Protocols Unknown: A Decision of The Stars

Echo Drift

The Doctor moved to the central monitor, pulling up files with the practiced ease of someone who'd rehearsed this moment.

"Approximately eleven months ago, you brought an infant onboard. She was found aboard a derelict Borg vessel and was unclaimed by any known species. Genetic scans were inconclusive, and despite Seven of Nine's efforts, no lineage match could be determined."

Janeway folded her arms, jaw locked.

"You made the decision to keep her aboard," the Doctor continued, voice measured. "You named her Astrea."

Janeway blinked. Something flickered in her expression, too fast to catch.

"She was injured when you found her," the Doctor said gently. "You stayed in Sickbay with her for three nights. You carried her through engineering. You read to her every morning before shift." His voice softened, but didn't lose precision. "She reached for you. Learned your scent. Said her first word—'Mama.' That was just this week."

Janeway's mouth parted. "This isn't—" She stopped herself. Tried again. "I don't remember any of that."

"No," the Doctor said. "You don't."

He pulled up a single entry. One dated months before the Quarren mission.

Her authorization code. Her voice.

'If I don't come back from this, or if something happens—if I'm not myself—you'll need to protect her. No matter what I say later. Block the memories if you have to. But don't let me near her if I'm compromised. She can't be used. She can't be taken. Promise me.'

Janeway stood frozen. Her own voice echoed back at her from the console.

'Initiate partition sequence. Neural safeguards—fail-safe authorization: Janeway-alpha-one.'

She didn't remember saying the words.

Didn't remember sitting in Sickbay.

Didn't remember choosing to forget.

She took a step back from the console like it might burn her.

"No," she said. "That isn't—I wouldn't—"

Her hand moved to her commbadge.

"Janeway to Seven of Nine. Report to Sickbay. Immediately."

Her voice shook. She tried to cover it.

Tuvok didn't speak. Chakotay watched her with quiet sorrow.

The Doctor's expression was unreadable.

"Captain, I assure you—"

"Don't," she cut in sharply. "Not yet."

Her arms were folded again, but tighter this time. Defensive. Contained.

She didn't move from the center of Sickbay.

Didn't sit. Didn't breathe.

The doors opened again.

Seven entered, precise and silent.

Janeway turned to face her. Her voice steadied. "I want the memories back. All of them."

She turned to the Doctor. "Failsafe authorization: Janeway-alpha-one."

The Doctor watched her carefully. "It has to be spoken from the primary console. And there may still be resistance in the partition."

Janeway stepped forward, cleared her throat, and spoke directly into the console.

"Failsafe authorization: Janeway-alpha-one."