Upturned faces watched Voyager lift from the planet's surface and disappear into the sky, taking with it the technology of a thousand generations. Now armed only with themselves, their minds, their bodies, their wit, their will to survive, the crew of Voyager had new enemies to face. The enemies of thirst and hunger and exposure, and the unseen enemies lurking out of sight. Captain Janeway had defined their top two priorities: food and shelter.
"That looks good," said Commander Chakotay, pointing to a cliff in the distance. "We should catch plenty of sun in the morning, but be protected from it in the afternoon."
Making their way towards the cliff Chakotay heard a disgruntled voice behind him, "Good thing we've got our Indian guide." Ensign Kevin Williams was one of the Starfleet crew who resented the Maquis in general and Chakotay in particular. Janeway turned to reprimand Williams, but Chakotay stopped her with a hand to the arm and a quick shake of the head. They had more important concerns at the moment.
"We need to get a fire going soon," Chakotay said upon arriving at the base of the cliff. "When that sun sets it's going to get cold fast." It was already cold in the shade of the cliff. Several crew members were gathering wood and brush.
"What would you recommend, Chief?" asked Williams, "Rubbing sticks together or striking rocks?"
Chakotay took a moment to check his temper before speaking. "I can teach you the ancient ways taught to me by my father, and to him by his father before him," he said. He then walked over to the young Bajoran Maquis Geron, "May I?" While the rest of the crew exchanged puzzled looks Geron reached into his boot and removed his earring from its hiding place. Chakotay understood the religious and cultural importance of the Bajoran earring and knew that, although he could not wear it on duty, Geron was never separated from his. "Thank you, Geron." Chakotay held the ear ring to the sun, Geron's ear ring had an unusually large gem stone, then handed it to Williams. "I believe the crystal is large enough to focus the sunlight and ignite a spark. But if you would rather rub sticks, don't let me stop you."
"Thank you so much, Commander," said Williams, unable to keep the sarcastic tone from his voice. "This may be one place where you'll come in handy. We're going to need someone who is 'one with the earth'. I guess this feels like home to you."
Chakotay again paused to check his temper before speaking, "Ensign Williams, contrary to whatever misconceptions you may have about me, I was not born in a teepee or a mud hogan or a grass hut. My family lived in a modern home complete with a replicator and indoor plumbing. What I have learned about nature I have learned through years of patient observation, a skill from which you could benefit." Chakotay then addressed the crowd of crewmen that had gathered, "The first thing tomorrow morning I am going to take a walk about 12 kilometers towards that mountain," he gestured with his hand. "Can anyone tell me why I'm going to do that?"
"Because that's where the trees are, Sir," answered Harry Kim.
"Excellent, Mr. Kim. Because that's where the trees are." Chakotay turned back to Williams, "Now why would trees interest me, Ensign Williams?"
"Because where there are trees there's water," Williams' response was quiet.
"Very good, Ensign. The pools of water in this rock," he indicated the small pools of water in the rock around them, "are collected rainfall and won't last long. We need to find a permanent supply of fresh water soon." He moved closer to Williams, "And I didn't even need an indigenous proverb to figure out that one." He stepped back, "You'd better start the fire before the sun gets much lower."
Chakotay left the crew to start their fire and climbed a nearby ridge to observe their surroundings. Captain Janeway was already on the ridge, sitting alone on a rock. She wanted to get a good look at the topography before dark so she could start planning for the next day. She held a piece of material in her mouth and was trying to gather her wayward hair and pull it back. The strong wind and lack of a hairbrush made this task difficult.
"Let me," she heard a voice behind her and felt two strong hands gently run through her hair and gather it together.
"Chakotay, you are a man of many talents," said Janeway. "So far today you have found us shelter, heat, and water, and rallied the troops."
"It's what I do," his voice was soft in her ear. He held her hair with one hand and reached for the strip of cloth with the other.
"Is there anything you can't do?"
"I'm not sure I can build you a bathtub any time soon." Kathryn laughed as he tied off her hair, "there you go." Sitting beside her he took in the view. The planet was bleak; desert, slick rock, active volcanoes in the distance. The setting sun cast an orange glow.
"It's been a long time since we watched a sunset together," Kathryn noted.
"Since we were isolated together with the virus. I guess that planet looks pretty good to you right now."
"It wasn't so bad, was it? Lazy afternoons resting in the shade, watching sunsets," her voice took on a distant quality, "bathing by moonlight."
Chakotay chuckled, "Well, I don't let myself think about that too often."
Kathryn reached over and took his hand, "I miss you, Chakotay."
"I miss you too, Kathryn," he replied. "But I know we made the right decision."
She nodded, "Right now we have responsibilities that are more important than our own personal wishes. Maybe...someday...we can..." she searched for the right words.
"Define new parameters?" he suggested. She squeezed his hand in response.
They sat for a while watching the sun and discussing their next course of action, but Chakotay's prediction about the sudden drop in temperature was accurate. They soon descended the ridge and joined the rest of the crew by the warmth of the fire.
"Computer," whispered the holographic Doctor, who had been lurking in the shadows of sickbay to avoid being seen by the Kazon, "release ethrane gas into the atmosphere. Three hundred parts per million."
"That procedure is not recommended," replied to computer.
"Computer - shhh - lower volume. Why is that procedure not recommended?"
"Sensors indicate the presence of a Human/Cardassian infant on board. Those levels of ethrane could be fatal to the infant."
"Computer, transport the infant to sick bay, then release the ethrane."
"Unable to comply. Site-to-site transporters are off-line."
The Doctor's holographic brain was spinning, "Computer - transfer all command codes to sick bay and create a force field around the entrance to sick bay."
"Unable to comply. You are not authorized to make that command."
'Now what?' thought the Doctor, pacing back and forth. "Computer are than any life signs on board that are not Kazon and not Cardassian?
"Affirmative. Sensors indicate the life signs of one human."
"Who is it?" asked the Doctor.
"Running analysis now," the computer replied. "The human on board is Ensign Suder."
"Suder the murderer?" the Doctor said, mostly to himself.
"Affirmative. Ensign Suder has been accused of murder."
"Great. Nice company," said the Doctor. " Where is Suder now?"
"Ensign Suder is on Deck Five."
"When will he pass the next the next terminal display?"
"At his present rate of speed he will reach a terminal display in 15 seconds."
"Computer, when Suder passes the terminal display I want you to flash a message telling him to come to sick bay," the Doctor ordered. "Oh, but don't do it if Seska or any of the Kazon are around."
"Please define parameters of 'around'."
"Don't do it if Seska or any Kazon are within 10 meters."
"Displaying message now. Message displayed. Ensign Suder has not deviated from his course."
"Maybe he didn't see it. Display the message every time Suder passes a terminal display. He'll see it sooner or later."
"For being so cold last night it sure heats up quickly," Ensign Williams noted. He, Commander Chakotay, Tuvok and Geron were making the twelve kilometer trek to the river. Chakotay had included Williams on this team for two reasons. The first was that he knew the walk would be difficult and he really didn't mind seeing the young man suffer a little. But he also wanted to spend more time with Williams, to overcome some of the barriers between them.
"We'll be in the shade of those trees before too long," said Chakotay. Geron had unzipped the top of his uniform and let it hang loosely around his waist. He was using his turtle-neck as a turban. No protocol in the desert, he thought.
"Ensign Geron, are you not concerned about sunburn?" asked Tuvok.
"Right now I'm more concerned about heat exhaustion," the young man replied. "I should have paid more heed to that exercise program you put me on."
The heat and their parched throats precluded any more conversation until they reached the banks of a river. Williams broke from the group to run towards the river, but was stopped by Tuvok's strong arm. "Ensign, many predatory species wait near watering holes for their prey. I would advise caution."
"What's the matter, Williams? Didn't you ever watch Universal Geographic nature specials?" asked Geron.
The four approached the water warily. "Williams and Geron, you go ahead and drink while Tuvok and I keep an eye out," said Chakotay. The young men immersed themselves in the water, drinking and cooling off at the same time.
"We should set up base camp by that cliff on the bank," said Williams while Chakotay and Tuvok took their turn at the water.
"I would have to advise against that," said Tuvok. "This section of the river is the only place where it is easily accessible. The source of the river appears to be there," he pointed to a waterfall which seemed to flow from solid rock, forming the mouth of the river, "and beyond the curve downstream the river descends into a steep canyon."
"That's what I mean," said Williams. "This is the easiest place to get to the river so we should set up camp here." Tuvok and Chakotay exchanged looks of dismay.
"Commander Chakotay's comments last night about your lack of observational skills appear to be accurate, Ensign Williams," said Tuvok.
"What do you mean?" asked Williams.
Chakotay sighed, "Look at the banks of the river, what do you see?"
"Trees, rocks, I don't know."
"Look closer, Williams," encouraged Geron.
Williams looked at ground, "Footprints," he said.
"What kind?" asked Tuvok.
"These look like animal prints, these are some kind of bi-ped," he looked up. "Probably those humanoids we saw yesterday."
"It would appear," said Tuvok, "that this section of the river is the primary water source in this area. If we set up camp along the banks we would be denying water to the native inhabitants."
"That would be a *bad* thing, Williams," whispered Geron.
"There was a good place about a two kilometers back that way," said Chakotay. "That should be far enough away that we won't prevent any of the natives from seeking water."
Geron had left the others and was walking several meters upstream, "Commander, did you see this path?" he asked. Tuvok, Chakotay and Williams joined him. "It looks like it leads up to those caves. That must be where some of the humanoids live."
"Very good, Ensign Geron," said Tuvok. "Please report that to Captain Janeway." Geron was too stunned by a compliment from Tuvok to respond.
Driven by both the hollow pain in their stomachs and orders from Captain Janeway, Neelix, B'Elanna and Harry Kim were on a quest for food. "Taste this," said Neelix, pulling a stalk from a plant and handing it to B'Elanna, who tasted it.
"Needs salt."
"Let me see it," Harry sniffed it and gingerly took a bite. "Kind of bland. How will we know if its edible?"
"Other animals have been eating it," said Neelix, pointing to other stalks that had been chewed.
"When in Rome...," said Harry. "Should we go ahead and gather some?"
"Probably," said Neelix. "People are hungry now. We can worry about variety later."
"I don't know about anyone else," said B'Elanna, "but I want some *meat*."
"We'll start making traps this evening," said Harry. He, B'Elanna and Neelix stripped stalks from the plants and gathered them in piles to take back to the camp.
Evening came quickly. The entire crew had relocated to their new camp site. Neelix was roasting the plants over the fire to make them easier to chew. Captain Janeway had again removed herself from the crew and found an isolated place to think.
Chakotay walked to the Captain, two pieces of the roast plant in his hand. "Am I interrupting? I brought dinner."
"Not at all. Have a seat Commander." He settled on the ground beside her handing her a piece of food.
She took a bite, "Pretty good actually, but I'm starving."
"We survived our first day," said Chakotay.
"But how long can we keep it up?" Janeway asked. " I've been thinking about what Cullah said. How dependent are we on our technology?" She looked off for a moment, "Oh, Chakotay I just feel so - powerless."
"Powerless? You? You will never be powerless."
"I guess I'm just feeling like a captain without a ship," she looked at Chakotay and placed a hand on his knee, "but you wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
He smiled at her, "I know that your ability to lead isn't dependent on technology. Your leadership comes from within, from your confidence, strength of character, concern for your crew. You still have all of those things."
"I just hate to think that we'll soon be reduced to wearing skins and using stone tools."
"A thousand years ago men charted the course of the planets using only their eyes and their minds, now look where we are. I have faith in our abilities, Captain. We won't be wearing skins and using stone tools for long."
They sat for a moment before Janeway continued, "I've been thinking about those primitive humanoids you saw. They are familiar with this territory. They know how to find food, what dangers to avoid. I would like to try to develop some sort of communication with them."
"I agree that they could provide us with useful information," said Chakotay, "but what about the Prime Directive?"
"I think the Prime Directive was pretty much nullified when the Kazon landed a Federation starship in their back yard," said Janeway. "They know we're here and they saw how we got here. I don't see where there is room for much more damage. I want you and Tuvok to work together on this, but let Tuvok take the lead. Vulcans have a definite advantage in communicating with new species."
"Aye, Captain," Chakotay was glad to see her confidence return. The insecurity didn't last long, he thought to himself.
Tuvok said that he would first need to observe the humanoids, and that's just what he did, for two days - twenty nine hours a day. He'd found an exposed rock where he could clearly see the primary dwelling area of the humanoids. Like Geron, Tuvok had unzipped the top of his uniform and had wrapped his turtle-neck shirt around his head to keep out the heat. Tuvok had no need to be concerned about sunburn. Since Vulcans can go for days without sleep, Tuvok had not rested since beginning his observation.
On the first day Williams had joined Tuvok, determined to improve his own observational skills, "Why don't we sit over there in the shade?" he'd asked.
"I want the humanoids to see us as clearly as we see them. I want them to see that we pose no threat to them." Williams lost interest after a few hours, which was fine with Tuvok.
Eventually the humanoids began their keeping their own watch, one male in particular. He sat about 200 meters from Tuvok, facing the Vulcan, each watching and being watched. Chakotay would join Tuvok when he could. The two of them would sit in silence for hours at a time before one or the other made an observation, "That one appears to be the leader. He does most of the talking," or "That female is pregnant. From the way she's acting it looks like she should deliver soon."
Near dusk on the second day as Tuvok, joined now by both Chakotay and Williams, kept his watch two of the humanoid males approached them, stopping about 10 meters away. The humanoids spoke to them, not in grunts, but in an organized language. Unfortunately it was not a language any of Voyager's crew could understand. They repeated their greeting and stared, waiting for a reply.
"We are from the United Federation of Planets in the Alpha Quadrant. Our starship was taken from us and we are stranded here," said Chakotay.
"Commander," said Tuvok, "surely you don't expect them to understand you."
"We have to start somewhere," replied Chakotay.
The two humanoids came closer and began to gesture, first pointing to Tuvok and Chakotay, then pulling their hands back towards themselves and pointing to their dwellings - a universal 'come here'. Then they brought their hands to their mouths in an eating gesture.
"Now *that* I understood," said Chakotay.
"Ensign Williams, tell the Captain that the Commander and I will be dining with the locals tonight," Tuvok said. Chakotay looked at him. He never knew if Tuvok meant to be funny or if it was just coincidence.
The Doctor had spent the last two days impatiently waiting for Suder to get his message. Finally he heard a voice whispering from a vent above his office "Doctor, Doc - you there?" The Doctor moved to the vent and removed the grate so Suder could climb out.
"What took you so long?" asked the Doctor.
"I got your message yesterday, but there are Kazon everywhere. I've spent the last two days hiding in Jefferies tubes."
"Ensign Suder," explained the Doctor, not wanting to waste any more time on pleasantries, "I can release ethrane gas into the ship's atmosphere which will render the Kazon unconscious. However there are two problems. The gas may be fatal to the infant on board, and I cannot transfer the command codes to my sick bay."
"The command codes aren't a problem. Once we knock out the Kazon I can go to the bridge and reverse our course back to the planet. I think you should release the gas," said Suder.
"There is still the problem of health risk to the child," said the Doctor.
"Doctor, there is one infant in danger here and nearly 150 of our crew in danger on some planet somewhere. And you're not even positive the ethrane will hurt the baby. Release the gas."
"Ensign Suder, my programming will not allow me to take any action that would unnecessarily put a life at risk. If you could get the site-to-site transporters back on line we could transport the baby here and release the gas."
"The Kazon would know immediately if I started messing with the transporter," Suder said. " I'll have to do this the old fashioned way."
"And that would be?"
"Kidnapping."
In the cave dwelling of the humanoids Tuvok and Chakotay were served a delicious hot stew with sweet milky beverage. They were now sitting comfortably on thick skins around a warm fire surrounded by about 20 of the humanoids. Tuvok found his eyes beginning to close despite his best intentions. After dinner one of the males began to address the group. He spoke for a while, then moved to the back of the cave where an area was sectioned off by hanging skins. He pulled back the skins and a woman emerged, carrying a newborn child. It was the woman Chakotay and Tuvok had noticed the day before. The man took the child and held it for the crowd to see, their reaction was one of approval. The man then sat on the ground with the child in his arms and began to speak to the child. Judging by his the canter of his speech and his hand and facial gestures he seemed to be telling a story. The rest of the humanoids would occasionally join him on certain phrases.
"Commander," whispered Tuvok, "He appears to be reciting some kind of legend."
"I agree," replied Chakotay. "It may be a creation story. Many cultures welcome newborns into society by telling them their creation story."
"Indeed. It would be a rare privilege to be included in such an event."
" I think this demonstrates that they trust us."
When the man completed his story he then passed the newborn child around the circle, each person would briefly hold the child and whisper in the child's ear. "They must be blessing the child," noted Chakotay. When the child came to Tuvok he held the child to his face and whispered, in Vulcan, "Peace, and long life." Chakotay followed with a blessing in his own language, "Be strong and courageous."
Chakotay couldn't remember when he had slept so well. He awoke to unfamiliar sounds and smells; morning conversation in an unknown language, food cooking over an open fire. Chakotay sat up, rubbed his eyes.
"I fear that I slept longer than I had intended," said Tuvok, rising slowly.
The male who had brought them to the dwelling the night before brought two gourds filled with a creamy substance. He handed the food to Tuvok and Chakotay and sat on the ground facing them. "Good morning," Tuvok greeted the man, shrugging to Chakotay.
The man pointed at Tuvok's chest, then pointed at the sky. He repeated the procedure with Chakotay. "Yes," said Chakotay, "we came from the sky. We were in a starship." The man handed Tuvok a piece of cured animal skin on which a charcoal drawing had been made.
"What is it?" asked Chakotay.
"I do not know," replied Tuvok.
"Maybe it's upside down," said Chakotay, turning the fabric over. At the same instant both men recognized the drawing as a Kazon vessel. They looked at the man and nodded, "This is a starship not unlike the one that brought us here," said Tuvok.
The man again pointed at Tuvok and Chakotay, then to the drawing, then to a point somewhere beyond the cave. He made 'follow me' gestures with this hands. The man stood and began to walk from the cave. Chakotay and Tuvok were close behind.
They followed the man for most of the morning. After passing through a seemingly endless series of mesas they came upon the wreckage of the ship in the drawing. The humanoid stood back away from the ship, unwilling to approach it. There were still skeletal remains of the crew strewn across the ground. "Kazon?" asked Chakotay. "
Either that or Trabe," said Tuvok, "they share the same technology."
Chakotay turned to the humanoid, "Thank you." The humanoid seemed to understand. He nodded his head once, turned and walked away. Chakotay and Tuvok walked around the vessel, "I'm going to go get the rest of the crew," said Chakotay. "If any of this is salvageable we need to get to work on it right away."
"Agreed. I'll remain here with the ship," said Tuvok.
Suder had served with Seska long enough in the Maquis to have learned something of her personality. He knew that she would have taken over Captain Janeway's quarters for her own residence. Getting to Janeway's quarters was a tedious process. He'd crawled through vertical ladder passageways, Jefferies tubes and finally the ventilation shafts to reach the main vent in Janeway's quarters. There was Seska, just as he knew she would be. She had finished feeding the infant and was putting him on the bed when Cullah and another Kazon entered the quarters.
"We are still having trouble with the site-to-site transporters and some of the other systems. I thought you said we could completely repair this ship," Cullah said.
"We *can* completely repair this ship. Things would go much faster if your men weren't too thick-headed to take orders from a woman," she replied.
"Go down to engineering and see if you can speed things up some," Cullah ordered.
"I can't leave our son here alone, Cullah."
Cullah turned to the other Kazon, "You, stay with the baby."
"I am not a nurse maid!" the Kazon protested.
"Stay with the baby, that's an order" barked Cullah. Seska followed him out the door.
The Kazon looked at the sleeping child on the bed, sniffed and wrinkled his face in displeasure. He moved to the couch, directly under the ventilation shaft where Suder was hiding, and stretched out for a nap.
Suder waited until the regular breathing of the Kazon indicated that he was asleep. In one swift motion Suder pushed out the ventilation grate and emerged from the shaft. Landing on the Kazon he wrapped his hands around the Kazon's neck. As the Kazon struggled Suder squeezed his neck harder. Suder was enraged. His only thoughts were of his hatred for the Kazon, the power of squeezing the Kazon's life from his body with his bare hands. The panic in the Kazon's eyes fed his fury. He loved the feel of the flesh giving way to his hands. He wanted to feel the Kazon's spine crush between his fingers... Then a calmness swept over him. Serenity, peace, these were the gifts he received from the mind meld with Tuvok. Suder sat back, removing his hands from the neck of the limp Kazon. Suder looked at his hands. He breathed deeply. Closing his eyes he focused his thoughts.
Suder stood on the couch and reached into the ventilation shaft, removing two clear oxygen masks. He put the larger one on himself. He moved to the bed and gently lifted the sleeping infant, putting the smaller mask on the child. He then crossed to the terminal on Janeway's desk. "Computer to sickbay." An image of the doctor appeared on the terminal, "I've got the baby. Initiate the ethrane emissions."
In main engineering Seska was getting dizzy. She rubbed her forehead with her fingers. She thought that it was only residual fatigue from childbirth. Her concentration was slipping when the sudden collapse of the Kazon standing next to her startled her back to attention. She looked around main engineering, everyone seemed sluggish, "Computer, run a diagnostic on the environmental controls," Seska ordered.
"The environmental control program has been overridden," the computer responded.
"Overridden? On whose authority? Computer, return the environmental controls to standard functions."
"Environmental override was done on the authority of the emergency holographic medical program. A command code is necessary to return them to standard functions."
"Seska," yelled Cullah, who had fallen to his knees, "you said we could over ride the command codes. You said we could take complete control of the ship. This is what happens when I trust a woman!"
"Computer," Seska ordered, barely able to stand, "shut down holographic med...," she lost consciousness before she could complete the order.
Suder rushed into sickbay with the child and handed the infant to the Doctor. "I'll be on the bridge."
"Mr. Suder," said the Doctor. "I will continue emitting the ethrane into the atmosphere." He handed Suder another oxygen mask, "Your current supply will be exhausted in six hours."
"Thank you, doctor," said Suder on his way out the door.
Every crew member of Voyager was sifting through the wreckage of the Trabe spaceship one piece at a time. The crew had been divided into four teams, each of which made hourly progress reports to Chakotay and Tuvok. "Report, Mr. Tuvok," requested Janeway.
"We have salvaged four functioning phaser based weapons, a supply of emergency food rations and two emergency medical kits," said Tuvok.
"Excellent, have Kes begin treating the wounded crewmen immediately," ordered Janeway.
"She's already started, Captain," said Chakotay. "Torres and Kim have found what they believe to be a communications terminal," He led the Captain to where Torres and Kim had cleared an area of ground on which was spread several pieces of electronic equipment. They were piecing it together like an archeologist would piece together a fossil.
"Lt. Torres," said the Captain, "what are our chances of repairing this?"
"Captain, we should be able to fix it well enough to send a distress signal. We'll have to use one of the weapons as a power supply. I don't know if we'll be able to receive any messages, though," said Torres.
"What about the ship. Can she fly again?" asked Janeway.
Torres shook her head, "Not a chance, Captain. Her engines are shot."
"Very well. Let me know when you're ready to send a distress signal."
"Actually, Captain. I think we've got it." Torres hooked some wires into the dismantled weapon beside her. The terminal lights flashed and a hiss of static came from the speaker.
"Mr. Kim," the captain ordered, "I want you to send a distress signal on standard Starfleet frequencies. Mr. Paris will be looking for us there."
"Right away, Captain," replied Kim.
Late the next day Janeway watched the progress of her crew and thought to herself, 'Now this is better.' The crew had recovered a wide variety of supplies from the Trabe vessel. One of the most crucial being a powdered milk substance that could be used to feed Ensign Wildman's baby. Neelix had tried mashing and boiling a variety of plants, but the child had refused most of them. Janeway watched as the infant greedily took the milk. A 'bottle' had been created by snipping the tip off of the finger of a glove found on the vessel.
Janeway's attention was drawn to a commotion among the crew working on the wrecked ship. Voices were raised, faces peered upwards and fingers pointed at the sky. Janeway smiled as she saw the familiar sight of Voyager's shuttle come into view and land nearby. A crowd had surrounded the shuttle by the time Tom Paris emerged, "Nobody told me we were going camping."
Janeway approached the shuttle, "I'm glad you could join us, Mr. Paris. I take it you brought friends."
"There are a dozen Talaxian vessels in orbit right now. We've been looking for you for three days. We heard your distress call this morning."
"We have no time to waste," said Janeway. "Let's get these people on up to the Talaxian vessels and go get our ship back."
Suder had established an open com link to sick bay so he could keep in constant communication with the doctor. After putting the ship on a direct course back to the planet Suder had spent much of the next day in main engineering to solve the transporter problem. "How is it coming Mr. Suder?" asked the Doctor.
"Slowly," Suder's voice was muffled by the ever present oxygen mask. "If I could get this transporter fixed we could beam all these Kazon to the brig and return the environmental controls to normal. I'm getting tired of this mask."
"How many Kazon would you estimate are on board?"
"I've seen at least 50 of them. Way too many for me to move by hand, and the ship doesn't have enough energy to set up force fields around all of them," replied Suder. "Let's try this," said Suder making another adjustment. "Computer, run diagnostic on site-to-site transporter.
"Site-to-site transporter is now on line. All functions are operating within normal parameters."
"Finally," said Suder, "Computer lock in on each Kazon signature and beam them to cargo bay four. Then set up a force field around the cargo bay. Begin with the Kazon on the bridge." Suder stepped over the slumped body of Seska as he left engineering to return to the bridge.
As Suder exited the turbo-lift on to the bridge he watched with satisfaction the final Kazon from the bridge disappear into a transporter beam. He anticipated that it would take several hours for all of them to be transported. Suddenly the ship lurched under a blast of phaser fire.
"Computer, what happened?" Suder asked.
"Sensors indicate four Kazon vessels," said the Computer. "All vessels have powered their weapons and have initiated offensive actions against Voyager,"
"Maybe we can outrun them, speed up!" said the Doctor over the com link.
"Unable to comply. There is insufficient energy to increase speed," replied the computer. Another blast hit the ship.
"Computer initiate automated defensive maneuvers. Utilize all weapons," said Suder.
"Automated defensive maneuvers initiated. Phasers and photon torpedoes are on line," the computer stated. The next volley of shots sent Suder flying across the bridge.
"Computer, damage report," he said pulling himself to his feet.
"Secondary functions are off line."
"Ensign Suder," said the Doctor, "I just lost my environmental control override. You can take off the oxygen mask. And be careful, the Kazon should be waking up within the hour."
"Computer, are you still transporting the Kazon to cargo bay four?" asked Suder.
"Negative. All transporters are off line."
Suder winced as more phaser fire hit the ship. "How are the shields?"
"Shields are at 68 percent."
Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay stood on the bridge of one of the Talaxian vessels. "Captain," stated the Operations Manager, "sensors indicate heavy phaser fire exchange involving at least five vessels. One of them is Voyager."
"On scre..." Janeway began, catching herself just in time.
The Talaxian Captain smiled at her, "On screen, Ensign," he said.
Chakotay leaned over Janeway and whispered in her ear, "Not easy to let go, is it?" As the battle between Voyager and the Kazon vessels played out on the screen Janeway and Chakotay watched intently.
"Why are the Kazon attacking Voyager again?" wondered Janeway aloud.
"Captain, Voyager is hailing us."
"On screen!" both the Talaxian Captain and Janeway ordered at the same time. Janeway shook her head, "Captain, I'm sorry." In spite of the seriousness of their situation Chakotay could not keep a straight face. However, his expression changed quickly as both he and Janeway looked on in astonishment at the image on screen of a very harried Ensign Suder.
"This is the Federation Starship Voyager calling the Talaxian vessels. We're under attack by the Kazon can you lend..." he paused as he saw the Captain and Chakotay for the first time. "Captain, I could use some help here."
"We should be within transporter range in a few minutes. Can you drop your shields long enough to transport us aboard?"
"Negative, Captain. The transporters are off line."
"Captain Janeway," the Talaxian Captain interrupted, "We can occupy the Kazon while you take your senior officers back to Voyager in the shuttle."
"Thank you, Captain. We're on our way."
Seska, still groggy from the effects of the ethrane, stumbled into sick bay where she found herself face to face with the Doctor.
"Have a nice nap?" he asked.
"Computer," Seska growled, "shut down emergency holographic program."
The doctor disappeared, but for only an instant. "I can re-initiate myself," he reminded her. Seska pulled her phaser and pointed it at him. "Phasers will have no effect on me," the Doctor stated calmly.
"That's true," said Seska, "but they can sure play hell with your holoprojectors." With that she aimed the phaser and fired once at each holoprojector in sick bay. The Doctor disappeared with a look of frustration on his face. Seska picked up the baby and cradled it in her arms, "Come on sweetie, Daddy's going to get us out of here."
The Kazon vessels were built for battle, but were no match for the sheer number of Talaxian ships approaching them. "Captain Janeway, the Kazon are breaking off their attack," said Harry Kim as he monitored the sensors in the crowded shuttle. Things were a little tight with Harry, Captain Janeway, Tuvok, B'Elanna, Tom and Chakotay all on board.
"Thank you, Mr. Kim. Hail Voyager," she replied. "Ensign Suder, the Kazon vessels have left the area. Please lower the shields so we may dock the shuttle."
"Yes, Captain," Suder replied.
"Take us in, Tom," ordered Janeway.
"Captain, there is a Kazon vessel leaving the docking bay," said Paris.
"Shields up!" ordered Janeway. The shuttle came under brief fire as the Kazon shuttle fled. "Mr. Suder, who was on that shuttle."
Suder was checking his sensors, "It looks like three people were on the shuttle, including the baby. My guess is Seska and Cullah. I'm sorry Captain. I don't know how they..."
"No need to apologize, Mr. Suder. You've done an excellent job. Can Voyager pursue them?"
"I don't think so, Captain. Warp engines are off line."
"We'll take the shuttle," Janeway said.
"Captain," said Chakotay, "I can use the shuttle's transporter to send you back to Voyager. I think I should go alone this time."
"Very well, Commander. Send us directly to the bridge."
Tom Paris removed his com badge and phaser, handing them to Chakotay, "You may need these."
"Thanks, Paris," Chakotay replied.
Ensign Suder looked up with relief as Captain Janeway and Lieutenant Tuvok materialized in front of him. "Captain," he said, "you have the bridge."
"Thank you, Ensign," she put a hand on his shoulder. "Well done." Back on her own bridge again she was ready to give orders, "Tuvok that Kazon ship may still be in phaser range. Lock on to their engines. Let's see if we can slow them down some so we can keep up with them on impulse engines."
"Captain," said Suder, "Voyager is crawling with Kazon."
"Computer, shut off life support systems in all areas but the bridge," said Janeway. Tom, B'Elanna and Harry materialized on the bridge and took their stations.
"Gross," exclaimed Paris, "it smells like Kazon in here."
The phaser blasts from Voyager sent Cullah's ship reeling. "Our engines are gone! The warp core is venting radiation." said Seska. "We're going to have to land on the planet."
Cullah took the ship into the atmosphere of the planet.
"Chakotay," Janeway's voice came over Chakotay's com badge, "Cullah's ship is going to crash. Can you transport the child?"
"Negative, Captain. There is too much interference from the radiation. I'm going to follow them in." "We're right behind you, Chakotay. B'Elanna should have our transporter on line any minute."
Chakotay watched on his view screen as the ship in front of him was tossed about by the planet's atmosphere. 'The phaser blasts must have damaged their maneuvering thrusters', he thought. He covered his eyes as the ship slammed into the ground, flames shooting to the sky. It was a rough landing, but survivable.
Chakotay quickly landed his shuttle and ran to the mangle ship. As he circled the wreckage he hit the com badge. "Chakotay to Voyager."
"We're here, Commander," said Janeway
"Run a sensor sweep of the wreckage. Can you find any life signs?"
"No, there is too much interference from the radiation."
Chakotay pulled pieces of metal away from the wreckage, trying to get inside the ship. He stopped short when he heard the cry of a child. Moving towards the noise he continued to strip away pieces of metal, burning his hands in the process. Finally he saw the tiny form of his child. Chakotay could reach through the wreckage and touch the child, but couldn't pull him free. "I see him, Captain. But I can't get him out. Can you pick him up on your sensors yet?"
"Still too much interference. The only thing we can get is your com badge."
Chakotay looked at his com badge, then removed it from his uniform, "Lock on to the com badge, give me a ten second delay, then initiate transport." Chakotay took the com badge in his hand, reached through the wreckage, and placed it on the child. He watched as the child de-materialized.
Chakotay breathed a deep sigh of relief as he turned to go back to the shuttle. He was stopped by a familiar voice, "Where's our son, Chakotay?"
Chakotay turned to face Seska with his phaser drawn. Her face was bloody, her arms badly burned. "He's on Voyager."
"You would separate a mother from her child?"
"That's not a difficult decision. Where's Cullah?"
"Dead, probably." She moved towards him. He raised his phaser. "Are you going to kill me, Chakotay?"
"No, I could never tell my son that I killed his mother."
"Take me with you. If you leave me here I'll die anyway."
Chakotay looked at her for along moment, "That's not my problem," he said softly. He turned his back and boarded the shuttle.
Captain Janeway met Chakotay in the docking bay. "We've had to convert the holodeck to a sick bay for a while," she explained as she and Chakotay walked through the corridors. "There seems to be a problem with the sick bay holoprojectors."
"What is that smell?" Chakotay asked.
"Kazon," was the Captain's disgusted reply.
Chakotay was greeted by the Doctor as he entered the holodeck. "Your son is fine, Commander. He suffered some burns and contusions, but should make a full recovery."
Chakotay took the child from the crib and sat on one of the diagnostic beds, holding his son in his arms for the first time. Chakotay watched his child for several minutes, running his fingers along the infant's forehead, tracing the outline of his nose and cheeks. He then held the child out in front of him. Drawing a deep breath he began the ageless cycle, repeated throughout the generations, throughout the galaxies, "This is the story of our people," he said, "and of how the world came to be..."
-finis