Star Trek Voyager: Their Human Errors

Chakotay stared at his Captain in disbelief, glad that they were alone in her Ready Room so that no other crewmember could have heard what she’d just told him. “You’re monitoring Seven of Nine’s holodeck use?” he echoed, trying to keep the horrified incredulity out of his voice. “Why exactly Captain?”

He obviously didn’t succeed in neutralising his tone as hurt flashed vividly across Kathryn Janeway’s face. “You make it sound as if I’m spying on her, as if I suspect her of something, that’s not the case at all.” Her eyes took on an accusatory glint, as if it were he who’d shown signs of distrusting her protégé and not the other way around.

Chakotay bit back a sigh but kept his expression calm, his tone patient. “You know perfectly well that Seven has earned the trust of all of us several times over, but what did you expect me to say Kathryn? You’re going to have to explain this to me, why are you so concerned?” He ran a hand through his hair as Janeway pursed her lips unhappily, “Haven’t you and the Doctor always encouraged Seven to experiment in the holodeck, regain her humanity as such?” Chakotay grimaced briefly as he said this; he’d always considered such schemes to be misguided. He didn’t doubt the Captain or the Doctor’s good intentions in guiding their beloved joint protégé but he’d always believed Seven would grow into her humanity at her own pace, holographic aids or not.

An anxious, regretful frown furrowed the Captain’s well manicured brows, “Of course we have, but…” She trailed off, biting down on her lip as she beckoned him to look at the data sprawling across the screen of her desk’s console, “Look how many hours she’s logged in the holodeck over the past two weeks. I’m surprised she’s found any time to work, let alone regenerate!” She took a deep breath, looking up at him seriously, “Hasn’t she seemed…distracted to you recently?”

It was Chakotay’s turn to appear unsure. “Well…she’s been a little late for a few shifts.” He admitted, “I’ve been letting it go because for years she’s put even my punctuality to shame.” He explained with a hint of a wry smile the Captain didn’t return, instead her face fell guiltily.

“I knew I should’ve kept a closer eye on her…” She murmured, “After her ordeal with Unimatrix Zero…” She clamped her mouth shut, shaking her head at him, but Chakotay already knew not to pry about whatever details Seven had provided about the shattered dream of individual drones. Resting her chin on her hands, Janeway closed her eyes for a moment and sighed heavily, “And then there was Quarra. Some people are still feeling a bit disorientated from that…”

“We’ve all had a lot to deal with.” Chakotay agreed softly, “I wouldn’t blame Seven for letting herself take refuge in the holodeck for a little while; it’s something we could all do with more often.”

The Captain winced. “Taking refuge…” She echoed thoughtfully, “That can be addictive, especially when you’ve got as many memories to hide from as Seven of Nine does.”

Chakotay nodded solemnly, a painful lump forming suddenly in his throat as memories from his short lived mental link with Seven four years ago involuntarily flooded his mind’s eye. “Yes, there’d be no point in denying that.” He conceded quietly, “But Seven is resilient if she’s anything. She’s probably just having some fun…”

Janeway’s eyebrows immediately formed an incredulous arch on her forehead. “Seven of Nine? Fun? Are we talking about the same former drone?”