MAQUIS Act 23 part 2
Scene 1
"Chakotay I hope you're listening. Emergency beam out required - Ayala is in urgent need of medical attention.
As soon as she finished talking, she felt the transport begin. Chakotay was waiting with Hogan to take him straight to sickbay. The Doctor started to work on him as soon as they laid him down. Kathryn wouldn't leave his side. The doctor needed more room but when he saw her face he decided to leave her where she was.
After twenty minutes he began to run out of options. He shook his head at Chakotay, who looked as stricken as kathryn.
Astra went to sickbay as soon as she heard what had happened. She closed her eyes and sensed that although Ayala was dead, his life force hadn't left his body yet. She had seconds to decide whether she would save him and risk discovery or let him die.
It didn't take long to decide when she saw and felt her friend's misery. She blinked and pushed a large amount of energy through Ayala's body. She started his heart beating again and repaired his major injuries. She left the minor injuries for the doctor to deal with.
Ayala coughed and the monitor started to beep again. Chakotay persuaded Kathryn to leave sickbay. She hadn't eaten anything or moved from Ayala's bed since she they returned from the planet.
"What the hell happened?"
"Everything was going fine. We completed our search without success then we stumbled straight into an ambush. Ayala told me to make a run for it while he covered me. He stood up and took a phaser blast right in the chest."
"Do you think someone warned them that we were coming?"
"Who would do such a thing?
Chakotay answered her question with another question, "Where's Q?"
"He came down to bother us on the surface then we sent him away."
Scene 2
Astra found herself in a white room with two chairs and an irate Q. This was confusing as she had just been on the Val Jean.
"Who and what are you?" I demand that you answer me," screamed Q.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I was a member of the Imperium Guard but my job ended when the master went into seclusion."
"When the human made a miraculous recovery I could feel an incredible amount of power in the room. I didn't do it, so it must have come from a member of the crew,"
"Why pick on me?"
"You are my only suspect as you are not human."
"How do I know that you didn't feel remorse and try to save him."
Q was suspicious, " I wasn't involved, why do you think that I should feel remorseful?"
Astra knew that Q had attempted to kill Ayala. When she restarted his heart she saw his last memory. Q could alter his appearance to fool humans but not her.
"You tried to kill him Q because you were jealous. Your species has evolved. You are using the primitive species as your playthings. You have a sacred duty to guard and protect these humans."
"You're not Q. I would know if you were a member of the Continuum. We can't bring anybody back from the dead - it's taboo."
"Well I'm glad the Q have some morals because you're not a good advert for them. You are capricious, immoral and sociopathic. These people are not your toys."
Q was furious. This puny female had the nerve to lecture him. He made his first mistake when he decided to teach her a lesson.
He snapped his fingers to imprison her inside a meteorite where she could learn some manners.
Nothing happened!
"What did you do to me?"
"I'm not going anywhere?"
Q sat down on one of the chairs. For the first time in his existence he didn't know the answer. He felt an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. It felt as though thousands of tiny flying insects were trapped in there.
"The mighty Q is fearful of a tiny female - how amusing!"
"You were the Ancient, not the old man."
"You're so arrogant that It wasn't hard to fool you."
"Once I tell the humans what you are, they won't want you on their ship or near their precious Second Officer.
"Good luck getting near Kathryn again when I tell her that you tried to kill her friend. I don't think that she will be sympathetic."
"The Continuum will not be happy that you are travelling with the humans. You could use your power to take them home which is against the rules."
"The Q are children, I've forgotten more about the Universe than you'll ever know. These humans are off limits and that is my one and only warning!"
Astra blinked and returned to the Val Jean.
Q went straight to the Continuum to arrange an urgent meeting with the others. He had to warn them about the most dangerous threat they had ever faced. The Ancient female had the power to erase them from history. Q had a recurrence of that strange feeling again in his stomach.
Scene 3
Astra went straight to her bunk to get into bed. She didn't want her crewmates to know that she had been talking to Q.
She was trying to practice some meditation when Kathryn stuck her head around the door.
"I didn't wake you!"
"No, I was having trouble sleeping - come in."
"I've just left Ayala, the doctor said he's going to make a full recovery. The only problem will be trying to keep him still enough to recuperate."
"I sympathise, I would rather be doing something useful than sitting around."
"I was thinking about asking Chakotay to have one more attempt to stop Dukat taking over this planet."
"Astra reached for her clothes and knife belt, "I'm ready, let's do it!"
Scene 4
Xu woke up and started to scream, "Where am I? Am I dead? Is this the afterlife?"
"Try not to scream again, it upsets the crew. How are you feeling?" asked the Doctor.
"The last thing I remember was talking to some visitors to my planet. A loathsome alien ordered our Leaders to get rid of them."
"You fell ill and collapsed on the surface. My crew decided to bring you back to the ship so I could treat you. I must have succeeded because you are still here."
"Can I return to my home now please?"
"My Captain would like a word with you before we send you back. Just lie down and enjoy the rest, it won't be long."
Xu decided to obey the Doctor's orders as he was feeling quite tired.
The Doctor contacted Chakotay, "Captain I think you need to have a word with our guest soon. He's getting a little restless."
Doctor, i'll join you in sickbay as soon as I finish with Astra and Kathryn.
Scene 5
Astra and Kathryn sat down in front of Chakotay. Astra started the conversation.
"We would like to make another attempt to stop the Cardassian taking over the planet."
Chakotay raised his eyebrow, "Ayala was nearly killed on the planet. You think that I should send my Second and Close Combat trainer so Dukat can kill both of you."
"We know where he is hiding the weapons. We just need to show our guest so he can inform his superiors."
"Why won't you consider taking Hogan or Paris?"
"Dukat won't be expecting us to try again this soon after Ayala. We believe that we can get in and out before he realises what is happening."
"Let me think about it and I'll let you know within the hour."
Chakotay sat at his desk contemplating Kathryn's plan. He knew that both women were capable of looking after themselves. Astra was an awesome fighter and a master with the throwing knives.
B'Elanna interrupted his deliberations, "Chakotay we have a transmission from the planet. Dukat wants to talk to you. I'll tell him that you refuse to talk to an overgrown lizard."
"I'll talk to him, put him through."
"Don't say that I didn't warn you." commented B'Elanna.
"Captain it's so nice to talk to you. As we are both victims of the Caretaker entity we should have a lot in common."
"What do you want Dukat? I haven't got the time for diplomacy."
"I appreciate plain speaking like yourself. We have worked hard at establishing ourselves on this planet. I'm afraid that we will have to punish any further efforts to damage our reputations here. I suggest you move along to another planet.
Chakotay lost his temper. "You've been stockpiling ammunition and artillery for a rebellion. We have pictures of your meeting with the rebels on the Space Station. I would love to hear you explain that to your new buddies after they've seen the evidence."
"How are your crew coping with the death of their crewmate?" said Dukat, changing the subject.
"He is fine thank you, he's recovering in Sick Bay. The Doctor said that he will be fit for active service soon."
Dukat looked stunned, "He was dead on the planet. How did your Doctor manage to resurrect him - he must be a miracle worker."
"We're lucky to have him. I will pass on your best wishes to my crewmate."
"You seem like a sensible man Captain. I know we were enemies in the Alpha quadrant but this is a completely different scenario."
Chakotay lost his patience, I don't like Cardassians and I don't like you. I had enough of Cardassian threats and bluster in the Alpha quadrant. If I see your men or your ship I will open fire. Have I made myself understood."
"Give my regards to Kathryn Janeway. She is a charming attractive woman, I can understand why you took her with you."
When the transmission ended, Chakotay shuddered. Dukat was a loathsome reptile and he knew that they would see him again. He would make sure that Kathryn never went anywhere on her own.
He asked Astra and Kathryn to come to his office.
"I have just finished talking to Dukat on the planet. He warned us to leave or he would use his superior firepower to destroy the Val Jean."
"What did you say?" asked Kathryn.
Chakotay grinned, "I told him that I would open fire if we see his ugly face or ship again.
"Have you made up your mind about our last attempt to discredit him on the planet?"
"Go tonight but at the slightest sign of trouble I'll pull you straight out of there."
Scene 6
As soon as the transport ended, Astra opened her senses and found the Cardassian arms cache. Xu was still shaking from his first experience of transportation. She tried to reassure him,
"I was the same after my first transport but it soon passes. Have some more water to settle your stomach."
Chakotay had explained the mission to him on the ship but Xu was still confused and afraid.
"Why do you think the Ministers will believe the word of a lowly soldier?"
"We will provide you with photographic evidence with a date stamp and time."
"I don't think Dukat will leave his weapons unguarded. I can't fight them alone and look after two defenceless females."
Astra laughed, within five seconds she had him on the ground with a knife against his neck.
"I shouldn't worry about us - we can defend ourselves."
Xu stood up and rubbed his neck without taking his eyes off Astra.
"Females on our world look after their young ones and their dwellings. We do not train them to fight as soldiers - we protect them."
Kathryn explained, "We are professional soldiers. Close combat is part of our training. "
Astra held up her hand to signal quiet. They could hear voices, so they hid behind bushes and kept their heads down. One booming voice was audible above the others.
"Gul Dukat wants us to double the patrols around the base. I don't think the humans will return. They can't afford to lose any more of their crew."
"I agree, we haven't got enough men to double patrols. We'll concentrate on guarding the armoury. We don't want the natives to find our weapons and ruin the surprise."
When they couldn't hear them any longer they resumed their walk around the base. Astra opened her extra senses again to check for life forces. She spotted a door without guards.
"We'll use that door, it's close to our target."
"What are we going to do if we get caught?"
It was Kathryn's turn to tease him, "Run!"
Astra had to warn the others when the guards were approaching using her extra senses. She located the room and was just about to open the door when she heard voices inside. She put her finger to her lips and pointed to an open storage locker.
She whispered, ""We'll have to find a way to distract them to get the images we need."
"I'll take care of Xu while you create the diversion. You're quicker and more lethal with those knives,"said Kathryn. You must give me lessons in using them.
Astra decided that she was going to enjoy herself. She didn't like Cardassians. While Dukat was still breathing he would remain a threat to Kathryn. She had to neutralise him.
"Wait here for five minutes. I'll keep them busy while you get the images we need."
Astra slipped out of the room, sticking to the shadows. Due to her enhanced senses she already knew where to find Dukat. He was in his ship with five other life forces. She had to separate Dukat from his men to deal with him. Astra blinked once and extinguished every light in the facility. She could hear Dukat's men running around trying to find an alternative power source. She blinked a second time and made herself invisible. This made it a lot easier to slip past the guards, She went straight to the hanger to confront Dukat.
Astra heard Dukat shouting as soon as she entered the hangar.
"Why haven't you found the fault yet. I am in charge of a group of imbeciles. I'll do it myself - at least it will get done."
Astra waited by the emergency light source for Dukat to join her. As soon as he was alone she appeared in front of him.
"Who are you?" he asked.
I am part of the crew of the Val Jean."
I don't think so my dear. If you were a member of the Maquis, we would have known about it."
"I am a late addition to the crew."
Are you Q?"
"Don't insult me, I am far more powerful."
"I presume that you're here to kill me."
"Your supposition is correct."
"Am I allowed to ask for a reason?"
"You were not supposed to explore this quadrant for another hundred years . We can't allow you to interfere with the timeline here."
"Is that all?"
No, you have threatened my best friend, Kathryn Janeway. If you're dead the threat ends."
"No more talking now." With one blink she stopped his heart. She turned around and vomited into a waste paper basket then started to shiver and felt sweat running down her neck. She stumbled out of the door - straight into Kathryn and Xu.
"Astra what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"Did you get what we came for?"
"Yes, let's get you back to the ship before they repair the lights."
Kathryn helped Astra outside while Xu checked that nobody was following them. When they returned to the Val Jean, Kathryn took Astra straight to Sick bay.
The Doctor did every scan he could think of but couldn't find a cause.
"I suggest you take her back to her bunk and let her sleep."
Kathryn went with her friend to make sure she followed Doctor's orders.
"Do you need anything, food, drink, another pillow."
"I'm fine Kathryn. Get something to eat and have a rest. I will recover after some sleep."
As soon as Kathryn left, Astra turned over which sent waves of pain through her body. The Ancients believed that taking a life should never be easy. They made sure that premeditated murder had consequences. Astra had lost some of her life force which would take months to recover.