The devil is in the detail.
Chapter Ten.

Tom and Chakotay were poised for action, the thermal imaging although not perfect gave them just enough visability to gain the advantage they needed to stay out of the clutches of the destroyer. They waited for them to make the next move.
"Looks like the destroyer has given up, it's moving away." Tom said hopefully.

They did not have to wait long as wave after wave of turbulance washed over them, tossing the defensless shuttle uncontrollably. The inertial dampening system was unable to compensate against such an onslaught, Chakotay and Tom were thrown from their seats mercilessly with great force, unable to regain their balance as the relentless shock waves continuously destabilized their craft.

"The flyer's structure can last longer than we can in this, but we won't, all they will find of us is what they can scrape off the bulkheads." Tom shouted over the din of the bombardment as he desperatly tried to cling onto his seat.
"I can't stay sitting long enough to co-ordinate evasive manouvers." He added in frustration after the third time of trying, only to be dumped unceremoniously to the deck.

Tossed around like rag dolls, they began to feel a sense of hopelessness creeping over them. Like David and Goliath, shuttle against destroyer and no Voyager or army to back them up.

In times of adversity and impending doom people react differently, ruled by the disposition of their personality, temperament and life experiences, mingled with the bodies natural defense mechanism for self preservation adding an interesting cocktail to the elements of behaviour under fire.

Chakotay's spiritualism was as much a part of him as breathing. Ingrained during childhood, before he even learnt to appreciate and understand the values of the ancestral gifts from his forefathers. In times of need he could reach into this inner sanctum of power, drawing comfort and strength which helped him stay focused and calm, while others were still in the stress and frustration stage of their reaction cycle.

He could face death with as much calm composure and dignity as he did life. His only regret, not being able to see his beloved Kathryn again, the woman who had capivated his emotions from the moment she had asked him to join forces with her, brains beauty courage and heart, the woman who gave him reason for being. This was the feed back motivation he needed, the trigger point to activate his fight plan.

Difficult as it was to stay balanced on two feet, he tried none the less, because his hope and determination would not leave him wallowing in negative thoughts and self pity. When he could not stand, he crawled and started to pull apart the shuttle, ripping off panals from the walls and consoles, taking out conduits, cables, tools and spare parts, throwing them onto the deck.

Tom looked on wide eyed with disbelief, had Chakotay gone mad? He found that hard to believe, Chakotay was not that sort of guy, but there was always a first time when a person reaches their breaking point. He was about to ask but Chakotay broke his train of thought.
'Any parts we don't need to fly this shuttle with, toss into a pile." Chakotay ordered, seeing the open mouthed look of confusion on Tom's face.

"Going to ditch them out."
"We still have weapons on line and a couple of torpedoes, would'nt that be better to throw at the destroyer instead?." Tom asked as nonchalantly as he could muster, if Chakotay was going through some sort of break down and doing irrational things, now was not the time to stress him further.

"Listen Tom this manoeuver needs precision timing can you set it up?
"Tell me what you want, then consider it done." Tom replied confidently.

If it had been anyone else behaving in this manner, giving such orders he would have questioned and hesitated to follow. There were only two people in this quadrant beside B'Elanna of course , that he would follow blindly and Chakotay was one of them.

"Vent some plasma. I'm going to ignite it and beam out all this debris we just made. You warp us out and park us under the destroyer, it's a risk I know, but we are fast running out of options. We will go to low energy signature mode and see if we can blind side them. Hopefully we can hide from their attacks while they are occupied with the clutter we left behind.

A repetitious, silent blinking on the communications console indicated they were being hailed. Tom and Chakotay looked at each other and at the persistent flashing light.
"They must be getting desperate, trying to track us down through communications, maybe they want a pax parlee. " Tom said in mockingly.

"You have been watching too much of your 20th centuary movies Tom, answer the hail, might as well hear what they have to say, for warned is for armed." Chakotay said sardonically.
" Touché, after that trick you just pulled back there Chakotay I'd take a betting guess that you pulled that out of past history maritime warfare as well, if I'm not wrong." Tom grinned with satisfaction.

"To the Delta Flyer shuttle, this is Captain Jarden on the Mobile Intersteller Space Station Alotte. Do you require any assistence? A friendly voice inquired.
"Well I'll be damned, the cavalry has come to the rescue." Tom said with a relieved grin on his face. Chakotay rolled his eyes and smiled.
"This is the Delta Flyer shuttle from the Star Ship Voyager, I am commander Chakotay. We are being chased for unknown reasons by two warships." Chakotay responded to the friendly Captain.

"Yes we know Commander, the Turanzi freighter Captain put in a distress call and informed us of the Krühlen ships. Sorry it took us this long to get to you, but we had a minefield to negotiate through."
"Better late than never." Tom said under his breath.
"It's safe to come out of the nebula, the destroyer will not harm you, the cruiser is already leaving the area." Captain Jarden informed Chakotay.

The M.I.S.S. Alotte looked impressive, a titanic fortress, bristling with weaponry, and to top it all it carried the insignia of I.D.A. the Intersteller Draconis Alliance. The very people Chakotay needed to get in touch with.
"Can we come aboard Captain? We need to talk urgently." Chakotay asked.
"Be my guest, permission to come aboard Commander." Captain jarden said jovially.