Lotos Days
By Penny A. Proctor
ACT TWO
Day 10 - Voyager
"Diplomacy?" B'Elanna asked, staring at Tuvok incredulously. As her due date approached, she was becoming increasingly ill-tempered. "The Captain, Chakotay and Harry are missing and you want to be a diplomat?"
Tuvok sat at the head of the conference table, in the Captain's spot. The senior staff meeting was uncharacteristically small. "Given the current condition of the ship, Lieutenant, diplomacy is our only option. Even if it were good policy, Voyager is not in a position to threaten the worlds of this region. Their technology may be slightly behind ours, but this ship is still seriously damaged."
"They don't have to know that," she countered. "They don't know anything about us. I thought the Corbomite Maneuver was required reading at the Academy."
"Unlike Captain Kirk, I do not bluff."
"I agree," the Doctor said, and everyone turned to look at him. "Commander Tuvok is correct. Remember, the Captain has already asked three of the worlds for help. And even if she didn't tell them everything about our situation, we can't assume we can fool these people. Look at the Vordai – their scanners were far more accurate than ours even though their weapons are years behind. Our technology may be superior on average, but there are too many individual differences that make up that average."
"So," Tom said. "Where does that leave us? The Grevel-Ash say our people left there for the Gunrath system but never arrived. The Vordai say they had a ship that disappeared too, so they want us to take one of their investigators along with us. Then what?"
"Then," Tuvok said, "since the end proved unhelpful, I suggest we begin at the beginning. Go back to Vordai and retrace the path the shuttle took."
"That will take forever," B'Elanna said, clearly upset.
"That is an exaggeration," Tuvok said. "However, it will require patience."
"Terrific," Tom said. "Check the inventory, Tuvok. Patience is in short supply right now, along with power relays and spare gel packs."
"No, we've got a better supply of gel packs," B'Elanna said. "No disrespect intended, but the crew wants our people back."
"As do I. But for the present, I know of no other way to accomplish that aim." Tuvok paused. "Is the Delta Flyer space worthy, Lieutenant?"
"Give me three more hours."
"We'll leave in four, then," Tom said.
"Correction, Mr. Paris." Tuvok rose. "I will leave in four hours, accompanied by Mr. Tessoni and Mr. Neelix. You will assume command of Voyager in my absence and oversee the repairs."
"What?" Tom nearly choked. "You can't do that. You're acting captain. You're supposed to stay here."
"Under different circumstances, I might agree." Tuvok regarded him coolly. "However, we already know that the governments of this region will communicate only with the most senior representative of the ship. That is now me. And as we are running as low on senior staff as we are on patience, it is not logical to risk you as well."
"Tessoni I understand," B'Elanna said, frowning slightly. "He's Security but he's also got a pilot's rating. Why Neelix?"
"We also know that the governments of this region tend to be bureaucratic. Mr. Neelix is skilled at circumventing bureaucracy when necessary." Tuvok looked at the three. "Any other questions? Then, Mr. Paris, tell the Vordai that their investigator is welcome to join me. If he can reach Voyager in four hours, he can board here, or he can meet me at the Vordai homeworld."
Day 12 -Gunrath
Harry entered the fifth floor of the Administration Building and immediately felt his stomach shrink. This was the medical ward, and the sight of it brought back the confusion and fear he had felt when he woke up with no memory. Sometimes he still woke up in a cold sweat at night, wondering where he was and why he was there.
The other two members of his species, Chakotay and Kathryn, claimed to have similar reactions when they talked one night at the tavern. Most of the rest of his friends said it would pass, that he would get used to life on the island. During the day he could believe that. At night, he knew better.
'Be invisible,' he reminded himself as he made his way across the ward to Dr. Vela's office, and it helped settle his stomach. She was seated at her desk, but looked up when he reached her door. At first she seemed displeased, but then the color of his uniform and the box he carried explained his presence.
"It's about time," she said. "I've been waiting for hours. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to practice medicine here without direct access to the Medical Library?"
"The Director sends his apologies, ma'am. I'm to install the new components for you immediately."
She rose and gestured to a panel. "Get to it."
The flashing of a red light overhead interrupted his work and everything else on the ward. Vela grabbed her surgical tunic and threw it on over her blouse. Harry left his work and went over to the door, watching the organized pandemonium in the ward. Everyone seemed to be running to accomplish a specific task. It was like a battle drill, he thought, only he did not think this was a drill.
Then, just for an instant, he wondered why he thought of battles. Had he been a soldier? Was his crime connected to military service?
Then the turbolift doors opened and two men dressed in the silver uniform of the Security Force pushed a gurney through the door. Someone in the orange uniform worn by the workers in the Deflector Assembly, Harry couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman, was writhing in silent agony, hands covering the face.
Vela stepped out and snapped at the guard, "What happened?"
The man looked down at the body on the gurney. "He was fishing at Harbor Point and apparently drifted past the safety marker, poor devil."
"Get him into surgery." Vela turned on her heel and stalked down the corridor.
Harry went over to one of the guards. "What happened? I don't understand," he said.
"He went beyond the transmitter range. It's clearly marked but the currents can be strong at Harbor Point and we get one or two of these a year." The guard shook his head. "It would be kinder if Vela just killed him. If he lives, he's a goner."
"A what?"
"A goner. You know, gone. No one home." The guard tapped his forehead. "You a fisherman?"
Glancing at the gurney, Harry said, "If I was, I'm not now." He turned and went back into the office to finish the task of repairing Vela's communication console, feeling deeply troubled. His administrative officer had told him about the chip but he hadn't thought much about it before this.
He'd be thinking about it tonight, that was for certain.
Day 15 – Delta Flyer
Tuvok sat erect in an uncomfortable chair in the office of the Minenne Assistant to the Extern Councilor, who was reviewing records with what seemed to Tuvok unnecessary slowness. The alien's cap of fur was marmalade orange streaked with gray, and he had pulled out a pair of pince nez to read the report. He scanned it, sighed, read it again, sighed, and began reading it again.
Tuvok cleared his throat. "Is there a problem, Mr. Secretary?"
"My apologies, Commander. I wanted to be certain I did not mislead you. Your Captain was indeed here, twenty days ago, with a letter of introduction from the Viceroy of the Vordai Inner Circle. She, Commander Chakotay and Lt. Kim met with the Extern Councilor. He sympathized with her – with your – situation but felt unable to offer the assurances she sought without the concurrence of the Grevel-Ash Republic and the Gunrath'u Oligarchy. They left here with the stated intent of seeking out the Grevel system."
"Thank you," Tuvok said, "but as you know, I have come here directly from Vordai. We have already confirmed that our people were here and at Grevel, but they never arrived at Gunrath. My question was whether any of your ships reported any sign of them after they left Grevel."
"No, I'm afraid not," the Assistant said. "Our last notation of them is their departure." He rose, signaling an end to the interview. "Good luck in your search."
Tuvok nodded once and returned to the corridor, where he found Neelix and another Minenne waiting for him. "Any luck?" Neelix asked hopefully.
"The Councilor could not add anything to what we already know."
"Well, perhaps Inspector Shertra here can," Neelix said. "Inspector, this is Lt. Commander Tuvok."
The tall Minenne raised both hands to waist level, palms up, and inclined his head. The iron gray cap of fur gave the impression of age, but he was lean and obviously quite fit. "Lt. Commander. I work for a different segment of our government. I am authorized to tell you that over the last three years, we too have lost small ships in the area of space in which your craft was last reported. If you are willing to share information we may be able to solve both our mysteries."
Tuvok studied him for a moment, then said, "Would you be willing to join us on our search? We are currently working with a representative of the Vordai and I suspect the Grevel-Ash will also wish to participate. Your data will supplement theirs as well as ours."
Shertra hesitated. "We do not have a cooperation agreement with the Grevel-Ash."
"Do you need a formal treaty to solve a crime?" Neelix asked.
"Good point. I will speak with my superiors."
"Please do so expeditiously. I plan to depart for Grevel-Ash in an hour."
"I'll notify you of my response. It is an interesting proposition." Shertra turned and left.
Neelix fell into step beside Tuvok as they left the building. "I'm surprised, Tuvok. Why would you want to involve another investigator?"
"When there is this much finger-pointing going on, Mr. Neelix," he said, "I prefer to have all the fingers in one place at one time."
Day 15 – Gunrath, Evening
By the time the sun set on Treaty Day, Kathryn knew she had not enjoyed herself so much in a long, long time. It wasn't simply that she didn't remember it; the buoyancy in her spirit seemed to lift her body, and she knew that was because it was a rare thing.
Treaty Day, the celebration of the declaration of peace between the Minenne and Gunrath a decade earlier, was the only planetary holiday on which no one, not even prisoners, worked. The factories were closed, the production lines silent. Even the lowliest of the low were given the chance to revel in the rewards that military might and determined leadership could bring.
At least, that was how General Tenglis phrased it on his address to the planet in the morning. Tenglis was one of the Five Oligarchs who led the Gunrath'u in peace and war, and since Treaty Day celebrated a military victory, it fell to him to make the expected speech. Kathryn and Chakotay joined the 500 or so other prisoners in the streets, where giant screens had been erected, to watch the formal commemoration from the capital city. As the display went dark, a cheer went up and all 500 workers headed for the parties.
And there were plenty of parties to choose from. A picnic on The Beach (it was the only stretch of sand on the entire island, so it needed no other name), a rather wild game of some nameless contact sport on the East Field, and an all-day dance on the Pier at Harbor Point were just a few of the options. Chakotay and Kathryn decided on the picnic first, and the dance later.
They had played in the sun all day, walking along the shore, playing a game called netball that pitted two teams on opposite sides of a net with the goal of keeping a ball in bounds and in the air as long as possible, and sharing a late afternoon meal with Hrano and Emanni. Hrano had brought along a bottle of sparkling wine for the occasion.
Chakotay lifted his glass in the air before sipping. "To friends," he said.
Kathryn raised her glass as well, but Hrano and Emanni were both looking confused. "Oh, dear," Kathryn said, "I think we have a cultural gap here." Then she looked at Chakotay. "Can you explain this?"
He didn't so much as blink. "Not at all."
"I think that what we're trying to say," Kathryn said, "is that we are grateful for your friendship and your help."
"And that you introduced us," Chakotay added. He clinked his glass against Kathryn's. When he saw that Hrano looked even more confused, he said, "I don't know why. It's just done."
Emanni's eyes had turned the color of burnished gold, a sign that she was feeling sentimental. Almost shyly, she touched her glass to the other two. "I haven't had many friends here. Knowing the two of you has been – it's been wonderful."
Hrano couldn't take his eyes off his wife, but he added his glass to the group. "In the name of friendship, then."
They had left the beach after that to change for dancing. Kathryn had splurged on a dress of a deep ocean blue, passing on a less expensive one in a rich shade of red. The red dress had been flattering enough but somehow the color made her feel constrained. She loved the way the blue dress flowed against her as she moved.
Chakotay apparently felt the same way. He had said that she looked lovely, but it was his eyes that told her the truth – to him, she was beautiful.
The Pier had been lined with paper lanterns, casting it in a soft light under the two full crescent moons. The band was at the far end, and the music was piped all the way to the beach to allow the most room for dancing. They stood for a moment, taking note of all the different styles and steps being performed.
"I don't think I'm much of a dancer," Kathryn warned him.
"I suspect we're equal there." He opened his arms. "Want to take a chance?"
She stepped into place, and was surprised by how easily it came to her. The music was in three-quarter time and they began to move in synchronous steps. They looked at each other in a moment of shared amazement, and then he suddenly became daring, twirling her down the Pier. They danced together almost effortlessly, as if they were partners of long standing. Kathryn couldn't seem to stop smiling.
The next number was in 5/8 time, and they both stood still for a moment to listen. "How does anyone dance to that?" she murmured.
"Like that, I guess," he said, and she saw that a number of couples were engaging in jerky, ungraceful yet synchronized movements.
"That is not for me," she said. "Care to sit this one out?"
He didn't let go of her. "Why not dare to be different?" He pulled her closer than before and began to sway.
She lay her head against his chest and sighed. "Fine idea." For a moment she closed her eyes and ignored the frenetic dancers around them. The oddly-timed music was not so bad like this, she thought. It was almost provocative, like a tango. The pulsing bass seemed to take control of her heart and change its rhythm to match. Chakotay was affected, too; she could hear his heart in matching beat.
Then she heard her name and opened her eyes. Harry, the younger member of their species, was dancing energetically with a golden-furred Minenne woman less than a meter from them. He saw that she had seen him, and waved.
When the song ended, one of the musicians gestured to Harry and he came over to talk to him. Then the musician walked away, leaving Harry holding his instrument, a long cylinder of polished wood with more keys than Kathryn could count. Harry looked at it for a moment, then smiled, then put it to his lips.
And magic came out.
Kathryn and Chakotay stopped at the same time, watching in fascination as Harry explored the instrument. The sound was mellow, warm and oddly recognizable. Around them, others listened appreciatively and began to clap and whistle their approval. Harry kept the music coming, faster and livelier and moving into higher registers, until the audience was stomping with him, urging him on. Finally, incredibly, he landed on a note at the top of the instrument's range and held it, and held it, and held it for an impossibly long time. When he finally yanked the mouthpiece away so he could gulp air, the crowd went wild. Harry flushed deeply, from pride or embarrassment or both.
"Look at him," Kathryn said softly. "He's so happy."
"He's found his touchstone," Chakotay said. His hand, resting on her shoulder, squeezed slightly.
They danced until midnight, until the band played its last number and the paper lanterns were extinguished. They danced until there was no one else left on the Pier but the two of them. They danced until they heard the half-hour-to-curfew warning.
"Oh." Kathryn knew they should be leaving, but wasn't ready. She looked up and circled around, delighted. Three moons shone down: one nearly full, one half and one crescent. "Look at those moons. It's a beautiful night."
He didn't look up at all. "Yes, it is."
"You aren't even looking."
"Yes, I am."
She held out her hand. "Let's take the long way home."
"The shore walk?" He took her hand and twined his fingers with hers. "We'll have to hurry if we're going to make it home before curfew."
"Let's live dangerously." Between the wine and the moonlight and the feel of his hand in hers, she felt almost giddy. "I feel like taking a few chances."
Hand in hand, they walked in companionable silence on the shore path. The light of the three moons reflected off the wave crests, white light making diamond patterns on black water. "You know," she said, "one of the benefits of having no past is that everything is new again. Look at that. Isn't it beautiful? And I feel like I've never seen it before."
"I'm not sure I see it as a benefit," he said. "There is something to be said for experience."
"Perhaps. But did you see Harry's face tonight when he realized he could play that instrument? It was pure joy." She shivered and without thinking, she let go of his hand and wrapped her arm through his, pressing close to him as they walked.
"Are you cold?"
"A little."
He extricated his arm from her grasp and enfolded her with it, pulling her even closer. Her head fitted neatly into the crook of his shoulder. "And have you found a benefit to that?"
She smiled. "Perhaps. I'll let you know."
"You amaze me. Most of the time I'm ready to curse them all for cutting off my past, and you find a reasons to be grateful for what's happened to us."
They walked a few more steps before she replied. "It bothered me a lot, at first. But lately ... lately I've been thinking that I must have done some dreadful things, because I honestly don't regret my lack of memories any more. I feel..." She bit her lower lip and let the words trail off.
"What?" he encouraged gently.
"I feel free. Like a weight has been taken away. I don't think I felt like that before."
He stopped walking and with his free hand, tilted her chin until she was looking at him. "You didn't do anything dreadful, Kathryn."
It was suddenly hard to breathe. "You can't know that."
"I know you. Memory wipe or not, you're not the kind of person who does dreadful things."
"Thank you," she whispered. It was a relief to hear him say it; until that instant, she hadn't known how much she had worried about her past.
She expected him to pull back, to resume walking again, but he didn't move. They stood still, his eyes fixed on hers as if he were searching for something.
"I know you," he repeated in a voice that sounded almost amazed. Then his hand slid to the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair as his mouth descended on hers.
Oh, yes, she thought, as she shifted to hold him, to meet him. This feels right.
"Hey, there!"
A bright light hit them in the eye and they jumped apart. A security guard stood a couple of meters away, smiling in amusement and swinging a palm light. "You better save it, folks. You've got three minutes to curfew."
They grinned at one another, and Chakotay grabbed her hand. "Come on!"
They were nearly three blocks from the street with Kathryn's apartment and the warning lights were flashing as they reached the entrance to the building. She didn't let go of him, but pulled him in with her and into the turbolift. Only then did she drop his hand and bend over, gasping for air and laughing at the same time. When she could finally talk, she said, "We – we made it."
He was breathing so heavily he could barely talk. "But we - we've got - a problem."
"Oh?"
"It's past curfew. I can't leave this building until morning."
"So stay with me."
She waited to see his reaction. He surprised her. He said nothing, but clasped her shoulders and looked at her searchingly. Her heart flipped over and she became afraid that something was wrong.
Finally he said, "I don't want to push you."
Her fears melted into a smile that came from her heart. "You're not. I'm ready. Stay with me tonight."