"Take her out of warp, nice and easy Mr. Paris," Kathryn leaned forward slightly.
"Warp drive off, preparing to enter main Hub docking lane," he stated.
"On-screen," she stated crisply, knowing that all of the bridge crew had turned towards the view with expectancy. There were a few gasps at the sight, and Kathryn felt her own lungs contract slightly before her cool Starfleet persona took over.
Tom Paris gave a little whistle and said, "There she is."
The station was huge, filled with docking bays that were near capacity and lights, thousands . . . perhaps millions of twinkling lights . . . . glass walkways showed people walking and strolling calmly about . . . smaller ships sped by and around Voyager towards the spacial-sight. Neon signs, much like the gaudy ones of earlier earth times, advertised unknown pleasures in different alien languages.
"It looks like . . . like . . ." Harry Kim was speechless.
"Like Las Vegas," Tom finished and chuckled. "Captain, I like your style," he joked.
"We're being hailed," Ensign Kim stated. "Vocal Only."
"Open a channel," Janeway responded.
A computer's voice greeted the crew, "Welcome to Barian Spacial Hub Three. Please enter the following coordinates into your main piloting console in order to enter docking bay three . . . seven . . . nine . . . five."
"Mr. Paris, go ahead and enter the coordinates," Janeway commanded.
"We're being scanned," Tuvok raised his eyebrow.
Janeway lifted her hand in a gesture that said to wait, "That's alright."
"Your vessel has passed regulation five three zero zero. You will be contacted by a Barian Official three hours after docking for further arrangements. Thank you."
"Whatever that means," Commander Chakotay looked at her with a worried gaze.
"We'll be at our docking bay in twenty seconds, Captain," Paris' fingers were on fire, he could feel the rush of adventure coming on.
"Ten seconds . . . . five . . . ." Harry continued the countdown. "Three . . . . one!"
The ship shuddered slightly as it bumped the docking bay and it shook lightly when the hub's spacial docking clamps took hold of it.
"Powering down engines and standing by," Tom smiled at Kathryn.
"Good work, Mr. Paris. Mr. Tuvok," she turned towards the Vulcan, "have you finished those shoreleave guidelines?"
"Yes, Captain. There are ready for distribution after you have approved them." He offered.
"I trust that you have made the necessary arrangements just fine. Go ahead and distribute them," she stated and Tuvok nodded before walking off the bridge.
Kathryn stood, her hands on her hips and a rare, relaxed smile on her face as she turned around, looking at each of her senior staff kindly, "Well? What are you waiting for?" They stayed where they were at. She shook her head, "Go have some fun!" With that they stood up, gave a few happy cries and clapped before exiting the bridge. Kathryn noticed that Chakotay, of course, had yet to leave, "Commander, that includes you."
Chakotay shook his head and knew that Kathryn Janeway was as stubborn a woman as one could find. He smirked and headed to exit the bridge, but paused at the door. Turning around with an evil smile he looked at her and said, "I'll inform the doctor." And left. He wasn't sure if that was a PADD hitting the bridge door on the way out or not, but whatever it was it hadn't met its intended mark.
"Look at it! Just look at it!" B'Elanna Torres grabbed Tom Paris by the arm and dragged him from window to window. "Freedom!" She yelled and hugged him.
"I've already started a betting circle on this one . . ." Tom laughed.
"You would," she laughed. "I'm going to go start packing. Oh hey, did you talk to the other members of the crew?"
"Uh, sure did. We've got all of the senior staff, Commander Chakotay, Neelix and Kes, and a few others from Engineering and other departments who are interested in that Hotel room and party. It'll be just like our academy days . . ." he threw his arm around B'Elanna's shoulders playfully as she muttered, "speak for yourself."
CONTINUED IN PART 9!
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