In a Single Heartbeat
Disclaimer – See Chapter One.
Chapter Ten – Rescue Team
B'Elanna and Retrill entered the encampment as another tremor began. This one lasted for over two minutes and several small trees fell across the path they had just left. The women and children rushed out of their huts and greeted the pair at the fire pit in the center of the encampment.
"The Goroth have left," the younger Retrill reported with a big smile on his face. "They are afraid of the tremors. I can take you to your shuttle now, B'Elanna."
"You must be cautious of further tremors while traveling through the trees," the doctor's wife stated as she came up behind the boy.
"You are correct, Trenar," the elder Retrill smiled at the woman. "Perhaps you would care to accompany them?"
"Yes, Retrill. I understand that there are other medical supply kits on B'Elanna's shuttle." Trenar answered. "I would also like the opportunity to try to contact Lorish and the others on our ship, if they are within range."
"Go, but take care," the older man pointed toward the path at the far end of the encampment.
"Hurry, Trenar, you must see B'Elanna's ship. It is most magnificent." Retrill moved swiftly ahead of them.
# # #
Seven punched in another set of numbers on the control panel in Astrometrics. "I believe this configuration would give the shuttle maximum shielding against the Goroth's scanners, Captain."
"How long will it take to get the shuttle ready?" Janeway asked.
"We could be ready to leave in thirty minutes, Captain," Harry answered. He moved to the console and transferred the data to a padd. Harry headed for the door when he was interrupted by the comm system.
"Ayala to Captain Janeway," the Lieutenant's voice came over the comm system.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant."
"Captain, there's a transmission coming through from the surface. It's Lieutenant Torres. She's in the shuttle."
"Patch it through to Astrometrics, Lieutenant." Janeway said.
"Yes, Captain."
Harry returned to the console as a burst of static was heard. He touched several controls and the static cleared.
"Captain, this is B'Elanna. Can you hear me?" B'Elanna's voice came through.
"Yes, B'Elanna. Are you all right?" Janeway asked, the relief evident on her face that the away team had been found.
"Yes, Captain, but Tom and Chakotay were captured by some Goroth guards. The people here, the Helmar, have taken care of my injuries. They told me that the Goroth have taken their men prisoners to work in a mine." B'Elanna sounded tired and upset.
"We have two of the Helmar on Voyager, B'Elanna and they've worked with Seven and Ensign Kim to devise a configuration for the shields on another of our shuttles. We are sending a rescue party to the surface," Janeway answered. "Can you activate the homing beacon on a rotating cycle to keep from being detected by the Goroth?"
"Yes, Captain. One of the Helmar prisoners escaped yesterday and reported that Tom and Chakotay were both injured. Tom has a head injury and he didn't know how serious it was. There was a doctor taken in the last transport of prisoners but the Goroth took his medical supplies."
Lorish moved forward and indicated the console. "Captain, if I may speak to your Lieutenant?"
Janeway nodded and Lorish stood in front of the console. "Lieutenant Torres, I am Lorish of the Helmar. Did the man who escaped mention anyone else at the mine?"
"Yes, there are over fifteen men being held," B'Elanna replied. "He also said that there was a young man there. I think he said his name was Bromar."
Lorish's face paled. "He is my nephew." She shook her head in anger. "He is only a boy, not yet fifteen cycles." She banged her fist on the console. "We have to get him out of there. The dust in the mines can be very toxic to the young."
Janeway looked at Lorish and back at Harry. "Ensign Kim, you will be carrying a passenger along on the rescue mission."
"Thank you, Captain," Lorish gave her a faint smile.
"Captain, I don't know how badly Tom is injured or Chakotay. Please have the doctor join the team as well," B'Elanna said. "I have Trenar, the doctor's wife, here with me. She'd like to speak to Lorish if possible."
"Of course," Janeway replied and motioned Lorish to speak again.
While the two Helmar women talked, Janeway spoke quietly with Harry and Seven. "I'd like Lieutenant Tuvok to lead the away team. There should be several members of security as well." She tapped her comm badge. "Captain to the doctor."
"Yes, Captain," the doctor responded.
"Doctor please report to the shuttle bay with a trauma medkit. You're going on an away mission."
"Yes, Captain, right away."
# # #
B'Elanna sank down in front of the navigation console after ending the transmission between Voyager and the shuttle. She activated the homing beacon, leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. Hang on, Tom; we're getting you and Chakotay out of there soon. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up into the concerned face of Trenar.
"We will rescue your husband and friend, B'Elanna." The older woman reached for a blanket that was lying on the floor of the shuttle and wrapped it around B'Elanna's shoulders. "You are cold. We must get back to the encampment before more tremors occur."
B'Elanna had not realized how tired and cold she was until Trenar found the blanket. "You should head back. I need to stay here until the other shuttle arrives. Let me show you the medkits and you can grab some extra ration packs as well."
"Trenar, we can not leave B'Elanna alone here. We will be safe inside. I think I can close the outer door and we can wait out the tremors here," Retrill spoke up. He had been examining the consoles and it was clear that he wanted to remain in the shuttle as long as possible.
"The others will worry if we do not return to the camp soon," Trenar said.
"Our shuttle is fast, they should be here within the hour," B'Elanna replied as she fought to keep her eyes open. The relief at finally contacting Voyager and knowing that they were close to rescuing Tom and Chakotay overcame the tension she had been feeling. "It wouldn't be so bad to get a little rest until they arrive."
Trenar smiled as the younger woman's eyes fluttered shut. She gently wrapped the blanket around B'Elanna and moved to the door of the shuttle. "Let us see what we can do to secure the shuttle. Then, we need to find some blankets for us too. It will be colder before long."
tbc…