The away team split up, Tuvok and Ensign Agnes Lund stayed with the shuttle; Kes and Neelix went together and the other two went together. Chakotay was looking for something quite specific and didn't want to explain to anybody what it was for. He took the guide Yu'Chia had sent. It didn't take him long to determine the guide was a security agent and not very knowledgeable in the markets. Chakotay lost him quickly. And then proceeded to find his way amongst the artisan booths.

Tom landed the shuttle at the coordinates that Yu'Chia had given them. They were at the edge of small continent. It had been a while since anybody on board had seen an ocean, so Tom took a couple of minutes to fly along the coast--they were early so the delay hadn't been noticed by the two B'Streyoans assigned as their guides. It was the B'Streyoan shuttlecraft they had that caused Tom to groan. They didn't have much choice, Voyager's shuttle would be returning to the ship to await their call.

The two guides watched the shuttle land and greeted their guests.

"I'm T'Rapha, welcome crew of Voyager to the Y'Rad. This is my assistant, Li'Na. We have already plotted a course for you to survey the area and to determine where to set up your operations. We do have a minor problem." T'Rapha looked embarrassed. "I was assigned three people, but my pilot was taken sick. Li'Na is an OK pilot--but I was wondering?"

Tom stepped forward, "That would be me. Lieutenant Tom Paris and this is Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres. We're the co-leaders of this team. I would be delighted to fly this..." He didn't add this piece of junk.

The market was wild, colorful, and noisy. Neelix smiled at Kes. "I can hardly hear myself think," he said loudly. Kes smiled and nodded in return, she wasn't about to compete with the noise. Neelix continued, "Maybe we should try around this corner." He was looking for food supplies and possibly a new pot. He'd seen several, but so far hadn't found one he liked enough to buy. 'Real cookware worked so much better than the replicated stuff.' They turned the corner.

Chakotay examined the dark wood carefully and smiled. It was just what he was looking for. He looked at some of the other pieces and picked the ones he was interested in. The merchant smiled and tried to get him to look at some other woods. Chakotay shook his head. He then took out the precious stones he had brought for trade.

The merchant's eyes lit up. He fingered the four stones Chakotay had placed in front of him. "For all that, I want eight."

"Five."

"Seven."

"Seven and you deliver it to my ship. Four now, and the other three when it is delivered."

The merchant hesitated, then looked again at the four stones on the table. "The other three stones will be like these." Chakotay nodded. "Deal. I'll have it delivered now. He took the stones and called two of his helpers over. "If you would instruct these two where your ship is they will deliver the wood and you will give them the other three stones."

"My colleague will." Chakotay then contacted the shuttle and arranged with Tuvok for the wood to be delivered and paid for. He then took the merchant's chalk and marked the wood. He watched as the two helpers loaded the wood on a cart, then walked with them for a couple of blocks as he explained how to find the shuttle.

The B'Streyoan shuttle was sluggish and had a tendency to want to turn starboard, and Tom was convinced it really deserved to be in a junk pile. He wasn't at all surprised when the shuttle suddenly started shaking violently. Li'Na looked at him and muttered something Tom's Universal Translator didn't pick-up. "Everybody sit down!" He shouted toward the back as he tried to keep the shuttle level as they approached the ground.

It was not the worst landing he'd ever made, but the shuttle had landed with a bang and had rolled slightly starboard. Tom quickly exited it to check for external damage. The starboard side was badly damaged. He groaned. No way were they going to get this piece of junk flying again. He tapped his combadge to contact Voyager. Nothing. He took the tricorder, again no readings. "Damn." He returned to the shuttle, "Any injuries?"

"Just some cuts and bruises, nothing serious. The shuttle?" B'Elanna replied.

"We're not taking this... this thing anywhere. And I'm not able to contact Voyager."

T'Rapha looked up. "Ion storm. It will disrupt all communication. We can't stay here."

"Why not?" B'Elanna asked. "We have food and water here."

"One does not stay still in the Y'Rad on purpose. Sand storms are a real threat." T'Rapha exited the shuttle and looked around. "Over there, it's not too far, are some caves. We can take some of the water and food with us. We still have a couple of hours before night. We need to leave now."

The rest of the group had exited the shuttle and were looking around. The red sands spread out before them, and the heat was very noticeable. Tom motioned to B'Elanna and they moved off. "We should stay here," he said.

"Ever been in a sandstorm?" She asked and continued when he shook his head. "It could easily bury the shuttle. T'Rapha is correct on that. Voyager will find us, find a way to leave a message in the shuttle." Tom nodded--neither were happy with the decision, but it did make sense.

"Voyager to Commander Chakotay," Harry was still working at his station, even though he was acting as second in command.

"Chakotay here, what is it Harry?"

"We've lost contact with the shuttle, it looks like it may have crashed. The Captain wants your away team to return to the ship."

"Keep me informed. It'll take us about an hour to get everybody back to the shuttle."

"Aye, Commander. I'll inform the Captain."

Chakotay contacted the others and told them to return to the shuttle now. As he had guessed, Kes and Neelix had also wandered some distance from the shuttle--he ordered them to look for a secluded site. He didn't want to use the transporters, but if they could find a private place... He notified Ensign Lund to stand by the transporter on the shuttle, then headed back himself.

Janeway looked around the bridge, it was quiet, with several unfamiliar faces. Hargrove was at the conn, Carey at engineering. Harry was at the ops station looking glum, a mood matched by everybody on the ship. "Mr. Kim, what is the status of the ion storm?"

Harry snapped to attention, "Captain, it has diminished by 27 percent. Transporters are still ineffective. We have limited sensors--better than yesterday. We've scanned the planet, but there is still too much interference from the storm. We're concentrating our search in the Y'Rad region. We have several possible locations where the away-team might be."

She nodded, "Very good."

"Captain," Tuvok said as he stepped on the bridge with Yu'Chia.

"Mr. Yu'Chia." Her tone was sarcastic. The B'Streyoan President had turned down her request for a meeting. "The briefing room, Commander. Ensign Kim you have the bridge."

"Yes, Captain."

The doors hadn't even closed when she turned toward the B'Streyoan. "Well?" Her tone was flat and controlled.

"Captain, I have no new information. My security agents are out looking for my people... and yours," he added quickly.

"That's not good enough. In fact Mr. Yu'Chia, I suspect that there was more to your insisting on your people going as guides and using your shuttle. Commander Chakotay and his team examined the shuttle. It was sabotaged--and why did your people lead the rescue across a desert, instead of waiting at the shuttle?" She stared at Yu'Chia.

He fidgeted and stared back at her, "Captain Janeway, I've heard a lot about this vaunted Prime Directive since you arrived here. My agents will rescue your people. So I must insist that you stay out of our internal affairs."

She shook her head. "No. We won't get involved, but if the opportunity arises for us to rescue our away-team, we shall. I would rather we work together this time. But to do that, you need to tell us what the... what is going on."

"That Captain is strictly on a need to know basis."

"Well then, I will guess. Let's see. The Y'Rad region is home to a group of rebels or other group of dissenters. You knew they would attempt to capture the away team, you even made it easy. Now you have a political incident that will require maybe sending in troops... Am I close?"

"I cannot divulge anything."

"No you can't. But about a fifth of my crew can tell you exactly what the results of what you are planning to do will be."

Chakotay smiled slightly at that. Perhaps Dalby would be good choice to do the explaining--or himself.

"Captain..." For the first time Yu'Chia was at a loss for a response.

"I can arrange for Commander Chakotay and some of his associates to meet with you to discuss the ramifications of your plan. Think about it, but you don't have much time. The ion storm is dissipating. As soon as we locate our away-team we're going in."

Yu'Chia stood there a second. "Captain, I will need to return to the planet and speak with my superiors."

"That can be arranged." She was now convinced they would be doing this on their own. "Commander, prepare a rescue party--assume you'll have to use a shuttle," she smiled at him.

"Shh," B'Elanna whispered. "Someone's coming." People moved away from the group, back to the bedding their captors had given them. She sat down by Tom.

There was a grating sound, then the door opened. A tall B'Streyoan entered the room, looked at each of the prisoners, then smiled. "Planning to escape by stealing our ship." He focused his dark eyes on B'Elanna. "You are here because of some minerals and are wondering what is happening. Don't look so puzzled... B'Elanna Torres, Lieutenant on the Federation Starship Voyager. Did no one tell you B'Streyoans are telepathic? No, I guess not. Your minds are too simple to hide anything. You have nothing we want, but you are useful to us as hostages. No, you think. Your Captain will not trade for any of you. But the B'Streyoan government might." He smiled. "Someone finds that funny--several do. Ah, so your Captain has a sense of humor. I would like to meet her. People with power so rarely have a sense of humor. Guards take the five B'Streyoan spies to the interrogation room. They might know more. Now, now Lieutenant, don't get riled, we don't need to hurt them. Modern B'Strey has forbidden the training in telepathic techniques for several generations. Those who haven't been trained in its use, cannot protect themselves from it either." He stood there several seconds, waiting for the spies to be removed, then he left. Again there was a grating sound, as the door was locked.

"Damn," B'Elanna grumbled quietly.

"Telepathic?" Tom muttered. "This could get interesting."

"He seemed to concentrate his attention on me. Until someone thought of that rotten egg. He may not be able to concentrate on more than one person at a time."

The crew had gathered around again. Mike Forrest added, "He picked the acting leader to concentrate on. Lieutenant when he concentrates on your thoughts start thinking of something ridiculously unrelated. Truberic's differential equation on calculating random electron jumps."

This caused several of the group to laugh, including B'Elanna. "Perfect, since it was disproved some 200 years ago. They can ponder the meaning of that." She paused as she looked around. "We have an escape to plan. He is telepathic, but I don't think the guards are."

They went back to their planning.

"Captain," the disembodied voice said.

"Janeway here," she responded as she swallowed her bite of chocolate truffle cake.

"Captain, we've located the away-team." It was Lieutenant Carey.

"Send the data to my quarters. And the storm?"

"Still affecting the transporters, Captain," Carey replied.

Damn, she thought. "Have the rescue team report to the shuttlecraft in half an hour."

"Yes, Captain."

"Well, Commander," she smiled quickly. She moved to her terminal and pulled up the information. "A small village." He moved to stand behind her. "Instructions are simple, do this quickly and quietly. Try to get the B'Streyoans out too."

"Aye, Captain."

"And watch out for the Yu'Chia's people, they may have found them by now too. I've sent the information to the shuttle's computer."

"You going to come and see us off?" He asked as he kissed the top of her head.

"I usually do, but I'll give you the good luck kiss now."

She stood up and did so, a long passionate kiss. "I'll meet you in the shuttle bay."

The rescue team consisted of 15, including Chakotay, and Tuvok. Janeway watched quietly as the team prepared their weapons and supplies. Harry stood by her. He'd volunteered to go, but had understood her reasoning not to send him--she couldn't afford to send more of her senior staff to the planet's surface. Anyway, he was now the acting second in command of Voyager. She waited until the shuttle cleared the doors. "Ensign, I want continuous scans of the area. Particularly any troop movement."

"Yes, Captain."

There were still a couple of hours until dawn when the shuttle approached the sleeping village. Sensors indicated that there was a ship patrolling in the area, but apparently it hadn't noticed them. Chakotay cut power to the engines about a kilometer away and let the shuttle glide in, landing on meadow about a hundred meters from the nearest building. They broke into three teams, one team would stay with the shuttle, including Ensign Agnes Lund who was the back-up pilot. Sensors were working at 85 percent, they had a general location where the away-team was--on the far side of the village. The two teams split, Chakotay's went around to the left and Tuvok's went to the right.

Chakotay was amazed by the lack of guards, it made him very nervous. He wondered where they were or if there were any. The tricorders showed the inhabitants were in their houses and there were no security devices. From somewhere in the village an animal made a noise--sort of like a dog barking, another one replied then it was silent again. They continued toward their goal.

Tuvok's reached the building first, he had two of his team search the area, while the rest stayed in the shadows. Like Chakotay he had noticed the lack of guards, but he was also aware of something else. Several of the inhabitants were apparently telepathic. Asleep apparently. The storm was still interfering with the communicators so he couldn't inform the Commander.

The two returned and signaled all clear, then one motioned that someone was approaching, they slipped back into the shadows and waited.

Two taps followed by three--it was the other team. Tuvok stepped out and motioned for the others to follow, Chakotay and his team also appeared. They both motioned that all was clear. Tuvok quietly whispered his warning. They would have to work fast. Tuvok looked at the lock, took out his phaser, and tapped quietly on the door.

B'Elanna looked around - it was dark and had been for a while. The door had proved to be well built and had not caved in when they had tried to force it, the vents were too small and the mortar around them to strong to get out that way. She had finally climbed up on Mike's shoulder to see if they could get out by the roof. It was possible, but would take awhile--she had picked away at it for about fifteen minutes when her human ladder had to put her down. This had gone on for much of the night and the best they had done was a 10 cm hole in the roof.

B'Elanna sat down by Tom. "Slow going. How you doing?"

He smiled, "I'm doing--I can see motion. It's very blurry though. I gather the hole... shh. There's someone at the door."

Everybody scurried to their blankets, but B'Elanna stood up. "Mike," she whispered and pointed to the other side of the door. He nodded. Now, she hoped, let it be the guards not their telepathic leader. There was a tap at the door. B'Elanna's eyes opened wide. She tapped back.

"Stand back," came Tuvok's voice from the other side of the door.

She motioned everybody away from the door, and went to Tom. There was a hiss, a strong odor and the door opened. Two security agents moved in and scanned the area. Then Chakotay entered, "Anybody injured?"

"Just Tom, sir," someone answered.

"I can walk, let's get the Hell out of here," was Tom's response. B'Elanna helped him up.

"Do you know where your guides are?" Tuvok asked Tom.

"No, they were taken away this morning--some of these people are telepathic," Tom replied.

The animal started barking again, this time it didn't stop. "We'd better get going, the shuttle is on the other side of the village," Chakotay pointed. "We don't have transporters, so don't split up." The group started moving quickly back the way Chakotay's group had come.

There was movement in the buildings as the animals woke up the residents--some cursing at the beasts.

"Commander, I'm showing a group is assembling at the prison--we've been discovered," Tuvok said, then moved to the rear. The group picked up their speed.

Tom was slow, he could barely make out the moving figures in front of him, and kept stumbling--even with B'Elanna helping. From behind they heard shouting as their flight was discovered.

"Sir there is another group in front of us."

They were at the last house before the meadow--in the light of the partial moon they could make out the group of B'Streyoans in front of them.

Damn, Chakotay thought. So much for the quietly part. He looked around quickly for a defensible position. Tuvok moved to stand by him and pointed to a stone fence to their left. The 20 people moved to set up position.

The B'Streyoans approached and stopped. One stepped forward. "Not bad, you slipped in very well. You may leave." He motioned the other B'Streyoans to step aside. "You don't trust me. Well considering, perhaps I understand. There is no way we can defend ourselves from you or your craft on the meadow. Or your Voyager ship. You may leave." Their one ship was out patrolling--but no point in mentioning that.

Chakotay looked at B'Elanna and shrugged his shoulders.

The leader started speaking again. "I have no reason to keep you, and every reason to let you go. My friends in government were very clever. Yes Commander, but you guessed their plans--and your thoughts now tell me their plans. Hmmm, Very interesting. Go."

It was B'Elanna who spoke first, "I think we can trust him."

Chakotay was unsure, but after a second or two stood up and motioned the others to follow. He stopped by the leader and motioned the others to continue. "Thank-you."

"It's been interesting. You are such a fascinating group. So different from us. I regret that I am unable to meet your Captain." The B'Streyoan smiled and almost laughed. "Commander, congratulations. Oh, and don't worry about the other B'Streyoans--we are returning them to their shuttle this morning." With that he walked back to his group.

Ensign Lund had the shuttle ready for take-off when Commander Chakotay boarded. He heard Tuvok give the order that all were present and to depart. He looked around, B'Elanna was running a medical-tricorder over Tom.

"How is he?" Chakotay asked.

"Better now," Tom grinned. "Would someone mind telling us what is going on?"

Janeway waited impatiently for the docking process to be completed. Doc hadn't been too happy that she wasn't asleep--but outside of relieving her of duty... Anyway he was waiting with her and had extracted a promise that once Voyager left orbit she would take the day off. She smiled as the doors open. "Report Commander."

"Quickly and quietly, Captain. Lieutenant Paris is the only injury. She looked behind him. The Doc was already examining the patient.

"I expect a detailed report later," she smiled.

"Aye Captain." He looked at her, "Now, why are you still up?"

"Yes boss. You and the Doc. In exchange, I'm taking tomorrow, no this afternoon off--after we leave orbit." She moved to Tom. "How are you doing?"

"He'll be fine, in fact his eyesight is at 65 percent of normal."

"Good. Looks like you get the day off too, Tom. Tuvok, let everybody know well done."

"Yes Captain. Captain?"

"Tuvok?"

The Commander's right, you should be asleep. Good-night Captain."

She watched him leave and laughed. Vulcans have very good hearing. And this one had four children of his own. She smiled slightly. They would contact Yu'Chia in four hours, even though it was awfully tempting to wake him up now. She would have to watch the sarcasm.

She and Chakotay returned to her quarters where she quickly fell asleep in his arms.

The four hours had passed too quickly. Kathryn was tired. The thought of having to speak to Yu'Chia was nothing to look forward to, even if it was to say good-bye. She rubbed her eyes just before the lift opened to the bridge. "Good morning," she said as she sat down. Then she noticed that Tom was at the conn. "Lieutenant, the Doc gave you permission to return to duty?" She was under the opinion he was to have been off duty for 24 hours.

Tom grinned at her, "No, ma'am. Like you, I'm here long enough to fly us out of here. Then I will return to my quarters like a good little boy."

She smiled. "Very good Lieutenant, set a course back to the alpha quadrant, warp 7. But first we say our farewells." She looked at Tuvok, "Tuvok, contact Mr. Yu'Chia." She waited patiently, pleased that so far the anti-nausea medication was working this morning.

Yu'Chia appeared on the screen. "Good-morning Captain Janeway. My superiors have given me permission to include you in the rescue operation."

"You are a little late, Mr. Yu'Chia. We rescued our people this morning. I understand that yours will be freed sometime today."

He stared at her. "Oh. I must inform my superiors. I'll contact you in three hours."

"Before you shut the transmission off, we are leaving now. So this is good-bye. You can tell your superiors that we had a...an interesting time."

"Captain Janeway." He cut the transmission.

"Tom get us out of here at warp 8 for an hour. Then reduce speed to warp 7 and then return to your quarters."

Tom resisted the urge to say yes Mother, "Yes Captain."

She relaxed in her chair as the ship left orbit and accelerated. Chakotay sat down beside her. "Captain, we've left orbit..."

She frowned at him, but her eyes were smiling. "Commander you have the bridge, I'll be in my quarters."

"Aye, aye Captain." He didn't watch her leave, instead he looked at Tuvok and winked. The Vulcan just raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment.

When she woke after four hours sleep, she felt better. She resisted the urge to contact the bridge for a status report, let them think she was still asleep. She'd get some work done. She looked at her desk. "Damn," she muttered. He'd hidden her data PADDs. "Computer, display this months fuel consumption report."

"Access denied until zero six hundred tomorrow morning. Authorization of the Chief Medical Officer."

"I need a new CMO," she grumbled. "This one knows me too well."

"Sickbay to Janeway. You are suppose to be resting, not trying to access reports."

"I've noticed. I slept some," she responded.

"Since it is convenient, please report to sickbay for your physical."

"Aye, aye Doc." She glanced at the lumpy blue sweatsuit she was wearing. Oh, go ahead and shock the crew. She didn't change into her uniform.

She noticed a few startled looks from the crew as she made her way to sickbay. Funny, she thought, how things change. Just a few months ago she wouldn't have been caught dead wearing anything so casual in the corridors. Now she just found the crew's looks amusing. But then again, those few months ago she wouldn't have even considered motherhood. It's all his fault, she mentally added with a silent laugh.

The door slid open and she entered sickbay. "Good morning, Captain," the Doc said.

Kathryn sat on her sofa and smiled. She had passed her physical--the Doc wanted her to rest more and had sent her with a list of things to do and avoid. She laughed as she kicked her shoes off and curled up on the couch. She picked up her book and leaned back to start to read. She had read about four pages when her door chime rang. "Enter." She placed her book on the table and stood up. "Ensign Moog, can I help you?"

"Captain, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."

"No, no, I was just reading. How may I help you?"

"Mike was suppose to join me, but Tuvok has the security teams running all over the ship."

Janeway laughed--an interesting description of a security drill. "Yes?"

Joan Moog laughed nervously with her. "I'm pregnant."

Janeway smiled. "Congratulations. When?"

"In six months."

"Interesting," Janeway said quietly.

"Captain?"

"Neelix is planning a party for you?"

"Yes, Captain. I hope that is OK."

"It's great. How are you feeling?"

"I've been fine. I've not had any morning sickness or dizziness."

Janeway grinned at that. "Congratulations again, Ensign."

"Thank-you, Captain." Joan turned to leave when the chimes rang again.

"Enter," Janeway called. Her new guest was Mike Forrest.

"Captain," he acknowledged.

"I hear congratulations are in order, Lieutenant."

"Thank-you, Captain. I can't stay long, Tuvok only gave me a couple of minutes."

They turned to leave, only when the doors slid open, Chakotay was standing there. There was an awkward silence. "Good evening, Captain, I brought today's reports. Lieutenant, Ensign." He acknowledged the couple in front of him. He noticed that Kathryn was striving to control her giggles.

Mike looked quickly at both his commanding officers and smiled. This might explain part of that morning's conversation with the village leader. "Captain, Commander." They left.

Kathryn was giggling and sat down on her couch. "Where's the report Commander?" She asked between giggles.

He realized he had nothing in his hands. "It's an oral report."

She stopped giggling. "So what happened."

"Absolutely nothing. Except Doc found out Paris had been flying the ship. What did the Lieutenant and Ensign want?"

"She's pregnant."

He smiled, "I'll tell them congratulations. So how was your day?"

"Ghastly, I slept and read. Doc denied me access to any ship related reports. I felt like I was playing hooky or something. Chakotay??"

"Yes?" He sat down beside her.

"How big a door should we put in the wall?"

He kissed her.

The senior staff sat in the briefing room, it was quieter than usual. As Janeway looked at each face she started to smile. "Before Doc starts his discussion on the safety and health considerations here on Voyager, I have an announcement. Actually we have an announcement." She grinned at Chakotay as he moved to stand behind her. "I'm pregnant."