Redemption
Chapter 19
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 entered the captain's ready room to find her standing at the viewport staring out at the stars. Though she heard him enter the room, she did not turn around but continued looking at the stars. He stood just inside the door wondering if he should say something or approach her. The silence stretched out and he shifted from one foot to the other. She would have to make the first move. Even though he respected her position as captain, he was not used to answering to someone else after being the captain on his own ship.
"Commander, we seem to have a problem on Voyager." She spoke in a quiet, steady voice without looking at him.
"Yes, Captain, what is it?" He replied, in an equally quiet voice.
"It has been brought to my attention that Lieutenant Paris has been assaulted several times in the past few weeks while onboard my ship." She turned and motioned him to the chair in front of her desk. Moving to the replicator, she asked. "Would you care for anything to drink, Commander?" Again, the formal tone.
"Nothing, thank you, Captain." Two could play this game. Chakotay took the seat indicated and leaned against the high back. "Did the Lieutenant report these attacks, Captain?"
"Coffee, black." She ordered and retrieving the mug sat behind her desk. "No, Commander, the EMH brought it to my attention last night. He discovered evidence of the injuries when he did a complete a bioscan of the Lieutenant." She handed him the PADD that the doctor had given her in sickbay. "This is his report. Apparently, Lieutenant Paris has been treating the injuries himself without reporting to sickbay."
Chakotay read the report and noted that there had been several broken ribs, bruises, and a broken left wrist recorded. He thought of spotting the bruises when the shuttle had crashed on the planet and of Gerron's report of seeing Tom exiting the cargo bay, holding his left arm, in obvious pain. "Captain, I did notice that the Lieutenant had sustained some bruises when we were on the shuttle. I presumed that he had gotten into a fight. He did have some difficulties when on the Liberty."
"I was under the impression, Commander that you would restrain your Maquis crewmembers from going after the Lieutenant." She gave him an icy stare. Their time here in the Delta Quadrant was difficult enough without the two factions at each other's throats.
Pushing himself to standing, Chakotay glared down at her. "How do you know it wasn't one of your fine Starfleet officers that attacked Paris? After all, he was branded a traitor to the fleet when he joined the Maquis."
"Sit down, Commander." She ordered.
"No, Captain, I prefer to stand." He snapped back at her. "I'll do some checking and see what I can find out about these attacks on Lieutenant Paris." He turned towards the door.
"Chakotay, we need to work together as one crew if we have any hope of reaching home before we are all old and retired. If you can not find the persons responsible, I will have Lieutenant Tuvok begin an official investigation. Is that understood?" She stood and moved out from the desk to stand in front of him.
He looked down at the diminutive woman, who had the nerves of steel typical of most great ship's captains and admired her frankness. "Captain, believe me, I will find whoever is responsible and they will be dealt with. Permission to be dismissed?"
She nodded at him, too taken aback by his determined words to speak. He turned and strode through the doors; then she moved slowly to the couch and sank down into the cushions. Will we ever learn to work together and get home without killing each other?
* * * * *
Harry entered sickbay to see Ensign Samantha Wildman helping Tom hold a glass up to his mouth. The head of the surgical bed had been raised so Tom was in a sitting position. He took a sip from the straw and, as he moved the glass away, Harry noticed his hands were shaking. The Ensign kept her hand on the glass and took it from Tom, placing it on the bedside table. She turned when she heard the doors slide open. "Good morning, Ensign Kim." Looking down at Tom she smiled. "Looks like you have some early company, Lieutenant."
Harry gave Tom and Samantha a grin as he walked to the surgical bay. "Good morning, Sam, Tom. You're looking much better than when I stopped by last night." He looked at Tom, greatly relieved to see him using his arms; as Samantha moved to a tray on the other side of the biobed.
"I'm feeling much more like myself this morning, Harry." Tom answered, his voice still low and harsh. He shifted position and drew in a sharp breath; reaching out and rubbing his legs.
Samantha picked up a hypospray and reached over to Tom's neck. Pressing it to his skin, she released the medication into his system. "It's time for some more Hydrocortilene. This will ease the pain for the next few hours." She then moved to the doctor's office to give the two friends some privacy.
"So, how are you doing?" Harry asked, a little reluctantly in case it was bad news, although the fact that Tom was moving his arms was a good sign.
Tom smiled slightly. "Well, I have some movement in my arms but my hands are still quite weak." Frowning, he continued. "Still nothing in my legs except pain, which comes on almost every two hours. The doc says he can't tell how long until the pain stops or I get some movement in my legs. I guess I'll be here for a few more days, at least."
Harry put his hand on Tom's shoulder and was just about to offer some encouragement when the doors slid open and Chakotay entered with a grim look on his face.
"Ensign, aren't you due on the bridge for Alpha Shift?" He looked at Harry.
"Yes, Sir, I was just leaving, Sir." Harry gave Tom's arm a quick squeeze and left sickbay.
"You seem to be on the mend, Lieutenant." Chakotay said to Tom as he glanced at the readings above the younger man's head.
Tom looked up uncomfortably at the commander. "I'm feeling better this morning, thank you, Commander."
"It has been brought to my attention that you have been attacked several times since we entered the Delta Quadrant, Lieutenant. Why didn't you report these incidents?" Chakotay's voice was all business.
Tom glanced away, then, looking up slowly, he replied. "I don't know who attacked me. It was usually dark and they came from behind me."
Chakotay shook his head as he wondered if Tom was trying to protect someone or actually did not know who his attackers were. "Do you recall seeing Crewman Dalby at any of these incidents?"
"No, Sir, I don't remember Dalby or anyone else particularly. I told you it was dark." Tom tried to shift his weight and his face showed the stress he was under. "If you don't mind, Commander, I'd like to get some rest. I've been sitting up for almost an hour now."
"Certainly, Lieutenant. I'll get back to you if I have any information about your attackers. If you remember anything, have the EMH contact me." He then turned and left sickbay.
Samantha came out of the office when she saw Chakotay leave and moved to Tom's side. "Would you like more juice, Tom?'
"No thanks, Sam. I'm just tired; could you lower the bed. I'd like to try to get some sleep before that medication wears off again." Tom closed his eyes as Samantha lowered the bed and called for 20 percent illumination.
* * * * *
Captain Janeway entered engineering and headed for the Chief's office. B'Elanna sat with Gerron, discussing the quality of the Dilithium crystals they had brought back from the planet. Seeing the captain, B'Elanna and Gerron stood. "Captain, I didn't know you were coming down here. We were just cataloging the Dilithium by grade." B'Elanna indicated her monitor and the PADD that Gerron held.
"I didn't mean to interrupt your work, Lieutenant. I just wanted to know the yield and if we were ready to move on." Janeway looked around the office and noted how organized the PADDs and tools were
"Yes, Captain, we acquired enough Dilithium to keep us going for at least five months. The quality is quite good and I don't believe it would be worth the time and risk to return for more. I'm sorry I didn't notify you sooner." B'Elanna looked uncomfortably at Janeway.
"That's perfectly alright, Lieutenant. I know how busy your whole department has been. I don't spend enough time getting to know my crew and their talents." She smiled at the two trying to put them at ease, remembering how nervous she was when the captain of the Albatani suddenly showed up in her science station. "I'll let the helm know that we can leave orbit." Janeway said as she turned to leave. "Please, continue with your work."
"Yes, Captain." B'Elanna replied as she sat down again with a sigh of relief.
* * * * *
As Janeway turned into the corridor after leaving engineering, the ship was suddenly rocked with phaser fire. The red alert klaxons began to blare and the lights dimmed as the emergency lights came on bathing the corridor in a soft red glow. Tapping her commbadge Janeway called for the bridge. "Janeway to Lieutenant Tuvok, report."
"Captain, a ship has appeared off our port side and is firing phasers. They have not responded to our hails." Tuvok's calm voice stated.
"On my way, Lieutenant." The captain hurried into the nearest turbolift finding Chakotay inside.
"Captain." He said with a small nod of his head then turned to the doors. "Bridge." He ordered the lift and they moved in silence.
* * * * *
Exiting onto the bridge, the two command officers headed for their stations. Janeway turned to the Ops station and ordered Harry to try hailing the alien ship again. They saw a small grey ship, oval in shape with several little viewports, firing phaser canons at them.
"There's a response coming through now, Captain." Harry said as he worked his console to clear up the transmission.
"On screen, Ensign." Turning to the front viewscreen, Janeway stood. "This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. Why are you firing on us? We mean you no harm. We are just trying to move through this area of space on our way home."
The ship on screen was replaced with the dark interior of its bridge. A short, pale green alien with waist-length white hair sat in a battered pilot's chair. "I am Captain Yesspa and you are trespassing in Leterian space. We have been watching your ship and, if you do not leave immediately, we will take you and your entire crew as prisoners and seize your ship." The captain of the alien ship stood and drew himself up to his full height, which appeared to be the size of a human eight year old.
Janeway, trying not to smile at the little man, replied. "By all means, Captain we will leave your space; we were just passing through on our way home. We did not intend to trespass; we were unaware that you controlled this region." She sat back in her chair and, turning to the OPs station with a smile, ordered. "Ensign Kim, end transmission."
"Aye, Captain." He answered with an amused smile.
"Ensign Baytart, please take us out of orbit and plot a course away from Leterian space." She addressed the helmsman.
"Aye, Captain, leaving orbit." Baytart answered, trying to maintain a neutral expression.
Janeway stood and moved towards her ready room. "Commander, you have the bridge." She ordered, not turning to look at Chakotay.
"Aye, Captain." Chakotay replied as he stood and seated himself in the command chair.
to be continued…