^{search engine keywords: Star Trek Voyager Caretaker USS Voyager Maquis Kathryn Janeway Chakotay Delta Quadrant Starfleet Tom Paris B'Elanna Torres, Tuvok, Neelix, Deep Space 9}

In Quark's Bar on Deep Space 9, Morn is at his usual place at the bar counter.

Quark: "If I may say so, it's been my special pleasure to see many new officers like yourself come through these portals."

He is speaking to a Starfleet ensign named Harry Kim, not long out of Starfleet Academy.

Quark: "Your parents must be very proud, my boy. You know, on an occasion like this-" Kim: "I'm really not interested." Quark: "Interested?" Kim: "You were about to try and sell me something, right?" Quark: "I was merely going to suggest that your parents might appreciate a memento of your first mission." Kim: "And you happen to have several to choose from." Quark: "I do carry a select line of unique artefacts and gemstones indigneous to this region. Why, quite recently I acquired these Lobi crystals from a very strange creature called a Morn." Kim: "We were warned about the Ferengi at the Academy." Quark: "Warned about Ferengi, were you?" Kim: "That's right." Quark: "Slurs about my people at Starfleet Academy." Kim: "What I meant was-" Quark acts all offended and in a slightly louder voice, drawing attention and embarrassing Kim. "Here am I, trying to be a cordial host, knowing how much a young officer's parents would appreciate a token of his love on the eve of a dangerous mission and what do I get for my trouble? Scurrilous insults. Well, somebody's going to hear about this!" He has a Ferengi PADD ready to take down notes. "What's your name, son?" Kim: "My name?" Quark: "You have one, I presume?" Kim: "Kim, Harry Kim, but I-" Quark: "And who was it at the Academy who warned you about Ferengi?"

	Kim tries to appease him: "You know, I think a memento for my parents would be a great idea." Quark: "Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no!" Kim: "Really. One of these would make a great pendant for my mother." Quark: "Or cufflinks for your father." Kim: "Cufflinks. Great idea." Quark: "They're not for sale! Now, inform your commanding officer that the Federation Council can expect an official query-" Kim: "How much for the entire tray?" Quark: "Cash or credit?"
	Paris steps up and takes one of the crystals, pretending to examine it. "Dazzling, aren't they? As bright as a Koladan diamond." "Brighter," says Quark, taking it back. He is irritated at the interruption. Paris: "Hard to believe you can find them on any planet in the system." Quark: "That's an exaggeration."
	Paris: "You know, there's a shop at the Volnar Colony that sells a dozen assorted shapes for one Cardassian lek. How much are you selling these for?" Quark: "We were just about to negotiate the price."

Kim closes the box. The lid bangs shut. He leaves it with Quark - the deal is definitely off. Paris to Kim: "Come on." They leave, depriving Quark of lucrative profit.

	As he and Kim leave together, Paris says, "Didn't they warn you about Ferengi at the Academy?"
	Kim smiles broadly.

USS Voyager, docked at an upper pylon of Deep Space 9.

In Sickbay, the Doctor tells his Nurse: "Run a level-3 diagnostic just to be sure." Paris and Kim enter Sickbay. "Can I help you?" Paris: "Tom Paris, reporting on board." Doctor: "Oh yes, the 'observer'."

The Doctor does not say greet Paris or offer to shake hands, but instead moves to the surgical bay and continues treating a patient. Paris notices the Doctor's coolness: "That's me. As a matter of fact, I seem to be observing some kind of problem right now, Doctor."

Doctor: "I was a surgeon at the hospital on Caldik Prime at the same time you were stationed there. We never actually met."

He leaves the surgical bay and moves past Paris, stopping to look at him in an unfriendly way.

Doctor: "Your medical records have arrived from your last posting, Mr Paris. Everything seems to be in order. The captain asked if you were on board. You should check in with her."

Kim: "Er, I haven't paid my respects to the captain yet either." Doctor: "Well, Mr Kim, that would be good for a new operations officer to do."

Out in the corridor, Kim asks Paris: "What was that all about?" Paris: "It's a long story, Harry, and I'm tired of telling it. I'm sure someone around here will tell you before long."

In her Ready Room, Janeway is talking with her fiancé, Mark. Mark: "The doctor called." Janeway: "And?" Mark: "I was right." Janeway: "She's pregnant?" Mark: "The puppies are due in seven weeks."

Janeway: "Oh, Mark. You've got to take her home with you." Mark: "With me?! I just got the rugs clean." Janeway: "She's with child. I can't leave her in kennel while I'm...." She gestures into the room to indicate the ship and the mission. Mark: "Is this another 'love me, love my dog' demand?" Janeway, with mock firmness: "Yes." Mark: "How can I ever refuse you?" Janeway: "Thank you, honey."

Mark: "So when are you leaving?" Janeway: "As soon as I approve these systems status reports." Mark: "Alright, then I won't bother you any more." Janeway: "Hey, you never bother me, except the way I love to be bothered, understand?" Mark: "I'll remember that."

Janeway: "See you in a few weeks. Oh, Mark, go by my house and pick up the doggy bed. She'll be more comfortable." Mark: "I already did, an hour ago." She smiles.

She blows him a kiss and they end the communication.

The door signal sounds. "Come in." Kim and Paris enter. "Gentlemen, welcome aboard Voyager." Kim: "Thank you, sir."

Janeway: "Mr Kim, at ease before you strain something. Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol I don't like being addressed as 'sir'." Kim: "I'm sorry, ....ma'am." Janeway: "'Ma'am' is acceptable in a crunch but I prefer 'captain'. We're getting ready to leave. Let me show you to the Bridge."

They follow Janeway onto the Bridge. Kim looks round - this is his first assignment, and it is here that he will be working. Janeway: "Did you have any problems getting here, Mr Paris?" Paris: "Not at all, Captain."

Janeway: "My First Officer, Lieutenant Commander Cavit - Ensign Kim, Mr Paris." Cavit shakes Kim's hand. "Welcome aboard."

Paris proffers his hand.

After a brief hesitation, Cavit shakes it, but his unfriendly look tells Paris that he knows his history. Cavit then turns his back on him, and moves about his duties.

Janeway shows Kim to the Ops station. "Ensign Kim, this is your station." The officer there makes way for him. "Would you like to take over?"
Kim: "Yes, ma'am." Eagerly he takes his position
Janeway: "It's not crunch time yet, Mr Kim. I'll let you know when."

Kim starts pressing buttons, rapidly apprising himself of the Ops status.

She moves to the command centre and signals Cavit. Cavit: "Lieutenant Stadi, lay in a course and clear our departure with Operations." Stadi: "Course entered. Ops has cleared us." Cavit: "Ready thrusters." Kim: "Thrusters ready." Cavit: "Initiate launching sequence." Stadi: "Sequence under way."

All of Voyager's lights go on, and the formation lights flash on and off indicating the ship is about to manoeuvre.

With Voyager all set for departure, Janeway gives the order to leave: "Engage."

Janeway orders: "Engage." and Voyager departs Deep Space 9 and the mission begins.

View of forward hull and bridge module as Voyager starts to leave Deep Space 9. (pop-up window) USS Voyager leaves Deep Space 9. (pop-up window)

Voyager heads for the Badlands.

Star background by me.

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