July 2002
Disclaimer: See Chapters One & Two
Chapter Four
Gold Rage
Golden Bird hung in space close to Voyager, dwarfed by the sleek grey starship, the beacon hovering off the larger ship's port bow. In his cramped quarters A'Gerin greedily scanned every square centimetre of the Starship, purple eyes growing darker all the time. Suddenly he switched off the visual viewer, expression intent he left his quarters; moving with controlled anger towards the shuttle bay. Once there; six ruffians stood to attention, purple eyes centred on him, just how he liked it.
"You know what to do," he said without preamble.
"Yes, Captain!" the six responded in unison.
"Good. Go!" he ordered harshly. They quickly scrambled aboard their shuttle, whilst A'Gerin left the area, heading for the bridge.
"Shuttle heading for the beacon," the aide announced as A'Gerin arrived and took the command seat. "Shuttle in the rift," said the second announcement. Now all he had to do was wait; for the shuttle to return with its precious live cargo. Feeling satisfied he permitted himself a small smile, thoughts turned inwards.
The bridge crew worked industriously around him, in their usual manner, thus he didn't pay them much attention until the first explosion rocked his small craft. Getting to his feet alarmed as a second missile entered the rift and exploded closing it for good. A'Gerin stared, silence reigned; then he started to scream verbal abuse at the nervous bridge crew, yet there was nothing they could do as they'd not been allowed to keep their sensors locked on the beacon.
"Where did those missiles come from?" he demanded, face dark purple eyes wide, nostrils flaring.
"Er. Voyager," the aide said quietly, hoping to avert the seething rage away from his crew.
"Hail them," he yelled menace in his tone, sitting down abruptly, purple eyes brooding.
Quietly the aide turned away to the com-unit and signalled the Starship himself.
=/\=
Captain and Vulcan strode purposefully down the corridor towards the turbo-lift, having just left the primary weapons control room.
"Deck 5, sickbay," she ordered, feeling the heat of anger rising in her. 'Why?' Only one person could answer that and this time she wouldn't be put off from getting the answers she needed.
On entering sickbay, she saw the Doctor attending the man she sought, sitting on the main bio-bed looking a little confused.
"Doctor; Leave us," she ordered her voice tightly controlled.
"Captain," he acknowledged turning to face her, blocking her path to his patient. "He is suffering from shock. I'd advise you to leave." 'Suffering was he!' she thought. "Now isn't the time for any questions. My patient needs to rest."
"Computer..."
"It's all right, Doctor," he said quietly, stalling her command to turn off the EMH. "I'll manage," looking calmly at Janeway. Was it her imagination or was he sorry, even sad?
"Why!?" He stared startled, by the abrupt single word question. Although the Doctor moved out of her way, she didn't move closer. "Captain!?" puzzled, asking for clarification.
"I think you're aware of what you've done, Commander. All I want to know is why?" her tone cold. The male frowned creasing the tattoo on his forehead, still sitting on the bed, whilst the Vulcan stood calmly in the background. "Damn it! Chakotay I want an explanation of your actions," she shouted angrily stepping forward threateningly.
A sudden screech rented the air in front of her and something flapped in her face, forcing her backwards trying to shield her face. It took a moment for the males to react. Chakotay shouted a name, thus allowing the Doctor to treat the flustered woman. Tuvok halted his move to call for extra security and just waited. Shaken but unhurt, the Captain stood as the medic treated her, hearing angry chattering squeals in the background. 'What had attacked her?' she thought.
"Hmm! You obversely haven't been ordering your own coffee recently. I'll just give you a full dose and then she won't hurt you." Puzzled by that statement, she watched the Doctor, collect the hypo-spray and inject its contents. He calmly explained about the strong potion that A'Gerin had been feeding to all the female members of the crew which made them, dislike or distrust the marked man. As she listened, her eyes were drawn to the male and the creature that sat beside him. A deep purr reverberated around sickbay.
"She only makes that sound for him," he said softly, leaving her side, asking Tuvok that the area be secured. The Vulcan did so, whilst Janeway moved cautiously towards the bio-bed.
"Captain meet Rozene; properly this time," he invited, his tone quiet. The soft musical chattering of the lizard-like creature drew her closer putting out a hand. The red/gold winged reptile sat on its hunches and stretching up put a small front paw on the offered hand. The jewelled eyes whirled a mixture of green and white. First it studied her and then looked at Chakotay and back again. The soft musical whistles puzzled her, yet Chakotay smiled and said quietly, "No." It withdrew and flew over to Tuvok and sat on his shoulder calmly inspecting his ear, chattering softly. The dark male just raised an eyebrow. Chakotay grinned broadly. "I don't think he'll take that kindly, Rozene."
"Indeed, Commander."
Janeway stared at them both. It was her dark friend who offered the explanation as Rozene vanished. "Telepathy, Captain."
"How long has it/she been on board?"
"Since you brought the Commander back from the rift," said the Doctor; the little creature reappeared with something in her front paws and sat on the EMH's shoulder. Soft chattering sounds came from it/her holding out the item towards Janeway.
"An apple!?" she said surprised.
"You've been raiding Neelix's kitchen again," he scolded half-heartedly, grinning. "Peace offering, Captain; Apples are her favourite fruit." Carefully she took the offered fruit, the creature watched.
"I think you're supposed to take a bite," the EMH suggested as Tuvok moved closer. Rozene's eyes slowly turned from green to white to green again and then amber as Janeway bit into the juicy apple. Whistling musically she flew cartwheels in the air, landing beside Chakotay who'd called her.
"No, you may not. The apples from the replicator are just as good. No arguments, young lady," he said, rubbing her eye ridges which produced a soft contented purr from the creature. Taking another bite of the apple, she thought about censoring both the Doctor and Chakotay for concealing the creature, watching her play with the male.
"Why did she attack me?"
"The flowers that the potion is made from, makes Fire-lizards sneeze. So they hate the stuff and anyone whose been exposed to it."
"You mean these fire-lizards and the potion comes from the same planet?" He nodded and added that the sap and root of the plant had provided the antidote.
"I've been administering it via the food replicators."
"Novel!" noted the Vulcan, giving voice to her surprised expression, whilst stroking Rozene's neck with one finger.
"Novel! Is not how I would have put it; I was his first test subject," amused at the abashed Medic. Janeway shook herself realising they were getting off the subject she had really wanted answers to.
"Chakotay; Why did you fire those torpedoes?"
"Sorry? Torpedoes? What torpedoes?" he asked frowning. Rozene's eyes were as puzzled as his voice. The EMH told her to watch the lizard's eyes, because they would always reflect what emotions the Commander was feeling.
"Your command codes and DNA residue were found at the primary weapons control room. From where two photon torpedoes were launched, destroying both the beacon and the rift it was guarding," the Vulcan informed him.
"I'm pleased that they've been destroyed, but I don't see what it's got to do with me. I haven't fired any weapons," he said. Rozene's jewelled eyes green/white. The three just looked at each other in silence.
The Medic decided to inform Janeway that he'd known about the potion since he'd first discovered it, not long after the first attack on Cmdr. Chakotay and how he'd kept that information in his matrix. Having met Rozene he now believes creatures like her had attacked Chakotay and that A'Gerin had known.
"His manner said as much, Captain."
"Whilst I was on the planet, the inhabitants spoke about 'Strangers from the sky' taking the Fire-lizards. One of their people died from phaser wounds. I didn't need to see them. The description was enough. They'd never seen plasma burns either," Chakotay informed her.
"That will explain why he asked if your trip through the rift was 'profitable'," noted Tuvok. She sighed, looking at the creature curled up on the male's lap.
"With the rift now closed, we won't be able to return her home." The creature sat up startled, chattering nosily; she stood up front paws on Chakotay's chest and rubbed her muzzle under his chin, purring.
"I believe, Captain," said the Vulcan. "That she's telling you, she is home."
"I literally landed right on top of her, just before she hatched. She was able to bring humanoid help to me. Their medicine couldn't heal my burns, but it did prevent them from getting any worse."
"Meaning, you saved each other, I suppose?" Janeway sighed feeling beaten, finishing her apple. The tattooed male nodded, getting to his feet only to be asked; where he thought he was going by the EMH.
"My quarters; if that's all right with you, Doctor?" The medical hologram humphed and went to his office. "I'll take that as a yes," he said as Rozene vanished.
"Where has she gone?"
"Ask the computer," he suggested calmly, his eyes twinkling mischievously. The computer could not comply, even after Janeway described the creature, as there were no unusual life-forms of that nature on board Voyager. She looked the question at him.
"The Doctor can scan her with tricorder's etc., but as far as the computer is concerned she isn't here. As to where? Well, I'm hoping she's in my quarters and not raiding Neelix's fruit bowl." She smiled with him, hearing Tuvok cancel the security protocols in sickbay, thus the three of them left the area. The Doctor decided to check the crew over manually for the potion and give the antidote where necessary, starting with the bridge crew.
=/\=
On entering the bridge from the turbo-lift, they heard Paris exclaim, "You were out of order, Ensign."
"Mr. Paris?" she queried, whilst the Medic scanned the restrained crewman. Before he could reply, the ship was rocked by a battery of explosions, knocking out a few systems. Janeway called for reports trying to keep her feet as the ship shuddered violently from the onslaught. Suddenly it stopped, silence. Tuvok spoke:
"All external sensors are off-line. Preliminary indications are that Golden Birdwas responsible and are now not within normal sensor range."
"Captain. Mr. Kim was endowed with high levels of the potion. I've administered the antidote, he should be back to his normal self shortly," said the EMH, moving from the puzzled Ensign to the next crewman.
"Man your post, Ensign." Janeway ordered. Feeling groggy he returned to his ops-console, realising Tuvok had understated the damage caused. As he worked, his head cleared, hearing Paris tell Captain Janeway that he'd told A'Gerin who'd they suspected had fired the photon torpedoes. With that she asked for the whereabouts of the Commander. The computer's reply startled him;
*Cmdr Chakotay is no longer aboard this vessel.*
"Oh help!" Kim groaned, realising what he'd probably sent the male into, if A'Gerin had him.
"None of us have exactly been clear headed since we met Free Trader A'Gerin. You're not the only one to have been affected, Ensign. Question now is, how, do we locate the Golden Bird?"
"Until we have some functioning sensors," he heaved a sigh, expression worried.
"I want a full damage report within the hour. I'll be in Astrometrics," she said; looking at Tuvok added. "You have the bridge, Commander." He nodded, as she left, ordering the turbo-lift to take her to Deck 8.
=/\=
Something red/gold suddenly flashed in front of her, causing her to step backwards, shielding her face. Sounds of deep distress, whistled around the turbo-lift, thus she ordered it to halt. She crouched down to the lizard-like creature now sitting on the floor. Its jewelled eyes were blue/brown mix, her sounds muted. Quietly she spoke its name, "Rozene!" The red/gold lizard lifted its muzzle and then held out something, which up to now had been held tightly to its chest.
"Chakotay's com-badge," she said, on taking the item. Rozene chattered and sat on Janeway's shoulder as the female stood up. The creature's distress was all too obvious, both in the colour of her jewelled eyes and the sounds she uttered.
"Could you find him?" turning the badge over, Rozene seemed surprised. "Feel him, then?" she amended. The little creature whistled and flew around the turbo-lift, before landing on Janeway's out stretched arm. The shrill sounds the lizard uttered made no sense to her, yet something told her that Rozene understood.
"As Captain, you like your master will obey my orders. Understand." The red/gold lizard almost saluted her whistling happily, eyes amber, bringing a soft amused smile to the female's face. "Good. Now I want you to wait in Chakotay's quarters. No, buts; I think you may prove useful in locating him. Until such time, you are confined to quarters." Janeway watched the jewelled eyes turn brown, the whole creature's body dejected. Carefully she stroked the slim head with a tentative finger. "We'll find him. First we have to be prepared and that means waiting for repairs to be completed." Rozene softly responded; tutting quietly eyes a lighter brown. She gurgled, flew into the air and vanished. "Computer resume," clasping the delta symbol badge tight in her fist. She just hoped Astrometrics had been spared the brunt of the Golden Bird's onslaught. If not, everyone was in serious trouble. The smoking corridor did not bode well, exiting the lift on Deck 8. Icheb was ahead of her PADD in hand. Thus she fell in step with him and made the necessary enquires. It wasn't good.
=/\=
An hour later, tired, stressed faces sat around the table in the briefing room; each had only just arrived, from their various assignments, thus Janeway let them get their breath, before asking any questions.
"How are things among the crew, in general?" she asked, directing this to their self-appointed morale officer.
"Remarkably it's not too bad, considering," his face cheerful. "But worried about the Commander," Neelix said his tone muted. Janeway sighed, thinking; 'Aren't we all!'
"Astrometrics?" tone hopeful.
"We've tidied up the worst of the damage. Sensors are functioning. But we have encountered an additional problem," pausing quietly. "The computer appears to be suffering from short term memory loss." Her expression told him to continue. "We can input information and as far as we can determine, it has been accepted. We just can't retrieve it," he said shrugging tiredly.
"Much like the time you tried to get the computer to accept A'Gerin's voice commands," Neelix added, to the Ensign's report.
"It shouldn't have been necessary to ask the computer's permission. Yet it still wouldn't accept the command," she noted wearily.
"Perhaps that's just as well."
"Indeed, Mr. Paris," she acknowledged smiling softly. "Torres, what about engineering?"
"Most of the damage was confined to the sensors' grid. It's up and running, but I'm not sure how long the repairs will hold," her voice tired. Janeway knew the woman was stronger than most and could keep going for longer, due to her Klingon heritage. Looking at Tuvok, he also seemed drawn, but leaving Chakotay in A'Gerin's clutches whilst the crew rested was not an option.
"The beacon?" she questioned, looking at Harry Kim.
"We've done the best we can, Captain. The com-badge will function as a guide. But I still don't see how we can use it," giving her the delta-shaped badge.
"You let me worry about that, Ensign," taking the badge from him. "As warp drive is operational, we will move ahead with the sensor sweeps in half-an-hour," turning the badge over absently as she spoke. Clasping it tightly, determination in her face, she dismissed them. Captain and Security Chief headed out together; whilst the others filed out to their posts.
=/\=
Soft whistling greeted them along with a deep baritone voice. Rozene sat on a medical monitor, whistling as a counterfoil to the Doctor's singing. Janeway had to smile, yet frowned when the medic noticed her presence in sickbay.
"I ordered you to quarters," she said to the little Fire-lizard.
"She was lonely. So she came to me."
"She could have tried on her own to search for him," Tuvok added quietly.
"You feel her. Don't you?" The Vulcan said nothing, but he didn't have to, it was plain to see in his eyes. Janeway laid a calm hand on his arm, understanding in her own eyes. Then she turned to Rozene holding out the delta-badge. "Take this to Chakotay." The red/gold lizard creature took hold and looked at her, as the female still held the badge. "We must be able to follow you. Understand?"
"Rozene can fly in space. She will hop through it, transporting herself ahead some parses, so she'll only be in normal space for about 5minutes at a time, whilst she finds her bearings and leaps again," the Doctor informed. Surprised she stared at him. "Not words Captain; Images."
"I see," sceptical, letting go of the badge. The little creature chatted softly.
"She understands," said Tuvok's calm strong tone. She called Ops:
"How's the beacon?"
=/\= Fine; Readings are normal =/\=
"Good keep tracking."
=/\= Do you want the com-link opened now? =/\= Tuvok shook his dark head.
"No, Ensign. Janeway out," closing the internal com-link.
It was the Vulcan who gave the soft mental command that sent Rozene on her way, vanishing from sickbay inside the warm safe ship, out into the cold unforgiving and hostile environment of deep space. The little creature held on tightly to her friend's badge, picturing the man's face in her mind; she called. Her voice was tiny sounding in the vast cold expanse of space making her shiver. At first there seemed to be no reply then she felt/heard something; Faint and familiar; frighteningly familiar. Whistling in fear, pain and anger, she called again. This time there was no mistaking the answer. Thus she leapt forward into between. She re-emerged ahead of herself some five minutes later. Looking back she saw Voyager - now some parses behind her - moving closer. Chattering softly, she called stronger this time and again the same response came back. Rozene followed that anguished cry, feeling it draw her, yet she didn't resist it, knowing that was where she'd find her male friend, Chakotay.
=/\=
Chattering sounded in his mind, thus he called a name. /Rozene?/ the sound turned to a cry of pain – one he'd heard before – it jolted him fully awake, yet he kept his eyes closed straining to make sense of the noises around him. Quietly he tested out his own body; hearing the pain more in his mind than his ears. Not being a telepath, he couldn't shut it out shuddering. Was that a familiar call? Wondering if his mind was playing tricks on him. Movement sounded close and then a hand grabbed his hair and yanked his head back, eliciting a soft moan from him.
"So you are awake," sneered a familiar voice, the alien man's breathe hot on his cheek.
/Rozene/ he called silently, his tone echoing the anguished cry in his mind.
"Now perhaps you can answer a few questions," yanking Chakotay's head again.
"Go to hell!" he said through gritted teeth.
"Possibly," he answered moving away, having pushed the male's head into the wall, to which his prisoner was chained in a seated position. Chakotay breathed deeply and carefully opened his dark eyes. The scene that greeted him was not one he would forget in a hurry. Around the small square area; standing floor to ceiling were small restrictive wire cages with two Fire-lizards per cage, their colour dull, dirty and possibly with blood too. Not something he really wanted to think about. Feeling the creatures combined pain ripple through him. In the centre of the room - if it could be called that - stood a large table with more cages beneath it; empty. How many more Fire-lizards would have been captured, if the rift hadn't been destroyed? That thought caused a ripple of muted chattering to pass through the caged creatures around him. A'Gerin paced the area like a caged animal himself, yet he felt nothing for the creatures, only anger that they wouldn't obey him. They could have proved useful in his fight with the Political Fox, now they were nothing but dead meat. 'Damn him and this marked man!' He raged inwardly.
=/\=
Aboard Voyager, the beacon's steady signal continued to lead them through space as the hours - minutes ticked by. Soon they entered an asteroid field. Seven informed them that elements in the field were playing havoc with what sensors were working.
"Beacon is still coming through clearly, Captain," the Ensign said, giving the Conn a new course heading. The pilot followed the beacon's leadings; gently moving the sleek star ship through the rocky field. Paris wasn't sure how the beacon was moving, but its signal was clear, though not as loud as when Harry had first tested it. Janeway stood beside him, reading the same data. She called to the Vulcan by name as a question.
"Nothing on sensors," he paused with a sharp intake of breath. "I feel we are getting close," his tone tight, pain briefly etched across his normally placid dark face.
"We're picking up a ship dead ahead. These readings are confusing. Beacon is stationary. Wait it's moved." Paris also noted the move into the shadow of a large asteroid.
"Although we can't see them very clearly; I'm sure they can see us!" he said. Janeway agreed and ordered shields up.
"Beacon is stationary," giving the Conn the new course heading. The main screen showed them, a moon sized asteroid with a flat plain inside half a crater. In it sat Golden Bird.
"Mr. Kim is the signal still steady?" He answered in the affirmative. "Open the com-link," she ordered and then wished she hadn't; hearing the very loud and painful human scream that came through. "As you were people," her tone commanding. Feeling the male, beneath her hand clamped on his shoulder, shudder at the sounds of heavy breathing.
"Now; those coordinates."
"I...don't...know," was the painful, breathless reply. Other sounds, like muted chattering and hisses puzzled them. The star ship edged closer.
"You expect me to believe that? Come now it was you who fired the torpedoes," chuckling menacingly.
"No wonder Chakotay called him a coyote," muttered Paris, still easing the ship forward.
"Believe what you like," said Chakotay's voice. "I don't know and even if I did. I wouldn't give them to you," his tone defiant.
"You really are a pest." The tone made them shuddered; hearing the cries of pain.
"He must be using Chakotay's damaged back," he noted his voice anxious, looking at the woman, who still stood beside him.
"Mr. Kim, can you get a lock on him?"
"I've been trying," working diligently at his controls. "There are a lot of unusual bio-readings. If the beacon/badge was on or near him I might," he shook his dark head, eyes deeply worried. "I'll keep at it." Janeway smiled, he was trying to right a wrong, yet whilst under the influence of the potion; he'd had no choice but to give A'Gerin the information he sought.
"Pity I can't use the potion on you," sneered the alien male. "Won't work, will it?" There was no reply, but apparently A'Gerin wasn't expecting one, as he again asked forcefully for the coordinates.
"I don't know," the prisoner sobbed.
"What do you want?" the alien growled. "Get out NOW!" Obversely talking to someone else, who'd entered the area. Once the door had hissed shut, another sound assaulted their ears. It was one that had been constantly in the background and now drowned out all other sounds.
"What is that?" someone asked. Janeway was looking at the Vulcan, who stood pale and shaking, eyes wide and unseeing. Before she could ask him a question, Kim gave a whoop of joy.
"Got him! Transporting to sickbay," grinning pleased. They heard the Doctor confirm the arrival of his patient. Thus, she signalled that he closes the com-link. An unusual cry was wrenched from the Vulcan who slumped. Two crewmen helped him to stay on his feet until he could hold his own again.
"CAP-TAIN;" the tone from Tom Paris caused her to go cold. On the view screen was a male figure floating in space, covered in creatures of some sort. It was hard to make them out. Suddenly the whole lot vanished from sight. Dazed Janeway called for reports.
"The figure was A'Gerin, surrounded by the bio-readings that had confused our sensors earlier. I don't know what happened," pausing unsure. "All I can be sure of is. They are not here any more."
"Hold our position, Tom. I think you'd better report to sickbay and take Tuvok with you," she said quietly, compassion in her voice. The pilot nodded, locked the ship into her current position and then helped the unresisting Vulcan to leave the bridge. Janeway heaved a sigh. 'What next?' she wondered.
=/\=
Golden Bird was silent. Not a sound stirred anywhere aboard the alien vessel. Even on the bridge where the crew sat staring, unable to really believe what they'd just witnessed. The second-in-command sat hesitantly in the command chair, purple eyes wide, still seeing the male figure of A'Gerin floating in space surrounded by the little creatures. Now only cold unforgiving space stared back at him. Yet he shuddered, still hearing the cruel laughter ringing in the air. Slowly the crew unfroze and took readings.
"Sir; the Voyager only performed one transport. As for the Captain; he is no longer in our space."
"Thank you, Crewman. I had a feeling they weren't responsible," sighing he ordered a com-link opened to the other ship. Janeway answered, understandably wary. "Captain Janeway. I'm Raoul. Captain of Golden Bird," he said standing confidently, feeling his crew breath a collective sigh of relief. The woman smiled uncertainly. "How is your First Officer?" his tone pleasant, which relaxed the wary features on the screen.
=/\= Being well cared for. Thank you, Captain?! Raoul =/\=
"I'd like to meet with you, Captain. An exchange of information; shall we say in 30 minutes on your vessel?" The politeness of his request threw the woman momentarily, yet the Rigellian male could only guess at the questions flying through her mind right now.
"Yes of course. I'll meet you in transporter room one." The soft emphases on the where was not lost on Raoul. He smiled head bowing formally said:
"Understood, Captain. Golden Bird out." The screen went blank. "Doc. Come with me, we have an unpleasant task to perform before we go to Voyager."
The stocky male turned in his chair to face Raoul and grimaced. He knew they would have to go through A'Gerin's things, but he wasn't happy about doing it so soon and said as much.
"If we and Voyager are to find any answers at all to this, sorry mess. It's among those personal effects. Come."
"Aye, Captain!" he grinned. "Feels really good calling you that," his expression was echoed by the rest of the bridge crew.
"Feels good to hear it, Doc," sighing deeply. "Let's get this unhappy business over with," he said turning abruptly and left the bridge. The remaining crew settled down to work not envying the Captain and the Doc their grim task.
=/\=
Raoul's eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room around him. Doc beside him blinked also, carrying a small case. The Rigellian saw Janeway waiting with a smaller female beside her. He carefully stepped down off the transporter pad towards them.
"My apologies for our late arrival; we had an unpleasant task to perform. Captain Raoul at your service," inclining his head to her. "This is Doc, my First Officer and Chief Medic," indicating his companion.
"Apologies accepted, Captain. This is my Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Torres," introducing the female with the ridged forehead. "Both my First Officer and Chief of Security are under medical care at present," she informed quietly.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Captain." A muttered curse came from the Crewman at the transporter controls. "I understand your sentiments," softly smiling at the startled male. Janeway suggested they go to the briefing room.
Whilst in the turbo-lift, a call came through from their Doctor, telling her that Cmdr. Chakotay wished to speak with her as soon as possible; about to acknowledge his call, when he repeated the message.
"Sounds like that short term memory block in the computer is affecting the Doctor. I'd better get to engineering to sort it," noted Torres with an exasperated sigh. The lift doors opened on that deck.
"Problems, Captain?"
"I've been having this problem since I met that man A'Gerin," pursing her mouth tight.
"I'll join you later, Captain," Torres said, stepping out.
"Sickbay?" queried Doc. Janeway nodded, setting the controls manually rather than rely on voice commands.
=/\=
Paris stormed out of sickbay and almost collided with Raoul, expression angry and frustrated.
"I hope Torres can fix the Doc," he snapped and then straightened. "Sorry, Captain," drawing in a deep calming breath. "I'd better check over Tuvok. Excuse me," thus with a polite nod, he left. Janeway said nothing as she entered the sickbay area and encountered a very mute EMH stating his last message over and over.
"Strange fellow," noted Doc following the female round the bald male to the main bio-bed and the man lying on his side there.
"How are you feeling?" she asked quietly, a gentle hand on his upper arm. He stirred, looked at her and grinned.
"Fine," he admitted. "I'm glad Paris managed to mute the Doctor or I wouldn't still be here." She smiled with him and introduced their guests.
"You have nothing to fear from us, Commander," stated Raoul quietly.
"This is the real Captain of the Golden Bird," his tone justly proud, ignoring the look of disapproval from his superior officer. Chakotay relaxed and whistled. He was answered a few seconds later by the red/gold fire-lizard who hissed at the two Rigellians. They stepped back away from the bio-bed. The little creature acknowledged her friend, yet seemed uneasy.
"You've tamed one of those creatures?"
"Let's just say we came to an understanding." Janeway gave him a reproving look. The Fire-lizard hovered around the EMH puzzled before returning to the human male, chattering softly and clearly confused. "Well you can help put that right. Just listen," he said gazing at her. "You will need to go to the main computer core. Manage that? Without being seen?" She chattered at him indignantly and then vanished.
"So you did have something to do with the computer's security protocols," she said carefully, eyeing him dubiously.
"Maybe; I was attacked by some of those creatures that...attacked A'Gerin."
"Not our doing," said Doc.
"Ah! Captain; Please be brief, my patient needs his rest. And may I remind you this is a sickbay, not a conference room." Janeway and Chakotay just smiled at the indignant tone.
"Nice to have you back, Doctor."
"I wasn't aware I'd left," puzzled. "You can come and say hello," he said to the fire-lizard when she'd reappeared, turning away. "Had I really?" They heard him say before disappearing out of sight. The smile of the human's broadened.
"I'd like an explanation from you, Commander."
"I doubt you'd remember even if I did," he countered cryptically. "But it did the job of keeping that Coyote off this ship."
"Captain Janeway. A'Gerin tricked his way into becoming Golden Bird's captain. Your ship was his main prize."
"Tricked us good and proper he did. And there wasn't a thing we could do about it."
"Not even within Rigellian Law," Raoul added to his companion's statement.
"I think we'd better get to the briefing room. You up to listening in?" she asked him softly. He nodded expression serious. "Doctor; I'd like you to give a full report via com-link," she said on passing his office; leaving with Captain Raoul and Doc in tow. Then her voice came over the com-system calling all senor staff to a meeting in the briefing room. PRONTO!
=/\=
Seven was the last to join the crowd in the briefing room and stood near the computer screen, through which both the Doctor and Cmdr. Chakotay could take part in the proceedings. Janeway introduced everybody to their guests and then she got down to business. Enquiring of the two Rigellians just, who A'Gerin was and why he wanted her ship. Raoul stuck to the known facts as he knew them; presenting what he'd found in the male's personal files.
A'Gerin's father had been a well respected Free Trader, who could have taken a place on the ruling council, had he chosen to do so. That had been before the administration on Rigel Prime had changed. The Free Trader had flown his last shipment, along with the crew loyal to him into their systems sun. After that the Rigellian Prime government had curbed and controlled all trade in the system through the RIT.
"Rigellian Institute of Traders," put in Neelix.
"That's right. Without trading documents from the RIT; you cannot buy or sell anything. We're only Free traders in name," Raoul sighed, giving Janeway some of the papers he'd found in A'Gerin's quarters. From these they'd discovered that their former captain had quite literally got away with murder and there was nothing they could have done to stop him.
"What about your laws?" asked Tom.
"That's just it. He was within the law. How do you think he took us over..." his voice rising in anger. Raoul had restrained him. "Sorry. I just can't forget. That's all."
"Forget! What?" asked Seven.
"Those screams; No, not your crew mate. The creatures;" the male shuddered.
"You will not be alone in that sentiment," his statement startled the two aliens. "The creatures were telepathic. Their broadcasts were quite...painful," said the dark skinned Vulcan.
"That explains Vorik's strange behaviour," noted Torres quietly.
"I think we will all sleep easier tonight," said Raoul softly, purple eyes' sad. Everyone sat deep in thought.
In sickbay Rozene softly purred in his ear, her eyes as brown as his own. He stroked her eye ridges, breathing deep and slow in order to banish the remembered pain. She chirped, eyes turning to amber, rubbing her muzzle against his cheek. The Doctor watched, now understanding where the strange readings had come from; the little creatures aboard the Golden Bird. Their attention was brought back to the briefing room, with a question.
"What did A'Gerin want with those creatures and where did they come from?"
"From the planet the other side of the rift, is the where; as to what? I can only guess. Apart from being telepathic, they could transport themselves almost anywhere. This is what made them hard to catch at first. Until A'Gerin's crack squad - that's a joke - hit on the idea to trap them." Raoul explained.
"The flowers," noted the EMH.
"Right; they hated the stuff it made them sneeze; it also made them easier to catch. These flowers also made any humanoid love the one who appeared to love them."
"A potion would work much more successfully. Especially administered directly into the veins," noted Doc regretfully. "I was coerced into producing it." His companion squeezed his arm with an understanding look on his alien features.
"Many things we do that we regret later," said Kathryn Janeway. Doc smiled sadly and then pulled some plas-film sheets out of his case, saying;
"Only A'Gerin and his Squad ever went through the rift. These are my medical notes of some very discreet examinations I did of those who travelled the rift regularly," giving them to Tom Paris.
"Bone and muscle loss; like Chakotay suffered," he held up one sheet and asked Seven to show it to their Doctor, who scanned it very carefully.
"Hmm! This is interesting," pausing, leaving them waiting. "If these are what I think they are, it would explain some of the strange readings I took of the man," halting again, frowning.
"Doctor; don't keep us in suspense!" Neelix said, for everyone. The EMH looked up annoyed, about to retort, but then thought better of it and explained that the scans were of damaged brain tissue.
"Many of the synapses paths have been destroyed, leaving fewer and fewer for the brain to function with. Simply put, the man was going insane; criminally insane."
"Who?" questioned Kim.
"A'Gerin." No-one was really sure who'd spoken the name, yet it answered a lot of unasked questions about the male and his actions.
"May I ask? Who was on the shuttle that went through with us?" Seven asked, handing back the plas-film sheet.
"No-one. I had them all transported off, before it went through on auto-pilot. I wasn't having my crew subjected to that," snapped Raoul.
"So what Seven thought was a shield re-modulation; was really a long range transport!" Torres said, astonished.
"Yes. Something wrong?" looking perplexed.
"I'm not sure, Captain Raoul," pausing to gather her thoughts. "The shield change disrupted our scanning potential on the planet. We could only pick up anything from here," her tone measured, as if testing out her words.
"It also protected you from the effects of physical degrading; this starts immediately you exit the rift," the calm voice of Chakotay spoke.
"I do not know how I could be so wrong about the readings I saw," stated Seven, puzzled. "I went over them again, including the new data about your larger transporters; same results. A re-modulation of the shields," clearly concerned.
"Seven. There were forces in the rift that our sensors could not detect. It could well have affected the readings," his tone understanding. Yet the female looked angry. The Rigellian Doc softly said:
"He's right, you know," sighing. "A'Gerin never allowed us to lock onto the beacon in order to record its position. Afraid someone else might find his goldmine. Why do you think we/he needed the coordinates from your crew mate?"
"I still do not remember firing any photon torpedoes," he said forestalling any questions on the matter.
"Captain; A trading official gave us a data stream, which contained this system's trading history and laws," said Neelix.
"He could lose his head for that!" noted Doc, surprised. Seven said that she'd secured the channel, which probably prompted the act.
"I doubt it. We've been chafing against these trading laws for years. You being outsiders would have been incentive enough," said Raoul.
"Why do I get this feeling, we're not the first outsider victims!" tone indignant.
"Because, you're not, Mr. Paris."
"If only we could discover what it was that A'Gerin's father was carrying that day. It would unlock the key, to the Political Foxes hold over the RIT and A'Gerin," Doc said; the Rigellian added softly, "My father was first officer on the Firebird."
No-one spoke, absorbing the information they'd heard so far. None of it seemed to make any sense and there was much they didn't know either. Janeway knew they had to stay out of Rigel's internal affairs and stick to the facts; and said as much.
"I'm afraid you are already involved, Captain. From the moment you spoke to A'Gerin."
That was the last thing she wanted to hear. So she decided to meet things head on.
"Raoul; you have obviously been doing your homework and started to get to close to the truth, thus A'Gerin boarded you. With Voyager he could have taken on a whole fleet of trader ships and won. I still don't clearly see where we fit in," frowning. "Especially in relation to this Marked Man."
Raoul smiled, leaning forward. "Your reputation precedes you, Captain. Especially your ship's fire power," sobering, added quietly. "The Marked Man comes from his Aunt; his father's sister. She's been talking about it ever since her brother died."
"Nobody knows what she means, though."
"Has anyone thought; to ask?"
"Trust Chakotay to come up with the sensible question," noted Paris, with a smile.
"Indeed, Lieutenant," Tuvok said. Everyone relaxed enjoying the light hearted banter. Janeway watched a moment and then called the meeting to order. She asked for more data, if possible, including Rigellian Law, so they knew what they were up against.
"I think its time the Phoenix rose from the ashes. Don't you?" Raoul smiled with her. A'Gerin had fooled them both and neither had liked it. Perhaps they could try to atone for the males miss-endeavours. Kim asked about the creatures again, wondering where they had gone.
"I wouldn't like to hazard a guess. One thing I can tell you. What happened to A'Gerin was poetic justice, in a way."
"How so?" asked Tom Paris.
"They were lizards' of-a-sorts. A'Gerin never fed them. What or rather who do you think became their only meal?" Doc said, sadly. Everyone shuddered at the picture that painted. Tom looked at Tuvok.
"Can't have been easy for you."
"No," his dark eyes, darker still with the memory.
"At least all of you were spared his last vocal sound," said Raoul, shuddering visibly. "Laughter; he just laughed." Janeway looked at him sympathically and then suggested they all got some much needed rest, before doing anymore research. Slowly the people left the room. Tuvok and the Rigellians went to the transporter room, whilst Torres and Seven returned to engineering. Kathryn Janeway stood at the computer panel and gazed sadly at the male on the main bio-bed with the red/gold fire-lizard tucked up close to his chest. The EMH shut down the link. She hoped he would sleep safer now.
NB: Am still both writing and editing chapters. I'm pleased that people are reviewing and following. Thank you.