Maquis
Scene 1
Kathryn opened her eyes and started to shiver. It wasn't cold so she must be in shock. She was sitting on a hard cold floor. She couldn't move her hands and feet. The restraints were secure but not too tight. Whoever tied her up didn't want to cause any pain - which was a positive point.
She knew there were people sitting either side of her. Kathryn was certain that Chakotay was on her right side. She could smell his soap. She heard the door open so she let her head slump.
She could hear the Alien, who entered the room, shuffle towards them. It kept mumbling to itself as if it were in a conversation with someone. The creature leant over to check her restraints. The smell was so overwhelming, she had to stop herself from gagging by breathing through her nose. It sighed then shuffled out.
The last thing Kathryn remembered was spotting an alien vessel on a collision course.
Scene 2 12 hours earlier
"I'm so bored," moaned B'Elanna.
Kathryn was asleep at her post. It annoyed B'Elanna when she started to snore.
B'Elanna shook her awake: "If I have to stay awake then so should you!"
Kathryn sat up rubbing her eyes, "Are we at least halfway through dark space."
"No, we're still on the edge," groaned B'Elanna.
B'Elanna's head shot forward when a ball smacked her from behind. She grabbed her B'at'leth and set off after Ayala. Ayala ran to Chakotay's bunk to ask for asylum.
"Boss, your engineer is trying to behead me!"
Chakotay had lost his sense of humour after being stuck on the small ship for two weeks with a hyperactive crew.
He turned to B'Elanna, "Good! Try not to leave too much mess. I will enjoy the peace and quiet."
Kathryn interrupted them, "We have detected a ship on the long range scanners. It is heading straight for us on a collision course.
Scene 3
When Kathryn woke up again, she hoped to be back in her bunk on the ship. The appalling smell was a sharp reminder of her captivity. The person sitting next to her started to stir.
Chakotay woke up and started to struggle.
"Ow, Chakotay stop! We are sitting too close together." cried Kathryn.
"What happened?" The last thing I remember was trying to stop B'Elanna from beheading Mike."
"I have no idea what happened after I told you about the unidentified ship," confessed Kathryn.
Chakotay needed a few minutes to compose himself, "We should wait until everyone wakes up."
"I'm not even sure all the crew are here," said Kathryn.
"Turn to the person sitting the other side of you and try to identify them. I'll do the same," suggested Chakotay.
B'Elanna woke up, "Where the hell am I? I can't see anything."
Chakotay felt her struggling. He realised she was sitting right behind him.
"B'Elanna, aliens boarded the ship, subdued the crew and locked up in this room. They tied our legs and arms," explained Chakotay.
"When we catch them, I'll take my time to ensure their deaths are slow and painful," promised B'Elanna.
Loud music crashed into the room. It wasn't musical as such, it was a collection of loud discordant sounds.
Chakotay shouted, "If you are trying to break us then you will have come up with something more original."
His taunt provoked a reaction. The door opened. Chakotay and Kathryn gasped as they were doused with ice cold water. The door closed with a clang.
"I'm sorry - I didn't expect that reaction," said Chakotay.
Kathryn started to shiver, "It was worth a try."
B'Elanna noted their captors hadn't attempted to negotiate with them. They weren't afraid to torture them - you can't fight a hidden enemy.
"Chakotay, why do you think they abducted us?" asked B'Elanna.
"I can't remember anything after Kathryn told us about the approaching ship. I have no idea about their motives," replied Chakotay.
They must have drugged us because that is the last thing I remember," agreed Kathryn.
Scene 4 - 6 hours earlier.
Everyone was on the Bridge waiting for the alien ship to appear on the viewscreen.
"We should be able to see it by now," said Kathryn.
"According to the scanner, it is right in front of us," said Chakotay.
"I've run a diagnostic on the scanners. They are operating within normal parameters," confirmed B'Elanna.
Chakotay voiced what everyone was thinking, "What the hell is going on?"
The screen went black along the edges. Then it collapsed towards the centre. A black shadow leaked through the screen and started to spread across the monitors. The crew huddled together in the centre of the room as the shadow engulfed them.
Scene 5
The person sitting on Kathryn's right side sat bolt upright.
"The aliens drugged the crew using a cloud of black noxious gases. When they boarded the ship there was no resistance as we were unconscious. They dragged us to this cargo hold on our ship, tied our hands and feet and left us huddled on the floor."
"Did you know anything about the Aliens who attacked us?" asked Chakotay.
"Even my people didn't document this species. They never leave dark space. They discussed leaving us in here without food or water until we die. None of the ships that went missing were ever seen again.
"Why do you remember what happened?" asked B'Elanna.
"My brain is different. My people experienced thousands of years of evolution. It is impossible to drug me for too long."
"Will the others wake up?" asked Chakotay.
"They should do as long as they stay calm. The Aliens rely on starvation and dehydration to prevent escape," added Astra.
"The most important issue is how to get rid of them," declared Chakotay.
Astra warned him, "You can't do anything until Ayala, Lam and Tom wake up."
Are you able to practise Astral Projection now?" asked Kathryn.
I didn't find it too difficult to visit our captors. I will put myself into a trance state and reverse the process," explained Astra.
"We have to find out what they want from us and any weaknesses if we have to engage them," said Kathryn.
After a few minutes, Astra's head slumped forward.
Scene 6
Astra opened her eyes to check she was in the correct place. Astral projection was hard to control. The Aliens were swarming all over the ship. The examined every item to determine its usefulness. Everything useful went into huge hessian sacks. She hoped they couldn't sense her because she needed to discover their endgame.
The scene in front of her froze. There was only one being with that much power.
"Go away Q - I am busy!" snapped Astra.
"Well - aren't you rude. I popped in to see if I could help," said an offended Q.
Astra laughed, "You came to check whether Kathryn was safe. You don't care about the rest of the crew."
Q was indignant, I am fond of all you little primates - even the Klingon with aggression issues. Although they should finish her house training."
"Are you going to help or make smart comments?" asked Astra.
"The High Council sent me to give the Dark Dwellers a warning. We allowed them to keep Dark Space but they weren't permitted to capture any unwary visitors," explained Q.
Astra was sceptical, "Do you think they will take any notice of you?"
"I doubt it! They are cunning, greedy and have great physical strength but they aren't very bright."
"Can you help me save the crew ?" asked Astra, not expecting a straight answer.
"I am sorry my dear but our rules prevent us from interfering in the lives of inferior species," said Q.
Astra lost her temper, "Go back to your sterile existence in the continuum. If they are such an inferior species why do you keep returning to them?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about," said Q.
"You can't stay away from Kathryn. I know about your deal with Chakotay. You can't have her but you don't want anyone else to play with your new toy," taunted Astra.
"Be careful Old One, we stripped you of all your powers which leaves you vulnerable," warned Q.
Astra's appearance altered. She appeared to be less humanoid and more divine. "Don't threaten me, child. I can still beat you in a trial with no powers."
Q decided to make a strategic retreat! He clicked his fingers and teleported outside the ship.
The Ancient one thought she knew about his feelings for Kathryn Janeway. He wasn't even sure how he felt about her. He knew he couldn't stay away from her for too long. He decided to return the Continuum to ask for advice.
Scene 7
Chakotay finished explaining to the crew how they ended up here.
"Now everyone is awake, we need to get rid of these creatures. We are waiting for Astra to return. She is investigating what the Aliens intend to do with us."
Astra returned to her body as a loud alarm started as the door opened. The Alien was grumbling as he untied the prisoner's feet and made them stand up and get in line.
He gestured to Chakotay, who was standing at the front, to follow him.
As soon as they entered the bridge they heard a familiar voice.
"I leave you alone for a few days Chuckles. In that time you allow the dimmest creatures in the Universe to take over your ship," applauded Q.
Chakotay looked straight at his captors, "You abducted my crew and we didn't want to harm you. We only wanted to travel through your space unharmed."
Q started to frown. He knew these creatures were dumb. Yet they managed to survive in the most barren area in the Universe. He didn't want to risk upsetting them too much.
"He is a dangerous creature with too much power and no morals. You have more to fear from him than us," said Chakotay.
The alien, who appeared to be the Captain, turned his full attention to Q.
Q tried to bluff, "I will take these offensive creatures off this ship and allow you to proceed without harm."
The Leader of the aliens decided not to obey the entity and see what happened. He knew it was powerful but what could it do?
Q frowned as the creature stood still and defiant. it looked as though he was going to have to be unpleasant. These creatures needed to learn what happened when you angered a God.
Q clicked his fingers and every alien fell to the floor dead. He looked around in disgust. He hated making a mess so he sent their remains into space.
Q turned around, "Now what am I going to do with you?"
Scene 8
Q returned everything to normal but he still required payment for his services. It was unwise to let this inferior species have anything for nothing. They would expect him to clean up all their messes. They must pay a price for his services!
"I am bored in the Continuum! I need an adventure. I thought I would challenge your crew to a series of quests. If you complete all the challenges in the time given then I will cut your journey home by a half."
"What happens if we fail?" asked Kathryn.
Q smiled, "Clever girl! If you fail then Chuckles has to lose one member of his crew."
Everyone looked at Kathryn. They had no doubt which member of the crew he wanted.
"I need to discuss this with the Crew? I can't make this decision by myself," said Chakotay.
Q clicked his fingers and disappeared. He had to arrange living quarters for Miss Janeway in the Continuum.
"We have no choice," said Kathryn, "He may be a jerk but he will keep his promise."
"We will find another way - I will not sacrifice one of my crew." declared Chakotay.
Kathryn pulled him to one side, "We have a chance to cut our journey by half. We have to take his offer."
"What if we lose? You know who he wants," Chakotay sounded lost.
"Don't worry Chakotay. He will send me back here after the first day. I can be very annoying."
Kathryn was underestimating Q. He couldn't cope with the thought of losing her. It made his heart ache.
B'Elanna could see Chakotay was struggling with the decision.
"She can take care of herself Chakotay. Are you certain we won't complete the quests? The crew have already shown how tough and resourceful they can be."
"I want to repay your generosity for taking me with you. I wouldn't have survived on my own," admitted Kathryn.
Chakotay summoned Q, "Okay, we accept your challenges, Q but the deal is void if you try to cheat."
Q clicked his finger to teleport the crew to their first quest. He returned to the Continuum laughing all the way.
Scene 9
Q transported the crew to a spot by a giant lake. On the opposite side was an imposing building which appeared to be a castle. It was sitting on the top of a small hill which provided an uninterrupted view across the valley.
"We have to find a change of clothes so we don't draw attention to ourselves," said Kathryn.
"We should split up to cover more ground," suggested B'Elanna.
Chakotay asked the others to stay quiet because he could hear loud voices and music in the distance.
"Let's find out where that is and observe from a distance. At least we'll find out more about the indigenous people," suggested Chakotay.
They reached a safe distance from the gathering. Astra found them a vantage point to observe the gathering while keeping hidden.
It was a market set up in a square. The locals were selling and buying goods with lots of loud haggling and bartering. Their clothes were simple without any ornamentation. The women wore dresses with colourful shawls and simple clogs. The men wore simple trousers and jackets with scarves tied around their necks.
"Have we got something to barter for a change of clothes?" asked Astra.
Everyone turned out their pockets. Then they checked their clothing for items they could sell.
Tom, Ayala, Lam and Chakotay took their jackets off to sell. The women took their boots off and added a scarf and some jewellery to the pile.
Lam took some gold coins out of his pocket, "On my planet, these coins bring you good luck and wealth. I know it's nonsense but they may value the gold."
"Thank you, Lam, if we can't use them then I will return the coins. No doubt your parents gave them to you for protection," mentioned Chakotay.
Chakotay was the obvious choice to sell their belongings. The indigenous people were dark skinned. He would tell the aliens in the market that he came from a remote area of the planet.
The crew watched Chakotay enter the marketplace. Everyone stopped talking and crowded around the stranger in their midst.
Ayala and Tom prepared themselves to rescue their Captain.
Someone laughed and the crowd dispersed which left Chakotay talking to two of the males. They shook hands and passed him two bags. He turned around and beckoned the crew to join him.
They huddled together so nobody could hear them talking.
"I have clothes for everyone and food. The townspeople have allocated us a place to stay. The only proviso is that we provide someone to work in the fields for two hours per day."
"What's the catch?" asked B'Elanna.
All the villagers work as servants in the castle. Lam will work in the kitchen which will suit his skills. Ayala will become a drill instructor with the palace guard. Ayala was grateful that he didn't have to cook. Tom will work in the stable - shovelling horse manure. Tom knew that Chakotay hated him and this was proof. Kathryn will work as a lady in waiting to the Dowager Queen.
"What about me?" asked B'Elanna.
"You have a special assignment. The owner of a nearby tavern wants a bouncer. You can't work in the palace because we can't hide your ridges," explained Chakotay.
"I get the opportunity to fight every day. That sounds like a perfect job for me," said B'Elanna.
"I have found a place for us to change so we don't alarm the villagers. The head of the village is going to meet us at the tavern to show us our new accommodation," said Chakotay.
"Where am I going to stay?" asked B'Elanna.
"There is a room over the stable at the tavern. The landlady will explain your duties and help you settle in. Behave, we can't draw any attention to ourselves." warned Chakotay.
"You never told us where you will be working?" asked Ayala with suspicion.
Chakotay couldn't hide his grin, "I am the new butler."
"Have you ever run a large house before? It will be more difficult than running Starfleet," explained Kathryn.
"How hard can it be?" replied Chakotay.
Scene 10
The Mayor escorted B'Elanna to her new lodgings before showing the crew to their new home.
He chatted with the Mayor, "Why does the palace need more staff? Is there a big occasion?" Chakotay was aware that he was asking a lot of questions.
"The King is celebrating the tenth anniversary of his wedding. There are hundreds of guests and they will all be staying at the castle. I hope it won't be a problem?" Mr Chakotay.
"Organisation is my middle name, sir! I will make sure each guest feels as valued as my crew."
Chakotay remembered his flippant remark about his new occupation. They had to complete these quests or he'd lose her and that wasn't an option.