Chapter 22.
Parturition.
(Scott POV)
I woke up to find Clara sleeping against me again in 2 days. Clara always went to her room before I went to bed, She must be getting up in middle of the night and getting into next to me. But why is Clara been doing that. Is she dreaming about something.
I manage to get myself free and pulled the cover over her again. I don't know why but I kissed her head. Then went and got something for breakfast after I had a shower and got dressed. Once I was finished Breakfast through Clara was still asleep.
I couldn't just wake her up so, I headed out and locked my door behind me, Since Clara had the code for our place. As I headed up to the bridge where I found the news wasn't go.
Then my door bell Rang.
"Come in," I said.
Then Chakotay walked in.
"I hope you got good news, Chakotay, based on this inventory our food reserves look to be down to 30% of capacity," I said.
"Good and Bad news," Chakotay said. "We have located an M class Planet and it shows high amino acid and protein readings,
"That should indicate a healthy plant life, what's bad about it?" I said.
"It's a full day out of our way," Chakotay said.
"I don't think we have any choice. It's the first chance we've had to replenish our supplies in weeks," I said.
"And out long range sensors can't confirm any plant life on the surface," Chakotay said.
"Why not?" I said.
"It's one strangle planet captain, It's shrouded, vapors cover it like a curtain, EM disturbances all over the atmosphere," Chakotay said.
"Some of these reading suggest a planet early in it's evolution almost like a primeval Earth," I said.
"The people in stellar cartography have already nicknamed it Planet hell," Chakotay said.
"So it might be a wild goose chase," I said.
"Captain, I don't know what we'll find when we get to the surface. Flora or Fauna, Friend or foe," Chakotay said.
"If we knew we'd find another M class planet soon, I'd. Screw it, Set a course for planet Hell Commander," I said.
Then He went out and then we went to Warp.
Then my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
Then Kes came in.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey," Kes said.
"How'd it go then?" I said.
"Good, We ended up falling into a subspace anomaly, None of the readings made any sense, I didn't know what to do," Kes said.
"When that was me, I just flew through it," I said.
"Well, it was quite a learning experience," Kes said.
"Just wait, Bet you soon Tom be having you doing that with Voyager," I said.
"He is a good teacher," Kes said.
Then we dropped out of Warp.
"Captain to the Bridge," Chakotay said.
"Catch you later," I said.
"Yeap," Kes said leaving first.
Then I came out.
"We there," I said.
"Just," Chakotay said.
"Analysis," I said.
"High level of Trigemic vapors but it should still support humanoid life," Chakotay said.
"Sick bay to Bridge," Doc said.
"Go ahead Doc," I said.
"Please turn to your Emergency Medical Holographic Channel," Doc said.
Then I used the Command console for that.
"I hope you don't mind that I've been eavesdropping, But I have something important to contribute," Doc said.
"What is it Doc?" I said.
"Of course, it wouldn't be necessary for me to eavesdrop if I were included in these discussions as a matter of operating protocol," Doc said.
"Doc, Get to the point," I said.
"You should be aware that Trigemic Vapors at the recorded levels can cause sever humanoid skin irritations," Doc said.
"Could you provide some sort of skin Protection that might help?" Chakotay said.
"I am whipping up a batch of dermal osmotic sealant as we speak, Never the less, Skin exposure to the atmosphere should be limited," Doc said.
"Noted, Doc, Thanks, But tell me just how often do you eavesdrop?" I said.
"I am simply trying to monitor issues involving the health of the crew, Captain, When Activated, The emergency Medical program establishes comlinks with all key areas of the ship, and I have on occasion. I am a Doctor. Not a voyeur," Doc said. "I am programmed to be discreet,"
"I'm sure, Commander Chakotay will discuss operating protocols with you at the earliest opportunity, in the meantime, No more, Eavesdropping doc," I said.
"But Captain," Doc said.
"That's an order," I said. Then cut it off.
"There's another problem Captain," B'Elanna said.
"What is it?" I said.
"We won't be able to transport to the surface because of the EM disturbances in the atmosphere," B'Elanna said. "They'll interfere with our comlinks too,"
"I'll have Mr. Kim take a look," Chakotay said.
"See if our shuttles can actually make it down there and back. See also if you can find a way to dampen those EM disturbances too, just in case we need to Transport who ever goes down there," I said.
"On it," Torres said.
Then I headed in and got Neelix and Tom up here. Which went they got here looked to be in part of a food fight.
"Would anyone like to explain," I said.
"It might be too long to go into right now, Captain," Tom said.
"Well, I have a mission for you 2," I said. "We have reason to believe that there are food sources on this planet, but we can't transport to the surface, You're going to take a shuttle down and do a little scouting,"
"Me and him?" Neelix said.
"He's our best pilot and you're our expert on edible plant species in this quadrant," I said.
"Captain, I'm not one to pass up a mission, but in this circumstance, Ensign Baytart who is a fine pilot," Tom said.
"There are electromagnetic anomalies in the atmosphere, and I would rather have you at the helm, Am I discerning a personal problem here, Gentlemen?" I said.
"Frankly, Yes, Captain," Neelix said.
"Solve it, you leave at 1400 hours," I said. "Dismissed,"
Then they left.
The hell was that all about.
Another 10 minutes then we were all in the conference room.
"We're modifying the transporter to try and penetrate the atmosphere so far no luck," B'Elanna said.
"However, we have been running computer simulations to determine if the EM disturbances follow any specific pattern our data analysis suggests that there may be occasional atmosphere windows that would allow us to get through," Harry said.
"How occasional and how long will they last?" Chakotay said.
"We should see one every 30 hours or so, but they may only last for a matter of minutes," Harry said. "I can't be sure yet,"
"At least long enough for us to beam up food supplies, Tom, You and Neelix will collect as many vegetables and fruits as you can while we wait for this atmospheric window to open. Harry Be sure your computer simulations include the safest way for them to get down and up, Understood," I said.
"Aye Captain," Harry, Tom and Neelix said.
"Dismissed," I said.
Then Everyone but B'Elanna left.
"Which is it B'Elanna," I said.
"I only managed to run those tests on our shuttle but those Jumpers don't activate with me or anyone else, but you," B'Elanna said.
"So," I said.
"The Doc thinks he may have a way to gave others the gene need to control and activate them," B'Elanna said.
"The ATA Gene Retro virus," I said.
"Yes, How'd," B'Elanna said.
"It's was still in the experimental stage, It doesn't always take effect," I said.
"But it is still worth a it," B'Elanna said.
"The Doc already has the info right," I said.
"Yes, Just waiting for you to allow it," B'Elanna said.
"Do it," I said.
"Aye sir," Torres said.
Then went to the bridge where Tom and Neelix just left.
"Captain, we're picking up a locator signal from the shuttle," Tuvok said.
"Can you track it," I said.
"Their last velocity vector indicates a steep descent. We've lost contact," Tuvok said.
"Bridge to Torres," Chakotay said.
"Torres here," B'Elanna said.
"B'Elanna, Our shuttle's in trouble, any progress on modifying the transporter?" Chakotay said.
"Negative, It's an extremely complex interference pattern, and it keeps changing," B'Elanna said.
"Bring in as much help as you need, This is now and search and rescue operation," I said.
"Acknowledged. Torres out," B'Elanna said.
"Harry get down there, Get her a hand," I said.
"Yes, Sir," Harry said.
"I'll be in my ready room," I said.
Then went back in there.
XXX
Not too much later. We got hit by something.
"Red Alert. All hands to Battle stations, Captain to the Bridge," Chakotay said.
Then I got up and onto the Bridge not long after the light of the Klaxon went Red.
"Report," I said.
"A ship just showed out of nowhere and started firing," Chakotay said.
"Hail them," I said.
"They do not respond, Captain," Tuvok said.
"They're powering down their weapons systems," Harry said.
"The vessel has taken up a position directly beneath us," Tuvok said.
"What do you make of it, Lt?" I said.
"They would seem to have adopted a defensive posture, Captain," Tuvok said.
"I agree, But defending what? the Planet?" I said.
"Or something on it," Chakotay said.
"Tom and Neelix down there," I said. "Shields?"
"Holding at 90%," Harry said.
"Tuvok analyse that ship, I want to disable it," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"McCall to Torres, How's those Transporters," I said.
"Still nothing Captain, We working on it," B'Elanna said.
"Keep trying we need to get Tom and Neelix off that planet," I said.
"Aye Captain, Torres out," B'Elanna said.
"Stand down Red Alert, Keep Shields on max," I said. Then the Klaxon went off and Lights came back on.
"Captain, The EM disturbance patterns match the computer simulations, I'd say we'll get a shot at an Atmospheric window in about 53 minutes," Harry said.
"Where does that leave us with the Transporter?" Chakotay said.
"Our Range will still be limited, but the Transporter should work as long as we stay in an area with reduced Electromagnetic activity," B'Elanna said.
"The Problem is we don't know where our shuttle went down," I said.
"So there's no way to know how close they'll be to the window when it opens," Chakotay said.
"Recommendations?" I said.
"Take the ship through the window into the atmosphere," B'Elanna said. "The closer you can get us to the surface, the better our chances for a successful beam-out,"
"Get on it," I said.
"Are you going to be able to warm us before the window closes again?" Chakotay said.
"I think so," Harry said.
"Harry, that's not an answer I can live with," I said.
"I'll try to get you a better one, Captain," Harry said.
"Tuvok, Found us a way to get us by that ship," I said.
"My evaluation of their weapons systems suggests a capacity equal to our own, However," Tuvok said.
"You got a way to neutralize them," I said.
"I have," Tuvok said. "In my analysis of our first encounter, I have detected what I believe to be a vulnerability in their shield configuration, There appears to be a slight phase retraction when auxiliary power is transferred to their aft weapons systems,"
"A covariant Phaser pulse into their aft control systems might disable their entire weapons array," Chakotay said.
"That was my ingenious plan, Commander," Tuvok said. "You are correct,"
"Then let's go, Red Alert," I said. As the lights went dim and Klaxon went Red. "Harry set coordinates, Tuvok set your target, Torres, speed at 2000 KPH,"
"Aye Captain," B'Elanna said.
"Chakotay, take the helm," I said.
"Coordinates entered," Harry said.
"Engage," I said.
"Phasers locked," Tuvok said.
"The atmospheric window is forming captain," Harry said. "30 degrees off the predicted coordinates,"
"How soon for maximum aperture, Harry," I said.
"9 minutes," Harry said.
"All right, Commander, let's get they fire from their aft weapon system, Bring us within 10 kilometers," I said.
Then Chakotay took us that way and they got 3 shots on us.
"Shields at 80%" Chakotay said.
"Minor damage to our port nacelle," B'Elanna said. "rerouting power to lateral thrusters,"
"Tuvok," I said.
"So far, 'm not detecting the same vulnerability in their shields this time, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Ready Torpedoes," I said.
"Ready," Harry said.
"Prepare to," I said
"Stand by, Captain, I'm detecting an opening," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
Then we hit it.
"Direct hit to their aft control systems, their weapons are disabled," Tuvok said.
"Chakotay, Head for Harry coordinates, Stand down weapons," I said.
"The atmospheric window is at full aperture, Captain, We should have at least 17 minutes before it starts to close," Harry said.
"Captain, the alien Vessel is in pursuit," Tuvok said.
"Are their weapons systems back on line?" I said.
"Negative, They are still disabled, we should bring weapons back online," Tuvok said.
"No, Keep them off," I said.
"They couldn't be preparing to ram us, Could they?" Chakotay said.
"No, There is something on that they want. Hold course, Let them pass us," I said.
"Understood," Chakotay said.
"Alien vessel closing to 1000 Kilometer," Tuvok said. "500, 300, It has passed us and is proceeding toward the surface,"
"Take us down, Chakotay, Start scanning for our people," I said.
"Captain, I'm picking up a com badge, It's Neelix and Tom's," Harry said.
"Voyager to away team," I said.
"Voyager, This is Lt Tom Paris do you read me," Tom said.
"We do, Tom, Are you alright," I said.
"Aside from a nasty rash, yes," Tom said.
"Have you encountered lifeforms," I said.
"Actually yes," Tom said.
"Are they hostile?" I said.
"No, Just young," Tom said.
"Young?" I said.
"Yes we found a nest, and one of the creatures hatched," Tom said.
"Be aware we encountered a hostile ship of unknown origin, and we're showing that ship on the surface, 1 kilometer from your position, We're attempting to lock on to you for transport, Stand by," I said. "Away team we're showing a life form moving towards your position, Prepare for transport,"
"Captain, this is Neelix, are you in a particular rush to leave?" Neelix said.
"Did you hear what I just said, Neelix," I said.
"yes but we're not quite finished here yet," Neelix said.
"Finished with what, we have an atmospheric window closing in less than 6 minutes," I said.
"And another one will be coming in how long?" Neelix said.
"Days, what's going on?" I said.
"The problem is captain, if we leave our little hatchling here and the mother rejects it, it might die of exposure before we get back," Tom said.
"Tom," I said.
"How long can you give us, Captain," Tom said.
"1 minute 10 seconds, Max," Harry said.
"We'll take it," Neelix said.
"Lock onto us, Voyager, if you hear muffled screams, consider that a request for a beam out," Tom said.
Then half a minute later.
"Voyager, 2 to beam out," Tom said.
"Energize," I said.
"We got them," Harry said.
"Chakotay get us out of here," I said.
"Aye captain," Chakotay said.
Then we cleared it.
"We're clear," Chakotay said.
"Resume course for Home, Warp 8," I said.
"Course layed in," Chakotay said.
"Engage," I said.
As we went to Warp.
"Stand down Red alert," I said.
That's all for this Chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!