Merry Christmas all. Here's another chapter.

Chapter 28

"Commander, a wormhole is appearing in front of us," Ensign Harry Kim announced.

Chakotay turned to view the screen on the Bridge. "Okay you all know the routine. Try to keep us away from that wormhole helmsman."

The young helmsman on duty entered coordinates from his station as the wormhole approached the ship. The helmsman's movements became more urgent when Voyager's controls failed to respond. "Commander our systems are not responding. We're being pulled into the wormhole."

"Keep trying, Ensign. We're not going through another wormhole without a fight." Chakotay replied firmly.

B'Elanna Torres and Tom Paris were taking time out from work to grab a bite to eat and enjoy each other's company. The couple sat at an unoccupied table munching contentedly on their respective meals.

"So B'Elanna have you heard the news about Mai and Conan?" Paris asked between sips of replicated vegetable beef soup.

Torres looked up from her salad replying, "You mean about their engagement? Yeah I heard. It's all over the ship."

Paris chuckled softly. "I shoulda known the old grapevine would have had the news by now."

"That's why I check there first," Torres replied with a smile.

The conversation was abruptly ended when Voyager shook with such force that everybody seated in the mess hall were thrown from their chairs.

"B'Elanna are you all right?" Paris asked as he staggered to his wife's side.

Torres got to her feet and dusted off her uniform with her hands. "I'm fine Tom. We better check the others around here."

"All hands to battle stations. This is not a drill," Chakotay's voice ordered over the com.

Paris flashed his wife a wry smile. "This is not a drill. I would never have guessed."

Paris and Torres briefly kissed before parting for their respective stations. Paris entered the Bridge greeted by buzz of activity.

"Commander we're on the other side of the wormhole and Andromeda is preparing to fire her weapons," Harry Kim warned.

"Shields up Mr. Kim," Chakotay ordered form from his first officer's chair.

"And hail the Andromeda Ensign Carlisle," Janeway called out as she entered the Bridge.

The ensign immediately put through the call and Hunt's image appeared on the view screen as Paris took over his post at the helm.

"Captain Janeway, I apologize for the attack on your ship. The virus has taken over Andromeda's controls," Hunt explained, looking more than a little harried.

"How long before you get control back Captain?" Janeway asked. "I'm not in any mood to just sit here and let Andromeda fire on us,"

Hunt frowned, his frustration obvious. "I'm hoping to get things under control soon but without Mr. Harper it's taking longer than expected."

"Alright we'll try to keep out of range of your weapons," Janeway replied calmly.

"Captain I've lost control of our shields and weapons systems," Harry Kim announced.

Janeway turned from the view screen towards the Ensign. "Get control of those weapons."

"Shields are losing power. They're down to 89," Kim reported.

"I'm betting Voyager has the same virus as Andromeda," Chakotay reasoned.

A panicked look appeared on Paris' face. "Harry what are you doing? You're launching photon torpedoes at the Andromeda."

Kim frantically punched in commands on his console. "I'm trying to stop them but the controls are still not responding," Kim replied in exasperation.

Chakotay rushed over to the ensign's side and began keying in commands. "We're getting no response Captain."

Janeway wasted no time getting hold of Engineering. "Janeway to Engineering, shields and weapons are not responding to Bridge controls. See what you can do."

On the view screen a photon torpedo was fired at Andromeda. Voyager's crew watched helplessly as the torpedo closed in on the High Guard ship. Moments later the photon torpedo hit Andromeda's shields and exploded.

On Andromeda's Command Deck Beka Valentine tried steering the ship away from Voyager. "It's no use Dylan. Our navigation and steering are shot."

"Improvise then. We are not getting into a battle with Voyager," Hunt ordered.

Valentine glared at the captain for a second before turning her attention to maneuvering Andromeda out of Voyager's firing line.

Tyr Anasazi was listening to the exchange as he looked at data on his console. "Is there a reason why we don't want to fight Voyager? I for one am not willing to assume Captain Janeway and her crew are as upright and noble as you seem to think?"

"Tyr as far as I'm concerned this is all the work of the Spirit of the Abyss," Hunt retorted.

The Nietzschean wasn't backing down yet; not when his survival was at stake. "If the Sprit of the Abyss is behind this then we have to assume that one or more of Voyager's crew is under its control. We do not know which of Voyager's crew are working for the Spirit of the Abyss so it would be prudent to not trust any of them."

Hunt had to admit the Nietzschean had a point. "You may be right Tyr but we can't purposely fire on Voyager until we have a better idea of what's going on."

"It would help if we knew how to get rid of Andromeda's virus," Valentine remarked.

Main Frame Rommie appeared on the view screen to address that very issue. "Captain I am making progress in ridding my systems of the virus; however it's minimal. I am only stopping the virus' progression."

"A more definite time frame would be helpful ship," Anasazi grumbled.

Main Frame Rommie kept her expression frozen. "I would give an ETA on eliminating the virus but this is taking longer than expected. The virus is replicating itself and spreading throughout my systems faster than any other I've previously encountered. I have managed to regain control of my navigation and steering systems. However I don't believe my engineers aren't up to the task of getting rid of this virus entirely."

"Dylan I'm getting response from the pilot controls and steering a course away from Voyager," Valentine informed.

Hunt contemplated the information momentarily. "Don't go too far Beka, just far enough to be out of weapons range." Then Hunt returned his attention to Main Frame Rommie. "Andromeda, see if you can contact Harper and explain the problem with your virus and see if he can offer any suggestions."

"Aye Captain, if I get hold of Harper should I ask him to return from Earth?" Main Frame Rommie inquired.

"No, just see if he has any suggestions," Hunt replied.

Down on Earth Harper heard Andromeda's voice through his dataport. "Harper, are you there?" The ship's AI called out.

Harper set down the flexi he had been studying. "Yeah Rom-Doll what brings you to this part of the galaxy?"

"I need some help getting rid of a virus that's infected my systems and taken control of my weapons and shields," Andromeda informed.

"What? How'd that happen? Your antivirus program should have kept it out," Harper replied in disbelief.

Andromeda tried to remain patient but her crew was running out of time. "That's beside the point now. I need you to tell me how to get rid of the virus."

Harper carefully attempted to sit up to clear his head. "Okay Andromeda, don't worry. Just give me the details and I'll figure something out."

As Andromeda explained the virus' activities Harper grabbed the flexi and began taking notes. Harper soon forgot the pain of his injuries.

A short time later Andromeda could detect signs of fatigue in her engineer. "Harper I believe I've given you enough information to work out a solution. I'll inform Captain Hunt."

"Sure thing Rom-Doll. I'm sorry Rommie, I'd really prefer to work on your systems in person," Harper began apologizing.

"I know Harper," Rommie replied sympathetically. "But you made a commitment to aid Q2 and the rest of the crew and I have to get used to the idea that there will be times when you won't be available to assist us."

Harper smiled ruefully. "Aw come on Rommie. You know I'm indispensable. Look I better get working on getting you better so I'll check in later. Just let Dylan know that I'm okay and so is Q2."

"I'll do that Harper," Rommie agreed before ending the transmission.

Q2 walked back into the room looking downcast. "So who were you talking to Harper?"

Harper looked up from his flexi and shifted on his mattress. "Andromeda, she has a virus in her systems. It's messing up her weapons and shields."

"Oh. I'm sure you'll be able to come up with a way to rid Andromeda of the virus," the teenager replied quietly.

"Okay, why the long face Simon? Did anybody out there do or say anything to you they shouldn't have?" Harper questioned, ready to get up and deal with the offending party.

Q2 hesitated before answering, "I talked to Mike. He said he's going to try to rescue the resisters himself if nobody else would."

Harper tried to keep his emotions in check so as not to upset the teenager any further. "Mike's upset right now but he'll come to his senses. Anyway, I'm working on a plan to break Irish's guys out."

"So do you think you figured out a plan that will work?" Q2 inquired as he sat next to the engineer.

Harper gave his shoulders a slight shrug. "Probably, but there is a limit to even my genius, so it's best to prepare for the worst."

"You'll come up with a way to rescue those people," Q2 replied confidently.

Harper stifled a yawn. He was rapidly losing his energy. "I better or those resistors will be killed."

Q2 moved over and took the flexi from the engineer. "Better get some rest. You won't do those resistors any good if you have a relapse."

"No rest for the genius Simon. I gotta work on Rommie's virus now," Harper protested.

"Why don't I help you? It might save you some time," Q2 offered.

Harper normally would have protested but in his condition the engineer need help, as much as he hated to admit it. "Sure. I'll handle the virus and I'll let you finish up on my rescue plan."

The two worked a few more hours when Q2 stood up and stretched his arms above his head. The teenager took a break and left to pour a couple sips of water from a jug in the main room. Q2 returned a few minutes later with a cup filled a quarter of the way with water. The teen attempted to hand the cup to Harper but tripped over the engineer's outstretched legs. Harper was doused with the small amount of water in the cup

Harper grabbed a small rag and began soaking up the water from his shirt. "What's the matter with you? Do I look like I need a shower?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to waste the water," Q2 hastily apologized.

Harper took a deep breath and calmed down. "Don't worry Simon. I'm sorry I lost my temper with your. I guess it's time for me to call it a night and try to get some rest."

Q2 had to admit the thought of sleep was appealing. Being a human could be such a burden. "Good idea. I think I'll join you soon."

Irish entered the room looking like she carried the stress of being commander of her small resistance cell. Harper could sympathize with the redheaded woman; his cousin Brendan had the same haggard look many times as leader of his group.

"I came to see if you need anything Harper. Most of us are going to try to get some sleep," Irish wearily announced as she stood over the engineer.

"I'm good. I'm getting ready to visit the sandman myself," Harper said as he stuffed a flexi under the jacket he used for a pillow.

"Okay, then. I'll let you get your sleep," Irish replied before leaving the small room.