Sorry about the short chapter. I had this story completed. Unfortunately someone broke into my car and stole my zip drive so I'm creating a whole new story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Voyager.

Review: Seven of Nine and Bellana have been captured on the planet. On with the story.

Chapter 3

"Ambassador we have a situation".

"What is the nature of the problem," asks the ambassador. "My two crew members, Lt. Torres and Seven of Nine have not returned to the ship. We have scanned for their signatures and are unable to locate them. Can you assist on your end." "We will assemble a security team and begin scans immediately," the ambassador replies. "Thank you for your assistance, Janeway out. Chakotay, assemble a security detail and return to the planet. Their com badges must have been jammed. I want them found as soon as possible. Tom be ready to jump us out of here. I have a feeling that something sinister is going on and that the good ambassador knows more than he's telling. Mr. Kim, keep a transporter lock on all our people. I want them beamed out as soon as Bellana and Seven are located." Chakotay and Tuvok leave the bridge.

Down on the planet, Seven of Nine and Bellana are being held in a research lab. For the past two hours their captors have been trying to extract Seven's implants.

"If you remove her implants she'll die, shouts Bellana from her chained position. "That is not our concern. We have only to procure the implants, not to sustain her life", says one of the captors. "When I get loose I'm going to kill you both," growls Bellana. "That will certainly never happen. You see, you'll be dead soon," he says with a smirk on his face. They continue with the procedure while Bellana cusses a blue streak.

On the planet the security team searches for Bellana and Seven.

"Report," says Chakotay. "No sign of them," says Tuvok. "We are expanding our search with the help of the Zyrillian security detail," At that moment a woman comes up to them. "You're looking for your missing people?" Chakotay turns to her, "Yes have you seen them?" "Things are not what they seem here. The ambassador has people who determine the greater value of things," "What things?" "Your ship, people, she states. There was a Borg with you. She would be of great value. The security here will be of no help to you. If you do not find them soon you never will," "Where do we look?" "The labs, she says. They are located underneath the surface. I have said all I can. I must not be seen talking with you," she turns to leave. "Thank you, says Chakotay. Chakotay to the Captain," "Janeway here." "Captain, we think we may have located where they've taken Bellana and Seven. According to a woman we talked to, there are secret labs underneath the surface. Apparently Seven would be a great value. We need to scan for these labs. If we don't hurry we won't find them alive."

"Understood. Mr. Kim, begin scans for the underground facility. Open a channel to the ambassador. It's time we had a little chat."

"Seven can you hear me?" There is no response. Bellana looks around for something to help free her from the chains. Their captors have been gone for about 30 minutes. Bellana walks as far as the chains allow. She is able to just touch the top of Seven's forehead. She brushes Seven's bangs away and looks down at her swollen face. "Hang on Seven. I'm going to get us out of here. I promise."

On the bridge. "Ambassador, we have a problem. It seems that you were not entirely truthful with us about our missing crew members." "I don't know what you mean Captain. We are doing all we can to find your people. The search is actively ongoing." "We have obtained new information. Information that our people may have been abducted in hopes of monetary gain," Janeway states. The ambassador is flustered. "Are you accusing my people of kidnapping?" "Not at all Ambassador. This could simply be a big misunderstanding. I assure you that we will give you every benefit of the doubt. But let me assure you that if you in anyway know of the whereabouts of my people and withhold that information from us, I will have to consider it an attack on this vessel." "Captain, the ambassador starts, we have had some incidents in the past with an unscrupulous group. Our government is in no way affiliated with them. I am sure that we can resolve the incident peacefully." "That's good to hear ambassador. I would not like this situation to escalate. I expect to hear from you soon, Janeway out." "Harry target the government facility. Make sure they can detect our phasers. I want him to think we're going to blow them to hell." "What if he doesn't contact us?" "Then we might just have to blow them to hell. She looks at Harry and Tom. I know you two are worried. So am I. We'll get them back. I'll be in my ready room."

On the surface. "Ambassador Voyager has targeted the chamber." "What are their capabilities?" "Our shields won't withstand a direct hit," informs one of the aides. "Get me the lab, states the Ambassador. I want those people off the planet as soon as possible. He looks forlorn. What a shame, all the money we will be losing, but I won't risk alerting attention to this situation. We might distract other potential gain. I also don't want to be blown to high heavens."

"Lieutenant Torres," Seven says slowly. "I'm here Seven." "Are you injured?" "No Seven I'm okay." "You must expedite your escape." "Shut up Seven. I'm not leaving here without you." "You must, she says coughing. My implants have been heavily damaged from the attempted extraction process. My cortical node has also been damaged. I will not survive much longer. You must find a way to contact Voyager." Bellana walks as far as the chains allow. She touches Seven's forehead. "You listen to me. You are not going to die here. I won't allow it." "It can not be stopped. Without treatment, I have less than 24 hours remaining." "I've found something to help pick the locks on these chains. I just need a little more time." "No time left. When you get free, go find help. Tell Harry, she coughs again, tell Harry"...she passes out. "We leave together," Bellana announces. She brushes Seven's hair back then goes and sits down to work on the chains.

Janeway walks out of her ready room. "Captain I've located an underground structure," states Harry. "Can you detect their signatures." "No Ma'am. There's some type of interference." "Raise Chakotay." Chakotay standing by. "Chakotay, Harry is sending you the coordinates for the underground structure. We still can't detect Bellana or Seven's signatures. "Aye captain. We'll move in on the coordinates. Should we wait for the Zyrillian detail?" "No, find our people and get back to the ship. We've got weapons trained on the government facility. We might be looking at some trouble soon. Janeway out." Chakotay turns to Tuvok. "Let's make this quick. I don't want to get caught out numbered by their security detail." Tuvok nods and they proceed to the underground structure.

Meanwhile, Bellana has managed to release herself from the chains. She goes to Seven who, by this time, is struggling to breath. "Seven, time to go home. She hears Seven's labored breath. Come on Seven don't do this. Don't make me quick your ass. Open your eyes." Seven's eye's slit open. She speaks quietly. "Lieutenant, you are wasting needless time... she coughs...threatening me. You are free from your chains. Go for help." "Not going to happen. Up you go, she pulls Seven into a sitting position. Put your arm around me." "This is not a wise course of action, Seven wheezes. Just go." "Again not going to happen, so just shut up and hold on." They begin to move toward the exit. Seven staggers. "I can not," ...says Seven. "Yes you can, yells Bellana. Keep moving, we're almost there." They hear footsteps outside the door. "We are not going to give up our profit just because the Ambassador is getting cold feet," says one of the captors. "Do you realize how much money we can make from those implants. Her cortical node alone can bring in a hefty sum." "Okay Seven, we're about to have company. Let's put you somewhere safe so I can kick some serious butt." She sets Seven down, hiding her behind a counsel. "Lieutenant,...Bellana, she stares at her. Be careful." "My middle name," Bellana tells her.

To be continued:

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