Chapter 13

Over the next few days, we meet at the cliff regularly and come up with a plan. I'm amazed by how good it feels that Chakotay knows the truth. In Starfleet you're never alone. You're part of a command structure, you have a team to fall back on as well as your training and protocol. It has been hard to navigate a difficult situation without backup and with the added responsibility of someone else's wellbeing on my shoulders. Knowing that Chakotay has my back and that we're working towards the same goal, together… It means a lot.

As it turns out, the first part – getting off the planet – is easy. The other people the Maquis rescued are being transported as we speak. Most of them are from the former colonies in the Demilitarized Zone. Those that can be are taken back to their home with whatever spacecraft the colony can spare. The others, the people who can't go home, will stay on this world or will be taken to other communities willing to shelter them. Chakotay can find us one of those shuttles and take us away. The problem is where we'll go. It's the Demilitarized Zone, so there are no Starfleet outposts nearby. The nearest foothold is quite a ways off through dangerous areas of space. It won't help if we escape here only to get recaptured by the Cardassians, or caught in the crossfire. And Chakotay is adamant that we don't involve anyone from the ship. They've never liberated Starfleet personnel before, as far as Chakotay is aware. Apparently the Rangers are usually good about getting out their own. There's a lot of hate for Starfleet among the Maquis and Chakotay worries about how the knowledge that two officers have been among them all this time will be received. They might think we're spies, or someone carrying a grudge could take matters into their own hands. We even decide against involving Mora. I think she'd help, but I don't want to compromise her any more than she already has been. And as it turns out, we don't need her.

It's barely dawn when Chakotay lets himself into my room and wakes me up. I get ready in record time while he checks on the Captain. There is still no change in his condition, though Kimmy takes good care of him. I said goodbye to her last night, with Chakotay's help. I sling the satchel with food she prepared for us over my shoulder and go to help Chakotay with the Captain. It's only been a few days since we transferred the Captain from a stretcher to the bed and now we're putting him right back. I feel a moment of worry that he still hasn't woken up and a pang of sadness too. How much easier would it have been if we'd done this together? If I didn't have to do all this alone?

'Ready?' Chakotay asks. I amend my thought, I wasn't alone. Besides, as my mother says, it's no use crying over spilt milk. I nod and together we lift up the stretcher.

Despite the early hour, the settlement is already stirring as we walk through it. The people here are mostly farmers, getting up with first light. We're not exactly sneaking out, Chakotay told his commander what he was doing – parts of it anyway – and the colonist who owns the shuttle we'll use lent it willingly. Still, we thought leaving in the early morning to be a prudent precaution.

We locate the shuttle easily, though the word 'shuttle' is generous. 'Dingy' would be more to the point. It's mostly used for small supply runs to the next planet and looks like it has seen more years than I have. But it'll have to do.

The ship has no bunks or quarters so we make the Captain as comfortable as possible in the small cargo hold. Chakotay tries to convince me to stay with him, but there really isn't any space. Besides, I feel like I've been waiting for far too long. I'm ready to get into the thick of it. Chakotay takes the helm and I squeeze in beside him as co-pilot. Take-off is smoother than I expected and we're soon off the planet and laying in a course out of the system.

Our journey is smooth if long. The ship, which I've lovingly begun to refer to as 'our old dear', has a top speed hardly worthy of the name, but she's dependable. Luckily we only have to get to the fourth planet of the next system.

Our landing is not as smooth as our departure. Chakotay brings us in hot and before I know it we're soaring over a vast forest. The plant life is dense, with not a clearing in sight. I expect us to land past the tree line, though I can't see an end yet, but Chakotay takes us to right above the canopy. I'm about to protest when Chakotay glances my way.

'Trust me, Kathryn.'

He's been calling me by my full name since he first learned it, though only when we're alone, and the sound brings a touch of warmth every time he says it. It means no more lies, just me, warts and all. So I hold my tongue. He's gotten me this far. I trust him.

I don't even see the gap in the trees until we're right above it. It's barely the size of our ship. Chakotay takes us in smoothly, but I imagine that if it wasn't for the shields I'd be hearing the sound of branches scratching at the bulkheads. We set down easily and Chakotay and I quickly run through the post-flight check. Now that we both know of the other's Starfleet training, we work together seamlessly, knowing that we use the same rulebook. Once we're sure everything is safely powered down, I run a bio scan.

I frown when I see the results. 'There are no humanoid lifeforms within two kilometres.'

Chakotay just smiles at me. 'Don't worry, we're early. He'll be here.'