Author's Disclaimer: Voyager and her crew are Paramount's. This story concept is mine. No infringement intended. Jhasuu Station, Coharis Sector... Commander Chakotay and Ensigns Kim and Paris, seated at a secluded table in the small lounge, waited for their appointment. The music was pleasant enough, and even if the accompanied atmosphere gave off a slight sense of danger, there was still a thrill of excitement in their purpose here. A myriad of alien patrons crowded the room, all seemingly engaged in the same things, business, pleasure, sometimes both, leaving the starfleet officers to study them as they waited. "She's quite a sight, isn't she?" Paris said to Kim as he took a sip of the liquid he'd ordered, of which he knew nothing about and upon finishing his sip, made him wince. "Huh?" Kim said, turning slightly red. He pulled his leather jacket around him, uncomfortable with his surroundings. Paris laughed at his friend's blush. "Never change, Harry. Never change. That girl over there with the pale purple hair and black eyes; the one whose barely wearing anything. I see you keep looking over there. I somehow don't think she's your type." Kim rolled his eyes. "I wasn't staring," he said firmly. "I wasn't." Chakotay leaned forward onto the table. "There's our man. Let me do the talking." Without giving them a chance to answer he motioned for the tall man with dark skin over to the table. The dangerous looking man approached. His less intimidating companion stepped forward. "Chakotay," he said with a sly smile. "I am Meteke Jheten. I am Master Jerro's interpreter and right hand man." Chakotay nodded, absently rubbing at his chin. "Please, have a seat. I am anxious to begin," he said with a smile equally as sly. Jerro and Jheten took seats. Jerro fixed his golden eyes on Chakotay and said, "Ney jangha jo hanna." Jheten took his cue. "Master Jerro greets you," he said simply. Chakotay smiled mirthlessly. "I understood what he said. And I greet him just as graciously," he replied to the insult, leaning back in his chair. Jheten looked uncertainly to his master. Jerro smiled. Jheten spoke up. "My master is pleased you speak his language." Chakotay grinned. "Well, this is part of our deal, actually. I don't speak his language, you see. I have implanted within my brain a chip called a 'universal translator.' It examines the spoken language and inflections of every known race it encounters and extrapolates to give me a translation. It works both ways, allowing the other person to understand my words as well. I am prepared to offer this technology as part of the deal we make." Jerro seemed interested. He motioned towards Kim and Paris. "Da wanjey mohoare duso? "They are part of my crew," Chakotay answered, eyeing both Kim and Paris to forestall any protests at being called 'little ones.' Jerro smiled, a dangerous smile that trust could never exist within. "Leh, voh easu merru nitrium, dey? Jehaasi veyharu, Ey corro?" he said with a laugh. "So, you want my nitrium, eh? Not to make weapons, I hope?" Chakotay grinned. "No, no weapons. We need it to make repairs on our ship. Our power transfer conduits have some wear on them and we need it to patch things up. I'm prepared to offer you the translator technology along with replicator technology." Jerro narrowed his eyebrows. "Khar replicator. Acullo." "The replicator can scan something, and provided with the proper materials, can re-create any item you program into it, including food, weapons, just about anything you have the provisions for," he replied. Jerro made a show of considering the deal, concealing his interest in this new technology that was strange to this part of the galaxy. "Jecall ve voh te nitrium. Dovar ghes hemari. Etaru ese. Decaro voh techaro semhari. Semhari nitrium tayro." Chakotay smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. "I will report to your ship within the hour. Many thanks." Jerro stood, followed by Jheten and with a nod departed, muttering something to his right hand man. Before leaving the room Jheten turned and with a grin said, "My master wishes you well and says to be careful. You are entering dangerous parts of the galaxy." Chakotay nodded. "I'm always careful." He sat back, shaking his head. "Well, at least this is over. Tom, go back to the Flier and assemble plans for the replication and translator technology. I'll wait here. Harry, go with him. Be careful. There are many hostile aliens on this station." Paris and Kim stood and with an, "Aye, Sir," they departed.
Elsewhere... The moon shone down on the earthen floor in a silvery caress, making shadows darkly appear. There was a slight chill to the air, making the dark stranger to this planet draw his black cloak about him tighter as he pressed onward through the endless trees before him. His name was Sedaro and he was on an important mission for his master. He gasped as a raven landed before him, almost as if it were an ill omen to the task before him. But he must do what he came to do. He must obey. A chill ran through him as he stepped forward and the raven took flight, calling in desperate tones, almost warning him against the terrible deed his master had lay before him. It was ridiculous, the way he was behaving. What reason did he have to fear? Perhaps it was the dark night, sparking irrational fears and unease, or perhaps the taint of the Dark, overtaking him even as he walked. Nonetheless, he pressed on in obedience to the orders his master had given. He would soon arrive at his destination and all would be well. His task would be done. He gripped his cloak tightly and walked on, finally arriving at his destination. An old temple. He slowly crept up the path that lead to the enormous doors to the massive structure, a slight breeze touching his skin. His unease grew deeper as he looked the temple over, feeling the darkness and despair that clung to the very earth beneath his feet. He steeled himself and approached the large doors, touching the old and cracked paint. It crumbled beneath his touch and fell to the stone below. Grasping the handle he pulled at the door and with a concrete scrape it opened, revealing a darkness even blacker than space. He gripped a laser torch and peered into the dark. His master would disapprove of this hesitation, but he couldn't fight the overwhelming caution inside him. The red light of the torch did little to aid him, but he knew the way. It had been burned into his memory by his master so there would be no mistakes made when the time came. He sighed and took the first step into the gloom of the dark temple, whispers of old emotion entering his mind. The coldness and fear of the place made him nauseous and he almost sank to his knees. So many minds had cried out here...so many people tortured and killed...all his enemy...his enemy who was now in power once again. They had all deserved what they had gotten, but there was a disparity here that prevented him from feeling anything but chilled. Then there was that voice. He could hear it echo through the halls and yet it was only a soft song inside his mind. The words, he couldn't make out, but her soft voice sang it's melancholy notes over and over to him and it only made things worse. This was no way for him to be acting. His master would disapprove. He forced himself to block out the cold feelings that were a part of everything around him and walked on into the temple at a quick pace, wanting this done and to be out of this dark place. Navigating the halls proved to be a simple task. He noted that a brief look down most halls revealed crumbled walls that blocked the path...all but the path he was on. It was as if the walls themselves had been prepared for the task he had been set to do. The thought chilled him but he kept his pace. Once it was done he would be well on his way back home. He lost himself to thought, trying to avoid the fear and loneliness of the temple and nearly bumped into the doors that once opened, would reveal his task. He felt for the door handle and pulled it open and the old door almost collapsed. He pushed it to the wall and stepped within the chamber. It was a simple room, pale walls with windows on the side walls and on the wall opposite the door. He turned off the torch in his hand, the moonlight being sufficient to light his way to the coffin that lay ahead, in the center of the room. He walked into the room slowly and reached out to run his hand over the glass coffin. He peered within and his breath caught. In the moonlight her pale skin looked white and her long hair black. He traced the glass over her face and stared at her beauty. The task. He must complete his task. He slid the glass cover off with ease and took her icy hand in his. Closing his eyes, he concentrated and reached out to her as his master had taught him. There was a specific way he had to touch her mind to awaken her and his master had studied long and hard to figure it out. But he couldn't risk himself in a situation that could prove volatile. He couldn't predict how she would react to being awoken, so he taught and sent his student. She would help his master rebuild the glory that once was his. She was ancient..one of the first. No one knew exactly how old she was, or what the circumstances of her induced sleep had been, but all those serving the Dark had been taught that she was the most powerful of the Dark Ones ever known and that one day she would come back. Tonight was that night. Maybe five thousand...maybe even ten thousand years ago she had been put to sleep and tonight she would return and rebuild the Dark Empire and bring strength to the Dark path. He jumped violently when he felt her cold hand caress his cheek. She laughed a rich laugh and he simply stared in awe at her beauty. "I..." he stammered. She silenced him with an outstretched hand, an amused look playing across her angelic face. "I know why you awakened me, but I don't think you know." She laughed at his puzzled look. "Oh, no, dear Sedaro. You didn't awaken me because your master bid it. You awakened me because I bid it." "How," he said, unable to believe the power that stood before him. "How did you know?" "Come now. You must have heard of my power. Your master was incorrect when he assumed he was probably more powerful than I. He made a grave error in that." She looked around the room. "I no longer need you." She reached out and took a hold of Sedaro, letting her power flow through her and into him. His screams echoed through the halls sending burrowed animals fleeing from the surrounding rooms. She ripped through his mind, searching everything, all of his knowledge, and when she had taken what she wanted she let his body fall to the floor, leaving him in nameless death. She reached down and gripped the weapon attached to his belt and went into the adjoining room. "Yes," she said caressingly, touching the glass coffin. "You must awaken as well, Ataren. I have need of you." She opened the coffin and took the silver hand into her own and let her mind touch his. She gazed almost lovingly at the face of her protector, his clammy, silvery and gaunt cheeks. To the normal onlooker he would have appeared frightening with his deathlike appearance, but she saw only the beauty of his darkness. Her other hand touched the strands of long black hair that hung on each side of his face. And suddenly, with a jerk, he was awake, his navy blue pupils blackened by the night. She only smiled. "Come, Ataren. We have to leave this place." He nodded his acknowledgment and arose from the coffin and with that they departed the dark temple and went to Sedaro's ship.
The next day, midday on Voyager... Captain Janeway smiled as they each stepped out of the Delta Flier. "Welcome home boys," she said with her characteristic smile. "Was it as fun as you hoped?" Paris grinned. "Oh, it was fun." "More like dangerous," Kim cut in, pulling at his jacket's neckline. "People get killed right there and no one even flinches." Paris laughed at his friend. "Oh, Harry, where's your sense of adventure?" Janeway laughed. "Did you get the nitrium?" Chakotay smiled and nodded. "Yeah. We traded the universal translator and replicator technology for it. I'll see it delivered to B'Elanna right away." "Good work, Commander, Ensigns," she said patting Kim's back. "Sorry I couldn't be there to witness the event." Kim snorted. "Trust me. You didn't miss much besides Tom pretending to be dangerous and badly I might add," he said eyeing Paris. "And Commander Chakotay smooth talking the guy who sold us his nitrium." Paris giggled. "Oh, and Harry's gawking at this half naked alien woman." Kim reddened. "I was not," he muttered. Janeway laughed and shook her head. "See you on the bridge," she said, departing their company.
Seven was feeling quite anxious for some strange reason that she couldn't pinpoint. She had this feeling of apprehension and expectation, as if she knew something bad was going to happen but didn't know what. She licked her lips and stared at the console before her as she tried to complete her work in Astrometrics. It was no use. She couldn't concentrate. She didn't know what was wrong with her. Sighing, she decided to go to the one person who might be able to help her sort through this. At a quick pace she left Astrometrics and before she even realized it she was outside Sickbay. Biting her lip she went in, finding him reading a data padd. When she entered he looked up and smiled. "Seven, what a pleasure," he said. "What can I do for you?" She sighed. "I am experiencing something I don't understand." He quickly grabbed a tricorder. "Symptoms?" "Anxiety. Apprehension. But these emotional reactions have no cause. I have nothing to be anxious about and yet I feel like something bad is going to happen. I have no reason to believe such a thing. What is my dysfunction?" She sighed and leaned against a biobed. He looked at her through sympathetic eyes. "Maybe you're just having a bad day. Sometimes we just wake up in a bad mood. Are you feeling ill?" She shook her head. "Wake up in a bad mood? That is most inefficient. How can I remedy this?" He shrugged. "Well, the best way to alleviate stress is to find something to distract you. Socialize. Sometimes good company can make you feel better if something is wrong." She thought about it. "Very well," she said grudgingly, wanting to complete her work but knowing that the anxiety wouldn't leave if she attempted it again. "Are you available for socialization?" The Doctor smiled. "It just so happens that I am, Seven. What would you like to do?" He watched her blue eyes move back and forth as she looked down at the floor, contemplating. "I am hungry," she finally stated. He nodded. "Very well. I'll accompany you to the mess hall and..." "No," she interrupted. "I don't feel like dealing with a crowd today. I just want to be alone with your company only." Her brows furrowed as she absently looked away. He softly shook his head, watching her suffer with this unease. "Okay," he said quietly. "Want to go to the holodeck?" She thought about it, stress and frustration written on her face. Finally she nodded. "That would be acceptable." He smiled gently and held his arm out and she took it without a second thought.
Nearing 20:00 hours, The Bloodmoon, Sedaro's small ship... She sank down in the chair and touched the console's on the armrest's to her sides. "What do you think, Ateran?" she asked the creature that stood above her protectively. She looked into those eerie navy blue eyes and had her answer. He came from a strictly telepathic race. She smiled and stared at the viewscreen ahead. Sedaro had only had a crew of three aside from himself, so small was his ship. Taking over their minds proved easy for her. She was Adara, the ancient one. One of the most powerful of the Dark Ones. "Have you laid the course in?" she asked impatiently of the tall man at the helm. "I have, Master," he said in a lifeless and hollow tone. "We will reach our destination in approximately 2 days." She smiled to herself. "Excellent. I will be in my quarters. I will return if I am needed." She stood, her white robes hitting the metallic floor. "Come, Ataren." The eerie, silver skinned and almost skeletal creature complied with it's master and followed with an air of dangerous and deathly protection about him.
It was chasing her...something was chasing her. She didn't know what it was but it sent emotions through her that she hadn't fathomed could be felt at such levels. Terror. Stark terror consumed her. She looked all around her to find nothing but blackness. "Please, someone assist me!" she screamed. She could hear it hissing from the darkness and all she could do was run. Tears streamed her cheeks as the fear ate at her, almost disabling her. There was a change she became aware of. She stopped, thinking and then felt her hair plastered to head as rain poured. "Please," she whimpered, looking in all directions, tears blinding her and emotions so raw she could barely think. She had been afraid before. She could remember now the fear that little Annika Hansen had felt when the Borg came from everywhere on her parent's ship. This was nothing like that. This was twenty times worse. She didn't even know what chased her, only that it sent mind numbing waves of terror through every nerve in her body. She sake to her knees, hopeless. "Please," she whispered as she fought to clear the rain and tears from her eyes. She was panting now, desperately trying to get air into her lungs. She could hear the snarls and hissing closing on her and she started to shake uncontrollably. She sat and wrapped her arms around her knees, peering over them and rocking back and forth as she sat in the rain, waiting for whatever it was to come out and take her. Abruptly she heard laughter. A woman's laughter, rich and whispering of darkness. She wiped her wet eyes and stared in the direction of the laughter and suddenly a shadow came from the darkness. "Who are you?" she screamed, backing away, still shaking and wiping tears and rain from her eyes. Suddenly her pursuer stepped into the light that had surrounded Seven. Seven swept her hair back and blinked as the rain fell and looked up at her attacker. What she saw unnerved her more than being pursued by an unknown assailant. What she saw was herself, staring back with cold eyes and a smile. Seven gasped. Opening her eyes she almost fell trying to escape her alcove. She sank to her knees, the fear still residual in her. She kept her eyes tightly shut for a moment as she panted for air and gathered herself. Finally she opened her eyes. The children were there, all calm and motionless as they regenerated. She couldn't help but get the feeling she was being watched. She shakily stood and headed from Cargo Bay2 to Sickbay almost instinctively. Walking through the bare corridors was a task as she hurried to sickbay. She constantly felt like there was someone behind her. "This is irrational," she muttered to herself, glancing behind her shoulder. Everything was so quiet, a typical night on Voyager, but she felt as if no one were awake. That she was alone with her irrational fears. She never thought she would be so thankful to see Sickbay as she hurried through the doors and leaned against a biobed. She stood for a moment, trying to calm herself. "Computer," she panted. "Activate EMH." "Please state the nature of the medical emergency," he said as he appeared, much to her relief. For a moment she had considered that he wouldn't activate. "Seven?" he questioned, seeing her shaken state. "What's the matter?" She closed her eyes, reliving the fear and confusion. "I," she started. She shook her head as if trying to shake the memory from her mind. "Seven?" he said a little more firmly. "You're starting to scare me. Please, tell me what's wrong?" She fixed her blue eyes onto his brown eyes and seeing the concern there only made her emotions stronger. She felt a strong need to be held at the moment, held away from the monster that had invaded her dreams. "I can't be alone," she said, tears almost running down her cheeks, though she fought them as hard as she'd fought anything. "I don't understand what's wrong with me." Which scared her even more. Such a rush of emotions was alien to her and confused her. "Seven," he said softly. "You're going to have to calm down or I'm going to have to sedate you." She shook slightly and rubbed at her eyes. "I had a nightmare," she explained. "A terrible nightmare unlike anything I've even experienced in my life. I've never felt so afraid and helpless and alone. Not when the Borg assimilated me, nor when I was freed from the collective. I don't understand why my emotions are so strong. I'm not functioning properly." He decided to risk it and he went to her, wrapping his arms around her, expecting her to pull away from him and declare the irrelevance of his arms. She didn't, however. She seemed relieved. "It's okay, Seven. I know it must have been awful, but you're awake now and with me. You're not alone. Why don't you tell me about this bad dream?" He absently smoothed her hair back over and over as he help her quivering body against his. He'd never seen her even remotely close to being like this. "I was being chased," she said, voice quivering slightly though she fought to regain control of her emotions. "It was dark and outside on a planet and something was chasing me. It was almost as if it were forcing these emotions into me, Doctor. I was terrified and felt there was nothing I could do to stop whoever it was who was chasing me. I didn't even know what it's intentions were. I only knew I was frightened irrationally by it. Then it began to rain and I stopped and sank to my knees. The pursuer laughed and stepped into the light and it was me." By the time she'd finished she had calmed considerably. "I just cannot understand why these emotions were so strong. A situation like that would never frighten me to irrationality. Am I ill, Doctor?" She pulled away slightly and grabbed a tricorder. "I don't think so," he said, scanning. "I think maybe you're unconscious mind is exploring your emotions. Perhaps, since fear hasn't been a big part of your emotional journey yet, your subconscious is exploring what you haven't been able to explore consciously. I think you'll be ok." She shook her head. "As I came to sickbay I had the continual feeling of being watched. Is this paranoia also the work of my subconscious?" she asked dubiously. The Doctor sighed. "When you woke up, was it directly from the dream?" She nodded. "When you wake up from a dream like that your conscious mind begins awakening before you actually wake up. This is why we remember some dreams. Naturally, if you wake up immediately from such a terrifying dream like that the feelings will still reside in you for a short time after you awaken. Do you still feel afraid?" She looked around. "I have no desire to return to the cargo bay if that is what you are implying, Doctor." He nodded his acknowledgment. "Well, I think you can forego regeneration tonight. Want to sleep here in sickbay?" She looked into his brown eyes and nodded with such a vulnerable look in her eyes that he felt his holographic heart pang with sympathy and concern. "Lay down," he said softly and she complied. "Do you want me to watch over you until you fall asleep?" "That would be comforting," she replied. "All right," he said softly, standing over her and taking her hand, staring into her blue eyes. "Close your eyes, Seven." She did and he began to sing the first song that came to mind. 'You Are My Sunshine.' It didn't take long before she was completely and peacefully asleep. She could have been an angel laying there in his own sickbay, had he not known better. My poor, Seven, he thought. The exploration will never stop. He touched her blonde hair and watched her sweet face as she lay there in repose, untroubled now. I'll always be here to protect you.
07:00 Hours, The bridge of the Bloodmoon... Adara walked softly onto the bridge of her ship. The two of her crew that were there didn't acknowledge her presence, but simply carried on with their tasks. She regarded the viewscreen for a moment, then sat gracefully down in the command chair, her protector at her side. "There is a ship nearby," she announced. "Scan for it and set an intercept course. I'm interested in it." Her crew wordlessly obeyed her command. "It is heavily fortified compared to us," the tall helmsman said emotionlessly. "It has a crew compliment of one hundred forty-seven, a mixture of different life forms." "Too many," the Dark One muttered. "They are hailing," the other crewmen informed. "Answer them." She let a cold smile spread across her lips. Then the image of the other ship's captain appeared on the screen. "How may I help you," she asked. "I'm Captain Kathryn Janeway of the starship Voyager. We couldn't help but notice your scan of us. I was wondering if there was something I could do for you," she said with a friendly smile. "Actually, a member of your crew has interested me. Would you, by chance, consider a trade?" Adara asked, not really caring how she got this crew member, only caring that she got what she wanted. Captain Janeway didn't look too pleased. "I'm afraid that isn't an option," she replied. Adara smiled. "Fine. Then I'll have to take what I want." There was a brief look of surprise on Janeway's face before the screen went dark. "Open fire," Adara ordered as she prepared herself mentally for the task ahead.
Seven stirred only seconds before Voyager lurched and she fell off the biobed with a thud. Within seconds the Doctor was at her side. "What is happening?" she asked as he helped her stand. "Voyager is under attack," he answered. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head. "I am undamaged. What is the time?" "A little after seven hundred hours." He watched her. "How are you feeling?" She pulled from his grasp. "I should have been to Astrometrics an hour ago. I am feeling better. Thank you, Doctor. Why did you not wake me?" she asked, still slightly disoriented. "I thought you could use the rest after last night." He put his hand on her shoulder. "If you don't feel like going to Astrometrics," he said, bracing her as Voyager rocked again. "Then I'm sure someone else can handle it." Seven shook her head. "No. I must continue. It would be inefficient of me to stay and rest when I am undamaged." Seven... "Yes, Doctor?" she said, answering the whisper of her name. "Huh?" he said, confused. "You addressed me." She looked at him. He shook his head. "No, I didn't. But I would really rather you stay here and rest." Seven, I will have you. No. Not the Doctor's voice. A woman. "No," Seven said softly, looking at the floor. She was very confused. "Sev," the Doctor said in easing tones, noting the odd look on Seven's face. Don't be afraid, Seven. This is your path. I will have you. There is no escape. Resistance is futile. The voice was coaxing and yet had a touch of mocking when she said the last. "No," she said with more aggression. "I will resist." "Sev?" the Doctor said, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Don't resist. Lay down." Voyager lurched again
"Divert power to shields," Captain Janeway yelled, holding to her chair. "Evasive maneuvers. We're not giving her anything." "Hull stress inscreasing," Tuvok reported. "Kathryn, we can't take much more of this," Chakotay yelled. "Whatever she's doing isn't coming from her ship. We're no match for it." Captain Janeway exhaled an angry breath. "Get us out of here, Tom!" "Yes, Ma'am," he shouted. "Engaging impulse engines and setting a course out of here." "Damnit," Janeway muttered. "What or who, did she want?" Chakotay shook his head as Voyager took another blow. "I don't know, but she's got to want it pretty badly."
Seven sank to her knees, sweat moistening her hair. The Doctor sank down beside her, holding her. "Seven, what is it? What's going on?" "She's inside my mind," Seven said. "I cannot resist. It's the dream again. I'm being pursued." She looked up at the Doctor with confusion in her eyes. Confusion and fear. "I cannot resist." "Seven," he said, gathering her to him. "I'll protect you. Don't worry. No one will get you. I'm here." She nodded and let herself be held by him. She was afraid of what was happening, of this woman who for some reason wanted her, of the fact that she felt helpless against the mental attack. There was more to her dream than what the Doctor had said. She was sure of that. And now feared it. She closed her eyes, afraid that the terror would return and moreso, afraid of the meaning that was undiscovered behind the fact that in the dream what was pursueing her was an image of herself. This is your path. The Doctor just held her as she shook. He didn't understand what was happening to Seven, but he wouldn't let anything take her from him. I will protect you, he thought. I promise.
Adara stood there on her bridge as sparks flew everywhere. "Hold fire," she said with her dark smile. "Until we meet again, Janeway. And we will meet again." <<Fiction
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