MAQUIS Act 19
Scene 1
Astra was walking beside Kathryn when she heard a loud creaking noise. Before she knew what was happening, Astra shoved her out of the way. A large branch crashed to the ground where Kathryn had been standing a few seconds ago. Astra rushed to check that her friend was okay. Kathryn stood up, brushing herself down.
"I'm fine thanks to you. What the hell was that?"
"That was the dream walker he knows that I interfered and he's enraged."
"There must be a way to stop him?" argued Kathryn.
"I'm trying but this is his world where he's all powerful."
Astra went to look for some water to give her friend time to recover from the shock. On her return she discovered that Kathryn was angry not shocked.
"Can you sense this creature?" asked Kathryn
"I know that the dream walker is desperate to keep you here. I think he'll attack us again soon."
"Can you feel his energy? Could you pinpoint his location?" asked Chakotay.
She closed her eyes, "He's shielding himself making it hard for me to find him."
Don't try too hard. Have a rest and a drink, then we'll try to find him in the morning," advised Chakotay.
Scene Two
Everyone tried to find a comfortable place to sleep. Chakotay and Ayala made sure they were next to Kathryn. They glared at each other as they sat down either side of her.
"This situation can't continue gentlemen I think you have some talking to do. I will move over there, next to Astra, while you two settle your differences."
Kathryn made herself comfortable then fell asleep exhausted. Chakotay was proud and stubborn but Ayala was his equal. They sat there in silence waiting for the other one to start talking. After thirty minutes went by they started to talk at once. This was so ridiculous that it made them laugh which broke the ice.
Ayala began, "I didn't know you were attracted to Kathryn in that way."
"When I saw her for the first time on Voyager, I felt as though I'd been struck by lightning." explained Chakotay.
"Why didn't you say something to her?"
"There was no point she was a Starfleet Captain sent to capture the ship and apprehend the crew. I never thought she would end up joining the crew on the Val Jean. Now she is under my command a relationship with Kathryn is off limits."
Ayala was pleased to hear that Chakotay wouldn't fraternise with kathryn. He didn't feel too sorry for him. The one thing his friend didn't suffer from was a lack of female admirers.
"No hard feelings if I ask her for a date?"
Chakotay didn't say a word but he held out his hand to shake with his best friend.
In reality Chakotay couldn't cope with the thought of Ayala and Kathryn as a couple. He'd never been jealous before and it was a horrible negative emotion that he didn't like feeling. He decided to concentrate on the immediate problem. He could deal with his feelings for Kathryn at a later date.
After they had all rested, the group sat down to work out a foolproof plan. Chakotay asked Astra to lead the discussion as they needed her telepathic ability.
"The alien presence has created this world and trapped you here. You are experiencing a group hallucination. He invaded your dreams while you were in a subconscious state."
Tom joked, "Can you tell us the good news now."
"That was the good news. Star said that we have to force him to surrender and I have no idea how we're going to achieve this."
"Can we affect this dreamscape?" asked Kathryn.
"I don't know but let's try," agreed Astra.
Scene 2
Chakotay suggested that they start with something simple like a flower.
"I will make a circle on the ground and we will take it in turns to create a flower," said Astra.
Chakotay suggested that Seska go first as he thought she was the most likely to fail. After ten minutes of intense concentration she had a tantrum and stormed off. Chakotay suppressed a smile.
Kathryn was the next participant. She sat down, made herself comfortable and focussed on her goal. After fifteen minutes she surrendered.
She smiled at Chakotay, "I'm a scientist I don't believe in things I can't prove."
Ayala failed as he couldn't concentrate for thirty minutes. Which left Chakotay and Tom Paris.
"Paris it's your turn. You could admit defeat and save yourself the embarrassment of failing again," taunted Chakotay.
Tom glared at him and sat down just outside the circle. He remembered the vibrant flowers he'd planted at the penal colony. His favourite was the rose. Tom remembered his mother's garden which was full of rose bushes. When he was young his favourite game had been peeling the petals of a rose bud. He thought about the seed planted in the soil, the shoots growing with help from the sun and water. the vulnerable tiny shoot pushing through the earth. He imagined the tiny plant getting stronger and blossoming eventually.
Chakotay and Astra watched in astonishment as the earth in the circle started to shake. This allowed the stem to rise. When it had risen to a reasonable height, the bud appeared and flowered slowly. Nobody moved or spoke until Chakotay turned around and walked away without a word.
Astra went over to look at the rose with approval, "That was marvellous work Tom. Now we will have to devise a plan to catch the dream walker. We need to work together to beat him because the only person I know with that much power is Star."
Scene 3
Chakotay asked everyone to sit in a circle and not to raise their voices as the alien might be listening to them.
Astra spoke first, "The Botha are an advanced race. It is possible that his physical form is not actually here on the planet.
"How do we trap someone who isn't physically here - that's impossible." argued Seska.
Astra explained, "The Botha's life force can leave his physical form if they believe they are in danger."
Chakotay realised what she wanted to do, "You want to trap his spirit so he can't access his physical body. How do you propose to do that?"
Astra smiled at him, "Mud! We need to trap him long enough to cover him from neck to toe in mud. When it dries he won't be able to move."
Kathryn grinned, "Then we'll threaten to leave him there. Trapped in the dismal world he made to torture other species."
After a long discussion the group decided to go with Astra's plan. She took Tom to one side.
"We have to find a place to practice altering the dreamscape, where the dream walker can't see or hear us."
Astra found a rocky outcrop and set about trying to make a cave. She asked Tom to concentrate on making an opening while she fashioned the inside. When they finished they were satisfied with their efforts. Astra added some torches to provide a source of light.
Scene 4
They went inside their new cave to find their first unwanted visitor.
"What a cute couple, the criminal and the old man's nursemaid." announced Q."
Astra backed away. On her planet they had learned about the Q from an early age. This particular Q took great pleasure in creating mayhem and mischief. Then he vanished, leaving other people to clean up his mess.
"You don't need to worry about me child, I have no intention of harming you or the jail bird. I am only interested in the creature who created this dismal scape. The guardians can't allow the Botha to kill aliens who stray near their territory."
Tom stepped in front of Astra, "What do you want Q?"
Q frowned, "With that lack of manners I can see why you ended up in jail."
Astra sighed, "What do you want Loki? We don't have time for your games."
"Well child, nobody can dispute your courage. Unfortunately I am here on official Continuum business. I am ready to help you catch this creature. Then I will take him and the leaders of his planet back to the Continuum for a stern admonishment."
There was a course at the Academy devoted to this Q and how to deal with his games. Tom knew that he always had an alternative agenda.
"Why are you so eager to help us Q?" asked Tom suspiciously.
"You can't possibly think that the omnipotent Q need help from such puny bipedal apes."
Astra realised why Q was there, "You can't access your full power here - can you?"
"What utter nonsense little girl. Your ancient must have taught you that the Q are all powerful."
"Click your fingers then," said Tom.
Astra and Tom watched Qs face as he struggled with his pride and arrogance.
"Okay, some of my powers don't work here."
Tom and Astra stood in front of him with their arms folded.
Tom was the spokesman, "If you want our help then ask for it."
Q was having an internal struggle. He didn't want to ask these inferior beings for help. He couldn't afford to return to the Continuum empty handed. He was being punished by the others for a minor indiscretion and needed to get back in their good books. He couldn't understand why they wanted to take away his powers - they could be so judgemental.
He whispered, "I need your help, please."
"I'm sorry Q, I couldn't hear what you said." Tom was enjoying Q's discomfort.
"I only need her help and this is the last time these words will pass my lips."
Scene 5
"We'll take you to Chakotay and he can decide whether he wants to help you or not."
As they walked back to the group, Q began to chat to Tom, "How is the delightful Captain Janeway? Has she mentioned me at all?"
Tom was delighted to crush Q's hopes, "I can honestly say no!"
When Chakotay saw Q he groaned, "That's all we need."
"Captain, Q has requested our help," declared Tom.
Chakotay listened to Q's request with a stone face.
"No, we don't time to play with you, now run along and annoy some other unfortunates."
"Why not? whined Q.
"We're fighting for our lives. We aren't toys you can pick up and put down when you're bored."
"I can assure you chuckles that I am here in my role as a Guardian not as a mere Q."
"If you have a skill that we can use then we will allow you to join us, otherwise - go away."
Q clicked his fingers and a small wooden building appeared in front of them.
"Is that good enough?"
Chakotay agreed to let Q join them under one condition.
"While you are here, you are under my command and if you can't obey my orders leave now."
Q looked as though he wanted to say something but he decided against it.
"Yes Captain," said Q .
Scene 6
Astra started to sense an angry energy and it was coming closer.
"I think that the alien is coming here now."
"Have you prepared the traps?" asked Chakotay.
"It was hard work but we made it just in time." replied Astra.
Q was fidgeting and looking quite red in the face. "I actually joined in with the work and it wasn't as boring as I thought it would be"
"The alien is very close, get into your positions whispered Chakotay.
The Botha came into view. It was a strange creature. It had dark pink skin in ridges on its face. It shuffled along as though it's feet hurt. The creature never raised its head which made Astra think that it lived underground.
It looked up sensing their energies. It was confused. The Botha never talked or appeared to their victims.
"What are you doing here?" asked the Botha in a soft, breathy voice.
Chakotay spoke for them, "We want to wake up. This is not our world.
"You are trespassers in our territory. Your lives are forfeit."
Chakotay pointed to the their temporary headquarters,"Why don't we continue our discussion in there."
The Botha nodded his head and followed them. Chakotay let him enter first. As soon as he stepped into the building he disappeared. All they could hear was a high pitched whine. Chakotay peered over the edge of the hole.
"I wouldn't struggle if I was you as the hole is filling up with mud."
"We are not familiar with this substance, please explain."
The hole is filling up with mud as we speak. When you are covered up to your neck then we will allow the mud to set." He pointed to Q, "He wants to take you back to the Guardians where you will be tried for mass murder.
The Botha started to sulk, "What do you want?"
"We want to wake up then you can deal with Q."
"Why should I let you go?"
"They have me and I will not be so lenient next time," whispered Astra telepathically.
Now the Botha was frightened. For a few seconds he could sense the enormous power of the speaker. She had completely shielded herself since she entered the dreamscape. He had never sensed this amount of potential power before."
He decided to take his chances with the Q. At least he had a chance of surviving his encounter with them.
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