Chapter Four – Faith and Desire
In the turbolift on their way back to the Bridge Janeway watched as Shade swayed slightly and had to lean against the wall.
"Are you okay," Janeway asked, concerned.
"I'm fine."
"We could go to Sickbay," she watched as Shade struggled to regain her composure. Shade made no reply and instead fiddled with the hem of her sleeves, as she did when she was nervous. Kathryn made no further comment about Sickbay and exited on to the Bridge.
"All senior staff, please report to the Briefing Room for an emergency meeting."
Tuvok, Harry, and Tom left their posts and other crew took their places.
"Captain," Tuvok spoke up, "this is not a conflict that Voyager has any part in.
By getting involved you'd be in violation of the Prime Directive."
"Which is why Voyager will not be involved. I plan on taking the Delta Flyer and going after this Aless by myself. I won't put this ship in harm's way," Janeway explained.
"I'm going with you," Shade said.
Tom added, "And I will pilot the Flyer."
"No Tom," Kathryn responded, "If Kiy'De attacks we'll need our best at the conn."
"With all due respect Captain, she's just as much my daughter as she is yours. The debt is ours to carry."
"The debt belongs to all of us," Chakotay looked thoughtful, "when Seska manipulated me into believing her child was mine Voyager stood behind me to rescue him. The situation is no different. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we're behind you Captain."
"They care for you," Shade whispered, "you are truly a family. When Aless brought me to her underground city she made me feel like I finally had a place to belong, instead of being passed around by the Nitherans. I ask for your help, but not at the cost of your lives. Once Aless is rescued the Lunati will rally behind her, and then they can take over the battle. Voyager can continue on it's way at that point."
"You know the men and women under you," Janeway stood she spoke, "I won't risk them if they're not willing."
Harry was the first to reply, "Shade was right, this ship is a family, and what kind of family would we be if we left one member to risk her life. I'm with you Captain."
"It is logical assume that eventually Kiy'De will attack Voyager, and tactically an ally would make sense. I therefore believe to rescue Aless is the most logical course of action," Tuvok said in his monotone way.
"She's my daughter, of course I'd do anything," this from Tom.
"And Tom's my husband," B'Elanna replied, "I got your back Captain."
"Same here," Neelix said.
"I'll be in Sickbay, ready," the Doctor nodded.
Seven cocked one eyebrow, "She is your daughter."
"And I'll be by your side, as always," with that everyone would back Kathryn, and she was flooded with a sense of pride.
"Kiy'De will expect this," Shade moved from her spot against the wall and stood next to her mother at the head of the table, "he's most likely got sensors locked on Voyager. When it comes to battle he is highly decorated as a strategist."
"That does take away any element of surprise," Tuvok looked thoughtful for a moment, "however, if we seemingly do exactly what he expects of us, while having a secondary plan devised, we may be successful."
"Plan B," Chakotay said, "what about Plan A?"
"What about the Delta Flyer, we could reconfigure the shields and make it seem like nothing more than a dust cloud on their sensors," Tom suggested.
"The Nitherans have superior technology to Voyager," Shade discounted, "but there's a few things you should know. Kiy'De will not call for reinforcements, this is his mission, and I also have a … acquaintance on board, he can be used to our advantage."
"Who is this friend of yours," Kathryn asked.
"Vir, their pilot."
Kathryn turned to face Shade, "And how do you know he can be trusted?"
"He can't be," Sahde explained, "he thinks only of himself and the dismantling of Kiy'De. So long as he believes this will be detrimental to Kiy'De he will assist us. Besides, he thinks by besting Kiy'De it will make him more important to me."
"Is he in love with you," B"Elanna asked.
"Unlikely," Shade replied, and looked down, "having a unique Shade is a status symbol. I am no more loved than a ruby or pearl."
A silence overtook the room, and everyone reflected for a moment, finally it was Neelix who broke the silence.
"Well Voyager is your family now, and we'll protect you."
Shade did not smile or frown, instead she had the appearance of a lost child, tossed about by a storm, just trying to get home. Kathryn gently took Shade's hand in her own, and gripped it. There was so much they had yet to share, and Shade could not help but wonder if they someday would.
"So, what's plan A?"
"We do exactly what Kiy'De wants us to, but we have to have a way to disable their ship if it comes to that," Chakotay theorized.
"His systems are based on a series pathway, interrupt one system and others follow, but it's not easy," explained Shade.
"I have an idea," B'Elanna stood and tapped on the display screen, "if we modify a Class Two Probe to emit a concentrated polarized pulse it should disrupt their systems, at least for a few minutes. It's a long shot, but it's the only thing I can think of."
"Make it top priority," Janeway ordered, "use what ever personnel and equipment necessary. Also, Tuvok, make sure our weapons and shields are in top form. Chakotay, have all crew ready for combat within the hour."
"Aye Captain."
"I know you don't know me very well," Shade said to the room, "but I am very grateful for what you're doing."
"We're all in this together," Tom stood and placed a nervous hand on his daughter's shoulder. He looked into her eyes and tried to fill his gaze with warmth.
"Stations everyone," Kathryn watched as her loyal senior staff exited the Briefing Room. A sense of pride filled her. They stood by her side, through everything. Deep blue eyes welled with tears but she blinked them away.
Kiy'De was tired of waiting, he itched for action. He looked about the Bridge satisfied when none met his gaze, except a side glance from Vir. He sat for a few moments and decided that after Shade had been on Voyager for more than eleven hours it was time to claim her. Janeway most likely would not give her up without a fight, and Kiy'De was at the ready if it came to that.
"Vir, hail the Voyager," Kiy'De ordered.
On a Bridge opposite to his own Janeway apprehensively paced in front of her chair. Shade stood to the right of the Captain's chair.
"You must answer his hail," Shade said.
"B'Elanna isn't ready with the probe yet," Kathryn rebuttled, taking her seat, "but maybe I could buy her some time. Ensign, on screen."
At her command Janeway noticed Shade took position on her knees next to her.
"Ah, Captain Janeway," Kiy'De greeted, "I trust you've had a good day?"
Janeway was quick in her response, "Yes. I have."
"And what, have you discovered?"
"You know exactly what I've found out. Shade does not belong to you."
The malicious man broke into a grin, "She may be your daughter, but she is my property. Besides, if she doesn't come back, you may as well shoot her now. She's as good as dead."
"Not to me," Janeway stood and placed her hands on her hips, "I failed her in the past, and I won't make the same mistake twice."
"Are you so blind," Kiy'De replied, "she's using you. As she used me. She prayed on my good intentions, and seduced me, Captain. I warn you, she's done the same to you."
"If you think for one second I'm going to believe she seduced-"
"-I don't really care if you believe me, I just thought I'd warn you. Has she not told you about the jewels I've bought for her? How exquisite the cloth on her body? No. I thought not. At my side Captain, she is more valuable to me than any of my men."
Janeway turned to Harry and motioned for him to terminate the communication, and breathed a sigh of relief when Kiy'De's image vanished from the view screen.
She tapped her combadge, "Bridge to B'Elanna, status?"
"Almost ready Captain, another two minutes."
"Tom," Kathryn approached her helmsman, "how long at maximum warp to reach the Pod?"
"Twenty-Eight minutes," Paris prepared to lay in a course.
"Alright, this will have to be done with precision. On my mark B'Elanna will launch the probe, detonate, Tuvok will use phasers to knock out their engines, and, finally Tom will jump to maximum warp. Understood?"
A round of "Aye, Captain" went around the Bridge and a mental clock started to tick in her head.
"Mark."
One. The probe launched into space. Two. A bright flash in space. Three. Phaser fire across Kiy'De's bow. Four. The warp nacelles revved. Five. They were off.
"Good work everyone."