Star Trek Voyager characters are the property of Paramount Pictures.

CHAPTER NINE

MIRROR IMAGE

When Kathryn returned to her quarters after an emergency call out to the bridge, Chakotay was lying on their bed in his bathrobe, reading a book. Petal, now a red fluffy bundle of joy, was sleeping soundly at his feet. Chakotay looked up from the biography as she entered the room.

"What happened?"

"We were in close proximity to a black hole," Kathryn replied, only looking at him very briefly. "Harry overlooked it on sensors."

Chakotay put down his book. "Quite an oversight."

"Yes," Kathryn said quietly. "I got to the bridge just in time. Any closer and we would have been sucked in."

Chakotay smiled. "I'm sure you gave him a piece of your mind."

Kathryn nodded, almost absently, and then picked up her nightdress that was scattered on the bed.

"Well, I ... I had better get unchanged again."

With that, she made her way into the bathroom and the doors closed behind her.

Chakotay put his hand to his chin and rubbed it. Something was worrying her. She was pale and he could tell on the verge of tears.

He got off the bed and followed her into the bathroom. He found Kathryn sitting on the edge of the bath, and from the look on her face as she looked up at him, she had clearly been crying.

She stood up, turned towards the bath, and picked up a towel.

"I was just going to have another bath..." she said, her voice quiet.

Chakotay stepped closer. "What's wrong, Kathryn?"

"Nothing," she replied. "I'm fine."

"I know there's something," he persisted. "Tell me. Please."

Kathryn was still a moment and then put down the towel and turned to him. The pain Chakotay saw in her eyes made his heart ache.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Chakotay bridged the gap between them and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry for what?"

A tear ran down her cheek. "For what happened. For the way ... for the way I had to leave when we ... when we were making love."

Chakotay tried to hide a smile, both for relief that it was nothing serious troubling her, and for slight amusement. He gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. "Is that why you're upset?"

Kathryn hesitated, but then nodded.

"It happens," Chakotay said with a smile. "It's not worth your tears. If anything, we should be laughing about it."

Kathryn broke away from him and more tears welled in her eyes. "It's not a laughing matter, Chakotay. It won't be a laughing matter if it happens again and again and again and you decide you've had enough!"

Her words took Chakotay by surprise and it was a moment before he answered. "That will never happen, Kathryn. I love you. We're married..."

"And there's such a thing as divorce ... I'm not enough for you."

Chakotay seized her gently, tears in his own eyes. "You're everything to me, Kathryn. Everything..."

Another tear ran down her cheek. "But with all my obligations, responsibilities, and duties, how can I compare to other women? How can I compare to other women you've loved?"

Chakotay took her hands in his and held them tight. "What I have with you can never be compared to any relationship I had in the past. They never loved me, Kathryn. I thought they did ... I wanted them too ... but they didn't. They only wanted the physical. It was always the same, even though I hoped it would be different. And always the pain was the same." He paused. "You said you knew what a beautiful thing it was to make love with someone you love, and who loves you. But until you, Kathryn, I never did. I never knew that." A tear ran down his cheek. "And I would gladly trade all my other experiences for just one night with you. There's no comparison, and I wouldn't want there to be."

Kathryn reached out now and traced Chakotay's tear. "Then those women were fools," she whispered. "Because you're the kindest, gentlest, most loving man I have ever known. And I love you so very much."

Chakotay took her hand in his and kissed it. "I love you too."

Kathryn slipped her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. "How about we pick up where we left off?"

Chakotay gathered her close and smiled. "Or how about we go right back to the beginning?"

Kathryn laughed softly. "Even better."

They gazed into each others eyes for a moment, and then Chakotay lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently.


Kathryn stirred awake as sloppy kisses licked her face.

"That's enough, Petal," she laughed, sitting up in an attempt to escape the puppy's affections. As she sat up, she saw Chakotay standing beside the bed, a silver tray in his hands. On it was a delicious looking breakfast of cereal, toast, fruit and orange juice.

"Breakfast is served, Madam," he smiled, putting the tray on her lap.

"Chakotay, you shouldn't have..."

"This is your first day off in weeks. You deserve to be pampered."

Kathryn caught his uniform, holding him just inches away from her. "And you deserve a kiss."

She kissed his lips with a long, lingering, kiss. As she did so, Petal cheekily stole a slice of toast from the tray before her and scrambled off the bed to the floor to eat it.

"Looks like you've got competition for your breakfast," Chakotay smiled as he drew away from his wife. Kathryn turned in the direction he was looking and laughed when she saw Petal devouring the toast.


A holographic sun shone brightly and Kathryn shaded her eyes from its glare as she walked with Petal through a beautiful holographic park. She threw a twig for Petal and the animal ran through the grass to retrieve it. She ran fast, not losing sight of the stick for a moment, and triumphantly picked it up with her teeth and returned it to her mistress. Kathryn took it from her and threw it again, this time a little bit further. She walked on and watched as Petal retrieved the stick and ran towards her. A coldness suddenly engulfed her and she shivered.

Then ... instantly ... the scene before her changed. She was no longer looking at her precious dog run through green grass, but was standing in a silver room, a sea of purple faced aliens before her. She recognized them to be Kobali. Kathryn looked around, her heart beating wildly. One of the men at her side stepped forward and seized her arms, forcing them behind her back and tying them with a rope. Kathryn fought for her voice.

"Why have you taken me from my ship and what have you done with my crew?"

A tall man wearing a black suit stepped forward. "We are not interested in your crew, Captain. At least not yet. We have only taken you. And if you tell us what we need to know, we never shall be interested in them."

Kathryn met his hard gaze. "If you wanted information from me ... whatever your name is ... it would have been polite to ask..."

The man stepped closer. "Yoran", he replied. "My name is Yoran. And I see that you wish to play this game the hard way. I was hoping you would be more reasonable. Perhaps I should make myself clearer. You tell us where you have put the zophyre and we will return you to your ship and never trouble you again."

Kathryn swallowed. "I don't even know what the zophyre is."

The man stepped even closer and was so close now that she could feel his cold, foul, breath upon her face.

"The most powerful substance in the galaxy," he answered. "Just one grain ... one grain ... would be enough to power this planet for a hundred years. But there are only a thousand grains left in existence and we kept them locked away inside the deepest mountain of Iolan. A traitor amongst us told you they were there and you thought you could use them to try and get your ship to the other side of the galaxy."

"No," Kathryn replied calmly. "It's true our home is at the other side of the galaxy, but whoever took them, it wasn't us."

"It would be much easier for you if you told us, Captain. Sooner or later, we'll extract the information from you."

"I'm telling you," Kathryn replied, trying not to show her fear. "I don't know anything. You're mistaking me with someone else. Return me to my ship. My people will only come looking for me."

He chuckled. "No they won't, Captain, because they do not know you are gone."

Kathryn frowned in confusion.

"We've duplicated you, Captain. There is another Captain Janeway living your life on Voyager. She is identical to you in every single way. She has your memories, your feelings, even your thoughts. No one on your ship will notice you are gone."

Kathryn wanted to cry now, but would not give him the satisfaction.

"So, if you want to see your ship again, Captain, I suggest you start talking."

"I can't," Kathryn replied quietly. "I don't know anything about the zophyre."

The man bit his lip. "Then let's hope, for your sake, that by this afternoon you do." He turned to two men at his side. "Take her away."

The men seized Kathryn and she had no choice but to go with them. They held her tight, bruising her arms, and lead her down a long, silver corridor. They came to a small black door and after opening it, untied her hands and tossed her inside a small, dark, windowless room. They shut the door behind them, leaving Kathryn alone. She looked around. The room was empty, completely empty. There wasn't so much as a chair or a bed. And it was cold, very cold. Kathryn shivered and wrapped her arms around her body. Already there were red rings on her wrists from the rope. She couldn't believe this was happening. It had to be a terrible dream, a terrible nightmare. Any moment now she would wake up to find herself on Voyager, in her own bed, Chakotay sleeping soundly beside her. She sat on the floor and leant back against a plain silver wall. As she did so, she remembered her commbadge and hit it. Anything was worth a try.

"Janeway to Voyager."

Nothing.

She tried again. "Janeway to Chakotay."

Still nothing.

She buried her head in her hands and tried not to give into fear and a feeling of hopelessness. If this wasn't a dream, if this was real, then the crew would come for her. If they had indeed put a duplicate in her place, Chakotay would realize it. It might take a while for them to find her, but they would.


All was ready for Petal's bath. Kathryn had covered the floor of her bathroom with a sheet of clear plastic and put Petal's pink bath on top of it. She used a hand shower to fill it with warm water and watched as soapy bubbles formed. Petal watched too and Kathryn smiled as she wagged her tail in anticipation. She was nothing like her sister. Petunia had hated the bath, but this little creature loved it. At last the bath was as full as it needed to be and Kathryn carefully checked the temperature of the water with her elbow. It was perfect.

"Alright, honey," she said, picking up the puppy, "in you go."

Petal continued to wag her tail as she was put into the water and splashed Kathryn with soapy suds. Kathryn laughed and wiped them off the red apron she was wearing.

"Sit, Petal, sit."

The animal did as she was told and Kathryn began washing her with a soft yellow sponge.

Suddenly Chakotay called out casually from the living room.

"Kathryn?"

"I'm in here, Chakotay," she replied, continuing to wash Petal.

Seconds later, Chakotay appeared. He smiled at the sight before him. It always warmed his heart to see Kathryn do "normal" things. She was too often the captain and not often enough Kathryn.

"Just came to tell you not to bother with dinner. Seven is preparing a feast for us, B'Elanna and Tom."

Kathryn turned to him. "Seven?"

"Apparently so. Neelix has been giving her lessons."

Kathryn smiled. "Should prove interesting."

"Very. Although I'm told by the man himself that she's very good."

"Well," Kathryn replied, "her cooking certainly can't be any worse than mine."

"Oh I don't know," Chakotay smiled, "you replicate well."

Kathryn stood up, her hands all soapy, and tapped his nose. "Careful what you say, Mister, or I'll make you smell of wet dog."

He laughed and Kathryn kissed his lips softly. As Chakotay deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her, Kathryn slipped her arms around his neck, careful to not let her hands touch him. Petal watched them from the bath and when they showed no sign of stopping, whined impatiently. Kathryn broke away from Chakotay and turned to the animal in amusement.

"Alright, Petal. I haven't forgotten you." She turned back to her husband. "What time is dinner?"

"6pm in the Mess hall."

"I'll see you there."

She kissed him again and as Chakotay left, returned her attention to Petal.


Every second seemed an eternity and Kathryn felt as thought she had been in the room forever. She had no idea how long she had really been there, but it had been a long time, too long. Hours, perhaps. At last the door opened and the same two men who had brought her to the room, entered. She got to her feet.

"What is happening?"

They said nothing, just seized her, tied her hands again, and led her out of the room.

They took her through some large black door and into an even darker room than the one she had just left. It appeared to be built of stone and was lit only by sconces. On the walls appeared all kinds of instruments and before her was a plain bed of wood. It reminded her of torture dungeons she had read about in the middle ages of the last millennium and a cold shiver engulfed her.

Yoran was waiting for her.

"Feeling more co-operative, Captain?"

"I cannot tell you what I do not know."

"You do know, Captain. I have it on unquestionable authority that you do know."

"What authority?"

"Your ship was detected leaving the planet and it was your ship that was involved in the subsequent conflict to get the zophyre back. Our people tried to claim it back by force but you crippled their vessels and killed many."

"That isn't true. We have never stolen anything from anyone. You have us mistaken with someone else."

"No, Captain. It was you. Corvalen talked with you, begged you give back the zophyre, but you just opened fire instead."

"I've never spoken to anyone of that name. Let me speak to him. He will know then it is a mistake..."

"If it is a mistake, how did Corvalen describe you exactly as you are?"

"I don't know," Kathryn replied quietly. "We have many enemies, they may have manipulated his memories somehow or put him under mind control."

"Impossible. So no more of this pretended innocence, Captain. We know you no longer have the zophyre as we couldn't detect it on your ship. All I want to know is where you have left it."

"And I can't tell you because it wasn't us. Please, let me speak to Corvalen. "

"So you can try and influence her?"

"No, so that we can get to the truth..."

"Oh, we will get to the truth," he replied. "One way or another we will get to the truth." He turned to a woman standing at the door. "Fetch Corvalen."

The woman immediately left the room. Yoran turned to the two men standing behind Kathryn. "While we're waiting, shave her head."

"No, please..." Kathryn protested.

Yoran stared at her icily. "Unless you start co-operating, Captain, we will be doing far worse things to you."

One of the men pushed her to her knees and held her down. Kathryn fell heavily, bruising her knees. Yoran went over to what appeared to be a large black box and pulled out an old fashioned looking razor that was more like a knife. He handed it to the other man and the man pushed her head forward. He then began to cut away her hair and Kathryn watched as auburn locks tumbled to the floor. The man was rough, cutting her several times, and she felt blood trickle down her face. When he was finished, the other man yanked her to her feet. Yoran once more approached her and pulled a white handkerchief from his sleeve. He wiped away the blood from her face and then held up the handkerchief before her.

"Such fine blood, Captain. We don't want to waste any more."

There was a knock at the door. With his hand, Yoran gestured for it to be opened.

The door opened and a Kobali woman came in. She was dressed in a gold catsuit and walked confidently.

"I see you have found our thief."

Kathryn gasped as she recognized that voice. Seska.

The woman turned to her and although she looked so different, Kathryn saw that it was indeed her former crew member.

"And like all thieves is denying her crime," Yoran replied.

Kathryn swallowed. She knew now that this was a trap, a trap Seska had laid for her. Just like Lindsay Ballard had retained memories of her former life, Seska had retained hers. She had done all this for revenge.

"You're right," Kathryn said to Yoran. "We have met before. She was a member of my crew. She has convinced you of my guilt to be revenged on me for her fate."

Seska laughed. "That is the worst plea of innocence I have ever heard. It is rare for anyone to retain memories of their former lives, and I retain none. It was you who stole the zophyre. When I begged you to give it back, you tried to destroy us."

"That is not true and you know it."

Yoran stepped closer. "I'm getting tired of your lies, Captain. If you don't start talking now, we'll start extracting the information from you."

"I know nothing."

Yoran pointed to the bed and addressed the two men behind her. "Strap her to the bed."

The men took her over to the bed and Kathryn didn't fight them, knowing it was pointless. She lay down upon the bed and the men strapped down her arms and legs with thick brown leather. Then they pulled a strap around her waist and put what appeared to be some kind of silver helmet over her head. "

If you don't tell us, captain, we'll search your memory until we find what we want."

"Search all you want," Kathryn replied. "You'll find nothing."

She felt a sharp pain as the helmet closed around her skull, and then all began to blur before her.


"Something smells good," Chakotay said as he watched Seven work busily in the kitchen.

"It's carrot, parsnip and coriander soup," she replied, not looking up from stirring the soup in a large saucepan. "For first course."

"I can't wait to try it."

"I assure you it will be the finest soup you will ever have tasted," Neelix said, suddenly appearing. "Seven has become quite a cook."

The former drone sprinkled some salt into the saucepan.

"Cooking is a science, Neelix. Follow the recipe without variation and the end product should always be the same. There is no skill involved. Those who cannot cook, simply cannot follow instructions."

Neelix smiled as the Captain entered the room. "I'm not sure the captain would agree with you. She may be the greatest scientist I have ever known, but the greatest cook? Ah well. We all have our weaknesses."

Kathryn reached them. "What weaknesses are you confessing to, Neelix?"

"Not me, Captain," he said, picking up a chopping board. "I was just saying that not all of us make good cooks."

Kathryn smiled. "That is certainly true. But, if my sense of smell is anything to go by, Seven is certainly excelling." She watched Seven work. "How long have you been taking cooking lessons, Seven?"

"One month, three weeks, five days."

"And already preparing a feast. Very impressive."

"And you will be with the meal," Neelix continued. "I was just telling the Commander that it will be the finest meal you will ever have tasted."

"Or the worst," Seven interrupted, "if I am continually distracted."

Kathryn shared an amused glance with Chakotay and then turned back to Seven. "Then we'll leave the Master chef to cook."

Seven gave a nod. "Neelix will show you to your seats."

Neelix emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands in his apron.

"If you will follow me, Captain, Commander."

Kathryn and Chakotay followed him over to a table that was beautifully laid. It had a white table cloth, silver tableware, crystal glasses, a pretty flower display in the centre, and pink candles were burning softly. The table was surrounded by four chairs, two at each side.

"The table looks wonderful," Kathryn said. "Did Seven do this too?"

"Indeed she did, Captain."

Kathryn glanced at Seven and smiled. "I'm very impressed."

Neelix pulled out a chair.

"You are to sit here, Captain, next to B'Elanna."

He moved to the other side of the table.

"And you are to sit here, Commander, opposite the Captain."


Kathryn woke slowly and the first thing she became aware of was a terrible headache. Then everything came back to her. What had happened ... where she was ... She opened her eyes, hoping that when she did, she would be in her own quarters, and would find that this was a only a dream after all.

But there, before her eyes, was Yoran.

She tried to move and found that she was no longer strapped down. Yoran moved away from her and she sat up slowly, put her hand to her aching head. Her hand fell upon a bare scalp and she remembered that her hair had been shaved.

"You have disguised the memory," Yoran said.

"I'm telling you," Kathryn replied wearily, "I know nothing."

"Or the memory has been erased." There was such a coldness in his voice. "I hope for your sake that is not the case."

He gestured to the men beside him and they seized Kathryn and took her over to the wall. They strapped her against it, this time strapping her down with iron, and Yoran walked over to her.

"Tell us what you have done with the zophyre."

"I can't," Kathryn replied, "I know nothing. Please stop this..."

"Only you can stop this, Captain, by telling us the truth." He turned his men. "Do what you have to do."

He then left the room.


Seven's meal was every bit as delicious as Neelix had predicted.

"You'll have to cook for us more often," Kathryn said, tucking into the final course, dessert. Seven had made them a beautiful coffee flavoured mousse, topped with cream and flakes of dark chocolate.

"It would be a pleasure, Captain," Seven replied.

"Only next time you must join us. In fact, join us for dessert."

Seven flinched at that, clearly uncomfortable. "The chef does not dine. There is too much to do."

Kathryn caught Seven's arm. "No arguments, Seven. Fetch yourself some dessert and pull up a chair." She raised her voice. "Neelix!"

Almost instantly the Talaxian appeared from the kitchen. "Yes, Captain?"

"Pull up a chair. You and Seven are joining us for dessert."

Neelix rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Yes, Ma'am."

Seven sighed but Kathryn could tell that she was secretly pleased at being invited. "Then I will fetch two more desserts."

Kathryn smiled sheepishly. "Make that three. I would love another."


All was quiet, dark. Kathryn lay in a ball on the floor of the room she had been returned to, and wept softly. Her beaten, battered and burnt body was bruised, broken, and bleeding. The pain was so terrible that she was almost numb to it. She tried to shut out the visions haunting her mind, tried to force her thoughts back to Voyager ... to Chakotay. She imagined he was here with her now, lying beside her, holding her safe in his arms. She always felt so safe in his arms. They were a harbour, a haven ... so strong and yet so gentle. Suddenly the door opened and she heard someone come in. No doubt the men had come to take her away for more questioning. She didn't think she could endure anymore and wanted to scream. But she also knew there was only so much more her body could take and if they did not release her, death would. She expected the men to yank her to her feet, but instead she felt a kind hand on her shoulder and heard a woman's voice.

"I've brought you some water."

Kathryn tried to look up and saw a kind face looking down at her. She couldn't tell whether the woman was young or old.

The woman put a straw to Kathryn's mouth and Kathryn began to drink. The liquid was cool, soothing.

"Thank you," she whispered when all the water was gone.

The woman stroked her brow softly, a small gesture of comfort. "I'm sorry for what my people have done to you. I know you are innocent. I was on Corvalen's ship and was there when the zophyre was stolen. I know it wasn't you. But if I say that, they will kill me for it. But I'm going to help you return to your ship."

Kathryn tried to keep her tired eyes open. "How?"

"I'll transport you and disguise the signal so it looks as though your people transported you."

"They'll come after Voyager ... our ship."

"And will anyway if they don't get the information they seek from you. At least if I transport you there, you can warn your people ... be prepared. They'll only send a couple of ships. We're in the middle of a war with the Xola and ships can't be spared. I've studied your ship. They will be no match. You'll be able to escape, flee this space..." She stood up. "Now I have to go, Captain. I will be missed otherwise. I will transport you as soon as I can."

Kathryn smiled softly, deeply touched at the woman's willingness to risk herself.

"Thank you."

The woman smiled and then Kathryn was alone again.


A long time had passed ... an hour, perhaps, two ... and still the promised transport had not happened. Kathryn was very weak now and it was taking all her effort to remain conscious. Then, suddenly, she felt herself dematerialize and then rematerialize. She forced her eyes open and tried to see where she was through the thick fog before her eyes. It was somewhere dark ... containers ... somewhere like the cargo bay... She tried to move, but her body would hardly co-operate. It took all her strength to hit her commbadge.

"Janeway to Chakotay..."


The meal over, Kathryn relaxed on the couch in her quarters while Chakotay changed out of his uniform. When he returned to the living room, he replicated himself a cup of warm milk

"I forgot to tell you he said. We found a short cut today that, if we take it, should get us back on course by the end of next week."

"What is this short cut?"

"A trip through a nebula. We've done all the necessary toxic and radioactive tests and it's quite safe. Apart from a little turbulence, it should be an easy ride. Five days at the most."

"Well done," Kathryn smiled.

"The crew will be glad to communicate with home again."

"Yes," she replied.

Chakotay saw Kathryn rub her stiff neck. "Fancy a massage?"

"Oh, yes please," she smiled.

Chakotay out down his drink and went over to her. He sat sidewards on the couch and Kathryn lay back against him. He kissed her cheek and then began to knead her muscles. Kathryn closed her eyes and let his fingers work their magic.

Suddenly a voice broke across the silence and every melted muscle in Kathryn's body froze.

"Janeway to Chakotay..."

It was her voice. For a moment, neither Kathryn or Chakotay moved. Then the voice sounded again. It was weak, tired...

"Janeway to Chakotay ... please respond..."

Kathryn moved now to face her husband.

"What the hell is going on?" She drew away from him and stood up. "Computer, locate the source of the last communication to Commander Chakotay."

"Source of communication was Kathryn Janeway."

"Where is Kathryn Janeway?"

"Kathryn Janeway is in her quarters. Kathryn Janeway is also in Cargo Bay 2."

Kathryn glanced at Chakotay. "It could be some kind of temporal disturbance."

Chakotay continued to question the computer. "What is the time difference between the Captain's quarters and Cargo Bay 2?"

"Negative time difference."

"Then an impostor," Kathryn said, hitting her commbadge. "Janeway to security. Intruder in Cargo Bay 2. Janeway to the bridge. Red alert."


Life was ebbing now ... Kathryn could feel it... Death consumed her ... She couldn't stay conscious much longer. Yet she had too ... She had to tell Chakotay and the others what had happened ... that there was an impostor in her place...

"Janeway to Chakotay..." she said again, her fear growing at the non response she was receiving ... Perhaps this impostor had killed everyone ... hurt them...

Suddenly she heard the doors of the Cargo Bay open and saw three or four blurry figures approach her. She heard one speak. It was Tuvok.

"Tuvok," she whispered as he knelt beside her. "Was taken by the Kobali ... wanted information ... duplicated ... Imposter in my place..."

Then all was black before her eyes and she lost consciousness.

Tuvok stared at the woman before him, even his Vulcan mind astonished at the identity of the intruder, and it was a moment before he hit his commbadge.

"Tuvok to sickbay. Standby for medical emergency. Tuvok to Transporter Room 1, transport our..." he paused while he considered what to say. "...our captain in the Cargo Bay to Sickbay."


Still casually dressed, Kathryn walked onto the bridge, anxious to deal with this latest emergency. Chakotay would follow, once he was dressed.

"Report..."

"It seems another Kathryn Janeway appeared onboard ten minutes ago," Harry said, standing at his station, "but there's no sign of where she came from. If she was transported, there's no record of it..."

Kathryn swallowed. They could be dealing with a very advanced species.

"Any sign of ships in the vicinity?"

"Negative, Captain..."

Tuvok's voice sounded. "Tuvok to Captain Janeway."

"Go ahead, Tuvok."

"Our intruder has been transported to sickbay. I am on my way there now."

"Understood. Keep me informed."

She dared not leave the bridge at the moment. Any minute now, Voyager could come under attack.


"Tuvok to Commander Chakotay."

Chakotay was putting on his T-shirt and picked up his Starfleet jacket. He fumbled for his commbadge.

"Chakotay here."

"Our intruder claims that she is the Captain. She is indeed identical to her in every way. She says she was taken by the Kobali, questioned, and an impostor put in her place. She is greatly injured, my suspicion, torture, and has been transported to sickbay. I am on my way there and suggest you make yours."

Chakotay stood stunned. The Kathryn who had been sitting with him on the couch, who he had spent the entire evening with, could not be an impostor. It was impossible. He would surely have known it. And yet if it was true ... if she was an impostor... If there was one thing he had learnt in his career, it was always to have an open mind.

"I'm on my way," he replied..

He slipped on his jacket and hurried from the room.


Chakotay arrived in sickbay just as Tuvok did. The woman who claimed to be Kathryn was lying unconscious on a biobed and being attended to by the Doctor. The two men walked over to her.

"My God," Chakotay said in horrow when he saw the state of her horribly battered and burnt body.

The Doctor drew away from his patient and put his hand on Chakotay's shoulder.

"She isn't the Captain, Commander. She's a duplicate ... a mirror image."

Tuvok stepped forward. "A mirror image?"

The Doctor turned to him. "The self the Captain sees when she looks into the mirror. Her right is the Captain's left."

Trembling violently, Chakotay turned to Tuvok. "What exactly did she tell you?"

"Just that she was taken by the Kobali, duplicated, questioned, and an impostor put in her place."

"She is identical to the Captain in every way," the Doctor continued. "It's likely even her memories are the same. No doubt she believes she really is the Captain."

"If the Kobali duplicated her as she says," Tuvok surmised, "and she is identical to the Captain, then they must have been seeking information they believed the Captain could provide them with."

"And duplicating the captain would be the easiest way of obtaining that information," the Doctor added. "We would never know of her existence, and she would never know that she was not the real captain. When they were done with her, no doubt their intention was to kill her."

"Then why transport her back to Voyager?" Chakotay asked.

"That is something she herself may have done," Tuvok answered.

"I hardly think so," the Doctor replied. "In the state she was in, she wouldn't have been able to do much at all."

"Someone on her behalf then," Tuvok replied.

Chakotay stepped closer to the bed. "What is her condition?"

"Not good, Commander. She has suffered severe internal injuries and many of her organs are failing. I can prolong her life with surgery, but even then she has only hours to live."

Tuvok asked the next question. "Will she regain consciousness?"

"Yes, Commander," he replied. "At least for a while."

"Then she may be able to tell us more." He paused. "Summon us when you have done all that you can for her. The Commander is needed on the bridge and I must inform the Captain."

"Yes, Commander."

He turned around and headed for the door. When he noticed Chakotay wasn't following him, he turned around again and found Chakotay staring at the woman on the biobed.

"Commander..." he called.

At the call from Tuvok, Chakotay turned away from her and followed the Vulcan out of sickbay.


On the bridge, Kathryn worked her console, trying hopelessly to determine a source for the transport. She had also assigned Seven to the task. She was beginning to worry about Chakotay. It didn't take this long to change and make your way to the bridge. She thought of contacting him, but the ship was being closely monitored and if anything was wrong, she would have been informed. He had evidently been summoned someplace. When at last Chakotay appeared, followed by Tuvok, she stood up.

"Chakotay, you have the bridge. Tuvok, my ready room."

Chakotay took his chair and she was just about to leave with Tuvok when Harry called out.

"Three Kobali ships are pursuing us, Captain."

Kathryn made her way over to the centre of the bridge again.

"Hail them."

Harry did what he was told and in moments Yoran's face, unfamiliar to Kathryn, appeared on the viewscreen.

"Captain Janeway, or should I say Duplicate Janeway? You may think you're so clever, transporting our prisoner back to your ship, but unless you tell us where you've deposited the zophyre, we'll destroy your ship."

"zophyre?"

"I won't play this game again, Captain. Tell me where it is or I destroy your ship."

Kathryn stepped closer to the viewscreen. "I don't take kindly to threats."

"And I don't take kindly to thieves."

"We haven't stolen the zophyre."

"And we know for a fact that you have."

Tuvok interrupted. "They're firing weapons."

"We replenished energy reserves a week ago from what we believed was an uninhabited planet about 19 light years away. If we've taken something that we shouldn't have, we'll only be too glad to give it back..."

"The zophyre was taken four days ago from a planet 10 light years away and you don't have it onboard."

"Then obviously we're not the people you're looking for."

"You were seen, Captain. Now tell me where you have deposited it and we won't destroy your ship."

Tom turned to Kathryn and spoke as quietly as he could. "Their vessels are fast, but they are no match for Voyager. We can easily defeat them."

Armed with this knowledge, Kathryn stepped even closer to the viewscreen. "There's obviously no reasoning with you." She turned to her crew. "Battle stations."

The viewscreen went blank as the transmission ended and a view of space filled it instead. Kathryn took the Captain's chair.

The Kobali fired at them, the jolt shaking the ship.

"Mr Tuvok, return fire. Disable their ships."

Tuvok immediately carried out the task.

"Their ships are disabled, Captain."

She nodded and then turned to Tom. "Mr Paris, get us out of here, maximum warp."


Kathryn looked down at the reflection of herself lying on the biobed. The Doctor had healed her bruises, mended her bones, and stimulated the growth of her hair. She was wearing a white gown, a yellow blanket over her, and her hands were resting outside it. On the third finger of her right hand, was her wedding ring. The Doctor put a hypospray to his patient's neck and seconds later her eyes fluttered open.

Kathryn stepped closer to the bed and smiled sadly. "Welcome to Voyager, Captain."

The woman beneath her became agitated and her eyes darted from one person in the room to another.

"This is my ship..." she said breathlessly. "You are my duplicate ... The Kobali..."

"No, Captain," Kathryn said as gently as she could. "You are the duplicate."

"No," she protested "I'm Kathryn Janeway ... Captain of Voyager..." She glanced at Chakotay who stood close by. "And you're my husband..."

The Doctor put a kind hand on her shoulder. "The Captain tells you the truth. You are the duplicate. You are her mirror image. Your right is her left. Your heart beats in your right."

The woman closed her eyes, absorbing this, and silent tears brimmed under her eyelids.

Chakotay stepped forward and spoke kindly. "Can you tell us what happened to you?"

The woman opened her eyes again. "I don't know... One moment I was walking with Petal in the holodeck, and the next I was on the planet. A man ... Yoran ... He questioned me ... asked me about the zophyre ... where we had put it ... Told him we hadn't taken it ... wouldn't believe me ... I said the crew would come looking for me. He said they wouldn't ... wouldn't know I was gone ... had put a duplicate on Voyager... They took me away ... locked me in a room ... and afterwards questioned me again. They said we had been seen, stealing the zophyre ... seen by Corvalen. I asked to see him ... turned out to be Seska..."

At the mention of Seska's name, Kathryn and Chakotay shared a surprised look

"She remembered her past life ... wanted to be revenged on me ... perhaps on us ... They tortured me ... terrible things..." Another tear ran down her cheek as she remembered. "Then they locked me in a room again ... A woman came to me ... kind woman ... and said she knew we were innocent ... but couldn't say anything ... would be killed. She helped me ... sent me back to Voyager ... They might pursue ... be prepared..."

There was a moment of heacy silence in the room as everyone looked pitifully at Kathryn duplicate. Then the real Kathryn spoke.

"The Kobali pursued us, but we defeated them. We're in safe space again."

The duplicate relaxed a little at that. "How was I created?"

"We don't know," the Doctor replied. "Evidently they did it without the Captain's knowledge. Perhaps they came aboard undetected or duplicated you from the planet by sophisticated transportation technology. All they would need to do is get a lock on the Captain for a second, duplicate her biomatter, and transport that duplicate to their planet."

"I did feel something," the real Kathryn said, "this morning on the holodeck. It was a sudden coldness, made me shiver."

"I felt it too," the duplicate continued. "Then I was on the planet."

"That must have been when they performed the duplication," the Doctor concluded. "They are evidently still perfecting the technology, but I would imagine that to a species that has to survive by salvaging the dead of other races, duplication technology of this kind would be something very important to them incase one day they no longer have bodies to salvage. I would image duplication of this kind requires a tremendous amount of energy and perhaps that is why the substance they wanted was of such importance to them. To perform a complete duplication, at the moment they're having to duplicate twice. One to obtain a mirror image, and again to reverse that image. Obviously in this case they believed one duplication served their purpose which was identical duplication of knowledge, not of appearance, and it would make no difference to the duplicate's self awareness. Everything that you do with your right hand, Captain, she would do with her left."

The duplicate closed her eyes and tried not to listen to them talking about as though she was just an object. She felt like Kathryn Janeway, felt like her in every way. And yet she wasn't her. She was nothing. Nothing but an echo.

"What is to become of me? There can't be two Kathryn Janeway's."

"You're dying," the Doctor said kindly. "You've suffered major internal injuries and your organs are failing."

"I see," she whispered. Then she opened her eyes and gazed at Chakotay. As she did so, she was glad that it was her that was dying, not the real Kathryn. Glad she was a duplicate. Now, everything that had happened to her on the planet, would never really happen after all. She smiled softly. "Then everything is as it should be." She turned back to her other self and glanced at both her and Chakotay. "Now go, both of you, and attend to your ship or to each other."


The lights in sickbay were dim when Chakotay returned sometime later and Kathryn's duplicate was all alone. She was lying on her side, her back to him, and her legs tucked up in the foetal position. He slowly walked over to her. She was lying very still and appeared to be asleep.

Chakotay pulled up a chair that was nearby and sat before her. The noise disturbed her and she opened her eyes.

"I've brought someone to see you," Chakotay said.

He held up a bundle of red fur and Kathryn smiled. "Petal..."

She slowly sat up against her pillows, the movement requiring effort and leaving her breathless.

Chakotay put the animal on the bed and Petal balanced herself on Kathryn's arm and licked her face tenderly, almost as though she sensed her mistress was hurt, and then nestled against her. Kathryn lay her hand on the animal's fur and let it rest there.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Chakotay smiled sadly. "You're welcome."

"Now go," she said quietly. "You don't belong here."

Chakotay reached for her hand and took it in his. "I think I do. I'm Kathryn's husband. That makes me your husband too."

The woman looked at him with profound sadness. "I'm nothing but Kathryn's echo ... nothing more than a reflection..."

Chakotay squeezed her hand. "You're so much more than that. You share her memories, her experiences, share her feelings ... our love."

"And she loves you so much," Kathryn whispered. "Is so thankful for you..."

Chakotay held her hand to his cheek a moment and kissed it softly before lowering it to the bed.

Kathryn gazed into his eyes a moment and then closed her eyes. Her breathing was increasingly difficult and it clearly wouldn't be long now.

Chakotay looked at her sadly. "Would you like me to hold you?"

She opened her eyes and the longing Chakotay saw in them knifed his heart. "I would like that."

Chakotay raised Petal from the bed and put her on the floor. The bed was too narrow for two of them to lie on it, so he pressed a button at the side of the bed and an extension appeared. He pushed another button and a mattress inflated. He gently took one of the pillows from beneath Kathryn's head for his own, and then climbed onto the bed. He drew Kathryn into his arms and held her tight as she nestled against his chest. She wrapped her arm around his waist and forgot that she was a duplicate, an echo, a reflection, and just savoured the embrace of the man she loved.


It was passed three in the morning and Chakotay sat alone on a sofa in the corner of the darkened Mess Hall, Petal sleeping soundly at his feet. The events of the day haunted him and he knew would for a long time. He suddenly felt a kind hand on his shoulder and turned to see Kathryn beside him. She caressed his arm softly and then sat next to him.

"How you doing?"

"I'm alright," he replied.

Kathryn lay her hand on his. "You were with her, weren't you ... when she died?"

"Yes," he said, turning towards her. "In so many ways she was you, Kathryn. I couldn't let her die alone."

"I understand. I'm glad you were there."

Chakotay squeezed her hand. "But it could really have been you," he said quietly. "If they had taken you and not your duplicate..."

"I know," Kathryn replied. "But they didn't..."

Chakotay averted his eyes. "I can't believe it was Seska ... We deposited her body twenty thousand light years away ... It doesn't seem possible."

"I thought the same thing when Lindsay Ballard turned up. But she told me the Kobali are capable of travelling great distances by slipstream technology. They need to be able to do that to salvage the dead of other races. They don't share their technology, though, not in any instance, so there was no point in asking them for help in getting Voyager home."

Chakotay looked up at her. "What will we do with her? Your duplicate?"

"We'll cremate her. If we send her body into space, the Kobali will more than likely retrieve her to procreate." She paused and her voice fell to a whisper. "And she isn't dead. We won't mourn Kathryn Janeway yet."

Chakotay looked deep into her eyes. "Not for a long long time. And I hope never in my lifetime."

Kathryn smiled softly and then let go of his hand. "It's been a long night and we've both got an early shift tomorrow. I suggest we try and get some sleep."

Chakotay nodded and they both got to their feet and left the room.

END OF CHAPTER NINE