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Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 18:56:05 -0400
Subject: [ASC] NEW:VOY "In Pursuit of Justice" 10/13 J [PG-13]
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Forwarded by the ASC-VSO 
Posted: 3 Jun 2004 13:34:04 -0700  
In: alt.startrek.creative 
From: roq@iname.com (Rocky) 
 

Title: In Pursuit Of Justice
Author: Rocky
Contact: roq@iname.com
Web page: http://www.angelfire.com/yt/rockyroad
Series: VOY
Part: 10/13
Codes: J
Rating: PG-13
Date first posted: 6/3/04
Archive: ASC yes, all others please ask

Summary & Disclaimer: see part 1

"Lieutenant Kim," said Gaines. "Please tell us what happened when
Voyager caught up to Equinox the second and final time."

Kim shifted slightly on the stand. "We immediately engaged them in
battle. We were taking a real beating--our shield modulations were
being transmitted to the Equinox by their EMH, though we weren't aware
of it at the time. Our weapons and warp engines were down, we didn't
even have impulse. Then Ransom hailed us, told us he was prepared to
surrender but Burke had seized control of the ship."

"How did Captain Janeway react?"

"She didn't say anything at first," Kim said, "but she let him keep
talking."

"Did the Captain suspect a trick?"

"Objection," Mendez said. "Was the witness privy to Captain Janeway's
thoughts?"

"Allow me to rephrase," Gaines said. "Did Captain Janeway indicate by
any act or word that she was suspicious?"

"I think so. It *was* highly unexpected, after all," Kim said.

"Why was it unexpected? Was there a good chance Equinox would win the
battle and would get away from Voyager for good? Or destroy Voyager?"

"I think so. We were in a pretty bad way. Of course, we had no idea
what was happening on board the Equinox at that time."

"What happened next?"

"Captain Ransom asked that we take the Equinox crew--those that were
still alive. Captain Janeway gave the order to beam them over."

Gaines looked suitably astonished. "After everything the Equinox--and
Ransom--had just put you through, did Captain Janeway explain why she
was willing to help? Or to even trust Ransom?"

Kim nodded. "She said, 'He's still a Starfleet Captain. He may have
forgotten that for a while . . . but I believe him.'"

"So the 'vendetta' was over?" Gaines asked.

"I think so," answered Kim. "We still ran into some problems--the
aliens had their own ideas about letting the crew of the Equinox get
away, plus Burke's own actions complicated matters--but she tried to
get Ransom himself."

"'Get' him how, Lieutenant?" Gaines said, looking intently into the
witness' eyes. "To punish him, or save him?"

"To save his life, of course," Kim said, a touch of surprise in his
voice than anyone could think otherwise. "Captain Janeway repeated she
was going to beam him out, but Ransom said his ship was about to
explode and he needed to get some distance between them. Janeway told
him to set auto-navigation and transport over, but he insisted he had
no time."

"Was that the end of their exchange?"

"Ransom made her promise she'd get her crew--and his--home. And she
did."

Gaines paused for a long moment, to give greater emphasis to his
words. "So to summarize, far from seeking to kill or capture him, at
the end, Captain Janeway tried to save Ransom."

"Yes," Kim said emphatically.

***
"Kathryn!"

Janeway looked up and saw Chakotay hurrying down the corridor toward
her. She sighed impatiently. "What do you want, Chakotay? It's been a
long day, I'm exhausted--"

"I need to talk to you."

Janeway continued walking. "I think we said everything that needs to
be said--more in fact, than was necessary--the last time."

"Maybe so, but I want to know what's going on."

"What are you talking about?"

"There are rumors flying around HQ that you've been offered a deal,"
Chakotay said. "Resign, save the Fleet from further embarrassment, and
they won't throw the book at you."

She stopped, and drew him into an alcove at the end of the hallway,
away from the courthouse crowd waiting in front of the turbolift. "Not
that it's any of your concern, but if I have?"

"You can't give up the fight, Kathryn--I don't want to stand by and
see you go down like this."

In a detached part of her brain, Janeway found his attitude rather
ironic, considering how vehemently he'd disagreed with the course of
action for which she was being court-martialed. Aloud, she said,
"There's no need for me to do anything. In case you haven't noticed,
they're already crucifying me."

"All the more reason not to martyr yourself." 

Janeway forced a smile. "Well, we both know I have a history of doing
just that." Abruptly, she leaned closer and said, "Why do you care?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you care what I do?" she repeated. "Or if I decide to change
my plea to guilty. Everyone seems convinced that my actions were out
of line--you were the first to tell me that--so why not just accept
the inevitable?"

"Because it's not right. You've always devoted yourself body and soul
to Starfleet," Chakotay said tightly, "At the expense of any and all
personal connections. You've given up so much already..." He looked
away, clearly embarrassed by his outburst. "I'm afraid of what will
happen if that's taken away from you as well. You'll be left with
nothing."

She stared at him incredulously, her mind refusing to accept what
she'd just heard. "But you never agreed with me!"

"No, I didn't," Chakotay said. She was suddenly very conscious of the
fact his face was only inches from her own, his dark eyes boring into
her. "But you seemed to feel that was the only way you could function
out there in the DQ, and maybe it was. Regardless of whether I agreed
or not, that's the way things were and are and there is no changing it
now." His voice dropped lower. "I let you down then, and I have no
intention of doing so again."

"You let me down?" She shook her head. "Chakotay, if anything, you're
the one who saved me. The only reason I *didn't* kill Lessing is
because you stopped me."

"I should have stopped the whole thing much earlier," he said
heatedly. "I should have seen how desperate you were and why, I should
have come up with some alternate solution and not let it get anywhere
that point. I should have insisted."

"You did insist," Janeway said. She passed her hand over her face
wearily. "But I didn't listen."

"I was supposed to be there for you, supporting you, and I let you
down. In this and so many ways."

Janeway turned away, unable to face the self-condemnation in his eyes.
"I didn't make it easy for you."

Chakotay gave a bitter laugh. "That's an understatement, but still, it
was my job as first officer--and as your friend."

She looked at him for a long moment, touched by his unexpected
concern. "Thank you." She cleared her throat. "So, as my friend, what
do you think I should do? Change my plea to guilty, and hope they're
still willing to grant me an honorable discharge?"

"You shouldn't martyr yourself, Kathryn," he said again. "Not if it's
to save Starfleet. Only do this if you really believe that it's the
right course of action for *you*. Because you accept that what you did
all those years ago was wrong." He paused. "Do you?"

"I—"

"Listen to your conscience, Kathryn. No one else can tell you what to
do." Chakotay's eyes met hers. "I know you'll make the right
decision."

End part 10

--
Forwarded to ASCL by:
Stephen Ratliff
ASC Stories Only Forwarding

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