Welcome to Voyager Virtual Season 7.5. Our
goal is to redo Voyager's seventh and final season to fit our vision of what
could have been. The first four episodes are set before Shattered, then we split
completely from official canon.
Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a
Voyager two-parter.
The Federation Starship Voyager hung suspended in space,
her sleek metallic hull illuminated only by her own running lights. She was in
what her crew referred to as a void, another in a series of seemingly endless
corridors of space devoid of stars, planets, formations or any other signs of
life, that they had come upon over the course of their long journey home.
Voyager's crew had almost become accustomed to these voids, and had slowly
learned to use the time it took to cross them to their advantage; relaxing as
much as they were able; catching up on paperwork; making repairs; and adding to
or upgrading the ship's systems. They had acquired and developed a great deal of
extra technology on their way across the Delta Quadrant and their captain often
wondered whether Star Fleet command would be more interested in her logs, or in
actually crawling through her ship with magnifying glasses when they finally got
home. She guessed that just the Borg modifications would keep them busy for
years.
The ship shuddered and a shockwave emanated from her deflector
dish. A flash of light followed and the black velvet space that surrounded the
ship seemed to ripple away from her into the
nothingness.
~*~
B'Elanna Torres took a short breath and
impatiently blew at a strand of hair that had fallen across her eyes. She was on
her knees and elbow deep inside a relay station and the recalcitrant wisp was
just one more irritation in a series of annoyances that had plagued her all
morning. She made one last adjustment to the EPS network, stood up, and turned
to her control station.
"Okay, let's do it again."
"Yes ma'am."
Harry Kim replied and she rewarded him with a glare that would have done Kathryn
Janeway proud.
"That's not funny Harry. We're sitting ducks right now.
The warp core's off line and we can barely move at impulse. I promised the
captain I'd get the defense system recalibrated and back up and running today,
and I'm going to do it."
Voyager's engineering staff moved quickly and
efficiently to obey her orders. She had promised them all extra time off if they
met her deadline, and besides Lieutenant Torres was on a tear today, and no one
wanted to incur her displeasure.
"Harry, we can get this to work. Adjust
for gravimetric shear another three degrees. That should reduce the pulse and
eliminate the reverberation."
Harry's fingers flew over his console as he
made the corrections she requested.
"Activate the conversion matrix and
begin the countdown. Let's go."
"Activated."
"Countdown to begin
on my mark." She paused for a moment and made another entry on her console.
"Now."
"Counting down from 10 seconds" Harry responded.
Voyager
vibrated again as she sent another shockwave out into space.
"Damn."
B'Elanna checked the readings on her console. "Harry, are you sure you made it
exactly three degrees? Check the"
"B'Elanna, I've adjusted it six times,
exactly to your specifications. Maybe we should take a break."
"I don't
need a break. I need this to work. Seven"
"I am here Lieutenant." The
former drone appeared almost immediately at B'Elanna's elbow.
"I asked
you to realign the deflector to compensate for the neutrino bursts."
"I
have done as you directed Lieutenant. The problem is not with the
deflector."
"Don't tell me what the problem isn't. Let's find out what
the problem is."
She tossed her a PADD that had been resting on the edge
of her console.
"Here. See if your Borg ingenuity can come up with a
solution."
Seven of Nine raised an eyebrow and looked at Harry Kim, who
just grinned and shrugged. Seven held his gaze for a second and then looked down
at the PADD.
"In the meantime Harry," Torres turned and addressed him
again. "Divert the neutrino emissions into the exhaust system."
"I'm due
back on the bridge in five minutes B'El"
She glared at him
again.
Harry nodded and did as he was ordered.
"Fire."
The
ship shuddered even more violently than the last time as another wave of energy
was thrown out into the void.
All three of them watched the readings as
they appeared on the screen in front of them.
"What's going on down
there, Lieutenant?" Kathryn Janeway's voice came over the comm
system.
"Captain, it's taking a little longer than I thought to work the
kinks out of the matter conversion matrix. I'm trying to rebuild the entire
defense system here."
"I appreciate what you're doing B'Elanna. I just
want to make sure Voyager survives the improvements."
"Captain, your ship
will be just fine." Torres out. She slapped at her comm badge and turned back to
her console.
~*~
Outside the ship the reverberations from the
shockwave continued to travel, undulating through space like a fallen leaf might
ripple the waters of a still pond. And several light years away, a small brown
planet decloaked
Act one
"Well Chakotay, we're done
with the astrometrics team. I don't think we've been this up to date with our
evaluations in all the time we've been in the Delta Quadrant."
Kathryn
Janeway sat perched on the corner of the desk in her ready room, her computer
terminal turned 180 degrees around so that it faced into the sitting area. Her
first officer, jacket long since discarded, stretched lazily and shifted
slightly on the sofa so that he could make out the personnel roster slowly
scrolling down the computer's screen.
"Neelix' contact was right. The
Samnar Corridor is a peaceful passage. There was just a bit too much activity in
that last sector."
"That's a bit of an understatement" Kathryn smiled
and took a sip of her rapidly cooling coffee. "Ugh. One of these days I'm going
to get that damned contraption programmed right." She stood up, made her way
towards the offending replicator and placed her cup in the recycle tray.
"Anyhow," she continued, "We can use this breather. I think we're all in need of
a little down time."
"I never thought I'd hear you speak positively about
a void." Chakotay responded.
"We've been able to run just about every
diagnostic without interruption." She continued, ignoring his jibe.
"Yes.
We're getting back in shape. We've even managed to organize our time so that
everyone has had some R & R. Except, I believe, the captain."
Kathryn
let that dig slip by as well. "Let's move on, shall we. Who's
next?"
"Aye, aye Captain." He sat up, grinned and saluted her.
"Engineering."
She waggled a finger at him and continued. "Engineering.
The heart of our ship. All things being equal they do an incredible job out
here. Torres should be commended" She stopped in front of Chakotay and sighed.
"Yes -- B'Elanna ..."
"B'Elanna." Chakotay agreed.
"Chakotay I
know that she's under a lot of stress. Voyager's had a few rough rides lately.
She's doing her job. Very well. She and Tom seem to be happy. But her attitude
recently has me concerned. It's as if something is missing And I don't know what
it is."
He quirked an eyebrow in response.
"I thought we had
resolved our issues," she continued. "And we're fine on a superficial level. But
I haven't really been able to really talk to her about anything since the
incident with Krel Moset. I don't think she's forgiven me for ordering a
Cardassian hologram to save her life. Can you?"
"I've tried, Kathryn," He
replied. "And I'll try again if you'd like. But I think this is for the two of
you to work out between you."
"Tuvok to Captain Janeway and Commander
Chakotay." Chakotay reached for his jacket and tapped at his comm badge in
response to the Vulcan's hail.
"Yes Tuvok."
"We've uncovered what
appears to be an uninhabited planet fifty thousand light years away."
"I
thought this corridor was unoccupied." Chakotay stood up.
"Uncovered?"
Janeway was already almost out of the door. "We're on our way,
Tuvok."
~*~
"Report." Captain Janeway's order was issued as
Voyager's commanding officers strode onto the bridge and headed immediately to
their command positions. Chakotay sat down and lifted the console between their
chairs. He began to study the data that had been forwarded to his station.
"We have been scanning the corridor, including this sector, at regular
intervals, Captain," Tuvok responded. "The planet did not show up on any of our
previous sweeps."
"Well it's there now." She said. She turned to
Operations.
"I'm detecting faint biogenetic signs now, Captain." Harry
Kim reported in surprise. "It looks like the planet is occupied after
all."
"Can you hail them, Harry?"
"I'm trying, Captain." Harry
made several entries and adjustments at his Operations station, and the
resultant static slowly diminished.
"Try now Ma'am."
The captain
turned back to face the view screen at the fore of the bridge. "This is Captain
Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Can anyone read
me?"
There was no response.
"Adjust the frequency."
Harry's
fingers flew over his console.
"Try now Captain. I've modulated the
carrier wave so we can try for a visual link as well."
"This is Captain
Kathryn"
The view screen flickered and came to life. An alien female
appeared before them. She was humanoid. Her intense amber eyes were set into an
elongated head. Her aquiline nose was ribbed and pierced with small metallic
studs. She was draped and hooded in a toga-like garment that was fastened
strategically with pins that looked as if they could double as weapons. She
looked distinctly annoyed.
"I acknowledge your signal, Captain. How did
you discover us? And what do you seek from us?"
"Your planet appeared
rather abruptly on our sensors. We had been informed that this corridor was
uninhabited. We apologize for our error."
"As yet you have done no harm.
How did you find us? What do you want here?"
"We truly did not know you
were here and we apologize for the intrusion. We want nothing from you except
safe passage through your space. We are on a long journey to our
home."
Chakotay rose and made his way to the captain's side. "We have
been running some routine diagnostics on our systems. Perhaps" he began
quietly.
Janeway nodded and continued. "Perhaps some of the tests we've
been conducting had some impact upon your atmosphere."
"Yes. Your
technology is foreign to us. I would like to know more about it."
The
captain returned to her command chair and sat down. She flipped open her
computer console and studied the data that was streaming into it. "And I would
like to know more about your home. According to our readings, your planet is
barely able to support life. Yet you seem to be a fairly populated
world."
The woman hesitated for a moment, and Janeway had a fleeting
notion that her response was somehow premeditated. "We here on Zorno have
adapted to our environment over the millennia. We do not have many
visitors."
"Captain, my scans show an unusually large number of dilithium
deposits on the planet." Harry Kim's voice betrayed only a small amount of his
excitement.
"Perhaps we can work out a trade, Captain." Chakotay said
quietly.
"I will have to discuss that with my fellow officers." She
looked questioningly at the alien.
"I am Rhenat."
"Rhenat, our
sensors show your planet is rich in a mineral that we require to power some of
our ship's systems. Perhaps we can come to terms "
"And I will have to
discuss that with my superiors, Captain."
The view screen went abruptly
dark.
"Friendly sort." Chakotay noted sardonically.
"I think not,
Commander," Tuvok responded seriously.
Kathryn Janeway glanced at both of
them quickly and indicated her instructions with a tilt of her head. All three
of them turned and headed towards the briefing room.
~*~
"I must
urge extreme caution, Captain. This species exhibits classic signs of
xenophobia. Although Rhenat has indicated that she might be willing to discuss a
negotiation, the planet was cloaked and she was quite obviously not pleased to
be discovered."
"Oh I agree Tuvok." Janeway sat at the head of the
briefing room table, her chin resting lightly on one fist, a PADD in her other
hand. "She wasn't happy to see us at all. But her curiosity got the better of
her, I think, and that might be to our advantage."
"Harry did some
additional scans," Chakotay added. He stood at the viewport and gazed out into
the starless void, as if looking for the planet under discussion. "Atmospheric
conditions on the planet can barely sustain human life. The terrain is rough at
best. If there is to be a meeting, it should be on Voyager."
"Good idea,"
Janeway's response was firm.
Harry Kim's voice came over the comm link.
"Incoming message from Rhenat, Captain."
"Patch it through,
Ensign."
Tuvok activated the view screen and Rhenat's image appeared
before them.
"My superiors have agreed to a meeting, Captain. I will
transfer the co-ordinates. You will come unarmed." The screen went blank
again.
As they all stared at the empty screen the briefing room doors
opened with a quiet swoosh and B'Elanna Torres rushed into the room. She marched
purposefully to the head of the table and addressed the captain.
"I've
done an analysis of the Dilithium traces on Zorno. It's the best quality we've
seen in the Delta Quadrant." She reported breathlessly. "I can't begin to
emphasize how badly we need to restock our supplies. If we could get just some
of it I've also found traces of deuterium. Do you know how much more power we
could get from the warp core if I could inject that into the plasma
manifold?"
"Well gentlemen," Kathryn Janeway stood up and faced her two
most senior officers. "I agree that it might be risky to go down there. And that
the Zornons are not the most welcoming of hosts. But the possibility of
replenishing our dilithium stock, not to mention enhancing the warp core is just
too enticing."
"Captain"
Janeway cut Tuvok off before he could
begin. "Tuvok, I will take every precaution. And I expect to be thoroughly
briefed before I leave the ship. I know you've been running security checks and
have been working diligently on procedures for weeks now. So let's field test
all your innovations, shall we." She gestured to Torres. "Lieutenant, you're
with me. She didn't wait for a response, but headed out of the
door.
"Chakotay?" B'Elanna looked questioningly at her superior officer.
"I don't think"
"Lieutenant, you were given an order," He
replied.
She nodded and followed her captain.
Act
two
"Tilt your head. I can't inoculate what I can't
reach."
Kathryn Janeway sat resignedly on the edge of a biobed in sickbay
and pushed her hair to one side as the Doctor came at her with a
hypospray.
He activated the device and pressed it into the side of her
neck. "There you are, Captain. I have boosted your hemoglobin concentration and
suppressed your auto-immune responses. That combination should work to
counteract any possible reaction that you might have to the Zornon atmosphere.
However I suggest that you try to make your stay there as short as possible. I
cannot predict precisely how long the effects of the hypospray will
last."
Janeway dismounted with relief. "Understood," She
responded.
At that moment Tom Paris rushed into sickbay, followed almost
immediately by Neelix, who was making rapid entries on a PADD as he tried to
keep up.
"If you are looking for Miss Torres, Lieutenant, she has already
been here." The Doctor informed him. "You might try Engineering." He added,
making an effort to be helpful.
"Actually, Doctor, we were looking for
you." Neelix responded. "And the Captain."
Janeway couldn't help but
smile. She had a soft spot for the exuberant Talaxian. His enthusiasm, his
innate kindness and his wisdom had often been of great comfort to her. "Well,
gentlemen, you have found us both."
"Captain, Mr. Paris and I have come
up with an excellent idea. It just needs a couple of little tweaks and it will
be perfect. As a matter of fact, if I do say so, it is one of my better
"
"Captain," Paris broke in quickly. "Neelix mentioned that you had asked
him to come up with a new recreational programme for the crew. As you know, I
have an interest in 20th century history. And I've recently discovered that the
ancient sporting event known as the Olympics was revived very early in the
century."
"And the Doctor is always complaining that the crew doesn't get
enough exercise, the Captain included." Neelix continued, missing Janeway's
slightly raised eyebrow.
Tom Paris hadn't missed it and he interrupted
once again. "Captain, we thought that we should have our own version, The Delta
Quadrant Games. Everyone can participate. We'll assign teams and events and we
can even finish it off with a closing ceremony."
"I must say, Captain,
for once I might have to agree with Mr. Paris and Mr. Neelix. A frightening
thought. But this does sound like a good idea."
The Doctor's support was
all the endorsement Janeway needed. She took the PADD that Neelix proffered and
glanced at it quickly before entering her approval code. "Good work, gentlemen."
She handed the PADD back to her morale officer. "Proceed." She instructed, and
started towards the door.
Neelix gazed adoringly after her. Paris
grinned and gently elbowed the Talaxian. "So. Neelix. How many teams do you
think there should be? And who gets Seven?"
~*~
"I've downloaded
the basic schematics of the conversion matrix into my tricorderI don't know why
she needs me on this mission. She could just" B'Elanna's hushed but urgent voice
betrayed her annoyance. "I was almost there Chakotay. She's wanted me to modify
the defense system for months. And now when I'm finally able to devote the
proper amount of time to it, she pulls me off to go on some away mission that
her pet Borg would be far better suited for."
"B'Elanna, the Captain
would not have chosen you for this mission if she didn't think you were the
right person for the job. And maybe you need some time away from your warp
core."
"Yeah, right."
"Are you ready, Lieutenant?" Janeway entered
the transporter room.
"Yes, Ma'am," B'Elanna's answer was almost a sigh.
Janeway glanced at her but said nothing.
Tuvok had run a final diagnostic
on the transporter equipment, particularly the pattern enhancers. He intended to
keep a very close watch on his away team. He entered the co-ordinates that
Rhenat had transmitted, stepped out from behind the controls and approached the
away team.
"Captain. I have modified these communicators to compensate
for the atmospheric and geographic conditions on the planet. Your tricorders
have also been adjusted to send additional signals if necessary. I believe
Lieutenant Torres has made some modifications of her own." He handed the comm
badges to Janeway and Torres who pinned them onto their uniforms. They holstered
their tricorders and checked their chronometers.
"Thank you, Tuvok."
Janeway said. "And we'll be careful, we promise." She grinned at B'Elanna.
"Won't we, Lieutenant?"
"Umm Oh, absolutely, Captain." Torres couldn't
quite suppress a grin of her own. Maybe this mission wouldn't be too bad after
all.
"You and Lieutenant Torres will be monitored at all times." Tuvok
continued as if he had not been interrupted. "We will continue to sweep for
anomalies. So far our readings have all been within normal parameters, however I
urge caution, Captain. I am somewhat uneasy about this situation."
"A
hunch?" Janeway couldn't help a bit of teasing.
"Prudence, Captain," The
Vulcan replied.
"We should be able to get you out of there at a moment's
notice," Chakotay said.
"Understood," Janeway nodded. "Make sure that
repairs continue while I'm gone."
"And make sure Carey has the containers
in cargo bay one cleaned out and ready to receive the dilithium," Torres
instructed.
The two women stepped up onto the transporter platform and
faced forward. Tuvok returned to the transporter controls to handle the beam out
himself.
"Take good care of my ship, gentlemen. " The Captain instructed.
"And Chakotay."
"Captain?"
She paused for a moment, and grinned
at him. "You still haven't seen to those carpets."
Kathryn Janeway took a
deep breath and stood at attention. "Energize."
She and Torres shimmered
for a moment and then disappeared.
~*~
They rematerialized at the
co-ordinates Rhenat had transmitted were immediately struck by the desolation
and barrenness of their surroundings. There was little vegetation and almost no
evidence of wildlife of any kind. They saw no water and there was very little
natural light. They were just outside what seemed to be the entrance of a rough
cave set into a sheer face of rock. Janeway activated her tricorder and checked
the readings. B'Elanna did the same.
"Captain, I don't know how they can
sustain life here, and yet we know there is a fairly large population on the
planet."
"They are obviously a resourceful people." Janeway made an entry
into her tricorder and took another reading. "And we've got company."
A
group of armed natives suddenly appeared at the entrance to the cave. The leader
thrust his way forward and stopped in front of Janeway.
"Captain, you
will come this way please."
As Janeway started forward, another guard
made a move to stop Torres from accompanying her.
"She is with me."
Janeway's tone brooked no opposition. The guard hesitated for only a moment and
then fell back.
B'Elanna elbowed her way around him and muttered under
her breath. Janeway silently indicated her disapproval and the Klingon quieted.
"Well then, you will both follow me," The leader instructed. He didn't
wait for a response, but strode forward and disappeared into the cavern
ahead.
~*~
Although at first the cave had appeared to be a natural
formation, Janeway and Torres quickly realized that the passageway leading away
from its entrance was not. As they traveled deeper underground, the corridors
became more sophisticated and less cavern-like. The walls, initially covered in
rough stone, were now smooth and painted. Torres noted evidence of a
surveillance system and pointed it out to Janeway as they marched. The captain
nodded and indicated that she had seen it too.
They had been traveling
slightly less than five minutes when their escort came to an abrupt halt in
front of a metallic archway that stretched across the ceiling of the corridor.
He motioned to Janeway and Torres to come forward.
"Hey, what are you
doing?" Torres stepped backwards as two of the guards approached
her.
"Regulation procedure," their escort replied. "You will stand
still."
"Lieutenant. Consider this a First Contact. We will comply with
their requirements." Janeway watched as one of the guards opened a device
similar to one of their own tricorders and activated it. "For now." She added
quietly, so that only B'Elanna could hear her. "I believe we are being scanned
for contaminants.," she said more loudly, for the benefit of their
escorts.
The head of the party nodded in agreement. He watched as Janeway
underwent the same procedure. "As you say, Captain. We may proceed now." Once
again he turned abruptly and headed swiftly down the corridor.
"Captain,"
Torres whispered, "I've been taking some readings." She indicated her tricorder,
still attached to her belt, but activated. "The quality of dilithium here is
better than anything I've ever seen. And if we could get some of this deuterium"
She surreptitiously entered some numbers. "We could increase warp power by at
least four percent. And I wouldn't have any problem upgrading the deflector
panels."
"We'll see what we can do, B'Elanna," Janeway
responded.
"Their surveillance system is pretty impressive." Torres said
a minute later. "I haven't seen anything this sophisticated in the Delta
Quadrant. If I could get my hands on some of this technology, we could really
improve Voyager's early warning systems. "
Kathryn Janeway was doing
some scouting of her own. "Their air filtration systems are extraordinary. Our
readings showed an atmosphere that is virtually uninhabitable." She
marveled.
In her enthusiasm B'Elanna had removed her tricorder from its
holster and was pointing it at what appeared to be an atmospheric conditioning
pump. "I've just detected traces of rubindium crystals and cabrodine. They have
found a way to"
"Forward." One of their escorts pushed her along, none to
gently.
"Hey." But she pocketed her scanner and complied.
Act
three
"But, Neelix. I can't believe that you would even consider
putting Jenny and Megan Delaney on the same team."
"Tom, we are trying to
make these matches even, aren't we? Jenny is an excellent swimmer. And Sue
Nicoletti is too. We have to divide them up. Megan can beat just about everyone
on the ship in table tennis, except Seven."
The first meeting of the
Delta Quadrant Olympic committee, which so far consisted of Tom Paris and
Neelix, was well underway. The two were in the midst of a heated discussion
about team make up, and neither was ready to concede to the other.
"You'd
better not say that in front of B'Elanna, Neelix."
"I won't. But you
can't put Seven and Megan on the same team, because the table tennis match won't
be equal. So that means that"
"Jenny and Megan end up on the same side.
Okay. But what about Chell and Ayala? Where..."
They were interrupted
abruptly as the viewscreen beside them activated itself and the Doctor appeared
before them, his almost perpetual frown very much in evidence.
"Mr.
Paris. Neelix. I advise you not to lose sight of the fact that these so called
games are indeed just that. Games. And this exercise was developed for crew
morale and well being. A little friendly rivalry is one thing. This is not to
evolve into a major competition. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Oh
absolutely, Doctor."
Both committee members, suddenly united, agreed
with alacrity. They did not want any more of the Doctor's input than was
absolutely necessary.
"Good. Keep that in mind gentlemen."
The
screen went blank and Paris and Neelix looked at one another and
grinned.
"Okay Neelix where do you want to put
Tuvok?"
~*~
They were in what appeared to be a reception area.
Their guards had left them there unattended with no instructions or explanation
as to what or whom they could expect to see next. B'Elanna found this turn of
events more unnerving than their recent forced march, and was pacing back and
forth across the room. Janeway watched her, but said nothing. She was well aware
of the Klingon's tension, and knew that nothing she could say could ease it. She
had quickly realized that the tactics the Zornon had used the armed reception
committee, the long trek through the corridors, and this wait were supposed to
be intimidating, and Kathryn Janeway did not succumb to intimidation.
The doors finally opened and Rhenat swept into the room followed a
moment later by two armed adjuncts who stationed themselves on either side of
the chamber's entrance.
"Welcome, Captain Janeway. Lieutenant Torres, I
believe?"
"Your welcoming practices differ greatly from our own,
Rhenat," Janeway greeted her in return.
"You refer, of course, to our
security measures. I assure you Captain, that these procedures are
necessary."
Janeway said nothing. B'Elanna had stopped pacing upon the
Zornon's entrance and now stood, seething silently at her captain's
side.
"Our planet, as you have already determined, is not naturally
easily habitable." Rhenat explained. "Our race is not indigenous to this world.
We came here as exiles, millennia past. But over time we Zornons have evolved
and adapted ourselves to our environment. We discovered that Zorno is rich in
natural resources, and we have developed technology to harness and utilize our
assets to the maximum."
"Including a cloaking system," B'Elanna couldn't
resist.
Rhenat turned slightly to address her. "Of late we have been
beset by a series of aggressive intrusions. News of our most recent
technological successes seems to have attracted the attention of undesirable
elements who are intent upon destroying us and making our planet their own. The
cloaking device that you were able to deactivate is our most recent attempt to
thwart these raids."
"I can understand then, your concern when you
received our hail." Janeway said.
"But what do you want from us?" Torres'
impatience was evident.
"You have technology which would seem to be
compatible with ours. The device with which you neutralized our cloak intrigues
us. We would like to have this technology."
"The conversion matrix is
only in the testing stages. I'm not even sure that was what caused your planet
to appear."
"This device is vital to us. It could ensure our survival.
Surely you would not wish to deny us this."
"Captain, the matrix
schematic could be re-calibrated to be used only in a defense system." Torres
mused. "After all, that is how we are planning to use it." She hesitated. "But
I'm not comfortable with it yet. And I'm certainly not ready to share it." She
added emphatically.
"Agreed." Janeway nodded. "And this is not a decision
we can make on our own. We must consult with our fellow officers to even
consider your request. Perhaps something can be arranged."
"We want no
re-calibration. We will have the complete system." Her two assistants, who until
this time had remained quietly at their station, approached at Rhenat's
signal.
"You will go with them." She instructed.
Janeway
stiffened. "I beg your pardon." Her tone was icy.
"My assistants will
escort you to our Command Center where you will begin your modifications to our
systems."
"I think not." Janeway responded. "We thank you for your
hospitality, Rhenat. We will return to our ship. Now. As I said, I will discuss
your request with my fellow officers and we will be in contact with you shortly.
Lieutenant." She nodded to B'Elanna and they both turned to leave.
The
guards, who until this time had remained at attention just inside the door,
stepped forward to bar their way. Janeway kept walking, Torres following closely
behind her.
The guards brought their weapons to the fore.
Janeway
had no choice but to stop. "Just what exactly is going on here, Rhenat?" she
demanded.
"You and your Lieutenant will be free to leave Zorno anytime,
Captain, once you have performed the modifications that we require. You and
Voyager." Neither woman missed the threat in her voice, "will not be harmed in
any way."
"Janeway to Voyager. Come in. Tuvok." She slapped at her comm
badge to no avail.
"Your communication system has been disabled,
Captain."
"Is this is the way you treat all your guests?" B'Elanna was
furious. "What do you mean Voyager will not be harmed? And you should know that
I can't make the kind of modifications you want just like that." She snapped her
fingers. " I need the specs, the data, tools"
Rhenat was unperturbed.
"You have what you need in the device at your side." She indicated Torres'
tricorder. "We scanned it as you entered our compound. And we have all the
equipment that you might require."
"You are making a grave mistake,
Rhenat." Janeway's voice was hard with fury. "My crew will be expecting a
communication from us shortly. If they do not hear from us, they will come
looking, I assure you."
"Do you think we have not prepared for just that
eventuality?" The satisfaction in Rhenat's voice was unmistakable. I believe you
would call it a contingency plan. Or perhaps a failsafe." She paused for a
moment to savour her victory. "Your signals have been duplicated. Voyager has
been neutralized. I repeat Captain, you and your ship will not suffer if you
comply with our request."
Kathryn Janeway was well aware that at that
particular moment they were outnumbered and outgunned. She took a deep breath
and glanced briefly at B'Elanna, who seethed silently beside her. "Your
request?" she repeated. "I believe I would call it something quite different.
B'Elanna, I think, right now, we have very little choice but to go with these
gentlemen."
"I am glad you have chosen to help us, Captain. You will not
regret your decision."
Rhenat turned and swept from the room.
~*~
Chakotay's bridge shift was halfway done and all was quiet.
They were in a low orbit around Zorno, all readings were normal and there had
been no unusual activity recorded since the away team had departed. He had been
checking all readings carefully since his shift began, and he knew that Tuvok
had been doing the same. He and the Vulcan had agreed that in this particular
case, two sets of eyes were better than one, and had instructed Harry to
duplicate all data and send it separately to each of their stations.
Chakotay was carefully comparing his notes to Tuvok's when Neelix
bustled onto the bridge.
"Commander, I have the team rosters for the
Games ready. I was hoping that you and Lieutenant Tuvok would help me
co-ordinate practice times with shift assignments."
Chakotay looked up
from his console and couldn't help but grin at the Talaxian's enthusiasm. "Good
thought, Neelix."
Neelix took note of Chakotay's preoccupation. "Have we
heard from the away team yet?" He asked.
"They haven't checked in, but
their signals are normal and steady and their life-signs are
stable."
"Well, Commander, when you speak to Captain Janeway would you
tell her that Mr. Paris and I have decided that she and Lieutenant Torres will
be participating in a very special event."
"I think you had better tell
her that yourself, Neelix," Chakotay replied, and hoped that he'd be around when
Neelix told the Captain what exactly he had in mind for her.
Act
four
Kathryn Janeway looked around her in amazement. She quickly
began to take stock of her surroundings. The Zorno command center, if that's
what it was called was not a huge area, but it was packed full of every sort of
technology she had ever seen, and then some. There were consoles on the walls,
the floor and even suspended from the ceiling. There were spare parts lying in
piles around the room, often several deep, and there were bins, trays and even
drawers that were stuffed to overflowing with bits and pieces of machinery.
There were several large panels on the walls, some of which had been left
partially ajar and some of which, she hoped, might hide passageways out of the
area. B'Elanna had been reduced to silence by the sight that had greeted them.
She was obviously making a survey similar to Janeway's. She pushed at one of the
panels, which slid down the wall with a clatter leaving a jumble of wiring and
conduits exposed.
They had been escorted there by the Rhenat's guards,
who remained once again, stationed just inside the doorway. Neither woman said a
word, and finally one of the guards moved forward and picked up a small
hard-sided case that was sitting on one of the consoles and shoved it at
Torres.
"Tools. You will work."
She slammed the tool-kit back down
onto the counter. "I will not work," She responded angrily.
Janeway, who
had been walking carefully around the perimeter of the room, paused for a
moment. "Lieutenant." There was a warning in her voice.
"Captain. How can
you even consider doing what they want. I would rather die than
help these
p'tak. Do you really think these baktag will let us go when they're done with
us. And who knows what they are planning for Voyager. I just can't believe that
you would even think of trying to negotiate with them. Isn't that what you are
planning?" B'Elanna's voice rose in anger and the guards shifted uneasily as her
belligerence increased. They began to move towards the Klingon woman, their
weapons at the ready.
"B'Elanna. Think."
"Captain. I am thinking.
I'm going to sabo..."
"Lieutenant. Enough. Now." She approached Torres
quickly and grasped her firmly by the arm. "Think." She repeated. "Take a look
around you. What do you see?" Janeway gazed at her intently.
Torres took
a deep breath and acknowledged the guards. She looked around her with greater
interest and took another breath. " I see some very sophisticated systems. I
guessour technology might be compatible with theirs. We might be able to link
the matrix quite quickly. And get out of here."
Janeway picked up the
toolbox and handed it to B'Elanna. "So. Let's get to work, shall
we."
Torres looked at Janeway carefully and then nodded. "Iyes,
Ma'am."
They worked well together. They always had. It was a shame that
they didn't do it more often Janeway mused as they examined the hodgepodge of
materials and equipment that lay before them. B'Elanna's instincts were always
good when it came to anything related to engineering and machinery. And Janeway
had learned early to trust those instincts. So why had this distance -- this
chasm opened between them? Janeway's recent experiences as a Cardassian hostage
had left her more reflective than she had been in the past. This away mission
itself had been a test of herself. Her last away mission, if you could call it
that, had placed her on a Cardassian ship in the clutches of the enemy, and here
she was again, in a similar situation. But here she had some control, and she
had a valued and trusted member of her crew with her. At least she trusted
B'Elanna. But did B'Elanna trust her?
"Captain. Look at this. They seem
to have a communications structure similar to our own. So if we can rig up an
adaptive interface link we should be able to download our data into their
system." As she spoke, Torres surreptitiously pointed out an access panel on the
far side of the room. Janeway nodded. She too had noticed the panel and had
wondered where it led. Janeway continued with the ruse.
"You should be
able to find something around here to use as a conduit. I'll take a
look."
She took two wires and held them together. A small spark crackled
between them.
"Be careful, Captain" Torres tried to sound concerned.
"That might be dangerous."
"Oh. Yes." Janeway managed to look
sheepish.
Torres picked up a small piece of debris. She turned it over
and whispered "I saw one of these on the Malon freighter."
Janeway
pointed to an energy sequencer. "This has a Qomar signature."
"Pirates.
They're pirates." B'Elanna hissed. "I need to find an ionic interface Captain."
She continued loudly.
Janeway raised an eyebrow. B'Elanna was being
technically creative, to say the least. However, she pretended to look for the
imaginary piece of equipment.
"I think that this might be what you are
looking for, B'Elanna. There's definitely a communications relay here. I'll see
if I can connect ours to this one. If I can get this to work then perhaps we can
get the Zornon system up and running and we can get back to
Voyager."
"That could be it. But I want to check for
interference."
Torres moved to the side of the room, ostensibly still
looking for the correct conduit, but in actuality checking out their potential
exit. She activated her tricorder, and quickly scanned the panel that she and
Janeway had pinpointed earlier. It did seem to lead away from the command
center. Her suspicions were confirmed as she approached the panel. One of the
guards began to move in closer -- gun cocked.
She didn't hesitate for a
moment. "Back off." She growled. If you want us to get this done, stay out of
our way."
Janeway looked up but didn't interfere. "B'Elanna, be careful.
If we connect the interface to the wrong conduit, it might overload the
relay."
"Right." Torres was working on the panel next to their escape
route. It opened with a satisfying click. She reached inside and extracted two
wires, which she twisted into a tight knot.
"And we mustn't forget that
if we download our matrix too quickly," Janeway continued, "It might compromise
the integrity of their system."
"Understood. Captain I've almost got it
now. Are you ready to activate?"
"Give me one more minute, B'Elanna. If I
can connect this integer to the communications relay their systems will be
extremely effective. This should work."
"Captain, I don't think we have
time. This series of modifications has to be applied in a very fast sequence. Or
it will not work." She paused for moment to give Janeway a chance to finish.
"Counting down. Now. 3,2,1"
The explosion produced a satisfying covering
of smoke and dust. Torres shoved the panel aside and slipped into the passageway
beyond. Janeway grabbed the toolbox that had miraculously stayed on top of the
console during the detonation and quickly followed, leaving a fair amount of
chaos in their wake.
#
#
"Commander, there's been a slight
fluctuation in Lieutenant Torres' bio-scan. Her neurotransmitter readings are
unusually elevated." Harry Kim transferred the data quickly to Chakotay's and
Tuvok's stations.
"I think it's time we heard from the away, team Tuvok,
don't you? Open a hailing frequency, will you, Harry?"
"Frequency open,
Commander." Harry replied quickly.
"This is Commander Chakotay of
Voyager. I'd like to speak with Captain Janeway."
The view screen
flickered to life and Rhenat appeared.
"Commander, your Captain, and her
Lieutenant are on a tour of our facility right now. I believe that some of our
planet's unique gravitational pull might be interfering with your communications
systems. I will make sure the Captain contacts you as soon as she is back within
range. Rhenat out." The screen went black.
"Commander," Tuvok was the
first to speak. "The comm system was adjusted to compensate for almost any
interference that the away team might encounter. I would question the veracity
of Rhenat's response."
"As would I, Tuvok." He turned in his chair and
addressed Ops. "Harry, lock onto the Captain and B'Elanna and beam them out of
there."
"Yes sir." Kim entered the required commands and waited
"I
can't get a lock, Commander. It's odd, their signals are reading clearly, but
when I
try to get a lock, the signals fluctuate."
Chakotay glanced
over to Tuvok who was working quickly and carefully at his console. The Vulcan
looked up and nodded briefly, acknowledging his own concern.
"Tom, move
Voyager into a lower orbit."
"Aye sir."
Chakotay stood up and made
his way to Ops. "Harry, try it again." He stood behind the Lieutenant as he
re-entered the commands.
Voyager rocked gently and Chakotay reached out
to grab the railing at his side. "What was that?"
"We seem to be trapped.
I can't get her out of this orbit." Tom Paris' sounded puzzled. "I'll re-enter
the co-ordinates."
The shipped jumped again, this time a little bit more
violently.
"I believe we are in an orbital lock, Commander," Tuvok
observed. "Perhaps, Mr. Paris, if you realign the maneuvering thrusters we can
break free."
"It can't hurt to try," Paris said.
Chakotay glanced
at Harry Kim, who needed no further instruction.
"Hailing the planet,
Sir."
"This is Commander Chakotay of Voyager. I would like to know
exactly where my away team is. Now."
Rhenat re-appeared before him.
"Commander, your away team will not be harmed.
They are performing a
favor for us. When their task is complete they will be returned to you,
intact."
The view screen went black once more.
~*~
Kathryn
Janeway negotiated her way carefully past a large, unidentifiable piece of metal
and ducked to avoid a stalactite-like formation that hung rather precariously,
she thought, from the roof of the corridor that she and B'Elanna had found
themselves in after their escape from the Zornon command center. The passageway
was filled with obstacles and dirt. It was dark, dank and hazardous, and they
were thankful they had their tricorders to help them chart their way. Both were
tired and dirty, but determined to put as much distance between them and their
erstwhile hosts as quickly as possible. Janeway had slung the Zornon toolkit
over her shoulder and had undone her jacket. Torres had removed hers and tied it
around her waist.
Janeway stopped to take a reading. "I'm detecting a
shift in the air currents at approximately 15,000 meters, B'Elanna. There seem
to be several corridors converging at a central point. I'm also showing a series
of power surges originating in the same general area."
"Well, my guess is
they've got something set up there that might be worth investigating. If we can
just" She moved forward and began to try to shift a large rock that blocked
their path "get there." She grunted and Janeway holstered her tricorder and
moved in to help her. The boulder shifted enough that they were able to make
their way around it.
They rested against the rock for a moment, and
Janeway wiped at her forehead with her sleeve, leaving a streak of dirt across
her brow.
"Let's go." She said. "The sooner we get there, the sooner we
can get back to Voyager and the sooner I can get myself into a steaming hot
bath."
"A shower for me. Not a sonic shower. A real hot water shower. You
can put me on report now Captain, because I'm going to use up at least two extra
water rations."
"B'Elanna, if you can persuade Commander Chakotay to take
an extra bridge shift while I'm soaking in that tub, I think I can manage to
look the other way on your water usage."
"It's a done deal,
Captain."
~*~
Rhenat was angry. And her security chief knew it. He
stood awkwardly in front of her desk, his report in her hand.
"Janeway
and her Lieutenant can not have gotten very far. Find them."
"I have a
unit searching now, Prefect."
"I am not pleased, Orpon."
"I know,
Prefect."
"Your and your men have been derelict. Your unit will need to
prove to me that they are still worthy of my .. trust. Intensify your pursuit.
The caves behind the Command Center"
"Those corridors have not been
accessed for years. I believe that many of the passageways are blocked. And
there are no up-to-date charts for them."
"Well then use the old
ones."
"The air purification system is not effective in most of those
corridors."
"That can be dealt with. Order an infusion of anti-toxin for
each of your men. It should last you long enough to complete your
mission."
Rhenat paused for a moment and stared intently at her
subordinate. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.
"What are you
telling me, Orpon? That you don't think you can find them? Two aliens with very
little knowledge of our world should not be able to outrun a Zornon guard unit,
should they?"
"No, Prefect."
"I believe that I will have to lead
this hunt myself, Orpon. I am losing confidence in your ability."
She
rose, motioned for him to follow and without waiting to see if he did, swept
from the room.
Epilogue
Chakotay sat at the head of
Voyager's conference table and faced his senior staff. Tuvok, Seven of Nine,
Neelix and Harry Kim were in their usual positions around the table. Tom Paris
stood behind his chair. He was restless and very obviously
agitated.
"Report,"Chakotay demanded.
"The Zornons still refuse to
answer our hails, Commander," Harry Kim supplied. "And the planet has
re-cloaked, which has made it even more difficult to re-establish
communication.
Seven of Nine added her findings: "I have confirmed that
the communications signals we were reading were not those of the Captain and
Lieutenant Torres."
"Indeed. The Zornons have managed to create false
readings. So far we have been unable to pinpoint the away team's
location."
"And Voyager is caught in an orbital lock." Tom Paris' anxiety
had increased with each report. "So," he continued, "we don't know where they
are. We don't know if they're safe. We don't even know if they are still alive.
What do we know?"
Tuvok addressed the question. "The Zornons live beneath
the planet's surface. They are far more sophisticated than they would have had
us believe."
"Oh. That's encouraging Tuvok."
The Vulcan chose to
ignore Tom's sarcasm.
"They were very interested in B'Elanna's work on
the conversion matrix." Harry recalled. He paused for a moment and then
continued slowly, remembering the events leading up the planet's appearance. "I
wonder if the matrix' pulse might have caused the planet to uncloak.
"I
will review the procedural records for the tests leading up to the incident."
Seven offered.
"Harry," Chakotay instructed. "Enhance your scanning
capabilities to maximum power and work with the Doctor. Look for any trace of
human or Klingon life signs."
"Yes sir."
"Good. Tom." Chakotay
addressed the worried pilot. "When I was in the Maquis, we used something
similar to this orbital lock to stall a Cardassian stealth shuttle on its way to
a rebel target. Check with Ayala and Geron and see if you can get them to recall
how they managed it."
"Yes sir." Paris was eager to respond. He needed
something, anything, to do to make him feel that progress was being
made.
"Dismissed, then." Chakotay released the officers from the meeting.
He glanced at Tuvok, indicating that he wanted him to remain behind for a
moment. The others headed toward the door.
"Tom," Chakotay called him.
Paris turned back to face his commanding officer. "We'll get them out, I
promise." The pilot held the Commander's gaze for a moment, nodded imperceptibly
and followed his crewmates out of the door.
"Talk to me, Tuvok." Chakotay
addressed the Vulcan security chief. "And don't tell me that you blame yourself
for this. There's no point in going down that road."
The Commander stood
up and came around the side of the table to where Tuvok had remained seated. He
perched himself on its edge and continued. "You've been working night and day to
improve our security. The Captain is well aware of it, and so am I. There is no
way that you could have prevented Kathryn Janeway from going down to that
planet. She has been determined to go on another away mission for weeks. If we
are going to place blame then I am just as much at fault as
you."
"Captain Janeway is an extremely resourceful, Commander," Tuvok
ventured, eventually.
Chakotay grinned wryly.
"As is Lieutenant
Torres," The Vulcan continued. "I believe we should be on constant alert for any
possible signs of communication from them. I would suggest that we appear to
comply with the wishes of the Zornon."
"Agreed."
"I cannot help
but echo your sentiments, Commander. We will get them
out."
~*~
Passages part II: Rhenat wants B'Elanna and Kathryn to
work for the Zornon, while Chakotay works to bring them home. Don't miss the
exciting conclusion of Passages
2