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Now for the next chapter.

Chapter 29

Chakotay moved to Kim's side and watched the young Ensign attempt to regain control of weapons systems. "Keep trying Ensign. We're not going to let the virus make Voyager fire on Andromeda again."

Kim pushed more buttons at his console to no avail. "It's no use Commander, nothing I try is working. It's like whoever programmed the virus knew as much about our systems anybody on board here."

Chakotay didn't let on just how right the Ensign was in his remark. "Yes it would seem so. At least try to get some helm control back online so we don't try to approach Andromeda."

Paris plugged in a few commands and to his surprise they worked. "Captain, I'm getting some response now. Shall I make a course away from Andromeda?"

"Negative Mr. Paris. Maintain position for now," Janeway ordered before tapping her com badge. "Janeway to Torres, good work Lieutenant, you and your team got a handle on the virus just in time."

Torres stepped off a ladder and tapped her com badge. "Thank you Captain, but we've merely manage to temporarily halt the computer virus for now. It appears to be recovering; although slowly."

"We've bought some time at least," Janeway said trying to put a positive spin on the news.

The Voyager's crew collectively held their breath as the ship continued to hold its position. Moments later Andromeda was seen on the view screen holding its position as well.

"It looks like Andromeda managed to get some of her systems on line as well," Chakotay commented.

Janeway took notice and turned to the executive officer. "Yes, it looks like the Abyss entity underestimated the saboteur and also our ability to regain ship controls."

"I doubt it will underestimate us again Captain," Chakotay mused.

"I don't intend for us to give the Abyss a second chance Commander," Janeway vowed before leaving the bridge.

In the wee hours of the morning B'Elanna Torres and her team of engineers worked feverishly attempting to eradicate the computer virus. In the time they worked on the problem they had only managed to slow down the virus' progression.

Torres was tempted to throw her tricorder against a bulkhead in frustration. The Klingon took a few moments to calm down before speaking to the ensign standing next to her. "Obviously this isn't working Randall; we better try something else."

"Yes ma'am but we've already tried everything possible; I don't know what else we can do," The ensign replied in frustration.

"Ensign there is always a solution to even the most difficult problem. We'll find a way to get rid of this blasted computer virus," Torres reminded confidently

The Klingon woman keyed in a few commands on the console in font of her and waited for the results. "It's late so what do you say we take a break while we're waiting and grab some coffee from the replicater Ensign?"

The Ensign Randall nodded her approval and followed Torres to the mess hall.

In Engineering Commander Chakotay waited patiently for the saboteur to show up. Captain Janeway had given the commander a remote control device that produced a holographic wall which hid Chakotay. The remote control was courtesy of Captain Dylan Hunt, who also supplied a force lance. Both items were beamed aboard Voyager by Captain Janeway earlier in the evening. Chakotay kept the force lance in reserve, preferring to rely on a standard issue phaser instead.

Chakotay's ears pricked up when he heard the whoosh of the door to Engineering opening. The new arrival had programmed the lights to remain off upon entering as Chakotay waited for the person to come closer.

As soon as the intruder was close enough Chakotay stepped out from the holographic wall and pointed his phaser at the intruder. The shadowy figure turned around sideways to face Chakotay, giving the commander a better view in the dim light. To Chakotay's surprise Harry Kim stood in front of him.

"Lights up to 100," Chakotay called out.

Kim's face appeared to pale in the bright light. "Commander, I'm surprised to see you here. What's brings you here?"

Chakotay kept his phaser aimed at the ensign. "Same thing that brought you here Ensign. I allowed you to think you had the lights programmed to remain off when you entered. I don't recall you being on duty at this time."

"I'm pulling extra duty. Ensign Baker took ill suddenly so I volunteered to cover for him until a replacement arrives to take over his shift" Kim explained nervously.

Chakotay knew Ensign Kim to be a rather sensitive, nervous type, but not usually this nervous. "Ensign Kim I am ordering you to slowly back away from the warp drive."

The ops officers remained in place looking confused. "I don't understand Commander. Why are you still pointing your phaser at me?"

"Back away from the warp core and I'll explain," Chakotay ordered calmly.

Chakotay was mildly surprised when Kim's eyes took on a red glow. The Commander realized there was no time to waste and fired the phaser at Kim. The phaser blast barely had any effect on the young ensign.

"It's no use Commander, the phaser won't stop me. You might as well give up before I'm forced to hurt you," Kim threatened as he approached the commander.

As Kim advanced on Chakotay's position the commander reset hit phaser onkill setting. That gave Kim enough time to kick the phaser from Chakotay's hand, sending the weapon skidding across the deck.

As the two men struggled on the deck Chakotay reached for the force lance and fired it point blank into Kim's stomach. Chakotay tried to remember Hunt's instructions for using the weapon before firing several more shots in succession at Kim. Each shot sent Kim reeling backwards until the ensign fell backwards onto the deck. Moments Chakotay watched in horror as Ensign Harry Kim was reduced to a puddle of black goo on the deck.

"Chakotay to Janeway, I found our saboteur," the commander informed over the com link.

Janeway arrived momentarily with Torres and Ensign Randall close behind. The group gathered around the puddle then looked at Chakotay for an explanation.

"What happened Commander? Is this puddle the saboteur?" Janeway questioned.

"Aye Captain. I waited here as we planned when Harry Kim entered Engineering," Chakotay began.

Janeway put up a hand to stop the Commander's story. "Are you saying that Ensign Harry Kim is the saboteur?"

"I fired Captain Hunt's force lance at Ensign Kim and he turned into that black puddle," Chakotay informed as he gestured towards the black goo.

Torres produced a knife from the inside of her boot and bent over the black puddle, scraping off a small sample. "I'll take this to medical and see if they can run an analysis."

Janeway nodded her approval. "I want the report from Medical as soon as it's complete."

Torres searched for a container to hold the specimen before finding a small plastic bag in a drawer. Now that the specimen was secure Torres left for Medical.

"Computer, attempt to hail Captain Hunt on the Andromeda and put the transmission through to my quarters," Janeway ordered as she looked back the liquid that was once Ensign Harry Kim.

Captain Hunt entered the Command Deck, stopping in front of the view screen. "Andromeda I need a status report on weapons and shields."

Main Frame Rommie instantly appeared on the view screen with the information. "My shields are degrading and my torpedo tubes are prepared for firing"

Hunt tilted his head back and rolled his eyes. "Beka any luck with the virus?"

Beka Valentine laid her scanner down on the flat console at her location in Engineering. "Not yet. Harper's Help Files gave me enough information to slow down the virus but this one's not like anything we've encountered. Any word from Harper?"

"No, and he better find an answer fast," Hunt informed. "Andromeda, try to get hold of Harper again and have him give an update."

Seamus Harper heard a faint voice in his head that woke him up just enough to get a response. "Go away; can't you see I'm sleeping?"

"I'm sorry to wake you Harper but Captain Hunt has ordered me to contact you," Andromeda apologized.

Harper opened his eyes and let out a yawn. "That's okay Rommie; I should be getting back to work. What does Dylan want?"

"Captain Hunt is wants to know how you're coming along with finding a way to stop my virus," Andromeda answered plainly.

Harper struggled into a seated position as he listened to the AI. "Just fine. I'm making some headway and should have it all worked out soon."

Andromeda didn't show it to her engineer but she was relieved. "Good. I'll inform Captain Hunt. How long before you have everything worked out?"

"Gimme about an hour and then I'll try to find a way to transmit the antivirus program to you," Harper informed as he grabbed the flexi he had previously set aside.

"I'm sure you'll figure a way to get a communication past the Nietzschean authorities on Earth," Andromeda reassured the engineer. "I'll inform Captain Hunt."

Main Frame Rommie appeared on the Command Deck view screen. "Captain I have received communication from Captain Janeway and I have also communicated with Harper.

"Good work Andromeda. Put Captain Janeway on hold while you brief me on your conversation with Harper," Hunt directed.

After the quick update on Harper the crew felt relieved.

Even Anasazi allowed a flicker of a smile to cross his lips. "At least that's one piece of positive news."

"We were about due for our luck to turn good," Valentine chimed in.

"Andromeda put Captain Janeway through," Hunt instructed.

Janeway's eyes scanned Andromeda before speaking, "Captain Hunt, I'm glad to see your crew has been unharmed. I thought you might like to know we found our saboteur."

Hunt turned to his crew and could tell what they were thinking. "I'm afraid I have to ask who the saboteur was."

"I'm sorry to say it was Ensign Harry Kim. He was on the shuttle when we went through the wormhole," Janeway grimly informed.

"Ah yes I remember Ensign Kim. He seemed quite a serious and sensitive individual; not the type of person I would have suspected," Hunt replied.

Janeway appeared to momentarily let her guard down, showing the hurt of betrayal. "Ensign Kim was the last person I would have suspected of being a saboteur. Unfortunately he gave Commander Chakotay no option but to kill the ensign. Then the ensign disolved into a puddle of black goo."

Hunt's eyes widened at the mention of the black substance."That means Ensign Kim was taken over by the Spriit of the Abyss. In that case Commnader Chakotay did the right thing. I'm sorry it came to that but when a person is controlled by the Abyss they are rarely returned to their former self. There's nothing you or your crew could have done any differently. It's small consolation on losing a member of your crew, but I felt you should know. "

"Thank you for the information Captain Hunt," Janeway said appreciatively. "How are you coming along with eradicating the computer virus? We've only been able to slow its progression."

AI Rommie stepped in front of the view screen to address the Starfleet captain. "Mr. Harper is working on a solution now. He said he should be able to transmit an antivirus program soon. When I have the program I will transmit it to your ship Captain."

Janeway smiled with relief at the mention of Harper. "Thank you Andromeda. I'm glad Mr. Harper is alive and well on Earth. If there are no other pressing matters I will leave you all for now."

Hunt was satisfied to let the conversation end. "I believe you've been fully briefed Captain. Hunt out."