CHAPTER 27

“I’ll be damned!” Admiral Paris fell back in his chair in amazement. With an effort he pulled his gaze back to the woman on his COMM screen. “Dr. Pedersen, I don’t mean to impugn your word, but are you absolutely certain? What you’re telling me has far-reaching implications for not only Starfleet but the entire Federation as well.”

“We’re as certain as we can be, Admiral. We’ve had the processor up and running at 120% nominal for over three weeks and haven’t been able to get so much as a twitch in the data streams. We’ve thrown every type of radiation and thermal variances at it, even simulated a plasma spill and the processor has worked above expectations. Coupled with the deflector interface enhancements everything we need to build a prototype is ready. I held off notifying Starfleet just to make sure that I wasn’t going to get everyone’s hopes up for another false alarm. Admiral, we’ve got it. For the first time a working slipstream drive is possible.”

“I still can’t believe it. We’ve worked so long on faster-than-warp technology and every time we’ve failed utterly. And now, out of the blue, after just a couple of months, you’re telling me that Dr. Hansen has developed precisely what we’ve been missing to make the drive work. Forgive me if I’m a bit stunned.”

“We’re all stunned, Admiral. When she came to me and told me that she had the processor and deflector interfaces working you could have knocked me over with a feather. But I went to her lab and I watched the simulations and I’ve overseen the beta testing and the processor speeds are solid. She’s really done it.”

“All right, Dr. Pedersen. I’ll notify our TPG and we’ll develop some joint testing protocols and go from there. I’m assuming that a representative of our TPG won’t have any security problems at your facility?”

“Just let us know who’s coming and they’ll have full access, Admiral. Our aim has always been to cooperate with Starfleet in the development of the drive. You know as well as I do that Dr. Hansen has a personal interest in the drive’s success. It’s been the single biggest motivating factor in her research. In fact, she’s most eager to get started on a prototype. I’m sure you can understand.”

“Only too well. Thank you for notifying us so quickly. I’ll be back in touch fairly soon with details about the joint testing. And if I forgot to say it earlier, on behalf of Starfleet, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. Please extend those congratulations to Dr. Hansen as well.”

“I will, Admiral. And we’ll be looking forward to hearing from TPG. Good bye.”

Disconnecting the COMM link, Paris leaned back again and stared out his window at the morning sun sparkling on the waters of San Francisco Bay. Seven of Nine had done it. Two months at MIT-Daystrom and she’d built the processor and deflector interfaces they’d needed to control a stable slipstream corridor. But the politics! The Federation Council had adamantly refused to allow Seven to work on Starfleet projects in spite of the arguments of most of the Fleet Admiralty. Even Admiral Quinn’s succinct arguments had failed to sway them. And now she’d gone ahead in a civilian facility and developed what Starfleet should have developed in-house. The only bright point in all of it was that Seven was willing to build the prototype in conjunction with Starfleet. Not even the most obdurate politicians could deny that. She could have contracted with a civilian shipyard to build her prototype. The financial rewards of doing so would have been staggering. The effect of her breakthrough would touch every part of the quadrant – no, the galaxy. Because of it, Starfleet vessels would now be able to journey to the farthest reaches of the galaxy and return in days instead of decades and in fairly short order so would civilian ships.

Shaking his head he swung back to his terminal and began writing the memo that would turn Starfleet on its ear the moment he sent it.

* * * * *

An hour and a half later, a distinguished looking middle aged woman presented herself at the reception desk of MIT-Daystrom and introduced herself in a clipped voice as she presented her Starfleet credentials.

“Leah Brahms to see Dr. Annika Hansen.”

The stunned receptionist nodded and hit the COMM button for the Director’s office.

“Dr. Pedersen? I have Dr. Brahms from TPG here to see Dr. Hansen. I’m updating her security clearances now.”

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

As the receptionist handed Dr. Brahms her updated security passes moments later Dr. Pedersen appeared and greeted her warmly.

“Leah, it’s good to see you again.”

“Gaeka, how have you been? I understand your Dr. Hansen has made the breakthrough we’ve all been working on. Which way is her lab?”

Pedersen chuckled. “You never did enjoy small talk, did you? Yes, I believe she has something you’ll be very interested in. Come along and I’ll introduce you.”

Several minutes later, Seven’s lab assistants were standing frozen in place as Drs. Pedersen and Brahms swept into the lab and greeted Seven.

“So, I understand you’ve got the processor and deflector interfaces we need to make a slipstream drive work. What were the tolerances you used in your preliminary testing?”

“Our goal was an extended test protocol at 105% of projected tolerances. We have since extended that to over 126.83% of the original projections with no failure in interface or processing rate. The datastream remained stable even at the higher stress levels.”

“What were the external variables applied during the extended test protocols?”

“I have the complete logs of the protocols in my office. You may review them there.”

“I will. Dismiss your lab assistants. I’ll want to recreate the testing without any outside interference.” Without another word, Brahms strode into the office.

Seven nodded at her lab staff and pointed to the doorway. “Secure the lab when you leave. I’ll contact you when we have finished.” Nodding her thanks to Dr. Pedersen, she followed Dr. Brahms to her workstation.

Six hours later Pedersen’s assistant buzzed her COMM link in a panic.

“I don’t know what to do. I have Admirals Paris and Patterson trying to contact Dr. Brahms and Captain Janeway trying to contact Dr. Hansen and neither of them is responding. In fact, they’ve programmed the COMM system to forward all their calls to our office! What do you want me to do with them?”

Knowing how total Leah Brahms’s focus could be once she began research, she told her assistant to put the calls through. Apparently, Seven of Nine has the same complete focus on the task at hand. The two of them together will either astound the galaxy with their discoveries or kill each other in short order. I wonder if I should send some sort of food in to them. Would they even notice if I did? Chuckling, she turned to her COMM unit.

“Good evening, gentlemen. What can I do for you?”

Owen Paris spoke first. “Is Dr Brahms there? According to her office, she just disappeared mid-morning and nobody has seen her since.”

“Yes, Admiral, she’s here. She and Dr. Hansen have been locked in Dr. Hansen’s lab all day running test protocols of the new processor and interface. I was just contemplating if I ought to have some food delivered to the lab in the hopes of getting them to eat something.”

“I don’t suppose you have any idea when they’ll finish up?”

“Not a clue, Admiral. But knowing Leah as I do, it won’t be until she is absolutely satisfied of the processor’s solidity or she gets it to crash.”

“So what do you think would be the best way for us to monitor the testing?”

“You’re welcome to come out here. If need be, you can sleep on the second sofa in my office.”

Paris laughed at her comment. “The second sofa?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be sleeping on the first one. No way in hell am I going home with Leah Brahms and Annika Hansen locked up together in one of my labs testing the single biggest advance in propulsion since Zefram Cochrane fired up The Phoenix. I’ll be here until they either walk out and announce that it works or blow up the lab. You’re welcome to wait with me.”

Admiral Patterson cut in and asked if there was another sofa nearby before they agreed to meet Pedersen at the Institute in time for dinner. She ended the call and hailed her assistant.

“Is Captain Janeway still trying to reach Dr. Hansen? Put her through, then. Captain? Hello! I’m sorry, but your wife is locked in her lab with Leah Brahms testing the new processor. No, I haven’t any idea how long they’ll be. Well, Admirals Paris and Patterson are coming in to wait with me; there’s a wonderful seafood place not far from here where we’re going for dinner. If you can make it by 1830 hours, why don’t you join us? Fine. I’ll expect you then.”

Chuckling at the thought of the Starfleet invasion that was coming, she went back to work before a sudden thought brought her up short. Hailing her assistant, she requested that representatives from their legal department meet with her immediately.

* * * * *

These tolerances just can’t be tweaked any further. That’s it; I have officially failed in my duty to provide the sensor warning we’ll need if the Borg manage to get themselves organized enough to invade. God, I hope Kathryn and Seven weren’t exaggerating when they told me what they’d done on Voyager. If they were we’re in big trouble.

Elizabeth Shelby shook her head in frustration and gave one more fruitless effort to tighten the sensor tolerances. Once again they failed. Not that it came as a surprise at this point.

Swiveling around in her desk chair, she gazed unseeing at the vista of San Francisco Bay laid out before her. Her mind roiled with data, test protocols, holographic parameters and visions of Borg cubes materializing around Earth. Finally she reached a decision and tapped her COMM badge.

“Shelby to Admiral Nechayev.”

“Nechayev here, Commander.”

“Admiral, I know it’s late, but would you have a few moments to meet with me?”

“Of course, Commander. Come right up.”

“Thank you, Admiral.”

“Nechayev out.”

Shelby gathered her data PADDS, squared her shoulders and walked out of her office to admit her failures to the Starfleet operations commander of the Terran sector. What happened after she did could affect many millions of lives. Arriving at Nechayev’s office suite she announced herself to the Admiral’s aide and was shown into the office.

“Good evening, Admiral. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Not at all, Commander. What can I do for you?”

“I’d like to go over some of the preliminary test data on the sensor net arrays.” She handed the older woman a PADD and settled back in her seat while it was read and absorbed.

“So, we haven’t had much luck yet. What’s our next move?” inquired the Admiral after finishing the data logs.

Shelby shifted uneasily in her chair. What she said now could well mean the end of not only her career but of many other notable ones as well. Not to mention the distinct possibility of a long stay in a penal colony. She was saved from self-incrimination by Nechayev’s quiet voice.

“It’s never going to work, is it, Elizabeth?”

She gave a deep sigh before she responded. “No, Admiral, it isn’t. I’ve configured the array in every conceivable way and we still won’t get the warning we need. We’re defenseless against a Borg incursion. And unless something changes very quickly, we’ll remain so. Our technology just isn’t up to the job.”

Nechayev leaned back in her chair and gazed up at the ceiling, contemplating her next words carefully. “So, we’ve exhausted every official protocol and we still can’t protect the quadrant from the Borg. Are there any… unofficial… protocols that you’re aware of we might utilize?”

This was it. The moment of truth. “There might be. I’ve been reliably informed that some… non-traditional means… might be successful where we haven’t been.”

“’Non-traditional means’? Don’t fence with me, Elizabeth. What’s Janeway got up her sleeve?”

“Seven of Nine, Admiral. Her enhancements to their sensor array on Voyager allowed them to literally dial in on Borg power signatures sectors ahead. Her algorithms allowed them to scan ahead and safely traverse the Delta quadrant and her shield enhancements allowed them to defend themselves against the Borg. I know the Federation Council isn’t thrilled with the idea of her working for Starfleet, but Admiral, she may be the only means we have of defending ourselves.”

Nechayev rubbed her forehead and frowned mightily. “God, I never dreamed I’d ask a Borg for help defending the quadrant. But she’s proven herself enough for Janeway to lay her career on the line for her. I suppose that should tell me what I need to know.”

“Admiral, Captain Janeway and Seven of Nine can explain things far better than I can. Why don’t I send for them?”

Nechayev laughed bitterly and handed Shelby a half sheet of paper. “This communiqué just arrived from Cambridge. Drs. Annika Hansen and Leah Brahms are currently testing a new processor and deflector array interface which will allow Starfleet to build its first quantum slipstream drive. Paris and Patterson are on site waiting for final results. Your Seven of Nine won’t be available for a while.”

“I’d think that if Seven was working in her lab that Captain Janeway would be available. Why don’t I hail her and ask?”

“By all means, Elizabeth. Get her here. We need help and we’re running out of time.”

* * * * *

“Captain Janeway and Commander McDeere to see Dr. Pedersen.”

“Of course, Captain, Commander. If you’ll follow me please?” The security guard at the reception desk escorted them to the Director’s office suite and left them in the care of the assistant seated there. She promptly ushered them into the Director’s office where Admirals Patterson and Paris and Dr. Pedersen were chatting.

“Ah! Captain Janeway. You made good time. Our reservation isn’t for half an hour yet.”

“Dr. Pedersen, Admirals; it’s good to see you again. May I introduce my First Officer, Commander Jordan McDeere?”

“I remember Commander McDeere quite well. Although I believe, it was Ensign McDeere back then. Plasma Dynamics, wasn’t it? You and another doctoral candidate just couldn’t take our word for it that anti-matter containment tolerances were that tight,” commented Dr. Pedersen.

McDeere blushed furiously as both Admirals and her commanding officer looked at her questioningly. “Well, at least we only blew out the storage locker. Jonathan had wanted to try it in the full lab.” Laughter echoed around the office as the others gathered coats and prepared to leave for the restaurant. McDeere and Pedersen spoke of mutual friends as Paris and Patterson had a quiet word aside with Captain Janeway.

“Good choice with McDeere, Kathryn. She’s long overdue to get back into the Fleet.”

“She’s a good fit, sir, and I’m glad to have her. So, has there been any word from our lab rats?”

“Dr. Pedersen beamed some Chinese carry out in to them about half an hour ago, but there’s been no contact from inside the lab.” Patterson shrugged into his uniform greatcoat as he continued. “We’re monitoring the testing as best we can from out here but none of us knows how long Dr. Brahms will abuse the processor before she decides it’ll work. We’re just waiting like everyone else.”

Janeway laughed quietly. “As much as I’m glad Seven made the breakthrough, I’m not sure I’m happy that she’ll be working with TPG on the prototype. The only other person in the quadrant who works as long as she does when she’s immersed in research is Leah Brahms. The two of them working together means I may not see my wife again for months.”

Paris grinned. “Not particularly good news for newlyweds, eh?”

Janeway winced ruefully. “No, it’s not.”

Dinner was pleasant and the restaurant everything that Gaeka Pedersen had promised. Halfway through her lobster tails, Janeway told the story of Seven’s first date on Voyager and her difficulty in dealing with ‘exoskeletons’. By the time she finished, Admiral Patterson had begun to choke with laughter and McDeere had to thump him on the back a few times to get him breathing again.

When they returned to the Institute, there was still no word from the secured lab. Janeway tried to break through the security shield on the COMM system using several tricks Seven had taught her and finally, after nearly half an hour a brief message flashed across Pedersen’s COMM unit.

Kathryn –

Stop attempting to breach my security encryptions; you will not succeed. Testing goes well. Dinner was not as good as Xinh Xao’s. Do not worry; I will speak with you tomorrow.

Seven.

“Well, at least we know one of them is still alive. That’s good news,” commented Admiral Patterson.

“So are the three of you planning on staying here until they come out?” asked Janeway.

“I can’t speak for the Admirals, but I’m not leaving until they do. This is too important to the Institute for me not to be here.”

“And it’s too important to Starfleet for us not to be here.”

“Well then, I guess I’d better take my wife’s advice and head home. I’ll be in my offices tomorrow. Somebody call me when they come up for air, will you?”

With that, Janeway and McDeere took their leave, walking through the frigid Cambridge winter’s night to the transport station, their breath frosting in the still air as they discussed their covert plans to equip the fleet. As they entered the transport station Janeway’s COMM badge chirped.

“Shelby to Captain Janeway.”

Kathryn looked at her First Officer with a wry grin. “This can’t be good news.”  Tapping her badge she answered the hail. “Janeway here, Commander. What can I do for you?”

“How fast can you get to Headquarters? Admiral Nechayev and I would like to meet with you.”

“McDeere and I are in the transport station in Cambridge now. We can be there in a few minutes.”

“I’ll inform the Admiral. We’ll meet in her office suite. Shelby out.”

Jordan grinned at her C.O. “You can always count on Starfleet to change your plans.” They stepped on the pads and requested Starfleet Headquarters.

* * * * *

“Enter!”

Janeway and McDeere stepped through the doorway of Admiral Nechayev’s office and came to attention in front of her desk.

“At ease, ladies. Shelby went back to her office to get some additional test data.” Nechayev rose and waved them over to a conversation area as her aide entered with a large pot of fresh coffee. “I have to agree with Kate Pulaski, Jordan; the red of command does look better on you than staff gold ever did.”

“Thank you, Admiral. It feels good to be wearing it again.”

“Captain Janeway, help yourself to coffee. If I remember correctly you’re a tea drinker too aren’t you, Jordan? The samovar is hot. Why don’t you get us some tea? I’ll have the Kusmi Zubrovka blend and there’s some Earl Grey as well.” As the women settled into the comfortable chairs with their drinks, Shelby walked in carrying several PADDs.

“Oh good, you’re here.” She began handing the PADDs around. “These are the latest sensor net simulation results. Read them over quickly while I get something to drink.”

Nechayev was familiar with the data already, but Janeway and McDeere took a moment to read over the reports as Shelby fixed herself a cup of coffee and joined them. She spoke first.

“As you can see, we haven’t been successful in configuring our sensor arrays to give any kind of meaningful warning on the opening of Borg transwarp exit apertures. The net technology is simply not sensitive enough to pick up the tri-quantum waves early enough.”

“We’d suspected as much when we first spoke about configuring the arrays,” said Janeway neutrally.

“I’ve informed Admiral Nechayev earlier this evening that I’ve failed in my charge to configure our quadrant sensor arrays. There is no known protocol I can use to make them work as we need them to. Admiral, at this point I’d appreciate it if you would tell Captain Janeway and Commander McDeere what you told me.”

“I’ll do better than that, Shelby. Captain Janeway, I owe you and your wife my deepest apologies. I allowed my personal pain to interfere with my duty and what should have been impartial judgments of who and what was best suited to protect this quadrant from a Borg incursion. The politicians won’t change their minds until they’re looking at an armada of Borg cubes in orbit around Earth. But we need to act now before there is an actual threat. So, Captain Janeway, I’m sorry. Whenever I have the opportunity, I’ll apologize to your wife as well. Starfleet needs your help and we need it very soon. Will you help us?”

Janeway hesitated a moment, reluctant to reveal the other officers involved in their plans. “What would you have us do, Admiral?”

“I suspect that your wife can supply us with the schematics for quite a bit of the illegal hardware, weapons and armor with which Voyager arrived back home. The same weaponry, shields and propulsion that got you through a Borg transwarp hub safely.”

“That technology was declared illegal by the Department of Temporal Affairs and Investigations and destroyed, Admiral.”

“It won’t be illegal if Seven re-invents it. We’ll bring the politicians and Temporal Affairs around eventually, but what do you need from me right now, Captain?”

“Give us a free hand in refitting the fleet we’re sending against the Borg. Assign Seven to the refit team as a civilian consultant and keep the pencil-pushers and bean counters off our backs so we can equip the fleet to survive against the Borg.”

“Done. Effective tomorrow morning, in addition to your duties as Fleet Commander, Kathryn, you’ll be named Director of Special Projects at Utopia Planetia Shipyards. You’ll answer only to me and you’ll have only one special project: the outfitting of our battle fleets to go against the Borg. Anything else?”

“I’d like Admirals Patterson and Paris brought on board. Their directorates can give us some critical support.”

“I’ll take care of that first thing tomorrow. If I might suggest Admirals Ross and Chapman as well? Both of their directorates will be able to contribute to the project. Admiral Quinn will support you in whatever you need as well. Do you think it’s too early to bring your fellow Fleet Captains on board with your plans?”

Janeway flushed slightly. “They’re already committed to the project, Admiral. They have been since we first thought of it.”

“So you and your fellow Fleet Captains were prepared to be charged with mutiny rather than go along with Starfleet policies?”

“Admiral, sometimes Starfleet needs to be saved from itself. And I’ve been reliably informed that it’s not mutiny, it’s barratry.”

Nechayev looked at McDeere and gave a small smile. “Commander, you’ve only been re-instated for a couple of days. You were on board with this hair-brained scheme too?”

Jordan grinned and said only, “Admiral, I’ve already been tried for mutiny. I figured barratry was a step up. Besides, it doesn’t take a plasma physicist to figure out that if we tried to go up against the Borg equipped with only current technology we’d be assimilated pretty quickly. That wasn’t my idea of a good time either.”

The diminutive admiral turned back to her new Special Projects Director. “Anything else you’ll need, Captain?”

“I’d like to include Captain Martin in our plans. He’s the new security chief at Utopia Planetia; he can do a lot to insure that what shouldn’t be seen won’t be.”

“Very well. Do you want my office to handle that or will you see to it?”

“I’d like to take care of it myself. Jordan, can you think of anything else we’ll need right away?”

McDeere shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Nechayev recognized the signs immediately and stepped in.

“Out with it, Commander. Now is not the time to be hesitant.”

“Admiral, we can’t go through Logistics and Supply for this. Lieutenant Commander Nixon and Lieutenant DiCampo are both political animals. Their priorities will always be to their careers first and Starfleet second. I don’t mean to impugn their loyalty, but I don’t think they can be trusted with a secret this critical either.”

“Acknowledged, Commander. What would you suggest?”

“Give me Ensign Chase from L&S and let me use Ensign Radcliffe occasionally. With the two of them I can handle the materials acquisitions for the refit. I won’t have that much to do before Boudicca is ready for space trials anyway.”

“Jordan, are you sure? That’s a huge job.” Janeway was worried that her new first Officer was taking on too much.

“Don’t worry, Captain. Ensign Chase is extremely competent. Nixon has never realized that; neither has DiCampo. Believe me; she’s more than capable of keeping the requisitions flowing like they’ll need to. With Radcliffe’s help we can do it.”

“She’ll be reassigned in the morning as well. I assume we’ll keep this all back channel? How are you communicating?”

“My aide is encrypting notes in regular transmissions.”

“Send him up here in the morning and have him take me through the encryption process. Once I get it down, I’ll teach the other admirals. How soon can we expect Seven to be ready to transfer in?”

“She and Dr. Brahms are running preliminary testing on the new processor right now. I assume once Dr. Brahms is satisfied, she’ll move quickly to get a prototype under construction. I would think Seven would be transferring to TPG on Mars fairly soon.” She turned to Shelby. “I’ll have her download the sensor schematics first thing, Commander. That will give you the time you need to upgrade the arrays and get them configured like they’ll need to be.”

Shelby nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Captain. And thank Seven for me.”

“Will she be able to assist in the refit and work on the slipstream drive as well?” queried Nechayev.

“Sometimes I think Seven is capable of almost anything. But yes, I believe she can. She can help my Engineering Chief with the initial schematics and that will get us started. I don’t believe that it will take TPG a long time to get a prototype drive up and working. Once they’re in space trials Seven will have more time to help us.”

“All right. That seems to cover everything. If you run up against any problems we haven’t thought of contact me immediately. We’re going to need every minute we can get to equip the fleets properly. If you need more staff at the shipyards or anything else any of you can think of, let me know. Clear?”

“Yes, sir!” chorused all three women. In minutes Janeway and McDeere were walking through the doors of Starfleet Headquarters and into the cool San Francisco night.

“Do you have to go back to Mars tonight? I didn’t even ask…where are you living, Jordan?”

“I’m in BOQ at Utopia Planetia. Have been since I was posted to Supply. It was just easier that way.”

Janeway grinned up at the taller woman. “Well, you outrank everybody else in the BOQ now I’d guess. Why don’t we get you some suitable quarters off base tomorrow? I can’t have my First Officer living in a dorm like an Academy cadet. Doesn’t look good.”

McDeere chuckled quietly. “Aye, Captain.”

“In the meantime, you’re welcome to spend the night at our place. We’ve got a couple of guest rooms and when I’m alone there I always feel like I’m rattling around.”

“You sure it’s no trouble?”

“Not a bit. There’s no need to wait for the last shuttle. We can go back in the morning. I might even be able to dig up a couple of drinks if you’d like. And it’s time you called me Kathryn.”

“Aye aye, Captain. Lead on.”

* * * * *

The next morning, McDeere and Janeway stopped at a local bistro for breakfast before they headed for the transport center and their morning shuttle to Mars. When they arrived in the office, McDeere sat down with Radcliffe and set about acquiring quarters suitable for her restored rank and Janeway took a conference call from Admiral Nechayev’s office regarding the armaments for the Fleet.

Once Ethan had the commander in touch with the proper staff at base housing, he turned his attentions to getting Harry Kim and Tom Paris billeted at the Vulcan Institute for a month-long Advanced Tactical training class. Tuvok had arranged for them to be included in the next available session and they were scheduled to depart on a transport the next morning. Radcliffe was also neck deep in insuring that his favorite flower girl had adequate care while her father was on Vulcan and her mother was overseeing Voyager’s engineering refit at the shipyards; although from what Commander McDeere told him she would soon be overseeing far more than just that.

The plans he’d put together involved moving the lieutenant and Miral into temporary quarters on Mars where he, Karri Jameson, and Max could pitch in if they were needed. While he hadn’t asked, he suspected that Captain Janeway wouldn’t have a problem with Miral spending half an hour or so in the office occasionally if the situation warranted. After all, Miral was special to all of them.

When he was satisfied that his plans for Miral were acceptable, he forwarded his proposal to Lieutenant Torres and checked on the status of things at MIT-Daystrom. He delivered a fresh pot of coffee and the MIT-Daystrom status update to the captain and a pot of tea to the exec before heading to his meeting with Admiral Nechayev.

The Admiral proved to be a quick study and had mastered the encryption algorithms fairly quickly. The lessons would have been absorbed even more rapidly had not Radcliffe been completely intimidated by the daunting Vice-Admiral and spent a considerable amount of time stuttering his instructions. Nechayev did not seem to mind; in fact, she seemed mildly amused at the entire process. Terrorizing ensigns appeared to be one of her favorite pastimes.

On his way back to the transport center, he stopped by the COMM center and put in yet another status query to MIT-Daystrom. Coffee, tea and breakfast had been beamed in around 0830 hours and the empty pots and cups beamed back out a half hour later. Dr. Pedersen and the Admirals had taken this as a good sign that both researchers were still functional and Radcliffe promised to relay the information back to Captain Janeway immediately on his arrival back at their Mars offices.

Moments after he reported back in and passed the current status report to Janeway, Ensign Chase arrived carrying a transport tote with her personal items and sporting a wide grin. Radcliffe introduced himself and helped her settle her things in the outer office opposite his. Commander McDeere stuck her head in to welcome their latest recruit.

“Welcome aboard, Chase.”

“Thank you, Commander. You’ll never know how grateful I am for you getting me out of L&S.”

“And how did Lieutenant Commander Nixon react to news of your new assignment?”

Chase grinned from ear to ear. “Total warp core breach. He threatened me with disciplinary action until Admiral Nechayev called him and informed him that I was being assigned to a top secret project that was above his clearance level. Then he just got pissed off and told me to get the hell out of the office. So I did. Within three minutes.”

McDeere laughed. “You left him high and dry? Sucks to be him, doesn’t it? Well, come with me for a minute and let me officially introduce you to the captain we’re all working for.”

Jordan took Chase down to Janeway’s office and formally introduced them. Janeway’s morning was considerably improved when she got to go through her “At ease before you sprain something” shtick and even moreso by the fact that her mere presence reduced Chase to a stuttering automaton. Apparently, terrorizing ensigns was a popular pastime for many senior Starfleet officers.

* * * * *

The Admirals and Dr. Pedersen were waiting in the corridor when the door of Seven’s lab opened and she and Dr. Brahms emerged, both looking a bit worse for wear.

Dr. Brahms gave a sharp nod to the Admirals. “She’s got it. We’ll need to bring Dr. Hansen and her team to TPG to begin work on a prototype drive as quickly as possible. If things go smoothly we should have a test craft ready to go in a little over a month.” Turning back to Seven she extended her hand. “Congratulations, Dr. Hansen. You’ve just propelled the Federation into a new era of space travel. I look forward to working with you.”

Seven shook the outstretched hand and thanked the distinguished scientist. They agreed to a conference call later in the afternoon to set up the transfer of personnel to TPG and then Dr. Brahms and the Admirals took their leave.

Gaeka Pederson grinned at her staff member. “Congratulations again, Dr. Hansen. I know you’ve got to meet with your lab staff about reassignments, but would you mind coming down to my office for about half an hour? There are some documents we need to file.”

Seven agreed and a few minutes later found herself seated at Pedersen’s conference table opposite three of the Institute’s attorneys.

“Dr. Hansen, I had our legal department draw these up right after I notified Starfleet of your breakthrough. My assistant will notarize your signature on them and we’ll file them with the local Federation Judicial offices this afternoon. They formally register your patents for the YHz processor and the interlink and registers your and Lieutenant Torres’ patent for the deflector interface.”

Seven interrupted her at this juncture, pointing out that the deflector interface had been B’Elanna’s creation, not hers. Her original ideas had been expanded greatly by the talented engineer and Seven thought B’Elanna should benefit from the designs. Pedersen and the attorneys agreed to contact B’Elanna regarding the deflector interface. Seven signed off on the documents with her thumbprint and it was duly notarized by Pedersen’s assistant. The lawyers left to file the documents at that point and Seven and Dr. Pedersen adjourned to a nearby sofa for some bracing tea.

“Do you have a financial account yet, Dr. Hansen?”

“No, there has been no need so far.”

“Well, you’d better have your wife help you get one established. Once we contract to have your processors mass produced, you’re going to need some place to stash your royalties.”

“My royalties?” Seven had only a rudimentary knowledge of finance; it had never been an issue in the Collective and since her return to Earth, she had been absorbed into the Janeway clan.

It was then that Gaeka Pedersen realized that she was dealing with an innocent and vowed to make sure no unscrupulous business people took advantage of Seven. Gently, she explained what was going to happen.

“Seven, once we register your processor and interlink patents you’re going to be besieged by companies trying to contract to manufacture them. You need to realize that your processor will have a huge impact on nearly every facet of life in this quadrant. Billions of them will be utilized. And, as their inventor, you are entitled to a royalty payment for each and every one of them. You are going to be very, very wealthy Dr. Hansen.”

“Wealthy? Me?” Seven was stunned at this news. Her only concern had been getting the processor to work so that Kathryn would have the drive to travel back to the Delta quadrant and fight the Collective. That she might also profit monetarily from it had never occurred to her. “I… I will speak with Kathryn about it this evening.”

“Good. She’ll be able to help you prepare. I’ll have our legal department take point on the contractual issues and we’ll do everything we can to assist you in setting up the manufacturing contracts. Once news of this gets out – and it will get out very quickly – the bidding will begin. You need to be ready. As I said, we’ll assist you in any way possible.”

“Thank you, Dr. Pedersen. May I have Kathryn contact you with any questions she might have?”

“Of course. Now, how many of your lab assistants will you want to transition to TPG with you?”

* * * * *

Radcliffe stuck his head into Janeway’s office mid-afternoon.

“I just heard from MIT-Daystrom. Dr. Brahms has signed off on the processor. There’s a conference call this afternoon to arrange personnel transfers to TPG. I’m supposed to tell you that your wife will call you as soon as the conference is finished. I’ve notified Captains Picard and Ryker that the admirals are on board. Commander McDeere will be moving into new quarters in the morning. Oh, and Dr. Hansen says you’ll need to help her set up a financial account.”

Janeway looked confused for a moment. “Financial account? Whatever for?”

“She said something about royalties for the processor and interlink.”

It was then that the enormity of what Seven had created hit Janeway fully. This YHz processor was going to be incorporated into upgrades for everything that relied on computers and CPUs to function. And that was almost everything in the quadrant. It dawned on Kathryn that Seven worked at a civilian facility and that she had patent rights to whatever her research developed. If the Institute had filed patent applications on Seven’s behalf, she was about to become wealthy beyond imagination. Setting up a financial account for her wife became an instant priority. She made a mental note to contact Gretchen about the Taylor trust and its financial overseers that very night.