Chereads / a shipload of fools (ST:V SI) / Chapter 42 - Starfleet being Starfleet

Chapter 42 - Starfleet being Starfleet

The aliens that helped Voyager out of the subspace conduit it accidentally entered failed completely to be a threat this time. With Voyagers energy resistant hull plating their weapons effects where decreased enough that we where able to scare them of without fleeting to the Vaadwaur planet.

There where a couple of more ineffectual attacks but then they seemed to give up. As not to antagonize them any further the Captain decided not to try to reenter their subspace conduit again, despite the increase of speed it would give.

Personally I was unsure at that decision, Voyager would have easily fought back any attacks, but perhaps it would be better to take things safe in this case.

Now we are floating next to what Seven call spacial anomaly 521. Its a graviton ellipse that pop in and out of subspace like some kind of gravimetric space hulk.

And they want to take the Delta Flyer into it in the hope of locating the Ares IV, one of the early Mars missions who apparently went missing in one of these after they found traces of it using a probe.

I called it a foolish risk. I like history as much as anyone, but this is stupid!'

Seven and I stayed behind after the rest of the senior staff had filed out.

"Captain, I know you all are excited about this, but I'm with Seven on this. This is a unnecessary risk for everyone involved. I say we sit here until it go away and then continue on our course." and Seven nod

"Agreed."

Janeway smile "The Deltaflyer is a bit more advanced than the Ares IV. The risk is minimal."

Seven frown "It seem like recovering the module is of more sentimental than scientific value."

The Captain nod "I can't argue with that. If scientific knowledge was all the federation was after we would have built a fleet of probes, not starships. Exploration is about seeing things with your own eyes." with a smile and I put my hand up

"Personally? Totally no problem with that. Speaking of probes, wouldn't it be possible to install a simple VI in the deltaflyer and have it head in and get the module on its own if you really want it? No real risk to anyone that way."

She nod "We could maybe do that. But that wouldn't be exploring. Not really. Part of learning is seeing, doing things for yourself. Becoming part of the history you are exploring."

I snort "Captain, I have seen history. Hell, I lived in it. I didn't really like it. And I certainly have no wish of becoming part of the history of this thing. It can dive back into subspace at any time."

She nod and turn to Seven "And you Seven? Here is the crux of it. As a Borg you didn't study the past, you ingested it. You never really developed a appreciation for humanities history. Maybe this is a opportunity for you to do some exploring of your own."

Seven raise her eyebrow "Are you ordering me to join this mission?" and Janeway give her a smile

"Let's just say I'm encouraging you to volunteer."

Seven volunteered.

I was less than happy about it.

While there where some difficulties, like chakotay hitting his head and the flier loosing power and we almost lost them when it dived back into subspace, they have back safely in the end and with a copy of the Ares IV database.

That was so not worth it.