Title – Game of Life
Author – Puzzler
Disclaimer – Star Trek is the property of Paramount Pictures and I am only borrowing the idea for fun. The Pirans are my own creation.
Summary – Voyager is attacked by a race called the Pirans who force the bridge crew into completing a set of puzzles to stop 'an item they will not want destroyed' from being destroyed.
Set – Just after the episode 'The Killing Game' in Voyager's season 4. There will be references to this episode.
Stardate – 51734.5 I have done my best to think of a stardate that fits in with the Voyager series 4. I'm sorry if you don't agree.
Chapter 4 – The First Puzzle
"That wasn't much of an answer – very cryptic" said Harry, going to stand near B'Elanna, who looked very annoyed "And you did agree to tell us where Captain Janeway is"
"I have every right to be cryptic" Loc'torin almost yelled in answer "As for your captain, I agreed to no such thing" a murmur of conversation rose in the crowd at these words, as many people were wondering where Captain Janeway was. It disappeared just as quickly as it had come.
"These are the crewmembers to take part in the challenge" Loc'torin continued, doing his best to control the anger creeping into his voice. "All others will remain on the M-class planet nearby: Commander Chakotay, Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres, Lieutenant Thomas Paris, Ensign Harry Kim, Seven of Nine, Neelix and the Emergency Medical Holograph Program."
"What will happen to the rest of the crew?" Tom asked suddenly.
"You have already been told that" Clarin explained quietly, speaking for the first time. "They will be let off the ship at an M-class planet with more than adequate supplies. A small number of Pirans will also get off. Once the allotted time expires, Voyager will land once again and all will come back on board. During the challenge, Voyager will remain in orbit."
"You will make sure of this" asked the doctor, speaking for the crew's safety.
"I assure you doctor, nothing will happen to this crew" this seemed to satisfy everyone, including the Pirans.
"That seems to be all" Chakotay concluded "Return to your posts and prepare to land the ship."
A murmuring of 'Yes, sir' was followed by the sound of fading footsteps from both directions in the corridor.
"Commander" someone said quietly, causing Chakotay to stop, turn around and see Clarin looking right at him. He looked questioningly back at her "Once the rest of the crew has left the ship, please ask the crewmembers participating in the challenge to come to the bridge for the first…puzzle."
"Of course" Chakotay replied. Clarin nodded and walked out of the door, leaving him alone in the cargo bay.
Compared to the last few days, the landing and trips through the planet's atmosphere were relatively uneventful. Harry, Tom and especially B'Elanna gave up their posts to Piran officers very reluctantly. B'Elanna could hardly control her frustration for leaving no starfleet officers in Engineering.
"Right" Clarin said once the eight specified officers all arrived on the bridge. "The first puzzle is somewhere on this deck. You need to find and solve it. The first puzzle may be solved by all of you together." Clarin then moved away from them and sat, rather uncomfortably, on the edge of Chakotay's chair.
The search of the bridge went surprisingly quickly, with everyone looking in specific sections. Barely 2 minutes had passed when Tuvok got up from behind his console and walked down towards the others, a data pad clutched in his right hand.
"Well?" Chakotay questioned.
"It appears to be some kind of riddle" Tuvok replied. "It reads:
It is not tidy, it is never clean.
A place for meetings, for friends to be seen."
"Any ideas?" Chakotay asked after a few seconds.
"It could describe the words making up the name of a section of this ship" Seven said helpfully. "If so, I believe it could be describing the Mess Hall"
"Certainly makes sense" mumbled B'Elanna "Worth a try?"
"I agree. Clarin, we are going to the Mess Hall" Chakotay raised his voice at the end of the sentence to get Clarin's attention, not knowing that she was listening intently.
"As you wish, but I insist that you do not use the turbolifts"
"Are you saying that we've got to do this entire challenge going through Jeffries tubes?! That's gonna take us ages!" B'Elanna blurted out, interrupting Chakotay who was about to speak.
"Lieutenant!" Tuvok 'scolded', attempting to calm her down and failing miserably. She approached the vastly smaller Clarin.
"B'Elanna, please, we haven't got time to lose our temper. We must get going" Chakotay ordered. As he had known B'Elanna the longest, the others did not attempt to interfere.
"Fine Chakotay. Do it your way" B'Elanna suddenly fell uncharacteristically silent.
"Lead the way" Clarin said sarcastically, indicating the Jeffries tube hatch Harry had pulled open. Chakotay went through the hatch first followed by Clarin and Seven. B'Elanna brought up the rear, just behind Tuvok. She was still fuming.
-----
Darkness.
Carefully controlled breathing was the only sound to be heard. Quick, heavy footsteps rang through the quiet then no sound once again.
"Why are you doing this? What is this all about?!"
Silence.
"I know you can hear me. I only want to know what is happening"
"You don't need to know"
"Why are you doing this?"
Neither spoke for some time, until the second voice said:
"We live to challenge ourselves and others. Most in this area of space know us as 'Galactic Puzzlers'"
"I have said enough! Now you will agree to answer our questions!"
TO BE CONTINUED…
