Chapter 95.
The Disease.
(Leah POV) (Not longer going to be put Scott for that POV any more. Just a Heads up)
"Captain's Log, Supplemental, After 2 weeks, we're close to repairing the Varro's Warp Drive, Then There's the Varro Crew, I'm starting to think they'd rather give up warp travel than accept help from strangers, End log," I said.
As I got to the command deck.
"I thought we agreed Central controls would be off limits," Jippeq said.
"We did but I need to access your warp assembly," I said.
"That Technology's classified," Jippeq said.
"WE have to reconfigure the assembly if we're going to finish this job," I said.
"Then Consider it finished," Jippeq said.
"We've come this far," I said.
"You've turned out ship upside down for 2 weeks," Jippeq said. "I've yet to see any results,"
"You might check the antimatter injectors," I said.
"Back on line," Jippeq said.
"All you need now is a jolt of antimatter from Voyager's engines and you'll be back in business, But I need access to your warp assembly," I said. "You know, I can understand why you're distrustful of other species, Frankly we've had a rough time in the Delta Quadrant ourselves, But our 2 species have make remarkable progress working together to repair your engines. We've come a long way since you ignored our opening hails. Let's not throw all that away,"
"I'll admit we do share some things in common," Jippeq said.
"We're both on long journeys, looking for allies, In many ways, we're like cousins," I said.
"Cousins," Jippeq said.
"Well, distant cousins, think about it, 400 years ago, you started out the same way we did, A single starship, A small crew, facing the unknown and now centuries later, you've grown into a generational ship, With a history and culture all your own. When I look at your vessel, I can't help but wonder if I'm seeing Voyager's future. Our journey could easily last several generations. So what do you say, Cousin," I said.
"You can access the warp assembly from here," Jippeq said.
"Thank you," I said. "Status," As B'Elanna and Tom get here.
"Their plasma couplings are on line, We're ready for the antimatter transfer," B'Elanna said.
"The Let's get started, McCall to Voyager," I said. "Status,"
"Ready here, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Then fire up the transfer," I said.
"Warp reactors 1 through 14 are coming on line," Jippeq said. "It's working,"
"Keep your fingers crossed, For luck," I said.
After a few minutes, Harry came in. After another minutes, Their assistant Engineer comes in too.
As we felt a jolt.
"Warp reaction's destabilizing," Jippeq said. "Tal,"
"I can't find the problem," Tal said.
"We're less than a minute away from multiple core breaches," I said. "McCall to Voyager, Abort the Transfer,"
"Done," Chakotay said.
"So much for finger crossing," Jippeq said.
"B'Elanna," I said.
"I'm reading Microfractures all over the hull," B'Elanna said.
"Why couldn't we detect that before," Jippeq said.
"Good question, We'll have to check the hulls on each of your vessels Segments," I said.
"But that'll take days," Jippeq said.
"The sooner we start, the sooner we finish," I said.
XXX
I got a report from the Doctor about Harry.
As my Door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
As Harry Came in.
"I expected more from you," I said
"I'm sorry," Harry said. "I don't know what I was thinking,"
"Don't you, I've seen Tal, She's an impressive, Young, Beautiful. But that's no excuse to ignore your obligations as a Starfleet Officer," I said.
"Yes, Captain," Harry said.
"There's a reason you took a semester of interspecies protocol at the academy, There's also a reason why the Handbook on personal relationships is 3 centimeters thick," I said.
"All Starfleet personnel must obtain authorization from their CO as well as Clearance from their medical officer before initiating an intimate relationship with an Alien Species," Harry said.
"Bravo, unfortunately, your recitation comes a little late, According to the Doctor, You condition isn't life threatening, There's no reason to confine you to sickbay, But I do agree with his recommendation run full bio scans on both you and Tal, And her people need to be told, So they can evaluate any bio threat you might've introduced into their population, We're trying to help these people, Harry, Earn their trust, I was even hoping they might return the favour, Share their technology, their insights into long terms space travel, but your little escapade put that in jeopardy," I said.
"Permission to speak freely," Harry said.
"Go for it," I said.
"With all due respect, This wasn't a fling, I've really gotten to know Tal, and I've developed true feelings for her," Harry said.
"Noted, But there are regulations and you've broken them. I'm ordering you to put an end to this relationship. Do you understand," I said.
"Yes, Sir," Harry said.
"Dismissed," I said.
As Harry left.
XXX
I was in my quarters with Chakotay as the Girl were at the Mess hall.
"Learn anything about this supposed uprising," Chakotay said.
"Jippeq said the rumours are just that, Rumours," I said. "But he's questioning our stowaway just to be certain. New protocols for working with the Varro, After the Incident with Harry, They insisted we keep our crews segregated,"
"That's pretty severe," Chakotay said.
"Harry violated protocol, Frankly I understand their position," I said.
"Is that why you came down hard on him," Chakotay said.
"Guess I wanted to leave an impression, Chalk it up to growing pains," I said.
"Well he looks pained all right," Chakotay said. "Until now he's had a spotless record,"
"What are you implying," I said.
"Are you angry because Harry Disobeyed orders or because he let you down," Chakotay said.
"I set the same standards for all this crew," I said.
"If I object to one of your decisions, you'll hear me out, Even insist I speak up," Chakotay said.
"Don't let you do that, on that Asteroid field," I said.
"Back on that Class D system," Chakotay said.
"Yeah," I said.
"You were right at the time," Chakotay said.
"You're my first officer, Harry's an ensign. He hasn't got the right to question my order whatever his personal views," I said.
"I see," Chakotay said.
"Engineering to the Captain," B'Elanna said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We found something," B'Elanna said.
"On my way," I said.
XXX
"Do your officers make a habit of seducing the species they encounter," Jippeq said.
"Certainly not, but It's my understanding that this relationship was consensual," I said.
"I find that difficult to believe," Jippeq said. "We don't share your cavalier attitude toward intimacy,"
"Our attitude is anything but cavalier, Ensign Kim has already been reprimanded. What about Tal, What happens to her," I said.
"In our society, mating is taken very seriously, When 2 people choose each other, the boding is permanent, they become biochemically linked, Separation is rare," Jippeq said. "It induces illness sometimes fatal, What's to become of Tal when your ensign flies off in search of his next conquest,"
"Captain," B'Elanna sad.
"You found something," I said.
"We've detected microfractures in one of Voyagers docking ports," B'Elanna said.
"Microfractures, Thats the same problem we've been having," Jippeq said.
"A coincidence," I said.
"I had suspicion that it wasn't, 7 confirmed them," B'Elanna said.
"7," I said.
"Observe, Silicon based parasites which feed on duranium alloys, Apparently began replicating on the Varro ship's hull several months ago and then migrated to Voyager," 7 said.
"We analyzed them and found artificial gene sequences. The Parasites are synthetic," B'Elanna said.
"They may have been created by someone aboard your vessel," 7 said.
"Sabotage, I don't believe it," Jippeq said.
"Perhaps not everyone is content to be in your collective," 7 said.
"So much for it being rumours," I said. "Find a way to stop these things,"
XXX
We were in the conference room. As Tuvok got Harry and Tal.
"There's no point in lying, We found the schematic for the parasite on your personal database, You realize this could destroy our ship, our home," Jippeq said.
"To some of us, It's more like a prison," Tal said.
"So you've resorted to sabotage, no doubt involving him," Jippeq said.
"Mr. Kim's complicity remains to be proven," Tuvok said.
"He had nothing to do with our movement," Tal said.
"Movement," Harry said.
"Tell them," Tal said.
"It's none of their concern," Jippeq said.
"If you want our help, you'll need to explain," I said.
"She's referring to a small group of dissidents," Jippeq said.
"It's not a small group, there are hundreds of us," Tal said.
"What are you trying to achieve," I said.
"Our freedom," Tal said. "The right to live as we choose to go where we choose,"
"How will you accomplish that if your vessel is destroyed," Tuvok said.
"We're not trying to destroy it, we're trying to dismantle it," Tal said. "The parasites weren't placed randomly, They're targeting the linkages between segments, Each segment will become its own ship, People can decide whether to go or stay,"
"You're destroying the work of every generation that came before you, Our ship isn't just a collection of modules, It's an expression or unity, Tradition," Jippeq said. "For the sake of our history, we must respect the rights of,"
"The Majority," Tal said.
"Yes," Jippeq said.
"What about the right of the minority," Tal said.
"Tal if those segments come apart, there could be decompressive explosions most likely casualties, Is that what you want," I said. "You know more about the parasites than we do, You could help us,"
"Captain, She's a criminal" Jippeq said.
"And maybe your only chance of stopping a catastrophe, Set up a datalink with Voyager, We'll do what we can from our end," I said.
"Tal," Harry said.
"I'll help you slow down the parasites, so you can evacuate the segments in danger. Nothing more," Tal said.
"Let's get started," Jippeq said. As they went.
"Tuvok," I said. As he left.
"Captain," Harry said.
"Stow it ensign, right now the only thing standing between you and the Brig is this report, The Doc's Bio scans, Confirm that you and Tal have developed some sort of Biochemical bond. Clearly it's affected your behaviour, So I have to assume that's why you disobeyed my orders, Report to Sickbay, You'll be confined there until this is over," I said headed for the Bridge.
"Captain," Harry said.
"I told you to report for treatment," I said.
"I don't want treatment," Harry said.
"in my ready room," I said. Heading in there. Once the doors closed. "You've got 30 seconds before have Tuvok drag you to Sickbay,"
"Captain, I am not sick, I didn't disobey your orders because I'm under some alien influence. I disobeyed your orders because Tal and I are in love, and it's not right for you to keep us apart," Harry said.
"Listen to yourself, You don't sound anything like the Harry Kim I know," I said.
"Good, I have served on this ship for 5 years and said Yes, Sir, to every one of your orders but not this time," Harry said.
"You're willing to risk your Rank, Your career over this," I said.
"Have you ever been in love, Captain," Harry said.
"Your point," I said.
"Did your skin ever flush when you were near another person Did your stomach ever feel like someone hollowed it out with a knife when you were apart, Did your throat ever swell when you realized it was over, 7. 7 told me love's like a disease, Well maybe it is Pheromones, endorphins, Chemicals in our bloods changing our responses, Physical discomfort, but any way you look at it, It's still love," Harry said.
"For the sake of argument, Let's say you're right, Your feeling for Tal are no different than mine for what, The first person I ever loved. Well I lost Her, and you're going to lose Tal, You know that, What the Doctor is offering you is a way to ease the pain," I said.
"That girl, you loved, If you could have just taken a hypospray to make yourself stop loving her, so that it didn't hurt so much when you were away from her, Would you have done that," Harry said.
As there was an explosion.
"Captain to the Bridge," Chakotay said.
As I headed out we were at Red alert.
"We're detecting structural breaches on the Varro ship," Chakotay said.
"Take your station," I said.
"Their shields are weakening," Tuvok said.
"One of the junctions is about to decompress," Harry said.
"On screen," I said.
As we got hit.
"Tom Release the Docking clamps, Back us away," I said.
"Docking controls are offline," Tom said. "I can't break us free,"
"Their shields are continuing to weaken, The superstructure will collapse in less than 3 minutes," Tuvok said.
"If that happens while we're still docked," Chakotay said. As we shook again.
"Keep trying to break free, McCall to Varro Control room," I said. "What's your status,"
"Tal was able to slow the parasites, growth with a polaron surge, but the junctions are still destabilizing," Jippeq said
"How much longer until you've evacuated the affected areas," I said.
"We need another 2 minutes at least," Tal said.
"I've got the docking controls back on line," Tom said.
"Initiate decompression sequence," Chakotay said.
"Wait, If we stay where we are and extend Voyager's Structural integrity field around the Varro ship, We could buy them another minutes or 2," Harry said. "They could finish the evacuation,"
"However if an explosion occurs while both ships are inside the field, Neither vessel will survive," Tuvok said.
"We can do it Captain," Harry said.
"Keep us where we are, McCall to Engineering," I said.
"Torres here," B'Elanna said.
"Divert all available power to the integrity field and extend it around the Varro ship. Use the ZPMs if you have too," I said.
"Understood," B'Elanna said.
After another minute.
"Tal to Voyager, The evacuation's complete. Disengage your structural field and move to a safe distance," Tal said.
"Acknowledged, Tom," I said.
"Releasing Docking clamps," Tom said. "We're free Going to full impulse, We're clear,"
XXX
"Captain's log, supplemental, most of the Varro have opted to stay together, travelling in separate ships, but the dissident group has been granted permission to break away and find their own path, We wish them luck, End Log," I said.
It's been a few days as The Doc called me down to sickbay.
"Captain, just the person I wanted to see, This nonsense has gone on long enough, Order Mr. Kim to take his medicine," Doc said.
"Is his condition fatal," I said.
"That's hardly the point," Doc said.
"Will he recover without taking his medicine," I said.
"Yes, but it could take weeks, even months," Doc said.
"Well then if Mr. Kim wants to suffer," I said.
"Sometimes I think everyone on this ship has been possessed by alien hormones," Doc said.
"Would you excuse us, please," I said.
As the Doc went.
"Thank you," Harry said.
"Oh don't thank me, I have no intention of relieving you of your duties no matter how lousy you feel," I said.
"I understand," harry said.
"I've been thinking about how I reacted to your relationship with Tal," I said.
"You reacted like any Captain would," Harry said.
"Probably but I can't help wondering if my response would have been the same if it had been say, Tom instead of you," I said. "Don't get me wrong, I still would have been angry and disappointed but, I wouldn't have been surprised,"
"Because Ensign Kim doesn't break the rules," Harry said.
"The truth is Harry, I think about you differently the the rest of the crew, Which isn't to suggest that I don't care deeply about each of them but, You came fresh out of the academy, Wide eyed with excitement about your first deep space assignment, From that first day, I've always felt more protective of you than the others," I said.
"I appreciate that, But that was 5 years ago, I've changed," Harry said.
"Yes, you have," I said.
"Maybe I'm not the perfect officer anymore," Harry said.
"Maybe not, But you're a better man," I said.
That's all for this Chapter,
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!