Janeway's plan to get through Romulan and Klingon Space.

Cue hilarious scenes of Neelix asking diners in the mess hall if they have any tips for love making decor.

B'Elanna: Oh I have a tip all right..

[Neelix ducks]

 

You were the one who taught me that Janeway and Seven where whores (and lovers) in the Hirogen WWII simulation.

 

Certainly not, Janeway is obviously the Madam.

 

Would Klingons necessarily be antagonistic if a Federation vessel showed up on the other side of their space? Might they, y'know, escort Voyager back to the Federation?

 

10 years away from the seat of the Klingon Council are going to be Klingons who are only tenuously obeying the Rules of the Klingon Empire because of heir sense of honour.

Hillbilly survivalists?

Besides the rules are, it's only a crime if they catch you.

Above is only a concern if the Empire and the Federation are at peace.

There was a Year during DS9 where they were at War, and over the course of the next 20 years after DS9 in he origina Admiral Janeway Timeline, they could be at war again a dozen times more on and off.

Besides subspace radio is fast but it's not that fast, it could take months for news to break that war has started or finished, for those who are able to receive such news immediately, others more off the grid, it could take years for these honourable warriors to become aware about their changes in circumstances about who their enemies are and are not.

Of course...

10 years from the Neutral Zone, it's possible that these Klingons have never heard of the Federation or Humans and are more concerned with defending and growing their borders on "this" far flung edge of the empire reaching towards the Delta Quadrant.

Does New York give a shit about what's happening in Cuba?

Are Texans pissy about what the Canadians are doing on the the northern US border?

Out of sight, out of mind.