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asked, perplexed.
    “I have no opinions at this time,” the Vulcan answered. “I merely point out that she has the ability and the access. She could have done it. There are several others who have similar training, though not her particular talent for machinery. And it has happened before.”
    Yes, there had been earlier sabotage aboard Voyager. That had been very difficult for Janeway. As much as the crew had to trust her, she had to trust them as well.
    She certainly knew she could trust B’Elanna’s competence as an engineer. But it wasn’t just competence. It was inspiration.
    Janeway knew she was fortunate to have found a chief engineer who could combine creativity and passion with warp cores and impulse engines.
    Still, B’Elanna was young and half Klingon. She was impulsive in the extreme and often needed to be reined in. Janeway trusted Torres’s intentions, but she wasn’t quite as sure of the younger woman’s judgment in nonmechanical matters.
    “I don’t know that B’Elanna Torres could, let alone would, practice deception,” Janeway said after some consideration.
    “As I said, Captain, she is the obvious choice. She has the ability and the access. And if she is not our saboteur, then whoever is doing this has skills that we do not acknowledge and wants to make it look like someone else.” Tuvok stopped for a moment to consider.
    “Therefore, if we behave as if we believe it is Torres, we will either catch her or we will throw whoever is doing this off guard, which will be necessary to catch the perpetrator.”
    The captain thought about that. “It is logical,” she began, “but we can’t do it. I want you to investigate, but quietly. I don’t want anyone to know there is even suspicion of foul play.”
    “As you like, Captain,” Tuvok assented. “But would you explain your reasoning to me?”
    “It’s very simple, Mr. Tuvok. People who think they’re under suspicion are not going to give their very best efforts. And to get out of this we’re going to need the best from everyone.”
    ***
    Chakotay was pleased when the captain returned to the bridge.
    Usually he enjoyed the time he spent in command, reminding him of the days when he commanded his own ship. This time he had not.
    He had managed some control over his thoughts so that he could function, but the emotional turmoil still raged inside him. He needed to be alone, somewhere where he could have the silence to seek guidance. The bridge was not the place at all.
    But he was not left to silence. “Chakotay, would you go down to Engineering and help Ms. Torres with the warp coil connection?” the captain asked. It was not a request, it was an order, and Chakotay knew it. But he was surprised when Tuvok came over to him as he was about to call the turbolift.
    “The captain wants you down there to watch what is going on.
    There is some suspicion of sabotage,” the security officer told him.
    “If you could check as the work is in progress perhaps you will find evidence that something is amiss.”
    “Wait a minute,” Chakotay said, trying to keep his voice as hushed as the Vulcan’s. “Are you saying that you suspect my people? You served with them, you know who they are. And none of them has betrayed this ship, and none of them will.”
    Tuvok looked at him quizzically. “I did not specify who we think may be responsible. At this point we have no evidence. We do not even know that it is sabotage, only that the conditions we have observed could have been created by someone with enough knowledge and access to the engines. It is merely reasonable to investigate.”
    Chakotay got into the turbolift without further conversation. He would not dignify what he thought was yet another slur on the Maquis officers who had been integrated into Voyager’s crew.
    When he arrived he found Engineering in a state of controlled frenzy.
    Teams were stationed at each of the computer control boards, one member underneath and others holding tools