The GetawayBy Amy C. Bowerrewob@adiis.netSummary: The crew has succeeded in returning to Voyager,but will they be able to return to the Delta Quadrant?Rating: PGDisclaimers: Standard disclaimers apply – Paramount owns itall, I own nothing, and no infringement was intended.Author's notes: This is a sequel to "Dear Starfleet" whichis also posted at this site. Please, read that story firstso this one makes more sense! And, as always, enjoy!Captain Kathryn Janeway of the now fugitive StarshipVoyager stood on the bridge of her ship watching as Earthslipped away behind them."Captain, we've cleared the solar system."  Tom Parisreported from the helm."Very good, Mr. Paris.  Set a course back to the wormhole."She turned to tactical.  "Mr. Tuvok, prepare to put theship in gray mode.""Aye, Captain."  Several seconds later, the ship lightsdimmed and all equipment was running at its lowestoperational limits.  Non-essential systems were taken off-line.Janeway nodded.  "Now we just have to keep an eye out andmake sure no one spots us.  Harry, how long do you think itwill be until the detention facility notices that youtampered with their systems?""If they would have noticed the switch to my programwe would have had company by now so they shouldn't noticeanything wrong for a few hours when they go to check on theMaquis…""And don't find us!"  Chakotay chimed in grinning."I'd love to see the look on their faces when theyfind out you're gone!"  Tom smiled back at them.Janeway couldn't hide her own smile.  "Yes, I think wemay have caused the admiralty a few headaches!""Captain, it is a little soon to assume we have gottenaway without detection."  Tuvok, the habitual wet blanket,pointed out.  "We have only just cleared the solar systemand without interference, it will still be four point sevenhours until we reach the wormhole.""I don't think any of us have forgotten those things,but we're well on our way.  I'd like to enjoy that for justa moment."The next couple of hours passed without too muchtrouble.  They went completely undetected by several smallcivilian vessels and once had to duck inside a Mutaru classnebula to avoid a Galaxy class Starship.  It took themalmost two hours longer than expected to reach the wormholethat would lead them back to the Delta Quadrant.  When theyfinally made it within scanning distance of the wormhole,their hopes soared.  And then fell."Well, this could be a problem."  B'Elanna mutteredfrom the engineering station as she stared at theviewscreen."It could indeed."  Janeway noted."That must be the new class of ship."  Tom pointed outnoticing the similarity, yet difference, to the Sovereignclass vessels."Can we tell which one it is?"  Chakotay wondered.Harry fiddled with his instruments and brought up acloser view of the ship.  "NCC…""…One Seven…" Chakotay read.Janeway supplied, "…Zero One…""F." Tom finished."The Enterprise," the entire Bridge crew realized with someawe and quite a bit of trepidation.There was a pause, and then Tom spoke with quite a bit ofsarcasm lacing his words.  "F? They were only on D when weleft.  They're as bad on the flagship as we are onshuttles!"Janeway graced him with a scaled down version of her Look."What's so big about the Enterprise?"  Neelix wondered."Surely we can get around this ship just as easily as anyother.""This isn't just any ship, Neelix."  Tom tried to explain."This is the Enterprise!"He shook his head failing to find any other way to explainit."I'll explain it later, Neelix."  Janeway patted him on thearm."Now what, Captain?"  Harry asked."Now we need to come up with a new plan.  Commander, getsome replacements up here.  Senior staff meeting in thebriefing room as soon as they arrive."Five minutes later, the senior staff sat in thebriefing room trying not to look glum.  Silence reigned fora full minute as everyone dealt with his or her ownthoughts."Well, people?"  Janeway finally broke the silence."Any suggestions?""We could use a shuttle as a decoy and distract themwhile we slip past into the wormhole."  Neelix suggested."Jean-Luc Picard is not going to be fooled by a decoyshuttle."  Chakotay explained.  "We will need some sort ofdistraction, though.  It's a sure bet we won't be able totalk him into letting us go.""How about beaming a team over there to do a littlesabotage?"  Harry spoke up.  "Just enough to let us getpast them without getting caught.  We wouldn't do anypermanent damage – just confuse them for a little."The briefing room was silent again as they consideredthis possibility.  As if in agreement, they all looked upand locked eyes with the captain.  Everyone but Tuvokgrinned; he simply raised an eyebrow."Well, Harry, what did you have in mind?"  Janewaywondered, leaning on the table in curiosity and excitement."It should be possible to beam two people throughtheir shields without any difficulty.Janeway nodded and continued to listen to her officersas they hammered out the plan and decided what would andwouldn't work.  After an hour, the basics were finalizedand there were just a few minor things to work out."Okay," B'Elanna looked at the schematic of theEnterprise on the wall panel.  "Now all we have to do isfigure out how to get around their shields undetected.""I will be able to do that without incident."  Sevenstated."Are you sure?"Seven's look said it all.  "Lieutenant, I don't thinkit is necessary to remind you that the Borg haveassimilated several Starfleet vessels as well as CaptainPicard himself.  I will be able to get around the shields.""But this is a different ship, Seven."  Tom pointedout."It will not matter.  The principle is the same.""All right, if you say you can do it.  We'll count onit."  Janeway looked around at her people and nodded."Well people, you have an hour to make sure we're ready togo.  Let's do it."The group got up and exited the briefing room withvery little talk as they set about their respectiveassignments.One hour later found Harry and B'Elanna standing onthe transporter pad.  B'Elanna had a work kit in one handand a phaser set on stun in the other.  Harry had a phaserin hand and a data chip."Good luck."  Chakotay told them.Janeway looked at her two officers for a moment.  Sheopened her mouth to advise them to be careful but knew thatwas unnecessary so settled for echoing her first officer'swishes, "Good luck.  See you soon."The ensign manning the transporter watched her panelfor a moment and then when the readings were rightinitiated the transport.  B'Elanna and Harry disappeared inthe shimmer of the transporter beam."Well, Commander, let's get back to the bridge andmake sure everything is going smoothly."  The pair exitedthe transporter room headed for the nerve center of theship.The Voyager pair materialized in a dark and thankfullyempty part of the ship.  They quickly looked around to makesure they were indeed alone.  After reassuring themselvesof that fact, they set to work."Nice spot, Harry.  Rather appropriate."  B'Elannacomplimented."I figured they wouldn't be using it at the moment."Harry smiled.  They had materialized in the brig."Good thinking."  B'Elanna quickly opened her work kitand set it on the console.  "I should be able to accesswhat I need from here.  How about your program, can you useit from here?"Harry quickly scanned the computer console and nodded."Yeah, this should do nicely.  It should get into thesystem no problem and they'll have a nice little chasetracking it down."B'Elanna smiled.  "You really outdid yourself withthat one, Harry.  It's going to drive them nuts!""Well, Tom helped."  Harry grinned and shook his head."As a matter of fact, he's the one that thought up the goodstuff.  I only wish I could be around the first timesomeone uses the replicator!""Don't get greedy."  B'Elanna warned."You're right.  How's it going?""Almost finished."  B'Elanna tapped in a few morecommands and made a few more adjustments with her tools."There.  All set."Harry took the tool kit and quickly stashed it underthe bunk in the cell.  He stepped back out and smiled."Shall we?""Let's go see Engineering."The pair crept out of the brig cautiously butstraightened upon seeing that the corridor was empty.  Theywalked down the corridor and stopped at the nearestturbolift.  It opened almost immediately after theysignaled.  It too was empty.  They stepped inside."This is almost too easy."  Harry pointed out."Engineering."  B'Elanna ordered the computer.  "Ihave a feeling that we'll soon find out if we replicatedthe new uniforms right because I don't think we'll goundetected for much longer.""Yeah, someone is bound to see us once we reachEngineering, but will they question us before we can get toa computer console?""That's the tricky part of the plan, Harry."  B'Elannapointed at him.  "And it's your plan."The turbolift doors opened to an empty corridor onceagain.  Without a word, they headed for Engineering.  Theytook a deep breath before the doors opened and allowed theminto the heart of the ship.  No one noticed as they movedover to an unoccupied computer console.B'Elanna leaned down and began entering commands asHarry kept an eye out for trouble.  "You'd think it wouldbe a little harder to sabotage the Federation flagship.We'd almost have to intentionally trip an alarm to getcaught."  B'Elanna muttered.At that precise moment, an alarm began to sound andthe computer announced, "Intruder Alert.  Intruder Alert."Harry exchanged glances with B'Elanna as she typed inone last command.  They slowly stood and headed for theexit.  The door parted as they got there but it was not toallow them to exit, it was to allow the security team toenter."Freeze!"  The lead security guard ordered as they allleveled phasers at the two intruders.B'Elanna and Harry surrendered their own phasers andraised their hands above their heads.  They were escorteddown the corridor without another word.Captain Jean-Luc Picard stood in his ready roomstaring out at the stars and the approximate location ofthe wormhole they were guarding.  He turned only when thedoors opened and admitted the security team with theirprisoners.  Two guards posted themselves by the door as therest left.B'Elanna and Harry positioned themselves by the deskand settled into a parade rest stance.  Picard eyed themcarefully and shook his head."I'm not sure what you expected to accomplish."  Hestated matter-of-factly.  "In fact, I'm surprised CaptainJaneway decided to risk this at all.  You must have knownwhen you started on this little adventure that you wouldnever succeed.  You should be glad we caught you before youhad a chance to do anything."Harry and B'Elanna said nothing; they just gazedimpassively at the captain."I don't expect you to tell me where Voyager is thoughit would be in everyone's best interest, but you must havesomething to say for yourselves.  I assure you there willbe no escape or rescue from your crewmates.  We have sent asubspace message out to inform Captain Janeway that youhave been caught so we will be ready for any such attemptat rescue.  I doubt very much that she will abandon anymember of her crew after going to such lengths to get youall back together so when she realizes the futility of hersituation you will all be placed under arrest and escortedback to Starfleet Headquarters.  Cooperation now will onlyhelp the situation you have created for yourself."B'Elanna and Harry exchanged quick glances and atB'Elanna's nod Harry spoke up.  "Permission to speakfreely, sir.""Granted.""With all due respect, Captain, when we came back tothe Alpha Quadrant we did not expect to be put on trial.We spent nine years trying to get back to what we thoughtof as home.  We became a family, but Starfleet decided thatwasn't important and decided to split up that family.  I'mnot just talking about the family that comes out of servingaboard a ship together. Husbands and wives taken away fromeach other and children left with only one parent as theother was detained."  Harry began to get vehement as hisspeech went on.  "Those were our loved ones, Captain, whowere about to be sentenced to some penal colony while therest of us were either cashiered out of Starfleet or sentso far away that no one would ever hear from us again. Ourhome – what we should have realized was our home from thebeginning – was to be destroyed along with our friend.  Youmight just see him as an EMH but Doc is more than that tous.  And Seven?  She may be just an ex-Borg to you,Captain, but Seven of Nine is our friend and colleague.She saved Voyager many times over, but Starfleet only sawher as an enemy to get information from instead of theperson that she is…"Picard held up a hand to interrupt.  "Ensign, I didn'tsay that I agreed with all of Starfleet's decisionsregarding your ship and crew, but I also don't agree withwhat you have decided to do about it.  There are properchannels…""Proper channels?!"  B'Elanna cut in as her Klingontemper began to move past simmering and into a full boil."Captain Janeway tried the proper channels, but no onewould listen.  We spent nine years of our lives trying tobehave like a Starfleet crew – some of us not alwayswillingly – and treated our journey as a mission and alwaysfollowed Starfleet guidelines as much as we could, but thatdidn't seem to matter when we finally reached ourdestination.  We were treated as outlaws and no one seemsto care what we've gone through the last nine years.  Wehave faced species that you can't even imagine and morethan once it was a species that would pose a legitimatethreat to the Alpha Quadrant if they ever decided toattack, but we gathered information foolishly thinking thatStarfleet would appreciate our efforts.  And we have lostmore friends and family in this pursuit than I care tothink about right now, but all we get is a 'welcome back,but we're going to imprison you for things that happenedalmost a decade ago.'  Tell me, Captain, what would you doif it were your crew that was being broken up and thrown injail?"Captain Picard stared at the pair, tugged his uniformshirt back in place and then spoke.  "As I said, I don'tagree with the way Starfleet has gone about this, but I cannot and will not condone what you have attempted to do.You don’t know how your trial would have ended, but bybreaking out and stealing Starfleet property and nowattempting sabotage on the Federation flagship, you havemade yourselves criminals and fugitives.  And I will nottake part in this madness."B'Elanna tossed her head and Harry knew that it wasn'ta good sign.  "Madness, Captain Picard?  I have never feltsurer of what I was doing than right now.  Captain Janewaydidn't force any of us to do this, and I know everyone puta lot of thought into their decision to come back toVoyager and make themselves criminals in your estimation."Picard had heard enough and signaled to the guards bythe door to come get the two prisoners.  He turned his backon them and gazed at the stars again to show them themeeting was over.B'Elanna jerked her hand out of the security guard'sgrasp as he attempted to lead her out the door.  She turnedback to face Picard again though he still didn't turn fromhis contemplation of the starry view.  "What if it wereyour crew, Captain?  What if it were your family?"She finally allowed herself to be turned and followedHarry out of the room.  Picard still did not turn around.Captain Janeway paced the bridge of her ship waiting.She hated waiting.  She would much rather be doingsomething.  Anything other than waiting.  "Well, Commander,what do you think?""The team is ready whenever you give the word.They'll have ten minutes to rescue Harry and B'Elannabefore we beam them back.  That should be plenty of time."Commander Chakotay reported from tactical.Janeway nodded and tapped her comm badge.  "Janeway toTransporter Room 1.  Are you ready?""Mr. Paris and I are ready, Captain." Tuvok reported."Very well, Tuvok, good luck.  We'll see you in tenminutes.  Janeway out."  Ten minutes.  She could wait tenmore minutes.  She didn't have a choice."Well, Harry, what do you think?'  B'Elanna sat on theedge of the bunk in the Enterprise's brig watching Harrypace behind the force field barrier."I think we've been in here an hour and I don't thinkI can handle it any more."  He sighed.  "I don't see howTom does it."B'Elanna laughed.  "Practice makes perfect, Harry.""I wish I could have come up with a plan that didn'tinvolve us getting caught!""It was the only way, Harry.  This is the only way theprograms would be sure to work.  Besides, it had the addedadvantage of giving Captain Picard a false sense ofsecurity.  He thought he had it made the minute he caughtus.  He has no idea that we actually did sabotage hissystems.  He won't suspect a thing; he'll just think weescaped while we could and gave up on the sabotage."At that moment there was a familiar humming soundaccompanied by multicolored lights.  Harry and B'Elannagrinned at each other as Tom and Tuvok appeared outside oftheir cell, phasers pointing at the guard behind theconsole."Take your hands off it, mister!" Tom ordered.The guard obliged as Tuvok walked over to him andapplied the Vulcan nerve pinch.  The man silently slid tothe ground.  Tom unceremoniously dragged him off to theside and out of the way."It took you long enough."  Harry complained."Good to see you too, Harry."  Tom grinned then turnedto B'Elanna.  "Hi, honey, having a good time?""Very funny.  You want to get to work?""Mr. Paris, if you would secure the door, I wouldlower the force field."  Tuvok suggested.Tom walked over to the door panel and punched in a fewcommands.  No one could come in now without theirauthorization."Riker to brig."They all froze as the impact of the call sank in."Great!  Now what?"  Tom muttered."I would suggest that you answer him."  Tuvok nevertook his eyes off the computer console he was working at."I am almost finished here.""Riker to brig.  Respond."  The call sounded moreurgent."Brig here."  Tom answered."Everything all right down there.  We registered abrief glitch in your systems.""Everything's under control.  Situation normal."  Tomgrimaced and shrugged at the others."What happened?""We had a slight, um, fluctuation in the, uh, powersystems, but everything's perfectly all right now.  We'reall fine now. Thank you.  How are you?""Who is this?"  The voice got very suspicious veryfast."Um…" Tom quickly slapped his hand down on the panelto close the link and muttered, "Boring conversationanyway.  Tuvok, you better hurry up, we're going to havecompany."Tuvok raised an eyebrow and continued to work at theconsole.  A moment later, just as they heard securityarrive outside in the corridor, the barrier dropped andHarry and B'Elanna stepped through but not beforeretrieving their work kit from under the bunk where theyhad hidden it earlier.  They smiled at each other."How much longer until beam out?"  Tom wondered as hestared at the door, gripping his phaser nervously.  Theyhad all agreed not to hurt anyone if at all possible andthat included stunning them."I would estimate that we have ten point seven secondsuntil our time is up and we are beamed back to the ship."Precisely ten point seven seconds later, security hadthe doors opened and stormed through in just enough time towatch the four disappear in a transporter beam.Captain Janeway ordered the systems brought back up tofull operational capacity and had the ensign at the helmmove the ship from around the planetoid they had beenhiding behind.  At last it was time for some action.The turbolift doors opened and she turned around tosee her wayward officers return.  She smiled at them."Welcome back.  I take it everything went according toplan.""I believe everything is in place."  Tuvok assured heras he took over at tactical for Commander Chakotay, whomoved down to take his place next to the captain."I'd say it worked like a dream."  Tom chimed in as herelieved the ensign at the helm.  "You know, Harry, youdeserve a commendation for thinking up this plan.  Too badwe're fugitives now.  I don't think Starfleet willapprove!"Harry just grinned as he also resumed his place.Janeway simply let the chatter flow around her.  Itwas good to have her senior staff back on the bridge again.She had no doubts that what they were doing was right if itkept these people together.  "Harry, open a channel to theEnterprise.  Let's give them a chance to back down whilethey can.""Channel open, Captain.""Captain Janeway."  Picard acknowledged as he appearedon the viewscreen. "I must say I'm impressed.  I didn'tthink you'd attempt a rescue let alone pull it off.""I have good people."  Janeway smiled."Yes, I know." He conceded before performing his duty."I must ask you to stand down, Captain, and let me boardyour ship.  You are in violation of a number of Starfleetregulations, and I have been ordered to take you intocustody if you attempt to enter that wormhole."Janeway looked around at her people.  "We're notprepared to do that, Captain.""Captain, be reasonable.  We will do what we must, andif that means disabling your vessel, we will.  Stand downnow or we will be forced to fire.  Our phasers are chargedand ready."Janeway looked to Tuvok who nodded in confirmation."I'm sorry to hear that because we're not backing down.""Captain Janeway, please, it doesn't have to be thisway.""I know that, Captain Picard.  And we sincerely wishthat it would have been different, but Starfleet has madeup our mind.  As long as my crew is to be treated likecriminals, we will not return.  I wish that we could havemet again over different circumstances.""As do I, Captain, as do I."  Picard stared intenselyat her, knowing that she was not about to back down now."Don't try to stop us, Captain, we're going home.  Youcould always tell Starfleet that we slipped through beforeyou got here."Picard shook his head, wishing it could be that easy."You know I can't do that."Janeway smiled at him sadly.  "Mr. Paris, set a coursefor the wormhole.""Yes, ma'am.""Captain, you leave me no choice.""I understand."  Janeway turned at sat down in herchair and allowed her crew to do their jobs.  "Mr. Kim, endtransmission.""Captain, they are preparing to fire phasers."  Tuvokreported."Mr. Tuvok, under no circumstances are you to fire onthem.  Mr. Paris, if our sabotage didn't do the trick, it'sgoing to be up to your piloting skills to get us throughthat wormhole."  She took a deep breath.  "Here we go.Let's hope everything works like we planned.""Well, Mr. Paris?""We're almost there, Captain.""This is it, people, if we enter that wormhole wedon't come back that way."  Janeway reminded them.  "If oursensor data is correct, it will collapse right behind us.There's no return trip."After a few seconds, Chakotay broke the silence, "Ithink that says it all, Captain.  Let's go home."On the Enterprise Captain Picard prepared to give theorder to fire on Voyager.  It was not something he waslooking forward to, but Captain Janeway had left him nochoice.  "Remember, we want to disable only, aim for theirpropulsion systems.""Aye, Captain.""Fire."The ensign at tactical targeted the propulsion systemsand pressed the button to fire phasers.Picard stared at the viewscreen but wasn't about toenjoy what he knew would happen next.  He waited."Um, Captain?""Yes, Ensign."  Picard turned in exasperation.  Hereally just wanted to get this out of the way.  "What's thematter?""Phasers just went off line, Captain.""Switch to auxiliary power."The lights on the bridge flickered, dimmed and wentout entirely.  After a few seconds, the emergency lightingcame on."What the hell just happened?"  Riker wanted to know.Picard thought for a moment and gave the hint of asmile.  "I'd say that maybe our visitors accomplished a bitmore than we thought.  Can we get between them and thewormhole?""Helm is off line, sir.""Can we close that wormhole with anything?""All systems except emergency systems and life supportare off line."Picard smiled.  "Hail them.""Captain, we're being hailed."  Harry told her."On screen, Ensign, I have a feeling our little planworked."  She stood and stepped down by Tom as theviewscreen showed the bridge of the Enterprise once again."Captain," Picard, too, had stepped down to standright behind his helmsman.  "I believe I owe you and yourpeople an apology.  You seem to have outsmarted us."Janeway smiled as the rest of the senior staff camedown to stand beside her.  "Like I said, Captain, I havegood people."Picard looked at his senior staff as they also joinedhim in front of the viewscreen.  "Yes, you do, Captain.""Um, Captain," B'Elanna looked a little hesitant asshe spoke.  "If I were you, I'd have your people check outyour security system.  Especially your intruder alert."Picard glanced at Riker briefly with a slightlypuzzled look on his face.B'Elanna and Harry also exchanged glances, trying tostifle a laugh."Captain, let me assure you that we did not do anypermanent damage."  Janeway explained.  "Your systemsshould be back to normal in…""Ten minutes."  Harry supplied as Janeway turned tohim.Picard nodded.  "Very well.  Captain, I hope this doesnot mean that we have seen the last of you.  I will speakto Starfleet on your behalf so if you ever decide to comeback, maybe things will be different.""I appreciate that.  We'll keep that in mind."Picard watched as Tom turned to Janeway.  He noticedby their readings that Voyager was about to enter thewormhole.  "Captain Janeway, I wish you and your crew goodluck.""Thank you, Captain Picard."  She paused and the twocrews shared one last look at each other.  "Janeway out."A few hours later, back in the Delta Quadrant, thesenior staff enjoyed a meal in the Mess Hall to celebratetheir success.  Captain Janeway raised her mug of coffee tooffer a toast.  "To a successful escape.  And a plentifulsupply of coffee!"Everyone laughed.  Janeway had been amused to findthat every person returning to Voyager, with the exceptionof the people who had been held in the detention facility,had brought along as much real coffee as they could gettheir hands on.  She wouldn't have to resort to Neelix'scoffee substitute for quite some time.  A few people hadeven thought to bring along extra replicators and spareparts so they wouldn't have to rely on rations.  Neelix, ofcourse, had stocked his pantry as best he could with ashort amount of time."I have a question."  Neelix spoke up."What is it, Neelix?"  Janeway wondered."I was just wondering why Lieutenant Torres warnedthem about their intruder alert systems."B'Elanna smiled.  "Well, Harry and I had beamed in tothe brig and were able to plant the first program with noproblem. We were even able to make it to Engineeringwithout being seen.  I had finished fixing the phasers toshut down the system when they fired them and we stillhadn't been caught.  I had to intentionally trip an alarmto get caught!  I just thought they'd better know."The room erupted in laughter.  Tom put an arm aroundB'Elanna and squeezed her to him.  "You're so nice to tellhim," he managed to get in between bouts of laughter."Well, the next time someone boards his ship, theymight not be so friendly. Maybe they can get it fixed now.""I feel bad now."  Tom managed to stop himself fromlaughing."Why is that?"  B'Elanna questioned.Tom's eyes sparkled as he thought about it.  "I feelbad for not telling him about the replicators now!"That brought renewed laughter to the room.  CaptainJaneway laughed and delighted in the fact that her crew wasback together once again.  She was back with her family andthey were going to continue to explore the Delta Quadrant.Maybe someday they would return to the Alpha Quadrant, butnot for quite some time.  They were finally where they weresupposed to be.  Home.EPILOGUECaptain Picard entered his ready room to prepare hisreport to Starfleet Command.  He walked over to thereplicator for a cup of tea, first.  "Tea.  Earl Gray.Hot."  He ordered.The replicator hummed and deposited a mug.  He pickedit up and walked over to his desk lost in thought.  He tooka drink.  And had to keep himself from spitting it back outagain.  "What the…"The door chime sounded to interrupt him.  "Come."Commander Riker came in and noticed the look ofdisgust on his captain's face.  "Captain, is something thematter?""My replicator seems to be malfunctioning.  I ordereda cup of tea and got coffee instead.  Black coffee, atthat.""That's why I'm here, Captain."  Riker explained."There have been several reports of malfunctioningreplicators.  Several crewmembers have complained thattheir food isn't quite right.""Have Geordi check it out when he has time.  Was theresomething else, Number One?""He already has, Captain," Riker grimaced.  "It seemsthat our replicators have been reprogrammed to addsomething the computer calls 'leola root' to every foodthat is ordered.  And black coffee is the only drinkavailable at this time.""Have Geordi track down the problem and take care ofit." Picard ordered.  "As soon as possible.  I hatecoffee.""Yes, Captain," Riker watched as Picard set the mugdown with another look of disgust.  "Wait until you tastethe leola root."Picard decided that maybe he wouldn't try the leolaroot if his first officer was practically gagging at thethought.  He'd seen the man eat Gagh and actually enjoy it;this leola root must be vile stuff indeed."Captain Janeway is quite devious."  Riker decided."Not devious, Will," Picard explained.  "clever.She's just trying to keep her family together.""Well, if they have to eat leola root for every meal,they're braver than I am!"  Riker turned and left hiscaptain contemplating his report to Starfleet once again.Picard turned to the view as Riker left.  For thefirst time since this whole escapade had started, heallowed himself to smile.  "Good luck, Captain Janeway, youdeserve it."THE END**Please email me and let me know what you thought**