Harry stepped to block Nesa from view of the fish-humaniods. At the same time Janeway stepped forward.
"I'm Captain Janeway and this is my ship. Please lower your weapons."
"We have orders to retrieve her Royal Highness."
"Pointing weapons at your princess doesn't seem like the best way to accomplish that." Harry said. He went to block Nesa more fully but the fish on the left stepped forward, putting his finger on the trigger of his weapon. "Take one more step and I'll shoot her right through you."
Harry froze instantly. He heard Nessa get off the sick bay bed and come up behind him, giving them a clearer shot. Harry didn't like that. She seemed a little shaky but her voice was steady. "You don't get to have me as a princess anymore. I renounce my title and all rights, privileges, and responsibilities associated therein, let it be so in the official record."
One fish humanoid stepped forward "We have orders from the Regent to ignore anything you say and to strike any renouncement of Royal status from the official record. Come with us, or we'll take you in pieces." He grinned, showing rows of dirty jagged teeth "It's not the whole of you we need in any case." He raised what looked like some kind of storage container, and Harry heard Nesa suck in her breath. He looked back at her and saw that all the blood had drained from her face.
Janeway stepped forward, drawing closer to the guards. "Her Royal Highness is still a Starfleet cadet and under my command, and I say she goes nowhere, not until we have some answers."
"We're taking her back, now!"
"Oh please, enough! Janeway to Command. We have three unauthorized persons in the Sickbay of Voyager. Beam them to the brig, maximum security." The fish on the left raised his weapon, but before a shot could be fired, the three forms energized and disappeared. Janeway turned to Harry and grinned "There are some things I just love about being home. Cadet Resa, I imagine you have some questions. Doctor, how is she?"
The doctor had resumed scanning almost as soon as the fish guards had disappeared. "I'm reading high levels of adrenaline and, whoop, steady there."
Nesa had been about to fall and both he and Harry caught her, but the Doctor was some what encumbered by the scanner, "I got her Doc. Where do you want her?"
"Back up on the bed please."
"I can manage." Nesa went to put her hand on the bed.
"Allow me?" Harry looked at Nesa and gave her a crooked smile. She looked at him for a moment then nodded. Hands on her waist, he hoisted her up. Her hands rested lightly on his forearms for a moment and Harry noticed the slight weight to her hands from her concealed webbing. He realized how lucky he'd been that she hadn't broken his face. He just had time to register a feeling of admiration when he realized he'd been holding her waist for too long. She sat back and Harry quickly mirrored her movement. The Doctor came over with a hypospray. "Let's get your adrenaline levels down for now. I'm going to give you a mild sedative." He raised the device to Nesa's neck, but the captain stopped him.
"Just a minute Doctor. I have one more question for Cadet Resa. What did that guard mean, 'we don't need the whole of you'?"
Nesa looked at the Captain, and Harry thought she had gone a little pale again, but she answered in a strong voice. "He meant, Captain, that all they need from me is my reproductive organs, specifically my eggs. I'm the last in line to the throne, or at least I was seven years ago. Apparently I still am or they wouldn't come for me like this. All they need is one viable embryo and they won't need to worry about the line dying out, even if it is only half Bartumi"
"You mean," Janeway walked closer to the sickbay bed, "they would harvest you?"
Nesa nodded. Harry noticed her hands ball up into fists again and would have stepped back in self-preservation, but then he caught the small tremble on her lower lip. He realized Janeway was speaking to him when she had to repeat his name for the second time.
"Yes Captain?"
"Come with me." They went out to the corridor and Harry heard the Doctor making some soothing noises to his patient. They and started walking in the direction of the teleportation room. "Get up to the astrometrics lab, it's got the best comms on the ship, make whatever calls you need to and get our senior officers back,now. I've got a feeling this is going to blow-up soon, but Cadet Resa is still under my command and I want my best people here before we have a diplomatic situation on our hands. What her own people want to do to her is barbaric, I won't allow it."
"On it. What about her, do you think she will be alright?"
Janeway stopped and looked at him thoughtfully. "The Doctor is with her. But, yes, it would be a good idea for her to have someone with her. You two seem to have the right, shall we say chemistry?"
"Chemistry? She punched me in the nose!"
Janeway smiled, bit her bottom lip and looked down at the ground. Harry has the unmistakable impression that she was trying not to laugh. But when she looked back up again she was serious, "Once you are done with the comms, report back to sick bay, assist the doctor in anything he needs, and don't leave her side, not for a minute. I'm making you her bodyguard for now, at least," she had resumed walking by now, with Harry following "at least until I can get Tuvok back. Once I've settled some of red tape with the big brass, I'll join you in sick bay."
"Aye Captain." Despite that fact that his embarrassment was eating him alive over this, he had one more question to ask. He called out after her "Captain?"
"Yes, Harry?" she turned and looked at him.
"You won't tell her any, you know, stories about me, will you?"
"Really, Harry, now why on earth would I do that?"
Harry felt relieved. "Thank you captain."
"I'll leave that pleasure to Tom Paris." This time the smile was broad on her face and she headed off. Groaning, Harry turned and went to find the comms room.
The first call Harry made was to Chakotay. "Sounds intriguing. I'll be there in a few hours. Risa seems to have lost it's charm for me anyway." Harry hadn't missed that he'd spoken in the singular.
"Oh? Where's Seven?"
"She's on a research mission with some Borg-obsessed scientists. A few of them were vacationing here and one of them, well, Seven's never seen the point in relaxation when there's work to be done. They left three days ago. With her. I'll get a message to her."
"Thanks. I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"Yeah, well, it happens. I'll see you soon.
"Just out of curiosity, how long did it last?"
"Why, was there a pool going? What happened to your nose?"
"The signal's breaking up Chakotay."
"It's just fine on my end."
Harry ended the call.
The next call was to Tuvok. He was wearing a traditional Vulcan robe and he looked like he was in a cave. "Ensign Kim, how nice to see you."
"Uhhh…", Harry was a little stunned. Tuvok had never said anything like this before.
"Forgive me. I've just received treatment for my neurological disorder. It can make me a bit…overly emotional."
"I see. Well, I won't hold it against you."
"Is there something I can do for you, Ensign?" Harry noticed the slight emphasis onEnsign. Was he ever going to get that promotion? Harry explained the situation. "Most perplexing. I will be there in a few hours. However, please alert the captain that I can only stay for a few days. My treatment is on-going and will be of some duration."
"Tuvok, I know the captain will understand if you…"
"No Ensign Kim. I want to be there. I…I would not miss it." Harry smiled and nodded.
"See you soon Tuvok."
"Ensign Kim. You appear to have sustained an injury."
Harry sighed.
A few moments late, Tom was on the screen. He hadn't shaved, there were lines on his forehead and dark circles under his eyes. And he looked happier then Harry had ever seen him. "Harry! How are you doing? Wait, one second, B'Elanna! B'Elanna, Harry's calling! Good grief Harry, what happened to your nose? B'Elanna, bring Miral, she'll want to see Uncle Harry! Harry, it's good to see you, wait, are you on Voyager? Are you in the Astrometrics Lab? What's going on?" B'Elanna appeared on screen, holding the beautiful baby girl, who was much bigger now then Harry remembered.
"Gosh, she's grown!"
B'Elanna umphed as she shifted Miral to her other arm "Tell me about it. Harry..." She could lean in to see Harry better. "Harry are you back on Voyager? You're in the astrometrics lab! And you're in uniform! And what happened to your face?"
"I just asked him that!"
"Guys, will you both…I'll explain" They looked at him and Miral gurgled. Harry filled them in.
"We'll all be there in three, maybe four hours," said B'Elanna, "We'll need to bring the baby. Wait, is it safe? I don't know if it's safe Tom, she's never energized before, what if something goes wrong, is it safe to bring the baby, Harry?"
"B'Elanna, calm down, I…"
"Oh boy" Harry muttered under his breath.
"Donottell me to calm down, Tom Paris, I am going to protect my baby no matt…"
"B'Elanna, she has energized before," Harry said loudly and they both looked at him. "Remember? That's how she got off the ship. "
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that" There was a long pause while Tom looked at B'Elanna, B'Elanna looked at Harry and Harry looked at them. "I'll got get a bag together." she said, handing Miral to Tom.
When she was gone Harry asked in a low voice, "Is she okay?"
"Actually, from what my mom explained, this is all normal, although I should have learned by now not to tell her 'calm down'. We'll be there soon. And Harry?"
"Yeah."
"Is she pretty? This princess, is she pretty?"
Harry didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Yeah, she's really pretty."
"Oookay!" Tom mimed giving Miral tiny high five.
"No stories about me!"
"I make no promises! See you soon!" Tom flicked the screen off.
Shaking his head, Harry touched his badge. "Kim to Sick Bay. Doctor how is she?"
"As well as can be expected. Some residual shock is showing, I'm monitoring her. I could use some help."
"On my way."
When Harry got there he could see that she was looking a little worse then before, she was pale and a little sweaty.
"What can I do?"
"Just talk to her." He looked up and saw Harry's still bruised face. "I'll see to that in a moment."
"Thanks." Harry walked over to the head of the bed. Nesa was dressed now in a blue hospital gown. Her hair was now in a neat plait down her front and she seemed to be focusing on her breathing. She looked up at Harry and gave him a little smile. "I'm sorry about your nose."
"It's okay, it looks worse then it feels. You pack quite a punch, did you specialize in that at the academy?"
Nesa nodded. "I did classical mixed martial arts and some more modern Klingon fighting studies, it was all part of battle strategies."
"Really? What got you into that?"
"It was watching the marine life near my house that got me into it. I, Doctor, I'm feeling a little better, may I sit up?"
"That's wonderful news. Yes, your vitals are doing better. I guess Ensign Kim has a calming effect on you." Harry glared at the Doctor. "I'll get a pillow."
For the next few hours Harry and Nesa talked. She told him all about how watching dolphins and sharks hunt had gotten her interested in battle strategies, she could see further in water and could observe tactics, and he told her about living in San Francisco. He was careful not to mention too many details of the Voyager journey, there would be time for that later. The Doctor brought some food over for both of them and then finally fixed the bruise on Harry's face. Harry filled him in on Janeway's orders for him to be bodyguard until Tuvok arrived and gave him a quick update condition. Harry and Nesa were back into deep conversation about why San Francisco sour dough was better then any other when the Captain returned, but she was careful not to disturb them.
"Doctor, she seems to be doing much better"
"She's doing just fine, now. I'm beginning to think I should have requested Harry to be my nurse all along."
"It was good for Tom. Doctor, Tuvok's just arrived. He's in his old quarters. I'd like you to take a look at him."
"Harry said he was a little, different."
"I'll say, he hugged me!"
"I'll see to him at once." The Doctor left. Captain Janeway walked quietly up to the pair. The remains of their lunch lay on a tray to the side, and she saw that Harry was now giving an exaggerated fishing story, which Nesa seemed to be laughing at. Nesa saw her first.
"Captain." Harry turned around, smiling and laughing a little. Janeway looked at him and her heart ached just a little. Harry had always fallen for women so easily, and she couldHarry stepped to block Nesa from view of the fish-humaniods. At the same time Janeway stepped forward.
"I'm Captain Janeway and this is my ship. Please lower your weapons."
"We have orders to retrieve her Royal Highness."
"Pointing weapons at your princess doesn't seem like the best way to accomplish that." Harry said. He went to block Nesa more fully but the fish on the left stepped forward, putting his finger on the trigger of his weapon. "Take one more step and I'll shoot her right through you."
Harry froze instantly. He heard Nessa get off the sick bay bed and come up behind him, giving them a clearer shot. Harry didn't like that. She seemed a little shaky but her voice was steady. "You don't get to have me as a princess anymore. I renounce my title and all rights, privileges, and responsibilities associated therein, let it be so in the official record."
One fish humanoid stepped forward "We have orders from the Regent to ignore anything you say and to strike any renouncement of Royal status from the official record. Come with us, or we'll take you in pieces." He grinned, showing rows of dirty jagged teeth "It's not the whole of you we need in any case." He raised what looked like some kind of storage container, and Harry heard Nesa suck in her breath. He looked back at her and saw that all the blood had drained from her face.
Janeway stepped forward, drawing closer to the guards. "Her Royal Highness is still a Starfleet cadet and under my command, and I say she goes nowhere, not until we have some answers."
"We're taking her back, now!"
"Oh please, enough! Janeway to Command. We have three unauthorized persons in the Sickbay of Voyager. Beam them to the brig, maximum security." The fish on the left raised his weapon, but before a shot could be fired, the three forms energized and disappeared. Janeway turned to Harry and grinned "There are some things I just love about being home. Cadet Resa, I imagine you have some questions. Doctor, how is she?"
The doctor had resumed scanning almost as soon as the fish guards had disappeared. "I'm reading high levels of adrenaline and, whoop, steady there."
Nesa had been about to fall and both he and Harry caught her, but the Doctor was some what encumbered by the scanner, "I got her Doc. Where do you want her?"
"Back up on the bed please."
"I can manage." Nesa went to put her hand on the bed.
"Allow me?" Harry looked at Nesa and gave her a crooked smile. She looked at him for a moment then nodded. Hands on her waist, he hoisted her up. Her hands rested lightly on his forearms for a moment and Harry noticed the slight weight to her hands from her concealed webbing. He realized how lucky he'd been that she hadn't broken his face. He just had time to register a feeling of admiration when he realized he'd been holding her waist for too long. She sat back and Harry quickly mirrored her movement. The Doctor came over with a hypospray. "Let's get your adrenaline levels down for now. I'm going to give you a mild sedative." He raised the device to Nesa's neck, but the captain stopped him.
"Just a minute Doctor. I have one more question for Cadet Resa. What did that guard mean, 'we don't need the whole of you'?"
Nesa looked at the Captain, and Harry thought she had gone a little pale again, but she answered in a strong voice. "He meant, Captain, that all they need from me is my reproductive organs, specifically my eggs. I'm the last in line to the throne, or at least I was seven years ago. Apparently I still am or they wouldn't come for me like this. All they need is one viable embryo and they won't need to worry about the line dying out, even if it is only half Bartumi"
"You mean," Janeway walked closer to the sickbay bed, "they would harvest you?"
Nesa nodded. Harry noticed her hands ball up into fists again and would have stepped back in self-preservation, but then he caught the small tremble on her lower lip. He realized Janeway was speaking to him when she had to repeat his name for the second time.
"Yes Captain?"
"Come with me." They went out to the corridor and Harry heard the Doctor making some soothing noises to his patient. They and started walking in the direction of the teleportation room. "Get up to the astrometrics lab, it's got the best comms on the ship, make whatever calls you need to and get our senior officers back,now. I've got a feeling this is going to blow-up soon, but Cadet Resa is still under my command and I want my best people here before we have a diplomatic situation on our hands. What her own people want to do to her is barbaric, I won't allow it."
"On it. What about her, do you think she will be alright?"
Janeway stopped and looked at him thoughtfully. "The Doctor is with her. But, yes, it would be a good idea for her to have someone with her. You two seem to have the right, shall we say chemistry?"
"Chemistry? She punched me in the nose!"
Janeway smiled, bit her bottom lip and looked down at the ground. Harry has the unmistakable impression that she was trying not to laugh. But when she looked back up again she was serious, "Once you are done with the comms, report back to sick bay, assist the doctor in anything he needs, and don't leave her side, not for a minute. I'm making you her bodyguard for now, at least," she had resumed walking by now, with Harry following "at least until I can get Tuvok back. Once I've settled some of red tape with the big brass, I'll join you in sick bay."
"Aye Captain." Despite that fact that his embarrassment was eating him alive over this, he had one more question to ask. He called out after her "Captain?"
"Yes, Harry?" she turned and looked at him.
"You won't tell her any, you know, stories about me, will you?"
"Really, Harry, now why on earth would I do that?"
Harry felt relieved. "Thank you captain."
"I'll leave that pleasure to Tom Paris." This time the smile was broad on her face and she headed off. Groaning, Harry turned and went to find the comms room.