Chapter 3. In Deep Water.
Alyx quickened her pace, the tell tale crackle from the sky made her realise she was running out of time. Even if she got to Marla before the storm broke, it would take another twenty minutes to get to the safety of her shuttle. She wracked her brains, trying to remember the layout of the area for a bolt hole.
Marla was relieved not to be on her own. She kept looking around for the friendly face to appear. She jumped when a voice behind her said Hey.
"Come, we don't have much time, let's go." Alyx said with urgency.
"Whats up ?"
"Storm brewing we need to find cover P.D.Q. Follow my tracks, do not stray, we have to go through the bogs and I don't have the time to pull you out if you fall in, is that clear ?"
"As crystal, lead the way, I'm right behind you." Marla replied, now was not the time to find out what was going on.
The ominous presence of the bogs could be detected by its sour manure like odour, the ground just looked covered in lush green grass, plants and flowers, a very deceptive trap for the unwary. Marla concentrated on her steps, making sure she walked exactly were Alyx did, until the screeching began to distract and unnerve her. It sounded so like the life forms from the Equinox, she could not help herself from looking around, panic was beginning to take its hold on her senses.
Alyx turned around to check on Marla, who's breathing she could hear had become more rapid by the second, saw the dilated pupils and the horror on her face as she looked up at the noisy flying daktyles.
"It's ok Marla, they are more interested in getting away from the storm than munching you up for lunch.
Cold comfort Marla thought, but nodded acknowledgement, she could not put aside her sense of fear and guilt that the sounds made her feel. It was not something she could explain to Alyx though.
They carried on as fast as they could cautiously go through the treacherous terrain. In the distance Alyx could hear the plasma trajectory, and quietly hoped they could stay just far enough ahead of it til they got to the safety of the lake, before it caught up with them. They were almost out of the bogs when the screeching got louder as the daktyles flew overhead, luck was not on their side.
A plasma wave hit the flock, knocking them in all directions, few were left alive, the dead and dying were hurtling to the ground. Marla could see them coming her way and her legs automatically bolted in panic. She heard Alyx telling her to stop. To late, Marla felt solid ground turn to soft sucking sludge, its coldness took her breath away and chilled her to the bone almost instantly. Before she realised it the disgusting fluid was up to her knees. The more she tried to pull her legs out the deeper she sank.
"Marla listen to me. Stay still, don't struggle or you will sink even faster."
The cold was incapacitating her mentally and physically, she was terrified, but in a way resigned to her imminent death, a fitting punishment for her crimes Marla thought. Alyx took a small winch from her belt and fired it into the nearest tree, taking the other end of the cord she tied it around a thick branch and threw it to Marla
"Hold on to that, it will pull you out."
Marla grabbed it with both hands as Alyx activated the automated pulley, just as the trajectiles started to pummel the area around them. Marla's hands were wet and the bark slippery, it was hard to keep a hold as the winch pulled against the drag of the bog. she lost her grip and watched in horror as the hand hold slid away from her.
"Damn. Tie the cord around your waist this time, as she threw the life line back to Marla."
"No there is no time, leave me, get to safety."
Alyx looked steadfast into Marla's eyes and calmly told her.
"We either go together alive, or stay together and die, your call."
Marla was shocked but somehow comforted and strengthened by the look of determination on Alyx's face. She took the rope and tied it around herself, relaxing her body as the winch did its job.
Another burst of plasma hit, and Alyx took the brunt of it, she crumpled to the ground. Marla was almost out of the bog, and was horrified to see Alyx drop.
"Are you ok she asked?" No answer. Finally on terra firma, she pushed herself up and ran to Alyx's side, who looked very pale. Marla felt for a pulse. She was relieved to feel one, even though it was rapid thready and irregular, better than nothing she thought.
Alyx felt like the whole herd of Traubareens had danced a jig on her chest and wished she'd left her body armor on. She was winded and fighting to get her breath . Opening her eyes to see Marla kneeling beside her looking concerned.
"I'm all right, don't worry, help me up, we are almost to safety now."
Grimacing from the pain, she felt light-headed. Marla held her so she would not fall.
"That way to the lake." Alyx pointed, and they headed off in the direction.
Digging around in one of her numerous pockets Alyx pulled out two metal objects and handed one to Marla as they stood at the edge of the lake.
"What now, I don't see any shelter around here.
"Look down."
"The lake?" Marla asked in disbelief.
"But I cant swim." She said alarmed.
Alyx nodded.
"Breath from the Aqualung, you will be fine, do what I do and follow, you wont need to swim."
They stepped into the crystal clear water. Marla pulled back.
"Do you trust me Marla?" sensing her fear.
Marla looked down at the girl and nodded.
"Then take my hand, I will look after you, dont be afraid.
Marla took Alyx's hand who squeezed it reassuringly. Marla felt warmth and a sense of peace wash over her and she relaxed, as they slid under the surface.
The water felt comforting and warm just like a nice hot bath after coming home from the freezing cold, it was so clear to, Marla could see the beautiful crystal rock and fishes swimming all around, as the light from up above reflected off the formation creating a kaleidoscope of rainbow colours. She could feel a current preventing her from sinking, it was not enough to push her above the waters surface but it seemed to be getting stronger as Alyx pulled her further down.
Alyx stopped swimming and allowed her body to float, closing her eyes as if to concentrate and think. Marla looked quizzically at her, until she noticed two dolphin like creatures hurtling rapidly towards them, they had tusks like a unicorn on their snouts, which gave them an intimidating look.
Marla squeezed Alyx's hand in alarm pointing at the dolphins. The girl smiled and made the OK sign.
The dolphins stopped close to Alyx who rubbed each head in turn, they rolled over in delight. She took hold of the dorsal fin of one and nodded for Marla to do the same with the other. She had no time to think of the consequences, as both of them were pulled down deeper. The dolphins seemed to have a destination in mind, lower and lower they sank towards a cave entrance.
The light from above turned a different shade as they were pulled further into the tunnel. Marla was feeling her anxiety rise, just as the bile from her empty stomach was burning her parched throat, she swallowed hard to keep it down. She had to keep control of her emotions, now was not the time for a panic attack.
She concentrated on the shimmering flicker ahead of her, light at the end of the tunnel hopefully. The passage walls were covered in a strange moss that glowed a flourescent bright blue, making the place seem less terrifying. They came out after what seemed an eternity into a large cavern, the fishes around them gave off an electric discharge, brightening the area as it reflected off the crystal walls and ceiling as if lit by tiny lightbulbs.
Climbing out of the water made Marla shiver, the air felt chilly after the warm water. Alyx was already gathering rocks and moss to make fire.
"The Delphish will come back when the storm is over, might as well be comfortable while we wait, here take these, you must be famished by now. I know I am." Handing over a packet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a canteen.
Marla raised an eyebrow
"You sure do come well prepared."
Alyx waved a hand dismissively.
"It's standard away equipment."
"Even the sandwiches and the hot fruity tea." Marla asked amused
"Of course." Alyx replied.
"Neelix's sandwiches sure beat eating dry tasteless combat rations, but i can give you one of those if you prefer." Replied Alyx jokingly.
"Nooo thanks I'm fine with these."
Marla ate hungrily and quenched her thirst with the fruity tea, warming herself by the fire. Alyx delved into her pocket and pulled out a med kit, her wound was really beginning to bother her and she needed an antidolor shot.
"Does it hurt much, want me to dress it for you?" Marla asked concerned.
"No thanks, this will sort it for now."
"You ok?" Alyx asked in return, meaning more her emotional state than her physical one.
"I'v been alot worse." Marla replied thinking back to the constant fear and unrest she had felt on the Equinox. damn why did her thoughts always have to lead back to that time in her life, she thought angrily.
"Is that why you don't make friends with anyone on Voyager, because of what happened on the Equinox?" Alyx asked offhandedly between mouthfuls of sandwich. The open directness of the question took Marla by storm, she was speechless for a few minutes as she gathered her thoughts.
"Well it's not a time I'm proud of. Nor am I a good example of humanity to be friends with, am I?"
"People who have not lived through the same experience or made to make the same choices and decisions, should not judge those who have, because they don't fully understand."
"What we think we could do and what we actually would do when faced with the experience could be totally different to what we think we should do."
Marla had not talked about her feelings with anyone and now she felt overwhelmed by the emotions that this conversation was making her relive. The dam had begun to burst and she no longer felt able to control the well of tears that were demanding to be released.
"It's hard to bury what I did and feel good about being alive. I'm responsible for the deaths of sentient beings, even though I did not actually kill them, I said nothing, allowing it to happen, knowing it was wrong.
Tears flowed down Marla's cheeks, the feelings of pain, guilt and remorse punishing her distraught tormented conscience. Alyx came to sit by her side and took her hand.
"If you can't forgive yourself and move on, how do you expect others to?
"It's not that easy or clear-cut Alyx."
"Everyone deserves a second chance, including you. Who you want to be and how you behave is a choice you can make each and every day. It's not set in stone just because you took one wrong path, that does not make you a bad person always and forever.
Give yourself that chance Marla, dont stay locked in your past. Absolution comes from redemption, learning from past mistakes and moving on to do good, that is the choice which lies before you now."
Marla cried inconsolably, letting go of so much anguish that she had kept locked up for to long. Alyx held her hand and stroked it, sensing the womans pain.
"Let it all out Marla. Keeping guilt locked up inside will not allow the healing process to begin. To be able to move on you must let go of the past, not bury it, or it will just fester and drag you down."
"It was many minutes before Marla managed to regain her composure. She did not know what to say, did not feel there was anything she could say, so she just squeezed the girl's hand as a gesture of gratitude for her words of comfort. Here was someone who understood, did not judge nor condemn, and was able to look at her as an equal human being, with no contempt or animosity in her eyes.
The Delphish had returned, chattering away in their own form of communication. Alyx jumped up and said that it was safe to go back up now. Dousing the fire, she took Marla by the hand again.
"Ready for another leap of faith?"
"Ready as I will ever be." Marla replied smiling for the first time in a long while and genuinely feeling it instead of the grimace she used to make.
The flight back to Voyager was short and uneventful, apart from the slight deviation to observe the Aurora up close that dominated the planet. Streamers of coloured strobes made a spectacular array and they hovered around it for several minutes enjoying the serenity of space and the technicolour light show.