Chapter 34.
Investigations
(Scott POV)
It was the day that Tom was going to leave for the finally phase of this mission. But I woke up, and I got up and checked on Chloe and Clara who was cuddled up to each other, Then I went and got showered and grabbed some Coffee, then I headed up to the bridge.
Then I went into my ready room where I was working on a few upgrades for Voyager, When my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
That was when Neelix walked in.
"Captain, I have heard that someone wanted to leave Voyager, A Member of the Crew," Neelix said.
"Just how, exactly did you hear that someone was leaving the ship?" I said.
"An old friend of mine is serving with a Talaxian Convoy, He told me they'd be rendezvousing with us in a few hours," Neelix said.
"McCall to Tuvok," I said.
"Yes Captain," Tuvok said.
"Could you join us in my ready room, please," I said.
"Right away," Tuvok said.
Then Came in and the doors closed.
"Lt, Neelix has heard on good authority that one of our crew will be leaving the ship in a few hours," I said. "Naturally, he's curious about the identity of this person, What are the security issues here?"
"I don't believe there are any serious concerns, Captain, There is no need to withhold this information any longer," Tuvok said.
"Lt Paris, has asked to be put off the Ship," I said.
"Tom," Neelix said.
"I'm sure you're aware that he's had some problems lately," I said.
"Well, yes," Neelix said.
"He has been disruptive, and often sets a bad example for the rest of the crew," Tuvok said.
"But he seemed so determined to get those things behind him, It means a lot to him to be respected by this crew," Neelix said.
"All I can tell you is that when he was relieved of duty, He asked me to make arrangement for him to leave Voyager," I said. "I tried to talk him out of it but he was adamant, We detected the Talaxian Convoy and they were more than happy to get a pilot of Tom's ability,"
"I can't believe this," Neelix said. "I never thought, Captain May I speak with him?"
"Of course, He's in his quarters getting ready," I said.
"Thank you Captain," Neelix said. Leaving.
"Showtime," I said.
"Agreed," Tuvok said.
XXX
Tuvok and I was in the conference room. When Neelix was finally making his next briefing.
"Good morning, Voyager," Neelix said. "I want to tell you about a friend of mine, I first met this man almost a year ago and, To tell you the truth, I didn't like him much, He seemed to little too cocky, a little too sure about himself, A lot of people had questions about him, He'd proven he'd pretty much sell himself out to the highest bidder, go wherever the wind blew him, So people wondered could you trust this person when things got tough? Would he stand side by side with you, or would he let you down when you needed him most? But the fact of the matter is he proved himself right from the beginning, I wouldn't be alive right now if it weren't for him, and the same goes for many of you, It took me a while to realize it, Like a lot of people I was too caught up in first impressions to see the truth that was right in front of me, I overlooked his bravery because I was focusing on his brashness. I ignored his courage because I saw it as arrogance and I resented his friendliness because I mistook it for licentiousness. So while this man was giving his best every minute of every day, I was busy judging him. And Now he's leaving. I'm proud to say that in spite of my narrow mindedness Thomas Eugene Paris became my friend, I'm going to miss him, No more laughs over a game of pool, No more sitting up into the wee hours swapping stories, No more complaints about my cooking, Goodbye, Tom, I think I speak for more of us than you might imagine when I say you're going to leave an empty space when you go, I hope you find what you're looking for,"
Then It cut off.
After another few hours, Tom was off Voyager on the Talaxian Convoy. Now it was a waiting game to see who would take the cheese.
Then Everyone was coming in for that briefing.
"Lt, Operation has detected a minute increase in the engine core temperature, are you aware of it?" I said.
"Yes, Captain, there's a slight imbalance in the magnetic constrictors, It's causing the plasma stream to overheat, I have a team working on it," B'Elanna said.
"Keep me posted, Neelix, I'm very pleased with your program especially your tribute to Lt Paris," I said.
"Thank you," Neelix said.
"Captain, Have you decided who's going to replace Paris?" Chakotay said.
"I have several people in mind, Baytart is one, Hamilton," I said.
"Captain, Do you think? I mean It's possible Tom might change his mind, to come back," Harry said. "Maybe you shouldn't replace him so quickly,"
"Harry, Tom made his decision with no indication that he had any doubts about it or that hi might change his mind in the near future, We have to accept that and move on," I said. "What's our tactical status?"
"All systems are functional," Tuvok said.
"Engineering to Torres," Jonas said.
"Go ahead," B'Elanna said.
"We have a problem here," Jonas said.
"What is it?" B'Elanna said.
"The Magnetic constrictors have lost alignment, The plasma stream is way too hot It's starting to infect the injector valves," Jonas said.
"I'm on my way," B'Elanna said.
"We're finished here, Dismissed," I said.
"Lt, If I may, This sounds like news of substance to me," Neelix said.
"Just stay out of our way," B'Elanna said.
Then we were on the bridge.
"Captain, the core is at 2.9 Million kelvins," Harry said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxon went red.
"It's at 3 Million Kelvins," Harry said. "3.2, Captain, we're venting plasma, It's dropping approaching safe levels,"
Then B'Elanna came up.
"What's the situation?" I said.
"The Warp Coils are fried," B'Elanna said.
"Any Casualties," I said.
"Minor, Just burns, They are with the Doctor now," B'Elanna said.
"McCall to Neelix," I said.
"Right here, Captain," Neelix said.
"Could you join us on the bridge, please?" I said.
"I'm on my way," Neelix said.
When Neelix got up to the Bridge.
"The Plasma burst irradiated the Engine Nacelles, The inner layer of the Warp coils was burned away," I said.
"Which means the Warp engines are useless until we can rebuild them," B'Elanna said.
"They're made form a substance known as Verterium Cortenide, Do you know where we can find a source," Chakotay said.
"Verterium Cortenide, If I'm not mistaken that's a densified composite material," Neelix said.
"That's right, It composed of Polysilicate Verterium and Monocrystal Cortenum" B'Elanna said.
"Do you know of any nearby source?" I said.
"Let's see, There's a yellow dwarf system called Hemikek with an Class M planet quite rich in minerals, Mining right belong to a consortium of nonaggressive people, I'm sure we could make arrangements to purchase some Verterium and Cortenum," Neelix said.
"Good work, Neelix," I said.
"Captain, Message coming in from the Talaxian Convoy," Harry said.
"On screen," I said.
"Captain McCall," Laxeth said.
"What's happened?" I said.
"We were attacked by the Kazon-Nistrim," Laxeth said.
"Do you have casualties? How can we help?" I said.
"We have no serious casualties, and they didn't take any of our cargo, The one thing thing they were interested in we your former Crewman, Thomas Paris," Laxeth said. "They took him aboard their ship and then left, I thought you'd want to know,"
"Thank you," I said.
"If we hear anything about him or from him we will contact you right away," Laxeth said.
"Thank you," I said.
Then they ended the call.
"Set course for Hemikek, Full impulse," I said.
"Captain we should go after Tom," Harry said.
"We don't have warp drive, When we do we will see if we can find him until them we focus on getting Voyager's warp drive back online," I said.
XXX
"Captain Log. Stardate 49485.2. In spite of the fact that Tom Paris has been abducted by the Kazon, We must continue on course for the Hemikek system, End Log," I said.
Then Tuvok came in.
Then once the doors closes.
"It seems we now know it was a former Maquis officer," Tuvok said.
"That's true. But We can rule out B'Elanna and Chakotay for sure, Something about this incident that just happened with the coils too. I want scans for any Kazon ships while we maintain our course for Hemikek," I said.
"Understood," Tuvok said.
Then Neelix programme came on again. While we were in my Ready room.
"My friends, I derive no satisfaction from what I am about to tell you, I know I originally promised you that I would only bring you good news, However," Neelix said. "I feel it's important that you know the truth, I have uncovered evidence that casts serious doubt on the loyalties of Lt Thomas Paris, I have discovered secret communications to the Kazon that were sent from his quarters just prior to his leaving the ship,"
"Get him up here, Now," I said.
"There was a series of messages sent to the Kazon for some weeks before his departure," Neelix said.
XXX
Tuvok brought Neelix in and Chakotay came too.
"How did you trace those transmission to Tom's Quarters," I said.
"It was I believe it was called signal correlation traces, Mr. Hogan was helping me and he detected them," Neelix said.
"When I looked for signal correlation traces there were none," Tuvok said. "That means someone placed them in the system after my initial investigation,"
"What initial Investigations?" Chakotay said. "Captain what's going on?"
"What I am about to say will come as a surprise to you commander, There has been a spy aboard Voyager, But it isn't Tom Paris," I said.
"It isn't," Neelix said.
"No, Lt Paris is in fact part of our plan," Tuvok said.
"Plan," Chakotay said.
"Some weeks ago, Tuvok discovered evidence of covert transmissions leaving Voyager through the EPS system, We realized there was someone on this ship communicating with the Kazon, Now We know it's the Kazon-Nistrim they were talking too," I said.
"However we were unable to ascertain who that person was," Tuvok said.
"We needed a way to flush out the spy and we had exhausted all conventional means That's when we thought of using Tom, Finding a way to get him on the Kazon ship, And find out who the soy is," I said.
"Are you saying Paris insulting behaviour the Gambling being late for duty mouthing off at me, Was all a ruse," Chakotay said.
"Yes," I said.
"It was important that his decision to leave the ship appear plausible, so he began behaving like a malcontent," Tuvok said.
"And the reason I wasn't let in on this little plan?" Chakotay said.
"We didn't know which Kazon gang that was being contacted. We Suspected that the spy was a Maquis, Now we know, It is one of the former Maquis members, But We can easily rule out you and B'Elanna. Since it's the Nistrim Sect that is being contacted which means Seska, You 2 would never want anything to do with them," I said.
"In other words, you didn't trust me," Chakotay said
"Chakotay we needed what we got a good performance, yes, We used you to help Tom provide it and you did a damn good job, exactly what we needed even if you didn't know about it. Now it seems Neelix's investigation has made someone nervous, Nervous enough to put a trail in the computer system for him to follow," I said.
"Could it be Hogan?" Chakotay said.
"I don't think so," Neelix said. "He was just the person walking by who Lt Torres asked to help me,"
"The spy may be a little cozy now, Since you took the bait and pointed the finger at Tom, But we don't want him cozy, I want him to feel some pressure," I said.
"Perhaps we should take advantage of Mr. Neelix's unintentional blunder," Tuvok said.
"Exactly, Neelix, You are to keep investigating, Do what you've been doing poke around, ask questions, but let people think you're not so sure you were right about Tom Paris," I said.
"That would put Neelix in a potentially dangerous situation," Chakotay said.
"we would keep an open com link with you at all hours, My security team could act immediately if anything were to happen," Tuvok said.
"It's up to you, Neelix," I said. "This is purely voluntary,"
"Anything I can do to help captain, and get Tom home safely I want to do," Neelix said.
"Then let's get to work," I said.
XXX
We were on the Bridge.
"Captain, I getting a signal, It's from Tom," Harry said. "There's a Kazon ship following,"
"Red Alert," I said, As the Klaxon went Red. "Bridge to Engineering,"
"Jonas Here, Captain," Jonas said.
"I need you to increase Transporter range, Shunt all available power to Transporter Room 2," I said.
"Right Away," Jonas said.
"Let me know as soon as you've done it, We have an incoming shuttle, and we've Identified Human life signs It may be Tom Paris," I Said.
"Yes Sir," Jonas said.
"Paris to Voyager, Paris to Voyager, do you read me yet," Tom said.
"Voyager to Paris, We hear you," I said.
"Captain, Change your course immediately, The Kazon have ground Troops waiting for you n Hemikek, and more ships on the way," Tom said.
"We'll get you out of there as soon as we can Tom," I said. "You're still out of Transporter Range, we won't change course until we've locked on to you,"
"I can take care of myself, Just get Voyager to safety," Tom said.
"As soon as you're on board, Tom what happened? Are you all right? Tom," I said. "Bridge to Jonas, we need those transporters now,"
"I'm working on it, Captain," Jonas said. "I'm having trouble resetting the EPS manifold,"
"Stay on it," I said. "Tom, Tom Respond,"
"I'm here, Captain," Tom said.
"We'll be in normal transporter Range in one more Minute," I said.
"Captain, The spy, It's Michael Jonas," Tom said. "He's the one that sabotaged the ship,"
"Got it Tom, McCall to Tuvok, Get to Engineering Right now. It's Michael Jonas," I said.
"On our way," Tuvok said.
"Shuttle hull starting to breach," Tom said. "Might not make it captain,"
"We're in transporter Range, Captain," Harry said.
"Voyager to Paris," I said. "Tom can you hear me, Beam him out of there, transporter Room 2 do you have him?"
"We have him Captain, He's all right," He said.
Then we got hit.
"It's the Kazon ship, Captain," Harry said.
"Return Fire," I said. "McCall to Tuvok are you in Engineering yet,"
"The Doors are sealed," Tuvok said. "We're working on it captain,"
"Bridge to Transporter room 2, Lock on to Mr. Jonas in Engineering and beam him out of there," I said.
"Aye captain," he said. "All I got was his combadge, captain,"
"Captain we've lost weapons," Harry said. "It looks like the Phasers arrays have been disabled from Engineering,"
"What about the drones," I said.
"They're Offline too," Harry said.
"Evasive Maneuvers, Ensign, Harry the weapons back on line, Try for the Drones I can target them myself," I said.
"Captain, Weapons are back online," Harry said.
"Fire at will," I said.
"Yes sir," Harry said. "Got them, They dead in the water,"
"Helm get us out here full impulse," I said.
"Aye Captain," the Ensign said.
"Bridge to Tuvok, I'm standing down Red alert," I said.
Then the klaxons went off and light's came back.
XXX
The Next day Tom was on with Neelix.
"And fortunately, I was able to steal one of the Kazon shuttles and escape," Tom said.
"An amazing story, amazing," Neelix said.
"Now, I'd like to say something more, if I might," Tom said.
"Of course," Neelix said.
"I know that I've been acting like a jerk for the last couple of months, Unfortunately, I had to behave that way if the spy was going to believe that I really wanted to leave the ship, So I'd like to apologize to anyone that I might have offended. Especially Commander Chakotay, I gave him a pretty hard time, Not that it wasn't a certain amount of fun mind you," Tom said.
"There you have it Ladies and Gentlemen, The true hero of this whole endeavour, Lt Thomas Eugene Paris, Well, I'm afraid that's all the time we have, Oh, I'd like to apologize to the Doctor for not getting around to him once again today, But I promise you he'll be here tomorrow with lots of fascinating information about the Bolian digestive system, Good Day Voyager," Neelix said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to Follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!