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Chapter 3 - Fights and First Flights

Silence followed for a long while before Jaden spoke up, walking next to Janeway. "So does your ship have a name or does the naming of ships go out by the 1940s?" Jaden could see the small smile on Janeway's face.

"Voyager," Janeway said, with a hint of pride. "The Federation Starship Voyager."

Jaden nodded thoughtfully, and continued on. Eventually she ended up at the back of the group with Mister Kim. Who had told her that his name was 'Harry Kim', and insisted that she call him 'just Harry'. Jaden made it a point to actually call him 'Just Harry' a few times before she stopped. She noticed Janeway look back at them and smile.

"So I never really caught your name," Harry said.

"Jaden."

"What no last name?" Harry grinned.

"I didn't think we were on a last name basis," Jaden winked. She watched as Harry's face went from shock, to confused, before settling at embarrassed. Jaden laughed. "I'm joking! It's Greenleaf." She could see Harry roll his eyes.

"Ha ha," he said fakely. "Great to know you miss Greenleaf." He stuck out his hand for her to shake.

She took it and grinned madly at him, "Just Jaden, please." Her eyes widened and her smile dropped. Jaden watched as Harry's smile grew into his own grin.

"Well okay then, Just Jaden."

It caused the two to begin bickering. It carried on for a small while, the bickering becoming more like jokes. Jaden heard Fred mutter something about 'children' before she, to the great amusement of Janeway who had been listening in, stuck her tongue out at the man. Much to his annoyance.

Harry shook his head and laughed. "You sure are different for someone from the 1930s." Jaden shrugged and carried on walking.

True to her words it took about ten minutes to reach the top of the cave system. "This way," Janeway said.

"What's all that racket?" someone asked.

An energy bolt passed between Janeway's legs, taking everyone by surprise. "Take cover!"

Jaden immediately did a tuck and roll, ending up next to Captain Janeway behind a bolder. The rest of the team and everyone else behind a bush.

"I told you it was a trick!" Fred yelled. He screamed in pain as a beam hit him.

"Fred!" Amelia screamed.

Jaden watched Kim ran out of cover and dragged, whom she would now call an idiot, to cover. Janeway and Jaden glanced over the rock shielding the two, seeing the attackers. The Captain looked across from Jaden to see two other men, who's names Jaden later learned. Tuvok and Chakotay were hiding behind a nearby large rock. Janeway tapped the badge on her chest, drawing Jaden's attention.

"Janeway to Chakotay," she said.

"I'm here, Captain. We're pinned down," the commander replied.

Curious. It's like a type of Bluetooth. Jaden shook her head and rolled her eyes. This was no time for any twenty-first century technology.

"I can see you from here," Janeway continued. "Lay down phaser fire. I'm going to circle around to your left, try to come at them from the rear."

"Right!"

The two men started shooting, and Janeway ran off, Jaden silently following behind. Only seconds later Janeway had gotten onto the hill some of the attackers were on. Jaden turned to look back, instinct telling her to, and found one of the enemy trailing them. It was one of the attackers. He didn't seem to notice Jaden stop before it was too late. She punched him and he immediately fell on his rear and onto his back, out cold. Janeway heard the ruckus and spun to see Jaden with the man out cold beneath her. She gave a nod of thanks and the two went back to finding the rest.

It didn't take long before Janeway and Jaden were creeping up behind them. Janeway stepped on a twig that snapped, one man turned and she shot at him. "Hold your fire," the captain commanded. "Drop your weapons. Turn around slowly."

"You're not Briori," one spoke confused, the voice of a man.

"No, I'm human," Janeway answered.

"Human?"

Jaden watched as the man turned to his companion, who nodded. They removed their hoods to reveal that one is a male, which she knew, and the other female.

"We're human," the man said. "You're working for the Briori. They have ships like yours."

"I'll answer any questions you have," Janeway put her phaser in the holster, "But first we must take care of our wounded. Can we agree to end this?"

"Yes."

The woman in who was with the man moved to the other human in the suit. The one that Janeway had shot earlier. He moaned in pain.

"I'm Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager."

"John Evansville. This is my colleague, Karen Berlin," the man answered, pointing to himself and then the woman.

The captain smiled a little. She seemed to be happy about meeting another human. How long had they not seen another person besides their crew? Jaden turned and went back up the hill, three pairs of eyes following her curiosly. She leaned down and gently shook the man she had punched. He roused and looked for his weapon but Jaden had it.

"Your leader has stopped the fight," Jaden said. "So sorry about knocking you out." She held out her hand and the person, she could only assume was man, hesitated.

"How do I know I can trust you?" He asked, voice muffled by his mask.

"You don't," Jaden smiled, hand still outstretched.

The man took it and Jaden helped him up, steadying him on his feet. Captain Janeway was smiling at the small exchange between the two. Even though she didn't know Jaden and couldn't hear her, she knew Jaden was apologizing. Jaden and the man started back down the hill to his group and Janeway.

"That's one hell of a right hook," the man commented, rubbing his jaw as he peeled back his mask.

"Thanks," Jaden laughed. "I think."

Needless to say that the ship was a lot bigger than expected. Lieutenant Tom Paris had lead Amelia and Jaden around Voyager and they eventually ended up on the bridge.

Amelia shook her head as she sat in the chair Tom would usually sit in. "How fast?" she asked.

"Warp nine-point-nine," he answered, walking around the chair. "In your terms that's about four billion miles a second."

Amelia looked at Tom in disbelief and Jaden gave a low whistle. She watched as Amelia looked back at the console with excitement in her eyes.

"Mind if I take her for a spin?" she asked.

"Well, uh," Tom laughed.

The door to the left slid open, catching the attention of the three of them as Captain Janeway, Evansville and a man, who Jaden assumed was Chakotay, stepped out.

"Mr. Evansville has offered to take us on a tour of the settlements," the captain said as she walked onto the bridge. "He's extended the invitation to the entire crew. And the Thirty-Seven's, of course."

Captain Janeway motioned to Amelia and Jaden. Some of the crew looked around and whispered excitedly to each other. Jaden could hear whispers of 'It's been so long' and 'I'll go, you?' The man known as Evansville looked to Jaden and Amelia.

"You-" he cleared his throat. "You two are Thirty-Seven's?" Jaden could tell he was keeping back his excitement.

Amelia and Jaden looked to Janeway who nodded at them to confirm it.

"I guess you could call us that," Amelia stood from the chair. The man went down the steps and shook Amelia's hand, Jaden's next.

"It would be an honor, to show you our cities," he said.

Amelia nodded and Jaden grinned. A futuristic city she hadn't yet seen. This'll be a good, new place to explore. She hadn't went exploring for a long while.

Almost four hours later and it wasn't even close to sunset. Jaden was guessing it was only about three p.m. Earth time. The rest of the people who were woken with them had stayed in one of the settlements but some had went back to Voyager. They were discussing the offer that Evansville had proposed in the mess hall while an alien named Neelix made food for them. He came up to the group holding a tray.

"Here we are. My research on twentieth century Earth is a little rusty, but I've done what I can," Neelix said, placing a tray between Amelia and Jaden. "Pot roast, green beans, and something called, Jell-O."

"You know how to make Jell-O?" Fred asked.

"I even put in fruit cocktail."

"You don't say?"

Amelia and Jaden were grinning. It was kinda funny, Fred being shocked at what people from the twenty-fourth century could do. Neelix went around giving everyone their orders. Jaden had asked for a few chicken legs.

"I don't know about you all but I've made up my mind," said the farmer. Jaden hadn't found out his name. "There is land here that goes begging. And I could have a big farm, just like I always wanted."

"And for you, rice," Neelix said, giving the Japanese man his food. "With a little fish. I even replicated some ginger for seasoning."

"Very nice," the man gave a nod of approval. "Thank you."

"Yeah I have to admit," Fred began. "Life here looks a lot better than the one we left on Earth."

"It's paradise by comparison," the Japanese man spoke up. "There are many Japanese here, I could be very happy."

"We all could. Right?"

Amelia looked up from her cup and sighed. "Just not sure," she said. "What about you Mr. Neelix? Have you made your decision?"

"Oh yes indeed I'm staying right here with Captain Janeway," Neelix spoke, pride in his voice. "She'd be lost without me. She's come to depend on me a great deal."

"Well, what about the rest of the crew?" Jaden asked. "You think some will stay?"

"Oh I don't think so," Neelix paused. "At least, not many. I - Well there is a good chance. Well now that you ask I honestly don't know." Neelix walked away to ponder who would and wouldn't stay. The farmer turned to Jaden. Soon the entire table was looking at her.

"What?" Jaden asked.

"What about you?" Fred asked.

"What about me, what?"

"Well people have their minds made up and told their part," the farmer said.

"What are you going to do?" Amelia asked. "Are you staying too?"

Jaden coughed. "Well uh. No, actually."

"Why?" The Japanese man asked. "This place, it is amazing."

"Well I can't deny that." Jaden took a breath. "But I need to get home. And seeing the stars has always been a dream of mine."

"Dreamers," Fred huffed.

"Oi!" Jaden protested, slightly offended.

Fred rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath. Something about 'only children being dreamers'. Jaden heard him and grabbed a green bean off of Amelia's plate before throwing it at him. The green bean hit him and a few people at the table laughed. Fred could only glare as Jaden once again, stuck her tongue out at him.

"Amelia was a dreamer. She dreamed about being the first pilot to go around the world," Jaden said smugly. After Fred didn't reply, Jaden took it as a sign that she won that round.

Everyone went back to their meals and soon they had all finished. They all got up to leave but Jaden elected to stay behind. Tom Paris sat a few seats down from her, alone, and he seemed to be thinking. Jaden knew she shouldn't bother him but she was curious. Even at almost two hundred and with her experience she knew curiosity was bad but she just couldn't help it. Curiosity killed the cat, they say.

Jaden got up and headed to Tom's table, sitting across from him. He let up from his gaze at the window and looked at Jaden.

"Hey there," he said. "You know, I never actually caught your name."

"Jaden," Jaden said simply.

"What no last name?" He teased.

She chuckled at the similarities between Tom and Harry Kim. "Greenleaf. Jaden Greenleaf, at your service." Jaden gave a small mock bow as well as a person could while sitting. Tom gave a small laugh. But it was only short lived as it became silent between the two.

"Have you chosen yet?" Jaden asked.

"Hm?"

"Have you chosen on weither or not you're gonna stay?"

"Oh. Well, see, the thing is that this place reminds me of home."

"Well that's good. Isn't it?"

Tom sighed. "But I know it isn't home, that's what's wrong. I can't choose between the place I was born and a place just like it when we have such a small chance of getting back."

"Oh well I wouldn't say that." Jaden smiled.

"What do you mean?"

"This crew is lucky. That much I can see for myself," Jaden stood and looked down at Tom.

"Where you going?"

"To wander." She turned to leave but Tom stopped her.

"Well what about you? You staying?"

Jaden looked back at Tom and grinned. She winked and walked out of the mess hall, finding the rest of the group who ended up being lost. Jaden had to lead them out because she had sneaked a look at the schematics of the ship.

It had taken about five minutes for Jaden to lead the group out of the ship. Everyone set off towards the town except for Amelia and Jaden. She wanted to talk to captain Janeway, as did Jaden. The group split and headed towards the captain.

"Captain," Jaden greeted, gaining Janeway's attention. She turned to look at the two. "We were told we'd find you out here. Are we intruding?"

"Not at all," the captain waved the two women over.

"I wanted you to know," Amelia began, "that everyone you brought out of stasis, we've all decided to stay here on the planet."

The captain sighed, "I understand."

Jaden was about to speak but Amelia beat her to it, smiling a bit. "Well, all but one."

"Well which one?" Janeway asked.

"I'm staying," Jaden said, slightly grinning.

"Well, it would be an honor to have you," The captain paused. "Well if you don't mind, I never learned you name."

Jaden laughed, "Jaden. Jaden Greenleaf." She stuck out her hand and Janeway took it.

"Welcome aboard, Ms. Greenleaf."

"I must admit," Amelia broke in. "The thought of traveling through space, maybe even learning to fly this ship," she nodded towards Voyager, "it was very appealing to me."

"And I'd looked forward to getting to know you better. I suspect we have a lot in common."

Jaden smiled at the two and started walking back towards the ship. Apparently she caught their attention.

"Where are you going?" Captain Janeway asked.

Jaden's smile widened and turned around, now walking backwards. "Back to the ship. I have a lieutenant to surprise."

The captain and Amelia smiled back at Jaden, going back to their own conversation. Jaden turned back around and kept walking. She knew that one lieutenant may be a bit surprised to see her.

Eventually she made it back to the mess hall to find that only two other people were in there. Well, them and Neelix. Neelix looked up as Jaden walked in.

"I suppose you're staying?" Neelix said, happiness beaming in his eyes.

"You caught me," Jaden grinned.

"Well have a seat!"

She took the one closest to the counter and watched as Neelix went back to his cooking.

"You know," he said, "I didn't think you would be the one to stay."

"How's that?"

"Well Miss Amelia seemed more like the adventurous type and I figured since you were young and all you'd be too intimidated to come. Almost half of the ship being non-humaniods," Neelix chuckled to himself.

Even Jaden had to grin. This guy had no idea what he was in for.

"Ahah! That should do it," Neelix said, putting a cover over the open pot. "Now just let that boil for a while."

Neelix checked on the rest of his cooking foods and came and sat by Jaden. They struck up a conversation and she had found out that he was a Talaxian from a planet called Talax. Eventually the two discussed other species and what to do if stranded on random places, in certain situations.

Neelix laughed as he told he one of his jokes. Jaden laughed along with him, throwing her head back and her hair going astray. Jaden's head fell forwards and she was still giggling a bit. Neelix was grinning but his face soon showed confusion.

"What?" Jaden asked, still smiling.

"Your ears," Neelix pointed. "They look just like a Vulcans."

Oh dear. Jaden quickly came up with something. "Yeah I was born like that. Used to get picked on a lot because of it, but I got past it."

"Oh. Well if I didn't know any better I would say you were a Vulcan. But they never made first contact with Earth until a long time after you were taken."

"Yeah," Jaden trailed off.

Suddenly a high pitched while went around and Neelix looked up from Jaden and at the pan on his stove.

"Oh dear!" He cried.

Tell me about it, she thought, and looked out of the window. She noticed that it was almost time for the captain to make her announcement.

"Hey Neelix," Jaden called. "Will I see you on the bridge?"

"Oh no. But you will see me later."

Jaden nodded and left the mess hall to make her way towards the bridge. She ended up joining Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay on the way up. He seemed glad that at least one of the 37's were staying.

As soon as the turbo lift got to the bridge Jaden heard Tuvok say, "Captain on the bridge."

Everyone stood and looked at their commanding officer. Jaden could see a little bit of surprise when Tom Paris looked at her. Apparently he wasn't expecting her to stay. She gave a small wave and looked to his captain.

Janeway looked around and everyone, except Tuvok of course, was smiling a bit. They were here to stay. She took a breath, "All stations prepare for departure. Condition blue Mr. Tuvok. Ms. Torres, landing grav thrusters online." Everyone immediately went to work.

"Thrusters enabled," engineer Torres reported.

"Mr. Paris, enertial dampers to flight configuration. Impulse drive to standby."

"Yes ma'am," the lieutenant grinned.

The captain turned and went to her seat. She looked at Jaden and nodded. A silent, hold on to something. Jaden took the advise and took hold of the bars that were behind the captains chair. Time for her first flight in a Starship.

"All stations report ready captain," Tom reported.

Janeway looked at her commander, "Then let's do it. Take us up."

*********

And here we end The 37's. Hope you like this as much as I like writing it! So check out my other books and have a wonderful day! Also, if you see and mistakes at all, please let me know.

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