The Other Torres | A Star Trek Fanfiction *Book 1*

Cathexis-Chapter 34

"Captain's log, stardate 48734.2. Sometimes it's a good idea to get away from being a Captain for a while. To that end, I've started participating in a new holonovel. The setting is ancient England."

[Holodeck - Victorian House]

It is a stormy night, of course. "The drawing room is in here." said the housekeeper. A housemaid opens the door and the efficient housekeeper enters, followed by Janeway in corset and crinoline. "Bridget, take Mrs Davenport's cape, and tell Lord Burleigh that she's here." said the housekeeper. "Yes, ma'am." said Bridget. "There's tea." said the housekeeper as Bridget leaves.

"That would be lovely. Thank you." said Janeway. "Tea is usually served at five thirty and dinner's at eight thirty. His lordship doesn't appreciate being kept waiting." said the housekeeper. "I'll be sure to be prompt." Janeway said. "Let's make something clear, Mrs Davenport. My job is to make sure that this household runs smoothly. I have been with Lord Burleigh for nearly twenty years because this household runs smoothly. He has come to trust me, and I will not brook any behaviour that might jeopardise that trust, so you will be expected to follow the rules that I have set down." said the housekeeper. "Mrs Templeton, I have no wish to do anything that might disrupt this household but let me make something perfectly clear. I've been hired by Lord Burleigh, and it's his orders I will follow, not yours." Janeway said.

"You would be wise not to make an enemy of me. I can make sure we have another governess by next week." Mrs. Templeton warned. "I suggest we try to get along, Mrs Templeton. Surely there's room here for both of us?" Janeway suggested. "One lump or two?" asked Mrs. Templeton, ignoring the woman's previous statement. "Two, please." said Janeway. "Lord Burleigh will be here directly." Mrs. Templeton said. She leaves Janeway to look around. She goes to close a window flapping in the storm and sees a reflection in the glass. Janeway turns to gaze at a portrait of a woman. Someone puts a hand on her shoulder and she jumps.

"Forgive me. I've startled you." said Burleigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't here you come in." said Janeway. "Mrs Davenport, I'll come to the point. I am not an easy man to live with. Since my wife died I'm told I'm even worse. She was a buffer for me." Burleigh admitted. "I understand." said Janeway. "The children are the ones who've suffered. I've not been much of a father to them, and God knows I can't be a mother. I'm not asking that you replace their mother, but I think that they'll respond to a woman's sensibilities. You might fill a void in their lives." said Burleigh.

"I'll certainly try, your Grace." said Janeway. "Young Henry is sometimes a bit stubborn and little Beatrice misses her mother terribly. I hope they won't make things difficult for you. One thing above all I must demand. You are never, under any circumstances, to go onto the fourth floor. Is that clear?" Burleigh asked. Janeway went to answer but was interrupted. "Bridge to Captain Janeway." said Amanda. "Go ahead, Miss Torres." said Janeway. "Harry's got Commander Chakotay and--"

[Bridge]

"Mister Tuvok's shuttlecraft on long range sensors, but they're not responding to our hails. The shuttle's been badly damaged. I'm reading multiple hull fractures." said Amanda, she walked over back to the Captain's seat, which she occupied when she was placed in charge. "Life signs?" Janeway asked. "Two, but they're very faint." said Amanda. "Beam them to Sickbay as soon as they're in range. I'm on my way." said Janeway. "Aye, Captain." said Amanda signaling to Harry.

[Sickbay]

Tuvok is unconscious on a biobed. "Doctor." said Janeway walking in with Amanda. "They've each taken a blast to the head by some kind of energy discharge. Cardiostimulator. Mister Tuvok has a serious concussion, but it's nothing I can't handle. As for Commander Chakotay, all of the bioneural energy has been extracted from his brain." said the Doctor. "Extracted?" Amanda asked. "Yes. From the looks of it, someone drained the energy from every single axon and dendrite right down to the synapses. I can keep his heart beating and I can keep him breathing, but other than that there's nothing I can do. He's brain dead." said the Doctor.