"Well, Arianne, it seems like your pregnancy is progressing quite nicely," The Doctor said, as he ran a medical tricorder over Arianne's growing belly. "I'd say that you're approaching the second trimester now."
Arianne smiled and caressed her belly, "Every day that passes, I get even more anxious," she admitted, gazing at the Doctor as she rose from the biobed. "I want to somehow include the senior staff in this event."
The Doctor nodded, "I'm sure they are all very eager to celebrate this even with you when it does finally arrive," he said, not thinking that he was part of the staff.
"Wait a minute, you silly, I'm including you in that," Arianne said, smiling. "You are most definitely part of Voyager's senior staff and I wouldn't have been able to successfully endure this without your guidance."
Feeling honoured to be referred to as a senior staff member, the Doctor smiled.
However, before he could reply to Arianne's kindness, the door burst open and three Hirogen entered Sickbay. The Alpha Hirogen glared at both the Doctor and Arianne menacingly.
"This is our ship now, your crew is languishing in Holodeck simulations," the Alpha Hirogen snapped, grabbing Arianne's arm. "I think Holodeck 2 could use this pretty face."
The Doctor stepped in front of the Hirogen, "This woman is the Sickbay nurse," he lied, trying to protect Arianne and her unborn child from harm. "I need her to help me in Sickbay."
"You'll just have to do without a nurse, Doc, we're taking her," the Alpha Hirogen said, as he firmly escorted Arianne to a biobed. "Sedate her or we'll reprogram you."
Wincing, the Doctor walked over and, as the Hirogen held Arianne down, he prepared a strong sedative.
"Doctor, what are you doing?" Arianne shouted, as he came close to her with the hypospray.
Without emotion, the Doctor pressed the hypospray into Arianne's neck. The Hirogen laughed.
"I'm sorry," the Doctor said, as he turned away, unable to watch Arianne lapse into unconsciousness.
(From here until the end of the chapter, refer to the Voyager episode "The Killing Game")
"Jeanette, you can't sleep forever you know," a voice said from the opening of the tent.
Jeanette Davis, a beautiful blonde, but slightly overweight, nurse opened her eyes and sat up to see her brother, Lieutenant Bobby Davis, lingering in her tent, "I wasn't sleeping, Bobby, I was just taking a break from the stress of this war. I lost fifteen patients yesterday and it drained my mind."
"That's horrible about losing fifteen, I'm sorry," Bobby said, as Jeanette stood up. "Anyway, why didn't you tell me that Mom's letters reached the camp? I just found out from Captain Miller the other day."
Jeanette sighed, "I figured you didn't need the distraction," she said, as she put on a ragged green overcoat that had medic symbols on the sleeves. "This war isn't going to stop so you can read letters from Mom."
As the two made their way from the tent, Bobby looked at his sister, "Oh, Captain Miller asked me to ask you if tonight would be a good night to join him for dinner. He's taken a liking to you, sis."
"Oh, please, he knows that I've got my hands full running the Infantry hospital," Jeanette said, as they walked through the camp. "Since the doctors were killed, I have had to look after everything on my own."
There was a momentary silence as the two happened upon the edge of the camp, which led straight into the war-afflicted town of St. Claire. Bobby sighed and gazed at Jeanette solemnly.
"There she is, sis, Saint Claire," Bobby explained. "We're supposed to meet the Resistance here."
Jeanette looked at the city with wide eyes, "The Nazis must be sleeping in, I don't see any out and about," she said sarcastically. "Well, I best get in the city and see if anyone requires medical help."
Without waiting for a response from her over-protective brother, Jeanette left the camp and entered the city.
After walking for a time, she came upon the Coeur D'Lion establishment, the place where, according to Bobby, the Resistance was rumoured to be located.
Jeanette entered the building in silence only to have her ears filled with the sound of seductive singing, which, to her, sounded a lot like prostitute crooning from street corners in the dark of night. Ignoring the singing, she moved to where the owner, Katrine, lingered at the bar.
Unknown to anyone, however, the neural interface had been disabled seconds before and it was Janeway standing there, merely pretending to be Katrine. Recognizing Arianne, Janeway smiled, but that quickly faltered when, upon looking at Arianne's interface, she realized that not everyone was back to normal.
"Jeanette Davis?" Janeway asked, taking upon the role of Katrine so not to scare the woman.
Jeanette nodded, "Yes, I am Jeanette Davis," she said. "Who exactly are you and how do you know me?"
Janeway smiled, "I am Katrine, and we are lost cousins," she lied, hoping to convince Arianne that they were on the same side. "You came to France with your husband and you intended to visit me."
"My husband went to fight in the war and died," Jeanette said, slowly beginning to believe what this woman was telling her. "I guess he meant to reunite us here, but never got the chance."
Nodding, Janeway offered her arm, "This place has no longer become safe for us, cousin," she explained, as she escorted Arianne into the street. "We must retreat to where the rest of the Resistance awaits us."
"I trust you, Katrine, you would never lead me to harm," Jeanette said, as the two disappeared down an alley near the establishment. "I want to do whatever I can to help the Resistance."
Janeway smiled, but before she could figure out a way to get Arianne safely out of the Holodeck and back to the Doctor's care, a Hirogen solider appeared in front of them and pointing his weapon, he fired at them.
Pandemonium erupted and in the falling debris of buildings, Janeway and Arianne were separated, as Janeway fled to avoid being killed. Unfortunately, the Hirogen grabbed "Jeanette" and dragged her away.
"Look, I don't know HOW you know me, but why did you drag me back into the Coeur D'Lion?" Jeanette asked, as she was sat in a chair by a Hirogen soldier, who had nothing but evil intentions.
Even though this Hirogen didn't know anything about her, instead assuming that she was part of the crew that had joined the ship just recently, he still found her attractive and wanted to partake of her fully.
The Hirogen grinned, "Surely, Miss Davis, you must remember me," he said, gripping her arms with his hands and drawing nearer to her. "We used to be colleagues in Paris before the war."
Jeanette gave the ugly man a disgusted look, "I'm sure we were," she snapped sarcastically, standing up. "Now if you'll excuse me, good sir, I need to get back to my cousin. We were separated."
Aggravated by her spunk, the Hirogen pulled her close to him, "Now, come my dear, let's not be in a hurry," he hissed. "Why don't we seal our reunion with a bout of passion? You were my hunting prey, but now I've caught you and am free to do what I wish with you."
Jeanette pulled out of his grip and spat in the Hirogen's face, "I AM NOBODY'S CAPTURED PREY!" she shouted, stepping away. "Now, I insist that you leave me alone and get on with your day you drunk fool!"
Enraged, the Hirogen drew his weapon and instead of shooting her, he struck her full in the face with the holographic weapon. Since the safety protocols were off, it knocked her to the ground.
As Arianne's world went black, shouting, an explosion, and weapons fire could be heard in the distance.
"Ah, Spock, it's been awhile since I've seen ye," Scotty said, as he stood up from his reading console in the Starfleet Library. "I wanted to speak with ye about something…It's been bothering me conscience."
Spock sighed, "You summoned me to the Starfleet Library during my off-duty period to discuss something that has been bothering your conscience?" he asked, confused. "Is there a reason for doing this?"
"I received some startling information from a Vulcan called T'Pol late last night while I was taking a respite from me research." Scotty said, stress in his voice. "It concerns the location of Arianne Archer."
Spock raised an eyebrow, "I was not aware that T'Pol had been involving herself in such research since she and her child were cleared for a visit on Earth," he said, his attention now focused on the computer screen.
Scotty nodded, "Aye, she not only involved herself in it, she beat me tae the punch," he said, pressing some keys and revealing the research T'Pol had privately sent him. "The research is truly incredible."
"Has anyone informed President Archer of this new research?" Spock asked, as he reviewed and found the information to be accurate. "I am assuming that he would find this discovery to be somewhat a comfort."
Scotty shook his head, "T'Pol said that she had nae intention of telling President Archer of this," he confessed, not caring anymore if he was court-martialed and jailed for the rest of his life. "At first, I thought nothing of it, but then I wondered what her true intentions behind hiding the truth are."
"You are aware that such dishonesty could merit a court-martial and subsequent imprisonment in a penal colony," Spock said, clearly anxious to see if Scotty's intentions in telling him were pure, or if there were other reasons behind it. "I could, in reality, declare you under arrest for impeding an investigation."
Nodding, Scotty felt tears come to his eyes, "I know, but I canna live with meself if I don't do my part tae help save the poor woman," he admitted. "I occasionally get the news in here and every time I see President Archer speak about some new development, I can see in his eyes that is heart is shattered by his loss."
Spock nodded, but said nothing, so Scotty continued, "Recently, I have noted a change in Captain Kirk, he's not the man he once was," he explained fervently. "That T'Pol woman has a seductive hold on him."
Quickly absorbing all that Scotty had told him, Spock straightened and gazed at his guilt-stricken former crewmate, "You will not be court-martialed, nor arrested, I simply recommend you remain here to develop this theory to the point where experimentation can commence."
Scotty nodded, "Aye, sir," he agreed, turning back to the screen. "I will do whatever I can."
"I will be paying a visit to President Archer and informing him of all that you have told me," Spock said, as he walked to the doors. "I will contact you with further instructions in due time. Stay here, meanwhile."
In silence, Spock left the library. Scotty sighed tiredly and turned his attention back to the screen.
