“I need to get a piece of equipment. I’ll be right back.”
Janeway waved her hand at him, and he rushed out the door.
While they waited, Suddon Blyth Conction Ulllma said, “What you are doing is against the law. You can get into tremendous legal trouble.”
“Where we come from, so is infecting our computer with a program we don’t want. Besides, we have consulted with Bong, Bong and Biennium.”
She pronounced the last with a deep stretched-out B sound.
Suddon Blyth Conction Ulllma’s eyebrows went up as he heard the name.
Janeway continued, “And according to them we are within our legal rights to return something we did not order.”
Before he could answer Rando Setten Curlu was back. He was now carrying a small electronic device.
“I am now ready.”
Janeway turned her head slightly and nodded in Kim’s direction. He pressed two spots on his console and Rando Setten Curlu disappeared in a cascade of twinkling lights.
A second later he reappeared on the Voyager’s bridge standing in front of Captain Janeway. He looked around in surprise, then looked back at Janeway.
She said, “We are in a hurry. Your little program interrupted a journey we are on.”
He stared at her and she said, “You can access our computer over there,” pointing toward Tuvok’s work station.
He swallowed again and said, “Yes, of course. I’ll get right on it.”
“And make sure you do just that. My security officer, who is a computer expert, will be watching you.”
He looked up at the Vulcan, who stood a quarter of a meter higher than Rando Setten Curlu, then got to work.
Twenty-six minutes later, after tapping two buttons on his device, then two more on the console, he straightened and said, “I’m done. The program is completely purged from all of your systems, and there will be no residual effects.”
“Good. After a check by my men, we will be on our way.”
Tuvok and Ensign Kim ran a complete diagnostic followed by some basic commands.
When they were done Tuvok said, “Everything checks out, Captain.”
“Good.”
She waved her hand again and Kim sent Rando Setten Curlu back to where he belonged.
She said, “Let’s get back on target for the Alpha quadrant. Full warp until we are out of this sector.”
“Yes, Captain,” Kim said with a smile.
Once they were on their way Tom asked, “Would you have really blown a hole all the way through their business?”
“No, not really, there would be too much collateral damage. Starfleet frowns on that type of thing.”
Tom said, “Nice touch using the name of the law company they advertise for.”
“Thank you. I figured that, even though we didn’t contact them in reality, their name would confuse Suddon Blyth Conction Ullma. And I figured that law would be one most societies, especially one based on commerce, would have.”
After a pause she said, “Tuvok, did he take along the surprise we left for him?”
Tuvok responded, “I watched him the whole time, and as expected, he didn’t take the time to look over the program fully. I believe the virus I placed in his program’s matrix is still intact. It will be copied and will infect every copy of this program it comes in contact with. After an unspecified amount of time his personal favorite program will cease functioning.”
Janeway smiled, as she relaxed back into her chair.
Adjustments
Laura Ware
Laura Ware lives in Central Florida and considers sanity to be an overrated state of mind. She writes a weekly column that appears in the Highlands County News Sun and has been known to mention Star Trek on occasion. She also is a contributing writer for The International Book of Days. Her first fiction sale is “Adjustments,” but she hopes it won’t be her last! She would like to thank God for giving her her writing ability, her husband and sons for their support and patience, the Strange New Worlds Yahoo! Group, and the Oregon Writer’s Network, for all their instruction, encouragement, and the occasional smacks upside the head. You can read her ramblings at lauraslook.blogspot.com.
“I hate you!” Naomi screamed at her father. “I wish we’d never come back from the Delta Quadrant!”
“Naomi!” her mother said, but the girl wasn’t interested in hearing anything her parents had to say. She whirled around and stomped to her room, locking the door behind her.
“Let her be, Samantha,” Naomi heard her father say. “She needs to absorb the news.”
“Gresk, this isn’t like her,” Naomi’s mother said. “She’s usually so mature …”
Naomi flung herself on her bed and grabbed a pillow. She put it over her head, covering her ears so she wouldn’t have to hear her parents talk about her.
She knew she wasn’t being mature. She didn’t care. Everything had seemed to go wrong ever since Voyager had returned to Earth.
Everyone else was so happy to be here. All of Naomi’s friends had scattered to different places, busy with their lives. Too busy to keep in touch with her.
Even Seven, who had never been to Earth, was spending time with her Aunt Irene on her farm in Kansas. Naomi had gotten one message from the former Borg so far. There had been no mention in it if or when Seven would return to San Francisco.
Then there was the matter of her father. Though they had talked some while Voyager had still been in the Delta Quadrant, she still felt as if he were a stranger.
Her mother, on the other hand, was delighted to be reunited with him. She started spending a lot of time with him, and Naomi, who was used to having a large portion of her mother’s attention, felt abandoned.
And tonight, after dinner, her parents had sprung the worst news possible. They had decided to accept assignments on Ktaria VII, and not return to space.
Naomi had been appalled. “Why?”
“Sweetheart, you both have been gone for so long,” her father said, an arm around her mother. “I thought it would be great if you had a chance to spend time on my homeworld, get to know that part of you.”
“But not be in space?” Naomi felt tears start. “Mom, you don’t want to do this, do you?”
“Naomi, all you’ve known is life on a spaceship. We both think this would be good for you.”
“But it’s not what I want!” Naomi shouted.
The argument had continued until Naomi’s declaration of hate. Now, alone in her dark room, a pillow over her head, she shed hot tears on the unfairness of life.
Naomi slipped out of the quarters Starfleet had assigned her family. Her parents were asleep.
Naomi got outside. The sky was clear, stars liberally sprinkled against a black background. The moon was not in the sky.
Naomi felt her throat close as she looked up at the stars. How could she not be among them? How could she stay on one planet, when there were so many to explore?
She bit her lip. There had to be a way. If her parents were going to insist on living on Ktaria VII, then Naomi would have to figure a way to go into space without them.
She walked without any clear idea of where she was going. The cool air made her shiver. She had not thought to bring a sweater. The temperature on Voyager had always been controlled.
Naomi rubbed her arms and shuffled her feet through the grass. She heard some music drifting on a breeze and raised her head.
A small building had light spilling out of its windows. Someone had opened a door, which had let out the sound of music. Naomi frowned as she tried to recall the genre. She thought it might be something called “jazz.”
Naomi found her feet taking her to the place. She opened the door and felt warmth, music, and noise wash over her.
It was a bar, she realized. A band was set up on a small stage in a corner. Four-legged wooden tables were scattered around the room. A long bar with a huge mirror behind it was to her left.
“In or out,” a voice said behind her. Nao
mi jumped and turned to see a tall human in a Starfleet uniform frowning down at her. His bearded face looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him.
She noted the pips on his collar. “Sorry, Commander,” she said, taking a few steps inside the bar. The man, frowning slightly, moved past her to sit at the bar.
Naomi didn’t see any familiar faces. She wondered if she should leave. But it felt so comfortable here.
“Hey!”
The commander was looking at her. Naomi walked over to him. He cocked his head. “You’re a little young for this place, aren’t you? What’s your name?”
“Naomi Wildman,” she said. “And I’m old enough.”
A grin split the man’s face, and Naomi relaxed. “I bet you are.” He stuck out his hand. “Will Riker.”
She shook his hand, awed. “From the Enterprise?”
“The one and only,” Riker said. “And you were on Voyager, weren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“Your name,” Riker said. “Captain Janeway speaks highly of you.”
“She does?” Naomi felt herself blushing.
“Absolutely,” Riker assured her. “Captain Picard and I have been part of the group debriefing Captain Janeway, and I’ve had a lot of chances to hear about you. Not just from the captain—Seven of Nine also has had some complimentary things to say.”
“Seven? She’s here?” Naomi asked.
“She returned from Kansas a couple of days ago. Captain Janeway had wanted to give her some more time to acclimate, but there’s just too much we need to know.” He looked closely at Naomi. “You look pretty chilly. Have you ever had hot chocolate?”
Naomi shook her head.
“Well, belly up to the bar, as they say,” Riker said, slapping the red-covered stool next to him. “Barkeep! A hot chocolate with whipped cream for my young friend here.”
Naomi slid onto the bar stool, a mixture of feelings colliding within her. Seven was back, but hadn’t come to see Naomi. And it didn’t address her main problem of getting into space.
“It’s been hard, hasn’t it?” Riker asked.
“Sir?”
“Coming home.”
Naomi sighed. “This isn’t home.”
“Ah,” Riker said. The bartender brought a crystal mug filled with a dark liquid and topped with a white creamy froth. “Here, try this.”
Naomi took a cautious sip. Her eyes widened. “This is quite good.”
Riker grinned. “I have a friend who is an expert on chocolate. Maybe you should meet her.”
Naomi smiled, but couldn’t hold the expression.
“So,” Riker said, sipping his own drink, “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?”
Naomi sighed. “I had to get out of my quarters.”
“Trouble at home?” Riker said with a knowing look.
Naomi took another sip of her hot chocolate. “My parents want to stay on a planet and not go back into space!”
“I see. And you don’t agree.”
“Space is my home!” Naomi burst out. “And my father wants to take all that away!”
“Hm,” Riker said. “Father problems. He wasn’t with you on Voyager, was he?”
Naomi shook her head. “I wish some of my friends on Voyager could talk to him and my mom—I’m sure they could talk them out of this.” Tears filled her eyes. “I wish my friends on Voyager would talk to me—but everyone is too busy.”
“Wow,” Riker said. “Sounds like you’ve got some big issues.” He handed her a napkin.
Naomi wiped her eyes. “I want to go back to space. If my parents don’t want to, I’ll go anyway.”
“How will you do that?” Riker asked.
“I’ll find a way,” Naomi said. “I’m going to be a captain someday, and captains can always find a way.”
“I see,” Riker said. He looked down at his empty glass and then checked down the bar where the bartender was chatting with a Ferengi. “I’m going to go get a refill on my drink here. Be right back.”
Naomi nodded and took another swallow of her hot chocolate. It warmed her, as did Commander Riker’s sympathetic ear.
A few minutes later, Riker came back to her. His glass was already half-empty. “Miss Wildman, would you be willing to accompany me someplace?”
Naomi narrowed her eyes. “May I ask where, Commander Riker?”
“You may ask,” Riker said, draining his glass. “Let’s just say I contacted someone who wants to address your desire to go into space personally. They’re waiting for us.”
Naomi perked up. “Really? Who?”
“That’s all I’m permitted to say,” Riker said. He took off his uniform jacket and draped it around Naomi’s shoulders. “Are you ready to go?”
Naomi gulped down the last of her hot chocolate and nodded.
Commander Riker took her to Starfleet Headquarters. Even in the middle of the night, it was busy, with people of various races in Starfleet uniforms scurrying here and there. Several of them recognized Commander Riker and stopped to say hello. Riker returned the greetings but said he was hurrying to an “important meeting.”
Naomi tried to keep her curiosity in check. They finally stopped at a door labeled BRIEFING ROOM 3.” Riker pressed a button on a panel next to the door.
A familiar voice called out, “Enter.” Naomi felt her heart start to pound. When the door opened, she was greeted with not one, but two surprises.
She had recognized Captain Janeway’s voice. Sitting next to the captain was Seven of Nine. Both women looked tired but smiled to see the young girl.
“Captain! Seven!” She looked from one to the other, delight filling her.
“Come in, Naomi,” Janeway said. “Have a seat.”
Naomi picked a seat on the other side of Janeway and facing Seven. Riker chose to lean on the wall near the door.
“Seven, it’s good to see you!” Naomi said. “How was Kansas?”
“Kansas was agreeable,” Seven said. She glanced at Janeway, who nodded slightly. The former Borg drone continued, “Commander Riker says you’ve been experiencing some difficulties adapting to your life away from Voyager.”
“More than that,” Janeway said, her smile gone. Folding her hands on the table and leaning forward, she said, “the Commander tells us you are considering violating your orders.”
“Orders?” Naomi looked at Riker, who appeared to be studying Seven of Nine. “I don’t know what you mean. What orders?”
“Your parents’ orders, of course,” Janeway said.
“Oh,” Naomi’s face fell. “You’re just going to tell me I have to do what my parents say.”
“Your parents are superior to you in the chain of command,” Seven said. “It follows that you would have to obey them.”
“But they want to go live on Ktaria VII!” Naomi said. “They won’t let me go back to space! That’s where I want to be!”
“It is understandable that you would wish to return to your familiar surroundings,” Seven said. “However, it is unrealistic.”
Naomi blinked back tears. She didn’t want to cry in front of Seven and she especially didn’t want to cry in front of the captain. “But does that mean I have to never see anyone from Voyager again?”
“Why would you think that, Naomi?” Janeway asked, tilting her head.
“Because I don’t see anyone now,” Naomi said sadly. “Everyone’s too busy when we’re all here. If I go to Ktaria VII, maybe I’ll never get to the stars or hear from any of my old friends.”
“Oh,” Janeway said. She and Seven exchanged a look. Then she reached out and took Naomi’s hand. “Naomi, I’m sorry. We have been busy—catching up with our old lives, being debriefed by Starfleet Command. We didn’t mean to neglect you.”
“I understand, Captain,” Naomi said, trying to keep her voice level.
“You have also had to catch up with someone,” Seven said. “Your father.”
Naomi looked down at her and Janeway’s int
ertwined fingers. “Mom spends all her time with him. I think it’s his idea to go to Ktaria VII.”
“It seems to me,” Riker said as he straightened up and approached the table, “that all of you are having to adjust to a certain extent. Including your father, Miss Wildman.”
“My father has to adjust?” Naomi said, surprised.
“Your father did not have a daughter when Voyager was trapped in the Delta Quadrant,” Seven said.
“Not only that, but for a time we all thought that Voyager was lost,” Riker said. He put his hands on the black table and leaned forward. “It’s one thing to think you’ve lost someone you love and then have them turn up again. Add a new member of the family and that’s a lot to take in.”
“I’m sure your father is having to learn about you just as you are having to learn about him,” Janeway said, squeezing her hand.
Naomi thought about that for a minute. Now that the adults had spoken of her father having to adjust, it made sense. But … “But I still want to be in space. I don’t want to go to Ktaria VII.”
“Starfleet officers don’t always get to pick their assignments,” Riker said with a rueful grin. “Sometimes you have to just suck it up.”
“‘Suck it up …?’” Naomi asked.
“A human saying,” Janeway smiled. “It means to put up with a situation. Besides, you’re not seeing all the opportunities you’ll have to learn things that will help you should you still want to join Starfleet.”
“Captain Janeway is correct,” Seven said. “There is much you still have to learn.”
Naomi sighed. “I know. But I thought you both would be the ones to teach me.”
“Who says we can’t?” Janeway said.
“Last time I checked, subspace communications can reach Ktaria VII,” Riker observed.
“I would be happy to continue communicating with you,” Seven said with a smile. Naomi couldn’t get used to Seven smiling, but she liked it.
“You know,” Riker said, “It’s late, and I think we’d better get a young lady back to her quarters before her parents start to worry.”
“I will accompany Naomi back to her quarters,” Seven said, standing.
Janeway nodded. She gave the girl’s hand a final squeeze before releasing it. “I expect to hear great things about you, Naomi. And I promise you’ll hear from me again soon.”
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