July 2002
Disclaimer: See Chapters One & Two.
Chapter Six
Bronze Horse
Seven worked in Astrometrics, going over the information that Cyra the Rigellian had been given by her brother, before destroying his ship Firebird. She called the Captain and Tuvok, to join her. When both had acknowledged, she continued to work collating the data.
"Seven! What do you have?"
"Our Marked Man," punching up an image.
"Orion?" surprised.
"Look again, Captain," bringing it into sharper focus. The Vulcan moved to a side console and worked for a while, then overlaid Earth's view of Orion, on top of the image on the main screen.
"The Orion nebula is larger," she noted carefully.
"We are also seeing it from a slightly different perspective, Captain," Tuvok said, returning to her side. "Therefore the nebula is closer here and 'marks' the man."
"Beware the Marked Man, in the local language spells something very different," she noted, working at the console as she spoke. "Cyra gave me a sample and this is what the computer came up with."
"Weeten and Proton! I know proton is a power source, but Weeten?!"
"According to Neelix, Weeten is a staple food within this system. As Wheat and Corn were for the planet Earth," he said, his tone making Janeway smile.
"With the RIT controlling all trade, they could quite easily hold the people to ransom. The question is where?" she asked quietly. Seven pulled up a new image. The colourful horse-head nebula greeted them and then they moved in closer onto a dense section near the edge of the gaseous nebula. There within the swirling eddies was a small planet, close to twin stars/suns. The telemetry for navigation showed strong gravitational currents, whirlpools, solar winds, magnetic and tidal shifts, plus interstellar dust partials, the size of golf balls.
"A nightmare for any pilot," she commented softly. "Did Cyra's brother give any other clues as to how to navigate to the planet?" Janeway asked, not taking her eyes off the colourful scene. Seven checked the data and almost drew a blank.
"Not exactly," pausing to make sure, then looked at the Captain. "Spring's new moon."
Startled Janeway could only look again at the image of the nebula. "Spring's new moon, of course!" Both Tuvok and Seven frowned at her. "The start of each new years growing season; Planting new seed for that year's harvest," her tone excited. "It could be when those swirling eddies are not so strong," she said, thinking out loud. "Seven keep all this info out of the main computer, for the time being. Tuvok we've got work to do," her tone decisive, starting to stride from the area with the Vulcan in tow, until she heard her name called:
"How could they know about Chakotay?"
"I don't think they did, Seven. He has just become a useful scapegoat." The blonde female inclined her head and then the Captain and Tuvok were gone. For a moment, Seven gazed at the beauty of the nebula and then set to work, to secure all the data into one of her Borg storage data nodes for safe keeping. When she'd finished, she cleared her console of all information on the horse-head nebula.
=/\=
Raoul had really enjoyed pulling that chamber apart and not just him, but many other Free Trader Captains came to give a hand. What they discovered was very revealing indeed. Habor gave his report to Elder Sheldon, who was rather shocked.
"How many other places have these devices?"
"All the main Council areas, Sir; though they could not work effectively, without the ornate gowns that acted like transponders, boosting the signal. As long as you wore those robes, your every word could be heard by others elsewhere."
"But, who?" face troubled, purple eyes dark.
"Elder Sheldon, I can tell you who it isn't and that's Princess Della," said Raoul respectfully.
"True. Where her gowns like everyone else's?"
"Yes, Sir; Especially that headdress," noted Habor.
"She never did like that thing. Too big and heavy," he noted smiling to himself at the memory of the many times she'd remove it during a Council meeting. "This deception is bigger than even I could have envisioned. And now she wants it dismantled. We'd have to practically rewrite all our laws to do it. This won't go down well with a lot of people. This could take years," sighing tiredly, sinking into his chair. Palace guard and Free Trader looked at each other and then the male before them. Habor spoke:
"Would you like some help?"
"Elder Sheldon; There are many among the Traders who'd only be too willing to help sort out this mess and give suggestions as to what to replace these ridged laws with," his tone kindly.
"Princess Della evoked the oldest Law of Rigel Prime. It supersedes all subsequent laws and edicts made since," Habor added.
"Because it is the one Law that governs us all and can never be annulled, for whatever reason," his tired face brightening. "Gentlemen," he said standing. "Let's see if we can't unravel this tangled web piece by piece. Captain Raoul, gather some of the Traders together. Habor call for representatives from all our neighbours. I'll call the First Elders. Go." Both males bowed, knowing one person would not be present. Fox, as he wasn't counted among the First Elders. Given time though, he might have been. Now they were going to pull his power base from under him. They did wonder if they should have informed Elder Sheldon of their suspicions of the man, but later they were glad they had not. As it turned out the evidence spoke for them and all Rigellians. Fox was a marked man.
=/\=
Cyra watched the young dark-haired man and woman, walking quietly side-by-side in the palace gardens below her, the bodyguard a pace or two behind them. A male's angry voice shouted and two flying creatures flew past her. She turned into the room off the balcony and joined the source of the angry voice. The male sat hunched over his knees. Cyra knew without asking what was wrong, helping him to remove the loose tunic up off his damaged back and then gently smoothed her personal jar of herbal potion into the burnt and damaged flesh. The soft quiet sobs of pain subsided as she worked humming a soft tune, which both dragons - who'd returned - mimicked.
"There you go," putting her jar away and pulling the tunic down again. He breathed deeply, whilst the female, left him only to return and carefully wipe his face with a cooling cloth, drying the tears. They smiled at each other. Rozene sat on his lap jewelled eyes brown/blue. Azure came close, but sat on the woman's shoulder, eyes as blue as the rest of him.
"I'm going to have to get some back padding," he said ruefully. The couple from the garden entered.
"Chakotay!" the male said. "How's the back?"
"When these two 'pests' stay off my shoulders, I'm fine thank you, Raoul."
"I'll see what we can do about that," acknowledged the female, accepting Azure's attention; smiling shyly at Raoul. The older couple smiled knowingly, yet said nothing.
Sitting comfortably, Raoul explained to them all of what had been found at the Council Chambers and how it operated. Della called for some refreshments as the male continued to talk about happenings over the last few years; A'Gerin and his so-called crack squad - ruffians more like; Golden Bird, her crew, the Free Traders and the RIT. Chakotay realised, as he listened, that maybe just maybe they'd bitten off more than they could reasonably chew, considering how long the RIT had been in operation. Cyra assured him, when he'd voiced his concerns, that all would be well.
There was no disguising how much the young couple felt about and for each other. Azure reflected Della's emotions beautifully and often voiced them, when next to the male. Rozene sometimes seemed a little jealous, yet stayed quite happily with Chakotay.
"I'm going to organise a banquet in the Royal Hall," Della suddenly announced.
"Is that wise? Considering that most people think that the Marked Man is here alone with you," Raoul said tone respectful and playful at the same time.
"They can think what they like," she snapped. "I'm tired of being accosted away from my people. It's time they saw what I'm really like. And you, Chakotay are to be the guest of honour, along with your crew mates," smiling at his astonishment.
"Am I to partner you?" he asked softly.
"Maybe," she shrugged. "Well perhaps we'll allow them to think that at first. You, Cyra will partner Chakotay," tone commanding. "You, Raoul will be my partner."
"Della! No! I'm not of your court."
"But she loves you and you her," Chakotay said with a smile, nodding to Azure whose eyes were a deep amber. Cyra nodded her agreement as he added. "I believe in any culture or language that's all the credentials you need." The little red/gold dragon, Rozene whistled happily flying in circles above them. The blue joined her, until both were whistling and cart wheeling so much that they had a job to make themselves heard. The bodyguard clapped his hands together once and both dragons fell silent, and then landed one on each shoulder of the burly male. Azure chatted at the red/gold female. She answered by rubbing her muzzle against the humanoid male's cheek, gurglingly softly.
Suddenly the two flew to the open window and vanished from sight.
"Well at least those two know what to do! What about you?" she asked, facing the young couple. Grinning broadly he stood and bowed. "Do what custom dictates. Obey my Queen." Della giggled. "I'll be at the banquet, as Consort."
"Good. Tomorrow, after sundown," she said her purple eyes bright. Chakotay hoped that their two dragon's feelings for each other wouldn't rub off on him and Della or there could be serious trouble ahead. His back pained him. Cyra gently urged him to bathe and she would give him something to help him sleep as well as ease the pain. He did as she'd asked, telling the older woman that she reminded him of his mother:
"Always bossing me about!" he teased, he just missed her hand clipping him around his ear. From his expression it was clear 'mother' did that too. Laughter followed the pair out of the room.
=/\=
Quiet orderly activity hummed around the area. Uniformed people went about their duties, checking consoles, making adjustments that the newly arrived person felt somewhat out of place, moving towards the central core which stood dark and silent.
The woman gazed unseeing at the warp core until a voice spoke:
"Captain!? Something I can do for you?"
"Sorry, B'Elanna! I was miles away," smiling at the smaller female with the ridged forehead.
"You were more than that, Captain," the other teased softly. Before either female could say more, they were joined by Tom Paris, who stood close to the Chief engineer.
"Ready to be off to this banquet?" the male asked.
"Lieutenant; I'm still on duty for another...5 minutes;" the two grinned at each other. Janeway smiled at them and asked:
"Have you had a look at the Horse head nebula?" her manner intent. He acknowledged that he had and questioned her reason for asking. "I'd like you both to take the Delta Flyer for a closer look. See what you can find out about the planet. How accessible it is? That sort of thing?"
"What now? What about the banquet?" Before, she could respond with a suitable reply, Torres quietly reminded her that the invite to the banquet was a very public one not to be refused lightly.
"Besides, Tom and I are newly married. We could be there at the start and slip off later," she suggested. Janeway agreed and charged them sternly to report their findings only to her. That said she left. "I don't like the sound of that!"
"Neither do I," putting his arm round her. "Come on, wife; we'd better get ready," his meaning clear. In the corridor outside engineering, he whispered in her ear. "I'll inform, Chakotay." She smiled at him and pulled him into a loving embrace.
"Good," was all she said; for most it had looked as if they'd shared something else far more intimate.
=/\=
The Royal Hall's windows stood open to the early evening air, allowing the soft cooling breeze to stir the many candles lighting the grand feast that awaited the arrival of the Host. Tables lined the far wall, decked with many delightful dishes filled with edibles to suit all tastes. The hall was decorated with garlands of fragrant flowers, around the lilac linen covered tables and festooned down the walls. A small table stood near the main entrance with three large bowls, filled with the liquid refreshment, which was offered to arriving guests.
"Sir, Fruit, wine or ale?" the male server asked of Tuvok as he drew near beside Captain Janeway.
"Thank you. Fruit," taking the cup offered filled with the yellow/orange liquid.
"The Lady?"
"Wine, please," she said ignoring the raised eyebrow of her Vulcan friend. The warmth of the dark ruby red wine was full bodied and fruity. Both Tom and B'Elanna chose the fruit, along with Ensign Samantha Wildman and her daughter, Naomi, whilst Neelix went for the ale.
"This is really something," the Talaxian enthused, making his crew mates smile knowingly. Naomi giggled. All the Starfleet personnel were in dress uniform; even Naomi wore a dress in science blue. They joined the milling throng of people in the hall. Most were court officials some local business types or merchants and a few Free Traders, looking a little uncomfortable stood huddled together. The Starfleet officers were about to join them, when an official standing on the dais banged his ornate staff twice sending out a couple of loud bangs. All talk ceased and looked in his direction.
"Pray give heed her Highness," the male said, bowing as the curtains behind him swung apart.
"So he is with her," someone whispered, on seeing the host and her consort. Then the curtains drew wider apart, revealing that the host party was four not two. The tattooed male inclined his head to the younger woman on his right, as she stepped forward with Raoul on her right arm.
Chakotay followed with Cyra on his left.
"Talk about making an entrance!" noted Paris.
"From the look on her face; I get the impression, that our first sight of them was her idea," sipping his glass of ale.
"Indeed, Mr. Neelix," noted Tuvok; the conversation hubbub rising around them.
"We've certainly made an entrance," Raoul whispered to his partner. She smiled at him giggly as a young girl on her first outing. Pulling her emotions in check, she stopped at the edge of the dais. All talk once again ceased. Her clear strong voice spoke:
"Welcome; friends, guests and visitors. May the evening be pleasant and long. Let the festivities begin," stepping down from the dais. Soon the hubbub of excited chatter started up again as people made their way to the edibles and conversed with their host as she and Raoul mingled among them.
Later at the main table, Paris saw Chakotay gathering up food onto two plates, so he quietly ambled over and joined his fellow officer and friend, who was wearing his dress uniform too.
"How are things?"
"Fine; Della is a good host and Cyra's medicinal ministering is a great help too."
"I'm pleased to hear it. I'll let the Doc know. What's in there?" he asked pointing to a bowl nearer the older man, who picked it up so Tom could get a closer look. "I don't believe it! Klingon food!"
"Della's idea," he didn't say more, his expression said it for him.
"Chakotay," his voice soft, taking the bowl and adding it to his second plate. "We'll be riding a spirited horse later. Could get a little rough; but it's with the Captain's permission." It took a moment for the tattooed male to realise what he was talking about. When he did, he just nodded his understanding, advising:
"Go bare-back. A lot easier," he said, turning away. Paris was startled, but left to re-join his wife. 'Bare-back!? Of course!' he thought and smiled.
Having eaten their fill, the two newly weds bade farewell to their host and left; giving every impression that the early night would be one of passion not bare-back horse riding. Chakotay and Cyra also took early leave.
"I'm not as young as I'd like to be. And my patient needs some tender loving care," giving the male an affectionate smile. Della bade them a peaceful night. Out of sight of the partying guests the male sighed, trying to ease his stiffening back. The older woman looked at him worriedly.
"All that enforced smiling has tensed me up!" he grimaced in mock pain and humour.
"Come on, my boy. We'll soon get you relaxed," taking his arm. They supported each other making their way to their quarters. Cyra called to the staff servants, ordering the necessary items they would need to settle in for the night. It wasn't long before the human male was tucked up comfortable, warm and relaxed in his bed. Leaving a night-lit, the Rigellian woman retired to her own assigned room across the hall, pleased that her medicinal treatment was working on the male's burn damaged back. She only hoped that the Fox would leave him alone so he'd heal properly; getting into her bed at last, the servants noted she was sound asleep, even before they had finished their tasks around her. Again a night-lit was left burning in the darkened room, casting a soft glow across the sleeping woman's face.
=/\=
Somewhere in the bowels of the palace building a shadow waited, whilst the feasting went on and the servants went about their business. This shadow listened to the noise from the Royal Halls, yet it was more interested in the deep breathing of two sleeping people. People whom this shadow deemed a threat to its plans to rule Rigel Prime and control all trade in the neighbouring systems. Softly the shadow cursed Golden Bird's former Captain in wanting to capture the alien ship Voyager. 'What had the man been thinking?' he wondered. Now he would have to deal with everything himself. The shadow moved, casting against the wall a shape that of a sleek fox, before it re-joined the deeper shadows round it.
=/\=
The sight from the flyer's forward view ports was spectacular as the craft neared the Horse head nebular. Consoles beeped, sensors told the two occupants what their physical eyes couldn't tell them.
Yet the sight was still breath-taxingly beautiful. An urgent sound brought their attention back to their instrumentation.
"There's some kind of probe out there."
"Can you bring it aboard?" the male pilot asked, manoeuvring the small craft closer.
"Done; it's in the aft section," said the female.
"I'll hold position here," locking down the pilot controls. "So we can go and have a look at it," he said, looking again at the forward view. "Wonderful." The female smiled at his wistful tone.
"Come on fly-boy. Let's see what we've netted," she said getting out of her seat at engineering.
"You're idioms are getting as bad as mine," he teased, joining her.
"That's because of the company I keep," lightly kissing him.
In the aft section, the alien probe sat on the floor. A soft small beam of light swept around the interior of the craft in which it sat, then became still. The female entered ahead of her male counter part and spotted the probe noting it was much like one of their own. Suddenly a beam of light hit her square between the eyes. Concerned an anxious Tom watched as the beam held her and scanned down the female's torso and then turned on him. A moment later, both humanoids stared at each other realising they were unharmed. The probe hummed louder than it had been doing up to now and rose up a half metre off the floor quietly spinning. The beam of light centred on one of the shuttle's consoles.
"Wait, B'Elanna," Tom cautioned, as the probe continued to hum the pitch getting higher. Suddenly it stopped and dropped to the floor a pile of burn out circuitry and twisted metal.
*Information. Down load complete. Do you require access?*
"Yes," B'Elanna said, moving from the blackened probe to the computer console. The screen showed them all the new data provided by the probe, of the planet in the Horse head nebula and the hazards around it. After about twenty minutes this data stopped and a male, older, but similar to A'Gerin appeared on the screen.
"I am Gar'vin of Firebird. Greetings;theinformationyouhavejustviewedisof vital importance to my people of Rigel. A word of caution; be careful how you use this data and to whom you give it. Forces are at work that could harm and destroy or bring peace and harmony, plus plenty to all. Wisdom is the key," the male smiled, it was warm and lit up his whole face, open and honest, unlike his son. "May the Marked Man guide you in the right choice; Adieu!" The screen went dark.
"Marked Man? Who this time? Since we're at the Marked Man," said Torres exasperated.
"Well as Tuvok once said. There is more than one way to mark a man beside the obvious," Tom replied thoughtfully. "But on the other hand Chakotay does seem the likely choice," the two looked at each other at a lost as to what to do next. "What if we took a closer look at this planet?"
"Think that probe gave us all we need?"
"I don't think so," he acknowledged returning to the forward section, with a puzzled B'Elanna in tow.
"Computer; with the new data we have on this area of space. Can we plot a safe course through?"
*70% possibility.*
"Manual or auto?" Tom asked sitting at his console in the nose of the shuttle.
*Manual* Tom turned to his female partner; his blue eyes alight with the challenge. She smiled resigned, yet relishing it at much as he sat at the engineering console, telling him that all sensors were at max and the impulse drive was at peak efficiency.
"Right; let's have ago at this roller coaster," rubbing his hands together, before he touched the controls in front of him. The Delta-flyer shot smoothly forward into the nebula.
*WARNING. Shields are non operational. Hull stress has reached maximum limits. WARNING* the computer informed them some twenty minutes later.
"Alright, alright! I get the message," he acknowledged the computers warning; trying to hold the shuttle steady in the swirling eddies. "B'Elanna. Anyway of getting those shields back up?" he asked.
"I'm working on it," she shouted from under an open panel. "You've got all the shields we're going to get," having closed the panel and joined him up front, a few minutes later.
"Sensors are erratic, but I think we're being pushed towards the outer edge. Hang on," he said throwing the craft to the port in order to avoid collision with a small rock. For another five to ten minutes he fought to keep the craft from being pulled apart as they moved to calmer waters, the planet no closer than before. Paris sighed deeply, locking the controls down to hold their new position.
"You did your best," she comforted him, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
"I think we'd better return to Voyager and add our new data to what we already have," looking again out at the nebula swirling around the elusive planet. "So near and yet so far," he sighed. B'Elanna Torres said nothing, what could she say. They'd tried, taking her seat behind the pilot as he turned the Delta flyer away from the nebula. Checking sensors again, she softly spoke:
"We're going to have a longer trip back to Rigel, than we had getting here."
Paris did a double check of his navigational markers and whistled. "How is that possible?" he asked setting their new course accordingly. She shrugged.
"Warp two is our top speed, for now," engaging the drive. The sleek craft sped away from the colourful nebula and made haste to Rigel and Voyager.
=/\=
Janeway stood on the balcony of the rooms she'd been given in the palace, just watching the night sky, which lightened as dawn approached. Golden pink threads spread across her view, broken only by the dark shadows of two winged reptiles. These flew towards her with increasing speed, jewelled eyes reflecting the dawning sky. Suddenly they vanished from view making her wonder if she'd imagined them. An ear splitting screech, shattered that thought jolting her wide awake in the fullest sense. Realising the screeching was coming from the inner corridor she went to investigate, only to find she wasn't the only one drawn by the noisy commotion.
"What is going...Oh no!" said Della a hand covering her mouth, Raoul standing beside her. Tuvok called to the two dragons telepathically. Still hissing angrily they both obeyed the Vulcan leaving others to attend to the two males lying on the corridor floor. Janeway touched her com-badge and summoned the Doctor who attended to both patients' as soon as he'd been transported to her location. He soon had Fox sitting up holding his head in his hands. Next to the second male lay a half empty syringe. Tuvok picked it up, whilst the Doctor attended the male. On turning him over there was quite a shock.
"Allanse!" exclaimed Della. A stunned looking Chakotay stood in the doorway of his room; they only noticed him when the red dragon flew to him crooning softly.
"I'm fine. Someone tipped me out of bed," he said, taking in the male bodyguard on the floor. "Doctor?" he asked using the door frame for support. Janeway joined him.
"Dead, I'm afraid." Della sobbed turning her face into Raoul's shoulder; he put his arm around her and asked: "How?"
"I'm not sure. With your permission, I'd like to take him back to our ship for an autopsy." Raoul nodded ascent and then carefully guided the sobbing woman back to her quarters. He soon rejoined them having left Della in the tender care of her servants.
"He was a good man. Della was fond of him, but not the reason for his presence," looking down sadly at the male's calm face. Tuvok handed the Doctor the syringe, saying he'd better check it also. The blue dragon left him calling to the red, hence they both vanished.
"Where's Cyra?" asked Chakotay realising the commotion hadn't woken her.
"You are staying right here, Commander," she said, preventing him from leaving his prop. "I'll go and see," moving to the room opposite.
"I injected her with that," piped up Fox, from where he sat still on the floor, with two guards keeping a hand on his hunched shoulders.
"What is it? Old man!" Raoul asked tone threatening.
"Just a potion; A'Gerin said it would make people more amenable," he groaned softly, putting his head in his hands again. Janeway called to the Doctor to join her in Cyra's room.
"Sleeping like a baby; is he right? About the potion?" her tone anxious watching as the EMH scanned the sleeping woman.
"I wouldn't be surprised, Captain," putting away his tricorder. "But I don't think it came from the flowers on the other planet; but from here. I'll check this syringe," holding it up to the light. "I suspect this was meant for Cmdr. Chakotay. Though why that Rigellian male was protecting him?" he said shaking his head puzzled. They left the room together informing Raoul of the older woman's health.
The Doctor called for transport for himself and his charge back to sickbay and promptly vanished in a shimmer of light. Fox was escorted down to the prison hole to await his fate. Raoul decided to report to Sheldon all that had happened here, telling the Captain to start breakfast without him.
Chakotay was sitting on his bed when Kathryn joined him and sat down next to him.
"I seem to get into wars, without being asked if I want to take part," he commented not looking at her. She knew what he meant, recalling some past events in their journey home. The servants brought in a lavish breakfast for the three Starfleet officers as Tuvok was with them. The table was set on the balcony in the cool morning air, which should have invited gentle conversation, but it was a rather silent affair as they ate and watched the sun finally poke its red nose over the horizon.
Etched on that red face was a small speck that grew larger into the shape of the Delta-flyer, whose flight path was erratic. Raoul had joined them at that point and on seeing the flyer, commented:
"Good pilot!"
"Yes, he is. Though it looks as if, his horse riding proved to be, a little livelier than anticipated." Janeway looked sharply at him.
"Horse riding, Chakotay?!" puzzled. "Hey! Look out!" he shouted, as the flyer/shuttle banked steeply over the courtyard. "Tell them, the barn," pointing in the relevant direction.
"Tuvok to Delta-flyer. The barn; advise you land there."
=/\= Acknowledged! =/\= came Torres' anxious voice. They watched as the sleek craft moved sluggishly towards the large barn building and landed on its roof, which although it buckled under the craft's weight, but did not cave in as it was stacked to the roof with that years straw harvest, thus the flyer settled. Raoul sent servants to help the occupants and to make the craft secure. Then he suggested they move their breakfast to the courtyard below. No-one argued and helped in moving everything. Paris and Torres soon joined them.
"Horse riding?! I thought you were going for an early night of passion!" Raoul commented, once they were all seated in the cool courtyard.
"They have 'nights of passion' anytime," Chakotay teased. Torres looked affronted, but Paris only grinned, even Janeway smiled.
"Sometimes, even whilst on duty," she added teasingly, drinking her coffee, which was really strong and aromatic. Paris said nothing, just tucked into his breakfast hungrily. Torres glared a moment longer and then did likewise. She didn't mind the teasing, especially from her commanding officers; it was just that she wasn't sure about the present company, the Rigellians.
Della joined them looking tired, yet refreshed. Raoul could not contain himself any longer.
"Now, this horse riding? Where? I didn't think you'd need a shuttle to do that?"
Della looked at him a little puzzled, yet he didn't answer her silent questions. Tom and B'Elanna glanced at each other and then Janeway, but it was Tuvok who quietly suggested they give a brief account of their flight.
"You mean, spill the beans?!" the male Terran teased. Captain Janeway softly spoke his name in a warning manner. He sighed deeply and leaned back into his seat, coffee cup warming his hands, surveyed his audience. "Well, Chakotay was right about one thing," he paused taking in Chakotay's surprised expression. "Going 'bare-back' was right, yet I think it was the wrong time."
"Why? Where?" Della quietly asked.
"The Horse head nebula." The young Rigellian woman was confused, so Chakotay explained, that in the constellation they knew as Orion was a nebula with a dark cloud shape that looked like a horse head, hence its name. "Orion is also known as the Hunter. Male."
"I see. Orion! What shape?" she asked him; he was handed a writing stick and he drew the shape as he knew it from Earth. Janeway added the nebula as seen from Rigel. Della stared at the picture, yet it was Raoul who voiced it: "The Marked Man."
NB: This is the last of the re-edited chapters, therefore I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up as I'm still in the process of writing the story. Thank you.