Captain's Prerogative: Just Don't Count The Sheep!
by ALM_Voyager- (c) April 12, 2000
- Disclaimer: Voyager belongs to Paramount Pictures. No infringement intended.
Caught in the act, out in the open is where it all started. All it had taken was one star flying by, and then another and another before the dark void of space enclosed itself entirely around her. What was a girl to do when there was nothing but beeps, and twips and soft murmurs of people around her as if she had stashed herself in a library -- a lone book on a shelf.
First, her eyes would start to close and then flicker open as if they were a yoyo on a child's string. Flicker . . . open . . . flicker . . . open. Then when they finally weighed too much, her elbow would start to slide . . . further . . . and further . . . and further down the armrest of her chair until -- until a male throat being cleared realigned her senses. Damn him. What would she do without him? Sleep. Kathryn ran a hand through her thick, auburn hair and turned to smile at Chakotay -- a silent thank you for saving her from an embarrassing moment.
"Captain, there is a ship approaching on sensors," Tuvok stated gaining her attention.
"Onscreen," Kathryn ordered. She stood up and tried to stretch her thigh muscles without being too noticeable. What she wouldn't give to be able to throw her arms up high above her head, raising herself up on tip toes and pulling every muscle in her back and in her arms towards the heavens.
"Captain," Ensign Kim added, "they're hailing us."
"Open a channel, Mr. Kim," she stated and was greeted by a . . . a . . .
"He looks like a teddy bear," Mr. Paris exclaimed before realizing his faux pas. He turned and gave an embarrassed smile to his Captain. "Sorry," he said.
'And here I thought I was the only one who thought this alien looked like a teddy bear . . . something to snuggle up with in bed . . . bed . . .' Kathryn heard her mind slowly ebbing out and felt her eyelids wanting to drop again.
"Greetings," the being murmured through a fuzzy mouth and snapped Kathryn out of her trance. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Tubtub of the Goobaar -- the third planet from the sun in this system."
"Captain Kathryn Janeway of," she stifled a yawn, "the Federation Starship Voyager." She caught Chakotay giving her one of *those* glances. "What can we do for you Mr. Tubtub?" 'Hot tub . . . hot bath tub . . . warm and relaxing . . . right before bed . . . bed . .' Kathryn smiled foggily to herself and winced as she heard Tuvok noticeably change his stance from behind her.
"No doubt your journey has been long and hard?" he asked.
Chakotay stepped forward, "Actually it has been. But what does that have to do with you?"
"We offer happiness and pleasure," Tubtub said and seemed to do a little jumpy dance before Voyager's viewscreen.
"We've heard that one before," Chakotay murmured towards Kathryn soft enough so that Tubtub wouldn't overhear him.
"Mr. Tubtub," Kathryn stepped forward, "we mean no disrespect but --"
"Doubtful of us you are," he stated oddly but nodded in understanding. "Scans show you have a Talaxian on-board?"
Kathryn shuddered at being scanned. Ever since they had been taken to the Delta Quadrant scans usually reeked of the Borg or other unpleasurables . . . not hospitable teddy bears. "Yes, we do," Kathryn agreed though.
"Ask him of Goobaar. Ask him, he will know," Tubtub said.
"Janeway to Neelix," she hit her combadge and waited.
"Yes, Captain?" came a cheerful male voice. "What can I do for you?"
"Mr. Neelix -- have you heard of the Goobaar?" she started to ask.
"They're here? THEY'RE HERE!!!" Neelix exclaimed and gave a hoot of what could only be explained as pure joy and giddiness. "Captain, I've always wanted to go to Goobaar. As a young Talaxian I dreamed of such a trip and ---"
"Thank you, Mr. Neelix." Kathryn ended the communication. "We get the point."
"Much good he say to you," Tubtub stated.
"Yes," Kathryn smiled, "much good."
"View, view our happy home," Tubtub said and then, in the next instant, the viewscreen was covered in what looked like luscious pasture land -- rolling green hills, rocky cliffs, beaches with crashing waves, city skylines in the distance, and thatched-roof cottages in the wilds. Tubtub's face came back on the screen, "You like-a very much-a?"
Chakotay put a reassuring hand on Kathryn's shoulder, "We like-a much-a."
CONTINUED IN PART 2!
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