Janeway: Generations Part 1
Title: Janeway: Generations
Author: vicar_dibley
Rating: G
Fandom: Star Trek
Character/Pairing: Admiral Nechayev/Phoebe Janeway, Gretchen Janeway/Admiral Pulaski, Captain Janeway/Seven
Disclaimer: I do not own any of them.
Summary: Certain Starfleet officers take a certain interest in the females of a certain family.
Author's Note: It´s a different timeline and I took a lot of liberties with the characters, especially Admiral Nechayev. I can´t help it, I always kind of liked her. Hope you enjoy it. Comments are very welcome. Shall I go on with the story, what do you think?
Janeway: Generations
1
Sighing at the hustle and bustle of the Indiana station, Admiral Nechayev stepped down from the dais and raised an eyebrow when a young and nervous Ensign approached her.
“Admiral, a hovercraft is waiting for you outside.“
“Lead the way, Ensign.“ Rolling her eyes at the young man the Admiral followed with some reluctance.
Getting into the hovercraft the Admiral spared a glance at the Ensign, wondering how it came that Starfleet personnel was getting younger every year.
“How long will it take until we arrive, Ensign?“
“30 minutes, ma´am.“ The young Ensign choked out.
Sighing for the umpteenth time this day, Admiral Nechayev leaned back in her seat and wondered again how she could have agreed to this.
Owen Paris owed her, he owed her big time. She was a Fleet Admiral for crying out loud, not a bloody post lady.
When they arrived at their destination, the Admiral got out of the hovercraft and with a straightening of her back she made her way to the front door. Climbing the stairs of the front porch, with a data padd firmly in her hand Admiral Alynna Nechayev took a deep breath before she raised her hand to knock on the door.
With her hands clasped behind her back, the Admiral waited for somebody to open the door.
The door finally opened and the Admiral came face to face with a statuesque woman, slightly older than herself. Her auburn hair was heavily streaked with grey and her clear blue eyes were looking questioningly at the Admiral.
“Gretchen“, the Admiral inclined her head.
“Alynna“, Gretchen Janeway greeted, worry lines etching themselves on her forehead. With a hand flying to her mouth, Gretchen whispered anxiously.
“Is it Kathryn, has something happened?“
“No.“ Alynna reassured the other woman. “I didn´t mean to frighten you.“
“Thank goodness. Please, do come in.“
“Thank you.“
The Admiral followed the other woman into the house, looking around on their way to the kitchen Alynna couldn´t help but smirk at the homey and warm interior of the Janeway farmhouse.
“Coffee?“
“Yes, please.“
“Here you are“, handing the woman a cup with a knowing smile, Gretchen silently wondered what had brought the Admiral to her home.
“Thank you.“
“To what circumstances do I owe your unexpected visit?“
Sipping her coffee, Nechayev put the padd on the table and pushed it towards Gretchen before she answered.
“I didn´t mean to intrude like that. Owen asked me to deliver the last communications with Voyager personally. He sends his regards but he couldn´t make it, because a situation on the Utopia Planitia shipyards made his presence there necessary.“
“Thank you, Alynna.“ Gretchen put her hand over the padd and looked with grateful eyes at the Admiral.
“You are welcome.“
“How are you, Alynna? It´s been a long time.“ Sensing the genuine interest in the older woman´s question, the Admiral decided that now was the moment to leave.
“You know how it is. Being an Admiral means you are always on duty. Well, then, I should get back to the HQ. My desk is overflowing with reports.“
“Of course. It was good to see you again.“ Gretchen smiled warmly at the Admiral.
“Yes, well, I...“
Before the Admiral could finish though the door to the kitchen burst open and a younger woman with long, flowing, red hair and a flushed face stormed into the house.
“Hey, mom. What´s the hovercraft with an Starfleet officer doing outside?“
“Hello, darling“, Gretchen Janeway greeted her youngest with a kiss on the cheek.
“The Admiral brought the last communication from Voyager.“
Looking at the stranger for the first time Phoebe Janeway took in the Admirals strict and stiff posture. Recognition dawned in the younger woman´s eyes and her whole demeanour changed.
“You are Admiral Nechayev. Why did you bring it and not Admiral Paris?“
“Because Owen asked her to, Phoebe.“
“Why would she even care? She gives a shit.“
“Phoebe, what has gotten into you?“ Gretchen stared at her daughter.
“Remember what happened to Lieutenant Masters, Admiral?“
Looking at the younger woman without giving any indication of recognising the name, Alynna knew full well where this was heading. It wasn´t the first time somebody accused her of being uncaring towards people under her command.
“Of course you don´t. And why would you? That´s probably the reason they call you the Ice Queen. Lieutenant Masters was my friend´s mother, she served under your command and when she died you didn´t even find it necessary to personally tell her family, you merely sent your first officer.“
Exhaling harshly through her nose, the Admiral decided the best course of action was to simply leave.
“Thank you for the coffee, Gretchen. Have a nice day. Miss Janeway.“ The Admiral turned and went out of the kitchen.
“What? Wait a minute!“ Phoebe stormed after the Admiral. Stepping in front of the Admiral before she reached the door, Phoebe crossed her arms over her chest and levelled a challenging gaze at the older woman.
“Aren´t you going to say anything?“
Linking her hands behind her back the Admiral looked with dispassionate eyes at the youngest Janeway.
“What do you want me to say? That I feel sorry for an officer who died in the line of duty? Even if I did I highly doubt you would believe me anyway. Because I´m after all the Starfleet´s Ice Queen, oh yes Miss Janeway, I know each and every name I´m called behind my back.“
Smirking at the expression of the woman´s face, the Admiral felt a strange satisfaction at the surprise showing there.
“My personal favourite is `She-Devil´, though. Being a Starfleet Admiral means this isn´t a popularity competition. As for the decision that led to the unfortunate death of said officer it was mine to make and mine alone. And when everything is said and done at the end of the day, nobody but myself has to live with those decisions.“
Taking another breath before she continued, the Admiral knew she didn´t have to explain herself to this woman, but she felt compelled to do it anyway.
“It is my responsibility to make all the tough decisions and give the orders which sometimes end with the death of people. You do not know me, Miss Janeway, so I recommend you do not presume to know what I feel or do not feel in cases of officers loosing their lives under my command. Because like I already said, in the end it is my responsibility and I have to live with it, each and every single day, for the rest of my life.“
“And when I seem strict or demanding it is always in the best interest for those I swore to protect. I have made it my life´s goal to protect and serve Starfleet and therefore the Federation, just like your father and your sister. Believe my when I say I do not take my responsibility lightly. There is a storm gathering on the horizon and I do my best and demand the best to make sure people like you are protected and safe as good as possible. Good day, Miss Janeway.“
With that the Admiral stepped around Phoebe and left the house, leaving two stunned women behind. Alynna got on the hovercraft and barked at the young Ensign to take her back to the transport station. She was furious and angry at the younger Janeway but most of all at herself. Letting her guard slip like that wouldn´t do. Her only excuse was a long and tiring week at the HQ. The situation with the Dominion was getting more and more strenuous with each passing week.
Leaning back in her chair she wished for once that things would go easy without too many problems.
Upon her return to her office, the Admiral´s aid handed her a padd with the latest information on the situation regarding the Dominion from Captain Sisko. Sighing at the fact that it would be another long night, Alynna entered her office and could only smile when she found a welcome visitor on her couch.
“You look as if you could use a stiff drink“, Admiral Pulaski said from her place on the couch.
“You have no idea“, Alynna sank down on one of the opposite chairs.
Pouring a drink for her old friend and colleague, the doctor handed the glass over and raised an eyebrow in question.
“Care to share?“
Taking a large swallow from her glass, Alynna closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth that spread through her body. Leaning her head against the back of the chair, Admiral Nechayev looked with unseeing eyes at the ceiling of her office. Sharing what happened during the unpleasant visit to the Janeway farm might be a good idea after all.
“Owen asked me to deliver the latest communication from Voyager to the Janeways. Him owing me big time now doesn´t outweigh this trip, far from it.“
“How so? Gretchen has always been a welcoming hostess.“ Kate Pulaski frowned.
“She was as cordial as ever. I can´t say the same for her daughter though.“ Alynna snorted.
“Oh, dear“, Kate chuckled. “So you have finally met Phoebe. A fiery temper that perfectly matches the colour of her hair. The artist and free spirit, who holds no love for Starfleet at all.“
“No love for Starfleet and nothing but hatred for me, even though we have never met before.“ Admiral Nechayev had to agree.
Back at the Janeway farm a very puzzled and flabbergasted Gretchen tried to find out why her daughter had been this spiteful towards their guest. After reading Kathryn´s letter together, Gretchen made a pot of coffee for both of them and managed to get her youngest to spill the beans.
Cradling her mug between her hands Gretchen patiently waited for Phoebe to calm her temper with the first sips of the strong brew.
“Care to tell me what this was all about?“
“This woman, mom“, Phoebe started to explain, „she makes me angry beyond measure.“
“But why, darling? You have never met her before. What makes you so angry about her?“
“Do you remember Julie Masters? We studied art at the Sorbonne, her mother served under Nechayev. She died during the war against the Cardassians and this woman didn´t even find it necessary to inform the family personally. Now she talks about responsibility but back then she had her second in command deal with it. Nechayev never once contacted the family or sent her condolences. The woman is a complete and utter bitch, cold as ice, without any feelings at all.“
Sighing at her daughter´s perception of the Admiral, Gretchen Janeway pondered if she should share her knowledge or if it would only cause even more damage.
Phoebe had never had any love for Starfleet, given her father´s continuing absence and death and her sister being lost in the Delta Quadrant, Gretchen could at least understand her youngest´s unwillingness to relate to what it means being an officer and making all the tough decisions.
“Well, my dear, you seem pretty certain about the good Admiral.“ Gretchen knew she had to make her daughter think it over.
“Mom, even you have to admit that Admiral Nechayev is nothing like Daddy.“
“Of course, not. And neither is your sister. But you know nothing at all neither about the woman nor the Admiral, my dear. But today you were judge and executioner in one person.“
“I was pretty harsh and utterly rude, wasn´t I?“ Phoebe softly admitted, feeling bad already.
“Yes, you were.“ Getting up from her seat, Gretchen refilled both their mugs and settled down again to wait for her daughter´s question, which she knew would come.
“So“, Phoebe was sliding her left index finger over the rim of her mug and intently studying its content. “You think I should apologise?“
“Only if you mean it. Otherwise it would be without value.“
“How can I do that, mom?“
“Remember the old saying, `never judge a book by its cover´? That is even more true for people and believe me when I say that Alynna Nechayev´s book of life is anything but what you expect.“
“What is that supposed to mean?“ Phoebe looked astonished at her mother´s cryptic words.
With that Gretchen left the kitchen and a very confused Phoebe behind.
In her office at Starfleet HQ Admiral Nechayev was reading the last information regarding the Dominion. Kate had left some time ago, with her usual advice to get a life. Snorting over the comment when she thought about it, Alynna knew ever since Wolf 359, and if she was completely honest even long before, her life was Starfleet. Of course she had tried to date again, but all that ever came of it was one disaster after another. Her career, her duty and responsibility that was her life and that was what people like Phoebe Janeway would never understand. Why she had even found it necessary to explain herself to the younger woman she couldn´t fathom.
Lieutenant Masters would always be her worst moment. She wouldn´t destroy the image of the Ice Queen by admitting that the death of the officer was forever branded in her brain. Alynna Nechayev remembered all the names and faces of those she had sent to death, not one would she ever forget. This was her curse and the force behind her ambition when she demanded the best of her officers but most of all of herself.
Alynna also knew that sharing the burden would make it easier but who would willingly lead such a life?
Putting the last padd away Admiral Nechayev turned her chair towards the large window behind her desk. Looking out into the night she got up to watch the young people in the square meeting for a night out. The cadets looked so young and innocent, not even realising how fast it all could come to an end.
What she had said at the Janeway´s house was true, a storm was gathering and even though the Board of Admirals always called her `Kassandra´ behind her back, she knew that this time could be worse than everything they had suffered before.
Hoping against hope she was wrong Alynna Nechayev closed down her work station and left her office. Once again the last of the Admirals to leave for the day, as usual.
TBC? (if you want)