"Captain, I have observed something about the array. The pulses... they are getting quicker."
"Quicker? What do you mean?"
"The time between the pulses has decreased by three-point-seven seconds."
"Have you noticed anything else about them?"
"No. But they will probably get quicker as time passes."
Taking in the information, Janeway switched on her computer terminal.
"Have you seen the scan of the planet yet?", she asked. She turned the terminal so the screen faced Tuvok.
"The planet's atmosphere is totally devoid of nucleo-genic particles."
"Which means it is incapable of producing rain."
"Yes. It's virtually a desert. I've studied hundreds of M-class worlds, but I've never seen anything like this."
With a sigh, Janeway stood up, and walked over to the sofa on the other side of the Ready Room, before taking a seat and gazing out toward the stars.
"Did you know Harry Kim?", she asked.
"I have not had the opportunity of meeting him."
"Just before we left Deep Space Nine, I got a call from his mother. Delightful woman! She said he'd left his clarinet behind, and wanted to know if there was time to send it to him. I had to say no."
She let out another sigh before she continued.
"I never really get the chance to know them. That's something I'm going to have to change."
"With all due respect, Captain, the crew will not benefit from the leadership of an exhausted captain."
Janeway stared at Tuvok, and smiled.
"You're right, as always."
Getting to her feet, she approached Tuvok.
"I had a chance to speak with your family before I left."
"I trust they are well?"
"They're worried about you."
"As I often remind you, Captain... Vulcans do not worry."
Janeway smiled.
"They miss you."
With raised eyebrow, Tuvok replied.
"As I do them."
Janeway placed her hand on Tuvok's shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'll get you back to them. Have the Bridge set a course for the planet."
Soon, the Voyager and the Maquis ship were on their way.
Captain Sheridan sat in his office on Babylon 5, busy with the daily paper work when he heard raised voices outside. Suddenly, Kor came in, arms waving, protesting. Commander Ivanova was not far behind him.
"What is the meaning of this, Sheridan?", the Klingon shouted, before throwing the data pad onto Sheridan's desk.
"I'm sorry about this, Captain.", said Ivanova. "I couldn't stop him!"
"That's alright.", Sheridan replied. "Now what is this all about?"
"Look at the memo!", replied Kor. "It is about the Dominion conference. Why has the Klingon Empire been excluded from these talks?"
"What? I thought every major power in the quadrant had been invited!"
Sheridan looked at the pad. It carried a list of the invited delegates.
"Ambassador, I really have no idea why the Klingons have been excluded!"
"I want to know why that fool Mollari has been invited and I haven't!"
"Leave this with me, Ambassador. I'll try to get to the bottom of this!"
A short time later Sheridan was in contact with Senator Hidoshi, who had travelled to D.S.9 for the talks.
"The reason is simple, Captain.", said Hidoshi. "The Dominion's delegation gave us a list of those they wanted at the conference. The Klingon Empire was not on the list. It's as simple as that!"
"But the Klingons are one of the major powers in this part of the galaxy. Any treaty with the Dominion would affect them also!"
"There is nothing I can do to change their mind, Captain! It's too late now anyway! The talks are about to start. If the Dominion do not want the Klingons there, then there is nothing I can do!"
As the Voyager and the Maquis ship moved towards the desert planet, they encountered an obstruction. Their path was blocked by a debris field, and in the middle of that field was a small ship, with only one life form on board. Janeway ordered a channel opened to the ship, and the first view of the ship's interior was somewhat different than what she expected. The screen seemed to be covered by some sort of net and various other pieces of junk until it was hastily removed by the ship's owner.
The alien did not seem happy to see them.
"Whoever you are, this is my debris field! I found it first!"
"But we have no interest in this debris!", Janeway replied.
The alien broke out in a huge grin.
"Well in that case... I'm delighted to know you! I am Neelix!"
"I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway, of the Federation Starship Voyager."
Neelix looked slightly confused.
"A most impressive title! I have no idea what it means, however!"
"Perhaps you can help us.", said Janeway. "What do you know about the array?"
"Only enough to stay as far away from it as possible! Let me guess! Your ship was brought here from another part of the galaxy, and now some of your crew members are missing. Am I correct?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Oh, I've heard this story a thousand times before... maybe a hundred... fifty... perhaps ten!"
"Do you know this sector at all? We are trying to get to the nearby planet."
"Well, I don't know..."
"Perhaps we can offer you something for your services."
"Well, you see, I have a lot of debris to search through today. I could be persuaded to change my plans in exchange for perhaps... water?"
"That can be arranged, Mister Neelix. Your help would be most appreciated. Now, we'll beam you over to our ship, and tractor your ship into our shuttle bay."
Again, Neelix looked confused.
"Excuse me a moment, Captain. Beam?"
"It's harmless. We have a technology capable of taking you from your ship to ours in a manner of seconds. It will not harm you in any way."
"Very well then. Make it quick."
Neelix prepared himself. He looked as if he was about to have a tooth extracted.
"Janeway to Transporter Room Three. Beam Mister Neelix aboard. Mister Tuvok, can you escort him to quarters?"
Tuvok nodded, and soon made his way to the transporter room. Neelix was beamed aboard shortly afterwards. As soon as he was aboard he gazed around like a child in a toy shop.
"Remarkable! Your Federation is an advanced culture!"
"Actually, the Federation is made up of many different cultures. I am Vulcan."
Neelix walked over to Tuvok, smiled, and gave him a huge hug.
"Neelix! Good to meet you!"
He then began to gaze around the transporter room again.
"This ship definitely is something!"
"Everything in this room has a purpose. However, it would take several hours to explain everything. I will now show you to your quarters. Perhaps you may like a bath."
Neelix looked confused.
"A what?"
"You will see."
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