Warnings: Contains scenes of violence in some parts, but nothing graphic.
Disclaimer: As usual I own no part of this world and I gain nothing from this story, other than getting the ideas out of my brain so they can stop nagging me.
Please Note: I wrote this story a couple of years ago and it has just sat on my computer hard-drive. I don't know if anyone reads Voyager fanfic anymore, but if I post it up at least it is not collecting anymore dust.
This story is set in an Alternate universe, so if you do not enjoy other versions of the canon reality please go no further. The story was written in two parts, but since each would be about 7,000 words, I have cut them down into smaller junks, but originally it was in just two.
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The front line stood strong, despite the warriors' many hours of fighting.
The troops looked battered and bruised, yet they fought on – their home world depended on it.
Their families had been evacuated back from the battle areas and were hidden in a series of secret caves. They hoped the strange natural mineral in the caves would continue to hide their loved ones from any orbital scans.
The attack had begun at the solar system frontiers, and those there had managed to hold back the invasion army long enough for the planets to be warned.
This world, Scolara, had been the last attacked. The other three planets populated in this small solar system had already fallen. Scolara was the closest to the sun and the invasion forces wasted no time in defeating the outer worlds and headed for Scolara within a day of the initial frontier attack. The chances of success for the people of Scolara were dim.
Yet, they had held the forces back in this region for the past three hours.
Hope had begun to sneak into their minds and hearts.
The last leader of this last planet stood among his people.
He fought beside them to the end. Leaders of this world had always worked along side those they led – how else could they understand their needs. The tradition was long standing since the very first leader Scolarius. She had fought for her people's survival on this world and begun a great race. A race that had spread to the other planets of the solar system and had gained a strong position in the Federation of Planets.
However this attack had been so sharp and violent that a bare few starships from the Federation had arrived yet. Those that did were either destroyed or were still locked in battle in the skies above.
Leader lifted his eyes briefly as he heard a new sound float through the air.
On the opposing side orders were screamed to withdraw several metres and hold a new line. Leader was confused, but took the opportunity for rest for his people and ordered the same.
A small thin stretch of no man's land appeared between the two armies.
With the pressure reduced people began to look up as well.
Leader saw a small craft descending from the dark rain clouds. His heart leapt for a moment –Federation reinforcements?
However the craft's symbols came into view – he did not recognise them and so his heart dropped.
The craft circled round and landed just behind the enemy's front line.
The main hatch opened and the troops cleared a path between the hatch and the front line.
Leader watched as a tall heavily built Cardassian stepped out.
He walked through his mixed species of warriors and headed towards Leader.
Behind the Cardassian, Leader saw a human female walk a step behind him.
His heart chilled – he recognised her and all hopes he had had that his world could be saved died in one chilling realisation.
The two stopped in no man's land.
"Leader." The Cardassian began. "I am Telpor. I am here to claim your world. End this fight now and some of your people will live. Fight on and I swear to you, all you hold dear with end this day."
Leader stepped forward slightly, but keeping out of reach of the two.
"Why do you do this? We have nothing of value for your people. Why?"
Telpor gave a small smile, "Because I can, Leader. I like this star system, it will add much in the way of resources to my empire. And it will look good on the empire star charts." He laughed at his own weak joke.
Leader risked a glance at the human woman.
Her eyes were the same empty blue he remembered – as cold and hard as her heart.
Telpor noticed Leader's attention on her. "You remember Kathryn don't you?"
Kathryn stepped forward, her gaze never leaving Leaders. There seemed no life behind her eyes, except that of hatred and barely suppressed power. She was dressed in a long dark segmented cloak, beneath which he could see her energy suit. She was one of few who could use such a weapon and she used it well. Leader swallowed. One last chance-
"Please, do not do this. Please forgive us for whatever you believe we did."
Kathryn stepped forward again, snarling slightly through her bared teeth.
"Believe! I know what part you played in my father's death. And you will pay for your part in it."
Telpor laughed in enjoyment, raising his arm to signal his army.
"One last chance Leader, tell me what I want to hear."
Leader felt drops of rain upon his face, the skies were weeping for its children.
He took a deep breath, looking back towards his warriors.
People he had known all his life, his friends and colleagues.
But, he saw the determination in their eyes that he had hoped to see.
Turning back to Telpor he smiled slightly as the rain began to fall heavily.
"Never, Telpor. Never."
Telpor snarled in anger,
"So be it!" He dropped his arm and the army surged towards the Scolarans.
Leader's last vision was of Kathryn's hand reaching towards his face, and the feel of her sharp finger nails digging into his flesh.
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Federation Central Command was a tall elegant building situated in the outskirts of Paris, France.
Admiral Tuvok of Vulcan gazed out across the Parisian buildings and park-lands below.
His eyes studied the distance, he could just about make out the Tower, Notre Dame and the river below.
He could appreciate the architecture of the area. Great care had been taken in the rebuilding after the third world war destruction of most of the ancient Parisian landmarks.
Tuvok's attention was drawn back into the room by the sound of his door chime.
"Enter." He called as he proceeded back to his desk.
The doors slid open and Captain Riker entered.
"Hello, Admiral."
"Greetings, Captain. I was under the belief that your ship had left Earth."
Riker approached Tuvok's desk and took a seat once it was offered.
"The Pegasus is ready to leave at once, however I was detained by a family emergency."
Tuvok nodded his understanding and waited patiently for the Captain's point.
Riker placed a pad onto Tuvok's desk.
"I wanted to make sure that you heard this report immediately. I felt it was important to remain in orbit in case you felt the need to accompany us…."
Tuvok frowned, he reached for the pad and activated the report.
"This is highly irregular Captain. If there is a mission that I need to hear about my colleagues will no doubt inform me."
Riker sat back,"I understand that Admiral, but I believe this is a report you would want to see now."
Tuvok scanned the report. He saw little of personal interest. Until he neared the end of the report and he stilled.
"Has this been confirmed?"
"Not yet. The Pegasus has been assigned as of this hour to travel to the Scolara system and assist in defence."
"I will be ready to leave in ten minutes, Captain."
Riker stood up abruptly and nodded.
"Understood, Admiral. Contact the Pegasus when you are ready to beam aboard."
"It may be necessary to bring along some other experts." Tuvok added as he rose.
"Whatever you feel is necessary, Admiral." Riker turned and headed for the door.
Just as he was about to exit, Tuvok called after him,
"Thank you, Captain."
"Don't mention it, Admiral."
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Tuvok entered the busy office of the Federation's Central Intelligence Department.
He glided through the workers and headed towards a small office to one side.
He waited outside the door and allowed the chime to announce him.
"Come in!" Came a loud voice from inside.
Tuvok stepped forward, the doors opening to admit him.
The office inside was full of work pads and display charts.
"Greetings, lieutenant."
The man before him had his head buried in a small mountain of pads.
He looked up with a surprised expression.
"Tuvok! I mean Admiral Tuvok. How may I help you?"
Tuvok sat down on an offered chair. He glanced around the full to bursting office.
"I know it looks like chaos, but with all the reports and intel on Telpor's little empire building campaign…."
Tuvok looked straight into the eyes of Justin,
"I have just received a report that Kathryn Janeway was involved in Telpor's invasion of the Scolara system."
Silence filled the office.
Justin sat in shocked stillness. Tuvok studied the human's pale face. He allowed the silence for a few moments longer until he began to worry.
"I understand this is a shock for you, Lieutenant. I am this moment about to leave with the Pegasus to Scolara. I believed that you may wish to join us."
Justin snapped from his shocked trance and coughed. He shuffled the pads he had been reading. Tuvok noticed his hands were slightly shaking, an unusual trait for this experienced intelligence officer.
"I don't know, Tuvok. Our last conversations were not good ones…she…she made it clear she wanted nothing more to do with me. I know she went through a lot when her Dad died, but the way she…." Justin stopped his fidgeting and looked up at Tuvok.
"Why do you think I can be any help?"
Tuvok had considered this question beforehand and had planned a reply.
"Firstly your history with Kathryn, added to my own, would give us an advantage. Secondly your position in the Federation gives you many contacts we may have need of at a later time. And lastly, I had assumed you had an emotional connection still to looking after Kathryn's best interests."
Justin frowned at the answer,
"Been practising that long, Tuvok?"
Tuvok did not reply, knowing that this was human banter and a way for Justin to deal with his emotional response.
Justin sighed and stood up.
"Very well, Tuvok. I will be ready in two minutes."
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Telpor sipped his drink, barely able to suppress his amusement.
He swallowed the thick Romulan ale and looked over his bridge.
His flag ship was the strongest and most advanced in the entire quadrant.
He relaxed back into his plush command chair.
He took a deep breath of the ship recycled air – he liked it. It reminded him how this entire ship and the rest of the fleet, were his. He controlled the very air his crew breathed. The smell of power.
He sipped his ale once more and set it aside.
To the left of the bridge stood his prize possession – a woman so full of anger and hatred that he could fuel the entire fleet off her power.
Kathryn stood bolt upright, her spine rigidly straight, feet solidly planted, ready for anything and never relaxing.
Her gaze was directed out of the main viewer.
Telpor looked at the viewer and regarded the small solar system that they approached.
"When will we be in range?" He demanded.
A soldier at the operations desk snapped up straighter and replied,
"In two minutes, Sir."
"Excellent." Telpor reached for the ale again and saluted another impending victory.
Kathryn cast a glance in his direction,
Telpor gave her a questioning look.
"What my warrior princess? Don't you enjoy all this? You are gaining your revenge after all." He smiled as she scoffed at him and returned her eyes to the viewer.
A beautiful weapon as well he thought to himself.
He had no worries that she may turn against him, for he had a secret weapon that no one knew existed. He reached into his uniform pocket and pulled out a nondescript data pad. Yet, it was so much more than that. He discreetly pressed a few buttons – it helped to have her extra angry for these battles. He glanced over at her to see that now her hands were balled up into tight fists and her arms were clenched by her sides. He smiled and slid the pad back into his pocket, smiling at his cleverness.
He recalled how he had had the device made, and had then murdered everyone who had been involved in its creation.
He tipped the last of the ale down his throat as across the bridge drops of bright red blood dripped from Kathryn's clenched fists.
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Soldiers marched around the temporary command station.
Telpor had set up his command post in this clearing. From here he could receive reports concerning all the battles occurring across the planet.
He studied one report his aide handed him. He nodded his head at the success being gained planet wide. These worlds fell so easily!
A messenger ran towards him, and knelt before him.
Telpor ignored him for several minutes, making him wait upon his knees in the mud.
"Report!" He snapped at last.
The messenger stood up with no sign of discomfort.
"There has been a problem in delta segment. It appears there is a warrior there who is holding off the soldiers."
Telpor glared at the man – "One warrior! I doubt that."
"It appears the warrior is using an energy suit."
Telpor's heart stopped. He turned to his aide – "Which segment is Kathryn in?"
"Alpha Segment, my lord."
Telpor relaxed some what.
"Who is this warrior?"
"He is a human male and appears to be defending a small village to the east side of Delta segment."
Telpor considered his options. He would like another one of those energy warrior types. He could sell him…. Or perhaps learn the technology and skills himself. Then he would be truly unstoppable.
He turned to the messenger.
"Tell your commander to get me that man in any way possible. Forget the rest of the segment for now – I want all soldiers in that segment focused on getting me that warrior alive. Anyone kills him and I will kill them and their entire family. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord." The messenger bowed and then headed off to tell his commander his difficult orders.
Telpor sat and contemplated another warrior in his grasp.
His aide stepped close to draw his attention.
"What is it, Melec?"
"Sir, is it wise to capture this warrior? They are unpredictable and he may have an….unwanted effect on Kathryn…"
Telpor waved Melec's concerns aside.
"I understand the risks, but to be able to understand the energy suit, a technology so rare and so powerful…that is worth more than these puny worlds."
"Understood my lord." Melec drew back from his lord's presence. However, Melec could not shake the feeling that this was a bad move on his master's part.
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Telpor entered the small village. He sniffed at the strange smell around him. The whole place smelt like farm animal dung to him. It reminded him too much of his childhood in similar places on Cardassia. He ignored his stray thoughts and headed towards the segment commander.
"Telorus. I hear you captured me my energy suit!"
Telorus bowed deeply.
"Yes, my lord."
"How did you manage it in the end?"
Telorus lead him towards a group of soldiers.
"We threatened to kill all the local people, starting with the children. I offered that if he turned himself over that they would be left unharmed."
"Excellent, Telorus. You shall be commended for this."
"Thank you my lord."
They reached the soldiers, who drew back to reveal a man kneeling in the mud.
His arms were bound behind his back at the elbows and his hands chained with a Cardassian slave harness that ran up his back to a collar around his neck.
Telpor regarded the muddy individual. It was obvious the soldiers had been extra rough with him. His long dark hair was matted with fresh mud and his suit was smeared with mud, straw and dirt. Telpor walked around him trying to see his face.
The human was of a strong build, but appeared to be completely subdued.
"I am Lord Telpor. Who are you human?"
The human lifted his head enough so that Telpor could see his eyes. He said nothing however.
Telpor smiled at the stubborn protest. As if it made any difference!
"I will leave these people alive. They have nothing I want anyway. You however are now mine. I will learn everything about your suit and how you use it. I am assuming that you will say something along the lines that you will never help me and so on?"
"I wouldn't want to be so predictable." The human muttered.
Telpor laughed. "Good then. Why don't we just skip it all and I just torture you, huh? What do you think about that?"
The human lifted his face finally and studied Telpor. Telpor felt suddenly rather vulnerable to this small human's gaze. He shrugged off the thought and held himself taller attempting to intimidate the human further.
Finally the human looked way with a strangely dismissive expression.
"I doubt I could tell you anything you would understand anyway." The human said.
Telpor reached back and struck the human with full strength across his tattooed forehead.
The human collapsed heavily into the mud.
"Bring him!" Telpor turned his back immediately and set back towards his shuttle.
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Justin sat in the darkness of his assigned guest quarters.
They had been tracking Telpor's movements for a week now, however they were always one step behind.
The reports of Kathryn's involvement had by now been confirmed.
How could she be apart of such things?
His mind wandered back through the years. He remembered meeting her for the first time on her first assignment. He had been working undercover as a member of the crew.
They had been difficult friends at first, but the natural chemistry had been there from the beginning. He smiled thinking about those days.
Then they had been captured by the Cardassians. They had eventually managed to escape together and their romance had begun shortly after that.
He shook his head in disbelief: she was working for a Cardassian! After her experiences in the Cardassian prison, why would she help such people?
Kathryn had been an intelligent, strong woman. She had high standards and always kept to them. How could this have happened?
He knew though. Somehow this had all started on the day her father had been killed.
He could still remember the day he first saw her afterwards. She had been as pale as a ghost and seemed to have no emotional response other than a steely coldness under which burned furious anger.
She had been so angry and it only grown with time as he remembered. She had been going on and on about a cover up and how certain people had orchestrated her father's death.
She had gone to all the admirals in turn and demanded they assist her.
Other than the official investigations into Admiral Janeway's death, there was nothing else they could do. There was no evidence that there was any conspiracy inside Starfleet or any basis to her other accusations.
Kathryn had kept on though. Shouting her accusations and eventually seeing conspiracies everywhere. They attempted to take her in for a full medical and psychological review when she disappeared.
Their last conversation had been a shouting match. That had been ten years ago.
The last report of her was five years ago. A trader who had known Admiral Tuvok had seen her in the Neutral Zone among a crowd on a busy world, seemingly by herself. And that was it. She was gone again.
Justin had thought of her many times over the years, of the time they had spent together.
They had dated for over five years and had talked of marriage. Yet, the time had never seemed right. With different assignments on different ships and missions, they had little time together. However when they were together it had been wonderful.
That had all changed the day Admiral Janeway was killed on his vacation.
Kathryn had been the only other person there other than those responsible. He had died in her arms. After that it seemed as if the Kathryn he had known and loved had died as well.
When she left it had been like she had died. He had felt like he was mourning her rather than missing her.
He kept thinking there was more he could have done. Something. Anything.
Regardless of others confirming there was nothing else he could have done, he still felt there may have been something he should have tried.
Maybe he was on this trip to try and make up for that now.
Was he only here because of his guilt?
He sighed and looked out at the passing stars – where was she and what was she thinking?
TBC