Chapter 4

Voyager's crew waited in the Mess Hall for the Commander's arrival. Chattering filled the room as Neelix served them snacks and beverages. With in a few minutes Chakotay appeared. The room became very quiet; everyone stood ready to listen.

"Alright, as you all know Tom, Harry and the Captain are being held on one of the alien ships. We don't know how to rescue them nor how to disable the ships. What I do know is we are not leaving them behind no matter what the cost may be. Personally, I don't want to lose the three of them. With out them Voyager would never be the same, may even feel empty. So what I want you all to work around the clock to find a way...any way to rescue them. Hopefully putting our minds together we can come up with a solid plan. Remember, we have underestimated these aliens before so let us not make that same mistake again. I wish you all the best of luck. Dismissed."

The crew slowly returned to their stations, Chakotay however remained in the Mess Hall. His mind begin to wonder and thoughts filled his mind. He couldn't help but think if he was in fact doing the right thing. Would Kathryn want him to risk losing Voyager or anymore of the crew to save the three of them? Neelix made his way over to him with a cup of black coffee fixed the same way Janeway always liked hers.

"Here you go Commander, this always seemed to help the Captain clear her mind and think of what need to be done."

"Thank you Neelix, your right all she needed was this and a quiet place and she could figure out almost anything."

"No problem Commander, you know it's much too quiet around here with out Tom and Harry. You'd never think how much difference two people could make a place feel."

"I agree with you there, its the same on the Bridge as well. So silent with out the Captain telling her stories and Tom always making up jokes or in some way confusing the rest of us. I never thought I would miss that."

"Don't worry Commander, I sure you and the crew will get them back safe and sound."

"I sure hope so Neelix other wise this ship may never be the same."

***********

Tom and Harry laid sleeping while Janeway sit in the corner thinking. The sound of an opening door brought all three to their feet. Two of the aliens walked into the room and deactivated the force field. One of them pointed to Janeway and motioned for her to come with them.

"Our Captain requests your presents. I am telling you now it is best you do not refuse."

Tom stands up to the alien.

"Wait just a minute...what exactly does he want with her? I'm not going to let...."

Janeway stopped him from saying another word; she didn't want them to hurt anyone.

"Its okay Tom, I'll be fine. You and Harry stay right here and I will be back."

They reactivated the field and left the room.

They took Janeway to a room that she figured was the Captain's ready room. The chair turned around and she saw a disgusting looking man sitting.

"Hello Captain Janeway. Welcome to my ship. I hoped you are enjoying your stay."

"I can't say I am. Why have you brought me here?"

"Well, I thought you would have figured it out by now Captain."

"Oh I have a few good guesses. For one, your want our technology."

"Your close, I don't just want your technology, I want your SHIP!! And you're the person who will give me Voyager's command codes."

"Like hell I will. I should have known better then to trust your kind. I could hear the deceit in your voice. This was never about us entering your territory was it? You just want my ship...But what I don't understand is why take Tom and Harry. Why not take me to begin with?"

"You have so many questions Captain. If you only thought for a second then you would clearly see the answers to every one. I don't care about that crew of yours, I took your two officers as bait. Now that I have you, I have no use for the other two. But if you do not give me the codes I will kill them."

The alien stood and walked over to where Janeway was being held. He once again demanded the codes, she refused. He begin beating her, one fist after the other until she could no longer stand on her own.

"Now Captain, give me the codes or I will kill you!!"

"I would rather die then give Voyager to you. I know you won't kill me, not yet. I am no use to you dead."

The alien screamed in anger.

"Take her back to the cell. I'm sure she will see things my way in a couple of hours."

The guards did as they were told and dragged Janeway back to the cell.

Tom and Harry stood to see the guards thronging the captain back in the cell. They ran over to her to see if she was okay. She was bloody and unconscious.

"What the hell did you do to her?"

Tom demanded to know.

"Well, lets just say she got what she deserved."

The guards left the room. Harry ripped off a piece of his jacket and begin whipping some of the blood off her face. Tom took off his jacket and folded it up to make a pillow.

"Tom what are we going to do? If we don't get her back to sickbay she could die."

"NO, she's strong, she will make it Harry. Do you think after seven years she will let this kill her."

"Your right, she would never leave us like this."