Chapter 45.
Warlord.
(Scott POV)
I was on the Bridge when we were receiving a distress call.
"All senior Officers report to the bridge," I said. "Bridge to Sickbay, We have a emergency in coming standby for Medical Beam ins,"
"Aye captain," Doc said.
"Captain sensor readings indicate that radiation inside the alien vessel is rising to toxic levels," Tuvok said.
As Tom and Harry got here.
"The life signs of the passengers are growing weaker," Tuvok said.
"Their warp core is heavily Damaged, It's leaking drive plasma and Gamma radiation, it could breach any time," B'Elanna said.
"Can we beam the passengers out through all that radiation?" Chakotay said.
"Not from here," Harry said. We'd have to get within 5,000 kilometers,"
"At that range we'll be at risk if their engine core explodes," Tuvok said.
"Tom Take us into range," I said.
"Aye captain," Tom said. "Closing within 5,00 kilometers,
"I'm diverting more power to the targeting scanners, trying to get a pattern lock," Harry said. "There's still too much interference,"
"A little closer Tom," I said.
"Captain I'm picking up an energy buildup in the reaction chamber," B'Elanna said.
"Harry," I said.
"I've got a lock," Harry said. "Initiating Transport,"
"They're losing antimatter containment," B'Elanna said.
"Shield up, Tom Move us away," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tom said.
As we got shook as we pulled back as the ship exploded.
"All major systems are undamaged," Tuvok said.
"I've got them Captain, All 3 passengers are in sick bay," Harry said.
"I'm impressed, Just try and speed it up a bit next time Harry, that close makes my skin crawl," I said.
"Aye Captain," Harry said.
XXX
"It was horrible, They chased us across half the sector, We were finally able to fight them off, But not before our own ship was damaged," Adin said.
"Do you know who was chasing you," I said.
"This particular Trade route has always been plagued by mercenaries and thieves, I'm sure they wanted to take our ship and hold us for ransom," Adin said. "I'm a very prominent Physician and Nori is a cousin of the Autarch,"
"We're grateful for your help Captain," Nori said. "We're complete strangers to you, but we owe you our lives,"
"It's what we do, I only regret that we weren't able to save your husband as well," I said.
"I know your medical staff did everything they could, And Kes has been so kind and compassionate that I don't think I could be making it through this time without her," Nori said.
"I certainly hope that bringing us home won't take you too far out of your way," Adin said.
"Not at all, We'll reach Ilari in less than 2 days," I said.
"When we arrive, I am sure that the Autarch will want to thank you personally," Adin said.
"I'll be very pleased to meet him," I said. As They left. "Computer Time,"
"1300 hours," Computer said.
"McCall to Kes," I said.
"Kes here, Captain," Kes said.
"Kes, you up for Lunch," I said.
"Afraid not I said to Neelix I have it with him today, If that," Kes said.
"It's fine, Kes, Going on," I said. "Maybe we can have dinner together,"
"I'll let you know," Kes said.
"See you then," I said.
XXX
"Captain's Log Stardate 50348.1, We've entered orbit of Ilari and sent a message to the Autarch inviting him to Visit Voyager, Instead he'll be sending an official representative, End log," I said as I headed down there And ran into Adin and Nori.
"The Autarch might have taken a personal interest in our welfare," Nori said.
"I'm sure he does," I said. "Our message made it very clear that you both completely Recovered," Then the Door opens and Kes walked in.
"I'm so glad you could join us," Adin said.
"Beam our guest aboard," I said.
As He did.
"I'm Captain Scott McCall," I said as he got shot and It was Kes. But I as Went to get to Phaser. Something was wrong She was never this strong. Something is wrong. "Kes what ever is going on fight it,"
"Chakotay To McCall," Chakotay said.
"Emergency in Transporter Room," I said as I got knocked out from behind.
When I came around I was in Sickbay.
"Easy Captain," Doc said.
"Easy Dad, Your okay," Clara said.
But I still got up and headed for the Bridge where I got filled in what happened.
XXX
"Captain's log Stardate 50351.4. We're holding a meeting with Demmas, The Autarch's Eldest Son and heir, in an effort to understand the recent hostile activity, End log," I said.
In the Conference room.
"I'm sure they really wanted to kill my father," Demmas said. "He's the one they invited up to your ship, Nori and Adin are known to be political extremists,"
"How could Kes be involved," I said.
"I may be able to explain that," Demmas said. "You mention that she was with the third patient when he died,"
"That's right, Why?" Doc said.
"Why I have got the feeling this has gone from bad to worse," I said.
"I'm afraid your right Captain I believe your crew member has been inhabited by the consciousness of a very dangerous man Named Tieran," Demmas said.
"Who is that? What does he want with Kes," Neelix said.
"Oh I know exactly what he wants," Demmas said. "To overthrow my family's government and to reinstate himself as the Autarch,"
"He has held title before?" Tuvok said.
"Tieran ruled Ilari over 2 centuries ago, He was a war hero. A brilliant Military Leader," Demmas said. "He brought security and stability during a difficult time in our history, But in peacetime, he began to treat his own subjects as enemies, He became convinced everyone was a potential traitor,"
"At some point your people must have rebelled," Chakotay said.
"They did, Led by one of my ancestors," Demmas said. "They laid siege to the Imperial hall for over a year, and the city around it was burned to the ground, But Tieran was finally defeated,"
"And Yet you believe that he," Tuvok said. "Or at least his consciousness, has survived,"
"During his reign, he became obsessed with his own mortality, He spent most of his time and Ilari's Resources Searching for ways to overcome death," Demmas said. "Somehow he's discovered a way to transfer his own mind into someone else's body,"
"Like with what he's done to Kes," I said.
"So he has been controlling her," Neelix said.
"Yes Completely," Demmas said.
"But she, He knew things about Kes's Life," Neelix said.
"He would, If he had access to her body. Then he must be able to see her memories," I said.
"Then real Kes must still be in there somewhere," Neelix said.
"Tieran may have access to her memories and feelings, But the Kes you know is lost," Demmas said.
"Yeah, One thing that is never going to be accepted yet," I said. "Doc, Examine the Body we need more information about how this damn Transfer works if we want Kes back,"
"That's certainly worth exploring Captain," Demmas said. "But our Priority must be to stop Tieran, By force if necessary, Voyager is a powerful ship,
"You may be considering force, but my only intention is to rescue Kes, Get that bastard's Consciousness, That should serve both our interests," I said.
"You don't understand what's at stake here, Captain," Demmas said. "You must help me to defend my people,"
"No you don't understand, Doing what you are thinking is exactly want Tieran wants," I said. "I'm not playing into that,"
"Bridge to the Captain," Tom said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We've located the missing shuttle," Tom said.
"On my way," I said. "Let hope we can put an end to this right now,"
As we headed to the Bridge.
"They entered orbit. Then dropped their shield and cut their engines," Tom said.
"There's a residual trace of Transporter activity, It looks like 4 people beamed from the shuttle to the surface," Harry said.
"4, There was only 3 on that shuttle including Kes," I said.
"They're in the main chamber of the Imperial Hall," Demmas said.
"Lock onto those patterns and beam them back to voyager in the Brig if you can," I said.
"I can't. Some kind of interference has gone up around the whole structure," Harry said.
"He's after my Family," Demmas said. "My Father and Brother are down there,"
XXX
"Captain's log Supplemental, Demmas has decided to remain on board Voyager for the time being but continues to monitor the worsening situation on Ilari, End Log," I said.
As He came in with Tuvok
"this Coup attempt is turning my people against each other, They're splitting into factions Mine and Tieran's," Demmas said.
"Whom does the law recognize as Autarch," Tuvok said.
"Officially I inherited my father's title upon his death, but this isn't a matter of law, It's about Loyalty," Demmas said. "Some people will follow whoever has more power, and right now that's Tieran, He's gaining support every day, He's already recruited some of my less reliable allies, which may include my brother, Ameron,"
"Your Brother, I assumed he'd been killed," I said.
"So did I," Demmas said. "Until I learned otherwise from sources on Ilari, Tieran spared his life, no doubt in order to win his loyalty, Ameron's always been easily swayed,"
"And you believe he would betray you," Tuvok said.
"That's very possible," Demmas said. "And If he does, there will be no way to avoid a civil war, I must strike now Before Tieran is fully prepared,"
"There are always alternatives to war, Before you send your fleet, We wait for the Doc and consider the possibility of Removing Tieran from Kes, safely," I said.
Then we headed down and into Sickbay.
"Doc," I said.
"I've identified the Transfer mechanism, This cortical implant was automatically activated at the moment of death, It enhanced Tieran's Neural pattern and sent it out along the peripheral nerves, The Actual Transfer took places through these bioelectric microfibers, When they came into direct contact with Kes, They Transmitted Tieran's pattern up through her nervous system and into her brain," Doc said.
"I assume Tieran would implant a device like this in his new body as quickly as possible," Demmas said.
"Perhaps we can use that to our advantage," Tuvok said.
"My thought's exactly," Doc said. "This Synaptic stimulator will tap into the implant in Kes's body and remove the alien Neural pattern, Then Her own consciousness can take over,"
"Yes but how close would you have to get to use this device," Demmas said.
"To be fully effective it would have to come in direct contact with her skin," Doc said.
"If I could get anywhere near her, I'd use a thoron Rifle to be absolutely sure," Demmas said.
"Not if you want my help, Kes is still a member of this crew under my protection," I said.
"I'm very sorry she got caught in the middle of this, Captain, But too many other innocent lives Have already been lost including my Father's," Demmas said.
"Then Work together, to prevent any more deaths, Don't risk the lives of your soldiers until you've exhausted very option," I said.
"What exactly do you suggest," Demmas said.
"If Tieran is anticipating an attack by your fleet, He may not be guarding as carefully against an individual infiltrating the Imperial Hall," Tuvok said. "I believe I would be able to get close enough to Kes to use the Doctor's device,"
"Your knowledge of the hall and its defences would be invaluable to us," I said.
"All right we'll try your strategy," Demmas said.
"Then Let go," I said.
XXX
"Captain's log stardate 50361.7, Tuvok hasn't reported of our scheduled rendezvous and we've been unable to contact him, We're now considering other and more forceful, options, End log," I said.
Then Went into the Conference room.
"Our team will beam down to the surface approximately 2 kilometers from the palace. Demmas and his advanced guard will meet us there," I said.
"Captain I request permission to go with you on the rescue team," Neelix said. "Now I had basic combat training on Talax alright, very basic, But I've also been participating in technical exercises with this crew every month, I have a lifetime of experience thinking on my feet and you know I'll do everything in my power to make this mission a success,"
"Consider yourself drafted," I said.
"The Detection grid will make a surprise attack difficult," Demmas said.
"Well then we'll have to find a way to knock out the grid," Tom said.
"Or We take a jumper," I said.
"A what," Demmas said.
"It's a ship. Equipped with a cloak, One of the best I know, Where is the emitter," I said.
"That's only from inside only Captain," Demmas said.
"So much for that then," I said.
"I've been scanning it for weaknesses, they system goes through a maintenance cycle every 10 hours, There are a few seconds when it might be vulnerable to a narrow band EM pulse," Harry said.
"Bridge to the Captain," He said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"You have an incoming transmission from the planet," He said.
"Put it through," I said.
"Captain, you failed," Tieran said.
"What do you mean," I said.
"I'm still in control," Tieran said. "Your little device was useless and Tuvok is my prisoner, I suggest you call off your new rescue mission, Before you lost any more members of your crew,"
"You made a bad guess, Tieran," Demmas said. "There will be no more rescues,"
"My guess is that you've discovered the convenient weakness in the detection grid, If you attempt to take advantage of it, I'll have twice as Many soldiers waiting for you," Tieran said.
"If this was meant to be a trap, Why tell us about it," Chakotay said.
"I'm really not a monster, I have no quarrel with Voyager," Tieran said. "Your crew did save my life once when my ship was about to explode, I haven't forgotten that,"
"Well if you want us out of the fight, Return Tuvok and Kes to us now," I said.
"No, This has been a friendly warning but it's the last one, Now I strongly suggest that you accept your losses and be on your way, you have 30 seconds to leave orbit," Tieran said. Cutting it.
"Tom, Do it, Take us away," I said. "Harry as soon as we are clear engage the Cloak. Then Tom you take us back, I'm not leaving without them,"
XXX
"Ready," I said.
"Ready," Chakotay said.
"Good, Tom, Get Tuvok, We're going after Kes," I said. As we got onto the pad. "Voyagers your Commander, Energize,"
As we beamed down. As we got into Position.
"Ready," I said.
Then Tieran was getting crazy.
"Neelix just get that thing on Kes. Rest of us, Focus on them," I said. "On my signal. Now," As we came out and shot at them. "Neelix," As he got it.
"Tieran," Kes said.
"He's gone," Neelix said.
"No he isn't, He's still here, He moved on to someone else before you used this , He wanted you to think he'd been destroyed, But he's hiding in a new host, I know you too well Tieran," Kes said.
"No you can't do this," He said.
"You died a long time ago, Now it's time to let go," Kes said. "Demmas, It's over,"
"Come on let's get you back to Voyager," I said.
After we got back up and were already on route back home again at Warp 8.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!