Protocols Unknown: A Decision of The Stars

Missing in the Stars

The ship had settled into lockdown mode. The faint hum of recalibrated systems filled the room, dim lighting shifting as Voyager's defenses came online. Redundant shielding. Secondary protocols. Silent tension woven into every corridor.

Janeway held Astrea close, feeling the baby's small, steady breaths against her chest. Her body was still. Her mind wasn't. Something felt wrong.

Across the room, Chakotay stood near the couch, arms crossed. He was watching her, reading the tension in her shoulders, the way her grip on Astrea hadn't loosened.

"You feel it too," he said quietly. It wasn't a question.

Janeway exhaled, the sound low and tight. "We're being watched."

Seven of Nine stood at the wall console, scanning the internal sensor logs. Her fingers moved fast, efficient. Her expression didn't shift, but her posture did—tense. Alert.

"There is no direct evidence of surveillance," she said. "However..." She paused, looking up. "I do not believe we are alone."

That was all Janeway needed to hear.

She tapped her combadge. "Captain Janeway to Ensign Wildman. Report to my quarters. Bring Naomi with you. Starboard."

Samantha's voice came back immediately. "Aye, Captain."

Janeway looked down at Astrea, now awake in her arms. Her eyes were wide and unblinking, tracking every movement, every shift in tone. Her small hands flexed with quiet tension, her body unusually still for a child so young. She wasn't crying. She was listening. The baby was sensing it too.

She turned to Chakotay. "Get to the bridge. Keep an eye on long-range sensors—I want to know the second anything changes."

He hesitated for half a second. Then nodded. "Be careful, Kathryn."

She gave the barest smirk. "I always am."

Chakotay left without another word.

As soon as the door slid shut, Seven tapped her combadge. "Seven of Nine to Icheb. Report to Astrometrics immediately."

"I'm on my way."

She turned back. "If someone is searching for us, we must determine who—and how."

Janeway shifted Astrea in her arms. The baby stirred, curling closer, her breath brushing against Janeway's collarbone.

"Find them, Seven."

Seven nodded and left without another word.

Janeway stayed there, rocking slowly, the hum of the ship steady in the background. She listened for something. Anything.

But all she heard was the silence before something breaks.

The chime at the door broke through the quiet. Janeway turned as it slid open to reveal Samantha Wildman and Naomi.

Without a word, Janeway pressed a kiss to Astrea's forehead. The baby blinked up at her, calm but watchful.

"She's been quiet," Janeway murmured, her voice almost tender. "But she knows."

Samantha stepped forward, arms out. Janeway passed Astrea over carefully, her hand lingering for just a second longer on the baby's back.

Then she turned to Naomi, kneeling slightly to meet her eyes. From the folds of her uniform, she pulled out a small phaser and placed it gently in Naomi's hands.

"Remember your classes with Tuvok."

Naomi stared down at the weapon, then up at Janeway. "Captain?"

Janeway's voice was low but steady. "Remember to breathe. And aim. And Naomi, the third most important rule of being a captain is?"