The BLTS Archive - A Strangeness Abounds by Christina (fmlyhntr@yahoo.com) --- November 1998 Disclaimer: Paramount owns all...But I hope they don't want this one. --- "Captain," Tuvok said as he handed her a PADD. "I have completed a three year study on the status of the ship and crew." "Oh," Janeway said. "And is there a problem?" "Yes Captain, I have ascertained we have a serious problem on board Voyager." Her eyes opened wide as she read the opening paragraph. "You first noticed this three years ago? Why didn't you report it then?" "Because it was an illogical occurrence--with no evidence to back-up the actual disappearance of the crew members and the decks." "I see. Have you sent anyone to investigate?" "Yes Captain, over the past three years I have sent a number of security teams to the missing decks. I never received reports from them. I have included the lack of reports in my results section. On page 22." "Oh..." She glanced quickly at the page. "Twenty-five people disappeared on these missions...You did not feel the need to report them?" "On the contrary Captain, but I am Vulcan--we do not feel. I did conclude that further information was needed before I could accurately assess the situation." "And you can now? Accurately assess the situation that is?" "On page 79, I have recorded the various anomalous readings from the past 3 years. I have documented my findings and reached a conclusion--see page 95. These incidences began soon after our encounter with the Caretaker's mate. I have come to the conclusion that a number of her O'campan companions remained on-board Voyager and have been in extensive contact with the various alien-species we have encountered." She was reading as fast as she could. Page 110 included the information she needed to understand why he believed this. "Curious." "You may have noticed that there has been a diminishing number of crew on board. Or so it appears. Apparently they now live and work on decks 4 and 7 and possibly 8 and 9. I have been able to prove that they are working with the O'campan in their endeavors. I also believe, but have not yet proved, that someone outside the organization is assisting them." She nodded, becoming confused at all this. "Let me see if I understand. You are saying we have a group of O'campan on board and an increasing number of our crew are working for them?" "That is correct, Captain." He handed her another PADD. "And what are they doing?" "They have turned Voyager into a profitable pleasure ship, complete with a casino and...a..." "A??? You mean to say, I am the Captain of a..." "Indeed, yes, Captain." "Fascinating." Actually it wasn't. "I'll never be able to explain this to Starfleet." "I understand they have a very high profit margin." How he managed to say that with a straight face, she didn't know. "You have a contact?" "Yes, Captain. Ensign Kaplan was assigned to infiltrate the organization. She has made occasional..." "I thought she died on that Borg planet..." She now had the beginnings of a headache. "That was arranged as a cover-story for her disappearance. She made a major mistake 7 months ago and was spotted at a golf tournament. " "Oh." She rubbed her forehead. "What are your recommendations?" "On page 25 of the second PADD, I have included what documents Kaplan was able to transmit to me." She analyzed the information quickly. "That much?" "Apparently entertainment in the Delta-Quadrant is lacking. If you notice the Hirogen made extensive use of the gambling facilities." She looked and gasped. They had lost enough at the casino to pay for the repairs to the damage they'd caused. And some. "I'll need to study this carefully." She tried to remember the last time she'd noticed how many people were actually onboard. The computer never gave the same information two times in a row--which now made sense. "Captain, it is my conclusion that we let them know we know--and demand a share of the profits." "Tuvok...I can't...I'll be mortified to be discovered to be a...well..." She couldn't finish the thought--and was interrupted by a chirp from her computer. "Well, I'll be..." She looked at the message. "It's from the leader, Norabn." "That is the name Kaplan sent me." "Most interesting. He is willing to negotiate a cut of the profits and promises a substantial increase if we allow them to use more of the crew and decks." She stopped to make some calculations. "Very interesting idea. We would be able to cut back even more..." She made a few more calculations. "In fact we could cut back to where we could operate with say...mmm...no more than 15 or 20...Maybe even 8 people. The savings would be substantial." She smiled. She could afford to give herself more rations--and thus more coffee. "Very well Captain, I'll arrange with Kaplan to set-up a meeting." "Yes. I would also like to see their books." Two days later "Captain, captain!" Neelix shouted just before she reached the doors to the mess hall. "You can't go in there!" She looked at him strangely. Just what was going on in there. Another shrill whistle filled the hallway. "Neelix?" "It's men's night...Ummm...the...male members of the crew are well..." She'd never seen him so embarrassed. "They're relaxing..." "Relaxing?" There was another whistle and some hooting. "Just how are they relaxing?" "I...I'd rather not say, Captain." Neelix looked at his feet. "Neelix..." Her voice carried a warning. "I am here for my dinner..." "Ahh. The females are eating in the lounge on deck seven. I believe there is also a show..." He blushed slightly. From the mess hall came some cheers. "Neelix, just what is going on in there?" He shifted his weight. "The aliens, Captain. They arranged a strip show. The Delaney sisters are..." He blushed. "Are stripping." "The who?" "Jenny and Megan Delaney..." She closed her eyes--the names were slightly familiar, but she couldn't remember what they looked like. "Oh." She took a deep breath and headed toward the lift. --- Several scantily clad males from the crew she didn't recognize greeted her at the door. She stood there several seconds, staring. "Captain!!!" B'Elanna raised a hand and waved for her to come over. "Lieutenant. What is going on?" "It's great, isn't it." There was a drum roll. "This should be good--remember Joe Carey?" "Joe who?" "The engineer--I punched him once?" B'Elanna nodded toward the stage. "I think so...Why?" Kathryn was suddenly suspicious. "Well, you'll get a chance to really remember what he looked like in a few seconds." She slid a plate over to the captain. "Here, have some graba-root chips. They're pretty good." Janeway didn't bother to sit down, she turned and left. She now had lots of rations--she could eat in her quarters and read reports. Except, since this new agreement went into effect there had been no reports. No one was around to do write them. --- She'd decided on a quiche with fresh snap peas, a glass of red wine and for dessert a slice of chocolate decadence smothered in raspberries and whipped cream. And she had decided to eat it in her new spa. (Since space was no longer a problem she had taken over her neighbor's quarters and installed a spa.) She was unzipping her jacket as her door slid open. "What the..." She looked around the room. There was silk draped over the walls and ceiling beams...Soft music played from hidden speakers. She stood there stunned. "Hello?" She finally called out. "Ah, Captain. In here." She should have known. "Commander--what are you doing here?" She walked to the edge of the spa--which had grown three times bigger since she'd left that morning. "Enjoying myself." He smiled at her. He was sitting in her spa--wearing...she blushed when she noticed that he wasn't wearing anything. "Ummmm. Commander--this isn't exactly protocol..." "Kathryn--we threw protocol to the wind two days ago. The crew has never been happier." She quickly zipped her jacket. "I'll be on the bridge..." "It isn't there anymore." "Huh?" "Norabn put a beach in there this evening. I believe Seven will be the life-guard. If they can design a swimsuit that fits." "Oh...What the hell is going on here?" "I believe Norabn has been concerned with the morale of our younger male crew members--most commendable I think. He figures Seven in a swimsuit will improve it immensely..." "And how do we fly Voyager?" Chakotay shrugged. "It's not necessary. We're setting up a permanent space casino. Instead of traveling to meet the aliens, they'll come to us. Cheaper in the long run." "And home?" "Kathryn, that costs too much...and no one cared anyway. This will make our lives so much easier..." She was totally confused. "I suppose." Before she could contemplate her next question, her combadge chirped. "Beach to Janeway, we have a problem." It was Harry. She smiled. This would prove that Voyager needed to be a Starfleet ship. "Red-alert, I'll be right there." "Captain?" Harry asked. "I just wanted to inform you that we've had to close the beach. Seven's padding expanded when it came in contact with the water and has filled the bay." "Oh..." She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Keep me informed," she said instinctively. "My ship...My beautiful ship...What have they done with you?" A voice filled the air. "It's the new improved Voyager--the best of all worlds. I have spoken." There was a laugh. "Do enjoy yourself Captain..." --- The End