Chapter 5: In conflict

Summary: The Courier is in trouble it's up to Chakotay and his ship to help.

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The Courier was a simple ship and posed no threats so why was it being fired on. They had reached the colony, completed the trades, rescued the orphans that had been left from a recent attack and now, the ship was hailing any federation vessel to help them. The Cardassian's were attacking.

"Captain we are receiving a hail. Audio only"

"Put it through"

"This is commander…of the federation vessel Courrier. We require immediate assistance, we are surrounded by Cardassians. Please come quickly… and…we have children aboard" the quality of the hail was low, but Chakotay knew it was her. He demanded a course change they had to save her, and of course the ship.

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When The Falcon arrived, it was carnage. The Maquis were now involved in the conflict. The Cardassians were brutally attack all ships, including Chakotay's.

"Alright, I want life signs from the Courier beamed over quickly. No matter how faint. Ensign, go to sickbay the doctor will need assistance." He instructed pacing the bridge.

"Captain I'm detecting Cardassian life signs. It would appear they have boarded the Courier." Ensign Harry Kim informed his Captain.

"What! Listen up, get the children out, I'm going over to get the Commander myself" he was raging, boarding wasn't usually their style but nonetheless he would risk facing one. The Falcon's captain raced to the transporter room, finding it already filling with children, who had bruises, scuff marks, and some had minor burns. Just what the hell were the Cardassians doing to that ship?

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He materialised on the bridge, which was in ruins already. Looking though the dark he spotted her limp body trapped under a bulkhead. Approaching her he tried to wake her but she was unconscious, her life sign weak. Carefully he positioned himself so he could get her out from under the object entrapping her.

Her body was still limp when she lay beside him. Picking her up he commed his ship and beamed out just as Cardassians herded onto the bridge

Back on the Falcon Chakotay watched from the bridge as the courier blew up knowing that he and Kathryn had only just escaped. The lieutenant didn't have to be told, his fingers racing over the controls setting them to warp 5, the highest speed they could reach.

Slowly he made his way to sickbay with the limp Kathryn Janeway in his arms. In the Turbolift his mind went crazy, would he have to tell Mae her friend had died, Kathryn's family, Mark a pang of guilt hit him, maybe he was responsible for their breakup. He shook himself mentally, all he had done was be a friend someone neutral to talk to.

Upon entering sickbay there were many children, one adult who must have been accompanying them, the ships doctor hurried to them. He flashed Chakotay a look that both calmed him and terrified him

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Author's Note: Hello everyone. I know that a lot of have been unhappy about a mean Mark but I am hoping to resolve/explain that in the next chapter or so. Also the next one will be longer I promise.

Anyone notice the small cameo?

That-Geek