Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.
CHAPTER THREE
COUNTERPART
"Coffee, black."
A cup of steaming hot coffee instantly materialized, and Kathryn picked it up, savoring the aroma. Outside the ready room window, stars flew by at warp speed, and Kathryn gazed at them a moment before making her way to her desk. Just as she was about to sit down, the doors opened and Chakotay came in. Kathryn smiled warmly. "Good morning."
Chakotay smiled in return. "Good morning."
Kathryn put down the cup in her hands and walked towards him, her eyes sparking as she looked into his. There was a glow on Chakotay's face too, a distinct happiness. He pulled out a bunch of red roses from behind his back and handed them to her.
"I won some replica rations at cards," he smiled.
Kathryn took the flowers gratefully. "They're beautiful, Chakotay. Thank you." She looked up at him. "I'll put them in water." She went over to the replicator and replicated a small crystal vase with water. After it materialized, she carried it over to her desk and carefully began to put the roses inside.
"I was thinking," she said as she worked, "how would you like to go for a moonlight sail tonight? I have some holodeck time reserved and we haven't been for...I can't remember how long."
"I would love too," Chakotay replied.
Tuvok's voice suddenly sounded. "Tuvok to Captain Janeway."
Kathryn responded. "Go ahead."
"We have an incoming transmission."
"Acknowledge and divert it to my ready room."
Kathryn went over to her chair, sat down, and switched on her monitor. Seconds later, a thin alien man appeared who had white skin, forehead ridges, long white hair, and pale blue eyes.
"Greetings," he said in a friendly voice. "You are about to enter Soruk space. Please state your identity, destination, and reason for entering our territory."
"I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager," Kathryn began. "We're an alone ship trying to make our way home. We have a long way to go and need to take the shortest possible route."
The alien worked a console before him, and then spoke. "Our scans confirm that you are an alone ship and that your technology is far less advanced than ours. We therefore grant you passage through our space and are submitting you a map of our boundaries and travel regulations."
The monitor beeped as the map was received. "Documents received," Kathryn replied. "Thank you."
"Any violation of our regulations will be punished," he continued. "This is necessary for our protection."
"Understood," Kathryn replied. "I wonder," she then said asked hopefully, "if you would be able to help us at all? Our journey home will take many years. Perhaps, with your technological advancement, you have technology that will get us there faster."
"I'm sorry," the man replied. "We are not allowed to share our technology with travelers. It would compromise our security."
Disappointment filled Kathryn's eyes. "I understand."
"Good day."
"Good day," she replied.
The connection terminated and Kathryn looked up at Chakotay. "Oh well, worth a try!"
"Certainly that," Chakotay answered. "And at least they're allowing us safe passage. Given all the hostile species we're encountered in this quadrant, that's a lot to be grateful for."
Kathryn smiled. "Absolutely."
Tranquil waves lapped "The Indiana" and a beautiful silver moon shone down on the small boat from a sky full of stars.
On the deck, Kathryn and Chakotay sat opposite each other at a picnic table and talked as they ate their meal. Kathryn was wearing an elegant blue summer dress, and Chakotay was dressed in a cream shirt and brown pants. A white table cloth lay beneath the array of dishes between them, and holographic white candles cast a warm glow all around.
"It's so peaceful here," Kathryn said, looking out at the water as Chakotay topped up their glasses of synthesol champagne. "I can almost believe we're really on Lake George..."
Chakotay knew that from Kathryn the "almost" was a sign that she was beginning to relax. "Perhaps one day we can do the real thing," he smiled.
"Wouldn't that be wonderful?" A dullness then began to set in her bright eyes. "That's the only place I would rather be right now than here...on the real Lake George with you."
Chakotay put down the bottle of Champagne and reached for her hand. "My grandfather used to say that it's not so much where you are that matters, but who you're with. We can have just as good a time here as we could on the real Lake George."
"It's just so hard to relax," Kathryn replied. "No matter how much I try, I can't forget that we're in the middle of the Delta Quadrant and over a hundred people are depending on me for their survival." She paused. "If we were on the real Lake George, then it would be so different. There would be no responsibilities, no restraint. You and I could dine in the moonlight until midnight and then make love until dawn. But right now we're in occupied space and I could get called to the bridge any moment. All I can do is dine with you..."
Chakotay squeezed her hand. "And I'm enjoying every moment. Instead of thinking about what we're missing, let's just think about what we have. We'll be in safe space again soon and these times that we can't be intimate will just make those times that we can be all the more special."
Kathryn smiled at that and squeezed his hand in return.
The following morning, Kathryn stopped at the mess hall for breakfast before making her way to the bridge. Neelix was busy serving pancakes, toast, cereal and cooked foods, and Kathryn was surprised to find Seven helping him.
"I didn't know you had aspirations to be a waitress," Kathryn teased as Seven approached her to take her order.
"Mornings in the mess hall are busy," Seven said seriously. "I have been assisting Mr Neelix for some time now. If you breakfasted here regularly, you would have been aware of that."
"I meant no offence," Kathryn smiled. "I think it's wonderful you're helping Neelix."
Seven turned to the padd in her hand. "May I take your order?"
"Just some pancakes with maple syrup and a coffee," Kathryn replied.
"Is that black or white coffee?"
"Black," Kathryn smiled.
"Then clearly state your preference when ordering, Captain. Otherwise it leads to confusion when there are several varieties of the same product available."
Neelix interrupted. "I think when the Captain says coffee, it is safe to assume she means black."
Tom's voice suddenly sounded over the comm.
"Paris to Janeway."
Kathryn hit her commbadge. "Go ahead."
"I think you should come to the bridge."
"On my way."
As the connection terminated, Kathryn got to her feet. "Looks like the pancakes will have to wait." She put her hand on Seven's shoulder. "And Mr Neelix is right. When I say coffee, I invariably mean black."
She smiled warmly at the former drone, and then left the room.
"Report," Kathryn said as she entered the bridge.
At the sound of her voice, Tom turned to her from the helm. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid, Captain, but it seems to me that ships are closing in on us from all directions."
Kathryn went over to Tuvok's vacant console and performed a scan of local space.
"I'd say if you're paranoid, it's with good reason." She worked her console. "I'm hailing what appears to be their lead vessel."
"What I don't understand is, why come after us now? Another twenty minutes and we'll be out of their space."
"I don't know," Kathryn replied. "But so far this species has been friendly. There may be another motive for their actions."
"A grand farewell?"
"Perhaps." She frowned as there was no response from the ship. "But I'm not getting a reply." She worked the console again. "I don't like the look of this. I'm putting the ship at red alert." Seconds later, the ship went to red alert. As it did so, Kathryn hit her commbadge. "Janeway to all, take up your stations and await further instructions. I repeat. Janeway to all, take up your stations and await further instructions."
Chakotay entered the bridge. "I was just on my way, what's happening?"
"Soruk ships are closing in on us," Kathryn replied. "I've tried hailing their lead vessel to find out what is going on, but I'm not getting..." She stopped as the ship shook violently and she was thrown against the console.
As she straightened herself up, three aliens materialized before her. They were all dressed in black outfits and resembled the man she had talked to over the comm.
The middle man spoke. "Just a friendly jolt to announce our arrival," he said, his throne threatening, yet not totally hostile.
Kathryn questioned. "What's going on? We thought we had safe passage through this space."
"That was until we were informed of the threat you pose."
"What threat? Informed by whom?"
Suddenly, another man materialized, and Kathryn gasped when she recognized him.
"Kashyk."
The handsome Devorean smiled. "We meet again, Captain Janeway."
"What are you doing in this region of space?"
"Yes," he said, stepping closer, "that question must be very prominent in your mind. Given the limitations of Devorean technology, you must have thought you'd left me well and truly behind." He paused. "But sometimes things don't go quite as we planned, Captain. The Soruk have recently become our allies and have shared with us their more advanced technology. A wormhole corridor has been established between our two worlds and our people come and go as they please. For the past four months, I've been working here in the Soruk empire. How pleasantly surprised I was then to hear that Voyager was in the vicinity."
"What have you told them about us?"
"The truth, Captain."
"Which is?"
"That you cannot be trusted." His eyes gleamed as he continued. "That it's been reported you deliberately pollute occupied space with an invisible pathogen that kills all civilizations within a certain distance. Consequently, I have been sent to investigate. If we discover you are indeed polluting this space, you, your ship and your crew will be destroyed. If, however, we find the tale is untrue, you will be allowed to continue your journey."
Kathryn left the console now and approached Kashyk. " What's this about, Kashyk? What game are you playing?"
He laughed softly. "One I think I am going to enjoy." He sobered. "You think you are so clever, so unassailable, but this time, you are the one who is in losing position. The Soruk trust me. I'm one of the principal Devoreans in this empire. My influence is such that I have the power to either allow you safe passage through this space, or have you and your crew destroyed. This time, you will do what I want."
"And what is it you want?"
Kashyk stepped even closer, his body just inches away from hers. "I want delivery."
From the way he was looking at her, from the fire in his eyes, Kathryn understood instantly what he meant. Her stomach churned at the thought, but outwardly she maintained control. She gestured to her ready room, not wanting to discuss this in public and certainly not in front of Chakotay.
"My ready room."
She began to walk to the ready room, and Kashyk followed after giving his men orders to begin searching the ship. Chakotay also tried to accompany them, but Kathryn stopped him.
"You stay on the bridge..."
"But..."
"Tuvok will accompany me. I need you on the bridge." She glanced at Tuvok who had just arrived on the bridge. "Tuvok, you come with me."
Having no choice but to obey, Chakotay reluctantly remained on the bridge and watched as Kathryn disappeared into her ready room with Kashyk and Tuvok.
Inside her ready room, Kathryn turned to Kashyk. "I knew from the first moment I met you that I couldn't trust you. But if you have any decency at all, you will take back what you just said to me."
Kashyk scoffed. "If I had any decency at all, I would never have been in the business of catching telepaths. One life, many lives, it means nothing to me. You just believed I could change, that I could be sorry for the lives I have taken, because you want to believe the best of everyone, that somewhere in everyone's heart is a goodness that just needs to be nourished. But the truth is, my heart is cold." He pulled out his phaser and pointed it at Kathryn. "I can kill you just as easily as I can make love to you. It all means nothing to me."
Kathryn held his gaze. "Then why don't you kill me?"
"Because there would be no fun in it," he said, putting his phaser away again. "Even killing gets boring after a while." He put his hand to Kathryn's hair and skimmed it lightly with his fingers. "I want you, Kathryn. I've wanted you since the first day I met you. No more games. You give me what I want, and in return, I'll let you and your crew pass through this territory unharmed."
"And if I don't?"
"We'll destroy your ship."
Kathryn swallowed. "You deceived me before. How can I trust you now?"
Kashyk smirked. "Because you have no choice."
Kathryn glanced at Tuvok and then back at the hostile man before her. "Alright," she said, trying to appear as tough as she could. "I'll do what you want. But not here, not on my ship."
Kashyk smiled. "I knew you would be...reasonable." As he spoke, a circular badge on his black coat buzzed and flashed orange. "I am wanted in the senate," he said. "I'll be back for you as soon as I can. In the meantime, my men will search your ship."
With that, he clicked his fingers and disappeared.
When he was gone, Kathryn turned to Tuvok. "Looks like it's time."
The bridge was teeming with Soruk when Kathryn returned there a few minutes later. Some were operating consoles and others were performing scans with what looked like advanced tricorders.
"You will find nothing," Kathryn said defiantly.
One of the men who had accompanied Kashyk, addressed her. "Then you can have no objection to our search."
Chakotay approached her. "Where's Kashyk?"
"He had to leave," Kathryn answered. "But he'll back..."
"What did he mean he wants delivery?"
Kathryn looked away from his enquiring gaze. "I don't have time to discuss this right nowm Chakotay. I need to get to sickbay."
Before Chakotay could say anything else, she was gone.
When Kathryn returned to her ready room half an hour later, Chakotay was waiting.
"You're supposed to be on the bridge," Kathryn said firmly.
"I want answers, Kathryn," he said, getting to his feet. "What did he mean he wants delivery?"
"I don't want to discuss this."
"Well that's too bad, because I do! What does he want?"
"What happened between Kashyk and I was between the Captain of this ship and him. It's none of your business!"
"I'm first officer of this ship," Chakotay argued, "and I'm your lover. I'd say what you discussed was relevant to me on both counts!"
Kathryn flinched as he perfectly hit the spot. She hadn't expected that...
"I saw the way he looked at you, Kathryn. What did he say? One night with him and he lets us all live?"
"I said I'm not discussing this..."
She turned to leave, but Chakotay caught her arm. "You damn well are discussing this, Kathryn! That's what he said, isn't it?"
"Yes," Kathryn cried, shaking herself loose. "Yes, that's what he said. I sleep with him and we all go free!"
Pain contorted Chakotay's face at her words and the agony in his eyes was terrible to see.
"You're not doing it," he cried, "no way..."
Kathryn was just about to speak when Kashyk materialized.
"As you see I have returned," he said. "A most unfortunate interruption, but I can assure you it will be our last today." He paused. "All my ships have powered up weapons. I meant what I said. If you don't give me what I want, I will destroy your ship and your crew with it."
Chakotay stepped forward angrily. "You lay one finger on her and I'll..."
Kashyk interrupted. "And you'll what? You may not have noticed, but you're out numbered, Commander."
"What you're asking is sick. What kind of perverted bastard are you?"
Kashyk laughed. "You know how it is, Commander. After so many nights away from home, a man feels the need for...what should I say...release? And your Captain and I have...unfinished business."
Kathryn spoke. "You never told me you have a wife."
"No," he smirked. "It simply didn't serve my agenda." He paused. "Now, let's get to the business at hand. I'm due at Carvara Lorn in the morning."
Chakotay pulled out his phaser. "I mean it. You touch her and I'll kill you."
Kashyk laughed again. "Too late, Commander." He clicked his fingers and he and Kathryn disappeared.
Seconds later, Kathryn rematerialized on the bridge of Kashyk's ship.
"Welcome to my ship," Kashyk said.
Kathryn looked around. It wasn't a large bridge, much smaller than Voyager's, but the technology looked very advanced.
"Smaller than I thought," Kathryn said icily.
Kashyk laughed. "You'll soon see there are some departments in which I am very large."
Kathryn swallowed and tried not to show the growing fear she felt. Things weren't exactly going to plan...
Then, a violent jolt shook the ship and, as it did so, a wave of relief consumed her.
Kashyk questioned urgently. "What was that?"
One of his crewmen answered. "It came from Voyager."
Kashyk turned to Kathryn defensively but before he could speak, she hit her commbadge. "Janeway to Voyager. Refrain from all acts of aggression. I repeat, refrain from all acts of aggression. Janeway out." As the connection terminated, she looked up at Kashyk. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. My guess is one of my senior officers wanted to disable your primary systems to guarantee my safety."
Kashyk turned to his crewman again. "Damage?"
"Minor, but all primary systems are offline. We're running on reserves, life support and critical systems only."
Kashyk looked at her curiously. "If I knew you better, I'd be able to conclude whether they were acting on order."
"If I knew you better," Kathryn replied. "I would be able to conclude whether such an order were necessary."
Kashyk's mouth turned up in a crooked smile, and then he laughed softly. "You're a daring one, I'll give you that. It's too bad there aren't more women like you around here. They'd make life more interesting, that's for sure." He then turned to address his small crew. "Lorukil will be in command until further notice. Take your orders from him. I am not to be disturbed. Understood?"
The crew nodded their understanding. Kashyk turned to face Kathryn and smiled. "I'll show you to my quarters."
He began to walk towards the door, and Kathryn followed.
Two hours later, Kashyk lay in his bed, his hands behind his head, and a black sheet partially draped over his body. He watched as Kathryn put on her uniform, his eyes gleaming.
When she was done, Kathryn turned towards him. "You got what you wanted. Now let me and Voyager go."
Kashyk sat up a little, enjoying every moment of this. "You know I have the power to keep you here forever if I want."
"Yes," Kathryn replied, holding his stare. "I know that."
Kashyk turned to a table beside the bed, and lit up what looked like a cigarette. He took a puff and then exhaled.
"But as much as I enjoyed our little tryst," he said, "keeping you on as a permanent fixture might annoy my wife." He laughed at his own joke and then sobered. "You may return to your ship. I'll recall my men and send word to the senate that you are no threat. You'll be able to leave shortly."
"I will say goodbye then," Kathryn said firmly.
He smiled. "It has been my... pleasure..."
As he laughed again, Kathryn hit her commbadge. "Janeway to Voyager. Beam me up."
Kathryn materialized in transporter room one to find only Tuvok there. She turned to look at him.
"Mission accomplished?"
Tuvok gave a nod.
"How long was I gone?"
"Precisely 135 minutes."
Tom's voice spoke over the comm. "Paris to Tuvok. The Soruk have all transported off the ship. Is the Captain back with us?"
Kathryn smiled. "The Captain is back." She paused briefly. " When I give the order, get us out of here, maximum warp."
"Yes Ma'am," Tom said.
The connection terminated and Tuvok spoke. "It may be wise for you to go to your ready room, Captain. The Soruk will most likely contact us at any moment to tell us we can continue our journey. The communication would be best received in private if you wish to keep knowledge of this arrangement secret. It may be Kashyk who delivers the message."
"I'll go immediately," Kathryn replied. She smiled warmly at her old Vulcan friend. "Well done, Tuvok. You did a fine job."
Kathryn had barely set foot in her ready room when she received a message from Seven saying there was an incoming transmission from the Soruk. Kathryn switched on her monitor and told the former drone to accept the incoming hail. Seconds later, an unfamiliar Soruk man appeared on the screen.
"Captain Janeway?"
Kathryn gave a nod. "That's right."
"I must apologize on behalf of my people for delaying your journey, but we had to be fully satisfied that you and your crew posed no threat to us or other civilizations in this region of space."
"I understand," Kathryn replied.
"You may resume your journey immediately."
"Thank you."
The man then terminated the connection and the screen went blank.
Kathryn smiled, very pleased at this turn of events, and hit her commbadge.
"Janeway to Paris. Full steam ahead."
As the connection terminated, her eyes fell on the vase of flowers Chakotay had given her and the smile in her eyes faded as the image of his tortured face returned to her.
"Computer," she said sadly, "locate Commander Chakotay."
The computer voice responded. "Commander Chakotay is in viewport one."
The door was locked when Kathryn arrived at viewport one. Using her override command, Kathryn unlocked it and stepped inside.
Chakotay was sitting on a bench that ran the length of the wall, and a silver shutter shut out the view of streaming stars in the space beyond. His body was rigid, taut, and when he looked up at her, she saw infinite pain in his wet eyes.
"Did you do it?"
"He thinks I did," Kathryn answered.
"What do you mean?"
Kathryn bridged the gap between them and sat beside him.
"I knew this would happen eventually," she began. "In a male dominated galaxy of hostile aliens, it was only a matter of time before one of them demanded this of me. As I knew it could happen, I was prepared." She smiled warmly. "He thinks I served his pleasure, but the whole time I was in transporter suspension."
Chakotay frowned. "I don't understand. If you didn't do it, then who did?"
Kathryn reached into her jacket and pulled out the Doctor's holoemittor. "My counterpart." She fiddled with the holoemittor and then put it to the floor. Seconds later, a hologram of herself appeared. She was dressed in a Starfleet uniform and stood perfectly still.
The terrible agony in Chakotay's eyes dissipated somewhat, but Kathryn could still see a legion of doubt there.
"Didn't he see the holoemittor?"
Kathryn smiled. "Do you see it?"
Chakotay studied the hologram more closely. The holoemittor didn't seem to be visible.
Kathryn spoke. "Character Janeway, turn around."
At her command, the character turned around. There was no sign of the emittor on her back either.
Chakotay got to his feet and looked at the hologram even closer. "Where is it?"
Not answering directly, Kathryn addressed the hologram again. "Character Janeway, bend your left leg behind you."
The hologram immediately obeyed. As she bent her leg, the sole of her foot became visible. Right in the middle of her foot, the skin disappeared and part of the holoemittor could be seen.
"There's no rule that says the emittor has to be on the arm," Kathryn explained. "The Doctor just prefers it there because he can have full access to it."
Chakotay reached out and touched the hologram's jacket, his mind still questioning, still doubting... "But what of her clothes? If she removed them then..."
"I activated the hologram in sickbay after the Soruk had finished searching it, dressed her in a real uniform, and then concealed her in a cupboard. Tuvok transported her to the ship as he retrieved me. He deliberately disabled their systems so they wouldn't be able to detect that a hologram had been put in my place. As far as they were concerned, the real Kathryn Janeway was on their ship."
Chakotay's eyes found Kathryn's now, and a brightness was beginning to replace the terrible dullness.
"Then you really didn't do it?"
Kathryn got to her feet and smiled reassuringly. "I really didn't do it."
Chakotay smiled in return, infinite relief consuming him, and he took her in his arms. "I was so afraid that you had," he said. "I couldn't bear it..."
Kathryn held him close a moment and then drew slightly away from him. "You should know by now that it will take more than a bully to beat me."
Chakotay nodded. "But I also know that you would have done it to save the crew."
"Yes," she said quietly. "If it had come to it, I would have done it." She paused. "But you do know that if I had...if I had done it... that I wouldn't have liked it, not a moment of it, that it would just have been to save the crew?"
"Of course I know that," Chakotay replied. "Why do you think I was so angry? It would have been bad enough in any situation, but after everything you've been through..." He paused. "All I want to do is protect you,Kathryn. Especially from that..."
"I know you do," Kathryn said softly. "And if I had done it, you would have felt you'd let me down. But just as there are some things beyond my control, there are some things beyond yours too. I don't need you to protect me. All I want from you is your loyalty... and your love."
"And you have both, Kathryn," he said sincerely. "But I wouldn't be a man if I didn't want to protect you..."
"I understand that,"Kathryn then smiled. "Just try not to suffocate me, okay?"
Chakotay couldn't help smile at that. "I'll do my best."
They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, and then held each other close.
END OF CHAPTER THREE
