Star Trek Voyager: Lost and Found

Star Trek Voyager: Lost and Found (Chapter 15)

Seven stood in the transporter room of the Resistance, the agitated talk of her friends going over her head as she clung on to the last moments of safety and peace the ship offered her before she met her fate in Haven’s courtroom. She tensed and then relaxed as she felt Chakotay’s warm familiar hand close around hers in solidarity.

Alexander was getting impatient, practically shaking with it as he and Lyudmila stood beside Seven and Chakotay. “I wish they would just get it over with and start, then everyone will see that it’s the victims they’re demonising!”

“Maybe…once Alexander and I have testified and made it all clear to them, you won’t even need to testify Seven.” Lyudmila said hopefully.

Seven didn’t respond, her only reaction a cold shiver. She knew that the Stonetskys were trying as always to comfort her but it was having the opposite effect. To have her not testify would be irrational; no justice system would permit it. She closed her eyes for a moment, envisioning the packed courtroom, all those strange accusing eyes glaring up at her…Johnson. She was pulled out of her thoughts by the knowledge that Chakotay’s eyes were on her. She turned her head towards him, trying to muster a smile but found she was incapable of the task. Harry suddenly spoke up, “They’re calling for you now, you’ve got five minutes while I arrange coordinates.”

“Fine Harry.” Chakotay stated, the first words he had spoken since they had entered the transporter room after leaving Xenia.

“You probably have time to see the baby again before you go.” Said Harry softly, but his attempt at kindness hurt the couple more than even silence would have.

Tears weighed heavily on Seven’s throat, making speech impossible if she wanted to maintain any shred of composure, thankfully Chakotay though almost as emotional as her spoke for both of them. “We’ve…said our goodbyes to Xenia Lieutenant.” Harry nodded in understanding and turned back to the transporter console. Seven swallowed and leaned against Chakotay, how she longed to see Xenia again and not have to leave! It had been difficult enough to leave her while she slept, even with the assurances of everyone that she would be cared for and that if the trial was to go on for days they would bring her to her parents for the night and any breaks in the trial. Much as she wanted to see her baby Seven knew that if she saw her again before she left the ship she would be unable to leave.

“It’s time to go.” Harry said, with more than a hint of self hatred in his tone. Seven felt detached as Chakotay guided her to the transporter pad to join Alexander and Lyudmila and the four of them were beamed down to the surface.

As the electric mist of the transport faded and the buzzing sound left their ears, they each slowly took in their surroundings. They were in a colossal hall, more like an atrium for the open room was supported by spectacular columns, the sun drenched floor a gleaming marble. Their awe rapidly came to an end when a warden approached Seven holding handcuffs. “Ma’am, you are to be restrained.”

Seven willingly extended her wrists but Chakotay held her back, his eyes fiery with indignation. “She won’t need those, just show us where we’re to go.”

The warden looked hesitant but then Mr Bennet appeared, strutting purposely towards them. “I will take her Warden.” He said, taking Seven’s arm before turning to Chakotay. “I’m sorry but you’ll need to go in the family section of the gallery, it’s through there.” He pointed to a small side door. Chakotay wanted to argue but saw the resigned pleading expression in Seven’s eyes and relented, his head and shoulders drooping.

Seven allowed herself to be taken into his arms for an intense hug, his lips found her ear and he murmured, “You’re innocent my love. Don’t ever forget that. I’ll be right in the room with you…”

Seven gave him a soft gentle kiss in response and they had to part, he disappearing into the doorway as he had been directed, unable to look back as his heart wavered with fear and uncertainty. Seven just gazed after him, her mind blank, any sense of direction gone. Alexander squeezing her shoulder brought her back to life somewhat and she tried to concentrate again on what Bennet was saying. He was addressing Lyudmila and Alexander now as a second man approached. “This is Newman, he’ll prepare you for the cross examination you’re both going to get, you’re the first witnesses I’m going to call.” Seven didn’t catch their replies or truly register their words of encouragement before they were led away. Now she was completely alone.

Walking into the courtroom was a surreal experience. It was a large airy bright room, as packed with people as she anticipated but one face stood out. Johnson sat in one of the defendant blocks, dishevelled and handcuffed, some of the injuries from his beating at Chakotay’s hand still visible. Despite her knowledge that he couldn’t hurt her Seven’s breath still caught in her throat, the panic rising within her undeniable. It was then that her stricken eyes found Chakotay, sitting at the front of the public viewing section, his eyes meeting hers. Seven allowed herself to exhale, the intense panic ebbing away, replaced by determination. He is not going to escape. I will make sure of it.

The jurors filed in, a distinctive mix of Federation citizens and Romulans and then the three judges, a Romulan, a human and a Trill were seated and the room fell silent. The Trill, the only female judge spoke first. “I am Yulinda Sel, High Judge of the Federation Supreme Court.” She gestured to the Romulan, “This is Judicial Senator Darix, of the Imperial Law Court of Romulus.” She then motioned to the human who rose. “This is Admiral Ralston of Starfleet’s Internal Court. We all have equal weight in this decision.” She turned to the bailiff. “Please read out the charges, confirm the defendants’ identities and hear their pleas.”

The bailiff went to Johnson first. “Do you confirm that you are Christopher Andrew Johnson, born 13th of March 2341?”

“I am.” He stated with cool confidence.

“You are hereby charged within this sanctioned court of law with three counts of kidnap, three counts of aggravated kidnap, three counts of forced imprisonment, twenty counts of assault, five counts of endangerment to an unborn child, ten counts of treason and two counts of premeditated mass murder. How do you plea?”

“Not guilty.” Seven flinched as he said those words, how could he deny it? Surely they knew he was lying?

The bailiff now turned to her, Seven shuddered at the thought that they were bundling her up with Johnson, the man who had made her life a living hell for so many months. “Do you confirm that you are Annika Hansen, also known as Seven of Nine, born 24th of June 2348?”

“That information is correct.” She stated, managing to keep both her face and voice emotionless.

“You are hereby charged with two counts of premeditated mass murder. How do you plea?”

Yes, she had fired the weapon, both at Rumola II and at the Falcon, but premeditated? He had forced her…but she had built the weapon that was premeditation enough. These thoughts whirled round her brain like a tornado and made her voice exceptionally shaky as Bennet prodded her to reply. “Not…guilty.”