MAQUIS Act 40
Scene 1
Chakotay was sitting in his ready room. When he returned from the Continuum, B'Elanna and Seska asked if they could talk to him on behalf of the crew. He knew that he wasn't going to like what they had to discuss. There was a knock at the door.
"Enter!" shouted Chakotay.
Both women couldn't look at him in the eye.
B'Elanna plucked up the courage to speak first: "While you were away, the crew from the Val-Jean had a meeting."
"I see and why was this meeting so urgent that it couldn't wait until I returned?"
"The meeting was about Kathryn Janeway and the baggage she brings with her."
"If you're talking about her issues with the Q, she had no control over what happened to her. The Q wanted to execute her because she was distracting one of their own people."
"They could have done us all a favour!" said Seska, under her breath."
Chakotay glared at her, "I am not abandoning a member of this crew because they are being stalked by a Q."
"Well, I'm sorry Chakotay, there was a unanimous vote to leave Kathryn Janeway at the next inhabited planet."
"I thought we'd sorted this out already. If you don't like the way I run this ship, take over, if you can. Was it a unanimous vote or do I still have some loyal members of my crew left?"
"Ayala, Tom and Astra wouldn't join the meeting. They can join Kathryn on the planet."
Chakotay knew that this mutiny was inevitable. It wasn't the crew's decision to take Kathryn with them when Voyager exploded. Seska had taken charge while he was trying to save Kathryn's life. His frequent absences allowed the mutineers to gather support. He didn't want to believe that Hogan and the others were part of this plot.
Chakotay tried to stall them until he could talk to the others. "Am I allowed some time to think about this or do I have to make the decision now?"
Seska shook her head but B'Elanna contradicted her. "We will give you until 09:00 hundred hours tomorrow to decide whose side you are on."
Chakotay looked at both of them with contempt, especially B'Elanna
He pointed at Seska, "I knew she would stab me in the back without a conscience but I am hurt by your treachery - dismissed."
Scene 2
"He's going to find a way to keep her. He doesn't think about the crew's interests any longer. Chakotay is in love with her."
"I thought we were talking about leaving Kathryn behind not the Captain." commented B'Elanna.
Seska knew she had to keep B'Elanna on her side or the others would fold. She didn't want to spend the rest of the journey in the brig.
"I never intended to mutiny. If there is any other way, I'll listen."
"He was the best Captain in the Maquis. We owe him loyalty. He's saved my life in many battles and yours."
"He's going to get us killed. The entity who is chasing Kathryn Janeway will kill humans if they get in his way."
B'Elanna remembered hearing about the Security Chief on the Flagship Enterprise. An alien entity killed her during a game forced on them by Q.
"We won't abandon them with nothing. We'll make sure they have shelter and basic equipment," promised Seska.
"Who are 'they'?" asked B'Elanna.
"Ayala, Chakotay, Astra and last but not least, Kathryn Janeway." added Seska.
"You're enjoying this. How long have you been plotting this mutiny."
"Since Chakotay decided to bring her with us without asking the crew. She's brought nothing but trouble."
B'Elanna decided that she had to get Chakotay to leave Kathryn. The ship was already going to lose three important members."
"Do the Bruni Crew still support the mutiny?" asked B'Elanna.
"I've promised to take them home. They have promised me a smaller battleship which won't need a large crew."
Scene 3
Chakotay summoned Ayala, Astra, Tom and Kathryn. Kathryn acknowledged the order and got dressed in the dark. Since her return from the Continuum, all she wanted to do was sleep. She knew something was stirring on the ship. Every time she entered a room, conversation stopped and everyone found an excuse to leave. She hoped Chakotay would be able to explain this odd behaviour.
"The crew are threatening a mutiny if you don't leave the ship at the next inhabited prison."
Kathryn's face fell, "I thought they were starting to trust me. I know we came from very different backgrounds but we are all in the same fight for survival."
"Q is the reason why they don't want you on the ship. He frightens them because he can be unpredictable and cruel. They know that a serving Starfleet officer died when Q made the crew of the Enterprise play one of his games."
"What am I supposed to do? I don't want anything to do with the Q. I have impressed on him that I will never have a relationship with him. I am helpless because I can't do anything about this ludicrous situation."
Astra vowed that she would have a conversation with that Q on her terms. She wasn't going to let her only friend become a victim.
"We should call a meeting and explain my problem with Q," suggested Kathryn.
Ayala and Chakotay knew that the crew wouldn't bother listening to Kathryn's explanation.
"They have given me until morning to make my decision. Let's try to get some sleep and we'll see what tomorrow brings."
Kathryn returned to her quarters and started to pack.
Astra followed her, "I thought you were going to wait until the morning."
"There is no point. They never accepted me. Seska and her cronies have been waiting for the right moment to act."
"I can't see Chakotay letting you go without a fight!"
"I can't force him to choose between me or his crew. Most of them are his personal friends."
"You're giving him too little credit, he's in love with you."
"I have feelings for him too, so I don't want to put him in the position of having to choose."
"I will come with you. I have been here for too long. I was starting to feel settled and comfortable which is not good for me."
Kathryn knew she couldn't change Astra's mind so she gave her a hug.
"Thank you for being my friend. I've never had a female friend and now I know what I was missing."
"Try to get a good sleep and we'll transport early in the morning before the day shift."
Scene 4
Kathryn managed to sleep after spending most of the night worrying about her future. She was grateful that Astra had decided to go with her. She was dozing when she heard the door open. She kept her eyes closed until they revealed themselves. They pulled the covers off her bed.
"Get up now and pack your bags. We have arrived at the planet which will be your new home," ordered Seska.
"I'm ready!" Kathryn didn't understand why four armed guards were aiming plasma rifles at her.
"Do you need all this firepower to get rid of one small, human female?" asked Kathryn.
"I'm not taking any chances. I want you out of here with your admirers," declared Seska.
"Jealousy is an ugly emotion Seska. Why don't you let Astra and I leave the ship tonight? You don't have to include anybody else."
Seska walked over and slapped her, "you don't give the orders any longer - hurry up!"
Kathryn wiped her bleeding lip with the back of her hand. "The way you treat your prisoners is an indication of what kind of leader you will be."
"Get ready to transport, on my mark!" ordered Seska.
Scene 5
Kathryn materialised in the middle of a deserted street. There were no people, noise or transport. The silence was deafening.
Astra was the next person to arrive. "Well, I would have preferred a few more people but there is shelter. All we have to find is find water, food, heat and light."
Kathryn turned around looking at the enormous skyscrapers. There was evidence of an advanced civilisation everywhere you looked.
Astra was uneasy, "We have got to find out what happened to the native species?"
Their conversation halted when the transporter deposited two more exiled crew members. Ayala and Tom appeared in front of them.
"Captain Seska decided that you were surplus to requirements as well," announced Ayala.
Tom smiled, "She didn't like me from the beginning so I knew that she leave me on a planet somewhere sooner or later."
Kathryn knew that they had to find somewhere warm and safe to sleep. Once they had established a base, the food and water were the next essentials.
"Tom and I will explore the buildings to look for a warm dry base. Ayala, if you could work with Astra to find food and water. We'll meet back here in one hour."
Everyone was shocked when they heard the sound of the transporter again. Nobody expected to see Chakotay and B'Elanna.
Ayala couldn't help himself, "You dealt with the mutiny well Captain or are you giving her a false sense of security."
"Knock it off Mike, I'm not in the mood." snapped Chakotay.
Then Ayala turned on B'Elanna, "How did you end up on the planet? Have you fallen out with your best friend?"
"We had a difference of opinion, I didn't want Chakotay to go so she decided to send us both. I was getting too soft anyway," admitted B'Elanna.
"I've given the orders to find basic survival supplies. You and B'Elanna can try to find some transport," suggested Kathryn, "Did Seska tell you what she means to do now?"
"It was a little difficult to chat as she was holding a gun to my head," added Chakotay
"We'll find shelter then we'll make plans. See you back here in an hour."
Kathryn already knew what Seska was planning. She was a Cardassian so she would look for allies first then switch her focus to a grab for power. She thought about telling him that Seska was a spy but having to deal with the mutiny was hard enough.
Scene 6
When everyone returned to the meeting place, Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that they wouldn't have to fight other people for survival. She wanted to discover what had eradicated the original inhabitants. As far as she knew all the buildings and contents weren't damaged.
Chakotay and B'Elanna were the last ones to return. He reported straight to Kathryn.
"We found an underground military barracks which will shelter everyone. B'Elanna discovered a prehistoric generator which needs repairing. It will provide the lighting and heating."
"That is the first good news we've had today," admitted Kathryn.
Ayala came to join them clutching a computer device in his hand.
"This is a recording by the last survivors," he passed the screen to Kathryn. We couldn't fix the images but the audio was clear.
In two cycles of the moon, there will be no more life on the planet as the protesters feared. I am not afraid to die as there is nothing left here for me.
My family perished in the first nuclear missiles. There is a map attached to this letter which shows the island where the last survivors were heading.
May the Gods walk with you!
Everyone fell silent for a few moments after Ayala turned the recorder off.
"We will set up a base in the barracks and look for transport to reach the island," added Chakotay.
Scene
They reached the barracks before sundown. There was a turbo lift which they could use after B'Elanna restored the generator. Until then, the ladders were their only way to reach their new accommodation.
Kathryn looked up the shaft, "I didn't think I was unfit but I'm not looking forward to the return journey."
The first task was to inventory the equipment and resources. The group moved everything they found into a huge pile. There were clean uniforms, weapons and cooking utensils.
B'Elanna collected all the spare parts for a primitive shuttle they found.
"I will repair the ancient bucket of rust, we found, after the generator."
Kathryn shared out the uniforms, bedding and basic necessities.
Chakotay grabbed two rifles and threw one to Paris, "Let's see if I can teach you to hunt and forage for food. It might be worth keeping you around."
"Gee, I thought we were starting to bond, Chakotay. Isn't it time to bury the hatchet."
"I agree if I can bury it in your head," warned Chakotay.
Tom hoped he was joking but he decided to play it safe, "Yes Captain, lead on."
"I'll see if B'Elanna needs any help," announced Ayala, "The sooner we get off this cursed planet the better.
Kathryn and Astra decided to explore the base to see if there were any clues about the end of the civilisation.
Scene
There were corridors leading from the main area. The tossed a coin to chose the first one to explore.
"I didn't think the mutiny would succeed. I thought the crew had more respect for Chakotay," commented Astra.
"Seska started to plot the mutiny as soon as Chakotay rescued me. When Q abducted Chakotay for my mock trial, it proved her right."
Astra opened a door and froze, "You'd better look at this Kathryn!"
The were human remains huddled together in the corner of the room. Kathryn counted about twenty skeletons. The last two survivors were sitting on chairs. One of them was still holding a pen. Kathryn gently removed the manuscript which contained a map.
"This must be a letter to explain what happened to the base personnel," suggested Kathryn.
Astra could have spoken to the original occupants of the room but decided to do it the human way. "Let's see if we can find the equipment to bury them. They deserve to rest now."
They continued to search the base as they could return to the room later with reinforcements.
There was no food left in the barracks. However, they found fresh drinking water from an underground spring.
After they finished their explorations, Kathryn went to check on B'Elanna's progress.
Scene
"How are you getting on?" asked Kathryn, looking at the spare parts lying on the floor.
"I can repair it but it will take another few hours. I've left Ayala to finish the repairs on the generator. He took a course in mechanical history."
"Would you like some help?"
"Yes, be honest with Chakotay. If you are having a relationship with the entity tell him. He'd be miserable but he would get over it."
"I don't know how many times I will have to repeat this. I am not in a relationship with Q. I have never encouraged his interest or reciprocate his feelings."
"If you hurt him, I will sever your head with bat'leth and use it as a training prop."
"B'Elanna, I have no intention of hurting Chakotay, we are just friends."
"I have nearly finished this repair. We can take it for a test run tomorrow."
"I'll let Chakotay know when he returns, assured Kathryn.
Scene
Kathryn went to help Astra find water bottles. They would need to make regular trips to the underground spring. Finally, they found enough bottles for their needs and went to fill them up.
When they returned to their base they heard Tom and Chakotay laughing. They were filthy, covered in mud and scratches.
"It appears that your prey put up a good fight!" commented Kathryn.
Ayala came to find out what they had caught for dinner, "What is that horrendous smell?"
Tom lifted up his arm, "I am in desperate need of a shower but there is no need to be personal."
Chakotay picked up a bucket which proved to be the source of the stink.
"We gave up trying to kill any of the animals because they are really vicious. I think they mutated after the apocalypse. We tried our luck fishing and this is all we could catch."
The smell was starting to permeate through the barracks.
Kathryn grabbed the bucket, "Tom, could you take this outside please and bury them, please. Luckily we found some packs of battle rations that haven't degraded."
Chakotay disagreed, "I have never felt lucky having to eat battle rations."
The lights came on and the computer terminals started to glow. Ayala came to join them with his hands up in the air.
"I have done my best. If it breaks down during the night you must remember that I have only seen engines like this one in a museum."
Scene
After everyone finished their rations they drifted off to their beds. Even iron bunk beds were more comfortable than the ground. Kathryn lay on her bed wondering why her life was so difficult. She thought that she had made friends with some of the crew but they didn't feel the same way. If she had told Chakotay that Seska was a spy would it have changed anything?
After tossing and turning for another hour Kathryn decided to get some fresh air. She crept past the Astra and B'Elanna so she wouldn't wake them. She was about to start climbing the ladders when she realised that the turbo lift was working. After reaching the surface Kathryn started to walk in the direction of the river.
"Can't sleep either! I was trying to count many mirrors I've broken in my lifetime." laughed Chakotay.
" You nearly scared me to death," said Kathryn, shaking with the adrenaline rush.
"I'm sorry, that's the last thing I want to do."
He noticed that she was shaking so he took off his jacket and put it over her shoulders.
"You don't need to worry Kathryn, we will survive. Every one of our group has unique skills. Which reminds me, I was thinking that Astra should teach some martial arts to the group."
"That's a good idea. The lessons will fill up the time we have until we leave the planet B'Elanna said that the shuttle is ready for a test run. I think we should try to find the island the survivors were heading for."
"Are you going to go after her?" asked Kathryn.
"I haven't decided yet. I knew that she was strong willed but I didn't think she would take things this far. I had a relationship with her which meant nothing."
"Chakotay you should have agreed to leave me. You have sacrificed enough."
"If you think that I could have left you, you don't know me very well," swore Chakotay.
Kathryn decided to change the subject. "Survival is our first priority followed by finding transport to get us home. We need to be creative in our solutions."
Chakotay started to walk back to the turbo lift, "I'm going to try to get some sleep - are you coming.
"I'll stay out here a little longer. The cool breeze is helping my headache."
Scene
After a breakfast consisting of more dry biscuits, they sat down to discuss the test run of their new vessel.
"I need four volunteers to man the shuttle. B'Elanna believes that it will work but we're not sure for how long."
Astra and Tom volunteered to stay in the barracks. B'Elanna, Kathryn, Chakotay and Ayala were reluctant volunteers on the maiden voyage.
Kathryn spoke to Astra, "Could you make a map of the barracks which includes all the points of entry. Tom will complete the weapons inventory including the ammunition."
When she entered the shuttle she discovered that the technology was primitive.
"Ayala, are you sure this rust heap is going to fly?"
"Kathryn, I will stake my reputation on this old bird's ability to take us to the island and back."
As soon as everyone fastened their seatbelts, Ayala started the engine. The shuttle started to rock. As he increased the thrust, the shaking intensified.
"If this junk ship explodes, I will haunt you to the end of days," promised Chakotay."
Ayala managed to get the shuttle off the ground. He shouted above the noise of the engine.
"See, I told you she wouldn't let us down."
The shuttle managed to stay in the air until the island came into view. Ayala was scanning the terrain in front of him for a place to land when he felt the shudder.
"Just a technical hitch but we'd better find a place to land soon."
"Can anyone find my toolbox?"
The noise stopped suddenly. Everyone was grateful until they realised that the engine had failed.
"We're going down brace for impact!"
Everyone tucked their heads down and held on to the seat in front of them.
Ayala thought he was going to make it until he saw the massive hill in front of him. He felt sick because he knew that he could only glide. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact.
The shuttle hit the tree and disintegrated. The crew catapulted around the crash site. Chakotay's body ended in the highest branches of a tree. Kathryn and B'Elanna were still in their seats but they had suffered head trauma. Ayala had gone straight through the glass. He was dead!
Part two of the story will be posted soon.