"Excuse me?" Janeway said.

Ronan snickered. "You'll see. Oh and no heroics. The same way I made my ship explode…I can do the same to this one in a few seconds."

"I'll guess we'll have to be faster then."

Ronan considered her for a moment trying to decide if she was actually capable of it. He knew she was brave enough to try him. He walked away to consult with one of his men.

Chakotay rose and stood next to her. "Do you think he's bluffing?"

She folded her arms and said, "You tell me. Rebellion is your department, isn't it?"

He smiled. "Not this kind. We didn't take hostages and involve innocent people in our fight. Besides, it's been awhile."

"Well, brush up because we need help here." She scanned the room again. "Lots of it." She glanced down and asked, "How's your wrist?"

"I'll live."

"Have the Doctor check it. I need you at full strength."

Chakotay nodded and walked away. Ronan noticed and followed him.

Janeway knelt next to Tom who was busy attending to Tuvok who still lay unconscious. "How is he?"

Tom shook his head. "At first, I thought he took a direct hit to the head."

Janeway swallowed hard and watched Tom tear some table linens and wrap the strips around Tuvok's skull. "How…how bad?"

"Believe it or not, I think it's just a glancing blow. It looks worse than it is. Tuvok's got a pretty hard head. He'll come around in a minute or two. It's still pretty nasty though."

"Good job, Tom. I'll get the Doctor."

She started to stand but Belanna pulled her down. "Captain," she said. "What are we going to do about this Ronan guy?"

Janeway looked over at where he stood with Chakotay and the Doctor. "I'm open to suggestions. Do you have one, lieutenant?"

"I've got a count of sixteen of them compared to about fifty of us. "

Janeway nodded. 'Strength in numbers. One problem though. Ronan says he has Voyager rigged to explode if we try anything."

Belanna looked around. "Where?"

"We'll have to find out."

Belanna smiled and said, 'Well, he seems to like you."

Janeway shook her head. "That he does. I'll let you know as soon as I find out anything. In the meantime, spread the word and prep the able crew for a surprise of our own when needed."

"Aye, Captain."

Janeway stood up and walked over to where the Doctor, Chakotay, and Ronan were standing. She stopped along the way to check on her injured crew members, assess their readiness, and offer encouragement.

"Don't worry, Captain," Neelix said. "We'll be ready."

Janeway patted his cheek and said, "Get that leg wound attended to, Mr. Neelix. And I promise we'll have another party first thing with only invited guests." She reached the Doctor who was having an intense conversation with Ronan and said, "Report."

"Mainly minor injuries, Captain, but we do have three severe injuries that require surgical intervention." He nodded at Ronan. "This one is objecting to that type of life saving medical care."

"Is he? Perhaps he won't object when he's the one who needs it."

Ronan's eyes narrowed at her. "Making threats, Captain?"

Janeway ignored him and glanced at Chakotay's wrist. He wiggled his hand and looked at Ronan and said, "Good as new."

Ronan huffed as Janeway stepped up. "My people need medical attention and you are going to give it to them."

"You're a brave group. I think maybe you can tough it out. Besides, this thing, whatever he is, looks like he's got it handled."

"Thing?" the Doctor repeated.

Janeway put her hands on her hips and said, "The Doctor needs a proper medical facility. A banquet hall isn't it."

Ronan stepped closer to her. "You're not going out that door, Captain. You do and it's the last thing you'll ever do."

Janeway searched his eyes. "You've rigged our doors with explosives."

Ronan nodded. "I did say you were intelligent. Beautiful too." His finger stroked her cheek. Nodding to Chakotay, he said, "That's why this one got his hands burned."

Chakotay exhaled to control his anger. "Take your hands off of her."

Ronan gave a quick smile. "He likes you too."

Janeway swatted his hand away and said, "We don't have to go out those doors to get them to sickbay. We can transport them directly there. "

Ronan stepped back. "I'd like to see that."

"Belanna!" Janeway called. Belanna ran over as she beckoned the Doctor to her. "We are going to do a site to site to get you back to sick bay. Tell Belanna who goes and she'll do it. Take Tuvok with you."

Belanna nodded and went to the side panel as the Doctor and some crew members moved the three critical patients and Tuvok next to him.

Ronan grabbed Janeway around the neck and put the rifle to her side. Chakotay started to move but was immediately held back by two terrorists who wrenched his arms behind his back. He struggled to get free but was held tight.

"No tricks, Captain, or you and everyone else here will die."

Janeway tilted her head back to get some air. "I thought I was going to do that anyway, Mr. Ronan? Belanna, do it!"

Belanna punched the wall panel and the Doctor and his patients shimmered away.

Ronan released his hold on Janeway who stepped away from him, rubbing her neck. "Incredible," he said. "Another technology to add to my collection."

"Sorry," Janeway said. "but we don't share our technology."

Ronan winked. "You will. Among other things." He pushed the rifle against her chest again and said, "Tell your outside personnel that if they try and come in here like that, you're dead."

"I don't have to. Belanna, take the transporter off line."

"Captain?" Belanna said.

"Do it."

Belanna punched in a few codes and said, "Transporters off line."

Janeway slapped her combadge and said, "Janeway to the bridge."

"Ayala here, Captain. It's good to hear your voice. We're working on getting you out."

"Stop doing that, Mr. Ayala."

"Captain?"

"Mr. Ronan has the doors rigged to detonate if anyone attempts to open them. Inform security that option is off the table."

"Aye, Captain."

Janeway felt Ronan push the rifle further against her chest. "Transporters are also offline in this section, Mr. Ayala. Keep them that way until further notice."

Ronan stared at her and Janeway said, "You said you had an interest in using them in the future. They'll be available when you say you want them."

"Captain?" Ayala said.

"Janeway out." She looked at Ronan and said, "Satisfied?"

"Not yet but I will be." He dropped the rifle and grabbed her arm. He pulled her to him and said, "You and I need some private time."

Chakotay jumped out of the grasp of the two men and took her other arm. He was quickly recaptured by the two men and pulled away. "Captain!" he called.

Janeway struggled against Ronan who lifted his rifle and aimed it at Chakotay. "No!" She hit the rifle upwards just as it discharged and the weapons fire hit the banner and scorched the ceiling. The sign burned and fluttered to the ground as it smoldered. She caught the gun as it came down and held it against Ronan. "Please," she begged. "Please don't do this. I'll go with you."

Ronan glared at Chakotay for a few seconds before he finally relaxed. "I would strongly suggest that you get your crew under control, Captain, or your Doctor is going to be a very busy man incinerating corpses."

"Understood." Janeway took her hands off the weapon. Turning to her crew, she said, "Everyone is to cooperate fully with these men. That's an order." She looked at Chakotay and then back to Ronan. "No one will cause you any further trouble."

"You're right. You won't." Yanking her to him, he pulled her back to the kitchen. Just before they disappeared from view, he stopped and turned around. "If her boyfriend or anyone else decides to disobey orders, shoot to kill, mates." He smiled down at Janeway and said, "The Captain and I are about to get better acquainted."