Summary: See first chapter

Chapter One: Missing

"Commander, the Benarian Minister is hailing from the surface," Tuvok said. Chakotay and B'Elanna had returned about ten minutes ago. He'd never known a Klingon to be such a shopaholic.

"Open a channel," Chakotay ordered, watching as the Minister's face flashed up on the screen, his green eyes troubled.

"Commander," his voice was rounded with a soft foreign accent. "May I speak with Captain Janeway? She didn't show up earlier." Instantly, Chakotay was worried.

"When I left her, she was on her way," he replied. The Minister frowned.

"Well, she hasn't arrived," the alien said. "Would you like me to send out a search party?"

"Yes, and so will we. Tuvok, take two teams to the surface and find her," Chakotay ordered. Tuvok disappeared into the turbolift.

"There's more," the Minister held up the pieces of a broken commbadge. "We also found her phaser and tricorder. No sign of her."

"Do you have any theories on what might have happened to her?" Chakotay tried to push down the feeling of dread building inside him.

The Minister shuffled his feet uncomfortably. "I have a theory. You're not going to like it."

Chakotay narrowed his eyes. "Go on."

"Well... There's a group of terrorist fighters who believe that aliens should not be allowed on our planet. They've snatched visitors to our planet before and left them in the desert to die slowly."

"And you didn't think to tell us this?" Chakotay couldn't believe his ears. The Minister suddenly seemed to find something fascinating on the floor.

"I... We... didn't want to scare you away. We're trying to convince the terrorists that you aliens are our friends, but they won't listen."

"We'll discuss this later. Now, we have to find Captain Janeway. If you're right, we should concentrate our searches on the desert."

"We'd better hurry," the Minister raised his gaze to meet Chakotay's. "No-one can survive long out there without water. Definitely not your Captain."

...

Kathryn awoke disorientated and with a splitting headache. She slowly sat up, rubbing her forehead. She realised instantly that she was injured. Blood was dripping down the side of her head, and she had bruises over her arms and legs. As she attempted to push herself to her feet, she felt a jolt of pain go up her left arm. She'd fractured her wrist. Careful not to injure herself further, she got to her feet and looked around in horror.

There was desert as far as the eye could see. She saw a few unfamiliar plants similar to cacti dotted here and there, and no sign of any life. Kathryn shielded her eyes from the blinding sunlight, and knew she had to get out of the heat.

Quickly, she took of her jacket and turtleneck, tearing them into strips to bind her arm. As soon as she felt the pain subside, she began walking. She had a long day ahead.

Hope you like!

Goldie x