Guess what? I still don't own Star Trek Voyager or the characters established therein. The original characters and story are mine. I am making no money from this, it's just for fun!

Author's note: Sorry for the delay in posting, we had a bit of a veterinary emergency around here.

"T'Phir, that's a bit vague. What exactly is coming out of the transwarp conduit?"

"Two small vessels, one is Brunali and the other I've never seen before."

Admiral Janeway cut across this conversation, "On screen."

The viewscreen immediately showed another of the small Brunali vessels accompanied by a vessel which Admiral Janeway was thrilled to see. "Open hailing frequencies please." When she heard the distinctive sound which signaled her order had been carried out, she spoke, "Janeway to…"

Before she could finish her sentence, the viewscreen changed to show a man with mottled skin and a Mohawk-like tuft of hair. "Admiral, how are you?"

"I'm glad to see you Ambassador. I wasn't sure if you would make it."

"We're here, and we have it."

"By all means, proceed." The viewscreen changed to show the battle which was continuing in space around them, indicating Neelix had closed the channel.
Dax spoke, "Admiral, may I ask what is going on?"

"Certainly, I didn't want to mention this in case they didn't make it. When I departed to come here, it was still up in the air if Ambassador Neelix would have a solution to one of the issues which we are facing. It seems he has."

"So, the man to whom you were just speaking is the famous Neelix?" When the Admiral nodded confirmation, Captain Dax continued, "Then, why is he accompanied by a Brunali ship?"

"That is a bit more complicated. If they are successful, there will be time to explain later." The Admiral turned to the science officer, "Lieutenant T'Phir, status report please."

"The new ships are targeting the lead Brunali ship. Rather than directed energy weapons, they are bombarding the ship with what appears to be a combination of Delta radiation and…" at this she hesitated, unsure of what the sensors were telling her, "well, bacteria."

"Bacteria?" Janeway and Dax asked simultaneously.

"Yes, specifically Bacillus Thuringiensis."

Hugh Irving, the tactical officer on duty, drew their attention, "Captain, the weapons on the lead ship are down! The Ambassador's ship and its fellow are moving away, targeting the smaller ships with their miracle cure."

Dax didn't hesitate, "By all means, Mr. Irving, fire! Comm, let's coordinate our efforts with the other ships. I want to take advantage of this turn of events in the most effective way possible."

"Aye sir."

Icheb and Seven were continuing their triage duties at the entrance to sickbay. The ship was no longer under fire, but they didn't know why. They were just glad the steady stream of patients had begun to diminish. Icheb spoke to Seven, his voice barely above a whisper, "I wish I knew what's going on. I feel extremely discomfited not being on the bridge in a situation like this."

"I know, but you do understand why you shouldn't be on the bridge right now, don't you?"

"Of course I understand, but that doesn't make this any easier." At this, he looked over to the biobed on which Naomi was currently being treated by Tom Paris. "She'll be fine, won't she?"

"Of course she will, Icheb. Tom will take good care of her. Try not to worry." With this Seven placed a reassuring hand on Icheb's shoulder. There were no longer any patients coming into the sickbay. Seven and Icheb moved over to Tom and Naomi and Seven asked him, "How is she?"

Tom looked up, "She is in a medically induced coma until we can treat her. Right now, the doctor is concentrating on the injuries which can be treated quickly. Naomi is going to require surgery and Todd wants to do the surgery when he can devote all his time to it."

Icheb was obviously scared, "Tom, you said she would be fine. What happened?"

"Icheb, she will be fine. She has a subdural hematoma, the doctor will be able to fix her right up."

From across the sickbay, the Lindbergh's CMO Todd Franklin, called to them, "Icheb, Seven, would you please scan that group of patients and confirm they are ready to be released, thank you." Todd waved his arm in the general direction of a group of about ten crewmembers who all appeared ready to go.

They walked over and began scanning them but Icheb soon asked for Seven's assistance, "Seven, according to my tricorder, this man should be dying." He didn't notice the patient's panic stricken face at his pronouncement.

Seven walked over to Icheb and took his tricorder from him, "Well, this individual is a Betazoid, not a Benzite. Clearly, you are unable to focus right now."

Apparently Dr. Franklin was listening. He called from across the sickbay, "Icheb, I have a status report which needs to be delivered to the bridge. Would you please take it for me? Then come right back here."

Icheb took the PADD from a medical technician, and immediately left sickbay, but not before looking over to Naomi's biobed.

When he exited the turbolift onto the bridge, Icheb went directly to the Captain who looked at him and asked, "Icheb?"

"I have a casualty report for you. Although there were numerous injuries, they were mostly minor. There were only two serious injuries; Ensign Melody has been treated for plasma burns and Ensign Wildman has sustained a serious head injury."

Admiral Janeway was out of her seat at once, "Naomi? Icheb you're with me." She ushered Icheb back into the turbolift so quickly, he barely had time to deliver the PADD to Captain Dax.

In the turbolift, Janeway asked after Naomi, "How is she? What is her prognosis?" She noticed Icheb was very pale and worried, she attributed this to the shock of his mother's sudden appearance combined with his good friend Naomi's injury.

"She is…she is in a coma, they put her into a coma until they could perform surgery on her. She looks so still and pale. Tom says she'll be fine."

"Icheb, are you okay? I know this entire situation is distressing, but we are beginning to have some success taking out the weapons of the ships in your mother's fleet."

Icheb looked confused, "My mother… oh, right, good, I'm glad."

Janeway asked, "Icheb, what's wrong? If your aren't upset about your…"

Before she could finish, he broke down, "Naomi, I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't get better. We just found each other and I can't imagine my life without her."

"Halt turbolift." Janeway turned to face Icheb and put her hands on his shoulders. "Icheb, are you and Naomi in a romantic relationship?"

Icheb looked at her, "I thought you knew. Everyone knows."

"I got to work as soon as I got here. I haven't had time to catch up on the latest gossip yet." She drew him into a comforting hug, "If Tom says she'll be fine, she will." She held him for a few moments. She could tell he was in dire need of some reassurance.

Icheb pulled away from her, "Thank you Admiral. I needed that."

With the simple command, "Resume turbolift," the turbolift carried them towards sickbay. She kept one of her hands on Icheb's shoulder and he was grateful for the support.