[pwaxen@yahoo.com]

This story is a sequel to "Element of Reality." To avoid complete confusion, read it.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Chelsea Bateman for allowing me use some of her ideas in creating this story.

Disclaimer: The characters of Star Trek: Voyager are the property of Paramount Pictures. This story is written in the spirit of Voyager fandom. No infringement is intended.

Warning: This story depicted two women in love. If this offends you or you are too young or it's just plain illegal on your part of the planet, do not proceed. This story contains explicit sex.

Please do not archive, link to or reproduce this story without author's consent.

Element of Control

by Vaxen (pwaxen@yahoo.com)

Janeway leaned against the doorpost and watched the universe go by. There wasn't much to see at warp speed, except the distorted light of a million stars, but there was something about it that was mesmerizing. There was also something about it that played tricks on the mind. Many a novice spacer lost themselves in its trance. She knew better than to look too long. Her eyes moved back to the bed to find that she herself was being scrutinized under the dim light of the stars.

Seven sat naked on the bed with her back to the window, her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. She allowed her eyes to roam freely over the bare form of her lover even after she knew she was being watched. This brazen behavior provoked Janeway to abandon her station in the doorway and approach the bed. Seven continued her inspection as Janeway stood over her. The Captain separated the clasped hands from around Seven's legs and pushed her knees apart. They yielded readily. Janeway turned around and sat between them, her back resting against Seven's abdomen and head settling into the valley between her breasts.

Seven rubbed her cheek against the crown of Janeway's head and breathed deep the sweet aroma of soap and musk from her hair, feeling the soft auburn tresses glide against her face. She ran her hands over Janeway's shoulders and down her pectoral muscles until they cupped two warm, soft breasts. Janeway responded by slowly stroking her hands up Seven's legs, from her ankles to her hips, giving special attention to all the sensitive areas along the way.

Seven tensed. She ceased to fondle the nipples that were ripening in her fingers. She put her mouth to Janeway's ear. "Someone has transported into your quarters."

She may have squandered a moment to wonder how Seven knew, but her own instincts were suddenly on the alert. She quietly disentangled herself from Seven and cautiously got off the bed. She pulled on a robe and retrieved a phaser from the bedside stand, then turned around to find Seven creeping along the edge of the room.

A shadowy figure entered. Seven pounced, dragging it to the floor.

"Security, report to the Captain's quarter immediately," she cried. "Lights on!" The shift from starlight brought a moment of blindness. Janeway recovered to find Tom Paris, facedown on the floor, straddled by Seven. When Seven saw who her captive was, she increased the pressure to the arm already twisted behind his back. He screamed and begged for mercy. Janeway took pity on him.

"Seven, maybe you should put something on before Security gets here." In her haste to apprehend the intruder barehanded she had overlooked the fact that she was naked.

"Yes, Captain." As Seven released her hold, Paris turned around to look at her. He immediately averted his eyes.

"What's the meaning of this, Mr. Paris?" Janeway asked.

"Please don't shoot, Admiral."

Janeway lowered her weapon as she realized this was not her Tom Paris.

The two Toms sat eyeing each other across the table. They and the rest of the senior staff were waiting for Chakotay and B'Elanna to report to the staff room. Finally, the Paris not in uniform said to the other, "Aren't you a little old to be an ensign?"

"It's a long story," he replied. "I suspect you won't be around long enough to hear it."

Chakotay entered, followed closely by B'Elanna, who did a double take when she saw the duplicates despite the fact that she'd been forewarned.

"Now that we're all here," Janeway said, bringing the meeting to order, "maybe you would be good enough to tell us what you are doing in our universe and how you got here."

"Annika sent me to ask for your help." Sweat beaded on his brow and upper lip. "She gave me the transport alternator."

Janeway picked the device up from the table where Security left it along with other objects found on the intruder. "Yes, I recognize it. The only problem is that I have the only one that was supposed to exist. How did she get this?"

He shrugged. "You can ask her when you see her."

"You seem very certain that I'll agree to your request."

"No, I'm not," he said, somewhat flustered, "but she was." His eyes drifted to Seven then returned to a spot on the tabletop.

"And what does Annika want?"

"She needs your help to seize control of Voyager."

"She wants me to aid her in mutiny?" The last word came out with a sneer. Few words were as repugnant to the commander of a vessel.

"You've met the Admiral. Would you call it mutiny or justice to remove her from command?" Silence filled the room.

"Captain, you can't seriously be considering this," Chakotay erupted.

"I think we should hear the man out. Please continue."

"Annika has organized a plot to overthrow the Admiral using a network of Terran rebels within the fleet. She has a program that will rewrite the command code, giving control to operatives on each ship. All that's needed is a voice command to activate the program."

"My voice," Janeway added, completing the puzzle. "Where is Annika?"

"The Admiral has her."

Chakotay's fist thumped on the table. "With all due respect, Captain, this is not our concern. I sympathize with the Terran cause, but it isn't our place to interfere."

"The next thing I know you'll be quoting me the Prime Directive," Janeway retorted, half-amused and half-annoyed. "Are you just playing devil's advocate here or is there something else on your mind."

"How do we know that he's telling the truth? He may have told you the Admiral is holding Annika Hansen prisoner to manipulate you?"

"For what purpose. Aside from my vocal chords, I'm of no use to them."

Their prisoner emitted a soft whine. All eyes turned on him. "I wasn't sent here to get just you. Annika said she wanted me to bring back you and her," he explained looking first at the Captain then at Seven.

"Absolutely not." Any amusement in the Captain's face was gone.

"Annika said that someone had to guard the Admiral while you and she executed the plan. No one would suspect Seven because Annika is almost always in the Admiral's presence."

Janeway was tempted to ask for details. "And if I forbid it?"

"Then we may have to kill the Admiral."

Chakotay scowled. "Captain, we still don’t know that he's genuine. For all we know, the Admiral herself sent him as a trap. We know she wanted Seven for her knowledge of the Borg. Annika may be in league with her."

"I trust Annika. If she sent this request, I have no doubt she has a plan and needs my help." She turned to the prisoner. "Can you prove she sent you?"

"She said you might want proof. I'm supposed to tell you 'sometimes it's a matter of belonging.'" Janeway recognized the words as the last they exchanged before she left the alternate universe.

"I believe you," said Janeway, "but Seven is still not going."

"Captain, if I might have a word with you," Seven requested. Janeway saw the determination in her eyes and realized Seven was asking for an opportunity to settle the matter in private.

"In my ready room."

As the two women exited, Paris leaned forward and asked his ensign counterpart, "Do you think they'll help us?"

"Oh, yeah," he responded, stretching the tension out of his muscles.

The door to the ready room slid shut. Janeway didn't bother to turn around before saying, "You're not going."

"Are you refusing to hear me out?"

"No. Go ahead. Have your say. But you're not going."

"Very well, answer one question? Do you want to kill the Admiral?"

"The woman is devious, reprehensible and totally devoid of ethics. Why shouldn't I want to see her dead?"

"Mutiny for the sake of justice is one thing, murder is another."

"I could take someone else."

"Which member of this crew would you be willing risk in my place? If you take anyone but me there is a chance that their own duplicate might discover them or they might not be recognized because they do not belong in the Delta Quadrant in that universe."

"The Admiral wanted you badly enough to come back here herself. Do you realize what might happen to you if something goes wrong?"

"The only other option is not to go at all."

"I could order you not to go," Janeway said, making one last desperate attempt.

"Please, don't. I also fear for your safety on this mission. From the minute Mr. Paris made his request, I knew you would go. I would not try to stop you from doing what you believe to be right. I only want to do the same and ask the same of you."

"This would be so much easier if I had never fallen in love with you," Janeway sighed, bowing to the logic of her argument. "Easier to let you go and easier to order you not to go."

"Regrets, Kathryn?"

Janeway stroked her hand down Seven's cheek. "Not really," she said and smiled dolefully as she led the way back to the staff room.

Her mask of command was firmly in place as she entered and announced, "Unless anyone else has something to say, Seven and I was be going on this away mission." She waited for Chakotay's objections, but he folded his cards and accepted his defeat. "Lieutenant Torres, we'll need to revamp the technology you used to track Seven the first time. The alternator will be our primary means of transport, but I want a backup. We won't be able to put the tracker in a commbadge this time. I need an alternative."

"A sub-dermal implant," the Doctor offered.

"Can it be done and ready by tomorrow?" she asked. B'Elanna nodded. "Do it. Mr. Paris, take your twin to the hollow deck. He can help you recreate the design for the Admiral's uniform then replicate it. Do the same for Annika's clothes."

"You won't have to. She can wear what she has on," the visitor interrupted. "All she needs is this." He picked up a collar from the table. It was the sort used to identify or restrain a pet. Janeway's curiosity was once again piqued.

"Doctor, what can be done about the implants." Deep inside she hoped the Doctor would say, "Nothing."

Before he could answer the visitor retrieved another object from the table. From it he removed two tiny dots. He placed one on each implant and activated a remote control. The implants vanished. "It's a camouflage web," he remarked. "Annika thought of everything."

"It seems so. What about her hand?"

"A glove of synthetic skin should do the trick," said the Doctor.

Janeway nodded. "One last thing. Tuvok, I want you to find a way to keep people from transporting into my quarters. I'll expect it by the time I return. Dismissed."

With the exception of a few half-hearted comments on the cuisine, Seven and Janeway ate a silent meal together that night, after which they walked to cargo bay 2. There was no way of knowing when Seven would be able to regenerate again, so they were forced to spend the night apart.

"Kathryn, are you angry with me?" Seven asked, delaying the moment that she would step into the alcove and slip into unconsciousness.

"Why would you think that?"

"You've been very quiet."

"So have you."

"Yes, but it is in my nature to be reticent. You are normally more talkative."

"I guess I am," Janeway admitted, folding Seven into her arms. "I'm not mad at you. I'm concerned about tomorrow."

Seven responded by drawing her into a tighter embrace.

"There are so many things that could go wrong," Janeway continued, "and here I am with all this time alone to think about them. I wish we didn't have to wait. It's the waiting I can't stand." Janeway felt moisture on her temple and pushed Seven back. Seven's eyes were brimmed with tears. "I'm sorry, Seven. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Your concerns for my welfare are unnecessary. In all probability, if the Admiral captured me she would treat me quite well. She would curry my favor to gain my cooperation -- unless she also had you. The thought that you might fall into the Admiral's hands caused me to weep." Seven blinked, releasing two tears, which slid delicately down her cheeks.

"Under the circumstances, could I talk you out of going?"

"No. Your chances for success are better if I accompany you. As for the Admiral, the outcome for you could be far worse if she catches you alone. It is unpleasant to contemplate. Besides, I could not stand the waiting."

They kissed each other good night, a kiss that conveyed all the love, sorrow and deep regard in their hearts. It was also a kiss of forgiveness, requested and granted, for what they felt compelled to do. Seven stepped onto the platform and closed her eyes as the regeneration sequence initiated. Janeway contemplated the peaceful expression on her lover's face for several minutes before dragging herself away to the secluded corner of the bay where Seven kept a bed. She curled up on it, hugging the pillow to her and breathing deeply of its lingering scent.

Janeway, Seven and Paris appeared on the transport pad in a deserted cargo bay aboard Voyager. It looked the same as their starting point, except for the containers, which held munitions instead of supplies. Janeway pocketed the alternator. It was a tight fit in the Admiral's clothes. She had pondered the aspects of utility versus esthetics in the leather-like jumpsuit covered by a tailored black jacket. The only conclusion that she'd been able to draw was one that she already knew - the Admiral was a frightening lady.

"Computer, locate the Admiral," Paris ordered.

"The Admiral is on the bridge."

"Good, we'll transport into her quarters, deactivate all the voice sensors and wait for the Admiral to return."

"How will we know when they're coming?"

"An old fashioned ear to the door."

"What about the Admiral's commbadge?"

"She doesn't wear one. She says it ruins the line of her clothes."

They'd barely finished preparing the Admiral's quarters when Paris motioned them to take cover. The door opened and they could hear the Admiral giving last minute orders. Annika entered first. Except for the collar and the lack of implants, she could have been Seven. She scanned the room and found the tipped vase that Paris left as a signal that they had arrived. She walked to the table and set the vase upright. The Admiral finished her conversation and allowed the doors to close.

"Annika, I'm feeling a little tense. I'd like you to massage my shoulders."

"I will not, Admiral," she responded.

The Admiral, who was already in the process of removing her jacket, stopped in mid-motion.

"Feeling a little rebellious today?" she asked with a twisted smile. "Maybe it's been too long. Maybe you need a little reminder." The Admiral's warning failed to elicit a response from Annika. "Computer, collar on."

The Admiral's smile faded as the insolent woman advance toward her unharmed. She bolted toward the door, but Annika moved to block her way. Paris jumped on her and the she sagged to the floor amidst the hiss of a draining hypospray.

"Thank you for coming here," Annika greeted Janeway and Seven as they emerged from their hiding places. "This will be much easier with your help."

"Tom told us about your plan. It seems sound. Are we ready to go now?" Janeway said, impatiently.

"I think so. Tom, you alerted the other ships when you returned?"

"They've been alerted. It's now or never."

"Help Seven move the Admiral to the bed then report to your station. If you're ready Captain, or should I say Admiral."

Annika entered the bridge several paces ahead of Janeway and stood waiting beside the captain's chair, which looked like a high tech throne. It bristled with controls and an overhead display. The Captain casually made her way to the chair and sat, with Annika at her right on low stool. Janeway slowly stroked her hand over the top and down the back of Annika's head as she had been told was the Admiral's habit.

"Admiral," a battle scarred Klingon officer addressed her. "I did not expect you back so soon."

Janeway casually rotated her head to catch Annika's eye. Annika compressed her brows together in an angry countenance. Fortunately, he was standing behind her and couldn't see it.

"Are you questioning my actions?" Janeway replied, mimicking the face Annika had shown her.

"No sir, never."

"Then see to your duties."

As he hastened away, Janeway began to set the controls in the sequence that would disable all the critical functions and send the seditious program raging through the fleet computers like a virus. Annika watched from her station, silently prompting Janeway when she looked to her for confirmation. When all was in readiness, she took a deep breath.

"Computer, execute program beta five." For several long seconds nothing happen.

"Admiral, we've lost helm and navigation," announced a crewman.

"Long range sensors have also failed," said another.

"Engineering, what's going on," Janeway demanded.

"Admiral, there's been a massive failure in the systems computers. Controls have been rerouted to an auxiliary station without authorization. We've been able to regain control of weapons and tactical. The rest should be available shortly."

"That's not good," Annika whispered. "If the Alliance retains control of Voyager, it can recapture or destroy the fleet one ship at a time. We have to get to the Admiral. With her command codes we'll have Voyager."

"I'm going to see what the hell is taking engineering so long," Janeway announced moving toward the lift. She called over her shoulder, "You have the bridge," not looking back to see if anyone acknowledged.

"The problem now," Annika said when the doors were closed, "is can we convince the Admiral?"

"We have to. There's no other way."

The chime to the Admiral's quarters chirped. Seven answered it. It was Captain Kim. He brushed by her asking, "Where's your master?"

"Please keep your voice down. The Admiral is sleeping and does not wish to be disturbed."

Kim walked over, craned his neck to see around the partition and found her lying on the bed with her eyes closed. An evil grin crept across his face.

"Well, as long as I'm here," he said in a lower tone, "what's say we get to know each other a little better." He ran his eyes up and down her body -- lascivious and evaluating. "Admiral sure has a thing for that bitch from the other side. She's done everything but paste those ugly little machines on your face. I almost feel sorry for you, then I remember that you're responsible for letting the real one escape. Now I'll never have a chance to pay her back for this." Kim held up his arm. The wrist was deformed, causing his hand to rest at an odd angle.

"I think you should go."

"Hey, we can still fool around if we're quiet. I know you don't want to disturb her. She'll turn on that collar of yours and make you dance like doll on a string." He pulled her to him and with his good hand began to molest her breasts. Seven had to fight the urge to dislocate his other wrist as she had the first one. "Isn't this better than what the Admiral gives you?" he prodded and began pulling at her clothes.

"Bridge to Captain Kim."

"Kim here," he panted.

"Bridge to Captain Kim."

"What, what."

"Captain Kim, please respond."

Kim released Seven and smacked his palm against him commbadge in disgust. "This is Kim. What is it?"

"Captain, please report to the bridge."

"On my way," he grumbled. "I suggest you have someone get the voice pickups fixed in here before the Admiral wakes up. Unlike myself, she can be very unpleasant. Until later, my pet." He kissed her on the mouth, forcing his tongue across her closed lips, and left.

Janeway and Annika caught Kim's retreating back as he left the Admiral's quarters and instinctively they clung to the wall. Once inside the quarters, Janeway used a hypospray to revive the Admiral while Annika held a gun on her. The Admiral groaned as she rose through the haze to consciousness.

"We need the code to access weapons systems."

"You've fail, haven't you?" the Admiral smirked in a whiskey voice.

Annika's eyes became unfocused as she pressed a finger to her ear, listening to a receiver. "Voyager is firing its weapons. The Alliance has yet to regain control of the helm. We're able to use that to misdirect most of the fire, but it won't last for long. The Terran controlled ships have been joined by the Ocampa and are converging on Voyager."

"Tell your rabble to surrender now and no one will be killed," said the Admiral as she leveraged herself up on her elbows.

"There are worse fates than death," Annika responded.

"And are you willing to take them with you?" she asked, indicating the Captain and Seven.

"Give us the code," Janeway screamed as she grabbed her by the lapels.

The Admiral laughed. "Very dramatic, Captain, but it won't do you any good. You should know me. You should understand. If the situation were reversed, would you give up the code?"

"We're nothing alike."

"Control, Kathryn, it's all about control. You and I won't part with so much as a gram of it."

"You are wrong," Seven disagreed.

The Admiral gazed at Seven. "Maybe you're right. Maybe she has lost control." She turned her eyes back to the Captain. "She'll be your downfall."

"She is my strength," the Captain retorted.

The ship rocked with the concussion of a photon torpedo. "We must have regained shield control," the Admiral gleefully reported, "otherwise we'd all be galactic dust."

"She's right. It's time to get you two to a transporter."

"That's right. Send them safely home. You come to my universe and cause trouble, then run back to your own. Go ahead - be sure to tell your crew about the bad Janeway on the other side, but before you pass judgment, Captain Kathryn Janeway, just remember you were only visiting my world."

"Captain," Seven interjected, working furiously over a display console on the Admiral's desk, "if you go into the hallway and procure a commbadge, I think I may be able to retrieve the code."

Annika put the phaser to the side of the Admiral's head and a hand over her mouth while the Captain seized a passing crew member and relieved him of his communicator.

"This system is remarkably similar to the one on our Voyager." Seven paused. "Here is the code."

"Computer, reroute weapons to auxiliary control authorization Janeway alpha alpha nine omega."

"Transfer complete"

Soon the vibrations stopped.

"Voyager has ceased firing," Annika reported. "Captain Kim has surrendered – the fleet is ours."

"I have access to every code file in Voyager's computer. Your encryptions are insufficient. So were theirs." Seven looked at Janeway as if she'd been asked how she tied her shoes instead of how she accessed the weapons code.

"We'll discuss this later," Janeway smiled and turned to Paris and Annika, who were escorting them to the transporter room. "What do you plan to do with Voyager and her former command?"

"It would be tough to keep them prisoner," said Paris. "Some of us would like to see them spaced or dropped on a deserted planet, but we finally agreed to put them all on the smallest ship in the fleet and send them on their way."

"I talked to the Admiral," Annika added. "She's more interested in getting revenge on the Intendant than anything else. She says that once she's finished with her that she'll be back to settle the score with us. I think she's overestimating her life span and underestimating the Intendant."

"You're not going back to the Alpha Quadrant?"

"Returning to Terok Nor was the Admiral's dream. There's nothing waiting for us there but a battle with the Alliance. Maybe here we can make a new start." Annika smiled, sad but hopeful.

"Wait, Captain," said Paris, motioning her to follow him, "I have something I want to show you."

"Annika, Seven, you go ahead. I'll catch up," she said as she followed him.

"Your Mr. Paris indicated that only you could tell us how a transport alternator came into your possession." Seven accented her inquiry with the tilt of her eyebrow.

"He wouldn't know. B'Elanna Torres and I were lovers. She left the information in a message encoded 'in case of death'. She knew the Admiral suspected her plan to take control of Voyager. The message also contained most of the program your captain helped us execute. I suppose that in a way I was B'Elanna's revenge on the Admiral."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. The relationship was to our mutual advantage. There was no love involved." Annika looked away self-consciously. Seven suspected that Annika had more feelings for B'Elanna than she was willing to admit to.

"Perhaps, but she could have chosen anyone to extract her revenge, someone in a stronger position, instead she chose you."

Annika was silent, neither acceding to nor denying the possibility. The pair had arrived at the transporter room.

"You realize that Mr. Paris is infatuated with you," Seven remarked.

"I know and he's very nice, but I seem to be waiting for someone, someone that never arrives."

"Captain Kim implied that you and the Admiral were sexually involved."

"A dirty minded little bastard right up 'til the end." Annika said with a humorless laugh. "No, the Admiral never made so much as an indecent proposal. As far as I know, there was never anyone. She has a great mind – but she is obsessed. All she ever talked about was her command, her revenge and you."

Janeway entered the room, smiling from ear to ear.

"Captain?" Seven inquired.

"Do you wanted to know what Tom showed me? He has a holoprogram of a two-wheeled transport system. He's building a motorcycle. I can't wait to tell Paris. Then again, maybe I shouldn't. It will only give him ideas."

Annika smiled. "I can't thank you enough for all you've done for us, both of you."

"The best way you can thank me is to have a good life."

"I will try, Captain. The transporter parameters are set." They stepped on the platform as Janeway dug the alternator out of her pocket.

"Good luck, Annika Hansen," Seven stated.

"Good luck to you, Seven of Nine," she replied.

"Energize," said the Captain and they were gone.

"Commander Tuvok, a moment of your time," Janeway requested in a tone that was anything but solicitous.

"Yes, Captain."

"I just transported into my quarters."

"Indeed," Tuvok responded, wondering why human reasoning took such pleasure in circling a point.

"I ordered you to transport-proofed my quarters by the time I got back, which was two days ago."

"I was unsure whether or not you were serious about the request."

"In the last few months a juvenile Q, an alternate Tom Paris and a-woman-who-looked-like-me-but-wasn't-me beamed into my quarter, unwelcome. I do not intend to be interrupted again."

"Interrupt what?"

"Never mind, just do it."

"Might I point out that the drain on ship's resources would be considerable and offer you an alternative."

"Proceed."

"I could instruct the computer to monitor your rooms for transport activity and provide an alarm."

"That should be sufficient. How soon can it be done?"

"Computer, activate security program Janeway 1."

"Program activated."

"Well, I think I'll go take care of some previously interrupted business."

"Indeed."