Star Trek Voyager Characters are the property of Paramount Pictures

BEFORE THE DAWN
(PG:13)

Before the dawn is a dark night
that tries the soul 'till morning light

Chapter One

Wearing knee-high black boots over baggy red pants, a brown leather tunic over a loose white shirt, and a black scarf around a head of very short hair, Kathryn Janeway stood on the deck of a large holographic pirate ship that had blood-red sails. Covering her left eye was a glittering patch set with emeralds, sapphires and diamonds, and hanging from a black belt around her waist was a long brown-handled sword enclosed in a gleaming silver case. In the glare of a dazzling sun, Kathryn pulled out her sword and triumphantly addressed two Hirogen pirates who were tied with rope to two sturdy poles before her.

"Not so bold now, are you, my little mateys? I warned your captain that if any of his crew tried to steal our treasure, we would feed them to the sharks." With a swish she waved her sword to the right. "Look yonder. There's the plank."

The aliens swallowed as their eyes rested on a long wooden plank extending off the deck of the ship.

"The sharks are hungry. And when they are hungry..." She swished the sword back to her side. "They will eat a person in the blink of an eye."

She then stepped closer to the trembling men.

"But, I might be willing to spare you the fate of being the supper of sharks in exchange for the chest of rubies you have on your ship."

"They are not ours to give," one of the Hirogen argued.

Kathryn gave a feigned sign. "Then you'll just have to be fish food." She turned to a group of pirates behind her, and addressed them. "Terror, Bold-Bella. Troll and Sizzle, escort our prisoners to the plank."

Tuvok, B'Elanna, Tom and Seven stepped forward. "Yes, Captain Jewel-eye," they said in unison.

"No, wait," one of the Hirogen cried. "Let us go and we'll get you the rubies."

Kathryn waved her hand at her crew-members and they stopped untying the prisoners.

"Let both of you go? Now, where would be the sense in that? If I let you both go, I will never see those jewels." She dug her sword deep into an iron plate on the Hirogen's body. "And I want those jewels." She withdrew her sword. "I will let one of you go. And if that one does not return within two hours, the other will die. It's your choice."

"I'll go," they said together.

Kathryn laughed. "What's the matter, mateys? Don't you trust each other?"

The Hirogen on her left addressed his fellow prisoner. "I'll go. I can row a boat quicker than you."

"Oh," Kathryn replied. "You are not going by boat. I have a much more interesting way for you to travel." She turned to her right and addressed Neelix. "Nemesis, demonstrate."

The Talaxian rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Only too gladly, Captain Jewel-eye."

He turned around and fired a canon into the air.

The mouths of the two Hirogen's dropped.

"We have a good aim," Kathryn continued, "but we can make no guarantees of where you will land or in what condition." She stepped over to the other Hirogen. "So, who is it to be? Who stays and who goes?"

The two Hirogen's answered in harmony. "Him..."

Kathryn smiled. "Such friendship. It's so touching..." She raised up her sword. "Looks like I am going to have to decide." She put her sword to the alien's chest and then alternated it between him and the other man as she said "Eny, meeny, miny, mo." The sword rested on the alien to her right. "Looks like it's you."

"No, please," the man begged, "let me stay..."

"Too late," Kathryn replied. "I've made up my mind." She turned to Tuvok and Tom. "Terror and Troll, prepare a boat for our messenger."

The alien flinched. "But I thought..."

Kathryn laughed. "You didn't think I would seriously shoot you over there, did you? I mean, if you should happen to land in the sea and get eaten by sharks, how would I ever get my rubies?" She then turned to B'Elanna and Seven. "Bold-Bella and Sizzle, escort our messenger to the boat when it's prepared."

"This is unfair," the other alien cried. "He will never come back with the jewels!"

She put her sword back in its case. "That's your problem not mine."

The Hirogen glared at his fellow prisoner. "You had better bring those rubies, do you hear me? If you don't, my son will be avenged on you."

"I will do my best," the alien answered.

"Let's hope your best is good enough," Kathryn declared. She then glanced at her crew and addressed them. "Keep watch on all sides. I shall be in my cabin if you need me, but unless the sharks decide they like the taste of this ship or the sea turns to flames, I do not wish to be disturbed, understood?"

"Yes, Captain Jewel-Eye," the crew replied.

Without another word, Kathryn left the deck.

When Kathryn arrived in her cabin, Chakotay was already there, lying in her large double bed with a sheet draped over his naked body. His hair was down to his shoulders and there was a deep red scar where his tattoo should have been. In his hand he held a glass of whiskey and he was studying a map.

"About time," he said, putting down the map as Kathryn entered. "I thought you were never coming back."

Kathryn smiled and began to take off the belt that held her sword. "How could I resist toying with HiroPiro's men?"

"How indeed." He watched as Kathryn cast aside her belt and sword and began to remove her boots. "Do you think you'll get the rubies?"

"Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day."

Chakotay took a generous gulp of whiskey, and then put the glass down on a small table beside the bed. "I'd hate to cross you in battle."

"You did cross me in battle, darling Cracklefire. How do you think you got that scar?"

Chakotay laughed. "I almost forgot."

Kathryn whipped off her tunic, climbed onto the bed, and then crawled over Chakotay.

"You were a darn good enemy, but you're an even better lover."

Chakotay seized her and rolled on top of her. "Is that so?"

"Undeniably."

With that, Chakotay lowered his mouth to hers and they kissed passionately.

End of Chapter One