Chapter 135.
(Leah POV)
"For our 3rd course," Neelix said.
"Another course," Chakotay said.
"Luhvian quail in truffle sauce, served with roasted chadre kab," Neelix said.
"My Compliments to the Chef," I said.
"Thank you Captain," 7 said.
"Cream of leola soup, fetran risotto, Luhvian quial, It just keep getting better," B'Elanna said.
"I knew you'd been expanding your palate, but I didn't realize you'd become a gourmet cook, 7, Really should get a cooking place bac in our quarters," I said.
"Preparing meals myself is the best way to ensure quality," 7 said.
"I suppose I should be insulted but everything is so delicious," Neelix said. "I may just have to admit defeat and hand up my apron,"
"No, that's be a real tragedy, Neelix," Tom said.
"Pinot Noir, Commander," Neelix said.
"I'll have another glass of the chardonnay," Chakotay said.
"Each course, Has been paired with a specific wine, Substations are not recommended," 7 said.
"The Pinot Noir sounds perfect," Chakotay said.
"Is there any salt," Tom said.
"Additional seasoning is not required," 7 said.
"Oh I'm sorry, I," Tom said.
"If the quail hasn't been prepared to your satisfaction, I could replicate something more to your liking," 7 said. "A peanut butter and jelly sandwich perhaps,"
"Actually it's delicious just the way it is," Tom said.
As we rumbled.
"McCall to bridge, Report," I said.
"We're being pulled off course," Tuvok said.
"How," I said.
"I'm not certain, It appears to be some kind of graviton surge," Tuvok said.
"We're on our way," I said. "Stations, Now,"
As we got to the Bridge.
"We've routed all available power to the thrusters, But we can't break free," Harry said.
"Try reversing the shield polarity," I said.
"No effect," Tuvok said.
"Harry what about ZPM power," I said.
"It's offline, That surge took the grid off," Harry said. "B'Elanna is already working on getting it back,"
"Captain, We're going in," Tom said. "We're through whatever it was,"
"I'm picking up a vessel it's charging weapons," Tuvok said
"Shields, Hail them," I said.
As we got hit.
"No response," Harry said.
"Direct hit. Shields down to 65%," Tuvok said.
"Harry try again," I said.
"They're still not responding," Harry said.
"Bridge to Engineering, B'Elanna where our ZPM power," I said.
"I almost have it Captain, Standby," B'Elanna said.
"Tuvok, Target their weapons array and Fire," I said. "Can you identify them,"
"Their weapon signature is Vaadwaur, But the ship has technology from several different species," Chakotay said.
"There's another vessel approaching," 7 said. "It's charging weapons,"
"Evasive pattern Beta 6," I said.
"Maybe we've got an ally," Tom said.
"The Vaadwaur ship is retreating," Tuvok said.
"Hail the second ship," I said.
"No response," Harry said.
As we got hit.
"I stand corrected," Tom said.
As we got hit again.
"They have penetrated our aft shields," Tuvok said.
"Reroute power to the auxiliary emitters and return fire," I said.
"They've transported material off Decks 5, 7 and 8," Chakotay said.
"Target their engines, Fire," I said.
"They've gone to warp," Tom said.
"Follow them," I said.
"Navigational sensor are malfunctioning, Something to do with this environment," Tom said.
"I want a full damage report, and an inventory of everything that was taken off this ship, and I want to know where the hell we are, B'Elanna get repairs underway," I said.
"Already am Captain," B'Elanna said.
"They got more than 90% of our food stores, including almost everything in the airponics bay, they also got a computer console from Engineering and they emptied 3 of our deuterium tanks," Chakotay said.
"Why would anyone steal deuterium, You could find it anywhere," Tom said.
"Apparently not here," 7 said.
"7," I said.
"I'm not detecting any gases, stellar bodies or matter of any kind," 7 said.
"Except the ships that attacked us," I said. "Scan for other vessels, I want to know how many we're dealing with,"
"Engineering to Bridge, Captain, We've got ZPM power back online," B'Elanna said.
"Acknowledged," I said.
"There are more than 150 ships within scanning range, But I'm only detecting lifesigns on 29 of them," Tuvok said.
"Captain, There's another vessel approaching at High impulse," Harry said.
"Quite a welcoming committee they've got here," Tom said.
"What's the status of our shields," I said.
"They're at 28%," Tuvok said.
"ZPM 1 to shields," I said.
"Done, Shields back to 89%," Harry said.
"Charge weapons," I said.
"Captain, this one wants to talk," Harry said.
"On screen," I said. "I'm Captain McCall of the Starship Voyager,"
"General Valen, Welcome to the void," Valen said.
"You're the first ship we've seen here that hasn't tried to fire on us. But in case you change your mind we're prepared to defend ourselves," I said.
"I know, I've been observing you on sensors," Valen said. "The way you fought those ships was impressive, Most vessels don't survive the first few minutes,"
"I'd appreciate any information you could give us about where we are," I said.
XXX
"The Anomaly's a closed structure, encased by an inert layer of subspace, Matter and energy can't penetrate it," Valen said.
"Our ships certainly penetrated it when we were pulled in," I said.
"By the funnels, But they only pull matter in one direction, Into the Void," Valen said.
"Have you explored the entire anomaly," Tuvok said.
"There's nothing to explore but it's big, We've calculated the outer circumference at approximately 9 lightyears, but we've never been able to breach it," Valen said.
"How long have you been here," Chakotay said.
"More than 5 years," Valen said.
"There must be a way to escape," I said.
"New arrivals are always thinking about escape," Valen said.
"We have a sophisticated starship, Maybe if we work together we can find a way out," I said.
"You're being naive, No one ever gets out," Valen said.
"We may be able to devise a new approach," 7 said.
"Many have tried, All they did was waste resources that could've kept them alive longer, Don't be foolish, I can help you," Valen said.
"How," Chakotay said.
"The only source of Food and energy in the void, comes from new ships that are drawn in, If you want to survive here, You'll have to compete for their resources," Valen said.
"And I suppose you can help us do that," I said.
"I have tactical data on some of the more dangerous predators," Valen said.
"But you want something in return," I said.
"My scans show you have photon torpedoes," Valen said.
"I'm sorry, We don't trade weapons," I said.
"Why not," Valen said.
"Because we have not way of knowing what they'll be used for, Plundering innocent ships for example," I said.
"Wait a few weeks until you resources start to run out, Morality won't keep your life support systems running," Valen said.
"I'm sorry, General, There are some compromises I won't make," I said.
"Not yet," Valen said. As he left.
XXX
"Report, Lt," I said.
"We're using power at almost 10 times the usual rate," B'Elanna said.
"While we're standing still," Chakotay said.
"The same graviton forces that pulled us into the anomaly seem to be draining the warp core, At their rate, Our deuterium will be gone in about 10 days," B'Elanna said. "20 if we using all 3 ZPMs,"
"Shut down all nonessential systems," I said.
"Where are you going," Chakotay said.
"To find a way out of here," I said.
XXX
"Using fractal algorithms with the Borg sensors, I believe I can predict where and when these funnels will occur," 7 said.
"Well, that's impressive, But how does it help us," Tom said.
"The funnel originate inside the anomaly, Creating massive graviton forces before they erupt, If we were to enter one of the funnel just as that happened, We might be able to use those forces and propel us into normal space," 7 said.
"Not without compromising structural integrity," I said.
"I might be able to reinforce the shields to compensate," Tuvok said.
"There's another problem," 7 said. "When the graviton forces reach critical levels, the polarity suddenly reverses pulling everything near the funnel back into the anomaly,"
"We'd have to jump to warp at exactly the right moment," Tom said.
"We'd need to achieve a velocity of Warp 8.2," 7 said.
"Question is will we have enough power," Tom said.
"At the rate we're losing it, We may only get one shot at this, The sooner we try the better, Let's get on it," I said.
XXX
"I'm picking up a funnel starting to form," 7 said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red.
"There's a funnel forming 70,000 meters off the port bow, Bearing 130 mark 24," 7 said.
"Graviton surge in 34 seconds," Harry said.
"Full power to shields and structural integrity, Take us in Tom," I said.
"5 seconds, 4, 3," 7 said.
"Structural integrity at 20%," Tuvok said. "10%,"
"50 thousands kilometers to normal space," Tom said.
"Prepare to go to warp," I said.
As we got hit hard.
"Shit," I said.
"Engineering to Bridge," B'Elanna said.
"Go ahead, B'Elanna," I said.
"The warp core is offline," B'Elanna said.
XXX
"If nothing else we learned some things that'll help us next time," I said.
"With all due respect Captain, We don't even have Warp drive anymore," Tom said.
"I may be able to get it back online, But we still need deuterium to keep our basic systems running," B'Elanna said.
"How long will our reserves last," Chakotay said.
"If we shut down life support on all but a few decks Deactivate Astrometrics, Turbolifts, Ration Replicator use maybe a week," B'Elanna said.
"I used to make a living scavenging for supplies Let me take one of the shuttles, I might be able to find Deuterium on one of those abandoned ships," Neelix said.
"A shuttle would be too easy a target," Tuvok said.
"Not to mention. If the other ships haven't already been taken," I said. "I appreciate the offer Neelix but we're safer if we stay together,"
"The Shuttles may be useful in another capacity," 7 said.
"We could use their warp cores to augment power on Voyager," I said.
"We're still going to need more deuterium," Chakotay said.
"Let's track down the ship that raided us and get back what they stole," I said.
"We should do it quickly, I've detected a number of vessel monitoring us," Tuvok said.
"The Vultures are circling," Tom said.
"Vultures eat the dead, Tom, We're not dead yet, B'Elanna Use the ZPMs to give us more power to the Shields and weapons," I said.
"I can use the 3rd to main power it may give us a bit more time. But We are already down by 6. We only got another 15 left," B'Elanna said.
"Let's do it, Dismissed," I said.
XXX
"I'm detecting the vessel," Tuvok said.
"Red Alert," I said. As the Klaxons went Red.
"The Vessel's in visual range," Tuvok said.
"Shields," I said. "On screen,"
"Looks like somebody got to them before we did," Harry said.
"No life signs," Tuvok said.
"Scan for Ion trails," I said. "Whoever did this probably has our deuterium,"
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said.
"Is there anything left aboard that ship worth salvaging," Chakotay said.
"Their technology and supplies have been picked clean," Harry said.
"Not everything of value has been taken, The Warp core has been removed, but the casing that protected it is intact, It's composed of Tricesium," 7 said.
"We can convert it into a power source," Harry said.
"Every little bit helps," I said. "Lock onto the core casing and beam it to the cargo bay,"
XXX
"How is he," I said.
"His injury doesn't seem serious, but he won't let me close enough to treat him," Doc said.
"My name's Captain McCall, You're safe here," I said.
"I've tried communicating with him, He doesn't appear to have any verbal skills," Doc said.
"Do we know how he got on board," I said.
"I believe he was transported along with the core casing," 7 said.
"We should have picked up his life signs," I said.
"We're trying to determine why we didn't detect him," 7 said.
"That vessel he was on had no atmosphere, How did he survive," I said.
"My scans show he can conserve oxygen, He has unusually large lung capacity and a voracious appetite," Doc said.
"Do you think that ship was his home," I said.
"Maybe, but we can't send him back, He can't survive without oxygen indefinitely," Doc said.
"We'll run scans for other members of his species, but until we can find a safe place for him, Let's make him as comfortable as possible," I said.
"Computer, Replicate a portion of nutritional supplements from my daily allotment," 7 said.
XXX
"You've found something," I said.
"We think we know who has our deuterium," Tuvok said.
"It's someone we've already met," Harry said.
"Valen," I said.
XXX
"I knew I'd see you again, Captain, I expect you've reconsidered my proposal," Valen said.
"We're not here to trade, We're here to take back what belongs to us," I said.
"I don't know what you mean," Valen said.
"Our scans indicate you've got some of our food, one of our consoles and a large quantity of our Deuterium," Chakotay said.
"We didn't take any of that from you," Valen said.
"No apparently you killed the crew of another ship and took it from them," I said. "We want it back,"
"That's not the way things work here," Valen said.
"Wither you give it back or we'll take it," I said. "Red Alert," As the Klaxons went Red. As he cut the link.
"He's powering his engines," Tom said.
"Target his shields and fire," I said.
"Direct hit, his shields are down," Tuvok said.
"Beam back whatever belongs to us to the Cargo bay," I said.
"I'm detecting large quantities of food on his supply deck," 7 said.
"Maybe we should take it while we have the chance," Tom said.
"Is it ours," I said.
"No, but our own reserves are running out," 7 said.
"Valen wouldn't hesitate to take it from us," Tom said.
"No he wouldn't. We got what's ours, Reverse course," I said. "Cancel Red Alert, I'll be in my ready room,"
XXX
As My door bell rang.
"Come in," I said.
As Chakotay and Tuvok came in.
"An updated inventory of our supplies," Chakotay said. "We got back less than half of what was stolen,"
"Doesn't take 2 of you to deliver a padd, So why do I have a feeling you about to gang up on my again," I said.
"We want to be clear about what our policy's going to be while we're here in the Void," Chakotay said.
"You think we should have taken Valen's food," I said.
"Logic suggest we may have to be more opportunistic if we intend to survive," Tuvok said.
"We may not like Valen's tactics, But he and his crew are still alive after 5 years in here," Chakotay said.
"I was thinking about that myself," I said. "I thought maybe I could get some guidance from the Federation charter, I was hoping I'd find a loophole that would allow us to take actions we ordinarily wouldn't take,"
"Any luck," Chakotay said.
"The Charter's a statement of principles, not a practical document," I said.
"No section on how to exist in a void," Chakotay said.
"No," I said. "But I've become convinced that we've got to stick to our principles, Not abandon them,"
"Should the crew be ready to die for those principles," Chakotay said.
"If the Alternative means becoming thieves and killers ourselves, yes, But I'm betting that our principles are going to keep us alive," I said.
"Captain," Tuvok said.
"The Federation is based on mutual cooperation, the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," I said. "Voyager can't survive here alone, But if we form a temporary alliance with other ships, Maybe we can pool our resources and escape,"
"As you've pointed out," Tuvok said. "The people we've encountered in this void are thieves and killers, Such individuals are hardly ideal allies,"
"I agree," I said.
"Then who are we going to form an alliance with," Chakotay said.
"Anyone who agrees to play by our rules," I said. "No killing, no stealing and no giving up,"
"Forgive me Captain," Tuvok said. "But why would anyone who has survived by killing and stealing suddenly agree to those terms,"
"We'll offer to share our food and medical supplies and defend ships that are attacked by raiders," I said.
"Captain Maybe you'd better take another look at that inventory," Chakotay said. "Our food and power reserves will be gone within a week, If we start giving everything away,"
"Then maybe we'll only survive for 2 days instead of 7, on the other hand if we share what we have, instead of hoarding it, We might find other people willing to do the same, if we combine our technology, we can find ways of improving our situation and ultimately get the hell out of this place," I said "We may lose a little weight gentlemen, but we won't lose who we are,"
XXX
Captain's log Stardate 54553.4, For the past several days we've been making every effort to recruit members into an alliance, but it hasn't been easy, End log," I said.
We were in the conference room.
"Whenever a new ship gets pulling into the void, they're immediately attacked, Instead of attacking it, you'd have to help defend the new ship," I said.
"And how is that in my interest," He said.
"It would encourage them to join our alliance," I said.
And if they refuse then we raid them," he said.
"Everyone in the alliance must agree not to launch unprovoked attacks," Tuvok said.
"Then how are we supposed to get supplies," he said.
"The idea is to recruit new members share technology and resources," Chakotay said.
"We almost escaped the void on our own, If we work together I believe we'll succeed," I said.
"How many ships do you have in this alliance," he said.
"You'd be the first," I said.
"Technically Captain that's not correct," Neelix said. "I consider myself the first member of the captain's coalition, 6 years ago I offered her my services and the resources of my ship, And she has never failed to help me when I needed her,"
"It's a noble idea, Captain, But good intentions are like deuterium reserves, they tend to get lost in the void," He said.
"All I ask is that you consider our proposal," I said.
"I will," He said.
"In the meantime, We'd like to offer you food and medical supplies," I said.
"What do you expect in return," He said.
"Nothing, Compliments of the Alliance," I said.
As Tuvok lead them out.
"I tried," Neelix said.
XXX
"Captain, there's been a theft, " 7 said.
"What's missing," I said.
"My Phase compensator," 7 said. "No doubt it was stolen by one of your prospective members,"
"It wasn't stolen, I gave it to the Nygeans," I said. "They needed it to repair their sensor array,"
"I presume you obtained something equally valuable in return," 7 said.
"I think I did, The goodwill of a potential ally," I said.
"Did they join," 7 said.
"Not yet," I said.
"Leah," 7 said.
"I know, It's not exactly the most efficient policy, but then you don't always do what's most efficient either," I said.
"I don't know what you're implying," 7 said.
"You gave up your rations to our guest in sickbay," I said.
"He needed food," 7 said.
"You're a valuable member of this crew, Your friend in sickbay is not but a drain on resources, What's efficient about wasting food on him," I said. "You think I'm being inefficient, Tuvok thinks I'm being Illogical, You both could be right, But maybe the best way to get help is to give it, And 7,"
"Yes," 7 said.
"I'm sorry I gave away your favourite Phase compensator," I said.
XXX
"Senior officers, Report to stations immediately," Tuvok said as I got to the Bridge.
"Report," I said.
"Another ship is being pulled into the Void.
"Charge weapons shields to full," I said.
"What's going on," Tom said.
"A funnel just opened," Chakotay said "It pulled in a new vessel,"
"2 Warships are approaching it, One of them is Valen," Tuvok said.
"Target Valen's weapons and hail him," I said.
"My fight's not with you Captain," Valen said.
"Then Stand down," I said.
"This new ship has impressive technology," Valen said. "We can share it,"
"I'm not here to divide the spoils," I said.
"Then why are you here," Valen said.
"To protect the ship you're firing on," I said.
"What are they to you," Valen said.
"Just some people in a bad situation like the rest of us," I said. "Now Stand down,"
"Save your speeches, I've got a crew to feed," Valen said. As he cut the channel.
"He's targeting our shields," Chakotay said.
"Take his weapons out, Hail the new ship," I said.
"I surrender," He said.
"We're here to help you, Can you target the smaller warship," I said.
"We're a survey vessel, we're not equipped to fight," He said.
As we got hit.
"Shields at 80%." Tuvok said.
"Photon Torpedoes. Fire," I said.
"Shields on Valen's lead ship are holding at 80%," Tuvok said. "It appears he's upgraded them since we last met,"
"Ours," I said.
"78%," Tuvok said.
As we got hit.
"The smaller ship is outmanoeuvring us," Tom said.
As we got hit.
"We have hull breaches on Decks 5 and 6," Harry said.
"Seal them," I said.
"Shields at 69%," Tuvok said.
"Engineering to Bridge," B'Elanna said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We're losing containment, At this rate we'll be dead in the water in less than 3 minutes," B'Elanna said.
"We should retreat Captain," Tuvok said.
"Not yet," I said.
"We might want to reconsider, There's another ship approaching," Tom said.
"We can't defend ourselves against 3 ships," Chakotay said.
"We may not have to," Tuvok said. "The 3rd vessel belongs to Mr. Garon," Tuvok said. "He's firing at the other 2, Valen's shields are down, the smaller ship is leaking plasma,"
"They're both retreating," Tom said.
"Garon's hailing," Harry said.
"Get a weapon lock on him," I said. We've been fooled by unexpected allies before,"
"Why are you targeting me," Garon said.
"Because I don't know what you intentions are," I said.
"Haven't I just made them clear," Garon said. "I've decided to accept your offer,"
"In that case, Welcome to the Alliance," I said.
XXX
"Captain's Log Stardate 54562.7, Since Garon and the survey ship became our charter members, Finding new allies has gotten a little easier, My Latest prospect is Commander Bosaal, Whose ship has technology that could help us escape, End log," I said.
As we got to the Mess hall.
"Neelix, We have another guest for dinner," I said.
"Ah always room for one more, Captain," Neelix said.
"Who did you raid to get fresh vegetables," Bosaal said.
"They're replicated," I said. "One of the crews that joined us had technology that tripled our replicator efficiency,"
"It may not be a gourmet feast, But we can feed 500 people a day now," Neelix said. "Using half the power it took us a few days ago,"
"Why don't we sit down," I said.
"What's that parasite doing aboard your ship," Bosaal said.
"I beg your pardon," I said.
"They're vermin," Bosaal said.
"I don't know who you are sir, but your choice of words is offensive," Doc said.
"What is offensive is the way they slip aboard during transport, Hide in conduits, steal food, Spread disease," Bosaal said.
"Fantome is perfectly healthy, And unlike some people in this void, he hasn't stolen anything," Doc said.
"If my sensors could detect where they are on my ship, I'd exterminate them," Bosaal said. "i suggest you do the same,"
"Captain, this is outrageous," Doc said.
"Doc," I said. "One of the principles of our alliance is that we don't discriminate, Everyone's welcome as long as they follow the rules, But if you're having a bad experience with the members of this species on your ship, I'd be happy to bring them to Voyager,"
"If you could find them," Bosaal said.
"Now that's we've had a chance to analyze Fantome's physiology, I think we can get a transporter lock on them," I said.
"Is this your way of enticing me to join your alliance," Bosaal said.
"I'm simply trying to demonstrate how cooperation and tolerance can benefit everyone," I said.
"Then we have an agreement," Bosaal said.
XXX
"How is it coming," I said.
"Pretty well," B'Elanna said. "We just need to, "I guess I was being a little optimistic,"
"What's the problem, Exactly," I said.
"We think we can establish a shield bubble large enough to encompass all our ships but we have no way to compensate for the graviton stress," Garon said.
"Wouldn't a polaron modulator be able to do that," I said.
"Unfortunately nobody in the alliance has one, we've been trying to build our own, but so far," B'Elanna said.
"Maybe we could trade for one or find a new ally who has one," I said.
"Well it's not a common piece of technology, and it's valuable, It may be difficult to convince anyone to part with it," Garon said.
"You never know unless you ask," I said.
XXX
"Torres to McCall, Please report to Engineering," B'Elanna said.
"On my way," I said.
As I headed down to Engineering.
"B'Elanna," I said.
"Just what we needed captain," B'Elanna said. "A fully compatible polaron Modulator,"
"Where did you get it," I said.
"A Kinjal frigate," Bosaal said.
"Do they want to join our alliance," I said.
"They're not interested," Bosaal said. I knew something was wrong.
"How did you get this," I said.
"I traded for it," Bosaal said.
"What did you give them," I said.
"I don't answer to you," Bosaal said.
"Did you steal it," I said but he never answered me. "Disconnect the modulator,"
"Captain," B'Elanna said.
"We're returning it to the people it belongs to," I said.
"They have no more use for it," Bosaal said.
"You don't know that," I said. Getting a bad feeling.
"Yes, I do," Bosaal said.
"You killed them," I said.
"Captain," Garon said. "I don't like his tactics any more than you do, but why waste this technology when we're so close to escaping,"
"Because it's a violation of everything this alliance stands for," I said.
"Refusing the modulator won't bring back the people he killed," Garon said.
"No, But using it would make us accessories to murder," I said. "Take it and get out,"
XXX
"The Jelinians and Kraylor have left with Bosaal," Chakotay said. "They thought you were being,"
"Impulsive and self righteous," I said. "Is that what you think,"
"You did what you had to do," Chakotay said.
"Still I made a mistake," I said.
"By telling Bosaal to leave," Chakotay said.
"Allowing him to join in the first place," I said.
"You couldn't have known what he was going to do," Chakotay said.
"Oh I had a pretty good idea what kind of person he was, That bigoted reaction he had to the Doc's friend told me all I needed to know, But I fucking ignored my instincts," I said.
"Why," Chakotay said.
"Because I thought his ship could help us escape," I said.
"You weren't the only one who wanted him in the alliance," Chakotay said.
"Maybe not, But If I'd listened to my doubts in the first place, We wouldn't have lost the other 2 ships," I said.
"We'll find a way out of here without them," Chakotay said.
"Where do we stand with the modulator," I said.
"B'Elanna and the other engineers are working around the clock to build one, She thinks they'll be ready to test in a couple of days," Chakotay said.
"So everyone's pulling together to make up for my mistake," I said.
"They have to, It says so in the Federation Charter," Chakotay said.
"Good news I hope," I said.
"I'm afraid not, It appears Commander Bosaal is attempting to form an alliance of his own with one of our adversaries," Tuvok said.
"Valen," I said.
"Yes," I said.
"We recorded a tactical conversation that took place between them Just a few minutes ago," He said.
"Don't underestimate McCall, I've been in battle with her twice," Valen said.
"Then you know McCall's Tactics, I have 2 other ships, We can take Voyager's food and weapons if we work together," Bosaal said.
"The rest of their conversation suggests they will attack within the next 48 hours," Tuvok said.
"I'm so glad we taught them the value of cooperation," I said.
"Our Power reserves will be severely depleted if we're forced to defend ourselves," Tuvok said.
"Tell B'Elanna we don't have time to test her modulator, As soon as it is online we going to try and escape," I said.
XXX
"Red alert," I said as the Klaxons went red.
"There's a funnel forming in Grid 4, Graviton surge in 98 sections," Harry said.
"Alert the other ships," I said. "Take us in Tom,"
"Aye Captain," Tom said.
"Bosaal and his fleet are approaching, They are charging weapons," Tuvok said.
"McCall to Engineering Status," I said.
"I need 2 more minutes," B'Elanna said.
"You got 1, B'Elanna," I said. "Full power to Shields and Standby weapons, ZPMs 1 and 2 to Shields and weapons array,"
As we got hit.
"Surge in 50 seconds," Harry said.
"Voyager to all alliance ships, Begin firing at your designated targets," I said. "Tuvok, Fire at will,"
"We've penetrated shields on both vessels," Tuvok said.
"McCall to the Doctor, Initiate Transport," I said.
"Acknowledged," Doc said.
"Transport Complete Captain," 7 said. "They're in the engine rooms of both ships,"
"Acknowledged," I said.
"30 seconds," Harry said.
As we got hit.
"McCall to Engineering. We need that modulator," I said.
"Just a few more seconds," B'Elanna said.
"We're receiving a hail from Valen's ship audio only," Harry said.
"Let's hear it," I said. "Doc what are they saying,"
"Mission accomplished," Doc said. "Fantome shut down power on Valen's ship,"
"Confirmed," Tuvok said. "Bosaal's ship has lost power as well,"
"Who says gremlins in the engine are a myth," Tom said.
"Surge in 5 seconds, 4," Harry said.
"Now or never, B'Elanna," I said.
"Got it," B'Elanna said.
"Do it," I said.
"All ships are in formation," Chakotay said.
"Structural integrity at 50%," Tuvok said.
"40 thousands meters to normal space," Tom said.
"30%," Tuvok said. "25%,"
"Do it Tom, Voyager to Alliance ships go to warp," I said.
As we went to Warp.
XXX
"Gentlemen, It's been a privilege to have you as allies," I said.
"I never believed we'd escape," Garon said.
"Then why did you join," He said.
"Captain McCall is very persuasive, And the food was good," Garon said.
"You're welcome to have a meal with us anytime," I said.
"Ah unfortunately we're headed in the opposite direction," Garon said. "Safe journey to you and your crew, Captain,"
"And to all of yours as well," I said.
"Thank you," He said.
"Energize," I said.
As they beamed back to their ships.
"It was almost like being part of the Federation again," I said.
"The real one's only 30,000 lightyears away," Chakotay said.
"Then what are we standing around for," I said. "McCall to Paris,"
"Go ahead," Tom said.
"Resume course for home, Tom, Maximum warp," I said.
"Yes Ma'am," Tom said.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!