Gateways 07_ What Lay Beyond - Diane Carey [71]
Chapter 3
For a maddening second, Janeway wondered if she really had beamed back aboard her own vessel, or if Q was still playing tricks. She dismissed the thought, smiled briefly at Ensign Campbell, and headed straight for the bridge. She felt an odd sense of urgency. Now that she knew positive action was indeed to be taken provided Q held to his end of the bargain she was impatient to proceed.
Chakotay looked up when she entered, and she could tell that he was burning with curiosity. He’d just have to deal with it.
“Harry, open a channel.”
“Ready, Captain.”
Settling into her chair, Janeway couldn’t keep the pleasure out of her voice as she spoke. “This is Captain Kathryn Janeway. All of us were prepared to stay here and make this place our new home. But I am very pleased to report that this is now not the only choice I can offer you. Although all the gateways through which you traversed have now closed, if all goes according to plan, every one of you now has the option of returning home.”
Chakotay stared at her, and in the depths of his dark eyes, she saw the question: Us, too?
Smiling sadly, she shook her head and continued, absorbing the disappointment as yet another burden that she had to bear in order to do what she knew, deep in her bones, to be the truly right thing. “How that will be accomplished is…”
Her voice trailed off. Her eyes widened as there on the screen, a huge, blazing ball of fire manifested in all its crimson and orange glory. She closed her eyes, then opened him. How Q loved the melodramatic flair. As she watched, the ball seemed to explode. Bright light assaulted her eyes for a moment. When she could see again, there was not one ball of fire, but several one for each lost ship, save her own. The balls meandered off, each to take its position in front of the different ships.
Trying to keep from laughing, Janeway said, “These… balls of flames will guide you home. You may trust them.”
“Captain, we’re being hailed,” said Kim. “It’s Ellia.”
“Put her on.”
Ellia looked annoyed. “Captain, it’s all very well and good for you to tell us that these fiery balls are going to take us home, but how can we be” She was looking at her controls as she spoke and froze.
“Ellia?” For a long moment, the alien captain did not respond. When she did, it was with a smile.
“Well,” she said, “you amaze me. The, er, ball seems to have just downloaded information into our computers that, shall we say, gives me reason to believe that whoever is behind it will indeed take us home. I don’t know what you did, but I thank you. Farewell.” Then she was gone.
“Another hail, Captain.”
“On screen.”
The image of Sook filled the viewscreen. He looked calmer and a good deal happier than when she had last seen him, when he had just managed to take control of the Relka and Sinimar Arkathi had escaped to who knew where. “Captain Janeway. It’s good to see you again.”
“And you, Sook. Should I address you as Commander now?” Janeway asked.
Sook fidgeted. “I suppose so, since I am now the commander. Thank you for your help, both with Arkathi and now somehow managing to find us a way home. I don’t know how, but we’ve just received information that”
“Makes you trust the fiery ball,” smiled Janeway. “You’re welcome. What have you done with the V’enah we returned to you? It was our understanding that you would welcome them.” Young Sook was positively grinning now. From offscreen, Janeway heard a familiar voice answer in his stead.
“So he has, Captain.”
Sook widened the image and Janeway now saw that Marisha was seated beside him. The former slave’s injuries had been completely healed. She now wore a formfitting jumpsuit that was similar in style to that worn by the Voyager crew, but was silver and gold in color. She looked relaxed, calm, in control. When her eyes met Janeway’s, Marisha smiled widely. She and Sook exchanged an amused glance.
“Hello, Captain Janeway.”
“Marisha. I see you’re a man of your word, Commander Sook. Am I to understand that Marisha is now your