In a Single Heartbeat
Disclaimer – See Chapter One.
Chapter Eleven – The Rescue Begins
Lieutenant Ayala entered the shuttle bay. "Captain, Lieutenant Tuvok told me to report for an away mission. I heard that we've located the shuttle and Lieutenant Torres."
"Yes, Lieutenant," Janeway answered. "I'd like you pilot the shuttle. Lieutenant Tuvok will be taking three others from security as well; please see who's on this shift."
"Yes, Captain," Ayala replied. "Captain, were Commander Chakotay and Lieutenant Paris on the shuttle as well?"
"No, Lieutenant. I understand that they were taken to one of the mines on the planet and that Lieutenant Paris has been injured," Janeway answered. "Lieutenant Tuvok will lead the rescue mission. Ensign Kim and the doctor will be joining you as well as Lorish."
"Aye, Captain." Ayala moved to a console to determine who was available from the security staff.
"Captain, I will continue working with Krey and the other Helmar engineers on a method of terraforming their new world. Seven stated and moved to the exit.
"Yes, of course, Seven," Janeway replied and turned as doctor entered the shuttle bay with a trauma medkit.
"Captain, have we any further news of injuries to Commander Chakotay or Lieutenant Paris?" he asked as he approached the shuttle.
"No, Doctor, only that Lieutenant Paris was reported to have a head injury." Janeway looked up as Tuvok and three security officers entered the shuttle bay. "Lieutenant Ayala is completing the preflight procedures. Lorish and Ensign Kim should be able to guide you to the crash site."
The doctor entered the shuttle, muttering to himself. "One of these days Mr. Paris' hard head won't protect him from serious injury."
The rest of the away team moved to the shuttle and the captain walked toward the exit.
"Seven to Captain Janeway," Seven's voice came over the comm system in the shuttle bay.
"Yes, Seven. Go ahead," Janeway replied.
"Captain, I believe that Krey and I have found a way to accelerate the colonization of the Goroth's new world. Please report to Engineering."
Captain Janeway shook her head at Seven's request. "I believe I've been summoned." She smiled at Harry and entered the corridor.
# # #
B'Elanna felt Tom's hand fall away from her arm as he pitched forward. Kneeling beside him, she could feel the warm blood flowing from the wound in his chest. There was no heartbeat.
"B'Elanna!" a harsh whisper roused her from the nightmare. Retrill's face, only inches from hers, his eyes wide. "There's someone outside," he indicated the hatch.
"B'Elanna, it's Harry. Open the hatch." Harry's voice came over her commbadge.
Pushing the blanket away, B'Elanna reached for the controls and the hatch swung up allowing the away team access. Trenar moved to B'Elanna's side and pulled Retrill closer. He still clutched B'Elanna's phaser in his hand.
"It's okay, Retrill. They're friends," B'Elanna sighed and sunk back into the seat when the doctor approached.
"Well, Lieutenant, let's see how you're doing." The doctor brought out a medical scanner and passed it front of B'Elanna. "You have a cracked fifth thoracic vertebrae and pulled intercostal muscles on the right side." He looked down on the display again. "It appears that you've received some first aid care. Were the medkits undamaged?"
"Yes, Doctor, and Trenar here is a healer," B'Elanna indicated the petite woman at her side. "Her husband is a doctor, but he was also taken to the mines."
"Well, we should be able to recover all of them shortly. Ensign Kim and Lorish have been working on method of getting through the Goroth shields. He retrieved an osteoregenerator from the medkit. "Now, I'll have you fixed up in no time. Please lie down on the bunk."
"We don't have time for that right now, Doctor," B'Elanna started to stand. "Tom and Chakotay are being held prisoners in a Goroth mine and Tom's injured."
"Lieutenant, it would be more productive if you are at your peak," Tuvok came into B'Elanna's view. "The short time it will take the doctor to heal your injuries is time well spent."
Clearly out-ranked, B'Elanna moved to the bunk, pulling off her jacket as she walked. She tried to hide the wince of pain her movements caused, but Retrill was watching her closely.
"B'Elanna, this doctor will take away the pain?" he asked, worry evident in his gray eyes.
B'Elanna smiled at the boy. She had gotten close to him in the past few days. "Yes, Retrill, that instrument will heal the fractures." She ruffled his hair before she turned and lowered herself onto the bunk.
Lorish sat talking quietly to Trenar about the men who had been taken by the Goroth. Tuvok and Harry checked the shuttle's systems.
"Sir, I believe we could get the shuttle operating in several hours if we could bring down a repair team of engineers," Harry stated.
"Once we have recovered the others, we'll see to the shuttle," Tuvok replied.
The doctor worked quickly and B'Elanna felt relief as the lingering pain disappeared from her back. She rose, pulled her jacket on again, and headed for the sensor array. "I believe that we can find the mining camp with Harry's help to get the sensors back online." She smiled at her crewmate.
"I've already checked them out, B'Elanna. It will take more than just the two of us to get these working again. Lorish and I have modified the sensor array in the other shuttle. We were able to track your lifesigns but couldn't get a lock on either Commander Chakotay's or Tom's."
Trenar moved to B'Elanna's side. "I'm afraid that the Cadmilite in the mines effectively blocks any sensors. If the men are inside the mine, you will not be able to pick up their lifesigns. One of the men was able to escape and returned to our camp. He should be able to guide you back to the mine."
"Then I suggest that we secure the shuttle and move to your encampment," Tuvok said as he moved to the hatch. The others followed and headed into the woods.
# # #
Pain. Pain shooting down his right leg. Hard to breathe, something pinning him to the ground. He could hear voices.
"Help me lift this off of him. That's right, grab that end." The voice was calm, commanding. "Okay, we lift on three. One. Two. Three."
He could feel the weight coming off of his back. Chakotay pulled in several ragged breaths. "Tom? Are you all right?"
"Yeah, Commander." Tom's face came into view, covered in dust, blood smeared on one cheek. "Don't try to move just yet. The entrance collapsed in that last quake. The main timber came down on top of you."
"Anyone else hurt?"
"Just some bumps and bruises," Tom replied as he moved to one side so Dolon could approach Chakotay. "Let Dolon check you out before we try to move you."
"My right leg; I think it's broken," Chakotay gasped as the muscles in his back spasmed. "Hard to catch my breath."
Dolon squatted down next to Chakotay and gently probed along his neck and back. "I don't believe there are any fractures in his spine." Dolon moved a smaller piece of timber off of Chakotay's leg and even in the dim light could see it was twisted at strange angle. "I believe that you are correct, my friend. The leg is broken." He turned to Bromar. "Help me move him out of the rubble." He motioned to Tom. "Please stabilize his leg. We can use some of this wood for a splint."
The two Helmar pulled Chakotay to one side with Tom holding his leg. He groaned in pain as they lowered him to the ground. Dolon pulled off his outer shirt and tore it into long strips while Tom gathered several pieces of the broken wood. They quickly splinted Chakotay's leg.
"Is there anymore water?" Dolon asked. He took the small pouch out and opened it. There is a small amount of medicine left for his pain.
Lonten came forward with one of the bottles. "There are two bottles left. The rest are buried under the rubble." He poured some water into one of the wooden ladles that was on the ground and Dolon mixed a little of the powder in to it.
Dolon approached Chakotay who was slumped against the wall, his eyes closed and face pale. "Here, you must take this for the pain."
Chakotay drank the liquid, wincing at the pain the slight movement of leaning forward caused. "Thanks," he whispered. "Tom."
"Right here, Chakotay," Tom replied as he sat down next to the commander. "The entrance is pretty well blocked. Do you think the Goroth will try to get us out or just leave us for another mine?"
Chakotay could hear the fatigue in the younger man's voice. He opened his eyes to see the Helmar slumped on the ground in front of them. "Look, it's not hopeless. Once we catch our breath, we try to dig our way out," he announced to them all. He turned to Tom and lowered his voice. "I'm sure by now, that B'Elanna has had contact with Voyager and they are coming to free us." He moaned softly as another spasm hit his leg. "I guess, you're in charge now, Tom." He smiled at the reaction from Tom and continued. "You've waited over six years to give me orders. Now's your chance." Leaning back against the wall, Chakotay closed his eyes. "I have confidence in you that you'll have us out of here soon."
Tom shook his head slowly as he watched the pain in Chakotay's face. "I'll do my best, Sir," he grinned and leaned his head back against the wall. "Chakotay's right. We need to catch our breath and gather any tools and rations we can find." The others stood slowly and began to look for anything that escaped damage from the cave-in. "We'll just catch our breath…." Tom's voice trailed off as his eyes closed in exhaustion.
tbc….