Parasitic Perplexity
G. L. Dartt


          Waiting for the delegation from Wikira Prime to arrive, Janeway took a final glance around the transporter room to make sure Millennium's senior staff was properly turned out. She wasn’t sure why the Wakardi had requested that all the ship’s senior officers be present during this initial conference, but supposed it was to be expected. Most cultures, particularly those new to interstellar space exploration, expected their negotiations to be important enough to warrant the highest ranks. Humans had probably been the same when they first ventured into space, even with the moderating influence of the Vulcans. Though the captain of a Federation starship from a quadrant away, Janeway was authorized to open the negotiations on behalf of the dominant governing body in this region of space. Facilitating this was the presence of Minister Jiidan of the Confederacy Council, who had come along as an observer. A short, fuzzy, vaguely ursine being, he had added a jeweled green sash to his regular outfit that showed up vividly against his golden pelt.

          Not far from him, Commander Kelly stood at attention, her dress whites making her look rather distinguished, something Janeway wasn’t used to seeing in her problematic exec. Standing next to her, Ro Laren, the ship’s security chief and first officer in all but name to Janeway, spoke quietly with her two-person security team, making a last minute check of their readiness.

Slouching against one corner of the transporter console, Dr. Pulaski folded her arms over her chest and looked simultaneously bored and annoyed at being required to attend the diplomatic conference. Behind the console, B’Elanna focused on her task, waiting on the word to activate the transporter controls, while beside her, the ship’s chief science officer peered over her shoulder, undoubtedly...and probably deliberately...annoying the volatile Klingon as Seven offered some last minute advice on the best way to perform the upcoming transport.

Janeway’s eyes lingered on Seven of Nine with deep pleasure, thoroughly enjoying the sight of the cool blonde in her full dress whites. She quite looked forward to returning to their quarters once the diplomatic amenities were over so she could remove Seven's uniform in as sensual a manner as possible. Of course, the rough patch they had gone through probably exacerbated how much she wanted and needed her beloved spouse. Janeway felt a clench in the pit of her stomach at the reminder of that dark time.

“Captain, we’re being hailed,” B’Elanna said, interrupting Janeway’s wayward thoughts. “The delegation is prepared to beam up.”

“Do it.” Janeway straightened her shoulders beneath the white tunic trimmed with gold and turned to face the transporter dais. Her senior officers took up position on either side of their captain in the standard greeting formation. As Kelly stood immediately to her right, Janeway could feel Seven move to her left, so aware of her presence that she didn't have to look. Ro remained somewhat apart from the group, standing off to the side, and watching closely as a hum filled the air and sparkles appeared before coalescing into five individual figures.

The Wakardi were a humanoid species in the sense that they boasted the usual number of arms and legs and recognizable sense organs in the appropriate place on their faces.  Distinctive ridges radiated from each corner of their temples and swept upward on a gradual incline to meet at the back of their heads.  Hair grew from beneath these dual ridges, falling to their shoulders, in varying shades of red, brown or blue as per individual, but leaving smooth domed skulls that gleamed faintly in the overhead illumination.  Their eyes were wide and evenly spaced, vibrant yellows and browns with large black pupils that left little white to rim them. Dressed in finely woven tunics and trousers, they all possessed long capes that flowed gracefully around their slender forms, the high collars framing their intellectual features.

Two were female, including the central being who carried a large, ornate wooden box. She handed it to the male beside her and stepped forward, bowing slightly to the group awaiting them.

“Greetings to you all.”  Her tone was low and laced with musical intonations. A pleasant, well modulated voice, Janeway determined, crucial to a female in her position as head of the delegation.  “I am Speaker Heirra, lead member of the Wakardi.”

Janeway stepped forward and also bowed slightly, matching the mannerism offered.  “I am Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Millennium.”  She turned and as if on cue, Jiidan moved forward. Despite his cute and cuddly appearance, he was an experienced and formidable diplomat. “This is Minister Jiidan of the Confederacy.”

“We welcome you to our hearth,” he said in his somewhat squeaky tone.  Janeway resisted an urge to smile. The Soularri undoubtedly appeared quite unthreatening to the Wakardi…a very useful advantage to the technologically advanced species that were the true powerbrokers in the United Confederation despite the presence of other, more physically imposing races.

“We know of the Confederacy,” Heirra responded graciously, bowing to Jiidan. “We are very interested in discussing future ties with your government.”  She looked around with a somewhat evaluating expression. “Is this your entire senior staff, Captain Janeway?”

Janeway felt a small fissure of something resonate through her, though she wasn’t sure what or why. Too often, alien body language and intonation inspired instinctive emotions from Humans that could easily be misconstrued and thus, held no place in a diplomatic exchange. Still, she exchanged a glance with Ro, relieved when she saw that the security chief had also noticed it, confirming it with a slight nod to the captain. Confident that she could leave whatever it was with Ro, Janeway refocused her attention on the delegation.

“May I present my first officer, Kiara Kelly.”  Kelly inclined her head respectfully. “Beside her is our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kate Pulaski, and on my other side is the head of our science department, Lt. Annika Hansen.”  Seven’s ocular implant lifted slightly as she dipped her head in acknowledgment of the introduction.  “At the transporter controls is my chief engineer, Commander B’Elanna Torres, and finally, our chief of security, Commander Ro Laren.”  She didn’t acknowledge the two security guards, D’vor and Decker, flanking the door and Heirra affected not to notice them.

“A multi-species crew, Captain, I am most impressed.” Heirra frowned slightly. “Yet, it is an all female command structure?”

Janeway blinked and suddenly realized what it must look like to the Speaker.  “I assure you, we in the Federation and Starfleet hold no gender bias,” she explained with a smile. “I recruited the best officers I could find for my senior staff and in this case, they just happened to be female.”

She didn’t mention that she had no control over Kelly being on Millennium. Besides, she reminded herself firmly, her young exec had been improving steadily in both attitude and competence over the past few months.  It wasn’t her fault that Admiral Nechayev had certain motives in assigning personnel to Starfleet’s most advanced and far ranging deep exploration vessel.

“Believe me, males and females hold equal legal and social power in the Federation, regardless of the cultural dictates of the individual species that belong to it.”

“I am…relieved to hear it, Captain.”  Heirra motioned to her companions. "May I present Berrell, my second.”  Berrel nodded but otherwise did not move. He seemed burdened by the box he was holding that, from appearances, seemed rather heavy...though Heirra had wielded it easily.

“Healer Kaleen is the head of our medical sector.”  Kaleen was smaller than the others and possessed a compassionate demeanor. She inspired trust just from her kindly expression, which Janeway supposed was a useful attribute in a doctor. Not that she was used to it in her own, of course. She shot a look at Pulaski who still looked extremely bored by the whole thing.

“Lestiat is the head of our population services.” Janeway didn’t know what that was but suspected it had something to do with security. He had a bulkier build than the others and wore a more ornate belt. The captain suspected it must contain at least a minimum of protective weaponry; though obviously nothing that set off the subtle sensor scans Janeway knew Ro was conducting.

 “Lastly, may I introduce Trevarti, our most prominent scientist and leading expert in his field of space relations.”

Trevarti bowed deeply, his bright eyes assessing the Starfleet members with what could only be fascination.  Janeway lifted her arm toward the door in invitation. “We have set aside a conference room for your talks with Minister Jiidan.”

“You and your staff will also be attending these initial talks, will you not?”

Janeway thought she heard a slight anxiety behind the question and, once more, wondered at it. “That can be easily arranged,” she said in a reassuring tone, not missing the sour expression on Pulaski’s face. Obviously the doctor had been hoping that her presence would only be required in the initial greeting in the transporter room. Janeway smiled at her cheerfully and motioned toward the door again, just for her.

“Excellent,” Hierra said. “I would like to know more about the Federation, as well the Confederacy, though I’m not entirely sure how such similar yet apparently large and different governing bodies can exist side by side.”

“That’s because we’re not side by side,” Janeway explained smoothly as she led them out into the corridors and to the turbolifts at the end of the corridor. “The Federation is actually in the Alpha Quadrant, a great distance from the Confederacy. Using a transwarp/slipstream form of propulsion, our engines allow Millennium to ’jump’ several thousand lightyears at a time, though any true space exploration must be done at traditional warp speeds. Years ago, a wormhole facilitated our encounter with the Confederacy purely by accident, granting us the known coordinates to make our jump.”  She didn’t add that the wormhole had initially led from the Delta Quadrant, not wanting to get into the whole explanation of USS Voyager and being lost 70,000 light years from home.

“Fascinating, and you have many ships like this?”

“Millennium is unique,” Seven spoke up behind them before Janeway could prevent it.  “Though there are others in production, no other vessel in Starfleet currently possess our technology.”

Janeway shot a quelling glance over her shoulder at Seven before managing a smile for Hierra. “Scientific exploration is one of the Federation’s priorities.”

“As is making friends,” Jiidan offered.  “We in the Confederacy welcomed the chance to know and become allied with such diverse beings.”

Hierra focused her attention on him, bending her head as they walked together, falling behind the captain who allowed it.  After all, it was the Confederacy that would become the true ally of Wikira Prime, not the Federation other than by proxy.  She glanced over at Kelly who had been walking on Hierra’s other side.

“What are we offering the Wakardi?” she asked in a low voice.  She had left the arrangements of the conference room to Kelly and hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed. “That seems a substantial gift they’re bringing along.”

Kelly looked back at the box Barrell was lugging, her green eyes narrowing.  “The traditional gifts to a first encounter, Captain, which should be more than sufficient an exchange for whatever they have in mind...provided it’s not extremely extravagant, like one of their firstborn or something.”

Janeway lifted a brow at the attempt at humor; perhaps not in the best taste but still somewhat amusing.  She smiled briefly at Kelly, thinking that it had been an effort for the other woman and she needed to reward it.

The main conference room had been prepared with padds, a glass of water and a small gift at each place setting. At one end, a long counter contained various dishes of finger foods under stasis fields, ready for the delegates when they took time for a break. Janeway directed the Wakardi to the starboard side of the conference table while her crew took the other, backs against the large viewports that looked out onto the green and turquoise planet Millennium was orbiting.  Jiidan settled into his place of prominence at one end of the table, directly opposite to where Janeway sat down. Ro took up a position at the captain’s left shoulder after dispatching her security team to positions outside the door. Behind Janeway and Ro was another counter stacked with various containers holding more gifts and examples of possible trade items for the delegates.

Once everyone had settled and the opening comments were finished, Hierra took the box from Berrell and slid it carefully across the table.  “On behalf of the Wakardi, may we present this small token of appreciation to you, Captain Janeway.”

Janeway felt a certain qualm at the gesture, since it should have really been offered to Jiidan, but she lacked a graceful way to get out of it without potentially embarrassing the Wakardi or humiliating Jiidan by making him look powerless. Glancing at the minister, it seemed to her that he was amused rather than offended. Of course, the Soularri was accustomed to and even liked remaining unobtrusively behind the scenes.  She supposed this was just another example of it.

“Thank you, Speaker,” she said with a warm smile and reached for the box.

Suddenly, she heard a small sound to her right.  Distracted, she turned to look at Ro who had a frown marring her brow, and her dark eyes narrowed dangerously as she looked at the box. Blinking, a little annoyed that she was so easily distracted and hoping the delegation didn’t notice, Janeway once more reached for the box, fingertips just brushing the edge when Ro abruptly shouldered her aside.

Janeway tumbled to the deck, banging her elbow soundly and wringing out a startled curse from her lips. Astonished and dismayed, she looked up to see Ro draw a type-one phaser from some hidden pocket of her dress uniform.

Without hesitation, Ro fired directly at the Wakardi delegation across the table.


          Seven didn’t quite know what was happening, but her response was instantaneous. She leapt to her feet and seized Ro’s arm in one swift motion, removing the weapon with her other hand. At the same time, almost as if they had planned it, Kelly tackled Ro and threw her against the bulkhead, twisting her arm up behind her back. On the deck, Janeway muttered a startled curse and crawled to her feet amid the sudden chaos that had descended upon the room as Ro’s two security officers burst in through the doors. They were clearly confused and alternated between trying to cover everyone with their phasers and glancing uncertainly at their security chief pinned by the first officer.

“What the hell is going on?” Janeway took a horrified look at the main delegates who were slumped over the table, though, somehow, Trevarti had been missed by Ro’s attack. He was cowering back against the far bulkhead, staring wildly at the Starfleet officers surrounding him.  She bestowed a furious gaze on Ro. “Commander, explain yourself!”

“Don’t open that box, Captain, or you’ll end up just like them.”

While Kelly maintained a grip of steel on Ro, Seven exchanged a glance with Janeway and immediately pulled a tricorder from inside her tunic, scanning the box in question.

“Captain, I am detecting organic material inside.” Seven frowned, troubled by the data she was reading and wondering how it had bypassed the transporter sensors.  “Lifeforms. Six...no seven individual creatures.”

“Captain, take a look at the back of their necks,” Ro said urgently.  Seven was unsure if the hint of strain in her voice was from the hold Kelly had on her or because she desperately needed the captain to believe her.

Janeway’s jaw tightened, but she leaned over and pushed aside the high collar of Heirra’s robe. Seven could hear her breath catch as they all saw the small tube protruding from the base of Heirra’s skull.  “My God.” Janeway straightened, her face tightening into a stone like mask.  “Number One, release Commander Ro. Take these...beings into custody.  And secure that box!”

“Captain Janeway, I must protest!” Trevarti had straightened and offered every indication of being greatly offended.

“I’m sure you must,” Janeway said frostily, “but you see, this isn’t the first time we in the Federation have encountered your species. Specifically, the species currently in control of the bodies of the Wakardi.”  She nodded at Ro who had retrieved the phaser from Seven. “Take them.”

Seven still didn’t understand what was going on but she trusted Janeway implicitly, so she didn’t say anything as Ro and her security team gathered up the delegates, along with the box, and escorted them from the room. Kelly waited until the door had hissed shut behind them before turning to Janeway.

“Captain?”

“Stardate 41775,” Janeway said tightly, resuming her seat at the head of the table.  At the slight nod of her head, the rest also sat down, regarding her with varying degrees of puzzlement and concern.  “Starfleet Headquarters was infiltrated by alien parasites that took over the minds of key senior officers and began to position ships and personnel in preparation for an invasion. Fortunately, the conspiracy was uncovered by Captain Jean Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise and he, along with Commander Riker, were able to burn out the parasites, including a dominate queen that had taken over Dexter Remmick, Admiral Quinn’s aide.”  She paused. “Commander Remmick did not survive though the others were freed of their drone parasites unharmed. Apparently, the ‘drone’ parasites couldn’t function after the destruction of the mother creature and vacated their hosts of their own accord. In truth, one of our mandates while in the Beta Quadrant was not only to cement formal diplomatic ties with the Confederation, but to try to track down the eventual destination of a homing beacon that was transmitted by Remmick before his death. Starfleet believed it to be an area somewhere in the Beta Quadrant.”

Seven went back over her memories that had been assimilated by the Borg from Starfleet officers at Wolf 359, making connections between that and the knowledge accumulated by the greater Collective. “The Borg identify them as Species 075,” she said suddenly, causing Janeway to lift a startled eyebrow.  “They were deemed unsuitable for assimilation due to their requirements for a host form.”

“Plus, I can’t see the Borg liking the competition,” Pulaski broke in dryly. “Don’t they also have a hive mind civilization?”

“An inferior type of communication,” Seven told her with a touch of what might have been arrogance had she paid attention. Across the table, B’Elanna smiled faintly. “Outside of the liquid medium that is their natural habitat, they require their hosts to communicate, unlike the Borg whose thoughts are as one.”

“They manage quite nicely, from what I understand,” B’Elanna said. “How did the Borg encounter them?  Did the Collective invade the Beta Quadrant or did they come to you?”

“Members of Species 075 were assimilated in the Delta Quadrant, along with their host beings, Species 074, which called themselves the Varmuur. All were traveling in a type of ship that the Borg has not encountered before or since, though it was deemed very worthy of assimilation. It was powered by an experimental transwarp unit and was the Borg’s first encounter with the technology. The Collective subsequently improved and perfected the propulsion system to what is currently used by Borg vessels.”

B’Elanna nodded slightly, her dark eyes thoughtful.  “So this Varmuur actually invented the transwarp. Interesting. Perhaps they were testing the transwarp unit in the Beta Quadrant and just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe that’s how they ended up in the Alpha Quadrant as well.”

“Perhaps.” Seven made some adjustments to her padd. “The data indicate a stasis unit containing the creatures was found next to the wreckage of an unknown type of ship on a planet not far from Federation borders. If the hosts were killed in a crash of some kind, the parasites would have retreated to the box to wait for a new set of hosts, which a Starfleet away team so aptly provided.”  She looked up as the door hissed open and Ro reentered the conference room, taking a seat next to Janeway.  "How did you know the Wakardi delegation had been compromised, Commander?”

“Honestly, I didn’t, other than their unusual insistence on having all the senior staff present,” Ro admitted, after a glance at the captain.  Seven realized this would be more an explanation for Janeway than for the rest of the crew at the table.

“It could have been just a cultural requirement but for some reason, their repeated demand for the complete senior staff’s presence set off alarm bells from the moment they stepped on the ship. Prior to our mission here to the Beta Quadrant, I underwent the usual upgrade to my tactical training at Starfleet, which included a refresher on all the data from the HQ Conspiracy. The ornate decorations on the gift box were familiar and I finally remembered I had seen them in Picard’s command logs pertaining to that incident. I realized I only had seconds to act if my suspicions were correct, and though I risked a court martial by stunning the delegation, the other choice of doing nothing seemed more dangerous.”

“You chose correctly, Commander,” Janeway told her, approval strong in her tone.  “Where’s the box now?”

“Dr. Kahn has taken responsibility for it. As a Trill, she has some familiarity with this type of creature, though I don’t think the parasites are very similar to the symbiots. I did brief her fully on how careful she has to be while examining it.  Some of the log entries showed the creatures in action and apparently they can propel themselves good distances. Once they’re on your person, they’re extremely difficult to dislodge before entering the body via the nearest orifice, usually the mouth.”

Pulaski and B’Elanna winced visibly, while Seven considered the prospect of what had almost happened to them with considerable distaste.  Though she wondered if the creatures could actually infiltrate someone with Borg implants. It was possible her nanoprobes would immediately work to repel the invasion, destroying any parasite as they would any other virus or infection.  It was an intriguing line of inquiry to pursue but not at the moment. She turned her attention on the captain, recognizing from her expression that Janeway was outraged, her eyes a dark, stormy gray.

“They were planning to infect the entire senior staff. From there, it would have been a small matter to take over the ship!”

“The ship would undoubtedly only be the first step, Captain,” Jiidan pointed out, his voice brittle and quite unlike his normal tones. Seven realized he was extremely angry, and perhaps even a little afraid. “I require more information regarding your earlier encounters with these creatures.”

“Of course.”  Janeway glanced at Seven who promptly downloaded the required information from the ship’s computer into her padd and passed it down to the Soularri minister. As she did, she noticed the others had also updated their padds and were busily bringing themselves up to speed on the available data, particularly Kelly who had probably still been a child when the attempted invasion of the Federation occurred.

“What now, Captain?” Kelly asked as she scanned the data. “If the official delegation is infected, then we can expect that the entire planet is compromised.”

Seven took note of Janeway’s expression, the tightening around her eyes, the taut set of her mouth, the way her jaw moved slightly, as if she tasted something unpleasant.  “You’re quite right, Number One.”  She lifted her chin and touched the golden comm badge resting on her left breast.  “Helm, break orbit and take up station keeping on the outer rim of the system.”

“The Wakardi will probably object to our taking off with their delegation,” Pulaski said dryly. “The parasites may even realize they’ve been discovered.”

“Probably,” Janeway agreed, “but there’s little they can do about it.  The Wakardi vessels lack the capability to chase us down or engage us in battle with any hope of success. The creatures appear limited to the technology of their hosts.”

“You are assuming this is the only planet involved,” Seven said in the pragmatic tone she utilized whenever she imparted unpleasant information to her captain.  “It is possible this is merely the farthest they have dispersed in this direction, and every planet along any future path we take may also be infected.”

“And some of those planets may possess a higher level of technology,” B’Elanna added.  “Technology that could be on the way here very shortly if the Wakardi parasites can communicate with others of their kind.”

          “Perhaps we should simply return the delegation and withdraw from the area,” Ro suggested.

“Leave the Wakardi to the mercy of the parasites?”  Janeway frowned.  “I don’t like that idea, Commander.”

Seven frowned, uncomfortable with where the captain’s thoughts might be leading. She was all too familiar with that tone, reminded sharply of an encounter with the Borg during their first year mission to the Delta Quadrant. She ended up having to go onto a Borg sphere and altering their computer’s memory banks in an effort to make the Collective think they had already assimilated a planet before they actually did.

“It may be our only option,” she interjected firmly. “They may infect all the Wakardi, and I know of no way to remove parasites from millions of individuals. It is impossible to unassimilate an entire planet.”

Kelly’s green eyes were bright.  “We might not have to,” she said. “Federation scientists speculate that it’s the mother creatures who actually lead each individual colony. Without the queen directing them, the others voluntarily leave their hosts and die. Get rid of the queen, and you'll get rid of the drones spawned by that queen.”

“But a mother creature can't be removed,” Pulaski protested strongly. “According to this, the only way to get rid of a queen is to burn it out...which kills the host.”

“The host is already dead,” Kelly argued. “I don’t think there was anything left of this Commander Remmick by the time that thing got through with him. Did you see how big it was?”

From the heat in the various voices, Seven concluded the senior staff had viewed the logs recording the final encounter where Picard and Riker confronted Remmick. It was fortunate that Starfleet Headquarters maintained monitors in all their communications rooms, or they would have lacked even that limited amount of data regarding the creature. The devastating phaser fire that exploded Remmick’s head and burned away the parasite nesting inside his torso had left little in the way of organic matter for Starfleet scientists to evaluate.

“Nonetheless, before we start randomly burning down sentient beings in the hopes of taking out a queen, I think we need to investigate this situation a little further.” Pulaski’s sarcastic tone was absolutely withering and Seven noted the flush in Kelly’s cheeks.

“The good doctor is quite right,” Janeway said, putting up her hand to calm any emotions that might be rising too quickly.  “But so is Commander Kelly. I don’t want to just walk away from this without exploring every possibility.  We need to discover if there’s anything we can do to free the Wakardi, and we’ll start with the delegates. Kelly, you and Ro are with me. Seven, I want you to find out everything you can about the creatures in your lab. Try to come up with a way to remove the creatures en masse. Commander Torres, we need to be ready for anything, and that includes running for the Confederation if it comes to that.”  Her eyes were unyielding as she regarded her staff.

“Whatever happens, the invasion stops here.  We’re not going to let it expand into the Confederation, and subsequently, into the Federation.”

 
          Kelly always found the lighting in the security center to be slightly dimmer than in the rest of the ship, though she wasn’t sure why. Perhaps it was an attempt to intimidate whomever was being held in the brig at the time. 

Not that the beings currently in the brig appeared to be very intimidated. Rather, they seemed fairly angry at being treated like common criminals. Heirra stood as close to the force field as she could without being repulsed, glaring at the captain and two officers standing just beyond.

By the console, Kelly noticed the assistant security chief M’Reek monitoring the brig controls. He glanced up and met her eyes and she looked away, feeling flustered and uncomfortable. He had been distant lately, ever since she had told him of her growing attachment to him. She told herself bitterly that she should have been content with the casual relationship of physical pleasure they shared, and not expected anything more. That was the story of her life, it seemed. They always came on to her in the beginning, made a big production of how much they cared about her, but once she started to care in return, once she opened up her heart to them, they decided it wasn't anything that they wanted after all.  Then they went off to something and someone else, leaving her alone and hurting, and wondering why she had been so foolish for believing anyone could love her, determined never to be so stupid again.

“Captain Janeway, I demand an explanation for this...” Heirra faltered, seeming unable to come up with a suitable adverb, “horrendous treatment.”

“As I told your associate, we’ve encountered your kind before.”  Janeway’s lips were thin, her words bitten off like pieces of ice. Kelly wondered if almost being invaded by a parasitic creature had actually frightened the captain. She certainly knew it had given her the crawling yips. Even now, the hair was standing up on the back of her neck as she observed the aliens, knowing that their minds weren’t their own, but rather being controlled by bug-like creatures residing inside their skulls.

“The Wakardi have never encountered the Federation---” Heirra began.

“Not the Wakardi, but the creatures you carry within, the creatures actually controlling the hosts. Those, we’re quite familiar with.”

There was a pause as the prisoners exchanged glances, and when Heirra faced them again, there was a subtle change in her features. An impassive coldness prevailed, almost a deadness to the facial muscles, as if, since there was no longer any need for deception, the creature could take complete control rather than merely ’direct’.

          “Very well, release us and return us to our world.  It is clear you do not want our gift.”

“Gift?” Janeway echoed in evident disbelief. “What kind of gift is taking over the bodies and minds of others for your own ends?”

“We wish only peaceful co-existence. When we first encountered the Wakardi a century ago, they were chaotic, disruptive, and dangerous. They lived in a state of constant war amongst their various tribal groupings. Even during times of what they called ’peace’, there were still several ongoing, armed conflicts occurring in various areas of their planet. We brought stability to their world and they have flourished in the years since, both technologically and socially.”

Kelly thought it sounded like a more polite form of ’resistance is futile’ but the end result was just the same. Ro moved up beside the captain and whispered something in her ear, too low for Kelly to catch it.  Frowning, Kelly glanced at Ro who obligingly leaned closer and filled her in.

“According to our scans, Heirra is hosting a mother creature,” she murmured.

Kelly felt her eyebrows raise and her skin crawl as she looked at the leader of the delegation with new eyes. How much of Heirra had the parasite eaten away? And how could the body work with all those organs gone?  Did the parasite’s own organs take over?

She felt like throwing up and swallowed hard.

Janeway positioned herself just outside the forcefield, glaring at the Wakardi as if sheer force of will could make the creature within the host come out and confront her.  “That’s certainly one viewpoint, but I wonder what would happen if the individual you have enslaved could speak.  I wonder what her viewpoint would be?”

Heirra looked at her with scorn. “She would thank us for preventing her species’ inevitable destruction.”

Janeway’s lips parted, about to say something before she seemed to reconsider. Instead, she paused, took a deep breath and offered a smile that Kelly found somewhat out of place. When she spoke, her voice was very mild.

“Perhaps you’re correct.”

Startled, Kelly found herself murmuring a quiet “Captain?” while on the other side, Ro shot Janeway a swift, sharp look before returning her attention to the brig. Janeway’s eyes flicked over to her first officer in an unmistakable expression of warning, and Kelly promptly shut her mouth, though her mind was seething. What was the captain up to?

Heirra appeared vaguely surprised as well. “I’m glad you see it that way, Captain.”

“I’m not saying that we’re going to allow you to infect any of us,” Janeway continued in that calm, reasonable tone, “but it’s undeniable that we know little about you and your kind. Our primary mission has always been to explore new life and new civilizations. To deny ourselves the opportunity out of fear would give no honor to the ideals we profess to hold.”

“Then you'll release us?”

“What I’m offering is an exchange.  We’ll resume orbit around Wakira Prime, continue to treat you as guests, a delegation of your people as it were, while we learn more about you. In return, you will make no attempt to retrieve your...’gift’, nor will you take any threatening or inappropriate action against the crew or our Confederacy guest. Is this acceptable?”

Heirra looked suspicious. “Why not simply return us to our home and be done with it?”

Janeway’s features hardened. “You made a blatant attempt to hijack our ship by taking over the senior staff during a diplomatic negotiation.  In many cultures, that’s considered a formal declaration of war. I’m offering you the opportunity to continue a diplomatic exchange of ideas. If that’s not acceptable, then I must approach the situation from a position of aggression and you’ll be considered prisoners of war.”

Put that way, Kelly suspected that Heirra had little choice. She wasn’t entirely sure what the captain was up to but she had come to trust Janeway to a certain extent over the past few months.  She simply didn’t believe Janeway was so gullible or bound to Starfleet principles that she’d let the Wakardi run about the ship without proper supervision.  She didn’t like the idea of letting them out of the brig at all, of course, but she was willing to go along with it for now.

“You will have an honor guard attending to you at all times,” Janeway added smoothly, “and your individual quarters will be shielded by the appropriate medical quarantine forcefields. All negotiations will take place in a similarly shielded briefing room, and once they're complete, we’ll return you to your planet unharmed. You have my word as a Starfleet officer and a representative of the Federation.” She hesitated. “I cannot speak for the Confederation in this matter, of course, but I will speak to the Minister on your behalf.”

Heirra looked at the others in her group and opened her mouth. An odd, low-level buzz, shading almost into a screech, issued from her lips, and Kelly’s skin did its best to crawl off her body and across the deck to huddle in the corner. Janeway winced visibly, and Ro set her teeth though she didn’t take her eyes off the prisoners. Obviously, this was the parasites’ true form of communication, one that defied the Starfleet translator’s abilities to decode, and after a few more painful exchanges, Heirra finally dipped her head and faced the captain.

“I accept your terms, Captain Janeway.”

Janeway motioned to Ro with a slight gesture of her hand. “Please see that our guests are escorted to the quarters we made up for them and be sure they have the proper attendants present.”  Another way of telling Ro to keep a security team on them at all times. Ro hesitated briefly, a troubled expression in her dark eyes, but she nodded and went over to M’Reek, speaking intently to him, too low for anyone else to hear.

Kelly stood by quietly, frowning as the force field was dispersed and several security officers escorted the Wakardi delegation from the room.  After they left, she turned expectantly to the captain. Ro was already speaking with her.

“Captain, are you completely sure about this?”

“Laren, we don’t know enough about these creatures,” Janeway told her. “Now that we know they exist, this will allow us a closer look at how the creatures interact with their hosts. It may give us a key in how to remove them.”

Kelly wondered if this was a moment where she needed to play devil’s advocate and offer an opposing view to her captain.  She was with her on wanting those things dead and gone, but she also remembered that there were certain other factors involved.

“This may be a matter of the Prime Directive, Captain,” she heard herself saying, hardly able to believe what was coming out of her mouth. “The Wakardi have not requested that we free them. Even in the event we do come up with a quick and easy way to remove the parasites, are we then supposed to stay around until they manage to rebuild their society that has been directed by the parasites for decades?”

Janeway’s expression was unfamiliar, and it took Kelly a moment to realize it was actually approval, albeit, surprised approval. “Those are good points, Commander. We have no idea how extensive this infestation is. If it is only key politicians who are controlled, like Heirra, then we’ll essentially be destroying their government if we chose to act against them. That’s not something to be taken lightly no matter what the circumstances.”

Ro frowned at them both. “I would think the hosts want these things gone, but how can they ask if they're infested?”

“That’s why we have to find out exactly what we’re dealing with.”  Janeway’s fingertips touched lightly on Ro’s shoulder.  “I want you to keep a close eye on them, Laren. Any sign that they’re up to something, you have my authorization to act in any manner you see fit.”

“I understand, Captain.” Ro looked pleased at the blanket authority offered to handle things her way if necessary.

“Number One, you’re with me.”

Kelly fell into step with Janeway as they left the security section. On the turbolift, Janeway instructed it to take them to the bridge. As the lift began to ascend, the captain turned to Kelly.  “I need you to go down to the planet and check things out.”

That wasn’t exactly on Kelly’s list of preferred things to do, but she also recognized that Janeway was giving her a mission, her trust as it were, and that was not something to dismiss lightly, particularly after she had worked so hard to earn it the past few months.  So instead of the objections she wanted to offer, she merely nodded.

“Alone?”

“No, but neither do I want a lot of my people down there. We need to know if there’s any sign of rebellion against these things. Is everyone infested? If not, does the average Wakardi citizen know about the creatures in their midst? It’s a reconnaissance mission, nothing more.  I heard you were good at those.”

Kelly felt a sliver of pride ripple through her.  “I am, but Captain, I’d like to take Ro with me. She has the most familiarity with this sort of mission.”

“I’d rather she be on the ship monitoring things, but you’re right, she’s the best for the job and she can’t be in two places at once. I’ll have to trust that she’s taught her people well.”

“I’d also like an experienced science officer along.”

Janeway’s expression did not alter, but there was a barely detectable pause before she spoke. “Lt. Wildman is the head of biometrics and has a great deal of experience in xeobiological surveys.”

Kelly had been hoping for Lt. Hansen, but she supposed it would be a bit much for the captain to volunteer her wife for what could be a dangerous mission. Samantha Wildman was probably the next best thing. “Very well, Captain.  When would you like us to go?”

“Right away. Check with sickbay. They’ll be able to disguise you so that you’ll look like a Wakardi.”  Janeway hesitated. “And not just a Wakardi.”

Kelly nodded.  “I was thinking the same thing, Captain. Supposedly being infested might get us into places we wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”

“No heroics, Commander. I need you all back safe.”

“Understood.”
         The turbolift stopped and Janeway stepped off onto the bridge. Before the doors slid shut, she glanced back and offered an encouraging smile that was surprisingly welcome. Then Kelly inhaled deeply and tapped her communicator.
          "Commander Ro, I need to see you in sickbay immediately. We have a mission."


Their quarters were empty when Janeway finally made it back. Though it was only midway through the beta shift, she didn’t think Seven was working late. Surprised, she lifted her head. “Computer, locate Seven of Nine.”

“Seven of Nine is in her quarters.”

Frowning, Janeway checked the bedroom and the ensuite before realizing where she had to be. Attached to their quarters, accessed by a door between the kitchenette and the dining nook, a lush garden…a Valentine’s Day present from the captain…had been incorporated into the ship’s design. Seven often spent her free time amid the growing things that were a decided contrast in surroundings to all her years as a technical being with the Borg. 

Sure enough, Janeway discovered Seven sitting peacefully beneath the apple tree that was the centerpiece of the garden, her legs crossed and hands resting palm up on her knees, her face in calm repose as she meditated. Nearby, a tiny waterfall cascaded into a picturesque fountain, offering a soothing melody of sound. Stealthily, Janeway took a seat on the wooden bench and watched her with quiet enjoyment. It had been Sek/Kes who had taught Seven how to meditate on Voyager, though it hadn’t been anything she utilized often. It was only in recent months that Seven had begun meditating on a regular basis. Janeway wasn’t entirely sure why, but if it granted Seven a sense of peace and stability, then she was all for it.  She even wondered if she should take up the practice.

Seven had exchanged her dress uniform for dark pants and a simple, wine shaded blouse that left her forearms bare, and displayed a dipping neckline to reveal the beginning of generous cleavage. Janeway regretted that she wouldn’t have a chance to remove those dress whites, but Seven still looked good enough to eat, her long hair cascading in a golden flow over her shoulders and back.

As if detecting Janeway’s presence and quickening desire, Seven’s eyes popped opened, cool pools of blue that analyzed the captain in a heartbeat. A small smile lifted the corner of her full lips.

“Kathryn.”

“Do you know how gorgeous you are?”

The gray curve of ocular implant rose slightly. “I am fully aware of how amorous you are.”

“I’m amorous because you’re gorgeous.” Janeway offered her most charming leer.

“A somewhat superficial reason to be attracted to me, but it shall do for now.”

Janeway smiled broadly and rose from the bench, moving over to the soft turf beneath the spreading branches of the tree. It was in full bloom and the sweet perfume of blossoms filled her nostrils as she sank down into Seven’s lap.  With a happy sigh, she slipped her arms around Seven’s neck and rested her head on the strong shoulder, burying her face in the warm skin of her throat.

“God, I love this.”

Seven’s arms tightened around her, and Janeway felt her lips brush lightly over her forehead and temple. “I love you.”

Janeway relaxed, feeling her muscles grow slack as Seven supported her, leaning back against the solid truck of the tree.  There was plenty of ship’s business that she needed to discuss with her, particularly pertaining to the parasites, but for the moment, Janeway allowed herself to bask in Seven’s warm embrace, shutting away the universe outside the confines of this artificial park. Perhaps it had been a gift intended only for Seven, but there was no question that Janeway enjoyed and needed this small slice of paradise just as much.

“Busy day,” she murmured.

“Unquestionably.” Seven kissed the top of her head. “Do you wish to discuss it?”

Janeway groaned softly in negation.

“Is anything wrong?” There was a note of concern in Seven’s voice.

“I just want you to hold me.”

“As long as required, my Kathryn.”

 Janeway took that as permission not to be captain for a little while longer, a valuable and cherished gift that only Seven could grant her. She had always possessed such special ability but Janeway was aware of it now more than ever, accepting of its power and fully surrendering to it, less inclined to struggle against whether she should allow it of herself or not.  Overhead, she could hear the flow of air in the leaves of the tree, the circulation provided by the ship’s vents located at the top of the high bulkheads making it sound like an actual breeze. Beneath her cheek, the steady throb of Seven’s heart beat in her ear and flooded her with contentment, making her feel safe and loved.

She no longer felt worried or weary or any of the other things that had plagued her when she walked into the quarters. Perhaps she did meditate, after all, she decided happily, just not in the way other people did.  Her meditation merely required the strong arms of her beloved surrounding her and the heady fragrance of Seven’s scent filling her lungs with every slow, measured breath. And with her eyes closed, she could almost believe she was on the farm in Indiana, with no demands on her, no need to worry about a ship or crew, having no more cares than what she should have for dinner.

Speaking of which. Her eyes opened and she drew back from Seven slightly, just enough so that she could deliver a lengthy, loving and slightly lascivious kiss. “Hmm,” she murmured when they finally parted.  “What’s for dinner?”

“Whatever you wish,” Seven told her as she uncoiled from the ground, lifting Janeway up at the same time until they were both standing on their feet.

Tucking her arm in the crook of Seven’s elbow, Janeway walked with her back to their quarters, the gravel of the path crunching beneath their feet. “What about something exotic, like Vulcan or Bajoran?”

“Or Orion?”

Janeway felt a pleasant thrill go through her. “Or Orion,” she agreed readily.

Something light and flavorful that could be fed to each other in small pieces by their fingers seemed just the thing to finish her day properly. She didn’t want to have to think about the parasites that infested the planet below, and worse, what she might have to do about them...assuming she could do anything.

As Seven started replicating the various finger foods, Janeway set up the coffee table with glasses and a bottle of wine. Cushions were tossed onto the deck where they could recline in comfort, and Janeway slipped out of her boots, wiggling her toes with relief as she leaned back against the base of the couch.  She sipped from her glass, smiling briefly as Seven deposited a platter of meat and cheese pastries along with another of sliced vegetables and fruit. After going back to retrieve a multi-sectioned dish containing a variety of dips ranging from spicy to sweet, Seven lowered herself to the pillows next to Janeway.

“What troubles you, Kathryn?”

Janeway resisted the urge to sigh as she savored a bite-sized morsel that combined spinach, cheese and some kind of meat inside the pastry pocket.  “Just the usual,” she replied after she swallowed a sip of wine. “Whatever happens over the next few days, I’m going to have to make some hard decisions.”

Seven nodded thoughtfully as she slipped her arm around Janeway’s shoulders, pulling her close.  “I understand. Even if we can find ways to remove the parasites, how many planets in this sector have been compromised?”

Janeway lifted a finger to rub her right temple fretfully. “Exactly. Are we supposed to clear out an entire sector? Find their home world and destroy it? The time and resources to carry out such an effort are beyond Millennium’s capability or mandate. Then there’s the question of whether we even should or not.”

Seven blinked, surprised. “There is an ethical reason not to?”

“Not just ethical reasons, but also procedural ones.” Janeway sighed.  “Like it or not, the parasites are sentient. We may not like their methods of conquest or how they conduct their civilization in the aftermath, but no one has formally asked us to intervene, and even if the Wakardi somehow could, I’m not sure the Prime Directive would allow for it.”

“I understand. Any worlds already infested by Species 075 may be inviolate,” Seven said. “Indeed, Starfleet did not intervene when the Cardassians occupied Bajor because Bajor was not a member of the Federation. They could not even offer any assistance until the Cardassians had been overthrown by the Bajoran freedom fighters.”

“I don’t like it, but that’s the way it is.”  Janeway shook her head as she retrieved another cheese pastry.  “And although our treaty with the Confederacy includes a mutual defense pact, that doesn’t necessarily include interfering with their neighbors, even at their request. This may be a Beta Quadrant problem that doesn’t concern us other than making sure the Federation is protected from any future invasion.”

“But what if Jiidan requests our assistance?” Seven stroked Janeway’s hair lightly, tangling her fingers in the auburn strands.  “Not directly, but indirectly.”

“What do you mean?”

“If we determine a way to remove the parasites without harming the hosts on a global level, we wouldn’t have to utilize the technique ourselves. We could offer it to the Confederacy, just as you offered modified nanoprobe technology to the Borg in order to fight Species 8472.”

Janeway tried not to wince, though she felt the comment in the pit of her stomach like a sharp thrust of a knife. “That isn’t really a good example, Seven,” she admitted reluctantly. “In fact, I was forgiven that violation by Starfleet as a ’necessary command decision in the field’ when in reality, they could have just as easily court-martialed me for it instead.”

Seven blinked. “You never told me that,” she said slowly after a moment.

“It wasn’t anything I was particularly proud of.”

“Yet, you would do it again if the circumstances were the same.” Seven eyed her knowingly.

“You’re probably right,” Janeway agreed with a sigh, “but knowing what I know now, I’m not sure these circumstances warrant similar actions.”

“Because it is not our ship or the Federation that is directly endangered by the parasites?”

Janeway shot her a sharp look but Seven’s face was innocent and she realized it was an honest observation, not one designed to prick her assumptions as other comments by her spouse could often be.  She dipped her head. “Partly, but there would be some who would counter that by claiming that not helping the Confederacy would be opening the way to the parasites for a future takeover of the Federation.”

“The Confederacy does not possess slipstream technology,” Seven pointed out. “Other than our communications array and visits by starships like Millennium, there is no danger to the Federation at all. Even the initial incursion by the parasites seems more an accident of circumstances than a concentrated attempt to invade the Alpha Quadrant.”

“Provided their transwarp technology doesn’t progress any further,” Janeway reminded her. “Then they can reach us easily.”

“The Borg enabled the technology to work properly because of the contribution from many other assimilated species. It is unlikely that the Varmuur will advance any further in the technology without such assistance. Otherwise, the parasites would be more widespread.”

Janeway shook her head fretfully. “We have no idea how widespread these things really are in this sector, or even how they go about deciding how and where to expand next.  That’s why we need to know more.”

“Is that not why you dispatched the away team to the planet?”

         “That doesn’t mean they’ll come up with all the answers.” Janeway exhaled softly. “In fact, let’s hope they don’t find out more than we bargained for.”

         Seven recycled the last of the dishes and ran a cloth over the counter in a final cleanup. Janeway had already retired to the bedroom where Seven knew she would be waiting with amorous intent, having easily read the signs all evening. She wasn’t adverse to that, but she did need a moment to herself to think about other things. It continued to bother her that she had hurt Janeway so badly in recent weeks. She still believed she had a right to be angry over the circumstances but she realized she had reacted to the anger in an inappropriate manner by seeking out Lenara Kahn for comfort.

She could not change what she had done, but if she could fully understand why she had pursued that particular course of action, then she would be unlikely to repeat such behavior. Even if part of it was trying to hurt Kathryn in the most efficient manner, there might be more to it, and she wondered if she needed to speak with Kes about it. Though not as comfortable and trusting with the Ocampa as she had been with her holographic counterpart, Sek, she had reached the point where she could accept any advice the counselor offered and perhaps even allow her close enough to accomplish some valuable insight into her psyche.

Her still developing psyche. Seven considered that for a long moment, wondering why that particular point had floated up in her mind and what relevance it could hold. She finally decided that it would be wise to discuss it with Kes. After all, that would be where the counselor could help her the most.

Shrugging lightly, she put away the cloth and moved toward the bedroom, glancing at Janeway who looked up from the book she was reading. The garish cover displayed a bearded civil war soldier embracing a voluptuous southern belle whose generous cleavage was in grave danger of spilling out over the low cut dress, undoubtedly because of the improbable bent over backward position in which the man had placed her. Seven resisted the urge to shudder at such puerile data being absorbed by Janeway even as she tolerated the guilty pleasure the captain experienced while indulging in historical romances. At least, she no longer regularly participated in holographic versions of such novels, Seven reminded herself philosophically.

“A moment, Kathryn.”

“Take your time.”

The offhandedness of the comment was not at all indicative of Janeway’s true feelings, Seven knew and she felt vaguely amused as she entered the ensuite. With pleasant anticipation, she took care of her few ablutions before returning to the bedroom where Janeway lounged beneath the sheets, the book no longer visible. Seven wondered if she had been reading a ‘dirty part’ prior to putting it away. Or perhaps it was merely Seven’s appearance that caused the high color in Janeway’s high cheekbones, the visibly increased respiration and the defined glint in the bluish eyes.

          “Hello, darling.”

Seven smiled and slipped out of the robe, easing into the midnight blue Starfleet-issued sheets, but to her surprise, Janeway didn’t immediately reach out for her. Glancing over quizzically, Seven saw that Janeway was now on her side, regarding her with quiet intent, chin resting on the palm of her bent elbow. Her eyes seemed to glimmer in the lowered illumination and Seven lifted her hand to gently stroke curve of her face, fingertips light on the soft skin.

“Kathryn?”

          “Just appreciating the sight of you.”

“Indeed.” Seven slipped her palm around Janeway’s ear to the back of her head, pulling her close in a warm, melting kiss. Her lips were so soft, yielding to Seven, and she deepened the exchange, enjoying the play of Kathryn’s tongue against her own.

She was pleased by the captain’s restraint, well aware of her level of desire, yet Janeway was apparently willing to indulge in these moments of tender anticipation, showing how much she cherished Seven rather than merely wanting her. Seven didn’t know how long they kissed, only knowing there was something extremely intoxicating about it before Janeway finally made a soft sound at the back of her throat, almost entreating, and Seven immediately molded herself against her body.

“What?” she murmured quietly.

          “Nothing, just thinking that perhaps you have to almost lose something to know how precious it really is.”

Seven responded with another kiss, running her hands down the smooth line of Janeway's back, fingertips bumping over the spinal ridges. The gentle curves of her breasts flattened against Seven’s more full ones as they clung together, their kisses becoming forceful, almost dueling in their desire.  Janeway moaned softly, falling back onto the mattress as Seven pressed her down, easing over on top of her. Her legs spread, falling apart naturally to support Seven’s groin on the cradle of her pelvis and Seven made a small sound of joy, pushing against the tender flesh rhythmically with her mound.

“Oh, darling, can you...” Janeway’s voice trailed off as she tried to breathe and Seven caught her breath at the chill of pleasure that fissured through her, knowing exactly what she wanted.

Lifting up, she positioned herself so that they were connected intimately, legs entangled, ridge skidding over ridge in delightful friction, moisture mingling to make everything wonderfully wet and slick. Seven was always required to take the lead in this position, being far more flexible and controlled than Janeway but even she couldn’t maintain it before the sheer intensity got the best of her. This was no different and soon she had to relinquish her posture, falling onto Janeway’s breasts, licking and mouthing her nipples avidly as her right hand quickly sought out the juncture of her legs, fingers fondling the sensitive bundle of nerves fervently before plunging deeply into the warmth of her body.

Janeway arched and groaned and muttered incoherent comments that indicated her steadily increasing desire. Gripping Seven’s shoulders tightly, her nails dug in slightly as it grew more overwhelming.  Seven could feel the sharp pricks as the skin was broken, but she didn’t cease, taking an odd sort of pride in the small pains. Then Janeway was there, trembling violently in release, a guttural groan that reverberated from the very pit of her stomach.

Feeling rather gratified herself, Seven pulled Janeway close in the aftermath, cuddling her as she went boneless in her arms, a perfectly sated smile of bliss on her face. There was an intense satisfaction in knowing how much she could pleasure Janeway, and it was times like these that Seven completely understood the smug look that occasionally appeared on the captain’s face after making love.

“Wonderful.”

Seven nuzzled her lightly. “I am pleased you enjoyed it.”

Janeway opened her eyes and studied her for a moment. “What about you?”

“Oh, I enjoyed it as well.”

Janeway chuckled huskily. “No, I mean, what do you need, my love?”

Seven considered the possibilities.

“Perhaps if you would…” Her voice lowered and she completed the thought via a soft whisper in Janeway’s ear.

“Oh, my.”

Much later, she lay back against the sheets, heart slowly beginning to ease its pounding, her respiration finally reaching a point that she wasn’t gasping for every breath. Janeway could certainly look as smug as she wanted at this point, Seven decided, because she had more than earned the right. Vaguely, she was aware of Janeway pulling the sheets up over their bodies and asking the computer to lower the temperature of the room two degrees.

“Darling?”

“Yes, Kathryn?” Weakly, she lifted her hand and stoked Janeway’s hair where her head rested on her breastbone, the rest of her warm body pressed close to Seven’s side.
          “Are you going to sleep?”

“I am merely recovering.” Seven exhaled slowly, feeling a pleasant yet insistent lassitude seep through her body.  “Did you wish to converse?” Sometimes the energy and endurance of her compact spouse staggered her, particularly when she compared what should have been mere flesh and bone to cybernetic implants and Borg nanoprobes.

“Not if you’re sleepy.”

Seven lifted her eyebrow, assessed the tone of the comment and sent a fleeting thought to her cortical node to release more nanoprobes into her system, chasing away the fatigue dragging her down. “I am not sleepy,” she said truthfully.

Janeway sighed and didn’t speak for several minutes. Seven wondered if she had drifted off and contemplated the most efficient way to toss her out of bed and on to floor.

“Kathryn?”

“Sorry, darling. Just organizing my thoughts.”

“Are you about to make some kind of presentation to me?”

Janeway lifted her head and looked at her. Seven could see her easily in the lowered illumination, her eyes a warm blue with a faint shade of gray that indicated she was slightly troubled.  “Are you being sarcastic?”

Seven, about to respond tartly in order to continue the parrying of wits with her, reconsidered and said instead, “What troubles you, Kathryn?”

“Just wondering if I did the right thing by sending Kelly down to the planet.”

“Ah. Do you have doubts about her proficiency regarding the mission?”

“No, that’s actually the strange part. I’m convinced that this military type of operation is precisely the kind she’s good at.  Plus, with Ro and Samantha Wildman along, I have no worries that she’ll go off half cocked on her own.”

Seven hesitated. “Half cocked? What does that mean, Kathryn?”

Janeway made a sound of startled amusement. “Sorry, darling. I meant that she would operate without a plausible plan of action.”

“And half cocked means that? What does fully cocked mean?”

“Oh, God, it means…uh, just a second while I think about it.  It’s an expression but I’m not entirely sure of the origin.”

“Is it a sexual reference regarding masculine appendages?”

Janeway laughed.  “No, I don’t think so.”  She paused.  “I think it has to do with ancient weaponry.  A gun, similar to the ones we used in the holoprogram with the riverboat, has to be prepared prior to firing. Pulling back the ‘hammer’ is called ‘cocking’.  If a gun is ‘half-cocked’ it is more likely to be discharged accidentally and is negligently dangerous.”

“Interesting. And you believe that Kelly would do this?”

“No, I don’t think she will, that’s my point. I’m completely confident in her abilities to carry out the mission.”

“Then what concerns you?”

Janeway sobered and stared into the darkness.  Seven waited patiently, observing her profile, which was clearly visible to her optical implant despite the lowered illumination.

“I think I may have sent her off without the best away team possible.”

Seven considered the words, and more importantly, Janeway’s tone. There was an undercurrent of shame present, regret and dismay at some self-revelation. “Explain.”

“She asked for an experienced science officer. I recommended Lt. Wildman.”

“Lt. Wildman is exceptionally competent in her abilities, particularly on away missions dealing with alien cultures.”

“Yes, but she wasn’t the best option available.” Janeway lifted her head, peering at Seven though she doubted Kathryn could see her very well in the darkness.  “You are.”

Seven blinked, surprised.  “You are correct, I am superior to Lt. Wildman in this regard.” It was said without pride, merely a statement of fact as Seven saw it.  “Why did you not…” She hesitated, considering it and finally understanding what had happened.  She felt a sliver of anger resonate through her at what was an ongoing…if minor…conflict between them. “You did not want me to go on the mission.”

“No, I didn’t.” Janeway’s tone was hard, but it was directed at herself rather than being defensive toward Seven.  “It was a mistake.  It’s one I’ve made before and one I’m very much afraid I’ll make again.  I’m simply not objective when it comes to you and your safety. I have no excuse, particularly when I think about Naomi. If anything were to happen to Samantha…”

          Seven felt her anger dissipate at the very real guilt in Janeway’s voice and pulled her close.  “I spoke with Samantha prior to her transport to the planet,” she assured her quietly. “She was very excited about joining the mission. I know that sometimes she feels that she does not have the opportunity to contribute to away missions as much as she would like. This will grant her some valuable experience.”

          ”That doesn’t make what I did any better.”

“No, but sometimes you can do the right thing for the wrong reason. That does not make it any less right.”

Janeway hugged Seven tightly, almost fiercely. “I know I can’t protect you, as much as I would like to.”

“No, but neither can I protect you, particularly during a major crisis, so perhaps we can only indulge our protective natures during small incidents such as these.”

“So you forgive me?” Janeway asked wistfully.

“Of course. Do you forgive yourself?”

“I suppose I have to, don’t I? Especially if you tell me to.”

“I do.” Seven nuzzled her tenderly.  “Go to sleep, Kathryn. It will be better in the morning.”
            And as Janeway drifted off in her arms, Seven waited patiently for the alertness caused by her boost of nanoprobes to wear off so that she could sleep as well.

Kelly felt the top of her head, her fingers sliding over the smooth skin of her skull and hoped Pulaski was correct when she said there was a method to revese the cosmetic procedure as easily as it was to create it. Turning away from the window that looked out over the town square, she glanced around the hotel room where they were currently holed up. The Wakardi culture was approximate to Earth's mid-21st Century technology, an amazingly secure and peaceable society, with little in the way of crime and no conflicts reported anywhere on the planet, just as the parasites had stated in the brig. In any given location, the away team could detect the creatures infesting various key government officials, including the presence of one or more mother creatures in the larger cities, though it appeared that the average citizen was unaware of their existence. Kelly found that rather interesting because it led to the inevitable question of what would their reaction be if they knew? Would there be worldwide panic and consternation? Or perhaps she was underestimating the Wakardi.  Perhaps they would collectively shrug, conclude they were better off, and go back to their own personal pursuits.

          She did know one thing they couldn’t find was any trace of a resistance group against the planetary government, and that was very uncommon. Even in the most stable of societies, there were always a few malcontents no matter how limited they might be in number. But there was absolutely nothing here, which meant either all citizens loved their government…very unlikely…or the parasites were very efficient at rooting out the slightest hint of sedition and removing it.

          Kelly suspected the latter.  Whatever benefits the parasites might bring, their incursion into the Federation showed they were utterly ruthless. Plus, this place was just too peaceful, particularly for a species that had experienced conflict and intertribal wars so recently in their past. From what the away team could discover in various historical archives around the planet, all conflict ended a half century earlier, with an encounter with an alien vessel that had crashed on their main continent. In the decade that followed, the Wakardi made rapid progress to a global peace and developed into the society they were today. Historians had concluded the Wakardi had experienced a world-wide shock to their collective system, a ‘wake-up call’ as it were, that their warlike ways had no place in a greater universe that supported many other species, any one of whom could be more powerful and dangerous than they were. Being united as a people was their only true form of defence.

          Though the away team thought it had less to do with such noble aspirations and more to do with the parasites taking over key government officials in various parts of the world and working together to create a society in which they could thrive.

          The sound of the door made Kelly reach for the phaser concealed in her cloak, wrapping her fingers around it tightly before relaxing as Ro and Wildman entered. Ro looked completely comfortable as a Wakardi, and if it weren’t for the familiar features…albeit, lacking the Bajoran ridge…Kelly wouldn’t know her as anything other than what she was pretending to be. She suspected she and Wildman were far more awkward in their approach to infiltration, though so far, there had been no indication of suspicion from anyone.

          “Anything new?”

          Ro dropped her satchel, a beaded variety of the type many Wakardi utilized, onto the table and shook her head with an air of weariness. “Not beyond what we already know. The town’s mayor, deputy mayor and treasurer are all compromised, but no one else appears to be. We can’t detect any mother creature. This town is probably too small for one.”

          “Why does no one notice? The neck tubules if nothing else.” Fretfully, Kelly sat down at the table and poured some fruit juice  from the cooled pitcher resting on the surface into three glasses. Both away team members looked a little warm since the current climate wasn’t conducive to cloaks.

          Wildman offered a grateful look as she drank the reddish liquid. A solidly built woman with blonde hair, she tended to be reserved, but possessed a vibrant sense of humor. Kelly rather liked her. She may not have possessed all of Lt. Hansen’s abilities, but she was competent and genuinely pleased to have been assigned to the away team.

          “The Wakardi prefer long hair as a rule, even the males, and that keeps the back of their necks covered most of the time,” Wildman offered. “Also, most of those infested usually don’t have families so it’s not as if anyone would get close enough to notice under normal circumstances.”

          “And that’s not a sign as well?”

          “Apparently it’s preferred by the voters that their representative not have family ties,” Ro said as she settled onto the sofa, shooting her a sardonic look.  “They tend to elect a single person before a married one. I’m not sure if that’s normal to the Wakardi culture or introduced by the parasites when they first infiltrated them. I don’t think it would be too hard to introduce the concept that those without personal ties would be better able to concentrate on their responsibility to the people than those with families.”

          Kelly thought about it. “That’s true in some cultures in the Federation as well.”

          “Then there are those for whom family and clan ties are predominant and a single person would never be able to hold office. The Klingons, for example, believe that anyone unable to maintain a strong clan would be unable to be a strong ruler for his or her people.” Wildman shifted in her chair to look at Ro.  “Speaking of families, Commander, I haven’t had the chance before now to congratulate you.”

          To Kelly’s surprise, Ro suddenly looked bashful, and her skin took on a decidedly pinkish glow. “Thank you, Lieutenant,” she said shortly, in a tone that Kelly had difficulty recognizing. It sound embarrassed, yet at the same time, there was an undercurrent of pride and joy present. She frowned.

          Wildman must have noted the confusion because she reached over and patted the first officer on the arm.  “Commander Ro is about to become a mother.”

          Kelly was glad she wasn’t drinking any of the fruit juice. As it was, she choked involuntarily.  “You’re pregnant?!?”  It was so far out of the realm of anything she thought she knew about the security chief that she could only gape stupidly at Ro.

          Ro’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, but she inclined her head slightly. “No,” she said coolly. “B’Elanna is.”

          Kelly felt her face burn. “I’m sorry, Commander that was…it was a stupid comment. I was just surprised.”  She swallowed hard, feeling gauche. “Congratulations.”

          There was a bit of an awkward pause and Wildman finally broke it by motioning to the communications device that came with the hotel room. “Let’s order up some dinner. I’m tired of trying to eat in restaurants and eavesdrop at the same time. I can’t enjoy my food.”

          Kelly nodded, seizing on the suggestion like a lifeline. “Excellent idea. Lieutenant, you seem to have the best grasp of their menu selections.”

          “It may even be tasty,” Wildman said with a grin.

          At this point, Kelly would settle for edible. She thought the hardest thing about reconnaissance missions was finding something to eat. All species had their own tastes and flavors and while it was easy to make sure meals were compatible to their digestive systems, it was a lot harder to find something palatable.

          As Wildman busied herself with the online menu at the communications console, Kelly moved over and took a seat next to Ro. “Really, Commander, I’m very happy for you.”

          “Thank you.” Ro said dryly. “So I guess this doesn’t fit into your preconceptions of what a security chief should be.” As Kelly struggled to find a response, Ro finally let her off the hook by smiling. “Honestly, Kiara, don’t worry about it.  I never thought of myself as parent material either…until I settled down with B’Elanna. In any event, the best security chief I know has always had a family. He said it made him more perceptive of the motivations of certain individuals. What people wouldn’t do out of loyalty to an organization or to a chain of command, they would do in a heartbeat if it meant protecting their family unit.”

          “I hope that isn’t why you’re having a kid…to gain a greater perception of others.’

           “No, it’s simply because it’s the right time. We both want it.”

          “Does the captain know?”

          Ro actually laughed. “There’s very little that gets by Janeway on the ship. She was one of the first to know and she actually asked me when I was going to announce it.”

          Kelly thought about that. “I guess I never considered families as being compatible with being a Starfleet officer.”

          “If I may speak freely, Commander?” Ro glanced briefly over her shoulder. Wildman had finished ordering and had disappeared into one of the bedrooms, leaving the senior officers to their conversation.

          “Of course, always, you know that, Ro.”

          “Honestly, you need to stop going into things with preconceived notions. They rarely hold up and usually get you into trouble.  The great thing about Janeway is she always tries to leave her options open for as long as possible.”

<>          Because she admired and respected Ro so much, Kelly was able to consider her words in a way that she wouldn’t have been able to had it come from someone else…someone like Janeway, which she supposed sort of proved Ro’s point. “That’s why we’re down here, isn’t it?  Her leaving her options open?”

          “Exactly. Another captain might have refused to learn anything about the parasites before trying to destroy them simply because of what happened in the Federation. It’s a great captain who can search for other ways to resolve a situation before going with a decision that can’t be undone.”

          “She doesn’t think I can make a good first officer.”

          “Oh, I suspect she left that open, too, mostly for you to prove her wrong.” Ro offered an encouraging smile. “Listen, during our last mission into the Delta Quadrant, our first officer was a man named Zar Tulek. He looks like a Cardassian, even though he’s a Bajoran hybrid, so right away, a lot of us in the crew were very uncomfortable with him, even hostile, particularly me. It took a while to get past the surface to realize how outstanding an officer and person he was. Janeway may have held the same reservations, because she’s been a prisoner of the Cardassians in the past, but from the very start, she never treated him any different than the rest of her crew.”

          Kelly blinked at the information about Janeway and decided that she needed to study the captain’s record a great deal more carefully. Read between the lines of the reported incidents rather than simply accept the blandly worded Starfleet documents at face value. She also wondered what her response would have been to this Zar Tulek, and realized it would have been the same as the members of the crew who would have been openly hostile. It wasn’t something she was proud of, whereas before, she might have considered it a matter of being cautious.

          “Where is he now?”

          “He’s the captain of Voyager.  He learned a lot from Janeway. You can, too.”

          “I am trying, Ro,” Kelly admitted, somewhat bashfully. “I know that a lot of my thinking when I first came on board was pretty stupid.”

          “Not stupid, just...like I said, preconceived. Get over that and you’ll be ahead of the game.”

          Kelly shot her a surreptitious glance sideways.  “Why are you doing this?  You’ve been trying to help me from the moment I came on board even when I was a complete idiot.”

          Ro lifted a brow, a small smile curving the corner of her mouth.  “To be honest, you kind of remind me of me, when I was your age. I was just as big an idiot, but fortunately, someone took me under his wing and believed in me. You just have to allow yourself the same opportunity."
         Kelly wondered if it were really that easy.


          Janeway regarded Nechayev's image on the viewscreen in her ready room, noting that there was a little static in the transmission from Earth, causing the image to resonate slightly. That was to be expected since it was being bounced through four communications relays and two different quadrants. She was suddenly reminded that it wasn't so long ago on Voyager that she would have given anything for even the most static filled communication from the Federation.

         “So you believe you have a way to remove the mother creatures?” Nechayev’s blonde Slavic features were very thoughtful.

          “We have a way to kill them,” Janeway corrected. “Seven…Lt. Hansen…with assistance from Dr. Kahn, has come up with a way to calibrate the sensors to pinpoint their particular bioelectrical energy patterns, which differ from the drones. By targeting those patterns on the planet, we can transmit a plasma based signal that will disrupt their biomolecular fields and kill them instantly, unfortunately, killing their hosts as well. In turn, their particular colony of drones will be nullified, forcing them out of their respecitve hosts. But the question is not can we do it, Admiral, the question is should we?”

          “You have some philosophical objection?” Nechayev sounded unpleasantly surprised.  “It’s not as if the hosts of the mother creatures are still…” She trailed off, searching for the appropriate word. “Viable once infested. These things grow, eating away at the body and mine until there’s nothing left. Only the drones seem able to live inside a humanoid without permanent harm.”

          “Perhaps, but according to the findings of the away team I sent down to the planet, the hosts chosen by the mother creatures are inevitably crucial people in the planet’s governing body. Are we prepared to disrupt this society’s ruling structure and leave them to deal with the aftermath? That doesn’t sound like any Federation policy of which I’m aware.”

          There was a pause and then Nechayev almost, but not quite, sighed. “No, it’s not. Very well, Captain, I’ll leave it in your capable hands. But also be aware that we want to cement ties with the Confederacy.  Take under careful consideration any assistance they may request.”

          Janeway had no problem translating that one. If Jiidan requested that they use the method to wipe out the parasites, along with all the innocent hosts, leaving the planet below in chaos, Starfleet would prefer she do so, though they would stand by any decision she made.       

          Wearily, she leaned back against the cushions of her chair, staring at the viewscreen that now held the wreath and planet insignia of the Federation, indicating the transmission had ended. It seemed to her that it used to be easier to uphold the traditions and beliefs of Starfleet. Or maybe she was just getting too old for a job that required a young and fresh viewpoint.

          She smiled suddenly. You’re only as old as you feel, Katie, she reminded herself, and she knew this burden would lighten, as had so many others. She simply had to trust her instincts and go with the decision she could live with. If that didn’t jibe with Starfleet Command, well, it wouldn’t be the first time.

          Reaching up, she touched the comm badge.  “Minister Jiidan, if I could see you in my ready room at your convenience?”

          “Acknowledged, Captain. I’m on my way.”

          As Janeway waited patiently for the Soularri representative to arrive, she stared thoughtfully at the bouquet of red roses that adorned her desk, wondering how he would react to the information she had to share with him regarding the away team’s findings.  Kelly, Ro and Wildman had transmitted their latest report only that morning and the science labs were still going over the data. The chime interrupted her musing and she lifted her head.

          “Come.”

<>          Jiidan entered and immediately retrieved the cushion from near the desk, kept there for that specific purpose, and placed it on the chair, giving him some height with which to look the captain in the eye. “You have news for me, Captain Janeway?” he asked once he had settled.

          “As you may or may not be aware, I’ve dispatched an away team to the surface of the planet to do some reconnaissance,” she explained pleasantly, passing over a padd with the relevant information. “We’ve been receiving regular reports of their findings and apparently, there aren’t as many parasites as we feared and even fewer of the mother creatures.”

          He looked down at the data streaming across the padd he held, a frown furrowing his furry forehead.  “What are you hoping to accomplish with all this, Captain?”

          “I’m not sure what you mean?”

          “You know they’re a threat. Your own Federation considers them so, and in fact, sent you out to discover their origins. Why bother to study them any further? We are wasting our time searching for some area of diplomacy with these beings.  They do not negotiate their way onto other worlds. They steal in and take over the planet without the inhabitants even being aware. How will they choose to expand into worlds that know they exist? Consolidate their possessed planets and use the duped inhabitants as cannon fodder?  We need to stop them here and now, just as you declared in your conference room and I know it’s possible. I am aware your science section has come up with a way to terminate them.”

          Suddenly, Jiidan no longer looked cute or cuddly, and Janeway decided that perhaps she was finally seeing the true face of the Soularri, one of immovable resolve and will. A stray thought filtered through her mind. Was this what Tazna Jade was talking about when she warned Seven not to trust them?  She knew she definitely couldn’t trust the outer appearance. After all, cute and cuddly didn’t get a species too far when surrounded by a dangerous universe.

          So there was a decision to be made after all. So much for the small hope she’d been secretly nursing since sending her team down to the planet.

          “What are you suggesting, Minister?”

          “I’m asking if you will authorize the use of the weapon your science section has developed.  Indeed, I’m making a formal request as the representative of the Confederation of Species in reference to our mutual defense pact as laid out by the Treaty of Hearthstone.”

          Janeway felt that request like a poke in the stomach, the blow mediated only by the fact that she had suspected it was coming.  “I understand, Minister Jiidan,” she said mildly. “And I will take your concerns under advisement.”

          That did not satisfy him, she saw, but it was the best she was going to give him at the moment. After a few more pleasantries that possessed an edge that had not previously existed between them, he left her.  Janeway stared blankly at the doors to her ready room, feeling a muscle jump sporadically in her jaw. This was turning out to be one of those days, and it wasn’t even lunch yet. After thinking furiously for a few moments, she rose from her seat and slipped out of the ready room, glancing around the bridge. As fourth in command, B’Elanna held the command chair. Janeway exchanged a nod with her before putting out her hand to forestall her rising as she strode toward her.

          “I need to speak with our guests,” she said in a low voice.

          B’Elanna’s dark eyes narrowed. “With all due respect, Captain. Not alone.”

<>          Janeway’s lips twitched, amused at the proprietary tone in her chief engineer’s voice. Obviously, with Ro on the planet, B’Elanna had decided to take her place as Janeway’s unofficial bodyguard, even though as engineer, it was hardly her job. "It might be dangerous."
            Dark brows lowered immediately. "When has that ever stopped me?" The tone was a mix of increduality and confusion.
             "Well, perhaps you might want to sit this out." Janeway glanced down at her belly. "After all, you have larger concerns than the ship and myself."
             "Ma'am," B'Elanna began and Janeway knew B'Elanna was angry indeed when she utilized that form of address. "When I can no longer do my job, I will let you know. Captain." The last word was bitten off and Janeway had to swallow back a laugh. She didn't really expect anything to happen with the delegates who had been perfectly cooperative during their time on Millennium, she was just provoking B'Elanna a little. Seven was right, it was fun, but from the reaction, it appeared she had found a rather touchy spot. Something to keep in mind.
              “Then you may accompany me, Commander.” She said mildly and glanced over at the young Vulcan woman manning ops. “Lieutenant, you have the bridge.”

          By this time, there was no slight widening of the eyes to indicate her controlled pleasure and surprise at being given the ship. T'Shanik had proven herself to be a competent, if quiet member of the bridge crew in her two years on Millennium. Gracefully, the slender Vulcan surrendered her post to her backup and took over the command chair as Janeway and B’Elanna exited the bridge.

          In the turbolift, B’Elanna eyed the captain. “Do you really expect to get something new from them?”

          “We’ve hardly had time to explore their culture, B’Elanna.”

          “I’m not sure they have a culture…other than what they’ve stolen from their hosts.”

          “Then perhaps that’s what we’ll find out with further discussion with them,” Janeway said dryly.

          They stepped off the turbolift on deck six. Here the delegates were isolated in individual quarters so that they could not communicate with each other, particularly in the odd, screeching form they utilized that the science section had still not been able to decipher. At the second door, Janeway nodded briefly at the security guard in attendance and entered the cabin.

          Inside, Trevarti looked up from the computer console where he was working and his genial features widened in a smile of welcome. Unlike the other delegates, he didn’t seem bothered by what had essentially become an imprisonment. Instead, he spent most of his time learning as much as he could about the Federation and the Confederacy. Though it bothered Janeway on a command level, making her careful about exactly what he could access, she completely understood it on another. Trevarti was a scientist first, and whatever else second. Even a parasite could not change that.

          “Captain, so good to see you.”

          Despite the circumstances, Janeway smiled. He was so earnest and sincere and really, the only one she enjoyed speaking with. Heirra, once the deception had been stripped away, maintained an aloof, cold manner. The others took their cue from her, but Trevarti continued to be warm and inquisitive. If it weren’t for the breathing tubule at the back of his neck, it would be difficult to believe he possessed a parasite at all.

          As B’Elanna took up a position next to the door, crossing her arms over her chest and assuming her most Klingon demeanor, Janeway sat in the chair next to Trevarti. “I would like to ask you a question, and I’m wondering if I will get a response that is without para…your creature’s influence.”

          Trevarti assumed a serious expression. “Captain, I want to assure you, my thoughts are my own. Over the years, my associate and I have reached a true accommodation with each other. While I admit that others had more difficulty with their merging, I embraced it, and as a result, my thoughts are truly my own.”

          Janeway regarded him gravely. “You realize I have only your word for that. Or rather, your…’associate’s’ word for it.”

          Trevarti laughed merrily, and that, more than anything else, gave credence to his words. The others didn’t laugh. They barely smiled. “I understand, Captain. It really is a matter of what you believe at the end of the day.”

          Janeway smiled faintly and dipped her head. “I guess that’s what it always comes down to.”

          “What is it you wished to ask, Captain?”

          “I need to know if given an opportunity, would the Wakardi be free of their invaders?”

          He lifted a brow, obviously surprised at being asked the question, but he appeared to give it every consideration.  “Most do not know of their presence, of course,” he admitted after a moment. “I would be lying if I said that the general consensus would not be one of horror and fear if they did find out. But Captain, it would be a response borne of ignorance.”  He looked at Janeway’s expression and smiled.  “I know that would be what you’d expect me to say, but honestly, you need only look at our history to see how much better off we are now.  My father and grandfather lived in the times before, and I remember stories my father told when I of being unable to do something as simple as go to the market without being shot at by the warring factions in his village.  Women and children were routinely brutalized as various tribal organizations struggled for power. Our planet was at the mercy of our savage nature, socially, economically and environmentally and it is very possible we would have destroyed ourselves. In that, Heirra did not lie.”

          “But wouldn’t it be better to bring about change from within rather than it being enforced from an outside agency?”

          “In an ideal universe, yes, but Wikira Prime was far from being an ideal world, Captain. We might not have survived long enough to enact positive change. Surely, you have assisted other worlds in their development during your exploration of space?”

          “Our guidelines for doing so are very strict, Trevarti. In fact, we have a directive the prohibits the interference with a developing culture.”

          Trevarti smiled sadly.  “And how many worlds and peoples in the Federation were lost from that lack of inaction.”

          Janeway thought of Bajor, and the years it was forced to labor under the occupation of the Cardassians, of the border worlds along the Romulan Neutral Zone and other planets where Starfleet had been forced to step back from the situation rather than offer aid when empathy would have deemed it a necessity.  She believed in the Prime Directive, but she couldn’t deny that, occasionally, its opponents had a point when saying such a policy cost dearly in the suffering of innocents.

          “I will think about what you said, Delegate, but I must also pay heed to the protection of others who are in no need of such interference. Your ‘associates’ do not always honor that.”

          “Every species survives as it must, Captain. You may not like what form that survival takes, but if you honor a strict policy of non-interference, as you say you do, then by rights, you cannot oppose what has already happened.”

          Janeway had no doubt that was, indeed, the parasite talking rather than the host, but she merely dipped her head respectfully and rose from her chair. Outside the quarters, she looked at B’Elanna who eyed her sardonically.  “Do you really believe that plasma residue?”

          “I believe that he believes it, both host and parasite.”

          “Well, that’s the key, isn’t it? It’s not a symbiot it’s a parasite and I doubt he was really talking at all.”

          “He seems to have reached a true merging with it.” B’Elanna didn’t respond, but her expression spoke volumes. Janeway smiled and nodded up the corridor to the other quarters housing the delegates.  “I want to speak with Heirra, again.  I don’t think I’ll need you with me this time.”

          “Nonetheless, Captain, I’ll hang around out here until you’re finished with her.”

          Janeway resisted the urge to sigh at her crew’s overly developed protective nature, but decided it would waste more time arguing than she wanted to spend at the moment.

          It was unusually dim inside the quarters housing the Wakardi diplomat and Janeway faltered just inside the entrance as the door hissed shut behind her. It took a few seconds to understand what she was actually looking at. The remains of what could only be Speaker Heirra were now splattered over an area encircling a chair in the middle of the room. It appeared as if she had sat down and simply exploded, with blood and tissue spread over the nearby table. Hand trembling, Janeway reached for her comm badge to alert security. At the same time, she felt a tickle on her ankle. Glancing down, she started abruptly as she saw movement skittering rapidly up her leg.

          In the next second, the parasite was leaping toward her as she saw the walls and ceiling come alive around her with thousands more.

         “They’re dying.”

          Seven glanced at Lenara, then turned her attention to the container containing the parasites that had been confiscated from the Wakardi delegation. Three had already been removed. Of the four remaining, three were staggering about and one was actually upside down, legs twitching feebly in the air.

          “Have you determined a cause?”

          Lenara, using a silver probe, gingerly prodded the one lying on its back. “I believe that if they haven’t found a host within a certain amount of time after being spawned by the queen, then they die from starvation.  I know that we’ve been unable to find anything they’ll eat and most parasites can only process food from a host to begin with.”

          Seven regarded the creatures dispassionately. They were approximately ninety millimeters in length and about fifty millimeters wide with a flexible exoskeleton that compressed when entering the body. Dual horns or mandibles sprouted from their mouthparts, supposedly to widen their passage into the host, while six legs denoted them as insectoid in nature.

          “Have you discussed this with the Wakardi scientist? Perhaps he would have a suggestion on how to feed them outside a host. Trill symbionts can ingest---”

          “These are not symbionts.”

          Surprised, Seven lifted her head. There had been real anger in Lenara’s tone, and actual revulsion as well. Of all people, she had expected Lenara to be more accepting of the creature’s nature, though perhaps that was a bad assumption on her part. Lenara met Seven’s level look for a long moment before looking away, appearing somewhat discomforted.

          “Parasites give nothing back to the host,” she added in a quieter tone. “That’s what defines them as parasites. They only take.”

          Seven lifted a brow. “According to the delegation, these creatures actually stabilized their planet and prevented them from destroying themselves.”

          “It’s not as if they’d say anything different, is it?” Lenara ceased poking the creature and moved over to her desk, a dissatisfied expression tightening the corners of her mouth. Intrigued at this display of uncharacteristic emotion from the Trill, Seven promptly followed, taking a seat next to her at the console. Lenara offered an annoyed look. “What?”

          “Their existence troubles you,” Seven said with Borg certainty. “Why?”

          Lenara frowned mightily at her, which bothered Seven not in the least, and punched savagely at the console controls. “Isn’t it obvious?”

          “If it were, I would not ask the question.”

          “These are everything that the Trill are not.”

          Seven considered the statement, and more importantly, the tone in which it was uttered. “Yet, it is everything that was initially feared about the Trill,” she said slowly, drawing on the information that she had assimilated on her trip to that planet some years earlier. “Creatures that take over the host, influencing them to the extent that there is nothing left of the original being. Even when a successful joining occurred, there was still the suspicion by many of the Trill colonists that the host was merely a mindless drone controlled solely by the symbiont.”

          From the expression on Lenara’s face, Seven believed she had pinpointed precisely what was troubling her friend. Yet, even as she studied her, she began to suspect there was more. Seven maintained her level stare, until finally Lenara let out her breath in an exasperated huff.

          “So you’re saying that I’m judging these things the way people initially judged the Trill.”  She arched an eyebrow.  “I’ll point out that the Trill never tried to infiltrate the Federation Council or Starfleet Headquarters.”

          “Perhaps because the Trill do not reproduce so quickly?  There are never enough symbionts for available hosts, after all.”

          Lenara stared at her and Seven belatedly realized that piece of information was not public knowledge, not even to the larger percentage of the Trill homeworld.  It was a piece of data that she had acquired during her time with the Borg, undoubtedly assimilated from some high-ranking Trill government official at Wolf 359 or elsewhere during a Borg excursion to the Federation.  From her expression, Lenara somehow knew about it as well, but there was no question that she didn’t think Seven should.

          “How did you---“ she began, then stopped, stymied. “It doesn’t matter. This isn’t the same thing at all.”

          “Excuse me, Lt. Hansen?”

          Seven, about to respond, started slightly and glanced over to see Ensign Cole approaching. An inquisitive scientist, he was also an unrepentant pursuer of gossip and rumor on the ship. After years of working closely with B’Elanna, Seven had learned the value of such behavior, so while she did not encourage it in the astrophysicist, she didn’t exactly discourage him either whenever he shared his information. Sometimes it was the only way she knew what was going on when her spouse was being particularly reticent on ship’s business. Lenara’s expression, troubled from their discussion, abruptly cleared when she saw his expression. She'd been around long enough to know when he was coming to Seven with a scientific problem, and when he was in the possession of a particularly juicy tidbit of information regarding the workings of the ship.

          “What is it, Ensign?” She gave no sign of her irritation over having her conversation with Lenara interrupted.

          “I happened to overhear a security transmission,” he said in a hesitant manner that made Seven frown, disturbed to discover that was how he kept up on current events. Commander Ro would be most displeased if she discovered that he was monitoring the security channels. She wondered what could be so significant that he would disclose such a resource at this time.

          “Yes?”

          “The Captain just sent out a call to security.  She sounded as if she was being attacked.”

          Seven was on her way out the door before the words had finished echoing in her ears. “Computer, locate Captain Janeway!” she demanded as she pounded down the corridor toward the turbolift.

          “Captain Janeway is on deck four, section five.”

          Where the guest quarters were located.  The captain had undoubtedly initiated an encounter with the alien delegation. But what had they done to her?

          She snapped out her destination as soon as she slammed into the turbolift, adding a special command code to grant it priority. The longer she was on Millennium, the more efficient she became at moving around the ship quickly and without hindrance. Even then, it seemed to take forever to ascend, and her fists clenched at her sides as she forced herself to wait.  There was a brief hesitation in its passage and a small sound escaped her lips. Her pilfered command code made the turbolift travel at a greater speed than normal, but it still had to give way to the security team making their way to the same destination. Two capsules could not exist in the same tube at the same time and hers naturally slowed to grant the security lift priority.

          Frantic by the time the turbolift stopped, she squeezed out between the doors before they had finished hissing open and sprinted down the corridor. As she rounded the curve she came upon complete chaos. Things were skittering over the ceiling and walls, temporarily contained by a force field on either end of the hall. In the center of the cordoned off area, four security guards were firing their phasers at the parasites pouring out of the open door of a room but Seven only had eyes only for the two figures in the middle.

          B’Elanna was bent over a huddled form, ripping away the multitude of creatures that were swarming over the compact body. Another sound, a small whimper of horror, issued from Seven and a thought to her cortical node altered her biofield, enabling her to plunge through the forcefield, though the shock made her stagger slightly. Assessing the situation swiftly, she pushed B’Elanna aside with carefully calculated force onto the deck, where she immediately let out a string of oaths that let Seven know she had not been unduly harmed. Reaching down with her left hand through the creatures to Janeway’s shoulder, she transmitted an electric pulse through the mesh implant.

<>          Janeway spasmed, jerking convulsively as the creatures, shocked into immobility, fell from her. Seven kicked away the shocked creatures and regarded Janeway, still shuddering violently, not only from the electric jolt she had received, but also from the reaction of being covered by the parasites. Her eyes and mouth were squeezed tightly shut and her hands had been covering her ears. Unfortunately, Seven knew there were other orifices in the human body that could be penetrated and she drew out her tricorder, running a complete scan on the captain. She released her breath in a silent sigh of relief when the results revealed no creature had managed to enter.

          The arrival of more security officers helped contain the outbreak and force the creatures steadily back into the guest quarters. Seven helped Janeway to her feet, supporting her with an arm around her shoulders as she tottered unsteadily on trembling legs.

          “What happened?”

          It was B’Elanna who responded first. “Heirra exploded. When the captain called for help, I opened the door and dragged her out by the scruff of the neck.”

          “You could have let them escape.” Seven knew it was fear as much as anger that sharpened Janeway’s tone. “Worse, you exposed others to infiltration.”

          B’Elanna started to answer, hesitated, and then shrugged minutely. “Yes, Captain.”

          “You did what I would have done,” Seven said, squeezing Janeway with subtle reproof so that the others would not see. “What any of us would have done to rescue the captain.”

          Janeway’s eyes shot daggers at her, but in the next second, they softened as she looked back at her engineer. “Thank you, B’Elanna. Are you injured?”

          “I’m fine. I need to get back to engineering.” B’Elanna offered a smile and started to back away.

          “Wait.” Propping Janeway up against the bulkhead, Seven took a step toward B’Elanna, tricorder extended as she scanned her.

          The readings on the small screen registered with Seven at the exact same time B’Elanna’s eyes narrowed and she lunged between two security guards, tossing them aside.  Seven regretfully dropped the tricorder onto the deck, having no time to secure it, and sprang after her, seizing her by the arm. Immediately, B’Elanna turned, lips drawn back in a fury, and Seven found she suddenly had her hands full. She knew the creatures somehow boosted the strength of their hosts and B’Elanna’s Klingon heritage already made her considerably stronger than most. In the background, she could hear Janeway shouting orders and, from the corner of her eye, saw the security guards jockeying into position around them in an effort to get a clear shot with their phasers. Her full attention was on B’Elanna’s attack, keenly aware that she could not utilize her own Borg-enhanced prowess as freely as she would normally. There was not only B’Elanna’s well being to take into consideration, but also that of the fetus developing within her abdomen.

          “Seven, try to subdue her.”

          ”I am endeavoring to do so, Captain.” Irritation made her tone sharp and if she could have spared a glance at Janeway as she grappled with B’Elanna, it would have been one of sheer exasperation.

          Finally, she had the opening she was looking for. A lunge, an abrupt feint, and then she used her greater weight to take B’Elanna to the deck, arm caught behind her, face pressing down against the low carpet. B'Elanna's head was forced to the right, allowing her long, dark hair to fall to the side, revealing the back of her neck. A small tubule quivered through the olive skin and Seven, crouched above her as she pinned her down, frowned at how quickly the creatures were able to invade and take over the host.

          “Take her to sickbay.”

          Carefully, Seven released her friend into the custody of M’Reek and his security team who escorted her to the medical center where, hopefully, they would be able to remove the creature using the method developed by the science department. The corridor was unnaturally quiet after everyone had dispersed to their assignments, including a doubled guard on the surviving delegates.

          Seven looked the captain over, assessing her body language.  “Are you undamaged, Kathryn?”

          Janeway’s brow had been furrowed, her jaw set as she undoubtedly thought about what this new development meant. She started slightly at Seven’s question and lifted her gaze to meet her eyes, managing a small smile. “Other than being electrocuted, I’m fine. I admit it was a bit sticky for a moment there, but B’Elanna didn’t waste any time in hauling me out, even if it allowed the others to escape. Fortunately, she activated the force fields in the corridor first. It was quick thinking on her part.”

          “B’Elanna is competent, if impetuous. In any event, if she had not acted so quickly, you would have been the one infested.”

          A slight shudder rippled through her and Seven took a step closer, concerned. Janeway held up a hand, indicating she was all right. “It just…I think I’d prefer to be assimilated to that.”

          Seven lifted a brow, suspecting that Janeway was exaggerating. Neither was particularly pleasant. “What now?”

<>          “Now I have some decisions to make, and I’m not sure how much this event is going to influence them.”  She shook her head fretfully and touched her comm badge.  “Lt. T'Shanik, contact the away team. I want them back on the ship now!”

          “Are you sure about this?”

          Ro glanced at her, a thin smile edging her lips. “You worried?”

          Keira took a long, slow breath.  ‘Worried’ didn’t begin to convey her state of mind. When Ro came up with the plan to infiltrate the government buildings in the largest city on the planet, Keira allowed it was a good idea, but now that they were actually implementing it, she was having a few second thoughts.

          “Just being pragmatic.”

          Ro laughed quietly. “Pragmatism doesn’t work well in this kind of procedure. In fact, if you had any kind of common sense at all, you wouldn’t be doing it in the first place.”

          “Thanks for reminding me.” She made a face. “I guess I just don’t like being out of contact with the ship.”

          “It’s not as if we can afford to have Millennium contact us in the middle of an operation. It’s outbound communications only. Lt. Wildman will be waiting for our call when we’re clear.”

          “Assuming we get clear,” Kiara mumbled.

          “Are you always such an optimist?”

          “Not at all. Expecting the worst is what kept me alive during the war.”

          “Fair enough.”      

          The pair was standing in an alcove across the street from the main building of the governmental complex. There didn’t seem to be much in the way of patrolling guards nor were there any indications of a sophisticated security system. That didn’t mean they could just walk in, though that was essentially Ro’s plan. The security chief expected that the artificial tubule in the back of her neck would get her through anything dicey. Keira didn’t know if she had a lot of faith in that assumption, but she didn’t say anything as she followed Ro across the thoroughfare and up the stairs to the large cement building.

          Inside, it was cool and dim, their boots echoing slightly on the hard, polished floor. Several individuals passed them but no one seemed to take note of the two purposefully striding women and, gradually, Keira started to relax. The easiest way to infiltrate anywhere was to look as if one totally belonged, particularly in a bureaucratic society and she supposed that was holding true in this case. Her tentative confidence faltered, however, when she saw the checkpoint at the far end of the hall. Ro didn’t alter stride. She merely continued on her path and Keira had no choice but to keep up.

          The guards watched them approach but did not seem unduly apprehensive. They were dressed in the black uniforms edged in gold trim of the government law enforcement agency. Ro paused and regarded them expectantly. “Yes?”

          “Your purpose?” The larger one frowned slightly, but both maintained reasonably pleasant expressions.  Perhaps because they didn’t know with whom they were dealing and weren’t quite ready to commit to something that could get them in trouble later.

          Ro tilted her head forward, making the back of her neck visible. “I have an appointment,” she said in an inflection that mixed boredom and slight irritation.

          It was exactly the right tone to take and at the sight of the tubule, the guards both straightened and fixed their stares straight ahead. Obviously, they were aware of what the tubules signified. Keira couldn’t begin to guess how Ro would know they would, but after a slight hesitation, she scurried after Ro as she strode regally past the guards and into the inner chambers of the government building.

          It was quieter here with fewer people visible, which would only serve to make them more noticeable. It made Kelly nervous though she could only hope she was hiding it, not only for her own protection, but because she didn’t want to seem so green to Ro. It did occur to her that she had nurtured the fond belief that she was actually good at these kinds of things. In fact, she thought she had been good at a lot of things before she had boarded Millennium. Now she was discovering just how much she had to learn which, she supposed, was why Nechayev had posted her to the ship in the first place.

          The knowledge still didn’t make the whole situation go down any easier, but it did make it less difficult to do her job at this point, unlike her first few months on the ship.

          They passed one final clerk in the corridor, then Ro drifted over to a dark stained wooden door. On the plaque beside it was the name of one of the more important government officials on the planet. Fortunately, both women knew exactly where she was at the moment...on board Millennium and thus, they were unlikely to be interrupted. After glancing both ways to make sure the coast was clear, Ro fumbled at the latch. Except she wasn’t fumbling, Kelly realized. There was some kind of device in her hand and, in the next second, the door clicked open. Ro eased through it into Heirra's empty office with Kelly on her heels. Shutting it firmly behind her, she secured it with the same device.

          “Didn’t realize you were so adept at B&E,” Kelly remarked.

          Ro flashed a smile, a glint of white in the dim illumination. “You’d be amazed at what one picks up in a Bajoran refugee camp.”

          While Kelly contemplated that, Ro moved swiftly to a desk in the corner where a viewscreen sat.  Unlike those on Millennium, this one was not voice activated. Ro actually had to sit down and manipulate some kind of manual control panel full of little buttons. Taking up a position behind Ro, Kelly watched over her left shoulder as Ro swiftly brought up file after file.

          “This would be quicker if we had Lt. Hansen here,” she remarked.

          “Not with this,” Ro corrected in an absent tone as she typed.  She inclined her head at a rectangular box tucked under the desk. “There’s no interface available for her to utilize her tubules. The storage device is far too primitive for her to access.”  Then, after a second, she frowned and lifted her head. “I was unaware that you knew about Seven’s abilities in that area.”

          Kelly shrugged slightly. “I’ve been going over the files from Millennium’s first year. It’s been…informative.”

          “I bet it has.” Ro intensified her focus on the screen, her expression settling into professional impassiveness, but Kelly could hear the smile in her tone. The smile was completely gone with her next words. “Prophets!”

          “What is it?” Kelly leaned closer but was unable to figure out what Ro was seeing before she began explaining it all to her.

          “Over the past twenty years, they’ve channeled most of the planet's resources into building interstellar vessels.”

          “We know that,” Kelly said.  “That’s why we were able to contact them.  Otherwise the Prime Directive would have forbidden it.”

          “No, I'm saying that they’ve been building a lot of them. They’re hidden in the mountain ranges outside the city and according to this, ready to launch at a moment's notice.”  Ro paused, rapidly reading the text on the screen. “This can only mean one thing. They’re about to swarm.  Millennium’s arrival just meant an opportunity to spread further faster if they were able to take our ship to add to their armada.”

          “We need to tell the captain.”

          Kelly made a step toward the door when, suddenly, it flew open to reveal two, very powerful looking Wakardi males dressed in city guard uniforms. Black, metallic and thoroughly dangerous looking weapons were hefted in their direction and he sight of the muzzles yawning before her made Kelly pause. Fortunately, Ro didn’t. She picked up the viewscreen and heaved it at them, ducking behind the desk in the next second. The viewscreen, connected by cables to the box, made a parabolic arch and crashed to the floor well short of the doorway, but it was enough to make them flinch. That extra second allowed Kelly to dive behind the couch. Well aware that once committed to an action, no hesitation could be allowed, both women then rose with phasers in hand and stunned the two men.

          The shriek of an alarm system went off and shouts from down the hall indicated they were well and truly discovered.
          “Come on,” Ro ordered, picking up the chair she’d been using and tossing it through the nearest window which shattered with a satisfying racket.  Kelly used her cloak to sweep away the remaining pieces of glass and stepped through it, straddling the frame. She glanced back in time to see Ro reset her phaser and fire at the desk. It immediately exploded into flames, sending burning embers of shrapnel around the room where more fires started to smolder.

          “Cover,” Ro explained shortly as she joined Kelly at the window. She glanced out. “Damn.”

          They were four stories up, and what seemed like an army of guards were racing across the square toward their position.  Projectiles began to strike the façade of the building around them, gouging out large divots of concrete. Hastily, Kelly ducked back into the room that was rapidly filling with smoke.

          “How do we get out? The door’s blocked by the guards and more are on the way.”  She was proud that her voice was cool and composed, indicating none of the panic that was running around in circles in her head, gibbering loudly.

          “Quit thinking two dimensionally,” Ro instructed, just as if they were in some Academy class on security measures.

          She adjusted her phaser yet again and pointed at her feet. A fine, golden line of power cut into the carpet and she ran the beam like a fine stylus around her, cutting a circle into the flooring. The circular chunk of concrete and wood dropped down to the floor beneath with a loud clatter as Ro followed it lithely down through the small opening. Hoping there was no one waiting below, Kelly followed suit, discovering belatedly that the security chief hadn't quite made the hole big enough.
           Damnit, not everyone's a stick like you, Ro. Jammed around the chest, Kelly cursed silently as she wiggled and squirmed, kicking wildly. Finally, aided by a judicious yank from beneath, she managed to squeeze through and dropped to the floor where she absorbed the shock of her fall on bent knees.

          “Took you long enough," Ro said waspishly. "Why didn't you cut your own hole?"
           Kelly gritted her teeth. "Where to, now?" she demanded, rather than say what she wanted. Glancing around at the shining tiles and fixtures, she realized they were in a restroom of some sort.
            Ro whipped off her cloak. “Get rid of these.”

          Kelly obeyed, stuffing the material in a waste disposal unit in the corner, turning around in time to see Ro pull the artificial tubule from the back of her neck before she moved over to the door where she glanced out cautiously.  There were a significant amount of people rushing through the corridor, obviously being evacuated from the building. As unobtrusively as possible, the two women joined them. Fire alarms were clanging loudly in addition to the initial intruder alarm and the noise of people crying out in confusion and dismay added greatly to the din.

          Kelly didn’t breathe any easier when they were outside in the plaza. People milled around without direction and the women had to work their way through the throng, trying not to rush and draw any attention from the various, dark clad officers searching the crowd.  Finally, they broke free into an alleyway bordering the plaza.

          “We were lucky,” Ro murmured as they trotted along the walkway bordered by high windowless buildings. “They’re not used to crime on this planet and even less inclined to expect anyone to break into the parasites' part of the building. Their security methods are designed to add more to the confusion, rather than work efficiently.”

          “There were enough guards around,” Kelly reminded her, still a little shaky, “with really big guns.”

          “Too used to civilian service,” Ro said disdainfully.  “They should have shot us the second they came through the door instead of trying to take us prisoner. We were clearly intruding in a very sensitive area. Amateurs.”

          Kelly wasn’t sure why Ro seemed disdainful of not being shot to death but she accepted that her professional attitude had been offended.  In any event, it didn’t require a return comment and she picked up her pace as they headed back to the hotel where Lt. Wildman was waiting for them.

          “Are they back on board?”

          “Aye, Captain.”

          Janeway frowned, fingers tightening on the armrests of her command chair. It sounded as if there had been a bit of excitement on the surface but she’d have to wait for Ro's breifing before she had the whole story. It was a relief to have her people back and the Wakardi delegation off her ship. They had been beamed back to Wikira Prime at the same time the away team was beaming up. The last of the parasites spawned by Heirra had simply been beamed out of the guest quarters and into the unforgiving vacuum of space

          “Take us out of orbit. Position us around the fifth planet in the system for the time being.”

          “Aye, Captain.”

          As Nog maneuvered her ship out of the circumference of Wikira Prime, Janeway’s eyes swept the bridge, taking note of T’Shanik’s quiet presence at ops and M’Reek handling the tactical console competently. Nonetheless, she knew she wouldn’t feel one hundred percent comfortable until her senior officers back on the bridge. As she waited for Ro and Kelly to discard their disguises, she found herself tapping the comm control.

          “Bridge to Seven of Nine.”

          “Seven here.”

          “Please report to the conference room.”

          “Understood.”

         She glanced over at T’Shanik.  “I want you and Nog to join us in the conference room, Lieutenant. M’Reek, please advise the rest of the senior staff to meet us there.”

          A thin eyebrow lifted slightly, but T’Shanik merely inclined her head and transmitted a request for her backup as Janeway rose from the command chair and strode briskly for the conference room. Inside, she took her place at the head of the table, waiting patiently for the others. As the junior officers found their seats, Ro, Kelly and Wildman arrived from sickbay, accompanied by Dr. Pulaski and Kes. Shortly after, B’Elanna made her way up from engineering. Seven was the last to arrive and pointedly ignored the admonishing look from her spouse. Janeway concluded that she must have had a good reason to be so delayed, though sometimes Seven’s reasons did not always concur with the captain’s opinion of 'good'.

          “Commander Kelly, please report on the away team’s mission,” she ordered once everyone had settled in.

          She remained silent as Kelly told them about the planetary culture and the little adventure they had enjoyed toward the end...though hearing about the breakout of the government building by going through the floor made it somewhat difficult not to comment. Certainly, B’Elanna took the opportunity to mutter something about ‘a certain person’ enjoying herself far too much while out of sight. Ro merely smiled faintly and maintained her attention on Kelly.

          Janeway noted with approval that Kelly delivered her report concisely. There were no elaborations on anything that happened; yet everything was covered in detail. She had come a long way from the sullen, prickly officer that boarded the ship back in the Alpha Quadrant. When she had finished, Janeway stood up and filled the away team in on the events that had happened regarding Heirra, including her near miss and B’Elanna’s close encounter with alien parasites. Beyond a certain tightening of her lips, Ro didn’t react, but Janeway suspected she would have a great deal to say once the meeting was over. After she had finished bringing everyone up to date, she linked her fingers and rested her hands on the table in front of her, exhaling slowly.

          “At this point, we have to consider our next move. Jiidan has made a formal request as per the treaty recently signed between the Confederacy and  the Federation. Do we utilize the process devised by the science section to separate the parasites from their hosts, or do we accept that this is not a situation in which we should interfere? Comments, suggestions?”

          There was a brief pause as they absorbed the information, some looking down at their padds to make sure they had all the pertinent details. Kelly was the first to speak.

          “We know they’re about to swarm. The information Commander Ro uncovered indicates that other planets and other cultures are at risk. How we can stand by and allow it to happen when we have the capability to prevent it?”

          “Forget the parasites for a moment,” Ro added in a reasonable tone. “Suppose we had discovered the Wakardi were planning to invade the Confederacy on their own. Can we remain uninvolved and still honor the treaty?”

          “Ah, but we’re not dealing with one species here,” Pulaski said. “We’re dealing with two, and one is as sentient as the other. The only way to stop them will be to commit genocide, at least as far as this world is concerned. There will be no survivors. The queens will die immediately, and the drones will perish soon after.”

          “This isn’t the entire species,” B’Elanna argued. “This is an invasion force that took over a planet and is now going to use that people as shock troops as they expand. This isn’t the Wakardi choosing to invade, this is the parasites.”

          “But if we disrupt the parasites, we disrupt their entire society,” Kes interjected in her low, musical tone. “It’s not feasible for us to offer assistance in the aftermath. Our mission in the beta quadrant is almost at an end.”

          “Why don’t we just destroy their ships?” Nog piped up. “Then they wouldn’t be able to invade other worlds. A warning buoy will keep any other vessels from entering the system and providing a way to expand.”

          “That would only be a temporary solution,” B’Elanna pointed out. “Once the technology is known, then it can’t be repressed forever.”

          “What are the ethical considerations, here?” Kes leaned forward, brow furrowed.  “Do we have the right to interfere in the way they conduct their culture? Regarding either species?”

          “If we don’t, what are the ethical considerations in allowing some other species be invaded and conquered?” Ro responded. 

          Janeway let the various viewpoints wash over her as her senior staff argued all aspects of the issue. No one was bringing up anything that she hadn’t already considered. Normally hearing her staff hash out a problem solidified her own decision-making process, but in this case, an acceptabe compromise continued to elude her. It wasn’t a matter of right and wrong, or even wrong and less wrong. Both choices seemed equally bad and she wondered if she’d end up flipping a coin.

          She lifted her gaze, meeting the cool blue eyes of her spouse sitting at the other end of the table. Seven was not offering much to the discussion beyond responding to any queries regarding the actual process involved in destroying the parasites. Janeway suspected she would have to corner Seven later in their quarters to get at the truth behind that impassive expression.

          “What about the average citizen who has no idea what’s going on but whose entire life is going to be turned upside down when we destroy their government?”

          Pulaski was getting a bit heated and Janeway glanced at her with a bit of amusement, remembering all too often that temper and sarcastic tone bestowed upon her at the Academy where the doctor had been one of her professors. Still, one shouldn’t win an argument just by being louder, and she spared a warning look in her direction. To her surprise, Pulaski caught it, inclined her head slightly and moderated her tone.

          “There’s a big picture here, and we need at analyze all aspects of it, not just the short term gains. Once it’s done, we can leave the system but they have to live with the consequences.”

          “Perhaps it is not our responsibility," T'Shanik said suddenly.

          “Elaborate,” Seven requested politely, if emphatically, saving Janeway from having to do it.

          “This is the Beta Quadrant. It’s the Confederation Ambassador who's requesting intervention. Logically, it is the Confederation who must aid in the recovery process. It is their solely responsibility.”

          Janeway appreciated the sentiment, but in the end, she knew that wasn't true. Her crew would not provide the Confederation with the process created to disrupt the parasites’ hold on their hosts without her authorization. That really didn’t change no matter how they approached the situation, so she supposed that she was just making time here hoping against hope that somehow, someone would come up with a comment or suggestion that would make her choice crystal clear, that would make the decision an acceptable one.

          “We would not be having this discussion if this was an assimilated planet.”

          Immediately, everyone turned to stare at Seven, such was the power in her quiet words.
          “Members of Starfleet have risked lives and ships to not only rescue individuals, but to prevent them from assimilating more. If there existed a swift and efficient method to block the Collective from their drones, to remove implants without long term damage, it would be used without hesitation, even if millions resided on the planet. There is no question that the Collective is sentient, but their method of expansion is unacceptable to all other lifeforms. The only difference here is the scope and method of the expansion process, not the type of expansion itself.”

          There was pause in the discussion, and on the faces of Pulaski and Kes, troubled expressions...although neither gave voice to their doubts. Janeway regarded her spouse with gratitude. This was an argument that she could accept. Her opinion and her past actions involving the Borg were clear in her mind. The fact that she could have a philosophical discussion with a host...or drone...did not alter the fact that he had not chosen to be a host in the first place. He had been invaded by another species and forced to accede to their needs and demands.

          She cleared her throat. Immediately, everyone focused on her, and she assumed her most confident command expression. “I've heard all your recommendations and will take them under advisement. And I thank you for your insight and compassion regarding this issue.” She dipped her chin. “Dismissed.”

          The junior officers vacated as soon as possible, eager to get back to their posts. Pulaski and Kes remained troubled but quietly gathered their padds before leaving the room. Ro and B’Elanna immediately went to each other and exited with heads bent together in intense conversation, too quiet for Janeway to catch. Kelly merely looked weary as she slipped her padd under her arm, nodded briefly to the captain, and left. Janeway decided she would grant the away team a couple of days off in the wake of their mission, but it would have to wait until they had left the system.

          Janeway smiled faintly at Seven who had remained behind. “Yes, Lieutenant?”

          Seven’s eyes narrowed marginally. “You have already made your decision. You do not need to take anything ‘under advisement’.” They were not questions, merely statements of fact that indicated she had lost none of her ability, despite their recent estrangement, to read Janeway as easily as she did the information on the padd in front of her.

          “In this instance, you’re right. Your comments clarified a great deal for me.” She smiled warmly at her.

          “Thank you.”

          “I will make it a condition to Jiidan that in exchange for utilizing this technique, he and his government will have to dispatch some ships to aid in the recovery of Wakardi. I won’t give the order to proceed until I know those ships are on the way.”

          “And the invasion vessels that have been cached in the mountains?”

          Janeway blinked. “Without the parasites needing to swarm, they probably won’t be used.”

          “Are you so certain of that?”

          Janeway suddenly felt a pang of foreboding. “Why?”

          “According to their history, the Wakardi are extremely aggressive and volatile in nature. Now that they have interstellar travel and no longer have any kind of moderating influence from the parasites, will they return to that behavioral tendency?”

          “I rather hope they’ve learned something in the last fifty years,” Janeway said, somewhat testily.

          “Indeed.”  Seven smiled faintly. “Perhaps they have learned that it is better to be the aggressor than the victim. And perhaps the Confederacy will learn that the immediate solution against one enemy may not be best if it creates yet another.”

          Inside their quarters, Seven tossed a salad and covertly observed Janeway who was sitting on the sofa, her feet up on the coffee table, her head fallen back with her eyes closed. Her uniform tunic had been tossed aside on the chair, and her boots lay askew on the deck beneath her legs. The past few days had been busy, with Jiidan contacting the Confederacy for aid vessels and the science section preparing the procedure for removing the parasites from their hosts. When it was time for the order to be carried out, the only overt reaction came from the planetary news agencies. Their headlines read that a ‘mysterious disease’ had afflicted several members in the government, leaving hundreds dead though thousands had recovered.

          Officials from the lower echelons of the political body took up the slack, and if there was a bit of chaos in the larger cities, it appeared manageable to the remaining government officials. But there was still no revelation about the parasites to the public at large, and Seven wondered who had decided to keep the secret and why. Was it merely to prevent panic, or was it possible that some of the parasites survived? Millennium's sensors hadn’t detected any, but perhaps there was a way to disguise the signature and one of the hosts had utilized it.

          She realized that she had stopped stirring and forced herself to resum her food preparation, making sure the lettuce was evenly covered with the dressing just the way Janeway liked it. If there were more parasites, it would have to be up to the Confederacy to deal with them. Millennium had gone as far as this mission would allow and now it was time to return to their entry point into the Beta Quadrant. After they dropped off Jiidan, they would jump back to the Federation and begin preparation for a new mission in another quadrant. She stole another glance at Janeway. Perhaps that was contributing to the weariness that plagued her spouse. Perhaps a bit of diversion to shake off Janeway's remaining worries was in order.

          Putting aside the salad beneath a stasis wrap to keep it fresh, Seven went over to where her spouse reclined on the cushions.  Putting a hand on either side of Janeway’s shoulders for support, Seven leaned down and covered her mouth with her own, kissing her lightly. Janeway made a small sound at the back of her throat, a tiny hum of pleasure as she returned the kiss with interest.

          “Mmm, what about dinner?”

          “Are you so very hungry?” Seven drew back slightly to look into the eyes shading to blue.

          Janeway smiled slowly, lips drawing back from her teeth in an expression that was both sensual and appreciative. “Perhaps not so much for food at the moment.”

          Seven leaned down once more, her kisses becoming deeply passionate but when Janeway reached for her tunic, she pulled away. “Be still.”

          Janeway lifted a brow, but her smile widened. “Is that a suggestion?” Her voice had become silky. “Lieutenant?”

          “A command,” Seven corrected firmly. She saw the small shiver that went through Janeway in response to the hard note that she injected into her tone and repressed the urge to smile. “Do not resist.”

          “Because it’s futile?”

          “Of course.”

          “Then I shan’t.” Janeway raised her arms and slipped them around Seven’s neck. “Is this all right?”

          “It is permitted.”

          Janeway kissed her lightly. “And this?”

          Seven eyed her suspiciously.  “You are resisting. That it is subtle is irrelevant.”

          “Ah, but subtle has always been my best tactic against the Borg.” Then before Seven quite realized it, the captain utilized a sneaky bit of leverage, flipped her over onto the couch and immediately straddled her, pinning her to the cushions. Perplexed that their positions had reversed so quickly and easily, Seven gazed up into the triumphant expression. Janeway lifted a brow. “But sometimes, one has to be a little less subtle.”

          Seven tensed slightly, wondering if she should test the hold on her before remembering that Janeway had been somewhat passive in their lovemaking since they had reconciled. It was possible that Janeway was merely asserting herself once more, confident that Seven was truly hers. Perhaps it was time for Seven to acknowledge and accept this display of possessiveness as Janeway had accepted hers so many times in recent weeks.

          She relaxed, wondering what her spouse had in mind. From the surprised expression that rippled over Janeway’s face at her abrupt submission, it was clear she didn’t have anything particular in mind and Seven laughed softly.  “Kathryn, I am yours. Do as you will.”

          Janeway grinned ruefully and let go of Seven’s shoulders in order to cup her face in her palms. “You know me so well, darling.” She kissed her with abject tenderness, fingers sliding up to tangle in her hair, loosening from the bun and letting flow free over the arm of the sofa. “And I love you so much.”

          Seven let her body answer, slipping her arms around her and drawing Janeway's body down against her, delighting in its soft weight and rounded curves. Tugging the sweater free from the dark trousers, Seven reached beneath it to touch the skin of Janeway's back, soft and smooth. Massaging the muscles there, she slowly and gently pinpointed a few of the tighter places and smoothed out the tiny knots. Janeway groaned appreciatively against her lips, her tongue moving against Seven’s, tasting her sweetly.

          “Sit up,” Seven whispered.

          Pulling the sweater over Janeway’s head, she tossed it on the deck, and then quickly removed her bra. Fingertips stroked lightly over the slope of her breasts, teasing the tips, firm little swirls around the velvet soft skin. Janeway exhaled audibly and whimpered a little, eyes closed as she concentrated on the sensation. Seven took her time, knowing how much Janeway enjoyed this caress, then lifted up so that she could enhance the pleasure with her mouth, nibbling gently.

          Before long, Janeway was wrestling off Seven’s uniform, as well as the rest of her own, until they were both naked, bodies entwined on the sofa. Seven was almost dizzy as she kissed her, fully involved with tasting and touching her, loving how the way her skin slid over her own.  Janeway rose briefly, breathing heavily as she looked down at Seven.

          “Do you remember on Voyager how Jake would always interrupt us on the sofa?”

          Seven looked at her oddly. “You are thinking of Jake now?”

          Janeway laughed. “Sorry, darling, it just popped into my head.”

          “Obviously, I am not providing enough of a focus for you,” Seven murmured, reaching down to fondle her with precise intent. “I shall rectify that immediately.”

          Slipping over the firm ridge, hot and slick, Seven knew this was the best way to drive all distractions from Janeway’s mind. Manipulating it forcefully, she felt Janeway tremble against her, muttering words, occasionally profane, about how good it felt and how much she loved what Seven did to her. Nothing new, certainly, but definitely appreciated, particularly since the increasing vulgarity of the comments allowed Seven to judge quite accurately when Janeway reached her peak, even if the abrupt shudders of her body were as revealing as her incoherence.

          “Oh, darling.” Her forehead fell onto Seven’s shoulder. “You overwhelm me.”

          “Acceptable.”

          Janeway chuckled and kissed her neck, moving up over her chin and to her mouth where she kissed her deeply. Her hands moved over Seven’s body, probing those sensitive areas, stroking with knowing skill, building her desire. “Roll over,” she whispered hotly into her ear.

          Intrigued, Seven did so as Janeway rose to allow her movement. Lying on her stomach, Seven moaned softly as Janeway lay on top of her, kissing her neck and shoulder blades, then trailing down the ridge of her spine. Seven caught her breath as Janeway found a cushion and slipped it underneath her stomach, lifting her hips. Skilled hands moved over Seven's buttocks, squeezing gently before dipping down to touch the wetness between her legs. Groaning, Seven spread her thighs farther apart, allowing Janeway full access to her intimate region. Her body ached in anticipation as she felt gentle fingers on her, rubbing over  and into her pool of moisture with tender intensity. Seven felt so exposed in this position, so vulnerable to her spouse, and Janeway knew it, murmuring words of love and desire as she stroked her, whispering how much she loved and wanted her. No profanity now, just words as gentle as the touch that probed carefully at her rear orifice, brushing against it, encouraging it to open for her.

          Then she felt Janeway enter her, the long, slender digits thrusting with controlled force, and she cried out, muffling the sound in the upholstery of the sofa. At the same time, Janeway’s other hand came into play, fondling Seven firmly, fingertips moving over her clit in rhythm to the fingers flexing within her. Seven grabbed convulsively at the cushion beneath her, clutching it as the pleasure rose in ever increasing waves and feeling it tear beneath the mesh of her left hand. She resisted her climax for as long as she could, wanting to prologue the pleasure before finally, irresistibly, it swept over her. And as she peaked, her enjoyment was enhanced with the amazement that for all her precise control over her body, far superior to what a human's would be, she was completely helpless beneath Janeway’s touch.

          She rolled over after Janeway carefully withdrew, pulling her down on top of her, wanting and needing to feel the weight of her body on top of her own and for the next ten minutes, did nothing more than kiss each other softly and sweetly, loving each other in the warm afterglow.

          “Do you still wish Jake were here?” Seven asked finally.

          “I didn’t say I wished he was here, merely that making love on the couch brings back some painful memories,” Janeway protested as she settled against Seven, cocooned between her body and the back of the sofa.  “In fact, I’m very glad he’s not here because this was wonderful. You make me feel so good.”  She lifted her hand and rested her fingertips against Seven’s chin as she looked at her.  “But I do wonder what brought this on. You’re not usually so amorous before dinner.”

          “You appeared as if you required diversion,” Seven admitted.

          Startled, Janeway let out a short bark of laughter. “I did? I must cultivate that look for the future.”

          Seven ran her fingers through Janeway’s hair, studying her face intently. “I rather you would not. It was a sad look.”

          “Oh.” Janeway looked thoughtful, clearly trying to remember what she was thinking about prior to Seven’s approach. “I suppose it was, a little. I know I made the right decision today, but the good doctor was correct with her comments about the aftermath. I don’t have to live with it. The Wakardi do.”

          “That is a false assessment. You always live with your decisions, occasionally to your detriment.”

          “You make it sound as if I second guess myself.”

          “No, but you are compassionate and possess empathy for your enemies as you do for your friends. It allows you to immediately acknowledge the consequences of your actions.” Seven glanced at her, a sideways look from the corner of her eye.  “I, on the other hand, possess no empathy for my enemies."
           "Yes, I've seen that with Species 8472," Janeway said, her tone somewhat dry.
           Seven's optical implant lifted slightly. "It is my belief that destroying the parasites was the correct thing to do.”

          “You feel that strongly about it? You didn’t really indicate it in the staff meeting.”

          “I do not feel that strongly about it, but I was convinced from the beginning that the parasites, like the Borg, are incapable of such traits as mercy or compassion. They understand only survival. Everything else is irrelevant.”

          Janeway drew her fingers down Seven’s chest, in the valley between her breasts and down to her stomach where she placed her hand flat on the abdominal muscles, spreading her fingers. Seven felt the warmth of it spread pleasantly through her belly, rekindling a lazy flame of desire that she considered indulging, though she suspected Janeway would be more interested in dinner at this point.

          “Why didn’t you mention this before?”

          Seven considered her answer. “We both agree that I can influence your command more than anyone else on the ship. Since our recent…difficulties…I am increasingly aware of it, and more reluctant to avail myself of it.”

          Janeway rubbed her cheek against Seven’s collarbone, the tactile sensation very pleasant for the Borg. “I always want and need your opinion, darling. Don’t ever hold back on that.”

          Seven nodded. “As I mentioned, I did not feel that strongly about it. I would have supported either decision you made.”

          Janeway started to say something, paused and finally nodded. “That’s all I need to know, love.”

          Seven pulled her closer and kissed her, running her tongue over her bottom lip. “May I delay dinner yet again?”

          Janeway looked surprised, but pleased as well. “I wasn’t aware I needed another diversion.”

          “Perhaps I require it.”

          Janeway nuzzled her neck. “Then, by all means, darling, let me divert you.”

          Janeway wiped a bit of Caesar dressing from the corner of her mouth and slid her empty plate aside. It was deep into the beta shift and they were eating while dressed in robes, their uniforms still scattered over the living area. Across the table, Seven ate in precise, small bites, consuming her salad with little expression. Rising from the table, Janeway took her plate over to the counter and retrieved the main course, a four cheese ravioli in a sun dried tomato sauce with chunks of peppers, onions and mushrooms for texture. She suspected she would regret eating so much this late at night, but her earlier exertions combined with delaying dinner had left her extremely hungry.

          She brought over a plate for Seven as well, seeing that she was almost finished her first course, and resumed her seat at the table. “You never did tell me why you needed a diversion,” she said conversationally as she speared a flavorful square and brought it to her mouth.

          Seven glanced at her, her optical implant lifting slightly. “Do I require a reason?”

          “Not if you don’t want to tell me.

          “That implies I have a reason. Perhaps I do not have one. Perhaps I merely wished to make love.”

          “Ah. Well, I’m certainly not going to complain about that.”
          There was a pause as Seven slipped aside her salad plate and started in on her pasta. Janeway observed her covertly, waiting patiently as she enjoyed her dinner.

          “I will be glad to return to Earth,” Seven said finally, tentatively, and in a tone that indicated she didn’t feel sure of her feelings or where they were coming from.

          “It’s been a tough mission,” Janeway agreed quietly.

          “I miss Gretchen and Phoebe and Jake. Will we have a six month leave this time rather than only a three month reprieve?”

          This wasn’t like Seven, but Janeway did allow that the last couple of months had been more difficult than normal. She knew she was still tender from it so it wasn’t surprising that Seven was as well. She reached across the table and entwined her fingers with Seven's, stroking the back of her hand with her thumb. Part of being sent out early after the last mission was to get them away back into space and away from the Orion Syndicate, though Headquarter's decision had accomplished little but made a target of Janeway's family. It had also worn a bit on the crew. A six-month leave was the least Starfleet could do for them.

          “I’ll make sure of it,” she promised. She squeezed Seven’s figures lightly. “We’ll spend the first month on a deserted island catching up, just you and me.”

          Seven smiled briefly. “Only a month?”

          “Maybe two or three.” Janeway tilted her head, sobering. “Darling, what’s really bothering you? Please, tell me.”

          Seven shook her head, frustration edging her expression. “I am not entirely sure, Kathryn. I have been speaking to Kes lately about my actions regarding Gretchen and Phoebe’s kidnapping and it has left me feeling discomforted.”

          Janeway blinked, first at the news that Seven was seeing the ship’s counselor, though it wasn’t the first time she had availed herself of that option when dealing with personal problems, and then at the reason.  “I...see. Have you reached any conclusions?” Though uncomfortable with the imprecise science of psychology, she accepted it, and even used it professionally in her own interactions with the crew. But she wasn’t on firm ground when it was applied to personal feelings, hers or Seven's.

          “Kes has offered the theory that as I evolve in my emotional growth, I will sometimes lapse into a stage that was initially bypassed during my time as a Borg.”

          “Indeed.” Janeway settled back into her chair and sipped at her wine. She couldn’t wait to hear this. “In what way?”

          “My reaction to not convincing you to return to the Alpha Quadrant was immediate and adolescent in nature. Kes noted that perhaps I was ‘acting out’ as a…” Seven faltered and looked ashamed.

          “As a…what?”
          “As a teenager would.”

          Janeway almost laughed. “Why do I suddenly feel like a ‘dirty old woman’? You’ve always been younger than me, but honestly, Annika, a teenager?”

          “I do not mean that I have become a teenager,” Seven said somewhat testily, “merely that my emotional development occasionally encounters a temporary hindrance that displays itself in inappropriate behavior.”

          Janeway was warned by Seven’s tone that this was a sensitive issue and she damped down her amusement. “I suppose that’s a logical assessment. What does it mean in the long term?”

          “I assume that as I continue to evolve, I will cease any such behavioral digressions.” Seven paused, a furrow appearing between her brows as she thought about it. “Though that has not been my impression when observing humans.”

          “What do you mean?”

          “Many adults that I met on Voyager have acted immaturely. B’Elanna, for example, and Tom Paris and Harry Kim.  Indeed, your own behavior on occasion, could be deemed ‘adolescent’ yet none of you experienced any interruption in your emotional development as I have.”

          “My behavior?” Janeway started to demand examples, but stopped when she realized Seven would undoubtedly have a embarrassment of riches to offer. “I suppose we all regress at times. You shouldn’t feel as if you’re unusual in that way.”

          “I do not want it to happen again.”

          Janeway swirled some wine around in her mouth, letting its flavor and texture rest on her tongue, not only to appreciate it, but also to buy herself a little time before she had to respond to that. Finally, she swallowed. “Then I suppose the next time you feel overwhelmed by your emotions, you’ll have to take a few moments to consider how you'll respond. Just think before you act.”

          Seven appeared taken aback. “I always think before I act.”

          Janeway knew she couldn’t respond to that, not in any manner that wouldn’t land her in an amazing amount of trouble. As Seven stared at her, Janeway merely took another sip of wine and smiled brightly. “What’s for dessert?”

          Later, in bed, after logging them both off duty for the next day, she snuggled up to Seven’s side, head on her shoulder. Taking some time off was the only way she would accumulate enough sleep at this point. Besides, Kelly had refused a day off after her away mission so Janeway figured a day without the captain looking over her shoulder would be the next best thing.

          “Darling?”

          Seven squeezed her lightly. “Yes, Kathryn?”

          “Do you confer with Kes often?”

          “Not as much as I did Sek,” Seven replied, “but the situation between us has left me so unsettled that I felt the need for professional counseling. I have had four sessions with her over the past two days.” She nuzzled Janeway’s hair. “Does this disturb you? I know you are uncomfortable with the need for such services.”

          “Only for myself, love.” Janeway was quick to reassure her. “I definitely believe that if you require such assistance, you must avail yourself of it. That’s why the ship carries a counselor, after all.”

          Seven drew a fingertip along Janeway’s cheek. “Why are you so reluctant to utilize counseling for yourself? You have never really explained that to me.”

          Janeway exhaled gustily. “God, Annika, I don’t really know. I suppose it’s just a generalized suspicion for a science that lacks precision, and a reluctance to be that open with anyone, particularly someone who, at the end of the day, is under my command.”

          “But you will not utilize it on Earth, either, with someone who is not in your crew.”

          “Ah, but then it’s always a Starfleet councilor who wants to see me, which means my professional status is in question. Why would I be comfortable with that?”

          “There are always civilian professionals.”

          “Are you suggesting that I need counseling?” Janeway felt a prickle of defensiveness.

          “I feel that availing yourself of that option would help you, as it has helped me,” Seven replied evenly. “I am the only one with whom you can be vulnerable, particularly while on the ship. Speaking with Kes would have assisted you immensely during this recent time when I was…away.”

          Janeway swallowed back her immediate response. “I understand that, but just because something works for you, Annika doesn’t mean it will work for me.”

          Seven was silent a few seconds and then she hugged her gently. “I do not mean to make you angry, Kathryn.”

          “I’m not angry,” Janeway said, somewhat sheepishly. “Just…resistant.” She lifted her head and kissed Seven’s neck, the skin soft and smooth beneath her lips. “And I wasn’t entirely alone, darling. I had people who felt compelled to offer me their advice and opinion during that time.”

          “You did?” Seven sounded surprise.

          Janeway supposed she should have expected that. Her reticence with confiding in her crew regarding personal issues was well established. “Both Ro and Pulaski took the time to speak with me and lend a shoulder.”

          “Was it helpful?”

          “Yes, it was.” Surprisingly so, Janeway thought ruefully. She wasn’t ready to grant Ro or Pulaski the same intimate access that Seven had, but she couldn’t deny that perhaps those moments of friendship during a very dark time had kept her functional when, otherwise, it would have been far more difficult.

          “You must thank them.”

          “Hmm, I will. We’ll invite them to dinner and I’ll let them enjoy your cooking. That’s true gratitude.”

          “Kathryn.” Seven’s squeeze and tone were both admonishing and Janeway laughed.

          “Darling, true friendship doesn't require a thank you for certain things. Just the fact I allowed it meant I needed both it and them. They know that.”

          They lay in companionable silence for a moment before Seven drew her knuckles lightly over Janeway’s nipple, which responded immediately. Janeway was charmed, if a little surprised. “Darling? Still?”

          “I am amorous this evening,” Seven admitted, almost shyly.

          Janeway stretched, feeling the sliver of desire ripple through her, and turned to her spouse, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her close. “Perhaps you’re developing a cycle similar to mine,” she murmured and kissed her deeply.

          Seven made a small sound of delight. “Perhaps I am. Though if our cycles coincide, there will be one day a month where we shall simply be unable to leave the bed.”

          “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

          Seven returned her kiss hotly. “It would be. I would rather have two days a month where we need each other beyond reason rather than one.”
          Janeway couldn’t argue with that.

Epilogue

          Ro studied B’Elanna as she puttered around their quarters and wondered if this was a part of ‘nesting’ behavior.  She couldn’t remember B’Elanna ever ‘puttering’ before, but she couldn’t come up with any other term for it.

          “Are you sure you’re all right?”

          B’Elanna glanced over her shoulder at her. “I’m fine.”

          There was just a hint of testiness in her tone that indicated Ro had asked her one too many times. But she had been worried when she heard about Seven tossing her aside while saving Janeway from the parasites. Despite both Pulaski and B’Elanna’s reassurances, she remained fearful for her partner and their baby. She wondered if she would feel this way during the entire pregnancy, and was deathly afraid she would feel this way for the entire life of the child.

          B’Elanna took another look at her and Ro’s expression must have revealed something because she came over and sat down next to her on the couch. “What’s wrong?”

          “I guess this mission was a bit tough on me.”

          B’Elanna looked a little surprised, either at the admission or the fact that Ro seemed so vulnerable. “It was that hard on the surface?”

          “Just being away from you,” Ro admitted. “Especially when I got back and heard what had happened to you.”

          B’Elanna cupped her face in her palms, looking into her eyes. “I’m fine,” she repeated with intensity. “The baby’s fine. It’s all right.”

          Ro sighed. “I know. It just...it shook me, you know?”

          "I know." B’Elanna kissed her and they settled back onto the cushions, curled together. “Is there anything else?”

          “Maybe just this situation with the parasites. It actually surprised me that the captain authorized the project. I really thought she would…I don’t know…let her compassion rule her judgment more.” Ro shrugged. “Just goes to show that just when I think I know her, she still surprises me.”

          “What would you have done?”

          “Huh?”

          “If you were captain, what would you have decided?”

          Ro considered it. “Well, my initial reaction would have been to pull the trigger as soon as we had a proper weapon against them, but I’ve been around Janeway long enough to know that wouldn’t have been the right decision. At least, not until I had a lot more information.”

          “You don’t agree with the decision now?” B’Elanna was surprised.

          “I don’t know.” Ro peered into the clear depths of her spring wine. “I guess that’s why I’m not the captain.”

          “One day,” B’Elanna told her.

          Ro chuckled. “Need to be first officer first.”
         B'Elanna merely smiled quietly.

The End
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