Title: The Marulian Compromise
Author: Megan Faye
Rated: PG
Disclaimer: Paramount Owns Trek




Captain Kathryn Janeway of the USS Voyager slipped into the bath tub and closed her eyes as the bubbles surrounded her. The gentle scent of lavender relaxed her almost constantly tense muscles. She sighed heavily and leaned her head against the pillow-like edge of the bath tub and reached for one of the many data PADDs that awaited her.

"Computer-music," she ordered.

"Please specify command."

"Earth, 20th century, Jim Brickman, Angel Eyes." The notes flew through the air as she read making the reports seem a little less stressful and mind-numbing. After a while, she hummed along, almost loosing herself in the music completely. The ring of the door chime slammed her back into reality. "Come," she called sinking under the bubbles, leaving only her head and hands in sight.

"Kathryn?" Commander Chakotay called from the main area of her quarters.

"In here. Don't worry; there's enough bubbles to cover me." Chakotay nervously entered her bathroom and sat on the edge of the tub. "What can I do for you, Commander?"

"We've encountered an alien ship; the Marulians. They look almost like the Trill aside from the spots being rainbow-like. Very beautiful." Kathryn raised her eyebrow and tossed him a lopsided grin. He replied by looking down and shyly smiling, dimples flaring. "The captain of the vessel, Terreah Jessel wishes to meet with you as soon as its convenient."

"Why do I have the distinct feeling it had better be convenient now?" Chakotay took this to mean she wanted to get out of the tub and waited in the living room. After a moment, she emerged wearing her black uniform pants and gray tank top. He gave her a report as she finished dressing.

"Their ship is heavily damaged, and they need a tow to the nearest uninhabited M-Class planet so they can settle. The Marulians were drifters a few hundred years ago, but their descendants have been looking for a suitable place to settle on for the last 20 years. The planet they chose is only 2 weeks from here, and its providing another worm hole that'll cut another 5 years from out journey."

"By all means, tractor them in!"

"There is one problem. Their ship is near twice the size of Voyager and holds 900 people. It'll take us two weeks to tow them to the planet that would, under normal circumstances, take us a day to get to. And they only have life support for that many people for another week at best." Kathryn thought for a moment.

"Could we run trips from the ship to the planet?"

"I had thought of that, but they need the ship. It has too much history."

"We could make the trips, then tow the ship. With no one on it, wouldn't it be less of a risk? We could tow it faster." Chakotay shook his head.

"Terreah won't hear of it. I made that suggestion already." Kathryn sighed.

"Beam over as many of the women and children as possible. Move all of the crew to the first two decks. 6-8 in each room if possible. Recycle all beds, couches, chairs, desks, anything but personal items and replicate as many bunk beds as you can. Put them in the cargo holds, shuttle bays, lock out all main systems where ever they have any access, tell Neelix to start cooking for 1,000 for the next two weeks. Have B'Elanna prepare the engineering staff for a long two weeks. Sam and Naomi Wildman, Tuvok, B'Elanna, Seven, Tom, Harry, Neelix, you and I will bunk out in my readyroom. We need to be within reach of the Bridge at all times, and I don't want Naomi roaming the ship with them on board." She took a deep breath.

"Gee, Kathryn, one would think you had all night to write this plan out."






The lights dimmed and the room of people started for their beds. Each person was allowed one footlocker to put all personal items in. It had a 20th century Military boot camp feel to it. Kathryn closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but it was difficult with 6 other people in the room. Naomi yawned in the bottom bunk next to her. Kathryn listened as Samantha and Neelix tucked her in and said goodnight.

"Mom," Naomi whispered. "I know I'm only 6, but 6 years for you is 11 years for me. You don't need to tuck me in anymore. Go to bed." Kathryn stifled a small chuckle. Neelix kissed Naomi's forehead and climbed to the top bunk above Kathryn and tried to settle in. Kathryn closed her eyes and attempted to sleep as Neelix tossed and turned, rattling the whole bunk bed.

"Mr. Neelix?"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Flip over once more and I'll toss you out the nearest air lock," Captain Janeway muttered sleepily. Tom and Harry laughed from their bunks.

"I fail to see the humor in the Captain's threats."

"Tuvok?"

"Yes, Captain?"

"You know you are one of my dearest friends, am I right?"

"I would like to believe so, Captain."

"Then don't take this the wrong way, but if you say another word, you'll be joining Mr. Neelix."

"Aye, Captain." The room, including Kathryn, laughed.

"Goodnight, everyone," Kathryn said, pulling her blankets over her head. "We've got a long two weeks, starting tomorrow, and we all need a good night sleep, which is why I left junior officers in charge tonight." Aside from Seven, Chakotay, and B'Elanna, who held their posts, the ship was being run by junior officers. "Sleep well, this may be the last night of real peace for the next two weeks."





Chakotay yawned and stretched sleepily. His shift would be over in 30 minutes. The junior officers that were on duty had been on for two straight shifts.

"Ensign, you have the bridge." Chakotay stood and headed towards the ready room. "Lights 10%." Lights only went to 20% for the next two weeks. "Kathryn, your shift starts in about half an hour."

"Thank you, Commander." He nodded politely once and left. "Okay everyone time to wake up. Keep the talking down. Naomi's still sleeping."

"No, I'm not," she mumbled. "Commander Chakotay woke me up with the light." Kathryn smiled and went into one of the small bathrooms put into the ready room. She quickly took her sonic shower and dressed so that Samantha could shower. When she exited, everyone was eating at the footlockers that were placed at the end of each bed. Samantha grabbed her shower bag and hurried in.

"Where is Harry and Tom?"

"Showering," Tuvok answered shortly.

"Together?"

"No, Harry is brushing his teeth while Tom showers and then they'll switch. It cuts about 5 minutes off the shower rotations." Kathryn nodded and sat at her footlocker to eat. "Captain, catch," Neelix said, tossing a ration pack to her."

"I'm not sure if I should thank you, or not." Neelix laughed lightly.

"They aren't too bad, Captain," Naomi said as she made her bed.

"You teethed with these, Naomi," Kathryn said, laughing. After a moment, Tom and Harry exited men's bathroom and Tuvok stood up to get ready for his shift. "Well, gentlemen, why don't we go to the bridge and relieve Chakotay," Kathryn said, standing up to go. "Have fun with Neelix, Naomi. If anything happens, you're allowed to come on the bridge while we have this many guests. I don't want you in Astrometrics or anything below deck 2 for that matter. There are too many people and no one will be able to keep track of you if they need to." Naomi nodded, almost sadly. "Look in your footlocker, read the data PADD and join us on the bridge in 30 minutes." Kathryn, Harry and Tom stepped out onto the bridge.

"Aren't you going to look, Naomi?" Neelix asked.

"Why does everyone think I'm a baby?"

"No one thinks you're a baby, Sweetie. Read the PADD. I think it was a direct order," Neelix joked. Naomi lifted the lid on her locker. Sitting inside where her jumpsuit and orange boots had been was a little Starfleet uniform, with the rank of Crewman. Naomi read the PADD excitedly.

"I've been promoted to crewman, Neelix! Captain Janeway said she's sorry we couldn't have a ceremony, but there are just to many people and not enough time and there will be an official promotion ceremony when we finish our current mission with the Marulians!" Naomi leaped into Neelix's arms with joy. "This is terrific."

"You had better get ready, Sweet heart. Its not a good idea to be late your first day as a crewman," Samantha said leaning against the door frame of the ladies bathroom.





"Captain, we've got another problem," Neelix said as he scurried into the ready room. "We keep running out of food towards the end of each meal shift, and there as some who haven't eaten in a day now."

"Are replicators back up yet?"

"No, Captain."

"How many haven't eaten."

"About 20. I have nothing in the kitchen to give them. How long until we reach the planet?" he asked, worried.

"Another 6 days. Janeway to Torres."

*Torres. Go ahead.*

"About how long until those replicators are up?"

*Five minutes, tops. I just need to replace a few more relays and gel packs. I've got a full team on it. Hold on,* she piped through the comm badge. Captain Janeway could hear someone talking from the other end. *We have replicators.*

"Thank you, Lt." Kathryn walked over to her replicator. "One pot of clam chowder." A burned apple pie appeared, still smoking. "Janeway to Torres."





Naomi yawned and settled into the top bunk above Captain Janeway. Neelix offered to switch places, as high places made him a little nervous. Samantha pulled the blankets over the little girl and kissed her forehead, but Naomi was already asleep.

"She's out."

"Its been eight days, and she's collapsed into, basically, a comma the second the hit the bed. Do you think I'm working her too hard, Samantha?" Kathryn asked as she gnawed on her ration bar.

"No, she's just had an exciting week. After her duty shift she sat on the top bunk reading data PADDs on bridge operations for 6 hours a day since she got the promotion. Any more, she'll be able to replace the Commander." Kathryn laughed and threw the wrapper to her ration bar and drink in the replicator to be recycled. "Do you want to know the small fit she had when her uniform had been moved? I had it cleaned and forgot to get it from the clothing recycler, and when she woke up, she almost lots her cool."

"Why?"

"She was afraid you'd changed your mind, or that it had been stolen and she'd have to go in her night clothes and you'd take it back." Kathryn laughed as Samantha ran a brush through her hair. "Well, duty calls. Goodnight, Captain."

"Have a good shift."





The air smelled of fresh cut grass and dandelions. Tom smiled as he stretched out in the large field, taking in all the Earth-like scenery and smells. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander. He could almost smell fresh apple pie in the air and hear his sisters playing. When he opened them, Captain Janeway was leaning over him.

"Having a nice dream, Lieutenant?"

"Sorry, Captain. Just thinking about home. The fields remind me of my grandparents' farm. I was about 5 he last time we were there, and I fell asleep listening to my sisters playing. When I woke up it was almost dark, and the apple pie my Nanna and I were making was done. I could smell it all the way out in the field." Captain Janeway smiled warmly.

"Sounds like a fond memory, but we have work to do. We need to find the river, and scout out a place to build the settlement. Our passengers are ready to leave Voyager."

"Captain, what if some of the crew decides to stay? I know that we all chose Voyager over the 37's, but that was, what, 5 years ago? I'm sure there are a few who are ready to settle down someplace." She swallowed hard.

"I can't force the crew to stay on Voyager anymore than I could force them to leave. If too many do decide to stay, the whole crew will have to. It takes at least 100 people to keep the ship running." Tom thought for a moment.

"I have an idea. If more than 50 decide to stay, why not land Voyager for a refit so that it can be run by 10 or 20 people. When everything is ready to go and the people who stay are settled in, we can recycle everything but what those who stay need. It'll give us power and rations'll be higher."

"What if only one or two want to continue?"

"Delta Flyer can be refitted for a major journey. Either way, we can make it work. If you put the offer up today, and give them until the new community is half done, everyone'll have time to think." Captain Janeway thought about it as they hiked through the field.

Surrounding the field were tall snow covered mountains and thick forests. Captain Janeway lead her group towards the closest forest area. The towering trees smelled of pine. A soft whispering breeze added an icy chill to the air. The massive trees could be cut down to build the houses. In the distance, a river could be heard rushing along through the trees.

"Captain Janeway, I hear the river. It sounds like its about a hundred meters east of here." Tom lead the way. "My tricorder's not picking anything up further than 5 meters away from its current location."

"Neither is mine. Keep your eyes open for anything potentially threatening."

"Aye, Captain." Tom walked on further until he came to a small cliff. He stopped and looked down at the rushing royal blue water. "Captain, its beautiful. The riverbed is blue, its amazing." He lowered a small tube down the 5 foot cliff into the water. After a moment he pulled it back up and connected it to his tricorder. "Its pure, clean, drinkable water. There's a clearing a few meters up the river, so maybe we should start the colony there."

"Sounds like a plan. Set your phasers to a narrow beam to cut the trees. We wouldn't want to cut down the whole forest. Lets get the plans out and get to work," she said confidently. "Janeway to all away teams. Report to my location We've found the spot."





Harry played softly to the rhythm of the rushing waters below him as Naomi hummed along softly.

"There you are, Naomi. Neelix is going crazy looking for you," Tom said as he entered the small clearing by the river. It was a warm day, and the trees shaded the area beautifully, keeping it moderatly cool. "Nice song, Har. What do you call it?"

"Out of the Blue."

"Oh, now that's original." Harry grabbed his small duffel and followed Tom and Naomi back to the construction area.

"I think its lovely," Naomi piped in. "Its a great tune, and very sweet."

"I think you have a fan." Naomi scampered off, still dusting the grass from her uniform, over to where Neelix and Samantha were sitting. "She was with Harry by the river." Samantha nodded and thanked him. "She'd really getting used to living on a planet. I think she'll be heartbroken when we leave."

"Relax, Tom, we've been here a total of 6 weeks. Sure she likes it here. we all do, but none of us want to stay. At least that's what everyone is saying." Tom sat and swung his feet over the bench to face the table. He pulled out his ration MRE and unwrapped it.

"I am beginning to miss Neelix's cooking. Meals Ready to Eat are getting rather old. Within a month, they Marulians'll have fresh Telaxian Tomatoes and carrots, New Earth blackberries, and the Whatever berry bushes'll be ripe."

"Why did you call it the Whatever Berry bush?" Harry asked, biting off a chunk of granola like food bar.

"The berries look like Gonzo from the Muppets."

"So? Why not name them Gonzo berries?"

"When I cataloged it, I couldn't think of his name, and he wasn't a species. He was always referred to as a 'whatever' until Muppets from Space. Look, I'll show you tomorrow on the ship when we have some time off."

"No thank you. Look, there is a lot of work to be done and only 8 more weeks in which to finish. Maybe we should finish lunch later and go work on the commissary. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can leave and get back to the Alpha Quadrant." Harry stood, tossed his MRE into his pack and headed off to one of the many construction sites.






"Captain, we've reached the half way point. The crew wer supposed to hand in their requests to stay on the planet last night. I received none. All of the crew is staying with Voyager," Chakotay said, smiling. Kathryn smiled and leaned back against the wall.

"Did you have any doubt?" she flirted back lightly.

"No, I knew they'd all stay. I heard them talking as we worked. We're getting closer every day. Its been seven years, and we're 30 years closer to home than when we started, Kathryn. They'll follow you where you choose to lead them. You are their Captain, and more importantly, their friend." Kathryn smiled and sipped her coffee. "You'll be Naomi Wildman's hero for the rest of your life."

"She earned that promotion. Name one person who knows every nook and cranny, and can fit there to fix it, and would do just about anything to be on the bridge?" Chakotay smiled. "She has first year cadet knowledge of every system. She's helped B'Elanna repair transporters and replicators, and the doctor with minor medical problems. Tom's even been teaching her how to pilot shuttles for the last two years. With Neelix as a Security officer, and Seven of Nine in a Science uniform, she was the only one who wasn't holding a rank. She's been on board her entire life, learning the place like it was her home world."

"It is, Kathryn. She was born in our sickbay, took her first step in the Mess hall at 6 months; her first words were 'Red Alert,' her first sentence was "Is that a direct order?' She went on her first away mission when she was 3. Starfleet is all she knows. This is her home world. Tell me something, when you were 6, how many times had you moved?"

"About 12. You?"

"We moved every week to find new hunting grounds and fresh water supply."

"When you were six years old, your body was six years old. Naomi is six years old, but her body is 11, her mind is-"

"Twenty-five." The two laughed. Kathryn stretched a little, trying to get comfortable on the floor of the ready room. "I'll be glad when things are back to abnormal around here. I miss my couch."

"B'Elanna said if we keep it like this, we could increase the replicator rations almost 200%, and still have extra power. Its not bad sharing quarters like this, Captain. We make the bathrooms a tad bigger to have toilet stalls, and shower stalls, and add a few sinks. The extra decks can be transformed into larger holodeck, storage area, bigger hydroponics, bigger sickbay, bigger gym, and nicer mess hall."

"What if we make the mess hall a lounge as well? Once we make it bigger, we can put in a few couches, a pool table, a few chess tables. We can make the crew barracks on decks 3 and 4. Mess hall will be almost all of deck 2." Terreah stepped into the Ready room. "Hello, Ms. Jessel." Terreah raised a phaser.

"Your plan sounds like a wonderful one, however, you won't be here to enforce it. You'll be joining the rest of your crew on the surface. The colony you built for yourselves should have everything you need to survive." Tom listened from the Jeffery's tube and waited. "I've got the last of the crew. Beam them down to the planet." Tom quickly crawled back in the tube to the ladder and made his way to the shuttle bay.




"We have an unauthorized shuttle launch, Captain Jessel."

"Target the engines and fire." The Marulians watched as a volley of phaser fire rocked the Delta Flyer

"Its already the atmosphere. It looks like its heavily damaged and is crashing near the settlement."

"Good, they can bury their dead. Take us to our next stop. We've got some trading to do." The man at helm hit the button and Voyager left orbit at full impulse. No one on board knew it could move any faster.




Tom landed the shuttle with ease in the settlement square. He coughed lightly from the smoke. The Marulians didn't pursue. Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay entered the Delta Flyer as soon as it had shut engines off.

"Mr. Paris, how-"

"I stole it. You can throw me in the brig later. Right now, I need B'Elanna and her best team here. We need to start working on the Flyer now. They'll only get so far before they realize Voyager has Warp power," Tom said, grinning. "I managed to shut down the warp engines and lock them out without anyone noticing. They'll have a few problems along the way, with a new virus aboard."

"How-"

"I left a note for the doc. Its coded, heavily coded."

"What does it say?"

"Muppet Treasure Island. Kermit and Jim on the island, pirates have the treasure. Put up the black dot flag. Jim's Compass and the map."

"And that means.....?

"We were abandoned on the planet and the ship was stolen. Put a virus in the air, we'll be coming ASAP to take over the ship again."

"Mr. Paris, your a genius."





The doctor read over the message and thought back to 'Movie Night' a few months ago when Tom chose 'Muppet Treasure Island.' He suddenly understood the message and went to work in the lab. The swishing of the sickbay lab doors caught his attention.

"What are you doing?" Jessel demanded.

"I've picked up scans of a possible outbreak of disease from the planet. If you want the crew to live, you'll leave me to my work and kindly stop interrupting."

"We haven't been ill."

"Not yet, but its already affecting your memory. This is the third time we've had this conversation." Jessel swallowed. "Now I've got to find an antidote and release it into the environmental controls. Let me scan you and see how far you've progressed." He scanned her with the tricorder.

"If I've been here before, why haven't you scanned me before?"

"Because, I had to finish the diagnoses of the air molecules first before I could look for a match. Now, go back to your duties and let me work." Jessel stumbled out of the lab. The Doctor let out a sigh of relief and looked for an undetectable airborne pathogen that would render them unconscious for a few days.
A few hours later, just as he was finishing the pathogen, his comm badge beeped.

*Doc, its me, Tom. We've beamed Naomi aboard. Her life signs are similar enough to the Marulians so she won't be detected.
*She's in the Jeffery's tube next to you. I've tapped into your controls. Only you can hear me. We're not going to be detected for another 15 minutes. When we are, you'll be on your own with Naomi. Cough once if you understand me.* The Doctor coughed a single gag like sound. He looked down the Jeffery's tube, and sure enough, there was Naomi in a bio-suit, giving him a thumbs up. *Good. Naomi is going to start locking out systems to keep them busy long enough for you to release the pathogen. Lock down sick bay.* The doctor rolled his eyes and waved Naomi out of the sickbay.




"Captain, its one of the humans' ships. The stolen shuttle."

"Raise armor, and fire on them." Jessel yawned. One shot volleyed at the Delta Flyer. "Damage?"

"Severe, Captain. They're retreating."

"Fire again."

"Something is blocking the-" his words were interrupted bay a yawn. Everything went black.





"Doctor, they're all unconscious," Naomi said over her shoulder.

"Good. Get to the bridge and bring us back to the planet." Naomi whipped around to face him. "My mobile emitter was damaged, and the Delta Flyer took some damage and had to go back to the planet."

"Are you insane! I can barely pilot a shuttle!"

"Naomi, unless you want to spend the rest of you life here in a bio-suit, or be the only living thing here when they wake up, you had better get to the bridge. I'll talk you through it." Naomi swallowed hard and jogged up to the bridge.





It was dark, and people were laying everywhere. Naomi pulled the man out of the seat at helm. She sat down and plotted the course. Soon, she could feel the ship moving, and sighed. She couldn't feel the buttons through the bio-suit and it made her that much more nervous.

"Crewman Wildman to EMH."

*Yes, Naomi?*

"I'm at the helm and I'm bringing her about. I've laid in a course for the planet full impulse."

*Good girl. Now just relax. You know how to do this.*

"Aye, sir." Within two hours, she brought the ship to a standard orbit. She jumped up and ran to the comm station. "Crewman Wildman to Captain Janeway."

*Go ahead.*

"The Marulians are unconscious, and will be for the next 30 hours. I've got Voyager in a standard orbit. The Doctor is purging the systems of the virus. I'll start beaming the Marulians down into the field in 15 minutes when the pathogen is clear and won't disrupt the planet's atmospheric conditions."

*Goodwork, Crewman. Janeway out.*






"For bravery above and beyond the call of duty, I hereby promote you to the official rank of Crewman, with all rights and responsibilities come with that rank. Congratulations, Crewman Wildman." Naomi shook Captain Janeway's hand and proudly accepted her rank. "Let the festivities begin!"

"Congratulations, Naomi," Tom said, handing the girl a glass of juice in the newly finished mess hall. "Does this mean you'll be joining us for pool after duty shifts? It might be fun."

"Why start now?"

"Cute, Naomi," Harry laughed. "But seriously, why don't you join me in a game?"

"I can't. I promised Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay a game of cards. Maybe later?"

"Naomi, can you find out if they're together?"

"Y'see, Harry and I-" Harry slapped Tom's shoulder. "Okay, I have a betting pool running on when they'll get together."

"I know, right after I was promoted when the Marulians first came aboard, I put 2 weeks worth on the day of my promotion ceremony, mess hall. Its under Anonymous Spike." Naomi smiled over at Captain Janeway and waved. She smiled back and took Chakotay's hand slightly shakily. She leaned up and accepted his lips onto hers. "Where can I collect?" Naomi asked as innocently as possible. "And how much can I collect?"

"Let's just say, when Tom regains the ability to speak, you'll never have to eat in the mess hall if it takes us a hundred years to get back to the Alpha Quadrant."

"Good," was all she said as she linked arms with her mother and walked off, wide grin plastered on her face. She winked up at Kathryn, who winked back. "See you in the ready room, Captain!"

"Did you see that, Harry?"

"You mean when Naomi winked at Captain Janeway, or when Captain Janeway winked back?"

"Harry, we've been taken by a 6 year old."

"As Captain Janeway says, 'This is Starfleet. Weird is part of the job."


End