Title: Genetic Side Effects

Author: Lt.Kara.Thrace

Rating: T

Pairing: established J/C

Genre: Drama/Romance

Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply.

Archive: Sure, just let me know first.

Summary: Are the Corains all that they seem to be or is there something more sinister at work? A bizarre affliction causes members of Voyager's crew to reverse age, what is the cause and what does it have to do with their visit to Corai? Established J/C.

Author's Note: I apologize for any errors I have and/or will make when discussing the technology of Star Trek; it is not my specialty nor is it the focus of this story. Chapters will be individually rated. Okay I know I promised that it would be longer but I need to end it at a good point so it is but only a little. You may possibly get another chapter this week. I am on spring break so I have a lot of time to write while I am pretending to do research for my science project.

Chapter 4

Chakotay and general Jarick reached the downed cruiser with little difficulty. When they entered the jamming device was inoperative, it seemed to have run out of power. Chakotay tried his com-badge, "Chakotay to Janeway."

"You've disabled the jamming device!" she exclaimed, surprised at how fast they had managed to do so, "we have almost completed repairs on external sensors, they should be operative in just over an hour."

"That's good news but we didn't disable the device, it appears to have run out of power fairly recently."

"Either way it's good news."

"We're heading back now."

"Alright see you then. Janeway out."

They emerged from the cruiser and stopped before they even began to descend the ramp to the ground. Before them were several large snarling beasts. They were almost wolf-like but much more fierce looking. Their bared teeth were long, yellow and dripping saliva onto the ground.

"Back inside now," barked Jarick. Once inside together they forced the door shut.

Chakotay contacted Kathryn, "We have a problem, there are several creatures outside the cruiser and they look hungry, we may be a while."

"All right, we'll try and repair communications and call for help but it may take a while."

"Understood," he turned to Jarick, "looks like we're on our own."

"Okay, maybe there are weapons on board." They began to search through the contents of the cruiser. There wasn't much of anything, a few days rations for a crew of five, some spare parts, limited medical supplies and an outdated phaser with a low battery. Jarick drew out his knife and gave the phaser to Chakotay, "There four of them and only three shots left in this phaser, I can probably kill one, maybe two of them with my knife."

"What are they anyway?"

"Zaktars, this must be their territory. There is a smaller domesticated relative of theirs that is a common children's pet but this beast is ruthless, it will kill and eat almost anything including us. They are strong and very agile."

"Can we wait them out?"

"We've invaded their territory, if we wait more may come."

"Right, on the count of three then. One, two, and three." They shoved open the door and attacked. Chakotay managed to score hits with two out of the three shots, dropping two to the ground. Jarick killed one in a single slash to the throat severing the Zaktar's major arteries.

The final beast leapt at Jarick. He brought the knife up to strike but it was too late, the beast was upon him. It knocked him onto his back, losing grip on the knife he used his hands to push its jaws away from his neck. He could barely hold it back from sinking its sharp teeth into his flesh and in any case he wouldn't be able to hold it there for long. Taking a chance he managed to kick at its hind legs and at the same time roll to the side while letting go of its jaws.

He almost made it.

The Zaktar's teeth sunk into his left shoulder causing him to gasp in pain. It's paw struck him across the face leaving a gash that stretched from his right temple, across his right eye and ended at his left cheek. His eye was miraculously undamaged but his vision was clouded with blood. Jarick twisted on the ground and brought his leg down on its neck. It broke with a sickening crunch killing the beast instantly.

Holding his shoulder he got to his feet, "there were medical supplies on board the cruiser right?" he asked Chakotay.

"I'll get them," he disappeared inside while Jarick leaned against a tree gripping his wounded shoulder with his right hand. The wound wasn't bad but it could get infected and cause complications. He needed to clean it as soon as possible and stop the bleeding with something more effective than his hand, which wasn't doing a very good job. Blood dripped out between his fingers and onto his uniform.

Chakotay emerged, "There's some bandages but nothing but water to clean the wound," he carried the supplies out of the cruiser.

"It will have to do for now."

After cleaning and bandaging Jarick's wound Chakotay contacted Kathryn, "We're on our way back now."

"Are you injured?" her voice was filled with concern.

"No but Jarick suffered some relatively minor injuries. I did what I could with the medical supplies we found on board. How are the repairs going?"

"Better than expected. We may have communications within the hour."

"That's good news, we'll be back as soon as possible. Chakotay out."

"We have to hurry and get back before more Zaktars arrive," Jarick urged Chakotay to hurry as he found his knife nearby and they set out at a run through the forest the way they came. The fast pace jarred his shoulder but Jarick said nothing. If they slowed down the chances of being attacked again would increase dramatically, "Something about this is bothering me."

"Something about what?"

"The jamming device. It was all too easy, there's something more going on here, I can feel it."

There was nothing that could be done about the gash across his face. The blood coming from the wound had lessened but not stopped. It was dripping down his face and into the collar of his uniform. It made seeing out of his right eye difficult for Jarick, difficult but not impossible.

TBC