Chapter 6.
The Cloud.
(Scott POV)
I woke up, Got showered and dressed into my Uniform and grabbed something to Eat and I was going to walk round the ship for a bit before heading to the mess hall for some Coffee.
"Computer, Begin Personal log," I said.
Computer Beeped.
"Personal log, Stardate 48546.2. Our journey home is several weeks old now,and I have began to notice in my crew, have had a subtle change as the reality of our situation settles in, here in the Delta Quadrant, We are virtually the entire family of man, We are more than just a crew now and I must find a way to be more than just a normal Captain to them, At the Academy, we're taught that a Captain is expected to maintain a certain distance. But that was never intended for our situation. Maybe this is just they way it works, Maybe distance is needed. Maybe more than ever now. This Crew is going to need me to be larger than life. Just have to find a way of doing that. End Personal log,"
Then I head for a walk and ended up in Engineering.
"Captain. I wasn't aware that an Inspection was due," Torres said.
"Not an Inspection a stroll," I said.
"We should have the Warp drive up and running by 0900 hours. Recalibrating the reactant injectors is the only thing we have left to do," Torres said.
"Carry on," I said. Heading out and to the mess hall. And Found Paris and Kim.
"Gentlemen," I said. Then they were getting up. "As you were. So has Neelix concocted anything interesting this morning?"
"There's an ancient Chinese curse. Captain, May you live interesting times. Mealtime is always interesting now that Neelix is in the kitchen," Kim said. Making us laugh a bit.
"We shouldn't judge him too harshly," I said. "He is helping us conserve replicator energy,"
"And I'm sure the gastrointestinal problem will go away as soon as our systems get used to his Gourmet touch," Paris said.
"Well, See you at duty call," I said heading off.
Then went over for some Coffee.
But there was no Coffee.
"Neelix," I said
"Captain," Neelix said.
"Where the Coffee," I said.
Then he told me that there was something better and even got me to at least try it but When It came out it was Bad
"Bridge to McCall," Chakotay said.
"On my way. McCall out," I said instantly leaving and headed for the Turbo-lift and went to the Bridge.
Once there I got out.
"Yes, Commander?" I said.
"There was no need for you to come to the Bridge, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Yes, there was," I said.
"I just wanted to alert you to a nebula we've picked up on long range sensors," Chakotay said.
"On screen," I said. Then it came up. "Magnify,"
"There are unusually high levels of Omicron particles within this Nebula, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Are you thinking we could collect these omicron particles to provide an additional antimatter reserve, LT," I said.
"Precisely," Tuvok said.
"Senior Bridge officers report for duty. Commander set a new course," I said.
XXX
"Exploring this nebula should raise some spirits around here?" I said.
"No way to go but up," Chakotay said.
"You're a bit closer to the crew than me. How bad is it?" I said.
"There's a nuanka. A period of mourning that everyone is going through. Natural reaction," Chakotay said.
"I'm worried about them," I said. "I wish we had a counsellor on board But the nature of our mission then didn't require one. If it did. I would know who,"
"Which is?" Chakotay said.
"Deanna Troi," I said. "She was on Enterprise at the time though. But What I would give right now to have her on board Voyager,"
"We talk to animals," Chakotay said.
"Animals," I said.
"Our own Counsellors, But I can tell there is more to than with Troi," Chakotay said.
"Okay, We going out before Voyager left DS9," I said. "There not doubt a different animal guide for everyone,"
"Yes," Chakotay said.
"Let me guess, Yours is a bear," I said.
"Why do you say that?" Chakotay said.
"Strike me as a bear type," I said.
"Thank you," Chakotay said. "The bear is a very powerful animal, But not mine,"
"Okay if not a bear. Then what?" I said.
"I can't tell you that," Chakotay said. "It would offend my animal guide,"
"Shame, I kinda of knew that I think I knew mine," I said.
"What then?" Chakotay said.
"A wolf," I said.
"Captain, we are approaching the perimeter of the Nebula," Paris said.
"Slow to 1-3rd impulse," I said.
"If you're interested I'll be glad to teach you how to contact your animal guide," Chakotay said.
"Do that after this," I said.
Then getting up.
"Analysis, Kim," I said.
"7 AU in diameter. Sensors are picking up intermittent gamma and thermal emissions," Kim said. "Nothing Our shields can't handle,"
"Paris, Any problems for Navigation?" I said.
"I'm showing mostly hydrogen, Helium and hydroxyl radicals," Paris said. "Some local dust nodules. I don't see them giving us any trouble,"
"Tuvok can you find us a rick deposit of Omicorn Particles in there?" I said.
"A significant concentration appears to exist approximately 64 Million kilometers inside the perimeter," Tuvok said.
"Set Coordinates," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"1 quarter impulse, Engage," I said.
"Density has increased by 42%," Paris said.
"Cause?" I said.
"Not sure," Paris said. "We seem to be drawing some interstellar dust towards us,"
"Engineering, Could the magnetic field from our impulse engines be attracting this dust?" I said.
"It's a good possibility, Captain," Torres said. "I'm showing the dust with a return ratio of 4.1. Recommend we shut down and go to Thrusters,"
"Acknowledged. Engage thrusters, Ahead slow," I said.
"Density still increasing," Paris said. "Up by 70% now,"
"Tuvok," I said.
"The level of resistance poses no danger to the hull at this time, Captain," Tuvok said.
"How far to the Omicron particles deposits," I said.
"12,400 Kilometers," Tuvok said.
"Maintain course and," I said then it was like we hit something. "Report,"
"We're at a dead stop now," Paris said.
"Shutting down thrusters," Torres said.
"We seem to have encountered an energy barrier," Tuvok said.
"Natural or artificial," I said.
"We're not reading any directed energy source down here Captain," Torres said. "My guess is it's a natural phenomenon,"
"How far are we from the Particles Tuvok?" I said.
"Just over 7,00 kilometers," Tuvok said.
"That will make this barrier a related to those particles," I said. "Kim can you transport beam through the barrier," I said.
"Cant' do it, Captain. Then thoron emissions of the barrier will interfere with the transporter signal," Kim said.
"Something feels off," I said.
"Like what?" Chakotay said.
"Like something else is here with us?" I said. "Any signs that this nebula could be alive,"
"Not at this time Captain," Kim said.
"Torres do we have enough power to take the ship through the barrier?" I said.
"The Barrier appears to be only 50 meters deep, A 4 second burst at max thruster ought to do it," Torres said.
"What about the barrier, Will it just come back once we are through," I said.
"It's possible, Captain. Give me 5 minutes then I can give you a positive answer," Torres said.
"Do it," I said. "Paris hold us here,"
"Aye captain,"Paris said.
XXX
5 minutes later.
"Captain," Torres said.
"Go ahead, Lt." I said.
"Captain, you guess was right this is some sort of life form," Torres said.
"That would make the barrier a defence for it," I said.
"Correct, " Torres said.
"And if we go through the barrier it will just bring it back," I said.
"Yeah, But it will take more to get back through it from that side," Torres said.
"In other words, We hurt this creature more," I said.
"Yes Captain," Torres said.
"Paris turn us around take us out," I said.
"Aye captain," Paris said.
"Log the creature into the ship's database. We will just have to keep going," I said.
"Aye captain," Chakotay said.
"Paris, as soon as we clear resume course for home, Warp 9," I said.
"Aye Captain," Paris said.
"You go the bridge, Commander," I said.
"Aye captain," Chakotay said.
Then I headed into the ready room. Where I started to work on checking the Hull plating. Which was ready, So now I started working on the phaser cannon ports which we can use with. But It was taking time. Then my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
Then Tuvok walked in.
"Tuvok," I said.
"I have complete the modifies to the armour as you asked Captain," Tuvok said.
"Good, Now we just have to select which Ballistic weapons we will be training the crew in how to use," I said.
"That was one of the things I came to ask you about," Tuvok said.
"I'll get to work on that then, What is the other thing," I said.
"I am aware that the hull plating has been finished how ever I think that the option to bring it online should be on Mr Kim's Stations," Tuvok said.
"Agreed, I only starting to work on the phase cannon ports now," I said.
"Understood. However as Chief of Security and Tactical officer I would like the be the one to install them," Tuvok said.
"I was thinking the same thing Tuvok, Since it will be linked to our weapons array on the backup systems, Then main control will be on Tactical," I said.
"Understood, There is however one more thing," Tuvok said.
"Yes," I said.
"How did you know about the Creature," Tuvok said.
"I didn't. But I could feel something around me again, Not as bad as the time when we ran into that Temporal singularity. But it was enough to start thinking that," I said.
"I am just grateful that we had done nothing to harm the creature. I would have been very ungrateful if we had cause that creature harm," Tuvok said.
"As would I, Tuvok," I said. "But we didn't. That is the main thing,"
"Agreed," Tuvok said.
"Anything else, Tuvok," I said.
"No, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Dismissed," I said.
XXX
A few hours down the road, We were back at Warp heading home.
I was halfway through of making the phase cannons the same power as Voyagers' phasers. But it was just taking some time.
Which was when my Door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
Then Chakotay came in with some sort of bag.
"What's this?" I said.
"My medicine bundle," Chakotay said. "I've never shown it to anyone before, after what you said this morning, I thought it was important to let you, I will help me assist you in find your guide,"
"What you waiting?" I said. Then headed over to the table where he was setting up.
"A Blackbird's wing, A stone from the river, An Akoonah," Chakotay said.
"Akoonah," I said.
"My ancestors used psychoactive herbs to assist their vision quests. Now they're no longer necessary, Our scientist have found more modern way to facilitate the search for animal guides," Chakotay said. "Place your hand on it and Concentrate on the stone,"
I put my hand on it and stare at the stone.
"A-koo-chee-moya, We are far from the scared places of our Grandfathers, We are far from the bones of our people, But perhaps there is one powerful being who will embrace this man and give him the answers he seeks. Allow your eyes to close," Chakotay said.
I let that happen.
"Breathe to feel the light in your belly and let it expand until the light is everywhere. Prepare yourself to leave this room and this ship and return to a place where you were the most content and peaceful you have ever been," Chakotay said. "You can see all around you and hears the sounds of this place,"
I open my eyes and I was back where Allison and I always came in the woods overlooking Beacon Hills. "I know this place. It's," I said.
"You must not discuss with me what you see or you will offend your animal guide," Chakotay said.
"Shame, you would've loved to see this place," I said.
"As you continue to look around, you will become aware of other life that shares this place with you, It will be the first animal you see," Chakotay said. "That is the one you will speak to, Do you see an animal?"
Then I saw a Wolf coming out of the forest and headed towards me not showing any hostile intent. "Yes," I said.
"Speak to it," Chakotay said.
Then I saw the wolf was Female. Red fur on the top. Yellow eyes. "What did I say?" I said.
"You know what you want to ask," Chakotay said.
Then she came over and sat down right next to me. So close that she was letting me touch her.
Then the Door bell went. and I snapped out of it.
"Sorry, Should've asked the computer for no interruptions," I said. "Come in,"
Then Torres walked in.
"The Commander was introducing me to my animal guide," I said.
"I hope that you have better luck with yours than I had with mine," Torres said.
"B'Elanna's the only one I know who tried to kill her animal guide," Chakotay said.
"I have completely the analysis of the Creature Captain, you were right. If we went int there we could have done unknown damage to it," Torres said.
"Thank god, we didn't. Who knows how much damage we could have done," I said.
"Agreed, I have also stored it into the ships database also," Torres said.
"Nice work, Dismissed," I said then Torres let.
"I'm best to go to, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said then Chakotay left. Then I was about to head for my room.
"Computer begin log," I said.
Computer beeped.
"Captain's log, Supplemental, We set out to augment our energy reserves and almost cause harm to an innocent life form, Thank god we stopped when we did. We have set a new course for a planet 14 lightyears away. That Neelix's says might have compatible energy sources to offer us, It is out of our way. But circumstances offer a few alternatives. So much for raising Spirits. End log," I said.
XXX
I was on my way to my room with I ran into Kim in the turbolift.
"Turning in for the night, Captain," Kim said.
"Actually, I'm going to talk to an animal and then maybe turn in," I said. "Something Commander Chakotay taught me, Supposed to be quite therapeutic. You might want to ask him about it,"
"I will," Kim said. Then the Turbo lift stopped and Kim headed out. "Captain," Kim said turned around.
"What is it, Ensign," I said.
"Well, I don't mean to be out of place, But if you'd care to join us?" Kim said.
"Join you where?" I said.
Then he ended up taking my to Holodeck 2 and we headed in and it was like I was walking through Paris. Then we went into a recreation of a bar.
"As you were," I said. When people saw me. "Well, this is remarkable, Mr. Kim tells me this is your doing. Mr. Paris,"
"Yeah, It's just a little diversion, Captain," Paris said.
"Paris did you program this guy?" Torres said.
"Yeah, Why?" Paris said.
"He's a pig, and so are you," Torres said.
"Is this pool or snooker," I said.
"Pool," Paris said.
"Commander Chakotay your cue?" I said.
"Of course, Captain," Chakotay said. Passing it.
"Who's breaking?" I said.
"Go ahead, Captain," Paris said.
Then I line up and then hit the cue ball right hard against the overs and knocking 4 solids into the pockets. "Solids," I said. Then I hit the over in leaving only the black left. "8 ball in side pocket," I said. Looking at Paris, as I shot it and it went in. "Game,"
"How?" Paris said.
"Played alot of it growing up," I said.
"Any chance of a game Captain," Paris said.
"Not today, best go turn in got a lot of work to do tomorrow," I for the exit.
"Night, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Good night, Commander," I said.
Then I headed for my room and Got a shower and into my PJ Then Close my eyes.
"A-koo-Chee-moya, We are far from the scared places of our Grandfather and from the bones of our people But perhaps there is one powerful being who will embrace this good crew and give them the answers they seek," I said.
After I finished with my Spirit Wolf. Who I'm just going to Call Jana, Since it works I went to bed wondering what is next along this road home.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and Safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!