| Heaven Is Where The Coffee Is - Part 3 By Voyagetostars Oops - I missed Part 1 Click HERE to go back. Oh no, I read Part 1 but where's Part 2? Click HERE to go there.
"Janeway to engineering."
"Yes captain," responded B'Elanna over the sounds of the fire suppression system.
"Propulsion status?"
"We're dead in the water, captain. Warp systems are down as well as impulse engines and starboard maneuvering thrusters. I have teams on both the engines and the thrusters."
"The nacelles?"
"That's the primary reason warp is down, the port nacelle is almost completely severed. We'll need a space dock at a minimum to repair them. I know, not likely so we'll figure a work around."
"Our attackers were not damaged severely and may be going for reinforcements."
"I'll have a status report to you within the hour." The channel closed.
"Any sign of that ship?" she asked Tuvok.
"Negative captain, nor any others."
She opened a ship wide channel. "All hands go to yellow alert. Forward all damage reports to Commander Chakotay." She closed the channel. "Mr. Paris, orbit status?"
"We can maintain it captain, even without the starboard thrusters."
"EMH to captain."
"Go ahead Doctor."
"I could use some help in sickbay."
"I'll send Mr. Paris." She looked to her first officer who promptly tapped the helmsman on the shoulder.
"I've got it." Paris briskly left the bridge as the senior checked the controls, finally routing his communications channel through the board.
"Mr. Tuvok, Mr. Kim, I want an analysis of that ship, its weapons, and how we can defend ourselves. How did they get so close without our knowing? Are there other hidden ships in this system?"
"Scanners are currently impaired captain. We had no warning before the attack according to Mr. Ayala."
"Mr. Ayala?" she asked, knowing he had been covering beta shift at tactical. She stepped up to the tactical station.
"Yes captain," answered the former Maquis stepping away from Tuvok. "I had just completed a system scan before the attack. Nothing was there, no anomalies, no ships, nothing different than the last six scans on previous duty shifts." He shook his head. "There wasn't any sign of decloaking, one minute nothing, the next we were under fire. I raised shields and sounded the alert."
"Good work, thank you."
Meanwhile Jenkins switched places with Chakotay at the helm. Janeway noted his deepening frown with one of her own.
"Commander?"
"It's not good captain. Every section has sustained damage except, believe it or not the cargo bays."
"So we have supplies for repairs."
"Except with the extent of repair work it'll be weeks before we'll have warp power."
"Casualties?"
"Everyone is accounted for but there are some caught behind emergency force fields, transporters are down. No deaths, several are pending emergency surgery."
"Janeway to Seven."
"Yes captain."
"I'd like you to find us a hiding place in system while we make repairs."
"Yes captain, there's a small asteroid field near the fifth planet. If we go dark there it will provide some concealment."
"Ensign Jenkins, set a course there as soon a you have impulse engines."
"Aye captain."
"Chakotay, notify everyone of a senior staff meeting at 2000 hours."
"Aye captain."
"And so captain, we have no choice, we're going to have to set her down." B'Elanna leaned back as the holographic projection of Voyager rotated in the center of the table.
"Will the nacelle hold up?" asked Chakotay.
"I don't know, that's why I'm suggesting the M-Class moon of the fourth planet." The hologram changed to a system view. "It's a marginal Class M at that - has low gravity, with mild weather patterns though a bit chilly with an ambient air temperature of minus 20 degrees Centigrade. The minerals aren't anything to write home about but our resupply has taken care of that." She changed the view back to Voyager and highlighted several points on the hull. "By positioning structural integrity generators at these points we should be able to land safely."
"Mr. Tuvok," asked Chakotay.
"Our initial scans showed no indications of sentient life forms on any of the planets." He activated the system view and several points of light appeared. "I recommend placing passive warning buoys at these locations in case the ship returns." He steepled his hands. "We must also consider the possibility that it is still in the system, hidden from our sensors."
"Doctor?"
"We're ready for casualties, likely if we lose the nacelle. There are five inpatients who will be released tomorrow, assuming no deterioration."
"Seven?"
"I have no further information."
"That concludes the staff reports captain."
"Very well. We'll land the ship for repairs. B'Elanna how long to get those generators in place?"
"Three hours captain."
"Tuvok, you have three and a half hours to get those probes placed, use the Delta Flyer and Culhane. At local dawn we'll land the ship and I want you back on board."
"Aye captain."
"As for repairs, our first priority must be to the nacelle and the drive systems. Next are structural integrity, hull, shields and sensors. I want the repairs finished as quickly as possible so we can leave this system before our friends return." She looked around the table. "The attack may have be a simple misunderstanding but I would prefer not to debate the issue. Questions? Dismissed."
At the appointed time. "Engineering and all other sections report ready captain."
"Very well. Go to code blue alert. Vent plasma conduits. Take us in Mr. Paris."
"Aye captain."
With a loud groan the battered ship landed in a clearing on the edge of a frozen lake.
"Secure all stations. Mr. Tuvok deploy your security teams. Commander Chakotay camouflage is your assignment, take whoever you need. Ensign Kim the bridge is yours, I'll be in engineering."
A chorus of ‘Aye captain's’ echoed across the bridge as she exited.
"Mr. Paris you're with me," said Chakotay getting up from his chair. The pilot touched the last control on his board and followed him. "Chakotay to Crewmen Chell, Dalby and Lessing, report to the landing ramp in ten minutes, prepared for cold weather duty."
"Aye sir," came the separate responses.
It didn't take Chakotay's team long to deploy large camouflage webbing to help blend the ship into the background. The webbing would also diffuse the energy readings the ship normally generated. Meanwhile Tuvok deployed his security teams to erect a secure perimeter around the ship. Surface scans indicated a scattering of large predators nearby. With the teams deployed engineers could work on the outside hull in relative safety or so they thought. However during the first night the security teams had to be reinforced three times as several personnel, from both security and engineering, sustained severe injuries. The attacking animals looked like a cross between polar bear and a Komodo dragon with the tusks of a walrus and the bad temper of all three.
Janeway convened a brief meeting before alpha shift the next morning. "Based on the Doctor's analysis of the local predators as night pack hunters we will only work outside until local dusk, 1900 hours ship time. There is more than enough to do on board during the rest of the hours. Mr. Tuvok I don't want our guard to drop. Those animals tasted us last night. That may embolden them to launch day attacks."
"Aye captain. We're attempting to track them so we can anticipate any approach for effective defense. However scans are ineffective beyond 50 meters. I do not recommend extending our positions as this would increase the chance of detection from orbit."
"Agreed." She looked around the table. "Questions? Let's do it."
Throughout the day a steady series of reports filtered to the bridge marking the slow progress of the repairs. The captain spent a good part of the day in astrometrics studying the system scans as well as the travel information provided by Suzit Confederacy. This left Chakotay the more direct supervision of repairs.
Chakotay made a stop in engineering on his way to pry the captain out of astrometrics for a meal. B'Elanna was easy to find by following the sound of Klingon curses.
"P’taq. Carey, you worthless targ bait, get yourself inside now," she bellowed over the comm system. "The captain will have both of our hides if she finds out you're still out there."
"Just another minute or two lieutenant. I've almost got this section locked down."
Chakotay frowned. The last report transmitted by security indicated all were back on board. He moved swiftly to B'Elanna's station. "It's too late B'Elanna," he interrupted, reaching around her to key the channel. "Lieutenant Carey, inside NOW."
The was sudden silence at the other end then a meek, "Aye sir."
"Chakotay to Tuvok, Lieutenant Carey is still outside. Send a team to the ventral airlock to ensure he gets in safely."
"Acknowledged."
"Lieutenant Torres, Lieutenant Carey, I want to see both of you in my office in five minutes."
"Er sir, decon takes ten minutes," said Carey over the sounds of scrambling down the hull.
"Fifteen minutes then, both of you." He stormed out, again triggering his comm badge. "Tuvok, how did Lieutenant Carey remain outside without us knowing about it?"
"I am endeavoring to find that out commander. No one else is outside, verified by life signs. You will have a report shortly."
Precisely fifteen minutes later the chime to Chakotay's office rang.
"Come," was the stern command.
Both entered and stood at attention, Carey’s face already red.
"Lieutenant Torres, can you explain why a member of your team was still on the hull at 1915 hours when there were specific instructions to have the ship buttoned up by 1900 hours?"
"Sir, it was . . ."
"I'll get to you in a minute Lieutenant Carey. Well Torres?"
"No excuse sir." she answered unhappily, sensing Chakotay's mood wouldn't allow any mitigation.
"I'll agree to that." He focused his attention on the Starfleet engineer. "And you Lieutenant Carey, was any part of Lieutenant Torres' instructions unclear?"
"No sir but . . ."
"Did I ask for an explanation?" he said sharply.
"No sir."
"Do you realize you endangered not only yourself but the ship as well? Not to mention any security teams needed to rescue you?"
"But sir the section was almost locked down."
Next to him B'Elanna growled softly. +Shut up Carey+ she thought vigorously, +don't make this any worse.+
"Mr. Carey, it wasn't your decision to make. Additionally you were violated the clear if colorful orders of your chief, is this not correct?"
"Yes sir," he admitted, feeling the hostility radiating off the woman next to him.
"Chakotay, agreed he was out of line but allow me to handle this. Sir," she added quickly at his deep scowl. +Damn, his Look is getting as potent as the captain’s.+
"Obviously that has not been effective lieutenant," he answered with heavy emphasis on the rank. "I am aware you are both working double shifts so I will not impose additional duty but you are both restricted to quarters when not on duty or at meals for the next two weeks. Dismissed."
The two exited the office quickly and headed for the turbolift.
"Chief, I'm really sorry."
"You should be. What were you thinking? You know what those polar lizards can do - you saw Gilmore's leg."
"How's she doing?"
"Doc says it'll be a couple of days before she's released and a few weeks of rehab but at least she won't lose it. But don't change the subject."
"I almost had section 147 complete and that would have given us direct power to the upper pylon."
"I know what that would have meant but it wouldn't have gotten us off this rock any quicker not to mention the fact that it would have impeded our efforts if you had gotten yourself killed. Besides how would I have explained it to your wife when we get back?" She sighed explosively. "Go get something to eat then report back to engineering - I'll hold the fort until you get back."
"Computer, location of Captain Janeway."
"Captain Janeway is in Astrometrics."
"Tuvok to Chakotay."
He restrained an impulse to sigh. "Go ahead Tuvok."
"I have determined how Lieutenant Carey remained outside without our knowledge."
"The short version please."
"Team Bravo, headed by Ensign Ayala failed to conduct a site walk through nor a visual inspection of the working areas under their responsibility, instead they relied on sensor readings. Additionally they failed to verify that all personnel were on board through the computer system. I have placed them on report and will personally see to their additional training."
Chakotay did not envy Team Bravo and their impending remedial training. "Forward me your full report at your earliest convenience."
"Aye sir." He left his office, determined to get his captain to the mess hall. He swept into the lab to find both Janeway and Seven examining a small area of the sector charts.
"I agree Seven, these readings are indicative of our attackers. Continue the automated scans for that signature." She straightened and turned, stopping at the sight of her First Officer. "Commander?"
"Captain I have the latest status reports," he said raising a PADD. "I thought we could go over them in the mess hall."
"Hmm, is it that time already?"
"Yes captain, past time, nearly 2030 hours. However Mr. Neelix is holding two trays for us."
"Another conspiracy." She laughed briefly and held up a hand. "Don't try to explain Chakotay, I agree, I could use something to eat. Seven, don't forget your own meal and rest."
"Yes captain, I will comply."
The pair exited astrometrics. "Anything I need to know about?"
"Food first captain," he answered, knowing if she insisted he would certainly answer.
"Chakotay," she answered without heat.
"You've been skipping meals again captain, the Doctor will not be pleased."
She gave a very unladylike snort. "For someone who doesn't eat he worries too much about the quantity everyone else does. Deck two," she ordered the turbolift.
"We're making good progress captain."
"That's it? All right I'll be patient." They entered the mess hall.
"Good evening captain, it's good to see you, and you too commander. Why don't you take a seat and I'll bring you your supper. Tonight's dinner was very popular with the crew, a delicate seafood blend seasoned with just a touch of pepper served over a three grain melody. For dessert I have prepared several choices including fresh fruit, plain cake, and roasted berries just bursting with flavor."
She held up her hand. "I'm sure it's all delicious Neelix. Perhaps you could bring a pot of coffee too?"
His face fell. "Ah there's a bit of a problem captain, I just sent the last pot to the bridge with Harry. I can prepare another pot but it will take a while." She turned a glare at her first officer who spread his hands in mock helplessness. "That's all right Mr. Neelix, whatever you have will be fine."
"I'll get the food," he bustled off.
"What?" asked Chakotay steering both of them to their favorite window side table as she looked at him with deep suspicion.
"Neelix out of coffee, even the substitute? Why do I have trouble picturing this?"
"It's cold outside," he offered avoiding the question.
"So we've had a run on coffee?"
"And all other hot drinks," answered Neelix balancing two trays and a pot. He unloaded them. "Enjoy."
The captain looked around the sparsely populated room. "Why does Carey look so hang dog?" she asked as the normally cheerful engineer left his table and the mess with scarcely a word to anyone.
"A matter of discipline captain, please eat."
"Carey?" she asked incredulously but she speared a forkful of something pink and chewed.
He nodded relieved she was finally eating. "Part of the update." He activated his PADD and began a running commentary on the ship's status between bites. He ended with "Tuvok has the team in remedial training and Harry's got the bridge." He noted she had finished the meal and was now sipping the herbal blend. "A personal request Kathryn."
"Yes Chakotay?" she replied looking over the top of the cup.
"Get some sleep."
"Yes mother," she answered. He looked at her in shock. "What's the matter commander, surprised I know when I need to rest?"
"Who are you and where's my captain?" he answered without missing a beat.
She sighed. "I guess I deserve that but even I know I can't go weeks without sleep. I will be going to bed as soon as I review the reports a final time."
"Then I can walk you to your quarters?" he asked employing his dimples to encourage her decision.
"Certainly, if you're going that way."
A week later at the now standard predawn staff call.
"We've completed the external repairs on the port pylon which will speed the internal repairs. We've also made significant progress on the internal power grid. Now for the bad news. We have found external damage on the starboard pylon attachment points. I'm dedicating two teams to make a complete survey of the hull since the damage had not shown up on any of the standard scans."
"Any idea of the cause?"
"No captain, and no telling how long this could have been developing."
The captain nodded. "Commander Tuvok, we'll need extra security."
"Aye captain, I will adjust the patrols."
"Commander," she said turning the meeting back to her First Officer.
"Ensign Kim?"
"Yes sir?" he asked somewhat distractedly.
"Your report on repelling the polar lizards."
"Er nothing new, we've been trying to identify what attracts them with the objective to create decoys to divert them but we're not having any luck," his voice held frustration.
"That concludes the staff reports, captain."
"Do you need any further help on the hull survey?"
"No captain, but depending on the results we may need additions to external work crews."
"Keep me posted. Anything else? Let's do it."
"Hey Harry wait up," called his friend as he entered the mess hall.
"Oh hi Tom."
"What's up?"
"What do you mean?"
"You seemed awfully distracted in the staff meeting." They went to a table and began to eat.
"I'm just tired Tom, I haven't been sleeping well."
"Why don't you see the Doctor?"
"I did. His answer was less caffeine, more exercise, and warm milk. I hate warm milk."
Tom smiled, picturing the scene in sickbay. "I know what you need Harry, a night off. Why don't you come to Sandrine's, shoot some pool, you know unwind."
"The holodecks are shut down while the internal grid is under repair."
Tom shook his head. "You were out of it in staff meeting. The captain okayed two hours of holodeck time each shift using stock programs of the Resort and Sandrine's in holodecks one and two. You're not the only one showing the strain."
"I don't know, besides won't you have a date with B'Elanna?"
"I know I'm not going to be able to pry her out of engineering and she's still restricted to quarters when not on duty." The helmsman smiled in memory. "Things could be worse."
"I don't think I want to know any more. Any idea what this is?" he asked poking at the food.
"Not a clue but it tastes good." He saw something across the room. "Well would you look at that."
"What?" he asked following the other's gaze.
"Don't you see them?"
"Who? You mean the captain and Chakotay? They're just eating lunch."
"Harry, Harry, Harry, look at them. How often do you see the captain here for lunch?"
"Hmm, you may be right. I know Neelix usually brings her a tray."
"And I noticed that he's being much more protective of her, ever since we left the Suzit Confederacy."
"Tom, remember what the captain said about gossip."
"Harry, I'm not saying anything about the dinner, I know better but I certainly can observe public events."
"Events, Tom I think your imagination is working overtime or maybe I'm too tired to see it. I think I'll take you up on that pool game tonight, I've got to get some sleep, one way or another."
"And if that doesn't work, there's always warm milk."
Two weeks after landing during morning staff call.
"Captain, I believe we have a problem with the local predator population," stated Tuvok. "Since yesterday the population has increased more than tenfold and more are arriving every hour. Overnight they attacked the forward landing strut causing moderate damage. Only the heaviest stun disables them but recovery time averages only 24.5 minutes."
"We have thrusters and maneuvering engines right B'Elanna?"
"Full power is available for both."
"Do you have a suggestion on where we can move too?"
Harry spoke up. "There's a spot on a frozen island on the other side if the planet. There doesn't seem to be any significant concentrations of these polar lizards within a hundred kilometers." The planetary hologram rotated above the table, their current position lit by a green signal and the proposed one in purple.
"It must be noted that there weren't any in the immediate area when we landed," stated Seven coldly.
"Agreed, but we need to buy some time," added Chakotay.
"We move," said Janeway.
Scarcely another week passed when the morning brought a repeat of an earlier meeting.
"Again I must recommend relocation," stated Tuvok. "The predator population has exceeded the number at the former site. I cannot explain the rapid increase in the population."
"No way to repel them?"
"Still nothing," reported Chakotay, "that does not increase our background signature. I must admit though the simple migration patterns are already visible from space."
"Something is clearly attracting the to us but we haven't discovered what it is," added Harry.
"B'Elanna, how soon to warp power?"
"I might be able to give you warp 2 for a short time but that's it. We have full impulse and maneuvering thrusters but otherwise nothing else is sure."
"Range?"
"Best case ten light years, worse case we blow up." She noted the expressions around the table. "Or dump the warp core," she amended.
Janeway looked to Chakotay who picked up the report order. "Doctor?"
"I must concur with Commander Tuvok. The injuries from these polar lizards are very slow to heal even with advanced techniques at my disposal. No one is in serious danger however I cannot guarantee that status will continue."
"Neelix?"
"We've been going through our food supplies but I've been able to catch some of the local seafood which has added a nice supplement to our meals. Morale is down a bit due, I think, to the continuing attacks."
"Seven?"
"Since eradication of the predators is not considered acceptable our only option is to move."
"Anything new on our attackers?"
"Negative. I have reexamined all the Borg data links and find no match."
"Ensign Kim?"
"Ongoing scans show no sign of our attackers."
"Mister Paris?"
"Helm is ready for your order captain."
"I don't think we have much of a choice. Something is clearly attracting the lizards and eradication is not an option. We have had no sign of our previous attackers and we don't know how long that will last. There is a system five light years from here which according to the Suzit has a number of class M planets with the possibility of trade. Prepare to get underway."
Hours later the ship slowly lifted from the surface, leaving a number of hungry polar lizards behind.
"Engineering reports all systems stable," said Chakotay.
"Tuvok?
"Scans are clear." He saw no need to mention that had been the same readings as immediately before the last attack.
"Best speed to system boundary then take us to warp one Mr. Paris."
"Aye captain."
Time went by quietly as they crossed the imaginary line marking the orbit of the fifth planet then the ship rocked violently with weapons fire.
"Damn," swore Tom as he frantically turned Voyager hard to port to avoid the massive ship suddenly appearing before them. "Big brother is here." And clearly the ship was a direct relative of the smaller, earlier attacker.
"Red alert," ordered Janeway. "Shields. Where did that ship come from?"
"Shields at seventy percent and holding," reported Harry after a second impact.
"As before there was no indication of their presence. We are being scanned."
"All sections are reporting red alert status," relayed Chakotay.
"Open a channel. This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the starship Voyager to the unknown vessel. Hold your fire so we can discuss our differences."
"No response."
"Back us off Mr. Paris, slowly."
The ship shuddered with a weapons blast.
"Captain, I believe that based on sensor readings that their weapons are not at full power."
The ship began to vibrate strongly.
"We're in a tractor beam, it's holding us in position."
"Try to break us free Tom."
The helmsman frantically worked his controls. "It's no use captain."
On cue B'Elanna's voice sounded across the comm system. "Engines are reaching critical levels, we need to reduce power."
"Hold position. Mr. Kim broadcast standard greetings."
"Scans are continuing, " reported Tuvok. "They are accessing out computer system. I cannot block them." Voyager began to shudder with continuous low powered weapon fire.
"Target their weapons and fire."
"Minimal damage."
"Maintain firing. I want information on their weak points."
"I don't see any weak points but what about a tachyon burst through the deflector to break the tractor beam?" offered Harry.
"Try it."
Consoles sparked around the bridge as a new volley impacted the shields.
"No effect. Shields down to fifty percent."
"Sickbay is reporting casualties. Environmental failures on decks nine and eleven, damage control has evacuated affected areas."
"Shields are beginning to fail."
"They could have destroyed us why are they taking this much time?" asked Chakotay, almost under his breath.
Janeway looked at him, realization dawning. "The ship, they want Voyager. Computer activate self destruct."
"Unable to comply, self destruct is off line."
"What? Computer, specify damage to self destruct system."
"There is no damage to self destruct system."
"Computer, why is self destruct off line?"
"All self destruct functions have been placed under level twelve security. No one with that level has activated the system."
"Level twelve, there's no such level."
"Apparently the computer believes there is."
"Captain, receiving incoming transmission, audio only."
"Maybe we can finally get some answers. Put them on."
A deep voice echoed throughout the ship. "Voyager, surrender for judgment."
The fiery redhead stood up. Voyager will not surrender. As for judgment, we have nothing to be judged for."
"So be it."
"Channel is closed."
Everything went still as the weapons fire ceased.
"Boarding parties?" offered Chakotay.
"I think you may be right. Deploy intruder response teams."
Tuvok issued the appropriate orders as the bridge officers armed themselves from the weapons locker. A slightly different hiss attracted Chakotay's attention.
"Do you smell something?"
"Neurozine. Computer, disable . . ." ON TO PART 4 | |
