Chapter Text
Epilogue: The Journey Back Begins
*31*
Bridge, Voyager II-June 25, 2381, Stardate 57481.1 (1400 hours)
"Good journey, Captain," said Admiral Hayes. Next to him, on the main promenade of the station, stood a variety of dignitaries, including Federation President M'Renn.
"Thank you, sir," Janeway said. "Request permission to depart."
Hayes nodded. "Give our regards to the Delta Quadrant, Kathryn. And we're looking forward to your safe return in another 18 months."
"We'll do our best, Admiral." As soon as the connection was broken, Janeway looked at the Ops officer. "Open a ship-wide channel, Ensign Zesas. All hands, this is the captain. Prepare for immediate departure. Janeway out."
Main Observation Lounge, Voyager II
The main observation lounge was nearly filled with off-duty personnel. The heaviest concentration of people, of course, was directly in front of the large floor-to-ceiling viewports through which the docking clamps still holding the ship firmly in place could be seen. Even as Chakotay watched, one of the slender pylons swung outward, away from Voyager, and slowly began to retract itself into the main body of the docking bay.
Chakotay glanced down at his neat civilian clothes. It felt strange not to be in uniform, even stranger not to be standing on the bridge right now, at Kathryn's side. A glimmer of starlight reflected off the simple metal band he wore on his left hand. He smiled at this reminder that despite the changes their lives had undergone in the years since the original voyage—or perhaps because of them—he and Kathryn were embarking now on a shared journey of discovery.
Closer to the viewports, Chakotay caught sight of a tall graceful figure in Vulcan dress, accompanied by a smaller one who jumped up and down and squealed with excitement. Chakotay's smile turned to a grin as he saw T'Pel bend down to Miral and pick her up so she could see better. He started to make his way toward them through the crowd, trying to ignore the whispered murmurings as he passed, "That's the captain's husband!"
He had nearly reached the other side of the room when he noticed, standing off to one side, a very striking young woman in a gold Starfleet uniform. Or at least she would have been beautiful were it not for the sour expression on her face. The woman's skin was a pale dusky blue, which contrasted sharply with her inky mane of hair and wide dark eyes. For a moment he couldn't place which species she belonged to; Bolians were bald, and she lacked the Andorian antennae. And then he remembered that Kathryn had mentioned the new Chief of Ops was Troyian. But if that indeed was her identity, why was she here right now, in the lounge, instead of on the Bridge? Normally, the Alpha shift would be on duty on the occasion of a mission launch. Just then she raised her head and gave him a cold stare, before she moved out of his line of vision.
Chakotay shook his head; it was no business of his. Such matters were under the purview of the ship's new first officer
Bridge, Odyssey
"Docking clamps released, sir."
Captain Geordi La Forge nodded to the helmsman. "Thank you, Lieutenant Korbut. Take us out nice and easy, one quarter impulse."
"Aye, Captain."
Geordi's gaze met that of Harry Kim at the Ops station. In the younger man's eyes Geordi saw the same sense of excitement he himself felt, but there was something more—almost the look of a man who was returning home. Geordi smiled, not really surprised. He could well imagine how the original "Voyagers" felt about returning to the Delta Quadrant.
Next to him, Sam Lavelle had noticed Kim's expression as well; with an impatient clearing of his throat, the first officer activated his console and called up the mission protocols. Geordi shook his head, turned his attention back to the main viewscreen, and watched as the planets of Earth's solar system quickly slipped by.
Bridge, Pioneer
"Incoming message from Utopia Planitia, main docking ring, sir," said the young Ops officer. "Prepare for departure in three minutes."
"Acknowledged," said Captain Josh Merves.
"About time," said Ambassador Diaza, with a slight edge to his voice. "Was it really necessary to keep us waiting for so long?" At his side, his aide stirred but did not speak.
"There are certain protocols and procedures involved in departure from Spacedock," Lieutenant Ayala noted from the Tactical station. Merves gave him a grateful look.
But Diaza was not satisfied. "I understand that, but did we have to be the last of the three ships to be thus released?" he demanded.
"It's my understanding that the escort vessels—in this case Voyager and Odyssey—always go before a colony ship or other civilian transport," the Talaxian Ambassador put in diffidently. Diaza stared at him for a moment as if he were beneath contempt and then resumed fuming under his breath.
Merves hurriedly rose from his seat and went to stand by the Helm console. He didn't know which bothered him more: Diaza's constant complaints and criticisms or the cold silence of the Romulan "observer." He bit back a sigh. It was going to be a long journey.
Main Engineering, Voyager II
B'Elanna glanced around Engineering, mentally checking off that each engineer was at his or her assigned station. Unable to relax, she called up the latest warp diagnostic figures once more.
"Everything appears to operating within normal parameters, Commander," Vorik said to her quietly.
B'Elanna jumped guiltily, and then smiled. "Thanks, Vorik, but I just wanted to make sure."
"Bridge to Engineering,"
"Torres here, Captain."
"All systems ready to go?" asked Janeway.
"Yes, Captain," B'Elanna said, feeling a thrill of excitement. "Just give the word."
Bridge, Voyager II
Janeway rose from her seat and walked to the main viewscreen. Without turning around, she said, "The word is given."
A faint, almost imperceptible hum arose. "Mr. Paris?" Janeway said crisply.
"Increasing our speed to one-half impulse...full impulse...we're at warp, Captain."
"Very good," Tuvok said. "Maintain maximum cruising speed."
Pathfinder Offices, Starfleet Communications Complex, San Francisco
Admiral Paris watched the screen mounted on the wall in the main complex as the three sleek ships—each equipped with a third nacelle signifying their transwarp capabilities—moved outward in formation from Utopia Planitia's outermost docking ring. He stood there for a long time, unmoving, until the ships had passed beyond the range of the short term sensors. And then his lips moved in a barely heard whisper, "Godspeed, Kathryn—for you, and all the rest of your people."
FINIS