Chapter 6
"Are you awake Captain?"
Janeway felt disoriented but she recognised the voice.
"Tuvok? Is that you?"
"Affirmative. Are you able to move?"
Janeway attempted to do so but found her arms and legs were restrained by metal clamps.
"No I can't move. Where are you? It sounds like you are directly to my right but all I see is an empty conference room.
Janeway thought the room looked familiar but she could not quite place where she had seen it before.
"I appear to be in a similar position." said Tuvok. "The room is not our actual location but an image from Terak Nor; otherwise known as Deep Space Nine. I surmise the image is projected into our minds telepathically which is why we can still view it if we close our eyes."
Janeway did not question Tuvok's summary of the situation. She knew Vulcan's had telepathic ability plus her view of the room seemed somehow remote, almost dreamlike.
"Any idea where we really are and how we got here?"
"Negative Captain. My last recollection before regaining consciousness, is reviewing the security protocols as part of my daily report."
And mine, thought Janeway, was of having lunch with Chakotay.
"If anyone's interested," said another familiar voice to her left, "mine, or should I say Captain Proton's last memory was saving the Earth and getting the girl...again."
"Tom! Are you ok?" said Janeway.
"Yes Mam; but I seem to be in the same predicament as you and Tuvok." replied Lieutenant Tom Paris.
With Tom somewhere on her left and Tuvok on her right, Janeway began to hope the rest of the crew were nearby.
"Is anyone else there? Chakotay? Harry?"
They waited a few moments but there was no response. Finally Paris broke the silence.
"Sounds like no-body here but us chickens."
Janeway thought it was typical of Tom to make a joke, no matter how dire the situation. Right now though, they needed answers not comedy relief.
"Tuvok, any ideas?" asked Janeway.
"The stardate of the last memory I can access compared to the present indicates we have lost over a week of time."
The Vulcan's natural ability to know the date based purely on their own body clock was one of the many reasons Janeway found their race so fascinating.
"Therefore," continued Tuvok, "I would surmise that we have been kidnapped and our memories of the last week erased or blocked."
"Why?" asked Janeway. "Who would do such a thing?"
"We've made more than our fair share of enemies during our travels." pointed out Paris.
"Mr Paris is correct," agreed Tuvok, "however the only fact we know for sure is someone or something has gone to great lengths to have the three of us here to bear witness to an event. I suggest our only logical course of action, for now, is to do just that."
"Agreed," said Janeway.
"Anyone got any popcorn?" asked Paris.
"Mr Paris, even if we had some 'popcorn' I fail to see how you would consume..." Tuvok interrupted his admonishment of Paris as he noticed several people entering the conference room.
Janeway gasped when she saw Chakotay, Torres, Seven of Nine and Neelix escorted into the room followed by various Starfleet personnel, including several she recognised.
The event they were brought to witness was about to begin!
'How the hell had it come to this?', thought Chakotay as he took his seat in the conference room.
Running over the events of the last few hours in his mind, he couldn't think of any different outcome. If they had tried to run away or fight they would have failed miserably with a crippled ship. When he woke up to discover they were in the Alpha Quadrant with missing crewmembers, missing memories and a Starfleet legend on the con asking if they needed any assistance, it seemed the best option to let Starfleet investigate.
After his first discussion with Captain Picard and the way his crew had been treated by the Enterprise personnel he started to get a bad feeling about where this was all heading. This worsened during the farcical transfer to Deep Space Nine. If he had any lingering doubts, they quickly melted away as they entered the conference room. One look at the faces of the people facing him confirmed his fears. He had no idea know what the investigation had uncovered so far but he had a feeling it would not be good.
Chakotay tried to remain calm. He needed to keep it together for the sake of the crew. He knew this would be tough but he decided he would listen to their accusations, see what evidence they had and try to answer their questions as honestly as he could. It was the only way to find out what they knew and he hoped he could discover something he could use to their advantage.
Prior to the debriefing Worf and Sisko had examined Picard's report. They had discussed various approaches. In the end it was agreed Sisko would be the main spokesperson, while the others observed and would intervene if they had any questions. Worf thought this was an excellent strategy, one that would keep the enemy off-guard and vulnerable to attack.
When they entered the room, Sisko took up position in the speaker's podium while the rest of the officers seated on one side of the conference table opposite Chakotay and the others. This consisted of Kira, Odo, Bashir, O'Brien, and Ezri. Solack took up position next to the entrance.
"When do the rest of the Federation arrive?"
Torres aimed the sarcastically delivered question directly at Worf. Worf merely smiled slightly as if amused by this lowly P'tagh. Chakotay knew enough about Klingons to realise their battle lines had been drawn and Torres had scored the first point.
With everyone finally seated, Sisko approached Chakotay.
"Mr Chakotay, as acting Captain of the USS Voyager would you care to fill us in on your return to the Alpha Quadrant?"
"I've already given a full report, both written and verbally."
"I appreciate that but this is purely for the official record of this de-briefing."
Chakotay sighed. He'd expected this would happen but decided now was not the right time to protest.
"We'd just come out of a particularly bad sector of space. It had taken us over a month to get through and most of the crew were already referring to it as, 'The month of hell.' The entire sector was one massive war zone. Every race we encountered held this paranoid belief we were in league with their enemies. Multiple races involved in multiple wars and feuds for reasons most of them had forgotten decades past. No matter which direction we went or how we approached each first contact we found ourselves in battle after battle."
Chakotay paused to take a drink of water before continuing. "After we finally left the sector the Captain ordered us all to relax a little. We started scanning for a peaceful planet or station which would provide some R&R and allow Voyager to restock and repair. While we were searching, Neelix organised some games, extra Holodeck time was allotted and I believe the Doctor and Seven put on an Opera."
Chokatay looked at Seven for confirmation.
"That is correct. It was Vivaldi."
Chakotay continued, "As for the Captain and I we decided we would have dinner together. It was her turn to cook. This was a kind of a tradition for us after surviving a difficult situation. It allowed us to relax while discussing the events and coming up with ideas on how to avoid such situations in the future. We had just started the entrée, which was Bolian Soup, when I was woken up by Captain Scott here in the Alpha Quadrant."
Sisko looked puzzled, "And you have no idea what happened?"
"None," replied Chakotay. "I wish I did. I wish we had some clue so we could start to look for the Captain and the others but I don't."
"Well, forgive me for being blunt Mr Chakotay but you don't seem too concerned with current events, nor do you appear forthcoming with any theories?"
Chakotay starred hard at Sisko, trying to keep his temper under control.
"Of course I'm concerned. Those people are not only my fellow officers but many of them I considered my close friends! As for theories, oh I have plenty of theories, but none of them make any sense. It's easy to remove memories. The Doctor over there," Chajotay pointed at Bashir, "could probably run the procedure in a matter of minutes. Any race with at least the same technology as the Federation could have removed our memories; but why? And why send only some of us home? There are beings we've encountered in the Universe who have the ability to send us home, like the Caretaker or Q; but again why and why only some of us?"
"There's also the possibility," interjected Bashir "that whatever you encountered was so emotionally damaging your mind refuses to remember what happened."
"Is that possible?" asked Worf.
"Oh yes," replied Bashir. "It's similar to mass psychosis. A group of people sharing in a terrifying or painful experience can, under the right conditions, all selectively forget the incident ever took place."
"Pah!" Worf bellowed. "Or maybe they are lying and removed the memories themselves?"
Worf's attention had been on Torres as he spoke, as if accusing her directly. She swore and got to her feet but Chakotay grabbed her arm. After a few moments, she managed to regain her composure. Sisko waited until she had sat down again then positioned himself directly facing Chakotay.
"Mr Chakotay, have you even considered the possibility that Mr Worf's theory is true? Could it be you were somehow involved in what happened to the rest of the crew and had your memories wiped to cover it up?"
"I have." Chakotay replied. "Briefly….but I dismissed the idea almost immediately."
"Why?"
Chakotay starred directly into Sisko's eyes as he spoke.
"Because that would be crossing the line."
Sisko broke eye contact with Chakotay and began to pace up and down the podium.
"Crossing the line? Tell me Mr Chakotay, were you not once in fact a member of the Marquis, a terrorist organisation who killed Cardassian and Federation personnel on a day-to-day basis?"
"Yes I was, but that was different."
Chakotay was quite surprised at his level of control as he answered Sisko's question. He realised any display of anger or emotional outbursts would not help them in anyway at the moment, which was why he had subdued Torres. It was no easy task. He wanted to scream in frustration.
Sisko stopped pacing and made eye contact with Chakotay again.
"How is it different?"
The question reminded Chakotay of the many discussions he had with the Captain over the whole Marquis issue. She so desperately wanted to understand why members of Starfleet would betray the mighty Federation. In the end Chakotay had the impression their discussions had helped but she never truly understood.
He felt he would have less success with Sisko in the short time they had but he tried to explain anyway.
"Because the Federation crossed the line. When they signed the treaty with the Cardassians they made a deal with the devil; a deal which betrayed whole communities on several planets who were told to leave their homes or face the wrath of the new Cardassian owners. Oh and those who didn't leave did indeed face this wrath while the Federation and your precious Starfleet turned their backs and let it happen!"
Chakotay paused expecting an immediate retort but when Sisko remained silent he continued.
"In signing this treaty the Federation had betrayed its founding principles. Why do you think so many of your own people became members of the Marquis while many more sympathised with our cause and offered assistance? "
Sisko rubbed his chin as if contemplating Chaotay's words.
"Some would argue the peace treaty actually averted a war and therefore saved far more lives than it cost." pointed out Sisko.
"That was a weak argument before I left the Alpha Quadrant," replied Chakotay. "One which is now irrelevant considering what the Cardassians have done since then."
Sisko realised that Chakotay was referring to the Cardassians betrayal when they became allies with the Dominion.
"Touché Mr Chakotay, Touché. Is it fair to say then that you joined the Marquis because you felt what you were doing was right, your actions justified?"
"Yes I would," agreed Chakotay.
Worf smiled. He realised were Sisko's questions were leading. Chakotay saw the smile, realising too late he had talked himself into a corner.
"So in other words Mr Chakotay, you will betray if the circumstances are right?"
Torres was on her feet again in an instant. "That isn't fair; you're twisting his words around!"
Sisko faced Torres. "Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres. During your time on Voyager have you ever experimented with the Warp drive?"
Torres was thrown off-balance by the question. "What?"
"Have you ever attempted to develop enhancements to the engines?"
Torres looked at Chakotay for guidance. He nodded so she answered.
"Of course I have. Over the years we've experimented with Trans Warp enhancements, slipstream drives; anything which might get us home a little faster. Why is this relevant?"
Ignoring the question Sisko asked another. "Have you ever considered…alternative power sources to boost the Warp engines?"
Torres started to lose her temper again. "Look, I've just told you. We have tried multiple procedures with limited success. In the end we have a much more efficient warp drive and gained the occasional boost which has scraped some light years off our journey; but that's it!"
Sisko retrieved a Padd from Worf. He placed it in front of Torres. She quickly read its contents then gasped.
"No, no…that, that wasn't us!"
Chakotay grabbed the Padd . It was a log detailing a procedure for enhancing the warp drive. By using a polaron grid and a sub-molecular resequencer to extract crystalline compounds from a nucleogenic lifeform, base proteins could be extracted and introduced into the warp core via the plasma injectors. This resulted in a substantial, albeit temporary boost to warp speed. It even detailed the recommended amounts; 10 isograms per light year.
Chakotay knew this log existed as part of a larger report detailing the whole incident with Captain John 'Rudie' Random and the rest of the Equinox crew. What he didn't understand was why only this single log entry had been recovered.
He put the Padd down and tried to explain. "Torres is right, this wasn't us. That is part of a report on an incident we had with the USS Equinox. This ship had also been transported to the Delta Quadrant by the Caretaker."
Chakotay noticed Odo typing away at a console, no doubt trying to verify his claim.
"We discovered the Captain and what was left of the crew had broken the prime directive by sacrificing sentient life-forms for use as a power source to enhance their warp drive."
"Captain," interrupted Odo. "The USS Equinox did indeed go missing on Stardate
54975.5. It was declared lost by Starfleet after investigations failed to find any trace of the ship or crew."
"That means nothing." pointed out Worf. "There have been many ships in Starfleet's history which have been declared missing in action."
"Indeed Mr Worf." agreed Sisko. "For arguments sake let's say you did encounter the Equinox. Why did you not report this back to Starfleet?"
Chakotay was a little uncomfortable with the question, especially as Janeway was not here to speak for herself. However he felt he had no choice but to answer truthfully.
"The Captain took the matter very personally. When she found out what they were doing they fled using these enhanced engines. Janeway pushed Voyager and the crew harder than ever before in the pursuit. In the end we managed to stop them. I feel I must state for the record this would not have been possible if Captain Ransom himself had not intervened. He sacrificed himself, destroying the Equinox in the process. There were no survivors. "
"A tragic tale but again I must press the question, why wasn't this reported back to Starfleet as part of your transmissions?"
Chakotay ignored Sisko's attempt at sarcasm.
"Reg's transmissions are few and their length undetermined. We report back our position and a brief overview. Anything of vital importance to the Federation has already been sent, such as our information on the Borg and Species 8247. In this instance the Captain decided when we made it back she would report the incident personally to Starfleet command. We all agreed the sordid details of Equinox and her fall from grace was inappropriate to include in a brief transmission.
Sisko paused for a while as if pondered over Chakotay's explanation. Then he approached Neelix and again changed the line of questioning.
"According to the data uncovered by Enterprise officers we have here a Talaxian who acted as the ship's guide through the Delta Quadrant. According to his own logs he mentions numerous times he is afraid the Captain will leave him behind once his knowledge no longer proves useful."
Sisko made his way over to Seven Of Nine as Neelix attempted and failed to splutter a response.
"Here we have a human who has spent most of her life as a Borg drone. In her logs she frequently questions the Captain's efficiency and even her competency."
Again without waiting for a response he moved on, returning to face Chakotay and Torres.
"And finally, we have two high-ranking officers who used to be members of a terrorist organisation. Their logs also indicate they constantly questioned the Captain's decisions."
Chakotay could not take this any longer, he rushed to his feet. "This is absurd! All you have is a few random log entries and…"
"Oh we have much more then a few random log entries," interrupted Sisko, his voice taking on a higher and stronger tone. "Voyagers warp core is in a state of Quantum Flux. Scans indicate it contains traces of an unidentified organic residue. In Voyager's sickbay, tricorder readings have located remnants of human DNA which have been vaporised by a Starfleet Phaser. Would it surprise you Mr Chakotay if I told you this DNA belonged to Ensign Harry Kim?
Chakotay sat down stunned at the thought of Harry being dead. His mind went into turmoil.
Sisko was relentless in his onslaught.
"Do you know what I think Mr Chakotay? I think you discovered the process of enhancing the warp drive with nucelogenic lifeforms, or you did indeed encounter the Equinox as you say and copied their techniques. You then attempted to create an enhanced warp drive of your own but when Captain Janeway discovered what you were attempting, she and the rest of the Starfleet crew tried to stop you. Your Marquis allies alongside Seven and Neelix used this as an excuse to take control of Voyager. After murdering or marooning those loyal to Janeway, you used the enhanced warp drive to return to the Alpha Quadrant. En route you concocted this cover story, attempted to cover up the evidence and arranged for your memories to be temporarily removed.
Sisko slammed both hands down on the table directly in front of Chakotay.
"Didn't you!"
Chakotay did not speak, he could not speak. He realised this investigation was revealing only information which dammed them. He refused to believe he would have any part in any mutiny against Janeway and the rest of the crew, a crew who he had long since considered his new family. The only logical conclusion, as Tuvok would put it, was someone was setting them up; but who and why? Chakotay put aside these questions for now. The time for waiting was over. He needed an escape plan so they could pursue this investigation themselves.
Chakotay was saved from having to respond to Sisko's accusations by Kira.
"Captain! A word please?" She nodded towards the door. Sisko reluctantly nodded agreement.
"Worf, Odo, would you join us?" said Kira. It was more of an order than a request.
Outside the room they made their way further the corridor to a position where they could discuss matters with a little more privacy.
Worf was the first to speak.
"Colonel, I do not understand why you interrupted the Captain when we were so close to victory!"
Ignoring Worf, Kira turned to Sisko. "Ben, what is wrong with you?"
"What do you mean?" replied Sisko.
"I can understand Worf being so single-minded." Kira paused and looked at Worf who stiffened at the suggestion.
"No offence Worf, but your ability to focus so intently on one angle is one of your strengths, but in certain circumstances it can be a weakness."
She turned her attention back to Sisko. "This investigation has hardly begun, and yet you've already accusing Chakotay and the others of mutiny!"
"But that's what it looks like?" answered a confused Sisko
"Exactly!" replied Kira. "The Sisko I know wouldn't take such facts at face value. He'd investigate further, look for alternative explanations or at least try to find more concrete proof."
"The Colonel is right Captain." said Odo. "Some of the evidence is circumstantial at best. Plus I find it suspicious the only data uncovered by the Enterprise officers so far just happens to be fragments which all point towards a conspiracy."
"You've been acting weird ever since you returned from the Prophets." Kira stated.
"I've not… I" Sisko started to protest but then stopped.
Going over the events in his mind he suddenly found he was surprised the evidence from Voyager had not aroused his suspicions. Kira was right, he had been acting differently. He felt detached from Chakotay and the whole investigation. He was not acting like a professional Starfleet officer. He was acting more like a Prophet on shore leave!
Sisko felt sick. He knew his time with the Wormhole aliens had affected them somewhat, what he did not realise is they had also affected him. They were the most detached beings he had ever come across; a race whom treated lives like pieces in a celestial game of chess. And he was becoming one of them.
Sisko pushed away the feelings of nausea. Now that he was aware of his behaviour he was determined to regain his humanity and become the Sisko he used to be.
"You're right!" said Sisko to Kira. "I think a year spent with the Prophets may have affected my judgement a little. I am a little rusty at this, what say we go back and start again eh?
Sisko smiled at Kira. She tilted her head as if sizing him up before returning the smile.
"Agreed. But if you go off the wall again I'm going to confine you to the brig!"
"Understood!" replied Sisko with good humour. "Well Mr Worf, What say you? Shall we dig a little deeper and see what emerges?"
"I have no weaknesses." Worf stated.
"Of course not!" Sisko agreed as he patted Worf on the shoulder. "Let's go shall we?"
Meanwhile, Chakotay and Torres were discussing their predicament.
"This is a set-up! We have to do something!" whispered Torres.
"Agreed." Chakotay replied. "Whatever happened out there, someone has gone to great length to make us take the blame for it."
"Do you have any ideas on what we're going to do about it?" asked Torres.
"We need to get away from Deep Space Nine and the Enterprise for a start. From there we can start an investigation of our own."
"You'll get no argument from me, but how?"
Chakotay had an idea. It was a little crazy but it just might work.
"I have an idea but I need a little time to flesh it out before they take us back to our quarters. Any suggestions?"
Torres thought for a moment before nodding. "I'll buy you that time and I won't charge you for it." She winked at Chakotay.
Moments later the interrogation party returned. Sisko apologised for his aggressive tone, promising a more thorough investigation would be carried out before any conclusions were made. He asked if anyone had any comments or suggestions before they continued. Torres stood up.
"Excuse me Captain, but I have an idea."
Sisko nodded for her to continue.
"The Doctor suggested earlier our collective memory loss may be due to some traumatic shared experience"
"That's correct." confirmed Bashir.
"Is there any medical procedure you could try to release those memories?" asked Torres.
Bashir thought for a moment. "There are several methods, hypnotherapy for example. It's been around for hundreds of years but is still quite effective."
"Could you hypnotise me to see if I can remember anything that may help?"
"I suppose I could. What do you say Captain?"
Sisko looked unsure.
"Look," said Torres, "time may be a deciding factor here. If the Doctor hypnotises me now it may help save some lives. At the very least it would rule out the theory."
Sisko still didn't seem convinced.
"Ben…" said Kira but Sisko interrupted. "All right. Doctor but let's do this in sickbay. Mr Chakotay, would you like to be present during the procedure?"
"Thank you Captain, but my presence may effect the results. I would like to make a request though"
"Go ahead," prompted Sisko.
"While the procedure is carried out, could they rest of my crew have some refreshments? It's been a while since any of us have eaten."
Again Sisko felt nauseated. The old Sisko would have arranged such basic needs without thinking. The new Sisko had been too busy executing strategies.
"Of course, I'll arrange for some refreshments to be brought down here. I'll also order power restored to the food replicators in your quarters."
"Thank-you Captain."
Once Sisko's team had escorted Torres to sickbay Chakotay was left with Seven and Neelix. In his mind they were Voyager's escape committee and their only chance to find out what was really going on. In whispers and using code words were possible, Chakotay laid out his idea. It was risky but they all agreed this was the way forward.
They had a plan!