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 9 – Transport

"What happened?" moaned B'Elanna, sitting up quickly "I have got one hell of a headache."

"I entirely agree" said Tom, pulling himself onto his elbows "What are we doing here anyway?"

"We were knocked unconscious in sickbay" Seven informed them as Tuvok, Harry and Neelix sat up in turn.

"We should try to find a way out. The only thing we know so far about this room is the door on the far wall" Chakotay indicated to his right "Please get up off the floor lieutenant, we all need to help." He was talking to Tom, who was the only officer not sitting or standing up at the time. Tom looked straight back at him.

"With all due respect sir, I can't be bothered" Tom answered back, "My head feels ready to explode."

"We've all got headaches Tom, now get up." Chakotay was very close to loosing his temper.

"Yeah, well I got a worse headache"

"Stop complaining Tom and get up!"

Tom got roughly to his feet, wavered slightly, and then fell back onto his knees, coughing fitfully.

"Fine Tom, stay sitting. We need to…"

"Someone is approaching the door" Seven interrupted

"Thank you. Hopefully we will get some answers this time"

"Wouldn't bet on it" B'Elanna mumbled, but turned towards the now unlocked door all the same.

"Feeling more co-operative, Commander?" Loc'torin asked sarcastically, entering the cell "I'm sure we could find some way to persuade you."

"I can't be persuaded into telling you the answer because I don't know!" Chakotay shouted, moving towards Loc'torin.

"Fine. Be that way. We…what is that?!" sounds of a scuffle could be heard from a nearby corridor, causing Loc'torin to turn quickly to talk to his companions "Stay here, I'll go and see what all the trouble is about." Chakotay and the others didn't hear any more than that as the heavy door swung shut once again.

"Tha don' sound too good" Tom murmured, before collapsing onto his back, unconscious.

-----

"Maybe wa shouldn't have done that" Janeway said, looking down at the unconscious form of the young guard

"Believe me, it will help him. If it looks like we just overpowered him they shouldn't strip him of his rank"

"Talking about that. If they wanted to keep you imprisoned, why didn't they take your rank?"

"It has to be done through official channels. Besides, the only person with a higher rank than mine in this sector is my uncle"

"Helpful"

"Yeah, but they probably just forgot. Let's try to think of a diversion." Clarin moved down one of the corridors, then changed her mind, turned around and accessed a computer terminal built into the wall "I don't believe this…they've captured the rest of your crew!"

Janeway took all of this in very quickly, then moved to Clarin's side "We have to release them or we'll never be able to complete this challenge and escape"

"I agree. This is what we need to do"

-----

"What do you think it is?" Harry asked, trying to listen through the door "Sounds like weapons fire"

"Some kind of revolt perhaps" Neelix suggested skeptically

"Maybe. Whatever it is, it's coming this way" Harry moved away from the door as running footsteps were heard approaching it. There was a moment of silence before a shout of surprise and two loud thuds. The door creaked open slowly.

"Come on" a familiar alien voice whispered "We don't have much time"

The group of seven followed Clarin out through the door. Tom, being supported by Chakotay and Harry, brought up the rear.

"Stop!" a voice commanded them as they rounded a corner "Put your hands where we can see them"

The group slowly turned around, only to find themselves face to face with several blasters, held by three very angry-looking Pirans "You will immediately return to…" he stopped mid-sentence as red-hot blaster bolts ripped through the chests of all of the guards

"Come on. Transporter is this way" Clarin said quickly, indicating down the corridor.

"But…"

"She knows the way, she'll catch up with us"

Chakotay nodded reluctantly. The group moved as quickly as they could through a maze of corridors and emerged in a very unusual-looking transporter room.

"Get up on the pad, I'll set it." Clarin said, moving to the console "Right, nine people, Voyager sickbay, two minute delay" She double-checked the settings then got up on the pad to wait.

Almost two minutes later, Janeway ran breathlessly through the door. "Captain, it's good to…behind you!" Chakotay interrupted himself to shout out a warning. Unfortunately, he was mere moments too late. Janeway went to raise the blaster in her hand and stop her would-be attacker as a stun blast hit her square in the chest and she fell to the floor. Before anyone else could react, the transporter beam engulfed the others and they vanished from the room.

TO BE CONTINUED…