Ch.8

Janeway and the crew dove for the floor, barely inches away from the tons of rock crashing down from the cave ceiling. Rocks and dirt showered them, filling the air with choking dust. Soon, the sound of falling rock gave way to the sound of people coughing and choking. Janeway heaved a huge breath and called out, "Is everyone all right?"

They answered one by one and began digging themselves out. As the dust settled, they were relieved to discover that it was not pitch black in the cave. Crystals in the ceiling gave off a dim, watery light. It was by this light that they checked each other over. Most fortunately, no one was seriously injured. Once she was certain everyone was safe, Janeway rounded on Neelix.

"Just what the hell were you thinking? You almost got us killed!" The captain was by no means an exceptionally short woman and in fact had a few inches on Neelix, but in her anger she positively towered over the scruffy Talaxian.

"I'm sorry! I didn't think the cave would collapse. But the Kazon are dangerous – I didn't think we would've gotten out of there alive unless I did something."

"If you had told us your plan beforehand, we might have anticipated your irrational course of action," said Tuvok.

"Irrational?" Neelix looked hurt. "We got out of there, didn't we?"

"Yeah, but now we're trapped!" said Paris. Neelix scowled at him and Janeway could see that the whole situation was about to spin out of control. However, before she could do anything, a new voice spoke up.

"[Excuse me.]" The girl's voice was deep, deeper than anyone would have expected from someone so small. Now that they had adjusted to the low light, Janeway could clearly see her face. It shone with angelic innocence, but there was a measure of wisdom in her eyes that Janeway hadn't expected. She looked around to see all of them staring at the girl. Tuvok looked curious, Chakotay moreso and Paris' interest was plain on his face.

"[There might be another way out of the cave,]" she said. "[If someone has the keys for these locks, I could show you how I got in.]"

"[Tuvok, can you remove her shackles?]" asked Janeway.

The Vulcan inspected them and nodded. "[This will take but a moment.]"

"[What's your name?]" said Janeway.

The girl smiled. "[Kes. I've never seen anyone like you before. What are your names?]"

"[I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway,]" she said. "[This is Lieutenant Tuvok, Mr. Paris, Mr. Chakotay and you already seem to know Neelix.]"

They nodded politely as she introduced them. One of the shackles came loose and clattered to the floor. Kes jumped a little.

"[Did I injure you?]" asked Tuvok.

"[No, I'm fine. I'm just happy to get these shackles off. I've had them on for so long; my arms feel strange now that they're so light again.]"

"[How did you find your way to the surface?]" said Chakotay.

"[I was looking for the ancient passageways.]" She quickly explained how the Caretaker had sent the Ocampa underground for their protection. "[We were warned never to go to the surface. Once I saw the sunlight, nothing else mattered. I never thought the ancient tribe could still be around. They spotted me at once and locked me up when they couldn't find the way down.]" She sighed. "[It's my own fault I was caught. I'm too curious. I'm told it's my worst failing.]"

Neelix caressed her face. "[No, no dearest. It's your best quality. It's wonderful.]"

The other shackle clanked on the floor. Kes rubbed her wrists gingerly.

"[Are you injured?]" said Tuvok.

"[No, just a little sore. It feels so good to finally have those off. Thank you.]"

"[You are welcome.]" He stood and helped her to her feet.

"[How did you get those off without a key?] asked Neelix.

"[I picked the lock. It is a skill I would have thought someone in your profession might have already possessed.]"

Neelix stroked the whiskers on the sides of his face. "[No, not really. I'm better at talking people into giving me their keys or opening the door themselves.]"

Paris, no doubt recalling the trouble Neelix managed to get them all into in the first place, cleared his throat at this. Janeway ignored him.

"[Incredible,]" said Neelix. "[I never would have thought to open the lock without a key. You Federations are obviously an advanced culture.]"

The group started shoving aside some of the larger rocks that blocked their way to the lower part of the tunnel that had come loose in the explosion.

"[The Federation is made up of many cultures,]" Tuvok continued. "[I am Vulcan.]"

Neelix threw his arms around Tuvok, who suddenly looked as uncomfortable as Janeway had ever seen him. It took all her self-control not to smile at the scene. Paris sounded like he was suppressing his laughter. Chakotay wasn't even looking.

"[Well, whatever you call yourself, Mr. Vulcan, thank you for freeing my dear Kes!]"

He finally let go and frowned when he saw her moving the rocks.

"[My dear, you shouldn't exert yourself so much. You've been in such poor health for so long-]"

"[I'm fine. It feels good to move around. Why don't you help instead of fussing over me?]"

Neelix looked like he was going to object, but he met Kes's gaze and simply began moving rocks.

After several minutes, there was enough room for them to proceed into the tunnels. While they had been working, Janeway had explained their situation to Kes, including their search for their crewmen.

"[It's been happening for some time now,]" said Kes. "[The Caretaker sends sick people to the Ocampa, who take care of them.]"

"[Sick?]" said Janeway. "[What's wrong with them?]"

"[I never saw the strangers. I didn't actually live in the city, where they appeared. My home is in the nearby village.]"

"[That's a start,]" said Chakotay. "[Can you take us there?]"

"[Of course. This way.]" Kes stepped over the low pile of rocks, but Neelix jumped in front of her.

"[There's no need to go all the way down,]" he said. "[They're smart; they'll find the path.]"

Kes smiled gently at him. "[The tunnels are confusing. It's better if we all go together. And I'm the only one who can show them the way in.]"

"[Fine, show them, but once we get out, we'll take my boat to the next country,]" said Neelix.

"[Neelix, these people rescued me!]"

"[I rescued you-]"

"[-With their help. It would be wrong not to help them now.]"

"[Especially after that stunt you pulled with the cave entrance,]" added Paris. Janeway gave him a look and he shrugged, as if to say, I'm right, aren't I?

She went right back to ignoring him, instead focusing on Kes's newly revealed iron will. Neelix was a stubborn creature, she knew that, but Kes so far had not backed down from him. How strange that so frail a girl could have such an indomitable spirit. Neelix's stubborn resolve melted in the face of Kes's own and he sighed with nothing less than utter adoration.

"[This way,]" said Kes, leading the group deeper into the tunnels.

"[Isn't she remarkable?]" said Neelix, walking after her.