MAQUIS - Act 5
Scene 1
The Val Jean reached the rendezvous point two hours earlier than the time specified by Farraz. Chakotay ordered every crew member to stay on high alert for Numiri patrol vessels while they waited for the other ship.
After they left the planet's defense perimeter, a Numiri vessel managed to attach a tractor beam to the Val Jean. They were subsequently boarded and inspected by Numiri officers. Chakotay had given them a full tour of the ship, which didn't take long as it wasn't a big ship. They stamped a pass and advised him to continue on his journey and not to return to this sector again.
Chakotay waited until the Numiri departed then gave the coordinates for the rendezvous to Ayala.
"Don't rush to the meeting place, we don't want to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. I have no doubt that there are Numiri spies everywhere."
There was nothing to do while they waited so Chakotay decided that they should occupy themselves gainfully. He ordered everyone to change into comfortable exercise clothes and assemble in the cargo bay.
Chakotay split them into two groups, "Right listen up, Kathryn and Ayala are going to show you how to defend yourselves, listen carefully as this may save your life."
Chakotay picked each group carefully as he wanted to see how the crew responded to Katherine. He kept Seska and B'Elanna apart, giving Ayala the pleasure of working with Seska.
Both groups started warming up, Kathryn noticed that Seska kept giving B'Elanna meaningful looks. She told her group to pair up so they could practice some take downs. B'Elanna refused to pair up with anyone else which left her without a partner..
"You can help me with the demonstration."Kathryn knew that Seska and B'Elanna had planned something to humiliate her so she tried to brace herself for whatever was coming.
She turned towards the group, after asking B'Elanna to follow her direction,
"Lead with your left leg and grasp the right wrist of your opponent, reach around their back and place your right leg behind your lead leg and pull your opponent forward then use your lead leg to unbalance them, when they hit the floor, you should still be in a position of power."
She tried to give B'Elanna a hand up from the floor but instead she pulled her downwards and used her feet to throw Katherine onto her back. Most of the crew gasped apart from Seska, who laughed until she had tears rolling down her face.
Even Ayala's group stopped their practice to watch what would happen next. Katherine didn't say a word as she got to her feet. She tied back her hair, which had come loose and turned to B'Elanna,
"Obviously, you have had some training Miss Torres, let's show the others what happens in an advanced class."
Now the fight started for real, B'Elanna used a style of combat which incorporated many disciplines but she mainly used high kicks to the upper body and head. Katherine was trained in judo but had problems getting near enough to B'Elanna to get a hold. The women were evenly matched, so neither one could gain the upperhand. Katherine decided to end the fight quickly so she waited for her chance then delivered a textbook right hook to the jaw, which knocked the Klingon woman flat on her ass.
She turned to her group, "That demonstrates the most important rule of hand-to-hand combat, it doesn't have to be pretty, just do what is necessary to survive."
By the time she turned around to check that B'Elanna was okay, Seska had pulled her to her feet and with the help of Michael Jonas was taking her to see the Doctor. After everyone left. one of the youngest members of the crew, Ann Smithee, stayed to have a private chat with Kathryn,
"That was brilliant by the way, it's about time one of those two had their ass handed to them on a plate."
Katherine didn't feel particularly proud of what she did, "I don't like unnecessary violence but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire."
Ann confided in her, "I was their target before you came, so I know what you're going through. Seska told us not to fraternise with you but as far as I'm concerned, if Seska doesn't like you, that makes you a good person to get to know."
Kathryn was quite touched by the younger woman's offer of friendship, it had been difficult not having anybody to talk to, especially another woman.
"Kathryn is there any chance that you could help me improve my hand-to-hand combat. As I'm small, the others tend to treat me like a child and never let me leave the ship, I would like to be included in some away missions."
"I'd like that, whenever we get some time to ourselves. we'll meet down here and I'll teach you some basic moves."
Scene 2
Katheryn took a quick shower, she was on her way back to her bunk when Jarvin told her that Chakotay wanted her on the bridge.
She walked onto the small bridge and sat down at one of the stations. On screen was a small Kazon Fighter, which looked as though it had seen better days.
"We have received the first password correctly and I am about to send our reply, if everything checks out then we can transport the package at our convenience," said Chakotay, bringing her up to date.
As soon as the transport was completed, Chakotay, Ayala, B'Elanna and Kathryn stood around the crate, nobody stepped forward to examine the contents. All at once the crate started to move and they could hear weak sounds of distress. Chakotay prised the lid open swiftly and stared in horror. He reached into the crate and pulled out a Numirian girl, who was clearly distraught. She wrapped her arms around Chakotay's neck and her legs around his torso. He left the bridge and took her straight to the Doctor for a full examination.
The remaining crew left on the bridge were so shocked that they sat down at their stations without saying a word. Chakotay walked back in and started to pace up and down because he was so angry,
"That bastard tricked us, he obviously thought that we were so desperate that we'd accept this child's fate." he spat out angrily.
Ayala was disgusted, "We can't hand her over to that loathsome man."
"Then we'll starve, we can't keep her and get the supplements he promised," argued B'Elanna.
Seska joined the discussion because she'd just heard what was in the crate and wanted to make sure they made the right decision without letting their emotions get in the way. She let B'Elanna finish what she was saying then added her own opinion.
"If we don't hand her over what are we going to do with her, she can't come with us; in addition, if we try to return her to the Numiri how are you going to explain her presence on the Val Jean."
Kathryn had formulated a plan while they were talking, "What about we send a decoy in her place. We ask to see the payment before we release the girl so they can't renege on their deal." When we know the location, we can transport the goods and the decoy back on board, then put as much distance between ourselves and Farraz.
"Who is going to act as the decoy, I doubt whether any of us could pass ourselves off as a child, sneered Seska.
Ayala guessed who she had in mind for the job, "You think Smithee should do it?"
B'Elanna and Seska erupted at the same time, "What are you thinking! She's just a child, she can't even look after herself."
Seska looked directly at her while she spoke, "You want to get rid of us one-by-one. don't you."
She didn't break eye contact with Seska, "She is a grown woman who is tired of you treating her like a child. She wants to be a more active member of the crew."
Chakotay looked at both women and considered their points of view however Kathryn had come up with the only viable plan.
"We'll run with your idea Kathryn. Seska find Smithee and ask her to come to the bridge."
Seska flounced out, clearly upset that Chakotay had sided with Kathryn again.
After Chakotay had informed Smithee about the plan and her central role in it, she was so excited to be included, "Thank you Chakotay and you Kathryn, I won't let you down, I promise."
Kathryn went with her to consult the Doctor about cosmetic surgery to give her Numiri facial reatures. Chakotay, Ayala and B'Elanna focused on the technical problems of evading the Numiri patrols and how they were going to transport everything off the planet in one go.
Chakotay decided to execute the plan as soon as it went dark on the planet
Scene 3
When Kathryn and Smithee reached the tiny sickbay the Numiri girl was lying on the surgical bed fast asleep.
"She was so distressed that I had to sedate her Kathryn. I tried to talk to her but all she could tell me was her family were so poor that they had to sell her to pirates. The pirates told her that they had sold her to Farraz to work in one of his establishments, where she would be trained as a lady of pleasure."
Kathryn and Smithee moved away from the sleeping girl to update the Doctor about their mission.
"I presume you want me to cosmetically alter this young woman to resemble this one," he said pointing at the girl on the bed."
"Yes Doctor, I remember you telling me that you were short of some of the major surgical appliances, do you have enough equipment for for the Job."
"You're in luck Captain, I was clearing out some crates when I came across a box of outdated medical equipment which, with a few minor adjustments should be adequate for the job."
"I'll leave you in the Doctor's capable hands, Ann while I chat to Chakotay about the plan.
Scene 4
Chakotay was on his own, when she returned to the bridge,
"I want to go with her, it's her first away mission and she will need some guidance"
"Does it matter what I think?"
"Of course it matters but you surely can't object to me going with her. Farraz knows that I can take care of myself and he must know that we don't trust him."
"Would you object to us keeping a transporter lock on you and Smithee, if there's any sign of trouble we'll get you of there?"
"Of course not, that's a sensible precaution."
"Then I have no objections, I wasn't going to let her go alone and I don't think they will be as careful or suspicious of two women on their own."
"Thank you, don't worry I have no intention of ever challenging your authority as Captain," said Kathryn seriously.
"I'll hold you to that, would you like to have a drink with me later, it's a Maquis tradition?"
Kathryn smiled at him, "Is it really a tradition?"
Now it was Chakotay's turn to smile, "You can always start new traditions!"
"I'd like that I'll see you later!"
Scene 5
Kathryn spent some time with Smithee talking about their mission and some basic rules to follow when they were in enemy territory. She was afraid that the excitement would overwhelm the young woman but she couldn't have been more wrong. She listened attentively and asked important questions at the right time. When they finished Kathryn told Ann that she was going to have a drink with Chakotay.
"Wow, Seska is really going to hate you now, her and Chakotay were an item for a while but he broke it off because she was too possessive. I know she would love to have a second chance but since you came aboard he hasn't looked at her once."
Now the pieces fell into place with Kathryn, Seska did hate her because she worked for Starfleet but good old fashioned jealousy fanned the flames of her hatred.
"I'll see you later Ann, remember the Doctor wants to see you two hours before the mission to complete the cosmetic surgery. Try to get some sleep, it will help you to remember everything if you're well rested."
"Goodnight Kathryn"
As she walked back to her bunk she remembered watching some of the younger members of the Voyager crew saying goodbye to their relatives. It hurt to think of how many relatives wouldn't see their loved ones return. That made it doubly important to make sure nothing happened to Ann, she couldn't take any more loss.
She looked in the mirror to take the grips out of her hair and brushed it straight, her mother always told her to brush it one hundred times before bed. Now she was ready to have a drink with Chakotay.
Scene 6
Chakotay was sitting in the small cubicle that was affectionately called his office. He wondered whether it had been a sensible idea to have a drink with Kathryn but he was tired of being responsible. She was the only person on the ship who understood what it was like to be a captain.
When she appeared at the door, all his doubts fell away. She looked beautiful and more vulnerable.
"Is this a bad time, would you like me to come back later?"
He realised that he'd been sitting there staring at her, "I'm sorry where are my manners, sit down and I'll fetch the whiskey."
He left quickly to retrieve the bottle and glasses from his locker. On the way back he noticed Suder outside his office staring at Kathryn while she waited for him to return.
"Mr Suder, can I help you?"
Suder turned around and spoke softly, "It looks as though you're helping yourself again as usual!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you? asked Chakotay.
"I said do you want any help Sir, I know it's been a busy day with everybody rushing around."
"No thank you Lon, I think you've on the late shift tonight, remember to keep checking the sensors for any patrol ships."
"Aye Sir, goodnight." As he walked away he looked back and if looks could kill, there wouldn't be much left of Chakotay.
He poured two generous shots and made a toast, "To success tomorrow and the safe return of everyone concerned."
"Ann is a remarkable young woman and would have made an excellent junior officer."
"Unfortunately, her mother attracted a senior Cardassian officer, he blackmailed her into becoming his mistress by threatening her family. Her Father couldn't take the disgrace so he committed suicide and murdered Ann's younger brother and sister. That's why she joined the Maquis so early."
Kathryn vowed to make sure she returned safely, after so much misfortune in her life she deserved some good luck."
"I'm really glad you took her under your wing, she needs a positive role model."
"As a Captain, one of my favourite duties was to nurture raw talent and watch the junior members of my crew develop and grow."
"I'm afraid the Maquis was the total opposite, my role was to get them fighting as quickly as possible, you can't find fight a war without soldiers."
Chakotay lowered his voice, "Be wary around Lon Suder, I think he's developed a crush on you. He's never overstepped line on board but I still don't trust him - try to make sure that you're not alone with him."
"Thanks for the warning, I think I'll try to sleep now, we've got a busy night ahead of us."
Chakotay stood up to clear away the glasses and bottle, on impulse he leaned across to kiss her on the cheek.
"Good night Kathryn."
He admitted to himself that he would like to have done a lot more than a chaste kiss on the cheek but he could wait, he had the feeling she would be worth it.
Scene 7
Kathryn had a nap then dressed in the least provocative outfit she could find. Her first stop was sickbay to check on Ann. The Doctor had done some excellent cosmetic surgery. It looked as though he had cloned another Numirian. Ann was looking at her new face in the mirror, she kept touching the alterations.
"Will you stop touching, I've told you that it needs time to settle down." said the Doctor irritably."
"Captain Janeway, will you take this young woman out of my sight, she is driving me crazy."
Kathryn smiled, "I've come to collect her Doctor, you've done some excellent work but please remember to use my first name."
"I'm sorry Captain, It's going to take a while to get used to that."
Scene 8
Kathryn visited the weapons locker before she joined Ann in the transporter room. She picked out all the weapons that could be concealed and secreted them around her personage; she needed to be well armed.
While she was asleep,the Val Jean had managed to evade the Numiri patrol vessels and went into orbit around Banea. They contacted Farraz and he agreed to meet them at his warehouse so he could show them he was acting in good faith but he wanted to inspect the girl first.
"Tell him that both inspections have to be undertaken at the same time or the deal is off." advised Kathryn.
Chakotay nodded his head when he finished speaking, "It's a go, he is going to relay the coordinates for our transport."
Kathryn looked at Ann, Are you ready?
The young woman nodded nervously.
When the transport finished, both women blinked and looked around. The warehouse was empty. There was nothing that could hold battle rations.
"Raise the forcefield, it looks as though I've managed to acquire two for the price of one - it's my lucky day.