Although the language barrier had been broken, there were so many concepts that eluded the Edrehmaia. Still, a great deal had been revealed.
The Edrehmaia had existed for millions of years. Space-born life-forms, they had roamed the galaxy, evolving by the light of the stars and eventually using the raw materials present to continue to advance ever outward. They had been attempting to breach the galactic barrier for almost two millennia. They would continue in their efforts, with or without the assistance of the new race of “builders” they now considered peers.
As the fleet would be remaining in Edrehmaia space for another few weeks at least, Janeway had dispatched the Vesta to plot a series of targeted slipstream jumps to drop new communications relays that would create a continuous link to Starfleet. Once their time here had ended, Janeway sincerely hoped to continue to observe the Edrehmaia’s work. They were utterly fascinating.
Chakotay had retired for the evening, but when she entered the quarters they shared when she was aboard Voyager, she was surprised to find him still awake, seated in the living area, staring out a port. He greeted her with a pensive smile when she entered but remained seated on the low sofa.
“You look like you could use some company,” she said, crossing to sit with him. Placing her back against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her. They sat like that in companionable silence, staring out at the stellar nursery.
Finally, Chakotay said, “I had an interesting conversation today with Commander Fife.”
At Fife’s request, Counselor Cambridge had been dispatched to Demeter shortly after the fleet had regrouped to conduct a complete psychiatric evaluation of Captain O’Donnell. His final report indicated that while the captain harbored an unhealthy fascination with the Edrehmaia and that several sessions of cognitive therapy would likely provide the necessary perspective for him to return to duty, he had begun to come to grips with his lapses in judgment. Cambridge supported Fife’s orders to restrict O’Donnell’s activities until those sessions were complete.
“Really? What did Fife want?”
“He wants us to allow the Edrehmaia to make the alterations they had proposed for the Galen to the Demeter instead.”
“Fife made that request?” Janeway asked in disbelief.
Chakotay nodded.
“Did O’Donnell pressure him to do so?”
“I don’t think so. They are an interesting pair, those two. While I would never want to share command with another captain, it has become clear to me that in their case, it is an ideal situation. What O’Donnell lacks in leadership abilities he more than makes up for in vision.”
“And Fife provides the necessary balance to O’Donnell’s occasional excesses, while managing the day-to-day operations and offering the crew an accessible leader,” Janeway added. “But I still find it hard to believe that Fife wants to do this.”
“He’s not asking for himself. He had Lieutenant Elkins thoroughly review the proposed modifications and only when he agreed they were both safe and possible did Atlee come to me. He understands O’Donnell’s fascination with the Edrehmaia, and while he intends to ensure that their future interactions are conducted with the necessary safeguards in place, I think he believes it would be cruel to deny Liam this opportunity.”
As Janeway considered the magnitude of Fife’s proposal, Chakotay continued, “While he would grant transfers to any of his crew who requested it, he wants to remain with O’Donnell and the Edrehmaia, enable them to breach the barrier, and follow them as they continue to explore beyond the Milky Way.”
Janeway sat up and turned to face Chakotay.
“How did you respond?”
“I told him I would pass his request along to you.”
“Why didn’t he come to me himself?”
“He said he had requested a meeting but that your schedule hadn’t permitted it.”
“I have been ridiculously busy,” Janeway allowed.
“I think he didn’t want to wait any longer to get this on your radar. It’s not a small undertaking.”
“No, it isn’t.”
“What do you think?” Chakotay asked.
Janeway shook her head. “I think it’s…” she began, then faltered. “I don’t honestly know what I think.”
“I’ll say this much. We’re never going to have an opportunity like this again. We find ourselves in a unique moment in space and time. The knowledge that could be gained by such an effort makes our continued exploration of the Delta Quadrant seem rather pedestrian.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Really? With a modified slipstream drive and the assistance of the Edrehmaia, we’re maybe a few months away from another galaxy. You’re not even curious?”
Janeway suddenly realized that he was already way ahead of her in considering the possibilities and was clearly leaning in an unexpected direction.
“Demeter is a tiny ship. I wouldn’t send her on her own into unexplored space, let alone another galaxy.”
“Neither would I,” Chakotay agreed.
The penny dropped.
“You want to take Voyager out there, don’t you?”
Chakotay smiled. “I think this ship has already done extraordinary things, but her best days are still ahead of her, if we have the courage to make it so.”
“ ‘We’?”
“Yes,” Chakotay said simply.
“How many of our officers do you think would be willing to join us on such a mission, assuming Starfleet Command signed off on it?” Janeway asked.
“I have no idea. But I do think we should ask.”
“We would need at least a hundred and twenty.”
“There are almost a thousand people serving the fleet now. I bet we could get at least that many.”
“We would be extending Voyager’s mission. We’ve only got about a year and a half left as it is. And there are serious supply considerations.”
“The Edrehmaia can provide us with
