As he sat in a Neolin facility, waiting for the signal to reach Voyager, Tom drummed his fingers against the desk, staring at the Monitor, willing Tuvok's irritating Vulcan-calm face to appear. "Come on...Come on."

A fuzzy, pointy eared man popped onto the screen, making Tom jump a bit. "Lieutenant," Tuvok said, his brow creased. "I am relieved to see you."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "That's a first."

The Vulcan put on that look of annoyance that was usually associated with Tom Paris, and continued. "Is everyone alright?"

"The Captain and Chakotay took a real beating in the snow storm, but we're all okay," he said.

Tuvok nodded. "Where are they now?"

"Chakotay's with Captain Janeway in another building. She fainted before we found them, and Chakotay had to carry her. She's awake now though, and should be fine."

The Tuvok on the monitor nodded, hands clasped behind his back in a neutral stance. "Good. We have met with a Neolin ship, the Yolanda, and they are willing to carry the three of you back to Voyager. Sending another shuttle is too risky, and transporters won't function through the cerillium clouds. Their ships have specially modified shields to get to and from their planet; you will board it and we will rendezvous."

"Right." Tom took a deep breath. "Then we'll be seeing you soon...I hope." He ended the transmission and stood. Exitting the room, he made his way along the streets, looking up at the impressive, mostly transparent, almost invisible dome shielding surrounding the entire Village. It kept out snow and rain and sleet, and wind, and it was alot warmer in here than out in the open, though it was still fairly chilly.

He opened the door and found Captain Janeway sitting up, cross legged on her former bed, and Chakotay sitting facing her as they talked. Conversation slowed to a halt as Tom entered and nodded in greeting.

"I just made contact with Voyager," he told them. His Captain's eyes seemed to brighten just a bit at this statement. "They've made arrangements for us to board a Neolin ship to take us back."

Janeway smiled slightly. "Well, there's some good news for you. When?"

"I haven't checked with Bastra yet."

"Bastra?" she repeated, clearly confused.

"My pal. He's been the most cooperative in this whole situation, and he knows about the comings and goings of ships on this world."

She nodded. "Good...Then let's go see him. The sooner we can get back to Voyager the better." She stood, shivering a little, and Chakotay did the same. He put a steadying hand to her arm, and all three of them ventured into the streets.

Tom smiled slightly in amusement as the Captain marvelled over the ingenius design of the dome and structure of the village as a whole. The scientist in her had obviously not been effected by lack of heat.

At last they came to a rather tall building, right at the edge of the dome, with an enormous docking port spreading out on the other side of the clear wall. "Bastra should be in here," he said, leading them all inside.

He led the way through winding slopes and stairs and rooms, and finally jogged a few steps toward a Neolin man who was checking some sort of device. The man had strange ridges on his cheeks, and the bridge of his nose, giving him the uncanny appearance of an upsidedown Klingon.

"Bastra."

Bastra turned and smiled a bit, grasping Tom's hand in his. "Tom. What brings you to this place?"

"I was hoping you could tell me when the Yolanda lands. It's going to take us back to Voyager."

The little man, for he was several inches shorter than any of the three humans, beamed. "This is good news, certainly. Indeed, indeed. Well, I believe...Yes, yes..." He looked at his device again. "Well, well. It looks like your transport vessel will be landing in just a few short hours! Indeed, indeed, you should be going home in some small time."

Bastra reminded Tom a great deal of Neelix, actually, and it wasn't hard to see why; the jubilant expression he always wore, the exhilerated way he talked, with emphasis on every positive word. He smiled slightly. "Thanks alot, Bastra. For all your help."

"Oh, no, no, Tom. It was my pleasure. Simply my pleasure. A safe journey to you and your travel weary comrades, Tom. Good speed, good speed." He bowed to all three of them in general, and walked away.

Tom looked around at his friends. "And there you have it. Problem solved," he said, crossing his arms. "Voyager, here we come."