CHAPTER 49
Back outside Janeway walked a few feet away form the building. She drew in several long deep breaths.
Tuvok walked over. "Captain, are you all right?"
She wondered if the image of the Ocampa hospital would ever disappear. "I will be in a moment or two. After I clear my senses of the foul smell and hideous sight which we just witnessed. How did that attendant cope? Surely they are not accustomed to such illness?"
Tuvok contemplated Janeway's statement. "An interesting question. The Ocampa appear to accept and not question. They have put all their faith in this Caretaker, which gives them the ability to deal with such horrific situations."
Janeway looked around the plaza. To her left, and on the far side, were rows of two-story dwellings. On her right, the pathway down which they had come. Before her, scattered around the square, were tables and chairs. Many of them occupied with Ocampa eating their mid-day meal. Her instincts told her that they were a good people, a peaceful people, existing but not living.
Where? Damn it where did the Caretaker fit in all this?
Suddenly she turned to her security chief. "Mr. Tuvok, were you aware that the Maquis had a communication system similar to Starfleet's?"
"Yes Captain." Tuvok replied. "This was not known to Starfleet."
"No." She answered.
Tuvok raised both eyebrows.
Accompanied by Kes and Neelix, Daggin joined them. "Captain, I hope that Harry and B'Elanna will be all right. I spoke to them several times during their stay, they were different from the others. The ones who came before spoke strange languages which prevented communication. Those with whom we could talk were not very friendly, wanting only to be left alone."
Daggin smiled at the thought of his Starfleet friend. "But not so Harry or his companion. They refused to give up, fighting the illness. During the first two days they ventured outside the clinic, they never stopped asking question after question. Harry mentioned his home so far away, and told be me all about his parents. It is difficult for me to comprehend such things. I know only of our world down here."
There was something about these people. Their grace, their easy going manner, their compassion. So different from the world she knew.
Janeway smiled warmly. "Daggin, thank you. If it's possible I'll let you know about Harry and B'Elanna."
"I would like that." He then turned to Kes. "What are you going to do? Will you remain here?"
Kes shook her head. "No! I would never be happy, not after seeing the outside world. Now that I KNOW there is so much more. Neelix has asked me to go with him….which is both frightening and exciting. Where this will lead I have no idea, but good or bad I have to find out."
Daggin embraced his friend. "We will miss you. Perhaps some day you will return, to tell us all about your adventures. May all be well with you."
He turned back to Janeway. "Captain, despite the circumstances, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to meet you, Harry and B'Elanna. Now, if you have no further need I'll return to my work."
Janeway gave Daggin a warm, sincere smile. "Of course. Thank-you for your help, I too am glad at having met you and your people."
She was intrigued by the benevolence of the Ocampa. Their world was so small and isolated yet, unafraid, they opened their hearts to strangers who were in need.
Daggin raised his hand to his shoulder, in an Ocampa gesture of farewell. "I wish you a quick and safe journey."
As Daggin walked away Janeway regarded the courageous young lady. "Kes, how old are you? You mentioned that the life span of the Ocampa is only nine years."
"Yes. I'm one year old." Kes replied proudly.
The captain hid her amazement. Only one year! And yet, having lived all of that one year down in the compound, she fearlessly faced that which was strange and different. The heart and soul of an explorer.
Just then Chakotay returned. Fearfully Janeway, accompanied by Tuvok, walked to meet him.
His face was grim. "Not a moment too soon. It's amazing that they are still alive. B'Elanna went into cardiac arrest, the doctor managed to revive her but it was close. If it does not happen again….there is a chance. Harry Kim appears to be a bit stronger, his vitals have been stabilized. The EMH is doing all that he can. However, at this point, he's not sure if they are curable. Tom stayed to help."
Janeway could only hope that the doctor would be successful. "We have done all that we can for Harry and B'Elanna. Now it's time to find a way home."
Having heard Chakotay's report Neelix, his hand on Kes' arm, walked over. "Captain, now that you have found the missing pair, and they are in safe hands, Kes and I must leave."
"Neelix!" Admonished Kes, turning toward him. "What is your hurry?"
Slightly exasperated with his young friend, Neelix explained as though talking to a child. "The Kazon. Remember they want the secret of the tunnels."
Kes laughed fondly at the man who, while she had been a prisoner of the Kazon had not only befriended her, but had also helped to free her. "Neelix….Neelix, the Kazon can not reach us down here. Besides…. Captain Janeway has promised to protect us."
Janeway studied the young Ocampa. "Kes, we may need your assistance again. Afterwards I'll make sure that both of you are safe."
Kes replied without hesitation. "How can I be of help?"
Instead of replying the captain asked a question of her own. "What do you know of the history of your people?"
Kes shrugged her shoulders. "Very little. Against the approval of the Elders, I was allowed to examine some of the old records. They tried hard to persuade me not to, but I can be very stubborn." Of this Janeway had no doubt. "The archives were difficult to understand, written in a language which we have not used for a long, long time. Unfortunately….I know little more than what I have already told you. The chronicles begin with a disaster which caused the 'Warming', this was when the Caretaker first appeared."
Janeway and Chakotay looked at each other, the pieces falling into place.
The Maquis commander glanced around. He could see no indication of productive activity. "What do you and the others do down here?"
Kes replied in a disapproving voice. "Not much. Our lifetime is so short and everything is supplied. Most of the people sit around talking, playing games or watching the large screens. The Elders are supposed to be in charge. In charge of what? Some of us, like Daggin, have began farming. The fresh fruit and vegetables taste so much better than what the Caretaker provides. That's what started my curiosity about the surface. That and something else."
She hesitated, looking around as though not sure if it was safe to continue.
Chakotay gently prompted, "Go on. It's important for us to know as much as possible."
Trying to put her impressions into words, Kes thought for a moment. "Based on what I could translate, I believe that at one time we were so much more. The old, old records hint of a much more complex society. For example, we are telepathic. If I understood the writings….when we lived on the surface everybody had a much better control over their minds. Could even move objects just by thinking. This ability has been lost and perhaps something else. I can't be sure, but at one time it appears that our life span was much longer than it is now."
She shook her head. "I'm afraid that is all I can tell you."
With forlorn eyes, unhappy that she had so little information, she looked from Janeway to Chakotay.
"Kes," Janeway responded, "you have told us more than you realize. Would you and Neelix accompany us back to the ship. I want to discuss something with Chakotay and Tuvok. Afterwards you might be able to do something for us."
