Author's Note: Dear readers, I'm sorry to let you wait for another (last) chapter for a long time. Therefore, I hope you enjoy reading the more. Let me know if it's the end you wished for, please. Thanks for your many reviews so far.
Chapter THREE
"Captain" Ensign Kim called after having been unable to make anything out of the strange sensor readings that had come up hardly half a minute ago.
"Long-range scanners picked up something that resembles the subspace signature of the wormhole leading us out of Devor space."
Captain Janeway and Chakotay exchanged quick glances. The wormhole in question had closed and it was unlikely that it would re-appear so near its former position.
Chakotay accessed Harry's terminal and transferred the data to the display between the captain's and his own chair. He was no specialist in quantum physics – that was Kathryn's part – but he understood enough to be honestly surprised. Next to him, Kathryn shifted position indicating her uneasiness over what she saw, thus confirming Chakotay's suspicion. That looked damn like "their" wormhole.
"On screen please, Harry."
The image on the main screen changed. At first it only showed a different part of space containing other constellations, but within another thirty seconds a whirlpool of colours appeared out of nowhere as the wormhole opened. Threads of plasma and winds of matter and subspace particles emerged. Yet, this astrophysical spectacle was not the reason why everyone at Voyager's command centre suddenly gasped. Together with star dust a huge Devor battle ship gracefully came into view as well. Some more seconds and the wormhole disappeared again, leaving only the threatening vessel.
Kathryn had to keep herself in check. She had been genuinely convinced that tricking Kashyk and his "surrender" had saved them from further trouble with the xenophobic people. And now this! A cold shiver ran down her spine.
Slowly, very very slowly the Devor battleship approached. It rather looked like a big bat – only much more hostile. Fighting was no option since Voyager would have no chance. But unfortunately the Devor would not restrict themselves to another inspection after Voyager had saved the telepaths and broken law, would they?
Kathryn felt the gazes of the entire bridge crew resting upon her. They awaited her orders. But which was the best strategy?
"Have they activated shields and weapons?"
She asked, head bended half way towards security station without her eyes leaving the Devor.
"Negative." Tuvok answered, his voice unusually stiff.
Kathryn waited for the larger ship to make the first move. So far the Devor had not hailed them demanding the hand-over of the ship as the protocol required. Whether this was a good sign or not, she did not dare to judge.
Chakotay sensed the captain's uncertainty. During their last encounter with the Devor, she and Kashyk had played a game Kathryn had eventually but only narrowly won. She probably was not very eager for a second round.
Tension rose among the senior staff as another minute passed. Kathryn got nervous. She rose, taking a few steps towards helm.
"Any changes in their condition, Tuvok?"
"None."
"Do they scan us?"
"I cannot detect neither active nor passive sensors."
"Damnit." The captain muttered more to herself than to the rest of the crew. "That is so unlike the Devor. Why don't they follow their own protocols? I really wonder…"
By now the huge battleship was a mere hundred kilometres away from Voyager and stopped.
"If they don't want to tell us what they want, we may have to hail them and ask."
Chakotay suggested who had risen from his seat as well.
"Very well. Harry, open frequencies."
She heard Harry taping the necessary commands.
"They're responding."
The ensign replied and put the picture on the main screen.
The larger-than-life image appearing in front of her let Kathryn freeze in time. She knew that face well, better than she should maybe. It was a face she hated like a plague and yet had felt drawn to at some point. He was the very last man she had expected to see.
For seconds she did not say anything but just stared at the screen – and he stared back. In his eyes Kathryn did not see the arrogant Inspector but… something she could not quite put her finger on.
Eventually she straightened and rose to full height.
"Inspector." She said in as cold a voice as she could muster. "We're not in Devor space anymore. You can't subject us to another inspection."
"Neither do I desire one." The man answered in this calm voice that now lacked the touch of haughtiness. "I came back just for you."
A sharp sting of jealousy shot through Chakotay and rage began burning in his veins. How did this traitor dare to approach Kathryn with such words?! Chakotay looked around. The entire bridge crew was taken aback. Tom exchanged glances with Harry. Yet, as his gaze fell upon the Captain he knew that for Kathryn the bridge crew did not exist. She starred at Kashyk, did not turn her head. Chakotay would see the look in her eyes and it troubled him. He had to know what was going on in Kathryn's mind at such an open declaration.
Instantly he was at her side, squaring shoulders. Chakotay would show this self-important bastard to whom Kathryn belonged.
Kathryn had not felt Chakotay's approaching, just felt his presence now. Indeed, he was so near now that his arm touched hers. He was backing her up, in the literal as well real sense, and she was thankful for it. She felt his accelerated heart beat, sensed his anger that was maybe even greater than her own. Driven by the impulse to reassure him where her affections lay, she took his hand and squeezed it. Chakotay responded in the same manner.
Kashyk caught the silent gesture between the two commanding officers of Voyager. His look rested upon the hands for a second before he turned his eyes back to Kathryn alone.
"I see, I never had a real chance. I never… " He stopped.
"No."
Kathryn answered in a rather warm tone now, yet conveying all the ultimateness and determination of her decision.
Kathyk managed a sad smile and nodded before the screen turned dark.
The End
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