Chapter Nineteen--Once More into the Breach

Bridge-1852

"Sir, I'm reading four KarTech vessels approaching the planet! The Ghetans are launching their fleet!"

"Have everyone report back to the ship. Tuvok to all hands. Prepare for emergency ascent, report to battle stations."

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Sickbay-1852

"Commander Torres! Sit down!" the Doctor shouted at B'Elanna, standing between her and the door.

"When I wake up, I am cranky! And when I'm cranky, you don't want to get in my way!" she growled.

"No you don't," Miral and Owen mumbled from their bio-beds, still feeling nauseous.

The Doctor stood his ground. B'Elanna turned and went to a console.

"What are you doing?" the Doctor followed her.

"Decompiling your program," B'Elanna replied.

"Have a nice day, B'Elanna," the Doctor smiled in submission.

B'Elanna walked out the door with a smile and Tom followed her out. Tom called the Turbo Lift and they stepped inside. "Engineering. I missed you," Tom smiled.

She kissed him on the cheek as the doors opened. She walked into the busy Engineering.

"Engineering, are we go for ascent?" Tuvok's voice asked over the COMM.

"We're ready to go Bridge," B'Elanna announced.

"Commander, it is agreeable to see you on your feet," Vorik said as B'Elanna walked in.

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Bridge

The ship shook as it rose. Tom took Voyager up as fast as the old starship would allow.

"Four KarTech Battle Cruisers dropping out of warp!" Ayala announced.

"Red Alert!" Tom yelled. "We're almost out of the atmosphere. Evasive maneuvers Paris2"

The Ghetan ships ran their own evasive maneuver patterns as the massive cruisers violently attacked Voyager grossly ignoring the smaller Ghetan vessels.

"Mr. Ayala, coordinate our attack with the Ghetan tactical officers," Tuvok orderd.

Voyager fired at the lead ship as the Ghetans fired on the others.

"The Lead Cruiser has been destroyed! Concentrating on the strongest vessel!"

"Bridge area shield are failing!" Harry warned.

"Keep our art to the KarTech! Rotate the shields!"

"Incoming fire!" Harry yelled as there were explosions on the roof of the Bridge.

Tuvok dropped to the ground. Tom looked back and saw Tuvok now breathing. "Fire everyting we've got! Harry, beam Tuvok to Sickbay!"

"I can't! Transporters are down! Two more cruisers destroyed and the last is retreating!" Harry yelled.

Tom set the auto-pilot into orbit and ran to Tuvok. "He's dead!" Tom yelled in anger.

Derek appeared on the Bridge from the Turbo Lift. "The Emergency Transport Device!"

"Do it," Tom told him.

Derek pushed the button and the device flashed. He put it on Tuvok and he disappeared.

"Paris to Sickbay, is Tuvok there?"

A grave voice answered. "Yes, but he's dead, and there's nothing I can do."

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Derek and Miral's Quarters-2006

"At least it worked, Daddy," Carrie tried to cheer her father up.

"What if he wasn't brain dead and it jumbled his brain?" Derek asked as a rhetorical question.

"It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. Now we just have to keep an eye on Grandpa, 'cause you and I both know he isn't ready for this." She smiled.

Derek smiled and hugged his daughter.

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