Welcome to my ST:Voyager Fanfic, first I would give this a rating of PG, the characters, Eugene, Ensign Ladise, Ensign Sato, EMN1 and 'the woman', the planet Nutera 4, this story as a whole belong to me. Starfleet, Star Trek, Star Trek concepts and technology and all other characters within this story belong to their copyright holders. A basic knowledge of Star Trek 23rd Century, Voyager and especially Future's End will help in reading this. I wrote this just prior to the start of season 3 about 2x19, I added/changed some scenes following Future's End (3x09), changing the Stardate to reflect the new time it takes place at, and a minor change was made, to give a couple of unnamed characters the names of some Crewmen from the show following Good Sheppard (6x20). Constructive feedback is welcomed, 'Your writing sucks' or other such feedback is not constructive, do not waste your time or mine.
"Future's Past"
"Captain's Log: Stardate 50326.6"
Capt. Janeway stands just behind and to the left of Lt. Tom Paris operating the Con station; she looks up at Commander Chakotay and Neelix standing up by Operations.
"Captain Kathyrn Janeway reporting, U.S.S. Voyager and Her crew are once again well into their return trip to the Alpha Quadrant after being returned here by Capt. Braxton. We are about to enter orbit of Nutera 4, which is an uninhabited Class M planet, which sensors show to have Dilithium."
Janeway moves directly behind Lt. Paris and continues. "On an important note, the many trials of the voyage, the stress of being out of touch with 'home' and being stranded back in the Delta Quadrant by Capt. Braxton trying to right time has taken a lot of morale out of the Ship's crew. At the Morale officer's suggestion I am extending limited shore leave to the men and women of Voyager." "Capt., we're now in standard orbit of Nutera 4, ready to beam down the mining team," Paris reports.
The Capt. smiles down at Tom, "Very well Mr. Paris, inform the mining team to beam down and to start operations. Commander," Janeway turns again to face Chakotay, "upon advice from our Morale officer, I believe you should start crew rotation and getting off duty personnel down to the planet's surface for some relaxation."
Chakotay looks at Neelix and smiles a bit, "Of course Capt., it has been awhile." Chakotay turns toward
Operations, then stops, "Capt., when should I put you down?" Janeway closes her eyes and smiles at Chakotay's insinuation, "I'll let you know Commander," she replies.
Chakotay smiles to himself, "Of course Capt., anytime you'd like." He begins discussing the off duty personnel with Ensign Kim. Janeway sits down in the Command Chair as a female Ensign walks up to Paris. "I relieve you, Sir." Paris looks up at the Ensign and smiles, "Why thank you Ensign Sato, and you're very prompt at that." As he stands, "We're in a standard orbit of Nutera 4, and we have a mining team of 8 on the planet's surface at this time."
The Ensign nods her head as she takes over at the Con. Tom steps quickly to Operations and looks at Chakotay, "If there isn't any problem Commander, I'd be delighted to help you out, some what." Noting Chakotay's puzzlement Tom continues. "You know, in figuring out who you should send down to the planet first, that sort of thing."
Chakotay smiles, and Kim laughs shaking his head. "Why thank you Mr. Paris, but I thought maybe you'd rather go down with the first group to the planet's surface." Paris smiles first at Kim and then resumes a more formal look at Chakotay, "Well Sir, I believe I will have to follow your guidance then, if you feel it's more important for me to go down to the planet, who am I to argue?"
Chakotay laughs openly and clasps his hand unto Tom's shoulder, "Have a good time Tom, and be careful." As the Lt., left the Bridge Chakotay turns to the Capt. "Capt., the first group of crew members is ready and waiting." Janeway looks to her armchair console, "Very well Commander, you may proceed."
Janeway begins thinking as she sits and watches the computer report as the different personnel are transported to the surface. 'Are we doing the right thing? Maybe we should just go ahead and find ourselves a nice quiet planet and put down roots. Starfleet would eventually find us, or our descendents.' Her face comes up and her eyes lock onto the view screen showing the planet they now orbit.
Tom Paris was moving quickly throughout his quarters wearing a pair of white shorts and loafers searching for a shirt. He's been in uniform for far too long. Even with all the Holo-deck time, his taste of Earth of 1995 has given him a bad case of 'Earth Fever', he absolutely had to get off the ship. Finally he finds a blue and white-stripped shirt, pulling it on; he stops and checks his hair. Satisfied with his appearance after running a comb through his hair, Tom heads for the door.
As he starts to step out he stops and walks back to the replicator and speaks, "Computer, use three of my rations and give me Paris picnic basket number 2." After a few moments the whine of the energy matrix stops and Tom pulls a large basket out of the replicator, and after a quick check of the contents Tom hurries toward the Transporter room.
Kes and B'Elanna were walking down the corridor talking as Tom came into view. They stop as their eyes take in Tom's legs. "Ladies, may I interest either or both of you in a picnic lunch on the surface?" Tom asked with a wide grin. B'Elanna shook her head, "Sorry Tom, I have to get the reactor ready for processing the Dilithium."
Kes was still looking Tom over, "I'd love to Tom." Tom nods to B'Elanna as he extends his arm and begins walking with Kes toward the transporter room. B'Elanna stood for a few moments watching as they left. As the door closed behind them B'Elanna sighed, then continued on her way.
Kes walked up unto the Transporter Pad as Tom walked up to the Transporter Chief. "Hi Chief, can I have a look at the beam down site? I'd like a place everyone else hasn't migrated to." The Chief steps back as Tom quickly looks through the designated shore leave area. "I think this spot would be really nice Chief," Tom points to an area about 50 feet up a small hill, over looking a valley on one side. The Chief nods her head and Tom walks onto the pad.
A few moments later Kes and Tom are looking out over a lush valley, much like any other Tom has seen. The sunshine was striking their bodies and the warm air caressing their skin, and enticing their nostrils with the fragrance of wild flowers. Looking out at the valley, and listening to the sounds of nature Kes said, "Its days like this that make me glad I'm alive." Kes could see some distance out several groups of people setting up different recreational games volleyball, softball, and someone was setting up a grill.
Tom cleared his throat and as Kes turned around she saw a large blanket lying on the ground, the basket opened revealing several containers of food. "Dinner is served," Tom said as he stood and bowed to Kes. Kes giggled but took Tom's hand as she sat down, these Federation people while so different from her own, they were still so similar. Taking out several containers Tom introduced Kes to what he called 'Southern style food.' Kes tried the fried chicken first, and found it a bit spicy but very good. The red beans and rice she thought she was in heaven, but the mashed potatoes and Cajun gravy was her favorite.
B'Elanna stood in Engineering watching the progress of the team digging for the Dilithium crystals. It was slow work she thought, but it would be worth it, as it would give them a large reserve in case anything was to happen to the other crystals. Then she turned to check the progress of the team refitting the reaction chamber of one of the Auxiliary Impulse Engines so they could refine the crystals once they had them.
B'Elanna heard the doors to Engineering open then close, a moment later she heard Capt. Janeway speak to her. "How's it going Lt.?" Turning sideways from the console so Janeway could see, "It's going slow on the planet Capt. But since we had converted the reaction chamber into a processing chamber once before, it's going much quicker. I believe we should have it online within the hour. The Dilithium should be up here in a few days." "Good work Lt. I would also like to remind you that your duty shift ends in two hours, I would like to see you on the planet surface having fun."
B'Elanna smiled at the Capt. they were so much alike. They're duties and responsibilities always coming first. "I will take that as a direct order Capt." Smiling back at B'Elanna Janeway started to walk away. The intercom in engineering suddenly came to life, "Ensign Kim to Capt. Janeway." Her head slumped a bit, and then her hand rose to touch the Combadge on her uniform, "Janeway here" "Capt. we are getting signs of an energy build up at the excavation site."
Janeway's face quickly turned from annoyed to concern. "What kind of energy Ensign, and is there any danger?"
"Unknown Capt., the energy field is too intense." "Contact the mining team; advise them to stop all. . ." "Capt. we've lost contact with the team. The intensity of the energy field is sufficient to block all sensors and communications."
B'Elanna begins working fast on the console, "Capt., I'm attempting to narrow the bandwidth of the sensors." "Ensign Kim, who's the closest personnel to the site", Janeway asked. "Checking, Capt. Tom and Kes are about 10 meters to the caves." Tom was explaining to Kes about the rules of softball when, "Janeway to Lt. Paris". Taping his Combadge, "Go ahead Capt." "Sorry for interrupting Tom, but there is a problem at the excavation site. We've lost contact with the Away team due to an energy field, you and Kes are closest." Kes and Tom rose quickly. "Aye Capt. we're on it, Paris out."
As Tom and Kes moved quickly towards the caves, back in the bushes and trees an energy field crackled briefly to life and just as quickly dissipated, leaving a figure masked by the shadows of the trees watching and murmuring softly. Tom made it to the opening of the cave first. Tapping his Combadge he spoke. "Paris to Voyager, we're at the mouth of the cave. The energy field must be immense; I can feel the hair on my body standing on end. I need a tricorder." "We're beaming you a tricorder and phaser now Tom, be careful," Chakotay warns.
The soft whine of the transporter erupts, and then quickly dies, and Tom picks up the tricorder and phaser. "Thanks Commander, we're going in to investigate." A second hailing chirp comes through the Combadge as Lt. Tuvok speaks. "Lt., maintain an open channel at all times, is that understood?" "Loud and clear Tuvok" Tom replied quickly.
Tom opens up the tricorder, and begins scanning the mouth of the cave. Kes looks at the tricorder, then to Tom. "What's it reading Tom?" "Massive energy field, it's fluctuating intensely. There, it seems to have leveled out. Let's go." Kes nodded her head as they moved into the cavern. The light of the markers put up by the mining team lead their way, though it seemed the further they went in, the darker it got. "The tricorder's readings are going nuts Kes, they show the energy field is decaying, but now I'm registering some kind of phase shift." "Should we continue on Tom?" Kes replies.
Tom shakes his head, "I think we should continue Kes, but wait...now I'm not reading the energy field at all." Tom touches his Combadge, "Paris to the Mining Team." Silence reigned for several seconds. "This is Lt. Paris to any member of the Mining Team, please respond." Puzzled Kes taps her own badge. "Kes to the Mining Team, respond please." Several more moments go by. "Paris to Voyager, we're not picking up anymore signs of the energy field, and the Mining Team is not responding." Several moments of silence again falls upon Tom and Kes. 'Why is it so dark in here,' Tom thinks to himself. Then moving the tricorder about the cave, Tom tells Kes "The exit is just over this way; we'll head out and try to contact the ship."
The Bridge turbo lift doors open and Janeway moves out onto the Bridge. "Report" "Capt., Paris and Kes have entered the caves. Sensors show the energy field is dissipating but no word yet." Chakotay responds as he and Harry continue to scan the planet's surface. Janeway turns to Tuvok. "Are there any other ships or anomalous readings in the area?" "No Capt., nothing out of the ordinary." "Capt., sensors are showing the energy field has completely faded. I am now reading the Mining Team." "Janeway to the Mining Team, report" "Ensign Ladise here Capt., everything here is back to normal. We were drilling into the rock one moment with the phaser drill and the next we were all knocked back by an energy wave."
Kim looks up at the Capt. from his console. "Capt., I'm not picking up Paris or Kes on the sensors." Janeway looks first to Harry then she turns back to the screen. "Ensign, we sent Lt. Paris and Kes to see what happened to you. Have they arrived at your location?" "That's a negative Capt., just the Mining Team here, nothing on the tricorder either."
"Janeway to Lt. Paris report" Several seconds pass by. "Janeway to Kes, please respond." Several more seconds pass by. "Commander, until we find out what's going on, I want everybody brought back to the ship immediately." "Aye Capt.," Chakotay begins working with Harry at the Ops console. "Janeway to Engineering" "Torres here Capt., go ahead." "B'Elanna, we're back in touch with the Mining Team, but we can't locate Tom or Kes, do you have any ideas?" "Capt., I'm still going through all the data the sensors were recording, give me a few minutes to go through it all."
Janeway looks back to Ops at Chakotay and Kim. "Capt., all personnel are back on board, with the exception of Tom and Kes." As Janeway begins walking over to Ops, Kim's eyes lite up. "Capt., sensors are picking up one humanoid life form, and it appears human." Janeway turns to the screen. "Janeway to Mr. Paris, respond." "Capt., the sensors do not detect a Combadge and the humanoid is about…100 meters west of the caves. "Commander, you have the bridge, Mr. Kim have the transporter room beam that human up. Mr. Tuvok, you're with me." Janeway and Tuvok move quickly to the turbo lift.
The lift doors closed behind them and Janeway commands the turbo lift to Transporter room 1. As the lift began to move B'Elanna's voice came through Janeway's Combadge, "Torres to Capt. Janeway, I think I have an answer Capt."
Tapping her Combadge Janeway replied, "Excellent B'Elanna, I'm enroute to Transporter room 1. Why don't you meet me there" "On my way Capt. B'Elanna out." The lift stopped and Janeway and Tuvok moved quickly down the corridor arriving shortly at Transporter room 1. As they entered the room they saw a human almost materialized, facing away from them, wearing a tattered blue and white striped shirt and white shorts patched together in places, and having long, tangled, blonde hair.
The door opened again as the transporter shut down and B'Elanna walked in as the human turned around. She started to speak when she saw the face. "Tom?" Janeway stood staring the man dead in the face, unable to believe how different he looked. "How did I get here? Who are all you people?" Looking about at the startled faces the man searched back into his memory. "Wait...This...This must be Voyager!?" Janeway so stunned could only nod. "Then you must be Capt. Janeway. It's so very nice to meet you finally, and to meet other humans, I've been so lonely." He reached out his hand to shake her's. Janeway in confusion, numbly shakes his hand, and then says, "Tom, what has happened to you? Where's Kes?"
The man looks deeply at Janeway, "You must think I'm...I'm sorry Capt. My name is Thomas Eugene Paris II, you knew my Father and Mother." B'Elanna's eyes went wide, "Your Father and Mother? You have to be Tom." The man looked at B'Elanna and shook his head. He reached up to his hair and pulled it back to reveal the Ocampa ears he received from his Mother. Janeway almost gasped as Tuvok's eyebrow rose. "Perhaps we should go somewhere and talk. I'd also like the Doctor to look you over, if you don't mind, Tom?" The name was difficult for the Capt. to say. As he nodded his head, "Please Capt., call me Eugene." Tuvok gestured towards the door with his left hand. Tom's son smiled as he began walking towards the door. "Now I can finally see all the fantastic things my parents always talked about!"
Tom and Kes emerged out of the cave; Tom was still using the tricorder, but was puzzled, as he wasn't picking up any life signs. "What is it Tom? What's wrong?" Tom shook his head, "I'm not sure what's going on, and I'm not picking up any of the crew." Kes frowned, and then gasped as she saw the sun had drastically changed positions. Tom looked at her, then towards the sun. "How can that be Tom? The sun has moved almost 30 degrees, w-we were only in there at the most 10 minutes." Tom frowned as he tapped his Combadge, "Paris to Voyager." After several seconds, "This is Lt. Paris calling Voyager, respond please."
Kes grabbed his arm, as she looked out at the setting sun, realizing that Voyager and her crew were gone, and they were alone. Tom looked at Kes, his thoughts and her's were identical, "Kes, we need to find some firewood, we can set up a camp here at the cave until we can figure out what is going on." Kes nodded quickly but was reluctant to release his arm as he started to walk towards the tree line.
As they moved through the ship they continued to talk. "Eugene, we haven't been able to locate your parents yet.
Do you know where they are?" A pained expression came across his face as he nodded, "Yes Capt., they are in the same place they've been for up to the last 15 years, their graves." Janeway's hand took hold of Eugene's arm in shock and dismay, "I'm so sorry, what has happened?" The door to Sickbay opened and they stepped through, suddenly the Doctor materialized before them his eyes closed and a large silly grin on his face. "Ah Kes I reprogrammed the Sickbay sensors to detect your DNA when you came in, and to activate...," his eyes now open the Doctor is shocked, "me..." Turning towards the Capt, "Who is this man?" Janeway smiles "Doctor, let me introduce you."
After several minutes of quick story telling the Doctor is brought up to speed on the events, as they are known. Janeway continues, "And we had hoped that you could give Eugene a physical and confirm that this is the son of Lt. Paris and Kes." The Doctor's face bears some pain to it, "Of course Capt. It is a simple matter to run a DNA cross match of Mr. Paris and Kes, but I would surmise that such an act is probably not needed." Janeway looks at the Doctor her head cocked and her face is puzzled. "How so Doctor?" The Doctor smiles, "Well as I had stated when you came in, I had reprogrammed the Sickbay sensors to detect Kes's DNA and to activate me. That did occur, therefore we can deduce that Kes is his Mother, and he looks so much like his Father that they could use each other to shave by. There in lies all the proof you should need, but I would be happy to verify it, if you'd like."
Janeway nodded, "Please do Doctor." She turns to Eugene; "I'm going to leave you here just for now Eugene. I need to take care of some things, I will be back soon." Eugene nodded as the Doctor lead him to a Biobed. Janeway, Tuvok and B'Elanna moved back out into the hallway. As the door closed Janeway stared for a moment at Tuvok, and then looked at B'Elanna. "You said you had some idea what was going on earlier B'Elanna?" B'Elanna's eyes were closed as if she was concentrating on something. They opened with a snap. "Yes Capt. and I would say this confirms it. The ship's sensors read the energy field, but were unable to process the signature until I applied a modulation algorithm to dampen the amplitude. The energy field was actually a chronometric field."
Janeway looked at B'Elanna then at Tuvok, "I want a meeting with the Senior Officers in 20 minutes." They both nodded and the three of them proceeded to the Turbo lift. As they entered Tuvok tapped his Combadge, "Lt. Tuvok to all Senior Officers, staff meeting in the Conference room in 20 minutes. Janeway exited the Turbo lift by the galley, while B'Elanna rode it to Engineering with Tuvok.
Janeway moved down the corridors of Voyager, as much as her concern over Tom and Kes was fore front in her mind, she knew she had to speak to Neelix to let him know what has happened. As she entered into the galley Neelix greeted her from the kitchen as he wiped his hands on a towel and moved out into the dining area.
Janeway reached out her left hand and took Neelix's right shoulder and walked with him over towards a corner of the room by the windows looking out over the planet. "Capt, what's going on?" Neelix asked. Janeway looked deep into his eyes, "Neelix, something has happened on the planet. We're not sure how yet, but Tom and Kes are missing on the planet."
Neelix's eyes widen, "M-Missing, but how, I wasn't aware that Kes had gone down to the planet?" "Apparently Kes went down in one of the first groups to the surface," Janeway continues explaining, "Mr. Paris and Kes went into the cave the mining team were drilling in to get to the Dilithium, they were responding to an energy build up. From what we can tell by the sensor data, B'Elanna believes it was a Chronometric field and that Kes and Mr. Paris are now in the past."
Neelix staggered backwards and with Janeway's assistance sat down in one of the chairs. Janeway swallows hard as she gages Neelix's reactions then continues. "We have some physical proof that B'Elanna is correct. The Doctor is currently running a genetics test on Eugene, who we believe is the son of Kes and Mr. Paris."
Watching Neelix's responses Janeway realizes that he is going to start hyperventilating and she quickly moves to the kitchen and gets the Hypo-spray from the first aid kit. After a quick injection, he begins to slow his breathing. "There is a little more news Neelix, and it's going to be the worst. Are you up to it?" Janeway asks as she continues to monitor Neelix.
Several tears escape Neelix's eyes as he nods his head. Taking a deep breath Janeway continues, "If all our information and what Eugene has told us is correct, both Tom and Kes died some time ago in the planet's past." Neelix's head spins as he feels like his heart flops to the ground and then slowly retracts and he burst into tears. Several crewmembers gather about Neelix, hugging him and trying to console him. Janeway smiles a sad sort of smile then pats his hand, "It's going to be okay Neelix. We'll find a way to make this right." She hugs him and after asking some of the crewmembers to stay with him Janeway heads for the bridge.
The Doctor was in the middle of his DNA analysis when the computer reminded him of the staff meeting. "Ah well, a Doctor's work is never done. Computer run program EMN1." The Computer chirped back to confirm the order then another figure appeared in the room.
Except for the black hair and human ears, Kes stood before the Doctor wearing a Starfleet Medical uniform. "Ah Nurse, I need you to complete the DNA analysis of this patient, then run a comparison check between Lt. Paris and Crewman Kes." He walked into his office and picked up his mobile holo emitter. "I must attend a staff meeting. But don't worry Eugene the Nurse has access to all my data banks, and I leave you in capable hands." The Nurse nodded to the Doctor and as he turned to go out the door he saw Eugene staring at the nurse with apprehension. "Is something wrong Eugene?" Eugene swallowed hard, but was unable to speak or take his eyes off the Nurse. The Dr. seemed to finally realize what was going on. "I'm sorry Eugene, your mother is very dear to me and I drew upon her physically when I designed the nurse. Will you be okay?" Eugene again swallowed hard but nodded his head. The Dr. inclined his head and left Sickbay.
Tom had just finished building a fire, and was stacking up more wood for the fire. Kes looked apprehensively at the stockpile of wood within the cave. Tom caught her stare and the emotions on her face. "It's just for safety sake Kes, until we can figure out what happened and how to contact Voyager. Kes nodded, but was not relieved by his comment. Kes sat down next to Tom as he worked with the tricorder, trying to make sense of the data it had recorded inside the cave.
The energy pattern seemed familiar, but he wasn't sure, or comfortable with what he remembered from B'Elanna's training class. The pattern suggested a temporal field of some kind, and with everything that has happened with Voyager, and the missing crewmen, he was convinced that somehow they were transported to another time. Tom placed his arm about Kes, "Kes, I think that somehow we were transported through time, we could be hours, or years before Voyager's arrival, or worse, after they left." Kes looked up at Tom, then bowed her head to his chest and held him tight.
Tom hugged Kes tightly to him, but his thoughts drifted back in time. 'Tom entered into the holodeck, many crewmembers had come to enjoy his French Pub program, and in fact several were there already running it. Everyone looked up and called out to him. He was really beginning to feel at home here. He had friends, real friends, something he wasn't accustomed too. He often fell back on his old ways, trying to figure out their angle, and what they wanted from him. He kissed Sandrine hello and ordered ale.
As he sipped at the ale he saw B'Elanna standing over by the darts board talking with a few others. His pulse quickened as he looked at her. She was so beautiful; too bad they had gotten off on the wrong foot, if only there was some way to make her see him for who he was now. She moved a bit and her head turned towards him, he smiled at her as she looked at him for a moment, then she turned and left the holodeck.'
Janeway and Chakotay were standing in the Conference room when the Doctor walked in. Janeway looked at the Doctor surprised. "Doctor, did you complete the analysis already?" The Doctor stopped to look out the window for a moment, "No Capt., I activated EMN1 to perform the task so I could join the meeting." Janeway looked at Chakotay then back to the Doctor. "EMN1, Doctor?" The Doctor's head turn to look at the Capt, "Oh, I'm sorry Capt. I forgot. I had been considering my newly acquired mobility and had decided that if I am on the go somewhere else and Kes is not available to watch over Sickbay someone else needed to."
Moving closer to the Capt., "So I decided to create a Nurse, hence EMN1. I found that after I was taken from Voyager by Henry Starling that my program and database was no longer as rigid as it was before. I drew from my experience on the Holo-deck and used my own program design to create her. She has full access to my databanks and can act as any Nurse in Starfleet could. I had experimented with running another version of myself, but found I spent a lot of time arguing over diagnosis and treatments. Therefore I thought the best thing was a Nurse, I get the help, but not all the headaches of another opinion." Chakotay laughed as he and the Capt. sat down, "Very well Doctor, but I want you to monitor the Nurse closely until we can feel assured that the program is going to work." The Doctor took a seat next to Chakotay, "Of course Capt."
Ensign Kim and the other officers began filing into the Conference room, taking their seats around the table. "It looks like we're all here Lt. Torres would you like to start?" The Capt. looked across the table at B'Elanna as she stood and walked to the computer screen. "After going over all the sensor data that we were able to collect, both during and after the incident we have a strong theory as to what happened. It appears that the Dilithium that we found has already been processed and converted for use." Tapping several control pads the screen changes to show the area of the cave around the crystals.
"Geological instability in the past has caused the majority of the cave passages to collapse. It seems that the crystals have been refined in such a way that they absorb any energy directed at them; along with refractory metals in the rock we therefore can't get any accurate data about them or the area inside the wall. Any energy that breaches the outside of the wall is immediately absorbed. I believe that once the crystals have absorbed or processed so much energy they then release it, which is what caused the Chronometric field."
Tuvok looks at Janeway, "Which is where we lost Mr. Paris and Kes. We have surmised that since they were moving into the cave and therefore moving through the field they literally walked into the past Capt." Janeway looked at Tuvok and then to Torres, "And the mining team wasn't affected because they were knocked back by the first wave and then didn't move until it had dissipated."
"That's what we're speculating at this time Capt. we have been considering trying to beam down a cutting tool that uses mechanical means to try and get into the area where the crystals are so we can figure out what to do next." Chakotay turns to B'Elanna, "So at this time, you don't have any ideas of how to rescue Kes and Paris?" B'Elanna shakes her head, "I'm afraid not Commander, once we know what were up against, it might be possible."
Harry sits looking out the window, wondering about his friend. He has caused Harry some problems on the ship, but then he knows that most of the incidents have led him to a better understanding of himself and of Starfleet. The Doctor clears his throat, "Excuse me Capt., but the nurse has just informed me that test results confirm that Eugene is the son of Mr. Paris and Kes."
The ship's intercom chirps, "Crewmen Desot to Capt. Janeway." Janeway looks up to the ceiling, "This is the Capt." "Capt., I believe I have located a tricorder on the surface." Janeway looks at Chakotay. Chakotay nods his head; "We beamed a tricorder down to Paris before he entered the cave." "Janeway to Transporter room 1, the sensors have picked up a tricorder on the surface, beam it to the Conference room." "Aye Capt., scanning, locked on, energizing." A moment later a tricorder materializes on the Conference table. Janeway picks it up, "B'Elanna, I want you to go through this as quick as you can, see what's on here."
"I want another staff meeting in 30 minutes. Lt. Tuvok, I want you to organize a team to go back to the surface with a new cutting tool and get to work on the caves." Both Torres and Tuvok nodded to the Capt. as everyone got up and moved out of the room. Janeway looks at the Doctor, "Well, I guess I'll go with you back to Sickbay so I can talk more with Eugene then." The Doctor nods his head and they walk out onto the Bridge and into a Turbo lift.
"Commander, you have the Bridge." A few moments later they enter Sickbay and find Eugene looking everything over. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting Eugene, are you hungry?" Eugene grins at the Capt. "Very much so Capt.," his expression causing her to smile Janeway gestures for him to follow. They continue to make small talk as they walk to the galley.
As they start to walk into the galley all the smoke alarms Eugene, but Janeway calms him down, letting him know that one of the first things to learn about the galley is that smoke is not always an indication of fire out of control, but she thinks 'Just an alien.' Several crewmen greet the Capt. and the stares they give Eugene disturb him. Janeway excuses herself for a moment and steps back into the kitchen where Neelix is quite animatedly working on a dish.
"Neelix, I wanted to check on you, are you okay?" Trying to puff himself up and sounding much more sure of things then he really does Neelix quickly answers the Capt. "Of course Capt., but you know how a hungry crew can get, got to get them fed no matter what." Janeway looked at Neelix as she saw through him. Finally she nodded, "Very well Neelix, but I am sure we can get by for a time if you want to take a break." "Thank you Capt., but I will be fine." Neelix responded. Janeway nodded and added "I brought Eugene down here for some food, when you think you are ready, I would like to introduce you." Neelix kind of leans out a bit to look out but quickly stands up straight, "O-of course Capt., Thank you."
Janeway returned to Eugene and after filling their plates they sat down, Eugene begins to eat very fast. "You act like you're starved Eugene. Is everything okay?" Eugene looks up, a bit embarrassed; "I'm sorry Capt., after spending so much time alone, my manners are not what they should be."
Janeway smiles, "That's quite alright; being alone that long would be hard on anyone. Tell me, what exactly happened to your parents?" Eugene took a long drink of water, then his eyes seemed to grow distant, "I was about 3 when Mother died, she was quite old. The winter was very harsh Father said. She caught the Flu and it turned into Pneumonia. I never really got to know her, just a few personal messages she left in their tricorder.
Father was always on the go, almost as soon as I could walk I remember us constantly hiking, fishing, hunting, if it could be done together we were doing it. He said that he never had a very good relationship with his Father. He had always felt his father was too strict and never allowed him to get close. He always told me that we would never be like that, and we would always be together." A tear flowed freely out of Eugene's eye, and he strained trying not to show the emotions he was feeling.
"It's okay Eugene, you can feel anything you want and no one will judge you for it." They both turned to find Neelix sitting in a chair a few feet away, obviously listening to the story. Eugene nodded to Neelix as Janeway's hand touched his shoulder. "Father was out early one morning, it was my 8th Birthday. He had gone out to get me something special, but as he made his way through the woods a bear attacked and killed him."
Janeway's heart was going out to the young man as he sat for a moment trying to collect his emotions. He raised his head, and his red eyes shone so brightly, a happy-sad smile was on his face. "I'll never forget you Father," he said in a hoarse whisper. "I wish I hadn't lost the tricorder. It was one of the few things that helped me keep my sanity; it also contained several messages for you Capt. and several other members of the crew.
Janeway smiled at Eugene, "Well, I'm happy to tell you that we found the tricorder. It's already been beamed aboard, and Lt. Torres is going through the data now, trying to make sense out of what happened."