Author's Note: HUGE thank you to everyone who has read and especially to those of you who have reviewed. I have gotten some of the nicest encouragement yet from you guys and it is deeply appreciated! Thank you! Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy reading my story.

Tuvok's eyes opened and he saw the Doctor staring down at him. He recognized sick bay and felt a small ache in the side of his head.

The Doctor smiled. "Welcome back. I realize this is a rhetorical question for a Vulcan but how do you feel?"

Tuvok blinked. The last thing he remembered was Neelix's party and happy people, a hat and then screaming and weapons fire. His heart pounded as he tried to rise from the bed. "The Captain…"

The Doctor pushed him back down and waved a tricorder over him. "The Captain was fine last I saw her. I'm sure she is doing everything she can to keep herself and the others safe."

Tuvok shot up from the bed again. "The Captain requires our assistance. There was shooting..."

The Doctor pushed him down one more time and held him there as he completed the scan. "They've stopped." He read the diagnosis and said, "You have been returned to health, Mr. Tuvok. You may experience a slight headache over the next few days but otherwise you're fine."

Tuvok bristled under the Doctor's firm grip. "Since I have been pronounced fit, may I now rise and resume my responsibilities?"

"I don't see why not." The Doctor removed his hand and walked over to his office to call the bridge.

Tuvok sat up and put a hand to his head as he looked around. "Tuvok to Captain Janeway." There was no response. "Curious." He noticed the three other bio beds occupied with sedated crew members but the Captain was not among them. "Are these the only casualties from the incident, Doctor?"

"No, there are quite a few minor injuries in the hall that require attention but Ronan has disallowed any medical treatment beyond those who were most critical. He would have let you suffer and these three die had it not been for Captain Janeway. Unfortunately, I had to leave to come back here and perform their surgeries. I couldn't do what was needed at the time and now Ronan will not allow me back into the hall to treat the others."

"Ronan? The hall? Are you telling me, Doctor, that the situation has not been resolved?" He jumped down from the bed as Lieutenant Ayala walked in. "Lieutenant, report. Where is the Captain?"

"Yes, sir. I got down here as fast as I could." Ayala recounted the recent events for Tuvok including the command crew's current predicament with the Doctor adding minor details from his eyewitness account. "I've contacted the Vizi Alliance and let them know what we've encountered in their space. They have identified the group as Cadians. They originate from the third planet. Cadia joined the Alliance under great protest from its civilian population a few years ago. Those civilians didn't like their new Vizian status and took matters into their own hands and formed a resistance group called Spada. This group has been responsible for disrupting trade routes and several operations all in an effort to force the expulsion of Cadia from the Alliance. They want to live independently from the other planets. The founder of Spada was captured several months ago along with several of his high ranking leaders. Things have been quiet since then."

Tuvok raised an eyebrow. "I take it the men in the hall holding the Captain and others have since made a jail break?"

Ayala shook his head. "No. Those men that the Vizian authorities captured are still in custody. Ronan and the others are new to the Vizian officials. They are just as concerned as we are that the group has reformed."

"I highly doubt that, Lieutenant, since it is not they who are being shot at and held against their will."

"The Vizians want to come aboard and attempt their own rescue mission. They are anxious to take these men into custody and they have stressed their experience in dealing with them."

"For a society that craves privacy and non-interference, they are acting inappropriately. That will not happen," Tuvok said. "Voyager will remain under our command, namely mine, until Captain Janeway orders otherwise. Since she is not in a position to currently do so, please advise the Vizians that we do not require their assistance at this time but we would appreciate any insight into handling these men on our own."

"Yes, sir." Ayala walked out the door on his way back to the bridge.

The Doctor studied the Vulcan and said, "I suppose you have a plan of your own, Mr. Tuvok?"

"Indeed. First, we need to determine what type of explosive this Ronan and his men have placed aboard Voyager. Once we deactivate that, we can mount our own rescue mission."

"But Seven and Belanna are in the hall being detained."

"We have other crew members who are just as capable in doing their jobs, Doctor. They would not be aboard Voyager if they were not."

The Doctor huffed. "Yes, I'm sure they are relishing their presence here, Mr. Tuvok; both when they landed in the Delta Quadrant and as we speak."

Tuvok ignored his sarcasm. "Doctor, you will prepare sick bay for anticipatory mass casualties."

"How did I know that request was coming?" the Doctor murmured. He walked back to his office door. "I have already prepared sick bay in the event all resources were required. However, you understand that both my assistant and my medic are in that hall and may be part of that mass casualty list. If we do have a significant amount of injuries, I can't treat them all alone. I'll need help. Might I suggest that you also locate some additional fine crew members who can adequately treat their crew mates in the event of such an emergency?"

Tuvok nodded. "Of course. It will be done. We will send you anyone with biological expertise as well as surgical skills." He stepped away and walked towards the door.

"Surgical skills? Mr. Tuvok, I can not allow a member of this crew to operate on a living being without the proper medical training. It would be a violation of the medical oath and Starfleet regulations no matter how dire our circumstances may become."

Tuvok turned back. "Doctor, I was not anticipating those with surgical skills would be working on the living. I assume you would also need help in performing the necessary autopsies and burial preparations as well?"

The Doctor hesitated. "I think that is a responsibility that can be done at a later time. I understand Vulcans may be somewhat immune to that process compared to other species aboard ship. But, somehow, I don't think preparing your shipmates for their funerals would inspire much morale among the remaining crew."

Tuvok thought a minute and said, "As you wish. I'll prepare a cargo bay in the event it is required."

"I do hope that whatever plan you have, you will try and keep my time spent to a minimum?"

"I'll see what I can do." Tuvok said as he left the room to assume command.