MAQUIS Act 27
Scene 1
Kathryn stood at the bottom of the ladder shaking. Stupid man - there was a chance they could have beaten the Kazon if they'd worked together. Now she had to rescue her knight in shining armour. He didn't have to sacrifice himself. As the only engineer on the planet, he was a valuable commodity.
She winced when she heard the Kazon trashing the bar. She had never hated any species before but they had no redeeming qualities. They were aggressive, ignorant and bloodthirsty. She had even heard rumours that the Borg didn't consider them worth assimilating. Kathryn spotted another ladder at the end of the tunnel. The trap door was heavy but she managed to push it open. Kathryn checked her surroundings then ran into the trees to contact the ship. She knew that the Kazon wouldn't bother to look for her. In their society females were worthless.
"Emergency transport required from these coordinates."
Scene 2
Chakotay was waiting for her as soon as the transport finished.
"What happened? Where is Helios? Didn't he escape with you?"
"He surrendered to the Kazon to give me a chance to get away."
"Why did he do that?" asked Chakotay.
"I have no idea. I stayed at work to have a quick drink with Max. When I walked out of the bar I spotted a group of Kazon heading towards us. I went back to make sure they didn't take the only engineer who could fix the ship."
"That was reckless. They would have sold you to the highest bidder if they'd captured you alive."
"I couldn't leave him. He's the only man who can fix the engine."
Kathryn couldn't understand why Chakotay was being so difficult.
"What's wrong with you? We have to rescue him or we won't be able to leave the planet."
Chakotay ignored her question and left the room.
"What's wrong with Chakotay? Has Seska upset him again," asked Ayala.
Kathryn sat down at the table. "I upset him."
"How did you do that - It's not your fault that the Kazon screwed up our plan. What exactly happened down there?"
Kathryn told him everything that had occurred that day.
Ayala knew that Chakotay was in love with Kathryn. He was jealous because she'd stayed for a drink after work with Helios.
"I'll find him and sort things out then we can plan a rescue. Why don't you get cleaned up and I'll meet you in the Mess."
Scene 3
After a shower and a change of clothes, Kathryn felt more like herself. Chakotay, Ayala, Astra, B'Elanna and Tom were waiting for her in the Mess. She was sick of repeating everything that had happened on the surface.
"We've been monitoring every message sent from the planet. The Intel is that they took him to a Kazon training base on a moon nearby.
"There will be hundreds of armed gangs of young Kazon running around who have trained to kill us." said Tom.
Chakotay couldn't believe that he was about to agree with Tom Paris.
"This is none of our business. I don't see why I should put the whole crew at risk for a stranger," agreed Chakotay.
"He is a man of honour. There aren't many left. I think we should help him," said B'Elanna.
Kathryn couldn't believe that B'Elanna was on her side.
Astra stood up to speak. "I can't believe that we are having a debate about this. He put himself in danger to protect one of our crew. It's only fair that we attempt to rescue him."
Kathryn was desperate because she was running out of time. "I agree with you Chakotay about putting the crew in danger. I have to do this and I don't mind going alone. All I'll need is a phaser."
"One more word out of you and I will confine you to your quarters. I will not allow anyone on board this ship to disregard my orders."
Chakotay walked out of the room leaving his crew open mouthed.
"I'll find out what's wrong with him," said Mike as he got up to follow Chakotay.
Ayala found him sitting on his bunk with his head in his hands.
"What the hell was that all about? What's the matter with you Chakotay? I've never seen you lose your temper like that."
"She drives me crazy Mike. I thought I'd lost her. Now she wants to go back to save a man she hardly knows."
Ayala knew that he was a decent, honourable man but even decent men suffer from jealousy.
"What are you going to do Captain? You know that we have an obligation to try to rescue this man."
Chakotay smiled at Ayala's use of 'Captain'. "As my penance for behaving like an ass, I'll go with her. The Val Jean is yours until I return."
Scene 4
Chakotay went to see Kathryn to apologise. He found her lying on her bunk reading a book.
He coughed to let her know he was there. She looked hurt and defensive.
"Are we getting ready to leave?"
If it was possible, Chakotay felt worse about his outburst.
"I'm sorry Kathryn. I don't know why I reacted so appallingly - will you forgive me?"
"Can I transport to the Kazon training base to rescue Max?"
"I'll come with you, two heads are better than one."
"What changed your mind?" asked Kathryn.
He smiled at her, "The advice from a good friend who isn't afraid to tell me that I behaved like a horse's ass."
"Thank you Chakotay and I'll congratulate Mike on his excellent advice."
"Get some sleep then we'll talk about a plan. We can use the darkness to our advantage."
About an hour later Ayala stuck his head around her door.
"Have you seen Chakotay?"
"Yes I have, it seems that I have you to thank for Chakotay's change of mind."
"You seem to bring out the worst in him."
"That's not fair. I've tried hard to obey orders and not question them. I've apologised to him when I've stepped over the line."
Ayala could have explained Chakotay's problem but he still had a chance of a relationship with Kathryn. He didn't see why he should hand her over to Chakotay without a fight.
Scene 5
Chakotay took about two minutes to wake Kathryn from a deep sleep.
"She raised her head, "I hope you have a large mug of hot black coffee in your other hand."
He grinned at her and produced the coffee which he'd been holding in his other hand. She sat on the bed with both hands cradled around the cup.
"Have you thought about how we're going to get him?
"I was thinking about posing as bounty hunters. Promise them a share of the bounty when we turn him in."
"It might work - they're not sophisticated."
"Get ready and I'll see you in front of the Transporter in fifteen minutes."
Scene 6
There was no light on the moon apart from a faint glow from two wooden structures that appeared to be large barns. The noise from the barns was loud even though they weren't close.
Chakotay whispered, "If I'm not mistaken I can hear training exercises. Let's move closer so we can see what we're up against."
They took up a position at the back of the largest barn. Chakotay had to climb on top of two boxes to get access to a window.
"What can you see?"
"They are training young Kazon males in combat. The students are working in pairs. The instructor is walking among them correcting their technique."
"Can you see Max?"
Chakotay stepped onto a ledge so he could scan the area. This is a training Gym - let's try the other one."
Without warning, Chakotay pushed Kathryn against the wall and shielded her with his body. They heard Kazon voices nearby.
"I hate sentry duty. I want to be a great warrior. How does Maje Ifryn sound to you?"
The other Kazon boys jeered and jumped on top of him, play fighting until he begged for mercy. One of the Kazon warriors walked over to them and dragged them off him.
"What is wrong with you? You're supposed to be warriors not bitches on heat. Finish your patrol and I might not tell the Maje about your little games. Luckily for them, both parties moved away quickly."
Chakotay didn't move. He wanted her so much that it hurt. He knew that she was out of bounds as one of his crew. Sometimes he wished he could forget his responsibilities and live for the moment.
Kathryn reluctantly pushed him away.
"Thank you, you're my second knight in shining armour today."
"Let's check out the other barn. I thought I could hear drilling."
There were many windows so it was easier to look inside. Kathryn scanned the inside and spotted Max working on the engine of a small runabout.
"He's in there, repairing a ship. There are three armed guards walking around the perimeter."
"We need to do this soon because they will double the guards during the day."
Kathryn reached into the bag she was carrying and pulled out two grenades.
"A present from Astra."
"I think that she is going to be a real asset to the crew."
They chatted about the best place to detonate the grenades to create chaos.
Scene 7
They took cover as soon as they heard more voices.
"The Maje has decided that the Engineer can not leave the base. He will have plenty of work to do repairing our ships. If he stays here he will not be able to work for our enemies."
"Does the Engineer know that he can't leave?"
"He will obey us or we will make an example of his disobedience."
The Kazons moved away so their conversation wasn't audible any longer.
Chakotay shook his head "Something feels wrong about this whole situation. They don't treat him as a prisoner."
"You heard them, they won't let him leave the planet."
"Okay, we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. You make your way to the back of the structure. I will cause a distraction but you must work quickly or none of us will leave this rock alive."
Kathryn crawled around the back of the barn trying not to make any noise. She waited in the shadows for the sound of the first explosion. Even though she knew that it was coming the explosion rocked the Earth under her feet. She heard the guards shouting as they ran out of the building. Kathryn stayed vigilant because she wasn't sure that they'd cleared the building. Max stood in front of her looking for a tool in his box.
"Max, can you hear me? Nod once for yes."
He nodded and carried on looking in his toolbox.
"Are there any Kazon guards around?"
He shook his head but he didn't say a word.
"Max, let's get out of here before they return."
"You shouldn't have come here, Kathryn. I didn't want to do this."
"I don't understand what you mean - we're running out of time."
Max shouted, "Maje, here is the female you were looking for."
The Kazon ran back into the building.
"I told you she'd try to rescue me. Now where's my money Raziq."
The Kazon soldier smiled at Max but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Well done Max. First Maje Cullah will hear that you betrayed your own people. In fact, he ordered me to offer you a job on the Base."
"Thank you for the offer but I must decline as I like being my own boss."
The soldier stopped smiling, "It wasn't an offer Max. If you try to leave the guards will shoot to kill."
Max lunged at Razik who shot him in the leg. He rolled around the floor groaning and crying. When the other guards arrived they lifted him onto a stretcher and carried him out.
Razik turned to Kathryn, "You were stupid to return for that coward. Maje Cullah is looking forward to your interrogation. The Caretaker's array would have made us the most powerful sect and you ruined it."
"Put her in the punishment cell with the other one. Perhaps they will save us the trouble and kill each other."
They dragged her outside to a trapdoor leading to an underground cell. The Kazon used it to punish their most violent, strong-willed young warriors. The guards threw her on the floor next to the trapdoor. Then one of the guards opened it and rolled her into the abyss.
Kathryn braced herself for the impact. An awkward landing caused her back to spasm. She knew that she had to lie still until the spasms stopped. As soon as she thought that things couldn't get worse:
"I'm sorry Kate. Dad left me the Bar with a mountain of debt and mortgaged to the hilt. I didn't have a choice."
"That is a poor excuse used by cowards to justify their actions."
"They were getting ready to execute me. They told me that you had stolen a weapon from them."
Kathryn looked around the cell, "Well that worked out well for you"
"It was easy to betray you because I didn't know you. Why couldn't you be normal and easy to forget!"
Kathryn could have continued to insult him but she didn't have the time. She didn't want to stick around until her interrogation.
"Instead of whining why don't you look around for something that we can use to escape."
"I can't think straight with the pain in my leg."
Kathryn took off her jacket and shirt. She ripped her shirt into strips and covered herself with her jacket. She crawled over to Max and tied a tourniquet above his wound.
"That should help with the pain and stop the bleeding."
As they hadn't thrown Chakotay into the cell with them, he must have escaped. She didn't trust many people but she knew that he would come for her. Unfortunately, she wasn't the type to sit around waiting.
She stood up and paced out the dimensions of the cell. Then she checked the walls for hidden doors or handholds. The Kazon must be able to access their prisoners or there would be physical remains on the floor.
"I don't know why you're trying to escape - there's nowhere to go!"
"You can enjoy your pity party by yourself. I am not sitting around waiting for my interrogation. The Kazon don't respect their females so my fate is to become a comfort woman."
Max tried to stand up but it made him feel dizzy and sick. Sweat started to pour down his face.
"Sit down, you look terrible!"
He slumped back to the floor with a loud groan. Kathryn hated her Starfleet training that included giving medical aid to the enemy. Max had a fever and she didn't want his death on her conscience.
She started to shout to attract the guard's attention.
"He is sick. You will have to find a doctor or he'll die.
"Why should we care? Stop shouting or I'll shoot both of you."
"This is the engineer. Maje Cullah will punish you if you let him die."
The female shamed him in front of his men. He picked up his weapon and shot her straight in the chest.
Scene 8
"Miss Janeway, you must start to look after yourself. I can't save you every time you're in danger."
Kathryn opened her eyes and checked her upper body for holes. She realised that there were no signs of a phaser blast.
She looked around and spotted Q leaning against a wall staring at her intently.
"I should have guessed. What do you want Q?
"Well isn't that rude. I saved your life and you act as though I'm at fault."
"Thank you for saving me Q - now what do you want?"
"I wish I knew the answer to that question. I've never cared about anyone in my immortal existence."
"I'm flattered Q but I am not sitting around while members of my crew fight my battles."
"You humans are so loyal. This one of your most endearing traits. We have compared you to other species and concluded that humans are unique."
"Have you been studying us like laboratory animals?"
"It sounds immoral when you put it like that."
"Are you going to put me back on board my ship or am I your prisoner."
"If I knew what I wanted to do with you, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
Suddenly another Q appeared standing right in front of Kathryn.
"I apologise for the ungentlemanly behaviour of this Q."
"Go away Q - you're not needed!"
"We are not going to allow you to harass this female Q. Return her to her ship now or you will face consequences.
Q waved his hand and moved the other Q back to the Continuum.
"How dare they threaten me. As a Guardian of the Universe I have every right to assist the inferior species."
Even though Q had taken human form he looked like an angry God. Nobody would have identified him as a mere human.
"Calm down Q. You know you can't keep me here forever. Send me back to the Val Jean and we will be on our way."
"What about your beloved Captain. He is currently being interrogated and it's not looking good for him."
Q clicked his fingers and a screen appeared in front of them. They could see Chakotay slumped in a chair. The Kazon lifted his head up and they could see his battered face clearly. It was difficult to see any of his features due to the swelling.
"Please save him Q. I'll do anything you want just get him out of there."
Q smiled evilly, "Anything I want?"
"Yes, but I must have proof that he is back onboard."
"Done!" Q clicked his fingers and the screen appeared again. She watched Chakotay and Max appearing on the Bridge. They carried them both to the Sick Bay.
The screen disappeared leaving Q and Kathryn alone. There was so much sexual tension in the air you could have cut it with a knife.
"What do you want Q?"
"A kiss."
Kathryn was relieved that he didn't want anything more complicated.
There was a quick flash and Kathryn was wearing a change of clothes. Q dressed her in something more comfortable.
Q walked over to her slowly, savouring every moment. He enjoyed having control over her. Kathryn never took her eyes off him for a second.
He stopped in front of her and pulled her against him. She could feel his appreciation. He caressed the side of her face and ran his fingers over her lips. He gently pulled her lower lip down with his thumb. He kissed her softly so she just felt the imprint of his lips - then he stopped. She looked at him and he smiled.
"Just a kiss!"
He tilted her chin towards him and started to kiss her on the mouth. He nudged her mouth open with his tongue. Kathryn was glad that he was holding her because her legs felt weak. The kiss deepened and she couldn't help responding to it. It was the most sensual kiss she had ever experienced.
Everything changed around her. She opened her eyes and found herself back on the bridge of the Val Jean and everybody was staring at her. She looked down hopefully but she was still wearing the shift. She looked over at Chakotay, who looked hurt. Kathryn stormed off the Bridge back to her bunk and took off her shift and threw it in the bin.
She would never underestimate Q again.