CHAPTER TWELVE
VENGEANCE
The afternoon was lazy. Kathryn sat in her chair in her ready room and drank a cup of hot milk with honey. She was pining terribly for coffee but it was getting easier to live without her daily dosage. She looked around the room, tapping her finger against the handle of her cup. It had been an uneventful week and with Voyager newly replenished on energy reserves and repairs there was less than usual to keep her busy. In fact, at this moment, she had nothing at all to do, at least nothing that required immediate attention. She had just returned from paying Arlei a visit in Engineering and the girl was adapting well to her new post. Kathryn hadn't been sure about placing her in Engineering at first, but she was very competent and would no doubt prove to be a great asset to the crew. It was a nice feeling having nothing to do, but also somewhat unsettling. She felt guilty if she wasn't working, even though she had tolled up more vacation hours over the past seven years than even she dared to calculate.
She lay back against her chair and put her hand to her stomach. Now the shock of her pregnancy was over, she was looking forward to having the baby. She had always wanted children but had come to accept that motherhood was not something she would have the privilege of experiencing. She and Justin had planned on having children but Mark had never really been keen on the idea. He liked his independence too much and had shied of commitment of any kind. It was only after everything that had happened with the Cardassians that he had proposed and then more as a gesture than a true desire. Children were still something he wasn't ready for and it would have been the wrong time for her too. Everything happens for a reason, her mother used to say, and the older she was getting, the more she was beginning to believe it. She had found her true soulmate in Chakotay and Mark had evidently found his too as he had married the woman he worked with in only a fraction of the time it had taken him to ask her to be his wife.
Kathryn put down her drink, picked up her padd, and went over to the replicator. She had paid her third visit to the Doctor that morning and he had advised her to read as much literature as she could about pregnancy. She thought now was as good a time as ever to start reading. He had recommended some titles to her and she replicated these. Three books appeared, piled on top of each other. Kathryn picked them up and went over to her desk again. She took another sip of her drink and then looked through the pile. There were cute pictures of babies on all of the books and she felt a warm feeling inside as she gazed at them. In just under nine months time, she and Chakotay would have a baby like this. Chakotay was quietly thrilled, she could tell. He wasn't saying a lot, but she knew that was for her benefit. He wanted to give her time to get used to the idea of motherhood. But if it was up to him, they would already be planning the nursery. Like Tom and B'Elanna, they were going to have to modify their quarters to accommodate it. She had never really thought about children for her and Chakotay. While they were in the Delta Quadrant they had both known it was an impossibility and, given their respective ages, they had never discussed the possibility when they got home. They had been happy, very happy, with just each other. But children were clearly something Chakotay had always longed for too but, like for her, it had never been the right time. Now, destiny had made the decision for them.
Kathryn flicked through one of the books and looked at the pictures of a developing baby. She knew all about the biology, but it all seemed different somehow now she was having a baby of her own. It was as though she was reading it for the first time. She picked up the next book and began looking through that one too. It was thicker than the first and seemed to be more about multiple births than anything. Not as useful as the first so she turned to the third. She was just about to look through it when she heard Chakotay's voice over the comm.
"Chakotay to Janeway. Please report to the bridge."
Kathryn put down her book and left the room.
When she arrived on the bridge, there was an image of a Kobali man on the viewscreen. She recognized him to be the same Kobali who had contacted her a few weeks ago, accusing her of stealing their zophyre.
Chakotay was standing before his chair and spoke as Kathryn reached him.
"This is Yoran from Koballor, a planet in the fourth Kobali Empire."
Kathryn gazed hard at the man. "I remember you. What do you want?"
"I want to apologize, Captain," he said calmly. "We now know you did not steal the zophyre. It was taken by our enemies, the Souri. Our witness was mistaken."
"Your witness was once a crew member of mine and retains memories of her past life," Kathryn answered bitterly. "She was not mistaken. She deliberately incriminated us."
"She saw your ship and assumed you had taken it," Yoran continued. "It was an easy mistake to make."
"Mistake, like hell!" Kathryn cried. She then bit her lip, trying to swallow her growing anger. "Examine her memory. You'll soon find memories that shouldn't be there. Seska was always scheming and manipulative. Incriminating us is exactly the kind of thing she would do to exact revenge."
"I understand your sentiment, Captain," Yoran replied, "but I assure you that was not the case. It was an unfortunate episode, that is all."
Kathryn was almost fuming now. "Unfortunate? Is that the only sentiment you can express? You duplicated me without my permission and then tortured my duplicate to death. I can think of other words to describe it, such as inhumane, barbaric, and an atrocious violation!"
"You have every right to be angry, Captain. What we did was wrong. We were desperate to retrieve the zophyre."
"I don't care how desperate you were. There is no excusing what you did."
"No, Captain," he answered sadly. "There isn't. But I hope you will give us a chance to make it up to you. We know you are trying to get to the other side of the galaxy and we can help you achieve that goal by sharing with you our technology."
Kathryn shared a glance with Chakotay.
"Our transwarp technology will be able to transport you twenty thousand light years within minutes. I know your journey is probably longer than that, but it would spare you many years of traveling." He paused. "We don't usually share our technology, in fact we never have before. But I believe this case merits it."
Kathryn swallowed, this time from nervous emotion rather than anger, and was a moment in answering. "We will need time to discuss this amongst ourselves."
Yoran nodded. "As you wish, Captain."
"We will contact you when we have made a decision."
He nodded again and the transmission ended. Kathryn stared at it a moment, her mind swimming, and then turned to her First Officer.
"Chakotay, my ready room."
As soon as the doors shut behind them, Kathryn turned to Chakotay. Her mind was chaos and she needed a sounding board.
"What do you think?"
"That we would be crazy to accept," he replied honestly. "I don't trust Yoran for a second and God knows what scheme Seska has dreamt up."
Kathryn stepped closer. "But if the offer is genuine..."
"And what are the chances of that? These people are capable of great cruelty. Why would they suddenly develop a conscience?"
"I hear what you're saying, Chakotay," Kathryn said, turning away, "but what could they possibly achieve by deceiving us? They have technology far in advance of ours."
"In some respects. But their ships aren't as developed as ours. Voyager could serve as a prototype."
"If they wanted to build great ships, they have the technology to do so. They don't need us or Voyager." She paused. "I despise that man, I despise him just as much as you do for what they did, but every instinct tells me this offer is genuine."
"And every instinct of mine says this is a death trap," Chakotay answered. "We can't risk it, Kathryn."
Kathryn moved away from him now, frustration rising. "And we can't afford to just throw away a chance like this. It would get us so much closer to home!"
"We can if it's too risky."
Kathryn shook her head and then turned to him, determined. "I've made my decision, Chakotay. We'll investigate this further."
Chakotay sighed. "How, exactly?"
"You, Tuvok and I will go to the planet and "discuss" this offer. We'll soon discover then if it's genuine."
"It would take us at least three weeks to travel to their planet..."
"I know that, but..."
"And if their offer isn't genuine? If they take us hostage?"
"I'm certain that won't happen." She took a deep breath. "I'm not changing my mind on this, Chakotay. Do I have your support?"
Chakotay was a moment in answering, but then nodded. "On one condition. You don't go to the planet."
"Chakotay..." Kathryn protested.
"That Seven goes instead. You can't go in your condition."
Kathryn sighed. "I'll be alright, Chakotay. I'm pregnant, not ill. I'm perfectly capable of..."
"I know you are, but anything could happen down there. Risking our own lives is one thing, but not the baby's..."
Kathryn lowered her eyes, almost in shame. "You're right," she said softly. "I'm sorry." She looked up at him and smiled concedingly. "I'll ask Seven to go instead." She hit her commbadge. "Janeway to Tuvok."
Tuvok's voice sounded. "Go ahead, Captain."
"Open a channel to the Kobali and direct it to my ready room."
"Understood. Tuvok out."
She now went over to her monitor and switched it on. She sat down and waited for Yoran's face to fill the screen. Chakotay watched her a moment and then turned away. He wasn't happy with this, wasn't happy at all. But it was ultimately Kathryn's decision and he had to abide by it.
At last the connection was established and Yoran's face appeared.
"I trust you have come to a decision, Captain."
"Yes," she replied. "If it is acceptable to you, I would like to send two of my senior officers and a crew member to discuss your offer of assistance further."
"It would be more than acceptable," Yoran replied, "it would be a delight."
"It will, however, take us several weeks to travel to your planet."
"No need for that. We can transport your people. Our transporters work up to a range of 75 light years. Inform me when your people are ready for transportation."
"I will," Kathryn replied. "Thank you."
The connection terminated and Kathryn once more got to her feet.
"I'll inform Tuvok and Seven," she said to Chakotay.
She made to pass him but he caught her arm. "I don't think we should transport. I think we should go by ship, no matter if it takes three weeks, and then take a shuttle to the surface. At least then we'll have some means of escape should they take us prisoner."
Kathryn looked up at him. "I understand your concern, Chakotay, but I think we should go along with what they want. We don't want to appear hostile." She reached up and brushed her fingers against his cheek. "And I wouldn't have you do this if I thought there was any real risk to your life. I love you too much."
Chakotay had to smile at that and took her hand in his. "You inform Seven and I'll tell Tuvok. The sooner we go, the quicker we'll return."
Kathryn smiled. "Deal."
Chakotay, Tuvok and Seven materialized inside what appeared to be a great hall. The ceiling was an enormous glass dome and there was a long table in the center of the room that must have had the capacity to seat a hundred people. It was loaded with food and drink as though a banquet was about to begin. The room was full of men and women talking and drinking, and soft music was playing. Yoran, accompanied with two men and two women, was waiting to greet them.
"Welcome to Koballor. I thought it would be pleasant to discuss matters over a meal."
Chakotay thought it was better to play along for the moment even though he didn't trust Yoran at all.
"That would indeed be pleasant."
Yoran went over to the table and sat at it's head. He then gestured to Chakotay, Tuvok and Seven to sit beside him. The three of them awkwardly made their way over to the table and sat down. Chakotay sat at Yoran's left and Seven and Tuvok sat along side him. Yoran's companions sat on the opposite side.
"What we propose is quite simple," Yoran began. "We will create a transwarp corridor and you will enter it. Some modification will need to be made to your ship to ensure structural integrity, but they can be done in no time at all."
Tuvok questioned. "These modifications, what will they entail?"
"I am not a scientist," Yoran replied, "so cannot answer that." He gestured to the female Kobali woman sitting at his right. "But Rinori here can provide you with the details."
He then clicked his fingers and immediately a young Kobali servant girl approached the table with a jug of what seemed to be water in her hands. She poured a glassful for Yoran and then began to pour a glassful for everyone else.
"But before everyone starts talking science," Yoran continued, "let's eat a little. I would like to know more about your time in this Quadrant."
The meal over, Chakotay, Tuvok and Seven managed to steal some moments alone in a secluded corner of the hall while Yoran was called away to answer an important incoming message.
"I never thought I would say it," Chakotay said, "but I believe their offer is genuine."
"That is the conclusion I have reached also," Tuvok replied.
Chakotay turned to Seven. "Seven?"
"I am in agreement."
Chakotay smiled. "Then let's make our departure as soon as we can and report the good news to the Captain."
A lot of people suddenly passed them and amongst them an old woman. Her back was bent and she was clearly having trouble walking. Just as she reached Tuvok, she swayed and fell to the floor. She moaned in pain and Chakotay, Tuvok and Seven turned to her. She tried to raise herself from the floor, but fell down again. Chakotay knelt beside her.
"Here, let me help you."
He helped her to her feet and she held on tight to his arm.
"Let me help you to a chair," Chakotay continued. He turned to Tuvok. "Tuvok, see if you can find a physician..."
"No," the woman protested, her voice raspy. "There's no need ... T'is my age ... All I need is help to my quarters ... tis close by ... My daughter there..."
"Alright," Chakotay said kindly. "I'll help you." He turned again to Tuvok and Seven. "If Yoran returns before I do, tell him where I've gone."
"Yes, Sir," Tuvok replied.
It was a longer walk than Chakotay expected to the old woman's quarters, but she seemed to be bearing up well. If anything, her pace was quickening. He talked as they walked, telling her how much he had enjoyed the meal and meeting her people. She talked back a little, but it seemed to make her breathless so he tried to keep her from talking as much as he could.
They turned a corner, leaving the main corridor and entering a side corridor that was shorter and narrower. Not long after turning into it, the old woman became faint again. Chakotay held her tighter so she wouldn't fall.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Most kind ... Not far now ... Few more doors..."
They walked on a little and then the woman stopped before a small silver door. "This is it ... Will need keycode ... can't..."
Chakotay understood. "What is the number?"
"09678"
Holding the woman up with one arm, he keyed in the number with his other hand. Seconds later, the door slid open. He helped the woman inside and the door shut behind them. The lights automatically came on and the woman drew away from him.
"Very kind of you, Chakotay," she said in a voice that was all too familiar, "to help a poor old lady to her home."
Chakotay inhaled sharply. "Seska."
She laughed. "Actually, my name is Corvalen now. But you can call me Seska. Pleased to see me?"
"As much as I would be the reaper!"
"Now, now," Seska said, stepping closer to him. "That's not very friendly."
"And I suppose you think falsely accusing us of stealing the zophyre was a perfect act of friendship."
"Not you," she replied. "Janeway."
Chakotay seized her. "Why, Seska?"
"Because I wanted to make her pay for what she did to me. I wanted to make them all pay!" She then reached out and touched Chakotay's cheek. "It was just unfortunate that you would have to suffer too. But that's the price of allying yourself with the enemy."
Chakotay pushed her hand away from his face. "What happened to you was no one's fault but your own. You were the victim only of your own scheming and cheating mind!"
"What choice did I have?" Seska cried, breaking away from him. "I hated it on Voyager. I hated serving under that bitch. And you were no comfort! I had a chance of a new life with the Kazon and I'll tell you this, it was a damn sight better than life on Voyager ever was! And we were doing you all a favor by putting you on that planet. At least then you would have had a chance of some kind of life! Look at you, Chakotay. Four years later and you're still on that damn ship in the middle of the Delta Quadrant!"
"There's only one reason you put us on that planet," Chakotay replied, "and that's because you wanted Voyager for yourself! You're selfish and manipulative and your mind is poison!"
Seska laughed and stepped closer to him again, her voice seductive. "That's not what you said when you made love to me, Chakotay. You said I was amazing. You said I was the most dynamic woman you have ever known. Do you remember? Do you remember how we would make mad passionate love all night in your bed? Do you remember how we drove each other crazy and took each other to levels of ecstasy neither of us had known before? You said no woman could ever be as good as me..."
Chakotay's voice was hard. "And you said you were a Bajoran while the whole time you were a Cardassian spy! Everything between us was a lie!"
"Except our love."
Chakotay almost spat out the words. "You wouldn't know the meaning of the word!"
Seska laughed again. "And I suppose you do?"
"Yes," he replied. "I do."
Seska backed away from him, an amused look in her eye. "So, you've found someone. I didn't think you'd hold out seventy five years. It wasn't in your nature. Who is she? That blonde you were without there?"
Chakotay tried to fight his rage. "What do you want, Seska? Why did you bring me here?"
She smiled, almost childlike. "I just wanted to see you. Is that so bad?"
"Well, now you've seen me." He turned around and headed for the door. He tried what appeared to be the open button but the door wouldn't open.
"Open this door."
Seska went over to him and she saw his wedding ring sparkle under the light. "And a band of gold. This woman sure has got you trapped. Who is she? Loreena? Joarne? One of the Delaney sisters?" She chuckled. "Or did Janeway get so desperate that she ordered you to take her on her desk in her ready room?"
"Just let me out, Seska."
She laughed as she saw the truth on his face. "That's it, isn't it? You've married Janeway."
"I said let me out!"
"My, my, who would have thought it of Janeway? She seemed so stuck up already that there wouldn't be room for a man. At least not one of Maquis proportions. But well, well, wonders will never cease." She licked her drying lips. "So tell me, Chakotay, what is she like in bed? Have all these years of deprivation made her a wild mare? How many others on Voyager has she slept with? Did she work her way up the ranks before finishing with you?"
"Like I said," Chakotay replied, turning to her. "Your mind is poison."
Seska laid her hands on his arms and tried to wrap them around his neck. "Oh come now, I'm only teasing. I don't want to argue with you. Arguing was never what we did best. I want you to stay with me. I want you to stay with me on this planet. We were good together once and we can be again. You don't need Janeway. I'm more than what you need. I know I look different but inside I'm still me. And while we Kobali may be infertile, we know how to have a good time. Let me please you, Chakotay. Let me please you like only I know how..."
Chakotay tried to pull her away from him. "Seska..."
"Let me make love to you, Chakotay. Forget about Janeway, forget about Voyager. Just remember how good it used to be. Remember how we drove each crazy, remember the pleasure, the ecstasy. No woman could compare..."
Chakotay gripped her hard and managed to pull her away. "I'd rather be thrown in a den of lions and eaten alive than stay with you! What we shared was lies, Seska, all lies, and means nothing to me! You mean nothing to me! And I wish to God I had never met you!"
Tears welled in Seska's eyes and she angrily drew away. She turned to the door and pounded the keyboard with her fingers until the door opened. "Get out, Chakotay," she cried. "Get out!"
Chakotay was only too glad to leave and made his way out, his anger just as profound as hers.
"You'll be sorry," she said as he stepped into the corridor. "You'll be so sorry!"
Chakotay turned to her, his gaze cold. "Like hell I will."
With that, he angrily walked away.
Kathryn paced her ready room nervously. She hadn't heard from the away team in over three hours and was beginning to worry desperately. It surely couldn't take this long to discuss their offer. Something must have happened. There must have been an ulterior motive after all. She should have listened to Chakotay, she ...
"Chakotay to Janeway."
Kathryn sighed in relief at the sound of her First Officer and husband's voice.
"Janeway here."
"We're ready to return to Voyager. The Kobali are going to transport us to transporter room one."
Kathryn smiled happily. "I'll be waiting for you. Janeway out."
Chakotay, Tuvok and Seven waited patiently in the Kobali's transporter room for the transport that would send them back to Voyager. Just as it was about to be initialized, Yoran appeared accompanied by two guards. He walked briskly, his shoulders hunched and his face angry.
"Stop transportation!"
Chakotay stepped forward. "What's going on?"
The two guards seized him roughly.
"You are under arrest for rape and assault."
It took Chakotay only moments to realize this was Seska's doing.
"Both are serious crimes in our dominions and you will tried and punished according to our laws."
"I did nothing," Chakotay replied. "Seska ... Corvalen ... She's lying. Just as she lied about us stealing the zophyre!"
"No," Yoran cried, stepping closer. "You raped and battered her because she accused your people of stealing the zophyre!"
Tuvok intervened. "I trust you have proof of the allegations against the Commander."
"Corvalen is in the sanatorium now being treated for her injuries," Yoran replied. "She was most violently attacked."
"Well, it wasn't me," Chakotay protested.
"Yes it was. You just thought she would be too gutless to report you." He turned to the guards. "Take this beast away..."
Again Tuvok intervened. "Sir, I must..."
Yoran turned to him. "Silence! This man has committed a crime within our dominion and will be subjected to the same criminal action as one of our people."
"But..."
"It's alright, Tuvok," Chakotay replied. "I'll go with them." He turned back to Yoran. "I trust there will be a trial?"
Yoran's hard eyes met his. "Your case will be heard in an hours time and your sentence pronounced." He then turned to Tuvok. "Inform your captain what has happened."
With that, he clicked his fingers and the guards escorted Chakotay out of the room.
Kathryn was waiting eagerly in transporter room one for the away team to arrive. She smiled when she saw them materialize, but her smile faded when she saw that Chakotay was missing.
"Where's Chakotay?"
Seven approached her. "He has been arrested."
Kathryn's face paled and her lip trembled. "What do you mean?"
Tuvok continued. "He has been accused of beating and raping a native woman."
Kathryn's face contorted in anger. "Seska."
"So the Commander claims," Tuvok responded. "But that is not a certainty."
"Like hell it is not!" She furiously began to make her way out of the room. "I want a channel opened to Koballor and directed to my ready room immediately!"
Yoran's face appeared on the monitor and his angry countenance matched Kathryn's.
"I want my husband released immediately," she cried, too angry to greet him.
"I'm afraid that will not be possible," Yoran answered. "He is accused of..."
"I know what he is accused of and I'm telling you he's innocent. This is all Seska's doing, all her lies."
"The woman in question is Corvalen and she has serious injuries that she says..."
"I don't give a damn about her injuries! Whoever gave them to her was not Chakotay!"
"And she says it was! She says he saw her in the corridor outside her quarters and forced his way in as she made hers. He told her he was going to make her pay for falsely accusing his people of stealing the zophyre and then he beat her and raped her."
"My husband would never do such a thing! She's lying! She's lying about this just as she was about the zophyre!"
"Captain ... ."
"She's made the same accusations before. Don't you see? She retains memories of her past life, a life in which she was a member of our crew..."
"So you keep saying, Captain. But there is no proof of that. She could have come from any part of the galaxy. Even from another."
"There's proof that she was lying about the zophyre!"
"She was mistaken! She thought it was you who stole the zophyre as she saw your ship in the vicinity. That's why she immediately pursued your ship and demanded it back ... ."
"No she didn't," Kathryn cried. "We weren't even in the vicinity of any m-class planet the day the zophyre was taken and we certainly never had any conflict with her!"
"You're the one who's lying, Captain!"
"Then show me the proof! Show me the proof that Voyager was where Seska claims that day!"
"Her word is proof enough."
"And I suppose she told you immediately, did she? I suppose she told you straight away that it was us who took the zophyre?"
"No," Yoran replied, his voice falling a little. "It was three days later when we detected your ship on sensors."
"Because she recognized our ship," Kathryn continued. "And she wanted to be revenged."
"She made a mistake, Captain, that is all..."
"Examine her memory. Delve deep. You'll see she remembers..."
"I know what you're doing, Captain," Yoran snarled. "You're trying to extricate your husband by discrediting the victim. Well it won't work. We may not have proof of your whereabouts the day the zophyre was taken, but we certainly have proof of your husband's violent attack. And he is going to be punished for his crime. That I promise you."
Kathryn swallowed nervously. "What are you going to do?"
"He will be put on trial in just under an hours time and once a verdict of guilty has been passed, he will be immediately executed."
Kathryn stared at him in absolute horror and for a moment couldn't speak. "But..."
"And that is my last word on the matter. You will be updated."
The connection terminated and the screen went blank.
Chakotay sat on the floor of a plain, bare, cold silver cell, his back to the wall. There was no window, nothing but a dim light above him to divert attention from the sea of gray. He wondered if this was the same cell that Kathryn's duplicate had occupied. He wondered if she had sat where he was sitting, or whether she had sat opposite the door. He tried not to let anxiety consume him. He was innocent and was confident that Kathryn would be doing all that she could to prove that. She would know it was Seska's doing. Of that he was sure.
"It's impossible," Seven said as Kathryn asked her about using the slipstream technology they had stored away to get to the planet by transwarp.
"The technology almost resulted in our destruction two year ago, and would most likely result in our destruction now. No one has found a way to improve the technology since."
"Two years ago we were attempting to cut across the galaxy. Now we only need to travel 65 light years."
"Which would be too small a distance anyway for us to attempt. Even if our attempt did not result in our destruction, it would most likely result in us ending up at least a thousand light years away."
Kathryn wiped her brow. "Then I'm just going to have to go down to the planet and see what I can do from there." She turned to Harry who was standing at his station. "Mr Kim, open a channel to Koballor."
Harry did what he was told and moments later Yoran's face appeared on the main viewscreen.
"I told you, Captain," he said crossly. "I would communicate with you if there was any news."
Kathryn walked up to the screen, clenching her fists so tight that her knuckles were white.
"Not good enough," she cried. "I'm not going to wait around up here while you condemn my husband for a crime he didn't do. I want direct participation in this case. In your law the accused may have no right of defense, but in our law, that is mandatory. I will be that defense."
"Your law has no influence here, Captain. Your husband has committed a crime in our territory and is thus subjected to our law and our law alone."
"That is unacceptable..."
"To us, most acceptable. I'm sorry, Captain. Besides, I am told the committee has just this moment reached a verdict. The conclusion is guilty as charged. Your husband will now be executed."
Fear gripped Kathryn. "I demand an appeal! He is innocent!"
"Not according to our law. The best I can offer is attendance at his execution."
"I will not accept this," Kathryn cried. "You have no right to condemn a man without defense or right of appeal!" She stepped closer to the screen, a thought suddenly occurring to her. "You approached us wanting to help us after you wrongfully accused us of stealing the zophyre. Not only did you committee a heinous violation by duplicating me without my knowing, you subjected my duplicate to horrific torture. Let her death and suffering stand in place of Chakotay's."
"Unacceptable, Captain. She was a duplicate. Irrelevant."
"She was a thinking, feeling, sentient being..."
"A decision has been made, Captain. Now, either let us transport you to the surface so you can witness your husband's death, or proceed with your journey. Our offer of assistance no longer stands."
"I must demand that..."
"Transportation or not, Captain. I won't ask again."
Kathryn swallowed. "Transportation," she said quietly.
"Very well, stand by."
Footsteps sounded in the corridor outside and stopped before his door. Chakotay got to his feet and seconds later the door opened. Five guards entered, accompanied by a large man Chakotay did not recognize.
"You have been found guilty of the charges against you," the man said, his tone contemptuous. "You will now be put to death. We come to escort you to the place of execution."
Chakotay inhaled sharply. "But I have not yet had a trial..."
"It has just transpired. You were found guilty."
"But this is preposterous! I demand to be heard!"
Two guards seized him and tied his hands behind his back with a black rope.
"We do not listen to the words of criminals," the man continued. "Be silent."
"But I'm innocent..."
"I said be silent! That is unless you wish us to rip out your tongue!"
Chakotay fell silent at that.
"Now," the man went on. "You will be taken to Death Circle and there your head will be publicly severed from your body."
Chakotay gasped in fear. "Please I..."
"Did you not understand me?" He turned to his left. "Vorlan..."
A tall muscular guard stepped forward and pulled a sharp knife from his coat.
"Alright," Chakotay said fearfully. "Not another word."
"I'm glad we understand each other," the man said, putting up his hand to stop the guard. "Let us proceed."
Kathryn materialized in what appeared to be a large crowded amphitheater. She was directly above the stage and her heart and stomach somersaulted at what she saw on the circular stage below her. There, shining in the early evening sun, was a guillotine.
There was a man and a woman beside her and she turned to them, not giving up yet.
"I demand to speak to Yoran! My husband is innocent!"
"I'm afraid it would do no good," the woman replied. "Your husband has been found guilty of a serious crime. Nothing can save him now."
"But he is innocent."
"They all say that, Captain. I've yet to meet a criminal who confesses to his crime."
"At least let me see my husband," Kathryn continued. "Please..."
"I'm afraid our law does not permit that."
"But that is... "
Suddenly the sound of drums filled the air and Kathryn turned again to the stage. Pain sliced through her heart when she saw Chakotay being escorted, hands tied, onto the stage by five guards. He was still dressed in his Starfleet uniform, even his commbadge still intact.
"No," she yelled, her voice carrying across the auditorium. "You can't do this ... ."
No one on the stage took the slightest notice of her, not even Chakotay.
"They can't hear you," the woman beside her commented. "They can't see you either."
Tears welled in Kathryn's eyes. "But you can't, he's innocent..."
The drums quieted into a soft beat as Chakotay was taken towards the guillotine. The two guards holding him pushed him to the ground and he fell heavily, fell clumsily. Kathryn's watched in horror, her whole being screaming in torment. Chakotay was going to die and there was nothing she could do about it.
Chakotay gasped in pain as one of the guards yanked his head forward and secured it within the guillotine. The bottom of the stock was rough and cut his throat. He closed his eyes and tried to push away all the thoughts that made him focus on wanting to live and tried to focus on making peace with his death. But he couldn't. All he could think about was Kathryn and how he didn't want to leave her. She would never forgive herself for this, would blame herself always for not listening to him and ignoring Yoran's offer. He didn't want that. He didn't want to leave her this way, didn't want to saddle her with such a guilt ...
Kathryn watched as the guard secured Chakotay's head in the guillotine and she could hardly breathe. All was a mist ... a blur. A guard pulled at the string connecting to the killer blade and all she could do was scream...
But the blade didn't move. Instead, two men came onto the stage. They spoke with the guards and moments later they released Chakotay from the guillotine. Kathryn turned to the woman beside her. "What's happening?"
"I don't know," the woman replied. "This is most irregular."
As she spoke, Yoran approached them. "Corvalen has confessed she lied, Captain." He spoke plainly, without apology. "The injuries she received were inflicted by her lover who believed she had been unfaithful to him with your husband. She confesses to having knowledge of her previous life and that she accused Chakotay of assaulting her to be revenged upon him for past wrongs. We have therefore cleared your husband of all charges. He is free to return to your ship."
Kathryn wiped away a stray tear, the relief overwhelming. "What will happen to Seska ... Corvalen?"
"She will have all memories of her past life erased. No other action will be taken. In our law a person is not responsible for any criminal action resulting from the existence of memories from their past life. Her lover will be incarcerated."
From the corner of her eye, Kathryn saw Chakotay approach with two guards. She turned to him and as soon as he was close enough, wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight, not caring who saw or what they thought. He responded and they held each other tight.
"We will transport you back to your ship," Yoran said as they drew away, "follow me."
"Wait," Kathryn replied. "Now that this matter has been cleared up and Chakotay's innocence proved, what of your offer of assistance?"
"Our law says that we are not to share our technology or assist strangers. It is best if we adhere to that."
"But..."
"I'm sorry, Captain, but that is our final decision. Now, follow me."
"At least then let me see Seska ... I mean Corvalen."
"For what purpose?"
"She was once a member of my crew."
Yoran hesitated. "Very well. But only for a moment." He turned to the woman beside her. "Borlia, escort Captain Janeway to Corvalen's cell. Chakotay, you follow me."
Borlia led Kathryn through a series of narrow silver corridors until they reached Seska's cell. The woman keyed open the door and gestured for Kathryn to go inside. She followed her in, but did not close the door. Kathryn's astute eye immediately took in the stark silver windowless surrounding before resting on Seska. She was standing before her, dressed in a robe of white. Her appearance may have changed, but her eyes, her eyes were just the same.
"Captain Janeway," she said disdainfully. "I suppose you've come to gloat."
"No," Kathryn said calmly. "I've come to thank you."
Seska laughed. "Thank me? Is this some kind of a joke? Why would you want to thank me?"
"For telling the truth. It took a lot of courage."
"Well," Seska said, turning away from her slightly. "I didn't do it for you, I did it for Chakotay."
"I know that. And I'm grateful. If you hadn't told the truth, they would have killed him."
Seska turned to her again. "Yes, they would have. And from all accounts, my confession came just in time." She laughed, a cold, hard, laugh. Then it faded into something akin to sadness. "But I never thought they would kill him. I wanted to make him suffer, that's all."
Kathryn looked deep into her eyes and for the first time saw sincerity there. Whatever Seska was, or had been, she had genuinely cared for Chakotay.
"Well," Kathryn said quietly, "that's all I came to say." She turned to leave but then turned back to her old crew member. "And, for what it's worth, I hope that once your memories are erased you find happiness in your new life."
Seska's eyes hardened now. "Oh I'll be happy," she replied. "Don't you worry about me. But you, Captain? Will you be happy? You'll never be enough for him, you know. One of these days he'll tire of you and move on to pastures new."
Kathryn held her cold gaze and was a moment in answering. "History doesn't always repeat itself, Seska. It depends on the players."
With that, she left the room.
Stars flew by at warp speed and Kathryn watched them contentedly for a moment as she sat up in bed, her body turned towards the window. Her hair caressed her shoulders and the blue night-dress she wore shimmered in the starlight. It had been disappointing not to have the Kobali's assistance, but Chakotay was safe and that was all that mattered. Chakotay climbed on the bed now, dressed only in black boxer shorts, and wrapped his arms around her. Kathryn entwined her arms with his and then sank back against him. Petal, who had been sleeping soundly at the foot of the bed, raised a lazy eye and then went back to sleep.
"You know," Kathryn said softly. "I've been wondering. If it's true that we have a soul, as you believe, what happens to the souls of those people taken by the Kobali and revived?"
"I've been wondering that too," Chakotay replied. "But the way I've come to see it is that it wasn't really Seska on that planet or Lindsay Ballard who returned to us. It was just an echo of them. When Seska and Lindsay died I believe their spirit was released into another plane of existence and that they're still there. But when their bodies were taken by the Kobali and used to create a new life, many of their memory ingrams remained intact which gave this new life memories of another existence."
"It would make sense," Kathryn replied.
"And speaking of new life's," he smiled. "How are you and junior doing?"
Kathryn smiled. "Considering the afternoon we've had, just fine."
Chakotay moved his hand to her stomach. "Can you feel anything yet?"
Kathryn laughed. "Junior's not even the size of my little finger yet, Chakotay."
"But she's there, Kathryn. It's so amazing."
Kathryn drew away from him, an amused twinkle in her eye. "She?"
"Something tells me we're having a girl."
Kathryn curled her lip in amusement. "Something tells me we're having a boy!"
They laughed softly.
"Perhaps a medical tricorder will tell us," Chakotay said at last.
"I doubt it," Kathryn replied. "Or at least not so that we would understand the data. I think only doctors do so that expectant mothers aren't accidentally told the gender by friends or family if they don't want to know." She climbed off the bed. "But it should show us Junior's lifesign."
Chakotay got off the bed too. "I'll go and replicate one. You stay here."
He left the room and Kathryn climbed back on to the bed. He returned minutes later waving a medical tricorder in his hand. There was so much happiness, so much anticipation, on his face, that it touched Kathryn's heart. He climbed on the bed beside her and they both turned their attention to the tricorder as he placed it above her stomach. Data appeared and then it recorded the lifesigns in the room.
There were five.
Kathryn drew slightly away from Chakotay. "That can't be right."
Chakotay fiddled with the tricorder and analyzed the data further. "Definitely five. Yours, mine, Petal's, and two inside you." He looked up at Kathryn and the astonished look on her face was priceless. He couldn't help smile.
"Must be..."
Kathryn put her fingers to his lips. "Don't even think it, mister." She then reached for her commbadge which lay on the windowsill above her bed. "Janeway to the Doctor. My quarters, now!"
She then terminated the connection without waiting for a response and climbed off the bed. She reached for her robe and quickly put it on her. She turned to Chakotay and looked up and down his almost naked body. "I suggest you do the same."
"There's nothing he hasn't seen before, my love," he said, trying hard not to laugh.
She fixed on him her death glare and he put up his hands. "Alright, I'm putting on my robe."
He reached for his own robe and put it on while Kathryn made her way into the living room. Petal watched her leave, half minded to follow her, but then thought the better of it. She tucked herself up again and tried to go back to sleep.
"The Doctor better have one hell of a good explanation for this," Kathryn cried. "One hell of a good explanation!"
Chakotay followed her into the living room and watched as she paced nervously, angrily. He went over to her.
"Come on, sit down."
"I'm fine standing, Chakotay. Just fine!" The door chime sounded and Kathryn angrily responded. "Come in."
The Doctor entered, medical case in hand. "What is the emergency, Captain?"
Kathryn fired her words at him. "Chakotay and I tried to look at the baby's lifesign."
The Doctor's eyes fell guiltily to the floor. "Ah..."
"Never mind 'ah' " Kathryn cried, "I want to know why there are two lifesigns inside me!"
The Doctor looked up at her again. "I would have thought that was obvious, Captain. You're having twins."
Kathryn's jaw fell open and Chakotay just couldn't hold back the laughter anymore. Kathryn turned to him, her face pale.
"Well, I'm glad you find this amusing, Chakotay."
"I'm sorry," he said. "I can't help it. If someone has to do things twice aswell as everyone else, it would be you." He went over to her and lay a kind hand on her shoulder. She was on the verge of tears and even through the thick robe he could feel she was trembling. "It's alright," he said gently. "It will be alright."
"Two babies," she whispered. "Looking after one would be hard enough ... but two ... We can't, Chakotay ... We can't."
"Yes we can," he said, caressing her arm softly. "Of course we can." He took her hands in his. "Only this afternoon I thought I was going to die and now I find out that we're going to have another child. Another life instead of a death. Isn't that worth celebrating?"
Kathryn looked up at him and her fear ebbed away as she looked into his eyes. There was so much love there, so much faith. She saw again the killer blade of the guillotine and how close it came to severing his head. He was alive and they were going to have two children. Nothing could be more wonderful. She squeezed his hand tight and nodded. They looked deep into each others eyes for a moment and then Kathryn turned back to the Doctor.
"Now I know why you told me to read that book on multiple births," she said with a smile.
"I wanted to introduce you to the idea slowly," he said kindly. "I knew you would need time just to get used to the idea that you were pregnant. The news that you were having twins could wait."
She gestured for the Doctor to sit and then let go of Chakotay's hands and sat on the couch opposite him. Chakotay sat beside her and Kathryn took his hand again.
"Are they identical twins, Doctor?"
"No, Captain," he replied. "The drugs you were given on Quarren stimulated both ovaries to release an egg and both were fertilized."
"I see," she answered. "Can you tell if they are the same gender?"
"Yes," he smiled, "I know their gender."
Kathryn turned to Chakotay. "I would like to know, Chakotay. Would you?"
He nodded with a smile.
She turned back to the Doctor. "Well, Doctor?"
He smiled warmly. "You're having a boy and a girl."
A boy and a girl. A son and a daughter. Kathryn turned again to Chakotay and smiled.
"One of each," she said softly. "Seems we were both right."
He nodded. "We certainly were."
The Doctor got to his feet, feeling rather in the way. "Well, I ... I'd better return to sickbay and leave you both alone with this news."
Chakotay broke away from Kathryn and stood up. "Thank you for coming so promptly, Doctor."
"As I recall, I didn't have much choice," he replied. Then he smiled. "Goodnight, Commander, Captain."
"Goodnight, Doctor," they replied, almost in unison.
The Doctor left and once the doors had shut behind him, Chakotay opened his arms to Kathryn. She raised herself into them and they held each other tight.
"I'm so happy, Kathryn," he whispered, "so happy."
Kathryn drew slightly away from him. "So am I." She then drew away from him completely and took his hand. "Come on, let's go back to bed and snuggle up with the tricorder so we can see their life signs again."
Chakotay smiled and gladly followed. "Sounds good to me."
END OF CHAPTER TWELVE
