B'Elanna looked up suddenly at Ryou's question. It wasn't one that got asked all the time by foreign species, but it had been asked before. She sighed before straightening and turned to face Ryou and Bakura. "I guess I can tell you about me but not everything." "I can tell you right now that I am a hybrid of two species. Klingon and human." B'Elanna bit her lip before continuing. "I sometimes find it frustrating to be the only Klingon, hybrid or not, on this ship as my temper most of the time lands me in hot water. I've adjusted though and the crew has learned to accept what I am. But not only me, everyone respects everyone on Voyager and I think that is why we have gotten so close to our goal."
She turned back to the station she was working at and let the duo think over what she had said. She didn't want to baby-sit or look after the pair, but she would share a little of her life if they wanted to hear it. "If you want since my shift is almost over, we could leave for the Mess Hall and get you something to eat, or we could go to my quarters. It's your choice. We can eat in both locations, but the Mess Hall is more crowded."
---
Seven laughed at Mokuba's exuberance, a smile gracing her face as she followed the quartet of teens to where they were going to dine. It would be nice to avoid nutritional supplements and replicated food. She quietly followed the teens before looking around the area, taking in the displays of merchandise. She tapped Yuugi on the shoulder. "Which place are we going to eat at?"
Seven moved her hand into her pocket, fingering the combadge slightly in irritation. She was watching Yuugi and the others interacting before withdrawing her hand. Unbeknownst to her, though, the combadge slipped out of her pocket at the same time.
---
Captain Janeway sighed as she looked up from her console. She knew better then to check in with Seven as she was probably experiencing new sights and sounds and re-establishing another little piece of humanity that she had lost when the Borg assimilated her. Feeling a slight headache forming, the captain's thoughts then drifted to the two 'guests' that they had on board. Tom had reported for his shift and quickly filled the Bridge crew in with the results of his newest trainees. He stated that Ryou had been quite good until he had been distracted by something. When he mentioned Bakura's flight style, Janeway's mouth had opened slightly in shock.
***
Ryou nodded. "Yes, I would like to hear more about you. As you can imagine, we've never met people outside our, um, species before."
Bakura snorted at his hikari. {{Well, let's go then.}}
Ryou spoke up, "I guess we could go to the mess hall. You said it was crowded there, maybe we can find more people to talk to."
{{Yes, it's not everyday we get transported to a spaceship. We might as well make the most of it.}}
Ryou sighed aloud at his yami's sarcasm. {Bakura...}
{{I just want to get out of here. I can't do the pilot thing anymore, and I bet there's nothing else to do here.}}
"For Pete's sake, Bakura, quit complaining!" Ryou shut his mouth, realizing he had spoken to what was a quiet room.
---
Marik kept a careful eye on the group. ^Stupid, Pharaoh. You just *had* to enter a public building.^ The robed figure sat at the edge of a building. ^All well... I've waited years for this. What's an hour or so?^ He got out his Millennium Rod and began to shine it.
---
Yuugi pointed to the Domino Pizza Parlor that was just across the street. "That's the best pizza place in Domino."
They walked inside and were greeted by a carefree air, seeing children laughing and teenagers gossiping about their latest crushes. They sat themselves down at the nearest booth. A bubbly waitress took their orders and handed out glasses of water. When the waitress left, they talked idly about the Marik incident, making Kaiba a little more enlightened out what they were going to have to face.
---
Marik suddenly noticed something drop out of the blonde girl's pocket. He waited until the posse was inside before he jumped off the building, startling many, to be sure, and picked up a small silvery object. ^Well, what have we here? Maybe it's a bomb...^
^^Or maybe it's a communicator so E.T. could phone home.^^
Marik's face brightened up. ^I bet it *is* a communicator. Now, if only I could get this thing to work...^
***
B'Elanna was just as silent as the crew in Engineering. This was odd, but she was used to odd occurrences before. Briefly catching various crewmembers looking at the pair nearby, the half-Klingon decided to move away. "I suppose we should go now. Follow me and you can be in for a treat when we get to the Mess hall as you can choose from a replicated meal or whatever Neelix has cooked. I'd prefer not to have to escort you to Sickbay, so you may want to use the replicator.
As she turned to exit, she glanced back at Ryou and Bakura wondering whom Ryou had been shouting at earlier. Something was up with those two, and she wanted to find out.
--
Seven cringed once as the din on the parlor hit her full force. It was noisier here than onboard Voyager. She stuck close to Yuugi, not knowing what to expect. She eyed the interior of the restaurant and sighed before turning her gaze to the menu. She did have money that she could spend, but Seven felt like waiting until she was fully decided on what she wanted.
As she stood there, her fingers wandered into her suit pocket and encountered nothing there. It registered a second later that her combadge was missing. Panicking slightly, she thought back to when she had used it last. It had been before that Marik person had showed up. Had she dropped it then? She wasn't sure. Feeling rather uneasy, she looked at the group before eyeing the door entrance. Had she looked sooner, she may have seen a person stoop to the ground and retrieve a small object. As she looked at the doors now, two people left the building.
***
Yuugi and the others started talking about upcoming events, mainly the tournament and Marik. He started getting into the conversation when he saw Seven start to shuffle around. Looking around at the group before her eyes setting on the doorway. /Wonder what she's looking for.../
//I don't know.//
Yuugi excused himself and headed to the bathroom. He locked the door and beckoned to the spirit. /Yami, come out, we may need your help./
Yami materialized in front of Yuugi. Yuugi saw the crimson eyes briefly float towards the mirror. Seeing no reflection he sighed. "Let's see what we can do to help Seven."
Yuugi nodded and left the bathroom. The group quickly noticed the arrival of the spirit and managed to make room for him at the table. Kaiba was no help, refusing to be within a foot of his rival.
Yuugi noticed Seven's eyes flashing around the ground, almost desperately looking for something. "Is there something you're looking for, Annika?" Yuugi asked.
---
"Replicator?" Ryou echoed. {Definitely way ahead of our time.}
{{Like the spaceship wasn't the first hint?}}
{Quiet, you're just as impressed as I am. Just to proud to admit it.}
Bakura snorted and followed, with Ryou in tow, this so-called Klingon.
{And now I think she's onto us.} Ryou thought.
The evil spirit smirked. {{Not my fault you can't keep your mouth shut.}} His smirk grew. {{And you really shouldn't converse with the voice in your head while walking.}}
{Huh?} Ryou recovered from the glazed look over his eyes just in time to see a wall in front of him.
BANG!
The spirit started laughing at his other's misfortune. {{You really should listen to me.}}
Ryou knew that if he wasn't on the ground and people were staring at him, he would've done something regrettable. {That wasn't nice.}
{{Who said I was nice? Mr. Look-at-me-I-can-fly-a-space-ship!}}
Ryou pulled himself up, knowing not to expect help from Bakura. He said one word before composing himself that he knew would shut Bakura up for a while. {Jealous.}
***
Seven had noted Yuugi and Yami's return to the table, but it didn't stop her scan of the interior of the building. Only when Yuugi spoke did she turn her gaze to him. He'd interrupted her small search, but it looked like she might need help looking for her lost item. Slowly she glanced at the others, basically Mokuba and Kaiba, before lowering her voice so only Yuugi could hear. "I am not sure where it happened, but I seem to have lost my only means of communicating with my friends. I had a small communicator on my outfit earlier, you might have noted it, but I can't find it anymore. I remember placing it in my pocket, but now it is gone. Yuugi, if someone has picked it up, it may mean dire consequences. I need to find it."
Even though she spoke in an even tone, there was a hint of panic in her voice.
---
B'Elanna shook her head ruefully as she watched Ryou pick himself up after walking into the wall. It was strange how he hadn't seen it. She assisted him briefly before continuing to lead the pair to the Mess Hall. Once there, the doors opened automatically to grant her access. The half-Klingon stood aside and allowed Ryou and Bakura to enter before her.
"Ryou and Bakura, this is the Mess Hall."
---
Neelix looked up as the doors to his domain opened and glanced quickly to see B'Elanna Torres standing there. He squinted briefly before realizing that she was not alone. He placed his latest concoction aside and exited the galley before walking over and introducing himself. "Welcome to the Mess Hall. My name is Neelix and since I haven't seen you around before I assume that you aren't staying for long. But as long as you are here, I would be glad to show you around, or if you need anything, don't be afraid to let me know."
The Talaxian trailed off, not sure whether or not he should be this forward with guests. He smiled at the pair before glancing around the hall. Most people had taken the opportunity to briefly look over the newcomers before politely returning to their meals and conversations.
---
Captain Janeway glanced at her console again. Ninety minutes had gone by since Seven had last checked in with a brief report and she was supposed to have checked in every hour. It was not the wisest decision to let a crewmember stay alone on an away mission, but Seven had proven repeatedly to be dependable and reliable with her check-ins. She glanced briefly to Chakotay before making her decision. Janeway glanced to the main screen before opening the communications link between the ship and Seven.
"Voyager to Seven. Please come in."
***
Yuugi nodded, remembering what he thought was a silvery pendant on her outfit. //I noticed it, too, aibou. We should go look for it while Kaiba and his brother can wait here for the food.// Yami suggested.
/Okay./
"Um, Kaiba, Mokuba? Annika lost a small, silver colored pendant, could you wait here for the food with Jounouchi," Yuugi cringed when he saw his best friend make an angry face, "while Yami, Annika and I look for it?" Yuugi asked, being cautious to the fact the Kaiba brothers did not know much about Seven.
Kaiba looked slightly confused, but nodded anyway... he really couldn't understand what his brother saw in these people.
Jounouchi started sulking in the booth. 'Great, I'm stuck with Kaiba... what could be worse?' He nodded, realizing that 'what could be worse' is being in a duel with Kaiba and his three Blue Eyes. Not that he couldn't beat Kaiba, of course.
The three left the booth and went in search. "Where did you put it in your pocket?" Yami finally asked when out of earshot of the Kaibas.
---
Marik's eyes widened and he jumped. "What in the name of Ra?!" ^A voice just came out of this thing.^
^^Hmm... I was actually right,^^ the darker side of Marik mused. ^^So, are you going to answer it?^^
^How would I even know how to use it?^
Yami Marik mentally shrugged. ^^Bang on it, always works for me.^^
"Well, it would hurt..." Marik tapped it lightly on a nearby wall. The small device made a chirp-like sound. ^Bingo.^ Marik grinned. "Whoever this is," he started, "I know all about you. One of your people had a slight run-in with me. Her name was Seven of Nine, I believe. A weird name, but she could not have been lying. I would've known." An evil spark lit his lavender eyes.
---
Ryou's eyes widened. {Well, he seems cheerful.}
{{Great...}} Bakura obviously upset at Ryou. {{Stupid humans...}}
{Um... he is not exactly human...} Ryou commented.
The dark side of Ryou blinked. {{Correction: stupid mortals.}}
Ryou shrugged. {You don't know that... he very well may be immortal.}
Bakura glared at his hikari. He saw Ryou shrink down a bit. "Excuse me, you are not an immortal, are you?"
"No."
{{See? Stupid mortals.}}
Ryou sighed. {Let's get something to eat while we are here. It might be interesting to try their food.}
{{Fine.}}
Ryou smiled at the alien's cheerfulness and asked, "I'm Ryou and this is Bakura. If we may, could we find something to eat?"
***
Captain Janeway was startled when a male voice answered her hail to Seven. Standing, she paced the length of the bridge before replying. "You are speaking to Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager, but since it seems you have already been told this, I suppose it comes as no surprise to you. I ask two questions of you. One, who is it that I am speaking to? And last of all, have you harmed my crewmember."
Janeway paused briefly, "I warn you, if you have injured Seven, we will do all we can to bring swift justice to you. If you wish to end this conversation, go right ahead. But I have a way of tracking you down." Janeway rubbed her temples in a useless gesture as a headache was approaching.
---
Seven glanced around again, hoping to catch the glint of silver that would be her combadge but it was a futile gesture. She couldn't see it in the store. Glancing back towards Jounouchi and Mokuba, Seven sent a small wave to the boys before exiting the store, hardly allowing Yuugi and Yami enough time to follow in her wake. Mentally, she recalled placing the combadge in her pocket during her initial meeting with Kaiba and Mokuba, but after that she hadn't realized it was missing until in the restaurant.
'I can't believe I lost it,' was the thought running through her head. She turned when Yuugi and Yami came into view, having heard them approach. "I remember placing it in my pocket during our encounter with Mokuba and his brother and I know I didn't move it before that." Looking frustrated, Seven leaned against the side of a building and sighed. "Again, I am asking for your help. I am sorry to be dragging you into all of this."
Letting silence fall between them, Seven actually believed that she heard someone speaking. It was most likely just someone talking to a friend though... although the voice did seem familiar.
---
Neelix beamed at Ryou, or was it Bakura. He shook his head slightly before answering Ryou's question. "I can get you something to eat, but I suggest that you use the replicator behind you. I am sure that the Captain wouldn't mind if I ordered something for the guests with my rations." Neelix frowned. "I'm offering you use of the replicator because some crewmembers have fallen sick with my latest creations, and I am not sure whether you would approve of Leola Root Stew."
Neelix moved to stand at a location behind Ryou and Bakura and pointed to a slot in the wall. "This is your standard food replicator. Just tell it what you wish to consume, and it will provide you with your request. I just have to enter in that I wish it to subtract rations from what I have left. Don't worry about how much it will cost."
---
B'Elanna had left during Neelix's speech as she still had work to do. Those two would need time to eat anyway and she was sure Neelix could handle anything that came up. Her mind wandered to the small incidents in Engineering and in the corridor. It was odd to say the least and she was game to figure out what was going on.
***
Marik couldn't keep the grin off of his face. "Well, I suppose me telling you who I am will have no consequences. I am Marik Ishtal... soon to be ruler of Earth; remember that. And as for your precious crewmember, I haven't harmed her... yet. You see, she's associating with the very person I plan to kill. And I don't like people getting in my way... as a person in a place of leadership, I'm sure you can understand this." He took out his Millennium Rod. "And as for you tracking me down, if you manage to do that you'll find out exactly how I got all my information out of Seven of Nine."
^^Ooh, well said.^^
^Thank you.^
"So, if she doesn't get in my way, she will not be harmed. But..." Pause. "I may be tempted to use her. That miniature Pharaoh seems to have a big enough heart not to want anyone to get hurt..." he started saying, half to himself. "It'd be so much easier with bait..." He shook his head. "So, here's my warning to you: you come after me and you'll suffer the same fate as the Pharaoh."
---
"No, no, don't worry. We're happy to help." Yuugi looked around. "It shouldn't be too far from here then." /Maybe someone picked it up.../
//I hope not. She probably wouldn't be too happy if that happened.//
/Where else could it be, Yami? I think she would be able to know where she had it last./ He looked at his surroundings again. /And it's not here./
Yami nodded. //You have a point, but it was small... it could get lost easily.//
Yuugi sighed and kept up searching. Ten minutes into the search and Yuugi was starting to get worried. /This isn't such a big spot, there's not that many places the communicator could have and landed and we couldn't see./
"Annika, what if someone picked it up? We've looked everywhere and it's just not here."
---
While Neelix entered in what needed to be done, Ryou turned to Bakura who just shrugged. When the chef was done, he turned to the replicator. "Um... Beef teriyaki... and yakitori please?"
Surprisingly, a plate of... beef teriyaki with steamed rice and many sticks of yakitori came out. "Wow, I'm impressed." He took the plate and motioned for Bakura to order.
Bakura narrowed his eyes. He wasn't convinced. "I want melokhia soup, ful medames and fig cakes."
"Is that what you ate in Egypt?" Ryou asked.
"No, that's what the Pharaoh ate..." And sure enough, the dishes he ordered appeared. Bakura's eyes widened a bit.
"By Ra!"
The hikari started laughing. "Let's go sit somewhere."
***
Neelix smiled as his 'customers' seated themselves and went back to his earlier task. He was trying to find a better mixture of coffee for the Captain. He sighed as he watched some of the crew leave, on their way to quarters or to their designated areas for the next shift change.
Looking back at the two guests, he was glad that he was able to help them.
---
Seven looked up from her musing as Yuugi's voice broke the concentration she had been using to figure out if she had been hearing things. "If someone did pick it up, I can only hope that they didn't figure out what it is. Our technology can be very dangerous in the wrong hands."
She paused again, definitely hearing a voice this time. She looked around before turning to Yuugi. "Do you hear someone speaking?"
---
Janeway was angry and confused at Marik's behavior. She glanced to Tuvok before returning her attention to the conversation. This Marik seemed to be a threat to the away mission and she only wished she knew what had happened. Turning to Harry, she had him proceed to locate a Borg signature on the planet and to contain a constant transporter lock on Seven. Next she returned to the conversation with Marik.
"I don't suppose I could try and talk you out of your plan for world domination, but do understand who you are dealing out terms to. The crew of Voyager is not to be taken lightly. I don't know how you got information from Seven without harming her, but be assured, if you were to use any one of us as 'bait' you would pay a hefty price. Janeway out."
Janeway sat in her seat for a moment letting everything sink in. She then stood and made her way to Ops. She had Harry scan for Seven's combadge and was surprised to see that the location of the badge and Seven's actually location were very close to each other. She ordered Harry to keep on eye on everything before turning command over to Chakotay. She had to think of how to handle this.
***
Yuugi listened carefully. Sure enough, sounds of a conversation were definitely in the air. /I know that voice... But I don't recognize the girl's.../
//It's Marik, aibou.//
/Marik?! What's he-wait a minute.../
"Marik has the communicator, Annika!"
The three made a start to get closer to the voices. //He's probably been watching us the whole time.// The female voice was talking again, but the words were still too distant to hear. //Where can he be?//
/Yami! Up there!/
"Annika, Marik is up there. I'm going to go first. I don't want to put you or aibou in danger." Yami started up the fire escape stairs.
---
Marik frowned. "Stupid woman, no matter. Seven of Nine will make good bait."
^And as long as I have this, Seven of Nine is sure to be looking for it.^
Marik turned when he heard clanking noise coming from the stairs. ^Hello, Pharaoh.^
//Marik!// A second later, Yami made his way to the top.
Marik chuckled. "Well, it wasn't you I was trying to lure to me, but all well. Might as well take every chance I can get to kill you!" Marik lunged at the Pharaoh with his Rod.
Yami managed to dodge the sharp object. "You can't kill me, Marik," Yami taunted.
//Aibou, keep Seven down there with you.//
/Too late.../
---
Bakura and Ryou finished their meals really quickly. "So, wasn't this worth it?"
The spirit glared.
"I'll just take that as a yes."
"Hmm... let's go."
Ryou's eyes widened. "What?"
"I said, let's go. Explore."
"B-but... we don't know where anything is. We could get lost," he protested.
Bakura glared some more. "Fine than you can stay by yourself."
Ryou stared after Bakura. "Wait, Bakura!" {Can't have you getting into trouble.}
{{I heard that.}}
***
As soon as Seven registered what both Yami and Yuugi had said, she took a moment to analyze the previous situation. Noting that Yami had disappeared up the ladder, she nodded solemnly to Yuugi before moving to the ladder and climbing it. She ignored Yuugi's attempts to call her back to safety, but she had made a realization of who Marik had been talking with. It made sense that he would figure out how to use the combadge if the captain had hailed her.
As she glimpsed the action on the rooftop, Seven crouched on the ladder to stay unseen. It wouldn't help if she became a hindrance to Yami by being snared again. She could only hope to surprise Marik if he moved this way, maybe even take his 'weapon' away to allow Yami the advantage. Clinging to the ladder, she could only hear what was going on.
---
Captain Janeway sat in her ready room, trying to figure out how to fix the dilemma Seven might have accidentally placed the crew in. The last threat Marik had made was racing through her mind. It added to the stress she was already coping with. It almost seemed that everything was against her. 'Except for the crew,' she thought silently.
Curious as to the whereabouts of her guests that were currently onboard, she inquired the ship's computer of their current location. She shook her head when she received the answer. It seemed that Ryou and Bakura no longer had any crew supervising them as they had drifted away from the Mess Hall and were now heading in the direction of Sickbay.
Since she didn't think the Doctor would be pleased with unannounced guests strolling in, she contacted him and updated him on the situation and told him to be expecting guests, if her assumptions were correct.
***
Ryou followed after his yami. "I don't know if this is a good idea, Bakura."
"Quiet, you weak nothingness."
They went around what seemed to be a circular corridor. Ryou had already lost track of where the mess hall was. He stopped Bakura by grabbing his arm. "Where are we?"
"Don't touch me."
The hikari let go. "Where are we?" he repeated.
Bakura shrugged. "Who knows, who cares? I'll have to admit, this place is intriguing." The spirit of the ring went to the nearest door and it automatically opened.
"Um... this looks different," Ryou muttered.
There were flat tables everywhere. "This isn't the mess hall, that's for sure," Bakura said observing the tables.
---
Yami looked back and saw nothing. //Where's Seven?//
/Not too far... /
//Yuugi, try to get her to leave.//
/She can take care of herself, Yami. You just get off of there as soon as you can with her communicator. Annika will help you if you get into any trouble./
Yami cringed on the inside. He kept his gaze on Marik, waiting to see when he'll attack again. "Where's the communicator, Marik?"
The Egyptian smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Yami growled. "You will tell me."
"Or what? You don't scare me, Pharaoh," he spat. "You are nothing. You can't use the magic your puzzle holds because you don't know how to use it. You are weak against me."
Marik charged him, but the spirit of the puzzle dodged once again, but not without receiving a small scrape. Yami's red eyes flared.
/Yami? What happened?/
//I'm fine, aibou.//
/You're hurt./
Yami's eyes narrowed, still concentrating on Marik. //It's a scratch.//
"Are you going to let me kill you or not, Pharaoh? I would hate to have to force this upon you." Marik grinned.
***
Upon hearing Marik's chilling words to Yami, Seven couldn't stay hidden any longer. She moved from her crouching position and noted that Marik had his back to her. Slipping over the small ledge, Seven landed neatly on her feet and started towards the battling pair. Glancing around, she saw no sign of her combadge and promptly assumed that Marik had it on him.
Making a quick decision, Seven moved closer to Marik, preparing to ambush him. She pulled her arm back to swing...
---
The Doctor glanced up from his office as the doors to Sickbay whooshed open. Curious as to how the doors opened but no one entered, he frowned and stood from his seat and started towards the door. He wasn't surprised to see two youths standing outside.
"Are you just going to stand there and waste time, or would you like to come in and have a look. I assure you that I don't bite. I am Voyager's EMH, Emergency Medical Hologram in other words. Most of the crew call me Doctor as I haven't settled on a name."
The Doctor moved the side of the door in case Ryou and Bakura decided to enter. He knew their names from the alert that the Captain had sent him.
***
Marik turned too late and was punched square in the jaw. He fell to the ground, his Millennium Rod clattering nearby.
Seeing an opportunity, Yami dashed for the item. He was a mere foot away, when I light was emitted from the Rod and a man stood in front of him. The resemblance to Marik was uncanny. //This only means one thing. He's the spirit of the Rod, just as I am from the Puzzle.//
/What did you say, Yami?/
//Stay put, aibou. It's dangerous here.// Yami retreated a couple steps and studied the guy in front of him.
---
"Hologram?" Ryou repeated, quite sure he was dreaming now. /A dream; that's the only explanation./
Bakura reached out and pinched his hikari's arm. "OW! What did you do that for?"
"You thought that this was a dream, correct?"
Ryou sighed.
---
Yuugi felt something extremely bad was going to happen up there. "But Yami told me to stay here." Making up his mind, he climbed the ladder on the side of the building. /Yami, I'm coming up./
//No! I told you to stay.//
/Something bad is going to happen and I'm not gonna let it./ Yuugi thought with determination./
//Just... stay hidden for a bit... Don't come up in the open until I tell you, all right?//
/Fine. But one thing happens and I'm coming out./
***
Let us know how we are doing. Feedback is encouraged. All reviews welcomed.
She turned back to the station she was working at and let the duo think over what she had said. She didn't want to baby-sit or look after the pair, but she would share a little of her life if they wanted to hear it. "If you want since my shift is almost over, we could leave for the Mess Hall and get you something to eat, or we could go to my quarters. It's your choice. We can eat in both locations, but the Mess Hall is more crowded."
---
Seven laughed at Mokuba's exuberance, a smile gracing her face as she followed the quartet of teens to where they were going to dine. It would be nice to avoid nutritional supplements and replicated food. She quietly followed the teens before looking around the area, taking in the displays of merchandise. She tapped Yuugi on the shoulder. "Which place are we going to eat at?"
Seven moved her hand into her pocket, fingering the combadge slightly in irritation. She was watching Yuugi and the others interacting before withdrawing her hand. Unbeknownst to her, though, the combadge slipped out of her pocket at the same time.
---
Captain Janeway sighed as she looked up from her console. She knew better then to check in with Seven as she was probably experiencing new sights and sounds and re-establishing another little piece of humanity that she had lost when the Borg assimilated her. Feeling a slight headache forming, the captain's thoughts then drifted to the two 'guests' that they had on board. Tom had reported for his shift and quickly filled the Bridge crew in with the results of his newest trainees. He stated that Ryou had been quite good until he had been distracted by something. When he mentioned Bakura's flight style, Janeway's mouth had opened slightly in shock.
***
Ryou nodded. "Yes, I would like to hear more about you. As you can imagine, we've never met people outside our, um, species before."
Bakura snorted at his hikari. {{Well, let's go then.}}
Ryou spoke up, "I guess we could go to the mess hall. You said it was crowded there, maybe we can find more people to talk to."
{{Yes, it's not everyday we get transported to a spaceship. We might as well make the most of it.}}
Ryou sighed aloud at his yami's sarcasm. {Bakura...}
{{I just want to get out of here. I can't do the pilot thing anymore, and I bet there's nothing else to do here.}}
"For Pete's sake, Bakura, quit complaining!" Ryou shut his mouth, realizing he had spoken to what was a quiet room.
---
Marik kept a careful eye on the group. ^Stupid, Pharaoh. You just *had* to enter a public building.^ The robed figure sat at the edge of a building. ^All well... I've waited years for this. What's an hour or so?^ He got out his Millennium Rod and began to shine it.
---
Yuugi pointed to the Domino Pizza Parlor that was just across the street. "That's the best pizza place in Domino."
They walked inside and were greeted by a carefree air, seeing children laughing and teenagers gossiping about their latest crushes. They sat themselves down at the nearest booth. A bubbly waitress took their orders and handed out glasses of water. When the waitress left, they talked idly about the Marik incident, making Kaiba a little more enlightened out what they were going to have to face.
---
Marik suddenly noticed something drop out of the blonde girl's pocket. He waited until the posse was inside before he jumped off the building, startling many, to be sure, and picked up a small silvery object. ^Well, what have we here? Maybe it's a bomb...^
^^Or maybe it's a communicator so E.T. could phone home.^^
Marik's face brightened up. ^I bet it *is* a communicator. Now, if only I could get this thing to work...^
***
B'Elanna was just as silent as the crew in Engineering. This was odd, but she was used to odd occurrences before. Briefly catching various crewmembers looking at the pair nearby, the half-Klingon decided to move away. "I suppose we should go now. Follow me and you can be in for a treat when we get to the Mess hall as you can choose from a replicated meal or whatever Neelix has cooked. I'd prefer not to have to escort you to Sickbay, so you may want to use the replicator.
As she turned to exit, she glanced back at Ryou and Bakura wondering whom Ryou had been shouting at earlier. Something was up with those two, and she wanted to find out.
--
Seven cringed once as the din on the parlor hit her full force. It was noisier here than onboard Voyager. She stuck close to Yuugi, not knowing what to expect. She eyed the interior of the restaurant and sighed before turning her gaze to the menu. She did have money that she could spend, but Seven felt like waiting until she was fully decided on what she wanted.
As she stood there, her fingers wandered into her suit pocket and encountered nothing there. It registered a second later that her combadge was missing. Panicking slightly, she thought back to when she had used it last. It had been before that Marik person had showed up. Had she dropped it then? She wasn't sure. Feeling rather uneasy, she looked at the group before eyeing the door entrance. Had she looked sooner, she may have seen a person stoop to the ground and retrieve a small object. As she looked at the doors now, two people left the building.
***
Yuugi and the others started talking about upcoming events, mainly the tournament and Marik. He started getting into the conversation when he saw Seven start to shuffle around. Looking around at the group before her eyes setting on the doorway. /Wonder what she's looking for.../
//I don't know.//
Yuugi excused himself and headed to the bathroom. He locked the door and beckoned to the spirit. /Yami, come out, we may need your help./
Yami materialized in front of Yuugi. Yuugi saw the crimson eyes briefly float towards the mirror. Seeing no reflection he sighed. "Let's see what we can do to help Seven."
Yuugi nodded and left the bathroom. The group quickly noticed the arrival of the spirit and managed to make room for him at the table. Kaiba was no help, refusing to be within a foot of his rival.
Yuugi noticed Seven's eyes flashing around the ground, almost desperately looking for something. "Is there something you're looking for, Annika?" Yuugi asked.
---
"Replicator?" Ryou echoed. {Definitely way ahead of our time.}
{{Like the spaceship wasn't the first hint?}}
{Quiet, you're just as impressed as I am. Just to proud to admit it.}
Bakura snorted and followed, with Ryou in tow, this so-called Klingon.
{And now I think she's onto us.} Ryou thought.
The evil spirit smirked. {{Not my fault you can't keep your mouth shut.}} His smirk grew. {{And you really shouldn't converse with the voice in your head while walking.}}
{Huh?} Ryou recovered from the glazed look over his eyes just in time to see a wall in front of him.
BANG!
The spirit started laughing at his other's misfortune. {{You really should listen to me.}}
Ryou knew that if he wasn't on the ground and people were staring at him, he would've done something regrettable. {That wasn't nice.}
{{Who said I was nice? Mr. Look-at-me-I-can-fly-a-space-ship!}}
Ryou pulled himself up, knowing not to expect help from Bakura. He said one word before composing himself that he knew would shut Bakura up for a while. {Jealous.}
***
Seven had noted Yuugi and Yami's return to the table, but it didn't stop her scan of the interior of the building. Only when Yuugi spoke did she turn her gaze to him. He'd interrupted her small search, but it looked like she might need help looking for her lost item. Slowly she glanced at the others, basically Mokuba and Kaiba, before lowering her voice so only Yuugi could hear. "I am not sure where it happened, but I seem to have lost my only means of communicating with my friends. I had a small communicator on my outfit earlier, you might have noted it, but I can't find it anymore. I remember placing it in my pocket, but now it is gone. Yuugi, if someone has picked it up, it may mean dire consequences. I need to find it."
Even though she spoke in an even tone, there was a hint of panic in her voice.
---
B'Elanna shook her head ruefully as she watched Ryou pick himself up after walking into the wall. It was strange how he hadn't seen it. She assisted him briefly before continuing to lead the pair to the Mess Hall. Once there, the doors opened automatically to grant her access. The half-Klingon stood aside and allowed Ryou and Bakura to enter before her.
"Ryou and Bakura, this is the Mess Hall."
---
Neelix looked up as the doors to his domain opened and glanced quickly to see B'Elanna Torres standing there. He squinted briefly before realizing that she was not alone. He placed his latest concoction aside and exited the galley before walking over and introducing himself. "Welcome to the Mess Hall. My name is Neelix and since I haven't seen you around before I assume that you aren't staying for long. But as long as you are here, I would be glad to show you around, or if you need anything, don't be afraid to let me know."
The Talaxian trailed off, not sure whether or not he should be this forward with guests. He smiled at the pair before glancing around the hall. Most people had taken the opportunity to briefly look over the newcomers before politely returning to their meals and conversations.
---
Captain Janeway glanced at her console again. Ninety minutes had gone by since Seven had last checked in with a brief report and she was supposed to have checked in every hour. It was not the wisest decision to let a crewmember stay alone on an away mission, but Seven had proven repeatedly to be dependable and reliable with her check-ins. She glanced briefly to Chakotay before making her decision. Janeway glanced to the main screen before opening the communications link between the ship and Seven.
"Voyager to Seven. Please come in."
***
Yuugi nodded, remembering what he thought was a silvery pendant on her outfit. //I noticed it, too, aibou. We should go look for it while Kaiba and his brother can wait here for the food.// Yami suggested.
/Okay./
"Um, Kaiba, Mokuba? Annika lost a small, silver colored pendant, could you wait here for the food with Jounouchi," Yuugi cringed when he saw his best friend make an angry face, "while Yami, Annika and I look for it?" Yuugi asked, being cautious to the fact the Kaiba brothers did not know much about Seven.
Kaiba looked slightly confused, but nodded anyway... he really couldn't understand what his brother saw in these people.
Jounouchi started sulking in the booth. 'Great, I'm stuck with Kaiba... what could be worse?' He nodded, realizing that 'what could be worse' is being in a duel with Kaiba and his three Blue Eyes. Not that he couldn't beat Kaiba, of course.
The three left the booth and went in search. "Where did you put it in your pocket?" Yami finally asked when out of earshot of the Kaibas.
---
Marik's eyes widened and he jumped. "What in the name of Ra?!" ^A voice just came out of this thing.^
^^Hmm... I was actually right,^^ the darker side of Marik mused. ^^So, are you going to answer it?^^
^How would I even know how to use it?^
Yami Marik mentally shrugged. ^^Bang on it, always works for me.^^
"Well, it would hurt..." Marik tapped it lightly on a nearby wall. The small device made a chirp-like sound. ^Bingo.^ Marik grinned. "Whoever this is," he started, "I know all about you. One of your people had a slight run-in with me. Her name was Seven of Nine, I believe. A weird name, but she could not have been lying. I would've known." An evil spark lit his lavender eyes.
---
Ryou's eyes widened. {Well, he seems cheerful.}
{{Great...}} Bakura obviously upset at Ryou. {{Stupid humans...}}
{Um... he is not exactly human...} Ryou commented.
The dark side of Ryou blinked. {{Correction: stupid mortals.}}
Ryou shrugged. {You don't know that... he very well may be immortal.}
Bakura glared at his hikari. He saw Ryou shrink down a bit. "Excuse me, you are not an immortal, are you?"
"No."
{{See? Stupid mortals.}}
Ryou sighed. {Let's get something to eat while we are here. It might be interesting to try their food.}
{{Fine.}}
Ryou smiled at the alien's cheerfulness and asked, "I'm Ryou and this is Bakura. If we may, could we find something to eat?"
***
Captain Janeway was startled when a male voice answered her hail to Seven. Standing, she paced the length of the bridge before replying. "You are speaking to Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Starship Voyager, but since it seems you have already been told this, I suppose it comes as no surprise to you. I ask two questions of you. One, who is it that I am speaking to? And last of all, have you harmed my crewmember."
Janeway paused briefly, "I warn you, if you have injured Seven, we will do all we can to bring swift justice to you. If you wish to end this conversation, go right ahead. But I have a way of tracking you down." Janeway rubbed her temples in a useless gesture as a headache was approaching.
---
Seven glanced around again, hoping to catch the glint of silver that would be her combadge but it was a futile gesture. She couldn't see it in the store. Glancing back towards Jounouchi and Mokuba, Seven sent a small wave to the boys before exiting the store, hardly allowing Yuugi and Yami enough time to follow in her wake. Mentally, she recalled placing the combadge in her pocket during her initial meeting with Kaiba and Mokuba, but after that she hadn't realized it was missing until in the restaurant.
'I can't believe I lost it,' was the thought running through her head. She turned when Yuugi and Yami came into view, having heard them approach. "I remember placing it in my pocket during our encounter with Mokuba and his brother and I know I didn't move it before that." Looking frustrated, Seven leaned against the side of a building and sighed. "Again, I am asking for your help. I am sorry to be dragging you into all of this."
Letting silence fall between them, Seven actually believed that she heard someone speaking. It was most likely just someone talking to a friend though... although the voice did seem familiar.
---
Neelix beamed at Ryou, or was it Bakura. He shook his head slightly before answering Ryou's question. "I can get you something to eat, but I suggest that you use the replicator behind you. I am sure that the Captain wouldn't mind if I ordered something for the guests with my rations." Neelix frowned. "I'm offering you use of the replicator because some crewmembers have fallen sick with my latest creations, and I am not sure whether you would approve of Leola Root Stew."
Neelix moved to stand at a location behind Ryou and Bakura and pointed to a slot in the wall. "This is your standard food replicator. Just tell it what you wish to consume, and it will provide you with your request. I just have to enter in that I wish it to subtract rations from what I have left. Don't worry about how much it will cost."
---
B'Elanna had left during Neelix's speech as she still had work to do. Those two would need time to eat anyway and she was sure Neelix could handle anything that came up. Her mind wandered to the small incidents in Engineering and in the corridor. It was odd to say the least and she was game to figure out what was going on.
***
Marik couldn't keep the grin off of his face. "Well, I suppose me telling you who I am will have no consequences. I am Marik Ishtal... soon to be ruler of Earth; remember that. And as for your precious crewmember, I haven't harmed her... yet. You see, she's associating with the very person I plan to kill. And I don't like people getting in my way... as a person in a place of leadership, I'm sure you can understand this." He took out his Millennium Rod. "And as for you tracking me down, if you manage to do that you'll find out exactly how I got all my information out of Seven of Nine."
^^Ooh, well said.^^
^Thank you.^
"So, if she doesn't get in my way, she will not be harmed. But..." Pause. "I may be tempted to use her. That miniature Pharaoh seems to have a big enough heart not to want anyone to get hurt..." he started saying, half to himself. "It'd be so much easier with bait..." He shook his head. "So, here's my warning to you: you come after me and you'll suffer the same fate as the Pharaoh."
---
"No, no, don't worry. We're happy to help." Yuugi looked around. "It shouldn't be too far from here then." /Maybe someone picked it up.../
//I hope not. She probably wouldn't be too happy if that happened.//
/Where else could it be, Yami? I think she would be able to know where she had it last./ He looked at his surroundings again. /And it's not here./
Yami nodded. //You have a point, but it was small... it could get lost easily.//
Yuugi sighed and kept up searching. Ten minutes into the search and Yuugi was starting to get worried. /This isn't such a big spot, there's not that many places the communicator could have and landed and we couldn't see./
"Annika, what if someone picked it up? We've looked everywhere and it's just not here."
---
While Neelix entered in what needed to be done, Ryou turned to Bakura who just shrugged. When the chef was done, he turned to the replicator. "Um... Beef teriyaki... and yakitori please?"
Surprisingly, a plate of... beef teriyaki with steamed rice and many sticks of yakitori came out. "Wow, I'm impressed." He took the plate and motioned for Bakura to order.
Bakura narrowed his eyes. He wasn't convinced. "I want melokhia soup, ful medames and fig cakes."
"Is that what you ate in Egypt?" Ryou asked.
"No, that's what the Pharaoh ate..." And sure enough, the dishes he ordered appeared. Bakura's eyes widened a bit.
"By Ra!"
The hikari started laughing. "Let's go sit somewhere."
***
Neelix smiled as his 'customers' seated themselves and went back to his earlier task. He was trying to find a better mixture of coffee for the Captain. He sighed as he watched some of the crew leave, on their way to quarters or to their designated areas for the next shift change.
Looking back at the two guests, he was glad that he was able to help them.
---
Seven looked up from her musing as Yuugi's voice broke the concentration she had been using to figure out if she had been hearing things. "If someone did pick it up, I can only hope that they didn't figure out what it is. Our technology can be very dangerous in the wrong hands."
She paused again, definitely hearing a voice this time. She looked around before turning to Yuugi. "Do you hear someone speaking?"
---
Janeway was angry and confused at Marik's behavior. She glanced to Tuvok before returning her attention to the conversation. This Marik seemed to be a threat to the away mission and she only wished she knew what had happened. Turning to Harry, she had him proceed to locate a Borg signature on the planet and to contain a constant transporter lock on Seven. Next she returned to the conversation with Marik.
"I don't suppose I could try and talk you out of your plan for world domination, but do understand who you are dealing out terms to. The crew of Voyager is not to be taken lightly. I don't know how you got information from Seven without harming her, but be assured, if you were to use any one of us as 'bait' you would pay a hefty price. Janeway out."
Janeway sat in her seat for a moment letting everything sink in. She then stood and made her way to Ops. She had Harry scan for Seven's combadge and was surprised to see that the location of the badge and Seven's actually location were very close to each other. She ordered Harry to keep on eye on everything before turning command over to Chakotay. She had to think of how to handle this.
***
Yuugi listened carefully. Sure enough, sounds of a conversation were definitely in the air. /I know that voice... But I don't recognize the girl's.../
//It's Marik, aibou.//
/Marik?! What's he-wait a minute.../
"Marik has the communicator, Annika!"
The three made a start to get closer to the voices. //He's probably been watching us the whole time.// The female voice was talking again, but the words were still too distant to hear. //Where can he be?//
/Yami! Up there!/
"Annika, Marik is up there. I'm going to go first. I don't want to put you or aibou in danger." Yami started up the fire escape stairs.
---
Marik frowned. "Stupid woman, no matter. Seven of Nine will make good bait."
^And as long as I have this, Seven of Nine is sure to be looking for it.^
Marik turned when he heard clanking noise coming from the stairs. ^Hello, Pharaoh.^
//Marik!// A second later, Yami made his way to the top.
Marik chuckled. "Well, it wasn't you I was trying to lure to me, but all well. Might as well take every chance I can get to kill you!" Marik lunged at the Pharaoh with his Rod.
Yami managed to dodge the sharp object. "You can't kill me, Marik," Yami taunted.
//Aibou, keep Seven down there with you.//
/Too late.../
---
Bakura and Ryou finished their meals really quickly. "So, wasn't this worth it?"
The spirit glared.
"I'll just take that as a yes."
"Hmm... let's go."
Ryou's eyes widened. "What?"
"I said, let's go. Explore."
"B-but... we don't know where anything is. We could get lost," he protested.
Bakura glared some more. "Fine than you can stay by yourself."
Ryou stared after Bakura. "Wait, Bakura!" {Can't have you getting into trouble.}
{{I heard that.}}
***
As soon as Seven registered what both Yami and Yuugi had said, she took a moment to analyze the previous situation. Noting that Yami had disappeared up the ladder, she nodded solemnly to Yuugi before moving to the ladder and climbing it. She ignored Yuugi's attempts to call her back to safety, but she had made a realization of who Marik had been talking with. It made sense that he would figure out how to use the combadge if the captain had hailed her.
As she glimpsed the action on the rooftop, Seven crouched on the ladder to stay unseen. It wouldn't help if she became a hindrance to Yami by being snared again. She could only hope to surprise Marik if he moved this way, maybe even take his 'weapon' away to allow Yami the advantage. Clinging to the ladder, she could only hear what was going on.
---
Captain Janeway sat in her ready room, trying to figure out how to fix the dilemma Seven might have accidentally placed the crew in. The last threat Marik had made was racing through her mind. It added to the stress she was already coping with. It almost seemed that everything was against her. 'Except for the crew,' she thought silently.
Curious as to the whereabouts of her guests that were currently onboard, she inquired the ship's computer of their current location. She shook her head when she received the answer. It seemed that Ryou and Bakura no longer had any crew supervising them as they had drifted away from the Mess Hall and were now heading in the direction of Sickbay.
Since she didn't think the Doctor would be pleased with unannounced guests strolling in, she contacted him and updated him on the situation and told him to be expecting guests, if her assumptions were correct.
***
Ryou followed after his yami. "I don't know if this is a good idea, Bakura."
"Quiet, you weak nothingness."
They went around what seemed to be a circular corridor. Ryou had already lost track of where the mess hall was. He stopped Bakura by grabbing his arm. "Where are we?"
"Don't touch me."
The hikari let go. "Where are we?" he repeated.
Bakura shrugged. "Who knows, who cares? I'll have to admit, this place is intriguing." The spirit of the ring went to the nearest door and it automatically opened.
"Um... this looks different," Ryou muttered.
There were flat tables everywhere. "This isn't the mess hall, that's for sure," Bakura said observing the tables.
---
Yami looked back and saw nothing. //Where's Seven?//
/Not too far... /
//Yuugi, try to get her to leave.//
/She can take care of herself, Yami. You just get off of there as soon as you can with her communicator. Annika will help you if you get into any trouble./
Yami cringed on the inside. He kept his gaze on Marik, waiting to see when he'll attack again. "Where's the communicator, Marik?"
The Egyptian smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Yami growled. "You will tell me."
"Or what? You don't scare me, Pharaoh," he spat. "You are nothing. You can't use the magic your puzzle holds because you don't know how to use it. You are weak against me."
Marik charged him, but the spirit of the puzzle dodged once again, but not without receiving a small scrape. Yami's red eyes flared.
/Yami? What happened?/
//I'm fine, aibou.//
/You're hurt./
Yami's eyes narrowed, still concentrating on Marik. //It's a scratch.//
"Are you going to let me kill you or not, Pharaoh? I would hate to have to force this upon you." Marik grinned.
***
Upon hearing Marik's chilling words to Yami, Seven couldn't stay hidden any longer. She moved from her crouching position and noted that Marik had his back to her. Slipping over the small ledge, Seven landed neatly on her feet and started towards the battling pair. Glancing around, she saw no sign of her combadge and promptly assumed that Marik had it on him.
Making a quick decision, Seven moved closer to Marik, preparing to ambush him. She pulled her arm back to swing...
---
The Doctor glanced up from his office as the doors to Sickbay whooshed open. Curious as to how the doors opened but no one entered, he frowned and stood from his seat and started towards the door. He wasn't surprised to see two youths standing outside.
"Are you just going to stand there and waste time, or would you like to come in and have a look. I assure you that I don't bite. I am Voyager's EMH, Emergency Medical Hologram in other words. Most of the crew call me Doctor as I haven't settled on a name."
The Doctor moved the side of the door in case Ryou and Bakura decided to enter. He knew their names from the alert that the Captain had sent him.
***
Marik turned too late and was punched square in the jaw. He fell to the ground, his Millennium Rod clattering nearby.
Seeing an opportunity, Yami dashed for the item. He was a mere foot away, when I light was emitted from the Rod and a man stood in front of him. The resemblance to Marik was uncanny. //This only means one thing. He's the spirit of the Rod, just as I am from the Puzzle.//
/What did you say, Yami?/
//Stay put, aibou. It's dangerous here.// Yami retreated a couple steps and studied the guy in front of him.
---
"Hologram?" Ryou repeated, quite sure he was dreaming now. /A dream; that's the only explanation./
Bakura reached out and pinched his hikari's arm. "OW! What did you do that for?"
"You thought that this was a dream, correct?"
Ryou sighed.
---
Yuugi felt something extremely bad was going to happen up there. "But Yami told me to stay here." Making up his mind, he climbed the ladder on the side of the building. /Yami, I'm coming up./
//No! I told you to stay.//
/Something bad is going to happen and I'm not gonna let it./ Yuugi thought with determination./
//Just... stay hidden for a bit... Don't come up in the open until I tell you, all right?//
/Fine. But one thing happens and I'm coming out./
***
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