Disclaimer:
This story is based in the "Star Trek" universe. The use of anything related to "Star Trek" in this series is not intended to infringe upon the rights of Paramount Pictures. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.
All other content or otherwise are works of my own imagination. All events are fictitious in nature.
Any similarities to persons living, dead, or otherwise are purely coincidental.
This story contains strong themes of homosexual content, if this offends you in any way, please refrain from reading further. If you are not of legal age to read this, please leave now.
Ok as well before we start this is based on the series Star Trek Voyager but with a twist from the original story line and i hope you like it.
Chapter 4: We're alone...
"We're alone, in an uncharted part of the galaxy. We've already made some friends here and some enemies, we have no idea of the dangers we're going to face... but one thing is clear... both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive, that's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed that this should be one crew... a Starfleet crew, and as the only Starfleet vessel assigned to the delta quadrant.. We'll continue to follow our directive... to seek out new worlds and explore space. But our primary goal is clear, even at maximum speeds it would take 75 years to reach the federation." The captain paused. "But I'm not willing to settle for that, there's another entity like the caretaker out there somewhere that has the ability to get us there a lot faster, we'll be looking for her and we'll be looking for wormholes, spatial rifts or new technologies to help us. Somewhere along this journey... we'll find a way back. Mr Paris set a course... for home" the captain said. "Aye captain." Came Tom's voice. At that the ship went to warp 9.975 our maximum speed and I stood in engineering for a moment looking around and noticing everyone returning to their stations to work. I looked over at tom and smiled. Well at least we could spend the next 75 years together I thought.
TWO DAYS EARLIER
When I woke up I felt so refreshed. I got up and put my dressing gown on and went into the living area, yawning my head off. I went to the replicator and spoke "Coffee Black." The computer chirped and seconds later a cup of black coffee was created. I picked up the cup and took a few sips.. god was it good. I then moved over to my console and checked the time it was 15:00. That sounds good I'd been asleep for 8 hours which meant that I would still be able to sleep tonight. I checked the ships status and looked at the bridge logs. Apparently the captain and an away team had a run in with a species called the Kazon on the fifth planet and had rescued a young woman who was called Kes. Apparently she was a friend of Neelix. Then the captain and the same away team had beamed down to the planet again but this time underground. And that was me brought up to speed the captain was underground on an alien planet and then there was the fact that Mr Rolland was in command. I probably should head up to the bridge and just take over. I went to bathroom and spoke again "Computer activate the sonic shower" the computer chirped and took off my dressing gown and walked into the shower. 15 minutes later I was dressed in my uniform and walked out of my quarters. I think I should get something to eat first I thought to myself. I went into the turbolift just down the hall and called "Deck 2" and the turbolift sprang into action. A few seconds later I walked out of the turbolift and was in the mess hall. I walked up to the replicator and spoke "Cheese Burger with French fries and one glass of coca cola." When the plate materialised I took the plate and glass and went and sat down in the corner by myself. I was just tucking in when I heard someone say "May I join you?" I looked up to see a cute baby faced crewman standing over me. "Sure" I said. "I'm Jack Carter" I said when he sat down. "I know who you are sir, you're our resident chief engineer and first officer." I smiled and said "And you are?" "Oh sorry I'm Luke... Luke Forster, I'm one of the transporter technicians." He said. "Ah I see, well nice to meet you Luke" I replied. "Likewise." He said with a cute smile. We got talking some more and I learned a lot about him. After I finished lunch we talked a little bit more before I rose and said "Well Luke I need to head to the bridge, but if you like we should hang out some time." I said. "Yeah sure, actually I'm heading to the gym at the end of my shift if you want to join me." He said. "Sure I'll join you what time?" I asked. "Well my shift ends at 19:00 so let's say 19:15" he said. "Sounds good." He said flashing me that cute smile again. I returned my plate to replicator and went to the bridge.
When I walked onto the bridge, Mr Rolland was sat in the command chair. "Commander I was not aware you were coming to the bridge, I thought the captain said you were off duty." He said. "Well technically I am but I thought I should come up seen as I am the senior officer on board." I replied. "Of course sir." He stood up and went down to the conn as I sat down in the command chair. I sat and read up on the status display on what was going on the ship. "Sir, there's a slight imbalance in the warp field." Came Rolland's voice. "Inform Engineering to get on to it asap" I replied. "Sir there also seems to be another problem; the array has stopped emitting energy pulses and seems to be changing its position." Said Rollands. I was about to contact the away team when the comm. Chirped "Away team to voyager" it was the captain. "Voyager here" I replied "Commander, what's going on with the array?" she asked. "It's no longer sending out pulses captain, and it seems to be shifting its position." I answered. "Understood keep me informed. And I'm glad you're on the bridge at this time commander, good call. Janeway out" she replied. The comm. Clicked off. "Continue to monitor the array Lieutenant" I ordered. A few minutes later Rollands chimed up "The array is now charging its weapons, there firing on the planet." He told me. "Voyager to Janeway" I called. "Go ahead" she replied. "Captain the array is firing some kind of weapon at the surface, it seems to be trying to seal the energy conduits." I told her. "Understood keep a channel open!" she said. The crewman at ops did so and we continued to monitor. Why would the array fire at the planet and why seal the conduits especially now, I thought. "Janeway to Voyager" came the captain's voice. "Voyager here" I replied. "3 to beam up" she ordered. I nodded and Rolland said "Standby." He worked the controls and then said "Captain I can't get a lock on you, the weapons fire from the array has eradiated the planets crust, the transport sensors can't find the breaches in the security barrier" he told her. The comm. then clicked and I could tell she was annoyed. "Keeping trying Lieutenant" I ordered. I went over to the engineering console and started to reconfigure the transport sensors. I know someone who can do this, I thought. "Crewman Forster report to the bridge" I ordered. Rollands looked at me oddly but didn't say anything. A few minutes later Luke stepped off the turbolift and down to me "Luke reconfigure the transport sensors to locate the breaches in the security barriers, we have an away team down there. Use the engineering console." I ordered. He nodded and went to work.
After what seemed like forever the comm. clicked. "Voyager can you get a lock on us now?" it was Tom Paris. I looked over at Rollands and he said "Affirmative but I'm reading only 5 signatures." "The others are...GET DOWN!" He yelled. After another minute he called us again "Voyager prepare to transport everyone in this group except me." Then we heard Neelix say "You not thinking of going back there?" Paris didn't answer. Then Neelix said "Well if a fool needs company... take care of them dearest I'll see you later". Then Paris spoke again "Voyager, make that 3 to beam up lock in on the other commbadge and energise." I looked to Rollands and he did so. "There injured" he told. "Beam them directly to sickbay, I'm going down there you have the bridge." I ordered. At that I headed for the turbolift and called for sickbay. Moments later I arrived on Deck 5. I ran round the corridor and into sickbay to see Harry Kim, A Klingon that I assumed was the Maquis B'Elanna Torres and Kes. "Computer Activate the EMH" I called. "Please state the nature of the medical emergency" he said. "Don't worry I already see, thank you ensign but I'll take it from here." He said to me. At that I turned and left.
ONE HOUR LATER
"Bridge to Janeway." I called. "Go ahead" she replied. "Captain two Kazon vessels are approaching the array." I reported. "Set a course I'm on my way" she said. A few minutes later she strode out of the turbolift and down to the command deck. "Bring the weapons systems online." She ordered. "Powering up phasers and photon systems" came Tuvok's voice. "Red Alert" ordered the captain. I went over to the engineering console and sat down. "The lead Kazon ship is hailing us captain" said Tuvok. "On screen" the captain said. "Have you come to investigate the entities strange behaviour too captain." Said a weird looking guy on the viewscreen. "All we care about is getting home Jabin, we're about to transport over to the array to see if we can arrange." She replied. "I'm afraid I cannot permit that" Jabin replied. "We have no dispute with you" the captain replied. "I have a dispute with anyone who will challenge us" Jabin said. Not a good sign. "This is ridiculous we have no intention of challenging you" the captain said. "And I have no intention of letting anyone with your technological knowledge board the array" he came back. "Jabin can we discuss this like two civilised..." but he cut the captain off. "There powering up their weapons" Tuvok reported. "I guess we can't" she muttered. The ship shook as we started to take fire. Great just what I need, a fire fight that is going to need repairs I thought. We took another hit. "Shields are holding." Tuvok announced. "Fire Phasers, Evasive pattern Delta 4" the captain ordered. I hope Tom is going to be alright during this, I thought. The ship went into action and started firing. I could see the maquis ship doing the same. "Janeway to Chakotay" the captain said. "Tuvok and I are beaming to the array can you hold off the Kazon?" the captain asked. "I think so captain" he replied. "Good" the captain replied. "Mr Paris take the helm" the captain ordered. "Yes ma'am" he said. "Jack you have the bridge, maintain transporter locks ensign, emergency beam out status" she ordered to Rollands who was taking over at Tactical. I couldn't believe it; I was going to be in command during a fire fight. I stood up and took the command chair. 5 minutes later we dropped shields briefly and the captain went over to the array. "Evasive pattern Beda 4, Rollands target at your discretion and fire. Don't wait for me to give orders just fire at the closest target, same goes for you Tom just fly where you have to but make sure you and Rollands have some idea what you're doing." I ordered. "Aye sir" they both replied.
5 MINUTES LATER
It had been 5 minutes since the fight had started and the ship was taking a beating but not too much. "Another Kazon Vessel is approaching this one is a lot bigger and more heavily armed" came Kim's voice. It was good to have him back. The ship fired and continued to far multiple banks of phasers as we took a pounding. Rollands and Paris continued to fight well between them and the bridge continued to explode. "Harry inform the captain I need her back here and request instructions." I ordered. "Voyager to Janeway" he called. "Go ahead" she said. The bridge exploded again and a crewman stood by the turbolift was hit and knocked his head against the tactical station. "We've got problems here. Kazon just got some backup" said Kim. "We need more time, can you hold them off for another few minutes?" she asked. Harry looked at me and I nodded "We'll do our best. Kim Out" he said and the comm. clicked off. "Mr Paris make sure you stay close to the maquis ship and protect them they won't be able to cope like we can" I ordered. The ship continued to take a pounding. But all that was about to change. "We've taken a direct hit to the weapons array there offline." Said Rollands. "Bridge to engineering, no matter what you've got on have everyone focus their efforts on the weapons array I want them back online" I ordered. "Aye sir" said Gates. "Voyager come in." It was Chakotay. "Go ahead Chakotay" said Paris. "Paris my crew is coming over, tell one of your crackajack transporter chiefs to keep a lock on me, I'm gonna try and take some heat off your tail." He said. "Acknowledged, but don't think for a second this makes us even Chakotay, your life is still mine. Paris out" said Tom. I saw Chakotay flying straight for the Kazon heavy vessel. He's going to ram it. I checked the transport logs and saw that all the maquis were on board. Just then the turbolift doors opened and out came B'Elanna and Tom. "Hey Tom" I said. Paris looked up and realised I was talking about my Tom. "I'm holding a lock on him sir, but he's getting too close" said Rollands. "Maintain that lock no matter what" I ordered. "He's breaking up" said Rollands again. "I'm getting you out of there Chakotay" I said. "Not yet Jack" he replied. The ship was picking up speed it was less than 20 meters from the Kazon ship. "NOW!" screamed Chakotay. At that Paris's hands flew over the console. "Transporter room 2 do you have him." I asked. "They've got me" came Chakotay's Voice. We watched as the Kazon ship hit the array and then burst into flames. With it took part of the array. "Voyager report" came the captain's voice. "A Kazon vessel collided with the array captain, are you alright?" I asked. "Affirmative, standby" she ordered. "Weapons are back online" said Rollands. "Then fire" I ordered. I noticed Chakotay came onto the bridge and was stood close to the viewscreen. "Guys sit down please you're in the way" I said. They sat down round the command chair. Chakotay sat in my old chair, whilst B'Elanna perched on the little seat next to that and Tom did the same next to me. We exchanged fire for a few more minutes before the captain called the ship. "Voyager two beam out" she ordered. I nodded at Rollands who dropped shields and transported them both aboard. A few minutes later the captain emerged from the turbolift and called "Mr Tuvok ready the tri-cobalt devices" as she marched for my location. "Captain?" I asked. "Not now commander" she said. "Open a channel to the Kazon" she ordered. Jabin appeared on the viewscreen. "Be advised captain, I called for additional ships" he said. "I'm calling to warn you to move your vessels to a safe distance I intend to destroy the array." She said. I thought she was crazy but didn't argue. "You can't do that" Jabin protested. "I can and I will. End Transmission" she ordered. Jabin's face disappeared. "They're increasing fire captain, shield are holding." Said Kim. "Move us four hundred kilometres from the array Mr Paris" she ordered. "What do you think you're doing, that array is the only we have to get back home." Shouted B'Elanna. "I'm aware that everyone has families and loved ones that they want to get back too, so do I but I'm not willing to sacrifice the lives of the ocampa for our convenience. We'll have to find another way home." The captain replied. "What other way home is there, who is she to be making these decisions for all of us?" asked B'Elanna looking like she was going to punch the captain as Chakotay held her back. "She's the captain" I replied. Janeway stepped down beside Paris. "The Tri-Cobalt devices are ready captain" said Tuvok. "We're in position." Confirmed Paris. She stood staring at the viewscreen and my thoughts immediately went to my parents. They will be devastated. "FIRE!" ordered the captain. At that Tuvok did so and let loose to bright white torpedoes. But these weren't ordinary torpedoes, they were a lot more powerful than that, and as they reached the array and detonated the array just blew up. It broke in to pieces and I just stood there watching as it did along with everyone else. We were all in shock of what the captain had just done. "We're being hailed by the lead Kazon vessel" said Harry. "On screen" I ordered. "You have made an enemy today" said Jabin as he clicked off the viewscreen. "They are withdrawing Captain" said Tuvok. I couldn't believe what just happened. "Stand Down Red Alert." Ordered the captain. "Mr Tuvok assess damage control and get them organised. Arrange quarters for our guests." She ordered. He nodded in acknowledgement. "Commander, Mr Chakotay can we talk in my ready room." She asked. I immediately followed her as did Chakotay and I looked at Tom as I did and he was just stood watching me walk.
"I realise you think I just made the biggest mistake of my career, but I did it for a reason and that was to protect the ocampa and I don't regret what I just did." She said. "So don't argue but with your ship destroyed Chakotay it appears we're going to be together for a while. So why don't we start getting to grips with that. Now despite what you may think I want this ship to be Starfleet ship still would you and your people consent to that?" she asked. "Yes we would whatever you want Captain" he said. "Good then let's get to work in getting them into a department." We all sat down and over the next 3 hours whilst my teams were at work repairing the ship we finally got through everyone and put them into a department making sure I got Tom in engineering. We gave them each a rank with exception of B'Elanna and Chakotay. "Okay my last thing is Ms Torres and you Chakotay" said the captain. "No offence Jack, but Chakotay has already got Starfleet command experience and therefore I'm going to give him the rank of Commander and to be my first officer, If you're willing that is Chakotay" she said. "Of course captain I would be honoured." He replied. "Now Jack I've removed you as a Lieutenant Commander in the database and put you down as a Lieutenant. Congratulations on your promotion" she said with a smile. I was over the moon and stood in shock. "Thank you sir." I said. "Now I did that to be fair. You're not the chief engineer no longer you're simply the department head until further notice. I'm putting Miss Torres down as a lieutenant also and we will decide who is to be chief engineer at another time. For now though you will both run the department as equals. Is that clear Jack?" she asked me. "Yes ma'am" I replied. "Good then it's settled. I'll inform the quarter master and Chakotay you can inform your crew of their new ranks and departments. Have them report to their department heads in one hour. Jack call a meeting of the senior staff in 30 minutes including you and Chakotay and I'll see you both in half an hour. Dismissed." Said the captain. "Oh by the way I'm granting a field commission of lieutenant to Tom Paris to sit at conn" I smiled at what she said and Chakotay said "Well don't worry my life belongs to Paris so you don't have to worry about me killing him" I laughed. And we both left.
TWO DAYS LATER
I'd met with the new crew from the maquis ship and organised a new shift rotation and spoken with B'Elanna and we had a mutual understanding that we would run the department together. We were going to get along I knew it. I'd briefed the entire department on what was going on and things were getting back to normal. The ship was fully repaired. I was pleased to hear that Luke had become the new Transporter Chief as the last one died in the incident that took us to this new quadrant. The captain was due to make a speech to whole crew and B'Elanna was on the bridge and I was in Engineering waiting. The comm. chirped announcing that the captain was ready to give her speech and I motioned for quiet. "We're alone, in an uncharted part of the galaxy. We've already made some friends here and some enemies, we have no idea of the dangers we're going to face... but one thing is clear... both crews are going to have to work together if we're to survive, that's why Commander Chakotay and I have agreed that this should be one crew... a Starfleet crew, and as the only Starfleet vessel assigned to the delta quadrant.. We'll continue to follow our directive... to seek out new worlds and explore space. But our primary goal is clear, even at maximum speeds it would take 75 years to reach the federation." The captain paused. "But I'm not willing to settle for that, there's another entity like the caretaker out there somewhere that has the ability to get us there a lot faster, we'll be looking for her and we'll be looking for wormholes, spatial rifts or new technologies to help us. Somewhere along this journey... we'll find a way back. Mr Paris set a course... for home" the captain said. "Aye captain." Came Tom Paris's voice. At that the ship went to warp 9.975 our maximum speed and I stood in engineering for a moment looking around and noticing everyone returning to their stations to work. I looked over at my Tom and smiled. Well at least we could spend the next 75 years together I thought.