#i had like two dreams about that one being directly affected by 'naomi knows best' synopis somehow

[lucy-shining-star]

Okay so I'm probably based cause Mateo is my favourite character, so that might turn to defensive but I have to say something about some things from this:

...Though first o all I agree about that blabbing in Rita arc and I must say I'm dissapointed there was never some onscreen reaction to him almost letting her in that room (I don't reember how it's called) or him admitting to that onscreen. Like did it it ever happpen. I'm assuming it did but I can't be sure and this is so annoying damn it.

About Isabel I don't think it's comparable to anyone else cause it was more Elena being mother-figure to her younger sister than anything else? She was angry cause someone who she wants to protect the most put themselves in danger when she said to them to not do that.

About 'Movin on up' vs 'The Last Laugh' ...I don't think either of these episodes was about them wanting free time? 'Movin on up' was about Mateo moving in the palace, so he wouldn't have to take long time to go to palace from home and other way around. ...And about Naomi wasn't that more about Elena being jelaous of Veronica 'stealing' Naomi from her and work was just excuse to not let her? Or did I read to much of elena x naomi interpretations of this episode but like I still think it works with friendships

Hi! I just read your post about Mateo recently. If I may, can you give me any specific instances in the narrative of the show where Mateo isn’t called out as heavily as they should have? I’m just curious?

During the Shuriki returns arc in particular, Mateo makes some pretty glaring mistakes that I feel like he should've gotten much more flack for (and based on what we see elsewhere in canon, I feel pretty confident that if Gabe, Naomi, Isa, or Esteban at least --and possibly even Elena-- had made these mistakes, they wouldn't have been swept under the rug nearly as quickly as they were for Mateo).

While it's unfair to completely blame Mateo for Carla's manipulating him during the "Rita" arc, I feel like it's reasonable to hold him a *bit* accountable. He did after all blab highly confidential information (on more than one occasion) to try and impress a pretty girl with how clever and important he was. (Something tells me that if any of the others had done likewise, they would've been called out for it. But because it's "beloved" Mateo, we don't even get "wait, you told Rita how to get into your workshop? And you've known her for only a few weeks? What were you thinking, Mateo?") Moreover, he never even apologizes for this or promises to do better/be more careful with such important, sensitive information in the future.

Even more aggravating is his behavior in "The Scepter of Night." Mateo is so eager to play the hero and claim all the glory for himself that he twice (!) disobeys a direct order/abandons the plan and goes looking for the scepter piece on his own. This directly leads to Fiero and Victor finding the scepter piece and (temporarily) stealing it. And it's really only due to luck and very conveniently-timed infighting amongst Shuriki's allies that Elena and co. are able to get the scepter piece back. While Mateo does receive some (brief) criticism, it's nowhere near the level that it should be.

Also noteworthy Elena doesn't really get particularly "mad" at him (especially considering how angry we see her get at other characters even for more minor things) . She's not truly, actually angry at Mateo (and Gabe and Naomi are only a bit angrier); she's just a little frustrated and disappointed at him in the moment. And apart from a (very short) little "do better next time" speech, Mateo doesn't face any real consequences or lingering resentment unlike other characters who do.

When Isa obeys direct orders in "Sister of Invention," she has to face consequences (Elena grounding her). Similarly, Elena holds a grudge against Esteban for days (if not weeks) after he interfered with the Feast of Friendship (a much lower stakes mistake than Mateo's imo). Moreover, it's possible to interpret Esteban's staying behind in Avalor when the others go to see the Norberg Lights as a punishment (either self-inflicted or imposed by Elena) for his actions in the previous episode.

In contrast, Mateo just gets a brief "I expected better from you" speech from Elena and Gabe jokingly assigning him push-ups as punishment (which he immediately takes back when Mateo tries to do them). I'll give Mateo a little bit of credit for actually apologizing this time (which he doesn't always do). But it's still frustrating that everyone is so ready to forgive and forget Mateo's missteps immediately while this same courtesy is seldom shown to others.

I think it's worth directly comparing a few Mateo-centric episodes with a few more similar ones that focus on other characters so that we can see how there does seem to be a noted narrative bias in his favor compared to the others.

Let's start with two "feeling kind of insecure" episodes: "Spellbound" for Mateo vs. "Naomi Knows Best" for Naomi. In the former, Mateo expresses doubt that he's capable of rising to the occasion as royal wizard. No one (except Gabe and he gets over it by the end of the episode) blames him for not having reached his full level of confidence and potential right away and not being able to immediately solve the problem. And Elena in particular (and by extension the narrative) gives him so much validation and support. Whereas in "Naomi Knows Best" (and to a lesser extent "Finders Leapers" and the "Carla-as-Rita" arc as well) the narrative "punishes" Naomi for her feelings of self-doubt. We're told that *if only* Naomi had trusted her gut instincts and stood her ground right away, Elena and co would not fallen right into the trap and that Naomi needs to screw her head back on straight and embrace confidence ASAP to fix her mistake.

When Mateo feels insecure, the narrative gives him every reassurance about how capable and special he is, that he can learn at his own pace, and his insecurity isn't really such a problem after all. When Naomi feels insecure, the narrative encourages her to get over her doubts as quickly as possible because unlike with Mateo, there's "no time" for her to wallow in self-doubt and actually the fact that she even had said doubt in the first place is what "caused" the disaster.

On a slightly different note, Naomi is also called out for taking a little free, fun time for herself in "The Last Laugh" when the group needs her, and yet somehow I have a feeling that Mateo would've been allowed to take a day off if he wanted without any protest. He complains about long hours in "Movin' on Up" and Elena gives him the big royal wizard's chambers for him to relax and unwind in. Naomi asks for one (1) day off to spend with her childhood friend for her birthday , and suddenly it's big drama. (And at the time, Naomi asked for said day off, all Elena needed from her was help doing paperwork. The Team Ash stuff came up unexpectedly.)

Similarly whenever Gabe and Mateo get their little rivalry on ("Spellbound," "Party of a Lifetime," "Captain Mateo" and a few other examples) , the narrative either presents them as equally at fault or Mateo as the only one in the right.

When Gabe brings in Bronzino to train the Royal Guards in magic, it's specifically because Mateo failed to explain how and why he was training the guards in the way he was. If he'd just explained how they were going apply the seemingly basic exercise they were doing to real magic, Gabe likely would've allowed Mateo to continue the training at his own pace.

(Also like. it's super hypocritical imo for Mateo to get annoyed at Gabe feeling impatient/impulsive about their apparent-lack-of progress when Mateo himself is easily the second most impulsive character in the show after Elena.) Mateo feels entitled to keep important information to himself (or blab it to a cute girl he barely knows) even when its no one else's best interest. He's only okay with being "cautious and patient" when he specifically is the one setting the pace. And yet, Gabe is the only one who is called out for his behavior in this episode--even though he might not have acted as he did if only Mateo had trusted him and the guards with an explanation in the first place.

And then there's just a few other "dude not cool" little moments that never really get acknowledged/Mateo never apologizes for. For instance, there a two low-key terrifying Mateo moments in "Captain Mateo" that are not only not acknowledged but are also framed in context as Mateo being just "so funny and quirky". Near the end of "Should be in Charge," Mateo magically gags Gabe so he can't protest anymore about Mateo taking over as leader of the mission. And this is after having already enchanted one of the stationary suits of armor to come to life and fight Gabe. (Gabe admittedly does lightly shove Mateo out of the way during his parts of the song, but that's still a far cry from literally drawing a sword on Mateo as Mateo does via magic to Gabe.)

It's played for laughs (The Grand Council is just smiling happily in the background throughout the scene which is so yikes), so it's easy to overlook what's actually happening. Frankly, it's pretty horrifying that Mateo's natural instinct upon his experience/authority being questioned is to literally attack and then silence. (And attack and silence someone who is supposed to be one of his best friends and closest allies at that!)

Rather than the narrative acknowledging that maybe it's a bad idea to immediately grant power to someone to someone who is so retaliatory against fairly minor criticism, the Grand Council just gives Mateo exactly what he wants and doesn't even offer a "maybe next time, let's not gag or attack our friends, okay?" alongside it. I mean sure Mateo does step down as captain at the end of the episode, but it's very specifically presented as his and Gabe's voluntary choice and not an order from Elena/the Council.

[whimsically-ominously-auspice]

I'm so happy to hear the kids abducted to Hong Kong got to hear and see and talk to their hero that saved them today through Zoom in Brian's phone!!!

It was so lucky and such perfect timing that he called me today while the military crews were still resting in China and Wendy was able to pinpoint their locations directly!!

He truly is their Hero and we are so lucky!

I have dreamed about him for years and for years have been waking up from nightmares telling Brian McGruff is a bad dog... But always the dream would be gone when i woke up or it was before it started happening and no one knew

I even had a feeling when I ordered the kits... So I'm not sure how these kids feel through the cracks because they were on my soul to save.

I also didn't know know about human trafficking like I do now, so I think the whole "Sabrina you just have a bad feeling because it reminds you what could happen..." Is how

A few other companies, too... I had a whole list. So Thorn is gonna check that out.

It just takes one person to prove a mood. I had a list of 17 companies that day then 26 more over the next week that I had this nag on while I was "picking on" Crime the McGruff Dog

Since I kept saying it that way in 2016 and I never ever messed up his name before they took down a list of companies associated with him according to my feelings and it was an unusual list.

So this man has likely saved nearly 30 times as many children as he could have hoped.

We will soon find out. In return he's to receive a mansion an economically stable brand new automobile. Fully paid.

Because I've dreamed of him, his voice and everything. He truly is an Earth Angel.

For nearly half a decade he's been the solution to my night terrors. I know why ask those children cried. I want to cry, too, And my tears are warm.

The children were mutated and mutilated. Arms cut off and sewn onto their foreheads and given all sorts of horrible viruses and drugs.

Tree just gave them their own fresh bodies. Replicas. Some back to the age/look they were kidnapped at, some slightly grown, according to the agreement between child and parent whichever they liked the sound of best, the child's preference being the ultimate decision maker. Their DNA4U will state and show they are replicated due to the reasons of faster healing and less overall damage that would cause future problems plus they got upgrades like bullet proofing, extra speed, strength increases, stuff like that. And extra extra heavy COVID19 instead of 3 feet you'll get it at 10 feet bad enough to kill you nearly instantly.

But they were horribly mistreated, starving, mental and physical torture, so much.

So I know to talk to the one rare person in the World that could save them and did was certainly very good heart and soul medicine.

So I'm glad he called me again and I didn't answer and Brian called back from the plane.

Yes of course. He flew to Enid then China then Hong Kong... You can make a man retire but you can't ever make a man quit. And I'm glad. Just so those kids could talk to their hero.

So lucky. Of all the hundreds of people working there he's been there only 6 months. And he took that initiative to just check...

Today living kids was 443.

Dead was 198,675 which tree ghosted back to life. (Gave new bodies)

Nearly a quarter of a million children.

Times 3 is 600k then add a zero. Looking at maybe 6 million kids and young adults...

Tree estimates 400M

So a huge round of applause and a right tight hug.

And he deserves amazing amounts of pats on the back because that list would just sat around keeping dusty.

This is that old fashioned detective work like sitting at a gas meter while some one is down trying to find out how to save people (aliens included) from dying in a gas chamber and they're up there making sure that gas isn't turned on to kill the girl doing all the work -- he couldn't hear people downstairs through the street and i could get the truth out easier and faster before they even knew and I was always happy to get the news while he was just mad and angry. So i was the better to go. Cause everyone was always happy to see me. Cause I was always super nice and all interested in what they were doing.

Now unfortunately not so much.

But Charles was starting to get nightmares after my list and had came up with 14 more companies from coming from the same way i had came up with my list... So he talked to some the other people that felt creeped out about the assignment I insisted on doing and they also all added each two and then some kept a private list... Which they slowly added after verifying the company was then clean.. It started in 2013 these bad dreams.

So every time it happened or they started their nightmares they added to the list.

Overall 642 companies we dreamed of or felt or somehow had a psychic connection to. I dreamed of kids and old people and women. Some people only dreamed about men. Some just kids.

The companies we have left is 642 to check out as they hadn't had yet done any bad and no dreams or any thing has came up since...

Which isn't happy, we now know, but good news is whatever bad has happened we can fix is super special and magical ways.

So we have Thorn, CIA, Military, some FBI and some others to check what's been going on and see.

So that's about 8 Trillion that have been affected. But at least 6 Trillion have already been retrieved.

So this one single person has done the miraculous. The biggest miracle we have been waiting for on a personal level. For me its been 7 years but 6 since 9 other people started having their dreams affected and the lists began.

So 10 of us with nightmares. Night terrors. Waking up screaming or shaking or scared. And not knowing why but having a name, a company label. Sometimes or often a place on a map... As close to the actual GPS coordinates of longitude and latitude. Wake up listing numbers for no reason. Numbers that make no sense N 316941027865389421. Over and over.

Brian would look at me "what the fuck are you trying to do Morse code?"

"I'm trying to sleep thank you very much. Alan and Naomi. 38652361 I think you just messed me up"

One person. One person can make a difference. That's all it takes. One person.

One person to make sense of all these nightmares.

We don't need to be saved from them... They didn't bother so much... We could wake up. Be safe in our beds. Joke it out.

But there's people. Innocent children. Innocent adults that wake up into real living nightmares every single day.

And one person today made the phone call to make thst difference to about 200,000 kids and over 400,000 parents. And siblings and grandparents. Friends.

Just today he changed the world for at least a million whom now have a missing child come home.

Made one million hearts smile and backs release tension and sorrow.

And now we're looking at 2 trillion lost people. Who have kids. Who have parents. Grandparents. Friends.

Were gonna have at least 6 trillion hearts heal then there's soulmates so that's gonna be 12 trillion

Due to one phone call. That was all I needed.

I had heard him say he couldn't find his soulmate... And he didn't go trying to save her or find her today

He knew it was just kids.

But he knew it was missing kids because the people getting ID kits were told not to call the police only call the dog. He could see clearly kids were being abducted and they had a rating system on "easy to kidnap to hard" and the easy were always reported within weeks.

He knew it was his civil duty to call and report it somehow... But he didn't know to who or how.. Who would take it seriously.

This crazy lady might...

Im very sensitive to red flags. He didn't even have to explain. I was already on it in less than 2 minutes.

So the world is so lucky to have him and the kids today so lucky to be in Hong Kong when we just busted 600k China's citizens home.

I mean you can't get more miraculous than that!!

You would think...

But leave it to the true McGruff the Crime Dog to make sure it did.

Because it did.

Tree will update us later how extremely far this miracle went

From one person hoping and praying and taking that leap of faith.... After 10 following their true instincts and intuition.

Intuition is so important you guys. If you hadn't understood why i hope now you finally get it.

Last night I trusted mine and we pulled 13 million from slavery. That's 26 million directly affected with soulmate syndrome. Then parents that makes it times two. So 52 million then grandparents and kids...

Then one person trusted his. And kaboom an estimated 12 Trillion frowns are gonna turn upside down.

Then we are getting these bad guys off the streets, out of their homes, immediately. Hopefully they're checked thoroughly and then killed. I'm done with this baby sitting shit. Back to good ole South Texas and manual strangulation in vans after being kidnapped...but now technology has made it so much different. Much simpler to catch someone in the act. And fuck this court system, it's WWIII. Its military. We will find them guilty without a reasonable doubt and simply kill them.

There is no fucking reason over 18 million people were kidnapped in late 2019 (after October) or in any fucking time in 2020.

What is the point of a trial? Those people whom went to jail in 1990 for 20 years for kidnapping are doing it again. I sent 700 to jail. 36 are actively kidnapping. 642 are financially benefiting. The remaining are probably dead. 12 people.

Tree says i make him laugh. They are dead.

So out of 700 they're dead or kidnapping or in the human trafficking market.

So, there is No change and no Rehabilitation. There is PROOF.

So human trafficking ass holes y'all can thank those 688. Because now you're all just gonna fucking die.

What are you gonna do to me? Not a dam thing. That's what. So think about bull shit. Cry about your stupid life. I don't care.

But I'm taking all your money to pay the victims and im killing you, human traffickers.

And you ain't doing shit about it.

And those about to be trying to hurt someone to retaliate. I already put alerts on you.

So when you're pushed out a plane in the middle of no where so wild animals can eat you... Well don't complain to me. Animals need to eat, too

And surviving good humans. Don't worry... When the bodies hit the ground. They pretty much explode so they're just ground meat basically and bones crush and they wre just big piles of food. They don't look human

So some bear isnt going to come out the mountains and be all "man I just ate something that looked like you and was mighty tastey!" The bodies are unrecognizable.

If you're curious... Idk if you still can.. We used to can look up bodies that had been tossed or jumped out of Windows. Back in 2000 I found a website and I would go through and examine them and see which were pushed and which had jumped

I could tell the difference. Anyway if they're in Google you'll see they don't look human. They're pretty gross -- some do -- so ew be careful but from the plane height trust me they do not.

And its very careful with software to show no damage to trees or animals will occur.. And the software is very intelligent and cautious and only certain types of people can access it. Like a kidnapper can't turn on the computer and see where and how. But a Clark Kent or Louis Lane or someone can. But if an evil Donald Trump sits down next to, the software will shut down. Immediately. And lock out any user until hes removed.

I'm not fucking dumb. Sometimes I just don't know what to do and Need an Earth Angel to make one phone call

Or a guilty person to confess. Or a clue. A bad dream. A nightmare in my sleep. Or being in the right place at the right time. Like when the kidnappers gas up at night at the gas station.

Otherwise I'm fucking brilliant. Overprotective and caring.

So any one tries to dump innocent people out of planes, the door simply will not open. Magic it is called. Its already happened. And it will not happen again.

Anyway for all the 007 Peirces that can stab so hard it hurts and heals at the same time.

This one is for you.

Thank you!

Lets really bust a move on that intuition. Its a life saver.

Man we are so so so so so so lucky today!!!

I couldn't be more thank ful!!

All of our military and cops that are ready and qualified and remember how to rescue from bunkers.

We need y'all. Don't forget to stay safe and well.

And our essientals and just our stay homers.

And beach goers.

[voyagerafod]

Star Trek Voyager: A Fire of Devotion: Part 1 of 4: Louder Than Sirens: Chapter Five

Chapter Five

   Three weeks later...

"So B'Elanna, I hear you and Seven of Nine seem to be getting along better," Commander Chakotay said as he caught up with the Chief Engineer on her way to her shift.

"In the sense that she's a lot less pushy lately, sure," B'Elanna said. "She still has a bad habit of just working on things without clearing them with a department head first, though. And before you say anything Chakotay, I know full well that I used to be like that too. But if I can get over that and learn to follow protocol, so can she. It'd be one thing if it were a life and death matter and she didn't have time to go through proper channels, that I can forgive. Otherwise, it's damn annoying."

"You aren't the only one who's noticed an improvement in her behavior lately. Neelix says she occasionally joins him and Naomi on the holodeck to play in one of her fairy tale stories. And rumor has it she's been helping Ensign Kim deal with his PTSD on the side, though both of them deny it."

"Well, she's certain assimi- wait, poor choice of words there. I mean she's starting to fit in faster than I think any of us expected. And, credit where credit is due, that distraction she came up with to deal with those aliens who were invading our dreams was pretty clever. And Harry played along beautifully. If I hadn’t been standing right next to her, I’d have thought she was really kicking his ass."

Chakotay nodded. "So,” he said. “do you think she and Harry are-"

"No way,” Torres said. “From everything I've been hearing on the ship's rumor mill, Seven's not into guys."

Chakotay shrugged. "Well, I think transporter chief Kitrick hasn't been seeing anyone, maybe someone should get the two of them talking-"

"Sorry to keep interrupting you there Commander, but something tells me you'd have to pry Seven of Nine's eyes off Samantha Wildman's butt first, if Ensign Brooks is to be believed."

Chakotay chuckled. "Oh, so I see that rumor has evolved. First time I heard it, it was Seven being heartbroken over a dinner date going sideways. And then later someone tried to say they saw Ensign Wildman leaving astrometrics with smeared lipstick, and a huge grin on her face. I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors B'Elanna."

"Didn't you just tell me a rumor that Seven was helping Harry Kim out with his psychological issues?"

Chakotay opened his mouth and raised a finger as if to offer a counterpoint, but then he just shrugged.

"Touche," he said.

Before the conversation could continue, Seven of Nine’s voice came over Chakotay’s comm badge.    “Seven of Nine to Commander Chakotay, please report to astrometrics,” she said.    “On my way. Chakotay out.”    B’Elanna rolled her eyes.    “You, she says ‘please’ too,” she said, smirking. “Are you two dating or something?”    Chakotay laughed the loudest he had in weeks.   “Right,” he said. “like that would ever happen. Besides, if these rumors you talked about are true, you’re probably more her type than I am.”    “I’d bet five replicator rations that one of the lower deck crewmen already has that as a holodeck program.”

---

  Seven of Nine headed towards Holodeck 1 with mixed emotions. There was the thrill of another clandestine meeting with Samantha, though she hoped that they wouldn’t have to keep their relationship a secret for much longer. There was the accomplishment at having discovered the ancient satellite network that would allow Voyager to make contact with the Alpha Quadrant. But there was also a nagging sense of dread, like something bad was about to happen. This was not a feeling she was used too, and she was already certain she didn’t like it.

   Once she reached the door, she looked around carefully to make sure no one would see her go in, and tapped out a code on the panel next to it. The door slid open and she entered an empty concert hall -- the Royal Albert Hall on Earth. She looked around, when she saw a lone figure up in one of the balconies.

   “Sam,” Seven said, smiling. She made her way up the stairs.“Sorry I’m late. I suppose you’ve heard already.”    “About what?” Samantha said. “Oh, and by the way, thank you for agreeing to this. I felt it was time we used the holodeck for a proper date and not just, well, you know.” She winked.    “It’s amazing Sam. I look forward to whatever performance you have selected. As for the news I am referring to, I’m rather surprised it slipped past you. In astrometrics earlier today, I found an ancient, widespread relay station network. I was able to remotely access the one nearest to our present location, and through it I determined that its reach goes up to the edge of the Alpha Quadrant.”   Samantha’s eyes went wide. “Honey, I’m sure if I’d heard that I’d remember. That’s amazing! Were you able to make contact with Starfleet?”    There’s that negative feeling again, Seven thought. Why am I worried? Samantha is clearly happy about-

That was when it hit her. The Alpha Quadrant. Where Samantha’s husband was.   Seven suppressed the urge to frown. “Not directly. We tried to send a signal using modified transmitters, but they were too weak to reach a Starfleet vessel I spotted using the network. Mr. Paris suggested a stronger type of signal, one that wouldn’t degrade quite so quickly.”

“What did you decide to do? Samantha said, unable to hide her excitement, her grip on Seven’s own hands increasing slightly.   Maybe I don’t have to be so worried after all, Seven thought. It had been a few weeks since the two had begun their relationship, and Seven remembered clearly Samantha’s own words on what kind of relationship they had; “Let’s take it one day at a time.”    “A holographic data stream. It was risky, but it was our best chance. We sent the Doctor to the Starfleet vessel. We should know shortly if it was successful.”   Samantha laughed and removed her hands from Seven’s to throw her arms around her neck and give her a big kiss full on the lips.    “Oh baby, that was genius,” Samantha said.    Seven paused for a moment, then looked slightly downward.    “Actually, credit for that idea belongs to B’Elanna Torres. She’s the one who came up with the idea to send the Doctor.”    “Okay, fair enough. I’m not kissing B’Elanna though.”    “I don’t consider myself to be the jealous type Sam,” Seven said through a wry grin.

  “Very funny, Annika.” After another moment of looking at each other, smiling, laughing, Seven finally got around to an earlier question she’d meant to ask.    “So, which ballet are we seeing?”    “A 2259 performance of Coppelia. I’d seen it before, in my academy days, but I’d forgotten about it until you told me that you had a dream about ballet last week.”    “I’m still not entirely sure why,” Seven said. “Perhaps I was interested in ballet before I was assimilated as a child.” Seven then made a show of extending her hand out to Samantha for her to take. “Shall we take our seats?”    “But of course my dear,” Samantha said, affecting an accent. “I thought the balcony would be best but if you prefer we could take a floor seat.”   Seven of Nine looked out over the concert hall that would soon be filled with holographic dancers, musicians, and other audience members.    “This is fine Sam,” she said.   “Computer, initiate concert,” Samantha said. In a moment all the unoccupied seats in the auditorium were filled with various humanoids in formal wear, the orchestra pit filled, and although they weren’t on stage yet Seven could see the dancers doing last minute practices backstage from her angle.    “It’ll start in a few minutes,” Samantha whispered in Seven’s ear as she put her right hand over Seven’s left, locking their fingers together. Seven smiled at her.    “I’m sure it will be an excellent performance,” she said. Samantha shifted in her seat so she could rest her head on Seven’s shoulder. It was something she’d done before, both while sitting up, and in bed, and every time it never failed to make Seven feel both happy and safe. While she was occasionally willing to be open with Naomi, Tuvok, and even Harry Kim on occasion, it was only Samantha Wildman who she let see her at her most human. The only exception was tonight, where Seven hid her concern about how Samantha would react once she knew her husband in the Alpha Quadrant would know that not only was his wife alive, but that she’d given birth to his child.   The music began, and the dancers took the stage. Seven pushed aside her thoughts and tried to focus on the concert starting right in front of her. Right as the show began, something unexpected happened.    “I love you, Annie,” Samantha said softly. It was the first time she had said that phrase to Seven. She had heard from Tom Paris among others than in many humanoid relationships, the first utterance of those first three words was a serious milestone in a relationship. Seven found herself too stunned to reply, so she simply leaned her head into Samantha’s, kissing her on the top of her head as she did so, and squeezing her hand as Samantha had done to her moments before.

---

   Captain Janeway paced back and forth through astrometrics, getting increasingly annoyed. Not only was the Starfleet ship the Doctor had been sent to not back in range of the relay network yet despite it having been more than long enough for him to brief Starfleet on their situation, but now Seven of Nine, who was supposed to have been in this room before Janeway got here, was late.    “You’re going to wear out the carpet if you keep doing that, Captain,” B’Elanna said.   “What’s keeping her? Seven is never late.” Janeway stopped walking and tapped her comm badge, but before she could open her mouth, the door to astrometrics opened, and Seven of Nine walked in. Janeway was prepared to ask Seven why she was late, but she noticed something that stopped her in her tracks. Something about the way Seven was walking was different, more relaxed than she’d ever seen before. And there was something else.    Is she smiling? Janeway thought.    “Nice of you to finally join us, Seven,” Janeway said.    “I apologize for my tardiness, Captain,” Seven said.    “Would you care to explain why you weren’t here when you were supposed to be?” Janeway added.    “I would not. It is a personal matter.”    Janeway and Torres shared a look, as if to say to each other “Did she really just say that?” Janeway ultimately decided not to press the issue.   “We can discuss your punctuality later,” she said. “We’re simply here to ask if you had any new information on the relay network.”    “New information?” Seven said.    “You have been continuing to study it, I assume,” Torres said.   “I have gathered some new data since we sent the Doctor, yes, but nothing particularly useful to us. I can pull up that information up if you’d like to-”    A beeping noise from one of the consoles in astrometrics interrupted them.    Torres, who was closest to it looked down. “It’s an incoming transmission.”  

   “Is it the Doctor?” Janeway said.   “Negative,” Torres said as Seven moved next to her to look as well. “The Starfleet vessel still hasn’t reappeared. It’s coming in along the relay though. And it’s visual.”

   “Put it on screen,” Janeway said.

  A humanoid alien’s image appeared on the lab's viewscreen, wearing an armored helmet and an armored mask that covered its nose and mouth.    “Identify yourselves!” it shouted.

   “I’m Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation starship Voyager. To whom am I speaking?”    “You are using our technology!” the alien said.    “You mean the sensor network?” Janeway said. “We thought that it was abandoned.”

   “It belongs to the Hirogen. Terminate your link!”    “No, wait please-” Torres started to say, but the screen returned to the map of the network.    “The link has been severed,” Seven said.    “Can you get it back?” Janeway said.    “I can try. Lieutenant, would you be willing to assist me?”    Torres looked dumbfounded for a second. “I- yes of course.”    “Do whatever it takes, both of you.” Janeway said.

---

   Samantha Wildman double checked to make sure no one could see her, then quickly stepped up to the door to the astrometrics lab, carrying a bottle of a drink called root beer that she wanted Seven of Nine to try, as well as a container of soup and two spoons from the mess hall.    “Sorry I’m late An-B’Elanna! I, um. Hi? I didn’t know you were going to be here.”    B’Elanna Torres and Seven were both working on one of the lab’s consoles, but had turned to face her when she entered. Torres started to chuckle.    “Ha! I knew it,” she said. “Brooks wouldn’t lie to me. She’s terrible at it.”   “Lieutenant,” Seven said. “you would be better served by helping me boost the signal gain. Samantha, I apologize, but we ran into a complication with the abandoned sensor net.”    Samantha couldn’t see her own face, but she was certain she was turning red.    “Right. Well, I just, you know, wanted to make sure my daughter’s friend was eating properly. I heard Neelix say-”    “Sam, she’s not buying it,” Seven said.    “Oh, you two are just adorable,” Torres said.    “The signal gain, Lieutenant?” Seven said, a bit more forcefully this time.    “Right. I think with just a little more, we can cut through the jamming signal.”    Jamming signal? Samantha thought.

   “I warned you,” a staticky voice said. Samantha glanced up and saw a black masked alien’s image on the screen.    “Let me explain,” B’Elanna said.    “No explanations.”   “We’re lost here, in this quadrant,” B’Elanna said. “This network is the only chance we’ve had to contact home, to let our people know we’re alive. We’re just waiting on a confirmation they received our message. Once we have it, we’ll be on our way.”    “All messages will be intercepted,” the alien said, looking down. Samantha heard a noise much like those Starfleet consoles made when they were in use.    “He’s trying to jam the link again,” Seven said. Suddenly, the alien on the screen screamed in pain as electricity exploded from his console, striking him in the face and chest.    “What the hell?” B’Elanna said. “Seven, did you do that?”    “It was clear the Hirogen wasn’t going to listen to reason,” Seven said. “so I sent a feedback surge along the link.”

   “Annie,” Samantha said. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”    “It was a mild shock. He will recover.”    “’Annie’, huh?” B’Elanna said. “Well, the captain’s not going to be too happy about that but between you and me, good work.”   “Thank you. And, please, do not call that me that,” Seven said. B’Elanna looked at Seven, then at Samantha, then back at Seven.     “Okay, I get it. That’s your thing. I can respect that. I’ll go inform the captain about the situation. Keep an eye out for a message from the Doctor.”    “Understood,” Seven said.    B’Elanna started to walk past Samantha when the latter quickly grabbed the former’s forearm.    “B’Elanna, I like you, I respect you, and I know you outrank me, but do me favor. Just keep in mind what my girlfriend was able to do with a sensor link if you feel like blabbing to anyone about us. If we decide to share, we’ll do that on our terms. Okay?”    “Okay, okay. Far as the captain is concerned you weren’t here,” B’Elanna said, adding, “You could’ve just asked me nicely you know,” as she left.

   Samantha sighed as she carried her beverage and food over to Seven.    “Remember what I said about it being hard to keep a secret on this ship?” she said.

---

   The next morning, B’Elanna returned to the astrometrics lab to see Seven of Nine already there.    “Did you get a good night’s regeneration?” she said.   “I’m uncertain what a bad regeneration cycle would be,” Seven said without looking up from her console, “but, yes. Also, I wanted to say ‘thank you.’ Judging by the lack of inappropriate questions and innuendos on my way to the lab this morning, I can only conclude that you did not tell anyone about my relationship with Ensign Wildman.”

  B’Elanna was about to say it wasn’t a big deal, that she understood what it was like to want to keep a relationship secret during its early stages, but a noise distracted her.    “We are receiving a signal through the sensor network,” Seven said.

   B’Elanna tapped a few buttons on another console.   “Its origin is the Alpha Quadrant,” she said. “And it contains a holographic subroutine! He did it! Transfer it to sick bay and inform the captain.”    “I will do so,” Seven said. B’Elanna turned to make for the exit.    “Lieutenant?” Seven said.    “Yes?”    “Congratulations. Your plan to send the Doctor was risky, but it paid off.”    “Thanks, Seven. I have to tell you, 60,000 light years doesn’t seem like such a long distance all of a sudden.”

---

   Seven of Nine woke up to see Samantha seated by the viewport, looking out at the streaks of light as Voyager cruised along at warp. She looked at a nearby chronometer and saw that both of them were awake far earlier than they needed to be.    “Is something wrong Sam?” Seven said.    “Hmm?” Samantha said. “Oh, sorry, did I wake you when I got up?”    “I don’t believe so,” Seven said. “How long ago did you wake up?”    “A few minutes maybe, I wasn’t paying that much attention.”   “You would appear to be contemplative. Am I correct in assuming this relates to the Doctor’s return from the Alpha Quadrant?”    “Good guess,” Samantha said. She was silent for several moments after saying that. Seven was unsure if she should say something, but the silence was neither awkward or uncomfortable, so she decided to let Samantha talk to her about what she was thinking if and when she was ready.    “I was thinking about my husband, back home. I imagine finding out that I’m still alive was a shock, never mind what finding out he had a child did to him.”    “A mixture of emotions, most likely,” Seven said. “Shock, happiness, sadness, among others.”    “Sounds about right,” Samantha said. She got up and moved back to her bed, where Seven was now sitting upright.    “Annie, tell me something. Do you think I’m being selfish in hoping that he’s already moved on, found someone else?”    “I don’t know,” Seven said. “The decision of choosing whether or not to pursue another relationship after the death, or assumed death as the case may be, of a partner is not something I have any experience in. I do know however, that the grieving process is different for all sentient beings. As I’ve never met Greskrendtregk, I do not how he would have handled his loss.”

   “I hope he has. Or does. Let’s face it, even though Starfleet knows we’re alive, it’s still not likely that most of us on the ship will ever see our loved ones back home again. Maybe I am being selfish, just trying to justify what I have going with you to myself, but how could I ever ask him to wait for me, especially for what could be sixty years?”   Seven thought about it for a moment, then simply sighed and shrugged as she reached out a hand to touch Samantha’s cheek. “I’m afraid I’m not qualified to answer that question.”

   “Sometimes I think you might be too forgiving, Annika,” Samantha said.    “If that is the case, you may be the only person on this ship who thinks so.”    The two women kissed briefly. Samantha looked at the chronometer herself and sighed.    “No point in going back to sleep,” she said. “I need to pick up Naomi from Neelix’s quarters in about an hour.”    “What reason did you give him?” Seven said.    “Some excuse about needing some ‘me time.’ I don’t think he bought it though. He’s probably figured out by now that I’m seeing someone, if not who.”   “I suppose that means now is as good as any to discuss if we should continue keeping our relationship a secret,” Seven said. “I assume that since we did not take separate routes to your quarters last night that we no longer are.”    “I actually didn’t even think about it last night to be honest. But since you mention it, yeah, I’m not interested in keeping it a secret anymore. It was easier when I thought that maybe this was just a sexual thing but now that I know we’re serious…” Samantha trailed off.    Seven shifted closer to her on the bed.    “What’s our next step?” she said.

  Samantha leaned back, reaching for her uniform to pick it up off the floor. “I think,” she said. “That we just stop trying to hide it, and let the chips fall where they may. I’m sure once a few of the less discreet crewmembers see us together it won’t take long. Now I’m kinda wishing I hadn’t told B’Elanna to keep quiet.”    “An even faster method would be to simply tell Neelix. The whole ship will know before shift change.”    Samantha laughed, but shook her head.   “You’re not wrong,” she said, running her fingers through Seven’s hair. “But he’s been getting better about that lately. Let’s not interfere with his personal growth.”

   Seven smiled. “I imagine if we did, the whole crew would hold it against us,” she said. She found that she was staring at Samantha’s lips. “You said an hour, right?”    Samantha smiled. “Why, I believe I did.”

---

  Naomi Wildman went up to the door to her quarters, but found they were locked, like they usually were when her mom and Seven of Nine were having “grownup time,” so she shrugged, and took out the PADD that had a book she’d been reading and sat down, leaning against the wall, waiting for them to finish. Neelix had said to her when she left his quarters that leaving early might mean that her mother might not be awake yet, but Naomi had said it was okay.

   She wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting when the Captain walked by, but as soon as she noticed she stood up and saluted. “Good morning Captain,” Naomi said, trying her best to have the inflection of a proper officer, something she wanted to be some day.   “Good morning to you too Naomi,” Janeway said, smiling and returning the salute. “May I ask why are you sitting outside your quarters?”

  “‘Cause Mom and Seven are having some grownup time,” Naomi said. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she’d made a mistake. Her mother had told her that she didn’t want anyone to know, at least not yet, that Seven of Nine was Mom’s girlfriend now, and here she was, blabbing about it to the Captain.    “Oh no, I wasn’t supposed to say anything,” Naomi said, her face feeling hot all of a sudden. “Captain, please don’t tell anyone I told you. Mom might get mad.”   Captain Janeway’s mouth was hanging open, and her eyes wide. Naomi hadn’t yet mastered the art of reading facial expressions, something that the Doctor had offered to teach her, but she was pretty sure Janeway was confused at what she had just heard.    “I, um, I promise. Of course.” Janeway was suddenly acting the way that people tended to act when they were trying not to laugh. “Carry on Ms. Wildman,” Janeway said as she started to walk away. Naomi breathed a sigh of relief.    That was close, she thought. Then the door opened.   “Oh, Captain,” Naomi heard Seven of Nine say. Seven, standing in the doorway, was in her usual brown jumpsuit, but her hair was loose, and she looked a little sweaty for some reason.    “Seven,” Captain Janeway said. The silence that followed made Naomi feel uncomfortable.    “Captain,” Seven said, “if you were looking for Sam- for Ensign Wildman she’s, um, currently in the sonic shower.”    “No,” the Captain said, smiling now. “I was just passing by, and stopped to talk to Naomi. She was just out here, reading.”    “Good morning Seven,” Naomi said. Seven looked down at her as if realizing she was there for the first time.    “Naomi, I was led to believe that your mother would be picking you up from Mr. Neelix later this morning.”    “I know,” Naomi said, feeling embarrassed. “but I woke up early.”    “I see,” Seven said. “It is likely that you will be reprimanded for wandering the ship unsupervised.”   “Seven,” Janeway said, stepping forward and putting a hand on Seven’s shoulder. “just so you know, I am perfectly capable of being discreet if you-”    “Actually, Captain,” Seven said, smiling herself now, in the way that Naomi only ever saw her do when she was in their quarters. “since you mention it, I can inform you that that is no longer necessary.”    “I see,” Janeway said. “Well, congratulations on your first foray into human relationships Seven. I’ll see you later.”

“Thank you Captain.” Janeway politely nodded at both Seven and Naomi before heading down the corridor. Naomi tapped Seven on the hip to get her attention.    “Yes?” Seven said.    “So, I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore? About you and Mom I mean?”    “That is correct,” Seven said. Naomi smiled, and hugged Seven of Nine as hard as she could.    “Yay!” she said.

---

Captain Janeway exited the turbolift onto the bridge, still smiling. There were any number of ways that Voyager’s ex-Borg crewmate being in a romantic entanglement could be a problem, but she didn’t want to think about any of those at the moment. Right now, she wanted to enjoy the fact that Seven of Nine, after less than a year, was already starting to become part of the Voyager family.    “Captain?” Commander Chakotay said as Janeway took the captain’s chair.    “Yes, Commander?”

   “I can’t help but notice you seem rather chipper this morning.”    “‘Chipper’? Since when do you use the word ‘chipper’?” Janeway said.

   “It’s just that it’s not that often I see you walk onto the bridge looking happy,” Chakotay said. “It looks good on you.”

  “Thank you, Commander. But since you mention it, I am in a rather good mood today. I learned that our newest crewmate is really growing up.”    Chakotay’s head tilted slightly.    “Seven of Nine? I thought she was going to be in her alcove until 1300 hours today.”    “Nope,” Janeway said. “Mister Paris, what’s our current speed?”    “Holding steady at Warp 7, Captain.”    “Good.”    “Well?” Chakotay said.    “‘Well‘ what?” Janeway said.   “Don’t leave me hanging here, Captain. What has Seven of Nine done that’s got you convinced she’s finally adjusting to life on Voyager?”    Should I tell him? Janeway thought. Seven said they weren’t keeping it a secret anymore, but still.   “I’ll put it this way, Chakotay,” Janeway said, leaning over slightly and lowering her voice so that only he could hear it since Tuvok and his superior hearing were not on the bridge yet. “Remember that conversation we had a few weeks ago, regarding rumors about Seven and Ensign Wildman? They’re not rumors anymore.”

   “Really? How did you find out?”   “Well, first Naomi accidentally let it slip, then I just happened to run into Seven as she was leaving Samantha’s quarters, and she confirmed it, in her own Seven of Nine sort of way of course.”

   “So, how are going to handle this?”   “The same way we do every other relationship on board. So long as it doesn’t affect performance or ship safety, we just let it go,” Janeway said, smiling. “Looking the other way is a proud tradition amongst Starfleet captains, you know.”    “Given how rarely they’re enforced one can’t help but wonder why Starfleet ever kept the regs against fraternizing to being with.”

   Janeway thought about it for a moment, then shrugged. “I admit, I haven’t given it much thought. Maybe I’d be stricter about it if we were still in the Alpha Quadrant where I could easily kick off a crewmember who was a problem. Still, Seven of Nine isn’t a child, and Samantha Wildman isn’t reckless, I think those two just might-”    “Captain, we’re receiving a transmission,” Harry Kim said. “Audio only.”    “Let’s hear it,” Janeway said.

   The audio was garbled badly, but Janeway could make a few keywords; Starfleet Command being the ones that got her attention.    “Try to clear that up Harry,” she said.    “I’m trying Captain,” he said.    “Is it coming through the relay network?”

   “Affirmative. I think I can, wait, got it.”    “This is Starfleet Command to the U.S.S. Voyager,” the still static filled but much clearer message said. “If you are receiving this message, please study it carefully. We have information th-” the message fizzled out. Janeway, standing now, turned to face Harry Kim but he spoke up before she could ask him the obvious question.    “That’s all we got,” he said. “It looks like the bulk of the transmission is lodged in one of the relay stations.”    “Can you tell which one?”    “Yes. It’s about 3.8 light years away, on a heading of 274 Mark 13.”    “Tom?”    “Course already plotted Captain,” Tom Paris said from the helm.   “Mr. Tuvok,” Chakotay said, “Full sensor scans. We don’t know what Hirogen ships look like, but given how they responded to the last time we used one of their relays they didn’t appreciate it.”    “Understood Commander,” Tuvok said.