Chapter 13
Now
Ensign Harry Kim never knew Engineering could look so dark.
It was spooky and Kim wished he had something to work with, or that Janeway requested he stay on the bridge. But neither one worked at the moment. He knew the plan, and had to relay the information to the Engineering team.
Kim kept looking towards the door, waiting for Tom to walk in. But nothing happened.
So, Kim was now basically trapped in Engineering with everyone else. Not to mention, it was getting hotter with every passing moment.
Suddenly, something made Kim look up. He wasn't quite sure what it was, though. A slight noise from the lower deck. He moved toward the glass part and peered down, trying to see through the darkness.
A flash of light, and it wasn't a palm beacon. It looked like phaser fire. Then he heard some strange voices. A voice he recognized. It was the automated voice of the Demori. They were on Voyager.
Kim gulped, not feeling very good all of a sudden. He was pretty sure the rest of the engineering crew, hell, the rest of the crew maybe, was stunned or killed. Kim might be the only one left…
"Ensign Kim."
Kim whirled around. Ensign Vorik was behind him, sitting on his heel behind a console.
Kim joined him. "Did you get a look at them?"
"I did not." Vorik responded. "I do believe the weapons they are using will not harm the crew members, though they will be…'knocked out', for a few hours."
Kim nodded. "What do they want?" He muttered. "How did they get on Voyager?"
"They used transporters." Vorik informed. "My hypothesis would be that when the Demori took our computer systems, that included the transporters."
Kim nodded. "Sounds plausible. But why would they want Voyager?"
"To many species in this quadrant, Voyager had been more powerful and better equipped than any they've ever encountered. They may want to take it and use it to their advantage."
Kim nodded. That was another good theory. "Now, the last question. How did they get in range close enough to-"
"Z'Mor, I believe that every engineer crew member is now put asleep." A voice said suddenly, switching to a hard metallic voice that Kim could understand.
"Z'Mor?" He whispered. "Isn't that the Chancellor's name that is trying to help us get our systems back from the Demori?"
"I believe that is correct."
Kim's mouth dropped open. "We've been tricked!"
"We've managed to bring back power to the viewscreen and shields."
Chakotay looked up from his command chair at Tuvok. "What about weapons and sensors?"
"We have not yet received enough power from 7's alcove to bring either back on-line."
Chakotay sighed and turned to the viewscreen. "Let's at least take a look."
The viewscreen came to life and Chakotay found himself staring at the 'airplane' ship. Chakotay stared at it, then asked. "Are there any other ships in the vicinity?"
"Negative."
Chakotay was on his feet before he even knew what was going on. "Kathryn!"
Janeway appeared in the doorway of her ready-room. He waved her forward and walked toward him, 7 following closely.
"Notice anything?" Chakotay indicated to the viewscreen.
Janeway paled. "Is there any other ship?"
"No."
Janeway turned her head to Chakotay and their eyes met. "We've been lied to."
