The Dash
Author: Riz
Summary: Voyager is in possession of technological knowledge that endangers a fragile truce.
Disclaimer: 'Star trek: Voyager' is a registered trademark of Paramount Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended. This fanfiction written by 'Riz' falls under the fair use clause of copyright law. No profit is made from its production or distribution.
(04: The Art of Propulsion)
"Red alert! Battle stations."
Captain Janeway had just come from astrometrics where Seven of Nine had provided her with disturbing news. An unsettling feeling had come over her and it was evident in her tense facial expression. The lights on Voyager immediately darkened at her command, flashing red as the beeping sound of danger alerted the entire ship. Chakotay was the first to glance up from his position, though everyone did look up from his or her station in split seconds.
"Captain?"
The woman stopped dead in her tracks in front of the viewscreen. She turned to face her first officer who looked quizzically at her. Chakotay and the rest needed to get informed swiftly about the unfavorable situation at hand, the faster the better. She spoke loudly enough for the entire bridge crew to follow, glancing down upon their expressions.
"Three Nibek warships are approaching our coordinates. And something in my gut tells me they aren't here to come say hello."
Janeway noticed Chakotay's instant frown. Showing even the untrained eye that he shared her concern about Voyager's well-being. Any gathering of roaming Nibek warships meant they had better batten down the hatches. Since they were approaching Voyager again it was plainly obvious that the savage race did not want them to cross the border into Irriac space. Not under any circumstance did they want to lose the information that Voyager carried, else the Nibek would have given up on Voyager sooner. Chakotay audibly filled in the blanks.
"It's their final chance to obtain the information on that energy-net. They must be intent on getting it."
"Then they're in for a disappointment. I don't intend to share."
Kathryn stated the words with resolve. Her mind was set. By now, it should have been clear that Voyager did not plan to help the Nibek wage war. Moving towards the helm, she placed her hand on Tom's slender shoulder. Ready to entrust him with a simple yet vital task that could be the difference between life and death.
"Their ships are powerful, but not as fast as Voyager. Get us out of here Tom."
"You got it."
Tom's hands sprung to life on the console the minute the first word had left her mouth. He was not going to argue about this perfect time to make Voyager zoom as if in quantum slipstream or a Borg transwarp conduit, leaving the Nibek in a cloud of special dust. Subsequently Tuvok's calm and collected communication informed them of the peril that had closed in on them already. He inspected his readings quickly.
"Three Nibek ships are powering weapons."
Chakotay's hands gripped the arms of his chair tightly, calling out for protection.
"Maximum shields!"
The Federation starship shook violently and rocked as heavy shots impacted with its shields. A few conduits blew out with a bright flash and distinct sound of discharging energy. Captain Janeway managed to quickly find her balance and climb into her chair.
"Report."
"The Nibek have dropped out of warp off our port bow. Shields are down to fifty percent."
Tuvok's voice reverberated hurriedly. They had taken heavy damage, and the battle had not even started yet. To top it off, Tom had to vouch that their warp engines had been blown offline. The Nibek now held them at gunpoint, and a chirp informed young ensign Harry Kim of an incoming signal. He glanced up from his console, meeting the captain's gaze.
"It's their lead ship. It is hailing us."
"Let's see if we can have a civilized conversation, if they are any more well-mannered than last time. On screen."
With a small bleep, a copper-scaled species appeared on the viewscreen. His eyes cold as stones in large sockets, their irises translucently green. It was a male Nibek, the rank of warfarer designated by the blood red shade of his old uniform. Although many Nibek looked alike to mere humans, this one was familiar. His voice sounded belittling as he greeted Voyager. With a heart of poison it was not often that this species did any talking before shooting.
"Captain Janeway of the federation vessel, we have met at our enemy's planetoid. I am warfarer Ubu of the Nibek realm. You have violated many laws by contacting the Irriac. Now comes the time that you must surrender your vessel in order to dispose of your transgression."
Captain Janeway merely pursed her lips at the immature threat. In order to get on the nerves of a Nibek she knew that all you had to do was be unimpressed, and by this race she most definitely was. They almost equaled their diplomatic skills to that of a rabid dog. Whatever you would come up with, they would bite. Best to keep cool.
"Oh? Sorry warfarer, but I beg to differ. Now, if you cease firing we will be on our way. We promise we won't even think about turning back."
"Insufficient. We came here to bring your ship to a standstill and we have already rendered you near to motionless. If you still attempt to cross the border, we will destroy you."
It was a more direct threat this time. The warfarer was as eager to blow Voyager to bits as he was to receiving the knowledge to blow the Irriac to bits. Whichever he would rather want, the captain decided she wanted neither of those scenarios to be set in motion. Deciding it was the best move to confront the Nibek directly with what they wanted, she wrinkled her forehead with a discerning frown.
"Please inform me if I've got it wrong, warfarer, but by destroying Voyager you would lose the information that you seek."
The Nibek warfarer stared dully at the rest of Voyager's officers, undoubtedly busy comparing humans to ants while carrying a magnifying glass in his pocket. He was that kind of bully that would be entertained by the destruction of other beings. It would make him feel even more powerful. Slightly alike a hunting Hirogen. He spoke, apathetic about sacrifices.
"We have reason to believe you could be used as a pawn messenger by the Irriac. You cannot cross this border carrying their knowledge. If you were to send us the specifications of their net, we will leave your ship be."
The determined captain that sat on Voyager's bridge had seen her share of unfair negotiations. This was definitely another one of them. Nibek authority had chosen to chase Voyager. For them it was an opportunity to gain information to extinguish the last Irriac in their space, crushing a resistance and possible two-front war. It would set things to their advantage. Their handling of Voyager was going to be a customary reception for any ship that contacted the Irriac in this region. Kathryn replied casually.
"We are explorers warfarer, not enemies. Our prime directive keeps us from interfering with your ...Conflict. We have come this far, and I do not intend to stick around your realm. Nor share any information with anyone. The balance of power in these parts of space is entirely your own to handle. Tuvok charge the phaserbanks, just in case Mr. Ubu here doesn't respect our wish to travel home."
"-Your weapons are puny captain, as is your ship. Give us what we want to know or we will terminate Voyager."
Clearing her throat once for the last attempt at a diplomatic agreement, Captain Janeway realized that it was most likely going to be futile reasoning with the thickheaded creature. She clearly articulated every syllable, marking her final proposition.
"It seems you're leaving me no choice, warfarer. If you would let us cross, it will be as if Voyager never arrived in Nibek space."
"Unacceptable."
The warfarer stated it simply, his reply short as he grew wary of the woman's diplomacy. Waving over to the young ensign at operations, Kathryn lifted an acknowledging and somewhat pitying brow knowing that the warfarer, unfortunately, was not going to listen to common reason.
"Well then, I suppose this conversation is over. Mr. Kim, end transmission."
As soon as the offended alien had left the viewscreen, the auburn haired woman sprung to action. Her subtle diplomacy making way for an iron will.
"This is getting us nowhere. Tom, evasive maneuvers, try to get us as close to that border as possible. I'm not going to be stopped by a bunch of -"
A blast forced itself down on Voyager, the power enough to send some of the crewmen flying and consoles exploding. Chakotay was jolted out of his chair on impact. He grunted audibly as he realized for the so-maniest time this species was impossible, roaring another order to attack.
"Target their weapons systems and return fire!"
Tuvok did so, and Voyager's energy weapons bounced onto the shields of the warships as they flew in an evasive pattern. Their shields flashed but it was no use. Tuvok had to announce that their shields were holding perfectly. The warships were crafted ingeniously when it came to defense and offense. In turn, the more nimble Voyager received another powerful hit as one of the warships managed to hit their shield with a vigorous large torpedo. Casualty reports began streaming in as some decks took cumbersome damage. A flash of light and detonation accompanied Tuvok's loud voice as more conduits blew out.
"Shields are down! Captain, the front warship is attempting to lock us into a tractor beam."
Tom quickly glanced over his shoulder.
"It's almost touching how they don't want us to leave."
Harry Kim shot his corny friend at the helm a quick leer, it was an ill moment for his useless banter. Captain Janeway ignored it and jumped out of her chair, speeding up to operations. Shoulder to shoulder with Harry she turned to the operations console.
"Mr. Paris, try and buy us more time. Keep going for that border at full impulse! Now, direct all possible power to the shields for one last burst of energy. I will try to work on our shield polarity. With any luck we can reverse the effects of their beam on our shield. But I need time."
Harry glanced at the data his captain was inputting and swiftly caught on. Chakotay, however, gazed at the situation with a puzzled look. He knew his captain had hatched another one of those plans of hers. He just did not know what the brilliant idea was going to be.
"Captain?"
She smiled knowingly as her delicate hands flew over the information processing system's interface. A beat passed as she concentrated on her valuable input sequence but then continued to elaborate so everyone would understand.
"Think of it as magnets, Mr. Chakotay. With all the information we have gathered thus far I think we can adapt our shield polarity to shortly turn their tractor beam into a pressor beam."
Tom smirked inwardly while he worked his own console, adding some to her sentence.
"-And push us right over that border."
Captain Janeway nodded affirmatively and continued to work at the operations console as fast as she could. With the right timing, they could be propelled towards the finish line. If her timing was off, or the shields were lacking in power... Tuvok induced even more speed as he practically stated it was all or nothing now.
"They're locking on."
The moment the green light of the tractor beam hit Voyager, Janeway tapped the last button. Voyager jolted and all decks trembled as if hit by a massive earthquake. Harry Kim held on to his console, turning to take a few sensors' readings. According to those readings, they were indeed flying forwards. Harry Kim exhaled.
"It's working captain!"
Captain Janeway had effectively set up a strong magnetic field. The tractor beam had vehemently repelled Voyager as if it was of an identical magnetic pole. The fast and slightly unstable propulsion power shook the ship, but the captain quickly managed to stumble over to the helm. She gazed upon a console to confirm Harry's statement and started counting the seconds in her mind until they would cross the finish line. The Nibek ships, which had been taken totally by surprise, reacted slowly behind their tail. Tom suddenly laughed, giving Voyager a hard tension-relieving pat on the console.
"-We are out! Talk about a blessing in disguise!"
"The Nibek seem to be making no further signs of pursuit. It seems Voyager is safe."
Even Tuvok looked slightly optimistic, for a Vulcan that is. He acknowledged their victory over the Nibek. Though Captain Janeway was also relieved, she knew it was unwise to stop dead in the water close to that border dividing Heaven and Hell.
"Stand down red alert. Tom, set a course and move us away from Nibek space, just in case they do decide to cross. We'll start our repairs as soon as we're about ten million kilometers away."
At the sound of her voice, Tom swung his stool around with a 'yes ma'am!' At full impulse he plotted their course for the new markings.
It took a few hours for the bridge to calm down again. Kathryn was back in her ready room assessing the damage. Getting the warp drive back online was definitely a top priority. The door slid open and Chakotay soon towered over the desk.
"You know, engineering is going to be busy for a while. I think B'Elanna will be displeased."
The damage caused by the encounter had not contributed to B'Elanna's good mood, but Chakotay's voice showed a hint of amusement. The tan man wore his usual docile smile, and his eyes were sparkling full of life. Both captain and first officer understood things could have been worse. Having cleared Nibek space now was not the time to mope about any damage done. The gentle, dimpled smile kept tugging on the corners of the man's lips. He placed some PADDs on the desk and left with a polite nod. Ten minutes and two PADDs later Kathryn glanced up to see a golden shimmer of hair, it was her flight officer entering. She reluctantly inquired him.
"More reports?"
Her eyes fell upon his expression, which was oddly enough, tempered with a certain delight. Maybe he had some other news to share, although she could not quite imagine what it could be. What could that man possibly get excited about in the middle of his shift? He was the straightforward technique kind of guy so she expected his motivation to come soon, and it did.
"Captain, I hate to say I told you so yet here I am."
He may have been the most accomplished pilot she had ever encountered but he was also the most arrogant one. He had a large portion of self-esteem to match his impressive skills.