Chapter 49.
Coda.
(Scott POV)
I was heading for the Shuttlebay after saying bye to my kids and that I would see them soon. Kes was going to stay with them while I was gone. I even heard from Sam that she may stay there to with Chloe and Clara since Naomi has really grown on them.
"Captain," Neelix said. "Do you have a minute,"
"Just about a minute," I said. "I'm on my way to the shuttle bay,"
"I thought last night went well, Didn't you," Neelix said.
"Extremely well everyone had a lot of fun, Especially when it was me," I said.
"I was thinking of making it a regular feature, say once a month," Neelix said.
"It's certainly worth a try," I said.
"And Captain yours were especially good last night," Neelix said.
"Thanks Neelix It's been a while since I did that," I said.
"You'd never know," Neelix said. "Captain do you think I mean I was wondering"
"Neelix spit it out," I said.
"Could you possibly keep Mr. Tuvok busy on the bridge that evening?" Neelix said.
"I'm sure something could be arranged," I said. "Our secret, Neelix,"
"Oh we never had this discussion," Neelix said.
As I got onto the shuttle and Chakotay and I taken off for our first stop.
XXX
"Harry's Clarinet solo was okay, I could have done without Tuvok's reading of Vulcan poetry, But the Highlight of the evening was definitely you playing what was it again," Chakotay said.
"The Last of us," I said.
"Man it was funny when what ever it was again was standing right next to you and you jumped," Chakotay said Laughing.
"Asshole, That Clicker was standing right next to me, Didn't see it turn I got my flashlight on it, Bloody hell that jumped me, while you lot were pissing yourselves laughing," I said.
"I don't doubt it," Chakotay said. "If Neelix has another Talent night, I hope you reprise it,"
"Oh no, Not until certain other people take their turn the Ship's first officer for instance," I said. "Plus on something else for that one, Won't be The Last of Us again,"
"Me Get up in front of People and perform," Chakotay said. "I don't think so,"
"Come on Chakotay there must be some talent you have that people would enjoy, Maybe I could stand with an apple on my head and you could phaser it off," I said.
"Sounds Greats, If I miss, I get to be captain," Chakotay said.
I just laughed. "Maybe, But I have got sick reaction times," I said as we got hit by something as the console beeped.
"Atmospheric Turbulence, We might be in for a rough landing," Chakotay said.
"Funny, a minute ago, there wasn't any indication of Rough weather," I said.
"I'm reading even more severe storms near the surface," Chakotay said.
"Ion Lightning, Screw this, Let's try the 5th planet Come back here when things have cleared up," I said.
"I think we took a lightning hit," Chakotay said as we got hit. "Attitude control is out,"
"I'm switching to manual," I said as we got hit again.
"The Navigation system's down," Chakotay said.
"Reverse engines full thrusters," I said.
"Warning, Hydrazine Gas leak," Computer said.
"Altitude 12 kilometers Hull temperature 4,000 degrees, We have to reduce speed," I said.
"I'll try the emergency antigrav thrusters," Chakotay said.
Then I managed to crash it down.
XXX
As I came round as I started coughing.
"Yes," Chakotay said.
"Chakotay, Ow," I said.
"Don't ever do that to me again," Chakotay said.
"What, I nearly go someplace," I said.
"Very nearly," Chakotay said.
"Thanks," I said.
"You went into shock, You gave me quite a scare there for a minute, This should help reduce your cranial swelling You should have a headache for awhile," Chakotay said.
"I've had worse," I said.
"We need to set up a homing signal," Chakotay said as I tried to get up. "Hey, Take it easy,"
"I'm all right," I said. "We're going to need the blankets, and the Rations,"
"I can get them you set up the homing signal," Chakotay said.
As I managed to sit up.
"At least the storm seems to be dying," Chakotay said.
As I started to work on it. Then I notice Chakotay doing something.
"What were you looking at," I said.
"There are Phaser burns on the hull, I don't think it was Lightning strikes that hit us," Chakotay said.
"What, We got shot down," I said.
"I think so," Chakotay said.
"By whom?" I said.
"I don't know, I'm going back to see if I can get an energy signature from the burns," Chakotay said.
"Then Let's forget about the homing signal for now, We would be telling someone where to find us," I said.
"Then Disconnect it while I scan the shuttle," Chakotay said heading back as I shut it down.
Then I headed over to him.
"Any luck," I said.
"Yes, the Signatures are Vidiian," Chakotay said. As I pulled my phaser out.
"Vidiian? I thought we'd moved beyond their space," I said.
"If they shot us down you can be sure they'll be coming for us, we need to find a hiding place," Chakotay said.
"What is it," I said as his Tricorder started.
"Lifeforms, 50 meters from here, They're coming this way," Chakotay said.
"Let's go," I said.
"Wait, there's another group in this direction," Chakotay said. "We're surrounded,"
"Let's take cover, We'll have to fight, Set Phasers on Kill, Let's no take chances," I said changing mine. As did Chakotay.
As we managed to find some caves.
"Chakotay," I said as I saw them. "Back off now, We'll fire if we have to, Last warning Back off," As they got Chakotay. As I got 4 of them before they managed to hit me.
Then We were back in space on the shuttle. Maybe it was a dream.
"Harry's Clarinet solo was okay," Chakotay said. "I could have done without Tuvok's reading of Vulcan poetry, but the highlight of the evening was definitely you playing what was it again,"
"The Last of Us," I said.
"Man, It was funny when Whatever that thing was again standing right next to you and you jumped," Chakotay said.
"Asshol.. What the hell, What's happening we had this chat before," I said.
"You're right we have been here before," Chakotay said.
"You remember the Vidiians," I said.
"Yes, they shot us down and attacked us," Chakotay said.
"We may have wandered into some kind of repeating time loop, I'm going to scan for temporal anomalies," I said.
"Whatever's going on, Let's change tactics this time, Let's not try to land on that planet," Chakotay said.
"Agreed, I don't see any evidence of Temporal Flux or any kind of anomaly for that matter," I said.
"Or of Vidiian ships," Chakotay said.
"So far so good," I said.
"Chakotay to Voyager," Chakotay said. "Chakotay to Voyager do you read us,"
"We're out of range," I said. "I'd still like to figure out what happened to us, Send a subspace message that we won't be landing on the planet, Tell them that we'll be looking for evidence of Temporal anomalies. Damn, I see a ship approaching at high impulse, It's on an intercept course,"
"Is it Vidiian," Chakotay said.
"Yes," I said. "Red Alert,"
"I've got it, It's a warship loaded with weaponry," Chakotay said. "It closing fast,"
"Can we out run it?" I said.
"We can try," Chakotay said.
"I'll try it, Going to max," I said. "They're 200,000 kilometers away and gaining,"
"Setting evasion patter Delta 4," Chakotay said.
"They're powering weapons," I said. "Shields at Max, Ready Phasers,"
As we got hit 3 times.
"Shields down to 84%" Chakotay said.
"Returning fire," I said. As I get them the same back as I hit them with 7 shots.
"Nice aim," Chakotay said.
"It don't stop them, They're coming round again," I said as we got hit.
"We've lost shields," Chakotay said.
"Firing starboard array," I said.
"That one hit to reactant injectors," Chakotay said.
"Shut them down they'll leak antimatter," I said.
"The magnetic fields are failing, The Gas flow separators are down," Chakotay said.
"Dump the core," I said.
As we were back again before anything happened.
"All right, This is getting Fucking stupid," I said. "It's looking more and more like we're in a time loop, The question is how do we break it,"
"Let's retrace our steps, Get back to the part of space we were in before all this started happening," Chakotay said.
"Agreed," I said. "If We're experiencing a temporal field, A tachyon burst might disperse it, You got to be kidding me, Chakotay,"
"Let me guess it's a Vidiian ship," Chakotay said.
"2 Vidiians ships, Still 20 million kilometers away, But headed straight for us," I said.
"Sacajawea to Voyager, Do you read us," Chakotay said.
"You've just come into com range, Commander," Tuvok said.
"Never thought I'd be happy to hear that voice," I said.
"We're being pursued by 2 Vidiian ships, Set a course for our shuttle and have weapons powered," Chakotay said.
"We also believe we're experiencing some kind of temporal Phenomenon, A Time Loop, Make certain you scan for anomalies," I said.
"Aye Captain we're on our way," Tuvok said.
"If you're going to emit that tachyon burst, You'd better do it now," Chakotay said. "In a couple of minutes, those ship'll be right on top of us,"
"Here we go," I said. Firing it. "I can't tell if it's affecting anything,"
"The Vidiians are almost within range," Chakotay said. "Ready Weapons,"
"Red Alert," I said. Then they just vanished. "What the hell,"
"What happened?" Chakotay said.
"They just vanished, But I'm picking up a residual temporal signature," I said.
"Then those ships must've been part of the time loop," Chakotay said.
"And the Tachyon burst disrupted it," I said.
"And not a minute too soon," Chakotay said. "I was getting awfully tired of talking about talent night,"
"Me too," I said.
"Voyager to Sacajawea," Tuvok said. "We will rendezvous with you in approximately 4 minutes,"
"Believe me Tuvok, we're looking forward to it," I said.
As Voyager showed up and we got into the bay and up to the bridge.
"Good to have you back, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Good to be back," I said. "I'd still like to get to the bottom of whatever was happening to us in that shuttle, Did Voyager detect any evidence of a temporal field,"
"To my knowledge we did not," Tuvok said.
"Let's run a second level temporal scan, I'd feel better entering this part of space If I knew what the hell cause that phenomenon," I said.
"Phenomenon, I'm not sure what you mean, Captain," B'Elanna said.
"The time loop or whatever it was we ran into out there," I said.
"Time loop," Tuvok said.
"We told you, Chakotay and I experienced some kind of temporal loop, It involved the Vidiians, First time we got to 5th planet, shot down. Then they attack and killed us and then we'd be sitting in the shuttle again. It was getting stupid, Tell them," I said.
"We were on our way to the second planet of a binary system," Chakotay said.
"To collect some nitrogenase compound, but we encountered a storm and we crashed," I said.
"And then we were attacked by the Vidiians, But we managed to escape and get back here," Chakotay said.
"You and the commander were checked by the doctor, who treated your injuries and you proceeded here to the Bridge," Tuvok said.
"But I don't remember anything about a repeating time loop," Chakotay said.
"You don't remember how we kept ending upback in the shuttle Talking about talent night," I said Chakotay shook his head. "Then I'm the only who recalled things differently, Something strange is going on here, Chakotay you get those scans running I head back down to the Doc get him to check me out,"
As I did.
XXX
"I run a microcellular scan after you returned to the ship, I have just analyzed the results," Doc said.
"What you find," I said.
"You have contracted a disease. the Vidiian Phage," Doc said.
"The Phage, What about Chakotay," I said. "Is he infected too,"
"No Commander Chakotay shows no sign of the disease," Doc said.
"Then How did I get it, I remember being shot," I said.
"Apparently one must have grabbed you It may be that the virus was transferred in that way," Doc said.
"We encountered Vidiians like that before and had physical contact with them. No one's ever gotten sick that way," I said.
"I can't offer an explanation at this point, It may be that the Phage virus has mutated to become more infectious, I believe however this explains the Hallucinations you've described," Doc said. "There is often concomitant stress to the Thalamus in the early stages of the disease. It is known to cause a kind of dementia that produces hallucinations,"
"What's the prognosis," I said.
"I wish I could tell you Captain, For the moment it would be best if you remain in sickbay under quarantine," Doc said.
"Yeah," I said.
"The fact that the virus has acted so quickly raises the possibility that others on the crew may be infected," Doc said.
"But you studied the phage in great detail, Have you made any progress in finding a cure?" I said.
"I hadn't pursued the matter since we seemed to have moved beyond Vidiian space, But I'll now redouble my efforts," Doc said. "In the meantime I'd like to give you a sedative, Captain,"
"Yes, Just don't Bring Clara or Chloe here, Tell her to keep an eye on each other," I said.
"I will, I also will be running a series of deep level tissue scans," Doc said.
"Good," I said.
"There," Doc said. "That should give you a good night's sleep, I'll erect a bio force field and I promise you captain I won't deactivate myself until I have some answers for you,"
"Doctor," I said. "I know I'm in good hands," As I layed down as the Doc engaged the forcefield.
As I fell asleep.
XXX
When I woke up.
"Doc," I said.
"Ah you're awake," Doc said.
"How long have I been asleep," I said.
"Almost 40 hours," Doc said.
"40," I said. Then I saw something on my hand.
"I'm afraid this strain of the phage is particularly virulent It's spreading rapidly," Doc said.
"Have you," I said. "Is there any hop for a cure,"
"I regret to inform you that I have been unsuccessful," Doc said.
"What's the next stop," I said.
"I've given that a great deal of thought, the Prospects are unpleasant, captain, You face a lingering painful death mark by increasing periods of dementia and eventual insanity," Doc said.
"I see," I said.
"I've come to the conclusion that there's only one humane course of action," Doc said.
"What's that?" I said.
"Euthanasia," Doc said.
"What," I said.
"It would be wrong to subject you to such a prolonged and painful death, The crew would also be adversely affected if that were to happen, Especially," Doc said.
"There are other options to explore, Doc, B'Elanna's DNA for instance It's coded to produce antibodies against the Phage," I said.
"Klingon DNA Might provide a vaccine for the disease, but not a cure," Doc said. "I'm sorry, Captain, The space with in the forcefield is filling with a neural toxin, It is fast acting and merciful,"
"Turn it off," I said. "That's an order,"
"Please relax and take deep breaths," Doc said. "It will be over more quickly that way,"
"Computer, Delete EMH," I said.
"A security code is required for that command," Computer said.
"Security code, McCall Lambda 3," I said.
"That code is not recognized," Computer said.
"Override McCall Alpha 9 Charlie 6," I said.
As it finally got me.
Then we were back in the shuttle with Chakotay.
"Chakotay," I said.
"I know," Chakotay said. "We're back,"
"That's it," I said. "that must be the anomaly, That's what's behind all this,"
"It's exerting a gravitomagnetic force," Chakotay said.
"We've got to get away from it, Divert all power to the engines," I said.
"Changing course," Chakotay said. "We're still being drawn towards it,"
"Reverse Engines, Full power," I said.
"Structural integrity is weakening," Chakotay said.
"Reinforce the hull," I said.
"Captain maybe we should go in," Chakotay said.
"No," I said.
"Listen to me, Maybe we're doing this all wrong, Maybe the thing to do is fly into it," Chakotay said.
"No we have to get away," I said.
"It's going to tear the shuttle apart, The hull us breaching, Scott the Enterprise had one of these once they went through and they were back to normal, We need to do the same," Chakotay said.
As there was a light and I was Standing Near Chakotay as He was next to me.
"What the hell," I said.
"Don't you die on me, Scott," Chakotay said.
"Chakotay what's happening," I said.
"Start breathing, Breathe damn it, Breathe," Chakotay said. "Don't do this to me, Scott, Come on, Scott, Breathe,"
"Can't you hear me," I said.
"Don't you die on me, Come on Breathe," Chakotay said. "Scott Listen to me you have to breathe, Start breathing, Come on, Come on, No Scott you can't die now,"
"Chakotay I'm here," I said. As I went to touch him but it went through. "Wow,"
"Voyager to Sacajawea," Tuvok said. "Do you read us,"
"Yes, Voyager, How far are you," Chakotay said. "I have an emergency here,"
"We're in orbit commander," Tuvok said. "We've located you, But Transporter won't function in the storm, A shuttle is on its way to the surface now,"
"The Captain's Dead, We have to get him back to Sickbay, The Doctor may still be able to revive him," Chakotay said.
"The away team should be with you in minutes," Tuvok said.
"Acknowledged," Chakotay said.
"I know you can't see me or hear me, I don't know what's going on, But I am here, Chakotay, I'm not dead," I said.
"Scott, We're going to get you back," Chakotay said.
Then we were up on Voyager in Sickbay.
"10 milligrams cordazine," Doc said. "We'll use it in conjunction with the cortical stimulator, Now,"
"No pulse, no blood pressure," Kes said. "Minimum electrical activity in the mid brain, No Measurable response in the cerebral cortex,"
"Again," Doc said.
"Doctor, we're getting a thready pulse," Kes said.
"Quickly 75 milligrams inaprovaline," Doc said. "I'll begin direct synaptic stimulation,"
"Pulse is weakening," Kes said. "We're losing him again,"
"Cortical stimulator, now," Doctor said.
"No vital signs," Kes said. "No Brain activity,"
"Again," Doc said.
"No chance," Kes said.
"Again," Doc said.
"Doctor," Kes said.
"Don't question me again," Doc said. "Make a not in the log, Death occurred at 0320 hours, Cause massive cerebrovascular collapse,"
"I'll have to tell them," Chakotay said. As he left no doubt towards Clara and Chloe.
"Computer, Confirm McCall Voice pattern," I said. "Computer acknowledge," But nothing. "Kes. You're a telepath, you've been able to sense things others can't. Come on Kes, Sense me,"
"Kes," Doc said. "Please got to the science lab and prepare the autopsy protocols,"
As Kes was going I followed her.
"I'm here, Kes, I'm staying with you until you realize it," I said. Then I got in front of her as she walked through me. Making her stop.
"Scott," Kes said.
"Did you feel that, Kes it was me," I said.
"Kes to Commander Chakotay, I need to talk to you right away," Kes said starting to run as I followed her.
XXX
"Maybe it was nothing, But I had the strongest feeling that the Captain was there in the corridor with me," Kes said.
"It is possible, That in your distress over the Captain's death, you imagined that you were aware of her," Tuvok said.
"It was more than that, I'm sure of it," Kes said.
"In the past, Kes has shown an ability to detect an unseen presence, I think we have to take her seriously, Kes managed to sense me back with the Dark matter nebula thing," Chakotay said.
"The Captain's consciousness might have phased shifted out of our reality," B'Elanna said.
"He could be in some kind of alternate dimension in Subspace," Tom said.
"We have to find him some how," Neelix said.
"Harry and I can run a full subspace sweep, See if we can come up with anything," B'Elanna said.
"Get on it, It's your top priority," Chakotay said. "Neelix help the crew with this, Keep their morale up until we can get some answers, Especially Clara and Chloe,"
"Aye sir, Right away," Neelix said.
"Commander, I suggest I work with Kes, I may help her increase the range of her perceptions," Tuvok said.
"Good idea, Tom, we'll take duty stations," Chakotay said.
"That's more like it," I said.
As I was down in Engineering.
"I've Reconfigured the lateral sensor array to scan subspace," B'Elanna said.
"Don't forget to run a magneton sweep," I said.
"The Forwards array is ready to scan," Harry said. For Temporal phase shifting, Chroniton particles or field flux,"
"I'm going to activate the Magneton scanner, It might pick up an anomalous presence," B'Elanna said.
"That's my girl," I said. Then Something was coming. "Now what,"
As Something come out of it.
"Allison," I said. "Who are you? Are you responsible for what's going on here,"
"You know who I am Scott," Allison said.
"My Allison Died a long time ago," I said.
"Yes, On my bed with our daughter and her kids,"
"You may be an hallucination or some kind of projection of my own imagination, But you are not my Allison," I said.
"Scott, Scott," Allison said. "It's me, But it's not what going on,"
"Why not? If you know what's going on here, tell me," I said.
"Isn't it clear," Allison said. "You're dead, you died in that shuttle crash,"
"No, That's not possible," I said.
"I understand your confusion, You refusal to accept what's happened, I went through the same thing after I died, I didn't want to leave our girl or her kids, I didn't want to leave them," Allison said. "Until it was futile, That's what happens when death is unexpected or not, I wasn't ready to let go, My Consciousness couldn't,"
"Consciousness is that what you're calling me Scott's Consciousness," I said.
"For want of a better word, some say ghost or spirit," Allison said. "We all heard the stories and thought they were the products of vivid imaginations or self induced hysteria, I'll admit I was surprised when I found they were true,"
"If you stayed with them after you died, you should be able to tell me what happened then," I said. "Our girl,"
"She was so grief stricken, fell into a terrible depression, She spent months in bed sleeping away her days, than letting her kids and husband help her, If it wasn't for that brother of yours didn't force her back into the world again," I said.
"If you are an hallucination, then answer this where was I," I said.
"You went missing years ago just after a found out I was pregnant, With her," Allison said. "Remember I woke you up at that motel wanting us back together again. That was real, I was there,"
"Just for the sake of argument, let's say your right, What's next," I said.
"That's up to you, Eventually you will cross over, be with us again. The only question is how long will it take you to give up this world," Allison said.
"Cross over to where," I said.
"I don't know what to call it, Another state of consciousness, Unlike anything we ever could have imagined in life, It's not a frightening place, Scott," Allison said. "It's full of joy and indescribable wonder, All of us again,"
"Kes sensed I was here, they're looking for me," I said.
"People have felt the presence of ghosts throughout the ages, But the technology to find them still hasn't been invented," Allison said.
"They won't give up easily," I said.
"But they will give up eventually," Allison said. "They'll accept what's happened and that's what you have to do,"
"Kes did it once, she can do it again," I said. "I'm going to help her,"
"If that's what you feel you need to do, I understand," Allison said.
XXX
I was with Tuvok and Kes.
"Let us try on more time," Tuvok said. "Open yourself to the impressions around you, the thoughts, the minds that are on this ship, all the minds that are on this ships,"
"I hear them," Kes said. "So many voices,"
"They are a turbulent storm, and you are the one who must rise above the tempest to a place that is quiet," Tuvok said.
"It's difficult," Kes said.
"You must life yourself from the confusion of the storm, Soar into the quiet space among the stars where everything is still," Tuvok said.
"Yes, I'm in that place," Kes said.
"Is there a voice that you can hear a single voice isolated in the stillness," Tuvok said.
"Kes I'm here, come on," I said. "Focus on me, On my voice,"
"There are only 2 beings in the void, You and Captain McCall, Nothing else exists that can interfere, Can you hear his voice, However faintly," Tuvok said.
"Come on Kes," I said.
"I'm Trying," Kes said.
"Is there anything," Tuvok said. "Any presence in the void with you?"
"I don't think so, I can't hear anything," Kes said.
"Kes Keep trying," I said. "You have to find me,
"Now I am with you, Moving through the quiet space, my thoughts joined with yours, extending the range of the search," Tuvok said.
"Tuvok, Come on, I'm here You surely must know I'm here," I said "We've shared so much,"
"I'm just not getting anything," Kes said.
"Nor am I," Tuvok said.
"I felt empty, Alone, Maybe you're right, what I sensed wasn't the Captain, It was me wanting to believe he wasn't dead," Kes said.
"We've been trying for 3 days without success, Nor have Lt Torres and Ensign Kim found any indication that the Captain is alive," Tuvok said. "There is a point at which we must accept the inevitability of his death,"
"Thank you for helping, I don't think I would have accepted it if you hadn't at least tired, Good night," Kes said leaving.
"Tactical officer's log, Supplemental, My attempt to help Kes detect the Captain's presence has ended in failure, I am forced to conclude that we have in fact lost Scott McCall. I would like the record to show, That I have lost a good friend as well, One whom I can never replace Nor Can I do that with Captain Janeway also," Tuvok said.
"Tuvok," I said.
"They all love you, Scott, It's going to be hard for them," Allison said.
"This can't be happening, I don't believe it," I said.
"Because you don't want to," Allison said. "Tomorrow it will become easier,"
"My Memorial service," I said.
XXX
"When I came to this ship, I resented the fact that Captain McCall was responsible for our being stranded here in the Delta Quadrant, I didn't think that he made the right decision and I certainly didn't want to serve under his command. In the beginning, I fought him, Even when he made me Chief Engineer I, I didn't trust his reasons, I kept looking for a hidden agenda, I actually believe that he'd set me up to fail, Well I couldn't have been more wrong, He saw. He saw Something in me that I didn't see, He saw a worthwhile person where I saw a lost and hostile misfit, and because he had faith in me, I began have faith in myself and when he died, the first thing I thought was that I couldn't do this without him, that I needed him soo badly, his strength and his compassion, but then I realized that the gift that he gave me and gave a lot of us here, was the knowledge that we are better and stronger than we think, I wish I had said these things to him, I wish I had taken the time," B'Elanna said.
As I was watching my girls. Chloe was just hugging Clara. I'm still here, Kiddos, I'm not going anywhere.
"Would anyone else like to say something," Chakotay said.
"I would, Sir," Harry said. "I know Captain McCall wouldn't want us to be sitting around moping, He'd want us to be cheering each other up, Remembering the good times, like the away mission when we found all those bushes of overripe fruit, I must have eaten half a kilo. My hands and mouth were all purple, and the captain, The captain came and sat down next to me, And his hands were all stained too, I don't know how his mouth wasn't, He said. He said. Harry, these are the times we have to remember. It, It's, sorry," As Tom went over there.
"I know this hasn't been easy, But I think we'll all be better for it," Chakotay said. "We will honour the Captain one last time," As Everyone including Clara and Chloe did. "Release the pod,"
As I saw it go.
"Harry was right when he said the Captain wouldn't want us to be sad, Neelix has prepared some food, and it would be nice if we could all get together and share the good times we had with Captain McCall," Chakotay said As I watch Chloe leaving as Clara went after her.
"It's over, Scott," Allison said. "There's nothing left for you here, Come with me,"
"What do I do to leave here," I said.
"Just decide," Allison said. "The only things that keeps you here is your refusal to leave,"
"You may be right in everything you've said to me, But I'm not ready to accept it, I'm not ready to let go," I said.
"Scott," Allison said.
"I can't just leave them," I said. "I can't leave them,"
"You're saying all the things I told myself when I refused to leave our girl," Allison said. "As you are doing with your 2 girl's. I was hoping you wouldn't have to go through this, It's horrible Scott, As time wears on you see it, How potent, how destructive loneliness is, You'll see the people you love go on with their lives, doing all the things you used to share with them, but you won't be a part of it anymore, You'll be forever shut out of their existence, It becomes agonizing, I don't want that to happen to you,"
"I don't care," I said. As I went towards mine and saw Clara and Chloe on the sofa hugging each other. "If that's what it takes for me to make that call, I just know that now I'm not ready, Not for them,"
"What can I do to convince you," Allison said.
"Nothing, I can't I won't abandon them," I said. "We're too much a part of each other, Can't you see that, We've been through so much together. I need to know what's going to happen to them. To see Kes Continue to grow and learn. Know if Tom and B'Elanna will stop sparring with each other. Have a real friendship," As I got back to the Mess Hall to see everyone else there.
"You can only be an observer of their lives, never a participant," Allison said.
"I don't care, do you get that, I don't care, I'd rather be here in spirit than not at all," I said. "A Captain doesn't abandon ship, I'm not going to abandon them I promised I would get them home,"
"Every hours you stay here, makes it that much more difficult to leave," Allison said.
"Why are you pushing me, I've made up my mind, I'm staying here," I said.
Then there was a flash.
"The Cortical stimulator is working," Doc said. "I'm getting a weak pulse,"
"He's coming back," Chakotay said.
"I'll use cordazine along with the stimulator," Doc said.
"Wait, I can use my Enzyme I should help with the Cordazine," Clara said.
Then another flash came.
"What was that?" I said. "What happened?"
"What do you mean?" Allison said.
"I saw Tuvok, Chakotay, Clara and the Doctor," I said.
"Here," Allison said.
"No It was different," I said. "As thought I were looking up at them,"
"An hallucination like the others," Allison said.
"It didn't feel like the others, I didn't see myself, I was looking up at them," I said. "That's the real me, Isn't it, Lying on the ground on that planet dying, And this is the Hallucination This isn't real,"
"More Denial," Allison said. "You're only making it harder on yourself,"
"You're trying very hard to convince me to come with you," I said. "Why is that, if what you're saying is true, why not let me come to the decision on my own,"
"I'm trying to spare you unnecessary pain," Allison said. No.
"My Allison would never act like this with me, She always knew that I make my own choices, She would never try to shield me from this," I said. "You are not my Allison. I could be imagining you but I don't think so, You have such a specific agenda, You're determined that I got with you somewhere, Who are you?"
"I'm trying to help you, stop fighting me," It said.
"Really if that is true what were the 4 words Allison and I always said to each other," I said. But nothing "Are you an alien being of some kind, Is that it,"
Then there was another flash.
"His eyes are open," Chakotay said.
"Vital signs are responding. Blood Pressure is 60/30," Doc said.
"But the entity is still inhabiting his cerebral cortex, impeding your treatment," Tuvok said.
"Fight it Dad, Come on, Screw it I'm doing it," Clara said.
"I'll try direct synaptic stimulator might drive out the alien presence as your Enzyme get her stronger, How much more can you do it," Doc said.
"Not to much one more time after this and that's it, Can't risk any more," Clara said.
Then another flash.
"I was right, I heard Tuvok, Chakotay, Clara and the Doctor, You're an alien, You've created all these hallucinations, haven't you," I said.
"This is what my species does, At the moment just before death, one of us comes to help you understand what's happening, to make this crossing over an occasion of joy," It said.
"And what's that," I said.
"Our Matrix, Where your consciousness will live, I was being truthful when I said it was a place of wonder, It can be whatever you want it to be," It said.
"Then why didn't you tell me this from the beginning, Why pretend to be my Allison," I said.
"Usually people are comforted to see their loved ones, It makes the crossing over a much less fearful occasion, I've done this many times, but I've never encountered someone so resistant," It said.
Then Another flash.
"Something's happening, the alien presence is getting stronger again," Doc said.
"Dad Fight it, Come on, Fight it, Everything you got come on," Clara said.
"I'll have to try a thoron pulse, Clara be ready to do it again," Doc said.
Then Another flash.
"My people and Daughter telling me to fight, they're trying to save me," I said.
"They're out of desperation, It's hopeless, You're the one who sounds desperate, I don't get the feeling you're only trying to make me interested in my agreeing to come with you," I said.
"Because it's inevitable," It said.
"And you don't strike me as any kind of good Samaritan, You're more like a vulture, Preying on people at the moment of their death when they're most vulnerable," I said.
"I've waited for you, I've been patient,," It said.
"But your patience is wearing thin, What's the real reason you want me in that matrix, Somehow I don't think it has anything to do with everlasting joy," I said.
"You must go with me," It said.
"If you could force me to go you'd have done it already, you need my agreement to go, Don't you I have to go voluntarily," I said.
"Wouldn't that be better than standing here in this endless debate," It said.
"Bad news for you, You don't fuck with a Werewolf especially an Alpha. I will stand here for all eternity, and I would never go with you," I said. As My eyes went red.
"You're in a dangerous profession Captain, You face Death every day, there'll be another time, and I'll be waiting, Eventually you'll come into my Matrix, and you will nourish me for a long, long time," It said.
"Go back to Hell, you Motherfucker," I said.
Then There was a flash and I was back.
"Scott," Chakotay said.
"I'm no longer detecting the alien presence, Vital signs are responding Blood pressure 110/65," Doc said.
As I opened my eyes.
"Doc," I said. "What happened,"
"Perhaps you can explain, Commander," Doc said.
"Dad, Your eyes," Clara said.
"What," I said.
"They're Red," Clara said.
As I turned it off. As my eyes went back to their Brown.
"You and I were caught in a magnetic storm and crashed here, You were badly injured, The Doctor just arrived on a shuttle with Tuvok and Clara and started treating you," Chakotay said.
"As he was doing so, We detected an alien presence within your cerebral cortex, It appeared to be preventing out attempts to heal you," Tuvok said.
"I had to use my Enzyme on you 3 times just to keep you with us," Clara said.
"Eventually it was dislodged, But there were a number of times I thought we'd lost you," Doc said.
"But each time you seemed to fight back," Chakotay said.
"She kept telling me to let go, But I wouldn't," I said.
"She?" Tuvok said.
"The Alien, She wanted to take me into another place," I said.
"Another place, Some kind of afterlife?" Chakotay said.
"Maybe but I can tell you this, from what I saw, It's certainly not where I'd like to spend eternity," I said. "Let's go home," As I got up as Clara came over and we headed back for the shuttle.
XXX
"Captain's log, Stardate 50518.6, The Doctor has examined me thoroughly and pronounced me physically fit, but I'll admit that it will take a little longer to work through the emotional impact of my experience. Also I had to tell, Tuvok, Chakotay and The Doctor, what made my eyes glow Red. They seemed to take it well. But I know that one day I will have to tell the rest of the senior staff. End log," I said as my door bell rang. "Come in,"
As Chakotay walked in.
"I could have sworn I heard the Doctor tell you to take it easy for a few days," Chakotay said.
"Taking it easy makes me feel worse," I said.
"You shouldn't push yourself," Chakotay said. "You've been through a lot,"
"Understatement, One perk about being this is I heal faster. To be honest I rather stay busy then dwell on what happened," I said.
"I can understand that," Chakotay said. "I can't help thinking about it that alien her matrix, he was like a spider who has to lure a fly into his web,"
"Except this fly had a wolf to him that doesn't give up easily," I said. "Do you think it's possible that each of the near death experiences we've heard about are the result of an alien inhabitation?"
"That's a little hard to believe," Chakotay said.
"I hope so," I said. "I'd prefer to think her species was unique to the Delta Quadrant and that I've seen the last of her,"
"I'm sure that's the case, After going head to head with Scott McCall, She must have realized she'd met her match," Chakotay said.
"Especially when she tried to be someone who I knew way to well," I said. "Come on Chakotay, I cheated Death, That's worth a celebration don't you think? Bottle of Whiskey moonlight on the hill, How does that sound?"
"Like something worth living for," Chakotay said.
"Then let's go," I said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to Follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!