“It actually does,” Janeway realized. “We would be opening up an entirely new avenue of exploration for the Federation.”
“And cementing an alliance with one of the most extraordinary species we have ever encountered. Little as we seem to have in common now, we do share an insatiable desire to learn and to grow beyond our current limits—and an appreciation for good music. The Edrehmaia have mastered manipulation of matter in ways we still don’t even understand.”
“We would be taking our first steps into a much bigger universe,” she said, allowing the explorer who had always lived in her heart to take the reins of her imagination.
“Then we agree?”
Staring into his eyes, she realized that the thing that had brought them together and kept them united throughout all of the years they had served together, through hardship, fear, death, painful compromise, and horrific losses, was Chakotay’s unerring ability to reach her deepest, truest self and continue to challenge her to heed its wisdom. He was more than her partner, her lover, or her dearest friend. He was the best part of her, and she honored that by returning the favor as often as possible.
“I have one condition,” she replied.
GALEN
Lieutenant Conlon was surprised when she answered a summons from the Doctor to find Counselor Cambridge waiting as well in the Doctor’s private office.
“Sirs?” she greeted them.
“I have good news, Lieutenant,” the Doctor began. “While we were separated, Doctors Sal and Sharak were able to find the cause of your genetic syndrome.”
“What was it?” she asked.
“A mutation designed to make it difficult for your body to resist the invading consciousness. The others invaded by the Seriareen shared the mutation. That’s how they found it.”
Discovering the answer to the puzzle that had overshadowed every moment of Conlon’s life for months should have been accompanied by relief. Oddly, it wasn’t.
“I see.”
“Doctor Sharak and I successfully eliminated the genetic sequence and it is now possible for us to return your consciousness to your organic body.”
“Of course,” Conlon said. “It’s just… we’re in the middle of serious repairs and I am currently Galen’s chief engineer. Perhaps we should wait…”
“Once the transfer is complete, you should be able to resume your duties within a few days at most, Lieutenant,” the Doctor advised.
Conlon hesitated.
“Is there a problem?” the counselor asked.
“No. I mean, the truth is, there are considerable advantages to this form I’d never really imagined. I’m not hating it, as much as I feared I might.”
“You are well aware that this was never intended to be a permanent solution. It can’t be,” the Doctor insisted.
“Has there been any degradation to my matrix?” she asked.
“Minor,” he replied, “but it will only increase the longer you remain as you are.”
“I haven’t been aware of any limitations or processing difficulties.”
“Be that as it may, eventually, you will be. There is no reason to wait any longer,” the Doctor said.
“What if I refuse?”
The Doctor recoiled, as if certain he hadn’t heard her properly.
“Doctor, may we have the room?” Cambridge asked.
He clearly wished to refuse but declined to do so.
“Of course.”
“I have reviewed the reports surrounding your consciousness transfer as well as your duty logs since you assumed this form,” the counselor said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been as good at my job as I am now,” Conlon said a little too defensively.
“That’s because you have been given a gift no other human has ever experienced,” Cambridge said gently. “For most of us, duty is only part of the equation. We are defined as much by those with whom we share our lives as our professional aspirations. Our emotional connections can interfere with our reason and ability to function, but they also enrich our experience of living.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
“Of course. I’m still me, Counselor, even if there are parts of my life I don’t remember.”
Cambridge settled himself on the front edge of the Doctor’s desk. “The Doctor has reported that very specific memories of your past relationship with Lieutenant Kim as well as of your child were apparently lost in the transfer process. He believes that those memories remain in your organic body and will be reintegrated when you return to it.”
“I know that too.”
“He believes that the power disruption, coupled with Lieutenant Kim’s presence during the transfer, something you explicitly requested not happen prior to undergoing the transfer, are responsible for the loss,” Cambridge continued.
Conlon nodded.
“I have also spoken at length with Lieutenant Kim about the events that transpired just before and after the Galen’s transport by the Edrehmaia.”
“And?”
“And I have a different theory.”
Conlon honestly didn’t want to hear it.
“What’s that?”
“For most people, the idea of assuming a new form, no matter how perfect, would be terrifying. But you embraced the notion almost as soon as it was presented to you.”
“There were no other options.”
“Your life has been unusually fraught of late, Lieutenant. You were assaulted and gravely injured. You unexpectedly became pregnant with a child you had every intention of terminating. That choice was taken from you by circumstances beyond your control. When you awoke and were advised of this, at least according to Lieutenant Kim, you immediately embraced this new, troubling development. You carried on, seemingly content to continue your relationship and raise the child together.”
“So I have been told, but I don’t remember…”
“Moments after you made this choice, you were rendered unconscious and as soon as you awoke, found yourself in the midst of an even greater crisis. Survival became your only priority. You rose to the occasion admirably even as your body’s deterioration continued to progress rapidly.”
“I remember those events perfectly,” Conlon said.
“And according to Kim, your relationship flourished.”
“I don’t doubt his memories, I just don’t share them.”
“Because you didn’t want to,” Cambridge said simply.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Why would I…?”
“You didn’t even tell Lieutenant Kim, the person who by all accounts you were closest to in the universe, that
