Chapter 37 Decisions
Bridge Deck: Conference Room
"The isodesium is working; environmental controls and most critical systems will be online soon. But I don't know if we'll get full power back." B'Elanna reported
"How long before warp drive? I want to get Voyager as far away from this deathtrap as possible." Asked the Captain
"I might be able to get it up and running but, I can't guarantee it's stability with that constant power drain from the Forge's dampening field. The isodesium is helping but it's still going to take several more hours." She replied.
"Harry what about sensors can we-"
"Wait, aren't we-" Munro began
All eyes turned to him.
"Go ahead ensign, what's on your mind?" asked Janeway
"Well aren't we going to counterattack?"
"What?"
"I mean are we just going to sit here and wait for them to attack again or are we going to strike back?"
"I don't intend to leave Voyager a sitting duck ensign. Maybe you weren't paying attention just now but we're doing our best to get out of here."
"Mr. Munro, you were invited to this conference as a courtesy, the Captain has rejected your proposal." Said Tuvok
"Captain, I'm just saying what everyone is thinking."
"Alright ensign, just what is 'everyone thinking'?"
"Well it's just that, people are tired of being on the defensive."
"I have to agree, I've talked with some of the crew, morale is low, and they feel vulnerable."
"The best defense is often a strong offense."
"What are we supposed to do without engines and weapons? Drift over there and use harsh language? That thing's outer defenses could cut Voyager to ribbons."
"Not every problem can be solved by force Ensign. I would have thought you would know that by now."
"And while we're sitting here licking our wounds the Forge could send another Harvester ship."
"All the more reason to get repairs done sooner."
"But what if the repairs can't be finished because of that dampening field."
"Captain, I know what constantly being on the defensive can do to troop morale, it is imperative that we either escape quickly, or go on the offensive, attack the Forge, destroy it if possible."
The Captain stood, walked to a viewport and gazed out at the stars.
"I understand…we're all feeling vulnerable. I'm not just Captain of this ship, I'm Captain of her crew as well. I can't ignore the morale of my people. If they don't get a chance to fight back…they might not have any fight left in them by the time the next Harvester comes. And I can't ignore the fate of the other countless victims this forge has taken…and the ones it's yet to take. We've been fighting so hard for our own survival we've almost forgotten our responsibility to the others trapped here…if we have a chance to stop this madness once and for all…we must take it. However…Voyager is in no shape to challenge the Forge. Mr. Munro, I take it you have a plan in mind."
"Yes I do…'Trojan Horse'."
"The Harvester ship!"
"Of course!"
"I can take a small team of my best people, we use the Harvester to enter the Forge and lower its defenses so you can bring reinforcements in shuttles. If we can shut down the dampening field, Voyager and the other ships should be able to escape."
"We don't have any idea what kind of internal defenses that thing might have."
"At the very least we can buy Voyager some time."
"Alright, Tuvok, Chakotay, Chief…Munro, let's put together a plan…it's time we brought the fight to our captors."
Later in the briefing room for the Hazard team Tuvok was telling them about the mission.
"Once the dampening field generator is down, we will evacuate the Forge and return to Voyager via the shuttlecrafts."
"Crewmen Jaworski, yes."
"Sir, how are we going to get the Harvester back to the Forge? We don't know how to operate it do we?"
"A science team has examined the Harvester ship and discovered an automatic recall system. The ship is programmed to return to the Forge on its own."
"Your team leader will now brief you on your specific mission objectives."
"The first team is going to be a small group: just myself, Telsia, Chief, Biessman and Chell. We will board the Harvester and initiate the auto-return sequence. We believe the Harvester will return to this area of the Forge, a docking ring of some sort, still under construction, apparently." He said as the screen behind him lit the appropriate section.
"Our scans indicate that the external defenses power grid is located somewhere in this area. After we shut it down, we'll call for the reinforcements. That's where the rest of you come in. Once we rendezvous, we will spread out and proceed down this main shaft. Hopefully, Cortana can locate the generator for the dampening field so we can destroy it, allowing Voyager to escape. Any questions? Liz."
"What kind of resistance are we gonna run into?"
"Honestly…we don't know. We presume there'll be more Harvesters over there and who know what else. We don't know anything about this Forge and who's operating it. But I expect pretty heavy resistance. Look…I know some of you must be scared…I know I am. But the Hazard team was created and trained for exactly this kind of dangerous assignment. We can beat this thing." He looked at the Captain
"This crew…has repeatedly surprised and impressed me over these past few years. Starfleet, Maquis and others…we've all come together and performed beyond the expectations of even the finest starship crew. I know you can do this. We will shut down this deathtrap."
"Alright, let's suit up and get going. My team: meet by the Harvester docking tendril in one half hour. Dismissed."
Half an hour later the advance team assembled outside the docking tendril. Munro nodded and the team went inside. But before Munro could follow, Tuvok rounded the corner.
"Come to wish me luck Tuvok?"
"Vulcan's do not believe in 'luck' Mr. Munro. However… your success is crucial…and, while I believe you will prevail, I hope that your mission does not encounter undue adversity."
"Thanks Tuvok."
"We will join you as soon as your team deactivates the outer defenses."
Munro nodded and went inside. Moments later, the Harvester withdrew its docking collar, turned and began limping back to the Forge. A docking bay door opened receiving the Harvester ship and its package…