RAGNAROK 1
Author: Rocky
/Captain's log, Stardate 54579.6. It's been more than 24 hours since we rescued the crew of the Tikvah. Since then, we have not encountered any further Borg activity in the vicinity. We are maintaining yellow alert, as long range sensors are picking up remnants of old transwarp trails. Meanwhile, Commander Chakotay is working closely with Mr. Neelix to provide accommodations for our guests./
"So that's it, in terms of quarters," Chakotay said, checking the PADD once more. "Neelix, you're a marvel. I wouldn't have thought we could suddenly house fifty additional people with such ease."
"It really wasn't hard," Neelix said modestly. "Most of the former drones don't mind sharing cabins; in fact, they feel more comfortable that way. As for the rest, some of our people volunteered to double up, thereby freeing even more space."
"It's not as though we had to find room for 200 Klingon warriors," Chakotay agreed with a smile, "but still, you've done a good job."
Neelix beamed. "Now in terms of food supplies..." His voice trailed off suddenly. Chakotay turned around, and saw the reason for it. Sarexa stood in the doorway.
"You know, I think we're just about finished here, Neelix," Chakotay said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You can check with me later for the rest of the details." He nodded to Sarexa as he passed her on his way out.
Neelix picked up several items laid out on the counter, and retreated to the back of the cooking area, feeling suddenly ill at ease. With a quick glance over his shoulder, he said, "Hello, Sarexa."
She advanced further into the room, cutting the distance between them. "Neelix. I asked Seven where I could find you, and she said at this time of day you were sure to be in here."
"That's right-I've got lots of cooking to do," Neelix said, clanging a saucepan lid, and making a show of checking the height of the flame on the range top. He avoided meeting her gaze.
Sarexa was quiet for a moment. "I was wondering why I didn't see you earlier."
Neelix said hurriedly, "I heard you were on board, of course. But I've been very busy." He stopped abruptly and looked at her for the first time. "I'm sorry. That's not quite true. I, uh, I didn't, that is-"
"You didn't expect to see me again." Her voice was sad.
"No, I didn't." He added, "Not that I'm not happy to do so now, you understand. I'm glad that you're all right. I was wondering about that, since we left the Trefla."
"I've been thinking about you as well." Sarexa hesitated. "I know you were disappointed when I didn't stay on Voyager with you."
Neelix swallowed and strove to keep his voice level. "You had your reasons."
"Yes, I did," she said softly. She reached out tentatively to him, then pulled back, as if unsure of what his reaction would be.
Neelix cursed himself for his cowardice, and took her hand in his own. "Well, the important thing is that you're here now," he reassured her. Hanging in the air between them was the unspoken thought that this reunion was most likely only temporary. He straightened up. "I was just about to start preparing dinner-would you like to give me a hand?"
She smiled. "I'd love to."
Act II
Alpha shift was winding down. Chakotay sat in the command chair on the bridge. The captain, Seven and Tuvok were in her Ready Room, going over the latest data from Astrometrics.
A class J nebula had been sighted 10 light years away; based on previous experience, they knew that such a celestial phenomenon could conceal a flotilla of ships. It was not the usual Borg modus operendi to lie in ambush, but ever since the encounter with the cube that had attacked the Tikvah, Janeway was taking no chances.
Chakotay sighed to himself. The last few days had been relatively peaceful. The addition of the Tikvah refugees hadn't impacted too heavily on Voyager's normal operations. The former drones tended to keep to themselves. Except for Sarexa, who had been spending the majority of her time in the Mess Hall with Neelix. Chakotay wasn't surprised; he'd often suspected that Neelix, for all his bluster and good cheer, was lonely for others of his kind. Every light year Voyager traveled closer to the Alpha Quadrant was another light year farther from his own home. Neelix had never given any indication that he regretted his decision to join Voyager, even after Kes left them, but sometimes Chakotay wondered.
Seven's behavior, on the other hand, was puzzling. She had reportedly been giving the newest passengers a wide berth. She couldn't avoid them entirely, as she had been assigned to work with them, but Chakotay had the distinct impression that Seven was uncomfortable around the other drones. But maybe it wasn't so surprising after all; she'd had a bad experience on board the Trefla.
He shrugged. No doubt, Kathryn would sit her down for a talk at the earliest opportunity. If there was something bothering Seven, she was sure to confide in her mentor before too long.
A sudden reading on his console drew his attention. Chakotay turned to Ops. "Harry-"
"I'm on it, Commander," the lieutenant replied.
Chakotay nodded. "Bridge to Captain Janeway. Looks like we've got some more company."
The Ready Room doors parted instantly. Janeway settled into her seat. "What have we got?"
"A transwarp conduit dead ahead, Captain, at a distance of 1.4 light years."
Janeway nodded. Chakotay leaned over and said softly, "You don't seem very surprised."
She smiled wryly. "That class J nebula we were investigating? Just as we suspected."
"How many concealed ships?"
"Four." She answered his unspoken question. "Borg."
Seven checked a readout at the science station, where she'd taken up her position upon leaving the Ready Room. "I have just spoken with Icheb. He is not detecting any signals from these vessels that would indicate anything unusual."
"In other words, these are not the specially modified Borg we encountered on Stardate 54414.5," said Chakotay, his tone belying the relief he felt inside. But it would be almost too much to hope that they would never tangle with them again; the Borg Queen undoubtedly would not give up until she had conquered Voyager.
The captain's mind was obviously on more immediate matters. "That still leaves the question of are they 'regular' Borg, or renegades from the Collective like those that attacked the Tikvah," Janeway said.
"We will know soon enough," Tuvok announced. "The conduit is opening-two ships are emerging."
"Go to red alert," the captain said, studying a tactical display in front of her.
"Captain, picking up readings from the nebula-those other ships are emerging," said Kim.
"Battle stations," said the captain. She rose and went over to helm. "Tom, as soon as we get a trajectory on those ships, I want you to plot a course to get us out of here."
"We can't outrun six cubes," Chakotay said.
"No, we can't," said Janeway grimly, "but we can at least try to get out of the fire zone."
The scene on the main view screen shifted between the cubes from the nebula, to the ones ahead of Voyager, newly emerged from the conduit. The trailing cubes rushed past the Federation starship, leaving it rocking strongly in their wake. One cube paused, passed a scanner beam over Voyager, and then hastened away.
"Those four cubes are still connected to the Collective," said Tuvok.
"But the others must not be, or else they wouldn't be attacking them," Kim said, relief in his voice.
"That doesn't mean it's good news for us, Lieutenant," Chakotay said sharply.
Janeway motioned for silence. "Cut the chatter, people, and concentrate on your stations."
"Captain, I'm picking up communications between the vessels leaving the conduit. I have been able to make an identification of who is on board." Tuvok paused, as if to give his words greater impact. "It's General Korok."
Janeway drew a quick intake of breath. Korok, the doughty Klingon warrior they'd encountered in Unimatrix Zero. What was he doing in this sector?
The answer became evident when Korok's vessel began firing at the four cubes that had assumed an attack formation. The phasers lanced out, catching the central cube broadside. It disintegrated, but Korok's attempts to follow up on the other cubes were futile; the renewed energy bursts were deflected.
"They've adapted," Chakotay said quietly.
It appeared that Korok wasn't out of options yet; a round of torpedoes eliminated yet another of the cubes, leaving two more, both of whom promptly began pounding Korok's forces. The outlook was not favorable.
"Are we going in?" Paris asked expectantly.