Rescue
Why had things been so quiet? It was never this quiet on the bridge. Janeway thought. Something has to be wrong.
She was right. Harry Kim announced to her that there was a fluctuation in the transporter system.
" Origin Mr. Kim?" she prodded.
" Torres says that the fluctuation in transporter is intentional."
" What?!" she said standing up. Commander Chakotay and herself ran toward his console.
" Someone is causing the transporter safeties to override themselves. The transporters are vulnerable to anyone's use."
He paused for a moment.
" Unauthorized transport in progress!"
Before she could ask any questions, She began to shimmer out of existence.
" What the..... Where is she?!" Yelled Chakotay.
" I dunno. She's ..just..gone," Harry Kim stated, although he was startled at his commander's tone of voice.
" What do you mean she's just gone! Make her un-gone!"
" What?"
" Get her back!"
" Aye sir."
WHEN CAPTAIN JANEWAY MATERIALIZED SHE REALIZED SHE WAS IN the transporter room along with 6 unidentified aliens. A tall man stood out from the crowd. Kathryn assumed He was their leader and she was right.
" Why am I here?"
" You will speak only when spoken to. Understand?!"
" What do you want?"
" I asked you a question! Do you understand?!" he screamed tossing her to the ground. She touched her fingers to the place where she had struck her chin. Just as she suspected, her lip was bleeding and to her distress, she found a large, painful bruise on her chin.
"Contact your first officer. Let me speak to him." he barked. She reached for her commbadge.
" Janeway to Chakotay."
" Chakotay here Captain. What happened?"
"Your captain has been taken hostage. I want to discuss ransom."
" Fine. Where are you?"
"Your transporter room on deck seven."
"I can be down there in ten minutes. Agreed?"
"Agreed. Ten minutes. One second late and your captain dies."
"Alright. Cut the comm link. Harry.... Have a full security detail on Deck seven. Guard every access point. We don't want our new friends escaping. Try to shut down the transporter. I'll be in the transporter room." And he left.
Walking at a very fast pace down to deck seven he thought to himself.... I have to get down there before they hurt Kathryn. I can't let them hurt her. And he walked faster.
Finally he made it to the transporter room.
As he walked in the door a tall dark man from a race unknown to him held the captain tightly and without mercy. A few other men were counting down to the time when they could kill her.
" I'm here," He said.
" Good. I won't have to kill her," he said throwing her to the ground hard. The way he threw her around made his stomach turn. He was treating her like a stuffed toy thrown to a dog. He didn't care. Chakotay ran over to Kathryn. He saw her lip was bleeding and she had a bruise on her chin. She was barely conscious.
" Why are you hurting her? She didn't do anything to you!" he screamed.
"She is my hostage. It is customary among my people to injure our prisoners to show that we are serious about our threats. Problem?" He said sarcastically.
" As a matter-of-fact I do. I think you should let her go and leave
before you or your guards get themselves hurt."
" Brave words, but they are only words. I want your ship. Give it to me and I will spare your girlfriend and her crew."
" I'm sorry, but the answer is no. Give her up or I'll blow you up like a balloon."
"Really? I don't think you will. I know your people are attempting to shut down the transporter. They will fail. I have put an encryption code on all of the controls. I can blow up this ship in the blink of an eye. Transport us to the vessel off of your port bow. That's an order."
" I'm sorry, but I only take orders from Captain Kathryn Janeway. And I don't believe that is you."
The alien punched Chakotay in the nose and grabbed Kathryn. She did not put up a fight only groaned at the new pain. He pressed a phaser to her neck and ordered again to be transported to his ship.
" The answer is still no."
He pressed harder.
" The transporter. Now."
" Fine. Give me the encryption sequence, and I'll transport you and the others to your ship. You have my word."
" Good. The encryption sequence is 4456892197."
As Chakotay worked he listened to the way the strange man talked to his men. They talked about a work camp, and that Kathryn would make a good company girl.
" Good choice..... Sending us to our ship, I mean. I wouldn't want to kill your girlfriend. You know..... You two do make a cute couple. Too bad you're going to be separated for the rest of your lives."
" What do you mean?"
" I mean that Kathryn will be sent to a work camp. One that is not merciful. The people there are unruly. I hear that workers die from exhaustion and disease. Too bad for her," he said pointing to Kathryn.
" She is kind-of sweet. I would have liked to have been her friend. Well.... Aren't you done yet?!
" Yes,"he said startled at the strange man's change of voice," I am. No tricks. The next place you'll be is on your ship," he said hoping that Kathryn would be on a separate pad so he could transport her to sickbay. Of course she wasn't.
"Chakotay to the Bridge."
"Kim here Commander."
" Harry, I'm transporting our guests to their ship. Lower the shields."
" Shields down, Sir."
" Energizing." Chakotay frowned at the familiar whine of the transporter. A small tear trickled down his cheek as he watched Kathryn and her captors vanish before his eyes.
WHEN KATHRYN WOKE UP SHE WAS ON A SHIP SHE DID NOT recognize. She tried to sit up. She made it half way and became dizzy. She heard a voice. The sweet voice of innocence calling her. It was telling her to lie still. It was fuzzy at first then it cleared.
"Hold still. It's almost out of power." It was the voice of a young child. Maybe eleven or twelve earth years in age. She was passing a dermal regenerator over her chin and her lip.
" There. Done," She said finally. The child held Kathryn's arm and helped her to a sitting position.
" I'm Sarah. I am supposed to bring your food to you. I snuck this dermal regenerator in with me. Who are you?" she asked quietly.
"I'm....." she said and couldn't get it out. Her temples throbbed. She tried again." I'm... Kathryn.. Janeway...Captain Of the .." Sarah finished her sentence. "Of the Federation Starship Voyager. I know."
" How?" Asked Kathryn.
" Hold still," She said and she injected Kathryn with an unusual hypo spray. The pain eased. It was easier to talk now.
" How do you know who I am?"
" I didn't know your name, but I knew you were a captain. I met a charming young woman named ..... Kes. That's it. She told me of you. Your kindness, strength, generosity, and your willingness to help others. I downloaded her database and studied about Voyager. You are one of my role models. A major one at that."
" You know Kes?"
" I did know Kes."
" What do you mean?"
" One of the ships my commanding officer sent out, was ordered to destroy Kes's ship. We detected debris for weeks." Kathryn let out a small sigh of sadness over her dead friend.
" I want to help you," Sarah said suddenly. She said it so quickly that Kathryn had barely heard it.
" What? How?"
" I am well respected for my age. I would like to think I have some say in what goes on around here. I will try to convince Zaire to release you back to your ship." Kathryn was amazed at the young girl's generosity toward her. If Sarah could convince what's-his-name to release her, she could get back to Chakotay and the others.
"Thank you,"Kathryn said finally." I really am grateful."
"You're welcome, but I haven't done anything yet. With a little luck, you'll be back on your ship within two days. I have to go. I'll see you later. Bye."
" Goodbye and good luck, Sarah." Two days she thought I still have to be in here for two days. I wonder what Chakotay is doing right now. Is he having a party that I'm gone? Or is he crying over me? I would prefer the latter to the former. Since I'll be here so long, I had better get some rest.
"HARRY, CAN WE TRACE HER COMMBADGE?"
" No sir. Her commbadge has been removed."
"Great, " he said under his breath.
" Sir?" Harry asked.
" Nothing. Tag that ship and keep scanning for it. I'll be in my quarters. Tuvok you have the bridge." Chakotay walked down to his quarters on deck four. He tried to smile along the way, but it didn't exactly work. By the time he reached his quarters, he had tears rolling down his cheeks. He rushed into the room hoping no one had seen him cry. But at this point he really didn't care. He heavily sat down in the large chair in front of his desk. His console was on and waiting for him to do something. It took him about 30 seconds to decide what to do.
" Computer, display the personnel file for 'Kathryn Janeway'."
"** *-"
" Unable to comply. Authorization code required."
" Authorization code ' Kathryn 4628'.
"** authorization code accepted. Displaying file." The computer showed a picture and two pages of information regarding Kathryn. Chakotay read every bit of information that was available. But he wasn't finished yet.
"Ziare! listen to me," Sarah said holding Ziare close to her stomach," We have to take her back!"
" Why? Why is she so important to you? We will get a lot of money for her, and you can finally get that shuttle you have wanted for so long. don't you want that to happen?"
Sarah looked fiercely into his eyes. "Not if it costs Kathryn her life," she said through clenched teeth. " You and I both know that half of the people that go there don't survive their first month, If you would meet her I'm sure you would like her. Will you just talk to her? Please Ziare?" Sarah looked hopeful because Ziare looked as though he were thinking of letting her go.
" No. No No NO NO NO NO! She will give us a great amount of money. but... If you can find us someone with equal or greater value, I'll take her back. Get to work." Sarah Smiled at Ziare and ran to tell Kathryn The news.
Kathryn was having roasted chicken with Chakotay on their weekly dinner together.
" It's delicious, Chakotay. Where did you learn this one?" she asked him.
" From you. don't you remember?"
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Kathryn's dream was cut off by Sarah's voice coming through the door.
" Kathryn! I have news! I don't know if it's good news, but it's news." Sarah looked normal to Kathryn so she couldn't tell if the news was good or bad.
" What is it, Sarah?"
" I talked to Ziare, and he has agreed to let you go."
" That's GREAT!" Kathryn hugged Sarah tightly. When Sarah sighed, Kathryn let her go.
" What?" Kathryn asked.
" There's a catch." Sarah sighed.
" I figured. There's always a catch to things that happen when you need them to. What is it?"
" I have to find someone else who has a equal value to replace you or Ziare won't let you go."
"NO! I won't be responsible for someone's death just to save my own skin. I refuse."
" Are you crazy? You have a chance to get out of here. You don't want to take it?"
" Tell me exactly what you told Ziare."
" Alright," Sarah said," I told him that I wanted to release you. He asked me why I didn't want to use you to get a shuttle that I had wanted for so long. I told him....... I didn't want it if it cost you your life."
"Uh-uh. What did I tell you. I don't want to get back to Voyager if it costs someone else his or her life. Now you understand."
Chakotay ran his fingers over the picture of Kathryn at her birthday party. Chakotay had thought hard on what to give her. He finally settled on a pocket watch. A sea captain owned the watch. The sea captain's ship was caught in a bad storm. Every one back in England thought they had been killed, But twelve months later he sailed his ship into London harbor. There wasn't much left of it, a few planks and half a sail, but he got his crew home. Kathryn had loved that watch. She had worn it on her belt every day since her birthday.
She had been gone for almost two days, and Chakotay was starting to worry. Yet again, another tear found it's own way down Chakotay's face. He couldn't find any way to contain himself so he put Tuvok in charge of VOYAGER. I will get her home, and back in my arms. Even if I have to kill someone in the process. 'No' he thought I can't let those kinds of feelings get into my head. If I say I'm going to kill someone then I might actually kill. Kathryn would hate me if I killed someone to bring her back to me.
Kathryn wasn't really asleep, but it felt good to close her eyes for awhile. She was dreaming of all of the times she had spent with her friends on VOYAGER. It wasn't until she had been captured that she really realized all of the friends that she actually had. She realized how much cared for all of the crew. She was responsible for stranding every one of them in the Delta Quadrant. Yet none of them hated her. She realized that she cared for Harry, Tom, Tuvok, and even Chakotay. 'Chakotay..... I ...... Adore...... Chakotay. I ...... Love...... Chakotay. I love Chakotay. I love him.' Finally she admitted that she thought more of him than just a friend. She cared deeply for him. And she would tell him so as soon as she got back. If she ever did get back.
Commander Chakotay's personal log: stardate 52625.4
"I have felt deeply saddened by the recent loss of this ship's beloved captain. This incident has made me realize just how much I actually care about Kathryn. I have decided that as soon as she is back on board VOYAGER, that I will tell her I love her. I am not certain how she will react to such sudden news. I am putting this in my log to remind myself of how much I love her in the event to refuses to acknowledge my feelings. I have also separated this entry from the rest of my log and sent everything in it to Kathryn herself. I hope she will respond well to this large amount of emotions from me. I even hope she might return the feelings. But if she doesn't, I will always remember that I love her and I will always do anything for her. even if that means giving my life to save hers;
End Log"
Kathryn was standing on what appeared to be a resemblance of an early eighteen hundreds auction block for slaves. What she saw next was unbearable. There were hundreds of people standing in a large crowded room behind the Kazon. Kazon, now that was a name she hadn't heard in a while. The people she saw were thin and malnourished. She immediately knew if she was to survive here, she was going to need help.
SARAH WAS PACING IN HER ROOM ABOARD HER BROTHER'S SHIP.
She was thinking on how to release Kathryn from her prison. She knew Ziare wasn't going to help her, so she had to do this on her own.
"HOW MUCH?" ASKED ZIARE.
"Fifteen thousand. She was worth a lot for a starship captain. How much did we get for captain Amousoff?" Ensign Bernard asked in return.
" Ten hundred. We received fifteen times that amount for Katie, was it?" Bernard asked.
" Yeah Katie, Whatever. What do you want to do with the dough?" Ziare asked.
"You'll do nothing with it, because you will be unconscious," Sarah said from behind. She had a suit that would protect her from the gas that would incapacitate the rest of Ziare's crew. She also had the activation device in her hand.
"Say goodnight Gracie! Goodbye!" Sarah started the gas release. A sudden hiss of gas was released through the ventilation system. Instantly Ziare and Ensign Bernard were unconscious. Sarah took off her helmet and sent and order to the computer.
"Computer?"
"**"
"Switch helm control to auto pilot."
"***-" it beeped." Please specify coordinates."
"Set for the starship Voyager."
"**. Acknowledged." The ship slowed and Sarah smiled as it turned and leapt to warp.
"Estimated time of arrival?"
"*Four minutes.*" That gave her just enough time to get to the bridge. She hurried to the Bridge and made it there just as Her ship slowed to a stop.
"Computer, open a channel to that ship."
"Acknowledged. Channel open."
"Starship Voyager this is Sarah Prezee. I am the younger sister of Ziare. He is the one who kidnapped Kathryn Janeway. I am here to help. I am risking execution by talking to you so please respond."
"Commander, we are being hailed by the ship that kidnapped Captain Janeway. It is back. Shall I answer it?" Tuvok asked.
"Wait. Red alert. Shields up. Now answer it Tuvok."
"Commander, I want to help you find your captain. I've incapacitated my brother's crew, and I need your help to get Kathryn back."
"I notice you call her by her first name."
" Yes, Commander. I do call her by her first name by her request. She wanted a friend she could talk to before she was taken to the camp."
"The camp?" Chakotay asked very confused.
" Yes, unfortunately. Ziare took her to a work camp registration office. It would be easier to explain if I was in a safer place. My crew could wake up any minute."
"Of course. Harry, beam Sarah to the bridge and the rest of her crew to the brig. And while you're at it, tow the ship into the Shuttlebay."
"Aye sir. Energizing."
Sarah materialized on the bridge of Voyager.
"Now, Sarah, what happened to Kathryn."
"She was captured, as you know." Sarah explained the entire Story to Chakotay.
"So how are we going to get her back?"
"I was able to slip a tracking device on her before she was beamed to the registration office."
"Good, can you help find her?"
"Of course. That's what I'm here for. Ensign Kim, May I use Ops. for a moment?" Harry was amazed that this child knew his name. He staggered out his next words.
"Yes, of course." She smiled as she walked up to the controls. She accessed the sensor array like a pro. she where everything was without having to ask.
"May I ask how you know where everything is on my console?" Harry asked in amazement.
"I studied this ship for months. I created a recreation of it on our version of a holodeck, as best that I could remember. Ziare destroyed my reading. He never found out about my creation. I studied very much. I took the entrance exam to Starfleet academy and them graded myself. Do you realize that I scored as high as you did, Harry? I could do your job."
"That makes me feel nice." Poor Harry, he was pouting.
"I'm sorry Harry, but you asked."
"How old are you?" Chakotay asked.
"Oh, I'm twenty-seven. My people take almost thirty years to grow fully. I look like I'm about twelve, I know, but I assure you, I am twenty-seven."
"If you say so."
"I do," and Sarah grinned at Harry. He blushed because he liked her very much. It was very strange for Harry to like a child so much. He corrected himself she was not a child she was a short woman. The doctor could stunt her growth and make her her full height.
She used the controls with skilled hands. She knew exactly what she was doing. She scanned the entire sector of work camps. Suddenly she detected a ship. The computer beeped with the discovery.
"Sarah, what did you find?"
"A ship. May I contact Kes's ship?"
"Kes?"
"Yes, I am detecting her ship."
"Of course." She opened the comm. line to Kes's tiny ship.
"Kes, this is Voyager. Please respond. Kes, Twenty-four alpha tango. Emergency!" Harry looked at Chakotay with questioning eyes.
Kes suddenly responded.
"Yes Sarah, what is it?"
"Kes, Ziare captured Captain Janeway. She is on the auction black as we speak." "Oh my god. I'll be right over. Is that OK. Commander?"
"Of course, Kes." Kes beamed directly to the bridge.
"Did you tag her?"
"Of course. She on the Kazon colony."
"Oh, dang. The Kazon won't give her up willingly."
Chakotay broke in," Kazon?"
"One of the work camps is owned by the Kazon. More specifically, Maje Dute of the Vistic. He's a very unruly man. I hate him. I've lost many best friends to him, and I will not lose Kathryn to him. I won't!" She started giving out orders like she owned the place.
"Harry, I am imputing a special frequency to the sensors, if you detect it tell me. Got it?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he said when he got and ok nod from Chakotay.
"Tuvok, raise shields and ready the phasers. I don't know if we will need them but better t be safe than sorry."
"Yes, Sarah."
"Tom, I'm sorry, but I'll be taking the helm. I don't want to hit any mines on the way to the planet. I know where they are." Tom got up and gestured her toward his seat. Chakotay told Tom to sit in his seat while he sat in Kathryn's.
"Engage." She said at last. She took voyager to warp with as much skill as she had when she was at Ops. She was a jack of all trades. She could do command, work with Ops, pilot the helm, and use the weapons array properly.
Within minutes, they were slowing from warp.
"Dropping to impulse, switching to manual control. Estimated time of arrival, thirty-five minutes."
"I suppose you have a plan?" Chakotay asked. She had everything else worked out.
"Actually, I do. This is crazy, but I think it will work."
"Let's hear it."
"I think you and Kes should take Neelix's ship and let him tell the vistic that he will sell you for a low cost. When he sells you, all you have to do is place a transport enhancer on Kathryn's arm and we can beam all of you up. Agreed?"
"Agreed. That's the game plan. Any questions?" When no one asked any questions, Chakotay finished his duty with the words,
"Neelix, please report to the bridge." When Neelix got there the first thing he saw was a young girl piloting the helm. He was puzzled considering Tom Paris was standing right there. The next thing he saw was a still very young and very beautiful Kes standing by Harry Kim.
"Kes, my sweet! I missed you!"
"Neelix?"she ran into Neelix's arms.
"I missed you too! I love you, Neelix."
" I love you too, Kes!" Tom Paris just rolled his eyes. 'Yuck' he thought.
"Neelix, I would like you to meet my best friend, Sarah. Sarah this is my..."
"Boyfriend," Sarah helped.
"Yes, Neelix." Neelix shook the young girl's hand.
"And how old are you little one?" Neelix asked as if he was talking to a child.
"You call me little one again and I'll knock you on the floor. For your information, I am twenty-seven."
"I am so sorry. I have never seen your race before."
"Save your excuses, Neelix," Kes said." You are always doing this. Just because she is short does not mean that she is a child. She is a woman and you will treat her that way."
"Of course, my sweet."
"Neelix," Chakotay said," I want to tell you the game plan for rescuing the Captain." Chakotay proceeded to tell Neelix the entire plan.
"It sounds dangerous, Commander. But if we can get her back we have to try. I will do it. How low do you want me to sell you for?"
"Three ounces of dilithium."
"OK. here goes."
Kathryn learned the piano very fast. She learned all of her favorite songs quickly because she knew the rhythm. Her job the the Maje was to play the piano. She was getting even thinner that she already was. The non- nutritional meals were catching up on her. She always ate sparsely, but this was ridiculous. She was losing her energy. One day she was told that she was going with Maje to the auction block to get more workers. She went almost happily. She was tired of being here with the stench. She went and didn't even look up when she got there. They were auctioning off children and splitting up families. It was horrible. She didn't even see them auctioning off Chakotay and Kes. Lucky for them Maje got them. That evening at about dusk, Maje set up sleeping assignments. Chakotay was assigned to sleep with Kathryn. Chakotay was surprised that she didn't object to sharing her tent with a man. Kes was assigned to the tent next to Kathryn's. That night the Maje was talking to someone else in his royal tent. It really was royal. It had everything. Maje wanted Kathryn to play her piano for the new guy. She did as she was told. After she was done the Maje told her that it was beautiful.
"Now, Go to bed!" he screamed.
"Yes, Maje," she said and bowed as she ran out of the room. As soon as she was outside she fell to the ground and was crying uncontrollably. Chakotay sneaked up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. She tensed up and spun around to hit him.
"Hey, Kathryn. Take it easy. It's me," he said even as tears were welling up in his eyes.
"Chakotay? Oh gods, I thought I would never see you again!" she said as she threw her arms around his neck. She was still crying into his neck when he kissed her hair. He did it before he even thought about it. She let go of his neck and looked at him in amazement. No one had ever kissed her hair like that before.
"I am so sorry, Kathryn. I did it before I even thought about it."
"That's ok. But we need to get to a tent. It we get caught out here after dark, Maje will kill us. Literally."
"I know. Let's go."
"Are we going to your tent or mine?"
"Both we have the same one."
"You're my tent mate? Great. How are we going to get out of here?"
"As soon as I get the transport enhancer on you, all we have to do is reach the perimeter of the barrier, cross it, and Sarah will beam us to Voyager and Kes too."
"Kes is here?"
"Yeah. It's a very long story and I will tell you on Voyager." now they were back at their tent. Chakotay picked up his COMM. badge and signaled Kes.
"Kes here."
"Kes I found her. Are we ready for the dash to safety?"
"I think so. Activate all of the enhancers. I will meet you in two minutes outside my tent. Kes out."
"Where is Kes's tent?"
"Next door." Two minutes later they were running for the barrier with twenty guards on their tails. One guards shoots at them and Kathryn falls to the ground. Chakotay doesn't even think as he picks her up and runs with her in his arms. Kathryn is now unconscious.
"Two meters to the barrier."
"One."
Kes slaps her badge.
"Voyager, three to beam up." There was a loud whine as the three disappeared. They are in Sickbay now.
"Commander, nice to see you brought her back almost safe and sound," the Doctor said referring to the captain. Chakotay slaps his badge.
"Chakotay to all hands, You will be happy to know that Kathryn Janeway is back in the building." There was a loud clatter of hoots and hollers as everyone cheered at the return of their beloved captain.
"Doctor, How is she?"
"Exhausted and she could use a solid meal, but she is fine. I will wake her if you like?"
"I would." The Doctor ejected Kathryn with a hypo spray. She sat straight up on the biobed. She pinched herself.
"ouch!"
"Of course it's going to hurt. You're not dreaming," Chakotay said.
"I'm home?" she asked with tears in her eyes.
"You're home," he answered.
"Thank you," she said shyly. At that moment Sarah walked into Sickbay.
"Kathryn! You're ok!"
"Of course, Sarah. I had Chakotay rescue me. He would have killed himself if anything serious had happened to me."
"Kathryn, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Can I stay on board Voyager? If I go back with my brother, I will be executed."
"All I can say is, Welcome aboard, Crewman."
"Thank you!" Sarah almost walked into Harry. He had come into Sickbay unnoticed.
"Hi Harry."
"Hi. Um, would you like to have dinner with me?"
"I'd love to." They walked out of Sickbay with their arms linked. It was much easier considering the Doctor had stimulated her growth. She was now as tall as Kathryn herself.
"Would a very special Captain like to have dinner with her first officer, too?"
"I would love to, Chakotay. But, Chakotay, I need to talk to you. Thank you for coming after me. I promised myself I would do this if I got back." She pulled him close and kissed him on the lips. He was shocked at first and then realized that she did love him and always had. He promised himself that he would never let her go in harms way again.
The
End
Tell me what you think please.
Captain_Crystal