SEASON ONE


CARETAKER
Part 8

One day later, the Ready Room
Kathryn was standing in front of the window, staring into space. The door chimed.

"Come in," she called, she headed back to her desk.

Chakotay came in, followed by all the extra Marquis characters.

"Before I decide I want to know, how old are they all?" Kathryn asked.

"Lisa is about fifteen," Chakotay said as he looked at the young girl beside Craig. "Craig is as well." Chakotay glanced at the four remaining Marquis. "Three of them are twenty one, and Jessie is twenty."

Kathryn shook her head. "The fifteen year olds aren't old enough to be working crewmembers. They will have to join the training course that I sent my cadets to."

"But what about the final four?" Chakotay asked.

"I'll assign them to Engineering, a lot of my Engineering staff were killed after all," Kathryn replied.

"Ok, Captain. Before we go can I ask if you told Mr Paris the news yet," Chakotay asked.

"No I haven't, but I will. Dismissed," Kathryn replied.

Lisa and Craig were the first to step out. Danny and the last Marquis guy followed. Chakotay & Jessie were half way out the door when they noticed that James was looking at Kathryn in an odd way.

"James, what's wrong?" Jessie asked.

"Is it just me, or is there something really odd looking on her head," James replied.

Kathryn's eyes widened, and she started feeling her hair.

"There, that's it, your hand's on it," James said.

Kathryn glared at him. "That is my hair."

Chakotay slapped his forehead with his right hand.

"Well it sure is odd, bye," James said. Jessie giggled, and they both walked out.

"Chakotay," Kathryn muttered.

"I'm sorry Captain, I forgot to warn you about those two," Chakotay said.

"What are their names, I'll need to know when I start yelling at them," Kathryn asked.

"Jessie Rex and James Taylor," Chakotay replied.

Kathryn's eyes widened. "Did you say Taylor?"

Chakotay looked puzzled. "Yes, is there a problem?"

"I think I might of erm, met his father," Kathryn replied.

"For one thing his father's been dead for 16 years. Secondly, there is obviously more than one James Taylor in this universe. There's hardly any chance that it could be his father," Chakotay said.

"You have a point," Kathryn said, her voice sounded a little nervous.

"I'll go now, Captain," Chakotay said, and he walked out.

Kathryn nodded. "Dismissed," she said to an empty room.

Ten minutes later
Tom walked in, and he went straight over to the desk.

"You wanted to see me Captain," Tom said.

"Mr Paris, you have a problem. I have invited the Marquis to be part of this crew, it's the only reasonable thing to do under the circumstances," Kathryn said.

Tom smiled. "Will you be getting a body guard for me, Captain?"

"It appears you already have one," Kathryn muttered.

"I do?" Tom said questioningly.

"Mr Chakotay said something about his life belonging to you. He'll be taking responsibility for your safety," Kathryn said.

"I think I'm going to enjoy this," Tom said.

"Don't be too sure. I've also asked him to be my First Officer. Everyone on this ship will report to him, including the Lieutenant assigned to the comm," Kathryn said.

Tom looked puzzled. "What, me?"

Kathryn stood up. "Yes, Tom. I'm promoting you to Lieutenant." She smiled and she handed over a few pins. Tom took them off her and he stared at them for a little while.

"For the first time in my life I don't know what to say," Tom said and he laughed.

"You've earned it, Tom," Kathryn said. She and him headed towards the door. "I'm only sorry your father won't know."

"Oh, he'll know. When we get back," Tom said, and he walked out.

Neelix and Kes ran in before the door could fully close.

"Captain, we were just coming to speak to you," Neelix said quickly.

"We've supplied your ship with water, Neelix, and it's ready to go," Kathryn said.

"Actually, that's what we wanted to talk to you about. We want to go with you," Neelix said.

"I'm sorry, this isn't a passenger ship," Kathryn said.

"Of course not, we won't be passengers," Kes said.

"We'll be valuable colleagues," Neelix said.

"Colleagues?" Kathryn muttered.

"Whatever you need will be my responsibility. You need a guy, I'm your guy, you need supplies. I know where to get them from. I have friends among races you don't know exist. You need a cook? Oh, you haven't lived until you have tasted my cooking. It'll be my job to anticipate your needs before you even have them, and I anticipate your first need will be me," Neelix said.

"Captain, we both want very much to be part of your journey," Kes said. Neelix smiled and he put an arm around her shoulders.

Kathryn smiled, and she nodded.

The Bridge
Kathryn was finishing her really long and boring lecture off. The awake crewmembers were quickly waking the asleep ones with a few nudges, and pokes.

"Somewhere, someday, we'll find a way back. Mr Paris, set a course..... for home."

Tom rubbed his eyes to get all the sleep out. "Aye Captain." Kathryn didn't really notice.

Voyager shot off into the unknown at the speed of light.

2 days later, Engineering
Carey and B'Elanna were arguing at a station, while everyone else was crowding around to watch.

"I want to fix this malfunction!" Carey yelled.

"No, I want to!" B'Elanna screamed.

B'Elanna pushed him away from the console. Carey pushed back. Everyone saw smoke coming out of B'Elanna's ears. Everyone saw her push him away from the console again, and then give him a massive punch in the face. He went flying to the ground. Blood started pouring down his face.

B'Elanna walked up to him, and she knelt down beside him. "Sorry, maybe you should go to Sickbay," she said in a very unsympathetic voice. She stood back up, and she stormed out of the room.   

THE END

No it isn't.... it's only the Beginning!

Will Chakotay come even with Tom? Did Janeway really meet James' father, do we really care? Will Carey ever be seen again after the next episode? Will we find out what that Marquis guy's name was? Why did it take so long to finish this damn episode off? What kind of name is Hohehoheho? What was the point of that scene? And where did this James being gay theory come from?
The answers to probably none of these small questions will be revealed next time on B4 Fifth Voyager!

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