Chapter 11.
State of Flux.
(Scott POV)
We are in orbit of an Uninhabited Planet. Class M atmosphere. Neelix knew of some Food which we could get from here. So Chakotay and Neelix took teams down to grab anything that we can eat. It's been a good hour or 2 since they beamed down. I had Harry scan the planet just to see if there was anything else here. But there wasn't. I was hoping that a stargate would be here. I know that the database of Stargate coordinates isn't completed. Not this time though.
I was out on the bridge, waiting for the away teams to signal went they were ready to beam back.
"Captain, I don't think we're alone," Paris said. "Mr. Tuvok run a lateral EM scan for me, Coordinates 81 mark 40,"
"Running scan," Tuvok said.
"What do you see, Paris," I said.
"It's like a reflection," Paris said.
"Like our own sensors getting threw back at us," I said.
"Yes, Sir," Paris said.
"Yellow alert," I said.
"Captain, I am picking up an ionization trail," Tuvok said. "There is another ship in orbit,"
"Using a cloak," I said.
"It's not a cloaking device as we know it, Captain, "Tuvok said. "But the ship does employ some kind of masking circuitry, that has affected our sensors,"
"Voyager to away team," I said.
"Go ahead, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Any unexpected lifesign down there, Commander?" I said.
"Nothing but Blood worms, Neelix wants to bring some back for a tartar he wants to make I'm trying to talk him out if it," Chakotay said.
"We've got an unidentified ship in low orbit, Collect your team and prepare to transport back to Voyager," I said.
"Acknowledged," Chakotay said.
"Captain I believe a polaron burst may give us a visual contact," Tuvok said.
"Do it," I said.
Then Tuvok fired and a flash then I saw something.
"Kazon," I said.
"The hull design does conform to known specifications of the Kazon Nistrim sect," Tuvok said.
"Red alert," I said Then the Klaxon went. "Voyager to Away teams, return to the ship immediately,"
"Tuvok keep an eye on that Kazon ship. But keep shields down til we got everyone up," I said.
"Aye, Captain," Tuvok said.
Then not too long later.
"Seska To voyager 2 to Transport direct to Sickbay. Commander Chakotay is injured," Seska said.
"We read you Seska standby," I said.
"We have them," Tuvok said.
"Tom leave orbit nice and easy make it look like we don't see them," I said.
"Aye Sir," Paris said.
XXX
I was in my ready room
"Captain's log Stardate 48658.2. we successfully left orbit without further interference from the Kazon, Commander Chakotay was injured, But is recovering from his wounds. End log," I finished off the log.
Then the Door bell rang.
"Come in," I said then Tuvok came in.
"There is still no sign of any other Kazon ship in the area," Tuvok said.
"Good," I said.
"Captain, you look restless," Tuvok said.
"I am," I said getting up and heading to the window.
"Is it something to do with the Kazon ship we encountered at the Planet," Tuvok said.
"Yes," I said. "The fact is how did they managed to do that to our sensors that way,"
"They may have came up with that," Tuvok said.
"Maybe, Maybe not," I said.
"Captain," Tuvok said.
"That move was on Earth where I'm from. Most used way to get pass motion sensors. Something just didn't seem right with that," I said.
"What are you saying Captain," Tuvok said.
"There is only 2 ways that the Kazon could have used for that. One is your Idea, That they just came up with it. 2. Someone told them how to do it," I said.
"You think someone told them," Tuvok said.
"Maybe, But the only way I know how they were told that. Is from this ship," I said.
"You believe someone has been talking with the Kazon," Tuvok said.
"Yes, I want you to go through the crew, Com logs, Anything, But kept it internal," I said.
"Just me in other words captain," Tuvok said.
"Yes, Right now the only people to know this, Is us. And only us for now, Tuvok," I said.
"Very well," Tuvok said.
"Good," I said.
"Captain you seem to be territory," Tuvok said.
"Your right about that," I said. "The fact they could of shot at us and we wouldn't have any idea where it came from,"
"I have began to work a way around that problem, Hopefully that will stop them from fooling our sensors," Tuvok said.
"Good," I said.
"Is there anything else, Captain," Tuvok said.
"No, Dismissed," I said. Then heard Tuvok got through the door and them closing.
This was the first Kazon sighting since the Caretaker's array.
"Captain's log Supplemental Encrypted log entry. After Speaking with Tuvok. About the incident with the Kazon Vessel from the planet. I have authorizated an Investigation into how that ship managed to not only evading our sensors but the fact is that they used an old Earth move to do it. Tuvok is investigating if my idea is right that someone on this ship has been communicated with the Kazon and told them how to evade our sensors. But Who? Who would betray us, End log," I finished.
"Captain to the Bridge," Tuvok said.
Then I headed out.
"What is it?" I said.
"We are receiving a distress call From a Kazon ship," Tuvok said.
"On screen," I said. "Senior officers report to the bridge,"
"We require help... Immediately Anyone who can hear this message, Please help," Kazon male said.
"Long range sensors picked up the distress signal 3 minutes ago," I said.
"The ships dimensions are identical to the vessel we encountered at the planet," Tuvok said. "It is a Kazon Nistrim ship, Captain,"
"Captain, this may be a trap, The Kazon Nistrim is one of the most violent sects in the entire Kazon collective," Neelix said.
"We need help immediately, We have lost all bridge operations. Barely able to function, please assist," Kazon Male said.
"Kim can you determine if this ship has sustained genuine damage?" I said.
"There are fluctuating Nucleonic patterns. It might indicate a reactor breakdown on board," Kim said.
"Paris ran an extended scanner sequence to identify any other Kazon ships that might be in the area," I said.
"Nothing showing up, Captain," Paris said.
"Maintain scans and set a heading to intercept," I said
"New heading entered," Paris said.
"I take your warning seriously Neelix, and will act with caution, But if we can help, We should," I said. "This maybe an opportunity to make a friend and out here we can use all the friends we can get. Yellow Alert. Engage,"
We reached the Kazon ship and Chakotay, Tuvok, B'Elanna and Seska went over. We just waiting for them.
"Away team to Voyager, We've got a single Male Kazon alive on the bridge, Transport him directly to sickbay," Chakotay said.
"Energizing," Kim said.
Then the com went dead.
"Away team to Voyager, 4 to beam up," Chakotay said.
"Tell Chakotay I will meet him in Sickbay. Paris you got the bridge," I said going into the Turbolift. "Deck 5,"
Once I was in Sickbay. I found Found the Doctor and Kes already with him.
"Incredible, Somehow, virtually every cell in his body has been altered," Doc said.
"Altered?" I said.
"His cells have mutated, or they've been fused with inorganic matter, I can't make heads or tail of it. Look at this," Doc said. "His blood cells have bonded with metallic nuclei,"
"The crew members closest to the explosion were virtually melded with huge pieces of metal fragments, He was luckier than the others," Chakotay said.
"That remains to be seen, I'm going to have to do a complete pyrocyte replacement if we're going to keep him alive," Doc said. "We'd better hope there are compatible donors on board,"
"I'll run a cytological screening of the crew," Kes said.
"We'll let you know the results as soon as we can," Doc said.
Then Tuvok, Chakotay and I left sickbay.
"Captain, There was an apparent Federation signature to the explosion," Tuvok said.
"What?" I said.
"It looked like they were trying to install some new technology that detonated," Chakotay said.
"You're saying they have some kind of federation weapon on board," I said.
"A console on the bridge was the source of the explosion," Chakotay said. "We're not sure what its function was, and it's going to be hard to get to,"
"We can't transport it out?" I said.
"Not with those level of nucleonic radiation, The transporter beam would disperse the moment it hit the irradiated cabin," Chakotay said.
"How could they possibly have Federation Technology," I said.
"There are only 3 alternatives I can discern at this time," Tuvok said."1, it's not Federation technology at all but something similar,"
"Bridge," I said.
"2 Another Federation starship may have been brought to the Delta Quadrant prior to our arrival," Tuvok said. "And they interacted with the Kazon Nistrim,"
"Was there any reports of missing starships," Chakotay said.
"Not to my knowledge," I said.
"3, Someone from this ship has covertly given technology to the Kazon," Tuvok said.
"Computer halt turbolift," I said. "I don't like that one at all Tuvok,"
"Nevertheless, it is the most probable explanation," Tuvok said. "It may not be a coincidence that the Kazon ship we encountered at the planet was able to deceive our sensors, perhaps someone transmitted instruction to them before we arrived,"
"Just as I suspected, Anything?" I said.
"Nothing yet," Tuvok said.
"Wait what?" Chakotay said.
"I had a feeling that someone told the Kazon how to deceive our sensors with that trick they did. Now we know I'm right, I want you to personally go through the Transmission logs, Tuvok, Compare them to the actually telemetry, See if there's any evidence of prior contact with the Kazon, Who would have had a chance to meet with them while you were on the surface?"
"A dozen people, We were scattered all over the area," Chakotay said.
"You did find Ensign Seska in proximity to them," Tuvok said.
"Seska nearly killed me because she thought I was Kazon," Chakotay said. "She wouldn't do something like this,"
"Nevertheless, I urge you to regard her with caution for the time being," Tuvok said.
"Agreed," I said. "Right now no one is to know what we do. We can never person for real. But why someone on this ship betray us, We are all in this together, We need to retrieve that console and get some answers before the rumour's get out of hand. Computer resume,"
In a hour time I was on the way down to engineering to see if they had need any progress on how to retrieve that console.
"Releasing the force field isn't an option, "I hear B'Elanna said as I entered engineering. "that would just allow the radiation into the whole cabin," As I got next to Chakotay.
"We could generate a localized subspace bubble to get past the force field," Seska said.
"One minor subspace disruption and you're dead, It's too risky," B'Elanna said.
"I'd be willing to risk it," Seska said.
"We could use an expander to manipulate the containment field," Carey said.
"Manipulate it how?" B'Elanna said.
"Move it out of the way," Carey said. "Rotate the field, and the Radiation trapped inside it away from the console once It's clear we have access,"
"How long will it take you to set this up," I said.
"We should be able to make an attempt by tomorrow," B'Elanna said.
"I want it ready by the end of the day," I said.
"No Captain, When I say tomorrow I mean tomorrow," B'Elanna said. "I don't exaggerate, Tomorrow is the best I can do,"
"Understood, Lt," I said. Then I headed back to the bridge.
Once I was back on the bridge.
"Captain, I would like a word with you in your ready room," Tuvok said. As Chakotay came out of the turbolift.
"Chakotay you with us," I said. Then we headed in and the door closed. "What you got,"
"Someone did make an unauthorized transmission," Tuvok said.
"And whoever it was was an expert at covering their tracks," Chakotay said.
"The signal was masked by a test of the dorsal emitters that we conducted a week ago," Tuvok said.
"Who was working on that test?" I said.
"Only the whole Engineering crew," Chakotay said.
"We're trying to trace the station where the signal originated," Tuvok said. "Again the perpetrator was skilled enough to make the tracking process extremely difficult for us,"
"It's like working backwards through a maze of circuits," Chakotay said. "We keep bumping into dead ends,"
"Paris to Captain McCall," Paris said. "Please report to the bridge,"
Then we headed out.
"Report," I said.
"Captain, Another Kazon ship is approaching, trying to hail the disabled ship, They're not within visual range yet," Paris said.
"Perhaps someone else picked up the distress call," Tuvok said.
"What's their ETA?" I said.
"At their current speed 4 hours 20 minutes," Paris said. "Should I tell them we're here?"
"If we know about them, It's a good bet they know about us," I said. "We don't have anything good to tell them, I'll think we'll wait,"
"Captain, I'm showing an unauthorized auto sequence in in Transporter Room 2, Someone's Left Voyager," Kim said.
"Computer, Identify who just beamed off the ship from transporter room 2," I said.
"Ensign Seska," Computer said.
"Chakotay to Seska," Chakotay said.
"I really don't have time to talk to you right now, Chakotay," Seska said.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Chakotay said.
"Retrieving the console my way," Seska said.
"I want you back on this ship and I mean now," Chakotay said.
"The Captain said she wanted the console today, Carey's plans couldn't do it in time," Seska said.
"Captain, it is conceivable that she has gone to the Kazon ship to destroy evidence that might implicate her," Tuvok said.
"She's gone back to the Kazon ship to prove herself to us," Chakotay said. "Can't you see that?"
"I agree with Tuvok," I said.
"I've got a lock on her Captain, Do you want me to transport her back," Kim said.
"if we try to beam her out, while she's manipulating subspace, we might kill her," I said then there was screaming on the com.
"Chakotay to Seska, Seska, Respond, Get her out of there, Send her to sickbay," Chakotay said.
"Energizing," Kim said.
"Bridge to sickbay incoming transport, Medical emergency," I said.
"Acknowledged, Captain," Doc said.
XXX
I was in my ready room with Chakotay as Tuvok brought Lt. Carey to my ready room then they came in.
"Have a seat, Mr. Carey," I said as I sat down at my desk.
"How have things been going for you in Engineering?" Chakotay said.
"Fine," Carey said."Why is there a problem?"
"You getting along all right with Lt Torres," Chakotay said.
"I think we've settled our differences," Carey said.
"She was promoted to Chief engineer over you, Lt," I said. "That might be difficult for someone in your position to accept,"
"Captain, I accepted your decision," Carey said. "And I've worked as hard as I can to make myself a valuable member of Lt Torres' Team, I can't believe she's have any complaints about my performance,"
"She doesn't," I said.
"Then what am I doing here?" Carey said.
"Lt have you had any contact with the Kazon Nistrim since we arrived in the Delta Quadrant?" Tuvok said.
"What?!" Carey said. "You mean me Personally? No of course not," He was telling the truth.
"You were out of contact for almost an hour on the planet where we encountered the Kazon," Chakotay said.
"You mean When I was picking those poison apples?" Carey said.
"What about before we arrived at the planet?" I said. "Did you have any reason to signal a Kazon Nistrim ship,"
"No,"Carey said. He was still telling the truth.
"Nevertheless, a signal was sent to the Kazon from your station in Engineering during our dorsal emitter test last week," Tuvok said.
"My station?" Carey said.
"Were you not in Engineering at that time?" Tuvok said.
"Yes, I was but you know how it is down there during systems analysis," Carey said.
"Did you see anyone else at your station?" Chakotay said.
"Honestly I don't remember, Maybe you should ask Seska," Carey said.
"Why Seska?" I said.
"Everyone know that she was found in the cave with the Kazon," Carey said. "Look I'm not saying she did anything wrong, But I didn't either,"
"I'd like to believe you, Mr. Carey," I said. "But someone did contact the Kazon, and until we know who, I'm going to have to restrict you to quarters,"
Then Tuvok and Carey left.
"What do you think?" I said.
"He had the motive and the opportunity," Chakotay said.
"He's also had a distinguished Starfleet career," I said. "I know if someone is bullshitting, But Carey wasn't lying. Seska spent most of the last 2 years as am enemy of the Federations,"
"So have I," Chakotay said.
Then we headed onto the bridge.
"Captain, We're being hailed by the approaching Kazon ship," Kim said
"How soon will they be here?" I said.
"4 Minutes," Kim said.
"I wish we had something more definitive to tell them," I said. "Open a channel. I am Scott McCall. Captain of the Federation Starship Voyager,"
"My name is Culluh. First Maje of the Kazon Nistrim. What have you done to our ship?" Culluh said.
"Nothing, We are responding to the Distress call. Unfortunately by the time we were able to respond all but one of the crew were dead," I said.
"I would like to speak to the survivor," Culluh said.
"He hasn't regained consciousness," I said. "We have him in our sickbay, We'd be happy to beam you aboard so you can see him,"
"You will prepare for my arrival," Culluh said. Then cut the channel.
"Friendly sort," Paris said.
Then Tuvok and I meet with them in the Transporter room 3 and taken them to Sickbay.
"Captain, I'm glad you're here," Doctor said. "I was just about to call you,"
"Doctor, This is First Maje Culluh, Of the Kazon-Nistrim. Could you give us the lastest condition report on your Kazon Patient?" I said.
"Well the good news is we've been able to stabilize him," Doc said. "We had to completely replace his blood,"
"Replace his blood," Culluh said. "With what?"
"The blood of volunteer from our crew. they saved his life," I said.
"His own blood cells were killing him," Doctor said. "They were changed by the accident on his ship,"
"Changed in what manner?" Culluh said.
"we haven't been able to determine that yet," Doc said.
"We've been working on a plan to access the source of the explosion, which should answer a lot of the questions," I said.
"That will no longer be necessary," Culluh said. "We will take the damaged vessel to our port for inspection,"
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that just yet," I said.
"And what gives you the right to interfere in our affairs?" Culluh said.
"There was a trace of a Federation compound in the remains of the explosion We have reason to believe that someone on board this ship gave technology to your people," I said. "Until we have a better explanation of what occurred, I can't release that ship to you,"
"That is not acceptable," Culluh said.
"It will have to be," I said.
"Your unique technologies make you brave, Captain, But you only have one ship, in less than a day, there will be 4 Kazon vessel off your bow," Culluh said.
"Perhaps by then we'll have the answers we need," I said.
"You will leave us with him," Culluh said.
Then the Doctor and I moved away.
"i assume they'll want to take him back to their ship, I'd rather not let them do it just yet, In case he regains consciousness, There are a lot of question he can answer, Can I tell them it's not safe to move him?" I said.
"It will be the Truth," Doctor said.
"Good," I said.
Then We saw something and one of the people Culluh brought with him stabbed the Kazon in the neck with something and Tuvok got him and I pulled my Phaser on Culluh.
"He's dead," Doc said.
"Get the hell off my ship," I said.
Then Tuvok took them out of there.
"Doc," I said.
"There was some kind of nerve toxin in that needle he died instantly," Doc said.
"Shit," I said. Putting my phaser back in the holster. Then started to head for the bridge.
"Captain, May we talk to you in my office?" Doc said.
"Alright," I said then we went into the office.
"It's about Seska," Doc said.
"Complications?" I said.
"I was analyzing her blood chemistry to try and locate a compatible donor, but when I got the results her blood was lacking all the common Bajoran Blood factors," Kes said.
"Meaning what?" I said.
"The only conclusion we can reach is that she is not in fact, Bajoran," Doc said.
"What is she then?" I said.
"It appears Seska has been genetically altered, My Suspicion is she was born Cardassian," Doc said.
"Do whatever you got to do but keep her here," I said.
"Aye captain," Doc said.
Then I got back to the Bridge and got Tuvok and Chakotay into my ready room where I told them about Seska being Cardassian.
"You're asking me to believe she's a Cardassian agent who infiltrated the Maquis?" Chakotay said.
"Starfleet Security has documented several incidents in which Cardassians have used cosmetic alterations for the purpose of infiltrating an enemy," Tuvok said.
"Not to mention the Romulans," I said.
"This is crazy, This is just impossible," Chakotay said.
"The Doctor has informed us that there is no other plausible explanation for the medical anomalies, Commander," Tuvok said.
"If you don't mind I'd like to hear her explanation before we dismiss it," Chakotay said. "Has she been told,"
"No,"I said.
"I'd like to be the one who questions her," Chakotay said.
"No, we wait til we retrieve the console, McCall to Torres," I said.
"Yes, Captain," B'Elanna said.
"Your status," I said.
"We are finished with the computer simulations, Everything looks okay, We 're ready to beam over," B'Elanna said.
"Good, then let's get started. McCall out," I said. Then went to the bridge.
"You were working for him, Seska was working for them, was anyone on board that ship working for me?" Chakotay said.
"The Kazon ship is hailing us," Kim said.
"Open a Channel," I said. "On screen,"
"Our sensors show that you are trespassing on our vessel," Culluh said.
"As I've already informed you, we're attempting to retrieve the console that caused this explosion," I said.
"If you attempt to remove anything from our ship, it will be considered an act of war," Culluh said.
"You know, I'm really easy to get along with most of the time, But I don't like bullies and I don't like threats and I don't like you Culluh, you can try to stop us from getting to the truth, but I promise you if you do I will respond with all the unique technologies at my command, McCall out," I said cutting the channel.
"Their weapons systems are standing down," Tuvok said. "They don't appear to be posing a threat to us at this time,"
"Till reinforcements get here, McCall to away team," I said.
"Yes Captain?" Torres said.
"I don't want to rush you Lt, But," I said.
"We're finished, captain," Torres said.
"What?" I said.
"Decontamination went exactly as planned, the console has been transported to Engineering and we're on our way back now," Torres said.
"Acknowledged, Nice work, Away team," I said. "We'll meet you in Engineering,"
Then Chakotay, Tuvok and I went down there.
"Of all the things to die for. It's a food replicator. Or at least it was trying to be," Torres said.
"We may take replicators for granted, but imagine what it would mean to a culture that doesn't have this technology," I said.
"They didn't use a thick enough interior shield casing, once the Nucleonic Radiation leaked out a cascade reaction was inevitable," Torres said.
"Can you tell if any part of the console came from our ship?" I said.
"there's no doubt about it Captain, the pattern buffer relays are clear composed of bioneural fibers, No other Federation ship would have them," Torres said. "Somebody on board Voyager gave them what they needed, I guess they just didn't know what to do with it,"
"I want a complete report on everything we've found so I can share it with our Kazon friends," I said then left.
This technology if we did it properly then this could of never happened.
Then I went back to my ready room where I was working on a M9 pistol that Tuvok had finished modifying I was getting it ready. I got a feeling the Kazon won't stop to get their hands on Voyager.
Then my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
Chakotay and Tuvok came in.
"What have you got?" I said.
"We know who it is?" Chakotay said.
"Seska," I said.
"Yes," Chakotay said.
"Alright let's get her," I said.
Then we headed down to sickbay and we had a plan.
"We tracked the computer station used to enter the data, oh, you took us all around the system and back again before we could locate the source, but it was this station in sickbay," Chakotay said. Then we all came in. "I'd almost say it was a Maquis operation, if I didn't already know you were a Cardassian. Computer, Activate Emergency holographic Medical program,"
"Oh have I been called to Testify," Doc said.
"Before you even mentioned Orkett's disease to me, the doctor had already discounted that as a possible explanation for you blood anomalies," Chakotay said.
"And may I say a Doctor less informed about Bajoran medicine might have been fooled but my program includes the complete Bajoran medical text on Orkett's disease," Doc said. "There's not way any childhood virus or Cardassian bone marrow transplant can explain away the genetic markers in your blood, You are Cardassian, Ensign,"
"But that didn't necessarily make you the traitor we were looking for, We needed more evidence, and you gave it to us," Chakotay said. "The one thing I still can't understand is why?"
"I did it for you, I did it for this crew, We are alone here, at the mercy of any number of hostile aliens because of the incomprehensible decision of a Federation Captain, A Federation Captain who destroyed our only chance to get home, Federation rules, Federation Nobility, Federation compassion? Do you understand? If this had been a Cardassian ship, we would be home now," Seska said. "We must begin to forge alliances, to survive we must have powerful friends, The Kazon Nistrim were willing to be our protectors in return for some minor technology,"
"Minor technology that could change the balance of power in this Quadrant," I said.
"Change it in our favor," Seska said. "That is all that matter at this point, building a base of power in this quadrant, you are a fool, Captain, and you are a fool to follow him, I can't imagine how I ever loved you. Computer Command XJL,
Which started to Transport.
"Computer override transport in progress," Chakotay said.
"Unable to comply,Security lockout is in place," Computer said.
"Computer, override lockout, Authorisation McCall Omega 5," I said.
"Unable to override Transport," Computer said.
"Computer, Identify destination of Transport," I said.
"A Kazon Vessel 14 kilometer off the port bow," Computer said.
"Bridge to McCall," Paris said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"The Kazon ship is powering up its engines," Paris said. "It looks like they're getting ready to go to warp,"
"Tractor them," I said.
"I've also got 2 Kazon Warships on an intercept course less than 10 minutes away," Paris said.
"Captain, even with our superior defense capabilities and new shielding we cannot prevail against 3 Kazon Warships," Tuvok said.
"Awaiting your instructions, Captain," Paris said.
"Cancel the Tractor and get us out of here. Warp 4," I said. "Engage when ready,"
"Yes, Sir," Paris said.
"We'll have to wait for another day to settle up with Seska," I said.
We managed to get away and resumed course for Earth at impulse.
That's all for this chapter. Now what about a tiny bit of Crossover. Now I can do it from another Star Trek Series. (Discovery) Just to name one. LEt me know in the Reviews.
More to follow.
Stay Tuned and Safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!