Chapter 4

"Kathryn's going into a state of quantum flux," Belanna said.

Jaffen asked, "How?"

"Her universe has a different quantum signature than ours," the EMH explained. "Her body is beginning to have trouble adjusting. In a way, she's phasing back to her own quantum reality. The only difference is that phasing alone isn't going to get her there. Her condition is deteriorating rapidly. A human being can only withstand so much…"

Kathryn interrupted tightly, "So what you're saying, Doctor, is that if you can't find a way to stabilize me in this universe, I'll die."

He nodded grimly, saying, "I'm afraid so."

"How long?" she demanded.

"A week, maybe a month. It might only be a few days; I can't be sure exactly. I've never encountered this before and I assure you it is quite unheard of. If it's any comfort, you're…unique," the EMH offered.

"Thank you for your honesty, Doctor," Kathryn said quietly, ignoring his last comment. Turning to Jaffen, she added, "We're going to have to leave sooner than planned, but we're also going to have to alter our strategy a bit, to throw off what Kashyk may have told Janeway."

"Agreed," Jaffen said. Their voices were strained. They both knew she was avoiding the problem, but she wasn't simply going to rest while there was no solution anyways.

"The Doctor and I will keep working," Belanna said gently. "Don't worry; we'll figure this out."

Kathryn nodded her thanks, and then she and Jaffen left the cramped medical shelter.

"I should tell you," Jaffen said. "The empress may have taken the device you're looking for. If we get inside the palace, we might have a chance to steal it."

Kathryn shook her head and argued, "No, Jaffen. We'll have limited time as it is. I won't jeopardize the mission for that."

"If the Vulcans decide to join us in our attack, our chances will be much better already," he pleaded. "Please, it could save your life."

"It could get us all killed," Kathryn countered. "We can take it if it somehow falls into our hands, but I'm not going to let the team go look for it."

Jaffen sighed, but he knew she was right. He finally agreed, "It's your choice."

A couple days later, they were on board their ride to possibly the most dangerous place in the galaxy.

The stolen Imperium shuttle was constantly trembling as it glided through the blue slipstream tunnel. Fleet Omega surrounded them on all sides. They had only recently discovered the location of the secret palace. The planet didn't have a name, but Kathryn couldn't help thinking that it looked like New Earth. She longed for home and the quiet, comforting hum of Voyager's engines as she pressed her fingertips against her forehead, trying to still the oncoming headache and focus on their last conference.

Jaffen pointed to four spots on a digital map. "Remember, these are our target locations for the aerial attacks. Earth, Devore, Akritiri, and Quarra are where Janeway's main military bases and production plants are. Our slipstream technology is working pretty well, so we haven't been detected. We'll be at the planet within a few hours, and then we'll use the Romulan cloaks to hide all of our fleet except for this shuttle."

"Fleets Alpha through Delta are ready to conduct the attack on the military installations," Chakotay confirmed. "Squadrons 1 through 20 are ready to defend our fighters and repel the Imperium fleet when we launch the assault."

"Good," Jaffen nodded approvingly. "We're headed to the northern side of the planet. Kathryn should be able to get us inside. She'll take Chakotay, Belanna, and me in as prisoners. Once the guards see her physically there, we should have no trouble infiltrating the palace, even if we encounter Paris, Kim, or Hansen. Once inside, the tables turn. We set the charges and get out of there as fast as possible," he concluded. "Our only concern might be if we run into the real queen or Kashyk, because they know about our wild card." Kathryn smiled slightly at the description. She was a wild card, but those needed to be played carefully.

"Sounds good," Chakotay agreed. "All should go well."

"If we're lucky," Jaffen cautioned, and then he dismissed the meeting.

Kathryn walked slowly over to the aft section of their shuttle, collapsing onto one of the cots. Her head felt like it was being split like wood, and she could almost feel every atom in her body wanting to phase again.

She didn't hear Jaffen come over and sit next to her, but she felt his hands close around hers, reassuring her that she was still completely there. He helped her sit up, and she leaned against him, closing her eyes and willing her molecules to settle down. But, before she knew it, deep sobs were shaking her from the core, and in response, Jaffen wrapped his arms around her. The touch was so comfortingly familiar to her, and exhaustion soon overtook any other feeling. Gradually, she fell asleep.

Jaffen listened as Kathryn's ragged breaths evened out, and he laid her gently back down on the bed, draping a light blanket over her small form. Stay with us, Kathryn. Keep going just a little longer. We'll find a cure, he begged silently. I love you.

"Prepare to come into orbit."

"Have they seen us?"

"Negative."

Kathryn watched the slowly revolving, bluish-green planet below them. It was guarded by a fleet of small ships and rings of satellites, which she presumed maintained the shield grid.

"Ready?" Jaffen asked her.

"No," she answered teasingly.

He smiled at her. "You look beautiful," he quipped. She threw him a glare, but she had to admit that the deep green, flowing dress they had replicated did look stunning.

They hailed the main ship. "Lower the shield," Kathryn ordered forcefully.

The man on the screen cringed slightly. "My queen; I – I didn't know you had left."

She stepped forward menacingly. "What you did or did not know is of no consequence. I'm coming with prisoners. Lower the shield, or else, if you'd like, I can order the fleet to destroy your ship."

"The shield is down; please, forgive me!"

"End transmission," Kathryn ordered, waving her hand dismissively. Jaffen stepped back to the center of the bridge, trying and failing to hide his laughter at the fearful fleet commander. Kathryn swatted his arm lightly.

They passed through without further incident.

As they landed, Kathryn saw why the building was called a palace. It was enormous, towering into the sky and heavily fortified. Its gleaming Federation insignia made her sick just looking at it, but she stepped out of the shuttle, shoulders back and head raised high. Her "prisoners" were in tow. All the guards averted their eyes as the group passed, and Kathryn wondered at the fear one person's mere presence could cause. Beckoning to a few of the officers, she said, "You three, with me." They obeyed instantly, and Kathryn felt a twinge of regret.

Very soon, they were inside. She spun around and quickly knocked the soldiers out before they had time to react. Then, she unlocked the three other strike members' cuffs, and they dressed themselves as Imperial guards.

Jaffen sprang into action, handing a small bag of charges to Belanna, Chakotay, and Kathryn. "Fifteen minutes before the shuttle takes off again; understood?"

All nodded, and they split up.

Kathryn placed each small device along the walls and corners, twisting them slightly to set them. Within ten minutes, she had met Jaffen again. "Where are the others?"

"I don't know," he answered.

"Just the main meeting hall left," she said.

He agreed, "Let's go."

They busied themselves with the leftover charges. Suction, twist; suction, twist; suction, twist. Suddenly, she heard Jaffen call softly, "Look!"

She rounded the dais and immediately recognized the device that had sent her to his universe.

"It fell into our hands," Jaffen said.

Kathryn smiled weakly. For some reason, returning to her universe wasn't so important anymore, even when her life depended on it. "Let's finish what we came to do first."

Just then, the doors to the room opened without warning, and six guards ran in with weapons drawn and trained on the duo.