Protocols Unknown: A Decision of The Stars

The Shape of Trust

Chakotay stared at the feed on the terminal in front of him.

The Vaadwaur in the brig sat upright, hands folded neatly, posture still as stone. He hadn't spoken much since his capture. No demands. No threats. Just a name.

Teska.

Tuvok's voice came from behind him. "He's refused to elaborate on their connection. But he's used her name twice now."

Chakotay exhaled slowly. "Do we have confirmation?"

"Genetic markers suggest a familial link," Tuvok confirmed. "Sibling match."

Chakotay swore under his breath.

"Does she know he's here?"

Tuvok's silence answered that.

"She will eventually."

They both looked at the screen again. The Vaadwaur hadn't moved.

"He hasn't asked for anything," Chakotay murmured.

Tuvok's tone was unreadable. "Not yet. But we must inform the Captain. She will want full transparency—especially where Teska is concerned."

Tuvok tapped his commbadge. "Tuvok to Captain Janeway."

A beat. Then her voice came through, steady as ever. "Go ahead."

"We have an update regarding the detainee. Commander Chakotay and I would like to speak with you."

Another pause. Then—"I'm in my ready room. Come."

Chakotay nodded once, already turning from the console.

They moved quickly, the hum of the corridor lights trailing them as they stepped into the turbolift. No words passed between them. The lift slowed, stopped, and they stepped onto the bridge, bypassing the quiet glances from the Beta shift crew.

The doors to the ready room slid open.

Janeway was standing by the viewport, arms folded. She didn't turn around.

"I take it this isn't about standard security updates," she said.

"No," Tuvok replied.

She turned, face composed, but something about her stillness sharpened. Chakotay caught it—something just under the surface. She already knew something was wrong. She always did.

Chakotay stepped forward, keeping his voice low. "We ran a full scan on the Vaadwaur from engineering. He's used only one word since we brought him in."

Janeway tilted her head. "Which name?"

Chakotay nodded. "Teska."

Janeway didn't react at first. Not outwardly. But her gaze narrowed, just slightly, like a stormfront curling behind her eyes.

"Twice," Tuvok added. "With no context. But the implication was clear."

Janeway moved to her desk but didn't sit. "Have you confirmed a connection?"

Tuvok gave a single nod. "Genetic markers indicate a high-confidence sibling match."
Silence fell over the room.

Janeway set her hands on the desk. "Does Teska know?"

"Not yet," Chakotay said. "She will. We wanted to talk to you first."

"She kept Naomi safe," Janeway said, voice tight now. "She helped Naomi send the signal from the cube. She went against her own father—the Vaadwaur leader—and later helped Tuvok hide with Astrea while Paris got the beam fixed. That's not nothing."