Decisions

Chapter 3

The senior staff walked onto the Bridge and took their positions. Janeway looked around at everyone. The bridge now seemed so empty with out Tom and Harry.

"Is everyone ready for this?"

They all nodded as Janeway walked to the middle of the room and stood there with a million different thoughts running through her mind. Her gut feeling told her something was going to go wrong. Her gut was rarely wrong. With a bold voice she gave the command.

"Tuvok hale the lead ship."

"Channel open Captain."

=^=I take it you've come to a decision Captain?

Yes, I have. I will give you what you want but under one condition.

Oh, and what is that?

I will give you the replicator technology and I will take Tom and Harry's place only if you will allow me to come aboard and explain what is happening to them.=^=

There was a moment of silence.

=^=Agreed, Lower your shields and I will transport you to their location.=^=

"Tuvok, do as he says."

Janeway disappears. Chakotay whispers,

"Don't take too long Kathryn.."

***********

Looking around the small brig like room, she saw Tom and Harry sitting in the corner seemingly unharmed. Harry looked up and screamed.

"CAPTAIN!!! What are you doing here?"

"Tom, Harry are you okay? I've made a deal with them."

They lowered their voices to a whisper.

"What kind of deal?"

"I promised them replicator technology and that I would take your place."

Tom looked Janeway in the eyes and boldly said..

"Captain, I can't let you do that. I won't let you. Voyager needs."

"Tom don't worry, I have no intention of staying here. But I do feel that there is something more they want. Why else ask for me to take your place. They have the technology they asked for, why also ask for me...that's what puzzles me."

Tom spoke up.

"So what's the plan?"

"Well, when they lower the shields to beam the two of you back, Seven will attempt to beam me back as well. Once we are safely on Voyager, Tuvok is going to disable all three ships and we're getting the hell out of here."

Tom looked at Harry with confusion.

"Captain...uh I don't believe that is going to work."

"Why not Harry?"

"Because they are not going to return us to Voyager."

"WHAT! How do you know this?"

"I over heard two of them saying that once they had you they intended to over take Voyager and kill everyone on the ship."

"Still, why would they need me to do that...Command Codes!"

***************************************

=^=Chakotay to Seven,

Yes Commander?

Can you beam them back yet?

No sir I can not. =^=

Tuvok interrupts..

"Commander, they are charging weapons."

"Stand ready to fire Tuvok."

"They are haling Sir."

"Open a channel."

"Channel Open."

=^=What the hell do you want?

Now that I have your Captain and two officers I want you to abandon Voyager or die.

What.... You had no intention of keeping you end of the deal.

About as much as you intended to. This link is terminated.=^=

"Tuvok do you know if they can even fire on us while we're still on this planet?"

"Due to the fact that we know nothing about their weapons I can't say. We will soon find out."

The ship fires.

"Tuvok, anything?"

"No Sir, I don't think they are able to get a clear shot due to the atmosphere of this planet."

Chakotay breathes a sigh of relief.

"Any ideas?"

The bridge crew remains silent. Tuvok looks at the Commander.

"I am at a loss. I can not think of anyway at this time to rescue the Captain and the others. Perhaps we should assemble the crew in the Messhall to address the problem."

"Good idea."

=^=All hands this is Commander Chakotay. At 15:00 hours I want everyone to assemble in the Messhall so we may discuss our current situation. Chakotay Out.=^=

"Tuvok you have the Bridge, I will be in the Ready Room if I am needed."

Chakotay leaves the Bridge.

**************

In the Ready Room Chakotay sit on the couch sipping a cup of coffee and starring out the window. The sky was filled with dark gray clouds, no sign of light. He suddenly felt guilty; guilty for letting Janeway do this mission. The same guilt, which had haunted Kathryn for the past 7 years now, haunted him. He felt he should have been the one to go not her. The ship could survive without him but not without her. Memories flashed through his mind as he starred outside. He whispered..

"I'm not going to lose you yet, it might take time but I will find a way to save you, Tom and Harry.."