Chapter 131.
(Leah POV)
"Captain, I'm am Picking up a distress call on a Hirogen frequency," Tuvok said.
"Hirogen I thought we seen the last of them," Tom said.
"Where," I said.
"2.5 lightyears. Bearing 124 mark 29," Tuvok said.
"Tom Alter Course, Warp 6," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tom said.
"McCall to Chakotay," I said.
"Go ahead," Chakotay said.
"We just picked up a distress call on a Hirogen Frequency," I said.
"We haven't heard from them in awhile," Chakotay said.
"I've altered course, I'd like you on the Bridge," I said.
"I'm on my way," Chakotay said.
After a 10 minutes.
"We approaching the coordinates," Tom said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red. "Take us out of warp, Shields up and Standby weapons,"
"I've got them," Harry said. "6,000 kilometers off Starboard,"
"On screen," I said.
"Monotanium Hull plating, Tylium based Power, It's Hirogen," Chakotay said.
"They're not responding to hails," Harry said.
"Lifesigns," Chakotay said.
"I'm getting a lot of strange readings, Any one of them could be a lifeform," Harry said.
"Any Hirogen Ships in the vicinity," I said.
"No, Ma'am," Tom said.
"Might be a trap," Chakotay said.
"The Hirogen aren't the type to play possum, Move us with in transporter range," I said. "Chakotay Taken an away team,"
"Harry Maintain long range sensor scans for Hirogen ships," I said.
"Aye Captain," Harry said.
XXX
"Tom and 1 Hirogen has just beamed to sickbay," Harry said.
"What about the rest of the away team," I said.
Eventually the away team beamed back. As I went and catch up with Chakotay.
"Evidently, they made a few modifications, All of our preliminary scans indicated the environment was real," Chakotay said.
"Environments that fool sensors, No safety protocols, How many Bodies," I said.
"43," Chakotay said. "Most of them were killed by facsimiles of Alpha quadrant weapons, Romulan disrupters, Klingon Bat'leths,"
"Starfleet Phasers," I said.
"I think we'll find they all come from the holo technology we gave the Hirogen 3 years ago," Chakotay said.
"They obviously missed the point, We gave them that technology so they could hunt holographic prey, Not get themselves killed," I said. As we got to Sickbay.
"Try to remain Calm," Doc said.
"Get away from me," He said.
"Can you sedate him," Chakotay said.
"He won't let me get close enough," Doc said.
"We're not your enemies," I said.
"You're holograms this is a simulation," he said.
"I assure you we're quite real," I said.
"Liar," He said as he threw something near the Doc.
"Doc, Deactivate yourself," I said.
"I can't treat the patient if I'm offline," Doc said.
"No one can treat him if he's terrified," I said.
"Aye Captain, Computer, Deactivate EMH," Doc said.
"Our Doctor's a hologram, We're not," Chakotay said.
"Why should I believe you," He said.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to, I'm Captain Leah McCall, You're aboard my vessel," I said.
"McCall, This is Voyager," He said.
"Looks like our reputation preceded us," Chakotay said.
"You're the ones who gave us the technology to simulate our hunts," He said. "Where are the rest of my people,"
"You were the only one we found alive," Chakotay said.
"This place you were in, It's some kind of holodeck," I said.
"A training facility where young Hirogen learn the skills of the hunt," He said.
"You're a student," Chakotay said.
"A technician," He said.
"Computer, Deactivate forcefield," I said. "Can you tell us what happened?"
"They were too many of them," he said.
"Who," Chakotay said.
"The holograms," He said. "They were malfunctioning, I tried to shut them down but they got control of the system and, and they, They deactivated the safety protocols,"
"Bridge to Captain McCall," Clara said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We're picking up a Hirogen ship, It's on an intercept course," Clara said.
(Clara POV)
"They're Charging weapons," Tuvok said.
"Shields up. Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red.
"They're firing," Harry said.
As we got hit.
"Hail them," I said.
"They're not responding," Harry said.
As we got hit more.
(Leah POV)
"Hail them," I said as we got to the Bridge.
"I've tried they're not responding," Harry said.
"Shields at 68%, Should I return fire," Tuvok said.
"Not yet, Open a channel," I said. "This is Captain Leah McCall, We're not here to fight you," As we got hit again.
"Shields at 52%," Tuvok said.
"Stand down or we will retaliate," I said.
As we got hit again.
"I don't think they're getting the message," Chakotay said.
"Then let's do this," I said. "Tom, Evasion Pattern Beta 6. Tuvok Target their weapons array and Fire,"
"Their phaser banks have been disabled," Tuvok said.
"Let's see if that makes them a little more talkative," I said. "Harry,"
"They're responding," Harry said.
"This facility belongs to the Hirogen," Alpha said. "Leave the area immediately,"
"We are here in response to a distress call," I said.
"So are we, and we don't need your assistance," Alpha said.
"All but one of your people are dead," I said.
"Where's the survivor," Alpha said.
"Recovering in our sickbay," I said.
"Return him, now," Alpha said.
"He's in no condition to be transported, If you want to see him, you'll have to come here," I said.
XXX
"I tried to shut down the generator, but I," He said.
"But what," Alpha said.
"There were too many of them," He said. "I masked my lifesign so they couldn't detect me,"
"You mean you hid while hunters fought and died," Alpha said.
"No doubt he found the nearest hole and crawled into it," Beta said.
"I'm not a hunter," He said.
"It was your responsibility to maintain those systems," Alpha said.
"43 Hirogen died because of your incompetence and cowardice," Beta said.
"What about the holograms, Where they deleted," I said.
"They transferred their programs," He said.
"Where," I said.
"A vessel, Equipped with holo emitters, They're gone," He said.
XXX
"Perhaps you should've considered the risks before you programmed holograms that could commandeer a vessel," 7 said.
"Capable prey make the hunt more challenging," Beta said.
"7," I said.
"I'm detecting residual engine Emissions, But no sign of the ship itself," 7 said.
"Well, I'm sure they're out of sensor range by now," I said.
"No, They're close," Alpha said. "Elevated plasma reading in grid 295, They're creating a scattering field to mask their ship, You can find them by scanning for polarized EM signatures,"
"Do it," I said.
"Prepare for the hunt," Alpha said.
"I'd like to join you," I said.
"You did enough damage giving us defective technology to begin with," Beta said.
"You have a problem, we can help you solve it, We have more experience with holograms that you do," I said.
"2 hunting vessel are better than one," Alpha said.
XXX
I was in my ready room as my door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
As Tuvok and Chakotay came in.
"The Hirogen are ready to get underway," Chakotay said.
"The sooner the better," I said. "Why do I get the feeling you're about to gang up on me,"
"You first," Chakotay said.
"We have reservations about an alliance with the hunters," Tuvok said.
"I'm listening," I said.
"The Hirogen have been performing convert scans of Voyager, They are obviously trying to determine the status of our Shields and weapons," Tuvok said.
"I'd be surprised if you haven't been run a few scans of your own," I said. "Standard procedure, They don't trust us, we don't trust them, Coffee Black,"
"Trust isn't the issue," Chakotay said. "We're getting involved in a situation that's not our responsibility,"
"Oh I'd say we're at least partly to blame, That was Starfleet Technology that killed those hunters," I said.
"There's nothing inherently violent about Holodeck technology, It what the Hirogen did with it that got them killed," Chakotay said.
"How many times have we shared replicators to help people feed and clothe themselves," I said.
"Trading technology is part of our life in the Delta Quadrant," Chakotay said.
"It has been necessary for our survival," Tuvok said.
"Maybe we should have been a little more careful about what we traded and who traded with, Replicators Make Weapons just as easily as they do food," I said.
"We can't undo what's been done," Chakotay said.
"Maybe not, but we can help shut down these holograms down before anyone else gets hurt," I said. "Now if there are no more objections, I'd like to get underway,"
XXX
"I've got the hologram ship on sensors," Harry said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red. "Let's see it,"
"Look like they've taken some damage," Chakotay said.
"The Hirogen are closing on the holograms vessel," Tom said.
"Hail them," I said.
"I suggest we keep our distance, until we can determine their weapon status," I said.
"It's time for the kill," Alpha said.
"This can also be a trap. You know as well as I do that a wounded animal can be dangerous," I said.
"We won't be denied our prey," Alpha said. As they cut the channel.
"I'm not detecting any weapons, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Offline. Or Non existent," I said.
"Nonexistent," Tuvok said.
"That's not the only thing that's nonexistent," Harry said. "According to sensor, There's no warp core, impulse engine,"
"Voyager to Hirogen vessel, Back off, it's a decoy," I said.
As the ship changed. As it blow as we shook.
"Report," I said.
"They've suffered multiple hull breaches, Their life support is failing," Tuvok said.
"Drop shields, Transport all survivors to Sickbay," I said. "Polarize the Hull plating,"
"Bridge to the Doctor, We have casualties," Chakotay said.
"Acknowledged," Doc said.
"Hull plating polarized," Harry said.
"Tom give him a hand," I said. "Chakotay take the conn,"
"Another Hirogen ship has just dropped out of warp," Tuvok said.
"I'm not reading any lifesigns on this one," Chakotay said.
"Holograms, Hail them," I said.
"No response, They're charging weapons," Harry said.
"Reactivating shields," Tuvok said as we got hit.
"No we haven't finished transporting the Hirogen," Chakotay said.
"Hull plating down to 90%," Harry said. As we got hit again. "83%,"
"Chakotay's Right," I said. As we got hit again.
"78%," Harry said.
"Tuvok, Target their weapons array and return fire," I said.
As we got hit again.
"Hull plating 69%, Captain The holograms are tapping into the sickbay emitter," Harry said. "They're trying to transfer the Doctor's program off the ship,"
"Bridge to Sickbay, Doc transfer yourself to the mobile emitter now," I said.
"We've lost him," Tom said.
"Get him back," I said.
"They've gone to warp," Harry said.
"Set a pursuit course," I said.
"They've masked their warp signature," Chakotay said. "They're gone,"
"Have we got all of the Hirogen," I said.
"Yes," Harry said.
"Chakotay, set a course on their last known direction," I said.
"On it," Chakotay said.
"Bridge to Astrometrics," I said
"Go ahead," 7 said.
"7, we've lost the Doc, Can you find the Hologram ship," I said.
"There's no sign of them, I will need more time to run more scans," 7 said.
"Do it," I said.
XXX
As I got to Engineering.
"What we got," I said.
"The Holo emitters are an independent subsystem, with it own power generator. here," Tech said.
"If we disable the generator we disable the holograms," 7 said.
"It may not be as easy as it sounds," B'Elanna said. "Not with holograms as sophisticated as these, Take a look,"
"Enhanced memory, Comprehensive Tactical algorithms, expendable data processing, These holograms have the ability to learn and adapt," I said.
"They're not malfunctioning are they," B'Elanna said. They're doing exactly what the Hirogen want them to do Captain, Fight back,"
"And they're getting better at it," I said.
"My people need to hunt formidable prey," Tech said.
"Apparently this prey has become too formidable," 7 said.
"Who made these modifications," I said.
"I did under orders from my Alpha," Tech said.
"And that makes it right," B'Elanna said.
"Come with me," I said.
"Where," Tech said.
"We're going to have a chat with the hunters," I said.
XXX
"Tom, How's it going," I said.
"I'm doing the best I can, but without the Doctor," Tom said.
"It's best if you lie still," Neelix said.
"Keep away from me," Beta said. "Why am I here,"
"The Holograms destroyed your ship, Most of your men are dead," I said.
"The Alpha," Beta said.
"Looks like the job's yours now," I said.
"What about the holograms that attacked us," Beta said.
"We're attempting to track them," I said.
"I'll need to contact my people and resume the hunt," Beta said.
"So more of you can get killed," I said.
"We'll be the ones doing the killing this time," Beta said.
"I doubt it," I said.
"Who are you to question our abilities," Beta said.
"We know all about the modifications," I said. "He didn't tell us, We discovered it ourselves, I think you should face facts, You've created prey whose skills have surpassed your own, They've already defeated your hunting parties at least twice, What makes you think it'll be any different next time,"
"Are you suggesting that we let them escape," Beta said.
"We're going to find a way to take them offline from a safe distance," I said.
"A cowards tactic," Beta said.
"There's a difference between a coward and a strategic mind. Call it whatever you will, It's what we're going to do, and you're going to help us," I said.
"Am I," Beta said.
"Yes," I said. "By telling us everything you know about theirs ships defences,"
"The Holograms are prey," Beta said. "They should be hunted down no deactivated like machines,"
"I'll help you," Tech said.
"Is this Female your Alpha now," Beta said.
"If you don't like the way I do things, I can leave you on the nearest habitable planet," I said. "Then I'll assume we're in agreement, "Until this is over, You and your men are restricted to this Mess Hall,"
"Prisoners," Beta said.
"Guests," I said. "My Crew will do their best to accommodate your needs,"
XXX
"The Holo emitters are protected by 3 layers of ablative armour," Tech said.
"Trying to take them offline, one by one would be inefficient," 7 said.
"If we can't shut them down, Maybe we can disrupt the signals they generate," I said.
"Exactly we could reconfigure the deflector dish to emit an antiphoton pulse," B'Elanna said.
"How long will it take?" I said.
"About 2 hours," B'Elanna said.
"Do it," I said.
XXX
"There's a ship approaching at high warp," Tuvok said. "I'm reading Holographic signatures,"
"Red Alert," I said As the Klaxons went Red.
"Raise Shields," Chakotay said.
"Time to intercept," I said.
"50 seconds," Tom said.
"Bridge to Engineering what's your status," I said.
"We need more time, Captain," B'Elanna said.
"You've got 40 seconds," I said.
"That pulse isn't going to do us much good as long as their shields are up," Chakotay said.
"Arm Phaser Banks, Target their shield generator," I said.
"They're are dropping out of warp," Tuvok said.
"20 seconds to intercept," Tom said.
"We're being hailed," Harry said.
"On screen," I said.
"Stand down Captain," Doc said.
"I beg your pardon," I said.
"The Holograms haven't come to fight, They've come to make peace," Doc said.
XXX
"If we provide them with a few additional emitters and memory storage units, They've have more than they need," Doc said.
"We're in this situation because we shared technology with the Hirogen to begin with, I won't make the same mistake twice," I said.
"Captain these people are on the verge of creating a new life for themselves," Doc said. "They can't do it without our help,"
"There's no way to be certain what they'll do with technology if we give it to them," Tuvok said.
"I understand your concerns, But these holograms are nothing like the Hirogen," Doc said.
"That's not true," Donik said. "They were programmed to be as vicious as any hunter,"
"They were also given the ability to adapt," Doc said. "They've changed, moved beyond their programming, If you see how they've been brutalized, you'd understand that they've only been acting in self defence,"
"I'm Sorry, Doc, But I'm inclined to agree with Donik," I said.
"Then you've chosen the wrong side," Doc said.
"I haven't chosen any side," I said.
"You're right that it was a mistake to give the Hirogen technology and that mistake has had consequences, These holograms are one of them," Doc said. "In some ways they're a new species, one that you helped create, You can't turn your back on them,"
"He's got a point," B'Elanna said.
"Could we restore them to their original parameters," Tuvok said.
"We'd be wiping out their memories, Their experiences everything they are," Doc said.
"Couldn't we just extract their violent subroutines," Chakotay said.
"It's possible," B'Elanna said.
"That would be like declawing a cat," Doc said. "We'd be taking away any chance they have of defending themselves,"
"We'd also be preventing them from doing any more harm," I said.
"You wouldn't even be considering this if they were flesh and blood," Doc said.
"I'm not going to let you turn this into an argument about Holographic rights," I said.
"Why not, That's exactly what it is," Doc said.
"Mess Hall to Commander Tuvok," Tom said.
"Go ahead," Tuvok said.
"You better get down here, We've got a problem," Tom said.
"On my way," Tuvok said.
"Bridge to Captain McCall," Harry said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Someone tapping into a com relay in the mess Hall," Harry said.
"Shut them out," I said.
"I can't I've been locked out," Harry said.
"Bridge to Tuvok," I said. "One of the Hirogen is accessing our com system, Stop him,"
"Acknowledged," Tuvok said.
"They've transmitted a signal," Harry said.
"Scan for Hirogen ships," I said.
"I've got 2 vessel on long range sensors," Chakotay said.
"Is the pulse ready," I said.
"Yes Ma'am," B'Elanna said.
"Both Hirogen ships have altered course to intercept," Chakotay said.
"How long," I said.
"Less than an hour," Chakotay said.
"You and Donik get down to engineering, Charge the Deflector," I said.
"Captain what are you doing," Doc said.
"Taking the holograms offline," I said.
"They're counting on you to help them, not deactivate them," Doc said.
"When the Hirogen arrive there's going to be more bloodshed, The best way to avoid that is to shut the holograms down," I said. "It may be the most compassionate thing we can do,"
"Compassionate for Whom," Doc said.
"It's a temporary measure Doc, Their Programs won't be damaged," I said. "Harry Get me Iden,"
"Captain McCall, It is an honour to meet you," Iden said.
"I'm afraid we don't have time for pleasantries. 2 Hirogen ships are on their way," I said.
"We're prepared to fight them," Iden said.
"I'm hoping that won't be necessary, I need you to deactivate your programs so we can transfer them to Voyager's database," I said.
"We didn't come here to be put back into captivity," Iden said.
"It's the best I can offer, Once we've determined it's safe and the Hirogen are gone, We'll reactivate you and discuss a permanent solution," I said.
"There is no guarantee you'll ever reactivate us," Iden said.
"You're going to have trust me," I said.
"I'm sorry, Captain," Iden said. "I've learned from experience not to trust organics,"
"We have the means the deactivate you by force, But I'd rather not do that," I said.
"It seems the Doctor Misrepresented you, You're no different from the Hirogen," Iden said before cutting the channel.
"They're charging weapons," Chakotay said.
"Shields," I said.
As we got hit.
"They're moving away," Harry said.
"Set a pursuit course, Target their Shield generators," I said,
"Please reconsider what you're doing," Doc said.
"You're dismissed Doc, Get down to the Mess Hall and give Tom a Hand," I said. "McCall to Engineering,"
"Torres here," B'Elanna said.
"Stand by to initiate the pulse," I said.
"Aye Captain," B'Elanna said.
As the Doc left. But Clara came on the Bridge through the other way.
"What are you doing here," I said.
"Though you could use a hand," Clara said.
"Jump on Tactical, Chakotay take the Conn," I said.
"Phasers targeted," Clara said.
"Fire," I said.
"They're trying to run," Harry said.
"Chakotay," I said.
"I'm trying to stay on them as much as I can," Chakotay said.
"Clara," I said.
"Their shields are down to 60%" Clara said.
"They're returning fire," Harry said. As we got hit. "Shields are holding,"
"Increase the Phaser yield, Get through those shields," I said.
"That did it, They're shields are down," Clara said.
"B'Elanna, Now," I said.
"Pulse engaged," Harry said. "Wait, They are sending something back,"
As it hit us.
"B'Elanna," I said.
"They're creating a feedback surge, I don't understand how they could've isolated our frequency so quickly," B'Elanna said.
"The Main deflector is overloading," 7 said.
"Shut it down," I said.
"I can't," 7 said.
"Harry Cut the Deflector off," I said.
"It's not responding, It's are overloading," Harry said.
As we took damage.
"Report," I said.
"Weapons and shields are completely down," Clara said.
"Warp Drive's offline," Chakotay said. "Even the Impulse generator and thruster, We're a complete drift,"
"Harry," I said.
"Structural integrity holding. Captain, They've gone to warp," Harry said.
"Get Repairs on the way," I said.
XXX
"7," I said.
"Engineering systems and mains power should be operational soon, The Deflector is a different matter," 7 said.
"How long," Chakotay said.
"4 hours at least," 7 said. "If Lt Torres were here, she might be able to repair it more efficiently,"
"That's high praise coming from you, I'm sure she'd appreciate it," I said.
"If she hadn't reinforced the core we'd all be dead," 7 said.
"I still don't understand how they managed to counteract the pulse so easily," Chakotay said.
"I've already got a bad feeling about it," I said.
"I believe I can answer that," Tuvok said.
"But I'm not going to like it," I said.
"You're not, According to sensor logs, They calibrated their feedback surge to the exact inverse of our pulse frequency," Tuvok said.
"It was either a lucky guess or they gained access to our tactical data," Chakotay said.
"Neither, The Doc," I said.
"He sent an encrypted transmission from Sickbay, then Transported himself to their ship," Tuvok said.
"Chakotay," I said. "7, get us back to 100%. Don't care what you have to do. Do it," As we left. "I should have seen this coming,"
"You had no way of knowing the Doctor would do this," Chakotay said.
"Are you sure, He was so adamant about helping those holograms, I should have been paying closer attention," I said.
"Are you saying it was a mistake to reject his plan," Chakotay said.
"It was a mistake not running a diagnostic on his program the minutes he got back to this ship," I said.
"You think these holograms manipulated him somehow," Chakotay said.
"He was on their ship for days, For all we know they reconfigured his entire matrix," I said.
"There is another possibility," Chakotay said. "He may have done what he did because he genuinely believes in their cause,"
"I could accept the Doc has sympathy for these people, But I can't accept that he would deliberately risk the lives of this entire crew," I said. "We're his family,"
"Maybe that's how he's started to think of these holograms," Chakotay said.
XXX
"How long before the Hirogen get here," I said.
"Less than 10 minutes," Tom said.
"Any luck locating the holograms," I said.
"They seem to be operating in some sort of stealth mode," Tom said. "Their warp signature disappears in grid 936,"
"They could be anywhere by now," I said.
"Hirogen sensor can detect residual ion emissions, I might be able to modify yours to do the same," Donik said.
"I appreciate the offer but you and the rest of our Hirogen guests are going be back with your own people in a few minutes," I said.
"I was hoping to stay here," Donik said.
"Those hunters are going to want you with them," I said.
"Hunters don't have much use for cowards," Donik said.
"I'm sorry you're not expecting a warm welcome, but I'm not going to antagonize your superiors," I said.
"With all due respect Captain, I'd like to get my wife back in one piece," Tom said. "We could use all the help we can get,"
"It won't do B'Elanna any good if we get into a fight with the Hirogen," I said.
"If the hunters find the holograms before you do, They'll be slaughtered," Donik said.
"Why are you suddenly concerned about the holograms," I said.
"I modified their programs, What's happened to them, the people they have killed, It's all my fault," Donik said.
"There's plenty of blame to go around," I said. "There would have been nothing for you to modify if I hadn't shared our database,"
"If you hadn't I'd have become a hunter, like my father and his father, Instead I had a chance to learn become an engineer, Please Captain, Let me stay and help you," Donik said.
XXX
"When I told you to return my people, I meant all of them," Alpha said.
"Donik's offered to help us modify our scanners to track the holograms," I said.
"We don't share tracking technology," Beta said.
"That's not very considerate after the help we gave you," I said.
"We're finished cooperating, Return him now," Beta said.
"Let her keep the coward," Alpha said.
"We can't do that, He'll," Beta said.
"Quiet," Alpha said knocking him down. "We're wasting time. This is my hunt now, If you go anywhere near the hologram ship, You can consider yourselves prey,"
As they cut the channel.
"They've gone to warp," Chakotay said.
"We're not going to let them intimidate us are we," Tom said.
"I think you know me a little better than that," I said. "Harry Keep a sensor lock on them,"
"Aye captain," Harry said.
"How long will it take you to modify our scanners," I said.
"I haven't even had a chance to study the schematics," Donik said.
"Something tells me we don't have a lot of time," Chakotay said.
"The Hirogen have better tracking abilities than we do, We'll let them find the holograms for us," I said.
"The Hunter will attack them as soon as they're in weapons range," Chakotay said.
"Not if we disable them first," I said.
"You heard what they said, Captain, They're going to attack us if we get anywhere near them," Harry said.
"Not if we don't know were there," I said.
"May I," Donik said. "Hirogen Vessels produce an ion wake, Approximately 5,000 meters long, Inside it there's too much interference for their sensors to detect anything,"
"A blind spot," I said.
"How do you propose we reach this wake without being discovered," Tuvok said.
"I know their scanning frequencies," Donik said.
"We'd only need to mask our signature long enough to get in there," I said.
"Even if we succeeded," Tuvok said. "Which is far from certain Voyager is in no condition to fight one of their vessels, much less 2,"
"There where a Surprise attack comes in Tuvok, Not to mention a tactical officer who I'm sure will execute a precision strike," I said. "Let do it,"
XXX
"Tom," I said.
"We're in position," Tom said. "Not exactly the scenic route is it,"
"We're not here for the view," Chakotay said.
"I just hope we're following the right ship," I said. "Go to Yellow alert,"
"They wouldn't have entered the nebula unless they detected the holograms," Donik said. As the Klaxons went normal.
"Tom," I said as we started shaking.
"It's just the turbulence from the wake," Tom said.
"Harry, Reinforce the inertial dampers," I said.
"Aye Captain," Harry said.
"I'm losing helm control," Tom said.
"Reroute power to the thrusters," I said.
"It's not enough," Tom said. "We're slipping out of the wake,"
"Ease us back in Tom, You can do it," I said.
"I'm trying," Tom said. "I take back what I said, That's the prettiest thing I've seen all day,"
"Did they detect us," Chakotay said.
"I don't believe so," Tuvok said.
"Maintain Yellow Alert," I said. "Harry Keep scanning for them,"
"On it," Harry said. "Wait, I got them their on the other side of the Nebula,"
"The ship we're following has alter course," Tom said.
"Stay with them," I said.
XXX
"Captain I've found them, They heading for a planet," Harry said.
"Time to intercept," I said.
"The Hirogen ships are heading for them, Time 5 minutes," Tom said.
"Red Alert, Battle Stations," I said. As the Klaxons went Red. "Tuvok Charge weapons,"
After 4 minutes.
"They're dropping out of warp," Tom said.
"Tuvok Fire," I said. "Tom Go,"
As we went and got the first ship.
"Got them, Their weapons, Engines and shields are down," Harry said.
"Tom Bring us about," I said. "Tuvok Target the second Vessel,"
"Phasers Targeted," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
As we got pass hitting them 3 times. But they had shields. As they hit us.
"Their shields are weakening," Tuvok said.
"Photon Torpedoes Full spread," I said. "Alpha pattern Omega,"
"Ready," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
"Got them the Hirogen ships are disabled," Harry said.
"Target the hologram ship's shields," I said.
"We're in range," Tuvok said.
"Fire," I said.
"Direct hit," Harry said. "They're returning fire,"
"Keep hitting their shields," I said.
"I can't target them through the gases," Tuvok said.
"Then we'll go in after them," Tom said.
"Our shields have been damaged, their won't protect us from the radiation," Tuvok said.
"Chakotay, You, Tuvok and Tom Take the Flyer, Bring them back," I said.
After 5 minutes.
"The Delta Flyer is away," Harry said.
"Now we wait," I said.
XXX
"Captain's log, Stardate 54337.5, the surviving Hirogen have recovered from their injuries, leaving me with a diplomatic dilemma, End log," I said.
"The Holograms vessel and everything in it's database are Hirogen property, I will not leave it behind," Beta said.
"Captain If I may," Neelix said.
"Of course," I said.
"I imagine your people will tell stories about this hunt, The question is which story will it be, The one about the Dying Beta whose life had to be saved by a hologram. Or will it be the tale of the Beta who barely took over the hunt, Killed the holograms and destroyed their ship, You could be a legend," Neelix said.
"On the other hand, You could try and take the Hologram's ship, But with so few hunters and damaged vessel, you might not survive to tell any stories at all," I said.
"You and your crew could have made worthy prey Captain," Beta said.
"Thank you. I think," I said. As he got on the transporter pad. "Energize,"
As they were beamed back to their ships.
"Transport me to the hologram's vessel," I said. "Energize," As I beamed over and Found B'Elanna and Donik. "Report,"
"Iden's program is unrecoverable, The rest of the holograms are intact in the database," B'Elanna said.
"I Guess that leaves just you," I said. "I'm willing to transfer your program to our holodeck and keep it active,"
"This is my home," She said.
"I can't let you go off on your own," I said.
"She won't be alone, I reprogrammed these holograms once, and it caused suffering on both sides, I'd like a chance to undo some of the damage," Donik said.
"Wouldn't we all," I said.
"They have both proven that they can be trusted, Captain," B'Elanna said.
"I don't suppose I have a right to tell either of you how to live your lives, All I can do is hope that you'll consider the consequences of your actions," I said.
XXX
"Captain," Doc said.
"Doc," I said. "I'd hoped I could attribute your behaviour to tampering,"
"My Programming hasn't been altered," Doc said.
"Not according to the diagnostics," I said.
"I never intended to put Voyager in danger, If nothing else, you have to believe that," Doc said.
"Oh I believe it, But if there's one thing I'm sure of, It's that things don't always happen the way we intend," I said. "I don't understand,"
"If I weren't your only doctor, I imagine you'd confine me to the Brig, Confiscating my emitter would be an equivalent punishment," Doc said.
"I'm not sure that's appropriate," I said.
"If that's not enough, you can take away my holodeck privileges and my autonomy protocols," Doc said.
"You mean turn back the cloak to when you were first activated," I said.
"You've given me extraordinary freedom over the years," Doc said. "I've obviously abused it,"
"Maybe," I said. "Or maybe you've simple become as fallible as those of us who are made of flesh and blood, I'm just as responsible for allowing you to expand your programming as I am for giving technology to the Hirogen, How can I punish you for being who you are?"
"I don't know what to say," Doc said.
"I'd like a complete report on your away mission," I said.
"You'll have it," Doc said.
As I headed out.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!