This story is dedicated to the people who attended the panel discussion
'Which Voyager or DS9 Character Should Die' which gave me the idea for
this story. Hi, everyone!

CHANGE OF COMMAND
Chapter One: New Life
By: Lauren Taylor

        Tom Paris looked around the bridge at everyone's reaction to the
devastating news that was just given to them. Captain Janeway, Chakotay,
and Tuvok were down on the surface of Renia, holding trade talks with the
Renian government. There was an attack on the building that the talks
were being held in, a bombing. No one had survived. Voyager had just lost
its three most senior officers, leaving Tom in command on the bridge, and
to figure out who was now in charge of the ship.
"All senior staff members to the briefing room!" he commanded as he hit
his comm badge. He then turned to Ensign Michaels, a young man from
security, and told him to take the bridge. Tom walked into the briefing
room, with Harry Kim behind him, the only two remaining senior staff
bridge officers.
**************************************************
"Are you serious?" B'Elanna asked as soon as she heard the news.
"Do you think I'd make something like this up?" Tom snapped at her. He
saw the hurt expression on her face, and apologized. He loved her, and
hated that he'd yelled at her like that. He then stood up and  addressed
the crew.
"I've found also who the captain is now." he told them. Everyone leaned
in eagerly, wanting to know who was now in command of the ship.
"After captain, first officer, and security chief comes..." he turned to
B'Elanna, "chief engineer."
        B'Elanna stared at him, eyes huge and mouth wide open in shock.
The other crew members in the room looked at her, not knowing what to
say. She turned to Tom, who was smiling down at her. 
"Me?" she asked, still amazed that she, B'Elanna Torres, was now in
command of Voyager.
"Yes, you." he told her, as he sat down in a chair, and motioned for
B'Elanna to stand up, and have her first meeting as captain.
She stood, and paced for a few moments, still taking in everything. *I'm
captain* she thought to herself *This is my ship, my crew.*
Everyone was watching her, wondering when she would say something. Kes
decided to help her out.
"When will the memorial services be?" she asked.
Torres jumped back to attention, and realized that she had a decision to
make. Her first decision as captain. Sure, it wasn't a huge decision, but
it was a decision. One she had hoped she would never have to make. So
many things had happened at once, and she was still getting the facts
straight in her head. 
"Um, tomorrow? In the mess hall. 1100 hours." she told her crew. 
No one said anything.
"Dismissed." she told them.
The now much smaller senior staff of Voyager walked out of the mess hall.
B'Elanna noted the facial expressions that they wore. Kes was extremely
sad, and Harry looked ready to burst into tears any second. Tom followed
behind, and put his arm around Harry's shoulders. 
"Tom, wait! I'd like to speak with you for a moment. Harry, you have the
bridge." she called out. Harry responded with a nod, and Tom rushed to
B'Elanna's side.
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
"Who's my first officer?" she asked him.
"Your pick, but it really should be me or Harry." he told her, "Are you
alright? I know this came as a pretty big shock to you." 
"I don't know!" she screamed as she turned and walked to the window, "I
don't know." she said again, this time to herself.
He walked over to her, and placed his right arm around her. She turned
towards him, and wrapped her arms around him, crying.
"It's alright. You'll get through this. You'll make a great captain." he
whispered to her, reasurringly.
"How, Tom? How am I going to get through this? Three great people are
gone, and I've moved from lieutenant to captain! You're not going through
anything like this!" she yelled at him, and pulled herself out from his
strong arms. She walked to the corner of the room, and stood for a
moment, staring at the wall.
*B'Elanna, you're going to be alright* she told herself *Sure, this is a
pretty big step in your life, but you can handle it. You've got great
friends here to help you if you need it* 
She turned back to where Tom was still standing, with a look of worry on
his face.
"Don't worry, Tom. I won't make you give up flying. Now, go tell Harry to
report to my ready room." she smiled.
He gave her a salute with a grin, and walked out. Before she left to go
talk to Harry, she stood by the chair Janeway used to sit in. She rested
her hands on the top of it, and looked down, as if someone was sitting in
the chair.
"Don't worry, captain. I'll get them home." she smiled.
**********************************************
END OF PART ONE

Paramount owns 'em, we just borrow 'em
Robbie loves us. 
Comments can be sent to lauren35@juno.com