Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chell had his orders from Chakotay to seal and lock all food stores and set the temperatures to the lowest safe levels to preserve the food-stuffs and plants in hydro and airponics. Under no circumstances were any food-stuffs from the planet to be brought aboard Voyager. He was advised to set up a field kitchen beneath Voyager's forward section and cook the planet's food-stuffs there and to naturally recycle food waste and seeds. Chell had thought this strange since they'd always foraged on the planet's they'd passed for suitable food-stuffs; but the talk among the crew of this paradise being a little 'too good to be true', he realised the wisdom in the commander's orders.
The general order was also put out to the crew along similar lines; that nothing from the planet was to be brought aboard Voyager and nothing from the ship was to be left to litter the planet.
"Equip yourselves with what you need for your trips off ship and make sure you return with that same equipment," Tom Paris read out in the Mess Hall during breakfast; their last meal on Voyager until they left the paradise planet. "Just bring back some good experiences and memories. Crew dismissed," he smiled.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Tuvok was trying to meditate in his quarters using his usual Vulcan techniques, but they didn't appear to be helping; about to call the Doctor when the EMH turned up at his door.
"Doctor?" his tone mild.
"Your recent medical scan threw up some unforeseen problems. I'd like you to check this whilst I re-affirm those readings," giving the dark male a PADD. As Tuvok read the data, the Doctor ran his tricorder scanner over the male's head.
"Doctor?" he questioned, looking at the EMH. "How long?"
"Two, three year's maybe. I can keep it under some control with the drugs, but it is not a permanent solution."
"No, that is true. That will be on Vulcan," he acknowledged. "I will inform the Captain when it becomes necessary. Until then I will continue as normal; although it appears my meditation techniques will have to be limited."
"Indeed," the EMH agreed. "You have suffered some rather traumatic events during our journey through the Delta quadrant. Thus perhaps this problem shouldn't be so surprising."
"Thank you, Doctor. I will be taking some shore leave in the next two days. I'll report to you for a booster shot before I leave the ship."
"Good," he said, his expression neutral as he left. The Vulcan stood at the viewports and looked at the scene outside and yet was not seeing it as the male turned his thoughts inward, roaming mentally through his journey; both in terms of physical space and his on-going relationships with certain members of the crew, including Captain Kathryn Janeway.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Harry Kim sat in his quarters going over some last minute preparations. He and Vorik were to start on the maintenance overhaul with Alpha shift and when that was done a group from Ops/Security and Engineering teams were to take a hiking trip into the Rocky canyons; taking only the camping equipment they would require, but if the mild weather held they would probably sleep under the stars. No moon, yet his scans had noted a faint elliptical set of rings around the planet at a 45 degree angel as if a small moon should have been in orbit, yet had possibly been shattered by a passing meteor or asteroid. He had a feeling the rings would shine in the night's sky.
/\ Ensign Vorik to Ensign Kim. We are ready to begin. /\
"Acknowledged, Vorik. I'll be right down. Kim out," he replied and left his quarters for engineering deck.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Tom Paris was in the shuttle bay loading tenting equipment onto an anti-grav sledge when Torres joined him wrapped up warm and out of uniform as he was.
"What's this?" she asked, having kissed his cheek in greeting.
"Camping gear and cooking utensils, etc."
"No tent I've ever seen," she noted playfully.
"It will be once Ayala and I have erected it," grinning as he gave her a cuddle; then he sobered. "Lanna, I'd like you to stay here with Chakotay at least until the camp site is ready. We'll come and collect you both and transport you via those hover bike sledges," pointing to the relevant items in a corner of the bay.
"You've been itching to have a go on those ever since you found their design specs in the ship's achieved data-base," shaking her head at his boyish expression. "With the transporters shutdown for maintenance and emergency use only, I don't blame you. Take care," kissing his nose as Ayala joined them. "Make sure this male doesn't get into any mischief, Mike," she told the dark haired male, ignoring the indignant look from her husband as she left the shuttle bay.
"Right let's get these hover bikes loaded up and running." Mike Ayala smiled as eager as the pilot to give the bikes a run.
B'Elanna Torres entered Chakotay's quarters enjoying the sight and feel of the early sunlight streaming in through the viewports. The male still slept soundly in his bed when she entered the bedroom area, yet he stirred sensing her presence and blinked groggily at her.
"Morning, big brother!" she teased softly, easing her bulk down onto the bed beside him. He quietly lifted a hand and hesitantly reached for hers. She catches it, gently squeezed it and then laid it on her swollen belly, surprising him. He felt strangely shy touching her like this, but then someone kicked beneath his hand more then once.
"She's going to be just like her mother," he smiled and added softly. "Foul tempered."
"I give you 'foul tempered', Mister!" she snapped back angrily, yet her words were tempered by her welcoming smile. "If you can tease, you must be feeling better," she summarised.
"Perhaps," he sighed laying fully back into the pillows, his hand still held in hers on her belly. He again smiled at the strong movements kicking under that hand. Sighing again, he gently pulled his hand free and rolled to the opposite side of the bed to sit up. Torres watched him as he flexed sleep tired muscles and generally stretched the kinks of sleep from them.
"Tom and Mike will be back for us later. They've gone to set up camp; Help! I knew I shouldn't have sat here," trying to stand, but she had nothing for leverage. A strong arm encircled her back beneath her arms, whilst the other held her free hand and thus helped her to her feet. B'Elanna felt warm within his gentle embrace, letting him hold her. He squeezed her softly and kissed the top of her head.
"Tom is a very lucky man," he whispered, giving her another gentle squeeze and then carefully released her and then he went into the shower area, to refresh himself and dress.
Chakotay packed a small bag with some personal items; sleepwear, his medicine bundle, a change of clothing and a special journal. B'Elanna noted that he wore a casual style; what she didn't know was that it was one of the outfits he'd worn on New Earth. The soft jerkin over the loose shirt and pants fitted him well adding to his handsome appearance. Tom joined them and whistled.
"Very nice, Chakotay," giving his wife a kiss. "Oh don't worry I won't be kissing you," he teased grinning, at the big male, who'd suddenly felt shy and warmed by his friends comments.
When he saw their mode of transport however, he was very intrigued walking round the two bikes and asking questions. Mike Ayala watched amused, pleased to see his friend happy realising the male was acting like a little boy who'd discovered a new toy to play with.
"Hop on Chakotay," he invited, having stowed the male's bag in the under seat storage holder of the passenger seat. Dazed he sat astride the hover bike behind Ayala; whilst Tom made sure B'Elanna was seated securely in the baggage compartment on his bike. The two males revved up the engines and headed out from under Voyager's forward section and the busy bustle of the new kitchen and headed north-east.
Within twenty to thirty minutes travelling just under the hover bike's top speed they arrived at the camping ground.
"A tepee?!" Chakotay asked, surprised, looking at the round conical tent.
"Like it?" Tom asked hoping he'd done the right thing, as he helped B'Elanna out of her seat. Eyes bright Chakotay looked from the tepee to the pilot.
"Thank you," he said and then disappeared inside the tent.
"We're sleeping in that?" Torres asked.
"There's room for all of us. We've sectioned off three sleep areas within," Tom told her leading her inside, whilst Ayala secured the bikes by covering them.
Inside the tepee - having already selected a sleeping section – Chakotay sat cross legged near the central hearth gazing thoughtfully into the flames.
"Everything alright, Chakotay?" he asked, seeking the males assurance. The tattooed male smiled in response. Torres checked out hers and Tom's sleeping area and realised that he and Ayala had made a platform bed so she wouldn't have to get down to ground level; also included was her favourite lounger chair.
"This is cosy," she noted smiling relaxed at her husband, as they re-joined Chakotay. "What's for lunch?"
"We'll have to go and find it," he said and got to his feet and left the tepee.
"It's alright, Lanna. He won't have to go far," Paris reassured her.
A few strides away from the camp ground clearing Chakotay came across some blueberry bushes, wild garlic and what looked like quash planet along with some sweet potatoes.
"A natural larder," he said softly. Ayala soon joined him with a basket so they could gather the ingredients for their meal. Acorns were knocked down from the young producing tree.
"Makes good flour; only ground up," he told Mike. They even discovered a bee's nest with some honey. Chakotay cautioned that they took only what needed for that day's meal; he also found some mushrooms and gathered enough for the four of them.
Meantime Tom set about putting the finishing touches to the outside cooking fire.
"I thought the hearth in the tepee was for cooking."
"Not if you don't want any lingering cooking smells whilst you sleep. No the tepee's hearth is for warmth and to keep the bugs at bay. It's why I've put some pine cones in there," he informed her, as he stood the cooking tripod with hanging pot over the burning fire.
"Green ones!" she noted.
"And so they should be," said Chakotay having just returned with his full basket. "The resin in the cones will make it smell pleasant for us, but it keeps the biting bugs at bay," he said, setting out his bounty on the large flat stone close to the cooking fire. Mike put down his medium sized can filled with clear clean water from the rushing stream nearby.
Soon the vegetable stew Chakotay had put together was bubbling in the cooking pot hanging over the fire; with blueberry acorn pastry turnovers baking under a pottery pot covered in the fire's hot ashes. Coffee brewed made from the wild berries they'd discovered near the rushing stream.
"You're in your element, aren't you, Chakotay?" Ayala said quietly having been watching his commander's facial expressions, so animated with almost child-like delight. Startled he looked up at the three, who smiled back at him.
"Pass your bowls; if you want to eat."
Later out for a walk following the course of another stream, Chakotay surged ahead almost as if he wanted to reach somewhere yesterday. Ayala called to him, in fact he had to run to catch up with the striding male and halt him.
"Chakotay! Not so fast," grabbing the male's arm to halt his forward progress. "B'Elanna may have another two months to go, but she can't keep up with you; slow down," he smiled as the tattooed male looked back along the way they'd come to where Tom helped his wife to keep a steady pace. He frowned pained, yet he waited for the pair. "If I know B'Elanna, she'll have scheduled the repairs alone to take a couple of weeks if not three. Then there'll be the general maintenance to do. We'll have time, Chakotay," he added softly.
"I hope so, Mike," his voice quiet. "I know Janeway," he said nothing more as Tome and B'Elanna joined them and she sat down on the fallen tree, panting.
"I don't think… I can go any further," trying to drew breath. Seeing the look on Chakotay's face Mike offered to run back for one of the hover bikes and return to take Torres back to camp.
"Thanks, Mike," she said. He ran off after a nod from the two males and went back the way they'd come. Tom sat beside his wife. "Chakotay, I'm not letting Janeway short change us on the repairs and maintenance this time. Voyager's engines are going to get a complete overhaul even if we have to stay here for a whole month or two, to do it," she paused giving her husband a soft knowing smile. "I'll even strip them down to their nuts and bolts if I have too." Chakotay grinned knowing that is exactly what she would do.
"I remember you even threatened to do that with the Liberties engines at one point," he said smiling at the memory.
"I don't remember that?!"
"Before your time; even Tuvok's," she said looking at the tattooed male with a knowing smile. "I think I teased you at one time with the spare engine parts!" He laughed; at that moment Mike Ayala had returned.
"What?" he asked, slowing the hover bike down.
"Engines," Tom enlightened him. Ayala grinned.
"It was very funny watching you looking at all the bits she'd laid out and trying to figure out which bit went where. Until somebody spoilt the fun and told you it was only the spare parts." All of them calmed at that.
"Hmm! Seska," he said quietly, without the pain that had once been there at her betrayal.
"Tom, why don't you stay with Chakotay? Mike and I can gather food for supper on our return journey," Torres suggested.
"If you're sure? I don't want you to tire." She halted him by kissing him softly, her eyes bright. Tom grinned and said: "Ok Poocuh, I'm all yours; I think," frowning at his last words.
"You sure you don't want to re-phrase that?" Chakotay quipped with a mocking grin.
"I suppose I should," pausing a moment noting the grin on Ayala's face. "But I think I may only put my foot in, even further," he added, grinning also, making the tattooed male laugh. The other two smiled too.
"Go on the pair of you. Be back before sundown," she admonished the pair, whilst Ayala helped her into the chair in the baggage carrier on the bike and setting off the way they'd come.
Tom and Chakotay left in the opposite direction still following the stream. They walked in quiet companionable silence, listening to the soft wind in the tree tops and the gurgling of the stream as they strode easily through the mixed woodland; until the stream finally emptied into a lake. The wide still water stood surrounded by the trees in full summer blush was reflected perfectly in the mirror like surface of the water. The two of them stood within the shadow of the trees watching the play of light and shadow on and in the water's surface.
"Looks good for swimming in. don't you think so?"
"No; Tom. Look," pointing to a patch of sunlit water. "Watch the play of light and see how it swirls," he said softly. "That is a river not a lake." Tom watched the patch that Chakotay had pointed out; he noticed a leafy branch floating in the water, on the opposite side, which was catch by the current, whirled in the pool of light and was carried swiftly away from them.
"Do you think this river leads to possibly a waterfall? I feel something coursing through the air," the young pilot said. Chakotay smiled at him and they set off following the leafy branch as it sped on its way. It wasn't long that they could hear a thundering rumbling sound, plus the fact that the forest felt damp.
Suddenly the roaring sound hit their senses as the smooth water tumbled over the steep drop. Moving carefully through the spray dripping forest they went forward toward the roaring sound. The sun played with the water droplets making at least three rainbows within and over the clouds of tumbling water. They stopped in awe at the sight that greeted them as they cleared the tree cover. A huge wall of water curved away from them up to 180 metres wide in the shape of a double three, with them standing on the lower arm of the second three. Both men didn't dare look down as the bottom was beyond the sight hidden by the falling spray. Tom tugged on Chakotay's sleeve pulling him away from the hypnotic falling water; moving back the way they'd come.
Once they'd left the roaring sound behind they felt they could think and speak again.
"Wow! Doesn't even begin to cover that sight," Tom said in hushed tones.
"Indeed. It reminded me of Victoria Falls on the river Zambezi and Niagara Falls all in one. I would think there are least four rivers – if not more – feeding that falls," awe in his voice as he walked through the quiet forest, the roar of the falling water still ringing in his ears. Suddenly he stopped. "Where are we?" he asked looking round at the unfamiliar surroundings. Paris joined him noting the lack of river or stream.
"We must have moved further away from the river's edge in order to reach the Falls," looking round. "But I'm sure we're going in the right direction," he said, about to start forward, but the tight grip on his arm prevented him. He looked at his companion's intent expression as the tattooed male listened. The pair stood there taking in the quiet surrounded by the mainly tall pine trees, where the sunlight dappled the fern strewn ground, yet nothing else moved much apart from the sunlit dust motes.
"Quiet, too quiet," Tom whispered finding himself standing closer to his companion than he had been. Chakotay listened aware of the other's closeness, yet accepting it. a noise broke the stillness and a voice they knew very well called. A few minutes later his hover bike broke cover, with the second bike in tow.
"B'Elanna got worried about you both," Ayala grinned as he joined them. "Seeing how far off course you are, just as well I came looking. There's a marshy area between here and camp, on the line you're currently taking; therefore you'd have had to take an even longer route on foot to get back to camp," he said as the two friends loaded up on the second bike and followed Ayala's lead. Chakotay had to smile at Mike Ayala's banter, only half listening as the male explained how he'd tracked them. For one who when on duty didn't say much, he sure made up for it at other times.
Suddenly something caught his eye to his left as they hovered through and over the marshy reed beds. Within the underbrush framed by the trees stood a white wolf, her yellow eyes looking straight at him.
"Chakotay," called a voice the pilot of his hover bike. "You alright?" Paris asked concerned.
"Yes! Yes, Tom; I'm fine," he said reassuringly. He looked back at the spot where the wolf had stood, but the area was now empty, leaving him wondering if he'd imagined her. the sky was starting to darken above their heads as they rode back into the camp clearing and the smell of cooking. After their meal, they sat and watched the stars come out in the dark moonless sky; where the planetary rings did indeed arch, shining moon white across the night sky.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Those self same arched rings looked down on the resting starship as she sat in the wide pampas plain; where the once busy activity beneath her was now quiet as some of the crew stirred within their sleeping bags as they slept under the open sky.
The tall dark skinned pointed eared figure of Tuvok checked the security provisions set to keep the wandering animal night life from disturbing the sleepers. Once that had been completed to his satisfaction he took himself off to a near-by rocky outcrop to meditate. Out of uniform as were most of the non working crew; he wore a neat tunic top and pants of muted browns, felt the night breeze brush past his face and whisper across his alert ears as he walked and then climbed to his chosen destination. He decided to sit on his high rocky perch cross legged, rather than kneel as was his usual position when meditating; hoping it would aid his need to meditate. He quietly contemplated the starry vista before him, looking out across the open plain, which at this dark hour reminded him of some of the less harsh plains of Vulcan. Soothed by the sight he relaxed and thought deeply about his journey over the last seven years; his friendships with the crew, especially Kathryn Janeway and all the senior staff, including Seven of Nine, the Doctor even Neelix and Vorik the only other Vulcan and not forgetting his security staff.
It was his friendship with the command team that occupied his thoughts at first, but a certain funny alien male kept popping up more often than not. to start with he kept pushing those thoughts aside, yet after a while as they either popped up at odd moments or crept in, he let them have free reign. In doing so he began to realise just how much he missed the alien male. Irrational and irritating though the Talaxian had always seemed to the cool clam Vulcan, they'd played off each other. Although Tuvok knew he would not openly admit to it, he missed their word sparring. Neelix had always surprised the Vulcan with his wit and wisdom, often at the most unlikeliest of ways and times.
"Maquis training getting you down." The words were as clear as the day they'd first been uttered. Tuvok lost himself in the memories those words evoked, whilst the stars and silver-white rings moved across the dark velvet blue sky above his head.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Whilst Seven of Nine regenerated, Kathryn Janeway took a walk around the ship starting with deck 8. Most of the crew were either asleep in their quarters or somewhere out on the planet surface. Even Voyager herself slept the easy sleep of one who felt no threat from fear. Only she Kathryn Janeway was awake striding purposefully through the empty corridors of the once vibrant vessel. Her thoughts churned over the data she and Seven had gone over several times and yet they'd found nothing to be feared on this planet that many of the crew were naming Paradise – Garden of Eden, in their various languages and cultures.
She knew the saying about the 'gift horse' about not looking too closely into its mouth or it would bite, as the Trojans had discovered to their cost. Engineering stood quiet and silent for once, usually a wash with the hubbub of noise and Torres berating her staff as they kept the ship ticking over. Only her booted feet walking evenly through the decks along with her heart-beat could be heard. The silence worried at her as she continued her tour, making her way back up from 15 to deck 7. Something was missing, she thought and it wasn't until she reached the Mess Hall and saw the dawn breaking through the view-ports that she realised what it was. There was no song from Voyager.
"No pulse," she whispered watching the sunlit streamer clouds as they reflected the rays of the as yet unseen sun. She stood watching and waiting hoping to hear the sound of a particular little alien man's cheery voice, but it spoke only in her mind and memories, not her ears.
"Beautiful," breathed another male voice quietly, yet not the voice she'd been expecting, but it still made her jump. "Captain, bed. Doctor's orders," he said in a quiet commanding tone. "And no coffee," he admonished, before she could go to the replicators.
"They're off-line anyway, Doctor," she said smiling resigned as she finally turned to look at him. He quietly escorted her to her quarters and made sure she took to her bed; he even gave her a mild sedative to send her into slumber land and that is where he left her; whilst outside the planet awoke to a bright warm sunny day. The crew and ship stirred from their untroubled sleep to enjoy another day of either work or play.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Harry Kim and his trekking group enjoyed a hearty breakfast courtesy of Chell and the planet's cuisine. Soon they all loaded up their camping and climbing gear onto themselves and set off in a south-westerly direction to the craggy range that ran the length of the northern continent, the ship currently occupied, like a backbone running at an angel of 25 degrees from true north. As they walked or rather trekked, they gathered what nourishment they needed to sustain them on their journey. They all chatted quietly among themselves about all manner of subjects, from what they observed around them to general news within their different areas of expertise on their vessel. Harry just absorbed it all, whilst soaking up the sun's warmth along with the warmth of his fellow companions. It wasn't long before the others brought up their personnel observations of the command team.
"You know it is surprising that it is only when something goes that you really appreciate what you had," noted the human female from Ops beta shift.
"Oh and what is that, Jenna?" asked her male friend.
"Not what, who. Neelix." The quiet chatter halted as they all reflected on their own memories of the funny little alien.
"I know what you mean," agreed a male from engineering, which Kim had been working with over the last two days straight in order to get the work Torres had listed done.
"I never thought I'd say this; but I even miss his cooking," Harry said with a grin. Varying degrees of expressions greeted this news, from surprised to disbelief and yet they soon found themselves agreeing to the Ensign's statement and started to relate their own culinary experiences that the Talaxian plied them with; especially his experiments with Earth's more spicy dishes.
"You remember the rooting chilly?" They all laughed as they continued on their way. Someone quietly listened.
tbc...