“What happened?”

McDeere exploded, “The sonuvabitch was crazy, okay? I tried to keep him from killing the crew but he wouldn’t listen! He had this wild look in his eyes and all he could babble about was going down with the ship and how he’d be remembered. He didn’t have a single thought for the crew! He just wanted to be a hero! We saved his ass and most of the crew and he charged me with mutiny! And then Starfleet threw me to the wolves to pacify the politicians!”

As quickly as the eruption came it subsided and she collapsed back in her chair. “I didn’t lose my nerve…I got my heart broken. Everything I believed about Starfleet…gone…the best parts…the parts of me…I couldn’t…I didn’t believe in it anymore. I didn’t believe in what had always been the best parts of me anymore. It’s taken a while to get that back.”

Janeway regarded her silently for long moments. When she spoke again her voice was quiet and firm. “We’re going up against the Borg Collective. We’re going to be outnumbered and probably outgunned, but we’re going in with some technology that will confound the Borg. I’d say the odds will be fairly even. I expect my First Officer and senior staff to present a united front with me to the crew. I expect my First Officer to offer alternative solutions to problems privately. But once I make the call, I expect my First Officer to be standing beside me without question.” She looked down at the PADD in her hand and then back at McDeere. “You hear anything there you can’t live with?”

McDeere’s eyes flashed with warmth and a small smile played around her lips. “No, Captain.”

Janeway nodded once and stood. “Okay then, I’ll be in touch one way or another. I don’t like to keep people hanging. In the meantime, will you keep the Voyager refit on track? My people have said good things about your work.”

McDeere rose and extended her hand. “I’ll do my best, Captain. And thank you for considering me.”

Janeway shook the outstretched hand and looked deep into the blue eyes as she smiled. “My pleasure, Lieutenant.” And with that she turned on her heel and walked out nodding pleasantly to the officers gathered in the anteroom.

She hadn’t been gone five seconds when Nixon stormed into McDeere’s office demanding to be briefed on the conversation.

* * * * *

Late that night Janeway still studied the PADD containing McDeere’s service record. She was propped up in bed listening to Seven preparing to join her. When her spouse slipped under the sheets beside her she looked over and smiled. Seven’s face showed amusement.

“What’s wrong?”

Seven’s soft chuckle washed over her like a warm wave. “We have been married less than two weeks and already you bring work to bed with us. Has my appeal waned so quickly?”

Janeway leaned over and kissed her enthusiastically. “Not one tiny bit, my love. But I can’t get the conversation I had with Lieutenant McDeere out of my mind.”

Seven looked at her curiously. “Why not, Kathryn?”

“I don’t know, exactly. There’s something about her. Normally I wouldn’t even consider someone with a court martial on their record, but the more people I talk to the more I’m convinced that she was railroaded. And if I believe that, then I have to face the fact that Starfleet may not be the same organization I have believed in my entire life. That’s not fun to contemplate.”

“Kathryn, the Federation and Starfleet fought a devastating war while we were trying to get back to Earth. Surely you don’t think that Starfleet would be unscathed and unchanged after a conflict like that?”

“No, you’re right. But when I think about Starfleet not standing up for one of its best officers it bothers me. I guess I don’t want to think that it’s changed that much.”

“Kathryn, you must think of the bigger picture. Yes, apparently Starfleet did sacrifice your Lieutenant McDeere. But never forget why it was done. Didn’t you tell me that no one wanted to try her but that it was necessary to appease the Federation Council and keep the funding necessary to rebuild the fleet? It was one of Starfleet’s finest officers who said ‘The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.’ Ambassador Spock said that, did he not? At that moment, the needs of Starfleet outweighed the needs of Lieutenant McDeere.”

“You’re right, as usual. But it still bothers me.”

“Tell me, Kathryn, does the Starfleet you serve today seem to be the kind of organization that would do that?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

“Then perhaps it was a unique situation that required a unique solution. Is there any other reason you hesitate?”

Janeway laughed. “Not a one. But I think there’s a little part of me that still resents what Chakotay did. I need to be able to trust my First Officer completely and he may have ruined that for me. Frankly, I wonder if McDeere doesn’t deserve better.”

Seven snuggled against her and pulled her close. “Kathryn, your loyalty to your officers and crew is what makes you the outstanding commander you are. Don’t you think that Lieutenant McDeere deserves to serve under an officer like that? It certainly appears that she had to serve under one who was…insufficient.”

Janeway dropped a quick kiss on her spouse’s lips. “You’re right again. Let me go relay my decision to Admiral Nechayev so there isn’t any more delay than necessary. I want to get McDeere out of Supply as fast as I can. She certainly deserves better than that.” She gently disengaged herself from Seven’s arms and got out of bed. When she did she saw a PADD lying on the nightstand beside her wife. “Speaking of appeal fading, is that some of your work?” She pointed at the offending PADD.

Seven had the good grace to blush. “I did not want you to feel badly if you had more work to do so I brought a PADD with me to keep you company.”

Laughing, Janeway turned for the den and the COMM unit. “When I get back I promise you that work will be the last thing on my mind.”

She reached to power up the COMM console as she sank into her desk chair. Keying in her security codes she began to record a message for transmission to Admiral Nechayev but as soon as the recipient had been specified she found herself facing the older woman on the screen.

“Admiral, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I was going to record a message for you.”

“That’s all right, Captain. I’m frequently in the office this late. What did you want to tell me?”

“I’ve decided on my new First Officer. I’d like to have Jordan McDeere assigned to Boudicca as my Exec.”

The normally stern-faced Nechayev actually smiled at the news. “Are you certain, Kathryn? Nothing would please me more than to have McDeere back on a starship under a solid CO, but are you satisfied that she’s the officer you require?”

“Yes she is, Admiral. I’ve given it a lot of thought and I’ve talked to some people. I don’t understand how Starfleet could have treated her that way, but I wasn’t here for the war so I can’t judge what was necessary then. She’s got some spunk left and her record speaks for itself. Yes, Admiral; she’s the First Officer I want.”

Nechayev didn’t speak for a moment. When she finally did she looked at Janeway with what seemed like pain in her eyes. “I have regrets about that incident that I will carry to my grave. I’ll be very happy to reinstate Jordan immediately. You’ll have your new Exec by tomorrow afternoon, Captain. Was there anything else?”

“No, Admiral. The official request is on its way to you now. I’ll make sure there’s an office ready for her in the morning. I think we’ll go tour our new command in the afternoon. Thank you, ma’am.”

“You’re very welcome, Captain.” The older woman hesitated a moment. “Please give my regards to your wife. Your wedding was a memorable evening on many levels.”

Janeway chuckled and grinned. “She’ll be delighted you enjoyed yourself, Admiral. I must say, you catching a garter rates as one of the high points of that night for me.”

Nechayev’s eyebrows went up and she commented dryly, “Captain, if one old woman catching a piece of fabric was a high point of your wedding night then Seven of Nine has lower expectations than I’ve given her credit for. She and I may need to talk.”

Janeway’s eyes widened at the comment and then she burst into laughter. “I’ll be sure to pass that along, Admiral. Seven will enjoy it. Have a good night, ma’am.”

“Good night, Captain. And thank you for moving so quickly on getting your senior staff filled out. We’ve got a lot to accomplish in a short time period. I’ll talk with you later in the week. Good night, Kathryn.”

When the screen in front of her went dark Janeway leaned back in her chair and thought about the strange conversation. Not only had Nechayev not been her usual all-business self, but she had seemed genuinely concerned for McDeere’s welfare. And she had said something positive about Seven of Nine. Would wonders never cease?

Standing up and stretching she turned off the console and lights and went back to bed with her wife.

* * * * *

The workstation screen glowed brightly in the dimmed lighting.

“Are we secure?” asked the Admiral.

“It’s still a bit early for everyone else. We shouldn’t be disturbed,” said the officer.

“Do you have news for me?” the distinguished-looking Admiral asked.

“Captain Janeway paid a visit to Logistics and Supply yesterday afternoon. From the look on her face as she exited the offices she was satisfied with the interview.” The officer’s face was inscrutable in the glow of the screen. “I don’t know anything definite beyond that.”

“Did she do what we expected?”

“Pretty much. I don’t know if our plan will succeed though.”

“Do you need help?”

“Not yet; she seemed to be moving quickly, but there’s still time if we need to do something more. I think…” The door to the office flew open and Nixon and DiCampo stormed through.

“McDeere, I want to know what the hell’s going on here! Are you taking bribes on the Voyager refit?” demanded Nixon. DiCampo just stood behind him smiling evilly.

McDeere looked at her COMM screen with a resigned sigh “Admiral Pulaski, I’ll have to call you back later. My CO is here with some questions on the Voyager refit. McDeere out.” She turned to face the officers. “What was your question, Commander?”

“Are you taking kickbacks on the Voyager refit?”

“Absolutely not, sir.”

“Then explain the ‘EXPEDITE’ priorities on these requisitions the morning after I see Captain Janeway locked in your office for over an hour. Tell me why the requisitions don’t go through normal departmental procedures before they’re filled and why you’re handling them personally and directly. I’m going to have your logs audited and if I find one requisition miscoded I’m going to bring you up on charges!”

McDeere sighed heavily and handed him the PADD she’d downloaded the day before. “Sir, here are the priorities I’ve been using as guidelines. Based on the remarks from Admiral Nechayev I assumed that Voyager was a priority for everyone, not just Starfleet Operations. So I took the initiative and have been handling the requisitions personally.”

“You know that’s not how I want things done around here!” snarled Nixon. “Lieutenant DiCampo tells me that this has been going on since nearly the first day we opened those requisition logs.” DiCampo allowed a gleam of triumph to show in his eyes at this.

“Sir, I can only reiterate what I said earlier. You told Captain Janeway that we would help in any way we could and when I read Admiral Nechayev’s memo I thought that was what you’d want. Apparently, Lieutenant DiCampo feels otherwise or he wouldn’t be digging through my personal files looking for something that isn’t there.”

“This whole thing looks suspicious to me. I think I should call in Security to investigate and then…”

McDeere’s COMM chirped with an incoming hail. She gave Nixon a noncommittal look and turned to the screen beside her.

“Admiral Nechayev! Good morning, ma’am.”

“Good morning, Lieutenant. I have some good news for you. Effective this stardate at 0700 hours you are reinstated to the rank of Commander and assigned as First Officer of the USS Boudicca. Captain Janeway is expecting you to report yet this morning or by noon at the latest. I believe she has an inspection tour of Boudicca planned for the two of you. Will that present any problems for you?”

Relief washed through McDeere like a tidal surge. “No problem at all, Admiral.”

“Will I need to notify your current CO or can you do that?”

“Not necessary, Admiral, he’s standing right here and heard every word.”

“Commander Nixon?” The man sidled around McDeere’s desk so that he was visible on the COMM screen.

“Yes, Admiral?”

“I apologize for the speed of this reassignment, but McDeere is critical to a top priority mission and needs to get up to speed. Paperwork authorizing her promotion and transfer is on the way to you now. I hope it doesn’t leave your department shorthanded.”

Nixon gulped. “We’ll manage, Admiral.”

McDeere glanced over the screen at DiCampo and grinned at the look of fear and disappointment she saw there.

Nechayev nodded to the L&S CO. “I’m sure you will, Mr. Nixon. Jordan?”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am about this. It’s been too long since you were on the bridge of starship where you belong. I assume you’re taking this call in your office?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m at my desk. Is that important in some way?”

Nechayev smiled. “Yes, as a matter of fact it is. I have a small gift for you.” She gestured to someone off screen and a moment later transporter ions began to sparkle over the center of the desk. When they solidified a red command under tunic and a small velvet box rested there. Jordan reached out for the box with a hand that shook just a bit. She opened it to reveal the three gold pips of a full Commander.

“Congratulations, Commander. As I said, this has been too long in coming. If you encounter any…difficulties…in your transfer just call my office.”

“Thank you, Admiral. I will.”

The Admiral smiled again. “I’d wish you good luck, Commander, but you don’t need it. You’re going out on a fine ship with an outstanding CO and a strong senior staff and crew. Take good care of them for us, won’t you?”

“I’ll do my best, Admiral.”

“Nechayev, out.” The glowing screen went blank as Nixon and DiCampo stared mutely at her. Deliberately, so they wouldn’t miss any of her actions, she pinned the three pips to the red under tunic and when she finished, picked it up.

“If you gentlemen will excuse me, I’m slightly out of uniform.” They stood there, frozen, unable to comprehend what had just transpired. “Gentlemen, dismissed!” she barked, the whip of command in her voice shaking them out of their daze. “That means get out of my office…now!”

Nixon’s mouth moved like he wanted to say something, but DiCampo had the presence of mind to nudge him toward the door and get him moving. Without uttering another sound the two men left the office, the door sliding shut behind them.

Finally allowing her relief to show Jordan sighed deeply and leaned on her desk, hands shaking. Her personal nightmare was finally over. Standing, she removed her tunic and gold under tunic and literally donned the mantle of command. She pulled her tunic back on, made sure she was squared away and sat back down. Then, changing her mind, she stood again, and walked into the department anteroom.

“Ensign Chase, I’ll need a medium-sized packing container ASAP.”

The unit clerk’s eyes bugged out at McDeere’s new uniform and rank. “I-I, yes sir!”

McDeere’s eyes twinkled with merriment as she replied, “I prefer Commander… ma’am in a crunch. But I’ll tell you when it’s crunch time.” She turned to face Nixon and DiCampo who were still somewhat dazed from the turn of events. “Gentlemen, I have a couple of things to take care of, but I’ll want to discuss the Voyager refit with you before I leave. Keep your schedules open in, say, one hour?” She raised an eyebrow in question and waited for a reply.

“Okay…one hour,” replied Nixon.

After three years of Nixon’s tyranny she just couldn’t resist. “‘Okay, one hour’…what?”

“Okay, one hour…Commander.” Nixon looked like he’d just swallowed something rancid.

“Very good, Lieutenant Commander. As you were.” Jordan turned and walked back into her office with a bounce in her step.

Sealing the door she once again sat at her desk and activated her COMM screen. When it came to life and Kate Pulaski’s grinning face appeared on her screen she couldn’t help smiling in return.

“Well, I see that all our scheming has borne fruit. I just got a memo from Alynna Nechayev about your reinstatement and assignment; I think she sent it to everyone above the rank of Ensign in Starfleet. How’d you get into uniform so quickly?”

“Admiral Nechayev beamed the command under tunic and a set of pips to me before she signed off. Right after she gave me the news.”

“I think that was Admiral Nechayev atoning for some old sins. You must have impressed Kathryn for her to move that quickly to have you assigned to her command. I’m glad we didn’t have to try and get Seven to work on her.”

“You know I was never comfortable with that, Admiral.”

“Jordan, we’ve been working toward this for too long. You’ve put in a lot of hours getting back into shape and keeping your command credentials current. We can’t undo what they did to you three years ago, but we got you onto the newest ship in the ‘fleet under one of its best COs. That will have to do. And I would have used the devil himself if it helped get you back where you belong.”

“Admiral, I know I haven’t said this enough, but thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t think I would have made it through all this without you.”

Pulaski laughed. “Not to worry, Jordan. I’ll be shipping out with you all. Kathryn was most persuasive. And I agreed to go with her fleet if she’d take a look at you for first Officer.”

“Admiral! You shouldn’t have done that! I know how you hate space travel. I don’t want you to have to…”

“Relax, Jordan. If I weren’t perfectly willing to ship out with Kathryn I never would have made the offer. I’ve been feeling a touch bored lately anyway. A cruise to the Delta quadrant may be just what I need.” Both women laughed.

Grinning, McDeere agreed. “Yes, ma’am. I feel the same way. I need to get moving, though. It seems that Captain Janeway is expecting me to report by noon. Right now I need to pack my office and terrorize Nixon and DiCampo into doing right by the Voyager refit before I leave.”

“I know you’re busy. We’ll get together for dinner when you’re settled in your new billet. You can tell me funny stories about Kathryn so I can embarrass her with them when we sail. Thanks for taking the time to let me know. I’m proud of you, Jordan.”

“Thank you, Admiral. I’ll call you soon.” She signed off just as her door chimed. “Enter!”

Ensign Chase walked in carrying a transport container. “Thank you, Ensign. Once I get my things packed I’ll want you to have this transported to Captain Janeway’s offices at the shipyards. Will that be a problem?”

“No, Commander. I…pardon me, ma’am but, congratulations on your reassignment.”

“Thank you, Ensign. Would you please tell Lieutenant Commander Nixon and Lieutenant DiCampo that I’ll meet with them in fifteen minutes?”

“Yes, Commander.”

“That’ll be all, Ensign.”

McDeere began to go through her desk drawers and packed her few personal possessions. Supply had always felt like exile to her, and even though she had buried herself away there, she had never brought many personal items into her office. When she’d finished she encrypted her private logs and dumped her project logs to Ensign Chase’s workstation. Then she rose, tugged her tunic down and strode into the anteroom.

“Ensign Chase, that container is ready for transport. Tag it with my ID and forward it to Captain Janeway’s office suite.” When the young ensign leapt to get the container McDeere strolled to the door of Nixon’s office.

“Do you have a few minutes for me, Commander?” she asked politely.

“Yes …Commander. Let’s get this over with,” snapped Nixon.

“Why don’t you invite Lieutenant DiCampo to join us? That way I’ll only have to review my projects once.” Nixon paged DiCampo and the younger man quickly entered the office. McDeere regarded them gravely.

“I’ll make this quick, gentlemen. I don’t think any of us want to prolong my stay here. I’ve transferred all my project logs to Ensign Chase’s workstation; you can reassign them as you see fit. And now we’re going to talk about Voyager.” McDeere hadn’t needed her command glare very often but she had one almost as good as Janeway’s. She favored the two men in front of her with it now.

“The Voyager refit will proceed as it always has. Requisitions for Voyager will be processed immediately and referred to ‘premium’ suppliers without regard to what the requisition calls for. There will be no delays in processing the requisitions and every single one will be assigned top priority. Is that clear?”

“That’s not the standard procedure in this office!” protested DiCampo.

Jordan silenced him with a glance. “I don’t particularly care about the standard procedure of this office, Lieutenant. I’m telling you how it’s going to go. And since all those requisitions will originate in the office I’ll be working in, I’m going to know about each and every one of them. And if I find one discrepancy – if one requisition isn’t filled on time - I’m going to Admiral Nechayev and instigate an investigation of the Thompson refit. Am I making myself clear, Mr. Nixon?”

DiCampo looked confused but Nixon blanched at the mention of that particular job. Apparently he hadn’t covered his tracks as well as he thought he had. He wondered how much McDeere knew, but realized that even if she only knew a little it might be enough to scuttle his career and land him in a penal colony.

“Crystal clear, Commander. Voyager will get the best we’ve got, I promise.”

She eyed him for a moment longer. “Then our business here is over. I’d say it’s been a pleasure working with you both but we all know that isn’t true. So just let me say goodbye and good luck to both of you.” Without waiting for a reply she rose, turned and walked out of the offices.

* * * * *

“Good morning, Radcliffe. How are you this morning?”

“Just fine, Captain. And you?”

“Fit as a fiddle and ready for anything, Ensign. Is Lieutenant Torres in yet?”

“She called in a few minutes ago, Captain. There was a small logistics problem with Miral’s day care this morning and she’s running late. She said she’ll be here around lunch time.”

Janeway laughed. “A ‘small logistics problem’? I don’t think I want to know what that was. Have her come see me when she gets in, will you? Oh, and Radcliffe, did Seven bring anything personal into the office? If she did move whatever it is to my office, will you? She can work out of my office if she needs to until she gets assigned here permanently. We’ll need that office for my new Exec.”

Radcliffe handed her a mug of fresh coffee and asked, “Your new Exec? You decided on a new First Officer? Who is it?” Radcliffe’s dealings with her former First Officer had been less than inspiring and Janeway could understand why he seemed excited.

“Commander Jordan McDeere will be joining us as the First Officer of our merry band of miscreants, Ensign.”

“Commander McDeere? Is that the same…I know of a Lieutenant McDeere in Supply…do you mean her?”

“That’s the one, Ethan. She was a Commander and First Officer during the War.” Janeway decided to temper the facts a bit for her young aide. “She ran into some problems and was badly wounded. They sent her to Supply to heal. But she’s back on her feet and will be joining us. I believe she’s another Earl Grey lover. Take care of her office and whatever, will you?”

“Gladly, Captain. And I’ll send Lieutenant Torres in to your office when she arrives. I’m supposed to remind you that your wife is coming in today to help the lieutenant with the removal and storage of the Borg alcoves. She’ll try to arrive so you can lunch together and I’ve been told that you’re not to leave the office without her tonight.”

Janeway laughed. “This is not a good sign, Ethan. We haven’t been married two weeks and already she’s bossing me around through you. Am I going to be managed this way from now on?”

“Very probably, Captain,” he replied with a straight face. “Dr. Hansen is extremely persuasive.”

“I’ll behave, Ethan. Take care of those things, will you? Oh, and have Commander McDeere stop by my office when she arrives.”

“Yes, Captain. There’s a note from Captain Picard for you; I transferred it to your workstation.”

She nodded as their eyes met, then headed for her office. “Thank you, Ensign.”

* * * * *

The physical distance from Supply to Janeway’s office suite wasn’t that great, but the symbolic distance was light years. Every step she took away from L&S made her feel as if weight was falling from her shoulders. By the time she stepped off the lift on the floor of her new offices there was a distinct spring in her step. When she walked into the anteroom and looked at Radcliffe she was positively buoyant.

“Good morning, Ensign. I’m Commander McDeere reporting in,” she said with a wide grin.

His answering grin was no smaller. “Welcome aboard, Commander. I have your office ready and your personal effects are in there, but Captain Janeway asked that you stop by her office when you reported in. If you’ll follow me?”

Radcliffe stepped around his desk and walked to the corridor behind the anteroom. Stepping to the door of Janeway’s office he announced “Captain, I have Commander McDeere for you.”

As Janeway waved her new Exec in Radcliffe asked, “How’s the coffee, Captain?”

“Looks like I could use a refill, Ensign. Get something for Commander McDeere too, would you?”

“Yes, Captain.” He stepped into the room and grabbed one of the thermal mugs from Voyager then walked out to the workroom leaving the two women alone.

“Have a seat, Commander. I must say red looks better on you than gold did. So does the extra hardware.”

“Thank you, Captain, thank you for everything.”

“Not necessary, McDeere. I have to give Kate Pulaski the credit; she was right. You are a good fit here. And then there’s the added benefit of having her come along with us. I’m not naïve enough to think you haven’t heard that something major is going on; how much do you know about our mission?”

“Just the scuttlebutt, Captain. Rumors about the Borg and how you got Voyager back home. I know there’s a whole ward at Starfleet Medical that’s been declared off limits without a level ten security clearance and that there’s an alien ship in the security bay of McKinley Station. Beyond that, nothing concrete.”

Radcliffe entered at that point and handed each woman a steaming mug. McDeere took an appreciative sip and her eyes widened. “My God, are the drinks always this good around here?”

“Ensign Radcliffe takes great pride in his skills as a barista. I never thought I’d enjoy having an aide, but I must say he brings many talents to the job. Thank you, Ethan, that will be all.” The young officer nodded and took his leave.

“So, do you want the long version or the short version, Commander?”

“How about the long version unless you have something pressing? I certainly don’t yet.”

Janeway leaned back in her chair and told McDeere the whole story of Voyager’s dealings with the Borg and their return to the Alpha quadrant, including the parts deemed in violation of the Temporal Prime Directive. When she finished McDeere just shook her head.

“Remind me to punch out the next snot-nosed Lieutenant JG who snipes that you all had it easy during the War. You may not have been in combat here, but you sure were out there. That must have been an amazing mission. So, you got your ship and crew home. Okay, now how does that tie in with current events?”

“Twenty-four days ago at approximately 1845 hours, a Borg tactical probe emerged from a transwarp conduit in the vicinity of DS7. Drones did not man it, however. Members of the Free Borg – former drones freed from the Collective when we destroyed the link to Unimatrix Zero, manned it. They have been fighting a civil war within the Collective ever since. Our ‘getaway’ from the Delta quadrant caused major upheaval within the Collective and they have been solidifying their position in the aftermath. But lately, they’ve discovered data that indicates the Collective has a new Queen and is planning a major incursion against Earth within eighteen months. We’ve been tasked to stop them.”

Jordan considered the information for a minute then commented, “Okay, now I know there’s something you haven’t told me. There’s no way we can get a fleet into the Delta quadrant in a year and a half and we don’t have the weapons to stop the Borg if we could. So what is it I don’t know yet?”

“Commander, you were just reinstated this morning. How willing would you be to join me in barratry and risk a long stay in a penal colony?”

“Barratry? No problem, Captain. I’ve already been court-martialed for mutiny; how bad could it be? What do I need to know?”

“My wife is a couple of weeks away from presenting the TPG and Starfleet with an enhanced processor and deflector interface fast enough to form, access and control a slipstream corridor.”

McDeere’s eyes popped. “A quantum slipstream drive? You’re kidding! TPG has been trying to develop one for years. Seven of … Dr. Hansen’s done it?”

“They’re in beta testing now trying to get it to fail. So far the processor has performed flawlessly. And there’s more: Seven was the officer tasked with installing the contraband armor and weapons that Admiral Janeway brought back with her. She has their schematics stored in her cortical node.”

“Let me guess; those would be the same schematics that the Department of Temporal Affairs have declared in violation of their Prime Directive and destroyed. Right?”

“Astute and correct, Commander. Since Seven can download the schematics, we’re going to try and install as much as we can during the slipstream drive refits for the fleet we’re sending to the Delta quadrant. The problem is, I’m not sure if we’ll be doing it with Starfleet’s approval or not. That could prove problematic for career longevity. Captains Picard and Riker are in collusion with me, but if you want out I’ll certainly understand.”

“Any starship captain worth their pips would take every advantage they could get going up against the Borg. It would be criminally negligent not to. I’m in. But please tell me that you have someone working on getting Starfleet to go along with the idea.”

“We do, and the closer we get to sailing I think the easier it will be. In the mean time, Captains Picard and Riker communicate about our little scheme via encrypted messages hidden in routine correspondence. Ethan decodes them and destroys the data trail.”

“Then I’d better spend some time with him learning the encryption protocols. I’ll probably be able to help out with material acquisition for the stealth refit installations. Is there anything else?”

“I’m going to introduce you to Lieutenant Torres our Chief Engineer when she gets in but she’s running a bit late today. She and my wife will be overseeing the removal and storage of the Borg alcoves on Voyager this afternoon. You and I will take a preliminary survey tour of Boudicca while they do. But right now we need to make sure the documentation for your reassignment is completed and then grab some lunch. Shall we?” She stood and gestured toward the door.

Seven of Nine arrived promptly at 1130 hours. Radcliffe was at his usual post in the anteroom of the suite working with Commander McDeere to complete the paperwork for her transfer.

“Good morning, Ensign. I am here to work on the Borg alcoves with Lieutenant Torres.”

Radcliffe grinned at her. “Yes, ma’am. Welcome back. Do you know our new First Officer? This is Commander McDeere. She just came on board this morning. Commander, this is Seven of Nine…errr, Dr. Hansen, Captain Janeway’s wife.”

Jordan stuck out her hand and smiled. “Radcliffe’s told me a lot about you, Dr. Hansen. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

Seven returned the smile and shook the outstretched hand. “Please call me Seven. As Kathryn’s new First Officer I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

“I look forward to it.” She turned her attention to back to Ethan. “Is that it then? We’ve finally waded through the morass of paper necessary to get me transferred?”

“I think so. If there’s anything else I’ll come get you. Is that okay?”

“That’ll work, Ensign. Thank you. Seven, if you’ll excuse me for just a moment?” Nodding to Seven, McDeere headed back to her office to unpack.

“So Seven, did you enjoy your honeymoon?” As much as Radcliffe wanted to talk with Seven, he felt a bit uncomfortable calling her by her first name now that she was the captain’s wife.

“Very much, Ensign. But it is good to be home again as well.”

“Will you be coming to work with us on the fleet refit?”

“That has yet to be determined. But we are working on it.”

“I’m glad, ma’am. It’s not the same without you here. The captain is in her office. She’s expecting you. Go right in.”

A couple of minutes later Janeway and Seven claimed McDeere and the three women adjourned to the Officers’ Club for lunch. To Jordan’s immense surprise and hidden delight several officers stopped by their table to congratulate her on her new posting. Seven gave Janeway a pleased look that indicated McDeere had just been adopted into the Voyager family.

When they returned to the office B’Elanna had arrived and was introduced to McDeere. Not surprisingly the women liked each other on sight. The four of them chatted for a moment and then Janeway and McDeere excused themselves to take a conference call before taking their survey tour.

“C’mon down to the office, Seven and we’ll talk. I’ve been waiting for you.”

‘Waiting for you’ was a bit inaccurate as B’Elanna pounced on Seven like a targ on a wounded su’codak the moment the former drone entered her office.

“Am I glad you’re back! You look great. Fantastic tan. So how was the honeymoon? Married life agreeing with you? Can the captain still walk?”

“The honeymoon was fine. And of course Kathryn can walk. Why would she lose her locomotor ability on our honeymoon?”

“You know…Too much time doing the nasty.” Torres elbowed her jovially in the ribs forgetting for a moment that they were duranium-reinforced. “Oww, dammit! C’mon Seven. Spill!” she said, rubbing her elbow.

“For what possible purpose? B’Elanna, the captain and I were living together prior to our marriage and not, I assure you, platonically. Why would our honeymoon be any different?”

“Oh please! Hot tropical nights, the trade winds, moonlight on the ocean. You can’t tell me those things didn’t fire up the captain’s libido. She’s not dead!”

Seven gave a long-suffering sigh. “B’Elanna, are you ready to go up to Voyager? They are expecting us. We can have this conversation walking to the Transport Center, can we not?” They headed out of the office, nodding to Radcliffe as they left.

“Oh c’mon, Seven! Who was it that reconfigured your portable regeneration unit so that you could recuperate in Indiana? If I hadn’t been able to do that you wouldn’t even be married to the captain. So who else are you going to talk about your sex life with but me? Dish woman, dish! I want details!”

The slight arched elevation of Seven’s optical array was the only indication of her possible annoyance at B’Elanna’s continued probing for details of their honeymoon. “We went to a secluded house in the mountains of St. Lucia. We spent many hours lying by the pool enjoying the tropical sunshine. What more detail do you require?” They were discussing Seven’s natural reticence and failings as a best friend when B’Elanna’s COMM badge chirped.

“Radcliffe to Lieutenant Torres.”

“Torres here, Ensign. What’s up?”

“You wanted me to remind you about the halogenic power couplings Chief O’Brien developed.”

“Roger that, Radcliffe. Thank you.” Torres slapped half-heartedly at her badge as she again needled Seven. “Okay, but you can’t tell me that the captain’s little white tuchas isn’t cute against the tan on her back.”

“White tuchas? Tan? To what are you referring, B’Elanna?”

“Her tan lines, Seven. Her tan lines.”

The optical array climbed to an even higher arch in amusement. “B’Elanna, we have no tan lines.”

Sudden silence from the waiting area sent Jordan into the anteroom to investigate. She found Radcliffe sitting absolutely still and staring into space.

“Ethan, are you all right?” She gently shook his shoulder to get his attention. He could only stare at her in a daze. Jordan began to get alarmed.

“Radcliffe! Talk to me! Are you okay?”

“No tan lines…” he gasped. There was a moment of silence and then his COMM badge emitted the slightly tinny voice of Seven of Nine.

“You failed to close the COMM link, B’Elanna…”

* * * * *