Protocols Unknown: A Decision of The Stars

Missing in the Stars

Naomi straightened slightly, gripping the phaser. "Yes, Captain. Never abandon a member of your crew."

Janeway gave a small, proud nod. Then, without hesitation, she pulled Naomi into a hug—firm, steady, the kind that said everything words couldn't. Naomi didn't flinch. She held on just as tight.

Janeway straightened, her eyes meeting Samantha's. They didn't need to say much. One look held it all. Trust, responsibility, fear, and something stronger underneath—resolve.

"Keep them safe," Janeway said quietly.

"I will," Samantha answered, arms already wrapped protectively around Astrea.

One last look at all three of them, and Janeway walked out the door.

The corridor was dim, emergency lighting casting sharp shadows as she moved. Crew members passed her, each nodding but saying nothing. Everyone felt it now. The pressure. The silence before the break.

She tapped her combadge. "Janeway to the bridge."

Tuvok's voice came through, calm as always. "Bridge here."

"Status report."

"Long-range sensors show no change. However, there are increasing fluctuations in our outer shielding—subtle, but abnormal."

"I'm on my way."

She stepped into the turbolift. "Deck One."

The lift hummed to life, but Janeway's mind wasn't still. She kept hearing the silence back in her quarters, the weight of Astrea in her arms, Naomi's brave eyes staring up at her. She'd handed them phasers and promises.

Now she needed to make good on both.

The doors parted onto the bridge. Tuvok turned from his station.

"Captain."

"Any changes?"

"The energy variance is shifting frequency. It may be an active scan—covert. Possibly Vaadwaur."

Janeway's jaw tightened. "Raise primary shields. I want every system monitored in real time. If something tries to sneak past us again, I want to know before it breathes."

Tuvok nodded. "Understood."

Thirty minutes passed.

Samantha paced slowly with Astrea in her arms, her motions steady, keeping the baby calm.

Naomi stood nearby, gripping the small phaser in both hands. She was alert, quiet, but tense—just like Tuvok had taught her.

Then the lights flickered. Once. Then again, it wasn't like a normal fluctuation. But interference.

Samantha's head snapped up. She turned, scanning the room. "Naomi. Stay close."

Naomi didn't answer, just stepped in beside her mother, phaser raised slightly.

A hum passed through the air. Then, three figures shimmered into view.

Vaadwaur.

They phased in without a sound. No words. No warning. Just intent.

Samantha acted fast. She moved toward the crib, placing Astrea down gently before turning, drawing her phaser and firing all in one motion. Her first shot struck one of them. He stumbled, but his armor absorbed the hit.

Another Vaadwaur raised his weapon. Fired.

The shot caught Samantha in her right shoulder. She collapsed, hard.

Naomi, brave as ever, hand trembled, but she fired. The beam went wide. Too wide. They were already moving, slipping out of her line of sight, phasing slightly in and out.