MAQUIS 20/3/2019

Scene 1

Kathryn opened her eyes to the sound of running water. She glanced around trying to remember where she was. Her memory was hazy and her head was pounding. She moved her arm and winced due to a sharp stabbing pain. It gave her a moment of clarity. She remembered watching the drama unfold outside Dutfield's Yard. Followed by the smell of leather as the glove covered her mouth.

She could hear rustling and creaking so she closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing down. Her abductor pressed two fingers to the side of her neck to check her pulse. The fingers were ice cold and clammy. She exercised supreme self-control to stop herself from shuddering. It would be a huge mistake to let her captor know she was conscious. When she was alone again Kathryn attempted to sit up. After the room stopped spinning she discovered her arms and legs weren't tied. She didn't want to try to move yet because she might lose consciousness again. The most important question she needed to answer was: Why was she still alive?

Scene 2

Chakotay peered over his shoulder to check on Kathryn. His heart missed a beat when he couldn't see her. He didn't dare make a noise in case he interfered with the timeline. Q came to a halt - his senses warned him of an alien presence. Although The Others took his powers away from him - he still had enhanced human senses. He still had some minor tricks he could perform. He sniffed the air like a dog. An alien had stood there before and it definitely wasn't human. He noticed Chakotay was checking all the dark shadowy places around him. Something was wrong. One of their group was missing. He could hear the crew whispering her name.

The police had already arrived to investigate the murder. Berner Street was full of Police officers and ghoulish onlookers. The group assembled at the end of the road. Q was starting to panic, "Where is Kathryn? I hope you didn't allow her to walk back to the Inn by herself."

Chakotay punched him in the mouth and knocked him flat, "Get up you coward. That psychopath has taken Kathryn as I warned you."

Q sat up and spat out a stream of blood, "If I had my powers I could snap my fingers and bring her back but I haven't. You can hit me as much as you want but you are wasting time.

"How can Jack the Ripper abduct Kathryn if we were watching him murder Elizabeth Stride?" asked Astra.

Tom replied, "Unless Elizabeth Stride wasn't a victim of Jack the Ripper. She wasn't mutilated like the other women. The murder of Catherine Eddowes was textbook, Ripper."

Chakotay knew that there were too many places to hide someone in Whitechapel. He had to force Q to beg and plead with the other Q to help them find her. Kathryn's life depended on it.

Q knew that he had re-establish contact with the Others to help him find Kathryn. He would accept any punishment they chose if they helped him to save her from this monster. He hoped he hadn't burnt all his bridges. He couldn't cope with the thought he would be responsible for her death.

Scene 3

Kathryn stood up after she heard the door slam. She tried to take a step forward but her left leg wouldn't move. She sat down and felt a metal band around her ankle. She wasn't tied up because her kidnapper had attached a ball and chain to her leg. Kathryn was going nowhere without a key. Her hand was shaking due to the adrenaline coursing through her body. If she couldn't escape then fight was her only option.

Weak sunshine crept into the room through dirty window panes. It glinted off a metallic object on a shelf. Kathryn needed to find out what it was and whether she could use it to escape. This object was special because everything else in the room was rusting, broken or grimy. It must be important if the Ripper kept it clean and polished.

She sat down on the filthy floor and grasped the chain next to the ball and tried to pull it with no luck. Her next attempt focused on pushing the ball towards the shelf. She managed to move it halfway before she heard the door open in the next room. Kathryn had moved from her original position so she couldn't make out she unconscious.

A voice interrupted her panic, "You are awake Captain Janeway! I thought I'd used too much chloroform."

Kathryn first surprise was her captor was a woman. She could see a tiny glimpse of her features as she was wearing a cloak with a hood pulled over her head. Her skin was as white as snow and it seemed to glow in the poor light. Although the cloak and hood covered most of her face she could see her delicate and refined features. The question she needed to answer was how the hell did she know her real identity and rank?

"It seems we are both out of our own time. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?" asked Kathryn.

"The humans call me Jack the Ripper - you can call me Jack for now."

"Why are you murdering these defenceless women?" asked Kathryn, as she didn't think she had a lot to lose. She was certain now that Jack was an alien.

"We have never encountered human anatomy before. Your species is frail. We have to find a technique to join flesh and machine together," explained Jack.

Kathryn had no idea what she was talking about. As far as she understood, Jack used these women as lab rats and mutilated them to hide her botched work.

"Who gave you the right to conduct experiments on these unfortunate women? You snuffed out their lives to prove a theory. What kind of monster are you? "asked Kathryn.

"We studied this society. Female human life is not valued in this era of your history. These women are disposable. They allow males to use them for their sexual needs. At least we didn't force them to drink noxious fluids before their death," explained Jack. She was beginning to sound like a Queen - using the Royal 'we'.

"Don't you have a conscience? These women experienced utmost terror before you took their lives. You didn't have the right to decide when they died," explained Kathryn. Her training told her she should find common ground with Jack. This female definitely wasn't human. Jack was hyper-rational without morality. She was a sociopath and a serial killer. Kathryn was looking for a chink in her armour which she could exploit to escape.

"You present us with an unusual dilemma, Captain Janeway. I don't know what to do with you. I can't keep you here because your friends will find you soon, mused Jack.

Kathryn couldn't help herself, "You could let me go and I won't tell anyone about our pleasant time together."

Jack's smile was glacial, "I don't think that is the answer. Are you attempting to use humour to distract me?"

Kathryn knew she had to work out which alien species this female belonged to. She was missing something vital to her continued existence.

Scene 4

Q searched for an isolated space where he could contact the Others. They wouldn't appear if humans were present. The problem was space was at a premium in Whitechapel. Finally, he found an abandoned dwelling with a small yard at the back. He stood with his eyes closed while he tried to summon a Q.

"It didn't take you long to get tired of your new friends. said Lady Q. She was wearing a Victorian dress and she looked fabulous.

"I am not in the mood for witty repartee. Your serial killer abducted Kathy," snapped Q.

"What do you want me to do about it? I can't interfere in human affairs, Q. You know the rules," said Lady Q.

"What you mean is that you don't want to help me because you are jealous," taunted Q.

"Don't flatter yourself! I don't know what you see in these tiny insignificant beings. You usually tire of them after the thrill of the chase has ended. Unless… she rejected you - didn't she?"

"Don't be ridiculous! She hasn't rejected me - she is playing 'hard to get'. A puzzling human tradition which I don't understand" confessed Q.

"I'll make it simple for you, Q. She doesn't want you! You are using an excuse to avoid the pain of rejection," explained Lady Q, without sparing his feelings.

"I have never experienced rejection by a female. How do you cope when an intended lover says no?" asked Q.

Lady Q looked straight at him, "It's never happened to me - so I have no idea."

Q glared at her, "I should have realised you wouldn't help me. You are still sore because I ended our liaison."

Lady Q's good humour vanished. "I will ask the Others if I can help your paramour because she wasn't to blame for your transgression. I don't see why she should die to teach you a lesson. I am not helping you because you treat these life forms as puppets. If I can persuade the others to help you then I will get in contact," declared Lady Q as she disappeared with a flounce.

Q knew he'd upset Q but he didn't know why. It seemed that females of every species were difficult to deal with.

Scene 5

Jack left Kathryn in the back room so she could clean her instruments. She had to rinse the blood off her clothes and leather apron. She was furious that a human had murdered another female and blamed her. She would have to wait for the manhunt to slow down before she continued with her trials.

Jack intended to return to her ship soon because she'd learnt everything she could. Her only dilemma was how to dispose of Captain Janeway. She didn't know whether to take her back to the ship as this could attract the attention of the Q and break their accord. She knew they wouldn't approve of her activities in Victorian London.

In the other room, Kathryn had almost reached the dusty shelves. She would finally discover the purpose of the mystery object. When she was in front of the dresser she reached up and realised the object was out of reach. Kathryn slumped to the floor. She was dehydrated and still suffering from the effects of the chloroform. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to wallow in self-pity. It would be easier to give up and allow Jack to add her name to the murdered women. Yet, she thought about the families waiting for their loved ones to return home. She had to survive to give their families some closure.

She looked around for a stick to knock the item off the shelf. Kathryn scanned the room. The irony was there was a stick in the room but it involved pulling the ball and chain back to her original position. She moved behind the metal sphere and started the slow move back to the other side of the room.

Scene 6

When Q returned to the Inn, Chakotay dragged him into the snug. Q was about to protest and return to the room when he realised Chakotay had a big gun aimed at his genitalia.

"I know it's impossible to kill you! You will experience pain if I fire this firearm at your genitals," threatened Chakotay.

What do you want from me? I want her back as much as you do. I have already asked the other Q for help to find her. I had to beg them for help as Q felt I'd insulted her," admitted Q.

"Until Jack, the Ripper returns her without harm you will accept any conditions they set. I don't care what they do to you because you deserve everything you get. Stay out of my way until she is back with us," warned Chakotay.

"I will get her back - you have my word," swore Q.

Chakotay looked at him in disgust, "Work with more speed and less haste because we are running out of time."

Q went back to the room while Chakotay stayed in the snug. He went to the bar and ordered a double shot of whiskey. He put his cloak on and pulled the hood over his head. The weather was terrible outside. He couldn't stay in the warm and comfortable room while Kathy was at the mercy of a psychopath. Chakotay had informed the Landlord that a female member of their group had gone missing. After his commiserations, he suggested he speak to an old man named Uncle who ran a pawn shop on the corner of the road. The owner knew everyone in the local area and every shady enterprise. If he didn't know where Kathryn was being held then nobody would.

Scene 7

Jack interrupted Kathryn's attempt to reach the mystery object:

"I have decided to take you back to our ship. You are an unusual female. When the other human women realised they were going to die they begged for their lives. They tried to make us feel sorry for ending their miserable existences. You stayed calm and tried to reason with us. You will make an excellent test subject."

Kathryn started to shake from a rush of adrenaline. Jack's intention to make her the focus of the experiments filled her with terror. She remembered the photographs from her previous efforts. Kathryn had to redouble her efforts to escape before Jack rejoined her ship. Jack hadn't noticed that she'd moved so she continued to inch towards the stick to knock the object off the shelf. The adrenaline surge gave her extra strength and the impetus to escape as soon as possible.

Scene 8

Q left the Inn to go for a walk because nobody was talking to him. Everyone blamed him for Kathryn's abduction. Even Tom Paris turned his back when Q tried to talk to him. Chakotay hadn't returned to the Inn yet. Q was glad because he didn't like the way he kept staring at him. It was pitiful - the puny human thought he was capable of killing a Q. Then Q remembered that he was a Q in name only. Without his powers, he was the same as the diseased filthy vermin crawling around him in the gutter.

The High Council believed he would take his own life rather than exist at this basic level of humanity. He had to find Kathryn before the creature desecrated her body like the other women. For the first time in his endless lifetime, he cared about someone other than himself. He experienced fear for the first time and he didn't like it.

Q crossed the road because he noticed a garish female trying to attract his attention. She was an 'unfortunate woman' looking for clients. Q tried to push past her without stopping. She was filthy with open encrusted sores around her mouth and a drooping eyelid. The female was trying to wink as part of her overture but it made her look like a gargoyle from a church roof.

"Four pennies for a knee trembler, guvnor. I'm the cleanest totty this side of the docks," offered the woman.

"Take your hands off me you filthy, diseased whore," screamed Q.

"You bastard son of a mongrel bitch," replied the female.

Q shelved his plan to shove the woman into the path of a horse and carriage because he recognised her voice.

"If you have so much time on your hands, Q, you could help me find Kathryn Janeway instead of playing dress up," snapped Q.

The crone waved her hand and Lady Q appeared. She changed into a black silk riding outfit with an exquisite hat perched on her luxurious red hair.

"You always spoil the fun whichever time or location we are in," sulked Lady Q.

"I don't have the time to trade insults with you. What do you want, Q?" asked Q with impatience.

We have serious business to discuss. Where can we go for some privacy? asked Lady Q.

"There is a lodging house nearby with private rooms. Have you got any currency? asked Q.

"What a cad! You are asking me to pay for losing my reputation?" joked Lady Q.

"That went a long time ago, my dear," said Q with a hint of sarcasm.

Lady Q waved her hand to produce a bag of gold coins. "Take what you need because you have to defeat one of the most dangerous sociopaths I've ever encountered."

Q realised the Others knew the identity of Jack The Ripper but they hadn't told him. He would find out and then he would exact his revenge if they allowed harmed Kathryn.

Q walked over to the Lodging House and beckoned Lady Q to follow him. After they paid the price demanded by the old crone, Lady Q went pale when she saw the room.

"I will get straight to the point so we can leave here without a myriad of infectious diseases," commented Lady Q.

"What did the High Council decide," asked Q, trying to not sound too eager.

"They have reached a decision but you may not like the terms," said Lady Q.

"Don't tease me - the time is ticking away for Kathryn," snapped Q.

"We have decided to save your pet human but you will owe us a boon," said Lady Q, trying not to give too much away.

"What boon will I owe the others," asked Q, who was immediately suspicious.

"We will let you know," replied Lady Q.

Q knew he didn't have a choice, "I will accept your terms but cross me and there will be consequences. I know everything about everybody in the Continuum."

Lady Q knew that he was a dangerous enemy. He hadn't asked her once to return his powers. She waved her hand and disappeared to report back to the others.

Scene 9

Kathryn retrieved the stick and had almost made it back to the shelves when Jack opened the door. She hadn't heard her come back so she froze.

Jack noticed she was sweating and couldn't think of a reasonable explanation. The Captain hadn't moved her from this room. She put the back of her hand on Kathryn's head to check whether she was spiking a fever.

"If you are sick, Captain Janeway then I will end your existence. I can't allow you to infect the Others," warned Jack.

"I am fine - it's quite hot in here. You could let me go outside? I won't try to escape."

Jack ignored her, "I have to go out hunting again. Get ready to leave as soon as I return."

Kathryn knew she had to escape now. She wouldn't survive if she went back to Jack's ship.

Jack checked the room for signs of an escape attempt. Jack didn't want to end her existence until she'd completed her experiments. The Captain intrigued her. She was a woman in charge of a crew in a male-dominated society but she hadn't sacrificed her feminine charms. She would like a friend and confidante. Life as a Queen could be lonely. Jack pulled her hood over her head, making sure it covered her face. She picked up a Gladstone bag and swept out of the hovel's door.

Kathryn waited as long as possible to knock the device off the shelf. It had to be useful because it was her only chance. The shelf was out of reach. Kathryn stretched as far as she could but was short of her target. She felt like crying with frustration. Her last attempt had to work because her life would end if Jack returned. She took a big deep breath and reached upwards. She tried leaning using the ball and chain as a counterweight. The device flew off the shelf and landed on the filthy floor. Kathryn couldn't believe her luck because it was a phaser and it still had power. She turned it on and aimed at the chain linking her to the ball. When her foot was free she looked around for a cloak to use as a disguise. She opened the door and ran as fast as her clothes would allow her to. She pushed aside anyone in her way.

"Hey watch out Lady, look where you're going," shouted Q.

Kathryn stopped to look at the man shouting at her, "Q, why are you here? She grabbed his arm and pulled him behind her. "Soon, the Ripper will be after me - hurry up!"

Instead of running, Q stuck his ground so he could see the face they all wanted to identify. When Jack was close enough he could see through her disguise.

He couldn't believe his eyes - it was the Borg Q