Safekeeper part 4
Disclaimer: See part three.
Hours had passed since the away team was on the planet. Voyager's tactical officer detected a weak spot. "Captain, where it appears the shield generates from, it is weakened every 51.6 minutes."
"How long until it next weakens."
"In 9.7 minutes."
"We'll probably have the same away team."
"Yes we will," Kathryn said who was also on the bridge. "We should get going." She started leaving to the transporter room. Annika followed. As she entered she heard the Captain say, "Good-luck."
The Captain tapped the com on his chair, "Forrest and Kindle report to the Transporter Room, and find Neelix and bring him too. We found a weak point and you are going below the surface.
When Kathryn reached the Transporter Room, Pearl was already there.
"How long until we leave?" Kathryn asked.
"5 minutes 4 seconds."
Neelix and Alex entered.
"Remember that when you go down we have to beam you in the same place you arrived in 51.6 minutes. If your not there you'll have to wait another 51.6 minutes."
"Will we be able to communicate with you?"
"I don't know."
They stepped on the Transporter Pad.
"3.2 minutes."
After 3.2 minutes passed they beam down. They arrived to what look like a city, or town square. The people stared at them. One approached them, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
"We are looking for two of our people. They were kidnapped and we were told they might have been taken here."
"Two people? I saw two but I don't know where they are now."
"There must be a way out." Harry snapped.
He and B'Elanna had asked everyone if there was a way out and either no one knew or no one told. Now they were trying to find a way for themselves but so far, they failed.
"We need to contact Voyager," Harry said. "We should have just said no. Instead we waited and she died. We didn't even have the chance to learn anything. We should-"
"Do you normally complain about things when your in a bad mood?" B'Elanna asked.
"Sorry, I...I'm just worried."
"Makes sense with all that's happening."
Harry nodded, not dare saying who he was truly worried about.
"There doesn't seem to be anything here," B'Elanna continued, "Let's try to find it someplace else."
After the man left, Kathryn tapped her communicator that was strapped to her left arm, "Away Team to Voyager."
It was staticy and hard to hear. "Cap...ere. Wh...you fou..."
"Not our people, but I still need to talk to people and ask around." Kathryn wondered how much of that was heard.
"Un...ood."
"Kathryn out."
"Captain," Pearl said, "The shield seems to be getting to my tricorder. It detects Ensign Kim and Torres but I can't locate where."
Another Ocampa approached, "You can't take them. Safekeeper brought them here. She did it so they can stay. You cannot take them."
"Where is the Safekeeper?"
"None of your business."
Harry and B'Elanna were on a ramp when something caught his eye. He looked towards the middle of the Town Square, sure enough, there was Kathryn, Annika, Pearl, and two people he had never seen before.
"What is she doing here?" B'Elanna asked when she saw what Harry was looking at.
"Looking for us."
"That's impossible."
Harry found the stairs down. B'Elanna followed, "Let me talk. You don't know her."
As Harry approached, Annika saw him, she smiled but didn't say anything. Kathryn was still talking to the Ocampa. They others just happen to be looking in the other direction. When he was closer he asked, "Looking for someone?"
Kathryn turned quickly at his voice. "Harry? Harry!"
"Kathrena."
He reached her quickly and they hugged.
B'Elanna wasn't quite sure what to think, or say, she finally said, "Um, I'm afraid to ask this but how do you know each other."
Harry answered, "We met when I joined the Academy. At the time she was working there, she was the doctor."
"I see."
Harry spoke, "Kathrena, the Safekeeper told us a lot. He kidnapped us to," he spoke quieter so the Ocampa near couldn't hear him, "Replace him. He was dying and he knew it, so he search the Galaxy for someone or someones he can teach all he knows and they can takeover after he dies."
"Please don't tell me he's dead."
"Sorry. He didn't get to tell us much. One thing was, he had a space station somewhere near the planet."
"The Array."
"So you've seen it and named it."
"Yes, wait, if the Safekeeper died. Who takes care of the Array now?"
"No one, the Safekeeper was worried about that."
B'Elanna started remembering when she first met Harry. One one the first things he did was ask about the people on the Kaay. When she told Harry that Kathryn figured out she was Starfleet he had said, "Oh? I wonder how that could happen?" Now that she thought about he hadn't been very surprised. Now she was wondering if he had anything to do with her getting caught.
"The Kazon," Kathryn said suddenly, "We met them on the surface. If they got hold of the Array..."
"They would love that," Neelix added.
Harry and B'Elanna looked at him curiously. B'Elanna asked, "Who are you?"
"Neelix. I'm Talaxian. I agreed to help the Captain and Janeway in return for supplies."
Kathryn spoke, "We need to return to the place we beamed down and be there in..."
"38.2 minutes." Pearl finished off as she looked at her tricorder.
"We have a lot of time," B'Elanna responded.
Another Ocampa approached them, it was Sdar, "Excuse but many Ocampa want to know why you are here?"
"Looking for these two." Janeway pointed to Harry and B'Elanna.
"They want to take them," said another Ocampa near-by.
Sdar looked at the other quickly then turned back. "I know why the Safekeeper took you two. But since he never had the chance to teach you to take his place their is no reason for you to stay. You can stay if you want, but you can also leave."
"Thank you," B'Elanna said.
"Kaay t... way," Tuvok's voice came through Kathryn's communicator.
"Yes, continue." She spoke loud so Tuvok would hear her easier.
"...Ka...ming."
"What?!"
"The...zon...come..."
"I think," Annika said, "He said 'the Kazon are coming.' "
"How long?!"
"Abou...fort...nutes."
Forty minutes? Or forty-something minutes.
"Listen Tuvok, destroy the Array!"
"Wha.."
"Destroy the Array before the Kazon come!"
After that all she heard was static.
Alex looked at her in surprise. He was surprise a Maquis would rather have the Array destroyed rather then using it herself to go home.
Kathryn noticed his surprise and seem to know what he was thinking. "Why are you so surprised that I don't want the Kazons using the Array to invade Ocampan? Because I'm Maquis? If you recall, the thing that started the Maquis was when the Ferengi started invaded the ex-Federation planets that had Federation colonies."
Alex nodded slightly.
Kathryn turned to Sdar, "Will you be able to manage without the Caretaker?"
"I think we will. She gave us enough power to to last 25 years. Also she gave instructions how to get more power and to take care of ourselves. She was prepared if she couldn't find anyone to take care of us." He turned to Harry and B'Elanna, "I hope you liked your stay at the planet. I'm sorry for the inconvenience the Safekeeper caused. Good-bye."
Harry smiled then used his hands to say good-bye in Ocampa.
Sdar smiled, then left.
"I suggest we go to the beam out point and wait until they can beam us out," Annika said. "There is nothing else for us to do here."
"She wants to what?!"
Tuvok wasn't pleased with the reaction the Captain had when Tuvok told him what Kathryn had told him to do.
"Has she gone nuts?! Why?!" The Captain asked.
Tuvok crossed his arms and looked at the forward view screen, "Captain Janeway has not gone crazy. I'm sure she has good reason for wanting to blow up the Array."
Tuvok liked the idea only because he didn't like the Array. The owner of it had brought them to this side of the galaxy, then kidnapped them. Then returned all but kept a Maquis and a Starfleet. Their was no telling what the crazy Safekeeper would do next.
"I will," Tuvok continued, "Follow her orders, whether you agree or not. I su-"
"Wait-wait-wait, Tuvok!" The Captain said, "The order might have something to do with the Kazon. Why don't we wait until we can beam them up, which will be before the Kazon come, so they can explain why it needs to be destroyed."
"That was not the order!" Tuvok was getting angry, he really wanted to destroy the Array, ever since it took them from the Alpha Quadrant.
"It might be our only way home."
"Why would the Safekeeper send us home after what he has done to us?" Tuvok signaled for the transmission to be cut off. The screen went blank. "Peter, take us closer to the Array. George, as soon as you can, fire phasers at the Array and put this on screen."
The Array was in the view screen. It was getting bigger.
"Tuvok," George said, "Voyager is moving to put itself between us and the Array."
"Then let's do this faster."
The Array on the view screen got bigger quicker. Phasers were seen being shot at it several times before it exploded.
"Back to the planet," Tuvok said, happy the Array was finally gone.
The Captain couldn't believe his eyes, "They destroyed our only way home. Why?" He didn't bother hailing Tuvok, what would he say?
Neelix who was on the bridge softly said, "The Safekeeper is not going to be happy about this. Unless he was in there. Then he'd be dead."
Tuvok sat down and gave an order, "Beam up Kathryn, Annika, and Harry as soon as you can."
On the planet they waited until the time to be able to beam up. They made small talk as they waited.
B'Elanna approached Harry, "Ok, your a Maquis spy, right?
"Yes."
" I have a couple questions, two to be exact."
"Ok."
"Are you the reason they found out I was a spy?"
"Yes, I sent a coded message to Kathena."
B'Elanna nodded, part of her was angry at him for telling, the other part knew he was doing his job. "My other question, why did you volunteer to help find the Kaay? You were probably worried about your friends, but as I see it, a Maquis was helping Starfleet find a Maquis ship."
"Voyager would have the same luck in finding them if there was a Maquis spy on Voyager or not. If they did find the Kaay, they were to capture it. I was on board to help keep it from being captured. Even if it meant I would be caught."
B'Elanna nodded, "Thanks." She walked away and sat down.
On Voyager the Captain waited for the time to beam up his crew. The time came, the transporter chief called, "Transporter Room to the Bridge, we can now beam them out."
"Beam out Forrest, Torres, Kim, and Kindle."
After a few seconds, the transporter chief said, "Captain, I got Forrest, Torres, and Kindle. But I couldn't get Kim. I'm locating him,he's on the Kaay."
From behind him the Captain heard someone say, "Maybe while Janeway was on the planet she found out that Torres was a spy. She got mad that she helped two Starfleet so she kidnapped Kim. She didn't kidnap Torres because Torres knows the ship and could more likely escape. Janeway figured-"
"Nice explanation," The Captain interrupted, "But I have a feeling the explanation is much simpler than that."
Then he tapped the comlink on his chair, "Captain to Torres." He had given Pearl a com badge that she was to give to B'Elanna when she found her.
"Yes, Captain." B'Elanna responded.
"I have a question, did Janeway know you were a spy before the Safekeeper kidnapped you?"
"Yes, she found out I was a couple days before we were taken to this quadrant."
"Understood. Captain out." The Captain sighed, another instinct programmed into him, "Yes, the explanation is a lot simpler." He stood up, "Hail the Kaay."
Kathryn was standing in her usual place. Tuvok was at a station in the back watching the captains talk. (He didn't look to happy.) Annika was also in the back but she was working and didn't seem to notice them talking.
"Well, Captain," the Captain said, "It looks like we both got our spies back."
"Did you figure that out when we beamed Harry on this ship or did the away team tell you."
"Why did you have the Array destroyed?"
"If we used it for ourselves the Kazon would have came and used it to invade Ocampan."
"What about the Safekeeper?"
"She's dead."
"Oh, what are we going to do with the Kazon. They're coming in 2.4 minutes."
"It's only two ships. If they attack we attack back. Are we going to work together on this?"
The Captain became angry suddenly. "How can I trust you? You never told me Kim was Maquis."
"As far as you were concerned you had tricked me into helping two Starfleet. I thought you said you couldn't lie?!"
"Withholding information is not lying!" In the background the Captain saw Harry walk on her bridge. Harry observed the scene quickly then took an empty station in the front.
Harry listened to the rest of the conversation.
"I guess," Kathryn said, "We are not working togeth-"
"I never said that! We should, at least until after we have dealt with the Kazon."
"Fine!" Janeway signaled for transmission to end. Her screen went blank.
"Annika get weapons ready and those shields better be up," she ordered.
"Shields up, weapons ready."
"How long 'til the Kazon come, Tuvok."
A pause, then, "1.5 minutes."
"Harry, take us away from the planet."
Harry had started moving the ship as soon as he heard his name. He guess on what the order would be. He was familiar with driving the ship. He had a few times, whenever he was on a break from the Academy. (It was also the only time he saw Kathryn and Annika during the last year.) He was always surprised Starfleet never figured out where he went.
The Kazon came and opened a hail, without a picture, to both ships. "Why have you destroyed the Safekeeper's station?!"
Before Kathryn could answer she heard the Captain reply, "So you can't invade the planet."
"You made new enemies. Prepare to die!"
It was followed by a wave of photon torpedoes.
Two sped toward the Kaay. Harry moved the ship quickly. The first one hit the back of the ship but he had dodged the second.
"Fire at will!" Kathryn said.
Annika smiled. Her favorite order during a battle. She fired phasers at the first Kazon ship. Then she sent a photon torpedo in the same place she had fired phasers. It was the place that was closest to the Kazon's warp core.
The Captain watch the screen. He saw the Kaay was mostly firing at the closest ship. He decided to keep firing on that ship, if it was destroyed or disabled it might caused the other one to leave.
"Captain, the Kaay is firing at the same place on that ship, shall I do the same?"
"Yes."
After several minutes of fire the "first" Kazon ship had a warp core breech, then exploded soon after.
The second ship seem to hesitate. Was it going to retreat? Suddenly it moved to the Kaay, it fired all it's weapon for several seconds. It fired on it and around so when the Kaay moved it still got hit when it moved.
Harry pulled down and for a couple seconds the fire passed them. But it returned.
"Shields down to 22%." Annika announced, as she fired phasers at the Kazon ship.
Harry shook his head as he made a sharp left. Fire free for another couple seconds.
"19%. Captain we have a warp core breech." Annika said.
"The Kazon ship is leaving at warp 6," Tuvok said, "And Voyager is hailing us."
Gee, Kathryn thought, I wonder what they're going to say? "Answer them."
"Captain," said the Captain, "You have a warp core breech. Put your shields down so we can beam you out."
Kathryn look towards Harry, "Could we possibly follow the Kazon and crash into them?"
"No, we only have warp 4," he said disappointedly.
Kathryn shook her head angerly, "Fine, put down shields."
Harry stood up.
Next thing Kathryn knew is she was on the Voyager's bridge. Just in time to see the Kaay explode. She turned around, "How many made it."
"71."
Kathryn nodded, she had 71 on the ship.
"Welcome back," the Captain said, not very happily, then he turned to Harry, "I bet you really don't like being on this ship right now."
Harry frowned knowing the Captain was right, but said, "Well, I did leave some things behind here."
"I'm glad you kept the original papers." Kathryn said to Harry.
"Papers?" The Captain asked.
"You'll probably find out later. Don't worry it's nothing bad." Kathryn answered.
Soon the had a meeting in the conference on what to do now. In the meeting was the Captain, Kathryn, Pearl, Tuvok, Annika, and Harry.
"You can stay on this ship," the Captain said.
"And do what?" Kathryn said. "If we stay we should join the crew."
"Which way do you plan on functioning? Maquis or Starfleet?"
"How many Starfleet on bored?"
"97."
"More Starfleet than Maquis," she mumbled, "And we're on a starfleet ship," she considered it. Then looked up, she seemed to hesitate, "I think it would be best if...if everyone became one crew...a Starfleet crew."
"Captain?" Tuvok asked.
Kathryn held her hand up towards him and continued, "That means we would be treated equal and some can replace the ones who were killed."
The Captain was surprised at her answer, but then asked "Which jobs?"
"I noticed you need a first officer, a security officer, and a medical team."
"Who?"
"As you know I was in Starfleet before I joined Maquis. I was a doctor. I can be the doctor here."
"That sounds good. And?"
"The first officer should be Maquis. Tuvok was my first officer."
"Ok, that sounds fair."
"And you need a chief security officer."
"And you want Annika to be that, right?" The Captain finished.
"Yes."
The Captain hesitated, he didn't want his entire senior staff be replaced by Maquis. "Fine." He decided to make most of the security team Starfleet, and have the other senior officers be Starfleet. He looked at Pearl, "I have considered a job for you. How about chief engineer?"
Pearl looked surprised, then happy "Oh, ok, thank you."
The Captain next turned to Harry, he wasn't too happy with what he was going to say, "Kim, we have a doctor but we need a medical team. I saw how you worked in sickbay before the Caretaker took you. I suggest you be part of that team. We can get someone else for your old job."
Harry first looked surprised, he glanced at Kathryn, "You'll be in charge of me." He showed no emotion now. Which was rare, he usually showed some emotion.
They talked more about the situation then the meeting was dismissed.
Kathryn and Harry got up but didn't leave, the Captain figured they wanted to talk to him about something.
Suddenly Neelix ran through the door, "Captain! Captain!"
"Yes, Neelix."
"I want to stay."
"What?"
"On Voyager. I think I can make a excellent member of your crew."
"What would you do?"
"I-I know the area. I can tell you things about it and guide you. Also, I can learn your technology and help fix it when it breaks and things like like."
"Become an engineer?"
"I know about my own ship, how to run it, fix it, replace things. Now I know your technology is different but I am willing to learn. I've always liked to learn how things work and know how to repair them."
"Neelix."
"I can do this. I won't disappoint you."
"Are you sure you want to do this? The place we're going is very far away from here and once we're too far from this place, you can't change your mind."
"I won't change my mind. I want to stay here."
The Captain thought about this.
Neelix continued, "I already learn about some things, a little about the transporter, a little about the replicator, and...I know what you meant by being a hologram."
The Captain couldn't help smiling, "Ok, fine. You can stay here."
"Alright good. I won't disappoint you."
Before the Captain could respond, Neelix ran out.
The Captain turned to Kathryn and Harry.
"You want to talk about something?"
After several minutes the Captain entered the bridge. Kathryn and Harry followed.
The Captain spoke, "Our mission now is to go back to the Alpha Quadrant. But while do, we'll chart what we pass. We used to be two crews, now we're one and we must learn to get along and work with each other. Helm, take us home."
The End
Disclaimer: See part three.
Hours had passed since the away team was on the planet. Voyager's tactical officer detected a weak spot. "Captain, where it appears the shield generates from, it is weakened every 51.6 minutes."
"How long until it next weakens."
"In 9.7 minutes."
"We'll probably have the same away team."
"Yes we will," Kathryn said who was also on the bridge. "We should get going." She started leaving to the transporter room. Annika followed. As she entered she heard the Captain say, "Good-luck."
The Captain tapped the com on his chair, "Forrest and Kindle report to the Transporter Room, and find Neelix and bring him too. We found a weak point and you are going below the surface.
When Kathryn reached the Transporter Room, Pearl was already there.
"How long until we leave?" Kathryn asked.
"5 minutes 4 seconds."
Neelix and Alex entered.
"Remember that when you go down we have to beam you in the same place you arrived in 51.6 minutes. If your not there you'll have to wait another 51.6 minutes."
"Will we be able to communicate with you?"
"I don't know."
They stepped on the Transporter Pad.
"3.2 minutes."
After 3.2 minutes passed they beam down. They arrived to what look like a city, or town square. The people stared at them. One approached them, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
"We are looking for two of our people. They were kidnapped and we were told they might have been taken here."
"Two people? I saw two but I don't know where they are now."
"There must be a way out." Harry snapped.
He and B'Elanna had asked everyone if there was a way out and either no one knew or no one told. Now they were trying to find a way for themselves but so far, they failed.
"We need to contact Voyager," Harry said. "We should have just said no. Instead we waited and she died. We didn't even have the chance to learn anything. We should-"
"Do you normally complain about things when your in a bad mood?" B'Elanna asked.
"Sorry, I...I'm just worried."
"Makes sense with all that's happening."
Harry nodded, not dare saying who he was truly worried about.
"There doesn't seem to be anything here," B'Elanna continued, "Let's try to find it someplace else."
After the man left, Kathryn tapped her communicator that was strapped to her left arm, "Away Team to Voyager."
It was staticy and hard to hear. "Cap...ere. Wh...you fou..."
"Not our people, but I still need to talk to people and ask around." Kathryn wondered how much of that was heard.
"Un...ood."
"Kathryn out."
"Captain," Pearl said, "The shield seems to be getting to my tricorder. It detects Ensign Kim and Torres but I can't locate where."
Another Ocampa approached, "You can't take them. Safekeeper brought them here. She did it so they can stay. You cannot take them."
"Where is the Safekeeper?"
"None of your business."
Harry and B'Elanna were on a ramp when something caught his eye. He looked towards the middle of the Town Square, sure enough, there was Kathryn, Annika, Pearl, and two people he had never seen before.
"What is she doing here?" B'Elanna asked when she saw what Harry was looking at.
"Looking for us."
"That's impossible."
Harry found the stairs down. B'Elanna followed, "Let me talk. You don't know her."
As Harry approached, Annika saw him, she smiled but didn't say anything. Kathryn was still talking to the Ocampa. They others just happen to be looking in the other direction. When he was closer he asked, "Looking for someone?"
Kathryn turned quickly at his voice. "Harry? Harry!"
"Kathrena."
He reached her quickly and they hugged.
B'Elanna wasn't quite sure what to think, or say, she finally said, "Um, I'm afraid to ask this but how do you know each other."
Harry answered, "We met when I joined the Academy. At the time she was working there, she was the doctor."
"I see."
Harry spoke, "Kathrena, the Safekeeper told us a lot. He kidnapped us to," he spoke quieter so the Ocampa near couldn't hear him, "Replace him. He was dying and he knew it, so he search the Galaxy for someone or someones he can teach all he knows and they can takeover after he dies."
"Please don't tell me he's dead."
"Sorry. He didn't get to tell us much. One thing was, he had a space station somewhere near the planet."
"The Array."
"So you've seen it and named it."
"Yes, wait, if the Safekeeper died. Who takes care of the Array now?"
"No one, the Safekeeper was worried about that."
B'Elanna started remembering when she first met Harry. One one the first things he did was ask about the people on the Kaay. When she told Harry that Kathryn figured out she was Starfleet he had said, "Oh? I wonder how that could happen?" Now that she thought about he hadn't been very surprised. Now she was wondering if he had anything to do with her getting caught.
"The Kazon," Kathryn said suddenly, "We met them on the surface. If they got hold of the Array..."
"They would love that," Neelix added.
Harry and B'Elanna looked at him curiously. B'Elanna asked, "Who are you?"
"Neelix. I'm Talaxian. I agreed to help the Captain and Janeway in return for supplies."
Kathryn spoke, "We need to return to the place we beamed down and be there in..."
"38.2 minutes." Pearl finished off as she looked at her tricorder.
"We have a lot of time," B'Elanna responded.
Another Ocampa approached them, it was Sdar, "Excuse but many Ocampa want to know why you are here?"
"Looking for these two." Janeway pointed to Harry and B'Elanna.
"They want to take them," said another Ocampa near-by.
Sdar looked at the other quickly then turned back. "I know why the Safekeeper took you two. But since he never had the chance to teach you to take his place their is no reason for you to stay. You can stay if you want, but you can also leave."
"Thank you," B'Elanna said.
"Kaay t... way," Tuvok's voice came through Kathryn's communicator.
"Yes, continue." She spoke loud so Tuvok would hear her easier.
"...Ka...ming."
"What?!"
"The...zon...come..."
"I think," Annika said, "He said 'the Kazon are coming.' "
"How long?!"
"Abou...fort...nutes."
Forty minutes? Or forty-something minutes.
"Listen Tuvok, destroy the Array!"
"Wha.."
"Destroy the Array before the Kazon come!"
After that all she heard was static.
Alex looked at her in surprise. He was surprise a Maquis would rather have the Array destroyed rather then using it herself to go home.
Kathryn noticed his surprise and seem to know what he was thinking. "Why are you so surprised that I don't want the Kazons using the Array to invade Ocampan? Because I'm Maquis? If you recall, the thing that started the Maquis was when the Ferengi started invaded the ex-Federation planets that had Federation colonies."
Alex nodded slightly.
Kathryn turned to Sdar, "Will you be able to manage without the Caretaker?"
"I think we will. She gave us enough power to to last 25 years. Also she gave instructions how to get more power and to take care of ourselves. She was prepared if she couldn't find anyone to take care of us." He turned to Harry and B'Elanna, "I hope you liked your stay at the planet. I'm sorry for the inconvenience the Safekeeper caused. Good-bye."
Harry smiled then used his hands to say good-bye in Ocampa.
Sdar smiled, then left.
"I suggest we go to the beam out point and wait until they can beam us out," Annika said. "There is nothing else for us to do here."
"She wants to what?!"
Tuvok wasn't pleased with the reaction the Captain had when Tuvok told him what Kathryn had told him to do.
"Has she gone nuts?! Why?!" The Captain asked.
Tuvok crossed his arms and looked at the forward view screen, "Captain Janeway has not gone crazy. I'm sure she has good reason for wanting to blow up the Array."
Tuvok liked the idea only because he didn't like the Array. The owner of it had brought them to this side of the galaxy, then kidnapped them. Then returned all but kept a Maquis and a Starfleet. Their was no telling what the crazy Safekeeper would do next.
"I will," Tuvok continued, "Follow her orders, whether you agree or not. I su-"
"Wait-wait-wait, Tuvok!" The Captain said, "The order might have something to do with the Kazon. Why don't we wait until we can beam them up, which will be before the Kazon come, so they can explain why it needs to be destroyed."
"That was not the order!" Tuvok was getting angry, he really wanted to destroy the Array, ever since it took them from the Alpha Quadrant.
"It might be our only way home."
"Why would the Safekeeper send us home after what he has done to us?" Tuvok signaled for the transmission to be cut off. The screen went blank. "Peter, take us closer to the Array. George, as soon as you can, fire phasers at the Array and put this on screen."
The Array was in the view screen. It was getting bigger.
"Tuvok," George said, "Voyager is moving to put itself between us and the Array."
"Then let's do this faster."
The Array on the view screen got bigger quicker. Phasers were seen being shot at it several times before it exploded.
"Back to the planet," Tuvok said, happy the Array was finally gone.
The Captain couldn't believe his eyes, "They destroyed our only way home. Why?" He didn't bother hailing Tuvok, what would he say?
Neelix who was on the bridge softly said, "The Safekeeper is not going to be happy about this. Unless he was in there. Then he'd be dead."
Tuvok sat down and gave an order, "Beam up Kathryn, Annika, and Harry as soon as you can."
On the planet they waited until the time to be able to beam up. They made small talk as they waited.
B'Elanna approached Harry, "Ok, your a Maquis spy, right?
"Yes."
" I have a couple questions, two to be exact."
"Ok."
"Are you the reason they found out I was a spy?"
"Yes, I sent a coded message to Kathena."
B'Elanna nodded, part of her was angry at him for telling, the other part knew he was doing his job. "My other question, why did you volunteer to help find the Kaay? You were probably worried about your friends, but as I see it, a Maquis was helping Starfleet find a Maquis ship."
"Voyager would have the same luck in finding them if there was a Maquis spy on Voyager or not. If they did find the Kaay, they were to capture it. I was on board to help keep it from being captured. Even if it meant I would be caught."
B'Elanna nodded, "Thanks." She walked away and sat down.
On Voyager the Captain waited for the time to beam up his crew. The time came, the transporter chief called, "Transporter Room to the Bridge, we can now beam them out."
"Beam out Forrest, Torres, Kim, and Kindle."
After a few seconds, the transporter chief said, "Captain, I got Forrest, Torres, and Kindle. But I couldn't get Kim. I'm locating him,he's on the Kaay."
From behind him the Captain heard someone say, "Maybe while Janeway was on the planet she found out that Torres was a spy. She got mad that she helped two Starfleet so she kidnapped Kim. She didn't kidnap Torres because Torres knows the ship and could more likely escape. Janeway figured-"
"Nice explanation," The Captain interrupted, "But I have a feeling the explanation is much simpler than that."
Then he tapped the comlink on his chair, "Captain to Torres." He had given Pearl a com badge that she was to give to B'Elanna when she found her.
"Yes, Captain." B'Elanna responded.
"I have a question, did Janeway know you were a spy before the Safekeeper kidnapped you?"
"Yes, she found out I was a couple days before we were taken to this quadrant."
"Understood. Captain out." The Captain sighed, another instinct programmed into him, "Yes, the explanation is a lot simpler." He stood up, "Hail the Kaay."
Kathryn was standing in her usual place. Tuvok was at a station in the back watching the captains talk. (He didn't look to happy.) Annika was also in the back but she was working and didn't seem to notice them talking.
"Well, Captain," the Captain said, "It looks like we both got our spies back."
"Did you figure that out when we beamed Harry on this ship or did the away team tell you."
"Why did you have the Array destroyed?"
"If we used it for ourselves the Kazon would have came and used it to invade Ocampan."
"What about the Safekeeper?"
"She's dead."
"Oh, what are we going to do with the Kazon. They're coming in 2.4 minutes."
"It's only two ships. If they attack we attack back. Are we going to work together on this?"
The Captain became angry suddenly. "How can I trust you? You never told me Kim was Maquis."
"As far as you were concerned you had tricked me into helping two Starfleet. I thought you said you couldn't lie?!"
"Withholding information is not lying!" In the background the Captain saw Harry walk on her bridge. Harry observed the scene quickly then took an empty station in the front.
Harry listened to the rest of the conversation.
"I guess," Kathryn said, "We are not working togeth-"
"I never said that! We should, at least until after we have dealt with the Kazon."
"Fine!" Janeway signaled for transmission to end. Her screen went blank.
"Annika get weapons ready and those shields better be up," she ordered.
"Shields up, weapons ready."
"How long 'til the Kazon come, Tuvok."
A pause, then, "1.5 minutes."
"Harry, take us away from the planet."
Harry had started moving the ship as soon as he heard his name. He guess on what the order would be. He was familiar with driving the ship. He had a few times, whenever he was on a break from the Academy. (It was also the only time he saw Kathryn and Annika during the last year.) He was always surprised Starfleet never figured out where he went.
The Kazon came and opened a hail, without a picture, to both ships. "Why have you destroyed the Safekeeper's station?!"
Before Kathryn could answer she heard the Captain reply, "So you can't invade the planet."
"You made new enemies. Prepare to die!"
It was followed by a wave of photon torpedoes.
Two sped toward the Kaay. Harry moved the ship quickly. The first one hit the back of the ship but he had dodged the second.
"Fire at will!" Kathryn said.
Annika smiled. Her favorite order during a battle. She fired phasers at the first Kazon ship. Then she sent a photon torpedo in the same place she had fired phasers. It was the place that was closest to the Kazon's warp core.
The Captain watch the screen. He saw the Kaay was mostly firing at the closest ship. He decided to keep firing on that ship, if it was destroyed or disabled it might caused the other one to leave.
"Captain, the Kaay is firing at the same place on that ship, shall I do the same?"
"Yes."
After several minutes of fire the "first" Kazon ship had a warp core breech, then exploded soon after.
The second ship seem to hesitate. Was it going to retreat? Suddenly it moved to the Kaay, it fired all it's weapon for several seconds. It fired on it and around so when the Kaay moved it still got hit when it moved.
Harry pulled down and for a couple seconds the fire passed them. But it returned.
"Shields down to 22%." Annika announced, as she fired phasers at the Kazon ship.
Harry shook his head as he made a sharp left. Fire free for another couple seconds.
"19%. Captain we have a warp core breech." Annika said.
"The Kazon ship is leaving at warp 6," Tuvok said, "And Voyager is hailing us."
Gee, Kathryn thought, I wonder what they're going to say? "Answer them."
"Captain," said the Captain, "You have a warp core breech. Put your shields down so we can beam you out."
Kathryn look towards Harry, "Could we possibly follow the Kazon and crash into them?"
"No, we only have warp 4," he said disappointedly.
Kathryn shook her head angerly, "Fine, put down shields."
Harry stood up.
Next thing Kathryn knew is she was on the Voyager's bridge. Just in time to see the Kaay explode. She turned around, "How many made it."
"71."
Kathryn nodded, she had 71 on the ship.
"Welcome back," the Captain said, not very happily, then he turned to Harry, "I bet you really don't like being on this ship right now."
Harry frowned knowing the Captain was right, but said, "Well, I did leave some things behind here."
"I'm glad you kept the original papers." Kathryn said to Harry.
"Papers?" The Captain asked.
"You'll probably find out later. Don't worry it's nothing bad." Kathryn answered.
Soon the had a meeting in the conference on what to do now. In the meeting was the Captain, Kathryn, Pearl, Tuvok, Annika, and Harry.
"You can stay on this ship," the Captain said.
"And do what?" Kathryn said. "If we stay we should join the crew."
"Which way do you plan on functioning? Maquis or Starfleet?"
"How many Starfleet on bored?"
"97."
"More Starfleet than Maquis," she mumbled, "And we're on a starfleet ship," she considered it. Then looked up, she seemed to hesitate, "I think it would be best if...if everyone became one crew...a Starfleet crew."
"Captain?" Tuvok asked.
Kathryn held her hand up towards him and continued, "That means we would be treated equal and some can replace the ones who were killed."
The Captain was surprised at her answer, but then asked "Which jobs?"
"I noticed you need a first officer, a security officer, and a medical team."
"Who?"
"As you know I was in Starfleet before I joined Maquis. I was a doctor. I can be the doctor here."
"That sounds good. And?"
"The first officer should be Maquis. Tuvok was my first officer."
"Ok, that sounds fair."
"And you need a chief security officer."
"And you want Annika to be that, right?" The Captain finished.
"Yes."
The Captain hesitated, he didn't want his entire senior staff be replaced by Maquis. "Fine." He decided to make most of the security team Starfleet, and have the other senior officers be Starfleet. He looked at Pearl, "I have considered a job for you. How about chief engineer?"
Pearl looked surprised, then happy "Oh, ok, thank you."
The Captain next turned to Harry, he wasn't too happy with what he was going to say, "Kim, we have a doctor but we need a medical team. I saw how you worked in sickbay before the Caretaker took you. I suggest you be part of that team. We can get someone else for your old job."
Harry first looked surprised, he glanced at Kathryn, "You'll be in charge of me." He showed no emotion now. Which was rare, he usually showed some emotion.
They talked more about the situation then the meeting was dismissed.
Kathryn and Harry got up but didn't leave, the Captain figured they wanted to talk to him about something.
Suddenly Neelix ran through the door, "Captain! Captain!"
"Yes, Neelix."
"I want to stay."
"What?"
"On Voyager. I think I can make a excellent member of your crew."
"What would you do?"
"I-I know the area. I can tell you things about it and guide you. Also, I can learn your technology and help fix it when it breaks and things like like."
"Become an engineer?"
"I know about my own ship, how to run it, fix it, replace things. Now I know your technology is different but I am willing to learn. I've always liked to learn how things work and know how to repair them."
"Neelix."
"I can do this. I won't disappoint you."
"Are you sure you want to do this? The place we're going is very far away from here and once we're too far from this place, you can't change your mind."
"I won't change my mind. I want to stay here."
The Captain thought about this.
Neelix continued, "I already learn about some things, a little about the transporter, a little about the replicator, and...I know what you meant by being a hologram."
The Captain couldn't help smiling, "Ok, fine. You can stay here."
"Alright good. I won't disappoint you."
Before the Captain could respond, Neelix ran out.
The Captain turned to Kathryn and Harry.
"You want to talk about something?"
After several minutes the Captain entered the bridge. Kathryn and Harry followed.
The Captain spoke, "Our mission now is to go back to the Alpha Quadrant. But while do, we'll chart what we pass. We used to be two crews, now we're one and we must learn to get along and work with each other. Helm, take us home."
The End