embarkation | First Contact {for greenstarshipping}

First Contact {for greenstarshipping}

While life had certainly been worse for the Voyager crew in the last few months, it hadn't been quite this boring, either. Captain Janeway knew it was in bad taste to complain because it was far better for her crew to contend with mostly empty space punctuated by a few disinterested planets who seemed happy to give them safe passage in exchange for minding their own business. It didn't take long for them to get passed the few inhabited planets in the sector and within a couple weeks, they were well on their way to a week of boredom.

Harry managed to track down a few anomalies here and there, but Janeway was getting the impression he was looking for anything to keep them busy. So when he excitedly announced the appearance of a distress beacon on sensors, she couldn't help the roll of her eyes and give a knowing look towards Chakotay. It could have been anything, they knew, but she had Paris change course after it immediately. Even if it proved to be nothing, and took them off course by a couple hours, it was better than the nothing they had been biding their time with.

When freighter came up on sensors, Harry confirmed once again it was a distress call. Janeway stood up, smoothing out her uniform and telling Tuvok to scan the area before she asked Harry to open up a comm channel to the freighter.

"This is Captain Janeway of the starship Voyager," she announced, hoping whoever manned the freighter would be able to respond. "We received your distress beacon. Are you in need of assistance?"

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Esteri had been on a lovely cargo run. Lovely! She'd been ahead of schedule, even, before she'd run into an unexpected micro-meteor shower that her sensors had failed to detect in time. Humming along at the grand speed of Warp 2, the space debris had punched holes through her ship and it was only through good luck and excellent timing that she had managed to get into a spacesuit in time. Atmosphere venting, cargo ruined, and engines gone she'd barely had enough power to send a distress signal and had spent an uncomfortable four days floating in her crash-webbing and hoping someone would run across her.

That possibility had seemed increasingly smaller as time went. This was a sparsely populated area of space and she'd been eating her emergency rations. There was enough for two weeks, maybe a month if she stretched it but she'd been more worried about air. She had enough spare oxygen in canisters or that she could siphon from intact tanks to last a week more or less and halfway through she'd begun contemplating whether it would be better to suffocate, open her suit, or use the energy pistol she kept. So when her commboard lit up with a hail, she'd been pleasantly surprised. The alert jerked her from a disinterested doze and slapped the response button.

Janeway is treated to a relieved smile breaking across Esteri's face. She looks mostly human, though the faint scattering of aquamarine dots running from her temples and across the bridge of her nose put that notion out of mind.

"This is Esteri Attar, star-freighter Maiden's Joy. Prophet's stars, I'm glad to see you. Yeah, I need the assistance pretty badly--everything over here is pretty fried."

Janeway can't help but be relieved as well. Distress calls didn't always end as well, and finding survivors was always preferred. She could practically feel Harry vibrating with excitement over their new-found chance at some excitement, and she managed to hold back the urge to shoot him a look, instead concentrating on the woman in front of her.

They hadn't encountered her race yet, which probably would explain why she was floating out here and had yet to be rescued by her own people. Tuvok stoically informed her that the freighter was, in fact, badly damaged. Holes in the ship, thankfully not caused by weaponry, and complete loss of life support was enough to let Janeway know this wasn't going to be a simple case of lending her a few engineers to patch some holes and send her on her way. On the other hand, B'Elanna was going to be thrilled to have something to do other than stare at a perfectly functioning warp core.

"We're glad to be of assistance. Are you injured? Is there any more crew on your ship?"

Esteri looks as if she could kiss each and every one of Janeway's people. At least if she can get on board. She glances around her for a moment, making sure that anything she'd need for evacuation is close to hand. Personal effects can be retrieved later. Her manifest, registration, ownership documents and a record of what had happened would all be important if she needed to make a claim with the insurance.

"Not unless you could call the body odor from spending four days in a spacesuit injured. It's just me--hard to believe you can run one of these old cargo-pushers by yourself, I know. I was beginning to think no one would run across me all the way out here."

Janeway had to admit she was impressed - the idea of running Voyager with one person was a daunting process, and luckily one she hadn't had to worry about for an extended amount of time. She also knew what it was like to be floating in space with no indication of help, so her heart went out to the young woman.

"Well, looks like today is your lucky day, Miss Attar. We have a type of technology called a transporter; it will materialize you from your ship to ours. I assure you it's completely safe if you're ready to come on board. We can talk about what we can do to help repair you freighter once our doctor has had a look at you."

Esteri had been preparing herself for the grueling process of waiting for the new vessel to dock with her own for a transfer--or worse, a space-walk. So when Janeway offers a 'transport' aboard, it catches her off guard. This kind of technology seems a bit beyond what she knows of, though she's heard rumors of this Voyager among other traders. Their advanced technology and helpful nature definitely haven't been exaggerated. That's a bit of relief, honestly. Someone else could have run across her and she might be fighting off unscrupulous scavengers.

"It just moves you from place to place? Ah... Well, if you say it's safe, I'm ready to get someplace with artificial gravity and a shower. Just get me off of here and then I can actually spare a moment to think about it." Esteri grumbles. "Ready when you are, captain."

Edited 2017-04-29 07:23 (UTC)

If nothing else, Janeway is always pleased to hear that Voyager's reputation preceded it, and usually in a good way. She'd rather her crew be known as helpful above anything else; although when it came to the more violent races, she didn't mind letting people know that her crew was no one to be messed with either.

In cases like this, though, it is always altruism that wins out over bravado. Keeping in line with Starfleet sensibilities was what had kept her crew honest over the years, and Janeway never hesitates to help a stranger in need. She gives the order to have Esteri transported directly to sickbay, deciding to leave Chakotay in charge so that she can greet the new arrival herself. Tuvok insisted on coming, of course, but that wasn't to be helped. Janeway doesn't think their new friend has any ulterior motives, but she tells Harry to keep scanning the area just in case. Esteri aside, there was always a chance of other ships coming along to see what they could scavenge off the injured freighter.

Esteri can expect to be greeted by the Doctor, who in his usual not particularly warm bedside manner will help her get her suit off and check her for injuries. He will probably be wrapping it up by the time Janeway and Tuvok enter, and Janeway is relieved to see that their new arrival doesn't seem injured, though probably exhausted and hungry.

"Welcome to Voyager," she says cheerily, hoping to make Esteri feel at ease. She gestures behind her. "This is our security officer, Lieutenant Tuvok. And you've already met the Doctor, who I am sure is making you feel at home." The last bit is said with a bit of a warning, knowing how the Doctor can be. "How are you feeling?"

Esteri wasn't sure what to expect from this transportation. What was moving instantly from place to place going to feel like? She didn't have much time to think about it before it actually happened though. And really, it was over before it began! Esteri blinked and looked around her at the sickbay before the Doctor greeted her, asked her name, and then they set to getting her out of her spacesuit.

By the time Janeway and Tuvok arrive, she's sitting on the examination table in a tank-top and sturdy looking work trousers. Now that she's out of her suit, it's easy see that in addition to her markings, she has elfin ears rather in the Vulcan mode. The Doctor is still scanning her but when the captain enters she tries to hop to her feet and assume an attitude of attention--something that's stopped in its tracks by the Doctor's firm but gentle hand and a reprimanding glance.

"Miss Attar, I haven't finished my scans yet. While I'm sure you're eager to meet the captain, it can be done from a sitting position." That said, he continues his work, not even glancing up at Janeway and Tuvok as they enter the Sickbay. Etteri looks appropriately chagrined, but gives Janeway a smile.

"Tired, but otherwise I think I'll be alright. The Doctor has been very helpful." The Doctor gives an appreciative nod.

"She seems to be in good health, aside from a lack of proper sleep and slight dehydration. She might want to see someone in Engineering about her extremities though. I'm familiar with prosthesis, but these are impressive examples." Esteri's expression turns a little sheepish and waggles her fingers towards Janeway and Tuvok.

"They're just my going-away present for years of dedicated service. Not that impressive, really."

Janeway couldn't stop her eyebrows from raising as she looks at Esteri's waving fingers. The Federation has certainly come a long way when it comes to prosthetics, but hers are seamless. She feels the jolt of excitement that comes with meeting a new race; there is so much to learn in Delta Quadrant, and Janeway always enjoys the opportunity to observe the new technology and customs that come with that kind of exploration.

"I'm sure our chief engineer would be more than happy to take a look at them," Kathryn assures. She would have to meet B'Elanna anyway, who would no doubt want to work with her on repairing the freighter when the time came. Hopefully, the new challenge will keep B'Elanna in a good mood.

"If you're up for it, I can offer you a tour of the ship on our way to Engineering. Then we can escort you to your guest quarters." Janeway glances at the Doctor, just as interested in him clearing his patient as she was in what Esteri was interested in doing.

"I wouldn't recommend anything too strenuous before a good night's sleep," the Doctor cautions. He picks up a hypospray, staring at it thoughtfully and Janeway knows exactly what was coming next. "Luckily for you all, my advanced knowledge of alien physiology has helped me already grasp an understanding of her race's basic medical needs, so after some rest, she should be good as new."

Janeway swears she can hear Tuvok internally roll his eyes, even through his stoic Vulcan logic.

"I'll make sure Lieutenant Torres sends you a report about our guest's prosthetics to add to you database," Janeway says, not without some slight mocking to her tone. She's just eager now to get going and get to know their new arrival better. "Are you up for a little walk, Miss Attar?"

Esteri seems a little surprised by the interest her rescuers have taken in her limbs. There's a nervous little laugh as the conversation goes on around her and she manages to rein herself in before she does anything too impolitic.

"I'm sure they're working fine--they're rated for vacuum exposure, at least with the actual working parts. Of course, the synth-skin would have some problems, but you'd still have fingers and toes." Esteri smiles, trying to put a good face on. Really, she's exhausted and falling into a clean bed sounds amazing. On the other hand, she should do her best to be accomodating.

"I'm sure a walk would do me good after four days in zero-gravity. Besides, if I get a chance to see your engine room, that might make up for it." The Doctor gets a beaming smile.

"I'm fortunate to be in the hands of such a skilled medical professional. I thank you very much for your help." She dips her head and finally pushes herself to her feet. She gathers up the components to her spacesuit as the Doctor puffs up with pride at her praise. Then Esteri moves to follow Janeway out of the Sickbay and down the corridor towards the turbolift.

"So, the rumor mill says you're a... 'Confederation' starship?"

Watching the exchange between them entertains Janeway; most of the time, the Doctor's self-esteem borders on intolerable, but she can't deny he's the best at his job. Of course, being a hologram gave him a step up. Hopefully the warmth from their guest won't go too much to his head.

Kathryn escorts Esteri out of sickbay with a wave, flanking her as the walk down the hallway towards the turbolift. Tuvok follows them, at a respectful but prepared distance, always ready to jump in if things took a turn. Janeway doubts it will be a problem; granted, even she has to admit her judgment of character isn't exactly infallible, but in this case, she doubts they have anything to worry about.

"We call it the Federation," she corrects, offering Esteri an impish smile. "We have allied with a number of other planets who share similar ideals to our own, and we share technology and cultures, among other things. Voyager is specifically a part of Starfleet. Our mission is to explore as much of space as we can, meet new species and expand our understanding of the universe and the races that inhabit it as much as possible."

Of course, Voyager has taken "seek out new life and new civilizations" to a new extreme. Janeway only hopes that meeting new races like Esteri's would give them more of an idea of what lay beyond the Federation's normal scope of exploration; not to mention, Kathryn herself revels in the adventure of meeting such fascinating races. She's more than happy to answer any of Esteri's questions, although she has plenty of her own.

"Are you far from home? We would love the opportunity to learn more about your race and planet."

"The Federation, right. They sound wonderful, honestly. Exploration and science. WIsh I had time for that kind of thing, you know?" As they walk through the corridors, Esteri attentively peering at the rather comfortably appointed ship. Carpeted floors instead of of grills and deck-plating! Fancy. She pauses to touch a hand against the wall of the corridor.

"Where is the Federation? I've never heard of them. You've got to be a wealthy people with things like transporters and this cushy exploration vessel." Esteri chuckles as they step into the turbolift to begin the journey down to engineering. Tuvok's stone-faced gaze gets a curious glance as they're forced into tighter confines, but Janeway's next question diverts her attention.

I'm from the Tarani Commonwealth. Back the way I came maybe...one hundred, one hundred and fifty light years, give or take? I was doing a cargo haul circuit. My last stop before heading back home was actually a few light years in the direction you're coming from, but I think the cargo is probably a write off at this point." Esteri sighs and rubs the bridge of her nose in exasperation. She'd made good money on the trip so far, but losing the chance to pick up some goods here that would make her better money back home was frustrating.

"It took me almost a year to get out this far, too. The engines on the Maiden's Joy top out at Warp 6.8 and I cruise at warp 4 or so."

Edited 2017-05-03 14:54 (UTC)

Janeway watched as Esteri interacted with her new environment. Starfleet was certainly one of the more comfort-oriented feets in the Federation; even their allies often opted for colder, less elegant models of starships. And Voyager had been new when it departed from the Alpha Quadrant, and that was reflected in more than simply its technology. Her ship must very well look like another world to someone like Esteri.

"Our planet abolished the concepts and currency and wealth long ago," Janeway explained. "Some of our neighboring planets and other members of the Federation still use it, but Earth - my planet - and others don't. Everyone contributes an equal amount to our society, although we do obtain currency and other items to trade with planets that still use it."

At least the idea of money isn't entirely foreign to her, especially now that they are in the Delta Quadrant. Voyager was lucky enough to have enough food or medical supplies to trade for items or currency when they needed it. To her, it was strange to think about living in a society that used currency. On the other hand, she found herself thankful that it was no longer a priority on Earth. She knew enough history of her own planet to know the kind of class divides that money created, and the strife that came along with it.

"When we arrived in the Delta Quadrant, we found ourselves about 70 thousand light-years from home. Our ship is capable of warp 10, but it's too much of a strain to constantly maintain, so we tend to travel between 6 and 8 light years. We're an exploration vessel, and the first in our quadrant to be this far from home, so we find ourselves stopping to meet other planets, obtain supplies or - as the case was with you - helping when we can."

Taking Esteri home would, unfortunately, take quite a bit of time off of their travel home, but the crew would do it if there was no other option. "Hopefully we will be able to fix your ship and have you on your way as soon as possible. If not, we will be more than happy to escort you to your next port and help you find a way back to your planet. And we'll do whatever we can to help you salvage any of your cargo." Not beyond replacing it, if possible. Janeway first and foremost wanted to help make sure their new friend was safe, and Voyager did prove to be in better shape than a number of ships they encountered on their travels. Their generosity had bit them before, however, so Janeway knew she had to walk a line when helping anyone they made contact with.

"I'd like to hear more about the Tarani Commonwealth, when you're feeling up to it."

"That's quite a story." Esteri lets out a low whistle. Stranded so far from home? She's not sure she'd have had the mental fortitude to try and make it home instead of finding someplace to just settle in with a friendly bunch of aliens. the hum of the turbolift is new, too. Nothing like the mechanical sounds of the lifts she's used to!

"I can't imagine a society without money or currency. That seems so strange to me. In the commonwealth, we have government support for people who can't work, but you're supposed to contribute in some way. Being able to put all these resources into a ship for exploration... It's fascinating." She smiles brightly. She's a military woman, but she means it. If a society can afford ships like these for science, it must be a good one, as far as she's concerned.

"I mean, there's not a lot to tell. We're a collection of planets that banded together for economic and military reasons and we mostly trade and don't make trouble. It's a nice enough place to live. I'd probably be happier if I had something to tie me down besides my work, though." Esteri shrugs, her face taking on a bit of a distant look as the turbolift hums to a stop. With no real family to hold her down, she spent much of her life wandering the spacelanes, now. An interesting life, if a bit dull at times.

"I served in the Commonwealth Space Defense Force for a while. I was a pilot," she mentions casually as they step into engineering. Any further explanation is cut off by an admiring gasp.

"That's your warp core?"

Janeway waits patiently as the turbolift smoothly moves them down to engineering, genuinely interested as Esteri talks about her background. While she loves learning about new races, she also enjoys the excitement she sees when people step foot on Voyager; she's a nice ship, and Janeway is proud of her and her crew.

"A currency based economy is just as strange to us as we are to you," Janeway notes with a smile. "But it sounds as if you have a system in place to help all members of your community. It's more than can be said for Earth hundreds of years ago."

She listens to Esteri as she recounts her personal background, making notes for future questions. When the turbolift finally opens to expose engineering, Janeway gestures to let their guest out first as she and Tuvok follow. Engineering is busy, as usual, crew members wandering around, chattering and working on diagnostics. Janeway spots B'Elanna draped over a console and waves her down.

"This is Voyager's warp core," she confirms. "And this is our Chief Engineer, B'Elanna Torres."

B'Elanna, as usual, seems irked at the interruption as she approaches them. "Captain, I'm swamped right now..." Janeway's look silences her and she sighs, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Lieutenant Torres, this is Estari Attar. We'll be helping her with repairs on her ship. Among other things."

"We do our best to help everyone. Some are more fortunate than others, though. I was lucky I was in the military or my prosthetics wouldn't be nearly as good as the ones they gave me." Esteri shakes her head. The accident that had ended her career was still a fresh sore in her memory at times. Further thoughts turned quickly to the technological marvel in front of her. She'd never seen a Warp core like this before! Usually they were broad, bulky things encased in a meter of protective shielding to make sure the radiation didn't fry the engineering crew. Torres doesn't get a salute, but she does get a curt military nod, one working woman to another.

"I don't want to interrupt if your engineer has more important things to do than look at my rust bucket, really," Esteri says sheepishly. She shoots B'Elanna a sympathetic look.

"The Doctor thought you might want to give my prosthetics a scan, but I don't want to be a bother."

"It's no inconvenience," Janeway replied with a look that was aimed more at B'Elanna than Esteri. The mention of prosthetics did seem to immediately pique the moody engineer's interest, though, and suddenly the pile of work that she had been complaining about faded into the backgound.

"These are pretty advanced," B'Elanna had admitted once she had taken a look at them. "I can run some diagnostics and make sure they are in working order." B'Elanna didn't have to add the "probably," but Janeway could pick it up in her voice. She had no doubt B'Elanna would catch on quickly to how the prosthetics worked - she was the chief engineer for a reason, after all.

She excused herself to gather diagnostic tools and Esteri was left once again with Janeway and Tuvok's silence observation. Janeway gestured to a chair for Esteri to sit down and leaned against a console, crossing her arms in front of her.

"Lieutenant Torres is one of the finest engineers I've ever worked with. She'll be able to find anything that might be wrong," she noted, nodding. Janeway had to admit, she was really curious as to what had happened to make her need the prosthetics, but she didn't want to ask. It seemed like an overly personal question and likely traumatizing, and Janeway's need to ensure her guest was comfortable outweighed her own curiosity. Instead, she decided to stick with safer subjects for the time being. "What brought you to the military to begin with?" It could have been a multitude of reasons, Janeway knew, but she wanted more background, more insight into who their new friend was.

Esteri humbly submitted to the scans and finally took a seat when Janeway offered. Really, it was nice to be able to move around a bit after spending a few days floating.

"I'm sure she will. I'm not terribly worried, though. I have the feeling they came through none the worse for wear." Although Esteri didn't technically need to stretch, she did so anyways. She arched her arms over her head with a shift of her weight, then settled again as Janeway continued to speak.

"I wanted to fly, mostly. Have since I was a kid and I was really good at it. Still am. Just not the way I used to." Ruefully, Esteri shook her head. She's mostly made her peace with her situation, but it's still not fun to think about.

"I spent a decade of my life in the SDF. Longer, if you count the academy."

"Remind me to introduce you to our helmsman. I'm sure you two will have plenty to talk about," she said with an affectionate smile. Tom was one of the many crew members she had taken under her wing, and definitely a talented pilot - the reason he was chosen for the mission that got them stranded in the Delta Quadrant in the first place. It seemed, as far as Janeway was concerned, that Esteri would fit in just fine with the crew until the time came for them to part.

"That is an admirable amount of time." She meant it; any amount of time in service to something greater than yourself was admirable to her. "Although I can't imagine you get the same kind of rush from piloting a shipping freighter than you did in during military service. I certainly wouldn't have, but I'm also not a pilot." That said, she had heard Tom complain enough when he didn't feel like he had much to do.

"Current circumstances excluded," she added with a gentle laugh. "I imagine the last few days were enough excitement for you to last a while."

"Maybe! Depends on how you fly these things..." Esteri is still staring at the warp core from time to time. She's no engineer but the damn thing is fascinating. She flexes her fingers on both hands just to make sure they're still in working condition and then pushes herself to her feet.

"Mm. Nothing like it, but that's probably a good thing. If I couldn't fly at all, I'd be miserable." She shrugs a shoulder, leaving that cryptic statement hanging in the air.

"And yes, yes. I think a nice long, quiet break from excitement is just what I want these days..."

"It depends on the ship when it comes to Starfleet. Some ships and crews are assigned to specific missions for a period of months to years, usually exploratory. Others serve more long term purposes. But in all cases, you won't find any members of Starfleet who are unhappy to spend as much time as possible on a starship - or flying one, in this case."

Members of her crew might have been excluded from that statement years ago, but a lot had changed since their arrival to the Delta quadrant. However, now Janeway would find it difficult to parse the Maquis from the Starfleet officers. They all shared a common goal and, in turn, a loyalty to a ship they were never meant to spend more than a few months assigned to, much less the next several decades.

"If you're ready to go to your quarters, I can promise to give you a more thorough tour of the warp core once you've had some rest." Janeway gestured to the door, leading her out as Tuvok continued to follow in silence. "And I would love to hear more about your past if you would be willing to share. It sounds like you come from a fascinating background."

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First Contact {for greenstarshipping}

I'm watching S1EP5 as I write this.

YES GOOD I have been canon reviewing some eps myself!

eee. I can actually tag tonight c:

yay! I need to go to bed soon but I will try to get in a few more tags <3

Re: yay! I need to go to bed soon but I will try to get in a few more tags <3

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sorry this took a bit

same <3

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I am SO sorry, this month really got away from me