Lotos Days
By Penny A. Proctor

The bedroom was dark when Kathryn entered, but she could see that the sheets remained thrown back and the bed was empty. When her eyes adjusted, she saw that Chakotay was standing by the small window, looking out at the night sky. "I can't see the stars," he said without looking away. "It's cloudy, and there's too much light from the factories."

She didn't move. "Come to bed. We have to be up in two hours."

"How's Emanni?"

"Sleeping. This whole thing exhausted her, I think. Hrano went home." She smoothed out the sheets before climbing into the bed and lying down.

"I still can't believe how he lied to us." He turned away from the window but did not come closer. "He helped turn us into slaves and thinks we ought to forgive him."

"No," she said. "He doesn't think we ought to forgive him. He hopes we will. There's a difference."

"How can we? How can Emanni?"

"She loves him. And he loves her. If he can think of a way, he's going to help her get away."

"So he says. It's hard to trust him, after he's lied about everything else."

She sighed. "I know, but I do. If he didn't care about us, he could have called security instead of coming over here. He didn't have to admit anything to us. And he's not reporting Emanni. He said she's the second Minenne whose memory came back; he doesn't know why it happened. He does know that the first one was killed." The pillow was soft and cool against her cheek and she burrowed into it. The question on her mind was surprisingly difficult to voice, and she spoke softly. "If he can get her out, do you want to go with them?"

"Of course I do. Don't you? Our real life is out there, somewhere. This is just a lie." He looked back outside. "I feel like someone else is controlling my thoughts. I hate feeling this way. I want to be in control of my own mind again."

Kathryn closed her eyes, not answering. She was suddenly tired of this conversation and tired generally. She didn't want to think about what her previous life might have been or how they might escape or whether everything in this life was unreal. She wanted to go to sleep and forget about the revelations of the night.

After a moment she felt him slide next to her, and felt his hand brush her arm. "Kathryn? You want to leave, don't you?"

She didn't know what to say. They had a comfortable life together, and in recent weeks, the past had become less and less important to her. But he wouldn't understand that, and she didn't like the idea of being anyone's dupe. "Hrano will help us," she said. "We'll find a way."

His arm slid beneath her and she shifted so that her head pillowed on the crook of his arm. "I wish I could be as certain," he said, stroking her hair with his free hand.

"I think," she said slowly, relaxing in the familiar embrace, "that together, you and I can do just about anything."

ACT FOUR

Day 37 – Delta Flyer

Crewman Tessoni, manning the Tactical station of the Delta Flyer, said, "The Gunrath'u station is hailing, sir."

Tuvok nodded. "Open the channel, Mr. Tessoni. Let's hear their message."

"You have entered the space of the Gunrath Oligarchy. Be advised that from this point forward, any unauthorized use of scanners or weapons will be considered an act of war resulting in immediate attack." Tuvok studied the Gunrath'u officer closely. The humanoid male had ridges on both cheekbones and his forehead and pale blue hair but otherwise looked similar to Alpha quadrant species. He appeared to be studying Tuvok with equal curiosity. "Your ship design is unknown to us. Please identify yourself and state your business."

"This ship is the Delta Flyer, attached to the Federation starship Voyager. I am Lt. Commander Tuvok, in temporary command. Our mission is one of peaceful diplomacy."

"Oh? Does your – Federation? – wish diplomatic recognition?"

"We wish only to make formal first contact; your government is aware of our temporary presence on the Treaty Planet. Also, we are ferrying diplomatic representatives of the Vordai Circle, the Minenne Confederacy and the Grevel-Ash Republic who have urgent business with their respective ambassadors. We request permission to proceed to orbit immediately. We further request that you notify each ambassador of our arrival."

The officer swallowed visibly. "Uhh, stand by, Delta Flyer. I'll need to get clearance for this."

"Please do not delay," Tuvok said. "As I said, the business is urgent."

The screen went dark. From the co-pilot's seat, Neelix said, "You certainly got his attention."

"That was my goal, Mr. Neelix. A coordinated diplomatic overture from each of the worlds of this region is without precedent. It must be taken seriously by the Oligarchs." He touched the comm control on the chair's arm. "Mr. Neelix, please inform our guests that we have made contact and requested immediate access to the planet. They may wish to update their governments on our status. In particular, please ask Inspector Lam to get an update on the expected arrival of the ship carrying our engineering team."

Neelix lowered his voice so that the three investigators and Tessoni would not hear him. "Do you think they're alive?"

"That is what we will learn." Tuvok betrayed neither hope or pessimism, and, knowing that there was nothing more to be said, Neelix went to speak to the three investigators.

Day 38 – Gunrath

Harry took a deep breath and knocked on the door of Vela's office. "Excuse me, Doctor."

Vela's face settled into annoyance as soon as she saw who it was. "What is it?"

"Sorry, ma'am, but I need to check your console. Random security check." He moved as if reaching into his pocket to withdraw his authorization chip, praying that she wouldn't ask to see it. All he had was his grocery list.

Vela waved a hand. "Oh, never mind. I know who you are. At least your timing is good. I have to go check a patient. I'll be back in five minutes and I expect you to be gone by then."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And tell Director Gilba that these spot checks are most annoying. My computers are the most secure on the island." She rose, picked up a datapad and left.

Moving swiftly, Harry quickly logged on to the medical computer and attached the device he'd stolen from the office of the Director of the Communications Assembly plant. It was a sniffer, programmed to raid the databanks of computers for passwords and security codes. Only the Director was authorized to use it, and then only to gain entry to computers when the codes had been changed. Harry had liberated it from the Director's desk.

It began to blink in multi-colored lights, and he quickly interfaced it with the portable datapad he carried. A slow smile spread across his face; true to its name, the sniffer was working its way through the different levels of security on the computer. Then, just to make it look good in case anyone was watching, he went through the motions of a regular security check.

In less than three minutes the sniffer shut down and he disconnected it, shoving it down into his pocket. He packed his equipment and left Vela's office, passing by her unnoticed on his way to the lift.

His next stop was the third floor where he went to Hrano's office. Hrano wasn't there, and he performed the security check under the watchful eye of Hrano's clerk. The woman didn't notice that he left the datapad on Hrano's chair.

Day 40 – Gunrath

The tiny bean pods growing in the window box were still yellow, but Kathryn thought she saw the faintest touch of green beginning to show in them. The grocer had told her not to pick them before they turned green.

Chakotay and Harry looked up as she came in from the balcony. Tiny components were spread over the table and they were working with delicate tools. Harry had a look of disgust on his face. "We're never going to get a decent transmitter finished at this rate. This is like working with stone knives and bearskins."

"It's not that hard," Chakotay said mildly. "Once we know the frequencies and codes, we should finish in a few days. It will be worth it, to know that we don't have to worry about leaving the island as long as we're close enough to this." He picked up a disk, and a small circuit promptly disengaged from it and tumbled to the table.

Harry flashed him a look that clearly said 'I told you so.' "Just three hours in the tech lab at the factory, that's all I need."

They had told Harry the truth only 48 hours earlier but he was already as determined as Chakotay to get off the planet, and his youthful enthusiasm compensated for Kathryn's own ambivalence. "You can ask Hrano when he gets here, but don't count on it. It was dangerous enough to steal those tools and get the frequency for us," she said.

The mention of Hrano set Harry off in another direction. "Do you think he's got our files yet?"

Armed with the pass codes Harry had taken from Vela's computer, Hrano had promised to get copies of the confidential background files on the three of them. It was tricky because the inquiry would take some time, and he had to be certain he would not be interrupted during the process. At the same time, accessing the files at odd hours would have garnered attention. He was trying to squeeze the raid in during regular business hours.

"Perhaps," Kathryn said. "I'll make some sandwiches, that way we can keep working."

She went into the kitchen and was immediately aware that Chakotay had followed her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing." Reaching into the bin, she removed a loaf of bread. "Cheese and tomato all right?"

"Why are you doing this?"

She frowned at him. "Because I want to. Aren't you the one who encourages me to cook?"

"Yes, because cooking helps you take your mind off things that are bothering you."

"That," she said in a tight voice, "is ridiculous. I cook because sometimes I like to." Then she brought the knife down on the tomato with so much force that it exploded, spurting juice and seeds over the counter.

He raised his eyebrows but said nothing.

Staring at the mess, she said slowly, "On the other hand, you might have a point." She set the knife down, but didn't turn around. Somehow it was easier to say this if she wasn't looking at him. "I'm not sure I want to know what's in our files. I know it's important to you and Harry, but frankly ..." she took a breath. "It scares me."

"Why?" He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "What is it?"

"I'm afraid," she admitted. "Once we hear what's in those files, everything could change." She took a deep breath, knowing that he wouldn't understand unless she told him everything. The words forced their way past the sudden lump in her throat. "I love you. I don't want to lose you."

It was the first time she had used those words, and he turned her around so she could see his face and see the truth of his words reflected in his eyes. "You aren't going to lose me. I love you, Kathryn. I can't imagine a life in which I didn't love you."

"But what if it turns out we're enemies, or that we're both married to someone else, or one of us has taken a vow of celibacy, or-"

"Or what if it turns out we've been married for twenty years? We have to know who we are."

"You don't understand." The words whipped from her in rush of emotion. "I've told you before, I don't think I'm going to like what I hear. I think I did something that weighed on my soul tremendously. Chakotay, I've been happy here. I don't think I was before."

He pulled her close and held her. "We're together. We're going to stay together, I promise you."

She clung to him, trying to memorize the feel of it, his scent, the sound of his heart against her ear. It was a bold promise to make and whatever his intentions, she knew he might not be able to keep it. If it was all going to change, she wanted to remember this.

The door chime sounded. "That will be Hrano," he said.

She smiled at him. "A conspirator's work is never done."

Harry had opened the door and Hrano and Emanni were in the main room already. Emanni was subdued, but she had been since regaining her memory. Hrano, though, looked troubled.

"Uh oh." Chakotay sat down. "What is it?"

"I got a look at your files this afternoon. I'm sorry, there wasn't much there."

Harry's face fell. "What did they say?"

"You were all taken from the same ship, a small shuttle. You identified yourselves as Captain Kathryn Janeway, Commander Chakotay and Lt. Harry Kim of the Federation starship Voyager." He shrugged. "That's all. I can't find anything about the 'Federation' and the military has been unsuccessful in decrypting the shuttles records. The technology isn't compatible."

Captain Kathryn Janeway of the starship Voyager. She repeated it in her head, turning it over and over. There was no resonance, no recognition. It meant nothing to her. From the disappointment on Harry's face and the lack of reaction in Chakotay, she guessed they were experiencing the same thing. "Well," she said slowly, "at least we have something to go on."

"There's more," Emanni said.

Hrano nodded. "Someone from the office of the Oligarchs accessed your files yesterday. That is extremely unusual, and I don't think it's a good sign."

"Why not?" Chakotay asked.

"The Oligarchs don't like to get involved in the details. The only thing I can think of is that they've received some kind of inquiry about your whereabouts. It must be something that worries them or they wouldn't have bothered looking, and if they're worried -"

"They won't want any incriminating evidence walking around," Chakotay finished dryly.

"I'm afraid you're right. That's how the Oligarchs think. "

"Well," Kathryn said, "it looks like our schedule just accelerated. Harry, you're going to have to finish that transmitter without the tech lab and you have to finish it by tomorrow night. If you have to narrow the broadcast range, do it. We'll find a way to stay close together. Emanni, we need to go over the manifest for the next three days. There's got to be a way to get us up to the shipyard in a group."

She paused and realized that Chakotay was grinning at her. "What?"

"You told me you were bossy," he said. "You were right. You even sound different."

His words brought her up short. "I did, didn't I?" Then she shrugged. "Unless you've got a better idea, I think I was right."

"Yes, ma'am," he said, still grinning.

Day 41- Gunrath, Capital City

The Audience Chamber of the Oligarchs was designed to impress and intimidate. Visitors were kept waiting in a huge rotunda of smooth marble lined with larger-than-life statues of Gunrath'u military Oligarchs of years past. They looked down on the visitors with stern expressions, promising little in the way of compassion. The ceiling was painted in a colorful mural depicting some great battle, which the Gunrath'u evidently won.

Tuvok spent his time waiting looking around, and he was impressed; the artistic value of both statuary and painting was excellent. He was not intimidated. He was, however, becoming irritated. He had beamed down fifteen minutes earlier on the assurance that General Tenglis, the military Oligarch, was available to meet with him. Upon his arrival, though, he had been led to the rotunda and told to have a seat on one of the marble benches.

It was a demonstration of power and authority, Tuvok knew, intended to remind him that General Tenglis was important and Tuvok was not. He decided it was time to demonstrate that his own time was valuable, and he touched his commbadge. "Tuvok to Delta Flyer."

At that instant an aide appeared. "The General will see you now."

"Stand by." Tuvok said nothing to the aide but indicated that he was ready to follow.

He was led to one of the six corridors that led out of the rotunda and escorted into what appeared to be a conference room within a suite of offices. Here too, the walls were marble and decorated with paintings with a military motif. One large frame held a collection of medals and awards.

In a moment, General Tenglis entered. He was younger than Tuvok had expected; his lavender hair was only slightly streaked with white, and was worn long, pulled back severely into a tail. He wore a plain brown uniform, decorated only by gold buttons and gold rank insignia – an eagle-like bird, with its wings spread. Instead of bowing, as Tuvok had been told was Gunrath'u custom, Tenglis merely nodded once and sat down at the conference table. Tuvok did the same.

"I appreciate the way you've handled this, Commander." His voice was deep and stentorian; Tuvok guessed he used it for oration often. "There are many species that would have simply tried to attack us in retaliation for what they suspected. It's a pleasure to encounter a society that reasons as well as fights."

"Our only agenda is to return to our home. We have no desire to make unnecessary enemies." He paused, waiting for the General to speak but when nothing was forthcoming he prompted, "I believe your aide mentioned a record of our shuttle."

"Ah. Yes, my apologies. One of our ships did come across a ship of unfamiliar design a little more than a month ago." He rotated a monitor so that Tuvok could see the picture on display.

He did not have to look closely. It was a class-2 shuttle with Voyager's registration number and the name "Copernicus" beneath it. "It appears to be our missing craft. Is there any word of the crew?"

"The Captain of the Vigilant reported that it was derelict when he spotted it. There was no crew aboard. I'm sorry." The General spoke easily, his voice tinged with sympathy.

Tuvok sat still for a moment, studying the monitor. Finally he said, "Would it be possible to inspect the shuttle?"

Tenglis frowned. "We claimed it as salvage. We had every reason to believe it had been abandoned."

"I do not dispute your good faith. However, you know now that it is Federation property and I am obliged to reclaim it. Further, there may be some clue as to what happened to our missing crewmen. We are a very long way from our home, and once we leave here we will not return. This is our only opportunity."

"Our best scientists have examined the shuttle. I assure you, there is nothing."

"Nevertheless, I am obligated to look and to reclaim our technology." He paused. "I may not initiate the rituals for mourning the dead until we have exhausted every possibility. I feel quite certain the ambassadors of the other worlds will join in my request."

The General's frown deepened. "Very well. It is at the shipyards. I'll arrange for you to have access tomorrow."

Tuvok inclined his head. "That is acceptable. Two engineers from Voyager are arriving later today on a Vordai ship. They will inspect the ship tomorrow, then. And so there is no misunderstanding, we will be taking it with us."

"Take it," Tenglis growled. "It did us no good."

Day 42

Only two minutes remained in the work shift when Hrano, Chakotay and Harry entered the Logistics and Transport Building, Main Loading Dock. Kathryn nodded to them. "The one on the right," she said, and pointed to one of three fuel pods sitting on the conveyor to be loaded on the transport for the spacedock. "We've got ninety seconds."

Harry sprinted toward the pod, but Hrano and Chakotay both hesitated. Emanni looked at her husband. "Go," she said softly.

Kathryn looked at Chakotay. She wanted to touch him, to reassure herself and him that this was going to work, but she didn't dare take the time. All she could do was smile, and nod, and hope.

The three men climbed into the pod. Chakotay had seen to it that it passed through the assembly line unfilled. It was large enough, barely, to hold the three of them, with enough air for three hours. Or so they calculated. Kathryn followed and closed the access panel behind them. They were stuffed together as best they could manage, but it looked uncomfortable. She hoped none of them proved to be claustrophobic.

When the panel was shut, she reached under her tunic, pulling out a large disk on a chain. Punching the center of the disk, she was relieved to see it turn red. Harry never had his three hours in a tech lab, but nonetheless he had managed to build a portable transmitter that emitted the frequency required by the suppression chip. As long as everyone remained within twenty meters of Kathryn and the small, mobile transmitter she wore around her neck, they should be all right. "The transmitter is active. You'd better go."

Emanni was two steps from her console when the door to the Dock opened and Kas-kas'l, the Assistant Director of the Department, walked in. "Hold that shipment, Emanni. The fuel pods go to the Peacekeeper, not the Enforcer. We just got a priority one requisition."

The color drained from Emanni's face. Kathryn silently willed Emanni to remain calm. "You can't do that, Kas. Everything's programmed. We can get more pods to the Peacekeeper in the morning."

"They authorized overtime," he said. "They don't want to wait until morning. You got a problem?"

Emanni looked at Kathryn, her eyes suddenly blue with panic. The transport system was almost entirely automated. The plan called for the pods, and the two containers the women intended to hide in, to be designated for the Enforcer. That meant they would be deposited at the only berth that currently had repair shuttles docked at it, and Hrano had been able to obtain the security code for access. The Peacekeeper was on the other side of shipyard; it might as well be on the other side of the galaxy.

"There's no problem," Kathryn said. She pulled a tool from her belt and aimed at the pod. "You got here just in time. I've changed the code."

"Good," he said, and frowned at Emanni. "You seem awfully anxious to get out of here."

She managed to shrug. "It's been a long day and I have plans."

He made a hrumphing noise, and left. Emanni said, "What do we do? We can't be more than twenty meters from the men – your transmitter won't reach any farther."

"We change the codes so we all go to the same place," Kathryn said. She had changed the codes on all the pods and two cargo containers. "Get in, fast. We're almost out of time."

Emanni hurried over and climbed into the large, barrel-shaped container. "What do we do when we get there?"

"Improvise."

"You're a cool one, aren't you?"

"Apparently," Kathryn said, and closed the lid. Then she climbed into the next one and pulled the lid into place.