Disclaimer: Parmount owns all...we just like to play. Warning: High fluff content.
"Ensign Thomas's team is coming along well in working with the Winocan's on the lunar mines. I think we're going to need to send some support to Ensign Krieger..." Chakotay's voice trailed off as he realized his Captain was no longer listening. "Perhaps if we just turned Voyager into a greenhouse, we could grow those incense the Winocan's are so proud of. I'd of course expect you to serve under me as the first in my Harem..."
Janeway blinked in the direction of her first officer as the last of his words filtered into her brain. "What's that Commander?" she murmured.
Chakotay eyed her with a reproving grin. "You haven't heard a word I've said. What you need is to take a couple hours and get some rest."
"I can't Chakotay," she shook her head as if to loosen the cobwebs that threatened to settle in. It'd been the first time she sat for more than 5 minutes all morning and it was only 0900. "These Winocan's are the most needy, procedure oriented species I've met in a long time. Every item discussed ad nauseam..."
Chakotay nodded in understanding, taking in the shadows beneath her eyes. "They have been very cooperative in letting us take raw supplies from their moons, and allowing shore leave for the crew. Perhaps you should insist that I take over some of the diplomatic responsibilities..."
"No Commander," Kathryn sat up a bit straighter, pushing away fatigue by strength of will. When she plastered on her reassuring Captain's smile she was almost convincing. "There's only 1 more day. I'll manage." She picked up her PADD and continued on with the briefing.
Chakotay eyed her for several moments, mentally determining to find a way to get her to get some rest. She'd been going almost nonstop for the past 10 days. Then with a small reassuring grin, he continued on with his report. "The last shift for shore-leave is up this afternoon. All mining teams have reported in on schedule, except Ensign Krieger. I'm going to take the shuttle down to the planet to help him get back on schedule..."
"Tuvok to the Captain." The comm-link sounded into the ready room.
"Janeway here. What is it Mr. Tuvok?"
"Captain, the Ridium radiation factors are not as the Winocan's stated. Your approval of the new levels in required before we can bring the crystals onto the ship."
"I'll be over in a moment, Tuvok," she responded with a sigh. That would mean another lengthy discussion with the Winocans. She was half tempted to simply tell them what to do with their raw materials and tear out of the Winocan system leaving skid marks.
Chakotay had crossed to the replicator while she talked with Tuvok. When she closed the channel, he handed her a thermos containing the replicated version of her favorite coffee. What were a couple replicator rations among friends? "I was done with my report, anyway," he murmured handing her a PADD along with the coffee.
Janeway smiled her appreciation at his thoughtfulness and understanding. So much had been going on since they'd began trading with the Winocan's that she hadn't had the time to even enjoy a meal with her first officer. She'd have to remedy that.
#
#
Chakotay gently set the shuttle down on the Winocan landing stall and waited for the planet's version of Air Traffic Control to acknowledge him. The Winocan's were very specific about the way visitors from other worlds were to approach their planet. They would not allow Voyager's use of transporters on the planet surface, thus requiring scheduled shuttle routes from Voyager to the planet hourly, significantly increasing the hassle of shore leave and the length of time necessary to transport supplies that did not originate from the moons.
"Winoca Control to Voyager shuttle: You may depart your vessel. Welcome in Peace Commander Chakotay."
"Thank you in Peace, Control." Chakotay responded and exited the ship. He was surprised to find that Ensign Krieger was waiting at the landing terminal almost beside himself with anxiety.
"Is something wrong, Ensign Krieger?" he asked formally, hoping to remind the young man of his official position as team leader.
"Sir, Crewmen Shiroc and Jarmin didn't report in this morning," the words spilled out hurriedly. "The rest of the team is finishing our assignment."
"Why didn't you report this before now?" Chakotay demanded. Things really weren't looking good for Krieger leading another team anytime soon.
"Well, Sir," he stammered, his face reddening. "They've been reporting in late the past several days. I thought they were gonna be late again, so I was giving them time to arrive."
Chakotay sighed. Shiroc, Jarmin and Krieger were all friends. Which was probably the root of the problem. Shiroc and Jarmin would never respect their friend's authority because he did not assert it. "Thank you for telling me, Ensign," he said. He'd leave the rest for the end of project briefing and Krieger's performance review.
"Do you have any idea where they are?" Chakotay asked, leading the ensign out of the terminal toward Winocan Ground Transportation.
#
#
Kathryn Janeway released a frustrated sigh as soon as she was alone in her quarters. Three hours. Three very long tedious hours to convince the Winocan's that it was acceptable to Voyager that the Ridium have a higher level of radioactivity than stated in the original agreement. If it hadn't been for Chakotay's coffee she didn't think she would have made it.
She cast a longing glance toward her bed as she moved to splash a little water on her face. She was expected to meet with the Winocan Exit Ministry in a little under an hour. No time for the waiting messages, or lunch for that matter. Perhaps she could kill two birds with one stone enroute to the surface.
#
#
Chakotay had tracked Jarmin and Shiroc's comm-links to what appeared to be a seedier side of Winocan culture. The structures were obviously older, though not in disrepair. Loud music could be heard blaring from several buildings. Funny, it sounded oddly like Klingon Rock.
"I think they're here," Chakotay nodded toward a structure that rose several stories above street level. A group of Winocan males hovered near the doorway. As the Winocan's stood, on average, a head taller than human males, Chakotay was forced to look far up to politely ask a tall Winocan to step aside so that he might pass.
The Winocan leered wordlessly but moved away. The rest of the aliens on the stoop emitted guttural sounds of laughter as Chakotay and Krieger entered the darkened room beyond. One look at the attire of the establishments *customers* and the smell of fermented beverages and Chakotay's suspicions were confirmed. A brothel.
Moving toward an individual who looked the part of proprietor, Chakotay asked after his crew members, holding out a PADD with their images.
The proprietor pointed wordlessly toward a flight of stairs.
Chakotay gazed over at the stairs. Two sets built directly across from each other led into the upper levels of the structure, one leading to each wing. The proprietor had pointed toward the east section.
Chakotay ordered Krieger to remain at the bottom between the two flights as he moved to go up. Each step creaked ominously with his weight. He wondered how the rickety material supported the much larger Winocans.
Half up the flight, he heard the sound of human footsteps moving toward the staircase. He could hear Jarmin and Shiroc discussing methods of relieving a hangover while getting their stories together as to why they were late. He decided to stop and wait for them as their conversation was proving very interesting.
They both froze, anxiety shooting across their features as they caught sight of him. Having served under him in the Maquis, they knew that Chakotay in a foul mood could be a terrible thing.
Across the building on the opposite steps a loud keening pierced the air. The universal-translator made no attempts with the utterance as it were either a curse or a scream.
Chakotay saw Jarmin and Shiroc hit the floor before he turned toward the sound. He ducked, but a flying object hit him anyway--sending him rolling down the stairs. His last vision was of the floor at the bottom of the stairs moving up to meet him at an alarming rate.
#
#
Kathryn was on her way to shuttle bay two when she received the call. "Bridge to Captain Janeway."
"Janeway here." She noted the voice of Lieutenant Carmon.
"Captain, Ensign Krieger is requesting an emergency beam-out from Winoca."
"For what reason?" she asked suddenly alert, coming to a stop in the corridor. "The Winocan's stated specifically that we were not to use our transporters."
"Yes, Captain. Commander Chakotay has been wounded and will die if they have to wait to get back to the shuttle. Ensign Krieger doesn't think Winocan medical officials will be able to save him."
Kathryn paled at the Lieutenant's words. The commander's life weighed against Winocan rules. She gave her response. "Transporter Room One: Energize. Beam him directly to sickbay." She was already running toward sick bay as she ordered the doctor to prepare for incoming wounded.
#
#
Sickbay was a beehive of activity. The doctor and Crewman Briggs were busily working around the bio-bed containing the body of Commander Chakotay. None of the other members of the away team were present.
Kathryn stopped a short distance from where the doctor was working not wanting to get in his way. After several minutes, the doctor nodded to his assistant and waited for her to approach.
Chakotay lay very still upon the bio-bed, a diagnostic arm covered his torso. His uniform shirt had been cut away and remained in bloody tatters beneath him. Her eyes focused on his face, calm and peaceful even in its paleness. He almost looked dead if not for the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
"He's lost a lot of blood, but he'll be just fine--thanks, yet again, to my expertise."
"Thank you, Doctor," Kathryn replied dryly. "Can you tell what happened to him?"
"Some details are incomplete, but judging solely from my examination, I'd say he was hit in the left side by a rather large, blunt object, after which he toppled from a height of...oh..." the doctor consulted a medical PADD, "four meters before hitting his head, and somewhere along the way gathering a rather large piece of shrapnel in his shoulder, along with several other minor contusions..."
Kathryn winced at the gruesome details. How had a simple attempt to get one of the away teams back on track deteriorated to this? She wondered. "How long until he awakens?" she asked aloud.
"I could awaken him now," the doctor frowned. "But I would prefer not to. Several of his ribs were crushed. I would prefer that the regenerator be allowed to do its work without having to compensate for his movements. Or his pain."
"Bridge to Captain Janeway." The summons cut into her contemplation.
"Janeway here."
"The Winocans are hailing us. They've requested to speak with you privately."
"On my way," she responded with a nod toward the doctor. "Keep me informed of his progress."
"Captain!" Krieger's voice sounded behind her as she left sickbay. She turned to find Jarmin and Shiroc a couple steps behind him.
"How's Commander Chakotay?" He spoke nervously as he approached her. The two gentleman behind him remained silent.
"The doctor says he's going to be all right," she replied coolly. "However, I'd appreciate it if you would tell me what went on down there on that planet." She gestured that he walk with her as she headed toward the bridge.
Krieger swallowed hard but followed.
#
#
"Captain Kathryn Janeway," Prelect Sifurg spoke as she sat behind the desk in her ready room. "It has come to our attention that there has been a breach of our arranged contract."
"If you are referring to the use of our transportation device, Prelect, it was an emergency. One of my crewmen was wounded and required immediate medical attention."
"Then you should have stated that in the contract" the Prelect replied blandly, not to be moved. "I have turned this matter over to our exit committee, who's meeting you have failed to attend. We can only assume that you no longer require the materials we've offered and wish to discontinue your business here."
"Not at all, Prelect," Kathryn sighed mentally. "We do require the materials, and we apologize for deviating from the original agreement."
"An apology is hardly sufficient, Captain Janeway." replied the Prelect with a wave of her hand. "Our contract clearly stated that no use of your transporters was to take place. You did sign such a contract did you not?"
Janeway sighed. "Yes, Prelect."
The bureaucrat smiled in self congratulations at gaining the Captain's admission. "Then the matter is closed. You will be hearing from the Exit Committee." The signal terminated before Kathryn could attempt to salvage the situation.
Clamping down on jangled nerves and twisted emotions she turned to find Ensign Krieger waiting fearfully near the door. *He looks like a scared puppy.* thought Janeway. "Ensign, please have a seat." Krieger crossed nervously and took the chair in front of her desk. "What happened down there?"
Krieger swallowed nervously. "Captain, Crewmen Jarmin and Shiroc were late reporting for duty. Commander Chakotay and myself were in the process of retrieving them. The Commander was climbing a flight of stairs when an argument broke out between native customers. The Commander was injured and fell off the staircase."
"What sort of establishment were you in, Ensign?"
Krieger cringed and looked as if he wished he were anywhere but in front of his Captain. "Captain...we...I mean, they...It was a brothel, Ma'am."
Kathryn tried hard to control the grin which threatened to escape. Instead she raised an eyebrow and tried to look disapproving. "A brothel? Any indication of..."
"Sickbay to Captain Janeway."
Kathryn immediately focused on the comm-link. "What is it Doctor?"
"I believe you had better get down here, Captain. The Winocan's are attempting to interfere with my treatment of Commander Chakotay."
Kathryn was bolting through her Ready Room door before the Doctor had time to terminate the link.
Tuvok had already begun evacuating the planet, she learned as she paused for a short second on the bridge...He accompanied her to sick-bay. "I've sent a team to sick-bay, and we have placed a containment field around the Commander. Apparently the Winocans have transporter technology."
Janeway nodded, as looked at the door of the lift. Usually it was fast...today the thing just crawled. She turned slightly to ask Tuvok a question just as the door opened.
Sick-bay was borderline chaotic. Security personnel were scrutinizing the room carefully, while the doctor attempted to continue his ministrations to the Commander. Kathryn smiled--he was conscious and starting to fuss.
"Captain...Lieutenant Commander Tuvok," The last was said with a slight sarcastic tone. "Your security teams are interfering with my job. Commander, please remain lying down." There was a groan as the commander obeyed.
"Doctor," the Vulcan said in his flat calm voice, "We are attempting to ascertain what happened just now. Until we know for sure, *you* will have to adjust." He walked over to the head of the security team.
The Captain looked at the patient, then the doctor. "How is he?"
"He'll be fine, his hard head saved him again. I've repaired the other damage and have placed him on limited..."
"Doctor..." Chakotay interrupted only to be cut off by the doctor as he continued.
"Commander, you have suffered severe trauma, if it wasn't for the quick action of Ensign Krieger you might have bled to death..." He grinned..." On the floor of a brothel. A rather ignoble demise."
"Captain?" He was beginning to agree with the Doctor's assessment, his head hurt like hell.
"You heard the Doctor, Commander."
Tom's voice filled the room, "Bridge to Janeway."
She tapped her comm-badge in response. "Janeway here."
"Captain," Tom's voice said. "The Winocan Prelect is demanding that you contact him."
She closed her eyes. "Mr. Tuvok, what happened?"
"They have a primitive transporter technology and were attempting to beam the Commander off the ship. Fortunately the Doctor was able to place a containment field around Commander Chakotay. His quick actions..." Somehow the Vulcan made it sound like that was a remarkable feat. The Doctor grunted as he continued working on the commander.
Tom's voice again cut through. "Captain, the Prelect is turning a remarkable shade of purple."
"Send the message through to sick-bay. Janeway out."
"Captain Janeway," she was getting tired of the Prelect. "I have been informed that once again you have interfered with our laws."
She felt her anger mount. "Winocan Law? Is that what you call trying to kidnap..."
The Prelect uttered a shrill screech that caused Kathryn, along with the rest of the inhabitants of sick-bay to clasp their hands over their ears. The doctor simply glanced up in irritation.
Sure she had the Captain's attention, the Prelect continued. "You have trespassed the contract. We were attempting to save face for you according to custom, but you respond by insulting us! We demand restitution!"
Kathryn's weary gaze met that of her first officer across sickbay. She sighed. "What sort of restitution do you require, Prelect?" It was useless to argue with these people. Better to just see what impossible thing they wanted and get out of there. She could practically hear the smug smile in the alien woman's voice.
"Good. You and the offender will face the Court of Artuenican on neutral territory in 1 hour. I trust this will meet with your approval."
*Obviously it will have to* Kathryn thought as the link was immediately severed.
"Is he okay to travel, Doctor?" she asked the EMH, passing a look over her second in command. It wasn't that she relished another no doubt drawn out negotiation with the Winocans, but simply wanted to get it over with.
"I don't know why you bother to ask, as regardless of my *better* judgment Commander Chakotay will be accompanying you. All I can do is suggest that he avoid any strenuous activity for at least 12 hours." With that the Doctor handed the commander a hypospray. "For the final stages of bone regeneration. Once an hour if you please..."
Chakotay watched Kathryn closely as he pulled on his boots; he was worried. "Kathryn, you still haven't had any rest, have you?" he asked quietly.
She shrugged. "No time." The smile she gave him was worn and weak.
"Maybe you should just tell the Winocans to forget it."
Janeway shook her head. "No, we'll follow regulations. And that means following their law."
Chakotay slipped off the bio-bed and gently wrapped his hand around her arm. "I'm worried about your lack of sleep. You shouldn't be going on like this."
The smile he received this time was more vibrant. "And you shouldn't be out of bed...we do what we must, Commander."
Chakotay nodded with professional understanding. "Alright, but as soon as this is over I want to see you in bed."
Kathryn's smile turned evil, "Really, Commander? What an interesting proposition, has it worked before?"
Chakotay kept himself from blushing at his inadvertent come-on, but failed to keep the pleasure from his eyes. Before he could respond Kathryn's commbadge chirped.
"Tuvok to Janeway."
Kathryn forced herself to pull out of her contemplation of Chakotay's eyes. "Yes, Tuvok?"
"Captain, your shuttle is ready for departure. The Winocan moon is signaling their readiness."
"Very well, we're on our way."
Kathryn glanced toward Chakotay with a worried frown as he again shifted in his chair. He hadn't made a sound of discomfort, but the shuttle ride to the Winocan moon in question was 45 minutes--leave it to the Winocan's to choose the furthest, most inhospitable area for this meeting, not to mention the surrounding asteroid field. Kathryn was sure that no matter how well designed for comfort the shuttle's seats were, they had to be bothering Chakotay's still healing injuries after so long a time. She was tempted to suggest he go to the back and lie down. She settled for a question: "How are you doing?"
Chakotay grinned over at her. "Oh, I've been better," he replied, brushing her sympathy aside. "Why don't you let me pilot for a bit? Asteroid fields and plasma storms are my specialty."
Kathryn laughed at that. "So I hear. But you're gonna have to ride this one out, fly boy. Sit back, relax and leave the driving to me." Truth be told, under normal circumstances Kathryn would have enjoyed piloting through this asteroid field. The hairpin course corrections required in the thick of the field often left the inertial dampers behind, causing a slight rocking motion. But the purpose for and the events surrounding the trip spoiled the joy.
Chakotay opened his mouth to reply when a Winocan voice sounded. "Voyager Shuttle. Please hold your position at the co-ordinates we've transmitted to your vessel.
Kathryn brought the shuttle to a gentle stop in the midst of the asteroid field at the proscribed co-ordinates. "Does this seem as nuts to you as it does to me?" she asked as the asteroids floated by.
Chakotay was monitoring a navigational console. "According to the computer no asteroid will come closer than within 100 meters of these co-ordinates for the next 3 hours."
"Really?" Kathryn asked. "Explain that."
Chakotay's eyes rose to the screen as a very large asteroid moved to fill the viewscreen. As they watched, a large opening appeared swallowing up the small vessel.
He shrugged his shoulders as the darkness overcame them. "Computer, increase illumination to standard levels." Somehow he wasn't surprised when nothing happened. He could see a vague movement beside him as Kathryn attempted to regain control of the shuttle.
"Shit." He raised his eyebrows. Very rarely had he heard her cuss. "Some sort of interference...I can't contact Voyager either."
He reached over and searched for her hand. A gentle reassuring touch, before he spoke. "I don't think this is a natural asteroid."
"No." She took a deep breath to calm herself. She was reaching for the communication switch, when the Winocan voice filled the ship.
"Welcome to the Artuenican. You will surrender all weapons." There was a thud as the shuttle landed on something.
She looked toward Chakotay--the darkness was complete. She found his hand. "What now?"
"I have no idea. But I do know 3 members of the crew who are going to know the outside of the ship intimately." He was relieved to hear her laugh.
The lights outside came on showing a landing station. Empty.
"You will come. The Court of Artuenican awaits your presence."
Kathryn and Chakotay stepped cautiously out onto the landing bay floor. The large semi-metallic base stretched around them for several hundred yards, there were no other ships present. Red markings along the floor seemed to indicated a walkway; they began to follow it.
"Halt!" a voice boomed from someplace above.
Both officers obliged, looking about intently for the source of the voice. Kathryn touched Chakotay's arm and gestured to a point in the far corners. Tiny flashing lights suggested some sort of monitoring system. Chakotay nodded his understanding.
"What are these devices?" the voice continued. A brilliant pinpoint of light shone on their tool belts.
"These are our tools," Kathryn responded. "They aren't defensive weapons. We use them to determine if certain environments or food stuffs are safe to our physiology.
"They will not be needed here." The voice continued. "You must leave them with your vessel."
Kathryn sighed in frustration, but acquiesced, gesturing Chakotay back toward the shuttle with her.
"What do you think?" she asked, when they were within the confines of the little vehicle.
"I don't particularly like it, but I don't think they'll truly do us any harm. If all else fails we can count on Tuvok coming after us if we don't return in a reasonable amount of time."
Kathryn nodded in agreement. "All right. Are you ready to meet the Court of Artuenican..."
When Captain and Commander returned to the shuttle door, a very tall woman dressed in what appeared to be slick black leather stood out side. "I am the bailiff. Follow me."
They followed the tall woman across the platform. A carved door way appeared as they approached one of the far walls.
The Bailiff turned and looked at them, as she stepped to one side to let the two officers pass through the portal. The door slammed shut.
"What?" Kathryn looked around. They were in a small dimly-lit room. The walls were painted with--what she assumed were--the local flora and fauna. "What is going on?" The statement was to the air, Chakotay looked just as puzzled as she felt.
"The Court of Artuenican will commence in fifteen minutes. We will send the Bailiff to escort you to the proceedings."
"Wait..." Kathryn called out. "On board the shuttle is the medication for the Commander..." She barely spoke when it materialized in front of her. "Now if only the answers would appear as quickly." She picked up the hypospray..."Commander--once an hour."
He groaned. "I'd like to lay my hands on the guy who hit me..." The hiss of the hypo-spray stopped his thoughts. He rubbed his neck. "I like your bedside manner better than the Doctor's." He watched her start to explore the room.
She frowned as he sat down on the floor and started studying the artwork. She went back to the business of examining the room. There was apparently one door. "Commander?"
"The paintings are interesting," he said. "I don't know what the creatures are--but there is almost a mythical quality--as if they are telling a story." He gestured to indicate the whole room.
She nodded and glanced around the room, then walked over to the door.
"Kathryn, you should get some rest." He stood and walked over to a painting of a large ferocious creature.
"Highly unlikely." She muttered angrily. She did not like not knowing what was going on.
She jumped back as she heard the door start to open. Again the statuesque woman in black motioned for them to follow her. "The arbitrators await."
The woman led them to a large anteroom. Court was already in session. Kathryn and Chakotay were led behind a darkened screen near the back of the room, and sat on hard benches.
"You will remain here until called," the woman murmured and backed away. The screen slid around and completely enclosed the bench, effectively sealing the couple within.
A look passed between Kathryn and Chakotay as the Arbitrator began to speak. Justice was swift, and harsh. Both officers wore worried frowns as the miscreants were whisked out of the room and the announcer next spoke...
"The Court calls the offenders: Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay of Voyager; and the Offended: The representative of the People of Winoca."
The screen opened revealing three arbitrators. The bailiff moved to stand beside the couple and motioned for them to stand and move forward to the floor in front of the large bench.
The arbitrator on the right stood, "Kathryn Janeway and Chakotay of Voyager are charged with 9 counts of contract violation, and of one count of illegal use of transporters. There are additional charges, but this court withdraws the other charges." There was some whispering between the arbitrators, then the one arbitrator continued. "How do the defendants plead?"
Chakotay could feel her anger building as he reached out to take her hand--a movement noticed by the arbitrators. She closed her eyes and counted to ten before speaking. "Not guilty, your honors." She had no idea what the proper protocol for Winocan courts was, except to humor them.
"Be it noted that the defendants have pleaded not guilty." Again there was quiet whispering amongst the arbitrators, intermixed with loud, angry words the Universal Translators didn't pick-up.
She looked at Chakotay and started to whisper something, when the center arbitrator stood and rang a gong. "Under Winocan law there are now two choices. Declare the contract null and void or undergo the Kolmar."
"Pardon me, your honor," Kathryn spoke up, hoping she's inserted the proper amount of submission. "But what *is* the Kolmar?"
"You have entered the plea. Your co-offender must answer the question. You must now remain silent." The arbitrator's voice was becoming tense.
"You honor, understand yours is a different culture. Can we have a minute to think about it? In private?" Kathryn continued, loosing the submission tone altogether near the end.
A hush fell over the room followed by frantic whispering among the arbitrators. The arbitrator then spoke again. "No. In fact you are forbidden from speaking for the remainder of the proceedings or else you will be held in contempt!"
Kathryn froze and locked eyes with the arbitrator. Her lips nearly twitched with the ire the ached to be released. Chakotay watched as she clamped down on her lower lip. He knew the exact moment she decided to speak her mind, and to heck with this little backwater planet. Her hand was already on her hip.
"We chose the Kolmar," he spoke clearly. He felt Kathryn's eyes burning a hole in the side of his head....
#
#
Harry watched the shuttle on the sensors, "Curious."
"Ensign?" Tuvok looked up from the console.
"This asteroid." A large asteroid appeared on the view screen next to the Captain and Commander's shuttle. Then the image flickered, went blank and reappeared a second later. The shuttle was no longer present.
Harry's fingers were scrambling over the controls before Tuvok even ordered him to make the necessary adjustments.
"It's not there," Harry whispered minutes later. "There is no sign of the shuttle. And there is some sort of interference coming from the asteroid."
Tuvok glanced down at the data, then up at the screen. "Yellow alert. Continuous scans. And contact the planetary leaders."
It took Harry about twenty minutes to make the connection. He had distinct impression that the Winocans were being very uncooperative.
The Winocan leader appeared on the screen. "Voyager," she sounded exasperated.
"I'm Lieutenant Commander Tuvok," Tuvok stood and looked at the screen with a hard impassive stare. "The shuttle carrying Captain Janeway and Commander Chakotay has disappeared."
Prelect Sifurg sighed. "You are not to interfere..." She looked down at something and her eyes opened wide. "They have chosen the Kolmar. Until it is complete there can be no contact between your ship and any member of Winocan society." The screen went blank.
#
#
Kathryn and Chakotay were briskly rushed from before the arbitrators. Kathryn's eyes shot daggers Chakotay's way, as they were shepherded along the hallway. "What did you think you were doing in there, Commander?" she demanded.
"It was the murals, Captain," Chakotay responded. "In one of the pictures, a woman stood before a bench, very similar to the one in the court. First she was before the bench, obviously unhappy. In the next mural she was...well, she appeared to be in a very uncomfortable position."
Some of the anger went out of her as curiosity kicked in. "What sort of position?" she asked, wishing now she'd paid closer attention.
She tried to remember what the pictures had been. "Animals and plants..." There was something in his demeanor that caused her to become suspicious. "What position?"
He shrugged as the Bailiff led the out of the chambers. As they entered another small room, they felt the familiar tingle of a transporter.
They reappeared in a small clearing surrounded by a forest. A quick glance indicated there was no one else about.
"Now what?" Kathryn asked as she started walking toward a stream.
Chakotay followed. "I don't know, but we...Kathryn wait up." She had started walking faster.
She turned and looked at him. "Kolmar..." She was angry, her hands on her hips as she stared at him--her eyes icy.
He stared back at her, trying to figure out exactly how to explain what he suspected was happening. "I think they are testing us..."
"That is obvious." She sat down on a rock. "But what is the test, Commander." She was tired she realized. "We should have just backed out of the deal and left them..." She sighed, that wasn't really an option, Winoca had too much of what Voyager needed. "So, what first?"
As she leaned further back unto the rock, Chakotay moved to stand to one side of her, his eyes focused on where her bottom met the rock.
"Commander?" she asked with an arched brow.
"Sorry," Chakotay spared her a glance before his attention returned to the rock. He gently scooted her to the side. "Look at this."
Kathryn scooted off of the rock to get a look at the charcoal image drawn in graceful arcs across the rock. "It looks like a crude star map. But this isn't the Winocan system." She reached a hand to delicately touch the design.
Chakotay nodded in agreement. "It reminds me of something from the mural. If I remember correctly, there was a star here on the mural." He pointed to a point that appeared to be on the far side of what looked like a river.
He looked up and around, taking in the nearby forest. " I don't think this is a star map at all. This area looks like this point here." he gestured. "And the formation of those rocks, look here."
Kathryn looked on, nodding. "I think you're right. Do you think we're supposed to go to where the marker was?"
"Well, it couldn't hurt," Chakotay suggested, trying to absorb as much of the map as possible before setting off.
"Too bad we don't have a tricorder," Kathryn commented as they set off for the near woods.
They'd only just entered the shadow of the forest when they heard a shuffling sound. Kathryn stopped and held a hand in the air for silence. Nothing.
The began to walk again more slowly. After several tense minutes and no recurrence of the shuffling sound, they again picked up their pace.
The terrain was uneven. A portion of the path gave out under Kathryn's foot, causing her to plow into the Chakotay, knocking both of them to the ground.
Chakotay groaned as he rolled over, trying to catch his breathe. He turned at the pressure of Kathryn's hand on his arm.
"This position, Commander? Was it perchance dinner?" she murmured, pointing toward a toward a large hungry creature staring at them...
"Don't make any sudden moves." warned Chakotay quietly. Kathryn eyed the creature with no intention of making any moves which might be viewed as sudden.
The creature was vaguely simian in characteristics, but seemed to lack any of the inherent intelligence of an equivalent terran animal. Much like a gorilla, the creature had powerful short arms and razor sharp teeth. With short hops and slides the animal began to circle around Janeway and her First Officer.
"Think we can make a run for it? It doesn't seem to have very powerful legs, it looks more designed for treetop travel." whispered Kathryn.
Chakotay shook his head just the slightest, "Don't let it fool you, that animal can travel faster than we can no matter where he is. Besides, I don't think I could make it."
Kathryn was about to propose her more suicidal plan for attacking the animal when a blood chilling scream emerged from the forest. The "gorilla" halted it's advance and leapt away from the humans as if scalded.
Kathryn was on her feet instantaneously. "I don't think I want to be around for whatever is large enough to terrify that monster. Come on," she bent over and helped Chakotay haul himself onto shaky legs. "Let's get out of here."
They spent the next ten minutes moving through the forest with no real indication of where they were headed. The screams were getting closer.
"Kathryn wait." called Chakotay as the Captain began to pull farther ahead of him.
"Sorry," Kathryn apologized. She gave Chakotay's face a closer inspection, pale skin and glazed eyes were a better indication than a call for a slower pace that his body was still not fit for this duty. "We've got to find a place for you to rest." she told him.
If he was offended by the suggestion he didn't let it show. "How about that hillside? There seems to be a defensible position there about half way up."
Kathryn studied the suggestion, it was really the only option. "All right, let's see what it has to offer."
She had no idea how long it took to reach the small overhang. Too long, by the look on her First Officer's face. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the hypospray. A quick glance showed there were 3 more doses. She hoped it was enough. Before he could protest, she placed the hypospray on his neck.
"Now, Commander," she said as she looked around. "Now what?"
He looked around. "Hopefully our pursuer is not inclined to climb up here." There wasn't much in the way of weaponry--besides stones. "And figure out exactly what the Winocan expect us to do." He pointed toward the sun. She was surprised that it was so low in the sky.
"We need a fire." A simple statement...He almost laughed as he remembered his last attempt to start a fire. "There's a lot of dead wood..." She glanced at him. "Think you can start one without cutting my hair?"
"I can try." He moved slowly looking for the right two pieces to start with. She quickly gathered several handfuls of kindling.
A scream from the forest caused both to look down the steep hill toward the trees. A flicker of movement. Not enough to identify what it was--but enough to realize there were several of the unknown creatures...Both officers hoping that fire would be a deterrent. # #
Harry looked down at the scans. For the past--he looked at his chronometer--five hours, he'd been trying to locate the Captain and Commander. He stretched, trying to relieve some of ache in his muscles. He programmed yet another adjustment and started another scan.
#
#
Chakotay hurried through the motions of finishing the fire as Kathryn gathered rocks and anything else that might be useful as weaponry. Neither spoke as they kept busily about their work.
The fading light was very nearly gone by the time they both finished their prospective tasks. Chakotay was already leaning against the rock which bordered one side of their 'fort', carefully keeping watch in the direction in which they'd seen the creatures.
Kathryn sank beside him carrying handfuls of berries. "Hope they aren't poisonous," she murmured as she passed some to him. "Or prone to any of the other discomfiting affects related to Neelix's cooking."
Chakotay chuckled, and popped the fruit into his mouth, his eyes never leaving the dim hillside.
"Seen anything else?" Kathryn asked, trying to focus in the dark as well.
"I'm not sure," Chakotay shook his head. "One second I think I see something moving closer, and then it's gone. Must be the shadows."
"I'm incl-" the sudden crash of foliage halted all conversation.
A large shadow appeared on the periphery of the camp, vaguely canine in form. Again a shrill whistle, but much softer now. Its powerful upper body appeared to shift and rise, as its heavy footfalls moved ever closer. Then, just as it had appeared it shimmered away with a keening echo.
"Whatever it is, it's cautious." observed Janeway.
"I'd say that works to our advantage. If we can hold it off until morning, I think we can figure a way out of this."
"Hopefully. I just wish we had some idea of what the Winocan's expect of us."
"No sense in worrying about that now. I suggest we just do the best we can to survive."
"Agreed."
Chakotay eyed his captain carefully. "The first order for our survival is for you to get some rest."
Janeway glared at him, for once not interested in what his eyes and dimples were doing to her. "I don't need to be coddled, Commander."
"Of course not, Captain. But, you haven't slept in two days and now is not the time for your body to shut down. You should rest. I'll keep watch for the first half of the night and when you're rested you can take a turn. I don't think our friend is ready to join our party just yet."
Janeway nodded slowly, she knew he was right. "If you grow too fatigued wake me, you're not exactly in tip top shape yourself."
Chakotay smiled making Kathryn aware once again of his effect on her. "I will."
Kathryn lay down near the fire and closed her eyes. It took almost no time for her body to slip into sleep. Chakotay tried to concentrate on the forest around him, spirits knew there was plenty of danger to keep his mind alert, but more and more often he found his attention wandering back to the figure on the ground beside him. In the quiet night, surrounded by the sounds of animals and the whisper of the wind, she looked as beautiful as any vision he had ever laid eyes on.
Kathryn's head lay only inches from his hand, her silky auburn hair shining in the firelight. Unconsciously he began to toy with a strand, first twirling it between his fingers and then stroking it's soft length. When his own body began to respond to the tactile stimulation he dropped the lock guiltily, but his fingers itched to bury themselves deeper into that inviting mass.
The creature screamed again and Chakotay scanned the trees- still no sign of whatever it was. Her sleep disturbed by the howl, Kathryn tossed worriedly but was too exhausted to awaken. Chakotay scooted the few inches dividing them and rubbed her back reassuringly. His heart leapt to his throat when she sighed contentedly and murmured his name sleepily.
"Shh, everything is fine Kathryn, sleep."
Kathryn smiled in her sleep and reached out to take his hand. Gently she pulled it to her and tucked it against her chest. Still sleeping she snuggled more tightly against his legs and grew quiet.
Chakotay gazed longingly at her sleeping form before turning his attention back to the forest. He spent the rest of his watch scanning the trees and cherishing her unguarded actions. *If it weren't for that banshee out there, I could stay like this forever.* he marveled.
He felt it's presence before he saw it...Down at the edge of the trees. He carefully moved to the wood pile, keeping his eyes toward the trees. Something moved. The fire light did not penetrate far into the night--and the moon had just slipped behind a cloud. He carefully placed the wood on the fire. "Kathryn..."
She stirred slightly...He regretted having to wake her...but his instinct told him that the creature was approaching. "Captain..."
This time she opened her eyes and sat up. "The creature?"
Chakotay nodded as he handed her some rocks. "Rather limited in weaponry." He had found a long stick and was planning to use it as a torch.
A low growl filled the night air, from the forest they could see three pairs of eyes reflecting the fire light. Another low growl accompanied the reappearance of the moon. With the new light Kathryn looked around...Her gaze lingering on the steep hillside behind them. "Chakotay..." she whispered as she pointed. Illuminated by the moonlight was another of the paintings...An image of a hand. "You don't think?" She made her way cautiously to the image and pressed her hand on it...There was a grinding noise and a small--two-meter-wide opening appeared. It disappeared quickly. Chakotay joined her quickly.
"We'll have to go through together." The creatures were approaching. Wolf-like the size of a small Shetland pony. She just nodded as she again pressed the hand image.
The opening reappeared and they both crawled in. It closed, just missing his foot. They lay there for several seconds--the creatures were frantically digging at the hill side. Their plaintive wails echoed in the black chamber.
"I wonder where we are?" Kathryn asked. Even right next to her, she couldn't see him.
"I don't know," Chakotay murmured, his voice appeared to be muffled, as if he were faced away from her. "Do you feel that?" he asked.
"Yes," Kathryn said with a catch of surprise in her voice. "A breeze. It's coming from behind us. What say we follow it?"
"No argument here." There was a smile in his reply.
Kathryn turned on hands and knees and felt her way along the narrow corridor. "Be careful, the floor seems to slope," she warned. She could hear Chakotay's grunted OK as he tried to turn around in the small confines.
They crawled along the passage for several minutes before the floor leveled off. "Do you remember seeing anything like this on the mural?" Kathryn asked as they continued along.
"I'm afraid not," Chakotay answered. "But that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I didn't really look at the entire thing," he replied, then continued after a beat. "I've been thinking about what it is the Winocan's want from us."
"Yes?" Kathryn prompted when he fell silent.
"Well, think about it. They offered us all or nothing. Nothing, we tear up the contract and leave. All, we keep the agreed upon terms of the contract and do this 'Kolmar'. It's like...penance of a sort, but I can't help but think of it as...as a dare."
Kathryn's brows rose in the dark. "A dare?" she asked. "Truth or dare. Like a game; either answer the question or do something embarrassing?" "Well, yes, in a sense," Chakotay replied. "This 'Kolmar', though bizarre has yet to seem like a true punishment, they've even left clues: the map on the rock, and the hand print. They're leading us to where they want us to go."
"Now, if we just knew where there is, and what it is we're to do once we get there." Kathryn came to a sudden stop, causing Chakotay to run into her.
"Sorry," she called excitedly over her shoulder. "I think I see light ahead."
Kathryn smiled as they crawled nearer the light. She had no idea how long they had been crawling through the caves--except that it was too long. Just minutes earlier, Chakotay had passed her when the tunnel had widened...She was still savoring the feel of him brushing pass her. She stopped, suddenly realizing that he wasn't crawling anymore. "Chakotay?"
"Stay put. I want to investigate..."
"Like Hell I will...I'll investigate..."
Chakotay smiled, he should have realized that would be her response. "Come on, we'll go together."
"Well then, get moving..." If the tunnel had been wider she would have crawled past him.
They were getting close enough to the light for it to start illuminating the walls of the tunnel. She heard him chuckle.
"What's so funny?"
"More clues."
She looked around. There were drawings on the walls. She smiled. "I hope this means they are planning to feed us."
"Looks that way." He looked in the window as she moved beside him.
"Looks cozy," was her only comment as she opened the door and cautiously entered the small room.
"No creatures?" He walked over to the table and looked at the meal. He picked up a tangerine-size blue fruit and ate it. "Not bad." He handed her one.
She smiled as she bit into. "Sort of a cross between a raspberry and a cantaloupe."
The room wasn't very big. There was a small fire in a corner, the table, two chairs...Kathryn looked around again. "Now what?"
They noticed the pictures over the hearth at the same time.
"It looks like we get to eat then sleep." There was a drawing of a couple stretched out on the rug by the fire...asleep... Well, maybe not asleep.
They finished the rest of the light meal silently. Kathryn would sit down for several seconds, then stand and start pacing again.
He yawned. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "You need to get some sleep...I'll stand the watch." She pulled the hypospray out of her pocket. She had administered the last dose hours ago. "How are you doing?"
He yawned again. "Fine. Kathryn...now don't be ridiculous, you need to sleep too." He stood and took her hand.
Kathryn hesitated for a moment before she allowed him to pull her to her feet. It was with unsure steps that she followed him to the thick rug in front of the fire. She sank to the floor on the rug beside him and stretched out, immediately rolling primly unto her side and remaining as still as possible.
Chakotay lay behind her, only inches away but not touching. His eyes focused on the back of her head. Sometime during their crawl through the tunnels she'd lost her barrette. Her hair was plaited in a single braid down the back of her head. It shone against the gentle flickering of the firelight.
His fingers were drawn to the tail of the braid where it lay on the rug. He fingered its silky length as he pondered the tense woman before him. Up on the cliffside she'd readily fallen asleep, but here in the intimate environs of this little room she was tense and uncertain.
His vision blurred as his mind continued it's meandering along the well worn path of thoughts of Kathryn Janeway. And soon only their dreams and the warmth of the fire remained...