Star Trek Voyager: Frontiers of Exile

A/n: I can’t believe that I’ve written 30 odd Voyager fics but this is still my first sequel. Hopefully you’ll all like this one, a follow up to “Bonds of Love, Ties of Family”. It’s set six months after the original story and I’d love to know what you all think of the first chapter.

Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth

Admiral Stewart sighed irritably as he entered the clinical atmosphere of another Briefing Room, he really had been hoping to get home for the night but no, this newly promoted upstart had to call him just as he was about to clock off… “This had better be good Fraser.” He growled at the aforementioned upstart as he sat down.

Commodore Wesley Fraser shot him an apologetic look as he continued trying to re-establish the vital comm. link between headquarters and Demeter IV, a link that would certainly be necessary if he was going to be able to convince Stewart of the perilous situation there. “It is sir, although I am sorry that the work of the Humanitarian Council disrupted your evening.”

A distinctive tinkling laugh drowned out Stewart’s testy reply. “Our newest Council member certainly has a good picture of your character doesn’t he John?”

Both men wheeled around to face the speaker, an unremarkable looking woman in her mid fifties with intelligent, steely grey eyes. “Valentina!” Stewart exclaimed with a smile of faux pleasure, “I didn’t realise you’d be involving yourself so…directly in this issue…”

“I wouldn’t exactly describe what’s happening in the Demeter system as an issue John…” She interrupted icily, “Personally I’d say it fits the definition of a major problem exactly.”

Stewart immediately began to backtrack, his agreement stumbling over itself in his mouth in its hurry to be said, “Yes, yes a major problem… Most definitely a major problem…”

Although Fraser was privately revelling in seeing his direct superior squirm, he decided now was the time to seize the attention the Demeter system most definitely needed. “I must say Admiral Keralova…” He addressed the woman politely, “I’m very relieved that you, in your post as head of Starfleet’s Humanitarian Wing, have decided to attend to the Demeter system yourself. It’s certainly becoming very serious…”

Bored with his fawning words, Keralova decided to make him cut to the chase. “Yes Commodore, I think we’ve all agreed that this is serious. I want to hear what you propose to make it less so.”

Fraser gave a loud gulp, causing Stewart to have to choke back a chuckle. “Well Admiral, I can’t say I convened this meeting to actually propose…” He stopped himself as he saw her eyes narrow into a near glare. “What I meant to say was, the point of this meeting is just to show you how much the situation has deteriorated in a few short weeks. If I could put Captain Klinemann on the comm., who is actually out there in the field, you would get a better picture…”

“I’m all for that.” Stewart piped up after a permissive glance at Keralova. “Put him through.”

“Yes sir.” Fraser agreed quietly, sighing in relief when the comm. system cooperated and the haggard face of Captain Klinemann appeared on screen, albeit intermittently. “I’ve got Admirals Keralova and Stewart waiting here to listen to you Captain, go ahead.”

“Thank God.” Klinemann muttered before his voice became more determined. “Our position here is completely…unsustainable…we…” His words were blocked from their hearing by growling static, causing Keralova to wince in concern.

“Is your comm. connection always this bad Captain?” she queried seriously.

“Freq…Frequently worse ma’am.” He answered through the interference. “We’ve gone for weeks without communications before, days without power…”