Rescue, Part 3- Aftermath

Author's Note: Please excuse any type-O's/tech. errors including stardates and you'll enjoy this a whole lot better! Please Send comments bad/good to me at TrekVoyagr@AOL.com. Feel free to post this story to your fan fiction sites. Please remember story material is copyrighted.

By: Jeff Belter

Janeway sat in her ready room and began her log.

Captain’s Log Supplemental:

"It’s been nearly three hours since the Warki attack, and B’Elanna’s ......."(her voice became shaky) *I can’t even say it. It feels like it’s only been three minutes since I saw the viewscreen go blank.* She cleared her throat and wiped a tear out of the corner of her eye. "Computer erase the current log and restart." The computer voice echoed overhead, "acknowledged....... restarting..." Janeway began again. "It’s been nearly three hours since the Warki attack, and the loss of our chief engineer Lt. Torres. We currently have a Warki commander, picked up from his disabled ship, in the brig." *I’ve yet to visit or question him. Mainly, because it will make B’Elanna’s death that much more real. B’Elanna was more than a crew person, more than our chief engineer, she was my friend....... * Janeway continued, " The Warki will remain in our brig until I get some answers to B’Elanna’s death.... Computer end log."

*I should probably check on Tom on my way to the brig. He was not handling this well and who could blame him*

"Bridge to Captain Janeway"

Janeway was startled out of her thoughts, "Janeway here... go ahead."

"Captain, President Bronn is asking to speak with you again."

Janeway knew she had put him off long enough already. "Bridge, put him through to my ready room."

She waited a couple moments for the screen in her ready room to light up with Bronn’s image.

"Captain, it is good to talk with you. Let me take this opportunity to express the sorrow our people felt at the loss of your crewmember.

"Bronn, thank you for your concern, but I would like to get to the bottom of this attack."

"Captain, often the Warki attack with no rhyme or reason. In this case however, we may be able to help you. Our security officer has discovered that my Vice President Kenron is a Warki spy."

Janeway sat forward in her chair, "What!?"

Bronn responded, "Yes, I was as surprised as you. Apparently, the Warki did not want you helping us."

Janeway frowned as she felt her temper flaring, "Bronn, I have a Warki commander in my brig. I’m going to find out what I can from him. Is there any chance I could speak with Kenron?"

Bronn looked disturbed, "I’m sorry Captain, Kenron is being held for execution. I will see what information I can learn from him."

"Thank you, Bronn..... Voyager out."

Janeway turned in her chair stood and headed towards the door. "Janeway to Tuvok."

"Tuvok here Captain."

"Tuvok meet me in the brig."

"On my way Captain."

Janeway paused before stepping out the door. "Computer locate Tom Paris." The computer voice replied, "Tom Paris is in holodeck 1." Janeway continued out the door.....

HOLODECK 1

Tom Paris was sitting in a lounge chair lost in thought... *Why her....* he had tried for the better part of the last three hours to answer that question. He couldn’t answer it though.... and he knew he just couldn’t bring himself to accept she was gone either. He didn’t remember much about being on the bridge, nor did he want to. The memory was just too painful. He never made it to sickbay as Captain Janeway had ordered. Instead he wound up here. He had spent lots of time getting to know B’Elanna here. One of Neelix’s resort programs, and one of B’Elanna’s favorites. This is where he fell in love with B’Elanna and it seemed right to be here now. *Why her....*

The thought came again..

* I shouldn’t have left her alone.*

That’s crazy she could handle herself.

*I should have done something more to save her.*

Nothing could have saved her....

Tom’s anger grew as he fought with himself. He felt tears welling up and stinging his eyes.

*I should have told her that I love her.....*

Yes, you should have told her...

Tom hung his head in his hands, and began to cry... *It’s the one thing she’ll never know.*

Minutes passed before Tom was able to compose himself.

Tom stood up, wiped his eyes, and headed for the entrance. "Computer delete program... resort1" The computer voice returned, "Program resort1 deleted."

Tom headed out of the holodeck door and turned towards the brig. The anger in his eyes helped hold back the flood of emotions that he knew would overtake him if he stopped and thought about her. No, ..... he had a purpose. He was going to make the Warki pay for his pain.

BRIG

Janeway & Tuvok entered the brig. There housed behind forcefields was the lone Warki. As Janeway & Tuvok stepped to the entrance of the cell, the Warki spoke. "Captain, I am Commander Denkar of the Warki."

Janeway was not in the mood for pleasantries, "Denkar, I want to know why you attacked our shuttle and ship, and just who is responsible..?"

Denkar turned and sat down in the cell, "We did not attack you. We received information that your shuttle would be attacked. We came to assist."

Janeway was clearly convinced Denkar was lying. With the exchanged glance between her and Tuvok she knew Tuvok didn’t believe Denkar either.

"You came to assist.! We were attacked when we entered orbit by your people!"

"Captain" Denkar replied, "Until today I’ve never laid eyes on your ship."

Before Denkar uttered another word Janeway interrupted, "You expect me to believe you! How did you know about the shuttle!"

Denkar tried to choose his words carefully, "We had inside information."

Janeway shook her head slightly from side to side, "You mean a spy. Someone to help with the attack."

Denkar, furious stood up and approached the forcefield, "No! We did not attack!"

During the commotion the doors from the hallway to the brig opened and closed.

Janeway started to respond, " This spy wouldn’t happen to be the Vice Pr......."

Her voice trailed off as she picked up movement out of the corner of her eye. *Tom...?*

Tom closed the distance between his current position and the cell entrance in seconds.

Janeway turned in his direction, "Tom......what are you....." before she could finish Tom had deactivated the forcefield, and was entering the cell... "Tom.!..", Janeway tried to reach for his arm.

He brushed her aside. He was there to find out *why* and make someone pay for it.

*Tom* He heard Captain Janeway’s voice but it seemed to be very distant. He had entered the cell, and although the Warki commander towered above him, he lashed out. Out of nowhere he unloaded with a wild right. His fist connecting with Denkar’s left temple.

Denkar staggered back a step or two.

Tom was yelling now, "Why did you kill her!"

Denkar started to reply, "I di..........."

But was interrupted as Tom roared, stepped back, then rushed forward slamming Denkar into the back wall of the cell.

Denkar winced as he took the brunt of Tom's blows, then tried to push him back.

Tom continued to punch wildly, oblivious to all around him.

"Lt. Paris this course of action is unwise.", Tuvok said as he laid his hand on Tom’s lower neck.

*Lt. Paris this course of action is unwise.* He thought he heard Tuvok’s voice right before everything went black.

Tuvok had decided to end the brawl. It would not serve their interests to have Tom kill Denkar.

Tuvok carried Tom out of the cell, and reactivated the forcefield.

Janeway & Tuvok left the brig half carrying, half dragging Tom. Janeway turned towards Denkar; "I’ll be back in a few hours and when I return I want answers." Denkar nodded his agreement as he wiped the blood from his lips.

HOURS LATER

Janeway was about to head back down to the Brig. When the intercom sounded, "Bridge to Captain Janeway"

"Janeway here go ahead."

"Captain, President Bronn would like to talk to you."

"Put him through....."

Bronn’s face appeared on the screen, "Captain, I wanted to thank you for all your help with repairs and wish you a speedy journey."

Janeway looked confused, "Bronn, what about questioning Kenron?"

Bronn looked surprised, "Captain, I’m surprised you haven’t heard. Kenron was killed earlier today by fellow prisoners. It seems even prisoners do not like spies. We thought it would be best for you to leave now, before the Warki return."

Janeway studied his face for a moment then replied, "Thank you for your help Bronn. Good luck."

Janeway clicked off the screen. *I’m not leaving yet Bronn. Not until I find out what happened here.*

"Janeway to Bridge"

Harry replied, "Bridge here."

"Take us out of orbit and head towards the Warki planet."

Janeway stood and headed back down towards the Brig......

B’Elanna?

<drip> <drip> The sound of water splashing into a puddle....

The crackling of fire.... The cold damp feeling of a cave......

*B’Elanna, I’ve come to ask you to join me for a picnic.*

*Tom?*

*I’m here B’Elanna.... I’ll always be here for you....*

*Tom, is that you.......... Where are you?*

Slowly the blackness began to recede. The black haze dancing before her eyes gradually gave way to blurred shadows, and finally her eyesight focused in on her surroundings............

Trying not to focus on the pounding in her head..... She glanced around. She seemed to be in a small cell. Located either underground, or in some sort of cave. The only lighting was provided by torches hung on the walls. She didn’t immediately see anyone around, and glanced down for her communicator badge. Her heart sank when she realized it was missing....

B’Elanna heard approaching footsteps, and looked expectantly in that direction. A man entered and slid a plate of food through the bars. B’Elanna walked forward, "Who are you!?.... Why are you keeping me locked up!?...."

The man turned to offer his reply, "We are Warki. You’re our prisoner. We will explain your purpose for being here in time."

B’Elanna’s anger got the better of her and she began screaming at him and desperately shaking the bars, "Let Me OUT!!" A smile appeared on the man’s face as he turned his back and walked out.

B’Elanna slid to the cell floor, and buried her head in her hands........

*Tom, where are you......I need you.....*

Her lip trembled.....

VOYAGER

Janeway & Chakotay had plenty of time to talk with Denkar. Both enroute and now settling into orbit around the Warki home planet. Denkar continued to claim that they had no part in the attack. Even more distressing were his claims that the Conda were actually the ones to blame. *There’s never a good telepath around when you needed one.* Janeway thought to herself. Janeway interrupted, "Denkar I find this all very hard to believe. The Conda were very friendly. They even let some of our crew visit the planet."

"Yes Captain, but you have not been to the northern most land zone."

Denkar continued, "The northern land zone is almost barren. It is where the Warki are sent who do not obey the Council. There you either starve to death, or die in the harsh climate."

Janeway glanced at Chakotay. Chakotay spoke, "Maybe we need to know a little more about this assassination attempt on President Bronn."

Denkar, some what subdued, spoke quietly, "Many of us were dying. We knew the council was to blame. We tried to end it’s reign, but failed. Many of us were slaughtered; as a result, those of us who were able fled. The rest were left behind. We only attack Conda now for food, and to free our people." Denkar paused and looked up at Janeway, "The Conda people used you Captain to strengthen their defenses so we would be unable to get through them."

Janeway sat back in her chair shocked...... "Denkar, of course we would like to believe you."

"I wish there were some way to prove it to you Captain."

Chakotay spoke up, "Captain, if Denkar would be willing. Perhaps Tuvok may be of some assistance."

Janeway nodded. She knew exactly what Commander Chakotay was suggesting. A Vulcan mind meld. "Denkar would you be willing to submit yourself to a procedure that would allow Lt. Tuvok to ‘see’ your thoughts."

Denkar considered the proposition for a moment, "Yes, Captain I agree..."

"Janeway to Lt. Tuvok."

"Tuvok here Captain."

"Tuvok we need your assistance in the conference room."

"Aye Captain. On my way."

B’Elanna

B’Elanna’s eyes flew open. When a sudden chill filled the air, she involuntarily shivered. She looked around at the cold rock walls. The flickering torchlight provided the only light, and she realized that she had no way of knowing how long she had been trapped here, or where Voyager was. B’Elanna looked back at the cell door. She had already tried all the bars and knew she was trapped. With diminishing hope her thoughts turned to Tom. She thought about how wonderfully charming he had been earlier, arranging the picnic for her. She smiled in spite of her surroundings. *Tom ...... You always could make me smile.*

*I wish I could be sure of how you felt*

You see it. You feel it. You know.

*I should have made more time for ‘us’*

But, you never did.

*I shouldn’t have been so....... so... Klingon.*

It’s part of who you are.

*I should have told him that I love him.*

Yes, you should have.......

Her silent dialogue was interrupted with a blow that doubled her over. B’Elanna looked up to see a Warki guard towering over her.

"Next time you answer when spoken to."

B’Elanna’s anger overwhelmed her, although sometimes an unwanted burden throughout her life, she embraced the Klingon rage now. B’Elanna quickly rose to her feet, using both hands struck the Warki under the jaw, breaking it. She then knocked him backward out of the cell’s door. B’Elanna ran out of the cell looking for a way out. She turned to her left and saw another Warki approaching at a sprint. B’Elanna turned to face him, wishing she had something to hit him with. She dodged a wild punch, and kicked him in the knee. The blow threw him off balance and out of her way. Without warning B’Elanna was struck from behind. The pain was incredible. She fell to her knees and almost blacked out. The Warki soldiers dragged her back into the cell and slammed the door. B’Elanna watched silently as they stood peering at her through the bars. She suddenly realized that someone else was watching, barely recognizable as the torchlight danced shadows across the figure's face..... B’Elanna gasped......Her face lost all color...... *Bronn!? *

To Be Continued... Part 4- Revelations

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