he wondered. "Voyager." He could hear B'Elanna call. Chakotay turned to see B'Elanna tapping her commbadge. Her face had a desperate edge that he hadn't seen before. "Voyager can you hear me?" her voice broke. She tapped on her useless communicator again. "Damn it." She hissed. She turned to Tom again. This time, she lay a hand to his cheek. It was frighteningly cold. He responded this time. Energy seemed to return to his eyes for a moment and he clasped her hand to his cheek. "I'm getting help, Tom. You must hang on. Please." She pleaded. He seemed to understand. He nodded. Then he gently kissed her on the lips. B'Elanna jerked involuntarily as she felt how cold his lips were. Emotions coursed into her sharply. Before, she only felt a trickle, now it was a flood, and it surrounded her for an instant until all she felt was *him* and *him* alone. She felt his relief; it was like a slap of cold water against a burning wound. But most of all she felt his love for her. She never knew how deep it was and she was frightened by it. Her instinctive reaction was to pull away but she realized how much she loved him too. The tears came involuntarily as she sensed a new emotion from him. Something that made her heart constrict with fear. B'Elanna slowly withdrew and blinked back tears. "No, it's not time yet." She whispered forcefully to him, pulling away the emotions she felt from Tom. She pushed herself away from Tom running to her backpack. Tom watched her sluggishly. Harry did not understand what she meant, but somehow it sent a shiver down his spine. "Tom, it's me Harry. Maybe you should get some rest." He clasped Tom's hand, hoping the physical contact would bring Tom out of whatever stupor he was in. Tom watched Harry's face - no, he seemed to be concentrating on his lips. He shook his head, then moved his hands. "It's sign language." Chakotay observed from the now burning fire. His voice betraying his surprise. "He says that he doesn't want to sleep. Not yet. I took a course in sign language at the Academy. I guess Tom did too." He reasoned. "Why is he using sign language?" Harry felt his heart sink when Tom's eyes became glassy and unfocused again. "There's only one reason. I just hope it isn't the one." He heard Chakotay answer. "He has a bad concussion from the looks of it." He didn't want to add 'possible hemorrhage' though he highly suspected it.
B'Elanna searched through her pack for the device Bahne had given her. She hoped to God that whatever emotions she was feeling now was not from Tom. But who was she fooling? She could feel the disorientation and the numbness creeping up her body as if she were Tom. The freezing cold that was... "No, he's not-" she whispered. She could feel how fast he was slipping away. She found the device. Breathing a sigh of relief she got up- - only to get the device yanked away by that simian creature. "Hey!" she snapped. She was at the end of her tether right now, and this was not time for simian games! "Give it back to me!" The creature fluttered towards Tom. Tom looked up slowly and began to climb to his feet. Harry and Chakotay tried to stop him, but he pushed their hands away, concentrating on the creature. For a moment, Tom and Xiri stared at each other in a strange, silent way - almost as if they were in telepathic contact.
Tom wondered why Xiri was looking at him so oddly. He was tired, that was for sure. He watched Xiri flutter down to sit on his shoulder. Out of habit, he caressed the creature's soft fur. Xiri was holding something in its hands. Tom started to reach out for it, but Xiri pulled it away possessively. Tom wondered whether Xiri understood jokes. Tom received a flurry of images and emotions. He closed his eyes against the barrage-
*****
Chakotay was the first to see him fall. Reacting immediately, Chakotay leapt to his feet, but he could not get there in time to stop Tom from falling heavily to the ground. His heart stopped when he saw Tom's glassy eyes staring back at him. "Tom!" B'Elanna cried. She felt his pulse - it was slow, dead slow but it was still there. "Tom, please talk to me." She had never felt so helpless in her life as she stared into the lifeless blue eyes. Chakotay was examining him, she noted distantly. She did not know what he was looking for, but the look he later gave her didn't assuage her fears. "I don't know what's wrong with him." Frustration bellying his words. "Damn it, if the medical tricorder-" "The medical tricorder was destroyed Chakotay." She interrupted firmly. "There wasn't anything we could do." The furry green eyed creature suddenly landed on her shoulder. "What-" The voice silenced her. She looked at Harry and Chakotay, hoping that she didn't imagine it. She didn't. Chakotay was looking at the creature with a puzzled frown while Harry muttered under his breath. she received a dizzying array of images and emotions. They sent her reeling for a moment- the visions stopped abruptly. Chakotay complied silently. Chakotay lifted Tom easily into his arms, surprised at how light he was. "I'll put him by the fire." He told them. B'Elanna nodded brusquely then returned her gaze to the simian creature intently. "You're telepathic." And intelligent, she added in her mind. came the response. Was it her imagination or did it sound miffed? "What's wrong with Tom?" B'Elanna thought. She felt frustration welling up, choking her patience. "I *know* he is sick. But..." she softened her tone, "is he...do you know what's wrong with him *inside* his body?" "Mind?" she echoed. Before she could contemplate what it meant, she heard Harry call. "B'Elanna?" With that, she rushed to Tom's side. They had laid him as close to the fire as possible. The once glazed eyes were now tightly shut, as if against pain. He was moving slowly, as if each movement caused him an ounce of energy that he couldn't afford to lose. Moving in what way? Doing what? A feeble hand shakily reached up to touch the wound on his forehead. She stopped him in time. Tom winced and closed his eyes tight as a spasm rocked through his body. B'Elanna thought. Her heart ached for him. the voice butted in. "What do you mean?" before the creature could answer, she heard Tom moan. She reached for the canteen of water, but Harry beat her to it. "Drink this, Tom." He murmured, helping Tom drink by propping up his head with a hand. Tom turned his head away. "You're dehydrated, Tom. You have to drink," she told him firmly, clasping his hand. Pale blue eyes met hers and he nodded wearily, accepting the drink reluctantly. came the voice again. B'Elanna looked up reluctantly from Tom's face. If she hadn't been so preoccupied with Tom, she would have noticed Chakotay and Harry intently studying her. It was as if she was now the leader - the 'representative' of the strange creature of Rya. "Please," She found herself saying. "Not now." She mustered enough strength to look apologetically at the creature. "I don't want to listen to it. Right now, Tom *is* the one in danger." Chakotay watched B'Elanna refocus her attention on Tom, and didn't blame her at all. After all, First Contact was not one of her favorite areas when it came to Starfleet. "Why don't we start with your name?" he directed the question at the creature. The creature, so like the monkeys back on Earth, looked almost comical when it frowned. "Name, you know, what do your people call you?> Harry volunteered. Both of them received something. *Something* was the best way to explain it, because it was a jumble of emotions and images. Images of a storm swept sea, a bright light, and trees. "Alright." Chakotay thought resignedly. "Perhaps-" the creature spoke again. Harry smiled. "Then Xiri it is." "I know. The Earthquakes," Chakotay responded regretfully. He wondered what were to become of Xiri and his people, and whether Voyager could help. there was a pause and Xiri looked away, an incredibly human gesture.
****
Tom felt incredibly sick. And foolish. Foolish to have fainted right in front of Chakotay and Harry...and especially B'Elanna. He had prided himself on being strong, the 'man' in control. Heck, his father had *wanted* him to be so. Loosing so much control was unthinkable. Unimaginable. But wasn't *that* his life for the past six months? Out of control? It seemed for ages that his life hung in the hands of others; First the Mylkrie, then the Binoms, then the wild danger of Rya. He didn't know what it was like to be in control any longer. His lack of control was at its greatest peak when he had ruthlessly slaughtered the Mylkrie one by one, like an animal. He turned away from B'Elanna's worried eyes, ashamed at his weakness. He knew that if he had stayed on Rya for another week, he would've succumbed to the primal feelings generated by the creatures of the planet. he closed his eyes as unexpected tears formed behind his eyes. Tom braced himself as another spasm shot up his body. His shoulder wound ached madly and his head swam. This attack had been the worse yet. Perhaps it was compounded by his injuries, but at least he hadn't woken up in a strange place with no memory of what he did. He felt incredibly feeble now, but he was afraid to go to sleep. He was afraid that he would wake up and find this all a dream. A gentle hand turned his face, and he found himself looking into B'Elanna's eyes again. Her lips moved, but he didn't understand. He might have taken a course in sign language just to spite his father, but he had been hopeless when it came to reading lips. All he *felt* was her anxiety, and he felt sad that he was the cause of it. he clasped her hand, hoping it would do for his lack of words. *********
B'Elanna was disappointed that he didn't answer. He seemed to sense her disappointment because he squeezed her hand weakly. "You need to sleep, Tom. Please?" A frown of puzzlement on his face and another squeeze. "You can't hear me can you?" she whispered, bringing to light her fears. He was deaf. The signs were all there, but she just didn't want to see it. Not that she feared that his injury would be permanent. She had feared the cause behind the injury, the pain that he had been forced to endure. "What did the Mylar do to you?" she whispered, squeezing his hand. She pictured the Mylar: the creature that was the exact replica of Tom, yet not at all like him. The creature that took Tom's cells, cloned bodies out of him, then discarded him when he was no longer needed. In her mind, she imagined Tom helpless before the Mylar- Tom flinched, as if reading her mind, then turned away from the fire. She watched as his eyelids grew heavy and fluttered shut. Satisfied, she placed his hand on his chest, watching him sleep uneasily. In a corner, Chakotay and Harry were talking to the monkey, but she wasn't the least bothered. "Let's get you cleaned up, Paris." She spoke to no one in particular. She ran her hands over the elaborate Binom garments that Tom wore, searching for any blood stains that would indicate a wound. The attire was now tattered and faded, but the robes were still intact. It was fortunate that the Binoms favored long, flowing sleeves because it was freezing cold now, even with the fire going. Anxiously, she wondered how he had survived 5 lonely months in this cold cave, but she pushed the thought away. She poured some water into a container and dipped the cloth (more souvenirs from her uniform)into it. She then proceeded to wipe away the blood and grime from his face and hair, feeling a strange measure of control as she did it. "You're going to be alright, helmboy," she said, slipping back to her favourite nickname for him. "The next thing you know, you'll be shooting pool at Sandrines and telling us-" She didn't know how to continue. Telling them what? About how he witnessed the brutal deaths of four of his crew mates? About being hunted the Mylkrie or nearly killed by the Mylar? About five months of lonely isolation on Rya? "-telling us what you're going to do with your 6 months worth of rations." She finished softly. She remembered how he had thought of food during his imprisonment with Harry in that Akritirian prison and how they had blown the piled up rations in two days. It made her smile despite herself. "Neelix learnt to cook Bajoran Hessik pie for you, but he made me swear *not* to tell you that because he wanted to surprise you once you returned, so you have to pretend to be surprised when he gives it to you." Tom lay quietly, his breathing was beginning to even out; his sleep seemed to be more peaceful. B'Elanna brushed a hand on his slightly warm forehead. "I love you, Tom Paris. I was such a fool *not* to realize that earlier." She felt penned up tears welling up in her eyes and let them flow silently, relieved that Tom wasn't awake to see it. Once a half-Klingon, always a half-Klingon, he used to tease. She took his limp hand and clasped it to her cheek. It was so wonderful to feel him again. She kissed his palm, savoring the feel of him. she vowed. And B'Elanna prayed to the gods of all the planets she had visited that Voyager would come, and come soon.
_________________ CHAPTER 6..."THE CORE"
They had taken too long with repairs. It took Voyager three full days to limp back to Rya - and that at maximum capacity; which wasn't much. The crew had worked almost 24 hours on repairs, and Janeway reminded herself to add commendations on the crew's manifest soon. For 3 days, she was a science officer once more, stabilizing the warp core, fixing damaged consoles and rerouting corrupted algorithms. Now, Janeway sat impatiently in her seat on the bridge, looking at the object on the screen, back in full 'Captain' mode. She sighed. If only she could explore the satellite, analyze its alien technology...Janeway smiled. She didn't know how much she missed being a science officer until now. Tuvok waited untiringly at his post for her comments. Like the others around them. "It appears to be a satellite. And from the readings I've been getting, I could safely presume that it controls the shield around the planet." That was Ensign Parr, Harry Kim's relief. She was a petite blonde with clear, intelligent features. Her blue eyes twinkled with excitement from underneath her blond bangs. Despite doing multiple shifts for the past few days, Yvette Parr still looked fresh and energetic - something the Captain envied. Turning away from Parr, Janeway announced: "Well then, the reasonable assumption now is to board it, isn't it Tuvok?" she arched an eyebrow at Tuvok. He nodded his consent. "I would assume so Captain. Although we have to be careful in the event the station has self defensive capabilities." "Good." She raised herself from her seat, watching the planet Bahne had named 'Rya'. "Let's go get our crew."
*****
His name was Ebran. And he was bored. Being a fast worker, Ebran had finished his analysis of Ensign Nuritari's blood sample in less than 20 minutes. The blood tested positive for Ryker's Disease, an inherited illness that weakened the immune system so badly that a simple flu could almost instantly kill. Now, as the Doctor worked over the said Ensign, busy with whatever he needed to perform (Ebran didn't much care to know what) he was left with nothing to do. Restless, Ebran's feet began to tap with impatience. Unfortunately, he tapped his feet so hard that the equipment on a nearby trolley vibrated. "Excuse me Ensign. You're a medical assistant, not a ping-pong ball. So do you mind?" snapped the nearly bald Doctor from beside the bio-bed. Ensign Nuritari, zonked out from whatever drugs the Doctor gave him did not stir. Ebran hurrumphed. He rubbed the ridges on his nose in frustration and wondered how in the world he had became Tom Paris' replacement as medical assistant. Oh yes, his 6 month stint on the Plains of Eron at one of the moons of a Cardassian colony. His team had been trapped there after raiding the outpost for supplies. The team of a hundred had whittled to a mere twelve in three short months. Trapped on a moon powered by Henik soldier drones could do that to a Maquis cell. The mere twelve, all on this 'glorious' Federation ship, had chirped happily about his ability as a 'medical genius' during those testy months. After all, he got them all out alive. When he had received this assignment, he had reminded the doctor about the 88 that had not survive. "Well, that means you have room to learn." Was his only reply. And now Ebran was so bored out of his mind enough to think of ways to 'repay' the twelve that he had so foolishly saved. The doors opened and Ebran looked expectantly to them for diversion. As if in response, a beautiful blonde walked through, eyeing him saucily. "Hello handsome. You're wanted." "When am I never wanted? Especially by you?" he lazily encircled his arms around Yvette Parr's waist, watching her blue eyes twinkle. His eyes immediately dilated when she bent forward to- "Excuse me. This is the sickbay, not the Holodeck." Snapped the Doctor's testy voice. Yvette sighed and broke the embrace. Ebran seethed and thought of ways to delete the Doctor. How could Tom Paris even spend an hour with this hologram? It had only been six months and already he wanted to wring his hands around the Doctor's non-existent neck! "Sorry Doctor. I just came to tell Ebran that he is on the next away team on Rya." She threw him another coy smile. "Imagine, our first away mission together." "Whoop-tee-do." The doctor deadpanned. "Is there a reason why I'm not included?" "Well-" she began. "The shields around the planet could have an adverse effect on your portable holo emmiter, doctor." Interrupted a deep, level voice. Commander Tuvok stood at the entrance, looking at Yvette with Vulcan disapproval. She blushed immediately, and Ebran realized that she had not been authorized to inform him about his mission. "In addition, Ensign Ebran has some engineering skills that would be beneficial on our mission." "I see," said the Doctor, returning to the biobed, but still keeping his eyes on the Lieutenant Commander. He paused then said, "Are you going to the surface?" Was it anxiety he heard in the Doctor's voice? Ebran couldn't help but hear it. "No, Doctor. We are to transport to a satellite orbiting Rya. We believe this is where the shields are activated." Tuvok explained. The Doctor nodded, but the worry did not disappear from his eyes. "Well, I know it is foolish to say this since *nobody* ever listens to me when I say this - but, be careful." Tuvok nodded. "Understood. Ensign, prepare yourself. We will meet at Transporter Room Three at 0100 hours." "Aye, sir," he sighed. As Tuvok turned to exit, the Doctor called out. "Please...tell me if there is any word of Lieutenant Paris. Knowing him, I would need to prepare the sickbay adequately for his arrival." His tone was sarcastic, but he still looked anxious. Tuvok merely nodded on his way out. Ebran saw Yvette raise her eyebrows at the Doctor, who was now busy with his patient. "What?" he asked. "You know, I think he cares about Lieutenant Paris." Ebran shook his head. "Yeah, right."
"Ebran?" Joe Carey commented. "That man's a walking firecracker!" Tuvok merely raised an eyebrow. "He may be a 'walking firecracker', Lieutenant," Janeway countered, "but Ensign Ebran is the only medical assistant we have, and the doctor is too much at risk for this mission." She appeared more amused than annoyed at his outburst. Joe sighed. The reason for his aversion was possibly not clear to Janeway. B'Elanna wasn't the only Maquis to break a part of his body. Ebran had the dubious honour of nearly breaking his jaw. Ebran had received some time in the brig for that, and a few summary reports by Tuvok to Janeway. Carey did not know whether Janeway knew about their 'little history', but Janeway had not demonstrated any knowledge about it. Carey mused. Carey grinned at that memory, and wistfully wondered whether he'd see the pilot again. The door slid open and the Bajoran/Betazoid former Maquis walked through, his strange dilated blue eyes flat and bored. Joe noticed that he still stubbornly wore the Bajoran ear piece. he mused when Yvette Parr appeared behind Ebran. Janeway cleared her throat and took out her hand. Sighing, Ebran took off his ear piece and tossed it into her hand. "Are we ready?" Janeway queried, looking at her away team. , she recited mentally. She wished she could go - very badly - but the ship was in dire need of repairs, and the crew needed her onboard more. "We are, Captain." Janeway nodded, and after a moment, the away team shimmered out of existence.
*******
The first thing that greeted Joe Carey was light. When his eyes became accustomed to the light, he was greeted by a glass statue, which reflected light in blinding sparkles. Taking two steps back, he stumbled into another one. He nearly let out a yelp as a pair of glassy eyes stared back at him. "Where are we?" Yvette asked from somewhere. "The satellite?" Carrey volunteered helpfully, still looking at the statue. The statue he stared at was of a female humanoid with a gently ridged forehead. A translucent hand clutched her chest in an expression of horror, although her face remained tranquil. It was when he looked away that he noticed that they were surrounded by more of them. Perhaps twenty or thirty more. "Yeah, where are we?" he muttered. Then he noticed that Tuvok and Ebran were ominously silent and strangely motionless. "Commander?" Tuvok turned almost carefully as if he didn't want to topple any of the statues. For a moment, Carey saw pain in the Tuvok's eyes, but it vanished, replaced by calm Vulcan composure. But Tuvok's jaw still twitched as if he held back...emotions? Before the engineer could even ask about it, Janeway's voice chirped over the commbadge. "Commander Tuvok, is everything alright there?" Tuvok looked almost disconcerted for a moment. He exchanged a look with Ebran, who was definitely ashen, and said, "Yes, Captain. However, I notice that there is a strange 'atmosphere' in the satellite." "Atmosphere?" "Emotions." Ebran butted in, his voice shaking. "The whole place is dripping with emotions!" "What do you mean, Ensign?" Janeway's voice was getting worried. "I believe Ensign Ebran's empathic abilities are registering...'emotions' in this place. This 'place' seems to generate emotions. I find that...disconcerting." Tuvok explained, the muscle at his jaw tightening. "Do you want to abort the mission?" "I do not think it is necessary." But Tuvok glanced at Ebran. "Ensign, are you fit to continue the mission?" He seemed to pause, then nodded. "What the heck." He muttered. Joe Carrey rolled his eyes and proceeded forward. He got to admit that this place was a beauty. The satellite interior was made out of a crystal-like substance that reflected light, making the place almost surreal. Carrey mused, looking around. The place was incredibly exquisite alright, and the walls appeared carved, not constructed. It was as if someone had dug a tunnel in a diamond. A diamond the size of a small asteroid. They wandered about aimlessly for a moment before coming to some sort of control room. This room was strangely dark. The bright light outside was very absent here; controls blinked in a foreign language and there was discernable hum. Tuvok trained his wrist light to illuminating a corner of the room. A huge screen dominated that corner, coming to life the moment the light touched It, displaying a view of Rya. "We must get to work." Tuvok said scanning one of the control panels. Joe nodded. "The faster the better." Joe muttered. "Ensign Ebran, Ensign Parr, work on the controls." Tuvok ordered before proceeding to a terminal beside Carey's. Ebran tried hard to ignore the voices. But they called to him seductively, inviting him to share their secrets with him. But the screams stood out above the seductive calls. The screams of terror and pain. he hissed as the control panel he was looking at faded away from view. he raged. Emotions raged in him. It was tough being a Bajoran and a Betazoid. , he hissed to himself. The combination was made worse with a father who was a naturally empathic Bajoran vedek. He knew Tuvok sensed the emotions. Perhaps not as strongly as he, being a touch-telepath, but when his eyes met the Vulcan's, he knew Tuvok could hear it. The voice rang clear in his head, cutting like a missile through his mind, tearing away the blankness and numbness, sending pain shooting through his head. Ebran cried out. "Ebran!" Yvette cried, clutching him as he fell. "No!" he gritted out from beneath the haze. "Don't let him shut down the shields!" "What are you talking about? That's exactly why we came here!" "Found it!" he heard Joe Carey exclaim. Tuvok started to walk towards the Lieutenant. "Stop him, Yvette!" he cried out, forcing his feet to raise his body off the floor. Yvette shook him, surprising him for a moment with her strength. "Snap out of it, Tonay!" her voice was fearful. Ebran blinked for a moment. "But-" he noticed Carey and Tuvok looking at him suspiciously, as one would look at a person who was about to run amok. "I was sure I heard it." "Heard what?" Yvette whispered, her eyes large. The prospect sent rivulets of fear down his back. he thought forcefully. He looked wordlessly into Yvette's eyes, not sure what to say. "Ensign, if you are not fit-" That did it. "I am fit, Commander!" he snapped, stubbornly returning to his controls.
Joe sighed. There goes 'Firecracker Ebran' again. Absently he scanned the controls, trying to piece in and translate alien design to a more understandable human design. he thought. After tapping a few controls, it beeped to life. "Commander, I think I found it." He called again. Tuvok was already beside him. He nodded in approval as he tapped his badge. "Captain, I believe we found the controls for the shields." "Good." Answered the Captain. "Proceed with caution, Commander." "Aye Captain." Carrey took a deep breath and punched the appropriate controls. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ebran fidgeting nervously. Carrey decided to ignore Ebran and punched in the last sequence. Nothing. "Tuvok?" "There seem to be no- wait Captain." Tuvok looked up as the room seem to vibrate slightly. The screen before them changed. The planet Rya was suddenly covered in grids, but the grids slowly dissolved one by one as an alien voice spoke in the background. "It's working," came Janeway again. "The shield is deactivating." Soon, Rya appeared before them without any gridlines. The shield that barred strangers from entering Rya was now gone. The room vibrated again and suddenly, there was a clap of light and a strange, round portal appeared at the right hand corner of the room. Tuvok scanned it with his tricorder. "Captain, I believe a 'gateway' has appeared in the control room. It appears to be a transportation device." "Where do you think it leads?" "Uncertain," came the quick reply. "But it seems safe, according to my tricorder readings." "Should we try it?" Before Tuvok could answer Carrey's query, the gateway shimmered to life and a room appeared in it. It looked almost similar to the interior of the satelite. It looked almost inviting. "Captain, according to my further readings, it leads to the surface." "Alright then, let's try the gate and see where it leads. Proceed." Janeway said.. Tentatively, Tuvok stepped through. Ebran cringed, waiting for the sound of Tuvok being vaporized, but it didn't come. Instead, Tuvok appeared on the other side, studying his surroundings almost curiously. "Here goes nothing." Joe Carrey muttered as he stepped through. He too appeared safely on the other side. Yvette followed. Before stepping through, she gave Ebran a reassuring pat on the shoulder. On the other side, she motioned him to cross. Ebran took a deep breath as he took a step towards the gateway- But stopped short. His heart raced. A glass statue studied him on his left. It gazed at him with unblinking eyes, body stooped slightly forward as if in the act of investigating him further- It wasn't there before. He swore it wasn't there before. "Ebran, come on!" he heard Yvette cry. The voices around him wept piteously. He could feel the eyes from the twenty statues staring behind his back. The cries increased. They moaned and wept, each clamouring for his attention. he raged, frustrated at their intrusion. The voices faded into silence. He swept aside his fears and stepped through. Before he reached the other side, he heard a woman crying.
Ebran felt a wave of dizziness when he appeared on the other side. "Whoa." He muttered, clutching his head. "Don't worry, Tonay. It'll pass." Yvette assured. She was right. As the dizziness passed, he noticed that the room was very much like the satellite's interior, but it was emptier. No controls adorned this room. Quickly, he turned, sighing in relief when he spotted the still open gateway. "Captain." He heard Tuvok call. "Can you hear us?" "Yes Tuvok. Loud and clear. Where are you?" "According to my readings, we are on the surface of Rya. Scanning for life forms." Tuvok moved around with his tricorder, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Captain, I detect four humanoid life signs almost two miles from here." "Three human life signs...and a half Klingon." Carrey cried out in happiness. "They found Tom! I'm sure of it!"
Up in Voyager, Janeway smiled gladly at the news. All around her, the crew was smiling too - Tom would be surprised at the number of people who actually missed him. "Good work, everyone. Normally I would transport you there, but as you know, although the transporters are working at maximum capacity it still does not have enough energy to beam you aboard. You would have to wait perhaps in an hour. Looks like you have to take a walk." Ebran sighed at the sound of Janeway's happy tone. The Captain's voice ended with a chirp from the commbadge. "This is too easy." He muttered. "Did you say something, Ensign?" Ebran regarded Joe Carrey dismissively - a gesture he knew Carrey hated. "Nothing, Lieutenant." They stared at each sullenly. The air between them seemed to freeze - the tension was that thick. "He said that it was too easy." Yvette butted in, giving Ebran a pointed look. "Frankly, I have to agree with him." "Did you think that for once, we would have an uneventful away mission where everything worked in our favour?"Joe mused. "Oh I believe in that." Yvette answered, her lips curling into a grin, "But you know what, this is *just* too easy. A convenient transport to the surface just a mile or two from our crewmates, ready for a joyful reunion. Sorry sir, but this smells of 'bad'." Joe Carrey chuckled and turned to follow Tuvok out. Yvette gave Ebran a smile before joining Carrey. The tension had disappeared. Ebran smiled. Yvette could always make a dangerous away mission sound like a picnic at Risa. And melt tension like sugar under the sun. Lugging his medical kit, he followed them out - to Rya.
**********
It has been three days since they had found Tom. And Voyager had not returned, nor had Tom awakened. B'Elanna studied his still features for perhaps the twentieth time for the past two minutes. He looked almost at peace, but the lines of fatigue and pain still marred his features. She brushed a hand through his hair, and touched his bearded chin gently, hoping that that would wake him, and of course it didn't. "Lunch!" she heard Chakotay call. Chakotay came in with a furred 'thing' in his hands. Harry took it from the Commander, wincing at the smell it produced. "What's this? A skunk?" "Food." Chakotay grinned. "Food that smells bad." Harry corrected, settling down to cleaning it. He wrinkled his nose in protest. B'Elanna couldn't help but chuckle a little. For the past three days, Chakotay had used his hunting and trapping skills to snare 'food' while Harry had the job of cleaning and cooking it. While she...well, she looked after Tom as best as she could. Most of the time, she tried to make him drink. Sometimes he would stir a little and drink what she gave him, but most of the time the water just trickled down his chin - and that scared her most, because she knew he was far away. Too far away to care about his body. Sometimes she thought he was dying. But his pulse was strong, and his breathing even. But what was she to say about that? Frustration at her limited medical training gnawed at her. Once or twice she felt tempted to return to the crash site to retrieve the medical tricorder, knowing quite well that it could be damaged. But of course reason, and Tom - held her back. They had moved him into a 'room' of sorts in the cave. It separated Tom from the rest of the cave, keeping him from view, but it was warmer in that 'room' , which was the main reason why they chose to move him. "How is he?" Chakotay sat beside her. "No change." She sighed. "Has he eating anything?" "Last night, he woke up enough for me to give him a piece of fruit, but he slept after the first bite." She bit her lip. "Damn it, Chakotay! Tell me what's wrong with him!" Chakotay sighed at the sound of her frustration. "He's sleeping." Harry said firmly, still cleaning the skunk. "What makes you so sure?" Harry cleaned the animal with a renewed vengeance. "I just know." Which translated into, 'I don't really know but I'm saying this, hoping that what I'm saying is true'. "Commander Chakotay, can you hear me?" B'Elanna's head snapped up in shock. She tapped her commbadge in reflex. "Tuvok, is that you?" she asked, her voice quivering with excitement. "Yes, we are walking towards your position. Where are you exactly?" "We're in a cave. It's at a base of a mountain. It's not much of a climb really." Chakotay answered. Relief was written all over his face. "Oh, a good landmark would be the Mylkrie hanging on the tree." "What?" That was Carrey. "You'd see it when you get there." Harry answered, his smile broadening. B'Elanna smiled gladly and returned her gaze to Tom, stroking his hair affectionately. "Do you hear that Tom? They're coming. We're going to get you out of here."
"You have to get out of there." Tom studied Alucia for a moment then shrugged. "I like the cave." "But not the 'Mirrors of Rya'?" she teased. Tom studied the Ryan woman and smiled at her hesitantly. She was beautiful, in a delicate way. Her eyes were a gentle lilac, and her hair, a soft blue. The exotic blend made her unreal. But she was real wasn't she? He knew her. He knew how she lived, how she was to be joined with- Unbidden memories returned. About the screams, the silver drops of rain. "Forget all that," Alucia whispered, brushing his hair aside. "I'm here, remember? Why don't you join me at the place you like to call the 'Mirrors?'" "The Palace?" The dream shifted and he found himself lying in someone's arms. With a sudden horror, he realised where he was and he struggled from the person' grip, hissing in terror, but he was too tired, too weak- "Iolo. Is he dead?" "No Bahne. Just so." Came the quiet voice. His voice. Silver eyes regarded him. So very like his, yet not at all like his. Let me go, he tried to plead, but his mouth didn't move. "We cannot leave him to die, Bahne." Bahne looked apprehensively at him. "The Mylar wishes him dead." "Do you?" Iolo challenged, his silver eyes narrowing. "He is mortally wounded, there is nothing we can do." "I can cure him." Bahne clutched Iolo's hand. "To do so will *change* him. You cannot do that, it is an abomination!" he hissed. "Bahne, we owe him so much." Iolo pleaded. He offered Bahne his hand. "Join me, sibling." Bahne paused then reluctantly, he reached out for Iolo's hand. "Forget that." Alucia whispered from somewhere behind him. Tom turned around and found himself standing in the 'statue room' of the Mirrors. "Join me!" she urged, grasping his hand with a sudden strength that startled me. "Join me." She pleaded, and her eyes began to darken to a violet. "Join me." She whispered again. He pushed her hands aside. "Why?" he hissed suspiciously. "Why do want me to join you?" She turned instantly coy. "Because, I want you." "Want me...for what?" "Please, Tom, join me." "No" Her eyes turned hard. "Join me." She commanded. "Alucia, why are you doing this?" he tried to back away, but she held him tight. "Join me or your friends will die." She hissed.
************
A Mylkrie hanging on a tree. He thought he had seen it all. The body swayed gently, possibly disturbed by the wind - If that was possible. Strange, birdlike creatures swarmed around the body by the dozens. Ebran didn't want to know *what* the birds were doing although he had a pretty good idea *what*. "Great landmark." Yvette remarked wryly. "Wonder who killed him?" Joe muttered uneasily. Although he had not engaged one in a hand to hand combat, he could pretty much gauge that hanging a Mylkrie was no easy feat. "We do not have time to ponder that fact, Lieutenant. I believe we are near the cave." Tuvok admonished. The mountain loomed ahead. Like a small dot in the horizon, they saw the said cave. For the first time, Ebran wondered how Tom Paris was faring. 6 months away from Voyager must be tough. 5 months here must be hell. He had no love for Tom Paris. No hate either for that matter. He met Paris with Chakotay on that Maquis outpost almost ten years ago. Onboard, Ebran hardly acknowledged Paris, and Paris, through a learned prior experience wisely avoided him. Prior experience. At that, Ebran smiled. Yes he was decidedly curious to see how old 'helmboy' was doing. As he turned his gaze from the cave to the Tuvok's back, he heard the leaves the tree on his right rustle. He let out a yelp as a figure rushed towards him and sent him crashing to the ground. Something wriggled in his arms. "Let go!" cried a voice. The wriggling something was removed from him. As his vision cleared he saw a woman. An alien woman. A *beautiful* alien woman at that. "I'm sorry," whispered the woman. "I thought you were the Mylkrie." "I see." Joe answered. "You were brought here by the Mylkrie?" "Yes," she gasped, her chest heaving. "Please, can I follow you? I swear I'll be no trouble. I need company! I have been alone for four days." She pleaded. When they didn't answer, she renewed her pleading with a vengeance. She clutched Tuvok's sleeve and begged, "I know it's difficult to believe me now, but I was on the Mylkrie vessel. Please, don't leave me alone." A tear slid down her cheek. "You can follow us." Tuvok agreed. "What is your name?" Lilac eyes met theirs. Full lips curled into a shy smile. "My name is Alucia."
*************************
B'Elanna felt like cheering when she saw the figures approach the cave. She saw Joe Carrey smile widely when he saw her. She rushed to give him a hug, too happy to care about decorum. Chakotay greeted Tuvok, briefing him on what happened while Harry smiled at everyone. It was then that she noticed the new addition to the company. The strange alien woman regarded her with a smile that B'Elanna curiously found uneasy. "And this is-?" she began. "Alucia D'overnaty." Said the alien female. She did a curtsy of sorts, bowing and extending both her hands behind her. B'Elanna just nodded, not understanding why this petite and obviously harmless looking female was making her hackles rise in alert. "We 'found' her. No, she 'found us'." Said a voice. B'Elanna grinned at the ensign that appeared at the lip of the cave. "Tonay, you crazy Bajoran!" she hugged him. "B'Elanna, you Klingon! How are you?" "Fine." She answered, but his question brought her back to Tom. "But Tom isn't. I need your help." Ebran nodded, his curiosity back. "Sure." "Where's Tom?" Carrey asked. "We placed him in another 'room' of sorts. Follow me." Harry instructed, gladly leaving his 'skunk' behind. Alucia D'overnaty studied the Starfleet officers as they left her with the tattooed one and the female. For a moment her purple eyes blazed with a strange fire. Then her lips slowly curved into an unreadable smile.
"Commander, are they all there?" Came the Captain's voice. "Yes, Captain. They're all here." Chakotay answered, trying to restrain the feeling of apprehension that came over him. From the corner of his eye, he spotted the alien woman smiling at him. "How is Tom?" Janeway sounded worried. "Ebran is looking at him right now." "Is he in serious condition?" "I...I have no idea Captain. I need to get back on you for that." He answered. "Ensign Parr?" Ensign Parr turned, her eyes alert. "Why don't you keep Alucia company?" "Aye, sir." She responded. She caught the hidden message from Chakotay with ease: Keep an eye on her. I don't trust her. She caught Alucia smiling at her. Yvette was tempted to ask her what's so funny, but restrained herself. She smiled back, albeit a little uncertainly. "So tell me," Alucia began. "What is this transporter technology that I've been hearing about?"
When the new away team moved to Tom's room, they instantly sobered - including Ebran. Tom still lay motionless on his makeshift pellet. In all appearances, he looked asleep, but he was much too pale. "How is he?" Joe whispered, as if his voice would wake him up. "I don't know." B'Elanna gazed at Tom's still figure. "But he has been sleeping for three days. It's almost like he's in a coma." She transferred her gaze to Ebran. "Tonay." She pleaded. Ebran sat beside her, nodding and giving her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Anything for you, B'Elanna." And he meant it. Other than Chakotay and Seska, Ebran was probably one of the closest companions she had in the Maquis. B'Elanna gave him a reluctant look and then nodded, leaving with the rest. When he was left alone with Tom, Ebran began unpacking the med-kit. While he sorted out the equipment, he cast glances at the unconscious figure, trying to assess Tom on the go. "Maybe he's just plain tired," he muttered to himself as he ran the medical tricorder over him. His eyes bulged when he saw the readings. "On the other hand, maybe not." A stab wound to the shoulder, a few healed broken bones, most were minor fractures. A serious concussion. And a host of other unexplainable readings that only the Doctor could decipher. Anemia, malnutrition and a mild 101 degree fever added colour to his condition. "Really Paris - you're a pitiful mess." He muttered. Just then, Ebran saw Paris' eyes flicker. Out of reflex, he bent over to get a closer look at Paris-
Tom stared, transfixed as the glass heads turned to him one by one. "You're not supposed to be moving. You're not alive. You're DEAD!" he yelled, hoping they would stop moving if he raised his voice, but they kept moving. On his left, a glassy hand reached and brushed his hair. "No. NO!" he covered his face with his hands. "Please wake up Tom." He whimpered. "No more bad dreams!" "But this isn't a bad dream." He looked up at Alucia. She stared tauntingly at him. "You have to join me. It's the *only* way!" "Only way? To what?!" "To stop them!" she snapped, her voice frustrated. "Don't you want the statues to stop moving? Then join me at the Mirrors! Join the Core! It's the only way!" "I - do not - want to join any BLOODY CORE!" he flung his lance (which magically appeared) at her. It slid past her like a phantom. "Please Tom...we are friends, aren't we?" "Friends?" he hissed. "Not friends then." Alucia shook her head sadly. "To think that I shared with you my most painful memories." She pouted, and for a moment, her resemblance to Seska was so similar that it was unnerving. "What are you?" and it occurred to him that he had not asked her that; Now that he remembered those painful memories that he thought were dreams. "I'm Ryan, what else can I be?" she said heatedly. "Why are you so stubborn? If it wasn't for me, you would have died from your injuries a long time ago!" He shook his head in denial. "You're just a dream." He looked around the all-consuming whiteness. "B'Elanna. I saw B'Elanna. What happened to me? Where am I?" "It doesn't matter where you are." She answered, her voice strangely subdued. "I was asleep wasn't I? I just need to wake up." Alucia's lips thinned to a bitter line. "I cared for you Tom." "You are a figment of my imagination!" he yelled. Tears collected in her eyes. "I cared for you. That's why I sent Xiri. That's why he's always with you, don't you understand?" she pleaded. Tom shut her out, walking around (at least, he thought he did) to search for a way out. "But it doesn't matter, Tom." Alucia said somewhere behind him. The whiteness began to disappear as he walked further away from her. "Because, I'll find you anyway." He heard a growl behind him and he turned quickly, but not fast enough to stop a blur of fangs from attacking his face- He brought his hand up to grasp the creature and it yelled in surprise. Lifting himself up from the ground, he tossed the creature down on its back and clenched both hands around its neck. But instead of cold glass, the creature was suprisingly warm. It gazed at him with blue dilated eyes, eyes that were wide with shock. Feeble hands tried to pry his hands from its neck. Its mouth opened and closed for air that never came- Understanding registered in Tom's befuddled mind slowly. He frowned into the newcomer's face.
Ebran let out a yelp when Tom suddenly came to life. The next thing he knew, he was on his back with Tom's hands around his neck, determined to choke the breath out of him. His grip was surprisingly strong for a man in his condition, he managed to think. "Yvette!" he tried to yell, but it came out as a barely audible hiss. He stared into the pale blue eyes above him in shock, hoping that Tom would snap out of whatever dream he was caught in. And after what seemed like aeons, Tom did snap out of that dream. Slowly, the grip loosened, but Tom didn't let go. He just stared at him, and Ebran realized that there was no recognition in those ice-blue eyes. They now stared at him in befuddlement. "Glad to have you back, Paris." He said (or rather, croaked) sardonically. "Tom?" he heard B'Elanna asked from the other side. Quick footsteps accompanied the call. Then a gasp. "Tom, hey! It's Ebran, don't you recognize him?" Joe said behind him. He stretched out an arm as if to touch Paris, but seemed to think better of it and retreated. Tom did not move. Infact, Ebran didn't think he noticed them entering the room at all. "I don't think he recognizes me. Anyway, do you mind getting off my stomach?" Ebran snapped at Tom. "He can't hear you." B'Elanna said as she placed a hand on Tom's shoulder. "He's deaf." The realization sank into the new away team's faces. Joe Carey looked crestfallen. "Oh geez...I'm sorry." He apologized to no one in particular.
Tom jerked with surprise when B'Elanna touched his shoulder. He looked up to see her looking down at him, her eyes so gentle...it was unlike her to be so gentle. Her eyes usually blazed with an inner fire of her Klingon soul. He found herself smiling at her until he sensed something was slightly amiss. He was still straddling the man. Immediately, he felt foolish. Memory started to return and he realized that the man below him wore a Starfleet uniform, which meant he was from Voyager. Of course he couldn't place the face with an appropriate name yet, but he was a friend, not an enemy. Somewhere in the archives that were his memories, he recalled a day at a Maquis outpost where he faced a tattooed man and an empath with blue dilated eyes that unnerved him. He looked back at the stranger, not knowing what to do. Without thinking of it, he scanned the man, probing into his mind for an identity. He saw the man's eyes widen and the next thing he knew, the ground rushed to meet him as he was tossed violently aside. Although disoriented, he sat up quickly, his muscles coiled and ready for an attack, but the man merely stared at him with hatred. Tom returned his gaze impassively. Frankly, Tom was puzzled at his reaction.
"Ebran, what's wrong?" B'Elanna asked as she returned to Tom's side. Tom sat up, and with B'Elanna's help, started to stand. "He-He invaded my mind! Like some Vulcan on a mind-meld rampage!" he sputtered in disgust. Tuvok raised an eyebrow at the image, but did not correct him. "Are you saying that he tried to telepathically communicate with you?" he sounded doubtful. "No. More like he tried to barge into my head with phasers blazing." He snapped, staring vehemently at Tom, who only returned the glare with an impassive gaze. "Tonay, he doesn't know what he's doing. Cut him some slack." B'Elanna snapped. Her features softened a little as she continued, "Tom has been changed. Just like Bahne said." She turned to Tuvok. "But he's *still* Tom." She emphasized. Ebran relaxed. They wouldn't understand, being non-empathic beings. They wouldn't understand how an invasion of the mind was the most unfathomable of crimes on Betazed or how he had suffered from one such act before. It was then that Tom began to look at the new away team. As his eyes descended on each face, his expression changed from one of suspicion to an instant joy. He rushed to Joe and hugged him, pulling back to look into the latter's eyes. Joe grinned in surprise at Tom's uncharacteristic show of emotion, but hugged him in return. "It's good to have you back, Tom." He smiled. Tom didn't answer but smiled widely as he shifted his gaze to Tuvok. Tom greeted Tuvok much the same way, ignoring Tuvok's discomfort. This new, exuberant Tom wasn't the Tom they were used to- The Tom that covered his real emotions behind bad jokes and walled up everything else. But now, what he couldn't do with words before, he did with his body. Tom thought. Tentatively, he signed to Chakotay, whom he knew understood sign language. "He said that he is glad to see all of you. And that he's sorry he hugged Tuvok. He couldn't help it." Chakotay chuckled along with the rest. Tom still had his humour. [How long was I asleep?] Tom signed. Chakotay glanced reluctantly at B'Elanna before signing back. "Three days." Tom's eyes widened. [How can this be? No wait.] he sighed. he ignored the implications of it, and returned to Chakotay. [Where's Xiri?] [He left us two days ago. He hasn't returned since.] Chakotay saw disappointment etch into Tom's features but it was immediately replaced by another emotion. [We must leave!] Tom signed, his hands moving in agitation. "Of course." Chakotay said, understanding the fear in Tom's eyes. Being on Rya for 5 months, now that his rescue was so imminent, he wouldn't want the chance to slip away. [The transporters will only return to full transporter capacity in twenty minutes, Tom. We *will* get you back.] Chakotay signed. The fear left Tom's eyes, but not completely. Tom nodded and reached out to clasp his hand. Chakotay looked down in surprise at Tom's hand clutching his. He squeezed his hand and accepted the silent thanks. [We will get you back, and that's a promise] he signed. Tom nodded at this, and he appeared more relaxed. After a while, Carey, Yvette, Tuvok and Harry left to give them some room.
"Tom, you must lie down. You've been...asleep for the past three days." B'Elanna urged while Chakotay translated. "Let Ebran look you over." Tom turned to look at Ebran, the man he so cordially attacked moments ago. Tom now remembered who he was. Ebran Tonay. Chakotay's 'empath' back in the Maquis days. His gaze lowered to the medical kit beside his pallet. Apparently, Ebran was now the medical assistant. He grinned at that. Ebran would have driven the Doctor nuts for sure. Ebran noticed the grin but didn't know how to respond to it. He just snorted and returned to his kit, motioning Paris to sit down. "Well, I don't have all day." He muttered. "Tonay." B'Elanna scolded. Ebran threw her a charming smile that she apparently didn't buy because she was still glaring. [I don't need any checkups] Tom insisted, stubbornly backing away. "I'm sure your legs would agree with you," B'Elanna answered sarcastically when Tom's legs wobbled. She managed to catch him before he fell to a heap on the floor. [I'm fine] he signed stubbornly. "Not to me." She said, turning his face to hers. For a few moments, their eyes gazed at each other, lost in some silent communication neither Ebran nor Chakotay should be privy to. Ebran snorted again. They finally got him to sit on his pallet. Reluctantly, Tom let Ebran examine the area of his shoulder wound. Taking a small blade which he always brought along in his pocket, Ebran slit open the fabric to reveal the wound. He heard Paris hiss in discomfort, but other than that, the pilot seemed to take the jostling well. "Well?" B'Elanna asked. Her voice was tinged with anticipation. "I've put a bandage on it. Tried to keep it as clean as possible. But we didn't have any antibiotics." "It looks half healed to me." Ebran said. The wound still looked reddish, but instead of the deep, raw gash that he had been expecting, only a jagged, thin, red line appeared. The skin around the area of the wound looked pink, but the wound had closed. It didn't seem infected. "It's even beginning to scab. When was this wound inflicted?" "Four days ago." Ebran shook his head in surprise. "Amazing, Paris." He looked into Paris' eyes. "Do you have accelerated healing? Perhaps it's a perk from being a medical assistant?" Tom's lips thinned at that. In return, Ebran sensed disdain in Tom Paris. He blinked in surprise. Sensing emotion wasn't new to him, but sensing emotion so strong that it blocked everything else was surprising. Usually he sensed emotions as if they were murmurings in the background, not a shout in a silent desert. Tom's emotions were like a shout in a desert. "Something wrong, Tonay?" Chakotay asked. "Nothing, Commander." He answered, his eyes still on Tom's. "But I think the Doctor will have a field day with the Lieutenant when he returns."
*******
"Hello, I see we have a new friend back there." A soft, feminine voice greeted him as he returned to the front of the cave from Paris' makeshift quarters. "You can say that," Carey answered as he looked at the alien woman. She regarded him curiously, her head bent aside, her purple eyes twinkling with mischief while she twined a lock of blue hair with a delicate finger. She looked like an elf of the old Earth mythologies. He frowned when he noticed Yvette missing. "Where's Ensign Parr?" "She said she wanted to check up on something outside." Alucia replied. Her lilac eyes narrowed with worry. "Why, is there something wrong?" Carey tapped his commbadge, his eyes not leaving Alucia. "Carey to Parr." "Parr here." Carey sighed in relief. "What are you doing out there, Parr. This is *not* the time to be adventurous." "Sorry sir. I'm on my way in. Parr out." Carey shook his head. Parr should know better. Frankly, he was surprised at her lack of discretion, she was, after all, not an ensign fresh out of the academy. Unless there was something out there that sure needed attention... "Where's Ensign Parr?" Chakotay asked as he stepped beside him. "She's coming in." Soon, Harry and Tuvok joined them. "How is your friend, Commander?" Alucia asked, her lilac eyes wide with worry. Chakotay shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. Somehow, there was something about her gaze that reminded her of someone. He frowned. He knew exactly *who* she reminded him of, and he wasn't pleased about it. She may not appear threatening, but a certain Bajoran hadn't looked Cardassian either. He wondered how Tuvok, with all his caution about security, would let the woman into their team. But then he chided himself. "Janeway to Chakotay." Chakotay snapped out of his reverie. "Yes Captain?" "Prepare for transport." Surprise registered in the away team's faces at that abrubt command, but they appeared more glad than suspicious. Unlike Chakotay. Suspicion choked him like a vise. A transport this soon? And the Captain...was it his imagination or did she sound...rather mechanical? "Alright Captain, let me get-" Before he could continue, he felt the tingling of the transporters on his body. He saw Carey cry out in surprise and Tuvok reach instinctively for his phaser. Then Transporter Room 2 came into his vision. Ensign Vorik stood in the middle of the room, his eyebrows lifted as high enough to indicate shock, although his features were composed. In a corner was Ensign Wildman, who appeared to be fixing a console. She looked startled. "What the hell happened? You could at least give us a warning!" Carey snapped, stepping off the platform. "I was hoping you could answer that question, Lieutenant. And...what warning?" Vorik replied. "I thought the transporters needed another twenty minutes to have enough power to function. How did you get the power up so quickly?" "Harry." It was Ensign Wildman. "We haven't." Harry's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" "I was on duty with Ensign Wildman, monitoring the Transporters for the next beam out when it suddenly activated by itself and transported all of you to the ship. I am at loss at how to explain this phenomenon." Ensign Vorik explained. As Chakotay stepped off the platform, he realized that the other half of the away team had not followed them. "Commander, Lieutenant Torres...Tom?" Harry's eyes were worried. The door to the transporter room slid open and Captain Janeway entered. She stood still for a moment, staring at Tuvok, Harry, Carey and Chakotay while Ensign Vorik filled her in: "The Transporters are now off-line. I have been unable to ascertain the cause of their malfunction." "Captain, why did you beam us out?" Harry asked, his eyes betraying his confusion. "Beam you out? Ensign, I ordered no such thing." She looked pointedly at Vorik. "Captain, as I have explained earlier, the transporters activated themselves. I have no explanation on how it could have happened." "It's true sir, I was here." Ensign Wildman said. Janeway felt the familiar sensation that told her of impending danger. She took a deep breath and steeled herself. "It looks like we have a new *problem* to deal with, people." She voiced, her eyes hard.
_______________________ Chapter 7..."END"
This new attempt had taken too much of their precious energy. The strange metal thing that traveled the stars held strange secrets that none of them understood, but, with great effort, they managed to isolate those that posed a danger to their cause. But it took too much of their strength, and they needed their remaining reserves to fulfill their mission. Their last mission. The Core hung together like tottering old men, clunging to each other for energy. Eventually, that too was not enough, and they took from the living beings of Rya. The ancient eyes looked out at the turbulent skies, and some did shed tears. But what had to be done, would be done. Rya knew that.
***********
They were called Those Who Serve. For centuries they had done so. Sitting contentedly on branches of brackha trees, their gossamer wings fluttering in the air, they waited for commands from the Core. None remembered the time when this was not so. To them, their lives were to serve the Core. Century after century they tended the ancient ruins that were reminders of Those Who Came Before the Core. But times were getting desperate, and the creatures knew that. The trees whispered songs of a life long lived; they whispered tearful songs of goodbyes as Those Who Serve stood sadly by. Those Who Serve were no fools. They knew their fate, which had been sealed to them when the creatures from the sky fell and devoured Those Who Came Before the Core. They had been taught by the Core to prepare for the Day, and the Day had finally come. But although eons of indoctrination had been wrought on him, Xiri was not prepared. He had come here to think - that's what he thought. He gripped the branch of the brackha tree as many of his ancestors had before him. He knew what he had to do. But it conflicted with everything he felt now. So, Xiri was here to consider whether he should serve the Core or go against it. Going against it would loose a terror that thousands of lives had sacrificed to imprison. Serving the Core would mean the death of the friend he had come to know and love. What was the thought he had fished out from the one called Paris? *The lives of many outweigh the life of one*. It was a sensible saying, thought Xiri, but not a good one. Xiri blinked his huge eyes at his litter-brother and shook his head in distress. His litter brother, Nine Stars, blinked in sympathy. Just then a flock of Those Who Serve alighted from the brackha trees. He knew where they were heading. He knew their mission. Nine Stars and Xiri watched their brethren go. Nine Stars was content. Xiri was not. Xiri answered. Nine Stars blinked. Xiri countered. Nine Stars countered. He blinked rapidly in anxiety and wondered whether Xiri posed a threat to their cause. When Xiri remained silent, Nine Stars continued, Xiri countered. Nine Stars fidgeted on the branch, his nimble hands peeling off the bark. Xiri rubbed his face in distress. He was angry at their greed. Nine Stars rationalized. Despite his disapproval, Xiri could see the logic in it. Years before, the Core was serviced by twenty empathic Ryans. Now there were only nine. They needed as many as they could get. When Tom Paris arrived on Rya, the Core thought it best to bide their time. He was an empath, yes, but the Core found him too unstable to incorporate into their Collective right away. To amend the situation, Xiri was sent to *attend* Tom Paris so that he would grow stable enough to complete the transition to join the Core. In time, Xiri grew fond of Tom Paris. Perhaps, too fond. Although Xiri's efforts to stabilize Tom Paris had been successful, it had made the human dependent on Xiri. Xiri knew that without his presence, or that of the Core, Tom Paris would die almost immediately. Xiri shivered. he answered. Nine Stars prompted. Xiri lowered his head in shame. Nine Stars voiced heatedly. To emphasize that point, he raised a paw-like hand to point at the ancient ruins of Rya. he stubbornly asserted. He looked once more at Nine Stars. Nine Stars sighed. Xiri nodded. Without another word, he flew away from the branch. A voice prompted Nine Stars before he could warn the Core. Nine Stars blinked. the Core replied.
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He sensed it as a delicate shift in the normal pattern of things. Before the worried expression came into B'Elanna's eyes or the silent exclamation erupted from Ebran's lips, Tom knew that something was wrong. As they ran out to inspect the new danger, Tom felt curiously detached, as if he was in a dream. And for a moment, he thought he was still in a dream. He got unsteadily to his feet and approached the 'main cavern' in trepidation. B'Elanna and Ebran scurried silently around, tapping their commbadges in exasperation. Mouths opened, words were exchanged, but Tom was not interested in his companions. He was interested in the one standing in the middle of the cave. She stared at him with pale eyes, her mouth a slack, disappointed line. Tom could see that she wore the same clothes as before, but her hair was limp and lifeless. As were her eyes. And with that silent command, Ebran and B'Elanna seemed to disappear from his vision. It was just he and the creature of his dreams, Alucia - facing each other in silence. she repeated, the voice flat and lifeless. she said. Tom was more than wary. Where were the threats? Where was the guile that he had seen in her? Where were the sweet words that were meant to seduce? Where were they all? Tom was afraid... Alucia said. Her arm lifted and she offered a hand. Tom watched the hand reaching out for him and stepped back. Almost immediately, Alucia disappeared. His heart pounded. B'Elanna and Ebran returned to his vision. They didn't seem to have noticed Alucia. For the first time, Tom noticed they were alone. Where were the rest? Could Voyager have taken the others without warning them of a transport? It was not possible, but what other possibilities were there? He took a deep, calming breath. Fear assailed him at that thought. he cried out in anguish.
"Voyager! Yvette!" Ebran cried, tapping his commbadge. "Damn it, it's no use. Somehow they've transported the rest away!" "That's not possible!" B'Elanna snapped. "They would have told us!" B'Elanna almost jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Tom looked mutely at her. Using her very limited knowledge of sign language (a class she hadn't bothered taking seriously then) she told him of the situation. Tom nodded, but his eyes betrayed his fear. He took a deep breath and signed, [I sense something coming. It is not safe to stay here any longer.] "Not safe?" B'Elanna was confused. Sensing? What could Tom possibly sense? Then she remembered Ebran's assertion that Tom was probing his mind. she thought. "He's right." Ebran said, his voice curious. "It's like a thousand jabbering voices. But it's like background noise, almost unnoticed by me." Ebran thought suddenly. "We can't just stand here," B'Elanna said. "Did you get here by transporters?" "No. We came through a portal." Ebran looked to B'Elanna, knowing what she would say next. "You suggest we return the way we came?" B'Elanna nodded. "Any other bright ideas?" "Well, it seems to be the only idea we have." B'Elanna turned to explain to Tom, watching his face turn from puzzlement to skepticism. [A portal? I searched the area for over a few hundred miles and I don't remember seeing a portal] he signed. "Believe me. We came through a portal. A few miles south of this cave is a building of sorts - I'm sure you didn't miss it. A crystal building of some kind." Ebran made gestures that he hoped Tom would understand, but he mostly pointed to the south of the cave, at the distant glittering light that was the building. Tom understood at once. He paled. [You mean the Mirrors] he shook his head. [It's not a good place.] Ebran sighed, agreeing in a way. "It's no picnic for empaths." He saw B'Elanna's puzzled expression but he did not bother explaining. Non-empathic creatures would never understand. "But it's the only way out." Tom frowned and, after a moment, merely nodded. [But first, I must tell you something]
********** USS Voyager Briefing Room "The seismic activity on Rya has increased 25.9% in the last hour." Tuvok added. "That activity occurred at almost the same time we were transported off Rya. This is too much of a coincidence," interrupted Ensign Kim. "Engineering reports no malfunction occurred during the time of transport. We can rule out the ships' system being the cause." Carey announced, studying his PADD. "But our sensors detected a surge of energy from Rya at that moment. The energy activated the transporter controls, effectively triggering them. I don't know how to explain this, Captain. And...we even managed to find a sort of encryption code. A code we've never seen before. Whatever's behind that energy wave is intelligent." Janeway frowned. "Are you saying that something on the planet is somehow responsible for the transport?" Janeway asked, her voice betraying her incredulity. The sensors had not picked up any signs of intelligent life, only ancient ruins that had long been abandoned. If there was intelligent life on Rya, it was not advanced enough to be capable of doing what it just did to the transporters. "I know it's far fetched, Captain, but what other explanation do we have here? Who transported us? Why the sudden seismic activity after our departure? It must be some intelligent lifeform on Rya that is doing all this." Harry insisted, his black eyes passionate. "I say we return to the surface with the shuttlecraft and take them back!" "If it is indeed true that there is a being on Rya that is capable of controlling both Voyager and the planet, I do not see how a shuttlecraft would escape its attentions. The weather conditions on Rya are worsening by the minute." Tuvok said. Harry slumped in his chair, he looked almost defeated, but his eyes were roiling with emotion. Joe Carey watched the tense officers and cleared his throat. "The portal." He suggested. All four pairs of eyes swiveled to him. "The portal at the space station." He shrugged. "It could be the only way." "We were led onto Rya by that portal," Harry answered, still sticking to his intelligent being theory. "Do you think *it* will allow us to return the same way?" "It is slim," Carey replied slowly. "Alright, let's say we do have this almighty powerful being on Rya. If it's so powerful, why hasn't it activated the warp core and sped us light years from here? And why not blast us out of the skies while it's at it? I think this 'being' has limitations. Maybe it's influence *cannot* extend for too long at such a distance from Rya. Flying a shuttlecraft on Rya would be risky with all that unpredictable weather. Transporters are down. What other options do we have other than the portal?" "Maybe they need us." Chakotay thought out loud. "Maybe that's why they kept us here." "I don't think so." Janeway mused. "Why did it go through all that trouble to transport you back to Voyager? Why not simply keep you on Rya? No, it wants us out of the way." "Lieutenant Carey's suggestion is a logical conclusion, but it is a high risk to take." Tuvok reasoned. "But considering our options, I must concur that perhaps, the portal is the only way." "But what if it's shut down?" Harry voiced anxiously. "Then we just have to force it open." Janeway concluded. "Meanwhile, Tuvok, I want you to stay on Voyager to reestablish contact with the away team. Kim and Carey will beam aboard the satellite to open the portal."
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Tom told the story mechanically. He watched B'Elanna's eyes closely as he related how he had found the Mirrors accidentally while foraging for food one day. He had traveled far that day, stumbling from hunger after almost a week without proper solid food. He also related how the building affected him, the dreams of Alucia and, most of all, the strange creature that seemed to guard it. [It is a dangerous place] He emphasized his message with harsh gestures. [We must find an alternate route!] He could sense Ebran judging him from his seat atop a rock. Tom tensed immediately, remembering the time when Ebran had played that role before as Chakotay's 'Empath'. He had never liked the half Betazoid. Ebran reminded Tom too much of a man in his past that was just as critical. "I know this is a confusing experience for you." Ebran begun hesitantly, speaking slowly so that Tom could read his lips (which he could do to a very limited extent). "Believe me, I was an empath from birth. It doesn't get easier as you grow older. Those bad vibes you got - well, it could just be that. Vibes. The truth is - and you know it is - the Portal may be our only way out." "If Voyager had transported them out, we would have been transported out a long time ago." B'Elanna added, hoping she wasn't making a mistake by allowing this expedition. "Besides, Ebran came through the portal. He didn't meet any creature." Tom abruptly got to his feet and turned away from them. He was furious they did not take him seriously. The fact that B'Elanna supported Ebran stung, too. On Rya, his decision was the only thing he relied on. To have someone contradict his judgment was jarring, almost alien. His first instinct was to stop listening and walk away. His reaction stunned him because it was so unlike his previous days on Voyager where a command was sacred and teamwork was everything. Just how much of Voyager did he lose with his time on Rya? Authority seemed foreign. He looked back at B'Elanna. So were friends. For one horrible moment, he did not recognize B'Elanna. All he saw was a Voyager crewmember, a distant tie to his past. A past that, perhaps, he could not return to. Did he love her still? His heart constricted. He refused to go along with that line of thought. For now, only their escape mattered. [Alright] he signed curtly. [The Portal]
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The journey was spent in silence. Ebran and B'Elanna trudged behind Tom who walked with an amazing agility that astounded even the athletic Ebran. While they tripped and sometimes fell, Tom evaded the nasty roots that seem to jut out of nowhere on some inner instinct. Even with the heavy lance he was carrying, Tom moved like a dancer traversing a stage. It was later in the journey that Ebran realized that the branches /did/ appear out of nowhere. He caught one shooting up from beneath the ground to snarl his foot with a root. "I'm beginning to hate this planet already." He cursed, after kicking the offending root from his foot. B'Elanna merely grunted - a signal for him to shut up. A while later, they emerged from the dark forest to an open field. There, out from the protection of the forest, they felt the full extent of the planet's unstable weather. The wind whipped at them mercilessly. The sky roiled with colours, sometimes purple, most of the time red. Lightning flashed in the sky while thunder seemed to shake the ground itself. Distant trees shook wildly like straw in a hay field, mimicking their hair, which fared no better. At one time during the journey, Tom had stopped to rip a small vine from a tree, which he used to tie his shoulder-length hair. He did it smoothly, as if out of constant practice. The action was so alien to B'Elanna that she stopped to stare. And for the first time, she noticed the profound change the harsh planet had rendered on him. Tom was thinner, but this was compensated with muscles that were more compact and lithe than before. He had a beard that made him look older. And his hair, once a sandy blonde, was bleached to a lighter shade. Only dark roots interrupted the colour. He seemed so changed. So different. Which was why she had not expected him to hurl the lance he was carrying at her.
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The Satellite 0706 hours
Harry Kim and Joe Carey materialized in the satellite almost an hour after the meeting. As the shimmer died away, Carey's first reaction was to gasp. "What's wrong?" Kim exclaimed, immediately tense. "The statues..." Carey muttered, looking around the crystal room. "They're gone!" "Statues?" "Yeah! There were twenty, no, make that fifty, of them here. We were almost surrounded by them!" "They're not here." Harry said, more of a statement than a question. "That's right." Carey answered, his voice incredulous. "Unless they upped and walked away, which is impossible..." he trailed off, frowning fiercely. "I don't like this." He nodded brusquely to the Ensign. "Let's get down to business and get the hell out of here as fast as we can." Harry couldn't agree more. With purpose, both stepped into the control room where the portal was located. Blinking his eyes to adjust to the relative darkness of the control center, Carey was surprised to see the portal still open. Harry appeared equally puzzled. Apparently, both had been under the impression that whatever being was there would have sealed off the portal to prevent them from using it. Aside from the missing statues, the satellite was relatively unchanged. The screen before them still showed Rya, and footprints remained on the dusty ground, unaltered. "The controls for the portal are here." Carey explained, moving to a far right panel. "It seems unchanged. I don't like this." "Should we go through?" "I don't think so." Carey answered, shaking his head. "Call it instinct, but I think that's a bad idea." Harry merely nodded in agreement. "I think these are communications." He looked at the alien design, scanning the language with the tricorder. "The technology is unbelievable." He stated as he meddled with it further, touching a few diamond shaped controls. "With this much power and speed, Voyager would have been able to cut through static from even within a pulsar!" As his agile mind worked, an idea formed. "Perhaps this can cut through the interference we've been having?" "It's a worth a try," Carey encouraged, knowing full well that communications was Harry's forte. "I'll investigate the portal and see whether or not it's stable."
As the two men worked busily, they did not notice the movement behind them. The floor rippled, and a head emerged, a glass figurine whose eyeless sockets gazed at the two Starfleet officers. The head's liquid 'skin' rippled, sending distorted light shimmering around it. After a time, it retreated into the floor again. Once more, the floor was still.
___________________ B'Elanna gasped, expecting the lance to go through her chest- - but it landed in a tree trunk, nicely embedding itself through a snake- like creature. The snake hissed once, twice, then died, it's long, black body going limp. Tom walked up to the trunk and wrenched the lance free. He watched the body of the snake fall to the ground and kicked it rudely aside. [Its bite will kill you in seconds.] he signed. Without another sign, he walked away from the spot, carrying the lance comfortably in his hand. B'Elanna could only watch as he retreated. Her heart was just beginning to resume its normal speed. It took her a moment to realize that Ebran was beside her, watching too. "Not very loving, is he?" Ebran said after a moment. Before she could deliver a sharp retort, Ebran had walked away, whistling to himself as if he was going on a picnic. B'Elanna hissed in frustration and marched up the hill.
* * *
She had shamefully retained a fantasy in the months that Tom had been missing. In that fantasy, she had found Tom. And after scolding him for being so careless and misguided, she had proceeded to love him between his protestations and declarations of love. She had played that fantasy over and over again in her mind during that time, secretly wishing that it would come true. B'Elanna now looked at part of that fantasy and wondered if anything would be the same again. They had stopped to rest on top of a hilly expanse. From the hill, they could see the Mirrors. It was huge, and its peaks were so tall that it towered over the hill. Tom looked at the building in a strange, sullen silence, almost as if he was communicating with the it...which seemed almost a possibility after seeing what he could do. She didn't expect the hiss from her commbadge. B'Elanna jumped as the commbadge sputtered to life. "B'Elanna? Ebran?" it rasped. "Someone answer me." "Harry?" B'Elanna exclaimed. Tom still remained at his spot, staring somberly at the Mirrors. "Yes, I can hear you!" "Thank God!" Harry replied. "I knew it would work!" B'Elanna smiled despite herself. "Can you transport us off the planet?" Tom was starting to notice the commotion behind him. He turned and looked at Ebran and B'Elanna with a puzzled frown on his face. [It's Harry] she signed back. Tom's eyes widened with surprise, but otherwise, he stayed where he was. "No, but we think the portal could work." Harry said. "The portal seems stable." Carey's voice emerged this time. "Where are you now?" "We're at the Mirrors!" "The what?" "Never mind, let's just say that the Portal is a stone's throw away." B'Elanna said, too tired to explain. "Are you sure it's stable?" she shouted. The din from the wind was increasing, so was the thunderstorm. As if on cue, Tom looked up into the roiling heavens. "So far!" came the voice. "So far? That is not reassuring!" Ebran shouted back. "Maybe you can fly up to the satellite and come help me, eh?" Carey retorted. Even from the tiny combadge, his voice sounded formidable. Ebran snorted. "Alright! We'll be there." The commbadge stopped sputtering and fell silent. Ebran cursed. He had forgotten to ask about Yvette! Ah, no matter. She *should* be on Voyager. Where else would she be? B'Elanna chuckled at Ebran's retort to Carey. In her heart, she knew they would be home soon. She was never more mistaken.
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The Sattelite 0820 hours
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed, hitting a fist in the air. Joe merely grinned and returned to his controls, stabilizing the portal. Not much work there. It seemed stable. Too stable. Maybe his 'gut feeling' was off today. Although it did work wonders at other times. He heard Harry page Voyager and could hear the enthusiasm behind the voice. Although Harry had changed from the naïve, fresh-faced ensign of earlier years to an experienced Starfleet officer, his youth and enthusiasm always emerged when it came to his friends. Joe was puzzled when the excitable chatter ceased. He turned, idly wondering what had caught Harry's attention. He gasped. "Kim!" he called out. But Harry couldn't move. All he could do was stare at a pair of hands that appeared out of the floor. Hands with long, slim fingers. Hands that were made out of living flesh. He could see Harry trying to muster his Starfleet-trained bravery, but Joe knew that it would take a while. It was the stuff of nightmares - the hands appeared disembodied, and erupted from the solid floor like an abhorrent flower. Like a ghost. "Stay still!" he cautioned. "Believe me, I'm trying my best." Harry managed to reply sarcastically. "It's moving!" he cried out suddenly. Joe cursed and sprinted to Harry's side. Without a thought he grabbed the hands, trying to yank them away from the ensign's hand. His eyes went round when he touched soft, warm flesh. They were alive! He nearly let go at that moment, but swallowing bile, he yanked harder. "What are you doing?" The female voice stopped him, and Joe stared at the head of a female humanoid sticking out of the floor. The floor rippled, and Joe remembered a passage he had read in the Bible; about the dead rising from their graves. This seemed to fulfill that passage now. Slowly, heads appeared from the floor, slowly looking around, eyes blinking as if just awakened. Hands waved slowly in the air as upper torsos emerged. So enraptured was he, Carey had forgotten about the hands that he had tried to pull away from Kim. Until they started to burn. Carey cried out in agony and yanked his hands away from the disembodied hands. He yelled louder when he saw that pieces of flesh were missing from his fingers. Ensign Kim was the first to act. "Voyager! Two to transport, NOW!!" As the two Starfleet officers slowly disappeared, a female voice could be heard asking over and over again: "What are you doing?"
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Tom sighed sadly to himself as he spotted the two huge statues that flanked the entrance to the building they now called the Mirrors. Carved in glass, the two august statues stared serenely ahead. He stopped suddenly when he noticed the creatures on the statue. There were perhaps twenty to thirty of them. Replicas of Xiri all of them - except for an occasional spotted coat or two. They stared at him with jeweled eyes; some blue, some green, some yellow. He knew he should feel something from them like he did with Xiri, but he sensed nothing. It was as if they weren't there. He sent a greeting in the form of pictures, but it was almost as if he was rebuffed. The greeting went nowhere. He saw B'Elanna staring at him quizzically and then at the creatures. She appeared puzzled, but not alarmed. But he was. It was a sure sign *not* to go into the mirrors. He started to back away. Ebran stopped him. Ebran mouthed the word sorry and gave him a small shove forward. Tom reacted violently to that, giving Ebran a backhand. Caught by surprise, Ebran's head snapped aside. His hand reached reflexively to his cut lip, and when his eyes returned to Tom's, they were *not* kind. He started to bunch his fist- "Stop it!" B'Elanna snapped, still shocked at what Tom had done. But should she be, after seeing Tom throw that lance at her? She did not understand Tom's mood right now, but it must have started when she supported Ebran and his quest for the portal. But sulking was not like Tom. It wasn't him. She grabbed Ebran's fist and used her grip to pull him forward. She also gave Tom a pointed look, hoping to at least knock him off his mood. It didn't work. He merely scowled, then look puzzled. Letting out a sigh, he took another step back and looked up. B'Elanna followed his gaze and realized his concern. It was the creatures, of course. She did not think much of them at first, but now that Tom brought her attention to them, they seemed to be staring rather rudely. "Come on." She urged, giving Tom a signal at the same time. "We have to reach the portal. Kahless knows how long they can maintain the portal's stability." She gave the animals a cautious glance and proceeded into the huge doorway. Tom stepped into the doorway nervously. From the corner of his eye, he saw Ebran ready his phaser and B'Elanna assume a defensive pose. Both seemed to be expecting the creature he had told them about. he thought to himself, . [Where is the room you spoke of?] he signed. Ebran took out his tricorder. 'Follow me' he mouthed, giving Tom a wave. He didn't bother to look Tom in the eye. Tom didn't care. He followed cautiously behind the two, his eyes scanning the crystalline walls. Occasionally, the glare of the light blinded him, and he had to move quickly away for the glare to fade. He hated this place. Hated it so much. When B'Elanna cast him a curious look, he realized that he had bared his teeth. Like an animal. He quickly shut his lips, disturbed again. They wound through the otherwise confusing maze of tunnels. With Ebran's tricorder, they could quickly get to the room with as little confusion as they could manage. However, Tom began to notice how familiar the surroundings were. His brow furrowed and he found himself gripping his staff tighter. The cavern. The winding staircase. The corridor with a light at the end. He stared at them all, his heart thudding frantically in his chest. He was here. Alucia had whispered. Sweat beaded on his brow.
