Hanging in the Balance
Kathryn stared at Radella for several seconds in shock. Even the Doctor was lost for words. Radella did not look very fond of the idea either.
"What do you mean?" Kathryn finally asked.
"The ritual involves the transfer of energy from one person to the other. If it's interrupted, the person who initiated the transfer is left weak and unstable. If she can't finish the ritual she'll die."
"What about Seven? Why is she at risk?" the Doctor interrupted.
"She's received a lot of energy…most of it sexual. If she doesn't finish her end, it will kill her. It is not pleasant. It is a painful death." Kathryn shared a grim look with the Doctor.
"You said it's not safe for them to be doing this in the first place. What exactly are we supposed to do?"
"I'm afraid I don't know. At this point, it would be safest to have Laili complete the imbuing ritual with one of our own kind…preferably her partner."
"Can she survive another day or two?"
"If you can keep her unconscious it should reserve whatever energy she has left. I will need to use your communications system to send a message to the planet. Once we arrive we will have to work quickly."
"We understand. You have full access to whatever you need." Radella turned her attention to the two women on the other side of the room. Laili was still lying motionless on the bed. Seven was pacing back and forth beside the bio bed, her hands balling up into fists only to relax seconds later.
"If you'll excuse me I am going to go try to contact the planet."
"Have Lieutenant Commander Tuvok assist you." As soon as she was gone, Kathryn turned to the Doctor, that grim look returning.
"Do you have any idea what we're going to do about this, Doctor?"
"I'm afraid I may be at a loss. I do believe we need to inform Seven about what's happening. She needs to know."
"I agree." Together, they exited the office and returned to Sickbay.
"How are you feeling, Seven?" Seven turned to look at the Captain.
"I am…uncertain. I cannot stay stationary and I feel…uncomfortable." Kathryn gave her a sympathetic look. The Doctor looked ready to launch into a speech when the Captain held a hand up to stop him.
"Doctor, give us a minute, please."
"Yes, Captain." He moved away, leaving Kathryn and Seven alone. Kathryn slid onto the bed and waited for Seven to join her. Seven hesitated for a moment or two before sitting. Her eyes landed on Laili.
"What happened?" Kathryn took a deep breath.
"This may be difficult to take in, but we believe she was performing a ritual…a sort of sacred ceremony from her culture…on you."
"On me?"
"Yes. From what Radella has explained to me, it seems she was…attempting to impregnate you." Seven stared blankly. She hadn't been human for long but she believed she understood the process of procreation. But what the Captain had just told her didn't fit with what she knew.
"I do not understand."
"I don't understand it entirely myself but it seems to involve energy transference. We stopped the ritual before it was complete. It left Laili very weak and you…full of energy."
"I do not like this feeling."
"We're going to find a way to help you. I promise. Perhaps the Doctor could give you a sedative. Maybe it would help you calm down."
"I will comply." Kathryn gave her another sympathetic look before waving the Doctor over. She watched as he administered the hypospray before quietly walking a short distance away.
"I'd like you to meet me in the Briefing Room in ten minutes."
"Of course, Captain." With that, Janeway left Sickbay, making her way back to the bridge.
"Senior Staff, meet me in the Briefing Room immediately."
A short time later, Tom, B'Elanna, Harry, Tuvok, Chakotay, Neelix and the Doctor were assembled in the Briefing Room. Kathryn looked at them from the front of the table, unable to sit down.
"Tuvok, were you able to assist Radella in her transmission?"
"We were successful."
"Good."
"Captain, what's going on?" B'Elanna asked. No one had told her what had happened on the holodeck. At the question, Kathryn sunk into her chair.
"It seems one of our guests wanted to share a little bit more of their culture than we were expecting."
"What do you mean?" It was Neelix's turn to express his curiosity.
"It seems one of them decided to try and…procreate…with Seven of Nine." B'Elanna let out a noise that sounded oddly like a laugh.
"You can't be serious."
"I'm very serious…and so is her condition." Harry couldn't help but look a little guilty.
"Captain…did anyone ever figure out where that holodeck program came from?" Tom interjected.
"I think I know," Harry replied.
"Explain, Ensign."
"Earlier…I showed Laili how to create holodeck programs. She seemed interested and I didn't really ask why." A pause. "I didn't teach her to override the security system."
"I'm sure you didn't Harry. But right now our main priority needs to be how to help Seven of Nine."
"What exactly is wrong with her?" The Doctor cleared his throat.
"From what I've determined, she's been left in a state of hyper-arousal. According to our Dreagan acquaintances, she needs to finish the ritual or else she will die."
"The effects of this ritual sound much like those of the Vulcan pon farr. I believe she must resolve the emotions with her or else they will consume her."
"Any suggestions on how she should go about doing that, Tuvok?"
"Traditionally, in Vulcan culture, the pon farr is resolved by mating." The room fell into a dead silence at his explanation. No one knew what to say. Had Tuvok really just suggested that the way to save Seven of Nine's life was to make her have a sexual encounter?
"Is there any other way to resolve the pon farr?" Neelix asked.
"There have been times where the prospective mate has a right to challenge their pursuer…to choose whom she wishes to be with."
"Somehow I don't think that's going to be our solution in this situation," the Doctor muttered.
"So what do you recommend we do, Kathryn?" Chakotay locked gazes with Kathryn.
"I think it's up to Seven of Nine. She was brought into this situation against her will. I don't want it to end that way."
"So…if she decides to go along with it…whose it going to be?" Harry's cheeks flushed in embarrassment even before he asked the question.
"I think it should be up to her."
"Well right…but…doesn't the other person need to be willing to?"
"Why Harry…you volunteering?" Tom jabbed Harry in the ribs.
"Gentlemen, this is serious." She let out a breath. There didn't seem to be any more they could do now.
"Dismissed." Chairs swiveled and the staff began to walk out.
"Harry, can I talk to you for a minute?" He stopped where he was and waited for every else to leave. He turned back around to face the Captain and the Doctor.
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"I don't want to intrude but…its come to my attention that you may have…feelings for Seven of Nine."
"Feelings? No…I mean…she's very attractive…but…you talked to Tom didn't you." He couldn't meet Kathryn's gaze.
"No, I haven't talked to Tom." She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"If she were to agree…would you be willing to help Seven of Nine?" Harry wallowed loudly.
"I…I don't…it would be…sort of awkward…see the other night…it was a misunderstanding really."
"I'm sure we can find someone else Mr. Kim if you don't feel you are up to the task," the Doctor stated.
"I just…don't want to hurt her, you know?"
"We understand. Why don't we go talk to her about this?"
Together, the trio left the Briefing Room and made their way back to Sickbay. The sedative the Doctor had given to Seven of Nine had already begun to wear off. She was pacing around Sickbay, fiddling with the computer console every few moments.
"Seven…we'd like to talk to you." The young woman turned around and nodded. Laili remained unconscious on a bed nearby. Seven immediately sat down on a bed and waited for Kathryn to continue speaking. Harry and the Captain shared a look. The Doctor stood nearby, monitoring Laili's vital signs.
"We believe we may have found a way to help you."
"What is it?"
"Well…it's Mr. Kim."
