The thought of food was prevalent in both their thoughts, although with Janeway, food was the lesser of two priorities.
Kathryn, cut it out! I'm getting nauseous from the smell of coffee you're fixating on, her exec told her sternly.
She made the mental equivalent of sticking her tongue out at him. Situations such as the one she was currently hip deep in tended to make her revert to childish behaviour at the least opportune of times. Janeway blamed it on having two sisters thrust on her midway through childhood. In order to suitably retaliate in the inevitable battles, more sophisticated strategies had to be relinquished and she had had to regress to juvenile tactics. They couldn't exactly appreciate a witty response, after all.
Anyhow, normally, the crew was a good reason to keep this conditioned response off her face and tone, although that effort often resulted in the conversion into the more mature and socially acceptable expression of exasperation and annoyance. They may not enjoy being dressed down, a few, such as Lanna or Seven, perhaps, would lash back, but openly making a face and blowing a raspberry at someone would definitely get her sent to the Doctor. Unfortunately, Chakotay becoming more and more meshed with her mind, and he was the unfortunate victim of such tendencies.
So you admit I'm a victim, and you're in the wrong.
Janeway began to respond, but abruptly fell silent. I'm really tired, you know? Of all this. I just…
Yeah. I know. I want to get back as much as you do.
She released a sigh that turned into a little chuckle. I'm not sure of that. I am in dire need of coffee.
All my diversion attempts for nothing, he said lightly. That little sidetrack must have been a record, all of- three seconds?
Shaking her head sorrowfully at the depth of his misapprehension, Janeway said teasingly, only half heartedly defending herself as she knew he had a point, I know it may seem otherwise, but I'm not that-
A gasp was wrenched from her throat, as an unseen force held her in place like the hapless victim of a spider's web. Chakotay uttered a curse as she shook at a preternatural speed, body thrashing, head snapping back dangerously. Cautiously, he reached forward for her and received a blow to the face. Determined to get her out of this trap, he reached for her again but then her body was thrown backwards into him, carrying them both back a few metres to hit the ground painfully.
I have you, he told her, arms instinctively clasped around her. It's all right, it's over. Mindful of both their aches and pains, Chakotay sat up slowly. Kathryn? He questioned, alarmed at her silence.
I'm here. I'm fine, she told him. At his disbelief, she relented and admitted, I'm astounded at the headache from that, though. Whatever the hell that was.
Beats the hell out of me, Chakotay replied truthfully, rubbing her neck to reduce the pain. Spirits, that unnerved me. Seeing you like that- he released a heavy breath. I was helpless to do anything but watch.
Janeway said nothing but leaned back against him compliantly. Unwinding slowly, the sensation of her heart thudding loudly in her throat gradually eased and she breathed in deeply.
Then alarm struck her. She twisted her head back to look at Chakotay, despite conversing with him rapidly mind-to-mind. She preferred to see the people she talked to.
That forcefield is most likely theirs, she said emphatically. It would most likely alert them if it- caught anybody like it did just then. And…
Then they'd be on their way. Chakotay's face tensed as realization washed over him chillingly.
Shit.
She wasn't sure which of them expressed that last thought, but it suited their situation perfectly. All the recent events they had been through, actually.
We have to get moving. You're all right to go?
Chakotay's concern for her was obvious. She looked at him steadily and nodded.
Let's go.
They had previously remained undetected, but then after that alarming encounter with the alien forcefield, they began moving at a faster pace, roughly in the direction the tricorder indicated. Neither Janeway nor Chakotay were eager to be recaptured, or to run into that forcefield again, and the tricorder was frequently consulted to ensure no anomalous energy patterns threatened them in their path. Both were agitated, and conversed at a minimum. The essentials had already been considered and dismissed.
Chakotay broke the silence, Where do you think we're headed?
I have no idea. I just know it's away from them. Or, she asked ironically, is it? We could be in some sort of a test without realizing it, for all we know.
Don't think like that, Kathryn.
Sorry. She pressed his hand sincerely. I just feel like a lab rat.
The tricorder beeped, startling them. They exchanged apprehensive glances; Janeway had programmed it to alert them to life signs within certain parameters. Checking it, Janeway's tight muscles eased.
Voyager?
Yes, she smiled in relief. The energy barrier's fluctuating on one of the sides…they must have somehow countered it! A few hundred metres ahead…
Guess that answers what we're headed for, Chakotay responded as they spontaneously broke into a run.
They could both see figures moving towards them; Janeway thought she could make out Tuvok. Suddenly, one of the figures went down, and the two of them instinctively sought cover as another group approached, weapons causing grating noises and firing oscillating blue rays of energy.
Damnit, we were so close! Janeway seethed, frustrated beyond measure.
The enemy group separated, some headed for Janeway and Chakotay's location.
Think they know we're here? he asked rhetorically, taking out the phaser. Stay here.
She shot him a wry look. I'm not going to run out there unarmed, no matter the effects of coffee deprivation. I can cope, honestly.
He chuckled, the light comment reassuring him. Some of the Voyager away team were also heading to their side, and more were beaming down. Chakotay fired a shot at one concealed Rian'chMur that he could spot from his position, who was aiming for a crewmember, and distracted him long enough to alert- Ensign Brooks, he believed- to the danger and to incapacitate the alien.
Left behind, Janeway impatiently waited the conclusion of the skirmish. She too noted the reinforcements beaming down- then gasped in dismay as she saw one of the team thrashing in midair much as she had. It looked horrific. She winced as the trapped crewmember was hurled to the ground.
Chakotay picked up on the change. Great, I suppose they must have compensated for that fluctuation we detected. Timing is perfect, as always.
Watch out, Chakotay!
At her warning, he ducked, just barely avoiding being taken out.
Too close for comfort… he exhaled sharply. Thanks.
Anytime. Now keep your eyes on the enemy, Commander. That's an order.
Yes, ma'am.
Even without the reinforcements from Voyager, their side was winning. Or at least, that was what Janeway believed, from what she could see, both with her sight and Chakotay's. One Rian'chMur fanatic, then another, and more to follow, were stunned and fell to the ground gracelessly.
She edged out of her concealed spot, moving slowly in case there was someone she had missed. Chakotay, she knew, had met up with Tuvok, Ayala and Brooks. They were worriedly discussing the status of the attackers; apparently, almost all except one or two had been accounted for.
Captain, did you pick up on that?
Yes, I heard them. Janeway looked around uneasily, trying to identify where an attacker could conceal himself, lying in wait for her to-
Chakotay!
His head snapped up at the mental cry. "The Captain's in trouble," he informed the other two tersely. "Follow me."
Tuvok's eyebrow arched and Brooks clearly wanted to question him but the nature of the order did not allow for argument or second-guessing.
Kathryn? he called sharply. What's happening?
He received blurred images and sensations… of being- hit from behind, stumbling, hitting her head sharply against a tree, turning, warding off a blow, surprising- him! The one who had knocked her out that time when she had mocked his leader, who had been punished –
Chakotay groaned. All they needed was for some fanatic to get it into his head to exact revenge.
-kicking his weapon away…he lunged for her, undeterred, striking her across the face in a gesture of contempt –
He could hear a struggle ahead, slowed, but the guard was too focussed on the Captain to hear his pursuers as they moved stealthily towards his position. The three split up, taking different sides to try and get to a vantage point where they could disable the alien without hitting the Captain as well.
We're here, Kathryn. Just- hold on.
It doesn't sound…any less silly when you say it, she managed to say, referring to back in the caves when he had almost fallen into the toxic pools and she had yelled at him to hold on.
Oh, God! An arm wrapped around her neck. Whatever- you're going to do…do it now!
Chakotay looked helplessly for the others, but they were unable to fire a shot.
"Commander Chakotay," Tuvok spoke quietly through their commbadges.
He activated his own. "Yes?"
"I am going to distract him."
"How, exactly?"
"We cannot risk firing at the moment, therefore I will simply confront him."
Simply confront him? Chakotay shrugged. Why not? "Chakotay out." He stepped into the Rian'chMur's line of sight. "Hey, you there. Let her go," he casually demanded. "We have you surrounded."
"I don't negotiate with outsiders," the guard scowled.
Commander, what the hell are you doing? Janeway blasted him, even as she began to lose consciousness from oxygen deprivation.
Don't worry, Tuvok's got a plan- at least, I'm pretty sure he does.
Ah yes, that devious Vulcan mind… always hatching another brilliant scheme.
At that point, a large explosion went off somewhere in the distance. The Rian'chMur jerked his head around sharply, distracted. Chakotay was just about to move to take advantage of that moment of distraction when he smiled in unimaginable relief, hearing the familiar hum of the transporter just before the dematerialization took effect, with the guard holding Janeway captive unaware of what was taking place.
When he looked back, sparkles of light winked out as the two in visible sight were transported back to the ship.