"A Separate Peace"
by Andra Marie Mueller

PART EIGHTEEN : 'Sacrifice'

SUMMARY : Chakotay sacrifices himself to save Kathryn

See Part one for author's notes and disclaimer

****************************************

In the clearing that served as a landing pad for the Maquis ships, Janeway stood beside the Freedom, unwilling to board without Chakotay. While she waited for his arrival, she had helped the Maquis organize themselves into small groups, which were transported to their respective ships. Now the only survivors left to transport were Chakotay and the small band from the plaza.

"Damnit, Chakotay, where are you?" Janeway wondered aloud.

"He’ll be here, Captain. It’ll take more than a group of brain-dead Cardys to take Chakotay out."

The comment came from B’Elanna Torres, the half-Klingon woman who served as Chakotay’s chief engineer and was also Tom Paris’ paramour. Although the two had not exactly become friends during Janeway’s tenure on Cornellia, Torres was one of the few Maquis who had not objected to Janeway’s relationship with Chakotay.

"It sounds as though you two have been through a few scrapes together," Janeway commented.

"We’ve had our fair share," B’Elanna allowed.

Paris, who acknowledged Janeway with a slight smile before addressing Torres, interrupted the women’s brief exchange. "Moren is having trouble with the Cloud Dancer’s energy relays in the impulse engines," he told her. "They’re not responding properly, and we can’t get enough power to take off."

"I’ll take a look."

B’Elanna headed for the other ship as Paris addressed Janeway. "Any sign of Chakotay or the others?"

"None. I’m beginning to worry that he didn’t make it out of the plaza before everything exploded."

Paris sighed. "I’ll give him another couple of minutes, then we’re going to have to leave without him. I can’t risk the others by waiting."

Just then, Bashir and his group burst into the clearing and were immediately approached by Paris and Janeway.

"Where’s Chakotay?" the latter demanded.

"A second round of Cardassian troops materialized in the plaza just as we were making our escape," Bashir told her. "He and Brev stayed behind to provide cover fire."

"Should we wait for them?" Paris asked.

"I don’t know. The captain didn’t indicate whether or not they were going to try and catch up with us."

"We can’t just leave him here," Janeway protested.

"We don’t have a choice, Captain," Paris stated. "We’ve waited too long as it is, so we’ll be lucky if we can get our ships past the Cardassians once we’re in orbit."

Brev chose that moment to make his appearance, bursting out of the woods and jogging over to join his friends.

"Where’s the captain?" Paris asked.

"He took a hit from one of the disruptors and went down," Brev told them. "He ordered me to leave him behind."

"I’m going back for him," Janeway declared.

"Going back to the plaza now would be suicide, Captain," Paris said. "The compound is crawling with Cardassians."

"I’m not leaving without Chakotay," Janeway returned. "Get your people on the ships and off Cornellia. If we can manage to avoid being killed or captured, I’m sure Chakotay will find a way for us to rejoin you later."

Not bothering to wait for a response, Janeway grabbed the phaser rifle out of Brev’s hands and vanished into the woods.

"She’s as stubborn as Chakotay," Bashir observed.

"I think it’s part of the personality requirements for command officers," Paris responded dryly. "Come on; we’re out of here."

As Paris and the others boarded the ships, Janeway quickly yet cautiously made her way back through the woods. Reaching the edge of the plaza, she ducked behind the remains of one of the buildings. Taking a quick visual survey, Janeway ignored the pang in her heart at the sight of the fallen Maquis and instead focused on locating Chakotay. She spotted him by the remnants of the infirmary, standing stoically between two Cardassian soldiers as blood from his injured arm and shoulder soaked his shirt. Another quick scan revealed a second potential hiding place, a dense section of brush just behind what remained of Chakotay’s office.

"It’s now or never, Kathryn," she mumbled aloud.

Lifting her phaser rifle, Janeway took aim at the Cardassian on Chakotay’s left and fired a single shot before ducking into the woods and making her way around to the brush. Although the shot missed its target by a couple of yards, the attack sent the Cardassians into a frenzy, and one of the soldiers guarding Chakotay immediately headed for the direction the blast had come from, shouting for his comrades as he did so. Janeway took advantage of his absence to take another shot at Chakotay’s remaining guard, and the soldier sank to the ground in an unconscious heap. Chakotay immediately turned to face her, and his surprise warred with his anger over her presence.

"You’re supposed to be on one of the ships out of here!" he snapped.

"Sorry, Chakotay, but you don’t outrank me anymore, remember? Besides, I already told you that I wasn’t going to leave without you."

Chakotay sighed. "I would give real money if just once in your life, you would do what I ask you to do when I ask you to do it," he grumbled.

"We can continue this argument later. Right now we have to find a way to keep out of the clutches of our uninvited guests."

"What are the chances we could make it back through the woods to my house?"

"We can’t go back that way. It’s wall-to-wall Cardassians."

"Well, then it looks like we’re going to have to do this the hard way," Chakotay replied. "If we can make it to the base of the mountains, there’s a computer system stashed in an underground cave that we can use to send an emergency distress call."

"Wouldn’t that also broadcast our location to the Cardassians?" Janeway asked.

"If we use a Starfleet encryption code, the Cardys won’t be able to track it for at least ten minutes. That gives us just enough time to contact Paris or Red Hawk and get transported off the planet."

"It looks like that’s our only option." Janeway gestured at his arm. "Are you sure you’re up to this?"

"I’m fine," Chakotay assured her. "It’s only a flesh wound; lots of blood and very painful but not life threatening."

"Famous last words," Janeway countered. "Let’s go."

 

STARFLEET HEADQUARTERS

Morgan was in his office reviewing his latest round of paperwork when the door chime signaled the arrival of an unexpected visitor. "Come in."

The door swooshed open, and Edward Janeway walked into his office. "Bruce," he greeted. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything."

"Nothing that can’t wait a few minutes," Morgan assured him. "What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping you could answer a question for me," Edward said. "Is there any truth to the rumor that Chakotay’s actually one of us?"

Morgan’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly, his only visible reaction to Edward’s inquiry. "Where did you hear that?"

"It doesn’t matter," Edward evaded. "Is it true?"

"I’m not at liberty to divulge that information."

"I could order you to tell me."

"With all due respect, sir, you are no longer an active member of Starfleet Command. I am under no obligation to follow your orders."

Edward shook his head. "Somehow I’m not surprised you’re protecting him," he mumbled. "For a man who is a self-declared enemy of the Federation, he certainly manages to make allies in high places."

"Well, you’d better get used to it because the way things are looking he’s probably going to wind up your son-in-law after all," Morgan returned.

"Last time I checked Kathryn was already engaged to Mark Johnson."

"Last time I checked she was willingly ensconced in a Maquis compound with Chakotay. I was there for the first round of their little tete-a-tete, remember? I guarantee that Kathryn is not going to marry Mark Johnson."

Edward shot him an amused glance. "If you weren’t such a romantic, you would have put a stop to their relationship sixteen years ago and saved us all a lot of headaches," he pointed out. "Really, Bruce; letting them keep a dog on a starship…what were you thinking?"

"It was a cute puppy," Morgan returned defensively. "Besides, I got a lot of laughs for three months listening to the different stories they invented for replicating dog food."

Edward chuckled as he got to his feet. "I imagine they came up with some doozies," he replied. "Let me know if you hear anything from your Maquis protégé or Kathryn."

"Give my best to Gretchen."

Edward exited Morgan’s office just as Nechayev entered, and the two exchanged a brief greeting before Edward continued on his way and Nechayev walked over to stand in front of Morgan’s desk.

"I assume Edward was here looking for information about his daughter?"

"Actually, he was here looking for information about Chakotay. It seems a little bird passed a rumor his way that Chakotay is working with us. He came to me asking for confirmation."

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing, but he got more out of what I didn’t say than what I did. He knew the truth before he came in here, sir. He was just trying to see if he could get me to admit it."

Nechayev sighed. "I’d like to know who the ‘little bird’ was that gave him the information. The only people outside of Starfleet Command who know about Chakotay’s connection to us are Tom Paris, Julian Bashir and Chakotay himself. It’s obvious none of those three leaked the secret, so I’m forced to assume we have a mole within the Admiralty."

"With all due respect, sir, Edward Janeway was one of us for over forty years. I imagine he still has quite a few allies within the hierarchy."

"Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean I have to allow them to leak him information whenever it suits them. Make some inquiries, Admiral, and get me some answers."

"Yes, sir."

Their conversation was interrupted by the buzz of Morgan’s intercom, and Dana Ehlers’ voice came over the speaker: "Excuse the interruption, sirs, but there’s an Alpha One Priority transmission coming in for Admiral Morgan."

"Who from, Commander?" Morgan prompted.

"It’s from Captain Kathryn Janeway, sir."

Morgan and Nechayev exchanged surprised glances, then Morgan said, "Put her through."

The admirals turned to face Morgan’s viewscreen just as Kathryn’s image flickered into focus. The transmission was slightly fuzzy, and Morgan and Nechayev could make out some type of communications panel behind Kathryn.

"Admiral Morgan," she greeted formally. "I’m transmitting to you from the Maquis colony Cornellia, located in the heart of the Badlands. Cornellia and a trio of Maquis ships are engaged in a losing battle with a group of Cardassian warships. We need immediate assistance."

"Where’s Captain Chakotay?" Morgan asked.

"He’s outside keeping watch," Kathryn answered. "He’s been injured and needs medical attention."

"I sympathize with your predicament, Captain," Nechayev interjected, "but I’m afraid we can’t help you. You’re a prisoner of war; what assurances do we have that you aren’t being forced to make this transmission in order to lead our starships into a trap?"

"You have my word as a Starfleet officer," Janeway answered.

"Even if I do believe you, the Maquis are enemies of the Federation," Nechayev reminded her. "Starfleet has no obligation or inclination to offer them assistance."

"On the contrary, Admiral, Starfleet and the Maquis have a common enemy in the Cardassians," Janeway countered. "I trust you’re familiar with the old saying ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’? It might be prudent for Starfleet Command to consider that the Maquis could prove to be valuable allies should the Cardassian alliance with the Dominion lead to war."

"Starfleet can take care of itself, Captain. I suggest you and your Maquis ‘friends’ do the same. Nechayev out."

The admiral severed the transmission before glancing at Morgan. "Since information is your business, Bruce, I suggest you find out which of our starships is closest to the Badlands and dispatch it to assist the Maquis."

"But you just told Captain Janeway that we wouldn’t help them?"

"As far as Captain Janeway is concerned, this conversation never happened," Nechayev responded. "However, if one of our ships just happens to be on patrol in the Badlands and stumbles upon the fight, than I believe its captain can find it in his or her heart to offer assistance. Unofficially, of course."

"Of course." Morgan tapped his combadge. "Morgan to Commander Ehlers. Dana, I need to know which of our starships is closest to the Badlands, and I need to know in thirty seconds."

"Aye, Admiral. Stand by."

Morgan glanced at Nechayev. "Just out of curiosity, Admiral, why are you sending in the cavalry?"

"Off the record?" Nechayev prompted, and at Morgan’s nod, said, "Captain Janeway was right when she said Starfleet could use the Maquis as allies. I’m fairly certain that the Cardassian/Dominion alliance is going to lead to war, and I’d rather have the Maquis fighting with us than have to fight two wars at the same time."

"Ehlers to Admiral Morgan."

"Go ahead, Dana."

"Sir, the Defiant and the Voyager are both within range of the Badlands."

"Contact Captain Sisko and Commander Cavit and inform them that the Cornellia colony is under attack by Cardassians," Morgan instructed. "Tell them they are to proceed to the Badlands and assist the Maquis ships with whatever force necessary."

"Maquis ships, sir?" Ehlers echoed questioningly.

"I don’t believe I stuttered, Commander. Those are my orders."

"Aye, sir."

 

U.S.S. DEFIANT

Seated in his command chair, Sisko was in the midst of a casual conversation with Dax when Worf interrupted them

"Captain, we are receiving an Alpha One Priority message from the office of Admiral Morgan," he announced. "He has ordered us to proceed to the Cornellia colony in the Badlands to defend it against a trio of Cardassians ships currently attacking it."

Dax shot Sisko a curious glance. "Why would Starfleet sent a Federation Starship to defend a Maquis colony?" she wondered aloud.

"I suppose we’ll find out when we get there," Sisko said. "Mister Worf, lay in a course for the Badlands and engage at warp seven."

"Aye, sir."

 

U.S.S. VOYAGER

"Bridge to Commander Cavit."

"Go ahead, Mister Kim."

"Sir, we’re receiving an Alpha One Priority signal from Admiral Morgan," Kim told him. "We’ve been ordered to proceed directly to the Badlands to defend the Cornellia colony and Maquis ships which are under attack by Cardassians."

"Did you say Maquis ships, Ensign?"

"Aye, sir. According to Admiral Morgan’s message, Captain Janeway is on Cornellia and initiated the request for help."

"Then set a course, Harry, warp five."

 

On board the Freedom, the crew was in the midst of futilely trying to outfight the Cardassians when the computer beeped, announcing an incoming transmission.

"Commander," Dubuque began, "We’re receiving a message from somewhere on the planet. The signal is pretty scrambled, but it’s definitely from Captain Chakotay."

"Well, at least we know he’s still alive," Paris muttered. "On screen."

The viewscreen flickered on, and a semi-blurred image of Chakotay and Janeway appeared.

"Captains," Paris greeted. "Good to see the two of you are still alive. Where are you?"

"In an underground cave at the base of the Kelara Mountains," Chakotay answered. "I’m transmitting from a small communications center about ten meters below the surface. We’ve got about five minutes to talk before the Cardys figure out where we are. What’s your status?"

"All phasers are on-line and the torpedoes are armed and ready. Shields are at eighty percent and holding; but we’re losing power, and with the proximity of our other ships, we can’t engage the warp engines without risking a collision with one of them or the Cardassians."

"All fired up and nowhere to go," Chakotay muttered under his breath. "How are the Cloud Dancer and the Crazy Horse holding up?"

Paris glanced expectantly at Dubuque, who checked his panel before answering. "The Cloud Dancer is holding its own, but the Crazy Horse has taken some damage from the Cardassian ships," he reported. "Its shields are down to fifty percent, and Brev says that they’ve sustained heavy casualties."

Chakotay glanced at Janeway. "I’m open to suggestions, Captain."

"For starters you need to get the rest of crew off the Crazy Horse and onto the Cloud Dancer," Janeway declared.

"You want us to just give one of our ships over to the Cardys?" Dubuque prompted.

"You’re not going to give it to them, Mister Dubuque," Janeway countered. "Once you’ve transported your people off the ship, send a false message of surrender to the Cardassians, then activate the self-destruct sequence. When they beam aboard the Crazy Horse to take their prisoners, the ship will explode with them on it."

"Quite a devious plan, Captain," Chakotay remarked. "Maybe some of the Maquis tactics are starting to grow on you."

Janeway’s only response was a small smile, and Chakotay addressed Dubuque.

"Open a channel to the Crazy Horse, Derek," he instructed. "Tell Brev to coordinate with Moren on the Cloud Dancer to transport the survivors on board, then initiate the self-destruct "

"Yes, sir."

Dubuque implemented his instructions. After a moment he said, "Brev says the transport of our people in is progress, Captain."

"In that case, let’s provide our friends with a little distraction," Chakotay replied. "Target the nearest Cardassian ship and send a torpedo into their warp drive."

"You got it, Captain."

Dubuque ran a hand along his computer panel and a moment later announced that one of the Cardassian ships had been disabled just as his panel beeped to signal an incoming transmission.

"Brev is hailing us, Captain," he announced. "He says the survivors have been successfully transferred to the Cloud Dancer and the auto-destruct activated. He also says that he initiated the transmission signaling their surrender."

"Excellent."

On the Freedom, Paris turned to B’Elanna, who was manning the Ops station. "Can you get a lock on Chakotay and Captain Janeway?"

B’Elanna checked her panel before responding. "I don’t have enough power to do a double transport," she said. "I’ll have to beam them up one at a time."

Paris stifled a frustrated sigh as he addressed Chakotay. "Did you get that, Captain?"

"I heard her," Chakotay confirmed. "Transport Kathryn aboard first."

"This is no time to be chivalrous, Chakotay," Janeway declared. "You’re injured. Let them beam you up first."

Chakotay flashed her a faint smile. "That sounded suspiciously like an order, Captain," he chided. "Your rank holds no merit here, remember?"

"Engaging transporter," B’Elanna announced.

Just then a troop of Cardassian soldiers burst into the room, and Chakotay instinctively shoved Janeway behind him. He barely had time to shield her before the nearest soldier leveled him with a disruptor blast, and he crumpled to the ground unconscious and critically wounded.

"No!" Janeway shouted in denial as she disappeared in a shimmer of light.

"Scan him, Zoltav," Evek snapped, gesturing at Chakotay. "If he has some type of tracking device on him, I want it removed and destroyed."

As Zoltav scanned Chakotay, Evek wandered over to the control panel, and quickly surveyed the equipment.

"Interesting…" he remarked aloud. "Dumar, do you recognize these symbols?"

Dumar walked over to stand beside Evek and studied the computer for a moment before responding. "Yes, sir. These computers are laden with Starfleet technology."

"One wonders how our Maquis friends got their hands on such a large quantity of Starfleet equipment," Evek mused. "The system is too sophisticated for it to have been compiled from confiscated parts."

From behind him, Zoltav addressed Evek. "Sir, I’ve located a transponder imbedded in his left arm just above his wrist. It seems to be fused to the bone."

"Take it off," Evek instructed. "I don’t want them tracking us."

Zoltav nodded; withdrawing a large dagger from the sheath at his side, he slid the razor sharp blade through Chakotay’s flesh until he reached bone, then flicked his wrist to effectively shred the surrounding skin. Ignoring the blood pouring from the wound, he maneuvered the blade within the wound until it came into contact with the transponder. Setting the dagger on the ground beside him, Zoltav picked up Chakotay’s forearm and snapped the bone in half directly adjacent to the transponder, then retrieved his dagger to brace it against the transponder. With another vicious flick of his wrist, he dislodged the device, and got to his feet.

"I have it, sir," he said, and dropped the bloody transponder into Evek’s palm. The gul in turn dropped it on the ground, then crushed it beneath his boot heel.

"Starfleet’s stupidity never ceases to amaze me," Evek said, then gestured at Chakotay’s still form. "Is he dead?"

"He will be shortly," Zoltav declared. "Between his disruptor wounds and the veins I severed in his wrist, he’s going to bleed to death in about two minutes."

On board the Freedom, Janeway had materialized on the Bridge just in time to hear via the still open comm channel Zoltav’s pronouncement regarding Chakotay’s fate, and she blanched. "Tom, can you get a lock on his transponder signal and transport him aboard?" she asked.

"We’ve lost the signal, Captain," Paris answered. "They removed the transponder."

Before Janeway had tine to react to that statement, another Cardassian voice came over the comm channel.

"Take his body to the ship," Evek instructed. "His head will make a fine trophy for the dining hall."

Evek’s instruction shattered Janeway’s control, and she released an anguished sob. Paris was at her side immediately, wrapping an arm around her as he forced her to meet his gaze. "Captain, I know this is difficult, but you can’t fall apart on me," he whispered. "With Chakotay dead, you’re the ranking officer, and we need your experience to get us out of this alive."

More than willing to postpone dealing with the loss of Chakotay, Janeway quickly regained control of her grief and shifted into command mode. Wiping the tears from her face, she nodded at Paris to release her just as a beep from Dubuque’s panel signaled the arrival of another ship, and he shot Paris an astonished glance.

"Commander, the U.S.S. Defiant just dropped out of warp fifteen kilometers off our port bow," Dubuque announced. "They’re hailing us."

"Put them on screen."

Dubuque turned on the view screen, and Sisko’s image flickered before them. Not recognizing Paris, he focused his attention on Janeway. "Captain Janeway," he greeted. "I hope you don’t mind if we crash your little party."

"Not at all," Janeway returned. "We welcome the company."

From behind Sisko, Worf announced, "Captain, Voyager has dropped out of warp and has taken position on the opposite side of the Cardassian ships."

"The more the merrier," Sisko replied. "What’s your status, Captain?"

Dubuque answered before Janeway could, addressing Paris. "Commander, the Crazy Horse just exploded. The last readings we got indicated there were at least a dozen Cardys on board when it blew."

"How did you manage to get Cardassian troops to board a ship that was set to self-destruct?" Sisko queried.

"It was Captain Janeway’s idea," Paris answered.

"Captain," Kira directed at Sisko, "we’re being hailed by the lead Cardassian ship. Gul Evek is demanding to speak with you."

"What a surprise," Sisko replied with light sarcasm. "Put him on the viewscreen."

The image of the Freedom’s Bridge was immediately replaced by an image of the Cardassian ship’s Bridge; a visibly irate Evek sat in the center chair.

"This is neutral territory, Captain," Evek pointed out. "Starfleet has no business interfering with our activities here."

"We have no intention of interfering with your ‘activities,’ Evek," Sisko responded. "We were just in the neighborhood and decided to answer a distress call from the Maquis."

"I wasn’t aware Starfleet concerned itself with the fate of the Maquis."

"We’re always glad to lend a hand to those in need."

"This isn’t your fight, Captain."

"It is now."

"Four against two is hardly fair odds, Sisko."

"I agree, so why don’t you call it a day and go back to whatever puddle of slime you came from?"

Evek glanced at the soldier seated at the helm, who shook his head, and the gul returned his attention to Sisko. "This isn’t finished, Captain. You and I will cross paths again; and when we do, you will pay the price for your arrogance today."

The viewscreen flickered off, and a moment later Dax addressed Sisko. "The Cardassian ships are standing down their weapons and retreating, Captain."

"Thank you, Colonel. Captain Janeway, are any of the Maquis in need of medical attention?"

Janeway glanced at Paris, who answered, "Yes, sir. There are several wounded on board our other ship."

"I’ll have a medical team transport over," Sisko said.

"We’d appreciate that, Captain. Thank you."

Sisko inclined his head ever so slightly, then signed off. The viewscreen turned to black just as Dubuque announced that Voyager was hailing them.

"Put them on the viewscreen," Paris instructed.

Dubuque ran a hand across his panel, and a moment later Voyager’s Bridge flickered into focus. Elias Cavit scanned the cluster of Maquis on his viewscreen before he settled his gaze on Janeway. "Captain," he greeted. "It’s good to see you again. I assume you’re unharmed?"

"I’m fine," Janeway assured him. "I’ll be returning to Voyager shortly, but in the meantime the Maquis ships could use a little repair work. Have Lieutenant Carey assemble a team for each ship and transport over."

"Aye, Captain. Cavit out."

Janeway started off the Bridge but stopped when Dubuque called to her.

"Captain Janeway…"

Janeway turned expectantly, and Dubuque flashed her a faint smile.

"Thanks for calling in the cavalry."

"You’re welcome, Lieutenant."

**********************************

Part 19