Across the hills of New Zealand’s North Island Kathryn Janeway walked, towards the main correctional holding facility on the island. Her main task was to see former Starfleet office Tom Paris, but first she had other matters on her mind, someone else to see, an old and very dear friend.
Arriving at the facility she was taken to a room. Upon entering she saw the old friend, someone she had known since her days at Starfleet Academy, James Watt.
Watt immediately got to his feet, and the two of them hugged. A tear formed in the corner of Janeway’s eye. Watt wiped it away with his handkerchief.
“Oh Jim! What have they done to you?”
“Only what the Cardassians, the Minbauri, the Monstrons and the Empire couldn’t do! Come, sit down. I know we don’t have much time, and that the hospitality isn’t that good, but at least we can talk.”
They seated themselves at the table. Janeway kept a tight hold of Watt’s hand.
“Have you heard the rumour?” she asked. “They say that Jeff and his crew have gone to the Pegasus, under the banner of the Free Federation.”
“Being in this place you don’t hear many rumours.”
Janeway let go of Watt’s hand and thumped the table.
“Damn it Jim! This isn’t right! Your record is exemplary! Why is Starfleet doing this?”
“The rumour in here is that it isn’t Starfleet. Someone higher up is involved in all of this!”
“I’ll promise you this Jim, when I get back I’ll get to the bottom of this!”
“Back? From where?”
“That’s the other reason I’m here. My chief of security, Tuvok, has gone missing. He was working undercover with the Maquis when his ship went missing in the Badlands. The Cardassians claimed to have destroyed it. I’m here to recruit an observer. You might know him – Tom Paris.”
A rye smile appeared on Watt’s face.
“We met young Mister Paris as soon as we arrived. He gave Sutek and I a warning, that someone in here could be looking for a prize scalp!”
Then a knock came at the door. It was a signal for Janeway.
“I’ve got to go Jim. They only allowed me a few minutes with you. But before I go remember my promise.”
Janeway then reached to her neck and took off a small necklace with the Starfleet emblem on it. She handed it to Watt, who smiled.
“This is the necklace I have to you after we graduated. I wonder if Jeff still has his.”
“I’m sure he does. He’s probably still wearing it now, on the Pegasus.”
Janeway stood up and placed a kiss on Watt’s cheek.
“Keep it, as my promise. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Janeway then walked towards the door, and the guard let her out. For the first time in a long while Watt felt some hope.
