Chapter 5: Getting a Move On
Four hours later, Neelix sat up and stretched his arms over his head. He looked around and smiled with satisfaction. The six remaining members of the away team were fast asleep on the ground.two by two.
He knew that it was up to him to keep these people's spirits up; to keep them focused on the job ahead. He stood up and, clapping his hands loudly, he called out, "Up, up. Everyone up, now. We have a long way to go to get to the top, so everyone get a drink and, uh, well, you know the drill."
Six sleepy heads lifted from the ground followed quickly by six stiff but rested bodies. They wasted no time setting about preparing to start their assent.
When all was set to start, Janeway called a brief meeting.
"Ensigns, once we get past the blockage, you will take up the forward position. Keep those rifles handy and your ears and eyes out for any sign of the Runarians. Neelix, you will take the rear position. Mark the trails we have tried and listen out for anyone following us. Ensign Paris, Lieutenant Torres, Commander Chakotay and I will move rocks and work on a plan as we go. Everyone ready? Let's move out."
Once again Captain Janeway started towards the surface, but this time, despite their dire situation, her heart was light. In front of her, beside her, and behind her, was her crew. Her confidence in them was great. If there was a way to succeed and reunite with Voyager, this crew could do it. Glancing up at her First Officer, she smiled a small, crooked smile. Here too, was incentive to get back to Voyager. She wondered what the future held for the two of them. She chewed on her bottom lip. Would they be able to work things out? Could her worries about Starfleet protocols be laid to rest? Would the crew accept their relationship and still respect them as their commanding officers?
A nudge in her side brought her out of her reverie. She looked up into the grinning face of her First Officer. Chakotay leaned slightly towards her and whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "You're over-thinking things again, Kathryn. Everything will work out. Just let things happen."
Kathryn blinked her eyes. She looked up at him in shock. "How did you.?" And then she remembered. She remembered all of the times they had looked at each other on the bridge and known what the other was thinking. She remembered the times they had finished each other's sentences. Yes, the bond between them had grown strong over the past five years. Strong in ways she was just now admitting to.
On the brink of sinking into another reverie, Janeway drew in a deep breath and focused ahead. They soon arrived at the blocked passage that Chakotay thought would lead to the way up. She had to admit that it did look promising. Through the gaps in the rocks she could see that the passage widened out, and the corridor had a more "finished" look.
Everyone halted and Janeway nodded at her First Officer. Commander Chakotay immediately set to work organizing the removal of the rocks and debris. He cautioned everyone to move quietly and posted Ensign Harlow and Ensign Parsons to stand guard. Quickly the blockage was removed and the team moved stealthily up the cleared passage.
(TO BE CONTINUED) Stay tuned for Chapter 6
Four hours later, Neelix sat up and stretched his arms over his head. He looked around and smiled with satisfaction. The six remaining members of the away team were fast asleep on the ground.two by two.
He knew that it was up to him to keep these people's spirits up; to keep them focused on the job ahead. He stood up and, clapping his hands loudly, he called out, "Up, up. Everyone up, now. We have a long way to go to get to the top, so everyone get a drink and, uh, well, you know the drill."
Six sleepy heads lifted from the ground followed quickly by six stiff but rested bodies. They wasted no time setting about preparing to start their assent.
When all was set to start, Janeway called a brief meeting.
"Ensigns, once we get past the blockage, you will take up the forward position. Keep those rifles handy and your ears and eyes out for any sign of the Runarians. Neelix, you will take the rear position. Mark the trails we have tried and listen out for anyone following us. Ensign Paris, Lieutenant Torres, Commander Chakotay and I will move rocks and work on a plan as we go. Everyone ready? Let's move out."
Once again Captain Janeway started towards the surface, but this time, despite their dire situation, her heart was light. In front of her, beside her, and behind her, was her crew. Her confidence in them was great. If there was a way to succeed and reunite with Voyager, this crew could do it. Glancing up at her First Officer, she smiled a small, crooked smile. Here too, was incentive to get back to Voyager. She wondered what the future held for the two of them. She chewed on her bottom lip. Would they be able to work things out? Could her worries about Starfleet protocols be laid to rest? Would the crew accept their relationship and still respect them as their commanding officers?
A nudge in her side brought her out of her reverie. She looked up into the grinning face of her First Officer. Chakotay leaned slightly towards her and whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "You're over-thinking things again, Kathryn. Everything will work out. Just let things happen."
Kathryn blinked her eyes. She looked up at him in shock. "How did you.?" And then she remembered. She remembered all of the times they had looked at each other on the bridge and known what the other was thinking. She remembered the times they had finished each other's sentences. Yes, the bond between them had grown strong over the past five years. Strong in ways she was just now admitting to.
On the brink of sinking into another reverie, Janeway drew in a deep breath and focused ahead. They soon arrived at the blocked passage that Chakotay thought would lead to the way up. She had to admit that it did look promising. Through the gaps in the rocks she could see that the passage widened out, and the corridor had a more "finished" look.
Everyone halted and Janeway nodded at her First Officer. Commander Chakotay immediately set to work organizing the removal of the rocks and debris. He cautioned everyone to move quietly and posted Ensign Harlow and Ensign Parsons to stand guard. Quickly the blockage was removed and the team moved stealthily up the cleared passage.
(TO BE CONTINUED) Stay tuned for Chapter 6