Captain Janeway walked confidently onto the bridge, Chakotay moved in easy lockstep half a pace behind her. "Report," she stated, looking to Tuvok in anticipation of the Vulcan's security officer's reply.
"The Vidiian ship has approached on our port side bow. They are hailing us. I've raised shields and locked on their weapons array as a precaution." Tuvok responded flatly.
Coming to stand in front of her Captain's chair, Janeway gave a slight nod "onscreen."
The phage-ridden face of the Vidiian warship commander materialized on the wide bridge screen. "This is Captain Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager, state your purpose."
"Captain Janeway, this is Commander Dimeyul of the Vidiian Imperium Army. You have stolen an essential specimen from Vidiian space, we demand you return it to us immediately."
Janeway stiffened at the grotesque alien's words. She knew that by 'specimen' the Vidiian referred to her daughter Keira. The ordeal that had so scarred Chakotay was due to the Vidiian researchers determining 4 weeks earlier that Keira's organs and DNA held restorative properties that held the key to curing the devastating phage virus that had crippled Vidiians for generations.
There was a heavy pause as Janeway noted the thick anticipation on the bridge as her senior crewmembers reacted silently to the Vidiian's words. Beside her, she could almost feel in her own body the tightening of Chakotay's muscles, his body triggered by the thought of the Vidiians laying their diseased hands on his daughter.
"That is out of the question. I suggest you redirect your ship immediately."
"It is not a question at all. The specimen will be returned. If you do not comply you will be boarded."
"That specimen is my child, we will destroy your ship if you continue pursuit. You have been warned." Janeway motioned to Ensign Kim with a wave of her hand toward her neck to cut the transmission.
"Red Alert." The bridge lights darkened dramatically and the room was thrust in the slow flash of red lights, a shrill and steady alarm accompanied the warning change. "Tuvok, at the first sign of aggression from that ship... fire at will." Turning on her heel, Janeway moved quickly to sit at her chair, Chakotay followed her movements, settling in silently to the First Officer's chair at her left.
Janeway turned to face her husband and First Officer, "three weeks and not a peep, I wonder how long they have been tailing us."
Chakotay turned and considered her words, "they believe Keira has the ability to cure the phage, they were clear they would stop at nothing. We have to consider that this may not be the only warship on our trail."
At his last word, the ship rocked from the impact of a blast emitted from the Vidiian warship.
"Captain," Tuvok announced, "they have fired at our weapons array, no impact- shield are at 100%"
Onscreen, the Vidiian ship made a quick move around in the void of space, their weapons blazing. Janeway knew Voyager's shields would likely hold firm against the Vidiian's fire, but the enemy ship was faster and more maneuverable. It darted in and out of range, firing its phasers and photon torpedoes in rapid succession against the hull.
Gripping her chair in anxious frustration, Janeway watched the battle with growing concern. The Vidiian ship was inflicting heavy damage, and the Voyager's shields were beginning to fail.
"We need to do something," Janeway said to the bridge. "We can't keep taking this kind of punishment."
"We're trying, Captain," Tuvok said. "But the Vidiian ship is too fast and too agile."
"We need to find a way to slow it down," Janeway said. "Tom, see if you can target its engines."
Paris nodded and began working at his console. A few moments later, he said, "I have a lock on their engines."
"Fire!" Janeway ordered.
Picking up from Lieutenant Paris' position, Tuvok fired the Voyager's phasers, and a direct hit struck the Vidiian ship's engines. The ship lurched, and its shields began to fail.
"Finally some traction." Janeway said. "Now, let's finish them off."
With a practiced competence, Tuvok narrated as he unleashed a volley of photon torpedoes at the smaller ship - with Paris at the front of the bridge expertly maneuvering them within deadly range. After a tense moment, the smaller enemy ship exploded in a sudden burst of light and fire.
Having dispatched the Vidiian warship, Janeway breathed a cautious sigh of relief, easing slowly back into her chair. Having witnessed once again the sheer violent lengths the Vidiians were prepared to go to recapture her daughter, she felt an urgent and maternal protective need to go to her daughter. She glimpsed Chakotay out of her peripheral vision and could see the tension on his face. She rose abruptly, "Mr. Tuvok, you have the bridge. Chakotay, with me" The pair walked quickly to the turbolift.
Once inside Chakotay breathed out deeply, letting suppressed tension escape from his body. "Kathryn…" he started. Janeway closed the small gap between them and placed her hands gently on his shoulders.
"I know. I want to go to Keira."
Chakotay took a step forward, and in a swift closing motion enclosed his wife's body in his powerful arms. His hands grasped the small of her waist on either side and he took comfort in feeling the steady, unchanging feel of her body to his touch.