DISCLAIMER: See prologue.
Act 1
Day 5:
In the region of space where the First Portal closed:
Three ships drifted slowly in space near the sealed First Portal. The largest vessel by far was the Herat, belonging to Voyager's Magol pursuers. In attempting to pass through the First Portal along with Voyager, Gunlag had ordered his crew to copy Harry Kim's siren song password exactly, and to broadcast it both internally and externally. Although the signal's ultrahigh frequencies had rendered every Magol aboard ship unconscious, the Herat had still managed to slip past the Beast of the First Portal. This "Beast" lived inside the mouth of the Portal, and blocked the entrance so that it could feed on all vessels attempting to pass through without the protection of the map. The two smaller ships that had also survived the ordeal had been well back in the caravan of eleven trailing Voyager. Their sensors had detected the password frequency that both Voyager and the Herat were broadcasting, and their crews watched as both larger ships easily sidestepped destruction. They quickly copied the signal and broadcast it, which allowed them to pass safely into Second Portal space as well.
Repairs were well underway on the Magol ship. The forward and aft external sensor arrays had already been repaired, and the crew was now working on recalibrating them for what appeared to be a different spatial reality just at the edge of their sensor range. The work was a hit-or-miss affair and proceeding more slowly than expected. That was surprising, given the Magols' prior experience with functioning in alternate dimensions gained during frequent piracy and slave raids. Repairs to the ship's propulsion, also damaged during the trip though the Portal, were nearing completion, but the propulsion systems would also require adjustment for the alternate spatial reality the newly repaired long-range sensors had detected. Most of the remaining work still to be done consisted of repair and recalibration of the internal sensors, access nodes, secondary relay packets and comm links that had been heavily damaged by B'Elanna Torres andVoyager's away team during their rescue mission to free Chakotay from Magol captivity.
"At least several more gola, possibly half a ginag, Captain," said Fflam, an Essential, after Gunlag asked when repairs would be sufficiently complete for him to begin his pursuit of Janeway and Voyager. The entire bridge staff cringed when Gunlag appeared ready to explode at what he obviously considered to be the wrong answer to his question.
Imot, the only Expendable crewman experienced enough to crew a bridge station, interrupted with news he hoped would deflect Gunlag's rage. "Captain," he said, "Forward sensors are showing two alien vessels nearby. Readings indicate they belong to the Abuskat and the Tarkada. Both were heavily damaged by passage through the Portal." Gunlag's face showed interest. "I can give you visual and communications," Imot added.
"Fflam? Gunlag asked.
Fflam had served aboard several long-range merchant vessels before securing a first officer's post with Gunlag, and thus was vastly more familiar with other species' special strengths, weaknesses, and technology than anyone else aboard. It was the defining advantage he held which had solidified his leadership role among the Essentials.
Fflam quickly glanced at the sensors to confirm Imot's identification before he gave his assessment. "The Abuskat have extremely well-developed scanning systems, with external sensors superior to our own," he said. "They're a race of sentient androids who've programmed instinctual and emotional response patterns for themselves based on their observations of the flesh and blood species. They rely heavily on their detailed sensor readings to function among us, but are lost in any situation for which they can't find analogical information in their database."
"The other ship?" asked Gunlag.
"The Tarkada. They are renowned for their undetectable stealth technology, which they feel is crucial to their continuing survival. Anyone who has ever seen a Tarkada never forgets what one of those creatures looks like," said Fflam with disgust. "Both vessels appear to be considerably more disabled than the Herat. Neither is a match for us with their conventional weaponry, even at full strength. They also possess conventional shielding, which did not protect them from heavy damage nearly as well as our metaphasic technology safeguarded us. We can easily strip them of their advanced sensors and cloaks."
"Which are incompatible with Magol systems without extensive modification," said Imot, after a quick scan performed while Fflam had been speaking. "They are useless to us, except as items of trade. Captain, these ships could be more useful to you with their systems intact."
Gunlag glared at Imot for his impertinence in speaking as though he held the position and authority of an Essential. The Captain grudgingly tolerated it, however, because he had learned through experience that Imot was a much more capable engineer than nearly all of the Essentials in his crew. Also, Imot possessed a finely honed sense of self-preservation, despite his dull-witted nature. This prompted him to advance suggestions that Gunlag had found useful and profitable in the past.
Imot flinched under the weight of Gunlag's annoyance, but forged ahead anyway, saying, "Form an alliance with them, Captain. Janeway and her crew already know what the Magol look like. They may not be familiar with the Abuskat or Tarkada, but even if they are, the Tarkada sensor cloaks would allow anyone to follow Janeway's people undetected while they search for the map. Seize the Abuskat and Tarkada technology after they've helped you possess the map and then take your revenge against Janeway and Voyager, not before."
"An excellent suggestion, Expendable," said Gunlag, as he walked back to his command chair and wedged his bulky frame into it. "It's too bad you're so stupid when you choose which females to pursue. You might still be an Essential aboard the Akiris family's flagship, instead of an Expendable aboard mine."
The bridge erupted into raucous laughter from Fflam and the rest of the Essentials. Imot's attempt to advance himself by seeking to marry the sole heir of a wealthy Magol merchant family had ended in failure when the girl's family forbade the union. Mikirag's father had paid Gunlag handsomely to take Imot off his hands for the next few years. It was bad enough to lose one's prospects for a comfortable future and one's standing as an Essential on the same day, but far worse was Gunlag's taking every possible opportunity to mock him cruelly about it in front of the rest of the crew. Imot turned back to his sensor panel and busied himself with work, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible. At least his engineering skills were never in question.
"Fflam, put both captains up on the screen," said Gunlag. "And since this Expendable's suggestion doesn't involve romance, what harm is there in following it?" The sound of derisive laughter once more filled the bridge. Fflam went to a console next to Imot and began entering commands to establish a communications link with the other ships. After having no luck in opening a comm channel to either ship on his own, Fflam called Imot over to help him. The two worked at the console, speaking quietly to each other and then over the external comm system to the communications officers of the other two ships. While the connections were being established, Gunlag leaned on the arm of his command chair, chin in hand, and considered which argument out of several might best persuade the Abuskat and Tarkada to join with him in an alliance.
A burst of static and loud screech broke into Gunlag's thoughts, and brought him back to full attention. "The Tarkada captain is coming onto the viewer now," said Fflam. "It will take a few moments longer to connect to the Abuskat. They'll be able to see and speak to each other as well, once I stabilize the link among our vessels." Gunlag nodded and straightened up in his throne-like command chair. The distortions on the viewscreen gradually cleared, revealing a very colorful alien on a spacious and immaculate well-lit bridge. The alien's appearance made it obvious why this species considered the ability to cloak themselves to be so vital.
The Tarkada captain was a slender humanoid, nearly two meters in height. He had varigated skin, light blue with subtle darker blue mottling. His large eyes had black irises and pupils, and were set back under a slight orbital ridge. The slope of his nose began between his eyes and ended in a blunt froglike snout with small nostrils, above a narrow, thin-lipped mouth and pointed chin. Instead of hair, the Tarkada had a sizeable crest of very long and narrow feathers, which sprouted from high up on his forehead and grew as a band to a point almost entirely down the back of his head. The feathers were a dark shade of purple, with a faint scarlet iridescent sheen when light struck them at the proper angle. They were so long that the tail of the crest trailed halfway down the Tarkada's back.
As if that was not memorable enough, the Tarkada's face and head had very distinctive markings, consisting of small, oval-shaped iridescent lavender spots. They began as a thin line at each corner of his mouth. The lines gradually widened slightly into narrow bands of spots as the markings traveled up each side of his nose and turned away from each other to follow the curve of each orbital ridge. The two bands of spots gradually widened as they traveled along just above the orbital ridges, and then widened considerably more as they swept downward, past the captain's temples and below his sculpted ear holes to meet at the back of his head, underneath the feather crest. The combination of iridescent feathers and spotted bands made it appear as if the Tarkada captain was wearing a highly stylized decorative helmet. The formal effect was enhanced by a well-tailored uniform in a complementary shade of purple. It consisted of a tunic, cuffless trousers and simple black boots. The Captain's rank was indicated down the center of the right sleeve of the tunic by several rows of braided metallic trim which ran from the top shoulder seam down to the cuffless hem. The rank marking was repeated on the left sleeve in matching rows of braid encircling the sleeve, about an inch above the hem.
The Tarkada captain had an appealing natural elegance and grace about him, something that the Magol with their bulky, troll-like, hairy bodies and porcine faces could never hope to possess. Gunlag hated him on sight.
While Gunlag was waiting for Fflam to put the other alien up on the viewer, he noticed the Tarkadan sizing up both him and his garbage-strewn bridge. The alien captain was barely able to conceal his revulsion at what he was seeing. Good, thought Gunlag. That's an advantage to use against him.
The image on the viewer flickered slightly, and then the screen split as Fflam completed the link to the Abuskat ship. The appearance of the Abuskat captain was a strong contrast to the colorful Tarkada. In a word, he was unremarkable.
The Abuskat was also a humanoid-appearing species -- plain features, androgynous, medium height, greyish skin and eyes, black hair. As androids, they were obviously designed to "blend in" and avoid calling undue attention to themselves, since they were not "alive" in the conventional organic sense, and thus did not have the advantage of the same natural instincts and emotional responses as other sentient beings. Their ship's bridge reflected their computer-like, analytical, and dispassionate nature, in that it was designed for function instead of comfort or aesthetics. The Abuskat crew wore plain, high-collared jumpsuits in neutral colors. There were no visible rank markings as such, with only the captain identified by a bronze-colored oval badge worn on the left side of his jumpsuit's high collar. Unlike the Tarkada, the Abuskat did not appear disconcerted by the appearance of either the Magol or the condition of their bridge.
Gunlag stood to address the Tarkada and Abuskat captains. "I am Gunlag, Captain of the Herat, and member of the the Magol Union," he said. "To whom do I have the privilege of speaking?" he asked in an unctuous tone of voice.
"Helar, of the Tarkada," said the colorful alien.
"Tarik, of the Abuskat," said the other.
"Gentlemen, I have a proposition for you," said Gunlag.
Helar was openly suspicious and said nothing, while Tarik asked, "And that would be, Captain Gunlag?"
"Join forces with me and share in the power of the map," said Gunlag. Helar began to show a little more interest than suspicion upon hearing these words. Gunlag continued, saying, "Together, we could defeat Voyager and gain the map for ourselves."
"What do you propose?" asked Tarik.
"That we share our technology. Of our three vessels, the Herat has weapons superiority, while you, Captain Tarik, possess superior external sensors. Captain Helar, one of my bridge officers tells me that your people have undetectable stealth technology.
"Yes, that is true," answered Helar, "but our trip through the map passageway heavily damaged our vessel. Many of the systems which support our cloaks are inoperative. Until they are functional once again, our technology is of no use to us or anyone else."
"I would also like to offer assistance with repairs to both you and Captain Tarik," said Gunlag. "The Herat's metaphasic shielding protected us from the kind of severe damage sustained by both your vessels. Our own repairwork is nearly complete. My long-range instruments show that we will be traveling into an alternate dimension, and we have already begun recalibrating the Herat's systems for it. I could easily send a pair of engineers over to each of you, to work alongside your repair teams to make similar adjustments. If at the same time each of you were to send me a pair of your engineers in exchange, they could work here with my crew to find a way of adapting all our systems into functioning together as a single unit toward a greater goal."
"And if the technology cannot be adapted?" asked Helar.
"Then we will work as allies to share the map," said Gunlag. "Our unique technologies would still benefit each another. Captain Janeway of Voyager possesses neither the advanced sensors nor superior cloaking technology that the two of you do, but both your and Tarik's weapons are no match for hers, while mine are her ship's equal. I would pledge the protection of my metaphasic weapons once we engage Voyager."
"That is acceptable," said Tarik of the Abuskat. "I will dispatch Kerak and Adrick, two of my most skilled engineers. If they cannot reconcile our differing systems, then it cannot be done."
"Agreed," said Gunlag. Hoping to persuade Helar of the Tarkada to join them as well, Gunlag continued, saying, "Captain Helar, Janeway and her people are already aware of the Magols' physical appearance. None of us know if they have ever met either of your races. A Tarkadan cloaked ship together with Abuskat advanced sensor technology would give us the ability to track Voyager from any distance. We could closely follow her crew wherever they might go to search for the pieces of the map."
"An excellent tactic, whether our technologies can be merged or not," said Helar. "I will assign Dinsar and Dursat, the best of all my engineers, to your ship. They are twin brothers, and will work together more smoothly than any other team I could offer you. If our ship cloak cannot be adapted to the Herat, then we would be more than willing to share our stealth shuttlepods and personal cloaks for any away mission required to obtain the map."
"Agreeable as well," said Gunlag. He paused in thought for a moment and then said, "One further suggestion, if I may, gentlemen. Janeway possesses a high frequency weapon that she used against us as we entered the Portal."
"You are referring to the signal she broadcast, the one that we duplicated so we could also travel through the map passageway?" asked Helar.
"The same," answered Gunlag. "It rendered every Magol aboard the Herat unconscious."
"We were affected as well," said Helar, "although not to the point of unconsciousness."
"The Abuskat functioned as well as ever," said Tarik, "but the frequency overloaded certain of our instruments. We are still recalibrating them."
"Then both of you understand the danger Janeway and Voyager pose to all of us," said Gunlag. "I suggest we meet aboard my ship to discuss possible ways to neutralize this threat. We must also carefully formulate a plan that takes the weapon into account, in case we cannot disable it. I intend that our alliance be successful in its pursuit of the map."
The Tarkada's skin blanched to a lighter shade of blue under the darker mottling at the thought of setting foot on Gunlag's filthy ship, but he forced down his revulsion and answered, "An excellent suggestion, Captain Gunlag. As you pointed out, each of us has something to contribute, and everything to gain. We should meet once repairs are complete and the engineering teams aboard your ship have the results of the systems merging."
Tarik responded, "I will join you aboard the Herat at your convenience, Captain Gunlag."
"Agreed," said Gunlag. "A member of my bridge crew will contact you at regular intervals to keep me advised on the progress of your repairs. Alert them when you have finished, and we will arrange a time to meet. Until then."
Fflam broke the connection. "Fflam, choose someone to transport with you to Helar's vessel," said Gunlag. "It is vital that we possess that cloaking technology. Find their weaknesses, assist them with their repairs, and learn as much as you can about the cloaking systems. Keep those long ears of yours well open. I want to know if they start planning to take the map for themselves." Fflam nodded.
Motioning another Essential over, Gunlag continued, "Gondag, choose a second to accompany you to the other ship. Your mission is the same as Fflam's, with one difference. Find your way into the Abuskats' computer and download a copy of their database. Once we have the map, their cultural information will allow us to target the most profitable races to plunder." Gondag acknowledged his orders with a nod, and both he and Fflam left the bridge to prepare for their missions aboard the Abuskat and Tarkada ships.
Gunlag walked over to Imot and said, "Expendable, you're to oversee the alien engineers who will be working with our crew. Make certain they get as little from us as possible. If you are stupid enough to share even the smallest part of Magol weapon or shield technology, I'll invent a new punishment protocol, just for you." Imot nodded, trembling at the thought of what awaited him if he failed. His sense of self-preservation, however, would not allow the conversation to end there.
"Captain," Imot began, "have you given any thought to the plan you will present to the alien captains once they are aboard the Herat?"
"No," said Gunlag, "but let me guess. You have."
"I have several ideas, but the exact plan that develops from them depends on the results of the systems merging project. Allow me to assist you in developing the tactics to steal the map from Janeway. The Map Finder gave me an advantage that we can turn against Voyager."
"WHAT??" shouted Gunlag. He flew into a rage and jumped out of his chair, rushing over to where Imot sat at his console. Gunlag beat Imot's head and shoulders with his fists and launched into a tirade. "You allowed that bitch to use her weapon on us when you had something that we could use against them? Only the fact that sending four of my Essentials to those aliens leaves me shorthanded keeps me from killing you where you sit."
Imot shielded himself as best he could from Gulag's blows until he could slip out from underneath them to stand and face his captain. "It wasn't that kind of advantage," said Imot. "He offered me asylum if I would help him escape to his shuttle. I pretended to go along with it so I could recapture him and turn him back over to you."
"So much for your advantage, Expendable. Is he still our prisoner?" snarled Gunlag.
"No, Captain, but we will surely cross paths again in our attempt to gain the map. Imagine me begging him to honor his word when I tell him you're threatening my life because he escaped. Once I get myself on the Map Finder's ship, I can disable it so that the Magol can recapture him and seize Voyager and its captain. Is taking the map enough for you, or have you thought about how you would like to repay Janeway if you ever got your hands on her?"
"How do I know that you won't betray me, Expendable?"
"You yourself saw how the Map Finder attacked me when I wouldn't help him, just before Janeway's trickery took him from us. You've felt the pain of her treachery when she used her weapon against us. A Magol life means nothing to those vermin. I have no desire to be among creatures so despicable."
At that moment, the beeping of Imot's console interrupted the conversation. He turned away from Gunlag to answer the hail. Onslat, another Essential, relayed the message that the Abuskat and Tarkada engineers had arrived on board the Herat. He asked for further instructions. Gunlag watched and listened closely as the two conferred, wondering if Imot realized just how transparent his motives were. Still, Gunlag thought, the idiot has provided me with worthwhile advice in the past. There must be some part of his scheme that I can use. Imot closed the channel, and turned to Gunlag for further orders.
"Remember, Expendable, that you serve on this bridge at my pleasure, instead of at the menial labor more usual for one of your low standing," said Gunlag. "Fail me with these aliens or with any plan you hatch for my consideration, and you will no longer have a place aboard my ship. Report back with your suggestions when you have something that will not cost you your status as an Expendable." Imot tensed at the implied threat behind Gunlag's words.
Gunlag dismissed him with a wave of his hand, and watched as the Expendable left the bridge. Imot is a fool, he thought, but a dangerous one. He has far too many ideas for his own good. He bears watching.
Gulag returned to his command chair to sift through the suggestions Imot had just presented to him. The thought of taking Voyager and torturing Janeway appealed to him greatly, as did the prospect of getting his hands on that shapely blond creature that had come aboard the Herat while he still held the Map Keeper captive. There were any number of things he would enjoy doing to her before selling her off to the highest bidder in the slave markets.
Near the sealed First Portal, several hours later:
Gunlag's Herat stood ready to begin the pursuit of Voyager and her arrogant captain. After several hours' assistance from Gunlag's Essentials, the Abuskat and Tarkada ships in the alliance were spaceworthy enough to get underway. The Abuskat exchange crew had upgraded the Herat's external sensors nearly to the level of their own vessel. Helar's Tarkada crewmen had shown both Tarik's and Gunlag's crews a new hull polarization that would effectively mask their approach from Voyager's long-range scans. Both alien captains had agreed that the Herat, as the largest vessel and the one possessing weapons superiority, would serve as the alliance's flagship.
Imot had carried out his orders well. He made it appear as if Magol systems could be made compatible with Abuskat and Tarkada technology given enough time, and that the work could be carried out while they were underway and tracking Voyager and the map. This being the case, Gunlag had no difficulty in persuading Helar and Tarik to leave their crew exchange teams aboard his ship.
Abuskat sensors were able to detect Voyager's nearly five-day-old ion trail, which had grown very faint by this time. Once Tarik's crew had extrapolated their target's most probable course, Gunlag issued the order to get underway. He greatly relished his role as leader of the alliance. He had gotten the other two crews to upgrade Magol technology without giving away any of his own. He had a workable plan to mull over and refine. Imot's suggestions were sound enough to cement the alliance for as long as necessary to serve his purpose. There was still much to be done before he would finally hold the map in his hands, but Gunlag settled back into his command chair with a strong sense of satisfaction. A smile slowly spread across his face as he thought, There is always time for treachery.
Day 5:
On Voyager, Chakotay's quarters, 20:35 hours:
The command team sat together on the couch, lingering over dessert after having finished a very enjoyable and relaxing dinner. Janeway admitted to herself that Chakotay had been right about her need for a break. Her mind was much clearer now than it had been for the past several hours. Their "ship's gossip" discussion of the crew succeeded in easing the pressure which had been slowly draining the reservoir of creative energy she regularly called on to "think outside the box." Chakotay noted the difference in her demeanor and was silently grateful to B'Elanna for having mentioned the Captain's mental fatigue to him.
Toward the end of the meal, the conversation had turned to the alien maze the away team had been forced to endure a few days earlier. By dessert, the discussion had moved on to Neelix's role in protecting his crewmates from their predatory Natran abductors.
"Taznik... uhh...," hesitated Janeway.
"Neelix pronounced it 'tasnixia,' Kathryn," said Chakotay. "On the surface, it appears to be a traditional simulated hunt, but it's more accurate to say tasnixia is a bonding ritual which runs much deeper than that. He told me it got started before Talaxian recorded history, and has intensified with time. Over the years, the sense of family and group identity it provides has given it the urgency of a call which drives their entire society."
"He's never mentioned it," said Janeway
"That's because it's a cultural practice that is never shared with non-Talaxians, and Neelix made me promise never to discuss it. I feel as if I'm betraying his confidence, but you need to be aware of at least some of the surface characteristics for your own information. I'd appreciate it if none of this went into an official record, Kathryn."
"All right, Chakotay. I'll have to trust your judgment on this one," she said. "Why is it only limited to his people?"
"Because it takes at least two Talaxians to answer the call of Tasnixia," said Chakotay. "Non-Talaxians are almost never called on to participate, but Neelix involved me only because the situation was desperate and there were no other Talaxians present."
"So how...," Janeway began.
"The Talaxian equivalent of a mind meld, Kathryn," said Chakotay. "That alien maze brought back Neelix's childhood memories of Tasnixia and renewed his sense of connection to his family. He saw the away team as a pride he had to protect at all costs, and that's what saved us. I was the only one conscious enough for him to bond with, even if I was only lucid for moments at a time."
"Was it a mind link or actually a meld?"
"A little more like Tuvok than Seven," said Chakotay. "It was nowhere near as invasive as one of Seven's mind links." Chakotay paused for a moment, searching for words, and then continued. "It's a telepathic bond, Kathryn. I guess the closest equivalent would be the type of connection Tuvok has with his wife. There's that constant sense of presence of the one you're bonded to. You know -- 'parted and never parted'... It's a perfectly normal way for a Vulcan or Talaxian to remain close to his bondmates, but I feel like I've had the privacy of my own mind ripped away. Neelix is always there, somewhere in my consciousness."
"It probably should have worn off by now," said Janeway. "It's always taken me a little while to shed the residual aftereffects of my melds with Tuvok, but that sense of connection eventually fades away. Maybe you should talk to the Doctor, Chakotay"
"There's nothing he can do for me, Kathryn," said Chakotay. "I really don't have any choice in the matter. Neelix told me Tasnixia forms a permanent bond that not even death can break."
Janeway leaned over to gently rest her hand on his arm for a few moments. "I am so sorry, Chakotay," she said. "I know what your privacy means to you. I wish there'd been another way." She sat back and took another sip of her Antarian cider. She paused for a moment, and then quietly asked, "How are you adjusting?"
A comm signal interrupted the conversation before Chakotay could respond. "Tuvok to
Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here."
"I am sorry to disturb you, Captain, but I require permission to remove Seven from her Engineering duties to assist me in astrometrics. I have just found evidence of a subspace beacon with an attached quantum encrypted file imbedded in the map. My efforts to decipher it have only yielded surface information, but Seven's Borg decryption algorithms will no doubt prove more fruitful with the deeper layers."
"Permission granted," said Janeway.
"Assuming Seven is able to successfully access the file, Captain, I estimate there will be enough raw data in approximately one half hour to begin drawing preliminary conclusions. You may wish to be present at that time."
"Agreed, Tuvok. The Commander and I will join you at 2100 hours. Janeway out."
Janeway turned to Chakotay with a grin and said, "Well, this certainly promises to put a nice cap on the evening."
"I'll say," said Chakotay. "Maybe we'll actually make it through the Second Portal and out of this godforsaken reality before we meet any more itinerant Natrans and their friends."
"Works for me," said Janeway. She took another bite of her dessert, followed by a long swallow of cider. She took a few moments to consider her words before gently turning the conversation back to Chakotay's new psychic bond with Neelix. She had gotten a strong sense of how troubled he was by it, just before Tuvok's comm signal had interrupted the conversation. Janeway was resolved to use the half hour before they were expected in astrometrics to be as present for her friend as he had been for her after the Equinox incident. She knew that Chakotay probably wouldn't discuss the finer details of something this intensely private with the Doctor. Janeway would rather have him voice his fears aloud to her sympathetic ears, than for him to have to use his personal logs to work things out alone. She settled back comfortably on the couch to listen as he began to open up.
In astrometrics, about a half hour later:
Seven and Tuvok stood at the central console, working on enhancing the resolution of an image projected onto the dome. Their adjustments were nearly complete when the doors to astrometrics hissed open and the command team entered the room.
"Finally -- our first bit of good news," said Janeway. "Report, Mr. Tuvok."
"Aye, Captain," said Tuvok. "Logic dictated that I use the astronomical data in the completed map to derive any useful information which might be contained therein. After speaking briefly to Mr. Paris, I began a perusal of the entire document to refresh my memory of it."
"Mr. Paris?" asked Janeway.
"Yes, Captain. An indistinct portion of the map caught my attention prior to beginning my study. Mr. Paris informed me that he was aware of it during his navigation to the First Portal, but chose to disregard it, as it bore no relevance to Voyager's destination. It was there that an unfamiliar stellar pattern emerged, along with the subspace beacon and attached file."
Janeway glanced briefly at the dome and then picked up the map from the top of the console to examine it. The newly activated section stood out in sharp contrast against the dimmed Delta Quadrant star chart which had guided Tom Paris to the First Portal.
Seven augmented Tuvok's preliminary comments. "As you will recall, Captain, we passed through an energy ripple prior to entering the First Portal. It is my theory that this ripple triggered a time-delayed subroutine which prepared the indistinct portion of the map for reactivation once Voyager had moved beyond the range of influence of the First Portal and deeper into this anomalous reality. Contact with a species possessing telepathic ability was apparently the final catalyst required to initiate the process which allowed the new information to emerge."
"Makes sense to me, Seven," said Janeway, setting the map back down on the console. Turning to Tuvok, she asked, "How exactly did you discover all of this, Tuvok?"
"As you are no doubt aware, it is my custom during meditation to focus on stellar patterns as an aid to concentration. In this instance, after having memorized the map, I chose to meditate with eyes closed to minimize distraction. When I opened my mind completely at the deepest point of concentration to discern any hidden meaning in the document, the map reached back to me on a telepathic level. Upon opening my eyes and noting the physical changes in appearance which you see, I scanned the document and discovered the subspace beacon and multilayered encrypted file."
"Did you feel an actual presence, Tuvok?" asked Chakotay.
"Yes, Commander," said Tuvok. "It was identical to the presence I sensed in Mr. Horus' hut after our journey on the River of Souls. At that time, there was a brief flash of an alien consciousness when the final two quadlets popped free of the skywall and adhered to the quadlets we had brought with us. I took it to be that of the Map Keeper."
Janeway asked, "And the subspace beacon? Explain."
"My tricorder detected an ultra high-frequency signal emanating from the map once the indistinct portion was activated. Voyager's sensors will need no adjustments to detect it, nor will it render the crew unconscious should we need to broadcast it for any reason."
"A password, then," said Janeway.
"That is a distinct possibility," said Tuvok. "Curiously, the frequency differs from that which the creature emitted at the mouth of the First Portal."
"Seven? Your thoughts?" asked Janeway.
Seven looked up from the console where she was already running fractal decryption algorithms on the file. "I concur with Mr. Tuvok. If this differing frequency is indeed a password, it may indicate that each Portal has its own unique frequency to which it is responsive."
"It's probably meant as a homing beacon to lead us to the map for the next Portal as well," said Janeway.
"That is correct, Captain," said Tuvok. "The file's surface information indicated that the deeper layers contain tactical and cultural information, as well as schematics for creating a number of devices specifically designed to detect this beacon frequency. Clearly, they are meant for use in locating the quadlets of the Second Portal map. Furthermore, the file contains the precise coordinates for Nardonia. It is an M-class planetoid orbiting a G-class yellow star, second of five planets in the Denadis system. The file indicates that the first quadlet of the Second Portal map is concealed somewhere in Nardonia's central marketplace."
"Distance?" asked Janeway.
"Approximately one and one half days travel at impulse from our current position," said Tuvok. "According to the limited data I was able to decrypt, the planetoid is a major trading outpost for this sector, as it lies along several well-traveled cargo routes. It is a logical place to conceal a map in plain view without calling undue attention to its presence."
Seven changed the subject, saying, "Captain, we were about to compare my earlier scan data with the newly emerged map information when you and Commander Chakotay joined us."
Everyone turned their attention to the display projected onto the dome. Seven continued, saying, "The image you see comes from the final astrometrics scan before the sensors ceased to function properly. It is a representation of the area where Nardonia is located, based on the coordinates given in the map. It does not resemble any Delta Quadrant phenomena recorded on long-range sensors prior to Voyager's entering the First Portal."
She overlaid the image on the dome with another stellar pattern indicated in red. Seven said, "This is taken from the reactivated map portion.As you can see, the patterns do not precisely coincide. However, if I compensate for the most likely patterns of stellar drift, this is the present day position of the phenomena indicated by the newly activated data."They watched as the two differing patterns slowly came into perfect alignment. Seven said, "Extrapolating backward to the original astronomical position shown in the map, I would estimate the map's age to be at least two millennia, if not slightly older."
Tuvok picked up the discussion, saying, "There is clear evidence, however, that it is possible to access the data file information separately from the newly emerged star chart. The data file appears to have been carefully maintained to be up-to-date regarding cultural matters, but I would advise using a high-resolution Class V reconnaissance probe to gather information about the population's dress and appearance before an away team beams down, just to be certain."
"Agreed, Tuvok," said Janeway. "I'll leave that to your discretion once we're in orbit of Nardonia. Keep me informed."
"Acknowledged," said Tuvok. He hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I am intrigued, however..."
Janeway nodded for him to continue.
"There is no apparent reason indicated in the file for not updating the stellar information as well. Assuming Seven's extrapolation is correct, then this document dates roughly from Surak's era and the Time of Awakening."
"The age of the map is a minor issue right now, Tuvok," said Janeway. "We need to focus instead on mounting an away mission to Nardonia.Seven, continue with your decryption. Once you've finished, turn the results over to Tuvok for analysis and then resume your work on reconfiguring the astrometric sensors for this reality. We'll need to verify the planetoid's coordinates on instruments before we can get underway. Tom is nearly recovered, so I'll assign him to assist B'Elanna with clearing up the navigation sensors."
"Acknowledged," said Seven.
Janeway turned to Tuvok and said, "I want a full report on the encrypted file by 0930 hours, along with your recommendations." Tuvok nodded.
The Captain turned and left Astrometrics with Chakotay. Once they were in the corridor, Janeway said," Computer, locate Mortimer Harren."
"Mortimer Harren is on Deck 15, plasma relay Section, junction room 16," responded the computer.
Seeing the expression on Chakotay's face, Janeway said, "Oh, don't look so surprised. I've decided to take your suggestion."
"Making another attempt to lure one of Voyager's lost sheep back into the fold, Kathryn?" asked Chakotay.
"It's worth a shot. I have a much more interesting carrot than a routine survey mission this time," said Janeway. "Considering this is unknown space, Seven may be able to make use of Harren's theoretical input to help with the astrometric sensors."
They reached the turbolift. Chakotay pressed the call button and said, "I'll get the next one, Kathryn. The Doctor wants me resting in my quarters, but I've got a few things to settle with Neelix first before I'll be comfortable enough in my own skin to rest. I'll use the waiting time to think over what I need to say to him."
Remembering their after dinner discussion of Chakotay's bond with Neelix, Janeway said, "I don't imagine either one of us is going to have an easy time of it, Chakotay. Want to compare notes over breakfast?"
"You're on," Chakotay said as the turbolift arrived and Janeway stepped on. Just as the doors were closing and before she could state her destination to the computer, Chakotay smirked and called out, "Have fun!" The doors snapped shut on Janeway's wry smile.
Deck 15, a few minutes later:
Deck 15 was just as dark and claustrophobic as Janeway remembered from her last visit there quite some time ago to recruit Mortimer Harren for a routine away mission. When the Captain stepped off the turbolift, she saw Crewman Mitchell studying data on the plasma relay console at the opposite end of the corridor. He glanced up as she approached, but before he could call out "Captain on deck," Janeway raised her hand and smiled, saying, "At ease, Crewman Mitchell." Mitchell returned the smile and nodded.
Janeway turned left at the console and easily found her way to junction room 16. Before entering to speak to Harren, she squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, mentally gritted her teeth, and reminded herself to keep smiling. She was determined not to let the man get under her skin.
Janeway's appearance startled Mortimer Harren out of his total absorption in the padd resting in front of him on the console at which he sat. He recovered quickly, however, and his face immediately took on the smug expression of condescension it habitually wore. He said, "Why, Captain! Recruiting crewmembers for another away mission?"
Janeway replied, "Actually, Crewman, I'm looking for a pure theorist in quantum cosmology. Know any?"
Harren's face showed a spark of interest. He said, "I might."
"I'm sure you're aware of our problems with the astrometric and navigation sensors," said Janeway. Harren nodded. "You've probably also heard that we're in alternate space. If you've spent any time looking at the sky outside your viewport, then you know it's a lot wilder than anything you've ever seen over Vico 5."
"And what does that have to do with me?" asked Harren.
"We need your theoretical expertise, Mr. Harren. Lieutenant Torres has run every stellar model in the database and Seven even added a few from her time as a Borg, but they're both stumped."
"I understand your doctorate was in quantum cosmology, Captain," said Harren. "Surely you're more than qualified to assist them in resolving their impasse."
Janeway was about to roll her eyes in frustration at the man's deliberate obtuseness, but caught herself before she spoke. "Admiral Paris considered me a gifted theoretician when I was his science officer on the Al-Batani, but switching to the command track required me to focus on more practical concerns, Crewman. I have been assisting B'Elanna and Seven, but what's needed here is fresh ideas, and you're the most qualified theorist we've got. Quite frankly, Mr. Harren, I'm a little rusty." She paused for a moment to allow her words to sink in, and then asked, "How much do you know about the way we ended up in alternate space?"
"I've heard some talk about a map and a wormhole."
"Close enough," said Janeway. "We do have part of a map which promises to considerably shorten our trip back to the Alpha Quadrant. We need to assemble it piece by piece as we go. As we complete each portion of the map, it will reveal the location of another portal that will take us much closer to Earth than if we continue our journey by more conventional means."
"Don't you find it a little convenient that after all this time in the Delta Quadrant, Voyager's crew comes across a map which will get us home that easily?" asked Harren. "Is it genuine?"
"Oh, it's real, all right. You wouldn't ask that if you'd seen how it works," said Janeway. Harren appeared even more interested after hearing the Captain's answer to his question. Janeway continued. "We can't even begin to look for the next part of it until we've resolved the astrometric and navigation sensor problems. That's where you come in." She paused and waited for his response. It was her turn to be a little obtuse.
"How so?" asked Harren, after a few moments consideration.
"As I told you, we've tried every stellar model we know, with no results. Something in this alternate space is affecting the sensors, and we need a new approach to solve the problem. You've made it abundantly clear in the past that you don't care to put theory into practice, but you could leave that aspect to Lieutenant Torres and her team. If you can find what we've managed to overlook, they can come up with the practical applications."
"Do you honestly believe this map can get us back to the Alpha Quadrant?"
"I'm certain of it. This mission has its dangers, but if Voyager can pass through the remaining twelve portals, we'll cut decades off our journey," said Janeway. She paused to let that statement sink in, and then said, "Let me assure you, Mr. Harren -- by the time you've finished helping astrometrics find a stable reference for this dimensional reality and any other alternate space we may come across, you'll have more than enough practical field experience to teach at the Institute of Cosmology on Orion One once we're back home."
"This trip could still take years, Captain," said Harren. Even with the kind of field experience you're describing, my current education would be even more hopelessly out of date than it is now. I'd be spending all my time in remedial coursework, not teaching."
"Six months is the timeframe we're looking at here, Mr. Harren. I've kept that quiet because I don'twantto stir up false hope. Surely you of all people can imagine everything that could go wrong."
"Staying on track for a six-month's journey would require finding and getting through the remaining portals in an extremely timely fashion," said Harren.
"At the very least. That alone is quite a challenge," said Janeway.
"Then perhaps I should get started creating my first theoretical model," said Harren.
Janeway nodded and tapped her communicator. "Janeway to Ensign Culhane."
"Culhane here."
"Please report to deck 15, junction room 16 to cover the remainder of Crewman Harren's shift, and all of his duty assignments until further notice. He has been temporarily reassigned to a special project on my authorization," said Janeway.
"Acknowledged," reponded Ensign Culhane.
While they waited for his replacement to arrive, Janeway began discussing a few of the peculiarities of the map with Harren. Once the station was covered, they started for the turbolift.
Back in astrometrics:
"The map reached out to you?" asked Seven, as she and Tuvok worked side by side.
"Yes. It was a most peculiar, yet not unsettling experience," said Tuvok. "I placed my hand on the map at the moment I attempted to discern any hidden data, and for an instant, I felt as though I was back in the Map Keeper's hut, searching the skywall for the remaining quadlets and surreptitiously watching Horus converse with Icheb."
Seven's ocular implant rose slightly in surprise. Her experiences with flashbacks had all proven to be very painful. Tuvok continued. "When I saw the revised appearance of the map, I realized that interaction on a telepathic level would be unnecessary if the only information to be conveyed was that which I saw before me. I scanned the map with my tricorder and discovered the beacon and file."
Seven sighed and then said, "I wish the boy was here again to assist us, even if only for a brief time. He has a rare gift for astronomy."
"Evidently the Map Keeper thought so as well," said Tuvok. "Perhaps we will meet Icheb once more during our journey. He did return to warn us regarding the Magol. His function in all of this may be that of an advisor."
"Perhaps, but I feel it unlikely that we will see him again. He cannot pass through the Portals." She began, "Still..."
At that moment, the doors to astrometrics opened, and Janeway entered the room with Mortimer Harren in tow. Seven's face once again showed her surprise as she asked, "Captain?"
"Just bringing you some reinforcements, Seven. This seems like a good time to make use of Mr. Harren's advanced theoretical knowledge."
"I concur," said Seven. "Mr. Harren's expertise has never been properly utilized aboard Voyager. He may assist me with my sensor project, since the imbedded file is now fully decrypted. Commander Tuvok has already begun his analysis."
"Well, then I'll leave the three of you to your work," said Janeway. She turned and left astrometrics for her quarters, confident in the trio's ability to find a working solution to the puzzle of Second Portal space.