Note from author: This took a little longer than I thought it would but now the story is complete - for now!
Disclaimer: See Chapter one.
Rainbows
Chapter Seven – Destiny
Lieutenant Commander Tuvok Chief of Security stood calmly contemplating the scene through the viewports in the Briefing Room whilst he awaited the arrival of the current senior staff to join him. Outside a dust storm was in progress whipping up the light dry soil and swirling it around in the air, the rocks and the ship obscuring any tracks left by the missing Away Team. The shield field sparked as a larger particle hit the energy screen protecting the ship from any external damage. The storm also obscured their view of the surrounding terrain both visually and via their sensors, thus they were sitting there deaf and blind.
"Mr. Vulcan, any news?" asked an anxious voice, taking his seat at the table.
"None to report at present," he replied quietly standing facing them. "Mr. Kim?"
"Repairs are complete. We have even managed to do some upgrading work on the external sensor arrays before this dust storm hit us," he informed softly. The Vulcan nodded approvingly.
"Mr. Paris?"
"Sickbay is free of any patients at the moment. I have also checked over the Delta Flyer and she's now operating at peak efficiency, although with this dust storm I cannot take her out to test that. I've scheduled maintenance for the other shuttles with the Engineering crews, now that all major repairs to Voyager are complete."
"Good," he acknowledged finally taking his usual seat. "Seven?"
"Astrometrics is operating within its usual parameters. This dust storm is cutting down the sensors ability to operate effectively."
"As if someone doesn't want us to see or hear what's happening out there," Neelix said, voicing in his own way what all of them didn't want to admit verbally even to themselves.
"Were you able to get clear readings of the mining operations?"
"Affirmative; the ore being extracted would supply Voyagers needs more than adequately," Seven informed confidently.
"We could set up our own refining processing unit. I know B'Elanna has the plans for one in the computer database," noted Harry Kim, giving his friend – the pilot a soft smile.
"Good. We will continue to keep abreast of our immediate needs, whilst we await word from the Captain. Dismissed." With that they all quietly stood and filed out. Tuvok stood at the viewports again, hands behind his back and once more contemplated the violent dust storm outside. The only sign of his troubled thoughts was the soft puckering of his brow.
=/\=
Torres words seem to put into context the predicament they now found themselves in.
"How?" Ayala asked softly, taking in the gentle landscape around them in the balmy air of the early summer afternoon.
"That is one question we cannot answer at the moment."
"He can though," B'Elanna said pointing in the direction of the abode of 'Grandfather' her tone faintly angry.
"Maybe, B'Elanna, he can, but not the how. Theory is one thing, understanding how and why something happened and what elements made it happen is very different," he explained gently.
"You have in effect, Commander, explained the tasks the Captain and I have been set," Sam acknowledged with a smile.
"From the information that the computer has given us, thus far, it has something to do with the weapons created and used by the Shadra and Ohanzee that caused them to become what they did, energy beings," Janeway stated.
"Could there have been a force field over this valley?" B'Elanna Torres asked thoughtfully.
"Why do you ask?"
"The mechanism for that water pump I looked at this morning looked like it had once been a small portable field generator."
"Interesting!" noted the EMH. "Do you think I could get out of the valley to contact Voyager?"
"The passages the children used and showed me this morning are really only child size. But there might be a way to use a beacon as a relay I suppose," she added thoughtfully.
"Work on it, B'Elanna. Sam and I will do our best too. In the meantime we'd better earn our keep," she said looking mean fully at Chakotay and Ayala. The two males grinned, picked up their working field tools and rejoined the workers in the newly tilled field to assist in the planting of new crops.
=/\=
The work wasn't hard as the soil was dry without being hard, compacted or dusty; moist but not water logged or heavy.
"I don't know about you, Chakotay, but I could live here quite happily if the worse came to the worse," Ayala said as they took a short break for a breather and a drink of water like their fellow workers across the field. Chakotay only smiled quietly.
"You are of the stars," noted Adlar with a soft grin, stating it as a known fact. "Sitting here won't get these sweet potatoes planted," he added getting to his feet and the three of them were soon back at work; digging the hole, putting in the seed potato and banking up the soil again. They worked as a well oiled team across the field, whilst others planted their crops of red cabbages, onions, peas, squash and peppers, plus corn.
Late afternoon, Torres joined them with the Doctor and Zana bringing a working brunch to the hungry workers, setting it out in the blossoming orchard. Everyone contributed to the picnic-like feast their easy chatter filling the cooling air. Lenno was full of the news of his newborns, causing his fellows to tease him good-naturedly as to what he would face as a new father over the next few years, but he seemed to relish the idea and was obviously looking forward to having his family under his roof.
"They're not with you now?" asked Torres surprised.
"No. They'll be at the birthing place for a few more days yet," he informed her grinning.
"Lenno, sit down and eat," Chakotay instructed. "You're making the place look untidy!" he quipped, earning the leopard man some gentle laughter as he blushed and sat down quickly.
Chakotay noted that the group within the valley was very varied; Zebra and Leopard were prominent along with Hawk-eagle type, yet there were some who were more humanoid than animal type of which Alicia was the foremost. He frowned puzzled by this fact, but then Grandfather was human he reasoned, thus that begged the question – who was his wife and Alicia's mother? – he wondered, enjoying his meal of cornbread with spicy mushroom spread and baby spinach leafs.
"Adlar do you grow this tea?" he asked accepting his second helping of the refreshing green tea.
"Yes, further down the valley is the perfect spot. I'm sure Brutus wouldn't mind me showing you round. In fact I think he'd give you a tour himself."
"Brutus! Is he a bull then?" asked Torres.
"Yes, he is!" and laughed at the Klingon woman's startled expression.
=/\=
Once the meal had been finished the workers relaxed or dispersed to play with the children or do other less pressing chores or personal projects, so Adlar true to his word took Chakotay to meet Brutus at their tea plantation. Torres joined them, whilst Ayala assisted Zana and the Doctor checked on Janeway and Sam, taking them some of the afternoon brunch.
Brutus was indeed a bull of a man; in fact he was half bull half human like the Minotaur of Greek legends and yet he was also the gentlest of men, kind and patient and fully aware of his great strength that could harm others of lesser stature. With him worked the females of his animal type, yet they were more humanoid in their facial features than he, with smaller horns and ears. His enthusiasm for his tea plants was infectious as he showed them round the plantation and pointed out the different varieties of tea bushes that grew on the gentle sun soaked slopes.
"You really enjoy your work, don't you?" Torres noted when he'd lapsed into quiet silence.
"Yes, I do. In much the same way as you do with your job, I'm sure," he responded graciously his dark eyes shining bright. "Like to try a brew?" he asked leading them back to the drying sheds.
"Wonderful idea," said Adlar. Chakotay nodded a broad grin on his face that had Brutus giving into a bellowing laugh.
"You're as bad with tea as Janeway is with coffee!" noted B'Elanna teasingly. His only response was to grin even broader if that were possible and their hosts to laugh joyously.
=/\=
At the makeshift lab Janeway and Sam poured over the data the computer had provided them with, especially about the weapons that had caused the Shadra and Ohanzee's demise.
"If we combine this energy with a high level generated energy field," Janeway muttered inputting the data into the computer terminal she worked at. "Damn!"
"Nothing?" asked Sam from her own work-station looking round at her CO.
"I keep drawing a blank," thumping the console.
"That won't make it work any better!" said a new voice. Both females looked round at the newcomer questioningly. Janeway's mouth predictably tightens at seeing the elder male. "Samantha would you mind?" he asked politely. The use of her full Christian name was very telling, thus she accented with a soft smile. She picked up the food tray, stating that she'd better return it to Zana and left.
"Why don't you tell me what I need to know!" she snapped once Wildman was out of ear-shot.
"And takeaway your fun!" he quipped back gently. "Stop it!" he said calmly but firmly. "Come with me. Please," he invited and led her outside to look out over the valley that spread away from them. "You are still feeling guilty about the Shadra aren't you?" he smiled when she didn't respond. "Ohanzee – Shadow became a better name for them after they killed themselves with their weapons. Now look out there and tell me what you see?" gesturing to the view before them of the animal-people going about their business of looking after each other and planting the food they'd need for their continued existence.
"A pastoral scene of village life," she said having watched the scene in silence.
"And?" he questioned quietly.
"And nothing!" turning as if to return to the lab, but he prevented her.
"You're looking but not seeing, Kathryn Janeway," he admonished her softly, turning her round to survey the scene again, with him standing behind her. "Tell me who you see?"
"Animal-people."
"Don't they have a name?" he asked pointedly. He sighed and whispered in her ear. "They are the Shadra, and they require the same answers as you," he said and led her back inside to the lab. "Those answers are there, you just have to be patient and keep searching for them," Grandfather said taking a seat. "Now like to explain to me what you are doing?"
"Finding a way out of here," she grumbled, retaking her seat at the main console. "What is your name again?"
"You never give up do you," he grinned. "That is your salvation Kathryn Janeway, persistence, dogged persistence I'll grant you," he conceded. "So what are you doing?" he asked again.
"Finding answers to the question of how the Ohanzee weapons affected the valley's force field."
"That's better. So?" When she didn't immediately respond he informed her that he would be her sounding board to bounce ideas around.
"What frequency did the field generators use?"
"What frequency is likely to be used?" he countered quietly, making Janeway smile at him.
"Let's try one I know the general Federation frequency," she said and tapped the keyboard inputting the data. "Cross reference with the weapons firing yield and dispersal," she muttered softly, finally hitting the enter key. For a moment nothing appeared to happen, but something caused her to wait – maybe it was the gentle brown eyes behind her she reflected – and then the computer started to clatter with a load of noise; new data appeared in long sentences across the once blank screen. She felt Grandfather join her to read over her shoulder as they looked at the information visible before them. He rested his hand on her shoulder a gentle and yet almost familiar gesture.
"Looks like you've made some interesting progress," he said. Startled she stared at him as it was the most understated statement he could have made. "Computer save new data in file Janeway Alpha and close," he ordered. "Time for you to get some rest, Captain."
For once she didn't argue the point, but left the lab and returned to her abode with Zana and Sam. Torres and Chakotay were at the other end of the valley and would spend the night with their new host, returning in the morning; she was informed before settling down for the night.
=/\=
"Why don't you give her the answers?" asked a soft female voice in his ear, curling her arms around his waist and snuggling into his comforting torso.
"You know why," he sighed. "If I did she'd only ask for an explanation."
"One you're not prepared to give," the female teased quietly as they stood looking out over the now sleeping valley, the stars twinkling in the inky blackness above their heads.
"True," again he sighed. "No, Janeway needs to find the answers for herself or she'll not accept them. Plus the fact it will not only help them to leave but assist all of us here on Arrabri," his voice calm, yet the undercurrent of his tone very concerned. "The dust storm still rages outside, No?" he asked pointedly.
"Yes," the female sighed anxious herself too. "Time for our bed, Husband," kissing his cheek lovingly. Thus the pair walked together to their abode in the valley wall.
=/\=
The next morning the Voyager crew awoke to a second day of swirling dust, sparking force fields, ineffective sensors and silent communications traffic. Paris watched the spinning brown dust outside the Mess Hall viewports and thought about his missing wife. Anxious thou he was to try and find her or at least hear a word from her or the Captain, he appeared outwardly calm and unconcerned as he drank his coffee.
"Tom?" questioned a young voice.
"Morning, Harry," his tone cheerful, yet not as bright and bubbly as was usual.
"I thought you might like to go over the files the Commander downloaded from the Shadra city. It could provide us with some useful insight," he added hopefully.
"Sure, why not," taking a seat near the viewports and taking one of the PADD's Kim handed to him to peruse over.
They'd been working for about an hour or so, when Paris looked up frowning. Something had been bothering him for the last few minutes, yet he couldn't workout what at first. Harry's expression quietly questioned him.
"The wind!" he whispered and then they both stood up and looked out the viewports, joined by others of the crew. Bright sunlight dazzled them for a minute as they took in the scene outside. Although the dust still billowed and whirled around it was not as dense as it had been and was moving away from the ship, which was why they could see the planet's sun and the roar of the wind – a constant feature over the last 24hrs – had gone quiet.
"Do you think we'll hear from the Away Team?" asked an anxious voice.
"Let's hope so, Neelix!" his tone bright, his face a wreath of smiles. "Let's hope so!"
The two friends returned to their studies, feeling relaxed about their situation, warmed by the sun that now shone on them.
=/\=
Brutus had given Chakotay a small wrapped parcel and informed him not only to treat it with the utmost care but with additional strict instructions on its usage. He wouldn't say what was within the package; he had just grinned and bid them a gentle farewell. Adlar didn't enlighten them either although Torres pestered the eagle man with not so subtle questions. Chakotay on the other hand was silent as they walked back down the valley.
"Everything alright, Chakotay?" she asked him as they came within sight of the blossoming orchard. "You've been very quiet," she noted concerned.
"What in comparison to you!" he quipped softly with a smile. The EMH hailing them left her question unanswered as they joined the holo-medic. He regaled them with the news that the Captain may have made some progress and that the children were going to show him where they could install a beacon to contact Voyager – seemingly not pausing for breath in his running commentary. Janeway joined them at that point and noticing the parcel asked the one question he dreaded her asking.
"What's in the parcel?" she asked her tone casual eyes bright.
"I have no idea," he responded his tone flat.
"Surely you must have some idea?" she pushed. Torres stared at her feeling Ayala join her as Chakotay carefully put the parcel down on the table, the tension tight.
"No I do not," his voice reflecting his unease.
"Then why don't you open it..."
"NO!" he snapped, halting her from moving closer, his dark eyes glaring at her angrily. The others could only stand and watch the drama and tension unfold before them. Grandfather also watched his own eyes sad, his fists curled into tight balls, holding in his own anger and tension.
Janeway went to open her mouth, but he cut in first. "No, Captain!" his voice grinding out her rank, giving her pause for thought. "I was given a very specific instruction that on no account is this parcel to be opened here in this valley by anyone," he paused, his dark smouldering gaze locked onto her blue one, thus ignoring everyone around them. "I have given you a truthful answer to your question, Captain. It just isn't the one you were expecting to hear, was it?" he said pointedly.
Janeway held herself rigid feeling her own anger mounting, but she kept it under tight control for now. He stepped closer to her his hand protectively on the top of the parcel. "I am not your token Maquis officer, Captain nor am I your Starfleet trained lackey either." Someone sucked in their breath at that. Without breaking contact with her gaze he picked up the parcel and stepped closer still, invading her personal space. "I follow your orders because I choose to do what's right by this crew – our crew. But I can't give you what I don't have," he told her and walked off, holding the parcel tight against him like a shield.
Janeway felt herself shaking realising that they'd just had a very public disagreement, she closed her eyes against her own anger and pain, his words echoing in her ears, especially the deep anger in his tone of voice.
"I'd better go and see if he's ok," Ayala said softly to B'Elanna, giving the woman a gentle squeeze of reassurance. "You'd better assist the Doctor with that beacon," he suggested quietly. She nodded watching a moment as Ayala disappeared into his shared sleeping abode where Chakotay had vanished into, and then she and the EMH left the area. Sam looked as if she wanted to comfort the Captain, but Zana shook her head at her and the two females went off to deal with some daily chores; Adlar joined them, leaving Janeway alone.
=/\=
It was mid-afternoon on Voyager when a strange event occurred; a series of beeps three short and two long were heard throughout the ship's com-system. Paris and Kim looked up startled from their contemplation of the Shadra data and then grinned, before they both ran down to Astrometrics and stopped Seven from trying to block the signal.
"What frequency is it coming on?" the pilot asked his friend urgently.
"The lower range, much lower than would normally be used," noted Kim, working at the main console, where Seven frowned at their enthusiasm.
"Ensign, Lieutenant?" she queried.
"SOS in Morse code," said Tom grinning broadly.
"I realise that," she acknowledged quietly. "But why are you interested?" she asked clearly puzzled by their animation of this ancient emergency code.
"There is only one person I know who'd send that code, Seven. B'Elanna!"
=/\=Bridge to Astrometrics. What is going on?=/\= asked an irate sounding Duty bridge officer.
"It's alright, Rollin's it's only the Chief trying to contact us," Tom responded his tone bright with relief.
=/\=Understood. Bridge out=/\=
"Any progress in getting a response?" he asked of Harry Kim.
"I'm trying, but I can't get the computer to accept the lower frequency range," he said sounding frustrated.
"What is the frequency?" Seven asked standing beside him to look at the data. "There might be a way if we route it through the deflector dish."
"That will take time."
"Not for a short communications link," she said and her fingers flew over the console to make the necessary changes. "It will only hold for three minutes, so make it count," she advised.
=/\=I'm sure we'll do that, Seven=/\= spoke a familiar voice. "We're all fine. The Captain is trying to workout why we can't leave the valley."
"Maybe I can assist her in that endeavour," Seven said.
"That would be great, but you'll need to do it from Voyager."
"You are ok?"
"Yes, Tom," a smile in her voice.
"The force field is changing," noted a new voice.
"Looks like our time might be up soon. I'll change the com-badge frequency to work in conjunction with this beacon."
"We'll up-grade the deflector to do the same," Seven said.
=/\=Understood Voyager, Torres out=/\= Static filled the area until Kim switched the com-unit off. For a moment the three said nothing, each contemplating what had been said and even what had not been voiced.
"Might I suggest that you also change the sensors to work on this frequency through the deflector array?" said a new calm voice. They turned to see the tall dark Vulcan standing close to the area's main doors his dark eyes bright the only visible sign that he too was pleased.
"We'll get to work on it right a way," said Kim. "Come on Seven," he called, pulling her with him as he left almost at a run; he called for an engineering crew to assist as well.
Tom Paris found himself wiping at his face finding it wet with his silent tears of relief.
"I think it would be prudent that we continue to look over the Shadra files."
"Sure," still wiping at his wet face. "The PADD's are still in the Mess Hall," moving to join the Vulcan. The dark male prevented the younger man from leaving and quietly handed the pilot a white large handkerchief that had Paris grinning his thanks, before using the item; Tuvok silently waited for the human male to re-gather himself together. Thus they left Astrometrics and headed for the Mess Hall, feeling grateful that they knew the Away Team were fine.
=/\=
Torres had made straight for Janeway's location and changed her com-badge first, thus when Voyager contacted them an hour or two later, she was the first to receive the news of what the ship's more powerful and sensitive sensors had discovered, about the crystal formations within the mountain.
"You're sure of your readings?" she questioned slowly.
=/\=We've checked them three times so far=/\= said Kim. "The readings are the same every time."
"Thank you, Mr. Kim. I'll get back to you soon. Janeway out," closing the channel.
"How?" Sam asked softly, not taking in what they'd been told. Janeway could only shake her head dazed. Breathing deep she told Sam to get the others together.
"You'd better call Grandfather too," she said, as she downloaded the data into a PADD. Wildman nodded and left. For a moment Kathryn Janeway sat still and thought about all that had happened since they'd picked up their alien 'guest' – a Ohanzee as she now thought of the energy beings – to now and here in this valley on Arrabri.
=/\=
"You're saying that the crystal is a living entity?" asked Zana, not quite believing it herself any more than the Starfleeter's themselves did.
"Not entirely as if it has an intelligent consciousness, but close," Janeway acknowledged, watching Grandfather reading the data in the PADD carefully. His actions of thoughtful contemplation forcefully reminded her of Chakotay and how he took things in. The two of them were sitting side by side accentuating that very point.
"B'Elanna, when you were at the barrier, how would you describe it?" he asked looking up at the half-Klingon female sitting across the table from him. "Did it spark like one of Voyager's force fields or...?"
"More like a soap bubble, with the same swirling colours," she said cautiously.
=/\=Soap bubbles can easily be popped!=/\= noted the voice of Tom Paris through the open com-link with the ship outside the valley.
"That is true, Tom; but I don't think that's going to work here." again looking at the data before him. Chakotay softly shook his head at Janeway who'd looked about to make her own comment, thus she stayed quiet letting him lead along with Grandfather.
=/\=What do you suggest?=/\= asked the calm tones of the Vulcan.
"Tell me, what colour was the crystal when you came through?"
"Emerald green," said Sam Wildman. "But when we shone our beacon lights into it, it split into four colours," she informed quietly, thinking her thoughts through.
"I suspect you couldn't scan it? Leaving you – Doctor rather disorientated."
"Indeed," shuddering; recalling the memory of that journey.
"Rainbows!"
"Ayala?" Grandfather queried puzzled.
"Of course they've been part of this adventure from the beginning," said Janeway her voice excited. "Maybe they can give us the way out too."
"Maybe they can. How many colours were in your rainbow?"
"Seven. But there are only six of us here."
"Good. That means Alicia can go with you."
"But why, you have everything here!" noted Janeway puzzled.
"For now, yes; This is an enclosed valley, Captain Kathryn Janeway, which means that in a few months time everything here will stagnate and die," his tone forceful; his dark brown gaze holding hers angrily.
"Why Alicia, Grandfather?" Zana asked softly breaking the uneasy silence.
"Because of the parcel Chakotay will be taking with him," finally breaking eye contact with the female Captain. "I suggest each of you chooses a colour and we'll take it from there."
"You knew how to get out of here, didn't you?" Janeway challenged quietly.
"I had an idea," he conceded. "Without the scans from Voyager I could never confirm that," he sighed at her stubborn expression. "How do you manage her?" he quipped to Chakotay.
"With difficulty," he responded with a smile.
=/\=Yeah stubborn the pair of them=/\= noted Paris.
"Careful, Tom you could get put on report!" Laughter came through the open link.
"Captain Janeway, the Ohanzee destroyed our 'Mother' ship when we unwittingly got caught out by them and crashed here. It was only with the assistance of a few original Shadra that we came to this valley at all; but even they couldn't have foreseen what effect Ohanzee's weapons interacting with the force field would create."
"Without the outside scans..." Sam's voice trailed; the evidence of their own experiences within the valley and the mountain answering the rest of her unspoken statement.
"All of Arrabri was once like this valley," he said gesturing to what was around them.
"We'd like to see it like that again," said Zana with deep conviction. "Ohanzee's shadow has blighted us long enough," she added her tone bitter.
"Find Alicia, please Zana," he said softly. The Zebra woman nodded and left the table.
=/\=What happens after they get out?=/\=
"Let's take one step at a time," Grandfather admonished. He suggested that the Starfleeter's gather up their uniforms and change. Those not in uniform left, leaving Janeway and the EMH with Grandfather.
"Why won't you tell me your name?" she asked, causing him only to smile at her.
=/\=
Soon a small group of humanoids stood at the entrance that had first allowed the Starfleeter's to enter the hidden lush valley. Inside they could see the crystal was a neutral colour as was usual from this side of the mountain and their tricorders told them nothing. All were apprehensive as no-one was sure of the outcome of what they were about to attempt; as even Alicia had never been outside the crystal barrier, only through it's many twisting and changing passages and tunnels. The young female stood holding Wildman's hand and next in line beside Chakotay.
"Just remember your colour and think deeply on it," advised Grandfather. "Chakotay you are the sunshine, yellow!"
The Amerindian nodded and took a deep breath, he was about to step forward when Ayala gently pushed him aside and touching the crystal just inside the entrance spoke his colour out loud.
"Orange," he said. Immediately the crystal turned that colour as he walked forward and out of sight. Janeway followed as red, thus two colours now pulsed through the crystal. The EMH stepped in and deep purple pulsed through the crystal as well. B'Elanna followed as blue. Wildman went next with Alicia as pink and green respectfully. Chakotay followed the yellow pulsing ahead of him, his parcel held close to his chest as he retraced his steps from his first journey through the crystal passageway that now pulsed with the seven colours of Voyager's rainbow. As he walked he felt the animals that had helped him before against the Ohanzee move through the crystal with him; She Bear, Eagle Owl, the Hart, Harvest Mouse, the Otter pair, the Bat and over them all the Black Panther. They seemed to shift and move within the crystal guiding him and the others ahead of him. He even felt his own animal guides as faint shadows within the crystal, including the new one. Whereas their former path had been twisting and long, their new path was straight and true, the colours forming an arch over the path they took. Soon natural daylight greeted them and the further sight of Voyager sitting on the arid plain before them, the afternoon sunlight glinting in her many viewports.
"Now that is a sight for sore eyes," The EMH commented. The others all grinned and were soon greeted by their waiting crew mates under the ship's forward section's shadow.
=/\=
Alicia and Naomi exchanged stories together in the Mess Hall under the watchful eye of Neelix, whilst the rest of the Away Team took a short break in their quarters to shower and change. They all returned to the Mess Hall for a welcome home treat from the cheerful alien chef. Included was Zana the Zebra woman and Adlar the Eagle man, who politely enjoyed the edible fare offered.
"Captain Janeway, we have a simple request to ask of you," Adlar said formally.
"Please," she invited.
"That you leave one of your shuttles for our use. Please before you turn this down, there is more," sensing the tension. Even the two children were sitting still and silent. "We can assist you with the Tritanium ore, including processing it," added Adlar.
"There is no processing plant here."
"No visible plant – no," Adlar agreed with a grin.
"Plus any seeds or plants to replenish your supplies," said Zana.
"We haven't used the Type 2 Tereshkova shuttle for a while," noted B'Elanna slowly. Janeway remained silent. "I had been keeping it for spares, but," she shrugged dramatically.
"The Shadra city has yielded a lot of useful items that we won't need to replicate too often," Ayala said adding to the argument.
"Provided someone doesn't crash any more shuttles!" quipped Paris giving his male commanding officer a cheeky grin, who responded with an amused smile of his own.
"The shuttle is taking up valuable storage space." That comment from the Vulcan caused Kathryn Janeway to look at him startled and then she smiled.
"Why do I get this feeling I'm going to be out-numbered on this issue?"
"Because you know your crew too well," remarked the EMH.
=/\=
Thus the shuttle Tereshkova was removed from Voyager and left with the new Shadra; so that they could aide their fellows on the Orbitor, for with Ohanzee gone they would get no provisions.
First the shuttle was used to stock up Voyager's provisions in food, plants and seeds, along with a stock of processed Tritanium. The ore had been of a better quality than their initial scans from Voyager had indicated. The ground communications station kept the working parties in touch with each other, the Orbitor, the valley and Voyager.
All too soon it was time for Voyager to head back into space and the distant stars of home. Alicia and Naomi exchanged gifts to remind them of each other. She also gave a special wrapped parcel to Janeway.
"You are not to open it until you reach your destiny," she instructed.
"Where do you think that is?" she asked.
"In the stars!" she responded knowingly, leaving the female Captain feeling that she was missing something; but she smiled her thanks and returned to her ship. "Grandfather said he'd meet you soon," Alicia told Chakotay who stood alone with her under Voyager's shadow.
"Thank you," he acknowledged, escorting her back to the mountainside and the rainbow tunnel. He tapped his com-badge and called for transport and soon vanished in the blue transporter effect back to his role as First Officer.
=/\=
The verdant forest around him smelt fresh and earthy, having just endured a gentle downpour of rain; drops still clung to the broadleaf foliage, whilst a fitful sun shone above the lush canopy as he walked. He'd come to this place via his vision quest, knowing that this is where he'd meet 'Grandfather'. The trees were of an unfamiliar species to him and yet he felt safe and at ease with his current surroundings. He walked quietly on bare feet towards the open lakeside beach, dressed in the trappings of his ancient ancestors.
Playing in the beach surf were the sea otters, in the trees behind the beach stood the hinds browsing on the young shoots and leafs. Perched on a lightening struck tree close to the water's edge was an eagle – the Bald Eagle, its white head feathers glistening in the sunlight a stark contrast to his black wings and body feathers. It wasn't long before he sensed her – the Black Panther and him coming through the trees behind him. His personal spirit guide was sunning herself as usual on the sun baked rock that stood above the high water mark.
"What did you make of Brutus' gift?" the male asked softly, coming to stand close.
"Fitting!" looking out over the wind ruffled waters. "She couldn't believe it," smiling at the memory of Janeway's reaction to the coffee plant in his parcel, when she'd joined him in hydroponics.
"She still drinks too much of that elixir," noted his companion.
"Tell me about it!" he chuckled. "Thank, Brutus for including the tea plants for me."
"I will," his companion sighed. "Your destiny is in the stars and always will be."
"With her?"
"Only you can decide that, Chakotay."
The forest faded around him and he found himself sitting on the floor of his quarters with the Akoonah and his medicine bundle in front of him. Breathing deep he slowly wrapped everything back up together and returned it to his special place. He stood at the computer terminal for a moment and placed his hand on the inactive surface, for a brief moment it felt more like the harden shell of the Sea Turtle, making him smile.
May 2014
Final chapter finally. Enjoy.
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