Redemption
Chapter 9
Disclaimer - Paramount and Viacom own the characters from Voyager, although they didn't often treat them right. The story line belongs to me.
A special thanks to: My friend and editor of all my stories, Mill3rs.
Chakotay heard Harry's shout as he climbed up the hill towards the others and pulled his phaser off his belt. As he came over the small rise, he saw Tom fall to the ground with a dark green snake-like creature sinking it's fangs into his left leg. Taking aim, Chakotay fired his phaser and the creature dropped to the ground. Chakotay reached Tom's side just as Ayala, who had turned back when he heard Harry's voice, approached from above. "Get him away from the rocks." He ordered and Ayala, grabbing Tom under his shoulders, dragged him about ten feet to a clearing.
"We'd better keep watch for more of those creatures." Ayala stated pulling his phaser out and indicating to Harry to do the same.
Chakotay pulled the foam collar off of his neck as he crouched at Tom's side. Reaching into his boot, he produced a short, sharp knife and immediately slit the black uniform pants up past Tom's knee. Ayala, stooping down next to Tom's shoulders shook his head as he noted the two small puncture wounds surrounded by an enlarging streak of red. Chakotay glanced up and with a grim look, acknowledged Ayala's alarm. Moving quickly with a practiced assurance, he cut a strip of material from the bottom of the pants leg and held it out to Harry. "Kim, I want a tourniquet about four inches above his knee and I want it as tight as you can tie it."
"Aye, Sir." Harry answered, his hands shaking as he looked at his friend's face. Tom's eyes were squeezed shut in pain and his face was pale. Harry bent down and tied the cloth tightly around Tom's left leg. He then stood and scanned the area for more of the creatures.
Chakotay looked up to find Tom staring back at him, his eyes fearful. "Paris, do you trust me?"
Tom clenched his teeth in pain and then took a deep breath. "Do I have a choice?" He asked in a shaky voice.
"No." Chakotay's answer was short and sharp. He acknowledged Tom's quick nod and, looking up, ordered, "Ayala, keep him still. Kim, keep watch."
Ayala moved next to Tom, turned him onto his right side, and leaned his weight across the younger man to keep him from moving. Chakotay quickly made two cuts across the puncture wounds and leaning forward began to suck out the venom, spitting it onto the hard ground. He did this several times before checking the state of the wound. He shook his head as he noted the red streak continue to move up towards Tom's knee. He met Ayala's look, shook his head and stated quietly. "Sorry, Paris. I have to cut again."
Tom drew in a sharp breath as Chakotay's knife once again cut through his skin. Ayala turned and looking down at Tom's face said. "Don't worry. He's done this before. You'll probably live." The scorn in his voice was clearly evident.
Chakotay repeated his ministrations until he was satisfied that the venom was no longer moving up Tom's leg. He then stood and moving off to the side began to heave up any of the venom in his system. Ayala moved to his side to support him as Harry knelt by Tom. "We need to get into the cave, the ion storms will be kicking up soon." Chakotay stated as the winds began to build up.
Harry pulled Tom to his feet and, supporting him on his left side, helped him into the cave. Once inside he lowered Tom to the ground. Chakotay and Ayala entered after them and inspected the interior. They found several blankets and a few empty bottles that the Kazon had left behind. "Ayala do you remember any water around here from last night?" Chakotay asked.
"Yeah, Cap. There's a sort of pond about ten meters from here." Ayala answered.
"You two go get some water and look for something we can burn as firewood."
* * * * *
"Captain, long range scanners are back online." Tuvok announced calmly from his station. "I'm picking up signs of the shuttle"
Janeway looked up wearily from her command seat. "Match their speed, Mr. Tuvok and send the coordinates to the helm."
"Captain, they appear to be at a standstill." He replied.
"Scan for life signs." Janeway ordered. What happened to the crew? Are they on the ship? Are they even alive?
Tuvok bent over his console and then looked down at the captain with a confused look on his face. "Captain, I am picking up residual life signs on the shuttle."
"Human?" Janeway asked concern for her away team evident in her voice.
"No, Captain. Kazon. But they no longer appear to be on board." Was Tuvok's calm reply.
"Captain, I'm picking up a warp signature from a Kazon ship near the location of the shuttle." Ensign Lang announced from the Ops station. "It looks like they were in this area about three hours ago."
"Captain, it would appear that the ship's crew beamed their fellow Kazon off of our shuttle and left it behind when it exceeded its usefulness." Tuvok said as he rechecked his console readings.
Janeway sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose trying to relieve the tension she felt. "Set a course for the shuttle's coordinates and when we are in range, tractor it into shuttle bay one."
They retrieved the shuttle and the captain ordered B'Elanna to inspect it and give her a damage report as soon as possible.
Janeway resumed her seat after the shuttle had been beamed aboard and, leaning forward, ordered, "Mr. Baytart, set a new course for the planet's orbit and resume at Warp 3.
"Aye, Captain." Baytart responded and moved his fingers over the helm controls.
* * * * *
Ayala and Kim returned with the bottles filled with water and dragging some large dead branches with them. Chakotay had covered Tom with one of the blankets and was crouched by his side with the small tricorder. He turned when he heard the two men enter the cave with his phaser in his hand.
"Hey, Cap. I'm on your side." Ayala joked indicating the phaser and holding hands up in a sign of surrender. He dropped the branches against the far wall and brought one of the bottles over for the commander to take a drink.
Harry moved to Tom's side and knelt down by him. "Commander, how is he?" He asked quietly, taking in Tom's pale face and sweat soaked hair.
"He's running a fever and I sedated him. He was in quite a bit of pain. Whatever those creatures are, they are obviously quite deadly. I'd advise we keep a sharp watch for them. Did you see any of them last night or this morning?" Chakotay asked, turning to Harry, as Ayala went and grabbed one of the other blankets and sat against the cave wall shivering.
"No, sir. There was no sign of anything alive except for the Kazon." Harry replied as he too began to shiver. "The temperature has dropped quite a bit now that the sun is going down. The winds have really picked up out there."
Chakotay handed Kim a blanket and started breaking up the dead branches; piling them in the middle of the cave. He aimed his phaser at them; the smaller ones began to smolder, then a few flames sprung up in the center of the stack. "At least we'll be warm in here. Try to get some sleep. I'll take the first watch." He stated as he squatted down in front of the developing fire.
Harry noticed that Chakotay had replaced the collar around his neck and winced in pain as he touched the back of his head. He moved to the older man and quietly crouched down in front of him. "Sir, where are the hyposprays. I can take the first watch; you need to rest."
"I'll be alright, Ensign. I'd rather keep the hypos for Lieutenant Paris. But I will take you up on the offer of rest." He gave Harry a slight smile and grabbing the last blanket; he sank down in front of the fire and closed his eyes.
Harry moved the branches a bit to keep them burning evenly and began to slowly break up the other large branch. When he finished, he rose to check on Tom. He appeared to be sleeping peacefully although when Harry put his hand on Tom's forehead it felt very warm. Harry moved to the front of the cave; looking out he could see the dirt swirling around violently carried by the wind. He listened, trying to hear any movement above the sound of the storm. Hearing nothing else, he moved back inside the cave. Sitting on the ground with his back to the fire, Harry pulled the blanket around his shoulders, cradled his phaser in his hands, and stared at the entrance.
* * * * *
Voyager moved into orbit over the planet where the away team had crashed. It had taken several long hours to reach the coordinates that Tom had sent out on the subspace beacon. Captain Janeway stepped off the turbolift, unsuccessfully stifling a yawn. She had returned to her quarters for a few hours of sleep. The Gamma shift was at their posts on the bridge with the exception of Lieutenant Tuvok, who had remained at his station through the night. Although Janeway had insisted he get some rest, he reminded her that Vulcans can function well for several days without sleep. Janeway went directly to his side and looked at the scanner array displayed on his console. "Nothing yet?" She asked in a tired but expectant voice.
"I'm sorry, Captain, but the ion storms interference is blocking any life signs of the away team. I must assume that the Kazon removed their commbadges before they took off with the shuttle." He knew that even if the away team had been killed their commbadges would still be able to be found with the ships scanners. "I would suggest a low orbital pattern around the planet with a revolving trajectory to scan for the away team's life signs."
"Ensign Jenkins, lay in a course to follow the coordinates from Mr. Tuvok's station."
"Aye, Captain." The ensign replied as she retrieved the data from the tactical station and began to move the ship to follow the low orbital path around the planet.
* * * * *
Harry was awakened by Chakotay and Ayala's low voices as they talked at the side of the cave. He had stood watch for five hours before being relieved by Ayala. Checking on Tom once again, he took several long drinks of water and then curled up on the cave floor and fell into a restless sleep. When he awoke, he stood slowly and stretched out his cold muscles. Even with the fire and blanket, the planet was brutally cold at night. Moving to Tom's side he noticed that the pilot was awake and breathing rapidly. "Tom, are you alright?" Harry asked as he crouched by Tom's side.
Tom looked up at him in confusion. Closing his eyes against the pain he tried to take several deep breaths. "Harry." He whispered. "I can't feel my legs." His blue eyes opened with a panicked look as he struggled to sit up.
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