The Wonders of Talaxian Cuisine
Picard encounters the Talaxian Special
Picard sat in Voyager’s Mess Hall, grimacing at the food-adjacent monstrosity before him. Apparently it was a tribute to what the Voyager crew survived on in the Delta Quadrant. He wasn’t sure he’d have survived if condemned to such slop.
Janeway plopped across from him with a wide grin. “They tricked you into the Talaxian special, didn’t they?”
“I believe they described it as ‘well-balanced and one-of-a-kind’.”
In a single motion, Janeway lifted the plate and tossed it in the recycling. She returned with a french omelet, which she pushed toward him. “No reason to have indigestion ahead of a diplomatic mission.”
“Quite.” Picard cut into his omelet, and then studied Janeway with some intrigue. After staying up half the night listening to her Voyager logs, he wanted to ask her about the obvious omissions. In the early years, her accounts were as transporting as the pirate adventures he’d loved as a boy - derring-do, life-or-death decisions, lives saved in the nick of time.
The later years may as well have been recorded by a different Captain. The voice was still hers, but the words were almost lifeless. Great swathes of time passed between each log - either she’d been undisciplined (unlikely) or some of it had been erased. What remained were intricate descriptions of technology transformed and tactics deployed. But the people were barely present, apart from updates to the roster.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Janeway studied him intently.
“Sorry, just getting used to artificial gravity again. It sets my teeth on edge.”
“Well, then I recommend a round of Velocity on the holodeck. A little exercise will get you acclimated fast.”
Picard felt his stomach lurch at the thought of playing sports on a starship. He swiftly steered the conversation into less bilious territory. “The engineering on this ship is remarkable. How did you manage to upgrade the ship so quickly out in deep space?”
Janeway fiddled with a teaspoon as she spoke. “We picked up a brilliant scientist in the Delta Quadrant. She was able to use her…extensive local knowledge to speed up installation.”
“Well I would love to meet this ingenious person. Did she make it back with you to Earth?”
“I’m not sure what she’s up to now.”
“Well I hope she’s aware that her work is powering Starfleet’s next era of exploration.”
“I hope so.” Janeway let the teaspoon clatter into her forgotten coffee cup. An aching weariness swept over her face. “Anyway, tell me about our vigilante,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Picard chewed slowly on his eggs, eyes cast downwards as he considered his options. Should he reveal Seven’s identity now, and gain some insight into Janeway’s evasions? Or should he keep his mouth shut, and let the fireworks blow?
He chose his words carefully, finally saying, “She’s brilliant, tough and difficult. Stubborn as a mule when it suits her. Refusing to follow the rules because she thinks she knows better—and usually she does.”
“Sounds like she should have been in Starfleet,” Janeway replied softly.
“I don’t think she’s the sort to adapt easily into a command structure.”
“Oh come now, Picard. Anyone can be molded by the right teacher. You of all people know this.”
“Voyager would suggest differently.”
Janeway sharpened her grey eyes, anger rising. “Would you care to elaborate, Admiral?” Her voice was suddenly hard.
“Stand down, Kathryn. I’m simply saying that there are plenty in Starfleet who are more inclined to break the rules than follow them. And sometimes they’re right to make that choice. And some of them even become Admirals.” He gave a bittersweet smile as he gestured between them.
Janeway looked back at him with a faint smile of her own, her grey eyes searching his face for whatever lay beneath his words.
"So they do," she murmured thoughtfully.
Picard’s comm badge chirped. “Captain Wildman to Picard. Urgent request from Commander Raffaela Musiker to transport over. She’s requested to see you immediately.”
“Affirmative.” Picard signed off and turned to Janeway. “Are you ready to meet our vigilante?”
Janeway smiled. “Certainly.”