Chapter 25.
Cold Fire.
(Scott POV)
It's been 10 months since we have been here. I was in my Quarters while Clara was down in Engineering for some reason.
"Sickbay to Captain McCall," Doc said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Captain, you need to get down here something has happened," Doc said.
"On my way," I said. Then I headed out and got into the Turbolift and down to Deck 5 and into Sickbay where I saw the Caretakers remains out. Tuvok and B'Elanna
"Captain," Doc said.
"What is it you needed me down here for?" I said.
"I detected lifesigns from the caretakers remains," Doc said.
"Lifesigns?" I said.
"Apparently so," Doc said. "But before I could analyze them, the life-signs simply ceased,"
"I'm scanning the remains on all biospectral Frequencies, It's completely inert. Dead," B'Elanna said.
"We thought that 10 months ago too," I said. "But how this rock suddenly came to life for several seconds,"
"I concur. However Dead or alive, theses are the remains of an alien entity we never fully understood," Tuvok said. "It may be prudent to place it on a level 3 biohazard containment field,"
"Agreed, But first I want to take a look at," I said. Then it started moving.
"I'm picking up lifesigns," B'Elanna said. "They're sporocystian,"
"The Caretaker was a sporocystian life-form," I said.
"But according to my readings, the lifesigns aren't coming from the remains," B'Elanna said. "The remains are simply resonating in response to an external energy source, some other life form,"
"Where?" Doc said.
"Let's find out, McCall to Bridge," I said. "Harry begin scans for a sporocystian life form,"
"Aye Captain, Stand by," Harry said. "I've got it, Captain, A sporocystian energy burst approximately 10 lightyears distant, But I can't gat a precise fix its location,"
Then it stopped. Shrilling.
"The life signs are gone," B'Elanna said.
"These remains could be responding to the Caretakers mate," I said.
"If that's true, Maybe we could use them to track her down," B'Elanna said.
"And if we can find her, She might have the ability to send us home," Tuvok said.
"I say it's worth chance, Let's go," I said.
Then we headed to the Bridge.
XXX
"Torres to McCall," B'Elanna said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We've place the remains in a hexi-prismatic field, Captain the next time it responds to sporocystian energy, the field should give us a heading to the source," B'Elanna said.
"You're using him as a compass," I said.
"Exactly," B'Elanna said.
"Good work, Keep us apprised, McCall out," I said.
"Captain, the caretaker was a bring of considerable power, and although his intent was not hostile, we were essentially at his mercy," Tuvok said. "I do not care to repeat that experience,"
"And if we are about to meet his mate, you'd like it to be on more even ground," I said.
"Precisely, I have studied the Doctor's biochemical analysis of the caretaker remains and I believe it is possible to create a sporocystian toxin something which might debilitate the life form," Tuvok said.
"Sounds like a sensible precaution. Get on it, But make sure it wouldn't kill her," I said.
"Aye captain," Tuvok said.
"I'm picking up sporocystian energy," Tom said.
"Chakotay to Engineering," Chakotay said. "We're picking up life-signs is your compass working?"
"Stand by," B'Elanna said. "We've got it captain, Bearing 272 mark 19,"
"Acknowledged," I said. "Tom set a course, Maximum warp. Punch it,"
"Aye captain," Tom said.
Then we went to Warp.
XXX
"Captain, we're picking up an artificial structure on long range sensors, It appears to be a space station of some kind," Tom said.
"Slow to impulse, On screen," I said.
"That looks a lot like the caretakers array," Chakotay said.
"Configuration is similar," Harry said. "So is the surface composition, But it's only about 1/10 the size,"
"Are there any sporocystian life forms on board?" I said.
"No, but I am picking up over 2000 carbon based life forms," Harry said. "Captain They are Ocampa,"
"We're approaching the station captain," Tom said.
"All stop, Hail them," I said.
"No response," Tuvok said.
"I am reading an energy surge from the station, Possibly weapons," Tuvok said.
"Shields to maximum, Yellow Alert," I said.
Then we got hit and the Klaxon went straight to Red alert.
"Definitely weapons," Chakotay said.
"Shields are holding," Harry said.
"Incoming message from the array," Tuvok said.
"On screen," I said.
"You're not wanted here," He said.
"We pose no threat to you, I'm Captain Scott McCall of the," I said.
"You have been warned," He said. Then cut the channel.
"Hold position, Get Kes up here," I said.
When Kes got here we filled her in.
"They are Ocampa," Kes said.
"That's right, there appears to be an entire colony, And according to our sensors, The station is at least 300 years old," I said.
"Kes is there any Ocampa History about people who left your planet, Or were captured by Aliens and taken away?" Chakotay said.
"No," Kes said. "The idea that there could be Ocampa anywhere but on the homeworld is something no one ever considered, I thought I was the only one,"
"You're the only one on Voyager, I want you to act as an intermediary," I said.
"Gladly. What should I do?" Kes said.
"The first step is to arrange a meeting," I said. Let's see if we can get that far, Hail them,"
"This is becoming tiresome Captain," He said. "If you force us to take further aggressive action,"
"I have someone here who wishes to speak with you," I said.
"My name is Kes, I'm an Ocampa," Kes said.
"This is some kind of trick," He said.
"I assure you it's not a trick," Kes said.
"What would an Ocampa be doing on an alien starship?" He said.
"It's a long story, But I'd like to know what an Ocampa is doing on an alien space station," Kes said.
"That is also a long story," He said.
"Then I suggest we meet and tell each other out stories," Kes said. "May we come aboard your station?"
"No, But I an willing to come to your ship," He said.
Then cut the channel.
"Captain, their weapons system are powering down," Tuvok said.
"Stand down Red alert, Power down all weapons," I said.
XXX
"Our reading identified a sporocystian life form in this area, We've been looking for that life form for 10 months," I said.
"Why? To destroy it?" Someone else said.
"No. On the contrary, We believe that she has the technology that could send us home," I said.
"Captain, are you aware of how your ship is regarded?" He said. "That when Voyager appears people fear destruction?"
"Your ship is known as a ship of Death," He said.
"What?" I said.
"You've established quite a reputation, You killed the caretaker," He said. "Declared war on the Kazon, raided planets for their resources,
"None of that is true," Chakotay said. "We've never attacked anyone except in self defense,"
"And we didn't kill the Caretaker," Tuvok said. "He died of natural causes,"
"Mr. Tanis please try to understand, we only want to find the entity we've been looking for, Our sensors tell us she's somewhere in this region, Can you help us find her?" I said.
"Captain, I'd like to speak to Tanis alone if I may," Kes said.
"Okay, Gentlemen," I said. Then we went to the Bridge.
Then My people went back to their stations.
Why Kes was talking with Tanis.
XXX
Then They came back and Tanis and his people went back to their station. As Kes and I went into my ready room.
"Sounds like you've established a dialogue with Tanis, It's an excellent beginning. Good work," I said.
"Thank you captain," Kes said.
"Kes," I said Is there something wrong?"
"Not exactly, I'm just a little overwhelmed," Kes said. "I always believed that my people had the potential to be more than what they were, that our mental abilities could be somehow heightened, and Now I've met someone who's realized that potential, and I don't know whether to be excited or frightened,"
"A non emotional response would be more useful," Tuvok said.
"But since you're not a Vulcan, I say a mixture of the 2 emotions would be appropriate. It's an exciting moment Kes, and I'm very happy for you. But just remember, we know very little about these Ocampa. Be cautious in your dealing with Tanis," I said.
"I will," Kes said. "But I just have a good feeling about him,"
Then Tuvok went back to his station. Leaving just Kes and I.
"What's wrong?" I said.
"He knows about us," Kes said.
"Tanis," I said.
"Yes," Kes said.
"Hey, We'll be okay," I said.
"I hope so," Kes said. I went round to her.
"Hey," I said. "I love you,"
"Love you too, Scott," Kes said. Then we kissed and Kes wrapped her hands around my neck as I wrapped my around her wrist. Which we stay till we needed to back up to catch our breath. "Scott, Tanis told me that his is 14 years old,"
"What, Didn't you say that the oldest Ocampa was 9," I said.
"Yes," Kes said.
"If we can find out how they have done it, We could do the same for you," I said.
"If we can," Kes said.
"Yeah," I said.
"I just wish I could live as long with you," Kes said.
"Kes, don't worry about me," I said. "I'll be fine,"
XXX
We left on route to the meeting place, Tanis give us. But something started to feel wrong. Good news was Tuvok was needing my assistance in Engineering.
"It's a highly reactive sporocystian toxin," Tuvok said.
"I ran a micro cellular analysis of the caretakers' remains, and discovered a critical enzyme in his cellular structure," Doc said.
"The energy in this cylinder if formulated to break down that enzyme. It would result in temporary paralysis," Tuvok said.
"Tanis says she's harmless, But I starting to feel like something is wrong," I said.
"It's my hope that we only have to use it as a precautionary measure," Tuvok said.
"Me too, Proceed, I want that in case this I got gets worse," I said.
"Aye captain," Tuvok said.
Then I left.
We were at the meeting place now we were just waiting.
"Torres to Bridge. The Caretakers remains are resonating again," B'Elanna said. "It's definitely reacting to a sporocystian life form, and from what I can tell, that life form is right on top of us,"
"Acknowledged," I said.
"Captain there's a subspace rupture forming directly ahead," Harry said.
"Shields up, McCall to Tanis, Will you please come to the Bridge," I said. "I believe we've made contact with Suspiria,"
"I know, I'm on my way," Tanis said.
"Captain, I'm picking up some strange readings in engineering," Harry said. "Some kind of plasmatic energy field is forming,"
"McCall to Torres, We're picking up some odd plasmatic readings down there, Can you confirm?" But nothing. " McCall to Torres, B'Elanna, respond," Still nothing. "Tuvok, Get down there,"
"Aye captain, Security, Meet me in main engineering," Tuvok said. Leaving the Bridge.
"Tuvok to Bridge," Tuvok said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"I Believe the female caretaker is here," Tuvok said.
"Commander you have the bridge," I said. Then I headed down there. But I could find Tuvok or B'Elanna.
"Tuvok?" I said.
Then I heard soft crying.
Then I went over and saw a girl.
"Who are you?" I said. Getting close to her level.
"Suspiria," She said.
"I've been looking forward to meeting you," I said.
"Why?" Suspiria said.
"I had the opportunity to talk to your Companion before he died," I said.
"Yes I know," Suspiria said.
"Also to bring you his remains, I don't know much about your customs with how your bury your dead, It just didn't feel right leaving him there, He did talk about you, told us about that you were curious and went off to explore the galaxy, We're explorers too, your friend brought us to this quadrant against our will, he couldn't send us back, he said about how very little time he had left," I said.
"Is that why you killed him?" Suspiria said.
"No, we didn't kill him," I said.
"You destroyed the array, You took his remains," Suspiria said.
"We couldn't let the Kazon get hold of that array, They would of killed everyone on the Ocampa homeworld, and as I said brought his remains so that you could bury him," I said.
"No, You killed him and Now I will kill you," Suspiria said.
then Blood dropped on my shoulder and I looked up to saw Tuvok and B'Elanna up there.
Then she tried hurting me. "Now you will know what rail, small creatures you truly are," Suspiria said.
Then the ship started shaking.
"Don't think so. Computer, Red alert," I said.
"Bridge to McCall, Bridge to McCall," Chakotay said.
"How do you stop this," She said.
"He knew what I was, What I could do," I said. As it kept going up. So enough my Eyes went Red. Stopping it a bit. "Stop this, we didn't come all this way to kill you, But to give you his remains have a proper Bury for him, and Ask if you would sent us home, Since he couldn't, Because he was dying and didn't have the strength to do so," Then it stopped completely and B'Elanna and Tuvok fell too. I grabbed the Toxin and hit her with it stopping this once and for all.
Then Tuvok put up a forcefield and I let my eyes stop glowing.
"So, now you kill me as you did my mate," Suspiria said.
"No, I told you we didn't kill him, Try to understand we don't want to hurt you, We don't want to hurt anyone, We just want to go home, To get back there to our families, Friends," I said putting the Toxin down. "Tuvok shut it down,"
"Captain," Tuvok said.
"Shut it down," I said.
Then He dropped the forcefield.
"You'd show me mercy after what I did to you?" Suspiria said.
"Yes, I would," I said.
Then she changed and went off.
"It appears she has descended into subspace," Tuvok said.
"Can you try track her," I said
"Negative, the rupture has been sealed," Tuvok said. "She is gone, Captain,"
"Damn it," I said. "Looks like we going home the old fashioned way. McCall to Bridge, Resume for home,"
Then I left Engineering and Into my quarters.
"Captain's log Supplemental, We've resumed our course back to the Alpha Quadrant, but the Female caretaker is still out there, with the power to send us home and I will use all my power to find her and convince her to do just that, But I doubt that we will ever meet again, End log," I said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and Safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!