The Colonel

by ray gower

In which Voyagers crew start with a mystery, which becomes deeper and gain a new passenger who proves invaluable...

5. 1-05 Quake

1-05 Quake

In which Voyagers crew embark on two diplomatic missions to trade for supplies. The Colonel and his team are involved in a natural disaster and help prevent the destruction of a race.

Voyager and characters (except the Colonel) in this story are copyright of Paramount. No resemblance is intended to any person alive or dead.

The story line and the Colonel are my own.

Constructive criticism and comments are welcome on e-mail story@rgower.plus.com.

If like me you like to know why things occur like they do, I would heartily recommend you start at chapter 1-01 Castaway.

This story is rated PG

The Captain hurried down the corridor en-route to Holodeck 2, in response to a strange request from Seven of Nine.

Since the Colonel had joined them, both she and Chakotay had discovered that he had a mark on almost every member of the crew. Disputes, natural in a small vessel between people cooped up for long periods with no where to go, had all but dried up. He had started exercising on a Holodeck, and there was invariably sufficient crew interested in joining him that it had been made a regular fixture of the ships daily calendar and he had welcomed their presence. She had even been an attendee at some of them and had come out exhausted, but strangely content. The same had happened to the ships mess menu. Since he had started helping out Neelix with recipes and preparation tips, the freshly prepared food menu had become more varied and edible, some of the crew had started to eat in the mess from choice. Even Seven had been affected, she was a lot more sensitive to those around her than before he had declared his love to her.

The Captain was not sure what was happening between Seven and the Colonel. Seven of Nine was no longer a regular visitor to her quarters, attempting to find answers to questions of humanity, but seemed to be finding her own independent answers. It was known that Seven of Nine was spending much of her off duty time in the Colonels company simply talking to the tall soldier from history. The Colonel had claimed some sort of confessional was being conducted, but had refused to offer any further illumination. They had certainly kept their discussions private, she had spent several nights in the Colonels quarters, and had emerged the following morning relaxed and by Seven of Nine's standards remarkably happy, the normally dapper Colonel looking tired and slightly dishevelled, but denying vigorously that anything other than a conversation had occurred, nobody had the courage to dispute the claim. The few times they had been spotted showed them both sat beside each other deep in conversation, with him holding her hand, watching her face intently. They had broken apart quickly and he had gave the eavesdropper a look that could have frozen Nitrogen, forcing them to retreat hurriedly. The obvious facts were that Seven was now a lot more independent and confident in her actions, open with her feelings and opinions and no longer scurried away to her alcove in the cargo bay when no longer on duty. It was a remarkable transformation, she allowed herself a private congratulation for having put the two together, they seemed to form a perfect partnership of support and protection.

The only cloud to cause concern was the Colonel himself, not that he was forming an undercover coup. Not even the ever suspicious Tuvok would dream of suggesting that! But for the simple fact that they both knew that under the easy going exterior and seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm, there was a raging inferno of emotions, they had shown briefly during the Vordun Affair a few months ago, when the entire bridge crew had been kidnapped and he had set about their rescue. Then it had been a controlled release, she was worried at what would happen if it became uncontrolled.

She met Seven of Nine outside the holodeck, the normally implacable Ex-Borg was clearly upset.

"Captain, I recreated a scene from his days on Earth. I thought it may help him to relax in more familiar surroundings, but I believe he has modified the parameters. It now looks like a war, and he turned off the safety overrides, he may damage himself," she explained in a rush, "Shall I call security to restrain him."

"Is he being violent?" she asked.

"Not yet."

It's all right Seven, I'm sure you did your best. As for him hurting himself, well if the worst the Delta Quadrant can throw at him couldn't stop him what can?" She smiled encouragingly. "Come back in thirty minutes, you'll see it's all right."

She took a deep breath and entered. Seven was right, the place was like a war zone! The replication looked like a bar room brawl in full swing. Forty or fifty men, in at least three different uniforms, were in full swing, there were at least six broken tables and chairs littering the floor along with four bodies prostrate on the ground. At a table against the wall four more men were incongruously playing cards amongst the noise. In the corner, hammering a battered upright piano sat the Colonel, playing a tune she didn't recognise. Amazingly he was dressed casually in an open necked check shirt instead of his uniform, she had never seen him dressed like that before.

He finished the tune he was playing, then without turning, stated in a sharp voice, "Computer freeze programme."

Then in his more normal tones, "Good evening Captain, welcome to the British Army Open Club, Belize."

"How did you know I was here?" she asked, curious.

"Miss Nine left as soon as the fight broke out, it was a reasonable assumption that she called you. Then I heard you walk across the floor."

"You heard me in all that noise?" she asked.

"Yes."

"I don't believe you?" she challenged.

He shrugged, "Well there was also your reflection in the glass on the piano," he admitted.

"What happened?"

"Miss Nine made the error of including foreign, particularly American Marines, I think she took twentieth century literature too literally."

"You didn't change the parameters?" she questioned.

"Didn't need to, she was very accurate," he stated glibly.

"But you did remove the safeties?"

"After she left, yes. Even as holograms I won't proxy the dangers facing my men," he intoned.

"Okay, go on," she prompted.

"The Marine Staff Sergeant here," he kicked a body, "Started by making improper suggestions to Miss Nine, suggesting that she was much too attractive to be dating a 'Tommy'."

"That started it?" she asked, knowing full well the Colonel's protective nature towards Seven of Nine.

"No! That's the truth, and she is quite capable of making her own decisions," he admitted, "Then he suggested that I was a mad bastard."

"That started it?" she asked incredulously.

"No, that's true as well. He then described my men a useless bunch of ex-cons, and not worth the space."

"And that started it?" She asked impatient now.

"Yes! Whilst it was true," he admitted again, "It was a very sore point. So Sergeant Cooper hit the useless fat idiot. He's never set foot out of the States before, let alone onto a battlefield, but thinks he's General Paton. Went out like a light. After that it got a little out of hand, and the Sergeant Major took over," he indicated a large man, even bigger than the Colonel, who had apparently picked up two of the Marines by their lapels and was banging them together like cymbals, "He was always very protective," he commented, "Life sentence for killing the man that killed his brother."

She laughed weakly. "Seven thought war had broken out!" she moaned.

"It's a serious matter of honour," he protested, "Miss Nine is a wonderful girl, but she misses the point at times."

"Those people over there," he pointed to the card players in disgust, "Are British SAS, they won't get involved unless their game is interrupted. Very intent, good soldiers, useless in a brawl, go out like a light," he commented.

"How would it have ended?" she asked fascinated.

"Usually, six arrests, two hospitalised, and a mix of bruises for the court the next day, then a weeks pay, jankers and extra exercises for my men."

"Shouldn't you of stopped it?" surprised at the loss of control the Colonel had allowed to occur.

"I could have, and perhaps should have. But if you do that it will start again, probably off the base, then civilians get hurt. Here it is contained, no serious damage is done and the Americans learn their first lesson in respect for their teachers."

"Wouldn't you have got in trouble for letting it start?"

"Probably, but I'm very rarely involved, I pick up the pieces later. If you look around there is a full company of Marines here, facing maybe a dozen British troops, and they're being pasted. Embarrassment goes a long way towards preventing loud complaints."

"Remarkable men, led by a remarkable man," she commented softly.

"Have you noticed that the things you miss most about a previous life are the things you disliked most, when their taken away?" he asked, changing the subject suddenly.

"No," she answered taken aback by the sudden change of direction.

"Perhaps. But then you haven't lost much of anything yet. I miss the monthly formal Officers Mess Dinner, the occasional good natured brawl. I hated them all, until now."

"What else do you miss?" she asked gently.

"My men," he answered firmly. "Criminals every one of them, but the best soldiers and most loyal people I've ever commanded."

He changed tack again.

"What do you think you will be doing when Voyager returns to Earth?"

"I don't know," she answered, suddenly on the defensive.

"I suspect you'll be famous for a while, then disappear into obscurity with Chakotay," he answered for her. "If you'll only admit it, you have feelings for him," he waved down her protest.

"I fear both Miss Nine's and my fates are well sealed, she will be put on the scientists circuit as a prize exhibit, explaining what a Borg is. I'll be anthropology's dream come true, they'll probably put me on display in a zoo behind big signs saying 'Do Not Feed the Caveman'."

"They won't do that!" she replied defensively, making a mental note not to let it happen.

"Won't they?" He asked, "Your looking at a man who still has problems writing on a PADD and as for the replicators. I went to one of Naomi's lessons the other day, do you know what the subject was? It was Cell Replication, with the Doctor. I barely understood a word of it. At her age I was still learning my multiplication tables!"

"She is a gifted child," offered the Captain, desperately.

He nodded, "I thought that, then I looked at the standard syllabus. If it hadn't have been for Miss Nine's teachings I wouldn't have understood the titles, let alone the subjects!"

"Face it Captain, I don't really belong! When I was born electronic computers hadn't been invented, The PADD's you use as notepads are a million times more powerful than the computers that NASA used to put man on the moon. The moon was as far as we had got! I'm now on a space ship fifty thousand light years from home and people are talking of a mere thirty years to get there. At home the speed of sound was still a good trick!"

She sat dumbfounded by the outburst, she could not think of a thing to placate the seemingly desperate man.

"You have many good attributes," she said desperately.

"But few of them really useful," he pointed out.

"And you have Seven of Nine!" She rallied.

"My greatest and only asset, if it were true," he admitted wistfully.

She thought for a moment, made up her mind and changed the subject, as Seven of Nine entered.

"I need your help," she announced.

"Captain?" He questioned.

"This sector has two dominant races, the Kellor's and the Desduron's. We have been invited to both home planets, and we need supplies. I want you and Seven to take an away party to Kellor to establish relations and attempt to trade for food. I'll handle the Desdurons."

"Are you sure Ma'am?" He asked, "I'm not noted for diplomacy!"

"You'll do fine" She assured him."Besides there is nobody else, Tuvok, Neelix and Harry Kim will be with me, Chakotay is needed on the ship, that leaves you with B'Elanna Torres, Tom Paris and Seven."

"Ma'am," He acknowledged the order impassively.

"Let me see if I've got this right." the Colonel said, as the shuttle was pitched and yawed ready for the sixteen hour flight to Kellor.

"The Kellors are a race with two legs and four arms, multifaceted eyes and horizontal mandibles. A sort of cross between a human and an ant?"

"There is no cross breeding," Seven of Nine assured him.

"I hope they don't look as bad as some of the films I saw on Earth in the fifties. I won't know whether to scream in terror or fall about in laughter," he claimed candidly.

"Neither would be appropriate," Seven pointed out coolly.

"Okay, what else. There is a cast system, like ants. Big red skinned ones are warrior cast. Small Black ones are workers and the big black ones do almost everything else. They have no warp drive capability. But do use ion drives for limited space exploration in their local area, hence the reason for meeting the Desduron's and occasional other space vessels like us. They are generally well organised and peaceful, except when talking about Desduron's. With whom they have had a number of disagreements, those were largely settled by a one hundred year treaty, that has now been in force for a good deal longer. They have established mutual trade and culture agreements sustained by weekly packet ships between the two planets. A certain amount of animosity still exists between the two races, kept in check by mutual sharing agreements. Hence the reason for the Captain wishing to send two parties to meet them at the same time. It seems to me a case of the open right hand of diplomacy, with a damned big club in your left behind your back, to me."

"Essentially, you are correct. There is a potential for starting conflict between the two races, if not handled delicately," agreed Seven.

"Then why did the Captain send me? I'm more noted for being a bull in a china shop than a ballerina tiptoeing through a flower bed," He asked uncertainly.

"I do not know. Perhaps she believes they will fall down laughing when they see you, because of their early film shows," suggested Seven, uncharacteristically mischievous.

"Very droll," he replied, "I'm going to have to talk to the doctor about your sense of humour, it is getting quite catty." He caught her hand and kissed it gently.

The comment earned him her favoured arched eyebrow, he loved that eyebrow.

B'Elanna Torres, had been watching the show from her seat next to Tom Paris, with some amusement. Now she found herself in the unusual role of confidence builder.

"I think your abilities as diplomat run much deeper than you think, certainly the Captain thinks so, Colonel," she called.

"Thank you, for your vote of confidence Lieutenant," he replied.

"Now as travelling by shuttle tends to be rather dull, I shall go to sleep. Give us a kick when we arrive," he announced.

He leant his head back and dropped off.

"How does he do that?" Asked Tom Paris from the pilots seat, one of life's twisters in bed.

"I have noticed he can sleep at any point, but will wake immediately if the situation changes. We had an appointment on the Holodeck last week. I was late and found him asleep, but he awoke before I could get near him," volunteered Seven of Nine.

"He heard you!" suggested Torres.

"No! There was too much noise, and I deliberately attempted to catch him unawares. He felt my presence," Seven suggested uncomfortably.

The Colonel awoke as the shuttle reduced power for the descent onto Kellor.

"Can you do a couple of quiet orbits before we announce ourselves please, Lieutenant?" He asked Tom Paris. "It never does to jump in to battle without looking. No matter how friendly the enemy appear," he suggested by way of explanation.

"Aye, Sir!" Paris intoned as he set the shuttle into a low orbit of the planet.

"What can you tell us about the planet, Miss Nine?" he asked.

Seven of Nine bent to the sensor display, whilst the Colonel watched through the windows.

The planet looked almost barren. High mountains, mostly snow covered, with the occasional dark peak of a volcano dominated the Northern hemisphere. The Southern appeared to be largely desert. The equatorial regions though appeared to be lush greenery.

"Size approximately 10% larger than Earth, gravity approximately the same. One planet day 25 hours, solar year 400 days. Temperature spread from -60 to 50 degrees Celsius at opposite poles. There is a strong Sulphur element to the atmosphere, due to a high level of volcanic activity, it may cause problems. Two hundred major cities, mainly located north of the equator and underground. Population about 2 billion. No indication of nuclear energy in use, but many geothermal plants," she described.

"Thank you, Miss Nine. It's not as bad as it looks then," he stated.

"We are being hailed, voice only," called Tom Paris.

"Very good, put it on please Lieutenant," replied the Colonel, resuming his seat.

"Space port Kellor City, to unidentified vessel. Identify yourself and state your intentions," came a voice over the communicator.

"This is Lieutenant Colonel Samuels, representing the Federation Exploration Ship Voyager. I understand we are expected," he announced to the communicator.

"You are. We welcome Voyager. Do you wish to discuss landing requirements?"

"Yes please! Discuss them with my pilot, Lieutenant Paris," he replied, nodding to the lieutenant.

As Paris and ground control made their arrangements, the shuttle descended towards the planet.

"The port is about 2,000 kilometres north of the equator and we have a reception committee arriving to greets us," he announced.

"Very good, signal Voyager, with the arrangements."

"Aye, Sir!" Paris responded.

"Anybody bring their ski's and thermal undies?" The Colonel asked, looking at the approaching snow capped mountains.

The space port was set on a wide plateau above the planets first city. As the shuttle settled, it's crew scanned the surrounds. Several craft were visible. They all appeared to be variations on the theme of space plane. One was set up on a railway track, the track bending upwards at the end.

"That almost looks familiar," the Colonel announced. The others looked at him curiously, surprised at the sudden display of knowledge.

"Sorry!" He said, "When the Americans were looking at high altitude, high speed aircraft in the late fifties and early sixties, they had a series of experimental aircraft called the 'X' craft. Many were launched by firing the aircraft down a railway track like that," he pointed at the railway. "A British aircraft builder, even proposed a reusable rocket and ramjet powered space plane named Hotol in the late seventies, that would have been launched the same way, then land as a conventional aircraft. It looks as though these people have actually developed the technology!" He continued.

"It is inefficient," claimed Seven pointedly.

"Compared to banging anti-matter together, I suppose it is. But compared to throwing several hundred tonnes of metal in the air, that you never get back, I'd say it was pretty good, wouldn't you?" He asked gently.

Together they stepped off the shuttle, the Colonel slightly in the lead, to meet a small party that was arriving in a wheeled vehicle. The smell of sulphur hit the Colonel as he met the air, it almost made him retch. He steadied himself against the door frame, taking his time to adjust to the noxious fumes. "It smells a bit strong out here. I think breathers may be advisable," he commented to his crew. Then stepped down to meet a tall figure that was approaching them.

"Greetings, human." Hissed the figure, "I am Senate Councillor Karldoric, I have been assigned the task of looking after you. You are?"

The figure was draped in a thick coat to ward off the chill of the air. It made it difficult to define the shape. Apart from the head, which did indeed look like an ants, right down to two short antenna protruding from it's forehead, the being could have passed for a human in poor light. The mandibles of his mouth could be seen moving and they appeared to work independently.

The Colonel took a breath, then wished he hadn't as the fumes hit his lungs. He coughed, then managed to speak. "I am Lieutenant Colonel Alan Samuels, representing the Federation ship Voyager," he spoke quietly, trying to breath as shallowly as possible. He continued, "I am at your service Sir." He saluted and bowed to the tall figure, then coughed again.

"I see you are troubled by our atmosphere," it sounded amused. "Come, we shall take you somewhere where you will be more comfortable."

"Thank you Sir!" The Colonel said with relief. "It is somewhat pungent," he admitted.

The creature issued a sound like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together. The Colonel hoped it was laughter. "The presence of Sulphur in our atmosphere is natural Colonel. This is quite an active planet," it explained.

"We have brought masks to wear that will keep the worst of the fumes from us." The Colonel explained, in gasps. "But I would rather not wear them if it is possible to be comfortable. I have found it hard in the past to be open with someone you cannot see properly."

The figure inspected him. The Colonel sensed rather than saw the tentacles flash past him, he stood still, waiting.

"Your race puts much store in it's ability to see clearly. We have no need to see, we can feel them. You are an honourable and brave person, Colonel," again the rasp of sandpaper.

They all boarded the transport, which they saw resembled a tram. It set off quietly for the city below, disappearing into a long tunnel.

The presence of Sulphur in the air was much reduced, and the landing party thankfully recovered. The Councillor Karldoric removed it's outer robes and stood before them, about 7' tall by the Colonels reckoning. He did indeed have four arms, they projected two either side, from deep shoulders, one arm set behind the other.

Recovered, the Colonel introduced his crew, "Sir, may I introduce my colleagues, Miss Seven of Nine, Science Officer, Lieutenant Torres, Senior Engineering Officer and Lieutenant Paris, Our Pilot and Navigation Officer." Each in turn bobbed a bow as they were introduced, taking their lead from the Colonel.

"You are most welcome," it hissed. "Tell me Colonel, these people are all dressed differently to you, is there a reason for this?"

The Colonel decided to be honest or nearly so. "To be honest Sir, we serve three different branches of the Federation's Star Fleet. Miss Nine is a civilian, engaged with the exploration activities of the ship. The Lieutenants serve the ship and its support. I serve in the army, as a protector to those who need it."

"You are not a diplomat?" He inquired.

"Not as such, Sir."

The Councillor accepted the answers at face value, without probing deeper. The tram pulled to a stop outside a doorway.

"Come," the Councillor announced. "You must be tired after your journey. We have quarters prepared for you."

They followed the swaying figure through the door and down stairs to another set which it opened impressively.

"I believe you will be comfortable here," he hissed. "We have removed almost all the Sulphur from the air for your comfort, and will provide food shortly. In concern for your safety in our atmosphere, I recommend you stay here until you become more acclimatised."

"I don't think he entirely trusts us," commented the Colonel, as the door closed firmly behind them. "But then neither would I in the same position. I wonder if they serve tea?" He settled on a settle near the centre of the room.

The others examined the room more thoroughly. It was a large lounge, with half a dozen comfortable settles, a table and some chairs, a sideboard occupied one wall, in which a range of bottles of liquid and crockery was kept. The walls were plain white, with a couple of murals etched in to make up for the lack of windows. Four bedrooms led off from the lounge, each was basically but comfortably equipped with two wide beds, a vanity unit and a bathroom. A couple of extra doors were also present in the lounge, but were locked.

"It looks like a standard diplomatic accommodation centre, simple comfortable, remote and bugged to hell." The Colonel suggested as they returned and sat on the seats, he hadn't moved from his. "I assume you failed to get through to Voyager?" He asked Tom Paris.

"No," he admitted. "But we are quite deep underground."

"There were no listening devices," announced Seven.

"They'll be there somewhere," he assured her.

"Never mind," the Colonel continued, "We have no hidden secrets of state to give away, so let us make the best of what we have. Anything interesting amongst the bottles?"

"I didn't check that closely," answered Torres.

"I don't know! Space explorers to a person and you don't check out the local produce!" He got up and investigated the bottles, smelling the contents cautiously. Finally he found some to his satisfaction, picked up four glasses and brought the lot over.

"Unless my nasal organs have been burned to a crisp in the fumes, I believe that this is Metheglin, though it might be wise to run the tricorder over it to make sure there is nothing else in it," he announced.

"What is Metheglin?" asked Paris.

The Colonel sighed. "So advanced! So ignorant!" He thought sadly.

"Metheglin is a drink fermented from honey like Mead, but spiced. A good one is very smooth and very potent. I haven't had any for years! As these are diplomatic quarters, I expect this one to be very good. So I've brought some cordial for Seven, knowing what she is like with alcohol!"

The tricorder showed that the principle ingredient was indeed honey. The Colonel tasting it and announced it good. So they all took a small glass and tried it, savouring its characteristic spicy flavour and the sweet and warm honey after taste and also announced it good.

The door opened and two Kellors pushing a trolley entered with the Councillor. "You are making yourselves at home, good. I see you are tasting our local drink Marathon, it's made from fermenting a sugary food supply created by insects, very pleasant, but very potent."

The Colonel jumped up, "Sir, on my home world we have a very similar drink called Metheglin, sadly it is rarely made these days, my colleagues have never tasted it before."

"Then they have missed much," the Councillor rasped, "Come, it is time to try some more of our produce, perhaps you will be able to identify more of it with your home world."

They all sat to the table and started to eat. The food seemed to largely consist of mushrooms, but each type had a distinct flavour and texture. At last they all sat back.

"I always thought that mushrooms were a rather bland fungus, full of goodness perhaps, but dull," announced the Colonel. "Now I wonder what I've been missing."

The Councillor rasped. "Perhaps we can let you take some different varieties with you when you leave," he announced.

"Now please tell me your story of how you came to this sector of space?"

"For that, I will have to ask Lieutenants Paris and Torres to recite. They have been with Voyager longer than either Miss Nine or myself," the Colonel announced. "If you would be so kind Mr Paris?"

Tom Paris took a deep breath and started the edited story of Voyagers trail through the Delta Quadrant.

At the end the Councillor asked, "You have seen planets similar to this?"

"I have identified nine within twelve light years of here," announced Seven of Nine coolly. "We took little interest. They offered nothing of value to our needs."

"Why do you ask Sir?" The Colonel asked, curious.

"If we return to the settles, I shall explain. Then you may see how you may be of service to us!" The Councillor hissed.

They returned to their seats and the Councillor began. "As you have noticed, this planet is volcanically very active. Over the last twenty cycles it has become much worse, to the point where even we cannot go outside for long periods, because of the air. Some of our scientists believe that in fifty cycles, we may not be able to go outside at all. Others have suggested that the planet may actually destroy itself!"

"How?" Asked the Colonel, "As I understand it, planets normally become less active as they age, especially if they are to develop life of some form."

"Again there is no agreement on this, but some claim it is the result of the extended usage of the geo-thermal generators we use, cooling the planets core unevenly."

"Perhaps you will allow Lieutenant Torres to look at some of you plants? She may be able to provide proof, or at least make them more efficient and give you time." The Colonel suggested mildly.

"Thank you! But it may have gone too far for that!" The Councillor hissed, "We believe that the planet is doomed to die, either slowly poisoning itself or exploding. We need to relocate, but we do not have the technology to find another planet in time. There are some in the Senate who advocate a final war with the Desdurons to take their planet. But that is a war we cannot win."

"Nor would it help. You will need their help for any mass move, and you'll not get it if you're at war." Stated the Colonel calmly.

"Exactly what I believe," hissed the excited Kellorn. "We need your technologies to help move our people to a new world!"

Everybody sat quietly reflecting.

Finally the Colonel said slowly and quietly. "If it were up to me, I would give you all the technology available on Voyager. But we both know that wouldn't help. Either, you would destroy yourselves in six months learning how it all works, or go to war with Desdur in a month. Yes, I am aware of your treaties, but they wouldn't work with such major advances."

"I understand, Colonel," the Councillor hissed disappointed.

"Fortunately it isn't up to me! So I'll tell you what the Captain will accept. As Miss Nine has said there are a number of planets within a dozen light years of here that are similar. Without referring to her records, we cannot say which, if any are going to be suitable. But I believe we can arrange to take exploration parties to the most likely candidates, the distances are not great at warp speeds. Obviously we will give you the relevant charting data. In the mean time, our engineering crews will examine your geo-thermal plants and ion drives to see if we can improve their performance with enhancements of our own, that will buy you time. I know there are several people on our ship who cut their teeth on ion drives, so we should be able to do something. She may accept the idea of taking advance parties to your chosen new world to start the required construction work, but that will depend upon how long it takes to decide upon a planet, we want to get home as well. Moving 2 billion people is a big undertaking, so we may be able to give advice on how to build large ships that don't disintegrate in flight, perhaps using some of our shield technology. Physically building the vessels to get your population there will have to come from yourselves and possibly the Desdurons. If you can get them to help."

"Now how does that sound, is there an agreement, or should we go home now!" He finished.

"Your offer, is much better than I expected. I had wished for the designs for your warp drive. But you are wise to rule it out, we would go to war if we had it." The Councillor hissed. "I shall take your proposals to the Council tomorrow and I shall provide guides so you may see our city."

"Thank you Councillor. I will tell you that I made it a rule years ago not to negotiate, I find it wastes time and muddies the water. What I have offered is ours to give, there is nothing else! We will need to communicate with Voyager, to let them know our offer," the Colonel announced.

"I shall arrange it in the morning, the Sulphur clouds are down now, it is too dangerous for you to venture out of the city." With that the Councillor rose and left them.

"That went rather well, I think. If only human politicians were as open and honest!" He said mildly.

"You honestly believe the Captain will give them what you've said?" asked Torres.

"Most of it costs nothing but time, the improvements to their drives should be fairly minimal, and above all the Captain loves a disaster story, especially one she can prevent. Yes, she'll accept it. After we've talked to the ship. If you and Miss Nine, could have a look at their geo-thermal plants to see if you can get more for less from them we will be showing our willing. In the mean time I'm going to bed!"

"Oh! Mr Paris, you did lock the doors of the shuttle when we left, didn't you?" He asked as an afterthought.

"Yes Sir!" Paris replied promptly, "buttoned up tight."

"Good! Well goodnight everybody."

As he settled down he heard Tom and B'Elanna enter the room next to his. He smiled. "Any opportunity for them. That will mean Seven will be entering this room in about four minutes," he thought. "Well you did say your room is hers, at least she has a bed of her own this time."

Since he had told her about his love, she had grown to dislike spending long periods in the cargo bay, preferring now to use the Colonels quarters whenever she could. The Colonel had even replicated a cupboard for her to use for her limited belongings. If he came in to find the beautiful woman on his bed, he would simply sigh and make himself as comfortable as he could in one of the rooms chairs. There was never any impropriety involved.

This time was different, he found out with a start, he heard her enter and remove her suit. That was reasonable he thought, "It must stink of sulphur as my own uniform did, when I stripped off." Then he felt the blankets around him move as she slid into his bed. He stiffened in alarm, as her arms slid around him and she nuzzled his neck. He tried moving forward in the bed, giving her more room, but she followed. "Miss Nine, this is hardly the time," he said, finally finding his voice.

"I wish to experience mutual comfort, and safety," she said defensively.

He rolled over and put his arm around her. "Miss Nine," he began, "Seven. Whilst it may be comfortable for you. I'm not so sure it is for me. Nor can I vouch for your safety! I don't know I'm ready to have a beautiful and near naked woman draped over me, in my own bed!" He kissed her forehead tenderly as she settled on his shoulder.

"You will adapt," she muttered softly.

Suddenly there was a rumbling and the room shook. They gripped each other tightly, in alarm.

"I hope that was one of their damned rocket ships taking off," he cursed, relaxing a little as he waited for a possible second shock. He was, despite his protests, comfortable and didn't want to disturb his beautiful partner. As he waited he counted softly. The second shockwave hit a few minutes later, making the room rock. Again they tensed, then relaxed as it passed.

"From what I remember of geology at home that would be centred about 100 miles from here," he commented. "I think I want to go home. Before the disaster," he murmured drowsily.

Slowly they drifted to sleep, in each others arms.

The Colonel awoke, slightly later than normal, with a start. Rapidly appraising the situation he was in, with Seven laying in his arms, head on his shoulder. She had moved a leg forward over his thighs, during the night, but otherwise she was in the same position as they had gone to sleep in.

"If this gets out, I'm toast," he thought, noting the uncomfortable desires forming in his mind.

Gently he kissed Seven of Nine. "Come on sweetheart, it's time to be your usual sweet and efficient self," he whispered, gently stroking her cheek.

Slowly she woke, then snapped alert, eyes wide as she realised her position and rolled away. The Colonel was amused by her sudden reaction. "You started it lover!" He whispered in her ear, as he disengaged his arm. He rose from the bed and dressed.

"I do not know what happened to me. I did not want to be alone at night, I wished to experience comfort," she said slowly.

She seemed upset.

"No harm done, Miss Nine. And I couldn't have asked for nicer company," he assured her. "But now it's time to put your cold efficient mask on again. If you wish it, it never happened!"

He threw her suit to her, then turned and left the room so she could dress.

She joined him two minutes later. "You believe my attitude is because of a mask?" She asked attempting to restart the conversation, whilst waiting for Torres and Paris to rise.

He raised an eyebrow. "Yes!"

"I know when somebody is attempting to hide their feelings, I've been doing it too long not to. Last night, it slipped and you showed yourself as human as the rest of us mortals," he continued.

"And your professed love for me, is that part of your mask as well?" She asked, suddenly cold.

He put his arms around her. "No! That is one of the few things that I haven't been able to hide. Lord knows I've tried," he whispered.

They kissed.

"Are we interrupting anything?" Asked Tom Paris as he and B'Elanna Torres entered the room, both were showing big smiles.

"We could both leave so that you can finish saying good morning to each other!" Quipped Torres.

The Colonel flushed then rallied, "I could ask the same of your goodnight procedures."

"You could, but we don't pretend it doesn't happen," pointed out Paris.

The councillor arrived an hour later. As far as the Voyager crew could tell, he seemed nervous.

"Good morning Sir!" Announced the Colonel, standing up and saluting as the Councillor entered.

"The tremor last night added a little excitement to our evening. I hope it didn't do any serious damage?" He asked evenly.

"You noticed it? Yes, I suppose you would," the Councillor hissed hurriedly. "It was a minor tremor, not uncommon and we are prepared for them. It didn't do any physical damage. Thank you!"

"I see. But no trouble?" asked the Colonel carefully.

"No!" Hissed the Councillor firmly.

"Now. I shall take you to your vessel as you requested so you may contact your base ship," he hissed, suddenly all business. "I warn you the Sulphur fumes are as strong as yesterday, you will need your respirators. We will meet the Council a little later in the morning."

They followed the tall figure out of the room and onto the tram parked outside the room.

As it smoothly moved away the Colonel asked quietly, "How do you wish us to approach the Council, Sir?"

"They will try and convince you to give us your warp drive," the Councillor hissed in reply.

"I told you yesterday why I cannot give you warp drive technology, and I will not move on that, Sir! We need supplies that you can provide. But I do not want you to destroy yourselves buying it."

They arrived at the shuttle safely and entered.

"Somebody has attempted to get in, Colonel," commented Paris.

"I'm not surprised. I would have," the Colonel admitted.

They raised the ship and Chakotay configured a relay to the Captain on Desduron. The Colonel briefly described the events of the previous day and night.

"I believe your view is correct Colonel. I accept the offer you've made," replied Janeway over the communicator. "I think we can obtain most of the minerals we need to repair the ship here. But we desperately require food supplies. Do what you see fit. We should be able to meet up with you in four or five days. Keep in touch."

"Ma'am," he replied and closed the channel.

The Captain had been worried about the second away mission. She preferred to conduct negotiations of this importance herself . The Colonel, as he had freely admitted, was not a diplomatic man and it was not clear how he would approach a new species without the years of training Star Fleet provided. But under the circumstances she felt she had little choice.

"His approach is unconventional, Captain. They will try to get him to accede more," voiced Tuvok, reflecting her concerns.

"Yes, I suppose they will. But then I doubt anybody could make him change his mind when it's set. The Colonel is anything but conventional, wouldn't you agree?" She asked.

"Yes, Captain," agreed Tuvok honestly.

They turned to prepare for their own meetings, using more traditional means.

The Colonel's party rejoined the Councillor on the tram outside and it moved off, back into the city below.

"Our Captain has accepted my offer to you," announced the Colonel. "Now let's see whether your Council is full of wise men, like you Councillor, or politicians?"

They were ushered into a waiting room to prepare for the call to speak. It was, to the Colonel, like waiting rooms everywhere, anonymous. Anonymous white walls white walls surrounding anonymous and uncomfortable chairs, doors were set in opposite sides, one for in one for out, he noted. Designed to make people nervous. He ignored the seats and took up position in the centre of the room and started to meditate, effectively turning himself 'off'. Seven of Nine noting his actions, tried to emulate him and failed. She joined the others restlessly pacing the room.

"How does he do that?" Paris asked again, after the Colonel stepped aside, seemingly without waking, when he had almost collided with him.

They were ushered into the Council Chamber, the Colonel marching crisply, leading the way. They found themselves in the centre of a large circular chamber. Above and surrounding them on three sides was a three tier bench housing about 400 Kellorns. In front on a dais was a smaller bench at which 13 more Kellorn sat, their guide Karldoric sat towards the left side of the dais. The Colonel took his position in front of his team standing at ease.

The centre Kellorn stood up and started to speak. "I am Senior Councillor Harken, I welcome you Colonel Samuels and your people of the Federation Star Ship Voyager. The persons you see at the table before you are the Senate Council of Kellorn, on the surrounding benches are the rest of the Council."

The Colonel snapped to attention and bowed before the Senate Council. "At your service Sir!" he then returned to his easy stance.

"Senate Councillor Karldoric has told us what your proposals are. We would be grateful if you would restate them for clarification."

Again the Colonel recited his proposal of the night before.

"For your seeming generosity," asked a greying Kellorn from the bench, "What do you want from us?"

"As you are aware, Sir," replied the Colonel levelly. "Voyager is currently many thousands of light years from home, the only thing we ask from you is supplies so that we can continue our journey. As much as you can spare, or as much as we can carry, which ever is the lesser."

A red figure stood. "Why will you not give us the most useful technology. Warp Drive? Or why shouldn't we just take your vessel?"

The Colonel studied him carefully, feeling the hair on his neck bristle. This one was a full foot taller than Karldoric, his mandibles much larger. His attitude suggested aggression. The Colonel didn't like this Councillor, nor did he like the implied threat. "Please understand sir, for I mean no offence. I do not have the benefits of your antennae to sense people accurately. I get the impression that you are are a war monger."

Everybody except the Colonel tensed.

He continued calmly, "I've seen many cultures and without exception when they have gained technology without effort they destroy themselves, rapidly. If I gave you our warp drive you would attempt to make war on your neighbours, whose help you will need to transport your people safely. You will ignore your own planets plight until it is too late."

"As for taking our vessel. The shuttle in your space port will teach you nothing, nor is it big enough to move more than 8 Kellorn at a time. The engines, if you could remove them without them blowing you and your planet up, are not large enough to power a ship the size you need."

"Needless to say Voyager is quite big enough to look after herself!" He added.

The red figure hissed, then subsided.

Councillor Harken stood quickly. "We thank you, Colonel, for your openness and frankness. I in turn shall be honest with you! We have the benefit, as you pointed out, of organs that can sense the nature of people. We have inspected you and your party. We believe that you personally are capable of great hostility and violence, but that your offer is genuinely made. The Council will discus it further. In the mean time there are guides waiting for you in the reception room, they will show you to your quarters or the city, as you wish."

Dismissed, they were led back to the waiting room.

Two, seemingly young, Kellorn's awaited them. They introduced themselves as Karyn and Dumor, Council aides and children of Kaldoric.

"Who was the red chap that tried to threaten me?" The Colonel asked them.

"Kashar, he commands our armed forces," Karyn replied promptly. "He is dangerous to upset and the most belligerent of the Senate, he always wants to make war on Duron. It was a mistake to make him angry."

"Thanks for the warning. I do hope he calms down before he tries to be clever and belligerent. Else he may find he's not the only one it's dangerous to upset," the Colonel sighed.

"Now, what do you recommend tourists to see and eat in your city?" he asked more brightly.

"There is an eating place outside the Council," announced Dumor. "They serve meals to suit visitors, our food may not be palatable to you."

"The nice thing about travel, is that you get to try different things and learn about different cultures and how they get around there problems," the Colonel announced over their lunch of deep fried pancakes topped with a syrupy sauce.

"You think trying and learning is important?" rasped Karyn with interest.

"Why of course! How else can you learn?" The Colonel answered in surprise.

"For instance," he continued. "Until yesterday I had never met anybody with arms to spare. Contrary to what fantasy writers of my time would have me think, I find them generally friendly and polite, without the urge to bite my head off at first sight."

"Mushrooms on the other hand, were something that grew in dark places and only marginally preferable to iron rations for eating." He broke off a couple of pieces from Seven of Nines iron ration biscuit and offered it to the two young Kellorns, who nibbled it cautiously, finding it tasteless but edible. Seven of Nine had found the meal too rich for her palate, so had opted to use the Iron Pack for companies sake.

"I would like the opportunity to explore space," hissed Karyn.

"Your race will have sufficient exploration over your life time establishing a new home planet," pointed out Seven of Nine sternly.

After lunch the party split up. Torres and Seven of Nine went with Dumor to have a look at the geothermal generators. Karyn in the mean time linked arms with Paris and the Colonel and took them into the city.

First port of call was the Space Academy, where she proudly introduced them to the Masters of Sciences and their students. Here Tom Paris was gently enticed, by the Colonel, to give a short lecture on space exploration. One of his most avid audience was the Colonel, which he found a little disconcerting. "I'm a newcomer to the idea, I want to learn from you as well," the Colonel confided to him afterwards. With the help of the students they tried the rocket ship simulators. Paris was by far the best pilot there. He was glad to find the Colonel was well behind him in something.

When they left Karyn took them to another hall.

"This is a special place to us. It is our concert hall, people come from great distances to attend the performances," she confided, as she took them in. As they entered the Colonel gasped. The room was a cavern a full 200' across, deep and tall, elaborately decorated with seating for more than a thousand tall Kellorans. But this is not what had attracted his attention. What had attracted it was a small black figure in a booth next to the stage, it was playing a vast pipe organ. He went straight towards it, and watched fascinated.

"I haven't seen or played anything like this in years!" He exclaimed happily to the operator when he stopped playing. The small Kellorn looked at him, mandibles wavering uncertainly, until Karyn introduced her guest.

His name was Hishkar, the halls music master. After the introductions he willingly showed the enraptured Colonel around his work place.

"You have instruments like this where you come from?" Hishkar asked, with suspicion.

"Very similar. Obviously the keyboards are arranged differently, as we have fewer appendages to play them with. We can only play three chords at once as opposed to your five," replied the Colonel.

"You are a master musician?" Hishkar asked, more interested.

"Not in your league, I'm afraid. But some of my friends claim I can play and humour me, by asking me to do so from time to time."

"Would you care to test my instrument?" He asked, succumbing to the Colonels enthusiasum.

"I would dearly like to, but I doubt I could do it justice," the Colonel admitted sadly. "It took ten years to learn to play the one at my local Church passably. I haven't got another ten years to learn to play this monster."

"I shall help you," insisted Hishkar.

"Thank you," replied the Colonel, barely containing his excitement. He turned to Karyn, "I think you and Lieutenant Paris should continue your tour, I suspect what transpires next will be quite painful," he smiled.

Hishkar proved to be a good and patient teacher. With his help the Colonel quickly learned the layout of the keyboards, then was able to play a couple of simple tunes unassisted.

"I thank you for your indulgence Mr Hishkar. As I expected, I really cannot do justice to this machine," he said at last. "But what I will do, when our ship arrives to pick my team up, is supply you with some of the music from our great composers. You might find them entertaining," he continued.

"Thank you Colonel, I'm sure I will enjoy them," Hishkar hissed, "Come I shall return you to your quarters."

Suddenly the Cavern shook violently...

Dumor led Seven of Nine and B'elanna Torres deep into the bowels of the city, to the geothermal generators. He introduced them to the plants coordinator, Tshar.

"We are here to inspect your generators for inefficiencies," announced Seven in her brusque manner.

The Kellorn hissed in annoyance at the inferred criticism. "My generators are efficient," he vowed.

Torres flinched, she knew the ex-Borgs mannerisims rarely went down well with those that didn't know her well.

"We shall see!" Seven managing to miss the inflection completely.

"You will guide us," she commanded.

To his credit, Tshar resisted the impulse to attack the rude young woman. He took them on a tour of his station and explained it's workings.

"It is quite simple. We pump liquid Sulphur Dioxide into those pipes there," he announced. "The pipes go down to an exchanger some 2000 kilometres below the surface. There the liquid becomes gas and forces it's own way up to the turbine generators."

"Why do you use something as corrosive as Sulphur Dioxide?" Asked Torres.

"We have a lot of Sulphur, and we have materials that are not affected by it," Tshar assured her.

"But surely to liquefy the gas must use a lot of the energy?" She insisted.

"Our five plants generate far more power than we need for the city, so there is no problem," Tshar announced proudly.

"How much more?" Torres asked carefully, looking at Seven of Nine, who was taking readings with a tricorder..

"About 80% now, it was only 30% until the new plant came on line a cycle ago," he announced proudly.

"And what happens to the spare power, you supply it to other cities, that are less efficient?" Suggested Torres hopefully.

"Of course not," hissed Tshar. "Most produce as much power as we do, some produce more, but we have another plant in assembly so we can match them."

Even Seven looked up from her calculations. "Making so much surplus power is inefficient," she pointed out calmly.

They were taken to the turbine halls. The corroding pipes were leaking hot sulphur dioxide gas, it made them cough forcing them to withdraw hurriedly.

They sat together silently recovering from the fumes in a small office situated above the thermal reclamation plant.

Tired of the silence B'elanna asked. "So, how many times have you and the Colonel shared a bed together?"

"Once," announced Seven of Nine without looking up from the PADD.

"What about on the ship, everybody knows you use his quarters?" persisted B'elanna.

Again Seven replied without looking up from her calculations. "He permits me to use his quarters should I wish not to spend time in regeneration. If I wish to use his bed, he uses a chair."

"No kidding?" Asked the amazed B'elanna Torres. She couldn't imagine Tom Paris doing that in the same circumstances. "A strange romance," she thought. "One governed totally by his sense of decency and honour, stiff as a board, but what controls Seven?" She wondered, "Ignorance? Fear? Shyness?" None seemed likely.

"I do not 'kid'," pointed out the unperturbed Seven of Nine.

"So, what happened last night?" Torres persisted, this was too good to be true she decided.

This time Seven of Nine did look up. "I wanted to experience comfort like you and Lieutenant Paris share."

"Go on, did you?" Asked Torres in morbid fascination.

"No!"

"So, what did you do together?"

"We kissed and he held me," the tone was flat.

"Then what happened?" She was getting exasperated, getting information like this from Seven of Nine was like getting blood from a stone.

"The earth shook and we went to sleep. It was.." She paused for thought, "Sufficient." She paused again, then added, "For the time being."

B'elanna Torres sighed for the frustration that Seven of Nine must have felt. "What is the matter with the man!" She thought, "The most beautiful and available woman on the ship, has practically poured herself on him. But he wouldn't do what was natural when the opportunity presented itself."

She felt like screaming, but then suggested mildly. "If you want him that badly, you may just have to take him yourself and not wait."

"You believe so?" Asked Seven, coolly looking her in the eyes.

"Yes!" Torres replied emphatically.

"I shall consider your recommendation," stated Seven, returning to the PADD. A few minutes more passed.

Finally she looked up. "My calculations show a major error in the design of the geothermal generators," she began.

The room suddenly shook violently, throwing the two women to the floor then into the wall. A mighty explosion occurred outside. It went dark as the lights went out. They recovered slowly, stunned by the noise and shock. In the darkness Torres moaned softly. On her hands and knees, Seven of Nine crawled towards the sound.

"You are damaged?" she asked in the darkness.

"It's my leg I can't move it," gasped Torres in pain.

Seven of Nine, felt for the leg and followed it cautiously along it's length, feeling blood. "There is a compound fracture below the knee," she announced at length. "Doubtless due to your impact with the wall. I shall attempt to put it straight and splint it."

"Doubtless," hissed Torres, in agony as Seven of Nine attempted to pull the leg straight.

By feel Seven of Nine found two chair legs, which she placed against Torres's leg. "I will need something to tie the splints to your leg with, and bandages" she said confused.

"Use uniform sleeves," suggested Torres, gasping in pain. "There is a knife in my pocket."

Quickly Seven of Nine searched for and retrieved the knife and carefully cut and tore at their sleeves. Still not having enough for her needs she slit the legs of her own suit. Then bandaged her companions wounds, strapping the leg tightly to the improvised splints.

She tried her communicator, without success. "I shall attempt to summon assistance," she announced. Carefully she crept to the door. Desperately she grabbed for the door frame stopping her as she teetered on the brink of a headlong fall into the machinery below. Grappling with the panic inside her, she looked out. A faint red glow was starting to light the machine hall below her, showing amongst the twisting shadows signs of the carnage below where the great machinery had been thrown into the air, nor could she signs of life. Of more immediate concern to her was that the ledge that had allowed them access to the room had gone.

"We are unable to escape," she announced, matter of factly. "The walkway to the room has collapsed."

She settled by Torres, dragging her knees to her chin in a child like attempt at dismissing the dangers.

"Stay with me!" Torres screamed at her, seeing Seven of Nine descending into panic. "We need to focus to get out of here!"

"Put this on." Torres commanded, throwing the shocked Seven of Nine a respirator. She helped the numbed girl into the mask then put her own on. Together they sat and waited, hoping for the Colonel to arrive.

Feeling the ground shake violently, the Colonel looked up desperately. He could see the great organ pipes tottering ominously. Without thinking he grabbed Hishkar and threw him under the organs keyboards, then dived after him.

"Why did you do that!" hissed Hishkar in fury. Then the second shock hit the hall. They watched as the seats started to heave, then with a great tearing of metal the organ pipes crashed into the floor around them, rapidly followed by large amounts of the roof. They were plunged into darkness as silence descended.

The Colonel shook his head to clear it, letting his training take over and settle his nerves.

"Will that serve as a reason? Not hurt are you?" Asked the Colonel as he scrabbled in his jacket. Eventually he pulled out a small torch and shone it on the frightened Kellorn.

"Now, you can see better than me in the dark. I need you to lead me back to my quarters. I must find out what happened to my people!" he demanded, dragging Hishkar from under the remains of the organ. "Then we had better get you to safety before the next 'quake hits. Come on. Move!"

In a daze the Kellorn, staggered to comply. Slowly they left the concert hall and entered the tunnels outside. In the weak light of the Colonels small torch they examined the carnage in the tunnel. Fifty yards one way a tram had been thrown clear of it's rails. It had rolled on its roof, then was partially submerged in rock from the roof. There were moans and cry's from inside the destroyed vehicle.

"Paris to Colonel," a shaky voice croaked over the communicator.

Rapidly the Colonel responded. "Report your situation Lieutenant! Who is with you?" He asked formally, hoping that Star Fleet training was strong enough to take over from panic.

"I, I'm in the quarters, with Karldoric and Kashar," came the shaky reply.

"Very good. Are Seven of Nine and Lieutenant Torres with you?" The Colonel asked, slowly forming and pronouncing the words for impact.

"N-No, they are still in the generator rooms! We've got to get them out!" The Colonel could sense the panic starting in Paris's voice.

"Very good. Now, keep calm and listen to me! I'm at the concert Hall. Get Karldoric to take you to whatever serves as a hospital here. There are a lot of injured people around and they will need your medical assistance!"

"But Seven and B'Elanna, we've got.."

The Colonel cut in, harshly. "Between them, they'll have the sense to stay put. A rescue party will find them. After you reach the hospital, get our Kellorn hosts to send a rescue party to the Concert hall. I need you to do your duty Lieutenant, NOW!"

With that he shut down the communicator and turned to the tram. "Do you know first aid?" He asked Hishkar.

"No," the Kellorn stammered.

"Now's a good time to learn then. Come on!" He snapped.

"You can be sick afterwards," he added in a gentler tone.

Together they crawled into the smashed tram. There appeared to be twenty Kellorn on the vehicle.

"Work your way through the carriage, check each person for a pulse or signs of breathing. If their not breathing forget them. There are too many casualties to start phaffing with mouth to mouth resuscitation, now move"" He ordered.

They found eight Kellorns still alive, by the Colonels definition. Most with broken limbs, some with deep puncture wounds. By the light of the little torch the Colonel sat and taught Hishkar how to apply emergency first aid.

Karldoric brought up a rescue party thirty minutes later. Relieved of the need to apply first aid to the injured, Hishkar was heartily sick against the wall. The Colonel comforted him as best he could.

"I am sorry about this, Colonel," Karldoric said sombrely, "We should have known that a major tremor was due to hit us."

"You are hurt?" he asked suddenly sensing blood.

"Apology's can wait Councillor, so can superficial wounds," the Colonel announced, feeling a cut in his scalp he hadn't noticed before. "We have work to do. Are your children all right?"

"Yes, they were in the Council Chambers when the 'quake struck. They were designed to withstand huge tremors," Karldoric announced, relieved.

"I'm glad, now about a party to rescue my missing crew members?"

"Kashar is responsible for arranging rescue groups."

"And has he?" The Colonel asked, with the suspicion he knew the answer.

"No. The plant workers that survived the explosion, claimed that the whole plant has been destroyed and nobody is left alive."

"We had better go and see him about it then hadn't we?" The Colonel suggested levelly.

Aboard the Voyager, Chakotay was sitting on the bridge, nursing a cup of coffee. A young Ensign approached him.

"Excuse me Commander," he said nervously.

"Yes Ensign?" sighed Chakotay, taking a draught from his mug. The Ensign was acting as a temporary replacement in the Astrometrics lab. He was having problems with the equipment that Ensign Kim and Seven of Nine had developed.

"I was scanning Kellor with the long range scanners," the Ensign started. "They appear to have had a major earthquake in the capital city," he finished quickly.

Chakotay choked on his coffee. "You misread the results," he suggested hopefully.

"No sir! I'll show you!" The Ensign insisted.

"I'm sure your mistaken," said Chakotay getting up and following him, coffee in hand.

He checked the results on the science station. He started in shock, dropping the mug. "Voyager to Captain, priority," he shouted at his communicator.

On Desdur the Captain was in genteel conversation with the planets president, Buton, discussing Kellors potential problems, when Chakotay's voice hit her communicator.

"What's up?" she asked casually.

The reply stopped her in her tracks.

"Either the Colonel has started a war, or Kellor has suffered a cataclysmic catastrophe."

She went white, "what happened?"

"The capital city has been hit by an earthquake. Sensors estimate greater than Richter Scale 9!" Chakotay responded.

"Any response from the Away Team?"

"Nothing. But if they were in the city, we couldn't get through anyhow."

"Is there a problem," asked Buton, seeing her face.

"I think there is," replied the Captain, her mind reeling. "It seems that Kellor has had an earthquake and we cannot raise our Away Team."

"Oh, they frequently have earthquakes. They are an irritation there, so they build for them," Buton assured her.

"They didn't build for this one. It appears to have destroyed the capital city," Janeway advised him.

It was his turn to look ashen.

"I shall have to return with my people and start a rescue mission to get my team there out."

"Yes, you must. I also will have to arrange our own rescue missions. If you will excuse me," Buton announced, turning away.

"Captain to Away Team, return to the ship, immediately," she called on her communicator, her voice harsh.

On the ship, she immediately started to give commands. "Continue trying to reach the away team," she ordered Tuvok.

"Yes Captain!"

"Harry, set course for Kellor, Warp 7."

"Yes Captain, Time to orbit 9 hours."

"Chakotay, keep scanning the planet for anymore events. Doctor prepare for possible casualties."

Running out of commands to give, she could only slump in her seat and wait, nervously.

On Kellor war between the Colonel and Councillor Kashar was starting to look a distinct possibility. It had started out amicably enough. The Colonel and Karldoric had found him watching a Kellorn rescue team bring in more injured survivors. The Colonel asked politely, if he could join the rescue team to rescue his crew from the geothermal plant.

"I assure you Colonel, there is nobody alive down there. Especially your people, if the explosion didn't kill them then the fumes will very shortly," Kashgar announced, smugly.

"You know that for sure, do you?" The Colonel asked sharply.

"I do not need to know, just ask the survivors from the plant. But perhaps I could be persuaded to send a couple of people?" He suggested.

"What sort of persuasion Councillor?" The Colonel asked, carefully.

"You will give us the secret of warp drive and your weapons systems!" he announced glibbly.

"Your demands are unreasonable Kashar," protested Karldoric. "The Colonel and his people are already putting their own lives at risk, helping our people, instead of running for safety. We should attempt to rescue his partners."

"Quiet!" Kashar commanded, "We need these things to protect ourselves from our enemies."

"So I give you warp drive and photon torpedoes. Then you will return them to me alive or more probably dead. Is that it?" The Colonel replied menacingly.

"Yes!"

The Colonel's anger boiled over. Grabbing the big Kellorn by the lapels of his gown, he slammed him against the wall, then pulled his face down by the mandibles, bring it close to his.

"Listen to me and listen good!" He snarled, "I was warned I shouldn't upset you earlier on today because you have a tendency for violence. But I'll tell you now, the last person on this planet you want to upset, right now, is me! Because when it comes to acts of violence, I leave you and whatever pretend armies you have in the starting blocks. Your antennae allow you to sense me and my intentions, don't they? Use them! You'll find I could quite happily rip you into pieces, then beat your men to a bloody pulp with those same pieces, before they knew where I was!"

The Colonel released the Councillor. Who did use his antennae, rapidly, he reeled back at the anger that he sensed.

"Now," asked the Colonel sweetly, "Do I get my rescue team? Or do I turn this city into a blood bath?"

Karldoric stepped in bravely, he also had sensed the Colonel's growing fury. The Council were all afraid of Kashar. But the fear of Kashar he felt, was nothing compared to the terror he had felt when the human was threatening the Councillor.

"You will have your rescue party, Colonel," he stated quickly. He waved over a party of some twenty short swarthy black Kellorn.

"These are worker cast, they will work for you. Look after them?"

"Thank you Councillor. I shall take care of them as though they were my own men," he answered in his more normal tones.

"Your name sir?" He asked the Kellorn who seemed to control the group.

"Rush, Master," he replied deferentially.

"First, Mister Rush. I'm the Colonel, not your master and second, I want you to make sure we don't kill ourselves. Now, I wish to go to the geothermal generators. I believe I have some friends there that need help, will you help?"

"As you command Master Colonel," replied Rush, still in deferential tones.

The Colonel sighed. "Lets go!" He turned and followed his new platoon of workers.

The heat in the tunnel leading to the plant was intense. "This is not good Master Colonel," Rush informed the Colonel, "There is much fire ahead. Too much gas as well!"

"Keep going Mr Rush," the Colonel urged.

They reached the end of the tunnel and stopped short. The tunnel normally came out into the turbine room about thirty feet from the floor of the hall. The floor was then reached by a series of stairs and walkways. All of this was now gone. In the place of the vast machinery, was a bubbling pool of lava now less than 15' below the tunnel. The heat was like the inside of a furnace.

"Mr Rush, can your people use your antennae as well as the others? Can you sense if there is anybody else here?" He asked urgently.

Rush returned to his co-workers and they gathered together sensors waving. A minute later Rush returned to him. "We sense there are two others like you, Master Colonel."

"Where, man, where?" He insisted urgently.

"They are in that room there, Master Colonel." The small Kellorn gestured at a door about twenty feet away and slightly above them.

The Colonel looked. There appeared to have been a walkway up to the room from the landing on which they stood. It like the rest of the room had been reduced to a pile of mangled metal.

He drew a deep breath, then lifting his respirator. With a voice trained for parade grounds, he yelled, "Seven of Nine, Lieutenant Torres!" Quickly he pulled the respirator on again.

He was reassured by what he thought were voices from the room.

Desperately he scanned the area, searching for some method of reaching the isolated door. His eyes alighted on a pile of what looked like railway track, each piece appeared to be about fifty feet in length.

"Mr Rush are your people strong?" He asked.

"Yes Master Colonel," came the deferential voice.

"Are you strong enough to run two of those rails into that door?" he asked, hopefully.

"Yes Master Colonel," he replied.

"Good, then do it."

He stood back and watched. He was impressed by the way they worked together, manhandling the heavy rail as he had requested.

"Now," the Colonel said to Rush. "Send two people back to Karldoric, nobody else. Tell him that the lava here will be entering the city in a few hours. We have to block the tunnel. Tell him I want explosives and detonators. When they get them, they are to wait for us about half way down the tunnel, got that, it is important!"

"Yes, Master Colonel. I'll do it."

"Good, now the rest of you sit on the rails, there is bound to be another tremor soon, I don't want them to move."

Without waiting to see if they complied he sprinted up the rails into the room.

He pulled out his torch and shone it around. He found Seven of Nine and Torres, unconscious on the floor. Desperately he checked them over, Torres screamed as he inadvertently kicked her leg, Seven still appeared to have a pulse. Quickly he picked up Seven of Nine and ran back down the rails. He could feel the heat building in the rails, through the thick soles of his boots.

"You two!" He pointed at two of the Kellorn, "Take this one to the hospital, quickly!" He commanded. Then he turned and ran back up the rails.

He picked up Torres as gently as he could, slinging her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift and started down the rails again. He got about halfway when a new tremor hit the cavern. Desperately he fought for balance as the rails shifted, then fell straddling a rail as the second slipped into the lava below. Desperately he grabbed and held the remaining rail with his free hand, screaming as the hot metal burnt into it.

As the tremor subsided, he gently started to inch his way down the rail again. Each hand hold screaming through his mind. He reached the end and Kellorn hands lifted Torres away.

"Take her to the hospital as well, careful she's hurt!" He hissed, fighting the agony.

Carefully he got up, then staggered almost falling as a wave of nausea hit him. He was grabbed by more than a dozen hands. "Master Colonel, is injured. We should take him to the hospital," voices muttered.

"Not 'till we blow the tunnel!" He hissed, "Help me!"

His reduced platoon almost carried him back up the tunnel. They met Karldoric coming the other way with another team of worker Kellorn's laden with explosives.

"How much time have we got?" The frightened Councillor asked.

"I don't know!" The Colonel answered, "An hour, maybe two. None at all if another tremor like the last one hits us."

"You must set the explosives into the walls and roof, you must block this tunnel right off. If you can do that you may just give your people time to get out of the city!"

"You will help us?" Asked the Councillor.

"I, I don't think I can," the Colonel stammered, then collapsed, sobbing and writhing on the floor, until he thankfully passed out.

Karldoric took one look at the Colonels injuries, then shouted at three of the Colonels party, "Take him to the infirmary, immediately!"

"The rest of you start drilling into the walls and roof, quickly," he demanded of the rest.

In the hospital Seven of Nine was making a good recovery from the heat exhaustion caused in the turbine room, though the fumes still left her breathless. She watched as Torres was brought in and laid gently on the ground beside her. When Tom had finished treating her broken leg as best he could, she reached out a hand and gripped Torres's hand in hers. Torres woke, the effects of the heat having less of an effect on her metabolism than on Seven of Nines. She looked at Seven and smiled, then looking past her she saw the Colonel being carried in. Her smile changed from a smile to one of horror as she saw his hand, blackened and blistered. Seeing her partners face change, Seven looked around and stifled a gasp of horror at the sight, burying her head in the pillow.

"Tom," Yelled Torres, attracting Tom Paris's attention. "Tom, the Colonel, he's badly hurt!"

She dragged herself over to Seven of Nine, and held her firmly, trying to comfort her.

"I need the Doctor for this," announced Tom Paris. "I don't know where to start!" He exclaimed in panic.

"Then it is a good thing I'm here!" Came a calm voice behind him.

Paris turned spun around, in alarm. "Doc! How long have you been here?" He stammered in amazement.

"Long enough to see you panic!" the doctor informed him. "Now we had better get you all up to the ship."

"I'm staying here!" Announced Tom Paris firmly. "The Colonel ordered me to do my duty and care for the injured."

"Your stood down Lieutenant," said the Captain, appearing behind the Doctor.

"No ma'am," he refused. "The Doctor is needed to treat the Colonel and some of the other badly injured people. But there are many others here I can treat, now we have supplies. You put us in the Colonel's charge and he would have it no other way!"

"I see!" Said the Captain, stonily. "Very well as you feel so strongly, you may stay for a while, but I want you safely back on the ship as soon as possible. I'll deal with him when he recovers!" She turned.

A heavy rumbling was heard in the distance. Everyone looked around in alarm. In his unconscious state the Colonel stirred. "He's done it! The city will be safe now!" He announced, then slipped back thankfully into unconsciousness.

"What's he talking about?" The Captain asked one of the Kellorn who was holding the Colonel.

"The Master Colonel wanted the tunnels to the generators sealed to stop the lava!" The small Kellorn answered.

"Get him out of here," she said crisply. She walked off, shaking her head.

The Doctor with Seven of Nine, spent the next twenty-four hours treating the Colonel's wounds. Occasionally he would wake, screaming in pain and the doctor would quickly sedate him. Carefully they employed re-constructive surgery and more nano-probes from Seven of Nines blood stream to reconstruct the hand, which had burnt almost to the bone. They removed the remains of his uniform trousers, and treated the burns, where he had been sat upon the hot steel and spread reconstructive salves to the skin that had been exposed to the heat in the generator room.

Finally Seven of Nine sat down beside him exhausted. Taking his good hand, she sat back and waited, eventually dozing off. The doctor woke her roughly and forced her to go to her regeneration cell. She spent two hours there, then went to the Colonel's quarters, where she spent another fitful four hours curled up on his bed. Finally she got up and returned to the Colonel in sickbay. She was chased back to the regeneration cubicle by the doctor, when he found her a couple of hours later.

The Colonel awoke, groggy from the sedation, the next day, to be met by the Doctor's impassive face.

"So your awake are you!" The doctor said in an impassive voice. "You are a lot of trouble to me. Perhaps you should have your bed moved here, it may save time in future. Then Seven could have a chair by your bed so she can sleep," it was almost a sneer.

"Maybe, I'll just be killed next time?" The Colonel suggested mildly.

"The way we use nano probes on you, I doubt that is possible. At the rate Seven wastes them on you, you could have more of them than she does!"

The Colonel was confused by the Doctors attitude. He knew his humour verged on the sarcastic, but this appeared to be extreme, even for him. He sighed. "My apology's Doctor."

He let it go at that, he didn't have the strength to pursue the problem, there and then.

He spent the next couple of hours making out his report ready for the Captain. She turned up, with Chakotay, soon after he finished, both looked grim.

"I don't know whether to congratulate you and the others or send you all to the brig," she announced, coming straight to the point.

"Life is full of decisions," he suggested mildly.

"You endangered my crew, I've had all three refuse my orders. It's not acceptable!"

"Did my mission succeed?" The Colonel asked gently.

"Oh yes! They think your some sort of benign angel down there! They keep going on about how you saved their city, especially Councillor Karldoric. We have been offered more food stuff than we could carry even if we stored them in crevice in the ship!"

"But, Tom Paris, spent another thirty hours down there treating the injured, claiming it was his duty and after I had ordered him to return. B'elanna Torres insisted on installing emergency generators herself and Seven of Nine when not holding your hand, designed a brand new geo-thermal generator that won't make the planet destroy itself, instead of regenerating properly."

"In that case the mission is a success. I am proud of my team, and so should you be. They've learned to do their duty, no matter what the consequence," he announced. He handed her the PADD which he had been using.

"What's this?" She asked suspiciously.

"My report. It is fully up-to-date, including the actions of Lieutenants Paris, Torres and Miss Seven of Nine. I accept responsibility for any derogatory consequences of their actions. So anything you wish to do to them, you do to me instead. I shall deal with them personally when I get out of here."

She took it, stunned. "How can it be up-to-date, you've been in here for two days unconscious!" She

exclaimed.

"Just because I'm not awake doesn't mean I'm not listening. You would be surprised what Seven of Nine told me while sat next to my bed. I was!"

They left him.

He was summoned to the Ready Room the next day. He arrived to find Paris, Torres and Seven of Nine already there. They fell in behind him, with Tuvok and a security team behind them, as he swung painfully to attention facing the Captain and Chakotay.

"You summoned me Ma'am," he intoned without inflection.

She got up and started to pace the room.

"I have read your report Colonel, very carefully." She paused impressively. "I have come to the conclusion, that you did what you thought was in the best interests of the crew and the ship. I also read your commendations of the actions of all three of your team. Based on what I know of your standards and have seen, I have no choice but to enter those officially in the Star Fleet records."

"Based upon what the Councillor Karldoric has told me, I must also enter a similar commendation in the records for your actions," she added.

"I officially request that it is struck, Ma'am, I merely did my duty as laid down in Queens Regulations," the Colonel protested. "Some of my team were injured, it would be inappropriate."

"I cannot help the fact that the standards you and your regulations set for you are impossibly high," she announced. "It has already been entered. Along with your punishments. For insubordination to a senior officer in charge, I sentence you all to two weeks loss of privileges and rank. In respect to the request from the Colonel to accept all the consequences upon himself , he shall serve them, concurrently. Dismissed!" She smiled at them, as the Colonel saluted and stiffly did a quarter turn.

"How could she do that?" asked Paris in confusion when they left.

The Colonel answered him. "When you reach the ranks of Captain in the Navy, or Colonel in the Army, the rules become a little confused. If you are prepared to accept the consequences, it is quite possible to bend them to suit your needs. I did, down on Kellor, when I told you to do your duty and treat the wounded. And the Captain did just now. She's simply reminding me that you belong to her and are ultimately her responsiblity. She knows there is no statute to transfer punishment to one person, she also knows I have replicator rations spare from the last few months. And two weeks seniority is nothing to a rank that's been held for six hundred years."

"Not that I am likely to be charging around a holodeck for a couple of weeks," he added ruefully.

"I'll have you know, I am proud of your actions. They were on a par with what I would of expected from my men. Now I owe you dinner, tonight my quarters, say eight o'clock.?" He suggested.

"Tom and I will be busy tonight," interjected Torres.

"But you and Seven should have dinner," she added, looking meaningfully at Seven of Nine.

"I shall comply," she announced, returning her look.

"Good. Now I've a couple of things to do with my squirreled rations. If you will excuse me." He saluted the Lieutenants and bowed to Seven of Nine.

He met Councillor Karldoric in the transporter room. "You are recovered Colonel?" He asked in delight.

"Almost Sir," he announced, "How is your move planning working?"

"Very well I think. We have identified a planet from your records, and your Captain has honoured your pledge to take a party there to start construction. The new thermal generator designs you've supplied should give us far more time to get there safely. And Kashar is a changed kellorn since you threatened him,"

"I would ask a favour of you, if I may, Sir?" The Colonel asked.

"Name it," said Karldoric.

"There is a musician, Hishkar, who played in the concert hall. He did me the honour of trying to teach me to play his organ. Could you give him these for me." He handed the Councillor a box of sound recordings. "I know it will be some time before he has the organ working again, but perhaps they will give him inspiration."

"Thank you Colonel, I shall do as you ask. I also have a small gift for you," the Councillor announced, he pointed to six crates. "Six cases of Marathon."

"Thank you sir, I'll ensure they don't go to waste." The Colonel saluted the tall Kellorn as he was transported back to his planet.

Seven of Nine appeared in his quarters exactly on time. Dinner was washed down with a bottle of Marathon. After which, due to the discomfort of sitting he opted to lay on the bed. She lounged next to him, and tenderly kissed him.

"I could get used to this," he announced. "I think I shall have to widen the bed!"

"You are reckless, next time we may not be able repair you," she scolded softly.

Then louder, "Computer, lights out!"

She settled in his arms, "I wish to experience the sensations of comfort as I did on Kellor, you will provide it." she demanded gently.