Persistence of Vision: Part One
Chapter 47: Persistence of Vision: Part One.
(Three days after Parturition.)
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Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
"Melissa!" I yelled. I was ten years old, running through my family's cornfield. Chasing after my older sister Melissa who was 13. Running towards the forest outside our property.
She ignored me and kept running, laughing in the wind and disappeared into the forest. I screamed in frustration and stomped my foot. Considering my next options. Suddenly, Pheobe, who was eight years old, popped out of the cornfield and joined me at the edge of the forest.
"Kath-Kathryn." She inhaled a few deep breaths. "Melissa got away with it again!"
"I know, Pheebs. I was there. Come on. We are going to find her and give her a piece of our mind." I snapped and marched into the forest.
After several hours of searching. Our pale skin burning in the Indiana sun, we reached the steep cliff, leading down to a rushing river that lead to a waterfall. Melissa's safe place.
"Melissa!" I snapped. Melissa jolted up from the edge of the cliff. Clutching her chest she spun towards us. "YOU RUINED IT! You ruined everything!"
"It's not my felt you are an idiot! Don't lie to yourself, Kath. You aren't special at all." She barked back. I stomped over to her, I never felt such rage at someone before.
"You-you-" I sputtered out. Then on an impulse, I shoved my sister. She stumbled back, the ground beneath her crumbled and she fell. Screaming. Screaming so loudly it almost shattered my ears. Pheeds and I screamed in horror at what I had done.
Then we heard a shattering crack. Silence. A splash.
We didn't move. We didn't dare move. I felt frozen in place. Unable to move in fear of what I would see in the river. Pheebs gripped my arm, digging her nails and crying. I wailed and collapsed to the ground. I killed my sister. I killed my older sister.
---
I shot up in bed. Breathing heavily as I heard my alarm going off. I sucked in deep breathes. Desperately pushing the memory out of my head. I ran my hands through my hair, getting up unsteadily from my bed, turning off my alarm and moving to start my day.
God, I need a coffee.
-----
Bini Filters POV
Micheal, Sarah and I trailed behind the Captain, who had her signature hairstyle bun back, and Mollie on her leash.
"You would think as a human being in command, she would choose one hairstyle. This is throwing me off." I hissed at the two kids.
"You think you are the only one who is thrown off. We live with her! Sometimes I wake up and can't identify my own mommy because-"
"I see where this is going. You are overreacting. Your mother has other distinguishing features other than her hair." I interrupted. Micheal shrugged and we fell into a comfortable silence, walking behind the Captain.
"Paris to the Captain." Tom cut in through the comlink. The Captain let out an irritated sigh and tapped her combadge.
"Janeway here." She replied.
"I've done an analysis of our route through Botha space. Whenever you have a minute to check it out." Tom replied.
"I'm on my way to Engineering. I'll be with you as soon as I'm done."
"Aye, Captain. Paris out." Tom said, cutting the comlink.
"Ah, Captain," Neelix exclaimed, moving to catch up with the Captain in a hurry. "The computer told me I'd find you on deck eleven section four B, starboard side, and sure enough, here you are."
"What can I do for you, Neelix?" The Captain asked with irritation as we passed a bend.
"I assumed you'd want to talk to me."
"About?" She snapped.
"About the Botha. We're headed for their space and as I've told you, they're going to have to be handled very carefully."
"I understand, and of course I want your counsel, but right now I'm late for a meeting."
"I wouldn't put this off too long. We're getting closer, you know." He reminded her.
"Yes, I know. And I will be with you as soon as I can." She insisted. Waving Neelix away as we entered engineering.
"Sorry, I'm late. What do you have?" She asked B'Elanna as Harry was standing at a nearby console. Grinning. Micheal, Sarah and I moved to stand beside him.
"I think we're about ready to make our first attempt, Captain." B'Elanna said as she moved to stand beside us.
"If you're successful, will the Doctor be able to move freely around the entire ship?" The Captain asked.
"Not exactly. The holoemitters would be set up in certain key areas, the Bridge, Engineering. We'll be able to transfer him to those locations." Harry explained.
"In the same way, we can now transfer him to the holodeck. But if he tries to move into an area where there's no emitter field, he'll dematerialise." B'Elanna continued.
"I have the holoprojector online. We're ready to start."
"Proceed. I don't have much time." The Captain ordered.
"Engineering to Sickbay. Doctor, we're ready here." B'Elanna said, after opening a comlink.
"I'm standing by." He replied.
"kay. Here it goes."
"Initiating transfer. Here he comes."
The Doctor appeared in the middle of Engineering. Six inches tall. Micheal, Sarah and I burst out laughing, slumping against the console as Harry and B'Elanna held back visible amusement.
"Well, this is certainly a brilliant feat of engineering." The Doctor bit out sarcastically.
"Oh my god! HE IS SO TINY!" I burst out and we started laughing harder. Tears started coming out and we fell to the floor in hysterics. The Captain turned back, clearly not amused in the slightest and losing her temper.
"What happened?" The Captain asked on the brig of disappointment.
"I'd guess the imaging interface wasn't properly stabilized." B'Elanna theorized.
"Just a small oversight. No pun intended." Harry said. Looking down in embarrassment with a chuckle from Tom.
"Very amusing." The Doc let out sarcastically.
"How long will it take you to correct this small oversight?" She asked.
"Maybe a couple of hours." Harry replied with a shrug.
"Mister Kim, I have to assess our navigational plan and get ready to make contact with an alien species. I can't drop everything whenever you call." The Captain barked at Harry. Harry had the look that says "I want to crawl up and die of embarrassment."
"Tuvok to Janeway." The cool Vulcan voice cut through the tense situation. I held Micheal and Sarah's mouths to make them shut up and not get their mother any angrier than she needs to be.
"Go ahead."
"Captain, I would like a half an hour of your time to review the security protocols before we encounter the Botha." Tuvok suggested.
"Yes, Mister Tuvok. Somehow I will find half an hour." She snapped and ended the comlink. The Doctor crossed his arms over his chest.
"Excuse me, Captain. Would you come down here, please?" The Doctor said, she kneeled in front of the Doctor.
"Yes?"
"When did you last take shore leave?" He asked.
"About two months ago." She said sharply.
"Ah. How long since you've done something pleasurable, for recreation?" He asked.
"Doctor, I know I'm a bit testy today, but I can assure you-"
"How long?" He interrupted.
"It's been a while." She admitted.
"Well, I want you to, now." He ordered.
"Doctor, I'm really very busy." She insisted.
"I've checked Starfleet regulations. The Chief Medical Officer outranks the Captain in health matters. Now I realize this may be the first time a hologram has given an order to a captain, but I'm ordering you to report to the holodeck, now."
"Aye, sir." The Captain replied with a nod. Then swiftly got up and left engineering.
"And the two of you can get busy undoing this ridiculous blunder of yours!" He snapped and Harry and B'Elanna.
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(An hour later.)
Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
I marched down the corridor being trailed by Neelix as I headed to the bridge, to meet with the Bolian representative.
"Captain, I knew we should have talked this morning." Neelix pestred.
"Tell me what you know, Neelix." I said. Ignoring his comment.
"I've been in subspace contact with some old friends of mine. Nomads, collectors, much as I used to be. They're in a position to gather information during their travels. What they've told me doesn't sound good." He explained.
"In what way?" I asked.
"There are lots of rumours about ships entering Bothan space, never to be heard from again. My sources on Mithren say that they have lost a number of vessels. They say the Botha protect their territory fiercely." Neelix added.
"But we aren't aggressors."I argued.
"I don't think they are either. They just don't want anyone crossing their borders."
"Will they negotiate? Will they respond to diplomacy?"
"It's hard to say. There's some belief that they don't even have a legitimate claim to the space, that they're nothing more than pernicious, odious vandals. In which case, diplomacy would fall on deaf ears." Neelix said as we entered the turbo lift and walked onto the bridge.
"We're being hailed again, Captain." Tuvok reported as we walked across the room.
"On screen. I'm Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager."
A shadowy, back-lit figure appeared on the viewscreen. Hidden in the darkness of the bridge.
"Why have you entered our space without permission?" The deep male voice asked.
"We didn't realise that this was your space. On what basis do you claim it?" I asked.
"I have no intention of explaining myself to you. The fact is, you're violating our territory." He snapped.
"I assure you, we mean no disrespect. We are from another part of the galaxy. We're just trying to make our way home." I argued.
"We'll send a ship to rendezvous with you. If you meet the criteria, we'll consider your request."
"Thank you. What are the criteria?" I asked.
"We'll discuss that when we meet." He barked and abruptly ended the transmission.
"Friendly fellow," Tom announced sarcastically.
"At least they're willing to talk."
"I wonder why he wouldn't let us see his face." Harry asked.
"I suspect it was a calculated move. An attempt to intimidate us. Commander, you have the Bridge." I ordered. I got up from my command chair as Chakotay followed out my order, I gestured Neelix to follow me as I started towards my ready room.
"Mister Neelix, join me in my Ready room. We should talk about this meeting."
"Captain, if I may. What was the last time you ate?"
"Ate?" I repeated. "Oh, I had some soup last night."
"Then let me suggest that we conduct our talk in the mess hall. We're serving a sumptuous repast for lunch." Neelix argued. Everyone on the bridge stopped what they were doing and looked over to us.
"Right. Lunch it is."
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Bini Filters POV
"Maybe you are losing your mind!" Micheal suggested and shoved salad into his mouth. I rolled my eyes and took another sip of my Hot Chocolate.
"I know it sounds insane but I saw a Cardassian! I swear I am telling the truth." I insisted. "Why did I even tell you two?"
"Because you are insane." Micheal blurted out.
"Micheal...shut up."
We looked towards the kitchen, where Neelix and the Captain were walking along the corner.
"Captain, you have a nasty habit of skipping meals and that can do horrible things to your electrolyte levels." Neelix explained.
"I know, but sometimes I just get too busy to eat." She argued.
"All you have to do is give me a call. I'll be there in a trice with a tray of food so delectable you won't be able to resist. I do think I've outdone myself this time. An exquisite pate made from Seltin wood fungus. Brine-soaked neccel strips. Deviled wood throk-"
Suddenly, the Captain stopped short with shock on her face. Staring at a plate of disgusting sandwiches on the counter.
"Where did these come from?" She said quietly.
"Lieutenant Hargrove asked for them. Is something wrong?" Neelix asked.
"No, just a funny coincidence. Something I saw on the holodeck. Thank you, Neelix. This all looks delicious. And it's bound to boost my electrolyte levels. Where did you get that cup?" She asked as Neelix poured coffee into a normal everyday coffee Starfleet issue cup. Why does it look like she just saw a ghost.
"Why, I'm not sure. I think I found several of them in storage. Captain, is everything all right?"
"It's perfectly all right, Neelix. I just have to remind myself that coincidences do happen." She said. I looked towards the two kids.
"Maybe I am not the only one seeing things." I muttered.
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Captain Kathryn Janeway's POV
I looked down at my padd. A report from Engineering. Suddenly, I heard giggling and I snapped my head up to see the back of my sister. Melissa. I felt fear go through my body. This can't be happening.
"Melissa?" I whispered in shock.
"Hurry up, Kath." The young voice of my sister replied before she giggled and ran off. I ran after her and turned a bend. Stopping at a dead end of the corridor. Melissa turned around, her expression was built of anger.
"You killed me, Kathryn. You didn't even have the guts to admit you did it." She yelled. I covered my eyes. Believing I was just in a nightmare. I opened my eyes again. She was gone.
---20 minutes later---
I returned to the messhall. Seeing Neelix putter around the kitchen.
"Captain! I'm delighted to see you. Do you want a snack?" He asked.
"No, I'm fine. But I wanted to ask you about lunch." I said.
"Didn't you like it?" He asked.
"It was delicious. I was just trying to remember all the dishes you made. There was the Seltin pate." I insisted.
"Delectable." Neelix said.
"The neccel strips."
"Exquisite!"
"The devilled throk."
"Sublime."
"And the cucumber sandwiches." I finished. Neelix tilted his head in confusion, then looked back at me.
"Cucumber sandwiches?" He repeated.
"Weren't there cucumber sandwiches?" I asked.
"I don't even know what that is. The other item on the menu was a fried murt cake. You ate one." He explained.
"And the cup you served my tea in?" I asked.
"One of these. The ones I found in storage." Neelix replied, pulling out a standard Starfleet issue cup.
"I thought it had flowers on it." I muttered.
"Flowers? Well, no, I don't see any flowers. Maybe there was another cup, but I don't think so. Would you like a cup with flowers on it? I'm sure I can replicate one." He suggested. I shook my head.
"It's all right, Neelix. You've told me what I need to know." I replied. Pulling away I left the messhall.
-----
(Few hours later.)
Bini Filters POV
"I. Am. A. Moron." I announced as I rolled out my sleeping bag in the children's room. Sarah looked over the edge of her bed, hugging her stuffed animal.
"Why?" She asked.
"Why did I volunteer to take care of you two as your mother losses her mind in sickbay. God, I have been hearing stories about people seeing crazy things all day." I complained. Straightening my pyjamas and laying down on the sleeping bag as Micheal came in after and crawled into his bed.
"We should be with Mommy." Micheal groaned.
"You guys are too dependant on your Mother." I said. Sitting up to look at them both. "When I was your age, Micheal, I was calling my Mother, Mother."
"That sounds like a military thing." Micheal let out, scrunching his nose.
"Congratulations, you are in the military. Starfleet is the military." I said.
---End of Chapter 47: Next: Persistence of Vision: Part Two.---
AN: Sorry that this chapter is so short guys.