A fresh update.
Caretaker Part 2
Starbase Independence: Stardate 54985.4
It had been a whirlwind time for Captain Janeway since Voyager's successful return to Earth. From debriefing at Starfleet Command to interviews with FNN and other Federation media outlets, it had been dizzying but now she was facing the one officer in Starfleet that gave her the most conflicting emotions.
"Captain Janeway."
"Admiral." Janeway's response to Garrett was chilled. "You knew." That single statement was an accusation.
"Yes, Captain. I knew. I knew... Admiral Sulu knew. Admiral Pike knew. Captain Kirk knew. We've known for a hundred years."
"Yes... Project Sunset! I'd get a cold chill every time a Code Sunset was tripped. But worse..."
"Worse was when you had no warning at all and people died," Garrett said calmly. "Project Sunset isn't magic, Captain. We caught a lucky break that allowed us to save a great many lives but it wasn't all-seeing. I had to let a war with the Dominion start. It was a war that was destined to kill millions because as we spent a century looking for solutions, we found that even if we averted THIS war, one would still be as inevitable at some point and we had to fight the war we knew we could win. Yes. At Betazed I made a calculated roll of the dice but I had to allow Operation Return to happen as predicted, even knowing we were going to lose thousands of lives because it was necessary if we were to have any chance to win. Even when I did intervene... I called off the Attack on the Tyra system because I knew it was going to be a disaster but fleet morale still plunged as everyone wanted to know WHEN we were going to hit back! We were able to save Ninety-eight starships but even so, it was not without consequence.
"It was no different with your crew. The good you have done in exploring the Delta Quadrant and making contact with dozens of new races has been immense. And there is how you've reduced the Borg threat. If I had scrubbed Voyager's mission, that would never have happened. So I did what I could. Taking away Lt. Stadi, your medical staff, and your entire astrometrics department to save their lives. Giving you information to save others but knowing that some WOULD still die and it was a price that had to be paid and sits on my head because I had to make that call. I regret it but I won't apologize for it, Captain. Because that is the responsibility that comes with command. If you can't accept that then you shouldn't be wearing that uniform. If you can...
"I've had this responsibility going on thirty years now. The Husnock have raided Federation ships and it's because I decided to spare a single Federation Colony. Had they destroyed the Rana IV colony, an aggrieved being of unimaginable power would have destroyed the entire Husnock race. Fifty Billion people all gone in an instant but because that was prevented from happening, Federation citizens will die. And even after a century, there is still more to come. In the years ahead, more billions of lives will depend on what the person in this office chooses to do. I need someone who can make those choices to succeed me here. Are you up to the job?"
Janeway looked at the admiral stunned.
"You don't have to decide right now. We have... Time..." Garrett actually smiled. "In the meantime, I need to go speak to another Captain Janeway. Her ship still has a long way to go. It will take her crew time but I expect they'll make it back sometime in the next sixteen years or so. Sooner if we can help it."