#pathfinder project

Rain pissed down from the sky onto the hooded head of the gnome as he scurried through the streets. The dismal weather matched his abysmal mood, the deep scowl under the hood shadowing his bloodshot eyes. He had the eyes of a man who found sleep all too rarely, the eyes of a man who distrusted the vulnerability of sleep, distrusted everything really. And indeed even as he hustled over slick cobblestones, sticking to shadows in the damp night, one hand stayed on the short curved dagger hidden by his cloak. In the other he clutched the letter. That damned letter.

@sevenofninetertiaryadjunctofunim​, can you please put this in the data stream messages? Thank you!

@pathfinderproject

Cc:@rebelwithoutacausedalby​

Hello Mrs. Dalby,

I’m sorry I couldn’t write sooner. A lot of things have happened since our last transmission. We were trapped in a temporal phenomenon that created bubbles across the ship, and Ken and I were trapped together with Commander Chakotay, Mike Ayala, and a Bajoran friend of mine named Tal Celes. At this point, the final stage of my Elogium happened, and Ken and I made the decision to attempt to have children. I had my concerns - Ken told you about them, I’m sure - but I knew at that very moment that the day I started a family with Ken would be one of the happiest of my life. Now, I find that that day will be sooner than I thought it would be.

When the Doctor gave me the results of my medical examination, I discovered that Ken and I will be the parents of three beautiful children. Three! I’m sure that one is a handful, but three will be a monumental undertaking. But of course, every struggle will be worth seeing them grow and live wonderful lives. Recently, Ken and I found out the genders of our children: two girls and a boy. I’m happy to say that you are the first to know! It’s Ocampan tradition to name children before they are born, and we came to a decision surprisingly quickly. Our son will be named Benaren Scott: Benaren after my father, and Scott after a person who was very important to Ken growing up (I’m sure you know who). The name of our first daughter will be Lily Kathryn, and the second name will be Lauren Linnis. I hope that you don’t mind.

I so wish that one day, you will get to meet your grandchildren. I know that my parents never will, but I’m thankful they will have a wonderful grandmother who will inspire and teach them. And even a grandfather as well. Ken is (slowly) coming to terms with the idea of his father returning to his life. Perhaps, our children will help bring the two of them together.

Hope all is well in the Alpha Quadrant. Please send my regards to Ayala’s family - I wish his son a smooth recovery from his injury.

With love,

To: Lieutenant Mike Ayala,USS Voyager

From: Maria Ayala, Earth

To My Loving and Adored Husband,

I wanted to let you know just how much I really love you. There is nothing in the world that I wish more than to be with you right this moment. I miss your strong arms around me, holding me and comforting me. I know that things for you haven't been easy. I'm sure that you have a bunch of women throwing themselves at you, and I know that you've been very loyal towards me. I can not tell you how much I appreciate and love you for that. Of course, I would completely understand if you wanted to pursue another relationship. I know the physical closeness has to be hard to not have. As for me, I could never move on from you. You are my forever soulmate. I will never leave you. We have been through so much together, and I'm not ready to say anything other than 'I love you' to you.

I wrote you a letter that I wasn't sure I was going to send you at first. Our relationship has always be basted on honesty and love. I will attach the letter below for you to read. It's only fair that I share everything with you like I always have.

“To My Universe

To my dear and loving husband,

I have taken a few days to go over some of our  old memories. I miss you so terribly that it physically hurts. I know I told you that you can move on and  I would understand, but the truth is, I would be crushed. You and the boys are  my soul purpose in life. The dilemma I find myself in today is that  I want you to be happy, but I also want to be selfish. I want you to be mine, like you always were, since the day we met. We were always inseparable. But you deserve to have happiness. We are so far apart and its unlikely that you will be able to return to me in this lifetime. I know that. But I hold hope for a miracle. I don’t want you to move on. I just want to  know that you will always be mine. I want to know that you’re love for me runs just as deep as mine for you.

When I was told that your ship disappeared with all our friends, I was forced to think that you were gone forever. I knew that you weren’t. I could feel it in my soul. But everyone said that I wasn’t living in reality believing that. I was told to move on, because despite what I thought, you would never come back to me. And you know me better than anyone. You know I don’t give up my belief in something. You know I never would have given up. And I didn’t give up, but for the sake of our boys and the people around me, who seem to move on easily, I stopped talking about it. I made journal entries instead. Put all my thoughts down rather then speak them aloud.

I do have to tell you, I did got  on a couple of  dates, but of course, they never went anywhere. They were set ups. Friends and family trying to make me move on, but I wouldn’t. I’d smile, and “play nice”, as you would say. They are just trying to be nice. I would never go on any more than that first date. That seemed to upset everyone, but no one knows the love I have for you and how deep it runs in me.

I’m not sure I will ever send this to you. I’ve been so alone without you. But I would rather die alone, than be with anyone but you, Mike Ayala.

I love you now, and for always.

With love and care,

Your Wife, Maria”

The boys are doing just fine. They are growing big and strong, just like their dad. Of course, they miss you terribly. Each one is doing great in school. Pedro is getting more involved in sports, and seems to really enjoy it. I told him that as long as he keeps his grades up that he can continue with the sports that he wants to play. He's done great and I expect him to continue to do even better.

Zula wants to join Starfleet, so he's doing a great job in his studies. He was even invited to tour the academy, but I will let him tell you about that. Kito, of course, is doing great in school. He's helping to tutor kids in his class. He keeps saying that he's not sure what he wants to do when he grows up. He does seem to have the teaching gene though.

I'm going to try to send a new picture of us. I'm hoping that it'll be able to make it through. If it does, I hope you enjoy it. Zula would not stop fidgeting. I have no idea what was going through his head at the time, but he would not stop moving.

How are all of our old friends doing? Is Chakotay still doing well? Let him know I'm thinking of him. Please give B'Elanna my best as well. How is Ken doing? I was going through some pictures the other day and came across the pictures of him, Mia and all of us. I've been thinking about Ken a lot lately. Give him my very best.

The boys also have letters that they would like to send you as well. I must warn you, Pedro got in trouble at school a couple of weeks ago, but I am making him tell you what happened. Although, I understands his side of the story, he was still grounded for a while for his actions.

Know that no matter what I will always love and cherish you.

Forever yours,

Maria

@sevenofninetertiaryadjunctofunim or @meganonvoyager - Can one of you drop this into the data stream communication channel for me?

To: Frederick Campbell

From: Lyssa Campbell

Fredrick, 

Thank you for the birthday wishes - your right I can’t consider your message belated. I admit - I was surprised at how quickly that cake came together.  Sure I had to do the frosting twice, but it was worth it. 

Thank you for having the difficult conversation with Dad if whenever he comes to you for information. I’d confront him myself, but - gosh darn it - wouldn’t you know I’m out here in the delta quadrant and just can’t come home right now. 

This month was better than the last two. And it was worse. 

Let’s do the bad news first: Some bright spark in Starfleet command thought it would be a great idea to interlock the transporters.  I’ll spare you the classified details, but the end result was god awful. My friend and sparring partner B’Elanna and her fiance were nearly crushed to death in a rock slide. She recovered after a few days in sick bay. And neither of them hold it against me. I think it made us closer actually. OH and they’re getting married in... 8 days. 

We also got some much needed shore leave. This planet was insane Fredders - the beaches were astounding; the hiking plentiful and diverse; the spas top notch.  So as you might expect I went to a small town which contained neither spas, nor beaches and instead went to family dinner. I have 0 regrets. Renata and her family were lovely.  Here’s a picture she took in her front garden

So how are preparations for the Fete coming along?  Mom’s attending this year right?  How’s Marcel?

Love you brother, 

FROM: John and Mary Kim

Harry,

You were right about Mr. Alcala. Once he saw the hydrangea bush he recanted the whole thing. I changed the soil composition a bit this year and the blossoms have taken on a coral hue. Quite stunning. All is well here.  Your mother has been poking me in the ribs for  the whole time I've been writing this to turn over access to the console. So...I'm going to keep typing just to antagonize her. The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain. How kind of you to let me come. In Hartford hfcdehficihxhebdjzjsh she's on to me love you harry here's mom

Dear Harry,

I'm not sure what's been going on since the last letter, but if you haven't marched your rear over to that girl and made amends...well, that's not the boy I raised. Your father and I broke up for a while once when we first started dating. Did I ever tell you that? We met right after I had gotten out of a relationship. Andrew. I think his name has come up. Anyways. We were not a good match, and when it ended I wasn't sure that I deserved love. Your father and I had been out on a few dates, but I was scared he'd leave me, so I ended it. In a way, it was the best thing I could have done, because your father  was able to fight for me and prove that he loved me and that I deserved to be happy. I still have the letters he wrote me. Anyways, if you love her, prove it to her.

Ok. That's all I wanted to say. I love you so much. We both do. Come home soon. Xoxoxoxo.

Good morning. Reg Barclay here again. 

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you all that the data stream, with our beloved starship Voyager, has closed. 

I hope each of you had success in communicating with your loved ones. 

Over the next few days, we at Pathfinder will be analyzing the -ah- data stream data, to determine the possibility of being able to “talk” to Voyager in this manner again in the future.  You can expect another message from me next week with further information regarding this matter. 

I, for one, will remain optimistic. 

From: Gretchen Janeway

Dear Chakotay,

How I wish I were meeting you face to face, but the Pathfinder Project will have to do for now. Well, I’m writing to you because I want to get to know you. You are a tremendous part of my daughter’s life, so can you blame me? I’d love it if you wrote back when you get a chance.

Tell me a little about yourself: your family, your childhood, your interests, whatever you would like to share with me. Kathryn has written to me about you of course, about your decision to leave Starfleet and join the Maquis and then about your loyalty to her and your willingness to once more wear the uniform for the sake of both your crews. You sound like a very principled young man and I look forward to getting to know you better.

I’m so happy to know that you and Kathryn have moved beyond friendship. I worry about my daughter constantly—not just for her physical safety, but for her emotional well-being. The fact that she’s allowed herself to love you tells me that she is managing to keep her head above water. I hope that you’ll both continue to find peace and joy with each other.

You have such a long journey ahead of you, but I believe my daughter will bring her ship home. She’s always been such a stubborn little thing, ever since she was a baby. You wouldn’t think a baby could be stubborn, but Kathryn was. She’s always had this way of lifting her chin and plunging ahead, despite skinned knees or bruises. I remind myself of that when I can’t sleep at night. She’s so stubborn. Of course she’ll make it home, even if she has to get out and push.

Well, I look forward to hearing from you, Chakotay, and I want you to know that you will always be welcome in my home.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Janeway