Chapter 5.
Phage.
(Scott POV)
I woke up and when for a sonic shower and then got into my uniform then grabbed something to eat from the Replicator.
"Computer begin log entry," I said and the Computer beeped.
"Captain's Log, Stardate 48532.4. We're on out way to a rogue Planetoid which Neelix tells us is an extremely Rich source of Raw Dilithium. If he is right this could go a long way towards easing our power shortage, End Log," I said.
Then I headed out of my room and ran into Chakotay.
"Morning, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Morning, Chakotay," I said.
"Good night," Chakotay said.
"Great," I said. "Now assuming we do find Dilithium on this Planetoid We're going need a refining Facility on the ship to process it,"
"B'Elanna has Already asked permission to start modifications to the Auxiliary Impulse Reactor. It could be converted into a crude Dilithium refinery," Chakotay said.
"The Auxiliary Impulse reactor? I think B'Elanna goes out of her way to find solutions that ignore Starfleet Procedures. But since we are alone," I said.
"Her arguments are quite convincing she thinks that it can be done safely," Chakotay said.
"I'm sure it can. Tell her I want regular reports on her progress every step of the way," I said.
Then we were reaching the room where Kathryn and I had breakfast before we took of to the Bad lands.
"Are you sure you won't join me for breakfast," I said. "But I'm only going for Coffee,"
"I've already had my Vacuum packed oatmeal this morning," Chakotay said.
"I'll see you on the bridge," I said.
Then went in to find smoke all over the place. Then found Neelix cooking.
"What is going on here?" I said.
"Captain, you caught me by surprise," Neelix said.
"I could say the same," I said. "What are you doing?"
"I know how you and the other senior officers have been, Excuse me, disappointed with the rations lately. So I thought I'd use a few of the Vegetables from the hydroponics bay and whip up a little breakfast," Neelix said.
"You have turned this into a gallery?" I said.
"It wasn't easy. I had to completely re route the mess hall power conduits, and scrounge a lot of supplies from all over the ship. But that's my speciality making something out of nothing. I know it doesn't look like much now. But in a few days you'll swear there'd been a gallery here for years," Neelix said.
"Neelix who approved this," I said.
"No one," Neelix said.
"You could've have asked me first. This used to be a my private dining room," I said.
"Your dining room?" Neelix said.
"If you had checked the ships directory you'd have noticed that cabin 125-ALPHA Deck 2 is designated as the captain's private dining room," I said.
"Bridge to McCall," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We're approaching the rogue planetoid, Captain," Chakotay said.
"On my way," I said. "You too Neelix. We can deal with this later," Then I left and headed for the Turbo-lift then Neelix and I got into it and headed for the bridge.
Once we were on the bridge.
"What have you found?" I said.
"We're picking up definite Dilithium signatures captain," Kim said.
"Where's the strongest?" I said.
"From 10 to 20 Kilometer inside the Planetoid," Kim said.
"It also look like there's a series of subterranean caves with an Oxygen- Nitrogen atmosphere," Torres said.
"Class M. It will make mining a lot easier," Chakotay said. "If we can go in without Environmental suits,"
"How much Dilithium are we taking about?" I said.
"Hard to get a precise reading. It could be anywhere from 500 to 1000 Metric tons," Torres said.
"Just as I said," Neelix said.
"Commander take an away team down into those and do a preliminary geological Analysis," I said. "B'Elanna you'd better get your Dilithium Refinery online,"
"It will be ready to go in 3 Days," Torres said.
"Kim," Chakotay said then moved to the turbo-lift. Then Saw Neelix. Where are you going?" He said.
"With you," Neelix said. "I've been studying my Tricorder operations manual, Lt Torres has brought me up to date on Dilithium geophysics. I've been preparing for this mission all week,"
"All right, 3 eyes are better than 2," I said.
"I think you'll find me extremely helpful, Commander, I remember the first time that I flew past this planet," Neelix said.
"Deck 4," Kim said then they disappeared.
XXX
"Chakotay to Voyager. Medical emergency, 3 To beam directed to sickbay," Chakotay voice came in.
"Tom," I said.
"On it," Tom said rush to a turbo-lift.
"Chakotay to McCall," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We need you down here fast," Chakotay said.
"On my way," I said. "Tuvok you have the bridge," I said going into the Turbo-lift and to deck 5 where I found Chakotay and he told me that Neelix lungs had been removed.
"By the time we got to him he was unconscious," Chakotay said.
"How could anyone remove his organs so quickly?" I said.
"Doctor said whoever did this used some kind of Transporter to beam the lungs directly out of his body," Chakotay said.
"What Happened?" Kes said coming in.
"It appears that Neelix was attacked. We don't know how it happened but someone has surgically removed his lungs," I said.
Then Kes moved near Neelix.
"Did you find any evidence of the life sign that Neelix reported?" I said.
"No," Chakotay said.
"Captain. I've analyzed the sensor logs from Neelix's Tricorder. the Bio Scanner picked up a single class 3 humanoid organism," Kim said.
"Captain. The only chance for his survival I see at the moment is to get his own lungs back," Doctor said.
"Can't we fit him with a pair of artificial lungs?" I said.
"His respiratory system is directly linked to multiple point along his spinal column. it's too complex to replicate," Doctor said. "I maybe able to surgically reattach the organs if we get them back, In the mean time I'll have to search for other options,"
"Chakotay, I'm taking an away team back to the planet, You're in charge til we return," I said. "Tel Tuvok. I want 3 armed security detachments to accompany us, Type 3 Phaser,".
"Aye captain," Chakotay said.
"Kim with me," I said then we head and grabbed a phaser and went to the transport room where Tuvok and 3 other officers showed up.
Then we beamed over.
"Kim take me where you found Neelix," I said.
"Aye Captain," Kim said. "This way," Then we showed up where it happened. "Here it is. his is where Neelix was standing when he was attacked, According to his tricorder log he was scanning this rock face when he detected a lifesign,"
"Neelix said there was a life sign 2 meters behind this wall," I said. "But my Tricorder says there's nothing but solid rock for another 15 meters,"
"It sounds like our tricorders aren't giving the real picture behind what's going on here," Kim said.
Then I felt the rock and it was warm.
"Wait, This rock is warmer here then everywhere else," I said.
"You're right, Captain. A 2 degree differential in this section of the wall," Kim said.
"There are no natural geological phenomena that could be creating this heat source," Tuvok.
"Back up, Let make some heat of our own," I said then used my phaser on the wall then it disappeared. "There we go,"
"There was a highly sophisticated forcefield in place," Tuvok said.
"There's a chamber down this corridor," I said.
Then we turned the corner. Then we found another door. Tuvok to one side, Kim the other and Me in the center. With our phasers ready Then Kim opened the door and we followed.
"This room is the source of the Dilithium Signature we detected earlier," Tuvok said. "The Power systems here are running on an unusual Dilithium matrix,"
"So there are actually no Dilithium deposits on this planet?" Kim said.
"It would appear not," Tuvok said. As I was trying to find that life form.
"Are these organs?" Kim said.
"This look like some kind of storage facility," I said.
"I would say you are correct Captain, This appears to be a Biological repository," Tuvok said.
Then I moved back to trying to find the life form. "What about Neelix's lungs," I said.
"Negative. there is however a Kazon lever. and although I cannot identify the other organs on display here to pulmonary organs, Epidermal Tissue, Ocular nerve fiber," Tuvok said. As I got what I was looking for.
"Save the cataloguing for later Tuvok, according to my tricorder, there was a life form in this room less than 10 minutes ago," I said.
"Captain," A security officer said and I saw another door.
"Open it," I said and he opened it and moved to it. "1 life sign 20 meters ahead. Let's go,"
Then we went after it only to get shot at then he disappear and created a new forcefield like the one before but our phaser could't get it down. But we got the device.
"They've erected a force field," Tuvok said. "With a rotating phase modulation. We will not be able to disrupt it,"
"Scrap," I said.
"Voyager to Captain McCall," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We've just picked up an alien ship leaving the planet," Chakotay said.
"Tractor them," I said.
"Sorry captain, They've gone to Warp," Chakotay said.
"Beam us back and set a course for pursuit. Maximum warp," I said.
"Aye captain," Chakotay said. Then we beamed back and we jumped to warp.
XXX
We got back to the bridge but I headed into our ready room since the ship was just as fast as Voyager.
"Computer begin log," I said. Computer beeped.
"Captain's Log, Supplemental we are pursuing the alien ship from the moon. They're not responding to hails, and It appears that our 2 ships are evenly matched for speed. End log," I said.
Then I headed back onto the bridge.
"Captain," Torres said. and headed over to her and Tuvok. "We've completed our diagnostic on the alien device. It appears to be more than a weapon. It's also a very sophisticated medical scanner and surgical instrument,"
"From what we can tell. It uses a neural resonator to stun the victim while a Quantum imaging scanner begins a microcellular analysis of the entire body," Tuvok said.
"The amount of information this thing can gather puts a tricorder to shame. You fire this at someone, you learn everything about their anatomy, right down to their DNA sequencing," Torres said.
"So it sounds like we're dealing with aliens who have developed a technology specifically designed to locate and extract organs from other beings. Why?" I said.
"Captain," Chakotay said and I moved back over.
"What?" I said.
"The alien ship has dropped out of warp," Chakotay said. "It's approaching a large asteroid,"
"On screen," I said.
"It's entered the asteroid captain," Paris said.
"Hold here. Kim," I said.
"I can't scan the interior. The surface stratum is made of some sort of neutronium alloy. Doesn't look like a natural formation," Kim said.
"Are you saying someone built this asteroid," Chakotay said.
"It's possible," Kim said.
"Any sign of weapons or defense systems," I said.
"Negative," Tuvok said.
"I think I've located where the alien ship entered. There's an open crater on the asteroid," Paris said.
"Let's see it," Chakotay said.
"The Ion trail from the alien ship leads directly inside," Paris said.
"How large is that carter?" I said.
"200 meters in diameter," Paris said.
"Captain may I suggest you consider carefully what you are about to do," Tuvok said.
"How do you know what I'm about to do?" I said.
"I could describe to you in detail the psychological observations I've made about you over the past 3 years, which lead me to conclude you are about to take this ship inside the asteroid but suffice it to say I know you quite well," Tuvok said.
"One of these day , I'm going to surprise you Tuvok. But not today," I said. "I've already considered other options. If Neelix has any chance of surviving we have to act fast. Red Alert. Paris lay in a course,"
"Aye captain," Paris said.
"Tuvok maximum shields. Phaser at the ready," I said.
Then we headed into the asteroid.
"Captain I'm reducing power to the aft thruster only," Paris said. "This passageway is getting a little too narrow for my taste,"
"Use your discretion Paris," I said. "Tuvok any sign of the vessel,"
"We're still following the Ion trail but electromagnetic interference is limiting our sensor range," Tuvok said. "I'm only able to scan 500 meters ahead of us,"
"Are they any indications that we're being scanned or probed. Mr. Kim," Chakotay said.
"Not yet," Kim said.
A few more minutes.
"You're doing just fine. Paris," I said.
"Thanks Captain," Paris said.
"Sensors detect a large chamber ahead," Tuvok said.
Then when it came onto the screen we saw many other voyagers and the ship.
"What the hell?" Chakotay said.
"We appear to be seeing voyager and the alien ship reflecting off the walls of the chamber," Kim said.
"Mirrors," I said. "Can you determine which ship is the real one," I said.
"No captain," Tuvok said. "The walls are emanating serve electromagnetic interference, I can not scan them directly,"
"It's like trying to move through a hall of mirrors," I said. "You never know when you;re going to walk into the glass,"
"I'm still picking up the Aliens ion trail," Paris said. "Maybe we should follow that,"
"No," I said.
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"Hold here, Tuvok can you change the phaser to the lowest setting without damaging the ship. Like a searchlight," I said.
"Yes Captain," Tuvok said.
"Do it," I said.
"Phasers ready," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
Then we saw the phaser hitting everything til we found it.
"I found it," Kim said.
"Where?" I said. Then it came on the screen. "Paris get us in transporter range,"
"Aye captain," Paris said.
"I'm picking up 2 lifesigns," Kim said.
"They're powering engines," Tuvok said.
"Bridge to Transport room 3, Lock on those 2 lifesign and beam them on board," I said.
"Security meet me in transporter room 3," Tuvok said then we got into the turbo lift and went down there.
"You're on the starship Voyager. I'm Captain Scott McCall of the United Federation of planets," I said.
"I'm Dereth. of the Viidian sodality," Dereth said.
"You attacked one of our crew members and you've lured us into this asteroid. Why?" I said.
"We are gathering replacement organs and suitable biomatter," Dereth said. "It's the only way we have to fight the Phage,"
"Phage," I said. "A Virus. Disease?"
"Yes. it attacked our people over 2 millennia ago. It consumes our bodies destroys our genetic codes and cellular structures," The other one said.
"So you harvest the bodies of other beings to replace your own tissues as they're consumed by this Phage," I said.
"Our immunotechnology cannot keep up, The Phage adapts. It resists all attempts to destroy it. our society has been ravaged thousands die each day. there is no other way for us to survive," He said.
"I have a great sympathy for what your race has endured. But they is always another way. but I cannot allow you to keep the organs you removed from one of our crew members. We need them back immediately if we are to save him," I said.
"I'm afraid that isn't possible. I have already biochemically altered the air breathing organs and grafted them into Motura's Body," Dereth said. "They are a part of him now,"
"He is my Honatta," Motura said. "His task is to find the organs I need for survival. we try to extract them from the dead but sometimes when the need is immediate more aggressive actions are required," Dereth finished.
"So now I am left with the same choice you made which to commit murder to save a life, or to allow my own crewman to die while you breath air through his lungs," I said.
"It must be impossible for you to understand how any civilized people could come to this, Before the Phage began we were known as edicators and explorers. A people whose greatest achievement were artistic. I myself an a sculptor of note on my world All I can say is that when your entire existence is at stake," Motura said.
"You don't have to explain yourself Motura," Dereth said.
"If the consequence of this act is a death sentence. So be it," Motura said. "At least it will put an end to my suffering,"
"I can't began to understand what your people have gone through. They may have found away to ignore the moral implications of what you're doing. But I have no such luxury. I don't have the freedom to kill you to save another. My culture find that to be a reprehensible and entirely unacceptable act. If we were closer to home I would lock you up and turn you over to my authorities for trail but I don't even have that ability here and I'm not prepared to carry you forever in our brig. So I see no other alternative but to let you go," I said. "But take a message to your people. if I ever encounter your kind again. I will do whatever is necessary or takes to protect my people from this harvesting of yours. Any aggressive action against this ship or it's crew will be met by the deadliest force. Is that clear,"
"Quite," Dereth said.
"Wait. I want to see this crewman of yours," Motura said.
"That can serve no useful purpose," Dereth said.
"Maybe it can. our medical technology may be superior to theirs" Motura said.
"I can tell you from what we've observed of them. They are considerably superior," I said.
"He spared my life. our lives we owe it to them to try," Motura said.
"I'll take you to him," I said. Then Tuvok and I took them to Sickbay.
then he aimed at us and Tuvok was ready. "It is set to scan only," Dereth said.
"Processed, Carefully," Tuvok said.
Kes was about to save him. So we let her go through with it.
"Captain. A word," Doctor said.
"Of course," I said then went into his officer.
"I would like your permission to train Kes as a medical assistant," Doctor said.
"You got it," I said.
"Thank you Captain," Doctor said.
Then it was over and both of them were still alive. So Tuvok took them back to the transporter room and beamed them back to their ship and we let them go.
I saw Kes was doing well as well.
Then I headed to the bridge and we left the asteroid and went to warp to get us back on course for home.
Then I left Chakotay in charge and went back to my quarters.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love y'all
PEACE!