Chapter 101.
Equinox, Part 1 and 2.
End Season 5, Start Season 6
(Leah POV)
I was called to Astrometrics. With Chakotay.
"What have you got," I said.
"This," 7 said.
"This is Captain Ramson of the Federation Starship Equinox, We're under attack. We need assistance," Ramson said.
"Stop," I said. "Ramson, He was in charge of a science ship the Equinox,"
"His distress call was transmitted approximately 14 hours ago," 7 said.
"Distance," Chakotay said.
"3.2 lightyears," 7 said.
"Try to get a fix on their location," I said.
"What's it doing in the Delta Quadrant," Chakotay said.
"Perhaps it's searching for Voyager," 7 said.
"The Equinox is a Nova Class ship, It was designed for planetary research, Not long range tactical missions," I said.
"I've got their coordinates," 7 said, "Heading 258 mark 12,"
"Set a course, Maximum warp, Go to Red Alert," I said To Chakotay and he left. "Hold on Ramson,"
"Did you know this individual," 7 said.
"Only by his reputation, he was an exobiologist promoted to Captain, after he made first contact with the Yridians," I said.
"Species 6291, The Collective determined that they were extinct," 7 said.
"So did the Federation, Ramson Proved otherwise," I said. "I always wanted to meet him, too bad it won't be under better circumstances,"
"I look forward to meeting him as well and his crew, I wish to explain my knowledge of humanity," 7 said.
"Let's hope, we get the chance," I said. "Not like you need it," As I smiled at her.
XXX
We were on the Bridge.
"We're approaching the coordinates," Tom said.
"Drop to impulse," I said.
"I've got them, 2,000 kilometers off the port bow," Harry said. "They're moving at low Impulse,"
"Tom Intercept, Can you get a visual," I said.
"They are heavily damaged, Multiple hull breaches, Warp drive is offline," Tuvok said.
"What's happening to their shields," Neelix said.
"They're being disrupted by some king of energy surges," B'Elanna said.
"Weapons fire," Tom said.
"There are no other ships in the vicinity," Tuvok said.
"We're in hailing range," Harry said.
"Open a channel," I said. "This is Captain Leah McCall of the Federation starship Voyager, We're responding to your,"
"Voyager, You've got extend your shields around our ship, Match the emitter frequency," Ransom said.
"Are you under attack," I said.
"Shields quickly," Ransom said.
"Do it," I said.
"We're in position," Tom said.
"I'm attempting to match their shield frequency," Tuvok said.
As there was some kind of noise.
"What is that," I said.
"Interspatial fissures are opening on Deck 10, 6 and 1," 7 said.
"Tuvok," I said.
"Stand by," Tuvok said. "Done Shields are holding,"
"The Fissures," Chakotay said.
"No sign of them," 7 said.
"Voyager to Ransom, Captain," I said, But nothing. "Assemble rescue teams, Secure the Equinox, Tuvok,"
XXX
As we finally got to the Bridge. As we started going around until I found someone sitting as I used my Tricorder and found him to be alive.
"My crew," Ransom said.
"You took heavy casualties, We're treating the survivors, who attacked you," I said.
"We don't know, We can't communicate with them, They've been attacking us for weeks," Ransom said.
"Easy, Easy," I said.
"I've got to secure the ship," Ransom said.
"Let that to us," I said.
"No, Treat me here, I'm not leaving my Bridge," Ransom said.
"I can't pull rank on you, Captain, you are in no condition to put up a fight," I said.
"So, How's Earth," Ransom said.
"Wish I can say," I said.
"You weren't send here to find us," Ransom said.
"No, We've been stuck in the Delta Quadrant for 5 years, we were brought here against our will by an alien called The," I said.
"Caretaker," Ransom said.
"We'll compare notes later on, Let's get you to Voyager," I said.
XXX
"We're here to commemorate our honoured dead. Lt William Yates, Lt John Bowler, Ensign Dorothy Chang, Ensign Edward Regis and Crewman David Amanti, Who all served with distinction their bravery and sacrifice will not be forgotten, They will be missed. But now, there is cause for Optimism. Captain McCall, Voyager, On behalf of my crew. Thank you," Ransom said.
"We'll have time to give the newest members of our family a proper welcome in the days ahead, but right now we've got our hands full. The Equinox is secure, But it's primary systems are still badly damaged. Harry, B'Elanna Make it your priority. Captain Ransom has provided us with Data regarding the Alien Attacks, Tuvok, 7, You'll be working with first officer Maxwell Burke. To kindred spirits, May our journey home together be swift. Dismissed," I said.
As I headed as will as Ransom.
"I'm a glad to see another Federation Ship," Ransom said.
"Same here, We thought we were the only ones here. Guess we were wrong. It be honest I wouldn't be surprised if half of the Ships we had disappear from the Badlands wasn't due to the Caretaker," I said.
"Or they got destroyed by the plasma storms," Ransom said. "Not to be rude or anything. But If I remember right There was another captain in charge of Voyager,"
"Kathryn Janeway, Yeah. She and a number of crew members dead after the shockwave hit in the Badlands bring us to this quadrant," I said. "I'll be in charge ever since,"
"Sorry," Ransom said.
"Don't, Only thing I hate about that is she dead on her first trip out with Voyager," I said.
As we got to the Turbolift.
"Deck 8," I said.
"Voyager went to the Badlands to find the Maquis didn't you," Ransom said.
"Those members aren't Maquis anymore, Ever since they ship was destroyed at the Array Battle with the Kazon. We basically Merged both crew into one," I said.
"We remember the Kazon we head a some run in with one of the secs at the time. but we managed to get away," Ransom said.
As we got there and headed for Astrometric.
"I've Run a thermographic analysis of our shields," 7 said. "It revealed multiple stress points, We believe they're the result of alien attempts to infiltrate our vessels,"
"Each time a fissure opens within a meter of our shields, it weakens them by .3%," Tuvok said.
"At the present rate we have less than 2 days to mount a defense," I said.
"According to your bio-scans, the alien can survive in our realm for only several seconds," 7 said.
"They're like Fish out of water, But they can do a lot of damage in those seconds," Ransom said.
"Nevertheless it is a tactical weakness, Perhaps we can exploit it," Tuvok said.
"What have you got in mind," Maxwell said.
"If we can show them we have the ability to hold them here they'll think twice before launching another attack," 7 said.
"But how do we catch these fish," I said.
"You build a net," Max said.
"Commander," I said.
"A multiphasic forcefield to be exact. We wanted to see what we were up against, so we built a small chamber that could keep one of them trapped for several minutes," Max said.
"If we could expand on that technology, We might be able to create a latticework of multiphasic forcefields around both ships," I said.
"Rudy," Max said.
"If Captain McCall agrees," Ransom said.
"We'll need to examine that stasis chamber," I said.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, It's in our research lab, That whole section was flooded with thermionic radiation during the last attack, It will be weeks before we can get in there," Ransom said.
"The design schematics are in our auxiliary datacore," Max said.
"I'll see if I can download them, You give me a hand," Ransom said.
"Let's go," I said.
As we Beam over to the Equinox.
"I couldn't help but notice your crew called you by your first name," I said.
"When you've been in the trenches as long as we have, Rank and protocol are luxuries, Besides, we're a long way from Starfleet Command," Ransom said.
"I know the feeling," I said.
"You seem to run a pretty tight ship," Ransom said.
"We've been known to let our hair down from time to time, But I find that maintaining protocol reminds us of where we came from and hopefully where we're going," I said.
"It seems to work quite well for you," Ransom said.
"Oh we've overcome our share of obstacles, Warp core Breaches. Ion storms a few rounds with the Borg," I said.
"The Borg," Ransom said. "We haven't seen so much as a cube since the day we arrived,"
"Consider yourselves lucky, They got a lot more sinister," I said.
"What do you mean," Ransom said.
"Well, Do you ever hear of someone who beat the Academy in 2 years," I said.
"Yes, Scott McCall," Ransom said.
"That was me," I said.
"No way," Ransom said.
"Yeah, We had a problem on a heist we pulled on a Borg Sphere, To steal a transwarp coil to enhance our engines. Got a good 10 years closer to home with it. But I was stuck on the sphere. The Bitch knew where I was the entire time. Boosted about it also. Then She knocked me out and done this. Got out of it through. Only thing was that this was Permeant," I said.
"How long did this happen," Ransom said.
"At least a few months ago," I said. "Getting used to it though,"
"Have you ever run into the Krowtonan Guard,," Ransom said.
"Never heard of them," I said.
"It was how we spent our first week in the Delta Quadrant they claimed we violated their territory, I gave the order to keep going. I lost 39, Half my crew," Ransom said.
"Sorry," I said.
"We never recovered from that lost. It changed everything," Ransom said.
"What do you mean," I said.
"When I first realized that we'd be travelling across the Delta Quadrant for the rest of our lives, I told my crew, that we had a duty as Starfleet officers to expand our knowledge and uphold our principles, After a couple of Years, We started to forget that we were explorers, Then there were times when we nearly forgot we were human being," Ransom said.
"This is Nova Class Science Vessel, Designed for short term research missions, minimal weapons, You can't even go faster than Warp 8, Frankly I don't know how you've done it, But you have obviously travelled as far as we have with much fewer resources," I said.
"I with that I could take all the credit, but we stumbled across a wormhole, and made a few enhancements on our warp engines," Ransom said. "I'd like to ask you something, Captain to Captain, The prime Directive, How many times how often have you broken it, for the sake of protecting your crew,"
"Broken it for those reasons, Never. Once when we came across a species who had the technology to travel over 40,000 light years, Who only cared about their Pleasure. We made a deal for the Technology for a copy of the entire story Library from all the cultures. Then Another time when I member of my crew almost tried to get arrested for thoughts, Which was stupid, I beamed her back to Voyager and stayed until we how the real person who did that crime, Other than those 2 never again," I said. "You,"
"I've walking the line once or Twice, but nothing serious and to be honest can't blame you for those 2," Ransom said.
"One Thing is for sure. I would never give another weapons technology, Ever," I said.
"There you are," Ransom said. As he found the Plate for the Equinox.
"Its a good omen let's put it back to where it Belongs," I said.
XXX
I was back in my quarters with my girls as we had dinner. Then we heard the whirring again as I got my Phaser.
"McCall to bridge, Report," I said.
"Lateral shields are offline," Tuvok said.
"Fissures are opening on Deck 1, 3, 8, and 11," Harry said.
"Harry use ZPM 1 to the shields," I said.
"Done," Harry said.
As it stopped.
"What happened," Harry said.
"Apparently, the alien began to focus their attack on a single shield vector, It collapsed before the auxiliary emitter could respond," Tuvok said.
"It looks like they've changed their tactics, Captain we may have less time than we thought," Chakotay said.
"Tuvok Have security Teams on all decks and every security possible, If they do break through I want to be Ready," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"Clara Got you Phaser. Chloe stay close to your sister," I said.
"On it Dad," Clara said.
"I will Daddy," Chloe said.
"That's my girls," I said.
XXX
"We've examined the schematics of your Multiphasic chamber, It can be adapted," 7 said. "We intend to create an auto initiating security grid,"
"The moment an alien invades either ship, a forcefield will surround it," Tuvok said.
"Once we modify our field generator to emit multiphasic frequencies, It will power the security grid on both ships," 7 said.
"How long will it take," I said.
"Approximately 14 hours," Tuvok said.
"We don't know when they'll break through again, we may not last that long," Gilmore said.
"We could cut the time in half if we evacuate all personal from the Equinox, and focus our efforts here on Voyager," Chakotay said.
"Remember we are still 35,000 light years from Earth, We should try to preserve both ships," Ransom said.
"With 2 vessels, we'd be able to pool our recourses, doubling our chance at finding a shortcut home," Max said.
"Normally I'd agree, but right now, one of our ships is vulnerable, Chakotay's right, We make our stand on Voyager," I said.
"I don't want to force the issue, But I am prepared to return to the Equinox with my crew," Ransom said. "What is the protocol in this situation, We have 2 captain and 2 ships, Who gets the last word,"
"Starfleet Regulation 191 Article 14, In a combat situation involving more than one ship, command falls to the vessel with Tactical superiority. I looked it up this morning," I said.
"Good thinking," Ransom said.
"In this case, Protocol recognizes my authority," I said.
"Are you ordering me to abandon my ship," Ransom said.
"I'd rather not have to," I said.
"And that protocol was written in the Alpha Quadrant, I'm not sure that it makes much sense out here," Ransom said.
"The regulations stands, The sooner we get this field generator online, the sooner we can get back to fixing the Equinox," I said.
"Who am I to dispute protocol or that way of thinking," Ransom said. "Give Captain McCall your full cooperation,"
"Rudy," Max said.
"Max, that's an order, She's right, the sooner we get that field generator online. The sooner can get back to fixing our ship," Ransom said. "If that's all captain, I'd like to return to my quarters and collect a few mementos,"
"By all means, That includes your crew too," I said.
XXX
I was in my Ready room as Tuvok and 7 came here.
"The lab was contaminated intentionally," Tuvok said.
"Why," I said.
"Only one, Ransom doesn't want us to enter the research lab," Tuvok said.
"He has been adamant about protecting his ship," I said. "I thought it was simply a Captain's pride, I want to take a closer look at that lab, If we close off the EPS Conduits, how long will it take to vent the radiation,"
"Several hours," 7 said.
"I don't wanna wait that long, Send the Doc. He'll be immune to its effect, tell him to look for anything out of the ordinary, Monitor his progress from Astrometrics," I said.
"Shall I notify, Captain Ransom," Tuvok said.
"Not yet, I want to wait until we test your theory," I said.
XXX
"The Alien Compound, 10 isograms, If I understand your calculations, That's enough to increase your warp factor by, what, .03% for one month. Unfortunately, that boost wouldn't get you very far. So you'd need to replenish the supply. And that means killing another lifeform and then another, How many lives would it take to get you back to the Alpha quadrant. I think you know the reason we're under attack. These aliens are trying to protect themselves from you," I said.
"63, That's how many more it will take, Every time I sacrifice one of those lives, A part of me is lost as well," Ransom said.
"I might believe that if I hadn't examined your research," I said. "These experiments were meticulous, and they were brutal, If you'd felt any remorse, you'd never have continued,"
"Starfleet Regulation 3, paragraph 12, In the event of imminent destruction, A captain is authorized to preserve the lives of his crew by any justifiable means," Ransom said.
"I doubt that protocol covers mass murder," I said.
"In my judgement it did," Ransom said.
"Unacceptable," I said.
"We had nothing. my ship was in pieces, Our dilithium was gone, we were running on thrusters. We hadn't eaten in 16 days. We had just enough power to enter orbit of an M Class planet, and lucky for us the inhabitants were generous. They were called the Ankari, And they provided us with a meal and a few supplies even some Dilithium crystals. They even performed one of their sacred rituals to invoke spirits of good fortune from another realm to bless our journey. But these weren't spirits, they were nucleogenic lifeforms, Our scans revealed that they were emitting high level's of antimatter. Later that same night, We managed to obtain one of the summoning devices In exchange for an energy converter. We constructed a containment field that would prevent the lifeform from vanishing so quickly. But something went wrong. We tried to send it back but it was too late. We examine the remains and discovered it could be converted to enhance our propulsion systems. It was already dead, What would you have done, We travelled over 10,000 light years in less than 2 weeks, we'd found our salvation. How could we ignore it," Ransom said.
"By adhering to the oath you took as Starfleet officers, to Seek out life. Not destroy it," I said.
"It's easy to ling to principles when you're standing on a vessel with its bulkheads intact, Manned by a crew that's not starving," Ransom said.
"It's never easy, but if turn our backs on our principles, we stop being human. I'm putting an end to these experiments and you are hereby relieved of your Command. You and your Crew will be confined to Quarters," I said.
"Please show them leniency, They were only following my orders," Ransom said.
"Their mistake. They should have stopped you," I said. Getting to 2 security to take him.
"It's a long way home, Captain," Ransom said. Then he was taken out.
As I headed for the Bridge.
"Doctor, Return to their research lab and retrieve all the data you can locate on the aliens, I wanna find a way to communicate with them," I said.
"Aye Captain," Doc said.
"7, Go to their engine room. Take those warp core modifications offline," I said.
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"Let's try to make first contact the right way," I said.
XXX
"Captain we've got a problem, I'm picking up spatial fissures hundreds of them," Harry said.
"Looks like they've stepped us their attacks," Tom said.
"Reroute everything we got to the Shields," I said.
"They're holding, but at this rate it won't be long before the aliens break through," Chakotay said.
"Bridge to Tuvok We need that security grid," I said.
"We're preparing to bring it online," Tuvok said.
"Bridge to the Doctor," I said.
"Sickbay here," Doc said.
"Did you find anything," I said.
"Could you be more specific," Doc said.
"Neural patterns, Cortical scans, anything that could help us program the universal translator," I said.
"Negative, I couldn't access the Equinox data files, They were encrypted," Doc said.
"Keep studying the information we have, see what you can come up with," I said.
"Acknowledged," Doc said.
"Chakotay to 7, What's your status," Chakotay said.
"I've dismantled their antimatter injectors, But I'll need several minutes to neutralize the Dilithium Matrix," 7 said.
"We don't have much time," Chakotay said.
"Understood," 7 said.
"I'm reading Phaser fire on Deck 9 Crew quarters," Harry said.
"Security seal off Deck 9," I said.
"Shields are weakening, they're down to 84%," Chakotay said.
"Tuvok to Bridge, The field generator is offline," Tuvok said. "It's power coupling were disengaged,"
"Someone reconfigured the internal sensors so we couldn't detect it," B'Elanna said.
"Whatever it takes, get that grid online," I said.
"Shields down to 52%," Chakotay said.
"Captain, Unauthorized transport in Progress. It's the Equinox Crew," Harry said.
"Block it," I said.
"They've bypassed OPS control, They're on their Bridge," Harry said.
"40%," Chakotay said.
"McCall to 7, 7 respond, 7," I said.
"Shields are failing, we've got less than one minute," Chakotay said.
"Open a channel," I said. "If you don't stop what you're doing, We'll both be destroyed,"
"What's my alternative 30 years in your brig," Ransom said.
"I'll open fire if I have to," I said.
"We've been through worse," Ransom said cutting it.
"Target their power systems, Fire," I said.
"Bridge they've got the field generator," B'Elanna said.
"How," I said.
"I don't know, But they beamed it off Voyager," B'Elanna said.
"McCall to 7," I said. "Harry get a lock on her,"
"I can't they blocked our Transporter scanners," Harry said.
"Shields are down," Chakotay said.
"Arm yourselves," I said.
As that whirring was coming again.
"Fissures are opening, All decks," Harry said.
"Get shields back online," I said. As one open and I fired. But more kept coming. Then one almost got me as I fell.
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"Give me Tactical control Now," I said. As I used it for a deflector pulse on the shields. "That worked. I used a deflector pulse to reinforce the shield it won't last long,"
"Bridge to Sickbay we have a medical emergency, Doctor Respond," Tom said.
"Casualty reports are coming in 2 dead, 13 wounded," Harry said. "We took heavy damage to the engines,"
"Equinox," I said.
"They've got to warp," Harry said.
"Any sign of nucleogenic particles," I said.
"No," Harry said.
"Good then they haven't got their enhanced warp drive worked. Keep looking for," I said The Sound was coming again. "Hit another pulse,"
"Done," Harry said.
XXX
I was on Deck 5 heading for Sickbay.
"Captain I found the Doctor's mobile emitter on Deck 9," Neelix said. "You might want to take it to Sickbay," As I saw one of the aliens. and Headed on.
"Any sign of the Doc," Tom said.
"Got him right here," I said bring him online.
"Please state the nature of the, Don't bother," Doc said.
"You should try with Chakotay, I've got him stabilized but he's got internal injuries," Tom said.
"We found your emitter on Deck 9," I said.
"I was taken hostage by the Equinox Crew, I deactivated myself to escape, Do you stop them," Doc said.
"No," I said.
"I'd ask for a status report, but I'm not sure, I'd want to hear it," Chakotay said.
"Harry's analyzing the sound we've been hearing, He thinks it's some form of communication," I said.
"Well I once figured out how to speak with a Terrelian seapod, this couldn't be that much harder. Once I get out of Sickbay I'll lead him a hand," Chakotay said.
"We should all be focusing our efforts on finding the Equinox," I said.
"First things first, we've got to stop these attacks," Chakotay said.
"Our enemies aren't the aliens, They're the humans aboard the Equinox, It's crucial that you don't," I said as it was coming again. "McCall to Bridge, Harry hit it again,"
XXX
"It's not exactly Shakespeare but it get the point across," I said.
"A small olive branch is still an olive branch," Chakotay said.
"Run this through your translation matrix," I said.
"Put your weapons down," Chakotay said.
"Commander," Tom said.
"Somebody's got to start trusting somebody around here," Chakotay said.
"Belay that order, I appreciate your optimism but in this case, Weapons," I said. As I got mine.
"Ready to Transmit," Harry said.
"Drop shields Bridge only, Harry Go," I said As it was coming through. As one opened and went over to Harry but stopped. Then Flew back in. "Shields up," As it stopped.
"If they understood our message, they haven't responded," Harry said as we got hit. And it starting coming.
"That's your response, Activate another pulse," I said.
"Shields are holding at 62%," Tuvok said.
"That should buy us another few minutes peace and quiet, I suggest we make the most of it, Focus your effort on repairing the warp drive, We've got to find the Equinox," I said.
"If It's all the same to you, I'd like to take another stab at the message," Chakotay said.
"They're not listening Chakotay, We should be Tracking Ransom not tinkering with adverbs," I said heading for my ready room.
"Want your first officers advice," Chakotay said.
"Allow me, Our deflector's losing power and when it fails we'll be defenseless, It's Voyager we should be worried about not the Equinox," I said.
"You'd make a great first officer, It's advice worth taking," Chakotay said.
"Maybe so but we have a crew member trapped on that ship," I said.
"Is this really about 7 or Ransom," Chakotay said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said.
"You've been known to hold a grudge, This man betrayed Starfleet he broke the Prime Directive, dishonoured everything you believe in and threw Voyager to Wolves," Chakotay said.
"Borg, Hirogen, Malon, We're run into our share of bad guys, Ransom's no different," I said.
"Yes, he is, you said it yourself, He's human, I don't blame you for being angry," Chakotay said. "But you can't compromise the safety of this ship to satisfy some personal vendetta,"
"I appreciate your Candor. Now let me be just as blunt, You're Right I'm angry. No. I'm pissed. He's a Starfleet Captain, and he decided to abandon everything this uniform stands for, He's out there right now torturing and murdering innocent lifeforms just to get home a little quicker, I'm not going to stand for it. I'm hunting him down no matter how long it takes, No matter what the cost, If you want to call that a Vendetta go right ahead," I said. As he left.
XXX
We managed to find them and got into orbit without them noticing and we got the away team they had down there.
"Everyone is back on board, Even with a few captives," Harry said.
"Shields to maximum, Charge Weapons, Tom intercept course," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tom said.
"Once we are in range target their weapons array, And fire," I said.
As we came in hard and started shooting with Phaser.
As we got hit.
"Bridge to Torres, Status," Chakotay said.
"I can't locate their shield grid generator, Can you divert more power to sensors," B'Elanna said.
"Stand by," Chakotay said as we got hit.
"They've damaged our deflector Captain, If it goes offline we'll be vulnerable to the alien attacks," Tuvok said.
"Take out they damn Weapons," I said.
As we got hit.
"They launched torpedoes," Tuvok said. "They've lost Phasers,"
"Take they torpedoes out," I said.
"Shields are weakening," Tuvok said.
"We've almost got him. 1 more torpedo has got to do," I said.
"Captain," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
"They weapons are down," Tuvok said.
"Open a channel," I said.
"Channel open," Harry said.
"Voyager to Ransom, Surrender your vessel," I said.
Then he headed into the Planets atmosphere.
"What the hell is he doing follow him," I said.
"We're crossing the upper thermosphere," Chakotay said.
"Phasers," I said.
As we got hit somehow.
"Shields are weakening 31%, 29," Tuvok said.
"Inertial dampeners are offline," Harry said.
"Captain if we lose shields we'll be attacked by the aliens," Chakotay said. "Captain,"
"Break off pursuit," I said.
"They went to Warp," Tom said.
"Follow them," I said.
"We can't, Not until we restore primary systems," Harry said.
"How long," I said.
"We'll need a few hours," Harry said.
"At least we don't come away empty handed," I said.
XXX
"I want Ransom's tactical status. I want it now. Mr Lessing," I said.
"Or what you hit me," Lessing said.
"No, Crewman, I'll drop the shields around this room, And let your little friends come pay you a visit," I said.
"That would be murder," Lessing said.
"No, Poetic justice," I said.
"I suppose the plan is that you're going to come to my rescue now, right," Lessing said.
"There's no plan as far as I know, The Captain's on her own," Chakotay said.
"Ransom's status now," I said.
"No way in hell," Lessing said.
"We all make our own hell, Mr. Lessing, I hope you enjoy yours, The com is active, We'll be outside if you have a change of heart," I said. Then I Headed out.
"What are you doing," Chakotay said.
"Weren't you listening," I said shutting down to shields.
"Don't do this," Chakotay said.
"He'll break," I said.
"Bridge to the Captain," Tuvok said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We've lost shields in section 29 Alpha," Tuvok said.
"I know, Stand by," I said.
"He's a loyal officer, he's not going to betray his captain, Put up the shields," Chakotay said.
"He'll Break," I said.
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"As you were," I said.
As Chakotay tried to raise them.
"Level 9 Authorization required," Computer said.
"Damn it, Leah," Chakotay said.
"You're panicking he's going to talk," I said.
"Captain a fissure is opening in that section," Tuvok said.
"Understood," I said.
As Chakotay pulled out his phaser and went in after I heard 2 shots. Then Brought Lessing out. And put him up against the wall.
"Okay, You've demonstrated your loyalty to your captain, Fine, Now Let's talk about the Ankari," Chakotay said.
As I left the area.
XXX
We were in the conference room.
"If there's an Ankari vessel less than 2 light years from here, why haven't we detected it," B'Elanna said.
"Apparently they use a unique form of Propulsion, which makes them hard to find," Chakotay said.
"You think they'll be willing to help us," Tom said.
"It's worth a try," Chakotay said. "Mr. Lessing has agreed to show you how to adjust the sensors once you find the Ankari ship, set a course,"
"Aye sir," Tom said.
"Did our prisoner disclose any other information," Doc said.
"I'm afraid not, The rest of you continue with the Repairs, Dismissed," Chakotay said.
"Commander," I said. As the others left. "All right, We're going to try it your way, But I want to make one thing clear,"
"Our first priority is to get Ransom, If there's one thing you've made clear, It's that," Chakotay said.
"We've had our disagreements, Chakotay, but you've never openly opposed me," I said.
"You almost killed that man today," Chakotay said.
"It was a calculated risk and I took it," I said.
"It was a bad call," Chakotay said.
"I'll note your objection in my log," I said.
"I don't give a damn about your log, This isn't about rules and regulations, It's about right and wrong, And I'm warning you, I won't let you cross that line again," Chakotay said.
"Well then you leave me no choice, You are hereby relieved of Duty until further notice," I said.
"What's happened to you, Leah," Chakotay said.
"I was about to ask you the same question," I said. Leaving.
XXX
"They are not responding," Tuvok said.
"Tractor Beam," I said.
"Captain, The Ankari ship has done nothing to," Tuvok said.
"Just do it," I said.
"We're being hailed," Harry said.
"On screen," I said.
"Starfleet," He said.
"Yes," I said.
"Leave us alone, There's nothing of value on our ship," He said.
"We need your guidance, Your spirits of good fortune are attacking us," I said.
"Of course they are, You've been killing them," he said.
"We are not the ones responsible," I said.
"Equinox," He said.
"That's right," I said. "Can you communicate with them,"
"Release my ship," he said.
"I can't do that, Not until you agree to talk to them," I said. "I will even throw in a few Energy converters for your help,"
"I will summon them, But you must talk to them, you must convince them," He said. Cutting the channel.
"Kat you got the Bridge," I said. "Tuvok with me," As Kat was taking over for Chakotay.
XXX
We were in the cargo bay. With him as he called them. As it open and 3 come out.
"They say they want the humans to die," he said.
"A difficult place to start a negotiation," Tuvok said.
"Will they understand me," I said.
"Yes," he said.
"We didn't do this to you, We're trying to stop the humans who did," I said.
"They dont believe you would harm your own kind," He said.
"We have rules for behaviour, The Equinox has Broken those rules by killing your species, It's our duty to stop them," I said.
"Give us the Equinox, Give us the Equinox," he said. "They insist on destroying the ones who were responsible,"
"We will punish them according to our own rules," Tuvok said. "They will be imprisoned, They will lose their freedom,"
"Alright, If you stop your attacks. I give the Equinox to you," I said.
"Captain," Tuvok said.
"As you were," I said.
"These beings would destroy captain Ransom and his crew," Tuvok said.
"What's their answer," I said.
"You behaviour is irrational. we could find another solution," Tuvok said.
"I've already confined my first officer to quarters, would you like to join him," I said. "Well,"
"They Agree," he said.
As I got the Energy converters for him. As we headed for the Transporter room.
"The Converters as I said," I said.
"Thank you, I think I can leave this with you," he said.
"Thank you, I'm sorry you had to meet the worst of us," I said.
"Why would they do that," He said.
"Their ship was designed for planetary research not long range assignments. They found running out of everything but they found you. Then after that is from I can tell they made enhancement to the Warp Engines. And began killing your spirits," I said.
"Would you do the same," He said.
"No, I'd rather die that harm another species," I said.
As he went and stood on the transporter pad.
"Captain, If you do succeed and we didn't meet again. I wish a safe journey for you and your crew," He said.
"Thank you," I said. "Energize,"
As he was beamed back to his ship.
XXX
We found the Equinox.
"We are almost in range," Tom said.
"Charge weapons," I said. "Target their primary systems,"
"We're in range," Harry said.
"They've launched a torpedo," Tuvok said.
As we got hit.
"They're holding," Harry said.
"Return fire," I said.
"We damaged their port nacelle. They've venting plasma," Harry said.
"They're dropping out of warp," Tom said.
"Stay with them," I said.
"They've slowed to one quarter impulse," B'Elanna said.
"Prepare a tractor beam," I said.
"They've launched another torpedo," Harry said.
"Full power to front shields," I said.
As we got hit hard.
"Hull breach Deck 4," Harry said.
"How did they get through our shields," B'Elanna said.
As we got hit again.
"Hard about, Get us out of range, Remodulate the shields, Harry, Polarize the hull plating," I said.
As we got hit again.
"They've took our weapons out," Harry said.
"Drones," I said.
"Still online," Harry said.
As I launched some at them.
"Direct hit to their port torpedo launch," Harry said.
"Tuvok," I said.
"I've been rotating the shield frequency every 10 seconds," Tuvok said.
As we got hit again.
"We've lost impulse engines," Tom said.
"I see if I can take off their weapons," I said. As I launched another set of drones.
"Direct hit, They'll lost weapons," Harry said. "Captain, We're being hailed, It's Ransom,"
"On screen," I said.
"Captain, I'm prepared to surrender the Equinox, But I'm not longer in command, Max decided to stage a little mutiny, but I think I can stop him, I've isolated Transporter control, I can beam all of us to Voyager, You might want to have some guards standing by, Not all of us is going to be happy to see you," Ransom said.
"Proceed," I said.
"Captain," Tom said.
"He's still a starfleet captain, He may have forgotten that for a while, But I believe him," I said.
As he cut the link.
"Tuvok," I said.
"Security teams are already in place," Tuvok said.
"Captain, Ransom isn't just beaming over people, But supplies to, Including torpedo's," Harry said. "But they're off line,"
"Doctor to Bridge," Doc said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Captain, Since the Equinox left you back there, you had their EMH, He was one the sending the shields modulates to him, But I've shut it down and Deleted their EMH," Doc said.
"Acknowledged," I said.
"The Equinox shields are down," Harry said. "I'm picking up spatial fissures on the Equinox. Captain I'm only reading one life sign left, It's Ransom,"
As I managed to get him.
"Ransom," I said.
"Things didn't work out exactly as I Planned, but you've got everyone worth getting," Ransom said.
"We're beaming you out of there," I said.
"This ship is about to explode, I've got to put some distance between us, I've accessed helm control," Ransom said.
"Set auto navigation and beam to Voyager," I said.
"There no time, You've got a fine crew, Captain, Promise me you'll get them home," Ransom said.
"I promise," I said. As he cut the link. "Tom get us away from the Equinox,"
As we saw the Equinox explode.
"Resume course for home," I said.
XXX
"Captain's log supplemental, With the Equinox destroyed, The Aliens have withdrawn to their realm, I've reinstated Chakotay, And we've set a course for home, End log," I said.
Then I headed for the conference room. Where the rest of the Equinox crew were
"The last time we welcomed you aboard, you took advantage of our trust, You betrayed this crew, I won't make that mistake again, Noah Lessing, Marla Gilmore, James Morrow, Brian Sofin, Angelo Tassoni, You are hereby stripped of Rank, You'll be expected to serve as crewmen on this vessel, Your privileges will be limited, And you'll serve under close supervision for as long as I deem fit. This time, you'll have to earn our trust, Dismissed," I said.
As they left with Tuvok.
"Repairs," I said.
"Coming along," Chakotay said.
"Crew," I said. As I headed for the Bridge.
"A lot of frayed nerves, Neelix is organizing a potluck, to help boost morale," Chakotay said.
"Will I see you there," I said.
"I'm replicating the salad," Chakotay said.
"I'll bring the croutons," I said. "Chakotay, You know, You may have had good reason to stage a little mutiny of your own,"
"The thought had occurred to me, but that would have been crossing the line," Chakotay said.
"Will you look at that," I said As I saw Voyager's Plate. "All these years. All these Battles, This things never fallen down before,"
"Let's put it back up where it belongs," Chakotay said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!