Title: Into the Arms of Strangers
Author: Zappy Zaps
Category: Drama/Action/Adventure P, P/T
Summary: An officer who had gone MIA six months earlier is found in an alien order serving on their security force but has no memory of anything prior to six months ago. His new life is also plagued with new responsibilities, duties and promises.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All the Star Trek characters are Paramount's. I don't own them (yet). ;)
Archiving: Please do, but tell me! zappyzaps@hotmail.com
Author's note: I had to try and amnesia/loss of memory story, just for fun! ;-)
Sept02
Chapter 2
Captain Janeway and the EMH transported off the Saretti home-world leaving Iyin and the Saretti physician in the Medical Centre. They were both silent and both seething with anger.
Iyin was angry at the Voyager Doctor. That insolent hologram had been very disrespectful towards her. The Saretti Doctor, Unjabi, was only angry at herself and Iyin. Unjabi had been in charge of Nate's medical care since his arrival in the Order. She was the most learned of her colleagues and thus she was chosen to take care of the man who had a physiology like nothing they had ever seen before.
Unjabi had compromised her ethics and broken an oath she had sworn to when she became a Doctor. Every time she looked at Nate, every time she witnessed one of his episodes she couldn't help but feel guilty. She had been weak and allowed politics to sway the treatments she gave to her patient.
She had known the last treatment would temporarily stabilize Nate but she knew that it would have dire consequences as well. That's where Iyin's part starts. She had been captivated by the handsome stranger and wanted him for herself. If he had no memories than he would have no problem submitting to her will, or so she thought.
Iyin, basically, forced Unjabi and her medical team to perform the procedure under the guise that it would help the man. Iyin threatened to cut funding to the medical projects and programs, all of which were being supported by the government.
The procedure had been somewhat of a success. The patient had recovered quickly but the neural damage was slowly becoming worse. Unjabi felt like kicking herself. She had practically handed down a death sentence to and innocent man –a man who had trusted her with his care, all to please a spoilt brat.
"Do you have something to say to me?" Iyin challenged Doctor Unjabi but Unjabi remained silent, regarding her with a chilly stare. Iyin pivoted and headed for the exit while Unjabi resisted the urge to plunge a scalpel in the Vodierre's back.
With her chin raised high and her eyes set on the exit Iyin left the building, ignoring the stares as best she could. These ingrates meant little to her. They didn't matter and she was above judgement.
"Tom," she whispered to him. He had a hand on her womb feeling the child inside her kick.
"A girl," Tom said, somehow knowing he was right. He brought his eyes up to meet B'Elanna's. "Our girl?"
B'Elanna nodded to him almost sadly. "Our girl," she said too softly for anyone to hear. There were still many doubts in her mind about her and Tom's future, about whether they could even share one together. Would Tom even want to stay with her? He had a new life with the Saretti.
Interrupted by the opening of the doors to Sickbay, B'Elanna turned away from Tom to face whoever was entering. Chakotay could see the conflict of emotions on B'Elanna's face and hoped that this could be resolved. Chakotay looked at Tom who still had his gaze fixated on B'Elanna. He looked at her with the same adoration that he had before and Chakotay felt more confident that this would work out.
The EMH walked in alone looking rather annoyed. Tom guessed that the Doctor had met the Vodierre. Only she could be that irritating.
"Doctor, where's the Captain?" Chakotay asked.
"She's fielding a call from our dear Vodierre," sarcasm was laced heavily in his words as he made a grand gesture with one of his hands. Tom sighed quietly. The Doctor had definitely met the Vodierre.
"Is everything alright?" Tom enquired. The Doctor's expression softened as he regarded the man he thought of as a friend.
The EMH glanced at Chakotay and B'Elanna before giving Tom the news. "I'm sorry Tom, but your…dying."
There was silence in the room as they tried to cope with what the Doctor had said.
"How can that be?" Tom asked quickly. "Unjabi said–"
" –She's not familiar with the human body. She made and error in treatment when you first arrived with them. It's what's causing your 'episodes'." The Doctor gently explained to him about the treatment and how they had, let's assume unintentionally, caused long-term damage.
"I was getting better though. I was remembering things…I…." Tom recalled the worried glances Unjabi had sometimes given him. "…I don't want to die," he whispered harshly to himself. He felt had hand on his and he grasped it. "Not when I finally have something to live for."
The bridge was silent with tension as two powerful and equally stubborn women went head-to-head. Iyin's usually pale complexion was now beet red as she argued with Captain Janeway over Commander Nate. Her face filled the viewscreen and her voice could probably be heard three decks below.
"Vodierre," Janeway started, carefully controlling her voice. "Commander Nate, as you refer to him is in our sickbay with strict orders from our Chief Medical Officer to remain there for at least twenty-four hours for observation."
"You mean the intolerable hologram!" Iyin's anger grew just thinking about him. "I don't care! Fleet Commander Nate is a member of the Deneran social level and he is ordered to report to his flat at once!"
That was news to Janeway. Nate was a member of the lowest social level? With Iyin's obvious attraction to Tom, one would have assumed that she would use her influence to raise him to a higher social level. Of course that would mean Tom would be free to do as he wanted, which may have included leaving and Iyin couldn't allow that.
"Vodierre, Commander Nate will contact you in twenty-four hours to update you on his condition-"
"He will contact me in twelve hours if not sooner! He will return to me in twenty-four hours. If he does not or if you try to leave with him on your vessel, I will send every fleet at my disposal to destroy you!" After completing her death threat, Iyin cut the channel.
Captain Janeway was once again astounded by the arrogance and impudence of the Vodierre. Janeway could sense the moods on the bridge lighten. She saw some officers trying to hide their smiles as they worked.
By the end of the confrontation, Iyin sounded like a whining six-year old and not a leader of a government. Kathryn shook her head, a slight smile pulling at her lips. There was a time when death threats meant something to her and her crew, but it's become such a common occurrence they just didn't have the same effect they once did.
The Captain walked over to Lieutenant Kim at his station and spoke quietly with him. "Assemble the senior staff for a meeting. We have some issues to discuss."
Harry nodded to the order but before he went to work he had an important question to ask her, one that had been nagging Harry since Nate had arrived on Voyager. Kathryn anticipated the question and answered it before Harry could pose it.
"It's him Harry," she told him and watched as a small smile crossed his features. There were many emotions clouding his thoughts but Harry held them in check as best he could. Kathryn laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, a gesture Harry had become fond of. She gave him a quick smile before moving on and allowing Harry to get to work.
Tears stung his eyes as he rejoiced in the second chance his best friend had been given.
Half an hour later, the Senior Staff and Tom met in the conference room. For those who hadn't seen Commander Nate earlier at the gathering, it was a shock to see the man they had thought was dead. When the introductions and explanations were finished they got down to the problems at hand.
"Vodierre Iyin, wants you to return to the planet within twenty-four hours," Janeway announced to Tom, who seemed to slump a little in his chair at the thought of having to see Iyin when she was in a bad mood. "Whether you want to return or not is totally up to you, Tom."
Everybody in the conference room was aware of Iyin's threats but was willing to risk a confrontation if it meant getting back one of their own.
"It's not up to me, Captain," Tom corrected her. "As a member of the Deneran Class, I…I'm stuck serving the Order until I die or until I can buy my freedom. I've only enough funds to free one person." Tom said the last sentence more to himself than the group but they had no trouble hearing him.
"Then you have enough," Harry said. He didn't understand why Tom hadn't bought his freedom already if he had enough money to do so.
"You don't understand," Tom ran a hand over his face already growing weary. He looked at B'Elanna who sat next to him and knew that he couldn't just abandon his friend or his promise. "There's a woman to whom I promised months ago that her child would live with the same rights and freedoms that, the Saretti have." He looked at the people seated at the table. The same rights and freedoms that you have and take for granted, Tom thought. "I can't abandon her."
The silence said more than words could and Tom thought that he understood it's meaning. They were angry with him for turning his back on their attempt to help him. He couldn't bring himself to look at B'Elanna. He didn't want to see the look in her eyes, the anger and pain. He stared at the tabletop quickly gaining the will to leave.
"I'm sorry, I've wasted your time." Tom looked quickly at each of them but was unable to look at B'Elanna. He started to get up but Lt. Torres, pregnant or not, was as fierce as she ever was.
"Tom," she stood and kept him from leaving.
"I'm dying anyway. It would be a waste of effort."
"I believe I'm the Doctor here, Mr. Paris, not you," the EMH piped up.
Janeway cast the Doctor a look that told him he wasn't pleased with his last comment. "Tom is there anyway for a Deneran citizen to be freed?" Janeway asked. She wasn't ready to give up just yet. The Tom Paris she used to know wouldn't have given up so easily either, but it was just like Tom to put the welfare of somebody else before his own. She was curious about the woman Tom was referring to but that could wait until later.
"I don't know of any way to move up, except to buy your way but I'm not well versed in the Social Policies of the Fourth Order," Tom admitted.
"We should ask Minister Persel about it," Chakotay said to Kathryn. In their earlier meeting, Persel had been more forthcoming with information and less secretive than Iyin.
Kathryn nodded her agreement and looked to Tom who also nodded. He and B'Elanna sat back down.
"I have a discovery to share as well. One that hopefully pull Mr. Paris out of his morbid mood," The doctor said.
Tom felt he had to respond and so he did, in a true Paris fashion. "I've just been hanging out with you too much Doc. You're beginning to rub off on me."
That was a genuine Paris comeback and everybody in the room recognized the banter that Tom and the Doctor had always engaged in. Even the slight smirk on his face was identical. Harry found himself stifling a laugh as the memories of other such quips rushed back to him.
The Doctor raised an eyebrow, the same way he always did and continued with his speech. "I've devised a procedure that could end Mr. Paris' neural episodes." Tom and the others knew the Doctor wasn't finished yet. There was a catch, there's always a catch. "However, Mr. Paris will not regain any other memories of his past. He'll be able to re-learn things quickly, just as he learnt how to pilot and ship again but any specific memories associated with it will be lost with the others."
"Wait a minute. There's a chance I could regain all my memories?" Tom needed clarification.
"Well… yes. Your neural episodes are a result of your body trying to fix the damage to your cerebral cortex by recreating neural connections. Such rapid neurogenesis is uncommon as most neurons do not undergo mitosis so late in life. Each episode presents the chance of you regaining your memories but they also present the more likely risk that you won't survive the next one." Tom was contemplating what he should do when the Doctor addressed him again. "You don't need to make a decision right away, but the sooner the better."
The hours past far too quickly in Tom's opinion. Most of his time was spent in Sickbay with the Doctor as he told the hologram what had happened to him in the past six months; what he remembered of his past and what had happened since he arrived in the Fourth Order. After the Doctor was finished with him Tom left sickbay and after wandering the corridors of Voyager he eventually found his way to a familiar place, his quarters.
"Computer where is Commander Nate?"
'Commander Nate is on deck nine section twelve.' The computer responded.
"Is anyone with him?"
"Negative."
He keyed in the access code and he confirmed that Commander Nate was indeed inside. He approached slowly and made his presence known.
"Tom?"
The blonde man turned around and saw a young man with black hair and slender eyes entering the room. "That's what everybody's been calling me."
Harry smiled slightly but it faded when he saw that his friend wasn't joking. He was confused. To suddenly be thrown back into his old life, one he didn't even remember was undoubtedly difficult.
"You recognize anything?" Harry asked.
"Almost." It was a strange answer but it answered Kim question better than anything.
"Give it some time. I'm sure you'll remember more." Harry's words of encouragement and reassurance were very familiar and Tom placed the image he had been looking at back on the table. In it was Tom, Harry and B'Elanna at one of Neelix's parties.
"Always the optimist." Tom said as he passed Harry and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
Harry let Nate/Tom look around the quarters for a few more minutes before announcing that it was time he checked in with the Vodierre. By the expression on the other man's face Harry could tell that Tom wasn't looking forward to the conversation. A few minutes later he completely understood why.
"I hope you've enjoyed your little vacation because you'll be working for the next eight rotations without one!" Iyin said heatedly. Fleet Commander Nate just stood there like a statue. It was difficult to tell whether or not he was even listening.
The bridge was lightly manned as some crewmembers were still on the planet and it was gamma shift already. Despite the presence of others in the room, Iyin continued her rant.
Harry was at his station waiting for the communiqué to be over so that he could escort Tom to the guest quarters where he could stay over night. It was past 0100 already.
"Don't think for a moment that you won't be punished for your infractions," Harry heard Iyin say as he briefly tuned into the conversation, which was actually more like a lecture; Iyin spoke and Nate listened.
Harry was very tempted to close the channel and blame it on a malfunction of the comm. array but he didn't. The Vodierre might decide to blame it on Tom and get him in more trouble.
"I want you back here in time for the ETS and then, I'll see you in my Judicial Chambers! Understood?"
Nate only nodded and if it was possible, Iyin became angrier. She closed the channel. Nate looked at the blank viewscreen a few seconds longer before turning to Lieutenant Kim. "I need to return to my duties," he said.
"But it hasn't been twenty-four hours yet," Harry protested. He was wary of the Vodierre, having seen her ugly side. Still he'd rather not risk sending his best friend to deal with that woman.
"I know but ETS, Early Training Session, starts in a few hours and as you've heard, I have to attend," Tom told Harry. By the tone of his voice it was easy to tell that Tom wasn't looking forward to the session.
Harry escorted Tom through the corridors to the transporter room. B'Elanna would be disappointed that hse didn't get to spend more time with Tom but maybe they'd be able to see him later today. There was a question that Harry wanted to ask but didn't know how to word it. As Nate stepped onto the transporter padd Harry decided to just ask and not worry about how it sounded.
"Tom, why stay here? There doesn't seem to be much you look forward to."
Nate nearly smiled. He had asked himself that very question several times and each time the answer was the same. "Just in case. One day I might do something that will make a difference for somebody. And besides, I have nowhere else to go." He nodded at the officer at the transporter controls and he vanished in the sparkling blue beam.
Harry's
eyes remained fixed at the point where his friend had last been standing. There was an undeniable truth to Nate's
response but that's the thing with the truth, it tends to change over time
–because now, he has somewhere else to go.
Harry left still feeling anxious and decided to put that energy to good
use and figure out how Tom got here in the first place.
In the galley two crewmen
discussed the day's hot topics while enjoying a late night snack. The day's hot topics, of course, all center
around one supposedly deceased lieutenant.
"He looks the same," the first one said to his female companion. She nodded her agreement but she refused to look up from her small meal. "Did I miss something?"
She finally looked up at him with a sad expression on her face. "You didn't see his eyes," she whispered. "He looked…. deadened."
"I suppose he can't really be the same person,"
"Not when all the memories that made him who he was are locked away." They were both silent for a few minutes, each contemplating the philosophical questions that accompanied their conversation.
"I wish I could help him," she said, more to herself than anyone. Tom Paris had been a friend to her and though they were not close, sometimes just making a bad joke and the right time could brighten somebody's day. She now wished to return the favour.
"Well you better do it quickly. I overheard Torres and Kim talking. The just of it, was that Paris doesn't have a lot of time."
"Life isn't fair," she said dropping her utensil.
"Unless you cheat."
Fleet Commander Nate keyed in his access code to the large building where thousands of lower class citizen resided. As the door was closing behind him a few people slipped inside before it locked, seeking some refuge from the bitter cold. The corridors were littered with the less fortunate. Those too weak, too young, too old or just unlucky, that cannot fend for themselves. Everyday he walked past them and everyday he wished to help them all, but he could hardly help himself.
In a corner two children as young as five or six, huddled together, shivering as they tried to keep the cold away. The Commander removed the outer jacket of his uniform and draped it over the two small forms. The one who was coherent enough to understand his surrounding watched Nate's movements carefully. They were young and suspicious of strangers. Nate couldn't blame them.
It wasn't uncommon to hear about children being stolen from the streets and sold as slaves outside the order. This planet was overpopulated and a few missing people, especially unimportant ones, would not be greatly missed.
Nate didn't even look like a Deneran (or Saretti). His features are plain and smooth unlike the sweeping cranial ridges of the Denerans or the pronounced features of the Saretti. He didn't look like them and without the universal translator, he didn't sound like them either.
Nate gave the child a brief smile before standing and heading to his flat. He would offer them a place to stay in his small dwelling but knew they would not accept. As he walked away from them he heard a small voice say, "Keyka." It was a Deneran dialect that the translator could not decipher but Tom had learnt it's meaning –thank you.
In his home Tom looked for the person who had made the last few months easier.
"Halia?" He called softly. The lights were low and he was unsure of whether she was still awake.
"Nate?" a soft, feminine voice.
He carefully treaded to the bed where the woman lay. She smiled upon seeing him but Nate could not return it. Even in the dim light of the room he could easily see that she was not well.
"I'm fine," she tried to reassure him, seeing the concern on his face. "I'm just a little nauseous."
"You're a terrible liar," he said as he fetched her a cool glass of water. Halia was pregnant with her first child and she was experiencing some severe illnesses due to her condition. Nate had met her soon after his arrival and they had slowly become friends.
When they first met, Halia hadn't known she was pregnant. The child she carried was the result of an affair she had with a Saretti man who had no intention of taking care of his child and thus Halia was left with no one to help her until Nate came along. For whatever reason he sympathized with her, as if he knew of another person who had gone through a difficult pregnancy.
As the months droned on Halia's symptoms worsened and she could not take care of herself and she bagan to loose hope. After the 'incident' Nate had insisted that she stay with him. Halia had showed him the ropes when he had first arrived and now he could return the favour.
"Keyka," she said as she sat up to take a drink. She lay back down on her side after only taking a few short sips. Nate placed the glass on the plastic container that acted as a makeshift nightstand and sat on the edge of the small bed.
"Back still hurting?" he asked her.
She rolled her shoulders and replied, "A little, but it's common." Denerans (like Ocampans) carried their unborn children on their upper back and it was at times, rather uncomfortable.
The two lapsed into silence. Nate was preoccupied with his own thoughts and Haliah was concerned. Nate didn't seem to be himself. Usually he'd try to hide what he was feeling and make it look like everything was okay, but today it seemed as though he was too tired to try.
"Nate, are you alright?"
He was so deeply in thought that the sound of her voice startled him. "Oh, I'm…okay."
"You're a terrible liar."
Tom shrugged and tried to give her one of his patented smirks. "I'm just having an off day. Tomorrow," he said as he stood, "I'll be able to convince you that gravity pulls things up."
"Get some rest Nate," she told him with a smile.
"I'll try," he mumbled to himself.
"And Nate," she called causing him to turn to face her, "Thank you."
He wasn't sure how to respond so he didn't. He gave her a fleeting smile and left the crowded bedroom.
Laying her head back on the pillow Halia wished she could do more to help Nate and help herself. She still found it hard to believe that one day soon she'd be free of this lifestyle. She looked up to where Nate had been last but he had moved and she could not see him.
She smiled as she thought of the better life her child would experience, and it was thanks to her only friend Nate. One late night, months ago, she had been talking to him and her despair about her situation and her child's future came out. Nate had promised then to help her get to the next social level. At the time Halia thought they were just some kind words to give her a sense of hope but a few days later when Nate brought it up again, she realized her was completely serious. The trick for Halia and her child to move to the next social level was to get Halia into the Saretti level before her child was born, that way they would only have to pay for one person instead of two. And once her child was born Halia automatically receives a compensation for the months of work that she'll miss since she is a single mother.
Halia won't have a job at that time so she isn't really entitled to any compensation but it's unlikely that anyone will ask and so they won't tell. A smile slowly appeared on her face as she thought of Nate's carefully thought out plan.
The next morning Halia woke up at around 0600; very early but she found that Nate had already left, no doubt hard at work.
"Get out of my sight!" Iyin's voice could be heard outside her chambers and down the hall but thankfully there was only one person in the hallway and he wasn't at all surprised by Iyin's outburst.
The doors slid open, permitting the exit of Fleet Commander Nate. Sub-Commander Isam stopped leaning against the wall and stood at attention. Nate just gave a slight wave of his hand and Isam relaxed out of his position. Nate was the higher-ranking officer after all and although he was of the Deneran social level, Isam still knew his place in the chain of command.
They walked down the corridor in silence. Isam wondering what had happened in the meeting Nate had with the Vodierre and Nate wondering when Isam would ask.
"So… productive meeting?" Isam asked casually.
"Hardly," Nate said as just as a yawn escaped him.
"You should get more sleep, sir," Isam suggested.
"I'll keep that in mind the next time I have to attend the ETS." Isam knew what the acronym stood for and wondered why a seasoned officer such as Nate had to attend a training session meant for officers that needed to be re-certified. "Anyway, what's the status of the fleet?"
The subject was quickly changed and for the rest of the day it was business as usual. In the forefront of his mind though, Nate was thinking of something else.
Voyager floated above the Saretti home-world in a geo-synchronous orbit above the capital city where both Tom and the Vodierre were located. Lt. Kim was in command of the bridge until either Tuvok, Janeway or Chakotay arrived. It wasn't long before they were all on the bridge inquiring as to the ship's status. Harry gave them the update and just as he was finishing they were hailed.
"On screen," Janeway ordered.
"Captain Janeway, I require the personnel file of your Lieutenant Paris," Iyin ordered.
Kathryn and Chakotay glanced at each other before responding. "Why do you need his file?" the Captain politely enquired.
"It is not your place to question me. I require the file, that is all."
"I'm not going to give you information about one of my officers without a good reason," Janeway responded evenly.
"Your officer is dead. Give me the file or leave immediately." After giving Janeway a stony glare, Iyin ended the conversation.
"Charming isn't she," Harry mumble to himself.
Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay left the bridge to Tuvok and went to the ready room. "Should we send her Tom's file?" Chakotay asked. They were both concerned as to what Iyin intended to do with it.
"We don't have much of choice. We can't leave just yet." Kathryn thought for a moment. What would the Vodierre want with Tom's file? Using her desk console Kathryn put a read-only function on Tom's file. "Janeway to Kim."
"Kim here."
"Hail the Vodierre and route the transmission to the ready room," she said.
There was a pause on the other end of the channel as Harry briefly contemplated the purpose of this transmission. "Aye Captain. Kim out." There was a note of confusion in Harry's voice.
"He's not the only one confused," Chakotay said.
Kathryn gave him a smirk that asked him to trust her and wait. A few seconds later Iyin's visage was displayed on the small screen.
"You again," Iyin said quietly, but not quietly enough.
"Yes, us again." Janeway said, not the least but irked by Iyin's insolence. "I have Lieutenant Paris' file for you but we'll need the Social Policies Documents that we had asked for earlier."
Iyin paused and thought over her response. Commander Chakotay had asked for those documents last night. The official Chakotay spoke with said that the documents would be sent but under Iyin's orders they withheld leaving Chakotay and the senior staff to wait and wonder what had happened. They of course figured that Iyin had something to do with it.
"Agreed. You'll have the documents in a matter of minutes," Iyin conceded.
"And you'll have the file when we have the documents," Janeway said boldly. Chakotay worried that maybe Janeway had pushed too far but Iyin reluctantly nodded. The link was severed and the screen returned to the federation symbol.
"Diplomacy at its finest," Chakotay said.
The vessels comprising the fleet Arriah-9 were in the main hangar being repaired. The skirmish from the day before had caused some damage and the ships had to be in top condition. Nate, Isam and Fashi, the head of security for the fleet, oversaw the repairs. During the break for mid-day meal Nate contacted Voyager. Iyin hadn't been pleased with him this morning and she likely would have contacted Voyager just to vent some frustration.
Nate tried to hide his smile as he thought about the meeting this morning. Iyin hadn't taken the news very well. Iyin had been furious but she had asked what had happened. When he had refused to answer, saying that it was a private matter, Iyin had threatened him with some serious punishment and so he told her. First he told her about the treatment option Voyager's CMO gave him and then he told her about B'Elanna and that was when Iyin lost it. Not only was he married but his wife was pregnant with their child. Nate started laughing but sobered when his hail was answered.
"Captain, I wanted to apologize for my abrupt departure last night," Nate said when the channel was open. The Captain dismissed his apology, understanding his position.
"Iyin contacted us earlier," Janeway nearly laughed as Nate cringed, not wanting to think about what Iyin had said to them, "She wanted you file from Voyager."
"Could you please send me a copy as well," Nate asked of her. He didn't want Iyin to be too many steps ahead of him. Janeway nodded to his request. A few minutes later they signed off and went back to their respective duties.
Captain Janeway had inquired as to how Iyin became aware of Nate's condition. Nate told Janeway about his meeting with Iyin this morning. Janeway wasn't pleased that Iyin was threatening her officers for information that was none of her business.
It was much later in the day; in fact the day was nearing its end. Nate however, was just finishing his work at the hangar and heading home. He exited the hangar and put on his jacket. The temperature had dropped and it was a little chilly. Nate began his walk to the station where hopefully he would be able to catch the next transport home. He was startled and disappointed to hear the voice of the Vodierre calling him. Nate turned faced her. She casually waltzed up to him holding a data padd in her hand.
"Commander," Iyin said charmingly and Nate went on alert. Iyin was never this friendly towards him. "I have lieutenant Paris' file from the Voyager. It's an interesting read." She handed the padd to him and Nate slowly took it from her. "I suggest you start from the very beginning." She had a slight smile on her face that sent chills up and down Nate's spine. She ran her eyes up and down him before making eye contact again. "I certainly hope you aren't him," she said before walking away.
Nate glared at her back before walking away. He turned on the display screen and began reading the file as he walked. The file was like any other file he had read. It contained all of his information in it and nothing in it surprised him until he read further into his forgotten past.
Halia paced back and forth unable to sleep. Where was he? It was nearly 0300 and Nate was still not home. Was he hurt? Halia sat herself on the corner of the bed. Her back was aching and she couldn't continue her pacing. She didn't know what else to do.
She made her way over to the small console in the apartment. Maybe the people on Voyager would know where he is. Gingerly she entered the directory code and asked to be connected to the Federation Starship Voyager. The screen was blank for several seconds as the transmission was routed to the ship. Halia twisted the bottom of her shirt unconsciously as she waited nervously. I shouldn't bother these people, Halia thought and was about to press the button to terminate the transmission when she got a response.
"Are you the Captain?" Halia asked.
"I am not," the man responded. "I am Commander Tuvok, and am in command of Voyager. Why have you contacted us?"
Halia thought it was strange that the man was so emotionless but ignored it. "I was hoping to speak with Commander Nate, if he's on your ship."
"Fleet Commander Nate is not on the ship," Tuvok informed.
"Then were is he?" Halia whispered to herself.
End Chapter 2
More to come. Stay tuned! zappyzaps@hotmail.com
