All the usual disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Paramount (Viacom and whomever else), but what they do between episodes, between scenes, and in my rather dangerous mind are my concern (no matter what anybody says). This is, after all, my alternate universe.
(title: The title and first line of the chorus to 'The Oak and the Ash', an old British folk song)
*This sector is made up of thirty inhabited planets. The planets were colonized a 1000 years ago by the Khurs. An open race, very willing to trade. Friendly and outgoing.* Kathryn put-down the PADD with the initial report of the planet, Khurian... *B.S.!* she thought.
She then reread the Commander's report. It was decidedly lacking information, but so was his debriefing. In fact the entire away-team, all five members, had only vague recollections of what had happened during the six days they'd spent in a Khurian prison. #
#
It had been one hellish week. A simple reconnaissance mission to determine the feasibility of mining for dilithium. An unusually pure form was found on the planet. A simple mission with the permission of the planetary government.
She shook her head as she remembered. Chakotay and his away-team had beamed down to the surface. The team had entered the mines and had been out of contact for a while. Voyager had re-established voice-contact for several minutes--before losing the link again. When B'Elanna and Harry had finally located the team after an hour, Janeway had ordered them beamed out.
And that's when the hell had begun.
All they had beamed out were the five comm-badges.
She'd immediately contacted the planetary government, who seemed put off by her request to send in a rescue team. They had repeatedly been uncooperative and increasingly hostile over her requests for information.
For five days the ship had been at yellow alert as they remained in orbit scanning the planet.
Khurian. It hadn't even been an attractive planet.
She shook her head in disgust.
Tom and B'Elanna had finally taken a shuttle into a lower orbit. It had taken B'Elanna several hours to reconfigure the shields: creating a visual profile that resembled one of the local freighters. They'd been monitoring local radio traffic, so were familiar with the standard procedures and necessary codes to fly at that lower orbit. After three hours, the pair had found the five members of the away-team and had beamed them to the shuttle. They'd barely docked, when the Khurian fleet had appeared on the horizon. Voyager had taken off at warp 9.1 #
#
For six hours the Khurian fleet had been pursuing them. Or rather shadowing them. Two hours ago, when Voyager had slowed to warp 8.5, the fleet had slowed too. Twelve ships of different types and classes.
She was still just delighted they had found them. And that they were all right. The Doctor had given them a clean bill of health, ordered each of the team-members to take tomorrow off and released them.
The only thing was that they remembered little of their experiences in the Khurian prison. #
#
She heard the swish of her doors and turned. Her face lit up as Chakotay took her in his arms.
"You all right?" She asked as he kissed her forehead.
"Tired. You look beautiful." He held her close. "I may not remember much--but I do remember thinking of you."
She smiled as she touched his face. "Commander, I think that is the nicest compliment any of my first officers have ever said to me."
"I hope so." He kissed her again. "Any ideas what the fleet wants?" He looked out the window.
"They've made no hostile moves for six hours. It's almost like they're waiting for something." She shrugged her shoulders. "They've very carefully stayed far enough away that we can barely detect them, yet close enough to make me nervous."
"Gods, I wish I could remember more." He looked at her apologetically.
"So do I. Doc thinks you may have been unconscious or drugged for most of the time." She looked at him. "Chakotay, don't go blaming yourself for this. I trusted the bastards too."
"We might have told them something..."
She looked at him matter-of-factly. "You probably did. We've changed all your security code clearances, shield dynamics, et cetera. It's standard procedure. You know that Commander--it was your suggestion after that mess with Seska."
He just nodded. She wrapped her arms about him as she asked, "Do you want to know more about what happened?"
"Later," he said as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. He picked her up and carried her to her bed. He put her down and slowly removed the coral robe, letting it slide to floor. He slid his hands down the side of her face, over her shoulder and down her arms. Sliding the straps of her nightgown down at the same time. She stood still while he caressed her breasts and nibbled on her neck. Then she slowly pulled the shirt he was wearing over his head and started nibbling her way down his chest to his pants. He kicked of the moccasins he was wearing, then she slid his pants off and sat down on the bed, pulling him with her.
She pushed him down and straddled him. Her fingers tracing the lines of his tattoo, down his neck. She drew designs with fingers as she renewed her acquaintance with his body. He lay still letting her explore, losing himself in the exquisite gentleness of her touch. Kathryn started to kiss his neck and moved downward.
She could feel his arousal between her thighs. She smiled as she felt her own body respond. She moved down and started to stroke his erection--the look on his face was of sheer pleasure. She trembled slightly as she leaned over and kissed the tip, then she slowly, tormentingly so, moved her lips over his erection.
After several minutes of this, he reached down and pulled her up so her face was even with his. He kissed her, forcing her lips open with his tongue. One hand supported her neck, while the other teased her breasts. He could feel her wetness and quickly rolled them over, so he was on top. He entered her quickly. He loved how she responded to him, so completely, so intently. He bent down to kiss her, then started to rock their way to completion.
She gasped as she felt his orgasm, then almost shrieked when hers began. Panting to regain her breath she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. After several minutes of gentle nuzzling and whisperings, they fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms. #
#
She could feel he was dreaming. He moaned something, perhaps 'not again.' He tossed and turned, then quieted. She took him in her arms and held him close. As she did, she felt his body relax, a look of serenity crossed his face.
She smiled, then frowned--what had he been dreaming? He'd never been a restless sleeper before. Exhausted, she pushed her head under his chin and fell asleep. #
#
She woke again early in the morning. He was awake. She rolled on top of him, "Morning."
He looked at her, a bit of confusion in his eyes. "Kathryn." He pulled her down to kiss her.
She pulled back, so she was leaning over him. "Is everything all right?"
"I...Fine." He glanced around quickly.
She watched his eyes, wondering at what he found surprising. "You look surprised."
"Just a little disoriented." He pulled her down and kissed her. Then rolled her over. "However I do remember it's been awhile." He kissed her hungrily.
She muttered something about six hours--but he didn't hear. She looked at him and smiled. His eyes were distant, far away. "Chakotay?" She whispered. She felt him climax and then he collapsed on her. Asleep.
"Chakotay?" She whispered again. Puzzled she lay there. There was something wrong--something that had been nagging at her since they had rescued the team. Something she could not identify.
She rolled him off her, listening to his familiar gentle snoring. She leaned down and kissed him. He stirred slightly. She leaned on her left elbow and watched him. Silently, she slipped out of her bed and showered. Since he wasn't on duty later, after she finished dressing, she turned off the alarm. #
#
"Activate Emergency Medical Holo..." Captain Janeway said as she entered sick-bay.
"Captain, you're up early. Is something wrong?"
Now what, she thought. "Yes...Actually I don't know. It's Commander Chakotay...And the other members of his team."
"I examined them, they are fine."
She smiled slightly embarrassed. "I don't mean to criticize, it's just that..." For three months they had kept their affair a secret from the crew--and now she had to admit to it.
"Yes?" The Doctor prompted. When she looked around to make sure no one else was there, he looked too.
"His behavior is different."
"Whose? The Commander's?" The Doctor raised an eyebrow and almost smiled.
She nodded. "He's sleeping badly and...and...I don't think remembers much from last night."
The Doctor didn't ask how she knew he was sleeping badly--he'd heard the rumors. "What is he forgetting?"
She blushed. *Kathryn, he's a Doctor, for pete's sake.* "We were together and I don't think his mind was there. This morning he seemed surprised at his surroundings."
The Doctor looked at her. "I'll run a complete examination in the morning." She turned to leave. "Captain?"
She turned around. "Yes?"
"Ensign Robert Friis was in here an hour with a similar complaint about his wife." She'd been one of the five. "I'll schedule complete examinations for all members of the away-team."
She nodded. "Keep me informed."
Slightly distracted she went to the bridge an hour early. "Report." She looked at Harry Kim. He snapped to attention.
"Captain. The Khurian fleet is still shadowing us. We've increased speed to warp 8.8--they matched it."
She nodded. "Please inform Lieutenant Tuvok that I would like to see him in my ready room. Now."
"Aye Captain," Harry said. She looked worried he thought.
Tuvok arrived on the bridge seven minutes later, impeccably dressed as ever. He nodded to Harry and entered the Captain's ready room.
"Captain?"
She didn't answer for several seconds. "Good morning Lieutenant."
He knew her well enough that to know she was bothered by something.
She turned and looked at him. "I want increased security on all systems. Especially the computer systems."
"Captain?" He raised an eyebrow. "Do you have evidence that something has or will happen?"
She shook her head. "No. Let's say I'm playing a hunch."
"A hunch?"
"A gut feeling. Something isn't right. I know it's not logical. And no, I'm not going to explain more." She turned away. "And Lieutenant...Place security monitors on the away-team members."
And that, Tuvok realized, was what was bothering her. "Yes Captain. Do you want me to place a guard on each member?"
"No. Tuvok, the fewer who know the better."
He raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. "Yes Captain." He waited for her dismissal. "Captain, is everything all right?"
"I don't know. It's just that he..." She stopped, but not before Tuvok began to understand her uncertainty. "Dismissed Lieutenant. Please keep me informed."
"Yes Captain." Tuvok made a precision about-face and walked out the ready room. He went to his office and pulled up the information he needed. He knew who he'd assign to monitor the other four, but after locating the commander he realized that he could be the only one to monitor the Commander's movements. #
#
Chakotay woke an hour later, not sure where he was. Slowly he recognized her room and that he was alone. He wasn't surprised that she wasn't there, but he didn't remember her leaving...Hell, he didn't remember much of anything. She was often up before him. But he'd usually heard or felt her leave his side. He tried to remember more of the evening. They'd made love...Or had he just fallen asleep.
He slipped out of the bed, showered and dressed in the civilian clothes he'd been wearing last night. He was about to leave when he noticed that there was a message for him on her computer. He went over and pulled it up and frowned...How had the Doctor known he was here???
*Oh well,* he thought. *What better way than to spend one's day off than in the Doctor's office.* #
#
"Good morning Commander. How are you feeling?" The Doctor asked when Chakotay stepped into sick-bay.
He noticed Kes was busy working on something. "Fine--tired. What's going on?"
"That's what we're trying to find out." The Doctor ran a tricorder over the commander. "Please sit down on the bio-bed. We need to do a complete scan." The Doctor was also aware of Janeway's orders to Tuvok. She must really be concerned to have gone to such an extreme.
"Commander," the Doctor continued. "How much of last night do you remember?"
Puzzled Chakotay looked at him. "I..." He'd just been trying to remember that. "I don't know. Bits and pieces."
"The Captain was concerned." The Doctor looked at Kes, satisfied that she was busy and not listening he lowered his voice and continued. "Something happened last night and it concerned her."
"What?" Chakotay asked, then realized that Kathryn must have told the Doc where he had spent the night. Now he was worried, she would only do that if something was really disturbing her.
The Doctor smiled. Embarrassment wasn't part of his programming--which considering the topic was fortunate. "It seems that while you were with her...Commander you made love to the Captain--only for some reason she doesn't think you were *there*."
Chakotay shook his head. "I must not have been. I know I was with her...But that's all I remember."
Kes watched the Doc and Chakotay out of the corner of her eye. The Doctor's bedside manner had improved in the few years she'd known him. From the Commander's worried (and could it be embarrassed) looks, the Doctor still had a long way to go.
"Doctor," she walked over to them. "Commander."
"Kes."
"I've prepared the first analysis. Commander, you aren't the only one. You don't remember parts of what happened last night?"
He nodded. Kes smiled. Their affair was probably the worst kept secret on the ship. #
#
Robert Friis had asked for the day off. Tuvok had given him permission. The young security ensign was concerned about his wife.
Robert met his wife outside of sick-bay. "Well, what did the Doctor say?"
She started crying. "He doesn't know yet. But I seem to have something wrong with my memory." She grabbed him. "I'm forgetting things. Like last night. We talked about the baby and I don't remember much else. What if I forget about the baby?" She started to cry on his shoulder.
He let her cry for several seconds before taking her hand. "Missy, it will be all right. I'm here. You need to rest." He escorted her back to their quarters. #
#
Janeway sat on the bridge, very much aware that the chair to her left was empty. After four hours sitting in her chair or in her ready-room, trying to get some work done, she still couldn't concentrate. Between the vague feeling of uncertainty and the Khurian Fleet, she wanted to vent her frustration on something. She looked about the bridge. The mood was somber, even Tom was quiet. She looked at the screen--the Khurian fleet was still shadowing them. "Try hailing them again," she said to the ensign standing at the Security station. She knew a bit of irritation had shown in her voice.
"Still no response, Captain."
She closed her eyes. *Calm down. See the inner light...* She opened her eyes. "I'll be in sick-bay. Paris you have the bridge." She wondered if the Doc had found anything yet. #
#
She could hear the hum of machinery when she entered sick-bay. She looked around.
"Captain."
Janeway nearly jumped at the sound of the Doctor's voice from behind her. She turned to face him.
"I didn't mean to startle you."
She waved her hand to indicate it was all right. "Anything?"
"We have detected a protein fragment that should not be there."
"Yes?"
"That's it. We have tested several other members of the crew as a control. Only the five have this fragment." He shook his head. "It's some how being replicated."
Janeway felt her stomach lurch. "Replicated?"
The doctor shook his head. "We're still trying to figure out the mechanism. It seems to be affecting short term memory."
"Could it be something the Khurians gave them to block what happened in the prison?"
"Not enough data. But it is a logical suggestion."
"How serious?"
He frowned. "I don't know. Captain this fragment acts like a structure known as prion--except it has a much faster incubation period and does not seem to be destroying the brain. We have not detected any sign of brain lesions--just a loss of bits of recent memories."
She looked at him, the frustration and fear of the past week showing a bit more than she wanted.
"I've placed them all on medical leave. I've also placed bio-monitors on each. Kes is in the lab running some more tests."
She tried to smile. "Thanks Doctor." She started to leave. "How are they?"
"Nervous. Melissa Friis was the most upset. She's four weeks pregnant by the way."
"I didn't know."
"Neither did she, until her exam yesterday." Doc frowned. "All have suffered some memory loss of last night. Captain, I'm sorry I don't have more information for you." He reached out and touched her shoulder.
"It's a start. Keep me informed." #
#
Tuvok was looking at his terminal when the door chime rang. "Enter." He stood. "Captain?"
She nodded. "I've just talked to the Doctor." She then explained what the doctor had told her.
"Interesting," he watched her closely.
"Anything?" She asked as she nodded toward the computer, ignoring his look.
"No. Nothing unusual."
She smiled. "Thanks." She started to say something else, but instead she left.
Tuvok watched her leave before sitting down and returning to the security analysis. #
#
Missy Friis sat in the dining hall--alone in a back corner. She poked at the food.
"Good afternoon Ensign," Neelix said. He'd been watching her for several minutes. "Would you prefer something else for lunch?"
She shook her head. He noticed that her eyes were red. "Is something wrong, Melissa?" He asked quietly.
"No, nothing..." She started crying again. "I'm losing my mind, we all are..." She was on the verge of hysterics.
Neelix tapped his comm-badge. "Neelix to Ensign Robert Friis."
Robert responded and Neelix explained. He arrived a few minutes later. "Missy, come on. Let's go to sick-bay." Reluctantly she stood and let her husband guide her out."
Neelix looked around, fortunately it was late, there had been very few to witness the scene. #
#
Kathryn Janeway glanced over the Doctor's report as she ate a late lunch in her ready-room. He'd isolated the protein fragment, but had nothing new to report. She frowned as she looked at her terminal. The bloody fleet was still following them. She considered turning around and demanding some answers...
This was the very reason that protocol strongly suggested that Captains not become involved with members of their crew. Was her desire for action/revenge because of him or...No, she would do the same for any member of her crew.
"Captain," the disembodied voice of Tuvok said.
"Yes Lieutenant?"
"We're picking up a distress signal."
She closed her eyes, was this more of whatever was going on. "Red alert, and set an intercept course." #
#
Chakotay was sitting in his quarters trying to meditate when the ship went to red alert. Instinctively he headed to the bridge, he couldn't take just sitting around anymore.
Janeway looked up when he entered. "Commander, we're investigating distress call. A small ship. One life form. Khurs."
He winced. "Captain, could this be..."
"Part of whatever. I've considered it. It could also be our chance to get some answers."
Tuvok glanced at the Captain and back at his console. Whatever was going on--in the 8 hours since her orders to him--nothing had happened, except Ensign Melissa Friis had become hysterical and been sedated.
"We will be within transporter range in five minutes," Ensign Wildman said without looking up. She had completed her cross-training in ops. "The fleet has not changed course or speed...No...They are slowing down."
Both commanding officers looked at the screen. Sure enough the fleet had slowed. Chakotay tapped his comm-badge, "Bridge to engineering--any way to increase our scanning-range." The Khurian would be out of range of their scanners in several minutes.
B'Elanna responded, "I can give you a bit. Another two thousand kilometers."
The screen view switched to a badly damaged small one-man ship.
"All stop," Janeway called. "Ensign," she said to Wildman.
"One Khurs, male--minimal lifesigns."
"Beam directly to sick-bay." She looked at Tuvok. "Place a guard on him. I'll want to interrogate our guest when he comes-to."
"Yes, Captain,"
"Sam," the Captain continued. "Scan the ship--is it salvageable?"
"It sustained major damage from several phaser blasts. It could be salvageable. Preparing a tractor beam."
"Very good--prepare the main shuttle bay for a non-manual approach." Janeway glanced at Chakotay then Ensign Wildman. "Bring the ship in."
Janeway smiled slightly to herself as she watched Sam Wildman dock the shuttle. "Nice job, Ensign. Commander, Tuvok, you're with me in sick-bay. Tom you have the bridge. Maintain yellow-alert."
Tom grinned, "Yes, Ma'am." #
#
Kes looked at her patient then at the Captain. "He's unconscious..." She looked at her patient again. "Khurs physiology is very different from what we know. I don't dare use any of our stimulants to bring him around." She looked from the Captain to the Commander, then at Tuvok. "I'll let you know when he is awake."
"Thanks Kes..."
Kes smiled as she looked at the data on their guest. She and the Doctor were hoping to find a clue about the protein fragment as they learned more about Khurian physiology. #
#
Janeway and Tuvok stepped off the lift just as Tom said, "Red alert. Captain. Two ships are approaching."
"Hail them."
"No response. Time to intercept ten minutes." Tuvok looked at his console. "The other ships are not approaching."
"Tom set a course away from the ships, warp nine." Janeway sat down in her chair. "Continue trying to hail them."
"They've increased speed to warp nine-point-seven." Samantha looked up. "Captain, the ships were not met for such speeds. I'm showing massive energy fluctuations."
Tuvok agreed with the assessment, "Illogical as it seems, the ensign is correct."
"Divert power to shields," she didn't need a suicide run on her ship. "How many on the ships?"
"Fifteen, Captain," Wildman responded. "They're powering weapons."
"Battle stations, Tuvok. Target their engines. She looked at her console, the two ships were no match for Voyager. "Mr. Paris all stop. Mr. Tuvok, fire at will."
The first ship fired and flew straight for the starboard nacelle. A blast from Voyager knocked the little ship off course. The second ship was stopped in much the same way.
Janeway shook her head. "Hail them, offer our assistance."
"No response. Captain, there is a massive energy build-up in both ships," Tuvok looked up. "They've initiated self-destruct."
A blazing white light filled the screen as both ships exploded. Voyager was rocked.
"Damage?" Janeway called out.
"No damage to Voyager. Both ships are completely destroyed. No survivors," Tuvok sounded as impassive as ever.
"The fleet?"
"Still there, Captain." Samantha shook her head. She wondered what the hell was going on.
"Stand down from red-alert. Maintain yellow." She stood, then looked at Tuvok. "Lieutenant, my ready room. Tom you have the bridge. Continue on previous course."
"Lieutenant, she said as the door closed. Look to see if any transmissions were made during the attack."
"Captain?"
"Tuvok, that was one of the stupidest, most illogical and wasteful attacks..." She paused.
"A diversion," he raised an eyebrow. "I'll have a report for you in two hours."
She watched as Tuvok left and frowned. *Gods, what a day. What a week,* she added. #
#
Missy Friis lay on the bed in a fitful sleep. Her husband looked in on her and returned to his computer game. He sighed and shook his head, when the room was shaken by a scream. He practically jumped off the couch.
"Stop it, stop it..."
Robert ran into the bedroom, "Missy?"
Her body was extremely tense, but she was still asleep.
"Missy," he repeated. She stirred and relaxed as the doorchime rang. Reluctantly he went to answer it.
The door opened to reveal three security officers. "What the hell happened? We heard the scream all the way down at the other end of the hall," the shorter one asked.
Robert shook his head, "Nightmare, she's sound asleep."
"Gees Bob, it sounded ghastly. Do you want to contact sick-bay."
"Thanks, she'll be fine..."
The three looked at each other as the door closed. #
#
Kes heard a soft moan, and saw the security officer draw his weapon. She turned, the Khurs patient was coming to. She looked in the Doctor's office, "He's waking up."
"Good." They both went to stand by the patient. The Doctor gave the security guard a look, "Put that thing away, before I have to clean-up the mess." The guard put the phaser away and moved to stand by the door again.
The Khurian opened his eyes and looked around, his dark face showing confusion. The heavy ridges along his chin and cheek turned darker. "Where am I?"
"You're on Voyager." Kes said.
"Voyager?"
"Yes," the Doctor continued. "I might say you were very fortuitous that we found you when we did."
"I was attacked several days ago. I don't remember much."
"We found you several hours ago, and have been treating your injuries." Doc looked at the patient's hand. "We don't know much about Khurian physiology, but I do say that I did a remarkable job anyway."
The lights started to blink. "Red-alert, senior staff report to the bridge." Janeway's voice filled the room.
The Khurs looked puzzled. "What is happening?"
"We're being attacked again..." the Doctor started, but Kes stopped him. She nodded toward the patient to warn him. Doc nodded.
The patient sat up in alarm. "By whom? The Khurian Fleet? I want to leave now."
"Calm down," the Doctor said placing his hands on the Khurs' shoulders. "You will only re-injure yourself."
"So, at least I'll be alive. You don't understand...The Khurian Fleet always wins. Your lives are all over, and mine too if I stay."
"Well, uhh...What is your name anyway?"
"Kasbrath."
"Well, Kasbrath," the Doctor continued. "Your ship isn't going anywhere, and neither are you." The patient started to struggle, Kes grabbed a hypospray and injected him. Kasbrath looked stunned then started to drift off. "A mild sedative. Sleep, it will help you heal." The ship shook, and then the alert was over. "See, the battle's over again." The Doctor looked at Kes and shook his head. #
#
Janeway stood on the bridge and looked at the debris of the two ships sent against Voyager. The whole thing was puzzling. She looked at Tuvok, "Lieutenant, I want to meet with the senior staff in ten minutes."
"Captain," Harry said. He was now at ops. "The Khurian fleet is closing. They've closed to one hundred kilometers and maintaining."
She looked at Harry. *What the Hell was going on.*
"Sick-bay to bridge."
"Janeway here," the Captain responded. "Yes Kes?"
"The patient came to for a couple of minutes, we had to sedate him. He should come around again in about 2 hours. Captain, he really believes the Khurian Fleet will destroy us. He was terrified."
"Keep me informed, Janeway out." She looked at Tuvok then at the lift as Chakotay entered the bridge. "Commander, my ready-room."
She waited until the doors closed. "Did you sleep."
He nodded. "I guess so. What happened?"
"The Khurians sent 2 more ships. What a waste. Kes says our Khurs guest is terrified. We'll..." She looked at him, he looked totally lost. "Chakotay, what is it?"
"What Khurs guest?"
"You remember, we rescued him just before you went back to your quarters to get...You don't remember, do you?"
He slid his hand through his hair and shook his head.
"Get to sick-bay." She tried to not sound as worried as she felt, but she was too tired.
"Aye Captain." He kissed her forehead. "I suppose with all the monitors, I won't see you tonight?"
She shook her head. "Go, will you. Before we do something *foolish.*" She grinned.
He smiled in return, then left. She sat on the edge of her desk and rubbed her eyes.
Her comm-badge chirped. "Captain, the senior staff with the exception of Commander Chakotay is assembled in the briefing room." #
#
She looked at her assembled staff, "Lieutenant Tuvok, security analysis?"
"Captain, shouldn't we wait for the Commander..."
"No, continue." There was a touch of irritation in her voice--more at the situation than anybody in particular.
"During both attacks, I found no sign of any hidden transmissions to or from Voyager. I have found no sign of any computer tampering, unauthorized entry into the systems. The only anomalous behavior has been Ensign Melissa Friis. She has become hysterical." Tuvok finished and sat down.
Janeway stood and looked around. "It's the away-team members. Something happened in that prison. I'm becoming convinced that the Khurians are waiting for something to happen on Voyager."
"Captain," Kes said. "Our patient would seem to agree with you. Before we sedated him, he was convinced that the Khurians will destroy the ship. Besides Missy Friis's erratic behavior, the other away-team members have suffered an apparently on-going, but gradual loss of short-term-memory. We'd sedated Melissa earlier. She doesn't remember anything that happened before she fell asleep. This has been reported by the other team members too." She looked at the Captain. "Commander Chakotay is in sick-bay right now. That's why the Doctor didn't come." Kes looked around the table. "We've found a protein fragment in each of the team members. It shouldn't be there. We've also been monitoring our Khurian guest. Their physiology is incredibly different from ours. Their neurological patterns are unique. Apparently, when they sleep they don't produce serotonin. The Doctor is setting up an experiment. Since the memory loss only occurs when they sleep, he suspects that serotonin is a catalyst for the protein fragment. " She almost smiled at some of the blank faces.
"Let me see if I understand," Tom cut in. "The serotonin we produce while we sleep causes this protein fragment to block memory..."
Kes nodded. "The fragment may have been used to block the memory of what happened in the prison, but in humans this fragment is being replicated and the serotonin assists it to block events that happened just before they went to sleep."
Janeway closed her eyes for a second. "A cure?"
"As soon as we know for sure that this is what happens, the Doctor has some ideas."
Someone's comm-badge chirped.
"Security to Lieutenant Tuvok."
"Tuvok here. Ensign?"
"There's been a security alert in the hydroponics garden."
"Get a team there, I'm on my way." He and Janeway stood and left together, leaving the others wondering what was happening. #
#
Melissa Friis stood on one side of the small bush, her husband on the other. "Missy, please..." He called out quietly.
"Leave me alone, I don't want to hurt anyone." She shifted her feet as she saw the security team enter the garden. "Tell them to stay away," she ordered as she lifted her phaser.
Robert motioned them to stay back. "Missy, please put the phaser down..."
"You don't understand, I'm losing my mind. What kind of person loses their mind--what kind of mother will I be. What if I forget my baby." She started to weep quietly, but stopped when her husband took a step forward. "NO! Stay back, all of you." She looked at the phaser then her husband.
"MISSY! NO!" He leapt as she placed the phaser up against her head. #
#
Janeway and Tuvok had just stepped into the garden when the sound of a phaser filled the room. Instinctively both officers dove to the ground. A second of silence, then the sound of frantic yelling and screaming.
Robert was kneeling on the ground holding his hysterical wife. The security team leader requested an emergency transport to sick-bay. Tuvok and Janeway watched silently until the twinkling lights vanished.
"What happened?" She asked.
"Melissa went off the deep end," the team leader said. "She tried to shoot herself, Bob jumped on her and knocked her to the ground, the phaser landed in the compost heap. Captain, Lieutenant. What the Hell is going on? Missy is, I thought, a very sane person..."
"Ensign if we knew..." Janeway looked at Tuvok. "I'll be in sick-bay. Lieutenant..." She stopped. She had a very good idea what was happening, and she was terrified that the other four members of the away-team would suffer from a similar loss of reason. She noticed Tuvok raise an eyebrow. #
#
Janeway found sick-bay oddly quiet. She looked around. "Kes?" The security guard looked at her. "Captain. She and the Doctor are in the Friis' quarters. Melissa became extremely agitated at the sight of our Khurian guest."
Janeway looked at him and shook her head. *What the hell had happened on that planet,* she wondered. She was about to leave when the doors opened and a somber faced Doctor walked in.
"How is she?"
"We've sedated her, and set a force field around their quarters. She's terrified."
"And the others, will this happen to them?"
The Doctor shook his head, "I honestly do not know, Captain. But yes, it could."
"And the cure..."
"Captain, I have a temporary fix, I administered it to Ensign Friis." He looked around. "She lost the child," he added sadly.
*Damn,* she thought. *Who the Hell did these bastards think they are.* She clenched her fist. "Can you use this *fix* on the other four?"
"I'd rather not, if I don't need to. The others are just suffering from the memory loss--not the radical personality change."
There was a soft moan from the Khurs. Doc and Janeway looked at him. The security guard moved to let them come closer, but his hand was on his phaser, Janeway noticed. Everybody was starting to feel edgy.
"Kasbrath?" The doctor asked.
"We really do need to question him," Janeway whispered, then contacted Tuvok.
The Doctor nodded and took a hypospray, "I've modified the dosage." He injected the Khurian on his neck.
Kasbrath's eyes flew open and he looked around. "Voyager?"
"Yes. I'm Captain Janeway, we need some information."
He looked at her, then the Doctor. "You don't have time. I demand that I be shown where my ship..."
"Kasbrath," she said calmly. "Your ship is going no where until I get some answers. It was badly damaged. I've had someone look at it. We can repair it..."
Kasbrath almost smiled. "And the payment is information." He did smile when she nodded. "Very well Captain, I agree. But first tell me what happened."
Tuvok entered as she finished the story. Kasbrath looked quizzically at the Vulcan then at the Captain. "This is Lieutenant Tuvok, my Chief of Security."
"He is not like you?"
"No," Janeway said. "I'm a human, he's a Vulcan."
"I've never seen ones who look like you." Kasbrath paused. "For many years Khurian had been a trading center. But over the past five years fewer and fewer traders went. Too many ships were disappearing." He looked at Janeway then Tuvok again. "We are the only humanoids in this sector and very rarely encounter others. Our ancestors colonized over thirty planets. Each independent of, but dependent on the others. Don't let Khurian poison your minds against the rest of us. Where was I." He stopped, and sat up--jumping slightly when he bumped the force field. "Ships started disappearing around Khurian about five years ago. At first there was no concern outside of rescuing the crew. But the ships and crew were never found. There were rumors, the local government was putting together a fleet of ships. These ships were mysteriously found drifting--the crew dead, so the Khurian government confiscated them. That type of thing. It was too many ships, too many questions, and many traders would no longer travel this way. Some did. And one day the strangest *rumor* reached us. A survivor had escaped. Her story was bizarre. The engineer had been arrested after a drunken brawl and not seen from for several days. Then he'd turned up, the ship had left with the Khurian fleet in pursuit. A day later, the engineer had poisoned the entire ship--including himself. She'd survived and had fled in a small escape pod. The Khurian Fleet arrived later and took the ship."
Janeway noticed Tuvok's raised eyebrow and almost smiled. A bizarre tale.
Kasbrath looked down. "You do not believe me."
"It's a hard story to believe," Tuvok said.
"So our leaders said in the beginning." He looked around. "Voyager looks like it is a large, very advanced ship." He was not surprised when no one answered. "Captains who trade with the Khurians warn that none of the crew should leave the ship and if they do, don't let them back on..."
Tuvok glanced at Janeway, "Most interesting, but it does not explain what is happening to our crew members."
Kasbrath closed his eyes. The Doctor was reaching for his tricorder when the patient looked at them. "Captain, I think we are going to have to trust each other. I was sent by my government to find out what is happening on Khurian. I had been there three months, when I became suspicious my cover was blown. But I had discovered something." He smiled. "I'd made friends with a guard at the prison, who drank a little too much, then talked too much. He told me some interesting stories, about prisoners who came in without paperwork and were placed in maximum security areas. These prisoners later escaped." Kasbrath stopped.
Janeway looked at Tuvok, then closed her eyes. *It was starting to make sense.* "Were you able to connect names with the missing ships?"
"Yes, no. I was able to find out one name. She was on a freighter that landed on Khurian two weeks ago. After her *escape,* I followed her ship and watched. I was too far away to really see what happened, but..."
Tuvok looked at Janeway, then spoke, "Would the information still be in your computer?"
Kasbrath shook his head. "That was my first indication that my cover was blown--the record had been wiped. I left within the hour, figuring an incomplete oral report beat no report." He shifted position. "There was a short distress call, then the ship started to drift. It was then that I noticed the Khurian fleet had been shadowing them. An hour later they took over the ship and towed it back to a military base." He looked at the Captain. "I'd really appreciate any assistance getting my ship out of here..."
"I'll have our chief engineer start to work on it." She indicated that she wanted to talk to Tuvok, alone. As they left, she turned, "Thank you Kasbrath."
They didn't discuss what they'd learned until they entered her ready room.
"Fascinating story," Tuvok said. "If there is any chance that it is true..."
Janeway frowned. "It's true. The Khurians did something in the prison. The two attacks--they were seeing if we were still alive...I doubt they do that again." She quietly voiced her thoughts, "They have been waiting for something."
"It is a logical assumption, Captain. The logical course of action is to place the other four members of the away-team in the brig."
"We can't just lock them up. Like common criminals..." She looked at her security officer for several seconds. "I'd like to meet with them first in the briefing room, fifteen minutes. And have Doc join us." She looked down at her hands, missing his affirmative reply and departure. "Janeway to Chakotay."
"Captain?"
"Meet me in my ready-room now."
"Aye, captain." #
#
Chakotay stared out the window as she explained what had happened. When she'd finished, he turned to look at her. "Tuvok thinks we are a security risk?" She nodded. "Whatever was supposed to have happened--should have by now?"
"I think so." She shrugged. "But then humans apparently don't respond the way the Khurians are used to. Melissa Friis..."
"I heard." They sat there, silent.
"The brig isn't my idea of ideal accommodations, but it beats a Khurian prison any day." He smiled. "Kathryn, you owe me."
"I owe three others too..."
"Just give them extra replicator rations."
"So, what does this deal entail?"
He smiled. "Ah, Captain. I'll think of something."
She laughed. "That's what I'm afraid of." She touched him on the shoulder.
He reached up and took her hand in his. "I think we have a meeting to go to." #
#
She lay down on her bed, her thoughts still racing through the days events. She glanced at her window--somewhere out there the Khurian fleet still chased them. It had crossed her mind several times that day to duck into a nebula and ambush them. Her soul cried out for revenge, for what they were doing, had done, for the Friis family, for herself. Just to put an end to this constant wondering *what next.*
The meeting with the four away-team members had been miserable. No one had argued with Tuvok's logic. They were now spending a quiet night in the brig. The four men on that mission had taken the decision calmly. The Doc had assured them that he was close to a cure. Within two days, he'd promised. Kathryn sighed. Hopefully this would all be over then.
She pulled the blankets up over her. "Turn-off lights." The room went dark, lit only by the dim streams of stars. She didn't fall asleep but lay there staring at her ceiling.
The crew had taken the news calmly. The rumors had been flying ever since Melissa Friis's breakdown. The Doctor had sent out an announcement explaining what was going on.
She tossed for several minutes before slipping into a restless sleep. #
#
Morning, found the Captain outside the brig. She nodded to the bored-looking security guard. Kathryn still felt guilty about placing the four in the brig, but she didn't dare take any risks--not after everything. She smiled and said good morning to the other three, they looked tired. She smiled at Chakotay and shut the security field down to enter his cell. "Good-morning, Commander."
"Captain." He sounded exhausted.
She grimaced, "I won't ask how you slept..."
"Good, because none of us did..." He walked to the back wall. "It's so damn frustrating, knowing that if we fall asleep we'll forget a little bit more. So we spend all night trying to stay awake."
"Chakotay, I..." She stood there and watched him pace. He looked dreadful. "The Doctor's working on..."
"And what if it doesn't..."
"Don't," she cut in. "We'll solve this..."
"And until then, we're here like common prisoners." He looked at her. His face not as angry as his words.
She nodded, "I can't take the risk. The Khurians did something to you, there's been one near death all ready. I..." She looked away, her emotions starting to get the better of her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and regained some control. "I don't like this either. I miss you on the bridge."
For the first time since her arrival he grinned. "Is that the only place?" He asked suggestively.
She blushed and smiled, "Why Commander, whatever could you mean?"
He moved swiftly to her and gathered her in his arms. Without a word he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. Neither aware or concerned that they were providing the morning entertainment for the others.
Tom looked at B'Elanna, shook his head, then whistled. With a wicked smile he watched the couple leap apart. "B'Elanna suggested we come and cheer-up Chakotay before our shift began. I see he found something better. Carry on." B'Elanna hit him hard in the ribs. He winced and grunted.
Janeway glared at Tom, then started to giggle. Chakotay pulled her close. Both were at a loss for words, the story would be over the ship by the beginning of alpha-shift. They watched the two lieutenants chat with the others then leave.
"Well, so much for secrecy," she whispered into his chest.
"They've known. They just now have proof...Kathryn?" She looked up at him as he gently kissed her. "You'd better be going." He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Marry me?"
Her eyes opened wide and she looked at him, then smiled.
Before she could answer, her comm-badge chirped. Tuvok's voice said, "Captain, the Khurian ships have increased speed--they will intercept in twenty minutes."
She shrugged her shoulders, "Red alert--I'm on my way." Then she looked at Chakotay. "Commander." She exited the cell and reactivated the force field. #
#
The Captain entered the bridge--her attention drawn to the viewscreen. "Report."
"The eight Khurian ships increased speed and will intercept in 15 minutes," Tuvok looked at the screen the back at his monitor.
"Tactical analysis?"
"Captain, the eight ships are only lightly armed," Harry reported. "The largest carries a crew of 47."
"Well, I'm tired of being chased across the galaxy. Tom, come about. Shields at maximum." She waited the several seconds it took for Tom to maneuver the ship. "Hail them." She moved to stand by her chair and looked at the screen. "This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager..."
A humanoid remarkably similar to Kasbrath appeared on the screen. He looked at Janeway. "I'm First Korthal of the Khurian ship Alakarn. We demand you surrender your ship immediately."
"Not bloody likely," Janeway looked at Tom. "Ahead warp one. Tuvok fire pattern delta-three on my command." She looked back up at the screen. "I'm willing to not pursue you, should you chose to break off the encounter, now. End transmission." She watched the ships continue their approach. "Tom, plot a course 246 point three warp nine. Engage immediately after Tuvok fires."
"Yes, Captain." He entered the commands into the computer. "Course laid in Captain."
She nodded. "Time to intercept."
"Two minutes, Captain." Harry responded.
"Battle stations." She sat down in her chair, looked at the data on her console then back to the screen.
Finally. "Fire." Immediately the screen was lit with the phasers and the minor explosions on the ships. There was a lurch as Tom again turned the ship around and Voyager accelerated. "Report."
"They're not pursuing." Harry continued manipulating the buttons. "Six ships were damaged."
She tapped her comm-badge. "Janeway to Torres. The Khurs ship?"
"We should be finished in two hours."
Janeway glanced at her console, the fleet were just sitting there. "Mr. Tuvok, you have the bridge. I'll be in sick-bay." #
#
Kasbrath was watching the Doctor and Kes, he was bored. He turned as the doors opened. "Captain, my ship?"
"The repairs should be completed in two hours. You'll be free to go."
He nodded. "Thank you." He hesitated a second. "I will be returning to my government with a fascinating story, but no evidence..."
She smiled. "I think we can arrange to share some of what we have found. Doctor?"
"We've created a marker to tag the fragment. Using the bio-filters on the transporters, we should be able to remove it. As long as we are not interrupted by anymore Khurian attacks, we will complete the experimental runs within several hours."
"Good," she grinned and turned to look at Kasbrath again. "I'll arrange for the information to be transfered to your computer."
"Thank-you Captain. Your help will be greatly appreciated."
She nodded, then turned to leave, "Doctor, keep me informed."
She grinned as she told the turbolift to take her to the bridge. The doors opened, and she looked around. "The Khurians?"
"Captain, they are no longer pursuing. They are heading back to their home planet."
"Good. Stand-down from yellow alert." She looked around quickly. From some of the knowing smiles she'd seen, she wondered if Tom had started the rumors. #
#
"Chief Medical Officer's log, stardate 51256.8. My brilliant procedure has worked. After treating my patients and then running several scans, I have determined that the protein fragment is no longer present in any of the five. Further study has also shown a reason for Ensign Melissa Friis's behavior changes. Apparently estrogen somehow affected the fragment. Further study is needed to understand how. She was the only female on the away-team.
"I have placed Melissa Friis on extended medical leave, the others will be allowed to return to duty after another examination in the morning.
"Khurs physiology is very remarkable. I would like the opportunity to study it further. But Kasbrath informed us that we would be leaving their sector in a week." #
#
Janeway was sitting in her chair. There wasn't a ship anywhere. They hadn't seen any sign of ship since Kasbrath had left three hours earlier. It was a relief not to have the Khurians on their tail anymore. She looked up when she noticed that Chakotay was standing behind her chair.
"Uh. Commander, unless I missed something, you're off-duty until tomorrow."
He laughed. "Bored. There wasn't anything to do in my quarters except read reports. Anyway, you never answered my question."
She was puzzled. "Which question was that..." Then she remembered and looked at him.
Chakotay grinned at her mischievously. "I thought I had the memory problems...He knew everybody was now watching and listening. "Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager, will you marry me?"
She stuttered something, but her eyes were locked on his. Slowly she smiled. "Yes," she whispered.
Tom grinned. "I do believe it is customary at this point for the couple to kiss." He turned to his console quickly.
Chakotay watched her blush (and ignored Tom's comment), "I suppose I'll see you for dinner?"
She looked around--everybody was watching them. "I suppose so." She looked up at the screen--wishing that something would happen to distract the crew...
Chirrup.
"Emergency Medical Hologram to Commander Chakotay."
"Yes, Doctor." He closed his eyes--knowing what was coming next.
"Commander, why is it that you are blatantly disregarding my instructions. Which I might add is typical..."
It was Paris who cut him off. "Doc, give the guy a break. He's just proposing to the Captain."
"Oh. Congratulations."
"All right everybody. The show's over. Back to work. Commander..." Kathryn shook her head and smiled.